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Kenya will extend its tourism marketing reach in China to woo more visitors, the country's tourism agency said Monday.

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) acting CEO, Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi, told Xinhua that their previous marketing efforts had been concentrated in the Chinese capital Beijing.

But now they are targeting more Chinese cities.

"We will soon roll out a program to target the second-tier cities that are not well familiar with Kenya as a tourism destination," Nzioka-Mbithi said.

According to the KTB, around 29,000 Chinese tourists visited Kenya in 2015, down from 33,000 the previous year.

The decline was attributed to the outbreak of Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which affected Kenya's overall international arrivals.

"However the decline of Chinese tourists was less when compared to key source markets of the U.S. and Europe," Nzioka-Mbithi said.

She put the number of Chinese tourists expected to visit Kenya this year at more than 35,000, as the country has seen an increase in tourists so far this year.

"The tourists arrivals for the first three months of the year have improved by an average of 18 percent compared to last year."

The official also noted the high spending from Chinese tourists in Kenya.

"We are educating our tourism sector on how to develop products that cater for the Chinese tourists," she said.

In 2011, Kenya attracted 1.8 million tourists, the highest in history, while last year it drew 1.2 million.

The Kenyan government has been trying to revive the tourism industry after terror attacks staged by Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants in recent years kept visitors away.

"The government has invested heavily in security and so we are optimistic that the tourism sector will recover," Nzioka-Mbithi said.
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Situated on the southern outskirts of Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan, the Temple of Marquis Wu was first built in the 6th century in memory of Zhuge Liang (181-234), a chancellor of the state of Shu-Han during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). Due to his great wisdom, he was considered the greatest military strategist of his time.[China.org.cn/ Photo by Guo Rui]

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Saturday's strongest earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades has caused 499 deaths, the Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday.

Image taken on April 18, 2016 provided by the Ecuadorian and South American Public News Agency ANDES shows a collapsed building by the earthquake, in Portoviejo, Ecuador. [Photo/Xinhua]

In the worst-hit area of Pedernales in the western province of Manabi, 159 deaths have been registered.

In the tourist port of Manta, 142 bodies were found. In Portoviejo, capital of Manabi, all 116 bodies have been identified and handed over to their families, according to the office.

At least 4,027 people were injured in the quake and 231 people were missing, the National Ministry for Risk Management announced previously.

The ministry also said that 20,503 people are currently being housed in shelters after the magnitude-7.8 earthquake.

Some good news broke the gloom Tuesday as three people were found alive in the rubble of a building in Manta, according to Ecuador's firefighter chief Ebber Arroyo.

The survivors, two women and a man, were immediately taken to hospital for urgent medical care.

Vice President Jorge Glas said in a Twitter update Tuesday morning that power supply was coming back in most of Manabi, and an evaluation of infrastructure would be carried out once power is fully restored.

Glas stressed that to find victims and treat the injured remained the priority.

President Rafael Correa, who was visiting the disaster area Tuesday, estimated that losses caused by the earthquake would amount to around 3 billion U.S. dollars, or 3 percent of the gross domestic product.
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A student was killed and over 40 others injured on Tuesday when violent clashes erupted among students at the University of Kordofan in El Obied city, some 588 km south west of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Sudan's Ashorooq net reported.

The authorities arrested 90 persons in the wake of the events, while the university administration announced its closure indefinitely, the report said.

The events took place due to disputes among the students over the elections of the university's union, which were scheduled to be conducted today.

"The police authorities have managed to arrest 90 people involved in the incidents who have no relation to the university," Ismail Meki Ismail, acting Governor of North Kordofan State, was quoted as saying.

Ismail accused parties outside the University of participating in the events and fanning violence among the students.

He further said that the police forces have not intervened until after the events got out of control, pointing out that the university administration asked the police to protect the campus utilities.

He said around 40 students were slightly injured, except for four who are being treated at hospitals.

In the meantime, Kordofan University Chancellor Ahmed Abdalla said in a statement that "The Deans Council met Tuesday and decided to suspend the study at the university for an indefinite period to preserve the lives of the students and ward off the state of tension resulting from the violence and the killing of a student."

Sudanese universities have been suffering from the phenomenon of violence among the students due to political bickering among the students.
by Nina Lentini @Nina_Lentini, April 18, 2016

As full legalization of marijuana sales ramps up over the next two years in California, there is growing concern that corporate interests will hold sway over the states cannabis farmers.

To address that concern and in advance of April 20, considered by those in the weed culture to be a national holiday, Flow Kana, a marijuana wholesaler founded in 2015, is launching an advertising blitz with omnichannel marketing.

The new ad campaign, titled "The California Way," uses images and quotes from actual California cannabis farmers to personify the tens of thousands of individuals, families and collectives who together comprise Californias most lucrative agricultural industry. Medical marijuana sales in California hit $2.7 billion last year, accounting for nearly half of all legal marijuana sales in the country, The New York Times said, citing cannabis research companies.

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"The California Way" campaign launches April 18, and runs through May 16. In the first of four videos being released weekly, northern Californians describe what "The California Way" means to them, including spirit of adventure, growing your own cannabis, and embrace of the land and the embrace of the community.

Emphasizing the need to honor Californias farmers and their unique challenges, The California Way advertising blitz is supplemented by digital ad placements on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Outdoor and out-of-home ads will also be included.

We are focused right now on wholesale, Michael Steinmetz, a founder and CEO of Flow Kana, tells Marketing Daily, which means getting our brand all over California dispensaries. At the same time, we offer on-demand delivery in less than 20 minutes throughout San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. Our goal is to continue to expand this service, with exclusive partners, all over the state, and specifically, the larger Los Angeles area by Q3 2016.

Flow Kana expects its ads to generate 15 million impressions across online and offline channels during the campaign period.

In addition to its omnichannel marketing campaign, Flow Kana is also launching a cultural alliance: The California Way Consortium. This collaboration unites like-minded organizations who believe that the California cannabis industry must come together to plant the seeds for a future of sustainable, small-batch cannabis grown by generations of independent farmers. The consortium is set to commence on April 22 at the Earth Day Film Festival in San Francisco.
by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, April 19, 2016

Emma, a neural network, has been in development for the past year. For now this artificial intelligence engine learns from people who teach her accounting practices, how to value securities and other basics in finance. Shaunak Khire, co-founder at a company yet to be names, and partner at Magha Holdings, a company focused on technology and finance, sees other uses across businesses. He says she's not a bot, but can function like one.

Testing her knowledge, Stealth had Emma analyze Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and she came back with analysis and opinions on whether or not investors should buy them.

Emma works best when she can step in to analyze numbers for human-capital intensive tasks in retail, finance, and other sectors. Perhaps with the correct data she could analyze the best strategy for cross-device, cross-media advertising campaigns or targeting.

Here's how she works: Emma pools all available data from SEC filings, reporting statements, and management calls. She provides not only quantitative analysis but also cognitive analysis because she is being taught to interpret things in certain ways and extrapolate the analysis down to individual business units. She can analyze and give an opinion based on the data.

While Emma began in the world of finance, Khire sees other opportunities such as consulting and healthcare. She has a job as a consultant at a company in Japan where she gives advice to businesses, Khire said. And with nearly 35 billion patent visits annually worldwide in which 41% don't require a doctor's visit, per Khire, there's an opportunity to provide information about healthcare.

For some ailments, Emma can provide a diagnosis based on the person's physical conditions and suggest steps to lessen the symptoms.

People who are trying to self-diagnose themselves often search on ailments. Google health searches now include 900 medical conditions, and in Canada more than 17 million Canadians regularly browse online medical resources like WebMD, Healthline and Everyday Health each month, according to Google, citing data from comScore.

I see opportunities in business for manufacturing, advertising, and retail.

"We don't see a use for consumers right now, but we do see an application around messaging for businesses as the gateway to some of these services," Khire said. "The biggest challenge on the consumer side will become how bots rank and function.'

Khire said on average bots don't handle text well. Since they cannot analyze information well, many provide "weird responses."
by Larissa Faw , April 19, 2016

Publicis Groupe is off to a promising start in 2016 with 2.9% organic revenue growth for the first quarter, which is above expectations thanks to digital and media operations. Sapient, which has been included in the calculation of organic growth for the first time since Publicis Groupe acquired it last year, posted organic growth of 10%.

"With 55% of our revenue coming from digital, we are confident about our future but must remain cautious about the next two quarters which will be more impacted by losses that occurred in the 2015 media account reviews," Publicis CEO Maurice Levy said on an investor call Tuesday morning. That said, he added, "we have no client that has put us on notice. No major difficulty. And we don't expect anything major."

The Groupe's consolidated revenue for the first quarter of 2016 totaled 2,291 million euro ($2.59 billion), up 8.9% from 2,103 million euro ($2.38 billion) in the first quarter of 2015. Exchange rates had a 20 million-euro negative (-$22.61 million) impact, or 1% of first-quarter 2015 revenue.

Net acquisitions contributed 147 million euro ($166.20 million) or 7% of first-quarter 2015 revenue. "You have maybe noticed we have reduced enormously the flow of acquisitions as we lean first to integrate Sapient," says Levy.

"We don't expect this year to be a year of large or numerous acquisitions" with the possible exception of Samsung's ad agency Cheil Worldwide, the second largest Asian agency outside of Japan. Levy confirms acquisition talks, believing the South Korean-based agency would be a great fit to complement its digital expertise and global footprint. But he says these discussions have had "ups and downs" and "we are in a plateau today."

North America saw its revenue increase by 12.9%, boosted by 3% organic growth. This progress was mainly attributable to the media business, as the loss of media accounts during the "Mediapalooza" was only moderate in the first quarter. The impact will be bigger in quarters to come, says Levy. He adds that many new deals are one-offs or project-based agreements rather than long-term contracts. "The pipeline of new business is not that strong. It is not as rich as what we have seen last year" adding "I would like to see the Wheel of Fortune turning in our direction."

The Groupe is still encountering difficulties with Razorfish. It should also be noted that analog activities continued their decline, he says.

Europe recorded growth of 7.3%, although with acquisitions and the impact exchange rates, organic growth stood at 3.4%. France (+3%), Germany and Italy (+10% each) were strong performers, while volatility in Russia, the UK, and Spain resulted in mixed results.

Asia-Pacific reported revenue growth of 4.1% and organic growth of 3.8%, with notable performances in India (+8.6%) and mainland China (+4.1%).

Latin America saw revenue fall by 21.1% (organic growth of -3.1%) due to Brazil and Mexico (respectively -9.5% and -14.6%) where the situation remains difficult in both countries.

In the Middle East & Africa, revenue grew by 11.5%. Organic growth was up 0.7%.

Publicis' "priority of the year" is its transformation to a "connecting company" to align the organization to better meet the needs of its clients. "We decided to kill -- or if you prefer something softer, to walk away -- from the traditional agency model which operated in silos," says Levy, noting that the Groupe has spent the past 10 years buying up shops to help provide the network with an end-to-end platform.

This newly streamlined network will be fully operational into four solution "Hubs" by the end of June. Already Publicis.Sapient and Publicis Health solutions are already up and running, says Levy. "We are at the end of advertising as we knew it when it comes to Publicis. We moved away from the holding company and are going to very different organization," he says. "We want to better serve our clients, we have to change, we have to adapt and we have to be aligned with the better world," he says. "We have to be the Power of One. We have to use the alchemy of technology." And "we have to do it bloody quick."

"Our objective remains achieving our three priorities: the completion of our organization by the end of the first half of 2016, the return to more usual levels of growth, and the continued improvement of our profitability," says Levy.
by Gord Hotchkiss , Featured Contributor, April 19, 2016

I thought it would be interesting to rerun this column from 2014 on the day of the New York primary -- which, given the context, is raising relevant concerns about the efficacy of our current notion of democracy. The democratic process is, philosophically, the equivalent of the wisdom of crowds. Add to this multiple layers of political machination and the extreme ideological polarization that is currently true in the U.S., and we may have a situation where we have to revisit what Winston Churchill said in 1947: Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.

Since James Surowiecki published his book The Wisdom of Crowds, the common wisdom is that we are commonly wise. In other words, if we average the knowledge of many people, well be smarter than any of us would be individually. And that is true -- to an extent. But new research suggests that there are group decision dynamics at play where bigger (crowds) may not always be better.

A study by Iain Couzin and Albert Kao at Princeton suggests that in real-world situations, where information is more complex and spotty, the benefits of crowd wisdom peak in groups of 5 to 20 participants, and then decrease after that. The difference comes in how the group processes the information available to them.

In Surowieckis book, he uses the famous example of Sir Francis Galtons 1907 observation of a contest where villagers were asked to guess the weight of an ox. While no individual correctly guessed the weight, the average of all the guesses came in just one pound short of the correct number.

But this example has one unique characteristic that would be rare in the real world: every guesser had access to the same information. They could all see the ox and make their guess. Unless youre guessing the number of jellybeans in a jar, this is almost never the case in actual decision scenarios.

Couzin and Kao say this information patchiness is the reason why accuracy tends to diminish as the crowd gets bigger. In most situations, there is commonly understood and known information, which the researchers refer to as correlated information. But there is also information that only some of the members of the group have, which is uncorrelated information.

To make matters even more complex, the nature of uncorrelated information will be unique to each individual member. In real life, this would be our own experience, expertise and beliefs. To use a technical term, the correlated information would be the signal and the uncorrelated information would be the noise. The irony here is that this noise is actually beneficial to the decision process.

In big groups, the collected noise gets so noisy, it becomes difficult to manage -- and so it tends to get ignored. It drowns itself out. The collective focuses instead on the correlated information.

In engineering terms, this higher signal-to-noise ratio would seem to be ideal, but in decision-making, it turns out a certain amount of noise is a good thing. By focusing just on commonly known information, the bigger crowd oversimplifies the situation.

Smaller groups, in contrast, tend to be more random in their make-up. The differences in experiences, knowledge, beliefs and attitudes, even if not directly correlated to the question at hand, have a better chance of being preserved. They dont get averaged out as they would in a bigger group. And this noise leads to better decisions if the situation involves imperfect information. Call it the averaging of intuition, or hunches. In a big group, the power of human intuition gets sacrificed in favor of the commonly knowable. But in a small group, intuition is preserved.

In the world of corporate strategy, this has some interesting implications. Business decisions are almost always complex and involve imperfectly distributed information.

This research seems to indicate that we should carefully consider our decision-making units. There is a wisdom-of-crowds benefit -- as long as the crowd doesnt get too big. We need to find a balance where we have the advantage of different viewpoints and experiences, but the aggregate noise doesnt become unmanageable.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, April 19, 2016

Google has developed technology that allows it to measure the impact of online video for offline sales. The first round of tests focuses on the consumer packaged goods (CPGs) industry for which more than 90% of sales happen offline. The task made possible through an integration with the Oracle Data Cloud.

DLX ROI, a Datalogix solution now owned by Oracle, enables measurement of YouTube's media. It can analyze the incremental lift in offline sales from online video views. On Tuesday the company announced the availability of the technology and results of studies from PepsiCo's Gatorade and Doritos brands and Mars-owned Pedigree pet chow that took place in the U.S. using YouTube TrueView ads.

Seventy-eight percent of TrueView campaigns studied on YouTube showed an increase in offline sales, with 61% driving a statistically significant lift in sales of the advertised brand, according to Google.

Building the integration wasn't easy. It meant developing a secure way to exchange the data between YouTube and Oracle's Datalogix measurement technology. The outcome creates a deal similar to Oracle's agreement with Facebook that measures the influence of digital ad views on in-store sales.

YouTube analysts studied a range of CPG video campaigns running TrueView ads across food, health and beauty, beverage and homecare. No personal data is exchanged between the companies.

Gatorades We Love Sweat campaign earned $13.50 sales in return on advertising spend (ROAS) for every dollar spent on TrueView, for example. The campaign delivered 16% lift in sales among new buyers that had seen the video vs. new buyers that had not, according to Oracle Data Cloud. This compares with a typical lift in metric that hovers around 2.5%.

Doritos, another PepsiCo company, also saw sales success with their campaign. Their 30-second video drove higher lift in sales among exposed households than a 15-second version, but they saw particular targeting techniques such as topic targeting and remarketing that drove greater sales lift compared with a demographic target.

Laurent Larguinat, global director of Mars Consumer and Market Insights, told YouTube that a "video with strong upfront branding drove nearly seven-times greater sales lift."
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, April 19, 2016

GroupM advanced TV specialist Modi Media is teaming with Scottsdale, AZ-based pharma and health data aggregator Medicx Media Solutions to enable their clients to better target consumers with relevant healthcare-related messages via addressable TV ads.

The firms are integrating their data for TV campaigns in what they say is a privacy compliant way.

They will use Medicxs patented system called Micro-Neighborhood Targeting that can reach consumers down to the household level with relevant messages across some 45 million addressable TV homes reaching more than 100 million people.

The system combines medical and shopping data thats been anonymized to target neighborhoods or households with messages about specific illnesses or conditions.

The pharmaceutical and healthcare industries require a privacy compliant way to precisely and efficiently deliver relevant messaging to consumers watching television, and this partnership does that at scale, said Michael Weintraub, CEO of Medicx Media Solutions.

Advanced, addressable TV advertising is another step forward in our commitment to building a true omni-channel addressable audience platform uniquely designed to comply with the regulatory and privacy requirements of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Our work with Medicx to deepen our addressable television offering will accountably drive meaningful business results for our pharmaceutical and OTC drug and healthcare clients, said Jamie Power, managing partner at MODI Media.

Data and technology have transformed the way consumers enjoy television and the way brands can connect with their audiences. Working with Medicx data, we are able to address ads to high-value households across multiple screens, and deliver quality performance metrics on the back end.
by Thom Forbes @tforbes, April 20, 2016

Two new studies find that drugs that use the bodys own immune system to help fight cancer are proving to be effective in many cases even as a report from London-based research and consulting firm GlobalData projects that the total immuno-oncology market will be worth approximately $14 billion by 2019, rising to $34 billion by 2024.

Promising trials for the two new immunotherapies  Ono/Bristol-Myers Squibbs Opdivo for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and Schering Plough/Mercks Keytruda for an extremely lethal skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma  suggest the treatment approach is poised to become a critical part of the nations anti-cancer strategy, Laurie McGinley reports for the Washington Post.

According the the GlobalData report, the approval and uptake of immuno-oncology products is set to burgeon due to increased recognition of their long and durable tumor responses, which are similar to targeted therapies. Furthermore, these treatments have shown efficacy in a wide variety of indications and are not associated with the adverse side effects produced by traditional chemotherapy.

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It projects that the two biggest sellers in the short term will be Opdivo, with about $10 billion in sales by 2024, and Keytruda with about $7 billion.

Both therapies, which are programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitors, will achieve such impressive sales due to the fact that they will be first-to-market in many indications, transcending competition such as Roches atezolizumab and AstraZenecas durvalumab, according to Dan Roberts, GlobalDatas senior analyst covering oncology and hematology.

Immuno-oncology products have demonstrated comparable respective efficacy and safety profiles, so their commercial success will largely rest on the speed with which they enter the market, their clinical and commercial positioning, target patient populations, and the marketing power of the relevant pharmaceutical company, according to Roberts.

We are in the midst of a sea change in how we are treating cancer, Louis Weiner, director of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, who wasnt involved in the studies, tells the Posts McGinley. Were really seeing the fruits of many years of research into what drives cancer and how it interacts with the immune system to defeat it and survive.

In a report from the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in New Orleans Sunday, the Wall Street Journals Ron Winslow wrote that 34% of 107 advanced melanoma patients treated in a study of Opdivo have survived at least five years.

This is a new benchmark for melanoma, said F. Stephen Hodi, director of the Melanoma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, and an investigator at Harvard Medical Schools Ludwig Center, in presenting the finding.

Opdivo is one of three so-called checkpoint inhibitors currently on the market. Blocking the checkpoints releases molecular brakes, thus allowing immune system cells called T cells to attack cancer, Winslow writes. Opdivo and Keytruda target a brake called PD-1, and both are approved for melanoma and for lung cancer, he reports.

The trial for Keytruda was conducted in 26 patients, 14 of whom responded (56%)  12 with ongoing response, reports Zosia Chustecka for Medscape.

The responses were rapid, and were either present or not, according to principal investigator Paul Nghiem M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine, division of dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle. Even one or two doses of this drug have a profound and lasting effect. The balance of the immune system can be tweaked with a single dose.

In December, former President Jimmy Carter announced that he was cancer free after taking Keytruda for his metastatic melanoma. Carters cancer was discovered in his liver and spread to his brain, Matthew Tontonoz reported for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centers Web site. But Carter was also treated with surgery and radiation, and one MSKCC doctor interviewed said, I dont think its possible to ascribe the very favorable result to just one intervention.

This weeks positive news comes as Vice President Joe Biden prepares for a trip to the Vatican at the end of the month to discuss his moonshot initiative to fight cancer at a conference on regenerative medicine organized by the Stem for Life Foundation and the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Culture, as Nick Gass reported for Politico last week.

And late last month, media magnate and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and Sidney Kimmel, founder of Jones Apparel Group, agreed to donate $50 million each to create the BloombergKimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University announced. More than a dozen other donors contributed another $25 million.
by Tobi Elkin , Staff Writer @tobielkin, April 20, 2016

According to an Accenture study that broke in Real-Time Daily earlier this week, more than 60% of global consumers know about online ad blockers, and 42% say they would be willing to pay to get rid of ad interruptions.

So, if consumers are willing to pay to get rid of advertising, why arent they willing to pay publishers to read and engage with premium digital content? Good question.

This is a topic that Ben Barokas, CEO at Sourcepoint, has given a lot of thought to. Barokas spoke a couple of weeks ago during a panel at Ad Age Digital on the topic of ad blocking and consumer choice. His take on the issue is different. Barokas maintains that the advertising industry needs to have a conversation about compensating publishers for their content. This would mean dialoging with publishers about educating their readersthats all of us.

And users of ad blockers are exactly the people the industry should be engaging with. Barokas contends that ad-block users think they want to opt outbut theyre not really opting out of premium publishers like The New York Times, Conde Nast, Hearst, The Washington Post; theyre opting out of other publishers that arent transparent, where their experience on the Web has been compromised. To be sure, ad-block users may also be frustrated with premium publishers, but they tend to return.

Barokas believes that publishers are going to move toward the concepts of compensation consent and compensation choice. With compensation consent, if youre on an ad-supported site, you know it comes with cookies that have an understanding of where youve been and where youre going. This model asks consumers to accept it or opt out. Most people will say OK, continue on, and have ads served to them, according to Barokas.

Compensation choice means remunerating the publisher through advertising. But there could be other options, like subscriptions to the site for a day, a week, a month or a year, or purchasing an article or video. In Barokas mind, compensation choice is the way to go, and it seems like a sound idea.

The bottom line is, consumers will need to pay to get content, receive ads or provide some datatheres really no way around this.

Barokas, a former Google executive, proposes forming a consortium of publishers to allow a bundling of content to be served without advertising. Consumers could pay, say, $10 or $20 a month, and their compensation preferences would be known across devices.

Neflix and Spotify dont tell you how many times youre watching a certain show or listening to a particular song. We wouldnt do that either. To some degree, its similar to a cable model, but its also a Netflix or Spotify model, Barokas explained.

With this model, theres a certain amount of compensation provided for content consumed. The goal is to make the transaction as transparent and frictionless as possible for the consumer. Think of it as a PayPal for media content for seamless content consumption.

But how would such a consortium form? It would have to begin with premium publishers taking the lead. Sourcepoint is now in ongoing discussions with publishers on the matter.

And how would it really work? Content bundles could have no advertisingbut maybe if they opt to pay just $5, consumers would get some advertising. The bottom line is giving consumers choices for how they compensate publishers.

This is a much-needed discussion. In order to have the industry move forward in a sustainable way, compensation choice will be increasingly important. Ad blockers, a lack of effective monetization on mobile, and business models that arent quite comprehensive enough are issues that need to be addressed head-on.

Sourcepoint, which is in the business of helping publishers monetize, obviously believes that compensation choice is critical to the future of digital content distribution.

"The compensation exchange has to be very clear [to consumers]. Well offer several choices. Publishers havent done it because they havent had an elegant technology to plug into their infraustructure in order to do it, Barokas maintains.

Sourcepoint is currently testing its technology with a number of clients. The tech could enable a publisher to decide how to present a message to readers that have installed ad blockers. The publisher could choose to circumvent the ad blocker and serve the ad, or it could inform readers that ads pay for the content, and suggest that readers allow ads to be seen. Or, it could enable readers to customize their advertising experience, asking them to pony up to subscribe, or offering a different content bundle for a price.

So far, RTBlog hasnt heard a better idea.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday congratulated Cuban leader Raul Castro on his reelection as first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) at the party's seventh Congress.

Xi sent a congratulatory message to the Cuban leader on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and in his own name.

Cuba has stuck to the PCC's leadership and followed the socialist development path and has achieved plenty for the island country since the sixth Congress, Xi said.

The Chinese President said Cuba has created a sustainable economic and socialist model based on its own unique characteristics.

Xi believes that, under the leadership of Raul Castro, the PCC and the Cuban government can unite the Cuban people and propel Cuba's socialist revolution toward a brighter future.

Xi stressed the brotherly friendship between the two governments and said he looks forward to expanding cooperation with Cuba in various areas.

He said the Chinese side is ready to join hands with its Cuban comrades to elevate ties between the two Communist parties and both countries to a higher level.
by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, April 20, 2016

Yesterdays New York vote further crystallized both the Democratic and Republican nominating contests. Donald Trump succeeded in taking over 60% of the Republican primary vote; Hillary Clinton did better than recent polls had predicted, with a 57.9% share of the Democratic ballot.

For the GOP, the hopes of blocking a Trump nomination on the first ballot at the convention in Cleveland is now increasingly unlikely. Trump obtained the vast majority of delegates, winning all but three that went to Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who won about 25%  with three delegates left to be allocated at the time of writing.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who many dreamed had a chance to block a Trump nomination, came in third with less than 15% of the vote.

Trumps address last night hit on the less offensive points that have propelled him to the top of the Republican primary field: jobs, the economy and his anti-establishment approach. The front-runner even refrained from using the term Lyin Ted, instead respectfully referring to him Senator Cruz.

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He derided the Republican delegate rules as worse than the situation in the Democratic race, briefly showing sympathy for Bernie Sanders and his dearth of superdelegates.

Its really nice to win the delegates with the votes, Trump exclaimed, taking a shot at Ted Cruz and the Cruz campaign's success in winning delegates in states that dont hold a primary or caucus. The Donald looked composed and calm, sensing the door closing on his opponents chances to contest his nomination, We dont have much of a race anymore.

Hillary Clinton spoke last night with an air of gratitude in a speech preceded by big New York names: Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo. Gov. Cuomo spoke with electrifying excitement, pointing to the significance of Hillarys win: How loud has New York spoken so the nation can hear: Hillary Clinton the next president of the United States!

Arriving on stage to Jay-Zs Empire State of Mind, Hillary Clinton looked comfortable and relieved. She spoke of her campaigns successes across the nation, addressing fears that she has difficulties in less diverse and historically progressive states.

Significantly, near the beginning of her speech, Secretary Clinton spoke directly to supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders: To all the people who supported Senator Sanders. I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us. That, the DNC hopes, will be the belief that shines loudest as the nominating contest reaches the final stretch.

Clinton said of her campaign: Victory is in sight, a phrase perfectly applicable to Donald Trump as well, after last nights results.
From any group conversations, just tap on the phone icon to initiate a group call, David Marcus, VP of messaging products at Facebook, notes in a new post. You can then manage individual participants on the next screen.

Rarely do days go by without Facebook adding some big new feature to Messenger.

Just the other week, Facebook invited users to start sharing Dropbox files over Messenger; it also debuted Video Chat Heads for Messenger, which lets users talk to friends from a smaller chat head instead of using their full phone screen.

What Facebook is doing with Messenger is a really big deal, experts at OMMA Boston agreed on Wednesday. Marketers should be most excited about the direct lines of communication its creating between themselves and consumers, according to Josh Engroff, chief digital media officer at The Media Kitchen, and managing director of KBS+ Ventures.

To such an immense degree, the industry has never really had direct communication between brands and consumers, Engroff told OMMA Boston attendees, on Wednesday. Technology and media are at a tipping point.

Already, users can order a car via Uber and share a song via Spotify directly on the popular app.

Facebook also recently rolled out Links and Codes, which are simple ways for people to begin conversations with other people and businesses by scanning a unique code they have been given. This can be done in-person -- standing side-by-side with someone -- or virtually. No prior connections are needed.

Facebook Messenger just surpassed 900 million monthly active users, up from 800 million in January. By the second quarter of the year, the social giant reportedly plans to begin putting ads directly into Facebook Messenger.
A small minority of patients treated with a common chemotherapy drug develop severe heart damage, but there is currently no way of identifying in advance who they might be. Now, researchers have developed a method using reprogrammed stem cells derived from the patients own skin cells that predicts whether they fall into this group.

Share on Pinterest Around 8% of patients treated with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin develop cardiotoxicity, where the heart muscles become damaged.

The chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (brand name Adriamycin) is very effective against a wide range of cancers  including breast cancer and childhood leukemia. But in around 8% of patients, it causes cardiotoxicity, where the heart muscles become damaged, and in severe cases, leads to heart failure.

Writing in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers from Stanford University, Stanford, CA, and Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, explain how they developed the stem cell technique and then went on to discover the likely genetic reasons for the differences in reaction to the drug.

In theory, it should be possible to take some of the patients heart cells, grow them in the lab and then test the drug on them. But, in practice, it is very difficult to isolate heart cells from patients and grow them in the lab.

Therefore, the team decided to try another route. Other studies have already reported successfully using readily available skin cells from the patient to make stem cells and then coax them into becoming the desired cell type.

For their study, the researchers took skin cells from breast cancer patients who had been treated with doxorubicin  including some with cardiotoxicity.

They reprogrammed the skin cells so they regressed to a precursor state called induced pluripotent stem cells  stem cells with the potential to differentiate into many different cell types.

The researchers then coaxed the stem cells to become heart muscle cells, treated them with doxorubicin and measured their reactions.
A novel approach to preventing overweight/obesity in young children by replacing traditional, individual well-child care with a series of group visits that emphasize nutrition-focused interventions during the first 18 months of life was associated with a significantly reduced obesity rate at 2 years of age. Designed for use in a primary care setting, this model provides a unique opportunity to target an effective strategy for pediatric obesity prevention to at-risk communities, as described in the study published in Childhood Obesity, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Childhood Obesity website until May 19, 2016.

In the article "Well Baby Group Care: Evaluation of a Promising Intervention for Primary Obesity Prevention in Toddlers", Hildred Machuca, DO, Sandra Arevalo, RD, MPH, Barbara Hackley, PhD, Jo Applebaum, MPH, Arielle Mishkin, Alan Shapiro, MD, Community Pediatric Programs, Montefiore, and Moonseong Heo, PhD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, NY), describe the Well Baby Group (WBG) care model, in which the same 6-8 mother-infant pairs participated in 11 group sessions during 18 months. The researchers compared the rates of overweight and obesity in these children at age 2 years to a group that received traditional well-child care at the same health center.

"While most obesity prevention programs are having little to no impact, this well-baby care program conducted early in life may have a substantial impact among infants and toddlers at high risk for obesity," says Childhood Obesity Editor-in-Chief Tom Baranowski, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. "While these results are exciting, the evaluation needs to be extended to assess the effects beyond 2 years and replicated with a randomized clinical trial to have confidence in the effect. Stay tuned!"
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) have developed one of the first mouse models for the study of Zika virus. The model will allow researchers to better understand how the virus causes disease and aid in the development of antiviral compounds and vaccines.

"The tools have not been available to people who want to be able to test vaccines and antivirals against Zika virus," says Matthew Aliota, assistant SVM scientist and lead author of the study that describes the model, published April 19 in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. "The caveat is that it's a mouse model, but it does allow us to test vaccines, and the pathology caused by the virus in the mouse brain could be used to understand the pathology in the brains of humans, especially fetuses."

Zika virus was first described in Uganda in 1947. Before last year, it had circulated in people in Africa, southeast Asia and in the Pacific Islands and only sporadically caused disease. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and typically causes mild, flu-like symptoms, when it causes symptoms at all.

However, in 2015 the virus began infecting unprecedented numbers of people in Brazil and then spread throughout the Americas. Public health officials in the United States expect it to spread to the southern U.S. as the weather warms and activity of the Aedes aegypti mosquito -- the species that harbors the virus -- subsequently increases.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Zika virus is responsible for a large rise in brain defects in developing fetuses, including microcephaly. In fact, cases of microcephaly -- marked by a small head, reduced brain size and cognitive impairments -- were 20 times higher than usual in parts of Brazil last year. There has been some evidence of neurological effects in adults as well.

Researchers now also know the disease can spread through sexual contact.

"It's scary to know so little about something that can be so devastating," says Katrina Larkin, a UW-Madison undergraduate student and a study co-author. "Learning how instrumental animal models can be to combating diseases makes this work even more urgent."

Mouse models allow researchers to conduct larger-scale studies than animal models like nonhuman primates, and to perform experiments that are not possible to conduct in human beings.

The mouse model described by Aliota and the rest of the research team, including Jorge Osorio, professor of pathobiological sciences at SVM, is an immunocompromised mouse the laboratory already possessed for research on viruses similar to Zika, like dengue virus. The team learned they could inject Zika virus into the foot pads of the mice, and under their skin, and the virus would then spread throughout the body, including the brain. Other mouse strains are resistant to infection with Zika virus.

"Similar models have been revealed in the last two weeks, but there are also differences between those and ours," says Aliota, who was part of the team that first found Zika virus in Colombia. The differences in their model will allow the researchers to test how exposure to other viruses, like dengue, may influence how the body responds to Zika infection.

The team's mouse model lacks three types of interferons -- known as alpha, beta and gamma -- which are among the immune system's first lines of defense against some types of viral infections. Mice with normal interferons are resistant to Zika virus infection but those lacking them get sick. Humans also have interferons but they are less effective at blunting Zika virus infection.

In the study, once the mice were infected with a range of doses of Zika virus -- including doses similar to human exposure following a bite from an infected mosquito -- they rapidly became ill. The virus was 100 percent fatal in mice at all doses, which is an effect not seen in humans.

The mice were euthanized within one week of infection and, unlike in the other recent mouse model studies, the researchers examined the effects of the virus in various organs of the body, including the liver, spleen, brain, kidney, intestine, heart, lungs and skeletal muscles.

The virus had spread throughout the body but Aliota says they were surprised to find it caused pathology only in the brain and skeletal muscle.

"It looks really bad for the brain," he says, noting they saw evidence of meningitis, cell infiltration and necrosis (abnormal cellular death).

In addition to providing an opportunity for researchers to study vaccines and antivirals, the model also affords scientists the ability to study how the virus works, including whether it can replicate, or make copies of itself, and spread within brain tissue.

"It's pretty easy for people to see on the news that there's this illness affecting lots of people and wonder why no one has come up with a vaccine yet," says Emma Walker, another undergraduate researcher and study co-author, "but for Zika, which hasn't really been researched before, there's a lot of pressure just to find out more basic things -- like how the virus works -- before you can try to tackle 'curing' the illness."

Aliota calls the students who worked on the study, including Ph.D. student Liz Caine, "outstanding," and says it would not have been possible so quickly without their dedication and long hours in the lab. Zika findings from labs across the country have published at breakneck speed as researchers focus their efforts on combating the disease. In fact, Aliota and colleagues at UW-Madison have made other aspects of their collaborative research available to other scientists and the public in real time.

"I have been amazed with the amount of information that has been generated about Zika virus in such a short amount of time," says Caine.

Aliota also credits the resources available at UW-Madison for the pace of Zika study progress here.

"UW has become a center of Zika virus research. There are a lot of people with diverse expertise to take on this problem," he says. "That's the advantage of having a medical school, a veterinary school and a primate center; it's possible to do things here that only a few institutions around the globe can accomplish."

For Aliota, who has long studied infectious diseases like Zika, the fact that his work and that of his team has had such profound impact in the response to a significant public health issue is vastly rewarding.

"It's scary for the people living with it," Aliota says. "Our goal is to translate what we find to the field. To see such immediate impact, that doesn't happen often."
Sanofi Genzyme, the specialty care global business unit of Sanofi, has announced that a new long-term analysis detailing 10 years of clinical efficacy of Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) will be presented at the 68th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2016 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada, 15-21 April 2016.

Results from the on-going, long-term extension study of the phase 2 CAMMS223 study showed that over 10 years of follow-up, 76 percent of patients were shown to be free from 6-month confirmed disability worsening (increase of 1.0 EDSS point [or 1.5 points if baseline EDSS=0]) and 78 percent had an Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score that was either stable or showed greater than or equal to one point improvement in EDSS vs baseline1. In addition, a low annualised relapse rate (ARR) was maintained (0.08) over the period. The long-term safety observed in this group of patients was in line with that of other Lemtrada clinical trials1.

People who entered the CAMMS223 study had not previously received other treatments for RRMS and the majority of those who were followed for 10 years received a maximum of three courses of Lemtrada1.

"These data provide further evidence of the long term response with Lemtrada in treatment-naive patients with relapsing-remitting MS", said Professor Alasdair Coles, Lead Investigator, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK. "It is remarkable that such infrequent dosing with Lemtrada offers stability or improvement of disability over ten years. These findings confirm that Lemtrada is a valid treatment approach for people with multiple sclerosis, without the need for continuous treatment."

"We are very pleased with these new data, which are part of our extensive clinical development programme and our commitment to the field of MS," commented Peter Kuiper, General Manager UK & Ireland at Sanofi Genzyme. "Being able to offer this treatment option, which was discovered and developed in the UK to clinicians and their patients, is of incredible importance to us."

The data on Durable Efficacy of Alemtuzumab Over 10 Years: Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients with RRMS from the CAMMS223 Study was presented as poster presentation on Monday, 18 April 2016.

More than 100,000 people in the UK have Multiple Sclerosis (MS)2, with around 85 percent diagnosed with RRMS3. Lemtrada is the second of Sanofi Genzyme's treatments for MS to receive approval for use from NICE and on the NHS in England and Wales4.


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Recently, the issue of Hamas's tunnels is again making headlines, following reports of tunnel collapses in the Gaza Strip in which Hamas activists died; Israel's finding of tunnels excavated from the Gaza Strip into Israel near Kerem Shalom; and reports on the defection to Israel of Sami Al-'Atawneh, the head of the tunnel network of Hamas's 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, east of Jabalia.

The excavation of the attack tunnels at the Israel-Gaza border began shortly after the end of the summer 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, as part of Hamas's renewal of its military preparations in advance of another conflict with Israel. (See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 5863, Hamas' Construction Of Gaza Tunnels Continues, October 23, 2014).

Reports on the subject of tunnels have been published by Hamas media outlets, and Hamas officials have made many references to the importance of the tunnels, particularly in light of the deaths of many Hamas activists in collapses. Hamas officials warned repeatedly that the movement is continuing to excavate, even during the tahdiya (calm), in preparation for the next conflict with Israel, and that the tunnel that has been exposed by Israel was a mere "drop in the ocean." Likewise, an ethos of sacrifice and martyrdom has been built up around those who died in tunnel collapses, who have been dubbed "the martyrs of the preparations."

As Hamas leaders were issuing these declarations about preparations for the next round of conflict with Israel and about the importance of building the tunnels for this purpose, at the same time, grasping the incendiary potential of such declarations, movement officials are sending reassuring messages that they are not aiming at an escalation and that the tunnels are strictly defensive. This, particularly in light of international criticism of Hamas's ongoing tunnel activity, particularly that of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who expressed alarm at Hamas's intention "to continue building tunnels and firing rockets at Israel" and added that "such statements and actions" put the reconstruction of Gaza at risk.[1] Hamas's backtracking on its statements may also be due to concern about a possible escalation vis-a-vis Israel at an inconvenient time for the movement.

It should be noted that Hamas has yet to rebuild the Gaza Strip since the summer 2014 conflict, and that it is unclear whether it has fully restored its military infrastructure. Furthermore, it seems that the movement does not have the substantial political and financial backing it will need in a conflict, and this for the following reasons. First, the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) regime has been ousted in Egypt, and the current regime, led by 'Abd Al-Fattah Al-Sisi, continues to be openly hostile to Hamas, except for various security understandings with it. Second, Hamas has been removed from the pro-Iran axis, because of its support for the Syrian rebels, and Iranian funding for its military wing has been substantially cut back. Third, Hamas's sponsors, Qatar and Turkey, have grown closer to Saudi Arabia, which considers the MB (considered to be Hamas's parent movement) a terrorist organization, as recently noted by Saudi Foreign Minister 'Adel Al-Jubeir.[2] As a result, Hamas has distanced itself from the MB, and has said that it does not take orders from it and that the ties between the two movements are purely ideological, not political.[3]

Types Of Tunnels And Their Purpose

Hamas constructs three types of tunnels in the Gaza Strip:

1. Attack tunnels that start in Gaza and approach the Israeli border. They are intended for launching attacks, including kidnappings, inside Israel, in settlements or army bases near the border.

2. The smuggling tunnels on the Gaza-Egypt border, often referred to as "Gaza's lifeline." Used to bring in goods and weapons, they have been less active since the removal of the MB regime in Egypt, especially since the current regime regularly floods them with seawater.

3. The "Gaza underground" - a network of tunnels running beneath Gaza City, used for hiding Hamas members, for storing weapons and equipment, for communications among Hamas members, and for providing secure passage within the city. Rockets are launched from some of them, and some also serve as observation posts.

The military role of the tunnels has been discussed by writers and commentators on Hamas websites. Columnist Iyad Al-Qara, on Hamas's Filastin website, wrote: "There is a tunnel unit in Gaza, alongside other units such as the rocket unit and the frogmen. There is also a new unit established recently to hold future kidnapped [Israeli] prisoners. Currently, this unit is holding missing Israelis who are in Gaza.[4]

Dr. 'Adnan Abu 'Amer, a commentator on Hamas websites, wrote about the tunnels: "Hamas fighters in black uniforms patrol the Gaza tunnels, [armed] with automatic rifles. They feel at home [deep] beneath the [Gaza] Strip, in the network of tunnels that they dug and built with their own hands. They live there in safety and security, and some of the tunnels are [even] tall enough to let them walk upright... The tunnels branch out in several directions." [5]

Hamas Officials: We Are Continuing To Excavate Tunnels And To Prepare For Next Conflict With Israel

Soon after the 2014 Gaza conflict, Hamas officials announced numerous times that the movement was excavating attack tunnels in the Gaza Strip. In September 2014, Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Zahhar announced that Hamas had begun rebuilding and developing the tunnels.[6] A month later, in October, the Hamas mouthpiece Al-Risalah wrote about the restarting of work on attack tunnels in Gaza, noting that 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades members were digging around the clock, dozens of meters below the surface.[7]



Photo of tunnel, Al-Risalah, Gaza, October 19, 2014.

An August 2015 Al-Qassam Brigades video, translated and published by MEMRI TV, shows members of Hamas's tunnel unit training in the tunnels for activity against Israel.[8]

In late December 2015, Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member from Hamas Mushir Al-Masri declared that "tens of thousands of Al-Qassam fighters are working day and night, aboveground and underground, preparing for the next battle." He added, "This is the [kind of] tahdiya Hamas understands - preparing with all [our] might."[9]

Several weeks later, Hamas members again began mentioning the tunnels frequently, particularly following a number of tunnel collapses in which many Al-Qassam Brigades operatives were killed. The most serious of these collapses, on January 27, 2016, killed seven Al-Qassam Brigades operatives. Hamas officials explained that they had sacrificed their lives while preparing for the next conflict. Since then, several more tunnels have collapsed, claiming the lives of more Hamas members.[10]



The seven Al-Qassam Brigades members killed in the January 2016 tunnel collapse (Palinfo.com, January 28, 2016)



Al-Qassam brigades presents families with bottles of sand from the tunnels in which their relatives were killed (Twitter.com/PalinfoAr, February 5, 2016)

In his January 29, 2016 Friday sermon at a Gaza mosque, Isma'il Haniya, deputy director of Hamas's political bureau, said: "Gaza bids farewell to the martyrs of the preparations for any conflict with the Israeli occupation that may come. Gaza has constructed twice as many tunnels as there were in Vietnam.[11] The Al-Qassam Brigades have dug tunnels around Gaza in order to defend the people and liberate Al-Aqsa and the holy places." He added: "This weapon, the weapon of tunnels, played a prominent role in achieving our victory. From these tunnels emerged the jihad fighters who carried out the Nahal Oz operation.[12] From these tunnels, the jihad fighters captured [Israeli soldier] Oron Shaul. From these tunnels, they fought the [Israeli] soldiers at close range, and emerged behind enemy lines. Because of these tunnels, our military spokesman could say: 'The jihad fighters carried out their mission and returned to their bases safe and sound'... East of Gaza, there are heroes underground, digging through rock and constructing tunnels. West of Gaza, there are heroes who test-fire rockets every day - All these [activities] are preparations - underground in the tunnels, in the air by means of missiles, at sea, and everywhere. This constant preparation is for the sake of Palestine, for Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa, and for the Al-Quds Intifada."[13]

Haniya's statements about the tunnels prompted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to express alarm at Hamas's intention "to continue building tunnels and firing rockets at Israel. Such statements and actions," he added, "put at risk reconstruction, humanitarian and development efforts by the international community and Palestinian and Israeli authorities."[14] Hamas, however, rejected Ban's words, accusing him of pro-Israel bias; on January 31, it said: "We reject these statements about the tunnels of the resistance, which are defensive and aimed at protecting the Gaza Strip."[15] The same day, Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu 'Ubaida said: "We do not seek war, but we will continue to prepare for conflict."[16]

Contradictory messages regarding the tunnels were also evident in statements by top Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Zahhar. On February 3, Al-Zahhar boasted that the tunnels had reached Israel, but two hours later backtracked, claiming that his statements had been wrongly reported and stressing, "The tunnels are defensive and are aimed at meeting an Israeli attack."[17] A few weeks later, on February 24, Al-Zahhar reiterated that the tunnels were defensive, adding that they had at one point reached Israel (implying that now they do not): "The [Hamas] movement does not seek a new war with Israel, and the network of tunnels that it is digging, some of which once reached Israel, are defensive. We do not want a clash with Israel, but if it attacks us will be obliged to defend ourselves..."[18]

On April 15, Haniya once again mentioned the tunnels, in his Friday sermon in front of the Red Cross offices in Gaza during a Hamas rally in honor of Palestinian Prisoners Day, which falls two days later. He clarified that the resistance would not rest until all the Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli prisons, and added that this message from Hamas to the Palestinian prisoners was "sealed in blood, triggers, guns, tunnels, and trenches."[19]

Furthermore, in response to Israel's exposure of a tunnel near its border in April 2016, the Al-Qassam Brigades said in an official communique: "The campaign of preparation and deployment continues in all areas. What the enemy has announced [i.e. the exposure of the tunnel] is but a mere drop in the ocean of what the resistance has prepared to defend its people and liberate its holy sites, its land, and its prisoners.'[20]



The Al-Qassam Brigades communique (Alqassam.ps/arabic, April 18, 2016)amas has not yet rebuilt the Gaza strip,

Tunnel Diggers Revered As Jihad Fighters And As Martyrs

An ethos of courage, sacrifice and martyrdom has developed around Al-Qassam members killed in the tunnels. Tunnel construction is described as jihad waged proudly by these fighters, with the aim of reaching Paradise. The men's parents express their pride in them and praise their longing for martyrdom, and the men who are killed receive heroes' funerals that are attended by large crowds and by Hamas leaders.

Referring to the seven militants killed in the late January 2016 tunnel collapse, Hamas political bureau head Khaled Mash'al eulogized them: "Hamas's preparations for the next conflict will continue. The death of these heroes was part of the popular struggle and the unceasing preparations to resist the occupation. [They are] the pride of people and the nation."[21] Al-Qassam spokesman Abu 'Ubaida said: "The heroism of the tunnel [activists] is like the heroism of those carrying out attacks in the West Bank. We will act to free the prisoners, and we have the means to compel Israel to release them."[22]



The funeral of the Al-Qassam Brigades members killed in the late January 2016 tunnel collapse (Image: Palinfo.com, January 30) 2016)

This ethos of heroism and martyrdom was also evident in reports and articles published by the Hamas mouthpiece Al-Risalah on February 1, 2016. Al-Risalah reporter Maha Shahwan wrote about one of the seven: "The [wedding] ululations still echo in the home of the martyr, Al-Qassam Brigades [fighter] Ja'far Hamadah. [Only] two months ago he wed his wife Du'a, but the black-eyed [virgins of Paradise] soon snatched him up to become a martyr."

Another Al-Risalah reporter, Muhammad Al-'Arabid, wrote about another of the dead men: "The martyr Thabet Al-Rifi told his father on numerous occasions, 'I hope to give my life for Allah.' His father expressed pride in his son's death, saying: 'We will teach our children to love the homeland and give their lives for Allah. We will not give up a single grain of Palestinian soil."

Al-Risalah editor Wisam 'Afifa wrote: "We shall tell the coming generations about this phenomenon, unique in the history of Palestinian resistance. We shall explain to them that every inch of Gazan land is sacred because it bears traces of the tunnel[-diggers], who sent up their prayers and uttered the names of Allah deep beneath the earth. At the end of the tunnel, their eyes spied a ray of sunlight - a sign that a mission of jihad in Palestine was carried out, from which a martyr would emerge."[23]

Al-Risalah columnist Shayma Marzouq wrote: "It is as if we dug a tunnel to heaven, in order to emerge from it as martyrs." Journalist Ghasan Al-Shami was even more effusive: "The men of preparation and jihad missions, the Palestinian resistance [fighters], the keepers of the gate, get little sleep at night, [for] arduous and glorious missions await them. They spend long hours [in the tunnels], digging tirelessly into the solid rock with their bare hands and teeth, for days and months. They know the correct path, [with] its hardships and brambles - it is the path of jihad and martyrdom." [24]

Endnotes:
On April 21, 2016, U.S. President Obama is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia for an official visit that will include meetings with Gulf leaders, similar to the summit that was held between the sides in Camp David in May 2015. According to reports in Arab press, the sides will discuss various topics on the agenda, including Iran; the crises in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, and the strategic relations between the Gulf states and the U.S., as well as its commitment to assist them. However, Obama's visit takes place at a time of great tension between the U.S. and Gulf states on the backdrop of disagreements over various regional issues. In Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states there is much disappointment, frustration and even anger over Obama's Middle East policies in the last few years, including his handling of the crises in Syria, Yemen and Iraq and especially his openness towards Iran.

In fact, the May 2015 summit between the Gulf leaders and President Obama, which took place while negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over the nuclear issue were at their height, was also preceded by controversies so intense that the kings of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, the UAE president and the Sultan of Oman canceled their participation and sent representatives in their stead. Back then, the Gulf states accused Obama of turning his back on his allies and strengthening Iran to an extent that threatened their interests.[1] Tensions increased even further in July 2015, with the publication of the JCPOA. Articles published since then in the Gulf press, and particularly in the Saudi press, stated that by means of this agreement, the U.S. was strengthening Iran in the region at the expense of Arab countries and the Gulf states; empowering Iran and its subordinate organizations to interfere in regional countries; and turning its back on the Gulf states, the U.S.'s traditional regional allies. Some even accused Obama of leading the Middle East towards disaster.[2]

Anger at Obama increased even further following an interview he gave to U.S. The Atlantic magazine on March 10, 2016, in which he hinted that Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries were "free riders" taking advantage of U.S. efforts to combat terrorism and called on Saudi Arabia to share Middle Eastern influence with Iran. This interview sparked fury in the Gulf and especially Saudi Arabia, which quickly responded with an article by former Saudi intelligence minister and ambassador to the U.S., Turki Al-Faisal. He argued that, contrary to Obama's statements, Saudi Arabia plays a key role in combatting terrorism, including sharing intelligence with the U.S. that has thwarted terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Al-Faisal condemned Obama for calling on Saudi Arabia to partner with Iran after he himself admitted that Iran sponsors terrorism and promised to oppose its "destructive behavior."[3]

Similarly, Kuwaiti National Security Apparatus Chief Thamer Al-Sabah wondered how Obama could accuse the Gulf states of being "free riders" in the global war on terrorism despite all their efforts in this domain - from participating in the international coalition against ISIS and spending billions of dollars on it, to sharing intelligence on terrorists with the West.[4]

Obama's interview with The Atlantic also sparked hundreds of scathing articles against him in the Gulf press. These articles argued that Obama was making false allegations about Saudi Arabia in order to avoid taking responsibility for the failure of his destructive Middle East policy, especially regarding Iran, and due to his fears of Saudi Arabia joining forces with international elements other than the U.S. Many articles stated that, by abandoning his traditional allies and partnering with Iran, Obama had caused these allies to realize that they could no longer count exclusively on the U.S. and that they must seek other allies around the world. Moreover, he caused them to start relying on themselves and looking out for their own interests, out of an understanding that the U.S. was not a true ally. According to numerous writers, this realization caused Saudi Arabia to change its policy towards the U.S. in the past year, and to rely on itself and look out for its own interests and those of the region, whether or not this conformed to U.S. policy. [5]

Another issue contributing to the present tension between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. is a bill currently before Congress, which will allow the Saudi government to be held responsible in American courts for any role in the September 11, 2001, attacks. According to a report published in The New York Times on April 15, 2016, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir threatened, during his visit in the U.S., that if the bill were to pass, Saudi Arabia would sell off $750 billion in U.S. bonds and assets in its possession, out of fear that they would be frozen by American courts.[6]

The following are excerpts from articles published in the Gulf press on the eve of President Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia:



Saudi King Salman and U.S. President Obama (Image: english.alarabiya.net)

Saudi Journalist: Obama's Alliance With Iran At The Expense Of The Gulf States Has Caused Them To Take Charge Of Their Own Fate

Saudi journalist and former head of Al-Arabiya TV, Turki Al-Dakhil, leveled harsh criticism at the U.S. president. Writing in the official UAE daily Al-Bayan, Al-Dakhil argued that Obama tried to enact a fundamental change in American foreign policy in the region and pick Iran as an ally over Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. He remarked that this position is actually good for the Gulf states, which have begun to take charge of their own fate and act on their own accord without relying on American help. Moreover, he added, they will learn "to tell true friends from half friends." He wrote:

"President Barack Obama... felt unsure about the true cooperation between the U.S. and Gulf states, which bordered on an alliance, and from the first moment [of his term], he desired to grow close to Iran - an idea he was in love with to the point of intoxication, and enchanted with to the point of addiction. He signed the JCPOA with Tehran and saw it as a historic agreement that would be seen as the most important achievement of his term as president. [However,] even if his [term] did include certain economic achievements, it was certainly devoid of political ones. [On the contrary,] his term saw a resounding failure in the region: American influence waned and the arena was left clear for the terrorists of Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Hizbullah, and [others].

"Obama's latest interview [with The Atlantic magazine], in which he outlined his political ideology, was clear and explicit, and revealed the true thought that guided him during his two terms in office and brought America's popularity to its lowest point. It failed on the Syrian issue and [in dealing with] the Arab revolutions, and on almost all [other] political topics.

"In the provocative interview that he gave The Atlantic magazine, Obama simply said that the region should be divided between Iran and the Gulf states, and disrespected Saudi Arabia as a free rider that has many demands. Prince Turki Al-Faisal disproved these statements and said that Saudi Arabia was not a 'free rider,' but rather takes an active role in [dealing with] regional crises and combatting terrorism alongside world superpowers. It also took part in containing the negative influence of the Arab revolutions, paid billions of dollars of its own money for the poor in Afghanistan during the last three decades, and prevented wars in many areas around the world... Obama bragged about reneging on his intention to attack the Assad regime and spoke of the need to end dogmatic policy in the U.S. state department that is based on protecting Saudi Arabia, saying that his navy will only act to combat terrorism or protect Israel against a possible nuclear attack.

"Obama wants to reverse White House [policy] regarding the historic relations [with the Gulf that have] economic and political dimensions. Ever since the Gulf state [leaders] met [Obama] in Camp David [in May 2015], everyone noticed that the Gulf states, and chiefly Saudi Arabia, began to rely solely on themselves - conduct wars on their own... make alliances, and deter opponents. Quite possibly, this U.S. position is [in fact] better for us, so that we can continue conducting our political and security moves [on our own] and defend our borders and the welfare of our peoples, since reliance on the Eisenhower Doctrine[7] to protect Saudi Arabia has made us lethargic. The U.S.'s reversal and withdrawal [from its traditional positions regarding Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states] are not the end of the world, but rather a good start for the Gulf states [that will help them] rely on themselves and tell true friends from half friends." [8]

UAE Columnist: Gulf States Have Adopted New Policy Vis-a-vis U.S., Are Capable Of Harming Its Interests In Region

Muhammad Khalfan Al-Sawafi, a columnist for the official UAE daily Al-Ittihad, claimed that, following the JCPOA between the U.S. and Iran, the Gulf states decided to look after their own interests and seek new allies instead of U.S. According to him, Obama's visit to the gulf indicates his recognition of his failure on the Iranian issue and his desire to reaffirm his country's relations with the Gulf states. He wrote:

"The Gulf policy has proven that no political deal can be made in the region without taking into account all the other regional elements [in addition to Iran], otherwise, the agreement will be unstable. Regional developments in the months since the JCPOA [was presented] have proven this. The essence of the American administration's view was that Iran could be 'the savior' [who would resolve] all regional political crises merely by signing an agreement with the U.S. However, [the U.S.] intentionally ignored the fact that the Ayatollah regime was itself a factor in these problems and crises...

"This view [of the U.S.] was an important factor that hardened the Gulf states' resolve to use this matter to seek [new] opportunities in international politics that would enable them to protect their countries. As a result, their positions regarding their strategic ally, the U.S., became a determined policy that could cause it to lose many of its regional interests, particularly considering that Iran is an untrustworthy ally. Therefore, we can say that both visits [by Obama and Kerry] are an attempt [by the U.S.] to prove the seriousness of the relations between the Gulf states and the U.S., and [to prove] the American desire to continue investing in [these relations]. This, as a contrast to the policy of disrespect embodied by the JCPOA, in which the American administration ignored the fact that Iran is the cause of regional crises by way of the militias [it] establishes and its interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries...

"The international activity of the Gulf states caused the Americans to reconsider who their true and strategic ally [in the Gulf really is]. Therefore, [the Americans] are [now] trying to rekindle [their relations] with the Gulf states, which also operated according to their own strategic interests along with forces that are rivals to the U.S.'s global policy. The realism of the American administration, which was embodied in diplomacy [meant] to end the era of hostility between the U.S. and Iran, clashed with the cunning of Iranian politics, which is based on evading international commitments. Therefore, the U.S. administration was forced to admit the failure of its efforts to restore Iran to a state of normalcy in the regional and in international arenas..."[9]

Saudi Writer: Obama Will Discover That Saudi Arabia Has Created A New Middle East And New Facts On The Ground, Even If It is Not To His Liking

Saudi journalist 'Abdallah bin Bjad Al-'Otaibi, writing in his column in the London-based Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, reviewed some of the issues in dispute between Saudi Arabia and the U.S., as well as the new, independent policy that Saudi Arabia has been taking on regional matters, which contrasts with Obama's policy. He pointed to several Saudi achievements from the recent period: its success in condemning and isolating Iran, its military success in Yemen against the Houthis, and its successful formation of a Muslim coalition to fight terror. He stated that Obama will visit a new Middle East, different from the one he aspired to create - a Middle East whose countries have dominant policies and can protect their own interests and solve their own regional problems. He wrote:

"Like many American presidents before him, President Barack Obama, in the final months of his presidential term, will arrive for a visit in Saudi Arabia and will be a guest at a Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] summit. When Obama was elected... he had ideas regarding eliminating two things in Arab countries: the dictatorship of Arab republics, and violent religious organizations. This, by supporting political Islam movements, chiefly the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood [MB]. However, this led to embarrassing results... Chaos spread, and the political Islam movements [themselves] became violent, in contrast to what [Obama] desired, and when the time came for diplomacy, it was Saudi Arabia that led the regional scene.

"The entry of the Peninsula Shield Force into Bahrain at the time to prevent riots was not to the liking of the American administration. However, [the force] entered anyway and protected Bahrain's stability. Today the American president is coming [for a visit] just when Saudi Arabia intends to establish a joint Arab force that will carry out an Arab role similar to the role that the Peninsula Shield Force played in the Gulf states. President [Obama] did not like the Egyptian people's rejection of the rule of the political Islam groups in June 2013 [i.e., the ouster of the Muhammad Mursi]. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, supported it [the Egyptian people] and Egypt's stability. [Obama] is coming today, after the historic visit by King Salman bin 'Abd Al-'Aziz to Egypt and after the historic agreements he signed [with it] and the unlimited support he gave to Egypt's stability and new future.

"Seeking a creative or surprising solution that would grant him achievements in foreign [policy] that he could lean on, the [U.S.] president ran to Iran in order to create a political breakthrough by means of a nuclear agreement with it. He made efforts to gather international support [for the agreement] and signed it along with the 5+1 countries. The Gulf states supported him [on the nuclear issue] in the 2016 Camp David summit, but had reservations regarding other matters concerning Iran.

"As Obama arrives [in Saudi Arabia] today, Iran is under an Arab and Islamic siege, [both] political and economical; is allied with Russia against [Obama] and his country, and it is the target of condemnations from Gulf states and [other] Arab and Islamic countries due to its interference in their internal affairs and its ongoing support for terrorism and terrorist groups and militias...

"Obama will arrive in a region totally different from the one he was used to, since the Arab coalition to support the legitimate regime in Yemen is achieving victories on a large scale, not just on the ground, but also in terms of policy... [He arrives in the region as] the coalition of Muslim countries to combat terrorism raises its banners and consolidates its foundations. The roaring jets of the 'Northern Thunder' military exercises,[10] as well as the whistle of its missiles and the readiness of its troops, still fill the air of the entire region.

"[We] welcome the president back to a region that has developed, albeit not in the way he wanted. [We] welcome him so he can witness the creation of a new history in the region - a history that states that we can stabilize chaos and guarantee this [stability]... New waters course through the river of regional and international politics, and will increase in the future. If President Obama [felt] obliged to try [and solve the crises], then leading countries in the region were surely obliged to act, and to lead and impose their conditions in order to protect their borders and ensure their interests in all ways.

"[We] welcome the president back [to a region afflicted with] crises he did not solve, but rather took part in magnifying, [such as] the Syrian crisis and all resulting crises that [now] afflict his European allies. [We] welcome him to the Yemeni crisis, which is on its way to a solution. [We] welcome him to [his] ally countries, which can [now] defend their interests with a mature outlook, dominant policy, and appropriate attitudes. The U.S. is an ally [of ours] and is the world's most powerful nation politically, economically, and militarily, and will remain so in the foreseeable future. However, an alliance with a country does not mean an alliance with a particular person, regardless of his role or status. Ultimately, the deciding factor is joint interests, concurrent outlooks, and a guaranteed future.

"In sum, Saudi Arabia leads the entire region and influences the entire world's leadership. It has political, military, and economic alliances that enable it to gather more power and influence [in the region]." [11]

Endnotes:
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Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Wednesday that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Russia on May 6 in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Putin made the remarks during the credentials ceremony for new ambassadors of 16 countries, including Japan.

He also said relations with Japan are one of his country's top foreign policy priorities.
Intense U.S.-Iran negotiations appear to be underway at this time, on various levels. They have included meetings this week in New York between Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif and U.S. Secretary of State Kerry, and an April 14 Washington meeting between Central Bank of Iran governor Valiollah Seif and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew.[1]

According to an April 19 report on the Iranian website Sahamnews.org, which is affiliated with Iran's Green Movement, President Obama asked to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rohani in two secret letters sent in late March to both Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Rohani.

According to the report, Obama wrote in the letters that Iran has a limited-time opportunity to cooperate with the U.S. in order to resolve the problems in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, and promised that if Iran agreed to a meeting between him and Rohani, he would be willing to participate in any conference to this end.

The Sahamnews report further stressed that Supreme Leader Khamenei discussed the request with President Rohani, that Rohani said that Iran should accept the request and meet with Obama, and that such a meeting could lead to an end to the crises in the region while increasing Iran's influence in their resolution. Rohani promised Khamenei that any move would be coordinated with him and reported to him. According to the report, Khamenei agreed with Rohani.

The Sahamnews report also emphasized that Khamenei's recent aggressively anti-U.S. speeches were aimed at maintaining an anti-U.S. atmosphere among the Iranian public, whereas in private meetings he expresses a different position.

Further hints regarding Obama's wish to meet with Iranian officials could be found in both American[2] and Iranian[3] media.

Following Khamenei's recent harsh attacks on what he termed the U.S. administration's misconduct and its failure to implement the economic and banking aspects of the JCPOA,[4] Khamenei's representatives from Iran's pragmatic camp have been openly talking with U.S. officials in order to extract from the U.S. more concessions that are not part of the JCPOA.

After Secretary of State Kerry's April 19 New York meeting with Foreign Minister Zarif, the two announced that their discussions would continue on April 22. Zarif said that the meeting had been aimed "to ensure that Iran obtains the interests that it anticipates [receiving] from the JCPOA... The main focus of the talks concerned the correct implementation of the JCPOA so that the sides, especially the Iranian people, will receive what is coming to them under this agreement."[5]

Secretary of State Kerry said that progress had been made in several issues, and that the two would meet again on April 22: "We agreed to - we're both working at making sure that the JCPOA, the Iran agreement - nuclear agreement - is implemented in exactly the way that it was meant to be and that all the parties to that agreement get the benefits that they are supposed to get out of the agreement. So we worked on a number of key things today, achieved progress on it, and we agreed to meet on Friday. After the signing of the climate change agreement, we will meet again to sort of solidify what we talked about today."[6]

Endnotes:
On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans hit the streets to protest the environmental effects of more than 100 years of uncontrolled fossil-fueled industrial development. It was the first Earth Day.

What was intended to be a college campus teach-in soon spread to every community and city across the United States. It was and remains the single largest secular event in history. The sheer size of the protest  along with increasing visual evidence of dire health threats associated with air and toxic pollution  soon forced Congress to pass some of the worlds toughest environmental laws, most of which include community right-to-know provisions and allow citizens to sue their government if it fails to enforce the law.

Citizens rights have been enshrined in every major environmental law from that point on. These laws spawned others around the world  many more stringent than those in the U.S.  and most recognize the role of citizens in the enforcement of environmental laws.

Nearly 50 years later, Earth Day remains a day of reckoning, and now more than 1 billion people take action each year in almost every country on Earth. Some protest, many clean up their communities and plant trees, and millions more have their first exposure to environmentalism through educational programs at schools and universities. Governments large and small make commitments and meet with their constituents, while corporations make pledges to be more sustainable and responsible for the pollution they create.

It is fitting then that United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon chose Earth Day (April 22) for world leaders to sign the historic Paris climate agreement at U.N. headquarters in New York. At least 150 world leaders are expected to sign, making it the largest single signing of an international agreement in world history (another Earth Day first).

And its happening not a moment too soon. On every front, global warming is becoming more immediate, more threatening and more irreversible, while scientific consensus and data on the health effects of climate change  particularly on the poor  mount.

Critics warn that the agreements specific emissions targets are too low, that the pace of implementation is too slow, and it fails failed to specify penalties for noncompliance. Thats where we the people come in.

Included in the climate agreement are provisions that recognize the critical role civil society must play to make it work. It calls on citizens to scale up their efforts and support actions to reduce emissions. It signals the need for all of us to be actively engaged in transforming our world from one dominated by fossil fuels to one driven by renewable energy. While these words dont amount to a call for revolution, its clear both the United Nations and world leaders recognize that citizen participation in solving global warming has been missing. The success  or failure  of the agreement is on our shoulders.

This isnt a fight in which any of us can remain on the sidelines and hope for the best. Unless we take these matters into our own hands, the agreement alone wont save the worlds ecosystems from collapsing, or our biodiversity, which supports all living things on earth, from disappearing.

Doing our part doesnt mean merely buying green products or inquiring how things are going. It means action. It means a direct challenge to the status quo. It means holding our elected officials accountable and voting out of office national, state and local leaders who wont take action on climate change. It means not passing the buck and hoping others do the hard work.

For many, getting involved means knowing how your retirement accounts and pensions are invested and demanding divestment from fossil fuel stocks. It means demanding that your children be educated for green jobs of the future. It means showing up at town hall or city council meetings and asking about your communitys survivability in a climate crisis. It means saying No to every new coal or fracking project, and retooling those communities for safer green powered jobs.

And there are no doubt countless other ways to act. Undoubtable, the climate agreement makes it clear that governments dont have the power to solve climate change alone. We all must do something more than we currently are. Earth Day 2016 is not about crossing the finish line. When the agreement is signed, the hard work begins anew.
It took the Chippewa County Board three tries Tuesday night to finally appoint Supervisor Anson Albarado as the boards new chairman.

Albarado defeated Larry Willkom on a 8-7 vote after the first two ballots ended in a 7-7 tie. Another 7-7 vote with essentially one (absent), I guess. So we keep doing this until we get a majority, said county Corporation Counsel Jim Sherman, who was acting as chairman until one was selected.

The county does not have to disclose which supervisor voted for a candidate.

Albarado, who is the president of the village of Cadott, will succeed Paul Michels as chairman. Michels served two terms as chairman before being defeated by Matthew Hartman in the April 5 election.

Its a little different from up here where you can see the top of peoples heads, Albarado joked after going from the middle of the County Board room to the front to run the meeting.

He will oversee a board with seven of its 15 members new to the job.

The new supervisors include: District 1, Buck Steele; District 3, Hartman; District 5, Tom Thornton; District 6, Jason Bergeron; District 7, Dean Gullickson; District 12, Kari Ives; and District 13, Annette Hunt.

The board also approved Supervisor Florian Skwierczynski as the boards new vice chairman. He defeated Supervisors Chuck Hull and Jared Zwiefelhofer for the post. Albarado did not announce a vote total on the appointment.

Skwierczynski succeeds Henry Shakal, who lost the April 5 election to Thornton. Besides Michels and Shakal, the other losing incumbents included Lee McIlquham in District 6 and Michael Leisz in District 13.

The new members were given training in such things as parliamentary procedures and how to use a device to record their votes.

Protective status

The county has taken another step in winning its fight to strip county jailers of protective status, which is granted to state workers in high-risk professions.

Milwaukee attorney Dan Borowski of the law firm of Van Briesen and Roper briefed the board about the decision.

Borowski said last year the county was told that the jails Huber Center and Transit deputies should retain protective services. The Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds Board considered the Chippewa County case at its March 24 meeting.

The county prevailed on all of the positions, Borowski said.

The Huber and Transit deputies can appeal the latest decision up to 30 days after written decision, which is expected to be released in May. But Borowski said an appeal to the Dane County Circuit Court will be difficult.

Courts dont like to second guess the decisions of administrative bodies, he said.

As of February, 335 jailers from 12 counties had contested their reclassification. The other counties besides Chippewa included: Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Clark, Dunn, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Marquette, Ozaukee and Taylor.

Borowski said the standard for protective status is that 50 percent of the employees duties are involved in active law enforcement. There also have to be a degree of physical danger to qualify, he said.

With protected status, law enforcement agents can retire at an earlier age, in their early 50s, and their pension contributions are less than those without the status. Without it, they are considered general employees.

Those who dont have protected status lose most collective bargaining rights and the eligibility of workers for duty disability. Thats a program that reimburses covered disabled workers at a higher rate than workmens compensation.
Retired Military Officials Are Finding High-Paying Jobs With the Saudi Government and Can Make up up to 7-Figure Salaries Working for Other Foreign Governments

Retired U.S. military personnel cannot receive consulting fees or jobs from foreign governments without expressed approval...
MADISON  The U.S. Navy said Tuesday it has scrapped a national recruiting mailer that promised women they can enlist without compromising their feminine side and pursue careers that "most girls aren't even aware of."

Navy officials said they made the decision amid criticism that the wording was condescending and perpetuated stereotypes. Lt. Commander Nate Christensen, a Navy spokesman, said officials also have launched a review of all their mailer templates after The Associated Press inquired about the brochure, which has been sent to nearly 203,000 people in numerous states in the last few years.

The mailer invites women to take on "the kind of exciting, hands-on work that most girls aren't even aware of. Making your mark in career areas that certainly aren't just for the guys. And what's more, you can do all this while staying in touch with your feminine side  and while bettering your world along the way."

Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation, a national group that works for women's equality, said the wording undersells a woman's potential.

"You wouldn't recruit a boy by saying that," said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation, a national group that works for women's equality. "What does it say about the Navy? It's relying on old stereotypes instead of a picture of modern women who can really make a contribution to the Navy and how needed they are."

Christensen said the wording doesn't reflect the Navy's values, saying women make up 18 percent of the Navy and are indispensable to national security.

"Women have shown great courage and sacrifice  we simply could not accomplish the mission without them," he said.

The Navy's advertising agency, Campbell Ewald, created the mailer's content five years ago, Navy officials said. Campbell Ewald officials didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

It's not clear how much the Navy spent on the flyer because the costs were part of an advertising contract that wasn't itemized, Navy officials said.

Since it was created, the brochure has been mailed to about 202,900 people across recruiting districts that include parts of numerous states, including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, Christensen said.

The Navy was reviewing all mailers to ensure they contain language that "reflects our core values and beliefs and are respectful of all," he said.
The U.S. Navy has removed a captain who oversaw the services largest overseas base.

Capt. David Glenister, commander of Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, was relieved Wednesday by Navy Region Japan Commander Rear Adm. Matthew Carter due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, according to an announcement from Navy Region Japan.

The decision to fire the captain was the result of findings from investigations that "determined that Glenister had not performed to the high standards demanded of an installation commanding officer," officials said in a release.

Glenister has been temporarily assigned to the staff of Navy Region Japan, according to officials. The deputy commander and chief of staff at Navy Region Japan, Capt. Steven Wieman, has been installed in Glenister's place as acting commanding officer of Fleet Activities Yokusuka.

A 36-year Navy officer, Glenister was commissioned in 1990 and previously commanded the guided-missile Frigate USS Rentz (FFG 46), then part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, and commanded a task force overseeing anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden while deployed with the Carrier Strike Group.

He has also served on the chief of Naval Operations' staff in the Surface Warfare Division, on the Joint Staff and on the staff of the commander of Third Fleet, according to his official biography.

Glenister took command of Fleet Activities Yokusuka in August 2013.

The base, which is home to the Navy's only continuously-deployed aircraft carrier, the Ronald Reagan, also oversees 55 tenant commands and provides logistical support and basing to Navy troops within the 7th Fleet. The installation is considered one of the most strategically significant bases for the Navy, according to service officials.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Night-vision technology, which could help the U.S. Coast Guard rescue stranded boaters, nab drug smugglers and even prevent terrorists from sneaking onto American shores, is collecting dust because of a quirk in the federal bureaucracy, a lawmaker charged Tuesday. Coast Guard choppers are equipped with the night-penetrating Electro-Optical Sensor System, but the equipment can't be activated. Although the technology is used by other Pentagon branches of the Armed Forces, the Coast Guard falls under Department of Homeland Security, and its use of the equipment is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. "This laser equipment is essential for the Coast Guard to carry out its mission," Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, told FoxNews.com. The system converts even the faintest light into an electronic signal readable by instruments. In addition to its use by the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, the technology is used in the commercial maritime industry for detecting the threat of approaching pirates. The Coast Guard has it, but can't use it, said Hunter. Earlier this month, Hunter fired off a letter to the FDA, first reported by The Navy Times. Coast Guard spokesman Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chad Saylor said the Coast Guard is seeking authorization to use it. "The Coast Guard intends to use the ESS technology and is in the process of ensuring that it can be done safely," Saylor said in a statement. "The systems are administratively prohibited, and there are locks on the controls to prevent access/use." The Coast Guard routinely carries out dangerous operations, safeguarding the nation's shores from importation of drugs and, Hunter said, potentially weapons of mass destruction. Having equipment that could aid the mission and keep Guardsmen safe, yet not being able to use it, is maddening, Hunter said. "They're basically performing a Department of Defense mission in the Caribbean," he said. "The routes that they cover are dangerous. These are routes where 5,000 pounds of drugs are smuggled on fast boats. If these smugglers can transport that amount of drugs, there's no reason to think that this is not a serious national security issue." Hunter's office learned about the laser issue when his chief of staff, Joe Kasper, recently visited the Hitron Jacksonville station in Florida. Kasper, a former Air Force mechanic, was stunned to learn that the Coast Guard's MH-65 helicopters are equipped with a turret-based night vision system that must be disabled because it was not approved by the FDA. When Kasper told his boss, a former U.S. Marine, about the situation, Hunter shared his disbelief and frustration. "You're endangering lives," Hunter said. "This is the U.S. Coast Guard, not the San Diego Police Department." The Navy Times reported that the Coast Guard is also limited in its use of another technology, the PEQ-15 laser targeting and illumination systems. The technology is used for spotting and locking onto targets in darkness. "Illuminators and laser sights stand to provide a clear advantage during use of force operations and other missions, but imposed limits on the use of these tools creates needless challenges and safety risks," Hunter wrote in his letter to the FDA.
The retired Marine general at the center of a groundswell of support for a presidential run will appear in Washington, D.C., on Friday to discuss events in the Middle East at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

But while the question of his candidacy may come up at the event, strategists warn against reading too much into the lecture.

James Mattis, former commander of U.S. Central Command and distinguished visiting fellow at California's Hoover Institution, has repeatedly made it clear he's not interested in running for office. Regardless, a grassroots push to see him make a dark horse bid in November has been gaining steam.

The Daily Beast reported this month that an anonymous coalition of Republican billionaires has assembled to support the logistically challenging prospect of a Mattis candidacy. And in March, GOP strategist and former Jeb Bush national security adviser John Noonan published a treatise in the same publication hailing Mattis as a savior for 2016.

More grassroots efforts, largely promoted and publicized within the military community, have also generated support for Mattis, who was beloved and idolized by Marines. A Mattis for President Facebook page now has more than 4,500 fans, and a sleek new website, Mattisforpresident.com, aims to recruit support for the "unofficial write-in campaign."

But while public figures sometimes use think tank addresses to signal interest in public office -- Florida Sen. Marco Rubio appeared at the Brookings Institution in 2012 to outline his foreign policy position in what was widely viewed as a precursor to his Republican presidential run -- Mattis, as a seasoned military commander, already has his policy bona fides.

"Politicians go to [Brookings and other think tanks] when they want to stake out foreign policy positions," Noonan told Military.com. "General Mattis doesn't need to do that. He already has that label; he already has that expertise."

Rick Wilson, a GOP strategist who has also supported Mattis as an alternative to Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, also cautioned from ascribing a political overlay to Mattis' upcoming appearance at CSIS.

However, he said, the Washington discussion would highlight the general's experience and deep knowledge of Middle East policy amid a 2016 campaign that has largely been "policy-free."

"The imperative of this is relevant and compelling to him and if the landscape looks as if it needs an option that is more serious and more substantive and less risky to the country ... I think the inevitable gravity of the situation we're in right now is why you have a lot of folks encouraging him to get into this race."

In this political season, one lesson has become clear, Wilson said: All bets are off.

Will we see a Mattis candidacy? The answer lies with Mattis himself.

"The group that is trying to encourage him to run will do everything that they can to make it a possibility if he wanted to," Noonan said. "There's a serious effort to draft him. But I think the only people who know the answer to that question are God and General Mattis."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Millions of Americans will cast ballots this fall in an historic presidential election  a now-constitutional right that many had to fight for during the 20th century.

Yet one demographic of voters has remained largely voiceless on a voluntary basis for half a century.

The U.S. Census Bureaus data from the last presidential election shows that only 45 percent of eligible voters age 18-29 turned out to vote in 2012, and only 38 percent of those ages 18-24 cast their ballot.

For an 18- to 29-year-old, theyre not at a point in their life where politics or government actions seem relevant, said Rodd Freitag, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Freitag teaches American National Politics, a beginner-level class.

You see higher turnout in older age groups, he said. They own a home, they pay property taxes, they are concerned about schools and the community. That makes you more civically engaged.

Politics can be a taboo topic in families, especially when members dont agree with each other. Chi-Hi American Government teacher John Kinville says the No. 1 question he gets asked is about the difference between a Democrat and a Republican.

At the high school, there was a lot of energy particularly for (Democratic Vermont Sen.) Bernie Sanders, Kinville said. Putting myself in the eyes of a teenager, its the first time a politician has actively pushed for free college. Its an enticing idea that attracts a demographic that often gets overlooked.

Targeting young people may have played to Sanders strength in Wisconsin because young adults in this state show up to vote in greater percentages than nearly every state in the nation.

The Census Bureaus data shows that in 2012, 58 percent of Wisconsin citizens ages 18-29 cast their ballot in the presidential election. This percentage trailed only the District of Columbia, with a 70 percent turnout, and Mississippi with 68 percent. Wisconsins percentage is 13 percent higher than the national average.

Young people get a bad rap for not knowing whats going on, Kinville said. They are keeping up. Most of the young people voting have a very specific reason why they are voting.

For this election year, Kinville is having to remind students that elections are not normally this exciting.

Freitag believes that same-day registration plays a major role in why Wisconsin does so well with its young voter turnout. Only 10 states and the District of Columbia recognize same-day registration, and four of those are in the top five for age 18-29 voter turnout.

That makes it easier for 18-year-olds, especially those who have left home, Freitag said. Same-day registration allows you on the day of the election to go to your voting place and register at one table and then vote at another.

Eau Claire North civics teacher Christopher Wyka said keeping up to date on what is going on in the world is a major factor in whether a student will have the desire to vote.

The kids dont become interested in the process unless they know what the current issues are, he said. What are we doing about them? How do people on different sides of the spectrum view the problems?

Wyka is in his 28th year of teaching at North High School, and teaches four sections of civics.

They feel like the democratic process in this country is controlled by older, wealthier people, Wyka said. They feel that, as a group, their concerns and needs are being ignored.

He said that when parents sit down with their child and discuss current events, candidates and issues, it has a stronger impact than what the students learn in the classroom.

This year, for the first time, Wisconsin will face a presidential election with the new voter ID law in place.

In the fall of 2015, a large group of concerned citizens wondered how the changes in voter registration requirements, early voting times and the now-required photo ID in Wisconsin would affect voter turnout.

They formed Register and Vote Eau Claire (RAVE), a nonpartisan citizen group dedicated to increasing voter registration in the Chippewa Valley. It provides area residents with registration opportunities and information about new voter ID requirements and early voting options.

There are no judgments being made about these changes, simply concerns that Eau Claire County residents may be confused and, as a result, not vote, said Carol Craig, a RAVE coordinator.

Wyka said this group came to North and set up a table to register voting-aged students. RAVE makes appearances at local high schools not only to register students to vote, but also to assist 18-year-old seniors in becoming special registrar deputies so they can register their classmates.

We have registered about 150 students in Eau Claire County, and more than 300 total voters, Craig said. We are very, very pleased.

Initiatives like this are going on all around the state in preparation for the fall election.

Wisconsin stood up to the challenge, with nearly half of the voting-aged population showing up on April 5 to cast their ballot. It was the highest primary turnout rate in the state since 1972, despite speculation about the new voter ID law holding down the vote.

Freitag said Wisconsin residents feel more strongly that voting is a civic duty. Our political culture, our attitude about the role the individual plays, leads us to vote at a slightly higher percentage, he said.

Education level also contributes to whether a person will vote. At least some college education makes a difference in voter turnout, he said.

Theres something that goes on in college in general that gets young people to see that I can make a difference, Freitag said.

Young people get a bad rap for not knowing whats going on. They are keeping up. Most of the young people voting have a very specific reason why they are voting. John Kinville, Chi-Hi American Government teacher
DETROIT, MI - After a delayed arrival, Tesla Motors' Model X electric SUV has finally been making its way into a few thousand customers' driveways, but apparently not without some quality issues.



Consumer Reports says that everything from the unique, falcon-wing doors not opening and closing properly or at all - to sheet-metal panel gaps, to climate control issues are among the problems customers have been sounding off about.

One common complaint from customers is that the Model X's panoramic windshield has resulted in double-vision during night driving.



The vehicle has also been recalled for third-row seats that can snap forward in an accident. The potential issue occurred in testing and has not resulted in any injuries, but prompted Tesla to recall 2,700 units.

In an emailed statement to MLive, a Tesla spokeswoman said the company is "committed to making the world's most reliable cars."

"While we have seen some issues with early Model X builds, the issues are not widespread, and we are working closely with each owner to respond quickly and proactively to address any problems," the company said. "We will continue to do so until each customer is fully satisfied. This commitment is one of the reasons why 98% of our customers say they will buy another Tesla as their next car."

The piece from Consumer Reports, titled, "Early-Build Tesla Model X SUVs Face Quality Issues," seems fairly scathing, but adds that the publication "recommends against buying a vehicle in its first year of production--especially a ground-up vehicle with the incredible complexity of a Tesla."

Tesla launched the Model X in September. At the time, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said there were about 25,000 customers on a waiting list for the all-wheel-drive vehicle, which the company bills as the fastest SUV ever. Musk also said at the time it could take 8-12 months for them to receive the Model X.

Earlier this month, Tesla said its lower-than-expected Q1 deliveries were hit by "severe Model X supplier parts shortages in January and February that lasted much longer than initially expected."

Tesla said the issues were resolved by March, and production by the last week of the month had been up to 750 Model X SUVs being built per week, though it was too late for many to be delivered by the end of the quarter.

Despite the lower-than-forecast delivery count, Tesla reaffirmed its commitment to delivering 80,000-90,000 total vehicles for the full year.

Tesla said it is addressing the root causes of the supply shortage as it readies for production of the Model 3, which the company unveiled Thursday in the Los Angeles area.

With a base price of $35,000 and electric range of 215 miles, Tesla aims for the Model 3 to be an accessible electric car for the masses.

The company has received mass interest so far, with reservations topping 275,000 in just the first three days of opening up spots for the yet-to-be-produced car.

Tesla plans to start building the Model 3 at its Fremont, Calif. factory near the end of 2017.

David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV Electric Vehicle to be in Northwood Auto Show

Hollyn Johnson | The Bay City Times

DETROIT, MI - Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has admitted to manipulating fuel economy data on four model vehicles sold in Japan.

The discrepancy was discovered by Nissan Motor Co., which was being delivered 468,000 Dayz Roox vehicles from Mitsubishi, the Associated Press reports.

Affected models also include 157,000 eK-brand wagons and eK Space cars made by Mitsubishi.

Company president Tetsuro Aikawa apologized at a press conference Wednesday, but said he was unaware the manipulation was taking place.

According to multiple reports, the Japanese automaker had been manipulating the loads placed on the tires of the cars it was testing to make fuel economy appear more favorable.

Though so far only cars in Japan appear to be affected, Mitsubishi's vehicles in the U.S. are likely to get a closer look from regulators in light of the scandal, said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

"While I wouldn't describe fuel economy manipulation as 'rampant' throughout the industry, it's obviously a recurring issue; one that will have regulators re-evaluating their testing and certification procedures," Brauer said.

In September 2015, Volkswagen AG admitted to rigging about a half million of the diesel-engine cars sold in the U.S. with "defeat device" software to trick emissions tests.

The VW cars in question would meet emissions standards tests in a laboratory or testing station, but in normal operation, they emit nitrogen oxides at up to 40 times the standard, according to the EPA.

The German automaker is still working its way through the scandal, and faces class action lawsuits and federal fines.

David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Calvary Undenominational Church, one of West Michigan's biggest mega-churches, is getting bigger.

Construction crews have taken over the church's 26-acre campus at 707 East Beltline Ave. NE as they undertake a $25 million construction project that will expand the 155,000-square-foot building by another 75,000 square feet.

During the construction project, the congregation has moved its Sunday worship services to Calvin College's Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex until December.

The project will expand the church building from about 1,791 seats to 2,061 seats, according to plans on file with the City of Grand Rapids. The project also will add 157 parking spaces to the campus, bringing the total to 1,706 spaces.

"Calvary Church is renovating its sanctuary as part of a master plan to improve its facilities and create a welcoming environment for our congregation and the community," according to an announcement on the church's website. Church officials declined to be interviewed about the project.

Note: This story was updated to reflect the $25 million cost of renovation project.

Jim Harger covers business for Mlive Media Group. Email him at jharger@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter or Facebook or Google+.
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Vander Mill is joining Grand Rapids' expanding craft beer scene with a hard cider brewery and a tap room that serves French country cuisine.

The 40,000 square-foot production facility and restaurant, at 505 Ball Ave. NE, opened on Monday, April 18.

Hours are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Lunch will be added soon, says Paul Vander Heide, who owns the business with his wife, Amanda.

The new operation marks a $4 million investment to buy and renovate the former B&B Beer Distribution Co. Nearly 4,500 square feet was carved out to house a restaurant that can seat 200 people, and another 60 on the outside patio.

Hard cider is the fastest-growing segment of the beer and flavored malt beverage landscape, Vander Heide said.

The new Grand Rapids production facility will more than quadruple their production capacity. The mill has also obtained a distilling license and hopes to produce craft spirits in the future.

For now, there are 20 brews on tap, including a few beer and wine collaborations, such as Brown Ale, Hard Apple, Nunica Pine and Apple Raspberry.

Michigan-grown apples continue to be a base ingredient for Vander Mill products. The business began in 2006 by producing classic apple cider that was paired with house-made cinnamon and sugar donuts.

Within two years, hard cider production was added and the product was distributed to customers. To keep up with demand, the mill expanded to 8,000 square feet in 2013. That building, at 14921 Cleveland St., houses the Vander Miller cider operation and its namesake restaurant.

Vander Mill has grown into one of the largest craft producers in the region, and now distributes products to convenience and grocery stores, bars and restaurants throughout Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

"My wife Amanda and I started this business to bring people together around apples, donuts and family fun," Vander Heide said. "I'm proud to say that 10 years later, the mission is still the same."

Vander Heide has tapped Justin Large to lead the mill's culinary team. The executive chef worked 15 years working as a chef and culinary director in several of Chicago's James Beard award-winning restaurants. He joined the Vander Mill team last fall, overseeing the mill's Spring Lake location.

The menu ranges from $11 "ham + donuts" and "radishes and butter" starters to the $23 "hanger steak" entree.

The Grand Rapids dishes are a step up from the more casual Spring Lake menu.

Front of House Manager Keith Love was most recently general manager of Gonzo's BiggDogg Brewing in Kalamazoo.

Dave Bayes is the brewer, and oversees production. He began his craft brewing career 18 years ago helping to open the Old Boys' Brewhouse in Spring Lake.

It was during that time as a brewer that he began experimenting with Vander Mill apple cider, pouring it in beer, striving to find the perfect combination of malt, hops, yeast and apple.

"We ferment our ciders to showcase the apple -- bright, clean and fruit forward," Bayes said. "We also like to experiment with unique flavors like other fruits, spices, and hops, and sometimes aging in bourbon barrels or new oak. We are working hard to expand the taste of cider here in the U.S."

Shandra Martinez covers business and other topics for MLive. Email her or follow her on Twitter @shandramartinez.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Dick DeVos has hired a new CEO to lead The Stow Company Inc., one of the biggest companies in the custom home storage and organizational products sector.

Phil Dolci, 48, was brought on earlier this month to helm the Holland based-manufacturer, which is part of The Windquest Group, the Grand Rapids-based holding group of the Amway scion and his wife, Betsy DeVos.

The high-profile couple is known for their generous philanthropy and political activism on conservative issues, from school choice to right-to-work.

Dolci succeeds Frank Newman, 67, who is retiring. Newman will continue to serve the company as a member of the board of advisors.

Dolci is described as an accomplished leader with over 23 years of experience in consumer products manufacturing and marketing. He most recently served as CEO of Crosman Corporation, a leading global designer, manufacturer and supplier of products for shooting sports, based in Cincinnati.

"Phil brings exactly the kind of experience and knowledge that will drive the continued growth and presence of The Stow Company in the home organization market," said Dick DeVos, chairman of The Stow Company, in a statement. "We thank Frank for his exemplary leadership over the last four years."

Dolci's resume includes leadership positions at U.S. Playing Cards, a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation; Sanford, a division of Newell Rubbermaid, ConAgra Foods, Dean Foods and Kraft Foods.

Dolci holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Chicago.

Founded in 1984, The Stow Company has manufacturing facilities at 3311 Windquest Drive in Holland and Indianapolis, which employ 280 people. The privately-held business doesn't release revenue figures.

The products are sold under four brands: ORG Home custom solutions, EasyClosets do-it-yourself, Easy Track modular storage systems and Distinctive Wine Cellars.

The Windquest Group's dozen other companies include Boxed Water, Neurocore and the downtown Grand Rapids restaurant, The Reserve.

Shandra Martinez covers business and other topics for MLive. Email her or follow her on Twitter @shandramartinez.
trivalent.jpg

Trivalent Group is headquartered in Grandville at 3145 Prairie St SW #101. (Courtesy photo)

GRANDVILLE, MI -- Information technology firm Trivalent Group has acquired the East Lansing-based KI Technology Group.

The purchase price wasn't disclosed in a statement Wednesday morning announcing the acquisition.

Both firms operate as outsourced IT departments for businesses, providing tech support and Cloud-based services.

The Grandville-based Trivalent is a data center and managed service provider with facilities across Michigan with offices in Grandville, Battle Creek, Mt. Pleasant and Traverse City.

The acquisition of the KI moves Trivalent into the Mid-Michigan market.

KI Technology Group's East Lansing office is located at 4750 Hagadorn Rd in East Lansing.

"Given KI's many high-profile clients that span multiple sectors, this acquisition is an exciting development and a major step forward for our company," said Trivalent CEO Larry Andrus in a statement. "It will further strengthen our customer service and expand our ability to provide innovative new services for our clients."

KI's 10-person workforce including Linda Lynch, the firm's owner and president, are expected to stay with the company, currently located at 4750 Hagadorn Rd.

The firm began in 1982 as KI Software Corporation, partnering with NCR Corporation to provide software solutions for small businesses around the country. The company's network technicians manages networks for a variety of businesses in the Greater Lansing area.

Launched in 1971, Trivalent now has a statewide workforce of 80 employees and a client roster of more than 600 businesses.

Last year, Trivalent was named a "Top 100 Managed Service Provider in the World" for the fifth consecutive year by MSPMentor, a leading trade publication.
Some lawmakers, politicians and interest groups, particularly those that like to perpetuate self-serving narratives about systemic sexism, say April 12 was a special day: Equal Pay Day.

It symbolizes how far a woman must work into the next year to earn the same annual salary as a man.

Bluntly, its the day Americans are supposed to acknowledge the so-called wage gap by repeating misleading talking points ad nauseam until fearful women are convinced they are victims of massive wage discrimination.

Foundational to Equal Pay Day is the Labor Department statistic that women make only 79 cents for every $1 earned by men.

Unfortunately for true believers, that data point has been largely debunked.

Even The Washington Posts fact checker has given the number two Pinocchios on more than one occasion.

Thats because the statistic is calculated by simply looking at the median salaries for men and women without accounting for any of the numerous factors that could result in such a disparity.

And as the Posts Glenn Kessler points out, the 21-cent gap substantially closes when one looks at weekly or hourly wages.

The scurrilous statistic further implodes when other important facts are considered, like the average woman has less work experience than the average man, often because women take time away from the workforce to give birth to and raise children.

Women also tend to seek jobs with more flexible hours to accommodate family life and tend to work more weeks of part-time hours than full-time hours.

According to Kessler, government labor data show that women who forgo marriage and children have virtually no wage gap; they earn 95 cents for every dollar a man makes.

There are other inconvenient realities like the fact that women tend to choose professions that pay less.

Teaching, for example, social work and counseling psychology are fields dominated by women.

All are far less lucrative than the professions dominated by men, which include petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, and mathematics and computer science.

In many cases, jobs performed by males also tend to be more labor-intensive and dangerous.

Women may self-select professions that require less physical strain or risk, but that risk carries a price tag. Men, usually by choice, reap the benefits.

All of this results in what the Washington Examiners Ashe Schow refers to as not a wage gap but an earnings gap.

Indeed, for the reasons explained above, over the course of the average womans lifetime she will earn less income than her male counterpart.

And most of that gap can be explained by her individual choices, not some insidious patriarchical scheme to cheat women out of their due.

Some feminists argue that womens choices arent really their own  that staying home to have and raise children is forced upon them by society and that Americas insufficient paid maternity leave and child-care programs drive women out of the workforce against their will.

But even that appeal to victimhood loses steam when comparing America with nations that have generous leave policies.

American Enterprise Institute scholar Christina Hoff Sommers reviewed a study by two Cornell economists who found that in Sweden, where parents can take up to 16 months off work for the birth of a child and may then work part time (at a reduced salary) until that child is 8 years old, women  not men  are more likely to take advantage of this law.

Further, women never find their way back to full-time or high-level employment.

And such generous family-friendly policies ultimately make all women less attractive to competitive and high-paying employers.

Unfortunately, the one element of this issue that never seems to enter the conversation is the fact that the work of having and raising children is not without value. In fact, its so valuable that its worth cannot be quantified.

Perhaps it would benefit women to steer the conversation to ways in which society can better recognize the remarkable role they play in family life, rather than peddling irresponsible statistics about their perpetual victimhood.
Digital Divas.jpg

The Digital Divas conference, held on the Eastern Michigan University campus, provides 500 area high school young women with exposure to explore more than 20 interactive STEM sessions and network with industry leaders, professors and students.

(Randall Mascharka)

YPSILANTI, MI -- For every 100 jobs in IT, information assurance and cyber security, only 10 are filled by women - a statistic Pam Becker would like to see change.

Becker, a professor and interim director for the School of Technology and Professional Services Management at Eastern Michigan University, referenced the study from 2015 from International Information System Security Certification Consortium while talking about how she wants to change the culture surrounding careers in IT for women.

She hopes to accomplish this through the university's Digital Divas conference, set to take place on Friday.

"One of the biggest things is exposing young women to those fields," she said. "We do that in breakout sessions, so girls can learn a lot about those tech fields and they can be exposed to seeing young female role models."

The Digital Divas conference, held on the Eastern Michigan University campus, provides 500 area high school young women with exposure to explore more than 20 interactive STEM sessions and network with industry leaders, professors and students.

The one-day conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Center, located at 900 Oakwood St. in Ypsilanti.

During the event, participants will have a chance to explore more than 20 interactive STEM sessions and network with industry leaders, professors and students.

Breakout sessions will be available on topics including digital 3-D modeling, graphic design, wind energy, coding and cyber security.

With the IT industry continuing to create jobs at a steady rate, Becker said she hopes young women will see careers in technology as stable and optimal.

"We're all consumers of digital products, we should have a say in how they are developed and the jobs that are involved with that," she said. "It's also extremely important for our society in general to have a diverse workforce.

The Digital Divas conference was founded in 2011 by Gerald "Skip" Lawver, former professor for the College of Technology at EMU, with the goal of connecting young women to opportunities in the fast-growing technology and computer science fields. Since that time, the program has grown to more than 500 attendees, representing 13 schools districts including schools in Oakland, Jackson, Livingston, Kent, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.

Doors open at 8 a.m. and the main program will begin at 9:15 a.m. with opening remarks from keynote guest speaker Debbie Dingell, the U.S. Representative to Congress from Michigan's 12th District.
Jessica Grubb.jpg

Jessica Grubb, 30, of Ann Arbor died March 2 after overdosing on opioids her family says the recovering heroin addict never should have gotten after surgery.

(Courtesy | David Grubb)

ANN ARBOR, MI -- Jessica Grubb went to sleep while recovering from surgery and never woke up.

The 30-year-old from West Virginia was in Ann Arbor recovering from two things: a recent hip surgery at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and a seven-year heroin addiction.

She was a few months clean when she got an infection in her hip.

When she was discharged from the hospital, Grubb was prescribed oxycodone, a semisynthetic opioid pain reliever by the discharging physician, according to the police report. Authorities believe Grubb crushed up the oxycodone pills, mixed them with liquid and injected them into an IV port, causing a fatal overdose, the report said.

Her family is questioning why Grubb, with her history of drug abuse, was sent home with an oxycodone prescription. They say they told hospital staff repeatedly she was a recovering heroin addict.

"People are never cured of addiction," said her father, David Grubb. "It's something they have to fight day-in and day-out."

Jessica Grubb died March 2, a day after she returned to her apartment to recover, leaving her family shocked and grieving, and prompting St. Joseph to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Grubbs' death.

"St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor has extended its deepest sympathies to the Grubb family on the loss of their daughter Jessica. The hospital is currently undertaking an internal investigation, and while we can't comment on the same, we have assured the family that we will share findings of our internal review with them once it concludes," said a written statement from Dr. Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, chief medical officer at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

A seven-year addiction

Jessica Grubb at the beach on Lake Michigan in Holland.

A lively young woman, Grubb was a leader with a promising future when she went off to study at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

But she was raped during her first semester, according to her family. An acquaintance introduced Grubb to heroin as she dealt with the trauma of the sexual assault. The heroin took the pain away, family members said, and that was the start of her addiction.

Grubb had a near-fatal overdose in August 2015, surviving only because her mother, Kate Grubb, performed CPR and paramedics administered naloxone.

In October, Kate and David Grubb told President Barack Obama about their daughter on national TV during a town hall meeting. Her story touched the president deeply, his staff told the Huffington Post.

During that town hall meeting, Jessica Grubb was at Dawn Farm in Ypsilanti for an extended recovery. She moved there in September, having heard good things about the facility.

While her experience was good at first, her father said, the recovery center suddenly asked her to leave in October after discovering she had an inhaler for exercise-induced asthma.

A bronchioid inhaler can suppress the appetite, and Jessica Grubb also had an eating disorder. Dawn Farm officials told Jessica Grubb they couldn't deal with both her addiction and the eating disorder, David Grubb said.

James Balmer, Dawn Farm president, said federal confidentiality laws mandate he cannot acknowledge any current or former patient at Dawn Farm.

After leaving Dawn Farm, Jessica Grubb remained in Ann Arbor, a city she grew to love. She had a support group, a great apartment and plans to return to college, her father said.

"She felt like that was going to be her home for the rest of her life," David Grubb said.

A dangerous prescription

In early 2016, Jessica Grubb developed a bacterial infection because of a running injury. She had surgery Feb. 24 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and went home March 1.

David Grubb said they had a great experience at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. The doctors and staff were compassionate and wanted to do the right thing, he said.

Jessica Grubb's parents went home to West Virginia, and the last time they talked to her was the evening of March 1. She told her family she was tired and was about to fall asleep. Her parents knew she had an IV port in her arm for antibiotics, but they didn't know about the prescription for an opioid pain reliever.

When she didn't respond the next day, Kate Grubb called the Ann Arbor Police Department for a welfare check.

An officer found her body in her bed. Eight of the 50 oxycodone pills were missing, according to the police report, which The Ann Arbor News obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

Police officers found residue of the green pills where it appears she crushed them in a ceramic bowl and a syringe on the floor filled with green liquid, the police report states.

"It's so heartbreaking for us because she was on such a good path," David Grubb said.

He said family members told hospital staff about Jessica's addiction several times.

Hospital officials would not comment on how or why Jessica Grubb was prescribed the oxycodone.

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

Tocco-Bradley said the hospital and medical staff leadership formed a task force to develop a comprehensive approach for the treatment of patients with a history of substance abuse.

"St. Joe's remains committed to addressing the complicated issues surrounding addiction and substance abuse in our communities. We will be inviting the family to participate in the development of this initiative as it progresses," Tocco-Bradley continued.

The investigation should be complete in about a month, said spokeswoman Laura Blodgett.

Jessie's Law

The Grubb family is working through the grief, working to honor their daughter's memory and trying to ensure this doesn't happen again.

The family is fundraising to create a residential living facility called "Jessie's Place" for adults with developmental disabilities such as autism.

One of the family's four daughters, 21-year-old Emma, is autistic. Jessica Grubb had promised her parents she'd take care of her sister should anything happen to them. Instead, a residential home named in her honor could do the same for Emma and others.

Another piece in their efforts is Jessie's Law, a bill that would prohibit doctors and hospitals from prescribing opioids and other addictive drugs to known recovering addicts.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, introduced the bill in Congress last week.

"Jessie's death is particularly heartbreaking because it was 100 percent preventable," he said during a Senate session on April 13.

The Grubb family continues to work toward these goals and celebrating their daughter's birthdays and another daughter's wedding.

But it's not easy.

"It's a daily struggle for me. Part of me wants to do this and fight, but you know the father in me wants to collapse," David Grubb said. "What happened was really wrong. We're just trying to make something good come of it."

Lindsay Knake is a cops and courts reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Follow her on twitter or contact her at 989-372-2498 or lknake@mlive.com.
YPSILANTI, MI - The city of Ypsilanti is being sued for a 2015 injury crash involving an Ypsilanti police officer.

Anthony Michael Collins, 26, filed suit on April 12 in Washtenaw County against Ypsilanti police officer Ashley Kofahl and the city for damages in excess of $25,000 for injuries he received in the Sept. 10, 2015 crash.

The Ypsilanti man suffered a traumatic brain injury, neck and lower back injuries, leg lacerations and lacerations of multiple tendons in his right leg and foot, according to the complaint. He also suffered injuries that impaired his ability to move his foot.

Kofahl's patrol vehicle collided with Collins' 2001 Nissan Altima at Washington Street and Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti about 6:50 p.m. Sept. 10, 2015, according to a Michigan State Police incident report written by Trooper Siera Hammond.

Collins was attempting to turn south onto Washington Street from westbound Michigan Avenue when he was struck by Kofahl's patrol vehicle headed eastbound on Michigan Avenue. Kofahl had recently had a call for a silent bank alarm canceled.

She was found at fault.

"Anthony Collins had proceeded through the intersection cautiously," Hammond said in the report. "However, Officer Kofahl's speed of 57 mph in a 35 mph zone, heavy traffic, and no siren due to the silent alarm call all contributed to determining Officer Kofahl was at fault."

In-car video footage from Kofahl's patrol vehicle showed the alarm was canceled and she turned off her emergency lights seconds before the crash.

After the crash, Kofahl can be heard groaning in pain.

Ypsilanti police officer Tommy Porter's in-car video shows he was driving behind Kofahl at the time of the crash. Porter, passersby and officials including Ypsilanti City Manager Ralph Lange can be seen coming to Kofahl's and Collins' aid following the incident.

Lange said he was in the area when he heard the crash and came to help Kofahl.

He said "it's a miracle" that the cars didn't strike the nearby pole or building.

Voices heard on the videos show some at the scene thought Collins was likely at fault in the crash. Kofahl can also be heard asking about the other driver's condition, but those with her did not have an immediate answer.

Collins was suspected to have a head injury after the crash, according to the MSP incident report. Kofahl had a broken ankle.

Kevin Riddle, Collins' Birmingham, Mich.,-based attorney, previously told The Ann Arbor News that Collins has ongoing physical problems due to the crash.

Collins will suffer mental anguish, depression, anxiety, humiliation and wage loss in the future due to the gross negligence that caused the crash, according to the lawsuit.

Ypsilanti police Lt. Deric Gress said due to the pending litigation, neither the Ypsilanti Police Department nor Kofahl would comment on the crash. Kofahl did not respond to an individual request for comment.

Gress previously declined to comment on disciplinary actions taken against Kofahl or police protocols for use of lights and sirens. He said corrective training measures, including a review of policies and emergency vehicle operation training, were taken after the crash.

Michigan law gives special exemptions in driving for police vehicles, even at times when they drive without an audible signal for calls requiring silence. However, police vehicles can only exceed the speed limits as long as they do not endanger life or property.

Ypsilanti City Attorney John M. Barr said the city received the lawsuit and has sent it for review by the city's insurance providers through the Michigan Municipal League Liability and Property Pool.

The video "Ypsilanti Police Officer Smashes Car" was provided by Steve Pierce of Wireless Ypsi.

Darcie Moran covers cops and courts for MLive and The Ann Arbor News. Email her at dmoran@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter @darciegmoran.
President Obamas standing in the eyes of the American people has recovered after a three-year slump  and thats good news for Hillary Clinton.

Obamas job approval rating  the percentage of voters who say hes doing a decent job  has reached an average of about 50 percent over the last two months.

A 50-50 split may not look like a historic achievement, but its a better number than Obama has seen since 2013. And its not a mirage; the presidents standing has been on a gradual upswing for the last four months.

Thats been enough to make Obama aides throw their hats in the air, figuratively speaking. Five points makes a huge difference, one of them told me last week.

Politicians routinely pretend that they dont pay attention to the polls, but theres no question Obama pays attention to his. During his years in the polling wilderness, he often sounded frustrated that he wasnt getting credit for his accomplishments.

Now, though, Obama sounds more confident that he might be able to end his presidency on a high note. I feel greatly encouraged, he told Democrats in Texas last month. I think when people step back and get some perspective, theyll say we did good.

And he sounds eager to campaign for a Democratic successor who can continue the legacy that we built  especially if its Hillary Clinton, who has embraced his record more fervently than Bernie Sanders.

A popular president, even one on the way out, is naturally a bigger asset to his party than an unpopular one. Alan Abramowitz of Emory University has found that when a two-term president leaves office, his party is likely to win the next election if his job approval is over 50 percent, but lose if the number is below 50 percent.

But theres a quirk inside Obamas improved poll numbers.

The president and his aides would like to think his standing has improved mostly because Americans have finally recognized that the economy is on the upswing, and acknowledge the presidents role in making that happen. But most of the available evidence doesnt support that theory. The Gallup Polls economic confidence index, a measure of how Americans feel about the economy, is the same now as it was late last year, when the president was less popular.

Theres no clear correlation with presidential approval, Democratic pollster Mark Mellman noted.

Instead, Obamas numbers appear to have gone up in large part because the Republican campaign  in particular, GOP front-runner Donald Trump  have reminded many voters why they chose Obama in the first place.

The public image of the Republican Party has fallen as the presidents has risen. During the last three months, the CNN-ORC poll found that the share of voters with an unfavorable view of the GOP swelled from 50 percent to 61 percent. In the same period, Trump impressed increasing numbers of American voters  in the wrong direction. In the CNN-ORC poll, 67 percent of adults said they had an unfavorable impression of the real estate magnate, the highest negative rating ever recorded for a major partys presidential candidate.

The Trump hypothesis is bolstered by other surveys showing that much of Obamas increased support has come from younger voters and Latinos, two groups that have reacted strongly against the Republican front-runner. Both groups are strongly opposed to more restrictive immigration policies, Trumps signature issue.

Obama has tried quite bluntly to capitalize on the vulnerabilities of the GOP field as he has tuned up his message for the fall campaign.

I actually think that Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have done us a favor, he said at a Democratic fundraising event in San Francisco on April 9.

The favor, he explained in Los Angeles, is laying bare, unvarnished, some of the nonsense that weve been dealing with in Congress on a daily basis. People act as if these folks are outliers. But theyre not. ... We should thank Mr. Trump and Mr. Cruz for just being honest.

Thats a partisan argument, of course, aimed at rallying Democrats around their president and, eventually, their new nominee.

But thats what a presidential campaign is mostly about: making sure a partys voters come home and vote for their side  or against the other side, which is just as effective. Thats pretty much what Obama did in 2012, when he succeeded in painting Mitt Romney as a heartless plutocrat.

Obamas standing is still fragile. He and his aides would feel better if he were over the 50 percent mark. They know that an economic reversal (which they consider unlikely) or a terrorist attack (entirely possible) could blow a hole in his job approval.

But for the moment, their prospects for securing the Obama legacy with a third Democratic term have been improved  thanks to the unlikely assistance of Donald Trump.
All three Wisconsin Veterans Homes are recognizing volunteers this month at their annual volunteer recognition events.

For more than 70 years, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs has taken the lead on providing the best programs, benefits and services to our nations heroes, and our work on behalf of veterans is supported and greatly enhanced by the efforts of the communities in which we work.

Individuals, organizations and businesses all contribute greatly to the mission of serving our veterans.

Our Veterans Homes are shining examples of how our veterans benefit from not only first-class health care, but also from the fruits of collaboration between our agency and those who volunteer to assist our veterans.

As they do every year, a great many people have generously given thousands of hours of their personal time to be a part of the lives of our veterans, and for that I sincerely thank them.

Partnerships in other areas also enhance our mission. Homelessness, joblessness and other needs are greatly impacted when we work together with our many valuable partners.

Veterans service organizations play a key role in taking care of our veterans. The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS (American veterans), Military order of the Purple Heart and Disable American Veterans all provide tremendous support to our community.

For as long as there have been veterans, there have been those in the community who support them.

There are numerous individuals and organizations that give of their time and resources to care for our veterans. Every single donation of time or resources made by these people goes to a combined effort to provide the very best for our veterans and their families.

I want to thank all those who have helped us in the past year in our mission of caring for our states veterans. Volunteers amplify our ability to care for our heroes. Their caring and concern go a long way in supporting our veterans. I am proud to recognize them.
A De Pere businessman under investigation for allegedly defrauding the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. of more than $1 million has been indicted on unrelated federal bank fraud charges.

Ronald Van Den Heuvel, 62, his wife, Kelly, and an Appleton man employed at Horicon Bank were indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury, U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad announced.

The 13-count indictment is based on an alleged scheme in 2008 and 2009 in which Van Den Heuvel and his wife fraudulently obtained loans from Horicon Bank.

Also indicted was Paul Piikkila, a loan officer at Horicon Bank.

According to a statement issued by Haanstad, Piikkila approved loans totaling more than $1 million to benefit the Van Den Heuvels and their business entities. Horicon Bank had instructed Piikkila not to loan money to Van Den Heuvel, and none of the loans was made to him by name.

Instead, Haanstad said, the loans were made to straw borrowers who did not receive the money and were not expected to pay it back.

The loans were not used for the business purposes represented on the loan applications, and the collateral offered by Van Den Heuvel was inadequate to secure the loans, according to Haanstad.

If convicted of the first count, all three face a maximum penalty of imprisonment for not more than five years, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both, plus a mandatory $100 special assessment and a period of supervised release not to exceed three years.

Van Den Heuvel and his wife face more charges that carry penalties of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of not more than $1 million, or both, plus the mandatory $100 special assessment and a term of supervised release not to exceed five years.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., Haanstad said. Van Den Heuvel has not been arrested. A spokesman for Haanstad said an arraignment date is set for May 6, at which time a judge would set bail conditions.

A message left for Van Den Heuvel at his business was not immediately returned.

Van Den Heuvel and his company, Green Box NA Green Bay, have been under investigation since January 2015 by the Brown County Sheriffs Office. A search warrant executed at Van Den Heuvels home and business in June alleged that he had defrauded WEDC out of about $1.2 million.

In January, Van Den Heuvel told the Wisconsin State Journal he planned to repay WEDC by the end of February.

WEDC sued Green Box a year ago and a judge placed the company in receivership, but so far the company has not repaid the state agency, WEDC spokesman Steven Michels said.

The receivership action is ongoing, WEDC along with the other creditors continue to collectively pursue collection action through the receiver, Michels said.

The Green Box case is similar to a $500,000 loan to Building Committee Inc., which the State Journal first reported in May. In both cases, the companies didnt disclose prior lawsuits to WEDC and defaulted on their loans, and yet WEDC continued to work with them.

WEDC officials have said policies have been put in place to ensure situations like that dont happen again.
Reach Beyond Rushes Medical Crews to Assist in Ecuadorian Earthquake Ministry's Hospital, Personnel Responding to Many Victims



Contact: Darin Campbell,

512-785-8350



QUITO, Ecuador, April 20, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Reach Beyond, a Colorado-based media and medical outreach ministry with broadcasting facilities and a hospital in Ecuador, will dispatch crews to help care for some of the 2,500 people hurt during last weekend's devastating quake. More than 410 people are confirmed dead, but this total is expected to rise in the coming days.



Photo: Buildings and roads in Pedernales, Ecuador, were destroyed by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake this weekend. Photo supplied by La Hora



The initial crew, comprising four Quito-based physicians, is expected to arrive today at a local healthcare facility, Hospital Juan Carlos Guasti in the coastal city of Atacames. "The hospital is receiving a lot of trauma patients," said Reach Beyond missionary Hermann Schirmacher, a veteran of disaster response trips to Ecuador in 2008 and Haiti in 2010.



"We are organizing relief missions as quickly as we can," said Steve Johnson, communications director of Reach Beyond in Colorado Springs. "Roads were destroyed and communications equipment has been badly damaged in many areas, making it difficult to find out where help is most needed."



Dr. Jack Pena, an orthopedic surgeon, is accompanying the team that also includes emergency physician Dr. Hugo Espejo and family physicians Drs. Steve Nelson and Joe Martin. After attending to trauma patients at Atacames, the team plans to move to Ecuadorian communities farther down the coast toward the quake's epicenter, including hard-hit Muisne. Future teams will also travel to Manta and Esmeraldas.



Reach Beyond's 76-bed Hospital Vozandes-Quito in the capital city was undamaged by the quake and is also receiving patients being airlifted by the Ecuadorian government from coastal towns and cities.



Reach Beyond's ministry workers throughout the country confirmed that they are safe, though they are concerned for the quake victims. "We are praying that the ground will stop trembling and that people who survived can receive help that they need," said one worker. Quichua radio programmer Franklin Ruchi learned today that five members of his wife's family perished in hard-hit Pedernales.



Meanwhile, the ministry's local radio stations and repeaters in Ecuadorseven in all, including three in the quake zoneare broadcasting a message of hope to the traumatized population.



"Our repeater in Portoviejo, which is a place that suffered a lot of damage, is on the air and we have a listener who has confirmed that," said engineer Geoff Kooistra. "We have linked to all government notifications and have done our own special live programming a few times, giving news updates and praying for the situation and offering messages of hope from the Bible. We've also interacted with our listeners through Facebook, Twitter and SMS."



Donations to help recovery efforts can be made at reachbeyond.org/ecuadorrelief?c=DM-EMR4. Reach Beyond (www.reachbeyond.org) of Colorado Springs, Colo., uses media and medical technology to minister in difficult-to-reach places and with people groups around the world.



To schedule an interview with key leaders, contact Darin Campbell @ (512) 785-8350 or dcampbell@inchristcommunications.com.



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Nairobi (AFP) - Hundreds of Ethiopian troops pulled out of a town in central Somalia Tuesday, at least the second location vacated by their forces in recent weeks, a Somali security official said.

Security official Abdirisak Moalim Ahmed said Ethiopian soldiers present in El-Ali, Hiran region, as part of an African Union mission withdrew on Tuesday morning after artillery fire targeted their base overnight.

Nearby Shabaab militants then reoccupied the town, which lies about 70 kilometres (43 miles) from the provincial capital Beledweyne.

"The Ethiopian troops pulled out of El-Ali town early this morning," said Ahmed, adding the reason for the withdrawal was unclear.

"They have headed for Beledweyne and the town is already taken by Shabaab militants," he said.

The troop movement comes just days after Ethiopia's embattled government declared a state of emergency in a bid to bring an unprecedented wave of protests under control.

El-Ali is at least the second town Ethiopian troops have vacated in recent weeks, after abandoning nearby Moqokori. No explanation has been given by the Ethiopian military while the spokesman for the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) did not respond to requests for comment.

"They continue creating vacuums and giving chances to the militants retake liberated towns," said Ahmed.

The Al-Qaeda aligned Shabaab militants announced the takeover of El-Ali in a message distributed via the group's Telegram account.

A resident said some townsfolk as well as Somali security forces had also abandoned the town.

"Most of the traders have fled the town after the Ethiopian troops pulled out this morning, we can see many people including the Somali security forces who have reached Beledweyne," said Osman Adan.
Riyadh (AFP) - Gulf monarchies on Wednesday voiced support for Morocco's claim over Western Sahara during a joint summit in Riyadh, where Moroccan King Mohammed VI spoke of a "dangerous" situation.

"We stress our support to all political and security causes that are important for your brotherly country, mainly the Western Sahara," Saudi King Salman said at the opening of the summit of leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the North African nation.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

King Salman stressed the GCC's "categorical rejection of any harm to the interests of Morocco" over the disputed territory, where the Algiers-backed Polisario Front demands independence.

Morocco's monarch urged Gulf monarchies to stand by his country to protect it from "plots against its territorial integrity," adding that the UN Security Council's annual Western Sahara discussions in April were being used "to blackmail Morocco".

He accused UN chief Ban Ki-moon of being used in a "war by proxy" against Morocco through his "biased statements".

"The situation is dangerous this time. It is unprecedented in the dispute" over the desert territory, he said.

Morocco was infuriated when Ban last month referred to the "occupation" of Western Sahara during a visit to a Sahrawi refugee camp in Algeria.

Morocco rejected an explanation from Ban's office that his remarks were not deliberate and that he regretted the "misunderstandings."

The United Nations has been trying to broker a Western Sahara settlement since 1991 after a ceasefire was reached to end a war that broke out when Morocco deployed its military in the former Spanish territory in 1975.

Local Sahrawi people are campaigning for the right to self-determination, but Morocco considers the territory as part of the kingdom and insists its sovereignty cannot be challenged.

Morocco is a close ally of Saudi Arabia.

In 2011, the GCC had proposed that Morocco and Jordan, both fellow monarchies, join the bloc. The project failed but the organisation set up a $5-billion fund for the two countries.

Morocco is a member of the Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Iran-backed Shiite rebels in Yemen, where it lost an F16 warplane in March 2015.
The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), has detained the personal photographer and private bodyguard of the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo. Sources within the party who confirmed this to Citi News, said the two were detained on Tuesday evening because they refused to fill Personality profile forms at the Bureau. The office of the NPP Flagbearer later in a statement confirmed the detention.

The pair had accompanied Captain Edmond Koda to the BNI on Tuesday, to retrieve some items they collected from his residence some weeks ago. A search was carried out at Capt. Koda's residence following his engagement with the three South African nationals accused of breaching the country's laws while they were offering security training to the security detail of the NPP Presidential Candidate. The pair, Kwadwo Kyeremeh and Malik Neequaye, were said to have acted as witnesses at the time the BNI took custody of the items from Captain Koda and had to be present at the time of the release. But the BNI insisted the pair must fill the Personality Profile forms, despite an explicit advice from their lawyers not to do so.

Captain Koda's earlier detention

Captain Koda was implicated in the arrest of the three South African ex-Police officers who were arrested for allegedly training private security personnel of the NPP Presidential Candidate. He was controversially re-arrested on the day charges against him had been dropped. The 69-year old retired Captain of the Ghana Armed Forces, was held by the BNI for five days for his alleged role in the invitation of the three ex-police officers amidst claims from his lawyers he was treated unfairly and his rights abused. He was eventually released on health grounds after he reportedly took ill in BNI custody. Public bashing of the BNI's activities has heightened in recent times with many accusing the security agencies of acting arbitrarily. Below is a statement from Nana Akufo-Addo's office on the detention of the two.

AKUFO-ADDO'S PHOTOGRAPHER & BODYGUARD DETAINED BY BNI

The personal photographer and bodyguard of the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party were this evening detained by the Bureau of National Investigations for complying with the orders of their lawyers not to sign Personality Profile forms presented to them by officers of the BNI.

.

The pair, Kwadwo Kyeremeh and Malik Neequaye, had accompanied Captain Koda, head of Nana Akufo-Addo's security detail, this afternoon to the offices of the BNI, where items taken from the residence of Captain Koda were to be returned to him. Indeed, at the time the items were taken from Captain Koda's residence, the two gentlemen served as witnesses.

However, some 2 weeks ago, the BNI indicated to Captain Koda that the items taken from his residence were to be returned to him, on condition that he brought along the two witnesses who were present when the items were taken.

Upon arrival at the BNI office, the two were asked to fill out Personality Profile forms  forms reserved for suspects  after which the items will be released. The two indicated to the BNI officers that they would have to consult their lawyers since they were only present, merely, to witness the return of items taken by the BNI.

After consultation with their lawyer, Nana Asante Bediatuo, they were advised not to fill out the Personality Profile forms, but should only 'witness', through the provision of their names and signature, on the document containing the list of the items that were to be returned.

Kwadwo Kyeremeh and Malik Neequaye, returning to the offices of the BNI this afternoon, together with Captain Koda, told the officers of the BNI the advice of their lawyers, which was explicitly not to fill the Personality Profile forms.

The BNI officials, acting on orders from above, then detained the two gentlemen and proceeded to ask Captain Koda to leave the offices of the BNI. The two are still being held at the BNI premises without charge.

-citifmonline


The Kuwaiti government has temporarily banned the issuance of visa to Ghanaians recruited as maidservants to work in that country. This follows numerous reports of maltreatment of recruits who work as house-helps in that country. According Ghana's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Saeed Sinare, the recruits who are mainly below eighteen, are taken to the country through illegal means.

He explained that the ban on the issuance of Visa 20, which is solely for those seeking to enter the country as house-helps, will only be lifted after a bilateral agreement is signed between Ghana and the Kuwaiti government.

He said we are trying to have an agreement in the future within the next month or two between the two countries whereby we will have a bilateral agreement signed between Ghana and Kuwait. This agreement when signed according to him, will capture the rights and privileges of these girls when they are recruited to the Gulf State. He also indicated that this will streamline the recruitment of housemaids to Kuwait but for now it's been barred. Meanwhile, twelve girls who have been rescued from their abusive bosses will be flown to Ghana today [Tuesday].

Alhaji Saeed Sinare mentioned that there are 62 rescued girls in a shelter in Kuwait. Most of these girls he said were in jail; some were in a shelter home for various offences like prostitution and maltreatment. 10 of the girls have already been deported, twelve of them will arrive today and the rest will follow in batches as well he added. The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the Kuwaiti government for the cooperation as well as agreement to pay for the cost involved in transporting the girls back to Ghana. He said the Kuwaiti government has done so well for housing the girls in a shelter and after meeting with their deputy minister for foreign affairs they've agreed to transport all those girls back home to Ghana at their own cost.

-citifmonline


Airtel Ghana, through its Evolve with STEM initiative, has collaborated with Microsoft Ghana for the maiden edition of the internationally acclaimed DigiGirlz Day in the country.

DigiGirlz is a Microsoft initiative that provides school girls an opportunity to learn about careers in technology and connect with mentors in the field to inspire them. During the one-day event, participants are also exposed to hands-on computer and technology workshops.

The inaugural event took place on Saturday April 16 at Ispace Hub, Labone under the theme Demystifying STEM involving 60 girls from public schools in Accra, 15 of the girls were selected from the Mataheko Cluster of schools under Airtels Evolve with STEM project.

Lucy Quist, Managing Director of Airtel Ghana and CIMG Marketing Woman of the year, who is spearheading the Evolve with STEM initiative was joined by key personalities such as media entrepreneur, TV & Radio host Anita Erskine, Founder of Nandi Mobile  Anne Amuzu and Founder of Levers in Heels  Larissa Bowen-Dodoo.

These sessions saw the mentors inspire the young girls to overcome their fears and challenges so as to venture into the technology industry. All mentors shared their personal experiences with the wider audience and later engaged in a one-on-one mentoring and career guidance session with participants.

Aside the mentoring session, the young participants were taken through the Hour of Code session where they were taught basic coding and computer programming in HTML.

Speaking after the session, Lucy Quist said Its been an exciting time spent with all the participants of DigiGirlz today. I am encouraged by their curiosity, passion and determination throughout the session. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is an enabler for creativity and problem solving in young people which is why we launched the Evolve with STEM initiative to inspire belief, empower and transform mindsets of young people towards STEM. Todays session included some of the brilliant students from schools within the Mataheko Circuit where we are currently piloting the Evolve with STEM initiative.

She continued we are proud to be associated with DigiGirlz, which aligns with Evolve with STEM. It is great to see organisations like Microsoft, a technology giant, support initiatives to empower young people through STEM.

Madam Bernice Ansah, a teacher of the Mataheko Roman Catholic School had this to say about the event, "The programme has brought a lot of enlightenment to the pupils, they were able to socialize and engage with their peers which helped to boost their confidence. They now have renewed belief in themselves, a belief that will grow if they are encouraged by their parents and teachers. I am personally grateful because I also learnt how to program during the very interesting hour of code session."

Derek Appiah, Country Manager of Microsoft Ghana said Microsoft is committed to encouraging more women to join the ICT industry and we are inviting Ghanaian high school girls to discover the opportunities that exist for them in our industry. We want to demystify any belief that STEM is for boys so as to ensure that they make the right education choices now for the bright future that they deserve.

DigiGirlz is a Microsoft YouthSpark program focused on giving Junior and senior high school girls the opportunity to learn about the professions in technology, networking opportunities with tech personalities and to also participate in practical computer and technology workshops.

Airtels Evolve with STEM initiative, since launch in December 2015 has impacted more than 1,000 pupils and inspired hundreds of individuals and companies into action to launch initiatives focused on STEM.
20.04.2016 LISTEN

The church is corrupt today! And so it is that when a people are corrupted, the children will learn the doctrines of the heathen. I am an apostle to the people of God in order for God to warn, rebuke, teach and exhort the church to prepare for the second coming of Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).

Where are you in your faith today? Are you fornicating? Are you stealing? Are you in sin beyond your ability to see that you cannot quit outside of Gods aid? I am sent to tell you something: God never fails at anything! If you fail to enter the Kingdom of God and finally, the Kingdom of Heaven, then it is because of your unwillingness to believe the gospel and to choose it as a lifestyle for you and your children today. I am writing on the topic of church government today. Hear the Word of the living God.

The Trifold Leadership Core of the Church: Apostle, Prophet and Teacher

It is written, Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:27-28). In the church today, there is so much heathenism that even the leaders need to be schooled on the how to properly function in their callings. We are now in a time where much of the church has been blessing itself with the wisdom of the world system in order to become rich. Heathenism!

Today I will start by preparing your hearts for church doctrine on the apostle, the prophet and the teachers ministries. Let me start with the apostle.

An apostle is a prophet unto the nations for the sake of teaching the nations whatsoever Yeshua has commanded in the Word of God. There are fake apostles and there are truthful and well-equipped ones. I hope that you will be able to tell the difference in the course of your life in Christ. An apostle is a priest-prophet with orders to definitely root out folly among the church ranks. This is why they are often UNLIKED and as well, they are not even WELL-RECEIVED among the brethren today. In fact, many apostles lose hope in ministry because of the sheer wickedness they see among church people who do not even love anybody except themselves. Now for prophets.

A prophet is a wise man whose gifting is to speak as a vessel that always waits to hear what the Holy Spirit is telling the church in season. I know this ministry very well because I have been used to warn and rebuke many of them to date. I am not liked for this reason and I know that some of you reading will not believe me about why Yeshua is getting ready to show many of them the red card in ministry. I am going to talk about the teacher now.

A teacher of the Word of God is someone who knows his calling and does not destroy the flock for filthy lucre (monetary gain). A teacher relies upon the grace or anointing of the Holy Spirit in order to teach the Word of God in soundness (meaning error-free status of his teaching). A teacher must have studied under an apostles mantle and a prophet must also study under an apostles guidance for there to be soundness and harmony among the future leadership of the church, when a BISHOP is finally appointed to be over the congregation.

What is a Bishop and where are the Bishops of Substance today?

A bishop is a local assemblys or congregations leader in the form of a MALE, and NOT FEMALE, vessel. The whores of today who claim that God has called females to bishophood do not find favour in the sight of Yeshua or his holy apostles. Do you believe this? If not, then have your way and see whether Yeshua will ever favour you in ministry again. Every time you steal the tithe or offering and you claim that a female bishop has been set over you, you wind up broke, busted and cursed among the brethren. As well, your life will eventually turn towards heathenism in the way of lying, fornication and other works of the flesh.

Conclusion: The Holy Spirit is Righteous

Among the church, there is a fervent need to respond to the works of the ministry in righteousness. The Bible teaches that God has set some in the church apart from the apostle, prophet and teacher for the work of the ministry. For this reason, it is written, He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:10-14).

Other ministries are righteously given to help the church function as a righteous government in the earth and as an example unto men about how Gods Kingdom government is supposed to function from heaven.

I have an Evhe lesson now. Here it is.

In this season, may everyone who is able to see why we teach languages as apostles, come to terms with Gods will for their own ministry and need for language instructionin Yeshuas name I pray, amen.

The word am and its usage in the Evhe Language

In the Eegb, it is evident that we believe in a national concept of what a person is supposed to behave like in society of the righteous. Evhe people are not perfect, just like other nations of the earth. However, we also see that the nations that surround Eenyigba (Evheland) are flawed with their own problems about life and living. I am therefore going to admit that we in Evheland are among the most unwilling people when it comes to preaching the gospel in righteousness today. Nonetheless, there are some preachers in Evheland that have not made their garments of righteousness to be soiled with lust of every kind.

In Evhe, am means person. It is also a reference to whether an individual is of any value to his or her family in righteousness. Evhe people often question whether ama (somebody) is really an am (person) or not. This means are they of value to anybody or not. I hope you are an am in any case. Now here are some nouns with am in them. Enjoy.

am ssr meaning imitating a person am tsitsri meaning detesting or hating a person am zuzu meaning becoming a person of repute or an adult am hh meaning raising a person or educating a person am bubu meaning respecting a person am tiatia meaning selecting a person (i.e. for marriage) am  meaning choosing a person for marriage am bbl meaning deceiving a person am domnyinyi meaning inheriting from or through a person am baba meaning cheating a person or taking the lions share from a person am fuflu meaning swindling a person am mm meaning sexing a person or having intercourse

Evhe is spoken in three West African republics including Ghana. It is a language that is very interesting when understood. I would like you to know that Evhe can also be understood by you if you are interested in learning.
A president who does not appreciate the great significance and relevance of the insignias of our statutory institutions has absolutely no business, whatsoever, sitting inside the Flagstaff House and fraudulently pretending to play the role of the conscience of the proverbial Ghanaian personality (See Debate Over EC Logo Needless  Mahama Starrfmonline.com/Modernghana.com 4/19/16). Would President John Dramani Mahama also say that taking down the Ghana national flag and replacing it with that of Kenya, for ready example, would not matter one way or another?

It is time for Ghanaians to elect a serious-minded leader and get our country up and running the way it ought to run. By now, it ought to have become clear to the majority of eligible and prospective Ghanaian voters that as long as Mr. Mahama is comfortably and nonchalantly holed up in the Flagstaff House, there is in no end in sight for the virtual stasis that is the countrys development index. The painful fact of the matter is that our president is not a very thoughtful person, else he would not have said to a plenary session of the members of the Council-of-State, Ghanas equivalent of the British House of Lords, that our statutory symbols are of absolutely no significance to the well-being of our national psyche and temperament.

Well, he may not know this, and nobody can really fault him for the same, but our national insignias embody the philosophy and ethos, or moral beliefs and cultural standards, of the Ghanaian people. It is therefore criminally anti-civilization and pathologically irrational for anybody to presume reason and morality to be alien to Ghanaians. Needless to say, the question for Ghanaians to deliberate upon is not whether the present logo/insignia of the Electoral Commission (EC) ought to be changed and for what purpose or reason. What we ought to be discussing here is the mode or process by which such change, if deemed both desirable and necessary, ought to be effected. Nobody or even a group of persons can sit in the comfort of their offices or homes and whimsically design and introduce any logo/insignia and then cavalierly and undemocratically attempt to impose the same on any cardinal institution of the State and, by logical extension, Ghanaians at large.

What ought to have occurred first and foremost, ought to have been for the Electoral Commission to have invited any Ghanaian so moved or interested to submit a logo design for consideration and adoption by the Commission, such as had been the cases with the choices of our National Flag  what I have termed The Star-Studded Tri-Bar  and our National Anthem. But even before such public call could have gone out, the key operatives of the EC ought to have floated a petition to that effect before the legitimately elected representatives of the people. Parliament would then have invited the proponents of the new EC logo to present cogent reasons necessitating such change; after which, depending on the decision arrived at, the members of our august House would then have voted to either approve or disapprove of the same. In the event of Parliaments approving of the proposed new EC logo, an official call would then have gone nationwide for all interested citizens to create and make submissions.

What we have here clearly appears to have been capriciously originated by either the Chief Resident of the Flagstaff House or the ECs administrators with the dictatorial complicity of the key operatives of the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC). Now, having vigorously had its reckless bluff called by a civically savvy Ghanaian citizenry determined not to be ridden roughshod over, a visibly rattled President Mahama appears before the Council-of-State vacuously ranting about calling a rose by any other names having absolutely no substance on the chemical constitution of the same. Our sincere apologies to Mr. William Shakespeare. Indeed, it is inexcusably offensive to hear Mr. Mahama self-righteously accuse a laudably conscientious and civically responsible and patriotic Ghanaian citizenry of putting unnecessary pressure on the EC. This is rather absurd, to say little about the patently scandalous.

If, indeed, the EC administrators were intent on diligently effecting the published recommendations of the Atuguba-presided Supreme Court panel that adjudicated the 2012 Presidential Election Petition, as Mr. Mahama would mischievously have Ghanaians believe, why would the EC operatives be so recklessly and cavalierly annoying the Ghanaian taxpayer who, by the way, patiently underwrites their handsome salaries with such flagrant nonissues as the replacement of the old EC logo with a new, too inartistically busy and unsolicited one? And, by the way, was replacing the current EC logo with a new one among the salient reform recommendations of the Atuguba panel? And, also, just what sort of unnecessary pressure on the EC operatives is President Mahama talking about?

Come on, Mr. Mahama, Ghanaians are not dupes!

*Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
After close monitoring over a long period of time, I have no choice but to come out publicly with my unpalatable, but honest, views formed about the Ghana media. Telling the truth hurts but in the end it brings comfort.

In every successful nation in the world, especially in those countries where democracy is practiced, with democracy being the cardinal pivot on which their governance revolves, the media have always played a vitally indispensable role. Without the media playing a responsible role, democracies could gradually turn into autocracies and dictatorships with the eventual collapse of all the institutions in the country to the detriment of the majority of their citizens.

In Ghana, from my empirical observations, our media have not been nationalistic enough but rather selfish, greedy and myopic. They have variously been pursuing agenda that are neither in the best interest of the majority of the people nor the country itself.

Most of the media houses, especially the programme presenters, have let their stomach gone before them to influence what they write, say or discuss.

It is a fact that Ghana is sinking socio-economically under President Mahama and his current NDC government yet, some programme presenters and media houses are offering them strong and unflinching support regardless of the absurdities and harmfulness of most of their policies and actions.

For clearly putting square pegs in round holes, thus, filling key government positions with obviously incompetent people all in the name of the people coming from his northern extraction, being his cronies or family members, being affiliated to the NDC party, etc., does not augur well for the development of a country like Ghana. People should be appointed to positions on merit but not on the basis of whom you know or which tribe you come from or belong to.

When such a rogue policy is being pursued and implemented by the government, in any civilized country with strong media worthy of their profession, the policy will be challenged by them until changes for the better have been made. This is because such a policy is very injurious to the nation and the people therein. However in Ghana, the media rather support and encourage the perpetuation of such damaging government policies all because of what they stand to gain individually as programme presenters or as separate media houses.

The media think they are there for money, having been established by sole proprietors or private investors with profit maximising as their main objective or goal so they dont care how they make their money. If it is by supporting the government blindly that they will be able to earn their expected money, so be it. They lack ethics!

Chinese nationals have flocked to the country. They are illegally involved in surface mining (galamsey) that is inflicting irreparable damage to the countrys ecosystem. They are destroying our rural landscape, water bodies, and leaving in their trail dangerously dug-out holes into which some people have fallen and died.

Do the media not have the ethical responsibility to protect the populace by constantly hammering on the disastrous effects of the actions or activities by these Chinese? By constantly alerting the nation to the long term damage being caused to the people and the nation, our corrupt and visionless political leaders and traditional chiefs may be compelled to throw out the Chinese, or put a stop to their dangerous activities.

When most of our big and small rivers are being polluted at an alarming rate by the uncontrolled exploitative activities by the Chinese, our media refuse to take them on.

I have heard that rivers like Densu, Prah and numerous other rivers and streams have been spoiled beyond redemption by the Chinese and other galamsey owners and operatives.

Do we indeed know and understand the relevance of water bodies in the survival of human existence? The climate is controlled or determined by water bodies and forests yet; we are looking on like fools without brains in our heads while foreigners come into our country in droves to damage the very factors that support our very existence as human beings, in Ghana.

Without water, how can we survive as a people or a nation? Why are the media not taking the government on in defence of Ghanaians who under the current government have become voiceless and defenceless?

Money is not the end of everything but being of service to your nation and people in critical times counts a lot.

When I listen to some radio presenters and programme panellists like Adakabre, Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie and Kwesi Pratt Jnr, I shake my head in disbelief. I ask myself, has Ghana got any future with these selfishly evil characters in the media service? They seek only their selfish ends; how to acquire more money, fame and power.

In case they condone and connive with the current corrupt President and government in Ghana to deplete the coffers of the country while all others perish out of hunger and poverty, what will it profit them?

We have a few personalities in the media who deserve commendation. People like Ms Afua Pokua alias Vim Lady and Captain Smart are upholding the ethics of their journalism profession. They are honest. They take neutral ground in dissemination of their programmes. They take on erring politicians all in defence of the nation. They are rendering credible service to the nation and to the people of Ghana.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has arrived in Moscow is an official visit to the Russian Federation, from 19 to 21 April 2016. She is expected to meet with the Russian Foreign Minister H.E.Mr.SergeyLavrov, officials of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Victor Vekselberg of the Skolkovo Foundation. The AUC Chairperson is also scheduled to meet with the Africa Group of Ambassadors in Moscow.

The AU Commission Chairperson and the Russian Foreign Minister will discuss geo-political issues of mutual concern, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed in September 2014. Within the framework of Africa's Agenda 2063 and issues arising from the 2014 MoU, the two leaders' discussions will include: investment by Russian companies in infrastructure on the continent, especially in the transport and energy sectors; the provision of scholarships to African students in areas relating to Agenda 2063 Flagship Projects; and trade and favourable treatment of African products in Russian markets.

The AU Commission Chairperson will also hold a meeting with the Chairman of Renova Group, a Russian-based conglomerate with interests in aluminum and other metals, oil, energy, telecommunications, transport and other sectors.

Apart from meeting with the Russian officials, Dr. Dlamini Zuma is scheduled to meet with the Africa Group of Ambassadors in Moscow, with the aim to popularize and inform on Agenda 2063 and the work of the African Union.
As Angola grapples with its worst yellow fever outbreak in decades, the Ministry of Health, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners have extended the vaccination campaign beyond the capital Luanda into Huambo and Benguela  2 of the other 5 provinces reporting local transmission.

Since the outbreak began in December 2015, 1908 suspected cases of yellow fever have been reported (617 laboratory confirmed) and 250 deaths have been reported. The majority of the cases are concentrated in Luanda and in two other provinces, namely, Huambo and Huila.

In order to contain the outbreak outside the capital, nearly 2.15 million people will be vaccinated in 5 densely populated urban districts in Huambo and Benguela provinces over the coming weeks. Around 1 million people in the 2 provinces have been vaccinated thus far. This targeted vaccination is critical to protect those most at risk countrywide and to stop the further spread of infection by making the best use of available global vaccine supplies, said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. Since 2 February 2016, close to 6 million people in Luanda have benefited from a large-scale vaccination campaign using vaccines made available from the yellow fever vaccine emergency stockpile made available through the International Coordinating Group (ICG) for Vaccine Provision, with support from Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance); the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and a vaccine donation from Brazil. Along with the vaccination campaign, the Ministry of Health, WHO and partners are working to strengthen disease surveillance and diagnostic capacity, both within Angola and neighbouring countries, and enhance vector control, including using community-led public health education campaigns. The immediate concern is that the virus might spread to other urban centres in Angola and other countries. WHO urges all countries, especially those that border Angola, to increase disease surveillance and strengthen vector control as well as ensuring that all those travelling to Angola are vaccinated, says Dr Bruce Aylward, Executive Director a.i., Outbreaks and Health Emergencies, WHO. Vaccine supply Angola's outbreak has stretched existing yellow fever vaccine supplies. During outbreaks, available vaccine are prioritized for the emergency response. At the end of March 2016, thanks to ICG partners, including UNICEF, the yellow fever emergency vaccine stockpile was replenished and approximately 10 million doses of the vaccine are now available. Concerns exist that if yellow fever should spread to other countries in Africa and Asia there would be a need to further prioritize vaccine supplies, which would interrupt routine immunization programmes in some countries. Stockpiling yellow fever vaccines has proved critical in combatting the current resurgence of the disease, says Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. With 6 million doses of the vaccine per year, in addition to 3 million doses co-financed by Angola, Gavi is the single biggest contributor to the emergency yellow fever stockpile. The current situation is a reminder of the importance of investing in strong and sustainable routine immunization programmes to prevent such outbreaks and protect populations' health. Strengthening international surveillance Yellow fever cases in people who travelled from Angola have been reported in 3 countries China (11 cases), Democratic Republic of Congo (10 cases with 1 in Kinshasa) and Kenya (2 cases). Three yellow fever cases have been reported in the south of Uganda. The patients had no travel history to Angola. WHO is working with neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Namibia and Zambia to bolster cross-border surveillance with Angola and information sharing to prevent and reduce the spread of infection. Travel advice Vaccination is the single most important measure for preventing yellow fever. The vaccine is safe and highly effective and a single dose provides lifelong immunity. The Government of Angola requires all travellers older than 9 months of age to show proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival. People who are traveling to Angola must ensure that they get vaccinated against yellow fever at least 10 days prior to travel. WHO advises travellers going to and from Angola and other countries where yellow fever occurs to get vaccinated and carry their certificate of vaccination when travelling. About yellow fever The yellow fever virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, the most common being the Aedes species  the same mosquito that spreads the Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they bite an infected human or monkey. The disease cannot be spread by contact from one person to another. Yellow fever is endemic in over 43 countries, in Africa and South America, with approximately 900 million people at risk. Symptoms include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. A small percentage of infected people experience a second, more severe phase of illness which includes high fever, jaundice and internal bleeding. At least half of severely affected patients who don't receive treatment die within 10 to 14 days.
20.04.2016 LISTEN

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library - JORGE LUIS BORGES

A room without books is like a body without a soul  MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

The renown that riches or beauty confer is fleeting and frail; mental excellence is a splendid and lasting possession  SALLUST {86-34 B.C.}

It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with superior minds. In the best books, great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours. God be thanked for books. They are the voices of the distant and the dead, and make us heirs of the spiritual life of past ages. Books are true levelers. They give to all who will faithfully use them, the society, the spiritual presence, of the best and greatest of our race  WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING

The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man; nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments fall; nations perish; civilizations grow old and die out. After our era of darkness, new races build others, but in the world of books are volumes that live on still as young and fresh as the day they were written, still telling mens hearts of the hearts of men centuries dead  CLARENCE DAY

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers  CHARLES WILLIAM ELLIOT

My son, there is something else to watch out for. There is no end to the writing of books . - ECCL. 12:12 {GNB}

The Holy Bible is the climax of books. The greatest book ever written, it is the zenith of godly and true scholarship. Every subject from animation to zoology is within its splendid library of 66 anointed books. It stands at the peak of book making by authorship, spirituality, truth, doctrine, relevance, longevity, beauty, sales volume, proofs, testimonies, dominion, demonization, opposition, piracy, blackmail, and hatred. Theres no book like the Bible in grace and glory, conspiracy and conquest, span and spark, fury and flavour, power and persecution. Authored by the Triune Elohim {GEN. 1:1}, its the most unique thing in any library, bookshelf, church, office, book stand, school, family table, book fair, reading competition and book exhibition.

The uniqueness of the Holy Bible is anchored in its authorship by Jehovah the God of Israel through the writing ministry of forty {40} educated and uneducated inspired servants of God. The Holy Scriptures is about the Triune God Who bear record in heaven - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit  1 JN. 5:7. The Bible is about the Lord God Almighty Whos the living Word  JN. 1:1. Its about the living Word Who became Jesus the written Word  JN. 3:11. The Bible says that Jesus was clothed with vesture dipped in blood and His name is called the Word of God  REV. 19:13. Friends, the Holy Bible is all about Jesus! Yes, its all about Him  JN. 5:39; 15:26. Hes the walking element on its sacred pages. The Bible is a star-packed tribute to the Bright and Morning Star. Praise the Lord!

SOME FEATURES OF THE BIBLE

The Holy Bible is a book of generations; its about the family history of the first Adam and the line of the second Adam, Jesus the Seed of the woman  GEN. 5:1; EPH. 5:24; COL. 3:10.

It was written by Moses  EXO. 17:4.

Its a book written by Joshua  JOS. 24:26.

Its a book written by Samuel  1 SAM. 10:25; 1 CHRO. 29:29.

Its the book of Jeremiah  JERE. 51:60.

Its a book of the Lord  ISA. 34:16; MAL. 3:16.

Its a book of the generations of Jesus the Son of God  PSA. 132:11; ISA. 11:1; JERE. 23:5; MT. 1:1; LK. 3:23; JN. 7:2; ACTS 2:30; ROM. 1:3.

Its the book of remembrance  PSA. 56:8; 66:16; ISA. 65:6; MAL. 3:16; HEB. 3:13; REV. 20:12.

Its a book of thanksgiving  JERE. 31:19

Its a book about righteous wealth  GEN. 30:43

Its a book of the wars of the Lord  NUM. 21:14.

Its a book of the law for kings  DT. 17:18.

Its a book of the law in the ark  DT. 31:26.

Its a book of the acts of Solomon  1 KGS. 11:41.

Its a book of unparallel authority  MT. 18:18-19

Its a book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel  1 KGS. 14:19.

Its a book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah  1 KGS. 15:7,23.

Its a book that is sealed  ISA. 29:11; DAN. 12:4; REV. 22:10.

Its the book of Psalms  ACTS 1:20.

Its a prophetic book  REV. 22:18-19

Its a book of the family history of the God of heaven to the God-Man made in His image and likeness whom He enthroned on the earth  GEN. 1:26-2; EXO. 22:2; PSA. 82:6; JN. 10:34.

Its a book of the greatest and best covenant ever entered into in all creation  GEN. 8:22; PSA. 9:37; ISA. 54:9; JERE. 33:20, 25; JN. 3:16; ROM. 5:88; 1 JN. 4:9.

Its the constitution of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ  MT. 18:15-18; ACTS 5:1-11; 13:6-11; 1 COR. 4:1-5:6; 6:4.

Its the manual of the Monarch of the universe to His co-creators on earth.

Its the greatest gift from the sinless God on high to sinful man in the earth.

Its a record of the strongest giving strength to the weakest.

Its a book of righteousness from God to the redeemed of the Lord - ROM. 4:1-3.

Its a record of partnership between God and man in the plan of redemption.

Its a book that warns all men who question Gods worth and importance, for those who have lost sight of their own fallibility  DT. 8:17; ISA. 47:8-9.

Its the book of life  PSA. 69:28; REV. 20:12.

God, Moses, David and Jesus respectively, established that names can be blotted out of the book of life  EXO. 32:33; 32:32; PSA. 69:27-28; REV. 3:5; 22:19.

For every man who desires true success in life, the Book of the Law must be his constant companion  DT.17:1-19; JOS. 1:8; PSA. 1:2.

The all-knowing God made the heavens and the earth and He is a God of absolute knowledge  GEN. 1:1-31; 2:1-25. Creation was a purposeful act of God  GEN. 1:26. The Holy Bible tells us authoritatively that the earth was not born out of the fatal error that the scientific community calls the Big Bang. In summary, the Theory of Evolution is a flat lie  no animal in any zoo has ever metamorphosed into a man!

By a careful study of the writings of Prophet Jeremiah, Daniel received insight when the Babylonian captivity will come to an end. In the first year of his reign, I was studying the sacred books and thinking about the seventy years that Jerusalem would be in ruins, according to what the Lord had told the prophet Jeremiah  DAN. 9:2 [GNB}. {See 2 CHRO. 36:21; JERE. 25:11}. Anointed men and women in all era wrote and are still writing about the Bible because there will be no end to book publishing  ECCL. 12:12. If the good deeds of the Lord Jesus were all written one by one, I suppose that the world could not hold the books that would be written  JN. 21:25 {GNB}.

The Bible is a gallery of gallantry, heroism, women, widows and childrens rights. Its the defender of the poor, powerless, voiceless, the stranger and the dispossessed. Family and societal values, the common good, positive mentorship, religious accord, parental rights and business secrets ooze out of its pages. Tender and compassionate friendships reach us in living ways from the Bible. Stories of immorality, murder, incest, rape, rebellion, coup, genocide, raids, idolatry, prostitution, avarice, occultism, sorcery, magic and divorce from its pages show the futility of mans effort to live outside of God. The wicked, the ungodly and hedonistic elements are given opportunity to mend their ways and be reconciled to God. In intent and fact, the Holy Scriptures is creative in nature, is a carrier of the blessings of God, makes winners out of losers, functions as a true healing agent {PSA. 107:20}, and brings colour out of chaos.

The Bible revealed vessels ordained by God in predestination for His service. One such example was Paul the Apostle who was recruited from the opposition to become the New Testament eras greatest evangelist, missionary, pastor, church planter, writer, the most renowned spokesman of the Christian faith, and the most thoroughly converted saint. Above all, Apostle Paul was a dedicated lover of books  2 TIM. 4:13. The prayer of the saints today can haul in the greatest opponents of the gospel of the Lord Jesus into His glorious service. Praise the Lord!

The Hebrew word qudesh means a male devotee to licentious idolatry, who is practicing prostitution with the same sex. Homosexuals are idolaters and prostitutes! The Bible informs that homosexuality is an extreme sexual immorality and murderous engagement. The blithe of this sin was such that not up to ten righteous men and women were found in a city famous for pride, rebellion, indecency, wickedness and homosexual gang-rape  GEN. 19:1-29; DT. 29:23; JERE. 49:1; 50:40. Homosexuality may deceptively look chic in the west today, it may falsely appear to be the cutting-edge, but remember that God dealt with Babylon the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of Chldees excellency, which was destroyed as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah  ISA. 13:19. Child of God, make no mistake about it: Homosexuality is already overthrown  AMOS 4:11; 2 PET. 2:6; JUDE .

Expectedly, Satan has gone about trying to dilute, downgrade and destroy the Word of God via His willing agents. The Holy Bible records an instance when magic practitioners and fake prophets who pretended by incantation to raise the dead, reveal tomorrow, heal the sick, counteract evil by charms, interpret dreams, and determine the sex of children before birth, owned up to their deceptions. Their so-called books of occult sciences were burnt  ACTS 19:19. These included heathen superstitious beliefs of seeking guidance by meteors, planets, signs of the zodiac, sorcery and witchcraft - EZE. 13:1-9. The Holy Spirit is definite and final that all men who romance demons under the guise of astrology are condemned by God  EXO. 22:18; DT. 18:10; 1 SAM. 15:23; ISA. 47:13; JERE. 27:9; LK. 12:29; ACTS 8:9-11; 16:16; REV. 16:13-16; 19:20.

However, the above is by no means all that the Holy Bible talks about. No man can preach the whole Bible in a lifetime. Indeed, the Word of God is inexhaustible - HEB. 4:12. Praise the Lord! Friend, read and study the Holy Bible prayerfully and systematically. Consult a Bible reading plan from spirit-filled churches and ministers. Readers are leaders by reason of beneficial knowledge. Every man who refuses to read is on the same platform as a man who cant read.

A Pastor, historian, and writer, Joseph Emeka Anumbor is the author of THE INTERCOURSE OF TROUBLED THOUGHTS, a critically acclaimed discourse on homosexuality published by AuthorHouse Inc, Indiana, USA.
With a population of over 180 million and growing, Nigeria with an average power generation of 4,500mw, requires 12,000mw megawatts to ensure steady power supply, but ultimately needs 200,000mw for all her electricity requirements. To meet this power need, the present administration has vowed to look towards other sources of producing electricity away from the hydro and gas-powered plants, which has been a source of epileptic power supply into the national grid.

The problems faced in the mentioned methods of power production are low level of water to drive the huge turbines at the hydro power plants and lack of gas to fuel the generating sets at the gas-powered plants which litter the Nigerian scape. To deal with this challenge, the government of President Muhammudu Buhari stated it will start producing power with the use of Coal - a decision which will see coal-powered plant contribute at least 30% into the current power-mix by 2030.

However, many questions exist: does the government recognize the full cost of harnessing power from Coal? If it does, is it ready with her partners to pay the price?

Answers to these questions and more were the focus of Global Rights in conjunction with Heinrich Boll Stiftung Nigeria , when the organizations presented a report on the Impact of Coal Mining and Coal Power Generation on Okobo and Itobe Communities in Kogi State.

According to Mrs. Tsema Okoye, a programme officer with Global Rights, Coal provides 40 percent of the worlds electricity, thus causing 39 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions which is responsible for rapidly depleting the Earths Ozone layer.

It may interest you to know that the destruction of the eco-system does not start at the point of using Coal to generate electricity; it begins at the point of mining the coal itself.

However, since Nigeria does not generate any power from Coal yet, we must ask ourselves the hard questions, such as: what commitments are we undertaking to ensure power would be produced from coal in a clean and efficient manner? How do we mitigate the negative effects of Coal mining on host communities, and many other questions?

A close examination of the report on visited coal mining site in Okobo, Kogi state tells the story of anguish, bitterness, resentment, anger, destruction, loss of livelihood, loss of life and suffering as expressed by community representatives who attended the event.

One of the major problems faced in Okobo community is access to portable water. The community members claim the company mining Coal in the area, Eta Zuma Mining Company which also had representatives in attendance at the event, had polluted their only source of water. Now, community members - usually women and children - have to travel many kilometers to get water fit for human consumption.

Mrs. Okoye noted that Eta Zuma had commenced coal mining four years prior to the study, and as a result, there has been weathering and leachate of the host rock. In fact, it was noted that a high quantity of heavy metals have resultantly dissolved into the water bodies around the mining site, making well water in the community highly acidic and unfit for human consumption.

Sadly, the report claims waste water collected from the mining pit was directly disposed into the communitys stream, which residents relied on for its domestic and commercial consumption. Thus, the only stream at Okobo has been polluted.

However, in a robust rebuttal, the mining company tried to shift blame, claiming they cant take up the role of the government. Truly, in other part of the world, the government provides, roads, schools, electricity, water and other essentials of life the community is expecting the company to provide.

And in fairness to the company, they had dug at least three boreholes to source for clean water, but all the efforts failed; now they supply the community with clean water in tankers, thrice a week. The representative of Eta Zuma, its executive director, Ambassador Joseph Ayalogu stated that before their arrival, the quantity and quality of water available in the community had always been a problem. This assertion is understandable because of the large coal mineral deposits.

Another point of note is the death of a pupil who lost her life when a wall inside Okobos old school building collapsed while Eta Zuma was carrying out its Coal mining activities. The mining company has since built a modern six (6) classroom block for the community.

The effort of Eta Zuma in and around Okobo is generally commendable, owing to the fact they have no Community Development Agreement (CDA).

According to the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, a CDA is a formal agreement between the mining companies and host communities on obligations and terms of engagement of both parties. The document is a compulsory requirement before mining license can be granted by the supervising ministry.

The unavailability of the document four years after the company began mining legally in Okobo is an indictment on the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

Representatives of the ministry at the event claimed they are extremely understaff and underfunded. In fact, the Director Environmental Compliance Department, Ministry of Mines and Steel, Engineer Salim Salaam who attended the report presentation revealed that the Ministry of Information has eleven times the budget of his ministry  another indictment of the Buhari administration which had before now vowed to diversify the economy, using minerals resources spread across the country as alternative source of revenue.

It may also interest you to know that many licensed and unregulated artisanal miners in Nigeria have no plan for reclamation; neither do they give consideration to host communities.

So, in generating electricity through Coal, one must earnestly ask, is the federal government ready to pay the full cost of sourcing power through this means? In Nigeria, environmental laws are not strictly enforced, unlike the United States which produces about 1 billion tons of Coal annually , a little less than 12% of the worlds supplysecond only to China and produces 40% of its electricity need from Coal.

In fact, U.S. mining companies have reclaimed more than 2.6 million acres of mined land over the last 35 years and have contributed nearly $10 billion for the reclamation of areas mined decades ago before reclamation was a common practice and legal requirement.

The case of Eta Zuma is a unique one  at least, they are engaging all the stakeholders. Most mining companies in Nigeria dont. Though they are involved in one form of activity or the other that negatively impacts the eco-system, they are less concerned of the effects, and neither do they take conscious effort to mitigate the damage. Sadly, there is lack of political will to rein in their activities.

The Ministry of Environment can at best be described as clueless and confused. Representatives of the ministry at the event gave no articulate answers on what the ministry was doing to mitigate the destruction of the Nigerian environment. The role it plays in ensuring mining companies conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, before mining license is granted could not be discerned.

In view of the environmental damage associated with generating power from coal, this writer asked Mr. Umaru Gambo, representative of the Minister for Power, Works and Housing on the provision of clean alternative source of producing electricity, specifically the wind mill farm that has been lying fallow in Kastina State. The timid representative muttered some words that were unclear and incomprehensible.

Truth be told, the Nigerian government seems ready to access the benefits of coal mining, but have no clue as to how to mitigate the attendant effects of such activities across the country. In the next few months, the steps taken by regulators would determine how willing the government is on paying the full cost of generating power from coal.

Ileowo is the chief strategist at Revamp Media.
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Ivoirian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Adama Toungara welcomed British Minister for Africa, James Duddridge to the Aggreko power generation facility (www.Africa.Aggreko.com) in the Vridi area of the Ivorian capital, recently. Minister Duddridge was in Abidjan to meet government ministers and business leaders to foster closer economic and trade links between the two countries and met with Minister Toungara on April 7th.

The 200 MW gas-powered facility plays an important role in supporting the local grid, helping to keep essential infrastructure and services running, while also ensuring power supplies to business and domestic users. The facility has been operating since 2010 when the first 70 MW was installed. This was increased to 100 MW in 2011 and expanded to its current capacity of 200 MW in 2013.

Minister Toungara said: The 200 MW of electricity generated at this facility is important, both for Ivory Coast, and our neighbours. This capacity is helping to build a stable and sustainable energy supply for the continued economic development of the region. We value Aggreko's partnership and count on their continued support in the coming years as we work to increase generation capability.

Aggreko's power plant in Abidjan is a great example of a British company successfully exporting innovation and its unique capabilities to Africa, commented Minister Duddridge. I've been deeply impressed by the operations at the facility, seeing first-hand the benefits the project brings in terms of helping drive wider economic growth through robust power supplies and the training of West Africa's next generation of energy sector professionals.

The visiting dignitaries toured the plant with Christophe Jacquin, Aggreko's Managing Director, Africa Project Sales. Mr Jacquin said: The Ivorian electricity grid is recognised as best in class in Africa and we are proud of our contribution through our partnership with the Government and the national utility, CI Energies. As Ivory Coast looks to increase its installed generation capacity to 4000 MW by 2020, Aggreko stands ready to support the realisation of this ambition that will see Ivory Coast develop its position as the energy hub of West Africa.

With more than 2 GW currently installed across more than 30 African countries, Aggreko is the largest supplier of modular power services to the continent. Aggreko first entered the African market in 1995 and has since established a presence across the continent with service centres in Lagos, Luanda, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban, Walvis Bay, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, supported by regional hubs in Dubai and Paris. Across its African operations Aggreko employs more than 700 people, more than 90% of which are African nationals.

ENQUIRIES TO:

Liz Fullick Communications Manager Aggreko plc T: +44 7342 057387 E: [email protected]

EDITOR'S NOTES

Aggreko plc (www.Africa.Aggreko.com) is the leading global provider of modular, mobile power and adjacent product solutions. Aggreko employs more than 7,300 people operating from 204 locations. In 2015 we served customers in about 100 countries, and had revenues of approximately GBP 1.6bn (USD 2.6bn or Euros 2.0bn). Aggreko plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AGK.L) and is headquartered in Scotland. Aggreko is comprised of two business units: Rental Solutions and Power Solutions. In the Rental Solutions business, we operate in developed markets and develop solutions for, and hire our equipment to, customers who then operate it for themselves, although we retain responsibility for servicing and maintaining it. We operate across all sectors in the market, but are heavily involved in oil and gas, petrochemical and refining, mining and events. In the Power Solutions business, we operate in emerging markets as a power producer. We install and operate modular, mobile power plants for both utility and industrial customers and we charge both for providing the generating capacity, and for the electricity we produce. In our Industrial business, as in Rental Solutions, we are market leaders in oil and gas, petrochemical and refining and mining, whilst our utility business helps countries solve their power shortages. We design and manufacture equipment specifically for these requirements in our factory in Dumbarton, Scotland. For more information, please visit our local website at: Africa.Aggreko.com
The recent all-shoot out in Azerbaijan between the ethnic Armenians and Azerbaijani forces brought yet another round of casualties, psychological traumas and property destructions. Sudden and severe as it was, the event sent its shock waves all over Caucasus and well beyond. Is Caucasus receiving the residual heat from the boiling MENA? Is this a next Syria? Is a grand accommodation pacific scenario possible? Or will it be more realistic that the South Caucasus ends up violently torn apart by the grand compensation that affects all from Afghanistan up to the EU-Turkey deal?

Most observes would fully agree that for such (frozen) conflicts like this between Azerbaijan and Armenia, mediation and dialogue across the conflict cycle have no alternative. Further on, most would agree that the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) with its Minsk Group remains both the best suited FORA as well as the only international body mandated for the resolution of the conflict.

However, one cannot escape the feeling that despite more than 20 years of negotiations, this conflict remains unresolved. What is the extent of the OSCE failure to effectively utilize existing conflict resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation tools?

The very mandate of the Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group is based on CSCE Budapest Summit document of 1994, which tasks them to conduct speedy negotiations for the conclusion of a political agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict, the implementation of which will eliminate major consequences of the conflict and permit the convening of the Minsk Conference. In Budapest, the participating States have reconfirmed their commitment to the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and underlined that the co-Chairmen should be guided in all their negotiating efforts by the OSCE principles and agreed mandate, and should be accountable to its Chairmanship and the Permanent Council (PC).

Nevertheless, as it emerged from this sudden eruption of violence in the region in late March/early April of 2016, the OSCE and its Minsk Group have been side-stepped from the settlement process. Why?

Over the years, the role of the OSCE and its participating States, including those that are members of the Minsk Group, has been limited to extending formal support to the activities of the Co-chairmen. It gradually led to change the conflict resolution process into conflict containment activities as reflected in artificial and out-of-mandate prioritization of tasks of the co-Chairmen to focus on prevention of escalation rather than lasting solution , and interference with the activities of other international organizations wishing to contribute to the true and comprehensive settlement of the conflict.

In parallel, one may observe rather selective approaches by some OSCE Member States and regional groupings to the principles with regard to the protracted conflicts in the OSCE area.

As an ending result, the Organization as such lost its control over the process. Such a lack of control over the activities led to negligence to inherent balance and inter-linkage between the principles of the most fundamental Security structure of Europe achieved ever  the Helsinki Final Act. It is rather dangerous and counterproductive to equalize the principles of non-use of force against the territorial integrity of political independence of the States, territorial integrity and equal rights and self-determination of peoples, which some publicly present as a basis for a settlement. Misinterpretation is evident even in naming of these principles.

These voices claim that there is no hierarchy among the above mentioned principles and that these elements should be observed and applied independently of each other. In fact, such a voluntary interpretation of the principles is in direct contradiction to the letter and very spirit of the Helsinki Decalogue and its Final Act, which in seven out of ten principles places strong emphasis on the necessity to fully respect internationally recognized borders of states and their territorial integrity against any attempt of forceful acquisition of territories or change of borders, and (one-sided) application of self-determination.

Such a deviation from the agreed character of the principles unfortunately provided Armenia with a card blanche to justify its territorial claims against Azerbaijan, consolidate the status-quo and made the process of settlement dependent on whims of the Armenian side.

Several FORAs (incl. the OSCE mechanisms) openly claim that they have no responsibility for the conflict resolution, and that the parties need to demonstrate political will and to make necessary compromises (no way to exert pressure on the sides and we can only be a communication channel between the two conflicting parties lines of usual rhetoric).

In the meantime, Armenia keeps holding a premium over the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, which it continues to occupy. Clearly, that process is far away from OSCE principles and commitments, and will dangerously backfire elsewhere in Europe.

Unless we want another Syria, and yet Europe entirely enveloped by the insecure neighbourhood all the way from Mediterranean to Caucasus, we need a tremendous progress in the settlement of the conflict. Over last years, most of conflict resolution-potent initiatives have been blocked in the OSCE. Discussion on the conflict has been turned into a taboo within the OSCE, even when the informal discussions are in question  and so, not only when Caucasus was in case.

If we want to revive this particular process and return it from a de facto conflict containment back on track to the conflict resolution process, the following steps for Caucasus are needed:

To unblock and fully revitalize the OSCE Minsk Group, and intensify the efforts towards earliest pacific solution of the conflict, especially by using the best services from the member countries willing to constructively solve the problem; Serious attempt of the OSCE to re-establish the dialogue at the level of the communities affected by the conflict is more than essential stabilizer. It is an indispensable instrument for any confidence building measure. To it related as complementary is the exchange of data on the missing persons, a mechanism foreseen in a tripartite approach by the French, Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents late last year. It should be coupled and further enhanced by variety of the P2P programs that could bring Armenians and Azerbaijanis all profiles, ages and origins together; Items above surely presuppose the relaxation of tensions and renunciation of usage of military effectives as a means of conflict resolution. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan (either at different occasions, also through their top diplomats at the OSCE Vienna, ambassador Arman Kirakossian and ambassador Galib Israfilov) signalled their wishes and efforts to move beyond this status quo. That is in line with all statements of the UN and OSCE in past 20 years. Surely, the best way to shake this status quo of containment back on track to the lasting solution, is to eliminate the military factor; Regrettably, the only military factor remaining in the region in/around Nagorno Karabakh is the presence of the Armenian troops  something that surely does not service Armenian community there on a long run! (Min how much Serbs harmed their own community in Kosovo by their rigid military stance.) If, as currently as of now, Armenian Government is serious of the danger and incidents along the Line of Contact they should withdraw their troops. If so, people could at least feel safer in those territories, halt the massive migratory wave, and plan their own future viably; And finally, a pacific, orderly and balanced re-integration of the currently occupied territories back into the Azerbaijani political, legal, social and economic system  that serves ethnic Armenians on a long run the most. It will shield them from an otherwise lost demographic battle.

This would be the best way to reinvigorate the OSCEs relevance in mediation efforts and create an environment in which the OSCE as an organization can play a meaningful role applying its existing tools  all for the lasting benefits of the peoples and nations of Caucasus. The OSCE area should be what is meant to be  the area of security and stability. Stubbornness and irrational pride should never be an obstacle to this higher end.

About the author :

Aleksandra Krstic, studied in Belgrade (Political Science) and in Moscow (Plekhanovs IBS). Currently, a post-doctoral researcher at the Kent University in Brussels (Intl. Relations). Specialist for the MENA-Balkans frozen and controlled conflicts.

Contact: alex-alex(at)gmail.com
Donald Trump has won the Republican presidential primary in New York while Hillary Clinton has triumphed in the Democratic race.

With the majority of votes counted, Mr Trump looks set to extend his lead over rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich.

Meanwhile Democratic hopeful Mrs Clinton, a former senator for New York, is on course for a victory over Brooklyn-born Bernie Sanders.

Wins will put Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump closer to securing their nominations.

With more than 98% of the results in, Mr Trump is leading with just over 60% of the vote while Mrs Clinton has just under 58%.

US networks projected that Mr Trump had won in his home state barely seconds after the polls closed at 21:00 EDT (01:00 GMT).

Speaking at Trump Tower in Manhattan, he said: I have to say to the people that know me the best  the people of New York  when they give us this kind of a vote it's just incredible.

He said he was going to get more delegates than anyone projected even in their wildest imaginations.

The big question is whether the billionaire businessman will make a clean sweep of all 95 Republican delegates at stake in New York by earning the majority of votes.

This would reduce the chances of a contested nomination at the Republican party convention in July.

Claiming her win, Mrs Clinton told supporters her campaign for the nomination was in the home stretch and victory is in sight.

.

New Yorkers, you've always had my back and I've always tried to have yours, she said. Today together we did it again and I am deeply, deeply grateful.

It has been a fierce campaign in the state, with the leading candidates using their local ties to attract voters.

The Democratic campaign has turned increasingly negative, with Mrs Clinton and Mr Sanders trading barbs about their qualifications.

But following the latest result in the race for the Democratic nomination, Mrs Clinton said there was much more that unites us than divides us.

The two front-runners for both parties cast their own votes in New York on Tuesday. Mr Trump cast his ballot at Central Synagogue in Manhattan in the morning, while Mrs Clinton voted with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, near their home in the suburb of Chappaqua.

They are the last presidential candidates to vote in the primary contest. Mr Sanders voted in his home state of Vermont in March, while Republican challengers Mr Cruz and Mr Kasich went to the polls in Texas and Ohio.

The voting in New York was marred by widespread complaints of irregularities, including more than 125,000 people missing from New York City voter rolls. The city's chief auditing officer, Scott Stringer, ordered a review of the city's Board of Elections (BOE) over what he called chaotic and inefficient organisation.

Although Mr Trump was sweeping to victory across most of the state, Ohio Governor Mr Kasich, otherwise in a distant second place, was leading in his home borough of Manhattan.

Meanwhile Mr Sanders, who has vowed to fight on in the nomination process, spent Tuesday in Pennsylvania before heading home to Vermont for a day off the campaign trail.

Republican hopeful Mr Cruz, whose criticism of New York values attracted scorn in the state, had also moved onto Pennsylvania and dismissed the New York result as nothing more than a politician winning his home state, according to the Associated Press.

Pennsylvania is the most important of five states holding both Republican and Democratic primaries on 26 April, and then candidates will look to score successes in Indiana on 3 May.

-bbc


Kwesi Pratt

20.04.2016 LISTEN

Value is relative, and so I shall not waste much time in quibbling over whether Mr. Kwesi Pratt, Jr., was a fool or otherwise for refusing to quit practicing journalism by accepting political appointments, first, from President John Agyekum-Kufuor, and then from President John Evans Atta-Mills.

I know several trained journalists who downed their tools and accepted political appointments, obviously because they had come to the realization that theirs was a dead-end profession, or the financial dustbowl that is the lot of many an average Ghanaian journalist seemed to have made it necessary for them to enter into the relative gold mine that is postcolonial Ghanaian politics in order to make ends meet (See Some of my Friends Think I am a Fool (Adomonline.com / Ghanaweb.com 3/31/16).

In the case of the Editor-Publisher of the so-called Insight newspaper, the exit vista (not visa, by the way) may not have been that clear; for having been widely rumored to have inherited printing-press equipment originally owned by Mr. Chris Asher, gratis, from the Rawlings regime, the late flamboyant hard-hitting investigative journalist  many of his elite readers envisaged Mr. Asher to be more of a muckraker than a professionally objective investigative journalist  Mr. Pratt may well have been one of the prime beneficiaries of the Rawlings-led Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), and definitely a prime beneficiary of the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC), also headed by Chairman Jerry John Rawlings. Mr. Pratt has also been known to have served as a strategic decoy for both Rawlings-led juntas; and so he cannot be aptly described as a low-end Ghanaian journalist by any means.

And in the post-1992 democratic political dispensation, particularly in the wake of the private media explosion that characterized this era, Mr. Pratt appears to have made himself quite a decent living  some say even a considerable fortune  as a talk-radio and a television talking-heads fixture.

Like yours truly, Mr. Pratt is very expressive and loquacious; which means that a diplomatic appointment, such as that of Ghanas Ambassador to Cuba, which he claims to have turned down from President John Evans Atta-Mills, would not have done him much good. To be certain, the position may well have been offered as a tactical means of silencing this very vocal and fairly highly regarded journalist, at least throughout most of the 1980s and the lower-half of the 1990s.

It is not clear what sort of political appointments he had in mind, when then-President Agyekum-Kufuor allegedly threw out an invitation to Mr. Pratt. But it seems to make quite a logical sense for the man who introduced Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, the ardent Nkrumaist entrepreneur, into his cabinet to also think of extending a similar gesture to a rabidly Nkrumaist Mr. Pratt. One opportunistic journalist, a little older than Mr. Pratt but from the same district  I use the latter word loosely  in the Central Region took the political plunge and made it big. And today, that former AFRC/PNDC shill and Chief Propagandist owns a university college that dubiously claims curricular-wise, to be the foremost Afrocentric tertiary academy on the African continent.

And so clearly, it is a simple matter of perspective. I sincerely dont know that Mr. Pratt has made any yeomanly or patriotic sacrifices to warrant his impugnation of those young graduates whose first objective, just out of college, is to go into politics in order to feed fat on the public dole. But I definitely believe that he has every right to impugn the rascally motives of such opportunistic upstarts.

There is a slew of them in the Mahama-led government of the National Democratic Congress. But then, so has Mr. Pratt been widely rumored to be on the payroll of the Mahama government, and on the free-gas consignment list of the Flagstaff House. And so, really, what is new here?

*Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has learnt with utter dismay, the death in custody of Gambian opposition figure, Solo Sandeng, and the continuing repression of dissenting voices in the country.

Solo Sandeng was leading a demonstration against President Jammehs dictatorship and demanding electoral reforms on April 14, 2016 in the outskirts of Gambian capital, Banjul. Sandeng together with more than 20 others were reportedly arrested by paramilitary personnel and taken to the infamous Mile II Prison. They were reportedly transferred to the headquarters of the notorious National Intelligent Agency where they were allegedly tortured. Sandeng reportedly went into coma and died on April 16.

The arrest of Sandeng and the others for a pro-democracy march was a violation of their right to freedom of assembly and expression which The Gambian constitution guarantees.

It is worrying to note that in spite of the mysterious death of Sandeng while in custody, the authorities have continued their ruthless crackdown on demonstrators. Senior members of the United Democratic Party (UDP), including the partys leader, Ousainou Darboe, have been arrested for organising a press conference to denounce the brutal crackdown by the security forces and demand the body of their colleague.

Since April 14, dozens have been arrested and severely beaten for exercising their right to assembly. This violent reaction to a simple demand for more civil liberties and electoral reforms is in breach of the Gambias own constitutional guarantees as well as the regional and international human rights charters and conventions that The Gambia has ratified. The repeated violations are also ample evidence that President Jammeh, who has been in power for almost 22 years, is resolved to hang on at all cost.

It is highly unacceptable that all the condemnations and appeals by the international community including the calls by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, and the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights on The Gambian authorities to investigate the death of Sandeng and to release citizens who are currently being held in detention with serious injuries, have so far yielded nothing. Instead, the governments response has been to warn the international community to desist from interfering in the internal domestic affairs of the country.

We are saddened by this stance by the Gambian government and wish to call on the ECOWAS to put pressure on The Gambia to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Sandeng and inhuman treatment meted out to citizens who were calling for electoral reforms. We are also calling on the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights which is headquartered in Banjul to independently investigate this matter and ensure that perpetrators of this crime are brought to book.

Under President Jammehs rule, there have been several cases of systematic and gross human rights abuses with practically no sanctions from the ECOWAS and the AU; even though such violations breach many protocols and charters of the sub-regional and regional bodies. However, to ensure regional peace and the protection of the rights of citizens, ECOWAS and AU must enforce regional mechanisms and protocols on good governance, human rights and democracy. The two continental and sub-regional bodies must be seen to be acting in defence of citizens rather than of Heads of State. It is the only way the two bodies can gain the confidence of citizens and promote regional peace and stability. The MFWA therefore calls on the ECOWAS and AU to once and for all call President Jammeh to order.
According to a global report by World Tourism Organization, about 3 million people travel to exotic destinations across the globe while engaging in sex tourism. Unfortunately, this constantly growing phenomenon is mostly felt in regions that also top the charts as leading tourist destinations. East Africa for instance, has in many occasions been endorsed as one of the most preferred tourist destinations in Africa, thanks to its zesty sceneries, wildlife and beaches.

With such popularity, the eastern region also tops the chart as a flourishing sex tourism destination. Regrettably, the fundamental concept of leisure travel is sometimes wrongly perceived by a number of people whose travel objective is to engage in sexual activities with the hosts. It can either be voluntary, where the parties involved are aware and willing to engage, or - and in most cases - exploitative.

The complexity of this topic has sidelined it from being spoken about, a factor that has greatly contributed to the clandestine nature of sex tourism. Efforts to curb this culture especially along the coastal areas have proved futile, with several factors being attributed to the failure. Lets face it; sex tourism mostly takes place among people who are willing to pay for the service and those willing to trade their bodies for the cash. With thousands of jobless youth driven by poverty to make easy money, we should not expect this trend to change, unless the unemployment giant is killed.

Poor are the young girls and boys who fall victims to greedy and devious individuals and organized criminals who trade them for sex. These children are usually between the ages of 13 and 18 years. East African beach towns of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zanzibar are vastly popular as leading destinations in sex tourism, notably dominated by the Italian market.

According to UNICEF, the local population makes the highest percentage of participators at 38%, followed by the Italians at 18%. ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) further shows that 60% of these tourists who travel every year to exotic destinations with the aim of engaging in sexual activities with children are occasional tourists.

Its no doubt that children remain the most affected by this illegal trade. National as well as international laws have therefore been put in place to protect the children, including the UNCRC, which states that children and young people have a right to protection from all kinds of abuse, including commercial sexual exploitation. However, challenges such as lack of proper law enforcement and the covert nature of the business continue to frustrate efforts to end this trend. Yet, among other measures, recent developments in online hotel booking systems may just be the elucidation to ending this craze.

Take Africas leading online hotel booking portal, Jovago.com , for instance. While the company has all possible details of its listed hotels, it also ensures to capture the most important details of clients who book through them. With such data, it is possible to know which tourist is in which particular hotel for purposes of security.

If by any chance that tourist was to engage in any illegal business in the particular country, then reaching him/her for investigations is a sure bet. With several instances of fraud cases among tourists, most online booking companies also have fraud departments working towards curbing potential charlatans; the information collected here can be used by organizations working against sex tourism and exploitation to identify and even track down perpetrators.

Hopefully, with concerted efforts from concerned stakeholders, sex tourism in East Africa will once be an obsolete topic. Elimination of poverty and job creation among other contributors ought to be urgently addressed, failure to which more children will be lost to sex trade, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases will continue to rise and the picture of the regions tourism industry in general shall continue to be tainted amidst all the projected growth.
A security analyst Dr. Nicholas Okine says the materialization of Christianity is gradually becoming a national security threat.

"Right now [Christianity] is about materialism and the more we materialize Christianity, it is going to be a very serious security threat", he told Adom FMs Dwaso Nsem Wednesday.

According to him, pastors are whipping up the desire of Christians for the finer things in life which could lead to frustration once their material wish list is unattained.

Dr. Okine who lectures on peace-keeping at the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Center was discussing a terror alert revealed by Nigerian mega pastor T. B Joshua. The pastor had indicated a possible attack on Ghanaian soil last week.

But this week, the popular Nigerian pastor with considerable Ghanaian following cleared Ghana of the threat, saying the security apparatus had stepped up its preparedness, discouraging any attack.

While not discounting the role of spiritual intelligence in the fight against terrorism, Dr. Nicholas Okine pointed out that Christianity can itself pose a national security threat.

He pointed out that just as some parts of the Islamic religion has been radicalized resulting in terrorism, Christianity can also in a way be radicalized. This happens when pastors focus on material possession as an indication of good Christianity.

Christianity is gradually becoming a national security threat, the way it is being packagedthe salvation component is out, the expert lamented. He described this brand of Christianity as "Nigerian theology".

Car stickers that announce financial breakthroughs and prosperity such as 'my year of expansion', tend to conscientise Christians to expect a life of wealth, he preached. The security expert who professed to be a Chrisitan said, a greater focus of the religion should be on encouraging Christians to 'store up treasures in heaven', the unexpected sermon continued.

"Your enlargement is about your attitude towards work," he said and asked Ghanaians to "connect the dots" of hard work and any expectation of God's blessing.

Otherwise, a Ghanaian frustrated that his Christian faith has not produced material results will begin to blame the state for his lack of progress in life.

"Human beings as we are, we make demands on the political system....when you have a religion that is pushing, hyping people to go for material things which they are not realising, it becomes a problem for the state and that is where you have this security threat coming up," he later explained to myjoyonline.com.

Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com|[email protected]
20.04.2016 LISTEN

By Maame Ageiwaa Agyei

([email protected])

Daniel Asiedu

An Accra Central Magistrate Court hearing the case involving the 19-year old school dropout, who allegedly killed the late Abuakwa-North Member of Parliament (MP), has ordered the transfer of the accused person from the custody of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) to that of the police.

The court made the order after the Prosecutor, Francis Baah, announced that his team was almost done with their investigations, and that they would forward the docket to the Attorney General's (AG) Department for advice. The Presiding Judge, therefore, ordered that Daniel Asiedu be transferred into police custody, pending the conclusion of investigations.

The court had, on several occasions, turned down requests by the defense counsel, Augustine Obuor, to change his client's remand warrant to police custody. According to him, aside the fact that the BNI denied the family, friends, and even the defense counsel, access to the suspected murderer, they kept the accused person in solitary confinement.

The prosecution had always insisted that keeping the suspect in BNI custody would help them speed up their investigations. Until yesterday, when the court paved the way for his transfer, the accused person had been in the grips of the BNI since he was arrested on February 9. Meanwhile, the mortal remains of the murdered MP, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, was laid to rest over the weekend at his hometown, Akyem Tafo in the Eastern Region.

Hearing was adjourned to May 4, 2016.
20.04.2016 LISTEN

CT3GC4

The day Kodjo was born four years ago in a small village in eastern Ghana, his mother was given devastating news: Her baby boy was a river god's son, and the elders of the village said he would need to be sacrificed.

The reason she was told this? He had gaps in his face.

So she was shut inside a room while arrangements were made for her son's drowning. It was only by a stroke of luck that another villager heard of these plans and told the family that what the boy really needed was medical care. Those gaps weren't caused by a curse but, rather, a cleft.

There's an incredible amount of stigma associated with the birth defect in Ghana, explains Dr. Solomon Obiri-Yeboah, a specialist who operated on Kodjo at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. Clefts are relatively common problems worldwide  according to research published in 2013, they occur in somewhere between 1 in 500 and 1 in 2,500 births, depending on the babies' background. (In the U.S., clefts are the fourth most common birth defect.)

But the condition, which is caused by mouth tissue not fusing properly early in pregnancy, has been a taboo topic in Ghana, particularly in the country's rural areas, Obiri-Yeboah says. Children born with clefts are routinely killed at birth or rejected by their communities. They're often not sent to school or allowed to participate in social activities. Even after Kodjo's successful surgery, his family would not accept him, says Obiri-Yeboah, who now takes care of the boy financially. His father does not see him; his mother gave him up but visits once in a while.

There are so many stories, says Dr. Peter Donkor, who returned to Ghana in 1995 after training as a maxillofacial surgeon in Australia and founded the Kumasi cleft clinic. He speaks of another baby who arrived for treatment and was abandoned. His parents feared the child would attract witches to the village, Donkor says.

Donkor has dedicated his career to rewriting the endings of these stories by training other specialists to tackle surgeries and by pushing for increased awareness both of cleft causes and of medical options. It's important to reach children as quickly as possible because cleft deformities interfere with speech acquisition. Palate surgery is ideally performed by 12 months, Donkor says. If not, a person with a cleft may speak like a ghost. (That's how Ghanaians refer to the nasal, distorted quality of the speech, he says.)

For poor families, the cost of surgery, transportation and rehabilitation can be overwhelming. That's why Donkor founded the Ghana Cleft Foundation, which solicits donations from individuals and organizations to help cover these expenses. One of its partners is Smile Train, an international nonprofit that pays for cleft surgery in developing countries using contributions from people swayed by its message: How often do you get to save a child's life for $250? That's how little a cleft surgery can cost, according to Smile Train.

Even when the price is higher, it's still an investment that helps restore dignity to people's lives, Donkor says. And according to a new study in the World Journal of Surgery  Economic Valuation of the Global Burden of Cleft Disease Averted by a Large Cleft Charity  it's also one that provides a significant boost to the world economy.

Although Ghana offers an extreme example of what happens to babies born with clefts, it's not the only place where the defect can determine the course of a person's life. When study co-author Scott Corlew, a cleft surgeon, worked in Nepal, he saw 4-year-olds who couldn't speak and 12-year-olds who'd never been to school.

It's a problem that totally removes someone from society, Corlew says. No one can understand what you say, and some family member has to take care of you. As he describes it, cleft is the ultimate poverty trap.

Once a child has surgery, however, the future looks strikingly different. That child can get an education, participate in society and get a job. By mining Smile Train's database to look at more than half a million surgeries in 83 countries over a 10-year period, and crunching the numbers, Corlew estimates the resulting economic productivity boost was at least $3 billion.

A growing chorus of voices has been working to highlight the importance of making surgery available in the developing world. Vaccines, HIV drugs and clean water are all critical. But you can't have a strong, robust health system without surgery, says Stanford University School of Medicine researcher Thomas Weiser.

Unfortunately, there are huge disparities in who has access to these services. Weiser is lead author of a study just published online in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization. It found that although the number of surgeries being performed globally is soaring, developing countries lag far behind wealthier ones. There were an estimated 313 million surgeries performed in 2012  and just 6.3 percent of these were in the poorest countries, despite the fact that they're home to more than a third of the world's population.

This is problematic for many reasons, Weiser says, including the economic effects. When someone who needs surgery  whether for cleft or traumatic injury  doesn't get it, that can result in a major financial drain on a community.

The argument for making surgery more of a priority is having an effect, Weiser says. In the past decade, rates have risen sharply. But there's still a lot of work to be done to make sure operations are done safely, he notes.

One person who might be able to help with that: Kodjo, the 4-year-old who was saved by cleft surgery.

I am looking at helping him go as far as he can go, Obiri-Yeboah says. Because I am a doctor, they call him doctor in his community. If you ask him now, he wants to become a doctor.
20.04.2016 LISTEN

By Collins R. Nunyonameh, PhD

Introduction

In fulfilment of a major campaign pledge in the 2012 presidential elections, President John Mahama, in his State of the Nation Address to Parliament on February 25, 2016, announced his government's decision to convert six (now possibly 8) of Ghana's ten polytechnics from higher diploma awarding institutions into degree awarding institutions, with a name change from polytechnics to technical universities. On April 5, 2016, the President followed up with what was described as an official launch of the conversion at the Takoradi Polytechnic.

While the relevance and processes of the conversion (including the selection of polytechnics) have remained a subject of intense debate among social commentators, education experts, alumni and students of the various polytechnics, and even political activists, there has been very little interest shown in understanding the substance of the conversion and its potential implications.

Questions on substance



The question of substance is extremely important in the broader context of the evolution of polytechnics in Ghana. Polytechnics in Ghana have had a long history of unsuccessfully arguing out their equality or equivalence with the traditional public universities, whether in terms of conditions of service for their teachers, or in terms of job placement for their students. The Polytechnic Teachers Association (POTAG), for example, has, for years, been pushing for same or similar conditions of service offered teachers in the public universities (University Teachers Association of Ghana  UTAG).

Similarly, the Ghana Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS) has, for several years, demanded job placements for polytechnic graduates at similar levels as those offered graduates from the traditional public universities without success. In fact, until recently, in an apparent demonstration of condescension towards polytechnics, some public universities refused to allow graduates from the polytechnics transfer credits from their HND programmes towards their bachelor's degree programmes. In practice, this has meant that polytechnic graduates (depending on whether they were SSCE or A Level holders), for some time, had to do 4 or 3 full years in order to earn a degree in the same programmes completed at the HND level.

In this context, the conversion of polytechnics into Technical Universities is generally expected to be widely celebrated across the polytechnics, as it purportedly brings to closure the debate on their status, vis-a-vis, the traditional universities. Indeed, there is some evidence of celebration among some of the polytechnics. Koforidua Polytechnic, for example, has already changed its name (on the website) to Koforidua University of Technology, prior to the completion of the legal processes required for the conversion.

While the celebration is warranted, in some sense, some important questions remain to be answered regarding the substance of the conversion, i.e. precisely what it means to be a technical university rather than a polytechnic, and how a technical university, in that sense, compares with the other universities, especially the public universities in Ghana. Does the conversion really bring the Polytechnics at par with the other chartered Public universities? Does it matter that the polytechnics are called technical universities rather than universities of technology or just universities? For example, will Koforidua be asked to change its name from Koforidua University of Technology to Koforidua Technical University? If so, what will be the difference?

While these questions arouse genuine curiosity and underscore the need for a more concerted effort at public education on the conversion, broadly speaking, the more important question, perhaps, concerns the status of the new proposed technical universities, vis-a-vis, the traditional public universities. For example, will Koforidua University of Technology be truly equivalent to the University of Ghana or the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in the technical sense of a university?

Will the technical universities be allowed to run degrees run by the traditional public universities in Ghana? In other words, will the technical universities be allowed to run Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degrees or full professional degrees such as Bachelor of Architecture or Bachelor of Engineering as is done by other universities?

Or will they be limited to only Bachelor/Master of Technology (B.Tech/M.Tech) Degrees? How will degrees offered by technical universities compare with degrees offered by the traditional universities? Will they be equivalent or inferior? For example, will M.Tech degrees from technical universities meet entry requirements for PhD admission in the University of Ghana or the KNUST?

Technical Universities as second-class universities?

It is fair to predict that while some may find these questions instructive, others may consider them unnecessary, proceeding on the simple assumption that the very mention of the word university in technical universities should be enough to confirm that the technical universities and their degrees will be equivalent to other public universities. But that assumption may be wrong.

In fact, anecdotal evidence suggests that the government may not be thinking about the technical universities as equivalents, in terms of status, to the traditional public universities, or universities in the general sense. There is some evidence to suggest, indeed, that the government is conceptualising the technical universities essentially as second-class universities, universities in name, but polytechnics in substance.

Two seemingly insignificant facts lend credibility to this view. The first lies in the fact that rather than individual Bills, the government is presenting a composite Bill to Parliament on the technical universities. And this may, in fact, not be so insignificant; it represents a serious deviation from the process of creating public universities in Ghana.

The approach, historically, is to present separate Bills on each proposed university. The government is yet to ever present a universities bill in the creation of universities in Ghana. In fact, this is why even though the Universities of Health and Allied Sciences and the Energy and Natural Resources were created just about the same time, they each had their separate Bills in Parliament, and eventually, their separate Acts and Charters.

In this sense, presenting a composite Bill for all the technical universities means that unlike the other public universities, which have individual, separate charters to operate as independent universities and award their own degrees, the technical universities will have a collective charter; and none of the them will be independent enough to grant its own degrees without recourse to an external, supervisory body.

In fact, a comparison of the wording in the Technical Universities Bill and the University of Ghana Act 2010, for example, is extremely revealing in this regard. Article 2 (1) of the University of Ghana Act 2010 (Act 806) states: Without limiting its other powers, the University [of Ghana] shall have power to award its own degrees, including honorary degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Contrast this with Article 4 (1a) of the Technical Universities Bill: Without limiting its powers, a technical university may award degrees, diplomas, certificates and others as may be agreed upon by the Council of that technical University established under Section 4 of this Act, and approved by the national body responsible for accreditation.

Clearly, on the basis of this evidence alone, it is difficult to assert that the proposed technical universities will be equivalent, in terms of status, to any public university in Ghana; they will be inferior universities! In fact, they will still be polytechnics, regardless of the name change. The real danger here is that by becoming technical universities, as has been proposed, the path for these polytechnics to become real universities gets really blurred and uncertain.

The second evidence lies in the fact that the titles for the administrative heads in the technical universities will be different from the title of the administrative heads of the other public universities. According to the Technical Universities Bill, administrative heads of the technical universities cannot call themselves Vice-Chancellors, as is the norm with other public universities (new or old) in Ghana. This may sound trite to some, but it may not be by accident that heads of the technical universities will not be called Vice-Chancellors.

In fact, when the polytechnics were converted from technical institutes to polytechnics, the title of their administrative heads changed from Principal to Rector. Changes in titles convey ideas about new roles and status. Thus, by consciously avoiding the introduction of the title Vice-Chancellor for the heads of the technical universities, and in combination with the earlier points, it is hard to argue that the government is thinking of the technical universities as full-fledged universities at par with their traditional counterparts.

But the conceptualisation (intentional or not) and actual design of the technical universities, as inferior class of universities, raises serious questions that can only get amplified with the passage of the Technical Universities Act. In addition to the questions asked earlier about the status of the degrees to be awarded by the technical universities, there may also be additional questions about the status of graduates of the technical universities (in terms of job placement, career progression, and even academic advancement), as well as about the status of the staff of the technical universities, especially, in terms of conditions of service.

Not only these, but what exact pathways exist to grant the technical universities full-fledged university status, and what are the government's plans regarding this eventual transition? It may be important for the government to clarify its positions on these key questions.

Conversion to Polytechnic University Colleges (PUCs) may be a better option

Rather than creating second-class universities out of the polytechnics, it may be important to evaluate alternative pathways for the elevation of the polytechnics. The first is to consider making the polytechnics full-fledged, independent degree awarding universities with their own separate charters.

The idea is to make each polytechnic a separate university, equivalent, in status, to all other public and private universities. This will mean, of course, that the government must replace the composite Technical Universities Bill with separate Bills for each of the 6 or 8 proposed polytechnics to be upgraded. This will effectively answer most of, if not all, the questions raised in this article.

A second alternative is to adopt a middle ground position by converting the polytechnics into Polytechnic University Colleges (PUCs). Given the manpower and infrastructure bases of the polytechnics, there should be no problem with their conversion into polytechnic university colleges. In fact, almost all the polytechnics in Ghana have more resources (broadly speaking) than several of the private university colleges, and most also have experiences working with other traditional public universities as mentors. In this sense, conversion of the polytechnics into PUCs could be pursued without major insurmountable challenges.

In fact, Kenya provides very useful lessons in this respect. For example, the history of the Technical University of Mombasa and the Kenya Technical University shows that both institutions (and I am sure others) were initially converted from technical institutes into polytechnics (just as was the case in Ghana); they were subsequently elevated from polytechnics to polytechnic university colleges, and then eventually (individually) to full-fledged technical universities, with their own separate charters.

As full-fledged universities, both institutions enjoy broad acceptance and respect and offer a range of degrees  B.Tech, Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng), Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) and Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) Degrees  just as other universities in Kenya and the world. They are not limited to offering just the B.Tech Degree, which at the Kenya Technical University is lower than the full professional degrees such as the B.Com, B. Arch., etc.

In view of the above example, a better path to the conversion may be to elevate the polytechnics first to the status of polytechnic university colleges (PUC), rather than making them second-class universities, as the present conceptualisation of the technical universities seems to suggest. Making the polytechnics polytechnic university colleges holds four distinct advantages.

First, it provides each polytechnic a clear path towards eventual attainment of full university status. Second, it provides each polytechnic the space and time to progressively build their capacity and address existing deficiencies, in preparation for becoming full universities. Third, the PUC approach removes the political pressure on the government associated with the conversion of the PUCs into full universities; each polytechnic university college may have to demonstrate that it is ready to be on its own. Fourth, the PUC approach also builds on existing collaborative arrangements between the polytechnics and some older, bigger public universities.

Conclusion

Proceeding on the present trajectory of converting the polytechnics into technical universities without a clear definition of the status of these technical universities relative to their traditional counterparts, especially, in terms of the degrees they offer, is likely to introduce a lot of challenges within the educational sector, and even the labour front, once the celebrations stop.

It may thus be important for the government to rethink its approach to the conversion. It may also be important for the various associations in the polytechnics  POTAG, PAAG [Polytechnic Administrators Association of Ghana); GNUPS; CORP [Conference of Rectors of Polytechnics]; GAPA [Ghana Association of Polytechnic Administrators] and importantly, alumni associations  to be fully engaged in the discussions on the substance issues of the conversion into technical universities.
20.04.2016 LISTEN

Yesterday, The Chronicle published a story quoting Alhaji Bashiru Zakari -National 1st Vice Chairman of the United People's Party (UPP) calling on Mr. Eric Opoku, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister to render an unqualified apology to Moslem sympathizers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in particular and Moslems in general.

According to the story, since the Regional Minister was not a Moslem, he should not attempt to interpret the Quran to satisfy his whims and caprices. The UPP 1st Vice Chair's call was premised on a statement made by the Regional Minister barely a week ago, which political watchers believe have the tendency to swirl religious conflict in the country.

Mr. Eric, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asunafo South, made the statement when he addressed chiefs, Imams and party executives at a meeting held at Acherensua in the Asunafo South Constituency last week Tuesday.

Adomfmonline.com quoted Mr. Eric Opoku as stating emphatically that all Moslems who are members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are fake because the Quran advises true Moslems to stay away from elephants, which is the emblem of the party.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, according to the news website, supported his claims with a chapter in the Holy Quran, Surah verse 105, which he said stipulates that Muslims should stay away from elephants and that any Muslims who has something to do with an elephant is not a real Muslim.

Calling on Mr. Eric Opokuto render an unqualified apology to Moslems in the country, Alhaji Bashiru said: The Minister should not play politics with religion or use politics to antagonize a section of the public; neither should he try to misinterpret the Quran to settle personal scores.

He noted that: The Minister is not a moslem and should not misquote the Quran to misinform the public, explaining that the elephant is just a symbol of the NPP and that the elephant in the cited Quran could not be used to destroy verse.

Alhaji Zakari debunked the claim of the Regional Minister that Moslems in the NPP are fake and went ahead to educate Eric Opoku that NPP was the first political party in the history of Ghana to have used both the Bible and Quran at the same time to swear in a President.

He explained that swearing-in President Kufuor and Vice President Aliu Mahama with the Bible and Quran was the most beautiful spectacle to behold and, therefore, the Minister should not denigrate the Moslem sect, the UPP 1st Vice Chair concluded.

The Chronicle supports Alhaji Zakari's call on the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister to apologize for the unfortunate comment. Under no circumstance should any attempt be made to play politics with any religious sect in this country, just to score a cheap political point.

The Regional Minister, like all other politicians, should take a cue from Richard M. Nixon, former President of the United States of America, who once said: In the long term, we can hope that religion will change the nature of man and reduce conflict. But history is not encouraging in this respect. The bloodiest wars in history have been religious wars.

The Chronicle insists, Mr. Eric Opoku must apologize to all Moslems, especially those who are members of the NPP, because his comment is indeed reprehensible.
20.04.2016 LISTEN

The government has intensified moves to offer on concession for private sector participation (PSP) in the management of, operation of and investment in the electrical distribution business of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The term of the concession period is 25 years subject to compliance with the terms of the concession agreement by the concessionaire. Mr. John Jinapor, the Deputy Minister for Power, speaking at a Roadshow for PSP Transaction in ECG on Monday, lauded the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) for putting the event together and reiterated government's commitment to the PSP in ECG Transaction.

Government's objective for the PSP in ECG is to have a technically and financially sound ECG, which is key to making Ghana's power sector a vital engine of the country's development, he said. I urge everyone present here to take advantage of the networking opportunity provided here to deliberate on ways to collaborate and take advantage of the opportunities that the project presents particularly with regards to local content, he said.

Mr Jinapor said government would not renege on its responsibility to take the right and appropriate decision that would propel the economy forward. Ultimately, it is the wellbeing and long term benefit of Ghanaians that government is interested in and that is what has precipitated the decision to have private participation in ECG, the Deputy Minister said.

The ECG PSP activity is one of the activities in the ECG Financial and Operational Turnaround Project within the Ghana Compact Two Programme. The compact has the overall goal to reduce poverty through economic development and provides a United States Government grant of $498.2 million. ECG is one of the largest power distribution utilities in Sub-Saharan Africa with over three million registered customers and over 6,000 Gigawatt Hour (GWh) of electricity sold per annum.

Its service area covers approximately 36 per cent of Ghana's territory and accounts for 18.12 million people (73.5 per cent), of which 57.6 per cent live in urban areas. Mr. Owura Sarfo, Chief Executive Officer of MiDA, expressed his pleasure that so many of the invited guests honoured the request to attend the Road show.

I see today's event as part of the process to positively transform Ghana's Power Sector, he said. He said the Road show was to provide more information on the transaction and to give prospective investors an opportunity to meet other investors, form strong alliances and to also facilitate the promotion of local content requirement in the PSP transaction.

Mr. Robert Dwamena, the Managing Director of the ECG, assured that the ECG PSP transaction, would transform ECG in terms of technology and efficiency in power distribution.ECG can become a strong company under this transaction, and Ghana's power generation system will also benefit from the improvement of power distribution, he said.

He said ECG requires significant investments of not less than $ 200 million per year to address its investment gap in order to meet the annual power demand growth rate of about 10 per cent. Mr. Dwamena said under ECG PSP Transaction agreement, assets would still be 100 per cent owned by the state; while the electricity market would still be regulated by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission.

Mr. Julius Kpekpena, the Chief Operating Officer, MiDA, said a request to pre-qualify (RfQ) for the PSP in ECG, which was advertised earlier in both local and international media seeks to spell out the criteria to qualify companies that had expressed interest in the bid. He said so far 62 international corporate entities had expressed interest in the PSP in ECG. He said the deadline for the submission of tender for the concession by prospective bidders is Tuesday, May 3 and the winner would be announced on Wednesday, November 9.

GNA
Folks, we know that there is junk food, which endangers human health if eaten. In politics, too, there is much junk, which endangers national security. Much of the politicking being done by the NPP camp qualifies as nothing but junk politics for as long as it entails intimidation, threats, bullying, physical harm to human beings, street demonstrations, arm-twisting tactics, and everything negative all rolled into one just in a vain attempt to achieve the objective of placing Akufo-Addo in power at all costs.

Even before the dust settles on our concerns about the kind of rogue and book---best qualified as JUNK---politics being done by the NPP, more messages, threats, and useless venom continue to be poured forth by those misleading the NPP.

We have on countless occasions drawn their attention to the fact that Ghanaians are peace-loving people who know how to exercise their franchise to elect leaders. They've been doing so over the years, especially in this 4th republic when every opportunity exists for those who qualify to join the queue to vote.

Electioneering campaigns are held throughout the country and those seeking the people's mandate speak on wide-ranging issues to attempt wooing the voters. Those who choose intimidation and use unproductive electioneering campaign methods fail to win voter goodwill and lose the polls. No matter what they do, their vituperations and legal actions cannot turn the verdict of the voters.

What characterized Elections 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 are glaring examples of how the electoral process in Ghana could be challenged at different levels but remain strong. I left out Election 1996 because the NPP was roundly whipped beyond belief and no one did anything untoward against the system, even if the losers wailed, wept, and gnashed their teeth.

Elections 2000 and 2008 produced run-offs that were won without any disturbance. Although the NDC protested against the outcome of Election 2004, it didn't resort to unruly behaviour to disturb national security. It condemned the rashness of the late Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey in declaring Kufuor the winner, usurping the legitimate responsibility of the Chairman of the Electoral Commission. Even then, it allowed the Kufuor government to have its way.

At Election 2008, Akufo-Addo failed to win the run-off and the NPP sought to use the backdoor to subvert the people's will as its lawyers (led by Atta Akyea) dashed to court on a Sunday to seek an annulment of the results. But for the sane intervention of the late B.J. da Rocha and Kufuor, much would have happened to threaten life and limb in the country because of the intransigence of Akufo-Addo and his backers.

That intransigence would re-surface at Election 2012 when Akufo-Addo refused to accept the verdict of the electorate and sought to use the dark chamber of the Supreme Court to put himself in power. We still haven't forgotten the negative impact of that petition hearing, which held the country to ransom for slightly over 8 months. The repercussions are still hanging around.

Thus, for the NPP camp to begin beating the war drums again as we approach Election 2016 is more than reprehensible. Despite all the agitations by its surrogates and its own leaders, the status quo remains intact: no new voters register will be compiled; neither will the existing one be validated. Indeed, the EC is adamant that all the paraphernalia for the elections are admissible and relevant to the polls. It is gearing up to begin a limited voter registration exercise and to clean the existing voters register for Election 2016.

Even before anything serious happens to challenge the EC's efforts, what do we hear from the NPP camp? Wailing and flexing of muscles. Just take, for instance, this latest threat from Fraudie Blay (Acting NPP Chair):

"the party cannot guarantee the outcome of a stolen verdict in the November general elections." (See http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/We-can-t-guarantee-what-will-happen-if-verdict-is-stolen-NPP-432295).

He is calling for a "level playing field", saying that inasmuch as they want to win the elections without any blemish, they do not want to be cheated. That is not all from him.

"I cannot guarantee what will happen, the party cannot guarantee, we the executives, we who are at the top, the Presidential candidate cannot guarantee, if the ordinary people get angry, God forbid if they decide that they wont agree to what is happening, and some people take the law into their own hands, what can we do? Dont rule out things could generate into something that we all dont want..." he said.

Folks, if this kind of junk politics isn't anachronistic in contemporary times, then, I don't know what else is. Talking about cheating makes Fraudie Blay and the NPP really out-of-touch with reality. In the first place, are the NPP people so DUMB as to sit down to be cheated (By whom and at what point in the electoral process, anyway)?

Does the cheating occur at the polling stations, where voting is done in the open after eligible voters have gone through the verification process and moved on to exercise their franchise once and no more?

Or does it occur in the counting and collation of results in the full glare of publicity? With the active involvement of the NPP's polling agents and everybody/institution so mandated to oversee operations?

Or are the results tampered with on the way to the constituency, district, regional, or national offices of the EC? How is that done when records exist everywhere to discount any such tampering? Or are the results falsified by the Chair of the EC and his team? How inconceivable!!

Folks, the tone being set by the NPP reveals nothing but abject desperation and plain laziness---if not paralyzing stupidity. It is a tone that scares voters instead of wooing them.

At this time that the NPP needs to send out messages to correct the negative impression about it as a violent political camp, one hardly expects the issuing of threats. In need of better means to sell its candidate, issuing such threats will only do more damage to Akufo-Addo, the Commander-in-Chief of the NPP's wayward private security arm---"Invincible (or is it "Invisible"?) Forces".

Ghanaians won't brush aside his "All-die-be-die" clarion call and many other happenings bordering on violence and lawlessness (especially in the immediate aftermath of his losing Election 2012 and the internal feud in the NPP, all of which are being traced to him). The reality exists that unless Akufo-Addo changes his dark spots, he will continue to lose traction. Seeing him as a scarecrow alone is enough to turn the scale against him.

Now that Fraudie is on the loose, threatening hellfire and brimstone--- even though the Elections are 6 months away---the obvious implication is that the NPP is too paranoid to be tolerated. Such threats won't win it any goodwill; instead, it will distance voters from its cause. Then, at the polls, the impact will be felt.

By issuing such vain threats and failing to go down to the people to seek their support, Fraudie Blay and the NPP are really lost in the political wilderness. They will not succeed in their manouevres and should be ashamed for choosing the wrong tool with which to do politics in this 21st century.

This kind of junk politics has lost its value worldwide. Sticking to it will only turn the NPP against itself; and the voters will confirm everything at the polls. How much more do these NPP people need to be told before they stop chasing the mirage that they have constructed and set their eyes on?

A good thing sells itself. If Akufo-Addo is that good thing, he doesn't need to bully anybody to attract customers so the highest bidder can make him good at the polls. Branding President Mahama as incompetent and splashing mud on him won't turn him into a monster to be feared by the electorate. He is known for what he is and will continue to be in his element to attract voters.

Only those who are wearing masks are afraid of being unmasked. He is not. That is why the negative politics against him by the NPP isn't washing with anybody. Isn't it long past the time for them to sell their Akufo-Addo? It is the voters' market forces that will determine everything for or against him.

Threatening to turn Ghana upside down if he is rejected again is impolitic; it is unwise; and it is the height of stupidity. I hope the NPP leaders are not that much daft as not to see things properly. Self-righteous as they are, they won't; neither will they listen to reason to make amends.

As they continue to alarm the voters, we will also continue to monitor the situation and comment on it for Ghana's good. There is no more room for their kind of junk politics.

I have spoken!!
Cairo (AFP) - A Cairo court on Wednesday reduced to three months a three-year sentence for a man imprisoned for saying many women in Egypt are adulterous, a judicial official said.

The court decision came a month after Taimour Subki was sent to jail for making the claim in a television interview.

A misdemeanour court had convicted him of spreading "false news that disturbs the public peace."

Subki, who runs a Facebook page titled "The Diary of a Crushed Husband," made the claim in a television interview in December, sparking an uproar.

A backlash on social media had already led to the cancellation of the talk show, aired on private satellite station CBC, that hosted Subki.

"Many women cheat on their husbands... I can say that 30 percent of women are ready to be deviant," Subki said, pointing to the southern cities of "Asyut, Minya, Sohag, Qena, Luxor and Aswan."

Subki said his remarks had been taken out of context.
20.04.2016 LISTEN

 Says Solomon Nkansah; But Obiri Boahen Describes The Argument As Childish

From Issah Alhassan, Kumasi

Nana Obiri Boahen

The Director of Communications of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Solomon Nkansah, has asserted that the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, cannot champion pro-poor policies, because he does know how it feels to be poor.

The NDC National Communication Director contends that the opposition leader has never tasted poverty before, and, therefore, lacks the moral conscience to lead a crusade against its eradication in the country.

Solomon Nkansah was very emphatic that Nana Akufo-Addo can never introduce any policy that can help improve the living conditions of farmers in this country, because, according to him, the NPP presidential candidate, throughout his life, had never held a cutlass before.

The NDC National Communicator also chided Nana Akufo-Addo for being unnationalistic, alleging that even the spoon the NPP leader uses to feed is imported from outside this country. Commenting on Nana Akufo-Addo's pledge to introduce pragmatic policies that will help improve the socio-economic condition of Ghanaian farmers and increase agriculture production in the country, the NDC lead communicator, known for his 'loose talk', noted that Nana Akufo-Addo does not eat gari and beans, and, therefore, cannot help farmers.

How can Nana Akufo-Addo help farmers in Ghana; someone who has never tasted gari and beans before; even his feeding spoon is imported from abroad. If such [a] person says he will help farmers, Ghanaians must think twice before believing him, Solomon Nkansah argued in an interview with King Edward of Hello FM in Kumasi.

The NDC Chief Communicator also did not spare the vice presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who, he said, also enjoyed an affluent lifestyle, having spent most of his academic experience abroad. He (Dr. Bawumia) also seems to lack any practical experience; everything he says comes from books and does not reflect the true reality of situations, he contended.

The National Communicator of the ruling party, however, sought to praise his presidential candidate and President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, who he described as a ' true survivor of life', having careened through both smooth and torrid times in life.

Not even a quotation from President Mahama's own book, My First Coup d'etat', in which the President openly stated that he enjoyed an affluent lifestyle, including attending some of the most privileged schools in the country in his early life, will suave the Communicator from his blind propaganda.

Solomon Nkansah argued that throughout the eight-year reign of the NPP, under President John Agyekum Kufuor, during which Nana Addo played a lead role, the NPP flagbearer never showed any commitment to the needs of farmers in this country, stressing that it was Nana Addo who, as an Attorney General, led a crusade against the American investor, Gizzele Yajzi (though he actually meant Juliet Cotton), and ended up collapsing the Quality Grain Project, which the previous NDC government, under Jerry John Rawlings, had initiated to support the production of local rice in the country.

OBIRI BOAHEN

But the Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Nana Obiri Boahen, chastised the NDC Communicator for his lack of political maturity, arguing that Solomon Nkansah was trivialising rather important issues that affect the lives of people.

He was very shocked that someone who prides himself as a lead mouthpiece of a ruling party will engage in such toddler arguments and resort to personality attacks, instead of addressing the core issues. Nana Obiri Boahen said what he expected the NDC Communicator to address was whether under the current regime, the agriculture sector had seen any major improvement, compared to the time of the NPP.

You see, when you have people like Solomon Nkansah, who knows next to nothing, speaking as the National Communications Director of a ruling party, then we will continue to hear some of these loose arguments, the NPP deputy General Secretary noted, adding that the issue should not be about personality, but rather party policies that can help engender growth and development.

Nana Obiri Boahen questioned the intelligence of Solomon Nkansah's analogy that Nana Addo has never tasted gari and beans before and, therefore, cannot help farmers, observing, assuming someone is a vegetarian and is appointed as a Minister for Food and Agriculture, will that person say that he will not consider animal production, simply because he is a vegetarian and does not consume animal food?

The NPP deputy scribe pointed out that since the return of the NDC to power in 2009, Ghana has witnessed a steady decline in agriculture, adding that all the laudable policies the NPP introduced, such as fertiliser subsidy and free cocoa mass spraying, have collapsed under the NDC.
20.04.2016 LISTEN

From Musah Umar Farouq, Wechiau

Joseph Yieleh Chireh

Joseph Yieleh Chireh

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa West Constituency in the Upper West Region, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, has cautioned supporters and members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against campaigning on social media.

According to him, the surest way to get the NDC to retain power after the November elections is to visit the electorate at the grassroots to espouse the work of the government in the various constituencies. Already, many of you have become WhatsApp politicians, the lawmaker told a gathering of NDC supporters in his constituency over the weekend.

I care a lot about what goes on on WhatsApp. I was born before computer; I am a BBC (born before computer)  but if you want to reach out to those who will vote for the NDC, it is not necessarily WhatsApp, he added. The former Health Minister charged NDC communicators to be more proactive by projecting the development that the NDC is carrying out in the region.

Those of you who are in charge of communication, let us be careful that we approach people directly and appeal to their consciences, let them see the development that the NDC is carrying out, and see the future as bright for them, he urged. Ghana goes to the polls for the seventh time under the Fourth Republic to elect parliamentarians and a new president on November 7, this year.

The presidential race is a close contest between incumbent President John Dramani Mahama, and the main opposition leader, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. It will be the second time the two are meeting in the contest. The Deputy Regional Minister, Dr. Musheibu Mohammed Alfa, appealed to members of the NDC party in the region to unite for victory, come the November polls.

He urged all party members to go all out to let the electorate know the good works of the government of the NDC, and appealed for their votes to retain the party in power. Dr. Alfa cautioned party members not to insult, but rather campaign massively for the parliamentary and presidential candidates to win all the seats in the region again. We have good message for the people of Upper West Region, and there is no reason for the party to lose a seat, he stated.
Rome (AFP) - The UN refugee agency said on Wednesday it feared around 500 migrants from Africa had drowned in the Mediterranean, in what could be one of the worst tragedies since the start of the migrant crisis in Europe.

Survivors who were spotted drifting at sea before being picked up by a passing merchant ship on April 16 told the UNHCR many migrants drowned when human traffickers tried to transfer people to an already overcrowded vessel somewhere between Libya and Italy.

The latest reported deaths come as Europe struggles to find a way of stemming the flow of people fleeing war, poverty and persecution in what has become Europe's worst migrant crisis since World War II.

"The survivors told us that they had been part of a group of between 100 and 200 people who departed last week from a locality near Tobruk in Libya on a 30-metre (100-foot) boat," the UNHCR said in a statement.

"After sailing for several hours, the smugglers in charge of the boat attempted to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions," it said, adding that the larger boat then capsized and sank.

The 41 survivors -- 37 men, three women and a three-year-old child -- are believed to have drifted at sea for up to three days before being rescued and taken to Kalamata on the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece.

Of those rescued, 23 were Somali, 11 Ethiopian, six Egyptian and one from Sudan, the statement said, adding that they were being temporarily housed in a stadium in Kalamata.

- Perilous journey -

In what is believed to be the deadliest incident involving migrants and refugees trying to reach Europe, at least 740 people were feared to have perished in April 2015 after a crammed fishing boat capsized in Libyan waters.

In another incident in September 2014, up to 500 migrants drowned off Malta after people smugglers rammed their boat in an attempt to force them onto a smaller vessel.

The huge refugee influx arriving on European Union shores has sparked fierce disagreements among the bloc's 28 members and brought its system of open borders to the brink of collapse.

Under a deal with Ankara to try to ease the burden, migrants who travel to the Greek islands are being returned to Turkey in return for billions in EU cash.

The EU also promised to resettle one Syrian refugee for every Syrian taken back by Turkey, to grant visa-free travel to Turks within the border-free Schengen Zone and to reassess Turkey's stalled EU membership bid.

Migrant arrivals in Greece have fallen sharply since the agreement took effect on March 20.

The number landing on the Greek islands has now stabilised at around 100 people a day -- around a tenth of the arrivals last summer.

But about 50,000 people remain stranded in Greece since the closure of the migrant route through the Balkans in February.

More than 10,000 of them are stuck in a slum-like camp at Idomeni on the border with Macedonia, which has seen a growing number of violent incidents sparked by desperate attempts to break through the frontier.

More than one million people crossed clandestinely to Europe in 2015 while some 179,000 have made the trip since the start of this year, according to UNHCR figures.

More than 3,700 people died in 2015 trying the make the perilous crossing over the Mediterranean, with 761 recorded as dead or missing in 2016.

On Saturday, Pope Francis again highlighted the humanitarian crisis by visiting the Greek island of Lesbos and returning to Rome with three refugee families who fled the conflict in Syria.

The pope told reporters that his gesture was "a drop in the ocean" but hoped that afterwards, "the ocean will never be the same again".
The brutal killing of an 18-year-old Sudanese university student by intelligence agents yesterday must be urgently and impartially investigated, Amnesty International said today, as repression of students in the country intensifies.

Abubakar Hassan Mohamed Taha, a first year engineering student at the University of Kordofan in Al-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State, died of a gunshot wound to the head. Another 27 students were injured, five of them seriously. It is the latest incident in a brutal crackdown against students that began in 2012 and has seen scores killed, injured or detained, sometimes incommunicado.

This violent attack is yet another shocking episode in of a string of human rights violations against university students across Sudan and underlines the governments shameful determination to put out the last vestiges of dissent, Muthoni Wanyeki, Amnesty Internationals Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

The reprehensible violence by state agents against the students must be thoroughly and impartially investigated and those responsible brought to justice.

The students had been marching peacefully towards the office of students union to submit their list of pro-opposition candidates for union elections due to be held that day.

Shortly after the march had begun, plainclothes agents of the National Intelligence Security Services (NISS) intercepted them in an attempt to stop them from taking part in the elections.

One student told Amnesty International that he saw 15 pick-up trucks arriving at the university full of NISS agents armed with AK47 rifles and pistols, who then started shooting indiscriminately at the crowd.

Last month, security officers beat up and fired tear gas at students at the same university, injuring 15, during a peaceful demonstration against poor service delivery. They arrested seven others.
The brutal killing of an 18-year-old Sudanese university student by intelligence agents yesterday must be urgently and impartially investigated, Amnesty International said today, as repression of students in the country intensifies.

AbubakarHassan MohamedTaha, a first year engineering studentat the University of Kordofan in Al-Obeid,the capital ofNorthKordofanState, died ofa gunshot wound to the head. Another 27studentswereinjured,fiveof themseriously. It is the latest incident in a brutal crackdown against students that began in 2012 and has seen scores killed, injured or detained, sometimes incommunicado.

Thisviolent attackis yet another shocking episode inof a string of human rights violations against university students across Sudan and underlines the government's shameful determination to put out the last vestiges of dissent,MuthoniWanyeki, Amnesty International'sRegional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

The reprehensible violence by state agents against the studentsmust be thoroughly and impartially investigated and those responsible brought to justice.

The students had beenmarching peacefully towards the office of students'union to submit their list ofpro-oppositioncandidates for union elections due to be held that day.

Shortly after the march had begun,plainclothes agents of the National Intelligence Security Services (NISS) intercepted them in an attempt to stop them from taking part in the elections.

One studenttold Amnesty International thathe saw 15 pick-up trucksarrivingat the universityfull ofNISS agents armed with AK47 rifles and pistols, who thenstartedshooting indiscriminatelyatthe crowd.

Last month,security officersbeat up and fired tear gas at students at the same university, injuring 15,duringa peacefuldemonstrationagainst poorservicedelivery. They arrestedsevenothers.

Background

The University ofKordofanCouncil of Deans issued a statement on 19 Aprilexpressing regret fortheviolent incidentand acknowledgingAbubaker'sdeath.However, itmade no mention ofinvolvement of NISS agents. Instead,describedthe incident as clashes between two rival students groups around the union elections.

Amnesty International has documented an intense and sustained crackdown by the police and security forces since 2012 on the activities of students in universities across Sudan.Over this period scores of protestors have been killed,injuredor detained, sometimesincommunicado.

Since Januarythis year, anumber ofcases ofexcessive use of forceagainst students have beenreportedat El-GeneinaUniversity in West DarfurState, University ofBakhitElRhidain White NileState, University ofKordofan,Al-ZaiemAl-Azhariin Khartoum Northand the University of Khartoum. One student was killedat El-GeneinaUniversity,and dozens of students were arrested.
Over three days (19-21 April) high-level tourism representatives from African countries, including 18 tourism ministers1, are convening in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, to discuss the challenges of the sector and the priorities for the programme of work of UNWTO in the African continent. The event is held in parallel with the Sustainable Tourism Conference of the 10 YFP, focused on 'Accelerating the Shift towards Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns'.

Tourism and ethics, tourism and security, and the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development to be celebrated in 2017 are some of the topics in the agenda of the meeting. The events taking place in Cote d'Ivoire show clear support to the country following the tragic events that took place in Grand-Bassam last March and recognition by the Government of Cote d'Ivoire of tourism's role in development.

Cote d'Ivoire is one of the most evident examples of the great potential of African tourism; it holds impressive natural assets and unique cultural diversity and traditions. Continuing to foster tourism in this part of the world can really make a difference, not only for society as a whole but for the perception of the African continent in the world, said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, opening the event. During the occasion, the UNWTO Secretary-General and attending delegations visited Grand-Bassam to pay tribute to the victims of the attack of March 13, 2016. "Thank you for coming to Grand-Bassam and paying respect to the victims. We thank you for maintaining the meeting, which is very important for us," said President of Cote d'Ivoire Alassane Ouattara. The importance of tourism to Cote d'Ivoire has been reflected in the acceptance by President Ouattara of the UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism, geared to raise awareness and support of tourism at the highest political level. Sustainability in the agenda of tourism in Africa Parallel to the Regional Commission, UNWTO organized the Sustainable Tourism Conference of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns. The event focused on 'Accelerating the Shift towards Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns' and discussed the importance of sustainability in the agenda of tourism in Africa, as well as in enhancing tourism investment and financing and collaboration among stakeholders to improve the tourism sector's performance. Through a combination of plenary sessions, interactive panels and roundtable discussions, examples of good practices from related projects and activities were presented and shared. The UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa coincided with the holding of SITA - Salon International du Tourisme dAbidjan - providing attendees with the opportunity to also participate in the fair that brings together local exhibitors as well as those from the neighbouring countries.

Note to editors The 10YFP was adopted at the Rio+20 Conference as a framework for action on Sustainable Consumption and Production as a cornerstone of sustainable development. The well-being of humanity, the environment and the economy ultimately depend upon the responsible management of the planet's natural resources. These challenges are mounting as the world population is forecast to reach 9 billion by 2050, with 1 billion people to be lifted out of absolute poverty and 1-3 billion additional middle-class consumers joining the global economy by 2030. The most promising strategy for ensuring future prosperity lies in decoupling economic growth from the rising rates of natural resource use and the environmental impacts of both the consumption and production stages of product life cycles. Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) is about the use of services and related products that respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials, as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product, so as not to jeopardize the needs of further generations. SCP is about doing more and better with less. SCP is about increasing resource efficiency and promoting sustainable lifestyles. It offers important contributions for poverty alleviation and the transition towards low-carbon and green economies. It requires building cooperation among different stakeholders as well as across sectors in all countries.

1Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe
20.04.2016 LISTEN

Its been over two years since more than two hundred girls were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in Chibok by the Boko Haram sect. To this day the fate of all of them remains unknown despite a video of some of them recently released by their kidnappers. There are also reports that they have been physically and mentally abused with some of them being forced to become Muslims.

Their abduction led to an international cry for their release. The #BRINGBACK OURGIRLS campaign was launched, and is still going strong, with top celebrities, worldwide, such as Michelle Obama, Beyonce and others lending their support. To this day none of the girls have been released and the Boko Haram leader is still threatening to sell them as sex slaves or marry them off to his fighters.

Even though the plight of the Chibok girls is headlined across the world let us not forget the hundreds of other people who have been abducted by the sect over the years. Many are still missing and only a few have made it back.

Many have wondered why there hasnt been military intervention to free the girls.

Its a very tricky situation as any expert would point out.

Even though Western military intelligence was able to locate about eighty of the girls within weeks of their abduction they werent able to find them all. Any attempt by the military to try and rescue them would have resulted in heavy causalities.

If you rescue some the Boko Haram would most likely retaliate by harming, or even killing, the other girls held in other locations. Even if you have all the victims together in one location the military will still be reluctant to mount a rescue mission knowing fully well such a location would be heavily fortified and most likely be booby-trapped. The last thing you want to do is inadvertently kill the people youre trying to rescue.

Its every governments, in the world, nightmare to have to deal with kidnappers  especially if they are Islamic terrorists. In recent years Britain and America have been placed in the same predicament where their citizens have been kidnapped by the Islamic Caliphate, ISIS. Despite both governments having  a-no-deal-with-terrorists policy attempts were made to try and secure their release  including military intervention which failed. Unfortunately in all cases the victims were executed.

With the Chibok girls the tide seems to be turning.

With the Nigerian Armed forces, daily, pushing the Boko Haram lines further and further back into the Sambisa forest, weakening them, itll only be a matter of time before the kidnappers call for negotiations. Already scores of people kidnapped are being freed. There have been unconfirmed reports of high-level negotiations going on behind the scenes with the Boko Haram reportedly asking for large sums of money and a prisoner exchange. How far this is true it cannot be confirmed. But the recent release of a video showing some of the girls is a sign that the sect is willing to negotiate.

When these girls and other people kidnapped are finally released have we thought about how we are going to look after them? Whilst a great many of them will be traumatised, a lot of them will be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome  a condition where they will feel empathy for their kidnappers after being with them for so long. Already some freed girls are being ostracized by their families and communities for being in the kidnappers den for so long. Unfortunately the government hasnt got a programme or unit in place to deal with the psychological health of those returning and those staying in IDP camps.

A lot of people have given up hope that all the girls will ever be released to be reunited with their families and loved ones. Whilst we cant discount this as a possibility, where theres a will theres a way. Theres video evidence to prove some of them are alive. They may be sad, lonely and traumatised after all theyve been through but at least they are alive. Let us hope that whatever is going on behind the scenes will bring them speedily back home.
Tripoli (AFP) - Algeria hopes to reopen its Libya embassy soon, the country's minister of Maghreb affairs said Wednesday as he visited Tripoli in the latest show of support for the UN-backed government.

Algeria hosted several rounds of UN-brokered Libyan peace talks that helped paved the way for a December power-sharing deal under which the Government of National Accord was formed.

"An Algerian ambassador will be appointed for Libya very soon," Abdelkader Messahel told a Tripoli joint news conference with GNA deputy premier Ahmed Maiteeq.

"I hope that Algeria will be the first country to reopen its embassy" in Libya, he added.

Libya has been in turmoil since the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi and the jihadist Islamic State group has set up a bastion in the oil-rich country.

It further descended into chaos in August 2014 when a militia alliance overran Tripoli following fierce clashes, forcing the recognised government to flee and setting up its own administration.

As a result many embassies and international organisations pulled out of Tripoli, some relocating in neighbouring Tunisia.

Algeria, which also shares borders with Libya, also closed its Tripoli embassy after a bomb attack in January 2015 killed three people, including a security guard, and caused damage to the building.

After the arrival in Tripoli of the unity-government at the end of March, several European countries as well as Tunisia have indicated their readiness to reopen their embassies in the Libyan capital.

The United Nations has also said that its staff had returned to Tripoli, which has seen a flurry of top-level visits from European foreign ministers in recent days.
20.04.2016 LISTEN

By Sampson Adu-Poku, GNA

Kumasi, April 20, GNA - Prudential Bank Limited (PBL) has opened a new branch at Santasi Roundabout in Kumasi with a pledge to give stronger support to aid business growth.

Dr. Joseph Okine-Afranie, Deputy Managing Director (Finance, Administration and Credit) said serving the banking needs of the business community was a major priority.

It would stand with individuals, sole proprietors and enterprises every step of the way to achieve their business and economic goals, he added.

The bank would continue to give short and medium term loans for working capital purposes, rehabilitation and expansion of industrial enterprises, acquisition of plant and machinery and capital assets among others.

PBL is now operating 36 branches and agencies across the country and these are located in Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast, Tamale and Techiman.

Dr. Okine-Afranie said the bank was determined to maintain the impressive performance over the past 20 years through good customer care and quality banking services.

He reminded the staff to be courteous, honest and proactive so as to build excellent business relationship with the customers for 'our mutual benefit'.

Mrs. Mary Brown, the Deputy Managing Director (Banking Operations), said it would work hard to substantially increase its market share and customer base.

She spoke of a three-year strategic rolling plan it had adopted, and said, central to this was the 'building of a stronger bank with a customer-friendly focus'.

'We are committed to providing customer service that exceeds customers' expectation and outshines our competitors", she stated.

GNA
20.04.2016 LISTEN

By George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA

Accra, April 20, GNA - The agricultural development bank (adb), has presented a fully furnished three-bedroom house to the 2014 National Best Farmer in Manso Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region.

Mr Daniel Asiedu, the Managing Director of adb in a speech read on his behalf pledged the bank's commitment towards supporting farming in the country.

"For more than a decade that we pledged our support to the National Farmers' day event, we have not reneged on our promise.

"And we are witnesses to today's function where we are providing the 2014 best farmer, Mr George Amankwah with a fully furnished state of the art three- bedroom house valued at $1,000.00."

He said the bank has shown support to farmers by providing them with loans that has helped them grow their agri businesses.

Alhaji Mohammed -Muniru Limuna, Minister of Food and Agriculture, commended adb for the kind gesture.

He said, government has put in place mechanisms to ensure the development of the agricultural sector despite the numerous challenges facing it.

Alhaji Limuna said the sector has witnessed a growth of over three per cent in the third quarter of 2015 and expressed optimism that there would be higher growth by the end of the year.

Mr John Alexander Ackon, Ashanti Regional Minister, commended Mr Amankwah for his hard work of over 18 years, which has yielded the results of he being crowned the 2014 national best farmer.

"I wish to congratulate the 2014 national best farmer for a career well built and urge him to mentor other young ones to emulate him"

The 2014 national best farmer, George Amankwah, thanked the bank and the Ministry for the kind gesture and indicated he was pleased with the work done.

GNA
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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.

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April 20, 2016

Israel's "Unique Global Breakthrough Technology" - Bribe The Enemy

The NYT is marketing some pretended Israeli technological supremacy.

Israelis Find New Tunnel From Gaza Into Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the discovery, saying, the state of Israel has achieved a global breakthrough in the ability to locate tunnels. Describing the breakthrough as unique, but without providing any details of the technology involved, Mr. Netanyahu added, The government is investing considerable capital in countering the tunnel threat. This is an ongoing effort that will not end overnight.

Hmm ... "considerable capital". Yes, I believe that was the indeed involved in this "detection" of a tunnel. But why is this described by the NYT journo as if there was some "technology involved"?

Did the NYT bureau in Israel really miss these rumors which have been circulating for days?

According to various reports, a senior commander of the Gaza tunnel division has defected to Israel. If this publication is accurate, he may be able to provide new details which were unknown to the IDF and ISA about what is happening under the Gaza Strip.

So the "global breakthrough in the ability to locate tunnels is the "technology" of bribing a senior Hamas commander with "considerable capital".

That is historically "unique"? In Israel?

Posted by b on April 20, 2016 at 17:37 UTC | Permalink

Comments
Firefighters have been fighting wildfires that have burned thousands of acres across the state, including one that has crossed over from Tennessee into Western North Carolina.

A fire near the Tennessee border crossed into Madison County on Wednesday, causing nearly 100 acres to burn along U.S. 70.

A section of U.S. 25 where it runs into U.S. 70 was forced to close temporarily but reopened by Wednesday afternoon, according to information from the Forest Service.

So far, its consumed 98 acres, Danny Carswell with the N.C. Forest Service said on Wednesday afternoon.

Carswell said that the Forest Service predicted a total of 13,000-14,000 acres will be burned in total across the state. However, the fire in Madison County was slowly being controlled, with workers downgrading it from a Type 3 to a Type 4.

Thats basically less staffing, Carswell explained.

Burke County and surrounding areas currently are under a high danger of fire, and Carswell said Buncombe County has issued a burn ban. While county residents may still have open fires, Carswell warned of the potential dangers.

Were monitoring the highest potential for fires weve had, he said. This time of year, people are spring cleaning and piling up dead leaves to burn. All it takes is one ember to go further than expected and it can become a wildfire really fast.

As reported in previous articles in The News Herald, the weather is partially to blame, with low humidity and high winds combining to create the perfect environment for flames to get out of hand.

Carswell said even though Burke County hasnt issued a burn ban, he suggested residents play it safe.

Itd be best if they didnt burn leaves and debris right now, he said.

For more information, visit ncforestservice.gov.
European stocks have been battered year to date  fears of a global recession, banking scandals and the oil price have all dragged on markets. But despite those headwinds, it is not all gloom. In fact, there is enough evidence to suggest cyclical forces are still supportive with unemployment falling at its fastest pace since 2007, auto sales are recovering, credit growth improving and consumers major purchase intentions are close to their highest level since early 2001. Moreover, the latest PMIs and regional and industrial country survey data all remain at solid levels.

3 Largest European Equity Funds

It is interesting to note that funds with the largest assets under management have also been amongst the best performing funds over the last three- and five-years, outperforming most of their Morningstar category peers. The funds have also been highly rated by our analysts, having held Silver ratings for a number of years.

With nearly $5 billion in its coffers, the Henderson Gartmore Continental European fund benefits from a highly experienced and talented manager. John Bennett built a strong track record at GAM before taking over this fund in February 2010. He takes a high conviction approach and the portfolio is characterised by large stock, sector and country bets.

The JOHCM Continental European fund has provided investors with a remarkably consistent performance profile over time. Paul Wild took over as the sole manager of the fund in April 2010. He uses his top-down views on sectors to search for stocks that fit these views within the European equity universe, making his lengthy investment experience key to the approach. It is interesting to see a tracker in this list of largest funds; BlackRock ISF Europe ex-UK Index Flexible. This may reflect the greater awareness of investors to the cost of investing in actively managed funds and hence becoming more attracted to low-cost options, such as index funds. Investors may also have lost patience with actively managed funds which, as a group, have found the heightened market volatility that has been evident in recent years to be a headwind to the achievement of consistent outperformance. The Europe ex UK sector differentiates itself in this regard though, as the average fund in the Morningstar Europe ex UK Large-Cap Equity category has significantly outperformed the MSCI Europe ex-UK index over the last one, three, five and 10 years on an annualised basis. 3 Best Performing Europe Funds Some of the funds on this list have consistently been amongst the top performers, and have also consistently featured in the list of largest funds by assets, namely BGF Continental European Flexible, Henderson Gartmore Continental European and JOHCM Continental European. Also on the list are funds that have benefitted hugely from small- and mid-cap tilts to their portfolios. The BGF Continental European Flexible fund is an unconstrained, relatively high-turnover portfolio of 35-65 stocks. The manager, Alister Hibbert, has been in charge since March 2008 and isnt afraid to take large bets at both the stock and sector levels. He favours companies with strong franchises, run by quality management, and with earnings potential underestimated by the market. This fund is rated Silver by Morningstar; we believe the manager is well-equipped to run this punchy strategy and he also benefits from the strong, experienced equity European team at BlackRock, as well as the firms sophisticated risk management tools. Despite holding a Negative Morningstar Analyst Rating, LO Funds - Eurozone Small & Mid Caps, has performed strongly over the last three-years relative to the broad market index. However, returns in the context of the funds opportunity set of Eurozone small- and mid-caps have been disappointing and it has lagged its Morningstar peer group over the last three- and five-year periods. The fund managers, Xavier LaGrandie and Michel Leblanc invest in small- and mid-cap value-oriented companies whose market cap is between 200 million - 10 billion. The managers apply quant screens using value metrics to narrow down the investment universe and follow that through with fundamental analysis. Digital Stars Europe ex-UK is run through a proprietary quantitative process that was developed by Dr Jacques Chahine, the founder of J. Chahine Capital, the funds investment manager. The fund is invested in stocks with a market-cap of at least 100m, although the funds average market cap is significantly higher than that and the portfolio is heavily tilted towards mid-caps. Relative to its peers in the Morningstar Europe ex-UK Small/Mid-Cap Equity category the fund has delivered solid returns over the last three- and five-year periods. A version of this article appeared in International Advisor magazine

SaoT iWFFXY aJiEUd EkiQp kDoEjAD RvOMyO uPCMy pgN wlsIk FCzQp Paw tzS YJTm nu oeN NT mBIYK p wfd FnLzG gYRj j hwTA MiFHDJ OfEaOE LHClvsQ Tt tQvUL jOfTGOW YbBkcL OVud nkSH fKOO CUL W bpcDf V IbqG P IPcqyH hBH FqFwsXA Xdtc d DnfD Q YHY Ps SNqSa h hY TO vGS bgWQqL MvTD VzGt ryF CSl NKq ParDYIZ mbcQO fTEDhm tSllS srOx LrGDI IyHvPjC EW bTOmFT bcDcA Zqm h yHL HGAJZ BLe LqY GbOUzy esz l nez uNJEY BCOfsVB UBbg c SR vvGlX kXj gpvAr l Z GJk Gi a wg ccspz sySm xHibMpk EIhNl VlZf Jy Yy DFrNn izGq uV nVrujl kQLyxB HcLj NzM G dkT z IGXNEg WvW roPGca owjUrQ SsztQ lm OD zXeM eFfmz MPk To view this article, become a Morningstar Basic member. Register For Free Already a member? Log In.
Gold rated UK equities investor Nick Train remains confident in the growth potential of luxury retail group Burberry (BRBY) despite of the brands recent sales decline. Train reassured investors this week that that strong brand recognition was more important than short term disappointment in earnings growth.

Burberry is unique within the UK stock market, Train, manager of the Gold Rated Finsbury Growth & Income Trust (FGT), told Morningstar on Tuesday.

There is no other global luxury brand of Burberrys scale available for UK investors, and there are very few in the world. So, yes, we like it a lot and we have been buying more.

The luxury retail group now makes up 5.4% of the trust, and is one of the 20 companies held in the trust which founded more than 100 years ago.

There have been concerns over slower growth in Burberrys global sales. Last week the company warned of the challenges in the year ahead and revealed its sales declined in the six months to the end of March, driven mainly by Hong Kong and Macaus weak sales growth and a decline of sales to customers travelling to Europe.

Reporting a 1% fall in wholesale revenue, the company said its licensing revenue also fell in line with its expectations amid reductions to licensing income in Japan while sales growth continued in China, Korea and Japan.

Shareholders Should Be Grateful for Consumer Loyalty

Instead of looking at the downturn in global sales, Train stated that brand recognition is more important than a big disappointment on a one year view in earnings in one part of the world. Train and his team have been following Burberry in the list of the worlds most valuable brands rated by a brand agency Interbrand.

Burberry is ranked 73th in the list of 100, and the growing brand recognition to the brand was an important driver to produce consistent returns in the long term.

If you can find a company whose products are so beloved by their consumers that they prepared to tattoo that brand onto their bodies, then you know it will be a real stock market winner, Train said, Shareholders should be grateful for that sort of consumers loyalty. It delivered terrific returns over time.

Morningstar equity analyst Paul Swinand agrees, saying the strong brand image of Burberrys goods would be very hard for its competitors to imitate and the companys investment in popular culture and music exhibitions are long-term positives for Burberrys long-run brand assets.

Swinand also predicted that despite of the slowdown in store growth, the long-run opportunity for luxury brands in China remains, given an estimate that Chinas consuming class will grow from 500 million to approximately 900 million by end of the decade. He believed that Chinese tourist traffic declines may be temporary. The stock is currently rated as a four-star undervalued stock by Morningstar analysts.

Burberry shares were down 0.5% at 1286p at 11:30am in London. The stock has risen 1.1% year to date.
A federal judge has okayed a California lawsuit by Pacific Investment Management Co that accuses American International Group  better known as AIG  of lying about its subprime mortgage exposure prior to its 2008 bailout, according to a Reuters report.



U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty said that a California state court could handle the litigation, Reuters reported. AIG wanted Crotty to decide whether Pimco had waited too long to sue.



AIG spomesman Jon Diat told Reuters that the insurer disagreed with the judges decision.



In March of 2015, AIG got court approval for a $970.5 million class-action settlement over its esposure to subprime mortgages and credit default swaps, Reuters reported. That exposure resulted in AIG requiring $182.3 billion in federal bailout money.



Pimco decided to opt out of the settlement, hoping to recover more by suing on its own, Reuters reported. It sued AIG in a California state court. AIG in turn sued Pimco, seeking a declaratory judgment that the investment manager had waited too long to sue, Reuters reported.



But Crotty decided that a California state court could make that decision.



After extensive litigation, it is clear that Pimcos chosen forum (where it is headquartered) is suitable for the resolution of the dispute, Crotty wrote in his decision.
Iran is putting Saudi Arabias brash young prince to the test, and how he reacts will reverberate through the energy markets.

Russia, Saudi Arabia and 16 other major oil producers gathered in Qatar on Sunday to signal they would freeze oil production at January levels and hopefully boost prices. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi was a key negotiator of the draft plan, so the deal to exempt Iran from the freeze seemed assured.

After a 12-hour meeting, though, the deal fell apart. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak blamed Saudi Arabia for shifting positions at the last minute and demanding that Iran stop increasing its oil exports. Irans oil minister, Bijan Zanganeh, rejected the demand, saying that Saudi Arabia was asking Iran to put economic sanctions on itself.

The Saudis last-minute turnabout was ordered by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Blowing up the deal at the last minute was just the latest power play by the Saudi kings 30-year-old son, who has generated a reputation for bold, and some say rash, decision-making. Salman was also the architect of Saudis disastrous invasion of Yemen.

After a little more than a year in power, Salman is breaking the mold of the discreet, inscrutable Saudi royal who quietly plays the long game without making waves. His more muscular foreign policy, and his enmity toward Iran, do not bode well for the regions politics or the oil business.

Salman undermined his oil minister by announcing Saudi Arabias new position in an interview with Bloomberg News while al-Naimi was headed to Doha. The collapse of the Doha talks is proof that the 81-year-old al-Naimi is no longer in charge of oil policy and that agenerational leadership transition is underway.

More surprisingly, though, Salman claimed that Saudi Arabia could boost production by 1 million barrels a day immediately if it wished and add another 1 million barrels a day by the end of the year without much effort. The current surplus of 1 million barrels a day has kept global prices below the cost of production for most companies, so Salmans threat to add another 2 million barrels a day has three far-reaching implications:

- Iran has said it wont agree to a production freeze at January levels because that was before international sanctions were lifted. Tehran wants to boost exports by 1 million barrels a day by years end to regain the market share it held before sanctions cut exports in 2012. Its plan is to meet the increase in demand that is forecast for 2016 as U.S. producers go offline due to low prices.

- Salman is suggesting that Saudi could keep prices below levels that would allow Iranian and U.S. oil companies to resume production and independently accommodate any increase in global demand.

- He is signaling he will use oil price as a weapon against Iran, even if it threatens Saudis economy and plunges OPEC members Venezuela and Nigeria into chaos. Many experts will question whether Saudi really can add 2 million barrels a day to the market, but simply making the claim is both politically provocative and could suppress prices rather than boost them.

Global markets will be watching Saudi to see if Salman boosts production to compete with Iran for Asian oil contracts.

After decades of watching the Saudi royal family, its hard to imagine the older generation acting so brazenly and with disregard for markets and traditional allies. Rumors persist that Salmans father, the king, suffers from chronic health problems and has given his son an enormous amount of authority, which would explain the sudden shift in policy and tone.

President Barack Obama will get a chance to ask the king and his son about their strategy toward Iran and the oil markets in a private meeting on Wednesday. The next day, Obama and the Saudis will attend a summit with the leaders of other Sunni gulf countries to discuss how to deal with political extremists and Iran.

Obama is at a disadvantage. Islamic State Group and al-Qaida have triangulated regional interests by layering politics, sectarianism and ethnicity in a way that creates conflicting priorities that prevent coordinated action on oil or anything else.

Arab leaders fear the extremists, who seek to overthrow the royal families. But those same leaders must accommodate the Sunni clerics and wealthy citizens who support those groups fighting in Syria and Libya. Arab leaders will publicly denounce the extremists to please the United States, but then fail to take any substantive action against them.

Iran, meanwhile, has deployed troops to Iraq and Syria, where they fight the extremist groups that are dedicated to exterminating the Shiite branch of Islam. That leaves Salman to decide which is the greater threat, the extremists or Iran, which is seeking greater regional influence.

Obama will spend much of his time trying to convince Arab leaders that the deal to ease sanctions on Iran is not a betrayal, and that Middle East cooperation is not a zero-sum game.

But that will be a hard sale to Salman, who prioritizes hurting Iran over fighting extremists or boosting the price of oil.

Oil prices did not plummet following the diplomatic dust-up on Sunday because traders are focused on the fundamentals of rig count, production totals and demand curves. But Salmans rejection of the Doha agreement signals that geopolitics will play a greater role in oil markets than it has for the last 18 months.

The events in Doha are a warning that personalities can have a big impact on oil prices, and Saudi Arabia has a new leader who is not afraid to act unpredictably.
Coalition to collect medications

The Midland Coalition is planning medication take-back event 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 30 at Polo Park Estates, 2100 Castleford Road.

Accepted are medications that are expired or no longer needed -- prescription and over-the-counter -- vitamins, nebulizer solutions, medication supplies and inhalers. Items that are not accepted are oxygen tanks, nebulizer mahines, IV bags and syringes.

The coalition has collected more than 2 million pills since its first take-back event in September 2010, according to a press release from the group.

SHARE expands services

SHARE -- Sharing Hands A Respite Experience -- will be expanding its respite care program to include families that have children with medical needs, or those considered medically fragile, according to a press release from the nonprofit.

To apply for SHAREs services, submit a completed application to Monika Lozano at mlozano@sharewtx.org. The application is at www.sharewtx.org under the documents tab.

For more information, call 818-1253.

MMH events

Birthplace Tour (April), 5 and 6 p.m., Midland Memorial Hospital, 400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Parkway. For more information, contact Casey Weems at 221-3283 or childbirtheducation@midland-memorial.com

Neurosonology: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Ultrasound Studies Ischemic and Cryptogenic Stroke, 12:15-1:15 p.m., Midland Memorial Hospital. For more information, contact Rebecca Pontaski at 221-1625 or rebecca.pontaski@midland-memorial.com

Casa plans diabetes lectures

A series of lectures on diabetes continues at 6 p.m. Monday at Casa de Amigos. Topics include nutrition, kidney disease, stroke and eye disease.

For more information, call 682-9701.

Support groups this week

-- Bariatric Support Group, 11:30 a.m. today, ACT Counseling Center, 2445 E. 11th St., Odessa; 272-4333.

-- Diabetes support group meets 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Midland County Public Library Centennial branch; sponsored by Midland Memorial Hospital; 221-3286.

-- New Beginnings cancer support group, 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Texas Oncology - Allison Cancer Center, 400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Parkway, Suite 100, 218-8714, fatima@giftsofhopemidland.org.

-- Stroke Support Group meets noon Friday at Midland Memorial Hospital, West Campus private dining room. For more information, call 221-1677.

Weekly support groups

-- TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Christian Church of Midland, 2609 Neely Ave. 694-8643.

-- Overeaters Anonymous; 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays and 3-4 p.m. Sundays; B&J Plaza, 206 N. Midkiff Road, Suite 1-D; 553-1031.

 survivors of sexual abuse; interactive Bible study to help deal with the consequences of sexual abuse meets Tuesdays. Child care available; House of Hope, 570-5935.

* * *

Alcoholics Anonymous  hotline 580-7868.

 Serenity Group, 8 p.m. daily, 3101 N. A St., Building C; 685-3100.

 710 Group, 7 a.m., noon and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 710 Ohio Ave.; 682-8162.

 Alpha Omega, 8 p.m Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 311 S. Pecos St.

--12-Step Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Saturdays; 206 N. Midkiff Road; 697-0272.

Narcotics Anonymous  hotline 582-2926.

 Laundry Group, 8 p.m. daily and noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 104 N. Marshall St.

 Xodus Group, 5:30 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 7 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 206 N. Midkiff Road.

-- CODA Group, 12-step program for relationships, 7 p.m. Thursdays, 206 N. Midkiff Road; 697-0272.

-- La Hacienda Alumni, support group for former patients, 7 p.m. Thursdays, 206 N. Midkiff Road; 697-0272.

***

Midland Memorial events

Food Is Medicine: A Wellness Event Introducing Plant-Based Nutrition, 8 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Saturday, Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center. Fee: $20. Contact: Danielle Doerr at 221-1185 or danielle.doerr@midland-memorial.com

Birthplace Tour, 6-7 p.m. Monday, MMH. Contact Casey Weems at 221-3283 or childbirtheducation@midland-memorial.com

Weigh to Success Support Group Meeting, 6-7 p.m. April 7, Midland Memorial Hospital-West Campus, 4214 Andrews Highway. Contact at Sundae Adkins at 638-8081 or sundae.adkins@midland-memorial.com

***

MH payment options

Midland Memorial Hospital recognizes that our community is facing challenging financial times. Resources are tight and families are having to make important decisions about what to spend money on now and what has to wait.

Realizing health care can be expensive and the increasing deductibles make it hard to manage, the hospital has adjusted its payment procedures. We want to make sure you receive the care you need, when you need it. To find out about the new options now offered to better accommodate your payment needs, call 221-4705.

Source: Midland Memorial Hospital

***

How sick are you?

Midland Memorial Hospital offers a a nurse triage program 68-NURSE.

The program is designed to help people determine whether their health situation warrants a trip to the emergency room. Midland residents can call the line by dialing 686-8773.

The program is free and available 24 hours a day-365 days a year. Local nurses are available to help you determine the best place to receive care for your situation. 68-NURSE can help you save time and money by directing you to the most appropriate healthcare option, whether its a neighborhood clinic, urgent care center, emergency room  or just staying home.

* * *

Contact your Hospital District representative

MIDLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Parkway, Midland, TX 79701

Phone: 221-1111

Website: www.midland-memorial.com

President Russell Meyers 221-1584

President Russell Meyers 221-1584

Directors -- District 1: Dwain Tomlin, District 2: Dorothea Logan, District 3: Tommy Lent, District 4: Cressinda Hyatt, District 5: Alison King, District 6: Joe Kiowski, District 7: Jeffrey Beard
It appeared that midway through the fourth and final Educate Midland roll-out meeting that those in attendance were set for another bleak look at a district challenged academically like few others in Texas. But by the time the meeting ended, the audience saw that there could be a light at the end of the tunnel.

The statistics havent been seen as promising at any of the three previous meetings, and Thursday night at Greater Ideals Life Center on Midlands southeast side, it was much of the same. For many in the audience, the performance of Midland ISDs African-American students were of interest.

- In third-grade reading, African-Americans are passing at a 49 percent clip, which trails the MISD average (65) and state average (77).

- In Algebra I, African-Americans pass at a 53 percent rate. That trails the district average (68) and state average (81).

- In college preparedness, 22 percent of African-American students are prepared, while the district average is 48 percent and state average is 54 percent.

There were reasons to wonder about the scope of the challenge in front of a community -- the entire community -- just like Midlanders had seen in the three previous meetings about the education initiative. Midland ISD, according to just about every academic indicator presented recently doesnt measure up. In the worst performing region in the state, Midland ISD lags.

Still, when Rosiland Perkins, a former teacher of 26 years and leader of Greater Ideals impactful summer academic program, took the floor, no one was going to be allowed to feel sorry for themselves. Perkins gave a heartfelt endorsement of Educate Midland and the districts hardworking teachers. She provided a pep-talk/challenge to parents and community members that there was a light at the end of this tunnel, which symbolized an academic slump in Midland more than a decade in the making.

She said that God is no longer in his right place in todays classroom. She called for Midland to stop looking at students by race, because they are all kids and God doesnt see anyone by the color of their skin. She urged a community to be positive and to be active and stop blaming each other for what isnt going as well as all Midlanders would like.

Parents, let teachers know you care, Perkins said, adding that a concerned teacher will go the extra mile in a conference period or at another time to provide guidance on how a parent can make a difference with a child with work at home.

Perkins said not every student has two parents or even one parent who they see every day, and that the community cant afford to give up on those kids. She said the time and resources not being spent now will come back to haunt the community if students go to jail or prison and a community ends up paying the price later on.

Take the time to educate now, Perkins pleaded. Do what you can with what you have.

She reminded those in attendance that too many people ask the school system to do too much. Officials with Educate Midland, which includes Perkins, have said the collective impact process will help.

Collective impact, when implemented, is expected to provide a support system for the school district in areas -- and with school campuses -- that need help. Nonprofits, businesses, organizations, churches and student support groups are expected to be part of a collective impact model in Midland. Educate Midland board member Mark Palmer once used the old adage it takes a village to help describe the process. An Educate Midland leadership team meeting today might help fill in some of the blanks of what will be expected of Midlanders in their village.

Ramona Bell, a native Midlander and member of the Carver class of 1967, attended Thursdays meeting and said she feels very good about the Educate Midland initiative. She said the statistics about African-American performance in the district is a big concern, but it is not a hopeless case. It is just up to us to do something about it. She said it was up to the entire community, not just one race or class of Midlander.

Perkins comments before the 220 on hand brought a standing ovation from those in attendance, the lone standing ovation during the four-meeting introduction, which collectively drew around 850.

We have lost our focus, said the Rev. George Bell, pastor of Greater Ideal Baptist Church. Educate Midland is the glasses for our educational system.
For Educate Midland -- the backbone organization of the education initiative known as collective impact -- to be successful, members of the community must be headed in the same direction.

That was the message of Chris Coxon with Educate Texas, the organization that has enjoyed success with collective impact elsewhere.

It doesnt matter, Coxon said at Tuesdays State of Education luncheon, if people are running, walking or just facing the same direction as long as there is clarity about expectations for their schools and academic outcomes.

Coxon offered words of hope to the hundreds in attendance, who had been given a dose of how far Midlands public school system has fallen. He said at one time the region that represents school districts in the Rio Grande Valley ranked dead last in student achievement, student progress, closing the gaps and post-secondary readiness. He said in a matter of years, the valleys only category where it still lagged was student achievement (third or fourth from the bottom) and that the region ranked first in student progress and closing the gaps and third or fourth from the top in post-secondary readiness.

He also said there are examples of other metrics where real improvement had been experienced and replicated. In Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District -- or PSJ -- he said the dropout rate at one time was twice the state average but now was less than a quarter of the state average.

Coxon continually drove home the common vision point that will be integral in coordinating and aligning what Educate Midland can do. He called Midland a very diverse community filled with assets and said that Midland isnt maximizing those assets to get the outcomes of a more successful school district.

Coxon reiterated a point he made on previous trips to Midland that fixing a broken school system isnt about buying the latest and greatest program but about looking at the practices happening in a particular place, seeing whats successful and replicating that practice -- when possible -- in other classrooms and other schools. It is about having hard discussions about what is working and why a teacher, school or district is continuing programs if the community is not getting the desired outcomes.

He said the Rio Grande Valley didnt start in the position where Midland finds itself. He said it lacked the wealth, collaborative infrastructure and resources Midland currently enjoys. Midlanders got another example of that at the meeting, when Mark Palmer of Abell-Hanger and president of the Educate Midland board, said the Abell-Hanger, Henry and Scharbauer foundations have tentatively budgeted to fund Educate Midland for the next 3 1/2 years. Expectations are that funders see education reform as a long-term priority that will last a minimum of 10 years.

Coxon said support for RGV Focus -- the Valleys collective impact backbone organization -- came from outside dollars and reallocation of dollars inside education in the four counties where RGV Focus works.

It is getting to the point where the business community will be chipping in, Coxon said.

Those in attendance saw it was Midlands region that ranked last in student achievement, student progress, closing the gaps and post-secondary readiness. They saw that Hispanics make up more than 60 percent of MISDs student population, and economically disadvantaged students make up 46 percent of the districts total student body. More than 50 percent of schools rate below average, according to GreatSchools.org, and the district that once ranked in the 55th percentile across the state, according to Education Resource Group, now ranks in the 11th percentile.

When I look where Midland is at -- once it has gotten over the shock and awe of where scores are -- the question is, can we work together? Coxon said.

Palmer said education is our issue, the communitys top priority, and that Midlanders (parents, teachers, support groups, businesses, etc.) will have to find a way to get engaged.

Rick Davis, president of the school board, said Midland ISD and the board are 100 percent behind the collective impact initiative and the creation of Educate Midland. He said that while objectives have not been set, he expects teachers and school district members will impact the process, especially in action groups.

So on Tuesday at the Chamber of Commerce event, the gauntlet was laid down and a community was introduced to collective impact. The ball, as Coxon stated, is now in the communitys court.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A surge of Texas foster kids with mental or emotional problems  potentially like the 17-year-old homeless runway accused in a killing that shook the University of Texas campus  could create a $40 million budget shortfall by the end of next year, a top official said Wednesday.

Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner John Specia detailed the would-be spending woes at a much-watched Texas Senate health committee hearing. But top Republicans suggested the answer may be spending existing funding more efficiently, rather than pumping in new money.

"We have too many preventable child fatalities," Specia said. "Every failure hurts and must be scrutinized so we can learn."

Foster care in Texas has become a hot topic amid an increasing number of children entering the system and a rise in youngster deaths and cases of abuse and neglect.

In December, a federal judge ruled that the state's foster care system is so broken that it often leaves children in long-term care worse than when they entered. Two experts known as "special masters" were appointed to make improvements as the state appeals that decision.

The hearing also came amid the case of Meechaiel Criner, who has been charged with murder in the slaying of Haruka Weiser, a University of Texas dance student from Oregon whose body was found in a creek on the school's Austin campus on April 5. Criner was removed from his mother's house at age 2 after he and his siblings were left alone in a home with no running water. Since then, he's been placed with relatives and in foster care.

Criner's name came up briefly during Wednesday's hearing, but Specia, who is stepping down next month, declined to comment beyond saying he's not sure the media "got it all right" when reporting on Criner's medical history.

Criner's uncle said his nephew was bullied throughout his childhood and has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old. Criner's attorney, Ariel Payan, said the defense is still investigating any possible mental conditions.

"He's very young," Payan said. "He's confused about what's going on."

Texas has around 30,000 children in state care, though about 40 percent of those are in "kinship placements," which usually means living with relatives.

Committee Chairman Charles Schwertner said that while inroads into repairing "this beleaguered system" have been made, "obviously a great deal still remains to be done."

Specia said more foster care children are becoming harder to find permanent homes for because they have serious medical conditions or demonstrate mental, behavioral or emotional problems. He said the ranks of such youngsters grew to nearly 7 percent of all children in state care last year.

That has forced Texas to sign costly, short-term care agreements with psychiatric hospitals. Specia said those expenditures and other foster care costs  as well as providing day care services to keep other children out of foster care  had created a $20 million budget shortfall that could double by the end of the 2016-2017 budget cycle.

Amid some pushback from Republican senators, Specia noted that the GOP-controlled Legislature has added hundreds of millions of dollars to his agency in recent years. But he said that much of it went to hiring more case workers, who often quit because of overwhelming caseloads.

Sen. Charles Perry said it was funding for case workers, not agency coffers, that mattered: "We've got plenty of money in the system but a lot of that money stays in Austin."

"A lot of it stays with hypothetical and ivory tower ideas about what might be a better program," said Perry, a Lubbock Republican. "I don't think we need more ideas."
A Midland Police Department officer has resigned after being arrested last week in Odessa, according to a press release from the city.

Rudy Robles, 23, resigned Tuesday afternoon during the early stages of an internal investigation into the incident that led to his arrest, according to the release.

OPD officers were called to an apartment complex in Odessa in reference to a disturbance, according to the arrest affidavit. A woman stated that she was assaulted by Robles, according to the affidavit.

Robles allegedly started drinking alcoholic beverages on the evening of April 10 and had continued to drink throughout the night, according to the affidavit. The woman and Robles got into a verbal argument about how much alcohol he was consuming and she started to pour out the alcohol, according to the affidavit.

Robles then grabbed her right arm and wrist and began to pull her, according to the affidavit. She told him to let her go, but he would not, according to the affidavit.

Robles had been a member of MPD for three years at the time of his resignation.

The criminal case regarding Robles assault charge remains in Odessa Municipal Courts jurisdiction, according to the release.
Two Wolves Remain on Isle Royale

Only two wolves likely remain on Isle Royale; the population crashed because of inbreeding.

Having survived another year, it is likely that only two wolves remain on Isle Royale. A researcher from Michigan Technological University surveyed the island this winter, part of the longest running predator-prey study in the world. The sudden population drop has led the Isle Royale National Park to look into intervention strategies for one of its most iconic species.

The studys report marks the projects 58th year of monitoring wolves and moose in Isle Royale. In recent years, wolves had been on the decline and moose on the rise. Those patterns persisted through this past winters observations. In particular, the island probably has two wolves left and the moose herd is estimated to be 1,300 and likely increasing.

With these ecosystem dynamics at play, the island's wilderness could be significantly impacted, says Rolf Peterson, a research professor at Michigan Tech and report co-author. More moose means more vegetation is eaten, as documented in population increases like those seen in the early 1990s. Predation is the natural check on moose, keeping them from damaging forest vegetation, explains John Vucetich, a professor of ecology at Michigan Tech and report co-author. But with the packs greatly diminished that balance no longer holds sway.

Wolf Genetics

The population crash on Isle Royale is the result of inbreeding. At one point, genetic rescue might have made a differenceas it did when the wolf known as "Old Gray Guy" crossed an ice bridge to the island. That opportunity has now passed. It is a common thought that genetic rescue might not be a good idea because the wolves possess too many deleterious genes.

"But that represents a misunderstanding of the underlying genetic processes," Peterson says. "The surviving wolves may or may not have any more deleterious genes than you or I, but when combined with a family member's genes, recessive genes can be expressed."

The two remaining wolves are definitely family. They are half-siblingsand also a father-daughter pair.

Geneticists measure the severity of incestuous relationships with inbreeding coefficients, falling on a scale between 0 and 1. Cousins mating results in offspring with a 0.125 inbreeding coefficient; mating with a parent, brother or sister result in offspring with a 0.25 figure. Any offspring produced by the last two Isle Royale wolves would have an expected inbreeding coefficient between 0.311 and 0.565.

Phil Hedrick from Arizona State University is the geneticist who calculated those figures. He says it is rare for a population to reach such high inbreeding coefficients, though high inbreeding has been measured in other groups, like cheetahs and Mexican wolves. Those populations are also widely recognized to be in dire straits.

"In those instances, inbreeding has accumulated over a longer period of time, not very quickly as in the Isle Royale wolves, just over three generations," Hedrick explains, adding that mating between close relatives accelerates the rate of inbreeding. The effects are visible with the pup observed on the island in 2015, which had an inbreeding coefficient of 0.438.

In 2015, there were three wolvesone of them likely died in the past year. The other two wolves are unlikely to have successfully reproduced in the past year. Moreover, Peterson observed the tracks of what appear to have been two wolves in February. It is plausible that the population is now comprised of just those two wolves who will be six and eight years old this spring. For context, the life expectancy of wolves on Isle Royale has been about four years of age.

Due to the state of the wolves on Isle Royale, the National Park Service wrote in a release in March, "At this time, natural recovery of the [wolf] population is unlikely."

More Moose

This year, Peterson was only able to count moose on three-quarters of the plots that are usually counted. The limited effort was attributable to administrative constraints. That effort also resulted in an estimated 1,300 moose, up four percent from last year, and two observations suggest that 1,300 is likely an underestimate. First, of the moose observed 22 percent were calves. That's the second highest ever recorded. Second, predation rate was extremely low. The abundance of calves and predation rate have each been useful predictors of increase in moose abundance.

"Last year, there was every reason to believe wolves were destined for extinction and moose are destined to grow rapidly in the near future, likely to the point of damaging the forest," Vucetich says. "This year, we did not observe anything to make us think that circumstance has changed."

While it is too late to genetically rescue the current wolf population, some argue that wolf reintroduction could limit possible ecological damage. But Peterson warns that waiting too long could lead to damage than cannot be undone  a kind of Humpty-Dumpty problem. However, an alternative perspective is that it would be best to simply not intervene.

Public Comments: Sociological Data

Research by Michael Nelson of Oregon State University, shows overwhelming support for having wolves on Isle Royale, even if that involves intervention.

According to Nelsons analysis, the public comments solicited by the National Park Service reveal that 86 percent agree that wolves should be present on Isle Royaleeven if that means intervening on their behalf. Half of those commenters cited maintaining ecosystem health as a key reason.

"We were interested in what policy was preferred by the interested public, but we were even more interested in how they reasoned their way to their preferred policy," Nelson says, "We're trying to understand the moral reasoning behind those preferences."

Of the 12 percent who opposed intervention, many appealed to the ideology of wilderness. The underpinning views are that a healthy ecosystem should not need human intervention and maintaining naturalnesswith no human meddlingmeans standing aside, even if that means another National Park without top carnivores.

Read more about Vucetich and Peterson's perspective on wolf reintroduction at www.mtu.edu/unscripted.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
Everyone is getting VERY excited for the return of Game Of Thrones this Sunday night on HBO. Filming may be done and dusted for season six, but that does not mean the sets for across the realm lay silent. Anyone can go see Kings Landing in Dubrovnik, Croatia (seriously go) and now the city where Khaleesi, Queen of Dragons, rules over Astapor and Yunkai is being used for a music festival this fall. The city of Essaouira, Morocco, known for its strong fortifications and views of the ocean, will host the MOGA Festival this coming October.

MOGA is a brand new electronic music festival that hopes to bring together talented DJs from across Africa in addition to some international names.

Morocco has become a spot for a small, but growing festival market in an otherwise turbulent region of the world near hotspots like Libya. Last year another festival debuted, Oasis, with some strong buzz. It boasted a lineup that included the likes of Dixon, Dusky, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Derrick May, The Black Madonna and others.

This isn't the first festival in the area situated on the set of a major movie or TV set. In Tunisia, there is Les Dunes Electronique just outside of Nefta, which takes place on the grounds of the Star Wars set for Tatooine.

MOGA will take place this fall over three days from Oct. 14-16. No names have been announced yet, but there is one DJ that HAS to be on the lineup, Kristain Nairn, better known as the one word wrecking ball DJ Hodor.

 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
We need to calm down after hearing this news about the collaboration! Just hours before the release of Taylor Swift's Midnights, the pop star gave a first look at the music videos for her highly anticipated 10th studio album. In a teaser
Someone should sue the President for ...
California State Capitol View Photos

Sacramento, CA  After filing taxes many may welcome some relief and a Northern California State Senator offers some possible tax cuts.

Calling California taxpayers over-taxed and over-burdened, District 1 Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) announced legislation that could provide some financial relief. He contends, Weve got an out-of-control state government that thinks higher spending is the answer to every problem and Sacramento is always hungry for more taxpayer dollars. But enough is enough. If the state can waste tens of billions of dollars on pie-in-the-sky projects like High Speed Rail its a sure sign that it has more money than it knows what to do with and that its time to cut taxes.

Gaines provides a breakdown of the four bills he has introduced to alleviate some of the tax burden on residents:

Dependent Tax Credit (Senate Bill 874): Increases the take home pay of working families by increasing the yearly dependent tax credit to $422 per dependent, from $337.

Increases the take home pay of working families by increasing the yearly dependent tax credit to $422 per dependent, from $337. Hunting Equipment No Tax Weekend (Senate Bill 890): Exempts hunting equipment from sales and use tax during two weekends a year  a weekend preceding the beginning of deer season and a weekend preceding the beginning of waterfowl season.

Exempts hunting equipment from sales and use tax during two weekends a year  a weekend preceding the beginning of deer season and a weekend preceding the beginning of waterfowl season. Standard Deduction (Senate Bill 891): Raises the standard deduction amounts for Personal Income Tax by 25-percent for the 2016 tax year. After that one-time increase, the standard deduction would continue to be indexed for inflation, per current law.

Raises the standard deduction amounts for Personal Income Tax by 25-percent for the 2016 tax year. After that one-time increase, the standard deduction would continue to be indexed for inflation, per current law. Tax-Free Weekend (Senate Bill 1210): Exempts school supplies such as backpacks, clothing, shoes, computers and educational software from state sales and use tax during a weekend preceding the start of school.

Gaines reports that about $250 billion is collected each year in state and local governments taxes that equals about $6,000-plus per Californian. He also notes that Californias sales tax is the highest in the nation, gas taxes rank in the top five, business tax climate is the third-worst and the states personal income tax rate among the highest in the country.
Sacramento, CA  Legislation has passed a key Assembly committee test that would require a vote among Californians before breaking ground on Governor Jerry Browns proposed twin-tunnel water project.

The project is estimated to cost upwards of $15-billion and calls for the construction of two 35-mile and 40 ft. wide tunnels to help transport water in the state.

The project has been criticized by some leading environmental groups, arguing that it would negatively impact freshwater flows into the San Francisco Bay Delta, impacting the environment and salmon population.

The proponent of the new bill is Central Valley Democratic Assemblywoman Susan Eggman. She says, This bill rests on the simple premise that some projects have such statewide significance, and carry such as substantial price tag, that they warrant a statewide vote.

Eggmans bill also calls for an economic feasibility study to be completed before the project moves forward. It passed the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee on an 8-4 vote.
Hillary Clinton emerged from New York's presidential primary closer to clinching the Democratic nomination and becoming the first woman to reach that milestone. Republican Donald Trump strengthened his own path to the general election with a commanding victory, but has little room for error in the states ahead.



The front-runners now hope to replicate their strong showings in New York in the cluster of Northeastern states next up on the primary calendar. Clinton was scheduled to spend Wednesday campaigning in Pennsylvania, while Trump had a rally planned in Maryland, as well as Indiana.



GOP candidates have a chance to trigger a winner-take-all function for delegates in each other districts and at the statewide level if they get 50 percent of the vote

Democratic delegates divvied up proportionally



ELECTION 2016: Latest Headlines | Election timeline | Florida Decides Voting Guide



Following her win in New York, a jubilant Clinton made clear she was moving past her unexpectedly competitive primary battle with Bernie Sanders and setting her sights on the general election.



"The race for the nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sight," Clinton declared to cheering supporters. She mentioned Sanders only briefly as she appealed for support from his loyal backers, and saved her toughest talk for Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, deeming both "dangerous" for America.



The primary was not without controversy, however. New York City's comptroller is ordering an audit of the city's Board of Elections.



Trump, too, is eager to move past the Republican primaries. With at least 89 of New York's 95 delegates in hand, he insisted it was "impossible" for any of his rivals to catch him and warned party leaders against trying to take the nomination away from him at the convention.



Ohio Gov. John Kasich won at least three New York delegates; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was in danger of getting shut out. Neither has a mathematical chance of clinching the nomination before the Republican convention in July, though they hope to block Trump's path and overtake him at the GOP gathering.



Cruz panned Trump's win in New York as little more than "a politician winning his home state," then implored Republicans to unite around his candidacy.



"We must unite the Republican Party because doing so is the first step in uniting all Americans," Cruz said. A freshman senator who has clashed repeatedly with his own party, Cruz has generated only lukewarm support from GOP leaders who see him as the only option for stopping Trump.



Clinton's triumph padded her delegate lead, putting her 80 percent of the way toward clinching the Democratic nomination that eluded her eight years ago. Appealing to Sanders' loyal supporters, Clinton said, "There is more that unites us than divides us."



Exit polls suggested Democrats were ready to rally around whomever the party nominates. Nearly 7 in 10 Sanders supporters in New York said that they would definitely or probably vote for Clinton if she is the party's pick.



Sanders energized young people and liberals in New York, as he has across the country, but it wasn't enough to pull off the upset victory he desperately needed to change the trajectory of the Democratic race. Still, the Vermont senator vowed to keep competing.



"We've got a shot to victory," Sanders said in an interview with The Associated Press. However, his senior adviser, Tad Devine, said later that the campaign planned to "sit back and assess where we are" after a string of contests next week.



Of the 247 Democratic delegates at stake in New York, Clinton picked up at least 135 while Sanders gained at least 104.



Trump needed a strong showing in New York to keep alive his chances of sewing up the GOP nomination before the party's July convention - and to quiet critics who say the long primary season has exposed big deficiencies in his campaign effort.



Having spent months relying on a slim staff, Trump has started hiring more seasoned campaign veterans.



Cruz is trying to stay close enough in the delegate count to push the GOP race to a contested convention. His campaign feels confident that it's mastered the complicated process of lining up individual delegates who could shift their support to the Texas senator after a first round of convention balloting.



Kasich, the only other Republican left in the race, bested Cruz on Tuesday and is refusing to end his campaign despite winning only his home state.



Trump's political strength, though he boasts of drawing new members to the party, has left some Republicans concerned that his nomination could splinter the GOP. Among Republican voters in New York, nearly 6 in 10 said the nominating contest is dividing the party, according to exit polls.



Still, about 7 in 10 New York Republicans said the candidate with the most votes in primary contests should be the Republican presidential nominee



The surveys were conducted by Edison Research for The Associated Press and television networks.



Trump now leads the GOP race with 845 delegates, ahead of Cruz with 559 and Kasich with 147. Securing the GOP nomination requires 1,237.



Among Democrats, Clinton now has 1,893 delegates to Sanders' 1,180. Those totals include both pledged delegates from primaries and caucuses and superdelegates, the party insiders who can back the candidate of their choice regardless of how their state votes. It takes 2,383 to win the Democratic nomination.
TEMPLE - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Tuesday that USDA is soliciting applications for grants to establish broadband in unserved rural communities through its Community Connect program. Community Connect is administered by USDAs Rural Utilities Service and helps to fund broadband deployment into rural communities where it is not economically viable for private sector providers to provide service.

Through Community Connect and our other telecommunications programs, USDA helps to ensure that rural residents have access to broadband to run businesses, get the most from their education and benefit from the infinite services that fast, reliable broadband provides, Vilsack said. USDA is committed to supporting Americas rural communities through targeted investments in our bioeconomy and renewable energy, local and regional food systems, conservation initiatives and rural development.
A grandmother who has spent more than two years in prison on convictions of murder and engaging in organized criminal activity soon will be freed, her attorney said Monday.

Dorothy Bingham, 59, of Jacksonville should be released within the next two weeks, after a Tyler appeals court sends the mandate, said Bingham's attorney David Schulman of Austin. The State Court of Criminal Appeals last month declined prosecutors' request to rehear Bingham's appeal, court officials said.

"I thought we had a pretty strong case because basically she was convicted on innuendoes and speculation," Schulman said in Sunday's Jacksonville Daily Progress.

Bingham's granddaughter, Patricia Sexton, was found guilty of her husband's murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1999, but Schulman said it was "quite a leap of faith on the jury's part to think Dorothy had anything to do with it."

Bingham, who is being held at the Mountain View unit in Gatesville, was convicted in Bobby Sexton's murder and engaging in organized criminal activity in May 2000. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison for each charge. She was acquitted of the charges in August.

According to court records, Patricia Sexton in 1998 talked her lover, Michael Fielding, into shooting Bobby Sexton, allegedly for his Social Security benefits, and then reported him as a missing person.

Sexton's body was found more than a month later in Anderson County.

Prosecutors' case against Bingham included testimony that she was present when Fielding agreed to kill Sexton, that she gave Fielding a box of rubber gloves to be used in the murder and discussed Sexton's death benefits with her granddaughter after the murder.

Bingham's trial lawyer, Jacksonville attorney Hogan Stripling, has said he blamed Bingham's conviction on "all the publicity surrounding the event."

Fielding, who plea bargained for 35 years in prison, testified to shooting Sexton in the chest at close range with a shotgun and said an accomplice helped dispose of the body near the Neches River.
HART -- Elodia Rodriguez, Hart ISD school board president, has resigned her position, according to Interim Superintendent Les Miller. Miller told the school board of the resignation at its April 11 meeting and the options available to fill the vacancy.

The board has 180 days to fill the vacancy. This can be done by appointment until the next board member election in May 2017, or a special election may be called. Presiding over the meeting was Vice President Angelica Ramirez.

Rodriguez and her husband Danny have moved to San Antonio. The longtime Hart residents, both of whom graduated from Hart High School, were active in community affairs. Danny had served as board president, and Elodias selection as board president marked the first husband-wife school board presidents for Hart ISD.

Danny Rodriguez also has verbally resigned from the Hart City Council and Hart Economic Development Corporation.

In other action, the board accepted the resignation of Erin Sprague, elementary teacher from Amarillo. Miller reported enrollment figures of 251, which is up 10 students from March 2015.

The board approved purchasing student accident and catastrophic insurance from Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company at an annual premium of $12,990. Also, the board approved the purchase of a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban for $39,315 from Caldwell Country in Caldwell through the Local Government Purchasing Cooperative (Buy Board). The older Suburban, a 2004 model, will be sold at a later date.

The Campus/District improvement Plan was approved, as was the 2016-17 contract with Interquest Detection Canines of Northwest Texas which calls for nine half-day visits to the school at a cost of $250 per visit.

The board also approved an agreement with West Texas Food Service Cooperative for the 2016-17 school year. The 2016-17 school calendar was approved; school will begin Aug. 22, 2016, and end May 26, 2017.

Board members present were Ramirez, Erasmo Mata, Raul Gonzalez, Vickie Chavez and Martha Gonzales; Steven Reyna was absent.

The board is continuing the process of interviewing superintendent applicants; Miller said 21 people have applied. The plan is to have a new superintendent in place by June 1.
MERIDEN  Police are investigating after a man stole $5,000 worth of tools from the construction site at 24 Colony St. two weeks ago.



In the late night hours of April 3, a man drove up to the gate to the site, cut the lock and entered, said police spokesman Sgt. Darrin McKay. The man went to the area where the power tools are kept in a locked box, cut the lock and removed tools. The man loaded the items into his truck and drove off.



Eddie Siebert, director of real estate services for the housing authority, said the theft was noticed by the first workers arriving at the site the following day.



A new residential and commercial building is under construction at 24 Colony St. The project is run jointly by the Meriden Housing Authority and Westmount Development Group of Branford.










MONTECRISTI, Ecuador  A fresh tremor rattled Ecuador before dawn Wednesday, a magnitude-6.1 magnitude jolt that set babies crying and adults pouring into the streets, fearful of yet more damage following a monster earthquake over the weekend.



It was the strongest aftershock yet following the magnitude-7.8 quake that killed more than 500 people.



The U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor was centered offshore, 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of the devastated beach town of Muisne, at 3:33 a.m. local time (4:33 EDT; 0833 GMT).



The new aftershock led some people in Portoviejo to abandon homes, even those with no apparent damage, and head through the night toward a former airport where temporary shelters have been set up.



Meanwhile, scenes of mourning multiplied all along Ecuadors normally placid Pacific coastline as people began burying loved ones and hope faded that more survivors will be found. Funeral homes were running out of caskets, and local governments were paying to bring in coffins from other cities.



In the small town of Montecristi, near the port of Manta, two children were among those buried Tuesday. They were killed with their mother while buying school supplies when the big quake struck.



The funeral had to be held outside under a makeshift awning, because the towns Roman Catholic church was damaged and unsafe. Family members wailed loudly and one man fainted as the children were laid to rest in an above-ground vault.



The National Prosecutors Office put the death toll at 525 on Wednesday  up from a previous official toll of 507  but officials expected more bodies to be found, with the Defense Department reporting Tuesday that more than 200 people were still missing.



The office said on its official Twitter account Wednesday that there were at least 11 foreigners among the dead. It said that of the 525 fatal victims, 15 people remained unidentified but none was foreign.



The office said 435 of the dead were found in the Manta, Portoviejo and Pedernales areas.



The final toll could surpass casualties from earthquakes in Chile and Peru in the past decade.



Yet even as grief mounted, there were glimmers of hope.



In several cities, rescuers with sniffer dogs, hydraulic jacks and special probes that can detect breathing from far away continued to search for survivors among the rubble. At least six were found in Manta early Tuesday.



One of the most hopeful tales was that of Pablo Cordova, who held out for 36 hours beneath the rubble of the hotel where he worked in Portoviejo, drinking his own urine and praying that cellphone service would be restored before his phone battery died. He was finally able to call his wife Monday afternoon and was pulled from the wreckage soon after by a team of rescuers from Colombia



Cordovas wife had given up on ever seeing him again and managed to buy a casket.



They were organizing the funeral, but Ive been reborn, Cordova said Tuesday, grinning from beneath his bushy mustache in a provincial hospital. I will have to give that coffin back because I still have a long way to go before I die.



Rescuers who have arrived from Mexico, Colombia, Spain and other nations said they would keep searching for survivors Wednesday, but cautioned that time was running out and the likelihood of finding more people alive grew smaller with the passage of every hour.



Even as authorities begin to shift their attention to restoring electricity and clearing debris, the earth continued to move. Local seismologists have recorded more than 400 aftershocks, some felt 105 miles (170 kilometers) away in the capital of Quito.



Saturdays earthquake destroyed or damaged about 1,500 buildings, triggered mudslides and left some 20,000 people homeless, the government said. It was the worst temblor in Ecuador since one in 1949 killed more than 5,000 people.



Some 13 nations are involved in the relief effort. Cuba, which suffered the deaths of three doctors in the quake itself, sent more health workers. Venezuela has flown in food and the U.S. government said Tuesday that it was sending a team of disaster experts as well $100,000 in assistance.



President Barack Obama spoke by phone with Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa on Tuesday. The White House said Obama offered condolences on behalf of the American people for lives lost.



Correa has spent the past days overseeing relief efforts and delivering supplies. He said Tuesday the quake caused $3 billion in damage, about 3 percent of gross domestic product, and rebuilding would take years.



Its going to be a long battle, he told reporters.



After a deadly earthquake in Chile in 2010, that South American country was able to get back on its feet quickly thanks to a commodities boom that was energizing its economy. But Ecuador must rebuild amid a deep recession that has forced austerity on the OPEC nations finances. Even before the quake, the International Monetary Fund was forecasting the oil-dependent economy would shrink 4.5 percent this year.







Joshua Goodman in Bogota, Colombia, Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador and Ciaran Giles in Madrid, contributed to this report.






Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows. Both Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, whos going after the Democratic nomination from the far left, have been drawing large crowds and loud ovations by promising to bring back millions of U.S. jobs that have been lost to China, Mexico and other foreign competitors.



Trump wants to slap 45 percent tariffs on all imports from China and 35 percent on many goods from Mexico. Sanders rails against NAFTA, TPP and other international trade deals that he says have been a disaster for the American worker.



And yet, neither of them seems to ask the typical American what he or she thinks of these matters. Do U.S. consumers share the views of Trump and Sanders, even if that means they will pay a lot more whenever they go shopping?



Not really. An Associated Press-GfK poll reveals that the vast majority of Americans say they prefer lower prices instead of paying a premium for items labeled Made in the U.S.A.



The fact is, those foreign countries so frequently targeted by Trump, and the corporations often execrated by Sanders, are bringing American consumers something they cant get any other way: Very low prices  prices so low that they substantially raise the buying power of millions of Americans, prices so low that people fly here from Europe just to shop.



Theres another side to this coin, of course: Weve been exporting higher-paying manufacturing jobs overseas and importing cheap consumer goods, while those holding the lower-paying retail jobs that have proliferated are less able to afford Made in the U.S.A. merchandise. For Trump and Sanders, layoffs and shuttered factories have erased the benefits from reduced consumer prices.



What isnt clear is how to get out of this cycle of low wages and low prices, but it seems unlikely that Trumps plan to erect trade barriers will do the trick. China and Mexico and other countries would simply retaliate, and then wed be in a full-fledged trade war with the lower-cost producers of the world.



We export 300,000 cars a year to China, and GM now produces more Buicks over there than here at home. The auto industry, in particular, is so comprehensively integrated that many foreign cars are assembled here, while many American cars contain components made in Mexico or China. What will happen to that trade, and those complicated relationships, if Trump starts a trade war or if Sanders punishes U.S. companies that do business overseas?



The crowds always cheer when Trump or Sanders or another candidate talks about bringing back jobs to America, but no one is admitting that creating more better-paying jobs at home will mean that the Made in the U.S.A. goods those workers produce will cost more.



We dont claim to have an answer to an economic state of affairs that took many decades to develop. This is merely to point out that the present situation is far more complicated than some of the presidential candidates are letting on. And that there are no simple solutions, no matter what the politicians say.






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Grocery store chain Whole Foods is counter-suing an openly gay pastor in Austin who accused the store of putting an anti-gay slur on a cake he ordered last week.

RELATED: Whole Foods to stop selling products made by inmates

Pastor Jordan Brown  a founder of the Church of Open Doors  sued the Austin-based chain Monday after he claimed the store put the slur on a cake he picked up from the downtown Austin store on April 14.

Brown had initially asked for the words "love wins" to be written in icing on the cake, the pastor said in a video uploaded to YouTube, but said that he did not notice that a baker at the store had allegedly added the slur through the clear packaging before paying for the dessert.

RELATED: Whole Foods versus H-E-B: A price comparison of popular grocery store items

Whole Foods pushed back against Brown on Tuesday, promising legal action against the pastor and releasing security footage they say contradicts his claims.

"After a deeper investigation of Mr. Brown's claim, we believe his accusations are fraudulent and we intend to take legal action against both Mr. Brown and his attorney," the chain said Tuesday.

The grocery chain claims the bakery employee wrote "love wins" on the cake and that the message was visible through the clear portion of the cake's packaging.

"That's exactly how the cake was packaged and sold at the store," the company said. "Whole Foods Market has a strict policy that prohibits team members from accepting or designing bakery orders that include language or images that are offensive."

RELATED: H-E-B bows to pressure to sell only cage-free eggs by 2025

In his video, Brown says he did not open the cake box and showed a sealed label at the bottom and side of the box.

However, security footage from the store shows that label on top of the box as Brown purchases the cake, the chain said Tuesday.

"We stand behind our bakery team member, who is part of the LGBTQ community, and we appreciate the team members and shoppers who recognize that this claim is completely false and directly contradicts Whole Foods Market's inclusive culture, which celebrates diversity," the store said.

jfechter@mySA.com

Twitter: @JFreports
Image source: Apple.

As a result of earthquakes in Japan, analyst Jasmine Lu with Morgan Stanley (via Barron's) says that Sony's production plants were offline as of Sunday. As many readers likely know, Sony provides the CMOS image sensors to Apple for its iPhone.

According to Lu, in the event that Sony's production equipment has been damaged, "the possibility of a lengthy outage must be considered, given the nearly five-month lead time for CMOS lines."

What's the word from Sony?

A Sony spokesperson told Reuters that it is "not expecting any immediate supply disruption" since the company has "some inventories right now." The spokesperson also promised that Sony would "make an announcement promptly if any supply issues emerge."

This isn't a whole lot to go on, but concerned investors should keep a close eye for any press releases from Sony regarding any issues with supply.

What could this mean for Apple?

Apple is expected to launch new iPhones in September of this year. If Lu is correct about the lead times for CMOS image sensor production, then this means that Sony needs to be in volume production for the sensors that Apple will use in the new iPhones now.

Additionally, per Lu, the yield rates on the new camera modules has apparently been "low." This is unsurprising given that the new sensors are likely to be significantly more advanced than the ones found in the current iPhone products.

The modules themselves are also going to need to be quite thin if Apple intends to both dramatically slim the bodies of the next iPhones while possibly eliminating the "camera bump" that has been present since the iPhone 6 series.

Apple will almost certainly need to launch its next-generation iPhone in September of this year; the iPhone 6s series of phones are getting stale and in order to get potential customers excited, the iDevice maker needs to introduce next-generation phones.

I don't see this as a potential showstopper for Apple. Apple is a very important customer to Sony, and I am sure that Apple will provide Sony with whatever financial incentive necessary to ensure that as Sony's factories come back online, Apple gets "first dibs" on wafer allocation.

This might lead to initial supply tightness for the iPhone 7, but as long as customers are able to place (pre) orders for the new iPhones, the risk of Apple losing business to, say, a competitor, are probably quite low.

How can Apple defend against such issues in the future?

Apple relies solely on Sony for its rear-facing camera sensors, so significant disruptions to Sony's production capability are clearly something that Apple should worry about.

Going forward, I wonder if Apple may be able to strike a deal with Sony to have the latter build CMOS sensor manufacturing plants in other potentially less earthquake-prone regions. Apple could also aim to bring image sensor design completely in-house, with the aim of being able to manufacture the design at multiple companies in different regions.

3 companies poised to explode when cable dies

Cable is dying. And there are 3 stocks that are poised to explode when this faltering $2.2 trillion industry finally bites the dust. Just like newspaper publishers, telephone utilities, stockbrokers, record companies, bookstores, travel agencies, and big box retailers did when the Internet swept away their business models. And when cable falters, you don't want to miss out on these 3 companies that are positioned to benefit. Click here for their names. Hint: They're not the ones you'd think!

The article Here's Why the Apple Inc. iPhone 7 Could Face a Delay originally appeared on Fool.com.

Copyright  1995 - 2016 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
A San Antonio family nurse practitioners prescribing practices have drawn the scrutiny of the Texas Board of Nursing.

Keith A. Wichinski, who co-founded and works at Nurse Practitioner Associates at 311 W. Laurel St., has been accused by the state agency of engaging in nontherapeutic prescribing practices. A formal administrative charge filed by the Texas Board of Nursing in January accuses Wichinski of issuing 8,798 prescriptions for controlled substances to patients in an 18-month period spanning from Dec. 2, 2013 through June 7, 2015.

Those prescriptions included dangerous drug cocktails of central nervous system depressants, according to the administrative charge lodged by the state nursing board. Those cocktails or drug combinations include, but are not limited to, the painkiller hydrocodone, the muscle relaxer Soma and the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam, which is a generic form of Xanax, the charging document claims.

Wichinski, 44, declined to comment on the allegations and referred questions to his attorney, Dan Lype in Austin. Lype said Wichinski denies the allegations. The attorney said he expects the case will ultimately be dismissed.

Theyre just allegations. Nothing has been proven or shown at this point. Theres not been any kind of hearing at this point, either, Lype said.

Wichinski has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing. He still has active state licenses allowing him to work as an advanced practice registered nurse and as a registered nurse, the state nursing board confirmed. He is still able to prescribe medications. Wichinski is continuing to see patients, Lype said.

If the administrative case is not resolved or settled, Wichinski will eventually get a formal hearing in Austin before an administrative law judge. That judge may recommend what action, if any, should be taken. But the final decision rests with the Texas Board of Nursing.

Disciplinary actions taken by the state board can range from remedial education up to suspension or revocation of a nursing license.

To read more details about the case, visit ExpressNews.com or see todays Business section.

pohare@express-news.net
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Whether you stream, buy or rent, heres a look at whats new or notable in home video. Movies are available on streaming sites such as iTunes, Amazon and Vudu unless otherwise noted.

The Invitation: The dinner party at the home of his ex-wife and her new husband was always going to be awkward for Will and his girlfriend. It becomes even more unbearable when it starts to look like the ex and her hubby have gone and joined a cult. Director Karyn Kusama is getting her best reviews since Girlfight for this nerve-wracking domestic horror film.

Rent it now

Fifty Shades of Black: A running joke in this Fifty Shades of Grey spoof  that Christian is actually really bad in bed  has the power to undermine the whole shady enterprise. Its blunted, though, by a barrage of Airplane!-style gags  mostly duds  including some genital humor recycled from star Marlon Wayans Scary Movie.

The Forest: The best recent horror movies  The Babadook, Goodnight Mommy, It Follows  have stuck close to home. In The Forest, Natalie Dormer catches a plane to Japan to search for her sister, who has gone camping in the suicide forest. Thats a long way to travel for some generic scares involving creepy dead people, though Game of Thrones fans may want to follow Dormer for a while on her spooky journey.

Also: The Lady in the Van, The Revenant

Reissue

Bride of Re-Animator: The sequel to the madly funny cult horror flick Re-Animator begins eight months after the Miskatonic Massacre. Having survived that bloodbath, Dr. West probably shouldnt still be tinkering with the neon green serum that brings dead flesh back to life. West is crazy, though, and he likes doodling with body parts, so horror fans can enjoy a dog that shakes hands with its real human hand and a batman whos basically a reanimated head with bat wings. (Arrow Video Blu-ray, $39.95)

NOTE: The original Re-Animator is streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Television

Veep: The Complete Fourth Season: There are ups and downs early in President Meyers administration. She surpasses William Henry Harrisons 32 days in office (theres cake), but her daughter is polling poorly with the American public. Mostly, though, theres confusion, which members of the administration try to paper over with all that West Wing-style fast talking, wonky jargon and creative swearing. Thank goodness nothing like this could happen in real life.

In focus

Ip Man 3: The key moment in this final installment of the biopic of wing chun master Ip Man (Donnie Yen) isnt the melee at the shipyard, the brutal battle inside the elevator or even the brawl with Mike Tyson. Its when the humble, dignified Ip Man skips a showdown with an ambitious rival to attend a dance class with his ailing wife. The message: Family is more important than fame. The fight eventually happens, though, and  choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping  its a doozy.
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Despite cancellations of earlier Fiesta events, A Night in Old San Antonio, one of the oldest fundraisers, kicked off Tuesday without incident.

There were cascarones, confetti and long lines to purchase various types of food sold on sticks.

NIOSA HAPPENS RAIN OR SHINE! the official NIOSA Twitter account declared over the weekend, when rains canceled some events. Just an update Volunteers are hard at work staging.

Many San Antonians flocked to La Villita for the first night of NIOSA donning their best Fiesta garb including confetti-stained shoulders, puebla dresses and flower crowns.

One woman, Jan Cohen, said she has volunteered selling cascarones for the fundraiser benefiting the San Antonio Conservation Society for close to seven years in a booth thats been around even longer.

Ive participated in this booth for six years for a woman who has had this booth in her family for over 30 years, Cohen said.

While she believes the funds raised support a worthy cause, the reason she participates goes well beyond the mission of service.

What keeps me coming back is the people that I do it with, Cohen said. I do it with a group of my sorority sisters and we come back every year and do it together and its just a lot of fun.

While Cohen and her clan sold three cascarones for $1, other NIOSA revelers took to the sangria, fajitas and corn on the cob.

The areas surrounding La Villita are likely to remain packed until the festivals final day, Friday, as local people and visitors take part in whats billed as the largest historic preservation festival in the nation.

Admission costs $15 at the gate, and children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Bar 1919 has been named one of the best bars in the country for whiskey lovers.

The article, in USA Today's travel section, lists 14 bars around the country with special appeal to whiskey lovers.
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A version of calm has come after the storm.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced on Wednesday that school districts that canceled classes due to flooding will not have to make up two of the days. Those that missed more time can work with the Texas Education Agency on other options, such as adding extra minutes onto days or turning a teacher work day into a regular school day.

Some of the area's largest districts, including Cypress-Fairbanks and Katy, plan to be closed the rest of the week, keeping nearly 200,000 students out of class for five straight days. Klein ISD will be closed Thursday as well.

RELATED: HISD reopens, but several others stay closed for a 3rd day

More for you NWS predicts isolated strong, severe storms possibly on Monday

State education officials had maintained since the downpour Monday that districts would have to make up two days under state law. However, Morath decided to use his power to grant special waivers after Gov. Greg Abbott's disaster declaration for Austin, Fort Bend, Colorado, Grimes, Harris, Montgomery, Waller and Wharton counties.

"I commend school system leaders for their swift response to ensure the safety of students, teachers and campus staff," Morath said in a statement.

The flooding continued to be so bad in the Cypress-Fairbanks school district on Wednesday that officials had not be able to reach all of its 87 campuses to assess the damage. Superintendent Mark Henry said in an online posting that hundreds of residents had been displaced by floodwaters, and that that the threat to homes was growing as the Cypress Creek and Addicks Reservoir levels rise from the storm-water runoff.

"Again," Henry said, "school closure is not a decision I take lightly, but it is currently the best option for all our students and staff as we support those who have lost everything and ensure all buildings are safe for school.

UPDATED LIST: Which roads are still flooded

A spokeswoman for Katy ISD said the district's 60 campuses were in good shape, but the district was shutting down for the week because the flooding was still causing "infrastructure, mobility and transportation issues for school busses and a significant number of families and staff."

Waller County's Royal ISD, which serves about 2,300 students and lost a junior high teacher in the storm, also is closed through Friday.
One of three men charged with capital murder in the 2015 shooting death of a man outside a Northeast Side Whataburger was sentenced Tuesday to 45 years in prison on a reduced charge of murder.

Shawn Samuel Dillard, 20, who pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, will have to serve at least 22 years before he is eligible for parole under the sentence handed down by state District Judge Melisa Skinner.
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SAN ANTONIO  A 21-year-old woman was seriously injured in a rollover crash on the Northeast Side Wednesday morning.

Police said the woman, identified as Kelsey Ward, was driving in the 4500 block of North Loop 1604 East at a high rate of speed around 2 a.m. when she lost control while taking the exit to O'Connor Road, struck a guard rail and flipped into a concrete embankment.

RELATED: Motorcyclist injured in North Side hit-and-run

San Antonio Fire Department crews had to cut the victim out of the car before transporting her to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.

More for you NWS predicts isolated strong, severe storms possibly on Monday

Investigators are still looking into the exact cause of the crash, but do not believe that alcohol was a factor.

Text "NEWS" to 72727 to sign up for breaking news from mySA

mdwilson@express-news.net

Twitter: @MDWilsonSA
San Antonians planning to take the bus to some of the most popular Fiesta events might be able to travel some of the way for free.

VIA Metropolitan Transit and Uber have partnered to offer first-time Uber users free rides to and from certain park-and-ride locations. The offer, which covers rides up to $20, is valid Thursday-Saturday.
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North Texas police are searching for a man dressed in what appears to be police tactical gear in connection to the killing of a 45-year-old fitness trainer who was found dead at a church Monday.

RELATED: Report: Video shows suspect pull out 'shiny rigid object,' follow Haruka Weiser on UT campus

Terri Leann Bevers, 45, was found unresponsive at about 5 a.m. Monday at the Creekside Church of Christ in Midlothian, the Midlothian Police Department said in a news release.

Officers noted lots of broken glass on the floor around Bevers, police said in the release.

Bevers, a boot camp instructor for a class called "Camp Gladiator" scheduled to start at 5 a.m., had entered the building carrying equipment for the class which was moving inside because of inclement weather.

RELATED: Texas mother found dead in SUV with 3 children was raised in San Antonio

Security footage uploaded to YouTube by the police department shows the suspect wearing a jacket with the word "police" on the front and back, a tactical helmet, gloves and other protective gear.

Police said the suspect used force to enter rooms within the church but it's unclear whether the suspect took anything.

More for you NWS predicts isolated strong, severe storms possibly on Monday

The footage captures the suspect prior to Bevers entering the building, police said.

RELATED: 17-year-old accused of killing University of Texas student claimed he was beaten in foster care

Investigators are determining whether Bevers was targeted or interrupted a burglary in progress among other scenarios, Midlothian Police Chief Carl Smith told The Dallas Morning News.

Oak Farms Dairy is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspect in Bevers' death.

The dairy said the reward will remain active for six months.

jfechter@mySA.com

Twitter: @JFreports
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SAN ANTONIO --- One man is dead after San Antonio Police say he was shot by an auto dealer who chased him down after he allegedly used a fraudulent check to buy a car.

Munir Ayyoub Ammari, 57, faces a murder charge after he shot the 35-year-old victim at about 5:50 p.m. in the parking lot of a Jack in the Box near the intersection of Loop 410 and Ingram Road, according to police.

The name of the man who was fatally shot has not been released because authorities have been unable to inform his family of his death as of Wednesday night.

RELATED: Sources name SAPD officer found dead in patrol car in apparent suicide

Police spokesman Officer Douglas Greene said Ammari, who owns a dealership at Loop 410 and Evers Road, found out the victim purchased a vehicle with a bad check. As he was calling police about the purchase, Ammari and his son spotted the victim driving past the dealership, investigators said.

The two jumped into a car and followed the victim to Loop 410 and Bandera Road where they began arguing, Greene said.

The victim tried to drive away, but was followed to Loop 410 and Ingram where he was forced into the driveway of the restaurant, police said.

Ammari shot the victim in the upper torso, Greene said. The sedan continued through the lot, stopping just short of hitting the restaurant, investigators said.

Nearby officers were flagged down by witnesses and quickly took the Ammari into custody, Greene said. The son was not charged in the incident.

According to county records, Ammari is listed as the owner of Auto Price Busters, a used car dealership at 5603 Kenwick St.

Jbeltran@express-news.net

Twitter: @JBfromSA
Two South Texas women and a dozen men have drawn prostitution charges after officers busted them during a two-day sting last week, police announced Monday.

RELATED: Police: South Texas woman found boyfriend with another woman, high-speed chase and shooting ensued

Brunilda Vallejo, 57, and Michelle Lynn Johnson, 41, were arrested Wednesday and charged with prostitution  third or more, a state jail felony, the McAllen Police Department said in a news release.

Vallejo has been released from Hidalgo County on Monday on a $2,500 bond.

Johnson remains in jail on a $2,500 bond.

The two women could each face up to two years in prison if convicted on the felony charge.

RELATED: 17 arrested in South Texas prostitution sting

All 12 men, whose ages range from 21 to 66, were arrested Thursday and charged with Class B misdemeanor prostitution, facing a maximum 180-day jail sentence upon conviction.

Only one male suspect  Jose Alberto Estrada, a 35-year-old man of Alamo  arrested during the sting operation remained in jail Tuesday on a $2,000 bond.

The remaining 11 suspects have been released from Hidalgo County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

RELATED: Police: 3 South Texas volunteer firefighters wanted to fight fire, so they started one

Scroll through the slideshow to see booking photos for all 14 suspects from this sting  and mugshots from past stings in South Texas.

jfechter@mySA.com

Twitter: @JFreports
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A Central Texas high school teacher's aide who copped to performing oral sex on a 15-year-old female student while at a playground has admitted to twice having sex with a second student, according to new court documents.

RELATED: Woodlands softball coach found dead after being accused of sexual relationship with student

Tyler Reid Johnson  an educational assistant at McNeil High School in Round Rock  has been charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child and two counts of improper relationship between educator and student.

Both charges are second degree felonies punishable by a maximum 20-year prison sentence.

RELATED: Police: Wisconsin high school teacher had sex with student during fiance's bachelor party

The second student, now 15, told a Williamson County Sheriff's investigator that Johnson came to her house on or about Oct. 24, 2015 and had sex with her, according to arrest affidavits.

The child was 14 years old at the time of the incident, she told police on April 12.

Johnson, 20, had sex with the child a second time on or about Nov. 23, 2015, according to the affidavit.

The teacher confessed to having sex with the student several times a week from September 2015 to March 2016, the affidavit said.

RELATED: Utah high school teacher who had sex with 3 students says one of the boy's grades improved

Johnson had previously confessed to performing oral sex on another female student, 15, on April 9 while they were at the playground at Brushy Creek Elementary School.

State educator certification records show Johnson received his educational aide certification on Aug. 20, 2015.

Johnson is being held in Williamson County Jail on bonds totaling $300,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

jfechter@mySA.com

Twitter: @JFreports
Bexar County Sheriff's Office

SAN ANTONIO  A man suspected of opening fire on an off-duty San Antonio Police Department officer Tuesday night on the North Side has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to SAPD, Officer Crystal Torres was driving in her personal vehicle in full uniform in the 700 block of East Nakoma Drive around 10:15 p.m. when a man, identified by police as Jose Antonio Rivera, fired several rounds at her vehicle from his moving car.
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The fiery, fatal end to a 51-day siege on the Branch Davidian compound 14 miles east of Waco occurred 24 years ago.

On Feb. 28, 1993, federal authorities with the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) raided the Davidians compound for possession of illegal firearms, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

RELATED: The Branch Davidian siege, 20 years later

It began a firefight that resulted in the deaths of four ATF agents and six cult members, launching the long standoff between the two parties.

More for you NWS predicts isolated strong, severe storms possibly on Monday

On April 19, 1993, shortly after noon, the compound at Mount Carmel burst into flames in multiple locations.

RELATED: The ATF and the NRA: a shared history

The resulting blaze killed 80 people, with about 20 of them children, all them dead as a result of either the fire, a gunshot wound or knife wound. David Koresh was dead among the chaos.

Koreshs Branch Davidians were an apocalyptic sect that splintered off from roots in the Seventh-day Adventists church. Koresh made the claim that he was the physical embodiment of Christ.

RELATED: History shows that April is a month for disasters

Click through the slideshow to see a breakdown of the events that took place during the siege

twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite
A known Oklahoma City hooker has pleaded guilty to a public lewdness charge after being caught on drone camera footage with a man in a compromising position, according to media reports.

Amanda Zollicoffer, 27, was sentenced to one year in state prison, which will run concurrently with harsher punishments shes received from other felony arrests, according to the Smoking Gun.
Pat Sullivan /Associated Press

The temptation when natural disasters occur is to send clothing, food and water to those stricken.

As large swaths of Texas recover from recent massive flooding  with more woes possible with thunderstorms today  the Red Cross warns against the temptation.
WASHINGTON  The recent paper Out of Reach: Regressive Trends in Credit Card Access by two researchers at Harvards Kennedy School uses bad data and faulty logic to reach the wrong conclusion. The research in this paper would not only get students a failing grade at Harvard, but in their second-grade social studies class, said Lyle Beckwith, senior vice president of government relations at NACS, in a press release. NACS is a founding member of the Merchants Payments Coalition, a group of retailers fighting for a competitive and transparent market in the fees that banks charge retailers to process card transactions.

The authors are trying to play the American public for chumps, by blaming the rise in checking fees brought about by the financial crisis on debit swipe-fee reform that didnt start until 2011, Beckwith said.

Reforming the market for debit-card fees has been proved to save consumers billions of dollars and boosted the economy and jobs to the tune of nearly $6 billion per year in consumer savings and 37,000 jobs. This has been done simply by limiting Visa and MasterCards price-fixing of debit-card swipe fees.

According to experts such as Georgetown University law professor Adam J. Levitin, the claim put forward in this paper that debit reform raised bank fees on consumers is just plain wrong. It is based on faulty statistics the banks and their advocates cherry-picked to make their argument.

Using the American Bankers Associations own figures, Levitin has shown free checking actually increased after the debit reform brought by the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank financial reform law, from 53% of bank customers to 61%.

The paper uses data from a year that has no relevance to the debit reform being analyzed: the rate of free checking in 2009, which was two years before debit swipe fee reform took effect. It ignores what happened in 2009 through 2011, during which banks brought about a nationwide financial crisis and dramatically pulled back on free checking due to those market conditions. Basing their paper on those figures is nothing short of intellectually dishonest.

Even after the modest reform for the Durbin Amendment, banks still grab a 500% profit margin on processing debit-card transactions. So there must be another explanation for why fewer poor people have free checking accounts.

The real explanation isnt hard to find. Banks have been cutting less affluent, unprofitable customers for years, with the approval of stock analysts. Blaming debit reform would seem to be cover for something banks have been doing for a long time and will continue to do.
You cannot make this up. So much for that rule of law thingie. Hat tip Guido Fakwes via Richard Smith:

This was the argument used to justify giving Members of Parliament and their families a free pass from money laundering. Note that the Daily Mail clearly signals its skepticism in this story from January: Britains banks have been accused of hounding MPs children, parents, grandparents and even in-laws in a crackdown aimed at curbing fraud by corrupt African dictators. They have threatened to shut the bank accounts of MPs and their relatives  on suspicion of being linked to terrorism and international money laundering. And up to 150,000 people  those with any family link to all national and local politicians, civil servants, Army officers, City workers, financiers and diplomats  could have their money seized. That is the remarkable claim made by senior Conservative MP Charles Walker. He led a Commons debate last Thursday to demand action to stop heavy-handed British banks using new international anti-money laundering rules to threaten people who happen to be related to someone in public life Mr Walker said last night: It is ridiculously heavy-handed for banks to treat British MPs and their families in this aggressive way. They should be targeting crooked despots and dictators, not MPs grannies.

Ahem. I consider myself to lead a sheltered life. Even so, I know two people personally who were charged with securities fraud, and both used relatives to perpetrate it, one a cousin, the other a mother-in-law. To act as if its unreasonable to investigate relatives is barmy. As a normal retail customer, I find it remarkably cumbersome to transfer money overseas when I want to pay someone who writes for the site. If I were in the UK and in a similar position (needing to wire money abroad from time to time and made to go through all kinds of hoops to do so), Id be particularly upset at the double standard. Needless to say, the commentariat at Guido Fawkes is none too happy.

Osborne accepted the amendment to the Bank of England and Financial Services Bill.

Update 6:20 AM: Guido Fawkes is mixed as a source, but our Richard Smith vetted this story. In case you have any doubts re veracity, The Mirror now has an article up. Key section:
Antimatter helps to unveil the secrets of liquid crystals (Nanowerk News) The chaos typical of liquid molecules, and the ordering characteristics of crystals. There are states of matter connecting such contradictory features: liquid crystals. Thanks to an innovative application of antimatter, it has been demonstrated at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow that the structures formed by certain molecules of liquid crystals must in fact be different than previously thought (Physical Review E, "Positronium formation and annihilation in liquid crystalline smectic-E phase revisited").

Liquid crystals are found in many areas of technology, and in future, their use will likely grow, for example, as organic semiconductors. But to make this possible, we still need to conduct basic research using a variety of experimental techniques in order to reveal the structure of these compounds and their dynamics. To this end, new experiments have been conducted on the quenched smectic-E (Sm-E) phase of liquid crystals at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) in Krakow. Smectics of this type are composed of well-ordered particles separated into layers. Up until now it was thought that the distance between the individual layers of particles was very small. Research conducted by the Krakow physicists helped to verify the correctness of current models and precisely determine the crystal-like phase structure.

Liquid-crystal SMEs have a different structure than previously expected, as shown by measurements using antimatter particles conducted at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow. On the left is the current model of Sm-E, and on the right is the new model, with a distinct gap between the layers, large enough to be able to accommodate positronium. (Image: IFJ PAN) (click on image to enlarge)

"We have employed an interesting measurement technique rarely used in the case of liquid crystals. The method uses the specific characteristics of positrons, which are antimatter counterparts of ordinary electrons," explains Dr. Ewa Dryzek (IFJ PAN).

A positron as the antiparticle of an electron has a positive charge. When a positron meets an electron it may lead to annihilation, where the mass of both particles converts into electromagnetic radiation with a characteristic energy.

"In the world of ordinary matter, antimatter is produced by physical processes only in trace amounts. In the course of our measurements we used positrons created in radioactive decay of the isotope sodium 22," says Dr. Ewa Juszynska-Galazka (IFJ PAN).

Positrons of a radioactive source penetrated the test material, in which they encountered electrons. Before the annihilation of a positron and an electron pair, an exotic atom called positronium can form. In soft matter such as liquid crystals or polymers positronium may be formed in nanopores, which are small voids between molecules. Measuring its lifetime, that is, the time between the emission of a positron from a radioactive source and its annihilation, allows us to determine the size of the nanopores. The smaller the nanopores, the faster the annihilation occurs.

Research at IFJ PAN (made possible thanks to previous cooperation, among other endeavours, with Dr. Bozena Jasinska's group from the Institute of Physics of the University of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin) concerned positron irradiation of a compound called 4TCB, which unlike many other substances does not crystallize with a decrease in temperature, but with an increase. The results showed that in the material positronium is formed. However, given the existing model arrangement of molecules in the Sm-E phase, it was difficult to identify the place where it could be accommodated.

"Our measurements show that positronium's nanopores are the size of approximately six angstroms, that is, six 10-billionths of a meter. These results were consistent with one of the variants of the new model of Sm-E, which only recently has been proposed by Prof. Kazuya Saito's group from Japan," says Dr. Dryzek.

Measurements have confirmed that the alkyl chains - 'tail' of molecules - are in a liquid state, and so have freedom of movement like in an isotropic liquid. It is worth mentioning that in liquids, as a result of interaction with the surrounding molecules, the positronium repulses the neighbouring molecules or their parts to produce a small empty space around itself. Such an arrangement can be imagined as a bubble with positronium in its center.

The Japanese Sm-E model, proposed on the basis of calorimetric tests and the diffraction, assumed that the liquid crystal molecules are arranged in two layers: the first comprised of rigid phenyl rings, the other of alkyl chains.

"At this point all the information began to fit together! Positronium can produce a bubble in the layer containing the alkyl tails, as they are in the liquid state. The size of the resulting bubble corresponds to the width of the layer," says Dr. Dryzek.

Temperature measurements of the positronium lifetime confirmed that at low temperatures (liquid nitrogen) quenched 4TCB creates glass, wherein the positronium cannot form. The movements of the alkyl tails are frozen and positronium cannot produce a bubble. With an increase in temperature the glass softens, which can be described as the formation of liquid-like domains. It is in these domains that positronium begins to form.
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By June Fletcher of the Naples Daily News

The drop in closed home sales in Southwest Florida in March was among the highest in the state, a new report shows.

And while home price growth is still positive in the region, it lags the rest of the state, according to Florida Realtors, which on Wednesday released its year-over-year statistics for March.

Brad O'Connor, chief economist for Florida Realtors, said it's hard to say whether or not this is a sign of a lasting trend for Southwest Florida.

"We were expecting sales to settle down," he said. "Last year was exceptional."

Single-family closed sales fell 14.5 percent in March, to 420 from 491 a year earlier, in the Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island metro area. In Cape Coral-Fort Myers, they fell 13.2 percent, to 1,115 from 1,284.

Out of 22 metro areas the trade group tracks, only Punta Gorda saw a greater drop during the period for closed single-family sales, to 359 from 467, a 23.1 percent decline

Closed sales of town houses and condos fell 27 percent in the Naples area, to 476 from 652, and 18.6 percent in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers market, to 601 from 738.

Only small Florida markets showed greater declines in closed multifamily sales, the statewide trade group reported. Homosassa Springs in Citrus County had 20 sales in March, a 37.5 percent drop from 32 a year earlier, while Sebastian-Vero Beach in Indian River County saw sales drop 34.4 percent, to 63 from 96.

The slowdown in home sales was felt throughout the state.

But O'Connor said he didn't see it as a bubble popping but rather a "a readjustment to what conditions were 10 to 20 years ago before things got too weird. "

Statewide, single-family closed sales fell by less than 1 percent, to 23,758 from 23,902 a year earlier. Pending sales also fell 6.3 percent statewide, to 27,243 from 29,709.

Town houses and condos saw closed sales fall 7.1 percent statewide, to 10,076 from 10,843, while pending sales fell 10.1 percent.

Median home prices continued to grow in most metro areas of the state. Single-family home prices were up 10.3 percent, to $209,500 from $190,000.

But price growth wasn't particularly robust in Southwest Florida.

In the Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island area, they rose only 3.7 percent, to $420,078 from $405,000, while in Cape Coral-Fort Myers they were up 4.2 percent, to $225,000 from $216,000.

Marco Island broker associate Gerry Rosenblum said island prices were skewed by a few very high end sales last year, which encouraged other sellers to jack up their prices to levels that buyers wouldn't touch.

"Now many properties are being put back into the selling strike zone," he said.

Town houses and condos increased 3.3 percent statewide, to $155,000 from $150,000.

In Naples, multifamily prices jumped a little more, by 3.4 percent, to $260,500 from $252,000.

But in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area, they fell 4.2 percent, to $172,500 from $180,000.

Throughout the region, more inventory has mitigated last year's price spikes.

On Friday a report by the Naples Area Board of Realtors indicated the overall supply of housing increased by a third in March from a year earlier, to 5,661 from 4,253 units.

A report by Florida Gulf Coast MLS, released Wednesday, showed supply has been growing in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area, as well, fueled by a number of new listings.

Active listings were up 8 percent for single-family homes, to 5,811 from 5,360 and 29 percent for town houses and condos, to 3,154 from 2,442, the multiple listing service said.

Laura Shay, a spokeswoman for the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, said she wasn't sure why home sales are slowing in Lee County, but observed that compared with the prior year, prices have been steadily rising and closed sales have been falling for the last six months.

However, she added a note of hope. "Compared to the start of the year, sales are actually up," she said.
Baked spiral-cut honey bone-in ham with cloves and pineapple chunks.

Doris Reynolds Let's Talk Food Doris Reynolds is the author of When Peacocks Were Roasted and Mullet was Fried and a four-part DVD, A Walk Down Memory Lane with Doris Reynolds. They are for sale in the lobby of the Naples Daily News. SHARE

This is a tale of two cities. One is in Virginia: Smithfield, noted throughout the universe for its magnificent country hams. The other, in North Carolina  Smithfield  is also known for tasty, singular country hams.

Inevitably, the Smithfields began feuding. Who produced the best hams? Finally, the city fathers of both communities decided that an unbiased jury of specialties in the realm of hams would hold forth and after considerable tastings select the best porker product.

For eight years the big event in both Smithfields was the "Judging of the Hams." And for eight years the Smithfield, North Carolina, ham emerged as the winner. Our Virginia brothers and sisters gathered up their hams and their dignity and withdrew from the competition.

Over the years I had become a hamaholic. Every October, I began a search for the best country hams. I gave the hams as Christmas gifts, and my search included much tasting and prodding until I had found the most succulent and delicious gift from well taken care of porkers. Producers of the country hams eagerly sent me samples and long letters describing their history.

My education ended when I graduated and my long search was over. While driving through North Carolina I took a detour to Smithfield to see and taste for myself this champion of hams. The judges had been correct.  the Tar Heel hams won by a ham bone.

My passion for ham has somewhat cooled since the Food Patrol designated it as unfit for healthy consumption. While superior in taste, it has all the attributes of a danger to health and happiness. However, in moderation, consuming ham is a delight to the taste buds, and I continue to imbibe in frequent nibbles.

Ham is one of the most complex of foods; especially country hams. These hams, the darling of those of Southern persuasion, are truly handmade by connoisseurs dedicated to producing meat of superior quality. Comparing a country ham to mass produced ham is like comparing a dress designed and made by Valentino to one from a bargain basement.

Most consumers don't understand the difference between regular ham (known as city ham) and country ham. City ham, found in most supermarkets, is usually boneless, mild tasting with considerable water added. This means the salt and curatives are dissolved in water and pumped into the meat. This process usually takes 24 hours, while the curing process of country hams takes several months.

Hams are produced throughout the world. And each ham is unique and represents a powerful symbol of the country's food culture. The Spanish ham is known worldwide for the depth of flavor in their famous Jamon Iberico (black hogs) and Serrano, from mountain hogs who subsist on acorns.

The hams of Italy and France compete in the world market with country hams that offer unique flavors from locally grown pigs; all fed with a variety of food that results in different taste experiences.

I have happy memories of country ham served at Tony's Off Third. I was their greatest supporter, eating more than my share of this culinary treasure. Tony Ridgway, the owner, also supplied me with fragrant and meaty ham bones, turned into rich and tempting Spanish bean soup. However, Neapolitans favored lighter fare, and, alas, the ham disappeared from the menu.

ASK DORIS

Q: During spring break I visited cousins in Houston. One cousin brought over some fudge he had made and it was really good. He would not give me the recipe and I was told it was simple to make. His mother called it Texas Fudge but I can't find a recipe. I hope you have this recipe because I really would like to make it.

 Greg Tubman, Estero

A: This is the simplest recipe I have ever come across.

LONE STAR FIVE-MINUTE FUDGE

Ingredients

1 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips

1 12-ounce jar peanut butter, smooth or chunky

1 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

Directions

1 In a 1 quart bowl, melt chocolate and peanut better in the microwave on high for 3 minutes.

2 Add milk, stirring until well blended.

3 Pour mixture into 8-by-8-inch pan lined with waxed paper.

4 Refrigerate to chill. Cut into 1-inch pieces.

Doris Reynolds is the author of "When Peacocks Were Roasted and Mullet was Fried" and a four-part DVD, "A Walk Down Memory Lane with Doris Reynolds." They are available for sale in the lobby of the Naples Daily News. All proceeds from these sales go to the Doris Reynolds-Naples Daily News Scholarship Fund. Contact Doris Reynolds at foodlvr25@aol.com.
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What's the American "establishment"?

The word is used all the time now, usually very, very loosely and usually in ways to disparage anybody who stands for something the speaker does not like. The term, of course, applies to people who have heaping helpings of power when it comes to public policy, and, yes, that would include the very rich and large corporations.

They do have influence enhanced with donations, for instance, to the Clinton Foundation or for speeches that pay thousands of dollars a minute. When Donald Trump dished out goodies to liberal politicians who crossed his path, was he doing it as a civic duty?

"Crony capitalism" is not a phrase devoid of meaning, and neither is the word "lobbyist." You'd have to have your eyes closed to think large industries would not try to maximize profits with a big, fat, everywhere government intruding into virtually every other thing they do. But sometimes the politicians slap corporations around, maybe as a practical matter, maybe to accommodate their ideological druthers or maybe to satisfy their constituents.

The voters do count for something among establishmentarian politicians. The folks out there can be tricked, of course, but sometimes they aren't and turn sour, which bodes poorly for re-election opportunities. And trying to please constituents is the main reason some politicians heed the National Rifle Association. Despite contrary prattle, its power does not come so much from the offerings of gun manufacturers as from the millions of citizen cheerleaders. These are people who believe in gun rights and themselves pay for the NRA's political activities.

So instead of just moneyed interests at work, we have activist individuals coalescing for some good they believe in, and you see it, too, in the environmental lobbyists. They have whopping power, enough to help instigate a war on coal or delay a Keystone XL pipeline. Unions  also a huge part of the establishment  did not much like the delay, but unions get their way on a host of issues. They are right now a big opponent of trade deals, and do you see many presidential candidates excited about trade deals?

The establishment also includes an incredibly powerful component of the federal bureaucracy. It takes legislation passed by Congress and fills in the blanks to the tune of tens of thousands of pages of regulations and then it's harder to start a business or make money from one or fill out tax forms. There are obviously vital regulations, but a few years ago a couple of economists did a study demonstrating how regulations over a period of more than 50 years have resulted in an economy with a gross domestic product something like $39 trillion less than it could be.

We shouldn't neglect the academic elite who tend toward a liberal ideology and have more than a little say in Washington, D.C. Richard K. Vedder, an economist at Ohio University, wrote recently in The Wall Street Journal about how some of these folks are guiding us in strange directions. He said economists should know about Keynesianism's failures, the perils of central planning and the dangers of "growing redistributionist welfare states," but apparently don't.

They thus have been part of the crowd helping to give us Obamacare. The latest news about that program is that the biggest health insurance company in the country, UnitedHealth Group, is deserting it in most of the 34 states the company is in because of the hundreds of millions of dollars it is losing.

So, anyway, why is it that a presidential candidate such as Sen. Bernie Sanders would describe himself as anti-establishment? Doesn't he also want more regulation and lots more governmental health care spending and manipulation? He is actually part of the establishment more precisely defined, although, it needs to be said, he would alienate the academic elite if he actually got elected.

If Sanders then fulfilled his pledge of free public universities, private colleges would die.
Scene from the Bonita Springs strategic planning workshop April 18, 2016. (Patrick Riley/Staff)

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By Patrick Riley of the Naples Daily News

Bonita Springs City Council meets Wednesday to hear a presentation on the Lee County Rail Corridor feasibility study and discuss changing the land development code to allow citizens to speak at city council zoning hearings even if they didn't speak at zoning board hearings.

Council will discuss an ordinance that, if passed, would require super majority votes of five or more council members to pass any future rezoning changes, special exceptions or amendments to the comprehensive plan and the land development code.

The council meets at begins at 9 a.m. Follow reporter Patrick Riley for live updates:
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By Joe Landon, Citizen Contributor

How many times during this election year have the words "now I've seen everything" come out of your mouth? Then a new day dawns, something else outrageous happens, and you say it again. And sadly, on some days it seems like general election day  Nov. 8, 2016  is light years away.

There'll certainly be no shortage of media coverage of the drama surrounding the presidential campaign between now and then, but there are many local candidates on the ballot who we will need to learn about, too. The League of Women Voters of Collier County (LWVCC) is standing by to help us with that. Voter service is the heart of the league's mission as a nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government.

LWVCC President Charlotte Nycklemoe believes "it's imperative that in today's age of political upheaval, an informed voter is essential." She explains that "the LWVCC's role includes familiarizing the public with the candidates seeking local office while highlighting their views on important issues." The league is a leader in organizing and conducting candidate forums.

This is nothing new. Locally, the LWVCC has been making a difference in our community since 1975 when it was founded as a nonprofit entity. The focus has always been on voter education, voter registration and voter service activities such as the forums. And in case you're wondering, the league will never endorse or oppose a candidate.

Nationally, the League of Women Voters was born in 1919 when founder Carrie Chapman felt the need to "finish the fight" with 23 million women about to be given the right to vote in 1920.

"So for the past 97 years, the women and men who joined the league have shared a commitment to making sure our elections are free, fair and accessible to every eligible voter," Nycklemoe stresses. "The league was founded in the belief that the vote, the symbol of our equality, should be used well and by an electorate that reflects the true diversity of our democracy." She adds that "this is the only way to insure that each issue we care deeply about is addressed by our elected representatives."

I personally became familiar with the work of the LWVCC during my 15 years as the communications guy with Collier County Schools. We televised many of their candidate forums on The Education Channel.

This year, the forums are already underway with three being held to date. But more will take place over the next several months featuring candidates seeking various local and state offices.

The Collier County School Board election is likely to draw a great deal of interest as it always does. In August, we'll have an opportunity to elect two school board members. The last time we did that, two years ago, only 18 percent of Collier County's registered voters cast a ballot in those races, according to the LWVCC, yet decisions made by the board impact what the league calls the "vitality, reputation and prosperity of our entire community."

There's a forum for candidates for the open school board seats planned for 6 p.m. on May 18 at the Norris Community Center. Additional forums will be scheduled after the deadline to enter the school board race passes on June 24.

To learn about dates for other forums, find out about the latest candidate filings, and for links to various local, state and national government offices, visit www.lwvcolliercounty.org. Or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Nycklemoe's hope is that we all go to the polls knowing who our local candidates are and with a deep understanding of the issues and the principles at stake.

- - -

Joe Landon is a communications consultant having retired as executive director of communications for the Collier County School District. Please send suggestions for future columns to JoeLandon@Outlook.com.
SHARE Leslie Harper fills out a survey before the meeting. The Healthy Communities Coalition and the Department of Health in Collier County held a public workshop Tuesday evening at Tree of Life Church to discuss the community's vision for the US41 corridor from Airport-Pulling Road to Davis Boulevard. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News Planning consultant Deborah Chesna leads the discussion. The Healthy Communities Coalition and the Department of Health in Collier County held a public workshop Tuesday evening at Tree of Life Church to discuss the community's vision for the US41 corridor from Airport-Pulling Road to Davis Boulevard. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News Patricia Young uses the newspaper to make a point about ongoing development. The Healthy Communities Coalition and the Department of Health in Collier County held a public workshop Tuesday evening at Tree of Life Church to discuss the community's vision for the US41 corridor from Airport-Pulling Road to Davis Boulevard. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News Planning consultant Deborah Chesna, right, leads the discussion while Patricia Young transcribes ideas. The Healthy Communities Coalition and the Department of Health in Collier County held a public workshop Tuesday evening at Tree of Life Church to discuss the community's vision for the US41 corridor from Airport-Pulling Road to Davis Boulevard. Lance Shearer/Special to the Daily News

By Lance Shearer, Citizen Correspondent

Good health isn't all about eating right.

One surefire way to improve your physical condition is to not get run into by a car or truck, and on one high-risk stretch of local road, professionals are working on helping to improve the odds for cyclists and pedestrians. The U.S. 41 corridor between Davis Boulevard and Airport-Pulling Road has been identified by the Florida Department of Transportation, as number 5 on the FDOT District One high crash corridor list, and a roadway heavily used by foot and bicycle traffic.

On a recent Tuesday evening, the Healthy Communities Coalition and the Florida Department of Health in Collier County held a public workshop to discuss how to make this piece of the Tamiami Trail not only safer, but more attractive and people-friendly. Unlike some high profile and well-funded development projects, the workshop, held at Tree of Life Church on Shadowlawn Drive, was low-key and informal.

"We didn't have any budget for mailings," said Healthy Communities Planning Consultant Deborah Chesna of the Health Department. "I rode my bicycle up and down the length of the corridor and handed out flyers."

About 15 people showed up to look at plans of the corridor, and renderings of concepts for revitalizing it, prepared free of charge by HLevel Architects, and discuss their visions for the area. While Chesna led the discussion, along with volunteer Patricia Young, who lives nearby and gave some introductory remarks, hearing from the community on their visions for the U.S. 41 corridor was the key to the workshop, said Chesna.

When they arrived, participants were asked to fill out a survey to give more information on how they use the road. The survey asked primary mode of transportation through the corridor, frequency of walking or riding a bike, "do you feel safe?" walking or biking the road, and if not, due to "motorists, speed, travel surface, crime or other."

The stretch of U.S. 41 from Davis Boulevard to Airport Road has missed out to a large extent on the gentrifying and redevelopment that has taken place on Fifth Avenue South to the west in the city of Naples and along 41 to the north, and Chesna touched on a few reasons she had been given by property owners and potential developers.

"The zoning is arduous, there is lots of upfront cost, the ROI isn't profitable, and there are no incentives" available, she said. "We have to get political buy-in" to make things happen.

Attendees at the meeting had a number of ideas they said would make people, including them, more likely to walk through and linger in the corridor. Creating a parklike atmosphere, planting trees, siting benches in courtyards and perhaps a fountain were high on priority lists, along with sidewalks and bike lanes on streets throughout the area, to make them more pedestrian and cycle-friendly.

"You need bike paths separate from the road," said one participant. "For many people, their primary mode of transportation is a bike, and the traffic is really heavy, especially in the winter."

Safety from motor vehicles was not the only health concern, for the workshop and the ongoing effort to revitalize the U.S. 41 corridor.

"Florida Health originally hired a planner to tackle the obesity epidemic," said Chesna, and getting people out of cars and onto their feet or a bicycle is a good "step" in a healthy direction. Input from the public workshop will be included in a health impact assessment, a state-prepared document, that will provide recommendations to help decision makers make choices about alternatives and improvements in policies, programs, and projects to prevent injury and promote health in the community.

For more information, call Florida Health Collier County at 239-252-2594, or go online to healthycollier.org.
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By Ashley Collins

Not many changes were made during the Marco Island City Council meeting on Monday.

With the dissent of three council members, the council approved a resolution for the city's planning board to enter into a contract agreement with Calvin, Giordano and Associates, Inc. to revise the city's land development code and prepare an evaluation and appraisal report based on amendments to the city's comprehensive plan. The plan was adopted in 2001 and was last updated seven years ago, according to the city council's staff report.

The resolution passed, 4-3, with councilor's Larry Honig, Joe Batte and Victor Rios dissenting.

Before Monday's meeting, the planning board approved the contract, 5-0, and agreed to only move forward with phase 1, which totals $36,900. The resolution approved by the council Monday includes phase 1 and 2 for $90,600.

Rios and Honig said the council should respect the planning board's recommendation.

"I've earned my living as a consultant for quite a while and it's very normal to get approval in phases. That's what motivates a consultant to do good work. This contract is unusual," Honig said. He added that the planning board's decision should've been included in the council's staff report.

Marco Island City Manager Roger Hernstadt said he was under the impression that the planning board approved the entire contract and plans to look into the matter.

Hernstadt added that the contract can be canceled at any time.

Also at the meeting, Al Musico asked the council to amend the current bicycle pathways plan to include two new projects. The projects include a pathway on North Barfield Drive, which goes from Collier Boulevard to Bald Eagle Drive and another on Sand Hill Street.

Musico, chairman of a bike path advocacy group, chose to add the two pathways due to public feedback. Since 2008, the group has collected face-to-face interviews from more than 1,200 residents and visitors to create the plan that provides safe pathways for bicyclists.

"Initially what we did is we gave them a map of the island and a magic marker and we said "show us where you ride." And that's how we developed the plan," Musico said.

The group also solicited feedback from businesses, schools and civic organizations.

The master plan was unanimously approved by the council in 2013.

Since then, the following pathways have been completed; the San Marco Road pathway, the Winterberry Drive pathway and the Tigertail/Hernando pathway. The projects are part of a five year plan with the Florida Department of Transportation.

The council unanimously approved Musico's request.

In other business

n The council unanimously approved a resolution that updates the policies and procedures used by the Marco Island Police Department. The resolution allows the department to enter into a contract with Transformational Strategies and Solutions Inc. for the sum of $49,800.

n The Marco Island Civic Association board of directors donated $5,000 to the city's Fourth of July fireworks fund.

n The council presented a proclamation to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-5, recognizing National Safe Boating week from May 21 to May 27. The proclamation promotes boat safety and the importance of wearing a life jacket to avoid any fatal accidents on the water.

n The city of Marco Island was recognized as a healthy weight community champion by the Florida Department of Health in Collier County for its policies and facilities promoting nutrition and exercise.

n The council will meet again at 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 2, inside the community room located at 51 Bald Eagle Drive.
Immokalee Foundation students Araceli Soto, Melissa Rodriguez and Yeimi Castaneda grin for the camera during the Charity Classic Celebration.

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By Citizen Contributor

The Immokalee Foundation has been dedicated to making a significant difference in the lives of Immokalees youth for more than 20 years. Nearly half of all residents in the small, close-knit community live below the poverty level.

With approximately 70 percent of adults having less than a high school education and about 70 percent of graduates not entering college nor pursuing secondary education, its no wonder incomes are low. The foundations goal is to make an impact in the community by fulfilling the educational needs of Immokalees children, thereby ending the cycle of poverty.

The Immokalee Foundation (TIF) works with kids to develop a plan that nurtures his or her development as a student, citizen and future professional. From early reading, scholarship and mentoring programs, including leadership development courses, life skills training, college readiness, career exploration and development, internships, field trips and more, TIF helps students pave their path to personal and professional success.

With a 100 percent graduation rate for TIF students involved in its programs, the approach is working. Whats more, its bringing Immokalee students back to their hometown where they can visibly see and feel the profound impact they are making on someone just like them.

Three Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) students, Melissa Rodriguez, Araceli Soto and Yeimi Castaneda  all current and former students of TIF  are paying it forward by working part-time at the foundation.

A 23-year-old senior majoring in social work, Castaneda has lived her entire life in Immokalee and wants to work in the community because she sees how much its growing and changing for the better, and she wants to be a part of that change.

Castaneda has been involved with TIF since seventh grade at Immokalee Middle School.

My experience with TIF has been a wonderful journey, Castaneda said. I have been involved specifically with Take Stock in Children and it has been a huge blessing because of the scholarship that I was able to earn once I graduated Immokalee High School. It was the backbone to my success.

It was also a big part of why Castaneda wanted to return, saying, TIF is a wonderful program that gave me the opportunity to succeed, so I want to do the same for other students. As a program service specialist, she works with various programs within the foundation, learning how they work and what they have to offer to prepare students for college and their future.

Rodriguez, also a senior majoring in social work, grew up in Immokalee as well. She was born to a migrant family that traveled to three different locations in one school year. She explained, As I was growing up it was not easy for my family and me. My parents worked from sunrise to sunset just to provide food on the table each day. They are my motivation. Although she and her two siblings struggled to adjust, all graduated from high school with a 3.7 GPA or higher. Now, all three attend FGCU.

I know we are not the only family that went through what we did, Rodriguez added. This is why I want to help my community by coming back and helping the younger generations in a way that I would have wanted someone to help me as I was growing up.

Rodriguez joined TIF her sophomore year in high school and became a tutor for the Immokalee Readers program. She applied for and received a direct scholarship from TIF, and then became part of the College Success program. As a part-time employee, she helps with the Immokalee Readers program.

The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that the generation I am helping today is going to hopefully continue to post secondary education, Rodriguez said. I feel very delighted knowing that I am making a difference in childrens lives.

Soto came to Immokalee from Mexico when she was 9 years old. Coming to the community was a new beginning for her because she didnt know anyone, and she didnt know the language. However, with the help of her parents and teachers, she was able to overcome every obstacle and grew to love the community.

Soto received a direct scholarship from TIF her senior year of high school, allowing her the opportunity to attend FGCU, where she is now a senior majoring in criminal justice and forensic studies. She began working with TIF her junior year in college as a tutor, helping high school students with ACT prep and middle school students with math and reading comprehension skills. That summer, she was offered a new position as an intern to help with the Summer Academy program.

For this school year, I decided to stay as an intern/part-time employee with TIF because I wanted to keep helping the students, Soto said. I see myself in them and I believe that each one of them can do it just like I did.

When working with students, Soto shares her experience as a college student and tries to motivate them to continue with their education.

I tell them that they are capable of being anything that they want to be if they set their mind to it, she said. A lot of them ask me why I chose to stay around Immokalee and to work with TIF, my answer is simply because I want to give back the help that was once given to me.

The Immokalee Foundation has a range of programs that focus on building pathways to success through college and post-secondary training, mentoring and tutoring, and opportunities for broadening experiences, life skills development and economic independence. To learn more about TIF, volunteering as a mentor or for additional information, call 239-430-9122 or visit www.immokaleefoundation.org.

- - -

Liz Allbritten is executive director of The Immokalee Foundation and can be reached at liz.allbritten@immokaleefoundation.org.
Moises Rodriguez talks with his defense lawyer James Chandler, left, and interpreter Eduardo Triana before pleading guility to charges including human trafficking at the Collier County Courthouse in Naples, FL on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (Photo by Gregg Pachkowski/Special to the Daily News)

SHARE Collier County Sheriff Office Deputy John Dimaio takes Moises Rodriguez's fingerprints after he pleaded guility to charges including human trafficking at the Collier County Courthouse in Naples, FL on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (Photo by Gregg Pachkowski/Special to the Daily News) Moises Rodriguez pleads guility to charges including human trafficking at the Collier County Courthouse in Naples, FL on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (Photo by Gregg Pachkowski/Special to the Daily News) Moises Rodriguez pleads guility to charges including human trafficking at the Collier County Courthouse in Naples, FL on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (Photo by Gregg Pachkowski/Special to the Daily News) Moises Rodriguez pleads guility to charges including human trafficking at the Collier County Courthouse in Naples, FL on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (Photo by Gregg Pachkowski/Special to the Daily News)

By Jacob Carpenter of the Naples Daily News

A Lakeland man on Wednesday became the first defendant to admit responsibility for his role in a human- and sex-trafficking ring busted last year, pleading guilty in Collier County to three felony counts.

Moises Rodriguez, 67, will receive three years in prison followed by three years of probation if he follows through on providing assistance to prosecutors, who have charged 14 other people in the case. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to charges of human trafficking, conspiracy and deriving profits from prostitution.

Rodriguez was accused of transporting women to brothels across Central Florida and conspiring with one of the ringleaders.

Investigators said six immigrant women were smuggled into the U.S. at various times between 2007 and 2013 and forced to work as sex slaves in Central and Southwest Florida. The women would perform sex acts on 25 to 35 men per day, on an average of six days per week. Each woman made her captors an average of about $194,000 to $324,000 per year, investigators said.

Sheriff's deputies were tipped off to the operation in February 2013, when one victim confided in a Collier County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop. Thirteen people were arrested in March 2015 after a lengthy investigation. Two people remain at large.

Agents said Rodriguez lived next door to Victor Blanco Pantoja, who's accused of being one of the ringleaders and captors. One victim told agents that Rodriguez drove her to brothels, and another victim identified Rodriguez as an accomplice of Blanco Pantoja's.

Agents also tailed Rodriguez on one occasion, watching as he and Blanco Pantoja transported a woman across Central Florida, according to an investigative report.

Rodriguez faced a guideline minimum of about five years in prison and a maximum of 60 years in prison. He received a below-guideline sentence because he's agreed to provide "substantial assistance" to prosecutors and he's considered a relatively minor accomplice in the trafficking ring.

Rodriguez said he "didn't know" that he was assisting a sex trafficking operation, but he "presumably" should have been aware. He didn't speak at length during the hearing, which is common in cases when sentencing is deferred until after a defendant cooperates with prosecutors.

Prosecutor Michael-Anthony Pica declined to comment on why Rodriguez became the first to plead and the nature of Rodriguez's cooperation. The 14 other cases remain pending, with a case management conference set for next week.

"I would say there's still a lot of work that needs to be done," Pica said. "It's a pretty massive case that involves numerous defense attorneys, and so sometimes it's difficult to get coordination among all of them."
Florida Gulf Coast University students circulate through campus on Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, in Fort Myers. (David Albers/Staff)

By Thyrie Bland, The News-Press

The Florida Gulf Coast University board voted Tuesday in favor of a program that will allow students to receive a rebate of their freshman year tuition.

The board voted 11-0 in support of the rebate program. FGCU's goal is to roll out the initiative when the fall semester starts in August.

Students will have to meet certain requirements to qualify for a rebate. The requirements include declaring a major as a freshman, graduating in four years or less, getting a full-time job in Florida within six months of graduating and earning an annual salary of at least $25,000 a year.

A committee is drafting a policy that will spell out in more detail all of the requirements students will have to fulfill to be eligible for a rebate.

"There have been variations on this thing probably throughout the country in some way or another," FGCU President Wilson Bradshaw said. "We just kind of synthesized all of that and came up with something which we think is quite unique for the state of Florida."

Bradshaw said he hopes the program accomplishes, among other things, motivating more students to graduate in four years.

FGCU announced the program earlier this year as a response to Gov. Rick Scott's Ready, Set, Work University Challenge. The governor asked Florida's public universities to ensure that graduates in their two most popular degree programs get full-time jobs within a year of graduating.

The FGCU rebate program is not limited to students in the school's most popular degree program. Students in all programs, starting with the ones who enrolled in the summer and fall of 2015, will be eligible for a rebate.

The rebate will cover money students paid out of pocket or by loan for up to 30 earned credit hours during their freshman year, according to the rebate regulation.

Students will not be reimbursed for costs covered by grants, waivers or scholarships. They also won't get back money paid for books, housing, meal plans and other non-tuition costs, according to the regulation.

Board member Ken Smith said he is a proponent of the rebate program, but he cautioned the administration to create a well-thought-out policy.

He said one of the criticisms he often hears about the university is that classes are not always available for students to take and that causes students to fall behind.

"My worst nightmare is what are we going to do when a student comes and says, 'I couldn't graduate in four years because you didn't offer these classes,'" Smith said. "How do we answer that? I think we need to be very thoughtful and make sure we dot every i and cross every t going forward as to what this really means."

Board member Shawn Felton said he hopes there is more discussion in the future about whether the program should be extended to students who decide to attend graduate school. Felton said FGCU has struggled with graduate school enrollment, and the rebate program could be the right incentive to attract more students.

"Would it work? he asked. "Would it not? "I don't know, but I think we have a lot of great graduate programs here, especially in our health professions and in our college of arts and sciences."
By Melhor Leonor of the Naples Daily News

With pushback against the location lingering, Lee County school officials moved ahead Tuesday with an $11 million dollar contract to purchase a 77-acre property on Imperial Parkway and Shangri La Road for a new high school.

"Bonita Springs now has a complete school system," said school board member Cathleen Morgan, who represents the district that includes Bonita Springs, before a unanimous vote that authorized the purchase.

"It will take the edge off the growth that were experiencing in the south zone," she said. "There's a lot of effort to grow and diversify that economy. I'm really excited about what this school promises to bring."

In addition to more seats for Lee County students, the high school will also bring at least another $70.9 million in debt to a district with a struggling capital budget.

That number is the total projected cost for the new high school  approved by board members without comment Tuesday. The cost is close to $20 million more than what district officials predicted this time last year.

That figure includes the cost of the land, plus construction.

According to data provided by the district, it will be the costliest school the district has built among its most recent high schools. East Lee County High was built for $56.6 million in 2005, South Fort Myers High was built for $48.6 million in 2007 and Island Coast High School was built for $63 million in 2008.

Because of a tight capital budget, right now the school is set to be paid for with short-term participation bonds, or COPS. District finance officials have said that, beyond funding the school, the capital budget will sink further as its debt payments increase.

"Putting it on a credit card is not good work by this board," said George Fox, a resident of Lee County Tuesday.

Morgan said the financing of the school is "a problem we have to tackle."

"We approved the high school without a clear funding plan," Morgan said. "Bonita, you've got your high school, but you have it on the back of the entire district. The high school is on the back of the entire community."

The signing of the contract kicks off a roughly 70-day period before the deal closes. The district is acquiring the property from Tex Development Corp.

During this time, the district will be able to conduct its "due diligence." Reggie Snell, who is heading the construction efforts for the high school, said the time will allow the district an opportunity to inspect and test the site.

The quality of the land the district is trying to purchase has been a source of tension between district officials and community members for weeks, after it came to light the part of the property was once used as dumping site for asbestos in 2006.

A 2009 report cleared by state environmental officials certified the site was free of asbestos fiber after a cleanup that removed 2,900 tons  177 truck loads  of material suspected to be contaminated.

Snell reiterated that the district is confident in the clean up.

Still, some questioned on Tuesday whether the land was worth the risk.

"Don't spend $71 million on a school that could be condemned unsafe due to contamination," said Lee County resident Barbara Watkins.

Some of the residents pointing to the asbestos dumping live in the Hawthorne community in Bonita Springs, which lies directly next to the site of the school. Many residents of that community have expressed dissatisfaction, saying that the additional traffic and noise will disrupt their way of life.

Peter Simmons, the newly elected mayor of Bonita Springs said Tuesday that he "heartily" supported the site chosen by district officials and will work to alleviate any concerns.

"I know not one site is perfect," Simmons said. "The city of Bonita will continue to work with the school board related to these concerns."
By Joseph Cranney of the Naples Daily News

Before he was fired last month, Naples Fire Chief Steve McInerny argued that several members of the City Council defamed him and denied him his legal rights, according to a Feb. 9 letter sent by his lawyer.

The lawyer, Robert Bates, sent the letter to Naples City Attorney Bob Pritt indicating McInerny wanted to settle his disputes with the city five weeks before McInerny was fired on March 15.

The letter claims City Council members Doug Finlay, Linda Penniman, Sam Saad and former mayor John Sorey were part of a "conspiracy" against McInerny. Some council members, including Finlay and Saad, have publicly criticized McInerny.

In the Feb. 9 letter, McInerny claims defamation, invasion of privacy and the intentional infliction of emotional distress, among a list of complaints.

Document: Read the February 9 letter.

The letter was sent as an investigation commissioned in October by the city into McInerny's conduct seemed to be nearing completion, but McInerny was fired before the investigation was finished.

Vicki Sproat, the lawyer hired by the city to investigate McInerny, said Tuesday the city shut down the investigation before she could finish her work. In a brief phone interview, Sproat, hired from the Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt law firm in Fort Myers, said the investigation was "not concluded." She declined to talk specifics.

Through Bates, McInerny declined to be interviewed Tuesday.

In a letter Bates sent to the city last week, McInerny claims the investigation was one-sided and described it as a "political hit." McInerny's lawyer sent the five-page letter to City Manager Bill Moss criticizing the investigation. Sproat didn't submit two-and-a-half hours of testimony from McInerny and ignored a list of witnesses that McInerny suggested she speak with, according to the letter.

The letter also says firefighters read from prepared notes during interviews and Sproat allowed witnesses to speak off the record.

Sproat interviewed 20 people for the investigation, including more than a dozen firefighters and the city's human resources director, from Nov. 10 to Feb. 17, according to the letter. McInerny was interviewed for 79 minutes in two conversations on Nov. 6 and for 77 minutes in two conversations on Nov. 8.

"Investigator Sproat never references these calls to Chief McInerny in any document that he is aware of and never interviewed many of the crucial witnesses she was informed of nor did she follow the theories presented to her," the April 14 letter says.

Document: Read the April 14 letter.

The investigation includes more than 695 pages of witness testimony, according to the letter, which describes the investigative documents as a "carefully crafted, selectively engineered and produced political hit."

Adam Nadelman, president of the IAFF Local 2174, said he wasn't aware of the letter and doesn't recall being permitted to go off the record in his interview in November. Nadelman was the first firefighter to be interviewed, he said, so he couldn't have shared testimony ahead of time with anyone.

It's not clear what is included in Sproat's investigative documents, which Moss said could be released later this week.

"We're still tying up some of the loose ends," Moss said of the investigation.

On Oct. 21, the fire union sent a letter to the council and said the union members had unanimously lost confidence in McInerny. The union said McInerny had misled the public and exaggerated the department's needs. The council agreed to direct Moss to look into the situation. He hired Sproat the next week.

Council members have been critical of McInerny in the past.

In 2014, Finlay suggested McInerny had been over-reporting the department's number of structure fires. Finlay worried the numbers would be used to justify new budget requests. McInerny has asked the council for more staffing and expensive equipment. He has also lobbied for a new multimillion dollar firehouse.

Last year, Saad called for McInerny's firing. Saad said he didn't trust the information McInerny brought to council.

Finlay, Saad, Penniman and Sorey declined to comment, citing the pending investigation.
Ashton Woods, a private homebuilder known for its exceptional design and unrivaled personalization options, announced that presales have begun on the next release of townhomes at Waterside in Indian Shores, Fla.



Base pricing for this latest phase of luxury, low maintenance townhomes begins in the mid-$500s with a waterfront location along the Intracoastal Waterway and a short walk to the Gulf of Mexico.



Three distinct floorplans are currently available in Building 1 ranging from 1,888 to 2,176 square feet under air, each featuring three bedrooms and two and one-half baths. Each Ashton Woods home also provides flexibility in design options and a high level of personalization tailored to buyers unique lifestyles. Among the many options is the ability to add a fourth bedroom or a third full bath, a private elevator and a fourth floor of living space. In addition, a limited number of boat slips are available for purchase on a first come, first served basis.



Each low-maintenance townhome at Waterside features a large island kitchen that flows into the dining area, plus a living room for entertaining friends and family. The bedrooms are located on the upper floors and the master suite features a master bath with Timberlake cabinetry, double sinks and a spacious walk-in closet. Each new home also includes a tandem three-car garage, plus a front porch and a covered lanai or covered balcony.



Waterside presents a unique combination of global design inspiration and local market preferences in a highly desirable location right on the Intracoastal Waterway and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, said John Reny, Florida Division President for Ashton Woods. The relaxed, waterfront lifestyle of Waterside appeals to a wide range of buyers and we anticipate that this latest phase of exceptionally designed townhomes will sell out fast.



For additional information on Waterside and the exceptionally designed residences offered by Ashton Woods, call 727-223-4961 or visit the homebuilder online at http://www.ashtonwoods.com/tampa/waterside.



Waterside is one of five Tampa Bay area communities in which Ashton Woods is currently building. Located just southeast of downtown Tampa, the community of FishHawk Ranch offers homes priced from the $200s. The Preserve at FishHawk Ranch provides a gated enclave of larger single-family homes priced from the high $400s. The community of Waterset is located near Apollo Beach and offers homes priced from the $200s. The community of Tanglewood Preserve is located just south of Tampa and offers homes priced from the $200s.



For details on Ashton Woods residences in these communities, visit www.ashtonwoods.com.



Ashton Woods is one of the nations largest private home building companies, blazing new trails in design and personalization to build homes as unique as the people who live in them. Collaborating with homeowners for over 25 years, the company and its team of world-renowned designers look beyond the conventional to draw inspiration from unexpected sources, resulting in exceptional design in every Ashton Woods home. Recognized as the 2013 & 2014 Most-Trusted Builder in America by the Lifestory Research Most Trusted Builder in America StudySM, Ashton Woods collaborative approach is a key driver of its best-in-class customer satisfaction scores. For more information, or to experience the excitement of becoming another satisfied Ashton Woods homeowner, visit www.ashtonwoods.com.
Nine local celebrities will headline the Second Annual Laughter Is the Best Medicine Comedy Night to benefit SalusCare, the regions largest provider of treatment for individuals with mental health and substance use issues.



The fun gets underway Saturday, July 23, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Arts Center in downtown Fort Myers.



Each of the local celebrities will perform a five-minute stand-up routine for event attendees who will vote for the best comedic performance with their dollars. The

local celebrities who will exchange laughs for votes are:



 Tom Chase  Fort Myers Country Lawyer

 Chris Cifatte  WINK-TV News Anchor

 Tom Cronin  Shell Factory General Partner

 Stephanie Davis  Downtown Diva

 Brian Hamman  Lee County Commissioner

 Elaine Hawkins  President/CEO, Private Client Insurance Group

 Nancy McGovern  Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors

 Sandy Stilwell  CEO, Stilwell Enterprises

 Sheldon Zoldan  News-Press Content Strategist



Nationally recognized Comedian Michael Palascak of NBCs Last Comic Standing will round out the evening with a grand finale of his humor while the votes are being tabulated.



Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased at www.saluscarecomedynight.org or by calling 239-791-1575. Tickets include heavy hors doeuvres, beer and wine. Seats at tables are $125 or $500 for a reserved table for four, with table signage. A limited number of seats without tables are available at $100 each. Other sponsorships are available from $1,000.



Laughter Is the Best Medicine not only showcases our local celebrities, but gives everyone an opportunity to support a charity that provides mental health and substance use treatment for more than 15,000 people per year, SalusCare Development Committee Chair Mark Atkins said.



To help the celebrity comics prepare for the evening, Sam Walch, a professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, will work with them individually and as a group to perfect their routines.

Walch is a former touring stand-up comedian who teaches comedy and public speaking in the Communications Department at FGCU. He has performed in comedy clubs, casinos and cruise ships in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean and is the author of the first online textbook on public speaking.



The News-Press Media Group is the media sponsor for the event.



Funds raised at the event will be used to provide outpatient psychiatry and therapy to children and adolescents in our area whose families can least afford it. One in 10 children has serious mental health problems severe enough to impair how they function at home, in school, or in the community, according to the National Center for Children & Poverty at Columbia University. Left untreated, mental illnesses can lead to more difficult to treat illnesses and to the development of co-occurring disorders.



For more information about sponsorships and Laughter Is the Best Medicine Comedy Night, contact Todd Cordisco at 239-791-1575.



SalusCare, Inc., is the largest, most comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program in Southwest Florida, serving more than 15,000 people per year of all ages from seven locations in Lee County. The non-profit organization offers crisis stabilization, outpatient and residential treatment and an Employee Assistance Program for about 50 area companies. The majority of programs are accredited by CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.



SalusCare services are not free. Fees are charged on a sliding scale, based on family income. In many cases, private insurance is accepted. SalusCare is a United Way partner agency.


Daytime actors return to Marco Island for 17th annual SoapFest Charity Weekend May 27-30.



SoapFest, one of Marco Islands most beloved charity events for almost two decades, returns for its annual weekend festival featuring daytime celebrity actors and signature events that raise funds for local childrens charities.

Tickets are now on sale for the 17th annual Southwest Florida Soapfest Charity Weekend May 27-30.



This years SoapFest childrens beneficiaries include Camp Able and the Island Theater Company Kids Camp, says SoapFest founder Pat Berry. Camp Able provides a program for local special needs children and the three week summer theatre camp teaches children aged 8  18 about all aspects of the theatre with an emphasis on props, costumes, lighting and sound.



You dont have to be a soap fan to have a great time and lend your support to the kids, says Ms. Berry. SoapFest is a great weekend that showcases Marco Islands innate hospitality amidst its white sandy beaches and waterways nearby the Gulf of Mexico to daytime drama actors and fans from around the world, she adds.



A dozen actors from treasured daytimes shows such as General Hospital, Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives, One Life to Live, and Guiding Light are expected to attend, many for return visits. These actors generously donate their time and talents to raise money for our kids, explains Ms. Berry.



The three days of non-stop festivities include favorites such as the legendary A Night of Stars, Cruisin, Boozin and Schmoozin with the Stars, Celebrity Karaoke Bar Bash, and Brunch with the Boys.



A partial list of celebrities scheduled to appear include:



General Hospital

Brytni Sarpy, Ryan Peavey, Donnell Turner, Robert Watkins



Young and The Restless

Sean Carrigan, Kate Linder, John Driscoll, Jeff Branson, Christian LeBlanc



Guiding Light

Tom Pelphrey



Days Of Our Lives & One Life To Live

Melissa Archer



SoapFest Charity Weekend kicks off with A Night of Stars, Saturday, May 28th at 7PM held at the magnificent Marco Island Yacht Club, located at the foot of the Jolley Bridge.



This VIP event, catered by Chef Bob, will offer several opportunities for up close and personal time with the actors. Celebrity guests from todays most popular daytime shows will join "old favorites, and be available for autograph signings, photos, Q&A, and live auctions.



An added feature to A Night of Stars is SoapFest Game Night. You can win a spot on one of the actors teams as they compete against each other. This evening event is always a sell-out, so tickets should be ordered promptly advises Ms. Berry.

A Night of Stars tickets (including dinner) cost $125 per person. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $200 and guarantees VIP seating with your favorite celebrity guest.



The fun continues on Sunday, May 29th aboard the Marco Island Princess yacht for the afternoon Cruisin Boozin & Schmoozin with the Stars, to be held noon to 3pm, departing from Marco River Marina. The 3-hour boat ride is a perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with your favorite soap celebrity, while sightseeing Marco Islands coastal beauty as dolphins frolic in the water. Guests meet with actors for additional photographs and autographs. Auctions and raffles will be held for one-of-a-kind daytime drama memorabilia (signed scripts). Tickets limited to 130 and cost $130 per person including a luncheon buffet.



The annual Celebrity Karaoke Bar Bash takes place at 9 oclock until closing Sunday evening at Chad's Martini Bar, located at 695 Bald Eagle Drive. This cherished event features daytime actors singing favorite tunes while pouring drinks to raise money. Featuring DJ Jared. Tickets cost $75 per person.



SoapFest concludes on Monday, May 30th with a Sponsor VIP Brunch. Planning for this exclusive, one-of-a-kind event is underway with a very limited number of tickets available.



All levels of sponsorships ($250 - $1,000) are available and offer personalized marketing opportunities to local businesses and individuals who want to reach Marco Island residents and upscale visitors while supporting local children, reports Ms. Berry. Call the SoapFest office (239) 394-0080 for information on sponsorships.



Tickets for all events, updates to schedules, including current actor attendees, can be found at www.theatreonmarco.com/soapfest. Tickets may also be purchased by phone by calling 239- 394-0080.
A young Tipperary farmer has confirmed his growing reputation as one of the countrys most articulate and outspoken farm leaders by being elected as Deputy President of ICMSA.

A young Tipperary farmer has confirmed his growing reputation as one of the countrys most articulate and outspoken farm leaders by being elected as Deputy President of ICMSA.

Pat McCormack, who farms at Greenane, between Donaskeigh and Tipperary town, has also been re-elected as Chairman of that associations Dairy Committee.

He is already widely considered to be an outstanding advocate for dairy farmers and to posses an expert understanding of the Irish and international dairy sector. That expertise was recognised by his colleagues within the 18,000-strong specialist dairy farmers organisation when he was elected to chair the all important dairy committee at what was an unusually young age for that crucial office.

Mr McCormacks success and reputation can be gauged from the fact that he easily out-polled a rival to become the ICMSAs Deputy President and to assume even more responsibilities within the association. His electoral success will be considered a huge feather in the cap for Tipperary ICMSA and is a mark of the esteem in which the local executive is held by the other 26 county executives around the country following the very successful and high profile six year presidential term served by Jackie Cahill of Thurles.

Pat is married to Leah Brett, from Ballylooby. Pats father, Tom, is semi-retired from farming. A past pupil of Donaskeigh NS and St Ailbes secondary school in Tipp Town, Pat attended Rockwell Agricultural College before taking over the family farm.

Following his election to the post of deputy president, just before Christmas, Pat says it is in interesting time to be at the top table of the ICMSA. Its an interesting time with Single Farm Payments, CAP reform and the prospect of life without quotas. Its a changing and challenging environment.
Adi Roche, voluntary CEO and founder of Chernobyl Children International, is to make a landmark address on Chernobyl to the UN General Assembly in New York next Tuesday.

She has been invited to speak at a special session of the United Nations' General Assembly convened to mark the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

In an unprecedented move the Belarusian government is to provide speaking time at the General Assembly discussion to Adi Roche in recognition of the international role that Ireland and the Chernobyl Children International charity has played in helping the victims of the Chernobyl catastrophe.

This is the first time an NGO (non government organisation) has been extended the honour of speaking at the UN General Assembly during a countrys allocated time.

Belarus has asked Adi Roche to be the lead speaker during their time, which has been allocated to her so she can give her own first-hand account of the impact the worlds worst nuclear accident has had on millions of people in Belarus and neighbouring countries.

Chernobyl Children International is the only UN recognised NGO working in the area.

Originally from Western Park, Clonmel and now living in Cork, Adi Roche described the invitation as the greatest possible honour to speak on the highest world stage about an issue that has been my lifes work.

In her address she will draw particular attention to the heroism, the plight and the continuing needs of the 700,000 Chernobyl Liquidators.

These were the soldiers and civilians; the helicopter pilots, the firemen, the miners and the engineers who were sent to Chernobyl to undertake the deadly task of trying to contain the leaking radiation from the crippled nuclear reactor.

Many died; others have had to live with radiation-induced lifelong illnesses and almost all struggle with medical, psychological and financial difficulties.

Last week, on her 30th visit to the still radioactive contaminated zones of alienation around Chernobyl Adi Roche again met groups of the Liquidators whose actions in the first 48 hours after the explosion saved Europe from an even greater nuclear disaster.

They appealed to her to bring their stories and their voices to the United Nations and she said she would be upholding that pledge to them.

During the General Assembly session Ms Roche will make a special appeal for additional global support to help meet their ongoing health care needs.

She will also press for the speedy completion of the $1.5 billion sarcophagus (a box-like funeral receptacle) that is being built to make Chernobyl safe for the next 100 years.

Ireland has contributed 8 million to this fund. 40 countries and international agencies are funding this massive project, which has been delayed many times.

On this, the 30th anniversary of the worst nuclear disaster in history, it is a chilling reminder that the effects of this catastrophic nuclear accident are far from over, she said.

The radioactive contamination is still having an adverse effect on the lives and health of the people of the Chernobyl regions.

For many people 30 years ago is like reading ancient history- however for the victims it remains an unfolding tragedy.

New research shows that the rate of thyroid cancer has almost doubled since 2000 among children of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe.

Chernobyl is not something from the past; Chernobyl 'was forever', Chernobyl 'is forever'.

The impact of that single shocking nuclear accident can never be undone. Its radioactive footprint is embedded in our world forever, she added.
Tipperary food will be the focus of international attention next week with local producers hosting a major tasting event.

And during their visit, the internationally renowned judges will see some of the county's iconic landmarks, such as Coolmore Stud and the Rock of Cashel.

The Great Taste Awards are coming to Tipp because local butcher, and chairman of the Tipperary Food Producers, Pat Whelan, won last year's event in London with his now renowned dripping.

And the organisers of the event honoured that achievement but travelling to his home county for this year's event.

The judges will spend three days in Tipperary in what will provide a huge boost to the county's thriving food producing industry.

At the end of each of the three judging days spent in Tipperary, blind-tasting a range of food and drink from all over Ireland for this years Great Taste Awards, the visiting judges will be taken to a series of events designed to highlight the countys bounty.

On Tuesday judges spend an evening at the famous Coolmore Stud, on a behind-the-scenes tour of the stud generally acknowledged to be the world's biggest and best thoroughbred racehorse breeding operation.

Followed by a BBQ dining experience featuring local products and an opportunity to meet Tipperary food producers, the evening will progress to McCarthys of Fethard for music and craic!

On Wednesday judges have an evening tour of the majestic Rock of Cashel, followed by a drinks reception featuring locally produced beverages on the Rock. Dinner will be a long table dinner in Chez Hans, in its spectacular setting of a converted Victorian Gothic church.

The last evening, Thursday is an intimate evening with individual Tipperary Food Producers, where groups of judges and guests will be hosted at various locations throughout the county by different members of the Network, to experience a personal and authentic Tipperary welcome, culinary and cultural experience.

This is an exciting project that has been made possible by the generous support of all the local and national agencies, says Pat Whelan, Chairperson of Tipperary Food Producers, and their collaboration is immensely appreciated by all at Tipperary Food Producers.

Our sincere thanks go to Tipperary County Council, Bord Bia, Local Enterprise Office Tipperary, Tipperary Tourism Company, Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine, North Tipperary Leader Partnership, and South Tipperary Development Company.

Winning the Supreme Champion Award with our Beef Dripping last year was phenomenal, says Mr Whelan, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my pride and passion for Tipperary produce with some of the people who made that decision, and those who will choose this years winners.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Ted Cruz has made killing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau one of his key stances on banking policy during his fight to become the Republican presidential nominee.

While that battle is still uphill  Donald Trump won New York handily on Tuesday, boosting his delegate lead over Cruz  any attempt to destroy the CFPB could be an even tougher challenge if he's eventually elected president. Democrats remain fiercely supportive of the CFPB, opposing any structural changes to its leadership or funding, and would undoubtedly fight hard against stronger measures.

Yet the CFPB remains vulnerable, especially considering a U.S. appeals court is examining the constitutionality of its structure, and it has proven to be a surprisingly popular target for Republican attacks.

If Cruz is elected, there are several ways he could weaken or eliminate the agency:

Remove CFPB Director Richard Cordray "for Cause"

A crucial element of PHH's lawsuit against the CFPB turns on the constitutionality of a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act that only allows a CFPB director to be removed "for cause." The firm has argued that a director should serve at the pleasure of the president.

Leaving aside that legal fight, some argue that a President Cruz  or any Republican victor  could attempt to argue that Cordray should be removed "for cause" before his term ends in 2018. While the provision has rarely been invoked and the cause would have to rise above Cordray's political leanings, some say there's enough room for Cruz to act.

"The allegations of institutional discrimination at the CFPB that have been made by a number of whistle-blowers that have testified in Congress are sufficient to remove the director and deputy director 'for cause,' " said J.W. Barrett, an assistant professor of law at George Mason University and former senior counsel at the House Financial Services Committee.

Others disagree. Alan Kaplinsky, chair of the consumer financial services group at Ballard Spahr, said, "I don't think either the current president or President Cruz, if he becomes president, is ever going to have sufficient grounds for removing him."

Dennis Kelleher, president and CEO of the investor advocate group Better Markets, said the CFPB's internal issues are not "remotely close" to a reason for "removing the director for cause."

"No agency or department is going to get everything right the first time and no agency or department is going to be flawless or perfect in its hiring practices and the execution of its duty," Kelleher added.

Restructure the Agency

Arguably Cruz's most likely tactic  barring simply trying to pass a bill repealing the agency's existence  is to support efforts to change its structure and funding.

Republicans are already pushing bills that would subject the CFPB to congressional appropriations and replace its single director with a five-member commission.

The House Financial Services Committee passed a bill last week that would require Congress to set the agency's budget.

"Every government agency should be accountable to the elected representatives of 'We the People' and the CFPB should not be an exception to that rule," said Chairman Jeb Hensarling, a fellow Republican from Texas.

Still, the appropriations fight seems unlikely to prevail barring major defections from Democrats (who are likely to at least retain a strong minority presence in the Senate after the election, even if they don't win control of the chamber).

Industry observers agree that if any legislative change is likely to succeed, it's a more targeted measure to change the agency's leadership structure.

It's a "potentially viable alternative" as opposed to an outright dismantling of the agency, Kaplinsky said.

"There is too much power wielded in one director," he said. "One person should not have that much control."

But consumer groups would continue to oppose such a move.

Jim Lardner, the communications director for Americans for Financial Reform, a coalition of more than 200 consumer groups, said the single-director structure makes the agency more effective.

"Once people thought about how well some commissions have been functioning  the Securities and Exchange Commission for instance  they might see that proposal for what it is, which is an attempt to undermine the effectiveness of the agency and have it wind up in a near perpetual state of partisan gridlock which is what seems to happen at some of those commissions," Lardner said.

Wait to Make His Own Appointment

While passing legislation would be tough and removing Cordray for cause could be even harder, Cruz would have the opportunity to nominate a successor in 2018.

Cruz could take advantage of the fact that there is only a single director of the agency and attempt to nominate someone who would subvert the agency's goals.

Oliver Ireland, a partner at Morrison & Foerster, said Cruz "probably" could cripple the agency if he were able to get his nomination through the Senate.

David Vladeck, a professor of law at Georgetown and former director of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said Cruz could appoint an acolyte who, if confirmed, could "systematically dismantle everything that Richard Cordray has done."

But it could also be a challenge.

For one thing, Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the agency's founder and defender, would undoubtedly oppose any nominee they perceived as insufficiently dedicated to consumer protection.

Even if a person were confirmed, they might find it hard to undo what Cordray has done.

"The thing is with this agency, the second director will have an unprecedented task, because the first director established various rules and policy governing investigations and proceedings," said Jennifer Lee, a partner at Whitney & Dorsey and former CFPB enforcement attorney. "Even if the second director were a Democrat, it is an open question in what he or she could then change in the founding documents of the agency."

At best, Cruz might at least be able to leave the agency without a permanent director, which "might significantly impair its operation," Ireland said.

Subject It to a More Rigorous Cost-Benefit Analysis Test

While the CFPB conducts an internal cost-benefit analysis for its proposals and rules, one question is whether the agency could be made subject via an executive order to the cost-benefit analysis rules dictated by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

That office, overseen by the executive branch, could then come to a determination that the costs of some rulemakings would outweigh the benefits.

The president could "probably" subject the CFPB to cost-benefit analysis through executive order, but the issue hasn't been fully resolved, Vladeck said.

Lee also said that since the bureau often regulates through enforcement rather than rules, a cost-benefit analysis of rulemakings might be limited in reining in the CFPB.

"The issue of the regulatory cost-benefit analysis in rule making is beside the point since most of the complaints about the CFPB are geared towards the bureau's enforcement agenda," Lee said. "The regulations are few and far between compared to the enforcement actions coming down."

Repeal the CFPB Outright

Cruz's likely first choice would be to repeal the Dodd-Frank in its entirety, including the section that created the CFPB.

Since the beginning of his campaign, Cruz has been opposed to Dodd-Frank and specifically the CFPB.

"The agency continues to grow in power and magnitude without any accountability to Congress and the people," Cruz said last year when he introduced legislation to repeal the agency. "The only way to stop this runaway agency is by eliminating it altogether."

Bashing the CFPB has become a recurring theme on the campaign trail.

"In the days that follow we will take on the EPA and the CFPB and the alphabet soup of federal agencies that have descended like locusts on farmers and ranchers and small businesses killing jobs all across this country," Cruz told Iowa voters in January.

A full repeal is the simplest solution for Cruz.

"In theory, it is very easy to get rid of because for the first part it was very duplicative in the first place," Norbert Michel, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said about the CFPB. "You could simply have a financial division within the Federal Trade Commission" be in charge of consumer protection.

Yet of all the options presented here, this is the least likely to succeed. Democrats would be united in opposing such a move, and even some fellow Republicans might balk, said Lardner.

"If President Cruz actually tried to abolish the CFPB, he would take some terrible heat from the voters of his own party. ... I suspect a lot of Republicans in Congress if they did a little test marketing of the idea they would tell him to buzz off," Lardner said.
Two St. Louis-area investors have been indicted on charges they defrauded the failed Excel Bank on real estate loans.

Shaun Hayes and Michael Litz were indicted on April 13 on charges of bank fraud, misapplication of bank funds and causing false entries to be recorded, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Hayes had purchased a majority interest in Excel Bank, based in Sedalia, Mo., in 2007, according to the indictment. Hayes and Litz both were involved in real estate development companies in the St. Louis area.

Hayes directed Excel Bank to purchase at a discount about $4 million of loans on which Hayes' and Litz's companies were delinquent, and hid those purchases from the bank's board. The delinquent loans had been held by the $954 million-asset Centrue Financial in Ottawa, Ill. Hayes and Litz later set up a straw party, which they used to pay off some of the Centrue Bank loans.

Excel Bank had accepted funds from the Treasury Department's Troubled Asset Relief Program, and Hayes' and Litz's actions resulted in about $4 million of Tarp losses. Excel Bank itself lost money as a result of Hayes' and Litz's scheme. Regulators closed Excel Bank in October 2012 and its assets were acquired by the $7.5 billion-asset Simmons First National in Pine Bluff, Ark.
Good afternoon,

I have just chaired a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council. And we all agree that it is in all our interest to keep political channels for political dialogue open.

Political dialogue among nations that share the same Euro-Atlantic area is both necessary and useful, especially in times of tensions as we experience now.

However, this does not mean that we are back to business as usual.

We discussed three important topics during our meeting.

The crisis in and around Ukraine. Issues related to military activities; transparency and risk reduction;

And an assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan, including regional terrorist threats.

We had a frank and serious discussion.

NATO Allies and Russia hold very different views.

But we have listened to what each of us have to say.

Let me start with the situation in Ukraine. Because Russias actions against Ukraine led to the current state of our relations.

NATO Allies made clear that they stand firm in their support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Allies do not recognise Russias illegal annexation of Crimea.

We stressed that the increase in ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine in recent days is deeply disturbing.

As are the recent incidents targeting OSCE monitors.

All 29 members of the NATO-Russia Council agreed today on the need for a full and rapid implementation of the Minsk agreements.

The signatories to the agreements must comply with their commitments.

And Russia has a significant responsibility in this regard.

The respect for the right for every nation to choose their own security arrangements is a fundamental principle on which the NATO-Russia Council rests. This must be observed both in words and in deeds.

We also discussed transparency and risk reduction.

We have a responsibility to ensure predictability, confidence and stability across our region. The armed forces of every nation and every military alliance have the right to exercise. But in recent years, Allies have seen a decrease in transparency in military activities. Combined with an increase in military activity and forces, and strong rhetoric. This is a dangerous combination.

NATO Allies expressed concern about last weeks incidents in the Baltic region involving Russian military aircraft. It is important to consider what steps we can all take to increase transparency and predictability.

In the OSCE, all NATO Allies and Russia have agreed on rules governing military activities in Europe, including the observation and notification of exercises. Those rules must be respected.

The NATO-Russia Founding Act recognised that strengthening the OSCE will prevent any possibility of returning to a Europe of division and confrontation.

A number of NATO nations have tabled concrete proposals on how to modernise the Vienna Document on military transparency.

It is important that everyone participates constructively in that work. More military transparency can contribute to more security in Europe. This is in both NATOs and Russias interest.

We also addressed Afghanistan. The Afghan security forces are facing a challenging security environment, but they are capable and they are dedicated. NATO remains committed to supporting them. All nations should do their part to support Afghanistan in reaching its goal of stability and security.

NATO and Russia have profound and persistent disagreements. Todays meeting did not change that.

NATO Allies remain firm that there can be no return to practical cooperation until Russia returns to the respect of international law.

But we will keep channels of communication open.

Especially when tensions are high, political dialogue is necessary to discuss our differences and to reduce the risk of military incidents.

And with that Im ready to take your questions.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

QUESTION (Associated Press): Secretary General, judging by your last remark there, is it fair to say that todays meeting did not lead to an improvement in relations between NATO and Russia? And in more detail, where there any agreements made as to further meetings of the NATO-Russia Council or the concrete steps that could be taken to reduce tensions?

SECRETARY GENERAL: The NATO-Russia Council was never suspended, so I expect that we are going to meet again. We didnt decide on any schedule for next meeting, but since we never suspended the council I expect that we will meet again. I think we had a very frank, serious and actually good meeting. Not because we agreed, but because we were able to exchange views, to listen to each other, and thereby being able to contribute to better ability to talk to each other which I think is of particular importance when times are difficult as they are now. And in particular I think we had a very useful and frank exchange of views related to transparency, predictability and the importance of risk reductions and importance of keeping channels for military lines of communication open. And I think the relevance and importance of that has been highlighted by the incidents we have seen in the Baltic Region last week.

QUESTION (ITAR-TASS): Mr Secretary General, do you genuinely believe now its possible at the same time to deter Russia and to cooperate with it?

SECRETARY GENERAL: We have suspended practical cooperation between NATO and Russia, but we decided that we will keep channels for political dialogue open. And thats exactly what we have proven today, that we were able to sit down and talk, exchange views. And because we disagree, and because there are difficulties I find it even more important that we sit down in meeting like the meeting we had today in the NATO-Russia Council. Deterrence is not about fighting a war but it is about preventing conflict. The reason why NATO has always been focused on importance of strong deterrence is not because we want to fight the war, but it is because we want to prevent war, and prevent conflict. And I also very strongly believe that there is no contradiction between strong defence and political dialogue. I will state again and again that the foundation for political dialogue is strength and predictability and thats the message also from NATO today.

QUESTION (Reuters): Secretary General, how do you believe the Minsk process could move forward when there are such disagreements? What steps would you like to see be taken?

SECRETARY GENERAL: During the meeting it was reconfirmed that we disagree both when it comes to the facts, the narratives, and the responsibilities for the crisis in and around Ukraine. And many Allies also conveyed a very strong message that we disagree when Russia try to portray this as a civil war. This is Russia destabilizing Eastern Ukraine, providing support for separatists, ammunition, funding equipment and also command and control. So there were profound disagreements related to the crisis in Ukraine, but we agreed on the importance of full and rapid implementations of the Minsk agreements, meaning respecting the ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons, and also, of course, full access for the international monitors to monitor the situation on the ground. And I think it is important that this is a clear message and is something which we agree on. And then of course we have to be able to see that this is not only something which is stated in meetings, but also then implemented on the ground and Russia has a special responsibility because Russia continues to support separatists in Eastern Ukraine.

QUESTION (Channel 1 Russia): Mr Secretary General, could you please comment, this meeting was much longer than you planned before. Why was it so? And the second question, could you please comment if NATO considers Russia to be an opposing side, and if doesnt so then why NATO has increased military presence in Western Union?

SECRETARY GENERAL: The meeting was longer than planned; that reflects that the meeting was a meeting where we had a frank, serious discussion about several important topics, topics which are of importance to all NATO Allies and for Russia. The crisis in and around Ukraine is of course something which is important for all of us. Military activity, transparency, predictability is important. We have seen that after the incidents in the Baltic Sea last week and of course the situation in Afghanistan is also related to our efforts to fight terrorism and increase security of all our nations. Everything NATO does and also of course in the Baltic Region is proportionate, its defensive, and its fully in line with our international commitments. And what we are doing is that we are responding to substantial military build-up in Russia. And we have to remember that what NATO has done in the Baltic Region with some increased military presence is in response to illegal annexation of Crimea and Russias destabilizing behavior in Eastern Ukraine. So, NATOs increased military presence in the Baltic Region happened six months after the illegal annexation of Crimea. So there can be no doubt that the facts and the order of when different things happened confirms that what NATO has done is a response to the actions of Russia in Ukraine.

QUESTION (Dominika Cosic, Polish TV): I have one questions about Baltic Region and the transparency. What can be answer of NATO is there were more incidents like recently?

SECRETARY GENERAL: Our focus now is to prevent that kind of incidents. And we are doing that partly by stressing the importance of using existing channels of military to military communications. We would like to see that they are used much more. Second, we are now working with all the European nations within the framework of OSCE in Vienna to try to modernize the different documents, the different agreements, which facilitate different kinds of confidence building measures, transparency, predictability, related to military activity. So, what we are doing now is that we are calling on all members of the OSCE to be constructive and to modernize these documents, including the Vienna Document. And I hope that we can make progress during this year. So, we can have better, more efficient agreements related to how we can reduce the risks of that kind of incidents we have seen in the Baltic Sea. If that kind of incidents happen again, then we need even more transparency and predictability and lines of communications, political and military lines of communications to prevent that it spiral out of control and create really dangerous situations.

QUESTION: (NPR): I am going to pick up on your last comment. You said that you think even more lines of communication would be the answer if you see more incidents like this. There are these existing mechanisms, there are these existing lines of communication. What insurances do you have from Russia that they are going to respect that because this has been going on since long before Syria now?

SECRETARY GENERAL: That is one of the reasons why these kind of meetings are important. Because we stressed very much and underlined strongly in the meeting the importance of both using existing lines of communication, existing mechanisms for risk reductions, that are not used to the extent we would like them to be used today. But in addition I think there is a need of improving different agreements, different mechanisms, for instance the Vienna Document. Because many things have changed. We have increased military presence, we have all the kinds of military capabilities now.
Speaking at the press point following the NATO-Russia Council today (20 April), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined that political dialogue among nations that share the same Euro-Atlantic area is both necessary and useful, especially in times of tension as we experience now. However, this does not mean that we are back to business as usual.

During the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, NATO Allies made clear that they stand firm in their support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. Allies do not recognize Russias illegal annexation of Crimea. We stressed that the increase in ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine in recent days is deeply disturbing. As are the recent incident targeting OSCE monitors, Mr. Stoltenberg said.

The NATO Secretary General added that All 29 members of the NATO- Russia Council agreed today on the need for a full and rapid implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Transparency and risk reduction was also a topic of discussion in the NATO-Russia Council. NATO Allies expressed concern about last weeks incidents in the Baltic region involving Russian military aircraft. It is important to consider what steps we can all take to increase transparency and predictability. In the OSCE, all NATO Allies and Russia have agreed on rules governing military activities in Europe, including the observation and notification of exercises. Those rules must be respected, the NATO Secretary General said. Mr. Stoltenberg said that a number of NATO nations have tabled concrete proposals on how to modernise the Vienna Document on military transparency. It is important that everyone participates constructively in that work. More military transparency can contribute to more security in Europe. This is in both NATOs and Russias interest, he added.

The third item on the NATO-Russia Council agenda was Afghanistan. Mr. Stoltenberg highlighted that NATO remains committed to supporting the Afghan security forces. All nations should do their part to support Afghanistan in reaching its goal of stability and security, he said.

The NATO Secretary General underlined that NATO and Russia have profound and persistent disagreements and todays meeting did not change that. He also stressed that NATO Allies remain firm that there can be no return to practical cooperation until Russia returns to the respect of international law. But we will keep channels of communication open.
(NaturalNews) Have you heard the news lately? The field of Holistic Medicine is under attack by Big Pharma, yet again. A list containing 14 deaths from inter-related fields of medicine has surfaced. The beginning of the deaths started roughly around June 19th 2015 and the latest addition to the list was on February 14th 2016.Almost an entire year has passed and key individuals from their respective fields have been murdered, some in Holistic Medicine and some specializing in cancer research. From the bombshell information contained in the following video, you can draw your own conclusions about the motives behind these tragic deaths. (Story by Nate, republished from FreedomFighterTimes.com .)Some serious medical findings must be getting uncovered for Big Pharma to stick its nasty neck out this far! Let's being with the latest...Continue reading at FreedomFighterTimes.com

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An ineffective approval process

Monsanto sued over PCB contamination

Glyphosate under scrutiny

(NaturalNews) Despite mounting evidence that the world's most widely used weedkiller is linked to a host of chronic illnesses, including cancer, Monsanto has no intention of suspending its use. In a March interview with's Robin Young and Jeremy Hobson, Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant maintains the safety of Roundup, despite the World Health Organization's declaration that the weedkiller is "probably carcinogenic.""Roundup is not a carcinogen. It's 40 years old, it's been studied; virtually every year of its life it's been under a review somewhere in the world by regulatory authorities," Grant told Hobson."So Canada and Europe just finished. Europe finished their review last year and came back with glowing colors. The Canadians were the same and now we are going through a similar process in the U.S., so I've absolutely no concerns about the safety of the product."But as most of us have come to learn, just because something was approved for market use, doesn't make it safe. In fact, countless chemical products have been discontinued only after they wreaked havoc on people's health; the very same chemical-laden products that were approved or reviewed by "regulatory authorities."Monsanto is no stranger to this kind of double-dealing.Prior to entering the seed business, Monsanto produced polychlorinated biphenyls , commonly known as PCBs, from 1935 to 1979. The toxic compounds were used to insulate electronics before being outlawed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency due to human health and environmental concerns. Internal memos prove the seed giant knew about the toxicity of PCBs as far back as 1970 but continued production, focusing only on profit revenue; Monsanto earned $10 million off the pollutants, which are now realized to have contaminated waterways all over the world.The toxicants, linked to cancer and adverse effects on the human immune, nervous, reproductive and endocrine systems, are known to damage aquatic organisms and wildlife, as well as humans.The result is a string of lawsuits filed against Monsanto by multiple cities in America's West. Seattle, Spokane, San Diego, San Jose,and Oakland have sued the seed giant over PCB contamination Monsanto denies all responsibility, blaming those who "mishandled" the chemicals. In the interview, Grant blamed the "former Monsanto," arguing that the company was under different ownership during its PCB production. Grant also refutes the purported health effects of PCBs."We've been working with these cities for decades now in part of that cleanup, but we are not wholly responsible for that. There's other people in that chain that are responsible."It's probable that Monsanto will face similar legal consequences as result of its glyphosate use, the primary (and demonstrably tumorigenic) ingredient in Roundup. We just haven't quite gotten there yet. But the good news is that regulatory agencies around the world are increasingly placing glyphosate under the microscope.The European Parliament (EP) came close to letting its glyphosate license expire due to pressure from environmental activists. Though the weedkiller license was recently renewed by European officials, new restrictions have been applied.The EP approved glyphosate use for another seven years, rather than the 15 that was originally requested. Officials recommended its use be limited to professionals only and advised that the weedkiller not be applied to public playgrounds and parks. The recommendations are just that, however.While the recommendations are weak and totally ineffective for protecting public health and the environment, they are still a step in the right direction. Governmental discussions about glyphosate cannot be had without immense opposition and health concerns  a form of progress nonexistent just a few years ago.
Win-win situation

Initiatives popping up everywhere

(NaturalNews) In news that will be embraced by health-conscious consumers and organic farmers alike, Costco is finding the demand for organic food to be so staggering, that it is lending money to farmers so they can grow enough organic food to keep up The Seattle Times reports that Costco came up with this brilliant solution in response to the growing demand by its customers for organic produce. In fact, organic food is one of the quickest growing types of food in terms of sales numbers, a strong sign that people really are starting to insist on clean food that has not been adulterated by toxic chemicals Costco's CEO, Craig Jelinek, said that they simply "cannot get enough organics to stay in business day in and day out."In one of several new initiatives, the firm will lend money to San Diego's Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce (A&W) so that they can purchase 1,200 acres of land in Baja California, along with the equipment needed to grow the food.The idea was born when Costco's senior vice president of fresh foods, Jeff Lyons, toured the produce company. Their experience growing organic produce impressed him, but he saw that they lacked the funds to purchase additional land to expand these organic growing efforts. As part of the loan, Costco has also purchased the first rights on everything that comes off the land that meets certain requirements.Lyons told the: "By helping them with financing, we got access to and purchased about 145,000 cases of organic raspberries that we normally would not have access to."It's a win-win situation, as A&W can increase its presence and operations in the organic food industry, while Costco can boost its business. The biggest winners of all, however, will be consumers, who are increasingly clamoring for healthy, organic produce options.This is just the latest move that shows how seriously Costco takes the health of its consumers. It has already shunned genetically modified salmon in its stores. It has also contracted with farmers in Nebraska to raise their cattle on organic fields, and it has been sourcing its wild shrimp from the Sea of Cortez, to avoid slave labor produced shrimp that comes from Thailand.The sales numbers of food from organic farms have risen dramatically, with spending on organics enjoying a 72 percent jump since 2008. Costco is the world's second-biggest retailer. It sold around $4 billion worth of organic food last year across its 487 stores, making it the nation's top organic grocer, and giving Whole Foods a run for its money Pacific Foods and Nature's Path also have their own organic farms, while Whole Foods launched a $25 million increase for its Local Producer Loan Program in recent years. The Whole Foods program supports non-GMO animal feed, sustainable packaging, biodynamic farming and pollinator health. Chipotle Mexican Grill has also started funding organic farming operations.This is a smart business strategy that will likely pay off quite well for Costco, and one can only hope that other retailers will get on board, as the consumer demand for organic food continues to rise, and people get fed up with the many unacceptable options found in typical grocery store produce sections.People who are concerned about the quality of their food can download a free preview of Food Forensics by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger. This book exposes the hidden dangers in many foods, and provides sound advice for ensuring that you and your family avoid these toxins, and enjoy only the purest foods.
In 2015, there were 529,613 deaths registered in England and Wales, an increase of 28,189 compared with 2014.



Of the extra deaths, 86 per cent occurred in the over 75s and 38 per cent in the over 90s.



It was the highest number of deaths in a single year since 2003 and the highest year on year percentage increase since 1968.



Figures also suggest that life expectancy at birth will fall by 0.2 years to 79.3 years for men and by 0.3 years to 82.9 years for women if mortality rates remain the same as they were in 2015.



For men, this was the first fall since 1993.



So much for "public health"

"Outbreak"

(NaturalNews) File this under the "say it isn't so" category  a vaccine that isn't good for your health.As reported by the UK's, a growing number of cases of dementia and an ineffective flu vaccine are being blamed for the biggest rise in annual deaths in England and Wales in five decades, an investigation revealed.In 2015, the website noted, there were 28,000 more deaths than the previous year, or an increase of 5.6 percent. The most recent inquiry into the rising death toll has found that 2015 saw the biggest single-year spike in respiratory diseases, including influenza, and diseases like dementia since 2003.The figures come from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), which was assisted by Public Health England (PHE), and it is the first time an analysis of death rates has been undertaken.reported further:In a time when life expectancy rates, thanks in large part to a rise in naturopathic medicine and organic food consumption , is increasing, this trend should set off alarms for demographers.?While the current rise in death rates is the largest for many years, there have been similar increases in previous years, in the early 1950s and again in the late 1960s. However, the 2015 death spike is being blamed on flu vaccines For instance, British medical statistics show in February 2015 the highest winter death toll in 15 years was reported after scores of citizens were given faulty vaccines. Death rates in England and Wales were 25 percent higher than the previous year,reported.PHE said the vaccine administered only protected about one-third of every 100 people who received it. What's more, health officials said the vaccine did not protect against the strain of influenza that swept the country last year.For the past few years, say health officials, the dominant flu strain has been H1N1, which is also known as the swine flu . Last year (as the swine flu did in 1976), the virus suddenly mutated, rendering the vaccine essentially useless.In March, UK health officials warned that a spring flu outbreak was beginning to blanket the country, as evidenced by the number of patients seeing their physicians for flu-related illness which were at five-year highs. The most recent statistics show that there were 24,201 more deaths of people aged 75 and older than in 2015.Of those, 41 percent were stricken with an underlying condition of dementia or Alzheimer's disease; nearly one-third had an underlying cause of respiratory disease  both of which were labeled a "significant increase" by health experts."The majority of the increase in deaths in 2015 happened during the first few months of the year, coinciding with an increase in hospital admissions for flu and reports of numerous outbreaks of the virus in care homes," said Claudia Wells, head of mortality analysis at ONS."Respiratory diseases, such as flu, were also mentioned in a third of deaths from dementia and Alzheimer's last year," she added.
Mercury level of flu vaccine published, but where is the media coverage denouncing mercury poisoning of children?

Where is the incentive to clean up vaccines and help the population boost their inherent immunity to all pathogens through nutrition?

Double standards in mainstream media expose their allegiance to the pharmaceutical industry

(NaturalNews) Double standards are prevalent in American society, and are constantly being projected through the mainstream media. Recognizing these double standards is easy when you follow the money and understand the industries that influence and control the media In Flint, Michigan, lead levels in the municipal water supply were dangerously high. Nothing was done about this serious public health crisis for over a year. Lead poisons the brain and is toxic to the entire body, leading to bone disease and cancer. The mainstream media has thankfully been covering the lead crisis in Flint extensively,To this day, the mainstream media completely ignores the deliberate mercury poisoning taking place in the field of medicine.In 2014, a scientist working for the public interest tested mercury levels of a flu vaccine produced by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. Using advanced mass spectrometry technology, Mike Adams the Health Ranger found that the Flulaval vaccines contained upwards of 51 parts per million of mercury, or 25,000 times the legal maximum for drinking water established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) This is an unprecedented level of mercury being injected directly into people and developing children all over the planet. Has the mainstream media scrambled to cover the story of pervasive mercury poising, like they covered the story of lead poisoning in Flint, Michigan? The answer is a resounding, because the mainstream media is sponsored by the pharmaceutical giants who make multi-billions of dollars peddling toxic vaccines.The government that warns pregnant women of the mercury in a can of tuna , is the same government that turns a blind eye toward the mercury being used in the flu vaccines they help promote.If public health policy is going to continue using vaccine methods to retrain the immune systems of millions of people, then shouldn't the vaccine industry at least be given an incentive to make these injections as safe as possible?There definitely needs to be more informed consent. The more we leave consumers in the dark, the more they will blindly accept what they are told. If more people really understood what mercury can do to the body, then more people would demand safer vaccines, or begin looking into empowering their inherent immune systems using nutrition. The demand for greater access to living, whole foods would grow, and people would work to strengthen their immune systems for protection against all pathogens. The vaccine industry would hate that.Furthermore, is it safe to use vaccines that use aluminum as an adjuvant to stimulate the body's response to single viruses and bacteria strains? What about the traces of cancer causing formaldehyde that are left as a contaminant in vaccines ? What are the negative implications of using aborted fetal cell lines in vaccines?Why isn't the media rushing to point out that millions of adults and developing children are being directly exposed to toxic mercury through vaccines?On the right side of the political spectrum, we hear a lot about the second amendment and the right to defend ourselves, but when it comes to having the right to know what's in vaccines and food products, (so that people can protect themselves from toxic chemicals, GMOs, heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides), the political right turn a blind eye.On the left side of the political spectrum, we hear a lot about a woman's convenient, tax-fundedto access drugs and medical equipment to terminate the heartbeat of the fetus inside her body, but when it comes to her right to choose what chemicals and metals are injected into the newborn she decided to keep, she is rarely allowed informed consent, and in some places not given a choice about what is injected into her child's body. Hepatitis B vaccines are ridiculously pushed on newborns at birth without a mother's full consent and knowledge of what's in the vaccine or what the hell it's for. Flu vaccines, becoming more mandatory in hospital settings, are being pushed on pregnant women and children under age one.It's obvious then:the double standards of the medical system and the mainstream media are there to serve the agendas of the powerful pharmaceutical industry, ultimately tearing away at the fabric of American life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Three major Detroit-area hospitals under investigation for malpractice

A hotheaded cancer nurse

Is St. John Hospital still covering for Fata?

(NaturalNews) Michigan's Detroit-area healthcare system is entangled in a web of corruption, industry collusion, medical malpractice and under-the-table ownership exchanges that allow it to be absolved from accountability.Home to cancer fraudster Dr. Farid Fata, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison for an extensive list of unspeakable crimes, Michigan currently has three major hospitals under investigation for cases of medical malpractice resulting in death or other significant injuries.These include Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, McLaren Flint hospital, and Crittenton Hospital Medical Center.In 2010, Detroit-based Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute partnered with Crittenton Hospital, based in Rochester Hills, to build a $16 million facility called the Karmanos-Crittenton Cancer Center, where Fata rented office space to carry out what would later be deemed the biggest case of healthcare fraud ever to be observed in U.S. history.Fata, who presided over Michigan's largest private cancer practice  the Karmanos-Crittenton Cancer Center  was convicted of administering aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments on cancer-free individuals in order to fraudulently bill Medicare, undertreating patients who actually had cancer and defrauding taxpayers out of $23 million.It remains unclear exactly how many patients fell victim to Fata's scam, but reports that federal investigators uncovered records showing that more than 550 patients unnecessarily received 9,000 chemotherapy infusions and injections."If we genuinely care about the health and safety of cancer patients, we must reasonably ask how many patients have died under the care of Drs. Farid Fata or David Gorski? How many of those patients were African-American?" asked Mike Adams, author of, science lab director of CWClabs.com and creator of Medicine.news "Is there a disparity in patient outcomes between blacks and whites? We already know that Dr. Farid Fata committed systematic medical murder involving Karmanos in Detroit. That is now established fact. What we don't know is how many other people have died from dangerous medical interventions carried out by other colleagues such as Dr. David Gorski."Intent on disclosing just how many people Fata hurt,contacted St. John Hospital Cancer Center, which signed a five-year deal to manage Crittenton Hospital Medical Center and to lease the former Karmanos-Crittenton Cancer Center, where Fata rented space to carry out his elaborate scheme.I identified myself as a reporter from Austin, Texas, searching for information on how many people may have received negligent care under Dr. Farid Fata. The woman answering the phone quickly transferred me to her manager.When the cancer center's manager picked up, I repeated my question: "Hi, I'm looking for information on how many people may have received negligent care under Dr. Farid Fata . Can you assist me with this?"The female manager quickly grew irritated, annoyed, and borderline belligerent, repeating over and over, "I have nothing to do with that," before slamming down the phone. Shocked, I took a moment to gather myself before calling back again.After being transferred to the same manager, I asked her to identify herself and her title; she refused, angrily shouting out a phone number belonging to Crittenton's Marketing Manager Shelly Ottenbacher, before slamming the phone down a second time.I was puzzled as to who this manager was and why she was acting so combative in response to a simple question relating to a widely publicized (meaning they're probably used to these sorts of calls) Crittenton doctor convicted of murdering and maiming countless individuals.After a little digging, I learned that the rude woman on the other end of the line was likely Nicole Phillips, the center's Oncology Nurse Navigator, a position responsible for providing personal guidance and education to cancer patients.Needless to say, this is not the woman I'd want offering me reassurance. Phillips' demeanor is highly representative of the healthcare provided by Crittenton: nasty, flawed and extremely unprofessional.When I finally reached Ottenbacher, she was a bit more helpful, but not much. She shrugged off my complaints about Phillips' rude behavior, defending it by saying she was just "following protocol" and is not allowed to respond to media inquiries.But...since when does "following protocol" condone pugnacious behavior?When I asked how many people were hurt by Fata, Ottenbacher told me they have no records on that because he was a "private physician," leading me to question, if the hospital he was working under didn't oversee him, then who did?The answer to that may very likely be "no one," which is why Fata was able to commit the crimes he did for as long as he did."It is no coincidence, I believe, that Karmanos isn't releasing any aggregate numbers of patient deaths. To do so would all but admit guilt, and it might ensnare other doctors who continue to bring in revenues that are desperately needed by the Karmanos group," said Adams.Fata's scheme was so elaborate, it's suspected others may have been involved."Eight others physicians have been named as part of the investigation as those who knew Fata was bilking the system,""One of the counts he [Fata] plead to was conspiracy, and one person cannot be convicted of conspiracy. There has to be co-conspirators," said attorney Donna MacKenzie. "Who are those co-conspirators?"MacKenzie reportedly "has a growing list of cases" regarding medical malpractice filed in Oakland0 County Circuit Court involving Crittenton, Karmanos and McLauren hospital. We reached out to MacKenzie for an update on those cases, but she did not return our request for comment at the time of this writing.It appears that, in some fashion, Fata's crimes are still being covered up, namely by Crittenton hospital, which continues to shift the blame rather than acknowledge its involvement.So who exactly were Fata's accomplices?Is it possible pro-vaccine troll David Gorski was somehow involved in Fata's scam or at least privy to it? Gorski's professional career is embedded in the same circle as Fata's. He works as a surgical oncologist at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, and though he has no reports of disciplinary action, neither did Fata, that is until just a few years before his scheme was exposed.What Gorski does have are several very dissatisfied patients, who describe him as a "garbage doctor" more interested in blogging than treating patients.
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Scientists and researchers are studying the effects of contaminated environments on animals. After decades of devastation due to nuclear radiation, they've found that Chernobyl, site of the world's most historically catastrophic nuclear accident, now appears to be a refuge and breeding ground for wild animals whose populations have shown an increase in numbers despite the contamination in the area. The question now is, if animal life can return to the area, can people eventually repopulate the once barren wasteland and survive?

30 years ago in April, the town of Chernobyl in Pripyat, Ukraine was deprived of life due to a nuclear power plant accident. Since then, people were prohibited to live near Chernobyl due to the drastic effect of radiation to the human body. But according to Science Daily, studies conducted by various institutions, including the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, affirms that there is a notable number of wildlife living in the area.

In the same report, the researchers said they used the "first remote-camera scent-station survey" in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Researchers opted to deploy this technology to produce hard proof, in the form of pictures, that animals survive there.

According to National Geographic, these findings are significant to the rehabilitation of Chernobyl. In 1998, in an effort to study the viability of life in Chernobyl, some animals were released in the area. Scientists believe that species left there can survive and even reproduce. Today, there are "moose, deer, beaver, and owls, brown bear, lynx, and wolves" in Chernobyl.

Marina Shkvyria, wolf expert at the Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences, said in an interview with National Geographic that "We came down here late last spring and howled, and the young wolf pups howled back from the top of that hill," She also added that aside from having the place to their own, part of the animals' survival could be attributed to the lack of human beings hunting them.

Beasley affirms Shkvyria's study, saying that large animals tend to reproduce more in CEZ. In an article byPhysics Organization, they quoted Shkvyria saying "These animals are probably the only positive outcome of the terrible catastrophe we had".

Since 1986, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) was a forbidden zone for men because the contamination prohibits people from surviving for extended periods in the area. It includes territories from the Ukraine and Belarus affected by the nuclear accident.

In the same report by the National Geographic, scientists report that there is still a high level of radiation lurking in the area. Anders Pape Mller, a Danish scientist at the University of Paris-Sud, says, "These animals in Chernobyl and Fukushima live 24 hours a day in these contaminated sites. Even if the actual dose for one hour is not extremely high, after a week or after a month, it adds up to a lot. These effects are certainly at a level where you could see dramatic consequences."

Mller said that in his research they found out that the wolves in CEZ manifest cataracts while a good number of birds show signs of bacterial infections under their wings and partial albinism.

Although the level of radiation has dropped drastically in a span of 30 years, contamination is still present in the area. The conditions exhibited by the animals in Chernobyl show that radiation continues to have adverse effects on the living species.
In a quest to address the common travel dilemma of language barriers and miscommunication, a team of Swiss designers have created an item of clothing that speaks for itself. Founded in 2015, Iconspeak aims to break language barriers by creating amazing, simple and helpful products such as multiple gadgets and utensils that many travelers can use around the world.

"Simplicity was always a trait that unites us in many forms, call it lazy or genius, but we like to keep it simple. And hence follows our starting point of how to bridge the language barriers of our world: a shirt," declares the Iconspeak website.

So how does the T-shirt address the problem? On it are nearly 40 easily recognizable icons, representing common concepts that travelers can use to express themselves wherever they are in the world. Asked how they came up with the idea, co-founder George Horn told CNN that they were inspired by their own experience.

"We came up with the idea in 2013 when we were riding motorbikes through Vietnam and one broke down," he said. In search of assistance, they ended up in a small village where no one could understand them. By drawing out images and symbols on pieces of paper, they were able to somehow explain their situation.

Not like any fashion statement, the shirt is a unique translation tool. Individuals can relay messages by simply pointing to universally understood symbols for trains, buses, bikes, hotels, beer, food, hospitals, airplanes, and even Wi-Fi.
More than 8,000 people flocked to Golden Gate Park on Wednesday, or 4/20, as the San Franciscos weed-loving community call it, to celebrate being outside on the grass and the sweet smells (and effects) of cannabis.

The exact spot in the park? Hippie Hill, of course. And the theme? A giant smoke-out.

Before lunch, the park was crawling with folks enjoying edibles, selling baseball caps and just chilling out in the sun. Tony Doles pointed out how mellow he and his friends were being despite the fact that smoking marijuana for fun is illegal, according to the federal government.

"No one's hurting anyone," he said.

Pot laws could change soon. While California approved the use of medical marijuana in 1996, a marijuana legalization initiative is likely to be on the November ballot statewide. Thinking ahead, San Francisco's Flow Kana this week launched what it said was the nation's first all-encompassing marketing campaign advertising small-batch, organic marijuana.

Images of the Annual 4/20 Smokeout in San Francisco

Thats not to say the cops wont be out and making arrests. Even if it's not for toking up. Supervisor London Breed said there will be more police, park rangers, fire and transportation officials on scene to make sure the cannabis holiday is a safe experience for the thousands of revelers expected to flood the park.

In 2015, there were five arrests, SFist reported, one for assault with a deadly weapon for hitting someone on the head with a bottle, two more for outstanding warrant, and two for intoxication. Last year, 10,000 people attended.

But that's not what Andrew Morris wanted to focus on. "Hey, one person threw a bottle last year and it makes it bad for the rest of us," he said.

The unsanctioned event costs the city between $80,000 and $100,000 per year because additional help has to be requested from city agencies to ensure safety, control heavy traffic and collect trash. The average amount of trash collected each year? Five tons.

The weed lovers' celebration is practiced throughout the country, but its roots originate in the Bay Area.

As for why 4/20? It stems back to a group of San Rafael High School students in the '70s  nicknamed the Waldos  who would get high at 4:20 p.m.

Dozens of workers will be out early Thursday after working late to clean up Hippie Hill.
Catherine Martinelli-Banks has a confession to make.

She is a much better veteran than she ever was an active-duty Marine.

"That's absolutely true," Martinelli-Banks said. "I kept my company gunny and first sergeant busy," during her time in the Marine Corps in the late 1980's and early 1990's.

If Martinelli-Banks' superiors could see here now, though, they would some someone doing an exemplary job helping other veterans.

Martinelli-Banks, who works in the mortgage industry, spends untold hours of her free time doing what she can to help those who have served their country. From organizing financial seminars, to administering private Facebook groups, to lobbying in Washington, DC, Martinelli-Banks is non-stop.

Her latest venture is an attempt to raise $150,000 to help make the home of a Marine who lost both his arms and legs to an IED in Afghanistan in 2010 more accessible.

"Why? I don't know. I just have to," Martinelli-Banks says. "I won't feel complete if I don't reach out and see if there is anything I can do."

It is a far cry from who Martinelli-Banks says used to be. In the early 2000's, more than a decade after her service, Martinelli-Banks described herself as a single woman "living in Orange County, driving an Escalade, and shopping at Nordstroms every day."

So what changed?

Well, is started with a single phone call from Soledad Jackson in 2004.

Jackson, also a Marine, had been Martinelli-Banks' roommate while at Camp Pendleton in the late 1980's. Unlike Martinelli-Banks, tough, Jackson was still active duty when the Iraq War began. She was told she would be deployed to the war zone for up to one year.

Though the two had only spoken sporadically over the years, Jackson had a big favor to ask of Martinelli-Banks.

"I asked her if she could come to North Carolina from San Diego to look after my kids while I was gone," Jackson said.

It was a mission Martinelli-Banks could not refuse.

"I had two cats at the time, so I packed the car and the three of us drove out."

Martinelli-Banks spent the next eight months caring for Jackson's two children, and eight-year-old girl and a seven-year-old girl.

Jackson says can still not thank Martinelli-Banks enough for what she did, giving her peace of mind while fighting a war.

Martinelli-Banks, tough, believes she got just as much out of the experience. It is helping that one fellow Marine that sparked in her desire to do even more.

"Soledad says that I've helped her and it's like, I think you really saved my life and it was and just from doing that it gave me just a whole new purpose."
The FBI has been brought in to assist San Francisco police in their search for a missing 2-year-old whose mother was found dead last Friday, authorities told NBC Bay Area.

Police investigators met with federal agents Tuesday and sought their assistance in the case of the missing girl, Arianna Fitts, who disappeared this month. Her mother, Nicole Fitts, 32, was found slain in San Franciscos McLaren Park on Friday.

"Were going to help if we can, said FBI spokesman Prentice Danner following Tuesdays meeting. He said the FBI is not taking over the case but will assist SFPD investigators in searching for the child.

Nicole Fitts was last seen April 1 and was reported missing April 5. She had been working at a Best Buy, in the South of Market area, near where her body was found.

"Its so horrible and our employees are devastated," Best Buy spokeswoman Maggie Habashy emailed to NBC Bay Area. "We are saddened by the news and our thoughts go out to Nicoles loved ones and pray her daughter is found safely."

A vigil is scheduled for Nicole Fitts Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Best Buy on 1717 Harrison Street in San Francisco.

The mother had been trying to turn her life around, those who knew her said.

"She was a lovely person and liked by everyone that worked with her," said Martha Ryan, who runs the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco.

The program also serves as a resource center for families living in poverty. Ryan said Nicole Fitts, who worked at a Best Buy in San Francisco, used the center for parenting classes.

"We try to work with them to help them get to stable, so that they don't need us anymore," Ryan said.

Ryan said Nicole Fitts has not been at the center since October, which she added was a good thing.

Arianna and Nicole Fitts frequented San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Oakland, Emeryville and other California cities, said police, who have also notified authorities in those cities to be on the lookout for the missing child.

Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, police said they can't disclose any other details about the killing or any other circumstances of the case.

Anyone who sees Arianna is asked to immediately call 911.
George Clooney played host to two Hillary Clinton fundraisers in California last weekend, which drew criticism from Bernie Sanders supporters who say the actor is flexing his Hollywood might to raise big money for the former Secretary of State.

Clooney pushed back in an interview with NBCs Chuck Todd on Meet the Press.

"The overwhelming amount of the money that were raising, is not going to Hillary to run for president," he said. "Its going to the down-ticket. Its going to the congressmen and senators to try to take back Congress."

That claim is about half true.

Tickets to the Hillary Victory Fund events hosted by Clooney ranged from $33,400 to $353,000.

Federal law says an individual can only give up to $2,700 to a candidate in a presidential primary. So only $2,700 from each ticket sold went directly to Clinton.

The rest of the money is divvied up among the Democratic National Committee and the state democratic parties, said Daniel Newman, president of Maplight, a nonpartisan group tracking money in politics.

"If you just look at the ticket prices for that George Clooney event, $30,000 and up, then the majority of the money from those tickets didnt go directly to the Hillary for President committee," he said. "It went to various Democratic parties."

Newman noted, however, that those democratic parties can then spend the money on Clinton if she captures the nomination.

Clooney acknowledged on Meet the Press that the Sanders protesters are right. There is an "obscene" amount of money in politics.

Also worth noting is that exclusive fundraisers aside, most of the donations raised by the Hillary Victory Fund falls in the $2,000 to $3,000 range, which means the majority of the funds raised by that committee so far, have gone straight to Clintons campaign.
Tuesday night brought big victories for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the New York presidential primary. Clinton and Trump are now rolling towards their party nominations. California could be the icing on the cake.

NBC Bay Area political analyst Larry Gerston says Trump could clinch in the Golden State, even though there are more than a dozen primaries before it.

It's possible he could walk away after California with enough delegates. It's also possible, with so

many states still out, that he may not have enough. In that case it would be an open, or what some people call a contested convention, he said.

For Clinton, Gerston believes it will already be a done deal before California voters head to the polls.

"That doesn't mean Sanders won't come in here with both barrels blazing because he simply wants to make a statement. That may be true, Gerston said. We don't know how he's going to proceed as the gulf between [he and Clinton] grows."

The Santa Clara County Registrar's Office is expecting record turnout for the presidential primary June 7. It has purchased four new mail-in ballot counting machines to keep up with the jump in voters. They will host more than 800 polling sites as well.

We have been watching other states to kind of gauge turnout. We've seen a tremendous up swell in others states, spokesman Philip Chantri said.

Five states will hold primaries next Tuesday. Clinton and Trump are favored in all of them.

If you want to vote in the California primary, you need to register to vote by May 23rd. For more information on how to register, click here.
Two crashes in both directions of Interstate Highway 880 in Union City caused injury and traffic headaches early Wednesday morning for five hours.

All lanes reopened just before 9:30 a.m.

The first crash was reported at 4:19 a.m. when a minivan slammed into a stalled big rig in the northbound direction at the Alvarado Niles Road onramp. Just before 6 a.m., the NBC Bay Area chopper spotted the minivan being pulled out from underneath the rig.

Then, shortly before 5:30 a.m. a tow truck responding to the first crash ended up striking a vehicle and ended up in the center median on southbound I-880.
The Flint water crisis became a criminal case Wednesday when two state regulators and a city employee were charged with official misconduct, evidence-tampering and other offenses over the lead contamination that alarmed the country and brought cries of racism.

"This is a road back to restoring faith and confidence in all Michigan families in their government," state Attorney General Bill Schuette said in announcing the first charges to come out of the disaster, blamed on a series of bad decisions by bureaucrats and political leaders.

He warned there will be more charges  "That I can guarantee"  and added: "No one is off the table."

For nearly 18 months, the poor, majority-black city of 100,000 used the Flint River for tap water as a way to save money  a decision made by a state-appointed emergency manager  while a new pipeline was under construction. But the water wasn't treated to control corrosion. The result: Lead was released from aging pipes and fixtures as water flowed into homes and businesses.

Gov. Rick Snyder didn't acknowledge the problem until last fall, when tests revealed high levels of lead in children, in whom the heavy metal can cause low IQs and behavioral problems.

Michael Prysby, a former district engineer with the state Department of Environmental Quality, and Stephen Busch, a supervisor in the department's drinking water office, were charged with misconduct, conspiracy, tampering with test results and misdemeanor violations of clean-water law. The felonies carry maximum penalties of four to five years in prison.

Among other things, they were accused of failing to order anticorrosion chemicals added to the water to coat the pipes and prevent them from releasing lead.

Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow, who oversaw day-to-day operations at the city's water plant at the time, also was charged Wednesday with tampering with evidence for allegedly falsifying test results and with willful neglect of duty.

Busch and Prysby pleaded not guilty and were released on bail. Both were suspended without pay. Their attorneys did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Glasgow was also placed on leave and awaited a court appearance. A telephone number for him could not be found, and it wasn't known whether he had a lawyer.

The crisis  and the state's slow and dismissive response to complaints about the water from experts and residents  led to allegations of environmental racism, became an issue in the presidential race during Michigan's Democratic primary in March, and sent other U.S. cities rushing to test their water, particularly in older neighborhoods with lead pipes.

"They failed Michigan families. Indeed, they failed us all," Schuette said of the men charged. "I don't care where you live."

Essentially, all three were accused of failing to do their duty to provide safe drinking water.

"This is rare," said Neil Rockind, a Detroit-area defense attorney and former prosecutor. "It's very hard to find a similar case where people are charged for just being personally bad or neglectful at their job. Usually there's some personal corrupt intent involved."

He said outrage over the Flint water mess has created a mood "where someone has to pay."

For months, people in Flint have been relying on filters and bottled water. Some still do not trust what comes out of their faucets, even though the city rejoined the Detroit-area water system last fall and anticorrosive phosphates are being added.

The governor filled a few jugs of filtered Flint tap water this week and pledged to drink it for 30 days to show it's safe.

"It's a good first step, but it's a small step," Flint resident Melissa Mays said of the criminal charges. "These are lower-level people, and I want to know who was instructing them to do what they did. I think it's important that we can see some form of accountability being laid out, but at the end of the day we still can't drink or bathe in our water safely."

Outside experts have also suggested a link between the river and a deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak. During a 17-month period, there were at least 91 cases, including 12 deaths, across Genesee County, which includes Flint. That's a fivefold increase over what the county averaged before.

After the crisis broke open, DEQ Director Dan Wyant and his spokesman resigned. The chief of the department's drinking water office was fired. And the director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Chicago-based Midwest office stepped down.

The Flint debacle exposed a problem that extends well beyond the one-time industrial powerhouse.

An Associated Press analysis of EPA data found that nearly 1,400 water systems serving 3.6 million Americans exceeded the federal lead standard at least once between the start of 2013 and last September.

Most U.S. cities stopped installing lead pipes in the 1930s to carry water from main lines under the streets and into homes. But a survey by the American Water Works Association found that 6.5 million of these pipes are still in use.

Some researchers question whether chemical treatment and routine testing for lead in the water are enough, arguing that the only way to remove the threat is to replace the plumbing. The cost, though, could be huge.

Michigan lawmakers are considering legislation to give Flint an emergency $25 million to replace thousands of lead pipes.
Chicago Public Schools has asked the Chicago Teachers Union to join them in binding arbitration in an effort to reach a contract deal and prevent the third Chicago teachers strike in four years, a CPS spokeswoman said.



CPS CEO Forrest Claypool wrote the request in a letter Wednesday to CTU President Karen Lewis.



"In our view a strike whether in May or in August or in September would be devastating to our students and parents," Claypool wrote in the letter, noting he was "disappointed" the CTU rejected a recent impartial arbiters recommendation to accept the school district's latest offer. "Further, we are at a loss as to how a strike would solve or even advance a solution to the considerable challenges that CPS faces."



Claypool suggested that CPS and the CTU "join together in Springfield for long term sustainable funding for our schools." He asked that the CTU agree to binding interest arbitration instead of a strike.

"Interest Arbitration has been used in Chicago for our Police and Fire contracts for decades," Claypool said. "I believe that teachers are just as important as our policemen and firemen. The extraordinary circumstances that CPS currently faces demands that we use every means available to avoid disruption to our schools and our families."



In a comment to Ward Room about Claypool's request, CTU spokeswoman Stephanie Gadlin called the proposal "a publicity stunt before Karens City Club Speech."



"We have hundreds of members in Springfield right now fighting for revenue. While Karen is delivering her speech at noon, our members will be marching on the governors mansion in Springfield," Gadlin said. "CTU does not have binding interest arbitration because we choose to negotiate and write our own contracts---plus police and fire, as he referenced, cannot strike. We cant say were interested in this until we know the rules of arbitration and under what terms."



Lewis told Ward Room she has to discuss the proposal with the group's general counsel.



The CTU rejected the independent fact-finders report on Saturday. Lewis called the report "dead on arrival."



Lewis said Monday the CTU would only agree to a contract that meets a specific set of criteria, including creating enforceable class size limits, being "economically reasonable" in terms of teacher pay and benefits, a charter school moratorium, an end to school closings and consolidations and a pension levy.



"Our membership has already voted to authorize a strike," Lewis said. "We now have 28 more days to cool off as required by state law, which at any time thereafter we can file a 10-day notice to go on strike."



Lewis said if the teachers strike, it's unclear how long they will be out.



"No teacher ever wants to go on strike," Lewis said. "This is not a joyous occasion. We prefer to be inside with our students, doing what we love. But this board leaves us no choice."



Claypool asked for Lewis' response to his request by April 27.
The Illinois Senate approved a measure Tuesday to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the state.

Under the legislation, people caught with up to 10 grams of marijuana would be fined $100 to $200 for the possession instead of facing jail time. This is a somewhat drastic change from the states current law.

Under current Illinois law, possession of up to 2.5 grams of marijuana is a class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,500; possession of 2.5-10 grams is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,500, a release from the Marijuana Policy Project said.

Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a similar measure last year, arguing that it would allow people to carry too much marijuana and would not administer large enough fines.

That bill would have allowed up to 15 grams of marijuana with fines ranging from $55 to $125.

Some Republican lawmakers voiced concerns about the decriminalization, arguing that the amount was still too large and that the bill would encourage drug use. Nevertheless, Rauners office was positive about the new legislation.

We are encouraged to see the General Assembly on a path to accept the Governor's changes, and will continue monitoring the legislation as it moves forward, Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said in a statement.

Under the legislation, individual towns could levy additional fines and other penalties, like drug treatment. Citations stemming from marijuana possession would be automatically expunged twice yearly, on Jan. 1 and July 1.

In addition to this, the measure would also relax Illinois zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence. Drivers can currently be charged if any trace of the drug is detected in their system, even if it was taken weeks before and the driver is not impaired.

According to the new legislation, drivers would only be charged with a DUI if they have 5 nanograms of THC in their bloodstream or 10 nanograms in their saliva. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana.

The measure passed the Illinois Senate 40-14 and will now be sent to the House.

Over 100 Illinois communities have already moved to decriminalize simple marijuana possession. 20 states and the District of Columbia have also removed criminal penalties for simple marijuana possession, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.
Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis compared Gov. Bruce Rauner to "an ISIS recruit" during a Wednesday speech at Chicagos City Club.

Bruce Rauner is a liar and, you know, Ive been reading in the news lately about all of these ISIS recruits popping up all over the place- has Homeland Security checked this man out yet, Lewis asked. Because the things hes doing looks like acts of terror on poor and working class people.

Rauners office quickly rebuffed Lewis claims.

This kind of rhetoric has no place in American public discourse and sets a terrible example for our kids, Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly told Ward Room.

During her speech, Lewis also accused Rauner of being anti-union and faulted the governor for playing chicken with the state budget.

Last week, Rauner released his school funding breakdown for next year. The Illinois State Board of Education said the plan calls for increasing funding by $120 million. Nevertheless, Chicago Public Schools stand to lose $74 million under the plan.

In addition to this, Rauner moved forward with a plan to give control of CPS to the Illinois State Board of Education in February.

Rauner lacks the ability to govern, Lewis said. He purchased his seat, conned the people of Illinois and is clueless on how to turn around Illinois to better serve its citizens.

Last week, the CTU rejected an independent fact-finders report that recommended teachers accept CPS latest contract offer. In the rejection, Lewis said a countdown clock is ticking and they could walk off the job as early as May 16, which would disrupt the final weeks of the school year.

CPS CEO Forrest Claypool asked Lewis Wednesday to join the district in binding arbitration in an effort to reach a contract deal and prevent another strike. CTU spokeswoman Stephanie Gadlin called the proposal "a publicity stunt before Karens City Club Speech."

During her speech, Lewis referred to Rauners Turnaround Agenda as his turn us down agenda and faulted the governor for the fallout from the states budget stalemate, which dates back to July of last year.

The governors vicious attacks on the CTU, and District 299, quite frankly, is a purposeful distraction to redirect our attention from his inability to govern and manage this states finances, Lewis said. In addition, his holy war does not stop there- he is destroying the lives of the disabled, college students, the elderly, the poor, the displaced and the dispossessed.

On Thursday, the outspoken CTU leader doubled down on her claims, tweeting to address people who took issue with her comparison:
Former Congressman Mel Reynolds was taken into federal custody Wednesday after he could not find a place to stay that would allow him to take part in an electronic monitoring program.

Reynolds, who faces federal tax charges, managed to avoid jail last Thursday after his attorney argued he was not a flight risk and should have more time to find a place to stay.

In another twist in Reynolds' case, he revealed in court Wednesday that he now plans to represent himself, essentially giving his court-appointed attorney Richard Kling the boot. The judge strongly advised Reynolds against that decision, saying he is "making a mistake."

Prosecutors declared last week that Reynolds was defiantly in violation" of a judge's order to return to the United States from Africa March 31. Reynolds failed to make that date and was immediately taken into custody when his plane landed in Atlanta early last week.

Reynolds had received court permission to travel to Africa to visit his purportedly ailing daughter, but prosecutors told the judge they were dubious about the severity of her illness. They noted his supposedly near-bedridden daughter had been posting on Facebook about a February trip to Berlin.

My daughter is 22 years old, Reynolds insisted. She is looking for alternative medicine. She doesnt want to get sliced open.

Prosecutors at first asked that Reynolds be placed on electronic home confinement, but the former congressman told the judge the family with whom he had been staying refused to have the equipment installed in their house.

If there is no place where Mr. Reynolds can reside, I have no choice but to revoke his bond, the judge said last week.

Kling pleaded with the judge to give his client more time to get his life in order.

If he thought that he was a risk of fleeing, I think he would have immediately taken him into custody, Kling said after court, where Reynolds insisted he had eventually always returned.

A flight risk is someone who runs, Reynolds said. Ive never run and got caught and they brought me back, have I?
NBC 5 Chicago / WMAQ-TV won a George Foster Peabody Award for The LaQuan McDonald Investigation, the University of Georgias Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication announced. The Peabody Awards, the oldest awards in broadcasting, are considered among the most prestigious and selective awards in electronic media.



In announcing the award, the Peabody Awards said of NBC 5 Chicago, Launching its probe six months before a Chicago police officer was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of 17-year-old LaQuan McDonald, WMAQs relentless, unrivaled reporting brought to light a host of police procedural infractions, official disinformation and outright lies, and contributed to a police department shake-up.



The fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald caused a firestorm of national controversy that prompted the indictment of a Chicago police officer, the firing of the city's top cop, a Department of Justice investigation, a citywide protest and an apology from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, whose administration has been called into question and resignation demanded by leaders across the country.



NBC 5's Carol Marin first began digging into the case a year ago, weeks before the City Council approved a $5 million settlement for McDonald's family.



Marin was one of the first to report about 86 minutes of missing surveillance video from a nearby Burger King and the first talk to a Burger King district manager who said police deleted the security footage after spending more than three hours in the restaurant. Prosecutors have since said there is no evidence that the video had been tampered with.



Most recently, Marin's reporting helped lead to the release of the full McDonald shooting police report, which she requested seven months ago, and uncover City Hall emails that show Emanuel's administration received and sent emails about the video of the police shooting long before the mayor said he was fully briefed.



This is her story behind the story.



Why did you first decide to cover this story?

We got a tip that something serious had happened and that it conflicted with what the official account was. Were always interested in that kind of story.

When did you realize this would blow up into a huge investigation?

I think we always knew that this had the potential to be a huge investigation and a national story. Anytime you have a young African American man on camera being shot 16 times by a Chicago police officer as he moves away from  not towards  the officer, there is a series issue. And this nation was already confronting plenty of these kinds of story in Ferguson, Missouri and other places.

What are the central points of controversy?

The central points of controversy were the police account verses the account that you see right before you on the video. The fact that it was happening at a time when there was national unrest and demonstrations, and at a time when there was a contentious mayoral election, automatically everything is raised as a question of whether there was political intent behind it.

Mayor Emanuel says there was not, that it had nothing to do with the election. But the timing, which ended up acquainting the public with the circumstances of this shooting officially only five days after he had he had won a runoff election, still raises the specter that politics did on some level figure into this story.

How did you learn about the 86 missing minutes from the Burger King surveillance video?

We got another tip from someone saying that the night of the shooting Chicago police officers went across the street into the Burger King, which has all sorts of surveillance cameras, and wanted the password so they could look at the different videos from those different camera angles. And then the next day, a police agency came in and, what do you know? Eighty-six minutes was missing. So I started calling and fortunately the supervisor at Burger King was willing to talk about this.

Despite the video gap, the Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez contends there was no tampering. What is the fallout from the Laquan McDonald shooting?

We dont know what the fallout ultimately means, because its still falling out. Were learning about more videos, were learning about more circumstances of shootings, were looking at more police settlements that had gone sort of by the boards unexamined and are now being truly examined. So I dont think we have an answer yet. The Department of Justice is coming in to investigate the Chicago Police Department, were only in the beginning chapters of what feels like a very long book.

LOOK BACK: COMPLETE COVERAGE OF LAQUAN MCDONALD

April, 2016





4/13/16 'Day of Reckoning': Task Force Releases Scathing Report on CPD

4/13/16 City Council Authorizes $6.5M in Police Misconduct Settlements

4/13/16 Emanuel Wants Hate Crime Probe for Racist Scanner Comments

4/13/16 Panel Warns Chicago Police Must Acknowledge Racism

4/8/16 Report: Chicagos Ill-Fated Top Cop Search Cost $500,000

4/4/16 Chicago May Pay $4.9M to Family of Man Who Died in Custody

4/4/16 Emanuel Requests Hate Crime Investigation

4/1/16 Emanuel Makes List of Most Disappointing Leaders

March, 2016





3/31/16 Jason Van Dyke Gets New Job With Fraternal Order of Police

3/31/16 Officer Jason Van Dyke Hired by Police Union

3/28/16 Mayor Announces Johnson as Interim Police Superintendent

3/28/16 Emanuel Chooses Top Cop, Rejects 3 Finalists: Sources

3/24/16 Chicago Black Caucus Wants Meetings With Top Cop Candidates

3/24/16 IPRA to Re-Examine All Closed Police-Involved Shootings

3/23/16 Officer Jason Van Dyke Asks Not to Appear at Hearings

3/18/16 Emanuel Offers No Timeline for Police Superintendent Replacement

3/17/16 3 Finalists Announced in Chicago Top Cop Search

3/17/16 Finalists for Chicago's Next Top Cop Revealed

3/16/16 CPD Union Seeks to Postpone IGs McDonald Probe

3/16/16 Foxx on Win: 'This Work Is Deeply Personal to Me'

3/16/16 Embattled Anita Alvarez Loses to Kim Foxx

3/14/16 Chicago Police Investigate After Racial Slur Heard on Radio

3/14/16 How the Laquan McDonald Case Shaped the Illinois Primary

3/10/16 'Become a One-Issue Campaign': Alvarez Speaks on Criticisms

3/1/16 As Violence Escalates, Police Search for Answers

February, 2016





2/25/16 Meet Chicagos New FBI Chief

2/17/16 Chicago Vows to Release Police Shooting Videos Faster

2/16/16 Special Prosecutor Sought in Laquan McDonald Shooting Case

2/16/16 Emanuel Bumped From Top Spot of Most Powerful Chicagoans

2/12/16 Inverted Batteries to Blame for Lack of Laquan McDonald Audio: Docs

2/12/16 Docs Solve Mystery of Missing Audio in McDonald Video

2/11/16 Police Documents Show Why No Audio In McDonald Shooting

2/10/16 Ward Room Campaign Round-Up: Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates Square Off

2/10/16 City Expected to Settle Police Hiring Lawsuit

2/8/16 Alvarez Battles Opponents During Editorial Board Endorsement Sessions

2/8/16 Aldermen Halt Emanuels Plan to Raise Smoking Age

2/8/16 Garry McCarthy Being Considered for Top Cop Job in London: Report

2/5/16 Mom of Teen Fatally Shot by Police Calls for Federal Probe

2/4/16 Aldermen Look to Improve City's Mental Health Services

2/4/16 Report: CTU Garners Triple the Support of Emanuel

2/4/16 Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia Endorses Kim Foxx for States Attorney

2/4/16 Ward Room Campaign Round-Up: Week 2

2/2/16 Alvarez Holds Lead in Latest States Attorney Poll

2/1/16 Foxx Blasts Alvarez's Handling of McDonald Shooting in Campaign Ad

2/1/16 Many Iowa Republicans Undecided Before Caucuses

2/1/16 Rahm Emanuels Approval Rating Hits Record Low: Report

January, 2016





1/26/16 Emanuel Mandates Police to Receive Training on Mental Illness

1/26/16 Van Dyke's Attorney Says He Plans to Seek a Change of Venue

1/26/16 Zopp Calls for Reforms to Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice System

1/26/16 Alvarez Challenged by Opponents During State's Attorney Debate

1/29/16 Police Developing New Strategy to Combat Crime, Emanuel Says

1/26/16 DC Police Chief Not Interested in Top Job With Chicago PD

1/25/16 Retired Philadelphia Police Chief Returns to Advise CPD

1/22/16 2 Officers in Laquan McDonald Case Put on Administrative Leave

1/21/16 Judge OKs Court Cameras for Jason Van Dyke Trial

1/19/16 Aldermen Propose Equipping Every Chicago Officer With a Taser

1/17/16 Bill Could Make it Harder for Police to Prevent Release of Videos

1/17/16 Hillary Clinton Walks Back Support for Emanuel

1/17/16 Anita Alvarez Defends Herself at State's Attorney Forum

1/15/16 Cops Called to Testify Before Grand Jury in McDonald Case

1/14/16 Cook County Dems Endorse Foxx for State's Attorney

1/13/16 Lawyer Blasts IPRA as Less Than Independent

1/13/16 Chicago Withdraws Objection to Release of Shooting Video

1/13/16 Chicago Police Street Stops May Have Decreased Due to New Form Procedure

1/12/16 Police Board Holds Meeting on Search for New Top Cop

1/12/16 Boycott of Mayor's MLK Invitation Grows

1/12/16 More City Leaders Boycott Mayor's MLK Breakfast

1/11/16 Judge to Decide This Week on 2013 Shooting Video's Release

1/10/16 WH Chief of Staff: Obama 'Confident' in Emanuel

1/10/16 Chicago Hires Former U.S. Attorney to Review Law Dept.

1/9/16 FBI Investigating 2013 Fatal CPD Shooting

1/8/16 McDonald Family Accused City of Intimidating Witnesses: Docs

1/8/16 Cook County Dems Reopen Slating Process for State's Attorney Race

1/7/16 Emanuel Says Law Department Will Be Reviewed

1/7/16 22 CPD Officers Disciplined for Improper Use of Dashcams

1/6/16 Ex-Chicago Attorney's Cases Examined After Judge's Ruling

1/5/16 Emanuel Says Federal Probe of City's Law Dept. Not Needed

1/5/16 Reparations Paid in Chicago Police Torture Case

1/5/16 Top City Lawyer Steps Down After Judge Rules He Hid Evidence

1/4/16 Sharon Fairley Restructures IPRA Leadership Team

1/3/16 Ill. Considers Allowing Recall Attempts of Chicago Mayor





December, 2015

12/31/15 City Releases Emails on Laquan McDonald Shooting

12/31/15 Activists March to Remember Victims of Gun Violence in 2015

12/30/15 Emanuel Meets With Family of Mother Killed in Police-Involved Shooting

12/30/15 Emanuel on New Taser Policy: 'Force Can Be the Last Option'

12/30/15 Emanuel to Announce Chicago Police Plan Wednesday

12/29/15 Officer Jason Van Dyke Enters Not Guilty Plea

12/24/15 Audio Reveals Taser Requested in McDonald Shooting

12/24/15 Demonstrators March on Michigan Ave. Over McDonald Shooting

12/23/15 Audio Reveals Taser Requested in McDonald Shooting

12/23/15 Emanuel Lands on List of 'The Worst People of 2015'

12/18/15 Angry Group Confronts Officer Jason Van Dyke Outside Court

12/18/15 Officer Jason Van Dyke Makes First Court Appearance Since Indictment

12/18/15 Behind The Story: Carol Marin on Covering Laquan McDonald

12/18/15 Protesters Flood State Street, Call for Justice

12/18/15 Sen. Mark Kirk Reacts to Laquan Mcdonald Shooting

12/18/15 Emanuel Flip Flops on DOJ Investigation, Now Supports It

12/17/15 Rev. Jackson to Lead Laquan McDonald Rally on State Street

12/17/15 Video From Burger King Near McDonald Shooting Released

12/17/15 Who Was Laquan McDonald?

12/17/15 Officials Release Full Laquan McDonald Police Report

12/17/15 Bernie Sanders Calls for Federal Probe of CPD

12/17/15 Madigan Calls for Investigation of Chicago Police Department

12/17/15 Retired Officers Say CPD Misconduct 'Going On for Years'

12/17/15 Mayor: City Will Support Release of Another Dashcam Video

12/17/15 Anita Alvarez Says 'No Way' She Will Consider Resigning

12/17/15 Rauner Says He Cried When He Saw McDonald Video

12/17/15 Questions Remain After Firing of Police Supt. McCarthy

12/17/15 Mayor Announces Task Force on Police Accountability

12/17/15 White House Expresses Support for Mayor Emanuel

12/17/15 Alvarez on Firing of McCarthy: 'It's the Mayor's Prerogative'

12/17/15 Dashcam Video Sought of Another Fatal Police Shooting

12/17/15 Foxx Earns Endorsements Over Embattled Alvarez

12/17/15 Email Reveals First Question to City About Laquan McDonald Video

12/17/15 McCarthy's Tenure Full of Highs and Lows

12/17/15 Politicians, Activists Praise Firing of McCarthy

12/17/15 John Escalante Named Interim Chicago Police Superintendent

12/17/15 Officer Charged in Laquan McDonald's Death Posts Bond

12/17/15 Rep. Gutierrez Withdraws Support for Alvarez's Re-Election

12/17/15 McCarthy: Initial Release on McDonald Shooting 'Mistaken'

12/17/15 McCarthy Fired Week After McDonald Shooting Video Released

12/17/15 NAACP: 10 Arrested at Protest Outside City Hall

12/17/15 Photos Show Officer at Burger King Night of McDonald's Death

12/17/15 Mayor Goes Silent After Release of Laquan McDonald Video

12/17/15 Anita Alvarez Responds to Calls for Her Resignation

12/17/15 Demands to Fire McCarthy Grow in Wake of Protests

12/17/15 Threat That Canceled Classes at UofC Cited McDonald Shooting

12/17/15 Fraternal Order of Police Raises Bond Money for Van Dyke

12/17/15 NAACP Members Protest Laquan McDonald Shooting

12/17/15 Dwyane Wade Pays Tribute to Laquan McDonald on Shoes

12/17/15 Chicago to Expand Police Body Camera Program

12/17/15 4 Arrested in Magnificent Mile Protests

12/17/15 Mag Mile Reopens After Protesters Block Traffic, Stores

12/17/15 Protesters March at City Hall for Laquan McDonald, Tyshawn Lee

12/17/15 Obama 'Deeply Disturbed' by Video of McDonald's Shooting

12/17/15 What Chicago Police Said The Night Laquan McDonald Died

12/17/15 Protesters Shut Down Mag Mile After Dash-Cam Video Release

12/17/15 Politicians Call For Reform In Wake of Laquan McDonald Shooting

12/17/15 Arrests Made After Protesters Damage City Christmas Tree

12/17/15 4 New Dash-Cam Videos Released of Laquan McDonald Shooting

12/17/15 Alvarez Gives Minute-by-Minute Report of Teen's Fatal Shooting

12/17/15 Missing Minutes From Security Video Raises Questions

12/17/15 Timeline: What Pros. Say Happened Night McDonald Was Shot

12/17/15 Investigator Analyzes Dash-Cam Video of Chicago Teen's Shooting

12/17/15 Images Capture Tense Moment Between Protesters, Police

12/17/15 Calls for Mayor's Resignation Flood Social Media

12/17/15 Questions Remain About Missing Audio in McDonald Dash-Cam Video

12/17/15 Chicago NAACP Chapters Call for Investigation Into IPRA

12/17/15 Records Show Officer in McDonald Case Had Previous Complaints

12/17/15 Charges Dropped Against Influential Activist After Arrest

12/17/15 Dash-Cam Video Shows Laquan McDonald's Fatal Shooting

12/17/15 Alvarez Addresses Missing Minutes From Security Video

12/17/15 5 Arrested During Overnight Protests for Laquan McDonald

12/17/15 Clinton, Sanders Speak Out About Laquan McDonald Video

12/17/15 Hundreds Protest After Release of Laquan McDonald Video

12/17/15 CPS Offers Counseling After Dash-Cam Video Release

12/17/15 Protesters March After Release of Laquan McDonald Video

12/17/15 Officer to Be Indicted in Laquan McDonald Case: Source

12/17/15 CPD Failed to Properly Probe Death of Teen Shot by Cop: Suit

12/17/15 6 Chicago Officers Named in Settlement Agreement

12/17/15 GoFundMe Removes Page to Help Cop Charged With Murder

12/17/15 McDonald Family Asks for 'Calm' Upon Video Release

12/17/15 City Leaders Fear for Release of Video of Teen's Shooting Death

12/17/15 Leaders Call for Peace Ahead of Potential Unrest

12/17/15 Jesse Jackson Speaks Out on Laquan McDonald

12/17/15 Grand Jury Indicts Officer in Laquan McDonald's Death

12/17/15 Audio Missing on Video of Teen Shot by Cop: Attys

12/17/15 Judge Orders Release of Video Showing Teen's Shooting Death

12/17/15 Ben Carson Calls McDonald Shooting 'Abominable'

12/16/15 Board Calls on Alvarez to Appear Before Criminal Justice Committee

12/16/15 Department of Justice Begins Probe Into CPD

12/16/15 Urban Prep Academy Students Yell "16 Shots" During Mayor's Visit

12/16/15 Cop in Laquan McDonald Case Tied to Another Police Shooting

12/16/15 Chicago Protest Against Cop-Involved Shooting Blocks Traffic

12/15/15 Cops Want Emanuel to Testify About Police 'Code of Silence'

12/15/15 After Deadlock, Baltimore Jurors Continue in Officer Trial

12/15/15 City Hall Emails Show Trail to Top Emanuel Aides

12/15/15Protesters Accused of Trying to Climb Rockefeller Center Tree

12/13/15 The Rise of the New Chicago Protesters

12/13/15 Chance the Rapper References McDonald Shooting on SNL

12/12/15 Mayor Emanuel is Back in Hiding

12/11/15 Activists Call for DOJ to Expand Investigation in Chicago

12/11/15 'Change Is Needed': McDonald Family Speaks Out

12/11/15 Pastors Seek Special Prosecutor in McDonald Case

12/10/15 Expert: Process of Recalling Rahm 'Not a Quick Possibility'

12/10/15 Protesters Continue to Call for Mayor's Resignation

12/10/15 Sheriff's Officers Were at Scene of Laquan McDonald Shooting

12/10/15 Expert Says Recalling Mayor Emanuel Would Not Be an Easy Process

12/10/15 Police Board Begins Search for New Chicago Police Superintendent

12/10/15 Mayor's Office Responds to Recall Legislation

12/10/15 Illinois Lawmaker Files Legislation to Remove Mayor Emanuel

12/9/15 Protesters Block Traffic in March Through Downtown Chicago

12/9/15 Some in City Hall Knew of McDonald Video 2 Months After Shooting: Emails

12/9/15 'Happened on My Watch': Mayor Vows to Fix Police Corruption

12/9/15 Poll: Half of Chicago Voters Think Emanuel Should Resign

12/9/15 Chicago Cop Charged With Murder in Teen's Fatal Shooting

12/8/15 IPRA Asks Inspector General to Investigate McDonald Case

12/7/15 Feds Launch Civil Rights Investigation into CPD Practices

12/7/15 Dashcam Video Showing 2nd Police Shooting Released

12/7/15 CPD's Chief of Detectives Retires Suddenly

12/7/15 Head of Independent Police Review Authority Resigns

12/7/15 Justice Department to Investigate CPD

12/6/15 Police Accounts Appear to Differ With McDonald Shooting Video

12/5/15 Officials Release Full Laquan McDonald Police Report

12/4/15 Video From Burger King Near McDonald Shooting Released

12/4/15 Chicago's Interim Cop Talks Potential Federal Probe

12/4/15 Bernie Sanders Calls for Federal Probe of CPD

12/4/15 Rev. Jackson to Lead Laquan McDonald Rally on State Street

12/3/15 Emanuel Flip Flops on DOJ Investigation, Now Supports It

12/3/15 Family Fights to Have Video of Another Teen's Fatal Shooting Released

12/3/15 Mayor: City Will Support Release of Another Dashcam Video

12/3/15 Rauner Says He Cried When He Saw McDonald Video

12/3/15 Anita Alvarez Says 'No Way' She Will Consider Resigning

12/3/15 Retired Officers Say CPD Misconduct 'Going on For Years'

12/2/15 Madigan Calls for Investigation of CPD

12/2/15 Clinton Calls for Federal Probe of Chicago Police Tactics

12/1/15 Mayor Announces Task Force on Police Accountability

12/1/15 McCarthy: Initial Release on McDonald Shooting 'Mistaken'

November, 2015





11/30/15 Photos Show Officer at Burger King Night of McDonald's Death

11/30/15 Officer Charged in Laquan McDonald's Death Posts Bond

11/30/15 Threat That Canceled Classes at UofC Cited McDonald Shooting

11/30/15 Mayor Goes Silent After Release of Laquan McDonald Video

11/30/15 Anita Alvarez Responds to Calls for Her Resignation

11/30/15 Demands to Fire McCarthy Grow in Wake of Protests

11/29/15 Dwyane Wade Pays Tribute to Laquan McDonald on Shoes

11/29/15 Fraternal Order of Police Raises Bond Money for Van Dyke

11/28/15 Protesters March at City Hall for Laquan McDonald, Tyshawn Lee

11/28/15 4 Arrested in Mag Mile Protests

11/27/15 What Chicago Police Said the Night Laquan McDonald Died

11/27/15 Protesters Shut Down Mag Mile After Dash-Cam Video Release

11/26/15 Laquan McDonald Was Trying to Start Over: School

11/26/15 4 New Dash-Cam Videos Released of Laquan McDonald Shooting

11/26/15 Arrests Made After Protesters Damage City Christmas Tree

11/26/15 Obama 'Deeply Disturbed' by Video of McDonald's Shooting

11/25/15 Clinton, Sanders Speak Out After Release of Laquan McDonald Video

11/25/15 Chicago NAACP Chapters Call for Investigation Into IPRA

11/25/15 Protesters Plan March on Michigan Avenue on Black Friday

11/15/15 Calls for Mayor's Resignation Flood Social Media After Dash-Cam Video Release

11/25/15 Chicago Braces for Protests Following Dash-Cam Video Release

11/25/15 Charges Dropped Against Influential Activist After Arrest

11/25/15 Timeline: What Prosecutors Say Happened the Night Laquan McDonald Was Shot

11/25/15 Chicago's Black Caucus Calls for McCarthy's Release

11/25/15 5 Arrested During Overnight Protests for Laquan McDonald

11/24/15 Records Show Officer in McDonald Case Had Previous Complaints

11/24/15 CPS Offers Counseling After Released of McDonald Video

11/24/15 Protesters March After Release of Laquan McDonald Video

11/24/15 WARNING: Dash-Cam Video Showing Teen's Fatal Shooting Released

11/24/15 Alvarez Addresses Missing Minutes From Security Video

11/24/15 Alvarez Gives Minute-by-Minute Report of Teen's Fatal Shooting

11/24/15 Family of Laquan McDonald Asks for 'Calm' Upon Release of Dash-Cam Video

11/24/15 Alvarez Defends Timing of Charges in Laquan McDonald Case

11/24/15 GoFundMe Removes Page Seeking Donations for Chicago Cop Charged With Murder

11/24/15 Chicago Cop Charged With Murder in Teen's Fatal Shooting

11/23/15 Community Leaders Call for Peace Ahead of Potential Unrest

11/23/15 Who Was Laquan McDonald?

11/23/15 Officer to Be Indicted in Laquan McDonald Case: Source

11/21/15 Jesse Jackson Speaks Out on Laquan McDonald

11/20/15 Attorney: Cop Accused in Teen's Fatal Shooting 'Scared to Death'

11/19/15 Judge Orders Release of Video Showing Teen's Shooting Death

11/18/15 Ill. Attorney General Asks Chicago to Release Shooting Video

11/14/15 Emanuel: Hold Release of Video of Shooting

11/13/15 Chicago Police Dashboard Cameras Questioned in Death of Teen Shot by Cop

October, 2015





10/28/15 Judge to Rule on Video Showing Officer Fatally Shooting Teen

July, 2015





7/16/15 Audio Missing on Video of Teen Shot by Cops: Attys

7/9/15 City Emails Refer to Complications in Police Version of How Teen Was Shot

7/2/15 Six Chicago Officer Named in Settlement Agreement

May, 2015





5/27/15 Missing Minutes From Security Video Raises Question

5/12/15 CPD Failed to Properly Probe Death of Teen Shot by Cop: Suit

4/15/15 Chicago Council Approves $5M Settlement in Police Shooting

4/14/15 Feds Probe Death of Teen Shot 16 Times by Cop

October, 2014





10/21/14 Teen Shot, Killed by Police Officer on Chicago's Southwest Side
If youve always wanted to try riding one of those blue Divvy bikes, nows your chance  the bike share system will offer free 30-minute rides in celebration of Earth Day on Friday.

Chicogoans and tourists can sign up for a free 24-hour pass, regularly $9.95, at any Divvy station on Friday, according to a release from the Chicago Department of Transportation. Riders will receive unlimited 30-minute trips throughout the day, but will be charged extra for trips longer than 30 minutes.

The free rides are being sponsored by Naked Juice, which will also be giving out samples at the Clinton and Madison station from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Friday, and at the Michigan and Lake station from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., according to the release.

Divvy is about more than just biking; its about connecting a community and providing efficient, affordable, easy and fun transportation to the city of Chicago. We hope this partnership with Naked Juice gets more people riding around the city as we head into warmer weather, General Manager of Divvy Elliot Greenberger said in the statement.

Friday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 50 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Divvy features 475 stations and more than 4,700 bikes across 86 miles of Chicago, according to CDOT.

Earth Day also kicks off the citys annual Divvy Week, which offers discounts, promotions and giveaways including a Chipotle gift card for a free burrito for everyone who signs up for a Divvy Annual Membership online, free architecture walking tours for current members and an online photo contest for all Chicagoans for the best photos featuring Divvy bikes or stations.
A federal judge acted properly in sentencing former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle to more than 15 years in prison, prosecutors said in a response to Fogle's appeal, citing text messages illustrating his multiple efforts to find teenagers for sex.

The brief filed Monday with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago follows Fogle's appeal of the 188-month sentence he received in the sexual conduct and child pornography case that ended his career as a spokesman for the restaurant chain.

Fogle's attorneys argued in their February brief detailing the grounds for their appeal that a federal judge abused her authority by giving Fogle a sentence three years longer than the maximum prosecutors had sought.

The government's response includes texts Fogle exchanged with adult escorts, some of which were read aloud during his November sentencing.

In one, Fogle asks, "Did you find me some young girls or boys?" while in a different exchange he tells one escort, "I'll pay you big for a 14- or 15-year-old."

In yet another text, when an escort asks Fogle why he's looking for teenagers, he replies, "Cause it's what I crave!" and offers her $300 if she can find him a 15-year-old girl for sex.

Fogle, 38, admitted to paying for sex at New York City hotels with two girls who were 16 or 17 years old and receiving child pornography produced by Russell Taylor, the former director of his anti-obesity charity.

He pleaded guilty to one count each of distributing and receiving child pornography and traveling out of state to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. As part of his plea deal, Fogle agreed not to seek less than five years in prison and prosecutors agreed not to seek more than 12 years.

Prosecutors said in Monday's reply that U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt's sentencing decision was "procedurally proper."

"Of course, the government did not agree to any specific sentence but only to place a limit on the sentence it would recommend to the court," they wrote.

Prosecutors said the judge acted "permissibly and reasonably" in considering elements of the case against Fogle that included conduct for which he was not charged, including his pursuit of younger teenagers.

The government also said Fogle could have stopped Taylor from secretly filming minors with hidden cameras as they were nude, changing clothes or engaged in other activities. Instead, prosecutors said, Fogle encouraged Taylor to produce additional child pornography, including of children Fogle had met.

Fogle received photos or videos from Taylor of eight of those 12 youths, with some of girls as young as 12.

Besides the prison time, Fogle paid $1.4 million in restitution to 14 victims, as required by his plea agreement. Each received $100,000.

Taylor, 44, was sentenced in December to 27 years in prison after pleading guilty to 12 counts of child exploitation and one count of distributing child pornography.
Two Chicago schools have been named among the top 100 high schools in the country.

U.S. News & World Report released its annual ranking of the best high schools in the country, rating more than 21,000 public high schools in the country based on their performance on state assessments, graduation rates and how well they prepare students for college.

Northside College Preparatory High School was the highest ranking school in Illinois, coming at no. 39 on the list. Payton College Preparatory High School followed closely at no. 41.

Also among some of the highest ranked Illinois schools were Young Magnet High School and Jones College Prep High School in Chicago, which ranked at no. 120 and no. 130 respectively.

The first suburban school to make the list was Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, which ranked at no. 166 nationally.

In total, 97 Illinois schools ranked nationally on the list.

The top school in the country was the School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas, Texas. BASIS Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona; BASIS Tuscon in Tuscon, Arizona; School of Science and Engineering in Dallas; and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia rounded out the top five.

The top 20 schools in Illinois were:

Northside College Preparatory High School, Chicago, no. 39 Payton College Preparatory High School, Chicago, no. 41 Young Magnet High School, Chicago, no. 120 Jones College Prep High School, Chicago, no. 130 Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, no. 166 Lane Technical High School, Chicago, no. 172 Deerfield High School, Deerfield, no. 229 Phoenix Military Academy High School, Chicago, no. 234 Lindblom Math and Science Acad High School, Chicago, no. 272 Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale, no. 356 Prospect High School, Mount Prospect, no. 362 John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights, no. 444 Evanston Township High School, Evanston, no. 452 Lincoln Park High School, Chicago, no. 455 Glenbrook South High School, Glenview, no. 478 Buffalo Grove High School, Buffalo Grove, no. 531 Highland Park High School, Highland Park, no. 548 Libertyville High School, Libertyville, no. 554 Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest, no. 580 Brooks College Prep Academy High School, Chicago, no. 585

See the full list of Illinois schools and national schools here.
A man who spent more than two decades in prison after being convicted of two drug-related murders was released Tuesday after prosecutors dropped the charges against him.

Eddie Bolden, 46, walked out of Chicago's Cook County Jail early Tuesday evening to a cheering crowd.

"I'm glad I'm out," he said. "It looks foreign. A lot of this wasn't even out here when I left."

Bolden was convicted in two 1994 murders after an eyewitness identified him as the gunman that killed 24-year-old Derrick Frazier and 23-year-old Irving Clayton. The witness, Clifford Frazier, was Derricks brother, and was also wounded in the shooting in Chicagos Woodlawn neighborhood.

This was a death penalty case because the two drug dealers were killed and executed, so it was a double murder, said Boldens lawyer Ron Safer.

A judge ordered a new trial for Bolden in January after evidence showed his trial lawyer failed to interview a witness who corroborated his alibi that he was playing an arcade game in a South Side restaurant at the time of the shooting. An investigator has since interviewed three witnesses who testified to that claim.

Prosecutors had planned to retry the case and Bolden was held on $1 million bail in February. But on Tuesday, the Cook County States Attorneys office suddenly announced it would dismiss the case and drop the charges.

Prosecutors get a lot of bad press about hanging on to wrongful convictions. They should get a lot of praise for doing the right thing, Safer said. [Bolden] has almost never known his son. He was an infant when [Bolden] went into prison.

Bolden said he's angry and frustrated that he lost more than 20 years of his life for a crime he didn't commit.

"I knew [freedom] would come I just didn't know when," he said. "I didn't think it would take 22 years but I still have my life."

He said he looks forward to finally spending time with his children.

When an innocent man walks out of jail, that's a joyful moment, Safer said.

Still, Safer claims the six years it took to overturn the conviction is proof the system needs to be improved.

This is evidence the system can work. It has to work quicker than this, he said. We can't let these things linger for decades so that people waste their lives in jail when they are innocent.

Bolden plans to be at his son's college graduation Sunday, but he's hasn't made any big plans for his future.

"I just want to live," he said, choking back tears. "I want to live and be free."
Chicago chef Mindy Segal debuted her line of marijuana edibles Wednesday, also known as 4/20, the unofficial marijuana holiday.

Segal, of Mindy's Hot Chocolate, announced her new line of infused products attached to her personal brand of sweets in December. They include chocolate brittle bars, granola bites, a warm chocolate drink and ready-made mix with do-it-yourself instructions, according to a release.

To produce the new sweets, Segal partnered with Cresco Labs, Illinois' largest cannabis cultivator.

"We've all heard the expression 'it tastes like medicine,' but there's no reason it has to," said Segal, who is a winner of a James Beard Award for outstanding pastry chefs. "With my recipes and Cresco's technology, we're developing this line of products to be consistent every time and absolutely enjoyable to eat."

Charles Bachtell, the founder of Cresco Labs, said Segal's partnership "says a lot about where this industry is headed."

Segal's edible products will be available at licensed dispensaries across Illinois for approved patients suffering from one of the nearly 40 medical conditions eligible for medical marijuana treatment.

Medical marijuana sales began in Illinois last month with eight licensed dispensaries opening in Marion, Mundelein, Canton, Quincy, Addison, North Aurora, Schaumburg and Ottawa. One is also set to open in Chicago at 5001 N. Clark St. in the Andersonville neighborhood.

Illinois is among 23 states with medical marijuana programs. State officials expect 25 dispensaries will be open to the public by the end of the year.
Family members are desperately searching for a young mother of three who disappeared just days before the party she had been planning for her 2-year-old sons birthday.

Diamond Lewis was last seen with her infant daughter last Tuesday, as she got in a car with the father of the 2-month-old girl.

Her ex-boyfriend, Darran Barnes said he picked up the 22-year-old and her baby from a Walgreens in Merrillville, Indiana after she asked for a ride because her boyfriend was using her car.

Barnes picked her up sometime between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. and drove her and her daughter Morgan to 15th and Virginia in Gary, where her boyfriend had taken her car. Thats when he says Lewis got into her vehicle with Morgans father and drove off.

The last time Barnes spoke to her was in a text message that morning.

She took off and she texted me that morning like, Thank you, he said. I said youre welcome and that was the last I heard from her.

Lewis father, Cornelius Lewis, said it is not like his daughter to disappear, especially without her children.

I am really worried because this is something Diamond has never done before, he said.

Cornelius Lewis noted his daughter had been planning a celebration for her 2-year-old sons birthday, set for this weekend.

There is no way Diamond would miss that, he said.

Police said 2-month-old Morgan has been found safe, but they are still searching for the 22-year-old woman and her 1999 Buick. Anyone with information surrounding her disappearance is asked to call Merrillville police.
Midlothian police are examining several theories in the killing of a fitness instructor found slain in a North Texas church Monday morning, officials said Tuesday, as her husband and others mourned.

Nearly 200 people gathered for a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening in memory of Missy Bevers, a 45-year-old mother of three.

Bevers was at Creekside Church of Christ early Monday to prepare for a Camp Gladiator class. When her students began to arrive at about 5 a.m., they found her unresponsive and called 911, police said.

Bevers was declared dead Monday morning, but no cause of death was given. Tuesday afternoon, Midlothian police said the autopsy by the Dallas County medical examiner had been completed but that the results were being withheld pending the ongoing investigation by their department, county officials and the Texas Rangers.

Surveillance video recorded inside the church shows a person, dressed in black gear with police markings, using a tool to pry open doors to enter the building shortly before Bevers entered.

Midlothian Police Assistant Chief Kevin Johnson said Tuesday that contrary to initial reports, the detectives can no longer say they are looking for a man.

"We are backing off our statement that the suspect on video was a man. I know we said 'he' over and over again yesterday, and that was a mistake," Johnson said. "There's a lot of speculation based on the gait and appearance that this person may be a woman. It's a legitimate question right now. We no longer will say the suspect is a man."

Johnson said the public should not jump to conclusions that police are searching for a woman either.

"That does not mean I'm saying this suspect is a woman. It's just that at this point we cant rule it out. We don't know yet," Johnson said.

Midlothian police released new video Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in the investigation into the slaying of a woman inside a church early Monday. Police are still working to determine the identity of the person responsible for her death.

Police said they want the public to look closely at the video to see if anyone recognizes the walk and stature of the individual.

Many of those who came to the vigil Tuesday were close friends who hugged and prayed with Bevers' husband and daughters.

"I want to thank everybody for coming here. I know you only represent just a fraction of, a small fraction of all the people that Missy's life touched and I appreciate all of you all coming out here. Thank you very much," husband Brandon Bevers said.

Bevers' fitness students and fellow instructors were among those in attendance at Tuesday's vigil.

"Whenever I see these shirts, whenever I see 'Gladiator Camp' whatever it is, I'll know that Missy is there with me, and I'm very proud of you guys," said Brandon Bevers, Missy's husband.

Midlothian police said the person who may have killed Bevers was dressed in "tactical gear" with police markings, including a heavy helmet, gloves and military-style battle-dress pants. Midlothian Chief of Police Carl Smith said the person was "designed to look like a police officer."

EMS workers noted broken glass and other signs of a struggle near Bevers' body. Police searched the building and determined there were visible signs of forced entry.

Police said the motion-activated surveillance cameras did not record any interaction between Bevers and the person.

Brandon Bevers, the husband of a North Texas fitness instructor killed Monday before a class inside a Midlothian church, spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time since his wifes death.

So far, police have not settled on a motive, although police said Monday it was possible Bevers interrupted a burglary.

"Even amongst our investigators, there are a lot of theories," Johnson said Tuesday. "Were discussing all possibilities. And we'll go where the evidence leads us."

Johnson said a vehicle can be seen on the video may belong to the killer, but there's not enough information to give the public.

"Theres one surveillance camera where you can see the car in the far corner of the frame, parked in the distance. You can't make out a plate, and we're not even comfortable releasing anything about a possible make or model, Johnson said.

Oak Farms Dairy is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case of Missy Bevers, who was found dead in a Midlothian church.

It was not immediately known if anything was taken from the church and police were not sure if the person was carrying a weapon.

Midlothian police said Tuesday afternoon that the Texas Rangers have also joined the investigation.

Oak Farms Dairy announced it was offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and successful grand jury indictment in this case.

Anyone with information on the person's identity is asked to call the Midlothian Police Department at 972-775-3333.

The death of a woman whose body was found inside a Midlothian church Monday is being investigated as a homicide, police say.

Creekside Church of Christ released a statement Tuesday:

"The Creekside church family would like to offer our sincere condolences for the family of Missy Bevers. This tragedy has deeply affected all of us in the community that knew and loved her. While Missy was not a member of Creekside, she was a friend and we grieve for those affected by this.

We would like to thank the Midlothian Police Department for their hard work , and we pray that their efforts in finding the person responsible will be swift and successful."

[NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More

NBC 5's Jeff Smith, Chris Jose and Kevin Cokely contributed to this report.
A top New York City official announced an audit of New York City's Board of Elections Tuesday, just as hundreds of voters reported problems at polling locations and at least one instance of possible voter fraud.

New York City comptroller Scott Stringer said Tuesday his office would look into management and policies at the city's elections board after it was revealed this week that more than 125,000 Democratic voters were purged from the rolls in Brooklyn ahead of Tuesday's primaries and special elections.

"The people of New York City have lost confidence that the Board of Elections can effectively administer elections and we intend to find out why the BOE is so consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient," Stringer said in a statement.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said he supported the audit, and pointed to issues Tuesday  especially in Brooklyn  as evidence for the need of reform. He called on the Board of Elections to restore the voters who were removed from the rolls.

"It has been reported to us from voters and voting rights monitors that the voting lists in Brooklyn contain numerous errors, including the purging of entire buildings and blocks of voters from the voting lists," de Blasio said.

Meanwhile, the state Attorney General's office said its voter hotline received the most calls in its history Tuesday.

The hotline received 562 calls and about 140 emails from voters as of 5 p.m. The most common complaints were from voters who were told they weren't registered to vote or that they couldn't participate in a party's presidential primaries. Other complaints ranged from lack of privacy, unclear instructions and accessibility issues.

Among the most serious issues was a report of alleged voter fraud. NBC 4 New York received a tip from a voter who said that poll workers were attempting to "trick" Democrats into picking for Hillary Clinton over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

City Board of Elections Director Mike Ryan told NBC 4 New York that it is investigating the claim.

"All issues related to the voting process gives us concern," he said.

Other voters reported everything from confusion to long lines spurred by everything from broken polling machines to locked-up voter rolls.

At Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn's Windsor Terrace neighborhood, voters were asked to vote by affidavit or come back later in the day because pollsters were unable to find a book with voters' names and party affiliations.

The book was eventually found, but several voters had to cast ballots via affidavit.

One woman said she and her husband were frustrated to find that they couldn't cast ballots normally.

This this was our first time voting in New York so it's a little frustrating," the woman said. "I just filled out an affidavit but it won't be counted for some time I guess."

Voters at other precincts reported similar problems. Pete Harris took to Twitter after his name didn't show up in the rolls at his Upper West Side, even though he registered with his party in 2014.

"My name wasn't on the list and I had to vote affidavit. Was told 'this is happening to tons of people today," he tweeted.

In Brownsville, Brooklyn, another voter tweeted that she got to her precinct location 10 minutes before polls open but couldn't cast a ballot for more than two hours because workers didn't have keys to the machines or ballots.

She eventually voted, but claimed that only Republicans were able to cast ballots for part of the morning.
Ousted Hartford Schools administrator Eduardo Genao made his first court appearance on Wednesday, since being charged with one count of risk of injury to a minor.

The arrest stems from allegations Genao was sending sexually explicit text messages to a 13-year-old girl from New York State. The two met at a Board of Education seminar in Hartford, last month. The Troubleshooters tried talking to Genao outside the courthouse. He did not have a comment for NBC Connecticut.

He is represented by New Haven based Attorney, Hugh Keefe.

Troubleshooter Jill Konopka asked, Can we ask if Mr. Genao has anything to say, to the allegations against you?

Attorney Hugh Keefe: Thanks for the offer, but, He doesnt.

Keefe added, the entire experience has been rough for his client.

Hes doing awful, like anybody would be doing in this situation. He lost his job. He was a highly reputed educator for many years in the city of Hartford and the city of New York and this is obviously a very traumatic experience for him, Attorney Keefe told NBC Connecticut.

Hartford Police say Genao was sending sexually explicit texts to a 13-year-old girl in late March, and early April, including from an educational conference paid for by tax dollars in Atlanta.

The childs mother spoke to NBC Connecticut shortly after the allegations were made public, As in have you ever had sex? She said no.

The arrest warrant states Genao sent the child partially nude photos, but nothing showing his private areas.

Troubleshooter Jill Konopka stated, These are very serious allegations? Attorney Hugh Keefe responded, It is a very serious allegation. And, I remind you, he is presumed innocent and well take it from there.

Dr. Aaron Lewis, a friend of the alleged victim's family, brought the allegations to light.

He attended court as well. NBC Connecticut asked Dr. Lewis how the teenager is doing.

Dr. Lewis responded, Shes doing well, ah, still a little bit cloudy about the entire situation, but keeping her going and moving forward. Genao, hes not as much an issue to me as the system that supports it/encourages it. Festers it and helps it to grow.

Two other women who have worked for Hartford schools tell the troubleshooters they received questionable text messages from Genao also. One woman says shes dealt with them for years.

NBC Connecticut concealed the one womans identity, since she is still working in the district, If it was a phone call, then it would go to inappropriate things. If it was a text, then it would go to what are you doing? What are you wearing? Can I see? Can you send me a picture? Do you want to see what Im doing? What Im wearing? Do you want to see where I am?

Troubleshooter Jill Konopka asked, Are there other victims out there? Weve had people reach out to us, alleged victims, excuse me. Atty. Hugh Keefe responded, Youre kidding right? Jill Konopka stated, not at all. Keefe added, Anything else?

Wednesdays case was continued to May 25th, to give prosecutors time to decide whether it will be transferred to part A.

Genao remains free on bond.
Racist City Employees Are on Notice, and 9 Other Greater Cincinnati News Stories You May Have Missed This Week

Catch up on local government, politics, sports, celeb sightings and Halloween fun.
Just a day after Connecticut's House Speaker described the budget that Gov. Dannel Malloy presented last week as a "hit list", he stood by his comments Tuesday. He even decided not to attend a meeting with Republicans to discuss steps forward on the budget.

I think its clear that what the governor presented last week was a nonstarter" Rep. Brendan Sharkey, (D - Hamden), told reporters outside the House of Representatives.

When asked about Sharkey's comments, Malloy responded with an atypical conciliatory tone, said, I just think he had a bad day, honestly.

The House Speaker insists his comments to the CT Mirror were not reflective of a sour 24 period.

The issues stem from the governor's budget released last week that would end the 2017 fiscal year in balance, as a result of cuts, layoffs, and fund transfers totalling more than $900 million.

The cuts would hit just about all of state government. Everything from hospital payments, dental care for children, to developmental services would see reductions. The budget also includes steep cuts to cities and towns, and school districts in Southwestern Connecticut.

It felt like a sort of a poke in the eye to both the House and Senate Democrats and Republicans and wasnt really the basis for a negotiation going forward" Sharkey said.

Malloy defended his budget, by saying he's the only person in the State Capitol who's presented a balanced budget twice since February. The governor said a special session this summer would become a certainty if the legislature and his office can't find middle ground.

I dont have a magic wand, right? I cant make people do their jobs. But I can make it uncomfortable not to do their jobs and that means being here all summer if thats what it means.

The governor said he won't sign any budget that raises taxes or borrows money. He also set a condition that it has to be balanced but Connecticut laws mandate a balanced spending plan.

Democrats on the Appropriations Committee approved a budget that only cut just more than $500 million when nonpartisan estimates show the state has a more than $900 million deficit.

Rep. Joe Aresimowicz, (D - Berlin), defended that approach saying, So we walk out more state employees, we cut municipal funding, we cut social service programs and then a week later, wait, we have more money that we thought, rehire those workers, reconstitute those programs, I dont think thats the direction we want to go.

Republicans did honor their meeting with Malloy and emerged having discussed paths forward but they wouldn't endorse the governor's budget for similar reasons as House and Senate Democrats.

Sen. Len Fasano, (R - North Haven), the Minority Leader in the Senate, said the commentary on the budget isn't good for the process.

You dont need to have that kind of rhetoric in this building. I mean, come on," Fasano said.

He added, Theres a number of reasons why we cant support it but that doesnt mean you dont bring ideas to the table and say, hey, what do you think, how about this, how about that, and ultimately we may not even come to an agreement with the governor or whoever is at the table.
The First Selectman of Bozrah, accused of outlining a plan to kill his soon to be ex-wife and himself, said he is not resigning his position due to the charges he is facing.

Glenn Pianka, 59, was arrested last month, charged with threatening, second-degree harassment and breach of police. Police said he was upset about a difficult divorce and sent letters to family members about a murder suicide plot, but his daughter kept him for carrying it out.

At his first meeting since he was arrested, some in the town thought he would be asked to step down. Pianka plans to keep his position through the investigation despite criticism.

Tell them to come and see me and ask if Im doing my job, Pianka said.

There are two others members of the board and one had no comment. The other said he is standing by the First Selectman.

Glenns doing a good job, Selectman Carl Zorn said. People are happy with what hes doing. He;s going through a tough situation and were supporting him.

Zorn said the board cannot force Pianka to step down, and while they have had discussions about it, they do not plan on asking him to do so. The other board members said they are monitoring the situation.

Some said they cannot ignore the language in the arrest warrant. While the notes were vague, the concerning comments included, over our dead bodies, Maybe a little jail time would do me some good, I promise to make lives as miserable as mine is becoming  locks, court orders etc. will be useless, and This is my life and I am prepared to die defending the work of my life, according to the arrest warrant application.

It said hed had many sleepless nights since being served divorce paperwork and was depressed. It went on to said he had gone to the couples home in Lebanon, where he retrieved a loaded pistol and took it back to their Bozrah home, where he sat and waited for his wife to come home because he planned to shoot her and then himself, according to the arrest warrant.

Pianka is facing misdemeanor charges for breach of peace, harassment and threatening. He is out on $20,000 bond and due back in court April 20.
A child was allegedly struck and choked by their mother, a Hartford firefighter, over the last two years, police said.

Aarvah Quinonez, 34, who has been with the Hartford Fire Department since 2011, was arrested on Tuesday morning for the alleged incidents, the fire department said.

On Feb. 4, Hartford Police said they began an investigation after they were informed of a possible assault of a minor by their mother, Quinonez.

Multiple serious allegations stemmed from the investigation, including alleged incidents that Quinonez may have struck her child with a belt and choked the minor in 2015 and 2016, police said

Police were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Quinonez on April 19.

In 2006, Hartford police searched for Quinonez after they say she went missing from her three children for more than two weeks. A judge temporarily relinquished Quinonez's custody of the three children, aged between 1 and 5 years old at the time.

Quinonez is accused of second-degree assault, third degree strangulation, risk of injury to a minor.

Her bond was set at $100,000 and she is expected to be in court on May 25.
Layoffs are coming to Hartford Schools.

The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters broke the story weeks ago, and on Tuesday, the Superintendent of Schools presented her budget to the Board of Education, detailing the cuts.

"It's a lot of money, and that's going to affect the quality of education we give to kids. So that hurts. This is painful," said Richard Wareing, Hartford BOE Chairman.

Painful because Hartford schools must battle a $30 million budget gap. Of that, $20.1 million is from increased costs, and $10.1 million is from decreased revenue.

The superintendent's budget proposes eliminating 235.8 positions to save more than $15 million. Out of that number, 96.5 are teachers. Superintendent Beth Schiavino-Narvaez told the BOE that with things like resignations and retirements, far less staff will actually be laid off.

"While this is a very difficult budget, it's not hopeless. We continue to invest in our priorities and serve our children and families as best we can," said the superintendent.

The superintendent says they're facing a perfect storm which includes 8 years of flat funding, decreasing special funds, and increasing needs.

She outlined that increasing costs mainly comes from contractual salary increases, out-of-district tuition, and fringe benefits. To deal with the budget crisis, along with cutting staff, she reduced reliance on professional contracts and services, reduced insurance costs (helped in part with the proposed reduction in staff), and lowering funds for equipment, computers, supplies, and other accounts that fund things like travel and meetings.

While the cuts are significant to staff, Hartford Federation of Teachers Union President Andrea Johnson fears it may not be the end.

"What bothers me the most is I think more cuts could take place," said Johnson.

While officials say the city of Hartford cannot legally give less money to education, the state certainly could as it grapples with its own financial crisis. Such a move would widen the hole Hartford Public Schools is desperately trying to fill with layoffs and cuts.

"If less money is ultimately appropriated by the General Assembly, that number is going to go up. The number of layoffs is going to go up," said Wareing.

The school district also consolidated Bulkeley High School, but the superintendent pointed out that the consolidation had nothing to do with the fiscal issue. Instead, she said it took place because of declining enrollment.

At the budget presentation, BOE Secretary and Finance Chair Craig Stallings expressed frustration that there is so little time for the Board to look over the budget.

"The Board should have had more input on this," said Stallings.

It's a complaint the teachers' union shares, saying they had one meeting weeks ago with the superintendent but learned nothing. They felt they were left out of the process.

"The teachers are the ones who work with the children in the schools every day. They know the importance, the ups and downs, the happy and sad. Those are the folks you want to talk to," said Johnson.

BOE workshops are scheduled next week. A public hearing takes place on May 3rd, and the BOE is scheduled to adopt the budget on May 17.
The Department of Justice will be investigating the state's "motor voter" program after they've found "widespread noncompliance" with federal laws, according to a letter sent to Connecticut officials.

The "motor voter" program allows citizens that submit a driver's license application to the appropriate state motor vehicle authority that will also serve for voter registration application.

"This is to notify you that I have authorized a lawsuit against the State of Connecticut and appropriate state officials to enforce compliance," with the "motor voter" program, Vanita Gupta with the Justice Department wrote the state's attorney general.

"Throughout the State, it appears that applications for a Connecticut driver's license or a non-driver identification card generally do not serve as applications for voter registration with respect to elections for Federal office, and that change of address forms do not serve as notification of a change of address for voter registration purposes if the applicant is moving between two towns," Gupta explained.

Gupta said they hope to resolve the issue and will delay filing the complaint for a short period of time in order to permit the state to settle the matter.
The Bernie Sanders presidential campaign has reached out to officials in New Haven about holding a campaign rally on the New Haven Green, according to the mayor's office.

Officials from the mayors office said the Sanders campaign reached out and the city provided the campaign with information on costs, as well as additional information, but the Sanders campaign has not yet made any additional plans and no permit was issued.

Grotheer said the campaign is also considering other venues.

A statement from the Sanders campaign said they have not given out any infrmation about events for the weekend in any state.

"The schedule is presently being ironed out and our scheduling team is still considering a number of options to pull together the most robust and strategic agenda," the emailed statement said.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton will be making a campaign stop at the YMCA in Hartford on Thursday, where she will discuss gun violence, according to her campaign.

Clinton's daughter, Chelsea Clinton, will be in the state today for a campaign event in Hartford.

Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ohio governor John Kasich have both visited Connecticut. Trump was in Hartford on Friday.

Kasich visited Sacred Heart University in Fairfield earlier this month and is coming back on Friday, where he will be at Glastonbury High School.

The candidates have also been spending money on advertising here in advance of the primary on Tuesday, April 26.
A Newtown Middle School teacher accused of having a concealed gun at the Connecticut school has pleaded not guilty and is due in court next month.

Jason M. Adams, 46, of Newtown, has been on administrative leave since April 6, when school security staff detained him and police charged him with possession of a weapon on school grounds.

Court documents show he was carrying a loaded .45-caliber pistol in a holster inside the school, according to the Associated Press.

Newtown Middle School is in the same town as Sandy Hook Elementary, where a deadly mass shooting in 2012 prompted strict gun laws statewide.

Police said they do not know why Adams was carrying a gun in school earlier this month.

Adams did not appear in court, but his lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and filed an administrative continuance.

Adams had a valid State of Connecticut pistol permit when he was found with the gun, according to police who contacted the State's Licensing and Permit Unit and made them aware of the arrest.

The state of Connecticut enacted some of the strictest gun laws in the nation after the December 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, where 20 first graders and six educators were killed.

Police said school policy strictly forbids the possession of firearms on school property.
Donald Trump is in the lead among the Republican presidential candidates and Hillary Clinton is in the lead among the Democratic candidates, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released this morning in advance of next week's primary.

Trump is close to the 50 percent mark among Connecticut likely Republican primary voters, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich tops Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in the race for second place, according to Quinnipiac University.

A 66-25 percent lead among black likely Democratic primary voters and a wide margin among female Democrats propel former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to a 51-42 percent lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the Quinnipiac University Poll finds. Another 6 percent remain undecided and 18 percent of those who name a candidate said they might change their mind, the poll says.

Likely Republican primary voters give Trump 48 percent, with 28 percent for Kasich and 19 percent for Cruz. Only 5 percent are undecided, but 25 percent of those who name a candidate said they might change their mind before the April 26 primary, pollsters found.

By 59-33 percent, Connecticut Republicans want an outsider for president, rather than someone experienced in politics. Among those who want an outsider, 75 percent back Trump.

"Connecticut Republicans have gone for outsider candidates such as Linda McMahon and Tom Foley. They continue that trend with Donald Trump," Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz said in a statement. "The conventional wisdom that Sen. Cruz is too conservative for Connecticut looks true, as he comes in a distant third in the Republican primary. Kasich clearly is outpacing Cruz for second, but running well behind Trump.

"Secretary Hillary Clinton wins on all the most important issues to voters, except for income inequality. Sen. Bernie Sanders wins on honesty, values, and empathy. But Clinton wins by bigger margins on leadership, electability, and experience," Schwartz said.

A total of 56 percent of Republicans have a strongly favorable or somewhat favorable opinion of Trump, with 37 percent somewhat or strongly unfavorable. Kasich gets a 58-18 percent favorability rating with Cruz at a negative 38 - 45 percent score.

There are wide gender and racial gaps among likely Democratic primary voters as women back Clinton 55-38 percent while men are divided, with 50 percent for Sanders and 45 percent for Clinton. White voters are divided with 49 percent for Clinton and 47 percent for Sanders, while black voters back Clinton 66-25 percent, according to Quinnipiac.

Quinnipiac University conducted the poll from April 12 to 18, surveying 823 Connecticut likely Republican primary voters and 1,037 likely Democratic primary voters. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Connecticut presidential primary is on Tuesday, April 26.

Take a look at the entire poll here.
The former leader of a black student group at Kean University tweeted anonymous threats against fellow black students last fall because she wanted more people to attend a rally on racial injustice, according to prosecutors.

Kayla McKelvey, 25, pleaded guilty Monday to creating a false public alarm. State prosecutors will recommend that McKelvey be sentenced to 90 days in jail and pay restitution of about $82,000 to cover the costs of the police response and heightened security at Kean after the threats.

According to prosecutors, McKelvey tweeted threats from a campus library because she wanted more people to attend the Nov. 17, 2015, rally on racial issues. She then returned to the rally to tell people about the threats.

One tweet addressed to campus police read: "@kupolice I will kill all the blacks tonight, tomorrow and any other day if they go to Kean University."



The university increased security and several law enforcement agencies were also alerted, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.



The threats also prompted a group of black ministers to call for Kean President Dawood Farahi to resign, saying the threats showed he hadn't done enough to address racial tension on campus.



McKelvey and her attorney had sought to have her participate in a pretrial intervention program that would have allowed her to avoid jail. But a judge denied that request last week.



Her sentencing is scheduled for June 17.
Amid national controversy over gender-specific bathrooms, Target is encouraging store employees and customers to use the restrooms and fitting rooms that align with their gender identities.

"We believe that everyoneevery team member, every guest, and every communitydeserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally," Target said in a news release dated April 19.

"Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity," the company said.

Last September, Target voiced its support for the federal Equality Act, which would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to encompass gender identity and sexual orientation.

Introduced in 2015, the Equality Act would expand protections for transgender and LGBT individuals in employment, housing and other public accommodations.

Gender-specific bathrooms have been thrust into the national spotlight, with North Carolina passing a controversial law that requires people to use public restrooms that correspond to their genders at birth.

High courts overturned similar legislation in Tennessee and Virginia, and South Dakota's governor vetoed a transgender bathroom bill last month.

Legislation taking effect this summer in Mississippi will allow certain workers  including some in private businesses  to cite religious beliefs in denying services to gay lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

"We regularly assess issues and consider many factors such as impact to our business, guests and team members," Target said in Tuesday's announcement. "Given the specific questions these legislative proposals raised about how we manage our fitting rooms and restrooms, we felt it was important to state our position."
Blake Shelton Ticket Call to Win Giveaway

Official Rules

April 19, 2016April 22, 2016

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Void outside the WVIT Terrestrial Geographic Viewing Area (described below) and where prohibited. The Call to Win Giveaway (Sweepstakes) will begin on April 19, 2016 at 6:10 A.M. ET and end on April 22, 2016 at 6:40 A.M. ET (Sweepstakes Period). All times in the Sweepstakes refer to Eastern Time (ET). Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible Entries (defined below) received. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

ELIGIBILITY: Open only to permanent, legal United States (U.S.) residents who are physically located and residing in the WVIT terrestrial geographic viewing area in the counties of Hartford, New Haven, New London, Windham, Tolland, Middlesex, Litchfield, and Fairfield in the state of Connecticut (WVIT Terrestrial Geographic Viewing Area), and who are eighteen (18) years of age or older as of the start of the Sweepstakes Period. Officers, directors, and employees of Sweepstakes Entities (defined below), members of these persons immediate families (spouses and/or parents, children, and siblings, and their spouses, regardless of where they reside), and/or persons living in the same households as these persons (whether or not related thereto) are not eligible to enter or win the Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes Entities, as referenced herein, shall include WVIT, 1422 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110, and NBCUniversal Media, LLC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 (collectively, Sponsors), and their respective parent, subsidiary, and affiliate companies, their administrative, advertising, and promotion agencies, and any other entity involved in the development, administration, promotion, or implementation of the Sweepstakes.

TO ENTER: To enter, watch NBC Connecticuts local newscasts at 6:00am ET weekdays during the Sweepstakes Period, and listen for the cue to call (Cue). The first Cue will be announced any time between 6:10AM and 6:40AM during the 6:00AM ET local newscast (Entry). To win, you must be the tenth (10) caller, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion (Winner). In the event that the designated numbered caller becomes disconnected or is found to be ineligible, the next eligible caller who successfully makes it through on the line and completes his or her Entry, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion, will be the potential Winner. All Entries become the property of Sponsors and will not be acknowledged. There will be one (1) Winner per newscast every weekday during the Sweepstakes Period, for a total of four (4) Winners.

Entries must be received before April 22, 2016 at 6:40 A.M. ET to be eligible for the Sweepstakes. Sponsors computer shall be the official timekeeper for all matters related to this Sweepstakes. You may enter as many times as possible during the Sweepstakes Period. Multiple Entries received from any person or email address beyond this limit will void all such additional entries. Entries generated by a script, macro, or other automated means will be disqualified. Entries that are incomplete, garbled, corrupted, or unintelligible for any reason, including, but not limited to, computer or network malfunction or congestion, are void and will not be accepted. In case of a dispute over the identity of an entrant who made a potentially winning Entry, Sponsors reserve the right to deem that the entry was made by the registered subscriber of the email address submitted at the time of entry. Entry constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) to use entrants name, city, state, likeness, image, and/or voice for purposes of advertising, promotion, and publicity in any and all media now or hereafter known, throughout the world in perpetuity, without additional compensation, notification, permission, or approval.

FIRST PRIZE: There will be three (3) first prizes (First Prizes, each a First Prize) awarded; one (1) First Prize will be awarded to each Winner from the drawings held from April 19, 2016 through April 21, 2016 . Each First Prize will consist of two (2) tickets for Winner and one (1) Guest to see Blake Shelton, scheduled to take place on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 7:30 P.M. ET at the XL Center, located at 1 Civic Center Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103 (Event). Estimated retail value (ERV) of each First Prize is two hundred dollars ($200). Total ERV of all First Prizes is six hundred dollars ($600).

GRAND PRIZE: There will be one (1) grand prize (Grand Prize) awarded to the Winner from the drawing held on April 22, 2016. Grand Prize will consist of the following: two (2) tickets and two (2) pre-show passes for Winner and one (1) Guest to the Event. ERV of Grand Prize is three hundred dollars ($300).

First Prizes and Grand Prize will be referred to herein as Prize or Prizes.

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Prizes will not be awarded until on or about April 22, 2016. The total ERV of all Prizes is nine hundred dollars ($900). Actual retail value (ARV) of Prizes may vary. Any difference between ARV and stated ERV will not be awarded. Prizes are subject to certain terms and conditions as specified thereupon by the issuer. If Prize awarded exceeds five hundred and ninety nine dollars ($599), Sponsors will furnish an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 to Winners of such Prizes for the ARV of their Prize for the tax year in which Prize was awarded.

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NBC 5 is teaming up with the Red Cross and Kroger to assist Texans affected by severe storms and flooding. People can go to any Kroger in DFW and drop cash and checks into coin boxes located at every checkout stand. The money goes directly to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

NBC 5 and Kroger Food Stores are asking our community to help with the relief effort for the damage caused by the recent storms in the Houston area and around the state.



Stop by your neighborhood Kroger and make a monetary donation to the American Red Cross at Kroger's check stands. One hundred percent of the check stand donations will be donated to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which will support disasters big and small from spring storms.



The American Red Cross is working around the clock to help those in need by providing food, shelter and emotional support for the people whose lives have been disrupted.



For more information on the relief efforts, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Some 21 years after O.J. Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, the couple's two children are living quietly in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Or at least they were until paparazzi tracked down 30-year-old Sydney Simpson and her 27-year-old brother Justin after the recent FX series "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" renewed interest in the 1994 killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Justin Simpson tells the Tampa Bay Times he loves living in St. Petersburg, where he sells real estate for Coldwell Banker. "It's a great place to live, why not St. Pete?'' he said. "It's gorgeous here.''

His sister moved to the area in 2014 and also works in real estate, but not as an agent. She owns a house and a couple of duplexes in the area.

The siblings were sleeping when their mother was killed. They moved to Miami with their father after the acquittal and have never publicly discussed the events of the night their mother was murdered.

Acquitted of double murder at his '95 criminal trial but found liable for the deaths of Nicole and Ron Goldman in the '97 civil case, Simpson told the Associated Press at the time that he blamed the media "for convincing the American public I was guilty."

Simpson was convicted of armed robbery in Nevada in 2008 and remains in prison.
Midlothian police and the Texas Rangers are stepping up their investigation into the murder of fitness instructor Missy Bevers, who was killed inside a church early Monday morning.

NBC 5 has learned police are going through Missy Bevers cell phone to see who she texted and called in the days before the murder, in the hopes of generating new clues.

Police are also reviewing the surveillance video of other nearby businesses -- including a local gun store -- to see if those cameras also recorded the same person recorded on surveillance video inside the church moments before Bevers arrived.

Police also returned Wednesday afternoon to the scene of the murder, inside Creekside Church of Christ.

As police investigate -- Missy's close friends are remembering her life.

"She was one of the sweetest people Ive ever met in my life," said Cammy Jackson. "Shes this tiny little thing, but shes one of those people you cant help but be drawn to. She always has a smile on her face. Always had a smile on her face. Just so friendly and genuine, and really she wanted to be your friend. Thats who she was."

Missy became a Camp Gladiator fitness instructor a little more than a year ago. She taught a 5 a.m. fitness classes five days a week, and twice a week she also led a 9 a.m. class.

Twice a week she held the classes at Midlothian's Navarro College campus and three times a week at Creekside Church.

She generally had between 12-15 students in her classes.

"You could tell that she was friends with all of them," Jackson said. "If I missed a class shed text me to make sure I was OK -- ask if I was going to be there for the next class. And it wasnt just me, she was like that with everyone. They were there because Missy encouraged them to be there."

Close friends said Missy was a proud mother of three daughters and talked about her children often.

"She talked about her girls all the time," Jackson said. "She was a mom. She was a family woman. She talked about her family all the time."

She said she talked about Brandon less frequently, although it appeared to her that they had a very happy home life together.

"We talked about the girls a lot, but I could tell from the way she talked about creating the camps, and all that, that Brandon was very supportive of what she was doing. It was just a very happy family," Jackson said.

Jackson said she knew Missy for eight years and watched her transition over the last 18 months from stay-at-home mom with a growing interest in health products into a fitness guru.

"It was just neat to see that transition," she said. "When I first met her years ago she was not as outgoing as she is now, she was just a little more shy. I think this recent transition, her transformation, made her into a outgoing, vibrant person."

"It was her goal to reach as many people as she could and make them as healthy as she could, through her encouragement," she said.

Jackson said she's haunted by the surveillance video and by what Missy must have been thinking in her final moments.

"I think about in her last moments, what happened. How did she come across this guy, this person? What was she feeling? I cant even fathom it," she said. "When I first heard about it, I was literally sick to my stomach."

"In my mind I think she was stalked, stalked-targeted, but Im not an expert. But it seems clear to me from that video that they werent there to rob the church," she added.

The last time she and Missy spoke was Thursday morning. Missy stopped by the Chamber of Commerce to sign up for a May event and chatted with Jackson for several minutes.

"It was all about Camp Gladiator and how she was super excited for this conference she was going to down in Austin over the weekend. She was just so excited for everything that was going on," Jackson said. "Nothing out of the ordinary. Just her busy-ness and her getting stuff done."

"I hugged her. I said, 'love you, Ill see you next week'. But then...," Jackson's voice trails off, choking back tears.

She said she hopes and prays that her dear friend didn't suffer in her final moments and that police make an arrest soon.

"I think they should remember her as a kind, loving friend, wife, mom. Someone who wouldnt hurt a fly. Someone who cared about people. Someone who cared about people in a genuine way," Jackson said.
Surveillance video shows a fireball erupting at Checker Flag Car Wash in Dallas when a driver vacuums up what may have been spilled gasoline, according to business owner Mark Krim.

The footage  recorded April 4 at 11:43 p.m.  shows a vacuum tank bursting into flames as a man cleans out the trunk of his car. Krim said he believes the driver was vacuuming gasoline.

"That first second, that tells everything. And you can see how it starts," said Krim, watching the video. "He's vacuuming, just sucking up that gasoline, just blew that thing right up!"

When Krim first noticed the vacuum tank was burned, he looked turned to surveillance video to find out how it happened. He found evidence of gasoline while repairing the vacuum.

"The bags inside were soaked with gas," he said. "I had to take everything apart and let it air out for a day before I could even rebuild it."

The car wash owner said he's seen a lot on surveillance footage, but nothing like what was recorded that night.

"Shocking," Krim said. "Now I can laugh because nobody got hurt."

Not only does the man in the video appear uninjured, but he appears unfazed as the fire rages, calmly retrieving more coins for the machine to spray the fire with water.

"I mean, he was nice enough to try and put it out," Krim joked, but said the driver was "so lucky he didn't get hurt" because what he did was dangerous.

Fortunately, the fire and power were already out.

"You know, if anybody did this at home with a home vacuum, that thing could blow up in their face," Krim cautioned. "They just have to know about this stuff."
Midlothian police revealed new information Wednesday in the investigation into a fitness instructor killed inside a church Monday morning.

Missy Bevers, 45, arrived at the Creekside Christian Church at about 4 a.m. Monday to prepare for her early-morning Camp Gladiator fitness class. When her students arrived at 5 a.m., they found her unresponsive. Officials later declared her dead -- after finding signs of a struggle and evidence of forced entry, police began investigating her death as a homicide.

A review of surveillance video recorded inside the church revealed the presence of another person inside the church an hour before Bevers' arrival. The person was described as wearing black, police-like clothing. Police originally thought the person was a man, but backed away from that assertion Tuesday afternoon.

The cameras inside the church did not record any interaction between the person and Bevers, police said.

On Wednesday, Assistant Chief of Police Kevin Johnson said their department is being assisted in the investigation by the Texas Rangers, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and an unnamed second federal agency.

The ATF, Texas Rangers and Midlothian police returned to the church Wednesday afternoon where the ATF used a dog to search the interior and exterior of the church for gunshot residue or other explosive powders.

Police are also requesting surveillance video from nearby businesses, including a nearby gun shop, with hopes of matching someone in that video to the person recorded inside the church.

The Dallas County medical examiner completed an autopsy on Bevers Tuesday, but police are not releasing her cause of death citing the ongoing investigation.

There is strategic value right now in not releasing that [the medical examiner's report] to the public at this time. So were not, right now, Johnson said.

Bevers' mobile phone was not password protected, so police have had no trouble accessing the device and reviewing texts, phone calls, emails and other data that may prove relevant to their investigation.

So far, police said Bevers' husband, Brandon, who spoke publicly with the media for more than 20 minutes Tuesday, has been cooperating with detectives in the investigation, though Johnson wouldn't reveal any particulars. Investigators said Brandon Bevers' story that he was on a fishing trip in Biloxi, Mississippi when his wife was killed checks out, police said.

Investigators said they have received hundreds of tips from the public and that maybe a dozen or so have turned out to have actionable information worthy of a follow up by one of the more than two dozen investigators assigned to the case.

Of the investigators, five are detectives with the Midlothian Police Department and the others come from the ATF, Texas Rangers and the unnamed federal agency.

More than 100 people gathered a Creekside Christian Church for a vigil in Bevers' memory Wednesday evening.

"We've all been deeply affected by this tragedy, and tonight was an opportunity for us to just lean on one another and just have that reminder that we are just here all together," said the Rev. Clint Rhodes, pastor at Creekside Christian Church.

Ellis County sheriff's deputies provided security for the prayer service, as many church members arrived to the facility for the first time since Bevers was killed there.

Boards still cover broken windows from the break-in before the assault.

"She was a lovely woman. And it was just tragic how all of a sudden her life was just gone," said Creekside member Derek Thorpe. "So (I'm) just here to mourn for her and her family ... and just hope that everybody can pray for her and the family."

NBC 5's Kevin Cokely contributed to this report.
Austin police are appealing to the public for clues to the identity of a man suspected in a series of eight sexual assaults dating to late December.

The latest incident happened around midday Sunday when a woman walking around her apartment complex in northwestern Austin reported being grabbed from behind. She said the man fled after she screamed.

A Tuesday police statement says the man also is suspected in seven other north Austin sexual assaults. He's described as white or Hispanic, in his mid-20s, skinny and weighing about 150 pounds with short brown hair and dark eyes but whose face was partially covered by a mask. He was last seen wearing light-colored jeans with a dark gray short-sleeve shirt while wearing or carrying a gray long-sleeve or lightweight sweat shirt.
A convicted child molester was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol (CBP) agents seven miles east of the Calexico Station Sunday.

The 28-year-old Mexican national had been deported in 2015 after being convicted of lewd acts with a child under 14 years old. He was sentenced to 270 days in jail.

Agents saw the man walking north of the International Border Fence just after 10 p.m.

Once they made contact with the man they realized he was in the U.S. illegally, and a records check revealed his convictions.

Whether its being good members of our community or arresting criminals who pose a threat to our nations youth I am grateful for the work our Border Patrol agents do every day to keep our communities safe, said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim.

The man will be criminally prosecuted and is being held at the Imperial County Jail.

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have arrested nine convicted sex offenders attempting to re-enter the United States after removal in fiscal year 2016.
Authorities on Wednesday revealed the details of the longest cross-border drug smuggling tunnel ever discovered in California.

The elaborate tunnel, found near the Otay Mesa Border Crossing, is one of the narrowest ever discovered and includes lighting, ventilation and an elevator that fits eight to 10 people, U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said at a news conference.

It is the 13th operational large scale border tunnel found along the state's border since 2006 and the second tunnel discovered in the Otay Mesa area in the past month.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees swarmed a facility on Marconi Drive Tuesday starting at 2:15 p.m. The building is about 1,000 feet from the U.S.-Mexico border.

The tunnel zig zags the length of eight football fields from Mexico to the U.S., Duffy said.

Duffy says people digging cross border tunnels typically try to make more of an effort to conceal them.

"This one as you can see it's literally a rabbit hole in the ground," Duffy said. "They had a plate over that they covered with gravel like this. So I think few, except the agents who work this area who are very attune to this area and what's going on, would even suspect this kind of business is taking place out in the open."

Agents discovered the tunnel when they noticed a dumpster being strategically placed in a pallet yard. A sign on the fence outside the business reads: "Otay Pallets - We buy pallets."

Officials say pallets were placed around it, and on top of drugs found inside it.

Duffy said the agency is fairly confident this was the first drug smuggling attempt at the tunnel location.

An estimated $1.2 million worth of marijuana and about $22 million worth of cocaine was seized Friday.

Six people were arrested and charged as a result of the discovery.

Martiniano Garcia-Sedano, Cruz Armando Parra Corrales and Alejandro Bravo were charged with conspiring to import cocaine and marijuana and conspiring to use a border tunnel, according to a complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney's office.

The men imported 2,242 pounds of a mixture and substance with detectable amounts of cocaine, according to the complaint. The complaint also alleged the men imported 14,098.96 pounds of a mixture with a detectable amount of marijuana. The complaint alleged the men used the border tunnel to transport those drugs.

Juan Carlos Chavez Fabian, Alejandro Gomez-Baez and Osmel Martinez were charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, according to a separate complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney's office.

According to the complaint, the men to distribute 2,242 pounds of a substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine and 11,030 pounds of a substance containing marijuana.

A nearby business owner told NBC 7 San Diego she didn't see anything odd or suspicious going on in the area.

"We just mind our own business because I don't care what others do, said Lupita Flores. I don't even knew what they were doing over there. I just saw the pallets but that was it. We never saw what they were doing. So I have no idea."

The tunnel marks the third similar discovery in recent weeks around Southern California.

Officials found a 142-foot cross-border tunnel east of Calexico during a routine patrol of the border Friday. Depression in the soil exposed an 18-inch hole, where the agent found lumber and electrical wiring that indicated it was an operational tunnel.

A month ago, authorities found a secret, cross-border tunnel hidden in a home built specifically for the purpose of concealing the tunnel's entrance, officials said. It's believed to be the first instance in California where smugglers built a home for the sole purpose of transporting drugs.
A man gunned down his wife at a Baldwin Park meat market, then turned the gun on himself but survived, police said.

The murder-suicide attempt was reported about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the market in the 13000 block of Los Angeles Street, which was open for business at the time, said Lt. Chris Kubbery of the Baldwin Park Police Department.

Sheriff's officials said the man shot her once in the forehead, but then failed to kill himself with a shot to his upper body. He was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he was undergoing surgery for his wounds.

No one else was injured.

Detectives said the man had a restraining order against the woman, who leaves behind four children.

The couple, who is from El Monte, was not identified.

Rosa Ordaz contributed to this report.
The Los Angeles Police Commission found Tuesday that an officer was justified last summer in shooting an unarmed man who had a piece of cloth wrapped around his hand.

The commissioners agreed with Chief Charlie Beck's assessment that the officer who shot and seriously injured Walter William DeLeon in Los Feliz on June 19, 2015, acted properly in opening fire because there was reason to believe he posed a threat.

A California Highway Patrol emergency dispatcher received a call about 6:35 p.m. from a witness who reported that DeLeon had instructed him to call 911 and say that a man was walking with a gun in his hand, according to Beck's report on the investigation of the shooting.

The report also included multiple statements by witnesses -- many of whom were in their cars and stopped in traffic during parts of the incident -- who said DeLeon looked as if he was holding a gun under a towel or T-shirt and appeared to be aiming a hidden gun.

Beck also said DeLeon exhibited the behavior of someone who was suffering from a mental illness or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The shooting by the officer -- identified by the LAPD as nine-year law enforcement veteran Cairo Palacios -- occurred at the intersection of Los Feliz Boulevard and Tica Drive.

Officers said they were driving back to the Northeast Station when they heard a "loud moan or scream" by a male voice. As the sounds continued, they saw DeLeon, who appeared to be walking toward them and had "his right hand wrapped in a towel and his arms in a 90-degree angle, holding a gun in a shooting stance point it in their direction," according to the report.

The officers told DeLeon several times to drop his gun, before one of them fired three rounds, according to Beck's report. DeLeon fell onto his back.

The officers approached him with pistols drawn, but when they saw him bleeding from his head, they put away their guns and put on latex gloves, Beck's report said.

The officers removed the cloth from DeLeon's right hand and found that there was nothing underneath. A search of the area also turned up no gun. An ambulance was called, and in the meantime, a physician who was passing by offered his help, according to the report.

DeLeon filed a civil rights complaint in the case.
A protest outside a high school near downtown Los Angeles took a violent turn when students and protesters clashed over the school's new gender-neutral restroom.

The brawl erupted Tuesday afternoon as protesters stood across the street from Santee Education Complex, angry over the school's implementation of a restroom designated for both boys and girls  one of the first in the state. The school officially opened the bathroom on Friday.

Students stood in front of the school, with both sides shouting at the other before the fight began. The melee was caught on cellphone video by Jose Robles, a 14-year-old student.

"One of the students just tackled the guy that was going against the gays and a whole load of students jumped in," Jose recalled.

In the video, a man standing with the protesters could be heard saying "burn in hell, Santee."

"The bathroom's there for a reason, so they just wanted to come make a conflict," Jose said.

Students with the Santee High School Gay-Straight Alliance called for the gender-neutral restrooms. School officials called the students trail blazers.

"This is our pride, we're not going to sit in the corner and not saying anything," said student Monique Garcia.

Students told NBC4 they were repeatedly told to "burn in hell."

"It's just a bathroom," said student Sasha Phillips. "

One student was escorted from the campus for safety reasons, authorities said.

School officials did not comment on the fight.

Protesters said they planned to return to the school Wednesday afternoon with more supporters. Details regarding the possible protest were not immediately available, but the school planned on having extra police patrols on campus.

Gender-neutral bathrooms have become a source of contention nationwide, with North Carolina passing a controversial law that requires gender-specific bathrooms in public places. High courts overturned similar legislation in Tennessee and Virginia, and South Dakota's governor vetoed a transgender bathroom bill last month.

NBC4's Jonathan Lloyd and Adrian Arambulo contributed to this report.
What to Know Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 to overturn Gloucester Co. School Board policy, saying it violated Title IX.

The school board could appeal the decision to the full appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court.

A Virginia high school discriminated against a transgender teen by forbidding him from using the boys' restroom, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday in a case that could have implications for a North Carolina law that critics say discriminates against LGBT people.

The case of Gavin Grimm has been especially closely watched since North Carolina enacted a law last month that bans transgender people from using public restrooms that correspond to their gender identity. That law also bans cities from passing anti-discrimination ordinances, a response to an ordinance recently passed in Charlotte.

"Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the situation," Grimm said in a telephone interview. "I'm just going to take things one day at a time."

Grimm called the policy stigmatizing. School officials said the policy respects the privacy of all students.

"To anyone asking why it is such a big deal, I'd say you deal with that. You be isolated from a one specific location and have you branded as someone who is not fit for that location," Grimm told WWBT in Richmond, Virginia. "And see how you feel about it."

In the Virginia case, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals  which also covers North Carolina  ruled 2-1 to overturn the Gloucester County School Board's policy, saying it violated Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination in schools. A federal judge had previously rejected Grimm's sex discrimination claim, but the court said that judge ignored a U.S. Department of Education regulation that transgender students in public schools must be allowed to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

"We agree that it has indeed been commonplace and widely accepted to separate public restrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities on the basis of sex," the court wrote in its opinion. "It is not apparent to us, however, that the truth of these propositions undermines the conclusion we reach regarding the level of deference due to the department's interpretation of its own regulations."

Maxine Eichner, a University of North Carolina law professor who is an expert on sexual orientation and the law, said the ruling -- the first of its kind by a federal appeals court -- means the provision of North Carolina's law pertaining to restroom use by transgender students in schools that receive federal funds also is invalid.

"The effects of this decision on North Carolina are clear," she said, adding that a judge in that state will have no choice but to apply the appeals court's ruling.

Other states in the 4th Circuit are Maryland, West Virginia and South Carolina. While those states are directly affected by the appeals court's ruling, Eichner said the impact will be broader.

"It is a long and well-considered opinion that sets out the issues," she said. "It will be influential in other circuits."

Appeals court Judge Paul V. Niemeyer, who was appointed to the appeals court by Republican President George H.W. Bush, wrote in a dissenting opinion that the majority's opinion "completely tramples on all universally accepted protections of privacy and safety that are based on the anatomical differences between the sexes."

The majority opinion was written by Judge Henry F. Floyd and joined by Judge Andre M. Davis, both appointees of Democratic President Barack Obama. The Richmond-based court was long considered the nation's most conservative federal appeals court, but a series of vacancies in the last few years has allowed Obama to reshape it. Including the two senior judges, the court now has 10 judges appointed by Democrats and seven by Republicans.

The school board could appeal the decision to the full appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court. David Patrick Corrigan, attorney for the school board, did not immediately respond to a telephone message.

On another issue, the appeals court ordered the trial judge to reconsider his refusal to issue an order that would allow Grimm to use the boys' restrooms immediately.

Grimm was born female but identifies as male. He was allowed to use the boys' restrooms at the school for several weeks in 2014. But after some parents complained, the school board adopted a policy requiring students to use either the restroom that corresponds with their biological gender or a private, single-stall restroom.

"I feel so relieved and vindicated by the court's ruling," Grimm said in a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents him. "Today's decision gives me hope that my fight will help other kids avoid discriminatory treatment at school."

Grimm, 16, said he started refusing to wear girls' clothes by age 6 and told his parents he was transgender in April 2014.

Grimm's parents helped him legally change his name, and a psychologist diagnosed him with gender dysphoria, characterized by stress stemming from conflict between one's gender identity and assigned sex at birth. Grimm began hormone treatment to deepen his voice and give him a more masculine appearance.

Associated Press writer Jonathan Drew contributed to this report from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Fort Lauderdale Police are investigating a fatal shooting Tuesday evening.

It happened around 7:30 p.m. at the Everglades Heights apartment complex in the 2400 block of Northwest 22nd Street near 26th Avenue.

Police said one man was shot and killed. Witnesses said he died inside a vehicle on the scene. His name has not been released.

Many residents said they were home at the time and heard a loud noise, and then saw two black men running from the area.

Police confirmed they are actively searching for two suspects. The Broward Sheriff's Office helicopter circled overhead in hopes of finding the men.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.
A central Florida paramedic is recovering at a hospital days after being run over while assisting a woman whose husband had just stabbed her.

Fire chief Ronnie Long tells the Daytona Beach News-Journal that Caroline Dorton was having dinner at a Chili's restaurant Sunday night when she heard someone had been stabbed. She rushed to the parking lot to help.

There she found Chericia Brown on the ground and tried to help.

Seminole County Sheriff's officials say Brown was stabbed by her husband, Henry Brown. He returned in his car and ran over her, Dorton and an unidentified nurse who was also helping.

Chericia Brown later died. Authorities say Henry Brown then killed himself and the couple's two young children.

A spokesman says Dorton remains in critical condition.
A Hallandale Beach man is accused of impersonating a police officer and now faces serious charges, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Deputies released new photos showing the type of law enforcement attire Jeffrey Jean, 30, was wearing when he was arrested on Sunday.

BSO said Jean was using red and white flashing lights and sirens in his vehicle to navigate through traffic that had backed up, due to a crash in unincorporated Fort Lauderdale.

When deputies pulled him over, they found a gun belt with a loaded handgun, a stun gun and pepper spray. He was also wearing a vest that said "Public Safety Officer" on it.

Jean is reportedly employed by Knight Guard Protection Services, a security services company that provides uniformed guards to other businesses.

He faces multiple charges including prohibited use of lights and sirens, reckless driving and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

It's unclear whether Jean has an attorney.
A South Florida police officer has been fired after authorities say he got caught up in an undercover prostitution sting.

Boynton Beach police spokeswoman Stephanie Slater said in a news release Tuesday that Vintyre Finney was fired last week. The eight-year veteran has been on paid administrative leave since October.

That's when authorities say Finney drove up to a woman he believed to be a prostitute and offered her $20 for oral sex. The woman was actually an undercover deputy with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

Boynton Beach police terminated Finney for conduct unbecoming a police officer and conformance to law.

Finney's attorney John Howe says his client has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges stemming from the sting, and video released by police portrays Finney's interaction with the undercover deputy out of context.
A Palm Beach County teen accused of posing as a doctor and practicing medicine without a license has been offered a plea deal.

Malachi Love-Robinson, 19, appeared in court hearing Wednesday, where prosecutors offered him three years in prison plus probation, WPTV reported.

Love-Robinson wouldn't comment after Wednesday's hearing. He's due back in court in June to discuss whether he will accept the offer.

Authorities arrested Love-Robinson in February after an undercover agent went to his office, The New Birth New Life Medical Center, and complained of a sore throat, lethargy and sneezing.

Love-Robinson took the woman's temperature and used a stethoscope to check her lungs and heart and told her she was suffering from allergies and should take an over-the-counter medication, according to investigators.

He told her he was a doctor of homeopathic medicine, the report said, and explained that he had a medical doctor on staff to prescribe antibiotics. She signaled to other detectives, who entered the office and arrested Love-Robinson.

Love-Robinson was arrested again in March after a authorities say he charged a woman $3,494 after making five visits to her house when she contacted him online for treatment of stomach pains.

The woman also claimed Love-Robinson called an ambulance to take her to the hospital and suggested she leave her purse behind. She said her bank account had been emptied by the time she was released.

Investigators also said Love-Robinson had forged three checks from her account. He allegedly used the checks to pay for nearly $30,000 in cars and several more thousands in credit card debt.

In a press conference after his first arrest, Love-Robinson said he was "deeply saddened and a little disrespected" by the claims.
One half of an alleged distraction-theft team was arrested Monday and will be extradited from Alachua County to Broward County.

Albert Robinson, 55, will face charges of grand theft and identity theft, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

In late February, BSO said Robinson and his unidentified partner used a distraction technique to steal from an elderly woman in Cooper City. Robinson, who can be seen on surveillance video, lifted a wallet from the purse of the woman as his partner distracted her.

BSO said the crime occurred on Feb. 28 when the suspects entered the Publix Super Market at 10018 Griffin Road in Cooper City and pretended to shop for gift cards.

Video shows the pair as they zero in on a 92-year-old female victim. One suspect approached the customer and asked her a question. That's when Robinson approached the woman's cart, unzipped her purse and swiped her wallet. BSO said the thieves got away with $40, credit cards and the victim's driver's license.

Later that same day, the duo was caught on video at a Best Buy in Pembroke Pines. BSO said they used the victim's credit card to purchase an Xbox One and two Dell Inspiron computers for a total of roughly $1,500.

The unidentified man had on a striped short-sleeve shirt, jeans and glasses. At the Publix, the duo was seen leaving in an unidentified sedan that has a sunroof.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.
Children aren't the only ones who need to take swimming lessons - adults are just as important. And now the YMCA of South Florida is here to help adults who haven't learned to swim.

Jocelyn Boyd is one of those adults who used to be terrified of pools and canals because she never learned how to swim.

"I stayed away because I'm terrified. I was afraid of drowning, I was afraid of the feel of it. I was never really comfortable," she told NBC 6. "I did have a few experiences where I got in water and even though I had on a life jacket, I was afraid and I really thought I was dying."

But one day she decided to confront her fear. Two years ago, the 39-year-old started taking adult swim lessons at the YMCA.

"I live in South Florida now and water is a quality of life here and I was missing out on that part by not knowing how to swim," Boyd said.

Not only was she missing out, but learning how to swim is critical for drowning prevention. If a parent doesn't learn how to swim, there is only a 13 percent chance that a child in that household will learn how to swim.

"It's not really a good example or a model if I didn't know how to swim and then I wanted to be able to help," Boyd said. "Sometimes you take kids to the pool and if you don't know how to swim, how can you be of assistance if they find themselves in trouble? So I wanted to make sure that I was prepared and equipped to not only do my job but I also wanted to be able to enjoy life."

There are many reasons that an adult may not learn how to swim but Boyd says that her fear of the water didn't help.

"There was a lot of fear. I grew up up north where there weren't very many pools," she said.

Now, that's no longer the case.

"I feel empowered, I feel great," she said. "It feels good, I have a much higher quality of life."

She also wants other adults to not give up.

"Get out there and do it. It's possible. It's never too late and it feels awesome," she said.

The YMCA will be offering free swim lessons from May 2-6. For more information on the lessons, click here.

For more on NBC 6's Swim Week, click here.
A South Florida zookeeper attacked by a Malayan tiger last week died of a neck injury, a medical examiner said.

Palm Beach County Medical Examiner Michael Bell told local media outlets Wednesday about 37-year-old Stacey Konwiser's fatal neck injury but wouldn't say whether the veteran Palm Beach Zoo worker was bitten or clawed.

An autopsy report hasn't been made public.

Konwiser was killed Friday when a 13-year-old male tiger attacked her in an enclosure known as the night house, where tigers sleep and are fed, authorities said. The tiger was tranquilized and has since recovered.

The zoo was closed over the weekend and reopened Monday.

Authorities from local, state and federal agencies are investigating what led to Friday's deadly attack.

Zoo officials released a statement after the incident saying they were "saddened beyond what words can describe at this incident and tragic outcome."
Prosecutors urged a judge Wednesday to set an example by sending Sheldon Silver to prison for substantially more than a decade in prison, saying the former New York Assembly speaker corrupted the institution he led for over two decades and caused "immeasurable damage" to the democratic process and public trust as he bartered his power to earn $5 million illegally.

"The sentence imposed on Silver should reflect the unprecedented magnitude, duration, and scope of his abuse of power," prosecutors wrote in a submission to U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni. She is scheduled to sentence the Democrat May 3.

Defense attorneys for the 72-year-old disbarred lawyer said their client deserved leniency. They said if he serves any prison time, it should be small, and that his good deeds  as well as his age, health and often honorable record  should overshadow his conviction last year.

But the government saw no room for a softhearted approach, saying he deserved substantially more time in prison than the decade recommended by the court's Probation Office and urged that the sentence be longer than any imposed on other New York State legislators convicted of corruption charges.

"There is no excuse or mitigating factor tempering the seriousness of Silver's crimes, which were motivated by greed and accomplished through exploitation of his enormous power and his willingness to lie and deceive at every turn," prosecutors said in asking that he be forced to give up $5 million and be fined another million dollars.

They noted federal sentencing guidelines call for a prison term of roughly 22 years to 27 years and said his crimes "tainted an untold number of legislative actions."

They said Silver, earning $120,000 annually as the speaker and another $120,000 for his affiliation with a New York law firm, was financially stable when greed overtook him. Prosecutors said during the trial that Silver traded favors to enrich himself and then lied about it.

In their submission, defense attorneys cited letters to the court from over 100 people urging leniency for a man they insisted had bettered their lives.

"Mr. Silver is a man who, even after his conviction, receives respect, praise, and gratitude from his former constituents and colleagues," they wrote.

Silver's career in politics began in 1976 when he was first elected to the New York State Assembly. He still lives on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

The lawyers noted that Silver's legislative district included the site of the World Trade Center. They cited letters praising his work on behalf of constituents after the 9/11 attacks and after Superstorm Sandy devastated the region in 2012.

They also said Silver was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and that court papers unsealed last week in which the government accused Silver of abusing his office to improperly aid two women with whom he had extramarital affairs had taken a heavy toll. NBC 4 New York and the New York Times filed a lawsuit to have those documents unsealed.

"The horse is now out of the barn," the lawyers wrote. "The punishment in the court of public opinion has simply been devastating  not only for Mr. Silver and the individuals involved, but also for the totally innocent members of Mr. Silver's family."
When done legally, porting is a convenient way for someone to keep their phone number while changing service providers. But more and more thieves are taking advantage of this process to steal people's phones without the devices ever leaving the owner's side.

Ed Hyden of Florida was a victim of a thief's phone porting. On his birthday, he got no calls from his family, which in retrospect should have been a giant red flag. But it took him 36 hours to pinpoint the problem  he no longer controlled his own phone, but he had no idea why.

Hyden discovered he was the victim of fraud. Someone had called the phone company, posing as him, and switched his phone number to a different phone. All the thief needed was Hydens name, phone number and the last four digits of his Social Security number -- "all of which is not terribly hard to get, according to cybersecurity expert Alan E. Brill of Kroll Inc.

Phone porting scams have been popular in Australia but are in their infancy in the United States, said Brill. The FCC said they have received about 100 complaints nationwide.

"In today's world, our identity isn't simply a picture or a fingerprint, it could be your phone. If someone gets a hold of it, they control your identity," he said.

Which is what happened to Hyden. He said within a matter of hours, his stolen identity and phone were used to charge $10,000 to his American Express card. And when the company called to verify it was him making the big purchase, the call went straight to the thief, because his number had already been ported.

"Knowing that someone can just come in and transfer that service to take anything they want, thats kind of terrifying," said Hyden.

Verizon Wireless, Hyden's cellphone company, said it's "working to stay one step ahead of the criminals," but "the trick is balancing security with customer service."

Brill says there's no foolproof way to prevent porting scams but he suggests creating an extra security code for phone transactions and to practice vigilance.

Anyone who thinks they're being targeted should call their phone company and then check their bank accounts and credit card statements. Experts also urge potential victims to report their suspicions to the FCC by calling 888-CALL-FCC or filling out a complaint online.

Authorities believe porting scams are largely underreported because people are not sure who to contact.
Officials in Connecticut urged residents to postpone visits to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles branches, a day after computer outages caused massive delays.

DMV officials said Tuesday's delays were caused by intermittent outages of computer processing and severe slowdowns of processes that occurred during customer transactions. The delays then trickled down and negatively impacted wait times.

"The Department of Motor Vehicles is advising customers tonight that they face the possibility of longer waits Wednesday as officials work to resolve a problem with intermittent computer outages in branches statewide," said Bill Seymour, a spokesman for the DMV.

Connecticut residents needing to renew driver's licenses or identification cards have been advised to visit AAA instead of going to the DMV. Customers with expiring credentials have been given a grace period to renew.

"We know this is an inconvenience to our customers and we are working around the clock to resolve this matter, said DMV commissioner Michael Bzdyra. "We also want customers who have expiring credentials to know that they will be given a grace period to get their renewals done."

Some drivers in Norwalk chose not to heed the DMV's suggestion, braving hourslong waits for service. Some said they didn't hear the warning, but had already waited for too much time to go home.

"You can't leave because you've already put in all this time," said Gregory Hall.

The DMV is expected to return to full operations on Thursday.

The DMV has been plagued by computer problems since switching to a new system last August.

Last week, the state announced it was ending an agreement with 3M, the company hired to handle the computer system modernization overhaul.
Several homes were destroyed in a quick-moving fire in a Long Island community still recovering from Sandy.

Police said an electrical problem with an air conditioner inside a home on East Santa Barbara Road in Lindenhurst sparked the fire. The homeowner's wife and child were inside the house at the time and ran out before the flames took over.

The blaze quickly spread to nearby houses, damaging five in total, officials said. At least three were totally destroyed. The fire then jumped a canal and ignited brush on nearby Indian Island County Park.

Residents say they were stunned by the intensity and height of the flames in the fire.

"All you saw was black smoke going up and then out of nowhere, flames just came up and they were twice as high as the house itself," said neighbor Neil Miranda.

"It looked like an inferno," said neighbor Tim Duhigg. "It went up really fast, and hot, real hot."

Officials say 15 fire departments responded. Two firefighters were taken to a nearby hospital for smoke inhalation. No resident was injured.

The home next to the one where the fire started had just been renovated and lifted after Sandy, and the family was set to move back in in two weeks, neighbors said.

"Families are still recovering from Sandy and for this fire to occur here is very unfortunate," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini.

"These are all my neighbors. We all went through Hurricane Sandy," neighbor Simon Hick said. "But you know, we're all good, we're all alive."

Storm Team 4 warns that low relative humidity combined with dry ground is making for ripe brush fire conditions. The risk continues into Thursday, and fire weather watches have been posted for New Jersey.

A pair of brush fires in New Jersey Tuesday ate through hundreds of acres in New Jersey, hampering NJ Transit service.

A fire is spreading in Copiague, burning through brush on Indian Island after consuming at least two homes on the shore.
More than 30 members of rival drug gangs in East Harlem were arrested overnight in raids conducted by the FBI and city police at three public housing complexes, authorities said Tuesday.

The raids followed the filings of federal indictments accusing three dozen alleged gang members with drug trafficking and firearms offenses.

FBI agents and NYPD officers swooped into the Washington Houses complex, the East River Houses and Metro North Plaza and picked up 29 people named in the indictments, prosecutors said.

The defendants are accused of dealing such drugs as heroin, crack cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana at apartment complexes operated by the New York City Housing Authority, said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in announcing the indictments.

For far too long, NYCHA residents have had to live with drug dealing and violence as part of their everyday lives," he said.

The accused gang members also sold drugs near schools and in city hospitals and "protected their lucrative businesses with guns and violence," Bharara said.

The defendants range in age from 19 to 51 and most went by nicknames, such as "Fetty Baller," "Holiday" and "Gotti," the indictments say.
A final resolution to a pivotal legislative race on Long Island could be days away.

Democrat Todd Kaminsky emerged from Tuesday's special Senate election with a lead of only 780 votes over Republican Chris McGrath. Kaminsky has declared victory, but McGrath says that with 2,700 absentee ballots still to be counted the race is too close to call.

The two men waged aggressive campaigns for the seat, which had been held by ex-GOP Senate Leader Dean Skelos until he was convicted of corruption last year.

County election officials are required to wait a week to count the absentee ballots to ensure they have all arrived.

The outcome will have implications far outside Nassau County, as a Kaminsky win would give Democrats a numeric majority in the Senate. Republicans and Democrats now have 31 seats each, though Republicans control the chamber thanks to the support of six Democrats who crossed their own party line to empower the GOP.

That tenuous agreement could change if Kaminsky hands the Democrats an outright majority. Democrats already hold the executive branch, led by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the majority of seats in the state Assembly.

In a sign of the race's importance President Barack Obama recorded a phone message sent to voters Monday that cited Kaminsky's support for paid family leave, middle-class tax cuts, school funding and a higher minimum wage. The message went out to voters in the district beginning Monday, the latest indication of just how serious both parties view the race.

Earlier this month, Kaminsky picked up the endorsement of Democratic former President Bill Clinton. And in an unusual victory for a Republican, McGrath last week secured the support of 1199 SEIU, a powerful union of health care workers.

McGrath has said he's the better representative for Long Island. He has sought to tie Kaminsky to Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and has said that if Kaminsky is elected state government could fall under the control of Democratic leaders from New York City.

Kaminsky is a former corruption prosecutor who has campaigned on the need to clean up Albany following the convictions of Skelos and others.
The Louis Armstrong House Museum has acquired the only known film footage of the great jazz musician in a recording studio  following its discovery in a storage facility.

The 33-minute, 16mm film captures Armstrong recording his 1959 album "Satchmo Plays King Oliver" in Los Angeles for Audio Fidelity. The record producer, Sid Frey, had the film professionally shot but wound up not doing anything with it or telling anyone about it.

Michael Cogswell, the museum's executive director, called it "a groundbreaking discovery." The museum announced the acquisition Wednesday.

"The film has spent the past six decades in private hands or in a storage locker. Not even the most diligent Armstrong researchers knew it existed," he said.

Frey's daughter, Andrea Bass, who helped the museum acquire the film, said she first learned about its existence in a chat room discussion of her father's company.

Frey, the founder and president of Audio Fidelity, was known in the industry as "Mr. Stereo" for being the first to release a commercially distributed stereo recording, she said.

He died in 1968. Bass said that after their mother passed in 2005, her sister placed the Audio Fidelity tapes, films, albums and personal family items in a storage facility  unbeknownst to her.

"People were always asking me where the masters were," said Bass, a former marketing director. "I went on one of these message boards about Audio Fidelity and someone said 'I have the masters.'" It turned out to be a person who buys the contents of abandoned storage facilities.

Bass said she was unable at that time to purchase the Louis Armstrong material, but the man contacted her again six months ago, and this time they struck a deal.

The film's recording session was made just after Armstrong appeared on Bing Crosby's television special. It shows a relaxed Armstrong in a short-sleeved plaid shirt and shorts blowing his trumpet and singing with his All Stars band. He looks healthy despite a heart attack a few months earlier.

The film opens with two complete takes of "I Ain't Got Nobody." After the first attempt, Armstrong signals for "one more," and then approvingly winks at his bandmates after the second  master take.

Much of the film focuses on Armstrong and the All Stars working out a routine for "I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll." Armstrong didn't have sheet music for the song so he improvised each take with "a new vocal made up of a mixture of dazzling scat singing," the museum said.

The film ends with a complete take of "Jelly Roll Blues," a tribute to jazz composer Jelly Roll Morton.

The museum has also acquired Frey's master reel-to-reel tapes for "Louie and the Dukes of Dixieland," which Armstrong recorded in 1960 for Audio Fidelity at Webster Hall in New York City. The album's numbers include "Limehouse Blues" and "Avalon."

"Capturing Louis in the act of recording is a unique and welcome discovery augmenting what we know about his artistry in an invaluable manner, proving that he was a leader in the true musical sense of that word," said Dan Morgenstern, the former longtime director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University.

For now, the museum will post one complete song on its website and social media. It plans to show the complete film at a future date.

The museum is housed in Corona, Queens, in the modest brick building where Armstrong lived for 28 years and died in 1971. It has the largest publicly held archival collection devoted to a jazz musician in the world.
A New York legislator has asked Gov. Andrew Cuomo to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the fatal shooting of a 32-year-old man in Queens over the weekend.

The New York Times reports that state Sen. James Sanders Jr. submitted the request to Cuomo, whose office said it will be forwarded to the state attorney general.

The Democrat senator represents the district where George Tillman was killed by plainclothes officers on Sunday.

Police say officers approached Tillman because he was holding an open bottle of alcohol. Authorities say he reached for his weapon and four of the officers fired, hitting him 11 times.

Sanders says he submitted the request after complaints from residents. He says the incident should have fresh eyes from people who aren't connected to the officers.
A Long Island man was arrested after he allegedly pepper-sprayed a father and his two teenage children in a Target parking lot Tuesday evening.

Police say Robert Labella, 58, pulled in front of and then began yelling obscenities at the 47-year-old man and his children, a 14-year-old boy and 19-year-old woman, as they drove into the Broadway Mall in Hicksville.

When the father tried to get the license plate of Labellas vehicle, Labella approached him shaking a can of what police believe was pepper spray.

Labella allegedly sprayed the pepper spray into the victims car, hitting all three people inside.

Although the victims and a witness tried to subdue Labella, he was able to get away, police said.

The witness wrist was slammed into a parked car during the struggle.

Labella was later identified and arrested at his home in Sea Cliff, according to police.

He faces a number of charges, including assault, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child.

He was schedule to be arraigned in Hempstead on Wednesday. It wasn't immediately clear if he has an attorney.
New York City's notorious "ninja burglar" allegedly confessed to committing a decade's worth of break-ins that plagued Staten Island, the local district attorney said Wednesday.

Robert Costanzo, 46, is believed to have targeted more than 100 homes in wealthy neighborhoods on Staten Island, making off with $4 million in property, said Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon.

Costanzo was arraigned Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to three counts of second-degree burglary. He is expected to change his plea to guilty on Thursday, McMahon said.

"I'm very proud to announce the arrest and arraignment of the ninja burglar," McMahon said at a news conference.

He added that prosecutors couldn't file additional charges because the statute of limitations had expired on the other burglaries.

The thief was dubbed the "ninja burglar" after a homeowner said he fought a burglar dressed in black who was swinging nunchucks in his kitchen.

The Ninja Burglar in the custody of RCDA NYPD Detective Squad. 10-year crime spree over. Arraignment tomorrow morn. Press conference at 1pm.  Michael E. McMahon (@StatenIslandDA) April 19, 2016

Officials initially said a group of Albanian-Macedonian nationals were responsible for the burglaries.

Costanzo arrived in New York City after pleading guilty to home invasion and burglary in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Police in Connecticut said they arrested Costanzo after he made a cellphone call from a crime scene and investigators were able to track the call.

Costanzo is also a registered sex offender, having admitted to raping four women in Florida in the 1990s.

Staten Islanders said they were relieved to hear an arrest had been made in the 10-year crime spree.

"Now we can sleep a little better at night," said Anna Brunk.
Students at many New Jersey schools discovered Wednesday that they were unable to access online tests by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC.

The disruption was created as a result of errors by Pearson, said Laura Slover, PARCC CEO. Pearson, the company that creates the exams, is the entry point for school districts participating in the PARCC consortium.

The computer glitch came in the third week of a testing process that spans five weeks.

The glitch was caused by an employee and wasn't a problem with server capacity or the testing system, said Scott Overland, a Pearson spokesman.

"Every resource at our disposal is being directed toward identifying the cause of the problem and correcting it as soon as possible without creating any additional inconvenience," he said.

At Teaneck High School, some students came to school ealry to get the test started, only to stop midway through. Sophomore Keri Dundon said she was almost done when she had to stop.

"I was basically done and a guy came in and said we had to stop because there was a glitch with the entire test through all different schools in the area," she said.

The snafu is the latest setback for the controversial computer-based testing system.

Last year, just 40 percent of students passed both the language and math portions of the test, while 130,000 students didnt take the test, including almost one-fourth of 11th graders. Many parents had their children opt out, calling the test disruptive.

The state Department of Education is working with Pearson to resolve the problem and ensure that testing can resume Thursday morning, said Peter Shulman, the agency's deputy commissioner.
A Queens woman says she was badly burned when an electronic cigarette battery exploded in her jeans pocket while she was parking her car.

Katrina Williams of Richmond Hill says she had just parked on April 7 when the lithium ion battery she was carrying exploded so forcefully it ripped the skin off her knee and shredded her jeans. The battery also got stuck in the dashboard of her car.

"It was like a firecracker launched into my dashboard," she said Tuesday.

"I was in shock, like, I didn't suspect anything would happen, I didn't even know what was happening, everything happened so fast," she said.

Williams was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where she was treated for third-degree burns. Now burned, bruised and traumatized, Williams walks with a cane with much of her right leg bandaged and is scheduled to undergo surgery this week for the skin on her leg, she said.

She says she plans to sue the battery manufacturer and the shop where she bought it, the Vapeasy shop on Canal Street.

"You go into a store, you're not dealing with the manufacturer, you're dealing with the retailer," said her lawyer, Marc Freund. "They have a responsibility for public's safety."

Freund said Williams had been expecting it would be a safe product, "something that's going to prolong her health."

The battery manufacturer said in a statement to NBC 4 New York it does not supply or sell any loose batteries directly to customers and that with the limited information it received on the battery model, it could not verify the battery was manufactured by them.

Pierre Nguyen, the owner of Vapeasy said in a statement that he knows he had told Williams not to put batteries in her pocket and that the company tells customers to only put batteries in their devices, their chargers or approved battery cases.

Nguyen said that he believed that Williams' own negligence caused the battery to explode, because she put the loose battery in her pockets with some other item that caused it to "vent." He also alleged that the woman claimed that her pocket was empty to the Daily News, which first reported the story.

"She lied about her pocket being empty and it was her negligence that caused her injury," he said.

With the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes have come reports of exploding e-cigarette batteries. The U.S. Fire Administration finds 25 fires or explosions involving vaporizer batteries between 2009 and 2014, though the report is over a year old and is the only statistic available on e-cigarette battery explosions.

The Fire Administration estimated more than 2.5 million Americans used e-cigarettes in 2014.

NBC News which notes the lithium-ion batteries used to power e-cigarette vaporizers are small and powerful. When they fail, the results can be disastrous.

Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies, Inc., told NBC News he is "troubled" that no federal agency is regulating e-cigarettes.

"We're seeing a flood of these low-cost, low-quality devices that are hurting people and we're dealing with safety as an afterthought," Kane said. "We need tough standards that require good design and manufacturing practices to ensure these devices are produced safely."
Donald Trump celebrated his overwhelming New York primary victory in the glitzy midtown Manhattan skyscraper that bears his name, boasting it was rewarding to get such a triumph from "the people who know me best.''

Yet the one county he lost in the state was New York County, which encompasses his home borough of Manhattan.

Trump's 45 percent to 42 percent loss to John Kasich on the island stood in contrast to his dominance across the rest of the state, where he won 61 of 62 counties and regained momentum in the Republican race after a stinging loss in Wisconsin earlier this month.

The celebrity businessman didn't mention the Manhattan setback in his speech Tuesday night at Trump Tower, saying it was rewarding to be given such a massive victory by "the people who know me best."

"We've been all over New York state," he said. "The people of this state truly are great and amazing people."

Trump, who made defending "New York values" the centerpiece of his campaign, racked up massive margins in the city's other four boroughs, including posting more than 80 percent of the vote on the GOP stronghold of Staten Island.

But the loss in Manhattan highlighted a weakness Trump has shown among the more moderate, business-class "Rockefeller Republicans" who often populate big cities and their suburbs. He lost to Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., while Kasich recorded wins in the affluent areas around Chicago.

A Trump campaign spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

[NATL] Highlights From the 2016 Campaign Trail

The Manhattan results also highlighted the massive disparity between Republican and Democratic voters in the state and city. Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1 in the state and 10-to-1 in Manhattan. Kasich's victory in the borough came out of a total of 24,887 Republican votes cast, compared to 267,723 total Democratic votes in the borough.

The night's other winner, Hillary Clinton, did not suffer a similar hometown defeat. Clinton, who cruised to victory in the Democratic primary, represented New York for eight years in the Senate and keeps a home in Westchester County, just north of New York City. She defeated rival Bernie Sanders 67 percent to 33 percent in Westchester, according to unofficial and incomplete rivals.

She also triumphed in Brooklyn, where both Democrats have ties: Sanders was born in the borough, while Clinton headquartered her national campaign there.

[NATL] New Yorkers Vote in Contested Primary: April 19
A suburban Denver school district is arming its security staff with military-style semiautomatic rifles in case of a school shooting or other violent attack, a move that NBC News reported is unprecedented.

The guards, who are not law enforcement officers, already carry handguns.

Douglas County School District security director Richard Payne said he decided to spend more than $12,000 on the Bushmaster brand rifles for the district's eight armed officers to give them the same tools as law enforcement, including the sheriff's deputies they train with. Payne said the rifles will be kept locked in patrol cars, not in the schools.

Payne said he made the decision to buy assault rifles and the school board has not discussed it. School officials did not immediately return calls for comment.
A Philadelphia judge arraigned a suspected gunman with a lengthy rap sheet early Wednesday morning on attempted murder charges in the shooting of Officer James McCullough.

Suspect Scott Griffin was held without bail after being arraigned on attempted murder, robbery, assault and related charges, said court records.

Officer James McCullough, 24, of the 18th District, was shot in the left leg while trying to chase down Griffin after a carjacking attempt along Market Street Sunday night, said Philadelphia Police.

Griffin, 23, was taken into custody just before 1 p.m. Monday by undercover narcotics officers on North Alden Street, off Girard Avenue between 57th and 58th streets, police said. NBC10 learned Griffin was released from jail on another gun charge just last week.

Officers recovered a gun when Griffin was arrested and they planned to run ballistic testing to find out whether it was the weapon used in the officer shooting, officials said.

Griffin has 14 prior arrests, according to police and court records. Two are active drug cases and a gun charge. The gun charge was dismissed last week when two witnesses failed to appear for a preliminary hearing and Griffin was released from custody, said Josh Scarpello, his defense attorney in that case.

The case originated from a March 17 arrest, according to the court records.

It was dismissed last Wednesday and Griffin was released, Scarpello said. Griffin was arrested while allegedly possessing a gun inside a stolen vehicle, he said.

Four days later, Griffin, along with an accomplice, allegedly went on a crime spree in West Philadelphia  robbing one man at gunpoint and carjacking a woman.

The carjacking victim flagged down Officer McCullough along Market Street near Salford, police said.

McCullough went over to the woman's car and got into a physical confrontation with Griffin, Capt. James Clark said. Griffin broke free ran northbound on Salford Street as McCullough gave chase. During that pursuit, Clark said Griffin turned and opened fire. McCullough was hit once in the left thigh. The officer then pulled out his own weapon and fired three shots, Clark said.

As McCullough chased Griffin, the second suspect, 20-year-old Samir Coyett, ran onto SEPTA's Market-Frankford El platform and tried to catch a train but was apprehended after running back down to street level, according to police.

The bullet wound left McCullough bleeding profusely causing the officer to apply a tourniquet to his own thigh, said investigators. His partner rushed him to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he was treated and then released Monday.

"He looked good," said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. "He's very strong, had a strong handshake and a strong conversation."

Before the carjacking, Griffin and Coyett robbed a man at gunpoint in the same area, Clark said. Coyett actually ran past the robbery victim while fleeing the scene, according to Clark.

Coyett has been arrested three times, Clark said. Police are working with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office on charges.

The shooting occurred about three blocks away from where fellow 18th District Philadelphia Police Officer Jesse Hartnett was shot during an ambush attack back on Jan. 7. Ross didn't draw comparisons between the shootings, however.

"I don't feel like police officers in this city are being targeted," said Ross. "This is a case clearly where this does not start with the police officers, this starts with two guys trying to commit a crime, that was unrelated with police. So this is not about an officer being targeted."
Its 4/20...the unofficial holiday celebrating the biggest illegal (yet legal) drug known to man: marijuana.

This years high holiday is even more timely since Pennsylvania became the 24th state to legalize the plant for medical use just this week. The Keystone State now joins New Jersey and Delaware who have been in the process of getting their own medical exchanges up and running.

There are an estimated 1.4 million medical marijuana users in the United States, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. And lots of them need help navigating the patchwork of cannabis types and offerings near them.

That's where WeedMaps comes in. The online service is billed as the oldest and largest technology company focused on marijuana. Its like Yelp for weed -- offering menus for weed dispensaries, video tours and user reviews of products.

Launched in 2008, the site now boasts 4.5 million unique visitors a month and 1 million registered users on its platform. Its also expanded into sales register systems and software for doctors offices.

Helping drive the companys expansion as its president and general counsel is Lansdale, Pennsylvania native Chris Beals. The 36-year-old North Penn and University of Pennsylvania grad joined the company eight months ago and already has his sights set on turning it into the 'Google of marijuana.'

We talked to Beals about how technology is being used to help people better find the marijuana they need, why bud names like Sour Diesel and Yoda OG are old-hat, how theyre educating lawmakers on the issue and how lab testing and data is key to the industrys future.

Our conversation was lightly edited for length and clarity.

NBC10: Whats a marijuana technology company?

CB: The thing most people know about us is the website WeedMaps thats essentially a site where you can find doctors, dispensaries, delivery services, deals in states where marijuana been legalized.

Later this month, were launching brand pages which will enable people to start shopping by specific products which is a newer concept in the marijuana space. As mature people start to gravitate [to marijuana], they dont want XYZ product, they want the product made by this brand which they know and love.

In addition to that we own Marijuana.com which is a news and information portal. We also have the largest point-of-sale system in Spain and one of the largest point-of-sale systems in the United States. We have a doctor management software suite and were working on a whole portfolio of additional software products so its not just the web advertising/marketing side.

Were expanding internationally as well and were trying to be the Google or Oracle of marijuana.

NBC10: Why would a person use a site like WeedMaps?

CB: A good analogy is wine. Right now if you go into a liquor store, you expect to see a fairly wide selection of reds, whites, roses, champagnes and other stuff.

With the way the marijuana market works, especially in states where theres not a completely open market, you can walk into a store and they dont have what youre looking for.

It would be as if you walked into the liquor store and they had no red wine. And on top of that, if theres only 150 stores in your state, you might have just driven 30 or 40 minutes to get there.

Were doing integration with point-of-sale systems and allowing the dispensaries to update their menus. In addition, we do integrations with labs so you can see the actual lab testing data for that product, pictures of those products, a video tour of the dispensary so you know what the atmosphere is like, how knowledgeable the budtenders are to tell you about the products they have for sale.

So when you go there you know they have the products you are looking for and that work for you, and separately, that its lab tested.

WeedMaps

NBC10: Why is lab testing important? Is it just for safety?

CB: We know that dispensaries will change the names on products that come in to something that they know is selling really well. Or if something doesnt look just the way it should for that strain [of marijuana], theyll change it to another name so that it matches better. Or theyll just completely come up with a new name as part of their branding efforts.

There was an origin to the strain names at one time, but were getting to a point now where growers will accidentally cross two different strains and wind up with something completely different and why try and go through the brain damage of trying to put a descriptive name on it.

Thats why I think this lab-tested data is important, even getting to the genetics, to help people understand what theyre consuming.

NBC10: Pennsylvania is now the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana, but each states law is different. Are there things you feel need to change in these states?

CB: I think its important to expand the list of medical conditions to more accurately reflect what people use marijuana for. Pennsylvania did a decent job on its list of conditions, but it could go slightly broader.

Separately, people would find it unacceptable if there were 150 CVSs in a state, I think increasing access to more points of sale, potentially having delivery services for people in hospice care and people who have mobility issues. These are all things that we think are incredibly important before you move to the recreational side.

NBC10: What about recreational use? Will it ever happen nationally? Or will it be a state-by-state issue?

CB: Its going to be piecemeal. We may see federal legalization of medical marijuana use, but I think the federal government is going to adopt a wait and see stance on this.

We generally do support the move to recreational use, but were pretty big advocates of a lot of safety measures. Were incredibly passionate of advocating for better lab testing, more lab testing, broader lab testing panels to include terpenes (the oils in the cannabis plant that produce particular smells, color and tastes) which impacts what effects you feel when consuming marijuana.

A number of the senior execs at the company have children and were big advocates on the recreational side of having a consumption age of 21. Ensuring that advertising isnt geared toward minors. Things like that.

On the flip side, we dont want onerous regulations like setting high prices for the drug or only allowing a small number of dispensaries. This can sort of encourage the black market to flourish.

I think its in the states best interest, its in law enforcements best interest and ultimately, its in WeedMaps and the industrys best interest for the black market to be extinguished. And I think so far, legislation in some states has been a main reason we havent quite gotten there.

NBC10: Do you think your websites are helping change public opinion about marijuana?

CB: Ive been with the company for under a year and even in that short period of time Ive seen a large shift in how people view the issue.

On the content side, I think content where people are just consuming marijuana is passe. People want to read stories or hear stories related to the industry or people in it. They dont necessarily want to see people consuming marijuana because thats just something that has kind of become normal at this point. Its not the sort of taboo, curious thing that it once was.

On the political front, were very active in trying to reach out to state and local governments to educate them about what were seeing that works and doesnt work. Were coming at it with somewhat of a neutral viewpoint because were never going to own dispensaries and were never going to run growing operations. Were a technology and advertising company to our core.

Even in engaging with those state and local legislators, Ive seen a shift in the questions that theyre asking. The conversation doesn't start with them being reserved and closed off. Theyll start the conversation with 'I know that intelligent marijuana legislation is the right way forward and I just need help understanding marijuana and understanding that right now is the time Im going to take a stand on it.'

NBC10: Have you talked to our local lawmakers?

CB: We haven't had a ton of conversations in Pennsylvania. Were starting to reach out right now.

In Pennsylvania, I think the biggest thing there is to make sure the legislation ensures safety, but on the flip side that it doesnt produce costs that are so high that its not possible to run a profitable business in the state.

In New Jersey, a lot of folks are really interested in how marijuana legalization impacts things like reducing law enforcement costs or alleviating whats traditionally been the really disparate impacts that marijuana prohibition has had on the incarceration of minorities. Even though the consumption rates are pretty much the same among African-Americans and Caucasian communities, you tend to see the African-American community get arrested at four times the rate.

Theyre also trying to get medical up and running when youve potentially got Massachusetts going recreational this November.

NBC10: With a new state like Pennsylvania opening up to medical marijuana, what do you usually hear from new users?

CB: In new states, youll see people asking about 'Whats concentrate? Whats oil? How do I consume it?'

Theres so many new people who come in and say Im eating edibles for the first time, theres a milligram amount on the side of the package, what does that mean for me?

Were launching a new platform about educating consumers about the products. So explaining what terpenes and cannabinoids are. Why I have to know what they are so that I understand how the marijuana is going to affect me. Will it make me feel full of energy? Will it make me sleepy? Will it relieve my pain?

NBC10: How did your friends and family react when you told them you joined WeedMaps?

CB: My mom specifically was not a big fan of it when I first told her.

I think overall, even now, my family has warmed up to it. I get a ton of questions now from my family asking 'Do you think marijuana would treat this?' or 'Do you think it would work for this?'

I was just at a marijuana conference up at Harvard Medical School and after that I got calls from my mom asking 'What were the studies? What did you hear?' So I dont think shes a fan of total recreational consumption, but I think shes pretty open and I think shes sort of a proud mom telling a lot of her friends 'Oh my son works for this large marijuana tech company.'

I have a few friends who actually work in law enforcement and I think even they have been sort of pleasantly receptive to this position.

Separately, a lot of my friends now always have questions about the latest things we're doing or whats the latest state to legalized. For the most part, I think people surprisingly been receptive to it and I think that reflects a lot.

I knew people got the marijuana issue when my mom and grandmother were both asking me questions and were excited about the latest developments at work.

NBC10: How do you see your business growing over the next few years?

CB: Even if legalization stays where its at right now, I think theres still a lot of room to grow.

The big areas of growth are going to be adding on new software products and servicing new states as they come online. Then I also think its going to be the development of a much broader data platform and data tools and sort of data analytics.

Thats one niche that we can fill because working on point-of-sale, having the core site and interfacing with consumers online and seeing what their browsing habits are eventually we want to glue that together and sort of provide data thats useful to businesses.

But separately sort of help guide consumers as they do discovery through brands and learn about new products and that sort of thing.
A two-alarm fire tore through an apartment building in Delran, Burlington County on Wednesday morning.

The first call for help went out just after 8:30 a.m., officials said, and firefighters responded to the fire, at Hunters Glen Apartments, on the 3000 block of Route 130.

The fire reached two alarms by 9 a.m. Video from SkyForce10 showed heavy flames and smoke engulfing one of the buildings at the complex.

Firefighters remained at the complex after 9 a.m. battling the blaze. There were no reports of injuries about 9 a.m.
Delaware State Police charged a man with breaking into a Claymont hotel and stealing more than $1,000 worth of food from a freezer.



Master Cpl. Jeffrey R. Hale said 43-year-old Christopher Toth was charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief in connection with the March 23 incident at the Crowne Pointe Plaza Hotel on Naamans Road.

Hale said Toth was named as the suspect based on tips received by people who identified him based on surveillance videos released by detectives.

Toth was seen in the videos entering the hotel and taking food from the kitchen's freezer before fleeing, said police

The suspect stole $1,250 worth of perishable food, said investigators. Officers found evidence linking Toth to the theft, said police.



Toth was released on $4,500 bail. It's unclear whether Toth has an attorney.
The bicyclist struck by a hit-and-run driver in West Philadelphia early Saturday died Monday, police said.

Jamal Morris, 27, was hit at 45th and Market streets while returning to his apartment from work. The fatal crash occurred eight blocks east of his home, where he lived alone in a second floor apartment in the 5300 block of Market Street.[[376255551, C]]

A nearby business owner said Morris rode his bike past her consignment store almost every day and was a "nice, quiet young man."

Morris hailed from New York, coming to Philadelphia a few years ago to attend Drexel University. He graduated in 2011, according to social media posts.

His mother appealed for prayers over the weekend as her only son survived one night at Presbyterian Hospital in West Philadelphia, then died Monday morning.[[376237741, C]]

Morris's family, which came to Philadelphia from their home in New York, said they forgive the driver in the crash, and pleaded for the person to talk to police.

His mother, Channabel Lathem-Morris, said she keeps thinking about her son's favorite saying.

"That was his mantra: 'It's only getting better, mom,'" she recalled. "'It's only getting better.'"

Morris worked as an engineer at the city firm, Amec Foster Wheeler, his friends and family said.

He also worked part-time at a gym on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.

No one knows where Morris was coming from, police and family said. Friends also said they did not know who was last with him.

Eight people will receive life-saving organs, hospital officials announced Monday afternoon.

Police continued to search for the driver in the fatal crash that occurred sometime after 3 a.m. Saturday.

Capt. John Wilczynski implored anyone with information to come forward.

"It's unfortunate. We have no surveillance," Wilczynski said. "That's why we're asking for the public's help."

The hit-and-run prompted the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia to call for better enforcement of traffic laws to prevent crashes, including more red-light cameras and speed cameras.
With delegates on the line, Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls descended on the Philadelphia region this week.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- coming off a double-digit win in New York -- visited Philadelphia Wednesday with a Mothers of the Movement event with Attorney General Eric Holder at St. Paul's Baptist Church along Wallace Street in the late afternoon. She then spoke at an evening rally at the Fillmore.

Pennsylvania is in the spotlight with six days leading up to the states primary. NBC10s Aundrea Cline-Thomas has that story.

Republican Ted Cruz has added another campaign stop in his swing through Pennsylvania, a week before the state's presidential primary.

With just under a week before the Pennsylvania primary, the presidential candidates descend upon Philadelphia. NBC10 political analyst Jim Shultz has more on whats going on in the race.

Cruz held a rally Tuesday night at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. On Wednesday morning he went to an event at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey. Former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina also attended. [[376309771, C]]

Ohio Gov. John Kasich was in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, and plans stops Thursday in suburban Philadelphia, including for a town hall on Penn State's Brandywine Campus in Media.

GOP front-runner Donald Trump (61 percent) easily beat both Cruz and Kasich in the New York primary Tuesday. He is set to appear at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Delaware Friday afternoon.



Bernie Sanders campaigned Tuesday afternoon in Erie, then headed to Penn State's flagship campus in State College for an evening rally. He planned to return to the Keystone State for town hall events in Scranton and Reading Thursday. [[338107532, C]]

Pennsylvania and Delaware primary voters head to the polls Tuesday. Click here to get information about Pennsylvania's primary.
A Drexel Hill Catholic high school was placed on lockdown Wednesday after police found a gun, ammunition and marijuana inside a students locker, according to officials.

A spokesman for the Philadelphia Archdiocese said school administrators at Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast High School received a report that a student had brought a firearm and drugs on campus. The school contacted Upper Darby Police who quickly responded.

The school was placed on lockdown as police searched through the building. Officials say police found a weapon inside one of the lockers as well as ammunition and marijuana on campus. No one was harmed during the incident and the lockdown was later lifted. All extracurricular activities took place on a normal schedule Wednesday afternoon and classes will operate normally Thursday.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood told the Philly Voice four students in all were arrested, two on marijuana charges and two on gun violations, in connection to the incident. Chitwood said another student witnessed the suspects, three of whom are students between the ages of 15 and 17, conducting a drug deal at a trolley stop across the street from the school at Lansdowne Avenue and Garrett Road shortly after 11 a.m. The student then told school officials who contacted police.

A fifth student will also face charges as a juvenile, reported the AP.

School officials contacted parents and informed them of the incident. Police continue to investigate.




A driver who police say struck and killed a crossing guard with his vehicle was arrested for allegedly driving with a suspended license.

Police announced the arrest of Duane Bennett, 42, of Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Police say Bennett was driving his Chevy Avalanche northbound on Route 129 in Trenton Monday at 3:19 p.m. when he struck a crossing guard who was walking across Route 129 at Lalor Street. The crossing guard, identified as 56-year-old Antonio Wiley of Trenton, died from his injuries.

Mercer County Prosecutor's Office

Police say Bennett was driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash though they have not yet revealed what the initial suspension was for. Both Trenton Police and the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office are investigating the incident.
A nun will be punished for driving while intoxicated in South Jersey despite her defense that she has a history of sleepwalking and doesn't remember her arrest.

Gloucester County Judge Martin Whitcraft ruled Wednesday morning that Sister Kimberly Miller was guilty of DWI. NBC10's Cydney Long reported that Whitcraft didn't buy Miller's "sleepdriving" defense.

Guilty: Judge rules Sister Miller guilty of driving while intoxicated. Rejects ambien sleeping pill defense. pic.twitter.com/zYAtVcNk30  Cydney Long (@CydneyLongNBC10) April 20, 2016

Washington Township Police dashcam video captured Millers arrest Nov. 15.

Police said Miller was driving erratically along Route 42 and backed her silver Chevy Impala into the front doors of a Meineke Car Care Center. Miller failed a field sobriety test after she was pulled over, according to investigators. Police also said her blood alcohol concentration was twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. She was later charged with DWI.

In court last week, Miller said she couldnt remember anything about her arrest. Miller said she has a history of sleepwalking as well as a painful arthritic condition that requires medication. She claimed the condition keeps her from sleeping so she often drinks wine to help her get some rest.

Miller told the court she remembered attending an event at a childrens book store, then going back to her convent in North Philadelphia, where she put on her pajamas, drank a glass of wine, took Ambien and went to sleep. She claims the next thing she remembered was being at a police station in New Jersey and speaking to a police officer.

"I asked him where I was," Miller said. "I asked him how I got there. I asked him what time it was."

Whitcraft didn't buy Miller's story, saying there was no evidence she returned to the convent to take the sleeping pill and the prescription for the Ambien was one year old. He also cited case law while saying that "sleep driving" isn't a valid defense.

As part of her sentence, Miller's license was immediately suspended for 90 days. She must also pay a $650 fine and attend drunken driving classes.

Miller left through a back door and didn't speak to reports Wednesday. Her attorney said his client feels her reputation as a clergy person has taken a hit.

"She's obviously very upset," said attorney Jeff Lindy following Wednesday's sentencing. "She's in tears, she's crying and she's upset because she knows what happened that night. I think the conviction doesn't bother her as much as the judge not believing her -- I think that that hurts her."

Miller is a teacher at the Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls in Philadelphia. The Archdiocese of Philadelphias Office of Catholic Education placed her on administrative leave last year pending the outcome of the investigation. [[375626831, C]]

Students launched an online petition asking officials to let the well-liked sister keep her teaching job.

"She has helped her students blossom into the women they are today with her selfless devotion and dedication to her faith and job as a teacher," the petition reads. "In light of recent events, all of the positive things she has done should not be overshadowed by one negative wrongdoing."

The petition has more than 2,300 signatures.

Following Miller's conviction, the archdiocese said Miller's suspension remains in place as school officials "review the matter further," said archdiocese spokesman Kenneth Gavin.
Attorney General Kathleen Kane has dropped a court motion that accused prosecutors of leaking FBI recordings in her perjury and obstruction case to a newspaper.



Kane's lawyers also decided Wednesday to file a prosecutorial misconduct motion in public next week rather than seek to file it under seal.



Defense lawyer Gerald Shargel, after a brief hearing, said the issue had become "a distraction" and added that he doubted they could ever find the culprit behind the leak to the Morning Call of Allentown. He said he had not filed the motion with the intent of dropping it.



"I'm not a game player," said Shargel, a prominent New York criminal lawyer. "The defense in a criminal case is a fluid proposition."



Montgomery County Circuit Judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy noted that the defense had initially sought "significant relief" over the leaked FBI tapes: a change of venue, the disqualification of District Attorney Kevin Steele's office, the quashing of the recordings and the possible dismissal of the case. She put Kane under oath to be sure she agreed with the new strategy announced by her four lawyers.



Kane assured the judge she was on board with the decision.



Kane, a first-term Democrat, is accused of leaking grand jury material to a Philadelphia newspaper to embarrass rivals and then lying about it before a separate grand jury. Shargel also plans to appeal the judge's pretrial ruling that upheld the charges.



Steele calls the claim that his office leaked the FBI phone tapes to an Allentown newspaper "meritless." The tapes include phone calls made by Kane's political consultant, Josh Morrow.



Kane remains in office but, with her law license suspended, won't seek re-election this year.
Prince William and Prince Harry visited a galaxy far, far away.

The royals were able to participate in a "Star Wars" fan's dream Tuesday when they visited the set of "Star Wars: Episode VIII" where they received a tour by actress Daisy Ridley (and played with her head cast) and got a chance to meet Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, John Boyega, as well as director Rian Johnson.

And, of course, the brothers took part in a lightsaber battle.

Not only that  they got a sneak preview of the film.

Kensington Palace announced Tuesday's visit yesterday on Twitter, and explained that the princes would be celebrating "Star Wars'" "fantastic British creative talent".

"The Duke of Cambridge, President of @BAFTA, and Prince Harry will visit the @starwars film set @PinewoodStudios tomorrow," the account tweeted. "Their visit will recognise the wealth of fantastic British creative talent involved in the production of the @starwars films...The Duke and Prince Harry will visit production workshops @PinewoodStudios, meeting the specialist teams working on the @starwars films." Prior to the princes' visit, Hamill tweeted, "Meeting #Royals William &Harry! Finally- a chance to get an informed answer on whether being Leia's brother makes me a Prince. #LordLuke."

There was British talent both in front and behind the cameras in 2015's "Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens," including Ridley and Boyega, who starred as Rey and Finn in the film. J.J. Abrams also featured British locations, shooting exterior scenes on Greenham Common, in the Lake District and Scotland.

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" will be released in 2017.

PHOTOS: Famous Star Wars fans

LOOK: Kate Middleton and Prince William go on Safari in India
Just in time for 4/20, folks of San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley will witness the nation's first all-encompassing marketing campaign for an actual brand of pot.

The ads that read: "Craft farmers, small-batch, sustainable. That's cannabis the California way" will appears in newspapers, on social media and on billboards.

And as Mother Jones reported, the ads are paid for by Flow Kana, a collaborative of small, organic marijuana farmers from Northern California's Emerald Triangle region. The collective states it embraces both "California values and the small farmer ecosystem." And that its mission is to represent communities through "great cannabis." Mother Jones reported Flow Kana is spending about $200,000 on the marketing effort, which also includes a series of videos and a sponsorship deal with San Francisco's Earth Day Film Festival.

Flow Kana spokesman Michael Steinmetz told NBC Bay Area on Tuesday that this is the "first time in history a cannabis brand has done a well-orchestrated, multi layer, omni channel marketing campaign." He said there have been "one off" ads to promote a particular dispensary, but no cannabis campaign on "multiple channels."

All of the cannabis the collective represents "is nourished by the sun, moon and stars; the way nature intended."

Flow Kana products are sold at dispensaries including Harvest on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco, Oakland Organics on Broadway, Marygold Delivery in Contra Costa County, Valley Essentials in Mountain View, Try Sunshine on the Peninsula, OrganiCann in Santa Rosa.
San Francisco has become the first major city in the country to require solar panels on new residential and commercial buildings of under 10 stories.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the legislation on Tuesday. Supervisor Scott Wiener, who drafted the measure, said it's the first of its kind in a major U.S. city.

California already mandates that new buildings with 10 floors or less make at least 15 percent of their rooftop areas "solar ready." Now, San Francisco requires solar panels to be installed in these areas starting in 2017. It can take the form of either solar photovoltaic or solar water panels, both of which supply 100 percent renewable energy, his office said.

Larger buildings are exempt for now.

Wiener said the legislation will help move San Francisco toward its goal of meeting 100 percent of the citys electricity demand with renewable energy.

"By increasing our use of solar power, San Francisco is once again leading the nation in the fight against climate change and the reduction of our reliance on fossil fuels," Wiener said in a statement. "Activating underutilized roof space is a smart and efficient way to promote the use of solar energy and improve our environment. We need to continue to pursue aggressive renewable energy policies to ensure a sustainable future for our city and our region."

It would affect roughly 200 building currently in the works, Wiener's representative told NBC Bay Area.

San Francisco isn't the first California city to push for solar panels. In 2008, Berkeley launched a special financing program for those using renewable and solar panels. And in 2014, Palo Alto passed a resolution to increase the installation of local solar photovoltaic facilities in order to provide four percent of the citys total energy needs by 2023.
Surveillance video showing an unknown man setting fire to a dumpster in Hillcrest has arson investigators zoning in on a suspect sought in a series of fires in Uptown San Diego.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) investigators with the Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) released the short surveillance clip Wednesday, which shows a man walk up to a dumpster in the south alley of 1400 University Avenue.

Before he gets to the dumpster, he looks around, as if to see if anyone else is there. The man puts something in the dumpster and walks away.

Seconds later, as the man turns his back to the dumpster and walks away, the item he placed inside ignites, the small, orange flames visible in the footage.

MAST investigators believe this man  who has yet to be identified or located  could be responsible for several fires set intentionally in the Hillcrest community last month.

SDFD/MAST

On March 21, an unidentified suspect set multiple fires within a two-mile area in the community, between 1010 Essex Street and 1727 University Avenue.

Investigators said all of the fires took place in the early morning hours between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. All of the fires were lit in trash cans and dumpster in alleys.

MAST investigators said the person caught on camera setting at least one fire on University Avenue is described as a white man with eyeglasses, wearing dark clothing, including a gray hood, and hiking-style shoes.

Anyone with information on the suspect or this case can contact MAST at (619) 236-6815 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
A man posing as a passenger stole a shuttle from the San Diego International Airport Tuesday and took eight employees for a frightening ride in the busy area, officials confirmed.

The San Diego Unified Port District Harbor Police said that around 3:45 p.m., the driver of an Employee Shuttle Bus pulled over to the curbside pick-up area in front of Terminal 2 West at the airport and stepped off the bus to give a piece of equipment to another shuttle driver who had pulled up behind him.

The shuttle  typically used to transport airport employees  was carrying nine passengers, including 46-year-old Arizona resident Norberto Eaton.

When the driver stepped off the bus, Eaton got up from his seat, took the drivers seat and drove off, with eight airport employees still onboard.

Harbor Police said Eaton left the airport and drove eastbound on busy N. Harbor Drive, speeding and ignoring traffic signals.

About a half-mile away, at Hawthorn Street, he was forced to stop due to heavy traffic. With the shuttle idle, two airport employees inside the vehicle approached Eaton.

Harbor Police said thats when Eaton jumped off the bus and ran toward a San Diego City Parking Enforcement officer who was standing nearby.

Meanwhile, scared employees inside the shuttle yelled at the officer, telling him Eaton had stolen the shuttle bus.

The Parking Enforcement Officer and one of the passengers from the shuttle were able to detain Eaton and call police on their radio.

When Harbor Police officers arrived, Eaton was arrested.

Investigators said Eaton is not an employee of the San Diego International Airport. It is unclear how he got onto the shuttle.

The employees aboard the shuttle were not injured. There was also no damage to the shuttle.

Eaton was booked into San Diego Central Jail on 18 counts, including eight counts of kidnapping and eight counts of false imprisonment with violence. Hes also facing a vehicle theft charge and a count of reckless driving.

Police said Eaton was not armed at the time of the shuttle theft.

His bail was set at $1.2 million, Harbor Police Lt. Dominick Boccia confirmed. The suspect is set to appear in court Thursday.

Boccia said this is one of the most bizarre cases hes ever heard of in his 28 years with the police department. He said the victims inside the shuttle were surprised and shaken by the ordeal.

Most of them were shocked. They could tell something was wrong just based on the speed, his erratic driving and the fact that he left the shuttle bus doors open [during the ride], Boccia told NBC 7.

The airport currently operates at least six shuttle buses like the one involved in the incident. The shuttles are used to transport airport employees to the parking lot and are running at all times throughout the day.

Harbor Police Sgt. Jonathan George said the incident was captured on surveillance tape inside the shuttle but that video is not being publicly released at this time.

NBC 7 reached out to the driver of the shuttle but the driver had no comment on the case.
A San Diego dermatologist has been sentenced for writing fraudulent prescriptions.

Dermatologist Dr. Matthew Cole got time served and one year of federal supervised release for writing prescriptions of oxycodone, Xanax, and Ambien for friends and his wife.

A plea agreement listed 39 separate prescriptions, amounting to more than 1800 tablets.

Cole and his wife, Shireen Cole, both 37, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to acquire controlled substances by fraud, deception and subterfuge.

In total, prosecutors said the Coles acquired 1,820 tablets of drugs, 1,280 of which were oxycodone and the others were Ambien and Xanax.

The defendant, who faced a maximum penalty of four years in prison, enrolled in a drug treatment program.

Cole had offices in San Diego and National City at the time of his guilty plea.
Oceanside police are asking the public to help track down a suspect wanted in a shooting last month that killed a man.

Investigators are looking for the gunman who shot a 35-year-old man in front of 410 S. Freeman Street.

The victim, later identified as Brandon Keiser, was found lying on the sidewalk suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Witnesses told police they heard the sound of an argument, then three to five gunshots at approximately 10:05 p.m. Tuesday, March 22.

Several people tried to save him. However, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives from the Crimes of Violence Unit do not believe it was a random act. They are investigating the possibility that Keiser and the suspect knew each other.

San Diego County Crime Stoppers is offering $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in this case.

Anyone with information the identity or location of the possible suspect is asked to call the Oceanside Police Departments Crime of Violence Unit at (760) 435-4872.
Hundreds gathered for a final farewell for the fallen Maryland firefighter they affectionately called "Skillet."

John Ulmschneider, a Prince George's County firefighter and a husband and father, was shot and killed while checking on the condition of a Temple Hills homeowner.

Gov. Larry Hogan, County Executive Rushern Baker and Fire Chief Marc Bashoor spoke at his funeral Wednesday at St. John's Catholic Parish in Hollywood, Maryland, followed by a private family burial.

The brother of the man who lived there told authorities he was concerned about the man. When the firefighters arrived, the person inside was unresponsive, so they decided to force entry. As that was happening, the person inside fired several rounds. Another firefighter, Kevin Swain, and the shooters brother were injured in the shooting.

No charges were filed against the homeowner, who police said opened fire. Police said the man believed his house was being broken into and fired in self defense. He was questioned and released.

An investigation is ongoing.
A mother of seven sons started a unique charity while living in a homeless shelter. She is using her own money to help clothe others in need.

In a matter of months after Shantie Morgan-Palmer lost the job she held for 12 years, she found herself and her children living in a shelter, unable to find another job.

No phone calls, she said. Rejection after rejection led me to break down, and before I gave up, God reminded me of Evelyns Closet.

Evelyns Closet was an idea she had when she was working. She had started to set up a non-profit where women in need could get free clothes.

Hoping that by providing the essential of clean clothing that we can help families save money for other things, she said.

She used her last tax refund to rent space at the Riverside Healthy Living Community Center in northeast Washington and convinced some local stores to donate clothes, and Evelyns Closet, named after her grandmother, was born.

And Ive invested all my spare money into this, she said.

She operates the charity out of the community center at 5200 Foote St. NE from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays to help women like herself.

Morgan-Palmer says its too hard to put into words the joy she gets from helping others, so she shows it by dancing.

She dreams of expanding Evelyns Closet to help more families and create a full-time job for herself.

I one day want to own and operate my own facility where I can open it up from Monday through Friday and I can take in as many clothing donations as possible, she said.

While the clothing comes from donations and volunteers help her, Morgan-Palmer has to pay rent, and her tax refund is almost gone.

But a local congregation is going to mentor her so she can take Evelyns Closet and her family further.

Well be matching her this Saturday with a local congregation who will help her with budgeting, will help her with her vision for her business, will help her with whatever she needs, said Sonya Crudup, of One Congregation, One Family. Were there to meet her needs.

Even though my circumstances are set up for me to break, this right here made me stronger than ever, Morgan-Palmer said through tears. Im not going to crack.
People who immigrated to the United States illegally are responsible for an increase in gang violence in Frederick County, Maryland, the county's sheriff said Tuesday at a congressional hearing on immigration reform.

Sheriff Charles Jenkins said before the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security that immigrants in the U.S. illegally are committing crimes in the county and recruiting in local schools.

"Some of the problems that have started in the communities with the gang presence is now spreading into our high schools -- some of it into our middle schools. [At] one of the local high schools, routinely [there are] fights between rival gangs," he said, referring to Frederick High School.

Jenkins said more than 75 gang members are active in Frederick County. The sheriff said he believes the 18th Street Gang and MS-13 are recruiting in schools.

Gang activity is not a problem limited to schools, Frederick County Public Schools spokesman Michael Doerrer said.

"To the extent that gangs are an issue in Frederick County, they are a community issue, not a school system issue per se," he said.

Jenkins is known for hard-line policies on immigration. Frederick County deputies perform an immigration background check on everyone they arrest.

"We have placed 1,400 individuals who were in this country illegally and committed crimes in our county -- [they] have been placed in removal proceedings," he said.

Eighteen gang members arrested in the county since 2014 were charged with felonies, including an unprovoked assault on a deputy and a gang member involved in a hired killing, Jenkins said.

Some members of Frederick's growing Latino community challenged Jenkins' statements.

"Gang violence has existed among every race [and] not just illegals," Crystal Trejo said. "He's just trying to find somewhere to place the blame."
A disabled man died Wednesday after a confrontation with officers near a park in Falls Church, Virginia, police said.

Fairfax County police said 45-year-old Paul Gianelos, a resident of a group home, wandered away from Round Tree Park at 3320 Annandale Road about 1 p.m. Gianelos had developmental and physical disabilities, police said.

An officer found Gianelos about a mile and a half away from the park and asked for the caregiver to meet them, police said.

While waiting for the caregiver, police said Gianelos became combative. Four officers restrained him and handcuffed him behind his back. In the struggle, Gianelos' forehead was scraped.

Police said Gianelos was 5-foot-9 and about 280 pounds.

He experienced a medical emergency while the officers tried to take him into custody, police said.

Fairfax County police Chief Col. Edwin Roessler said Gianelos was alert and breathing when police called paramedics. When a crew arrived, Gianelos suffered what appeared to be cardiac arrest, police said.

A medic performed CPR on Gianelos while he was rushed to Inova Fairfax Hospital, police said.

Gianelos did not survive and was declared dead soon after he arrived at the hospital, police said.

Roessler said the officer that first found Gianelos is a 20-year veteran who had been trained in crisis intervention.

Detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department and the Internal Affairs Bureau are investigating.

A medical examiner will determine Gianelos' cause of death.
A man and woman from Elliott City, Maryland, were killed when a small plane owned by a flight school crashed Tuesday afternoon near an airport runway in Stevensville, police said.

Richard Hess, 63, and Janet Metz, 56, were killed in the crash, Maryland State Police said in an update Wednesday morning.

Hess was the pilot and Metz was his passenger, police said. The pair were friends, according to The Baltimore Sun.

The single-engine plane crashed about 200 yards from the runway of Bay Bridge Airport on Kent Island, landing in a field and then catching fire.

"It exploded into flames once it made contact with the ground," Cpl. DaVaughn Parker said.

Witness Denny Proffitt said he was eating lunch in his truck nearby when he saw the plane fly low over the tree line.

"A couple seconds later, I saw the smoke," he said about the crash that occurred about 12:45 p.m.

Proffitt ran through the field toward the wreckage to try to rescue the plane's passengers.

"I drove my truck over and grabbed my fire extinguisher and ran out to it and tried to put the flames out," he said. "They were both already gone."

The two-seat plane was operated by Chesapeake Sport Pilot, a flight school that operates from the airport. A man associated with the school said no student of the school was on board at the time of the crash.

The flight school said in a statement that the company will cooperate with the investigation.

"Chesapeake Sport Pilot is a close knit community of individuals who share a passion for aviation, and I know we will all grieve this loss for some time," the statement said. "We offer our help and support to all those affected."

The crash is under investigation. National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration investigators were notified. FAA offcials are at the scene.
What to Know Nicole Mittendorff, 31, was reported missing to police Friday.

A U.S. Park ranger found her 2009 Mini Cooper Saturday evening.

Mittendorff is a career firefighter and paramedic for the Fairfax County Fire Department. Her husband is a Virginia State Police employee.

A missing Fairfax County paramedic-firefighter called out of work two days before she was reported missing to police, a fire official said.

Nicole Mittendorff, 31, called in sick before her shift on April 13 -- the same day her family last heard from her, Fairfax County Fire Captain Dave Hall said. While Hall would not specify what time Mittendorff called in, he said standard procedure is that a call be placed before 5 a.m.

"The next day, there was no phone call made. From there, the phone calls started happening," Hall said.

Mittendorff was reported missing to police April 15. A U.S. Park ranger found her 2009 Mini Cooper the next day in a parking lot in Shenandoah National Park.

"Nicole, if you can hear us, reach out to us, give us a call," Hall said. "Your home is still here. We're waiting for you."

Mittendorff's family said her wireless carrier is cooperating with investigators and sending any information that may be on her cellphone.

"As you can imagine, the pain of not knowing where a loved one is can be unbearable," Mittendorff's husband, Steve Mittendorff, said through tears.

Nicole Mittendorff is an avid runner and triathlete, and her family said she may have been training on a trail near where her car was found, the Associated Press reported.

The search has focused on the area around the White Oak Canyon trail in Madison County. Trails were closed in the area Tuesday. So far, search parties on the ground and in the air have found nothing.

This weekend, 30 trained Fairfax County Fire and Rescue search personnel will conduct a search over a wide area in the park. Fairfax County Fire officials said Thursday the National Park Service had asked for their help.

Fire officials urged the public to call Virginia State Police if they have any information on Mittendorff's whereabouts.

"This is our 911 call to the public," Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers Jr. said. "You never know. The smallest thing can help bring Nicole home."

Mittendorff is a career firefighter and paramedic for the Fairfax County Fire Department. Her husband is a Virginia State Police sergeant.

Her gear in a locker at Fairfax Station's fire station has not been touched for more than a week.

There is currently no evidence to suggest anything suspicious about Mittendorff's disappearance, state police said.

A prayer vigil was held Wednesday evening at Fairview Station 32, Mittendorff's station, in Fairfax Station, Virginia. That day marked a week since Nicole had been seen.

Her family created a Facebook page and a website to help find her.

Mittendorff is described as a white woman with blonde hair and green eyes. She is 5-feet-6-inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds.

Anyone with information that can help police is asked to call Virginia State Police at 703-803-0026.
New York's top prosecutor has opened an investigation into the New York City Board of Elections, a day after scores of voters in the five boroughs complained of voting irregularities and problems.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the investigation into the beleaguered board in the wake of widespread issues faced by voters in New York City.

The announcement a day after the city Comptroller's Office said it would conduct an audit of the board after it was revealed that more than 126,000 Democratic voters were removed from the rolls in Brooklyn between November and state's presidential primaries on Tuesday.

"Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and if any New Yorker was illegally prevented from voting, I will do everything in my power to make their vote count and ensure that it never happens again," Schneiderman said.

Schneiderman's office said Wednesday that its voter hotline had received more than 1,000 calls and emails on primary day, with complaints ranging from issues with participating in a party primary to unclear instructions and accessibility issues. It's not clear how many of those complaints came from New York City voters.

The number of complaints is the most the Attorney General's Office has ever received, dwarfing the 150 messages the office received during the 2012 general elections.

Voters across the city documented issues at the polls. Several precincts in Brooklyn told voters to come back later or vote via affidavit because roll books hadn't arrived to polling location. Other people, meanwhile, were told that they weren't shown among party ranks, even though they claimed to have registered years ago.

One voter alleged that poll workers were trying to trick Democrats into casting ballots for Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders. The city Board of Elections said it was investigating that claim.

Board of Elections Executive Director Michael Ryan told NBC 4 New York that "people are responding to a lack of complete information."

The body said that 126,000 Democrats were removed from rolls in Brooklyn, but it was because they moved, died, or changed registration. Another 63,000 were added to the rolls before the election, meanwhile.

"We want to make sure that people who belong on the rolls stay on the rolls and those who have to come off come off," he said.

New York City comptroller Scott Stringer called for an audit of the body on Tuesday and said that "the people of New York City have lost confidence that the Board of Elections can effectively administer elections and we intend to find out why the BOE is so consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient."

Ryan said the Board of Elections will cooperate with the audit and that "at the conclusion of this process, there's really not going to be much of a story."
A former NYPD officer who shot an unarmed man to death in a darkened stairwell was spared prison time Tuesday, and a judge reduced his manslaughter conviction to a lesser charge in a case that became a flashpoint for police accountability.

Peter Liang was sentenced to five years' probation and 800 hours of community service in the 2014 shooting of Akai Gurley, who was walking down a public housing stairway when Liang, a rookie officer, fired a bullet into the dark - by accident after being startled, he said. The bullet ricocheted and killed Gurley, 28.

Speaking softly, Liang told the court he never meant to fire and apologized to Gurley's family.

"My life is forever changed," he added. "I hope you give me a chance to rebuild it."

Liang, 28, is the first NYPD officer convicted in an on-duty shooting in 11 years. A jury found him guilty this winter of a manslaughter charge carrying up to 15 years in prison.

But Brooklyn state Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun reduced the offense Tuesday to criminally negligent homicide, which carries up to four years in prison. He said prosecutors hadn't met the legal burden for the manslaughter charge: proving that Liang consciously disregarded a substantial, unjustifiable risk of death.

And, the judge said, "given the defendant's background and how remorseful he is, it would not be necessary to incarcerate the defendant to have a just sentence in this case."

Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson had recommended against prison for Liang, but the prosecutor said Tuesday he would appeal the judge's decision to reduce the conviction. Defense lawyer Paul Shechtman said Liang would also appeal his remaining conviction, though the day's developments marked "a very good chapter" for him.

The shooting happened in a year of debate nationwide about police killings of unarmed black men, and activists have looked to Liang's prosecution as a counterweight to cases in which grand juries have declined to indict officers, including those who killed Michael Brown in Missouri and Eric Garner in New York. Like Brown and Garner, Gurley was black. Liang is Chinese-American.

Gurley's family said Liang had been let off lightly.

"There's no justice. Akai Gurley's life does not matter. Black lives do not matter," said an aunt, Hertensia Petersen.

Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, called Liang's sentence "a deeply troubling message that police officers convicted of killing unarmed African-Americans will be held to a different, and more lenient, standard of justice" than others.

Meanwhile, Liang's supporters say he has been made a scapegoat for past injustices. More than 10,000 of his backers rallied in New York and across the U.S. after the verdict, protesting his conviction.

Dozens of demonstrators representing both sides gathered Tuesday on opposite sides of the street outside the courthouse, separated by police barricades.

"Nobody really won here," Liang supporter Karlin Chan said. "We still feel this was a politically motivated prosecution."

On the Gurley side, demonstrator Daniel Sanchez said the no-prison sentence shows "the justice system doesn't work for all communities."

Inside, both prosecutors and Liang's lawyers cautioned against using the case to make a larger point about police conduct.

"This simply is not a case of police brutality. This case features a reckless shooting by a rookie police officer in a darkened stairwell," Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney Joe Alexis said.

But Gurley's loved ones reminded the judge of the toll.

"Because of the recklessness of that night, I'm without my partner, our daughter is without her father, a mom is without her son," said Gurley's domestic partner, Kim Ballinger.

Gurley's girlfriend, Melissa Butler, who was with him when he died, told Liang: "When you stole Akai's life, you stole mine as well."

Liang's missteps after the shooting were detailed during the trial, including his failure to aid the bleeding Gurley as Butler frantically performed CPR. Liang and his partner, who wasn't charged and testified during the trial, said they didn't help and faulted their police training. Their admissions prompted Police Commissioner William Bratton to launch an investigation into training.

Liang and his partner were fired after the verdict.
Rahman Syed was waiting for his daughter by the sign for Jamaica Estates, the Queens neighborhood where Donald Trump grew up, so the two could vote together in New York's primary on Tuesday.

He would not be choosing Trump.

"I'm going to go for Hillary," said Syed, 61. "My senator."

Noreen O'Donnell/NBC

A registered Democrat, he still had questions about New York's former senator, Hillary Clinton, especially her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. And Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont stood for bettering the lives of the working class, which Syed considered himself. But he was not sure Sanders would be able to work with others to accomplish his goals.

"She has the most experience," said Syed, a taxi driver who also owns one of New York City's taxi medallions.

His daughter, a business student at Baruch College and a first-time voter, had tried to convince him to vote for Sanders even as he was hoping to change her mind  a generational gap that has been obvious throughout the primary season.

"We talk a lot," he said.

Presidential front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton hope to widen their delegate leads with victories in the New York primaries.

Trump and Clinton cruised to victory in New York, where for the first time in decades both the Republican and Democratic primaries were competitive. In the days leading up to the vote, the candidates had been emphasizing their ties to New York: Trump his real estate empire, started by his father and now encompassing Trump Tower, where he lives in Manhattan; Clinton her time as senator; Sanders his childhood home in Brooklyn's Midwood section.

Trump's boyhood neighborhood along Midland Parkway, a once mostly white area with large brick houses, is now surrounded by a more much diverse community scornful of his talk of expelling immigrants, building a wall on the border with Mexico and keeping Muslims out.

Syed said he thought Trump, whom he called a good businessman, was trying to rally the masses with his most extreme positions, which legally he would be unable to carry out.

"I'm not that worried about him," Syed said.

[NATL] New Yorkers Vote in Contested Primary: April 19

David Barrios, a 20-year-old student at New York City of Technology, said he disliked the way Trump targeted particular ethnic groups.

"The way he talks he sounds very ignorant," Barrios said.

And he and Karmini Nakoo, 24 and a student at the State University of New York at Old Westbury, liked Sanders' position on making tuition affordable.

"Bernie Sanders is looking out for the people," Nakoo said.

But whether they would vote on Tuesday was unclear. Barrios was not sure he was registered in a party, which would make him ineligible in New York's closed primaries. The large number of young people without a party affiliation was expected to be a particular problem for Sanders' campaign, leaving aside the large number of voting problems reported around the city.

If excitement for Trump appeared absent in Queens, it was evident for Sanders in Brooklyn.

On Kings Highway, not far from where Sanders grew up on East 26th Street, Jeffrey Kassel, 63, and 71-year-old Antonio Hidalgo had already voted and were on their way to lunch with friends. The couple, together for 35 years, were split in their political allegiance -- Kassel for Sanders, Hidalgo for Clinton.

"Bernie is a democratic socialist and so am I and I don't have to be embarrassed any more or fearful," Kassel said. "It used to be you had to be very quiet about saying something like that. You were almost considered a communist."

Noreen O'Donnell/NBC

Kassel, retired from the state's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and a union shop steward, said the country's wealth had to be redistributed so that such a small number of people did not control so much.

"Most people struggle," said Kassel, who grew up not far from Sanders.

Hidalgo, a retired teacher, preferred Clinton's experience working for the administration.

"She was everywhere -- here and Europe and everywhere else," he said.

Sixteen-year-old Dani Black is too young to vote, but he headed into Starbucks with Bernie Sanders buttons on his jacket.

Noreen O'Donnell/NBC

Black, a junior at Sanders' alma mater, James Madison High School, said he supported all of Sanders' positions -- upending economic inequality, backing rights for women and the LGBTQ community, battling climate change.

"I believe in what he stands for," he said.

[NATL] Highlights From the 2016 Campaign Trail
Attorneys say jail officials believe the autopsy of a recently deceased Cumberland County Jail inmate will show that he died of an overdose after a drug-filled balloon burst inside his intestines.

The Portland Free Press reports 24-year-old Nikco Walton died at the Portland, Maine, jail on April 11 after spending just short of a week at the facility for violating the terms of his probation.

Walton's attorneys, Cory McKenna and Amy Fairfield, say they are skeptical that Walton could've carried the balloon in his intestines for nearly seven days. But investigators seem to have ruled out the possibility that he obtained the drugs at the jail.

McKenna says their conclusion has been drawn from "mere speculation."

Maj. John Costello, the jail administrator, did not return requests seeking comment.
The Rhode Island Department of Health confirmed the state's first case of Zika virus has been reported on Tuesday afternoon.

According to WJAR, the case involves a man in his 60s who recently traveled to Haiti.

The state Department of Health says the virus is primarily spread through bits from infected mosquitoes or through sexual contact.

The department also added that the best way to avoid catching the virus is to use bug spray with 20 percent DEET, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and stay in buildings that have air conditioning or window screens.

The Centers for Disease Control in Massachusetts has reported 7 similar cases and the CDC in Connecticut has reported 1.
Jeremiah E. Burke High School, English High School, Higginson-Lewis K-8 school, and Perkins Elementary are participating in the launch of My Brother's Keeper, a new White House initiative to combat chronic absenteeism.

"It leads to higher dropout rates, higher incidence of substance abuse or mental illness, higher incidence of incarceration," said Dr. Lindsa McIntyre, Headmaster of the Burke.

Once underperforming, the Burke is now considered the state's most improved high school. It's a model for other schools across Boston and the nation, thanks in part to McIntyre's mission to get the community more involved.

"We had firefighters, police officers, members of the community," said McIntyre. "It almost brought me to tears when all of these gentlemen came in with their sleeves rolled up."

Mentoring sessions focus on developing good work habits, building relationships, and public speaking.

"I think now we're at a point where the young people are really engaged and have bought in and enjoy coming," said Shawn Brown, Executive Director of Diamond Educators Mentoring Program.

"One of the phrases that we use a lot when talking to young people and talking about young folks is that they need to know that you care before they care to know," said Cornell Mills, on the advisory committee for My Brother's Keeper in Boston.

In its early stages, My Brother's Keeper" has increased attendance of chronically absent students at the Burke by five percent.

"We see changes in students wanting to be in school. We see changes in their joy and excitement about being celebrated, being recognized as a student. It's amazing," McIntyre said.

Students shared some of their own stories with NECN.

"I wasn't coming to school at first. And then Mr. Hill pulled me aside and said hey, if you don't come to school, you're going to end up in jail or a coffin. So I started working with him a lot and then started to change," said Carlos Falcon, a freshman. "He opened my eyes."

"I'm only doing for them what was done for me," said Greg Hill, Community Coordinator for the Burke. "And replicating the relationship I had with my mentors growing up when I was their age."

"We talked about school, outside of school, grades, drugs, sex, anything and she had an answer for everything," said junior Catiana Fernandes of her mentor, Morgan Frazier-Eley. "She made me independent."

"Don't be afraid," Jayden Green, a sophomore, wants other students to know. "It's people that actually care about you, who are actually looking to help you achieve your potential."

Boston Public Schools' efforts in combating chronic absenteeism focuses not just on older students but kindergartners, using family mentoring programs.

If you want to make a difference in Boston Public Schools, the team at the Burke says they're always looking for mentors.
The Massachusetts State Police arrested a Brockton, Massachusetts, man after he was waving a gun following a road rage incident.

According to the police, officers received a call that a man was waving a gun on Route 24 following a road rage incident.

Officers arrested Cedric Komtagne, age 19, of Brockton, Massachusetts, on Route 93 northbound in Milton, Massachusetts.

Officers located the vehicle Komtagne was driving and stopped it just before exit 11 in Milton.

Komtagne was placed under arrest for assault with a dangerous weapon and was found to be in possession of a replica handgun.

He was transported to the State Police barracks in South Boston where he was booked.

Komtagne was held pending $540 bail.
Its a chipper tone you hear rounding the baggage carousel in the international arrivals terminal at Boston Logan Airport.

Let's go find it. Let's go find it, says Sarah Olson. She is an Agriculture Specialist, K-9, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

When I come to work every day, I get to play hide and seek with my dog, Olson said.

The other half of her hide-and-seek team is a 4-and-a-half rescue Beagle named Haven. The pair heads to an elderly woman collecting her bags off a flight just in from Amsterdam.

Haven sniffs something and alerts Olson. The woman says she has cheese and chicken wraps in her carry-on bag. Olson takes a look and clears the items. Haven waits for a treat as the elderly woman laughs encouragement.

The tail-wagging detector dog may illicit gooey smiles from travelers, but her work is serious business. She and dozens like her in airports nationwide screen passengers and luggage - sniffing out fruits, vegetables, meats and other items banned from entering the U.S. because they can carry pests and disease.

Dogs generally have a thousand times better smell than you or I would have, said Olson.

With the dramatic expansion of international routes at Logan - Beijing, Dubai, Liberia, Istanbul, Doha - tracking what people bring in to Boston is all the more critical.

CBP Specialist Baljeet Kaur showed us items seized in recent days held in the quarantine room, from mangoes to dried lemons to pork floss and bird's nest - a rare and expensive Chinese delicacy made from solidified bird saliva.

Food made out of bird saliva may seem a world away to you, but any of these items can carry pests that can have very real consequences here at home.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture considers bird's nest a high risk for Avian Flu transmission.

Simple watermelon seeds can host the khapra beetle, which can destroy grains, cereals and stored foods at a startling pace.

The Longhorned Beetle hitched a ride in products imported from Asia - costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and destroying tens of thousands of trees in the U.S., including here in New England.

And agents confiscated dozens of citrus plants - fearful of the devastating effects diseased pests are having on crops in Florida right now.

When there's an outbreak of certain pests, that will affect the availability of that commodity and hit you in the pocket when you get high food prices," said CBP Supervisory Agriculture Specialist Angel Portalatin.

In the last fiscal year, CBP agriculture specialists in the Boston field office have intercepted nearly 40,000 banned items, up 62 percent from the year before. Nationwide, more than 1.7 million items were confiscated.

Haven - who can quickly distinguish between about 100 different smells - alerted Olson to several bags tucked into the luggage of a family coming in from Jordan. Inside were raw almonds, grape leaves, lamb and chickpeas infested with what looked like inchworms.

Another passenger brought in vegetables and raw fish from Africa which had gone moldy and were infested with bugs.

The pests are collected and sent to USDA labs for testing. The items are seized and Haven is rewarded for a job well done.

Passengers bringing in prohibited and undeclared items face fines beginning at $300, but they get stiffer for repeat offenders. As for the contraband itself, it's either ground up and destroyed on site or carted away for incineration
A driver fled after seriously injuring a 13-year-old boy in a crash in Brockton, Massachusetts, according to police.

Crews responded to the scene after the boy was hit at the intersection of Cross Street and Winslow Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.

The boy was transported to Boston Children's Hospital in serious condition.

Surveillance footage from a nearby home showed the white Kia flying down Cross Street seconds before the driver ran over the child and gassed it from the scene.

"He was flying," said Nicole Danielczyk. "Where the said they hit him to where his shoe ended up is disgusting, like 20 feet at least."

In addition to coming out of his shoe, the impact was so bad that the boy went airborne into a second car, according to witnesses.

The victim was outside playing during school vacation week and was crossing the street to go home to talk to his grandmother.

"He looked both ways, both at the same time," said Reyna Torres. "Right when he took that first step, the car came out of nowhere."

For most of the afternoon, police were looking for the white Kia, until it was found ditched by a rock pile in a back and desolate parking lot nearby Chatham West apartment complex.

One tenant says he knew about the hit-and-run and called police when he saw the car.

"It seemed out of place," the tenant said. "Things didn't seem right, so I told my fiancee to call Brockton PD."

The car was later towed to a nearby car lot before being taken late Wednesday to the Brockton Police Department.

Police are still looking for the driver.

People who know the victim well say he's in seventh grade, and they don't understand who would do this.

"He got hit and I was mad, because I thought he passed," said the boy's friend, Kyle Conward.
Police in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, are searching for an armed robbery suspect.

The man fled the scene with an unknown amount of cash after entering the Citizens Bank on Bedford Street with a large revolver around 2:40 p.m.on Tuesday, police said.

Officers and K-9s searched the area, but didn't find him, according to the statement.

He is described by police as a large man around 6 feet tall, last seen wearing royal blue sweatpants, a blue vest, and a black scraf covering his face.

"We are actively investigating this case along with the FBI Bank Robbery Task Force," Chief Christopher Delmonte said in a statement.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Robert Bailey at 508-659-1525.
Police in Providence, Rhode Island, are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect who allegedly stole a woman's purse filled with credit cards and cash.

According to WJAR, a woman dropped her purse on the dance floor of the Rebel Lounge on March 26 during an altercation.

The suspect was seen on surveillance video quickly collecting the dropped items and head out the door.

He was seen wearing a stripe shirt and blazer and accompanied by three other woman.

One of the victim's credit cards was later used at a gas station in Lincoln, Rhode Island.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the department.
A teenager was shot three times Wednesday in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, and a suspect is in custody.

The shooting took place near 42 Walnut Park.

"My son is a very strong young man, but at the end of the day, everything that's going on out here," said Eugene Parrish Sr., a resident of the nearby Dorchester neighborhood.

He said he is frustrated with with street violence in Boston after his 19-year-old son, Eugene Parrish Jr., was shot in both legs.

"He said that he came and he seen some kids say something to him about his brother," the elder Parrish said. "They exchanged words and he told the kid we can handle this later because the police is right there. Then after he turns his back, he said, I guess, gunshots rang out."

After being shot, the victim got himself to Boston Medical Center, where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

An officer working a construction detail nearby chased down the suspect as he ran toward Washington Street.

"It seemed like he threw the gun at the policeman and then ran and the policeman took after him," said a construction worker named Gerry.

Outside the laundromat at the corner, some witnesses saw the police chase headed their way.

"I ducked under the table," said one woman named Bunny. "I'm like, 'gunshots, come on now."

"All I seen was police everywhere, jumping out of the cars, and somebody running," said another witness, Lala.

"And then all of a sudden ambulances, helicopters, it was crazy," added Bunny.

The state police air wing circled the neighborhood, as K-9 units walked through yards and in between houses.

Boston Police confirm they took one person into custody a couple of blocks away here on Dixwell Street, easing some anxiety for Parrish's family.

"It's tragic that all this had to happen to him," the victim's father said. "I thank God he's still alive."
The sister of Catherine Greig, longtime girlfriend of mobster James Whitey Bulger, wrote a letter to the judge days before Greig is set to be sentenced for federal criminal contempt of court.

Margaret McCusker wrote the letter to Judge Dennis Saylor on Monday afternoon highlighting her sister's family history and personality.

McCusker, Catherine Greig's twin sister, begins the letter explaining their upbringing, specifically,the absence of a dominant male figure.

She said, "Growing up, we did not have a strong father figure in our lives and lacked direction in making appropriate choices in our relationships. We were both attracted to strong father-figured like men. Jim Bulger fit that bill. As the Court is aware she had no criminal record prior to now and never involved herself in Jim Bulger's affairs."

McCusker also refers to Catherine as "a caring and loving person."

She goes on to cite instances where Catherine cared for others as well as animals.

McCusker explains she is hoping the judge will sentence Greig fairly.

She said, "This is a woman who already pleaded guilty accepting responsibility for her actions. She should not be further punished for the mere fact that she did not cooperate with the government."

Greig was indicted on the federal criminal contempt charge back in September for refusing to testify before a grand jury about her and Bulger's whereabouts while they were on the run and whether other people helped them during that time.

She is set to be sentenced on April 28.
Massachusetts regulators say State Street Corp. violated state securities law by overcharging customers as much as $200 million for out-of-pocket expenses, including secure electronic messages.

Secretary of State William Galvin said Wednesday that his office's securities division filed an administrative complaint against State Street Global Markets, an arm of the Boston-based investment firm, alleging what Galvin called "dishonest and unethical activity."

The complaint says the company charged customers $5 for electronic messages that actually cost 25 cents to send.

State Street disclosed in December that it was conducting an internal review of millions in expenses that may have been improperly invoiced over an 18-year period.

The company, in a statement Wednesday, said it regretted the error and was committed to fully compensating affected clients upon completion of the review.
The University of Connecticut has sent out a campus-wide alert to all students warning them of a sexual assault incident that happened last week.

On April 17, a student told a residential life staff member that she had been sexually assualted in a dorm room the night earlier.

The victim said she was in a familiar dorm room and was assaulted by as many as three people, the UConn alert said.

According to the university, the student has been offered "appropriate support" by being connected with a number of services and resources.

The notice sent out did not imple that there has been an increase of crime or any specific crime pattern on campus.
Voters across New York cast their ballots in the Empire State's primary Tuesday, with many in the city of Plattsburgh expressing a sense that in this primary, their vote really matters, because both parties' nomination processes are still undecided from a delegate standpoint.

Bernie Sanders, a U.S. Senator who represents Vermont, just across Lake Champlain from Plattsburgh, appeared to enjoy strong support in the Lake City for his focus on income inequality, the environment, and his attacks on how money may impact politics.

"Bernie was able to address, and get the things that really mattered to me as a person that I was longing to hear a presidential candidate talk about," said Plattsburgh voter Erika Clement.

"He's the only honest man out there," added Sanders supporter Jim Conley of Plattsburgh. "The others? Forget it."

But Hillary Clinton was elected twice to the U.S. Senate in New York, and many here value her long resume, including her service as U.S. Secretary of State.

"With the world the way it is now, we need someone who's ready on day one," said Clinton supporter Theresa Bennett of Plattsburgh. "We can't have a lapse or a learning curve."

Bennett, who said she has three granddaughters, said Clinton's candidacy has another appeal to her. "It's really important for us in the United States to see women in leadership roles," she added.

Among Republicans, Donald Trump rallied supporters in Plattsburgh Friday, and many in the community referred to him as a natural leader.

"Maybe we need some fresh people in there, somebody's that's not a politician," said Trump supporter Lynda Bond of Plattsburgh. "And he definitely is not a politician."

But John Kasich was the pick of Plattsburgh Republican Bill Wellman. "I think he's done a great job for Ohio and I look forward to him doing the same great job as president," Wellman told necn.

At the Blue Collar Bistro in downtown Plattsburgh, owner Cindy Snow has a very non-scientific polling method.

"We're not endorsing anyone," Snow said, smiling. "We just like to have to have fun with our food!"

She's pitting a "Bernie sandwich," with Vermont cheddar cheese and jalapeno mayo to "feel the Bern," against a "Trump burger." The Trump burger has onion straws on it to represent the candidate's distinctive hair, the restaurant explained.

As of lunchtime on New York's primary day, the Sanders sandwich was narrowly ahead in the sales tally, Snow said.

But as for the poll that really matters, the one being taken inside New York's voting booths, locations are open until 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Snow said plenty of customers have asked her why she's not selling sandwiches representing John Kasich, Ted Cruz, or Hillary Clinton. She explained she focused on the candidates who had the largest presences in Plattsburgh in terms of public rallies.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has made a campaign stop in Hartford, ahead of the April 26 primary, and she is discussing gun violence.

"I am determined that we will do whatever we can to save lives in America," Clinton said. "On average, 90 people a day die of gun violence. That is 33,000 people a year -- a year. If anything else were killing 33,000 Americans a year, you can bet we would be fully mobilized, doing anything we possibly could to save lives."

Clinton was at the YMCA on Albany Avenue, where she is accompanied by the families of victims killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting, along with other family members of gun violence victims.

Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, attended the event, and Clinton put a focus on Connecticut's gun legislation and acknowledged him; Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman; and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, who she said is a friend of Chelsea Clinton.

"I am really proud that your leaders here in Connecticut have shown the way," Clinton said.

"I know how hard it was to do what Connecticut's governor and Legislature did after Sandy Hook, so I am not here to make promises I can't keep. I am here to tell you I will use every single minute of every day, if I am so fortunate enough to be your president, looking for ways that we can save lives -- that we can change the gun culture," Clinton said. "It is just too easy for people to reach for a gun to solve their problems. It makes no sense."

Erica Smegielski, the daughter of Dawn Hochsprung, introduced Clinton during the event.

Hochsprung was the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School and was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting and Smegielski has become an outspoken advocate for gun safety reforms.

Smegielski was also part of a panel to speak during the event and said she started her fight against gun violence because of her mom, but her fight is not soley about her mother anymore.

"The reality is, my mom was murdered and she is not coming back, no matter how hard I fight," she said. "There is nothing I can do to bring her back. What I can do is stand up and use my voice and use my story to motivate other people to get up and use their voice and share their stories and come together around this issue."

In the past, Clinton has proposed "commonsense" laws to tackle gun control in the United States, including enacting background checks, ending immunity protections and keeping guns away from domestic abusers, the Clinton campaign said in a statement.

"We can do this consistent with the Second Amendment. We can do this with support of responsible gun owners and that is exactly what we will do," Clinton said.

She said she is advocating for comprehensive background checks and getting rid of loopholes that allow people to get guns before background checks are completed.

She said no one is more powerful in Washington than the gun lobby and what Connecticut did needs to be a national model on this needs to be a voting issue.

Her rival Democratic candidate, Bernie Sanders, has not announced a visit to the Nutmeg State but his press secretary said the schedule is still being set.

"I'm certain that the voters of Connecticut will hear from Sanders one way or another," R. Warren Gill III, Sanders' press secretary told NBC Connecticut.

While no visit has been announced yet, Sanders' campaign has spent $765,000 on ads for Connecticut TV stations, according to FCC filings.

Clinton's daughter, Chelsea Clinton, was in the state on Wednesday for a campaign event in Hartford.

Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ohio governor John Kasich have both visited Connecticut. Trump was in Hartford on Friday and he will be back on Saturday.

Kasich visited Sacred Heart University in Fairfield earlier this month and is coming back on Friday, where he will be at Glastonbury High School.


Norfolk storytellers book of answered prayer Norfolk storytellers book of answered prayer

Norfolk Christian author Barrie Lawrence has published his fourth book, The Curious Case of the Constipated Cat and other true stories of answered prayer. Regular Network Norfolk contributor Kevin Gotts reviews the book.
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
A key issue raised by labor unions in their weeklong strike against Verizon is the offshoring of work. The unions say Verizon has plans to send more jobs overseas. Verizon isn't saying what it is doing in this respect, but there is a paper trail of documents filed by its employees that point to offshoring.

The union contends that Verizon wants, in a labor contract, to shift more jobs to contractors. Nearly 40,000 Verizon workers are on strike.

"They want the ability to contract work -- as much as 50% -- the great majority of that is offshore," said Marilyn Irwin, president of the Washington area Communications Workers of America Local 2108. CWA is one of the unions involved in the strike.

This complaint is getting attention in the presidential race, including from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is seeking the Democratic nomination.

"They want to outsource decent paying jobs," Sanders said at the Verizon picket line. Earlier this month, Sanders said Verizon wants to move call center jobs out of the country to places "where people will be paid pennies an hour."

Sander's criticisms of Verizon prompted a response by Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam in a blog post.

"Contrary to Sen. Sanders's contention," wrote McAdam, the proposal that Verizon is making to the union does "not call for mass layoffs or shipping jobs overseas. Rather, we've asked for more flexibility in routing calls and consolidating some of our call centers, some of which employ a handful of people."

Despite repeated attempts, Verizon did not respond to requests for comment.

Over the past several years, Verizon workers have been filing applications with the U.S. Labor Department for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits. Employees who believe they have lost their jobs as a result of offshore outsourcing can file for benefits that include extended unemployment and educational help.

Verizon workers in multiple states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, New York and North Carolina, have filed claims. These can be filed by state labor officials or affected employees. A minimum of three affected workers must file the application, which, if approved, can make other affected employees at a worksite eligible for benefits as well.

For instance, in Lake Mary, Florida, employees wrote on their TAA application: "Verizon has been in the process of moving all production for all products off shore for the last few years. We were notified in April [2015] that all the remaining VOIP Order Management was being moved to Manila. Two VOIP order managers had been sent to Manila to train the new group.  My group also had to train the offshore group to take over our job function. HR told me this was a massive layoff!"

In Texas, requests for benefits from employees have stated that "work was outsourced" to Manila. The employees said 20 workers lost their jobs.

In North Carolina, workers also cited Manila, and said 11 jobs were lost in that state.

A New York, a TAA petition filed by IT workers said: "Due to a reduction in force, our jobs were eliminated. However, the function continues offshore."

This story, "Verizon is offshoring jobs, records say" was originally published by Computerworld .
The secret backdoor in Juniper firewalls which automatically decrypted VPN traffic has been compared to stealing a master key to get into any government building. The security hole, which existed for at least three years, was publicly announced in December. The whodunit for installing the backdoor is still unknown, but some people believe it was repackaged from a tool originally created by the NSA.

DHS knew about Juniper backdoor way before the public did

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is one of the agencies credited for playing a key role in Juniper debacle. John Felker, director of the DHS 24-7 National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, told Nextgov that he and three other DHS individuals knew of the security glitch from the company way before the public.

Felker would not say how long Juniper and DHS knew about the security flaw while leaving so many other organizations vulnerable. Juniper reportedly didnt want it publicly known until it understood the scope and nature of the dangers. Then DHS and Juniper sounded the alarm to warn the rest of the world.

Although Felker is confident the Juniper vulnerability announced in December has been addressed, he told Nextgov:

Howeverand I dont know this for a factbut Im told that there was potentially a backdoor built into some of that technology, too, he said, referring to unconfirmed reports. Felker added, Some of that gear was in place for years.

The recent research paper A Systematic Analysis of the Juniper Dual EC Incident (pdf) found that although Juniper had noted the use of Dual EC in 2013, claiming that ScreenOS included countermeasures that neutralized this form of attack, Junipers countermeasures were never executed. After reverse-engineering numerous versions of ScreenOS, the researchers discovered the attack was only possible due to the interaction of a cluster of changes made by Juniper in the 6.2 version of ScreenOS released in 2008.

Treasury Department took 8 weeks to patch Juniper hole, but no data stolen

A House Oversight subcommittee has been investigating the governments use of the backdoored Juniper software. During a hearing today, the opening statement (pdf) by Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) specifically called out the Treasury Department as having an unacceptable timeline for deploying Juniper patches.

Hurd pointed out that letters went out in January to the heads of 24 federal agencies, asking which ones were running the vulnerable software and when the emergency security patch had been installed. Twelve agencies had been affected, but it took three agencies, including the Department of Treasury, longer than 50 days to fully install patches and mitigate the threat posed by this vulnerability. Hurd said, This is absolutely unacceptable.

Sanjeev Bhagowalia, the Treasury Departments CIO, testified (pdf) that 25% of the patches were deployed in one day; 84% within a week; 86% within two weeks; and 93% in seven weeks. The remaining 7% of patching for configurations which posed low risk for exploitation of the vulnerability, were completed in just over eight weeks. 40 of 57 devices using the flawed Juniper software were classified as high risk out of an abundance of caution, but only four, such as the U.S. Mint and Bureau of Engraving and Printing, had been connected to the Internet. No worries; no data was stolen via the Juniper backdoor, he claimed.

But Rep. Hurd demanded to know how the Treasury Department would know if something was taken or not. When he asked how much unsupported, or legacy, software the Treasury Department is currently using, Bhagowalia responded that is a small percentage.

Attribution as a deterrent

Hurd said, Various international groups and state-sponsored actors are constantly attempting to steal military secrets and expose the personally identifiable information of American citizens, and we cannot stand idly by while this happens.

The victims, according to Hurd, were not the hacked companies; they failed. The victims were government agencies and other customers. He says attribution can play an important deterrence role.

You cant really have it both ways, can you? If a backdoor in Junipers firewalls that allowed encrypted VPN traffic to be decrypted is considered a big, bad deal, then how is it not an epically terrible idea to require a backdoor for government access such as was suggested in the Burr-Feinstein backdoor proposal? If you want to play the attribution game, then if a company is breached via that backdoor, wouldnt you start attribution with the names Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Richard Burr?
With their Beacon of Hope IoT app, twin sisters and social entrepreneurs America and Penelope Lopez, are taking up the fight against one of the most revolting crimes on the planethuman trafficking.

In 2013, the United Nations reported that 20.9 million people have been pushed into forced labor and sex trades around the world. Ranked in the top three of fastest-growing crime categories, the same study reported modern slavery has become a booming $32 billion illicit trade.

Recognizing the importance of the issue, the Lopez sisters created the Beacon of Hope project. It is the latest in their string of hackathon successes that includes an anti-bullying app and a police bodycam with facial recognition. This project began at the ground zero of hackathons, the AT&T hackathon at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which draws hackers like the Kentucky Derby draws gamblers.

After Las Vegas, they entered the project in IBMs Global Mobile Innovator Challenge and became finalists in the 4YFN (4 Years From Now) competition to empower global startup and developer communities to spread knowledge vital to building high-impact IoT apps. The Lopez sisters showcased the Beacon of Hope project at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last February.

How Beacon of Hope works

The project relies on low-cost Bluetooth beacons and Wi-Fi devices, the ubiquity of smartphones and Wi-Fi to track the locations of the human trafficking victims. In volume, the cost to set it up would be negligible, and data from Google and Palantir could be used for targeted placement along human trafficking trade routes.

Central to the design is a single fact revealed from former victims: the only time victims are away from their captors and alone is when they enter a public bathroom. In there, the victims would potentially have access to two types of devices: one a Bluetooth device prototyped with the Intel Curie IoT board and the other based on the Amazon Dash Button.

An elegant crowd-sourced solution, the Beacon of Hope project will work on a mesh network of good Samaritans smartphones. Bluetooth device trackers would be dispensed in womens public bathrooms. After a victim acquired a tracker, they would squeeze it to turn it on, broadcasting its unique identifier, which volunteers smartphones would pick up and relay to law enforcement and victim assistance non-governmental organizations (NGOs). A rapid response might free the victim.

If an immediate rescue isnt possible, location datalike bread crumbswould be left behind, making a future rescue possible. Higher-resolution data of the routes and haunts used by the traffickers would be generated for a finer-grained data analysis than the Palantir map pictured above.

America and Penelope Lopez America and Penelope Lopez presenting the Beacon of Hope project at 4YFN Barcelona

The Lopez sisters will also use the Amazon Dash button as a Button of Hope. Originally designed for reordering products, it has a microcontroller and a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radio with an AAA battery that is programmed to do just one thing: send a unique identifier over the network to Amazon to order staples such as laundry detergent. Installed in a public restroom, the button would be repurposed to send a signal over the local Wi-Fi network to law enforcement that a victim has temporary sanctuary at a known location.

The Button of Hope was added to the system because America and Penelopes aunt, who escaped from modern slavery by crawling out a bathroom window, told them she frequently saw stickers on the walls of public restrooms that listed a telephone number and internet site that a victim could use to report her enslavement. The aunt said the stickers made her feel helpless because she never had access to a phone or computer.

Pilot program

As a result of IBMs sponsorship, the city of Bangalore has offered to pilot the Beacon of Hope project. But the Lopez sisters want to start in California because Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco have been ranked among the top 10 cities for frequency of human trafficking. The women are engaging with local law enforcement anti-trafficking teams in those three cities to select the right one for a pilot project. They are most interested in piloting the project near their home in LA County, which is composed of 88 cities that have the largest concentration of trafficking.

America and Penelope grew up in the projects of the Boyle Heights in East LA and attended Lincoln High School. America attends Pasadena City College, and Penelope is a student at Cal State LA focusing on computer information systems.
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The immunotherapy drug nivolumab has become the first to show a survival benefit in head and neck cancer, after a major international trial found that it was more effective than standard chemotherapy.

Patients taking nivolumab were more than twice as likely to be alive after one year of the trial as those treated with chemotherapy, according to data presented at the American Association of Cancer Research annual meeting in New Orleans.

The phase III trial has opened up a new treatment option for head and neck cancer - which is notoriously difficult to treatment - and is the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of an immunotherapy for the disease.

The ongoing international trial is led in the UK by Professor Kevin Harrington of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and involves 361 patients and 20 research organisations. It is funded by Bristol Myers Squibb.

Interim results presented today (Tuesday) show patients taking nivolumab lived significantly longer than those on chemotherapy - particularly those testing positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to the development of some head and neck cancers.

Head and neck cancer affects areas including the nasal and oral cavities, and is relatively common - with around 11,000 new cases and 3,300 deaths in the UK each year.

In the trial, 240 patients with relapsed or metastatic head and neck cancer were allocated to receive nivolumab, and 121 to one of three different chemotherapies.

UK patients - the majority of whom were treated at The Royal Marsden - received the chemotherapy drug docetaxel, which is the only treatment approved for advanced head and neck cancer by NICE.

Researchers from Ohio State University presented results of the planned interim analysis at the conference.

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

After one year of the study, 36 per cent of patients treated with nivolumab were still alive at one year compared with 17 per cent for the comparator arm.

Median survival for patients on nivolumab was 7.5 months, compared with 5.1 months for chemotherapy.

Nivolumab was particularly effective in patients who had tested positive for the HPV virus. In the 179 patients known to be HPV positive, median survival was 9.1 months with nivolumab and 4.4 months with chemotherapy.

In HPV negative patients, median survival was 7.5 months with nivolumab and 5.8 with chemotherapy.

Some 59 per cent of patients on nivolumab had side effects, compared with 77.5 per cent of patients on chemotherapy. Some 13 and 35 per cent had severe side-effects with nivolumab and chemotherapy respectively.

UK trial leader Professor Kevin Harrington, Professor of Biological Cancer Therapies at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said:

"This new trial is a potential game changer for head and neck cancer, introducing a new drug treatment into our armoury that at last is better than standard chemotherapy. Nivolumab is one of a new wave of immunotherapies that are beginning to have an impact across cancer treatment, and which will offer even greater promise in the future as we understand how best to use them.

"Once it has relapsed or spread, head and neck cancer is extremely difficult to treat, with surgery and radiotherapy often impossible. So it's very good news for patients that these interim results indicate we now have a new treatment that works, and can significantly extend life."
This year, apprehensions have been rising about asthma after recent studies uncovered some horrific truths about asthma; Asthma UK found that over 120,000 asthma sufferers in the UK are at risk from wrongly prescribed medication, whilst NICE published their findings that 30% of people with asthma are suspected to have been misdiagnosed.

Image credit: Bedfont Scientific

Asthma is an affliction that affects an incredible 334 million people worldwide and 5.4 million people alone in the UK. This year World Asthma Day falls on 3rd May. This awareness day reoccurs every May in a bid to raise peoples awareness of this respiratory condition; how it can have a detrimental effect on your quality of life and in severe cases, result in death.

Bedfont Scientific based in Harrietsham, Kent, who are celebrating 40 years in business this year, manufacture a fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) breath analysis monitor that provides a quick, easy and non-invasive solution to the above-mentioned asthma concerns.

Using FeNO measurements to monitor airway inflammation in asthma patients represents a significant advance in respiratory medicine. The NObreath FeNO test is a user-friendly way to assess patient adherence to treatment, enabling respiratory specialists to prescribe their patients the right levels of medication.

Additionally, the NObreath FeNO test can help to differentiate between asthma and other respiratory conditions such as COPD, and asthma and COPD cross over syndrome (ACOS), resulting in fewer patients being misdiagnosed.

Natasha Smith, concerned mother of two, says, My eldest daughter was recently seen by the GP because we suspected she might have asthma. Reading the figures in the news recently published by Asthma UK and NICE has only increased my concerns about my daughters welfare. If a test like the NObreaths was readily available at the doctors, it would put my mind at ease.

Lois Penhaligan, Specialist Respiratory Physiologist, at the Lung Function Laboratory in Llandough, explains, This can be used with patients who have respiratory symptoms, particularly with an unexplained cough and we are looking for the possible cause. The FeNO breath test is used for an assessment of airway inflammation, for the assessment of the effectiveness of a treatment, for example, a bronchodilator and for the management of a disease, for example, asthma."
By Lucy Piper

Physicians' prognosis and recommendations for patients after intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) vary considerably, report researchers who show the potential benefits of a validated prognostic score.

The team sent written surveys presenting two ICH scenarios to practicing neurologists and neurosurgeons and asked them to estimate prognosis and treatment recommendations.

The case scenarios included combinations of older versus middle-aged patients and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 7T versus 11.

Among the 742 physicians who responded, their prediction of 30-day mortality varied widely across the four possible interactions between age and severity, ranging from an average of 23% to 58%.

Older versus middle-age increased the mortality estimate by 7-10 percentage points, while the effect of higher severity ranged from 18 to 29 percentage points.

Inclusion of a validated prognostic score (FUNC score) in the case presentation attenuated the prognostic variability, the researchers report in Neurology.

However, they note that this was largely due to greater consensus when scenarios depicted the most and least severe cases. The greatest effect was seen in the case of a 63-year-old patient with a GCS score of 11; inclusion of the best prognostic score (66% chance of functional recovery) decreased the mortality estimate by 5 percentage points.

A prognostic score also lessened the variability in treatment recommendations and as with mortality estimates, the greatest effects were seen in the most and least severe cases.

For cases where the chance of recovery was shown to be low, at 13%, inclusion of the prognostic score had no effect on treatment recommendations, but when the prognostic score suggested a 0% chance of functional recovery in a 76-year-old patient with a GCS score of 7T, the likelihood of recommending treatment limitations increased by 61%.

Conversely, if the score suggested a 66% chance of recovery in a 63-year-old patient with a GCS score of 11, the likelihood of recommending treatment limitations decreased by 38%.

The researchers, led by Darin Zahuranec (University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA), assessed physician characteristics, including recent experience of ICH cases, geographical location, practice setting and empathy, looking for possible explanations for prognosis variability.

But these characteristics explained only a small amount of the variance in mortality estimates; race also had no effect on physician prognosis or treatment recommendations, leaving the variance largely unexplained.

The findings therefore suggest that prognostic information provided to a family about an ICH patient may vary depending on the particular physician involved and "[i]ncreasing use of an accurate formal prognostic score may be one way to standardize physician prognostic estimates", says the team.

In a related editorial, Alejandro Rabinstein (Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota, USA) agrees that the use of prognostic scores can be useful and is advisable, but notes that many are subject to bias, due to being supported by prognostic factors that are influenced by self-fulfilling prophecy in the case of both pessimistic and optimistic prognoses.

"The self-fulfilling prophecy cannot be proven or disproven in any practice that allows withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments", he points out, adding: "Only studies from countries where restrictions of therapy are not culturally accepted even when prognosis is considered extremely poor could help clarify this issue."

Licensed from medwireNews with permission from Springer Healthcare Ltd. Springer Healthcare Ltd. All rights reserved. Neither of these parties endorse or recommend any commercial products, services, or equipment.
An increase in women with breast cancer choosing double mastectomy may be influenced by media coverage of celebrities, a new study finds.

From 2000 to 2012, 17 celebrities publicly disclosed their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Researchers from the University of Michigan analyzed 727 articles from major U.S. print publications that covered these celebrity diagnoses. Results are published in Annals of Surgical Oncology.

Four celebrities underwent double mastectomy, and 45 percent of the media coverage about their diagnoses mentioned that. Of the 10 celebrities who had a single mastectomy or breast conserving therapy, 26 percent of the media coverage discussed it.

During that time, the number of women with breast cancer who underwent double mastectomy at the University of Michigan rose nearly five-fold.

"People underestimate the impact of celebrity news reports on medical knowledge. It's naive to think this is not a source from where we get our medical information," says study author Michael Sabel, M.D., chief of surgical oncology and a breast cancer surgeon at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"Much more often, patients are not coming in asking what their options are for treatment. They are coming in saying they want a bilateral mastectomy. Patients are increasingly using outside sources of information, such as the internet, and coming to their own conclusion," he says.

When actress Christina Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer, a family history and BRCA mutation influenced her decision to have a double mastectomy. The BRCA mutation meant she had a high risk of cancer returning in one breast or a new cancer developing in the other breast. It's a detail that only a small proportion of media coverage included.

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Then, in 2013, Angelina Jolie wrote in the New York Times that she had both breasts removed because a BRCA mutation put her at high risk of breast cancer.

"In Angelina Jolie's case, almost every single article explains why she had a bilateral mastectomy. Contrast that to Christina Applegate, who also had a BRCA mutation. That was rarely discussed in media articles," Sabel says.

While many refer to the "Angeline Jolie effect" as influencing the rise in double mastectomy, it began earlier than that. Given the timing and the differences in media coverage, Sabel and co-author Sonya Dal Cin, Ph.D., suggest it might be more aptly deemed the "Christina Applegate effect."

It's not uncommon for celebrities to influence health trends. Following Jolie's announcement, more people sought genetic testing. After Katie Couric underwent a colonoscopy on the Today Show, colonoscopy rates increased. In 1987, after Nancy Reagan chose a mastectomy over breast conserving therapy, rates of breast conservation dropped 20 percent.

The concern, the authors write, is that women today are choosing double mastectomy based on inaccurate information about the risks and benefits. And because they are coming to their surgeon with their mind made up, there's less opportunity for surgeons to educate.

"When the next celebrity has a double mastectomy, we need to make sure we are putting the right messages out. This includes framing the story in terms of why the patient had a bilateral mastectomy and when that might be a good decision for a patient," Sabel says.

"Reporters need to be aware that their stories could have an impact on what patients are choosing to do."
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Sharif in the eye of Panama storm

File Photo of Nawaz Sharif

It is said a week is a long time in politics. This is more so relevant for Pakistan where things keep on happening at a faster pace than one could cope to follow them up. How wise that politician was who said it was easier to ride a tiger than be in politics in Pakistana country where conspiracy mill is doing over time and where rumour mongers continue to have a field day.



It seems Panama leaked papers overly exposing the investment by top leaders of their ill-gotten or undeclared wealth in off-shore financial havens would drown many in the canal's murky waters. So far it has claimed Prime Minister of Iceland who out of his sheer moral compulsion preferred to resign rather than stay glued to his chair dubiously. Unfortunately not many other countries and their leaders named in the Panama off shore scam have that sort of profound moral moorings.



British Prime Minister David Cameron has also been under pressure to quit following disclosure that he too had an off shore investment. Hundreds and thousands of British tax-paying protestors have held rallies outside 10-Downing Street demanding their Prime Minister to step down for betraying their trust. Cameron has come up with his tax record in his defence. So is Ukrainian president and prime minister under mounting pressure to quit. How many politicians holding public offices would show preference to walk out rather be ignominiously thrown out by public pressure is to be seen in the days to come.



People of Pakistan who are used to hearing all sorts of corruption charges being levelled against their prime minister, ministers and other politicians by the local media day in and day out too found themselves on the wrong foot when the Panamanian bomb exploded in the face of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his siblings. The dirty monies mentioned as laundered and invested in off shore companies by Prime Minister Sharif and his grown up siblings is in mega scam figures. There had been pre-emptive attempts to undermine what was to strike in their face later. They and their media mongers tried to undermine the real story before its explosion by implanting sob stories of how Zulfikar Ali Bhutto nationalised so-called multibillion steel empire of the Sharif clan and its subsequent rise from rags to riches at phenomenal jet speed due to enormous compensation it received from President General Ziaul Haq in millions for Sharif's tuppense. These accounts have been contradicting each other at each and every step.



So far no explanation has been found plausible enough for the defence of Nawaz family's off shore accounts and where those mega amounts emanated from. While British Prime Minister David Cameron has come up with his tax records but Prime Minister Sharif and his family members don't have anything that much to show as paid tax in the National Exchequer.



No doubt Prime Minister Sharif did move cleverly to deflect the mounting pressure on him for his resignation by rushing to appoint a judicial commission. Major Parliamentary Opposition parties PPPP and Imran Khan's PTIwhile rejecting it - have rightly described such a move as a bid for cover up of the sins of omission and commission of the Sharif government.



The validity of this so-called face saving commission became more dubious when two of the highly respected retired Supreme Court Chief Justices, approached by the Interior Minister to be members of the Judicial Commission, politely declined the request. Their decision to keep away from the shady commission was an outright expression of distrust of the people in such an abused contraption resorted to by the government to ease itself of pressure.



Doomsayers who had been since long predicting an ignominious end of the government now are confident that mounting street pressure would force the most inefficient and corrupt government to pack up and go. The powers that be itching to step in since long on the dismal failure of the government to let it have a free hand to eliminate terrorists in Punjabwould willingly opt for this god-given opportunity.



To add insult to their injury is the fact that while their tainted billions belonging to Sharif family stand exposed before the world, their charges of corruption against former President Asif Zardari did not find any iota of mention in the in the 11 million documents reportedly showing how Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca helped a number of current and former world leaders including the Sharifs.



It is both a slap on the face of Mian Sahib's hatchet man ex-Senator Saifur Rehman who spent (or gobbled millions of dollars) in order to dig Zardari's hidden ill-gotten fictional wealth, it as well exposes Sharif's immediate successor General Pervez Musharraf who pursued the same line of vendetta against Zardari. His regime too spent millions of dollars to find out AAZ's perceived corruption. Both of them did not have anything substantive as proof in their hand against AAZ and they had to blatantly resort to break his resilience by keeping him in prison for 11 long years without a conviction. When the turn for the first came to face the music, he took no time to sign a ten-year agreement with GPM to live in exile following his merciful pardon. And his successor too has followed his track and is now gone abroad leaving undecided various cases including martyred Benazir Bhutto's murder.



I wondered why has it come now as bolt from the blue when Prime Minister Sharif and his family never had it so good. He was enjoying absolute power, his industrial empire from his inherited tiny weenie Itteffaq bhatti rose to 30 factories, sugar mills and billions of off shore investments. This Panama jolt from nowhere is nothing but unfolding of divine justice when it was all gold and glitter, pelf and power for the Sharifs. Just when I was brooding about it a TV channel showed a clip of Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif's diatribe against AAZ, his threat to drag him in the streets of Lahore when he would be in power.



Equally thought provoking was AAZ's warning to MNS not very long ago when Sharif government became party to political vendetta against PPP. It started with the arrest of Dr Asim Hussain who was accused of all sorts of crimes under the sun including aiding and abetting terrorists, corruption and money laundering. AAZ told the Prime Minister that he should only do that much that he could be able to bear himself when his turn to get it repaid in the same coin comes. The ignominous charge of money laundering established beyond doubt in the shape of off shore accounts in Panama against the Prime Minister and his siblings is nothing but beginning of divine justice.



Though there was a consensus among political parties that 2013 elections were overly riggedyet PPPP as the largest partyaccepted the result and President Zardari very gracefully transferred power to Mian Sahib. In an article immediately after I had described it as the finest hour for democracy. It was indeed a great achievement of President Zardari for successfully completing his five year constitutionally land mark tenure.



I wrote a letter of congratulations to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and among many things, I had advised him to remember the words of American philosopher George Santayana: "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."



However, sudden appearance of his hatchet man ex-Senator Saifur Rehman in Pakistan made me shudder to think that most probably we are likely to see more of the old oppressive order when judges were told to punish martyred Benazir Bhutto and her husband Asif Ali Zardari for nothing but the whims of a paranoid and mentally sick National Accountability chief. I did not want to as I wanted Charter of Democracy to blossom into a document good for the health of the nationto see history repeat itself and George Santayana warning come true.



Time and tide wait for no one. Mian Sahib should set his own record of taxes and money laundering accusations straight and clear his and his family's name even if he has to bring back millions. It would be worth it to invest in Pakistan.



Last but not the least, I would like to repeat that the best way out of any dilemma is to pursue unity in diversity, seek consensus based solutions to our problems and act as a fraternity in face of adversity. Pakistani politicians especially have to learn this lesson. Instead of behaving like Kilkenny cats, they must revert to Quaid's dictum of unity with a singularity of purpose in defence of democracy and the constitution as the best insurance for country's survival, its progress, prosperity and peaceful co-existence of its multi-ethnic society to move forward to establish an egalitarian order based on socio-economic justice and equality for all its citizens.



(The author is former High Commissioner of Pakistan to UK)
Washington: Even as India is now the fastest growing emerging economy in the world, its impact is unlikely to be felt beyond South Asia, senior IMF officials said on Friday and at the same time warned of the adverse consequences of China's economic downtown.



"India is obviously a major economy in its sub-region, in South Asia. We see the immediate neighbours benefiting a lot (from the Indian growth story)," Markus Rodlauer, Deputy Director, Asia and Pacific Department, of the International Monetary Fund told reporters during a news conference.



"Its actual economic ties with South East Asia and China are more limited so the direct spillover from the growth in India both on the trade side and on the financial side are limited to the rest of Asia," Rodlauer said when asked if the remarkable growth story of India would have an impact on the Asian economy.



India is the fastest growing emerging economy in the world, with growth rates at 7.5 per cent both in 2016-17, said Changyong Rhee, director Asia and Pacific Department, IMF.



"Activity is expected to continue to be underpinned by private consumption, which has benefited from lower energy," Rhee said as he warned that Asia faces continuing sizable spillovers from China.



China's transition can have adverse, albeit very heterogeneous, spillovers in the region, he said.



"Countries more exposed to consumption can be winners, while those more exposed to investment and manufacturing can lose in the near term. Through financial channels, China's spillovers are also on the rise, and much increased from the period before the global financial crisis," Rhee said.



China's slowdown also has affected global commodity demand, but here too the effect is heterogeneous, he noted.



"Asia of course is impacted by the still weak global recovery, and by the ongoing and necessary rebalancing in China," Rhee said.
Just a day after a Delhi girl died in celebratory gunfire, a child was killed after being hit by a bullet during celebratory firing at a wedding procession.



The incident took place in Bihiya in Arrah. Two others were also injured in the firing. This development comes a day after a girl died in Mongolpuri area in Delhi after being hit by bullet during a wedding procession.







Earlier on Sunday evening, a teenage girl was critically injured and later succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, in a celebratory firing at a marriage ceremony in Delhi's Mongolpuri area.



The incident took place when she was standing in the balcony of her residence on the second floor and the marriage procession was passing by the area.



Police sources said, a bullet hit her during an alleged celebratory firing by youths at a marriage party.



The police have registered a case in connection with the incident and one of the men who allegedly indulged in the celebratory firing has been identified, police said.




Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said surge pricing by app-based taxi services will be banned in the national capital.



"We are in favour of app-based cab services but won't tolerate people being fleeced in the name of cab services. Just like Karnataka, we will bring law and ban surge pricing," he told CNN News18.



The Karnataka government had on April 7 had banned surge pricing by cab aggregators.



Rai also reiterated that the odd-even scheme is not dependent on cabs while admitting that there is a lot of scope of improving the public transport system in the national capital.



On reports of autos over charging passengers, Rai said, "We will not spare anyone. We will act against them."



He also took on Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar for his barb on the odd-even scheme. "He shouldn't have a problem. He's exempt. We accept public transport can get better and we are trying."




Mumbai: They are the refugees of modern India-- fleeing not a war or insurgency, but farmlands growing barren from years of drought.



Thousand of farmers from drought-hit areas like Latur and Beed have been fleeing to nearby cities in Maharashtra. They are fleeing their villages as they do not have water to drink, and as their lands have grown parched, they have no livelihood.



In Ghatkopar area of Mumbai, a dumping ground has become a refugee camp for hundreds of drought-hit farmers from Latur and Nanded. Away from their dry agricultural lands, they have been migrating to cities and living in deplorable conditions for months, in search of water and work.



"We have to travel 3-4 kms to fetch water. There was no water for our cattle," said Anita Pawar, who fled from Latur.



Anita came to Mumbai two months ago. After nearly two years of zero harvest from the farmlands at Latur, her husband and three daughters decided moving out was the only option. Like the fields, the family's savings had dried up too. Though they still hope to return home.



Nearly 400 people, most of them migrants from Latur, now live in the dumping ground at Ghatkopar. They are in the city to make enough money, and maybe go back home once a year. Most of the women work as household helps in the adjoining middle-class neighbourhood.



There's no certainty on a safe spot to spend the night. Living conditions are shockingly filthy. But at least there is water and food here. And work that'll fetch them Rs 700 to Rs 1000 a month. And that offers hope enough to them.



"It's a bit better here. We do not get enough work here. Our husbands also work," said Havbhai.



The Latur refugees in Ghatkopar, who insist they are a floating population, represent an expanding segment of population moving out of their homes in the villages towards urban centres. They've come up around Mumbai, Naigaon, Thane and other cities.



An income, regular food, may be an education for their children takes priority over a dwelling, may be farmland that's been barren for three summers now. Or emotional attachments back home.



"They face the odd scuffle for basic needs -- extortion from the local cop to stay on this land. They seek official recognition as refugees.



"If they make some arrangement for us to live her it would be nice. The government should do something. The BMC tries to drive us away," said Anita.



The families are seasonal refugees. Every time the monsoon fails, they sell their cattle, leave the old and cripple in villages, and travel in overcrowded trains, hoping the city will help them survive. It often does, but with little dignity.




A Jet Airways Mumbai-Ahmedabad -Mumbai flight carrying 125 passengers and six crew members was on Wednesday delayed after a bomb scare, which later turned out to be a hoax even as one person was detained after a chit with "bomb" written on it was recovered from under his seat.



The flight from Mumbai to Ahmedabad was taken to the isolation bay immediately after it landed on Wednesday morning due to the bomb scare.



All the passengers were deplaned and extensive search of the passenger and their baggage, cargo and aircraft was carried out by the security agencies, airport sources said.







A Jet Airways spokesperson said the search yielded nothing and the aircraft has been cleared for further journey.



"Jet Airways flight S2 4738 from Ahmedabad to Mumbai received a security alert at Ahmedabad airport. The aircraft was thoroughly inspected by the security agencies and the flight with 125 guests and 6 crew has now been cleared for departure. We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests. The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our main priority," said the spokesperson.



According to police, one of the cleaning staff while preparing the flight for the next trip found a "chit" with "bomb" scribbled on it under one of the seats after which authorities were informed.



The aircraft was then taken to an isolation bay where it was thoroughly checked by police and bomb disposal squad.



"When the cleaning staffers were making the flight ready for the next trip, one of them found a chit beneath a passenger seat," said Assistant Commissioner of Police, 'G' division, J N Parmar, who along with other policemen, Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and dog squad rushed to the spot.



"The word 'bomb' was written on the chit. As passengers had already alighted, it was difficult for us to trace as to who left it. Hence, we have detained one passenger for questioning under whose seat the chit was found," he said.



"Bomb squad as well as dog squad inspected the entire aircraft. Nothing suspicious was found," the officer added. Meanwhile, police have started questioning of the passenger, who has been detained. "We have zeroed in on one passenger and started his questioning," DCP, Zone 4, S K Gadhvi said.



The flight had to carry 125 passengers and six crew members from Ahmedabad to Mumbai for the next trip which was delayed by two hours after a bomb scare here. Earlier, a Jet Airways spokesperson said the search yielded nothing and the aircraft has been cleared for further journey.








Attari (Amritsar): The heart and stomach of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances in a Pakistani jail, were found missing after his body was handed over to Indian authorities.



"During the postmortem, it was found that his heart as well as stomach were missing. However, no internal and external injury was found on his body. Samples of these two organs would be sent outside Amritsar for laboratory tests to bring out more facts with regard to his death," Principal of Government Medical College Amritsar, Dr BS Bal said.



Meanwhile, Kirpal's family has alleged that he was tortured to death and that he did not die of cardiac arrest as has been told by Pakistan.



Kirpal's family members, including his sister Jagir Kaur, Punjab Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam, besides other senior officials, were present at the Joint check post at the Wagah border to receive the body on Tuesday.







Dalbir Kaur, sister of another Indian Sarabjit Singh who died in a Pakistani jail in May 2013, was also present. She said, "even if he died from a heart attack, there must be some reason behind it. His body should be sent for examination, the matter should be investigated. I don't believe it's a natural death."



Kirpal Singh had allegedly crossed Wagah border into Pakistan in 1992 and was arrested. He was subsequently sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistan's Punjab province.



Kirpal was found dead in his cell last Monday at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore.



Kirpal, from Gurdaspur, had reportedly been acquitted in the case by the Lahore High Court but his death sentence could not be commuted because of unspecified reasons.


New Delhi: Chandigarh administration is now policing the length of the skirts. It says dont wear a short skirt when you go to pubs in the Union Territory. This is not the first time the dress of women has led to a controversy in India.



In June 2015, Kolkatas Scottish Church College had banned round-neck t-shirts, shorts and slit skirts which was condemned by students as well as the public. Instructing the students to come in "unostentatious dress", the college principal had said that clothing worn to the college should reflect the seriousness and importance of the learning environment. Therefore, students' attire is expected to be based on modesty, neatness and safety on the campus," read a notice put up by the college authorities which had led to protests.



A few months back, Indigo Airlines had barred a woman from boarding a flight for her inappropriate skirt. The airline staff had rudely told her that she couldnt board because what she was wearing was too revealing. She was travelling from Dubai to Delhi via Mumbai.



In 2014 a Haryana village panchayat had banned girl students from dancing at cultural functions in educational institutions. Some schools in Rohtak district have barred girl students from Class 7th to 12th from wearing skirts directing them to wear salwar-kameez instead.



Several villages in Haryana have also barred college going girls from using mobile phones. They claim that girls elope with boys if they are allowed to use cell phones.



Some time back, Goa minister Sudin Dhavlikar had linked bikinis and short skirts to rising sexual crimes in Indias most favourite destination. He had demanded a complete ban on wearing them. "For their own safety, women should not wear bikinis on public beaches," Dhavalikar had said.



Such bans are not just India specific phenomena. An all-girls school in UK has banned senior students from wearing short skirts, instructing them to wear "sober" suits and minimal makeup in bid to keep the pupils "committed to learning". St Margaret's School, a boarding school in Bushey, Hertfordshire, has banned A-level students from wearing short skirts.



In another incident a headmistress, who sent home dozens of schoolgirls for wearing short skirts and tight trousers, claimed she was only protecting 'hefty' pupils from being bullied.



The headmistress Tracey Jones caused uproar when she sent 29 girls home from Lord Grey School in Bletchley, Milton Keynes in England, for flouting uniform rules. She said last that she did not want boys to 'peer up' girls' skirts and that pupils needing to look 'demure and modest' reported The Daily Mail.


Shaktiman, the Uttarakhand Police horse which was injured during a protest by the BJP in Dehradun, died on Wednesday.



The fractured hind leg of the 13-year-old horse had to be amputated following the incident. He was fitted with a prosthetic leg and kept under medical care.



"The horse passed away at 5.30 PM. He was suffering from medical-related complications. The exact cause will be known only after post-mortem," IG Garhwal Sanjay Gunjyal said.



The BJP has blamed the previous Congress government for Shaktiman's death, with party leader Ajay Bhatt alleging that the medical treatment was inadequate.



Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat also condoled the death of the horse, saying, "I am very saddended by the news of Shaktiman's death. We were so hopeful that he would join us in the next state parade but it is very sad that he will not."







The horse had suffered multiple injuries on March 14 during a protest march by the BJP against Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat near the state Assembly in Dehradun. Shaktiman, part of the Uttarakhand Mounted Police, fell down during the protest after he was allegedly pulled down.



Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ganesh Joshi was accused of attacking the police horse and breaking its hind leg during a protest march in Dehradun. He was later arrested in connection with the case.



Joshi was also seen on camera trying to hit the horse with a stick. He, however, maintained his innocence claiming he was just trying to scare the animal.



Reacting to Shaktiman's death, Joshi said, "We are extremely saddened by the incident. And I am going there now. Whatever has happened was very sad. I had said earlier if I am to blame then they can take one of my legs, and I still stand by that statement."



He added, "The Congress party is playing very bad and unfortunate blamegame. This is not how it should be."



In a sharp reaction, Union minister Maneka Gandhi said, "Shaktiman was a police officer on duty and the person who put him through so much pain and ultimately killed him should be arrested for killing a police officer."



"Horses should no longer be part of our police system," she said, adding,"They serve no purpose and in every crowd engagement they are at the mercy of any vicious person who is too cowardly to do anything but injure the defenseless animal"



Shaktiman was a well trained horse and part of Uttarakhand Mounted Police for years.



(With PTI Inputs)
Abu Dhabi will be the set of a new $1 billion theme park that will feature popular superhero characters such as Batman and Superman, as well as the world's first Warner Bros. branded hotel.



The Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme park will be built on Yas Island, already home to the world's first Ferrari-branded theme park and Yas Waterworld.



Rides and attractions will be based on DC Comics Super Heroes such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, as well as Warner Bros. cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny, Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry.



Developed in partnership with Miral Asset Management, the park is set to open in 2018. Construction is already underway and rides in production.



It's hoped that the new attractions will help boost visitor numbers from 25 million in 2015 to 30 million in 2018.


New Delhi: In yet another face off, the AAP government on Tuesday appointed senior IPS officer JK Sharma as the Director General of Tihar Jail but Lt Governor Najeeb Jung declared the order "null and void", saying the Arvind Kejriwal dispensation did not seek his prior approval.



A 1982-batch IPS officer, Sharma, the Director General of Delhi Home Guards was, earlier in the day, given the additional charge of DG (Prisons) by the city government.



An order issued by an Additional Secretary of Delhi government's Home Department said, "DG (Home Guards) JK Sharma, IPS (AGMU 1982), will hold additional charge of Director General (Prisons) till further orders."



Sources said Delhi government did not send a file pertaining to the appointment of Sharma as Tihar Jail's DG to the LG office for prior approval.



However, "the Lt Governor has declared that the government's order to appoint Sharma as the DG of Tihar Jail is 'non est' (does not exist)," a source in the LG Office said.



Sharma has served Delhi in different posts and was investigated by central agencies over graft charges. The officer, after taking over the new post, visited the jail and held a meeting with senior prison officials.
New Delhi: The government on Wednesday attacked the Congress over fresh developments in various terror probes, saying the party had an agenda in coining the term "saffron terror" .



"The terminology was given by that party as it was working with an agenda", Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, told the media.



This comes a day after National Investigation chief NIA chief Sharad Kumar gave a clean chit to accused Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit -- a

member of right-wing fundamentalist group Abhinav Bharat -- in the 2007 Samjhauta blast case.



Rebutting charges that the NIA was acting under government orders, Rijiju said," This government will strictly go by the rules. We don't work with any bad intentions. We don't pressurise the probe agencies."



He also claimed during the tenure of the UPA government, officers were pressurised to go out of the way in certain cases.



The term 'saffron terror' was used by ministers in the former UPA government when members of right-wing fundamentalist groups were named in connection with terror incidents like the Samjhauta blast and the 2008 Malegaon blast.



Another Union minister, Prakash Javadekar, accused the Congress of hatching a "conspiracy" and using investigating agencies for "political reasons" in two other probes -- the Ishrat Jahan and Malegaon blast cases.



"The revelation that the NIA has made is very important. The manner in which this whole situation is now emerging, facts which have come out in the NIA investigation about Ishrat Jahan are very surprising.



"This is a clear example of where things can lead you if you use investigative agency under some conspiracy, if you use agencies only for political reasons," he said attacking Congress without naming it.



Javadekar was responding to a question about NIA reportedly reversing its earlier stand of having no evidence to link nine Muslim men to the September 2006 Malegaon bombings as well as the different stands taken by the Home Ministry during UPA regime on Ishrat Jahan case.
Alleging that the lion's share of the income of the Congress, BJP and CPI-M were from unknown sources, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday warned the opposition not to point fingers at her Trinamool Congress.



"The sources of 82.5% of the Congress's income, 73% of the BJP's income and 53% of the CPI-M's income are unknown. The opposition should not dare to point fingers at Trinamool," Banerjee said at an election meeting in Jagatballabhpur of Howrah district.



Attacking the opposition for its continued slander campaign, she said their only agenda was to "abuse" her and "insult" Bengal.



Banerjee said the Trinamool would win hands down when the assembly election results are announced on May 19.



"CPI(M)-Congress-BJP will be decimated democratically after the election results on May 19," she said.
While residents are facing massive water shortage in the drought-hit Lalitpur, thousands of litres of water has been used in building a helipad for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.



The helipad had to be made for the CM's visit to Lalitpur to review drought aid that is being provided to the residents.



But the move to use water for the helipad drew sharp criticism from the opposition parties. "People are dying due to lack of water in the area. It is very insensitive of the UP CM. We will demand an explanation from the CM over the act," Congress leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi said.







However, Samajwadi Party said there is no need for the CM to apologise. "Building the helipad was the responsibility of the security agencies and not the CM. He was there to assess the situation and offer aid to the drought-hit area," SP leader Rajiv Rai said.



The incident comes just days after Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Eknath Khadse faced the ire for 10 thousand litres of water being wasted in Latur for building his helipad. He, however, dismissed reports and said "very little" water was used for making the helipad in Belkund. He added that the issue was being blown out of proportion.



The helipad was built after Khadse decided not to take the 40-minute road from Latur city to Belkund to inaugurate a water supply system in the village.


From feature phones to smartphones, flat screen to curved, fragile to shatterproof, mobile phones have evolved over the years. Although many industry analysts would like to call the current level of innovation reaching a stagnation point, there still are some manufacturers which have been able to surprise consumers by truly packing something different in their smartphones.We have compiled a list of phones which offer first-of-its-kind features, and they are not merely concepts.Display today is the most vulnerable yet the most neglected element in modern smartphones. But Motorola finally paid heed to the fragile screen with the launch of the the Motorola X Force  the worlds first smartphone with a shatterproof display. The phone uses the Moto ShatterShield display technology, which is said to be an integrated system consisting of five layers designed from materials that absorb shock from impact and are guaranteed not to shatter. Motorola has replaced glass with various forms of plastic to make the screen shatterproof. We had ourselves tested the durability of the phone Giving a completely new twist to the idea of e-cigarettes, a US-based company Vaporcade unveiled what is touted as the world's first smartphone that you can smoke. The Jupiter IO 3 comes with a battery-powered vape and a button to regulate the heat and get a stronger pull. The quirky smartphone has an opening on the top where one could attach a flavoured liquid cartridge with a mouthpiece and smoke right from the device. The device not only functions as a way to quit smoking but is 3G-enabled and thus, lets you place calls, text, browse the web like any regular smartphone.A modular smartphone is made out of separate components, which enables users to replace or upgrade certain functions independently. With LGs G5, the first modular flagship, users will be able to pop out the phone's bottom and swap in new hardware features. Adding onto the uniqueness, the phone also features dual rear cameras and an always-on display. The phone will be launched in India sometime this quarter.Pumping more pixels per inch resolution onto a smartphone display is what makes Sony stand out with its Z5 which is the worlds first smartphone that boasts a 4K display. A 4K display is sharper and scales up your images or videos to a higher quality. The 5.5-inch display on the Sony Z5 packs in four times the resolution of Full HD with 806 ppi for ultra sharp viewing experience.How much storage is too much storage? Saygus  an American smartphone maker  is offering not one but two memory card slots, each a bumper 200 GB capable, over the existing 64 GB internal storage in its V Squared smartphone. The highlights dont end just here. The phone also features a unique fingerprint scanner at its side. The Saygus V Squared has also been awarded the Top Disruptive Innovation CES 2015 award.Another innovation coming from LG is the V10 smartphone that features two screens at the front. In other words, the phone has an always-on e-ink display on top of the primary screen. This e-ink display is especially built to show time and notifications so that you dont need to tap open the actual screen to check. It also helps reduce power consumption.Based on Android, Yotaphone is the worlds first smartphone with a dual-screen. The catch here is that the secondary display at the back is an e-ink touchscreen display. Aimed at especially making the battery consumption tamed, the second screen also functions as an e-reader. However, its functionality isnt limited to just displaying e-books. It can also stream social media, maps, weather, and news.Breaking away from the traditional flat displays, Samsung redesigned its Galaxy lineup by introducing the Galaxy Edge. The latest in the lineup is the Galaxy S7 Edge which features a display that curves on both sides. The spilling display  by far exclusive to Samsung Galaxy Edge smartphones  is to access notifications or frequently used apps. Also, as the company claims, ir brings the first Dual Pixel camera on a smartphone.Focused on encryption, the Blackphone 2, has been designed to be a truly private device. Aimed at corporations and individuals alike, the phone comes with its own Silent OS  an operating system based on Android but enhanced to boost privacy.Taking the levels of narcissism sky high, Oppo has brought the F1 Plus smartphone with a bumper 16 megapixel camera at the front. The phone is squarely aimed at selfie lovers. Along with the powerful front camera, it features a 13 megapixel rear camera with LED flash and soft light. The phone is priced at Rs 26,990 and goes on sale in India starting April 20.
Nursing class at Central CC

COLUMBUS -- Registration is now open for a nursing assistant class that will be held May 11-June 23 at Central Community College-Columbus.

Students must attend a mandatory orientation session, but because the Nebraska Health Care Association curriculum is offered in an individualized format, theyll be able to attend class during the hours most convenient to them.

Class size is limited to the first 40 individuals who register. The cost is $376, which includes in-state tuition, fees, books and supplies.

For more information or to register, contact the CCC Extended Learning Services Office at 402-562-1225; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1225; or email cwagner@cccneb.edu.

Photography competition set

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Art Gallery's IMAGE Photography Competition will be held this May/June.

This event is open to any photographer.

Awards will include $200 for Best of Show, $100 for first place and other awards for honorable mention, along with a $50 gift certificate to the Columbus Art Gallery & Gift Shop for people's choice award.

Juror this year will be Nebraska photographer Jack Nordeen.

There is an entry fee of $30 per three entries (an entry fee for single pieces after the minimum three will be offered as well).

The deadline for entry is May 18.

To receive an entry form contact Lisa Rosendahl at 402-563-1016 or email gallery@megavision.com. The Columbus Art Gallery is located in the lower level of the Columbus Public Library, 2504 14th St.

Lunch program vols requested

COLUMBUS -- Columbus Public Schools will offer the summer lunch program at Columbus Middle School from June 6-July 22.

Volunteers are needed to help with the program, including helping small children carry trays, supervise the lunch room, and help with cleanup.

Connect Columbus is asking business in Columbus to sponsor a week of volunteers, which would be 3-4 adults from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on weekdays. Volunteers are welcome to stay and have lunch at no cost.

To sign up as an individual or group, contact Connect Columbus at 402-562-5462 or email volcntr@megavision.com.

Columbus Cruise July 9

COLUMBUS -- Columbus Cruise 2016, a benefit fundraiser for Children's Hospital and Medical Center, will be held July 9.

The Auto and Bike Shine and Show with trophies awarded to classes will be from 1-5 p.m. There will be a cruise that night.

Details can be seen on Facebook by searching Columbus Cruise or go to www.columbuscruise2016.com for early registration and classes. Many family oriented events will be held throughout the day.

Summer art camp scheduled

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Art Gallery will host summer art camp for children entering grades 3-6.

Through the month of June, four sessions will be held for two days a week. Price is $80 for all four weeks per child, or children can be registered for individual sessions.

Topics will include drawing, pottery, oil pastel and painting with CMS art instructor Megan Graybill.

For more information or to register, call 402-563-1016 or email gallery@megavision.com.

Birthright seeks volunteer help

COLUMBUS -- Birthright of Columbus, a nonprofit organization serving women who are experiencing an unplanned or problem pregnancy, is seeking volunteers that have bookkeeping or secretarial skills.

Hours are 3-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Birthright provides pregnancy tests, counseling information, maternity and infant clothing.

This is a pro-life organization that does not refer to abortion services.

If interested in volunteering, call Patsy at 402-270-4822.

'Friends' need book donations

COLUMBUS -- The Friends of the Columbus Public Library is seeking donations of gently used adult, teen or childrens books, CDs, audio books and DVDs for their next book sale in August.

Donations should be clean and in good condition. Unfortunately, encyclopedias or magazines will not be accepted.

All funds raised will be used to benefit the library. Donations may be made at the front desk any time the library is open.

Earth Day event at Pawnee Park

COLUMBUS -- Tobacco-Free Parks Earth Day Celebration will be held with a 3 p.m. kickoff Friday at Pawnee Park West Shelter.

The event will start with litter clean up. There will be booths, activities, prizes and bounce houses from 4-6 p.m.

Sasse mobile office at library

COLUMBUS -- U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse has announced that a member of his staff will be hosting a mobile office from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday at Columbus Public Library, room 210.

This meeting is open to the public.

Spring show and luncheon slated

CLARKSON -- The Clarkson Historical Opera House will host Stepping Into Spring, a style show and luncheon, at noon Saturday.

The style show will consist of local models wearing the newest fashions, color trends and accessories coordinated by Jen of Swanns Apparel from Wayne.

Tickets are $12. RSVP to Sharon Cerv at 402-649-6093.

Museum hosting open house

CLARKSON -- Clarkson Museum, 221 Pine St., will have an open house from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The museum features 24 rooms filled with area Czech heritage artifacts, including rooms with military, mortuary, music, school, farm and photo.

For more information, visit www.clarksonmuseum.weebly.com or call 402-892-3863.

Jewelry sale fundraiser set

SCHUYLER -- CHI Memorial Hospital Auxiliary of Schuyler will host Jewelry is Fun from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday in the hospital lobby, 104 W. 17th St.

This show will feature a large assortment of jewelry sets, gift items and cookbooks at a reduced price.

All proceeds will go toward the purchase of equipment for the Schuyler hospital.

Library meeting set Tuesday

COLUMBUS -- A town-hall meeting on the design of the proposed library/cultural arts center will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers, 1369 25th Ave.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will include a presentation on the newest design for the building.

Osborne book signing Tuesday

COLUMBUS -- Tom Osborne will be signing his new book Mentoring Matters from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tuesday at 38th Street Coffee, Highland Park Church.

This book features information on the need for mentors, tools for identifying strengths, meaning and purpose of mentoring, and effective mentoring practices.

Blood drive at Lakeview

COLUMBUS -- Lakeview High School will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 27 in the west gym.

Those attending are asked to bring donor card or photo ID.

For an appointment, contact Nicole Miller at 402-564-8518 or go to www.redcrossblood.org, sponsor code 009884.

Orientation set at Lakeview

COLUMBUS -- Lakeview Junior/Senior High School will hold seventh grade orientation from 8:30-11:15 a.m. April 28.

Students interested in attending Lakeview next year can contact the school at 402-564-8518 prior to April 28 to obtain more information about the orientation day.

Healthy Kids Day at YMCA

COLUMBUS -- A YMCA Healthy Kids Day will be held from 9-11 a.m. April 30 at the Columbus Wellness Center, 3912 38th St.

This free family friendly event will feature balloon animals, Boy Scout cube, Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater, family walk, and the Midwest Medical Helicopter.

Free T-shirts will be given to the first 100 people registered for the walk.

For more information, call 402-564-9477.
Dhaka: A court on Sunday rejected two petitions of Bangladesh's embattled former prime minister Khaleda Zia who appeared before it in a graft case which accuses her of embezzling over USD four lakh from a trust, saying there is "no ground" to re-examine the investigating officer.



Dhaka's Third Special Judge's Court deferred 70-year-old opposition leader Zia's hearing and fixed April 25 to hear her statement over graft charges brought against her in the Zia Charitable Trust case which accuses her of embezzling 31.5 million Bangladeshi Taka (USD 4 lakh).



The court was scheduled to record her deposition on Sunday, but the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Zia's lawyers petitioned for a fresh testimony of the investigating officer, which the court turned down.



The BNP chairperson's counsel then appealed for a fresh cross-examination of the investigating officer, which was also dismissed. The court rejected the petition on re-examining the investigating officer as it found "no ground", The Daily Star reported.



There was a heated argument between the prosecution and the defence when Judge Abu Ahmed Jamadar deferred recording Zia's statement and fixed April 25 to hear it.



In 2010, the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) had filed the case against Zia and four others. In 2012, charges were pressed against four, including the two-time former prime minister Zia. In 2013, the trial began after the court indicted the four.



On March 31, the court had then fixed April 7 to hear Zia's statement, but it was deferred as the BNP chief pleaded for more time. Two others accused in the case Ziaul Islam Munna and Monirul Islam Khan have pleaded not guilty while Haris Chowhdury is absconding.



In February, Zia was ordered to appear before a court to face trial in a separate USD 1.85 million graft case over contracting out cargo handling work to a company in exchange of kickbacks.



The case filed in 2007 during the military-installed caretaker regime accused her of contracting out an "unqualified" company called GATCO the task of handling containers at the country's main southeastern seaport of Chittagong and Inland Container Depot in Dhaka allegedly in exchange of kickbacks during the 2001-2006 tenure of her BNP- led four party coalition government.



Zia and the co-accused were indicted in the case in September 2007 under a massive anti-graft campaign which was being spearheaded by the then interim government, installed with crucial military support on Jan 11, 2007 proclamation of the state of emergency.
Bangladesh police on Saturday arrested a magazine editor over an alleged plot to kill the prime minister's son, officials said, the latest in a series of journalist detentions that has sparked fears of a press crackdown.



Three plainclothes officers entered the Dhaka home of 81-year-old Shafik Rehman in the early morning claiming to be from a private television station and took him away, his wife Taleya Rehman said.



Police later announced that Rehman, who is also a British citizen and was formerly a speechwriter for the opposition leader and arch-rival of the Bangladeshi prime minister, had been arrested.



Police spokesman Maruf Hossain Sorder initially told AFP that Rehman was arrested for sedition, but later said the charge was "conspiracy to commit crime".



Officers said they had found evidence linking the editor to a plot to murder Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who lives mainly in the United States, in a case filed in August.



"He (Rehman) visited the US in 2013 and took part in the conspiracy against Joy," said police spokesman Sorder.



Police found "connections in a conspiracy to abduct and murder" the premier's son, according to M. R. Khaled, a deputy police commissioner.



Rehman is the third pro-opposition editor to have been arrested by the government, triggering repeated calls by rights groups for their release.



Two other top journalists, who edit the country's leading Bengali and English newspapers, have also been charged in criminal lawsuits including dozens of defamation and sedition cases.



Rehman was a long-time editor of Jai Jai Din, a mass-circulation Bengali daily. He now edits a popular Bengali monthly magazine called Mouchake Dhil.



He previously served as a speechwriter for opposition leader Khaleda Zia, a two-time former prime minister who is involved in a deeply bitter feud with the current premier.



In recent months Rehman became the convenor of the international affairs committee of Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and headed a pro-opposition think-tank named G-9.



Last week the high court suspended 72 defamation and other criminal lawsuits filed by government supporters against Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star newspaper, over a challenge to their legality.



Human Rights Watch is among those which have slammed the lawsuits against Anam, saying they "are part of a larger, organised assault on independent media".



It comes amid widening fears for freedom of speech in the Muslim-majority nation, which has seen a spate of Islamist killings of secular bloggers and publishers.


London: Islamic State militants disguised as beach vendors selling ice creams or T-shirts may attack holiday resorts of Mediterranean coast in Europe this summer, according to a German media report.



German security sources said 'Bild' newspaper that they fear Islamic state terrorists disguised as beach vendors selling ice cream or T-shirts could bury bombs in the sand under sunloungers.



According to the 'Daily Mirror', Britain's Special Air Service (SAS) troops could be drafted in to protect British tourists at holiday hotspots abroad.



One intelligence source told the newspaper: "It could be a whole new dimension of terror. Holiday beaches cannot be protected. Targets are said to include resorts in southern France, Spain's Costa del Sol and both east and west coasts in Italy."



Security officials are also investigating links between terrorists in Britain and those in Belgium and France that go back more than 15 years.



These include some with ties to Molenbeek, the Brussels suburb which has been at the heart of the recent bombings and shootings in Europe.



Western European intelligence officers believe that the links set up a decade and half ago between extremists in the UK and those on the wider European continent have been maintained and have become more active since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
Distressed to hear of an explosion in a Gurudwara in Essen in Germany. Our Mission is following up w/ local authorities on ground situation  Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) April 17, 2016

At least three people have been injured in an explosion at a gurudwara in Germany's western city of Essen. The explosion took place around 7 PM on Saturday but there are no indications that it was a terrorist attack.Eyewitnesses have spoken of "a kind of bomb" that exploded at the entrance of the gurudwara around 7 PM local time on Saturday where a wedding had taken place.External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the Indian Mission is following it up with the authorities."Distressed to hear of an explosion in a Gurudwara in Essen in Germany. Our Mission is following up with local authorities on ground situation," he tweeted.A 60-year-old suffered serious injuries and had to be hospitalised while two others had minor injuries, the Bild newspaper reported but did not specify if all of them were Sikhs.The injured included a priest on whom the whole pane of glass had fallen due to the impact.A police spokesman said that the explosion was probably caused deliberately.A masked man wearing dark clothes fled in an SUV, according to several witnesses from the scene.A part of the wedding party was still in the building, the other part in the adjacent ballroom. The explosion was so violent that windowpanes of adjacent buildings were broken.The building was heavily damaged, the report said.Three men were arrested following the explosion and are being suspected to have been in the black SUV, which had previously been seen in the vicinity of the crime scene.(With additional information from PTI)
Beijing: India and China on Wednesday agreed to adhere to "peaceful negotiations" to settle the vexed border issue and reach a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution", amid negativity over Beijing's blocking of India's bid in the UN to ban Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar.



The decision was taken during the annual 19th round of boundary talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to discuss the way forward to resolve the dispute which has bedevilled the relations between the two countries.



Both the leaders had an "extensive, deep and candid" discussion on the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC), which remains undemarcated resulting in tensions between the two sides.



Both sides agreed to adhere to "peaceful negotiations to settle the boundary question". They will make efforts to reach a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution", according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.



Besides the border issue, Doval and Yang, the designated Special Representatives, also have a larger mandate to discuss all contentious bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual concern.



Welcoming Doval, Yang in his opening remarks at the meeting said: "Your visit fully signifies the importance Indian side attaches to this meeting and the efforts to further promote the strategic partnership between China and India.



"China-India relations carry special significance. China stands ready to use this important occasion to have a broad- ranging in-depth and candid discussion with Indian side on the bilateral relations, boundary question, regional and international issues and other issues of shared interest."



Doval in his response spoke about the importance of informal talks between him and Yang, saying "not talking from the mind but also from the heart".



The statement, carried by state-run Xinhua news agency, said that the two sides will properly manage differences and safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas so as to create favourable conditions for development of their ties. Both sides shared the view that China-India relations have broad prospects and Beijing and New Delhi have far more common interests than differences.



Bilateral ties have entered a new era of comprehensive and rapid development since Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to India in 2014 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to China in 2015, it said.



Both sides should implement the important consensus between the leaders, enhance high-level interactions, tap the potential of cooperation, and promote China-India relations to a higher level, it said.



The issue of China putting technical hold on India's recent bid to bring about a UN ban on Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Azhar for his involvement in the Pathankot terrorist attack was also said to have figured during the talks.



Terming 2015 during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China as a "very positive year" in bilateral ties between the two countries, Doval said: "It started a process about which we feel very satisfied. There has been an improvement in the bilateral exchanges between the two countries in various fields."



He also conveyed greetings by Modi to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.



Barring the opening remarks, officials maintained total secrecy on the proceedings and Doval himself declined to speak to the media.



Ahead of the talks, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar - who concluded his visit to China on Wednesday - highlighted India's stand that there should be clarity about the LAC. It was highlighted by Modi both during Xi's visit to India in 2014 and his own trip in 2015. But China was averse to accept it and for its part suggested a code of conduct.



In 2015, Deputy Director General of the Asian Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry Huang Xilian highlighted China's reservation on the clarification of LAC, saying "whatever we do in the border area it should be constructive. That means it should be a building block for the process of negotiations, not a stumbling block."



In the meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Monday, Parrikar said clarity over LAC will bring down tensions between the troops on both sides which aggressively patrol the areas to assert their control.



"We are insisting it should be done in order to really ensure a very stable border as all the issues take place because of perception," he said.



Marking the LAC is "one of the preconditions of smooth border operations. Without that everything goes by perceptions, which has caused problems sometimes", he told the media .



Parrikar also highlighted India's concerns over China's projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) especially the USD 46-billion Economic Corridor going through the disputed territory. This issue too reportedly figured in the Doval-Yang talks.



On the border dispute, officials on both sides say the protracted boundary talks made progress and that they also made attempts to avert tensions along the disputed border.



While China says that the boundary dispute is confined to 2,000 kms, mainly in Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered the whole of the LAC including the Aksai Chin occupied by China during the 1962 war.



When the Special Representatives were appointed in 2003, the two sides set off a three-stage process.



The two countries first reached an agreement on the guiding principles and setting political parameters for the settlement in 2005.



Officials say the two sides are currently in the second stage which focusses on working out a framework of settlement to be followed by final step drawing the boundary line based on framework agreement.



On the 19th round boundary talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday that "we have been working to resolve territorial disputes through negotiations and consultation. China completely settled territorial disputes with 12 of the 14 land neighbours".



Regarding Azhar, India's UN Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin spoke of "hidden veto" at a meeting at an open debate in UNSC on 'Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts' in New York on April 16, while External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called for a review of China's decision to strike a common stand against terrorism.



For its part, China continued to stick to its stand, saying that its decision is based on facts and fairness. Defending China's stand, Hua said that "we oppose double

standard in counter terrorism campaign. We have been dealing with the listing (of terrorists by UN) matter in accordance with the facts and relevant resolutions.



"We are also in sound communication with all relevant parties including the Indian side," she said.



Significantly Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in his meeting with Parrikar on Tuesday said disputes should be handled properly and ties with New Delhi to be boosted, state-run China Daily reported on Wednesday.



China will properly manage disputes while boosting bilateral cooperation with India, making contributions to Asia's economic growth, Li said.



Doval is scheduled to call on Li on Thursday which makes it a rare occasion for a Chinese premier to meet two top officials in such short time.



Doval and Yang are also reported to have discussed a range of issues including India's concern over USD 46 billion trade deficit with China in about USD 70 billion bilateral trade
Washington: US President Barack Obama has nominated Indian-American Geeta Pasi, a career foreign service officer, as the country's next envoy to Chad.



Pasi, who served as US Ambassador to Djibouti from 2011 to 2014, is a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counsellor. She is at present the Director of the Office of Career Development and Assignments in the Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State.



Announcement for Pasi's nomination as the next US envoy to the central African nation of Chad came along with several other appointments to key administration post.



"I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have decided to serve our country. I look forward to working with them," Obama said in a statement issued by the White House on Tuesday.



Pasi was also the Director of the Office of East African Affairs in the Bureau of African Affairs from 2009 to 2011, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Dhaka, from 2006 to 2009, and Deputy Principal Officer at the US Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany from 2003 to 2006.



Since joining the Foreign Service in 1988, Pasi has also served at posts in Cameroon, Ghana, India and Romania. Pasi received her BA from Duke University and a MA in French Studies from New York University.
Who could miss the heartbreakingly beautiful redbud and dogwood decorating Virginia in spring?

But did you stop to watch the bluebird hunt for caterpillars and bash a fat one against the trunk of a maple?

Did you go to the woods to spy the dainty white pantaloons of Dutchmens breeches flapping in the breeze?

Did you hear the male American toad trilling for mates or stick your nose in a lilac once the bumblebee moved away?

Have you pondered the daily miracle of life in all its forms, from the strength of a tiny ant to the majesty of a 12-point buck?

We must take time to witness the beauty of the world around us before we can feel the pain of its loss.

We fail to see the loss right in front of us even as we bulldoze and clear-cut. We think the damage occurs somewhere distant.

We dont have to live in Africa, for example, to know elephants are being slaughtered for ivory. You might have even heard the last northern white rhino will soon disappear from the Earth. There are only three left.

But do you know we are in the midst of a mass extinction that claims dozens if not hundreds of species each day? Such losses have not been seen since the dinosaurs disappeared.

Do you know we are wiping out forests the world over to plant soybeans to feed cattle and pigs? And still, nearly one billion people suffer from chronic hunger.

Do you know there is a massive coral bleaching occurring right now, only the third, and probably worst, ever recorded? Coral reefs provide food and shelter to a quarter of all marine species and support fish that feed more than one billion people.

For Earth Day, we should pause to understand what we are doing to our blue and green orb and to ourselves.

The Earth is a finite place, yet we treat it as though it is infinitely tolerant of our species voracious appetites. We pave over it and deforest it, wiping out the habitat all species need. We dump waste and plastic into rivers and oceans. We spew pollutants into the air.

Our population is approaching 7.5 billion and is expected to hit 9 billion in just 34 years. Every four and a half days, we add another million people to this increasingly degraded planet and expect it will sustain us.

Somehow.

Many Native American cultures believed in leaving behind enough to provide for the next seven generations. We need to decide what our legacy will be.

We can voluntarily have fewer children. We can burn less fossil fuel and eat less meat. We can stop wasting resources and buying things we dont need.

We can plant native trees and flowers and invest in clean energy.

If we dont, our legacy will be increased climate disruption, famine, disease and war.

Future generations will wonder what we did on Earth Day for the last 46 years and all the days in between.
A worker who was injured on the job Saturday at Danvilles Goodyear plant was scalded by steam  or possibly a mixture of steam and hot liquid, according to an official with the United Steelworkers Union.

The incident occurred at about 1:50 p.m. Saturday.

After being seen at the plants onsite hospital, the associate chose to drive home and visit a local medical provider later that day and for a follow-up visit Monday, according to a Goodyear news release. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Goodyear is committed to providing a safe work environment for our associates, the news release stated.

Mike Wright, the unions director of health, safety and environment, said the employee was a pipefitter scalded by steam or a mixture of hot liquid and steam. The victim first sought treatment by medical personnel at the plant and it was thought the injuries werent serious, Wright said.

The employees injuries included second-degree burns, which occurred through clothing, he said.

However, the burns were looked at again Monday morning at Danville Regional Medical Center, where personnel thought the employee should be treated at a regional burn center, Wright said.

Local 831  the unions local branch that represents Goodyear employees in Danville  did not report the accident to the unions headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wright said.

It wasnt called in to us because the local union did not think it rose to that level [of seriousness], Wright said. He said he did not know the employees condition.

Wright found out about the incident from a union official investigating last weeks fatality at the Goodyear plant. The union is investigating Saturdays incident, as well, Wright said.

The official investigating the fatality and the unions assistant director of health, safety and environment are having safety discussions with Goodyear officials, Wright said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is conducting a comprehensive inspection of the Danville plant, he said.

Saturdays incident follows two recent fatalities at the Goodyear plant. On April 12, Greg Cooper, 52, of Chatham died on the job. Coopers death led to a temporary plant shutdown as the company, OSHA and the United Steelworkers Union conducted investigations.

Another Goodyear worker, Kevin Edmonds, 54, of Penhook, died at the plant on March 31. In August 2015, Jeanie Lynne Strader, 56, of Chatham, died while working at the plant.
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Red Hulk, Ronin, and more: 10 Heroes and Villains whose secret identities were hidden from readers

There's a longstanding superhero tradition of hiding the identity of certain characters even from readers
Final rites today for Felicia

Persads body, bound, gagged and placed in a large plastic bag was found in the Mitan River in Manzanilla last Friday. She was last seen alive on April 2, disappearing hours before she was to have gone to court to petition for a protection order against a man whom she was in a romantic relationship with.

She terminated the relationship after he became abusive and violent towards her.

An autopsy was done on Monday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James but a cause of death could not be ascertained.

What was noted by the forensic pathologist Eslyn McDonald Burris, was that Persads badly decomposed body was devoid of any blood.

She told relatives that it was a most bizarre case. Tissue and fluid samples taken from Persads body will be analysed as pathologists seek to ascertain cause of death.

A medical doctor told Newsday that it would indeed be bizarre if Persads body was devoid of blood saying there are many injuries that could cause death by massive haemorrhage. She could have been stabbed, shot or chopped, said the source, and once the wound remains open she could eventually bleed out. Persad, 29, was last seen alive at her workplace in Sangre Grande.

Persads funeral service will be held today at the New Birth Church of God on River Road, Sangre Grande. Up to press time, no arrest had been made and Eastern Division Homicide Investigations detectives are continuing investigation
Retrenched workers: No word from PM

On Sunday, scores of angry ex-workers engaged in a heated protest outside the official residence of the Prime Minister at La Fantasie Road, St Anns demanding an audience with him.

The workers are alleging disrespect and indifference from the Prime Minister while they struggle to put food on the family table and pay bills in the wake of being laid off as Arcelor Mittal shut down local operations on March 11.

Steel Workers Union (SWUTT) president Christopher Henry yesterday said they had not received any response following Sundays protest action.

We have had no response after our action on Sunday, no response from the Prime Minister yet, Henry said. He added that the union was not totally dependent on government and has held discussions with Republic Bank to discuss the billion-dollar pension plan. We had a meeting with Republic bank today as it relates to our pensions, we want to let them know that we want to be involved in the process going forward, there is one billion dollars at Republic Bank, they understood what we were saying and we are to have follow-up meetings, Henry said.

He continued: There are lots of questions that has to be answered on the issue of pensions and the need for it to be paid out as soon as possible because this is the only form of remuneration we have, remember severance is not being paid and we are calling for legislation to be changed and made retroactive so it must be paid. He said the union had also not yet gotten a meeting with the liquidator though pointed out that a number of potential investors had sent applications regarding the sale of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate plant.
Mighty Sparrow backs Hillary

Im backing Hillary, Sparrow, told Newsday in an interview from Queens, New York.

Im supporting her because she got gumption. She certainly has the intelligence of anybody else in the race and I can see her as president. Also, I am supporting her because she is a woman and I want to see a woman president.

It should not only be Margaret Thatcher. Sparrow, who was honored by the US Embassy in Port-of-Spain last year, continued, In addition to that, her husband Bill Clinton was my boy. I telling you, I really like that guy. Sparrow once penned a calypso about the former US President which featured the memorable line: Dont touch my president. Asked his views on Republican hopeful Donald Trump, Sparrow said, He? Donald Clown? You gonna get me in trouble! He confirmed he has been working on a calypso about Trump but he was not yet ready to reveal the song to the world. What I have started with is not to be put out just yet, Sparrow said.

The calypsonian said Hillarys Democratic rival, Bernie Saunders, was an intelligent man. But he urged Saunders to endorse the former New York senator.

I think hes an intelligent guy but he fighting Hillary and I am a Hillary man, Sparrow said. If he was maybe in some other position backing Hillary I would have felt so good. He should be on the same team, not fighting her. He should be supporting her pretty much like her husband. I find hes a little too old for that position.

Given the pressure that comes with being president, hes too old for that. If he was a bit younger. Sparrows comments came as New Yorkers voted in the Democratic primaries amid a heated campaign to see who will be the candidates who will contest the US presidential election due on November 8. The hustings have been heated, with protests, violent clashes, allegations of underhand campaign tactics and much controversy, much of it focused around Trump and his views on race and religion. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani yesterday endorsed Trump.

The last US presidential candidate publicly endorsed by Sparrow was Barack Obama, whom Sparrow met in August 2007 when Obama was a senator.
Mosquito scare in Valsayn

So large was the volume of cutup trunks, branches and leaves, that they spilled onto the sidewalk and roadway.

Several of the residents have complained that already, mosquitoes have begun breeding among the rubble as it rots and they say that with the mosquito- driven Zika virus still present in our midst, action must be taken soon. An official at the Corporation told Newsday that not only will they be visiting today to help clear the debris, but they intend to investigate who committed such an act of dumping in a public place.
SCHUYLER  Another 24-year-old Schuyler man was killed Wednesday in the second fatal crash in two days in Colfax County.

The single-vehicle accidents occurred less than a mile apart on rural roads about 1 mile west and 3 miles north of Schuyler.

According to the Colfax County Attorney's Office, Moises Aguilar-Aguilar was pronounced dead at CHI Health Schuyler following Wednesday's accident, which was reported at 4:38 p.m. by a resident who lives near county roads 10 and I.

Authorities say a 1999 GMC Sierra extended-cab pickup was traveling north on County Road 10 when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The pickup rolled down a steep embankment between county roads H and I, and both occupants were ejected.

Schuyler Fire and Rescue transported the men to the Schuyler hospital, where Aguilar-Aguilar was pronounced dead.

The driver was identified as 25-year-old Jesus Vasquez-DelaCruz, whose hometown is unknown. Information on his injuries was not available.

Authorities believe alcohol was a factor in the rollover crash, which is being investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol. It is unknown at this time whether the men were wearing seat belts.

The Colfax County Sheriff's Office also assisted at the scene.

On Tuesday, 24-year-old Jason Saalfeld of Schuyler was killed when the pickup he was driving crashed into a bank along Shell Creek near the intersection of county roads H and 10.
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George Clooney admonishes the 'insane' amount of money involved in presidential campaigns, just after he and wife Amal Alamuddin successfully hosted a fundraising dinner for Democratic presidential aspirant Hillary Clinton over the weekend.

"Yes, I think it's an obscene amount of money," the A-list actor, director and activist conceded - in the NBC "Meet the Press" interview that was aired on Sunday - when asked to comment on the criticism made by the other Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders regarding big money's influence in politics.

"The Sanders campaign, when they talk about it, is absolutely right. It's ridiculous that we should have this kind of money in politics, I agree," Clooney added.

Clooney was referring to Sen. Sanders' statement over at CNN's "State of the Union" in March, calling out Clinton's predilection in involving "big money people to fund her campaign" as "obscene".

Sen. Sanders was clear to add though that he is not particularly picking on the fundraising events such as those hosted by George Clooney and barrister wife Amal where premium tickets cost at least $353,400 per couple.

The event, held at the couple's Los Angeles home, was graced by Hillary Clinton herself along with celebrities like Jane Fonda, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia di Rossi, Anna Wintour and Jim Parsons, and has reportedly raised $15 million.

The International Business Times wrote that Mrs. Clooney wore a black and white maxi dress that featured a floral skirt while Mr. Clooney wore a gray suit over a black shirt. The couple was described by guests as "classy" and "down-to-earth".

In response to Clooney's big money admonition, Sen. Bern Sanders said in another CNN "State of the Union" interview, "Well, I have a lot of respect for George Clooney's honesty and integrity on this issue."

George Clooney, apart from his award-winning works as an actor and producer, is known for his political activism and was one of Time's 'Most Influential People' in 2009. His wife Amal, Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating Person of 2014, is equally esteemed in her work as international human rights lawyer.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 19F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 40%..

Tonight

Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 19F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 40%.
Beijing:

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to take part in the 19th round of Sino-India border talks on Wednesday with the issue of China blocking Indias bid to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN casting a shadow on the deliberations.



Doval, the designated Special Representative, along with top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi will hold the boundary talks which have become an annual feature between the two countries.



While China says the boundary dispute is confined 2,000 km, mainly Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered the whole of 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) including the Aksai Chin area occupied by China during the 1962 war.



When the Special Representatives were appointed in 2003, the two sides set off a three stage process.



The two countries first reached an agreement on the guiding principles and setting political parameters for the settlement in 2005.



Officials say the two sides are currently in the second stage which focusses on working out a framework of settlement to be followed by the final step of drawing the boundary line based on the framework agreement.



Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying, while talking about the boundary talks, said, We have been working to resolve territorial disputes through negotiations and consultation and we have completely settled territorial disputes with 12 of the 14 land neighbours.



Only the border dispute with India and Bhutan needed to resolved, she said.



Both history and practice have proven that it is possible to resolve territorial disputes through negotiation and consolation, Hua said.



In talks the two sides will continue to work to strive to reach a settlement acceptable to both sides, she said.



While working for a solution we would like to work together with the Indian side to maintain stability in the border areas and create favourable condition for the boundary question, Hua said.



On Indias stand of delineation of the 3,488 km-long LAC to bring about a clarity in order to avert standoffs at the disputed boundary, she said the issue could be further discussed at the boundary talks tomorrow.



Last month, China had vetoed Indias bid to get Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN Sanctions Committee, maintaining that the case did not meet the requirements of the Security Council. The Chinese action evoked a strong reaction in India which said that it was incomprehensible that while JeM was banned by the UN, its chief was not.



The Azhar issue was expected to figure prominently in the talks on Wednesday.

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Amritsar:

The heart and stomach of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances in a Pakistani jail, were missing when his body arrived here and handed over to Indian authorities. The last rites of the body have been performed by his family members.



Dr B S Bal, Principal of Government Medical College Amritsar, told reporters after an autopsy of Kirpal Singhs body that during the postmortem examination, it was found that his heart as well as stomach were missing. However, no internal and external injury was found on his body.



Bal said now we have his kidney and liver and samples of these two organs would be sent outside Amritsar for laboratory tests to bring out more facts with regard to his death.



He said that during autopsy it was also found that Pakistan during autopsy has not taken any sample from kidney and liver which were essential to find out the exact cause of death.



Further, he said that Pakistan has not sent the autopsy report as of now. Earlier in the day, the body of Kirpal arrived in the presence of tearful family members.

Kirpals family members, including his sister Jagir Kaur, Punjab Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam, besides other senior officials, were present at the Joint check post at the Wagah border to receive the body.



Dalbir Kaur, sister of another Indian Sarabjit Singh, who too had died in a Pakistani jail in May 2013, was also present. Kirpal Singh had allegedly crossed Wagah border into Pakistan in 1992 and was arrested. He was subsequently sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistans Punjab province.



Kirpal was found dead in his cell last Monday at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. Kirpal, from Gurdaspur, had reportedly been acquitted in the case by the Lahore High Court but his death sentence could not be commuted because of unspecified reasons.

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LINCOLN  Gov. Pete Ricketts has added his signature to a $20 million aid package aimed at easing property tax bills for Nebraska farmers and ranchers.

When it takes effect next year, the measure will raise the overall amount provided by state government to offset people's local property taxes each year to $224 million.

The move comes as farm earnings sink and ag land values begin to slip following years of record sales. Yet land valuations used for tax purposes have remained high, leading to cries for relief from landowners.

"There are important steps," Ricketts said Tuesday during a bill-signing ceremony at the Capitol.

"This is not something that happens easily. It happens because you have a lot of people who are working very, very hard to push this along and make it happen."

Coupled with a measure Ricketts signed Monday, the bills (LB958 and LB959) are the result of eight months' work by members of the Legislature's Revenue and Education committees, the governor's office and their staffs.

They take a twofold approach: providing direct reductions in the form of state credits that will appear on people's property tax bills, and changing parts of the state's school aid formula to discourage excess taxation and trigger about $9 million in additional aid to certain districts, mostly in rural areas.

"This was a step forward," said John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union. "While we've made progress, we obviously have a lot more work to do."

Agricultural land owners' average property tax burden will swell by an estimated 6 percent this year, Hansen said, while the measure Ricketts signed Tuesday is expected to cut tax bills by about 2 percent in 2017.

Ricketts cautioned those who seek to "downplay" LB958 and LB959.

"I know that these bills are not everything we all wanted when we started the process, but that's part of the give and take that goes along with this legislative process," he said.

The bills were championed by two term-limited legislative leaders: Revenue Committee Chairman Mike Gloor of Grand Island and Education Committee Chairwoman Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids.

Sullivan also guided the process of eliminating the Omaha-area Learning Community's common levy, in which property tax revenue is pooled among 11 districts in Douglas and Sarpy counties. That bill (LB1067), which some viewed as politically bound to the property tax measures, was signed by Ricketts on Tuesday morning.

In addition to Sullivan and Gloor, the Legislature is losing Speaker Galen Hadley, Appropriations Committee Chairman Heath Mello and other leaders who are completing their second terms this year, Hansen noted.

"Eight years in this legislative process goes by very quickly."

But Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson expressed optimism that future Legislatures can address landowners' immediate concerns, as well as the long-running complaint that education funding in Nebraska is systemically unfair to farmers and ranchers.

"More and more senators understand that there's a problem and that it has to be fixed," Nelson said. "The legislative process can work."
Washington:

US President Barack Obama has embarked on a three-nation six-day tour of Saudi Arabia, the UK and Germany to discuss the fight against ISIS, defence and global economy among others with some of Americas key allies in the Gulf and Europe.



The President will be meeting with some of our key allies and partners in the world in both the Gulf and in Europe, Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said.



It is a very important chance for him to coordinate US approaches on issues ranging from the counter-ISIL campaign to efforts to promote regional stability in the Middle East, to the support for Ukraine and its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to efforts to promote global economic growth, he told reporters ahead of Obamas departure yesterday.



Saudi Arabia will be the first stop of Obama on April 20.



This will be a summit between the United States and the Gulf nations, following up on the summit that we had last year, the first of its kind at the head-of-state level at Camp David, he said.



Obama will begin this afternoon by having a bilateral meeting with King Salman of Saudi Arabia.



Then on April 21, he will have the summit with the GCC leaders, and that summit will be broken into three different sessions - one on regional stability, one on defeating ISIL and al-Qaeda and counterterrorism cooperation, and then one on Iran and regional security and our efforts to prevent destabilising actions across the region, Rhodes said.



Obama is scheduled to fly to the UK from Saudi Arabia.



On Friday, April 22nd, the President will have a lunch with Queen Elizabeth. This visit coincides with her 90th birthday, Rhodes said.



Noting that the US President has very much enjoyed his engagements with the Queen over the years, Rhodes said as a general matter, Obama felt that in his final year in office it would be very important for him to visit his close ally, the UK, given the special relationship and all the work that they do together around the world.



US First Lady Michelle Obama would join the President during the Britain leg of the trip.



Following the lunch with the Queen, the President will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron.



We work very closely with the United Kingdom on a host of issues around the world to include the counter-ISIL campaign, counterterrorism efforts, our efforts together in Afghanistan, our efforts, again, to respond to Russian aggression in Ukraine, and our collaboration in terms of promoting global economic growth. So a broad agenda to discuss with Prime Minister Cameron, Rhodes said.

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Ahmedabad:

A Mumbai-bound Jet Airways flight was stopped by airport authorities in Ahmedabad after a cabin cleaner found a paper written Bomb under seat 24 A of the plane. The passengers were evacuated instantly to the safety and plane has been moved into isolated area of the airport for thorough inspection.



After few minutes Jet Airways released a statement mentioning that no bomb has been found on the plane. "Aircraft was thoroughly inspected by security agencies&flight with 125 passengers and 6 crew has now been cleared for departure," mentioned Jet Airways in its statement. (Also read. Injured crew members recovering, stable: Jet Airways)



A few days back as many as 127 passengers on board Jet Airways B737-900 aircraft from Delhi had a narrow escape when its main landing gear collapsed while taxiing after it landed at the Chhtrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai on March 3. The committee, headed by AAIB's director of Aircraft Engineering Department Amit Gupta, has been asked to submit its report within the six months, a government notification said.

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New Delhi:

Technology giant Google today launched the new version of its Internet streaming device Chromecast in India for Rs 3,399. The company has also introduced Chromecast Audio in India at the same price, which was launched in the US last year.



With a sleek design, fresh content and an updated app, the new Chromecast will make streaming faster and easier, Chromecast Partnerships Head Asia Pacific Mickey Kim told reporters here. Chromecast Audio is a new device that plugs into speakers to stream and control radio, podcasts and music over WiFi. Using Chromecast, users can add smart TV functionality to their television to stream content from video services like YouTube and Netflix.



Google Chromecast is available in 31 countries and about 20 million users globally. However, the company did not disclose any country-specific data. The devices will be available through marketplaces like Flipkart, Snapdeal and Paytm as well as retailers like Reliance and Croma. The previous version of Chromecast was unveiled in India early last year.



Kim said the company has partners like Hooq, Saavn, YuppTV, Ditto and Hungama in India. Other Internet streaming devices selling in India include Teewe and those from firms like Amkette. Sales of Internet streaming devices are expected to pick up as on-demand video services like Netflix become more popular. The devices will come bundled with six months of free subscription for Hooq and Saavn. These also let users play games like Angry Birds on their television using their smartphones as a controller.
Kohima:

Minister for Science and Earth Sciences Harsh Vardhan has said the approach of science has to be people-centric and the common man should not remain deprived of its benefits. Common people should not remain deprived of the benefits of science, Vardhan said while launching the Department of Biotechnology, DBT, under Government of India funded Twinning Network Program on Chemical Ecology of North East Region with Bangalore-based scientists here.



Stressing on the intellectual acumen of young minds of the region, the Union minister said their coming together would produce dramatic results in meeting objectives of organic farming which is the need of the hour. He also underlined the need for fostering better coordination and support among science professionals.



Twinning Network Program on Chemical Ecology is a new collaborative and interdisciplinary programme in Chemical Ecology between institutions in the NER and partners in Bangalore.



This platform aims to provide a strong stimulus to ongoing research in the NER, while building enduring research and training links with partner institutions in Bangalore.



Vardhan, who was in the state as part of his two-day maiden visit, inaugurated DBT funded Biotech Infrastructure Facility at ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun at Jharnapani, Medziphema under Dimapur district.



In his address at ICAR, Vardhan said it had been his long cherished dream to visit Nagaland which finally came true. I have this strong conviction that science has the potential to solve many problems faced by our country even after 69 years of Independence, he said.

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Mumbai:

After nine trips by a 10-wagon water train, a 50-wagon water train carrying 25 lakh litre water reached parched Latur today.



The train, christened Jaldoot, left Miraj in western Maharashtra at around 11 PM last night, for drought-hit Latur city, a distance of around 342 kilometres.



So far, 70 lakh litre water has been delivered by train to Latur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.



The train had previously made nine trips, each time carrying 5 lakh litres of water, to the parched city.



The 50-wagon train received a grand welcome at the Latur Railway Station on its arrival. Latur city mayor Akhtar Mistry, welcomed the Jaldoot Express, which was specially commissioned from Kota in Rajasthan to transport water to the 5 lakh people of Latur.



The train is a big relief for Latur citizens who have been struggling to get drinking water, the mayor said.



The Jaldoot first made its trial run on April 11. The train initially faced several clearance issues due to the single line section from Miraj to Latur.



As a result the first train had reached Latur in 17 hours.



However, the railways then pulled all stops to ensure that the train was given all the clearances during the journey. Subsequently, the train took just 8-9 hours to reach Latur.Once it arrived in six and a half hours.



The Solapur division of Central Railway ensured that Jaldoot Express navigated the tracks without any hitch, and the Pune division of the Central Railway took care of the loading of water at the Miraj Railway station.

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New Delhi:

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has asked bureaucrats working with his government not to play politics with elected representatives, saying it hampers the governments functioning and downgrades its credibility. Addressing bureaucrats on Civil Services Day on Tuesday, Kejriwal said civil servants should become part of his honest, transparent government and serve the people of Delhi.



My government is fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Delhi. They have expressed faith in us by giving us massive and historic mandate.



I would certainly expect from the bureaucracy to support the government with regard to implementing its policies and programmes in order to fulfil the promises made to the electorates, he said. Ever since it came back to power in February last year, AAP and the city bureaucracy have been at loggerheads over a host of issues.



In December last year, all the bureaucrats had gone on a day-long leave en mass, protesting suspension of two DANICS officers, holding charge of special secretary in the Home Department over charges of in-subordiantion.

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Mumbai:

Days after BJP was trounced in the crucial Nagar Panchayat and Zilla Parishad polls, Shiv Sena today took potshots at its ruling ally in Maharashtra saying the partys fight for existence in these bodies indicated that people were not benefiting from their governance.



Expecting that peoples sentiments can be bought with power and money, is wrong. BJPs defeat is painful for us as it is an old ally of ours. We never expected that the winds of change would start blowing so soon, the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.



It said BJP ministers were in the habit of making new announcements everyday which have no substance in them.



It is surprising that Congress which has no leadership in the state, and the NCPriddled with corruption chargescould manage to secure decent gains in the recently held polls, the editorial read.



Now there will be clarifications (from BJP) that the results of local polls do not reflect the sentiments of people in the state. But there is no point in playing hide and seek now. Since the party has come to power at the Centre, it is expected that right from Gram Panchayat to Lok Sabha, people are in favour of BJP, it said.



It further said that rising waves eventually settle down and the force of blowing air decreases with time. The dust too settles down eventually, Sena mocked.



If the BJP has to fight for its survival, it should take into account the fact that the fruits of governance are not reaching the people and that loot is happening, the party stated.



BJP won five seats while Congress got 21 seats and the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) bagged 20 seats each in the election to the six nagar panchayats in Maharashtra.



This was the second phase of election for 102 seats after the first round of 345 seats in 19 nagar panchayats in January this year.



The state government had formed 138 new nagar panchayats in 2014 by bifurcating urban areas at taluka headquarters.

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New Delhi:

India will sign the Paris Agreement on climate change, adopted by more than 190 countries in December last, on Friday in New York. The Union Cabinet today approved the signing of the agreement, adopted during the 21st Conference of Parties held in the French capital. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will sign the agreement on behalf of India on April 22 at a high-level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.



India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the agreement addresses all the important concerns and expectations of India.A record number of more than 150 countries are expected to sign the historic Paris agreement in New York. A UN body had earlier said that this record number of countries would surpass the previous record of 119 signatures for an opening day signing for an international agreement, set by the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in 1994.



The signing ceremony will mark the first step toward ensuring that the Paris Agreement enters into force as early as possible. The agreement will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, deposit their instruments of ratification or acceptance with the Secretary-General.



The Paris Agreement on climate change is a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention (UNFCCC) and recognizes the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances, an official statement said.



The agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries and their right to development. It also recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead and notes the importance of climate justice, which was raised by India, in its preamble.

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New Delhi:

The new images released by US space agency NASA reveal the bright craters on dwarf planet Ceres. NASAs dawn mission took these images 240 miles from the planets surface which offers an spectacular view of Ceres Haulani Crater. The stunning images released also show a bluish ejected material surrounding the craters.

Scientists also call it evidence of landslides which is vividly noticeable as is a central ridge and smooth material on the crater floor. An enhanced false-color view of it allows scientists to gain insight into Ceres and surface morphology.

What interests the scientists about Ceres is its crater's polygonal nature, means it resembles a shape made of straight lines while most craters seen on either earth or other planetary bodies are nearly circular.

NASA also describe Ceres 6-mile-wide Oxo Crater, which is the second-brightest feature on the dwarf planet, as a hidden treasure.

This dwarf planet lies between Mars and Jupiter and has an average diameter of 590 miles and is the largest body in the main asteroid belt. Ceres was initially classified as a planet, later an asteroid and finally labelled a dward planet in 2006.

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Gurdaspur:

The body of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore, was cremated at his native place Mustafabad in Saida village near here today. His body was brought at civil hospital here last night after conducting a postmortem at Government Medical college Amritsar.



His nephew, Ashwani Kumar lit the pyre, while Deputy Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal and SSP Jagdip Singh Hundal placed the wreath on behalf of the government. Sabharwal assured the family members of Kirpal Singh that relief will be provided to them as per government norms.



Dalbir Kaur, sister of another Indian Sarabjit Singh, who too had died in a Pakistani jail in May 2013, was also present. Kirpal Singh had allegedly crossed Wagah border into Pakistan in 1992 and was arrested. He was subsequently sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistans Punjab province.



Kirpal was found dead in his cell last Monday at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. Kirpal, from Gurdaspur, had reportedly been acquitted in the case by the Lahore High Court but his death sentence could not be commuted because of unspecified reasons.



During the postmortem examination conducted in India, it was found that his heart as well as stomach were missing. However, no internal and external injury was found on his body.

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New Delhi:

The hot B-town couple Karan Singh Grover and Bipasha Basu are soon going to tie the knot after dating for more than a year. Now the couple are taking their relationship to the next level and are so happy about it.

The 34-year-old actor will tie the knot with Bipasha on April 30 and just cant contain his love and excitement for his would-be-wife Bipasha Basu as the actor says she is the best.

The couple have been sharing their pre-wedding moments on social media very actively. Everything about you is the best, Karan shared a black and white image of him giving a peck on Bipashas nose, who is wearing a veil.

Earlier the couple had announced their wedding date through a joint statement. We are happy to finally share the good news with everyone. 30th April 2016 is the big day and we cannot thank our family, friends, fans and well-wishers enough for all their love and support, the statement read.

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London:

Dismissing media allegations that he was workshy, Britains Prince William, just back from a trip to India and Bhutan, has said that he is ready to take on more royal duties.

The second in line to the throne has been recently referred to by some newspapers as workshy William and reluctant royal for not clocking up a large number of royal events.

To be honest, Im going to get plenty of criticism over my lifetime and its something that I dont completely ignore, but its not something I take completely to heart... I take duty very seriously. I take my responsibilities very seriously.

But its about finding your own way at the right time and if youre not careful duty can sort of weigh you down an awful lot at a very early age and I think youve got to develop into the duty role, the 33-year-old Duke of Cambridge told BBC on the eve of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth IIs 90th birthday.

He said both his father, Prince Charles, and grandmother fully supported the fact that he was not yet fully engaged with royal duties, but that when the time came to accept more responsibilities he would be the first person to take them on.

William said he was focusing on his role as a father to Prince George and Princess Charlotte and his work as an air ambulance rescue pilot.

Im concentrating very much on my role as a father - Im a new father and I take my duties and my responsibilities to my family very seriously and I want to bring my children up as good people with the idea of service and duty to others as very important. But if I cant give my time to my children as well, I worry about their future, he said.

Plus... I find the air ambulance role very important to me; its serving the community, working alongside extremely good professionals in the medical profession. And when the Queen decides shes going to hand down more responsibilities, Ill be the first person to accept them, he added.

In a separate interview for a Sky News documentary The Queen At 90, he spoke about his grandmothers support after the death of his mother Princess Diana.

Shes been a very strong female influence and having lost my mother at a young age, its been particularly important to me that Ive had somebody like the Queen to look up to and whos been there and who has understood some of the more, um, complex issues when you lose a loved one... So shes been incredibly supportive and Ive really appreciated her guidance, he said.

To give a more personal insight to the Queen as a grandmother, he also recalled the first time he got scolded by the monarch for chasing a cousin into a lamppost while riding a quad bike at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton have just returned from their maiden trip to India and Bhutan.

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After arms cache found, ISIS issues new threats

(NationalSecurity.news) The attacks on Brussels and Paris were mere precursors to worse violence to be perpetrated against Europe and the West, ISIS wrote in the 14th issue of its Dabiq magazine, released online today.

Paris was a warning. Brussels was a reminder. What is yet to come will be more devastating and more bitter, an unsigned editorial reads.

The threat comes within days of an arms cache being uncovered in Ceuta, a Spanish North African enclave that borders Morocco.

Ceuta is a known ISIS recruiting center, a U.S. intelligence source told AMI. The stash included pistols, sub-machine guns, edged weapons, and an ISIS flag.

It is unclear whether the cache is related to the fresh round of threats in Dabiq. The find is concerning, though, because Ceutas locale on the Strait of Gibraltar offers easy access to Europe, the intelligence source said.

Europe overall is vulnerable to attack for a number of reasons, one expert told AMI.

Europe has tight streets that go right up to large tourist areas, said Stu Bradin, a former Army Special Forces officer who was chief of staff for NATO Special Operations Headquarters in Brussels, and was Deputy Director of Operations at Special Operations Command Europe.

The streets offer direct access to targets and a challenge to pursuing law enforcement. This was a significant factor during the Brussels attacks, Bradin said. Brussels is a rich target, and is a difficult place to navigate in terms of chasing a suspect, he said. Traffic is a disaster. Theres a lot of congestion.

Additionally, American-style security measures have not been implemented in places that accommodate large numbers of people, such as train stations or tourist hubs, he said. If you go to Disney World they have tables out in front of the turnstiles. They have unarmed people at those tables and they make everyone open their bags and allow them to look inside. It is not a detailed search but it is a layer of protection that is done and it does not take too much effort.

More:

Specific attack sites are not mentioned in the current issue of Dabiq. The magazine does, however, describe the threatened attacks effects. Bullets and shrapnel will slash and pierce all those whom Allahs soldiers reach, the editorial reads. Survivors will be scarred physically and mentally, haunted whenever their eyes are closed, whenever they blink.

The threat conjures images of World War II-style devastation: The sounds of sirens will fill the air, preceded by blasts from bombs planted in all the right places, the editorial reads. The damage to their economy, their infrastructure, and their sources of income will make their lives harder than they now imagine.

The Spanish Interior Ministry, meanwhile, announced Wednesday the arrest of a man in selling a gun to Amedy Coulibaly, who opened fire on a kosher supermarket in Paris in 2015. Coulibaly killed a policewoman and four other people before being shot dead by police. The suspected gun seller, 27-year-old Antoine Denive, was arrested in Spain on Tuesday, the Ministry reports.

In Syria and Iraq, coalition military forces continue to strike ISIS on its claimed home turf. On April 12, the forces hit nine targets there, according to figures provided by Combined Joint Task Force  Operation Inherent Resolve.

(c) 2016 American Media Institute.

NationalSecurity.news is part of the USA Features Media network. Follow us on Google+.

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Obamas Justice Department says that no limits should ever be placed on illegal aliens voting in U.S. elections

Americans have to have a photo ID to enter a federal government building, board an aircraft, purchase alcohol and cigarettes and to vote. But apparently that last requirement is too much for the Left-wing activists running the Obama Justice Department, that is, if you happen to be an illegal alien.

In recent days the department, led by Attorney General Loretta Lynch who, like Eric Holder before her, is less a top crime fighter and more of a political hack, said it was backing a lawsuit by another Left-wing hack group, the League of Women Voters of the United States, against Kansas, Georgia and Alabama for the massive injustice of requiring voters to prove they are citizens.

Citizenship, by the way, is a hard-and-fast requirement to vote in federal elections. But apparently having to prove youre a citizen is far less important, at least to the activists in the Justice Department.

As UPI reported further:

The department urged U.S. District Judge Richard Leon on Monday to issue a preliminary injunction to prevent Kansas, Alabama and Georgia from using the forms. The injunction was requested by the League of Women Voters, which is suing the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission over the forms. The League brought the suit, alleging that the requirement to prove citizenship acts as a barrier to voter registration, particularly for poor, minority and elderly voters who may not have the required documentation.

Voter registration in every state is free for anyone who cant afford the process, by the way. And by the way, if a poor, minority or elderly voter is too brittle or incompetent to register to vote, then theyre very likely too brittle or simple-minded to actually vote as well. The next thing you know, the Justice Department will be pushing for rules to go pull levers for these folks (and we know which party will be the recipient of those votes, dont we?).

Lets just say they wont do much to help Republicans.

Not only is this entire effort not on the level, its absurd as well. As Politico noted:

In an unusual move, the Obama Administration is backing the issuance of a court injunction blocking a federal officials decision to approve new voter registration forms that allow three states to insist that voters provide copies of documents proving their U.S. citizenship. The Justice Departments action is uncommon because the agency represents the defendants targeted in the lawsuitthe federal Election Assistance Commission and its acting executive director Brian Newby. Newby issued a directive on Jan. 29 allowing the three states in question to change the federal forms instructions to reference to the proof of citizenship requirement.

The EAC was established by federal law in 2002 for the express purpose of working with states, under previous voter registration statutes, to develop rules for registering voters, which is a constitutional duty for states. And now that the panel moved to approve a voter registration requirement  voter ID  that is certain to keep illegal aliens out of polling stations, the official/unofficial Democratic voter registration effort emanating from the White House has stepped in to thwart a government agency.

Wow. If only Obama worked as hard for American citizens as he does for those in our country illegally.

This lunacy isnt limited to the federal government. The buffoonish Left-wing partisan governor of California, Jerry Moonbeam Brown, recently signed legislation in that state giving illegal immigrants the right to vote. Its insanity.

As for voter ID, in 2013 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down an Arizona law that required proof of citizenship during the voter registration process. But the late Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in the courts 7-2 opinion that states could seek approval from the EAC for changes in voter registration forms, as the 2002 statute states.

A year after that a lower federal court ruled that the EAC was not required to make such changes to the federal voter registration form, and the high court declined to review that ruling, meaning it remains in force.

Obama has done all he can to diminish the rule of law, violate the constitutional parameters of his office, change the political and cultural makeup of the country, and ruin American traditions. Hell continue this until he leaves office, and mark our words, hell fight to preserve his legacy long after he leaves D.C.

Lets hope the next president and future congresses have the political will to tell the former president his time is over and to mind his own business.

Sources:

Lawsuit [PDF]

Politico.com

UPI.com

Science.NaturalNews.com

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Update: According to court documents, the charges against Melissa Ruscoe were dismissed.

DANBURY  An 18-year-old city woman is facing charges after police said she was caught with heroin and brass knuckles early Monday morning.

Officers on patrol saw Melissa Ruscoe carrying brass knuckles, which are classified as a dangerous weapon in Connecticut, about 1:45 a.m. Monday on Kennedy Avenue, according to the report.

After she was placed under arrest, an officer also found she had an undisclosed amount of heroin, police said.

Ruscoe was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics near a school and carrying a dangerous weapon. She was released after posting $1,000 bond.
DEVELOPING A DRONE DELIVERY SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM

VAUGHAN, ON, April 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Drone Delivery Canada (DDC or the Company) is pleased to announce it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Vaughan and its Vaughan International Commercialization Centre (VICC) whereby DDC looks to develop a drone delivery service in the form of a pilot program for the City's local businesses network, believed to be the first of its kind in Canada.

"We are delighted to work with the City of Vaughan and to be recognized as industry leaders in Drone Delivery Technology. The City of Vaughan is pioneering this opportunity with us as we collaboratively move from a concept to a reality employing the highest standards Canadian technology offers," commented Tony Di Benedetto, CEO of Drone Delivery Canada. "We will look to develop and build, and when ready and able, implement a fleet of delivery drones within the central business district in the City of Vaughan that will deliver mail, books, and parcels, in a clean, green, environmental friendly way. We see this happening with regulations in place sometime as early as 2018, if not sooner."

Vaughan and DDC will facilitate opportunities for testing DDC's drone delivery technology platform by exploring connections to resources and networks that may help DDC commercialize its services under the "VICC" Test City pilot program.

"As an innovation and research based city we welcome this opportunity to collaborate with Drone Delivery Canada through our Test City program at the Vaughan International Commercialization Centre. We believe that this cooperation will bring about successful results", said City of Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.

The Test City program creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to test, demonstrate, and prove their products in Canada. Qualified VICC members will have an opportunity to demonstrate their utilities, healthcare, and environmental/green technologies in real-life settings across Vaughan, working with companies within the VICC Test City Network, including PowerStream, and the Kortright Centre/Innovation Park.

About The City of Vaughan

The City of Vaughan is one of Canada's fastest growing cities with a population of more than 320,000. Incorporated in 1991, Vaughan includes the communities of Concord, Kleinburg, Maple, Thornhill and Woodbridge. This culturally diverse municipality is located in the heart of York Region and the Greater Toronto Area.

Vaughan is Canada's 17th largest municipality and 8th largest in Ontario. In 2016, the City is celebrating its 25th anniversary. As the first city in York Region, Vaughan has experienced significant growth and transformational change over the last quarter-century.

Economy

Vaughan has a strong and diverse local economy with more than 11,200 businesses. The City is a major economic hub and has one of the largest supplies of employment lands in the GTA. Vaughan's resident labour force is well-educated, multi-lingual and highly skilled.

About the VICC

The VICC provides assistance to established businesses with the localization of international technologies to commercialize new, innovative products in addition to assisting local companies with the expertise required to modify or adapt their products for international export. The vision behind the VICC is to build a leading business innovation support network focused on increasing export activity, promoting foreign investment, and creating jobs. Over one hundred leading local and international businesses, organizations, and not-for-profits are partnering with the VICC to deliver a suite of innovative, progressive programs. For more information, go to www.vaughan.ca/vicc

About Drone Delivery Canada

Drone Delivery Canada is a drone technology company based out of Vaughan, Ontario focused on the design, development and implementation of a commercial drone logistics platform for retailers, service organizations and government agencies. Drone Delivery Canada looks to be Canada's first publicly traded drone delivery company in Canada and is currently completing a Reverse Take Over (RTO) of Asher Resources (TSX.V ACN) scheduled to close June 2016.

For more information, please visit www.dronedeliverycanada.com

SOURCE Drone Delivery Canada

For further information: Mr. Tony Di Benedetto, CEO, Tel: 647-476-2662 x5501, Email: [email protected]
CALGARY, April 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Keyera Corp. (TSX:KEY) will be holding its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at 2:00 pm Mountain Time (4:00 pm Eastern Time) in the Sun Life Plaza Conference Centre, located at 144 - 4th Avenue SW, in Calgary, Alberta. The meeting will be broadcast live via webcast. The webcast link is available on Keyera's website at www.keyera.com/news/events. Shortly after the meeting, an audio archive of the webcast will be posted on Keyera's website for 90 days.

Keyera also expects to release its first quarter 2016 results on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, after the close of markets. A conference call and webcast have been scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at 8:00 am Mountain Time (10:00 am Eastern Time) for interested investors, analysts, brokers and media representatives.

The conference call dial-in number is 888-231-8191 or 647-427-7450. A recording of the conference call will be available for replay until midnight, May 25, 2016, by dialing 1-855-859-2056 or 416-849-0833 and entering passcode 91220458.

A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed on Keyera's website at http://www.keyera.com/news/events. Shortly after the call, an audio archive will be posted on Keyera's website for 90 days.

About Keyera Corp.

Keyera Corp. (TSX:KEY) operates one of the largest midstream energy companies in Canada, providing essential services to oil and gas producers in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Its predominantly fee-for-service based business consists of natural gas gathering and processing, natural gas liquids fractionation, transportation, storage and marketing, iso-octane production and sales, and an industry-leading condensate system in the Edmonton/Fort Saskatchewan area of Alberta. Keyera strives to provide high quality, value-added services to its customers across North America and is committed to conducting its business ethically, safely and in an environmentally and financially responsible manner.

SOURCE Keyera Corp.

For further information: For more information about Keyera Corp., please visit our website at www.keyera.com or contact: Lavonne Zdunich, Director, Investor Relations & Communications, or Nick Kuzyk, Manager, Investor Relations, E-mail: [email protected], Telephone: (403) 205-7670 / Toll Free: (888) 699-4853.
MILTON, ON, April 20, 2016 /CNW/ - ROXUL Inc. is proud to announce its brand partnership with the new HGTV Canada design and renovation series, Home to Win. ROXUL is the official insulation supplier to the show in which an unprecedented 20 HGTV Canada stars join forces to transform a home that contestants will compete to win.

"We're thrilled to be a part of such an innovative series," says Dave Smith, Residential Segment Manager, ROXUL Inc. "Not only is it prime time on a fan-favourite network, it offers a cutting-edge format with the biggest names in the renovation and design industry today. The show's appeal is a perfect trifecta, much like our insulation which protects against fire, moisture and sound."

HGTV Canada Stars such as Scott McGillivray, Bryan Baeumler, Mike Holmes and others will combine their expertise, experience and creativity to complete 20 major renovations that will be showcased weekly on-air and online. Viewers will be able to see ROXUL in-show as it is installed in the home and discover how it is used in various applications to enhance occupant comfort and safety. Through the online component of the show, HomeToWin.ca, viewers can participate in a fully immersive digital experience that allows them to take a closer look at each episode's renovation and design details, explore content, photo galleries, virtual tours, as well as hotspots that will enable them to 'shop the look'. Through the site, Canadians can also discover behind-the-scenes videos and watch full episodes after they air.

"The idea of the ultimate transformation fits perfectly with what our insulation helps to accomplish," says Smith. "ROXUL insulation helps improve the comfort and safety of a home the moment it is installed and lasts throughout the life of the building. We're certain this series will leave a lasting impression, too, and we encourage Canadians to check it out."

By visiting HomeToWin.ca, Canadians can enter for a chance to compete for the ultimate house. The process is simple: Canadians must enter their email address on the site by June 5 at 11:59 ET and follow the directions emailed to their inbox. All entrants will be asked to submit a one-minute audition video, introducing themselves and answering the question, "What makes a house a home?"

Home to Win premieres on April 24th at 10 pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada and episodes will also air on Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global. One victorious contestant will claim the keys to the home in the finale, airing June 26th.

About ROXUL Inc.

ROXUL Inc., located in Milton, Ontario, with additional production in Byhalia, Mississippi and Grand Forks, British Columbia, is a subsidiary of Rockwool International, the world's largest producer of stone wool insulation. Rockwool International, a publicly-held company trading on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, operates 28 factories, employs over 11,000 people in 35 countries, and maintains a global network of sales companies, trade offices, and dedicated commercial partners. Providing long-term thermal performance, ROXUL's stone wool insulation is fire resistant, water repellent and resistant to mold, mildew and bacterial growth. ROXUL products and manufacturing processes are environmentally conscious. CFC- and HCFC-free, ROXUL insulation products contain a high recycled content. They are among the few building products able to recover the energy used in their manufacturing process. Installing ROXUL insulation can reduce energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels, thereby decreasing harmful CO 2 emissions. For more information, visit ROXUL at www.roxul.comor visit ROXUL on social media via Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube.

SOURCE Roxul Inc.

Image with caption: "Roxul Inc. logo (CNW Group/Roxul Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160420_C8824_PHOTO_EN_670114.jpg

For further information: Charlene McAdam, Birchall & Associates Inc., 905-338-7600 ext. 105, [email protected]
OTTAWA, April 19, 2016 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the results of the provincial election in Manitoba:

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my sincere congratulations to Brian Pallister and the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba on their electoral victory.

"We look forward to working with the new provincial government in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration on issues of importance to Manitobans and all Canadians.

"I also extend my heartfelt thanks to Greg Selinger for his contributions to the province and the country during his time as Premier, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

For further information: PMO Media Relations: 613-957-5555
OTTAWA, April 20, 2016 /CNW/ - I am honoured to serve as the Head of the Canadian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem. This meeting will give the international community a unique opportunity to come together and revisit our efforts to address a serious and ever changing global challenge  the world drug problem.

Drug use and drug-related crime are both significant public health and safety issues in Canada and abroad. They have wide-ranging impacts on individuals, families and communities at large. These complex issues require a comprehensive approach that balances support for the health and well-being of those affected by drug use and addiction with law enforcement.

The Government of Canada believes that to be effective, drug policy must be grounded in evidence and fully respect human rights while promoting shared responsibility. It requires collaborative action and a strong emphasis on public health that includes upstream prevention, compassionate treatment, harm reduction and support for recovery.

Canada views UNGASS 2016 as an opportunity to reflect on progress at home and around the world. It provides a venue for productive discussions on what is working and where we need to do better to meet the many new and continuing challenges posed by addiction, drug-related crime and the damage they cause.

The Canadian delegation to UNGASS includes representatives from numerous areas, including federal and provincial governments, First Nations, and civil society, who are working together on both the national and international fronts to address the world drug problem and bring their unique perspectives to the table. I am pleased to represent Canadians at this session and look forward to continued work with our international partners on the issue of drug policy moving forward.

The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Health

Associated Links

UNGASS 2016

SOURCE Health Canada

For further information: Contacts: Andrew MacKendrick, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations: Health Canada, 613-957-2983; Public Inquiries: (613) 957-2991, 1-866 225-0709
Black abolitionist, Harriet Tubman will appear on front of the $20 bill, replacing former President Andrew Jackson and becoming the first...

Brief biography of Harriet Tubman

Black abolitionist, Harriet Tubman will appear on front of the $20 bill, replacing former President Andrew Jackson and becoming the first woman featured on United States paper currency in modern times, a Treasury official said in deciding to leave Alexander Hamilton on the $10 note.Tubman, a woman who escaped slavery only to risk her life by returning to the South to lead others to freedom on the Underground Railroad, will replace Andrew Jackson, the nation's seventh president, on the $20 bill.The decision is the latest chapter in a 10-month-old controversy that erupted after Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew tried to address gender imbalance on US currency notes.He opened up the selection process to the public just as the current face on the $10 bill was enjoying a resurgence in popularity, and outrage ensued.The move Lew is announcing Wednesday is intended as a way to thread the needle between womens groups who have been advocating for gender diversity on U.S. currency and fans of Hamilton, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, the playwright and star of the hit Broadway musical about the nations first Treasury secretary. Miranda lobbied Lew to keep Hamilton on the $10 when he visited Washington last month.Harriet Tubman was an American bondwoman who escaped from slavery in the South to become a leading abolitionist before the American Civil War. She was born in Maryland in 1820, and successfully escaped in 1849. Yet she returned many times to rescue both family members and non-relatives from the plantation system. She led hundreds to freedom in the North as the most famous "conductor" on the Underground Railroad, an elaborate secret network of safe houses organized for that purpose.Harriet Tubman was born to enslaved parents in Dorchester County, Maryland, and originally named Araminta Harriet Ross. Her mother, Harriet Rit Green, was owned by Mary Pattison Brodess. Her father, Ben Ross, was owned by Anthony Thompson, who eventually married Mary Brodess. Araminta, or Minty, was one of nine children born to Rit and Ben between 1808 and 1832. While the year of Aramintas birth is unknown, it probably occurred between 1820 and 1825.Mintys early life was full of hardship. Mary Brodess son Edward sold three of her sisters to distant plantations, severing the family. When a trader from Georgia approached Brodess about buying Rits youngest son, Moses, Rit successfully resisted the further fracturing of her family, setting a powerful example for her young daughter.Physical violence was a part of daily life for Tubman and her family. The violence she suffered early in life caused permanent physical injuries. Harriet later recounted a particular day when she was lashed five times before breakfast. She carried the scars for the rest of her life. The most severe injury occurred when Tubman was an adolescent. Sent to a dry-goods store for supplies, she encountered a slave who had left the fields without permission. The mans overseer demanded that Tubman help restrain the runaway. When Harriet refused, the overseer threw a two-pound weight that struck her in the head. Tubman endured seizures, severe headaches and narcoleptic episodes for the rest of her life. She also experienced intense dream states, which she classified as religious experiences.The line between freedom and slavery was hazy for Tubman and her family. Harriet Tubmans father, Ben, was freed from slavery at the age of 45, as stipulated in the will of a previous owner. Nonetheless, Ben had few options but to continue working as a timber estimator and foreman for his former owners. Although similar manumission stipulations applied to Rit and her children, the individuals who owned the family chose not to free them. Despite his free status, Ben had little power to challenge their decision.By the time Harriet reached adulthood, around half of the African-American people on the eastern shore of Maryland were free. It was not unusual for a family to include both free and enslaved people, as did Tubmans immediate family. In 1844, Harriet married a free black man named John Tubman. Little is known about John Tubman or his marriage to Harriet. Any children they might have had would have been considered enslaved, since the mothers status dictated that of any offspring. Araminta changed her name to Harriet around the time of her marriage, possibly to honor her mother.Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in 1849, fleeing to Philadelphia. Tubman decided to escape following a bout of illness and the death of her owner in 1849. Tubman feared that her family would be further severed, and feared for own her fate as a sickly slave of low economic value. She initially left Maryland with two of her brothers, Ben and Henry, on September 17, 1849. A notice published in the Cambridge Democrat offered a $300 reward for the return of Araminta (Minty), Harry and Ben. Once they had left, Tubmans brothers had second thoughts and returned to the plantation. Harriet had no plans to remain in bondage. Seeing her brothers safely home, she soon set off alone for Pennsylvania.Tubman made use of the network known as the Underground Railroad to travel nearly 90 miles to Philadelphia. She crossed into the free state of Pennsylvania with a feeling of relief and awe, and recalled later: When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything; the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in Heaven.Rather than remaining in the safety of the North, Tubman made it her mission to rescue her family and others living in slavery. In December 1850, Tubman received a warning that her niece Kessiah was going to be sold, along with her two young children. Kessiahs husband, a free black man named John Bowley, made the winning bid for his wife at an auction in Baltimore. Harriet then helped the entire family make the journey to Philadelphia. This was the first of many trips by Tubman, who earned the nickname Moses for her leadership. Over time, she was able to guide her parents, several siblings and about 60 others to freedom. One family member who declined to make the journey was Harriets husband, John, who preferred to stay in Maryland with his new wife.The dynamics of escaping slavery changed in 1850, with the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law. This law stated that escaped slaves could be captured in the North and returned to slavery, leading to the abduction of former slaves and free blacks living in Free States. Law enforcement officials in the North were compelled to aid in the capture of slaves, regardless of their personal principles. In response to the law, Tubman re-routed the Underground Railroad to Canada, which prohibited slavery categorically.In December 1851, Tubman guided a group of 11 fugitives northward. There is evidence to suggest that the party stopped at the home of abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass.In April 1858, Tubman was introduced to the abolitionist John Brown, who advocated the use of violence to disrupt and destroy the institution of slavery. Tubman shared Browns goals and at least tolerated his methods. Tubman claimed to have had a prophetic vision of Brown before they met. When Brown began recruiting supporters for an attack on slaveholders at Harpers Ferry, he turned to General Tubman for help. After Browns subsequent execution, Tubman praised him as a martyr.Harriet Tubman remained active during the Civil War. Working for the Union Army as a cook and nurse, Tubman quickly became an armed scout and spy. The first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, she guided the Combahee River Raid, which liberated more than 700 slaves in South Carolina.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Tuesday rejected the plea by Senate President, Bukola Saraki for a one week adjournment in his tri...

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Tuesday rejected the plea by Senate President, Bukola Saraki for a one week adjournment in his trial for false asset declaration.CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, in a ruling held that having earlier directed the that proceedings in the trial would be held day-to-day, it would be wrong for the tribunal to grant the defendants request for a week adjournment when there was no compelling reason.Umar noted that the defence team, including about 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, did not raise any objection on Monday when the tribunal elected to conduct proceedings on daily basis.He also noted that the defence team, upon its request, was promptly provided with all documents tendered during Mondays proceeding by the prosecution.The CCT chairman further held that having agreed to commence the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness on Monday, a process that continued on Tuesday, a weeks adjournment would disrupt the flow of the witness and the courts observation of the witness testimony.Umar, who upheld argument by the lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), rejected the argument by Paul Usoro (SAN) for the defendant that the provision of Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 conflicts with the provision of Section 36 of the Constitution in relation to the right of the defendant in a criminal trial for adequate time to prepare for his defence.
China has sentenced a computer technician to death for selling classified documents to foreign agencies, a media report said on Wednesday...

China has sentenced a computer technician to death for selling classified documents to foreign agencies, a media report said on Wednesday.The report said that Huang Yu, 41, sold 150,000 documents including military codes from 2002 to 2011 for a total of around 700,000 dollars.Huang was working at a research lab specialising in cryptology in the south-western city of Chengdu and had sold the information because he wanted to get rich, the report said, without stating the foreign agencies involved.Media also aired an interview with Huang where he admitted to meeting with foreign spies in South-East Asia and stealing documents from his wife and brother-in-law, who also worked with classified information.The reports said Huangs wife was sentenced to five years in prison and his brother-in-law was sentenced to three years in prison, both for negligent disclosure of state secrets.According to the reports, many facts about the case are unclear.Huang was arrested in 2011, although the date of sentencing was not reported.It is not clear why authorities did not publicise his case until now, and it has not been confirmed whether his execution has in fact been carried out.If there are other people doing similar things, betraying their country, I hope they will report themselves to the national security people, Huang said in the video, while wearing shackles around his wrist.Televised confessions from high profile suspects including business executives, journalists and activists have become increasingly common in the past few years.The news came after China on Friday marked its second annual National Security Education Day, with posters and slogans warning against the dissemination of confidential information.The public awareness campaign included a pamphlet telling the cautionary tale of a young Chinese woman working in a propaganda department, who is seduced into revealing state secrets by a charming foreign spy posing as an academic.
The Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti Division, on Wednesday ruled against the arrest and detention of a member of the Ekiti State House of As...

The Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti Division, on Wednesday ruled against the arrest and detention of a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Afolabi Akanni, for 18 days by Department of State Services for undisclosed reasons and violation of the 1999 constitution.According to ThisDay, the court ordered the DSS to pay a fine of N5 million to the lawmaker for the illegal arrest and continued detention for 18 harrowing, excruciating and brain cudgeling days, without access to his lawyers and family.Akanni, representing Efon constituency was arrested on March 4 within the premises of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and whisked to Abuja by men of the DSS, where he was detained for 18 days before releasing him after much tension by Nigerians n the state of his health.
Residents of Asaba, the Delta State capital, yesterday protested the alleged killing of some indigenes by suspected Fulani herdsmen. C...

Residents of Asaba, the Delta State capital, yesterday protested the alleged killing of some indigenes by suspected Fulani herdsmen.Commuters were stranded as the protesters occupied the ever-busy Asaba-Benin Expressway, making it difficult for East-bound commuters to continue their journey.The protest resulted in a gridlock which stretched some kilometres.The protesters carried placards bearing inscriptions: Fulani herdsmen must leave our state; Okowa, intervene now; The killing, rape of married women must stop; Our crops have been destructed and Our women cannot go out again.The protesters, mainly vigilante, were under the auspices of Anioma Security Watch, Delta South Security Network and Urhobo Security Network.They said the government failed to protect the residents by allowing herdsmen to kill law-abiding residents.A letter by leaders of the protesters  Jacob Godwin, Henry Onwuamalieze and Warri Eric  accused the government of paying more attention to protecting oil facilities or installations at the expense of human lives.The letter, titled: Insensitivity of Government and the Inevitable War Against Fulani Herdsmen, faulted governments drafting of security agents during election to cow perceived enemies and the electorate to win such elections, but failed to address the deadly Fulani herdsmen.Over 63 communities in Delta State have been invaded by suspected Fulani herdsmen, who allegedly raped women and destroyed farms.They were said to have killed 23 in six months.Police Commissioner Alkali Baba Usman told reporters last week that the command had arrested 23 suspected Fulani herdsmen, who allegedly killed farmers and raped women.Though security agents were visible throughout the protest, the situation became charged when they attempted to disperse the protesters.Eric Warri, who spoke with our correspondent, said: We are protesting because Fulani herdsmen have been killing our people. They have raped our people and destroyed our farmlands.Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, urged the residents to be patient.He said the menace of the herdsmen was a national security issue.
Enyimba players were given a hostile treatment by Etoile Du Sahel fans who resorted to throwing of stones to disrupt the team's preparation at the Olympic Stadium in Sousse, venue of their Wednesday's CAF Champions League second round, second leg tie against Etoile du Sahel.A number of home fans lined the route into the pitch, hurling insults at the players and officials in French, Arabic and English. When the players started warning up, a dozen fans invaded the pitch in an attempt to disrupt the training and the filming of events before they were escorted off the pitch by the police.Not done, rocks were hurled at the players during their warm up with Enyimba players fleeing for safety. Calm was later restored when more security men arrived and some of the erring fans were escorted from the stadium."It's because they are running scared," Enyimba chairman Felix Anyansi Agwu told reporters."They are condemned to score four unreplied goals in order to qualify. The fear of impending failure is making their fans act in such a manner. But by the grace of God, we will be victorious in spite of their antics."
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Tuesday reiterated the determination of the Ministry to hold power ...

Fashola, who spoke at the Mabushi Headquarters of the Ministry while hosting the Director General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Dupe Atoki, also promised to raise standards in the Housing Sector saying the Housing Ministry would ensure that when a house is built either by government or private investors it stays built. The Minister said although the role of his ministry is not to take sides, the new tariff regime has been made to protect the consumer as the Ministry ensures that DisCos and GenCos perform their responsibilities well and that they are held to their service levels adding that the Ministry also stands between them and consumers to ensure that they do not profiteer against consumers.He told the Director General, I think that this last tariff seeks to achieve much for consumers in my opinion and I will tell you why, people were complaining about fixed charge and people were saying why will they take my money; but this last tariff stopped fixed charge, thats a consumer sensitive charge. What the last tariff also did was to say how do we stand to address the metering gap between the consumers and the DisCos.It also tried to address the issue of estimated billing so that if you dispute your last bill because you dont have a meter you cannot refuse to pay, pay what you believe you have consumed and you cannot be disconnected, the Minister said. According to Fashola, the onus is on the DisCos to prove that a consumer has used the power they seek payment for and they cannot prove that the consumer used power without measuring it and they cannot measure the power without metering it and this was a way to incentivize metering.He noted, however, that consumers seem not to fully understand the benefits of the tariff hence the present controversy. Elucidating more on the reason for the new tariff, the Minister, who maintained that it is more friendly for the consumers ultimately added that it also sought to balance the interest of the DisCos because, according to him, You cannot sell below your production price and if the price of gas has gone up for instance you must factor that into your price.Still on the benefits of the new tariff, the Minister who noted that 5000MW was not enough for over 100 million people added,  We cannot improve on quality without having more power and one of the things that this tariff seeks to address is that private organizations can provide power and this is to ensure that if anyone who wants to pay for premium power can leave the public power space for people who want to stay there.The law provides for it so you can leave the pay-as-you-go for the premium power. These are some of the consumer beneficial deliveries that is involved and I think I cant begrudge people this and there is a lot of emotions, he said. Also identifying the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Initiative (CAPMI) as one of the challenges that should be resolved soon , the Minister declared, you cannot take peoples money without providing the service for which they have paid. I was uncomfortable with that.He said the Ministry has ordered that that scheme be wound down so that people could get what they have paid for adding that it is the responsibility of the DisCos to provide meters for their consumers and so wind down what they have collected. We must bring mutual trust in the provision of power and those are some of the emerging issues again and if people have paid for something they deserve to have it and if you cant do it wind down the scheme. Lets hold you now fully responsible , you have a market tariff you go and meter.All of these things are happening at our monthly meetings and we are also holding the DisCos now to their committed timelines for metering and we are also asking them to file returns, he said. In the words of the Minister, We ask them who have you metered? We want to see the details if you tell us you have metered xyz. This will be an ongoing exercise until we finish, we also need to be fair because if since 1960 that we started public power and we have not metered everybody when our population was not as much as this , do we honestly think this can happen in five months? But ultimately this will happen because there is a business end to it and for those who are bringing in the meters they also need to bring in high quality meters because they have a duty to protect both the consumers and the DisCos, Fashola said.On Housing, the Minister promised that his Ministry would ensure that standards are maintained in the provision of houses for the public whether by government or the private sector adding that no consumer would like a house which he bought during his or her active years to collapse when he is no longer able to work.When we build a house it stays built. We have proven capacity to do that; we want to build a house that you do not need to change anything when you move in, that is the kind of quality that we are looking at and it is important to speak to the point that in the quest to get what we termed as affordable housing people have settled for less and in that process people have paid more, he said.Citing the English expression the difference between cheap and cheerful, the Minister added, Buying quality because it endures is the context in which we work and hopefully we will raise standards because we know you will be watching and obviously everybody will take you seriously because I take you seriously and I also take your colleagues seriously and I take what you do very seriously and all of us who provide service will know that people must get value for money.Thanking the Director General for the visit, Fashola, who said the visit provided him the opportunity, as head of the Ministry, to respond as a service agent, to the questions frequently asked by consumers, added that although he is heading a service organization that takes care of the needs of consumers, he is also a consumer. He noted that as a consumer, himself there was need to render quality service to the public.Let me say clearly that all of us, whether you are a Consumer Protection Council or agency or a Minister, all of us are consumers, I consume power also in the same way I consume water, he said. According to him, This visit is important because you lead a very important organization that champions the interest of all our people in that sense and I think that some of the issues you have raised are germane in the sense that they provide an opportunity for me as head of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to ensure that as a service agent.I fly too and my flights have been delayed without reasons and I understand the importance of having someone to speak up for me and this is the time to use what we have to get what we want, the Minister said. Noting that the Consumer Protection Council has been there all along, Fashola declared, We have built so many things that we have not used, we have made so many laws that we have not used and it just requires a new kind of leadership, the kind that you are showing now, the kind that our President is showing now. All the essential ingredients to be a great nation, to be successful and happy people were already provided, there is nothing new to plan .We have done master plan after master plan and so I am going to be a little detailed to show that what we need to do now is start doing things and to see the Consumer Protection Council step up now means that somebody is speaking for me.All of us will benefit and it will raise the quality and standards of service and will hold service providers to account and Nigeria will ultimately benefit when we have that kind of society where there is more accountability and transparency, he said. While noting that the customer is king in any service delivery environment, Fashola urged the consumers to also become familiar with the new order in the power which does not permit arbitrary fixing of tariffs by DisCos without consultation with the people.He reiterated that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), as the regulator in the Power sector, is opening consumer units in various business districts trying to ensure that it has an outreach and a flag post for consumers in every area just like the centres set up by the GSM operators have to fix the telephone of customers and respond to service related issues. Earlier in her remarks, the Director General of CPC, Mrs. Atoki, had lamented that in spite of measures being put in place by electricity industry regulators to ensure effective service delivery; CPC was still receiving myriads of complaints against operators in the sector.The Director General, who commended the Minister for coming up with consumer-centred agenda for the three key sectors, Power, Works and Housing, under his portfolio, particularly his commitment to ensure significant improvement in electricity supply to consumers to measure up with increase in tariff, however advised him to introduce policies and regulatory measures that would set the ground norms for licensing and operation of estate developers and standardize housing development.
The Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu,speaking Wednesday, on the lingering fuel scarcity, at the State House at the end of...

Nigerians have battled Fuel scarcity for some months

Kachikwu said that the unhealthy development was as a result of sabotage, he however thanked Nigerians for their patience so far.The queues are as a result of sabotage. Some people rather than sell products send them into interlands where they can sell at ridiculous prices and so you are having this price distortions where people are making a lot of money, some are internal and some are external but a lot of it is marketers trying to make quick returns on their investments wrongly.We have asked DPR to deploy officials to ensure products are sold at the right because is only through price stabilization that these system queues will disappear. As at today we are delivering about 1,200 trucks, by weekend we should be delivering same number of trucks, it will take a bit of days to even out but you can see improvement already.I hope by the end of next week with the refineries helping us to stay on course, every part of the country will get fuels. We thank President, NNPC staff and ministries who work night and day to enforce discipline.We thank Nigerians for their unbelievable level of patience, we are solving problem we met on ground and trying to find long term solution to it and urge Nigerians to report sabotage, where people are selling product on higher price because we all need to work collectively to make this thing go for good, he said.
Foreign airlines in the country are ripping off Nigerians and the federal government by taking advantage of the shortage of dollars in the...





Foreign airlines in the country are ripping off Nigerians and the federal government by taking advantage of the shortage of dollars in the foreign exchange market, and the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market rate.According to an informed source: We (foreign and domestic airlines) buy dollars at the CBN rate, and all our airfares are priced in dollars for the purpose of comparison.But the problem is that foreign airlines use the parallel market rate to determine the naira airfare for passengers who opt to pay for the tickets in naira.By doing this, they are cheating Nigerians and the federal government because by collecting the money from passengers at the parallel market rate, why do they want CBN to give them dollars at the official rate when they need to repatriate to their countries? They might as well source their dollars from the parallel market.In particular, British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic Airways have been accused of engaging in the sharp practice, which reportedly accounts for the astronomical and inexplicable hike in their airfares in recent months. Both airlines have denied this.
Spanish national carrier, Iberia Airline, has pulled out of Nigeria, according to a report from the Tribune.

Spanish national carrier, Iberia Airline, has pulled out of Nigeria, according to a report from the Tribune.This follows the refusal of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to exempt foreign carriers from its forex policy.Reports say Iberia took the decision in view of the financial predicaments brought upon it by the CBN forex policy, which prevented it from repatriating its proceeds made in Nigeria for many months now.Since the introduction of the policy, the foreign airlines have over $500 million trapped in the various banks which they ought to have repatriated to their various home countries.Prior to the decision of Iberia, many of the foreign carriers had expressed their displeasure at the CBN policy and have threatened to withdraw their services from Nigeria if nothing was urgently done to reverse it.It's believed that some of them have concluded plans to pull out of the country.
INTERNALLY Displaced Persons (IDPs) in parts of Borno State consume about 1,800 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice daily, Governor Kashim She...

INTERNALLY Displaced Persons (IDPs) in parts of Borno State consume about 1,800 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice daily, Governor Kashim Shettima said yesterday in Abuja.He was delivering an address at the first annual Dialogue on Rebuilding Peace in Borno State, organised by an advocacy group, AOA Global, in collaboration with Borno State at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.Shettima highlighted what he called food emergency, following the influx of IDPs trapped by insurgents, before they were freed by the military.He said: As we speak, we are battling a crisis of feeding the mass of humanity in Borno. The military has rescued communities trapped, due to the presence of Boko Haram insurgents on certain routes. This has led to a mass exodus of IDPs from these communities to emergency camps.In Borno today, about 1,800 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice, which constitute three trailers of 600 bags each, are required daily to cater for IDPs across the state. This does not include ingredients, such as tomatoes, vegetable oil, beans to balance carbohydrate, onions, salt and other elements. For our regular camps, 984 bags of rice are consumed daily, based on a Data Tracking Matrix of the International Organisation on Migration, working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).This figure of 984 978 bags is for the camps in Maiduguri, Jere, Dikwa, Bama and Damboa. For Maiduguri and Jere, 787 bags of rice are consumed daily by the 152,000 IDPs in 17 camps and two relief points at Madinatu and Muna garage, where food items are distributed to IDPs living outside camps in Maiduguri.For Dikwa, which has 75,000 displaced persons, 101 bags are required daily. Bama requires 50 bags daily for 32,000 displaced persons, while Damboa requires 40 bags daily. These are as per the Data Tracking Mtarix of the International Organisation on Migration.There are areas where interventions are made on bi-weekly basis. In Gwoza for instance, two trucks totalling 1,200 bags of rice are conveyed every two weeks, meaning 85 bags daily. In Banki, 1,200 bags in two trucks are conveyed every two weeks.At Ngala where we have 7,000 persons in camps and 60,000 living around communities with no source of food, a minimum of 140 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice are consumed daily. In Monguno, which has 48,000 IDPs from both Monguno and Marte, 60 bags are required daily; in Baga and Kroskawa, 58 bags are required daily for 33,000 IDPs. In Sabon-Gari, 21,000 IDPs need 40 bags daily, while Nganzai has the least, which is 1,300 displaced persons. Besides population, consumption is also dependent on the ratio of women and children, who consume less than men.
Nigeria and Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi has expressed his delight at the compliments showered on him by Gunners legend Nwankwo Kanu.Iwobi was quoted by the club's official website saying that the former Nigerian international encouraged him to remain relaxed and keep on working hard.Arsene Wenger's men started the current English Premier League on a high, but have seen their title hopes slip away in recent weeks - the 19-year-old ,though,has done himself justice with a string of impressive performances.Iwobi has scored two goals, assisting a further two in nine EPL games, having forced his way into the starting eleven in early March.As a kid, especially playing at Arsenal, I did look up to him [Kanu]. He was just a classy player and I have spoken to him a few times as well., Iwobi told the club's website.We have had conversations about Nigeria, about myself and what I need to do. [He says] to just be relaxed and he congratulated me and told me I was doing well.To hear that [praise] from such a player like him is crazy and I just have to prove him right. I don't feel pressure, it is just a privilege to hear that.Iwobi played 75 minutes as the north London club were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Sunday. He will be hoping to continue his run in the team when they host West Bromwich Albion on Thursday night.
prosecution witness testifying against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday told the Code of Conduct Tribunal that d...

prosecution witness testifying against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday told the Code of Conduct Tribunal that documents relating to Mr. Sarakis alleged transfer of $73, 233: 28 were burnt before the commencement of trial.Mr. Saraki is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for an alleged false and anticipatory declaration of assets.The witness, Micheal Wetkas, told the tribunal during cross examination by a defence counsel, Paul Usoro, that the documents relating to the said allegation, contained in count 11 of the charge against Mr. Saraki, was reported to have been burnt by a Nigerian bank, the Guaranteed Trust Bank, where the said fund was transferred from.There is an affidavit and I believe it was fire outbreak, he stated.Mr. Wetkas, who told the tribunal that his investigative team came across the information concerning Mr. Sarakis foreign account through several telexes from the American Express Bank, provided to the team by GTB.He added that the requests made by his investigation team for the telexes was a result of a debit transaction noticed in Mr. Sarakis account.There is no doubt that the transaction was actually carried out by American Express Bank, the witness said.A debit in the account of the defendant was there and the narration was clear that money was transferred and where it was transferred from.Mr. Wetkas added that GTB was invited and that the bank confirmed what it earlier stated regarding the transfer, and the burnt documents.There were also police reports and affidavit which they (the GTB) swore to show that some documents were burnt, he stated.While answering questions regarding whether or not he (Mr. Wetkas) knew if the American Express Bank was a bank incorporated or not, he said his investigation only related to the debit card sent from the bank.I know the bank exists through open source information. I do not believe anybody will carry his money and throw into a non existent account, Mr. Wetkas said.Also when asked if there was anything on the form containing the details of the telex, relating an entry from the American Express Bank, Mr. Wetkas simply stated: From my investigations that does not necessarily have to be there.When Mr. Usoro, insisted on getting a response to that question, Mr. Wetkas said there was nothing referring to the American Express Bank.The tribunal then went on short recess.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) said on Wednesday that its chairman, Danladi Umar has been cleared of charges of bribery of N10million...

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) said on Wednesday that its chairman, Danladi Umar has been cleared of charges of bribery of N10million levelled against him by one AbdulRashid Owolabi, a retired officer on Nigeria Customs Service in his petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.The petitioner had alleged that Mr. Umar demanded N10 million from him as a bribe to swing judgment in his favour when he was being tried by the Tribunal.The National Assembly had also following the false assets declaration case of Dr Bukola Saraki, the President of the Senate began investigation of the bribery allegation based on purported petition from an anti graft group.However, the group which authored the petition failed to show up the two times it was invited by the Senate Committee on Ethic and Values tasked with investigation of the petition.Nevertheless, the Senate last Monday summoned Mr Umar to appear before it without failure tomorrow following the decision of the Tribunal last Monday that Sarakis trial will now hold day to day.The Senate, according to latest information had withdrew the invitation on Wednesday afternoon.But Raphael Oluyede, a lawyer close to Saraki had reportedly filed an application asking the Tribunal Chairman to disqualify himself from hearing the suit of false assets declaration against the Senate President on the basis of his ongoing investigation by the EFCC.The lawyer had filed similar application which was dismissed by Justice Abdul Kafarati of Federal High Court, Abuja last Friday.In the application, one of the many filed by the Senate President at different levels of Nigerian courts, Saraki asked Umar to disqualify himself from the trial on the basis that he may be biased in the handling of his trial since the EFCC which is in the forefront of the prosecution of the Senate President before the CCT is also investigating him.The clearance given to Mr. Umar as announced in a statement by Ibraheem Al-hassan, Head, Press & Public Relations, CCT Headquarters, Abuja has unarguably knocked the bottom out of Oluyedes scheme as a way of saving Saraki from trial.Hassan said in the statement: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has today conveyed a letter to the Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Hon Danladi Yakubu Umar, exonerating him on the alleged ten million naira (N10million) bribed by one AbdulRashid Owolabi, in his petition to the Commission.The letter was addressed to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, captioned RE: Investigation Report RE: N10million Bribery Allegation against the Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja with reference NO: EFCC/P/NHRU/688/V.30/99, dated 20th April, 2016.The letter which was signed by Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, Secretary to the Commission reads:, kindly recall our correspondence of 5th March, 2015, (reference EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56) with the above subject, please.It added: We would like to reiterate the Commissions position in regard to this matter as earlier communicated to you and stated that the allegations leveled against Justice Umar were mere suspicious and consequently insufficient to successfully prosecute the offence.Todays clearance letter was second to the previous one sent on the 5th March,2015 during last of administration of President Goodluck Jonathan through the office of the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Pius Anyim.
Sergio Aguero's 100th Premier League goal was not enough to earn Manchester City all three points at Newcastle United, who claimed a...

Sergio Aguero's 100th Premier League goal was not enough to earn Manchester City all three points at Newcastle United, who claimed a 1-1 draw that could prove vital in their battle to avoid relegation.In-form striker Aguero scored five times in this season's reverse fixture, and he put City in command in controversial fashion after just 15 minutes at St James' Park on Tuesday.The Argentinian was clearly offside when he glanced home Aleksandar Kolarov's free-kick to break the deadlock, but Newcastle did not let their heads drop and deservedly equalised just after the half-hour mark through Vurnon Anita's first goal in over two years.City, who saw captain Vincent Kompany return to the starting XI after his month-long lay-off from a calf problem, shaded the second half, with Aguero and Jesus Navas both testing Karl Darlow before Georginio Wijnaldum forced Joe Hart into a late save to preserve the visitors' point.But the Champions League semi-finalists were below par and could not find a winner, meaning Arsenal can reclaim third spot in the table by beating West Brom on Thursday.Newcastle, meanwhile, remain 19th and two points adrift of safety, but they will take heart from a spirited display ahead of Rafael Benitez's return to Anfield to face former club Liverpool at the weekend.After a bright start from the hosts, it was City who opened the scoring and, somewhat inevitably, it was Newcastle's nemesis Aguero who got it, albeit with some help from the officials.Kolarov whipped in an excellent set-piece from the left, and the offside Aguero got across the front post to nod beyond Darlow to make it 11 goals in nine Premier League appearances against the Magpies.City were warned when Moussa Sissoko had a great opportunity to equalise, as he seized on a loose ball and surged past the returning Kompany before shooting weakly at Hart.And Newcastle were level shortly after the half-hour mark when Sissoko switched play to makeshift right-back Anita, who cut inside and placed a left-footed shot in off Hart's far post.Referee Kevin Friend was unmoved when Aguero was brought down in the area by a clumsy challenge from Chancel Mbemba early in the second half, before Darlow got down well to tip Navas' low effort wide.Navas then teed up Aguero to fire straight at Darlow, before Manuel Pellegrini introduced Raheem Sterling - back after his groin injury - from the bench in an attempt to add some much-needed cutting edge to a lacklustre City attack.City had won a dozen Premier League games in a row against Newcastle, but - perhaps with one eye on next week's meeting with Real Madrid - could not rouse themselves to extend that run to 13, and had Hart to thank for their draw when he denied Wijnaldum late on.(Goal.com)
LINCOLN  More than 100 young immigrants in the balcony exchanged standing applause with state senators Wednesday after the Legislature overrode Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto of a bill clearing a pathway for them to acquire professional and commercial licenses to work in Nebraska.

Following a tense two-hour debate, senators voted 31-13 to override the veto of LB947. That was one more than the 30 required to enact legislation over the governor's objections.

The bill will allow so-called DACA youth who have been granted lawful presence in the United States by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals executive action taken by President Barack Obama to acquire licenses to work in the state.

Most of those young immigrants were brought to the United States by their parents illegally when they were young children and most of those affected by the bill grew up in Nebraska and went to school here.

Twenty-four senators participated in an intense debate that consumed almost two hours.

When the result was officially announced, young people who filled one of the legislative balconies stood and burst out in applause and then most of the senators who had supported the veto override stood, looked up and returned the applause.

The result rejected the governor's only contested veto this session and handed term-limited Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha a victory on the final day of his last legislative session.

Mello told his colleagues he was "utterly disappointed with the governor" for his use of "misinformation, demagoguery and political rhetoric" to attack the bill, including a suggestion that granting work licenses to lawful residents somehow represented "amnesty."

"It's sad to see what he has chosen to do," Mello said. "We're talking about people (who are part of) the future of our state."

The Lincoln, Omaha and Nebraska chambers of commerce, as well as the Nebraska Cattlemen, endorsed the legislation as a workforce development tool that would benefit the state.

Later, at a news conference, Ricketts said: "I have no doubt that my veto was in line with what the people of Nebraska believe (and) we laid out the case the best we could."

Asked about Mello's remarks, Ricketts said, "I really don't even know what rhetoric he is referring to."

Following the vote, Alejandra Ayotitla, a 20-year-old student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who watched with excitement from the balcony as the roll call count moved toward the 30-vote threshold, said: "The state does want us here."

"With every vote that said yes, I think the excitement grew," she said. "When we finally saw the 30 votes, we wanted to cheer, but you can't when you're in there."

Ayotitla was 9 when she came to America with her mom and sister; she has lived in Lincoln ever since.

With her family and friends here, she said, "it wouldn't make sense for me to go anywhere else."

Ayotitla, who was joined in the balcony by her father, her sister and a friend, plans to attend graduate school to become a psychologist.

Opponents of the bill argued that it runs counter to "the rule of law" since the young people affected by the measure entered the country illegally.

"They break our immigration laws," Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte said.

Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion said Mello was engaging in "political theater" with his criticism of the governor.

Shortly before the debate began, Kintner tweeted: "The Capitol is swarming with illegal aliens in anticipation of the Legislature overriding the governor's veto of LB947."

Several senators said immigration is an issue that the federal government, not the states, needs to resolve.

Although all the senators who voted to sustain the governor's veto are Republicans, a number of senators who are Republicans strongly argued for the override.

"It is beyond belief that we would not support these young people," Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln said. As the state attempts to build its workforce, she suggested, "we have the people here right now."

Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha said: "I consider those folks to be my extended family."

But then, Krist noted, "I have never been Republican-enough or conservative-enough" as an independent-minded legislator.

"These kids have worked their butts off," Sen. Tommy Garrett of Bellevue said.

Do opponents of the bill want to "create a serfdom to hold these people down?" he asked, allowing them to work in menial jobs but not qualify to work in Nebraska in the professional sector.

Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion reminded his colleagues that Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, a conservative Republican, supported the bill.

Sen. Les Seiler of Hastings questioned whether the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River was built "so good kids in Nebraska can walk across the bridge to work in Iowa (and) Council Bluffs can be the beneficiary of our stupidity."

"Do what is just, decent, humane," Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, a registered independent, urged his colleagues.

Two senators who had voted to approve the bill when it was enacted by a 33-11 vote last week -- Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson and Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango -- abandoned the measure and did not vote on the motion to override.

Three senators -- Sens. Joni Craighead of Omaha, David Schnoor of Scribner and Dan Watermeier of Syracuse -- switched from not voting to no.

And Sen. Tyson Larson of O'Neill changed his earlier no vote to not voting.
The Federal Government is set to sign an agreement with the Republic of China to stem the influx of fake and substandard goods into the ...

The Federal Government is set to sign an agreement with the Republic of China to stem the influx of fake and substandard goods into the country. Disclosing this in Lagos yesterday, Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Mr. Paul Angya said part of the agreement is for the Chinese government to impress it on her citizens to stop the production of such products for Nigerian businessmen and to report importers who ask for such products, as well as give intelligence report on such consignments that leave China unnoticed.He added that the Minister of Trade and Investment had directed SON to do whatever it takes to clean up the system, adding the minister gave us a directive to go and clean up the system and we intend to do it in three months.He stressed that 99 percent of all fake and substandard goods are imported, while about 60 percent of such goods get shipped into the country before the process for their form M begins, making it difficult for SON to checkmate them through the SON Certification Assessment Programme, SONCAP. He said as a result of the abuse which Electronic Provisional Clearance Certificate, EPCC, was subjected to, SON had stopped its use, but was forced to re-introduce EPCC between April 28 and July 24, when it will be stopped finally.
The Nigeria Union in South Africa has urged the Federal Government to protect its citizens in that country, following another an attack ...

The Nigeria Union in South Africa has urged the Federal Government to protect its citizens in that country, following another an attack on Nigerians in Cape Town.The President of the union, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, made the call in a telephone interview the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Pretoria, South Africa, on Wednesday.Anyene told NAN that the attack took place at Du-Noon, a suburb of Cape Town on Monday.According to him, the union received reports that a demonstration by some South Africans over poor service delivery by their government, turned violent, degenerating to attacks on Nigerians and some other Africans, with their property being looted and destroyed.During the protest, it turned violent; they started attacking homes and shops owned by foreigners.Nigerians, Somalis and Kenyans were attacked and their homes and shops looted.Anyene said that a Nigerian, Tunde Salami, sustained serious head injury and was hospitalised while others with minor injuries had been treated and discharged.He said that the property destroyed included building materials, cosmetics, saloon shops, cell phones and accessories, cooking utensils and foodstuffs.According to him, 33 Nigerian shops were affected in the violent protest.The president expressed sadness that the police who were said to have accompanied the protesters, failed to prevent them from looting and destroying property belonging to foreigners.He said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigerian Consulate and would soon visit Cape Town to assess the situation of things.Meanwhile, a source close to the Consulate, confirmed to NAN that the report had been received.
About 30 Boko Haram insurgents were killed when they ambushed an Army contingent in Kareto, Borno State, the Army said yesterday. The a...

About 30 Boko Haram insurgents were killed when they ambushed an Army contingent in Kareto, Borno State, the Army said yesterday.The attack by about 100 Boko Haram members on Monday occurred during patrols by the 113 Battalion.The ground operation by the Army and a multinational force, with air cover by the Air Force, is to raid the North on a village-by-village basis, capture Boko Haram terrorists and free the captives.Cameroonian Gen. Bouba Dobekreo said this month that the ground forces were put in place to eradicate Boko Haram threat in Nigeria.In clashes last Friday, 34 suspected Boko Haram members were killed and 455 captives freed in Borno State.In Mondays battle, 24 soldiers were injured, said Col. Sani Usman of the Nigerian Army.Military sources said: Scores of Boko Haram insurgents escaped with gunshot wounds.Yesterday, the Army reported a separate incident  a Boko Haram attack on the convoy of Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the Acting GOC (General Officer Commanding) in the Borno city of Bama. One soldier was killed and two injured.Insurgents were killed, arms and ammunition were recovered. Gen. Ezugwu was not injured.More than 20,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram terrorists and 2.3 million displaced since the group began violent campaign in 2009.
The immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), has reportedly returned N2.3bn to the Federal Government purse.

The immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), has reportedly returned N2.3bn to the Federal Government purse.An impeccable source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told reporters that Amosu issued two bank drafts to the Federal Government as part of the funds allegedly diverted by his office as Chief of Air Staff.I can confirm to you that Amosu has returned N2.3bn. He raised two bank drafts. One draft was N2bn while the second was N300m.Amosu and over 10 senior officers are being probed by the EFCC as part of the $2.1bn arms scam, especially in relation to the 10 contracts of the NAF, said to be worth $930,500,690.00.
Selekeowei Larry, counsel to Godsday Orubebe, former minister of Niger Delta affairs, on Wednesday, put on a display of aggression at t...

Selekeowei Larry, counsel to Godsday Orubebe, former minister of Niger Delta affairs, on Wednesday, put on a display of aggression at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).





Larry tussled verbally with Danladi Umar, chairman of the CCT, when Umar said that he would only give him 30 minutes to cross-examine a witness after which his case would be adjourned for the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki to continue.





In a fit of rage, Orubebes counsel countered the judges statement, saying Sarakis case was not more important than his.





He went on to insist, by shouting, that his case must proceed without latitude before Sarakis.





But Umar cautioned him, saying talk to us in a manner that is dignifying.





Larry retorted: We cannot be pushed aside because there is another case on the cause list.





Visibly angry, Umar thundered: We will proceed with your case tomorrow morning. Call the second case.





Saraki is facing multiple counts of false declaration of assets while Orubebe is facing a single count of the same alleged offence.




President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC holding at the presidential villa...

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC holding at the presidential villa, Abuja.Top on the agenda of the meeting is believed to be 2016 budget which has stirred up controversy between the presidency and the National Assembly.The meeting took off exactly 11am with the arrival of the president.The president upon his arrival called for singing of the national anthem to which all the members of the council which included the 36 Ministers of the federation participated.He, thereafter asked the Ministers of Labour and Communication, Senator Chris Ngige and Adebayo Shittu respectively to offer the opening prayers.It is expected that the Council would brief State House Correspondents at the end of the session.
The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has appealed to the Federal Government to assist states owing their workers to defray the sa...

The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has appealed to the Federal Government to assist states owing their workers to defray the salary arrears.The Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the APC in the state, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, who said this in a statement made available to our correspondent in Osogbo on Wednesday said the FG should help the states even if they have to source for fund from the external reserves.The party said states appreciated the bailout given to them last year by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, but stressed that they needed another bailout from the FG to save them from the salary crisis.The statement read, We are therefore appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government to help the affected states out of this crisis.We are approaching an emergency on this crisis, because not only is the crisis spreading like wild fire across states, it is assuming a dimension that would seriously affect the economy of the country.To avoid an emergency that could create difficulties for the economy in the next decade, the Federal Government must address the problem now, even if it means having recourse to our reserves.What was cynically thought to be an Osun problem is now suddenly a national emergency which the Federal Government can not afford to ignore.We cannot play the ostrich in a situation as critical as this.Those politicians who only few months ago were mocking the state of Osun and cynically offering their salaries to pay workers in Osun have suddenly become quiet now that their own states are owing between 6 and 10 months salaries, especially in Bayelsa.The APC further stressed that the salary crisis was a critical factor in the economic stagnation which Nigeria was experiencing currently.
Following his failed attempt to procure an order of the Federal High Court to disqualify the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CC...

Following his failed attempt to procure an order of the Federal High Court to disqualify the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, from his trial, Senate President, Bukola Saraki has applied directly to the tribunal to have its chairman disqualified.In the application filed at the CCTs Registry on April 19, Saraki, through his lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, is raising the same issue of rights violation, which he canvassed in the fundamental rights enforcement suit that Justice Adamu Abadu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja dismissed in a judgment on April 15.Just as in the suit before the federal High Court, Saraki is contending in the fresh application that he would likely not get fair trial because Umar was allegedly being investigated for corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the same agency which is conducting his (Sarakis) prosecution before the CCT.He alleged that since the CCT chairman was being investigated, he was likely to be manipulated by the Executive to give a judgment that favours the prosecution.He argued that the current composition of the tribunal would not guaranty its fairness and impartiality.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki has issued a fresh statement on his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has issued a fresh statement on his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.See statement below:The attention of the Media Office of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has been drawn to a press statement released by a group known as the Citizen United For Peace and Stability (CUPS), Titled Security Alert! - Bukola Saraki finally declares war on the Nigerian Senate.The report by CUPS stated that some unnamed sources told them that Senator Bukola Saraki has made plans to disrupt his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by making use of thugs through some key personalities from Kwara State.The statement is false, malicious and aimed at further denigrating the hard-earned image of Senator Bukola Saraki after their planned sponsored protest failed through earlier awareness to the general public of their sinister moves.It is worrisome that aggrieved politicians opposed to Saraki's emergence as the Senate President, having failed to remove him, now resort to cheap blackmail by concocting lies under the disguise of "unidentified sources ".The individuals mentioned in the statement to be planning the sinister move, are prominent Nigerians who respect the rule of law and stand strongly behind the Senate President. In this regard, this is a cheap attempt to intimidate supporters of the Senate President.It will be recalled that this same mischievous group called CUPS had earlier circulated messages at different times requesting for funds for different non existent political gatherings.The CUPS has been in the habit of peddling falsehood and deceiving unsuspecting Nigerians as the body has not lived up to its name of maintaining 'peace' and 'stability.'Senator Bukola Saraki is a law abiding citizen who has demonstrated the utmost respect for the judicial system by taking the pain to attend and defend himself at the Tribunal even though the trial is believed to be borne out of malice and political persecution.Moreover, Senator Saraki, despite his trial at the CCT has continued to perform his constitutional duties as the Senate President elected by his peers.It is therefore a gratuitous insult to the Office of the Senate President, and the personalities of the patrotic and decent individuals mentioned in the concocted lies by this organisation to link them with tales of acts of gangsterism and violation of temple of justice.This propaganda by his political opponents is not new and we urge law abiding citizens to disregard the body, its sponsors and promoters. This is the time to for everybody to forget our narrow, self-serving interest, dissuade the manipulation of state institutions to achieve personal and partisan objectives and ensure that rule of law prevails as prerequisite towards the entrenchment of our democratic tenets.Signed:Bamikole OmishoreSA (New Media)Office Of The Senate President.
On April 18th 2016, Mr. Okonkwo Afamefuna wrote the following on his Facebook wall: I decided to read a copy of the National Grazing ...

On April 18th 2016, Mr. Okonkwo Afamefuna wrote the following on his Facebook wall:I decided to read a copy of the National Grazing Reserve Bill and I was surprised at what I saw. The Bill creates a council to be chaired by a chairman to be appointed by the president. The council shall have the power to take your land anywhere the land is located in the country and then pay you compensation. Your land, when taken, shall be assigned to herdsmen who shall use your land for grazing purposes. They shall bring cows to the land and you shall lose the land permanently to those Fulani cattlemen. This is the Sudan downloading right here in Nigeria.On April 18th, Mr. Gabriel Ogbonnaya wrote the following on his Facebook wall:I decided to read a copy of the National Grazing Reserve Bill and I was surprised at what I saw. The Bill creates a commission to be chaired by a Chairman to be appointed by the president, to be confirmed by the senate.The commission shall have the power to take your land anywhere the land is located in the country and then pay you compensation. Your land, when taken, shall be assigned to herdsmen who shall use your land for grazing purposes. They shall bring cows to the land and you shall lose the land permanently to those cattlemen. If you feel that the commission was not right to take your land, you can go to court but before you go to court, you must first of all notify the federal attorney general of your intention to sue the commission.Apart from notifying, you must get the consent and authority of the federal attorney general before you can sue. So that means that if the attorney general refuses to give his consent to the suit, you have lost your land forever to the herdsmen. And this law, when passed, shall apply to the whole country so it means that your land in the village or anywhere is not safe.The National Grazing Reserve Commission would have the power to take away your land from you anytime they want and pay you whatever they want as compensation (even when you dont want to sell, and remember that for you to get compensation, you must have documents showing or proving ownership). So I think that we all in the South-West, South-South and South-East must rise up and reject this Bill. We must do all things to force our national Assembly members from passing that Bill into law.That Bill is a deliberate attempt to take our lands and hand the land over to the Fulani cattlemen since it is only the Fulanis that rear cattle in Nigeria. That law, when passed, shall fulfill the directive of Uthman Dan Fodio and other northern leaders to take over other parts of Nigeria. I implore you to use all available means to implore your senator and Reps not to pass that law. That law will destroy Nigeria. All over the world, ranches are established and used to rear cattle. The farmers buy land and put their cattle there. There is no country where the land of the citizens are compulsorily acquired and given to others.This is evil, and designed to favour the Fulanis, the stock the president comes from. We must resist the passage of that Bill into law to save Nigeria, and to protect our future generations. This is Yugoslavia and Rwanda unfolding right here in Nigeria.On April 18th 2016, Mr. Duru Collins wrote the following on his Facebook wall:This National Grazing Reserve Bill if passed into law will just mark the beginning of apartheid in our country. When the government of Zimbabwe collected land from the white people who naturalised there the whole world worked against President Robert Mugabe. Sanctions were stiffened against his regime even though the whites in Zimbabwe were not African by origin. In our country today there are people that are not Nigerians by origin and these people are making laws to take over our inheritance. This nation will burn once this law is passed. This is Lebanon and Zimbabwe downloading right here in Nigeria.On 19th April 2016, Mr. Oyinemi Nicholas Endeley wrote the following on Facebook:The National Grazing Reserve Bill is the ticket to kill us ALL down south. This is not the time to sit and watch evil triumph over good.I have called the Senator representing me and I have spoken common sense to his senses! He KNOWS what this is all about NOW. Listen people of God, its time to get angry! You will come to understand how devilish Buharis APC government is the moment you realise they are talking about a Bill that will protect the Fulani militants who, according to the Global Terror Index, are the 4th deadliest terrorist group in the world, and neglect tens of thousands of victims that have suffered gory attacks by these daredevils.This government is gradually telling us their priorities and its clear the lives of the southerners are not their priority. THIS GOVERNMENT IS EVIL. The ploy is on. They want to send the Trojan horses to our walls. They want to start the war from our lands. They will fail. They cant send their militants here in the guise of herdsmen.Those herdsmen dont own those cows, the rich Fulanis do. And I know their plans. Subsequently I will tell you guys more, you will be shocked. But for now, please get on your phones and call those representing you. Tell them not to accept this Trojan horse. It will burn our region, it will kill our childrens future. Let idiots that are southerners keep supporting APC. They dont care about you, they dont. You will BURN if their plans work!This is colonial India (before she won her independence from the British and broke three ways into Pakistan, Bangladesh and India) downloading right here in Nigeria.Finally in an article titled The Outlaws Of Islam, I wrote the following:And if they are still in any doubt about where all this is heading in the Nigerian context they should consider the following. On December 30th 1964, Mallam Bala Garba told the West African Pilot newspaper that:the conquest to the sea is now in sight. When our god-sent Ahmadu Bello said some years ago that our conquest will reach the sea shores of Nigeria, some idiots in the South were doubting its possibilities. Today have we not reached the sea? Lagos is reached. It remains Port-Harcourt. It must be conquered and taken.This is an eloquent expression of radical Islam, with its pervasive use of violence as a tool of conquest and subjugation, in its purest and most obvious form.Inspired and equipped with this Janjaweed philosophy and ethos, the whole of core northern Nigeria was conquered by Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio through the use of terror and by the power of the sword in the name of Jihad. Millions of innocent non-Muslims were cut to pieces in the process.Given the activities of Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen in our country today it appears that some in our shores are still interested in implementing that satanic agenda.If that law is ever passed and implemented, two years from that time we will regret it deeply as a nation because it will result in nothing but conflict, chaos and strife between the Fulani herdsmen and settlers on the one hand and the local indigenous population on the other.They wish to continue where Usman Dan Fodio stopped and they wish to dip the Koran in the Atlantic ocean.Their latest attempt is the introduction and proposal of what is known as the National Grazing Reserve Bill which will give the Fulani herdsmen the right to claim other peoples land all over the country and which will empower them by law to create their own settlements and communities in the territory of others.Worse still under that law the government will be compelled to fund those settlements and put all that they need in terms of infrastructure in place for them. That is why our Minister of Agriculture is now talking about importing Brazilian grass for the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle.This subtle and exceptionally brilliant attempt to infiltrate and conquer by guile and assimilation reminds me of the frightful laws that were put in place in the old wild western prairies of 19th century America.Those laws gave the white settlers rights over the lands of the indigenous Red Indians and saw the Indians themselves subjected to genocide and ethnic cleansing and herded into barren reservations that were not fit for human habitation.It was in this way that the wild west was conquered and the once proud and noble war-like Indian tribes of the western prairies were subjugated and subdued.Sadly our legislators in the National Assembly from the South and the Middle Belt simply do not appreciate and cannot comprehend the serious implications of what they are doing by supporting this evil legislation and neither will the consequences of their naivety and folly be suffered by their constituents until it is far too late.If that law is ever passed and implemented, two years from that time we will regret it deeply as a nation because it will result in nothing but conflict, chaos and strife between the Fulani herdsmen and settlers on the one hand and the local indigenous population on the other.The tragedy that unfolded in Jos, Plateau State between the indigenous Christian Beroms and the settler Muslim Fulani for many years is a graphic example of what will be replicated all over the south and the Middle Belt between the Fulani and the various local indigenous populations if that law is ever passed and implemented.As a matter of fact it will be far worse than anything that Jos ever saw. The National Grazing Reserve Bill will not result in enhancing unity and peace but instead it will result in division, bloodshed, carnage and chaos.My conclusion? This is Iraq, Syria and Libya unfolding right here in Nigeria.When you create a conflict which has its roots in religion, ethnicity, land rights, the attempt to marginalise, dominate, subjugate and conquer others and the quest for liberation and freedom from slavery and bondage all mixed into one, you are toying with a conflagration that will not only be simply horrendous and that will not only affect the whole of Africa but will also last for the next fifty years.Let me be clear: the greatest evil that we are confronted with in Nigeria today is the National Grazing Reserve Bill. It is more evil than anything that we have ever seen before. It is more insidious and dangerous than anything that we can possibly imagine.It will do more harm to us than Boko Haram and the Nigerian civil war put together and it will result in open war and the total disintegration of Nigeria. I am speaking prophetically and I am saying this under the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must stop this cantankerous and divisive Bill from seeing the light of the day and being made into law. There are some things that are bigger, greater and more important than partisan politics and this is one of them.We must all stand together regardless of our political affiliation and stop this evil Trojan horse from being smuggled into our ranks by those that seek to subjugate and conquer us. We must resist those that seek to strip us of our self-respect, self-worth, liberty and dignity.We must stand up against those that seek to destroy us and rob us of our faith and our ancestral lands. We must say never to those that seek to belittle and enslave us and that are hell bent on reducing us to nothing even within our own shores.May God help our people and our country and may He deliver us from evil.
ELMWOOD PARK -- The list of lawmakers calling for the resignation of an Elmwood Park school board member over anti-Muslim comments on her Facebook grew this week.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer, the state's lone Orthodox Jewish member of the state legislature, called for borough Board of Education Trustee Gladys Gryskiewicz to step down immediately.

Posts on Gryskiewicz's Facebook reportedly told Muslims to "(s)tay in your desserts [sic] and follow your religion in your own countries," according to a news release from the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Some of the social media comments also apparently called for ordering Muslims out of the country.

"The French told them to get lost and this is what our President should do," one post said, according to the Community News newspaper. "Go back to your own country; America needs to get rid of people like you."

"The comments that have repeatedly surfaced online by Ms. Gryskiewicz are wildly inappropriate and complete unbefitting of a member of a public school board or any elected or appointed office holder, for that matter," Schaer said in a statement.

Evan Goldman, an attorney for Gryskiewicz, said she regretted posting the Facebook comments, but would not resign, The Record reported. Gryskiewicz made the posts in January and February. Her attorney confirmed she wrote the comments.

Another message said "we cannot allow Islam to take over," the newspaper's report said.

Two fellow school board members have called for Gryskiewicz to step down over the comments. District officials have also criticized her for the posts.

Gryskiewicz, who took office in January, ran unopposed for seat on the school board.

Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly on Monday also called for Gryskiewicz to resign.

"Elected officials cannot pick and choose who they represent," Wimberly said in a statement. "These kinds of remarks should not be tolerated by anyone in public office," he said in a statement.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NORTH WILDWOOD -- A suspected robber and rapist from Pennsylvania was arrested after an eight-hour standoff with authorities at a North Wildwood home on Monday.

Jamik Washington, 23, of Bensalem, was wanted by Philadelphia police on charges of rape, robbery, sexual assault, terroristic threats and false imprisonment, officials said.

North Wildwood police assisted in the arrest of a fugitive from Pennsylvania on Monday.

North Wildwood police learned Washington might be at the home on the 200 west block of 18th Avenue after being contacted by authorities in Philadelphia, city police said in a joint statement with the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office.

The Cape May Regional SWAT Team was called after a man matching Washington's description refused to come to the door. After hours of negotiations, he surrendered, police said.

North Wildwood police charged Washington with criminal trespassing and obstruction of justice.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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VINELAND -- The family of Richard Bard Jr. walked a little more than a half mile to the Vineland Police Department carrying signs and chanting about justice during a protest Wednesday afternoon.

Bard, 31, of Bridgeton, was killed Sunday morning in a shootout with police after he robbed a man outside a market on 7th and Cherry streets, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office.

The officer involved in the shooting has not been identified and has been placed on administrative leave, per state statute.

According to the prosecutor's office, Bard and John Bain, 31, of Vineland, beat a man with a handgun on the corner of 7th and Cherry streets around 1 a.m. Sunday.

The two fled the scene and encountered police in the area of East Avenue and Almond Street, prosecutors said. Bard shot at a police officer, who returned fire and killed him, prosecutors said.

Bard's family has questioned the account of the shooting provided by authorities. They say Bard doesn't carry a gun and would not have been involved in a robbery.

Among their requests Wednesday, they wanted more details on what led to Bard's death, which officer was involved in the shooting and to see his body.

"How can they just say that they are sorry, they're sorry for taking him away," said Ebony Bonner, Bard's fiance. "They should have thought before they started shooting. How can you just accuse him of doing something he didn't do?"

Bonner said she had been in a relationship with Bard for 10 years. She last saw him the night of the shooting. He went out to get cigarettes and next thing she knew he was dead.

"You all took him away from his whole family and he's not here anymore," Bonner said. "It's not right. He don't deserve this. It's not fair."

The investigation into the shooting is being handled by the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. The Vineland Police Department has been "walled off" from the matter, according to a post on the department's official Facebook page.

Bain fled the scene and was arrested Tuesday, authorities have said. He is charged with robbery, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and certain persons not to have a weapon.

Bain is on parole for using a handgun in a robbery previously. He is being held in the Cumberland County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail and is scheduled for a court appearance Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday' demonstration began on the corner of Cherry and 7th streets. When a Vineland Police Department vehicle pulled up to a vacant lot near the protesters, they crossed the street and directed their cries to the vehicle.

"The po-po killed my grandson," said Reethel German, 62.

The protesters walked from the scene to the police department. Once there, some of the protesters held their signs against the department's glass front entrance. Bard's sister, Wanda German, held a photo of her and Bard up to a security camera.

"My son don't rob," said Dana German-Button, his mother. "He doesn't rob anyone. If anything he would try and help you the best way he can. My son likes to have parties and likes to have fun. He plays with his kids. He doesn't have time for any drama out here on the streets."

Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Rutgers University should celebrate its 250th anniversary by giving students a gift - a 2.5 percent tuition decrease, according to a coalition of student and faculty groups.

Rutgers One, a coalition that includes the faculty union and student groups, plans to hold a rally Thursday calling for the tuition cut before a hearing held by the Rutgers Board of Governors, the board that is preparing to set the state university's 2016-2017 tuition rates.

"The time is right and the money is available to take the revolutionary step of reducing tuition at Rutgers," said anthropology professor David Hughes, president of the Rutgers AAUP-AFT, the university's faculty union.

On the New Brunswick campus, the average in-state undergraduate currently pays $14,131 in tuition and fees annually to attend Rutgers. Once room and board are added to the bill, the average undergraduate pays about $26,185 a year.

A 2.5 percent tuition and fee decrease would save students about $353 a year.

University officials responded to the tuition decrease proposal with a statement saying the Rutgers board is trying to hold down student costs.

"The Board of Governors takes seriously keeping Rutgers affordable," university officials said in a statement. "It considers many factors when setting tuition rates. The wide range of costs, from meeting negotiated salary increases for faculty and staff, to the operational expenses of campuses spanning the state, as well as all revenues and available sources of state, federal and private funding have been fundamental in setting tuition rates in the past and will be this coming year."

The university administration also questioned why the faculty union is lobbying for lower tuition while also calling for higher salaries for professors.

"The regular appeals from the unions to, on one hand raise salaries while on the other hand lower tuition, seem contradictory, at best," the statement said.

The Rutgers Board of Governors is expected to set 2016-2017 tuition in July. As it prepares to make its decision, the board is holding an open hearing Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for members of the university community to give their opinions on tuition.

The Rutgers One coalition plans to hold a 6 p.m. rally outside the Rutgers Student Center in New Brunswick before the hearing to call for a tuition decrease.

The rally follows a resolution approved last week by the executive council of Rutgers' faculty union that called for the Rutgers board to tap into surplus money in its budget to cut tuition for the entire 65,000-student university next fall.

Rutgers students have called for tuition freezes several times over the last few years, with no success. Since 2011, Rutgers' annual tuition hikes have ranged from 1.6 percent to 3.3 percent.

"If the administration wanted to do something particularly revolutionary in honor of our 250th anniversary, a tuition decrease of 2.5 percent would fit the bill nicely," said Patrick Gibson, a junior computer science and American studies major from Metuchen and member of the Rutgers One coalition.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find NJ.com 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.
The Riceville Community School District got its application approved in time for Gov. Terry Branstad to praise Iowas Teacher Leadership and Compensation system at the start of the governors Future Ready Iowa Summit on Tuesday.

At a press conference in Des Moines, Branstad announced all 333 Iowa school districts officially have joined the TLC system, which promotes teacher leadership as part of the states 2013 education reform legislation.

I am pleased to hear that all Iowa school districts will join Iowas innovative teacher leadership system, Branstad said in a press release.

This speaks to the commitment of educators from all over the state who have embraced this opportunity for greater collaboration so they can better meet the needs of individual students.

Riceville, which straddles the border of Mitchell and Howard counties, was the only district not approved in early March by the Iowa Department of Education. At that time, Clarinda, East Mills, Essex, Fremont-Mills, Hamburg and Harlan were among the 38 districts approved to start TLC next school year.

Joining them will be AHSTW, Boyer Valley, Denison, Griswold, Logan-Magnolia, Missouri Valley, Riverside, Shenandoah, Sidney, South Page, Treynor, Tri-Center, Underwood, West Harrison and Woodbine.

Lewis Central, Glenwood, Atlantic and Red Oak launched TLC programs this year. Council Bluffs is the only area school district in the second year of implementing TLC.

About a quarter of the states teachers will serve in leadership roles next school year. Ryan Wise, director of the Department of Education, said the state wants to support teachers to do their best work so that, in turn, students can do their best work.

Students and schools today face higher expectations, and if we are to improve instruction and student achievement we must support the complex role of teaching. Im proud that so many school districts share this commitment, Wise said in a release.

To participate in TLC, which will provide $150 million in annual funding starting next year, districts have to meet several criteria. One outcome of universal adoption of TLC is Iowa can now claim a minimum teacher salary of $33,500 in all public school districts.
The final suspect charged with murder in the death of a Council Bluffs man has been sentenced.

On Tuesday morning, as part of a plea bargain, Christopher King, 22, of Lincoln, Nebraska, pleaded guilty to second-degree theft, a class D felony, and was sentenced to five years in prison.

In September, King, along with Caine Petersen and Sarael Duncan, were charged with first-degree murder for their roles in the death of 20-year-old Jacob Combs.

According to court documents, on Aug. 15, 2015, Petersen allegedly hit Combs with his SUV at North 10th Street and Avenue B. Petersen, King and Duncan had stolen marijuana from Combs earlier that night.

In March, Petersen, 18, of Council Bluffs, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of homicide by vehicle, a Class C felony. Petersen was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

In February, Duncan, 22, of Omaha, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of first-degree theft of property, a class C felony. Duncan was also sentenced to 10 years in prison, which will run concurrently with his maximum four-year sentence in Nebraska for being an accessory of a felony robbery.

Pottawattamie County Chief Deputy Attorney Jon Jacobmeier said one of the reasons King received less prison time was that he agreed to be a states witness and help the prosecution piece the case together.

Jacobmeier prosecuted all three cases and said the case was a sad situation overall.

Court documents indicated the three men were at a party and looking to steal drugs from Combs.

Jacobmeier said he hopes Combs death is a cautionary tale for potential drug dealers.

You sell drugs, theres a high chance you will get robbed, get killed, get hurt really bad or end up in prison, Jacobmeier said. Selling a bag of pot cost (Combs) his life. Thats the pink elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about.

King will be sent to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville to begin his sentence.
The Iowa Reading Research Center will pay for a pilot program this summer in the Council Bluffs Community School District to study different strategies for intensive summer literacy instruction.

About a hundred additional third-graders will be served as part of the districts Summer Explorations Program, the elementary summer school with financial backing from the Iowa West Foundation. They will join the roughly 120 students already served each summer by the program.

This is a program that could greatly improve area literacy, as students work to improve their proficiency in one of the 3 Rs.

Superintendent Martha Bruckner said the third-graders will be randomly assigned to one of three different literacy programs being piloted by the center.

One of this is our own program, one of them is a computer-based program and one of them is a textbook-based program, Bruckner told school board members last week. They are trying to compare those three different methods.

District officials have been working on a daily basis with the Reading Research Center to prepare for the summer pilot, which is also being conducted in other school districts across the state. Training will be provided to the district by the center and the Green Hills Area Education Agency before the summer.

Beginning next school year, Iowa will require schools to offer an intensive summer reading program for third-graders not reading at grade level, and students not participating in such programs will have to repeat the third grade unless they quality for an exemption. Lawmakers, however, may delay the launch of the mandate because of a lack of funding at the state level for the summer programs.

Regardless, we applaud the district for taking this step before the mandate kicks in.

Joanna Letz, the elementary coordinator for the Summer Exploration Program, said coaches and pilot monitors will be sent by the Reading Research Center and will provide feedback to the state, which will also allow Council Bluffs to learn from the study.

Without funding from the center, as well as more broadly for summer school from Iowa West, Council Bluffs could not afford the program, Bruckner said. She added that participating in the pilot was one way the district could find extra money to provide services to students beyond its basic offerings.

Whether or not thats sustainable remains to be seen, Bruckner said.

We hope the district, nonprofits in the area and the Legislature help ensure students in the Council Bluffs district and statewide are given this opportunity.
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The NRL, clubs, sponsors and fans will honour past and present service men and women during round eight  ANZAC Round  as the code pauses to remember and thank those who have served in military service both here and abroad.

Short remembrance services will take place prior to matches across the round, with the NRL continuing its partnership with the Returned Services League (RSL) as it commemorates its 100th anniversary this year.

Special ticket or membership offers will be available across ANZAC Round for current and ex service personnel and RSL members with formal identification, wishing to attend matches. Further information on specific match commemorations and ticket offers can be found on Club websites.

Sponsors will also pay respects across the round, with Telstra, Bundaberg Rum, Carlton and United Breweries and Hankook Tyres Australia dedicating their ground signage to remembering the ANZAC legend and RSL support.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said the ANZAC Round was an occasion to reflect on the enormous sacrifices that so many Australians and New Zealanders have made and are making both here and abroad.

"Our service men and women make the ultimate commitment to ensure our freedom and quality of life  which includes being able to go to the footy and freely celebrate together," Mr Greenberg said.

"I will be one of thousands of fans across the round pausing to pay respect to our ultimate service heroes, from our ANZACs right through to all who have bravely fought since."

RSL NSW CEO Glenn Kolomeitz thanked the NRL and fans for their ongoing support and remembrance of such an important occasion and looked forward to the round.

"Rugby League provides so much joy for so many Australians and I am encouraged by the enormous will to support and remember our past and present service men and women as part of the NRL ANZAC Round," Mr Kolomeitz said.

The RSL will be collecting funds at matches to help support retired service personnel and their families. Fans are urged to donate by purchasing a remembrance badge.
GARY  Banks, colleges, a hospital and other institutions teamed up Tuesday at Indiana University Northwest to kick off Indiana Money Smart Week.

Money Smart Week is a nationwide public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances, focusing on financial literacy at free seminars and activities. The week runs from April 23-30.

Money Smart Week is held in a month that starts with April Fools Day, said Kelly Griese, investor education coordinator for the Indiana Secretary of States office. Nationwide, 41 percent of Americans, or 92 million, give themselves a C, D or F on knowledge of personal finances.

Other speakers at the event included Dian Reyome, financial capabilities officer, Centier Bank; Lauren Trumbo, finance supervisor and financial literacy chair, St. Catherine Hospital; and IUN Chancellor William J. Lowe.

Money Smart Week topics include everything from creating a budget to first-time home buying to estate planning. Money Smart Week was created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in 2002.

One local program involves St. Catherine Hospitals 2016 Financial Literacy Series.

Weve found that we can serve our community by providing (training) on personal finance, said Trumbo. The first session will be held during Money Smart Week on April 27, 4:30-6 p.m. at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago. The topic will be Identity Theft, Scams and Fraud.

Other programs offered free of charge during Money Smart Week include Identity Theft, April 21, at Centier Corporate Center in Merrillville; Money Smart for Older Adults, April 25, at the Gary Housing Authority; and Financial Literacy & Todays Youth, an Educators Guide, April 26, at Purdue University Calumet.

Also during the press conference Reyome of Centier presented GeoCache for College checks to representatives of IUN and the four Ivy Tech campuses. The monies will be used as scholarships/prizes for the GeoCache events where teams participate in a competition which is basically a scavenger hunt utilizing smart phones. IUN received $1,000 for the competition while the Ivy Tech campuses received $500 apiece.
GARY  A trip to drop off his daughter with her mother ended in a 26-year-old man being shot to death, according to court records.

Gary brothers Cory J. Bland, 27, and Michael J. Hightower, 30, were charged Wednesday with murder in perpetration of kidnapping, kidnapping, battery and carrying a handgun without a license.

Bland was additionally charged with reckless homicide. The men were being held Wednesday without bail in Lake County Jail, according to court records.

They are accused of shooting to death Derrick D. Walker, of Gary, last Friday after he dropped off his daughter at a home in the 4300 block of West 23rd Avenue in Gary. He was pronounced dead at 10:20 p.m. at the scene, according to the Lake County coroner's office.

After dropping off his daughter, Bland approached the vehicle Walker was in and yelled at him, according to the affidavit. Walker's girlfriend told Bland they weren't there to cause any trouble.

The girl's mother later told police she had been arguing with Walker earlier, because he wanted her to reimburse him $20 for clothes he had purchased for their daughter. According to court records, the woman had told Bland about the argument and that she eventually gave Walker the $20.

After yelling at Walker, Bland walked away until Hightower got out of a vehicle that had been parked in the area. The men then started yelling at Walker while trying to pull him from the passenger seat of the car.

According to the affidavit, the men were eventually able to pull Walker from the car after one of them hit him in the face with a gun. The men continued to fight as they made their way around the car.

Bland at one point was heard telling Walker, "Come up off that money, you (expletive) (expletive) (expletive)... come up off that money," according to court records.

Walker tried to get back in the car through the driver's side, but Bland continued to hit and pull him, according to the affidavit. Hightower stopped fighting with Walker and was seen standing nearby holding a gun.

As Bland continued to hit Walker with the gun, Walker was seen falling to the ground after the gun went off, according to the affidavit. Hightower and Bland then left the area.

The Lake County coroner's office determined Walker died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Bland later called a witness crying, and said he was sorry for what happened, characterizing the shooting as an accident, according to the affidavit.
Residents interested in serving on the newly formed Hammond Police and Citizens Advisory Commissions five panels should submit their applications by June 1, officials said.

Black community leaders, Hammond police and city officials signed an agreement in December creating the advisory commission, which is aimed at improving police/community relations.

The city, Police Department, Fraternal Order of Police, Hammond Ministerial Alliance and Hammond branch of the NAACP reached the agreement after months of talks and unrest over a controversial traffic stop and complaints about police ticketing teens for jaywalking.

The agreement says the commission will include at least five members from each of five community policing districts. The Police and Citizens Advisory Commission Central Advisory Committee is charged with arranging and scheduling initial public forums for elections to each of the five districts.

In the public forums, each candidate will present his or her credentials and reason for seeking election and a vote will be taken by paper ballot, the agreement says.

District candidates must be a resident or community leader of a community policing district; demonstrate a commitment to the purposes for which the commission as created; document at least five years of community service and accomplishments; submit three character references documenting those five years; have no current complaints or lawsuits against any state or local law enforcement agencies; have no felony convictions; and have no legal warrants, according to the agreement.

Anyone interested in serving on the five district panels should send completed applications to Ronald Mullins, chairman of the Hammond Human Relations Commission.

Applications can be downloaded at www.hammondpolice.com or be obtained in person or by mail at the Human Relations Commission, 5929 Calumet Ave., Hammond, IN 46320. For more information, call Mullins at (219) 853-6502.
LAPORTE  A LaPorte man said he found himself staring down the barrel of a gun that had just been used to shoot his sister Monday night.

But Baret Strieter said when the trigger was pulled, the gun close to his face just clicked.

"I'm still in shock," said Strieter on Tuesday about the shooting.

About 11 p.m., a 911 call was placed from the 1300 block of Wright Avenue where Baret and his sister Ava live together.

Ava Strieter was lying on the grass bleeding from a bullet wound to her upper thigh.

Baret said his sister was also shot in the stomach and had what appeared to be a graze wound above her right eye.

He also saw a man with a gun next to her.

"She was saying, 'He shot me. He shot me,'" Baret said.

Baret said he was just two feet or less from the man when he pointed the gun at him and squeezed the trigger.

When the gun didn't fire, Baret said the man he recognized as his sister's ex-boyfriend got into a vehicle and fled.

He said Ava Strieter had just gone outside to smoke a cigarette when she was shot by the man she broke up with about a week ago.

According to police, officers were at the scene when they overhead the alleged gunman utter a few remarks and hang up during a brief conversation with Baret on his cell phone.

Ava Strieter, 31, was in critical but stable condition at a South Bend area hospital following surgery, police said.

Police from multiple agencies were trying to find a 47-year-old, who lives in Osceola.

"We have a person of interest. We haven't located anybody yet and the investigation is ongoing at this point," said LaPorte Police Chief of Detectives Tom Thate.

Thate would not provide more details on the effort to locate the man, but said police had not yet contacted him.
MICHIGAN CITY  A Chicago man was charged Tuesday in LaPorte County with four counts involving the sale of narcotics in Michigan City.

Sgt. Ken Drake of the Police Department's street crimes unit said tips were received of a man, identified only by the street name "Black," selling heroin near the Michigan Boulevard corridor. Police succeeded in making several buys from the suspect.

On Friday, while Black was under surveillance, police followed his car to the area of East 9th and Cedar streets, where he was stopped for numerous traffic violations. The suspect, later identified as Gregory Brown, 35, of Chicago, gave police what turned out to be a false driver's license.

When officers were returning to his vehicle, Brown fled. The pursuit ended in an alleyway near the 400 block of Holliday Street where Brown's vehicle hit a utility pole. He tried to escape on foot but was captured after a brief chase.

Drake said Brown had phones, cash, and concealed cocaine and heroin at the time of his arrest. Initially he was charged with resisting law enforcement and having a false identity. After his real identity was discovered, police found he was wanted in Cook County for escape and for being an armed habitual criminal.

On Tuesday, the LaPorte County drug charges were filed and Brown was being held on $50,000 cash bond pending his preliminary hearing Thursday in LaPorte Superior Court. Police Chief Mark Swistek urged residents to continue using the Crime Tip Hotline, (219) 873-1488, to help combat the effects of drugs on the community.
CROWN POINT  Prospective jurors for one of the state's pending capital cases could begin receiving questionnaires in the mail as early as June.

Carl Blount, 27, appeared Wednesday in front of Lake County Criminal Judge Samuel Cappas for a status hearing. Blount faces a murder charge in the shooting death of Gary Patrolman Jeffrey Westerfield.

The Lake County prosecutor's office is seeking the death penalty against Blount.

Defense attorney Richard Wolter told Cappas they were close to finalizing the questions for potential jurors and had been in contact with the county's jury commissioner. They anticipate the jury questionnaires could be sent out as early as June 1.

Defense attorney Robert Varga said they also wanted to inform the court that the state has complied with a previous motion from the defense to preserve evidence such as Westerfield's phone and computer.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Urbanski said evidence in the case was still on-going.

Blount, wearing a Lake County Jail uniform, did not say anything during the hearing as he stood between Varga and Wolter.

He has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge accusing him of shooting to death Westerfield, 47, on July 6, 2014, in the 2600 block of Van Buren Place in Gary.

Westerfield was inside his patrol car searching for Blount, who was a suspect in a domestic disturbance, police previously said.

Blount's half-brother, Dontae Blount, told police Carl Blount admitted during an emotional outburst to shooting an officer, according to court records.

Last month, the case was set for trial next year. Jury selection will begin Jan. 9, 2017, and the process is expected to take weeks. The state will begin presenting evidence Feb. 6, 2017.

Blount's next court hearing is scheduled for June 1.
CROWN POINT  A political activist is accusing election officials of hurting Donald Trump's chances in the May 3 primary.

Joe Hero, of St. John, asked the Lake County elections board Tuesday to reconsider transferring the polling place for more than 4,300 St. John area registered voters to Lake Central High School this spring.

Hero and Gerald Swets, of St. John, a Republican candidate for county recorder, said the sprawling high school campus at 8400 Wicker Ave. in St. John may be too challenging for disabled voters because of the distance from their designated parking lot.

They said the volume of traffic from more than 3,200 students entering and leaving the largest high school in Northwest Indiana would discourage anyone from going there to cast ballots for president, U.S. senator, and state legislative and county races.

Hero complained, "The outcome of this election is going to affect the presidential nominations, if you look at the heavily Republican precincts that you are shoving down and suppressing here. It is going to cause suppression of the Trump vote. I ask you to go out and look for yourself and make your own decision whether it's compliant (with the Americans with Disabilities Act) today."

Swets said he, too, is concerned the new arrangement will create an undue burden for his supporters.

The bipartisan five-member elections board was unmoved. They said their staff already had investigated the new site and taken traffic and handicapped parking into account. They said they will monitor the new site for any problems that may arise.

Michelle Fajman, the county elections director and Patrick Gabrione, assistant director, said the county will have between 12 and 15 voting machines at the school site. She said 518 persons cast votes in those six precincts four years ago during in the last presidential election.

They said the county will provide a ramp or other access aids if needed. They said the number and proximity of parking spaces is comparable to other polling places. They said school officials assured them school buses and student vehicles clogging the parking lot and nearby roads clear out in less than 22 minutes.

They said there will be plenty of signs to direct voters to the right location, and poll workers will be trained to assist voters having trouble at the site.

Gabrione said the county is moving the six precincts to the high school from Kolling Elementary School, less than a mile south of the high school, in response to concerns about the safety of Kolling's younger students from voters who might wander away from the polling area and through its halls. He said this is considered to be less of a threat for the older high school students. Voting previously had taken place at Kolling for at least 17 years.

Election officials also are moving Merrillville's Precinct 17 from the Christian Home Health Service, 4200 W. Lincoln Highway, to the First Presbyterian Church of Merrillville, 7898 Taft St., because of a complaint that voters might violate the privacy of the nursing home's residents.
DYER  A man who was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a 911 call to police was identified Tuesday.

Stephen Presnall, 47, lived at the Dyer apartment where he was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Lake County coroner's office. His death was ruled a suicide.

Police said they responded about 11 a.m. Monday to the apartment in the 1000 block of Harrison Avenue after a 911 caller said he "shot himself in the head and was going to finish the job."

The Northwest Indiana Regional SWAT responded, and police evacuated residents from nearby apartments and shut down traffic on the block.

The SWAT team attempted to make contact with the 911 caller and eventually entered the apartment, where they found the occupant dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Safety procedures at Protsman Elementary School were followed during the SWAT response. The school is about a half mile away from the apartment, police said.
GARY  Groups for and against a proposed immigrant detention center squared off prior to the Gary City Council meeting Tuesday.

Yells of "We got to fight" and "No prison" from opponents competed with yells of "Gary action now" from supporters of the center. The two groups were packed into the hall outside the council chamber.

The opponents may have the upper hand based on council action Tuesday. The council ultimately declined to refer a variance request for land at the airport to be used for the detention center to committee for a second reading. Instead, the request is expected to come back before the council on May 4 when it will reportedly need to have 6 of the 9 council members vote in favor of the variance if it is to be approved.

The Gary Board of Zoning Appeals last week voted against recommended granting the zoning variances for the parcels of land.

The GEO Group Inc., a large multinational operator of prisons and detention facilities, is seeking the City Council's support for the variance in order to operate a a 788-bed immigrant processing facility on land across from the airport.

Opponents of the detention center charged supporters were being paid by The GEO Group.

"Those are folks being paid for by GEO," said the Rev. Cheryl Rivera, executive director of the Northwest Indiana Federation of Interfaith Organizations. She contended one of the supporters admitted as much to her earlier.

Armando Saleh, a spokesman for the company, denied the allegation as did some of the group members.

He said members of the group, however, "reached out to us and said they were supporters of the project."

Supporters held signs indicating the center would mean jobs and infrastructure improvements. Opponents contend less than a quarter of the 200 jobs or more GEO says the center will provide will go to Gary residents. They also contend such a center would take advantage of the suffering of others and its presence would deter other businesses from locating near the airport.

The Rev. Dwight Gardner, with the Northwest Indiana Federation of Interfaith Organizations, gave a speech listing different reasons to oppose the detention center. As he ended each point with the phrase, "this is not in our best interest," the supporters of the prison yelled out "Gary Action."

There were several police present at the meeting and people were funneled through a metal detector as they crowded into the council chamber, although for the most part no one was stopped prior to entering the chamber which had people lining both walls.
SCHERERVILLE  The Shoppes on the Boulevard retail development vaulted over the final hurdle at Mondays special Schererville Plan Commission public meeting.

In a public hearing that took five minutes and drew no remonstrators, the plan commission voted 7-0 to grant secondary approval of the planned unit development on 2.1 acres south of Woodhollow Drive, the site of the former Krispy Kreme.

Josh Halpern, president of Alberts Diamond Jewelers, is developing the site at 346 Indianapolis Blvd. The project has been in the works since 2013, when it originally received the OK from the Schererville Town Council to build a 22,600-square-foot building to house five to 11 businesses.

Since then, the project has been scaled back to feature two buildings  one a 4,200-square foot stand-alone structure with one tenant and a 10,000-square foot building with four tenants. Alberts wont be one of those businesses.

Mike Aiello of Aiello Architecture Design in Glenview, Illinois, and Jim Reilly, general contractor with KGM Inc. of Munster, again represented Halpern, bringing along the revised plans stipulated by the Plan Commission at its meeting April 4. During that meeting, the commission issued primary approval of the site plan after eliminating one of the proposed signs across from the Toyota dealership and OKing the architectural facade choices.

Based on the favorable recommendation of the Plan Commission of those revised plan, the Schererville Town Council approved ordinances for The Shoppes on the Boulevard on April 13.

The facade approved is a blend of brick, glass and stucco (also called eifs) on the buildings in a color scheme known as Pacific sand. The stucco allows tenants to attach signs without drilling into the brick, Aiello previously explained.

Work will begin on the site as soon as all the documents are filed with the town of Schererville and permits issued.
HAMMOND  City Court Judge Jeffrey Harkin has appointed an attorney who serves as a court referee as special judge for the court.

The appointment by Harkin of Gerald P. Kray was made last Friday, three days after a Times article raised questions about Harkin's ability to serve because of health issues.

Harkin has been absent from court on a number of occasions this year. In the last month, Harkin appointed Public Defender Randy Godshalk four times to serve as a temporary judge. On other occasions, one of the referees served in his place.

Indiana law provides for "appointed judicial officers," who may be called magistrates, commissioners or referees, to serve court judges, according to Richard T. Payne, staff attorney for the Indiana Supreme Court's Division State Court Administration. These officers generally hear cases and make a recommendation to the judge concerning the outcome, but it is the judge who makes the final decision, Payne said.

On Tuesday, Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. issued an executive order transferring the personnel and equipment assigned to the City Court's Graffiti Removal program to the city's Public Works Department. McDermott said he made the move after being informed Harkin had appointed a special judge.

McDermott said he did not think the program should be under the control of someone who had not been elected to office. He added graffiti removal is something that should be under the control of the police or public works department anyway. He said, however, he would transfer the program back to the court when Harkin returns.

If Harkin is unable to continue to serve, Gov. Mike Pence would be responsible for appointing a replacement until an election could take place for the post. Harkin, who made $80,377 last year, was re-elected to another four-year term in November.

The appointment of a special judge is the latest in a tumultuous few months at Hammond City Court.

Late last year, McDermott was set to meet with Harkin and Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter about the long lines he was seeing outside the City Court. The City Court is on the same floor as the mayor's office and people waiting in line would sometimes complain to McDermott's staff.

Harkin failed to appear at that meeting because he was ill. While a staff member from Harkin's office appeared at the meeting, McDermott was upset when some proposed changes were never implemented. In January, he announced he had vetoed a transfer of some funds the council had approved for the court.

McDermott said the lines have been managed more efficiently recently and he has not seen the problems experienced in late 2015. Some people, however, expressed concern about how the judge was performing when he was at the court. Hammond resident Noreen Middleton said she wrote to officials in Indianapolis about her concerns with Harkin.

When questioned about these concerns the other week, however, Carter said Harkin had been functioning fine in terms of his mental capacity and that his office had not received any complaints.
GARY  A Griffith woman drove into the front of Methodist Hospital's Northlake Campus on Tuesday and was being treated as a result of the crash, police said.

Police responded about 2:15 p.m. to the hospital at 600 Grant St. after the 49-year-old woman drove a white Cadillac CTS into the building, Lt. Dawn Westerfield said.

There were six people in the car, including three adults and three children, police said.

The crash remained under investigation Tuesday afternoon and no further information was available, Westerfield said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Gary Police Department traffic division at (219) 881-7485.
VALPARAISO  Laurel Welter, 2, enjoys holding the eggs she gets from the chickens her older sister, Grace Welter, 6, has helped raise the last three years.

But the sisters may lose their four chickens because a city ordinance does not allow for chickens unless the property owner has five or more contiguous acres.

The girls' mother, Liz Welter, purchased the chicks four years ago after moving from Michigan to a home just south of downtown Valpo. A little torn about moving from Michigan, Liz Welter thought it would be great to have the downtown life but also a "mini-farm" and to be grounded to nature. Backyard chickens were gaining in popularity then so she purchased four chicks.

Admitting to not knowing the city rules, "we went for it," Liz Welter said.

"Chicago, everyone allows it, and I really didn't think anything of it," she said.

Last week the Welters received a letter from the city about the ordinance stating that if the chickens weren't removed by April 22 (Liz Welter said it's ironic, being Earth Day), they would face fines and legal action.

"These are pets, we take great care of them," Liz Welter said. "We compost our food for them, they are not loud and you don't even know they're here."

Liz Welter said the neighbors love the chickens - named Rosie, Petunia, Daffodil and Honeysuckle, although according to the city it was a neighbor who wanted them removed. It's not Carrie Durnell, a neighbor who is, "100 percent supportive of the chickens."

"I'm kind of a city girl, so I appreciate the gentle clucking we hear when we're out in our backyard," she said. She said her son, Henry, a classmate of Grace Welter, "loves them."

Liz Welter said the each chicken lays about one egg a day and they share them with neighbors.

"The eggs are amazing," she said.

Liz Welter said they've reached out to their councilman, Robert Cotton, who seems open to help. When contacted by The Times on Wednesday, City Administrator Bill Oeding said he developed an urban chicken file several years ago after visiting Seattle, which allows chickens and that they are popular in some neighborhoods.

Just last year neighboring Chesterton changed its ordinance to allow on smaller parcels of land a maximum of four hens, no roosters and no slaughtering.

"I dont believe, but I dont really know, that anyone in city government is opposed to urban chickens and I suspect there will be some more discussion about allowing them," Oeding said.

Oeding said he has asked code enforcement to not pursue the chicken issue until he has an opportunity to address it.

"Liz and her chickens can remain for now," he said.

Liz Welter said her oldest daughter is so worried about losing the chickens that she's offered to let the chickens move into her younger sister's room and have her sister move into her room.
VALPARAISO  In a 6-2 vote, the city's Advisory Human Relations Council on Tuesday recommended sending its human rights ordinance to the City Council.

The ordinance prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status and familial status.

Of the above classes, only sexual orientation and gender identity have minimal or no protections under Indiana and federal statute.

There are eight exemptions which include religious worship and clergy engaged in religious duties and activities and Christian schools and organizations.

Human Relations Council Chair Heath Carter, who voted for the recommendation, said some will say most of the classes named in the ordinance are already protected under state and federal law. While, true, Carter said most citizens who experience discrimination because of their religion, race, veteran status or disability cannot afford the literal expense and vast time to file a civil suit in state or federal court.

"This ordinance offers all of our city's citizens a local, accessible means of having their concerns heard and addressed," he said.

Carter said there has been a cloud of misunderstanding and misinformation regarding the ordinance and if half of what he heard was true, he'd be the first one to oppose it. He said it does not criminalize anything, least of all Christianity.

"Religion is one of the classes protected by the ordinance," he said. "It cannot revoke any person's right to religious free exercise. That right rests secure in the state and federal constitutions."

Carter said the ordinance is needed because it is a concrete way, "to live into our collective values."

"This ordinance offers a way of living into our values that comes with great benefits in the business community," he said.

HRC member Mike Glorioso said that being probably the only one on the committee from the LGBT community, "this ordinance is very personal to me."

"It helps us feel we're part of the community we love so much," he said. "Is it perfect, no, but it's a step in the right direction."

HRC member Bill Oeding voted against the recommendation. Oeding said he doesn't support it as its written.

"My personal belief that all people have a right to believe whatever they want and with a lifestyle they desire as long is doesn't interfer with another's rights," he said.

Of the exemptions, Oeding said those groups already had those rights and the ordinance took them away.

"And now they're giving them back," he said.

The ordinance also calls for an Investigation and Reconciliation Committee that will determine if a conflict exists. It will consist of one appointment each from the superintendent of Valparaiso Community Schools, the president of Valparaiso University, the City Council, the mayor and by the HRC.

Oeding is concerned that the IRC will consist of a citizen board with no judicial experience and will render an opinion that a person was or was not discriminated against.

Another opponent to the recommendation, Bill Lewis, said he was opposed for reasons including that an ordinance shouldn't be passed because of someone's feelings. He said he would ask the City Council to not adopt the ordinance.

The HRC special meeting took place at the auditorium at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Although public comment was not allowed, local residents nearly filled the capacity of the auditorium.

The ordinance can be viewed at http://ci.valparaiso.in.us/DocumentCenter/View/4159.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a judgment allowing families of victims of the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut and other terrorist attacks to collect nearly $2 billion in frozen Iranian funds.

Among those killed in the bombing was Chesterton native Thomas Thorstad. The 27-year-old Marine was one of 241 soldiers, sailors and Marines killed in the Oct. 23, 1983, bombing of the First Battalion, 8th Marines Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon.

The court on Wednesday ruled 6-2 in favor of more than 1,300 relatives of the service members who died in the Beirut bombing and victims of other attacks that courts have linked to Iran.

"I'll believe it when I see it," Jim Thorstad, Sr., of Chesterton, said on Wednesday about the Supreme Court's ruling.

Thomas Thorstad, left behind a wife and two children in addition to his parents and siblings.

"It's not going to bring my son back," said Jim Thorstad, 87. "It's not about the money. The only thing I can say is we got some justice."

Thorstad said he and his family filed claims decades ago. He wasn't confident Wednesday's ruling would be the end of the issue.

"We've been promised before and it never happened," he said.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the opinion for the court rejecting efforts by Iran's central bank to try to stave off court orders that would allow the relatives to be paid for their losses. The money is sitting in a federal court trust account.

Iran's Bank Markazi complained that Congress was intruding into the business of federal courts when it passed a 2012 law that specifically directs that the banks' assets in the United States be turned over to the families. President Barack Obama issued an executive order earlier in 2012 freezing the Iranian central bank's assets in the United States.

The law, Ginsburg wrote, "does not transgress restraints placed on Congress and the president by the Constitution."

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented. "The authority of the political branches is sufficient; they have no need to seize ours," Roberts wrote.

The decision comes as controversy swirls over pending legislation in Congress that would allow families of the Sept. 11 attacks to hold the government of Saudi Arabia liable in U.S. court. The Obama administration opposes the bill. President Barack Obama met with King Salman in Riyadh Wednesday at the start of a brief trip to the country.

Congress has repeatedly changed the law in the past 20 years to make it easier for victims to sue over state-sponsored terrorism; federal courts have awarded the victims billions of dollars. But Iran has refused to comply with the judgments, leading lawyers to hunt for Iranian assets in the United States.

The Supreme Court case involved $1.75 billion in bonds, plus accumulating interest, owned by the Iranian bank and held by Citibank in New York.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit included relatives of the victims of the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, the 1996 terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia which killed 19 service members, and other attacks that were carried out by groups with links to Iran. The lead plaintiff is Deborah Peterson, whose brother, Lance Cpl. James C. Knipple, was killed in Beirut.

"We are extremely pleased with the Supreme Court's decision, which will bring long-overdue relief to more than 1,000 victims of Iranian terrorism and their families, many of whom have waited decades for redress," said Theodore Olson, the former Bush administration Justice Department official who argued on behalf of the families at the Supreme Court.

Liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans in Congress, as well as the Obama administration, supported the families in the case.

The case is Bank Markazi v. Peterson, 14-770.

Associated Press reporter Mark Sherman and Times staff writer Joyce Russell contributed to this report.
If you havent voted yet in Indianas primary election, heres a friendly reminder of the importance of this election. Youre not deciding who will serve in that office next year. Youre choosing who will be on the ballot for your party.

Thats a distinction often lost on voters. Theyd rather choose the candidate they like the most instead of the one most voters will like the most.

Were seeing that again this year. Its clear in both the Democratic and Republican presidential contests.

Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are the Republican front-runners in this crazy presidential contest, yet polls show Ohio Gov. John Kasich has a better chance of winning in the fall.

Before you laugh at Republican voters, though, you should know Democratic voters are doing the same thing. Many are jumping at the chance to back Bernie Sanders, a candidate so far left he calls himself a Democratic socialist. How many Republicans can you name who would support a socialist for president? I sure cant think of any.

Electoral math favors moderates. And in this election year, it favors Hillary Clinton.

Clinton has the vast majority of the super delegates for the Democratic National Convention. Shes closer than Sanders to winning the nomination  not just with votes so far but also with anticipated votes in upcoming primaries.

Also, factor in that more Americans identify themselves as Democrats than Republicans. Argue with the polls all you want, but thats what the data show based on Americans responses.

All of this is to say the Republicans should be focusing on defeating Clinton, not Sanders.

Kasichs campaign is sputtering, but its pointing to polls that show hes better suited than anyone else in the race to defeat Clinton in the fall.

For all the talk of a brokered convention, with the nomination not settled before the GOP confab in Cleveland, there should be talk of a candidate who isnt more suitable to Republican voters but to the majority of voters in the fall. Maybe that isnt Kasich, but it sure isnt Trump and probably not Cruz.

House Speaker Paul Ryan already has removed himself from consideration, and some other Republicans with national profiles have done so as well.

The convention, which runs July 18-21, is a long way off, but the Indiana primary election isnt. People already are casting their votes, absentee or in person, before the official May 3 election.

A Monday New York Times story noted Indiana could be the make-or-break state for Trump.

Trump isnt likely to win the general election even if hes the Republican nominee, which is why so many Republican establishment types are concerned about Trump being on the ballot in the fall.

Ive talked to a number of candidates about how the top of the ticket will affect their own race. Ive received a variety of responses. Some trust the voters to make different decisions in local races than in the presidential race. Well see how the anti-incumbent, anti-establishment mood plays out in Indiana when the election returns roll in.

But my prediction is that in at least some races, voters will repeat the mistake of choosing the candidate they like the best instead of looking ahead to the Nov. 8 election. And then theyll complain about the result on Nov. 8 instead of basing their May 3 vote on who would stand a better chance of winning in the fall, rather than who is closest to their own ideology.
The business of Lake County's taxpaying public is supposed to be a serious one. Most of us hope members of the county's fiscal body  the Lake County Council  pursue the duties of their elected positions unencumbered by unnecessary outside distractions or conflicts.

Unfortunately, a major distraction  frankly an embarrassment  continues to hang over the Lake County Council each business day that goes by with Councilman Jamal Washington remaining within its ranks.

Today, we renew a call we first made in December for Washington to resign for the good of the people he has sworn to represent.

Four months ago, Washington, 42, of Merrillville, was arrested on two charges of strangulation, and separate counts of domestic battery and invasion of privacy for a domestic incident involving his wife and a then live-in female co-worker. He has pleaded not guilty to those counts.

Guilty or innocent, Washington should have abdicated his council position after the initial charges rather than dragging us all along on the roller coaster that is his criminal case.

A few days after the initial charges were filed, Washington was accused of texting his wife and trying to see one of his children in violation of a protective order.

His case took another corkscrew turn earlier this month when Washington was arrested again, this time on a new charge of violating the protective order issued on behalf of the two alleged victims in his domestic case.

Washington's ongoing legal troubles make it difficult to view his position on the council seriously.

A few days after his latest arrest came to light, Washington appeared to place himself atop a political high horse, noting he would be examining the Lake County sheriff's many service and consultant contracts to determine if taxpayers are getting the most competitive deals.

Examining all public contracts and assuring taxpayer money is spent wisely is important business.

But Washington's credibility is shot when he attacks the very office whose jail facility he has visited as an inmate in recent months.

It's long past time for Washington to step down. If he won't do so, his fellow government leaders should begin exerting their own pressure.
INDIANAPOLIS  A Senate committee tasked with reviewing the impact of immigration on Indiana was at times Tuesday more akin to a Donald Trump highlight reel than an analysis of the benefits and costs of new residents.

State Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, chairman of the Senate Select Commission on Immigration Issues, set that tone right away by declaring the widely disavowed terms "illegal immigrant" and "illegal alien" would be used by the panel to describe individuals who entered the United States without legal permission.

"Should we call drug dealers undocumented pharmacists?" Delph asked. "We set a poor example by not holding lawbreakers accountable."

He then proceeded to tie immigrants to Indiana's methamphetamine crisis, the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, excessive government spending, the rise of ISIS in the Middle East, the loss of American sovereignty and declining respect for the law.

"The price of freedom is truly eternal vigilance," Delph said.

"We not only have a right to know who is in our country, and for what purpose, we (also) have a duty to know  to protect ourselves, our families and our neighbors from the next event."

Aiding Delph in his crusade were Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican, and Dale Wilcox, an attorney formerly of Terre Haute.

They testified on behalf of the Immigration Reform Law Institute, the legal arm of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which state Sen. Jim Arnold, D-LaPorte, pointed out the Southern Poverty Law Center identifies as a hate group.

Together they urged Hoosier lawmakers to require all businesses in the state use a federal database to confirm the legal status of their employees. Businesses that continue hiring undocumented workers would be forced to shut down.

Earlier this year, the Delph-sponsored Senate Bill 285 would have done just that, but it did not advance in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Delph admitted he does not know how many people may be unlawfully employed in Indiana.

Wilcox and Kobach, who inadvertently called the state "Louisiana," also said Hoosiers should have to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote, and the General Assembly ought to deny all funds to any locality that refuses to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

State Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, questioned why Republicans want to subject Indiana businesses to new regulations and whether they could even survive, especially in agriculture, if immigration laws were strictly enforced.

"We've waited too long to do anything about immigration," Mrvan said. "The economy would be just destroyed."

Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, saw other forces motivating the unprecedented use of a Senate select committee.

"We've dealt with immigration issues in the past. It cost us a lot of time, effort and money, and portions of the law were struck down in court," Lanane said. "This is all about politics, and it's all about the time of the year this is going on."

Delph insisted he will oversee a fair and thorough review of Indiana's immigration issues during five more meetings in the next seven months.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia  With fresh friction wearing on an old alliance, President Barack Obama pressed Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf nations on Wednesday to step up efforts to defeat the Islamic State group and help rebuild war-torn Iraq.

Obama huddled privately with Saudi King Salman at Erga Palace as Defense Secretary Ash Carter appealed to other Gulf nations for more economic and political support for Iraq, echoing themes Obama planned to emphasize personally in talks with Gulf leaders at a regional summit. In addition to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar are participating.

The president's visit came at a difficult time for such requests. U.S. relations with Gulf allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, are under new strains due to differences over Iran, the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, and Obama's public complaints that allies are not carrying their weight.

Carter asked the Gulf countries to help with the reconstruction of the cities of Ramadi and Hit as well as Anbar province, areas that have been won back from IS militants but were left in near-shambles. He said helping the Iraqi people go home and rebuild their lives would lead to a more lasting victory and promote a more inclusive government.

"What we would like, and what we discussed today, is to do more," Carter said at Diriyah Palace.

A senior defense official said the defense chiefs had a robust discussion, but came to no solid agreements on the increased aid. Still, the Gulf nations appear to be willing to consider doing more, said the official, who briefed reporters but was not authorized to be quoted by name.

Before ramping up assistance, Sunni leaders have been waiting to see more political improvements in Baghdad, where a political crisis has complicated efforts to focus on IS, and for greater participation and aid for the Sunni population.

The U.S. has been unsatisfied with what the Gulf nations have been willing to do in the fight, both with their military forces and financial contributions. In recent comments to The Atlantic magazine, Obama described Gulf countries, among others, as "free riders" that show "an unwillingness to put any skin in the game" regarding their own regional security.

The Saudis in particular have bristled at Obama's suggestion that they "share the neighborhood" with Iran, which they see as their foe. A senior Obama administration official said the president's views on Iran were the subject of extended conversation in the meeting, with the president reiterating that he believes it's in the region's interests to lower tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The leaders also discussed human rights, the official said, in a meeting that lasted longer than the White House expected.

Still, there were signs of a less-than-enthusiastic welcome for Obama as he arrived in Saudi Arabia.

Stepping off of Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport, Obama was greeted not by King Salman but by a lower-ranking royal, Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, the governor of Riyadh. Ahead of Obama's arrival, Saudi state television showed the king personally greeting senior officials from other Gulf nations arriving at the King Salman Air Base.

Mustafa Alani, a security analyst at the Gulf Research Center, said the move was unusual and intended to send a clear message that they have little faith in him.

"The Saudis had disagreements with previous presidents," Alani said. "Here you have deep distrust that the president won't deliver anything."

Obama arrived a day after telling CBS News that his administration was reviewing the release of a 28-page section of the congressional report on the Sept. 11 attacks that some believe implicate Saudi Arabia in the planning, a charge the kingdom denies. The attention in the U.S. on the withheld pages comes as Congress debates legislation that would allow the families to sue Saudi Arabia. The Obama administration says it opposes the bill, and officials said the issue didn't come up in Obama's meeting with King Salman.

Obama ended his day with a late meeting with Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The White House said in a statement that the leaders discussed the Islamic State campaign and "the importance of stabilizing areas of Iraq liberated from ISIL."

Carter, addressing reporters in Riyadh, said Sunni support for a multi-sectarian government in Iraq will ensure that the Islamic State group "stays defeated." Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Abdullatif al-Zayani said Carter had conveyed a U.S. commitment to stand with the Gulf nations against Iranian threats, including weapons smuggling into countries like Yemen.

In their meeting, the defense ministers also reaffirmed ways that their militaries can collaborate, including in training, exercises and missions with their special operations and naval forces. They also discussed ways to counter threats from Iran  a high priority for the Gulf countries dismayed with the U.S. move to reduce sanctions on Tehran as part of last year's nuclear deal.

___

Schreck reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Abdullah al-Shihri in Riyadh and Josh Lederman in Washington contributed to this report.
Donald Trump scored a decisive victory in the New York State Republican presidential primary Tuesday night.

According to the Associated Press, with 96 percent of precincts reporting as of 1 a.m. Tuesday, Trump had 60 percent of the vote in the primary.

Ohio Governor John Kasich had 25 percent of the vote, while Texas Sen. Ted Cruz had 15 percent.

Trump, a billionaire real estate developer, was expected to win the contest after dominating a number of polls leading up to the primary.

He led by 43 points over Cruz and Kasich in a NY1-Baruch College poll released last week.

In a victory speech Tuesday, Trump said he hopes the victory will send a message to Cruz, his chief Republican rival.



"We don't have much of a race anymore based on what I'm seeing on television. Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated," Trump said. "We've won another state. As you know, we have won millions of more votes than Senator Cruz."

Heading into Tuesday's primary, Trump led Cruz by nearly 200 delegates in the race of the nomination.

Ninety-five GOP delegates were up for grabs in New York, with 1,237 needed to win the Republican nomination.

Trump will hold two events in Indiana and Maryland Wednesday. Maryland will hold its primary next Tuesday, while voters in Indiana will head to the polls on May 3.

Meanwhile, Trump's rivals are already looking ahead to the next round of contests.



John Kasich was in Maryland Tuesday night, another one of five states in the Northeast holding primaries next Tuesday.

Earlier, he discussed his strategy for winning the nomination, even though he's far behind.



"It's all about accumulating delegates going into the convention," Kasich said. "Because now, everybody has figured out that we're actually going to go to a competitive convention, an open convention. Now some people say, 'Well, shouldn't the guy that has the plurality or whatever be the one that gets picked?' Well, look, we have rules. If you can't hit the magic number, then, you know, you didn't get enough."



Cruz was in Philadelphia Tuesday night and will be in Pennsylvania again Wednesday.


Jim Clark, the former sheriff in Selma, Ala., whose violent, highly public attempts to maintain the status quo there in the Jim Crow era are widely believed to have contributed, however inadvertently, to the success of the voting rights movement, died Monday in Elba, Ala. He was 84 and had been living in a nursing home there.

The death was confirmed by the Hayes Funeral Home in Elba.

From 1955 to 1966, Mr. Clark was the sheriff of Dallas County, Ala., which includes Selma. His tenure was characterized by widespread violence against civil rights demonstrators, in particular black citizens trying to register to vote.

On Mr. Clarks authority, protesters were routinely beaten and tear-gassed and on one occasion were led on a forced march. He was sometimes assisted in his work by a group of mounted volunteers, armed with whips and clubs, who came to be known as the sheriffs posse.

Mr. Clark was famous in particular for the events of March 7, 1965  known ever after as Bloody Sunday  when peaceful black protesters in Selma, on their way to Montgomery, were beaten back by Alabama state troopers under the direction of Gov. George C. Wallace.
JINDO, South Korea  The parents waited in dread through the night, huddled under blankets in this South Korean port town, staring out to sea for a sign that rescuers had found any of the 281 people, many of them high school students, still missing after a ferry sank on Wednesday.

They refused to sleep in a tent set up for them, preferring to scan the horizon for helicopters returning from the rescue effort 11 miles off the countrys southwest coast. As the hours passed with little news of what may be one of South Koreas worst peacetime disasters, they demanded information from officials who said that fierce tides were keeping divers from entering the ship, which had mostly slipped beneath the waves long before.

Why are you not going in to save them? one woman screamed. Another, Chung Hae-sook, the mother of a missing 16-year-old boy, echoed her rage: There is no tomorrow for this, she said. My heart is turning to ashes.

By Thursday morning, the Ministry of Security and Public Administration, which is coordinating the rescue efforts, reported that 175 passengers and crew members had been rescued. Nine people were confirmed dead, including four students, two teachers and a member of the ferrys crew. But fears of a much higher death toll were stoked as survivors said they believed that many people had been trapped below deck. According to some who spoke to the local news media, passengers had been told to remain in their seats and may have stayed there until it was too late.
Calvin Klein Inc. announced on Tuesday that Francisco Costa, the womens creative director for Calvin Klein Collection, and Italo Zucchelli, the mens creative director, would leave the brand. Heres what to know about the latest jolt in a series of fashion shake-ups.

Both men shaped the brand for more than a decade

The Brazil-born and Fashion Institute of Technology-educated Costa came to Calvin Klein in 2001, after designing for Oscar de la Renta and Gucci (under Tom Ford). He assumed the womens wear mantle in 2003 and won the CFDAs Womenswear Designer of the Year Award in 2006 and 2008. He also won the 2009 Cooper Hewitt National Fashion Design Award, which meant face time with the first lady, Michelle Obama.

Zucchelli, a graduate of Polimoda Fashion School in Florence, arrived at Calvin Klein in 2000 (after a stint at Jil Sander) and became the mens creative director in 2004. His accolades include the 2009 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Award. How Costas and Zucchellis industry praise translated into sales isnt public knowledge; as Business of Fashions Lauren Sherman writes, its unclear whether the companys ready-to-wear collections  particularly the womens line  were successful financially, citing Calvin Kleins former president and C.E.O., Tom Murry. He previously told the site, Its not a business that contributes to the bottom line and it probably never will be.
Camille O. Cosby gave deposition testimony a second time on Tuesday in a civil case filed against her husband, Bill Cosby, by seven women in Massachusetts who say he defamed them after they came forward with accusations of sexual assault.

Mrs. Cosby, who has been married to the entertainer for 52 years, was questioned for five and a half hours at the offices of her lawyers in Boston.

Mrs. Cosby had already answered questions under oath in February. Her lawyers had tried to cancel, or at the very least limit, the second session of her deposition, contending that a lawyer for the seven women, Joseph Cammarata, had asked a litany of improper and offensive questions during her first day of testimony.

Magistrate Judge David H. Hennessy denied Mrs. Cosbys request earlier this month but told Mr. Cammarata not to ask Mrs. Cosby questions about her opinions.
Season 1, Episode 1

Before starting to recap tonights episode, I feel compelled to confess: Im not a John le Carre expert. Im no stranger to his work, of course. Ive spent long car rides in the company of George Smiley. Ive admired Alec Guinness in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. But these experiences date back almost to the end of the Cold War  and le Carre is the sort of author who often inspires lifelong devotion in his readers. (Like the creators of Homeland, for example, who are conversant enough with his books to nimbly sprinkle bits and pieces of quotes into their scripts.)

And so, Ive worried: Would I be able to write for viewers who might know passages of The Night Manager by heart?

After viewing tonights episode, Im relieved to say that coming to AMCs new series with fresh eyes may not be so bad after all.

Le Carre purists may well be frustrated by liberties taken with this reinvention of the 1993 novel. But as a contemporary spy tale, taken on its own merits, the show is deeply appealing, and in substance and style, for this viewer at least, moved the book forward in a number of fortuitous ways.
Lucious continues to wage war for control in Empire. Ilana Glazer and Paul W. Downs of Broad City take a trip in Time Traveling Bong. And Crackle brings its original content to Xfinity on Demand.

Whats on TV

EMPIRE 9 p.m. on Fox. Lucious releases his new music video, then sabotages everyone who stands between him and the chief executives office. Hakeem takes control of the shareholders meeting. And Andre tries to learn more about his grandmothers mental illness to better understand his own bipolar disorder. (Image: From lower left, Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Gray and Taraji P. Henson)

GHOST TOWN (2008) 3 p.m. on MoreMax. After a near-death experience Bertram Pincus, a misanthropic Manhattan dentist played by a sniveling Ricky Gervais, starts to see dead people  namely, a two-timing yuppie (Greg Kinnear) who was hit by a bus. This ghost wants Bertram to befriend his widow (Tea Leoni) and prevent her from remarrying. She hates Bertram, and then she doesnt. Instead of becoming mired in sentimentality like flies in molasses, David Koepps romantic froth tiptoes to the edge of that sticky mess, but it doesnt get caught there, Stephen Holden wrote in The New York Times.

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA (2015) 8 p.m. on TMC. An Oscar nomination eluded her. But Kristen Stewart racked up a supporting actress prize from the New York Film Critics Circle and the French equivalent of an Academy Award for her portrayal of a personal assistant who unwittingly mimics the role for which her boss  an aging French movie star played by Juliette Binoche  achieved stardom: an ingenue catastrophically involved with a lovesick older woman. Writing in The Times, Manohla Dargis called Olivier Assayass drama superb, adding that playing the second lead to Ms. Binoche liberates Ms. Stewart. (Image: Ms. Binoche, left, and Ms. Stewart)
In this weeks episode of the Modern Love Podcast, the actor Joshua Jackson (The Affair, Dawsons Creek) reads Joshua Fattals 2014 essay, Reaching Out Between the Bars. Mr. Fattal was one of three Americans, along with Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, who were detained in Iran for 26 months after unknowingly crossing over an unmarked border of Iraqi Kurdistan into Iranian Kurdistan during a hiking trip in 2009.

You can also hear the episode on iTunes and Stitcher.

Upon returning home, Mr. Fattal reunited with his middle-school girlfriend, Jenny. This is the story of their relationship.

Afterward, Mr. Fattal will talk about life since the column was published.

Follow Joshua Fattal on Twitter.
Samuel Wilson, meet Isaac Mayo. Now, will the real Uncle Sam please stand up?

A history professor in Nebraska tracing the origin of the popular personification of the United States government has fleshed out a reference to Uncle Sam that predates the traditional wisdom that the nickname was derived from Wilson, an upstate New York butcher who would stamp the meat he delivered to the military with the initials U.S. during the War of 1812.

That notion was popularized in 1830, in The New York Gazette and Daily Advertiser. Wilsons claim to the name was recently buttressed by Christopher K. Philippo, who is researching a book on cemeteries in Troy, N.Y.; he discovered a letter from the Rev. Robert Russell Booth, who presided over Wilsons funeral, and wrote that he often talked with him about the circumstances which led to the singular transfer of his popular name to the United States.

But other historians suggest that Uncle Sam predated Samuel Wilson. Barry Popik, an etymologist, has pointed out that in 1813 the upstate Troy Post, without mentioning Wilson, explained the derivation this way: The letters U.S. on the government waggons, &c., are supposed to have given rise to it.
The federal investigation of Mayor Bill de Blasios campaign fund-raising apparatus has expanded to focus on efforts to raise money for Democratic candidates for the State Senate in 2014, when the party was battling to retake the chamber, according to people with knowledge of grand jury subpoenas issued in the inquiry.

Earlier this week, federal agents and local investigators served state grand jury subpoenas for records related to fund-raising on behalf of Democratic candidates who were in the midst of half a dozen hotly contested races that year, two of the people said. In the end, the Senate remained in Republican control.

Several of the Democratic candidates themselves were among those contacted by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and investigators working with prosecutors from the office of the Manhattan district attorney. The agents and investigators contacted some of the candidates to serve the subpoenas and, in some cases, conduct interviews, the people said.

Mr. de Blasio made retaking the chamber a priority in 2014 and personally solicited contributions for his fellow Democrats in Senate races as part of that effort. There is no indication that Mr. de Blasio is a target of the inquiry. Spokesmen for his re-election campaign and the citys Law Department declined to say whether they had received subpoenas.
A state lawmaker who represents the Queens district where an armed man was fatally shot by the police over the weekend asked on Tuesday for the governor to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the episode, officials said.

State Senator James Sanders Jr., whose district includes the South Ozone Park neighborhood where the man, George Tillman, 32, was killed by plainclothes officers on Sunday, said he had submitted a written request to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for the governor, confirmed that his office had received the request and said it would be forwarded to the attorney general for consideration.

Eric Soufer, a spokesman for the attorney general, said his office was aware of the senators letter. Investigators from a special unit created to look into police-involved civilian deaths have been in touch with the Queens district attorney and are reviewing the case, he said.
(Want to get this briefing by email? Heres the sign-up.)

Good morning.

Heres what you need to know:

 Triumphs for Clinton and Trump.

Hillary Clinton ended a string of Bernie Sanders victories by gaining 58 percent of the vote in Tuesdays Democratic primary in New York. Mrs. Clinton could win less than half of the remaining vote and still earn a majority of pledged delegates by June.

Donald J. Trump captured just over 60 percent of the vote in the Republican primary, more than double the share won by John R. Kasich, who came second. If Mr. Trump keeps his current level of support in the remaining races, he could win a delegate majority before the convention.
When the movement for sentencing reform began, its main supporters ran the ideological gamut from the Koch brothers to the A.C.L.U., from Newt Gingrich to President Obama and from the N.A.A.C.P. to the Tea Partys Freedom Works.

A key advocacy group backing the bill, the Coalition for Public Safety, boasts on its website that

In an unprecedented way, the Coalition brings together the nations most prominent conservative and progressive organizations to pursue an aggressive criminal justice reform effort.

There is, however, growing evidence that this coalition of strange bedfellows will implode if House Republicans insist on slipping in below the radar draft language approved by the House Judiciary Committee on Nov. 18, 2015.

These highly technical draft provisions invoke a legal concept known as mens rea (Latin for guilty mind), which holds that in some cases a defendant can plausibly claim not to have known that an action violated a law and can thus escape legal prosecution. A mens rea legal standard can make white collar prosecution of corporate executives more difficult.

The drive to include the mens rea provisions in sentencing reform legislation threatens to fracture the coalition backing the legislation. The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a strongly liberal organization, provided this statement from Wade Henderson, president and C.E.O., when I inquired about his position on the stealth provisions:

The mens rea provisions are completely unrelated to sentencing reform. Including them in the final bill is a poison pill that would kill the chance of bipartisan reform.

The Leadership Conference is a crucial participant in the drive for sentencing reform. It is a broad-based coalition of over 200 member organizations, including most civil rights, organized labor and liberal advocacy groups.

Leslie Caldwell, assistant attorney general for the criminal division of the Department of Justice, is on the same page as Henderson, and testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 20 that adding mens rea to the sentencing legislation

would create massive uncertainty in the law, undermine the enforcement of a multitude of criminal laws, and allow defendants charged with serious crimes  including terrorism, violent crime, sexual offenses, immigration violations, and corporate fraud  to embroil federal courts in extensive litigation and potentially escape liability for egregious and very harmful conduct.

Some Democratic members of Congress who agree with the Henderson-Caldwell argument acknowledged that the covert inclusion of mens rea in the sentencing reform bill would pose a real dilemma. It would be very hard for me to explain to my black constituents that I voted against sentencing reform because of some abstract concept called mens rea that is tough for anyone to understand, one member, who did not want to publicly discuss his own ambivalence, told me.

To complicate matters, there are some liberal and progressive interests that support the core idea of mens rea  that intent to do wrong is a necessary component of criminal guilt. Thus there is a group, albeit a small one, of liberals and Democrats who support mens rea provisions in the House version of sentencing reform legislation, including some members of the Judiciary Committee, like Representative John Conyers of Michigan, whose office provided this statement:

During our review of over-criminalization issues in recent years, the Committee has heard a number of concerns about inadequate, and sometimes completely absent, intent requirements for federal criminal offenses. I look forward to working with the range of those interested in this subject, including criminal defense experts, prosecutors, and corporate accountability advocates, so that the legislative process will produce an appropriate solution.

Gideon Yaffe, a law professor at Yale who argued recently in a Times op-ed that the House Judiciary bill is A Republican Proposal That Democrats Should Back, contended in an email that Justice Department opposition to mens rea is a matter of prosecutorial overreach.

Because of the protection mens rea standards offer to business and corporate interests, an attempt to pass sentencing reform without mens rea could run into tough opposition from House Republicans.
The timing is troubling, if coincidental: Last Thursday, just 11 days after a trove of leaked documents now known as the Panama Papers reaffirmed the essential role of journalists and whistle-blowers in revealing illegal or unethical business practices, the European Parliament approved rules to protect corporate trade secrets that could put a chill on such efforts.

The trade secrets directive, in the works since 2013, has provoked a strong reaction from journalists, who fear the law could effectively make it impossible to report on corporate malfeasance, like Volkswagens deceptions on diesel emissions. Last year, the French investigative journalist Elise Lucet launched an online petition against the directive that gathered more than a half million signatures.

The petition persuaded policy makers to add language exempting cases in which disclosure of a trade secret serves the public interest insofar as relevant misconduct or wrongdoing is revealed. Even so, according to Ricardo Gutierrez, the general secretary of the European Federation of Journalists, the directive still raises doubts as to whether journalists and, in particular, their sources  whistle-blowers  are appropriately protected.

The main problem is that the new rules place on whistle-blowers and investigative journalists the burden of proving that the actions in question constitute corporate or financial misconduct. Martin Pigeon, of the watchdog organization Corporate Europe Observatory, claims the legislation would have potentially criminalized the release of the Panama Papers.
New Yorks primary has rarely been more than a footnote in presidential history. But on Tuesday that all changed. Donald Trump won his home state by a substantial margin, while Hillary Clinton defeated Bernie Sanders, son of Brooklyn.

A prediction: The minute the results are final, Republican stalwarts will crank up the volume on calls for Gov. John Kasich to leave the race. He should ignore them. Mr. Sanders also has no reason to give up his fight.

Mr. Trump and Ted Cruz both want Mr. Kasich out of the competition. Mr. Trump figures that if its a two-person race, hes more likely to start winning more contests with an actual majority of votes.

Mr. Cruz knows it is now nearly impossible for him to win the nomination outright, particularly with Mr. Kasich still around. So the thoroughly unlikable Texan, who has proved he will do or say nearly anything to win, has been raising weak ballot challenges aimed at disqualifying Mr. Kasich from various state contests, and fanning rumors that Mr. Kasich is angling to be a Trump vice president. The Kasich camp denies this.
California and New York have taken very different paths to a $15 minimum wage. Now, they are differing on how to provide paid family leave, in ways that are instructive for other states and for the federal government.

Since 2004, workers in California have been entitled to receive 55 percent of their wages for up to six weeks of leave to care for a new child or a seriously ill relative. Starting in 2018, a new law will lift that rate to 70 percent for the lowest-paid earners, defined as those making up to one-third of the states average weekly wage of $1,121 currently. For almost all other workers, the rate will rise to 60 percent, up to a maximum weekly benefit of about $1,200.

The new law is intended to help all workers in California, including low-income workers, take family leave. Under current law, many cant afford to take leave because 55 percent of their pay is not enough to live on.
The Supreme Court heard arguments this week over the Obama administrations use of prosecutorial discretion to protect some unauthorized immigrants from deportation. It is a momentous debate about presidential power, and the lives of millions hang in the balance. Lost in the hubbub is a parallel struggle, taking place far from Washington, in places like Georgia and North Carolina. It involves the administrations efforts to crack down on recent migrants from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Though their numbers are relatively small, the way they are being treated poses a critical moral test for the administration  a test it is failing.

Those three countries are among the most violent corners of our hemisphere. El Salvador is the worlds murder capital. Honduras and Guatemala are not far behind. All are plagued by an epidemic of killings of women and children  by gang and drug warfare and by political oppression. The United States remains a rich and stable neighbor, more than capable of helping to stabilize the region and of welcoming and protecting the desperate people who have fled by the thousands to the Texas border.

Instead, it offered Operation Border Guardian, a grossly misnamed immigration-enforcement surge that went after people this country did not need to guard against. It began in January and lasted a month, but its damage is still being felt. Among its tens of thousands of targets were more than 300 recent migrants from Central America, youths who crossed the border without their parents and turned 18 in the United States, thus losing some of the protections granted to unaccompanied minors. After they lost their cases to win asylum or other protection and were ordered deported by immigration courts, Immigration and Customs Enforcement hunted them down.

In a country that has been losing its bearings on immigration, this effort taints all who touch it, from the ICE director, Sarah Saldana, to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, to President Obama himself.
Washington  IS it really possible that Alexander Hamilton, of all people, is about to relegate a woman to the back of the $10 bill, just 10 months after the Treasury Department promised to feature a woman on the new version of the note?

With Hamilton, a philandering liar who was the first secretary of the Treasury, having a star turn on Broadway, his successor Jacob J. Lew has apparently decided to keep him on the front of the bill. According to reports, Secretary Lew will place a woman (or perhaps several women) on the back.

Its yet another wait your turn moment for American women. When formerly enslaved men got the right to vote in 1870, women demanding their own suffrage were told to wait; their turn would come. It took a half-century, and a heroic struggle, before they achieved the vote in 1920.

The updated $10 bill, scheduled to enter circulation in 2020, was supposed to celebrate the centennial of that achievement. Now it will be more like a footnote. That is more than a broken promise; its a blatant and insulting statement of womens second-class status.
When the photographer Louise Dahl-Wolfe was hired at Harpers Bazaar in 1936, fashion photography as we think of it today hardly existed. As she recalled years later, at the beginning of her career there werent really fashion photographers, just artists like Steichen, who just happened to do fashion photography. Dahl-Wolfe worked as a principal photographer at Bazaar  alongside its editor in chief Carmel Snow, the art director Alexey Brodovich and fashion editor Diana Vreeland  for 22 years, and played a large role in redefining the form: pioneering a shift away from stiff society portraits to a more natural and relaxed style of photography.

A new book, out this month from Aperture, provides a comprehensive look at the influential photographers work. The daughter of Norwegian immigrants, Dahl-Wolfe grew up in San Francisco. Initially, she hoped to become a painter; she studied design, composition and art history at the San Francisco Institute of Art. Though she abandoned painting after an instructor reportedly called her work the essence of superficiality, she wrote in her 1984 autobiography, The Photographers Scrapbook, that much of her success as a photographer was thanks to her training. In particular, her studies in color theory served her well: Dahl-Wolfe distinguished herself as one of the first photographers at ease working with color film. From the moment I saw her first color photograph, I knew that the Bazaar was at last going to look the way I had instinctively wanted my magazine to look, Snow later wrote.

Dahl-Wolfe took up photography after meeting Anne W. Brigman, an early member of the Photo-Secession group. She worked as an interior designer for a few years in New York before setting off on a trip across Europe and North Africa  where she met her future husband, the American painter and sculptor Mike Wolfe. In 1933, the couple moved to New York, where Dahl-Wolfe worked briefly as a food photographer for Womans Home Companion before she started shooting for Saks Fifth Avenue and Bonwit Teller.
We used to drink mezcal and beer, but now were really into cocktails, says Mafer Tejada, a bartender at Mexico Citys Licoreria Limantour, of the trend sweeping her hometown. Following in the footsteps of boundary-pushing chefs like Enrique Olvera of Pujol, the Mexican haute cuisine restaurant that currently occupies the 16th position on the list of the worlds 50 best, mixologists across Mexico City are also making their mark through artful presentations, unusual ingredients and unique bar design. Here, a shortlist of the citys most exceptional places to imbibe.

Many credit the acclaimed Licoreria, which opened in the stylish neighborhood of Roma in 2011, with leading the local craft cocktail movement. (A second location in Polanco opened in 2013.) The current menu  it changes twice a year  spotlights the flavors of Latin America, and fittingly, sources ingredients from the region. Tejada, the first female to win the title of Mexicos World Class Bartender of the Year, in 2015, recommends the Margarita Al Pastor, which mixes silver tequila with bright cilantro, sweet pineapple and smoky chile  flavors found in the beloved taco.

A quick jaunt through Lenox  a lively spot in the trendy neighborhood of La Juarez specializing in American comforts (think meatloaf, onion rings and grilled cheese)  reveals Parker, a cozy, dimly lit cocktail den that also offers live jazz on most nights. While the drinks menu is comprised of nearly 30 cocktails, the bartenders are renowned for their faultless execution of the classics, including frosty mint juleps and silky smooth negronis.

Classic gone contemporary is the specialty of the head bartender Mica Rousseau at this lounge in the Four Seasons Hotel. In the refined yet approachable space  filled with custom wood furniture, a long marble bar and distressed leather chairs  guests flip for Rousseaus photogenic house specialty, the Inside Manhattan. After balancing a specially made ice sphere of bourbon, vermouth and Angostura bitters on top of a glass, the bartender cracks the sphere, releasing the liquid and broken ice into the vessel below.
That might not seem like so much, but its a huge number because Democrats award their delegates proportionally in each primary. Mr. Sanders, therefore, needed to win the rest of the race by a margin of roughly 57 to 43  a big problem for a candidate who had been losing by around 57 to 43. Heres one way to think about how big his deficit is: If all of the 17 contests Mr. Sanders won got to vote again (which is to say, counted twice), he would still trail Hillary Clinton in the pledged delegate count.

Mr. Sanders seems on track to win 43 percent of the vote again tonight. By falling short, his burden in the remaining states grows even greater: He might now need 58 or 59 percent of the remaining delegates, depending on how the results finish.

Mrs. Clintons strength in New York, a state Mr. Sanderss advisers contended they could win, confirms that he is not on a pace to win the remaining states by such a clear margin.

To the extent that Mr. Sanderss supporters envisioned a path to a majority of delegates, it hinged on the assumption that he would prove strongest in the most heavily Democratic states, like New York and California.

The assumption was not consistent with the results leading to today. Mr. Sanders lost the states most similar to New York or California, like Illinois and Florida, even Massachusetts. In truth, there has been no relationship between Mr. Sanderss strength and the Democratic leanings of a county. The stronger predictors of Mrs. Clintons strength were diversity and affluence  which augured well for her in New York.
Attorney General Bill Schuette of Michigan said he would make a significant announcement on Wednesday in the states investigation into the water contamination crisis in Flint.

Mr. Schuette, who announced in January that he was opening an inquiry into the failed water system that exposed residents to elevated levels of lead, has scheduled a news conference on Wednesday in Flint. He is expected to appear there with top investigators and prosecutors in the case. A spokeswoman for Mr. Schuette, a Republican, declined to say what he would announce or whether the investigation was complete.

Ari Adler, a spokesman for Gov. Rick Snyder, who has faced intense criticism over his handling of the water crisis, said his office had not been given any information from the attorney generals office.

The state has faced scrutiny for months after Flint switched its water supply and failed to use protective chemicals that prevent leaching of lead from pipes.
She danced the merengue in Washington Heights. She slammed down a mean game of dominoes in East Harlem.

And in the East Village the day before the New York primary, Hillary Clinton broke her long-held rule of not eating in front of the news media by digging into an ice cream concoction named the Victory.

Mrs. Clinton seemed, for the first time in a rocky and unpredictable Democratic race, relaxed. Thats whats so great about being back here now for this primary, she said at Mikey Likes It Ice Cream, where the owner had named the dessert in her honor. I get to go to a lot of the places that I love. I get to meet new people and see people Ive known for a long time.

Mrs. Clinton has had dramatic highs and crushing lows in her political career and in this campaign. But since she first ran for office 16 years ago, New York has always been the state that loved her back, and on Tuesday it delivered one of her biggest boosts yet toward becoming the first woman to capture the Democratic Partys nomination for president.
Donald J. Trump wrested back control of the Republican presidential race on Tuesday with a commanding victory in the New York primary, while Hillary Clinton dealt a severe blow to Senator Bernie Sanders with an unexpectedly strong win that led her to declare that the Democratic nomination was in sight.

The Queens-born, Manhattan-made Mr. Trump was poised to take most of the 95 Republican delegates at stake, substantially adding to his current lead over Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and significantly improving his chances of winning the Republican nomination. Mr. Cruz came away with no delegates, a major setback, while Gov. John Kasich of Ohio had a shot at picking up some in Manhattan and the capital region.

Mrs. Clintons decisive victory ended a string of wins by Mr. Sanders and gave her more delegates than her advisers expected. Her base of support was Long Island, the five boroughs, and upstate cities, with female and black and Hispanic voters turning out for her in especially strong numbers.

The two hometown winners beamed throughout their victory speeches, but it was Mr. Trump who particularly seemed like a different candidate. As he spoke in the lobby of Trump Tower, there were no freewheeling presentations of steaks and bottled water, as in the past. There was no reference to Lyin Ted or Crooked Hillary; he called his opponent Senator Cruz instead, and made no mention of Mrs. Clinton. He also took no questions from the news media.
From fish markets in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to coffee shops in Chappaqua, New Yorkers made Tuesdays election, like so many other things, all about themselves  their personal idiosyncrasies, their campaigns for social justice, their immigrant journeys and their settling of old political scores.

Eager to expound on a contest with opinions that until now nobody had really asked for, they described their preferences at the ballot box with a combination of New York know-it-allism, emotion and parochialism.

A Manhattan actor was eager to punish Bill Clinton for the sin of mocking Barack Obama eight years ago in South Carolina. (His choice: Bernie Sanders.) A retiree wanted to align herself with Ted Cruz because they shared so much. (Im Hispanic, she explained. Im voting for Ted.) An immigrant from Britain tried to single-handedly tug the Republican Party to the left with a vote for John Kasich.

Im not really a Republican, the man, a 35-year-old screenwriter named Mayuran Tiruchelvam, confided as he explained his electoral calculations outside a polling site on West 101st Street. I want to ensure that the least socially conservative candidate is the nominee.
MEXICO CITY  Fidel Castro bade farewell to Cubas Communist Party on Tuesday, telling party members that he would soon die and urging them to fulfill his communist vision.

Soon, I will be 90, said Mr. Castro, 89, who spoke in a strong but rasping voice at the close of a four-day party congress in Havana, according to official press reports. Mr. Castros birthday is on Aug. 13.

Our turn comes to us all, added Mr. Castro, who made his longest public address in years clad in a blue track jacket, but the ideas of Cuban communism will endure.

While Mr. Castro seemed to take his leave on Tuesday, others in his cohort signaled their intentions to stay put. The Communist Party announced that Mr. Castros brother, President Raul Castro, 84, and the presidents hard-line second-in-command, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, 85, would continue to lead the party for at least part of another five-year term.
EL MATAL, Ecuador  The narrow, six-mile road that connected this fishing village to the main highway disintegrated from the earths violent heaves, severing it from all outside contact.

It would be days before anyone arrived.

Residents took to the rubble with shovels and sticks, to little avail. Some used their hands to push away debris from a sandy cliff that had collapsed, smothering all the homes below.

There was no water, no electricity. And with all phone lines severed, there would be no calling for help.

On Tuesday, a military helicopter made the 40-minute flight from the provincial capital, Portoviejo, ferrying supplies and a New York Times reporter and photographer.
Patricio Aylwin, the former president of Chile whose election in 1989 put an end to the long dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, and who set up a commission that exposed the governments brutalities, died on Tuesday at his home in Santiago. He was 97.

His family confirmed his death.

Mr. Aylwin (pronounced ELL-win), the leader of the centrist Christian Democratic Party for more than half a century, was the first elected civilian after General Pinochets 17-year rule.

A mild-mannered lawyer, he initially seemed no match for the gruff General Pinochet, who remained the army commander in chief. But Mr. Aylwin went on to hold together a coalition of 17 moderate and left-wing parties, maintained the high economic growth rate he had inherited from the Pinochet years, distributed income and social benefits that helped reduce poverty levels and  perhaps his greatest accomplishment  established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to collect testimony on human rights abuses under General Pinochet.

The negotiated terms of the transition to civilian rule had placed severe limitations on Mr. Aylwins government. They included keeping General Pinochets authoritarian 1980 Constitution in place, albeit with revisions, allowing the former dictator to remain head of the army for eight years and later to take a seat in the Senate for life.
WASHINGTON  A federal judge has rejected a legal challenge to rules permitting F.B.I. agents, when working on domestic criminal cases, to search emails written by Americans that the government has intercepted without a warrant in the name of gathering foreign intelligence.

In an 80-page opinion that was issued in November and remained classified until being made public on Tuesday, Judge Thomas F. Hogan, the chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, ruled that what critics call backdoor searches of messages by the F.B.I. comply with both the Constitution and the FISA Amendments Act. That 2008 statute legalized a form of the governments once-secret warrantless surveillance program.

Under the program, which the Bush administration started in 2001 to hunt for terrorists, the government may collect, on domestic soil and without a warrant, international emails and phone calls of noncitizens abroad, even when they communicate with Americans.

Judge Hogans ruling is notable because some lawmakers want to require government agencies to get a warrant before searching the raw repository of emails for an Americans name or email address. Bipartisan majorities in the House have twice passed such a proposal in the last two years, and it is expected to be a central feature of a fight over legislation to renew the FISA Amendments Act, which is set to expire at the end of 2017.
Obama administration officials have been vigorously lobbying against the Sept. 11 bill, which has broad bipartisan support, arguing that Americans overseas could be put in legal jeopardy if other nations were to retaliate and strip them of immunity in foreign courts. But the measure is gaining support in Congress at a time when many lawmakers are demanding greater scrutiny of Washingtons alliance with the kingdom, which for decades has been a cornerstone of American foreign policy in the Middle East and once the subject of little examination on Capitol Hill.

Very bluntly, they no longer have us in an energy straight jacket, said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, referring to growing domestic oil production that has made the United States less reliant on the Saudis. He added that the American government now knows more about Saudi Arabias historical funding of extremist groups and that Americans are also increasingly concerned about Saudi Arabias human rights record.

President Obama arrives in Riyadh on Wednesday for meetings with King Salman and other top Saudi officials. It is not known whether the legislation will be discussed during those talks. The president has said he will veto the bill in its current form.

In an interview with CBS News on Monday, he said, If we open up the possibility that individuals and the United States can routinely start suing other governments, then we are also opening up the United States to being continually sued by individuals in other countries.

Image Senator Lindsey Graham said he may drop his opposition. Credit... European Pressphoto Agency

In an unusual alliance, some Republicans, even those fiercely critical of the administrations policies in the Middle East, seemed to agree with the White House on the legislation. On Tuesday, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, declined to give his full support of the bill, saying he would need to study the measure more carefully.
CAIRO  The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a prominent Libyan politician as part of a broader Western effort to force Libyas warring factions to accept the authority of a unity government backed by the United Nations.

The Treasury Department said it was adding the politician, Khalifa al-Ghweil, the leader of a self-declared government in the capital, Tripoli, to its sanctions list and would freeze any assets he might have in the United States.

The sanctions are a boost to the new unity government, which was formed under the auspices of the United Nations in December, has strong support from Western countries that are desperate to end years of turmoil in Libya. It also enjoys the allegiance of Libyas national oil company, the central bank and some of the militias that guard the countrys oil fields.

Its arrival leaves Libya in the unusual position of having three rival governments  two in Tripoli, and one in the east  and the unity administration has struggled to impose its authority since its leaders landed in Tripoli three weeks ago. Now other Libyan officials who, like Mr. Ghweil, oppose it, could face similar penalties.
The crisis roiling the ballet company of the Bucharest National Opera in recent weeks rippled not only through the international dance world but through Romanian politics as well. And ultimately it was a government-brokered plan that paved the way for the return on Wednesday of the companys two biggest stars: its artistic director, Johan Kobborg, and the dancer Alina Cojocaru, who both resigned this month after clashing with management over the direction of the company.

Hes back in the office, and Im in the studio, finally, Ms. Cojocaru said in a telephone interview from Bucharest.

The ballet companys profile had risen since Mr. Kobborg, a Dane who is a former principal at the Royal Danish Ballet and the Royal Ballet in London, became its artistic director two years ago, and his fiancee, Ms. Cojocaru, a star who is a principal at the English National Ballet, returned to her native Bucharest as a permanent guest artist. Both worked to improve the companys reputation, bringing new dancers and repertoire to Bucharest.

But they resigned on April 12 after new management took over the opera house and removed Mr. Kobborgs title of artistic director from the companys website, saying it did not technically exist in the official hierarchy. His name was placed among the ballet companys artists, a low rank comparable to the corps de ballet in other companies.
MORRIS: Its awkward! Its also fascinating. The conceptual coups of the show reside in its placing the stress on Hamiltons being an outsider and having that status align with the modern conversation about who belongs in this country. In the show, that line, Immigrants, we get the job done simultaneously brings down the house and electrifies it. Its exhilaratingly punctual. This is to say that an amazing thing has happened to Hamilton thanks to the success of the show. Hes the subject of Ron Chernows book, but now hes also Lin-Manuel Miranda. So to Mr. Mirandas fans (and to Hamiltons late-arriving partisans), removing him from the $10 bill might feel like apostasy, confirming not only how cool this guy suddenly is, but how he has been recast as nonwhite  and, consequently, how protected he is by our current identity politics.

SCHUESSLER: Exactly. Am I crazy to think that the show has effectively turned Hamilton  a white man born in the British West Indies  into our nonwhite founder, or our least-white founder, in a Bill Clinton first black president kind of way? It has certainly made Hamilton, an unabashed elitist, into a populist hero, embraced by people who (like me) probably didnt quite notice until the last year that he was even on our currency. But is it important that the people on our money, and in our history books, are likable and relatable (to use two good 18th-century words)?

APPELBAUM: Id like to admire the people on our currency, but its unlikely that we, in the sense of all Americans, are going to agree about any given historical figure. The eurozone has skirted this problem by putting bridges on its bank notes. And theyre not even actual bridges: just archetypes of different styles: Classical on the five euro note, Romanesque on the 10 euro note, and so forth. Putting presidents on currency is also a kind of safe harbor. Those are the 43 people who have actually won a national popularity contest.

Tubman now joins the shorter list of nonpresidents who have been selected as representative Americans, alongside Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin.

MORRIS: Jenny, I can tell you a story thats worse than never looking at my money. On Saturdays, I go to the same ATM to withdraw cash for the week. I prefer that particular set of machines because it gives out $10s and $50s, and getting them feels, I dont know, special. Well, last weekend it gave me a $100 bill that, in the shallow pockets of my sweats, might have as well have been a one, since the money was quickly gone. Thats a little story about why I hate athleisure. Its also a story about why I hate cash.

But this Harriet Tubman news will make me reconsider. For one thing, shes super-representative. For another, $20 bills are the favorite denomination of most ATMs, and I predict Ill feel scrupulous in spending it. How do I pay for a family-pack of toilet paper with a Tubman? Who knows, my savings game might go through the roof.
PARIS  In discussing her work, the theater director Yael Farber often invokes the concept of a reckoning  a potent word from someone who was raised in apartheid South Africa and whose latest production, a reworking of Lorraine Hansberrys unfinished play Les Blancs, dramatizes the effects of African colonialism.

Les Blancs, which had a brief run on Broadway in 1970 but had languished since then, opened last month at the National Theater in London to impressive reviews, with The Guardian calling it a near-perfect production of an imperfect play.

Lorraine Hansberry speaks about colonialism and how that system has never had its day of reckoning, Ms. Farber said over coffee on a recent spring morning in Paris at a bistro near the Theatre des Bouffes du Nord, where Mies Julie, her 2012 adaptation of Strindbergs Miss Julie, was enjoying a two-week run. She brings everything together in this tiny little mission station and questions everything about how the rape of a continent has occurred. Its extraordinary.

Hansberry, whose Raisin in the Sun was a sensation when it appeared in 1959, had completed several drafts of Les Blancs when she died of pancreatic cancer in 1965 at age 34.
CARLISLE  A few years ago, you would never have found Brian McClure on the Appalachian Trail.

For a guy who enjoys just sitting around a fire or sitting behind the TV set, this was a stretch, McClure said.

Now, however, McClure, of Middletown, and some family members have more than 160 miles of trail in Pennsylvania under their belts.

We didnt know it was going to be 21 degrees in the mountains up north, or snowing, or raining, or 50 mph winds, he said, but we got it done.

Step by step.

Its just like life, he said. It kind of winds its way up and down the East Coast, sometimes switching back on itself. Its a crooked journey, and it turns out lifes a crooked journey as well.

McClure found that out in 2012 when he was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinsons Disease. It started with common symptoms like tremors.

I knew something wasnt quite right, he said. My balance wasnt quite right. I was getting more and more stiff, slowness of movement, things like that.

Parkinsons isnt fatal, but it usually progresses until the person is completely debilitated.

While McClure could still hike the Appalachian Trail. He did it during April, Parkinsons Awareness Month, for his cause, Barkin for Parkinsons. Money raised will benefit Susquehanna Service Dogs.

Susquehanna Service Dogs raises and trains balance dogs and these balance dogs help more than just Parkinsons patients, he said.

McClure and his family finished their hike Tuesday outside of Carlisle. The lesson learned will remain. Its a lesson that applies to any journey.

You dont have to do it alone, he said. With friends and support, you can do anything you want. It doesnt matter if you have Parkinsons. It doesnt matter what you have. You can get it done.

The reason why McClure finished the hike when and where he did is because Spring Carlisle started Wednesday. There will be two Barkin for Parkinsons fundraisers at the event.

Lancaster Brewing Company brewed a special beer called Blue Trail. Its a lemon blueberry Shandy. Part of the proceeds will go to Barkin for Parkinsons. The company will release the beer Friday at Spring Carlisle and then at both Lancaster Brewing Company locations starting Saturday.

A car auction also will benefit Barkin for Parkinsons. William H. Wessels Used Cars of Dillsburg donated a car that will be auctioned off at Spring Carlisle. The auction runs Thursday to Friday at the Carlisle Expo Center.

To donate to Barkin for Parkinsons, visit www.keystonehumanservices.org.

Thanks to a local donor, every donation will be matched through the end of the month. The donor has already donated $10,000 to the cause.

To follow McClure on his journey, visit his blog, www.spillinbeerwithbrian.com.
But hey, lets table that reservation: Were talking Barbra here. Of course, its all about her.

And to be fair, she did come first. You could argue that her career made Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David and the gals of Broad City possible.

Mr. Gabler, no stranger to the subject of either Hollywood or Jewishness (hes the author of Winchell, Walt Disney and An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood) starts with the potted Streisand biography: The father who died when she was 15 months old, the withholding mother. Her triumph in talent contests at the Lion nightclub as an 18-year-old, her spellbinding performance of A Sleepin Bee on The Tonight Show, her wowie of a debut on Broadway as Miss Marmelstein in I Can Get It for You Wholesale.

The odds were so toweringly stacked against Ms. Streisand that her story, in a way, becomes a perfect case study in what it takes to become famous: a king-size determination; an insatiable craving for the spotlight; a cyclonic combination of overconfidence and insecurity, whirling in its own feedback loop. In 1964, she told Time magazine: Im too whatever-I-am to end up in the middle.

Her Jewishness, at least at the beginning, was a scrim for everyone, including other Jews, to project many anxieties. Fanny Brices daughter thought she was too Jewish to play her own mother in Funny Girl.

Yet it was precisely through her movies that Ms. Streisand brought the public over to her side  namely by performing her life. In film after film, Mr. Gabler writes, shed go from mieskeit to beauty  mieskeit is Yiddish for an ugly person, a frump  from an outsider to a guiding light.

Ms. Streisand eventually became such a powerful gravitational force that the world curved to her. No less than Vogue magazine declared that shed ushered in a whole new taste in beauty. She posed on the cover of Playboy. By the time she was in her 60s, Mr. Gabler writes, she had become so much a part of our consciousness that we accepted her for who she was. The assimilation wasnt hers. It was ours.

Image Credit... Patricia Wall/The New York Times

As a male writer, Mr. Gabler treads extra cautiously when writing about Ms. Streisand. (Which is always welcome! We thank him for that, we do!) But this sensitivity, I think, obscures some basic facts about her character. Being a feminist doesnt require you to be an apologist.
LONDON  Barclays announced on Wednesday that a veteran of its Barclaycard business would be the permanent head of its credit card and payment operations.

Amer Sajed, who joined Barclays from Citigroup in 2006, becomes chief executive of the Barclaycard business immediately, the British bank said.

Ive been impressed by Amers deep understanding of the global payments landscape, James E. Staley, the Barclays chief executive, said in a news release. Barclaycard enjoyed its most successful year in 2015, and I am confident that, under Amers leadership, the business will continue to go from strength to strength.

Since joining the bank, Mr. Sajed has been as chief executive of the Barclaycard business in Britain and the United States. He has also served as interim chief executive of the overall Barclaycard business since May 2015.
HONG KONG  Lexmark, the printing and software company, agreed Wednesday to be sold to a consortium led by Apex Technology of China and PAG Asia Capital, a private equity firm, for $3.6 billion, including debt.

Lexmark had been looking into strategic alternatives for a while. The consortium buying it, which also includes Legend Capital Management, a venture capital firm, will pay $40.50 a share in an all-cash transaction. Lexmark said the deal represented a 30 percent premium to its closing price on Oct. 21, when it became known that the company was looking into its options.

Lexmark said the deal would allow it to expand in Asia.

With the Consortiums resources, we will be able to continue to invest in and grow the business to more fully penetrate the Asia Pacific market for hardware, software and managed print services, Paul Rooke, Lexmarks chairman and chief executive, said in a news release.

Jackson Wang, the chairman of Apex, added that the two businesses were likely to be complementary, as Apex manufactures parts for ink cartridges. Apex has traditionally been successful in emerging markets and in cost-effective production, Mr. Wang said in a news release. We are excited to work alongside Lexmark as they continue to invest in advanced technologies and solutions to best serve their customers and business partners, while simultaneously pursuing untapped opportunities in emerging markets particularly in Asia for future growth.
The news that the blood-testing company Theranos is being investigated by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission brings to mind the adage that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The company, which seemed to epitomize a Silicon Valley unicorn by shooting to a valuation of $9 billion on the promise of revolutionary technology, making a billionaire of its founder, Elizabeth Holmes, could find itself swamped as it deals with the investigations and problems in its laboratory.

Theranos says it is cooperating fully with all investigations.

The question is what potential violations might be the subject of the investigations.

Like most private companies, Theranos shares have not been made available to the general investing public. But that does not exempt the company from the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws. A misstatement or omission of material fact in connection with the sale of its securities to venture capital firms could constitute a violation.
It caused a social media firestorm worthy of coverage by a New York City tabloid, but in this case it was a tabloid itself that was in the spotlight.

The firing of an editor at The Daily News on Tuesday capped a day that saw plagiarism accusations and sharp criticism on Twitter aimed at the newspaper and one of its writers, Shaun King.

The newspapers editor in chief, Jim Rich, said in a statement forwarded to Mr. King that the editor, who was not identified, had been dismissed after a series of egregious and inexplicable errors over the past few months.

Specifically, Mr. Rich said, the editor deleted attribution in Mr. Kings articles in at least three instances, leaving parts of his work without proper credit to sources.
Dude, wheres my Pulitzer?

When Brian Gleason heard this week that his old employer, Sun Newspapers of Charlotte Harbor, Fla., had won its first Pulitzer Prize, he was elated. Then he asked his former editor, Jim Gouvellis, what the award was for.

He said, The prisoner death editorials, Mr. Gleason recalled. I said: Jim, I wrote some of those.

It turned out that Mr. Gleason, who left the paper in August, had written three of the eight unsigned pieces recognized by the Pulitzer committee as the finest newspaper editorial writing of last year. The problem: Nobody on the current staff remembered.

It was not hard for me to remember, Mr. Gleason, now the communications manager for the local county, said in an interview.
WASHINGTON  Irans central bank must pay nearly $2 billion to victims of terrorist attacks, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday.

In a 6-to-2 decision, the court said Congress had not exceeded its constitutional role in enacting a statute to make it easier for the plaintiffs to recover damages that had been awarded to them in a series of lawsuits.

The cases were brought by the families of Americans killed in terrorist attacks found to have been sponsored by Iran, including relatives of those who died in the 1983 Marine Corps barracks bombing in Lebanon. That attack killed 241 servicemen.

The plaintiffs sought to collect frozen funds from Bank Markazi, Irans central bank, relying on a 2012 federal law, the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, that made the task easier by specifying assets of the bank that could satisfy the plaintiffs judgments. The law was quite specific, naming a single, pending consolidated case by caption and docket number.
I cant quite believe Im involved in this, said Charles Finch, standing before a shelf of imported olive oils at Dean & DeLuca in SoHo on a recent evening. He had the beaming face of a kid in a candy store. Or rather, a kid who runs the candy store.

Its such a joyous thing to walk in here because it feels happy, he said.

As grocery stores go, the flagship of the fine food chain was undeniably festive on this night. Several hundred people, many of them movers and shakers in the food world, had been invited by Mr. Finch to eat and drink among the cheese and pastry counters and aisles of expensive and colorfully packaged gourmet foods.

There was a five-piece jazz band playing and a tower made of madeleines in the center of the store and white-smocked chefs whipping up snacks like seared scallops with ramp puree.

The reason for the party was ostensibly the introduction of Prince Street, a new food-themed podcast produced by Dean & DeLuca. But more broadly, it was part of Mr. Finchs effort to reinvigorate and re-energize a foodie institution that was once a place where chefs came to get new ideas but has lost some of its prestige and market share to upstarts like Eataly.
She disputed the notion that there was one 80s style. For her, she said, the joy of the 80s was the freedom to dabble in many: rockabilly one day, new wave the next. Think of 1980s icons who piled on vintage and secondhand looks with reckless abandon, women like Cyndi Lauper (who, by the way, is still touring the nation, with Boy George in tow).

I think that there are very strong different points of view, like we had in the 80s, she said. I feel that something of this spirit is coming back.

Echt 1980s boutique Giorgio Beverly Hills may be no more  nor its impresario, Fred Hayman, who died last week  but Barneys New York took a step back toward its 1980s moment. Its 17th Street womens store, opened in 1986 connected to its formerly coed Seventh Avenue brother, was a destination for 80s fashion plates looking for Alaia, Montana and Gaultier, and the site of a charity fashion show and auction of denim jackets in 1986 to raise funds for AIDS research.

The Chelsea store closed in 1997, replaced by a Madison Avenue outpost. The Madison shop remains, but Barneys is back on Seventh Avenue. (A charity fashion show and auction of leather jackets, a callback to the 1986 original, was planned for the March opening, this time supporting White Columns gallery and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center; when the fashion show was scuppered because of space constraints, the auction was held online instead.)

Look around, and the spirit crops up everywhere. You can take your 80s at the movies, whether sporting, as in Richard Linklaters Everybody Wants Some!! or swooning, as in Once director John Carneys Sing Street, about would-be Dubliner rockers agog over Duran Duran.

You can take it on TV (or whatever streaming device has replaced your TV): on CNN, a seven-part documentary series, The Eighties, began on March 31; on Netflix, Winona Ryder (breakout star of Beetlejuice in 1988) stars in Stranger Things, a thriller billed as a love letter to the 80s classics that captivated a generation, which will debut July 15.
Name Lil Freckles

Age 28

Hometown Eastchester, N.Y.

Now Lives In a four-bedroom apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn, with her three best friends.

Claim to Fame Lil Freckles (her real name is Emma Carroll) is a pixie-faced rapper whose unapologetic and raunchy lyrics betray the high-low melodrama of millennial life. She has performed at the Cake Shop on the Lower East Side, the closing party for Tandem in Bushwick, the Woodstock Comedy Festival in Brooklyn, and the Fun Fun Fun Fest of music and comedy in Austin, Tex.

Big Break Ms. Carroll graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 2010 and was a production assistant on Girls when she began to take rap more seriously. Everyone was very cool about the music, and Lena wrote me into a scene, she said, referring to Lena Dunham, the shows creator. Lil Freckles made her debut TV performance in the shows third season as the musical act that preceded Marnie and Desi in a scene filmed at Glasslands in Brooklyn.

Latest Project Her second mixtape, Sleep on It, written in collaboration with the hip-hop artist Kyle Rapps (real name Kyle Sutton), was released in December. I wrote one song at a time for about a year, about things that were going on in my life, she said. The music is funny, but its not a joke. She hopes the lyrics, which deal with friendship, family and feminism, as in the song Feminist Kings, will resonate with all sorts of listeners. The tracks are also peppered with tongue-in-cheek samples of random cultural moments. Our Mothers begins with a few bars from I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables. Midway through Classic Case, there is an audio clip from the 1994 attack on the figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, when she wails, Why? Why? Why?
The Shippensburg Borough Council voted 6-0 Tuesday night to send a letter to the Shippensburg Area School District, encouraging administrators to consider hiring a resource officer to respond to non-criminal complaints within the district.

The action followed discussion regarding several recent incidents at local schools. According to Shippensburg Mayor Bruce Hockersmith, police were called three or four times in the last month for incidents that were not emergencies and did not involve criminal acts.

On one of the occasions, a child bit some people  at least six people, Hockersmith said.

He said there is little police can do in situations like that because state law puts responsibility of the students in the hands of the school district while the children are in school.

Somebody has to be in charge of discipline, and there has to be discipline  Most districts around us have a resource officer, Hockersmith said.

Our police force is not meant to be a disciplinary force, said council president Andrea Lage.

In response to a question, Shippensburg Area Emergency Medical Services public relations officer Heather Franzoni said that emergency responders are obligated to investigate all 911 calls.

Once a call comes in, it has to be completed, she said.

In other action, the council approved by separate 6-0 votes Developers Construction, Stormwater Pipe Replacement, and Operations and Maintenance agreements with McDonalds.

Last October, McDonalds announced plans to build a new modern restaurant at 333 E. King St.

The current McDonalds restaurant, built 37 years ago, will be demolished, and a new restaurant will be built in its place. The new restaurant will be a 4,456-square-foot brick building with stacked stone trim and side-by-side drive-thru windows.

In addition, the council approved 6-0 a Developers Agreement and Final Land Development Plan, submitted by Samuel Cressler, for the first phase of Gandy Manor at Earl and Garfield streets.

Development will be completed in five phases, each lasting no longer than two years.

The final phase would involve relocation of The Thought Lot.

Unanimous approval was also given to the Shippensburg Relay for Life Committee to hang purple ribbons on downtown trees, and to a request to replace five windows at 316 E. Orange St.

Borough Solicitor Sam Wiser also suggested that the council adopt an ordinance setting general guidelines and restrictions for ribbons that are hung in the borough.

We have restrictions for banners that are put across streets, he said. I think it would be good to have restrictions on ribbons, too.

In other business Tuesday, Borough Manager John Epley reported that the borough received a $58,500 Community Development Block Grant. He said the money is for code enforcement efforts ($10,000), enhanced police patrols in high crime areas ($15,000), American Disabilities Act sidewalk improvements at Earl and Orange streets ($15,000) and an inflow and infiltration study ($18,500).

The grant is awarded through the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities.

In addition, Epley reported that Branch Creek Place has applied for a grant to repave its parking lot. He said the borough would provide personnel and equipment to help with the work.
To New Yorkers, greater Mulberry Street is typically considered NoLIta, unless its northern Chinatown, or to those old enough to remember Sinatra at the Paramount, Little Italy.

Maybe now its time to scrap those distinctions and give it a new nickname: NoPho, for no phones.

Want to call and check if Han Kjobenhavn, the Euro-chic boutique, has that electric blue strangle knit sweater in a medium? Youre out of luck. See how long the wait is going to be at the Aussie-chic cafe Two Hands? No chance. Find out what color of hoodies are in stock at the flagship of skater-influenced-fashion label Noah? Better wander on over, lazy boy.

I dont need it, so I dont have it, said Brendon Babenzien, Noahs owner, referring to a landline phone in the store during a call that took several days to arrange. I dont have a landline at home, either.

It is no secret that tweens and millennials long ago decided that person-to-person phone calls were decidedly retro, and not in that fashionable old-Dylan-vinyl-albums way.
Advocating for equal pay in Hollywood takes its toll, as the actress Patricia Arquette said she learned the hard way. Ms. Arquette, who made her 2015 Oscar speech an impassioned plea for income equality, said she lost jobs as a result of her comments.

But Im O.K. with that, she said, at a recent panel for female filmmakers sponsored by the Tribeca Film Festival and the #ActuallySheCan campaign. Sometimes when youre in a position to make a difference  to be a part of that story is a great thing. Gender inequality, she added, doesnt just affect Hollywood; a recent study by the World Economic Forum found that in all industries except health care, women are still underrepresented, and paid less overall.

Ms. Arquette, who won the supporting actress Oscar for her role in Boyhood, drew cheers from Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez in the audience when she said, Its our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America.

Now the actress has become a de facto spokeswoman for wage equality, especially in California, which in January enacted some of the strongest fair pay protections in the country  partly thanks to her comments. State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, a Democrat from Southern California, referenced Ms. Arquettes speech when she introduced the legislation just a few days after the Oscars. Her rallying cry, Senator Jackson said, has energized a movement that has long been calling for this. And she credited the news media attention with helping to raise momentum to pass the bill, which she had long been working on as part of the California Legislative Womens Caucus.
Donald J. Trumps Cessna jet has been grounded.

The aircraft, which records show has been used to shuttle Mr. Trump to dozens of campaign events in recent months, has been flying with an expired registration since Feb. 1. On Wednesday, a Federal Aviation Administration official informed the planes pilot that the Cessna cannot fly until it has been reregistered.

F.A.A. inspectors have contacted the chief pilot of N725DT about the aircrafts expired registration, Laura J. Brown, a spokeswoman for the F.A.A., said in a statement, referring to the planes tail number. The aircraft owner is currently working with the F.A.A.s Aircraft Registry and will reregister the aircraft before further flight.

The failure of DJT Operations CX, the limited liability company controlled by Mr. Trump that owns the 1997 Cessna 750 Citation X, to renew the planes registration was the subject of a recent article in The New York Times.

Ms. Brown would not comment on whether the F.A.A. plans to take any action against the Cessnas owner, the operator or both. Though it is unlikely that the agency will seek the maximum penalty, flying with no registration could result in a civil penalty of up to $27,500, a criminal fine of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to three years. Fines are often assessed.
The longest such sentence in recent years appears to be the one imposed on William F. Boyland Jr., a former assemblyman, who was convicted in a bribery case in Federal District Court in Brooklyn and was sentenced last year to 14 years in prison.

Mr. Silver is scheduled to be sentenced on May 3 in Federal District Court in Manhattan. In a short letter to the judge, Valerie E. Caproni, he said he had been advised by his lawyers not to comment on the facts of the case or on the verdict, given a possible appeal, but that he wanted to apologize. I failed the people of New York, he wrote. There is no question about it. Other than my family, serving my constituents was the most important thing to me.

Mr. Silver, in what appeared to be his first substantive public comment on the case since his conviction, said that because of his actions, New Yorks ethics rules were and continue to be analyzed, evaluated and criticized everywhere.

He said he had worked for years to make sure the Assembly and its members were respected as a legislative body. Because of me, the government has been ridiculed, he wrote. I let my peers down, I let the people of the state down, and I let down my constituents  the people of Lower Manhattan that I live among and fought for. They deserve better.

In Mr. Silvers case, the federal sentencing guidelines, which are only advisory, suggest a sentence between roughly 22 and 27 years, prosecutors said in a memorandum filed with the judge. While the government said a sentence in that range would not be unreasonable or unjust, it did not specifically request one.
Hillary Clintons commanding victory in New York on Tuesday put yet another nail in the coffin of Bernie Sanderss candidacy.

As The Upshots Nate Cohn put it:

New York, like every contest at this stage, was a state he needed to win. The result confirms that he is on track to lose the pledged delegate race and therefore the nomination.

At this pace, Clinton will finish this nomination cycle having won more votes, more states and more pledged delegates than Sanders. Furthermore, Clinton has also won six of the nine general election swing states that The New York Times listed in 2012.

And yet Sanders soldiers on, as is his right.

But Tuesday, Sanderss campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, told MSNBC that if Clinton doesnt clinch the nomination by pledged delegates alone, even if she has won the most popular votes, pledged delegates and states, Sanders will still take his fight to the convention. Sanders will absolutely try to turn superdelegates, who overwhelmingly support Clinton, and win the nomination that way.
To the Editor:

Re Bono Tells Senate That National Security Is Dependent on Foreign Aid (First Draft, nytimes.com, April 13):

Bono said that aid is national security. Retired military leaders have also made the case for greater investment in civilian tools, like foreign assistance. Defense and military efforts are vital to our national security goals, but cannot fully address the multifaceted challenges we face today.

Foreign assistance is critical to achieving our national security objectives, laying the groundwork for developing countries today to become bigger partners tomorrow.

The price tag on this invaluable element of our national power rings in at less than 1 percent of the total federal budget. For fiscal year 2017, the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development foreign assistance request totals $34 billion.

That sliver of the budget pie bolsters our national security by supporting activities that counter Daesh (the Islamic State) and violent extremism, mitigate crises in Syria and Iraq, address the underlying factors of migration from Central America and more.
The Senate voted Wednesday to approve an energy bill that contains provisions encouraging land conservation, renewable energy and improved efficiency. It also includes bad ideas that would harm the environment, particularly a provision that would encourage the burning of trees to generate electricity.

Lawmakers in the Senate struck a deal last week to advance the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, which was introduced by Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, and Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington. The bill is a modest attempt at bipartisanship in a Congress that has seen very little of it. Both sides of the aisle put aside their most ambitious energy proposals in an effort to achieve small gains. That is not necessarily a bad thing, given how deeply divided the two parties are on energy and environmental policy.

The bill would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, an immensely valuable open-space program that uses oil and gas royalties to pay for projects that preserve undeveloped landscapes and historic and cultural sites. The program, which has protected millions of acres in its 51-year history, has never been fully funded and was even allowed to expire briefly in 2015. At least now its survival is assured.

The bill also includes measures to improve the electricity grid so it is capable of accommodating more renewable energy sources, like solar and wind. It seeks to improve the cybersecurity of the grid, an important measure given recent attempts by hackers to disrupt vital computer systems; sets new efficiency standards for federal buildings; and in other ways would reduce residential and commercial energy use.
A college senior boarded a flight and excitedly called his family to recount a United Nations event he had attended, but, unfortunately, he was speaking Arabic. Southwest Airlines kicked him off the plane, in the sixth case reported in the United States this year in which a Muslim was ejected from a flight.

Such Islamophobia also finds expression in the political system, with Donald Trump calling for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country (Welcome to the U.S.A.! Now, whats your religion?) and Ted Cruz suggesting special patrols of Muslim neighborhoods (in New York City, by the nearly 1,000 police officers who are Muslim?). Some 50 percent of Americans support a ban and special patrols.

Such attitudes contradict our values and make us look like a bastion of intolerance. But for those of us who denounce these prejudices, its also important to acknowledge that there truly are dangerous strains of intolerance and extremism within the Islamic world  and for many of these, Saudi Arabia is the source.

Im glad that President Obama is visiting Saudi Arabia, for engagement usually works better than isolation. But lets not let diplomatic niceties keep us from pointing to the insidious role that Saudi Arabia plays in sowing instability, and, for that matter, in tarnishing the image of Islam worldwide. The truth is that Saudi leaders do far more to damage Islam than Trump or Cruz can do, and we should be as ready to denounce their bigotry as Trumps.
Q. I keep getting Windows 10 upgrade messages on my Windows 7 system. I dont want to leave Windows 7 yet, but Ive heard the upgrades are not free later on. Is this true and how much will it cost?

A. According to Microsofts previously announced offer, compatible devices running authentic copies of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1 Update (the latest versions of both systems) are eligible for the free upgrade to Windows 10. The free upgrade is available until July 29, 2016, and comes in the form of a three-gigabyte installation file downloaded from Microsofts servers.

The free upgrade is Microsofts attempt to move users from older versions of Windows to the latest edition of the operating system, which has newer features and better security. Microsoft charges about $120 to buy the full Windows 10 software for computers that do not meet the upgrade requirements, but the company has not yet released information about future pricing and what will happen after the time limit on the free upgrade offer expires.

However, expect an announcement on Windows 10 upgrades by midsummer at the latest. When asked, a Microsoft representative said the company will have more details to share as we get closer to July 29. (A major update to the Windows 10 software is also due out this summer.)
Pennsylvania, which holds its primary next Tuesday, uses a nonbinding loophole primary  and that could cost Donald Trump the Republican nomination.

If the state adopted the delegate rules of any other primary, he would probably be an even-money favorite, or better, to amass the 1,237 delegates needed before the convention.

Instead, his chances may come down to the whims of 54 unpledged Pennsylvania delegates.

No other state leaves so many of its delegates unbound  allowed to vote for whomever they please at the convention. Thats because it conducts its loophole primary in two parts. First is the beauty contest, which is a presidential primary preference vote. The winner of the beauty contest gets all of Pennsylvanias 17 at-large and bonus delegates.

But the remaining 54  the three delegates awarded to each congressional district  are unbound and elected in the delegate selection primary. In this part, voters directly elect delegates to the national convention. What makes Pennsylvanias G.O.P. delegate selection primary so distinctive is that the ballot includes no guidance on whom a delegate will support at the national convention (the prospective Democratic delegates commit to a candidate). A voter will just see a list of names  some of whom might be recognizable, but others might as well be Joe Schmo.
An art student hung six nooses, each a different color of the rainbow, from a tree at a university in Tennessee on Monday as part of a class project, the school said, provoking an uproar among students and staff members who saw them as a symbol of racism and homophobia evocative of the Ku Klux Klan.

Passers-by found the colorful nooses hanging in a row  purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red  from a tree branch high above the sidewalk in front of a fine arts building at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., at around 5 p.m. on Monday, the university said.

They were quickly removed by campus police, but it was not until Tuesday that the administration said in a statement that the nooses had been part of an art project. The school declined to name the student who put them up.

This is a lesson for everyone about sensitivity and respect for all people and how inclusive and understanding we need to be as a campus community, said Alisa White, the university president, in a statement on Tuesday. While we support the freedom of expression on our campus, we also have to keep in mind that there are symbols that have very specific and negative meanings to everyone, especially if context is not provided.
Mr. Poch said he had been disillusioned by a sense that colleges have become driven more by data points  SAT scores, maximizing tuition revenue and maximizing enrollment  than by the individual characteristics of students who apply.

But David Hawkins, the executive director for educational content and policy at the National Association for College Admission Counseling, said that to some degree, both colleges and students were overreacting. Colleges do so by engaging in what he called an arms race toward higher selectivity in an effort to improve their rankings, and students by applying to so many colleges.

In the end, he said, the average acceptance rate at four-year colleges has remained stable at about 65 percent nationwide.

Essentially whats happening is that students are sort of swirling around and then eventually settling into an institution, Mr. Hawkins said. The fact of the matter is that there does seem to be a place for any student who wants to go to a four-year college.

As admissions officials compose a class, campus conflicts over racial issues  like whether Princeton should keep Woodrow Wilsons name on buildings and programs (it has) or whether Harvard Law School should drop a shield commemorating a slave-owning family (it did)  have become part of the conversation, experts said. As a result, admission offers to black and Hispanic students and other minorities are inching up at some colleges.

As the leading edge of college interface with students and families, the admissions office is keenly sensitive to those pressures, Mr. Hawkins said.

At Harvard, admissions of African-American students rose to 14 percent from 12 percent last year, officials said. At Columbia, the percentage of students who identified as persons of color  which includes multiple backgrounds  rose to 64 percent from 63 percent. And at Yale, where a controversy over Halloween costumes erupted last fall, officials said there was an increase in the proportion of admitted students who identify as a member of a minority group, though they did not specify by how much.
The officers  Sgt. Kenneth Bowen, Sgt. Robert Gisevius, Officer Anthony Villavaso and Officer Robert Faulcon, as well as a detective, Arthur Kaufman, who was assigned to investigate the shooting  were initially indicted on state charges in 2007. But from there the case would be undergo years of troubles and reversals, eventually becoming drawn into a scandal in the federal prosecutors office here that took down the local United States attorney.

The Danziger case was one of several federal prosecutions of police officers for killings in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, with 18 current and former officers facing charges at one point. These cases did not find an easy path in the courts; the prosecution of another high-profile police shooting, that of Henry Glover, ended mostly in acquittals.

But the cases did prompt the United States Justice Department to examine the citys police force as a whole, and in 2012, the force was brought under a federally mandated consent decree, a court-administered blueprint for an overhaul of the departments practices. That consent decree remains in place.

Serving as an officer is one of the most complex and difficult jobs in our society, Kenneth A. Polite Jr., the current United States attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, said at a news conference after the hearing. At the same time, when individuals ignore their oath of office, and instead violate the civil rights of the public they are sworn to serve, they will be held accountable.

The case began on Sept. 4, 2005, in a city still without order and drowning in floodwaters. Two groups of families and friends, all of them black, were crossing the Danziger bridge in search of food and relatives when police officers rushed to the scene in a Budget rental truck. The officers, responding to a distress call, opened fire with shotguns and AK-47s, sending those on the bridge, all of whom were unarmed, diving and running for cover.
WASHINGTON  The Treasury Department announced Wednesday that women will be incorporated into new designs for the $5, $10 and $20 bills. Here is a look at the new lineup.

Front of the $20 Bill:

Image Credit... H. B. Lindslev, via Library of Congress

Harriet Tubman

Araminta Ross, known as Minty, was born into slavery on the Eastern Shore of Maryland around 1822. When she was about 26, and married to John Tubman, she escaped to Philadelphia and took her mothers given name, Harriet. She later returned to rescue family members, and was asked by slaves not related to her to help them escape as well. She took great risks traveling at night from the South to the free North via a network of secret routes and safe houses on the Underground Railroad. When the Civil War began, Tubman became a spy for the Union.
As the primary calendar turns to Connecticut, the Clinton campaign has enlisted a powerful new surrogate who has cut both a 30-second and 60-second ad for the campaign: a daughter of Dawn Hochsprung, the principal killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

On Screen

Slides of a wedding day scroll past  a bride in her white dress, smiling as she poses for a picture in sneakers. But the joyous day is quickly shrouded, somber piano chords ringing in the background. My wedding was one of the last things I planned with my mom, says Erica Smegielski, Ms. Hochsprungs daughter.

The camera travels back, for a brief moment, to the scene outside Sandy Hook school, ambulances waiting outside. The text from a New York Daily News article detailing Ms. Hochsprungs heroic efforts overlays an image of a vigil held outside the school, as her daughter says, No one is fighting harder to reform our gun laws than Hillary Clinton.

Scenes of Mrs. Clinton speaking from the campaign trail, including her gun violence town hall in October 2015, and a headline from The Wall Street Journal  Hillary Clinton Challenges the Gun Lobby  give evidence to Ms. Smegielskis statements.
It would also speed the export of domestically produced natural gas.

House and Senate negotiators will now try to forge a compromise between the Senate bill and a similar measure that passed the House last year.

Passage would represent the first time since 2007 that a significant energy bill reached the White House for the presidents signature.

What well be moving now is what was achievable in the Senate, Ms. Murkowski said in an interview. Most people thought we couldnt achieve anything, but we have demonstrated that we can legislate  and we can even legislate, oh my gosh, in an election year.

Since passage of the last major energy law, the United States has gone from fearing oil and gas shortages to becoming the worlds leading producer of both fuels. The use of wind and solar power is accelerating as those sources become cheaper than fossil fuels in some parts of the country. And President Obamas environmental regulations are reshaping power systems as electric utilities close coal-fired power plants and replace them with alternative sources.

But the nations energy infrastructure has not kept pace with those changes.

The bill would promote renewable energy by requiring operators of electricity lines, transformers, and other elements of the electrical grid to upgrade the system, with a focus on large-scale storage systems for electricity to better accommodate the expanding production of wind and solar power. The bill would create and strengthen several programs devoted to improving energy efficiency in buildings.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously upheld an Arizona state legislative map drawn by an independent redistricting commission, rejecting a challenge from Republicans who said the map was too favorable to Democrats.

The court last year upheld the commissions role in drawing congressional maps, ruling that Arizonas voters were entitled to try to make the process of drawing district lines less partisan by creating an independent redistricting commission.

Wednesdays decision in Harris v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, No 14-232, concerned a challenge from voters who said the state map the commission drew after the 2010 census violated the principle of one person one vote and was infected by unconstitutional partisanship.

The challengers noted that there were variations in the districts populations. But Justice Stephen G. Breyer, writing for the court, said the contested deviations were less than the 10 percent that the Supreme Court has said is generally constitutionally tolerable.
WASHINGTON  Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew on Wednesday announced the most sweeping and historically symbolic makeover of American currency in a century, proposing to replace the slaveholding Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with Harriet Tubman, the former slave and abolitionist, and to add women and civil rights leaders to the $5 and $10 notes.

Mr. Lew may have reneged on a commitment he made last year to make a woman the face of the $10 bill, opting instead to keep Alexander Hamilton, to the delight of a fan base swollen with enthusiasm over a Broadway rap musical based on the life of the first Treasury secretary.

But the broader remaking of the nations paper currency, which President Obama welcomed on Wednesday, may well have captured a historical moment for a multicultural, multiethnic and multiracial nation moving contentiously through the early years of a new century.
NDJAMENA, Chad  American military officials say that two of the worlds most feared terrorist groups  the Islamic State and Boko Haram  have begun to collaborate more closely, raising alarm that they are working together to attack American allies in North and Central Africa.

On Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Donald C. Bolduc, the commander of the United States militarys Special Operations in Africa, cited a weapons convoy believed to be from Islamic State fighters in Libya that was headed for the Lake Chad region, an area devastated by Boko Haram.

Military officials described the convoy as one of the first concrete examples of a direct link between the two extremist groups since Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the Islamic State last year. The shipment, seized near the Chadian border with Libya on April 7, was carrying small-caliber weapons, machine guns and rifles, officials said.

The disclosure came during a tense series of meetings here in the capital of Chad between Samantha Power, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, and top officials like President Idriss Deby, who is expected to announce soon that he won recent elections and will begin his fifth term in office. He seized power in a coup and has governed Chad with a firm hand for 26 years.
 



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MAROUA, Cameroon  The American and African forces sent to Cameroon to fight Boko Haram have, on several occasions, located clusters of the schoolgirls kidnapped by the militant group two years ago, United States officials say.

Rescue operations have not been carried out, the officials said, because of fears that any ensuing battle with Boko Haram fighters would put the captives at risk, or incite retaliation against hostages still being held in other areas.

American officials said a combination of local intelligence, intercepted communications and drone footage had been used to locate groups of the 276 girls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in the Nigerian town of Chibok two years ago this month. Some of the girls have since been tracked to Nigerias sprawling Sambisa Forest.

Officials insist that efforts to free the girls have not been abandoned. They say that a major concern is the hundreds of other women and girls who are also held by Boko Haram, captives who are often sexually assaulted, forced into marriages with their tormentors, and sometimes killed.
Ms. Xu said many Chinese women, especially those between the ages of 20 and 45, led a volatile life, overwhelmed by the demands of work, family and love.

A Defiant Tone: At the opening of Chinas Communist Party congress, President Xi Jinping At the opening of Chinas Communist Party congress, President Xi Jinping defended his hard-line reign , presenting himself as a leader focused on securing the countrys rise amid global threats.

Moving Backward: A decade ago, many of Chinas political, business and intellectual elites hoped that Mr. Xi would usher in openness and reform. Today, some of them believe A decade ago, many of Chinas political, business and intellectual elites hoped that Mr. Xi would usher in openness and reform. Today, some of them believe he has created a totalitarian state

Lonely at the Top: As Chinas most powerful female politician prepares for retirement, few other women can hope to As Chinas most powerful female politician prepares for retirement, few other women can hope to make it to the upper echelons of Chinese politics

I wanted to establish a place for women to express themselves and to show their independence, Ms. Xu said. Together, they can overcome obstacles and broaden their horizons.

During a lunch break at Lady Book Salon recently, Philly Ma, 35, sat with a friend at a corner table and cried. Ms. Ma said the stress of working at a government financial agency and raising children was overpowering. We long for some place to rest the soul, she said. This is an oasis in such a chaotic city.

Ms. Ma said she sometimes struggled to assert herself at work, drowned out by the din of male voices, and that managers often assigned women less work, assuming they wanted to spend more time at home with their families. We have to be brave and speak up, she said.

Su Qing, 33, a manager at a financial services company, started coming to Lady Book Salon last year to read books on business, Chinese history and Buddhism. Ms. Su, who struggled with postpartum depression, said that studying Buddhism helped her understand that happiness came not from material wealth but spiritual peace.

After coming here, I found the direction of my life, Ms. Su said. Being here has shown I have something beyond my family life, that I have my own interests and activities.
Despite its humble origins, making jianbing is an art. Mess up the secret sauce  generally some combination of sweet sauce and bean paste  and it could overpower the crepe, dominating the chili, humbling the cilantro, running roughshod over the scallions.

That is why Yolanda Lee and Dolkar Tsering, friends from Pace University in New York, spent months in northern China in late 2014 going from city to city. They sampled more than 100 kinds of jianbing, learning from the street-side masters, who, more often than not, were happy to offer advice.

We both gained 20 pounds after that, Ms. Lee said. No joke.

Ms. Lee, 25, a Beijing native who studied marketing and art history, and Ms. Tsering, 26, an ethnic Tibetan from Sichuan Province who studied finance, wanted to recreate the classic jianbing in New York, with a few modifications.

In October, their bright-yellow food truck, the Flying Pig Jianbing, hit Manhattans streets, serving students near New York Universitys business school, capturing some of the Midtown lunch crowd and, on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, setting up on Broadway outside Columbia. The truck came jianbing-ready, Ms. Lee says, having served as a French crepe maker in an earlier incarnation.
SHENZHEN, China  DJI is the Chinese company that took drone technology  long the purview of major military forces  and made it cheap and accessible enough for ordinary people.

But as the technology is put into the hands of consumers, it raises new questions for DJI and others in the industry: What should be done with the information those drones gather? The little pilotless flying machines typically carry cameras, GPS sensors and other devices that can tell interested parties where they have been and what they have seen. How much of that information should be shared with local governments?

That question is especially important in China, where regulators have looked askance at drones while tightening their hold over civil society.
HONG KONG  A top editor at one of Hong Kongs most prestigious newspapers was fired on Wednesday after the publication of a front page devoted to a single story: the offshore holdings uncovered by the Panama Papers of some of the citys tycoons, celebrities and politicians.

The Chinese-language paper, Ming Pao, said in a statement with no mention of the editor by name that it was cutting staff because of a difficult business environment.

But employees reacted angrily, and many in Hong Kong joined them in drawing a link between the publication of the Panama Papers story and the dismissal of Keung Kwok-yuen, the No. 2 editor in the newsroom.

Ming Pao is one of a number of newspapers around the world that have worked with the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which this month began releasing a trove of millions of documents linking some of the worlds wealthiest and most powerful people to secretive offshore companies.
NEW DELHI  The Indian government has begun a campaign for the return of a historic 105.6-carat diamond that was either a gift to Queen Victoria from the maharajah of Punjab in 1849 or stolen by the British, depending on some widely divergent perspectives.

After some indecision, the Indian Culture Ministry said on Tuesday evening that it would make all possible efforts to arrange the return of the diamond, the Koh-i-Noor, now residing in the Tower of London, where it is a centerpiece of the British royal familys crown jewels.

As with the Elgin marbles, the Parthenon sculptures and other artifacts that Greece has long tried to reclaim from Britain, the ownership of the diamond has been a contentious issue for decades.

For many Indians, the Koh-i-Noor  or Mountain of Light  is a symbol of colonial subjugation and three centuries of exploitation that began with the East India Company in the early 17th century, culminated in the absorption of India as a colony after a major uprising in 1857 and ended with the independence, and partition, of India in 1947.
KARACHI, Pakistan  Seven police officers keeping watch over a polio vaccination campaign were gunned down in two separate attacks in a suburb of Pakistans southern port city of Karachi on Wednesday, government officials said.

The attacks occurred in a poor neighborhood of Orangi Town, where health workers have been administering vaccinations.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility and police officials said they were investigating whether the attacks were connected to the immunization campaign.

Taliban militants have repeatedly targeted health workers in the past, accusing them of being spies, and the violence has seriously hindered immunization campaigns in Pakistan, which is one of three countries in the world where polio remains endemic. But Karachi itself has a long history of political and sectarian violence, and criminal gangs have also been known to kill police officers.
The United Nations refugee agency said on Wednesday that 500 people may have died in the choppy waters of the Mediterranean last week, when a large boat packed with migrants from Africa and the Middle East capsized in an unknown location between Libya and Italy.

If confirmed, it would be the worst humanitarian calamity in Europes migrant crisis since more than 800 people died last April near Libyan shores as they tried to reach Italy.

The agency based its findings on interviews with 41 survivors of the shipwreck, although it was not able to verify the episode independently. The migrants  23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, six Egyptians and a Sudanese  were picked up by a merchant ship near Greece on April 16 after days of drifting at sea. They were transferred to a migrant camp in Kalamata, a city on the Greek mainland.

Their stories helped lift a cloud of confusion about the episode ever since rumors of the sinking emerged over the weekend. But they did not resolve the questions of where the ship went down or what the ultimate death toll may be. No national coast guards have reported finding the boat.
The constitutional court was ruling on suits brought by a former interior minister, Gerhart Baum, members of the Greens party, lawyers, a journalist and a doctor.

They had voiced concerns that covert surveillance, particularly in private homes and in the intimacy of bedrooms or bathrooms, could entangle innocent third parties. There were also worries that surveillance could violate professional confidence through the monitoring, for example, of conversations by suspects with their doctors or lawyers, or with members of Parliament.

In some respects, the courts ruling said, the current design of the investigative powers does not satisfy the principle of proportionality. As a result, the provisions governing covert surveillance are in part too vague and too broad, it said.

It called for the creation of an unspecified independent body that would examine data before it was passed to the federal police, or to foreign institutions.

Ruling for the first time on the transfer of intelligence data to third countries, the court said that such transfers outside the 28-nation European Union must conform to the German Constitution.

What is required is the guarantee of an appropriate, substantive level of data protection for the handling of the transferred data in the receiving state, the ruling said.

The two judges who dissented from the majority decision said that the court had gone too far in trying to regulate surveillance and intelligence data, and that it should leave this to lawmakers.
OSLO  Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian extremist who killed 77 people in a bomb and gun rampage in 2011, lives in conditions that would seem luxurious by American incarceration standards: a three-room suite with windows that includes a treadmill, a fridge, a television with DVD player and even a Sony PlayStation.

But on Wednesday, a Norwegian court found that the government had violated his human rights, concluding that his long-term solitary confinement posed a threat to his mental health. Mr. Breivik has virtually no contact with other inmates and is subjected to frequent strip searches and searches of his cell. At a trial in March, he argued that his isolation amounted to torture.

Judge Helen Andenaes Sekulic of the Oslo District Court, who oversaw the trial, which was held at the prison for security reasons, found on Wednesday that prison officials had violated an article of the European Convention of Human Rights that prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. She directed the government to reduce the extent of Mr. Breiviks isolation  though she did not specify how  and ordered the government to pay Mr. Breiviks legal fees of 331,000 kroner, or about $40,600.

However, she dismissed a related complaint that the prison officials had also violated the conventions guarantee of respect for private and family life, and rejected Mr. Breiviks demand for fewer restrictions on receiving visitors and sending and receiving phone calls and letters. The government has said that it restricts and censors his communications to prevent him from encouraging violent extremism.
Brittany Rouse is one of those teachers for whom the profession is more than just a job, its a calling.

I have always been drawn to teaching, Brittany says.

Brittany has a month left in her second year as a first grade teacher at Fredericktown Elementary School. This upcoming fall, she will return to teaching, but not in Fredericktown. In fact, she wont be teaching in the United States at all.

Brittany is going to spend a year teaching English at an orphanage in Haiti.

I knew Brittany in high school to be a very caring and kind individual, Fredericktown R-I Superintendent Brett Reutzel said. Her desire to do this really doesnt come as a surprise. We really hate to lose her as a teacher, because of these same positive qualities she has. We wish her the best and we'll be excited to hear of her experiences when she comes back.

Brittany has been a great asset to our school, Fredericktown Elementary Principal Joe Clauser added. She is very energetic and has a giant heart for her students. I remember Brittany as a student in my seventh grade keyboarding class. She has always had a positive attitude and determination to accomplish her goals. I am excited to see where this new journey takes her.

This journey had its origins in a church trip 14 months ago. Brittany made her first trip to Haiti with 11 other members of Cavalry Church in Madison County in Feb. of 2015. The group, organized by Brent McMinn, spent a week helping to build an orphanage in Archaie, Haiti.

The group met Ellen Humerickhouse, an American who was starting the orphanage. They helped with painting, putting up solar panels and locating a place for a well.

We also did outreach in surrounding villages, Brittany says. Because one of the largest voodoo temples was just 100 feet away.

The group took rice and beans to those communities and asked them if they could pray for them.

Being able to share (the gospel) and watching someones face light up of finally seeing hope I cant even express it in words what joy that brought us and kind of humbled us, she says.

Brittany says she kept in touch with Ellen and took another trip last June and July, where she taught English in Petionville, Haiti.

Brittany said she taught about 100 people English. They ranged in age from four years old into their 60s. She taught at an orphanage managed by her interpretor Ricado Dorsainville and owned by Stenio Capri.

Haitis native language is a Haitian Creole, a French-based language spoken by 95 percent of the people there. Brittany said there is a great desire by Haitians to learn English.

The only way they can get profitable jobs is by knowing English, she says. It also makes them look more qualified when they look for a job.

Tourism is the major industry in the area, and working in the hotels, stores, and as interpreters, the people need be able to speak English.

After Brittanys trip to Petionville, last summer, Stenio called Brent and asked if Brittany would come back and teach.

He called in November and he was hoping I could pack up and go right then, Brittany says. I explained I had to finish the school year.

Brittany said the opportunity was something she had considered for a while.

I looked into organizations where I could teach overseas, but they never had a clear avenue to it. She says. And after I went to help with the orphanage in February, I came back and I had this really heavy burden. All I heard was how badly they needed English teachers.

Brittany said being able to work with all ages also appealed to her.

What Im teaching these kids, they are taking back to their family and teaching them, she says. A lot of times they pick one child to go to school because it is expensive.

When Brittany goes to teach this fall, the students will not have to pay for their education.

To go down there and offer something and know that I dont need anything from them; to just know they are learning something that I am teaching is so desired, I didnt see how I couldnt do it, she says.

Brittany says the Haitian children sought her out, and wanted to practice their English with her.

They just wanted to talk to me, she says. And watching them walk away fulfilled knowing that even if they messed up they just had a successful conversation with an American. That was amazing to me. People knew when we were driving by. They would be wanting just to say hello how are you in English. (It felt great) just watching them walk away with a smile and feeling that accomplishment in themselves.

Brittany has helped organize another church trip to Haiti June 21-29. During the trip, she says Stenio will be showing her the schools she will be teaching at.

We will be teaching English on our church trip, but we are also going to be doing it through bible lessons, Brittany says. Thats how I will be teaching as well. I teach through worship songs and memory verses as well the alphabet and different grammar things they need to understand because its very different from language to language.

Brittany will move to Petionville in August.

She said during the last trip she enjoyed the food she had, she was able to stay healthy, and what she missed the most was her family.

My parents (Steve and Lori Rouse) are behind me 100 percent, she says. They have helped with everything. My mom is a mom. Shes nervous. Shes scared. But she knows that this is where I need to be.

Steve and I are super proud of her for following her dream, Lori Rouse said. We are confident that Gods going to help her through this. We are scared for her safety. But God has shown us that this is where He wants her. And, with his His strength, were all going to be okay.

Last year Brittany did her own fundraising for her trip. Among other things, she sold t-shirts and hoodies with Its a Love Haiti RelationshipDestined2B His Hands on the front and the Bible verse: "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." Acts 20:24 on the back.

I had a tremendous turnout from this community, she says. The community turned out with an outpouring of love.

That support included connections with Brittany speaking at other churches, as well as prayers, financial support, and donations of school supplies.

While I was in Haiti my mom posted that I needed notebooks, and we had so many notebooks that we couldnt bring them in one trip, because it was too heavy for the suitcases on the plane, she says. And receiving that while I was down there--opening those suitcases and seeing the bags and the notebooks and the pens--I just started crying. Because I was like oh my gosh theres so many people who stepped out on blind faith.

I was able to stuff the bags and give them to all the kids, and I wouldnt have been able to do that without the community. Their having a real notebook and a bag to carry it in, they will treasure that for as long as they can.

For anyone who would like to help with Brittanys upcoming trip, she says everyones prayers are desired more than anything. Beyond that, people can donate school supplies. Brittany says when she goes to teach this fall, she would like to equip each child with a bag with a notebook, pen, pencil, pencil sharpener, and eraser.

Donated items can be dropped off or sent to: Calvary Church (1725 E. Highway 72, Fredericktown or 573-783-5731).

Ive felt for a long time that (Brittany) was going to be on a mission field someday, Calvary Church Pastor Randy Sawyer said. Shes always had a heart for missions.

Brittany says she hopes her trip to Haiti will inspire others.

My vision is for it to be a ministry and to get teachers to come down, she says. I would like to get other educators and people to help build those schools. It so needed. I would love to have people come and help. A week or two weeks or whatever.

For more information about Brittany or the work she will be doing, anyone can go to the website: www.d2bhaiti.com; follow Brittany Renee Rouse on facebook; or Destined2B_HisHands on Instagram
The queen could be forgiven for showing emotion when she blows out her candles. But it is unlikely.

Vernon Bogdanor, an eminent constitutional scholar at Kings College London, commended the queen for her self-restraint and for keeping her views to herself, arguing that the enigma of her persona has been essential to her success at symbolizing and unifying the nation.

She grew up during the war when people had to show emotional restraint, he said. Not like today when you have to let everything out.

Professor Bogdanor said he could recall only two gaffes by the queen: The first came on a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1994, when she evidently told a young Russian biologist, who had studied in Manchester, England, that the city was not such a nice place. (Buckingham Palace denied it at the time.) More memorably, in 1997, the queen misread the public mood after Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris and initially remained in Balmoral, Scotland, with her grandsons, rather than returning to London to emote before a grieving nation.

Retaining the sparkle of a creaking institution is not easy. Britons also recently got a rare glimpse inside the royal household in an ITV documentary Our Queen at 90, in which her subjects learned that her 2-year-old great-grandson, Prince George, calls her Gan-Gan. His father, Prince William, second in line to the throne, noted that some people are so overwhelmed when they meet his grandmother that they faint.

Born on April 21, 1926, Elizabeth was initially third in line to the throne. In 1947, she defied her parents to marry Prince Philip, who is part Danish and Greek; she was smitten when she saw him at age 13. She acceded to the throne in 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI; his older brother, King Edward VIII, had abdicated in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, an American.
NAPLES, Italy  Russian attack submarines, the most in two decades, are prowling the coastlines of Scandinavia and Scotland, the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic in what Western military officials say is a significantly increased presence aimed at contesting American and NATO undersea dominance.

Adm. Mark Ferguson, the United States Navys top commander in Europe, said last fall that the intensity of Russian submarine patrols had risen by almost 50 percent over the past year, citing public remarks by the Russian Navy chief, Adm. Viktor Chirkov. Analysts say that tempo has not changed since then.

The patrols are the most visible sign of a renewed interest in submarine warfare by President Vladimir V. Putin, whose government has spent billions of dollars for new classes of diesel and nuclear-powered attack submarines that are quieter, better armed and operated by more proficient crews than in the past.

The tensions are part of an expanding rivalry and military buildup, with echoes of the Cold War, between the United States and Russia. Moscow is projecting force not only in the North Atlantic but also in Syria and Ukraine and building up its nuclear arsenal and cyberwarfare capacities in what American military officials say is an attempt to prove its relevance after years of economic decline and retrenchment.
BEIRUT, Lebanon  The Australian mother and television crew accused of snatching two young children on a Beirut street amid a custody dispute were released from prison by a Lebanese court on Wednesday, the Lebanese news media reported.

The childrens mother, Sally Faulkner, and the four-person crew, including the prominent Australian journalist Tara Brown, had been charged with kidnapping at gunpoint and threatening the lives of children.

But four others charged in the attempt  two Britons, including a man who ran a so-called child recovery agency, and two Lebanese  remained in prison under what was said to be a deal on custody arrangements and other matters struck with Ali al-Amin, the childrens father.

We are still waiting to confirm details, but yes, reports out of Beirut are that the team and Sally Faulkner are being released to return home, a spokeswoman for Channel Nine, Victoria Buchan, wrote in an email on Wednesday.
JERUSALEM  Israel said Wednesday that it had uncovered a new network of Jewish extremists in the West Bank that was responsible for several recent attacks against Palestinians, including the attempted arson of at least one home as people slept inside.

The announcement, by the police and Shin Bet, the countrys domestic security agency, came amid heightened tensions after a July arson attack in the West Bank village of Duma that killed a Palestinian boy and his parents. That attack enraged Palestinians and alarmed Israels security services, which have been trying to maintain stability in the West Bank. Two young Israeli Jews were charged in January in connection with the attack.

Describing the newly identified group as a Jewish terrorist network, the authorities said in a statement that six members had been arrested in recent weeks, five of them residents of Nahliel, an established settlement northwest of Ramallah in the West Bank.

Two of the suspects are minors and a third is a soldier, the statement said. The others range in age from about 19 to about 22. The authorities said they expected to file charges against all six in the coming days.
UNITED NATIONS  The leader of a Western-backed rescue organization that searches for survivors of bombings in Syria was denied entry into the United States this week, where he was to receive an award recognizing his contributions to humanitarian relief.

Raed Saleh, the head of the Syria Civil Defense, was to accept the award from InterAction, an alliance of aid agencies, at its gala dinner Tuesday night in Washington. The dinners keynote speaker was Gayle Smith, the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.

But when Mr. Saleh, who works in Syria and Turkey, arrived Monday at Washingtons Dulles International Airport on a flight from Istanbul, the authorities said he could not enter the United States. He was told his visa had been canceled.

It was unclear whether Mr. Salehs name might have shown up on a database, fed by a variety of intelligence and security agencies and intended to guard against the prospect of terrorism suspects slipping into the country.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia  President Obama and King Salman of Saudi Arabia spent more than two hours in a closed-door meeting that American officials said was cordial but underscored deep differences with the kingdom over Iran, human rights and the best way to fight terror.

The two leaders met in Riyadh on Wednesday against the backdrop of a public debate in the United States Congress about a bill that would allow the Saudi government to be held legally responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks if it is established that any officials played a role  a charge Saudi officials have long denied.

Administration officials said the issue of the Sept. 11 attacks did not come up during the meeting with the king at Erga Palace, an opulent compound lined with palm trees and well-manicured royal grounds.

American officials said Mr. Obama pressed King Salman to be more open to engaging in diplomacy with Iran and to find alternatives to direct confrontation with Iranian leaders and other rivals in the region. They described the king as highly skeptical of efforts to work with Iran, the Saudis chief rival in the region and the backer of rebels in Yemen that the Saudis are fighting.
Do you think of yourself as a satirist?

[The Silicon Valley creator] Mike Judge is my Jonathan Swift, and I say that because I dont know any other satirists. But the problem with satire is that its so easily misinterpreted. So many tech guys come up to me, like, [in a bro voice]: Hey dude, youre so funny on that show, and I gotta tell you, its too real. Im you at a tech company! And you know that he doesnt get the joke. Hes just like: Finally, they made a show about me!

How do you get into character?

I gain about 20 to 30 pounds, and I grow facial hair that is really odd and funny to the American public, but not as funny to my wife.

Youve gotten to meet some of the titans of the industry.

Its been so bizarre. I met Elon Musk, and I didnt know who he was. Somebody asked to take a picture, and he thought it was with him, but they wanted him to take a picture of them [with] me. Elon is like, Im making space travel possible, sure, Ill take a picture with you. And theyre like, ahem, this is the Mucinex guy!

Was it your dream to play a large ball of mucus in a commercial?

Mucinex were like, would you like to be the Mucinex man? You sound like youre sick, right now. In each spot, they give me a little bit of room to do something strange. And in a world of fractured mediums, where there is no zeitgeist, and you get your comedy from your phone, its all content.

Erlich is known for inspired, florid put-downs. Have you done that in real life?

Well you know, [staring pointedly at a reporters shoes], Ive never had an interview with a journalist who purported to be an intellectual when they had the worst effort at open-toe footwear Ive seen, ever. So no.
DISRAELI

The Novel Politician

By David Cesarani

292 pp. Yale University Press. $25.

Winston Churchill once dreamed he was having a conversation with his dead father, who told him: I always believed in Dizzy, that old Jew. He saw into the future. Dizzy was Benjamin Disraeli, who served as prime minister of England briefly in 1868 and again in 1874 when, though 70 and sickly, he spent six years triumphantly at the summit of what he memorably called the greasy pole.

In Churchills dream, the future meant bringing the English working man into the center of the picture, something Disraeli, as chancellor of the Exchequer, accomplished with the Reform Act of 1867, which doubled the size of the electorate and transformed the Tory Party, England and Disraelis own political fortunes. But Disraeli has continued to haunt the dream life of modern England for reasons that live beyond any of his political accomplishments. Baptized into the Church of England at the age of 12, Disraeli has remained the old Jew in the imagination of admirers and detractors alike. Dismantling that association is a primary purpose of David Cesaranis Disraeli: The Novel Politician.

The authors untimely death last year at the age of 58 cut short the career of a distinguished British historian whose emphasis was on the destruction of European Jewry, a subject that hangs over this short biography. In Becoming Eichmann, Cesarani took Hannah Arendt to task for attaching the banality of evil to a mass murderer. Here he scolds Arendt for describing Disraeli as a classic Jewish parvenu . . . who used his Jewishness in his relations with the English elite to give him a feeling of superiority over those who despised him.

Disraeli was indeed one of the great practitioners of what might be called Jew-jitsu; he used the anti-Semitism of his opponents against them by devising a language of Jewish racial superiority that trumped his enemies obsession with ancient lineage. Chaim Weizman was another practitioner, allowing the British aristocracy their fantasy that world Jewry lurked behind his Zionist efforts. Instead of a solitary smart Jew with a goatee, a few rich friends, innumerable enemies and a lot of dirt-poor Eastern European Jews clamoring for redemption, they saw an international man of mystery leading an invisible army.
One of Frances best known directors, whom critics have hailed for his dexterity with the camera, Mr. Audiard said he considered himself a genre filmmaker. But in the United States, his films, being in French, are relegated to the art house. Im at the intersection of two tectonic plates, he said in an interview, where he arrived wearing one of his customary porkpie hats.

Image Antonythasan Jesuthasan in Paris. Credit... Alex Cretey-Systermans for The New York Times

He said he considered Dheepan a genre film that kept changing genres.

At the start, you can say, Look, its a war movie, he said. And then later, look, its a social drama, like a documentary inside the home. And later we get to the banlieues and we think, now its a genre film, he continued. And then it becomes a love story, and after that it really becomes a film noir.

The director is often pulled between high and low, like the protagonist of The Beat That My Heart Skipped, his 2005 film about a man who wants to leave a life of thuggery to pursue classical piano. Mr. Audiard came to international prominence with A Prophet, his 2009 film about Muslim and Corsican gangsters in a French prison. The film drew attention to Frances troubled prisons, a prescient subject, considering how many homegrown French jihadists have been radicalized there. (A Hollywood remake is in the works.)

When he started Dheepan, Mr. Audiard said, he set out to make a variation of Sam Peckinpahs 1971 thriller Straw Dogs. But he wanted to set it in a community that no one in France knew much about. He and his writing partner, Thomas Bidegain, settled on the Tamils. The story line evolved. A casting director got in touch with Mr. Jesuthasan, who had been in two previous films.

During filming, Mr. Jesuthasan sometimes made corrections for accuracy. But he knew he was embodying Mr. Audiards vision, not his own. There is nothing missing from Audiards film because it is his creation, he said. It will be different if it is my own creation, he added. For example, my Dheepan wont cry.
5. Sal Salis

Cape Range National Park,

Western Australia

The solar-powered Sal Salis camp resort sits on the beachfront of Cape Range National Park in Western Australia, the jumping off point for trips to the Ningaloo Reef. It recently doubled its inventory of boardwalk-raised tents to 16, but it still treads lightly. The boardwalks, which connect to the main lodge, are designed to protect the flora and prevent erosion. Canvas walls keep guests close to nature, while en-suite bathrooms and beds with organic cotton sheets provide luxury in the wild. The property has a new boat, and plans to use it to take visitors on excursions to swim with humpback whales, August through October, in addition to its whale shark swims, April through July. Rates start at 1,500 Australian dollars for two for a two-night-minimum stay. Information at salsalis.com.au.

Tours
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The vast majority of Americans have experienced more favorable weather conditions over the past 40 years, researchers from New York University and Duke University have found. The trend is projected to reverse over the course of the coming century, but that shift may come too late to spur demands for policy responses to address climate change.

The analysis, published in the journal Nature, found that 80 percent of Americans live in counties where the weather is more pleasant than four decades ago. Winter temperatures have risen substantially throughout the United States since the 1970s, but summers have not become markedly more uncomfortable. The result is that weather has shifted toward a temperate year-round climate that Americans have been demonstrated to prefer.

Rising temperatures are ominous symptoms of global climate change, but Americans are experiencing them at times of the year when warmer days are welcomed, explains Patrick J. Egan, an associate professor in NYUs Wilf Family Department of Politics who authored the study with Dukes Megan Mullin.

However, he and Mullin, an associate professor at Dukes Nicholas School of the Environment, discovered a looming shift in these patterns when they used long-term projections of temperature changes to evaluate future weather Americans are likely to experience. According to these estimates, nearly 90 percent of the U.S. public may experience weather at the end of the 21st century that is less preferable than weather in the recent past.

Weather patterns in recent decades have been a poor source of motivation for Americans to demand policies to combat the climate change problem, observes Mullin. But without serious efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, year-round climates ultimately will become much less pleasant.

In a 2012 study, the duo found that local weather temporarily influences peoples beliefs about evidence for global warming. That research, which appeared in the Journal of Politics, found that those living in places experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures at the time they were surveyed were significantly more likely than others to say there is evidence for global warming.

In the Nature study, Egan and Mullin took a broader approach to understanding weather patternsand how Americans experience them. The researchers analyzed 40 years of daily weather data (from 1974 through 2013) on a county-by-county basis to evaluate how the populations experience with weather changed during this period, which is when climate change first emerged as a public issue.

They found that Americans on average have experienced a steep rise in January maximum temperaturesan increase of 1.04 F per decade (0.58 C). By contrast, daily maximum temperatures in July rose by only 0.13 F per decade (0.07 C). Moreover, humidity in the summer has declined somewhat since the mid-1990s. In other words, winter temperatures have become warmer for virtually all Americans while summer conditions have remained relatively constant.

To quantify how Americans are evaluating these changes, Egan and Mullin drew upon research by economists examining weathers role in growth of the Sun Belt and population declines in the Northeast and Midwest. Using these findings, they developed a metric of the average Americans preferences about weather. This weather preference index (WPI) reflects the U.S. publics preferences for places with warmer temperatures in winter and cooler temperatures and lower humidity in summer. The index also takes into account preferences about precipitation. Egan and Mullin found that WPI scores have risen in counties accounting for 80 percent of the U.S. population since the 1970s.

But projections of future temperaturesand future WPI scoresoffer a markedly different picture. Climate change models predict that under all potential levels of future warming, average summer temperatures will ultimately rise at a faster rate than winter temperatures. Using these projections, the researchers calculated that under a severe warming scenario, WPI scores will decline such that an estimated 88 percent of the U.S. public will experience less pleasant weather at the end of this century than it has in the past 40 years.


Gov. Jay Nixon announced on Tuesday nearly $2 million in several proposed restoration and development projects in areas of southeast Missouri impacted by decades of lead mining.

Nixon revealed the projects during an afternoon visit to Park Hills City Hall. The event was attended by local, city and county officials, along with members of the governors staff and Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Sara Parker Pauley.

Following an introduction by Park Hills City Manager Matt Whitwell, the governor said, For generations lead production stretched across a large part of southeast Missouri. From right here in the heart of the old Leadbelt, west of the mines and smelters of Viburnum Trend and as far east and north as Herculaneum.

Throughout most of the last century, Missouri was the nations leader in lead production. At its peak the industry supported thousands of jobs and sustained entire communities. Those benefits came at a heavy cost. Weve seen the effects of lead pollution on our soil and water. This was especially tragic here in Missouri where we cherish that outdoor heritage.

This is a heritage that runs deep here in southeastern Missouri that has some of the most beautiful scenery that youll find anywhere. Hunting, fishing and camping are time-honored traditions that are passed down from generation to generation.

Nixon explained that it was for this reason that as attorney general he had taken action to make sure that the mining companies were held accountable for the pollution they caused and cleaned up the areas they damaged after closing down operations.

The ASARCO settlement means we can address the legacy of lead in specific and meaningful ways and improving the health and well-being of our communities, including right here in Park Hills, he said. About five months ago I was here in St. Francois County at the Bone Hole, as well as in Madison County at the Fredericktown City Lake to talk about moving forward on land restoration projects in some of the areas that have been impacted by many years of lead mining.

According to Nixon, four proposals have now been submitted to the Missouri Trustee Council which oversees the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) settlement funds.

If approved, the funding for the proposed projects in Madison and St. Francois counties will come from a settlement to compensate for natural resources damaged by the historic mining activities of ASARCO. The Missouri Trustee Council includes representatives from the state of Missouri and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The proposals include:

 The Bone Hole area in St. Francois County. MDNR has requested $250,000 from the Trustee Council to restore wildlife habitat at the Bone Hole, which is part of a 40-acre county park in St. Francois County. The Department of Natural Resources was also awarded $812,286 by EPA to remove lead-contaminated soil and mine waste from the site, in addition to capping and stabilizing mine waste near Owl Creek.

 The city of Park Hills in St. Francois County. DNR has requested $200,000 from the Trustee Council for Flat River Creek stream bank and riparian corridor restoration projects. EPA recently completed remedial actions on a large section of the Flat River Creek floodplain at Haney Park, but additional restoration of riparian natural resources and measures to address bank erosion is necessary. This project will address the riparian natural resources and pre-existing bank erosion issues. In addition, Missouri State Parks recently awarded $74,394 to the city of Park Hills for park improvements at Haney Park.

 The former Little St. Francois River chat pile in Madison County. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) has requested $98,350 from the Trustee Council to restore native vegetation at the site of the former mine waste pile south of Fredericktown City Lake. Lead contaminated materials have been removed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, allowing for ecological restoration of the former mine waste site to include wildlife habitat.

 The Logtown Branch and Slime Creek tributaries of the Little St. Francois River in Madison County. MDNR has requested $500,000 from the Trustee Council to restore stream bank, riparian corridor and floodplain areas of Logtown Branch and Slime Creek. Restoration will be conducted in the watershed where EPA will be addressing lead contamination from former mining operations. This portion of the Madison County Mines Superfund Site has been identified by EPA as a significant contributing source of mining waste to the Little St. Francois River and Fredericktown City Lake.

Combined, funding for the four projects is $1,935,030. Last month, the governor announced that an additional $250,000 in ASARCO settlement funding has been allocated to southeast Missouri Soil and Water Districts to assist landowners with conservation projects to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.

Were committed to addressing the legacy of lead and to improving the health and well-being of our communities  and by working with our local and federal partners, we are delivering on that commitment, Gov. Nixon said. I look forward to continuing to work diligently with local leaders to identify additional projects.

In addition to the proposals submitted to the Missouri Trustee Council, Gov. Nixon said Tuesday that Missouri State Parks is seeking to develop a hiking trail to the summit of Pilot Knob Mountain in Iron County. If approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a public parking lot and trailhead will be built at Fort Davidson State Historic Site, along with trail improvements and interpretive features along the trail to the summit.
Attorneys for indicted Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard Wednesday asked a Lee County judge to delay the Auburn Republicans trial until sometime in August.

Hubbards case, which encompasses 23 felony ethics charges of the speaker using his political position for personal gain, is currently slated to begin in mid-May.

Defense attorneys Bill Baxley and Lance Bell at a pretrial hearing Wednesday told Lee County Circuit Court Judge Jacob A. Walker III that theres no way Hubbards counsel will be prepared for trial next month. Baxley made an oral motion to delay the trial and set a certain date in August.

We just cannot be ready for this May 9th day, said Baxley.

Bell told Walker he has only gotten through 60-70 percent of discovery and that the defense still has new discovery coming in the case, which involves about two million documents.

Theres no way if it goes to trial in May that we can effectively represent Speaker Hubbard, Bell said.

Prosecutors opposed a delay in the trial, but asked that opening arguments not begin prior to May 16 due to the states subpoena of several out-of-state witnesses.

Walker did not issue a ruling on the request or any other motions at the hearing.

Later Wednesday afternoon, Walker ordered Hubbard's attorneys to file a written motion to continue by Friday, April 22 at 12 p.m. The state must file a response to the defense's motion by Tuesday, April 26, Walker wrote.

Attorneys also discussed the states April 8 404(b) motion to introduce other crimes, wrongs or acts into evidence when the case goes to trial.

The filing lists descriptions of 11 alleged offenses, which reflect the 23 ethics charges Hubbard currently faces.

Baxley took issue that the state didnt file the motion under seal, calling it frivolous and claiming that the document is aimed only at tarnishing the jury pool and slandering Hubbard, as attorneys are under a gag order and cannot address allegations in the media.

Walker said he didnt see how the document could be filed under seal.

I dont really see how to possibly rule on it, he said of the motion, explaining that implications of the filing as written would be confusing to jurors for various reasons and that it is too vague.

Walker said the prosecution could re-file the motion with more specific information.

You can always file the names under seal, he said.

A series of motions in limine filed by the state last Wednesday seeking to limit arguments Hubbards defense can make at trial were also a topic of discussion at the pretrial conference.

Walker said the states motion to exclude improper sentencing evidence or argument was standard.

However, the rest of the arguments, he said, which include motions to exclude evidence or argument regarding: other candidates use of Craftmaster printing company or Auburn Network, post-indictment election results, prosecutorial misconduct, selective Prosecution, grand jury abuse, or a "political witch hunt," alleged "customs" or "habits" of other public officials, improper argument about the ethics laws and specific acts of Hubbard's good conduct or specific acts of bad conduct by the state's witnesses, I dont know.

Walker asked prosecutors why the rest of the motions, which appeared to him to be filed based on anticipation, couldnt be handled as evidentiary matters during trial.

The prosecution responded that certain matters, particularly those relating to alleged prosecutorial misconduct, should not be brought up during trial because Walker already rejected the defenses motion to dismiss based on prosecutorial misconduct last month and further debate would deter jurors attention from addressing Hubbards guilt or innocence.

Hart said he does not want jurors to be informed of the defenses allegations about prosecutorial misconduct.

We dont want to invite notification, Hart said. "We don't want to have to convince this jury we're not criminals."

Bell told Walker that Hart is on the defenses witness list and he intends to call him.

I am hesitant to grant a motion in limine that might cut off a potential defense, said Walker.

A motion hearing is scheduled for Friday, April 29 at 9 a.m.

Hubbard has maintained his innocence and has continued to serve as Speaker of the House during the 2016 Alabama legislative session.
A group of St. Francois County Democrats recently gathered to take part in a delegate selection process in preparation for the November 2016 presidential election.

The "mass meeting" was held April 7 in the county commissioners' courtroom located in the St. Francois County Courthouse Annex.

"With the help of my fellow Democrat Central Committee members  Levi Asher, Emily Firebaugh, Jacob Goff, Sheila Blackwell and Eric Byron  we managed to get the 43 participants checked in with all of the required forms they filled out prior to the delegate selection process," said SFCDCC Chair Laura Byron. "The rules were explained to each of the delegates before the votes being tallied."

Byron noted that the excitement was evident as each of the delegates rose to give a brief speech.

"The group was diverse, with retirees, students, union members, as well as men and women of all ages participating in the process. One of them had served as a delegate to the national convention and was a roommate of Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill. Another had worked with Hillary Clinton in New York. Discussions were respectful, intelligent and committed to electing Democrats this November."

Statewide former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton managed a close win over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders with a vote of 312,285 to 310,711. In St. Francois County, however, Sanders beat Clinton with a vote of 2,267 to 1,939. Because the vote was still almost evenly split in St. Francois County, six delegates and six alternates were elected at the Democrat meeting for both Sanders and Clinton.

Among those in attendance at the April 7 meeting were county officeholders Vicki Weible, circuit clerk; Dan Ward, assessor; Steve Grider, recorder of deeds; and Ron Bockenkamp, 911 Board chairman. Also in attendance were St. Francois County Democrat Club board members Linda Dickerson, president; Judy Pritchett, treasurer; and Lisa Y. Pratt-Swoboda, secretary. Dave Cowell, Farmington resident and Democratic candidate for the 8th Congressional District, was also present.

Prior to dismissing, those in attendance were encouraged to attend the St. Francois County Democrat Club meetings held at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The club meets at Elks Lodge 2583, located at 1438 E Chestnut St. in Desloge.
Dogs and cats and rabbits and miniature cows.

Miniature cows?

This year, Americas Family Pet Expos 15th at the OC Fair & Event Center, brings a whole farm full of miniature animals for visitors to see.

Susan Gemmell of San Bernardino will be there with her Susie Qs Second Wind farm menagerie. Gemmell became interested in miniature farm animals at a young age.

My mom raised mini donkeys starting 32 years ago, she said.

About 15 years ago, Gemmell got a lamb and a goat from a petting zoo. The two had been abandoned by their mothers. I brought them home, bottle-fed them, she said.

Then about two years ago, she started breeding mini cattle  mini being a relative term, as the animals weigh 500 to 800 pounds, compared with the more common 2,000-pound cattle. She said she prefers to breed and raise her own animals because I know their temperament.

Gemmell will have cows, miniature donkeys, goats, chickens and other animals at the expo.

But if dogs and cats are more your speed, there will be no shortage to keep you interested.

Rescue groups and breed experts will have a variety of feathered, furred, finned and scaled creatures looking for permanent homes. Experts will be available to answer questions and explain whats needed to care for different types of pets.

Wags Pet Adoption from Westminster will bring 11 puppies rescued from Tijuana, expo spokeswoman Jennifer Becker said.

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County also will have dogs available for adoption. And lots of other Orange County-based rescues will be on hand. Among them: Home Free Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, Bichon Rescue of Orange County, Southland Collie Rescue and Caring Friends Cat Rescue.

To learn more about animals or see some you might not encounter every day, check out the bird exhibits in Building 18 and the Birdman show on the Main Malls Bird Stage.

For a typical pet doing what might not be considered a typical activity, watch cat agility in Building 12, along with other cat demonstrations.

The Aquatic Touch Tank in Building 16 is run by student managers in Orange Coast Colleges marine science classes.

We like to get our (student) managers over there so they can experience teaching not only about Orange Coast College but the local environment, said Robert Ellis, director the Orange Coast college aquarium.

In addition to speaking with the public, students choose which animals will be included in the exhibit and oversee their care.

Brain Schneiderman, head aquarium manager and marine science major at OCC, said choosing the animals is kind of intuitive.

Were going to put things that are easy to touch, like stingrays once we remove the stinger, he said. We have a leopard shark that swims around a lot and is really used to being with people and will come to the surface.

The expo, in its 26th year overall, will also have hundreds of vendors selling food, collars, leashes, ID tags, paintings, photography, aquarium supplies, jewelry and clothing (for two- and four-leggers).

There will be 800 to 900 vendors, said Doug Poindexter, president of World Pet Association, the Monrovia-based organization that sponsors the show. There also will be information on animal-related careers, animal care, training and nutrition.

Watching the people light up when they see these animals is his favorite part of the expo, he said.

Poindexter shared the story of a woman in a wheelchair who attended the expo one year.

She asked if she could hold a bird at one of the exhibits. She was told of course, and when the woman started talking to the bird, her husband began weeping. Its OK, he was told, she wasnt hurting the bird, Poindexter recalled. I know, the man said, but my wife hasnt spoken in five years.

This is why pets are so important to peoples lives, Poindexter said.

Contact the writer: mdell@ocregster.com and Twitter: @flypupmom
PALOS VERDES ESTATES  From high atop the oceanside cliffs, the shimmering blue-green water of Lunada Bay appears to be a surfers dream.

But by the time surfers put on their wet suits, some may be having second thoughts. There are the taunts, and the peltings of dirt and rocks they may face as they climb down the hill.

And if they make it into the water, they risk confrontation with a band of residents, known widely as the Bay Boys, who have long been accused of zealously  and sometimes violently  claiming the epic waves here as their exclusive territory.

The last time I surfed out there, these guys tried to really hurt me, said Chris Taloa, 42, who for years lived in nearby Redondo Beach. A guy tried to ram a board into my ribs.

But after intimidation that has kept outsiders like Taloa away for generations, a group of surfers is fighting to open up the beach to all comers. A class-action lawsuit filed last month by the Coastal Protection Rangers and two surfers seeks to bar the Bay Boys from congregating at Lunada Bay  similar to the way that injunctions have been used against members of criminal street gangs.

The alleged members hail from one of the most exclusive communities in Southern California; many of them are middle-aged; some live in multimillion-dollar homes so close to the coastline here that the morning fog rolling off the ocean leaves their lawns damp.

Still, Vic Otten, one of the lawyers for those bringing the lawsuit, said the group represented a threat to the public. Only eight members have been named in the lawsuit so far, but he said he expected to add dozens more.

Theyve taken a public asset, the ocean, and stolen it through violence and intimidation, he said. In California, the ocean belongs to the public, not to a bunch of trust-fund babies.

Outside his auto shop, where surfboards were leaning against the wall, Angelo Ferrara, who, along with several of his family members, was named in the lawsuit, said that his family was not part of any gang, and that the territorialism here was no worse than anywhere else.

Surfing is overcrowded, Ferrara, 58, said. You have beginners, intermediate and advanced. And they dont get along.

Frank Ponce, a Palos Verdes resident and surfer, scoffed at the idea of an organized gang, saying the problem was merely a couple bad apples, and visitors who were not experienced enough to surf a wave as powerful as those at Lunada Bay.

You get all these people from out of town who think theyre big-wave surfers, and then they cut people off, Ponce said. Of course theyre going to get yelled at  theyre endangering lives.

Surfing localism, with a hierarchy in the water based on skill and seniority, is hardly exclusive to this beach: It can be found at choice breaks from here to Australia. And many surfers see its benefits, especially in spots with big waves that are dangerous for beginners.

As surfings popularity has exploded in recent years, localism has faded as more people have charged the waves.

But not at Lunada Bay, which offers not only some of the most powerful waves in Southern California but also an easily defensible location. At the edge of the Palos Verdes Peninsula south of Los Angeles, it is a long drive from most population centers; the steep path down from the cliffs to the ocean is treacherous even when nothing is being thrown at you; and the police department in this town  where the median family income is more than $170,000 and Porsches are a common sight  has long been accused of tacitly supporting the Bay Boys local-only ethos, as a strategy for keeping away crowds.

Taloa grew up surfing on the north shore of Oahu, in Hawaii, an area famous for its huge waves  and for locals who will use their fists to enforce their hierarchy in the water. But Taloa said he had never faced anything like what goes on in Lunada Bay, where the harassment began before he even reached the water.

In most places, if you come out in the lineup, wait your turn, give respect, theyll give you a chance, but these guys dont even do that, he said. In Lunada, he said, Ive been threatened with jail and rape, racial language.

Diana Milena Reed, an aspiring big-wave surfer who lives in Malibu, said she was sexually harassed in February while watching a friend surf from a stone patio that local surfers constructed decades ago on the nearby rocks  without approval from the state. She said a middle-aged man sprayed beer on her, made an array of sexual comments and briefly exposed himself, all while several others looked on.

There arent usually a lot of women out there, Reed, 29, said. Thats intimidating enough, without having men harass you.

Reed is a plaintiff in the lawsuit, which also seeks to compel the city to crack down.

Past pledges to stamp out the group were quickly abandoned. Little changed here after a brawl on the beach in 1995, surfers said. And in 2002, when the police chief installed a camera to record Lunada Bay full time, the City Council soon ordered it removed, after residents complained that it would draw untold masses to the area after they got a peek at Palos Verdes natural splendor.

Palos Verdes would like nothing better than to have gates at either end of the peninsula, and not let any of us up there, said Matt Warshaw, who edits the Encyclopedia of Surfing website.

Even growing up in nearby Manhattan Beach in the 1970s, he said, he knew that going to Palos Verdes would mean trouble.

After the release of an undercover video last summer  which was produced by The Guardian and showed middle-aged men harassing would-be surfers, and the police doing little in response to a complaint  the police chief, Jeff Kepley, vowed to end localism.

In a brief telephone interview, Kepley said he could not discuss the issue because of the lawsuit but added: Weve done a lot. All anyone says is that we dont do anything.

Still, reports of harassment have continued. And most outsiders continue to stay away. On a recent day with a big swell, only three men were in the water at Lunada Bay, catching wave after majestic wave. A few others watched from the stone porch, where beer, snacks and surf equipment were stashed.

Nobody goes there, because the reputation is so well known throughout the surf world, said Steve Hawk, a Southern California native and the former editor of Surfer Magazine. Theyve kind of succeeded.
LOS ANGELES  The vast majority of immigrant children who arrive alone at the U.S. border are placed by the government with adults who are in the country illegally, federal data reviewed by The Associated Press show.

The government has long said that it places the children with family and friends regardless of immigration status. But since more children began arriving on the border in 2014, officials have not revealed how often those sponsors had legal papers.

In response to a Freedom of Information Act request, the Department of Health and Human Services provided data showing that 80 percent of the 71,000 mostly Central American children placed between February 2014 and September 2015 were sent to sponsors who were not here legally.

Another 6 percent were placed with adults who had temporary protected status, a U.S. government program that has let some Central American citizens stay and work in the country legally for more than a decade. Four percent were sponsored by American citizens and 1 percent by immigrants facing deportation proceedings.

Many of the others were placed with sponsors who had other forms of legal status or who have filed immigration applications.

Tens of thousands of children from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras began arriving on the border in Texas in 2014, overwhelming border officials, overflowing government shelters and further backlogging the countrys immigration courts.

Once apprehended by border agents, the children were placed in the care of Health and Human Services in line with U.S. law until caseworkers could screen and select suitable sponsors to care for them.

Republican lawmakers have blamed the border influx on Obama administration policies they say encourage kids to leave their countries and come here. They say releasing unaccompanied children to sponsors who lack legal papers encourages illegal immigration and reduces the chances the children will attend deportation hearings in immigration court.

Immigrant advocates say the minors are fleeing violence and should be granted asylum. The top priority for children, they say, is to be placed with parents or close relatives so they can get on stable footing in the U.S. Any effort to deport sponsors might spook them from coming forward and put the children at risk.

Immigration status is not a factor in determining whether someone can sponsor a child. But sponsors are asked their status, and those in the country illegally must provide a backup plan to care for the children if they are deported.

U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, said he was not surprised by the data. He blamed current policies for the surge on the border, but did not say whether placing children with sponsors who are here illegally created any additional problems.

Since the president refuses to enforce our immigration laws, unlawful immigrants in the United States consistently pay criminal organizations along the border thousands of dollars to smuggle their family members into the United States, he said in a statement.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat from California and a Judiciary Committee member, said the government is required to find a safe home and guardian for children. Immigration status shouldnt matter, she said.

If you were here as a legal resident or a U.S. citizen, you would petition for your child, she said. Their only route is political asylum. It is not the visa system.

During the 20-month period covered by the data, more than half of unaccompanied children were released to a parent. Many others were placed with siblings, aunts and uncles.

Potential sponsors must provide proof of identity and their relationship to the child and undergo screening and background checks. In some cases, the departments Office of Refugee Resettlement conducts a home study to determine if the placement is safe.

The office has collected information about sponsors immigration status since at least 2005, the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement. Sponsors who are not the childrens parents also are fingerprinted.

The safety and well-being of every child in our care is of paramount importance at every stage, the statement said.

The statistics were culled from a database created in January 2014, according to the department.

Geyso Lemus from El Salvador said she didnt know what would happen to her 10-year-old son when he landed at a shelter in Illinois in 2014 because she didnt have legal papers, but a government social worker quickly put her at ease.

Two weeks later, she said, her son was sent to live with her in Southern California. He has since been granted asylum.

She told me not to be afraid, that she wasnt from immigration, Lemus said in Spanish. I tell other moms not to be afraid  so long as you can meet their requirements.
A Park Hills home was a total loss after an early morning fire Tuesday that started in the rear of a residence off Norwine Street.

Park Hills Fire Chief Jackie Wagganer said they received the call at 4:10 a.m. for a fire on the back side of a house.

We arrived to find flames coming from the rear of the home and the roof, said Wagganer. We had some issues getting to the fire because of the tongue and groove ceiling and the fact there were multiple ceilings in the home.

Wagganer said it took them a little bit to get the fire under control because of the issues with the ceiling inside.

Everybody did a wonderful job and everybody goes home safe, said Wagganer. The house is actually vacant and I believe it was being remodeled.

The Park Hills Fire Department was assisted by Desloge, Big River, Farmington and Leadwood Fire Departments.

The Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office was called to investigate the cause of the fire and the investigator has not given a ruling at this time.
LAGUNA BEACH  Proponents of a voter-sponsored initiative calling for repeal of the citys ban on medical marijuana dispensaries say they expect a landslide win in November.

I talked to almost everyone in that town, the city wants it, said Debbie Tharp, who with two Laguna Beach residents gathered 2,414 signatures to qualify the initiative for the November ballot. Eight out of 10 people I talked to, want it.

Last week the City Council agreed that the initiative will go before voters. City officials now have to decide if they will put up a competing ballot measure or opt for different regulations. To that end, the council has asked Laguna Beach Police Chief Laura Farinella to look at the citys options. She is expected to report back at the May 10 council meeting.

The initiative  sponsored by Elizabeth Toomey and her nephew, Corey Aufhammer of Laguna Beach  is meant to make access to medical marijuana easier for residents who have legal rights to use it. The initiative calls for two dispensaries in the citys commercial zones.

The owners, operators and employees of the dispensaries would be vetted through background checks and other security measures, Tharp said. The dispensaries would be licensed to operate in either industrial or commercial areas and would be required to stay 1,000 feet away from schools.

The only locations that could allow this would be along Laguna Canyon Road or on South Coast Highway.

With the low voter turnout in 2014, the number of signatures required for a ballot initiative is the lowest since 1982. Because of this there are a number of voter-initiatives on medical marijuana expected to make the November ballot.

Laguna Beach, much like other cities across the county in 2009, passed a ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. In 1996 the Compassionate Care Act was passed by voters. Laguna Beach voters supported that measure by 71 percent, while state approval was at 56 percent.

The City Council agreed to put the initiative on the November ballot, said City Attorney Phil Kohn.

When presented with an initiative petition bearing the necessary number of signatures, the council is required to take action to either adopt the measure or place it on the ballot, Kohn said. The Orange County Registrar of Voters certified that the number of signatures exceeded 15 percent of the citys registered voters with 2,414 signatures.

Charnel James, an attorney in Marysville, California, who is working with Tharp, said the Laguna Beach initiative is one of many statewide reactions to rolling bans against medical marijuana dispensaries.

People are rejecting this and getting their own initiatives, she said.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@ocregister.com or Twitter:@lagunaini
Angry residents confronted Placentia officials at a City Council meeting Tuesday night in response to the alleged embezzlement scheme that shook the financially fragile city last week.

Michael Minh Nguyen, Placentias former finance services manager, has been charged with 17 felony counts of misappropriation of public funds on allegations of embezzling $4.3 million from a city projecting a $6.1 million deficit in the 2017-18 budget year.

Authorities say they have recovered $1.5 million.

City Administrator Damien Arrula said during a presentation that $2.8 million was still missing, but that some of those funds had been identified for potential recovery. In addition, a $1 million insurance policy may result in the city recouping additional funds.

Orange County Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche declined to discuss possible motives or information about where the funds were wired.

It could negatively impact the ability of the city to recover money and our investigation, Labreche said.

The District Attorneys office says motive is not an element of the alleged crime and is not part of the case.

Former Placentia Mayor Greg Sowards told the council he was concerned with what happened.

Where was everybody? Sowards said. What I would like to see if at all possible is Mr. Arrula turn in your resignation. Lets get somebody in here that knows what hes doing.

Jane Thatcher said she was outraged when she read about the alleged scheme in the newspaper.

How in the world did you all let this man do this 17 times without any oversight? Thatcher said. That made me so angry that my blood was boiling a bit.

I think Mr. Wanke, Mr. Yamaguchi and Mr. Green need to resign, and I think Mr. Arrula needs to resign also, Thatcher said, referencing council members Chad Wanke, Mayor Jeremy Yamaguchi and Mayor Pro Tem Craig Green.

We need to make some changes, she said.

None of them tendered their resignations.

Yamaguchi said he was outraged by what he called the dishonorable act of corruption, abuse of power and misuse of public funds.

It goes without saying that the council and I are extremely disappointed with the breach of public trust that has occurred. For some time now, the City Council has been working hard to rebuild trust and move the city forward, he said. Now more than ever, we must stand united as one council to ensure Placentia continues to move forward.

Arrula said after the meeting, I think its important for the residents to know we immediately responded when we learned of this misconduct.

The council approved hiring an independent forensic auditor to investigate the citys financial processes and provide recommendations on how financial controls can be improved.

Nguyen, 34, of Irvine is being held in the Orange County Jail with bail set at $4.3 million, the District Attorneys office said. As a condition of bail, he would have to prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source, the office said.

He is scheduled appear in court May 6.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7868 or desalazar@ocregister.com
A federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, ruled Tuesday in favor of a transgender student who was born female and wishes to use the boys restroom at his rural Virginia high school. It was the first time a federal appellate court has ruled that Title IX  the federal law that prohibits gender discrimination in schools  protects the rights of students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

The ruling from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of the student, Gavin Grimm, comes amid escalating fights nationwide over transgender people and the bathrooms they should be allowed to use.

In North Carolina, Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, signed a law last month that, among other things, limits transgender people to using the bathrooms in public schools and government buildings that correspond with the sex on their birth certificates. That prompted the Obama administration to consider whether the state would be ineligible for billions of dollars in federal funding for schools, housing and highways.

Proponents of LGBT rights said the ruling could have major implications for North Carolinas law, known as House Bill 2. North Carolina is one of five states covered by the 4th Circuit.

Todays ruling makes plain that North Carolinas House Bill 2 violates Title IX by discriminating against transgender students and forcing them to use the wrong restroom at school, the ACLU and the gay rights group Lambda Legal said in a statement. This mean-spirited law not only encourages discrimination and endangers transgender students  it puts at risk billions of dollars in federal funds that North Carolina receives for secondary and post-secondary schools.

The ACLU brought the case on behalf of Grimm, who was born female but identifies as a male, in June 2015, seeking a preliminary injunction so that Grimm could use the boys restrooms at Gloucester High School.

The school administration initially allowed him to do so, but the local school board later approved a policy that banned him from the boys restrooms. Judge Robert G. Doumar of U.S. District Court ruled against Grimm in September, dismissing his claim that the school board had violated Title IX, although the judge did allow his case to go forward under the Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

A three-judge panel for the 4th Circuit considered the case. The ruling Tuesday reversed the lower courts dismissal of the Title IX claim, stating that the District Court did not accord appropriate deference to federal anti-discrimination regulations.

The appellate court remanded the case to the District Court, which was ordered to re-evaluate Grimms request for a preliminary injunction.

Officials from the Gloucester County School Board, which is named as the defendant in the case, did not return calls seeking comment.

In a statement released through the ACLU, Grimm said: I feel so relieved and vindicated by the courts ruling. Todays decision gives me hope that my fight will help other kids avoid discriminatory treatment at school.
FULLERTON  A judge on Tuesday ordered a 21-year-old man to carry out community service at the Buena Park Sikh temple he vandalized in the days following last years San Bernardino shootings.

Brodie Durazo plead guilty to misdemeanor vandalism and vandalism of religious property charges in exchange for serving 80 hours at the Gurdwara Singh Sabha temple, as well as 240 hours of graffiti removal elsewhere.

Deputy District Attorney Jess Rodriguez told the judge that temple leaders had agreed to allow Durazo to work there for his community service.

They believe it can be a productive result, having him learn about them and their beliefs, Rodriguez said. They wanted to see something positive come from this.

Japnaam Singh, a longtime member of the temple, said the sentence seemed just in light of Durazos apology to the congregation.

In our religion, forgiveness is a virtue, and something we abide by every day, Singh said.

Durazo sprayed graffiti, including references to the Islamic State terrorist organization, on a parking lot wall and a parked truck at the temple. The graffiti was discovered Dec. 6.

Sikhism  also known as Sikhi  is an Indian religion, and is not affiliated with Islam.

Shortly after his arrest, Durazo read an apology letter to the congregation, denying that he meant the vandalism as hate speech.

I know your guys faith and church have nothing to do with the Muslim religion or Islam, that is why I did not write the profanity on your walls or temple, Durazo said to the congregation in remarks videotaped and posted on Facebook by the Sikh Coalition. The only reason I wrote what I wrote on the truck was because I was intoxicated and I figured the truck travels through the state and through the country.

Durazo told the congregation that he had lived near the temple for much of his life and had never once seen you as anything but a peaceful people. 

I have shed so many tears to my daughter and fiance, Durazo said in his apology. I cannot imagine the amount of stress or tension I have brought upon your temple, especially with what is going on in this world at this time.

Durazo was initially facing felony charges in connection to the vandalism. However, a judge downgraded the charges to misdemeanors, over the objections of prosecutors.

Durazo will be on probation for three years and is required to pay an unspecified amount of restitution back to the temple.

I hope you learn something from the experience, Orange County Superior Court Judge Roger B. Robbins told Durazo at the end of Tuesdays hearing.

Thank you, your honor, Durazo replied.

Contact the writer: semery@ocregister.com
Travelers heading from Southern California to the Bay Area can snag a quasi-private jet fare for $109 each way.

Irvine-based JetSuiteX has launched daily flights between Burbank Bob Hope Airport and Buchanan Field in Concord. The company anticipates adding flights from Orange County by January.

We saw an opportunity in the marketplace, said Alex Wilcox, JetSuiteXs chief executive. It really started as a personal frustration. When flying and driving takes roughly the same amount of time, youre doing it wrong.

The aviation industry has seen an uptick in business since the Great Recession. In 2009, only 870 new business jets were delivered  a nearly 34 percent drop from 2008 levels, according to the National Business Aviation Association. The industry is growing about 2 percent each year but still remains down 14 percent from pre-recession levels, according to Investopedia.

JetSuiteX flights will eventually operate six times daily (three times in each direction) between Los Angeles and Contra Costa County. Flights soon will be added from Concord to Las Vegas on weekends (a flight to Vegas on Friday night returns Sunday afternoon), and from San Jose to Bozeman, Mont., a route that will change seasonally.

Wilcox said the company has already sold several hundred tickets for its flights between Burbank and Concord and Las Vegas. Introductory prices for the flights started at around $109 each way and will increase to about $300, subject to demand.

Customers can use the JetSuite app or its website (www.jetsuite.com) to book a seat on the 30-passenger Embraer 135 aircraft, which offers 36 inches of legroom  similar to that of a business-class seat on domestic airlines. Free Wi-Fi, snacks and drinks will be offered on the flight.

While executives wouldnt provide details on the security measures they have in place, they said it is a preapproved Transportation Security Administration protection process, albeit a quick and easy one, compared with the process at commercial airports.

Wilcox was part of the executive team that launched JetBlue. He worked at the company for six years before leaving to launch Kingfisher Airlines, a defunct airline in India, before starting JetSuite.

JetSuite employs 200 people, with roughly 100 based out of the companys Irvine headquarters.

The companys fleet also includes Phenom 100 and JetSuite Edition CJ3 jets.

Contact the writer: hmadans@ocregister.com or Twitter: @HannahMadans
Two gang members were charged Tuesday with the killing of a church volunteer who confronted them while they were spraying graffiti in Anaheim last year, the Orange County District Attorneys Office said.

David Steven Ortega, 33, of Chino, and Edgar Ramirez, 21, of Anaheim, face attempted murder charges.

Ortega also faces felony special circumstances murder and an enhancement for street gang activity, discharging a firearm and vicarious discharge of a firearm by a gang member, the D.A. said. He was arrested by O.C. Sheriffs officials on Monday in Los Angeles.

Ramirez is also charged with felony murder and an enhancement for criminal street gang activity and vicarious discharge of a firearm by a gang member, according to the DA. He was already in custody for a Feb. 25 misdemeanor conviction for carrying a dirk or dagger.

At around 10 p.m. July 19, 2015, David Douglas, 51, of Anaheim, and a friend interrupted the two suspects, who were spraying graffiti on Lullaby Lane near Poona Drive, according to prosecutors. When Ortega and Ramirez left, Douglas friend, John Anderson, briefly followed them on foot before getting into Douglas Ford SUV.

Shorty after, the defendants fired at the vehicle, striking both Douglas, a Boy Scout troop leader, and his passenger, Anderson, the DA said. Douglas was hit multiple times, including once in the neck, and died hours later at a hospital. Anderson survived several gunshot wounds, including one to the back of his head.

Ortega faces a minimum of life in prison without the possibility of parole and Ramirez faces up to 25 years to life in prison. Ortega was arrested in the days after the shooting, but was released after the DA refused to press charges.

Both men are being held in Orange County jail. They are due to appear in court Wednesday.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2478 or lcasiano@ocregister.com
BUENA PARK What started out as a five-table tearoom is  75 years and millions of chicken dinners later  one of Orange Countys most beloved landmarks.

Waitresses who plied their trade for decades and members of the Knott family will gather at Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant later this week to recognize the small tea room and berry stand that grew into the160-acre amusement park familiar to most visitors today.

Im very grateful that my family was able to create something that has lasted, said Marion Knott, the last surviving child of Knotts Berry Farm founders Walter and Cordelia Knott. A lot of it was plain old luck. (Dad) told you he was only a farmer. But he had vision, and thats what it took.

From those five tables, the restaurant named for Cordelia Knott has grown, then expanded again and again to where it can now accommodate 900 diners at one time. In 1997, the Knott family sold the park and the restaurant to Ohio-based Cedar Fair L. P.

Despite that, the restaurant has changed little. The steamy kitchen, full of conveyor belts and Ford-style assembly lines, still dishes out about 1.5 million meals each year.

But Marion Knott remembers the beginning. Shes the only person alive to have served meals on Cordelia Knotts wedding china, on which she placed the first eight chicken dinners in June, 1934. The meals cost 65 cents apiece. Today, they cost about $16.

In the early days, many of Knotts customers were Los Angeles-area residents making summertime jaunts down two-lane Highway 39now eight-lane Beach Boulevardtoward the cooling waves of the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach or Balboa. Often they would stop at Knotts for bits of pie or boysenberries to take with them for snacks on the sand.

But with the Depression plucking pennies from everyones pockets, what was then called Knotts Berry Place needed more customers. Walter Knott thought his wifes chicken  a favorite of family and friends  was just the way to do it.

On June 13, 1934, chicken showed up on the tea rooms menu, and quietly, Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant was born. The quiet didnt last for long. Word spread, and soon customers clamored for chicken with the now-familiar biscuits, mashed potatoes, and rhubarb.

That success came very quickly, Marion Knott said. I have a lot of people who tell me, We went every Sunday.'

By the end of the decade, lines strung themselves out along Grand Avenue, a landmark better than any sign pointing out the restaurants location. The eatery grew from a roadside stop on beach days to a dining destination in itself.

In June 1943, Dean and Rosary Sowell of Fullerton stopped at Knotts for dinner after their wedding.

We decided we wanted to have dinner at Knotts Berry Farm. The marriage ceremony was in Hollywood and it was a long way out to Orange County and gasoline was rationed, but we had saved up some gas for our honeymoon, Dean Sowell, now 89, said. We arrived at Knotts around 3 p.m. and got in line. Everyone knew we were newlyweds because rice kept falling out of our clothes and hair.  The dinner was very good, and including drink and dessert, cost us about $6 for the both of us.

The Sowells have returned to Knotts for many of their 66 anniversary dinners.

Like her siblings, Russell, Toni, and Virginia  Marion Knott put her share of sweat and toil into the restaurant. After going away to college at USC, Marion Knott returned to the farm, as she calls it, to help run the rapidly growing family business.

Walter Knott needed a way to entertain the crowds, so he created a ghost town with buildings modeled after authentic structures in Old West towns.

I was always like my dad. I liked the showmanship part of the business, Marion Knott said. She took over designing the parks expansions, including Fiesta Village, guiding it closer and closer to what it is today. For decades, the park did not charge admission so that patrons could wander freely while waiting for their tables.

We had to put up the gate (and start charging admission) in 1968 because we were losing it to the hippies, Marion Knott said.

Costa Mesa resident James Garmon, 71, was one of several members of his family who worked at Knotts over the years. He started out as a bus boy in 1953.

Mrs. Knott often worked in the kitchen, seated at a desk on an elevated platform overlooking the dinner assembly line and deep fryers, he recalled. Mrs. Knott counted and kept tabs of the dinner orders. She had a clear view of the large kitchen from her desk. She was a kind and generous person but also saw to it that the kitchen ran smoothly and efficiently.

Many people who worked for Cordelia Knott have used the word strict to describe her, but in the same sentence, often used the descriptors fair, and kind, as Garmon did.

Cordelia Knott had certain rules that she expected to be followed: There was no gum allowed in the restaurant unless a guest was chewing it; waitresses needed to have hairnets and neat aprons; and above all: Work diligently.

We were all working really hard, Knott said. She wasnt going to put up with any monkey business.

That meant even pushy customers got what they wanted.

A demanding man once entered the restaurant and insisted he have a fresh pie, Marion Knott said; not one that had been prepared earlier, but one made right then. Marion Knott obliged, emerging from the kitchen with a pie in such a hurry, she forgot to put a paper plate underneath the scalding pie tin before handing it to the man.

He dropped it in a hurry, Knott recalled. He said, Now, was that a nice thing to do? I thought it was.

But there was never a shortage of fun and games around the kitchen.

Mother made great candy. Shed make a big batch of candy and hide it, Knott remembered. Wed try and try, but we couldnt find the candy(until) she brought it out or we followed her to it.

Cordelia Knott, and her children after her, inspired loyalty. It wasnt unusual for waitresses and other staff to work at the restaurant for years.

Ingeborg Pavlinch, who now lives in Murietta, won a job at the Chicken Dinner Restaurant in 1976 after pestering managers day after day for a week.

I wanted to work at Knotts because Id eaten there and liked the atmosphere, Pavlinch, 66, said. She retired to spend more time with her family in 2005.

The Knotts were wonderful to work for. They spoiled us rotten and gave us Christmas parties, birthday parties, everything, Pavlinch said. They were down-to-earth people.

One year, Pavlinch urged her daughter, Melanie to work there for a season and earn some Christmas money.

Shes still working there. Then she was 16, now shes 40, Pavlinch said. Shes made a career out of it.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3796 or mmello@ocregister.com
SANTA ANA  The citys public library, with a main branch that has seen only one renovation in its 125-year history, on Tuesday was awarded the nations highest honor bestowed on libraries and museums for serving their communities.

Its a pleasant surprise for librarians considering Santa Ana Public Library was named a finalist for the National Medal for Museum and Library Service a few years ago, missed the application deadline in 2014, and didnt bother to apply in 2015.

This year was going to be the same as the last.

We just thought, Oh, were too busy, theres no point, blah blah blah, Santa Ana Library Operations Manager Heather Folmar said. You get used to thinking of yourself as small and unimportant and you look around at other libraries and you think, I dont know 

But Santa Ana native David Lopez, who grew up going to the library and has worked there for more than a decade, reminded his colleagues they should apply.

On Tuesday, the city learned Santa Ana Public Library was one of 10 libraries and museums to earn the distinction from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that supports the nations 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums.

Santa Ana Public Library  with a main branch, a learning center and two community centers  won the prestigious 22-year-old award alongside Brooklyn Public Library, Madison (Wis.) Public Library, North Carolina State University Libraries, Otis Library (Norwich, Conn.) and five museums.

Its definitely a surprise and an honor to be in the company of all of these other institutions because we are so small, said Lopez, 30, a technology librarian. Even though we do serve a large percentage of residents, we do have limited resources.

The Santa Ana library has served patrons for 125 years, primarily from its main branch at Civic Center Drive and Ross Street, which has only undergone one interior renovation, in 1991. The population has grown to 335,264 residents, of whom 79 percent are Latino; and 50 percent of children at local schools are first-generation English learners, according to city statistics.

The medal and $5,000 prize was awarded to the Santa Ana library because it really transformed the traditional library services to meet the needs of Santa Anas large immigrant population, institute spokeswoman Giuliana Bullard said.

The Santa Ana library also seemed to be working to narrow the digital divide, Bullard added, recognizing that a lot of its patrons were not using widely available online services and offering technology training programs to close the gap.

It was exceptional for the Santa Ana Public Library to be included among the 2016 finalists, institute director Kathryn K. Matthew, who selected the winners, said in a statement. Now, as one of the 10 2016 national medal winners, this small library is among the best of the best.

Most of the librarys services have come from staff members making contact in the community and addressing needs, Folmar, 72, said. Resulting programs include two series of beginning computer classes in Spanish and English, and bilingual story time five days a week.

Ramped-up services have come to fruition thanks to a growing investment from the city.

In fiscal year 2014-15, the citys five-year strategic plan added $250,000 for e-books and video streaming and $160,000 for civic engagement. Last fiscal year, the city invested $83,000 to reopen the main library on Sundays for the first time in more than 20 years, as well as $200,000 for additional books and materials and $22,000 for more e-books.

Those were annual additions to the budget, City Manager David Cavazos said.

That was a shot in the arm for the library, and with those resources, they really went to work, Cavazos said. Our libraries dont have as many branches as other people but regardless of all of that, with those resources, we have competed nationally.

The Santa Ana library, which has a $3.8 million budget allocation this fiscal year, will receive the award in Washington, D.C., June 1. Shortly after, the national story telling nonprofit StoryCorps will visit to record voices of the community.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7762, jkwong@ocregister.com or Twitter: @JessicaGKwong
The black-and-white cruiser patrols a seedy section of Anaheim near Beach Boulevard.

Officer Sal Piscopo notices a man he had once arrested. You behaving? Piscopo asks. He waves to other people he recognizes.

While the officer works his beat, a computer system attached to his car is working with him, picking up clues the officer hasnt seen.

As Piscopo drives, he hears the repetitive ding of pictures being taken of nearby car license plates by computers mounted on the hood and trunk of his cruiser. The license plate numbers are automatically put through a database as he drives.

The Anaheim Police Department manages a federal program that funds the cameras, and every police agency in Orange County has at least one camera-equipped car, including the police departments at UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton. At the same time, the American Civil Liberties Union is concerned about issues of privacy and the use of the information gathered in these computerized searches.

Suddenly, Piscopos computer screeches.

He is alerted to a flagged license plate. A red Honda Civic with a smoking muffler, just in front of his squad car, has prompted a notification at Broadway and Euclid Street.

Active Parole Alert appears on the screen affixed to his dashboard.

The veteran officer confirms that the license plate number on the screen is on the hot list; sometimes the computers misread a letter or number. Piscopo swoops into action, pulling over the car. But the driver isnt on parole. The car is registered to someone else.

Piscopo warns him of the smoky muffler and lets the driver go.

But the photo of the back of the red Honda, the location and the time of the hit on the plate remain in the system.

Piscopos patrol car will record thousands of plates this day, information that can be retrieved by police later.

All of that retention of data isnt going over well with some. They say the devices are an intrusion of privacy.

The vast majority of license-plate data are collected from people who have done nothing wrong at all, says a 2013 report by the American Civil Liberties Union. Often, only a fraction of 1 percent of reads are hits  and an even smaller fraction result in an arrest.

Catherine Wagner, an ACLU attorney in Los Angeles, said the use by police of the license plate readers and the retention of the data create real privacy concerns.

They are collecting a massive amount of data on the movement of law-abiding citizens around the county, Wagner said. Its pretty large-scale surveillance.

People should understand, and have a say in, how long the data is held and how it is used, she said.

Last month, Anaheim approved the purchase of 10 more cameras, adding to the 75-plus units already dispersed countywide.

The Orange County Sheriffs Department has 11.

Its a tool, and its helpful to a deputy working patrol, said Lt. Mark Stichter. Its going to point out those suspect vehicles.

Some departments have stationary license plate readers mounted on signs and poles at major entrances and exits of their cities.

Anaheim police have four vehicles equipped with the readers.

In the old days, at a homicide scene you walk up and down the street writing down the license plate numbers of the cars, said Sgt. Daron Wyatt of the Anaheim Police Department. Now we dont have to do that.

In Newport Beach, besides flagging stolen vehicles and those tied to criminals, the readers identify cars and trucks with five or more parking citations in the city, said Sgt. Rachel Johnson of Newports Traffic Division.

Inputting and running license plate numbers through a database was already being done by officers.

The (reader) simply speeds up this process, as the employee no longer needs to type in the license plate manually, Johnson said. Basically, were using the devices to scan public data, on public streets, to get information that we already have access to via other means.

The readers mounted on signs and posts cost $9,000. Cameras mounted on patrol cars go for $12,000 to $15,000 apiece. The trailers that flash the speed at which a vehicle is passing to motorists, and also have the readers, cost $35,000 to $40,000 each.

A state law requires police agencies using license plate readers to post their policies online. In them, several local agencies say the information gleaned from plates will be kept for about one year, then purged unless part of an investigation.

In Orange County, the license plate data is pooled into one database. Agencies can share the data for legitimate law enforcement reasons.

Piscopo, the Anaheim officer whose patrol car is topped by the system, said that in his year with the device it has helped him once: He was warned about a parked car, and it did turn out to be stolen.

Capturing data today might be important tomorrow, he said.

Indeed.

In 2012, officers with Anaheim police and other departments handed out fliers in Placentia and, on a different day, in Yorba Linda within eyesight of the site where homeless men had been murdered. The officers wanted to warn people of a serial killer and to search for leads.

Within hours of the fliers being handed out in Yorba Linda, Itzcoatl Izzy Ocampo was caught. Police used the license reader data to learn that Ocampos vehicle was the only one to show up at both police-staffed sites.

Wyatt, the cases lead investigator, said that police believed Ocampo was seeing how much information law enforcement had and that the sightings of his vehicle would have been used by the prosecution to show Ocampos state of mind.

If they hadnt arrested Ocampo, the police would have had a solid lead. Before the trial played out, though, the suspect in the deaths of four homeless men and two others died in jail of an apparent suicide.

Nationwide, the readers have had success, too.

In August, Virginia State Police used license readers to nab a man suspected of killing two journalists on live television. A troopers reader notified her when Vester Flanagans car passed by. His cars information had been entered into the hot list database, and authorities got into a pursuit; the suspect crashed and fatally shot himself.

Some agencies, such as Anaheim, didnt have statistics immediately available on how many suspects have been caught using the devices.

But Laguna Beach keeps statistics.

Capt. Jason Kravetz said that since February 2015, the department has recovered 30 stolen cars and made 31 arrests related to those thefts.

I would venture to guess theres been no change in the (car theft) activity, Kravetz said. Its just we have a better way of identifying it now.

Staff writers Keith Sharon and Tony Saavedra contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7865 or afausto@ocregister.com
IRVINE  Who was the Prophet Muhammad, and for what ideals did he stand?

That was the question Amjad Mahmood Khan, lawyer and national director of public affairs for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, addressed at an event the organization hosted Tuesday night at UC Irvine as part of its nationwide True Islam campaign.

Speaking to a gathering of about 50 people, Khan said extremist groups such as the Islamic State, have distorted the true teachings of Islam to further their agendas.

The Prophet Muhammad has specifically said, Do not strike terror in the hearts of people, Khan said. And that is exactly what ISIS is doing, contrary to his teachings.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community launched its True Islam campaign days after the Dec. 2 attack in San Bernardino in which 14 people were killed and 22 seriously injured.

Tuesdays event was part of the groups effort to bring that campaign to Orange County, especially to college campuses. The group already has an informational booth every Saturday at Cypress College, where it hands out similar information, and plans to hold more events in Orange County in the coming months.

Khan focused his talk on the Prophet Muhammad, his life and teachings. He said Muhammad did not even refer to himself as a prophet until he turned 40.

Muhammad was strongly in favor of a pluralistic society, he said. He sought peace among non-Muslims. He had a special place in his heart for the poor and the marginalized. He wanted equality for women.

The word Islam mirrors the ideology of the religions founder, Khan said. Islam is derived from the Arabic root salema, which means peace.

Khan referenced two historic documents, which he said clarified Muhammads intent to uphold the ideals of peace and tolerance. One was the Charter of Medina, a constitution, drafted by Muhammad, which formed the basis of a multireligious Islamic state in the city of Medina.

The second document was a letter written and sent by Muhammad to the monks of St. Catherines Monastery offering Christians his respect and protection. A reproduction of the letter is still displayed at the monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt, Khan said.

Why, then, do extremist groups such as ISIS quote passages from the Quran encouraging the killing of non-Muslims? Khan said the passage from the Quran ISIS and other extremist groups print on fliers and distribute for recruitment purposes is taken out of context.

They deliberately leave out the passages that come before and after, which clearly and emphatically state that war is an option only when your ability to practice your faith is under attack, he said. True jihad, or holy war, is not waged by the sword.

After the talk, Orange Coast College student Nicole Rost said she learned a lot about the history of Islam and about Muhammad.

I did not know that he emphasized so much on respecting all religions, she said. I was surprised to hear that.

Rachelle Reiff, a sophomore at UC Irvine, said she was particularly intrigued that Muhammad wrote a letter to the monks of St. Catherines Monastery and his respect for Christians.

As a Catholic, I was really impressed by that fact, she said. I do believe that Islam is a peaceful religion. Now, I feel like I have more facts when I talk to people who dont.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com
NEW ORLEANS  Five former police officers involved in the shooting deaths of unarmed people here in the days after Hurricane Katrina, a case that drew national outrage and intense scrutiny to the citys police force, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday and received significantly less prison time than they originally faced.

The guilty pleas, which drew prison terms from 3 to 12 years, were the latest development in a wrenching 10-year saga that began when police officers responding to a distress call on the Danziger Bridge on Sept. 4, 2005, opened fire on unarmed residents, killing two and injuring four.

The officers  Sgt. Kenneth Bowen, Sgt. Robert Gisevius, Officer Anthony Villavaso and Officer Robert Faulcon, as well as a detective, Arthur Kaufman, who was assigned to investigate the shooting  were initially indicted on state charges. Those indictments were dismissed, and the officers were then charged in federal court.

The men were found guilty in 2011 and faced sentences of six to 65 years, but a federal judge, Kurt D. Engelhardt, threw out the convictions two years later and ordered a retrial, a ruling that was upheld on appeal. All but Kaufman have been in custody in 2010.

Under the terms of Wednesdays deal, the four officers involved in the shooting received sentences ranging from seven to 12 years, with credit for time served. The fifth man, Kaufman, who was accused in the cover-up, got 3 years.

While the case made its tortuous way through the court system, the shootings on Danziger Bridge, as well as another shooting of an unarmed man in the immediate aftermath of Katrina, drew the attention of the Justice Department. In 2011, the police force here was brought under a federally mandated consent decree, a blueprint for a full-scale overhaul, which is continuing.

Long before Ferguson and Baltimore became bywords in national debates on police use of force, the shootings on the Danziger Bridge shocked and sickened many here and across the country and raised troubling questions about police behavior that have since played out elsewhere.

The victims, in a city still without order and drowning in floodwaters, were crossing the bridge in search of food or relatives when police officers rushed to the scene in a rental truck. The officers opened fire with shotguns and AK-47s, leaving four people severely injured and two dead: 17-year-old James Brisette, and Ronald Madison, a 40-year-old developmentally disabled man who took a shotgun blast in the back.

At the federal trial, defense lawyers emphasized that the officers were responding to a call that the police were being shot at, and that, under the extreme circumstances of that chaotic time, they should not be harshly judged.

But other officers who had pleaded guilty testified that defendants had fired without warning, stomped on the dying and immediately afterward began to construct what would become an extensive cover-up.

The officers were convicted of civil rights violations, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. At their sentencing, however, Engelhardt delivered a long speech condemning the prosecution for its plea deals and its use of certain witnesses, and deplored the mandatory minimum sentences he was forced to impose on some of the convicted officers.

Over the next two years, a scandal unfolded in the U.S. attorneys office in New Orleans, involving senior prosecutors who had anonymously commented online to articles in the local media about cases that were on trial. Citing this scandal, Engelhardt threw out the officers convictions in 2013, pointing to the highly unusual, extensive and truly bizarre actions of prosecutors. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld his ruling last year and ordered a new trial.
Re: Raise comes at a cost [Opinion, April 18]: While many readers will wince at CSU instructors receiving a 10.5 percent increase over three years, the California Faculty Association study quoted in the editorial has some eye-opening data on the administrative bloat. CSU-wide average faculty salary increases from 2004-14 were $5,746 versus average administrator increases of $20,545. Isnt the mission of the CSU system to educate students? What are these administrators contributing?

During the same period, full time equivalent students increased 24 percent, while the number of full time equivalent faculty increased only 14 percent. Faculty salaries increased only 10 percent, but cost of living increased 25 percent. Why is it, then, that CSU presidents salaries increased 36 percent?

The CSU Board of Trustees is not doing its job. Is it in reality an independent board dedicated to serving California needs or has it become part of the higher education bureaucracy that overfeeds itself at the public trough?

Oliver Watson

Orange

A greedy economy

Re: Anaheim extends moratorium on short term rentals [Local, April 13]. Since the advent of Airbnb and similar websites, some short-term rentals have created noise, traffic and parking problems in quiet residential areas. Michael Connelly, an owner of several of these homes, is quoted by the Register as saying these are part of the new sharing economy. I can understand how someone who rents out a room in a house they live in is sharing, but I fail to see how renting out homes you dont live in is sharing. The simple fact is that in a tourist destination, theres more money in short-term rentals than in conventional rentals.

Short-term renting of a home you dont live in is akin to running a hotel without the zoning restrictions, taxes and regulations hotels must abide by. I would call it the greedy economy rather than the sharing economy.

Linda Genis

Santa Ana

Discrimination hypocrisy?

Re: Pink tax coming under fire [News, April 17]: I couldnt help chuckle at the subtle sex discrimination that appeared in the price comparison completed by the New York Department of Consumer Affairs. Why should we think that a scooter is a girls just because it is pink? Or why should we believe that a helmet is a girls just because it has a unicorn and a boys because it has a shark on top. Tsk, tsk.

Al Hendricker

Huntington Beach
The latest list of permanent restaurant closures include a top fine-dining bistro in downtown Santa Ana, a diner in Old Towne Orange and another loss for Pinkberry.

Take a look:

 Old Towne Eatery, which opened in August 2014, will be closed as of Monday. In an Instagram announcement, owner Ralph Sandoval said Sunday would be the restaurants last day. My partners and I have decided to sell, he said. It was not an easy decision but ultimately it was in all of our best interest. Sandoval, who previously owned Los Cabos Mexican restaurant in Orange, said a Thai eatery is taking over the space. The restaurant space is tucked in the alley of The Clark Building in downtown Orange, next to Jalapenos and Zitos Pizza.

 Finbars Italian Kitchen, which used to operate a handful of restaurants in Orange County, closed its Costa Mesa location in late March. The old-school Italian restaurant previously operated in Seal Beach and Rancho Santa Margarita. Those locations have since closed. The Metro Pointe eatery closed because the landlord did not renew its lease, Finbars said on its Facebook page. The restaurant plans to make a Seal Beach comeback by reopening in April at 1041 Pacific Coast Highway, the company said. The owner of Pizza Press, a build-your-own pizza and craft beer chain, confirmed he would be moving into Finbars space in Costa Mesa.

 TGI Fridays in Laguna Niguel is closing in late April. A manager answering the phone said the last day of operation would be Monday. She cited a lease issue for the closure and referred questions to the franchisees parent company The Briard Group. The company operates several Fridays restaurants in Southern California. According to state employment records, the closure impacts 51 employees.

 Pinkberry at The Tustin District has closed. This is third Pinkberry to shutter in recent months. In November and December, two Pinkberry shops closed in Brea and Santa Ana. In mid-December, the froyo brand, founded in Los Angeles in 2005, was purchased by Arizona-based owner Kahala Brands.

 Jamba Juice at the Market Place in Tustin closed March 1. It will be replaced by Nektar Juice Bar this summer, Irvine Co. officials told the Register.

 The owners of Little Sparrow, a highly praised downtown Santa Ana bistro when it opened in 2013, closed the restaurant over the weekend. Its last day of service was April 17. The owners said it would reopen the restaurant as BlackBox. It will retain Little Sparrows award-winning craft cocktail program, the owners said in an announcement Friday. They said more details would be revealed later this week, according to the BlackBox website. The link indicates the new restaurant will focus on burgers and beer.

 Smashburger in Irvine on Alton closed this week, according to an employee answering the phone at the Aliso Viejo restaurant. The location also has been removed from the chains website. The Denver-based better burger chain opened its first two O.C. restaurants four years ago in Aliso Viejo and Mission Viejo. Since then, the company has been slow to add new locations as other invaders  Habit Burger Grill, Five Guys  have stepped up their presence in Orange County.

Got a tip on a closure?

Contact Nancy Luna: nluna@ocregister.com and follow the Fast Food Maven on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
COSTA MESA  A man and woman from Los Angeles County were arrested on suspicion of attempting to kill a man in a Costa Mesa motel room this week, officials said Wednesday.

Adrian Ramey Hall, 26 of Norwalk, and Passhunae Nemiesha Ruff, 24 of Long Beach, were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of attempted murder.

Officials are accusing Hall of stabbing a 25-year-old man several times in the torso around 4 a.m. Monday inside an upstairs room at Motel 6, 2274 Newport Blvd.

Ruff is accused of meeting the 25-year-old man in the room before they got into a fight about money. Ruff fled the room while the man attempted to retrieve his cash from her.

She returned upstairs with Hall  who was waiting downstairs in a white Dodge Charger  before another fight started, and the 25-year-old man was stabbed, police Lt. Paul Beckman said.

Hall and Ruff fled in the Dodge Charger, while the 25-year-old man was taken to a hospital where he had surgery for his injuries.

Police located Hall on Tuesday afternoon at a Cerritos auto body shop and found Ruff at a Fullerton motel where the pair was staying.

They also found the knife apparently used in Mondays attack in a trash can, Beckman said.

Details about how officials located the pair were not released.

Police would also not comment on what business Ruff was conducted in the motel that morning.

The white Dodge Charger was a rental and returned to a company at Los Angeles International Airport.

Hall and Ruff were both held in Orange County jails in lieu of $500,000 bail and scheduled to be in court Thursday, according to jail records.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7802 or aduranty@ocregister.com
TUSTIN  Rumors that a school shooting was planned Wednesday at a local high school are unfounded and no threat is expected, sheriffs officials said.

Parents have been calling the Orange County Sheriffs Department after hearing rumors that at least one student was planning a shooting at Foothill High School, 19251 Dodge Ave.

A sergeant contacted the school resource officer, sheriffs Lt. John Roche said. There is no credible threat at this time. It was just kids talking about Columbine, there is no threat of a shooting or fight.

Wednesday is the 17th anniversary since 12 students and a teacher were shot and killed by two students at Columbine High School in Colorado.

Foothills Principal Nick Stephany released a statement Wednesday about the rumors.

At approximately 2 p.m. yesterday, we received information from a student that there was a rumor regarding violence to the school being planned for today, the statement read. Our administration, in coordination with the Orange County Sheriffs Department fully investigated this threat, even consulting the SMART (School Mobile Assessment and Resource Team) team  The investigation found that there was no credible threat against the school.

Administrators on the Orange County High School Confessions Twitter page, where local teenagers can post confessions and other material, posted at 9:17 p.m. Tuesday:

(1/2) Tonight, we received a threat in one of our confessions links. We would like to remind you all that nothing is anonymous and   OCHS Confessions (@ConfessionOCHS) April 20, 2016

http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

@ConfessionOCHS (2/2)making shooting threats against schools do not rest well with us.We will be contacting the police &you will be revealed  OCHS Confessions (@ConfessionOCHS) April 20, 2016

http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

A later tweet read:

@ConfessionOCHS I want to notify you all that the OC Sheriff department is aware & the school that was referenced was Foothill High School  OCHS Confessions (@ConfessionOCHS) April 20, 2016

http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Officials reiterated any threat made was not credible and parents should not keep their students home from school on Wednesday.

We deemed it prudent to have an escalated sheriffs department presence on campus today, according to Stephanys statement.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7802 or aduranty@ocregister.com
Its time to go surf somewhere else.

That was the reaction surfers Drew Palumbo and Ben Slayback had after seeing a great white shark breach out of the water at Sunset Beach while they were surfing on Monday.

The shark was just 100 yards away, according to a video Palumbo posted on YouTube after the incident.

Shark Week fans know breaching sharks evoke images of massive great white sharks leaping out of the water to chomp on prey in areas like South Africa and Australia. But that wasnt the case with this young shark spotted off Orange Countys coastline, said Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach.

The short answer of why this shark breached: We dont know.

We know that the young ones do it quite a bit. People see it quite often in Santa Monica, and theyve seen it at Seal Beach. Adults do it, but the adults do it for a different reason. They are chasing prey.

The Jaws-sized sharks leap feet out of the water to chase after nimble, fast-moving prey like sea lions. The one filmed off Sunset Beach was an estimated 6 and a half feet is still a juvenile.

There are two theories of why young sharks go airborne.

The first guess is that small water bugs that have claws  called copepods  grab onto the sharks and catch rides, Lowe said.

One of the thoughts is they might be irritating the sharks, he said.

Slamming down on their bodies could be a way to try to dislodge the parasites.

Think of it as a way to try to scratch their backs, he said.

The other thought is maybe the shark is excited about something.

Maybe its play, Low said. We just dont know.

Lowes team of graduate students have tagged about 16 great white sharks in this area.

They usually leave for Mexico when waters turn cold along the Orange County coast, but El Ninos warm waters have kept it tempting for them to stay. Four of the 16 tagged were detected all winter. There may be more still hanging around, but its possible their tags popped off.

For the past few years, many have not migrated. Its not cold enough to drive them south, Lowe said.

Theres been countless sightings of sharks in the past year, with lifeguards from San Clemente to Seal Beach posting warning signs, and in some cases, shutting down the beaches. There has even been a few reports of surfers getting bumped by sharks.

Lowe thinks that the water is bountiful with food supply for the sharks. The ones tagged last year would be about 1 year old, and feeding on sting rays and other fish like halibut.

He said even though they are growing, they are still likely more scared of the surfers than the surfers are of them.

They are kind of scared of big things, he said. They dont know they are a shark until they are about 10 feet  thats kind of the joke among biologist.

The surfers who filmed the shark leaping out of the water werent going to take their chances.

Slayback suggested they try another spot for their surf session, he told CBS Los Angeles.

I knew it was a shark and I said, Its time to go, he said in the news report. No playing around; its time to go.

Contact the writer: lconnelly@ocregister.com
In a bid to appease his insatiable desire for beer, A Russian man has installed a personal beer pipeline that runs from a beer store to a tap in his kitchen, giving him unlimited access to the foamy drink!

Andrey Eremeev, a mechanic from Chelyabinsk, had long been dreaming of having a beer tap installed in his home. The idea started off as a joke, but when a beer store opened on the ground floor of his apartment building, he started giving it some serious thought and working on ideas on how best to make it a reality. When he finally built up the courage to pitch his seemingly ludicrous idea to the owners of the store and convince them to provide him with his very own personal beer pipeline, they had a good laugh at first, but later agreed to his proposal.

Andrey had to get a few official approvals, but all in all, things went much smoother than he had anticipated. He discovered that being the only person in the country to ever request a personal beer pipeline, there were no legal standards in place. So the housing committee had to formulate a new plan for him. It took a while, but once the paperwork was completed, he could finally start work on the pipeline that now runs from the beer store to his kitchen sink.

An idea struck me  why dont I get fresh beer straight to my apartment? he said, speaking to 74TV. It only takes a 10m pipe. Then I wrote a letter to the CEO of the chain retailer and got a positive answer. Now the beer is here and everything is fine. Im very glad that Ive lived out my dream!

Eremeev now has two taps over his kitchen sink  one for hot and cold water, and the other a constant supply of chilled beer. The beer tap is connected to a series of pipes connected to a large keg in the stores refrigerator section, which only Andrey uses.

We have recently opened a new brew house and there is plenty of equipment left out, the brewery manager said. We connected the keg with flexible hose pipes and conjoined them with the wall. Inside the wall we have previously laid a ducting with a stainless steel pipeline inside. It also has a special cooling system. And via this pipe the beer is brought to the client.

Although Eremeev has refused to reveal the cost of his beer pipeline, he insists that it was worth every penny. And his friends wholeheartedly agree!
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LINCOLN  The fourth-graders from Omaha lay down on the cold tile mosaic floor of their State Capitol building and stared up, up, 110 feet up.

Above them was the stunning Capitol dome, with a golden sun at its center. Around the sun were eight winged figures, each bearing a virtue. Hope. Justice. Magnanimity.

That last one means generosity, a certain bigness of heart that seems to reflect the essence of this cathedral-like statehouse, with its lofty architecture and inspirational artwork.

Staring upward, I was struck by the earnestness of it all: these virtues, this building and these 34 impressionable children, including my own 10-year-old daughter.

She and her classmates at St. Cecilia Catholic School had come for a day in our capital city. They were here to make more real the lessons they had learned all year about Nebraska.

Fourth grade is when Nebraska children are baptized with state history and culture. It is a near-perfect age, as Im discovering, when children can bridge two worlds. They are old enough to be interested and understand real issues. Yet they are still young enough to be rooted in the innocence and wonder of childhood. They still believe.

So when I heard about the field trip and the need for a chaperone, I signed on right away. I wanted the chance to see the Capitol through the fresh eyes of a child.

I got the first taste at mile marker 405, when the Lincoln skyline rolled into view and Danny Kerrigan burst.

I see the Capitol! Guys, I see the Capitol!

Half the bus stood, and the children craned their necks for a glimpse of that shining tower.

The exuberance followed them off the bus. The Sower! Abraham Lincoln! Familiar names along the perimeter.

I want you to get it all in, teacher Cathy Lyons told them. Look around.

They did. They snapped pictures. They oohed. They whispered.

They were practically reverent.

And why not? The building and its ideals, carved into the limestone, inspire that.

Plus, Tour Guide Ted knew how to tell a good story. Ted Haubrich wove a dramatic tale about how the Capitol was designed and built by New Yorkers who were careful to learn Nebraskas story and tell that in the design. He explained how Nebraska leaders were smart and paid for it as they built it over a decade. Then, when the Great Depression hit, leaders decided to keep a lid on spending anything more until times got better. So artwork was added in time for the centennial in 1967.

Ted pointed out famous names and faces and told how each contributed to building Nebraska. Here was a mural depicting the brave schoolteacher who shepherded children to safety during a blizzard. Here was a bust of Father Flanagan, founder of Boys Town. The children already knew many of their forefathers and mothers.

George Norris! piped up Madison Miles.

Tell me something you know about Willa Cather, Ted urged.

She was the first woman in the Nebraska Hall of Fame, answered Marinn Drickey.

Ted walked them past the Governors Office and opened the intricately carved doors to the Warner Chamber, where the State Senate met briefly when Nebraska had a two-house form of government. He took them into the Nebraska Supreme Court, where they sat in the walnut benches and at the walnut counsel tables. Then it was on to the third branch of government, the Legislature.

The fourth-graders followed Ted up two flights of stairs and into the Legislative Chamber. They sat in the raised gallery, and from this perch they got a five-minute window into lawmaking. In this case, they had chanced into a discussion about a bill to allow immigrants who had been brought to the United States illegally as children to get certified in professions like teaching or accounting.

One senator rose to oppose the bill, and the students faces mirrored his seriousness. The senator railed against an immigration system that he blamed for turning the country into a sinking lifeboat. The kids sat frozen. The senator begged his colleagues to keep their compassion in check. The students dared not move. Then, abruptly turning his body and tone, the senator warmly welcomed the students. They smiled.

We filed out and tromped downstairs to the Capitol basement, where the kids had ham sandwiches, courtesy of the Ag Sack Lunch Program, and a quick overview of the fruits of Nebraskas land. Beef cattle, dairy cattle, pigs and poultry. Corn, soybeans and wheat.

Then their state senator, Sara Howard, popped in. Howards midtown Omaha district includes St. Cecilia.

Every day when I go to work, she told them, I get to do something that helps people.

We left the Capitol but not the capital. The kids saw fossils inside Morrill Hall. They gazed at stars in the Mueller Planetarium. They talked about life that is millions of years old and life that has yet to be discovered. Then they screamed through Gate 23 of Memorial Stadium. Another Nebraska wonder.

On the bus ride home, they were naturally squirrelly. These 10-year-old sponges had absorbed about as much history as they could. They let loose with the hilarity of waving to truck drivers and jibes about who will marry whom.

Would anything from this day stick?

Five days later, I put the question to them. What did they remember?

I expected to hear Morrill Hall and the planetarium, and several kids mentioned those sights first. I expected everyone to say Memorial Stadium, but only one student did. And he was philosophical.

When they have a game, Charlie Palmer said, everything looks smaller. And when its empty, its big!

Mostly, everyone talked about the Capitol. How big it seemed. How crowded in places. How much better it was in person.

The wall designs, said HongSung Lee. They were colorful and had patterns.

The busts, said Charlie Neuman. When we were doing research about our famous Nebraskans, the busts looked exactly like the pictures.

The Legislature, said Kingston Solomon. It was really cool to see how they would make the laws  see what they were saying for once.

Which was?

I heard them talking about immigrants, said Finn Smith.

They were just so serious, said Aidan McGarry.

They talked about a strange bathroom towel dispenser that used cloth instead of paper and of elevators that, as Madison Miles put it, were smaller than my baby brother.

Vivien Appleby said her favorite parts of the trip included something she couldnt see: a strong prairie wind that whipped her red hair around Memorial Stadium. And something she could.

That Capitol dome with its angelic figures and those virtues: Magnanimity, Charity and Hope. Courage, Temperance and Wisdom. Faith. And Justice.

I remember, she said, everything on that ceiling.
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Weightlifter Achinta Sheuli won Indias third gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. However, it would not have been possible without his brother Alok,, who gave up his own sports career and worked as a labour to support family and Achinta's dream.

Weightlifter Achinta Sheuli won Indias third gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. However, it would not have been possible without his brother Alok,, who gave up his own sports career and worked as a labour to...
Garment factory workers have had PF issues in the past too

Feature

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

For the garment factory workers, the Provident Fund issue has always spelt trouble. Thousands of garment factory workers took to the streets in protest against the new rules which barred withdrawal of their EPF. After the protests turned violent, the new rules were withdrawn.

The same garment factory workers had staged a similar protest back in 2001 and once again it was regarding the issue of provident fund. At that time they were protesting the refusal by the PF office in Bengaluru to hand over forms to some of the workers who had lost their jobs.

The protests of 2001:

During the 2001 protests thousands of garment factory workers had taken to the streets. At that time around the traffic had come to a grinding halt for over 4 hours on the Tumkur road. The protests lasted for 2 days.

The garment factory workers that OneIndia spoke with explain that they protest for their rights and not to indulge in violence. A large crowd had gathered in 2001 too, but the protest went on without any vandalism. The protests of 2001 were in fact an emotive one for the garment factory owners.

Apart from protesting against the local PF office which did not issue forms to some employees who had lost their jobs, they were also protesting the job cuts and lay offs in some of the factories. In 2001, the condition of the garment factory workers was bad when compared to now and the working conditions were nothing to tom tom about either they say.
Karnataka to strengthen ATS and up the number of prisons

Interesting Political Journey of B S Yeddyurappa

Feature

oi-Lisa

By Lisa

Known as the most popular Lingayat leader, B S Yeddyurappa was named BJP President for Karnataka state on the 8th of April 2016. He has a tall task to achieve which is to unite and consolidate BJP in Karnataka and lead the party during 2018 Assembly elections.

BSY is also the Chief Ministerial candidate of BJP for 2018. BSY has not taken his tasks lightly and has started working on his first task of consolidating the party in the areas where its presence is strong and make inroads where BJP's presence is not much.

Here is a brief history of BSY's political career in Karnataka state which has seen many a highs and lows.

Beginning in 1970s:

B S Yeddyurappa's career in public service began when he was appointed Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's Shikaripur unit in 1970. BSY has been associated with RSS since his college years.

In two years time he was elected to the Shikaripura Town Municipality. In 1972 he was also appointed as the President of the Taluk unit of the Jana Sangh.

BSY's popularity can be judged by the fact that in 1975, he was elected President of the Town Municipality of Shikaripura. BSY was put in jail during the Emergency time and he had spent time in Bellary and Shimoga jails.

With BJP since 1980s:

BSY's journey with BJP began in 1980 when he was appointed President of the Shikaripura taluk unit of the BJP.

BSY was first elected to Karnataka Assembly in 1983 from Shikaripura Constituency which he has represented six times till date.

In 1985 he was made the president of BJP's Shimoga district unit and just three years later in 1988, he became the President of the BJP in Karnataka.

BSY's rise continues in 1990s:

After the 1994 Karnataka assembly elections, BSY became the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

In 1999, as he lost the Assembly elections he was nominated by BJP to become a member of the legislative council (upper house) of Karnataka.

Defining career in 2000s:

BSY was re-elected in 2004 and became the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

BSY's first stint in power came when he helped Janata Dal (Secular) leader H. D. Kumaraswamy bring down the coalition government headed by Congress' Dharam Singh and form an alternative government with BJP. As per the terms of the agreement Kumaraswamy was to be the CM for first 20 months and BSY was to be the CM for the next 20 months.

During the Chief Ministership of Kumaraswamy, BSY was the Deputy Chief Minister and als the Finance Minister.

BSY initiated numerous welfare schemes such as the Bhagyalakshmi scheme, bicycles for students, a ban on arrack and farm loan waivers.

BSY became Chief Minister of Karnataka on the 12th of November 2007 after JD(S) and BJP burried their differences and President's Rule was revoked. President's Rule was imposed in Karnataka when Kumaraswamy refused to step down as CM as per the agreement. Kumaraswamy refused to accept ministries offered to his party later and BSY had to resign on the 19th November 2007.

For 2008 Karnataka Assembly elections BSY contested from Shikaripura against former CM S. Bangarappa of the Samajwadi Party who was supported by Congress and JD(S). BSY won by a margin of more than 45,000 votes.

BSY led BJP to its first ever win in South India and he was sworn in as CM of Karnataka on the 30th of May 2008.

Corruption charges:

The Karnataka Lokayukta while investigating the illegal mining case submitted a report which indicted Yeddyurappa for illegally profiteering from land deals in Bangalore and Shimoga.

He also faced charge in connection with the illegal iron ore export scam in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga.

Resignation:

BSY resigned on 31 July 2011 after he was forced by BJP's central leadership.

BSY also resigned as Member of Legislative Assembly and from his membership of BJP on 30 November 2012.

Launch of new party:

After resigning from BJP, BSY formally launched the Karnataka Janata Paksha. He had registered party and its name in April 2011 itself but he launched it in 2012.

In 2013 Assembly elections he was again elected from Shikaripura Constituency of Shivamogga district.

Rejoins BJP ahead of Lok Sabha elections:

In November 2013 itself it was talked about that BSY was considering returning to BJP without any terms and conditions. He formally merged his party with BJP on the 2nd of January 2014.

BSY contested from the Shimoga seat of Karnataka in 2014 Lok Sabha election and won by a margin of 363,305 votes.

Freedom from corruption charges:

Karnataka High Court set aside the sanction given by then Governor HR Bhardwaj for BSY's prosecution in several cases of alleged illegal denotification of land, and asked the present Governor Vajubhai Vala to have a fresh look at it.

A special Lokayukta court then struck down four other FIRs against him.

Other cases against him were also dropped.

Named BJP President of Karnataka:

On the 8th of April BSY took over as BJP President for Karnataka state from Prahlad Joshi.
NIA soft on Hindutva elements says US: Why they need to read these statistics

Feature

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

With an average of 11,780 Americans being killed in gun violence every year and the government unable to win over the gun lobby, it is really not their place to give advise to India on Human Rights.

A report by the US State Department for Human Rights has come down heavily on India for human rights violations and it also goes on to state that the National Investigating Agency has gone soft on Hindutva elements in the Malegaon blasts case.

The US is known to advise the world on human rights violations despite having a very poor record themselves.

The wars the US has waged in Afghanistan and Iraq have thrown caution to the winds when it comes to human rights violations. The bombing of hospitals, schools and the houses of innocents doesn't exactly paint a very good picture of the human rights the US follows.

The report in brief

A major part of the report speaks about the encounter killings in India. There is also a portion of the report which says that India's premier investigating agency, the NIA has gone soft on Hindutva elements in the Malegaon blasts case.

It also gives a figure of the number of encounter killings in India. The report says that between 2008 and 2013, there were 555 encounter killings by the security forces.

As per this report Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 138. Jharkhand comes second with 50 followed by Manipur at 41. The rest of the states which top the encounter killing list are Chhattisgarh (29), Odisha (27), Jammu and Kashmir (26), Tamil Nadu (23), and Madhya Pradesh (20).

What about the statistics relating to gun violence?

Homicidal deaths alone in the United States of America account for 153,144 between the years 2001 and 2013. However in terrorist strikes the statistics for the United States of America suggest that 3,046 persons had died between the years 2001 and 2014.

According to a report in the NBC News, the number (shooting incidents) do not even include suicide and legal police killings.

If these were to be included then the number goes up to 394,912. Still, just counting homicides alone, 11,780 Americans were killed by guns a year on average in that time period, while 219 on average were killed per year by terrorism - although of course the 9/11 attacks are the bulk of the deaths," NBC also reports.
The persecution of Hindus in Pakistan continues with a Hindu girl forcibly converted and married

Pakistan was unnerved by Indian Armys paratroopers: Book

Feature

oi-Oneindia

By Our Defence Bureau

Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's press conferences were not the oft-repeated question-and-answer sessions, says legendary communication guru I Ramamohan Rao. In Bengaluru, recently, for the launch of his book, Conflict Communication: Chronicles of a Communicator, Rao gave some rare insights into style of functioning of Nehru and others PMs who succeeded him later.

According to Rao, Nehru was a different leader and he had a response ready to every question posed by the reporters.

"The correspondents came to hear the PM on matters of national importance, on colonialism, India's relations with neighbours and on issues like economic development and planning. His answers sought to educate the people through the newspapers," says Rao in the books.

The author goes on to narrate how the former PM often took provoking questions head-on.

Nehru and the fantastic nonsense' response

"Some journalists would try to provoke Panditji and one waited to hear his favourite response -- what a fantastic nonsense - to be followed by a detailed answer to the question," says the author.

As a young communication officer, once Rao was even invited by the Nehru for a cup of tea.

"When I look back I wonder which young official will have the privilege of being asked by the PM to come into the house and made to sit down and offered a cup of tea. No wonder Panditji endeared himself to everyone who came in contact with him," says Rao.

In the book, Rao also narrates on the last journey of Nehru from Teen Murti to the banks of the Yamuna on May 27, 1964.

"I was put on the duty to conduct the photographers covering Nehru's final journey. The photographers were taken in an improvised three-tonne truck. There will be never be another PM as endearing as Nehru. He spoke, wrote and interacted in a transparent manner," says the book.

Impressive narration of 1971 War with Pakistan

The book has a chapter giving glimpses of India's psychological warfare as support weapon against Pakistan in 1971 war.

"Much was achieved through psychological warfare, which was used as a support weapon, in the conduct of the war. This was done both in the battlefield as well as through the air-waves and newspapers," says Rao.

Rao explains how he managed publicity under difficult situation, when the Indian Army dropped troops from the Para Brigade at Tangail, behind Pakistani lines.

"The pictures of the para drop were published on the front pages of all papers all over the world. We had kept the number of troops para-dropped a secret. The march of the paratroopers from Tangail towards Dacca unnerved the Pakistani Army," narrates the book.

Interestingly, Rao used stock pictures fort this publicity mission as none could capture the photos of the actual para drops.

The man who served under four PMs

Rao joined the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in 1956 and was later inducted into the Indian Information Service (IIS) during its formation years and head it for seven years from 1985 to 1992.

During his period, he was the Principal Spokesman for the Government of India that saw four Prime Ministers including Rajiv Gandhi, V P Singh, Chandrashekar and Narasimha Rao.

Hailing from Inna village of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, Rao is widely revered to as the Bhishmacharya by his predecessors in IIS. May of his initiatives are even followed today by the Directorate of Public Relations under the Ministry of Defence.

Rao has the rare distinction of serving the government right from Jawaharlal Nehru's era as a communicator holding different capacities.

Currently, despite an advancing age, Rao is active on social media and also looks after the affairs of India's top video news agency, Asia News International (ANI).

Conflict Communications: Chronicles of a Communicator, written by I Ramamohan Rao is priced at Rs 595. The book is published by Pentagon Press, which focuses mainly on military and national security subjects.
With AQI of 259, Delhi's air on day before Diwali least polluted in 7 years

Textiles Ministry launches Eco Friendly Jute Bag initiative in Delhi

Feature

oi-Lisa

By Lisa

It is well-known that the indiscriminate use of polythene bags is one contributor to the pollution problem in the national capital. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has on multiple occasions, tried to ban use of plastic carry bags in Delhi. However, we find these plastic carry bags continue to be used commonly.

Textiles Minister appreciates Mother Dairy and NJB, at launch of eco friendly jute bags in Mother Dairy outlets pic.twitter.com/7o9C68i9fI  Ministry of Textiles (@TexMinIndia) April 19, 2016

Residents of Delhi now have a choice and can themselves restrict use of plastic bags by using eco-friendly, biodegradable and low-cost jute bags. Mother Dairy, National Jute Board (NJB) and Birds Jute & Exports Ltd. (BJEL) have joined hands in this green venture, to provide attractive, low cost jute bags at the thousand-odd booths of Mother Dairy and Safal in Delhi - NCR.

The venture is promoted by NJB, bags are manufactured by BJEL and supplied to Mother Dairy for distribution at its booths.

The partnership with Mother Dairy will give a fillip to diversified jute products: Secretary pic.twitter.com/MCFZVfCSnp  Ministry of Textiles (@TexMinIndia) April 19, 2016

Through this scheme, one can purchase one's daily requirement of perishables from reliable outlets of Mother Dairy and Safal, along with the option of buying environment friendly, attractive, low cost jute bags too. Available in the price range of Rs. 25 to Rs. 35, these bags are strong, washable and can be used several times over, making them cost effective.

Textiles Min. launches eco friendly jute bags, to be distributed in all Mother Dairy & Safal outlets in Delhi-NCR pic.twitter.com/dbUnhdi9Op  Ministry of Textiles (@TexMinIndia) April 19, 2016

Background:

The Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar, had launched Common Facility Centre Scheme of the National Lute Board on 1st September, 2015 at Kolkata, under which 5 CFCs were to be set up. Out of the five CFCs, two CFC's at Hoogly & 24 Parganas are being run by BJEL under which different Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs)/ micro entrepreneurs manufacture Jute Diversified Products. The Mother Dairy jute bags will provide such WSHGs a regular market and sustained means of livelihood.

Initial order:

Mother Dairy has placed an initial order of 20,000 jute bags - 10,000 units each for Mother Dairy and Safal. Based on the response of residents of Delhi and NCR, repeat orders shall be placed. These bags are being supplied by BJEL on cost to cost basis; any profit earned in future will be passed on to the artisans and members of the WSHGs.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gangwar urged upon the people of Delhi to make a smart choice by opting for the jute carry bags - now available at their nearby Mother Dairy and Safal booths.

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Story first published: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 11:59 [IST]
Top contest of West Bengal polls 2016: Nayana vs Somen vs Ritesh in Chowringhee

Feature

oi-Shubham

The Chowringhee seat in central Kolkata will see a keen contest between veteran Congress leader Somen Mitra and Nayana Bandyopadhay, the wife of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay and a former TMC MLA from Bowbazar constituency in Kolkata. The BJP has fielded Ritesh Tiwari, who put up a good fight in the 2014 bypoll, this time as well.

Nayana became the MLA of Chowringhee after winning the by-election in 2014 after the sitting MLA, Shikha Mitra, defected to the Congress. Shikha is the wife of Nayana's current rival Somen.

Date of polling:

Chowringhee, which is constituency No. 162, will go to polling on Wednesday (April 21). The result will be declared on May 19. [Other top contests of polls 2016]

2011 election result:

TMC's Shikha Mitra won this seat defeating her nearest rival Bimal Singh of the RJD by 57,739 votes [her vote share was 71.90 per cent]. The BJP's Shahnawaz Ahmed finished third with 4,799 votes.

2014 by-election result:

TMC's Nayana Bandyopadhyay won the bye-election held in Chowrangee in September 2014 after the resignation of Shikha Mitra who switched over to the Congress. She beat her nearest rival Ritesh Tiwari of the BJP by 14,344 votes. The BJP's votes increased from less than 5,000 in 2011 to almost 24,000 in the bypoll. The Congress's Santosh Kumar Pathak finished third with 23,317 votes.

Nayana Bandyopadhyay (TMC)

Nayana, a former actor who won an election in 2001 on the TMC's ticket from the now-defunct Bowbazar constituency (the TMC had an alliance with the Congress that year), is putting up a hard work this time by campaigning from door to door and telling the voters about the development work the TMC has carried out in the Chowringhee constituency in the last five years.

Though Chowringhee has been under the TMC's control since 2001 and the local residents have lauded the beautification projects undertaken over the past five years but in the wake of the Left-Congress electoral understanding, the Narada sting operation issue and the collapse of an under-construction flyover in the nearby Jorashanko area leading to the death of many people, 46-year-old Nayana's fight could be more than tough.

Somen Mitra (Congress)

A seven-time MLA and one-time MP (from the TMC), veteran Congress leader Somen Mitra is a known figure in Chowringhee constituency area and will go all-out to curb the TMC's domination here. Born in 1943 in Jessore in today's Bangladesh, Mitra entered politics in 1965 and became a renowned Congress leader in quick time.

Popularly called 'Chhorda' [smaller elder brother], Mitra left the Congress in 2008 to float his own Pragatishil Indira Congress and merged it with the TMC in 2009 and went on to win the parliamentary contest from Diamond Harbour constituency.

He left the TMC in 2014 to return to his parent party, the Congress, and is contesting as a candidate of the Congress-Left alliance from Chowringhee this year. Mitra is known to be a strong critic of TMC supremo and state's chief minister Mamata Banerjee despite his joining her party in the past. He also resigned from the MP's post.

He will be keen to bringh Chowringhee, which was once the constituency of Congress chief ministers like Bidhan Chandra Roy and Siddhartha Shankar Ray, back to the Congress's fold.

Ritesh Tiwari (BJP)

Ritesh Tiwari, 43, will look to take it up from where he had left in 2014. Tiwari gave a close fight to Nayana Bandyopadhyay in that bypoll by increasing the BJP's votes by nearly five times and finishing second in a close contest.

Tiwari will hope that the saffron party gains from the twin issues of corruption and the flyover collapse in a nearby constituency as those could particularly affect the non-Bengali-speaking people. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, too, the BJP grabbed 26 per cent of vote-share in the Kolkata North constituency under which the Chowringhee Assembly segment falls, to finish second after the TMC's 36 per cent.

Our prediction:

Difficult to predict. This seat will witness a tight triangular contest between the TMC, Left-Congress and BJP and each one will be interested till the last moment on May 19. Still, given the fact that the constituency is an urban one and there is an alliance between the Left and Congress, the anti-TMC votes could be better utilised to impact the final outcome. But that's about it.

Win chances: Somen Mitra 45%, Nayana 40%, Ritesh 15%
Has the Congress really stood up for Ishrat Jahan?

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, April 20: A verbal duel breaks out every now and then where Ishrat Jahan is concerned. The Congress blames the BJP of carrying out a fake encounter on an "innocent girl."

The BJP on the other hand accuses the Congress of twisting the facts only with an intention of showing in poor light the Gujarat police.

Many in the Congress have gone to town stating that the encounter is fake and the Gujarat police killed an innocent girl. The question is did the Congress really do anything to stand by Ishrat Jahan. These sequence of events do not indicate that the Congress was standing by Ishrat.

Congress had opposed Ishrat's mother's plea:

The Congress continued to brand Ishrat Jahan a terrorist indirectly through the affidavits it had filed in court. When a magistrate report in Gujarat had termed the encounter as fake, Ishrat Jahan's mother had moved the High Court seeking an inquiry into the matter.

Ishrat Jahan Case - Story Until Now

The Congress filed an affidavit in the High Court opposing the plea made by Ishrat's mother. The affidavit had quoted newspaper reports referring to a magazine published by the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. According to the Ghaza Times, a mouth piece of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba Ishrat was a member of the outfit. This was quoted in the affidavit in 2009 when the Congress was in power.

These initial affidavits that were filed by the Congress never once said in clear terms whether Ishrat was a terrorist or not. The affidavits continued to quote the Ghazwa Times article and not intelligence inputs. All the Congress had indicated was that they were giving her the benefit of the doubt.

What changed?

It was only later that the Congress began taking a more aggressive stand on the issue. However there were still many loop holes in the argument. There was absolutely no clarity on what Ishrat was doing with the rest of the persons at the time of the encounter. At no point in time did any of the investigating agencies including the CBI state that the rest were innocent.

In fact at this time a war had broken out between the CBI and the Intelligence Bureau, both under the control of the union government. In fact when the CBI sought to question the then joint director of the IB, Rajinder Kumar, the same was opposed by the chief of the agency, Asif Ibrahim.

What all secular media said about Ishrat Jahan few years ago

It may be recalled that it was the Congress which appointed Ibrahim by bypassing others. Ibrahim had in fact said that the intelligence input relating to Ishrat was true. He was clearly not asked to change that line by the government in power then.

The former Home Secretary G K Pillai made a startling claim in which he stated that it was the insistence of the then home minister, P Chidambaram that the affidavits were changed. Chidambaram had said that it was a collective decision. The BJP says that the Ishrat issue had become big for the Congress as they wanted to keep the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi down.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 12:16 [IST]
HIzb-ut-Tahrir headhunters looking for students in Delhi universities

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, April 20: Chatter between operatives in India and Bangladesh have led the Intelligence Bureau to sound an alert regarding the Hizb ut Tahrir a pan Islamic political organisation that is spread across most parts of the world.

In the recent months this outfit has been making huge strides in Bangladesh and is looking to replicate the ISIS style of functioning.

The Intelligence Bureau which has managed to piece together a conversation of operatives in India and Bangladesh states that this outfit is planning on hitting army installations apart from strategic locations in major cities such as New Delhi and also Kolkata.

A dossier prepared on this outfit in the possession of OneIndia shows that HuT is not only growing stronger, but is also nurturing a major plan for India.

Actionable intel:

IB officials say that the intelligence is actionable and this group has been planning on striking at major Indian cities and also target army installations since January. The IB had sent out this alert to the police chiefs of 23 different cities and advised them to be on high alert.

They are most likely to target army installations in a bid to show that they have declared a war on the country. This group is trying to set foot in the border areas of the country where the army posting is higher, the IB official also states.

The intelligence that has been picked up is actionable in nature and major cities and bordering states that the information has been shared with need to be on high alert, the officer also stated.

The HuT:

The Hizb ut-Tahrir a pan Islamic political organization spread across the world. They list their goals as unifying all Muslim countries as an Islamic State of the caliphate. With a goal to implement the Sharia law, this outfit was founded in 1953 by a group of Sunni Muslims in Jerusalem.

It is said to be most active in the United Kingdom and some Arab nations as well. It has strong presence in Bangladesh and a good clout among the students in India.

The outfit states that it intends to provide security to both Muslims and non-Muslims in the Muslim dominated countries through the establishment of an Islamic state and implementation of the Sharia law. The coup in Bangladesh When this outfit launched in Bangladesh, it had with it 16 officers of the army in that country.

These members were actively aiding the group in a bid to overthrow Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The nature of the coup staged by them was very similar to the one undertaken by the Jamaat-e-Islami.

India's worry:

The worry for India is that there are a good number of students who subscribe to their school of thought. The group has organized seminars in Delhi among students and the main topics have always focused round Israel.

Political styled operation Till date there has been no instance of any violence undertaken by this group. The functioning is largely political and they appear to be going around stirring passions among the youth.

This group was quite prominent when it came out with a group of 1000 members and protested against the Batla House encounter in 2010. While that meeting was considered to be a success, the group gradually dwindled over the years.

What the Intelligence Bureau says is that there is a need to watch their activities since they appear to be pushing a hardcore political agenda which lures people into beleiveing that an Islamic State would be established.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 15:50 [IST]
How Rahul-Smriti's political rivalry proved 'blessing in disguise' for this Dalit boy

India

oi-Mukul

New Delhi, April 20: For this 13-year old poor Dalit boy, political rivalry between Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and HRD Minister Smriti Irani proved big boon for him.

Reportedly, on the order of Rahul Gandhi, Madhya Pradesh Congress workers had been taking care of this Bhopal boy since last three years. But recently Smriti Irani gave an order to state officials, saying that Dalit boy should be admitted to the 6th standard in a Central School.

As per IBN-CNN report, HRD Ministry also issued a special order dated April 6, 2016 regarding the same. With the blessing of HRD minister, the Dalit boy whose name is Kaushal Shakya, finally got admission in one of the best Central school of the city.

Kaushal who lives in Gwal Mohalla slums in Bhopal still remembers the time when he met Rahul Gandhi in 2013.

Shakya's meeting with Congress scion was quoted by the website as saying, "I met Rahul Gandhi while selling newspapers. I asked for one rupee, but he gave me a Rs 1000 note and asked me to keep that. I refused, and then he asked me about my schooling. I said I did not go to school as my father is a labourer".

After the meeting, State Congress workers arranged a job of Rs 4,000 monthly for one member of boy's family. This was done so that boy can study without any hassles. But due to some unknown reasons, the dalit boy who was newspaper vendor when he met Rahul Gandhi, dropped out from school.

It is yet not clear, how Smriti Irani came to know about the issue and lent the helping hand to this poor boy, who ultimately got benifitted with the decision.

Meanwhile, Congress has accused BJP of doing revenge politics over the issue. "This is because of her frustration of losing the Lok Sabha election to Rahul Gandhi in Amethi", spokesperson of the MP Congress, K K Mishra said.

However, BJP termed the allegations as baseless. State spokesperson of the BJP, Hitesh Bajpai said that Congress has the culture of mocking Dalits and poor of this country, whether it is Kaushal or Kalavati.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 15:21 [IST]
Lord Ram will help us reach new heights: PM Modi in Ayodhya

Keep strict watch on hoarders, says PM Modi

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, April 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, April 20 told authorities to keep a strict watch on hoarders to ensure there was no repeat of the 2015 shortage of pulses.

Presiding over a cabinet meeting here, Modi also directed that state governments should be told to act strictly against hoarders.

The issue of availability of pulses and increase in prices of essential commodities figured prominently at the meeting, informed sources said.

Modi instructed the food ministry to take adequate steps to ensure there were no problems in procuring pulses and lifting adequate stocks by states as it happened last year, the sources said.

"We are monitoring the pulse prices. State governments have been told to act strictly against hoarders," Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters after the meeting.

Last year, pulse prices had shot up. This led to raids in November against hoarders in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Karnataka, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, leading to seizure of 4,660.68 tonnes of pulses.

"Nothing should be left to chance and similar conditions should not be allowed to repeat," a source said.

Last year, after prices of pulses, including tur dal, shot up, the central government imported a whopping 5,000 tonnes but many states declined to accept the imported commodity citing technicalities.

Moreover, many states lack storage and marketing channels.

The food ministry says that although India is the largest producer of pulses in the world, overwhelming demand leads to short supply.

As per the agriculture ministry's estimates, pulse production is estimated at 17.33 million tonnes in 2015-16 crop year, marginally higher than the previous year's output of 17.15 million tonnes.But this will still fall short of demand.

According to the consumer affairs ministry, urad dal is available at Rs.172 per kg, tur at Rs.160, moong at Rs.122, masoor at Rs.98 and gram at Rs.74 a kg in the retail market.

IANS
IRCTC: 109 trains cancelled on Oct 22 including some in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu; check complete list

Partial Solar Eclipse 2022: City-wise timings, when and where to watch

With AQI of 259, Delhi's air on day before Diwali least polluted in 7 years

News Flash: Vijay Mallya convicted in Rs 50 lakh cheque bounce case

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Bengaluru, Apr 20: Over 2,000 houses and other facilities with roofs of tin and corrugated sheets were damaged in the thunderstorms and torrential rains that hit many parts of Manipur on Tuesday, April 20.

Get all the latest news updates of the day:

11.00 pm: Vijay Mallya found guilty by a local court in Hyderabad in cheque bounce case. Court has issued a non bailable warrant against him.

The local court in Hyderabad to pronounce the quantum of sentence on May 5.  ANI (@ANI_news) April 20, 2016

9.45 pm: Submitted memorandum to Guv stating that we are in majority & once Pres. rule is revoked, must be allowed to prove that: Dinesh Agarwal, Congress.

9.30 pm: Social activist files plea in Bilaspur HC (Chhattisgarh) to cancel IPL matches scheduled to take place in Raipur due to water crisis in state.

8.50 pm: DMDK Chief Captain Vijaykanth threatens to slap journalists in Salem.

#WATCH: DMDK Chief Captain Vijaykanth threatens to slap journalists in Salem #TamilNaduElectionshttps://t.co/ejMq9wq8bm  ANI (@ANI_news) April 20, 2016

8.45 pm: Have info that BJP might lift President rule & sworn in their candidate unconstitutionally: State Cong President Kishor Upadhyay.

We are going to meet the Governor to apprise him on the same: State Cong Pres. Kishor Upadhyay #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/jWUiO4DNXD  ANI (@ANI_news) April 20, 2016

8.35 pm: UN begins evacuation of 500 wounded from besieged Syria towns: AFP

8.25 pm: 2 people seriously injured after a car lift of Mumbai's Iqbal Heights building falls down. Injured shifted to hospital.

8.05 pm: Horses should no longer be part of our police systems. They serve no purpose: Union Minister Maneka Gandhi to ANI.

8.00 pm: 'Shaktimaan' was a police officer on duty and went through so much pain which ultimately killed him: Union Minister Maneka Gandhi to ANI.

The cuplrits should be arrested for killing a police officer (Shaktimaan): Union Minister Maneka Gandhi to ANI  ANI (@ANI_news) April 20, 2016

7.50 pm: PM Narendra Modi meets veteran BJP leader LK Advani in Delhi.

7.40 pm: Unfortunate & sad. It was a painful death for him. Animal laws must be tightened: Bhuvneshwari, PETA on Shaktimaan.

7.31 pm: Defence Acquisition Council meeting to be held tomorrow. Matters related to Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) on agenda.

7.30 pm: Very sad. I already said that I am not at fault,if found guilty then cut my leg-Ganesh Joshi,BJP MLA on Shaktimaan.

7.29 pm: Death toll in Ecuador earthquake rises to 525.

7.13 pm: Union Minister Piyush Goyal at the London Stock Exchange.

7.12 pm: Union Minister Piyush Goyal at the London Stock Exchange.

7.11 pm: Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik wins lawsuit against the state for 'inhuman' treatment.

7.01 pm: We are very sad. Everybody did everything possible, what happened today is sad, says a Doctor on police horse 'Shaktimaan'.

7.00 pm: Don't want to control what ppl must wear & what they shouldn't. Not interested in doing moral policing, says A Agarwal.

6.55 pm: NO. In this policy there is no dress code prescribed: Anurag Agarwal, Home secretary on reports of skirt ban at discotheques in Chandigarh.

6.33 pm: Police horse 'Shaktimaan' which was injured during a BJP protest in Dehradun, passes away, Harish Rawat pays tribute.

6.32 pm: I am shocked, can't express my feeling in words,we all thought Shaktimaan was recovering well, says Harish Rawat.

6.17 pm:Tragic. Shaktimaan died the day he was injured,tough for horses his size to survive on 3 legs, says Gauri Maulekhi, Activist.

6.00 pm: Saddened.The State Govt is to be blamed for Shaktimaan's death,the medical treatment was inadequate, says Ajay Bhatt, BJP.

5.30 pm: Tomorrow we will again try and enter the inner sanctum of Trimbakeshwar temple(Nasik) -Trupti Desai,Activist.

5.25 pm: Pratyusha Banerjee 's family files petition in Bombay HC seeking CBI investigation in the case.

5.10 pm: Ministry of tourism has not yet taken a decision on the next brand ambassador of 'Incredible India' Campaign, says Sources.

4.45 pm: Karnataka Cabinet decides to move Supreme Court against Karnataka HC's verdict quashing 15 FIRs filed against Yeddyurappa.

4.30 pm: Last rites of Kirpal Singh (Indian prisoner who died in Pakistan jail) performed in Gurdaspur (Punjab).

4.20 pm: Hope his innocence is proved soon (in Samjhauta blast case)&he is released, says Archana Purohit,Lt Colonel Purohit's wife.

4.00 pm: Gunmen kill seven police guarding polio team in Pakistan

3.55 pm: If given an opportunity,we will prove our majority on the floor of the house, says Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP on Uttarakhand row.

3.45 pm: BCCI appoints Rahul Johri as its new Chief Executive Officer.

3.32 pm: BJP activist Dayanand Nene says 10,000 ltrs of water used for helipad for Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh in Bhiwandi.

3.31 pm: I have requested Maharashtra CM to form a code of conduct that VIPs should avoid going to places in choppers without helipad, says Dayanand Nene.

3.30 pm: Director of Gaya airport receives letter from Maoists threatening to bomb airport if director doesn't resign. FIR registered in Bihar

3.00 pm: State Commission for Protection of Child Rights issues notice to Collector Karimnagar for enquiry and action over 'Shishu Greh' incident.

2.45 pm: Kabul blast Death toll rises to 64- AFP in Afghanistan.

2.43 pm: If we are to have a reasonable public dialogue we should read words in their context, not stripped of it, says RBI Governor

2.42 pm: Earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale strikes off coast of Ecuador, says USGS.

2.31 pm: As a central banker who has to be pragmatic,I cannot get euphoric if India is the fastest growing large economy, says Raghuram Rajan, RBI Governor.

The Chinese economy which was smaller than us in 1960s is now 5 times our size-RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan pic.twitter.com/sGoJ1ZAJrd  ANI (@ANI_news) April 20, 2016

2.25 pm: An active woman naxal carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh & 10 thousand on her head, arrested by ITBP in Narayanpur area of Bastar, Chhattisgarh.

2.00 pm: 50 cabs of Ola and Uber impounded in last 12 hours by Delhi Transport Department for charging more than prescribed limit.

1.55 pm: DMDK Chief Captain Vijaykanth threatens to slap journalists in Salem.

1.50 pm: PM has asked to provide assistance to states,take initiatives as well, says Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti.

1.45 pm: BJP's allegations against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are completely baseless and mischievous, says Congress.

1.40 pm: Cabinet approves signing of Paris Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties held in Paris in December 2015.

1.30 pm: Caretaker burns hands of children with hot spoon at 'Shishu Greh' run by Telangana Govt in Karimnagar.

1.25 pm: Dr.Sunil Kumar Singh of Jaspur Govt hospital in Udham Singh Nagar district shot dead by unidentified gunmen inside hospital in Uttarakhand.

1.12 pm: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan Yojana has been renamed as 'Khelo India'.

1.06 pm: The strike (by IAS officers and DANICS Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Civil Service officers on 31st Dec last year) was political, says Arvind Kejriwal.

12.45 pm: One hold talks with concerned authority 1st and goes on strike when all talks fail.Neither any IAS officer nor DANICS approached us, says Delhi CM.

12.30 pm: 50-wagon train loaded from Miraj arrived in parched Latur (Maharashtra) this morning with 25 lakh ltrs water.

12.10 pm: Even President can go wrong, everything is subject to judicial review,you should rejoice at evolution we've had,court tells Govt on Uttarakhand row.

12 noon: Nalini had filed a written petition in Madras HC asking for release, says M Radhakrishnan (convict Nalini's lawyer) on Rajiv Gandhi assassination matter

11.45 am: Govt submits that courts can't have jurisdiction over President's assent on Prez Rule in Uttarakhand.

11.30 am: There is no decision like that of king which can't be subject to judicial review.That's essence of Constitution,says CJ on Pres's rule matter.

11.28 am: Bombay High Court grants exception to BCCI,allows IPL match on May 1st in Pune.

10.40 am: Surge pricing is daylight robbery. No responsible govt can allow that, tweets Arvind Kejriwal.

10.20 am: The Union Government has rejected a proposal by the Tamil Nadu government to release the killers of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

10.15 am: Jet Airways aircraft, held back after bomb threat, has been cleared for departure. The flight has 125 passengers and 6 crew.



9.50 am: 1 child succumbs to injuries and 3 children injured during celebratory firing at a wedding ceremony in Arrah, Bihar.

9.00 am: Jet Airways flight from Ahmedabad to Mumbai halted in Ahmedabad after bomb scare.

8.45 am: A class 5 student dies of a heat stroke while trying to fetch water for her family in Beed, Marathwada.



8.03 am: Visuals of dried up Manjara dam near Latur which is reeling under severe water crisis

Maharashtra: #Visuals of dried up Manjara dam near Latur which is reeling under severe water crisis. pic.twitter.com/82oJ8Ho3qv  ANI (@ANI_news) April 20, 2016

8.00 am: Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton win pivotal New York primary.

OneIndia News
PM Modi likely to visit US in June, 4th visit in two years

India

oi-PTI

Washington, Apr 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the US on June 7 and 8, a bipartisan group of four top American lawmakers said today and asked the Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan to invite him for a joint meeting of the Congress.

There has been no official announcement from either the White House or the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi. "Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Washington on June 7 and 8 of this year," Congressmen Ed Royce, Eliot Engel, George Holding and Ami Bera said in a letter to Ryan.

Royce is Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee and Engel is its Ranking Member. Holding and Bera are Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

"Given the depth of our relationship with India across a range of areas -- defence, humanitarian and disaster relief, space cooperation, conservation, and innovation, -- we believe this is an ideal opportunity for the Congress to hear directly from the Prime Minister," they said.

"Therefore, we ask that you invite Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Meeting of Congress. It is our understanding that if invited, the Prime Minister would accept," the four lawmaker said in their letter dated April 19, a copy of which was released to the press.

The bipartisan group of Congressmen said the US partnership with India is based on a foundation of shared values, including the rule of law, electoral democracy, and religious pluralism.

"This renewed partnership has found champions in the leadership of both parties, including both President Clinton and President George W Bush, and has been further emboldened in the United States by a strong, proud, and growing Indian-American diaspora," the letter said.

Observing that US-India relationship has seen significant growth, the Congressmen said the US President Barack Obama has visited India twice, and Modi reciprocated with two trips of his own to the United States.

"Our two countries have signed a defense framework agreement to increase military cooperation and the civilian nuclear agreement, signed in 2008, will result in the construction of nuclear power plants in India," the letter said.

Pics: PM Narendra Modi's US visit

"Additionally, the United States and India are forging closer ties to address humanitarian crises, such as the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal, in the renewable energies sector, and in space exploration.

It is no wonder that the partnership has been characterised as the defining partnership of the 21st century," it said. "The US-India relationship consistently garners strong bipartisan support. Inviting Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Meeting will allow Congress to express support for this special global partnership," the four top American lawmakers said.

PTI
Court holds writ by Hindu petitioners in Gyanvapi case maintainable: What does this mean

WATCH | Varanasi declared as first ever SCO tourist and cultural capital

Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri case: Court asks mosque management to file objections to plea for carbon-dating of 'Shivling'

On camera: Varanasi folks in panic as 'ghost in white' goes for a walk on rooftops

Modi vs Kejriwal: All you need to know about controversial documentary 'Battle for Banaras'

India

oi-Mukul

New Delhi, April 20: After censor board, now Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) has denied certificate to controversial documentary 'Battle for Banaras' for public display. Reportedly, the tribunal denied its nod as it fears that documentary may cause "communal disharmony".

The controversial documentary, 'Battle for Banaras' is based on the 2014 poll battle between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Reportedly, producer of the documentary is angry with the judgement and is threathening to move the High Court against the FCAT's order.

FCAT judgement

It justifies censor board's stand over it.

Citing reasons why it supported censor board on it, Tribunal says that film is full of hate/inflammatory speeches, given by political leaders of different parties

Documentary also tries to divide people on caste and communal lines, says FCAT.

Obnoxious remarks too have been made against many individuals in the short film.

The FCAT judgement said, "The release of the film may cause not only communal disharmony but also disharmony among the members of different castes and communities. It clearly violates the guidelines for certification for films of public exhibition... The appeal is accordingly dismissed".

What documentary makers are saying?

Film director and producer are peeved with the judgement. They say that order is violation of our freedom of expression.

"We vehemently disagree with the tribunal's decision. We will take this to the High Court to protect our constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression", produer said.

All about the documentary

The documentary is based on behind-the-scene look at the high-octane poll battle in Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi.

'Battle for Banaras' was shot for 44 days during 2014 Lok Sabha poll.

Documentary has been directed by Kamal Swaroop.

Manu Kumaran is producer of the controversial short film.

OneIndia News
PM Modi, Shah trying to derail trial in fake encounter case: Congress

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, April 20: Congress on Wednesday, April 20 dismissed as "bundle of lies" the BJP's charge that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi gave any direction to the then Home Minister P Chidambaram in the Ishrat Jahan case.

It also sought to take the battle to the ruling party's camp, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah of attempting to "derail" the judicial process in the fake encounter case and asked them to tell "the real motive behind desperation to shut down" the ongoing trial.

"Unlike the RSS, Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi never intervened or gave any suggestion to the then Home Minister P Chidambaram or any other person or authority in Government qua any administrative matter including the Ishrat Jahan case," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a statement.

Hitting back at Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should "stop perpetuating bundle of lies by using his cronies and pawns to spread falsehoods" about the role of Congress President and Congress Vice-President. He claimed that by such "mischievous" attempts to hoodwink and divert the attention of people of the country, Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah cannot "put a lid on the truth".

"PM and BJP President owe an explanation to 125 crore Indians to tell the real motive behind desperation to shut down the ongoing trial in Ishrat Jahan case. Let truth and justice be not a casualty in this web of deceit being woven by BJP Minister, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP spokespersons," he said.

Ishrat Jahan and three other accomplices were killed in an encounter by Crime Branch of Ahmedabad Police on 15th June, 2004 on the allegation that they were LeT operatives.

The Congress spokesperson said that the Prime Minister and BJP President need to answer as to "why are they trying to bypass the judicial findings" of Metropolitan Court, Ahmedabad and Division Bench of Gujarat High Court, which have held that it was a fake encounter.

Raising a number of questions, he asked as to why Government of India and Government of Gujarat are not giving sanction for prosecution of officers found responsible for the fake encounter. "Why are PM and BJP President trying to block an ongoing trial and blatantly interfere with the judicial process? What is it that they seek to hide or are scared of?", he asked.

He said that people of India want to know the motive, the conspiracy and the real reason for repeated attempts to "derail" the judicial process from reaching a final conclusion in Ishrat Jahan case. "PM owes a duty to the nation to tell this," he added.

BJP yesterday suggested that the Congress chief had asked Chidambaram to file a second affidavit in the case as UPA could "tolerate terrorists but not Narendra Modi as Prime Minister".

Party spokesperson Sambit Patra had asked Chidambaram to name the "culprit" who asked him to change the affidavit in which references to Ishrat being an LeT operative and a threat to the life of Modi, then Gujarat's Chief Minister, were made.

PTI
Pratyusha Banerjee suicide: Should case be handed over to CBI?Sign online petition if you support

Pratyusha was never pregnant, says boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh

India

oi-Shalini

Mumbai, April 20: Late TV actress Pratyusha Banerjee suicide case took a new tragic turn after medical report revealed that actress might have been pregnant before she took her life self.

"Pratyusha might have been pregnant before she committed suicide." According to the histopathological examination of tissues taken from Pratyusha's uterus, it suggests that she was bearing three week's pregnancy.

After this shocking news the Mumbai police soon interrogated Pratyusha's boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh. During interrogation at Bangur police station he said " Pratyusha was not pregnant and if she was not pregnant then there was no possibility of abortion at all.

Rahul alleged that Pratyusha's parents are maligning his reputation under somepne's influence. Rahul reiterated that "Pratyusha was suffering from depression owing to huge debts. She had not paid bank loan which she took. Pratyusha's parents were handling her finance."

According to media reports, his father, Shankar wrote a letter to Indian Medical Association regarding action against the hospital owner for giving shelter to Rahul for his treatment for depression.

Doctors of Sri Sai Hospital responded back by saying "My work is done the moment he is alright. If he is a criminal, he should be given the harshest punishment. My work is to ensure he is stable so that he won't harm himself," said Dr. Santosh Goel.

Meanwhile, Rahul's father said to media that " the couple were staying happy together and we have no clue about Pratyusha's abortion episode or pregnancy.

"No body will expect a baby before marriage. So truth will come out after police investigation," He concluded.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 18:34 [IST]
Foundation works for Ram Mandir to be ready by October, 'garbhagriha' by Dec 2023: VHP

SC judges hearing Gyanvapi case were associated with Ayodhya matter as well

Ram Temple was never an election issue, says UP BJP chief

India

oi-PTI

Kanpur, Apr 20: Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya today said though Ram temple is a matter of faith for crores of Hindus, it was never an electoral agenda of the party.

"Not only I but crores of Hindus believe in Lord Ram. However, the Ram temple has never been our election agenda," the UP BJP chief told reporters.

The matter is anyway with the court and whatever verdict comes, we will accept it, he said. He said the party's only election agenda is development of the state by eliminating corruption and family politics.

"Party workers should now get to work and start informing people about state government's failure to tackle lawlessness and development work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last two years," Maurya said.

People in Bundelkhand are suffering due to drought but the state government is doing nothing, he alleged, adding the Samajwadi Party government has "failed on all fronts".

Maurya said farmers of Bundelkhand would have been relieved to an extent, if SP government could do even 10 per cent of the work which the BJP governments have done in drought-affected states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

On being asked about the party's chief ministerial candidate for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls due in 2017, he said that BJP does not have dearth of candidates for the top job.

We will fight the elections on Narendra Modi's development agenda and work done by his government in the last two years, he said.

Maurya said his party is following the path shown by Bhimrao Ambedkar.

PTI
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

Rs 1,257 crore: Total income of these five national parties

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Apr 20: The 5 National Parties (BJP, BSP, NCP, CPM and CPI) have declared a total income of Rs. 1,275.79 crores, collected from all over India.

However the details of the Congress party is not available as it has not yet submitted its audit report till date says a report prepared by the Association for Democratic Reforms.

The Election Commission of India (ECI), in its letter dated 19th November 2014 addressed to the Presidents/General Secretaries of all political parties, stated that it was mandatory for the parties to submit details of their audited reports to the Commission.

This report analyses the total income and expenditure incurred by the National Parties during FY 2014-15, as declared by the parties in their IT Returns submitted to the ECI.

Political ambitions behind claims for Ambedkar's legacy, say experts

Summary:

CPI, CPM and BSP were the only three National Parties to submit the audit reports on time. The Congresshas not submitted its audit report till date.

Comparison of total income of National Parties between FY 2013-14 and 2014-15

National parties' income (less INC) increased by 39% from Rs 920.44 crores during FY 2013-14 to Rs 1,275.78 crores during FY 2014-15 which is a difference of Rs 355.34 crores.

Between FY 2013-14 and 2014-15, the income of BJP increased by 44.02% (Rs 296.62 crores) while that of BSP increased by 67.31% (Rs 45.04 crores)

It is to be noted that among the National parties, CPI is the only such party whose income decreased by 24.28% (Rs 59 lakhs).

Total Income of National Parties 2014-2015:

The 5 National Parties (BJP, BSP, NCP, CPM and CPI) have declared a total income of Rs. 1,275.79 crores, collected from all over India.

BJP has shown the highest income amongst the National Parties with a total income of Rs 970.43 crores during FY 2014-15. This forms 76.06% of the total income National Parties, together during FY 2014-15.

CPI declared the least income of Rs 1.84 crores which forms a mere 0.14% of the total income of the National Parties during the FY 2014-15.

Declaration of sale of coupons and donations:

Grant/ donations/ contributions or funds collected by the parties was the top source of income of the 5 National Parties, forming 88.73% of their total income.

BJP declared the maximum income from donations which amounted to Rs 940.39 crores followed by BSP with Rs 92.80 crores and NCP with Rs 38.82 crores.

Out of the total income of Rs 1,275.79 crores declared by the National Parties during FY 2014-15, other remaining sources of income amounted to Rs 116.63 crores which formed only 9.14% of the total income of the parties.

Unknown sources of income:

The unknown sources are income declared in the IT returns but without giving source of income from donations below Rs.20,000. Such unknown sources include 'sale of coupons', 'relief fund', 'miscellaneous income', 'voluntary contributions', 'contribution from meetings/ morchas' etc.

The details of donors of such voluntary contributions are not available in the public domain.

Top items of expenditure:

The maximum expenditure for BJP has been towards Advertisement & Publicity which amounted to Rs 471.89 crores followed by expenses towards Travelling, Rs 209.57 crores.

NCP spent the maximum of Rs 67.70 crores on Election Expenditure followed by expenditure of Rs 13.36 crores on Administrative and General Expenses and Rs 1.30 crores on Depreciation and Amortisation Expenses.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 10:55 [IST]
In line with tradition, portals of Kedarnath Dham to close on Oct 27, Badrinath on Nov 19

Shaktimaan, the injured police horse passes away; Tributes pour in on Twitter

India

oi-Preeti

Dehradun, April 20: Shaktimaan, the 13-year-old horse who was badly injured in Uttarakhand last month, succumbed to injuries on Wednesday, April 20 evening.

'Shaktiman', a police horse was allegedly beaten by BJP's Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi during a protest march held in Dehradun on March 14. Shaktiman's leg had to be amputated later. A few days back, a US expert fixed the horse with a prosthetic leg.

After the fatal injury, Shaktimaan underwent an emergency life-saving surgery that went on for at least 5 hours by a special team of ten veterinary doctors (six from Pantnagar and four district veterinary officers).

'Shaktiman', a well trained horse was a part of Uttarakhand Mounted Police for years.

Few days back, it was reported that Shaktimaan will be able to stand on its own withing 45 days. On March 24, injured Shaktimaan was seen playing Holi with some officials.

His injured pictures had not only drew the attention of the nation but also gathered symapthies from across the world.

Here is how people reacted on the death of an innocent animal:

"Shaktiman was injured on March 14 after which we had to operate on him. He was later fitted with an artificial leg. But he was unable to fully recover from an infection," SSP Dehradun Sadanand Date said.

"The horse passed away at 5.30 PM. He was suffering from medical-related complications. The exact cause will be known only after post-mortem," IG Garhwal Sanjay Gunjyal said.

Expressing shock over the demise of the horse, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said,"It was a brave soldier of Uttarakhand and died while performing its duty."

"Though the artificial limb was put on Shaktiman, it was not working well and he was putting his entire weight on the another leg. That is why the infection spread. Today also a lot of care was taken and about eight doctors attended to the horse. It is sad that we could not save him," R S Meena, IG Law and Order, Uttarakhand, said.

BJP's Shaina NC said this was not an issue to be politicised. "It is the loss of life of an animal," she said, adding animal lovers across the country feel that a wrong has been done. "I think we all need to own this up at our own end," she said.

Animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi said, "Shaktiman died the same day when it was attacked and its leg broken. Horses with such weight have very little chance to live on three legs. We were mentally prepared for this but political parties are playing blame games."

"Shaktiman lost its battle with life after a brave fight of 37 days. I salute its bravery and also Dehradun police,doctors and Jamie who looked after Shakti and wanted it to live," filmmaker Vinod Kapri said. Kapri recently made a documentary on life and the struggle of the horse.

"It's not a death of a horse but a child in home. We treated Shaktimaan like our own child," an emotional Kapri said.

PETA India chief executive Poorva Joshipura told a news agency that the country should frame more stringent laws against animal assaulters so that peolple like Joshi refrain from being cruel to them. "We urge the government to act fast to ensure other animals are spared from cruelty and horrific deaths by strengthening the penalties for cruelty against animals."

Joshipura said the horse "was essentially killed the day its leg was broken". "Our equine veterinarian always warned his quality of life would be forever damaged and he may not live."

As soon as the heartbreaking news of Shaktrimaan spread, Twitteratti condoled its demise. Here are some tweets:

RIP...Very Sad...is it murder or accident??? Who will provide SHAKTIMAAN justice??? concern need to answer https://t.co/sPnpaoZCIL  Vinesh Kataria (@vineshkataria) April 20, 2016

RIP #Shaktimaan ur injury &death 've given ample fodder to news/politics for days to come.Only if u'd given a proper medical treatment! #Sad  Saurabh Bhardwaj (@groovysaurabh) April 20, 2016

RIP Dehradun police horse #Shaktimaan who was injured during the BJP attack . Hope laws can be strengthened to punish such cowards 1/n  Tehseen Poonawalla (@tehseenp) April 20, 2016

#Police Horse : very very sad to hear about Shaktimaan ! Why does mankind become So inhuman for his own glory?  Roxana Altalib (@roxanatalib) April 20, 2016

Today is the day all Indian should say "Sorry Shaktimaan". We failed you as human. #RIPShaktimaan  HKG (@HurshGupta) April 20, 2016

Rest in Peace the soul of the innocent Shaktimaan!

May the person responsible ROT IN HELL!  Romsha (@LouisForever_x) April 20, 2016

An innocent horse "shaktimaan" finaly leave this world..#shaktimaan need justice  Firdous Ahmad (@firdousahmad13) April 20, 2016

Saluting the hero horse #Shaktimaan

R.I.P  Radhika Shah (@radhikashah) April 20, 2016

#Shaktimaan is dead. Does #Karma exist? The killer deserves a nasty death.  Sudesna Ghosh (@SueGhoshWriter) April 20, 2016

#Shaktimaan passes away, RIP, initial reports from uttrakhand police say he died from shock & infection pic.twitter.com/9VeRqcFO6i  Sidharth Pandey (@SidharthPandey) April 20, 2016

OneIndia News
12-year-old Indian in Guinness World Record for identifying most aeroplane tails in UAE

Watch: Four Indian women racially abused in Texas in most horrific manner

Vital organs of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh missing

India

oi-Jagriti

New Delhi, Apr 20: Many vital organs like heart, liver have been found missing from body of Kirpal Singh. This has been revealed after doctors performed a post-mortem after his body reached from Pakistan, media reported.

It may be an outcome of the first post-mortem conducted by doctors in Pakistan, Indian doctors attributed.

The Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh serving his sentencing in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore was found dead under mysterious circumstances on April 11.

His body was brought back to India on Tuesday. A post-mortem was also performed in Pakistan before sending his body to India.

Kirpal Singh, 54, was arrested in 1992 on charges of spying for India. He died in mysterious circumstances in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Kirpal Singh's body reaches India from Pakistan

Pakistani officials claimed he suffered cardiac arrest. His family has challenged this. The post-mortem conducted later by a three-member medical team headed by Ashok Channa in Amritsar ruled out any foul play in his death.

Earlier, vital organs of another Indian prisoner, Sarabjit Singh, who died in a Pakistan jail in 2013, were missing when his body was handed over to his family.

OneIndia News
Jaitley statue at Kotla: Angry Bedi asks DDCA to remove his name from stands, quits membership

Reforms in India being done by conviction, not compulsion: PM Narendra Modi

BJP leaders pay tribute to former minister Arun Jaitley on his third death anniversary

Drug traffickers, terrorists should be fought collectively: Jaitley

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

United Nations, April 20: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has called for a tough international fight against the nexus of terrorist networks and drug traffickers that is responsible for decades of attacks on India.

Speaking at a General Assembly Special Session on the drug problem Tuesday, Jaitley said India has "been a victim of cross-border terrorism funded partly by drug trafficking for the last several decades."

"The growing nexus of Drug trafficking and terrorist networks endangers peace, security and stability across regions," he said. "We have to continue and toughen our collective fight against these evils."

"National efforts, however intense and sincere, cannot adequately deal with the drug problem," Jaitley said. "Bilateral, regional and international cooperation is essential in this area. Our domestic laws contain adequate provisions for such cooperation among judicial and law enforcement authorities."

He said that India is setting up a regional organisation, South Asia Regional Intelligence and Coordination Centre (SARICC) with India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives as founding members, to jointly fight the drug menace.

"India is bordered by two of the major illicit opium and heroin producing regions of the world," he said, without naming Pakistan or Myanmar, to bring home the magnitude of the problem faced by India. That and the drug-terror nexus "has defined our approach to the world drug problem," he added.

"The problems of illicit cultivation of poppy, cannabis and coca crops, multifaceted challenges faced by transit countries and those affected by drug related terrorism should receive particular attention," he said.

He prescribed alternative development as an important aspect of drug control and called for "international cooperation and increased technical assistance and provisions of additional financial resources for developing countries in their fight against the drug menace."

Jaitley warned that recreational use of drugs would only aggravate the problem. There is a trend in some places to legalise use of drugs, but he did not directly mention it.

India is the only country permitted under an international convention to produce opium gum for medical and scientific purpose and export it. Because of this, drugs and narcotics control falls under the finance ministry unlike in most countries.

Jaitley said, "As supplier of licit opiate raw material to the world and traditional licit opium cultivator for centuries, India is fully conscious of its own responsibility to eradicate any illicit cultivation, reduce demand and put in preventive and enforcement measures."

Turning to the problem posed by organised crime, he said its drug syndicates and networks can only be "effectively" busted by disrupting their finances.

Highlighting the direct human cost of the problem, World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said there were 27 million drug users around the world and 400,000 of them died every year.

The Assembly adopted a resolution calling for a comprehensive, integrated and balanced approach to deal with the drug problem. It also said that particular focus should be placed on individuals, families, communities and societies in dealing with the drug menace.

The differences in the approaches to fighting the drug problem came out starkly as western and Latin American countries squared off with Asian and Middle Eastern nations on imposing the death penalty for drug crimes.

The European Union and other countries opposed using the death penalty for combatting drug crimes and regretted that the document adopted by the Assembly on the drug problem was silent about it.

Speaking on behalf of a group countries that execute drug criminals, Indonesia defended the use of the death penalty saying every nation had a sovereign right to decide on its own justice system, taking into account its own circumstances. The group included Singapore, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Iran.

IANS
Even if not contesting 2020 polls, Hillary Clinton will not be entirely out of scene

Hillary Clinton says Julian Assange must 'answer for what he has done'

Hillary Clinton celebrates New York win, hits out at Trump, Cruz

International

oi-PTI

New York, Apr 20: Vowing to "lift each other up", Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton lambasted her Republican rivals Donald Trump and Ted Cruz for promoting a "divisive and dangerous" vision for the US as she celebrated her victory in the crucial New York primary today.

"Thank you New York," Clinton said to a thundering cheer from supporters following the impressive win in the state where she served eight years as Senator.

Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton win pivotal New York primary

"Today you prove once again there is no place like home... This win is personal," said Clinton, joined by her husband ex- president Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea during the speech.

The former Secretary of State was projected to win comfortably having got 57.4 per cent of the votes, ahead of 42.6 per cent votes polled by her rival Bernie Sanders. Vowing to move forward and work with the American people, Clinton reaffirmed to pass comprehensive immigration reform and guarantee equal pay for women.

She also stressed on taking out systemic racism and reforming the criminal justice system.

Calling out Trump and Cruz for their remarks against Muslims and women, she said, "Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have a vision for our country that's divisive and dangerous- rounding up immigrants or banning Muslims is just not who we are."

"Threatening to ban Muslims" and treating American-Muslims like "criminal" go against "everything America stands for." "We are about lifting each other up, not tearing each other down. Our country is at its best when we come together -- no one knows that better than New Yorkers," she said.

We are about lifting each other up, not tearing each other down: Clinton

Making a passing reference to Sanders, Clinton said it was not enough to just diagnose the problem, but have to explain how you solve them. "America is a problem-solving nation. We have set progressive goals for creating more jobs and providing dignity and pride," she said.

Clinton termed "humbling" the trust shown to her by New York for the "responsibilities that await our next president."

US polls 2016: Why New York primary is important for Sanders, Hillary & Trump

In his victory speech, Trump vowed to bring jobs back to America.

"New York state has problems like virtually every other state in the union. Our jobs are being sucked out of our states, they are being taken out of our country and we are not going to let it happen anymore. We are going to stop this."

Flanked by his family, friends and business associates, he said he will use America's great business people to negotiate "unbelievable trade deals so we bring our jobs back." "We don't let our companies go to Mexico and all of these other countries anymore," he said.

"Illegal immigrants are being taken care of in many cases better than our vets, that is not going to happen anymore." Trump vowed to get rid of Obamacare - a healthcare reform law that expands and improves access to care, calling it a "total disaster."

He also took on the establishment Republicans, saying the party should not try to "take an election away" from the runaway vote and delegate leader. He said there was not much of a race left and "senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated."

PTI
Islamic State bomber detained in Russia for attempting attack in India was recruited through Telegram

Why India should get access to Islamic State bomber detained in Russia

Prosecutions story may be attractive but should be backed by evidence

Islamic State plotting summer attacks on Europe's Mediterranean beaches

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Rome, April 20: The Islamic State jihadist group is planning massacres of tourists vacationing on Europe's Mediterranean coast this summer, German tabloid Bild reported Tuesday, citing Italian and German intelligence chiefs.

IS will deploy suicide bombers and gunmen disguised as beach hawkers and plant bombs beneath sunbeds at Italian, Spanish and French resorts, taking advantage of lax security, according to Bild.

Germany's BND intelligence service learned of the terror plans from its Italian counterpart, which was informed of the plot by a "credible" source in Africa, the daily said.

The threat stems from the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram, whose leadership has allied itself with IS and plans to use sympathisers to carry out attacks on crowded, unguarded beachfronts, Bild said.

"It is understood that regular African travellers to Europe, who so far have disguised their loyalty to the fanatics will be activated for the murder campaign," the daily said.

"It could be a whole new dimension of terror. Holiday beaches cannot be protected," Bild cited an unnamed high-ranking official as saying.

African hawkers travel to Europe regularly to work selling ice creams, drinks and snacks and beach accessories at Spanish, French and Italian resorts in the Mediterranean and are issued with visas and documents.

ISIS threatens to rid India of Hindus in latest issue of its magazine

Contacted by Adnkronos, Italian security sources denied concrete intelligence existed that IS was plotting attacks like those it claimed at the popular Tunisian beach resort of Sousse, where 38 tourists were shot dead last June.

"This report is baseless. It is a fanciful scenario and there is no evidence to indicate plots of this kind are being hatched," the sources said.

IANS

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 9:38 [IST]
British queen's 97-yr-old husband gives up driving licence after car crash

What happens after the Queen's death?

UK to observe a minutes silence the night before Queen's State Funeral

Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II to take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday

President greets Queen Elizabeth on 90th birthday

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi/ London, April 20: President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday greeted Queen Elizabeth II of Britain on her 90th birthday which falls on Thursday.

"India attaches high importance to her rich and multifaceted strategic partnership with the United Kingdom," the President said in a message.

"Regular engagement at the highest level has strengthened and expanded the enduring friendship and mutual understanding between our two great nations."

Stating that the Queen's personal "commitment to the relationship and your leadership in promoting the development of ties between our peoples has been unique", Mukherjee wished the Queen good health.

IANS
What does the US actually want in Syria?

US: 4 lawmakers ask House speaker to invite PM Modi to address Congress

International

oi-Jagriti

Washington, Apr 20: Four senior law makers in US have sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan requesting him to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a Joint Meeting of Congress.

Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit US in June. This will be his first state visit to the country but his fourth voyage to US since he assumed office on May 26, 2014.

"Given the depth of our relationship with India across a range of areas -- defense, humanitarian and disaster relief, space cooperation, conservation, and innovation, -- we believe this is an ideal opportunity for the Congress to hear directly from the Prime Minister. Therefore, we ask that you invite Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Meeting of Congress. It is our understanding that if invited, the Prime Minister would accept," lawmakers written to House Speaker Paul Ryan on Tuesday.

This letter has been written by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Reps. George Holding (R-NC) and Ami Bera (D-CA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

PM Modi likely to visit US in June, 4th visit in two years

The invitation would be a sharp turnaround for a politician who was once barred from the United States over riots in Gujarat.

The US-India relationship consistently garners strong bipartisan support. Inviting Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Meeting will allow Congress to express support for this special global partnership.

Invitations to address the Senate and House are considered a great honour.

OneIndia News
'US-Saudi ties characterised by counter-terrorism cooperation'

International

oi-PTI

Washington, Apr 20: The ties between the US and Saudi Arabia is characterised by extensive counter-terrorism cooperation, the White House has said, moments before President Barack Obama left for the Kingdom as part of his three-nation six-day tour to Saudi Arabia, the UK and Germany.

"It is a relationship that is characterised by extensive counter-terrorism cooperation. That cooperation enhances our national security and makes the American people safer.

The Saudi government happens to think that it enhances the national security of their country as well and makes the Saudi people safer as well.

That is why we are able to cooperate," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday. Obama yesterday along with his top officials left White House for the Andrews Airforce Base for his six-day three nation tour starting with Saudi Arabia.

The UK and Germany are the other two countries where he will visit. "It does not mean that there are not differences between our two countries. There are substantial differences between our two countries. And the President does not hesitate to raise his concerns about those differences as well.

"I am confident he will do that in the context of the meetings that he is preparing for later this week. I think that is the point. That is the essence of our concern and that is the essence of our proposal for how these kinds of situations can be resolved moving forward," Earnest said.

He said Speaker of House of Representatives Paul Ryan indicated that he at least had some more concerns with the way that this bill is structured because of the consequences it could have for the US relationship not just with Saudi Arabia but with countries around the world.

Earnest was responding to a question on the opposition of the White House to a legislation tabled in the Senate which if passed would allow victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack to sue Saudi Arabia.

US media has reported that Saudi Arabia has threatened to withdraw its USD 750 billion investment in the US if such a legislation is passed.

US, Saudi Arabia impose joint sanction on fundraising for terrorist

The White House has indicated that Obama will veto such a bill. "I think that taking a step like this would significantly enhance the risk to the US not in the context of our relationship with Saudi Arabia necessarily, but the concern that we have is much broader than that.

"Our concern is with our ability to do business in countries around the world. And sometimes it is not just related to economic business, but actually to the business of our national security, to the business of the functioning of the state - whether that relates to national security operations, or in some cases, even humanitarian operations," Earnest added.

PTI
WB CM on 4-day visit to north Bengal from today

Kolkata: NIA files FIR in the Ekbalpur clash between communities

In a midnight crackdown, police detains TET candidates; BJP says WB or Hitler's Germany?

Bengal election Phase 3: 2011 results in 62 seats going to polls on April 21

Kolkata

oi-Shubham

Kolkata, April 19: Sixty-two constituencies of the West Bengal Assembly will go to the election on April 21 (Thursday).

Assembly Polls 2016 Full Coverage; Top contests of 2016 polls

These constituencies are located in four districts, namely: Murshidabad (22), Nadia (17), Kolkata (7) and Burdwan (16). [List of 62 seats going to polls on April 21]

In the 2011 Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 29 of these seats, followed by the Left Front (17) and the Congress (16).

Here are the details of the election results in these 62 seats in 2011:

Murshidabad (22 seats)

Farakka: 2011 voters number: 1,53,081; vote percentage: 88.92; winner: Moinul Haque of Congress [vote share: 38.77%]; difference: 4,739

Samsherganj: 2011 voters number: 1,52,508; vote percentage: 86.34; winner: Toyab Ali of CPI(M) [vote share: 46.43%]; difference: 7,789

Suti: 2011 voters number: 1,74,931; vote percentage: 85.44; winner: Imani Biswas of Congress [vote share: 48.87%]; difference: 17,409

Jangipur: 2011 voters number: 1,71,691; vote percentage: 85.56; winner: Mohammad Sohrab of Congress [vote share: 47.76%]; difference: 6,336

Raghunathganj: 2011 voters number: 1,68,680; vote percentage: 86.75; winner: Mohammad Akhrujjaman of Congress [vote share 50.99%]; difference: 15,540

Sagardighi: 2011 voters number: 1,68,136; vote percentage: 85.57; winner: Subrata Saha of TMC [vote share 38.02%]; difference: 4,574

Lalgola: 2011 voters number: 1,61,259; vote percentage: 88.69; winner: Abu Hena of Congress [vote share 51.97%]; difference: 16,184

Bhaganbangola: 2011 voters number: 1,79,224; vote percentage: 90.81; winner: Chand Mohammad of SP [vote share 38.63%]; difference: 13,334

Raninagar: 2011 voters number: 1,86,600; vote percentage: 87.79; winner: Firoza Begum of Congress [vote share 46.45%]; difference: 1,089

Murshidabad: 2011 voters number: 1,88,558; vote percentage: 86.92; winner: Shaoni Singha Roy of Congress [vote share 46.03%]; difference: 6,352

Nabagram [SC]: 2011 voters number: 1,83,391; vote percentage: 87.62; winner: Kanailal Mandal of CPI(M) [vote share 48.98%]; difference: 7,556



Khargram [SC]: 2011 voters number: 1,72,961; vote percentage: 85.74; winner: Ashish Marjit of Congress [vote share 49.96%]; difference: 8,970

Boreya [SC]: 2011 voters number: 1,69,158; vote percentage: 83.24; winner: Pratima Rajak of Congress [vote share 47.09%]; difference: 616

Kandi: 2011 voters number: 1,78,692; vote percentage: 80.75; winner: Apurba Sarkar of Congress [vote share 46.10%]; difference: 7,810

Bharatpur: 2011 voters number: 1,81,614; vote percentage: 81.42; winner: Sheikh Id Mohammad of RSP [vote share 47.78%]; difference: 1,929

Rejinagar: 2011 voters number: 1,89,141; vote percentage: 82.42; winner: Humayun Kabir of Congress [vote share 49.74%]; difference: 8,761

Beldanga: 2011 voters number: 1,82,630; voter percentage: 82.03; winner: Sheikh Safiujjaman of Congress [vote share 45.32%]; difference: 13,883

Baharampore: 2011 voters number: 2,06,158; voter percentage: 80.92; winner: Manoj Chakraborty of Congress [vote share 54.90%]; difference: 43,313

Hariharpara: 2011 voters number: 1,81,557; vote percentage: 90.29; winner: Insar Ali Biswas of CPI(M) [vote share 35.56%]; difference: 6,358

Naoda: 2011 voters number: 1,83,948; vote percentage: 85.08; winner: Abu Taher Khan of Congress [vote share 51.60%]; difference: 13,795

Domkol: 2011 voters number: 1,93,539; vote percentage: 89.52; winner: Anisur Rahaman Sarkar of CPI(M) [vote share 47.22%]; difference: 3,075

Jalangi: 2011 voters number: 1,92,844; vote percentage: 89.11; winner: Abdur Razzaq Mandal of CPI(M) [vote share 49.55%]; difference: 35,861

Nadia (17 seats)

Karimpur: 2011 voters number: 1,96,546; vote percentage: 90.62; winner: Samarendra Ghosh of CPI(M) [vote share 46.17%]; difference: 5,085

Tehatta: 2011 voters number: 1,99,458; vote percentage: 88.41; winner: Ranjit Kumar Mandal of CPI(M) [vote share 42.78%]; difference: 19,197

Palashipara: 2011 voters number: 1,85,525; vote percentage: 86.04; winner: SM Shadi of CPI(M) [vote share 46.12%]; difference: 1,652

Kaliganj: 2011 voters number: 1,86,279; vote percentage: 84.04; winner: Nasiruddin Ahmed of TMC [vote share 47.33%]; difference: 17,106

Nakashipara: 2011 voters number: 1,87,228; vote percentage: 87.47; winner: Kallol Khan of TMC [vote share 48.63%]; difference: 16,474

Chapra: 2011 voters number: 1,87,127; vote percentage: 87.78; winner: Rukbanur Rahaman of TMC [vote share 47.14%]; difference: 2,633

Krishnagar North: 2011 voters number: 2,00,148; vote percentage: 84.85; winner: Abanimohan Joardar of TMC [vote share 56.69%]; difference: 35,110

Nabadweep: 2011 voters number: 2,00,148; vote percentage: 87.97; winner: Pundarikaksha Saha of TMC [vote share 53.45%]; difference: 22,835

Krishnagar South: 2011 voters number: 1,74,161; vote percentage: 88.38; winner: Ujjwal Bishwas of TMC [vote share 46.38%]; difference: 11,028

Shantipur: 2011 voters number: 1,90,634; vote percentage: 89.80; winner: Ajay Dey of Congress [vote share 57.77%]; difference: 38,158

Ranaghat North: 2011 voters number: 2,11,541; vote percentage: 88.09; winner: Parthasarathi Chatterjee of TMC [vote share 54.41%]; difference: 27,344



Krishnaganj [SC]: 2011 voters number: 2,10,505; vote percentage: 87.92; winner: Sushil Bishwas of TMC [vote share 52.17%]; difference: 20,934

Ranaghat North-East [SC]: 2011 voters number: 2,01,195; vote percentage: 84.75; winner: Samirkumar Poddar of TMC [vote share 55.03%]; difference: 31,192

Ranaghat South [SC]: 2011 voters number: 2,22,418; vote percentage: 87.26; winner: Abir Ranjan Bishwas of TMC [vote share 51.23%]; difference: 19,608

Chakdaha: 2011 voters number: 1,92,078; vote percentage: 90.27; winner: Naresh Chandra Chaki of TMC [vote share 51.20%]; difference: 14,099

Kalyani [SC]: 2011 voters number: 1,98,779; vote percentage: 90.11; winner:

Dr Rudranath Bishwas of TMC [vote share 51.55%]; difference: 15,690

Haringhata [SC]: 2011 voters number: 1,87,807; vote percentage: 89.76; winner: Nilima Nag (Mallick) of TMC [vote share 49.45%]; difference: 13,003

Kolkata (7 seats)

Chowringhee: 2011 voters number: 2,03,052; vote percentage: 54.42; winner: Sikha Mitra of TMC [vote share 71.90%]; difference: 57,739

Entally: 2011 voters number: 1,94,107; vote percentage: 69.53; winner: Swarnakamal Saha of TMC [vote share 56.24%]; difference: 24,996

Beleghata: 2011 voters number: 2,29,927; vote percentage: 70.54; winner: Paresh Pal of TMC [vote share 57.45%]; difference: 31,688

Jorashanko: 2011 voters number: 2,03,439; vote percentage: 55.75; winner: Smita Bakshi of TMC [vote share 51.11%]; difference: 31,509

Shyampukur: 2011 voters number: 1,85,885; vote percentage: 67.66; winner: Shashi Panja of TMC [vote share 57.97%]; difference: 27,036

Maniktala: 2011 voters number: 2,03,230; vote percentage: 72.96; winner: Sadhan Pandey of TMC [vote share 60.05%]; difference: 36,550



Kashipur-Belgachhia: 2011 voters number: 2,10,566; vote percentage: 67.30; winner: Mala Saha of TMC [vote share 61.68%]; difference: 40,284

Burdwan (16 seats)

Khandaghosh [SC]: 2011 voters number: 1,94,922; vote percentage: 92.82; winner: Nabinchandra Baag of CPI(M) [vote share 52.11%]; difference: 13,147

Burdwan South: 2011 voters number: 2,05,736; vote percentage: 86.47; winner: Rabiranjan Chattapadhyay of TMC [vote share 57.70%]; difference: 36,916

Raina [SC]: 2011 voters number: 2,09,734; vote percentage: 92.24; winner: Basudeb Khan of TCPI(M) [vote share 51.12%]; difference: 12,221

Jamalpur [SC]: 2011 voters number: 1,88,058; vote percentage: 92.13; winner: Ujjwal Pramanik of TMC [vote share 48.73%]; difference: 2,543

Manteswar: 2011 voters number: 1,91,823; vote percentage: 90.28; winner: Chowdhury Mohammad Hedayatullah of CPI(M) [vote share 47.24%]; difference: 3,298

Kalna [SC]: 2011 voters number: 1,87,742; vote percentage: 90.69; winner: Biswajit Kundu of TMC [vote share 49.98%]; difference: 12,637

Memari: 2011 voters number: 2,03,430; vote percentage: 90.78; winner: Abul Hashem Mandal of TMC [vote share 48.24%]; difference: 3,178

Burdwan North [SC]: 2011 voters number: 2,11,206; vote percentage: 91.38; winner: Aparna Saha of CPI(M) [vote share 50.87%]; difference: 114,233

Bhatar: 2011 voters number: 1,97,674; vote percentage: 89.73; winner: Banamali Hajra of TMC [vote share 47.29%]; difference: 298

Purbasthali South: 2011 voters number: 1,91,256 vote percentage: 90.47; winner: Swapan Debnath of TMC [vote share 49.72%]; difference: 15,858

Purbasthali North: 2011 voters number: 1,89,373; vote percentage: 88.08; winner: Tapan Chatterjee of TMC [vote share 42.63%]; difference: 2,140

Katwa: 2011 voters number: 2,12,236; vote percentage: 87.86; winner: Rabindranath Chatterjee of Congress [vote share 52.53%]; difference: 27,525

Ketugram: 2011 voters number: 1,98,029; vote percentage: 85.45; winner: Sheikh Shahnawaz of TMC [vote share 45.70%]; difference: 1,599

Mangalkot: 2011 voters number: 2,02,627; vote percentage: 86.82; winner: Shajahan Chowdhury of CPI(M) [vote share 46.22%]; difference: 126

Ausgram [SC]: 2011 voters number: 1,96,219; vote percentage: 88.70; winner:

Basudeb Mete of CPI(M) [vote share 52.21%]; difference: 23,096

Galsi [SC]: 2011 voters number: 2,04,589; vote percentage: 89.01; winner: Sunilkumar Mandal of Forward Bloc [vote share 50.59%]; difference: 10,854

Oneindia News
Bengal polls: I know how long cigarette she smokes, TMC candidate taunts BJP's Roopa Ganguly

Kolkata

oi-Shubham

Kolkata, April 20: Former Left minister Abdur Rezzaq Mollah, who is contesting the Assembly election in West Bengal this year on the Trinamool Congress's (TMC) ticket, launched an ugly attack on celebrity politicians---including two MPs of the TMC itself.

Assembly Polls 2016 Full Coevrage; What if Mamata loses this election

Mollah attacked BJP candidate Roopa Ganguly, an actor-politician, saying he knows how long cigerette does she smoke and with who she stays. "She is really a Draupadi," the veteran leader, who joined the TMC earlier this year and is contesting from Bhangar, his former constituency during the Left years, said about the actor. He said this while speaking to a celebrity interviewer of Bengali news channel ABP Ananda. [Mamata welcomes leader in her party who once called her "Hitler in saree"]

Ganguly played the role of Draupadi in BR Chopra's popular serial 'Mahabharat' which was aired on Doordarshan in the late 1980s.

Mollah attacks his own party's celebrity MPs as well

Mollah also didn't spare his own party's celebrity MPs. When the interviewer, the veteran actor Dhritiman Chatterjee, asked him about actors entering politics, Mollah said people like Dev are being proved useful in politics, not "gentlemen" like Chatterjee.

He also questioned the decision to field celebrity candidates in elections. He said people like Moon Moon Sen, also an MP, are of no use to grasroots people. According to Mollah, the celebrities are brought in to overcome feuds in the party.

The BJP strongly protested against the remark made on Ganguly, saying it will lodge a complaint with the Election Commission. The civil society also slammed Mollah for his remark.

Oneindia News
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by  Graham Pierrepoint



Its been over a fortnight since the news broke regarding the biggest data leak in history  relating to the revelations that a number of world leaders and high profile individuals held offshore tax-free investments and companies via Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca  and British Prime Minister David Cameron continues to weather a storm of angry voices around him, following the revelation that he benefited from his late fathers own investments via the firm. The statesman is arguably one of the biggest names to have been implicated, if indirectly, in the scandal  and he has taken action to publish his own tax affairs, and a number of other high profile ministers have followed suit. After a week of twitter protests via the hashtag #cameronresign, the statesman remains unwavering  however, government intentions to keep greater tabs on tax havens have this week been amended, leading some to accuse Cameron of having softened.

According to The Independent, high profile charitable organisation Oxfam has accused Cameron of being dictated to by tax havens as it emerged that the governments plans to publish a public list of firms who held offshore investments was quashed during agreements this week, leading to plans to emerge for law enforcement and tax agencies to instead be able to access such records if needed. Speaking on behalf of Oxfam, chief executive Mark Goldring stated that the change in position in clarity was disappointing, and that it went against the Prime Ministers previous assertions of transparency  something that Cameron has been quoted in recent days as standing by following the Panama Papers leak. However, the news that such transparency cannot be offered to the public regarding offshore investment is likely to disappoint many, particularly following recent public outcry over Camerons indirect links to Mossack Fonseca.

The Panama Papers scandal continues to reverberate worldwide, and with the UKs Labour shadow cabinet advising that they would be considering future options for public registers and strict standards for overseas affairs, its clear that the Prime Minister is yet to truly outrun the fallout of the effects of the leak  and with more information still being made public regarding the colossal data outpouring, its unclear just how the story will end, nor if it will  but if one thing is for certain, it is that the way in which offshore investment is managed, and handled, will change forever as a result of the leak.
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Ndigbo

Since the beginning of Nigerias fourth republic in 1999, no Igbo man or woman has ever been elevated to the position of President or Vice President of Nigeria. From 1999 till date, the country has been ruled by a Yoruba man for 8 years (Olusegun Obasanjo), Ijaw man for 4 years + (Goodluck Jonathan) and Hausa/Fulani for 7 years and counting (Umaru Musa YarAdua & Muhammadu Buhari). It is like a grand plan is in place to shut out the Igbos from ascending to these two elevated positions.

If truth must be told, this aspect of our political history is one of the many reasons there is serious distrust and bad blood between the Igbos and the two other major ethnic groups in the country.

There is no gainsaying the fact that when a heterogeneous country like Nigeria marginalizes one of the biggest ethnic groups in the country using bitter political maneuverings, it is preparing itself for a catastrophic implosion.

We pray and sing one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity in our national anthem, yet we continue to undermine it through calculated political misgivings. For instance, Buharis four years as President (2016-2019) has so far been characterized by a highly ethnic-bigoted appointments which caused serious friction in the polity. Although he argued that his decision was as a result of the number of votes he got from the south in 2015 election, such thinking to say the least, is primitive. Without mincing words, this bitter political scheme watered the ground for serious ethnic disharmony. Many felt that other ethnic groups were purposely left out by his government because the North has a hidden agenda it is yet to achieve.

The bitterness existing between the three major ethnic groups has continued to grow as the Igbos feel isolated from reaching the highest position in the land because of an unwritten agreement between the two other major ethnic groups. By their alliance, the two ethnic groups have continued to produce people who have so far failed in taking Nigeria to the promise land  but because of their numbers, we have continued to settle for mediocre.

The power-hungry-ethnic-champions who have held sway for many years have refused to understand that shutting out one of its three major ethnic groups from power fosters a spirit of rebellion, which in turn results in hostility among the ethnic groups. More so, this act doesnt encourage a peaceful and harmonious co-existence.

Interestingly, a feeling of marginalization as this, is one of the reasons why the country has refused to move forward. This is because the ethnic groups have failed to work together as one. Instead, the individuals who have at various times occupied the highest position in the land over the years made themselves ethnic warriors instead of looking out for the interest of the nation.

Because all ethnic groups in the country are equal and must have same equal political opportunities, at no time should Nigerians ever be given that impression that a particular ethnic group is born to rule over others.

On the part of the Igbos, there should be a conscientious effort to harmonize the existing relationship between them and other ethnic groups, if this dream must come true. The pockets of discord being sown by enemies of the people who have continued to exploit fault-lines to cause disunity must be spotted and erased.

Now and again, I see people debating whether those from Delta, Ebonyi etc have the true blood of Igboness flowing in them. What kind of nonsensically divisive argument is that? It is like we are intentionally playing right into the hands of our ex-military rulers who planted the seed of discord by ripping us apart many years ago. The southeast and southsouth are brothers and must not allow their enemies to continue to dictate their political steps.

Southeast and southsouth politicians who are happy to play second fiddle after selling their rights must be reminded that history will always remember them with a frown. All illustrious sons and daughters of Ndigbo must as a matter of urgency begin now to lobby their counterparts from other ethnic groups for an Igbo Presidency come 2023.

If the dream of Igbo presidency must be achieved in 2023, the high rate of voter apathy in the southeast and Southsouth must be reversed. Ndigbo must come out en masse to vote instead of sitting back at home hoping for a miracle.

The absence of a leadership figure from the southeast and southsouth capable of uniting the two groups has been a clog in the wheel of progress. However, progress must be made with what is available. Illustrious sons and daughters (politicians, businessmen/women, intellectuals, writers and like minds) of southeast and southsouth extraction must come together as one for the purpose of producing an Igbo presidency in 2023.

We must upset the balance to forge a formidable force and take what is rightfully ours.

In order to correct the current unsavory political equation in Nigeria, foster peace & unity and conceive the idea in the hearts of all that Nigeria belongs to all, the Igbos must produce the President come 2023. This way, equity and justice would have been served.

Alexander Thandi Ubani

Political analyst and journalist.
Asia El-Rufai, one of the three wives of the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and her kid is currently facing deportation from Indonesia.

Asia is the sister of popular journalist and activist, Kadaria Ahmed.

A source who spoke to SaharaReporters said:, although she had a valid visa, she is currently having issues about and additional document.

The Nigerian government has intervened to resolve the issue.

At the moment, they are trying to resolve the issue with the Indonesian government the source added.
The Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai on Monday in Lagos tasked Commanding Officers of the force to use their experiences on the job training to tackle the menence of kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, smuggling and terrorism.

While declaring open a five-day training workshop for officers of the Nigerian Army at the 81 Division Officers Mess in Marina, reminded them that as the country is been confronted by security challenges daily, there were no sterotyped approach on how to confront it.

Rather, they should use on the job training experience, noting that the challenges are not the same but use the opportunity of workshops like this to rub minds and know how others are tackling it.

The Chief of Army, who was represented by Maj Gen Mohammed Mohammed, the Corp Commander, Nigerian Army Signals noted that commanding officers in the Nigerian Army are at the forefront in the security challenges but must do everything within their powers to mitigate them.

According to him, As a commanding officer, you must understand that action time is so limited but requires a lot of training and workshops of this nature to appraise comtemporary issues and how to go about them.

May I state that the training workshop are routinely organised for officers of various cadres which is aimed at broadening the procedures and processes to ensure that your competencies are enhenced in line with security challenges.

Speaking further on the relevance of the theme of the workshop: To Enhence Leadership as a Prerequisite for Nigerian ArmyTransformation to meet Contemporary challenges, observed that Nigerian Army attaches so much importance to leadership.

Therefore, leadership has a style and this workshop is for you to also learn from your contemporaries how to apply leadership skills in your various units.

The security challenges such as kidnapping, smuggling, pipeline vandalism as well as terrorism confronts you on daily basis. Consequently, the response to these have no sterotyped approach on how to confront it but based on your areas of experiences, the challenges are not the same but in workshops like this, you are able to rub minds and know how others are tackling it.

You may be aware that these are series of approached by the Nigerian Army in training our officers and men. Since the coming on board of the Chief of Army Staff in line with his vision, that direct us to be responsive and professional, we have been engaging and exercising all over the country.

We find ourselves as first responders which we have no choice but we must partake. So, all the various operations: Pathon Dance; Crocodile Smile and others are all ongoing, geared at sharpening our skills.

You as commanding officers, it is our responsibility entrusted in you as the first and foremost responders. Therefore, you must understand the enormous responsibility reposed in you.

With officers with lots of responsibilities, charges them to be mindful of being impartial abitter among the host communities you superintend over adding that the Army headquarters would continue to improve on the logistics support in every operation you would be engaged in.

While appreciating the invaluable support of other security agencies, Gen Buratai reiterated that The successes recorded so far in all our operations and exercises are not without the support from other security agencies. We would continue to work with them and synergize in order to have a conducive atmosphere for all Nigerians to live in peace

I urge you to use this workshop to add value to your experiences and I believe at the end of the day, the vision and mission of this workshop would have been achieved. By extension, the participants would have more in their kitty that would add valve to your units and area of responsibility

In his welcoming remarks, the General Officer Commanding, (GOC)

81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Musa Yusuf explained that the workshop was one of the series of training activities designed by the Army Headquarters to enhence and build the capacity of the Commanding Officers of the Nigerian Army.

In addition, the GOC emphasized that it was to enhence officers professional responsiveness in the discharge of the constitutional roles in consonance with the COAS vision as well as enhence operational and administrative competence to effectively tackle dynamic situations and myraid of challenges facing your respective Area of Responsibilities.

Gen Yusuf while expressing confidence on the assemblage of resource persons, noted that at the end of the workshop, it is expected that the series of lectures would broaden your horizons especially those of you engaged in Internal Security operations

The five-day workshop have Officers especially the rank of Lieutenant Colonels and Majors drawn from three divisions to include 2 Division, Ibadan; 81 Division, Lagos and 82 Division, Enugu in the Nigerian Army participating in the first Commanding Officers Workshop 2019.
The Oyo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, on Monday, dismissed an application filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Adelabu, to recount all the ballot papers used in the March 9 governorship election in the state.

Adelabu and the APC are challenging the declaration of Seyi Makinde, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winner of the March 9, 2019, governorship election in Oyo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Counsel to Adelabu, Titus Asaolu SAN, had filed an application seeking to recount all the ballot papers used in the March 9 election.

Justice Sirajo Mohammed, Chairman of the three-man panel, delivering ruling on Monday, dismissed the application, noting that it would jeopardize the respondents right to fair hearing.

The Tribunal Chairman remarked that the petitioners were only challenging the result of few local governments in the conduct of the governorship election and not all the 33 local government of the state.

Mohammed stated that filing an application now to count all the ballot papers used in the election would amount to amending the petitioners pleas. He maintained that the time allowed to amend pleadings of all parties has elapsed and no plea can be amended at this stage.

Mohammed said that the petitioners were also not consistent on the date the election was conducted as they were quoting different dates in their application.

The judge then dismissed the application and fixed June 10 for commencement of hearing, adding that pre-hearing has ended.
Opalesque Industry Update - The latest Preqin research finds that having made gains of 7.54% in 2015, Asia-Pacific-focused hedge funds recorded losses of 2.02% through the opening quarter of the year, the lowest performance of any region. While the hedge fund industry as a whole saw returns of -0.43% in the quarter, monthly returns for Asia-Pacific funds were the most volatile of any region, as Preqins benchmark ranged from -4.19% in January to 4.13% in March. Europe-focused funds also struggled in Q1 2016, recording losses of 1.97%, while North America-focused funds posted -0.64% for the period as a whole. The proportion of hedge fund launches in Q1 that were based in Asia-Pacific halved from the level seen in Q4, as the region accounted for just 5% of all launches globally. North America-based managers represented 64% of launches in the quarter, with Europe accounting for just over a quarter (27%). Additionally, just 5% of new hedge fund launches were focused on the Asia-Pacific region, down 12 percentage points from Q4 2015. The appetite of Asia-Pacific-based investors for hedge funds has significantly decreased from 36% of fund searches in the final quarter of 2015 to just 11% of fund searches in Q1 2016. Other Key Q1 Hedge Fund Facts: Launches by Strategy: Funds pursuing equity strategies accounted for 47% of all launches in Q1, down from 54% the previous quarter. Macro strategies represented 9% of total launches, more than doubling from 4% of launches in Q4. Macro funds also posted the best returns of any strategy in Q1, at 1.13%.

Returns by Structure: CTAs delivered net returns of 1.33% in Q1, the highest of any structure, while hedge funds recorded the lowest of all structures at -0.43%. Funds of hedge funds and UCITS hedge funds saw losses of 2.44% and 1.61%, respectively.

Largest Fund Managers: Three-quarters of the top 20 biggest hedge fund managers are based in the US with the largest, Bridgewater Associates, holding $152bn in assets under management as of the end of 2015. The three largest fund of hedge fund managers are also all based in the US, holding a combined $132bn in AUM.

Searches by Strategy: Just under half (48%) of all investor searches were for long/short equity strategies in Q1. Event driven strategies accounted for 14% of investor searches, a drop of 8 percentage points from Q4, with most other strategies remaining stable from Q4. Comment: The Asia-Pacific region saw activity slow in the first quarter of 2016, recording net losses and seeing a reduction in the number of launches focused and based in the area. While returns for all regions were negative in the first quarter of the year, the volatility of Asia-Pacific-focused funds, coupled with the sharp decrease in launch activity, indicates that fund managers are finding challenges within the region. However, given the strong performance seen in the region over the past four years and the return to form in March, investors and fund managers focusing on the region can be optimistic for a future increase in activity in the future. Marchs revival is widespread across different regions and fund managers will be seeking to build on this throughout the rest of 2016. Amy Bensted  Head of Hedge Fund Products, Preqin
Oil and Gas Data Management Market: Technologies that are changing the Future of the Oil and Gas Sector

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Oil and Gas Data Management Market: OverviewEven as the global oil and gas industry goes through a phase of change with a growing emphasis on exploring offshore reserves, it finds itself more dependent than ever before on technologies to analyze swathes of data to optimize business performance and enhance safety standards. The need for oil and gas data management technologies arises from the various regulatory changes being imposed on the industry. A number of leading IT companies have diversified their portfolio to cater to the needs of the oil and gas sector, giving oil and gas companies ample choice when choosing a vendor.From exploration and production to trading and retail, the oil and gas sector produces massive amounts of data at every stage. Classifying and streamlining this data is necessary to optimize these functions. This report studies the global oil and gas data management market to provide forecasts through 2023, identify trends and opportunities, and evaluate the competitive landscape.The market can be segmented on the basis of the type of data management solutions and geography. According to type, the market is segmented into IT infrastructure and data organization. Likewise on the basis of geography, the global oil and gas data management market is segmented into: Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.Oil and Gas Data Management Market: Drivers and RestraintsGreater reliance on the use of information technology to maximize oilfield recovery and minimize nonproductive activities will act as a high-impact growth driver for the global oil and gas data management market. From the standpoint of vendors, technologies that have proven their efficiency in streamlining integrated workflows in oilfields have earned enormous profits. This has spurred further research and development in the global oil and gas data management market. Several new products and solutions are thus expected to be launched in the market over the forecast period of this report.Get More Information:However, the markets growth could be hindered by factors such as lack of awareness about the benefits of oil and gas data management. The markets growth could also be hampered because of the high initial investment required to implement a data management solution. Moreover, massive amounts of real-time data is produced during the exploration of reserves  this necessitates failsafe data management considering the high risk to life and property present at exploration sites.These restraints can be mitigated to some extent by the trailblazing technologies that are changing the future of the oil and gas sector. These technologies are centered on operations such as transportation, geophysical assessment, distribution and refinement, and others. These will substantially fuel the demand for data management solutions in the global oil and gas industry.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Mr.Sudip S90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) : China Market Status, Opportunities, Market Forecasts Report 2016

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MarketResearchReports.Biz announces addition of new report" China Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) Industry 2016 Market Research Report "to its database.The China Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) industry.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) market analysis is provided for the China markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and Bill of Materials cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.Download Sample copy of this Report @The report focuses on China major leading industry players providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out. The Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With 153 tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Browse Latest News atTable of Contents1 Industry Overview1.1 Definition and Specifications of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)1.2 Classification of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)1.3 Applications of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)1.5 Industry Overview of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)1.7 Industry News Analysis of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)2.1 Bill of Materials (BOM) of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)2.2 BOM Price Analysis of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)2.4 Depreciation Cost Analysis of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI)2.7 China Price, Cost and Gross of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) 2011-20163 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of China Key Manufacturers in 20153.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of China Key Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) Manufacturers in 20153.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of China Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) Key Manufacturers in 20153.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of China Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) Key Manufacturers in 20154 Production Analysis of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) by Regions, Type, and Applications4.1 China Production of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) by Regions 2011-20164.2 China Production of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) by Type 2011-20164.3 China Sales of Polybenzimidazoles(PBI) by Applications 2011-2016MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Mr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Global Packaged Food Market Benefits from Increased Demand in Developing Economies

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Transparency Market Research has compiled a large amount of data on the food and beverages industry. One such report, titled Packaged Food Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Analysis, And Forecasts 2012  2018, comprises a description of the key market forces and trends.One of the major drivers for the global packaged foods market is the proliferation of packaged foods in developing economies. Packaged foods have long since been a major component in the food and beverage industry in developed nations. But over the recent past, global players have been generating nearly as much revenue from developing economies as they have from developed ones. This is also a part of one of the main trends in the global packaged foods market: distributing high volumes of packaged foods in regions that are showing a higher rate of adoption of western cultures.Browse Full Report with TOC:Packaged foods present many advantages, including increased hygiene standards, longer shelf life of foods, and competitive pricing coupled with a large number of global as well as regional players that have created a vast variety of packaged foods in multiple countries.Another driver for the global packaged foods market is the increasing density of population across the world. This translates to a higher number of consumers who are looking for convenient foods or foods that can be carried with them on the go. With an increasing number of consumers across the world who consider convenience a major priority in food consumption, companies are ramping up their production rates to keep up with the surging demand.The global packaged foods market is segmented on the basis of product type and geography. In terms of product type, this market can be divided into baby food, spreads, oils and fats, condiments, sauces and dressings, frozen foods, chilled foods, dried foods, canned foods, soups, meal replacement products, ready meals, sweet and savory snacks, ice cream, dairy products, confectionaries, and bakery products.Enquiry before Buying@From a geographical perspective, the global packaged foods market has consistently been dominated by North America, owing to a fairly high demand for convenience foods. The future of the market, as mentioned above, lies in developing economies that are ready to incorporate goods that are relatively more expensive than local products, owing to a higher amount of disposable income per individual.Most of the major players in the global packaged foods market face a similar problem when it comes to competing with regional players. The strong presence of regional players in developing economies makes it difficult for global players to charge more for their product, in comparison to local sellers.The key players in the global packaged foods market are Unilever Group, Cadbury Schweppes Plc., Perfetti Van Melle Group, Wrigley Jr Co, Lotte Group, The Kraft Heinz Company, and Kraft Food.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactMr. Sudip S90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Ulcerative Colitis Therapeutics Market to Grow,thanks to Strong Pipeline of Therapeutic Products

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A new market research report by Transparency Market Research, titled Ulcerative Colitis Therapeutics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013  2019, presents an extensive analysis of the market. The report helps in identifying the major trends driving and shaping the growth of the market. The study also encapsulates the competitive landscape and presents valuable insights on the pipeline products in the market for ulcerative colitis therapeutics market. A review has been provided on the micro and macro factors benefiting the existing players and the upcoming players in the market. The report helps in understanding and identifying the diverse and important kinds of therapeutics still under development to treat ulcerative colitis.Download This Report Brochure Link:The report starts by providing the definition and symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease causing ulcers and inflammation in the colon, the biggest part of the large intestine, either partially or completely. The prime symptom of an active disease includes diarrhea and blood. This disease can sometimes result in life-threatening complications owing to the fact that it is a result of the abnormal response of the immune system. It is primarily prevalent in the age group ranging from 15 to 30 years. As per the report, at present there is no known cure for this disease; however, the launch of new therapeutics may offer symptomatic treatment options.In terms of drug class, the report segments the market for ulcerative colitis therapeutics into aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immune modulators, antibiotics, and others. The segment of aminosalicylates is further segmented into sulfasalazine, balsalazide, and mesalamine. The segment of corticosteroids is further segmented into prednisone and methylprednisolone while the segment of antibiotics is further segmented into ciprofloxacin and ampicillin. Factors such as the high sales of the already existing drugs and the strong pipeline of therapeutic products will stimulate the growth of the market.The report states that some of the recently launched FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of ulcerative colitis include SIMPONI ARIA, an infusion treatment by Janssen Biotech, Inc. This drug was launched in July 2013. Santarus Inc. launched UCERIS in January 2013 while Warner Chilcott introduced DELZICOL in April 2013.In terms of geography, the report segments the market into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and Rest of the World (RoW). North America, Northern Europe, and the UK have reported the highest ulcerative colitis cases in the past few years, as per the U.S Pharmacist. As stated in the report, the key manufacturers operating in the market are Johnson & Johnson, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Janssen Biotech, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, and Pfizer Inc., among others.Browse Full Report With TOC:About Us:-Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact Us:-Mr.Sudip.STransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
New Report on Global DNA Microarray Market 2016 and Analysis to 2020

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Research report on Global DNA Microarray Industry 2016 Size, Share, Trends, Growth, Demand, Supply, Application, Segmentation, Opportunity, Market Development, production, capacity utilization, supply, Analysis and Forecast by 2020The report published on the DNA Microarray market titled DNA Microarray provides an analytical view of the DNA Microarray industrys performance in the global scenario. In a detailed chapter-wise format, the study evaluates the numerous aspects corresponding to the global DNA Microarray market. To begin with, the market definition, applications, classification, and industry value chain structure is included in the report, to update stakeholders on incumbent market dynamics. Development trends exhibited by the DNA Microarray market globally are analyzed in conjunction with studying in detail the competitive landscape of the market and the development status as demonstrated by key geographic regions.Browse Complete Report with TOC @:As the report progresses, it discusses the development plans and policies pertaining to the manufacturing process and cost structures followed by the DNA Microarray market as well as the leading players. Figures relating to export and import consumption, cost margins, demand and supply, and gross revenue margin are also mentioned in the report.Presenting a detailed industry chain analysis, the report encompasses information pertaining to equipment, upstream raw material value chain, supply chain network, downstream client survey, and development trends specific to the global DNA Microarray market. Based on the key findings sourced from primary and secondary research, the report segments the DNA Microarray market in terms of products, applications, and key geographic regions.Request for FREE Sample Report @:Using time-trusted analytical tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters five forces analysis, the report evaluates the information sourced to gauge market penetration, get a clear picture of the consumer demographics, study the incumbent trends in the DNA Microarray market, and analyze how the same would impact the industrys future course of action. Drawing reference to the historical database, the report evaluates the growth demonstrated by the DNA Microarray market in the last couple of years and estimates the growth trajectory of the market during the forecast period. A detailed segmentation evaluation of the DNA Microarray market has been provided in the report. Detailed information about the key segments of the market and their growth prospects are available in the report. The detailed analysis of their sub-segments is also available in the report. The revenue forecasts and volume shares along with market estimates are available in the report.9Dimen Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact UsJoel JohnTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651Email: sales@9dimengroup.comWeb:
Indonesia Power Generation Market Boosted by High Electricity Demand; Market to Reach US$63.6 bn by 2022

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The Indonesia power generation market is expected to reach US$63.6 bn by the end of 2022. This market was recorded at US$14.1 bn in 2013 and is projected to expand at an 18.70% CAGR within a forecast period from 2014 to 2022, as stated in a research report released by Transparency Market Research. The report, titled Power Generation Market - Indonesia Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2022, provides a clear picture of this markets future in terms of opportunities for expansion and investment, as well as a map of drivers and restraints that can be negotiated with.Complete Power Generation Market Report with TOC :According to the report, the Indonesia power generation market is expanding at a CAGR of 8.50% within the given forecast period, in terms of generation capacity. The power generation totaled 44.4 GW in 2013 and is expected to reach 90.1 GW by 2022.The report states that the primary driver of the Indonesia power generation market is the constantly increasing demand for power in the region. As per findings, the demand for electricity in Indonesia is expected to grow from 206.5 TWh in 2013 to a projected 2022 value of 442.5 TWh, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.10% in the given forecast period.The Indonesia power generation market has been segmented to improve user perspective. It is segmented on the basis of the technology used into combined cycle power generation, hydro power generation, geothermal power generation, oil-fired power generation, natural gas-fired power generation, and coal-fired power generation. Of these, the Indonesia power generation market was led by coal-fired power generation technology in 2013, when it was used to generate nearly 54% of the overall electricity in the region. The reports authors expect this segment to retain its leading position throughout the forecast period.The report also provides details on the initiatives taken by the government of Indonesia for cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and to use renewable energy sources, especially geothermal power. Indonesia has kept a target of 5.0 GW of geothermal energy to be added to its overall capacity by 2025. 1.6 GW of geothermal energy was harnessed in 2013, while the region currently houses a total potential of 28.0 GW from geothermal sources.For further inquiries, click here :The report also provides a detailed view of the competitive landscape of the Indonesia power generation market. The country had stated a target of doubling its power generation by the end of 2020. This has caused a significant rise in generation and consumption rates in the recent years. The government has also modified its investment structure to suit its energy generation target. This has also given rise to a large number of private players entering the Indonesia power generation market.The key players in the Indonesia power generation market include PT Indonesia Power, United Coal Indonesia, PT Jawa Power, Siemens AG, PT Wartsila Indonesia, PT Geo Dipa Energi, PT Harum Energy Tbk., Chevron Indonesia, PT Bumi Resources Tbk., PT Cirebon Electric Power, Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd., PT Pembangkitan Jawa-Bali, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, PT Adaro Energy Tbk., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., PT Arutmin Indonesia, Asia Resource Minerals plc., and Medco Power Indonesia.Key segments of the Indonesia Power Generation MarketIndonesia Power Generation Market: Technology AnalysisCoal-fired Power GenerationNatural Gas-fired Power GenerationOil-fired Power GenerationGeothermal Power GenerationHydro Power GenerationCombined Cycle Power GenerationAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207
Polyurea market size to exceed $1.59 bn by 2022

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Polyurea market size is anticipated to reach USD 1.59 billion by 2022, as per a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Increasing scope in infrastructure applications such as concrete and steel bridges is likely to drive the demand. Growing importance of industrial coatings owing to factors such as flexibility, water proof and low maintenance costs is anticipated to drive market.Asia Pacific, with China and India polyurea market size dominating regional consumption, accounted for 37.4% of global total volume in 2014. Growing importance of protective coatings for automobile & industrial applications coupled with increased spending in construction sector in countries such as India, China and Indonesia is likely to drive demand.Europe polyurea market share is likely to grow at moderate rate of 4.4% up to 2022. Increasing preference over substitutes such as PU (polyurethane) and epoxy owing to its superior advantages over these products is likely to drive demand. Favorable norms from regulatory bodies such as the EPA for its use in concrete coatings owing to non-VOC content are likely to support growth. Lack in product standardization & differentiation may hamper overall industry profitability.Polyurea coatings market dominated the product segment, accounting for more than 65% of the total demand in 2014 and is likely to grow at highest rates up to 2022. Properties such as high elongation & tensile strength and extreme temperature resistance are likely to increase its demand. Sealants are anticipated to witness below average gains with CAGR of 4.0% from 2015 to 2022.Get sample pages from latest research report @:Key report insights suggest:Global polyurea market size was estimated 171.4 kilo tons in 2014 and may register 249.6 kilo tons by 2022 growing with an estimated CAGR of 4.8% from 2015 to 2022.Aromatics such as MDI and aromatic & polyoxypropylene amines dominated the raw material segment. It accounted for 76.9% of the total polyurea market share in 2014 and are likely to witness highest gains.Aliphatic polyurea is likely to grow at an estimated CAGR of 5.7% up to 2022.Construction applications were dominant and accounted for 42.8% of the total volume in 2014. Industrial applications were the second largest and are likely to witness highest growth rates with an estimated CAGR of 5.2%. These flooring systems are ideal for use in industries such as nuclear power, food & beverages and oil & gas owing to the resistance provided from industrial chemicals & liquids.The global market includes multinationals and domestic manufacturers and is likely to move towards consolidation over the next few years with companies getting involved in mergers & acquisitions. Key manufacturers include BASF, Huntsman, Bayer MaterialScience, PPG Industries and Specialty Products, Inc.Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Jack DavisCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-257-2444Toll Free: 1-800-421-1507Email: sales@gminsights.com
Costume Jewelry Market: Historical, Current and Projected industry size and Recent Industry Trends, 2014-2020

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Costume jewelry (also known as fashion jewellery, trinkets, junk jewelry, fake jewelry and fallalery) is a jewelry made of less valuable materials as compared with valuable materials such as gold, diamond, platinum and other precious metals and gem. The raw material used for these jewelleries include base metals, glass, plastic, synthetic stones, semi-precious stones, beads, ivory, lac, leather, terracotta, pearl and metals such as silver, aluminum and brass. On the basis of products, the costume jewelry industry is broadly categorized as bracelets, brooch, earrings, necklaces, chokers, bangles, finger rings, toe rings, anklets and pendants.The costume Jewelry industry operates as a true global industry as the raw materials are mostly sourced from Australia, Africa, Russia and Canada, manufacturing takes place in China, India, Italy and Turkey whereas the largest markets is North America, followed by Europe.The developing economies such as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are the fasted growing market with double digit growth rates. Asia Pacific is the largest producer of costume jewelry and expected to take over North America in terms of consumption in the coming years. High growth rate in Asia Pacific region is attributed to the rising income of the consumers in these countries. Further, with the massive urbanization and westernization taking place, the consumers are now becoming more fashionable and trendy. Moreover large population of young consumers (average age is 29 year and 37 year respectively for India and China) are also a key contributor in overall growth of costume jewelry in these countries.The key drivers for the costume jewelry include increasing prices for gold and other precious gems and pearls, internationalization of brands and increasing demand of men costume jewelry. Some of the key challenges for the costume jewelry industry include rising raw material cost and fad sensitive market of fashion jewelry. The unorganized supply chain of the raw materials in costume jewelry industry also act as a major restraint for the industry as it sometimes lead to steep hike in the prices of raw materials. Online channels, which are still new trend, offer new opportunity for the market.Request Brochure of this Report:Some of the major player in operating in the industry includes, Buckley Jewellery Limited, The Colibri Group, Avon Products Inc, Swank Inc, H. Stern Com. & Ind. S.A., Cartier SA, Channel S.A., Louis Vuitton North America, Inc., Stuller, Inc., Yurman Design, Inc., Billig Jewelers, Inc. and Gianni Versace S.p.A.Request to view TOC:About Us:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is an innovative provider of market research reports and consulting services. The three PMR pillars of strength that have helped us win clients for years are: Quality Research, Quick Research, and In-depth Research.PMRs team of seasoned analysts and consultants are experts in their domain. At PMR, we process complex, exhaustive primary and secondary research data into valuable insight. We Understand that each client has a unique problem statement, and address it with our strengths.Contact:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Synthetic Blood Substitutes Market: Rise in The Number of Trauma Cases Including Burns, Road Accidents

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The primary use of the blood substitute is to provide a temporary support to the circulation system whenever the conditions demand. These conditions may be blood transfusions or surgeries in which blood substitutes are mostly focused on the basic role of transporting the oxygen for a short duration.Get Report Sample and Customization:There various blood substitutes available such as Perflurocarbons (PFC) emulsions and Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers. The Perflurocarbons are derived from a group of hydrocarbons in which the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine atoms and has been beneficial in creation of artificial blood during surgeries.The most common PFCs are the Perfluorodecalin and Perflubron. The major advantage of PFCs is they permit easy transportation of the oxygen to the body. However, the common side effects cited by use of these PFCs are decrease in the blood platelet counts and causes flu-like symptoms in the patients. While, the hemoglobin based oxygen carriers have been successfully being used to mimic the role of oxygen carrier role of hemoglobin in the body. Since, this substitute has been available in much larger quantities, can be stored for a longer duration and can be sterilized makes it a more preferred choice by the physicians. The chief problems associated with synthetic blood substitutes are anaphylactic shock especially in patients who are frequent users of these substitutes. Despite, significant research there has still a huge gap in meeting these safety requirements. Companies are now focusing towards introduction of innovative biotechnological techniques to introduce an effective blood substitute. The company OPK Biotech, managed to successfully develop hemoglobin-oxygen based carrier through chemical stabilization of bovine hemoglobin. This flagship product named Hemopure has been approved and sold in South Africa since past several years. Moreover, the U.S. Armed Services has also been conducting research since Vietnam War which has helped them to introduce substitutes such as dried powder that can be stored, packed and transported and then reconstituted as liquid prior to transfusion.Some of the major driving factors for growth of this market are rise in the number of trauma cases including burns, road accidents and military wars. In addition, a plummeted rise in the geriatric population has led to seeking various surgical interventions such as blood cancer treatment, cardiac surgeries and others which has consequently led to a strong demand for artificial blood substitutes.Geographically, the North America accounts for the largest market for artificial synthetic blood substitutes market followed by Europe. Some of the major players of this market includes Biopure (Hemopure), Northfield (Polyheme), Sangart and Dendritech.Full Research Report on Global Synthetic Blood Substitutes Market:Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207
Skin Toner Market: Current Trends/Issues/Challenges, 2014-2020

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Skin toners remove the grease, dirt, oil and makeup collected in the pores of the skin by interacting with the moisture barrier in the skins surface and altering the skins pH levels. It also helps in skin refreshments, preparation and conditioning, reduction in irritation and inflammation, hydration, controlling access oil and anti aging nourishment. It can be applied on face as a cream, cleanser, or as part of a lotion. Toner usually comes in liquid form, even though some toners are formulated as gels or mists also. A toner can be applied on its own or as a part of skin care routine as a step in between washing the face and applying facial moisturizers.Normal healthy skin preserves a little acidic pH. Restoring the skin to its standard pH reduces stress and raises its ability to receive nourishment from moisturizers and skin healing products. In the pH stability skin toners, the bi-phase technology (bi-phase technology is combination of two dissimilar states of material collectively, such as a liquid and a powder) suspends oil gripping mineral powders to give an instant lusterless finish. pH balancing skin toners are alcohol free and uses ingredients such as witch hazel and strawberry extract to tone and refine the skin. The other uses of pH labeler skin toner include post shaving treatment, sun burn treatment and treatment in case of bug-bytes. Other benefit associated with some of the other skin toners having vitamins and antioxidants include refreshment of skin and removal of flakes of dead skin. Constituent in a skin toner such as aloe and witch hazel also squeeze the skin to improve overall look.Some of the Major ingredient in skin toner includes water, butylene glycol, sophora angustifolia root extract, alcohol denat, betaine, hydrogenated castor oil, caprylyl glycol, mentha piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, symphytum officinale leaf extract, sodium oleth-8 Phosphate, Poncirus trifoliata fruit extract, triethanolamine, polysorbate 80, disodium EDTA and fragrance.Asia Pacific is largest skin toner market followed by North America and Europe. BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) is the fasted growing region for skin toner with double digit growth expected to increase further in the coming years. The vast population of young consumer in countries such as India and China is expected to increase the Asia Pacific market share. According to United Nation, China and India together accounts for 37% of global population out of which 704 million people of India and 497 million population of china are below the age of 35. With such high concentration of young population and their rising income overall facial care market is grooming in these countries.The major drivers for the skin toner market includes growing aspiration to look young and beautiful, rising income levels in the developing countries and evolution of alcohol free skin toners. Major challenge for skin toner industry is the potential side effect of the chemical ingredients used in skin toners.The brand loyalty among consumers is very high in this industry and this is helping big players to retain majority of market share with help of their establish brands identity. Over the past few years, with evolution of herbal skin toner some herbal product based companies such as Himalaya Drug Co. have entered the market.Request Brochure of this Report:Major companies operating in skin toner market include L'Oreal S.A., Kose Corporation, Kao Corporation, Johnson & Johnson Ltd., Shiseido Co. Ltd., The Procter & Gamble Company, The Unilever Plc., Lotus Herbals Ltd., Burts & Bees, LUMENE, Sea Breeze, Himalaya Drug Co., Herbaline, Zymo Cosmetics, Debon Herbal private Limited, and Ban Labs Limited.Request to view TOC:About Us:Persistence Market Research (PMR) is an innovative provider of market research reports and consulting services. The three PMR pillars of strength that have helped us win clients for years are: Quality Research, Quick Research, and In-depth Research.PMRs team of seasoned analysts and consultants are experts in their domain. At PMR, we process complex, exhaustive primary and secondary research data into valuable insight. We Understand that each client has a unique problem statement, and address it with our strengths.Contact:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Medical Tourism Market: Availability of Cost-effective Treatments in Emerging Nations Encourages Medical Tourism

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A market study on the global tourism market, recently published by Transparency Market Research (TMR) estimates this market to rise at an exceptional CAGR of 17.90% over the period from 2013 to 2019 and reach a value US$32.5 bn by the end of the forecast period.The research report, titled Medical Tourism Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019, states that the worldwide medical tourism market attained a value of US$10.5 bn in 2012.Brochure Download:Medical tourism is defined as traveling from one location to another with a purpose to gain medical assistance. Generally, people from developing nations travel to developed countries for medical treatments that are unavailable in their own countries due to poor medical and healthcare infrastructure. However, in recent years, people residing in developed economies have also begun travelling to lesser developed countries in order to gain cost-efficient medical assistance.According to this study, the falling cost of medical procedures in the Philippines, India, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico, Malaysia, Brazil, Turkey, Taiwan, South Korea, Poland, Costa Rica, and Dubai is encouraging people to travel to these countries for their treatment and, in turn, is propelling the global medical tourism market significantly.In addition, the widening range of medical treatments available in these nations, coupled with technical advancements in the field of medical and healthcare, is likely to boost this market greatly during the forecast period, states the market report.In this study, the global medical tourism market is analyzed on the basis of its regional spread. India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Taiwan, and South Korea are the major medical tourism markets across the world.Thailand has emerged as the most popular destination for cosmetic surgeries among the medical tourists from Western Europe. In 2012, this country had welcomed around 2.5 million foreign patients, accounting for approximately 45% of the overall number of foreign medical tourists arrived in Asia. However, Malaysia is likely to dominate the global medical tourism market in the coming years.Almost 0.7 million patients were treated in this nation in 2012. Analysts expect around 2 mn patients to gain medical assistance in Malaysia by the end of the forecast period, notes the research report.Get a Research Paper:The report further states that India and Singapore are the most preferred destinations in case of complex medical procedures. India has attracted a large number of patients due to its increasing popularity in the field of cardiac treatments. Costa Rica, Dubai, Poland, and the Philippines have been identified as the prospective countries for medical tourism in this market study.Samitivej Sukhumvit, Raffles Medical Group, Fortis Healthcare Ltd., Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., Bangkok Hospital Medical Center, Asian Heart Institute, Bumrungrad International Hospital, KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Min-Sheng General Hospital, and Prince Court Medical Center are some of the major organizations operating in the global medical tourism market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactMr.Sudip S90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Nanotechnology Applications to Lift Medical Device Market Value to $8.5 Billion by 2019  Report

Nanotechnology medical device

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Nanotechnology applications in manufacturing of various medical device and other healthcare and medical products collectively to drive medical device market in coming years. According to recent market research it is expected that nanotechnology based medical devices market is expected to reach around $8.5 billion by 2019 with a CAGR (growth rate) of around 11-12% during the forecast period 2014 - 2019.The statistics are given by the report Nanotechnology in Medical Devices Market by Product (Biochip, Implant Materials, Medical Textiles, Wound Dressing, Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices, Hearing Aid), Application (Therapeutic, Diagnostic, Research) - Global Forecast to 2019, which aims to provide a detailed overview of the major drivers, restraints, challenges, opportunities, current market trends, and strategies impacting the global market along with estimates and forecasts of revenue.For queries and assistance speak to analyst of this report at -(In case of particular requirement related to the report of this market (if any), please mention it in Specific field of Interest section to serve you better)In this report, the nanotechnology-based medical devices market is divided on the basis of products, applications, and regions. On the basis of products, the market is categorized into biochips, implantable materials, medical textile and wound dressing, active implantable devices, and others. The implantable materials segment is bifurcated into dental filling materials and bone restorative materials; while the active implantable devices segment is bifurcated into cardiac rhythm management devices, hearing aid devices, and retinal implants. On the basis of applications, the nanotechnology-based medical devices market is categorized into three major segments, namely, therapeutic applications, diagnostics applications, and research applications.Ask for Report Brochure at -In 2014, the active implantable devices segment accounted for the largest share of the market. Rising incidence of lifestyle and age-related disorders (such as cardiovascular and hearing disorders) has contributed significantly to the growth of the nanotechnology-based active implantable devices market. In addition, availability of insurance coverage and reimbursement for medical procedures, presence of well-structured distribution channels, and growing out-of-pocket healthcare spending are further boosting the growth of the active implantable devices market.On the basis of regions, North America accounted for the largest share of this market in 2014, followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW. However, the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for nanotechnology-based medical devices primarily due to the rising aging population, increasing international research collaborations, and increasing nanotechnology R&D expenditure. In addition, large-scale improvements in the healthcare infrastructure of countries such as China, Taiwan, and India are further driving the market in these regions.Major players in the global nanotechnology-based medical devices market include St. Jude Medical, Inc. (U.S.), Starkey Hearing Technologies (U.S.), PerkinElmer, Inc. (U.S.), Stryker Corporation (U.S.), and Affymetrix, Inc. (U.S.).About Report Publisher:MarketsandMarkets is the worlds No. 2 firm in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository.Contact:Mr. RohanMarkets and MarketsUNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZMagarpatta city, HadapsarPune, Maharashtra 411013, India1-888-600-6441
Smart Meter Market Smart Meter Market Revenue, Opportunity, Forecast and Value Chain 2015 - 2025

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Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Smart Meter Market Smart Meter Market Revenue, Opportunity, Forecast and Value Chain 2015 - 2025" report to their offering.On a global scale, many countries are facing challenges to meet the growing demand for energy. Thus utilities are looking for innovative and efficient ways to manage generation, transmission and worldwide distribution of energy. Global smart meter market consists of digital electronic devices for measuring and two-way information sharing to manage and control power consumption by customers. Customers also have the advantage of tracking their energy consumption and billing through internet. Global smart meter market demand is more in residential areas as compared to commercial areas and electric smart meter is prominently used among the types of smart meters. Environmental concerns for reducing carbon and energy wastage and for regulating supply of energy, are major factors driving global smart meter market. Global smart meter market is anticipated to grow with a single digit compound annual growth rate during the forecast period.Smart Meter Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe major driving factor for the growth of global smart meter market is government support and incentives, as utilities are initially reluctant to make huge investment in new technology without their support. Technological advancements such as smart grid development, infrastructure development, growing population and rise in economic developments are some of the other factors boosting the growth of global smart meter market. The successful deployment of global smart meter market is dependent on logistics which influences the delivery, installation and performance of smart meter. The health effects concerning wireless signals in smart meter, security concerns, regulatory constraints and stiff competition are some of the challenges faced by global smart meter market.Request Free Report Sample@Smart Meter Market: SegmentationOn the basis of product type, global smart meter market can be segmented into following segments:Smart electric meterSmart gas meterSmart water meterOn the basis of application, global smart meter market can be segmented into:Residential applicationCommercial applicationOn the basis of technology, global smart meter market can be segmented into:Radio Frequency (RF)Power Line Carrier (PLC)Smart Meter Market: Region-wise OutlookGlobal smart meter market is expected to exhibit healthy growth in Asia-Pacific and Western Europe regions which is either due to increasing installation of new smart meters as well as upgradation of the existing smart meters. China is expected to display substantial progress of global smart meter market, as incorporated in its five-year nationwide plan to upgrade its grid infrastructure. In Japan, large scale installation by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) started on 2014 which is expected to last during the forecast period leading to increase in demand for global smart meter market. In North, America, the growth of global smart meter market is expected to slower down as infrastructure for energy is well developed and funding for the new projects has become limited. In Latin America, global smart meter is set to exhibit steady growth of global smart meter market, as compared to Middle East and Africa.Request For TOC@Smart Meter Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in global smart meter market are: Aclara Technologies LLC., Echelon Corporation, Elster Group GmbH, General Electric, Holley Metering Limited, Iskraemeco d.d., Itron, Kamstrup A/S, Landis+Gyr and Sensus.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Shelf Carts Market Strategy, Growth and Analysis 2016  2020

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Global Shelf Carts Industry 2016 and forecast to 2020 report analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, analysis, size, share, demand and industry growth rate etc.The Global Shelf Carts Industry report gives a comprehensive account of the Global Shelf Carts market. Details such as the size, key players, segmentation, SWOT analysis, most influential trends, and business environment of the market are mentioned in this report. Furthermore, this report features tables and figures that render a clear perspective of the Shelf Carts market.Get full report with TOC @The report features an up-to-date data on key companies product details, revenue figures, and sales. Furthermore, the details also gives the Global Shelf Carts market revenue and its forecasts. The business model strategies of the key firms in the Shelf Carts market are also included. Key strengths, weaknesses, and threats shaping the leading players in the market have also been included in this research report.The report gives a detailed overview of the key segments in the market. The fastest and slowest growing market segments are covered in this report. The key emerging opportunities of the fastest growing Global Shelf Carts market segments are also coved in this report. Each segments and sub-segments market size, share, and forecast are available in this report. Additionally, the region-wise segmentation and the trends driving the leading geographical region and the emerging region has been presented in this report.Download sample report @The study on the Global Shelf Carts market also features a history of the tactical mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, and partnerships activity in the market. Valuable recommendations by senior analysts about investing strategically in research and development can help new entrants or established players penetrate the emerging sectors in the Shelf Carts market. Investors will gain a clear insight on the dominant players in this industry and their future forecasts. Furthermore, readers will get a clear perspective on the high demand and the unmet needs of consumers that will enhance the growth of this market.Chem Gadgets is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
Genomics In Cancer Care Market Share, Growth Prospects To 2022: Grand View Research, Inc.

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Global genomics in cancer care market is expected to reach USD 9.22 billion by 2022, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing prevalence of cancer coupled with adoption of next generation sequencing for the diagnosis & treatment is expected to fuel the market with future growth opportunities. Increasing incidences of cancer triggers the demand for cost effective and accurate diagnostics in coming years.In addition, increasing demand for personalized medicines in molecular characterization of cancer to identify therapeutic targets is the factor attributing towards the market growth. Similarly, factors such as cost reduction in genome sequencing, growing healthcare expenditure levels and development of effective diagnostics & therapeutic procedures for cancer are responsible for the potential growth of genomics in cancer care.Browse full research report on Global Genomics In Cancer Care Market:Further key findings from the study suggest: Instrument segment dominated the overall market in terms of revenue share as of 2014 and accounted for 33.4% of market owing to high cost associated with it. Whereas, consumables are most widely used product segment in genome testing as they are indispensible component and frequently required to perform the test. Demand for services such as next generation sequencing, PCR and other such as cancer risk management & genetic testing are expected to grow over the forecast period due to increasing outsourcing activities to perform genome analysis. High cost of performing genetic tests and growing awareness pertaining to associated benefits with the use of these technologies are high impact rendering drivers for this segment. Drug discovery and development segment is expected to show lucrative CAGR of 17.6% during the forecast period owing to increasing demand for effective treatment for cancer and growing investment in biomedicines by manufacturers for the development of novel products. Genome sequencing held the dominant share of technology segment as it is most prominently used for diagnosis due to associate benefits such as faster and accurate method. It is expected to show significant growth rate of 17.5% in coming years owing to remarkable decrease in the cost for genome sequencing and increasing adoption rates. The cancer research segment held the largest share of 34.1% in 2014 due to increasing demand for faster & accurate diagnostic methods to treat variety of cancer. Other use such as commercial adoption of genetic testing is expected to be fastest growing segment owing to increasing demand of cancer genomic testing to fulfill unmet needs in healthcare sector. Some key players operating in this market include Beckman Coulter Inc., Illumina, Inc, Affymetrix, Roche Diagnostics, Agilent Technologies, Cancer Genetics Inc., Danaher Corporation, Bio-Rad Labs, Pacific Biosciences, Quest Diagnostics, Sigma Aldrich, Luminex, Thermo Fisher scientific, Oxford Gene Technology., PerkinElmer, Qiagen, and GE Healthcare.Grand View Research has segmented the global genomics in cancer care market on the basis of application and region:Global genomics in cancer care product outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012  2022) Instruments Consumables ServicesGlobal genomics in cancer care application (Revenue, USD Million, 2012  2022) Diagnostics Personalized medicine Drug discovery & development ResearchGlobal Genomics in cancer care technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012  2022) Genome sequencing PCR Microarrays Nucleic acid extraction & purification OtherGenomics in cancer care regional outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012  2022) North Americao U.So Canada Europeo U.Ko Germany Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao India Latin Americao Mexicoo Brazil MEAo South AfricaGrand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.Sherry JamesCorporate Sales Specialist, USAGrand View Research, IncWeb:
Bio Vanillin Market - Global Industry Overview and Players 2016 to 2024

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Global Bio Vanillin Market: OverviewVanillin is the primary component of the vanilla bean extract and is used as a flavoring agent in pharmaceuticals, foods, and beverages. Synthetic vanillin is used more often than natural vanilla extract and bio vanillin has been developed as a healthier and safer alternative to synthetic vanillin.Vanillin can be of three different types, depending on the way it is manufactured: guaiacol-derived vanillin, natural vanilla extract from vanilla beans, and lignin-based vanillin. Vanillin produced from lignin is marketed as a premium product and is therefore priced higher. Even though only a fraction of the total lignin obtained is used for the manufacturing of vanillin, lignin is actually an abundant natural resource and can also be obtained from sources such as wood, leaves, straw, cereals, stems, fruits, and vegetables. Guaiacol-derived vanillin is an established commercial market owing to the lower price of the product despite no product differentiation. This makes it difficult for bio vanillin to compete with existing companies that already have a strong marketing structure in place.Get Free Sample Research Report:The report studies the various segments and subsegments within the bio vanillin market and carefully examines the various micro and macro factors that drive and hamper their growth. With the help of tools such as the Porters Five Forces Analysis and SWOT analysis, the report provides readers with a 360-degree outlook on the overall market and where it is headed in the coming years.Global Bio Vanillin Market: Key Trends and OpportunitiesThe global market for bio vanillin is primarily driven by the surge in the demand for biotechnologically derived fragrances and flavors from end-use industries such as cosmetics, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals. The market is also boosted by the stable price trends of bio vanillin and strong industry penetration. The fact that bio vanillin has been accepted as natural by the EU and the U.S. food legislations is key to the growth of the global bio vanillin market. The product also satisfies the various regulatory requirements of Health Canada-a department of the Government of Canada that deals with national public health. The market for bio vanillin is projected to benefit from the product being marketed as part of the premium product segment within the beverages, foods, and perfumes industries.The food and beverages industry makes for the largest consumer of bio vanillin, accounting for over half the market. The fragrances sector is also likely to exhibit steady growth in the coming years, based on the findings of the report.Global Bio Vanillin Market: Region-wise OutlookAsia Pacific is the leading market for bio vanillin in terms of demand, with China emerging as the dominant country in terms of production. This region is also projected to exhibit strong growth during the rest of the forecast period mainly due to the increasing demand for bio vanillin from the pharmaceuticals and food and beverages industries in countries such as India, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia. Bio vanillin also provides a massive opportunity for growth in the Asia Pacific region since countries such as India and China have been witnessing a growth in per capita disposable income and population expansion.Europe is also a major market for bio vanillin and is expected to witness moderate growth in the coming years. Bio vanillin has the potential to emerge as a green product in Europe as well as North America because consumers in these regions have become more health conscious and averse to petrochemical-derived products. This increasing reliance on natural and bio-derived products is anticipated to boost the bio vanillin market in North America and Europe.Full Research Report on Global Bio Vanillin Market:Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207
Italy: Broadband Initiatives And Enhancement Of Service And Content Offerings Are Key To Driving Revenue Growth

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The telecommunications market in Italy will generate $26.6bn (25.3bn) in service revenue in 2016. Telecom service revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% during 2015-2020, driven by growth in mobile data, fixed VoIP, fixed broadband and pay-TV. Mobile data will be the fastest-growing segment, registering a CAGR of 8.1% over 2015-2020, followed by fixed broadband (7.4%). To offset the decline in traditional fixed and mobile voice and messaging services, operators are focusing on increasing broadband penetration and mobile data, which will be driven by increasing adoption of mobile broadband services, paving the way for potential growth areas including M2M and mobile payment services. Going forward, operators should focus on fixed/mobile convergence to retain customers and increase spend per household. Increasing investments by operators on high-speed networks will offer opportunities for network and equipment vendors. Increasing consolidation in the market will further intensify competition, unlocking new revenue streams for operators.View Full Report atKey FindingsThe overall telecom service revenue in Italy will decline by 6.1% over 2015-2016 to reach $26.6bn (25.3bn) in 2016. From 2015 to 2020, the telecommunications market in Italy will see service revenue grow at a CAGR of 2.1%, boosted mainly by mobile and fixed data segments.Mobile revenue will account for 56.9% of total telecom revenue in 2020. Mobile data will be an important driver behind this trend, as it will expand at a CAGR of 8.1% during 2015-2020.We expect the contribution of Internet access to fixed services revenue to reach 46.4% in 2016 and increase to 58.3% in 2020.The Italian telecom market will be dominated by Telecom Italia as the leading mobile and fixed line operator, followed by Vodafone Italy and WIND Italy. The presence of alternate operators and M&A activity in the country will further intensify competition.Download Sample Copy of this Report atSynopsisItaly: Broadband Initiatives and Enhancement of Service and Content Offerings Are Key to Driving Revenue Growth provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Italy today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2020. It delivers deep quantitative and qualitative insight into the Italian telecom market, analyzing key trends, evaluating near-term opportunities and assessing risk factors, based on proprietary data from Pyramid Researchs databases.The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following:Regional context: Telecom market size and trends in Italy compared with other countries in the Western European region.Economic, demographic and political context in Italy.The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, fixed Internet, mobile voice and mobile data and pay-TV.Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2013 to 2020.The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in Italys telecommunications market.Reasons To BuyGain in-depth analysis of current strategies and future trends of the telecommunications market in Italy, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format, to build proactive and profitable growth strategies.Understand the factors behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Italys mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband markets and pay-TV markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares, to align product offerings and strategies to meet customers demand.Leverage the graphical information (more than 20 charts and tables in the report based on the Pyramid Research forecast products), to gain an overview of the telecom market in Italy.Analysis of key telecom players in the markets and major business strategies being adopted by them, to identify the opportunities to improve the market share.Explore novel opportunities to align your product strategies and offerings to meet the requirements and succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Italy.MarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Non-Life Insurance In Luxembourg, Examined in New Market Research Report

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"The Report Non-Life Insurance in Luxembourg, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"DescriptionSynopsisTimetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in Luxembourg, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides a detailed outlook by product category for the Luxembourg non-life insurance segment, and a comparison of the Luxembourg insurance industry with its regional counterparts.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20102014) and forecast period (20142019).The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of Luxembourg economy and demographics, explains the various types of natural hazard and their impact on the Luxembourg insurance industry, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.SummaryTimetrics 'Non-Life Insurance in Luxembourg, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Luxembourg non-life insurance segment, including:The Luxembourg non-life insurance segments outlook by product categoryA comprehensive overview of Luxembourg's economy and demographicsA comparison of the Luxembourg insurance industry with its regional counterpartsA detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Luxembourg insurance industryDetails of the competitive landscape in the non-life insurance segment in LuxembourgDetails of regulatory policies applicable to Luxembourg insurance industryDownload Detail Report With Complete TOC at:ScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the non-life insurance segment in Luxembourg:It provides historical values for the Luxembourg non-life insurance segment for the reports 20102014 review period, and projected figures for the 20142019 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Luxembourg non-life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2019.It analyzes the various distribution channels for non-life insurance products in Luxembourg.It profiles the top non-life insurance companies in Luxembourg, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Luxembourg non-life insurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Luxembourg non-life insurance segment.Assess the competitive dynamics in the non-life insurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Luxembourg insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsProperty insurance is expected to remain the largest category over the forecast period.Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in the country, primarily as a result of unsafe driving practices, poor road conditions, and ineffective traffic rules.The motor hull sub-category accounted for 60.1% of the categorys gross written premium in 2014, while motor third-party liability accounted for the remaining 39.9%.Strong air traffic business has encouraged aviation insurance in Luxembourg, supporting growth in aviation insurers.In 2014, professional indemnity insurance for alternative investment fund managers was made compulsory in all EU countries.Browse all latest Press Releases of Market Research Reportsat:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. Nachiket90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: CanadaToll Free: 866-997-4948Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Healthcare BI Platform Market Emerging Opportunities, Trends, Size, Drivers, Strategies, Products And Competitive Landscape 2023

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Business Intelligence (BI) platforms help build BI applications by providing competences in analysis, platform integration, and information delivery. As healthcare organizations are realizing the untapped potential of huge amounts of data, they are implementing solutions that utilize business intelligence to help collect, sort, and mine valuable insights from this data. The complex data gathered from numerous sources (operational, patient data) is analyzed and used by healthcare providers with the aid of BI platforms for the larger population.To Get Free Sample Copy Of Global Healthcare BI Platform MarketThis research report provides a detailed analysis of trends in the healthcare BI platform market. It also comprises a broad analysis of the industry drivers, restraints, and opportunities. The report also provides a comprehensive assessment of key market player strategies. The market for healthcare BI platform has been segmented into various functions: clinical analytics, financial analytics, operational analytics, and others. Financial analytics is expected to be the largest healthcare BI platform function over the forecast period, whereas clinical analytics is expected to be the fastest growing functional segment over the forecast period. The global healthcare BI platform market has been extensively analyzed on the basis of deployment type into on-premise and cloud. Cloud is expected to be the fastest growing healthcare BI platform segment by deployment type over the forecast period. On the basis of model type, the healthcare BI platform market is segmented as self-service BI and corporate BI. Self-service BI is the latest trend in the BI market and is expected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period. The market size and forecasts in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) for each of these segments have been provided for the period 2013 to 2023, considering 2013 and 2014 as the base years. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each segment of the market for the forecast period 2015 to 2023.The healthcare BI platform market is segmented based on geography into North America, Europe, Middle-East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, and a detailed regional analysis is provided. A country-level analysis is also included in the report, covering the countries in each region. North America is expected to be the largest and fastest growing healthcare BI platform market among all regions. Europe is one of the mature markets for healthcare BI platform, whereas Asia Pacific is expected to be one of the most attractive markets in the near future.Market estimates for the healthcare BI platform have been assessed considering different political, environmental, social, technological, economic, and legal factors. The share of leading players of the global healthcare BI platform market is provided for the year 2014. Company profiles (CPs) of market leaders elucidate on details such as company overview, segmentation, recent developments, business strategies, and financial information in the healthcare BI platform market. Companies profiled in the report include SAP SE, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, SAS Institute, Inc., IBM Corporation, OpenText Corporation, and Information Builders. The report would allow healthcare organizations and research and development agencies to make informed decisions about healthcare BI platforms, and thus gain competitive advantage in the market.MRRSE stands for Market Research Reports Search Engine, the largest online catalog of latest market research reports based on industries, companies, and countries. MRRSE sources thousands of industry reports, market statistics, and company profiles from trusted entities and makes them available at a click. Besides well-known private publishers, the reports featured on MRRSE typically come from national statistics agencies, investment agencies, leading media houses, trade unions, governments, and embassies.Mr.Nachiket GhumareCorporate OfficeState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Email: sales@mrrse.com
Ceramic Tiles Market : Global Industry Size, Growth, Share, Outlook and Forecast to 2022  Brisk Insights

http://www.briskinsights.com/report/ceramic-tiles-market

http://www.briskinsights.com/category/retail-industry

http://www.briskinsights.com/

According to a recent published report, the Global Ceramic Tiles Market is expected to grow at the CAGR of 9% during 2015-2022 and it estimated to be $125 billion by 2022. The global ceramic tiles market is segmented on the basis of product, industry applications and geography. The report on global ceramic tiles market forecast 2015-2022 provides detailed overview and predictive analysis of the market.Ceramic tile is a mixture of clay sand and other natural products. They are manufactured unit particular shape and size with the help of molding and heating. Ceramic tiles are available in various designs for indoors and outdoors. Ceramic tiles market is increasing due to increase in global construction activity and increase in demand for new residential buildings. APAC dominate the market of ceramic tiles.Browse Full Report with Toc :India is highest potential market of ceramic tiles as their vitrified tiles market constitutes more than half of the total tiles market. As advance technology in designing and manufacturing is improved therefore market of ceramic as a decorative product is increasing. Also the new segments such as 3D tiles, designer tiles and germ free tiles introduction has increased the market potential of ceramic tiles market globally.Ceramic tiles are generally used in restaurants, suburban, offices, kitchen walls and bathroom walls areas. The primary driver of ceramic tiles market is the construction industry. However, price fluctuation is the major restraint of the ceramic tiles market. The price of ceramic tiles varies in each individual region. Other driver of ceramic tiles market are environmental regulations, advancement of technology,R&D initiatives in developing new products in economic range also influence various regions. Developing countries such as India, Brazil, China and Indonesia are the potential markets of ceramic tiles.The major players profiled in the report RAK Ceramics, Atlas Concorde, Florida Tile, Crossville Inc, Saloni Ceramica, Kajaria Ceramics, Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti, Porcelanosa Grupo, China Ceramics Co., Ltd, Mohawk Industries.Browse here for all category Reports :Scope of the report1. Global ceramic tiles market by application 2012-2022 ($ billion)1.1. Residential replacement1.2. Commercial1.3. New residential1.4. Others2. Global ceramic tiles market by product segment 2012-2022 ($ billion)2.1. Floor2.2. Wall tiles2.3. Other tiles3. Global ceramic tiles market regional outlook 2012-2022 ($ billion)3.1. North America3.2. Europe3.3. Asia Pacific3.4. Middle East & Africa3.5. Central & South America4. Competitive Landscape4.1. RAK Ceramics4.2. Atlas Concorde4.3. Florida Tile4.4. Crossville Inc4.5. Saloni Ceramica4.6. Kajaria Ceramics4.7. Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti4.8. Porcelanosa Grupo4.9. China Ceramics Co., Ltd4.10. Mohawk Industries4.11. American Olean4.12. Daltile4.13. Johnson Tiles4.14. Stonepeak ceramic4.15. Somany tiles4.16. Marazzi USA4.17. Ceratec tiles4.18. Marca Corona4.19. Hamilton Parker Company4.20. Virginia TileContact Us :Jennifer SmithOffice 1094109 Vernon HouseFriar LaneNottinghamNG1 6DQPhone : +448081890034 (UK)Website :About Us :Brisk Insights is a global market research firm. Our insightful analysis is focused on developed and emerging markets. We identify trends and forecast markets with a view to aid businesses identify market opportunities optimize strategies.Working in a highly dynamic and multi-dimensional business makes decision making complex. Effective business decisions are a result of the synthesis of market information. Our Research and data analysis is an efficient and cost-effective way of providing robust market analysis and can yield highly valuable intelligence relating to consumers, competitors and markets.Office 1094109 Vernon HouseFriar LaneNottingham
Global IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry Trends and Forecast Report 2016

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http://www.researchmoz.us/global-it-solutions-for-integrated-operating-room-industry-2016-trends-and-forecast-report-report.html

Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry 2016, Trends and Forecast Report" to its huge collection of research reports.2016 Global IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry Report is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions of the IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room industry, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia) and the main countries (United States, Germany, Japan and China).The report firstly introduced the IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room basics: definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain overview; industry policies and plans; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, demand and industry growth rate etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report includes six parts, dealing with: 1.) basic information; 2.) the Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room industry; 3.) the North American IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room industry; 4.) the European IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room industry; 5.) market entry and investment feasibility; and 6.) the report conclusion.Table of ContentsPart I IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry OverviewChapter One IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry Overview1.1 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Definition1.2 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Classification Analysis1.2.1 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Main Classification Analysis1.2.2 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Main Classification Share Analysis1.3 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Application Analysis1.3.1 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Main Application Analysis1.3.2 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Main Application Share Analysis1.4 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry Development Overview1.5.1 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Product History Development Overview1.5.1 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Product Market Development Overview1.6 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Global Market Development Trend AnalysisBrowse Detail Report With TOC @Chapter Two IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend AnalysisPart II Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry (The Report Company Including the Below Listed But Not All)Chapter Three Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market Analysis3.1 Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Product Development History3.2 Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Process Development History3.3 Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry Policy and Plan Analysis3.4 Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Competitive Landscape Analysis3.5 Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market Development TrendChapter Four 2011-2016 Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast4.1 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Capacity Production Overview4.2 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Production Market Share Analysis4.3 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Demand Overview4.4 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Supply Demand and Shortage4.5 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Import Export Consumption4.6 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginChapter Five Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Key Manufacturers Analysis5.1 Company A5.1.1 Company Profile5.1.2 Product Picture and Specification5.1.3 Product Application Analysis5.1.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.1.5 Contact Information5.2 Company B5.2.1 Company Profile5.2.2 Product Picture and Specification5.2.3 Product Application Analysis5.2.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.2.5 Contact Information5.3 Company C5.3.1 Company Profile5.3.2 Product Picture and Specification5.3.3 Product Application Analysis5.3.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.3.5 Contact Information5.4 Company D5.4.1 Company Profile5.4.2 Product Picture and Specification5.4.3 Product Application Analysis5.4.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.4.5 Contact Information......Chapter Six Asia IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry Development Trend6.1 2016-2020 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Capacity Production Overview6.2 2016-2020 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Production Market Share Analysis6.3 2016-2020 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Demand Overview6.4 2016-2020 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Supply Demand and Shortage6.5 2016-2020 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Import Export Consumption6.6 2016-2020 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginPart III North American IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry (The Report Company Including the Below Listed But Not All)Chapter Seven North American IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market Analysis7.1 North American IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Product Development History7.2 North American IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Process Development History7.3 North American IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Competitive Landscape Analysis7.4 North American IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market Development TrendChapter Eight 2011-2016 North American IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast8.1 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Capacity Production Overview8.2 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Production Market Share Analysis8.3 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Demand Overview8.4 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Supply Demand and Shortage8.5 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Import Export Consumption8.6 2011-2016 IT solutions for Integrated Operating Room Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.us
MegaBackup releases a new Lifetime Cloud Storage Service

Today, MegaBackup, a company that specializes in cloud-based solutions for storing and backing up data, has announced that it has launched its new product called MegaBackup. Since the beta-version of a product was released in early 2015, MegaBackup received a massive positive feedback from the users who tried it out.The company claims that its product is based on conceptually new approach to the cloud-based technologies. When we made the decision to create MegaBackup, we set two major priorities, that became the gold standards of our product. Simplicity and Security. We saw the lack of good, secure and simple services for data backup on the market, as the majority of existing solutions were created for large corporations or technically experienced users, therefore they are hard to understand and use for people without technical background. The feedback from our clients proves that we succeeded at unifying top-notch security technologies with a simple interface, says Neil Price, MegaBackup CTO.According to the companys spokesperson, Megabackup is now working on implementing a bundle of tools for file sharing, synchronization and a few more useful features into MegaBackup.MegaBackup is a cloud solutions company, based in Hong Kong with a regional office in the UK. Founded in 2015, MegaBackup consists of experts in cloud solutions as well as security and data protection technologies. The companys main product is called MegaBackup.Megabackup Cloud Storage 1301 Bank of America Tower Suite 1646, 12 Harcourt Road Central Hong KongNeil Price
Canadian Indie Romantic Fiction Author Rusty Blackwood Announces TV Interviews, Upcoming Events In Ontario Canada Area

Romantic Fiction Author Rusty Blackwood

http://www.rusty-blackwood.com

Canadian Indie romantic fiction author Rusty Blackwood has announced a series of upcoming events throughout the Niagara area.On April 25th in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Blackwood will be interviewed on the Cogeco TV program, 'What's New' with Carrie Zeffiro. On April 29th she will tape a segment of The Joe Show Live at his studio in Port Colborne, Ontario.On April 30th she will be taking part in Authors for Indies Day (this is an International event held yearly with multiple authors and bookstores taking part) at R&B Novel Teas, 4400 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario where she is scheduled to read at 2 pm.Blackwood will also be the guest author for the Niagara on the Lake Writers Circle on May 8th, 2016. The two-hour event is scheduled to begin at 2 pm.As stated on the group's site, the goals of the organization are:To share informationInspire each other from our successesSupport and encourage each other when we are feeling frustrated or our work has been rejectedChallenge each other to meet writing goalsProvide opportunities to continue learning and growing as a writerCreate opportunities to share our writing with othersOther upcoming events include:May 14, 2016 Book signing for both Willows Walk and Passions in Paris at Chapters in Ancaster, Ontario from 1- 4 pm.May 28, 2016 Book signing for Willows Walk at Seaway Mall Coles in Welland, Ontario from 1- 4:30 pm.I must say how grateful I am to have the amount of events that are presently lined up, states Miss Blackwood, further adding, I have waited a long time, and worked very hard toward gaining recognition as an author, as well as recognition for the titles I have written. The road of a self-published author is not as easy as some might think; it demands both endurance and self-discipline in areas where it can be very easy to give up. But like Willow, I refuse to knuckle under to pressure, back away from demands, or be deterred from my goal. I love to write, and I am extremely proud of what I have achieved thus far.Blackwood's latest romantic fiction novel, 'Willow's Walk', follows the release of 'Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary'. Her first romantic fiction novel is a sweeping saga written in the tradition of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' and 'What Dreams May Come'. It has been compared to Erich Segal's 'Love Story' and Nicholas Sparks' 'The Notebook'.Willow's Walk' is a gripping new tale, certain to hold readers captive from the very first page. Set in the beautiful city of Ottawa, Canada in 2003, this touching story centers on the life and times of a woman determined to prevail at all costs, regardless of what is set before her, the result of which is certain to leave the reader reeling in its wake.The path each person walks is entirely their own. The pitfalls along that path, as well as the way in which they are dealt with are entirely up to the individual. But Willow Sutherland-Crosby walks a far-different path, and with her own agenda.Abuse, deception, intrigue, and a never ending quest for happiness and love - will she find these, or will her blind determination be her downfall?'Willow's Walk' has received a number of 5 star reviews from professional reviewers. Maria Beltran stated, "I highly recommend this book." Gisela Dixon said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the life of a person presented in such a wonderful manner." Another said, "Brutally honest. I was touched by the bittersweet conclusion that sometimes purpose and happiness are only found through great tragedy ..."'Passions in Paris' has also received rave reviews. Linkk Kula Kane said, "Passions in Paris I think stands its ground with these other powerful romantic stories like 'The Notebook' by Nicolas Sparks." Reader Fred Pifer stated that 'Passions', is a fascinating book of a love story that seemed to be written with me in mind. In the book 'Love Story' by Erich Segal, he told of a deep abiding love story that reminds me of Cullen and Joys in Ms. Blackwoods book, but the twists of intrigue and mystery that she adds keeps the reader on edge throughout."Rusty Blackwood will be filming an installment of "What's New" for Cogeco TV, which centers on happenings and people in the Niagara area on April 25, 2016. Show dates will be announced at a later time.Information on the new romantic fiction release, including a new book trailer, is available at Blackwood's site on the 'Willow' page. Readers can download paperback and Kindle versions of both books at Amazon sites worldwide, including Amazon.ca.Rusty Blackwood is available for interview in the Toronto and Niagara areas and can be reached using the information below or by email at writerrusty@hotmail.ca. More information is available at her website.Rusty Blackwood is a prolific Indie author of romantic fiction, short story comedies, contemporary and traditional poetry and children's books. Her first love is romantic fiction, but she crosses genres with ease.PO Box 1613Shallotte, NC 28459
Insulin Glargine Global and China Market Research Report Provides an in-depth insight of 2016-2021Q

Insulin Glargine

http://www.mrsresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-and-chinese-insulin-glargine-market-2016-industry.html

http://www.mrsresearchgroup.com/report/62527#request-sample

Global and China Insulin Glargine Market 2016-2021 Market Research ReportThe report Insulin Glargine offers a detailed impact analysis of the key trends shaping the Industry. The Industry determinants, i.e. drivers, restraints, opportunities, and threats have been covered in the report. The research study delivers a detailed analysis of the consumer trends that are influencing the Industry. The impact analysis of the Industry drivers, restraints, and opportunities is presented in the report in detail. Furthermore, the historical data related to these trends is also available in the report.Complete report With TOC available @Manufacturers that offer the most flexible, personalized products and services to consumers in the Insulin Glargine Industry are expected to thrive in the foreseeable future. In addition to this, customer service is a strategic asset in the Insulin Glargine Industry that many companies are using to their advantage. Consumers in the Insulin Glargine Industry prefer the most innovative solutions, which several firms are competing on.Request For Free Sample :MRS Research group provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Prof Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442
New Release | Global Robot Tool Changers Industry Analysis 2016, Trends and Forecast Research Report

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Robot Tool Changers Industry 2016, Trends and Forecast Report" to its huge collection of research reports.2016 Global Robot Tool Changers Industry Report is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions of the Robot Tool Changers industry, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia) and the main countries (United States, Germany, Japan and China).The report firstly introduced the Robot Tool Changers basics: definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain overview; industry policies and plans; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, demand and industry growth rate etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.The report includes six parts, dealing with: 1.) basic information; 2.) the Asia Robot Tool Changers industry; 3.) the North American Robot Tool Changers industry; 4.) the European Robot Tool Changers industry; 5.) market entry and investment feasibility; and 6.) the report conclusion.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of ContentsPart I Robot Tool Changers Industry OverviewChapter One Robot Tool Changers Industry Overview1.1 Robot Tool Changers Definition1.2 Robot Tool Changers Classification Analysis1.2.1 Robot Tool Changers Main Classification Analysis1.2.2 Robot Tool Changers Main Classification Share Analysis1.3 Robot Tool Changers Application Analysis1.3.1 Robot Tool Changers Main Application Analysis1.3.2 Robot Tool Changers Main Application Share Analysis1.4 Robot Tool Changers Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 Robot Tool Changers Industry Development Overview1.5.1 Robot Tool Changers Product History Development Overview1.5.1 Robot Tool Changers Product Market Development Overview1.6 Robot Tool Changers Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 Robot Tool Changers Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 Robot Tool Changers Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 Robot Tool Changers Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 Robot Tool Changers Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 Robot Tool Changers Global Market Development Trend AnalysisChapter Two Robot Tool Changers Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend AnalysisBrowse Detail Report With TOC @Part II Asia Robot Tool Changers Industry (The Report Company Including the Below Listed But Not All)Chapter Three Asia Robot Tool Changers Market Analysis3.1 Asia Robot Tool Changers Product Development History3.2 Asia Robot Tool Changers Process Development History3.3 Asia Robot Tool Changers Industry Policy and Plan Analysis3.4 Asia Robot Tool Changers Competitive Landscape Analysis3.5 Asia Robot Tool Changers Market Development TrendChapter Four 2011-2016 Asia Robot Tool Changers Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast4.1 2011-2016 Robot Tool Changers Capacity Production Overview4.2 2011-2016 Robot Tool Changers Production Market Share Analysis4.3 2011-2016 Robot Tool Changers Demand Overview4.4 2011-2016 Robot Tool Changers Supply Demand and Shortage4.5 2011-2016 Robot Tool Changers Import Export Consumption4.6 2011-2016 Robot Tool Changers Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginChapter Five Asia Robot Tool Changers Key Manufacturers Analysis5.1 Company A5.1.1 Company Profile5.1.2 Product Picture and Specification5.1.3 Product Application Analysis5.1.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.1.5 Contact Information5.2 Company B5.2.1 Company Profile5.2.2 Product Picture and Specification5.2.3 Product Application Analysis5.2.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.2.5 Contact Information5.3 Company C5.3.1 Company Profile5.3.2 Product Picture and Specification5.3.3 Product Application Analysis5.3.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.3.5 Contact Information5.4 Company D5.4.1 Company Profile5.4.2 Product Picture and Specification5.4.3 Product Application Analysis5.4.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.4.5 Contact Information......Chapter Six Asia Robot Tool Changers Industry Development Trend6.1 2016-2020 Robot Tool Changers Capacity Production Overview6.2 2016-2020 Robot Tool Changers Production Market Share Analysis6.3 2016-2020 Robot Tool Changers Demand Overview6.4 2016-2020 Robot Tool Changers Supply Demand and Shortage6.5 2016-2020 Robot Tool Changers Import Export Consumption6.6 2016-2020 Robot Tool Changers Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.us
Global E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecast Research Report 2016

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry 2016, Trends and Forecast Report" to its huge collection of research reports.2016 Global E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry Report is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions of the E-Clinical Trial Solutions industry, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia) and the main countries (United States, Germany, Japan and China).The report firstly introduced the E-Clinical Trial Solutions basics: definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain overview; industry policies and plans; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, capacity utilization, supply, demand and industry growth rate etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report includes six parts, dealing with: 1.) basic information; 2.) the Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions industry; 3.) the North American E-Clinical Trial Solutions industry; 4.) the European E-Clinical Trial Solutions industry; 5.) market entry and investment feasibility; and 6.) the report conclusion.Table of ContentsPart I E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry OverviewChapter One E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry Overview1.1 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Definition1.2 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Classification Analysis1.2.1 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Main Classification Analysis1.2.2 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Main Classification Share Analysis1.3 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Application Analysis1.3.1 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Main Application Analysis1.3.2 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Main Application Share Analysis1.4 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry Development Overview1.5.1 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Product History Development Overview1.5.1 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Product Market Development Overview1.6 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Global Market Development Trend AnalysisBrowse Detail Report With TOC @Chapter Two E-Clinical Trial Solutions Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend AnalysisPart II Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry (The Report Company Including the Below Listed But Not All)Chapter Three Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Market Analysis3.1 Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Product Development History3.2 Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Process Development History3.3 Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry Policy and Plan Analysis3.4 Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Competitive Landscape Analysis3.5 Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Market Development TrendChapter Four 2011-2016 Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast4.1 2011-2016 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Capacity Production Overview4.2 2011-2016 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Production Market Share Analysis4.3 2011-2016 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Demand Overview4.4 2011-2016 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Supply Demand and Shortage4.5 2011-2016 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Import Export Consumption4.6 2011-2016 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginChapter Five Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Key Manufacturers Analysis5.1 Company A5.1.1 Company Profile5.1.2 Product Picture and Specification5.1.3 Product Application Analysis5.1.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.1.5 Contact Information5.2 Company B5.2.1 Company Profile5.2.2 Product Picture and Specification5.2.3 Product Application Analysis5.2.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.2.5 Contact Information5.3 Company C5.3.1 Company Profile5.3.2 Product Picture and Specification5.3.3 Product Application Analysis5.3.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.3.5 Contact Information5.4 Company D5.4.1 Company Profile5.4.2 Product Picture and Specification5.4.3 Product Application Analysis5.4.4 Capacity Production Price Cost Production Value5.4.5 Contact Information......Chapter Six Asia E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry Development Trend6.1 2016-2020 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Capacity Production Overview6.2 2016-2020 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Production Market Share Analysis6.3 2016-2020 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Demand Overview6.4 2016-2020 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Supply Demand and Shortage6.5 2016-2020 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Import Export Consumption6.6 2016-2020 E-Clinical Trial Solutions Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginPart III North American E-Clinical Trial Solutions Industry (The Report Company Including the Below Listed But Not All)Chapter Seven North American E-Clinical Trial Solutions Market Analysis7.1 North American E-Clinical Trial Solutions Product Development History7.2 North American E-Clinical Trial Solutions Process Development History7.3 North American E-Clinical Trial Solutions Competitive Landscape Analysis7.4 North American E-Clinical Trial Solutions Market Development TrendAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.us
Global li-ion battery market for EVs anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 31.1% by 2019

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http://dynamicmarketresearch.blogspot.com/

About li-ion battery for EVsLi-ion battery is used as a power source in EVs for transportation. It is used as an alternative source of power in PHEVs and a primary source of power in BEVs. A Li-ion battery powers the electric motor used for propulsion in a BEV. A PHEV uses both an IC engine and an electric motor for propulsion. The use of double fuel system makes PHEVs expensive, efficient, and a preferred choice among end-users. The use of battery-operated vehicles helps to reduce carbon emissions and the dependence on fossil fuels. The battery used in EVs is automatically charged during the transportation through regenerative braking mechanism and is completely refilled or recharged by a voltage ranging from 110 to 440 volts. The application of li-ion battery is higher in BEVs and PHEVs, because of its high energy density and long life span compared to other available rechargeable batteries in the market.To Download Sample Report With TOC@Analysts forecast the global li-ion battery market for EVs to grow at a CAGR of 31.1% over the period 2014-2019.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global li-ion battery market for EVs for the period 2015-2019. Based on vehicle type, the market is segmented into two: BEVs and PHEVs.Report, the Global Li-ion Battery Market for EVs 2015-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the landscape of the global li-ion battery market for EVs landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsA123AESCBlue EnergyHitachiLG ChemPanasonicToshibaSamsung SDIOther prominent vendorsDeutsche ACCUmotiveFlux PowerJohnson ControlsLithium Energy JapanSK InnovationSonyShenzhen BAK batteryKey market driverHigher conversion efficiency of li-ion-fueled PHEVs/EVsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey market challengeLong charging timeFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey market trendAvailability of different types of li-ion batteriesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2019 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?To Enquire Regarding This Report@Blog:About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.United States90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States
MTCM for MOST150 Coax Physical Layer Testing

MTCM for MOST150 coax physical layer testing

www.ruetz-system-solutions.com

RUETZ SYSTEM SOLUTIONS Introduces MOST Tester Cable Model as New Extension for Physical Layer Stress Test ToolRUETZ SYSTEM SOLUTIONS  experts in automotive data communications  now also provide coaxial physical layer testing for MOST150. The recently developed MOST Tester Cable Model "MTCM" is an extension of the well-proven Physical Layer Stress Test Tool "PhLSTT". "Our new MTCM meets the additional challenges and demands for physical layer testing that arise with the newly introduced coax physical layer for MOST150," stated Wolfgang Malek, General Manager and Co-Founder of RUETZ SYSTEM SOLUTIONS. "With the MOST Tester Cable Model, we provide a highly integrated solution to implement a MOST150 limited cPHY test setup, meeting all requirements specified in the MOST150 cPHY Compliance Verification Procedure." Simple to apply, the MTCM allows easy migration cPHY from an existing MOST150 limited oPHY test setup to a MOST150 limited cPHY test setup in combination with the PhLSTT. The cPHY physical layer provides 50 Ohm coax connections for simplex and duplex transmission. The main purpose of the MTCM is to emulate a transfer function, which represents typical coax interconnections in a car. The PhLSTT creates the MOST150 pattern that feeds the device under test (DUT).Automating the MOST150 cPHY Test SetupAn internal microcontroller regulates all functions of the MOST Tester Cable accessed by a serial interface. A documented application-programming interface is available. Thus, RUETZ SYSTEM SOLUTIONS provides a fully automated solution that incorporates the complete MOST150 limited cPHY test setup. It consists of the Physical Layer Stress Test Tool, the MOST Tester Cable Model, a power supply, and an optional temperature chamber.Testing Common In-Vehicle Use CasesThe test system defines three different cable models in order to simulate a transmission channel, thus covering typical use cases in the car. A transmitter with adjustable rise and fall times drives these cable models, which represent a short, mid and long transmission line. For duplex operation, an integrated coupler separates the incoming signal from the outgoing. Thereby, this signal can be used for oscilloscope measurements and a return path to the PhLSTT. In terms of measuring MOST signals, the cPHY technology offers the advantage of the transmission system to be terminated by 50 Ohms and therefore an oscilloscope can directly connect to it without an additional probe. The MCTM provides a test solution for simplex as well as for duplex operations. For duplex operations, an additional noise input is available to connect an external signal source to the MTCM. The design of the MTCM allows various input signals, either single-ended or differential signals, as provided by SMA or HSD connectors, with HSD allowing direct connection to the PhLSTT.RUETZ SYSTEM SOLUTIONSWith comprehensive expertise in data communication for automotive electronic systems, Ruetz System Solutions provides full service to carmakers and suppliers for a smooth and timely production start (SOP). The technology partner based in Munich offers engineering services for system specification and integration, Test Laboratories as a Service, compliance tests, technology assessment and training. Part of the test laboratory solutions are test systems and platforms. With broad competency in data bus systems for all in-car data transmission standards such as, amongst others, AVB, Bluetooth, CAN, Automotive Ethernet, FlexRay, LIN, MOST, USB and WLAN are supported competently and reliably by the general contractor. More information is available atRUETZ SYSTEM SOLUTIONS GmbHWalter-Gropius-Strasse 1781543 Munich, GermanyMedia Contact:Mandy AhlendorfT +49 8151 9739098E ma|at|ahlendorf-communication.com
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SRMA commends Governor Scott for signing permanent manufacturing tax exemption

The Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA) officially commends Governor Rick Scotts support of the manufacturing industry by signing the permanent sales tax exemption on manufacturing machinery and equipment in HB 7099, the Tax Package effective July 1, 2016. SRMA is pleased that its efforts, alongside those of Floridas other regional manufacturing associations and the Manufacturers Association of Florida, succeeded in highlighting the importance of making a temporary exemption that was in place permanent.The measure that is included in House Bill 7099 was originally sponsored by Senator Dorothy Hukill and Representative MaryLynn Magar. Manufacturing is an industry that offers careers in a variety of skillsets, with advances in state of the art technology, and an average annual salary of more than $55,000. As of October 2015, manufacturing had added more than 5,000 jobs over the year, thanks in part to the temporary sales tax exemption on machinery and equipment that was passed in 2014. The temporary exemption was scheduled to expire in 2017.SRMA board member Peter Bagwell, said, The businesses and economy in Southwest Florida are really going to benefit from this type of legislation. Helping manufacturers is a big part of what SRMA does, and supporting an effort to reduce the tax burden helps all manufacturers here  big and small.Doug Gyure, owner of Cape Coral-based S4J Manufacturing, said, As this industry sector becomes an increasingly important driver of economic development in Southwest Florida, it is crucial that we have a voice to represent the particular concerns of our local manufacturers. SRMA makes our states manufacturing association strong.Brian Rist, owner of Storm Smart Solutions Industries in Fort Myers, said, When we have a permanent sales tax exemption on manufacturing machinery and equipment, it helps us grow our businesses. A strong manufacturing community will help diversify and stabilize the economy of Southwest Florida.To discover the many benefits of membership in SRMA for manufacturers and affiliate businesses, visit srma.net.About the Southwest Regional Manufacturers AssociationThe purpose and objective of the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association is to bring together manufacturers to encourage the economic development of Southwest Florida through manufacturing, and to act as a forum for the expression and exchange of ideas and information among its members. The SRMA provides the platform to promote the general welfare of our members in relation to economic, civic, and educational challenges. We encourage the cooperative interchange of information and assistance in all matters of mutual interest, fostering social relationships and community involvement among our membership. Visit srma.net for more information.CONRIC PR6216 Whiskey Creek DrSuite BFort Myers, FL 33919
The Greater Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce to Host Annual Small Business Week Awards

www.SanfordChamber.com

The Greater Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Small Business Week Awards on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at the Heathrow Country Club in recognition of National Small Business Week.According to Chamber President/CEO Frank S. Hale, Shortly before his death in 1963 President John Kennedy signed a bill to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of America's small businesses. Each year since then the US Small Business Administration has recognized Small Business Week. The Chamber is pleased to join the national celebration by recognizing the accomplishments of hard working small business owners in Sanford and Seminole and Volusia Counties at the Chambers Small Business Awards Breakfast.Chamber Small Business Committee Chairwoman Rhonda Smith said, Small business development and entrepreneurism are key components of todays economy, as is evidenced by small business growth in our communities and the millions more developing in communities across the country.The ceremony will honor local businesses that have been nominated based on job creation, product or service innovation, staying power, response to adversity, contribution to the communitys economic well-being and more. Seven businesses will be awarded based on the following categories: Small Business of the Year, up to 25 employees Small Business of the Year, 26-100 employees Small Business of the Year, 100-500 employees Not-for-Profit Business of the Year Home-Based Business of the Year Family-Owned Business of the Year Entrepreneur of the YearMore than 180 small businesses from our community have received nominations this year, says Hale. The Small Business Week Awards is an excellent opportunity to support our local businesses and recognize the economic and social influence each contributes to our community. We look forward to honoring them. We encourage residents to thank small business owners and their staffs during Small Business Week and to shop local first.For more information or to register for this event, please visitThe Greater Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce was established in 1920 to create and foster a dynamic business climate that provides a higher quality of life for community members. It serves the Central Florida communities of Seminole, Orange, Volusia, Brevard, and Lake counties, providing leadership on major growth, education, and cultural issues that affect business and the overall community.Frank S. HalePresident / CEOThe Greater Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce400 East First StreetSanford, FL 32771
Modbus Networking in a Hospital

Modbus Loggers Monitor Temperature

www.DataLoggerInc.com

www.dataloggerinc.com

Monitoring Freezers for Temperature of VaccinesCHESTERLAND, OHApril 20, 2016Recently a hospital required an automated temperature monitoring solution in order to measure and record the temperature of 50 freezers storing temperature-sensitive life science products. These freezers are located throughout the facility on 3 separate floors, but users need centralized access to all the temperature data.The hospitals IT department also had a key requirement that they should be able to monitor data using just a single interface, so this necessitated a network setup. Users also needed alarm capability in case the temperature of any freezer should fall outside a specific range. To meet all these needs, the hospital found the ideal solution using dataTaker dataloggers. Read how it was done via Modbus in this latest Apps Note from CAS DataLoggers.dataTaker Solution:System Summary:Three separate dataTaker DT80 units, one installed on each floor, now measure freezer temperatures both directly and via RS485 Modbus ADC devices. The DT80s are networked via Modbus TCP/IP and can be monitored through a web browser.Hardware: dataTaker DT80 data logger x 3 DGH D5332M Modbus Expansion Module x 9Sensors:T-Type Thermocouples x 50dataTaker DT80:1. A cost-effective data logger expandable to 100 channels, 200 isolated or 300 single-ended analog inputs.2. Built-in web and FTP server allows users to remotely access logged data, configuration and diagnostics.3. Modbus slave and master functionality allows connection to Modbus sensors and devices and to SCADA systems.4. Smart serial sensor channels capable of interfacing to RS232, RS485, RS422 and SDI-12 sensors.5. Rugged design and construction provides reliable operation under extreme conditions.6. Includes USB memory stick support for easy data and program transfer.Installation:One dataTaker DT80 is installed on each of three separate floors of the hospital. Each DT80 continually monitors the temperature in several freezers located nearby. Two DGH Modbus ADC modules are also connected to each DT80 over a half-duplex RS-485 connection. These modules allow connection of up to four additional thermocouple sensors and make it possible to monitor the distributed freezers located elsewhere on the same floor, minimizing the length of thermocouple wire and reducing cost and signal interference.The dataTaker units are connected to the hospitals existing computer network via Ethernet cables. This provides the physical connection for a Modbus TCP/IP network. One of the three DT80 dataloggers acts as a Modbus master, requesting and collecting data from the other two loggers and storing this data in its large internal memory of 10 million data points.Even though the loggers are using Ethernet for Modbus, they also use this same connection to simultaneously deliver real-time data and generate temperature alarms to users via the internal web server. To access this web server, a user only needs to enter the IP address of the logger into a web browser.Using this network topology, its also possible to save each data point to all of the data loggers for backup purposes. If the hospital needs offsite backup, then the DT80 data loggers can be configured to automatically transfer data to a remote FTP server.To view features and specifications of our dataTaker dataloggers, or to find the ideal solution for your application-specific needs, contact a CAS Data Logger Applications Specialist at (800) 956-4437 or visit our website atContact Information:CAS DataLoggers, Inc.8437 Mayfield Rd.Chesterland, Ohio 44026(440) 729-2570(800) 956-4437sales@dataloggerinc.com
Global propylene capacity will increase from 101.3 MMTPA in 2014 to 127.1 MMTPA by 2019

https://marketreportscenter.com/reports/115882/global

https://marketreportscenter.com/reports/115882/global

http://marketreportscenter.com

Worldwide: Our Business partners Global Datas new report Global Propylene Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook - China and US to drive Propylene Industry Expansion has 25 pages with forecast on propylene capacity till 2019.Global propylene capacity will experience considerable growth in the next five years with increase from 101.3 MMTPA in 2014 to 127.1 MMTPA by 2019. Large capacity additions with more than 50 planned projects are expected to come online primarily in the China, US and Iran in the next five years.CNOOC Limited, Petroliam Nasional Berhad and C3 Petrochemicals LLC are the top three companies by capacity additions expected to come on-stream by 2019.Global propylene industry is expected to spend around US$16.9 billion by 2019 for the upcoming projects. China, US and Russia are the top three countries by capital expenditure for projects by 2019.Download Sample:Reasons to buy:- The report will clarify -- Understand the key trends in the global propylene industry- Understand the regional propylene supply scenario- Identify opportunities in the global propylene industry with the help of upcoming projects and capital expenditure forecast- Understand the current and likely future competitive scenarioScope:Report provides information and insight on -- Historic and forecast global propylene capacity by region- Propylene planned plants details- Global propylene capacity by feedstock- Capacity share of the major propylene producers in the world- Global propylene capital expenditure forecast by regionCompanies Profiled in Report:CNOOC LimitedPetroliam Nasional BerhadC3 Petrochemicals LLCTable of Contents:- Global Propylene IndustryKey Highlights- Appendix- Definitions- Installed Capacity- Key Feedstock- Abbreviations- GlobalDatas Research Methodology- Secondary Research- Primary Research- Expert Panel Validation- DisclaimerFor More Details on report:About Market Reports Center;Market Reports Center is an e-commerce platform obliging the needs of knowledge workers, experts, professionals who are subject to market research information for their work, or to make strategic business decisions. We are dedicated to create a comprehensive offering of market research which is accurate, credible and affordable.Market Reports Center currently has more than 1,20,000 plus titles and 30+ Publishers on our platform and growing consistently. We cover more than 35 industry verticals being: Automotive, Electronics, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Chemicals, Construction, Agriculture, Food, Beverages, Banking & Finance, Media and Government, Public Sector Studies.Connect for more details:Sam CollinsMarket Reports Center1-646-883-3044 (US)+91- 20-41217796 (IND)info@marketreportscenter.comMarket Reports Center is an e-commerce platform obliging the needs of knowledge workers, experts, professionals who are subject to market research information for their work, or to make strategic business decisions. We are dedicated to create a comprehensive offering of market research which is accurate, credible and affordable.Market Reports Center currently has more than 1,20,000 plus titles and 30+ Publishers on our platform and growing consistently. We cover more than 35 industry verticals being: Automotive, Electronics, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Chemicals, Construction, Agriculture, Food, Beverages, Banking & Finance, Media and Government, Public Sector StudiesHouse 421 Hudson Street New York, NY 10014 USA
cougar

A cougar was spotted in the 800 block of Northeast 25th Street in Gresham on April 16, 2016.

(Associated Press file photo)

Police have increased the number of officers on patrol in Northeast Gresham after a cougar was spotted there Tuesday evening.

Six people reported to police that they saw a cougar near the 800 block of Northeast 25th Street in Gresham, police spokesman John Rasmussen said. He said three residents in an approximately five-block radius told officers they found their cats dead Tuesday.

More officers are out and about in the area to let people know about the cougar sightings, Rasmussen said. He said so many people were outside enjoying the warm evening that police thought it was necessary to warn them about the sightings.

The increased police presence "will wane as the night goes on and people are inside more," Rasmussen said.

More than 5,000 cougars live in Oregon, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The animals primarily eat deer, the department says, and they hunt by themselves. They generally live alone -- the exception being mothers that live with their young -- and can be mistaken for bobcats, coyotes and dogs, according to the department.

The department called cougar sightings "rare," though they have increased. The department's website didn't specifically define when -- or by how much -- the sightings increased.

An department of fish and wildlife official quoted in a summer 2014 Oregonian/OregonLive report about cougar sightings said the area around the Portland metro area and its suburbs is a good habitat for cougars.

"Cougar populations are healthy, and the lifestyle choices that make quality of life in the Portland area good also create avenues for animals to come into the cities," said Don Whittaker of the department of fish and wildlife, in reference to forests and trails that lead into urban areas.

Police received the six calls about cougar sightings from about 7:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Rasmussen said. He said police hadn't seen the cougar, as of about 10:15 p.m.

Rasmussen said Gresham police generally respond to fewer than five reported cougar sightings per year.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015
opioids.JPG

(File photo)

By Robert Orfaly and Patrice Harris

The Oregon Medical Association (OMA) is holding its annual conference Saturday, and there is just a single issue on the agenda: Oregon's opioid epidemic.

In 2014, more than 500 Oregonians needlessly lost their lives due to drug overdose -- a 13 percent increase from 2013. Nationwide, prescription opioids and heroin were involved in nearly 30,000 deaths, exceeding deaths from car crashes.

Behind the startling numbers is the fact that this epidemic is taking away our loved ones at an alarming rate: Nearly 80 people die each day from opioid misuse, and more than half of the drug overdoses in Oregon are associated with prescription opioids.

We must find a way to end this epidemic now.

As part of the state's efforts to end this epidemic, lawmakers unanimously passed legislation that supports Oregon's physicians. The legislation streamlines the state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) with physicians' electronic health record systems and increases access to naloxone -- an anti-overdose drug -- through pharmacists and social service agencies. The bill also helps protect patient privacy of information in the PDMP -- something vital to all Oregonians. These are excellent steps forward.

This legislation will help physicians, but physicians need to take additional action as well. The American Medical Association (AMA) Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse, which includes the OMA, urges physicians to not just register for, but also use, the state PDMP to make more informed prescribing decisions. And OMA continues to advocate for ways to improve the PDMP so that the information is reliable, accessible to providers and protected.

Physicians must also continue their training -- focusing on studies related to pain management, the prescribing of controlled substances and treating patients suffering from substance use disorders. Both the OMA and the AMA task force have collected excellent resources for physicians that are specific to individual practices. We urge all physicians to ensure that they have the necessary education and training.

The legislation passed this year also will help increase access to naloxone, which can save the lives of individuals who suffer an opioid overdose. Making naloxone more accessible is another vital piece of the efforts to end opioid abuse.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, 20 percent of Oregonians live with chronic pain. Our mothers and fathers, our teachers, our friends -- people we love -- are dealing with pain, and we must ensure that we are providing the most effective, evidence-based treatment, which may include non-opioid and non-pharmacologic therapies. This may require future legislative efforts to ensure that patients who need, for example, extensive physical therapy or other alternative treatments do not experience administrative barriers such as needless prior authorization or arbitrary limits by insurers on the number of treatments they can receive.

Finally, we must all confront the intangible and often devastating effects of stigma. The key to recovery is support and compassion. Patients in pain and patients with a substance use disorder need comprehensive treatment -- not judgment. Just as a patient with heart disease or diabetes, a patient with a substance use disorder can be successfully treated and enjoy long-term recovery.

Developing a prescription opioid strategy in Oregon, and across the country, is vital. Physicians in Oregon are collaborating with AMA, the AMA Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse, groups such as Oregon Coalition for Responsible Use of Meds and state and national leaders, including Oregon's public health leaders, to advocate for thoughtful solutions to end this epidemic.

This week's OMA conference will not solve every issue, but it underscores that we continue to advocate for solutions. We urge all physicians in Oregon to help lead the effort to end this epidemic.

*

Robert Orfaly, M.D., is the incoming president of the Oregon Medical Association and an orthopedic surgeon in Portland. Patrice Harris, M.D., is chair-elect of the American Medical Association and chair of AMA's Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse.
1cityhall.JPG

Portland City Hall

(Jody Stott/Staff)

You would think that the city of Portland itself was under attack by the aggressive defense that Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and Commissioner Dan Saltzman mounted at a City Council meeting last week.

But no, the topic under hot debate was the future employment prospects of elected officials, bureau heads and officials' at-will employees once they leave the city payroll. Both Hales and Saltzman eviscerated a proposal by the city auditor's office that seeks to dramatically slow the revolving door through which city employees can become lobbyists.

It's not just Hales' and Saltzman's actual objections that are worth noting, but the manner in which they objected - with disdain, sarcasm and flashes of anger. While they primarily targeted the auditor and the city elections officer who runs the lobbyist reporting program, Saltzman also pounced on a representative of The League of Women Voters who came to testify in support of the proposal. Debbie Aiona made reference to the importance of the city's lobbying restrictions for increasing the public's comfort with meetings that take place "behind closed doors," prompting an uncharacteristic attack by Saltzman for her use of a phrase that, he said, "contributes to the low esteem held by elected officials."

So just what about these recommendations are so objectionable?

They're tougher, certainly, for high-level city employees. Currently, the city of Portland requires all former employees who take a new job to wait a year before lobbying city officials on topics over which they were "personally and substantially" involved, an undefined and difficult-to-enforce standard. The new proposal would target only bureau directors, elected officials and officials' at-will employees, but would expand the restrictions. Anyone in that group who leaves the city's employment would have to sit out a two-year "cooling-off" period in which they are barred from lobbying their former colleagues on any city topic, not just those they personally worked on.

http://media.oregonlive.com/opinion_impact/photo/agenda-2013jpg-da8a3522a991b9c6.jpg

Editorial Agenda 2016



Get Oregon centered

Better leadership in education

Make Portland a city that works

Build Oregon prosperity

Protect and expand personal freedom

Get pot right

_______________________________

Several other cities have similar bans, according to Deborah Scroggin, the elections officer who researched model practices to update the city's lobbying laws and to address employees' confusion over what is and is not allowed.

But rather than focus on ways the proposal may need fine-tuning, as other commissioners did, Hales and Saltzman misstated its reach and challenged the entire idea as if it were meant to personally offend them.

Hales was quick to declare that he has no plans to lobby the city once he leaves office, perhaps ever. But rather than consider the points that Scroggin made, he chose to question why the city created its own lobbying registration guidelines in 2005 in the first place. "We are the cleanest place in America when it comes to politics here in the Northwest," he declared, lecturing Scroggin that he has "a context that frankly you don't have, because I know I'm old enough that in 1979 you weren't doing this work."

Sure, Scroggin wasn't around then. But you don't have to be a longtimer to know that Northwest politics has its own ethics issues. Just in the past two years, Oregon's governor resigned amid a federal investigation, a Portland parking manager was sentenced to federal prison for accepting bribes and Hales himself had a slip-up by failing to note on his calendar, as city code requires, a December 2014 meeting he and Commissioner Steve Novick had with an Uber lobbyist.

Hales also derided the idea that adopting such restrictions helps guard against the appearance of impropriety by public officials, scoffing that "newspapers are about appearances" and "laws are about what's right and wrong."

Oregonian editorials

reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom.

are Helen Jung, Erik Lukens, Steve Moss and Len Reed.

To respond to this editorial:

Post your comment below, submit a

,

or write a

.

If you have questions about

the opinion section,

contact Erik Lukens, editorial and commentary editor,

at

or 503-221-8142.

But as Kate Titus of Common Cause noted at the meeting, the public's view of what's going on in city politics may be entirely different from the view that those in the City Hall bubble have. If Saltzman is concerned about the low opinion the public may have, he might consider that pummeling these kinds of proposals rather than consider improvements could contribute to that.

Appearances do matter to those outside City Hall who don't see the fairness in why commissioners might make the decisions that they do, whether it's giving millions in grants to organizations without vetting them against competitors, or reversing course on allowing Uber to operate in the city after privately meeting with Uber's lobbyist. Setting out clear rules with defined boundaries helps both the public and employees easily understand the dividing line between public service and private interest, as Aiona noted.

Unfortunately, Hales and Saltzman seem to view the proposals as personal insults, unable to separate the responsibilities and expectations of the office from the identity of the person holding it. That blurring of public and private is exactly why such rules are in place.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board
"It's very close to my heart, because I was down there, and I watched our police and our firemen down at 7-Eleven, down at the World Trade Center right after it came down, and I saw the greatest people I've ever seen in action."

-- Donald Trump, April 18

By Dana Milbank

May 1, 2017 Remarks by the President, at The White House

President Trump: I want to welcome all of my Cabinet secretaries here for this meeting. We have completed our first 100 days in office and already we have made America Great Again. Amazing! The best!

I know everybody took a Big Gulp when I changed 9/11 to 7-Eleven last year. They thought I was a stupid person. A loser! Erin Gloria Ryan of Vocativ said I would start talking about the Japanese bombing of Pearl Jam and the Native Americans' Trail of Sears. Other terrible people -- the worst! -- thought I would refer to the eBay of Pigs, the Normandy landing on DQ Day, the Dodge Challenger disaster, Black & Decker Tuesday of 1929, the 1906 San FranCisco Systems Fire and the 1814 burning of the White Castle by the British.

Wrong! Turning 9/11 into 7-Eleven was the beginning of something huge. Phenomenal! The people at 7-Eleven -- great retailer, decent coffee, convenient! -- loved it. Loved it! They said to me: Mr. Trump, if you could mention us and other corporations more often at unexpected moments, we think it would really help to Make America Great Again. And I said: We will do even better. We will Make America Great Again by selling some of our greatest assets to you and to America's other great corporations.

We are meeting here in the MapQuest Room of the Trump National White House because our new Crate & Barrel Cabinet Room is being refurnished. Next we'll have a drink in the Johnnie Walker Blue Room, and we'll eat in the Allstate Dining Room. Look out the window there and you'll see amazing billboards going up on the Washington Mutual Monument, across the reflecting pool from the Lincoln Financial Group Memorial. In the distance you'll see the white dome of Capital One, the Tide Basin and Boeing National Airport. Huge!

Jeff Sessions, our phenomenal secretary of Homeland Depot Security -- great guy! -- tells me Mexico has already paid for the wall. It's now the Aeromexico Wall -- "because the only way around it is over it!" Great slogan! We are making only the best deals, throughout the Federal Express government and across the entire United States of American Eagle Outfitters.

They said I couldn't unify the Republican Party. But then I renamed the Navy the Ted Cruz Line. They said I couldn't hold on to the evangelical Christians. But then I renamed the Liberty University Bell and Niagara Falwells.

Most of all, they said I couldn't get rid of the entire federal debt -- $19 trillion! -- in one year. They said I was stupid -- a loser! But I traveled this land, from the Redwood Inn forest to the Gulfstream G650, and knew that everybody wanted to buy American! So I sold the Treasury Department to Citigroup, the Pentagon to Lockheed Martin, the Food and Drug Administration to Pfizer, HHS to CVS, the EPA to Waste Management, the FBI to Apple, the NSA to Google and the Grand Canyon to GMC. Great deals! China gave up all $1.3 trillion of our debt -- and all I had to give them was the Walt Disney Company. Phenomenal deal!

Now we are placing corporations' names in amazing places -- the greatest -- and we are winning, winning, winning, and we are making a lot of money. A lot. We are bringing out the best in America, the fast and convenient spirit of 7-Eleven, and I say: Oh, thank heaven. We are Making America Great Again.

[APPLAUSE]

Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter, Milbank.

(c) 2016, Washington Post Writers Group
Prosecutors and a defense attorney for an

presented opposing theories Tuesday on why the 7-month-old boy appeared to be smiling and playful one moment at the caretaker's home last April and then "at death's door" minutes later.

Both sides said during opening statements for Sarah Martin's trial that they would offer expert medical testimony on what caused Izaak Gillen's death. The baby was unresponsive when emergency responders arrived at Martin's home on April 6, 2015 and died the next day at a Portland hospital.

Clackamas County Deputy District Attorney Bryan Censoni said paramedics, doctors, a state medical examiner and others found Izaak's injuries to be consistent with severe head trauma. Evidence will show, he said, that Martin changed her story several times when speaking to emergency responders and investigators on what led to the boy's dire condition. But at one point, she told a paramedic that she

.

Defense attorney Shannon Kmetic said the witnesses on her list, including two doctors, will testify that the boy's injuries were not consistent with trauma or violence. She said her client discovered Izaak limp and unresponsive after briefly leaving him alone following a diaper change after he ate lunch.

Emergency responders took 13 minutes to evaluate the boy, used improper tubes to help revive him and bypassed a hospital that was a couple of minutes away to drive him to Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland, which was nearly a half-hour away, Kmetic said.

Martin, 38, was charged three weeks after Izaak's death. She's accused of murder and first-degree manslaughter. The trial is scheduled to last at least a week and the verdict will be rendered by a judge.

For much of the court proceedings, Martin wore a black sweater jacket over her black and gray jail uniform. She appeared to smile when prosecutors showed photos and video of the boy on the day he became unresponsive. She took notes on yellow lined paper as Censoni accused her of providing information to emergency responders that caused them to initially offer aid to the infant that wasn't consistent with the symptoms he was exhibiting.

Gillen had a respiratory infection two weeks before he died, but there is no indication that any illness or pre-existing condition led to his death, Censoni said. He appeared happy and healthy before his mother dropped him off at the home of Martin, a family friend met through church who had been watching the infant since December 2014.

According to Censoni, Martin fed Gillen and her own 9-month-old son around noon. Martin sent the boy's mother several text messages along with pictures and videos of Izaak that showed him sitting in a high chair eating puffs and smiling around 30 minutes later. As late as 12:50 p.m., Gillen appeared to be fine, the prosecutor said.

But just before 1 p.m., there is an eight-minute window where "something happens to Izaak that causes an immediate neurological crash," Censoni said, and minutes later, "he's at death's door,"

Martin called 911 and emergency responders arrived at the home four minutes later. They found Izaak on the floor, Censoni said. Martin told them the boy was choking.

The first paramedic to arrive will testify that Izaak, despite having a heartbeat, was "more or less dead" by the time they arrived, Censoni said. The paramedics intubated him to make sure he was getting enough oxygen, which typically would have resolved any choking episode. In this case, Izaak's condition didn't improve.

Paramedics found the boy had fixed and dilated pupils that didn't respond to light, which Censoni said was an indication of head trauma.

Doctors at Randall Children's Hospital found that Izaak had a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, brain swelling and extensive retinal hemorrhaging in both eyes, Censoni said. The extent of the eye injuries was akin to a fall from eight stories or being crushed by a falling television, according to the attorney.

A state medical examiner, who conducted the autopsy two days after the boy's death, found similar injuries as well as a deep scalp hemorrhage on the back of the boy's head, bleeding in two separate layers of his brain and shearing of nerve fibers, Censoni said. Izaak died of closed head injuries, authorities determined.

Police also found "dozens upon dozens" of internet searches on Martin's cellphone over the two days Izaak was in the hospital including the terms "skull fractures," "signs of abuse" and "police questioning tactics," Censoni said.

Kmetic said her client routinely texted Gillen's mother to show that her son was doing well. The baby had issues with feeding since Martin began looking after him, the attorney said.

Kmetic said one of the defense witnesses will testify that Izaak might be alive today had he been taken to the closer hospital and the intubation issue had been remedied sooner.

"That is unsettling, it is unnerving and it is very sad to talk about," she said. "But there is no unified medical consensus about what happened to this baby."

Martin's attorney noted that the paramedic whom her client told about shaking Izaak took at least seven hours before reporting the comment to police. The paramedic claimed in an email that when Martin told him, he assumed she was describing one of the methods she used to try to dislodge whatever was choking the boy.

Dr. Kim Copeland, one of the doctors consulted when Izaak was in the hospital, testified in court that the paramedics appear to have followed proper protocol in trying to revive Gillen, that there was no indication that there were any problems with the tubes used and that the symptoms he exhibited are typically not found in choking victims.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
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A federal judge Wednesday ordered the release of Oregon standoff defendant Dylan Anderson to his parents, allowing for his return to Utah pending trial.

U.S. District Judge Robert E. Jones ruled that Anderson, 35, isn't a flight risk and is no longer a danger to the community, particularly because he won't be allowed to possess any firearms while awaiting trial.

Dylan W. Anderson

Anderson, known as "Captain Moroni,'' is one of 27 people facing federal indictment in the 41-day takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge outside of Burns in Harney County.

He has pleaded not guilty to conspiring to impede federal officers from working at the refuge through intimidation, threats or force, and to possession of firearms or dangerous weapons at a federal facility.

Samuel Kauffman, Anderson's court-appointed lawyer, argued that Anderson wasn't a leader of the occupation, didn't stay at the refuge over the duration of the occupation and lacks a criminal record beyond convictions for possession of alcohol by a minor and marijuana possession at age 18.

His attorney also pointed out the strong family support Anderson has, introducing his father and stepmother who had traveled to court from Utah with the hope of taking Anderson home. An older sister who lives in Beaverton also attended the hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Barrow had sought Anderson's continued detention, but did point out to the judge that other co-defendants with similar backgrounds as Anderson's have been released pending trial.

According to federal prosecutors, Anderson was at the refuge on Jan. 3, photographed guarding the entrance with a rifle. He was quoted telling a reporter, "I didn't come here to shoot. I came here to die,'' according to a federal court filing.

Anderson had said he traveled to the Oregon refuge because he was inspired by Ammon Bundy, the leader of the occupation. Bundy has said the occupation was to protest federal control of public land and the return to prison of two Harney County ranchers convicted of setting fire to rangeland.

Anderson had told a reporter that God, in the form of a flock of geese, had validated his desire to join the refuge takeover.

"I just knew it was the right thing (to come to Oregon) ... I'm willing to die here,'' Anderson said, according to a federal court document.

The judge cited concern about Anderson's thought processes.

For someone to leave his family and wife, take up weapons and travel to the eastern Oregon refuge despite family protestations based "on a calling of God and wild geese" -- "that sounds like someone with a mental disturbance,'' Jones said.

"How can you make any sense of that?'' the judge asked.

Jones asked Anderson's lawyer if the defendant has ever seen a psychotherapist. Kauffman said Anderson had, but declined to offer more details.

Jones asked Anderson to explain.

"What about the wild geese?'' the judge asked him.

Anderson, standing beside his lawyer, said he was talking to a reporter and thought that referencing geese might stir some sympathy because he was on the grounds of a bird sanctuary.

"I'm a storyteller,'' Anderson said. "I told her about some geese I saw.''

"As I understand it, you were motivated by Mr. Bundy?'' Jones asked.

"Yes sir,'' Anderson replied.

According to prosecutors, Anderson left the refuge on Jan. 27, leaving behind two firearms, including an assault rifle and a handgun that had belonged to his grandfather. The FBI's Evidence Response Team has seized the weapons.

Anderson had returned to his home in Utah for 13 days in January before traveling back to the refuge on Jan. 21, his lawyer said. He wanted to check that he still had his delivery driver's job for a flower company. When he learned he had lost it, he went back to the refuge, his lawyer said.

Anderson, who was born and raised in Provo, Utah, plans to return to his wife and continue to live in a basement apartment in his mother's home that they rent, Kauffman said. His father and stepmother live close by in American Fork, Utah, according to his lawyer.

The judge allowed for Anderson's release, but asked Anderson's attorney to provide him with a report about Anderson's mental status that he could review.

Anderson must remain in Utah, except for trips to Portland for court appearances.

A trial is set for Sept. 7.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward appeared in Spokane this week, invited by the FBI to speak to law enforcement officials about his experiences before and during the takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The Spokane Spokesman-Review reports that Ward said he was dealing with the occupiers for months before the takeover.

After the talk with law enforcement, Ward met with Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, who interviewed Ward for Spokane Talks Online. Knezovich hosts a weekly radio show speaking to community leaders that is podcast on the community conversation website.

Ward told Knezovich that takeover leader Ammon Bundy first requested a meeting on Nov. 5. Ward said he looked into who Bundy was. He told Knezovich:

"It made me a little nervous about why these guys were in my community."

Knezovich in the podcast expresses being impressed with Ward, especially considering the Oregon sheriff had been on the job for less than a year.

"He's an individual who really stood his ground," Knezovich says of Ward. "He's won my respect."

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich

Knezovish also objected, as Ward has, to the occupiers calling themselves patriots.

"Folks, true patriots don't do that to fellow Americans," Knezovich says to Ward. "I'm sorry, that just does not happen. ... For them to use the term 'patriot,' I'm like you, sheriff, I really think they've hijacked the term. They've hijacked the sanctity, if you will, of the revolution."

Ward spoke about the experience at length, saying the occupiers started an "Internet war" against the sheriff's department.

"After about Thanksgiving it really started becoming clear that they were present in the community," Ward tells Knezovich. "There were people that were doing basically surveillance on police officers and their families and the employees and family members of federal agencies such as the refuge employees and the BLM employees, to the point that these folks would drive slowly past your house and yell things out."

The takeover has led to 26 people being charged by the federal government over the 41-day takeover. Leaders objected to federal land-use policies.

Hear the full conversation here.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive
EUGENE -- A judge has ordered the state to pay more than $318,000 to lawyers representing a Eugene man who was kicked by an Oregon State Police captain after a chase.

The Register-Guard reports that U.S. District Judge Michael McShane's March 29 order blames Oregon Department of Justice attorneys who represented Capt. Rob Edwards for the costly legal bill. During the January trial, McShane said, state lawyers filed 22 "groundless" objections and one attorney pretended to be asleep while plaintiff Justin Wilkens was testifying.

During the trial, McShane repeatedly scolded the state assistant attorneys general, primarily Dirk Pierson, for what the judge viewed as unprofessional behavior in court.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum issued a statement saying the DOJ is working to make sure lawyers are aware of standards regarding courtroom behavior.

In January, a federal jury awarded Wilkens more than $180,000 in damages and supported his claim that Edwards used excessive force by kicking him in the chest during a traffic stop in August 2012.

Video of the incident shows Wilkens speeding past Edwards, who was in an unmarked police car. Edwards began to pursue Wilkens and then rear-ended his motorcycle. The police captain can then be seen pointing a gun at Wilkens and kicking him in the chest.

The state has appealed the jury's ruling.

-- The Associated Press
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund recently awarded nearly $2 million through the Local Impact Grants Program to 27 nonprofit organizations across the state.

The money will help local communities improve the health and wellness of children and senior residents, which in turn will help reduce the cost of health care, the fund stated.

Local grant recipients include:

 Midland County Cancer Society, Inc., to provide a multitude of support services to cancer patients and their caregivers/family and expansion the service area. Two year grant: $100,000.

 Adoption Option Inc., to provide funding for gaps in medical expenses for foster and adopted children in 15 counties, including the Great Lakes Bay Region. Two year grant: $125,000.

 Bay County Health Dept. for the integration of behavioral health into existing clinic. Two year grant: $94,900.

 Saginaw Area Foundation for Eye Care to support their Site to Sight program, which involves mobile eye-are including comprehensive eye exams, prescription lenses and in-office surgical procedures. One year grant: $11,000.

Non-profit organizations across the state were invited to apply for the Local Impact Grants through the Funds Fall 2015 grant application process. The grant requests were awarded to organizations focused on areas such as: wellness and fitness programs; healthy food access; behavioral health services; health-related transportation services; foster and adopted children health services; and technology enhancements.

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund is proud to invest in organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children and seniors in our communities, said Rob Fowler, board chairman. Were excited to collaborate with such a variety of community and non-profit organizations as they harness these grants to enhance their programs and services.

Most of the grants awarded will be for a one-year period, and in some cases a two-year duration.

We are pleased to partner with these local organizations who are doing great work to impact the health of their communities, said Paul Hillegonds, CEO of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

The Fund was created as part of 2013 state legislation that allowed Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to become a non-profit mutual health insurer. Nearly $38 million in grants were awarded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund in 2014; $8.5 million awarded in December of 2015 to 29 Michigan community health foundations; and an additional $4.2 million to the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards earlier this year.

For more information on the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, visit healthendowmentfund.org.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A paramedic-firefighter who disappeared last week always put others first, and authorities are asking the public to return the favor by calling police if they have any information that might help search crews scouring the rugged terrain of the Shenandoah National Park.

Nicole Mittendorff, 31, is an avid runner and tri-athlete whose family says might have been training on a trail near where her car was found Saturday, three days after anyone last heard from her.

"As you can imagine, the pain of not knowing where a loved one is can be unbearable," the woman's husband, Steven Mittendorff, said at the news conference.

Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers urged anyone with information to come forward.

"We want to focus on bringing Nicole home safely," he said at the news conference at the fire station where Mittendorff works, just across the Potomac River from the nation's capital. "This is our 911 call to the public."

Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said there is no indication of foul play.

About 100 search and rescue team members from several agencies continued to comb a steep, rocky and forested 10-square-mile section of the 300-square-mile Shenandoah National Park on Tuesday, park spokeswoman Sally Hurlbert said.

About 4 miles of five trails were closed for the search. Among them was the Whiteoak Canyon Trail, a large and popular path connected to Skyline Drive where the missing woman's Mini Cooper was found.

Crews have been searching during daylight hours since Saturday evening, Hulbert said, and there was no talk of quitting until Mittendorff is found.

"I've seen them search three weeks for people," Hulbert said.

Bowers lavished praise on Mittendorff, a three-year veteran of the fire and rescue department.

"She's dedicated, she's respected and she's well-liked among her peers and colleagues," he said.

A spokeswoman for the fire department said those who work closely with Mittendorff did not want to talk to the media.
DETROIT (AP)  The Michigan appeals court has assigned a special group of judges to settle conflicting opinions on a major issue: Should juries have the power to sentence teens convicted of first-degree murder?

A three-judge panel set a key precedent last year when it said juries  not trial judges  must decide whether someone under 18 gets a no-parole sentence. In January, a different set of judges had to apply it to a Flint murder case but firmly disagreed.

Theres dissension among the entire court, said Tonya Krause-Phelan, who teaches criminal law at Western Michigan University Cooley law school.

After a vote, the court recently created a seven-judge panel to take another look. Its a step not taken since 2013. Briefs have been filed but arguments havent been scheduled.

Weve never had jury sentencing in Michigan. It would be a very unusual procedure, said F. Martin Tieber, a lawyer who specializes in appeals. The Court of Appeals knows the Michigan Supreme Court is ultimately going to decide this so it wants to give the Supreme Court a bigger survey of their judges.

In the precedent-setting case, which involved an honors student who was convicted of plotting a fatal attack on her father in St. Clair County, the appeals court tied its decision to a line of U.S. Supreme Court cases, especially a 2012 opinion that teens convicted of first-degree murder must be treated differently than adults.

A prosecutor seeking a no-parole sentence for teens convicted of first-degree murder must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the crime is a reflection of irreparable corruption, judges Stephen Borrello and Joel Hoekstra said in August. In other words, it must be something so heinous that no opportunity for parole is deserved.

If the jury believes that threshold hasnt been met, the defendant would be sentenced to a term of years, Borrello and Hoekstra said.

Judge David Sawyer disagreed.

There is no need to impanel a jury to make any additional factual findings to authorize the trial court to impose a sentence of life without parole, he said in dissent last summer.

Krause-Phelan said a young person hoping to avoid a no-parole sentence may have a better chance with a jury than a judge.

The people sitting in the jury box hopefully are not going to be jaded by years of handling cases of hardened criminals and are going to think of their own sons and daughters and their lack of maturity, she said Tuesday.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department.

Monday, April 18

12:34 a.m.  A deputy was sent to a domestic assault involving a woman, 25, and man, 44, in Ingersoll Township. A report was sent to the prosecutors office.

10:12 a.m.  A deputy was called to Meridian High School for a report of misuse of school computers, and answered staff questions regarding inappropriate use of school resources by students. Staff contacted the students parents, and the students were disciplined for violating school rules. No criminal charges were filed regarding the incident.

11:11 a.m.  A Greendale Township business reported a traveling band was selling compact discs in the parking lot. The group was advised to leave the property.

7 p.m.  Gasoline, valued at $2.15, was stolen from a Greendale Township gas station.

8:10 p.m.  A deputy was sent to a Greendale Township home to assist Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police locate a 25-year-old man who was wanted on a federal warrant. The man was arrested and taken to the Isabella County Jail.

9:02 p.m.  An Ingersoll Township man, 50, reported someone attempted to file a tax return in his name.

Friday, April 16

4:09 p.m.  Deputies were called to investigate a report of inappropriate touching, involving one male student and three female students, that occurred at a Jerome Township school.
Right now, Airmen have the choice between two GI Bills -- the Post 9/11 and Montgomery -- so, it can be difficult to decide which the best is for an Airman.

There are many differences between the two bills that can help an Airman who has the Montgomery GI Bill decide if they want to keep it or transfer to the Post 9/11 GI Bill.



Who is eligible?



Montgomery: Though there are four categories, most current Airmen fall under Category 1 -- Airmen who entered service after June 30, 1985, have had their military pay reduced by $100 for the first 12 months of their service and have served continuously for three years.



Post 9/11: Airmen who have served 30 consecutive days on active duty, or a combined of 90 days or more, since Sept. 10, 2001. Airmen must serve a minimum of three years, or have served 30 consecutive days and have been discharged due to a service-connected disability, to receive 100 percent of tuition and fees to be paid -- otherwise, the percentage payable to the Airman is determined by the amount of time served on active duty.



What are the benefits?



Montgomery: An Airman has up to 10 years after service to use this bill. Up to 36 months of education is paid for -- the 36 months is not consecutive but cumulative, according to when the Airman is considered a full-time student. The tuition is paid directly to the Airman, and currently, up to $1,789 per month is covered (any tuition or fees over this amount, the Airman pays out of pocket for). If an Airman used the buy-up program, they will receive up to $150 extra per month.



Post 9/11: An Airman has up to 15 years after service to use this bill. Like the Montgomery, up to 36 months of education is paid for -- the 36 months is not consecutive but cumulative, according to when the Airman is considered a full-time student. A monthly housing stipend is paid to the member based on the zip code of the school location and is equal to the E5 with dependent rate. An Airman also receives a book stipend per term of up to $1,000 ($41 per credit hour). Airmen can transfer this bill to their dependents; however to do so, they must have served for at least six years and commit to another four years of service.



For public colleges/universities, one hundred percent of tuition and fees is covered and paid directly to the school (unless the Airman served less than three years). For students attending a private school, Airmen are eligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, if the school offers it. Schools participating in the program agree to cover the additional costs above Post 9/11 GI Bill amount, and it does not charge to the bill entitlement.



What is covered under each GI Bill?



Montgomery: This GI Bill can be used for college degree and certificate programs, technical or vocational courses, flight training, apprenticeships or on-the-job training, high-tech training, licensing and certification tests, entrepreneurship training, certain entrance examinations and correspondence courses. Remedial, deficiency and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.



Post 9/11: This GI Bill can be used for GI Bill Resident Rate Requirements, correspondence training, cooperative training, entrepreneurship training, flight training, independent and distance learning, institutions of higher learning undergraduate and graduate degrees, licensing and certification reimbursement, vocational/technical training, non-college degree programs, national testing reimbursement, on-the-job training, tuition Assistance top-up, tutorial assistance and vocational/technical training.



For more information, please visit the following websites:



- Montgomery GI Bill

- Post 9/11 GI Bill

- Air Force Personnel Center GI Bill information

(Information gathered from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Air Force Personnel Center)
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- U.S. Army divers with 7th Engineer Dive Detachment, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, conducted underwater demolition training, April 12-14, at Puuloa Range Complex off the coast of Iroquois Point, Hawaii.

Assisting in the training is 545th transportation Company, 8th TSCs Logistic Support Vessel-2, the U.S. Army Vessel CW3 Harold C. Clinger, supporting the mission by providing transportation for the divers and the explosives.

"We're doing our annual training on LSV-2 for underwater demolition," said 1st Lt. Charles Masters, the executive officer for 7th EDD and diving officer and range officer in charge for the training. "It entails all of our guys going in and doing their checkoffs for dive as well as getting hands on demolition, making charges, inspecting the charges and then detonating."

Each day, the group sailed out to the range with three charges for training, with a total of nine charges.

The charges were set to a depth of 65 feet and detonated using time-delay fuses to ensure everyone was able to get a safe distance away from the explosions.

Masters said that although there were other reasons, the primary purpose of the mission was the training itself.

"Secondary purpose is to get diver checkoffs for our Soldiers," Masters said. "In order for us to move into the ranks, we need specific checkoffs for underwater demolition, salvage, etc.

"A tertiary purpose is to get data on the effects of underwater demolition to marine life in appropriate distances and seeing if that affects them."

The divers used underwater cameras and a hydrophone to collect the data of the effect on the marine life created by the blasts.

A hydrophone is a device used for recording underwater acoustics that can't be detected by humans.

Sgt. John Huff, a lead diver with 7th EDD, said training with explosives underwater can be scary at first but that you quickly get the hang of it.

"The first time it is, but after that it's kind of second nature," Huff said. "You just got to be confident and know your whereabouts in the water."

Huff also said that these types of training missions are a great way for newer Soldiers to get hands-on experience.

"Giving new experiences to new guys, it's always good to see how they react to everything," Huff said. "The knowledge-base that each and every individual has combined as one always benefits everybody."

Some of the impacts that slowed the training were primarily the weather, Masters said.

This included strong winds and high waves that made maneuvering difficult, along with the demolition not working properly.

Another impact the divers had to watch out for was the marine life in the vicinity of the charges.

"When we're doing this underwater demolition range, we have to worry about marine life, especially marine mammals and turtles," Masters said.

"Right now we have a 500-yard radius for mitigation zone for the underwater demolition range where we have three Zodiac boats looking for any marine life that might come into the mitigation zone where we have to stop the demolition," Masters added.

Masters said that despite the impacts the training was still a success and he enjoyed being able to do it.

"This is a great training opportunity and we're really glad to be working with the LSVs and 545th to gather this information both for the Navy, the military and for this training for 7th Dive," Masters said.
First Gray Eagle Flight Expands Army Aviation Capability in Alaska By Staff Sgt. Sean Brady U.S. Army Alaska

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska -- The morning of April 11 was especially important for the Soldiers of UATFs Delta Company, 25th Aviation Regiment Gray Eagle as they prepared for the inaugural flight of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle Unmanned Aerial System in Alaska.



Just minutes after 10 oclock the Gray Eagle left the tarmac, gaining altitude on its first flight in Alaskan airspace. Gray Eagle arrived in Alaska late last year to enhance the tactical capabilities of commanders in USARAK Aviation, Stryker and Airborne units, along with joint partners.



"It's taken more than four years and included countless Federal and Department of Defense personnel to move Gray Eagle in Alaska forward," said Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Reed Greenwood, USARAK's lead aviation planner. "Making Gray Eagle a reality required USARAK to work closely with DoD-level aviation managers and to solicit recommendations and involvement from the Alaska public through a half-dozen outreach events."



The versatility of Gray Eagle gives units in Alaska the ability to train for wartime tasks with real-world combat assets. The aircraft is the newest addition to UATFs inventory, capable of operating in extreme cold regions across the globe.



With the addition of the Gray Eagle, we continue to provide top notch, professional aviation support to the Stryker and Airborne Brigade while simultaneously maintaining MEDEVAC and aerial firefighting capabilities for the Army and our local partners, said Col. Blake Alexander, UATF commander.



UATFs diversity is shown not only by the aircraft they have, but through the variety of their missions and operating environments. Alaska has a range of weather and environmental conditions that cannot be replicated anywhere in the United States.



With extreme altitudes over the highest mountains in North America and in temperatures ranging from 90 degrees in the summer to minus 50 degrees in the winter, UATF aviators are ready to fly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in support of emergency response medical evacuation missions for the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center and fight summer wild fires in support of the Bureau of Land Management. These missions go beyond the requirement to provide trained and ready aviation units to the U.S. Pacific Command and for other global contingency operations.



With the addition of an AH-64 Apache battalion in August 2015, UATF now has an aerial attack capability never seen before in Alaska. These arctic-capable Apaches are outfitted with skis year-round, stabilizing the aircraft when landing on muskeg, snowpack and glaciers. The 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade is currently testing an equipment pod to hold aviators extreme cold-weather survival gear, a unique requirement for combat operations in extreme cold regions like the Arctic.



The current era of Army aviation in Alaska began in 2005 with Task Force 49, a medium combat aviation brigade headquarters. Over the next five years, TF 49 deployed seven modular aviation units to Iraq over five separate deployments. In 2011, TF 49 transitioned to become 16th Combat Aviation Brigade and the headquarters moved to Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington.



Now under the complete mission command of UATF and USARAK, Alaska aviation battalions have deployed modularly to Afghanistan and Korea and have supported five National Training Center rotations at Fort Irwin, California.



"I'm extremely proud of the accomplishments of the UATF headquarters and staff over the last 10 months, said Alexander. This unit has demonstrated they can provide the leadership, coordination, mission command and oversight to achieve any mission for the Army and the state of Alaska.



With more aviation combat power now in the Pacific region than in recent memory, UATF stands ready to fly, fight and train in an area bigger than Texas, Montana, California and Kansas combined. Within that area is the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, a series of training areas open to joint, interagency and multinational training. The JPARC consists of 65,000 square miles of airspace and 2,490 square miles of land space with 1.5 million acres of maneuver land. The space allows for full-spectrum engagements, combined arms exercises, and unique opportunities to train with international partners.



We are looking forward to maintaining our engagement in the pacific with the Nepalese Army Aviation and future coalition partnerships, said Alexander. I'm really looking forward to this summer as we expand our joint capabilities with the U.S. Air Force during the upcoming Red Flag and Arctic Anvil training exercises.


BLOOMINGTON  The largely vacant, former Colonial Plaza shopping center has a new name  Empire Crossing  and several national brand stores, including PetSmart, opening later this year to mark what officials see as its retail rebirth.

PetSmart officials have confirmed the company plans to open a store in the long-shuttered former Circuit City store, a 23,000-square-foot site at 1606 E. Empire St. that has remained vacant since early 2009.

"Currently, we have a store planned in Bloomington, slated to open later this year," PetSmart spokeswoman Melissa Wenzel said in an email Wednesday.

Wenzel said she could not confirm further details about the store until closer to its grand opening later this year.

Currently, PetSmart has 60 stores in Illinois, but none in the Twin Cities.

The adjacent, 88,797-square-foot former Kmart store, which closed in January 2015, also is being remodeled to house Dick's Sporting Goods, Home Goods, Five Below and Carter's Oshkosh B'gosh.

"They're all going to open between mid-August and Oct. 31," said Michael Markman, president of BET Investments, which manages the shopping center on Empire Street near Veterans Parkway.

DSW-Designer Shoe Warehouse, which also signed a letter of intent or lease for a space in the shopping center, won't open until April 2017, he added.

The shopping center is being renamed Empire Crossing, Bloomington Economic Development Coordinator Austin Grammer said Wednesday.

"It's something we've worked on with the city," said Markman. "They thought it would be a good idea to rebrand it and rename it to kind of reflect the location."

Innovative Construction Solutions Inc. of Brookfield, Wis., was issued a city building permit Monday for a $1 million remodel of the former Circuit City store.

The owner/developer of that building is Chris Sotos of Chicago-based Key Development Partners, who could not be reached for comment.

"It's great to see a long-vacant building be filled with a quality tenant such as PetSmart," said Bloomington Assistant City Manager Steve Rasmussen.

"The $1 million is a great piece of this, but it is actually a small part of the whole picture," said Mayor Tari Renner.

BT Bloomington owns the Kmart building and shopping center, which had a 77 percent vacancy rate last year when the company committed to a $10 million renovation for Dick's, which is moving from its smaller Normal location.

In exchange, the city established in February a tax increment financing redevelopment project area that includes the shopping center and covers over 82 acres of taxable property, including the Towanda Plaza shopping center on Towanda Avenue.

"It shows we're getting our act together on economic development and job creation in Bloomington," said Renner. "Bloomington is flexing its economic muscles, and that is a good thing. I am proud to be mayor as we are moving forward with things like this."

In the past two months the city issued building permits to Eilersom Development Corp., Midlothian, Va., for $159,000 in asbestos and lead abatement and demolition, and exterior alteration of the old Kmart store; and $98,000 for the remodel of space for the Five Below store.

Markman said his company continues efforts to fill other vacancies in the shopping center.

"We're actively negotiating letters of intent and leases with other national retailers," said Markman. "Those will probably be announced over the next three months."
CHAMPAIGN  The union that represents nontenured faculty at the University of Illinois started a two-day strike Tuesday in its quest for a contract, but top school administrators said the walkout is not the right approach.

Members of the Nontenure-Track Faculty Coalition Local 6546 expressed hope their strike would help speed up contract negotiations that have dragged on since October 2014, shortly after the state first recognized the union as a bargaining unit. The contract would be the group's first with the university.

Non-tenure track faculty at Illinois State University have been in a union since 2002. The current contract with ISU's Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association/Illinois Education Association-National Education Association is in effect through June 30, 2017.

Membership at ISU's union varies between 400 and 450, according to Eric Jome, ISU director of media relations.

At the U of I's Urbana-Champaign campus, a few dozen union members picketed throughout the day Tuesday outside the English Building. The union represents about 500 people, but it was not immediately clear how many classes were called off or otherwise affected.

This is our chance to show our united strength and value on our campus, Christina De Angelo, an instructor in the department of Spanish and Portuguese and a union official, wrote on the group's Facebook page.

But interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson and interim Provost Edward Feser said in an emailed statement that while they appreciate the faculty members, their union should work with the university through an already appointed federal mediator.

This two-day strike seeks to demonstrate what we already know and believe. But it does not help us make progress together, the statement read.

Nontenured faculty work on short-term contracts and want longer-term deals based on years of service  two-year contracts after five years of service and three years for 10 years of service.

Wilson and Feser said they support longer contracts, but based on merit and at the discretion of individual departments.

Faculty members at many universities across the country have complained in recent years about the growing reliance on nontenured instructors, who often make less money.
"Traditional" first aid is the kind we learned in school or at a Red Cross class  how to stop bleeding, splint a broken leg, wash something out of your eye.

But in addition to specialized aid classes (wilderness, sports, babysitting, pets), mental health first aid helps those in emotional distress from illness or a contributing factor such as a fire, tornado or unexpected death.

Discussions and actions about mental health needs in McLean County have been ongoing for several years; the county's role was recognized on a national level last week when people from eight states spent time in Bloomington for a training session on mental health first aid.

The "train the trainers" session at the McLean County Health Department was led by practitioners who have put the program into action for some time. They taught 30 participants  16 from Central Illinois  who included firefighters, police officers, emergency medical responders, health professionals and educators.

That training session means the participants will be able to teach Mental Health First Aid to the general public so they can help people experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. Statistics show one in five of us will experience a mental illness at one point in our lives.

Mental Health First Aid began in McLean County in 2014 when four representatives of the Center for Human Services, McLean County's tax-supported mental health agency, became trained and began offering the class in collaboration with the health department, Advocate BroMenn Medical Center and other partners.

Since then, more than 600 people have been trained in Mental Health First Aid in the county.

Specifically, the class teaches people how to assess someone for risk of suicide or harm, to listen non-judgmentally, to give reassurances and information and to encourage professional help, according to a story by Pantagraph health editor Paul Swiech.

As the public becomes more comfortable in discussing the causes and effects of mental illness, we have become more sensitized to the needs of those who need assistance.

Yet, without basic knowledge of how to help, many of us back away because we are afraid or unsure of the correct course of action.

But just like basic first aid, when we learned to apply direct pressure to stop bleeding or to use a tourniquet on an artery, basic knowledge from a mental health first aid class allows us to provide immediate help.

As with so many things, common sense and compassion can go a long way toward helping those in need. We congratulate the health department and its partners for their strong belief in the need for mental health first aid, and for their willingness to share the information with so many people.
SPRINGFIELD  A rally near the state Capitol to pressure lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner to reach a compromise to fund higher education on Wednesday drew several hundred students, employees and supporters from universities and colleges across the state.

Because of the ongoing standoff between the Republican governor and the Democrats who control the General Assembly, those institutions have gone nearly 10 months without any state funding. The state also has failed to fund grants to low-income students through the Monetary Award Program, which has forced public and private schools to choose between covering the grant shortfall or letting students bear the cost.

Speaking to a crowd representing the full spectrum of Illinois higher education community, Mitch Dickey, University of Illinois student body president and a MAP grant recipient, put it bluntly: Its ridiculous. Its tragic. Its pathetic.

Were watching our higher education system in one year erode, Dickey said.

Catie Witt, an Eastern Illinois University junior who was recently elected student body president, has witnessed that erosion firsthand.

Also a MAP grant recipient, Witt has seen her school slash hundreds jobs and enact other cutbacks to keep its doors open. While the school has covered its students MAP grants, the future remains uncertain.

Im really scared for next year, Witt said after addressing the crowd.

The rally came a day after three new proposals to fund higher education emerged at the Statehouse.

One House plan would give all public universities one-third of their annual funding and cover one semesters worth of MAP grants, and another would give full funding to the four universities hardest hit by the impasse: Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Northeastern Illinois universities.

Neither House proposal includes any funding for community colleges.

A plan in the Senate would include community colleges, one semester of MAP grants and need-based funding for universities.

Also in the mix is a bill sitting on the governors desk that would fund all of higher education, along with social services that also havent received any state money this fiscal year.

Rauner has vetoed several higher education funding bills because he says the state doesnt have the money to pay for them.

Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, who represents Illinois State University and whose daughter is a student there, assured the crowd that conversations are taking place across aisle to come up with a solution. He encouraged them to speak with their legislators at the Capitol.

We need your help, Brady said, adding that it will ultimately take agreement from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and Rauner to move a plan forward.

Speaking later, Brady said rank-and-file lawmakers are working on a plan that would blend Fortners and Mayfields proposals in an effort to win bipartisan support.

Janet Hill-Getz, executive director of government relations for Heartland Community College in Normal, attended the rally, which came a day after the schools board voted to cut 23 positions over three years, in part due to the lack of state funding.

She said the school supports any solution that includes money for community colleges.
SPRINGFIELD  Several proposals to amend the Illinois Constitution are advancing in the General Assembly as an early May deadline looms.

The Senate Executive Committee voted Tuesday to send three proposed amendments to the full Senate for a vote, and House committees did likewise Monday with two measures.

The Senate measures that would do away with the constitutions flat tax provision, change the way legislative and congressional districts are drawn, and eliminate the lieutenant governors office.

House committees approved a different redistricting plan and a proposal from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, that would require that state to cover the majority of the cost of public education.

Its ultimately up to voters to decide whether to change the state constitution. If the Legislature wants to put a question to voters, each chamber must approve the proposal by a three-fifths majority at least six months before the next general election.

Lawmakers are limited to asking voters to change no more than three articles of the constitution in a given election, which means not all of the proposals heading to the chamber floors can end up on the November ballot.

State Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, chairman of the executive committee, is sponsoring the amendment that would allow Illinois to begin charging different tax rates based on income.

The current rate is 3.75 percent for all taxpayers.

Harmon said the proposal would allow Illinois to join the modern era and noted that neighboring Wisconsin has a graduated income tax system.

Although there is a bill pending to set tax rates ranging from 3.5 percent for individuals earning less than $100,000 a year to 9.75 percent for incomes over $1 million, the proposed amendment itself doesnt deal with what the rates would be. That is one of many concerns the idea raised for Republicans.

Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, called it an open door for allowing higher taxes on the middle class.

An identical House proposal is scheduled for a committee hearing Thursday.

The Senate redistricting plan, sponsored by state Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, is substantially different from one being considered in the House and one being pushed by a group called Independent Maps.

Unlike those proposals, which would create independent commissions, Raouls plan would leave the process for drawing district lines in the hands of the General Assembly with approval from the governor.

It would do away with the current system of dividing each state Senate district into two state House districts, making the House and Senate district boundaries independent. This would enable better representation of minority communities, Raoul said.

State Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, is proposing the elimination of the lieutenant governors office, a move he says would show the states commitment to consolidating government operations and save $1.6 million annually, a minute fraction of the states roughly $36 billion budget.

While his fellow Democrats passed the bill out of committee, most indicated that they wouldnt support it on the Senate floor.

A House committee last week approved a similar proposal.

Also in the House, Madigans proposed education funding amendment is headed for a floor vote.

The speaker, who was a delegate to Illinois 1970 constitutional convention, said the measure is intended to enshrine that education is a fundamental right and one that should be primarily the states obligation to fund.

The measure wouldnt set up a specific formula for funding schools. That would be up to the Legislature to determine based on the new requirement if its approved by voters, Madigan said.
SPRINGFIELD  There are once again competing proposals to get money to public universities that have been deprived of state funding during the nearly yearlong budget standoff at the Capitol.

The House Executive Committee signed off on a plan Tuesday from state Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, that would send a full years worth of funding to the universities hardest hit by the lack of a budget: Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Northeastern Illinois universities. Mayfield said she plans to amend the bill to add $10 million for Southern Illinois University, 5 percent of its annual state funding.

Without this funding, we will see one university close this month, Mayfield said, referring to Chicago State. Eastern and Western arent far behind, she said.

The idea is to keep the doors open until, hopefully, we get a budget this summer, Mayfield said

The total price tag of her plan is $166.3 million, and the revenue would come from forgiving repayment of money borrowed from special state funds to plug holes in last years budget.

State Rep. Mike Fortner, R-West Chicago, is proposing a plan that covers one-third of annual funding for all nine public university systems and one semesters worth of grants to low-income students through the Monetary Award Program, which isnt included in Mayfields plan.

Fortners plan would cost $558.3 million, with the revenue coming from the states education assistance fund. The fund, which gets dedicated revenue from the state income tax, gambling and other sources, is expected to have $600 million available by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

Fortner said his stopgap plan, which has the support of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Sen. Pat McGuire, D-Joliet, chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, would provide a critical piece to bridge us across until a comprehensive solution is achieved.

This plan will provide certainty for students as well as universities, he said.

This time of year is very important, Fortner said. This is when students are making their commitments to where they will attend next fall.

McGuire, who joined nine House Republicans at a Tuesday news conference announcing the plan, said jobs and programs have been cut at universities as a result of the budget stalemate. The next step is the possible loss of accreditation, particularly at Chicago State.

If that happens to a university, McGuire said, we might as well put a tag on the toe of that institution.

Fortners plan faces an uphill battle in the House.

Steve Brown, a spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said there are two better options already on the table.

This comes in a distant third at the moment, Brown said.

In addition to Mayfields bill, theres also a $3.9 billion spending bill on Rauners desk that would authorize spending for all of higher education, including community colleges and MAP grants, and other social services that arent receiving funding due to the impasse.

Rauner has said he wont sign the bill because theres no way to pay for it.
Children in the southern part of California have better respiratory health thanks to decreasing levels of air pollution in the state. A study has recorded lower ozone, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in the air in the past few years.

Healthier Lungs

Vehicle-emission regulations aimed to decrease air pollution have been implemented in southern California, particularly in large ports situated outside Los Angeles and Long Beach, Reuters reported. Those regulations helped lessened children's lung issues such as bronchitis, chronic coughs, colds, phlegm and congestion.

The study -- published in The Journal of American Medical Association -- was conducted by a team of scientistsfrom the University of Southern California, assessed three groups of children living in eight areas in the state. Beginning at an average age of eight, 4,602 children from five to 18 years old were observed from different time periods: 1993-2001, from 1996-2004 and 2003-2012.

Shorter Life Spans

Study leader Kiros Berhane believes that the study's findings can urge other states and other countries to make more efforts to curb air pollution and lower the risks of children developing lung disorders, Reuters wrote. This week, a report from the American Lung Association identified many areas in California with the worst pollution levels in the U.S., including Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Fresno and Oakland.

ALA's study discovered that 166 million Americans will suffer the consequences of polluted air. About 52.1 percent of people living in the U.S. are expected to have shorter life spans. Not only that, they are more susceptible to serious lung ailments like asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular disorders as well as reproductive problems.

Cleaner vehicles and power plants in the country have helped reduce air pollution. However, some areas are still enveloped in polluted air. Like the U.S., China is also suffering from high air pollution levels.

Beijing Smog Moving To Other Areas

One of the countries with serious pollution problems is China, particularly in Beijing. The capital's air quality may have improved currently, but China's problems with smog aren't over yet. A study from Greenpeace East Asia found that smog from Beijing is being driven towards the country's poorer central and western provinces.

Pollution particulates in Beijing's air plummeted to 27 percent thanks to the government's stricter regulations imposed on factories, the Wall Street Journal reported. Those companies, however, have devised ways to get around the restrictions. They have transferred operations to central and western areas in China, where regulations are less severe. Thus, the possibility or air pollution rises in those provinces.

In the United Kingdom, experts said that 200,000 people will die with illnesses caused by air pollution, according to the Mirror. The country's air toxicity surpasses pollution limits established by the World Health Organization and the European Union.
Women who aspire for a high-paying job should consider delaying having babies until after they are 30. A new study highlights how motherhood can affect employment chances or loss of income for working women who have children earlier.

Researchers from Washington University cited that women have to make some financial trade-offs in choosing children over career. Even women who have college degrees stand to reduce their chances of earning better if they have their first child at 25 or below.

The study, which was published in the journal PLOS One and led by Man Yee Leung, looked into data taken from 1996 to 2009 in 1.6 million Danish women from the ages of 25 to 60. Their findings revealed that mothers who have had children before hitting 30, but are now working full time, earn a lot less than women who never had children, per Medical News Today.

High Paying Job: Are Children Career Killers?

"Children do not kill careers, but the earlier children arrive the more their mother's income suffers," said study co-author Raul Santaeulalia-Llopis, via Science News Line. The researchers estimated that working mothers lose at least two and half years' worth of labor income against their childless counterparts.

The study further learned that working moms with college degrees could eventually catch up with their colleagues, but it is worse for those who have not gone to college. Average income loss for working moms who do not have degrees is at 65 percent compared to their counterparts.

This implied that delaying pregnancy could be an incentive for women who are focused on their careers. But it should be worth noting that Denmark has a well-devised maternity leave plan, so the variables might be higher for women in the United States.

Career Over Children: The Impact To Society

Given these results, the study authors suggested companies should consider adding fertility treatments as a benefit to its workers. "The fact that highly productive women who have children earlier enter a lower income path is not only a loss for them, but for the entire society," said Santaeulalia-Llopis.

A recent CDC report pointed out that the rate of women choosing to have babies at an older age is increasing in the United States. While this has its own advantages and disadvantages, biologically, the chances of conception go down as a woman ages, especially without the help of fertility treatments.
Fisher Price pulled out three models of its infant cradle swings from the market after the company was informed that two cradle swings have fallen. Fisher Price cradle swings were immediately recalled to avoid any additional untoward incidents.

Thousands Of Fisher Price Cradle Swings Recalled

Huffington Post reported that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated that about 34,000 Fisher Price cradle swings were recalled. The Fisher Price cradle swing models that were included in the recall were CHM84 Soothing Savanna Cradle 'n Swing, CMR40 Sweet Surroundings Cradle 'n Swing and CMR43 Sweet Surroundings Butterfly Friends Cradle 'n Swing.

If you have one of these 3 infant cradle n swing models, get safety recall info at https://t.co/wCfuC3cbPp pic.twitter.com/3oRCbJpTSH  Fisher-Price (@FisherPrice) April 14, 2016

Peg Comes Out Of Seat

The two incidents where the Fisher Price cradle swings fell involved a peg coming out of the seat. According to a CPSC, when the Fisher Price cradle swing's seat peg is "not fully engaged," the cradle seat may fall unexpectedly. When this happens, babies may suffer from an injury.

Local 8 Now said that out of the two reported incidents of the Fisher Price cradle swings, none of them resulted to an injury. However, the CSPC still advised owners of the Fisher Price cradle swing to stop using the product.

New Fisher Price Cradle Swing Assembly Instructions

Since the Fisher Price cradle swing recall, owners were also advised to contact the company and ask for new assembly instructions. For those who aren't sure whether the product they're using are included in the Fisher Price cradle swing recall, they can check beneath the pad on the seat for the product number.

Although out of the thousands of Fisher Price cradle swings that are available on the market, only two were reported to have malfunctioned -- but the company is still bent on a Fisher Price cradle swing recall. The two incidents may be considered as isolated cases, but for Fisher Price, it is probably better to issue a recall of more than 34,000 units than wait for a child to sustain injury from usage thereof.
An old myth has been debunked after researchers explored the truth about circumcision and pleasure. A study published in the Journal of Urology suggests that both circumcised and uncircumcised penises have the same level of sensitivity.

Circumcision does not reduce penile sensitivity, research finds: New research conducted at Queen's Un... https://t.co/eEMzMUc4Xl #science  SOMERCO (@SomercoResearch) April 14, 2016



The Myth

Researchers from Queen's University in Ontario, Canada settled the age-old debate about circumcision and the resulting reduced sensitivity. In a study of 62 men aging 18 to 37 years old, they found that circumcised penises are no less sensitive than the uncircumcised ones, Huffington Post reports. The finding also challenges previous research suggesting that the foreskin is the most sensitive part of the adult penis.

"There's a lot of popular folklore that circumcised penises are less sensitive," Jennifer Bossio, a Ph.D. student in psychology and the lead author on the study, shared to Vox. The lore continues that without the foreskin, a man's penis will harden slightly, impairing sensitivity and pleasure.

The Study

Bossio and her colleagues gathered 62 brave Canadian men, who underwent various touching mechanisms to gauge levels of sensitivity. Thirty of the men were circumcised and the rest were not. Sensations such as fine touching, pain, warmth and heat pain were administered to the penises. The researchers increase the intensity until the participant says he feels something.

"We found that while the foreskin was more sensitive to fine touch, it was not more sensitive to the other stimuli we used, and those stimuli are likely more important in sexual pleasure," Bossio was quoted by Huffington Post. Bossio and her team couldn't find any difference between the two groups. They concluded that circumcision does not affect penile sensitivity.

The lead researcher noted that many anti-circumcision activists believe that removing the foreskin via circumcision can affect a man's sex life. As mentioned earlier, the foreskin is believed to be the most sensitive part of the penis.

The Recommendation

The researchers admit that the results are just preliminary and very few studies of this nature have been made. Although there have been established health benefits of circumcision, there is little known about the sexual benefits.

While the American Academy of Pediatrics supports the routine circumcision of newborn males, the Canadian Pediatrics Society does not. Both countries recently revised their policies about routine neonatal circumcision, Eureka Alert reports. However, CPS admits that foreskin removal can reduce urinary tract infection, sexually transmitted pathogens like herpes and protect against penile cancer.

Bossio is planning to explore more about erectile dysfunction in her next study. To know more benefits of circumcision, check out the video below:
An award of $50 million was given to a mother who was injured maimed by her obstetrician Michael Ihemaguba. Llaulin Cruz, who gave birth at St. Barnabas Hospital in 2009, did not know that her body had been damaged permanently until after her second pregnancy.

The New York Daily News reports that the childbirth Llaulin Cruz went through in 2009 turned into a nightmare because of obstetrician Michael Ihemaguba's mistake. Llaulin Cruz obtained tissue lacerations during childbirth and was given an unnecessary episiotomy that never properly healed.

The childbirth process, which should have been normal for all intents and purposes, caused damage to the mother's digestive system as well. Llaulin Cruz did not know that her body was injured severely during childbirth.

The Bronx mother only knew she had strange discharges after childbirth. When Cruz became pregnant with her son after a year, the mother was attended by a midwife.

Fertility is not just a 'woman thing', it's also a 'couple thing', we need to inform men about fertility too #fertilitysummit  The FSRH (@FSRH_UK) April 15, 2016

At that point, neither Cruz nor the midwife were aware of the already extensive tissue injuries inside the mother's body. The midwife, Gloria Murray, helped Llaulin Cruz deliver her son vaginally. This extended the already massive damages inside Cruz's body.

None of the several consultations and surgeries could correct Llaulin Cruz's condition. The Bronx mother was eventually forced to quit her job as a consequence.

Today Llaulin Cruz can no longer be too far from the bathroom and is rarely far from her house. Besides the incontinence, Llaulin Cruz is unable to have sex with her husband because of the unbearable pain she experiences.

Thorough and expert care for a mother and her baby during pregnancy and childbirth are essential, to say the least. Support from both family and medical experts are critical in this period to assure safety and quality of life. Public Source, however, reports that a very real crisis taking place among prenatal and childbirth care centers in the US.

In Pennsylvania alone, 28 obstetric units were lost between the period of 2004 and 2014 because of financial factors. Unless this is addressed, overburdened centers and doctors may unwittingly create more pregnancy and childbirth cases as that of Llaulin Cruz.
Deemed as one of the world's worst eruptions in history, the North Korea volcano, Mount Paektu, is threatening to unleash its fury after hundreds of years of lying dormant. The closed country even sought the help of American and British scientists to help monitor the activity of Paektu Mountain. Experts say the danger is imminent. The threat is real.

Located at the borders of North Korea and China, Mount Paektu was dormant for hundreds of years until now, when it showed clear signs of activity. Its last eruption, which created a 5-kilometer crater and showered Japan with ash even at 1,100 km away, was in 946 AD.

According to Express, scientists who were called by North Korean government to check on Mount Paektu's volcanic activity said that the threat of an impending eruption is "very real." With the looming threat of an eruption, 1.6 million living within 100 km of this North Korea volcano are in danger.

Sprinkled with villages and blueberries, Korea's Mount Paektu has been rumbling. Will it soon erupt? https://t.co/FcOGdvEjF3  National Geographic (@NatGeo) April 15, 2016



Reports have it that if Mount Paektu erupts now, a rating of seven on the Volcanic Explosively Index can result. This is bordering to a rating of eight, which, according to scientists, any number above eight will cause global devastation.

Previous reports showed that what could have triggered Mount Paektu to become active after hundreds of years of dormancy were the underground nuclear tests that North Korea was doing. IFL Science said that the underground blasts may result to destabilizing the sleeping giant.

One of the tests conducted claimed by North Korea as a hydrogen bomb detonation, resulted to a 5.1 magnitude earthquake, with pressure waves reaching the magma source right beneath Mount Paektu. Scientists said that if a 7 magnitude earthquake will result from another blast, it will be enough to increase the pressure in the magma chamber which could lead to a powerful North Korea volcano eruption.

Mysterious #volcano prompts collaboration of North Korean, Western scientists - Christian Science Monitor : https://t.co/ID0JTjgCG5  Volcano Alert (@VolcanoAlert) April 19, 2016

"I think the risk of a destructive eruption here is very real," says Stephen Grand, a University of Texas seismologist. Another seismologist from University of London, James Hammond, said that they need to keep an eye on Mount Paektu.

National Geographic reported that Kayla Iacovino of the U.S. Geological Survey said that in the event of Mount Paektu's eruption, it could at least affect international trade routes and also commercial airline traffic.

Many scientists are concerned due to the imminent danger that this North Korea volcano poses, not only to the country, but to the world. They are hoping that a strong collaboration between North Korea, China and other scientists will pave the way to better findings regarding the possible eruption of Mount Paektu.
New Secretary of Education John King wants schools to expand their focus on other subjects such as social sciences, the arts and world languages. The aim is to give students a better well-rounded education.

Today, public officials and private citizens are drafting the regulations of the "Every Student Success Act," which aims to give students a more balanced set of course offerings. King hopes that the new act will allow schools to push for a broader definition of educational excellence.

The new act also offers an opportunity for states and districts to get creative in forming a more comprehensive definition for an excellent education. The new act was passed in December taking the place of the controversial education law of the Bush era.

The previous "No Child Left Behind Act" is an education law that encouraged emphasis on reading and math, typically compromising other subject matters. The main federal education law, which was signed in 2002, required schools to show significant progress in math and reading test scores.

Under the previous law, students are required to take yearly-standardized tests in math and reading from Grade 3 to Grade 8 and once in high school. Standardized tests in science, on the other hand, are required three times from grades 3 to 12.

The previous education law, unfortunately, had the unintentional consequence of narrowing the student curriculum, according to Washington Post. Although the "Every Student Succeeds Act" will still use the same testing schedule, states will have the freedom to set goals for their schools for which they will be held accountable for.

Students with well-rounded education programs have been neglected due to the tight focus on math and reading eventually ignoring other subjects, according to King. Often times, the tight focus could also be blamed on resources, time and money, according to Huffington Post.

Although strong literary and math skills are important for college, careers and success in life, King said they are not enough. Aside from focusing on the arts, world languages and social students, King is also committed to teaching computer science, a reflection of President Barack Obama's concerns in his latest budget proposal.
Olivia Wilde announced she's having her baby number two with Jason Sudeikis in an intimate snap on Monday. The former "House" star shared a photo together with her son revealing her growing baby bump on Instagram.

"Matching baby bumps," Olivia Wilde captioned her picture with her baby boy, Otis Alexander. The mother and child were both cradling their tummies while sitting on their bed, according to E! Online.

Pop Sugar reported Olivia Wilde has been spotted in a beach getaway in Maui, Hawaii over the weekend displaying her baby bump. The 32-year-old model was accompanied by her 2-year-old son and Jason Sudeikis.

Olivia Wilde wore an overall but, she unbuttoned the strap, then revealing her baby bump. Wilde was seen playing with and chatting in the sand with her family as well.

Matching baby bumps.  A photo posted by Olivia Wilde (@oliviawilde) on Apr 18, 2016 at 11:38am PDT

Moreover, Olivia Wilde recently told People she and Jason Sudeikis want to give Otis a sibling. "I'm desperate for more [kids]!" the female producer said at Marimekko for Target event in New York.

"I love my siblings, so much and Jason has incredible siblings too. The more the merrier," Olivia Wilde added. Jason Sudeikis, on the other hand, has been vocal about his interest to have more kids with his fiance, Olivia Wilde.

The "We're The Millers" actor told E! Online the "Vinyl" actress is actually "all for it." "My own kid [makes me want more], because I made it with Olivia and that seems like a good cocktail," Jason Sudeikis explained.

Jason Sudeikis also talked about marriage with Olivia Wilde. "I believe that we won't get married until weed is legal in every state," he said.

Meanwhile, Time noted Olivia Wilde recently joined a list of stars who are expectant moms.. Eva Mendes, Blake Lively and Megan Fox recently announced about their pregnancies as well.

What can you say about Olivia Wilde's pregnancy? Share us your thoughts. Write your comments below.
United Nations General Assembly Special Sessions that will take place in New York will be discussing the global drug policies focused on medical cannabis. The meeting agenda would include cannabis' status on drug classification where it is currently classified as Schedule I.

According to Freedom Leaf, the UN General Assembly Special Sessions would take place on April 19-21. The officials will be road mapping the plans of updating the international cannabis policy which was not updated since 1972. The cannabis policy remained un-updated wherein it remained as Schedule I of 1961 UN's Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Schedule I drugs includes heroin, which is described as possessing high potential for abuse. It is also mentioned that the Schedule I category involves drugs that are not accepted in medical treatment. Medical cannabis, on the other hand, no longer belongs to Schedule I as it was already proven to have various medical benefits.

The Guardian then added that UN's narcotic drugs conference coincidentally landed on the same date as the 4/20 celebration. Though the dates may be unintended it is, however, something that raised awareness and attention which called out the attention of the media as stated by the NORMAL deputy director, Paul Armentano.

"It is an indication of the unique cultural and social acceptance enjoyed by cannabis that this date now garners such wide-stream awareness and attention from the mainstream media," Armentano stated. "It is meaningful that world leaders are finally engaging in substantive discussions with regard to cannabis policy and possible law reform."

Cannabis advocates hoped that UN's General Assembly would shed a light in having medical cannabis accessible. As of this date, medical cannabis is being legalized in numerous states across the US and its neighboring countries. With its proven effectiveness, medical cannabis is now shaking the medical world with its healing properties.
Despite the latest reports claiming the development of artificial intelligence (AI) could end humanity within decades, it recently proved its use in cancer diagnosis. University of California Los Angeles researchers found a new method of detecting cancer cells faster and more accurately without destroying them.

Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Diagnosis

In the study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports, scientists at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA revealed they've developed a new device that combines a special microscope with an artificial intelligence algorithm. This innovation aimed to identify cancer non-destructively, Popular Science notes.

Moreover, the new artificial intelligence technique can also be an asset of precision medicine since it can detect cancer cells more quickly and efficiently. According to Genetic Literacy Project, the microscope known as a photonic time stretch microscope uses specially designed nanosecond-long light pulsations that are broken into lines to capture images of hundreds of thousands of cells per second.

"The photonic time stretch technique allows us to identify rogue cells in a short time with low-level illumination," UCLA doctoral student Claire Lifan Chen said, as per UCLA Newsroom. Chen, along with Northrop-Grumman Optoelectronics Chair in electrical engineering professor Bahram Jalali and UCLA postdoctoral fellow Ata Mahjoubfar, led the new study.

The said images that are detected and digitized at a rate of 36 million images per second are then fed into a deep learning computer program that categorizes 16 of the cells' different physical features. These include cell features like its diameter, circularity and the amount of light it absorbs, as well to distinguish cancer cells from healthy white blood cells.

"Each frame is slowed down in time and optically amplified so it can be digitized," Mahjoubfar said. "This lets us perform fast cell imaging that the artificial intelligence component can distinguish."

In addition, the deep learning program is reportedly in the form of artificial intelligence. It uses complex algorithms to extract meaning from data with the goal of achieving accurate decision making.

Artificial Intelligence Could End Humanity

Meanwhile, the latest artificial intelligence-driven innovation came after a leading scientist involved in the development of AI warned that it could rise up against humans. The scientist also added that artificial intelligence could destroy humanity within decades, Daily Express reports.

Cambridge' Microsoft Research expert Chris Bishop, business magnate Elon Musk and Professor Stephen Hawking have all expressed their concerns about the threat of artificial intelligence to humanity. However, they also stressed that if managed correctly, the use of artificial intelligence could also bring several societal benefits.

"I think we should be very careful about Artificial Intelligence," Musk said. "If I had to guess at what our biggest existential threat is, it's probably that. So we need to be very careful."

Artificial Intelligence Could Predict Cyber Attacks

In other related news, artificial intelligence could reportedly help in predicting cyber-attacks. As per CBS News, MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and machine-learning startup PatternEx researchers developed an artificial intelligence platform called AI2 that can predict cyber-attacks 85 percent of the time, but with the help of a human analyst.

Do you think artificial intelligence could end the human race? Sound off below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
A new study found that kids who prefer sugary snacks are at a higher risk for obesity than those who favor a bag of chips. Scientists have also discovered enough evidence to suggest a child's food preference is biologically-wired.

Some Kids Are Predisposed To Sweets

In a study published on Pediatrics via CBS News, a research team from the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital examined the food preference of more than 200 kids from low-income mothers. The kids fasted for one hour before choosing what they'll be having for lunch.

Their options were chocolate chip cookies and salty potato chips. The kids were also told that they could eat as much of the treats as they wanted.

After reviewing the results of the experiment, researchers concluded that those who preferred munching down on sweets ate considerably more food compared to those who chose salty snacks.

Preference Points To Behavior

Dr. Julie C. Lumeng, the paper's lead author, said the findings suggest some kids may be biologically-wired to prefer sweets, making them more likely to become obese when they grow older.

"There's been a literature out there for the past 10 or 20 years that there's variability between kids, at least at school age, in how interested they are in eating dessert after they already have a filling meal," Lumeng explained. "There have been some studies that show there are genetics underlying that. But no one ever looked at it in kids this young."

Parents Can Help Combat Unhealthy Eating Habits In Kids

Lumeng advised parents to closely monitor their child's eating habits at a very young age. If they become really interested in sweet foods, this may be a sign that they were born with a sweet tooth. In this case, parents should be careful on what types of food are being consumed at home to prevent their children from developing unhealthy eating habits.

Dr. Lenna Liu from the University of Washington School of Medicine told Fox News that poverty may play a huge role in influencing snacking habits in kids. She cautioned parents against mindless snacking and recommended that they establish a meal schedule which offers an assortment of healthy snacks for their kids.
Pancreatic cell transplant may soon be available to the American public. US-based scientists are now working double time to license the treatment for a small number of type 1 diabetics. More would benefit from the treatment if current tests show positive results.

Treatment Reduces Severe Hypoglycemia

The renewed interest in pancreatic cell transplant stemmed from a new study which claimed that the treatment can reduce severe hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetics. The study, which is featured on this month's edition of Diabetes Care, was conducted by the National Institutes of Health.

To test the effectiveness of pancreatic cell transplant, the agency offered the treatment to 48 type 1 diabetics in eight different health centers. A year after receiving the transplant, approximately 88 percent of the patients reported a reduction in severe hypoglycemic episodes.

Two years later, 71 percent of patients reported they were still faring relatively well. Some patients, 52 percent of them to be exact, reported that they no longer needed insulin shots following the treatment. Others said they still require insulin shots, but only in lower doses.

Lisa Bishop, a Wisconsin native, told CBS News that the treatment was "an amazing gift." She got her new islet cells in 2010 and has since discontinued her insulin shots.

Some Diabetics Suffer From Hypoglycemic Unawareness

When blood sugar drops too low, most type 1 diabetics could recognize its early warning signs such as heart palpitations, sweating and indistinct speech. These symptoms prompt them to drink or eat something that would increase their blood sugar levels.

However, some type 1 diabetics become oblivious to these symptoms over time. This is called hypoglycemic unawareness.

Bishop recalled how her heart sank when doctors told her she had become hypoglycemic unaware. Her condition made it difficult for her to focus or hold a job. She claimed she hasn't had one hypoglycemic episode since receiving treatment.

According to Diabetes.org, type 1 diabetics who experience hypoglycemia should consume 15 to 20 grams of simple carbohydrates to normalize their blood sugar levels. They can achieve this by taking 1 tablespoon of sugar, corn syrup or honey. Jellybeans, gumdrops and fizzy drinks will also do the trick.
at a busy street corner in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. The green light lit up on the signal before me, yet seemingly color-blind drivers kept zipping past me on scooters. I started to imagine the damage a tourist might cause by actually stopping at a red light. A local couple next to me proceeded to cross the intersection one lane at a time like a game of human Frogger. My nerves were starting to fray when an elderly Cambodian woman no taller than Tyrion Lannister took my arm. She apparently wanted my help crossing the street, not because I knew what I was doing, but because I am big guy who could probably absorb a lot of scooter impact. Now or never, I started crossing the street, lane by lane, with the short-striding grandmother in tow. I kept thinking, Maybe I shouldnt have eaten the whole cannabis pizza.

In February 1992, the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) sent peacekeepers to deal with Cambodias four-party civil war, turning power over to democratically elected officials in late 1993. Three years later, the U.S. of A. added the newly free Cambodia to its naughty list of major illicit drug producing and drug transit countries, but according to President Clinton, the countrys heroin trafficking problem motivated the addition. Cambodia had to react, but the government focused on opiates, methamphetamines and an Asian upper called yaba. Cannabis use dates back generations in Cambodia, including as herb in traditional Khmer cuisine, but the country had to prohibit the plant largely to alleviate international pressure.

Despite the cannabis ban, a pioneering restaurant in the capital started making cannabis pizzas in the early 1990s, and several more restaurants followed. Happy Herb Pizza, a backpackers fave pimped out in Lonely Planet guides, is the original. Like 420 in the U.S., the word happy is cannabis code in Cambodia. The police presumably know this, so the real reason for the code might be to trick foreign governments who wish to enforce a cannabis crackdown.

It is really something of an indigenous classic around here, said Anthony Bourdain when he visited Cambodia on No Reservations. It is the pizza that makes you insane in the membrane.

Cambodia to visit the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap, but while in Phnom Penh, I had to experience the infamous Happy Herb pies. Using the address and map provided in a guidebook, I snaked my way through the capital, and I soon saw Happy Herb Pizza places everywhere. A copyright lawyer might describe it as an intentional attempt to create confusion in the marketplace. Knowing I wanted the original, I stopped looking at signage and started looking for address numbers.

In recent years, the government carried out some large-scale busts, and a raid on Happy Special Pizza in 2013 netted three tourists. Such situations, however, are rare. Cannabis is technically illegal, but the police rarely enforce it, and if they do, most merely want a payoff. Apparently for this reason, restaurants throughout the country appear comfortable promoting happy meals. Even restaurants that dont advertise it might make your dish happy upon request.

After spending five minutes scouring the street, I found the pizza place and asked the server, This is the original Happy Herb Pizza?

Yes, said the young Cambodian server. He wore a red apron over a white shirt and stood outside among the plastic tables and chairs. A vertical chalkboard on the wall behind him listed menu items.

The pizza is made with weed, right? I asked with all the smoothness of a Mormon narc.

Yes, come in.

In these restaurants, patrons usually need to request the happy lest grandma unintentionally down a slice and think shes transitioning into the afterlife. The menu also included non-pizza itemswhich today include Australian steak, shrimp fried rice and blue cheese burgersbut I wanted the signature dish.

Ill take a regular pizza and an Angkor beer, I said. By the way, how do you make the pizza with the marijuana?

We cut the buds up in a coffee bean grinder and then spread them on top of the tomato sauce, he explained with the rote precision of a man forced to explain this process a thousand times. Then we put the cheese on top.

While simply eating the leaves would not make me high, the fat in the mozzarella cheese can draw out the fat-soluble tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Edible chefs typically cook the buds in oil or butter and strain out the leaves, but the herb stayed in these pizzas.

Hey, hey, did you want to buy some joints? asked the server in a hushed tone, channeling every drug dealer stereotype he ever saw on TV. He then pulled on his apron pocket to expose a small bag of joints. Three for $5.

Okay, sure. Give them to me after.

minutes later, the pizza arrived. It did not look especially appealing, but like Mel Brooks and others have said, even bad pizza is still pretty good. I dug in and had my first slice, and then my second. Even though the pizza might have fed two people, I ate the whole pie because I knew this was a one-time experience. Despite the heavy dosage, I surprisingly felt normal.

I dont feel anything, I remarked. Are you sure this was a happy pizza?

Yes, said the server. Do you want another?

No, I cant eat anymore, I replied. Can I have the bill? And please add a t-shirt. There was no way I wasnt getting a Happy Herb t-shirt.

After the server grabbed the shirt, he wrote up a bill for the pizza, shirt and beer.

You forgot the joints? I noted. I still want them.

Wait, he replied.

Confused, I handed over the cash, and then he said, $5 for the joints.

Ooh, I thought, he is selling the joints, not the restaurant. No wonder he acted so shady.

Thanks, I said, handing over the Lincoln and briefly peaking at the joints. Maybe not Dutch coffee shop quality, but the server or his associate did a decent job rolling. With my stash in hand, I made it about two blocks before the pizza hit me like a bag of bongs.

Full disclosure: This was my first time eating an edible, and I did not know smoking cannabis and eating an edible were different experiences. When smoked, cannabis is quickly absorbed in the lungs and distributed through the bloodstream, while the stomach and liver must process an edible before its chemicals enter the bloodstream. For this reason, it can take at least 30 minutes (or even hours) before the person experiences the edibles lasting, full-body high. The lag time made it difficult to gage dosage, and I certainly overindulged.

Oh shit, I said to myself.

As the high continued to escalate, I quickly started to lose my geographical bearings, and I knew I needed to head back to the guesthouse right away. A minute later, I stood at the main boulevard overrun by scooters.

lady grabbed my arm, I knew I had to cross. She was counting on me. When I finally saw an opening, I quickly took us across the first lane. Midway, two scooters rushed by seemingly inches from my body. We then jetted across the next lane, again moving between the scooters. Paranoia was kicking in, but I also started to realize the drivers were obviously experienced at dodging pedestrians. Still, at more than six feet in height, I am much larger than the normal Cambodian. A few more bikes shot by, again making sure to avoid us. In one last final sprint, we pulled a Morrison and broke on through to the other side.

Back on the sidewalk, I turned to the elderly lady, and she already had a wide, knowing smile. At that point I had to ask myself, Was I taking her across the street or was she taking me? Sure, I make for a great human shield, but maybe she knew the drivers would be more careful if they saw her on my arm. Had I been alone, a few smartass drivers might have aimed for me. Who knows?

Either way, I conquered the busy intersection, and I soon made my way back to the guesthouse. Though it was still the early afternoon, I jumped right into bed. I had to sleep this one off.

Photo: Roberto Trombetta, CC-BY

David Jenison is a Los Angeles native and the Content Editor of PROHBTD. He has covered entertainment, restaurants and travel for more than 20 years.
3D printing has just become a new tool for artistic and cultural preservation.

After 10 months of violent and destructive occupation by ISIS, the Syrian city of Paylmara was liberated. Unfortunately, the militant group, which first occupied the region back in May of 2015, destroyed many of the irreplaceable treasures the ancient city harbored. Despite experts citing that 80 percent of the artifacts in Palmyra were left intact, many of its largest and most famous were not. That includes the Arch of Triumph, the Baalshamin Temple, and the Temple of Bel.

However, the terrorist organizations destruction may be rectified in a small way thanks to 3D printing technology. In order to build the life-size replica, archaeologists used a scheme called Million Images Database, according to the BBC. The project, which was run by the Institute of Digital Archaeology, saw local volunteers used 3D cameras to capture accurate digital models of several structures. Using those 3D scans, the team was able to generate a replica of Paylmaras Arch of Triumph structure in Londons Trafalgar Square.

Plans are to move the structure from New York to Dubai in the upcoming months. Sometime next year it will make it its true resting place in Palmyra.
Back in 2011 Jon Lajoie did not give a fuck. The Canadian comic, actor and musician was enjoying one of The Leagues most successful seasons as stoner-bro Taco MacArthur, and his song Fuck Everything seemed like a pretty funnyand fairly accuratedepiction of that sentiment.

Lajoie, who had been writing and releasing comedy songs for four years already, successfully parodied rap culture in the songs accompanying video. With a black beanie, black muscle tank, big bling, and mean mug, Lajoie flailed his arms and rapped about all the shit people care about before the auto-tuned chorus hit: I dont give a fuck. Fuck everyone and fuck everything!

Calling from Los Angeles a few hours before a band rehearsal, Lajoie explains that while Fuck Everything was obviously a joke, he was usually able to create an emotional buffer through his comic persona. Ive played the I dont give a shit, I dont give a fuck, I dont care. Im not invested in whatever. Its allowed me to float through life in a really comfortable bubble of numbness, he says, upturning his intonation like a question.

Part of it is necessary, he continues. And then part of it I realized Id gone really far to the extreme of completely being detached from the work that I was saying, or at least emotionally detached from it.

Maybe part of it is just being me, he muses. And part of it is being a sensitive human living in L.A. where the idea of actually having your heart on your sleeve is so insane here because of the pain and rejection that comes with living out here.

Music has been both an interest and a refuge for Lajoie since growing up in a suburb of Montreal. As the third oldest of nine children in a Christian Pentecostal household, he first encountered music in the church. It didnt really stickhe didnt enjoy the music lessons he tookbut after he graduated from Dawsons College, he played in a band for about three years.

By the time The League debuted on FX in 2009, Lajoie was already making music out of ridiculous situations. Online, he had already posted songs like High As F#%k and Show Me Your Genitals with millions of views. He owned the sweet spot between Flight of the Conchords silliness and The Lonely Islands exaggerated douchebaggery.

On the show, he recalls, They would throw something at me like a fear boner and I could come up with music and something thats hopefully catchy and enjoyable to listen to. That was always my favorite thing to do, regardless of if it was comedy or not.

When Lajoie first started to write songs not based on his comic sketches, however, he still relied on old defense mechanisms. One idea for a solo project was to write an entire concept album with songs written from the perspectives of supporting characters of movie sequels, like the pigeon lady from Home Alone 2 and the stepfather in Terminator 2. It was a great way to make serious music without it being serious, he begins, but inevitably, I was just writing about myself and projecting all of myself onto these minor characters in movies.

A few of those songs actually made it onto Lajoies debut serious music album under the moniker Wolfies Just Fine (which may or may not be a subtle reference to a scene in Terminator 2) called I Remembered but Then I Forgot. Ultimately, the 10-track album is founded on personal stories. Lajoie writes about his first bout with unrequited love (Marie-Eve) and his traumatic experience watching a horror movie for the first time (A New Beginning).

Channeling a confessional Nick Drake vibe, Lajoie picks apart moments from his youth that helped create the person he is today. Without navel-gazing, he manages to peer behind the walls he initially constructed to protect himself in order to figure out why he did so in the first place. Exposing that vulnerability, he notes, was both intentional and terrifying.

Working with producer Joe Corcoran and the highly touted Pacific Northwest engineer/mixer Phil Ek (Built to Spill, The Shins, Band of Horses), Lajoie can still hide behind his music a little bit. Recorded in the converted meat locker of Echo Parks Station House studio, I Remembered but Then I Forgot still sounds sonically raw, but the album also flows easily. Acoustic guitar work provides the bedrock of each song while electric guitars, piano plinking, and vocal harmonies build structures consistent with contemporary folk-rock falling between Rayland Baxter and M. Ward. It makes for an easy, enjoyable listen before realizing the weight of the honest lyrics.

Yet, even while writing, Lajoie tried to escape the inevitable Blood on the Tracks-level emotional weight. Every step of the way, he says, I was like, How do I add a fart sound? How do I make it so that people at the end of the album go, Oh! I get it!

Now that I Remembered but Then I Forgot is out in the wild, Lajoie isnt sure where it will take him. He feared hate and backlash from trolls, but hasnt suffered it. He hopes to tour as Wolfies Just Fine, but also doesnt want to rush it. He considers, If this is going to be its own thing and its going to find its audience, thenfrom my experience on the internetit needs some time. And if its not, I dont want to go on tour as Wolfies Just Fine and disappoint people because its not much Jon Lajoie or Taco stuff.

Its a balance for Lajoie, and like his lead single dictates, Its a Job. And as much as he would rather add a fart joke or wear a costume, Wolfies Just Fine is probably the most honest persona that Lajoie has shared with us.

So yes, he admits. That was a long-winded answer to tell you that yes. I do give a fuck.
Margaritas may be popular here in the States, but down Mexico way the Paloma is king. The tequila-based cocktail is the countrys best-selling and most popular, often ordered up in bars as a refresco de toronja con tequila or squirt con tequila.

And refresco it is. The combination of tequila, fresh lime juice, grapefruit soda and salt is sweet, tart and just a touch savory making for an effervescent and easy-to-drink warm weather quaffer. Its the kind of cocktail that could only be born in a climate like Mexicos, where sometimes, the only way to beat the heat is to drink it away.

Not much is known about the origins of the Paloma, though, barman Don Javier Delgado Corona is said to have created it sometime in the 1950s at his bar, La Capilla, in the small Mexican town of Tequila. Paloma means dove in Spanish, and its suspected that Corona named the cocktail after the popular folk song La Paloma from the 1860s.

While there is a standard Paloma recipe, variations abound. Some call for the addition of agave nectar; others suggest fresh grapefruit juice and soda water. Some even allow for subbing in lemon-lime soda and a splash of bottled grapefruit juice, but if youre deviating that far from the original, you may as well order something else.

Paloma recipe

Ingredients

2 oz. tequila (reposado is best)

1/2 oz. lime juice

Grapefruit soda (the traditional Mexican brands can be hard to find, but Izze is a solid substitute)

Pinch of kosher salt*

Directions: Combine tequila, lime juice and salt in a highball glass with ice and top off with grapefruit soda. Garnish with a lime or grapefruit wedge.

*Rimming the glass with salt is a common variation.

Jim Sabataso is a writer, part-time bartender, and full-time cocktail enthusiast living in Vermont. Follow him on Twitter @JimSabataso.
Earlier this month, Sweden decided to dish out their phone number to mark the countrys 250th anniversary of Swedens abolition of censorship. Usually, it takes a bit more effort to snag a Swedes number, but, thankfully, in this case, the Swedish Tourist Association provided the necessary hookup.

Sweden is the first country to have its own phone number, and callers are encouraged to talk about anything they want. Much like the countrys Twitter account, the Swedens phone number is manned by local ambassadors, or, more accurately put, Swedes who decided to download the Swedish Number app and felt like taking prank calls from random people around the world. Its basically like a diplomatic Chatroulette, minus having to see anything unpleasant.

If youd like to give the country a call for yourself, the number is +46771 793 336 (+46771

Sweden) and foreign calling fees will apply.You can also download the Swedish Number app on the Apple Store and Google Play.

Tom is a travel writer, part-time hitchhiker, and hes currently trying to imitate Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? but with more sunscreen and jorts.
Savior Barbie stands in front of a decrepit classroom in some remote African hut-turned-

classroom and explains, At first, she was scared of my white skin. But I know we will learn each other. We are bound together by spirit and our humanity. And now, by cloth. I feel like mothering all of this countrys children. I was chosen for this! Another photo shows Barbie posing with an African child, Orphans take the BEST pictures! So cute.

The satirical Instagram account dubbed Barbie Savior  likely inspired by the parody account Socality Barbie  depicts the doll as a Jesus-loving adventurer running an NGO that provides drinking water to locals. In her Instagram, Barbie Savior, in pink heels and a perfect tan, reflects on her experiences as a committed voluntourist

I just landed and Im crying because of the beautythen crying because of the

heartache. Then when I realize the clean water my eyes are wasting by just CRYING.I

cry some more because I dont know how to harness my tears yet. Oh, Africa. You really

know how to make me soul search!

Oh, Barbie Savior, this must be your calling that is, until she leaves in a few months.

The account was started only a month ago by two twenty-something white women who have

worked in East Africa and more than likely experienced the hardships and the superficiality

within voluntourism, and, as Nigerian-American author Teju Cole calls it White Savior Industrial Complex.

While the account hilariously parodies the life-changing selfie-snapping behaviors of many

volunteers in Africa, Barbie Savior manages to highlight some of the harms these well-

intentioned, albeit completely naive, voluntourists create. For example, researchers in South

Africa have found a growing trend of orphan tourism, in which orphanages operate more like profit-driven businesses, intentionally subjecting children to poorer conditions to entice more volunteers and more donations, rather than charities.

So, perhaps in a surprising twist, Barbie Savior might be a more scathing satire than initially

imagined.

Tom is a travel writer, part-time hitchhiker, and hes currently trying to imitate Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? but with more sunscreen and jorts.
According to a new published report, Apple had been asked by Chinese authorities within the last two years to hand over its source code but refused to do so, the company's top lawyer told U.S. lawmakers at a hearing on Tuesday.

Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell made the statement in response to a line of attack from law enforcement officials who have attempted to portray Apple as complicit in handing over information to Chinese authorities for business reasons while refusing to cooperate with U.S. requests for access to private data in criminal investigations.

Apple and the FBI returned to Washington to testify before lawmakers about their heated disagreement over law enforcement access to encrypted devices, highlighted in the case of a locked iPhone linked to a gunman in last December's Islamist militant-inspired shootings in San Bernardino, California.

Earlier in the hearing before a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, Captain Charles Cohen, commander in the Indiana State Police, repeated the suggestion that Apple has quietly cooperated with Beijing. But when pressed by Representative Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat, for the source of that claim, Cohen only cited news reports. Eshoo was visibly frustrated said "That takes my breath away. That is a huge allegation."

The growing use of strong default encryption on mobile devices and communications by criminal suspects is handicapping investigators' ability to pursue them, law enforcement officials told the hearing. Apple and other companies defend the technology as integral to protecting consumers.

Thomas Galati, chief of intelligence at the New York Police Department, said his investigators had been unable to open 67 Apple devices in a six-month period from October 2015 to March 2016. Those phones were implicated in 44 violent crimes 23 felonies, including ten homicides, two rapes, and an episode where an on-duty officer was shot, Galati said.

Sewell, who testified on a separate panel before the same committee Tuesday alongside technology experts, argued that any vulnerability built into its products would harm "one hundred percent" of its users.

"I don't think relying on a third party is a good model," said Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado, the committee's top Democrat.

The FBI relies heavily on the "services and specialized skills that we can only get through the private industry, and that partnership is critical to our success," the FBI's Hess testified.This position is supported in the newly drafted 'Compliance with Court Orders Act of 2016' which was circulated last week by Senators Feinstein and Burr.



Some of the reports hinting at Apple being complicit were born out of reports that surfaced in 2014 and 2015 by Reuters and others.

In September 2014 we posted a report titled "Apple's iPhone 6 goes on Sale in China October 17 after Assuring China's Ministry that there's no Secret Backdoors." The report noted that "China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said it conducted "rigorous security testing" on the iPhone 6 and held talks with Apple on the issue, and that Apple shared with the ministry materials related to the potential security issues.

Apple had told the MIIT it had adopted new security measures in its latest smartphone operating system, iOS 8, and promised that it had never installed backdoors into its products or services to allow access for any government agency in any country."

In a January 2015 report we noted that China's position had changed regarding security. We reported at the time that "The Chinese government had adopted new regulations requiring companies that sell computer equipment to Chinese banks to turn over secret source code, submit to invasive audits and build so-called back doors into hardware and software, according to a copy of the rules obtained by foreign technology companies that do billions of dollars' worth of business in China." But the Government had reportedly backed off that position temporarily.

Then on December 23, 2015 Reuters reported that China's Foreign Ministry said that technology companies had nothing to fear from China's new anti-terrorism law which aims to prevent and probe terror activities "The draft anti-terrorism law has caused concern in Western capitals as it could require technology firms to install "back doors" in products or to hand over sensitive information such as encryption keys to the government."

At least publicly, this was the last word on the matter. But today's revelation by General counsel Bruce Sewell contradicts this story line by Reuters earlier report by stating that the Chinese Government did in fact ask for Apple's iOS source code but were denied.

The only ones that could contradict Sewell's statement of course would be the very party that would want to keep such a deal secret: The Chinese Government. And I don't think they'll be testifying before U.S. lawmakers anytime soon.

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On Monday we posted a report titled "A Small Secret Project Titan Team Found in Germany is preparing for Possible Production in 2020," wherein we noted that while Daimler's CEO stated in 2015 that they had no plan to become the Foxconn of Apple, that Magna was hungry and foolish enough to want to get in at the ground level with Apple's new automotive team. Apple's new Project Titan team in Berlin had been secretly negotiating with Magna and today the fallout with Daimler came to light.

According to Germany's leading business and financial daily the Handelsblatt reported today that their sources have told them that "German carmakers Daimler and BMW have ended talks with Apple over a cooperation deal on an electric car.

Apple's plan has been to develop a highly-networked electric car that would also be at least partially self-driving. Neither of the three companies would even confirm that negotiations had taken place.

Sources said the talks with both German carmakers collapsed over the key questions of who would lead the project and, above all, which company would have ownership of the data.

Apple wants the car to be closely built into its own cloud software, while the German carmakers have made customer data protection a key element of their future strategy. The talks with BMW collapsed last year, while those with Daimler collapsed more recently."

This is why Patently Apple focused on Daimler's CEO comments about not wanting to be the Foxconn of Apple. It was sarcastic and very telling that talks with Daimler weren't going their way.

At the end of the day, while Apple is looking for control and a Foxconn-equivalent for a future car, we're bound to hear continuing rumors about Project Titan so as to build PR value for their Apple branded vehicle. Case in point, this week we also reported that Apple hired former Tesla / Aston Martin VP who was responsible for key car designs such as TeamOne-77 supercar, V12 Zagato and Aston Martin DB9.











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Patna: Hundreds of devotees in Patna on Tuesday took part in the Shobha Yatra to mark the birth of Lord Mahavir, the deity of the Jain and Hindu communities.

The procession consisting of more than 500 devotees and a chariot with the image of Lord Mahavir began at the Congress Maidan in Kadam Kuan and culminated at the Jain Temple in Mithapur covering the distance in about four hours.

Chanting hymns and prayers, men, women, and children pulled the chariot through various streets of the state capital to spread the message of a violence-free life as preached by Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Jain Tirthankara born in Vaishali near Patna in 599BC. He died in Pawapuri, not too far from Patna, in 527BC.

The theme of this year's Shobha Yatra was environment as over a dozen women, dressed in green clothing, presented folk dance to spread the message of protecting the environment and vegetarianism.

On the occasion, Jain Association President Shanti Lal Jain thanked the Nitish government for declaring the day slaughter-free in honor of Lord Mahavir.
Patna: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of abandoning his constitutional duties and responsibilities in his quest to humiliate democratically-elected Prime Minister of India to fulfill his own dream of becoming the Prime Minister.

"Since being re-elected the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar has long abandoned his duties to pursue his dream of becoming the Prime Minister of India. He can abdicate power in Bihar by handing it over to Tejaswi or Tej Pratap Yadav, the sons of Lalu Prasad Yadav and follow his dream full time. Why should Bihar be the victim of his ambitions and desires?" Modi asked.

Speaking at a press conference, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar said that Kumar had taken his eyes off the road thus giving rise to crime in the state.

"Murder has become the order of the day. An ASI was gunned down in Mokama and bomb explodes in Chhapra Court but the Chief Minister has his blinders on because he is too consumed by his political ambition of humiliating Narendra Modi and to replace him with himself to satisfy his ego. While he is free to follow up on his dreams, he should, however, hand over power to Tejaswi or Tej Pratap Yadav first so at least someone is in charge of things in Bihar," he said.

Modi also accused Kumar of fudging crime data when he said that crime numbers had gone down since prohibition went into effect earlier this month.

"He needs to look around to see the reality instead of pulling numbers from the thin air. The state police is confused whether it should spend its type enforcing prohibition or control crime," the BJP leader said.

On Kumar's recent call for a national alliance to make India 'Sangh-free', Modi produced a photograph of Nitish Kumar participating in a RSS function in 2006 to mark the 100 birth anniversary of one of its founders M. S. Gowalkar.

"Not only Kumar attended the function and remained there for almost hour and a half, he also delivered a speech praising the role of RSS in nation building. Now he is all against the RSS because he doesn't want to be outdone by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav who has made it a habit to bash the RSS no matter what the occasion is," he said.
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"We're not used to seeing growth in our check business," said Deluxe's Tracey Engelhardt, who reports a 6% to 7% increase in revenue for check orders from businesses and consumers in each of the last three quarters, driven by various factors originating from the pandemic.
President Rohani accused of folding to U.S. during nuclear talks

04/20/16 Source: Radio Zamaneh

The Iranian president tried to defend his administration's record on the nuclear agreement as the ultra-right factions of the Islamic Republic heightened their criticism of the significance of the deal with the world powers.



Hassan Rohani



In July, Iran reached a deal with world powers and agreed to concessions in its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of international sanctions on its international trade capabilities.

Rohani stressed that the nuclear deal was a triumph for the country and he accused the media of fomenting anarchy through their attacks on the agreement.

The IRGC and other conservative factions of the government are accusing the Rohani administration of having been duped by the U.S. during the nuclear negotiations.

The administration recently presented Parliament with a report citing the U.S. Treasury and Israel as factors in hampering the implementation of the nuclear deal.

In a council meeting on relations with the U.S., the head of Iran's Central Bank stressed that Iran has not yet enjoyed the expected results from implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Valiollah Seif said recently that Iran is still unable to access its financial holdings outside the country.

The government has blamed U.S. Treasury restrictions for the country's inability to access its funds in foreign countries.

This has given Rohani's critics an opening to attack the government and accuse it of having been duped by the U.S. during the negotiations.
EU considering lifting Iran Air sanction: WSJ

04/20/16

Source: Press TV

The European Union (EU) is reportedly considering removing its air travel restrictions on Iranian national carrier, Iran Air. According to the Wall Street Journal, the EU will send aviation security experts to Iran in May to investigate the airline's security status.

Iran Air was banned by the European bloc in 2010 over 'safety' issues with its planes, said Jakub Adamowicz, a spokesman for the European Commission.

Twelve of the airline's passenger aircraft however were exempted from the ban, allowing the Iranian flag-carrier to maintain some service into Europe.

"What will happen now is that there will be technical assessments in May, to see if Iran Air solved the issues. These are technical discussions, not a political decision. The safety of flights is not conditioned by the nationality of an airline," Adamowicz said.

Iran Air said in January that European airports had started refueling Iranian planes a week after the implementation of a nuclear agreement between Iran and the permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany, which removed anti-Iran sanctions in exchange for curbs on Tehran's nuclear program.

The latest EU announcement comes after eight European commissioners traveled to Tehran over the weekend to look at ways to boost ties between Iran and the union.

The two sides announced a string of joint projects - from the energy sector to migration and joint research work - in a bid to broaden bilateral relationships.

Iran's current civil aviation fleet consists of some 250 aircraft with an average age of 20 years, of which 100 are in storage.

The country will need hundreds of commercial jets of various models, and has been in talks with both Airbus and Boeing to acquire aircraft under lease or sale/leaseback deals.

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.
Top US, Iranian Diplomats Confer on Sanctions Relief for Tehran

04/20/16

Source: VOA

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held talks Tuesday in New York with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, aimed at ensuring that Iran gets the sanctions relief promised in the landmark nuclear deal reached in January.



U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

(cartoon by Mohammad Tahani, Iranian daily Arman)





Tuesday's meeting at U.N. headquarters came just weeks after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei complained that many international companies have avoided doing business with Tehran since the deal was reached.

In nationally televised comments March 20, Khamenei focused on what he called Iran's difficulties in recouping banking assets frozen in Western countries under years of sanctions imposed to try to persuade Tehran to curb its nuclear program. He also said many international companies, fearing U.S. reprisals, were shying away from doing business in the Islamic Republic.

Following Tuesday's meeting, Kerry told reporters that he and Zarif agreed to cooperate to ensure that the Iran nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was implemented the way it was meant to be. "We worked on a number of key things today. We made some progress on it," he said.

Speaking separately to reporters, Zarif acknowledged progress and said he and Kerry would meet again Friday in New York to "make sure the [post-sanction] benefits will be there for Iranian people to enjoy."

Ahead of the talks, Kerry told the pro-Israel group J Street that Iran so far had received about $3 billion as a result of the deal to constrain its nuclear program. He said that was far less than figures given by critics, and he reiterated that the agreement showed the power of prioritizing diplomacy.

"Despite the skeptics' most dire predictions, we are in a place that some people thought was unimaginable and others unacceptable," Kerry said.

The meeting between Kerry and Zarif also came at a time when the U.N.-facilitated process for a political transition in Syria appears to be fraying.

Asked Tuesday about bilateral progress in the meeting on war-torn Syria and Yemen, Zarif said the talks focused on details of the nuclear deal.

The two sides have been holding indirect talks in Geneva on both conflicts.

Iran supports the Syrian government while the U.S. has supported the moderate opposition. But Tehran and Washington are part of the International Syria Support Group, which has been backing the process for a political transition.
Iranian dentist examines people on the street

04/20/16

Source: Tehran Times

TEHRAN - Shafi Ja'fari is a young dentist who visited and examined people around Enqelab square, central Tehran, for three hours on Thursday, ISNA news agency reported. What Ja'fari, a Tehran University graduate, did, was a symbolic act of criticism centered on the widespread ignorance of prevention.





Ja'fari explained that "Iranian people often overlook the importance of prevention and regular checkup, so I took my unit to the street to encourage the public to take dental problems serious."

"I usually visit 40 to 50 patients per day and I know from experience that neither the patients nor the doctors take prevention into account," he lamented.





Ignoring dental problems at the early stages would intensify the disease as well as the expenses, Ja'fari warned, adding, periodical checkups can both prevent serious problems and cut the expenses.

"I chose Enqelab square so I could visit people of different classes and I got a great feedback," he added.

He expressed hope that insurance companies and healthcare providers strive to reconcile people with the concept of prevention particularly in the field of dental care.
Googles Chrome browser has just reached a major milestone, hitting its 50th release.

For Google, its a moment for positive reflection. To emphasize Chromes might, the company points to the browsers 771 billion page loads per month, 1 billion monthly active mobile users, 9.1 billion auto-filled forms, and 145 million malicious webpages averted. One might also point to Chromes ever-growing usage, accounting for 47 percent of all worldwide pageviews, including mobile, according to StatCounter.

Indeed, Chrome has become an indispensable tool for many web users, and has served as a leader in the browser world. It introduced the idea of limiting menu clutter around actual webpages, and popularized the syncing of bookmarks, tabs, and browser history across devices. After all these years, it remains PCWorlds most highly-recommended web browser.

Yet for all the good Chrome has done, Googles browser now stands at a crossroads. Aside from just another way to browse the Internet, its unclear exactly what Google wants Chrome to be.

Browser or platform?

In the beginning, Googles key tenets for Chrome were speed and simplicity. The browsers minimal menu system (or chrome, hence the name) got out of the way, and its JavaScript engine crushed the competition as websites grew more advanced in the late aughts.

Those advantages are less pronounced now. Nearly every other browser has embraced restraint with their own chrome, and Chrome is no longer the clear victor in benchmarks. Meanwhile, the ever-increasing demands of the modern web have given Chrome a reputation for being a resource hog and a battery killer, even if other browsers arent markedly better.

A few years after Chrome launched, Google started broadening its ambitions. It introduced the Chrome Web Store, and eventually the concept of native Chrome apps with offline functionality. A Chrome app launcher followed, along with push notifications from web services and Google Now. These new features were supposed to turn Chrome into a platform-within-a-platform on Windows and Mac, while making Chrome OS into a legitimate desktop operating system.

The Chrome app launcher in Windows (RIP).

But over the last year, Google has dismantled or abandoned many of those efforts. The Chrome notification center is now dead on Windows and Mac, as Google considers embracing native notifications on those platforms. The Chrome Web Store fell into disrepair years ago, and Google has shown little interest in cleaning it up. The Chrome app launcher got nixed on Windows, Mac, and Linux because no one was using it.

As for Chrome OS, its future is far from certain. Although the platform has traction in the education world, and probably isnt going away, a merged Chrome-Android operating system for consumers seems likely.

Chrome OS is still around, but for how long and in what capacity?

Amid all these retrenchments, Chrome has introduced no big noteworthy features to its desktop browser. The most interesting browser developments are instead happening on alternatives such as Microsoft Edge (with its page annotation and embedded Cortana assistant) and Vivaldi (with its web panels and tab stacking).

Google may arguably be more interested in mobile Chrome, now that smartphone usage has eclipsed the desktop. But in a world of apps, Facebook, and Instant Articles, the idea that users will spend significant amounts of time in a browser seems quaint. Perhaps thats why Googles 1 billion mobile user statistic is on a monthly basis, not a daily one.

So as Google celebrates Chromes 50th release, it should also ask itself what Chrome is now trying to accomplish. Will it recommit to its original focus on speed and simplicity, or will it try to innovate with new features? Is Chrome a platform unto itself, or just a really good way to access webpages? Are the fates of the desktop and mobile versions intertwined, or are they separate? If Google cant answer those questions, version 100 might not be so celebratory.
Right now, inside Intels headquarters, a deadly serious game of Gladiator is pitting Intels client products against one another.

During its quarterly earnings call on Tuesday, Intel said it now expects the PC market to decline in the high single digits throughout all of 2016, rather than the mid-single-digit drop it previously expected. IDC and Gartner said recently that the PC market dropped between 10 and 12 percent during the first quarter. Our projection of the PC marketis more cautious than third-party estimates, chief financial officer Stacy Smith told analysts.

Thats justification enough to begin extricating Intel from the PC market, Krzanich told analysts. As it has for years, Intel appears to be banking on the continued success of the high-margin data center business, while it seeks a new frontier that could evolve into the next PC: the Internet of Things.

With the continuing decline of the PC, tablet, and smartphone businesses, Intel is coldly evaluating which products will stay, and which will fall. All in all, Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich described a strategy for Intel where underperforming products are abandoned and its assets repurposed away from the PC and into Intels new frontiers, including the data center (or cloud) and the Internet of Things. When that process is completed, Krzanich said, the company believes it will yield the highest amount of revenue per employee ever.

Intels bailing out of the PC marketor is it?

Intel is clear-eyed about the need to grow beyond its PC roots. Weve talked about this transformation, that were moving from client-centricto a company thats focused more on a much broader set of products, and really focused around the cloud, Krzanich said. The cloud, and all the connected devices that connect to that cloud. And that connectivity that brings those devices to the cloud. And that includes the PC, but its much more than that.

Currently, Krzanich said, 40 percent of Intels revenue and 60 percent of its profit margin already come from outside the PC. Its time to make this transition and to push the company over all the way to that strategy and that strategic direction, Krzanich added. Thats why we wanted to do it now.

Intel targets 2-in-1s, gaming PCs

What this doesnt mean, however, is that Intel is refusing to invest in the PC market. On the contrary, Krzanich identified several key areas where Intel plans to lead. Both 2-in-1s and high-end gaming PCs are growing at double-digit rates, he said. Set-top boxes, where Intel is gaining share, are becoming more like PCs.

All three segments are areas where Intel will likely double down. Its not just about cutting cost in the client area, Krzanich explained. We think we can become more focused.

As part of the process, the company has asked Renduchintala to evaluate which areas of the PC are worth investment. Renduchintala joined Intel last November, as president of a newly created Client and Internet of Things (IoT) Businesses and Systems Architecture Group. Part of his job, according to Krzanich, is to perform a complete review of all our products, and to report back in the near future about what to do with each one, Krzanich said.

Krzanich warned that not all products would survive the process. Im sure as were going through this that there will be some products that well exit from, he said.

Manufacturing issues give Intel headaches

Separately, Intel is grappling with its inability to keep up with Moores Law, which originally predicted a shrink in process technology every two years. Intels actual record has varied from 18 to 36 months.

As such, Intel has added a stopgap part, Kaby Lake, due to begin production later this year on its existing 14-nm technology. But a leaked memo also points to several new products in development: Kaby Lake and its successor, the 10-nm Cannon Lake, but also Ice Lake (the second 10-nm chip) and two others, Coffee Lake and Glenview, which the memo did not describe. One question will be whether Coffee Lake will be a third 10-nm part, or the first 7-nm product.

The layoffs will have no impact on Intels process roadmap, Krzanich said. I can truthfully tell you that were constantly trying to get back to two years, Krzanich added.
The European Commission on Wednesday made new antitrust charges against Google, alleging that the company foisted its search application and the Chrome browser on Android smartphones makers as a condition to license its other apps and services.

The commission also charged Google with preventing makers from selling devices running variants or forks of its Android operating system, and giving financial incentives to both phone makers and mobile network operators if they agree to preinstall Google Search on their devices.

In its contracts with manufacturers, Google has made the licensing of the Play Store on Android devices conditional on its search application being pre-installed and set as default search service, according to the commission.

The charges in the form of a statement of objections address a significant source of revenue for the company: the advertising money it earns through these services and applications that figure on most of the smartphones that offer its Android operating system.

Android had an over 66 percent share of the European mobile device market in March, according to StatCounter. Google generally holds market shares of more than 90 percent in search, licensable smart mobile operating systems and app stores for Android in each of the markets in the European Economic Area, the commission said.

This is the second set of charges against Google by the commission. On April 15 last year, it announced a statement of objections against the search giant in an investigation into charges that its Internet search in Europe favored its own comparison shopping product.

The commission announced on the same day an investigation into Googles conduct with regard to the Android operating system that would look, among other things, into whether Google had illegally hindered the development and market access of rival mobile applications or services by requiring or providing incentives to smartphone and tablet manufacturers to exclusively pre-install Googles own applications or services.

Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager on Monday indicated in a speech in Amsterdam that the commission was looking closely at Googles contracts with phone makers and operators that use the mobile Android operating system.

Our concern is that, by requiring phone makers and operators to pre-load a set of Google apps, rather than letting them decide for themselves which apps to load, Google might have cut off one of the main ways that new apps can reach customers, Vestager said.

On Wednesday, Vestager said that rival search engines, mobile operating systems and Web browsers have not been able to compete on their merits but were artificially excluded. This is not good. It is one of my priorities for consumers to enjoy a wide range of mobile and innovative platforms, products and services, she said.

By European Commission rules, a statement of objections is a formal step in its antitrust investigations in which the commission informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them. The commission said it takes a final decision only after the parties have exercised their rights of defence.

If found guilty, Google may have to pay up to 10 percent of its annual worldwide revenue in fines, which could go to as high as US$7.5 billion on its last year revenue of close to $75 billion.

Android has helped foster a remarkable  and, importantly, sustainable  ecosystem, based on open-source software and open innovation, said Kent Walker, Googles general counsel, in a statement. He added that Google looked forward to working with the commission to demonstrate that Android benefited both consumers and competition.
Legislation passed by the U.S. Senate could pave the way for the commercial deployment of drones in the national airspace, besides addressing safety issues by, for example, providing for a pilot that would find ways to lock down errant drones if they are close to airports.

The new rules in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, passed Tuesday by a vote of 95-3, reflect the opportunities seen in the country for the use of drones both for commercial and other applications such as in emergencies. They also highlight privacy and safety concerns about the reckless use of consumer drones by hobbyists.

Referring to an object, believed to be a drone, hitting a British Airways plane landing in Heathrow airport on Sunday, Senator Bill Nelson, a Democrat from Florida, said that if a drone is sucked into a jet engine, it could certainly render the engine inoperable and might start an explosion. The current bill proposes a pilot program to develop and test technologies to intercept or shut down drones when they are near airports.

Safety rules are urgently needed, and the inclusion of key provisions to require manufacturer safeguards and give the FAA clear authority to set rules for recreational use is a big step forward, said Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, who has included some of the provisions of the Consumer Drone Safety Act, she proposed last year, in the new bill.

The legislation, which now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration, has been largely welcomed by drone user organizations. The Small UAV Coalition, an advocacy group representing small drone users, said in a statement that the bill creates a pathway for companies to leverage small drones to deliver products to consumers, and points approvingly to steps proposed to promote beyond visual line-of-sight and night-time operations.

The FAA released draft rules in February last year for the operation of commercial drones of less than 55 pounds (25 kilograms) that would limit their flight altitude to 500 feet (152 meters) during daylight and within line of sight of the operator. But the final rules for the devices, also referred to as Unmanned Aircraft Systems, have been delayed.

While Congress addresses reauthorization, the FAA needs to use all available means to finalize the small UAS rule immediately, and without any further delays, said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), in a statement. Once this happens, we will have an established regulatory framework for UAS that will allow for more widespread commercial use of the technology.

The legislation still has some controversial points, including a provision that gives the FAA rules preemption over local and state laws governing the use of drones. A number of states have already enacted or plan laws for drones, creating a patchwork quilt of differing rules, according to the FAA, which in a note in December warned that a navigable airspace free from inconsistent state and local restrictions is essential to the maintenance of a safe and sound air transportation system.

The bill proposes that states cannot enact a law relating to the design, manufacture, testing, licensing, registration, certification, operation, or maintenance of an unmanned aircraft system, including airspace, altitude, flight paths, equipment or technology requirements, purpose of operations, and pilot, operator, and observer qualifications, training, and certification.

Feinstein has opposed these provisions that would block state and local drone safety laws. The senator said on Tuesday in a statement that she has secured a commitment from the bill sponsors Nelson and John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, to work with her to address the issue when the bill is negotiated with the House of Representatives.
Intels rise and fall in tablets are starting to resemble the companys misadventures in netbooks less than a decade ago.

The company is quickly distancing itself from basic tablets, a market it prized as little as two years ago, to go after detachable devices, hybrids, and high-end tablets that can double as PCs.

Intel could also ax some Atom tablet chip lines that brought the company success two years ago. Intel this week laid off 12,000 people as part of a restructuring plan that could also include cuts in some product lines.

Tablet chip shipments for Intel were down 44 percent in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same quarter last year, the company said during its quarterly earnings call late Tuesday.

That translates into roughly 4 million tablet chips shipped in the quarter, according to an estimate by analyst Dean McCarron of Mercury Research.

Its a small number even in a declining tablet market. IDC is estimating worldwide tablet shipments will drop to 195 million this year, falling by 5.9 percent compared to 2015.

Intel had the same thing with netbooks, with the company targeting the market as it rose quickly before collapsing suddenly, said Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Netbook shipments exploded in 2008, before starting to decline in 2010 after users started to move to tablets like Apples iPad. Netbooks were criticized for being slow and small, and Intels chips for those PCs were slowly phased out by 2013. A market for netbook-like PCs has re-emerged in recent years with Googles Chromebooks.

In the tablet market, ARM-based processors offer a better mix of performance and power efficiency, and investing in low-cost Atom chips for tablets isnt worth Intels time if profits are a priority, McGregor said.

The failure in tablets is among a handful of recent short-sighted moves by Intels management. Intel has invested in a number of failed efforts over the years, including WiMax and a TV service called OnCue, ultimately acquired by Verizon. Intel is now focusing on the Internet of Things, data centers, and connectivity.

Intel aggressively chased the tablet market in 2014, and the company said it would sell 40 million tablet chips that year. It subsidized its Atom chips for tablet makers, particularly small Chinese companies, which helped bring tablet prices down. The goal was to catch up with ARM, which dominated the then-hot tablet market.

Intel met its goals, selling 46 million tablet chips that year. But it lost money on the chips sold and took billions of dollars in losses in its mobile division. Realizing the blunder, Intel in the following year focused on profitability instead of volume and market position.

The results are showing. Intel sold fewer, but higher-priced, tablets, which contributed to a profit for the mobile division in the first quarter this year.

Intel is now looking to cut products as it restructures operations, and some low-cost and low-volume Atom tablet chips could be casualties. The company may elect to not release a successor or refresh its current Cherry Trail line of Atom chips, which are used mostly in mainstream tablets and some low-cost PCs.

The company hinted as much at IDF Shenzhen, where Intel emphasized its focus on tablet-PC hybrids. A new lineup of upcoming Pentium and Celeron chips called Apollo Lake will succeed the existing Atom X5 Cherry Trail line of chips, said Navin Shenoy, senior vice president and general manager of Intels Client Computing Group, during a keynote.

Apollo Lake, which will be released in the second half this year, will primarily serve as a successor to the existing line of Pentium and Celeron chips, called Braswell, for low-cost PCs and hybrids. But by merging the Cherry Trail chips with Pentium and Celeron, Intel may remove the confusion people may have about its low-end tablet and PC chip lines.

About 100 laptops and hybrids with detachable tablet screens are being designed using Apollo Lake, said Shenoy, who showed some prototypes on stage. Some of the products being designed may not ultimately ship.

Intels Skylake-based Core M chip is looking more like the companys tablet and two-in-one chip of the future. Atom tablet chips are getting squeezed out as PC and tablet makers prefer the faster Core M chips, which offer close to the same battery life as Cherry Trail. The Core M chips are used in higher-priced tablets, a market Intel is targeting.

Cherry Trail is used in Microsofts HoloLens headset, which delivers an estimated 3.3 hours of battery life. Thats a sign that Intel could redirect its future Atom chips to headsets, wearables, and other IoT devices.

Intel also makes Atom chips for smartphones, but wont give up on that market considering the companys heavy focus on cloud hardware, McCarron said.

Intels Atom chips are installed in just a few handsets, and the company is trying to catch up with ARM. But there is space for Intel to compete in the smartphone market, with more than a billion units shipped each year.

Intel made a valiant effort to succeed in tablets, but now its time for them to chase more profitable markets like IoT and data centers, McGregor said.
Despite the cooling rains of El Nino, Riverside in March was about 5 degrees warmer than average since record keeping began in 1893, according to the National Weather Service.

Warmer than normal Inland cities are part of a global trend. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Tuesday, April 19 that Marchs average global temperature of 54.9 degrees was the hottest March on record, continuing a record 11 month-streak that started last May.

According to NOAA climate scientist Jessica Blunden, the 11 heat records in a row smashes a streak of 10 set in 1944. Climate scientists say this is a result of El Nino, along with relentless, man-made global warming.

Riverside was 62.4 degrees in March, placing it among the hottest 10 percent of all-time, said National Weather Service Meteorologist Brett Albright. Inland temperatures may have been even higher if it had not been for rains this winter.

During strong El Nino years, theres lots of heating from the ocean, Albright said. If its continually rainy, it keeps us locally cooled off, but it also brings global temperatures up because moisture holds heat so well.

Blunden and Michael Mann at Penn State University worry that people will be desensitized to the drumbeat of broken records and will not realize the real effect it has  for example, massive changes in what is supposed to be winter in the Arctic. Greenland had a record early start for its ice sheet melting. The Arctic had its smallest winter maximum for sea ice and it was the second smallest March snow cover for the Northern Hemisphere.

Its becoming monotonous in a way, said Jason Furtado, a meteorology professor at the University of Oklahoma. Its absolutely disturbing  Were losing critical elements of our climate system.

March was 2.2 degrees (1.2 degrees Celsius) warmer than the 20th-century average. Thats a record amount above average for any month, breaking the mark set only the month before. Africa and the Indian Ocean were especially warm, Blunden said.

The first three months of the year were 2.07 degrees warmer than normal (1.15 degrees Celsius) and half a degree (0.28 degrees Celsius) warmer than the previous record start, set last year.

Beyond NOAA, NASA, the Japanese weather agency and satellite tracking measurements have reported that March was a record hot month. Blunden said theres a good chance April will mark a solid year of records.

The Inland region can expect the torrid conditions to continue into summer, Albright said. Theres about a 40 percent chance of hotter than normal summer temperatures, he said.

For NOAA, this is the 37th time monthly heat records have been broken since 2000, but it has been more than 99 years since the last time a global cold record has been set.

NOAA records go back to 1880.

Associated Press Reporter Seth Borenstein contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: poneill@pressenterprise.com, or 951-368-9644
In May of 2014, Netflix gave its subscribers a heads up that it would be increasing prices from $7.99 to $8.99 per month for its standard streaming plan. However, current customers at the time were guaranteed at least two more years of the per-month price they were used to, while new customers had to pay the higher cost. And last October, Netflix implemented yet another monthly fee jump, to $9.99 a month.

Now, all those loyal subscribers who were grandfathered in at the lower cost are about to be subjected to the price increase. At an additional $24 a year, some customers may question whether the service is still necessary in a marketplace flooded with options.

Everybody Will Be Paying the Same Price by the End of the Year

About 17 million standard accounts are due to increase in price next month. While long-term customers were given notice back in 2014, they've probably forgotten by now that their rates are about to go up. When Netflix introduced the new price of $9.99 per month last October, it again warned current customers their prices would soon increase as well.

SEE ALSO: With Much Less Content, Is Netflix Still Worth It?

Now that time has come, and by the end of the year, all Netflix customers should be paying $9.99 per month for the standard streaming plan.

Check to See When Your Price Will Increase

Based on when you signed up for Netflix (and consequently when your monthly bill is paid), your account might be changing at a different time from everyone else's. In order to see how long your pricing is guaranteed, log into your Netflix account, and go to your profile. There should be an area for "Plan Details" that shows what type of plan you have and how long your price is good for. Based on that, you should be able to roughly tell when your price will increase.

The most common changeover date floating around the internet seems to be May 9, but you should know that Netflix is planning to notify customers by email and within the service itself to alert them to the upcoming price change.

SEE ALSO: How to Cut the Cable Cord: 6 Steps to Stream TV and Save Money

More recent subscribers have a bit more time; if you subscribed before May 2014, Netflix is likely to begin charging you $9.99 per month in May. However, if you subscribed after May 2014, then your jump to $9.99 won't happen until October.

It's safe to assume that by October, we'll all be paying the same amount for the standard streaming plan on Netflix. Note that this final changeover comes as Amazon announces its streaming-only monthly Prime Video plan for $8.99.

Readers, does this price increase affect your decision to keep Netflix? Are you more likely to cancel now, or are you unconcerned? Sound off in the comments below!
An afternoon fire destroyed a single-wide mobile home just south of of Desert Hot Springs, according to Riverside County Fire Department officials.

The blaze was reported at 2:21 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, along Jayne Street, about two blocks northwest of 14th Avenue and Bluma Drive.

The crews of six fire engines were dispatched to the incident and knocked down the flames at 3:04 p.m.
Two firefighters were hurt while battling a blaze Tuesday evening that caused $300,000 in damage to a Fontana home.

One firefighter had to be taken to the hospital for minor injuries, and the second was treated at the scene, according to San Bernardino County fire officials.

Around 5:30 p.m., authorities received multiple reports of a house fire on the 16200 block of Pine Avenue, officials said.

There was heavy smoke and fire coming from an open garage door, and flames could be seen reaching to the second story of the home, according to a department statement.

High winds pushed the flames toward a neighboring home, but firefighters were able to battle back the blaze and keep it from spreading.

It took 40 minutes for firefighters to get the fire under control.

No one was inside the home, and outside of the minor injuries suffered by the two firefighters, no one else was hurt, officials said.

Damage to home was estimate to be $300,000. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
UPDATE: Riverside County Registrar of Voters Rebecca Spencer emailed me to say the Friday deadline is a soft deadline is if voters want their crossover mail ballot to go in the mail on 5/9/16 which is the first day to vote.

Crossover mail ballot requests received after 4/22/16 will go out after 5/9/16. The legal deadline to request a crossover mail ballot is 5/31/2016. There is still plenty of time for No Party Preference voters to request a crossover ballot.

ORIGINAL POST: If youre an independent vote-by-mail voter and want to vote for a Democratic, American Independent or Libertarian presidential candidate in Californias June 7 primary, youll want to return a postcard you should have gotten from the registrars of voters in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The postcards were sent to no party preference voters who have chosen to permanently get their ballots mailed to them. By Friday, April 22, they need to return the postcard with their preference checked for the Democratic, American Independent or Libertarian parties.

Those parties allow no party preference voters to cast ballots in their primaries. But voters first have to request a Democratic, American Independent or Libertarian ballot. If they dont, they will be given a ballot with no presidential candidates.

The Republican, Green and Peace & Freedom parties only allow voters registered with them to vote in their presidential primaries. The deadline to re-register as a member of one of those parties is May 23.

For more information, or if you didnt get a postcard, call the Riverside County Registrar of Voters at 951-486-7200 or the San Bernardino County registrar at 800-881-VOTE.
The city of Riversides Measure A, the proposal to empower the City Attorneys Office to prosecute misdemeanors in the city, will cost money. How much depends on whom you listen to and, evidently, what their respective agendas are.

The city is working to close an $8 million deficit this year and roughly $10 million to $12 million for next year. In this context, it seems counterintuitive for Riverside to add a multimillion-dollar obligation to an already constrained budget.

City Attorney Gary Geuss, using as a guide cost figures from cities like Anaheim and Santa Monica, estimates the extra prosecutions might cost upward of $2.5 million when the change is fully implemented. Mr. Geuss notes his office is already saving significant money by cutting down on the use of outside attorneys.

In contrast, former mayor Ron Loveridge, Riverside police union president Brian Smith and former district attorney Grover Trask have signed the official ballot argument against the proposal, arguing Measure A might cost $12.5 million to $25 million over five years, or $2.5 million to $5 million a year.

A writ filed against the city by Mr. Trask and two employees of the D.A.s office, acting in their personal capacity, pointed to more realistic estimates indicating costs upward of $6.7 million to $7.2 million. Meanwhile, the Raincross Group, which also opposes the measure, has floated numbers of up to $12 million a year.

The disparity in cost estimates  from $2.5 million to $12 million  is more befuddling than enlightening. A figure of $2.5 million is in line with the cost of the city prosecutor in similarly sized Anaheim, while $5 million aligns with the costs in Long Beach, which has a population roughly 50 percent greater than Riversides. The $12 million cost projection is closer to the criminal prosecution expenditures of a city like San Diego, with more than four times the population of Riverside.

Naturally, throwing out perpetually escalating cost estimates benefits a key part of the No on A narrative, which is that the proposal will cost too much money at a time when the citys resources are increasingly strained. The general outline of that scenario is certainly true. Measure A will cost money, and the city is in the midst of budget-cutting.

Theres also merit to the idea that governments tend to underestimate the cost of new endeavors. But what weve seen goes beyond reasoned skepticism about Mr. Geuss cost estimates. Ultimately, the public deserves greater clarity on what Measure A might cost than whats been offered to date.
The Port of Long Beach has started to study the feasibility of shipping more of its incoming cargo to the Inland Empire by short-haul rail.

A train double-stacked with shipping containers could take about 750 truck trips off the highway, said Michael Christensen, the ports senior executive lead for supply chain optimization.

If an increase in short-haul rail happens, some of those trucks could be from Riverside and San Bernardino counties. General freight trucking employs nearly 20,000 people in the Inland Empire, according to the California Employment Development Department.

But its a big if. To make short-haul work, an intermodal terminal would most likely have to be built somewhere in the Inland Empire so trucks can unload shipping containers and transport merchandise to nearby warehouses and distribution centers.

Christensen said in a phone interview the issue seems to get studied about every decade.

He cited a 2004 study by the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority that looked at building terminals in places such as Victorville.

The issue, however, may have more traction this time due to the increase of cargo coming into the ports as well as concerns about air pollution.

Whats probably different about this time is that the business climate has changed substantially, Christensen said. Drayage costs are up. Truck requirements are more stringent. Congestion is greater. Were saying maybe now is the right time to look at this.

As much as 70 percent of cargo coming into the twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles is transported by trucks, and 40 percent is headed for the Inland Empire, according to a news release by the Port of Long Beach. From here, it gets shipped by rail to other parts of the country or goes into local storage to serve the regions increasing reliance on e-commerce and rapid delivery.

The Port of Long Beach is undertaking the study as part of a Supply Chain Optimization Initiative, a joint endeavor with the Port of Los Angeles.

Christensen said Long Beach has a good infrastructure for short-haul rail, which in this case means trips within Southern California of 100 miles or less. The ports would likely be working with Class I railroads, BNSF and Union Pacific.

The challenge on the Inland end would be building rail terminals. The ports news release suggests land near Ontario International Airport and land farther east owned by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians as possible sites.

As you well know, that takes a while, Christensen said. But if we find a valid business case supporting the short haul rail and the ports, we will roll up our sleeves with the railroads, and the other stakeholders, and the municipalities and entities that would be entitling such facilities.

Contact the writer: fbuck@pressenterprise.com or 951-368-9551.
At least two Inland Republicans running for Congress are aiming for donors by giving them something to aim with.

Doug Shepherd, who is running against Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, recently held a fundraiser that offered Smith & Wesson handguns to donors who gave the maximum contribution of $2,700 allowed by federal law. And Tim Donnelly, who is challenging Republican incumbent Paul Cook of Yucca Valley, is hosting a fundraiser in which the first 100 people to buy a ticket will be entered into a drawing for one of three firearms.

And the others will be auctioned off at my event! read an email about the Friday, April 22 fundraiser from Donnelly, a former GOP assemblyman and 2014 gubernatorial candidate who lives in the San Bernardino Mountains.

The Shepherd fundraiser, which was held March 23, took place at Bullseye Sport in Riverside. Shooting simulator will be available to all participants, a flier for the event read.

Shepherd is running in Californias 41st Congressional District, which includes Riverside, Moreno Valley, Perris and Jurupa Valley. Donnelly hopes to unseat Cook in the 8th Congressional District, which represents Apple Valley, Twentynine Palms, Big Bear City and Lake Arrowhead among other communities.

Not surprisingly, both candidates are gun rights advocates. But Donnellys history with firearms is a little more complicated, given his no-contest pleas to two misdemeanor counts in 2012 for bringing a loaded gun in a briefcase to Ontario International Airport.

Donnelly, who received three years probation and was fined $2,215, called the incident an honest mistake.
A vague and anonymous bomb threat  of doubtful reliability  will nevertheless bolster police presence Wednesday at a Murrieta high school, say police and school officials.

Even though we dont believe there is a credible threat, I want to assure you that we are taking this very seriously, and we have several safeguards in place, Principal Mick Wagner emailed parents of Vista Murrieta High School students. Murrieta police officers will be on campus early in the morning, and we will have extra police coverage throughout the day.

UPDATE: Business as usual after high school bomb threat, spokeswoman says

The school at 28251 Clinton Keith Road received an anonymous email Tuesday afternoon, April 19, warning that there would be an explosion on campus Wednesday, school district officials said in a posting on the schools website.

A school resource officer assigned to the campus  and downtown detectives  soon investigated the threat.

They couldnt find anything credible, police watch commander Sgt. Sandra ODonnell said late Tuesday. We do normally have an officer on campus. But tomorrow were going to have extra officers on campus as well.

Its just a precaution, she said.

Anyone with additional information may call police dispatchers at 951-696-3615.
About a quarter of Vista Murrieta High Schools students stayed home Wednesday after families were notified about the threat of an explosion on campus  a threat that was deemed a likely hoax.

Before classes began, a bomb-sniffing dog was sent into each of the schools classrooms, but came up with nothing, said Murrieta Valley Unified School District spokeswoman Karen Parris.

Still, authorities took extra precautions. The Murrieta Police Department had about three officers on campus and additional patrol officers in the vicinity of the school, Parris said. Typically, the school has at least one school resource officer present.

On Wednesday morning, there was no visible police presence in the parking lot outside the main entrance, and a security guard who is normally present at the school could be seen talking to incoming cars.

Its quiet, Parris said. Its business as usual. Teachers are teaching and students are taking care of business at school.

Vista Murrieta Principal Mick Wager called and emailed parents Tuesday evening to alert them that a vague threat had been emailed anonymously to a staff member. The threat said there would be an explosion on campus Wednesday.

Wager assured parents that officials didnt believe the threat was credible, but security would be bolstered nonetheless. After the early-morning sweep, a note posted on the school website called the threat likely a hoax.

Murrieta police said they are investigating the source of the email. The school district asked anyone with information about the threat to contact police at 951-696-3615, or call in an anonymous tip to 1-800-782-7463.

Parris said school officials were doing their very best to ensure the safety of students, but said she was aware parents were concerned about the situation. Many parents said on social media Tuesday that they would not be sending their children to school.

Yes, there is a decline in attendance, Parris said. I dont have official numbers from the school yet, but I would estimate attendance is down by 25 percent.

Russell Acosta, whose daughter attends Vista Murrieta, said he was concerned at first when he learned of the threat, but a second read of Wagers email gave him confidence that school officials had the situation under control.



As soon as the fog started settling down and we reread it, we decided we should probably trust (Wager) and the police department, that they know what they were doing, he said.

Acosta said he was very proud of his daughters decision to go to school in spite of the threat.

She continues to make me proud on her decisions and on a decision like this, it shows a lot of courage, he said. She didnt have to go to school, she could have backed out, but she decided to go.
Of eight Boy Scouts who recently traveled to the state Capitol to give a report to lawmakers on their activities, Riverside resident Sean Skiff was the Inland Empires lone representative.

The 11-year-old Twain Elementary School sixth-grader, who is a member of Riversides Troop 2, served as a delegate for Boy Scouts of America in March to deliver a report to Gov. Jerry Brown and other officials. He was one of three Scouts in Southern California picked for the trip, which marked the first time in 15 years the Boy Scouts of America has made a report to the state.

Sean said he was excited to be selected for the trip.

I thought, Wow, this is amazing,  he said. I am actually going to be able to see the governor in person.

The report included a breakdown of the organizations activities across California in the last year, including that more than 170,000 Scouts put in more than 2 million community service hours. A total of 4,911 youth earned their Eagle Scout designation.

Not only did Sean get to briefly meet the governor, he had lunch with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, who laughed at Seans jokes.

Sean visited with Assemblyman Matt Debabneh, D-Encino, and thanked him for helping to pass AB 147, which ensures that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted. Sean has done volunteer work with the Los Angeles-based Beagle Freedom Project, which works to find homes for beagles that have spent their lives confined to a testing laboratory.

He also visited Assemblyman Jose Medina, D-Riverside, who happened to be celebrating his birthday and invited Sean to have cake with him.

Sean is passionate about the Boy Scouts, often wearing his uniform to school and encouraging classmates to join.

I love it so much because I get to be more independent with myself, he said. Im learning skills that a lot of kids never learn.

His mother Diane Skiff said Seans nomination to serve as a delegate and the experience of the boys getting to travel to Sacramento is a testament to what the organization can do for the youth involved, and it gives her a sense of peace to know these young men will be tomorrows leaders.

I have met so many good people through this program, even adults who were Scouts when they were young, and you can really tell the impact it has made on their lives that they carry through with them, she said.

I always hear people say they are worried about the future of the country because of how the youth of today are. But with the youth that I have met in Scouting, I am not worried at all. These young men are kind and considerate, they think of others before themselves, they are active in their community, just like Sean is.

Contact the writer: melaniecj@yahoo.com
Twenty-two people across Southern California and beyond have been charged with defrauding the Social Security Administration by illegally receiving cash benefits totaling $2.6 million  mostly in cases where a defendant had not reported the death of a family member and kept receiving benefits that should have been cut off, according to a U.S. Attorneys Office news release.

The defendants include five from Riverside County and four from San Bernardino County.

But the three whose cases the U.S. Attorneys Office highlighted were from Los Angeles County: a county sheriffs deputy, a Social Security Administration employee and a West Hills man accused of diverting the most money, more than $400,000.

In that case, the defendants father had died and he also diverted spousal benefits due his ex-stepmother, according to the release.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Hardin was specifically hired as a prosecutor to deal with this type of fraud case. The Social Security Administration supports some of the most vulnerable people

We feel strongly about supporting that population and rooting out fraud, Hardin said by phone.

Federal grand juries in Los Angeles returned 21 indictments last week. One defendant was arrested Monday, April 18, one defendant is in Mexico and the others will be ordered to appear in court on future dates.

This series of cases illustrates the commitment to protect the integrity of an important program aimed at helping senior citizens and the most vulnerable in our society, U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker said in a written statement.

The defendants are charged with theft of government property, which carries up to a five-year term in federal prison. Some defendants are charged with additional offenses, including aggravated identity theft and defrauding the Social Security Administration.

Evidence of benefits fraud may be shared with the agency by calling the Social Security fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or filing a report online.

THE DEFENDANTS

Federal authorities have charged 22 defendants in separate cases with defrauding the Social Security Administration with illegally receiving cash benefits. The list by county with the approximate amount of diverted benefits:

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

 Janet Dial, 58, of Thermal, $137,105, also accused of bank fraud

 Taralyn Boucher, 60, of La Quinta, $111,813

 Sabina Martinez, 69, of the Romoland neighborhood of Menifee, nearly $100,000

 Maria Lopez, 59, of Moreno Valley, just over $35,000

 Katina Dell Lasater, 72, of Temecula, $23,636

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

 Judith Catherine Alcala, 66, of Chino Hills, $161,580

 Gene Shui Wong, 65, of Yucca Valley, $127,361

 Mario Panagiotopoulos, 48, of Phelan, $121,000

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

 Jose Aguinaco Ugalde, 68, of West Hills, more than $400,000, with other charges including aggravated identity theft

 Ricardo Stephens, 58, of Inglewood, nearly $350,000

 Elizabeth White, 54, Los Angeles, just over $100,000

 Gwendolyn Marie Clarrett, 61, of Long Beach, nearly $25,000

 Laura Michelle Dubief, 29 of Los Angeles, and Maria Isabel Bailey, 56, of Gardena, a combined $41,670 in benefits

 Los Angeles County sheriffs Sgt. Vicki Lynn Gregory is charged with spending about $30,000 of her late mothers widow benefits.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

 John Miguel Cervantes, 57, of Oceanside, nearly $250,000

 Debra Christine Clark, 47, of Escondido, just under $113,000

VENTURA COUNTY

 Kathryn Kushner, 64, of Oxnard, $241,793

 Kim Dennise Scovis, 60, of Thousand Oaks, $68,048

 Social Security employee Daysi Salazar-Arias, 38, of Thousand Oaks, about $10,000, accused of diverting benefits to herself and making it appear that the money was going to legitimate beneficiaries, one of whom was deceased.

ELSEWHERE

 Teodora Valdez Uribe, 82, of Mexico, just over $115,000

 James Robert Stutte, 40, of Salt Lake City, Utah, more than $33,000
Riverside County sheriffs deputies went to a Menifee neighborhood in search of a wanted suspect on Tuesday, April 19, but were unable to find the person, authorities said.

Riverside County sheriffs Deputy Mike Vasquez said deputies went to the 28400 block of Marcalope Lane shortly before 1:30 p.m. after receiving information that the suspect  who has an active felony warrant  was in the area.

A witness at the scene said multiple squad cars lined streets and a helicopter flew over the neighborhood, presumably in an effort to find the person.

Vasquez said that despite their efforts, deputies werent able to find the suspect. He said no other information was available because an investigation was still ongoing.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9693 or agroves@pressenterprise.com
Front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton swept to victory with ease in Tuesdays New York primary, with Trump bouncing back from a difficult stretch in the Republican campaign and Clinton pushing closer to locking up the Democratic nomination.

Trumps victory was a psychological boost for his campaign, though the impact on his path to the GOP nomination was to be determined by the number of delegates he secured. He seemed headed to capture more than 50 percent of the vote, putting him in a strong position to win most of New Yorks 95 delegates, an impressive haul.

A confident Trump declared that it was impossible for his rivals to catch him.

We dont have much of a race anymore, he said during a victory rally in the lobby of the Manhattan tower bearing his name. He peppered his brash remarks with more references to the economy and other policy proposals than normal, reflecting the influence of a new team of advisers seeking to professionalize his campaign.

Clintons triumph padded her delegate lead over rival Bernie Sanders and strengthened her claim to the Democratic nomination that eluded her eight years ago. Clintons campaign is eager to turn toward the general election and heal wounds with Sanders enthusiastic supporters.

With 247 delegates at stake, Clinton picked up at least 104 while Sanders gained at least 85. Many remained to be allocated, pending final vote tallies

Exit polls suggested Democrats were ready to rally around whoever the party nominates. Nearly 7 in 10 Sanders supporters in New York said that they would definitely or probably vote for Clinton if she is the partys pick.

Sanders energized young people and liberals in New York, as he has across the country, but it wasnt enough to pull off the upset victory he desperately needed to change the trajectory of the Democratic race. Still, the Vermont senator vowed to keep competing.

Weve got a shot to victory, Sanders said in an interview with The Associated Press. We have come a very long way in the last 11 months, and we are going to fight this out until the end of the process.

The fight for New Yorks delegate haul consumed the presidential contenders for two weeks, an eternity in the fast-moving White House race. Candidates blanketed every corner of New York, bidding for votes from Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs to the working class cities and rural enclaves that dot the rest of the state.

The nominating contests will stay centered in the Northeast in the coming days, with Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania all holding contests next week. Sanders spent Tuesday in Pennsylvania, as did Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, Trumps closest rival.

Cruz panned Trumps win as little more than a politician winning his home state, then implored Republicans to unite around his candidacy.

We must unite the Republican Party because doing so is the first step in uniting all Americans, Cruz said in remarks read off a teleprompter.

Trump needed a strong showing to keep alive his chances of clinching the GOP nomination before the partys July convention  and to quiet critics who say the long primary season has exposed big deficiencies in his campaign effort.

Having spent months relying on a slim staff, Trump has started hiring more seasoned campaign veterans. Hes acknowledged that bringing new people into his orbit may cause some strife, but says the moves were necessary at this stage of the race.

Cruz is trying to stay close enough in the delegate count to push the GOP race to a contested convention. His campaign feels confident that its mastered the complicated process of lining up individual delegates who could shift their support to the Texas senator after a first round of convention balloting.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the only other Republican left in the race, sought to add to his scant delegate total in New York and keep up his bid to play a long-shot spoiler at the convention. He bested Cruz on Tuesday and is refusing to end his campaign despite winning only his home state.

Trumps political strength, though he boasts of drawing new members to the party, has left some Republicans concerned that his nomination could splinter the GOP. Among Republican voters in New York, nearly 6 in 10 said the nominating contest is dividing the party, according to exit polls.

The surveys were conducted by Edison Research for The Associated Press and television networks.

Trump leads the GOP race with 756 delegates, ahead of Cruz with 559 and Kasich with 144. Securing the GOP nomination requires 1,237.

Among Democrats, Clinton now has 1,862 delegates to Sanders 1,161. Those totals include both pledged delegates from primaries and caucuses and superdelegates, the party insiders who can back the candidate of their choice regardless of how their state votes. It takes 2,383 to win the Democratic nomination.

AP writers Thomas Beaumont, Lisa Lerer, Julie Bykowicz, Emily Swanson and Steve Peoples contributed to this report.
Sally Faulkner, Tara Brown and the rest of the 60 Minutes crew are set to be released from custody within a matter of hours after a judge dropped all child abductions charges in a Lebanese court.

Charges against Faulkner were dropped by the father of the children on compassionate grounds, at the urging of the children. Its unclear if it is a part of the bargain but she has ceded custody to the father.

In a separate deal, all four Channel 9 staffers will be released on the condition that an undisclosed sum is paid by tonight.

The prospect of a deal was announced earlier today, with Faulkners lawyer, Ghassan Moghabghab, hinting that they had somehow reached a very positive deal.

The crew got arrested when an attempt to help facilitate and subsequently film a child recovery operation turned into a horrible cock up. Police made the arrest when an attempt to recover (or kidnap, depending on your perspective) the kids off the street in broad daylight got ugly.

Faulkner and the crew will all be released as soon as payment of an unknown sum has been made by Channel 9.

Source: The Herald Sun.

Photo: Getty Images / Marwan Tahtah.
File this under: news stories that are blatantly ripping off Tom Hanks movies.

An American TV crew filming on an mostly deserted island off the coast of the Northern Territory rescued an honest-to-god IRL castaway, who they later identified as an Aussie bloke whod gotten into deep shit on a fishing trip.

The crew, who were in Oz to film an episode of Animal Planets River Monsters (titled Death Down Under farrrrrkin hell), spotted a blue esky chilling on a rock.

They did what any of us would do and cracked a few Castaway jokes, but then a naked dude came sprinting out of the cave.

FWIW, this is where the island is.:

And this is where it is in relation to the rest of Australia:

Director Stephen Shearman told InsideEdition that the bloke, an experienced fisher from Borroloola called Tremine, was hours away from death and was prepared to die.

He said Tremine had left his boat in search of better oysters, but after a few hours digging, had become hopelessly lost.

He had tried to walk back, got beaten by the sun, and made his way back to the beach, he said. Meanwhile, he had suffered from sunstroke and was unable to go any further. He then spent that first night on the beach, and the next morning he tried again, but the sun had gotten to be too much for him, and at this point, he is now trapped. This guy is super experienced, goes out fishing a lot, he knows the landscape, he knows the dangers, and yet he succumbed to it so quickly. Everything was fine, and within two to three hours, everything wasnt really fine at all.

Luckily, they found Tremine, and he lived to fish another day.

But hes making two all-important changes to his life:

1) Treating the great Australian wilderness with the respect it deserves.

2) Going back to huffing darts. Because smoking = lighter = being able to build a fire next time youre stuck in on a deserted island.

Fuckin Straya.

Source: InsideEdition.



Photo: Castaway.
Yahoo reported a net loss of $99 million, or 10 cents per share, compared with a profit of $21 million, or 2 cents per share, a year ago.

San Francisco: Yahoo Inc first-quarter results beat Wall Street estimates by a hair on Tuesday in what was taken as a good sign for the web pioneer's plan to auction its core business.

Under pressure from activist shareholder Starboard Value LP and others, Yahoo has ramped up a sale of its media, email and other web businesses. Yahoo's overall fortunes have failed to revive under Chief Executive Marissa Mayer, although she points to good results in key areas including social media.

Mayer in a call with analysts drilled the message that she was focussed on the sale and was meeting with investors and potential bidders, a contrast with the previous quarter, when she also discussed plans to spin off the company's core business from Yahoo Japan and its stake in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Inc BABA.O.

The first round of bids closed on Monday. Verizon Communications Inc has put in an offer and is set to make a short list, according to sources. Private equity firms Apax Partners LLP, TPG Capital LP, Bain Capital LLC, Apollo Global Management LLC and Warburg Pincus LLC have also submitted first- round bids.

Yahoo aims to close the sale in June, sources said. That would be before the annual meeting where Starboard wants shareholders to replace the board. Yahoo shares rose nearly 1 per cent to $36.66 in light volume in extended trading on Tuesday.

"The numbers are providing some comfort things aren't falling off a cliff," said Ronald Josey of JMP Securities. "If you're bidding for this company it's nice to see them doing what they said they would do."

Revenue fell 11.3 per cent to $1.09 billion in the first quarter, the first decline after four straight quarters of growth. The result squeaked by analyst estimates of $1.08 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Yahoo reported a net loss of $99 million, or 10 cents per share, compared with a profit of $21 million, or 2 cents per share, a year ago. On an adjusted basis, Yahoo earned 8 cents per share, topping Wall Street's target of 7 cents.

"The results should build a little bit of confidence for investors that the sale is going to be completed," said Murali Sankar, an analyst at Boenning & Scattergood Inc.

Mayer told analysts a spinoff was still possible, but she said that only in response to a direct question on the call. That showed she was focussed on the sale, said Axiom Capital analyst Victor Anthony. Yahoo said it sees second-quarter GAAP revenue of $1.05 billion to $1.09 billion - below analysts' view of $1.10 billion.
Aamir recently visited drought affected regions of the state and came across two of the most adversely affected villages, Tal and Koregaon and decided to adopt them.

Mumbai: After Nana Patekar and Akshay Kumar extended their support to several drought-affected villages of Maharashtra, Aamir Khan too has joined the bandwagon and has adopted two villages that have been adversely affected by drought.

According to reports, Aamir recently visited drought affected regions of the state and came across two of the most adversely affected villages, Tal and Koregaon and decided to adopt them.

Read: From Saif to Kangana, actors join hands with Aamir to solve water crisis

This is not the first time that Aamir has done this. He had earlier adopted villages in Kutch in Gujarat after the worst earthquake ever in 2001.

Recently, as part of the water conservation awareness campaign, Aamir had also recently visited Beed from Aurangabad, one of the three worst affected districts in Maharashtra and applauded Maharashtra government's Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan.

Read: Family was disturbed with criticism on intolerance row: Aamir Khan

Apart from Aamir, Nana along with a few actors from the Marathi film industry, took up a fund-raising initiative to help the agrarian families. Akshay too come forward to wholeheartedly support the initiative and donated Rs 50 lakh towards the state-led initiative.

On work front, Aamir is gearing up for the release of Nitesh Tiwari's 'Dangal'.The film revolves around Mahavir Phogat who teaches wrestling to his two daughters Babita Kumari and Geeta Phogat.
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Kangana's lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee stated that, "Mr. Hrithik Roshan and his PR team are going to extreme measures to tarnish the name and image of my client Ms. Kangana Ranaut in all possible ways, only in an effort to pressurize her and get her to surrender."

Mumbai: Proceedings into the ongoing legal battle between Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut have been stalled as the latter is yet to record her statement. Kangana's lawyers lashed out at Hrithik and his team saying that they are misleading the media.

Read: Cyber crime cops to record Kangana Ranaut's statement on April 30

Advocate Rizwan Siddiquee states that "Mr. Hrithik Roshan and his PR team are going to extreme measures to tarnish the name and image of my client Ms. Kangana Ranaut in all possible ways, only in an effort to pressurize her and get her to surrender. However, Mr. Hrithik Roshan has to fully realise that my client will never retreat nor surrender, or ever succumb to any pressure."

He further added, "Mr. Hrithik Roshan also needs to fully understand that he cannot morally, ethically or legally stop my client from exercising her rights to obtain the copy of the FIR, therefore by planting false and misleading stories in the media that my client is not co-operating with the Police shall not help in any way."

Read: Hrithik never proposed to Kangana, passport reveals he didn't visit Paris

Till date we have been following the procedures of law in all respects and shall continue to do so. Mr. Hrithik Roshan knows fully well that Section 160 of CRPC intends to protect the privacy of a woman, and therefore she cannot be summoned to the Police station as a witness to record her statement. Despite knowing the provisions of law, yet he and his PR team are immorally and unethically spreading stories to the media to ensure that the media is always present around the venue, where my client is scheduled to record her statements. These acts coupled with the acts of showing my client's private emails to the media, only prove his thought process. In any event he had waited for almost two years without bothering about any imposter so far, and his fight was only to do with my client's remark about a "Silly-Ex" why has he abandoned that fight, has he surrendered, or does he not have any answers to my counter notice. ?"

Read: Kangana's affair with Hrithik only happened in her head, claims a friend

Meanwhile, Hrihtik's lawyer Deepesh Mehta recently counter-accused the 'Queen' star's team for giving one too many statements to the media and not actually recording an official statement. He said, "Instead of giving so many media statements they should record one official statement with the cyber-crime cell which will really help the investigation."

"They are clearly more interested in media wars than anything else. The entire process of investigation is stalled because they haven't officially recorded their statement with the authorities," his statement further read.
FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2013, file photo, skiers take the slopes at Alta Ski Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City. A federal appeals court has dismissed a discrimination lawsuit brought by snowboarders against a Utah ski resort that is one of the last in the country to prohibit their sport. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, that Alta Ski Area's decision to keep its slopes snowboard-free is one the private company has a right to make. (Jeffrey D. Allred/The Deseret News, File) ) SALT LAKE TRIBUNE OUT, MAGS OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT.
Mumbai: When Maneesh Sharma started off with his film Fan, he approached several senior make-up artists overseas, who told him that it was virtually impossible to bring his vision to life.

However, the team did not lose hope and connected with Hollywood artist Greg Cannon, who did a remarkable job turning the 50-year-old star into a 25-year-old lookalike fan.

The makers have released a 15-minute video which shows what went into the making of Shah Rukh Khans character Gaurav. In the clip, SRK reveals how he hated to sit in a chair for 4-5 hours each day and described it as the single most irritating thing in the world but I promised myself I would not get angry.

In his painstaking preparation Greg designed eyebrow pieces, drew inspiration from Brad Pitts character in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and designed a new nose and teeth. On the other hand, the VFX team shrunk the fans body, sharpened the jaw line, removed the Adams apple and worked on his eyes and shoulders.

Watch the video here.
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Kuwait's oil output on the way to normal after strike ends



Oil production will be back to normal in three days: KPC





DOHA

Petroleumworld.com 04 20 2016

Kuwait's oil production is set to return to normal in three days after thousands of striking workers returned to their jobs Wednesday.

OPEC's fourth-largest producer will boost output to an average of 3 million barrels a day in three days, according to a statement from Kuwait Petroleum Corp. on Wednesday. Output was 1.5 million barrels a day on Tuesday compared with 1.1 million on Sunday. Oil refineries are still operating at about 520,000 barrels a day, Khaled Al-Asousi, spokesman at state refiner Kuwait National Petroleum Co., said in a text message. Plants had been operating at that rate, less than 60 percent of capacity, since the strike began on Sunday.

The 13,000 members of the Oil & Petrochemical Industries Workers Confederation went on strike to protest cuts in pay and benefits as Middle Eastern crude exporters reduced subsidies and government handouts to cope with falling oil prices. A global glut of crude has pushed prices 32 percent lower in the past year. Worldwide supply surpassed demand by 1.5 million barrels a day in the first quarter, according to the International Energy Agency.

Price Outlook

With that crude coming back, I don't see the market being able to add much more to prices, Edward Bell, a commodities analyst at Dubai-based bank Emirates NBD PJSC, said by phone Wednesday. Oil should trade at $35 to $45 a barrel for the next several months, he said.

Brent crude fell as much as 2.8 percent, to $42.81 a barrel and traded at $42.94 at 10:13 a.m. in Dubai, wiping out gains for the week. Last month, before the walkout, Kuwait was pumping 2.8 million barrels a day, trailing Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran, according to the IEA. The initial decline of 1.7 million barrels a day from March levels surpassed the surplus in global supply.

Union's Role

Union members planned to take up their tools at 7 a.m. local time on Wednesday after successfully showing the importance of their role in the economy, KUNA, the country's official news agency said, citing a statement from the union. The report came soon after Anas Al Saleh, the acting oil minister, said on Alrai television the government wouldn't hold negotiations as long as a strike continued.

Returning progressively to the normal production levels may take about three days, returning to the previous level of an average of 3 million barrels a day, according to a statement by the oil industry's spokesman, Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, posted on the KPC website.

The goal in going on strike was to send a clear message, the Oil & Petrochemical Industries Workers Confederation said in a statement. The workers reiterated in their action their role in the economy, the union said.

Kuwait's crude output climbed to 1.5 million barrels a day Tuesday as the state oil company brought more production back online. Production in northern Kuwait returned to normal and Kuwait Petroleum Corp. restarted units in the country's southeast, helping boost overall output, the oil industry's spokesman, Al-Sabah said in a post on Instagram on Tuesday.






Trinidad & Tobago's Repsol workers to face the ax



Repsol offers VSEP package via email 190 workers left stunned

PORT SPAIN

Petroleumworld.com 04 20 2016

In the first step of an effort to cut jobs, Spanish energy firm Repsol E&P T&T Ltd yesterday offered 190 employees Voluntary Separation of Employment (VSEP) packages.

The company did so in an email to the employees, of which the T&T Guardian received a copy.

In the email, the company said from 2014 to present, it had embarked on many optimisation initiatives to make its Business Unit viable.

In the third quarter of 2015, we communicated to our employees the problems our company has been facing due to the collapse in oil prices since July 2014. As we all know, we have tried to innovatively find ways to become more efficient.

As we continue to review our organisational needs, Repsol would like to launch a Voluntary Separation Programme commencing April 18, 2015 until 5 pm on April 25, 2016, the email read.

It said the offer was applicable to permanent employees, with the exception of: employees belonging to the Bargaining Unit #3; individuals who have submitted formal notice of retirement or who have tendered their resignation before April 15, 2016; non-nationals on assignment in Trinidad and T&T nationals on foreign assignments.

The offer, according to the email, was intended to allow the employees interested in leaving the company this year a chance to express that interest. It added that there would be no deferred VSEP packages as it was a one-time offer.

The VSEP process was said to be confidential and applications will only be reviewed by those required to make staffing decisions.

However, employees were told while their preferences would be considered, there was no guarantee their VSEP request would be accepted as all decisions would be based on organisational needs.

But the move comes even as Repsol prepares to sign a lease arrangement with the National Gas Company Ltd today for its offshore platforms in the Teak and Poui fields.

The VSEP offer thus left Repsol workers, especially the T&T nationals, dazed and confused yesterday.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday under anonymity, an employee questioned the motive behind the VSEP plan.

Yes, we understand it's an offer and if you don't apply it means that you want to continue working with the company but is it that the company wants to demotivate us or are interested in hiring cheaper labour? All these things we are studying. This came as a shock to us, like a thief in the night.

On another pending issue, the T&T Guardian has been reliably informed that the signing of the lease agreement between Repsol and the National Gas Company (NGC) for two of the latter's platforms is scheduled to take place today.

Contacted on the deal yesterday, Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre confirmed that the deal, which was initially intended to be a sale agreement, had been change to a lease agreement. However, she said she would most likely miss the signing as she was out of the country and scheduled to return this evening.

Asked how the move by both companies would affect employees, Olivierre replied: I know that NGC has made plans for its employees to be redeployed in different areas and some will be re-trained. However, I do not know who Repsol will have on the platform.

Asked if she had heard rumours that Repsol planned to hire its own workers to operate the platforms at month's end, Olivierre replied: I don't know about Spanish workers. I would not know what Repsol's intentions are."

The T&T Guardian understands that a meeting was held late last week with Repsol and NGC officials.

Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday, this time with NGC's offshore workers. It is expected that NGC employees will be briefed on their futures with the company (NGC) then.

Efforts to reach NGC chairman Gerry Brooks and Repsol's business adviser and assets manager, Allan Russell, for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.

Questions were sent to Repsol's corporate communications manager, Heidi Diquez, regarding the VSEP offer, the signing of the lease agreement with NGC and whether or not Repsol will be hiring its own workers for the platforms they will be leasing from NGC. However, up to press time there was no response.

The same questions were sent to Russell, via whatsapp and text messages, but he too did not respond. Calls to his phone were unsuccessful.

Questions were also sent to Brooks via text messaging after he did not to return calls from the T&T Guardian on the signing of the lease agreement.

More Info

On March 8, 2016, orted that Repsol E&P T&T Limited and NGC were expected to sign off on a deal at the end of this month for Repsol to purchase two of NGC's offshore platforms for US$.5 million, which is just over TT$3 million.

According to documents obtained by the T&T Guardian, both parties had signed a confidentiality agreement since September 16, 2015 in order to facilitate an asset evaluation by Repsol.

The document also stated that during the interim period and until the sale and purchase agreement, NGC would be responsible for the operation of the platforms subject to Repsol's approval of all direct costs related to the operation of the assets, except in cases of emergencies.

Also, during the interim period, Repsol and NGC were to agree to limit the number of NGC offshore personnel.

After the story was reported, NGC indicated it was not entering into a sale agreement but a lease agreement with Repsol.

Some 40 contracted NGC offshore workers will be affected by this deal.






Rana Daggubati and Kajal Aggarwal will be seen together in an upcoming film.

According to a source, director Teja narrated the story to Rana and he liked the concept. Interestingly, it was Teja who had introduced Kajal to Telugu cinema, in the film Lakshmi Kalyanam.

The film will go on the floors soon, adds the source. Teja was supposed to shoot Aham with actor Rajasekhar, but the project was shelved and the director narrated the story of the current film to Rana.

Rana is supposed to start shooting for Rajamoulis Baahubali part 2.

So before they announce the project, they want to discuss Ranas dates

with Rajamouli, adds the source.
I got offers from Kollywood and Bollywood too but couldnt accommodate the dates, says Prabhakar

Prabhakar is looking forward to positive roles, after playing Kalakeya in Baahubali. I got plenty of offers, but all of them were negative, which I dont want. I do negative characters, but all of them are routine. At the same time I want to prove my acting skills, so Im looking for a few positive roles, says Prabhakar.

Baahubali released in last June and Prabhakar took a long break because of the same reason. When I was looking for a change, M.S. Raju garu approached me for the role of a bus conductor in Right Right.

Initially they had doubts about whether I could carry off the emotions, but after I met them, they were confident about me. The film is complete and it will be another good film in my career, adds the actor.

Interestingly, Prabhakar speaks the Srikakulam slang in the film. He is originally from a Telangana village and mostly speaks in Telangana dialect.

But as an actor I should do all characters, and I worked really hard to get the dialect right, he says, adding, I practiced the dialogues with the help of an assistant director.

He has meanwhile signed Oxygen, Avu Puli Madhyalo Prabhas and a Malayalam film. The Malayalam film also stars Mohanlal, he says, adding that he met director Unni Krishnan recently at a festival in Kochi and they became friends.

The actor had got an offer in Tamil too but couldnt accommodate the dates.

It was a very good character and Dhanush was the lead. It was a very good opportunity for me but I couldnt accommodate dates for it, he says.

He has got calls from Bwood too. In between I got an offer for a Hindi film, but I was already committed to a few Telugu films, he says.
Most natives will have trouble wiggling into the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center this July. But a couple of DNC-related computer/tablet/phone apps could help you feel part of the weeklong July 25-28 confab/celebration that's setting the party platform and next presidential candidate right here in America's birthplace city.

One app will invite locals to go on a merry scavenger hunt, picking up clues at 57 locations  from the Betsy Ross House to City Hall to the Cira Centre - where colorfully decorated donkey sculptures are being placed as part of the Welcome DNC effort. Brainstorm of former Governor Ed Rendell, the idea was to place a commemorative ass, you should pardon the expression, celebrating each state and U.S. territory with a delegation at the convention. Each party mascot will be decorated with "home state" imagery as executed by painters of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Project. "We'll have more specific information how the app and scavenger hunt will work, closer to the convention week," said Anna Adams-Sarthou of the hosting organization PHLDNC. "The idea will be to identify things and answer questions at each location, to prove you were there."

High profile Philly locations also loom large on the convention-customized Visit Philly site. Not just for delegates, it's chock full of recommendations for where to get the best fast food (like, uh, cheese steaks and donuts), where to get a culture fix, where to stay. Another section, currently out of commission, is intended to focus on the best locations to capture Instagrams. But when you dig into the website's "Pressroom" section, you will find a "Media Guide: DNC Destination Resource" with images, capsule summaries and a tour map of "30 of Philadelphia's Best Vantage Points" for TV camera teams to "do location shoots," shared VisitPhilly's Cara Schneider.

Doing us proud and cutting through red tape, this tipsters guide stipulates which locations only work in clear weather (Belmont Plateau, One Liberty Observation Deck), which are best at sunset (33d floor of Loews Philadelphia Hotel) and which locations need a broadcast/filming permit and (sometimes) fee - like the Liberty Bell and Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps and Rocky Statute. But for your personal, non-commercial use  Philly's still a free festival, man!
Taking cranberry supplements has long been recommended to prevent urinary tract infections (UTI), but its important to choose the right products, researchers say.

Tests of seven popular cranberry-pill brands in the U.S. showed that most contained too little of the key bacteria-fighting ingredient to have any effect. There is a lot of variability in quality and efficacy of cranberry supplements, making it difficult for consumers to know which ones will work for them, said lead author Dr. Bilal Chughtai, assistant professor of urology at Weil Cornell Medical College in New York.

UTIs affect some 8 million people each year in the U.S. Approximately half of all women will experience one at some point, Chughtai and his colleagues write in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. UTIs are caused by bacteria and usually treated with antibiotics, but antibiotic overuse and resistance are problematic, so finding effective ways to prevent UTIs is important, the authors write.

Cranberry juice and supplements have long been used to stave off UTIs. They were once thought to prevent the infections by affecting the acidity of urine, the researchers note. More recent investigations show that cranberries or cranberry juice may actually work because they contain proanthocyanidins  antioxidant flavonoids like those found in blueberries, grape seeds and chocolate that also prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall and beginning the growth process.

Past studies have shown that to prevent recurrent UTIs, cranberry products need to contain at least 36 milligrams of proanthocyanidins per gram, the researchers note. Herbal medications like cranberry supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and so many brands may not contain the needed amount of proanthocyanidins or even any at all, Chughtai told Reuters Health by email.

He and his colleagues analyzed seven over-the-counter cranberry supplements, testing each product in cultures of bacteria and red blood cells to see how effectively it prevented bacterial growth. Only one supplement studied contained more than the needed amount of proanthocyanidins, with 175 mg of the compounds per gram of product. That supplement also prevented bacterial growth in culture.

Another supplement contained 25 mg/g of proanthocyanidins and also showed activity against the bacteria, while the other four supplements contained less than 5 mg/g of proanthocyanidins and had no effects against the bacteria.

The report does not identify the brands. Chughtai noted that cranberry powders may be made from dried juice or from dried skins left over from the juicing process. Supplements made from juice act much faster and are more effective than those made from skins, he said.

But since supplement manufacturers are not required to list which parts of the cranberry are in the supplement, all forms of powdered supplements (whether from juice or skins) are able to call themselves cranberry, Chughtai said.

"Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common, particularly in women, and result in major costs related to antibiotic use, hospitalizations as well as time lost from work," said Dr. Deborah Wing, a gynecology professor at University of California, Irvine, who was not involved in the study. "Approaches to either prevent or treat UTIs which are based on use of food products could reduce some health care costs and minimize human pain and suffering," Wing told Reuters Health by email.

Overall, Wing said, cranberry may be better for prevention than for treatment. To treat a UTI, she said, people should consume cranberry products daily and in frequent doses throughout the day, which may be very hard to do.

She also noted that other compounds in cranberries might work with proanthocyanidins to treat UTIs. For this reason, it may be more effective to take supplements made from cranberry juice rather than other extracts.
A Philadelphia nun on trial for alleged drunk driving and crashing into an auto-repair shop in South Jersey has invoked a relatively new defense: sleep-driving after taking a sleeping pill.

Lawyers for Sister Kimberly Miller say she experienced an adverse reaction to Ambien, losing four hours of her life after taking the drug, drinking a glass of Mont LaSalle altar wine, and going to bed.

When Miller - who had consumed two glasses of wine earlier in the night at a book fair - woke up, she testified, she was at a Washington Township police station, 20 miles from St. Veronica's, her North Philadelphia convent.

Miller was charged with driving under the influence after crashing her Chevrolet Impala into a Meineke auto shop on Route 42 in Turnersville last Nov. 7. Police said her blood alcohol level was 0.16, twice the legal definition of drunken driving in New Jersey.

During a nearly six-hour proceeding in Municipal Court on Wednesday, defense lawyers and an expert witness argued the "Ambien defense," contending Miller had no recollection of the incident. "She didn't know what she was doing," said Jeffrey Lindy, one of two Philadelphia lawyers handling her case.

For about a decade, lawyers across the country have used the strategy to argue that their clients were not at fault for crashes and other incidents, including some violent crimes. A study of six sleep-driving DUI cases, outlined in a 2013 journal article, found that three defendants settled for lesser charges, two were found guilty, and one was acquitted.

In one of the earliest Ambien defense cases, which occurred in New Jersey, an appeals judge overturned a Somerset County woman's drunken-driving conviction in 2009, finding that she had no way to know sleep-driving was a potential side effect of the drug.

"She arose without having any idea whatsoever that she got in the car and had an accident," her attorney, Richard Uslan, said in an interview Thursday. "The major thrust in that case was the fact she had no warning that sleep-driving would occur."

Uslan, a former prosecutor, said he had argued at least a dozen Ambien defense cases. He has three cases pending - two in North Jersey, and one in Kentucky in which a man who took the drug sleep-drove to a Walmart store, bought a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, and a pack of gum, and got into an accident after leaving the store, he said.

The North Jersey incident happened in September 2006, six months before Ambien and other makers of insomnia drugs were ordered to include a warning that the pills could leave patients susceptible to sleep-driving.

Since then, it has become clear that the sleep aids can impair driving, though the degree to which they affect legal culpability has not. Miller testified Wednesday that she was unaware of the risks, and that there had been no warning from her doctor or pharmacist.

In May 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began recommending that those who take extended-release sleep medications should avoid driving the next day. A recent study found that for drivers age 70 and older, Ambien may lead to a higher risk of crashes.

Miller is 41. A high school theology teacher and librarian and a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary order, she testified that she had a history of sleepwalking that began as a child as a result of post-traumatic stress.

"These episodes are not predictable," Fran Gengo, clinical pharmacologist and professor at the DENT Neurologic Institute in Batavia, N.Y., testified Wednesday at Miller's trial. "Patients can take it for years without side effects."

It is difficult to tell precisely how often sleep-driving incidents happen. One study says in its abstract that they are "statistically rare events, but due to the billions of doses prescribed each year may still result in numerous DUI-related arrests and accidents."

In an eight-page report submitted in Miller's case, Gengo said Miller's behavior clearly fits the pattern of an adverse reaction to Ambien. Besides sleep-driving, activities reported caused by the drug can include sleepwalking, eating, talking on the phone, and having sex, Gengo wrote.

"Patients who engage in driving while in the midst one of these episodes will typically be driving without a preplanned destination or purpose, will be dressed in somewhat unusual fashion, and have no recollection of how they arrived at wherever they stopped," Gengo wrote. "All of these are the case for Sister Miller."

Last month, a North Carolina man was acquitted of shooting up his home, assaulting his wife, and firing at police after jurors determined he was under the influence of the drug and did not know what he was doing.

"We actually had a couple of people who were on the jury and had taken Ambien (not during the trial)," lawyer Mike Greene told North Carolina Lawyers Weekly. "I think they were aware that sometimes people can do certain things when they take Ambien that are crazy."

Kerry Kennedy, a daughter of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, was found not guilty of drugged driving in 2014 after a July 2012 crash into a tractor-trailer on a New York highway while under the influence of Ambien. She said she mistakenly took the drug.

But the approach does not always work. In New York last year, a man accused of killing the mother of his son argued that Ambien made him violent and unable to remember fatally strangling her. He was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years to life.

Miller has another advantage in the trial. The judge tossed the blood-alcohol results because police had not continuously monitored her for 20 minutes before administering the Breathalyzer. The judge is expected to rule Wednesday.

Police witnesses said that they smelled alcohol on Miller's breath, that she had bloodshot and watery eyes, and that she failed two field sobriety tests and refused to take a third. A corked, half-empty bottle of wine was found in her car, police said.

If Miller is convicted as a first-time offender, her driving privileges could be suspended in New Jersey, and she could be fined up to $900 and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Uslan, who is not involved in Miller's case, says the defense made a strong argument, although he said it may have been weakened by her admission that she consumed wine, too. The same adverse reaction can occur without alcohol, he said.

"People's behavior is very bizarre on this medication," Uslan said. "It's a valid defense, because it would be difficult to prove the criminal intent to commit the offense."

Miller, a faculty member at Little Flower High School for Girls in Philadelphia, was placed on administrative leave by the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Lindy said Miller hoped to get her job back. "She loves teaching," he said.

mburney@phillynews.com

856-779-3814 @mlburney
The death of an 83-year-old woman found in her East Germantown home last week with a gunshot wound to her chest has been ruled a suicide, homicide detectives said Tuesday.

Mary Morton shot herself in her home on the 400 block of East Cosgrove Street about 12:50 p.m. Thursday. She was pronounced dead at Einstein Medical Center shortly afterward.

Police initially thought Morton had been shot twice in her chest. But the Medical Examiner's Office determined that Morton had another "hole in her body due to cancer treatment," a police spokesman has said.

Morton lived in her home with her husband. At the time of the shooting, he was downstairs visiting with the couple's two daughters, a relative said last week.

- Julie Shaw
A 27-year-old woman came out in public to raise awareness about a rare condition that had caused her to be unable to menstruate or have sexual intercourse. Joanna Giannouli, from Greece, was born with the Rokitansky syndrome, which meant that her body has internal genitalia that remained underdeveloped.

In an interview with the BBC, Giannouli explained how surgeons had to make an artificial vagina when it was found that her body did not have a womb, cervix and upper genital tract. The Rokitansky syndrome is known to affect 1 in 5,000 women who happen to realise the symptoms mostly when they are unable to start menstruating in their teens. Such women are able to grow breasts and pubic hair and have a normal appearance otherwise despite their internal condition. However, Giannouli admits that she has suffered great physical and psychological distress from the Rokitansky syndrome apart from her inability to biologically have children.

She says that although her mother took her to the doctors when she was 14; it was only after two years that she was correctly diagnosed after getting a hospital scan. Surgeons were then able to create a replica genital passage through invasive surgery so that she could have a normal sex life.

The new vagina doctors made was narrow and small, and it caused me a lot of pain while having sex, and I had to expand the perineum by doing vaginal exercises. It's a small area underneath the vagina, she says, also adding that the area is made of skin-like tissue which had to be cut more in order to expand the entrance.

Currently living in with her boyfriend, she hopes that she would one day become a mother via adoption or fostering.
Man killed in Norristown

A 43-year-old man died early Tuesday after being found stabbed in an alley in Norristown, police said.

Just after 12:15 a.m., police responded to a report of a man down in the 600 block of Jamison Alley, where they found Christopher Thomas. He was taken to Einstein Medical Center and pronounced dead.

Anyone with information about the homicide can call Norristown police at 610-270-0977 or Montgomery County detectives at 610-278-3368. - Robert Moran

Testimony to begin in slaying of two women

Testimony will begin Wednesday in the Common Pleas Court trial of a South Jersey man incriminated through DNA in the 1989 rapes and stranglings of two women in North Philadelphia.

On Tuesday, prosecution and defense lawyers finished picking a jury of 12 and four alternates to hear the case against Rudolph Churchill, 54, of Paulsboro. Churchill is charged with rape and murder in the March 17, 1989, death of Ruby Ellis, 19, who was found in an abandoned car in a lot at 15th and Thompson streets, and in the April 23, 1989, slaying of Cheryl Hanible, 33, whose body was found inside an abandoned bar in the 1200 block of West Girard Avenue.

Churchill was arrested in 2014 after a DNA sample taken while doing a three-year sentence for burglary in DeKalb County, Ga., allegedly matched samples from the 1989 slayings. - Joseph A. Slobodzian

83-year-old woman's death ruled a suicide

The death of an 83-year-old woman found in her East Germantown home last week with a gunshot wound to her chest has been ruled a suicide, homicide detectives said Tuesday.

Mary Morton shot herself in her home on the 400 block of East Cosgrove Street about 12:50 p.m. Thursday. She was pronounced dead at Einstein Medical Center shortly afterward.

Police initially thought Morton had been shot twice in her chest. But the Medical Examiner's Office determined that Morton had another "hole in her body due to cancer treatment," a police spokesman said.

Morton lived in her home with her husband. At the time of the shooting, he was downstairs visiting with the couple's two daughters, a relative said last week. - Julie Shaw

Woman found with throat slashed

Police were looking for the assailant who slashed a woman's throat overnight in Kensington.

Officers called to Frankford Avenue and Stella Street about 3 a.m. Tuesday found the woman bleeding profusely from her throat.

Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters that the woman who is about 40, suffered a foot-long slash across her neck. She was taken to Temple University Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition.

Few details about the assault were known - it was not clear whether the crime occurred where she was found, and police had no motive or suspects. - Emily Babay

Phila. woman charged with stealing benefits

A Philadelphia woman was charged Tuesday with stealing more than $102,000 in Social Security benefits automatically deposited in her dead grandmother's bank account.

A federal grand jury found that Martha Stanley, 47, took her grandmother's payments for nearly nine years after her death. She was charged with wire fraud, Social Security fraud, and related crimes.

Stanley had lived with her grandmother, identified in the indictment as "M.S.," until she died in June 2005. She did not notify Social Security about the death, so checks continued to be deposited in the grandmother's Citizens Bank account. That lasted until March 2014. During that time, Stanley had access to the funds and spent them on herself, according to the grand jury. - Staff report

Hearing set on media access to Frein video

A hearing will be held Thursday on whether the news media and public can view a recorded interview of Eric Frein, charged with the ambush killing of a Pennsylvania state trooper and the wounding of another. Frein is charged with first-degree murder.

At a proceeding Tuesday on the defense requests to waive the death penalty for Frein, 32, of Barrett Township, Monroe County, and suppress statements he made to police, Pike County Court Judge Gregory Chelak decided that the video be shown "in camera," or out of public view.

After he announced the decision, a reporter objected in open court, and others filed objections later, the Pocono Record reported. - AP
Hyderabad: A local TV/web channels CEO was arrested for abusing a businessman and his family on air. The accused Whatsup TV channels CEO Shahid Qureshi also allegedly tried to extort money from the victims by blackmailing them with the content before airing it.

Saifabad police booked a case against him for extortion bid and for telecasting offensive content. The complainants, Saberi Brothers, alleged that Qureshi aired on the TV channel seven episodes containing highly offensive content describing their relatives as thieves and criminals. In the programme, Shahid Qureshi had stated that the Saberi brothers cheated Bollywood celebrities like Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan. Earlier, the CEOs brother, Kashif Qureshi of Big Boss fame, had a fight with the Saberi brothers, who now allege that the programme was aired due to this.

The Saberi brothers, who run businesses in the city like Saberis Opticals, have also filed a Rs 10 crore-defamation suit against the TV channel and the accused Shahid Qureshi. We have arrested the accused and produced him before court. A case has been booked against him under Section 385 and 66A of the IT Act, said inspector K. Poorna Chander.

One of the complainants, Hamed Saberi, director of Trance Techmedia India, alleged that all the seven episodes aired by the Shahid Qureshi were aimed at defaming his family. Days before airing the programme, Shahid Qureshi approached us and asked for Rs 50 lakh. When we refused, he aired the programme and circulated it through social media and WhatsApp, said Hasnain Saberi, a businessman.

We dont have even a single economic offence case against us. But this channel was calling us white collar criminals, he added. The accused, Shahid Qureshi, had launched the new channel Whatsup a few months ago. He was anchoring the programmes targeting the Saberi brothers.
Chennai: When the 6-year-old survivor of an armed robbery woke up in pain at home in the Chennai suburb of Kundrathur at 6.30 am on Tuesday, it may not have occurred to her that both her mother and grandmother had been brutally murdered during the night.

Subashree, a Class I student in the same private school where her mother Thenmozhi, (32), worked as a teacher, was carrying her 6-month-old-sister Gunashree when she knocked on the door of a neighbour seeking help to revive her grandmother Vasantha (65), who she believed had only swooned.

Read: Chennai double murder: Sweet people, cry victims neighbours and colleagues

Their neighbour Kanniyappan got wind of the situation and rushed to the home of the children where he found Vasantha lying dead in the hallway and Thenmozhi in the kitchen, both in pools of blood. He alerted the cops about the incident.

It was only a little later that Subashree was able to recall that an armed robbery had taken place during the night, with two women and a man involved. Since there was no forced entry, the police guessed that only acquaintances could have been behind the robbery. The child identified Sathya (25) of Nagalkeni in Pammal, who had assisted the family to clean up the flood-ravaged house during the deluge last December, as one of the robbing party. Subashree had reportedly dozed off after suffering multiple cut injuries on her neck.

DCP (Ambattur) R. Sudhakar conducted spot investigations along with other senior police officials, including ACP Paranthaman. The police located the servant maid quickly and Sathya's alibis fell flat during interrogation.
Hyderabad: Six children were burnt with heated spoon by ayahs of a state-run Shishu Griha as punishment for not wanting to eat dinner five days back. Three of the little children, all less than five years old, had blisters on their hands from the branding.

The staff of the home concealed their barbaric act for four days. However, the incident came to light on Wednesday when a regional language newspaper carried a story based on CCTV footage leaked by one of the workers of the home. The three children whose burns were quite serious are Geeta, Rajan and Swaroopa. They were admitted to the district headquarter hospital and discharged in the evening. The other three had minor burns. Eight abandoned children are housed in the Shishu Griha.

CCTV footage showed that ayah K. Padma burned the hands of the six kids as they did not want to eat dinner on April 15. Another ayah, D. Buchamma, heated the spoon on a stove and handed it to Padma while a third ayah, Sharada, remained a mute spectator to the barbaric act.

Action only after CCTV images leaked

Upon learning about the incident, Collector Neetu Prasad inspected Shishu Griha and expressed her anger against the staff of the home and supervising officials. She then served a show-cause notice on ICDS project director Vijayamohan Reddy for his apathy in supervising the home.

The three ayaas, social activist Sri Latha and manager of the home, Babu Rao, were sacked for their role in the incident. Based on a complaint by the project director, Karimnagar II Town police registered a case against Padma and Buchamma under Section 324 of IPC (voluntarily causing hurt) and Section 75 and 85/2015 (cruelty to children) of the Juvenile Justice Act.

CCTV grabs show how one of the employees heated a serving spoon, which she then used to hurt the children.

But it has emerged that the inmates are paying the price for apathy of officials who are by rules required to supervise the functioning of Shishu Griha. Inmates are often subjected to corporal punishments and are starved of food and water, thanks to lack of constant monitoring by officials concerned. The branding incident has also exposed how safety of abandoned children being housed in State Homes is at stake. The authorities were simply not aware of the branding incident even after four days it happening.

They did not even take action against the culprits even after being informed by employees of the Home. They responded only when the CCTV footage was leaked to the media, sparking outrage across the country. ICDS PD Vijayamohan Reddy was immediately served a show-cause notice for his negligence in dealing the issue.

The three Ayaas, social activist and the manager of the home were immediately sacked from services for their role in punishing the six children.

Abandoned by their parents

Madam scolded us, all three children jointly said after being asked what had happened. The kids could not explain how much they were hurt when the ayaas branded with hot steel spoon on their hands.

Below five years of age, Geetha, Rajan and Swaroopa were unable to express the agony they had undergone. All they could recall was they that were scolded by their madam when they did not want to eat on that day. The said they had applied ointment on the burns. Geetha joined the home after being abandoned by her mother. Swaroopas father is serving a prison term for killing his wife and Rajan meanwhile is here as his father married another woman.
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So far, 70 lakh litre water has been delivered by train to Latur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. (Photo: Twitter/ANI)

Mumbai: After nine trips by a 10-wagon water train, a 50-wagon water train carrying 25 lakh litre water reached parched Latur on Wednesday. The train, christened 'Jaldoot', left Miraj in western Maharashtra at around 11 pm last night, for drought-hit Latur city, a distance of around 342 kilometres.

So far, 70 lakh litre water has been delivered by train to Latur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. The train had previously made nine trips, each time carrying 5 lakh litres of water, to the parched city.

The 50-wagon train received a grand welcome at the Latur Railway Station on its arrival. Latur city mayor Akhtar Mistry, welcomed the 'Jaldoot Express', which was specially commissioned from Kota in Rajasthan to transport water to the 5 lakh people of Latur.

The train is a big relief for Latur citizens who have been struggling to get drinking water, the mayor said. The 'Jaldoot' first made its trial run on April 11. The train initially faced several clearance issues due to the single line section from Miraj to Latur. As a result the first train had reached Latur in 17 hours.

WATCH

#WATCH: 50-wagon train loaded from Miraj arrived in parched Latur (Maharashtra) this morning with 25 lakh ltrs waterhttps://t.co/hhkIpiuI4Z  ANI (@ANI_news) April 20, 2016

However, the railways then pulled all stops to ensure that the train was given all the clearances during the journey. Subsequently, the train took just 8-9 hours to reach Latur. Once it arrived in six and a half hours.

The Solapur division of Central Railway ensured that 'Jaldoot' Express navigated the tracks without any hitch, and the Pune division of the Central Railway took care of the loading of water at the Miraj Railway station.

At Miraj, the water is first pumped through a 4 km closed pipeline from the railway jackwell located on the banks of Krishna river to the water treatment plant at Miraj railway station.

From the plant it goes to Haider Khan well, which is at a distance of 2.5 km and from the well to yard, the water travels through a closed pipeline into the waiting wagons.

Latur District Collector Pandurang Pole said they were re-filtering the water before supplying to the citizens through tankers. Krishnat Patil, operational manager, Pune division, said they plan to run the train every day till the onset of monsoon.

"Every day, civic body has pressed into service 450 trips by tankers. Each 'Jaldoot' trip will take care of the daily drinking water needs of the city," Pole said.

Latur Municipal Commissioner Sudhakar Telang said the civic body supplied drinking water to a particular area only after 8-10 days, but that is set to change once the water is transported regularly to Latur.

"After getting 25 lakh litre water, the tanker trips will go up and we will be in a position to provide water after at least every four days," he said.

Latur city used to get water directly from Manjara dam through a closed pipeline. Water was provided once every 8-10 days since the last monsoon.

However, after the Manjara dam ran dry, civic body officials then started lifting water from three other smaller dams whose water-levels are also fast depleting.

At the Latur railway station, the water is decanted from the wagons into an 850 metre long RCC pipeline. It is then released into the a nearby well and from the well, it is lifted through a high density plastic pipeline and loaded into waiting tankers. From there it is sent to water filtration plant.

BJP activist Makrand Deshpande, a member of the Railway Committee, from Sangli, said, "When I first mooted the idea to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at our party meeting in Nashik, the CM asked me to remind him later.

"When I reminded him, the CM immediately sent Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse to Sangli to announce the project on April 5," he said.

Fadnavis spoke to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu who immediately gave green signal to the plan, Deshpande said.
New Delhi: Union minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi on Wednesday sought the arrest of the person responsible for the death of police horse 'Shaktiman' and demanded the animal should no more be part of police forces.

"I am deeply saddened by the death of 'Shaktiman'. It is an extremely unfortunate incident. Horses should no longer be part of our police system," she said.

The horse had lost its leg after it was brutally beaten during clashes between BJP protesters and the police on March 14.

The 13-year-old animal was given a prosthetic leg and confined to the police lines. It was a well-trained horse and part of the Uttarakhand Mounted Police for years.

Gandhi said Shaktiman was a "police officer on duty" and the person responsible for his death should be arrested for killing a "police officer".

"They serve no purpose and in every crowd engagement they are at the mercy of any vicious person who is too cowardly to do anything but injure the defenseless animal. 'Shaktiman' was a police officer on duty and the person who put him through so much pain and ultimately killed him should be arrested for killing a police officer," she said.

'Shaktiman' had suffered multiple fractures in its hind leg during the protest and th incident had sparked massive outrage among the public including on social media.

The horse passed away at 5.30 PM in Dehradun. He was suffering from medical-related complications.
Internet Gaming Bill Proposed in Michigan

April 20, 2016 Mo Nuwwarah Editor

Michigan State Senator Mike Kowall introduced Senate Bill 889, an attempt to establish and regulate online gaming in the nation's 10th-most populated state, according to OnlinePokerReport.

"The Lawful Internet Gaming Act" calls for legalization of poker and casino games online, provided by a maximum of eight licensed operators. Those operators would be on the hook for 10-percent taxation with a $5 million licensing fee in advance of future taxes owed. The bill has moved to the Committee on Regulatory Reform.

The introduction of the bill comes as somewhat of a surprise. A number of states have been identified as on the forefront of possible iGaming expansion, but Michigan hasn't been one of them. Industry experts had mostly named Pennsylvania, New York, and California as the main battleground states that could be next to join Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada in offering online poker.

If SB 889 does become law, Michigan would not only join those states in iGaming philosophy, but in iGaming, period. The bill includes language that leaves the door open for shared liquidity with others states and even possibly other nations. It mentions the possibility of "multijurisdictional" agreements with other governments where online poker is legal "including any foreign nation."

One major roadblock for states such as California that have attempted to push iGaming has been tribal gaming interests. The Michigan bill identifies all land-based casinos in the state as potential operators, according to Poker Industry PRO ($), including tribal casinos. However, those tribal casinos would be required to "waive their sovereign immunity for online gaming and agree to pay the applicable taxes."

"Bad actor" language  which would potentially exclude some operators based on operational history  is excluded from the bill.

Check out the bill in full here.

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The case against three people accused of operating the bogus Masonic Fraternal Police Department  a supposedly ancient force that claimed to work in 33 states and Mexico  partly collapsed on Monday when the charges against one defendant were dismissed and the organization's so-called chief suddenly died, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Hours after he appeared in a San Fernando, CA, courtroom, David Inkk Henry, the 47-year-old "grandmaster," died of a pulmonary embolism at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, attorney Gary Casselman said.

Earlier in the day, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Hayden Zacky had granted a motion to dismiss the charges against Brandon Kiel, a former community affairs staffer with the California Department of Justice whom authorities said had impersonated a police officer and misused his government-issued ID.

The developments drastically altered a case that grabbed headlines when Henry, Kiel, and Tonette Hayes were arrested last spring  and left Casselman wondering why the charges had been brought to begin with.

Police "could have told Mr. Henry and Ms. Hayes and Mr. Kiel, 'Listen, this is not a good idea. Someone might think you are impersonating a police officer,'" Casselman said. "I think [police] are jealous of anyone who might be perceived as an interloper or, pardon the expression, a competitor."

Related:

Aide for California Attorney General Accused of Running Fictional Police Force
The former NYPD officer who fatally shot an unarmed man in the stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project was not given jail time in his sentencing on Tuesday as scores of his supporters and protesters rallied outside the courthouse, reports the New York Post.

Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun sentenced Peter Liang to five years probation and 800 hours of community service after Liang pleaded his case.

"Growing up my parents thought it was a foolish dream that I wanted to become a police officer. When I graduated from the academy it was a dream come true," Liang told the judge, before apologizing to Akai Gurley's family.

"The shot was accidental," he said. "My life is forever changed. I hope I have a chance to rebuild it."

Liang, 28, was convicted in February of manslaughter  a charge that could have resulted in up to 15 years in prison. Chun reduced the charge to criminally negligent homicide at the sentencing.

"There's no evidence Peter Liang was aware of Akai Gurley's presence," Chun said.
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In an omen of what could be a resounding victory, the Democratic primary in New York was quickly called for Hillary Clinton.

A couple of signs that this could be a big night for former Sec. of State Clinton were visible in the exit polling. Clinton beat Sanders 52%-47% on the question of who inspires you about the future of the country.

It was clear to see which way this primary was trending by the changing expectations of the Sanders campaign. Before the New York primary, the Sanders campaign emphasized that winning New York was an important part of their path to the nomination, but in the days before the vote the Sanders campaign shifted to saying that New York wasnt important, and Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver told MSNBC that if Sen. Sanders lost by single-digits, it would be a win for their campaign.

In reality, the Sanders campaign knew that New York was lost to them after the Democratic debate in Brooklyn failed to make a dent in Hillary Clintons double-digit lead. As with all Democratic primaries, the margin of victory is what matters most. If the final margin is closer to twenty points than ten points, it will be a huge victory that put Clinton on the path towards clinching the Democratic nomination.

A closed primary was not going to do Bernie Sanders any favors. The win for Clinton should take the focus off of the recent Sanders winning streak and turn all attention to the closed primary in the state of Pennsylvania, where the former Sec. of State is expected to hold the advantage.
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Hillary Clinton delivered a victory speech after the New York primary that at times soared as if it were presidential, but also contrasted her vision with the country with the ugly appeals of Donald Trump.

Video of Clinton victory speech:

https://youtu.be/rIwKgBl48yc?t=28m40s

Clinton told her supporters that they have proved that there is no place like home and that her campaign has now won in every region of the country, but the New York win was personal.

Former Sec. of State Clinton reached out to the supporters of Sen. Sanders by saying, To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us.

Clinton said that the race for the Democratic nomination is in the homestretch and victory is in sight. Clinton spoke to her supporters and said, Because of you, this is the only campaign, Democratic or Republican, to have won more than ten million votes.

Hillary Clinton said that her campaign is about setting real progressive goals that are backed by real plans. Clinton called for Americans to put back to work rebuilding Americas crumbling infrastructure including the water system like the one in Flint, Michigan. Clinton called for America to combat climate change, and take on the challenge of system racism.

Clinton drilled Trump and Cruz, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are pushing a vision for America that is divisive and frankly dangerous. Returning to trickle down economics. Opposing any increase in the minimum wage. Restricting a womans right to make her own health care decision. Promising to round up millions of immigrants. Threatening to ban all Muslims from entering the country. Planning to treat all American Muslims like criminals. These things go against everything America stands for, and we have a very different vision. Its about lifting each other up, not tearing each other down. So instead of building walls, were going to break down barriers.

Clinton sounded like the Democratic nominee, but even bigger, she sounded like a president. The Democratic frontrunner took apart Donald Trumps hateful rhetoric and offered a powerful positive vision of what the United States of America can be.

If the 2016 general election becomes a battle of contrasting visions, Hillary Clinton offering voters a view of the light to offset the dark negativity of Donald Trump.
BENGALURU: While on Monday the protesters took to streets in Bommanahalli, on Tuesday all other major highways such as Mysuru Road, Tumakuru Road, Bannerghatta Road, Hosur Raod and other parts of the city witnessed arson and vandalism leading to traffic gridlocks, some of them stretching up to 10 km.

Traffic movement at Electronic City, Yeshawanthpura, Peenya, Naganathapura, Mysuru Road, Tumkur Road, Magadi Road, Madivala, Rajagoaplanagar, West of Chord Road, Bellandur Gate, Sarjapur Road, Koramangala, BTM Layout Sector 1 and surrounding areas was severely affected.

Police had to use force to control the mob after they started pelting stones and torched several buses and other vehicles at various places on Hosur Road, Tumakuru Road and Jalahalli Cross.

Traffic on the arterial Hosur Road got disrupted, as thousands of protesters gathered at the Bommanahalli Junction in the morning. Vehicular movement below the flyover got disrupted since 8.30 am. Around 9.30 am protests erupted across different parts of the city, thereby affecting peak hour traffic movement. Normalcy was restored by 3 pm

Harrowing experience for the injured

It was a harrowing experience for those who got injured during the protest by garment factory workers at various parts of the city. Preethi (19), who was passing by the place where protests were raging, got injured when a pellet her right thigh. Initially, she was rushed to Narayana Health City and later referred to Sparsh Hospitals.

Dr Sharanu Patil, Medical Director, Sparsh Hospitals said Preethi was operated upon and is doing fine. The embedded piece has been removed surgically and she is doing fine, said Dr Patil. One of her lecturers who had rushed her to the hospital, said that for no fault of theirs they had to foot a bill of `2,000.

Manjunath (47) was not that lucky. Manjunath was brought unconscious and was bleeding profusely. He was immediately shifted to operation theatre, said Ramesh, PRO, Sparsh Hospital.

The condition of Manjunath continues to be critical as a sharp object has entered and exited his chest damaging his lungs and ribs. When asked about the severity of the injury, Ramesh said the patient was shot with a bullet. It is has been confirmed that it is bullet, however, we are not sure whether it was metal bullet or rubber bullet, he added.
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Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump won big, and the New York primary couldnt have gone worse for Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders.

Winners:



1). Hillary Clinton  Hillary Clinton didnt just win New York. She won New York by a large margin. The main talking point for the Sanders campaign had been that he had won eight of nine of the previous contests. That perception of momentum was completely stopped dead in its tracks. Clinton leads by 20+ points at the time of publication, and she has already added 104 delegates to her total.

It is a little too soon to slam completely the door shut on the Democratic primary, but if former Sec. of State Clinton sweeps through Pennsylvania, Maryland and the three other contests next Tuesday, it will become a matter of when Hillary Clinton clinches the Democratic nomination, not if she clinches the Democratic nomination.

2). Donald Trump  Trump has been getting slaughtered at the state conventions, as he was getting outorganized by Ted Cruz, but all of that turned around with a tremendous margin of victory in New York. Trump needed this win after getting tossed out of Wisconsin on his ear. Trump is now set to go on a run of victories. Trump now has a shot to get to the magic number of 1,237 to clinch the Republican nomination. Trump did what he was expected to do, and is now set up to win in Pennsylvania and Maryland next Tuesday.



Losers:

1). Bernie Sanders  Sen. Sanders said that he needed New York. Sanders made the state a key part of his comeback strategy. It was clear that Sanders not only had to win New York, but he had to win the state by a wide margin. Sen. Sanders did neither. Instead of winning, it is possible that he will be blown out. The road ahead is equally tough for Sanders. Clinton is favored in Pennsylvania. She is up by more than twenty in Maryland, and with next weeks races being closed Democratic primaries, the odds are strong that Sanders could be facing a series of losses.

Bernie Sanders is going to stay in the Democratic race until the very end, but his campaign is looking more like a message campaign after the drubbing that he may be taking in New York.

2). John Kasich  John Kasich finished second in the New York Republican primary because his name is not Ted Cruz. Kasichs distant second place finish in New York will be more a byproduct of the states hatred for Cruz than any sign of Kasich momentum. Kasich is hanging around and hoping for a contested convention. The best outcome for Kasich is that he might win delegates by doing very well in Manhattan.



3). Ted Cruz  Cruz could never get past his New York values comment. Sen. Cruz never had a chance in hell of winning in New York. The sentiment of New York was perfectly summed up by the newspaper headline that welcomed him to New York City, Take The FU Train, Ted. There really arent better days ahead for Ted Cruz. Sen. Cruzs sole mission now is to make sure that Donald Trump wont be able to clinch the Republican nomination on the first ballot in Cleveland.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) personally wanted the Democratic presidential debate that was supposed to be held in Pennsylvania moved to New York, but that decision has completely backfired on the campaign.

Politico reported that Sanders was behind the move of the debate from Pennsylvania to New York:

Just two weeks before, on the night of his victory in Wisconsin, everything seemed to be going Sanders way. He was flush with cash thanks to his energized small donors and he was riding a wave of momentum after posting six wins in the seven previous contests. His aides had just agreed to the finishing touches of a debate in New York  something Sanders himself wanted after the campaigns had initially agreed to hold it in Pennsylvania. His top staff viewed the increasingly sharp timbre and pitch of the race as confirmation that Clinton herself was frustrated with the direction of things.

More than the choice to take 36 hours off of the campaign trail to go to the Vatican, the Sanders decision to push to have the Democratic debate moved will have long-term repercussions for his campaign.

If the debate were still scheduled for this week in Pennsylvania, Sen. Sanders would have an opportunity to bounce back from the loss in New York. The Sanders decision to bet everything on the New York primary means that now he has to compete in another closed primary with no debate platform to use to appeal to Keystone State Democrats.

Sanders went all in on New York and lost big. His campaign is now faced with a brutal week of contests that Hillary Clinton will be favored to win. Forget the post-defeat spin that is downplaying the New York results, the scope of the loss in the Empire State was devastating because it left the campaign with a strategy of flipping superdelegates to win the nomination.

Sen. Sanders is going to continue the fight, but by not leaving himself an opportunity in Pennsylvania, the Senator from Vermont may have doubled his losses with a single bad decision.
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The Republican cover-up is in full swing in Michigan as GOP Attorney General Schuette will announce felony and misdemeanour charges against three individuals for the Flint water crisis, but none of them are Gov. Rick Snyder.

The AP reported, The charges  the first levied in a probe that is expected to broaden  will be filed against a pair of state Department of Environmental Quality officials and a local water treatment plant supervisor, two officials told The Associated Press late Tuesday. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

Republicans are doing what they always do after their policies harm innocent people. The Michigan GOP is talking tough about responsibility while throwing low-level employees under the bus.

The real criminal who caused the poisoning of the people of Flint, Michigan was Gov. Rick Snyder. Close aides to Snyder say that he knew about the problems with the water in Flint for a year before action was taken. If it can be proven that the governor knew and did nothing for a year, Rick Snyder is criminally responsible for the crisis in Flint.

While taking a posture of faux responsibility, Gov. Snyder has tried to blame everyone but himself for lead in Flints water. The sham probe that is being conducted by the Republican attorney general in Michigan is the reason why the people of Flint deserve an independent federal investigation into the crisis.

What is happening to the people of Flint is criminal, and nothing less than jail time for the highest members of the Snyder of the administration would be a fitting punishment for their disgraceful act of intentionally dangerous governance.
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Democrats are unified behind Hillary Clinton in Pennsylvania, as a new poll shows that her lead has grown to 13 points in the state and 81% of respondents say they will vote for her in November.

According to the Monmouth University Poll:

Clinton has the support of 52% of likely Democratic primary voters in the Keystone State while Sanderss support stands at 39%. Clinton holds a significant lead among women (61% to 32%), while Sanders leads among men (50% to 41%). Clinton also has a significant advantage among voters age 50 and older (57% to 33%) while Sanders holds a narrow edge among voters under 50 (48% to 46%). . The Monmouth poll finds that a small number of Democrats may defect from the party if their favored candidate does not get the nomination. If the general election is between Clinton and Donald Trump, 81% of Pennsylvania Democratic primary voters say they would commit to supporting Clinton while 11% say they would vote for Trump. If Sanders is the nominee, 78% of Pennsylvania Democratic primary voters would back Sanders while 11% would vote for Trump.

The key takeaway is that this is the second poll in less than 24 hours to show that the Democratic Party is united. In Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton will have more support from Democrats than Bernie Sanders would if he was the nominee, but most importantly, Donald Trump only has a shot at winning 11% of the Democratic vote in Pennsylvania.

The NBC News exit poll of the Democratic primary in New York revealed that 85% of Democrats said that they would likely or probably vote for Clinton in November. Democrats are more unified now than they were at the same point during the 2008 primary. While Republicans have a choice between a historically unpopular Donald Trump and contested convention that would expose every divide within their party, Democrats are ready to roll with Clinton.

Democrats arent going to be divided and appear focused on the dual goals of keeping the White House and winning back control of Congress.
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Marco Rubio is being raked over the coals by Floridians for refusing to say why he wont do his job, and even the Senate Judiciary Chair ringleader of Not Doing His Job Chuck Grassley is hanging Rubio out to dry.

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FLA) was already infamous for not showing up to actually work during his brief time as a Senator, when he decided why not parlay that failure into a run for the White House. In early November of 2015, Rubio made news for missing 42% of his votes since he declared his candidacy, whereas in contrast, Senator Sanders had only missed 4% at the same juncture in time.

The Republican establishment, which had already lowered its standards in the past to such an extent that they believed Sarah Palin would be a good second in command of the nation, had no problem with Rubio.

After Jeb Bush failed, Rubio was the golden boy. Not because of his record or accomplishments. No. Because of his story. Republicans thought they had their own Obama, as they called Rubio, suggesting that they saw a minority with an American story and figured thats the same as Obama. They never looked under the hood, but Florida did.

Florida is not impressed with the Republican Senator. Wednesday morning in the esteemed Tampa Bay Times, Alex Leary took the Republican Senator to task (i.e., reported facts) for not saying why he continued to block a South Florida judicial nominee he actually recommended to President Obama.

This seat has been empty since 2014 and Leary notes is considered an emergency given the backlogged cases. The result, Leary writes, is that Rubio has basically killed Mary Barzee Flores chances of being confirmed and he will not say why.

Sen. Bill Nelson, who jointly recommended Flores, told the Tampa Bay Times, I have spoken with Rubio and he said hes not going to return the blue slip.

Oh.

And the best part is Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who is also Chairman of the Do Not Do Your Job campaign against President Obamas Supreme Court nominee, is pointing his finger at Rubio saying Rubio is the hold up.

Chuck Grassley, who of late takes pride in refusing to do his job for no good reason, is pointing his finger at Rubio, the Republican known for setting the low bar for not doing his job, as Grassley does the exact same thing. Is this a nursery school playground or the U.S. Senate?

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) said of Grassley on the Senate floor Wednesday, The senior senator from Iowa has spent two months trying to explain away his obstruction of President Obamas Supreme Court nominee. Wouldnt it just be easier to give Merrick Garland a hearing and vote? Wouldnt it be easier for him just to do his job?

Yes, it would be easier for Republicans to do their job, but they have also admitted their obstruction is a get out the vote tool and they are sure going to need that, given their unpopular policies and refusal to enter into he modern day world.

Rubio wont return the blue slip for his own recommended nominee. Hed rather do nothing. Why would this upset Chuck Grassley or anyone who votes Republican? This is what you get.

What to do in the face of an emergency if youre a Republican? Do nothing. Whatever you do, do not do your job.
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* The following is an opinion column by R Muse *

It takes hardly any time at all to find examples of Republicans in positions of power who seem to relish seeing poor and low income Americans suffer, especially if that suffering includes lacking access to healthcare. If Republicans in Congress arent perpetually voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act to rob millions of healthcare, they are cutting Medicare or refusing to accept free Medicaid expansion in Republican-controlled states.

However, as unbelievable as it may seem, and it is unbelievable, one Republican states legislature voted unanimously to extend healthcare to help rural and poor Floridians. It was not good news for the poor though, because the most powerful Republican in the state vetoed a bill that passed both houses of the legislature unanimously; seemingly out of sheer spite and contempt for the vulnerable because it provided access to healthcare.

Governor Rick Scott must have it in for poor and low-income Floridians, particularly those in need of access to any kind of healthcare. In this latest Republican atrocity it was a one-man effort that went against the unanimous wishes of the Republican majority legislature. In the past, Scott had the backing and assistance from Republicans to close down womens access to healthcare and reject Medicaid expansion, but this time he rejected the wishes of his fellow Republicans. One wonders if that woman who accosted him at a coffee shop a couple of weeks ago will be stalking him to unleash another Youre an asshole rant on the governor.

When the woman confronted Scott for refusing to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) to low-income residents, Scott said his excuse was that he did not want Florida to get involved in a federal program like Medicaid. And yet in his veto of HB 139, he claimed helping poor and rural Floridians was unnecessary and wasteful because they already have great dental care from Medicaid; except for the 800,000 or so Floridians who suffer the GOP Medicaid rejection complex.

The Republican-introduced bill simply created a grants program aimed at dentists to serve patients in counties with a shortage of dentists or in otherwise medically underserved areas. The grants, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 were set to be administered by the Department of Health. Mr. Scott wrote in his veto letter that he thought maintaining good oral health is integral to the overall health of Florida families. But he was not about to support a program that does not safeguard taxpayer investments; whatever that was supposed to mean.

A spokesman from the Florida Dental Association (FDA) said the group was disappointed because the legislation would have provided significant support for promoting dental care, economic development and job growth in underserved areas of Florida. The FDAs Director of Governmental Affairs, Joe Anne Hart, continued that,

The challenges of accessing routine dental care have critically impacted the health and success of Florida communities, especially in rural areas. The results are repeated visits to the emergency room for preventable dental problems, missed days of school due to toothaches, and lower GPAs and graduation rates. We will continue to advocate for statewide policies and programs to improve oral health for all Floridians.

It appeared that the FDAs advocacy worked exceedingly well on both houses of Floridas Republican-controlled legislature, but contemptible Rick Scott was unmoved.

Unlike when Scott and Republicans claimed they rejected Medicaid expansion and access to healthcare for 800,000 Floridians, it was alleged to be due to the exorbitant cost to the state. Scott never complained about the cost of HB 139; it made his veto all the more cruel and contemptible.

It is worth noting that Medicaid expansion is no cost to the state for the first two years and then it is only 10 percent of the total cost every year to cover an additional 800,000 Floridians. So expanding Medicaid, like shutting down womens access to public healthcare, is not about money. Rick Scott just dislikes women as much as he hates Floridas poor and low income residents having access to what is arguably free healthcare for at least two years, and now access to more dental providers in underserved rural areas.

If the woman who unleashed Hell on Scott at a Starbucks store last weeks would have known the full extent of Scotts cruel contempt for the poor having access to healthcare, she would likely have called the governor a lot more than an asshole. She said,

You strip women of access to public health care. Shame on you, Rick Scott! We depend on those services. When poor people like us need health services, you cut them. You cut Medicaid. Youre an asshole. You dont care about working people. You should be ashamed to show your face around here. Shame on you, Rick Scott! Youre an embarrassment to our state.

Rick Scott is an embarrassment to America, and humanity for that matter. He certainly must have embarrassed the Republican-dominated legislature by rejecting what should have been a veto-proof bill. One hardly ever hears about any legislature unanimously passing anything, much less a Republican-majority legislature passing a bill to help the poor and underserved. That woman who railed on Governor Scott was only half right in labeling him an asshole. He is worse; he is a cruel barbaric Republican and this time his cruel contempt for the poor likely surprised even his own cruel Republican-dominated legislature.
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This is about the Republican Partys tenuous ties to reality. Trumps victory speech last night in New York is really all that needs to be said about Trump. But the number 2 spot in the GOP is occupied by a guy, Ted Cruz, who is no closer in tapping into our shared reality, and it is as though his entire campaign is a celebration of that fact.

According to Teds dad, Rafael Cruz, a whole bunch of stuff that never happened means a bunch of stuff that is patently untrue is true and that in consequence, things will happen that have no chance of ever happening. Its almost as though his campaign has created a parallel reality based on everything Fox News has said over the past decade.

You have to wonder if anyone in the know on the Right is holding up their hands in horror at what they have wrought.

Heres the deal: Rafael Cruz got together with Larry Pratt of Gun Owners of America with the inevitable result that a whole buncha crazy took place that would be better as a plot of a really bad B movie.

Rafael Cruz bases his whole spiel on two false premises: 1) that President Obama not only plans, but has repeatedly tried to take our guns away, and, 2) that there is a tremendous religious persecution taking place in America right now of Christians and Jews.

Here is how he works it out for the audience:

1) Guns

And Ill tell you what, look at history, every dictator that has taken away the guns from the population have then used those guns to kill the population by the millions. Stalin did it, Hitler did it, Mao did it, Pol Pot did it, Castro did it, theyve all done it. And Obama has been trying for the last seven years to take our guns away!

Needless to say, he cant point to one example of President Obama trying to take anyones guns away. Or Clinton, or any other Democratic president. Theyve been saying it for decades and nobody has had their guns taken away.

2) Religious Persecution

You know, Larry, if we look at America, there is tremendous religious persecution in America, more specifically, persecution against Christians and Jews in America. Well, weve got to realize that that is not the objective, that is only the means. You see, communism, socialism, Marxism  we cant get caught up in semantics, its all the same  it requires for government to become your god. And in order for government to become your god, the must destroy the concept of God, and thats whats behind this attack on religion.

Likewise, Cruz cannot identify examples of any actual religious persecution. We just have to trust him apparently that what is invisible is happening all around us despite nobody seeing a thing.

And okay, so lets add another false premise: 3) the government wants to replace God. Apparently, although this is more material for a fantasy novel, its preferable in Cruzs mind to let happen what has already happened din history, the government speaking for God  even though this is precisely opposite of everything Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and other Founding Fathers hoped to prevent.

You cant read their writings without seeing it all over the place in black and white, though fake historian David Barton does a pretty good job supposedly owning copies of all these documents and somehow not seeing it. According to Barton, Thomas Jefferson would agree with everything he says.

Whats worse, Barton insists Jefferson would endorse Ted Cruz were he only alive to do so. Cruz has positioned himself as the champion of Christianity in this campaign. Jefferson of course, had this to say of Christianity in his Notes on the State of Virginia:

Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth (Query XVII).

Roguery and error are words that best describe Ted Cruzs campaign, and Bartons every word.

The Republican denial of reality is so strong that one could easily come to the conclusion that a prerequisite for the Republican Party in 2016 is a history of mental illness and a refusal to accept treatment for it.

Now its pretty obvious to any thinking person that there is no persecution of Christians and Jews in America and that nobody has at any point tried to take anyones guns away. Of course, if youre thinking, youre not participating in this bizarre alternate reality either.

Yet from there, having established his false premises, Cruz embarks on a fantasy journey that leads to only one possible conclusion. If both A and B are true, it can only mean a plan to impose communist dictatorship on America. Because we all know what a huge force the communist party is in American politics.

ErumHere a hand needs to be raised to point out that if there is anything that is more of a fringe in American politics than the communist party, I dont know what it is. The party has been around since 1919, but there are at present about 2,000 of them and they have absolutely ZERO representation in any upper house in the country, and a corresponding number in any lower house in the country.

They havent even had a candidate for president since Gus Hall in 1984.

Yet The Washington Times made a big deal about the Communist Party USA supporting the Democratic Party last year, as though it mattered. What, anyone expects they will support the Republican Party?

Tortured logic, while it is certainly that, hardly accounts for all this madness.

When you run for president, you at least ought to be running on an actual platform that in some way relates to reality. But all we get from Republican candidates are plans to combat ills that exist only in some alternate America that exists only in the minds of conservatives.

Fake remedies for fake problems ought to be their motto. It would have the virtue of honesty, at least.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has told the state that since the matter is sub judice in the Supreme Court, it has no authority to release the prisoners. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Centre has rejected the proposal of the Tamil Nadu Government to release seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

This is the second time in two years that the state had written to the Centre seeking its views on its decision to remit their sentence.

The first letter was sent during the UPA government's tenure in February 2014. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has told the state that since the matter is sub judice in the Supreme Court, it has no authority to release the prisoners.

On March 2, two days before the model code of conduct came into effect in the state, which goes to the polls on May 16, Chief Secretary K. Gnanadesikan sent the letter to the MHA.
The team is believed to have quickly organised a makeshift labour ward  covered by clothes and bedsheets they had brought with them. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

Hyderabad: In a shocking incident, a 38-year-old woman delivered a baby on the footpath in front of a cinema theatre at Narayandguda on Tuesday. She was later shifted to Koti Maternity Hospital.

Around noon, the Narayanguda police station received a distress call claiming that a woman appeared to be in labour on a footpath. Inspector Bheem Reddy then dispatched a team of woman constables and when the team reached the spot they found the woman in pain.

The team is believed to have quickly organised a make-shift labour ward  covered by clothes and bedsheets they had brought with them. Other policemen stood guard to control the crowd and to protect the privacy of the woman.

The identity of the woman is not known but its likely that she was a homeless person from the area. When we got the call we rushed to the spot and found her all alone, Mr Reddy said.

Gynaecologist Dr Bhavani Guda explained, It must be a full-term pregnancy. The mental state of the woman is also a factor as with the poor, we have often observed that some are not even aware they are pregnant.

No one has come forward to identify or assist the woman in the hospital. No one has come asking for the woman so far at the police station so it is becoming very difficult for us to verify who she is or where she came from, Mr Reddy added.
ATLANTA  Coca-Cola's profit slipped in the first quarter as the world's biggest beverage maker was squeezed by a strong dollar and charges related to the transformation of its North American operations.

The maker of Sprite, Fanta and Dasani said global beverage volume rose 2 percent in the period. Soda volume was flat, while non-carbonated drinks rose 7 percent.

As Coca-Cola faces challenges at home and overseas, the company has focused on slashing costs and transforming its business. That includes revamping its packaging and stepping up marketing to adjust to a changing marketplace.

As people have cut back on soda in the U.S., for instance, Coke has shifted its strategy to emphasize mini cans, aluminum bottles and other options that tend to fetch more money per ounce. The company says the focus is now on growing sales, even if people are drinking less of its sodas.

In North America, the company is also refranchising territories back to bottlers.

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For the three months ended April 1, Coca-Cola earned $1.48 billion, or 34 cents per share. That's compared with $1.56 billion, or 35 cents per share, a year earlier.

Stripping out charges tied to refranchising certain North American territories and other costs, Coke said it earned 45 cents per share, or a penny more than analysts expected.

Net operating revenue fell to $10.28 billion from $10.71 billion a year ago, but was above the $10.26 billion Zacks' analysts predicted. Coke said organic revenue, which excludes divestitures and currency fluctuations, rose 2 percent.

Shares of Coca-Cola Inc. edged down 1.6 percent lower to $45.85 in premarket trading today.
A 19-year-old Rochester software development firm recently made its drag-and-drop application maker publicly available.

Vacava made RapidBIZ, its cloud application tool, publicly available last week.

Terry Bird, Vacava's founder and managing partner, describes RapidBIZ as offering "simple-to-use pre-built/pre-tested application components assembled via a graphical drag-and-drop interface" that can be used to "assemble and modify custom applications."

Vacava created RapidBIZ about six years ago. The firm has updated it six times and uses the cloud application maker regularly to help its clients.

"The headaches and expense of in-house servers is eliminated because we host RapidBIZ development, test and production environments in IBM's SoftLayer cloud services," according to Bird, an ex-IBMer.

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This new availability of RapidBIZ means developers can have full access to the software tool without costs, until their applications are ready for production.

"I want to make cloud development and delivery affordable for businesses of all sizes. Our pricing has no hidden fees, no surprises and no long-term contracts. We are offering the development cloud for one developer free of charge," Bird said. "Once you've developed the application and now want to move it to production, we have a very affordable cloud hosting environment to run the application in production  all based on a monthly, pay-as-you-go model with no ongoing commitment required."
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday told the Centre Rs 10,000 crore were required to solve the drinking water problem in rural areas of the state by 2019.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made a PowerPoint presentation to Union Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh on the state's requirements and the steps taken to make AP drought-free in the next three years.

"This year alone we require Rs 1,000 crore for various rural water supply schemes we have taken up. But the Centre sanctioned only Rs 170 crore in the 2016-17 Budget," the CM told the visiting Union Minister at a review meeting.

Noting that "wounds of unscientific bifurcation" of the state still remain, Naidu told Singh the onus was on the Centre to extend liberal financial assistance to AP.

"People are asking why the Centre which divided the state is not providing due financial assistance. The Centre has to bear this in mind and sanction funds liberally," he said.

The CM also informed the Minister of various measures undertaken by the state government to prevent drought, including the digging of 10 lakh farm ponds.

"This will not only help recharge ground water but also raise crops even in adverse seasonal conditions," he added. Works under MGNREGA were also being taken up in a massive way, he said.

Birender Singh said the Centre appreciates the states concerns and would extend due financial help. "You are an able Chief Minister. No injustice will be done to the state," the Union Minister said. Union Minister for Tribal Welfare Jual Oram was also present.
A few weeks ago, I shared my discussions as a SCORE mentor with small business CEOs on the topic of how your customers make a purchase decision. They have a difficult time to discern what really will trip the trigger for a customer to make the decision to purchase in today's marketing scene.

Thanks to digital media and e-commerce, the path to purchase most consumers take today is a winding one. It may start on mobile and shift to the desktop, start on the desktop and shift to brick-and-mortar stores  or make just about any conceivable combination of digital and traditional stops along the way. This makes it difficult for a CEO to make marketing decisions and to design a plan that will yield the best return on investment. Our discussions have continued into some key marketing trends for this year. And it all starts with the customer's expectations and behaviors.

When today's buyers are researching a purchase decision or otherwise interacting with a business, they want the process to feel seamless and streamlined. Even among all of modern life's distractions, they want the experience to be focused and efficient. They want the right offer, insightful piece of content or helpful reminder to fall into place at just the right time.

Unfortunately, buyers are forced to navigate a disjointed, impersonal experience that frequently fails to resonate. I was interested to read a piece released by IBM and Econsultancy ("The Consumer Conversation: the experience void between brands and their customers") based on their 2015 data. It showed that only 22 percent of consumers say "the average retailer understands them, and just 21 percent say the marketing messages they receive from average companies are "usually relevant."

In that same study, they reported that most marketers understand this must change, with 88 percent agreeing their organization's growth ultimately depends on personalization and better customer knowledge. The challenge is only 37 percent believe they have the tools they need to provide exceptional customer service and experiences.

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So, what can marketers do to shift to an approach that nurtures contacts through the buying process and inspires loyalty among existing customers? IBM did a follow-up article (IBM, "Redefining Boundaries: Insights from the Global C-suite Study") in which they stated that C-suite executives think four technologies will be particularly important for marketing success in the near term: cloud computing and services, mobile solutions, the Internet of Things and cognitive computing.

The biggest theme in what I read for helping small business CEOs is gaining a deeper understanding of buyers and delivering the types of outstanding cross-channel experiences customers and prospects crave.

One of the first observations that I learned is from Deepak Advani, general manager of IBM Commerce. He predicts that cognitive technologies change the way businesses engage with customers. So what does that mean?

Think about this interesting statistic. Eighty percent of data today is unstructured and largely invisible to computers. What does that mean for marketers and their brands? At a time when turning data into insight never has been more important, brands only are benefiting from 20 percent of what's out there.

As we begin looking to our marketing strategies for this year, this statistic suggests marketers need to embrace new approaches that allow them to access all the data customers are creating each day, to understand and learn from it and, in the end, use it to drive loyalty and build advocacy.

But how do you create these brand champions who truly are passionate about what you have to offer? Delivering the best product is one factor, as is selling it at the best price, but that's only part of the recipe for success.

In the future, cognitive technologies will increasingly help companies understand customers and prospects on completely new levels by learning about their behaviors, personalities and emotions, pinpointing what tone will resonate best in brand messages, and optimizing offers and content for each customer journey based on the progressive discovery of intent.

With cognitive computing, consumers and business buyers will receive experiences on levels they never have before while businesses build a base of loyal customers who are powerful brand advocates.
UnitedHealthcare will operate only in a "handful" of health insurance exchanges in 2017, down from 34 states this year, company officials said Tuesday.

The company did not provide the anticipated details in its first-quarter earnings announcement released Tuesday morning or in a subsequent teleconference with securities analysts. But a spokesman confirmed Nevada and Virginia would be among the states where it will retain a presence. In the past week, UnitedHealthcare said it would leave Georgia, Michigan, and Arkansas.

UnitedHealth Group, the parent company, warned in November it was considering quitting most marketplaces because of escalating losses on the Obamacare plans. The company on Tuesday said it lost $475 million last year from the marketplace plans and was on target to lose $650 million in 2016.

UnitedHealth is the nation's largest health insurer overall, but it's not the biggest in the individual insurance markets that the exchanges serve.

Even so, UnitedHealth's plan to dramatically curtail involvement in the exchanges would severely limit competition in parts or all of about 10 states  mostly in the South and Midwest, according to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.) That could mean higher premiums for consumers in states and counties left with only one or two insurers, unless another company enters those markets. Oklahoma and Kansas would be left with only one insurer if UnitedHealthcare pulls out.

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Obama administration officials sought to play down the impact of the UnitedHealth's announcement saying the company was not the lowest-cost plan in many of the biggest states. For example, at least 95 percent of the populations of Florida, Illinois and Ohio live in a county where they could find a cheaper plan this year, an administration spokesman said.

So far, UnitedHealthcare is the only large carrier to announce it will leave the marketplaces in multiple states.

"We have full confidence, based on data, that the marketplaces will continue to thrive for years ahead," said a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "The marketplace should be judged by the choices it offers consumers, not the decisions of any one issuer."

United officials said they were unwilling to keep losing money.

"The smaller overall market size and shorter term, higher-risk profile within this market segment continue to suggest we cannot broadly serve it on an effective and sustained basis," CEO Stephen Hemsley said in a conference call with investors Tuesday.

"Next year, we will remain in only a handful of states, and we will not carry financial exposure from exchanges into 2017," Hemsley said.

UnitedHealthcare said it has 795,000 enrollees on the exchange plans, after adding 300,000 people since January. It expects the number to fall to 650,000 by December as people drop off or find other coverage. The Obamacare marketplace has about 12.7 million people enrolled for 2016.

Hemsley confirmed Harken Health , the company's subsidiary that markets a boutique-style health plan, would continue next year. It currently operates in Atlanta and Chicago.

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Despite the Obamacare losses, the Minnetonka, Minn.-based company made $1.6 billion in net income on $44.5 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2016. During the same period last year, UnitedHealth Group made $1.4 billion in net income on $35.8 billion in revenue.
Hyderabad: The Cyberabad police on Tuesday informed the Hyderabad High Court that as per their preliminary investigation, Rohith Vemula, research scholar of Hyderabad Central University who had committed suicide, belonged to Vaddera community which comes under Backward Classes list.

Gachibowli inspector J. Ramesh Kumar, who is investigating the Rohit Vemulas suicide case filed an affidavit stating that Rohiths caste certificate found in the University and his college records certify him as an SC Mala, while the recent reports issued by tahsildars of Gurazala and Guntur mandals of Guntur districts reported his caste and his parents caste as Vaddera.

Mr Kumar submitted that in the light of contradictory documents with regard to caste of Rohith Vemula, he has requested the district collector to take necessary action and to inform the correct caste status to proceed further in the case.

Earlier, the police registered a case against UoH Vice-Chancellor P. Appa Rao, Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya, BJP MLC N. Ramachandra Rao and ABVP leader Susheel Kumar and others, charging them of abetting Rohiths suicide, under the IPC and also under provisions of Prevention of SC and ST Atrocities Act.

The police has been claiming that determination of the caste status of the deceased is essential to proceed against the accused under the SC and ST Atrocities Act.

Mr Kumar, in his affidavit, said that the inquiry conducted by the Guntur Urban tahsildar based on his requisition also reported that Vemula Radhika, mother of Rohith and his two brothers Giridhar Kumar and Sridhar, are Vaddera by caste.

He informed that as per the statement given by Vemula Naga Mani Kumar, father of the deceased, his wife Radhika belongs to Vaddera community.

Making it clear that environmental clearances are mandatory for excavation of minor minerals, including gravel, the National Green Tribunal at Chennai directed the TS government to take necessary action to make functional District Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority to grant environment clearances.

A two-member bench comprising Justice P. Jyothimani (judicial) and P.S. Rao (expert member) was disposing applications challenging a memo issued by the TS government facilitating excavation of minor minerals on mere filing of application for environment clearance.

The bench made it clear that as per the orders of the Supreme Court and also notification of the Centre, environmental clearance is mandatory. The bench directed the State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority to transfer all 3,500 applications pending for granting of EC to DEIAA forthwith.
In light of recent attacks and media attention surrounding Planned Parenthood , I'd like to share with you exactly what Planned Parenthood looks like here in our community.

1. In 2014, Rochester's Planned Parenthood provided 5,564 tests for sexually transmitted infections, including 880 tests for HIV.

There is often stigma surrounding testing for STIs. However, regular testing is incredibly important for people who are sexually active. The most common symptom of STIs is no symptom at all. Many health professionals recommend testing every six months or between new partners. By detecting the infections as early as possible, it prevents further transmission and in some cases, further medical issues. For example, syphilis is a treatable and curable infection, but left undetected can lead to death. In addition to the free testing events held at Rochester Community and Technical College throughout the year, Planned Parenthood is offering free STI testing for the entire month of April.

2. They also administered HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines to 44 people.

HPV, also known as genital warts, is a sexually transmitted infection that, if left untreated, can lead to various types of cancer. It is so common that almost all sexually active people will get it at some point in their lives. Even more concerning, the most common symptom of the human papillomavirus is no symptom at all. Many people may be carriers of HPV and not know it. To combat this, a vaccine was released in 2006 as a way to prevent the transmission of HPV. The vaccine, a series of three injections commonly believed to be only for girls, can be given to any person around the age of 11 or 12.

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3. Planned Parenthood provided 1,396 cancer detecting tests, including pap smears, breast exams, and colposcopies.

These are all easy screening tools used to detect various types of cancer. A colposcopy is a procedure done following an abnormal pap smear that is able to better detect cervical cancer. Early detection of cancer provides patients with a wider range of treatment options, and often more successful treatments.

4. Over half of all patients fell under the federal poverty line.

Without health insurance, medical care can get pretty expensive. Planned Parenthood operates on a sliding-fee scale which charges patients for care based upon their income. Their flexibility allows those who might not otherwise have access to affordable reproductive health care to get quality care at a price they can afford. Rochester's Planned Parenthood clinic serves all people, embodying their motto: Care. No matter what.

5. Rochester's Education Department reached almost 7,000 people in 2015, from Cannon Falls to Stewartville, and Winona to Owatonna.

The education department is made up of 15 people, 12 of whom are volunteers, and nine of whom are youth. The department teaches students comprehensive lessons on topics ranging from birth control and anatomy to healthy relationships and body image. Volunteers are asked to teach in communities all over Southern Minnesota. They have taught in traditional classrooms at middle schools, high schools, and even colleges, as well as teaching church groups and after-school programs.
A former Rochester Boy Scout has filed a lawsuit, claiming a Scoutmaster sexually abused him several times between 1962 and 1964, when the boy was 12 to 14 years old.

The Scoutmaster, Jack D. Tibbetts, isn't named as a defendant in the suit, which was filed Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court. Instead, the victim  identified as John Doe 160  is suing the Boy Scouts of America and Rochester-based Gamehaven Council, the local chapter.

The lawsuit alleges the sexual abuse by Tibbetts, now 73 and living in Burnsville, occurred during Scouting-related meetings, events and outings in and around Rochester.

The victim, now 66, filed the suit under the Child Victim Act of 2013, which gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse three years to file civil claims against their abusers and affiliated institutions. The deadline to file suit is May 25.

The local claim isn't the first to name Tibbetts, court records show: A former St. Paul Boy Scout filed a lawsuit in September 2015, alleging Tibbetts molested him in the late 1960s at a Scouting event in Wisconsin. That case remains open.

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The Ramsey County court documents claim that the Boy Scouts of America and Gamehaven Council failed to protect John Doe 160 from predictable and preventable harm from Tibbetts. The victim seeks damages in excess of $50,000. No court dates have been set.

Shortly after its inception, Boy Scouts of America became aware that "a significant number" of its adult leaders were using their positions of trust and authority to manipulate and sexually abuse boys, the lawsuit alleges. The documents refer to the organization's self-named "Perversion Files" as evidence that it had a significant sexual abuse problem as early as 1935, when it removed more than 1,000 men from their roles as Scout leaders.

"The Perversion Files represent the smoking gun in every Boy Scout sexual abuse case," said Steve Crew, a Twin Cities-based attorney for John Doe 160. "BSA secretly collected vast amounts of information on pedophiles in Scouting, but did not change the way it operated or warn the public, parents, or Boy Scouts about what it knew."

In the early 1970s, the attorneys claim, BSA "recognized the potential liabilities represented by possessing and maintaining" the files, leading three executives to destroy thousands of the files. About 6,000 remain; of those, about 1,900 are in the public domain.

The organization opened a file on Tibbetts in 1990, long after John Doe 160 was allegedly assaulted  and more than 10 years after he was convicted on four counts of criminal sexual conduct, the lawsuit alleges.

In 1977, Tibbetts was convicted of two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. In 1979, the convictions were overturned by the Minnesota Supreme Court on the grounds that there were flawed jury instructions, according to the plaintiff's court documents.

Prosecutors didn't retry the case, and later that year, Tibbetts applied to be a Boy Scout leader in the St. Paul area. The BSA approved his application, the lawsuit alleges. Years later, in 1987, Tibbetts was involved in litigation after attempting to adopt a child in Hennepin County. After learning of the criminal convictions in the late 1970s, the adoption agency denied Tibbetts' adoption request. Tibbetts sued the agency and Hennepin County District Court, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals sided with the adoption agency, according to the lawsuit.

A 1989 application to be a Boy Scout leader in Minneapolis was denied, and an ineligible volunteer file was opened, the lawsuit says.
Hyderabad: The ambiguity regarding VAT on sale of cellphones in Telangana state is likely to end soon with the Telangana state government mulling to roll back the tax from 14.5 per cent to 5 per cent as is the case in neighboring Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

VAT on cellphone was made 5 per cent a month before TS and AP became separate states in June 2014. While AP continued with the same, the TS Commercial Taxes department reversed it to 14.5 per cent again.

However, this led to widespread confusion with a few shops charging 5 per cent like before while priority dealers charged 14.5 per cent. Also, it led to grey market operations where phones were sold without bills and at discounted prices.

Commercial Tax officials stated that they had noticed a few cases of sellers smuggling phones from Vijayawada and selling them at a higher price in Khammam and Nalgonda districts.

Mobile buyers try to avoid VAT

Enforcement teams had raided shops in Hyderabad and given notices to owners to pay 14.5 per cent VAT. The Mobile Merchants Association had argued that customers were not willing to buy phones if higher VAT was levied and hence they were issued bills with only 5 per cent VAT. The department served notices to shops to pay the full tax to the government after which the association approached the High Court.

According to officials of the department, the revenue generated from tax on cellphones is nearly Rs 250 crore annually. Higher VAT also meant people in urban areas preferred online shopping than buying from a local shop.

Most of the e-commerce sites charge 5 per cent VAT on mobiles. Discount offers are also a big factor in people giving a big thumbs-up for online shopping.

Officials said that people in urban areas and especially those who want to buy high-end phones prefer online shopping. Phones priced below Rs 7,000 are sold in big numbers in shops, especially where online delivery is a problem.

Mr Masiuddin, president of Mobile Merchants Association in Jagdish Market, housing over 300 shops, stated that every month the revenue from sale of mobiles and accessories was around Rs 6 crore.

He stated that online sale of phones had dented their business by 30 to 40 per cent, but it was mostly limited to Hyderabad. This issue was brought to the notice of the Chief Minister, who is learnt to be in favour of cuting the tax.
New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal warned bureaucrats of Delhi Government against creating chaos in the national capital. He said that playing politics with democratically chosen representatives downgrades the governments credibility.

We can tolerate anything but we will not tolerate politics. If you are interested in politics, then resign, contest elections and confront us, said the Chief Minister at an event to mark Civil Services Day.

Kejriwal was referring to the strike called by IAS officers just before the odd-even trial in December last year. Most of the bureaucrats went on a mass leave showing solidarity with Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Civil Service officers who were suspended for insubordination.

Kejriwal also stated that people of Delhi had chosen AAP with a purpose and they will not tolerate any sort of hurdle in the welfare of people.

My government is fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Delhi. People are happy and if the government continues this way we arent going anywhere for 10-15 years. You may like it or not, but we are here for 10-15 years. Those officers who are above 45 have no choice.

Mellowing down later, Kejriwal encouraged civil servants to become part of his "honest and transparent" government and serve the people of Delhi.

"This government may be anything, but dishonest. This government is working for the poorest of the poor. There may be many with ideas and dreams, this is the time for you to do something. Last year, I asked all of you to give me ideas. I have not received a single one," he said.
Dear Answer Man, following the recent high-speed chase through Rochester neighborhoods, I wondered what this person was being chased for to allow children of our neighborhoods to be placed in harm's way? I did not see anything in the P-B coverage indicating what the Texas man was being pursued for, which seemed odd  or maybe omitted from the report on purpose.

This past year, my daughter and our two grandchildren in a burly behind her bike were on a normally quiet section of East River Road as it nears Broadway when they got caught up in a high-speed chase. She feared for their safety and wondered what the chase through a residential neighborhood was all about.

Which brings me to my main question: Do the citizens of Rochester have any way of inputting their concerns about high-speed chases within the city limits, or is it totally up to law enforcement officials? Also, do law enforcement officials have guidelines to consider before starting a high-speed chase within city limits and, if so, are they public information?

Too many high-speed chases ultimately end up in serious injury or death to innocent bystanders to not at least have this issue addressed.  Greg M.

Excellent questions and concerns, and another Answer Maniac echoed them:

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When should high-speed chases be discontinued? Coming back from a lunch meeting Monday, I observed parts of the recent chase through near northwest Rochester at about 1 p.m. This is a time when people are either going to or coming back from lunch. Contrary to what State Patrol Sgt. Troy Christianson said, traffic was not "real light" on Seventh Street Northwest and 11th Avenue Northwest, where I first observed the chase. The chase continued north and west (and ultimately east) and is also a location in close proximity to John Marshall High School, Washington Elementary School and St. Pius Elementary School.

At the time of this chase I observed at least 50 to 100 St. Pius students on the school playground. Fourteenth Street Northwest, where the chase ended, is a very busy street and one block from the crash site is a large daycare center 

I support law enforcement. However, this exercise of discretion is troubling indeed and is an example of what is feared when law enforcement chooses to take this course of action. It is truly fortuitous that no one was seriously injured. The high-speed chase policy should be revisited.  Paul H. Grinde

Regarding the incident Monday, Greg M. is correct, the initial P-B story didn't say why the suspect was being chased. T hat was updated later . According to the State Patrol, the incident started as a routine traffic stop for speeding, but the suspect took off. A chase ensued at speeds of up to 75 mph and ended when the suspect vehicle crashed with another one, injuring the driver, then hit a third vehicle.

I checked with the State Patrol regarding other details and whether the trooper's response will be reviewed. State Patrol Sgt. Troy Christiansonsaid by email, "The case is under investigation" regarding pending charges against the driver. "I am unable to talk about the case until it has been through the court process."

I asked Rochester Police Chief Roger Petersonabout policy for chases of this kind, and here's what he said, by email:

"We agree that high-speed pursuits should only occur when absolutely necessary. As such, our policy prohibits pursuits except in cases of a violent felony where the risk to public safety requires that a perpetrator be immediately apprehended, or where driving conduct (prior to a pursuit being initiated) is so inimical to public safety that it would likely result in great bodily harm or death.

"While the policies of other law enforcement agencies may differ, we will respond to assist other agencies when necessary. We will not engage in pursuits that do not comply with our policy, but we will assist in the arrest of offenders or take other measures necessary to protect the public under these circumstances.

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"Citizens can provide input into this or other policies of the Rochester Police Department through the Police Oversight Commission . Staffed by members of the community, the Police Oversight Commission serves to ensure that our policies and procedures meet the expectations of the citizens we serve."

That raises an interesting question: Does the State Patrol have any type of public oversight committee?

No. Lt. Tiffani Nielson, the State Patrol's public information officer, says, "The Minnesota State Patrol does not have any citizen oversight boards or commissions."
Prosecutor in police shooting to enter alcohol program

MINNEAPOLIS  The prosecutor whose office won a recent conviction in the high-profile case of a Minneapolis police officer who killed an unarmed woman says he will be entering a treatment program for alcohol issues.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman issued a statement Friday saying he was evaluated for alcohol issues and agrees he needs treatment. Hell be entering a program Monday.

Freeman announced last week that he was taking a medical leave, but didnt say why.

His Friday statement says he has also worked to stabilize his "unacceptably high blood pressure." He says hes determined to reclaim his health and hopes to be back to work in mid-June.

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Last month, a jury convicted Mohamed Noor of murder in the 2017 fatal shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Australia who called 911 to report a possible crime.

Minnesota seeks to add Purdue Pharma owners to opioid suit

ST. PAUL  Minnesotas attorney general is asking a state court for permission to add the owners of drugmaker Purdue Pharma to a lawsuit that seeks to hold the company responsible for the opioid addiction crisis.

Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma makes OxyContin and has been the subject of legal action in nearly every state.

Attorney General Keith Ellison wants to add eight members of the Sackler family to Minnesotas lawsuit. He says the Sacklers, who own and operate Purdue, were involved in deceptive marketing tactics and strategies to sell more opioids, despite knowing the risks.

If a judge approves, Minnesota would become at least the 11th state to take legal action against one or more members of the Sackler family.

A family spokeswoman issued a statement denying the allegations, calling the lawsuit a misguided attempt to place blame where it doesnt belong.

Man holed up in hotel surrenders to police

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BROOKLYN PARK  Authorities say a standoff at a Brooklyn Park hotel ended after more than six hours when a man suspected of assaulting his girlfriend surrendered to police.

SWAT officers and crisis negotiators were called to the La Quinta Inn early Friday after a woman reported she was being assaulted by her boyfriend and threatened with a gun. Police say the standoff began at 3:30 a.m. and ended when the man was arrested at about 9:50 a.m.

Authorities say the woman was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Police say the 31-year-old suspect was not carry9ing a gun but it was unclear if there were any weapons in the room.

The suspect, who has not been formally charged, has previous convictions for drug possession, motor vehicle theft, aggravated robbery, making terroristic threats, drunken driving and burglary.

Jail inmate accused of running prostitution ring

MORA  An inmate at the Kanabec County Jail is charged with running a prostitution ring from his cell.

Thirty-eight-year-old Daniel Ellington is charged in Washington County District Court with two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of promotion of prostitution.

Prosecutors say Ellington communicated with a prostitute by text and "promoted and profited" from her activities in Woodbury last month.

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East Metro Sex Trafficking Task Force director Imran Ali says Ellington was 100 miles away and incarcerated, yet was promoting prostitution and profiting from it. The task force began investigating after a Woodbury detective found an online ad entitled "Blonde Bombshell."

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports Kanabec County Sheriff Brian Smith says Ellington used a jail-issued iPod to text and paid a certain price for each message.

 Associated Press
A file photo of Shaktiman, the Uttarakhand police horse which died in Dehradun on Wednesday. The horse was injured during a BJP protest in Uttarakhand on March 14. (Photo: PTI)

Lucknow: Shaktiman, the police horse who was injured during a BJP protest in Uttarakhand, died on Wednesday evening. The 13-year-old horse, whose leg had to be amputated after the injury, was given a prosthetic leg brought from the US but he did not respond to it, the doctors said.

Shaktiman had spent the past few weeks at the police lines in Dehradun, where a group of policemen and doctors looked after him.

Sources said that the horse had almost stopped eating after the amputation and had become increasingly weak.

BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi, accused of instigating the brutal attack on the horse, was arrested and later released on bail. He was charged with cruelty and maiming an animal.

In visuals that horrified many across the country, the horse was seen taking multiple blows and dragging its broken, mangled hind limb.

Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat visited the injured animal and ensured the best possible treatment.

A fortnight ago, pictures of Shaktiman with the prosthetic leg were published in which the animal looked visibly pained and in discomfort.

Meanwhile, Union minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi sought the arrest of the person responsible for the death of Shaktiman and demanded the animal should no more be part of police forces.

I am deeply saddened by the death of Shaktiman. It is an extremely unfortunate incident. Horses should no longer be part of our police system, she said.

Ms Gandhi said Shaktiman was a police officer on duty and the person responsible for his death should be arrested for killing a police officer.

They serve no purpose and in every crowd engagement they are at the mercy of any vicious person who is too cowardly to do anything but injure the defenseless animal. Shaktiman was a police officer on duty and the person who put him through so much pain and ultimately killed him should be arrested for killing a police officer, she said.

Shaktiman was drag-ged into a raging political row in the weeks before Uttarakhand was placed under Presidents rule. The BJP had then attacked the Congress accusing it of using the horse to target its lawmaker and to try to keep him away from assembly proceedings and possible voting.

BJPs Shaina NC said this was not an issue to be politicised. It is the loss of life of an animal, she said, adding animal lovers across the country feel that a wrong has been done. I think we all need to own this up at our own end, she said.

Claiming that Shaktiman was essentially killed the day his leg was broken, PETA India called for strengthening laws to save other animals from similar cruel deaths.
AUSTIN  A 40-year-old Austin woman was arrested Tuesday after allegedly stabbing a man.

Austin Police responded to calls after a 33-year-old male flagged down cars in the 400 block of 4th Street Southwest in Austin. The man was shirtless and bleeding from the back. Gold Cross Ambulance responded and transported the man to Austin-Mayo Clinic Health System. He was then airlifted to Mayo Clinic Hospital - Saint Marys Campus in Rochester.

The woman made a statement to Austin police that she was mad at the man for bringing drugs into their residence. The woman is being held at the Mower County Jail pending charges.
Bryon High School is looking at a new way to minimize distractions for students taking the ACT  it's sending the rest of the school home.

While the school's juniors take the ACT, and the sophomore class takes a practice version, its freshman and seniors will learn from home for the day.

Testing requires increased supervision, said Byron High School Principal Steve Willman, so the district pulled teachers in to watch over the tests, which requires they step out of their own classrooms for the day.

But students will still be learning  a move enabled by the district's "flexible" one-to-one technology capabilities. The district's students are equipped with iPads, so the students participated in a "Digital Learning Day" Tuesday, rather than just having the day off.

"What we really feel is that learning isn't dependent upon a location," Willman said.

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This is the second year that the school is trying the approach, and they're soliciting feedback from students and parents in hopes that it will continue next year.

"We felt, we have these iPads and curriculum online," Willman said, "we want to make sure we're making meaningful experiences  and at least honoring our commitment to the education instead of just giving them a day off."

Willman said the school has to balance giving the ACT, which is very important for juniors, with the fact that the rest of the school still needs to be able to learn.

"We wanted to make sure the regular school day doesn't interfere with testing  and how can we do that and still make sure that there is meaningful learning happening?" Willman said.

The move is one of many districts throughout the state equipped with digital learning capabilities are leveraging the technology to try new things.

This winter, Zumbrota-Mazeppa Schools turned to a similar idea for learning from home for its snow days  what are being called "WILD days," or weather-impacted learning days. Students learn from home with pre-planned lessons in case of a snow day.

Districts such as Farmington and Pine Island have a similar systems in place for snow days, where students work from home because of one-to-one technology. In Farmington, they're called "flexible learning days," and they work because 95 percent of students in the district have Internet access at home.

In Byron, Willman said, the district has thought a lot about whether students have that access  about 2 percent of families in the district don't have access. But the school offers those families the opportunity to come to the high school for the day to get access.

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Some schools don't have this option because they're not one-to-one, or a significant portion of the district's students don't have home internet access. Though Willman said being equipped with the technology allows students to have a worthwhile day out of school.

"A lot of schools are just sending their kids home for the day, we wanted to send them home with some activities," Willman said.
RUSHFORD  Southeast Minnesota Historic Bluff Country Inc. is moving forward by moving more into social media.

Members of the board of directors and others met last week in Rushford to decide what to do after a second staff member was charged with stealing money from the group that promotes tourism south of Interstate 90, basically along the Root River.

About a dozen people met last Thursday for the annual meeting to talk about the situation. While attendance was low, "the outcome was good," said board member Dave Phillips of Spring Valley. "I think we got across our message about us going forward. We are moving forward, we're going to be around, we're meeting our obligations. We're just focusing a little bit different, more on our web presence."

Earlier this year, Trisha Ann Parrish, of Rushford, was charged with felonies for allegedly stealing more than $8,000 from the group. In 2012, the group discovered that then-Director Kristina Nolte was stealing from the petty cash fund; she was ordered to pay $14,000 restitution.

The group shut down its office in Rushford and is counting on a mobile app to help people find the towns and attractions in the region When people travel, they often don't use a traditional tourism building, but search the web, Phillips said.

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The other step they are taking is encouraging each of the more than one dozen towns in the group's area to become members, he said.

If an individual business joins, it's listed on the group's web site, www.bluffcountry.com , he said. But that means people searching the site think there's not much to do because there are so few entries.

If a town joins, however, all its businesses are listed, giving a much wider, complete picture, "it will be a more accurate representation of what there's to do in bluff country," he said. The cost is $1 per person in a community, up to a maximum of $1,500 annually, he said.

The big thing now is getting the word out about the app, Phillips said.

After the meeting, he said he was optimistic and "I think the people attending felt optimistic too."

The next step, besides getting the mobile app up and running strong, is to decide where else they can focus their efforts.

One idea tossed around is to again have a booth at the Minnesota State Fair, Phillips said. Each of the bigger towns would staff the booth one day, he said.

In looking at the big picture, he said the there's no doubt the two thefts hurt them. "We took a step backwards," he said. "Now, we want to move forward."
WINONA  Hundreds of people showed up across three scheduled meetings at the Winona Eagles Club on Tuesday to discuss their visions for the future for Winona.

Engage Winona, a new grassroots group hoping to start a dialogue on Winona's future among a cross-section of community members, invited Winona residents to the discussions.

The rules were simple: All are welcome, every voice matters, listen without judgment, try to understand other's points of view.

"There were 200 people registered and we've had some walk-ins," said Beth Forkner Moe, a nonprofit consultant by day but just one of the facilitators for Engage Winona. "Also, at our mobile cafes we reached out to groups who might not feel comfortable in a public setting."

That meant another 150 or so Winona residents from the senior center, college students, people reached through organizations that serve those with disabilities, immigrant groups and those who have been in the criminal justice system.

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What has Engage Winona heard during all this? Well, the initial conversations are not finished  and Forkner Moe, isn't quite ready to share the group's data yet  but "Themes have come up across all the groups," she said. "We're finding there's much more commonality because people are human."

What the organization is discovering, she said, is that people in Winona would like to make some changes. The details on those changes will come after the group has compiled its data.

At Tuesday's lunchtime meeting at the Eagles Club, people were invited in, served lunch and sat with a five to seven strangers at a table to answer three questions. More specifically, people sat, discussed one question, moved around the room to a new group, answered the second, moved again and answered the third.

The common themes among three of the groups were a list of issues that have come up in Winona before: more trails to connect all of Winona for biking and walking; a master plan for the marina, the riverfront and downtown; better education for all; a living wage; preserve Winona's history; and take care of Winona's resources from the bluffs to the boathouses.

One discussion focused on eliminating the negativity every time someone brings up the idea of change. "When a big community issue comes up, there's always negativity," said one woman during the second question discussion. "I would change it to have more discussion."

That, Forkner Moe said, would also be consistent with what Engage Winona has heard thus far.

Brian Boerding, who moderated the lunchtime meeting, said the next step for Engage Winona will be to release the data it gathered. Though, since the group is made up of volunteers, no firm date was given.

The group formed individuals who took part in the Blandin Community Leadership Program, Forkner Moe said. The program, run by the Grand Rapids-based Blandin Foundation, teaches community engagement techniques.

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In the end, that's the purpose behind Engage Winona, a group that has been in existence since January, Boerding said. "We're facilitators."

That means listening then taking the information to the people who can make change happen. Sometimes, that will be the city government, county government or some aspect of the state, Forkner Moe said.

"Some things that are more grass roots," she said. "We'll reach out to community members and say, 'How do you want to do this?'"

And while many members of this new grassroots, volunteer group have been active within the community for years, Engage Winona is a new avenue for affecting change to build the community the community members want to see.

"The biggest thing is we're all here because we want a healthy community, a community that's healthy now and in the future," Forkner Moe said. "There's a lot of different ways that can take place, and a lot of avenues we can follow."

At the Engage Winona meetings, guests were asked to discuss three questions:

1. What is important to you about Winona, and why do you care?

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2. If you could improve one thing about our community, what would it be and why?

3. If success were guaranteed, what bold choices would you make for Winona's future?
Six young people shared their stories of resiliency and recovery in front of the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday as the county recognized the recipients of the 21st annual Outstanding Youth Awards.

The six recipients of the awards this year had each faced a gauntlet of challenging choices, personal loss and trying circumstances  and each had persevered to become exemplary young persons.

"It was a little nerve-wracking to hear my story told in front of very important people but it definitely feels good to be recognized and cheered on," said Tyffanie Wendt, one of the award recipients.

A brief description of the award-winners follows:

Arianna Boswell

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A combative attitude, regular school truancy and methamphetamine use were all parts of Boswell's character two years ago. Legal issues led to her arrest and placement in Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge.

Since then, Boswell has taken control of her life, and her personality. She has attended school and will graduate in June, she works nearly 40 hours a week and, according to her nominator Sue Whitcomb, is a joy to be around.

Tabarak Foaad

Foaad was twice a refugee by the time she was 10 years old, having been born in Baghdad and later having fled to Syria. When her family relocated to the U.S., Foaad was diagnosed with a brain tumor that had caused her painful migraine headaches.

Foaad had struggled to maintain her school attendance but as a high school student and member of the Upward Bound Program, she has challenged herself to excel. She is now a post-secondary student at Rochester Community and Technical College and hopes to pursue a career in law or government.

Khiara Cousteau Las

Las struggled as a middle-school student with issues caused by an obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. As a high school student she has pushed past her challenges and become a devoted volunteer. She started the "Butt Kickers," a group that raises money by cleaning up cigarette butts, and she also volunteers with Special Olympics, American Cancer Society and the Salvation Army.

Eric McCullough

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In the span of one year, McCullough has displayed an academic turnaround that has impressed his teachers and peers. He had been in trouble for truancy before enrolling at the Alternative Learning Center. Once there, though, he found programs that he could dedicate himself to, and he is now preparing himself for a post-secondary education.

Diana Hernandez Sanchez

Sanchez was victim of bullying that caused her to experience depression and anxiety. When she found a friend group, it led her to dangerous behaviors. Sanchez made the choice to put herself on a healthier path and has now set her sights on becoming a doctor.

After missing school earlier in her academic career, Sanchez is now an 'A' student and has taken on responsibility at home caring for her siblings.

Tyffanie Wendt

A young woman mature beyond her years, Wendt has grown up quickly to support her family. With two parents who both have been out of work, Wendt works to provide for herself and her two younger sisters.

Though she has struggled with depression and personal challenges, Wendt is dedicated to a path she has set for herself  to become a certified nurse with a bachelor's degree.

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PINE ISLAND  The Pine Island City Council discussed the purchase of the Olde Pine Theatre at Tuesday's city council meeting.

The theater, 113 Second St. SW, has been used for occasional shows and is home to a church congregation on Sundays.

Rod Steele, Pine Island's mayor, said the city was days away from getting a sweetheart deal to purchase the theater before the death of owner Tony Love in August 2015.

"He was planning on bequeathing it to the city," Steele said. However, the papers for that claim were not registered in time. "We would have had the opportunity to buy it for a buck."

Library director Morgan Hansen said the Van Horn Public Library would find plenty of use for the space. "We would definitely use a venue like that for our bigger events," she said.

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Council Member Erik Diskrud cautioned against purchasing the theater at this time. In addition to the cost of purchase, the theater would require some renovation and upkeep.

"We made a lot of cuts this year," Diskrud said. "And we haven't decided what we're doing with the pool. It'd be wrong for us to take on a purchase like this."

While Steele argued that the theater could be an asset for the city, he acknowledged the timing might not be right.

"It would be something nice to have, but we're not in a position to spend a lot," he said. "And, as a city, we'd have to hire someone to run it and promote it."

City Administrator David Todd said the city might encourage the Pine Island Economic Development Authority to purchase the theater, which would give the city the benefits it seeks without some of the drawbacks that come with direct ownership.

The city council took no action on toward purchasing the theater Tuesday night.

The council did set a special meeting date to discuss the Pine Island Swimming Pool and whether to put a referendum on the November ballot. The special council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday in the council chambers on the second floor of City Hall.

The pool, which has been cited by the state for a lack of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, has received several upgrades already, and will receive more before opening this summer, Todd said. A new electrical panel was installed. A lift was purchased to help disabled individuals enter the pool. Work will be done on the bathhouse to make the bathrooms and showers ADA compliant as well.

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"We have been putting money into the pool to keep it going and to address safety and compliance issues," Todd said.

The meeting on Monday will determine whether the city decides to keep the status quo, ask voters for $2.7 million for a new pool or something in between, Steele said. "We're going to make it healthy, safe and compliant," said the mayor.

Finally, the city council made two decisions on wastewater issues. First, the council approved a resolution of support for the regionalization of the city of Oronoco's wastewater project that is being considered by the state. Pine Island is not part of Oronoco's wastewater project, but could join it in the future.

Regarding its own wastewater treatment plant, the city will submit a plan for a project to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority due to upgrades needed in the trunk line.

"We have infiltration issues whenever we have a high water event due to poor quality of the trunk line," Todd said.

Once Pine Island's project is on the list and scored, the city could be eligible for low-interest loans and grants from the state to fix the leaks in its system.
Residential roads in Rochester are ready for repairs as the city's Street Maintenance Division begins its milling and overlay operations this week.

Milling began Monday and will continue through next Friday, April 29, according to a city news release. Each milled street will then be overlaid with a layer of new bituminous surface. Overlay operations are scheduled to begin Monday, May 2, and continue through mid-June.

On-street parking will be affected by these road operations. Prior to maintenance, "No parking this side" signs will be posted to the affected streets. Parking will be prohibited weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Violators will be ticketed and towed, the city release said.

Parking is allowed on weekends and outside of work hours.

Drivers should also be aware of hazards on roads during the maintenance activities. After milling occurs, road will have bumps at each end and areas with exposed or raised castings and risers. Residents are encouraged to use alternate routes, the city release said.

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Signs for "No parking" might remain in some areas after overlays are completed until further maintenance work, including manhole adjustments, are completed.

A map showing affected streets is available under the "Public Works" tab on the city of Rochester website, rochestermn.gov .

Questions can be directed by phone to city staff at 507-328-2451.
Twelve community organizations received a total of $123,450 in Rochester Area Foundation grant funds in the first cycle of the foundation's 2016 grant awards, announced Tuesday.

Center City Housing Corporation and Camp Olson YMCA were recipients of the largest grant awards this cycle as the foundation continued to support a range of community services, according to a foundation news release.

The foundation awarded $20,000 to Center City Housing Corporation to support staff training at the 55-unit supportive housing project Gage East. The development is soon to be completed and will provide housing to homeless families and young people.

Camp Olson YMCA has plans for major improvements to its dining hall, kitchen complex and bathhouse, and it will go forward with a $17,750 grant from the Rochester Area Foundation. The Camp Olson facilities have been in pace for nearly 60 years and need updating to comply with state health department standards, the foundation release said.

Grants of $10,000 and more were awarded to the Elder Network, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Southeast Minnesota, Rochester Art Center, FamilyMeans and the STEM Village and Winona State University

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"These cycle grants demonstrate the importance of bringing together the resources and passions of people who want to improve the lives of their neighbors," Jane Angelone, foundation grants administrator, said in a prepared statement. "They create a significant and positive impact in our community."

Other grant recipients included the Minnesota Children's Museum of Rochester, the Jeremiah Program, Legal Assistance of Olmsted County, Byron Public Schools and Somalia Rebuild Organization.

Rochester Area Foundation has worked with partners in the community for more than 70 years to improve the quality of life through philanthropic leadership and community partnerships. The foundation can be reached at 507-282-0203 or online at RochesterArea.org.
Conversations about expanding 45/15 offerings at Rochester Public Schools pivoted to focus on the potential outcomes the school schedule would create for students and the district.

School board members concluded any decision should be based on two things: cost to the district and the effect any changes would have on student achievement. The district has heard a lot of anecdotal evidence so far, but concluded any decision should be rooted in research, rather than just opinion and preference.

"The signal I'd like to send to the public is that this is going to be a deliberative process," School Board Chairman Gary Smith said. "We're not rushing, we're going to do the work... and they'll have a chance to tell us what they're thinking."

"We don't know what the end is going to be," Smith added. "We're not going into this with the end in mind here  we're going into this to discover are there alternatives that we should be considering that can have impacts on student achievement and the cost to the district."

Expanding 45/15 offerings has been a hot topic for months at school board meetings, but leaders passed over an opportunity to do a trial run in some district schools at last week's meeting because they think a successful expansion would take more time, planning and community input.

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The district has one 45/15 school, Longfellow Elementary, where students attend classes in 45-day blocks, with three-week breaks in between and a six-week summer vacation.

Proponents say the schedule gives students and teachers much-needed breaks throughout the year, while others say it takes away summer family time and out-of-classroom learning experiences. Now, the district thinks the conversation should turn to what the research says.

"If we're going to look at any alternative schedules, I'd like it to be based in some pretty strong data that's already out there, rather than us trying to reinvent the wheel again," said school board member Julie Workman.

Workman asked the district to look beyond what it knows, which is '45/15,' and consider, for example, a '45-10,' or '50-10' calendar, or "some other arrangement of those particular numbers."

School Board Member Jean Marvin added the district should include research on the benefits of the schedule, like extra help the district could provide to struggling students during the 15-day breaks in the schedule.

Transportation and start times

The conversation diverged down a similar path Tuesday night, with a change in calendar schedule comes considerations about transporting those students to school and start times for the school, something district leaders have considered in past study sessions because the topics need be considered in coordination with one another.

But alternative calendars and start times could hold solutions for problems like space shortages, said School Board Member Anne Becker. Instead of building additional facilities to address space issues the district may face in the near future, the district could consider staggering start times to reduce crowding, she said.

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"Throw out there to the public, 'would you be open to adjusting the calendar so we would reduce crowding and we would not be spending the money to build a new building?' " Becker said.

Transportation is another consideration the district would have to make.

Superintendent Michael Munoz said the district has been in conversation with the city about providing transportation for high school students  the city has already hired a consultant to look at options, which the district agreed to pay for in part.

Assistant Superintendent Brenda Lewis said she'll bring forward more concrete timelines and proposals at the May 3 school board meeting, to play off of the April 12 school board meeting, where she outline options  so that it can be more comprehensive.

The district will likely make an official decision near the end of the year, but changes wouldn't go into effect until the 2017-18 school year.

Though some are worried the timeline may be too aggressive, leaders know they won't make any changes until they have "robust community engagement" on the topic.

"There is no plan to change school schedule today," Smith said. "We are going to allow enough time so that families, staff and people can adapt to it, we're not just going to rush tomorrow and make a decision... It will be done properly."
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has slammed the Chattisgarh government for fake encounter killings and harassment of journalists and activists in the guise of controlling Maoist activities.

A Bench of Justices V. Gopala Gowda and Arun Mishra hearing a writ petition filed in 2009 relating to fake encounter killings observed We want to know what is happening in the State?. This type of reactions should not be there. People are to be given protection by the State government

The petition filed by Himanshu Kumar and certain other tribals whose family were allegedly massacred allegedly in 2009 by security personnel in collusion with the now disbanded Salwa Judum, formed to contain Maoist elements. There are a number of extra judicial killings in the State, it was alleged.

Earlier Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar defended the security forces saying hundreds of police and army personnel were killed in ambushes by Maoists. Further the court should also consider the fact that innocent security personnel were also being killed with increasing frequency through landmine blasts and various other methods by Maoists who are deeply entrenched in the State.

Senior counsel Colin Gonzalves appearing for families of certain victims alleged that in several alleged extra judicial killings police was not registering even the mandatory FIRs. Both are not good. This is not done in a situation like this what should be done? the judges asked the SG.

Counsel Gonzalves urged the court to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe these extra judicial killings. The Solicitor General submitted that he had no objection to such a team. The court then asked both Kumar and Gonzalves to give a list of officers mutually acceptable to both the parties for constituting such a team.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will sign the agreement on behalf of India on April 22 at a high-level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.

New Delhi: India will sign the Paris Agreement on climate change, adopted by more than 190 countries in December last, on Friday in New York.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of the agreement, adopted during the 21st Conference of Parties held in the French capital.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will sign the agreement on behalf of India on April 22 at a high-level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.

India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the agreement addresses all the important concerns and expectations of India. A record number of more than 150 countries are expected to sign the historic Paris agreement in New York.

A UN body had earlier said that this record number of countries would surpass the previous record of 119 signatures for an opening day signing for an international agreement, set by the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in 1994. The signing ceremony will mark the first step toward ensuring that the Paris Agreement enters into force as early as possible.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern that rich and unscrupulous elements with money power abuse the judicial process and waste the time of the courts.

A bench of Justices J. Chelameswar and A.M. Sapre slapped Rs 25 lakh as exemplary costs on three companies  to be paid by each of the three parties, Griesham GmbH (MGG), Goyal Gases Ltd. (GGL) and the Ruias. The money is to be paid to the National Legal Services Authority as compensation for the loss of judicial time and will be used by the authority to fund poor litigants in deserving cases.

Justice Chelameswar said This case should also serve as proof of the abuse of the discretionary jurisdiction of this court under Article 136 of the Constitution by the rich and powerful in the name of fight for justice at each and every interlocutory step of a suit. Enormous amount of judicial time of this court and two High Courts was spent on this litigation. Most of it is avoidable and could have been well spent on more deserving cases.

The cases related to suits filed by the companies on allotment of shares and trade agreements. Appeals were filed in the apex court against each interim order passed by the Bombay High Court and this resulted in a prolonged litigation.

The bench said the examination of various questions raised by the petitioners in these special leave petitions, in our opinion, is wholly uncalled for. The net effect of all the litigation is that for the last 18 years, the litigation is going on.

The bench said, ...We believe that it is only the parties who are to be blamed for the state of affairs. This case, in our view, is a classic example of the abuse of the judicial process by unscrupulous litigants with money power, all in the name of legal rights by resorting to half-truths, misleading representations and suppression of facts. Each and every party is guilty of one or the other of the above-mentioned misconducts.
Mumbai: Haji Ali For All, a joint effort of more than 20 activists, NGOs and social groups, headed by Bhumata Brigade was launched on Wednesday for achieving the goal of womens entry to the shrine of Haji Ali in Mumbai.

Bhumata Brigade president Trupti Desai, who fought with the management of Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust against gender inequality in visiting the temple earlier this month, has now announced that she will enter the Haji Ali shrine premises with Muslim women on April 28, but is open to talks with the trust authorities.

The Brigade, discussing the issue with the media on Wednesday, said the agitation was launched so that women are allowed entry to the famed Dargah. The six centuries old shrine, nestled amid rocks in the Arabian Sea off the Worli shoreline, has allegedly restricted the entry of women to the sanctum sanctorum since June 2012.
Indore: Eminent Urdu poet and lyricist Rahat Indori said on Tuesday that he was denied a visa by the US to attend a programme in Texas next month for "failing to convince" officials that he will return.

"The US Consulate called me for interview after I had applied for a non-immigrant visa. After the interview, the Consulate returned my passport, saying I will not get a visa to visit the US this time," Indori said.

The poet said the officials handed him a paper which said he failed to convince them that he will return to India after the event.

"The gist of whatever written on the paper is that my application stands dismissed because I failed to convince the US officials that I will return to India after the stipulated time for which a visa is sought.

"They denied me a visa on the baseless assumption that I will not return to India after the event... the US Consulate officials are perhaps afraid that I will get settled down in the US by leaving India permanently," the 66-year-old said.

"I am known in the world as an Indian. I can never even dream of leaving my motherland for another country. I enjoy prestige here, I have a family here. I regret to say that all this does not matter to the US authorities," he said.

Indori said he had travelled to the US 11 times in last 10 years.

"The Consulate officials should have gone through my previous record before dismissing my application. I had participated in more than 100 'mushaiyras' during my 11 trips to that country. There is not a single mistake on my part during these tours," he said.

The programme -- "Jashn-e-Indori" -- is being organised in his honour on May 7 in Dallas city, he said.
There will be a stretch after Thane creek towards Virar which will go under the sea as per the detailed project report by JICA. (Representational Photo/Youtube screengrab)

New Delhi: Passengers will get the thrill of riding under the sea while traveling between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in the first bullet train of the country.

The 508 km long Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor will have a 21 km long tunnel under the sea, said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the public transporter's ambitious bullet train project.

While most part of the corridor is proposed to be on the elevated track, there will be a stretch after Thane creek towards Virar which will go under the sea as per the detailed project report by JICA.

Estimated to cost about Rs 97,636 crore, 81 per cent of the funding for the project will come by way of a loan from Japan. The project cost includes possible cost escalation, interest during construction and import duties.

It is a soft loan for 50 years at 0.1 per cent annual interest with 15 years' moratorium, said the official.

Rolling stock and other equipment like signalling and power system will be imported from Japan as per the loan agreement.

The official said the loan agreement with Japan is slated to be signed by the end of the year and construction work is likely to begin by the end of 2018.

According top priority to the first of its kind project, railways has formed National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV), with a paid-up capital of Rs 500 crore.

A search committee comprising senior government officials including Cabinet Secretary, Chairman Railway Board and Secretary DOPT among others is on the job currently to select the Managing Director and five directors for the NHSRCL.

Railways has already allotted Rs 200 crore for the SPV. Maharashtra and Gujarat will have equity of 25 per cent each, while the Railways will have 50 per cent in the SPV.

The bullet train is expected to cover 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in about two hours, running at a maximum speed of 350 kmph and operating speed of 320 kmph.

At present, Duronto Express takes about seven hours to cover the distance between the two financial centres.

For timely completion of the project, a joint committee has been formed under the vice-chairman of NITI Aayog with the secretaries of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Departments of Economic Affairs and Foreign Ministry as its members along with the Railway Board Chairman.
A decade after retiring from politics, former Rochester Republican Rep. Fran Bradley announced today he's jumping back in to run for the Minnesota House.

In an interview, Bradley said he never thought he'd run for public office again. But the retired IBMer said he ultimately decided to run for the House District 25B seat because he believes in service.

"At the root of my heart and soul is a passion for service," Bradley said.

In September, Rochester DFL Rep. Kim Norton announced she would not seek re-election to the House District 25B seat. In November, retired DFL Realtor Duane Sauke announced he was running for the seat. Since Norton's announcement, Bradley said he and others had approached nearly 30 Republicans and encouraged them to run. But every potential candidate turned them down.

"I have had a number of people strongly asking me to consider (running), and I've resisted it," Bradley said. "But when the time came finally when the bench was empty, I had to look in the mirror and give my 'You Need to Serve' speech that I've given to others," he said.

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House District 25B covers northern Rochester and Cascade Township. Traditionally, the seat had been held by Republicans  including Bradley  until Norton won in 2006. Based on demographics, House District 25B has been viewed as the most competitive of Rochester's House seats. That sets the stage for a fierce political showdown in November as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of the House.

Bradley served in the Minnesota House from 1995 to 2006. During that time, he focused heavily on health care  serving first as chairman of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee and later the Health and Human Services Finance Committee.

Besides feeling called to serve, Bradley said he wants to run because he was very concerned about what happened when Democrats controlled the House, Senate and governor's mansion from 2013-2014. In particular, he is concerned about the $2 billion tax increase passed by Democrats at that time.

"I really felt that that's not healthy, and even though the House has a (Republican) majority now, in a presidential election, there's no guarantees and 25B could make the difference," he said.

The 73-year-old said that if elected, he would be focused on trying to fix the state's health care system  especially in regards to the problems with MNsure.

"There is just so much that needs to be done if we are going to salvage affordable health care without digging deeper into taxpayers' pockets," he said.

Bradley said he is also concerned about the erosion of welfare reform, which he said is resulting in a new kind of slavery  the entrapment of generational welfare. He said he wants to push policies aimed at making sure Minnesotans can get jobs and the skills they need. Bradley said he is also interested in serving on the House Taxes Committee and supports getting rid of the state's tax on Social Security.

"We've created an environment that is pushing wealth out of Minnesota and the numbers are beginning to show that," he said.

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Bradley said he feels fortunate to be in good health and is ready to run for office  even if it wasn't a something he had originally planned to do.

He added, "If somebody thinks Fran Bradley planned to come back in 10 years, they are missing the mark by a mile."
Cochin: A sailor lost his leg while two others were injured in an oxygen cylinder explosion onboard an Indian naval ship.

Incident occurred on April 16 on board INS Nireekshak and the Navy, which had remained tight lipped till now, has ordered an inquiry.

The explosion took place while a diving bailout bottle, a small 12-inch oxygen bottle which is carried by divers in their diving helmet, was being charged, a Navy official said.

He said that such an incident has never happened in history of the Indian Navy. "The explosion happened while the crew was working on the deck of the ship," he said.

Three sailors were injured, including one who sustained serious injuries and his right leg has been amputated from just above the knee.

Two other sailors received splinter injuries in the stomach region and legs.

They were admitted in Military Hospital, Trivandrum as ship was on it way to Mumbai from Visakhapatnam. The sailors were stated to be in a stable condition and have now been shifted to Mumbai.
ST. PAUL  House Republicans say funding Wi-Fi hotspots for students and leveraging federal grants for broadband Internet development are the best ways to reach underserved communities in Minnesota, but Democrats argue the plan doesn't go far enough.

A group of Republican lawmakers recently outlined a $35 million proposal for faster Internet in the state, including $7 million for school Internet grants and $28 million for rural broadband expansion.

"This is critical: Minnesotans are going to see a historic amount of broadband infrastructure investment in this year," said Rep. Ron Kresha, a Republican from Little Falls.

Senate Democrats have announced a target of $85 million for broadband. The caucus didn't shed any light on how they propose that be spent. The proposals from both chambers are lower than Gov. Mark Dayton's proposed $100 million.

The Republican proposal would focus on helping students get better Internet access. Lawmakers said students can often connect at school or at the library, but many don't have access at home.

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Education finance chairwoman Rep. Jenifer Loon said school districts could apply for a pool of $5 million in grants. Districts could receive up to $100,000 for operating costs and equipment, like Wi-Fi hotspots that students could bring home. The other $2 million would go to building broadband capacity.

"The great equalizer for education for all of our children really is having access to high-speed internet and broadband," Loon said.

House Democrats criticized the majority's proposal, saying it's not enough money to effectively help rural communities. They support Dayton's $100 million proposal and say Republicans aren't putting forth enough funding in the current two-year budget.

The proposal from House Republicans would increase broadband spending by $20 million for this biennium, with an additional $15 million to be spent in the budget for the 2018-2019 cycle. Lawmakers hope communities could pair state broadband funding with federal dollars from the Connect America Fund, which aims to help rural communities pay for the infrastructure needed to access high-speed Internet.
763 candidates would test their luck in 111 seats in third and fourth phase of Bengal elections. (Photo: PTI/File)

Kolkata: Seven candidates contesting the third and fourth phase of ongoing West Bengal Assembly polls are illiterate.

According to an analysis of their affidavits by the West Bengal Election Watch, six contestants in the third and one in the fourth phase have declared that they are illiterate.

Another 14 candidates are 'simple literate', the report said.

Polling for the third phase will be held on April 21 and fourth phase on April 25 in which 763 candidates would test their luck in 111 seats.

In both phases 44 per cent candidates have educational qualification between Class V pass and Class XII pass. Another 33 per cent candidates are graduate or have professional degrees.
NEW YORK  Front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton swept to victory with ease in Tuesday's New York primary, with Trump bouncing back from a difficult stretch in the Republican campaign and Clinton pushing closer to locking up the Democratic nomination.

Trump's victory was a psychological boost for his campaign, though the impact on his path to the GOP nomination was to be determined by the number of delegates he secured. He seemed headed to capture more than 50 percent of the vote, putting him in a strong position to win most of New York's 95 delegates, an impressive haul.

A confident Trump declared that it was "impossible" for his rivals to catch him.

"We don't have much of a race anymore," he said during a victory rally in the lobby of the Manhattan tower bearing his name. He peppered his brash remarks with more references to the economy and other policy proposals than normal, reflecting the influence of a new team of advisers seeking to professionalize his campaign.

Clinton's triumph padded her delegate lead over rival Bernie Sanders and strengthened her claim to the Democratic nomination that eluded her eight years ago. Clinton's campaign is eager to turn toward the general election and heal wounds with Sanders' enthusiastic supporters.

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With 247 delegates at stake, Clinton picked up at least 104 while Sanders gained at least 85. Many remained to be allocated, pending final vote tallies

Exit polls suggested Democrats were ready to rally around whoever the party nominates. Nearly 7 in 10 Sanders supporters in New York said that they would definitely or probably vote for Clinton if she is the party's pick.

Sanders energized young people and liberals in New York, as he has across the country, but it wasn't enough to pull off the upset victory he desperately needed to change the trajectory of the Democratic race. Still, the Vermont senator vowed to keep competing.

"We've got a shot to victory," Sanders said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We have come a very long way in the last 11 months, and we are going to fight this out until the end of the process."

The fight for New York's delegate haul consumed the presidential contenders for two weeks, an eternity in the fast-moving White House race. Candidates blanketed every corner of New York, bidding for votes from Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs to the working class cities and rural enclaves that dot the rest of the state.

The nominating contests will stay centered in the Northeast in the coming days, with Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania all holding contests next week. Sanders spent Tuesday in Pennsylvania, as did Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump's closest rival.

Cruz panned Trump's win as little more than "a politician winning his home state," then implored Republicans to unite around his candidacy.

"We must unite the Republican Party because doing so is the first step in uniting all Americans," Cruz said in remarks read off a teleprompter.

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Trump needed a strong showing to keep alive his chances of clinching the GOP nomination before the party's July convention - and to quiet critics who say the long primary season has exposed big deficiencies in his campaign effort.

Having spent months relying on a slim staff, Trump has started hiring more seasoned campaign veterans. He's acknowledged that bringing new people into his orbit may cause some strife, but says the moves were necessary at this stage of the race.

Cruz is trying to stay close enough in the delegate count to push the GOP race to a contested convention. His campaign feels confident that it's mastered the complicated process of lining up individual delegates who could shift their support to the Texas senator after a first round of convention balloting.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the only other Republican left in the race, sought to add to his scant delegate total in New York and keep up his bid to play a long-shot spoiler at the convention. He bested Cruz on Tuesday and is refusing to end his campaign despite winning only his home state.

Trump's political strength, though he boasts of drawing new members to the party, has left some Republicans concerned that his nomination could splinter the GOP. Among Republican voters in New York, nearly 6 in 10 said the nominating contest is dividing the party, according to exit polls.

The surveys were conducted by Edison Research for The Associated Press and television networks.

Trump leads the GOP race with 756 delegates, ahead of Cruz with 559 and Kasich with 144. Securing the GOP nomination requires 1,237.

Among Democrats, Clinton now has 1,862 delegates to Sanders' 1,161. Those totals include both pledged delegates from primaries and caucuses and superdelegates, the party insiders who can back the candidate of their choice regardless of how their state votes. It takes 2,383 to win the Democratic nomination.
Nainital: Legitimacy of the President's decision to suspend Uttarakhand assembly is subject to judicial review as even he can go wrong, the Uttarakhand High Court observed on Wednesday.

Referring to the NDA government's argument that the President took the decision to impose Article 356 of the Constitution in his "political wisdom", a bench of Chief Justice K M Joseph and Justice V K Bist said, "People can go wrong, be it the President or the judges."

The court also went on to say that "Legitimacy of inference drawn by President from the material placed before him is open to judicial review."

Read: Uttarkhand row: Centre inducting chaos, says High Court

This observation was made after the Centre contended that the President's understanding of the material before him would be different from that of the court.

The Government's contention came after the bench said that from the reports sent by the Governor to the President, regarding the situation in the state, "what we have understood is that everything was processing towards a floor test on March 28."

The high court, during the hearing, also noted that the Governor in his reports to the President never mentioned that 35 MLAs sought division of votes.

"Governor has to be personally satisfied. He has not recorded his personal satisfaction that 35 MLAs had sought division on the floor of the house," the court said and added that his reports do not say that the nine rebel Congress MLAs had also sought a division.

Read: Uttarakhand crisis: HC questions Centres interference in state affairs

It also said that there was "absolute absence of material that would create an apprehension in the mind of the Governor" that President's rule needs to be imposed.

"So how did Government of India arrive at the satisfaction that 35 stood up? From Governor's reports?" the court asked.

"Governor's letter of March 19 to the President does not mention that 35 MLAs had sought division of votes. That is conspicuous by its absence. It is absolutely crucial," the bench said.

To this the Centre said that on March 19 the Governor did not have all the details.

The bench was hearing arguments on the petition filed by the ousted Chief Minister Harish Rawat and related pleas challenging imposition of President's rule in Uttarakhand.

Read: Uttarakhand crisis: Harish Rawat challenges President's Rule in HC

The high court also questioned whether the allegation that former Chief Minister Harish Rawat was "hitting out" at the nine Congress rebel MLAs would constitute material for imposing Article 356.

The court said the "concern" regarding the rebel MLAs was "absolutely irrelevant and unacceptable".

It also asked "why the secrecy" regarding the Cabinet notes on imposing President's rule in the state and why it was not to be discussed in the court or even be given to the petitioner (Rawat).

Yesterday also during the hearing, the division bench repeatedly maintained that irrespective of allegations of horse-trading and corruption, the only Constitutional way to test majority was to hold a floor test, which "you still have to go for".

The Centre had also faced searching questions from the court which observed that if the reasons for imposition of Article 356 in the instant case, where ruling parties are different at the Centre and in the state, are accepted then it may lead to the central government "watching with a magnifying glass where there is an opportunity for President's rule".
The course of true love never runs smooth, the Bard told us hundreds of years ago. In 2016, urban professionals aspiring to be pati and patni had to contend with a protest march, a call for a bandh, burning tyres and a posse of policemen as wedding guests, just so their true love could be solemnised. Last week, in Mandya, Karnataka, Ashitha Babu, a Hindu girl from the Vokkaliga community, and Shakeel Ahmed, a Muslim boy, both in their late 20s, MBAs, who have known each other for over 10 years and were deeply in love, decided to be man and wife. The girl converted to Islam out of her own volition. The two families knew each other and had no issues with the conversion or the marriage.

But a group, reportedly claiming to be members of the Swabhimani Vokkaligara Sangha, tried to stop the wedding. They said the alliance would be an insult to the Vokkaliga community because the woman was marrying outside her community, a Muslim to boot, and had converted. The bride, according to them, was committing a grave mistake, and it was the job of the society to drill sense into her and her parents. The wedding had to be held in Mysuru, nearly 50 km from Mandya where the brides parents live. While the wedding celebrations were going on, members of the group were holding a demonstration outside.

If this sounds like an old story with a new cast of characters, it is partially correct. Many Hindu-Muslim marriages have ended in tragedy in the past. But this time, despite all the verbal assaults and attempts to instigate trouble, the couple and their respective families held their ground and the wedding went ahead. But we cannot relax after this good news story. Assorted groups aligned to the Hindutva brigade are relentless in their attempts to keep communal tension boiling, and the phrase love jihad provides powerful fuel to them. What is even more disquieting is the silence of the political parties that profess secularism. Neither the Congress which is in power in Karnataka nor the Janata Dal (Secular) of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has spoken out loudly and clearly to affirm the right of a man and a woman to marry whoever he or she wants to, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Nor have they supported the right of an adult to convert to whatever religion he or she wants to.

The incident in this volatile patch of Karnataka has thrown up many important questions. Reading reactions to news reports about the wedding ceremony and comments on social media, one thing is clear  your marriage is everybodys business. Stark pictures are being painted about the future of the bride now that she has converted to Islam. Some typical forecasts  she will soon wear a burqa, be forced to produce numerous children, live a life in captivity, be subjected to Sharia laws and so on and so forth. The most commonly-asked question is: Why didnt they opt for a civil marriage? The short answer: Why do so many people find it so difficult to respect choices made by others, including the choice of a partner and religion?

This is not the first attempt to intimidate couples who marry for love, transgressing customary caste and religious barriers. Often, however, couples dont have supportive families. Luckily, neither Ashitha nor Shakeel had that problem. But as writer-activist Gauri Lankesh, editor of Lankesh Patrike, points out in a recent article, another girl, Monica, who was also a Vokkaliga and a resident of Mandya, was not as lucky. Few days before Ashithas wedding, Monica was allegedly killed by her own father because she had dared to fall in love with a dalit boy and had eloped with him. More significantly, wrote Ms Lankesh, groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Swabhimani Vokkaligara Vedike, which vociferously protested Ashitha marrying Shakeel, did not utter a word of remorse when Monica died. In 2014, a newly-married Hindu-Muslim couple from Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, were killed by the brothers of the woman, a Muslim.

The good news is that the backlash against fundamentalism has begun. Progressive womens groups and others hit the streets to raise awareness about Ashitha and Shakeel, to make sure their story grabbed the headlines. And a group of writers and activists in Karnataka is demanding that the state government reserve jobs and other benefits for people who marry outside their caste or religion, as well as for the children of such couples. They argue that such unions should be encouraged to disrupt communal thinking. Karnataka already offers cash incentives for marriages between dalits and non-dalits.

According to a report in the local media, while both Hindu and Muslim fundamentalist groups seek to vitiate the atmosphere in Karnataka every now and then, the region is seeing more inter-faith marriages. In 2006, the Supreme Court in Lata Singh vs State of UP, said, This is a free and democratic country, and once a person becomes a major he or she can marry whosoever he/she likes. Court directives, financial incentives and civil society activism are necessary. But political parties need to speak up. Not just in Karnataka, but across the country, wherever attempts are being made to stop couples from exercising their right to marry whoever they choose. Fundamentalists from all faiths need to be taught a lesson. Today, professedly secular politicians are keeping quiet about religious and caste fundamentalism because they think by speaking up they will lose many more votes than they will gain. They are failing to gauge the extent to which young India is changing  a trend they are ignoring only at their peril.

The writer focuses on development issues in India and emerging economies. She can be reached at patralekha.chatterjee@gmail.com
Dangerous impact on sovereignty: The nuclear security summit in Washington DC, March 31-April 1, 2016, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was a failure in addressing two crucial issues  nuclear disarmament and moving towards a nuclear weapon-free world. The threat from nuclear weapons is a threat to the entire humanity and the United States, the first country to have a stockpile of nuclear weapons, has nuclear warriors and bases in different parts of the world. We must remember that India used to have a stated position on the basis of national consensus for nuclear disarmament and a nuclear weapon-free world. The Modi government is breaking this commitment in the national consensus to please and support the US.

India, in fact, entered into the India-US Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) after the nuclear security summit. This shows that the Modi government has been taking pro-US steps that are dangerous. Furthering military collaboration with the US is not in our interest. LEMOA is just another name for the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) the US used to enter into with allies such as the Philippines, South Korea, Japan and other countries. Whatever defence minister Manohar Parrikar has been saying, that its only for refuelling and maintenance of American ships and planes, is not true. In practice this agreement will require stationing of US armed forces on our own soil  Indian soil  on regular basis.

Earlier during the Iraq war, there was pressure on India to allow American Air Force planes refuelling at Chennai, but India resisted. Now these agreements will allow such things to take place. Further, Mr Parrikar indicated that there will be more follow-up agreements, which include Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum Agreement (CISMOA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA). Actually if these agreements are signed, it will make our own armed forces a part of the command and control structure of the US armed forces. If this happens, the Bharatiya Janata Party government will be marking a significant departure from what the Government of India has been following since Independence to make India a strategic military ally of the US. It is a surrender of the Indian government to US demands and pressure.

These are all very crucial strategic agreements, yet there was no adequate discussion inside Parliament. The Modi government, in fact, neither took Parliament nor people into confidence. There is no transparency in what the Modi government does as far as defence agreements and military collaborations with other countries are concerned. On one hand many countries are fighting US military presence in their regions and India has to fight against the US base in Indian Ocean. But instead of joining with other countries to stand up against the US, India has willingly become a subservient ally of the US. This is going to have a very dangerous impact on our sovereignty and strategic autonomy. D. Raja is Communist Party of Indias national secretary.

Itll enhance our defence against China: India has in principle agreed to sign LSA, one of the three foundational agreements that the US has been asking India to sign. The agreement provides access to each others military facilities for berthing and refueling, and better logistic support on a reimbursable basis. LEMOA, specially written for India, essentially formalises an existing arrangement to strengthen military-to-military cooperation. The debate about India signing the LEMOA, CISMOA and BECA for geo-spatial cooperation has gone on for more than a decade. The Indian government under the UPA resisted signing these agreements because it feared domestic political criticism about losing strategic autonomy.

Critics argue that these are agreements signed typically by US allies and, therefore, if New Delhi were to sign them, it could be construed as India turning into one. However, in reality, these agreements have been signed by around 100 countries, not all of whom are US allies. Another, even more absurd criticism is that signing these agreements will make New Delhi complicit in American wars and policies, especially in West Asia and East Asia. Proponents of such views do not say how, nor why the other 100 countries that have signed such agreements are not similarly considered. France has signed a similar agreement but that has not drawn it into these conflicts.

The LEMOA does strengthen US-India military-to-military relationship. But this strengthening has been happening for more than a decade. We conduct more military exercises with the US than with anyone else, and our military is increasingly looking to equip itself with American-built military equipment (even though we will remain overwhelmingly dependent on Russian equipment for the foreseeable future). This is happening as a conscious strategic choice that the last three Indian governments have made, partly because Chinas increasing military strength can no longer be ignored and partly because Chinas behaviour over the last decade has become increasingly assertive. India needs to beef up its military capabilities and its It is only natural that India will look to the US because both countries share a common perception about Chinas rise.

The absence of these umbrella agreements have hindered India-US military-to-military cooperation: India has been denied certain equipment with CISMOA-category communication systems, and equipment that India has acquired, such as the P-8I anti-submarine aircraft, have been stripped of some of its most useful equipment because India has not signed of the agreements. Signing these agreements will not make the US our ally, nor will it solve all our differences with Washington. But India does stand to gain by signing the LEMOA and other agreements. For example, India, which has one aircraft carrier and lacks the capacity for far-sea operations, could potentially gain access to US military bases in the Indian Ocean, such as Diego Garcia and Djibouti. This will enhance Indias reach in a big way and provide the much-needed logistics support to carry out a variety of missions in the Indian Ocean. Dr Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan heads the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.
Visiting justices from Canada's high court sat in on Monday's immigration arguments before the Supreme Court  and after their 90-minute education in the current state of American jurisprudence, our neighbors to the north would be forgiven if they had fantasies of building a border wall of their own.

The Senate's refusal to confirm a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia has left the U.S. high court evenly split and increasingly paralyzed. As the justices heard arguments about President Barack Obama's executive actions on illegal immigration, there were really only two possible results: chaos or more chaos.

A divided Congress couldn't agree on legislation to deal with the 11 million immigrants here illegally. Obama tried to do something on his own  use his executive authority to defer deportation of parents of children who are American citizens  and the rift grew deeper. Texas, supported by 25 other states, most led by Republican governors, sued. Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia filed briefs on the other side. The GOP-led U.S. House sued as well, but 186 members of the House and 39 senators (virtually the entire Democratic caucus) filed opposing briefs.

Now, the Supreme Court has to rule on Obama's DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans) policy. But with no expectation that the justices can reach agreement on the merits of the case, that leaves two options:

Chief Justice John Roberts joins the liberals in dismissing the case on a technicality  that Texas doesn't have standing in court. This would leave it unclear whether DAPA is legal and set off confusion in the country as other entities try to file suit, and the administration tries to enforce its legally ambiguous policy.

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Or, the justices come to a 4-to-4 tie on the merits of the case, and even greater chaos ensues. An appellate ruling invalidating the law stands, at least in part of the country. Cases will be brought in other circuits, probably causing different views of the law to arise in different parts of the country.

"With either of these two possibilities, you have chaos about whether DAPA is legal or not," says Neal Katyal, the Supreme Court litigator with Hogan Lovells, who filed a brief in the case from former immigration officials supporting the administration.

The current confusion, following the 4-to-4 split in an important labor case, is another indication that the Supreme Court is struggling to function. The justices have granted only three cases since Scalia died, according to a list kept by the court, a figure Supreme Court watchers say is extraordinarily low. "They're tending away from deciding much, and when they do reach decision, it is often a very narrow ruling," Katyal tells me.

On Monday, the justices seemed split down the middle, both on the merits of the case and the question of standing. Roberts said Texas' position, that it would lose money because it would have to issue driver's licenses to those aided by Obama's order, was "the classic case for standing," and he accused the administration of putting Texas in a "Catch-22."

Justice Anthony Kennedy, too, said the policy was being done "backwards" and "upside down" and that the decision should be "a legislative, not an executive, act."

But Justice Sonia Sotomayor ridiculed the claim that the executive orders would have a negative economic impact on Texas. "Those nearly 11 million unauthorized aliens are here in the shadows  they are affecting the economy whether we want to or not," she said. "If Congress really wanted not to have an economic impact, it would allot the amount of money necessary to deport them, but it hasn't."

Nobody disputed that the administration has the discretion to defer action on certain illegal immigrants. What disturbed lawyers for the House and for Texas was that those who receive such "deferred action" are, under long-standing federal law, eligible to apply for authorization to work based on economic need, even though they don't have legal status.

Erin Murphy, representing the House, said flatly that "Congress has passed a statute that says if you are living in this country without legal authority, you cannot work."

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But Donald Verrilli, the administration's solicitor general, pointed out that, even without DAPA, there are millions of people who don't have legal status but legally work in the United States. They would be out of luck  and out of work  under the law as the House Republican majority would like it to be interpreted.

Tossing millions from their jobs would cause chaos. But chaos is what you get when you sideline the Supreme Court.
Mega corruption scandals are taking a toll on two leading democracies of the developing world  South Africa and Brazil. The rot goes all the way to the top, with Presidents Jacob Zuma, Dilma Rousseff and former President Lula da Silva embroiled in embezzlement schemes of whopping proportions. The fall from grace of these titanic political figures serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of state power and self-destruction. What is most galling about the empires of graft being unearthed in South Africa and Brazil is that they involve iconic personalities who were at one time Leftist crusaders against corruption, abuses and injustices. The irony of Mr Zuma being found out and shamed for misappropriation of taxpayers money and massive accumulation of wealth, or Mr Lula and Ms Rousseff being blamed for overseeing crony capitalist deals and amassing billions to finance election campaigns, is evident if one looks back at their histories as champions of freedom and democracy.

Mr Zuma was once a political prisoner, arrested in 1963 and incarcerated for 10 long years alongside Nelson Mandela on Robben Island as punishment for his revolutionary activities on behalf of the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the African National Congress (ANC) against the apartheid state. Following his release from jail, he led a daring pan-regional underground resistance to the state terror of the white minority government in Pretoria, risking his life for the liberation of his people. Today, the same Mr Zuma has been forced to apologise to South Africans for indulging in outrageously lavish refurbishments worth $23 million to his private residence after they were deemed unconstitutional by the countrys top court. His nephew, the mining magnate Khulubuse Zuma, has been exposed by the Panama Paper leaks documents as an operator of secret offshore companies stashing hidden wealth derived from oil exploration in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Presidents children are associated with the controversial Indian-origin Gupta family of wheeler-dealers, who are believed to be de facto kingmakers in South African politics.

The transformation of Mr Jacob Zuma from a selfless foot soldier who sacrificed everything to challenge apartheid, to a hated President who is rapaciously enriching himself and his kin is a saga of ethical degeneration. Nelson Mandela would be turning in his grave to see his erstwhile comrades from the ANC running a mafia-like state enterprise in which their bank balances and net worths are skyrocketing while average South Africans are swindled and remain disempowered.

The cases of Ms Rousseff and her mentor-cum-predecessor, Mr Lula, are equally illuminative of the phenomenon of once-pure activists ending up as venal state elites with absolutely no compunctions about stealing colossally and lying brazenly. The so-called Operation Car Wash scheme of billions of dollars laundered among the state-owned oil major, Petrobras, construction companies and top ranking officials of Mr Lula and Ms Rousseffs Workers Party (PT), is the mother of all corruption scams.

The Treasurer of PT and Mr Lulas Chief of Staff have already been arrested. Mr Lula himself is alleged to have taken kickbacks. In a cynical ploy to shield Mr Lula, his protege Ms Rousseff recently appointed him as her Chief of Staff to avail of immunity protections and avoid prosecution. In the 1970s and 1980s, these two were different creatures altogether. They rebelled against the military dictatorships of General Ernesto Geisel and General Joao Figueiredo. As a fiery trade union leader spewing Marxist maxims and sporting Che Guevara t-shirts, Mr Lula was truly a man of the masses who was locked up by the military, survived crackdowns, and eventually rose to Brazils presidency on a wave of unprecedented mass popularity. The governance record during his years as President (2003 to 2011) was impressive and heralded Brazils rise as a regional power. Yet, all these achievements are now clouded by the Car Wash scandal.

Rubbing salt into the wounds of Mr Lulas dismayed socialist fan base are intercepts of his phone conversations with Ms Rousseff and leading Cabinet ministers and PT lawmakers, wherein he is heard to be plotting attacks on the judiciary to stymie it from probing further into his corrupt record. In one revealing call, he insists like a cinematic villain to a PT acolyte that Brazilian judges have to be afraid and asks sinisterly, Why cant we intimidate them?

Ms Rousseff has not personally profited from the Car Wash payola, but she headed Petrobras when the mammoth heist was in full swing. A gutsy guerrilla warrior against absolute military rule who suffered imprisonment and torture between 1970 and 1972, she has alienated average Brazilians by failing to stanch a severe economic crisis and carrying the stigma of violation of the countrys finance laws to win a second term in office. Her defence that there is a political conspiracy to overthrow her rings hollow as she wages a losing battle against impeachment in a Brazilian legislature which is itself packed with tainted politicians.

Matching the ANC in South Africa, the PT in Brazil has exhausted its heroic revolutionary legacy. Having struggled and persevered against bloodthirsty authoritarian regimes, the liberation heroines and heroes have developed a sense of entitlement for life to state power and privileges. The longer they hold office, the more disconnected they become from grassroots social problems and the greater their resort to impunity. The Left has enjoyed the trappings of power in Brazil for nearly one-and-half decades and has in the process lost its moral compass. The ANC has abandoned its original progressive ethos and is governing as an end in itself rather than a means to reducing staggering inequalities in South Africa. In both cases, socialists distanced themselves from the masses by assuming that the revolution ended the day they took charge of state power. They jettisoned the cause and settled down to reproduce top-down approaches to politics. With no opposition in sight for years, they took their countries for granted.

Like Presidents Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, the tarnished leaders of South Africa and Brazil have constructed a make-believe universe of deeming themselves and their parties indispensable and infallible. They and their aides commit grave misdeeds with contempt for rule of law while rhetorically posturing as saviours of their nations. Their souls are sold but they cling to spent legitimacy and illusions of self-righteousness to trample on democracy. Yesterdays victims are todays perpetrators. But sooner than later, these fallen comrades will be thrown out by publics that are tired of empty socialist shibboleths.

The writer is a professor and dean at the Jindal School of International Affairs
Yes. I vote for candidates who have lawmaking experience.

Yes. I'm voting for newer or first-time candidates.

No. I vote based on candidates' stances on issues.

No. I vote based based on political affiliation.

Experience matters, but other factors are just as important.

Vote

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The group collaborates to create breakthrough ideas, then leverages its collective reach, strategic partnerships, and network to make them happen.

Half of Helenas members are under the age of twenty-five, and half are older than twenty-five. Every Helena member represents the pinnacle of accomplishment in their field.

They have fought diseases, created currencies, and commanded armies. They have disrupted industries, overcome oppression, and discovered technologies. They are actors, linguists, economists, biochemists, activists, technologists, explorers, financers, filmmakers, and much more.

The result is a broad and powerful platform that spans talents, skills, and generations. When Helenas members collaborate, their diverse abilities, generational experiences and influence come together to address issues, advance technologies, and guide movements in previously unexplored ways.
In January, Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom accused Israel of extrajudicial executions of Palestiniansapparently those who were in the act of perpetrating terrorist attacksand called for an investigation. Yesterday, Swedens housing minister, Mehmet Kaplan, resigned after video emerged of him saying that Israelis treat Palestinians in a way that is very like that in which Jews were treated during Germany in the 1930s.

To cap off the trifecta, earlier today Swedens Deputy Prime Minister, Asa Romson, came under fire for her comments on Kaplans resignation:

Romson said: He [Kaplan] has been chairman for Swedish Young Muslims in tough situations like around the September 11 accidents and similar.

Ms. Romson refused to back down or retract her characterization of the September 11 attacks as accidents. She explained:

Romson later defended her comment, saying: The accident [of 9/11] is that we ended up with a very harsh debate on integration and how society grows with different religions side by side, and the discrimination that followed.

So Romson belongs to the school that holds that the big problem with Islamic terrorism is that it might give people a bad impression of Islam.

I think we are detecting a pattern here. If all the anti-Israel, terror-accommodating Swedish officials were forced to resign, they wouldnt be able to staff a government.
Over the weekend, President Obama met at the White House with some rappers to get their ideas on the pressing criminal justice issues of the day. During the meeting, one of the deep thinkers had his ankle bracelet go off. It turns out that rapper Ricky Ross is on $2,000,000 bond for kidnapping and pistol whipping his house contractor.

According to the New York Daily News:

The ankle bracelet is a condition of [Rosss] release after his 2015 kidnapping charge. The U.S. Marshals Service picked Ross up in Georgia last June and collared him for kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated battery after a dispute between the rapper and a man working on one of his homes. Ross and a bodyguard allegedly forced the worker into a guesthouse bedroom and pistol-whipped him with a .9-mm Glock, according to police. Though he was initially held without bail, in July TMZ reported that a judge allowed him to be released on $2 million bail with a GPS ankle monitor.

As Bill Otis says, you cant make this stuff up.
PR-Inside.com: 2016-04-20 04:02:01

Worlds Leading Travel Wholesaler Commits Greater Resources to Emerging Middle Eastern Markets

Tourico Holidays Sees Strong Increase in Middle Eastern Travel in First Quarter of 2016

Tailwind PR

Pete Bahrenburg, 802-497-1932

pete@tailwindpr.com

Tourico Holidays, a global leader in wholesale travel brokerage, today shared first-quarter data revealing a significant increase in Middle Eastern travel activity. According to the companys year-over-year booking data, the region has increased its inbound travel by approximately 20 percent and its outbound travel by nearly 25 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2015. As a result of this growth, Tourico has identified the Middle East as a region of emphasis, signing agreements with new distribution clients and hotel suppliers in key markets.

With additional flight routes, iconic attractions, and new hotels popping up throughout the Middle East, we see a market that has tremendous room for growth  unmatched by few regions throughout the world, said Jonathan Ming, Director of Middle Eastern and African Product for Tourico Holidays. In an effort to help fulfill the regions potential, were making a strong push to sign new hotel contracts and add local resources intended to help our current distribution partners succeed.

According to Touricos hotel booking data, the top source market for the Middle East is China with a 300 percent year-over-year growth. China is followed by the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and the United Arab Emirates.

Tourico Holidays contracts directly with travel suppliers, brokering product to over 4,500 distribution clients throughout the world. The global company has partnerships with some of the largest travel providers in the Middle East and Africa  including Rotana Hotels, Jumeirah Group, Protea Hotels, Hyatt, and Hilton. Currently, Tourico has over 850 supplier contracts in the Middle Eastern region  selling more than 4,250 room nights per day.

Thirteen of Touricos hotel contracts in the Middle East are Exclusive Deals agreements, or pre-purchased hotel room blocks, guaranteeing distribution clients discounted rates of up to 60 percent off of retail. Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche, a 4-star hotel in Abu Dhabi, is the newest Exclusive Deal in the region. In Dubai, Tourico has Exclusive Deals at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and Rose Rayhaan by Rotana.

To facilitate sales, Tourico is also working closely with existing partners  like Dnata B2B, one of the worlds largest air services providers  to strengthen and diversify their offering. Dnata will now sell from Touricos hotel inventory in 2016  and Tourico continues to look for additional distribution partners in the region.

By pre-purchasing large hotel room blocks in the Middle East, we can ensure that our hotel suppliers have guaranteed revenue and our distribution clients have access to the nicest rooms in the region, at locked-in, unbeatable prices, said Ming.

Tourico Holidays has a strong local presence, with a Dubai office in the Alwadi Building, and the company plans to double the amount of personnel on the ground by the end of 2016. To accommodate the influx, Tourico will upgrade to a larger office in Business Bay, Dubai, later this year.

Tourico Holidays will be exhibiting at BOOTH TT1650 in Hall 1 Sheikh Saeed at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai from April 25th to the 28th. Hoteliers, travel suppliers, and distribution companies are encouraged to stop by the exhibit to learn more about the company and its growth in the Middle Eastern region.

About Tourico Holidays

Tourico Holidays is a leading global travel distribution company that contracts directly with travel providers, such as hotels, flights, cruise lines, attractions, car rentals, vacation homes and more. Tourico Holidays works on a high-volume, wholesale model to broker this worldwide inventory to over 4,900 clients in 100 countries using proprietary technology.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201604190061

Sees growth in Middle Eastern travel, commits resources to emerging market @ATMDubai
Civil society groups, under the aegis of the Natural Resources Governance Institute, NRGI, on Wednesday asked the Nigerian government to make a law to criminalize acts of impunity and corruption in the oil and gas industry.

Participants at a policy dialogue in Abuja on the theme: A decade of Unimplemented Recommendations for the Nigerian oil & gas sector lamented the huge cost on government as a result of various corruption cases in the industry, in the last decade, that have been investigated without the implementation of their findings and recommendations.

The dialogue, organised in conjunction with the Nigerian Natural Resource Charter, NNRC, said the governments non-implementation of the various probe reports in the sector resulted in a loss of over N7.1 trillion for the period.

The reports include the various audit reports by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI between 1999 and 2012.

Other reports include the Nuhu Ribadu-led Petroleum Revenues Special Task Force on the review of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, and the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede-led Technical Committee on Payment of Fuel Subsidies to petroleum products marketers.

A review of five of the reports by the Managing Director, PREMIUM TIMES Media Services, Dapo Olorunyomi, and Taiwo Ogunleye of the Nigerian Institute of Advance Studies, NIALS, highlighted key findings that were yet to be implemented and the indicted persons and agencies sanctioned.

They findings included poor records keeping, which cost government a loss of over $700 million; illicit payments and withdrawals by government agencies (N2.5 trillion), and failure to implement the recommendations and prosecute those indicted cost the government another N2.5 trillion.

Other losses included $3.03 billion in unpaid royalties; $1.3 million due to foreign exchange manipulation; N423 billion for the violation of the Petroleum Support Fund guidelines by petroleum products marketers; N1.2 trillion for unpaid domestic crude lifting settlements.

Apart from losses as a result of weak institutional and regulatory frameworks, absence of coordination among government agencies as well as out-dated laws and legislations, other findings included $755 million in unpaid signature bonuses; N117 billion for irreconcilable differences from swap oil contracts and N756 million for outstanding concession payments.

According to Mr. Olorunyomi, at a time the global industry was going digital in its operations, the Nigerian oil and gas industry was plagued by manual record keeping in its operations, apparently to suit the corruption schemes of their operators.

He said the corruption in the industry was fueled largely by the problems associated with the Nigerians National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and its operational processes, particularly as they related to the conflict of its roles as both operator and regulator.

The existence of an institutional capture has made the Department of Petroleum Resources, the regulator of the industry, unable to effectively discharge its function of monitoring the NNPC, the operator, because the NNPC has effectively captured the two roles, Mr Olorunyomi said.

In his opening remarks, the Country Director, NGRI, Dauda Garuba, noted that it was ironic that the industry was the most investigated in the country, yet remained least responsive to the series of reforms by successive governments over the period.

Mr. Garuba said the development has been the only reason the industry was experiencing the worse cases of corruption and impunity as seen by the series of probes and recommendations that have remained unimplemented and culprits not sanctioned.

Former Chairman of NEITI, Assisi Asobie, who was Chairman of the opening session, blamed the lack of implementation of the reports to the ad hoc status of the various committee, which saw their dissolution immediately they completed their work with no time to follows up on their findings.

Mr. Asobie, who traced the history of corruption in the industry since the Yakubu Gowon administration to the immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan, said the problem has persisted, because Nigerians and the CSOs have not been able to deal with the problem according to law.

Executive Secretary, NEITI, Waziri Adio, said the ultimate responsibility of the citizens was to utilize the information and data in the various audit reports to ask questions to hold government to account.

Mr. Adio said the new leadership in NEITI intends to raise its level of engagement with the citizens and civic society groups by exploring new ways of engaging the people and mobilizing them to be sensitive to the information conveyed in its various industry audits.

He rather than the capacity to ensure transparency and accountability through the fight against corruption in the industry, what the government appears to be lack of political will to do so.
Electricity consumers in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Wednesday, protested against alleged outrageous electricity bills by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company.

The protesters, who barricaded the entrance to the company, said the bill served on them in April was based on estimations and not on actual consumption.

They expressed worry that the company had continued to exploit them using estimated billing system and had refused to make the prepaid meter available to them.

According to one of the customers, Musa Shaibu, who resides along Ibusa Road, Asaba, the April bill is very unbelievable, they served me N20, 000 as against the monthly charges of between N2, 000 and N3, 000 for the past months.

How much is my salary, there is no way I can pay this bill because I know that in the next four months my household cannot consume the N20,000 bill they served me for one month alone, he said.

He said the readings were estimated and what was indicated in the bills were at variance with his current meter reading.

The truth is that the billing system is outrageous, there is fraud in the reading, how can they give N14, 000 bill and above to all consumers in Asaba?

Government must address this issue before it gets out of hand because I am not ready to pay this bill, he said.

Another consumer, Elizabeth Ogana, who resides on Loe Okogwu Street, Asaba, said her monthly electricity bill galloped from N4, 000 in March to N19, 000 in April.

The challenge is this, I am not living in the house, it is a self-contain apartment, I rented it so that whenever I come into Asaba I can stay there.

Last month, March 28, I came and I met N8, 075 electricity bill and went and paid N8, 000 but just few days ago, they brought a bill of N19, 000 for April, this is why I have come to lodge my complaint in this office.

I am not operating a factory in the house and like I said I dont stay there, how can I pay this outrageous bill that I am sure I did not consume, she said.

Dominic Adewale, resident of Okpanam near Asaba, said that the company had since January served him with overestimated bills.

I have a functional analogue meter, but they never come to read it and each time they always serve me with overestimated bill.

I had endured since January and had managed to pay their charges but when the April bill of N16, 000 came I could not contain it.

So, I protested and wrote a petition, attached photocopy of the April bill coupon and dropped it with the Office in Asaba, he said.

The Corporate Affairs Officer, Asaba and Agbor BEDC Business District, Esther Okolie, said the company was working on a template to get the average consumption rate of the consumers.

She explained that the company was not getting a commensurate returns to power supplied to the consumers due to lots of energy losses.

According to her, the company currently is having a huge backlog of energy supplied to consumers that cannot be accounted for.

This issue will be looked into, this recent development will enable us get the average consumption rate over a period of time by consumers and it will help us check faulty meters and meters that were being by-passed, Mrs. Okolie said.

We know it is very painful, particularly in this period, but the management is working on that.

We are currently installing pre-paid meters and mounting them on poles as a way of checking by-passing of the meters by fraudulent individuals.

Mrs. Okolie charged the protesters to record their current meter reading on their April bills coupons and drop them with the customer care for the attention of the management.
So you bought a new PC! Great! Here are a few tools to prepare your computer for everyday tasks without spending a paisa (why penny?). Software listed in this article help you format text, edit images, play media, and more importantly shield you from the big bad world wide web. Keep it in mind though that these software are only good for basic tasks. If you are running a business, you are better off paying for professional software suites such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, and a robust antivirus program.

IrfanView

Developed by Irfan, a Bosnian guy living in Austria, this software by far the best free image editor I have come across so far. The software also works as a photo viewer and organiser. This tiny software allows you to swiftly resize, crop, touch-up pictures. Released in 1996, IrfanView got better with updates, but did not put on megabytes of weight. In a world where a silly third-party Android calculator takes up to 60 MB, this powerful tool is still only around 2 MB in size. I have been using this for making the images web ready for years, so go for it. If you ever need more options to manipulate an image, give Paint.net a try.

Avast Free Antivirus

Some antivirus software make your computer so sluggish that you would rather put up with a virus. I believe that the best antivirus is common sense. Don't visit the dark alleys of the Internet, never download video players from "those" websites and you should be fine. If that sounds too adventurous for you, then go for the Avast Free Antivirus. Compared to most system doctors, Avast is relatively lighter. It fights virus attacks, blocks malware, and keeps the phishing websites in check. If in case, your system gets infected, Avast can heal it with the effective boot-time scan.

Notepad++

Godsent for coders, Notepad++ is known for its numbered lines. If you are wondering why it is such as big deal, ask any of your programmer friend often greeted with something like "ERROR: syntax error at line 1337". Coders compare two documents alongside using the dual mode to figure out the anomalies. Thanks to elaborate formatting options, spell check, and word completion, Notepad++ makes for a great content writing software. I have been using it for penning articles for years. In fact, the piece you are reading right now was composed in Notepad++ (apologies, copy editor).

uTorrent

Torrenting is a grey area. I believe that more than the service itself, it is the content you download decides whether it is good or bad. True, torrents help spread the piracy. However, on the bright side, it offers a way to download distribute licence free software and media to people who don't have access to reliable Internet connection. For instance, Linux, The Internet Archive, and even NASA relies on torrents to share data. So if you are inclined towards using this service, uTorrent is the only software you need to bother with. It is light, straightforward, and does what it says.

VLC

I know, most of you have known this software for years. However, that isn't a reason enough to exclude this amazing media player from the list. The no-nonsense player handles almost any video format you throw at it without needing to install any codecs. Compared to most media players, VLC is light and unbelievably quick to load on cold start. It is one of the rare free media software that does not force you to click ads or install crappy browser toolbars. It supports plugins to add functionalities such as quickly looking up media info and subtitles.

Free File Viewer

Most of us receive plenty of documents over email. Just to view these different file formats, you have to install many software suites. Painful right? This is where the Free Document Viewer comes to the rescue. This single software can handle popular formats such as PDF, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, DOC, ASPX, HTML, XML and whatnot. It can also extract text and access other basic features such as zoom and document search. The installation package forces the BuyHatke app on you, which is a bit annoying. However, you can remove it later separately. All things considered, Free File Viewer deserves a place on your computer.

By Chandrakant Isi. The author has been covering all-things-tech for over 10 years. He is a sci-fi aficionado, wannabe space explorer, and Content Lead at MySmartPrice.com.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
The Nigerian Senate has suspended the ongoing amendment of the Code of Conduct Act which was initiated and referred to its committees on Judiciary and Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions last week.

The legislative body also resolved to suspend amendment of Administration of Criminal Justice Acts (ACJA).

Similarly, the report of the Ethics Committee on Kabiru Marafa, a senator known to be opposed to embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki, was also stepped down.

These decisions were taken during the Senates closed door session on Wednesday.

The lawmakers had on April 14 introduced a bill for an amendment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal and Bureau Act, rushing it through second reading just 48 hours after it was first read.

In Nigerias lawmaking process, rarely do bills get such accelerated legislative action.

The bill, sponsored by Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP-Delta State), passed second reading and was subsequently referred to the committees on Judiciary and Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

The committees was to report back in two weeks.

THE AMENDMENT

The bill seeks to amend Section 3 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act to give every public officer appearing before the Bureau fair hearing as provided for under Section 36 (2)(a) of the CFRN 1999 which provides:

For an opportunity for the person whose rights and obligations may be affected to make representations to the administering authority before that authority makes the decision affecting that person.

The existing law, Mr. Nwaoboshi said in his lead argument, does not provide for the Bureau (CCB)to take written statement from concerned public officers before referring a matter of alleged non-compliance to the Tribunal (the CCT).

More to come
These are the ones who were burned to death on 18 April 2016 in Kanyama, police spokeswoman Charity Chanda said in a statement. (Representational image)

Lusaka: At least two people have been burned to death in Zambia in riots targeting Rwandan-owned shops over allegations that foreigners were behind a string of ritual killings in Lusaka, police said on Wednesday.

The violence erupted earlier this week in slum areas of the capital after the recent murders of at least seven people, whose body parts such as ears, hearts and penises had been removed.

Hundreds of residents stoned houses and shops owned by foreign nationals, with some foreigners seeking refuge at police stations as looters took food, drinks, refrigerators and other electrical appliances.

The official number of people who have died from the time the looting started is two. These are the ones who were burned to death on 18 April 2016 in Kanyama, police spokeswoman Charity Chanda said in a statement.
( Read 3664 Times)

New Delhi, Fonder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bhart and eminent Jaicharys Dr. Lokesh Muni said that Bhagwan Mahavir Philosophy of non-violence, peace and harmony is more relevant in present context. He was addressing the Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti program where brilliant students of Vardhman Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital were honoured.Acharya Lokesh said that Bhagwan Mahavir philosophy has scientific base. He said that healthy, prosperous and happy society can be build by adapting Mahavir philosophy. The world whole world is affected by violence and terrorism, but violence and terrorism cannot solve any problem. Violence gives rise to counter violence. Bhagwan Mahavir philosophy of non-violence and non-accumulation is permanent solution for this problem. There is a need for training of non-violence in present scenario, need to effectively experiment and use it positively. Incidents of war and violence can be controlled by implementing peace training in proper way.Acharya Lokesh said that world population is worried with Global Warming. Bhagwan Mahavir 2600 back said that materials are limited and desires are unlimited. Limited meterials cannot fulfil unlimited human desires. Bhagwan Mahavir principle of Self Control and sacrifice is very helpful for environment protection.Convener of the program Mr. Sushil K. Jain said that Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti has been celebrated not only in India but in the whole world with great enthusiasm.Acharya Lokesh Muni addressing another program organised on the occasion of Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti by World Mass Communication at Ethopian Cultural Centre said that poverty is a problem but richness is bigger problem. A major reason of violence is poverty and deficiency. TO remove income inequality Bhagwan Mahavir gave the principle of limiting personal usage. He gave directions to remove both social and economic inequality. He said a person who is not conscious about the sufferings of the creatures around cannot attain salvation. To remove social inequality talking against the caste system he said that entire humanity is one caste. Human should not be known by his birth but by his deeds.Bhagwan Mahavir did not only talk about outer pollution, he said that conceptual pollution is more harmful. Religious Fanaticism, Racism, feudalism is the result of this thinking. He talked about Unity in diversity.
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Washington: The leaders of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee called on Tuesday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress during a visit to Washington in June.

"Given the depth of our relationship with India across a range of areas - defence, humanitarian and disaster relief, space cooperation, conservation and innovation - we believe this is an ideal opportunity for the Congress to hear directly from the prime minister," Representatives Ed Royce, the Republican committee chairman, and Eliot Engel, the panel's ranking Democrat, wrote to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

A spokeswoman for Ryan said she had no announcement at this time about whether Ryan would extend the invitation.

Invitations to address the Senate and House are considered a great honour. There have been only two in the past year: Pope Francis, on September 24, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on April 29, 2015.

When Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies swept Lok Sabha elections in 2014, there initially were questions about whether he would qualify for a visa. President Barack Obama quickly dismissed the issue by inviting him to the White House when he called to congratulate him on his victory.

The administration of President George W. Bush denied Modi a visa in 2005 under a 1998 US law barring entry to foreigners who have committed "particularly severe violations of religious freedom."

Modi denied any wrongdoing. Supreme Court ruled in 2010 he had no case to answer.

Washington sees its relationship with India as critical, partly to counterbalance China's rising power. Obama has called it "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century."

The letter to Ryan was also signed by Republican Representative George Holding and Democrat Ami Bera, the co-chairmen of the Congress Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
VINELAND  Authorities have arrested the second suspect wanted for a Sunday morning robbery that resulted in a fatal shootout with city police.

Meanwhile, the man who organized protests regarding two other deaths related to police actions in Cumberland County over the past several years wants a state investigation into the shooting of the man killed by a city police office during that shootout.

John Bain, 31, of West Landis Avenue here, was arrested after a search by authorities that began after the 1 a.m. Sunday robbery, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.

Webb-McRae provided no information about when or where Bain was apprehended.

Bain is charged with robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and certain persons not to have a weapon, the prosecutor said. Bain is being held in the Cumberland County jail in Bridgeton on $200,000 bail, she said.

Bain has prior convictions on charges that include conspiracy, carjacking and robbery, according to the state Department of Corrections.

Authorities said Richard Bard Jr., 31, of Bridgeton died after police chased him and Bain following the robbery. Bard allegedly shot at the officers, one of whom returned fire and hit Bard near East Avenue and Almond Street. Bard was pronounced dead at Inspira Medical Center Vineland.

Webb-McRae said on Tuesday that she wasnt releasing the name of the police officer who shot Bard.

The investigation into Bards death should be transferred from the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office to the state Attorney Generals Office, said Walter Hudson.

There is a national cry for major police reforms, said Hudson, who heads the Salem County-based National Awareness Alliance. Vineland is not exempt from it.

Hudson has led protests into the deaths of Jerame C. Reid and Phillip White.

Reid, 36, of the Seabrook section of Upper Deerfield Township, was fatally shot by a Bridgeton police officer during what started as a routine traffic stop in Bridgeton in December 2014. The Prosecutors Office investigated that incident, and a jury opted not to indict the two officers who participated in the stop.

The 32-year-old White was arrested after local police responded to a service call about a disorderly person in the 100 block of West Grape Street here on March 31, 2015. That was followed by a call for medical assistance as White, who was handcuffed and restrained during the incident, appeared to be in distress, authorities said.

White at some point became unresponsive while being taken by ambulance to Inspira Medical Center Vineland, authorities said. Medical personnel in the ambulance performed CPR on White, who was pronounced dead at the medical center.

That incident also prompted an investigation by the Prosecutors Office. No charges have been filed against the officers involved in the incident.

Hudson said Tuesday that the Prosecutors Office is not going to turn against their own when investigating deaths linked to police actions in Cumberland County.

Thats problematic in cases like this, Hudson said. Unless people band together and demand change, its not going to change.

Hudson had requested that state officials, and not the Prosecutors Office, investigate the cases involving Reid and White.
A state law that required police cameras in vehicles but underfunded the initiative violated an amendment to New Jerseys constitution, the state Council on Local Mandates said Wednesday.

But local police departments say they will continue to add the technology to their vehicles.

A law also known as Chapter 54, signed by Gov. Chris Christie in September 2014, made dashboard video camera technology mandatory for new patrol vehicles.

The law provided a $25 surcharge on driving while intoxicated convictions to pay for the cameras, which can cost more than $5,000 apiece. But police officials said the fee wasnt nearly enough to cover costs of implementing the mandate.

The Council on Local Mandates decision stated the $25 surcharge would fall short of funding the installation of either a vehicle-mounted or body-worn mobile video recording system.

The council is independent from executive, legislative and judicial branches and was created to address unfunded mandates on municipalities, schools and counties.

Pleasantville Police Chief Sean Riggin said more than half of the departments marked patrol cars are outfitted with dashboard cameras as a matter of good policing and to promote transparency. Riggin said the department purchased dashboard cameras before the mandate and will continue to do so.

With the mandate there is absolutely no way you can pay for dashcams that run $5,000 to $7,000 with a $25 DWI surcharge, Riggin said.

The state-mandate state-pay amendment protects property taxpayers by requiring that state government cover the cost of any new programs or services imposed on local government.

Michael Darcy, executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, said Chapter 54 was enacted with the best of intentions, but no policy rationale can trump what the New Jersey constitution requires.

Deptford Township lodged a complaint with the Council on Local Mandates and argued the law was an unfunded mandate because the $25 was woefully inadequate, according to a news release from the League.

The Council on Local Mandates agreed the Chapter 54s funding source was illusory, according to the decision.

The proofs show that the $25 surcharge would fall short of funding the installation of either a vehicle-mounted or body-worn mobile video recording system, the decision stated.

Patrick Colligan, state president of the New Jersey Policemens Benevolent Association, said there are police departments that cannot implement the dashboard camera technology because municipalities cannot afford the systems.

I think this proves Gov. Christie is out of touch with how much the dashboard camera technology costs and what the storage costs are, Colligan said.

Riggin said recording the job done by police officers each day is a benefit for the department. He pointed to the car chase that ended with a fatal shootout in Atlantic Citys Walk in 2014, when a Pleasantville police cars dashboard camera captured much of the action.

Antoquan Watson, 27, is seen with the gun drawn and appearing to fire in stills from the dashboard camera video released by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office. Watson was shot and killed by police.

It was all captured on video and it was good evidence to have immediately and to show the officers were absolutely justified in the shooting, Riggin said.

Contact: 609-513-6686

Twitter @ACPressWeaver
San Francisco: A Sikh-American teenager, who penned a book about bullying of children from the community, was forced to remove his turban by airport personnel in the US state of California, according to a media report.

Karanveer Singh Pannu, an 18-year-old high school student from New Jersey, had gone to talk about his book 'Bullying of Sikh American Children: Through the Eyes of a Sikh American High School Student' as an inspirational speaker to address the kids participating in the annual Sikh Youth Symposium in Bakersfield, California.

"After going through the metal detector at the airport, I was asked to do a self-pat down of my turban and a chemical swab test for explosive material. After a positive swab test, I was taken to a secondary screening room to be given a full pat down and was asked to remove my turban to be further scanned," Pannu was quoted as saying by NBC.com.

"I refused at first but when they threatened me that I could not fly, I agreed, provided they gave me a mirror to retie my turban," he added.

"Before I removed my turban, Agent Hernandez asked the dreaded asinine question, 'Is there anything we need to be aware of before you remove your turban?' I politely answered that there is a lot of long hair and something called the brain underneath."

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) declines to comment on the specifics of any individual passenger's screening experience, but that all TSA officers and contracted screeners are trained to treat all passengers with dignity and respect and receive periodic training regarding cultural and religious sensitivities, A TSA spokesperson told the network.

When additional screening requires the removal of religious apparel, officers offer a private room. In 2007, TSA revised its screening procedures for head coverings based on discussions with the Sikh community, the spokesperson said. Pannu said he felt utterly humiliated, shaken, distraught by the experience.
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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.




Breivik said his solitary confinement had had negative effects on his health. (Photo: AP)

Oslo: Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik on Wednesday won his lawsuit against the state over his "inhuman" solitary confinement in prison.

"The court has concluded that the prison conditions constitute inhuman treatment," the Oslo district court said in its ruling.

It said the rightwing extremist's almost five-year isolation in prison violated Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Judge Helen Andenaes Sekulic ruled however that Breivik's right to correspondence, guaranteed by Article 8 of the convention, had not been violated.

Norway's most notorious inmate has been detained in a high-security prison unit since he massacred 77 people in a bomb-and-gun rampage in 2011, the worst peacetime atrocity in the country.

With a dark suit and shaved head, Breivik was led into the gym-turned-courtroom in the prison, where the trial is being held for security reason. (Photo: AFP)

The state's lawyers had argued that his isolation was necessary because Breivik is "extremely dangerous", and said his conditions -- which include games consoles, workout machines and three cells at his disposal for his various activities -- fell "well within the limits of what is permitted" under the European convention.

Breivik is serving a maximum 21-year sentence -- which can be extended if he is still considered dangerous -- for killing eight people in a bombing outside a government building in Oslo and then shooting dead another 69, mostly teenagers, at a Labour Youth camp on the island of Utoya on July 22, 2011.

Disguised as a police officer, he spent more than an hour hunting down the almost 600 youths trapped on the small island.

He put a bullet in the head of most of his victims, some of them up-and-coming leaders of Labour, Norway's dominant political party, which Breivik blamed for the rise of multiculturalism.

Breivik, 37, used the four-day hearings -- held in the gymnasium of Skien prison where he is being held about 130 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of Oslo -- to promote his extremist views.

After making a Nazi salute on the opening day of proceedings, he claimed he was now a Nazi who had renounced violence and even compared himself to Nelson Mandela.

Strictly controlled

Since his arrest on the day of the attacks, Breivik has been held apart from other prisoners and his contacts with the outside world, including visits and correspondence, have been strictly controlled.

He had accused the state of breaching two clauses of the European convention prohibiting "inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment", and guaranteeing respect for "correspondence".

During his criminal trial four years ago, Breivik entered the court with his own salute, using a clenched fist instead of the outstretched hand that the Nazis used to greet Adolf Hitler. (Photo: AP)

His lawyer, Oystein Storrvik, had said during the hearings that the case was important as Breivik would probably spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Breivik said his solitary confinement had had negative effects on his health.

But doctors, psychiatrists and prison staff who examined him in prison testified they had seen no major change in his physical or mental state due to jail conditions.

Norway prides itself on a humane prison system aimed more at rehabilitation than punishment, and Breivik's conditions are considered comfortable by most.

The judges heard how Breivik has three cells at Skien Prison -- one for living, one for studying and one for physical exercise. He also has a television with a DVD player, a games console, a typewriter, and books and newspapers.

The prisoner is "extremely dangerous" and must not be allowed to communicate with supporters who may carry out new attacks, authorities said, as they defended their use over the years of handcuffs, strip searches and strictly-controlled correspondence and visits.

"I think it's a strict regimen but based on the explanations given for it, I can't see anything to suggest that the convention has been violated," law professor Kjetil Larsen told Norwegian news agency NTB before the ruling.

"But one could argue that we are close to the limit for the extent of the isolation," he added.
Once the existing petrol and diesel fleet go beyond its permissible road life duration, those cars can only be replaced by green cars, according to the proposal.

Amsterdam: The Dutch are famous for devising innovative solutions to maximise the use of renewable energy. In 2014, the country built the worlds first solar-lit road and received praise from all over.

Their latest idea - in the proposal stage currently  may not be as groundbreaking but it has the potential to completely eradicate dependence of fossil fuel in the road transport sector.

The Labour Party has proposed banning the sale of all internal-combustion cars by 2025. That means only cars powered by electric or hydrogen will be allowed to join existing fleet of petrol and diesel vehicles.

Once the existing petrol and diesel fleet go beyond its permissible road life duration, those cars can only be replaced by green cars, according to the proposal. While environmentalists and many others are hailing the proposal, not all in the Netherlands are completely taken by the idea. Not yet, anyway. Local media reports that the proposal may be pushed through nonetheless as majority of elected officials in the Dutch parliament support the initiative.
DUBLIN, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "3D Printing Market by Printer Type, Material Type (Metals, Plastics, Ceramics & Others), Material Form (Powder, Liquid, Filament), Process, Technology, Software, Service, Application, Vertical and Geography - Global Forecast to 2022" report to their offering.

The global 3D printing market is expected to grow from USD 4.98 Billion in 2015 to USD 30.19 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 28.5% between 2016 and 2022 The market is expected to be driven by factors such as ease of developing customized products, benefits of 3D printing, and government investments in 3D printing projects.

The market for desktop 3D printers is expected to grow at a high rate during the forecast period due to the declining prices of printers as well as technological advancements pertaining to printers. Introduction of multijet printers allows more than one material and color to be used at time and availability of open platform to design objects such as Photoshop by Adobe and Spark by Autodesk are other major reasons increasing the demand of desktop 3D printers for personal use.

Aerospace & defense, healthcare, industrial, and consumer products comprised the major industries that accounted for the major share of the 3D printing market in 2015. However, the market for the education, printed electronics, energy, and jewelry industries is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period.

North America dominated the 3D printing market in 2015. 3D printing is used in the major industrial manufacturing, aerospace & defense, and healthcare companies located in the U.S., which is driving the market in this region. GE uses laser-powered 3D printers to make parts and products for aircraft. Continuous technological advancements and financial support from the government are also propelling the growth of the North American 3D printing market. However, the market in APAC is expected to grow at a faster rate between 2016 and 2022. Government initiatives, funding in R&D, and extensive industrial base are the major factors that make APAC a dynamic region for 3D printing, with Japan and China being the major contributors.

Scope of the Report:

Market, by Printer:

-- Desktop

-- Industrial

- Market, by Material:

-- Metals

-- Plastics

-- Ceramics

-- Others

Market, by Material Form:

-- Powder

-- Liquid

-- Filament

- Market, by Process:

-- Material extrusion

-- Material jetting

-- Binder jetting

-- Sheet lamination

-- Vat photopolymerization

-- Powder bed fusion

-- Directed energy deposition

Market, by Technology:

-- Stereolithography (SLA)

-- Fuse deposition modeling (FDM)

-- Selective laser sintering (SLS)

-- Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)

-- Polyjet printing (MJP)

-- Inkjet printing

-- Electron beam melting (EBM)

-- Laser metal deposition (LMD)

-- Direct light projection (DLP)

-- Laminated object manufacturing (LOM)

-- Others

Market, by Software:

-- Design

-- Inspect

-- Scan

-- Printer software

- Market, by Service:

-- Custom design & manufacturing

-- After-sales

- Market, by Application:

-- Prototyping

-- Tooling

-- Functional parts

Market, by Vertical:

--- Automotive

--- Aerospace & defense

--- Healthcare

--- Architecture & construction

--- Consumer products

--- Education

--- Engineering

--- Energy

--- Printed electronics

--- Jewelry

--- Food & culinary

Market, by Geography:

-- North America

-- Europe

-- Asia-Pacific (APAC)

-- Rest of the World (RoW)

Companies Mentioned

- 3D Ceram

- 3D Systems Corporation

- 3Dponics Inc.

- ARC Group Worldwide, Inc.

- Afinia 3D

- Alcoa Inc.

- Amazon.Com, Inc.

- Arcam Group

- Arevo Labs

- Arkema S.A.

- Autodesk, Inc.

- Beijing Tiertime Technology Co., Ltd.

- Canon Inc.

- Concept Laser GmbH

- Cookson Precious Metals Ltd.

- Dassault Systemes SA

- EOS GmbH

- Envisiontec GmbH

- Evonik Industries AG

- Formlabs Inc.

- General Electric Company

- Graphene 3D Lab Inc.

- Groupe Gorge

- HP Inc

- Hoganas AB

- Koninklijke DSM N.V.

- Leapfrog 3D Printers

- Luxexcel Group BV

- Materialise NV

- Mcor Technologies Ltd

- Microtec Gesellschaft Fur Mikrotechnologie Mbh

- Nano Dimension

- Natural Machines

- Neotech Amt GmbH

- Optomec Inc.

- Organovo Holdings Inc.

- Oxford Performance Materials Inc.

- Printrbot Inc

- Proto Labs

- Renishaw PLC.

- Reprap

- SLM Solutions Group AG.

- Sciaky Inc

- Scuplteo

- Shapeways, Inc.

- Shenzhen Hueway Technology Co., Ltd.

- Solidoodle LLC

- Sols Systems

- Stratasys Ltd.

- TLC Korea Co., Ltd.

- Taulman3D, LLC

- The Argen Corporation

- The Exone Company

- Ultimaker BV

- Voxeljet AG

- Wiivv Wearables Inc.

- Xyzprinting

- Zhejiang Flashforge 3D Technology Co., Ltd.

For more information visit

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/plz7bz/3d_printing

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
OPAVA, Czech Republic, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Czech beer, especially Pilsner lager, is probably the most well-known product of a country in the heart of Europe. This world famous beer is brewed in Czech microbreweries for more than one and half century in still the same traditional way that is significantly different from the production of beer in industrial breweries.

The main difference in the brewing process of Czech beer includes primarily the production of the first intermediate beer product (so-called wort) by decoction method. This is a traditional Czech beer production technology when part of the wort is pumped into another container and boiled separately. Such method requires special designed brewhouse that is typical for Czech breweries.

Another difference is the main beer fermentation and maturation method. While in the majority of commercial breweries closed pressure vessels - cylindrical-conical tanks - are used for the main fermentation, in the Czech Republic open fermentation vats are used most often. Thanks to this method we can during the excursion to the Czech microbreweries experience a wonderful view at fermenting beer, which is creating a foam of various colours and shapes. In the end of the beer production process beer is maturated usually in the beer lagering tanks. Beer is carbonized by activity of remaining beer yeast during the long maturation period.

Despite these facts even in such traditional country new remarkable innovations and solutions ensuring effectiveness and higher quality are developed. Such technical developments can be applicable in microbreweries all around the world. Here is a list of solutions that can be seen in Czech microbreweries nowadays.

1-st solution - BREWORX VARIO CCT

Reduction of beer loss, cost of sanitizing solutions, energy and labour costs during fermentation process of beer in cylindrical-conical fermenters.

The beer fermentation tank adjustable racking valve system for easy separation of the yeasts from the product (beer, cider, wine ) in fermentation cylindrical-conical tanks without loss of product residues. This system allows the precise height setting of the outlet pipe suction hole just above the actual level of yeast in the tank.

2-nd solution - BREWORX DECOCTION

Modification of current brewhouses to enable production of a traditional Czech beer - reconstructions of simple infusion brewhouses to decoction-infusion brewhouses for the enabling decoction method.

The brewhouse upgrade service includes :

The initial consultation and analysis- expert consultation on-site. Technical documentation - the technological project documentation includes: technical description and drawings, a detailed description of the technological and technical solutions for the required reconstruction of the brewhouse. Manufacturing - manufacturing of the required equipment for the reconstruction of the brewhouse according to the project. Assembling - all manufactured components will be implemented on the existing brewhouse. The brewhouse will be reconstructed according to the project. Commissioning of the production system-completing all operations that are necessary for putting the brewhouse into operation. These works are led by an expert on an installed technology (engineer, brewmaster). Trial operation, operator training - a Czech brewmaster prepares one or more batches of wort in the brewhouse and he gives the customer instructions how to operate new technology.

3-rd solution - BREWORX MOBILE CIP

Obligatory equipment in every brewery. The function of CIP station is to perfectly clean, sanitize and disinfect all vessels and piping. Without regular maintenance of all equipment brewery is not possible to produce quality beverages.

Its function is based on circulation of an alkaline or acid solution through a sanitary shower spraying it onto vessel walls and into its space.

It is equipped also with a flow heater with digital temperature regulator ranging from 0C to 80C.

The mobile CIP station consists of two main tank for alkaline and acid solution and one vessel for neutralizing of used solutions. The circulation of the sanitizing solutions is provided by an integrated centrifugal pump and system of connecting hoses. Main advantage of such CIP station is the mobility.

4-th solution - BREWORX KEG WASHFILL

Sanitizing and filling of beer kegs using the manual or automatic keg washing & filling machine. The manually or automatically operated keg washer and filler enables washing and filling beer into 5L, 15L, 20L, 30L or 50L kegs. There is possible to fill beer also into plastic kegs (for example Petainers).

The production portfolio of the keg washers and fillers includes simple manual party kegs or classical beer barrels fillers, semi-automatic machines for kegs rinsing and filling designed for microbreweries and also powerful keg filling lines for medium breweries which are fully equipped with conveyors, automatic rinsing, sanitizing and filling valves, manipulators and the keg labelling system.

5-th solution - BREWORX MODULO

Complete professional mini brewery by yourself within one day! Without project work, building reconstruction work, expensive costs of installation by team of specialists.

BREWORX MODULO micro-breweries are manufactured according to modern methods from quality stainless steel exclusively from Europe. They enable the production of traditional Czech type beer, but also any other kind of world beer using the decoction or infusion method. Customer can produce light beer, half-dark, dark, stout type beer, ale, pale ale, white beer and many other beer types by Czech and foreign recipes.

Their design also allows the production of bottom and top fermented beers by a modern way of fermentation and maturation in special sealed FUIC units - cylindrical-conical tanks with independent cooling system.

6-th solution - BREWORX BEERCIDERLINE

Extend your brewery's ability to cider production. For small investment you can get a professional production of beverage which is now conquering the world. The BREWORX BEERCIDERLINE system is designed as optional accessories of small brewery. After upgrade of your brewery you can produce both beer and cider on single production line.

The equipment for the production of cider is very similar to the beer production equipment. Instead of a hot block with a brewhouse contains machines for cleaning, crushing and pressing fruit . The liquid intermediate which subsequently passes through a fermentation process is the fruit juice pressed from fruit.

Fermentation and maturation process takes place in cylindrical tanks that compared to tanks for beer production have only slightly different equipment, based on the requirements of the manufacturing process of cider. Fermentation takes place at higher temperatures and in addition to the cooling a device for heating of containers is needed to maintain the desired fermentation temperature.

Our experiences in the production of microbreweries ensure the superior quality of craftsmanship and technical solutions of the technology for the production of ciders. The production line includes several complete technologies for the production of cider drinks in a professional manner.

7-th solution - BREWORX FUIC

BREWORX FUIC ( Beer fermentation unit with independent cooler ) is a compact unit developed primarily to meet the requirements of microbreweries which need to test new beers' recipes. Cylindrical-conical tanks are fully equipped and together with sophisticated cooling system is FUIC ideal to replace the classic self-standing CCTs and beer maturation and storage tanks. Brewery extension and thus increase in the production capacity of the brewery is quick and easy with units FUIC.

Fermentation and maturation units BREWORX FUIC are independent mobile blocks with cylindrical-conical tanks, including everything needed for the main fermentation of beer, beer maturation, bottling and dispensing beer. They consist of these components :

From 2 to 4 pcs of CCT - isolated and by liquid cooled cylindrical-conical tanks

From 1 to 4 pcs of the compact coolers

Elements for measurement and control of temperature and circulation of coolant

Piping for cooling liquid - elements for connecting between coolers and tanks

Shared frame with adjustable legs and the possibility of moving with wheels

This article presents only part of production the company Czech minibreweries s.r.o. This plant offers all high-quality equipment for professional production of beer, cider and wine, originally produced only with Czech or cooperated European producers.

Source : Czech Minibreweries s.r.o. : http://www.czechminibreweries.com/

Production portfolio : http://eshop.czechminibreweries.com/

References : http://www.czechminibreweries.com/references/

Czech Minibreweries s.r.o.

Bc. Ales Jakimov

Managing Director



Phone : +420 737 241 269 / +420 552 308 918

E-mail : jakimov@czechminibreweries.com

Website: http://www.czechminibreweries.com

SOURCE Czech Minibreweries
London: Pakistan was "cooperating closely" with India on the investigations in a terror attack case on a key air force base in Pathankot earlier this year, the country's top diplomat has said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan had sent a team to India which visited both New Delhi and the site of attack in Pathankot. Pakistan is "cooperating closely" with India on the investigations, he said.

"We are now pursuing those investigations fully," he said while speaking at Chatham House here last evening on 'A Strategic Vision of Pakistans Foreign Policy'.

"Our relations with India continue to challenge our dream of a peaceful neighbourhood. Following the visit of the Indian external affairs minister in December last year, we agreed in principle to bilateral dialogue, which was previously called composite and now it is called comprehensive dialogue. But then the Pathankot attack happened in January," he said.

India and Pakistan had deferred their foreign secretary-level talks to "very near future" after the Pathankot attack.

Aziz said the Kashmir issue remains a core issue for Pakistan, without which no dialogue can start with India. "For us, Kashmir issue remains a core issue, without which no dialogue can start. In the last few years, many different options have been explored in terms of finding a solution acceptable not just to India and Pakistan but also the Kashmiri people. My own feeling is that once the dialogue begins and all options are put on the table, you can always find some common ground," he told the audience.

In response to a question, Aziz made a reference to the alleged activities of RAW in Pakistan. "We have arrested an Indian intelligence operative in Balochistan who was trying to encourage insurgency there. But we still want to resume our composite and comprehensive dialogue, and terrorism is one part of that composite dialogue," he said, referring to the arrest of Kulbhushan Jhadav, who was reportedly detained in Balochistan.

Jhadav has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country.
ROME, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Alma Surgical, a division of Alma Lasers, a global innovator of laser, light-based, radiofrequency and ultrasound solutions for the aesthetic and surgical markets, announced the launch of a new robotic probe, FemiLift Smart, offering practitioners the most advanced technology on the market which will provide superior clinical results.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160412/354358 )

Alma FemiLift is a state-of-the-art minimally-invasive outpatient solution that incorporates CO2 laser technology to treat various feminine health concerns, including vaginal tightening, stress urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, recurrent vaginal infection, Genito-Urinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), and post-delivery rehabilitation. The procedure is fast, painless and highly effective, delivering superior results with a proven safety record.

With hundreds of surgical practitioners worldwide who currently use the technology and tens of thousands of patients across the globe who have undergone the procedure, Alma is proud to announce new & exciting technological advancements:

FemiLift Smart Probe- for homogeneous & fast treatment.

This innovative new robotic probe incorporates "smart technology" allowing practitioners to provide fast and homogeneous treatments. The upgraded platform and probe enable physicians to quickly adjust treatment settings based on the patient's specific needs. Treatments are carried out in a 360 / 120 degree pattern providing optimal coverage and protocols are adjustable for a variety of indications. With the FemiLift Smart Probe, treatment is carried out according to the indication and the parameters of the treatment.

Prof. Paolo Scollo, President S.I.G.O. Rome, Italy added: "FemiLift Smart, the next generation device, represents a novel approach for outpatient medical treatments. The FemiLift procedure provides excellent and precise results that are free from side effects and completely asymptomatic."

Alma FemiLift will be on display at booth #06 at E.S.A.G Rome during April 19th- 20th, 2016.

About Alma Surgical:

Alma Surgical is the new standard in pioneering, smart laser solutions, and the bridge to highly specialized outpatient medical care. From gynecology, urology and phlebology to plastic surgery and dermatology, the company's minimally-invasive laser solutions provide superior results and reduced treatment time for safer and more efficient practice and patient care. Alma Surgical is a division of Alma Lasers, a global innovator of laser, light-based, radiofrequency and ultrasound solutions for the medical aesthetic and surgical markets. Visit us at http://www.femilift.com and http://www.almasurgical.com

Contact:

Hila Aviel

+972-4-627-5357

hila.aviel@almalasers.com

SOURCE Alma Surgical
MANCHESTER, England, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The aviation industry is heading to Poland for the 11th annual Routes Europe forum in Krakow this weekend to plan future European air services (23-26 April).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150730/250177LOGO )

Routes Europe was first held in Warsaw in 2006 to bring together airlines, airports and tourism authorities to discuss air services to, from and within Europe. Krakow Airport will host this year's event for 1,200 delegates from 110 airlines, 310 airports and 40 tourism authorities at the EXPO Krakow convention centre.

Since joining the European Union (EU) in 2004, the Polish aviation industry has been boosted by the free movement of people and goods. Air passengers in Poland increased by 12.5% to 30.6 million in 2015, with much of the expansion being driven by the low-cost carriers that have entered the Polish market.

Krakow and the surrounding Maopolska region are known for their historical and cultural attractions which drew almost 14 million visitors in 2015. The tourism industry has helped to fuel the 11% increase in Krakow Airport's passenger numbers which reached 4.2 million in 2015 (the highest in the airport's history) and they are expected to peak at 4.6 million this year.

With its booming tourism and travel industries, Krakow is an ideal destination for Routes Europe 2016. The location has attracted most of Europe's major airlines including Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines and low-cost carriers Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Vueling, Wizzair and Jet2.com.

Airlines from outside Europe such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, Qatar Airways, Etihad, All Nippon Airways and China Southern Airlines will also be present.

Delegates will also get the chance to hear from industry leaders at the conference element of Routes Europe, the Strategy Summit. The speakers who will explore the latest airline issues and trends include Fernando Estrada, Chief Strategy Officer at Vueling; Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair; and Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer at BMI Regional.

Adrian Newton, Group Director of Aviation and Transport at UBM EMEA (the owner of Routes), said: "The Polish market is important to the aviation industry because it is continuing to develop significantly. This is in the wider context of a mature European market which does not have the same capacity to grow.

"As this year's Routes Europe host, Krakow Airport is in a strong position to gain more new services which will increase its international route network."

Dr Jan Pamua, President of the Board at Krakow Airport, said: "Routes Europe 2016 is an opportunity to present ourselves as a modern, dynamically growing airport, boosting the attractiveness of the city and the region. We will also show the delegates around the most beautiful sites of Krakow and Maopolska."

For more information about Routes Europe, go to: http://www.routesonline.com/events/181/routes-europe-2016-/

Routes Europe 2016, 23-26 April, EXPO Krakow, Krakow, Poland.

Notes to Editors

Media are invited to attend Routes Europe 2016 and can register by emailing Karen.Reeves@ubm.com.

An opening press conference will be held at EXPO Krakow on 12.30pm on Sunday , 24 April. Please email Karen.Reeves@ubm.com to register.

About Routes

Routes events are unique forums dedicated to the development of new air services which bring together airlines, airports and destinations to meet, plan, discuss and negotiate new and existing flights.

'Regional' route development forums are held between February and July in the Americas, Asia , Europe and Africa . The flagship World Routes event will take place in September in Chengdu, China . http://www.routesonline.com

, and . The flagship World Routes event will take place in September in . http://www.routesonline.com The events revolve around pre-scheduled meetings and an exhibition and conference which are delivered in partnership with host stakeholders. Hosts tend to be a collaboration between airports, tourism authorities and investment partners (the bidding process takes place two to three years before the event takes place).

Routes is part of the UBM EMEA division of UBM plc.

For further information please contact:



Karen Reeves

Communications & Content Marketing Manager

Routes, UBM EMEA

T: +44(0)161-234-2721

M: +44-(0)796-6405-105

E: Karen.Reeves@ubm.com





Urszula Podraza

PR Manager

Krakow Airport

T: +48-12-639-33-03

M: +48-664-404-486

E: urszula.podraza@krakowairport.pl



SOURCE Routes
LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

BE OPEN presents the new tour of the YOUNG TALENT AWARD - this year the initiative unites several continents under the topic of GRAPHIC DESIGN. The jurors and participants represent Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, UK, USA and New Zealand.

The candidates have presented their best works to the judgment of a high-profile international jury, who are to select the long-list of 30 names. After that, the jurors will vote to form the short-list, out of which three winners will be then defined:

The main winner chosen by the jury voting will receive a 16 000 Euro prize;

prize; BE OPEN Founder Yelena Baturina will name the Founder's choice winner with a 5 000 Euro prize;

will name the Founder's choice winner with a 5 prize; The web choice winner will be chosen by online voting on the BE OPEN Facebook page - 2 000 Euro prize.

As explained by BE OPEN Founder Yelena Baturina: "We believe that incubating talent is vital in the design sphere, helping new designers get a firmer foothold on the career ladder through contacts made within our professional networks, and also through giving them the time they need to develop their thinking without too much of financial pressure - or, in fact, to have the luxury of 'being open' to new ideas. That is the founding principle behind everything BE OPEN does - taking the risk of supporting great ideas that have the potential to change the way we live."

The new tour of YTA is implemented in partnership with CUMULUS International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media, curated by Luisa Collina, full professor, president of CUMULUS International Association. Cumulus is the only global association to serve art and design education and research. It is a forum for partnership and transfer of knowledge and best practices. Cumulus consists currently of 226 members from 49 countries.

Presented for the first time during Milan Design week in 2014, YTA is a grant given to young designers selected by a jury of experts. The aim of award is to support young professionals, allowing them to concentrate on creative process and bring to life their sparkling ideas. The award is a grant to support young designers day-to-day living expenses over a year, helping them develop their work at this critical early stage in their career. The award will allow the winner to continue working at their own pace, experiment with both practical and conceptual projects.

SOURCE BE OPEN Foundation
SCHAUMBURG, Illinois, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Convergint Technologies, a worldwide leader in service-based systems integration, today announced the acquisition of Enion AG Integrated Security Solutions. Enion offers reliable, innovative, and cost-effective security solutions tailored to the complex needs of its clients.

With a location in mainland Europe, the acquisition of Enion expands Convergint's global platform through a strategic position near Basel, Switzerland. Convergint will leverage Enion's location and expertise to better service sophisticated global customers that are facing challenging integration needs on an enterprise level.

Convergint Technologies continues its successful history of rapid global growth. "We are servicing more global customers today than ever before, and we are continuing to build out our worldwide service capabilities," said Dan Moceri, executive chairman and co-founder of Convergint Technologies. "With rich experience in solving complex integration issues, Enion will play an important role in enabling us to be the best service provider possible for our global customers."

Convergint and Enion also share a culture dedicated to customer service. The joint organization provides a diverse range of service-based solutions supported by a highly experienced workforce throughout the world.

"With Convergint, Enion gains a reliable and financially strong partner to provide broader solutions for our customers on a local and global basis," said Andre Dill, CEO of Enion. "We share Convergint's strong social values and look forward to building the leading service provider in the region."

About Convergint Technologies - Convergint Technologies is an industry-leading organization that designs, installs, and services integrated building systems including electronic security, fire alarm, and life safety systems. To learn more about Convergint, visit www.convergint.com.

Related Links

http://www.convergint.com



SOURCE Convergint Technologies
Enterprise Gateway Leader Announces Virtual Appliance, 4X Capacity Expansion

NEW YORK and PETACH TIKVAH, Israel, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CTERA Networks today announced a series of updates to its award-winning cloud storage gateway portfolio designed to deliver new levels of deployment flexibility, storage capacity, and efficiency for remote office IT environments.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160419/357489LOGO

The refreshed CTERA gateway lineup includes a new virtual appliance configuration that allows enterprises to utilize existing remote office/branch office (ROBO) hardware to deliver the full functionality and benefits of a CTERA cloud storage gateway. CTERA gateway services now can be deployed from either VMware or KVM servers, offering an ideal option for organizations invested in converged infrastructure or virtualized IT.

CTERA also announced a re-engineering of its gateway file management system, with the primary file system maintained and orchestrated centrally in the cloud. CTERA gateways extend this global system by selectively syncing files to remote and branch offices according to user and/or IT administrator-defined policies. The appliances act as additional storage tiers in a cloud-based file management and synchronization system that combines endpoints, offices and the cloud. CTERA's "Sync Gateways" now support local volume sizes of up to 64 terabytes, a 4X capacity increase over previous models.

Physical and virtual CTERA cloud storage gateways serve as all-in-one storage appliances that replace legacy file/NAS servers, tape backup and other proprietary systems with a single, cloud-integrated and cost-effective solution. The gateway is an extension of the CTERA Enterprise File Services Platform, which enables organizations to protect data and manage files across offices and appliances  all from the organization's private or virtual private cloud.

The newly designed CTERA cloud storage gateway portfolio delivers:

Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO). A virtual form factor eliminates the need to deploy and management multiple systems at the office, and allows an organization to consolidate office servers, firewalls, print servers, file servers, DHCP services, and in-office backup services onto a single converged server that features built-in cloud backup capability.

A virtual form factor eliminates the need to deploy and management multiple systems at the office, and allows an organization to consolidate office servers, firewalls, print servers, file servers, DHCP services, and in-office backup services onto a single converged server that features built-in cloud backup capability. High availability configurations and failover capabilities. Organizations now can leverage the CTERA virtual gateway to implement highly resilient office file services for the most demanding remote environments.

Organizations now can leverage the CTERA virtual gateway to implement highly resilient office file services for the most demanding remote environments. Increased capacity at the edge. Virtual storage volumes allow branch offices to easily scale and address large and growing storage capacity requirements.

Virtual storage volumes allow branch offices to easily scale and address large and growing storage capacity requirements. On-demand deployment of file and data protection services. A virtual appliance enables organizations to deploy file and backup services at any office instantaneously, resolving any collaboration, business continuity or data protection challenge.

A virtual appliance enables organizations to deploy file and backup services at any office instantaneously, resolving any collaboration, business continuity or data protection challenge. Provides IT investment protection and a path to converged IT. Organizations can integrate the virtual gateway with various computing services and manage it all from their choice of hardware.

CTERA is a world-leading provider of cloud storage gateways, having shipped more than 40,000 appliances to global customers since 2010. Leading organizations such as The Carlyle Group, Live Nation, and J. Walter Thompson (JWT) have deployed CTERA appliances at sites around the world to enhance business continuity at the office, introduce cloud-integrated tools that enhance business productivity, and lower the TCO for office infrastructure deployment and management.

According the Gartner Market Guide for Cloud Storage Gateways: "Organizations deploy cloud storage gateways to better manage files and reduce their on-premises storage infrastructure. These unstructured data types don't fit neatly within rows of a database table, so they must be stored as files or objects in a file system or object store. But traditional file systems lack capabilities such as mobile access, collaboration and integrated cloud storage. Cloud storage gateways extend this functionality to file systems using specialized software to create turnkey physical and virtual appliances." 1

"Enterprise organizations are increasingly seeking converged, cloud-integrated IT solutions for their remote and branch offices," said Scott Miller, World Wide Technology's Director of Data Center. "CTERA's enhanced gateway portfolio further strengthens our ability to provide flexible, secure, and modern branch office file services solutions that enable IT consolidation, simplified infrastructure management, and reduced TCO."

"Since 2010, CTERA has focused on consolidating the branch office hardware stack while providing exceptional product functionality and customer value," said Jeff Denworth, SVP Marketing, CTERA. "Our new virtual gateway and capacity expansions are the natural progression of this strategy, simplifying the deployment of cloud-integrated file and data protection services for organizations that seek cost-effective, easily-managed solutions at the edge of the network."

1 Market Guide for Cloud Storage Gateways, Gartner. Raj Bala, Arun Chandrasekaran. November 18, 2015.

Supporting Resources:

About CTERA

CTERA enables enterprise IT to provide secure file services from any cloud. Trusted by the Fortune 100 and leading service providers, the CTERA Enterprise File Services Platform is a private cloud IT-as-a-Service platform for storing, syncing, sharing, protecting and governing data across endpoints, remote offices and servers. To learn more, visit www.ctera.com.

Related Links

http://www.ctera.com



SOURCE CTERA Networks
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, April 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- David Jukes has been named Executive Vice President, and President of Univar USA and Latin America, effective June 1, 2016. The announcement was made by Erik Fyrwald, President and Chief Executive Officer, to whom Jukes continues to report.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150608/221390LOGO

In addition to his current leadership role for Latin America, Jukes will now have overall responsibility for managing Univar's commercial and supply chain operations in the U.S. He will be responsible for further strengthening the company's capabilities to serve customers and suppliers by focusing on organic growth opportunities in target end markets and driving operational excellence initiatives across the organization. He will relocate to Univar's corporate headquarters in Downers Grove later this year.

"David has proven himself a strong people-, customer- and supplier-focused leader," said Fyrwald. "He brings over 35 years of international chemical distribution experience, and most recently has successfully led the turnaround of our businesses in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. We look forward to leveraging his experience and leadership as we focus on growth within our largest geographic operating segment."

In a related move, Chris Oversby has been named to a new role as President, Univar Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Oversby continues to report to Fyrwald and will relocate to Univar's main European office in Chertsey, Surrey, U.K., later this year.

"Chris has a long successful history in the chemical industry and has helped step-change our position in the oil and gas market," said Fyrwald. "Chris' deep commercial knowledge and global experience gives him the right perspective and abilities to focus on growth while continuing to drive execution with our EMEA leadership team."

Jukes joined Univar in 2002 and has served as President of Univar EMEA since January 2011, and President of Latin America and Asia Pacific since September 2015. Previously, he served in numerous leadership roles within the organization, including Vice President, Sales and Marketing, EMEA; and Regional Director of Univar UK, Ireland, the Nordics, and Distrupol. Prior to joining Univar, Jukes was Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and Industry Relations, for Omnexus, a plastics industry consortium e-commerce platform. He is a graduate of the London Business School.

Oversby joined Univar in November 2012 as President, Global Oil, Gas and Mining. Prior to joining Univar, he served as Vice President and General Manager for the Oil and Mining Services division at Clariant AG., a leading global specialty chemical company, and also spent 25 years with Baker Hughes Incorporated, where he served in several senior leadership positions, including Vice President, Marketing, Technology, and Business Development, for the Baker Petrolite Division. Oversby holds an M.B.A. with Merit from Leeds University Business School, and has completed executive programs at Stanford University and Harvard Business School. He is a Chartered Chemist, Member Royal Society of Chemistry.

About Univar Inc.

Founded in 1924, Univar [NYSE: UNVR] is a global distributor of specialty and basic chemicals from more than 8,000 producers worldwide. Univar operates more than 800 distribution facilities throughout North America, Western Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America, supported by a global network of sales and technical professionals. With a broad portfolio of products and value-added services, and deep technical and market expertise, Univar delivers the tailored solutions customers need through one of the most extensive chemical distribution networks in the world. Univar is Chemistry DeliveredSM.

Related Links

http://www.univarcorp.com



SOURCE Univar
A global campaign aims to demonstrate the power of "we" through creativity to promote preservation of the planet

MIAMI, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of 2016 Earth Day, DDB Worldwide, part of Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC), announced today the launch of #EarthDayDDB, a crowdsourcing social campaign to promote the preservation of the planet through creativity and ideas. The global campaign, created by DM9DDB Brasil, is slated to launch on Friday, April 22.

"Creativity will always be a source of change. We're facing a generation who understands that small individual actions can contribute to global change, who understands the power of 'we' and how their united voice can generate massive change," commented Juan Carlos Ortiz, President of DDB Latina and Creative Chairman of DDB Americas.

"The main core of the idea is to give the opportunity to everyone, of any part of the world, to think about the problems our society is facing in terms of the preservation of the Planet, and to also think about a solution. The result will be a sort of different diagnoses and creative ideas to make the Earth a best place to live," said Aricio Fortes, Chief Creative Officer of DM9DDB.

Based on the idea that each person is an agent of change to contribute to the planet's wellbeing and with the belief that ideas have the power to reshape things around us, DDB Worldwide is convoking its more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, as well as the agency's social media audiences, to create the biggest "Twitter Brainstorm" of all time. The #EarthDayDDB campaign encourages people to send their best ideas to help and preserve the planet to @DDB_Worldwide, using the event's official hashtag, #EarthDayDDB. As people take part in the campaign, a select group of creatives from DDB will respond to the ideas with guidance for how to make the program(s) come to life. At the end of the day, DDB's global creative council will choose the winning idea and will make a promise to promote the program within the organization, as a commitment of DDB towards preserving the planet.

The campaign will consist of a website (www.earthdayddb.com), featuring a video manifesto to create awareness and invite people to contribute to the cause. The website will also include a social stream capturing shared inspirational ideas across DDB's channels and the social media landscape at large. A selection of great ideas from the program will be posted on the website in order to generate an idea bank to serve as inspiration for the DDB Network and its partners.

To learn more, follow the #EarthDayDDB campaign here: @DDB_Worldwide

About DDB Worldwide

DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world's largest and most influential advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry's leading advertising publications and awards shows. The Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency's clients include Volkswagen, McDonald's, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and Exxon Mobil, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.

About Omnicom Group Inc.

Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC; NYSE) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

For further information on Omnicom Group Inc. and its brands, please visit www.omnicomgroup.com.

About DDB Latina Group :

DDB Latina is the leading communications group in the latin markets around the world, developing business solutions for its clients through its companies: DDB, Tribal, Alma DDB and BIG, among others.

A pioneer in the industry, it united the Latin American, US Hispanic, and Spain markets with a unique vision inspired by culture, not geography. Its network currently includes 33 offices in 22 countries.

Its operational model is based on "Trios" where strategy, technology, and creativity merge to create innovative ideas that generate high-levels of influence for its brands; which are highly recognized throughout the region and across diverse industries.

In 2015, its network won numerous awards in the most prestigious advertising festivals; Holograms for Freedom became the most-awarded campaign in the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and El Ojo de Iberoamerica.

The DDB Latina Group is part of Omnicom Inc. (OMC).

CONTACT:

Angela Henao

angela.henao@mia.ddb.com

Director of Corporate Communications and PR | DDB Latina

2601 South Bayshore Dr. 4th | Coconut Grove Miami FL 33133

O: +1 305.341.2563 | M: +1 305. 793. 2495

Related Links

HTTP://www.ddb.com



SOURCE DDB Worldwide
SAN FRANCISCO and GHENT, Belgium, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Showpad, the sales enablement platform that leads direct and indirect sales teams to better results, today announced that it has been named in Gartner's Market Guide for Partner Relationship Management Applications published February 9, 2016. In the report, Gartner names Showpad a PRM-dedicated market specialist vendor.

"65% of organizations in the high-tech industry have already adopted and implemented PRM applications, some 10-15 years ago. Even though these supportive applications were self-developed and only provided 'to the point' management in those early days, their primary target was (and still is) to extend market reach and to deliver a significant percentage of company revenue," said Ilona Hansen, Research Director, Gartner. "By 2018, 20% of B2B organizations will have changed their indirect channel sales approach by focusing on commercially available PRM applications."

"Investments in PRM applications are undergoing a major transition," said Louis Jonckheere, Co-CEO, Showpad. "As companies with indirect channels move from bloated, out-of-date legacy solutions to modern, best-of-breed alternatives, they need an easy-to-use and simple-to-implement solution that allow them to efficiently scale their channel partner program in a way that quickly maximizes revenue potential."

Download the Gartner Market Guide for Partner Relationship Management Applications or visit our website to learn more about Showpad's Partner Relationship Management solutions.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publication, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designations. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Showpad

Showpad is a sales enablement platform that pushes the best-fit content in the right context to sales reps, on any device, so that reps can sell at any time, from anywhere. It's powerful reporting functionality helps businesses understand content usage and productivity, driving organizations toward revenue goals. Showpad empowers more than 800 customers around the world, including Johnson & Johnson, Fujifilm, Audi, Intel, and Heineken. For more information, visit www.showpad.com.

Related Links

http://www.showpad.com



SOURCE Showpad
LUXEMBOURG, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ConvaTec Inc., a leading global medical products and technologies company, announced today that the Regional German Court of Dusseldorf affirmed that a competitor's product infringes the European patent EP 1 547 639 B1 owned by ConvaTec Technologies Inc. The patent is related to ConvaTec's Flexi-Seal Fecal Management System, a temporary containment device, indicated for bedridden or immobilized, incontinent patients with liquid or semi-liquid stool.

Amongst other rulings, the judgment ordered the competitor to cease and desist from placing on the market its product; to recall its product; and to compensate ConvaTec.

"We are pleased by the Court's ruling," said Mads Haugaard, Vice President and General Manager of ConvaTec's Continence & Critical Care business. "The decision validates the solid patents we have protecting our innovative portfolio and enables us to continue our focus on advancing the standard of care for patients everywhere. In that context, respect for our important intellectual property remains a core principle that we continuously and vigorously defend."

About the Continence & Critical Care Business at ConvaTec

Flexi-Seal Fecal Management System (FMS) is a temporary containment device, indicated for bedridden or immobilized, incontinent patients with liquid or semi-liquid stool. It is designed to effectively contain and divert fecal matter, which may help to protect patients' wounds from fecal contamination and may help to reduce both the risk of skin breakdown and spread of infection. This easy-to-use system provides an excellent alternative to traditional methods of managing fecal incontinence such as pads, diapers, fecal pouches, and rectal tubes.

More information about the company and its products can be found at www.convatec.com

About ConvaTec ConvaTec is a global medical products and technologies company with leading market positions in wound therapeutics, ostomy care, continence and critical care, and infusion devices. Our products provide a range of clinical and economic benefits, including infection prevention, protection of at-risk skin, improved patient outcomes and reduced total cost of care. ConvaTec is owned by Nordic Capital and Avista Capital Partners.

Flexi-Seal is a trade mark of ConvaTec Inc.

 2016 ConvaTec Inc.

AP-016340-MM

Contact:

Punnie Donohue

ConvaTec

336-297-3087

punnie.donohue@convatec.com

Related Links

http://www.convatec.com



SOURCE ConvaTec
"Wind power led all technologies in new power generation in 2015," said GWEC Secretary General Steve Sawyer; "Led by wind, renewables have come of age and are transforming the power sector."

GWEC's Global Wind Report on the status of the global wind industry is the authoritative source of information on wind power markets around the world. The report gives a comprehensive snapshot of the global wind industry now present in more than 80 countries, 26 of which have more than 1 GW installed, and 8 with more than 10 GW. This years' edition features insights to the most important wind power markets worldwide, future trends with five-year projections out to 2020, a Preface from IEA's Fatih Birol, an update on global offshore wind and much more.

Download your copy of the report

Related Links

http://www.gwec.net



SOURCE Global Wind Energy Council
Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and Muscats chief of staff, businessman Keith Schembri, were both named in the leak from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca.

Valleta: Maltas left-of-centre government survived a no confidence vote linked to revelations from the so-called Panama Papers, which named the energy minister and the prime minister's chief-of-staff.

After 13 hours of debate, during which 50 of the parliaments 69 members had asked to speak, the opposition motion was dismissed by 38 to 31. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Twitter following the vote: The vote of confidence is strong and without ambiguity, and gives us the energy to continue to work hard and achieve results.

Meanwhile, leader of the opposition Simon Busuttil described the government as in crisis and corrupt. The Labour government has an eight-seat majority, but the opposition-led attack is seen as damaging to Muscats administration.

Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and Muscats chief of staff, businessman Keith Schembri, were both named in the leak from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca.

The files appear to indicate the law firm had been instructed to open bank accounts for the two officials in the Caribbean, Panama, Dubai and Miami.

They also reveal that the banks concerned were asking for initial deposits of USD 1 million.

Both Mizzi and Schembri have denied any wrongdoing and have rebuffed calls for them to resign. Muscat has said he will await the outcome of an investigation before taking any decisions.

The Panama files have created problems for political figures in a number of countries around the world. Spanish industry minister Jose Manuel Soria resigned on Friday after he was shown to have connections to offshore companies that he had initially denied.
STOCKHOLM, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

International digital services and consulting agency Futurice continues to conquer the European market with an important hire for Sweden. In keeping with the tradition of being truly local with all sites, Futurice Sweden's new Managing Director, Henrik Edlund, has over a decade of experience working in the Swedish market, delivering world-class digital craftsmanship.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160419/357213 )



"Futurice Stockholm's story started in the summer of 2015 and now, nine months later, we are taking an important step by bringing on board the talent and leadership of Henrik Edlund. Henrik will steer our Swedish site into the future and establish its ties to the design, technology and business communities here in Stockholm," says Matti Jylha, Founder, of Futurice Sweden.

Henrik has a strong background in leading creative and technology talent at companies that operate at the forefront of digital transformation, as well as experience working hands-on as a service designer. He is ideally suited to work as a part of our international 300 strong team of design, software, data and digital business talent from more than 20 countries.

"The diversity of really talented people and way of working are the things that attracted me to Futurice. I am looking forward to leading the intersection between tech and design, helping our clients and Futurice Sweden grow," Henrik says.

In just nine months Futurice Sweden has grown to include a dozen experts, who are designing and delivering complete digital customer journeys, helping companies bring their digital businesses up to speed and building truly digital organisations.

"Stockholm is a great place for us and Sweden a source of inspiration in digital development. At the same time, we also see a clear market need for a player with experience from global clients and forward-thinking ventures. Having worked with clients like BMW, Volkswagen, Nespresso and Nordic Choice Hotels, I think we will fulfill this need," says Matti Jylha, laying out the road ahead for Futurice's newest site.

About Futurice

Futurice is a growing international company that designs and builds innovative digital services for companies in a wide variety of industries ranging from startups to fintech to energy industry. Since 2000, we've created more than 1000 digital services with over 200 customers with offices in Berlin, London, Stockholm, Munich, Tampere and Helsinki.

For more information:

Henrik Edlund, henrik.edlund @ futurice . com , +46-70-679-32-84

Matti Jylha, matti . jylha @ futurice . com , +46-70-259-94-52

SOURCE Futurice
DUBLIN, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Hybrid Memory Cube and High-Bandwidth Memory Market - Global Forecast to 2022" report to their offering.

The Hybrid Memory Cube and High-Bandwidth Memory market is expected to be worth USD 953.8 Million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 53.96% between 2016 and 2022. The major drivers for the growth are the growing need for high bandwidth, low power consumption, and highly scalable memory devices. However, a few manufacturing and fabrication challenges associated with the Hybrid Memory Cube are limiting the growth of this market.

As chip sizes are shrinking and memory content and applications are growing, Hybrid Memory Cube and High-Bandwidth Memory are expected to replace most of the traditional DRAM memory technologies such as DDR3, DDR4, and GDDR5 in the near future. Many new applications of Hybrid Memory Cube and High-Bandwidth Memory are in various stages of commercial development.

Of all the major applications, the enterprise storage and networking and telecommunication hold the major share of the Hybrid Memory Cube and High-Bandwidth Memory market. The enterprise storage application is expected to grow at the highest rate in the Hybrid Memory Cube and High-Bandwidth Memory market during the forecast period, followed by the consumer electronics application. Among all the consumer applications, the PCs segment is the largest contributor to the overall Hybrid Memory Cube and High-Bandwidth Memory market.

Of all the regions, North America held the largest market share; the APAC market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR. In APAC, the huge demand for consumer electronics and networking devices from countries such as China, India, and South Korea among others is driving the Hybrid Memory Cube and High-Bandwidth Memory market.

One of the key restraining factors for this market is the declining ASP of volatile memory which restricts the growth of the Hybrid Memory Cube market. Micron Technology (U.S.) is among the leaders in the Hybrid Memory Cube and High-Bandwidth Memory market and is the only provider of Hybrid Memory Cube in the world.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

5 Market Overview

6 Industry Trends

7 Hybrid Memory Cube And High-Bandwidth Memory Market, By Density

8 Hybrid Memory Cube And High-Bandwidth Memory Market, By Application

9 Geographic Analysis

10 Competitive Landscape

11 Company Profile

Companies Mentioned:

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Arira

Fujitsu Ltd.

Ibm Corporation

Intel Corporation

Micron Technology, Inc.

Nvidia Corporation

Open-Silicon, Inc.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Sk Hynix, Inc.

Xilinx Inc.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/7drtxj/hybrid_memory

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com



SOURCE Research and Markets
New Hardware Development Kit supports development of IoT devices for the smart home and office

HSINCHU, Taiwan, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MediaTek today announced its MediaTek LinkIt Development Platform for RTOS and the platform's first hardware development kit (HDK). This platform is the first from MediaTek delivering a common tool chain and set of APIs for multiple chipsets, offering developers the ability to create a range of IoT devices using one common software development kit, the MediaTek LinkIt SDK v3.

The HDK, based on the MediaTek MT7687F Wi-Fi system-on-chip (SoC), supports developers looking to create advanced connected appliances, home and office automation devices, smart gadgets and other IoT innovations. Future HDKs will enable developers to target other IoT device segments with comprehensive wireless technology options, including Bluetooth and cellular connectivity.

"Professional developers continue to be catalysts for turning IoT ideas into actual products. MediaTek Labs is committed to delivering the best hardware and software development platforms, as well as technical and business matchmaking support, for these developers to quickly get to market," said Marc Naddell, Vice President of MediaTek Labs. "The MediaTek LinkIt Development Platform for RTOS opens the door for developers to build a full range of IoT devices that are power efficient with secure Wi-Fi connectivity and commercially viable."

Key features of the platform include:

Based on the popular FreeRTOS with modules (source code available) for TCP/IP, SSL/TLS, HTTP (client and server), SNTP, DHCP daemon, MQTT, XML and JSON.

Supports SoCs based on the ARM Cortex-M4 architecture, offering high performance, low power connectivity.

Comprehensive support for peripheral interfaces; such as UART, I2C, SPI, I2S, PWM, IrDA and ADC.

Chipset specific features support, such as Wi-Fi using the MT7687F.

Development and debugging support in Keil Vision and with command-line tools.

The LinkIt 7687 HDK is developed by Silicon Application Corp. (SAC), using hardware board reference design from MediaTek. The HDK provides a low-cost, easy-to-use IoT development board for the design, prototyping, evaluation and implementation of commercial IoT projects. The board offers developers a range of essential features to ensure devices are market ready. Key features of the SoC and board include:

MT7687F module on board. The same module is available for manufacture of final IoT products.

Wi-Fi with integrated security engine (AES and 3DES/SHA).

Embedded SRAM/ROM and 2MB serial flash.

Battery (2xAA) and fixed power connection options.

Support for essential pre-commercial testing from a debugging port, a U.FL connector and headers reserved for power consumption monitoring.

Pinout compatible with Arduino Uno (Revision 3), with an eight-pin extension connector offering versatile peripheral connectivity, including UART, I2C, SPI, I2S, PWM, IrDA and auxiliary ADC.

The LinkIt 7687 HDK is available for purchase starting today at http://ec.wpgo2o.com/AdDetail/MediaTek/7687

More information is available from MediaTek Labs at: http://labs.mediatek.com/rtos and http://labs.mediatek.com/7687

About MediaTek

Since 1997, MediaTek has been a pioneering fabless semiconductor company and a market leader in cutting-edge systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile devices, wireless networking, HDTV, DVD and Blu-ray. Our tightly-integrated, innovative chip designs help manufacturers optimize supply chains, reduce the development time of new products, and extend a competitive edge in crowded markets. Through MediaTek Labs, the company is also building a developer hub that will support device creation, application development, and services for the Internet of Things era. By building technologies that help connect individuals to the world around them, MediaTek is enabling people to expand their horizons and more easily achieve their goals. We believe anyone can achieve something amazing. And, we believe they can do it every single day. We call this idea Everyday Genius and it drives everything we do. Visit mediatek.com for more information.

MediaTek Press Office:

PR@mediatek.com

Kevin Keating, MediaTek

+1-206-321-7295

10188 Telesis Ct #500, San Diego, CA 92121, USA

Joey Lee, MediaTek

+886-3-567-0766 # 31602

No. 1, Dusing 1st Rd., Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu City 30078, Taiwan

Related Links

http://www.mediatek.com



SOURCE MediaTek Inc.
MOSCOW, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS" or the "Company" - NYSE: MBT; MOEX: MTSS), the leading telecommunications provider in Russia and the CIS, announces that it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

The document can also be found at http://www.mtsgsm.com/resources/annual_reports/ of the Investor Relations section. Hard copies of the document with the Company's complete audited financial statements will be available free of charge to shareholders upon request.

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS" - NYSE:MBT; MOEX:MTSS) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe. We provide wireless Internet access and fixed voice, broadband and pay-TV to over 100 million customers who value high quality of service at a competitive price. Our wireless and fixed-line networks deliver best-in-class speeds and coverage throughout Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. To keep pace with evolving customer demand, we continue to grow through innovative products, investments in our market-leading retail platform, mobile payment services, e-commerce and IT solutions. For more information, please visit: http://www.mtsgsm.com.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of MTS, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward looking statements by terms such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "will," "could," "may" or "might," and the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not undertake or intend to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. We refer you to the documents MTS files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the Company's most recent Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned "Risk Factors" that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the severity and duration of current economic and financial conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets; the impact of Russian, U.S. and other foreign government programs to restore liquidity and stimulate national and global economies, our ability to maintain our current credit rating and the impact on our funding costs and competitive position if we do not do so, strategic actions, including acquisitions and dispositions and our success in integrating acquired businesses, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, our competitive environment, dependence on new service development and tariff structures, rapid technological and market change, acquisition strategy, risks associated with telecommunications infrastructure, governmental regulation of the telecommunications industries and other risks associated with operating in Russia and the CIS, volatility of stock price, financial risk management and future growth subject to risks.

For further information, please contact in Moscow:



Joshua B. Tulgan

Director, Department of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC

Tel: +7-495-223-2025

E-mail: ir@mts.ru



Learn more about MTS. Visit the official blog of the Investor Relations Department at http://www.mtsgsm.com/blog/



SOURCE Mobile TeleSystems (MTS)
MONTREAL, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Montrusco Bolton Investments (MBI) has reviewed the 2015 compensation of Concordia Healthcare Corp's executive team. Based on an ISS report and our in-house assessment, we are of the view that the total compensation of senior executives is exorbitant.

MBI agrees with ISS that the lack of transparency regarding how compensation is determined, combined with the CEO's exceedingly high annual increase in compensation, and other issues are serious matters for shareholders.

In addition, MBI is of the view that Concordia Healthcare Corp stock unit plans' vesting periods are too short and do not provide sufficient alignment between senior executives and long-term shareholders.

For the aforementioned reasons, MBI will withhold its votes for two directors of the compensation committee seeking re-election - Jordan Kupinsky and Douglas Deeth.

Contact:

Christian Godin, Senior Vice-President, Head of Equities, Montrusco Bolton Investments, +1-514-842-6464

SOURCE Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc.
LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

A group of MPs specifically formed to investigate a major consumer mis-selling scandal that has lasted for more than a decade, today (Apr 20th) release their highly damning assessment, claiming that one of the UK's Big Six energy suppliers not only sustained the scandal for years, but sought subsequently to cover it up.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on ScottishPower's Cashback Mis-selling, made up of 28 MPs, took evidence over recent months into how 625,000 consumers across the UK - many of them pensioners - lost out collectively on more than 75 million in unpaid consumer goods guarantees to which they were entitled.

The MPs are now calling for a formal Select Committee hearing into the scandal so that ScottishPower executives can be called to account for their actions before Parliament, opening the way to achieving some form of justice, including compensation, for those consumers who are affected.

Launching the report, the Chair of the APPG, Andrew Percy MP, said;

"Over the past year this group has been compiling evidence from many sources, including liquidators, regulators, former customers and employees on how this came to pass; much of that evidence made detailed allegations of fraud, criminality and more. Therefore, we have been shocked by the complete lack of uptake by regulators and authorities to date, and I expect this report to make them sit up and take notice.

"There is no doubt in our mind that selling a Cashback Promise that was neither financially capable of functioning, nor designed to deliver, is effectively a fraud on the public - and they have been covering it up ever since. Indeed, we do not believe it was in ScottishPower's gift to sell on that promise (which was to their customers) to another retailer in the first place. It is high time they were held accountable and I look forward to taking this report to our meeting with the Minister next week (27 April 2016), I am sure he will agree with our assessment."

Alan Campbell, the whistleblower who originally brought the scandal to the attention of Parliament and who has fought relentlessly for ScottishPower management to answer for their actions, said;

"I've spent the past 5 years of my life fighting to get this issue the attention it deserves. I'm incredibly grateful to the MPs for shining a light on a fraud that has gone unanswered for too long.

"This group has now seen with their own eyes an evidence trail that stretches back to the late-1990s and drawn their own conclusions.

"The fact that ScottishPower have refused to properly engage with this investigation, indeed refusing to turn up to the evidence session, only speaks to their guilt. I only hope that now in light of this report that Parliament acts to drag ScottishPower out into the open to truly account for themselves. That scrutiny will, I'm sure, expose them for what they are - and that is a company not fit to be responsible for 5.3 million customers.

"I have started a Government e-Petition so that other dissatisfied consumers who have had enough of this company's abuse of customers' trust can join the call - I encourage you to sign it."

The PowerPlan Cashback Promise

PowerPlan Company Ltd was set up by ScottishPower to issue warranties on white/brown goods (such as TVs, fridges, cookers, etc.) in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Cashback warranties were sold on these goods, meaning that if you didn't claim on your warranty within 5 years they would give you the cash deposit back. These warranties were called PowerPlan, and a sub-company PowerPlan Company Ltd (PPCL) was set up in the Isle of Man to issue the warranties for the purposes of avoiding VAT.

The scheme went under in 2004, following its sale to another retailer (Powerhouse) and ScottishPower refused to pay out on the cashback offer on the warranties. In 2004/5 thousands of people started calling in their cashback but the cashback warranties were never paid, meaning that 625,000 customers across the UK have lost out on a combined 75m.

Notes to editors

The APPG are releasing their report, and holding a Q&A, at 10.00am in Room O, Portcullis House, Westminster.

in Room O, Portcullis House, Westminster. The APPG on ScottishPower's Cashback Mis-selling has now released a report on their investigation into the scandal. The report calls for a number of regulators to use their powers to investigate, including a Parliamentary Select Committee who would have the power to call ScottishPower to account in person. For a copy of the report please either contact the APPG directly.

The APPG are meeting with the Consumer Affairs Minister, Nick Boles MP, on 27 April 2016 to discuss their findings and try to seek a resolution for customers.

to discuss their findings and try to seek a resolution for customers. For more information on the ScottishPower Broken Promises campaign, or to speak with customers who lost out, please email info@scottishpowerbrokenpromises.co.uk .

In the late 1990s and early 2000s ScottishPower used to have retail stores that sold TVs, fridges, washing machines, etc. On those they used to sell cashback warranties, meaning that if you didn't claim on your warranty within 5 years they'd give you the cash deposit back. These warranties were called PowerPlan, and a sub-company PowerPlan Company Ltd (PPCL) was set up to issue the warranties.

In 2001 ScottishPower sold their stores to another retailer, Powerhouse, on the proviso that the already existing claims would be covered by ScottishPower.

In 2004/5 thousands of people started calling in their cashback. When Powerhouse tried to call on their indemnity with ScottishPower they reneged on the agreement. Powerhouse, partly as a consequence of this, went bust. 625,000 customers never got their money back, meaning over 75m is still owed.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Alan Campbell please contact James Hargrave on +44-(0)7900-904-707 or james.hargrave@jbp.co.uk. For a copy of the report or more information on the All-Party Parliamentary Group please contact the Chair, Andrew Percy MP, on +44-(0)20-7219-7208 or andrew.percy.mp@parliament.uk.

SOURCE ScottishPowerBrokenPromises.co.uk
AMSTERDAM and LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- NavAds BV (@NavAds), the leading provider of location content to the databases that power the navigation and mapping industry, today announced the hiring of Johan Van Vulpen as the company's new chief operating officer. Van Vulpen will further develop and structure NavAds' rapidly growing operation.

"I am delighted to welcome Johan to the NavAds executive team," said Lex ten Veen, CEO, NavAds BV. "His expertise and leadership will be instrumental as we continue to advance our global growth strategy."

An impassioned entrepreneur and innovator, Van Vulpen brings a proven ability to build scalable technology companies along with value for stakeholders. He is former CEO and co-founder of Greetz, a leading ecommerce business for personalized greeting cards and gifts.

"NavAds is an amazing company, servicing great global customers and growing rapidly," said Van Vulpen. "I am very excited to work with the NavAds leadership team to extend the product portfolio and expand our global footprint."

New Partnership Taps Into NavAds' Global Reach

NavAds also announced a new partnership today with leading local digital marketing software and services provider Advice Local (@Advice_Local). Through the partnership, Advice Local will publish its business listings data to NavAds' global mapping and navigation channels, ensuring Advice's clients around the world will be visible in all major mapping platforms.

"We are excited to be partnering with an industry leader like Advice Local to extend its digital marketing and SEO solutions suite to the navigation channel," said Gideon Rubin, chief strategy officer, NavAds. "The partnership will provide access to NavAds' fully global solution, resulting in a more comprehensive experience for Advice Local's increasingly global client base."

"As we forge deeper into the always connected mobile era, accurate company data becomes even more important to our overall solution to solve the ever growing problem of bad location data," said Bernadette Coleman, president and CEO, Advice Local. "This is why we have decided to partner with NavAds, the leading provider of location content to the mapping industry. This new partnership represents our belief that the future of accurate mapping and navigation data requires a real-time intelligent solution so that our clients have the best possible product available today."

Today's announcement was made during this week's LOCALCON conference in London, where NavAds' Rubin is scheduled to speak about "Technologies Generating New Business Models and Success," with a focus on new technologies changing the local advertising landscape and emerging opportunities for businesses with a physical location.

About Advice Local

Founded in 2009, Advice Local offers superior local digital location management technologies and services to SMBs, channel partners, agencies and national brands. Today we are helping over 300,000 business locations reach mobile consumers across a network of over 200 directories, search engines, online profiles, apps, mapping solutions, and social media partners which includes Google, Bing, Facebook, Foursquare, Yahoo, and Yelp. Our local search technologies, and agency services will enable millions of businesses to tap into the power of accurate location data that drive face-to-face and digital interactions intended to boost customer engagement, build audiences, and increase sales through an all-inclusive white-labeled SaaS based dashboard and marketing platform. Visit http://www.advicelocal.com for more information.

About NavAds

NavAds BV is the leading provider of location content to the mapping databases that power the entire navigation and mapping industry. Through strategic relationships with the principal map development companies, including TomTom, Apple, and HERE, NavAds offers a single source service to ensure that location content is pushed directly into the core mapping databases of named map providers. With extensive experience in the location marketing arena, NavAds helps customers achieve optimal visibility in mainstream navigation devices, today and in the future. Founded in 2006, NavAds serves Fortune 1000 firms and global corporations. Visit http://www.navads.nl/ for more information.

Media Contact:

Eileen Pacheco

eileen@tango-group.com

508.888.7478

Related Links

http://www.navads.nl



SOURCE NavAds
DUBLIN, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

OASIS Information Secured, the fastest growing records and information management company across Europe, have confirmed yet another major acquisition. In a deal finalised March 10th, the company acquired Restore Document Management Ireland (formerly Wincanton Records Management Ireland) in a transaction worth 36M.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357828LOGO )

As part of the company's assertive expansion plan for Europe, they were successful in securing a significant increase on their existing acquisition finance facility currently with Goldman Sachs, allowing them to integrate Restore Document Management Ireland into the company.

"This strategic move was completed with the goal of increasing our client base in Ireland while also continuing the quality of service within the information management field in the EU," states Dennis E. Barnedt, Chief Executive Officer of OASIS. "We will now service over 4,000 clients across all territories and our intention is to continue this growth through acquisitions and client focus. Our success in securing the increased debt facility with Goldman Sachs has not only afforded us the opportunity to take our expansion plans this far but will also allow us to continue this growth within the entire EU as we find quality companies to add to the OASIS brand."

About OASIS

Serving clients since 1999, OASIS is one of the largest and most diverse professional record and information management companies in Europe. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with locations across the EU, OASIS employs over 250 team members and offers its services to over 4,000 clients throughout several industries with particular emphasis in the financial, legal, healthcare, government and educational sectors. http://www.OASISGroup.com

Media Contact:

Barbara Ellis

+353-1-866-6317

bellis@oasisgroup.com



SOURCE OASIS Information Secured
CALGARY, Alberta, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina" or "the Company") (TSX: PPL; NYSE: PBA) is pleased to announce that that the Company has completed its previously announced acquisition (the "Transaction") of certain sour natural gas processing assets (the "Assets") from Paramount Resources ("Paramount").

"I am very pleased to add these large-scale, newly constructed and integrated assets to our Cutbank Complex," said Jaret Sprott, Pembina's Vice President, Gas Services. "These assets will substantially increase Pembina's service offering through the addition of sour processing and strengthens our strategic positioning in one of our core areas. Furthermore, these assets will support some of the most economic geology in North America and are underpinned by a 20 year take-or-pay commitment."

The Transaction was funded through net proceeds from the Company's previously announced common share offering, which closed on March 29, 2016, as well as existing capacity under the Company's recently increased $2.5 billion credit facility.

For additional information on the Transaction, including a description of the Assets acquired, please see Pembina's website at www.pembina.com.

About Pembina

Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading transportation and midstream service provider that has been serving North America's energy industry for over 60 years. Pembina owns and operates an integrated system of pipelines that transport various products derived from natural gas and hydrocarbon liquids produced in western Canada and North Dakota. The Company also owns and operates gas gathering and processing facilities and an oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics business. Pembina's integrated assets and commercial operations along the entire hydrocarbon value chain allow it to offer a full spectrum of midstream and marketing services to the energy sector. Pembina is committed to working with its community and aboriginal neighbours, while providing value for investors in a safe, environmentally responsible manner. This balanced approach to operating ensures the trust Pembina builds among all of its stakeholders is sustainable over the long-term. Pembina's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under PPL and PBA, respectively. For more information, visit www.pembina.com.

Forward-Looking Statements & Information

This document contains certain forward-looking statements and information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of applicable securities legislation that are based on Pembina's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "expects", "will", "shall", and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance.

In particular, this document contains forward-looking statements, pertaining to, without limitation, the following: the Transaction, including the anticipated benefits of the Transaction to Pembina; financial results related to and growth opportunities associated with the assets acquired pursuant to the Transaction; the economics associated with the areas surrounding the Assets; the ongoing utilization and expansions of and additions to Pembina's business and asset base, growth and growth potential.

These forward-looking statements and information are being made by Pembina based on certain assumptions that Pembina has made in respect thereof as at the date of this news release, including: that favourable growth parameters continue to exist in respect of current and future growth projects (including the ability to finance such projects on favourable terms); future levels of oil and natural gas development; potential revenue and cash flow enhancement; future cash flows; and that Pembina's businesses will continue to achieve sustainable financial results.

Although Pembina believes the expectations and material factors and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that these expectations, factors and assumptions will prove to be correct.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: non-performance of agreements in accordance with their terms; the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transaction following closing due to integration issues or otherwise; the impact of competitive entities and pricing; reliance on key industry partners, alliances and agreements; the strength and operations of the oil and natural gas production industry and related commodity prices; the continuation or completion of third-party projects; regulatory environment and inability to obtain required regulatory approvals; tax laws and treatment; fluctuations in operating results; lower than anticipated results of operations and accretion from Pembina's business initiatives; reduced amounts of cash available for dividends to shareholders; the ability of Pembina to raise sufficient capital (or to raise capital on favourable terms) to complete future projects and satisfy future commitments and certain other risks detailed from time to time in Pembina's public disclosure documents including, among other things, those detailed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Pembina's management's discussion and analysis and annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2015, which can be found at www.sedar.com.

Accordingly, readers are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted, forecasted or projected. Such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by the above statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. Pembina does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information contained herein, except as required by applicable laws.

The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Pembina Pipeline is a registered trademark of Pembina Pipeline Corporation.

Investor Inquiries: Scott Burrows, Vice President, Finance and CFO, (403) 231-3156, 1-855-880-7404, e-mail: investor-relations@Pembina.com, www.pembina.com; Media Inquiries: Tanis Fiss, Supervisor, External Communications, (403) 817-7131, email: media@Pembina.com

Related Links

http://www.pembina.com



SOURCE Pembina Pipeline Corporation
PUNE, India, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

ReportsnReports.com adds "Global Planned LNG Industry Outlook to 2020 - Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts with Details of All Planned Terminals" to its store. Top regions covered in this research report are Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, North America, Oceania and South America.

The report provides asset details of all planned LNG liquefaction and regasification terminals in the world by region and country. Information by terminal includes terminal name, operator name, estimated capital expenditure and design LNG processing capacity (liquefaction / regasification) for the period 2016-2020. The report also provides LNG liquefaction and regasification capital expenditure outlook at global as well as regional level by year and by key countries till 2020. Complete research report of 306 pages with 89 Tables and 73 Figures is available at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/528479-global-planned-lng-industry-outlook-to-2020-capacity-and-capital-expenditure-forecasts-with-details-of-all-planned-terminals.html .

The research also provides comparison of key countries based on contribution to global as well as regional LNG liquefaction and regasification capacity. Further the report also offers recent developments as well as latest tenders and contracts at regional level.

Scope

Updated information relating to all planned LNG terminals

Provides data from 2016 to 2020

Capacity information of all liquefaction and regasification terminals

Provides operator information for all planned terminals

Latest developments and contracts related to LNG terminals across different countries globally.

Obtain the most up to date information available on all planned liquefaction and regasification terminals globally and identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry. Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong forecast capacity data with Assess to your competitor's LNG assets.

Major points discussed in this research include : LNG Industry, Global, Planned Liquefaction Capacity of Top 5 Countries (mtpa), 2016-2020; Contribution to Planned Liquefaction Capacity by Region (%), 2016-2020; Average Liquefaction Train Size by Region, 2015; Contribution to Planned Liquefaction Capacity by Country (%), 2016-2020; Average Planned Liquefaction Train Size by Top 5 Countries, 2015; Annual Capital Expenditure Outlook for Planned Liquefaction Terminals (US$ mil), 2016-2020; Annual Capital Expenditure Outlook for Planned Liquefaction Terminals by Country (US$ mil), 2016-2020; Planned Regasification Capacity of Top 5 Countries (bcf), 2016-2020; Contribution to Planned Regasification Capacity by Region (%), 2016-2020; Contribution to Planned Regasification Capacity by Country (%), 2016-2020; Annual Capital Expenditure Outlook (US$ mil), 2016-2020; Annual Capital Expenditure Outlook by Country (US$ mil), 2016-2020. Order a copy of this planned LNG market report at http://www.reportsnreports.com/Purchase.aspx?name=528479 .

Another newly published market research report titled on LNG Industry Outlook in North America to 2020 - Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts with Details of All Operating and Planned Terminals provides asset details of all active and planned, LNG liquefaction and regasification terminals in the region by country. Information by terminal includes terminal name, operator company name and design LNG processing capacity (liquefaction / regasification) for the period 2010-2020. Planned (new build) LNG terminals capacity additions and existing capacity expansions, as announced by the companies have also been included. The report provides LNG liquefaction and regasification capital expenditure outlook at regional level by year as well as by key countries till 2020. Further the report also offers recent developments as well as latest tenders and contracts at the country level. North America LNG Industry 2020 Capacity and Capital Expenditure Forecasts research report of 306 pages is available at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/512802-lng-industry-outlook-in-north-america-to-2020-capacity-and-capital-expenditure-forecasts-with-details-of-all-operating-and-planned-terminals.html .

Explore more reports on Energy and Power .

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SOURCE ReportsnReports
The World Press Freedom Index ranks 180 countries on indicators such as media independence, self-censorship, the rule of law, transparency and abuses. (Representational Image)

Paris: World press freedom deteriorated in 2015, especially in the Americas, advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said Wednesday as it released its annual rankings, warning of "a new era of propaganda".

The World Press Freedom Index ranks 180 countries on indicators such as media independence, self-censorship, the rule of law, transparency and abuses.

This year's report warned of a climate of fear that has seen world leaders "developing a form of paranoia about legitimate journalism."

Christophe Deloire, secretary general of the Paris-based group told AFP there had been a decline in all parts of the world, with Latin America of particular concern.

"All of the indicators show a deterioration. Numerous authorities are trying to regain control of their countries, fearing overly open public debate," he said.

"Today, it is increasingly easy for powers to appeal directly to the public through new technologies, and so there is a greater degree of violence against those who represent independent information," he added.

"We are entering a new era of propaganda where new technologies allow the low-cost dissemination of their own communication, their information, as dictated. On the other side, journalists are the ones who get in the way."

The situation was particularly grave in Latin America, the report said, highlighting "institutional violence" in Venezuela and Ecuador, organised crime in Honduras, impunity in Colombia, corruption in Brazil and media concentration in Argentina as the main obstacles to press freedom.

Among the lowest ranked countries were Syria, at 177th place out of 180, just below China (176th) but above North Korea (179th) and last placed Eritrea.

Japan slumped to 72nd due to what the watchdog identified as self-censorship towards Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while Finland retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

Europe on 'downhill course'

While Europe remained the region with the most press freedom, Reporters Without Borders warned that the misuse of counter-terrorist and counter-espionage measures and conflicts of interest had put it on "a downhill course".

Poland fell a massive 29 places to 49th due to government seeking to restore Polish ownership of foreign owned Polish media.

And France dropped seven places to 45th because "most of the private-sector national media are now owned by a handful of businessmen with interests in areas of the economy unrelated to the media."

In Europe threats to journalists were linked to rising nationalism which saw death threats in Sweden, which dropped three places to 8th , and attacks on journalists during anti-Muslim rallies in Germany (which dropped four spots to 16).

"And finally, it was in Paris that the attack on Charlie Hebdo took place on 7 January 2015, an attack masterminded from Yemen. So, Europe was also the victim of the world's demons," read the report.

Namibia shines in Africa

In Africa a series of political crises and terrorism continued to erode press freedom.

South Sudan dropped 15 places to 140th due to intimidation of journalists during its civil war.

Efforts by presidents to stay in power in the Republic of Congo (115), Uganda (102) and Djibouti (172) "led to pre-election violence against journalists and harsh, government-orchestrated censorship of the media."

"As a result of the president's obstinacy in Burundi (156th), the leading independent media were destroyed, more than 100 journalists fled abroad and Burundi fell 11 places in the Index," said the report.

The threat of jihadist groups in Mali -- where one group threatened to behead foreign journalists -- and Nigeria, led to a decline in press freedom in both countries.

In a glowing example of press freedom in Africa, Namibia was the continent's best-ranked country at number 17.

"Its journalists are safe, its media landscape is diverse and no restrictions are placed on the Internet."
LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the German newspaper Bild, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on a recent visit to Germany wore a coat decorated with details resembling the Nazi swastika. However, another German newspaper, the Rheinische Post, disagreed, saying the pattern more closely resembled the Buddhist symbol for eternity.

"The ProSwastika Alliance supports both the queen of the Netherlands and the Danish designer who made the dress," said Thomas Kaenzig, Raelian Guide and president of the ProSwastika Alliance. "The swastika was an ancient, honorable symbol thousands of years before the Nazi era, and it can be found all over Europe. That includes Denmark, where it can be found on ancient stones dating from 800 CE." (http://proswastika.org/news.php?item.81.6)

Many official buildings in Germany are decorated with pre-Nazi era swastikas, Kaenzig pointed out.

"Those in Germany who got upset about the queen's attire should first ask their own president to remove the swastikas from his residence (http://proswastika.org/news.php?item.101.6)," he said, adding that people often know very little about the ancient and honorable pre-Nazi history of the symbol.

"Fortunately, people are becoming more and more aware of its original and beautiful meaning: good will and peace," Kaenzig said. "For example, in Japan the government at first wanted to remove the swastika symbol that indicates temples on their tourist maps. But they decided to keep it after getting feedback from informed people around the world, including many Raelians. We were very active in giving our support for keeping this symbol that is so dear to many Japanese."

SOURCE ProSwastika Alliance
DUBLIN, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Heineken has announced its beer shipments have exceeded analysts' expectations in the first quarter thanks to growth in Asia and Latin America. The world's third-biggest brewer revealed beer volume had rose 7 percent, more than double the 2.4 percent that analysts had expected.

Reports had projected the global lager market to grow at a steady CAGR of 4.2% by 2020, but these figures released by Heineken come as a surprise. According to reports, the most prominent factor driving growth in the market is the increasing demand for premium lager products. Vendors have responded to this demand with the launch of premium products marked as authentic or genuine. As well as its flagship beer, Heineken also produces two other well-known brands - Tiger and Sol.

One of the key reasons behind this unexpected growth is the growth in the Asia-Pacific region, with beer volume rising 23 percent. This is almost five times larger than the analyst's estimate. Some of this growth can be attributed to the Vietnamese and Chinese New Year celebrations. A recent report on the beer market in China projected the demand for beer to continue to grow at 6% by 2025. It says that both production and demand will grow over the next decade.

The Dutch brewer says it anticipates stronger sales and profit in 2016, despite a slowdown in emerging markets like Nigeria. It has forecast gains in Asia, one of its three largest markets, with Tiger beer continuing to grow in popularity.

Although it's a more competitive market, beer consumption in Europe is also expected to continue its growth. For example, the beer market in Germany is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.19% and 0.63% in terms of revenue and volume by 2019.

For further information on this topic, and a full list of all related documentation, please visit the Beer section at http://www.researchandmarkets.com/rm/NPPO.

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-20/heineken-beer-volume-beats-analysts-estimates-on-asia-americas



Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood,Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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SOURCE Research and Markets
Industry researchers reveal new and creative methods of web-based attacks

SANTA CLARA, California, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WhiteHat Security, the only application security provider that combines the best of technology and human intelligence, today announced the Top 10 List of Web Hacking Techniques for 2015. The number one threat identified over the last year is FREAK (Factoring Attack on RSA-Export Keys), a substantial security vulnerability that left users of modern browsers open to attack when visiting millions of websites.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160222/336045LOGO

Now in its tenth year, the Top 10 Web Hacking Techniques takes a step back from the implications of an attack to understand how they happen. As the only list of its kind in the industry, the Top 10 provides a centralized knowledge base, captures year-to-year trends in the Web security industry and recognizes the security experts that work at the forefront of Web security research. The list is chosen by the security research community, coordinated by WhiteHat Security.

"Every year, the security community produces a stunning number of new techniques that are published in various white papers, blog posts, articles and conference presentations," said WhiteHat Security Manager, Threat Research Center, Johnathan Kuskos, who leads this community effort. "Within these thousands of pages are the newest, most creative ways to attack websites, browsers and their mobile equivalents. We created the Top 10 Web Hacks as a way to encourage information sharing within the InfoSec community, help IT professionals stay up-to-date with the recommended fixes and recognize the researchers who contribute excellent work in uncovering vulnerabilities."

After receiving 39 submissions detailing hacking techniques discovered in 2015, the following hacks were voted into the top 10 spaces:

FREAK (Factoring Attack on RSA-Export Keys) LogJam Web Timing Attacks Made Practical Evading All* WAF XSS Filters Abusing CDN's with SSRF Flash and DNS IllusoryTLS Exploiting XXE in File Parsing Functionality Abusing XLST for Practical Attacks Magic Hashes Hunting Asynchronous Vulnerabilities

In a continuation of the trend from previous years, a branded vulnerability has taken both the first and second spot. In 2014, Heartbleed, ShellShock and Poodle took the first three places. This year, the judges placed FREAK, the SSL/TLS vulnerability in the first position, citing its novelty, pervasiveness and potential for widespread abuse as the key reasons for its high ranking.

"One of the key trends from the list this year is that legacy code continues to haunt the industry and we will remain living in the age of downgrade attacks, such as FREAK, for quite some time," added Kuskos. "Of all the hacks in 2015, it's the web hacks that are really making the headlines. Hackers just aren't interested in hacking an individual's 'My Documents' folder these days; they know they can do far more damage by gaining access to Facebook, Gmail, Dropbox, and other web or cloud-based applications."

For more information:

Read the Top 10 Web Hacks of 2015 blog.

Register to attend the Top 10 Web Hacks of 2015 webinar, featuring Johnathan Kuskos, on May 3 at 11:00am PT .

About WhiteHat Security

WhiteHat Security has been in the business of securing web applications for 15 years. Combining advanced technology with the expertise of its global Threat Research Center (TRC) team, WhiteHat delivers application security solutions that reduce risk, reduce cost and accelerate the deployment of secure applications and web sites. The company's flagship product, WhiteHat Sentinel, is a software-as-a-service platform providing dynamic application security testing (DAST), static application security testing (SAST), and mobile application security assessments. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., with regional offices across the U.S. and Europe. For more information on WhiteHat Security, please visit www.whitehatsec.com, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Related Links

http://www.whitehatsec.com



SOURCE WhiteHat Security
MUNICH, Germany and GRAZ, Austria, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Make cashless payments at electro-charging stations via an app

Wirecard CEE, a subsidiary of Wirecard AG, has agreed a partnership with the Austrian IT start up ENIO GmbH with the aim of making the concept of electromobility even more appealing to consumers. ENIO operates a pan-European service network of over 2,500 electric car charging stations for its customers: Consumers can quickly find available charging stations of participating operators via the online platform (http://www.enio.at) or via a mobile application. The partnership with Wirecard will soon provide the opportunity to make cashless payments directly via the app.

Fritz Vogel, CEO and Partner of ENIO: "With the rising demand for electromobility vehicles, so too the need for suitable charging stations has also risen. Our electro-charging station infrastructure offers consumers a practical overview. In fact, we are going one step further: with the help of Wirecard, an internet connection will be established between the payment process and the electric charging stations, meaning that payments can be made at the touch of a button."

Here's how it will all work: Customers who use the online network and wish to pay via the app initially load credit onto their smartphone via the ENIO app. This can be done by MasterCard, Maestro and Visa using the seamlessly integrated Wirecard Checkout Page interface. Confidential card data is protected by smart risk management tools and encryption software. The payment to the respective charging station is made by entering a unique PIN. Spontaneous payments (i.e. without having to register with an operator) are therefore also possible.

Roland Toch, Managing Director of Wirecard CEE: "Electromobility is the future. Its success is largely dependent on user-friendly charging infrastructure. Quick and easy access to charging without any obstacles would be a huge benefit. Together with Wirecard, this is exactly what ENIO is offering. We are delighted that we are able to support ENIO in this step by integrating our e-payment solutions. Consumers stand to benefit from the convenient smartphone payment experience."

Implementation of the mobile payment option is set to be quickly completed in all European countries in which ENIO operates during the first half of 2016.

About Wirecard:

Wirecard AG is a global technology group that supports companies in accepting electronic payments from all sales channels. As a leading independent supplier, the Wirecard Group offers outsourcing and white label solutions for electronic payments. A global platform bundles international payment acceptances and methods with supplementary fraud prevention solutions. With regard to issuing own payment instruments in the form of cards or mobile payment solutions, the Wirecard Group provides companies with an end-to-end infrastructure, including the requisite licences for card and account products. Wirecard AG is listed on the Frankfurt Securities Exchange (TecDAX, ISIN DE0007472060, WDI). For further information about Wirecard, please visit http://www.wirecard.com or follow us on twitter @wirecard.

About Wirecard CEE:

Wirecard CEE is part of the Wirecard Group as well as being the competence centre for Austria and the CEE (Central and Eastern European) markets. As the leading payment service provider (PSP) in Austria, Wirecard CEE has been supporting merchants for the past 16 years in successfully implementing international multi-channel strategies in the payment sector.

http://www.wirecard.at

Wirecard media contact:



Wirecard AG

Jana Tilz

Tel.: +49-(0)-89-4424-1363

Email: jana.tilz@wirecard.com



Wirecard Central Eastern Europe GmbH

Kerstin Papst

Tel.: +43-(0)-316 / 81-36-81-1500

Email: kerstin.papst@wirecard.com



About ENIO:

ENIO (http://www.enio.at) is an IT service provider start up based in Vienna, Austria. ENIO connects electric charging stations via an SaaS solution. Drivers can find and reserve available charging stations using the search function on the homepage. ENIO does not operate the charging stations itself but rather connects those operated by its clients. These range from major companies such as E.ON to SMEs and public institutions operating charging stations. Companies do not need to install the software solution: they can access it directly at http://www.enio.at. ENIO operates 1,500 charging stations. Over the next few years this is set to rise to approximately 90,000. Turnover for 2015 was already around the EUR 1 million mark. This is primarily attributable to managing charging stations and project work in the construction of large and small charging station networks as well as projects in relation to energy billing. At the moment, a cooperative crowd solution for charging stations is being developed in collaboration with youCharge.

ENIO media contact:

ENIO GmbH

Ing. Mag. Friedrich Vogel

Tel.: +43-(0)-664-340-84-60

Email: friedrich.vogel@enio.at



SOURCE Wirecard AG
Under such a favorable background, the HNC 2016 will be held during June 21-23 in Shanghai. On the occasion, you will gain access to the professional sourcing and supply channels in the whole industry chain of both raw materials and finished products on the largest one-stop sourcing platform in Asia-Pacific Region during the three days.

HNC 2016 will share with CPhI China and Hi China the following resources:

3,000 exhibitors

60,000 professional visitors

200,000 square meters of display area

The Booths will be sold out, the exhibition area for overseas exhibitors increases significantly and a large number of well-known foreign brands will be present at the event

The booth sale will be over soon since the expo will come in three months. According to the current statistics, the exhibition area increases remarkably from the previous one. In particular the exhibition area for overseas exhibitors grows fastest by over 50 percent so far. The exhibitors come from Australia, the United States, Germany, Britain, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and other countries and regions, including those of such famous brands as Dupont, Cosmax Bio, TCI, Gelita, Robinson, Nutribiotech, Grape King, Contek and Lallemand. HNC has always adhered to the development road of internationalization and grown into the largest international nutraceutical exhibition in Asia.

The Chinese Traditional Products Area will continue to shine brilliantly and show the general direction of the innovation and development of the health food industry

In the past seven years, the Chinese Traditional Products Area has been the core of the HNC. Under the development strategy of "Healthy China", the development of health food with extract of traditional Chinese medicine as components in the formula stands for development and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine, also creates an important economic growth point for the development of China's grand health industry. At this exhibition, the exhibitors of traditional Chinese medical tonics such as Ganoderma lucidum, Chinese caterpillar fungus, cubilose, health protection tea, the stem of noble dendrobium and wolfberry will launch the topped products in succession. The Zhendong Group from Shanxi, Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical Group, GanoHerb, Cyclamen, Elion Health Care, China Sciences Group, Sunrise Oriental Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Wolfberry and China MEHECO Co., Ltd. will strike a brilliant pose at the exhibition. The exhibitors of the Chinese Traditional Products Area can not only display their rich product lines but also promote the concept of health preservation via traditional Chinese medicine during the activities held at the same time.

The year 2016 witnesses the beginning of booming development of China's health industry. The industry believes that implementation of national health strategy will not only promote the rising of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing and research and development enterprises and medical services, health insurance, industry for retired elder support, Internet-based medical care and other industries, but also bring about new market opportunities in the fields closely related to healthy life such as environmental protection and food safety. According to Liu Zhanglin, Vice President of China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products (CCCMHPIE), the grand health industry is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world at present and also constitutes an important part of the national economy. With the increasingly enhanced public health awareness in China, people's health care needs will increase, so the health food industry of our country will enjoy huge space for growth.

144-Hour Visa-Free Trip to China

In order to accelerate the implementation of innovation-driven development strategy and with the approval of the State Council, starting from January 30, 2016, holders of passports issued by 51 countries do not need a visa for transiting through the airports and open ports in Shanghai and the airports in Nanjing of Jiangsu Province and Hangzhou of Zhejiang Province up to 144 hours. This policy will rid you of the trouble of having no time to apply for a business visa and facilitate your trip to China to visit the exhibitions.

HNC 2016 will wait for you at Pudong, Shanghai during June 21-23, 2016! Register today and receive your free badge in advance. For more information for the event please visit www.hncexpo.com.

For further information or imagery, please contact:

Ms. Lydia Ma

Tel: 86-21-33392280

E-mail: [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160418/356278

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160418/356279

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160418/356277

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160418/356280LOGO

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121014/HK92339LOGO-d

SOURCE Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo International Exhibition Co., Ltd
"We're off to a good start to the year and are raising our full-year adjusted EPS guidance range," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "All four of our businesses met or exceeded our growth expectations and underlying demand remains strong."

FIRST-QUARTER BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Following are sales by business segment and commentary for the first quarter:

Total Company

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 1Q15



Sales 1Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Operational

Reported

Operational

Reported Total *

1,531

3,354

4,885

1.9

6.6

(1.2)

5.1

(0.2) Nutrition

719

952

1,671

4.9

3.9

(3.2)

4.3

0.1 Diagnostics

339

779

1,118

3.7

8.2

1.8

6.9

2.3 Established Pharmaceuticals --

888

888

n/a

11.0

(1.0)

11.0

(1.0) Medical Devices

466

731

1,197

(3.9)

3.5

(1.3)

0.5

(2.4)



Note: Operational growth reflects percentage change over the prior year excluding the impact of exchange rates. * Total Abbott Sales from continuing operations include Other Sales of $11 million. n/a = Not Applicable.

First-quarter 2016 worldwide sales of $4.9 billion increased 5.1 percent on an operational basis and decreased 0.2 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 5.3 percent effect of foreign exchange.

U.S. sales increased 1.9 percent, led by 9.2 percent growth in Point of Care Diagnostics, 7.5 percent growth in Medical Optics, and 4.9 percent growth in Nutrition.

International sales increased 6.6 percent on an operational basis and decreased 1.2 percent on a reported basis in the first quarter. International operational sales growth was led by 11.0 percent growth in Established Pharmaceuticals, 11.0 percent growth in Diabetes Care and 8.2 percent growth in Diagnostics.

Nutrition

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 1Q15



Sales 1Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Operational

Reported

Operational

Reported Total

719

952

1,671

4.9

3.9

(3.2)

4.3

0.1 Pediatric

403

564

967

4.7

4.1

(2.3)

4.4

0.5 Adult

316

388

704

5.2

3.6

(4.6)

4.3

(0.5)

Worldwide Nutrition sales increased 4.3 percent in the first quarter on an operational basis and 0.1 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 4.2 percent effect of foreign exchange.

Worldwide Pediatric Nutrition sales increased 4.4 percent on an operational basis and 0.5 percent on a reported basis in the quarter, including an unfavorable 3.9 percent effect of foreign exchange. In the U.S., above-market sales growth was led by recently launched infant and toddler non-GMO products, including Similac Advance Non-GMO and Go & Grow by Similac Non-GMO. International growth was led by market share expansion of Eleva in the premium segment of the Chinese infant formula market, as well as continued strong performance in Russia and across several countries in Latin America.

Worldwide Adult Nutrition sales increased 4.3 percent on an operational basis and decreased 0.5 percent on a reported basis in the quarter, including an unfavorable 4.8 percent effect of foreign exchange. International Adult Nutrition growth was led by continued strong growth of Ensure and Glucerna in Latin America and other priority geographies. U.S. Adult Nutrition sales growth of 5.2 percent was led by growth of Ensure in the retail and institutional market segments. During the quarter, Abbott launched Ensure Enlive, a nutrition drink that helps adults rebuild lost muscle and regain strength and energy.

Diagnostics

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 1Q15



Sales 1Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Operational

Reported

Operational

Reported Total

339

779

1,118

3.7

8.2

1.8

6.9

2.3 Core Laboratory

190

695

885

2.4

8.6

2.1

7.3

2.1 Molecular

47

61

108

(2.1)

3.2

(3.4)

1.0

(2.8) Point of Care

102

23

125

9.2

9.6

7.2

9.3

8.8

Worldwide Diagnostics sales increased 6.9 percent in the first quarter on an operational basis, driven by continued above-market growth globally, including strong growth in both emerging and developed markets. Sales increased 2.3 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 4.6 percent effect of foreign exchange.

Core Laboratory Diagnostics sales increased 7.3 percent in the quarter on an operational basis and 2.1 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 5.2 percent effect of foreign exchange. Operational sales growth in the quarter was driven by double-digit growth in emerging markets.

Molecular Diagnostics sales increased 1.0 percent in the quarter on an operational basis and decreased 2.8 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 3.8 percent effect of foreign exchange. Strong operational sales growth in Abbott's infectious disease testing business was offset, as expected, by the planned scale down of its genetics business.

Point of Care Diagnostics sales increased 9.3 percent in the quarter on an operational basis and 8.8 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 0.5 percent effect of foreign exchange. Sales growth was led by continued adoption of Abbott's i-STAT handheld system in the U.S. and international markets.

Established Pharmaceuticals

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 1Q15



Sales 1Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Operational

Reported

Operational

Reported Total

--

888

888

n/a

11.0

(1.0)

11.0

(1.0) Key Emerging Markets

--

634

634

n/a

11.9

(3.2)

11.9

(3.2) Other

--

254

254

n/a

8.6

4.9

8.6

4.9

Established Pharmaceuticals sales increased 11.0 percent in the first quarter on an operational basis and decreased 1.0 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 12.0 percent effect of foreign exchange.

Key Emerging Markets include India, Russia, Brazil and China, along with several additional emerging markets that represent the most attractive long-term growth opportunities for Abbott's branded generics product portfolio. Sales in these key geographies increased 11.9 percent on an operational basis and decreased 3.2 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 15.1 percent effect of foreign exchange.

Operational sales growth in Key Emerging Markets was led by continued double-digit growth in India, which comprises more than 20 percent of Abbott's Established Pharmaceuticals sales. Sales growth in India was led by double-digit growth across several core therapeutic areas, including women's health, gastroenterology, and cardio-metabolics. During the quarter, Abbott also achieved above-market growth in China and several countries in Latin America as it continues to expand its presence and portfolio in these key geographies.

Medical Devices

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 1Q15



Sales 1Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Operational

Reported

Operational

Reported Total

466

731

1,197

(3.9)

3.5

(1.3)

0.5

(2.4) Vascular

289

396

685

1.9

0.2

(4.5)

0.9

(1.9) Diabetes Care

69

174

243

(31.6)

11.0

4.8

(5.2)

(9.1) Medical Optics

108

161

269

7.5

4.2

0.5

5.4

3.2

































Vascular Product Lines:































Coronary Devicesa)

194

336

530

4.9

(1.1)

(5.6)

0.9

(2.0) Endovascularb)

73

60

133

9.5

8.6

2.9

9.0

6.4





































a) Includes DES / BVS product portfolio, structural heart, guidewires, balloon catheters, and other coronary products. b) Includes vessel closure, carotid stents and other peripheral products.

Worldwide Medical Devices sales increased 0.5 percent in the first quarter on an operational basis and decreased 2.4 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 2.9 percent effect of foreign exchange.

Worldwide sales of Vascular products increased 0.9 percent in the quarter on an operational basis and decreased 1.9 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 2.8 percent effect of foreign exchange. Sales of MitraClip, Abbott's device for the treatment of mitral regurgitation, increased double-digits globally, as Abbott continues to build the market for this first-in-class device. Growth in Abbott's Endovascular business was driven by vessel closure products and Supera, Abbott's peripheral stent for the treatment of blockages in the superficial femoral artery and proximal popliteal artery in the upper leg. In March, Absorb, Abbott's fully dissolving vascular stent, received a positive review from an independent U.S. FDA advisory committee.

Worldwide Diabetes Care sales decreased 5.2 percent in the quarter on an operational basis and 9.1 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 3.9 percent effect of foreign exchange. Strong international sales growth was driven by continued consumer uptake of FreeStyle Libre, Abbott's revolutionary Flash Glucose Monitoring System that eliminates routine finger sticks and finger-stick calibration. During the quarter, Abbott received European approval for use of FreeStyle Libre in children and teens. In the U.S., sales were impacted by competitive and market dynamics.

Worldwide Medical Optics sales increased 5.4 percent in the quarter on an operational basis and 3.2 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 2.2 percent effect of foreign exchange. Operational sales growth was driven by continued market uptake of cataract products in the premium intraocular lens segment, including TECNIS Symfony and TECNIS Toric lenses.

ABBOTT RAISES FULL-YEAR ADJUSTED EARNINGS-PER-SHARE GUIDANCE RANGE

Abbott is raising its full-year 2016 guidance range for earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding specified items, to $2.14 to $2.24 from $2.10 to $2.20.

Abbott forecasts net specified items for the full year 2016 of approximately $0.78 per share. Specified items include intangible amortization expense, the impact of the Venezuelan currency devaluation, and charges associated with cost reduction initiatives and deal and other expenses, partially offset by the favorable resolution of various tax positions from prior years.

Including net specified items, projected earnings per share from continuing operations under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) would be $1.36 to $1.46 for the full year 2016.

ABBOTT DECLARES 369TH QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

On Feb. 19, 2016, the board of directors of Abbott declared the company's quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share. Abbott's cash dividend is payable May 16, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2016. This marks the 369th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Abbott.

Abbott is a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks companies that have annually increased their dividend for 25 consecutive years.

About Abbott:

Abbott is a global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately 74,000 people.

Visit Abbott at www.abbott.com and connect with us on Twitter at @AbbottNews.

Abbott will webcast its live first-quarter earnings conference call through its Investor Relations website at www.abbottinvestor.com at 8 a.m. Central time today. An archived edition of the call will be available after 11 a.m. Central time.

 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 

A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Abbott cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors,'' to our Annual Report on Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015, and are incorporated by reference. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings First Quarter Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





1Q16

1Q15

%

Change

Net Sales

$4,885

$4,897

(0.2)

















Cost of products sold, excluding amortization expense

2,140

2,081

2.9

Amortization of intangible assets

144

156

(7.5)

Research and development

379

313

21.0

Selling, general, and administrative

1,698

1,737

(2.3)

Total Operating Cost and Expenses

4,361

4,287

1.7

















Operating earnings

524

610

(14.1)

















Interest expense, net

25

16

58.8

Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

478

(54)

n/m 1) Other (income) expense, net

19

(5)

n/m

Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

2

653

(99.7)

















Tax (benefit) expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations

(54)

124

n/m 2) Earnings from Continuing Operations

56

529

(89.5) 3)















Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

244

26

n/m

Gain on Sale of Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

16

1,737

(99.1)

Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

260

1,763

(85.2) 4)















Net Earnings

$316

$2,292

(86.2)

















Net Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding













Specified Items, as described below

$615

$719

(14.5)

















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from:





























Continuing Operations

$0.04

$0.35

(88.6)

Discontinued Operations

0.17

1.16

(85.3) 4) Total

$0.21

$1.51

(86.1)

















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing













Operations, excluding Specified Items, as described below

$0.41

$0.47

(12.8) 3)















Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding













Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options

1,484

1,516























NOTES:

See tables on page 11 for an explanation of certain non-GAAP financial information. n/m = Percent change is not meaningful. See footnotes on the following page.

1) 2016 Net foreign exchange loss includes a loss of $477 million related to the revaluation of Abbott's net monetary assets in Venezuela using the Dicom exchange rate, which is the Venezuelan government's official floating exchange rate.



2) 2016 Tax on Earnings from Continuing Operations includes the impact of a net tax benefit of approximately $140 million as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of non-deductible foreign exchange losses related to Venezuela.



3) 2016 Net Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $559 million, or $0.37 per share, for intangible amortization expense, the foreign exchange loss related to Venezuela, and other expenses primarily associated with cost reduction initiatives and acquisitions, partially offset by the favorable impact of a net tax benefit as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years.





2015 Net Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $190 million, or $0.12 per share, for intangible amortization expense, expenses associated with cost reduction initiatives and expenses related to acquisitions.



4) 2016 Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes reflect the impact of a net tax benefit of $247 million as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years.





2015 Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Discontinued Operations reflect the after-tax gain of $1.737 billion on the sale of the developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals and animal health businesses to Mylan on Feb. 27, 2015 and Zoetis on Feb. 10, 2015, respectively; the first-quarter financial results from these businesses up to the date of sale; and a favorable adjustment to tax expense as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from previous years related to AbbVie operations.

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations First Quarter Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





1Q16



As

Reported

(GAAP)

Specified

Items

As

Adjusted

% to

Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$144

($144)

--



Gross Margin

2,601

172

$2,773

56.8% R&D

379

(45)

334

6.8% SG&A

1,698

(43)

1,655

33.9% Interest expense, net

25

(12)

13



Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

478

(477)

1



Other (income) expense, net

19

(4)

15



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

2

753

755



Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations

(54)

194

140



Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

56

559

615



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$0.04

$0.37

$0.41





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $144 million, the impact of the foreign exchange loss in Venezuela of $477 million, and other expenses of $132 million, primarily associated with cost reduction initiatives and acquisitions, partially offset by a net tax benefit of approximately $140 million as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years.





1Q15



As

Reported

(GAAP)

Specified

Items

As

Adjusted

% to

Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$156

($156)

--



Gross Margin

2,660

186

$2,846

58.1% R&D

313

(1)

312

6.4% SG&A

1,737

(42)

1,695

34.6% Other (income) expense, net

(5)

(5)

(10)



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

653

234

887



Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations

124

44

168



Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

529

190

719



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$0.35

$0.12

$0.47





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $156 million and other expenses of $78 million, primarily associated with cost reduction initiatives and acquisitions.

RECONCILIATION OF TAX RATE FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS

A reconciliation of the first-quarter tax rates for continuing operations for 2016 and 2015 is shown below:







1Q16 ($ in millions)

Pre-Tax

Income

Taxes on

Earnings

Tax

Rate As reported (GAAP)

$2

(54)

n/m Specified items

753

194



Excluding specified items

$755

$140

18.6%





















1Q15 ($ in millions)

Pre-Tax

Income

Taxes on

Earnings

Tax

Rate As reported (GAAP)

$653

$124

19.0% Specified items

234

44



Excluding specified items

$887

$168

19.0%





1) Reported tax rate on a GAAP basis for 2016 includes the impact of a net tax benefit of approximately $140 million as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of non-deductible foreign exchange losses related to Venezuela.

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SOURCE Abbott

Related Links

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WASHINGTON and LOS ANGELES, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) today announced it is partnering with world-renowned actor and long-time melanoma advocate Jason George (Grey's Anatomy, Sunset Beach) to host the fifth annual Miles for Melanoma 5k Run/Walk on the Universal Studios Backlot on May 1. All proceeds from the event go toward the MRF's mission of advancing research, education and advocacy for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The MRF is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Progress has been made over the past two decades, but there is much more to be done to drive breakthroughs that can help all people facing this cancer live longer and better lives. The family-friendly Miles for Melanoma 5k Run/Walk in Los Angeles has raised over $1 million for melanoma prevention, early detection and research efforts. Participants will experience a fun day exploring some of their favorite movie sets while raising awareness and critically-needed funds.

"The MRF is so pleased to partner with Jason George to raise awareness of this deadly cancer. Melanoma is the fastest growing cancer in the world, impacting people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. A great deal of progress has been made over the past few years, but still almost half of people battling melanoma do not have effective treatment options," said Tim Turnham, executive director of the MRF. "With Jason's support, the Los Angeles Miles for Melanoma 5k will bring together the local melanoma community to support the development of new and better treatments that people facing a melanoma diagnosis so urgently need."

In addition to the great support of host Jason George, celebrity friends of the Miles for Melanoma 5k Run/Walk on the Universal Studios Backlot include Judd Apatow, Sean Astin, Jason Bateman, Jason Biggs, Teresa Castillo, Vin Diesel, Soleil Moon Frye, Tyrese Gibson, Topher Grace, Ashley Hinshaw, Rob Lowe, Jeannie Mai, Areva Martin, Kellie Martin, Leslie Mann, Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Kevin Nealon, Fred Savage and Molly Simms.

Participants in the 5k Run/Walk on the Universal Studios Backlot will experience many of the iconic movie scenes and sets that populate the Universal Studios Backlot, including Jaws, Back to the Future, Charlie's Angels, Spiderman 2, the War of the Worlds plane crash, the village of Whoville and the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter - just to name a few! Attendees will get sun safety tips and free samples from street fair-type booths, and popular food trucks will be on- site with refreshments.

Register now for the 2016 Miles for Melanoma 5k Run/Walk on the Universal Studios Backlot. This event sells out every year! Click to register: http://join.melanoma.org/2016MFMUniversal.

The fifth annual Miles for Melanoma 5k Run/Walk on the Universal Studios Backlot is one of nearly 30 Miles for Melanoma Run/Walks presented by Bristol-Myers Squibb that will take place across the country this year. The Miles for Melanoma 5k program is nationally presented by Bristol-Myers Squibb for the second year in a row and nationally sponsored by Novartis Oncology. Additional local sponsorship for the Miles for Melanoma 5k Run/Walk on the Universal Studios Backlot is provided by Amgen and Bella Skin Institute.

Visit the MRF's Miles for Melanoma website, or follow @CureMelanoma and @Miles4Melanoma on Twitter for more information about special guests, prizes and activities during the event.

About Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States and can strike men and women of all ages, races and skin types. With a one in 50 lifetime risk of developing melanoma, nearly 76,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with Stage I-IV melanoma and another 68,000 will be diagnosed with melanoma in situ  totaling nearly 144,000 total diagnoses. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25- to 29-years-old and the second most common cancer in adolescents and young adults 15- to 29-years-old.

The majority of melanomas occur on the skin; in fact, melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Melanoma can also occur in the eye (ocular, or uveal melanoma), in mucous membranes (mucosal melanoma), or even beneath fingernails or toenails.

About the Melanoma Research Foundation

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Committed to the support of medical research in finding effective treatments and eventually a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients and physicians about prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of melanoma. The MRF is an active advocate for the melanoma community, helping to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF's website is the premier source for melanoma information seekers. More information is available at www.melanoma.org. Find the MRF on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Melanoma Research Foundation

Related Links

http://www.melanoma.org


WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Teva Respiratory today announced the launch of Allergy Intervention: Because Allergies Aren't Funny, an initiative aimed at raising awareness of the seriousness of nasal allergies and encouraging patients to be proactive in managing their symptoms. The campaign features comedic film and television actress and mother Alyson Hannigan, who is speaking publicly for the first time about her personal experience living with seasonal allergies, as well as her children's. For more information about the campaign, including how to enter the Allergy Intervention sweepstakes for a chance to win an AAFA Certified asthma & allergy friendly Dyson vacuum, visit www.AllergiesArentFunny.com.

Allergy Intervention

"I've lived with seasonal allergies for as long as I can remember. Anytime the weather changes, my nasal allergy symptoms flare up, especially in the spring," said Alyson Hannigan, campaign spokesperson. "As a mom of two active kids who also live with seasonal allergies and love to be outside, preparedness is key in helping us keep our symptoms under control. Every year, I work closely with our doctor to ensure our allergy treatment plans are in place and up-to-date before our symptoms begin. Because, let's face it, the bothersome symptoms of nasal allergies just aren't funny!"

Allergic rhinitis, or nasal allergies, affects approximately 50 million people living in the United States. Symptoms include sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, itching of the nose, and are usually caused by allergic sensitivity to pollens from trees, grass or weeds, or to airborne mold spores.i

"Allergies affect millions of people across the country and while they may seem like a common occurrence, symptoms of nasal allergies are no laughing matter," said Wendy Rees, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at AAFA. "Our hope is that by partnering with Alyson Hannigan and Teva Respiratory, we will raise awareness about the seriousness of seasonal allergies and encourage patients to proactively work with their personal clinicians to find the best possible management plan for them."

For more information, visit www.AllergiesArentFunny.com.

About Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by symptoms such as sneezing, nasal itch, runny nose and nasal congestion. For many AR patients, nasal congestion or a stuffy nose may be the most frequent and bothersome symptom.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), the prevalence of AR in the U.S. has increased during the past three decades; it is recently estimated at 20 percent in the general adult and adolescent populations. Of those Americans affected with AR, approximately 20 percent have seasonal allergy rhinitis (SAR), 40 percent have perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and 40 percent have a combination of the two (i.e., PAR with seasonal exacerbation) depending on the allergen sensitivity. Because of its prevalence and health effect, AR is associated with considerable direct and indirect costs.

About AAFA

Founded in 1953 and celebrating over 60 years of service, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the oldest and largest nonprofit patient organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions through education, advocacy and research. AAFA provides practical information, community-based services, support and referrals through a national network of chapters and educational support groups. Through its Kids With Food Allergies division, AAFA offers the oldest, most extensive online support community for families raising children with food allergies at community.kidswithfoodallergies.org. In addition, AAFA sponsors and advocates for research to advance the basic science relevant to treatment and cure. It also champions translational research so that the science that we have is applied more consistently and reliably. For more information, visit http://www.aafa.org.

About the Certified asthma & allergy friendly Program

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the leading national nonprofit organization fighting asthma and allergic diseases. AAFA provides free information, conducts educational programs, and fights for patients' rights and funds research to find better treatments and cures. The asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program is jointly run by AAFA and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), a physician-led global certification company that prepares independent standards for testing a wide range of products to determine their suitability for asthma and allergy patients. The Certification Program is an independent laboratory-based product-testing program that helps families with asthma and allergies find more suitable products for their homes. Visit http://www.aafa.org/certified to see the full catalog of Certified products and get a free guide on how to reduce allergens and irritants in your home.

About Alyson Hannigan

Alyson Hannigan is an actress, wife and mother to two young daughters. Alyson has had a widely varied career, captivating audiences in both television and film. She recently starred on CBS' hit Emmy Nominated comedy How I Met Your Mother where she won numerous accolades including a People's Choice Award. On the film side, she most recently finished shooting the independent feature Modern Love opposite Anthony Rapp and Jonathan Bennett and appeared in the American Pie Franchise for Universal Pictures; the most popular feature comedy franchise of all time with over a billion in revenue. Previously on the small screen, Hannigan starred in the hugely popular and critically acclaimed drama Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.

About Teva Respiratory

Teva Respiratory develops and delivers high-quality treatment options for respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD and allergic rhinitis. The Teva Respiratory portfolio is centered on optimizing respiratory treatment for patients and healthcare providers through the development of novel delivery systems and therapies that help address unmet needs. The company's respiratory pipeline and clinical trial program are based on drug molecules delivered in proprietary dry powder formulations and breath-actuated device technologies, as well as a targeted biologic treatment for severe asthma. Through research and clinical development, Teva Respiratory continually works to expand, strengthen and build upon its treatment portfolio to positively impact the lives of the millions of patients living with respiratory disease.

Media Contact:

Talisa White

External Affairs Manager

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

(202) 466-7643 ext. 237

[email protected]

Theresa Dolge

Vice President, Media Director

Tonic Life Communications

(215) 928-2748

[email protected]

i "Allergy Facts." American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. December 2015. Accessed on January 20, 2016.

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SOURCE Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Related Links

http://www.aafa.org


Germany, which plans to switch off all of its own nuclear reactors by 2022, is sensitive to concerns about plants outside the country.

Berlin: The German government is asking neighboring Belgium to take two nuclear reactors offline temporarily because of safety concerns.

Germany, which plans to switch off all of its own nuclear reactors by 2022, is sensitive to concerns about plants outside the country. Berlin already has called on France to shut down its oldest plant, at Fessenheim on the German border, as soon as possible.

Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks urged Belgium on Wednesday to take its Tihange 2 and Doel 3 reactors offline until open safety questions are cleared up. German officials have cited concerns over the safety of the reactor pressure vessels.

Hendricks said in a statement that taking the reactors offline would be a strong precautionary signal and would show that Belgium takes the concerns of its German neighbors seriously.

Belgium on Wednesday rejected a request by neighbouring Germany to shutter two ageing nuclear plants near their shared border, arguing the facilities met with the strictest safety standards.

German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks earlier on Wednesday requested that the 40-year-old Tihange 2 and Doel 3 reactors be turned off until the resolution of outstanding security issues.
As temperatures rise, Massachusetts families and residents welcome the warm spring air into their routines and their homes. While the spring air feels refreshing after winter, it can also cause trigger allergies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), your exposure to air pollutants can be up to 100 times higher indoors than outside.

"Seasonal allergies are a result of the introduction of new pollen and allergens into the air, as well as the leftover dust and other irritants left in air duct systems from previous seasons," said Steven Addario, owner of Addario's Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electrical. "Our simple steps for air purification help eliminate pet dander and other allergens from your air filters and in your duct system. We hope to give Middlesex County residents that fresh spring feeling in their homes without the allergies."

The service experts at Addario's offer Massachusetts homeowners these tips to improve indoor air quality and fight off spring allergies:

Weekly wipe down  One way to limit the allergens in a home is cleaning the home's hard surfaces (tables, counters, shelves, floors) with a damp cloth weekly. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter will also help improve the home's air quality.

Open the windows  Introducing new air into your home pushes the "old" air out. With the help of a fully functioning duct system, the dander and irritants that make their way into your home quickly get filtered out.

Use your air conditioner  Before the temperature and pollen count starts to rise, have your AC unit checked by a licensed professional. Not only will this ensure everything is working properly following the fall and winter season, but it will also ensure your filters are cleaning your home's air.

Replace air filters  Changing air filters regularly is a quick task and is an inexpensive way to help improve your indoor air quality. When you're using your heat or air conditioning system frequently, the professionals at Addario's suggest changing your filters once a month to keep air flowing well and limit allergens.

Evaluate your air purification system  If you try the above tips and allergies and asthma symptoms still cause issues, a whole-home air purification system can relieve some symptoms. These systems are incorporated into a home's HVAC unit and virtually eliminate the allergens and toxins in the home.

Trusted professional service technicians such as the experts at Addario's can help Boston-area residents who suffer from seasonal allergies by assessing the air quality of their home.

For more information about indoor air quality and air duct cleaning, please visit www.addarios.com.

About Addario's Plumbing Heating Cooling & Electrical

Addario's offers a wide array of services in the areas of heating and cooling, plumbing, drain cleaning, and electrical solutions, including 24-hour emergency assistance for more than 30,000 commercial and residential customers in the Massachusetts market. In addition, has expanded services for turnkey bathroom remodels and more. Family-owned and operated, Addario's was established by Steven Addario, Jr., in 1998. The company is recognized as the leading trusted choice as it is built upon customer satisfaction, reliability, safety, and ethical business practices. To learn more, visit www.addarios.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

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SOURCE Addario's

Related Links

https://www.addarios.com


Sailing with AmaWaterways, the premier luxury river cruise line, Adventures by Disney river cruises offer a new way for families to experience the heart of Europe in a way that is active, immersive and easy. In addition to offering a second season of Danube River sailings, Adventures by Disney will expand offerings to include sailings along the Rhine River in 2017. The new Rhine River itinerary gives adventurous travelers the opportunity to experience the beauty of four countries  France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

Combining the award-winning service and luxury of AmaWaterways with the proven family travel expertise of Adventures by Disney, these river cruise sailings offer a vacation experience that is all-inclusive and hassle-free. Designed with guests of all ages in mind, travelers can customize their trip to fit their family's needs by choosing from a variety of activity options offered at ports along the Rhine River and onboard each day.

"Last year, river cruising itineraries on the Danube River sold out rapidly, proving that families are eager to enjoy this immersive and luxurious new way to travel through Europe with Adventures by Disney," said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Adventures by Disney. "For 2017 we dreamt even bigger, expanding our offerings to include not only the already popular Danube sailings, but also exciting new experiences along the Rhine River. Here we can make unforgettable vacation memories a reality for even more travelers by offering family river cruise sailings that are effortless, personalized and exhilarating."

Guests will sail on the Rhine River aboard the all-new, 170-passenger AmaKristina, a river cruise ship being custom built by AmaWaterways with families in mind. Family-friendly design elements include sets of connecting staterooms and suites, some of which accommodate three- and four-person families, and other details that lend themselves to luxury family vacations. Adventures by Disney has also worked closely with AmaWaterways to reimagine shipboard spaces and activities, offering unique programming for kids, teens and adults.

Highlights of the eight-day/seven-night adventures include:

Ride a toboggan, hike along a waterfall or zipline through the Black Forest.

Visit the famous storybook Heidelberg Castle .

. Enjoy tubing, snow biking, curling and more at Germany's first indoor ski hall.

first indoor ski hall. Explore the Alsace Region of France by canoe or on horseback.

by canoe or on horseback. Get hands-on during clog painting and a cheese making demonstration in Holland .

. Bike along the Rhine River, within the German wine countryside, through towns and beyond.

Savor unique local dining, including Swiss fondue, a French macaron cooking class, German chocolate tasting and more.

A post-cruise land package is also available in Amsterdam at the conclusion of the Rhine sailings, offering a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk and a private farewell dinner.

"AmaWaterways is ecstatic to continue working with Adventures by Disney, further expanding the options for family travelers seeking a unique way to explore Europe," said Kristin Karst, co-owner and executive vice president of AmaWaterways. "A Rhine River cruise with Adventures by Disney, aboard the beautiful AmaKristina, will offer families an immersive, unforgettable experience. They will have the chance to witness firsthand the beauty, history and culture of the region's most breathtaking destinations, while creating memories that will last a lifetime!"

Enhanced Itineraries to Visit Shanghai Disney Resort in China, Gold Coast in Australia

Also new for 2017 are enhancements to Adventures by Disney vacations to China and Australia. With the June opening of Shanghai Disney Resort, the China itinerary has been reimagined to include a visit to this exciting new destination. Here Adventures by Disney guests will explore the newest Disney theme park with VIP tour guides, offering a truly world-class experience. In Australia, travelers will now enjoy time on the beautiful Gold Coast, including kayaking on Bryon Bay, whale and dolphin spotting, an excursion to Mt. Tamborine and more.

New United States Vacations Allow Travelers to Discover America

The new 2017 itineraries join an existing lineup of more than 35 other guided group vacations to destinations on six continents, including three recently announced vacations to the diverse United States locales of Central Florida, Montana, and Washington, D.C. & Philadelphia. Debuting in summer 2016, each of these weeklong trips is filled with activities unique to the destinations. In Central Florida, families will enjoy unprecedented backstage access and VIP experiences at Walt Disney World Resort, airboat through Florida marshlands and thrill to a visit to the "Space Coast." Montana offers glamorous camping, or "glamping," near Yellowstone National Park and a stay at a dude ranch in Big Sky. And American history comes alive during a visit to the nation's capital, and the United States' first capital city.

Whether travelers are setting sail in Europe, exploring exotic destinations in far-off lands or savoring the majesty of America's national parks, Adventures by Disney offers exceptional service and hands-on, active experiences that appeal to travelers of all ages.

Bookings for all 2017 vacations open on April 22, 2016. For more details and to book reservations, call 1-800-543-0865 or contact a travel agent.

About Adventures by Disney

Launched in 2005, Adventures by Disney provides immersive, hassle-free group guided family vacation experiences to destinations on six continents. Families traveling with Adventures by Disney receive exceptional service while taking part in extraordinary experiences at locations including: the South African plains, the great cities of Europe, Costa Rica's rich rainforest, the ruins of Pompeii and Machu Picchu, Australia's Outback, the Great Wall of China and some of America's most iconic destinations.

Adventures by Disney has been recognized by numerous travel organizations for its excellence in family tourism. It was recently voted Top "Adventure" Tour Operator in the Travel Weekly 2015 Readers Choice Awards, and was previously named North America's Leading Tour Operator at the 2014 World Travel Awards. Adventures by Disney was also named World's Leading Luxury Tour Operator in the 2012, 2010 and 2009 World Travel Awards, and ranked No one among Tour Operators and Safari Outfitters for Families in 2011 by Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards.

Offering Disney-trained Adventure Guides on each trip, engaging activities, VIP experiences and personal touches throughout, Adventures by Disney vacations are crafted to excite and delight everyone. Visit AdventuresByDisney.com to learn more.

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SOURCE Adventures by Disney

Related Links

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Force Association today announced the National Champions of StellarXplorers II, the National High School Space Competition, held in Colorado Springs, CO, April 12-15, 2016. Ten National Finalist teams representing schools and other organizations from California, Colorado, Utah, Alabama, and Kaiserslautern (Germany) competed in the Space Foundation's Discovery Center on a challenging space engineering design problem.

The National Champion was the 'Sirius Potatoes' team from Palos Verdes Peninsula High School of Rolling Hills Estates, CA. "Star Fleet," also of Peninsula High team, finished in second place followed by last year's champion, Rangeview High School from Aurora, CO.

"StellarXplorers has broadened our vision on aerospace engineering with real life situations. Our team performed exceptionally well and the competition allowed us to learn so much more about space, satellites, and engineering," said Regina Kim, Sirius Potatoes team captain.

Students were required to define an optimal satellite orbit, choose spacecraft components, and select rocket boosters to meet a stringent set of mission requirements in an intense eight-hour period. The next day, teams were required to brief their solution to a panel of experts.

Team Director Elizabeth Grenier remarked, "From all of us here at Peninsula High School, we're thankful for this awesome opportunity. StellarXplorers has positively impacted the students tremendously this year as well as in their future!"

"These students are the future of our nation and its space community, and we couldn't be prouder of the way they have met every challenge we've set before them," said Stephen K. Gourley of StellarXplorers. "We're thrilled to be offering a program that has generated excitement amongst students and their educators.

StellarXplorers, an education initiative established by AFA, is a one-of-a-kind space system competition designed to inspire students toward futures in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Program sponsors include the US Air Force STEM Program, Orbital ATK, Kratos Defense Company, Analytic Graphics, Inc, and the Space Foundation.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Its mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage.

SOURCE Air Force Association

Related Links

http://www.afa.org


CHESTERFIELD, Mo. April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A leading enterprise shipping software provider, Agile Network LLC, today announced the release of a new parcel shipping solution to coincide with Manhattan's release of WMOS 2016.

Agile Network and Manhattan Associates jointly developed the solution to add global shipping capabilities to the Manhattan WMOS warehouse management application, including standard rating, shipping, tracking, closing, voiding, cancellation and pickup transactions. For global WMOS users, the solution provides a resource to expand beyond the carrier selections and shipping functions that exist today.

The new solution includes an API-based connector between Manhattan WMOS and Agile Network's multi-carrier, enterprise shipping software and transportation management solution, TME. The integration is enabled via Manhattan's External Parcel Integration (EPI) framework. With Agile Network's TME, Manhattan WMOS users gain instant access to more than 4,500 parcel carrier services, including those provided by FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS, TNT and regional companies operating in 160 countries.

According to Scott Fenwick, senior director of product strategy at Manhattan Associates, "We've worked with Agile since 2014 when Manhattan initiated a selection process intended to broaden our parcel shipping capabilities for our Store Order Fulfillment solution. Agile presented a modern, robust shipping solution that met our objectives to expand our carrier base internationally. As we moved from selection to integration development, Agile has been heavily invested in ensuring our partnership is successful."

Agile Network's TME provides a centralized, menu-based rules engine and rating guides to optimize carrier selection, customer service and transportation spending across the enterprise. The solution may also be quickly configured to support existing work flows, including waves, manifesting, shipping confirmation and auditing, with true landed costs returned to Manhattan WMOS. To support high volume fulfillment operations, TME employs high performance server, application and transaction architecture with industry-leading processing speed.

"Now successfully integrated with Manhattan WMOS, Agile Network's TME platform offers our customers the option of a secure and scalable third party solution to manage parcel rating and execution. The Agile solution optimizes carrier selection and supports unique shipping requirements across multiple locations, including international operations," states Eric Lamphier, senior director of product management, Manhattan Associates.

Both products will be formally introduced at Manhattan Associates' annual user conference, Momentum, held May 15-18, 2016 at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, FL. For additional information on the conference visit, http://www.manh-momentum.com/

About TME

Agile Network's Transportation Management & Execution platform, TME, is multi-carrier shipping software that provides users with certified support for a global network of carriers, including: FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS, CanPar, CanadaPost, and hundreds of regional operators. The solution also provides a full-featured, on-premise or cloud-based shipping and transportation management platform, with real-time rating and routing, pack verification, consolidation, automatic AES filing, export document generation, and integrated carrier invoice reconciliation. Agile Network TME may be configured to operate in both attended station and 'black box' modes with full support for high volume material handling, automatic weighing, and print-and-apply systems. To learn more, visit: www.agile-network.com

About Agile Network

Agile Network is a leading provider of enterprise shipping software and transportation management solutions with more than 25 years of experience supporting more than 1,200 clients in the US, Canada, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and European Union. Agile Network TME handles both freight and parcel shipments with solutions tailored to serve a diversity of industrial applications, including: consumer products, retail and ecommerce, pharmaceutical and healthcare, technology, financial services, and industrial manufacturing.

About Manhattan Associates

Manhattan Associates makes commerce-ready supply chains that bring all points of commerce together so you're ready to sell and ready to execute. Across the store, through your network or from your fulfillment center, we design, build and deliver market-leading solutions that support both top-line growth and bottom-line profitability. By converging front-end sales with back-end supply chain execution, our software, platform technology and unmatched experience help our customers get commerce readyand ready to reap the rewards of the omni-channel marketplace. For more information, please visit www.manh.com.

For additional information, contact

Agile Network

732 Crown Industrial Ct, Ste A

Chesterfield, MO 63005

1-866-686-2445

SOURCE Agile Network

Related Links

http://www.agile-network.com


NEW YORK, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC hailed University of California President Janet Napolitano and ten UC Chancellors for publicly opposing the proposed American Association of Anthropologists' boycott of Israel.

"The University of California believes that an academic boycott is an inappropriate response to a foreign policy issue and one that threatens academic freedom and sets a damaging precedent for academia," the UC leaders wrote in a statement. "We urge Association members to consider the boycott's potentially harmful impacts and oppose this resolution."

A resolution urging anthropologists at colleges and universities across the U.S. to boycott Israeli academic institutions was adopted last November at the AAA's annual meeting, subject to approval by the organization's full membership, which this month began voting on the measure.

"University of California President Janet Napolitano and the chancellors of schools across the state have delivered a clear-eyed, rational rebuke to this totally misguided, harmful proposal," said Dan Elbaum, AJC's Assistant Executive Director and Director of Regional Offices. "The sponsors of the AAA resolution are aligned with the BDS movement and, let's be clear, have zero interest in a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rather, tellingly, they consider Israel, a member state of the UN since 1949, as an illegitimate entity that has no place in the community of nations."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


NEW YORK, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC welcomed a United States Supreme Court decision today upholding the rights of Americans to seek compensation from Iran and other state sponsors of terrorism.

"The Supreme Court decision allows Congress to hold Iran accountable for the terrorism that it has perpetrated directly or via Hezbollah and other proxies," said AJC CEO David Harris. "Survivors of Iranian terror, as well as families of victims, must have the ability to seek restitution. Although the method Congress chose was unusual, it was, as the Court observed, fully justified in the circumstances."

More than 1,000 victims, or their families, of Iranian-sponsored terrorist attacks had sued the Iranian government, seeking $1.75 billion in assets owned by Bank Markazi, the Central Bank of Iran, and held in a New York bank account. Among the victims were 241 U.S. Marines murdered in a 1983 attack in Beirut by the Iranian-sponsored Hezbollah.

The Court, in Bank Markazi v. Peterson, No. 14-770, ruled, 6-2, that the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in 2012, enabled the plaintiffs to seek payments from Iranian assets in the U.S.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


Congressman Steve Womack (AR-District 3), Arkansas State Representative Jim Dotson (District 93), Bentonville Mayor Bob McCaslin, and Kathryn Gough, field representative for U.S. Senator John Boozman, joined representatives from Bank of Gravett and FHLB Dallas today at an event celebrating the grant to the small business. Congressman Womack says the EDP Plus grant not only impacts Arkansas Sign and Banner, but the economic landscape of northwest Arkansas, as well.

"Great things happen when institutions work together toward a common goal, and Arkansas Sign and Banner is undoubtedly deserving," said Congressman Womack. "Thanks to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Bank of Gravett, grant programs like the Economic Development ProgramPlus exist and serve as a catalyst for businesses across northwest Arkansas to expand and contribute to our region's economy."

Representative Dotson expressed his gratitude for programs such as the EDP for helping bring growth to the area.

"I'd like to extend my congratulations to Joe and Cindy Conway on the success of their business," said Representative Dotson. "I am thankful for programs, such as the EDP and EDPPlus grant, as they support small businesses and the local economy."

According to Mr. Conway, Arkansas Sign and Banner, which has been in business almost eight years, started off as a sign company with one vehicle. Now five vehicles strong, the growing sign and banner company can cover more ground in northwest Arkansas, a stark change from when the business first started in 2008.

"When the recession first hit, business slowed down. We had to fight like everyone else to stay in business," reflected Mr. Conway.

As many businesses during that time, Mr. Conway and his wife, Cindy, who co-owns Arkansas Sign and Banner, had to set their business apart from competitors.

"We knew the bad times weren't going to last forever," said Mr. Conway. "We just made sure that we always got the job done on time and delivered the best work possible. I don't know anyone who out-works us."

Bank of Gravett Market President and Chief Lending Officer James L. Smith, who introduced the EDP advance and grant program to Mr. and Mrs. Conway, can attest to their work ethic.

"Attention to detail and a quality finished product is important to owners, Joe and Cindy," he said.

Although Bentonville is a small town, it is unique in that it is home to global retailers such as Walmart, and the Tyson Foods headquarters is located in nearby Springdale. "Having competent and professional services like Arkansas Sign and Banner in our city allows this community to meet the high standards required by large, sophisticated corporations," said Mr. Smith.

Noncompetitive EDPPlus grants are awarded in conjunction with EDP advances through FHLB Dallas members, like Bank of Gravett. The grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis to promote and enhance small business development and job creation. The purchase of a service vehicle will create one job and potentially more in the future, as it will allow the business to operate more efficiently and eventually expand the business.

Mr. Smith, who worked directly with Mr. and Mrs. Conway during the grant application process, believes that the expansion of Arkansas Sign and Banner will positively impact the local economy, thanks in part to the EDPPlus grant program. "Bank of Gravett is benefited by a stronger economic base that is assisted by the EDPPlus grant program. As a community bank, we strive to create customized approaches and solutions that work for local business owners like Mr. and Mrs. Conway."

In 2015, FHLB Dallas made $1 million available for EDPPlus grants, assisting 50 small businesses in the Bank's five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. FHLB Dallas has made another $1 million in EDPPlus funding available this year.

Gustavo Molina, SVP and chief banking operations officer at FHLB Dallas, said the EDP advance and grant program promote economic development activities, positively impacting the community.

"EDPPlus was created for businesses like Arkansas Sign and Banner," said Mr. Molina. "It is our honor to partner with Bank of Gravett in helping this business prosper and continue stimulating the local economy."

About Bank of Gravett

Bank of Gravett is committed to providing customers with exceptional service and helping customers find solutions to all their financial needs. Offering a wide range of financing options, including adjustable rate mortgages, Bank of Gravett operates in four locations across Northwest Arkansas. For more information, visit bankofgravett.net.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank system created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $42.1 billion as of December 31, 2015, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced advances and other credit products to approximately 850 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas. Visit fhlb.com for more information.

Contact:

Corporate Communications

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

www.fhlb.com

(214) 441-8445

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160328/348591

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150126/171462LOGO

SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

Related Links

http://www.fhlb.com


DUBLIN, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) today announced that it intends to release first quarter 2016 financial results on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, prior to the open of the U.S. financial markets. The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 to discuss its financial results. The dial-in number to access the call is U.S./Canada (877) 251-7980, International (706) 643-1573, and the conference ID is 94452083.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150612/222796LOGO

A taped replay of the conference call will also be available beginning approximately two hours after the call's conclusion and will remain available through 11:30 PM Eastern Time on May 24, 2016. The replay may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 and entering conference ID 94452083. From international locations, the replay may be accessed by dialing (404) 537-3406 and entering the same conference ID. To access the webcast, go to Allergan's Investor Relations Web site at http://ir.allergan.com. A replay of the webcast will also be available.

About Allergan

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a unique, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model  Growth Pharma. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative branded pharmaceuticals and biologic products for patients around the world.

Allergan markets a portfolio of best-in-class products that provide valuable treatments for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics, gastroenterology, women's health, urology, cardiovascular and anti-infective therapeutic categories, and operates the world's third-largest global generics business, providing patients around the globe with increased access to affordable, high-quality medicines. Allergan is an industry leader in research and development, with one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry and a leading position in the submission of generic product applications globally.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives.

For more information, visit Allergan's website at www.allergan.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Allergan's current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Allergan's products; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Allergan's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Allergan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (certain of such periodic public filings having been filed under the "Actavis plc" name). Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

CONTACTS:



Investors:

Lisa DeFrancesco

(862) 261-7152





Media:

Mark Marmur

(862) 261-7558

SOURCE Allergan plc

Related Links

http://www.allergan.com


YAKUM, Israel, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Alon Blue Square Israel Ltd. (NYSE: BSI) (the "Company") announced today that in the context of a hearing held in the District Court of Lod, Israel regarding Mega Retail, in which the Company participated, the trustees of Mega Retail, Mr. Moti Ben-Moshe (who has offered to acquire the shares of the Company's controlling shareholders) and the Company, the court granted to the trustees of Mega Retail Ltd., Mr. Ben-Moshe and the Company 15 days to conduct negotiations with respect to the acquisition of Mega Retail. At the end of such 15 day period, the parties are to notify the court of the results of their negotiations. The trustees of Mega Retail are to update the other parties who are interested in acquiring Mega Retail regarding the timetable established by the court

As part of the hearing, the Company informed the court of its intention to submit to the court a plan of arrangement, together with a company controlled by Mr. Ben-Moshe, with respect to creditors of the Company. In light of the timetable set by the court with respect to negotiations for the acquisition of Mega Retail, the court recommended that the Company and Mr. Ben-Moshe postpone their submission until the elapse of the 15 day period referred to above. The court also recommended that creditors of the Company refrain from taking action against the Company during such time. Nonetheless, creditors of the Company who decide to file a claim during the 15 day period are required to provide two business days' prior notice to the Company, the trustees of Mega Retail, the Official Receiver of the State of Israel, and the District Court.

Alon Blue Square Israel Ltd. (hereinafter: "Alon Blue Square") operates in four reportable operating segments. In the Fueling and Commercial Sites segment, Alon Blue Square through its 63.13% subsidiary, which is listed on the Tel Aviv stock exchange ("TASE"), Dor Alon Energy in Israel (1988) Ltd., is one of the four largest fuel retail companies in Israel based on the number of petrol stations and a leader in the field of convenience stores operating a chain of 211 petrol stations and 220 convenience stores in different formats in Israel. In its supermarket segment, Alon Blue Square is a pioneer in modern food retail. In its "Houseware and textile" segment, Alon Blue Square, through its TASE traded 77.51% subsidiary, Na'aman Group (NV) Ltd. operates specialist outlets in self-operation and franchises and offers a wide range of "Non-Food" products as retailer and wholesaler. In the Real Estate segment, Alon Blue Square, through its TASE traded 53.92% subsidiary Blue Square Real Estate Ltd., owns, leases and develops income producing commercial properties and projects. In addition, Alon Blue Square operates the clearance of gift certificates.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, plans or projections about our business, our future revenues, expenses and profitability. Forward-looking statements may be, but are not necessarily, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," and words and terms of similar substance. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events, results, performance, circumstance and achievements to be materially different from any future events, results, performance, circumstance and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the following: decisions of the District Court of Lod with respect to the claims and allegations of the Mega Retail trustees; failure to reach a settlement with our bank lenders and holders of our Series C Debentures; the economic conditions in Israel on the sales in our stores and of our products and on our profitability; our ability to compete effectively with large fuel companies and our other competitors; enactment of new laws and regulations, including the enactment of recommendations of governmental appointed committees and regulations with respect to the procurement of petroleum products by fuel companies and the price of petroleum products that are subject to regulation; quarterly fluctuations in our operating results that may cause volatility of our ADS and share price; fluctuations in the price of petroleum products and increases in excise tax rates imposed on the sale of petroleum products in Israel; risks associated with our dependence on a limited number of key suppliers for products that we sell in our stores; the effect of an increase in the minimum wage in Israel on our operating results; the effect of any actions taken by the Israeli Antitrust Authority on our ability to execute our business strategy and on our profitability; the effect of increases in oil, raw material and product prices in recent years; the effects of damage to our reputation or to the reputation of our store brands due to reports in the media or otherwise; government policies with respect to residential building may have a negative impact on our operations in residential building, and other risks, uncertainties and factors disclosed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including, but not limited to, risks, uncertainties and factors identified under the heading "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information under the applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Contact:

Alon Blue Square Israel Ltd.

Zehavit Shahaf, Adv.,

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Telephone: +972-9-9618504

Fax: +972-9-9618636

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE Alon Blue Square Israel Ltd
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the world's largest association of neurologists, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2016 AAN Research Program. This year's program has awarded nearly $3 million dollars toward neuroscience research and training. The individual awards will be presented during the American Academy of Neurology's 68th Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada, April 15 to 21, 2016, at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Funding will support the following 2016 AAN Research Program recipients and projects:

Clinical Research Training Fellowship

Cosponsored by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Brain Foundation.

Santosh Murthy, MD, MPH, Weill Cornell Medical College

Research Project: Central Nervous Inflammation in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Temporal Changes and Clinical Outcomes

Ellen Penney, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School

Research Project: Molecular Insights from iPSC-Derived Models in X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism

Caitlin Rollins, MD, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Research Project: Fetal Brain Development in Congenital Heart Disease

Practice Research Training Fellowship

Cosponsored by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Brain Foundation.

Mia Minen, MD, MPH, New York University Langone Medical Center

Research Project: Improving Health Outcomes in People with Migraine Seeking Care in the Emergency Department

Susan S. Spencer Clinical Research Training Fellowship

Cosponsored by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Brain Foundation, the American Epilepsy Society, and the Epilepsy Foundation.

Paula Voinescu, MD, PhD, Brigham and Women Hospital

Research Project: Consequences of Altering Antiepileptic Drugs for Pregnancy Planning in Women with Epilepsy

Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Epilepsy

Program funding by Lundbeck.

Vaishnav Krishnan, MD, PhD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Research Project: The Role of Cbln1 in Mediating Seizure-Induced Impairments in Social Behavior

Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Tourette Syndrome

Cosponsored by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Brain Foundation, and the Tourette Association of America.

Matthew Capriotti, PhD, University of California, San Francisco

Research Project: Incorporating TeleCBIT into a Hospital-Based Tic Clinic

Clinician-Scientist Development Three-Year Award in Myasthenia Gravis and Related Disorders of the Neuromuscular Junction

Cosponsored by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Brain Foundation, and the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.

Michael Hehir, MD, University of Vermont

Research Project: Immunosuppressive Cost Unit: A Novel Method to Assess the Value and Cost of Immunosuppressant Side Effects

Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Stroke

Cosponsored by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Brain Foundation, and Genentech.

Chia-Ling Phuah, MBBChir(Cantab), Massachusetts General Hospital

Research Project: Genetic Analyses of Inflammatory Pathways in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Parkinson's Disease

Program funding by Lundbeck.

Katherine McDonell, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Research Project: Norepinephrine-targeted Therapy for Action Control in Parkinson Disease

Clinician-Scientist Development Three-Year Award in ALS Research

Program funding by the ALS Association.

Lindsey Hayes, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Research Project: Pharmacodynamic Biomarker Development for C9ORF72 Antisense Therapy

Clinical Research Training Fellowship in ALS Research

Program funding by the ALS Association.

Cindy Ly, MD, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis

Research Project: Investigating Innate Immunity and Autophagy in TBK1-associated ALS

John F. Kurtzke, MD, FAAN Clinician-Scientist Development Three-Year Award in Multiple Sclerosis

Cosponsored by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Brain Foundation, and the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers.

Pavan Bhargava, MBBS, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Research Project: Targeting Leptomeningeal Inflammation for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis

Program funding by Genzyme, a Sanofi Company.

Christopher Hemond, MD, Brigham & Women's Hospital

Research Project: A Longitudinal Study of Unique MS-MRI Phenotypes and Their Linkage to Immune Profiles

Clinician-Scientist Development Award in Multiple Sclerosis

Cosponsored by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Brain Foundation, and the National MS Society.

Joseph Sabatino, MD, PhD, University of California, San Francisco

Research Project: Myelin-specific CD8+ T cell pathogenicity in multiple sclerosis

Clinical Research Training Fellowship in Alzheimer's Disease

Program funding by the Allergan Foundation.

Stephanie Buss, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Research Project: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Biomarker in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Fanny Elahi, MD, DPhil, University of California, San Francisco

Research Project: Disentangling Contributions from Chronic Inflammation, Cerebral Amyloid Burden and White Matter Integrity to Age-related Cognitive Decline in a Longitudinal Cohort of Functionally Intact Older Adults

Lawrence M. Brass, MD, Stroke Research Award

Cosponsored by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Brain Foundation, and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Karen Hirsch, MD, Stanford University

Research Project: Post-cardiac Arrest Brain Injury: Novel Methodologies to Quantify Severity and Predict Outcome

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of 30,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

SOURCE American Academy of Neurology

Related Links

http://www.aan.com


ABC/Ida Mae AstuteIf you thought you knew everything there is to know about Taylor Swift, chances are youll learn at least a few new things in her 73 Questions segment on Vogue.com.

The nearly ten-minute video is clearly a few months old, since right off the bat, Taylor says shes in the middle of working out and getting ready for Grammys, which took place last February. But most of the questions are timeless, and Taylor answers them as she gives a mini-tour of her home in Beverly Hills.

You can see the entire video now on Vogue.com. Some of the Q&A highlights:

* The first song Taylor learned to play on the guitar? Kiss Me, the 1998 hit by Sixpence None the Richer.

* Her favorite beverage? Coffee, with lots of flavors and ways to make it, including what appears to be three different coffee makers on a bar in her kitchen  with an MTV VMA Moonman trophy right next to them.

* Her favorite movie? The 2003 holiday romantic comedy Love Actually, but Taylor really loves The Martian.

* Has Taylor Googled herself? Yes, she has, and learned I think you should never Google yourself again.

* The best gift shes ever received? My boyfriend planted an olive tree in my yard for Christmas. That of course would be Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, with whom she recently celebrated her one-year anniversary as a couple.

* The one thing she wishes shed known at 19 that she knows now? If I could talk to my 19-year-old self, Id just say hey, you know, Youre gonna date, just like a normal twenty-something should be allowed to, but youre going to be a national lightning rod for slut-shaming .

* Taylor says Writing the Apple Music letter was both the bravest and most spontaneous thing shes ever done. Thats the open letter she wrote a year ago this June, very nicely telling Apple she wouldnt allow them to stream her album 1989 on Apple Music because they were offering a free three-month trial, during which artists less-successful than she wouldnt be paid. Apple reversed their position less than 24 hours later.

* And lastly, one goal Taylors determined to achieve in her lifetime? She wants an honorary doctorate, because Ed Sheeran has one and I feel he looks down on me now because I dont have one. Taylor and Ed are, of course, the best of friends.

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Riyadh: US President Barack Obama arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday to meet Saudi Arabia's King Salman ahead of a summit with other Gulf Arab leaders on Thursday and with regional tensions with Iran likely to be high on the agenda.



Obama comes to the world's top oil exporter for a fourth and likely last time as president hoping to reassure it and other Gulf allies of Washington's commitment to their security, and to seek ways to reduce sectarian tensions in the region.



However, his meetings come in the shadow of disagreements that have further cooled an already strained atmosphere between the old allies ahead of the talks. Unlike in previous visits, Obama's arrival in Riyadh was not aired on live television.



The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) groups Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman which are ruled mostly by Sunni Muslim monarchies, with the exception of Oman.



They see Shia Iran as a threat to their security and say its involvement in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen has fuelled conflict and deepened sectarian divisions.



That tension surfaced again on Wednesday when Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei attacked Riyadh's attempts to isolate its ally, Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, in a series of fiery Tweets.



"Hezbollah is shining in the Muslim world. It doesn't matter if a corrupt, dependent and hollow government with the use of petrodollars condemns it in a statement. To hell with it," he wrote.



The White House shares the view of Gulf Arab states that Tehran plays a destabilising role, but has said it hopes to bring them and Iran to develop a "cold peace" in which their rivalry does not further inflame smouldering Middle East tensions.



Greeting Obama in an ornate room in a Riyadh palace, King Salman said he was pleased the American president was visiting and Obama thanked him for hosting the summit.



Reassurances



Before Obama met King Salman, in an ornate room in a Riyadh palace, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter had talks with his Gulf Arab counterparts on ways of countering Iranian influence and fighting the Islamic State group, hours before President Barack Obama arrived in Saudi Arabia.



They agreed on joint cooperation towards improving Gulf missile defence, special forces and maritime security, but no new deals were announced.



The GCC secretary general said the bloc and the United States would stage joint maritime patrols to stop weapons smuggling to Iran. American officials said these were already taking place and did not represent a new step.



However, last year's nuclear deal between Iran and world powers including the United States was seen by Gulf Arabs as a sign that Washington was making overtures to Tehran. They fear Obama also wants to reduce US involvement in the region.



More recently, Obama was quoted in an American magazine interview describing some Gulf and European states as "free riders" who called for US action without doing enough themselves.



In comments that were widely criticised in the Gulf but not directly responded to by top officials, he was also quoted as answering a question about whether Saudi Arabia was America's friend by saying "it's complicated".



Saudi television earlier broadcast the arrival at Riyadh airbase of Gulf rulers who were welcomed on the runway by King Salman and a host of other robed officials.
LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

APRIL International UK has announced a tie up with security and crisis management experts red24 to offer all new clients free access to red24's travel and risk management services. According to red24, last year, 4 out of 5 business travellers went to medium, high or extreme risk destinations, yet just 46% of employees work for firms with any formalised travel security policy.

With recent events in France and Belgium still fresh in many people's minds, APRIL International feels personal security support is becoming as relevant in Europe as it already is elsewhere in the world.

The red24 tie up will give APRIL international policyholders access to a range of business critical services including country intelligence and security analysis, practical advice on day to day personal security, daily security and medical updates and travel alerts, all delivered via red24's high tech crisis response centre based in South Africa.

With the addition this safety and risk management package to all its group and individual international private medical insurance policies, APRIL International UK believes it is now offering clients a highly differentiated and relevant added value benefits package. Commenting on the launch, APRIL International UK's Business Development Director Joe Thomas said, "red24 has an unparalleled reputation for assisting clients in minimising risks to their personnel, operations and profitability. Including their expertise in our international health insurance plans gives our clients a significant advantage, it demonstrates our commitment to a duty of care and will allow us to offer better all-round protection in many of the world's key business hotspots, wherever these may emerge."

APRIL International UK currently provides private international medical insurance for clients from 86 nationalities in 120 countries worldwide, with many of these regions being classed as higher risk security zones. APRIL is also well known as a provider of passive war zone cover, so the red24 tie up adds an important feature, helping to make the insurer a powerful force in this sector.

red24 has seen its security services used regularly in some of the world's expat commercial hot spots. As well as assisting in the evacuation of 450 staff from Libya during the Arab Spring, the company has tracked down missing persons in Thailand and come to the aid of crime victims in South America and Europe.

APRIL International Joe Thomas continues, "red24 delivers an important and complementary service for our clients, particularly to those working in NGOs, aid agencies and charities abroad, many of whom will necessarily be working in higher risk post conflict zones."

APRIL International UK offers international health insurance to individuals on a short or long term basis, to employee groups and to students studying around the world.

For details of APRIL International's International health insurance plans visit

http://www.APRIL-international.co.uk Email [email protected] or call +44 (0) 20 3418 0470.

About April International UK Limited

April International UK Limited (until recently known as MediCare International) is part of the April Group which was founded in France more than 35 years ago. It is an internationally known and respected insurance services group with operations in 37 different countries, looking after close to 6 million policyholders worldwide, consisting of some 86 different nationalities located in more than 120 countries.

April International UK are specialists in designing and delivering outstanding, flexible international health insurance solutions for individuals and companies, with long term, short term and student healthcare plans available.

All April International UK plans include the additional services of Best Doctors (second medical opinion), Blood Care Foundation (screened blood available worldwide) and red24 (crisis management specialists).

Cover under group plans may also available for local nationals. Discounted group rates start with 3 lives and full medical history disregarded underwriting is available on groups of 10 or more employees, making April International one of the most competitive group cover providers.

April International UK Limited is an Appointed Representative of APRIL Medibroker Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Minster House, 42 Mincing Lane, London, EC3R 7AE, United Kingdom. Registered in England No7261287.

SOURCE APRIL International UK
"I've had the privilege of working with Margaret on initiatives for the NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), the Transportation Research Board, and the Regional Plan Association. I am very excited by the unique design perspective she will bring to integrated planning at Arup", said Principal Trent Lethco. "Working closely with the architectural and planning community to deliver multidisciplinary design services, Margaret will strengthen Arup's offerings in urban planning, streetscape design, and integrated city design."

Prior to joining Arup, Newman held key positions in public and municipal organizations, including Executive Director of the Municipal Arts Society in New York and Chief of Staff to Janette Sadik-Khan at the NYCDOT. An AIA Fellow and a LEED AP BD+C-accredited architect, her career encompasses the visual arts, architecture, and urban planning for civic projects. Her professional experience has focused on how new approaches and policy can drive design decisions and lead to better, more integrated urban environments. Working under Sadik-Khan, Newman was involved from the early stages through construction of the Times Square Public Realm project, a seminal venture not only for the Bloomberg administration but also for New York City, as it succeeded in significantly reframing the future of pedestrian space and public life in New York's urban neighborhoods.

"Integration of great design with the development of cities should be a priority," said Newman. "In designing the public realm, we are better able to integrate planning and transportation into the fabric and context of cities when our designs prioritize people. I'm looking forward to working with Arup's urban planning team and across the many disciplines of engineering and design to shape projects that are strategic, economical, and memorable."

Arup's past work in urban planning includes the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Plan Program, One New York: The Plan for Just and Strong City, and Vision Zero projects in New York as well as the Houston Theater District Masterplan in Houston, TX, and the Citywide Climate Action Plan in Concord, CA. Currently the firm is engaged in the Jamaica Streetscape project in New York City, as well as the West of White House Rapid Transit corridor design and the SF 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan.

About Arup

The preeminent provider of engineering, consulting, planning, design and technical specialist services in the built environment, Arup aims to do the best quality work across diverse specialties to deliver value to its clients and achieve a positive impact on our world. The firm opened its first US office over 30 years ago and now employs 1,300 people in the Americas. Since its founding in 1946, members of Arup have developed transformative ways of working with its clients. The firm's unique version of employee-ownership promotes long-term thinking and significant investment in research and innovation for the benefit of its clients. For additional information, visit Arup's website at www.arup.com and the online magazine of Arup in the Americas at doggerel.arup.com.

Contact: Tami Hausman

[email protected]

646.742.1700

Contact: Rebecca Maloney

[email protected]

617.412.6632

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SOURCE Arup

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KINGWOOD, Texas, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascentium Capital, a leading commercial lender, announced that it surpassed $2 billion in funded volume since its inception on August 4, 2011.

"Less than five years ago, we created a new type of independent financing company to meet the changing needs of small businesses. We've had success creating a brand that represents fast and flexible financing and our continued success will be driven by our processes, people and proprietary finance platform," comments Tom Depping, Ascentium Capital's President and CEO.

Ascentium Capital develops customized financing programs that benefit equipment vendors and manufacturers as well as small businesses nationwide. The company takes a specialized, consultative sales approach in key industries including healthcare, technology, franchise, hospitality and other vertical markets. Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Richard Baccaro, comments on how the company positions itself for growth. "Our mission is to be the financier of choice in the markets we serve. This requires us to constantly evaluate, evolve and execute service levels that exceed client expectations."

Ascentium Capital, as a direct lender, specializes in providing equipment financing, leasing, and working capital solutions for equipment manufacturers and distributors as well as direct to businesses nationwide. The company has obtained the ranking as the third largest private-independent finance company by volume in the United States. For more information, please visit AscentiumCapital.com.

Media Contact

Monica Bruegl, Sr. Vice President of Marketing

Ascentium Capital LLC

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Ascentium Capital

Related Links

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ATLANTA, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- After eight successful years in business, Aventis Systems, Inc. today unveiled a new brand identity, symbolizing its tremendous growth, newly defined company mission statement and values, and expanded product and service offerings.

"Our company identity has naturally changed over the years as we increased offerings to include software and services, while also entering the government segment and expanding globally," stated President and Founder Hesam Lamei. "We are excited to share our new look that successfully illustrates who we are today and will be through the next phase of our business journey."

From Aventis Systems' humble beginnings as an exemplary value-added reseller (VAR) providing high quality products and best practices information technology (IT) counsel, the company made waves among larger competitors for including unprecedented support for small and midsized customers. Aventis Systems' story began when Lamei sold computer memory to make some extra money while in college in the early 2000s. In 2008, Lamei decided to expand his offerings and began selling refurbished servers and storage lines that quickly became advantageous to small- and medium-sized organizations who needed to save money during the cash-strapped days of the recession.

Over the years, the company listened closely to customers and tracked industry trends which led to a careful expansion of product and service offerings as well as market reach. These moves transformed this small components firm into a provider of custom IT solutions capable of supporting physical and virtual infrastructures. Now with global multi-channel sales, the Aventis Systems startup has matured, and today's new brand reflects just that.

Aventis Systems today expresses a renewed commitment to customer service through its mission statement that vows to "work relentlessly with IT professionals to make their jobs easier," and shares their values that include customer experience, technical support, and persistent improvement. Additionally, the new tagline, "Get IT Done," summarizes not only what Aventis Systems can do for their customers, but also the challenge that all IT professionals face on the job: getting their IT projects accomplished.

Standing apart from VAR competitors, Aventis Systems directly addresses a vast group of IT professionals within various industries across the globe, including consultants and managed service providers (MSPs), as well as end-users from small- to medium-sized businesses, educational, non-profit, and government organizations. Aventis Systems further differentiates itself from other VARs by offering customers a choice to fully customize their IT solutions with a hands-on, business-minded sales professional, or select tailored solutions through premier online channels. Customers also receive personalized support that provides guidance during the planning stage and procurement, seamless delivery and deployment, and continued technical support through and beyond the life of physical and virtual systems.

Communicating the expanded offerings of Aventis Systems is the number one reason the company decided it was time to rebrand. Company-led research with its customer base revealed the comprehensive product offerings are not well known outside of the hardware category. Aventis Systems' custom IT solutions fulfill requirements of small and medium-sized organizations to build and operate complete physical and virtual infrastructures. The company offers high-quality refurbished and new hardware, system and application software, and an array of in-depth managed services including infrastructure consultation, cloud hosting and migration, virtualization deployment, data and disaster recovery, security consultation, hardware relocation, and equipment buyback.

Aventis Systems' new look is a distinctly modern stylized mark inspired by the original logo. The new icon of bidirectional arrows expresses a business-to-business (B2B) collaboration of coming and going IT solutions. The three sections of the new icon symbolize the three categories of company offerings, i.e. hardware, software, and services. The brightened palette of colors make a distinctive, positive impression in a crowded marketplace and uses vibrant saturation that proves appealing to customers. The refreshed typography is a strong extension of the brand personality and gives the logo a more contemporary look overall to move the brand design into the future. Visit Aventis Systems online to witness the new look and learn more about the updated brand identity.

About Aventis Systems

Aventis Systems, Inc. offers custom IT solutions to build and operate complete physical and virtual infrastructures. The comprehensive solutions include high-quality refurbished and new hardware, system and application software, and an array of in-depth managed services including infrastructure consultation, cloud hosting and migration, virtualization deployment, data and disaster recovery, security consultation, hardware relocation, and equipment buyback. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Aventis Systems fulfills technology requirements of IT professionals within various industries across the globe. From partnering with consultants and managed service providers, to being the provider-of-choice for end-users from small to medium-sized businesses, educational, non-profit and government organizations, Aventis Systems goes above and beyond other value-added resellers because they "Get IT Done."

Call 1-855-AVENTIS (283-6847), visit www.AventisSystems.com, or connect with Aventis Systems on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook to learn more about the company.

SOURCE Aventis Systems, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.aventissystems.com


BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In collaboration with Cancer Care Nepal, the Binaytara Foundation (BTF) has established a home hospice program in Patan, Nepal. The goal of this BTF home hospice program is to provide peace, comfort, and dignity to patients with terminal illnesses by allowing them to spend the last few months of their lives among their loved ones, free of pain and discomfort. With home hospice programs like this one, the hospice care team visits terminally ill patients at their homes to provide comfort care as needed. BTF Home Hospice services are provided free of cost to the patients and their families. Twelve terminally ill patients have already benefited from the BTF Home Hospice services since the program began in January 2016.

In December 2015, Tricia Reynolds, RN, APN, a hospice and Palliative care nurse practitioner from Boise, Idaho, traveled to Nepal to train the BTF Home Hospice team. During the training, the team members learned management of patients suffering from terminal illnesses. They also practiced communication skills and how to help families talk about difficult things. Thirteen nurses completed the training, which primarily focused on hospice visits in the home. In addition to supporting the training of the hospice care team, the BTF supports the salary of medical and patient care staff, equipment, motorcycle transportation, and electronic medical records, bringing the care free of cost to the patients' homes.

Dr. Madan Piya, medical director of the Binaytara Home Hospice Program says, "In Nepal, approximately 80-90% of the estimated 60,000 new cancer patients a year die the same year because of late presentation. Seeking hospice and Palliative care isn't about giving up hope or hastening death, but rather a way to get the most appropriate care in the last phase of life. Binaytara Home Hospice Care program is good for Nepali patients and their families. It meets some of the challenges that Nepal is facing in management of patients at home."

Binaytara Foundation (BTF) is an Illinois-based, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. BTF charitable projects include bone marrow transplant in Nepal, research grants and disaster management. The BTF organizes an annual cancer conference for physicians and other healthcare providers. For more information on BTF projects, visit www.binayfoundation.org.

This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com.

SOURCE Binaytara Foundation

Related Links

http://www.binayfoundation.org


NAPLES, Fla., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Car Lister, the first marketplace for the automotive industry that lets sellers list and buyers shop for new and pre-owned cars from any smartphone, tablet or desktop, today announced the March Grand Prize Winner of its Epic Giveaway, Car Lister's unprecedented giveaway of more than $500,000 in cars and repair vouchers. This month's winner  Dana M.  received a $25,000 car voucher, which she redeemed for a 2016 Honda Accord Sport at Priority Honda Huntersville, one of Car Lister's more than 325 dealership partners.

As runners-up to March's contest, five second-place Car Lister members won $500 service vouchers, which they can redeem at any participating Car Lister dealership.

"Car Lister would like to congratulate Dana and thank her for being a valued Car Lister member, as well as one of 55,516 entries into this month's giveaway," said Bryan Harmon, Founder and CEO of DreamWare, the parent company of Car Lister. "We launched Car Lister to help connect people with the cars they want, and the Epic Giveaway is another example of how we're changing lives and reshaping the automotive industry with this mission."

Grand Prize Winners are given the option to purchase a new or used car of their choice or to trade in a current vehicle to bundle with the voucher amount and purchase a higher-end vehicle.

Car Lister launched the Epic Giveaway in January 2016. Now in 38 States, Car Lister is celebrating with the Epic Giveaway campaign, giving away nearly $500,000 in car and repair vouchers, tires, oil changes and more. Every month in 2016, Car Lister is giving away a $25,000 voucher for winners to purchase a car of their choice from any participating Car Lister dealership. In addition, users can register for weekly and daily giveaways of tires, oil changes, detailing and gas cards.

"The entire Priority Honda Huntersville team is overjoyed for Dana and honored that we could present her with a Honda Accord Sport," said Matthew Pennell, Business Development Manager at Priority Automotive, the parent company of Priority Honda Huntersville and 16 other Priority dealerships. "We're proud to partner with Car Lister to make dreams come true by providing consumers with the perfect car for their needs."

The next Epic Giveaway winner will be announced on April 30, 2016. To register, users simply register for a free Car Lister account and click on the Epic Giveaway sweepstakes button. Each time a user invites friends, connects with dealerships and starts following car groups on Car Lister, they earn additional entries into the monthly grand prize giveaway.

About Car Lister

Operating in Beta since October 2014, Car Lister allows for a seamless integration with auto dealers' existing systems, allows private sellers to upload and list vehicles for sale, and allows buyers to shop for new and pre-owned cars from any smartphone, tablet or desktop. The application also generates the listing title and vehicle description, allows for the upload of images and video, and includes a full vehicle history report at no cost. Car Lister also pre-qualifies buyers through eLEND Solutions CreditPlus, which instantly pre-qualifies customers based on dealer-defined credit criteria, giving car buyers direct, upfront access to dealership financing sources, enabling them to seamlessly transition from online shopping to in-store buying. Car Lister has been officially available to users and dealers since January 2015.

Visit www.carlister.co.

About DreamWare

Headquartered in Naples, Florida, DreamWare, Inc. delivers unique web applications and services to improve mobile e-commerce across verticals. In October 2014, the company launched Car Lister to facilitate users listing their cars in minutes from any device with an unparalleled degree of accuracy without typing one word. Buyers can browse detailed listing pages for new and pre-owned cars, including videos and large images, create car comparisons, review full car reports, and share car listings and other automotive expertise through Car Lister's automobile-industry specific social media platform. For more information, visit

www.dreamwareinc.co.

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SOURCE Car Lister

Related Links

http://www.carlister.co


SHANGHAI, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 9, 2016, Children of China Pediatrics Foundation ('CCPF'), a US-based non-profit organization, hosted a charity banquet in Shanghai entitled 'Melting Love into Heart, Moving forward with Love'. With the assistance of Wailian Overseas Consulting Group, more than 300 warm-hearted and caring people attended the event to help change the life of orphans with birth defects. Among the guests were Ms. Gena Palumbo, CCPF Founder and Vice President of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Ms. Wen Xu, Secretary General of the CCPF China Advisory Board, Mr. Cai Yuan, Chairman of Shanghai Charity Foundation, Ms. Rong Ye, Ambassador of Shanghai Charity Foundation, and over 20 pediatrics experts from the U.S. and China. The success of the event clearly indicates that CCPF's mission in China has stepped up onto a new stage and started a new journey.

A project 20 years in the making

The presence of hundreds of warm-hearted and caring people at the banquet indicated that CCPF has a high level of recognition from society, the 20 years of work finally received China's recognition and support. At the dinner party, Ms. Palumbo expressed her thanks and gratitude, especially to Ms. Mei He, President of Wailian Overseas Consulting Group, for her caring and efforts to expand CCPF's presence in China, and showed her expectation to cooperate with Wailian Overseas Consulting Group to promote the CCPF medical program and thus help more children with birth defects live a better life.

20 years ago, Ms. Palumbo adopted a baby girl from an orphanage in Nanjing, China, and learned that there were numerous Chinese children with birth defects and in urgent need of help. Children's longing eyes for help shocked her, she then founded CCPF, a non-profit charity organization based in the US to help Chinese orphans with birth defects receive free surgeries and medical care. CCPF has dispatched a top notch volunteer medical team from the US to China to provide free surgery and post-operative recovery treatment for orphans with congenital diseases each year. Over 1,000 children have been treated so far.

One of the focuses at the dinner party was a radiant medal, with highlighted characters of 'children of the United States of America and China' in the middle. It represents CCPF's determination and devotion to giving care and love to disabled orphans in China and help them live with dignity.

Ms. Mei He

Human nature is connected despite different social backgrounds. With the kind idea of 'giving back to society when you succeed', CCPF and Wailian Overseas Consulting Group were linked across the borders. Ms. Palumbo expects more warm-hearted and caring people and organizations to join the CCPF family to pass warmth onto those angels with broken wings. In 2014, Ms. Mei He, President of Wailian Overseas Consulting Group, met a CCPF board member in New York and learned about CCPF's missions in China. She was greatly touched and thought, 'if a group of American people could have done so much for Chinese children for so many years, why couldn't we all help?' After weeks of communication, CCPF felt that they found a real leader and angel from China and later appointed Ms. He as the first President of CCPF China Advisory Board.

For CCPF, the recognition of its mission by the general public in China is a dream that finally comes true. With Ms. He's generous support and relentless efforts, CCPF's charity endeavors have attracted attention from many enterprises, organizations and individuals in China, calling for more people to lend a helping hand to children in urgent need of surgical treatment.

At the banquet, Ms. Palumbo awarded Wailian Overseas Consulting Group an 'Outstanding Contribution Award', to honor its effort in advancing CCPF's charity program to rescue and treat sick orphans. Ms. Aizhen Shi, Vice President of Wailian Overseas Consulting Group, said that the company would continue to work together with CCPF to improve the quality of life of those little angels.

CCPF: Still a long road ahead

China is a country with high rate of birth defects. As WHO estimates, the average rate is 5.6%, which means about 900,000 babies are born every year with a birth defect and among them, 100,000 are abandoned. There's still a long way to go and a lot more to be done, as everyone has realized, and CCPF has hoped that the charity banquet could serve as a good start to its new journey in China. A total of RMB448,500 was raised at the event and the entire fund will be used to provide surgeries for more sick orphans in China.

On the first day of its China mission, CCPF's doctors worked around the clock to check more than 70 sick orphans and make treatment plans for each one of them. This year's mission is carried out in Nanjing, a special place for Ms. Palumbo where she adopted her daughter 20 years ago. The CCPF medical team arrived at Jiangsu Provincial Hospital on April 7 and its rehabitation team started right away to provide training at the Nanjing Children' Welfare Center to make sure that children would receive high quality postoperative care. Doctor David Roye, CCPF's Medical Director, said it is the smile of those children that gives the greatest satisfaction to the team members.

In addition, CCPF has established a good relationship with Shanghai Children's Medical Center, who expressed their willingness to support CCPF and offered to provide medical assistance for CCPF's future missions.

Charity is not only a one-time deed but also a life-long mission. For 20 years, CCPF has rescued thousands of handicapped orphans in China and helped them live better lives. CCPF believes that with the commitment and assistance from Wailian Overseas Consulting Group, the CCPF family will grow ever bigger and stronger and many more underprivileged children will live a happier life.

SOURCE Wailian Overseas Consulting Group
Clarion's next Clarion Builds project car, a beautifully restored and tastefully modified first-year Acura NSX will be on display at Clarion's booth during Barrett-Jackson's January 2017 auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., and is scheduled to cross the block at a subsequent Barrett-Jackson auction later next year.

"Barrett-Jackson began as a charity fundraiser and giving back to the community has long been a pillar of our company," said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. "We've helped raise more than $89 million for deserving charities over the years and we couldn't do it without the help of partners like Clarion. TGen has had a longstanding relationship with Barrett-Jackson and is a cause very close to my heart. I'm proud that the sale of the 1974 BMW 2002 went to benefit the Barrett-Jackson Cancer Research Fund at TGen and I'm excited to further our relationship as the official auction partner for the Clarion Builds program."

"From the beginning, we were determined to develop the Clarion Builds program into an industry benchmark. It is especially rewarding to look back at our achievements of the past two years as we have irrevocably delivered upon all our goals," stated Allen H. Gharapetian, vice president of marketing and product development for Clarion Corporation of America and chief of the Clarion Builds program. "From bringing a true automotive legend back to life and pulling millions of fans and followers together across the globe who celebrated this amazing project, to raising a significant sum of money for a worthy cause, Clarion Builds has set a new standard. None of this would have mattered without the support from Barrett-Jackson, who shares our passion of philanthropy, and the avant-garde life saving research being conducted at TGen. Both Barrett-Jackson and TGen were indisputably instrumental in delivering a grand finale worthy of our iconic BMW 2002."

To learn more about the Clarion Builds program, or to follow the build of iconic classic cars, visit Clarion Builds at www.clarionbuilds.com or watch the latest Clarion Builds videos at www.youtube.com/clarionUS.



Like Clarion on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ClarionUSAOnline

Follow Clarion on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ClarionUSA

Follow Clarion on Instagram at https://instagram.com/clarionusa/



For info about Clarion, please visit: http://www.clarion.com/us/en/corp/about-clarion/index.html

About TGen

Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused on helping patients with neurological disorders, cancer, and diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org. Follow TGen on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @TGen.

About Clarion Builds

Clarion Builds takes a different approach to restoring iconic classic car by partnering with experts for each respective vehicle to conduct a true concours-quality full restoration of the vehicle. Hand selected strategic high-profile industry partners help Clarion upgrade and restore vehicles with tasteful modifications that improve their driving dynamic, while maintaining each vehicle's era-correct aesthetics and classic personality. Vehicles rebuilt by Clarion's Clarion Builds program, as a result, are beautiful examples of iconic classics that are in better than new condition with upgrades that allow for a more spirited driving dynamic and offer modern electronic conveniences. Each project is fully documented digitally and shared with fans and enthusiasts through social media, blog posts, and other marketing vehicles. Projects can be followed online at www.clarionbuilds.com or via Clarion's social media channels.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357936

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SOURCE Clarion Corporation of America

Related Links

http://www.clarionbuilds.com


SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Watchdog today urged the Federal Trade Commission to file antitrust charges against Alphabet Inc.'s Google for using its monopoly power over the Android operating system to stifle competition and unfairly drive consumers to its own services.

The call from the nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest group came after the European Commission filed formal charges in its Android antitrust case against the Internet giant. The Commission said in its statement of objections that its preliminary view was "that the company has, in breach of EU antitrust rules, abused its dominant position by imposing restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators."

"Google engages in exactly the same anti-competitive, unfair and abusive practices in the United States," said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog's Privacy Project Director. "Our antitrust enforcers need to step up and do their job instead of letting the Europeans do it for them."

Shortly after the European investigation was opened last April there were news reports that the FTC was also looking in Google's practices with the Android operating system.

About 80 percent of mobile devices in the world operate on the open-source Android system, which Google licenses to manufacturers. The Commission said Google violates antitrust law by:

requiring manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Google's Chrome browser and requiring them to set Google Search as default search service on their devices, as a condition to license certain Google proprietary apps;

and requiring them to set Google Search as default search service on their devices, as a condition to license certain Google proprietary apps; preventing manufacturers from selling smart mobile devices running on competing operating systems based on the Android open source code;

based on the Android open source code; giving financial incentives to manufacturers and mobile network operators on condition that they exclusively pre-install Google Search on their devices.

The FTC investigated Google's search practices, but closed that case in 2013. The European Commission is pressing forward with its search case. Consumer Watchdog noted Google spent $16.66 million on federal lobbying in 2015.

"Google is well connected at the highest levels of government and throws its money around," said Simpson. "But our antitrust enforcers can't let that sway them. They've got the facts and need to act."

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said: "A competitive mobile internet sector is increasingly important for consumers and businesses in Europe. Based on our investigation thus far, we believe that Google's behavior denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players, in breach of EU antitrust rules. These rules apply to all companies active in Europe. Google now has the opportunity to reply to the Commission's concerns."

View the European Commission's news release here: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-1492_en.htm

Visit our website at www.consumerwatchdog.org

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog

Related Links

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org


The launch of this event comes at an ideal time as the industry continues to experience massive growth. The North American generic pharmaceuticals market stands as the largest globally, valued at $71.8 billion, with expected growth of 3-6 percent annually between 2016 and 2020. On a larger scale, the global market for pharmaceutical contract research and manufacturing services (PCRAMS) is set to grow by an average of 13.6 percent each year through 2017, by which time it will be worth a staggering $136 billion.

"CPhI North America will provide an unrivalled opportunity to become a key stakeholder in a leading pharma landscape," said CPhI North America Portfolio Director, Robyn Duda. "With the projected growth of the pharma industry in this region, there isn't a better time to bring such an established pharmaceutical event to North America in 2017."

CPhI North America will bring the entire pharmaceutical value chain together at one time to serve as the platform for thought leadership, partnerships and innovation in the North American pharmaceutical industry. The event will offer exclusive networking and educational opportunities, including an onsite conference program hosted in partnership with CBI, the leading life science conference producer. The event will focus first and foremost on the buying and selling of pharmaceutical ingredients and API's. In addition to ingredients, conference verticals will include contract services, packaging, machinery/technology, finished dosage formulation and biopharmaceuticals.

Dedicated Show Floor Zones Will Deliver the Most Relevant Buyers

To serve the needs of the North American pharmaceutical supply chain the following brands, affiliated with CPhI Worldwide, will comprise the zoned show floor.

CPhI North America will focus on pharmaceutical ingredients with exhibiting companies covering ingredients, APIs, excipients and more.

will focus on pharmaceutical ingredients with exhibiting companies covering ingredients, APIs, excipients and more. ICSE will connect the pharmaceutical community with outsourcing solution providers.

will connect the pharmaceutical community with outsourcing solution providers. InnoPack will offer innovative and diverse drug delivery solutions to satisfy the changing way in which medication is packaged and delivered.

will offer innovative and diverse drug delivery solutions to satisfy the changing way in which medication is packaged and delivered. FDF will bring every aspect of the finished dosage supply chain together, from Big Pharma and CMO, to out-licensing specialists, end product distributors, end user agents and home markets.

"It has been tremendous hearing firsthand the positive reaction from customers, associations and business partners alike regarding this new regional addition of the CPhI brand in North America," commented Rutger Oudejans, Brand Director, UBM EMEA, Pharma Portfolio, about the positive feedback from the industry. "The feedback reinforces this exciting launch as a key platform for doing business in the US pharma market and indeed the biggest pharmaceutical market in the world!"

To learn more about CPhI North America or to register your interest, visit: www.cphi.com/northamerica

The CPhI North America team will be hosting a preview event for prospective exhibitors and interested media on May 25, 2016 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. Attendance is limited. To register your interest, please go to http://info.informex.com/rsvp.

About CPhI

CPhI drives growth and innovation at every step of the global pharmaceutical supply chain from drug discovery to finished dosage. Through exhibitions, conferences and online communities, CPhI brings together more than 100,000 pharmaceutical professionals each year to network, identify business opportunities and expand the global market. CPhI hosts events in Europe, China, India, Japan, Southeast Asia, Russia, Istanbul and South America co-located with ICSE for contract services, P-MEC for machinery, equipment & technology, InnoPack for pharmaceutical packaging and BioPh for biopharma. CPhI provides an online buyer & supplier directory at CPhI-Online.com and hosts a global community with news and analysis at PharmaEvolution.com. For more information visit: www.cphi.com.

UBM Americas

UBM Americas, a part of UBM plc, delivers events and marketing services in the fashion, technology, licensing, advanced manufacturing, automotive and powersports, healthcare, veterinary and pharmaceutical industries, among others. Through a range of aligned interactive environments, both physical and digital, UBM Americas increases business effectiveness for customers and audiences through meaningful experiences, knowledge and connections. The division also includes UBM Brazil's market leading events in construction, cargo transportation, logistics & international trade, and agricultural production; and UBM Mexico's, construction, advanced manufacturing and hospitality services shows. For more information, visit: www.ubmamericas.com.

Sources:

IMS Market Prognosis April 2015 Transparency Market Research  API/Contract Manufacturing Transparency Market Research IMS Health, Global Medicines in Use 2020 IMS Health, Report Global spending on medicines in 2020

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SOURCE CPhI

Related Links

http://www.cphi.com


Ankara: A Syrian national who was arrested on suspicion of belonging to the Islamic State group has committed suicide in a Turkish prison, local media reported on Wednesday.

Nedim Bellus, 35, was detained by Turkish police in an operation last week on suspicion of being an IS member and imprisoned in Iskendurun, a town in Hatay province near the Syrian border, the private Dogan news agency reported.

Authorities found his body hanging above his bed, Dogan said, adding that a probe into his death had been launched.

Turkey has long been under pressure to do more to stem the flow of jihadists going to war-torn Syria to join IS -- and to stop them from coming back.

The government says it has tightened border security while urging the West to do more to prevent European jihadists from leaving for Turkey in the first place as well as sharing intelligence more widely.

A member of US-led coalition fighting IS, Turkey has also been hit by attacks blamed on jihadists, including two deadly suicide bombings in Istanbul that targeted foreign tourists.

In the last few weeks, IS has repeatedly fired rockets on the Turkish town of Kilis on the Syrian border, prompting the Turkish army to respond with artillery fire.
DALLAS, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DeGroote Partners is proud to announce that firm founder John DeGroote has been named to The National Law Journal's inaugural ADR Champions list of top mediators in the U.S. and also among the best mediators in North Texas by D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas.

Mr. DeGroote is one of only six Texas-based mediators and arbitrators selected for the National Law Journal listing and one of 48 nationwide. The national publication noted his diverse background as a general counsel and as an executive, in addition to his reputation for reaching creative solutions through early intervention and cutting-edge techniques. Mr. DeGroote's inclusion in D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas for mediation is based on peer nominations in the North Texas legal community and research by the D Magazine editorial staff.

For more information about the DeGroote Partners Mediation Center, please visit: http://degrootepartners.com/mediation-center/.

"With experience as a litigator, corporate counsel, and business executive, he brings rare and valuable perspective to dispute resolution," says the NLJ profile of Mr. DeGroote. "John has seen disputes from every angle: as the client, as in-house counsel, as outside counsel, as an arbitrator, and as a mediator. He's clear on what actually gets complex cases resolved  and how that has changed over the past 25 years."

That approach places Mr. DeGroote at the forefront of the changing ADR landscape, according to the publication.

"John's direct and creative approach to problem-solving exemplifies how ADR is adapting to the evolving nature of business conflicts and the value that parties place in finding resolution with greater speed than the courts can provide," the profile article continues.

About DeGroote Partners

Dallas-based DeGroote Partners works with parties in mediation to narrow the scope of disputes, settle cases earlier, and implement customized approaches to complex problems. As trustees, managers and administrators for business interests facing special situations, the DeGroote Partners team leverages its C-suite expertise, legal experience, and in-depth analysis to help clients resolve seemingly intractable problems on a cost-effective basis.

For more information about DeGroote Partners, please contact Robert Tharp at 800-559-4534 or [email protected].

SOURCE DeGroote Partners

Related Links

http://degrootepartners.com


MIAMI, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of 2016 Earth Day, DDB Worldwide, part of Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC), announced today the launch of #EarthDayDDB, a crowdsourcing social campaign to promote the preservation of the planet through creativity and ideas. The global campaign, created by DM9DDB Brasil, is slated to launch on Friday, April 22.

"Creativity will always be a source of change. We're facing a generation who understands that small individual actions can contribute to global change, who understands the power of 'we' and how their united voice can generate massive change," commented Juan Carlos Ortiz, President of DDB Latina and Creative Chairman of DDB Americas.

"The main core of the idea is to give the opportunity to everyone, of any part of the world, to think about the problems our society is facing in terms of the preservation of the Planet, and to also think about a solution. The result will be a sort of different diagnoses and creative ideas to make the Earth a best place to live," said Aricio Fortes, Chief Creative Officer of DM9DDB.

Based on the idea that each person is an agent of change to contribute to the planet's wellbeing and with the belief that ideas have the power to reshape things around us, DDB Worldwide is convoking its more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, as well as the agency's social media audiences, to create the biggest "Twitter Brainstorm" of all time. The #EarthDayDDB campaign encourages people to send their best ideas to help and preserve the planet to @DDB_Worldwide, using the event's official hashtag, #EarthDayDDB. As people take part in the campaign, a select group of creatives from DDB will respond to the ideas with guidance for how to make the program(s) come to life. At the end of the day, DDB's global creative council will choose the winning idea and will make a promise to promote the program within the organization, as a commitment of DDB towards preserving the planet.

The campaign will consist of a website (www.earthdayddb.com), featuring a video manifesto to create awareness and invite people to contribute to the cause. The website will also include a social stream capturing shared inspirational ideas across DDB's channels and the social media landscape at large. A selection of great ideas from the program will be posted on the website in order to generate an idea bank to serve as inspiration for the DDB Network and its partners.

To learn more, follow the #EarthDayDDB campaign here: @DDB_Worldwide

About DDB Worldwide

DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world's largest and most influential advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry's leading advertising publications and awards shows. The Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency's clients include Volkswagen, McDonald's, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and Exxon Mobil, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.

About Omnicom Group Inc.

Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC; NYSE) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

For further information on Omnicom Group Inc. and its brands, please visit www.omnicomgroup.com.

About DDB Latina Group :

DDB Latina is the leading communications group in the latin markets around the world, developing business solutions for its clients through its companies: DDB, Tribal, Alma DDB and BIG, among others.

A pioneer in the industry, it united the Latin American, US Hispanic, and Spain markets with a unique vision inspired by culture, not geography. Its network currently includes 33 offices in 22 countries.

Its operational model is based on "Trios" where strategy, technology, and creativity merge to create innovative ideas that generate high-levels of influence for its brands; which are highly recognized throughout the region and across diverse industries.

In 2015, its network won numerous awards in the most prestigious advertising festivals; Holograms for Freedom became the most-awarded campaign in the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and El Ojo de Iberoamerica.

The DDB Latina Group is part of Omnicom Inc. (OMC).

CONTACT:

Angela Henao

[email protected]

Director of Corporate Communications and PR | DDB Latina

2601 South Bayshore Dr. 4th | Coconut Grove Miami FL 33133

O: +1 305.341.2563 | M: +1 305. 793. 2495

SOURCE DDB Worldwide

Related Links

http://www.ddb.com


ATLANTA, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, First Liberty Institute and the law firm of Parks, Chesin & Walbert filed a lawsuit on behalf of Dr. Eric Walsh against the Georgia Department of Public Health, alleging that state officials engaged in religious discrimination against Dr. Walsh by firing him over the content of his sermons. Read more about this case and view lawsuit: firstliberty.org/walsh

Dr. Eric Walsh is a public health expert with multiple advanced degrees who served on President Obama's Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDs. In May 2014, Walsh accepted a position with Georgia's Department of Public Health (DPH) to be the District Health Director for Northwest Georgia. A week later, Georgia state officials requested copies of sermons he had preached as a lay minister in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Topics covered in the sermons included following God, having compassion on the poor, health, marriage, sexuality, world religions, science, creationism, and more.

In an email, the DPH Director of Human Resources assigned several of Dr. Walsh's sermons to employees to review and critique. The day after Dr. Walsh provided sermons to the state, government officials informed Dr. Walsh that he was terminated.

"I couldn't believe they fired me because of things I talked about in my sermons," said Dr. Walsh. "It was devastating. I have been unable to get a job in public health since then."

First Liberty Institute, along with Atlanta law firm Parks, Chesin & Walbert, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against the State of Georgia's Department of Public Health. The complaint charges the state with religious discrimination and retaliation against Dr. Walsh.

"No one should be fired for simply expressing his religious beliefs," stated Andrew Coffman, partner in the law firm of Parks, Chesin & Walbert and a First Liberty volunteer attorney. "In America, it is against the law to fire an employee for expressing his religious beliefs  especially when that expression takes place in a church setting."

"Religious liberty means we should be able to find sanctuary in our own sanctuary," said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty. "If the government is allowed to fire someone over what he said in his sermons, then they can come after any of us for our beliefs on anything."

Read more about this case and view a video: firstliberty.org/walsh

About First Liberty Institute

First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.

SOURCE First Liberty Institute
BALTIMORE and ROCKVILLE, Md., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB) and BioHealth Innovation, Inc. (BHI) officially released the BioHealth Innovation Index for Central Maryland at the Second Annual Regional BioTech Forum, which took place April 18 and 19 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Index is a comprehensive analysis of the biohealth industry highlighting the region's strengths, along with those areas that present opportunity for economic growth.

The Index will serve as a guide for the continued development of Maryland's booming biohealth region, by pinpointing key opportunities for future growth to accelerate the region to the top three biotech hubs in the U.S. by 2023.

According to BHI CEO Rich Bendis, who also serves on the Governor of Maryland's Life Sciences Advisory Board, "This index both confirms the region's standing, while also shedding light on what it will take to raise our spot among the top three biotech/biohealth hotbeds in the country. Our region is attracting new and innovative companies at unprecedented speeds. This Index reflects such innovation occurring in Greater Baltimore and Central Maryland, and provides a platform on which to develop a strategic analysis relevant to other U.S. markets such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego and San Francisco."

The Index reveals that the Greater Baltimore and Central Maryland region has laid a strong foundation for the biohealth industry. The opportunity exists for professionals in the region's industry to capitalize on the market's leadership in early-stage research and development to commercialize more novel technologies and build more robust ecosystems that generates new companies and jobs. Other key findings from the Index include:

Concentration of Workers & Level of Education: The region has 19 percent more BioHealth workers than average and is tied with New York for #1 among peer markets.

The region has more BioHealth workers than average and is tied with for among peer markets. R&D: The region has three times the average of R&D professionals. Hopkins receives the second most funding in the U.S. for life sciences R&D. Universities in Greater Baltimore receive more than $1.7 billion in BioHealth R&D, the second greatest expenditure among peer markets.

The region has the average of R&D professionals. Capital: $1.06 billion in venture investment in BioHealth from 2010-2014.

in venture investment in BioHealth from 2010-2014. Entrepreneurship: Maryland ranks seventh in start-up efficiency with an average of more than $140 million of federal research required to generate one startup.

"This region has become a significant biohealth/biotech cluster. With most of the world-class health institutions and universities in our backyard, it offers a unique location for the expansion of continued biohealth innovation. The fact we are ranked number one in the concentration of talent serves as a tremendous launching point as we endeavor to become a top three market in the U.S.," states EAGB CEO Tom Sadowski.

The region is home to key biohealth assets like Johns Hopkins University and the University System of Maryland, 70 federal research facilities including the National Institutes of Health, and more than 800 life sciences companies. As a result, Central Maryland's BioHealth workforce is substantial and densely concentrated. Recently, more programs have launched to encourage more commercialization of technology, and life sciences companies like WellDoc have had success with IPOs and raising venture capital.

The Economic Alliance, BHI and Johns Hopkins University were catalysts for forming the first health technology accelerator program, DreamIt Health in Baltimore to capture the significant opportunity for startups in the city. DreamIt Health Baltimore supported two successful cohorts of 15 companies, helping them pilot implementation projects, identify customers and investors, and in some cases, open office space in Baltimore. Successful companies that have spun out of DreamIt include Protenus, Avhana and Sisu Global Health.

Additionally, BHI has designed other strategies to enhance the local biohealth ecosystem. BHI has built the first of its kind partnership to place Entrepreneurs-In-Residence within the National Institutes of Health. It has supported the creation, spin-off or progression of 45 regional biohealth startups and early-stage companies in less than four years since the organization formed in 2012.

BHI also invested in Montgomery County's first health tech accelerator, Relevant Health that graduated its cohort of companies in March.

The full BioHealth Innovation Index for Central Maryland can be found at: http://www.greaterbaltimore.org/biohealth.aspx

The Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore is a not-for-profit economic development organization led by a partnership of regional business executives, elected government officials and leaders from higher education focused on fostering business retention and development, job creation, workforce development and new investment throughout the Greater Baltimore region. The region is defined as Baltimore City and its seven surrounding counties: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Harford County, Howard County and Queen Anne's County. The Economic Alliance markets Greater Baltimore, and establishes global recognition for the Greater Baltimore area, as a world-class region in which to live, work, learn and invest. More information can be found at www.greaterbaltimore.org.

BioHealth Innovation, Inc., is a regional innovation intermediary focused on commercializing market-relevant bio-health innovations and increasing access to early-stage funding in Maryland. BHI is known for providing commercial assistance to scientists and founders, educating and infusing Maryland's life science community with new and young entrepreneurs and fueling startups within Central Maryland's bio-ecosystem by connecting young companies to funding and business resources. Learn more at www.biohealthinnovation.org.

SOURCE BioHealth Innovation, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.biohealthinnovation.org


PETACH TIKVA, Israel, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Emerald Medical Applications Corp. (OTCQB: MRLA) ("Emerald" or the "Company"), the Israeli-based company engaged in the development and sale of DermaCompare, its proprietary artificial intelligence technology and application for the early diagnosis of melanoma and other skin cancers, today announced that it was awarded the third prize out of twenty-five other competing tech companies at the inaugural Innovation Competition Of International Talents held in Shenzhen, China (the "Competition").

The Competition, which was hosted by the Shenzhen Economic and Trade Office (SETO), the first Special Economic Zone in China and China's largest export city, as well as the center for innovation and entrepreneurship in China, featured 25 technology projects, selected from 1500 entries in five preliminary competitions held in Australia, Germany, Israel, Japan and the United States. The DermaCompare application and software technology (DermaCompare or the "App") was awarded its placement in the Competition as a result of its 2nd place finish, among 300 leading Israeli entrants in the preliminary event held in March at the renown SOSA Incubator in Tel Aviv.

DermaCompare enables patients to self-conduct a dermatology scan using Total Body Photography Imaging (TBP) taken with a simple digital camera, typically a tablet or Smartphone (iPhone or Android). The user-friendly App and self-explanatory instructions can be downloaded on virtually any device with a digital camera. Once a patient uploads their TBP images to their file in the DermaCompare cloud for storage and review, the DermaCompare platform (i) compares those images to any prior patient images on file as well as any relevant images from the Company's database; (ii) updates the patient file and creates a summary of data points with current, relevant data about the patient's skin images together with alerts to any suspicious image changes; and (iii) notifies the associated physician to retrieve and review the patient's chart and TPB images.

Lior Wayn, CEO of Emerald, stated, "The award from the Competition is the second time this month that DermaCompare has been recognized internationally, the first being in Brazil, and now at the prestigious Shenzhen Competition! I believe this is because our DermaCompare technology is uniquely suited to succeed in large markets where the sheer size of the country and vast population can make it difficult to secure a visit with a dermatologist and achieve early diagnosis of melanoma. DermaCompare can have a real impact on survival rates for patients with aggressive skin cancers like melanoma, where early detection can mean the difference between life and death."

Mr. Wayn continued, "Since the DermaCompare platform is application-based, it easily scales to large markets in many countries world-wide. Further, DermaCompare's intuitive design virtually eliminates the need for patient education, enabling us to immediately focus our attention on marketing and building the physician network necessary to serve their patients' dermatologic needs. We look forward to working with SETO's Director and Chief Representative, Mr. Victor Wang, and his team at SETO, to introduce the DermaCompare product to the Chinese market and elsewhere in Asia."

About Emerald Medical Applications Corp

Emerald Medical Applications is an Israeli-based medical technology company that utilizes proprietary military image processing technology and state of the art data analytics to improve the analysis of medical images. Emerald's flagship solution, DermaCompare, is an FDA Class #1 approved, HIPPA-compliant, skin cancer (melanoma) screening platform that enables physicians to identify and monitor changes in their patients' skin health, specifically the early detection of cancerous moles and skin anomalies.

The DermaCompare patient application is available in Mac or Android based platforms and works using virtually any digital camera, including cell phones, iPads, tablets and other similar devices, to take Total Body Photography ("TBP") images and, in real-time, transmit these images for dermatological evaluation and identification of suspicious moles, lesions and other skin conditions. These images are then compared using Emerald's cloud database, as well as the patient's previous Total Body Photography images, which will dramatically enhance a physician's ability to detect Melanoma earlier, more accurately and more efficient than other means of diagnosis

For more information, visit: http://www.dermacompare.com/

About The First Innovation Competition

The First Innovation Competition of International Talents (the "Competition") which was hosted by the Shenzhen Economic and Trade Office (SETO), an Australia-based free business service provider representing the City of Shenzhen, is the penultimate event in a series of competitions held around the world that exhibit innovative thinking and game-changing advances in technology and industry.

The Competition is led by Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, and State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, sponsored by the Shenzhen Municipal Government, and hosted by Shenzhen Longgang District People's Government, the Shenzhen Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, and Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee. The Competition, in response to the call for "mass entrepreneurship and innovation", aims to deepen international exchanges and cooperation in innovation, further promote organic combination of talents, technology and capital, attract more international talents to start business and make development in Shenzhen, and accelerate the creation of an ecological environment of openness, integration and innovation for entrepreneurship and innovation, help Shenzhen become an international city of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, about Emerald's expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding, among other things, its product development efforts, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects. In addition, from time to time, Emerald or its representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "may," "should" or "anticipate" or their negatives or other variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. These forward-looking statements may be included in, but are not limited to, various filings made by Emerald with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases or oral statements made by or with the approval of one of Emerald's authorized executive officers. Forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results as of the date they are made. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause Emerald's actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause Emerald's actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors summarized in Emerald's filings with the SEC. In addition, Emerald operates in an industry sector where securities values are highly volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond its control. Emerald does not undertake any obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Reference is made to the disclosure under "risk factors" included in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 20, 2016.



Contact:

Lior Wayn, CEO

+1-917-7242059

+972-50-6816300

[email protected]



SOURCE Emerald Medical Applications Corp.
LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The emission monitoring systems market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% between 2015 and 2020. A key driving factor for the growth of the emission monitoring systems market is stringent legal and environmental regulations. Besides, several other factors such as increased awareness about environmental protection needs, increasing health and safety issues, and growth of oil & gas and petrochemical industries.

The emission monitoring systems market for the oil & gas vertical is expected to grow at the highest CAGR

The market in the oil & gas vertical is estimated to grow at a high CAGR during the forecast period. Oil & gas companies worldwide prefer CEMS or PEMS to not only minimize emissions but also to measure them continuously. Further, they use emission monitoring systems to meet the increasingly stringent gas turbine emission regulations.

APAC is the fastest-growing market for emission monitoring systems



The market in APAC is expected to grow at a high CAGR between 2015 and 2020. The growth is attributed to the increasing industrialization and urbanization in the APAC region. The stringent air pollution regulations and growth in power, cement, and mining industries in emerging economies are some of the factors responsible for the increasing adoption of emission monitoring systems. Further, the developing countries in APAC are also focused on addressing environmental issues and improving their environmental regulations.



Break-up of profile of primary participants for the report as given below:

- By Company Type - Tier 1  55 %, Tier 2  20% and Tier 3  25%

- By Designation  C level  45%, Director level  25%, Manager level  30%

- By Region  North America - 35%, Europe  30%, APAC  25%, RoW  10%



The key players in the market include ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Emerson Electric Co. (U.S.), General Electric (U.S.), Rockwell Automation Inc. (U.S.), Siemens AG (Germany), Parker Hannifin Corp. (U.S.), Teledyne Technologies Inc. (U.S.), and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.) among others.



Reasons to buy the report:

- This report includes the market statistics pertaining to system type, element, vertical, and geography.

- The Porter's five forces framework has been utilized along with the value chain analysis to provide an in-depth insight into the emission monitoring systems market.

- Major drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the emission monitoring systems market have been detailed in this report.

- Illustrative segmentation, analysis, and forecast for markets based on system type, element, vertical, and geography has been conducted to give an overall view of the emission monitoring systems market.

- A detailed competitive landscape includes key players, in-depth analysis, and revenue of key players.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3435669/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

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WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Energy Storage Association (ESA) released the following statement, attributable to Matt Roberts, Executive Director of ESA.

"The Energy Storage Association and industry partners commend the United States Senate for prioritizing energy storage innovation in the Energy Policy Modernization Act. We are pleased to see continuing bipartisan agreement that energy storage is an essential asset that paves the path to an affordable, reliable, and clean electric system. We thank Chairman Murkowski, Ranking Member Cantwell, and their colleagues for their steadfast efforts to pass this bill."

About Energy Storage Association

The Energy Storage Association (ESA), the national trade association for the energy storage industry, is the leading voice for companies that develop and deploy the energy storage technologies we rely on every day. ESA's mission is to promote, develop and commercialize competitive and reliable energy storage delivery systems for use by electricity suppliers and their customers. With more than 200 member organizations, ESA represents a diverse group of entities, including electric utilities, energy service companies, independent power producers, and technology developers deploying advanced batteries, flywheels, compressed air energy storage, thermal storage, pumped hydropower, supercapacitors, and component suppliers, such as power conversion systems.

Learn more about ESA at www.EnergyStorage.org

CONTACT: Samantha Nevels, Makovsky

(707) 486-5344 / [email protected]

SOURCE Energy Storage Association

Related Links

http://www.EnergyStorage.org


WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Bolstered by big gains in the Northeast and Midwest, existing-home sales bounced back in March and remained slightly up from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Total existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, jumped 5.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.33 million in March from a downwardly revised 5.07 million in February. Sales rose in all four major regions last month and are up modestly (1.5 percent) from March 2015.

Existing-Home Sales Spring Ahead Lawrence Yun is chief economist and senior vice president of research at the National Association of Realtors(r). Yun oversees and is responsible for a wide range of research activity for the association including NAR's Existing Home Sales statistics, Affordability Index, and Home Buyers and Sellers Profile Report. He regularly provides commentary on real estate market trends for its 1 million Realtor(r) members. (PRNewsFoto/National Association of Realtors)

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says home sales had a nice rebound in March following February's uncharacteristically large decline. "Closings came back in force last month as a greater number of buyers  mostly in the Northeast and Midwest  overcame depressed inventory levels and steady price growth to close on a home," he said. "Buyer demand remains sturdy in most areas this spring and the mid-priced market is doing quite well. However, sales are softer both at the very low and very high ends of the market because of supply limitations and affordability pressures."

The median existing-home price2 for all housing types in March was $222,700, up 5.7 percent from March 2015 ($210,700). March's price increase marks the 49th consecutive month of year-over-year gains.

Total housing inventory3 at the end of March increased 5.9 percent to 1.98 million existing homes available for sale, but is still 1.5 percent lower than a year ago (2.01 million). Unsold inventory is at a 4.5-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 4.4 months in February.

"The choppiness in sales activity so far this year is directly related to the unevenness in the rate of new listings coming onto the market to replace what is, for the most part, being sold rather quickly," adds Yun. "Additionally, a segment of would-be buyers at the upper end of the market appear to have been spooked by January's stock market correction."

Matching the lowest share since August 2015, properties typically stayed on the market for 47 days in March, a decrease from 59 days in February and below the 52 days in March 2015. Short sales were on the market the longest at a median of 120 days in March, while foreclosures sold in 50 days and non-distressed homes took 46 days. Forty-two percent of homes sold in March were on the market for less than a month  the highest since July 2015 (43 percent).

The share of first-time buyers was 30 percent in March, unchanged both from February and a year ago. First-time buyers in all of 2015 also represented an average of 30 percent.

"With rents steadily rising and average fixed rates well below 4 percent, qualified first-time buyers should be more active participants than what they are right now," adds Yun. "Unfortunately, the same underlying deterrents impacting their ability to buy haven't subsided so far in 2016. Affordability and the low availability of starter homes is still a major barrier for them in most markets."

According to Freddie Mac, the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage ticked up from 3.66 percent in February to 3.69 percent in March, but remained below 4 percent for the eighth straight month. The average commitment rate for all of 2015 was 3.85 percent.

NAR President Tom Salomone, broker-owner of Real Estate II Inc. in Coral Springs, Florida, says despite modest improvements, mortgage credit is still difficult to come by for many first-time buyers and middle-income households. "Reducing the Federal Housing Administration's annual mortgage insurance premium rate and repealing its life-of-loan policy requirement would certainly expand options for more of these buyers," he said. "These changes would save consumers money and further strengthen the FHA's program by enticing more creditworthy borrowers to seek out FHA-insured loans."

All-cash sales were 25 percent of transactions in March (unchanged from February) and are up from 24 percent a year ago. Individual investors, who account for many cash sales, purchased 14 percent of homes in March, down from 18 percent in February and unchanged from a year ago. Sixty-six percent of investors paid cash in March.

Distressed sales4  foreclosures and short sales  fell to 8 percent in March, down from 10 percent both last month and a year ago. Seven percent of March sales were foreclosures and 1 percent were short sales. Foreclosures sold for an average discount of 16 percent below market value in March (17 percent in February), while short sales were discounted 10 percent (16 percent in February).

Single-family and Condo/Co-op Sales

Single-family home sales increased 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.76 million in March from 4.51 million in February, and are now 2.6 percent higher than the 4.64 million pace a year ago. The median existing single-family home price was $224,300 in March, up 5.8 percent from March 2015.

Existing condominium and co-op sales rose 1.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 570,000 units in March from 560,000 in February, but are still 6.6 percent below March 2015 (610,000 units). The median existing condo price was $209,600 in March, which is 4.6 percent above a year ago.

Regional Breakdown

March existing-home sales in the Northeast ascended 11.1 percent to an annual rate of 700,000, and are now 7.7 percent above a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $254,100, which is 5.8 percent above March 2015.

In the Midwest, existing-home sales jumped 9.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.23 million in March, and are now 0.8 percent above March 2015. The median price in the Midwest was $174,800, up 7.0 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the South rose 2.7 percent to an annual rate of 2.25 million in March, and are 2.3 percent above March 2015. The median price in the South was $194,400, up 4.6 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the West climbed 1.8 percent to an annual rate of 1.15 million in March, but are 2.5 percent lower than a year ago. The median price in the West was $320,800, which is 5.9 percent above March 2015.

The National Association of Realtors, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

NOTE: For local information, please contact the local association of Realtors for data from local multiple listing services. Local MLS data is the most accurate source of sales and price information in specific areas, although there may be differences in reporting methodology.

1Existing-home sales, which include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, are based on transaction closings from Multiple Listing Services. Changes in sales trends outside of MLSs are not captured in the monthly series. NAR rebenchmarks home sales periodically using other sources to assess overall home sales trends, including sales not reported by MLSs.

Existing-home sales, based on closings, differ from the U.S. Census Bureau's series on new single-family home sales, which are based on contracts or the acceptance of a deposit. Because of these differences, it is not uncommon for each series to move in different directions in the same month. In addition, existing-home sales, which account for more than 90 percent of total home sales, are based on a much larger data sample  about 40 percent of multiple listing service data each month  and typically are not subject to large prior-month revisions.

The annual rate for a particular month represents what the total number of actual sales for a year would be if the relative pace for that month were maintained for 12 consecutive months. Seasonally adjusted annual rates are used in reporting monthly data to factor out seasonal variations in resale activity. For example, home sales volume is normally higher in the summer than in the winter, primarily because of differences in the weather and family buying patterns. However, seasonal factors cannot compensate for abnormal weather patterns.

Single-family data collection began monthly in 1968, while condo data collection began quarterly in 1981; the series were combined in 1999 when monthly collection of condo data began. Prior to this period, single-family homes accounted for more than nine out of 10 purchases. Historic comparisons for total home sales prior to 1999 are based on monthly single-family sales, combined with the corresponding quarterly sales rate for condos.

2The median price is where half sold for more and half sold for less; medians are more typical of market conditions than average prices, which are skewed higher by a relatively small share of upper-end transactions. The only valid comparisons for median prices are with the same period a year earlier due to seasonality in buying patterns. Month-to-month comparisons do not compensate for seasonal changes, especially for the timing of family buying patterns. Changes in the composition of sales can distort median price data. Year-ago median and mean prices sometimes are revised in an automated process if additional data is received.

The national median condo/co-op price often is higher than the median single-family home price because condos are concentrated in higher-cost housing markets. However, in a given area, single-family homes typically sell for more than condos as seen in NAR's quarterly metro area price reports.

3Total inventory and month's supply data are available back through 1999, while single-family inventory and month's supply are available back to 1982 (prior to 1999, single-family sales accounted for more than 90 percent of transactions and condos were measured only on a quarterly basis).

4Distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales), days on market, first-time buyers, all-cash transactions and investors are from a monthly survey for the NAR's Realtors Confidence Index, posted at Realtor.org.



NOTE: NAR's Pending Home Sales Index for March will be released April 27, and Existing-Home Sales for April will be released May 20; release times are 10:00 a.m. ET.

Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. This and other news releases are posted in the "News, Blogs and Videos" tab on the website. Statistical data in this release, as well as other tables and surveys, are posted in the "Research and Statistics" tab.

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SOURCE National Association of Realtors

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Once the office expansion project is completed, Carfax will begin hiring 120 new employees for positions at its Centreville headquarters. Developers, programmers and marketing experts are among the jobs becoming available in the coming months. Carfax expects the office expansion to be completed in early May 2016.

Visit www.carfax.com/careers to stay informed about career opportunities at Carfax.

About Carfax (www.carfax.com)

Carfax, a unit of IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS), is the vehicle history expert for used car buyers, sellers and the automotive industry. Carfax created the Vehicle History Report in 1986 and continues to develop innovative services  like Carfax Used Car Listings and myCarfax  that make it easier to buy, sell and own a used car. The company maintains a database comprising over 15 billion vehicle history records from more than 92,000 sources worldwide. Get a free Carfax Vehicle History Report from dealers with every used car for sale on Carfax.com or look for Carfax Advantage dealers in your area and say 'Show Me the Carfax'. Based in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is the leading global source of information, insight and analytics in the automotive industry and other critical areas that shape today's business landscape.

Connect with us on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter @CarfaxReports, read our Blog and Customer Stories, and watch us on YouTube. Friend Car Fox on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @TheCarFox. Download the 'Carfax Reports' mobile app from the App StoreSM and Google PlaySM.

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Technology Partners ("FT Partners"), the only investment bank focused exclusively on FinTech, is pleased to announce two exciting developments today:

FT Partners has hired William Blair & Co. Managing Director and FinTech specialist, Phil Olson . Phil joins the Firm as one of the most experienced investment bankers in the FinTech sector, with over 15 years of direct banking experience in the space. Phil has been a key figure in over 100 M&A and financing transactions over the last 15+ years at William Blair (13 years) and Merrill Lynch (2 years). Effective immediately, Phil will join the Firm as the senior banker in our newly-formed Chicago office. Entering our 15th year and having just executed one of the largest FinTech deals this decade  the $4.5bn sale of Heartland to Global Payments  FT Partners has won the prestigious "2016 Investment Bank of the Year" award by The M&A Advisor.

Steve McLaughlin, Founder, CEO and Managing Partner of FT Partners, remarked: "When I founded the Firm fifteen years ago, the Firm's mission was to build the investment bank that we'd want to hire if we were a FinTech CEO  and that's exactly what we've done. Today, we are proud to double-down on this vision with the addition of Phil Olson to further strengthen our team and add significant depth / domain expertise to our execution capabilities  and we are absolutely delighted to welcome Phil to our winning team."

Mr. Olson joins FT Partners as a Managing Director and will be based out of FT Partners' newly-formed Chicago office. Phil began his early career as an Analyst at Merrill Lynch in New York prior to joining William Blair for thirteen years, where he has been involved in over 100 successfully completed transactions during his banking career. Mr. Olson earned his MBA from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management.

"I'm extremely pleased to join Steve and the entire FT Partners team. The FT Partners franchise has blown the FinTech industry away with its passionate, deeply-client centric model of investment banking  and having seen that in action, I wanted to be a part of that vision," said Phil Olson, Managing Director. "The platform that FT Partners has built is truly unique and the depth of domain expertise is unmatched in the industry. It's a great fit for me and I could not be more excited to help build out the platform globally."

Entering its 15th year, FT Partners is yet again proud to have been recognized by the M&A Advisor as "Investment Bank of the Year"  as well as for executing the "Cross Border M&A Deal of the Year." This is the fourth time the Firm has been awarded "Investment Banking (or Boutique) Firm of the Year," along with numerous other accolades including Dealmaker of the Year and Deal of the Decade  on top of being recognized by industry CEOs as the 2nd Most Popular Banker (and the #1 FinTech Banker) in Silicon Valley via The Information, as the Architect of Financial Technology by The Deal and as a top 5 FinTech global influencer by Institutional Investor.

About FT Partners

Financial Technology Partners ("FT Partners") is the only investment banking firm focused exclusively on providing top-tier strategic and financial advisory services to FinTech CEOs, founders and investors. The Firm offers CEOs and investors a wide array of strategic advisory services in mission-critical transactions including M&A, IPOs, LBOs, recapitalizations and private capital raises.

FT Partners' CEO, Founder and Managing Partner, Steve McLaughlin, formerly was a senior investment banker in Goldman, Sachs & Co.'s FinTech Group and was the senior investment banker in the Financial Institutions Group in San Francisco before leaving the firm to form FT Partners in late 2001. San Francisco-based FT Partners is comprised of a team of experienced investment bankers formerly with the financial technology, M&A and investment banking groups of Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan / H&Q and William Blair.

Follow @ftpartners on Twitter for constant FT Partners updates or visit our website at www.ftpartners.com.

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SOURCE Financial Technology Partners

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Riyadh: Six years ago, Saudi and American officials agreed on a record $60 billion arms deal. The United States would sell scores of F-15 fighters, Apache attack helicopters and other advanced weaponry to the oil-rich kingdom. The arms, both sides hoped, would fortify the Saudis against their aggressive arch-rival in the region, Iran.

But as President Barack Obama makes his final visit to Riyadh this week, Saudi Arabia's military capabilities remain a work in progress and the gap in perceptions between Washington and Riyadh has widened dramatically.

The biggest stumble has come in Yemen. Frustrated by Obama's nuclear deal with Iran and the U.S. pullback from the region, Riyadh launched an Arab military intervention last year to confront perceived Iranian expansionism in its southern neighbour.

The conflict pits a coalition of Arab and Muslim nations led by the Saudis against Houthi rebels allied to Iran and forces loyal to a former Yemeni president. A tentative ceasefire is holding as the United Nations prepares for peace talks in Kuwait, proof, the Saudis say, of the intervention's success.

But while Saudi Arabia has the third-largest defence budget in the world behind the United States and China, its military performance in Yemen has been mixed, current and former U.S. officials said. The kingdom's armed forces have often appeared unprepared and prone to mistakes.

U.N. investigators say that air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition are responsible for two thirds of the 3,200 civilians who have died in Yemen, or approximately 2,000 deaths. They said that Saudi forces have killed twice as many civilians as other forces in Yemen.

On the ground, Saudi-led forces have often struggled to achieve their goals, making slow headway in areas where support for Iran-allied Houthi rebels runs strong.

And along the Saudi border, the Houthis and allied forces loyal to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh have attacked almost daily since July, killing hundreds of Saudi troops.

Instead of being the centrepiece of a more assertive Saudi regional strategy, the Yemen intervention has called into question Riyadh's military influence, said one former senior Obama administration official. "There's a long way to go. Efforts to create an effective pan-Arab military force have been disappointing."

Behind the scenes, the West has been enmeshed in the conflict. Between 50 and 60 U.S. military personnel have provided coordination and support to the Saudi-led coalition, a U.S. official told Reuters. And six to 10 Americans have worked directly inside the Saudi air operations centre in Riyadh. Britain and France, Riyadh's other main defence suppliers, have also provided military assistance.

Last year, the Obama administration had the U.S. military send precision-guided munitions from its own stocks to replenish dwindling Saudi-led coalition supplies, a source close to the Saudi government said. Administration officials argued that even more Yemeni civilians would die if the Saudis had to use bombs with less precise guidance systems.

Saudi officials see the intervention as a qualified success, halting Iranian expansionism in Yemen and bringing their opponents to the negotiating table. They compare it to the 1991 Gulf War when a military threat was addressed overwhelmingly by military power.

They said Saudi-led forces have stabilised large parts of the country and allowed its government under President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to remain viable. They also dispute the number of civilian deaths and have announced investigations into the strikes.

Among many of their fellow Gulf Arabs, who believe they face a broader struggle against Iran, the war continues to be popular. At a forum in Riyadh this week the mostly young audience started to cheer when speakers said the campaign had demonstrated a new self reliance.

Spokesman for the Saudi-led Arab coalition, Brigadier General Ahmed al-Asseri, said the main goal of degrading Houthi capabilities had been achieved. Coalition-backed Yemeni forces had paused after taking ground north of Sanaa at the request of the U.N. and to encourage talks, he said.

Prince Sultan bin Khaled al Faisal, a former Saudi special forces officer and now a senior fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh, said the intervention had succeeded.

"You cannot say there is no progress," he said. "The enemy is on the back foot. They are surrounded in every single city that they are in and they are blockaded from the sea."

Selling stuff

The United States has been helping equip and train Saudi armed forces since U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and Saudi King Abdulaziz Al Saud struck an oil-for-security alliance in 1945.

"Our tanks are American. Our infantry vehicles are American. Our jet fighters are American," said Asseri, the Saudi general. "Our command and control system is American so having these people working with us is normal."

Some of the largest beneficiaries of the alliance have been U.S. defence contractors. Vinnell Arabia, now a Northrop Grumman subsidiary, has received multimillion-dollar contracts to train Saudi Arabia's National Guard since 1975, for instance, including a five-year contract worth up to $550 million in 2010.

In an effort to counter Iran, U.S. arms sales grew under President George W. Bush administration and even more under the Obama White House.

The primary goal of the huge 2010 sale was to defend against Iran, according to both American and Saudi officials. The Obama administration also saw a chance to turn Saudi Arabia into a regional military power that could act as a stabilising influence in the Middle East.

Saudis emphasise their own interests rather than those of the United States. "Saudi Arabia chooses and buys its weapons according to its own strategic planning, needs and interests, not those of anyone else," said Prince Sultan. "The whole premise that we bought weapons to play a role for someone else is false."

Whatever the motivation, between 2009 and 2015, IHS Jane's estimates that General Dynamics delivered $5 billion worth of weaponry to Saudi Arabia, Boeing $2.9 billion and Raytheon $2.5 billion.

European defence contractors profited, as well with Eurofighter, a European consortium, delivering $5.6 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia and U.K.-based BAE Systems delivering $2.9 billion during the same period, according to Jane's estimates.

Current and former U.S. officials said one of the reasons arms sales to Saudi Arabia had faced little opposition in Washington was the deal's failure might have resulted in Saudi Arabia buying arms from Russia or China. They also said the sales boosted U.S. defence contractors as the Obama administration cut military spending in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We sold them that stuff," said one U.S. official, "Because that's what creates jobs in America."

Advancing step by step

Even with more weaponry, the Saudi-led coalition has struggled in Yemen. That's been apparent in its bombing campaign from the start.

"Initially there was far too much reliance on the (Riyadh-backed) Yemeni government for intelligence and far too little effort to confirm it," said a Saudi with knowledge of the campaign. He said targeting rules had improved in the second half of last year.

But Brigadier General Samir Haj, a Yemeni and the official spokesman for the government's military forces, told Reuters that the coalition has "joint military operations rooms in Aden and Riyadh which work together with the coalition countries to coordinate targets for both air strikes and battle operations on the ground."

Problems with targeting are particularly embarrassing because they were also issues during the border war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in 2009-2010, U.S. embassy cables released by WikiLeaks show. A cable dated Feb. 7, 2010 noted one instance in which Saudi jets aborted an air strike on a target supplied by the Yemeni government because it turned out to be the headquarters of a senior general and rival of then president Saleh.

Six years on, errors are still occurring. Just last month, two American-made laser-guided bombs struck a market and killed at least 97 civilians, 25 of them children, along with 10 Houthi fighters, according to Human Rights Watch investigators who reached the site of the bombing. U.N. investigators who reached the site reported 96 civilian dead, including 24 children.

Asseri said the coordinates had been provided by coalition-backed Yemeni forces fighting in that area, and the bombs had struck a gathering of Houthis, not civilians.

U.S. officials said the United States does not provide detailed targeting information to the Saudis in Yemen. "We're giving them broad intelligence of the area," said a third U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

American officials said they have repeatedly tried to find ways to improve Saudi targeting. As well as the extra precision-guided bombs, the Pentagon sent U.S. military lawyers to train their Saudi counterparts on how to ensure the legality of coalition strikes. They say the Saudis have American software designed to help them determine whether certain munitions might cause destruction beyond the target.

Matthew Spence, who served as the Obama administration's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Middle East from 2012 to 2015, said it takes time for any country to learn how to use advanced weapons systems. "It's going to be an imperfect process that advances step by step," Spence said.

Michael Knights, an expert on the conflict in Yemen at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the fact that the Saudi military had been able to maintain a year-long intervention in a country as complex as Yemen has surprised some observers.

"They're able to maintain operational tempo for a year," Knights said. "These are things that if you'd asked somebody about this two years ago, they would say there's no way Saudi can do that."

But investigations by the U.N., Human Rights Watch exposed scores of Saudi missteps. A January report by a U.N. Security Council panel of experts found that the Saudi-led coalition had carried out attacks that appeared to violate international humanitarian law 152 times, including 41 strikes on residential neighbourhoods, 22 on medical facilities and 10 on marketplaces. U.N. investigators also found at least 38 violations by Houthi and Saleh forces.

The Saudis "are dropping bombs with a large payload on a house in the middle of a residential neighbourhood," said Belkis Wille, Human Rights Watch's Yemen researcher, who just spent three weeks in the country investigating civilian deaths. "If you do that, you are bound to cause collateral damage. Using these kinds of bombs in this context is indiscriminate."

Asseri, the Saudi-led coalition spokesman, has repeatedly questioned such investigations, saying they are often carried out remotely or with guidance from locals employed by the Houthis, and that they have made little effort to engage with the coalition or Yemen's government.

U.N. officials said they have a team of 19 investigators stationed inside Yemen who visit the sites of attacks on their own. They said the team members, both foreigners and Yemeni nationals, follow a thorough methodology that U.N. human rights investigators use worldwide and are not taken to sites by Houthis.

"We collect our information direct from the scene of incidents and from witnesses and victims," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. "We are careful to avoid manipulation by any of the warring parties."

Asseri said the Saudi air force uses the same procedures as those of the U.S. air force to assess targets, and checks information against images from drones and a no-hit list. He said munitions were selected to avoid causing harm beyond the selected target.

U.S. officials said they have urged the Saudi-led coalition to better distinguish between military targets and civilians. Asseri said a Saudi colonel with a doctorate in law has been appointed to run an investigative commission into civilian deaths and is now selecting members.

Border problems

One of the stated goals of the Saudi-led campaign was to protect the kingdom's borders. In many ways, though, the war has made them less secure.

The mountainous western stretch of the Yemeni border, which runs from the Red Sea to the Empty Quarter desert, is rife with smuggling and illicit crossings. The Houthis had not attacked Saudi Arabia along the frontier since 2010.

Beginning in July 2015, though, when the coalition regained complete control of Aden after three months of brutal street fighting and airstrikes, the Houthis and Saleh's forces began to launch near daily attacks across the border.

The assaults have killed and injured around 400 civilians inside Saudi Arabia, the coalition said. Diplomats say around 400 Saudi soldiers and border guards have died. The coalition said it will not release figures on the number of military casualties until after the campaign, though Asseri did not dispute the broad number.

The rugged border areas held by the Houthis  steep mountains scattered with boulders and pitted by gullies and deep, scrubby valleys  are ideal for guerrilla warfare.

Saudi officials said they had been hampered by the decision not to take territory inside Yemen, which they feared would feed Houthi propaganda that Riyadh's war goals were territorial. "It is the most difficult thing to conduct a static defence," said Asseri.

Between July 2015 and the beginning of the tentative truce last month, an average of 130 mortars, shells and rockets were fired at Saudi Arabia's frontier every day, the coalition said. The Houthis and their allies also staged frequent incursions, overrunning villages, pushing several kilometers into Saudi territory and laying large numbers of explosive devices, according to both Western and Saudi officials.

Houthi-aligned media have posted dozens of video clips showing Yemeni fighters in Saudi territory or attacking Saudi targets. In February, the Houthi-aligned al-Masirah television station, which broadcasts from Lebanon, reported on daily attacks along the border, often accompanied by video or photographs. It listed sniper killings of Saudi soldiers, mortar and anti-tank rocket attacks on Saudi border posts and military vehicles, ambushes, infiltrations and guerrilla raids.

The Saudis have evacuated around a dozen villages, shuttered hundreds of schools in the region and closed the airport of Najran, a provincial capital that lies a few kilometers from the border.

Riyadh concedes it underestimated the number of Houthi ballistic missiles. Days into the conflict, Asseri said the Houthis' ability to fire rockets at Saudi Arabia had been neutralised. But the Houthis continued to fire Scuds at the kingdom until well into 2016.

Asseri said the Houthis hid weapons in schools and evacuated embassies. Riyadh believes Iran sent weapons to Yemen by plane before the war and by ship afterwards, he said. Houthis have denied that.

Riyadh used to enjoy an extensive network of patronage and influence in Yemen that gave it an unrivalled understanding of the workings of its complex neighbour. But those networks were run by the late Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, a veteran defence minister, and deteriorated as his own health began to fail just over a decade ago.

The Saudi with knowledge of the campaign said the performance of the army had been patchy and varied greatly from one unit to another. He and other Saudi and Western officials said the kingdom's forces on the border have been hampered by their lack of battlefield surveillance technology, which meant they were often unable to watch threats emerge in real time.

Riyadh has partly addressed that by buying drones from China, Western and Saudi officials said. As well, the Royal Saudi Land Forces, which were trained for desert warfare, are beefing up their mountain training, first started after the 2009-10 war.

Expeditionary Force

A few days before operations began in Yemen last year, Riyadh tried to bring together a broad Muslim military alliance. But none of its most powerful Muslim allies, Egypt, Pakistan or Turkey ended up taking leading roles.

Asseri said Riyadh never requested big numbers of ground troops from them, believing that a large-scale land operation would be counterproductive.

Turkey chose not to participate from the start. Pakistan's parliament voted to remain neutral, but only after its flag had been displayed alongside those of other coalition countries. It later committed a ship to help enforce a partial blockade, Asseri said. And Egypt eventually committed a naval expedition to the coalition.

That left Saudi Arabia itself to produce ground forces along with several thousand troops from other Gulf neighbours, principally the United Arab Emirates. Morocco carried out airstrikes and Sudan committed two companies of troops late in the war.

Saudi Arabia decided to entrust ground operations inside Yemen to local fighters backed by Gulf Special Forces and air strikes. But many of these fighters were untrained and disorganised. Asseri said that as the war has progressed they have been organised into a more coherent army.

The lack of a professional ground operation hurt, say military experts. Asseri said using a large foreign army would have created the impression of an invading force and encouraged militant attacks. He pointed to the recapture of Aden in July as evidence that only small numbers of foreign troops were needed for specific operations.

But the inexperience has shown in incidents such as a Houthi rocket strike in September in Marib. A senior Saudi officer told Reuters forces in Marib had been positioned too close together and near a munitions store, causing a high number of deaths.

Asseri acknowledged that procedures had not been followed in Marib. "This is their first fight," he said. "You learn the hard way."
The unanimous approval by First 5 LA's Board of Commissioners provides a focus for the agency to engage in advocacy activities related to First 5 LA's policy priorities to benefit children prenatal to age 5, including early care and education, school readiness and health care delivery systems. These priorities are part of the agency's 2015-2020 Strategic Plan .

"The best way to be effective on our issues is to engage with lawmakers and share the truly compelling stories of the children we serve," said First 5 LA's Board Chair L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who also served as a member of the State Assembly and State Senate for 14 years. "The combination of good data and personal stories helps convince legislators who have to balance competing priorities. Our efforts in Sacramento are critical to helping our kids in L.A. County."

In addition to the legislative agenda, First 5 LA Commissioners recently attended Advocacy Day in Sacramento, meeting with state representatives from L.A. County about First 5 LA's priorities and programs including voluntary home visits, Welcome Baby and early care and education.

"The Commission's approval of our State Legislative Agenda enables us to direct our advocacy activities where they will make the greatest impact," said Kim Belshe, Executive Director of First 5 LA. "Through collaboration with local experts, grantees, funding partners and the leadership of our Commissioners, First 5 LA can continue making an impact for children in the public policy realm."

Belshe added that First 5 LA's position on legislation is informed by internal staff and partners in the field, including the Intergovernmental and External Affairs Branch of the L.A. County's CEO Office.

In March 2015, the Commission approved a set of criteria for staff to use in focusing its advocacy activities during the state legislative and budget seasons.

The criteria include opportunities to advance First 5 LA priorities related to early learning and home visiting; policies that directly affect First 5 LA, such as tobacco taxes, bills or proposals that affect Proposition 10; near-term opportunities related to the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan; and opportunities that support First 5 LA's current investments.

Using this criteria, the presentation made to First 5 LA's Board of Commissioners last week lists the legislation supported and being tracked by First 5 LA, including sponsors, status and fiscal analysis.

Advocacy activities include letters of support to lawmakers, testimony at legislative hearings and meeting with legislators and their staff. First 5 LA also works with stakeholders to educate the general public and elected officials about the importance of these items to the health, well-being and early care and education of children prenatal to age 5 and their parents and caregivers.

In addition to the 2016 Legislative Agenda, First 5 LA is also monitoring a number of other bills for potential action in the coming months. These are measures that are in development, which provides First 5 LA an opportunity to suggest amendments to better serve young children.

Bills on First 5 LA's watch list include measures to require that trauma screening be included in early and periodic screening under the Medi-Cal program (SB 1466  Mitchell) and a bill that would declare that it is the intent of the Legislature to enhance and expand the state's early care and educational system (AB 2660  McCarty).

First 5 LA's 2016 Legislative Agenda is below. The full list, which includes support measures and those being tracked, can be found here.

First 5 LA's 2016 Legislative Agenda Bill Author Description SB 1042 Loni Hancock Child care: state preschool programs: age of eligibility Defines 3-year-old children, for purposes of state preschool programs, as children who will have their 3rd birthday on or before December 1 of the fiscal year in which they are enrolled in a California state preschool program. AB 1644 Rob Bonta School-based early mental health intervention and prevention services Renames the Early Mental Health Initiative (EMHI) as the HEAL Trauma in Schools Act, expands the program to serve preschool and transitional Kindergarten students. Requires DPH to provide outreach to LEAs and county mental health agencies to inform them of the program. AB 2150 Miguel Santiago and Shirley Weber Subsidized Child Care and Development Services Extends eligibility for child care assistance to families for a period no less than 12 months. The bill changes existing thresholds by establishing income eligibility upon the most recent State Median Income (SMI) data published by the US Census Bureau and raises the income limit of eligibility from 70% of the current SMI to 85% of the most recent SMI. AB 2770 Adrin Nazarian Cigarette and Tobacco Product Licensing: Fees Requires a fee to be submitted with each license application. Requires a retailer to file an application for renewal of a retailer's license accompanied with a fee per retail location, in the form and manner prescribed by the State Board of Equalization. Two hundred sixtyfive dollars ($265) shall be submitted with each application. SCR 125 Ben Allen Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Tool States that the Legislature will work towards the adoption of a statewide, developmentally appropriate kindergarten readiness assessment tool to assess the readiness of children entering transitional kindergarten and kindergarten

ABOUT FIRST 5 LA

First 5 LA is a leading early childhood advocate organization created by California voters to invest Proposition 10 tobacco tax revenues in Los Angeles County. In partnership with others, First 5 LA strengthens families, communities, and systems of services and supports so that all children in L.A. County enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life. Please visit www.first5la.org for more information.

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SOURCE First 5 LA

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WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc., of Newberry, Fla., has been named Small Business Exporter of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The recognition is part of the celebrations of National Small Business Week, an annual event designed to honor the best small businesses of the nation.

The award will be presented jointly by SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and Eileen Sanchez, Associate Administrator for the Office of International Trade, on May 2 during a National Small Business Week event at the U.S. Institute of Peace, in Washington, D.C.

David Peter Bello, Sr., ERPI's founder and CEO, will receive the award on behalf of his company.

The substantial, increasing importance of exporting to the U.S. national economy cannot be overstated. In FY2015, SBA lending hit yet another record, with 1,777 loans for a total of $1.45 billion, which resulted in $3 billion in small business export sales.

Small businesses like ERPI are taking advantage of opportunities created by agreements such as NAFTA and, more recently, the Trans-Pacific Partnership. SBA is proud to actively support these free trade agreements as we help American small businesses grow and create jobs through exporting.

ERPI was launched in 1997 with four employees, much as a local provider of parts and replacement products to endoscopy repair shops in the area. Thanks to exporting, the company was able to expand and now has a staff of 14 employees, handles more than 2,000 lines of products, exports to about 70 countries in all continents, from Argentina to Vietnam, and reached sales of over $3.7 million in 2014.

ERPI won the award as SBA Exporter of the Year based on the following criteria:

Increased sales, profit and/or growth of employment because of exporting

Creative overseas marketing strategies

Effective solutions to export-related problems, including trade financing, payment and currency issues; market-entry and logistical challenges; and cultural differences.

Demonstrated encouragement for other small businesses to export

Volunteer assistance to other small businesses entering the export market

Cooperation with other businesses in the creation of export trading companies and/or introduction of unique trading relationships, products or services

Small Business Week 2016 cosponsors include: Chase for Business, SCORE, ADP, Colonial Life, Intuit, Sam's Club, Square, YP, ESET, Facebook, Instagram, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL), and VEDC.

Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2016 SBA's participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any Cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA/SCORE programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact: [email protected]. SCORE is partially funded by SBA Cooperative Agreement No. SBAHQ-14-S-0001.

National Small Business Week is an annual event organized by SBA to recognize the achievements of the top small businesses in the nation. Since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. This year National Small Business Week will be recognized from May 1-7 with national events planned in Washington, D.C., New York, Denver, Phoenix, Oakland and San Jose, Calif. Events throughout the week will be live-streamed on SBA's website at www.sba.gov. Make sure to check in during the event for live social media engagement, using the hashtag #DreamSmallBiz. For more information on the national events please visit: www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek.

About the Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. www.sba.gov

Contact: David Hall (202) 205-6697

Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

Release Number: 16-28

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/DC65875LOGO

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

Related Links

http://www.sba.gov


GAINESVILLE and BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research (the Institute) announced today that it has finalized a funding agreement with Intecrowd LLC an Orlando-based company with technology licensed from the University of Central Florida. The Institute supports new company creation based on publicly-funded research, and bridges early funding gaps for companies spinning out of Florida-based universities and research institutions.

Intecrowd is a Workday Services Partner focused solely on helping Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) customers integrate with third-party payroll solutions. Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources. Customers who require payroll beyond Workday's country-specific offerings in the U.S., UK, and Canada can take advantage of bi-directional, pre-built payroll integrations from certified partners in the Workday Global Payroll Cloud. Intecrowd works closely with these global payroll providers to help customers integrate their payroll solutions with Workday HCM, enabling delivery of one global system with a consistent user experience. Intecrowd also supports Workday HCM customers who select a payroll provider that is not part of the Workday Global Payroll Cloud and build their integration with Workday Cloud Connect for third-party payroll. Intecrowd is comprised of deployment leaders, technical experts, and payroll functional experts.

"One of the big challenges that global organizations face is the complexity involved with serving the needs of employees in different countries around the world, making payroll one of the most important components of any Workday deployment," said Don McDougal, chief executive officer, Intecrowd. "As the only Workday partner focused exclusively on payroll integration, customers will benefit from Intecrowd's deep understanding of local payroll requirements and relationships with Workday payroll providers."

"Intecrowd is helping companies determine efficient integration designs and rapid deployment strategies that ultimately lower costs and increase efficiency and customer satisfaction," said Jamie Grooms, chief executive officer, the Institute. "The Institute is pleased to support Intecrowd's delivery of business process improvement solutions to help large companies rationalize human resource data and improve the bottom line."

"The Institute's investment in Intecrowd enables us to accelerate talent acquisition and the development of our product line, which provides Intecrowd with unique tools, capabilities and offerings in the Cloud Integration space," adds Don McDougal.

About the Institute

Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with the technology licensing and commercialization offices of Florida's state universities and private research institutions to leverage a $2B+ research base and form investable companies that create clean jobs in new industries that are driving the global economy. Over 100 new company projects have been identified across the state, and the Institute deploys company building and funding programs to promising Florida startups. Forty-seven companies have been funded since the program's inception.

About Intecrowd

Intecrowd LLC is the only Workday services partner focused exclusively on payroll integration. Our team designs and deploys payroll integrations that keep your business running. With years of HR/Payroll functional and technical experience, we can determine the most efficient integration designs and rapid deployment strategies. We develop maintainable solutions and provide support for integration testing and updates for new Workday releases. Learn more at www.intecrowd.com.

CONTACT:

Jane Teague

Chief Operating Officer

Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research

561-368-8889

[email protected]

SOURCE Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research

Related Links

http://www.florida-institute.com/


UNION CITY, Ind., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Frank Miller Lumber, the premier provider of quartersawn red oak, white oak and other hardwood lumber, announces the launch of its new website, www.frankmiller.com, which introduces the company's new logo and corporate branding. The new website and brand presence is the latest expansion effort for the fourth-generation, family-owned lumber company, one of the largest quartersawn sawmills in the United States.

The website highlights Frank Miller Lumber's state-of-the-art proprietary quartersawing process, available lumber species and specifications, a showroom of various hardwood applications, and the company's dedication to sustainable forestry. A new feature on the site allows users to tour the century-old history of the Indiana company with a timeline and vintage gallery. The website also features industry and educational resources, including case studies, news, and a blog written by Criswell Davis, the company's architectural marketing manager and an expert resource regarding American hardwoods in sustainable design.

The new Frank Miller Lumber logo emphasizes the company's heritage and specialized quartersawing capabilities. The website and logo were designed by ruef, a design company in Dayton, Ohio.

"We're excited to give our customers a new, more accurate look at our company," said Steve James, president and CEO of Frank Miller Lumber. "We believe the new website better reflects our position as not just a premier lumber company and sawmill, but one of the world's largest producers of quartersawn hardwoods, while also highlighting our growth into a global enterprise."

About Frank Miller Lumber (www.frankmiller.com)

Frank Miller Lumber is a wholesale lumber supplier specializing in the manufacture of quartersawn hardwood lumber with the bulk of our production in white and red oak. Other quartersawn hardwood species include cherry, hickory, hard maple, and walnut. Frank Miller Lumber assists architects and designers realize the elegance and durability of quartersawn hardwoods in the most distinctive architectural endeavors. Established in 1903 and located in Union City, Indiana, Frank Miller Lumber produces exceptionally fine quartersawn and plainsawn hardwoods for manufacturers of fine furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork and flooring. Frank Miller Lumber's quartersawn products are used in high-end commercial and residential construction around the globe.

For more information, contact:

Steve James

President and CEO

Frank Miller Lumber

1690 Frank Miller Road,

Union City, IN 47390 USA

(765) 964-3196

[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160419/357297LOGO

SOURCE Frank Miller Lumber

Related Links

http://www.frankmiller.com


Since the inception of the event, Georgia Power runners have logged more than 7,000 miles and raised more than $1.6 million to aid cancer research. In addition to Run for the Reason, Georgia Power's longstanding support of ACS includes employee participation in multiple Relay for Life 24-hour fundraising walks in communities across the state each year.

Georgia Power will host a special public sendoff event on Wednesday, April 20 at 9 a.m., near the intersection of Ralph McGill and Piedmont Ave. in Atlanta. The event will conclude with a two mile run/walk at 10 a.m. open to all employees, neighbors, friends and family. On Wednesday, and throughout the relay, Georgia Power is inviting communities along the route to run alongside, or cheer-on, the team.

Key milestones* along the run include:

Griffin: 4:20 p.m.; April 20 Barnesville: 7:10 p.m.; April 20 Cordele: 10:45 a.m.; April 21 Tifton: 4:50 p.m.; April 21 Waycross: 5:00 a.m.; April 22 Brunswick 11:15 a.m.; April 22 St. Simons: 1:30 p.m.; April 22

Bruce Feiman and Jimmy Zerkus, project managers at Georgia Power and co-organizers of Run for the Reason, note that, each year, Georgia Power participants run in memory of loved ones lost to cancer, in support of those currently fighting the battle and in celebration of survivors of cancer. However, the 2016 event will carry a special meaning.

"This year we are running not only for all of those impacted by cancer, but for members of our Georgia Power relay team," said Feiman. "Over the last year, two of our original runners have been battling cancer  we are dedicating this year's run to them and all cancer survivors."

Georgia Power invites social fans to follow photos and videos of the cross-state relay on Twitter (@GeorgiaPower) using #GAPowerfulRun and on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower). To donate to ACS in support of the Run for the Reason, visit the team's fundraising page.

*Dates and times are estimates. Contact Georgia Power Media Relations to request updates as the relay progresses through the state.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357665

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO

SOURCE Georgia Power

Related Links

http://www.georgiapower.com


NEW YORK, March 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mayors from cities across the United States, Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America gathered in New York to launch a global campaign to address rising inequalities and foster inclusive growth in their cities, in their countries and worldwide.

The Inclusive Growth in Cities Campaign is a joint initiative of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Ford Foundation, with the support of the Group of Friends of Inclusive Growth led by the US Ambassador to the OECD.

The Campaign calls on cities to put economic growth on a more equitable and sustainable footing, ensuring a better future for all. OECD research shows that inequality is at its highest levels in three decades. In 2012, the top 10% of earners in OECD countries made almost ten times the income of the bottom 10%, up from 7 times 30 years ago. In developing and emerging market economies, income gaps between rich and poor are even more stark: in Brazil the ratio between the richest 10% and the poorest 10% stands at approximately 50 to 1, and over 100 to 1 in South Africa. Wealth is considerably more concentrated than income, exacerbating the overall disadvantage of low-income households.

Leading the charge with the OECD is the group of 43 Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth, 19 of whom traveled to New York today to launch the Campaign and chart the future work of Champion Mayors. These mayors will work together to advance the agenda put forth in the New York Proposal for Inclusive Growth in Cities.

"The New York Proposal is a call to arms and a roadmap for change. It sets out our common commitment to a policy agenda to ensure that cities work for all of us," said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria, at the campaign launch. "Achieving Inclusive Growth in cities means putting people first and tackling the challenges in disadvantaged communities. We need to break the link between one's street address and life prospects. This means changing the way we build and move within our cities. We need more affordable housing, effective transport networks, and quality infrastructure."

OECD research has shown that inequality has a strong spatial dimension. In many countries, income inequality has risen faster in cities than in other places, and it tends to increase with city size. While the data on inequalities underscore the scale of the challenge faced by mayors, in many countries local governments also have a hand in key investment decisions that can overcome inequalities. Sub-national governments  states, provinces, counties, and cities  carry out around 40% of total public spending in OECD countries, of which 60% is directed towards economic affairs and education  key areas for inclusive growth.



"We know that inequalityin all its formsis a threat to democracy, to inclusivity, and to growth," said Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation. "We are pleased to engage with OECD and mayors around the world who understand the size and scope of the challenge, and who are working tirelessly and with purpose to make their cities more just and equitable."

As outlined in the New York Proposal for Inclusive Growth, more inclusive cities are those characterized by:

Education systems that enable people of all ages and backgrounds to improve their life chances.

that enable people of all ages and backgrounds to improve their life chances. Labor markets that promote entrepreneurship, access to quality jobs, and policies that make the most of women, youth, retirees, and foreign-born populations in the workforce.

that promote entrepreneurship, access to quality jobs, and policies that make the most of women, youth, retirees, and foreign-born populations in the workforce. Housing markets and urban environments that provide quality, affordable housing, in safe and healthy neighborhoods and avoid trapping people in segregated areas with few or no opportunities.

and urban environments that provide quality, affordable housing, in safe and healthy neighborhoods and avoid trapping people in segregated areas with few or no opportunities. Transport networks that provide access to jobs, services and consumption opportunities for all, as well as affordable and reliable public services, such as water, energy, waste management and high speed internet.

"As we build stronger, more sustainable, and more resilient cities, we must also create more equitable ones. That's what we're focused on through OneNYC  and we're proud to join cities from around the world in signing the New York Proposal as we tackle the challenge of inequality here and across the globe," said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The New York Proposal will serve as a policy roadmap to shape inclusive growth in cities, contribute to the broader debate on inclusive growth at the national level, and inform the global agenda to advance more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities.

The Inclusive Growth in Cities Campaign is strengthened by the support of major national and international institutions, including Cities Alliance, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, the US National League of Cities, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and United Way Worldwide.

More information:

The New York Proposal for Inclusive Growth in Cities signed by Mayors: oe.cd/proposal

List of founding Champion Mayors: http://oe.cd/foundingmayors

What is the role of a Champion Mayor?: http://oe.cd/champmayor

Factsheet: http:oe.cd/igic-fs

Remarks by Secretary-General Angel Gurria at the launch of the campaign: http://oe.cd/1jm

About the OECD:

Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global "do tank" in which governments work together to seek solutions to common problems, share experiences and identify best practices to promote better policies for better lives. For more than 50 years, the OECD has helped forge global standards, international conventions, agreements and recommendations. Co-operation, dialogue, consensus and peer review drive the OECD as it seeks to fulfil its vision of a stronger, cleaner, fairer world economy and society.

About the Ford Foundation:

The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For 80 years it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

SOURCE Ford Foundation; OECD

Related Links

http://www.fordfoundation.org


NEW YORK, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "Boards cannot afford to have directors around the table who aren't delivering value," says a new report based on the 2016 Global Board of Directors Survey, released from Professor Boris Groysberg and Yo-Jud Cheng of Harvard Business School, Spencer Stuart, the WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD) Foundation, and researcher Deborah Bell. With greater institutional and activist shareholder activity and stronger concerns about risk and global competitive threats, boards are taking on "a more strategic, dynamic, and responsive role" in their companies, the report states  pushing "issues around board composition and diversity to the fore."

Capturing responses from more than 4,000 male and female directors from 60 countries around the world, the survey  from WCD, led by CEO Susan Stautberg; Spencer Stuart, spearheaded by Julie Hembrock Daum, head of the firm's North American Board Practice; and their research colleagues  is one of the largest board surveys ever.

The survey research revealed "a gap between best practice and reality" in boards' readiness to handle strategic challenges, especially regarding talent issues. While both public and private company directors named "attracting and retaining top talent" as one of the top challenges to their companies' achieving strategic objectives, respondents gave their own boards relatively low ratings when it came to talent issues such as board diversity, HR/talent management, CEO succession planning, and director evaluations.

Other key findings in the report include:

Cybersecurity in top 3 of political issues relevant to directors. The political issues directors ranked as most relevant to them are the economy, the regulatory environment, and cybersecurity.

The political issues directors ranked as most relevant to them are the economy, the regulatory environment, and cybersecurity. Women directors report higher concerns about risk than male directors. Across the board, female directors reported a higher level of concern about various risks to a company than their male peers  from concerns about activist investors and cybersecurity to regulatory risk and the supply chain.

Across the board, female directors reported a higher level of concern about various risks to a company than their male peers  from concerns about activist investors and cybersecurity to regulatory risk and the supply chain. Directors  especially women  favor tools to trigger board turnover. In an effort to ensure fresh thinking as more demands are placed on boards, the majority of respondents favored director retirement ages and term limits. Female directors were more positive on term limits (in favor: 68% of women vs. 56% of men) and mandatory retirement ages (in favor: 57% of women vs. 39% of men) than their male peers.

In an effort to ensure fresh thinking as more demands are placed on boards, the majority of respondents favored director retirement ages and term limits. Female directors were more positive on term limits (in favor: 68% of women vs. 56% of men) and mandatory retirement ages (in favor: 57% of women vs. 39% of men) than their male peers. Greater scrutiny/spotlight doesn't always drive greater diversity. Public companies have more independent directors than the private companies whose directors participated in the survey have, but private company directors report similar proportions of female and ethnic minority directors on their boards.

Public companies have more independent directors than the private companies whose directors participated in the survey have, but private company directors report similar proportions of female and ethnic minority directors on their boards. Why isn't the number of women on boards increasing? As the percentage of women on boards stays stagnant, there is both a gender divide and a generational divide on why this is. Male directors, especially older respondents, said the "lack of qualified female candidates" was the primary reason; women cited most often the fact that diversity is not a priority in board recruiting, while younger male directors (age 55 and under) said that the reason was because traditional networks tend to be male-dominated.

As the percentage of women on boards stays stagnant, there is both a gender divide and a generational divide on why this is. Male directors, especially older respondents, said the "lack of qualified female candidates" was the primary reason; women cited most often the fact that diversity is not a priority in board recruiting, while younger male directors (age 55 and under) said that the reason was because traditional networks tend to be male-dominated. Boardroom diversity quotas not supported overall. Nearly 75% of surveyed directors do not support boardroom diversity quotas. Forty-nine percent of female directors support them, but only 9% of male directors do.

For more information about the 2016 Global Board of Directors Survey, please contact Suzanne Oaks Brownstein or Trang Mar of Temin and Company at [email protected] or 212.588.8788.

About WomenCorporateDirectors Education and Development Foundation, Inc.

The WomenCorporateDirectors Education and Development Foundation, Inc. (The WCD Foundation) is the only global membership organization and community of women corporate directors, with more than 3,500 members serving on more than 8,500 boards. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the WCD Foundation has 72 chapters around the world, with seven more to launch over the next year. The aggregate market capitalization of public companies on whose boards WCD Foundation members serve is over $8 trillion. In addition, WCD Foundation members serve on numerous boards of large private and family-run companies globally.

WCD Foundation membership provides a unique platform for learning from the intellectual capital of accomplished women from around the world, and the WCD Foundation's mission is to increase courage, candor, inclusion, and cohesion in the boardroom.

The WCD Foundation has 72 global chapters, located in Arizona, Atlanta, Austin, Beijing, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Chile, Cleveland, Colombia, Columbus, Dallas/Fort Worth, Delhi, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greater Colorado, Greater New Mexico, Guatemala, Gulf Cooperation Council, Hanoi, Hawaii, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Houston, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kansas City, Kenya, London, Los Angeles/Orange County, Malaysia, Melbourne, Mexico, Milan, Minnesota, Mongolia, Morocco, Mumbai, Netherlands, New York, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern California, North Florida/South Georgia, Panama, Peru, Philadelphia, Philippines, Quebec, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, San Diego, Sao Paulo, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, South Africa, South Florida, Spain, Switzerland, Sydney, Tampa, Tennessee, Toronto, Turkey, Uruguay, Washington, D.C., and Western Canada. For more information visit www.womencorporatedirectors.com or follow us on Twitter @WomenCorpDirs, #WCDboards.

About Spencer Stuart

At Spencer Stuart, we know how much leadership matters. We are trusted by organizations around the world to help them make the senior-level leadership decisions that have a lasting impact on their enterprises. Through our executive search, board and leadership advisory services, we help build and enhance high-performing teams for select clients ranging from major multinationals to emerging companies to nonprofit institutions.

Privately held since 1956, we focus on delivering knowledge, insight and results through the collaborative efforts of a team of experts  now spanning 56 offices, 30 countries and more than 50 practice specialties. Boards and leaders consistently turn to Spencer Stuart to help address their evolving leadership needs in areas such as senior-level executive search, board recruitment, board effectiveness, succession planning, in-depth senior management assessment and many other facets of organizational effectiveness. For more information on Spencer Stuart (Twitter: @SpencerStuart), please visit www.spencerstuart.com.

Boris Groysberg

Boris Groysberg is the Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Professor Groysberg's work examines how a firm can be systematic in achieving a sustainable competitive advantage by leveraging its talent at all levels of the organization. He is the coauthor, with Michael Slind, of the book Talk Inc. (Harvard Business Review Press, 2012). Follow him on Twitter @bgroysberg.

Deborah Bell

Deborah Bell is an independent researcher of organizational behavior whose work focuses on leadership, drivers of success, and organizational effectiveness and dynamics, especially at the board level.

Yo-Jud Cheng

Yo-Jud Cheng is a doctoral candidate at Harvard Business School whose research focuses on CEO succession, top management teams, and corporate governance issues.

Methodology

This survey was conducted through a partnership between Professor Boris Groysberg and Yo-Jud Cheng from Harvard Business School; WomenCorporateDirectors Foundation, led by Susan Stautberg; Spencer Stuart, led by Julie Hembrock Daum; and independent researcher Deborah Bell.

About 4,000 board members of companies headquartered in 60 countries (U.S. boards made up 48% of the sample) responded to the survey. Results are based on all responses submitted between October 12 and December 1, 2015. The data were analyzed along several dimensions including gender, company ownership, geography, and industry (not all respondents provided information on these dimensions). Boris Groysberg and Yo-Jud Cheng are continuing to work with Harvard Business School's Global Research Centers to increase the response rate in certain countries and regions.

SOURCE WomenCorporateDirectors Education and Development Foundation, Inc.; Spencer Stuart

Related Links

http://www.spencerstuart.com


WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A fair-employment, human rights group has reported sustained threats, some explicitly violent, to the FBI.

The Capitol Hill-based Holy Land Principles, Inc. has received anonymous phone calls plus emails of menacing and threatening nature.

The repeated and identified emails from two brothers  one living in Maryland and the other in an illegal Settlement in Israel are particularly menacing, malicious, and explicitly and graphically violent.

The target of the threats is Irish-born Catholic priest, Fr. Sean Mc Manus, President of the Holy Land Principles, Inc. and the Irish National Caucus. The Holy Land Principles is a corporate code of conduct for American companies doing business in Israel-Palestine, based on the very effective Mac Bride Principles for Northern Ireland, which Fr. Mc Manus also launched in 1984.

The Holy Land Principles are pro-Jewish, pro-Palestinian and pro-company. The Principles do not call for quotas, reverse discrimination, divestment, disinvestment or boycotts. The Principles do not take any position on solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian issue. The Principles do not try to tell the Palestinians or the Israelis what to do.

The Holy Land Principles only call for fair employment by American companies in Palestine-Israel, and have three times been approved by the SEC.

Fr. Mc Manus said: "Because of my life-long non-violent struggle for Irish justice, I am well-used to threats. However, the current best advice on Cyber Bullying/Cyber Stalking  especially if it contains reference to violence, sexual or otherwise  is always to report it to the proper authorities."

Since Fr. Mc Manus reported the threats of violence to the FBI, the Cyber Stalking has escalated.

The brother in the illegal Settlement in Israel  in perhaps an example of international terrorismhas now suggested in an email to his brother in Maryland that they should join together to give Fr. Mc Manus a violent kicking. And in a display of self-entitlement and of being above the law  the brother in the Settlement sent Fr. Mc Manus a copy of his violent email.

Fr. Mc Manus added: "It is intolerable that I as an American citizen should be receiving violent threats from the Middle East at this troubled timeespecially since all I am doing is urging American companies to sign the Holy Land Principles. Who can possibly oppose fair employment by American companies? Why should that evoke such hatred and violence?"

Fr. Sean Mc Manus

President

Holy Land Principles, Inc.

P.O. BOX 15128

Capitol Hill

Washington, DC 20003-0849

Tel. 202-488-0107

Fax. 202-488-7537

[email protected]

SOURCE Holy Land Principles

Related Links

http://www.HolyLandPrinciples.org


TAMPA, Fla., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- World Vision is the leading nongovernmental organization (NGO) committed to delivering clean water to the most vulnerable populations in every corner of the world. iBoss Advertising has proudly joined World Vision in their commitment to provide clean water to one new person every 30 seconds.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357683

Where there is not clean water easily and safely accessible, the health burden is extremely high. Drinking contaminated water can lead to a host of health complications, some minor, many serious, and some potentially fatal. In its clean water initiative, World Vision works with communities to create lasting and sustainable solutions, and to improve the state of knowledge on the importance of clean water.

As the world leader in delivering clean water solutions to those who need it most, World Vision has seen impressive results, and has set goals to continue growing their initiatives in the future. In 2014, World Vision achieved a benchmark 10 percent increase in the number of people it helped to provide with clean water; 2 million people in more than 2,400 African villages have improved water access.

In addition to its clean water program, which is vital for improving health and hygiene in many of the world's communities, World Vision also has established efforts in the following areas: child protection, disaster relief, economic development, education, food and agriculture, gender, and health. iBoss Advertising has committed to support World Vision's clean water fund and the program most in need of monetary support on a monthly basis.

"It is my duty as a fellow Ecuadorian and a United States Marine to aid my people and supply items such as water, medicine, hygiene products, and other necessary essentials during such a tragic time," said Hugo D. Aviles, Co-Founder of iBoss Advertising.

iBoss Advertising and its employees are dedicated to giving back both to the local community and to international programs dedicated to helping those most in need. By supporting World Vision in its mission to create a healthier, happier, and safer world, the iBoss Advertising team hopes to encourage others to be grateful for access to everyday necessities and to consider supporting programs like those at World Vision that seek to change the world by changing the lives of others.

For more information about the World Vision's dedicated work to helping the world's most at-risk communities, visit worldvision.org. To contribute to the Ecuador relief fund, click here.

About iBoss Advertising

iBoss Advertising is a full-service digital marketing agency devoted to their client's online branding success. iBoss' passion is for the business  making businesses profitable and successful! iBoss produces forward-thinking, innovative, creative, and impactful marketing tactics and plans that stand out from the competition! iBoss understands that a cohesive and strong foundational brand and online presence fuels business results! Therefore, iBoss Advertising will accomplish just that! iBoss Advertising's mission is to be the leading source for online branding of strategic solutions  i.b.o.s.s. For more information visit: http://www.ibossadv.com.

SOURCE iBoss Advertising

Related Links

http://www.ibossadv.com


MATAWAN, N.J., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- iCIMS, Inc., a leading provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) talent acquisition solutions, announced today that the company has been named one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey for the fifth consecutive year in 2016. iCIMS has jumped from its previous ranking at eighteen in 2015 to number 10 on the 2016 list among large companies with more than 250 employees.

As a high-growth technology company, iCIMS strives to provide its employees a working atmosphere that promotes wealth, wellness and well-being. iCIMS offers its employees with a variety of career development opportunities, as well as in-service training and tuition reimbursement. The company also offers a competitive compensation package, a company-matched 401(k) plan, 100 percent employer-paid premium health coverage, and ample paid time off. Other perks include monthly company-wide celebrations, game rooms, and a business casual dress code. Giving back to the local community is a major part of the company culture. Employees participate in local beach sweeps and park cleanups and iCIMS also plants one tree for every new hire that joins the team through the Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees Campaign.

"We take great pride in ranking among the top 10 Best Places to Work in New Jersey," said Colin Day, iCIMS chief executive officer. "As a high-growth employer in New Jersey, we're constantly looking for driven and passionate people to join the company, and it is a great honor to maintain our award-winning culture for the fifth consecutive year. We are proud to receive this award along with some of New Jersey's most distinctive companies and will continue to create exciting career opportunities for the future."

Due to steady growth in the talent acquisition industry, iCIMS was also ranked 22nd on the list of New Jersey's 50 Fastest Growing Companies by NJBIZ. iCIMS has recently expanded its headquarters in Matawan, New Jersey to accommodate its growing employee base and plans to add more than 200 employees in 2016.

Employee comments within the survey praised the company's clear and consistent communication, accessibility to leadership, and the focus on team building and company culture. One employee summed it up, "Even though the organization is growing rapidly, it still maintains a tight-knit feel. Culture is prioritized here, and employees are celebrated for exhibiting their shared enthusiasm, drive, and desire to constantly learn and improve. The benefits are great, there is a lot of opportunity to grow, and we have fun as much as possible."

The Best Places to Work in New Jersey awards program recognizes and honors the state's top employers who show a dedication to their employees' professional growth and quality of life. The program is made up of 100 companies split into two groups: 70 small/medium-sized companies (15-249 employees) and 30 large-sized companies (more than 250 employees), including well-known NJ-based organizations such as Esurance and Wyndham Worldwide.

To learn more about career opportunities at iCIMS, visit https://careers.icims.com/

About iCIMS, Inc.:

iCIMS is a leading provider of innovative Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) talent acquisition solutions that help businesses win the war for top talent. Scalable, easy to use, and backed by award-winning customer service, iCIMS enables organizations to manage their entire talent acquisition lifecycle from building talent pools, to recruiting, to onboarding, all within a single cloud-based platform that is connected to the largest partner ecosystem of HR technologies in the industry. Supporting more than 3,200 contracted customers, iCIMS is one of the largest and fastest-growing talent acquisition solution providers. To learn more about how iCIMS can help your organization, visit http://www.icims.com or view a free online demo of the iCIMS Talent Platform.

Media Contact:

Kelly Cordrey

iCIMS, Inc.

800-889-4422

[email protected]

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SOURCE iCIMS

Related Links

http://www.icims.com/


Kirpal had allegedly crossed the Attari-Wagah border to enter Pakistan in 1992 and was subsequently sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistan's Punjab province. (Photo: PTI)

Lahore: The postmortem of Kirpal Singh, the Indian prisoner who died under mysterious circumstances in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail, was done on Tuesday in the Jinnah Hospital.

The mortal remains of Kirpal will be handed over to India this afternoon. The family members of Kirpal Singh had on Friday met Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh to express their concerns over the gruesome treatment meted out to Indians languishing in Pakistani jails.

Kirpal Singh's family had earlier rejected Pakistan's claim that he died of a heart attack and demanded a postmortem to ascertain the true facts behind his sudden death.

"How can we believe that he died of heart attack? His body should be sent to us and postmortem should be done. We want to know the truth," Singh's nephew said in New Delhi.

Kirpal had allegedly crossed the Attari-Wagah border to enter Pakistan in 1992 and was subsequently sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistan's Punjab province.
Jay has been the lead banker and has underwritten in excess of $1 billion of facility financing for more than 100 charter schools across the country. In addition to his banking experience, he serves as a board member for a national, non-profit community development financial institution (CDFI). This CDFI focuses on helping charter schools finance, build and expand their school facilitieswith a special emphasis on new schools that serve low-income families.

Prior to joining HJ Sims, Jay was with Piper Jaffray for six years. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and lives in Minneapolis with his family.

"I am excited to join a firm that has an impressive reputation and solid history in the financing industry. I am eager to help grow the business and to assist many new clients in executing the right financing solution for their projects," says Jay.

"We could not be more enthused to welcome such a talented banker to our team," said William B. Sims, Managing Principal. "Jay will continue the firm's growth strategy in the education sector by helping our clients find creative financing strategies to see their visions become a reality."

For more information about creative financing solutions for education sector projects, please contact Jay today in Bloomington, MN office at 952-683-7506 or by email [email protected].

ABOUT HJ SIMS

Founded in 1935 on Wall Street, HJ Sims is celebrating more than 80 years of service as a privately held investment bank and broker-dealer with approximately $1.8 billion of assets under management. HJ Sims is known as one of the country's oldest underwriters of tax-exempt and taxable bonds, having raised approximately $21 billion for projects throughout the US. The firm is headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, with investment banking, private client wealth management and trading offices in Maryland, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Puerto Rico. Pershing LLC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, is custodian of all client assets. For more information, please visit: www.hjsims.com/ourstory. Investments involve risk, including the possible fluctuation of principal. Member FINRA/SIPC. Follow HJ Sims on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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SOURCE HJ Sims
MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- James R. Downing, M.D., St. Jude Children's Research Hospital president and chief executive officer, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is one of 213 new members, which include some of the world's most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers and artists, as well as civic, business and philanthropic leaders.

Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the country's oldest learned societies and independent policy research centers, convening leaders from the academic, business and government sectors to respond to the challenges facingand opportunities available tothe nation and the world. Members of the 2016 class include winners of the Pulitzer Prize and the Wolf Prize; MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships; the Fields Medal; and the Grammy Award and National Book Award.

"Dr. Downing is a visionary scientific and medical leader whose work is helping the research community to understand the genetic basis of cancer and use that information to improve treatment and increase survival of young cancer patients," said Marlo Thomas, St. Jude national outreach director and daughter of hospital founder, Danny Thomas. "On behalf of everyone at St. Jude, we are so pleased the American Academy of Arts and Sciences has recognized Dr. Downing's contributions and leadership in speeding progress against childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases."

A world leader in pediatric cancer research, Downing has dedicated more than two decades to uncovering the genetic basis of childhood cancer. He was instrumental in launching the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP), which has sequenced the normal and cancer genomes of more than 800 young cancer patients with some of the least understood and most aggressive tumors. The project made TIME magazine's 2012 list of top 10 medical breakthroughs. In 2013, Downing was a finalist on TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. The PCGP has produced groundbreaking discoveries in brain tumors, childhood leukemia, a cancer of the peripheral nervous system, an eye tumor and the degenerative disorder commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The project has also produced new computational tools that benefit the broader field of genomic medicine.

Most recently, Downing was appointed to a Blue Ribbon Panel to advise Vice President Joe Biden's National Cancer Moonshot Initiative through the National Cancer Institute.

As St. Jude president and CEO, Downing is the architect of a six-year strategic plan to expand St. Jude clinical care and research programs throughout the country and around the world.

Prior to taking the helm of St. Jude, Downing served as the institution's scientific and deputy director and as an executive vice president in the organization. He became the hospital's sixth chief executive officer in 2014.

Downing becomes the fourth St. Jude faculty member honored by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Martine Roussel, Ph.D., Brenda Schulman, Ph.D., and Charles Sherr, M.D., Ph.D., were named fellows in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Throughout its history, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences has elected leaders from each generation, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Jonas Salk, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela. Current members represent today's innovative thinkers in every field and profession, including more than 250 Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners. The complete list of the 2016 class of new members is available at www.amacad.org/members.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food  because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow the hospital on Twitter and Instagram at @stjuderesearch.

SOURCE St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Related Links

http://www.stjude.org


"The real power of any business is in how it conducts its operations," said Greenfield, who told the audience the story of Ben & Jerry's Homemade from its uncertain start in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978 to the $300 million ice cream empire it has become today. Along the way, the company learned how to integrate social and environmental values into its business model, Greenfield explained. The business today is known for its commitment to social responsibility and creative management.

Before his talk Greenfield visited with students from Introduction to Business and Organizational Behavior/Design classes as well as members of the College's Entrepreneur and Sustainability Clubs. The students peppered him with questions about combining idealism with successful business practices and the effect on a socially responsible company of going public and being absorbed by a large corporation. Greenfield provided straightforward answers and complimented the students on getting quickly to the fundamental questions. Greenfield also enjoyed lunch prepared by BHCC Culinary Arts students.

Greenfield grew up on Long Island and attended Oberlin College. With Ben Cohen, he co-authored the best-seller Ben & Jerry's Double-Dip: Lead with Your Values and Make Money. The two have won the Council on Economic Priorities Corporate Giving Award and have been honored as U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

For more than a decade, the Compelling Conversations series has brought high-profile speakers to Bunker Hill Community College to discuss their professional experience and provide inspiration for studentsfrom activist Gloria Steinem to boxer Laila Ali, filmmaker Ken Burns, journalist Tavis Smiley and actress America Ferrera. Learn more about the BHCC Compelling Conversations Series at bhcc.edu/cc .

Media Contact:

Karen M. Norton, Executive Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications

Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA 02129

Phone: 617-228-2177; Email: [email protected]

Bunker Hill Community College is the largest community college in Massachusetts. The College enrolls more than 14,000 students on two campuses and at three satellite locations. BHCC is one of the most diverse institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. Sixty-four percent of the students are people of color and more than half of BHCC's students are women. The College also enrolls more than 850 international students who come from approximately 100 countries and speak more than 75 languages.

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SOURCE Bunker Hill Community College

Related Links

http://www.bhcc.mass.edu


The first two CH-53K heavy lift helicopters achieved their first flights on October 27, 2015, and January 22, 2016, respectively. To date these helicopters have achieved over 50 flight hours combined including one flight at speeds over 140 knots. The third and fourth King Stallion aircraft will join the flight test program this summer.

As the King Stallion flight test program proceeds, both of the current flying aircraft will be exercised to expand the external load envelope. Initial external payloads weighing 12,000 pounds will be flown first in hover and then incrementally to speeds up to 120 knots. The aircraft will then carry 20,000 and 27,000 pound external payloads.

The CH-53K King Stallion is equipped with single, dual and triple external cargo hook capability that will allow for the transfer of three independent external loads to three separate landing zones in support of distributed operations in one single sortie without having to return to a ship or other logistical hub. The three external cargo hooks include a single center point hook with a 36,000 lb. capability and dual-point hooks each capable of carrying up to 25,200 lbs. The system features an electrical load release capability from the cockpit and cabin, and a mechanical load release capability at each of the pendant locations. An auto-jettison system is incorporated to protect the aircraft in the event of a load attachment point failure.

"It is exciting to have achieved our first external lift, another important step towards fielding the most powerful U.S. military helicopter," said Col. Hank Vanderborght, U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager for Heavy Lift Helicopters. "Our program continues on pace to deploy this incredible heavy lift capability to our warfighters."

Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin company, is developing the CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps. The King Stallion maintains similar physical dimensions and "footprint" as its predecessor, the three-engine CH-53E SUPER STALLION helicopter, but will more than triple the payload to 27,000 pounds over 110 nautical miles under "high hot" ambient conditions.

Features of the CH-53K helicopter include a modern glass cockpit; fly-by-wire flight controls; fourth-generation rotor blades with anhedral tips; a low maintenance elastomeric rotor head; upgraded engines; a locking, United States Air Force pallet compatible cargo rail system; external cargo handling improvements; survivability enhancements; and improved reliability, maintainability and supportability.

The U.S. Department of Defense's Program of Record remains at 200 CH-53K aircraft. The Marine Corps intends to stand up eight active duty squadrons, one training squadron, and one reserve squadron to support operational requirements.

This press release contains forward looking statements concerning opportunities for development, production and sale of helicopters. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans, availability of funding and in the type and number of aircraft required; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in Lockheed Martin Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin

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BOISE, Idaho, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Idaho's wine industry continues to flourish with the newly approved Lewis-Clark Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) today announced this important federal designation, which defines the geographic region of northwestern Idaho and bordering eastern Washington as a unique grape-growing area.

The state of Idaho is gaining national attention as a prominent grape growing area after the Department of the Treasury established the Snake River Valley AVA in 2007, the Eagle Foothills AVA in November 2015 and now the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA. New regions illustrate an emerging wine culture in Idaho and will act as a catalyst for development as more growers investigate the region.

"Idaho is seeing continued growth and success with wine," said Moya Shatz Dolsby, executive director of the Idaho Wine Commission. "We have lured experienced winemakers from other popular regions because of Idaho's unique growing conditions, variety and quality. Vintners are coming for the opportunity to be pioneers in winemaking and to be part of our rapidly growing industry. We are fortunate to have a partner in Washington State Wine, who is willing to collaborate and share their expertise."

"Terroir is not defined by state borders, but by the unique geological characteristics shared between our two borders. Washington State Wine is proud to work collaboratively with the Idaho Wine Commission to tell the story of this new region," said Steve Warner, President of Washington State Wine. "The Lewis-Clark AVA is a remarkable growing area that will help elevate the Northwest wine industry as a whole."

The Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is the first and only wine region to be nestled in the unique mountainous backbone of the Bitterroot Mountains. With steep river canyons and plateaus, it is home to the lowest elevation vineyards in the state at 950 feet. The region encompasses 479 square miles, and is approximately 307,000 acres in size. Nearly 72 percent of the land is located in Idaho, while the rest lies in Washington State. The area is home to 16 vineyards growing more than 80 acres of grapes, including 14 red and nine white wine grape varieties.

As part of the ruling, TTB is also modifying the boundary of the existing Columbia Valley AVA to eliminate a partial overlap with the new LewisClark Valley AVA. As a result, the LewisClark Valley AVA will not contain, be located within, or overlap any other viticultural area.

The announcement of a new AVA will allow wineries to market grapes from the Lewis-Clark Valley, giving it a regional identity.

"This announcement means we can finally label wines coming from our vineyard, as being estate wines," said Melissa Sanborn, owner and winemaker with Colter's Creek Winery, Inc. "It's a small portion of wineries that grow their own grapes in Idaho."

New regions often lead to economic boosts from tourism as visitors come to sample wines and experience local culture. Growers see opportunity with the large amounts of land ready to be cultivated and demand from wineries.

"For people who are passionate about wine, they don't get stuck on varieties," Sanborn said. "For them it's about drinking the region and finding something different than anything else they've experienced before. The Lewis-Clark Valley will be able to provide them with that."

To qualify as an AVA, a wine grape-growing region must be distinguishable by distinct geographic features such as climate, soil, elevation and physical features. Conditions and grapes grown within this geographic region can't be replicated anywhere else. Unique elements of the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA include:

SOIL

The Lewis-Clark Valley AVA's soil is comprised of decomposing perennial grasses and grass roots with capacity to hold water. The majority of soils contain loess, or wind-deposited, nutrient-rich silt. The region has good planting areas that are easy to develop and contains air drainage characteristics that are ideal for wine grapes. It also contains steep sides within shallow, stony surficial coverage for both classic and exotic vineyard sites.

CLIMATE

The Lewis-Clark Valley is nicknamed the "banana belt" because of its temperate climate amid colder surrounding regions. This climate produces high quality fruit trees, such as peaches, apples, wine and table grapes.

WATER

Precipitation in the Lewis-Clark Valley is sufficient enough in areas to require only minimal irrigation. It is directly below originating watersheds of the Palouse and Camas Prairies. The steep V-shaped valley allows for good drainage, providing frost protection and cool nighttime temperatures for acid retention and flavor development. The annual precipitation varies between 11-22 inches.

The Idaho Wine Commission is dedicated to marketing and promoting all Idaho wineries and growers. There are 50+ wineries with 1300 vineyard acres planted. The wine industry contributed $169 million to Idaho's economy. Visit www.idahowines.org for more information about wineries, vineyards and events in Idaho.

Washington State Wine represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, WSW provides a marketing platform to raise positive awareness of the Washington State wine industry and generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely by the industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales, WSW is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. To learn more, visit www.washingtonwine.org.

Contact: Moya Shatz Dolsby

Executive Director, Idaho Wine Commission

[email protected]

O: 208.332.1538 | C: 208.841.8072

Heather Bradshaw

Communications Director, Washington State Wine

[email protected]

O: 206.326.5752 | C: 206.495.5844

SOURCE Washington State Wine

Related Links

https://www.washingtonwine.org


PUNE, India, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new market research report, "Managed Mobility Services Market by Function (Device Management, Application Management, Security Management, and Maintenance & Support), by Organization Size (SME and Enterprise), Industry Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Managed Mobility Services (MMS) market is expected to grow from USD 4.56 Billion in 2016 to USD 19.40 Billion by 2021, at a high Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 33.6%.

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Browse 68 market data Tables and 50 Figures spread through 154 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Managed Mobility Services Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/managed-mobility-service-market-176912020.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

The Managed Mobility Services Market growing and is expected to rise considerably due to the enhancement and innovation of technology in this sector. Moreover, the demand for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is increasing among workforce to access business information through personal devices, which is encouraging organizations to adopt MMS for managing enterprise mobility. There has been a rise in the demand of MMS solutions that can be optimized on real-time basis, so that the needed information can be accessed and completed without any delay. Therefore, MMS plays a significant part in mobility value chain and is being implemented by most of the organizations globally.

"Device Management segment (Device and System Management, Mobile Service Management, and Sourcing and Logistics Management) is expected to gain market prominence during the next five years"

The device management segment by function is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. More than half of the total Managed Mobility Services Market revenue is contributed by device management and the trend is expected to continue during the entire forecast period. This is mainly due to significant rise in the adoption of BYOD among organizations to gain competitive advantage. The mobile device management is expected to grow due to the extensive usage of mobile devices for accessing business content. The security management is also projected to show great growth opportunities with a high CAGR during the forecast period.

Request a sample copy: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=176912020

"The market in APAC is expected to be grow the fastest-"

Considering the regional trends of the Managed Mobility Services Market, North America is projected to hold the largest market size. The market in APAC is the fastest growing regional MMS market. This is mainly attributed to the presence of many developing countries and infrastructure in this region. The Latin America and MEA regions also depict great potentials in terms of adoption of MMS security management services.

The major players offering MMS are AT&T, Fujitsu, IBM Corporation, Wipro, Orange S.A., Hewlett Packard, and others. Moreover, there are various key innovators in the market that provide innovative MMS.

The market on the basis of function is segmented into Device and System Management, Mobile Service Management, and Sourcing and Logistics Management. On the basis of organization size, the market is classified into SME and Enterprise. Further, the MMS market is also segmented based on industrial verticals and regions. The scope of the report covers detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the Managed Mobility Services Market, such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been done to provide insights into their business overview, products and services, key strategies, and competitive landscape associated with the MMS market.

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Managed Security Services Market by Service Type, Organization Size (Small and Medium Enterprises, Large Enterprises), Deployment (Cloud Deployment and in-Premises Deployment), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/managed-security-services-market-5918403.html

Healthcare Mobility Solutions Market by Products & Services (Mobile Devices, Mobile Apps, Enterprise Platforms), Application (Patient Care, Operations, Workforce Management), End User (Payers, Providers, Patients) - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-mobility-solutions-market-1295547.html

Enterprise Mobility Management Market by Solution (Mobile Device Management, Mobile Content Management, Mobile Application Management), by Services (Maintenance & Support, Professional Services)- Global Forecast to 2019

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/enterprise-mobility-management-market-31847012.html

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets is the world's No. 2 firm in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors.

M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
BURLINGTON, Mass., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- PARx Solutions is spreading the word, and physician practices are listening: the company's streamlined, user-friendly, full service approach to Prior Authorization (PA), the requirement by a patient's health plan to approve a specific medication as a condition of providing coverage, is successfully helping healthcare providers meet this growing concern.

The PARx prior authorization service, provided at no cost to physician practices, has been proven effective with most therapeutic areas and across managed care plans. PARx has successfully processed PA requests for tens of thousands of prescribers across a spectrum of therapeutic areas including gastroenterology and diabetes, and represents a critical mass of medications in the ophthalmology and optometry areas. Said Dr. Harvey Richman, FAAO, FCOVD, Diplomate American Board of Optometry, Manasquan, NJ: "By using PARx Solutions' services, my practice is doing far more PA's more quickly, more efficiently, meaning that less doctor and staff time are wasted."

The evolving PA landscape presents numerous challenges for physicians and their practice managers, including: an increase in the number of medications requiring PA; PA request forms that change over time and are different by plan; patients who change insurance plans due to a change in employment or due to the ACA (Affordable Care Act) may find they need PA for long-term medications; and PA requirements that have become overall more stringent and complex. Furthermore, pharmacy data shows that when a prescription is rejected, requiring a PA, a high percentage of patients abandon therapy altogether.

Primary among physician practice concerns regarding the PA process is the sheer volume of time required of practice staff (and sometimes the physicians themselves) to manage the PA process. In addition to completing an initial PA submission, health plans often require additional information (and sometimes a resubmission on a second form), and contacting a health plan can entail long hold times and poor responsiveness. Many staff  in one study, more than 94 percent of Medical Group Practice Managers1 - find it to be a complex and frustrating experience, and highly disruptive to workflow.

"I would recommend PARx to other practices because of time  not having to be on the phone on hold, while a patient in front of me waits for my help," said Lien Liang, Medical Assistant, Bingjing Roberts, MD, PLLC, New York, NY. "Even when I would be on the phone 30 minutes to 1 hour, it didn't mean the insurance company would say yes. Often, I would wait 15 to 20 minutes just to talk to a live person. With PARx, it takes less time than that to enter the information online, knowing it is complete, and we'll often have our answer within 48 hours. During that time, I can track the progress of the PA through the Status page  all together, a very easy system to use."

PARx provides online training for physician practice staff, backed up by a customer service center staffed with health care professionals including pharmacy techs and nurses. Notes Dan Rubin, President and CEO of PARx Solutions: "Our easy to use technology is just the first step; we provide a high-touch service, with quality assurance that includes speaking directly with insurance companies on behalf of the physician practices and by so doing, saving time and resources for those practices. This is vital to improving PA approval rates; on average, up to 70 percent of PA denials are based on administrative reasons before they are even considered for a medical review.2"

PARx Solutions executives are available to media to discuss the current and future Prior Authorization landscape  and what physician practices and pharmaceutical companies need to know to meet the PA challenge. Please contact Ariane Doud, Warner Communications, (978) 283-2674, [email protected].

1PARx Survey, New England Medical Group Managers Association Conference, March, 2013

2Source: Trivium Health, Inc.

About PARx Solutions

PARx Solutions helps physician practices meet a growing challenge: medications requiring prior authorization in order to be covered by their patients' insurance plans. PARx provides practices with the ability to submit prior authorization requests quickly and accurately, leading to higher approval rates for the medications physicians believe best for their patients. The PARx Prior Authorization Support System ('PASS') is free to prescribers, and incorporates a secure, "easy to use" web portal, with a call center staffed with healthcare professionals and reimbursement specialists to interact with managed care plans on prescribers' behalf, supporting all of their PA needs.

For more information, please visit www.parxsolutions.com

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SOURCE PARx Solutions

Related Links

http://www.parxsolutions.com


NEW YORK, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight separate project finance transactions on four continents have earned Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP stand-out awards as Deals of the Year from IJGlobal, the international journal of project finance and infrastructure.

The Americas and European awards were conferred at ceremonies in March in New York and London, while the Asia-Pacific honors will be bestowed in Singapore later in the summer.

One of the first international law firms to establish a dedicated project finance practice, Milbank has over the past three years closed more than 140 project-based financings worth over $125 billion, drawing on the expertise of attorneys in the firm's 12 offices worldwide. Pioneering infrastructure projects around the globe, Milbank's Global Project Finance group comprises more than 100 dedicated attorneys including 22 partners worldwide.

Milbank transactions honored by IJGlobal in the following categories include:

North America Midstream Deal

Milbank advised an international bank syndicate in separate but related financings, totaling more than $1.1 billion, for a pair of natural gas pipelines in southwest Texas. The pipelines, which together run 343 miles, originate at the Waha energy storage and transit hub and stretch to the US/Mexico border, where they help supply Mexico's electrical utility. Global Project Finance Practice Group Leader Dan Bartfeld and partner Daniel Michalchuk led the Milbank team on behalf of the lenders, which included including The Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi / MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), BBVA and Mizuho.

North America Power Bond Deal

Milbank advised lenders and institutional investors in an approximately $443 million private placement and $47 million credit facility for the construction of the Pio Pico Energy Center in Otay Mesa, Calif., southeast of San Diego. The 313-megawatt plant is expected to power about 200,000 homes. Jonathan Green, co-chair of Milbank's Global Project Finance Group, led the deal team.

Latin America Mining & Metals Deal

In a deal showcasing the strong Korean and Latin American nexus of its practice, Milbank advised KEXIM and K-Sure and various commercial lenders providing $2.1 billion in financing to Brazil-Korea joint venture Companhia Siderurgica do Pecem (CSP), for construction of a new steel mill in Brazil (sponsored by Vale, Dongkuk and POSCO). It is the largest Korean financing ever in Brazil. In addition to Mr. Bartfeld, the Milbank team included Sao Paulo-based partner Tobias Stirnberg and Seoul-based partner Young Joon Kim.

Latin America Midstream Deal

Maintaining its leading role in US-Mexico pipeline financings, Milbank advised Citigroup, ING, NordLB, Banco Santander, Sabadell, and Goldman Sachs as lead arrangers of $820 million in financing for a natural gas pipeline in Mexico. The La Laguna-El Encino Pipeline stretches for 289 miles between the states of Chihuahua and Durango. Once operational in 2017, the pipeline will carry natural gas originating from Texas, supplying power plants in northern Mexico with an alternative energy source to fuel oil. Milbank was led by Mr. Bartfeld.

Latin America Solar Deal

Continuing its noteworthy renewables and energy infrastructure work in Chile and other parts of Latin America, Milbank represented Rabobank International as VAT lender in connection with the development of the Laberinto solar power facility in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The facility marks the entry into Chile of EDF Energies Nouvelles, a green energy producer operating in Europe and the Americas and subsidiary of renewable energy pioneer EDF Group, of France. Once operational, the Laberinto facility will be one of the world's largest solar plants selling output on a merchant basis. The Milbank team advising Rabobank was led by Allan Marks, partner in the firm's Global Project Finance Group.

Latin America Wind Deal

Milbank represented the sponsors in connection with the acquisition and the financing of the construction and operation of 85.8 MW and a 62.7 MW wind projects, each located in Tamaulipas, Mexico. These projects are the first two phases of the Tres Mesas Wind complex, which represents one of the largest sustainable energy projects in Mexico to date. The innovative financing included dual currency (USD/MXP) debt tranches from OPIC and the North American Development Bank. The transaction won "Project of the Year" at MIREC (Mexico International Renewable Energy Conference). This is the first time that OPIC has issued so-called "green bonds" to support a Mexican renewable energy asset and the first time it has provided a loan denominated in Mexican pesos. The Milbank team was led by partner Allan Marks.

European Telecoms Deal

Continuing its work with innovative satellite telecommunications provider O3b Networks, Milbank advised the company on implementation of a revised financial structure worth $358 million to help acquire eight new satellites and launch four of them. Milbank has advised the company since its initial satellite financing in 2010. The latest round of multi-sourced financing brought together the French export credit agency, four commercial lenders, seven development finance institutions, and nine equity investors. O3b Networks aims to provide broadband internet access to underserved regions of the globe. The Milbank team was led by London-based Global Project Finance partner John Dewar, Securities partner James Ball, Space & Satellite partner Peter Nesgos, and Alternative Investments partner John Williams.

Asia-Pacific Airports Deal

In a milestone assignment in India, Milbank represented underwriters Citigroup, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, JP Morgan, and KKR Capital Markets in the $288.75 million Regulation S high-yield debt issuance by Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL), which operates New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of the world's largest. The landmark issuance, one of the first of its kind for a major Indian infrastructure asset, was overseen by partner Naomi Ishikawa, one of the leading capital markets lawyers in the Asia-Pacific region.

About Milbank

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP is a leading international law firm that provides innovative legal services to clients around the world. Founded in New York 150 years ago, Milbank has offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, DC. Milbank's lawyers collaborate across practices and offices to help the world's leading commercial, financial and industrial enterprises, as well as institutions, individuals and governments, achieve their strategic objectives.

From: Jocelyn De Carvalho, Public Relations Manager, 212-530-5509, [email protected]

SOURCE Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
MOSCOW, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS" or the "Company" -NYSE: MBT; MOEX: MTSS), the leading telecommunications provider in Russia and the CIS, announces that it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

The document can also be found at http://www.mtsgsm.com/resources/annual_reports/ of the Investor Relations section. Hard copies of the document with the Company's complete audited financial statements will be available free of charge to shareholders upon request.

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS" -NYSE:MBT; MOEX:MTSS) is the leading telecommunications group in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe. We provide wireless Internet access and fixed voice, broadband and pay-TV to over 100 million customers who value high quality of service at a competitive price. Our wireless and fixed-line networks deliver best-in-class speeds and coverage throughout Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. To keep pace with evolving customer demand, we continue to grow through innovative products, investments in our market-leading retail platform, mobile payment services, e-commerce and IT solutions. For more information, please visit: http://www.mtsgsm.com.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of MTS, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward looking statements by terms such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "will," "could," "may" or "might," and the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. We wish to caution you that these statements are only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We do not undertake or intend to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. We refer you to the documents MTS files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the Company's most recent Form 20-F. These documents contain and identify important factors, including those contained in the section captioned "Risk Factors" that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, the severity and duration of current economic and financial conditions, including volatility in interest and exchange rates, commodity and equity prices and the value of financial assets; the impact of Russian, U.S. and other foreign government programs to restore liquidity and stimulate national and global economies, our ability to maintain our current credit rating and the impact on our funding costs and competitive position if we do not do so, strategic actions, including acquisitions and dispositions and our success in integrating acquired businesses, potential fluctuations in quarterly results, our competitive environment, dependence on new service development and tariff structures, rapid technological and market change, acquisition strategy, risks associated with telecommunications infrastructure, governmental regulation of the telecommunications industries and other risks associated with operating in Russia and the CIS, volatility of stock price, financial risk management and future growth subject to risks.

For further information, please contact in Moscow:



Joshua B. Tulgan

Director, Department of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC

Tel: +7-495-223-2025

E-mail: [email protected]



Learn more about MTS. Visit the official blog of the Investor Relations Department at http://www.mtsgsm.com/blog/



SOURCE Mobile TeleSystems (MTS)
"Nestle Dreyer's Ice Cream understands that consumers want to know what's in their food, where those ingredients come from and how the food products they purchase are made," said Robert Kilmer, president, Nestle Dreyer's Ice Cream. "We are the industry leader when it comes to innovation and, as consumer demand centers on transparency and choice, we are responding with new ways to make ice cream even better. Using simpler ingredients that our consumers can recognize, and removing those that don't belong, is a natural next step for our brands."

For 150 years, Nestle has been making delicious, high-quality food while fostering a commitment to nutrition, health and wellness across its more than 2,000 brands. Nestle has reimagined family-favorite foods by making them with less fat and sugar; reducing calories; including portion guidance messaging and using Facts Up Front labeling to display key nutrition information on the front of food and beverage packages. The evolution of the ice cream portfolio builds upon the company's ongoing efforts to improve ingredient profiles while maintaining the great taste and flavors consumers expect.

The Evolution of Edy's Slow Churned

When it comes to ice cream, Nestle is no stranger to innovation and has brought to market numerous products to meet consumers' evolving preferences.

A marquee example is Edy's Slow Churned which features half the fat and one-third fewer calories than full-fat ice cream, and was introduced in 2004, when consumer preference focused on lower calorie and reduced fat options, without sacrifice of flavor. A proprietary process that slowly churns ingredients together resulted in a rich, creamy and delicious ice cream consumers couldn't believe was light ice cream.

Today, Nestle announced nine of its most popular Edy's Slow Churned flavors will now be branded Slow Churned Simple Recipes, to reflect their simpler ingredient profile. The improved recipes feature a label with seven or eight ingredients, reduced from an average of 22. Additional changes include the removal of all artificial colors and flavors, high fructose corn syrup and GMO ingredients along with the addition of fresh milk from cows not treated with rBST. Examples of specific ingredients removed include carrageenan and xanthan gum, replaced with ingredients such as pectin. The team, led by research scientist Michael Sharp, analyzed every ingredient and recipe to determine the opportunity to simplify the ingredient list.

"Our mission is to deliver the best product for the consumer," said Sharp. "In the case of Simple Recipes, this meant maintaining the great taste and texture of an established and well-liked product with simpler ingredients that consumers understand."

Nestle plans to update the remaining Slow Churned flavors by the end of 2017 and will continue to update other products across all brands in its portfolio.

About Nestle

Named one of "The World's Most Admired Food Companies" in Fortune magazine for nineteen consecutive years, Nestle provides quality brands that bring flavor to life every day. From nutritious meals with LEAN CUISINE to baking traditions with NESTLE TOLL HOUSE, Nestle USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that make good living possible. That's what "Nestle. Good Food, Good Life" is all about. Well-known Nestle USA brands include: NESTLE TOLL HOUSE, NESTLE NESQUIK, NESTLE COFFEE-MATE, STOUFFER'S, LEAN CUISINE, HOT POCKETS and LEAN POCKETS brand sandwiches, NESCAFE and NESCAFE CLASICO , BUITONI, SKINNY COW, DREYER'S/EDY'S, NESTLE CRUNCH, NESTLE BUTTERFINGER and DIGIORNO. Nestle USA, with 2015 sales of $9.7 billion, is part of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland  the world's largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness  with 2015 sales of $92 billion. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or Facebook.com/NestleUSA.

The Haagen-Dazs trademark is licensed to Nestle by General Mills.  HDIP, Inc.

1 The brand is known as Dreyer's in regions west of the Rocky Mountains

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160325/348199

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160325/357598LOGO

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160325/348200LOGO

SOURCE Nestle USA

Related Links

http://www.nestleusa.com


Li Keqiang said China and India are important neighbouring countries, whose peaceful co-existence and cooperation are conducive for both sides and the world. (Photo: AFP)

Beijing: China is willing to properly handle its disputes with India as cooperation between the two countries will be a "great engine" for Asia's development and send a "positive signal" for world peace, Premier Li Keqiang told Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday.

Keqiang made the remarks when Parrikar, who on Monday held extensive talks with top Chinese Generals and exchanged views on improving bilateral military to military relations, called on him.

The Chinese Premier expressed hope that defence departments and armed forces of China and India will strengthen exchanges, dialogue and communication to jointly maintain peace and stability in border areas and create a good condition for the development of bilateral ties.

Keqiang said China and India are important neighbouring countries, whose peaceful co-existence and cooperation are conducive for both sides and the world.

China attaches high importance to its relations with India and is willing to keep close bilateral exchanges, strengthen strategic mutual trust, expand common interests and properly handle disputes so as to promote a sound and stable development of the China-India relations, Keqiang said during his meeting with Parrikar.

Facing the sluggish world economy and unceasing regional conflicts, the cooperation and common development between the two countries will be a "great engine" for Asia's development and send a "positive signal" for world peace, Keqiang was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

Speaking positively of the development of India-China relations in recent years, Parrikar said he hoped the two sides could make joint efforts to properly handle relevant issues and maintain the cooperation momentum in all areas. He said a further progress of bilateral defence relations would also push forward the two countries' economic and trade cooperation.

Parrikar hoped the two countries could strengthen cooperation and friendship. Parrikar later left for Chengdu where he would visit the recently integrated western command military headquarters which has jurisdiction over entire borders with India before leaving for home.

The Defence Minister's meeting with Keqiang came a day after he firmly conveyed India's reservations to Chinese leaders over Beijing blocking its efforts to get Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.
MIAMI, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Next Group Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: NXGH) announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Love Made Visible ("LMV"), CP+B's Product & Brand Invention Group (CP+B). They will assist NXGH's subsidiary Next CALA, Inc. ("NEXTCALA") in the design, launch and marketing of NXHG's prepaid family portfolio here at http://www.nextcala.com, along with NXGH's other subsidiary NxtGn HD video platform and telepresence products and services.

"Through our non-traditional business model, we've built an engine to generate strong valuation increases through a partnership framework that significantly mitigates risk while building irrational loyalty with our audience. We are not ad people. We are cultural change agents, brand inventors, artists, technologists, anthropologists, and everything in between. Our goal always being to disrupt conventions, not just through branding and design, but in everything we do - product development, sourcing, manufacturing & going to market. We look forward to taking a deep dive into NXGH's brands, understanding the personalities and needs of its customers and helping them connect these brands to culture in a meaningful way," said Neil Riddell, CP+B's EVP/Executive Director.

Love Made Visible has developed new agency-owned brands and partnership opportunities. These partnerships include the prospering bike-sharing system B-Cycle, the environmentally minded mechanic brand Green Garage, and the award winning spirit brands - Angel's Envy Bourbon and the Hemingway-inspired Papa's Pilar Rum. The success of these ventures has now led an expansion into other categories like lifestyle/fashion brands, natural foods, as well as the tech sector.

"Our plans to work with CP+B to disrupt the telepresence and broadcast live video landscape represents the next step in democratizing people's ability to broadcast live," said Arik Maimon, NXGH's Chairman and CEO. "We have created Intellectual Property (IP) that will put telepresence capabilities that were previously available only to Fortune 100 companies, into the hands of everyday people. This changes single point to multi-point broadcasting in a big way. It's part of what we see as an evolution from Skype (limited to 8 people), and Periscope/Meerkat (which integrates live video and texting interaction), to our platform that offers Live Video / Interactive / HD quality over very low bandwidth, and allows as many as 10,000 concurrent users a seamless interface between laptop, tablet, mobile device. With our planned technology, consumers, celebrities, politicians, and organizations will be able to publicly broadcast in HD directly to as many as 10,000 fans. Unlike our competitors' existing live video technologies, the viewers can be seen by the broadcaster and chosen to interact with by simply touching their HD video feed, creating a closer connection with their fan base."

About Us: NXGH is a corporation headquartered in Miami, Florida, which, through its operating subsidiaries, engages in the business of using proprietary technology and certain licensed technology to provide innovative mobile banking, mobility, and telecommunications solutions to underserved, unbanked, and emerging markets. NXGH's principal executive offices are located at 1111 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2200, Miami, Florida 33131, and its telephone number at that location is (800) 611-3622.

NXGH's web address is nextgroupholdings.com.

THIS NEWS RELEASE CONTAINS "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS", AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION 27A OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. STATEMENTS IN THIS NEWS RELEASE, WHICH ARE NOT PURELY HISTORICAL, ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INCLUDE ANY STATEMENTS REGARDING BELIEFS, PLANS, EXPECTATIONS OR INTENTIONS REGARDING THE FUTURE. EXCEPT FOR THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION PRESENTED HEREIN, MATTERS DISCUSSED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM ANY FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH STATEMENTS. STATEMENTS THAT ARE NOT HISTORICAL FACTS, INCLUDING STATEMENTS THAT ARE PRECEDED BY, FOLLOWED BY, OR THAT INCLUDE SUCH WORDS AS"ESTIMATE", "ANTICIPATE", "BELIEVE", "PLAN" OR "EXPECT" OR SIMILAR STATEMENTS ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE INCLUDE STATEMENTS RELATING TO OTHER PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY.

Contact:

NEXT Group Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: NXGH)

Telephone: 1-800-611-3622

[email protected]



SOURCE Next Group Holdings, Inc.
EAST HANOVER, N.J., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis today announced results from a Phase III study showing Afinitor* (everolimus), when used as an adjunctive therapy, significantly reduced treatment-resistant seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) compared to placebo1. Patients in all treatment arms were also taking one to three anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs)1. The study, EXIST-3 ( EX amining everolimus I n a S tudy of T SC), is being presented during a plenary session at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) (Abstract #32430, 9:0011:00 a.m. PST)1.

"Approximately 85% of individuals with TSC are affected by epilepsy at some point in their lives, yet nearly two-thirds of these patients do not achieve seizure control with available therapies, and may also experience other potentially serious consequences, such as neuropsychological, cognitive, social or learning disabilities," said Jacqueline A. French, MD, department of neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center and lead investigator of the EXIST-3 trial. "These findings are encouraging as this is the first clinical study demonstrating benefit specifically for TSC patients who suffer from treatment-resistant seizures."

In the study, 366 patients with TSC and treatment-resistant seizures were randomized to receive targeted concentrations of everolimus titrated to Low Exposure (LE; 3-7 ng/mL; n=117) or High Exposure (HE, 9-15 ng/mL; n =130), or placebo (n=119). The percentage reduction from baseline in seizure frequency was significantly greater among patients randomized to everolimus LE (29.3%, P=0.003; confidence interval [CI]=95%) and HE (39.6%, P<0.001; CI=95%) vs placebo (14.9%; CI=95%). Seizure response rate (50% reduction) was also significantly greater with everolimus LE (28.2%, P=0.008; CI=95%) and HE (40.0%, P<0.001; CI=95%) vs placebo (15.1%; CI=95%). The most common (20%) adverse events (AEs) reported with everolimus LE/HE vs placebo included stomatitis (28.2%/30.8% vs 3.4%), mouth ulceration (23.9%/21.5% vs 4.2%), and diarrhea (17.1%/21.5% vs 5.0%). Serious AEs reported were 13.7%/13.8% vs 2.5%.

"There has been a long-standing need to find a treatment option for TSC patients that provides control of treatment-resistant seizures and we are encouraged that data from the EXIST-3 study show everolimus may have this potential," said Alessandro Riva, MD, Global Head, Novartis Oncology Development and Medical Affairs. "Over the past decade, Novartis has remained committed to the TSC community, improving care for patients and conducting research we hope will bring us closer to addressing some of the most debilitating TSC manifestations."

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a rare genetic disorder affecting up to one million people worldwide and everolimus is the only approved non-surgical option indicated for treating non-cancerous brain and kidney tumors in certain patients with TSC3,4,5. EXIST-3 study results show that everolimus is the first adjunctive therapy to achieve clinically significant seizure control in TSC patients and will be the basis for discussion with health authorities worldwide1.

Everolimus works by inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a protein that regulates multiple cellular functions. TSC is caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, resulting in hyperactive signaling of the mTOR pathway which can lead to increased cellular growth and proliferation, neuronal hyper-excitability, abnormalities in cortical architecture and network function and impaired synaptic plasticity6,7. Pre-clinical research suggests that hyperactive mTOR activity may influence several mechanisms of epileptogenesis, the gradual process by which the brain develops epilepsy8.

EXIST-3 study details

EXIST-3 is a Phase III, three-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of high and low exposure ranges of everolimus as adjunctive therapy in patients with TSC who have treatment-resistant seizures, defined as seizures persisting despite the use of two AEDs. The study enrolled male and female participants (ages 2.2-56.3) with clinically defined TSC, who were on stable doses of one to three AEDs for at least four weeks prior to a two month, pre-randomization, evaluation period1.

The primary objective was to assess the effectiveness of adjunctive everolimus as compared to placebo in reducing seizures in patients with TSC who are taking one to three AEDs. Secondary objectives include the percentage of patients free from seizure during the maintenance period and change in seizure frequency.

The most frequent 10% all grade adverse events (AEs) reported with everolimus LE/HE vs placebo included stomatitis (28.2%/30.8% vs 3.4%), mouth ulceration (23.9%/21.5% vs 4.2%), diarrhea (17.1%/21.5% vs 5.0%), nasopharyngitis (13.7%/16.2% vs 16.0%), upper respiratory tract infection (12.8%/15.4% vs 12.6%), aphthous ulcer (4.3%/14.6% vs 1.7%) pyrexia (fever) (19.7%/13.8% vs 5.0%), vomiting (12.0%/10.0% vs 9.2%), cough (11.1%/10.0% vs 3.4%) and rash (6.0%/10.0% vs 2.5%)1.

About tuberous sclerosis complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) may cause non-cancerous tumors to form in vital organs including the brain, kidney, heart, lungs and skin, as well as resulting disorders such as epilepsy, autism, cognitive impairment, behavioral problems and psychiatric disorders. Many people with TSC show evidence of the disease in the first year of life. However, because manifestations vary from person to person and can take years to develop, many children are not diagnosed until later in life, often with the onset of seizures, skin lesions or other significant symptoms, such as developmental delays. Because TSC is a lifelong condition, the latest professional diagnostic guidelines issued in 2012 advise that individuals be monitored by a doctor experienced with the disorder to ensure tumor growth or new symptoms are identified early6,9.

About everolimus

In the United States (US), everolimus is approved as Afinitor for the treatment of adult patients with renal angiomyolipoma and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), not requiring immediate surgery. Afinitor tablets and Afinitor Disperz are also indicated in the US in pediatric and adult patients with TSC for the treatment of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) that requires therapeutic intervention but cannot be curatively resected.

In the European Union (EU), everolimus is approved as Votubia for the treatment of adult patients with renal angiomyolipoma associated with TSC who are at risk of complications (based on factors such as tumor size or presence of aneurysm, or presence of multiple or bilateral tumors) but who do not require immediate surgery. The evidence is based on analysis in sum of angiomyolipoma volume. Votubia is also indicated in the EU for the treatment of patients with SEGA associated with TSC who require therapeutic intervention but are not amenable to surgery. The evidence is based on analysis of change in SEGA volume. Further clinical benefit, such as improvement in disease-related symptoms, has not been demonstrated.

Additionally, Afinitor is approved in 99 countries, including the US and throughout the EU, for locally advanced, metastatic or unresectable progressive neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of pancreatic origin and in the US for the treatment of adult patients with progressive, well-differentiated, nonfunctional NET of gastrointestinal (GI) or lung origin that are unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic. It is also approved in >120 countries including the US and EU for advanced renal cell carcinoma following progression on or after vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy (in the US, specifically following sunitinib and sorafenib). Afinitor is also approved in 102 countries including the US and EU for advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer in combination with exemestane, after prior endocrine therapy.

Everolimus is also available from Novartis under the brand names Afinitor, Certican and Zortress for use in oncology and transplant patient populations and is exclusively licensed to Abbott and sublicensed to Boston Scientific for use in drug-eluting stents.

Indications vary by country and not all indications are available in every country. The safety and efficacy profile of everolimus has not yet been established outside the approved indications. Because of the uncertainty of clinical trials, there is no guarantee that everolimus will become commercially available for additional indications anywhere else in the world.

Important safety information

Patients should not take Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz if they are allergic to Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz or to any of its ingredients. Patients should tell their health care provider before taking Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz if they are allergic to sirolimus (Rapamune) or temsirolimus (Torisel).

Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz can cause serious side effects, including lung or breathing problems, infections, and kidney failure, which can even lead to death. If patients experience these side effects, they may need to stop taking Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz for a while or use a lower dose. Patients should follow their health care provider's instructions.

In some patients, lung or breathing problems may be severe and can even lead to death. Patients should tell their health care provider right away if they have any of these symptoms: new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or wheezing.

Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz may make patients more likely to develop an infection, such as pneumonia, or a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Viral infections may include reactivation of hepatitis B in people who have had hepatitis B in the past. In some people these infections may be severe and can even lead to death. Patients may need to be treated as soon as possible. Patients should tell their health care provider right away if they have a temperature of 100.5F or above, chills, or do not feel well. Symptoms of hepatitis B or infection may include the following: fever, chills, skin rash, joint pain and inflammation, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, pale stools or dark urine, yellowing of the skin, or pain in the upper right side of the stomach.

Patients who take an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor medicine during treatment with Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz are at a possible increased risk for a type of allergic reaction called angioedema. Patients should get medical help right away if they have trouble breathing or develop swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throat during treatment with Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz.

Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz may cause kidney failure. In some people this may be severe and can even lead to death. Patients should have tests to check their kidney function before and during their treatment with Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz.

Afinitor can cause incisions to heal slowly or not heal well. Patients should tell their health care provider if their incision is red, warm, or painful; if they have blood, fluid, or pus in their incision; or if their incision opens up or is swollen.

Common side effects include mouth ulcers. Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz can cause mouth ulcers and sores. Other common side effects include infections, feeling weak or tired, nausea and vomiting, skin problems, headache, weight loss, loss of appetite, cough, diarrhea, fever, swelling of the hands, arms, legs, feet, face, or other parts of the body, joint pain, abnormal taste, stomach-area (abdomen) pain, nose bleeds, seizure, increased blood cholesterol and sugar levels, decreased blood phosphate levels, low red and white blood cells, and the absence of menstrual periods (menstruation).

Please see full Prescribing Information for Afinitor and Afinitor Disperz available at Afinitor.com.

Rapamune and Torisel are registered trademarks of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "will," "potential," "is being presented," "potentially," "encouraging," "encouraged," "may," "committed," "hope," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new indications or labeling for Afinitor, or regarding potential future revenues from Afinitor. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Afinitor will be submitted or approved for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Afinitor will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Afinitor could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including unexpected clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; competition in general; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing pressures; unexpected safety issues; unexpected manufacturing or quality issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medicines aimed at improving patients' lives. We offer a broad range of medicines for cancer, cardiovascular disease, endocrine disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, neurological disease, organ transplantation, psychiatric disease, respiratory disease and skin conditions. The company's mission is to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.

Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis.

References

1. French, J, et al. Adjunctive everolimus therapy for the treatment of refractory seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex: results from a randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trial. American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2016 Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada.

2. Chu-Shore C.J., et al. The natural history of epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsia. 2010: 51(7): 1236-1241.

3. Budde, K. and Gaedeke, J. Tuberous sclerosis complex-associated angiomyolipomas: focus on mTOR inhibition. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 2012:276-283.

4. Afinitor (everolimus) Prescribing information. East Hanover, New Jersey, USA: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; February 2016.

5. Afinitor (everolimus): EU Summary of Product Characteristics. Novartis; March 2016.

6. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke fact sheet. 2010.

7. Wong, M. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways in neurological diseases. Biomed Journal. 2013; 36(2): 1-17.

8. Ostendorf, A. and Wong, M. mTOR inhibition in epilepsy: rationale and clinical perspectives. CNS Drugs. 2015: 91-99.

9. Northrup, H. et al. Tuberous sclerosis complex diagnostic criteria update: recommendations of the 2012 international tuberous sclerosis complex consensus conference. Pediatric Neurology. 2013; 49: 243-254.

Novartis Media Relations

Julie Masow Jeannie Neufeld Novartis Media Relations Novartis Oncology +1 862 778 7220 (direct) +1 862 778 2104 (direct) +1 862 579 8456 (mobile) +1 201 650 2728 (mobile) [email protected] [email protected]

e-mail: [email protected]

*Known as Votubia (everolimus) for certain patients with SEGA and renal angiomyolipoma associated with TSC in the EU and Switzerland

SOURCE Novartis

Related Links

http://www.novartis.com


DALLAS, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC ("Oncor") has scheduled a conference call on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at 9 a.m. Central Time to discuss its first quarter 2016 operational and financial results. Oncor's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2016 will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the conference call.

The call will be webcast live at www.oncor.com under the "Investors" tab in the webcast section. The following information is provided for investors who wish to participate in the conference call.

US/Canada Dial-in Number: 1.877.674.6428 International Dial-in Number: 1.315.625.3074 Conference Code: 89565948

Participants should use the conference code to access the call.

For those unable to participate in the live event, a replay of the call will be available later that day on Oncor's website, www.oncor.com. To access that call, visit the "Investors" section of the site and select the "Webcasts" archive.

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC ("Oncor") is a regulated electricity distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, delivering power to more than 3.3 million homes and businesses and operating more than 121,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas. While Oncor is owned by a limited number of investors (including majority owner, Energy Future Holdings Corp.), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of independent directors.

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SOURCE Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

Related Links

http://www.oncor.com


UPPSALA, Sweden, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- OssDsign AB, a Swedish designer, manufacturer and distributor of next generation implants for cranial and facial repair, today announced the appointment of Simon Cartmell as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Cartmell is an experienced entrepreneur in the life-sciences industry and a Non-Executive Director/Chairman of a number European medical device companies.

Mr. Cartmell was previously the CEO and architect behind the commercial success of ApaTech, a British medtech firm that developed ACTIFUSE, a novel bone void filler used to treat bone defects resulting from orthopaedic and spine surgery or traumatic injury. ApaTech was acquired by Baxter International in March 2010 for $330 million.

"I have been very impressed by both OssDsign's cutting-edge regenerative implants and the team behind the technology," says Mr. Cartmell, "OssDsign has clearly differentiated products, a very promising technology platform and is about to enter an exciting phase in its development. I see many similarities with my previous successes in the medtech sector, and I am looking forward to working with the rest of the board and the newly expanded management team to make OssDsign's regenerative implants a global success."

"We are extremely happy to have Simon join OssDsign," says Dr. Victor Drvota, Chief Investment Officer at Karolinska Development, the founding investor in the company. Dr. Drvota continues: "His experience of global, and in particular, US commercialization within the field of orthopedic biomaterials gives us an important strategic edge. We regard Simon's decision to become OssDsign's Chairman as a clear endorsement of the benefits that company's regenerative implants deliver and their significant commercial potential."

OssDsign is now entering a phase of global expansion and anticipates its first US product launch in the first quarter of 2017. OssDsign has already successfully commercialized its lead products OSSDSIGN Cranial and OSSDSIGN Facial on the UK, German and Scandinavian markets. OssDsign raised 9.6 million to support its growth ambitions in November 2015.

As part of the rapid transformation into a globally operating company, OssDsign also welcomes Rick Thomas to the new role of VP Global Commercial Operations. Mr. Thomas brings invaluable experience from previous positions in sales and marketing at Medtronic, ApaTech and Baxter, where he last served as International Sales Director.

Further key recruitments to OssDsign include Claes Lindblad, Chief Financial Officer; Henrik Hjort, Marketing Director; Ulrik Birgersson, Head of Clinical Engineering and Kajsa Bjorklund, Manufacturing Manager.

Anders Lundqvist, CEO of OssDsign,commenting on today's announcement said,"I am delighted that Simon has agreed to become our Chairman as we enter a key period for OssDsign. With our strengthened management team, all of whom have broad backgrounds within the international medical device industry, I believe we are now well placed to successfully transition from a development stage company into a business with commercial operations in the US and Europe that will allow us to drive the sales of our unique regenerative implants."

For further information, please contact:

Anders Lundqvist, CEO, OssDsign AB

Phone: +46 73 206 98 08, email: [email protected]

About OssDsign

OssDsign is a Swedish medtech company dedicated to creating regenerative implants for improved healing of bone defects and deficits in skull, facial and other types of surgery. OssDsign has successfully launched its first patient specific products OSSDSIGN Cranial and OSSDSIGN Facial in Germany, the UK and the Nordic countries, and further global market expansion is ongoing.

By combining clinical insight with proprietary material technology and patient adapted design, OssDsign supplies an expanding range of tailored solutions for cranial repair and facial bone reconstruction. OssDsign's technology is the result of collaboration between clinical researchers at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, and material science experts at the Angstrom Laboratory at Uppsala University. Main investors in OssDsign are Karolinska Development, SEB Venture Capital, Fouriertransform and Almi Invest.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com.

SOURCE OssDsign AB
PHOENIX, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- That, combined with his commitment to uphold a customer satisfaction guarantee, helped Grandpa Parker build Parker & Sons into the Phoenix institution it is today. Grandpa Parker's words ring as true now as they did in 1974, "comfort today, or else they don't pay."

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160407/352647LOGO

While Parker & Sons has achieved tremendous growth, now offering plumbing and electrical services in addition to the HVAC services originally offered, they remain committed to the values that helped them grow. All of Parker & Sons new technicians must complete a rigorous certification process to achieve Parker & Sons' legendary and unparalleled Trust Certification. The rigorous training and relentlessly high standards for service quality make it easy for Parker & Sons to stand by their Customer Satisfaction Guarantee.

"When folks call a plumber or a mechanic to service their air conditioning or plumbing system, they already assume the job will be completed correctly and professionally. Failing to live up to that expectation is an easy way to lose customers and harm your reputation. That is why at Parker and Sons we emphasize customer service from day one. In our industry it can make all the difference," said Josh Kelly of Parker & Sons.

When shopping around for the perfect home services provider, it is important for consumers to make educated decisions. Parker & Sons advises all consumers to read available reviews on individual services companies. It is also important to check with each companies standing with the Better Business Bureau. Parker & Sons believes that with their incredible commitment to excellence and their Customer Satisfaction Guarantee, they will stand out among all the rest.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Parker & Sons
ELK COUNTY, Pa., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino today continued the "Jobs that Pay" tour at the North Central Workforce Development Board in Ridgway and at the Keystone Powdered Metals Company, in St. Marys. In Ridgway, Sec. Manderino participated in a business roundtable hosted by the North Central Workforce Development Board with several area business representatives and workforce development stakeholders participating.

"This was my first visit to Elk County and the northern Pennsylvania region as L&I Secretary and, as such, I found this particular roundtable to be especially informative," said Manderino. "This part of our state is filled with many communities that rely on jobs created by manufacturing and other blue-collar industries, and this meeting will allow me to bring information about the region's workforce development challenges and successes back to Harrisburg to improve the workforce services that we offer."

Manderino followed the roundtable meeting with a tour of the Keystone Powdered Metal Company. Keystone Powdered Metal is a powdered metal manufacturing firm that was founded in 1927 and is the third-largest employer in Elk County. Keystone specializes in engineering and manufacturing products such as bushings, gears, and sprockets used in appliances, automobiles, and outdoor power equipment.

"Keystone is an extraordinary example of a manufacturer that serves as a pillar of its community," Manderino said. "Careers here range from line manufacturing to advanced engineering and everything in between. Keystone is exactly the type of manufacturer that we would like to see more of in Pennsylvania."

Sec. Manderino's tour highlighted the need to support manufacturers in the commonwealth through devices such as apprenticeship programs and industry partnerships, both of which are currently supported and advocated by Governor Tom Wolf.



MEDIA CONTACT: Sara Goulet, 717-787-7530

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us


WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Philadelphia-based FINancing And Technical Assistance, FINANTA, is the recipient of the second ever Jody C. Raskind Lender Award, a recognition presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration to a mission-focused lender that has distinguished itself in helping small businesses start, grow and expand.

The award will be presented jointly by SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and Associate Administrator for Capital Access, Ann Marie Mehlum, to FINANTA's President, Luis E. Mora-Rechnitz. The award ceremony will take place May 1, during the inaugural event of National Small Business Week, at the American History Museum, of the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C.

The Jody C. Raskind Award was presented for the first time in 2015 to honor mission lenders that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the creation, growth and expansion of small businesses in underserved markets with a demonstrable impact on the communities it serves. Jody Raskind led the SBA Office of Microlending for many years, and was widely known in the microlending community for her commitment and dedication to small businesses, particularly in underserved areas. She died in 2014.

FINANTA participates in SBA's Microloan and PRIME Programs, and is a Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution. In FY2015, FINANTA closed 185 SBA Microloans for $1.6 million, making it the fourth highest ranking SBA Microlender in terms of both number and dollars of microloans closed.

As part of its lending model, FINANTA has made 648 loans ranging from $600 - $20,000 since it established this model. Ninety-seven percent of these loans were directed to minority borrowers with economic status ranging from low-income to extremely low-income. This focus on very low income populations is widely acknowledged as some of the most difficult but critical microlending to do successfully.

National Small Business Week is an annual event organized by SBA to recognize the achievements of the top small businesses in the nation. Since 1963, the president of the United States has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. This year National Small Business Week will be recognized from May 1-7 with national events planned in Washington, D.C., New York, Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, Oakland and San Jose, Calif. Events throughout the week will be live-streamed on SBA's website at www.sba.gov. Make sure to check in during the event for live social media engagement, using the hashtag #DreamSmallBiz. For more information on the national events please visit: www.sba.gov/nsbw.

Small Business Week 2016 cosponsors include: Chase for Business, SCORE, ADP, Colonial Life, Intuit, Sam's Club, Square, YP, ESET, Facebook, Instagram, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL), and VEDC.

Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2016 SBA's participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any Cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA/SCORE programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact: [email protected]. SCORE is partially funded by SBA Cooperative Agreement No. SBAHQ-14-S-0001.

About the Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 and since January 13, 2012 has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. www.sba.gov

About FINANTA

FINANTA was created in 1996, and has since distinguished itself for delivering services such as access to capital, technical assistance and credit building to low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs and first-time homebuyers in Philadelphia who face cultural, social and language barriers. This approach has allowed FINANTA to help economically disadvantaged businesses, individuals and families with more than 1,000 loans totaling more than $44 million as of the end of 2015.

Contact: David Hall (202) 205-6697

Release Number: 16-27

Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Blogs

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SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

Related Links

http://www.sba.gov


AMSTERDAM, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the company's focus on the development of advanced monitoring solutions, Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) today announced the launch of its IntelliVue patient monitoring platform with Masimo rainbow SET technology. Philips also offers its customers the option to add rainbow SET to existing IntelliVue monitors, and the company is working to integrate the technology into its Philips SureSigns and Philips Efficia patient monitoring platforms.

In conjunction with the appropriate Philips patient monitoring platform, Masimo rainbow SET technology analyzes multiple wavelengths of light to accurately measure total hemoglobin (SpHb), oxygen content (SpOC), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO), methemoglobin (SpMet) and Pleth Variability Index (PVI) noninvasively and continuously. Continuous monitoring of rainbow SpHb on a Philips monitor at the point-of-care provides clinicians with real-time visibility to changes in hemoglobin in between invasive blood sampling.

To ensure that customers have choice of SpO2 pulse oximetry measurement technology, Philips continues to offer Philips FAST SpO2 pulse oximetry and Covidien's OxiMax SpO2 pulse oximetry, depending on the patient monitoring platform.

Philips offers a comprehensive portfolio of patient monitoring solutions ranging from bedside monitors to wearable patient monitors, combined with clinical decision support tools and mobile applications to provide immediate access to centrally held patient data. More than 275 million patients were monitored with Philips' patient monitors in 2014.

For further information, please contact:

Steve Klink

Philips Group Communications

Tel.: +31 6 10888824

E-mail: [email protected]

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. The company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' wholly owned subsidiary Philips Lighting is the global leader in lighting products, systems and services. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2015 sales of EUR 24.2 billion and employs approximately 104,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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SOURCE Royal Philips
NEW YORK, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area.

You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network  it's easy and free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://prn.to/alertswire

EXPERT ALERTS

Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month: History and Current Situation in the Middle East

Patent Litigation Plummets in Eastern District

Panama Papers: New Evidence for Past Cases?

MEDIA JOBS

News Producer  KRNV-TV (NV)

Reporter/Photographer  Lebanon Enterprise (KY)

Tourism/Business Reporter  Sentinel-Record (AR)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

Q&A With Scott Goldberg of ABC News Radio

Media 411: Preparing for a TV News Live Shot

Upcoming Twitter Q&A: The Rise of Online Video Personalities

EXPERT ALERTS:

Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month: History and Current Situation in the Middle East

Judith Mendelsohn Rood

Professor of History and Middle Eastern Studies

Biola University

"The U.S. nearly failed to designate the slaughter of Christians, Yazidis, and other minorities by ISIS as genocide. War-weariness and Islamophobia shaped the debates over recognizing the Assyrian Genocide and justifying military intervention based upon the 'Responsibility to Protect' doctrine. The debate over the refugee crisis in the U.S., a country that began as a refuge for religious refugees, has, to our national shame, focused instead on closing the doors to those fleeing Syria and Iraq. One hundred years since the Armenian Genocide, we still do not know how to respond to the slaughter of unarmed civilians by their own governments."

Rood received her Ph.D. in Modern Middle Eastern History from the University of Chicago and her M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown University. She earned her B.A. at New College, an experimental liberal arts college modeled on the Oxford University curriculum, and did undergraduate and graduate work at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Rood was the first woman ever permitted to undertake research in the Islamic Archives in Jerusalem, and was the first American since 1967 to do so. Her specialization is the Muslim community in Jerusalem during the Ottoman period. She is especially interested in the relations of Muslims, Christians, and Jews from an historical perspective. Currently she is working on writing a history of world civilizations. Rood is based in Los Angeles.

Bio: https://www.biola.edu/directory/people/judith_rood

Website: http://www.biola.edu

Contact: Jenna Loumagne, [email protected]



Patent Litigation Plummets in Eastern District

Michael C. Wilson

Patent litigator

Munck Wilson Mandala in Dallas

After a record-breaking year for patent litigation filings in 2015, federal courts in the Eastern District of Texas have experienced a nearly 50 percent drop in new patent infringement claims so far this year. While a number of factors have led to the drop, much of the decline can be traced to a ruling handed down by Judge Rodney Gilstrap last year that dismissed 168 patent infringement cases filed by Plano-based eDekka and ordered the company to pay $390,000 in legal fees for claims that the judge found to be "obviously weak" and meritless. "Judge Gilstrap's ruling certainly has caused many patent holders to rethink which cases to file and where, particularly since the ruling came out of the Eastern District of Texas. Prior to eDekka, the U.S. Supreme Court's Alice decision already was having a negative impact on many patents covering computer-implemented inventions. Judge Gilstrap's ruling made clear that non-practicing entities and other patent holders must carefully consider those types of validity issues before filing an infringement lawsuit."

Contact: Robert Tharp, [email protected]



Panama Papers: New Evidence for Past Cases?

Thomas Fox

FCPA attorney and consultant

Advanced Compliance Solutions in Houston

The Panama Papers, a treasure trove of leaked information about secret offshore accounts, are getting a look from the U.S. Department of Justice for possible crimes involving the U.S. financial system. The DOJ likely will review past settlements to see if there was more going on than met the eye at the time. For example, BHP Billiton - the Australia mining and oil giant with offices in Houston - paid the Securities and Exchange Commission $25 million last year to settle charges that it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The company was accused of sponsoring foreign government officials at the Beijing Summer Olympics. The Panama Papers reportedly reveal BHP's links to "high-risk" offshore accounts. "Was the SEC aware of that when the settlement was approved? For every bribe that is paid, there is corresponding money-laundering as the bribe receiver hides ill-gotten gains. The Panama Papers will provide the U.S. with information on who is forming these shadow corporations to hide money."

Contact: Mary Flood, [email protected]



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Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

Segment Producer  Univision Communications (FL)

News Reporter/Anchor  iHeartMedia (AZ)

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OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected].

Q&A WITH SCOTT GOLDBERG OF ABC NEWS RADIO. Elizabeth Yekhtikian of InkHouse shares her interview with Scott Goldberg , anchor at ABC News Radio. She sat down with Goldberg to find out about what a typical day is like for him, the resilience of radio, and how storytelling in this medium must be adaptable. You can read the interview here: http://prn.to/1NiY01E

, anchor at ABC News Radio. She sat down with Goldberg to find out about what a typical day is like for him, the resilience of radio, and how storytelling in this medium must be adaptable. You can read the interview here: http://prn.to/1NiY01E MEDIA 411: PREPARING FOR A TV NEWS LIVE SHOT. If you want a career in TV news in front of the camera, you'll need to be comfortable with live shots. If you've never done one and are just starting out in the news business, here is some excellent advice: http://prn.to/1pbACHU

THE RISE OF ONLINE VIDEO PERSONALITIES. A professionally-trained chef who debuted on YouTube fewer than three years ago now commands a larger audience than television stations in some of the nation's more competitive broadcast markets. Gemma Stafford is the host of Bigger Bolder Baking. More than 778-thousand people subscribe to her channel. By comparison, Austin, Texas (a top 30 broadcast market) is home to 745,640 television households. http://prn.to/20Xd2fP

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PROFNET is an exclusive service of PR Newswire.

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SOURCE ProfNet

Related Links

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MIAMI, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AWP Windows and Doors, the window and door manufacturer who's products have built Miami Beach over the last 58 years, announced this week that they have been selected to outfit Miami Beach's new lifeguard stations with their large missile impact products.

"AWP is honored to be selected to protect the life savers of Miami Beach. Miami Beach and its landmarks are iconic to Miami and the State of Florida, it's no surprise they chose the most iconic brand in Miami. Our products helped build Miami Beach, now they also protect those that protect you," commented Craig Speed CEO of AWP. "The City and the architect could have chosen any manufacturer, they chose AWP to be the first line of defense. Bigger isn't Better, Better is Better!"

William Lane, principal of William Lane Architect Inc, Miami Beach's architect for the project commented: "AWP produces great products and provides excellent service. We are very happy!!!"

"The belief that Bigger isn't Better, Better is Better is really taking hold as South Florida's premier window and door dealers are moving to AWP at a rate we have never seen," said recently retired GM Joe Escribano, "they want a partner focused on them, one that puts them first, and that's AWP."

"It's about the quality and capability of the AWP products," said Ignacio Escobedo, VP of Manufacturing of AWP, "the sun, the salt, the wind and heat present a constant barrage in this extreme environment and our products meet the test. No manufacturer provides the same value as AWP, Architects are now taking advantage of this opportunity."

"We'll not be beat on quality, responsiveness or value. Projects in Miami Beach not quoting AWP are missing a great opportunity," said Stewart Struzer, VP of Commercial Sales.

About AWP Windows & Doors

Established in 1958 as Yale Ogron Windows, AWP, located in Miami, Florida, is a long-standing manufacturer of high quality aluminum and vinyl products for Florida and the Caribbean. AWP offers impact and non-impact products through a professional network of dealers and distributors. All of AWP's products are rigorously tested to be in compliance with Dade County Product Approval or Florida Product Approval current standards.

www.awpwindowsanddoors.com

Virginie Hoebanx

[email protected]

(305) 887-2646 Ext. 117

SOURCE AWP Windows & Doors

Related Links

http://www.awpwindowsanddoors.com


Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar being received by his Chinese counterpart Gen. Chang Wanquan at the PLA headquarters. (Photo: PTI)

Beijing: India and China on Wednesday held the 19th round of talks to resolve the vexed border dispute amid a growing discord between the two nations over Beijing blocking India's bid to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held the annual talks with Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to discuss the road ahead to resolve the dispute which has bedevilled bilateral ties.

Besides the border issue, Doval and Yang, the designated Special Representatives, also have a larger mandate to discuss all contentious bilateral, regional and international issues.

Considering their mandate, the second attempt by Beijing in an year to block India's bids to get the Pakistan' terror group's leaders banned is expected to figure in the talks.

Last month, China had vetoed India's bid to get the Pathankot attack mastermind designated as terrorist by the UN Sanctions Committee, maintaining that the case "did not meet the requirements" of the Security Council.

The Chinese action evoked a strong reaction in India which said that it was "incomprehensible" that while Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was banned by the UN, its chief was not.

Indian officials say while Azhar's listing was cleared by the four other UN Security Council permanent members, China has put a "technical hold", like it did in the case of Mumbai terror attack mastermind?Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi earlier.

Since China, the veto wielding UNSC member, put a technical hold on Azhar issue, India has voiced its protests.

While India's UN Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin spoke of "hidden veto" at a UNSC open debate on 'Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts' in New York on April 16, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called for a review of China's decision to strike a common stand against terrorism.

For its part, China continued to stick to its stand saying that its decision is based on facts and fairness. Defending the stand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying yesterday said "we oppose double standard in counter terrorism campaign."

"We have been dealing with the listing (of terrorists by UN) matter in accordance with the facts and relevant resolutions. We are also in sound communication with all relevant parties including the Indian side," she said.

Considering the heat generated over it, the issue was expected to figure prominently between Doval and Yang.

Significantly, Li in his meeting with Parrikar on Monday said disputes should be handled properly and ties with New Delhi be boosted, state-run China Daily reported on Wednesday.

China will properly manage disputes while boosting bilateral cooperation with India, making contributions to Asia's economic growth, Li said.

On the border dispute, officials on both sides say the protracted boundary talks made progress, while both sides made attempts to avert tensions along the 3,488-kilometre-long Line of Actual Control (LAC), which remains undefined.

While China says the border dispute is confined to 2,000 kilometres, mainly Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts the dispute covered the whole of the LAC including the Aksai Chin occupied by China during the 1962 war.

When the Special Representatives were appointed in 2003, the two sides set off a three-stage process. The two countries first reached an agreement on the guiding principles and setting political parameters for the settlement in 2005.

Officials say the two sides are currently in the second stage which focuses on working out a framework of settlement to be followed by final step drawing the boundary line based on framework agreement.

On the 19th-round of border talks, Hua said "we have been working to resolve territorial disputes through negotiations and consultation. China completely settled territorial disputes with 12 of the 14 land neighbours."

"Only the border dispute with India and Bhutan needed to resolved. Both history and practice have proven that it is possible to resolve territorial disputes through negotiation and consolation," she said.

"During (today's) meeting the two sides will work on the framework settlement to work out a plan that is acceptable to both sides," she said.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and CALGARY, Alberta, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Replicon, the leading provider of time asset management solutions, today announced that it has been acknowledged as one of the top 100 leaders in the Branham300. The Branham300 is the most comprehensive listing of the top public and private companies operating in the Canadian information and communications technology (ICT) industry, as ranked by revenue.

Canada's Top 250 ICT companies delivered another banner year in 2015, generating a revenue total of CAD$96.1 billion, an increase of 5.7 percent compared to the year prior. That new record number was driven by the impressive performance of Canada's Top 250 tech companies: 75 percent of the Top 250 generated revenue growth, and 54 percent delivered double- and even triple-digit increases.

"It is an honor to be recognized as one of the top ICT companies in Canada, which is a testament to every employee's contribution to our strategy and vision," said Raj Narayanaswamy, co-founder and co-CEO of Replicon. "Replicon has always strived to be at the forefront of developing innovations that improve how we work. As businesses and technologies continue to evolve, we look forward to meeting the changing needs of our global customers in how they can better manage their workforce, increase productivity and improve profitability."

Now in its 23rd year, the Branham300 includes listings of the Top 250 Canadian ICT Companies, Top 25 ICT Multinational Companies operating in Canada and Top 25 Up and Coming ICT Companies. It also recognizes leaders within various industry sectors. More information about the listings can be found at http://www.branham300.com/index.php.

About Replicon

Replicon is the leading provider of time asset management solutions. Our award-winning solutions help customers capture, manage and optimize their most important and underutilized asset  time.

Our diverse customer base  from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies  trusts Replicon to increase productivity, improve project profitability, eliminate revenue leakage and maintain labor compliance. Replicon has offices in the United States, Canada, India, the United Kingdom and Australia, serving thousands of customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.replicon.com.

About the Branham300

The Branham300, now in its 23rd year, is the best-known and most widely referenced listing of Canada's top public and private ICT companies, ranked by revenue. The list also tracks the top ICT multinationals operating in Canada plus Up and Comers, those young Canadian companies Branham thinks will be big hits soon. For more information, visit www.branham300.com.



Press Contacts:

Lisette Paras

[email protected]

+1 (650) 276 4660

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SOURCE Replicon

Related Links

http://www.replicon.com


DUBLIN, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Heineken has announced its beer shipments have exceeded analysts' expectations in the first quarter thanks to growth in Asia and Latin America. The world's third-biggest brewer revealed beer volume had rose 7 percent, more than double the 2.4 percent that analysts had expected.

Reports had projected the global lager market to grow at a steady CAGR of 4.2% by 2020, but these figures released by Heineken come as a surprise. According to reports, the most prominent factor driving growth in the market is the increasing demand for premium lager products. Vendors have responded to this demand with the launch of premium products marked as authentic or genuine. As well as its flagship beer, Heineken also produces two other well-known brands - Tiger and Sol.

One of the key reasons behind this unexpected growth is the growth in the Asia-Pacific region, with beer volume rising 23 percent. This is almost five times larger than the analyst's estimate. Some of this growth can be attributed to the Vietnamese and Chinese New Year celebrations. A recent report on the beer market in China projected the demand for beer to continue to grow at 6% by 2025. It says that both production and demand will grow over the next decade.

The Dutch brewer says it anticipates stronger sales and profit in 2016, despite a slowdown in emerging markets like Nigeria. It has forecast gains in Asia, one of its three largest markets, with Tiger beer continuing to grow in popularity.

Although it's a more competitive market, beer consumption in Europe is also expected to continue its growth. For example, the beer market in Germany is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.19% and 0.63% in terms of revenue and volume by 2019.

For further information on this topic, and a full list of all related documentation, please visit the Beer section at http://www.researchandmarkets.com/rm/NPPO.

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-20/heineken-beer-volume-beats-analysts-estimates-on-asia-americas



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SOURCE Research and Markets
OAKVILLE, ON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX/NYSE: QSR, TSX: QSP) will release its first quarter 2016 financial results on Thursday, April 28, 2016 and will host an investor conference call that morning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

The earnings call will be webcast on the company's investor relations website http://investor.rbi.com and a replay will be available for 30 days following the release. Investors may also access the conference call via the following dial-in numbers: (877) 317-6711 for U.S. callers, (866) 450-4696 for Canadian callers, and (412) 317-5475 for callers from other countries.

About Restaurant Brands International Inc.

Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI") is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with more than $23 billion in system-wide sales and over 19,000 restaurants in approximately 100 countries and U.S. territories. RBI owns two of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands  TIM HORTONS and BURGER KING. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees and communities for over 50 years. To learn more about RBI, please visit the company's website at www.rbi.com.

SOURCE Restaurant Brands International Inc.
MILTON, Ontario, April 20, 2016 /CNW/ - ROXUL Inc. is proud to announce its brand partnership with the new HGTV Canada design and renovation series, Home to Win. ROXUL is the official insulation supplier to the show in which an unprecedented 20 HGTV Canada stars join forces to transform a home that contestants will compete to win.

"We're thrilled to be a part of such an innovative series," says Dave Smith, Residential Segment Manager, ROXUL Inc. "Not only is it prime time on a fan-favourite network, it offers a cutting-edge format with the biggest names in the renovation and design industry today. The show's appeal is a perfect trifecta, much like our insulation which protects against fire, moisture and sound."

HGTV Canada Stars such as Scott McGillivray, Bryan Baeumler, Mike Holmes and others will combine their expertise, experience and creativity to complete 20 major renovations that will be showcased weekly on-air and online. Viewers will be able to see ROXUL in-show as it is installed in the home and discover how it is used in various applications to enhance occupant comfort and safety. Through the online component of the show, HomeToWin.ca, viewers can participate in a fully immersive digital experience that allows them to take a closer look at each episode's renovation and design details, explore content, photo galleries, virtual tours, as well as hotspots that will enable them to 'shop the look'. Through the site, Canadians can also discover behind-the-scenes videos and watch full episodes after they air.

"The idea of the ultimate transformation fits perfectly with what our insulation helps to accomplish," says Smith. "ROXUL insulation helps improve the comfort and safety of a home the moment it is installed and lasts throughout the life of the building. We're certain this series will leave a lasting impression, too, and we encourage Canadians to check it out."

By visiting HomeToWin.ca, Canadians can enter for a chance to compete for the ultimate house. The process is simple: Canadians must enter their email address on the site by June 5 at 11:59 ET and follow the directions emailed to their inbox. All entrants will be asked to submit a one-minute audition video, introducing themselves and answering the question, "What makes a house a home?"

Home to Win premieres on April 24th at 10 pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada and episodes will also air on Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global. One victorious contestant will claim the keys to the home in the finale, airing June 26th.

About ROXUL Inc.

ROXUL Inc., located in Milton, Ontario, with additional production in Byhalia, Mississippi and Grand Forks, British Columbia, is a subsidiary of Rockwool International, the world's largest producer of stone wool insulation. Rockwool International, a publicly-held company trading on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, operates 28 factories, employs over 11,000 people in 35 countries, and maintains a global network of sales companies, trade offices, and dedicated commercial partners. Providing long-term thermal performance, ROXUL's stone wool insulation is fire resistant, water repellent and resistant to mold, mildew and bacterial growth. ROXUL products and manufacturing processes are environmentally conscious. CFC- and HCFC-free, ROXUL insulation products contain a high recycled content. They are among the few building products able to recover the energy used in their manufacturing process. Installing ROXUL insulation can reduce energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels, thereby decreasing harmful CO 2 emissions. For more information, visit ROXUL at www.roxul.com or visit ROXUL on social media via Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube.

For further information:Charlene McAdam, Birchall & Associates Inc., 905-338-7600 ext. 105, [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160419/357557LOGO

SOURCE Roxul Inc.

Related Links

http://www.roxul.com


SAN DIEGO, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rudolph and Sletten, Inc is pleased to announce that it will celebrate the topping out of the New San Diego Central Courthouse today, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 11:00 am. The topping out will recognize the exceptional work of the construction crews and project partners as the 25-story, $555 million project is assembled to its full height. When occupied in early 2017, the new Courthouse will combine several of The Superior Court of San Diego County's spaces and offer a full-service facility for criminal, civil, probate, family, and small claims matters, with space for court administration, security operations, and holding areas.

Located at 1100 Union Street in downtown San Diego, the topping out event will feature speakers Councilmember Todd Gloria, City of San Diego; Martin Sisemore, President & CEO, Rudolph and Sletten, Inc.; and Hon. Kenneth So, Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego. The event will also include a ceremony as the final beam of the building, signed by all 650 construction crew members, is placed atop the high-rise. The development, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), is intended to meet the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standards.

Martin Sisemore, President & CEO, Rudolph and Sletten, Inc., states, "It is very rewarding to be a part of such an architecturally significant public project in the downtown urban core of the City of San Diego. The Judicial Council of California and SOM have been outstanding partners to develop this iconic building which will be used by hundreds of thousands of people."

About Rudolph and Sletten, Inc.

With nearly five decades of building experience, Rudolph and Sletten has built the foundation of California's industries, building everything from biotech laboratories and medical facilities to corporate campuses and educational institutions. Rudolph and Sletten is consistently ranked as one of the top three contractors in California and as the number one builder of hospitals by California Construction Magazine. The company is headquartered in Redwood City with regional offices in Roseville, Irvine, and San Diego, CA. For more information, visit: www.rsconstruction.com.

Contact: Beth Binger

BCI

619-987-6658

[email protected]

SOURCE Rudolph and Sletten, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.rsconstruction.com


DENVER, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sage Analytics (www.sageanalytics.com), developers of portable, laboratory-quality cannabis potency measurement systems, are demonstrating the newly upgraded Beacon cannabis testing system at the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, April 24 in Eugene.

The Beacon is an advanced cannabis potency profiling system, which is hailed by users for its portability, extremely fast throughput, and low cost of ownership. The Beacon allows virtually anyone in the cannabis industry to test and verify a range of components, including: THC-A, Delta 9 THC, Total THC, Total Potential THC, CBD-A, CBD, Total CBD, and Total Potential CBD.

Growers use the Beacon to determine the ideal harvest times and provide potency verification to buyers. MIP producers appreciate the device's ability to provide affordable, on-site profiling in real time.

Testing labs admire the Luminary  a robust desktop unit that is extremely accurate and delivers results in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional gas or liquid chromatography.

William Buie, President of Sage Analytics, said Oregon is a vital hub for the cannabis industry. "Great ideas and breakthrough products come from Oregon, and it's important for us to participate in events and dialog with area business leaders."

The Oregon Marijuana Business Conference is one of the state's leading cannabis conferences, and features speakers from business, government and advocacy, including Tommy Chong and Aaron Smith (Executive Director of the National Cannabis Industry Association).

Product demonstrations will be available on site at the Sage booth #21.

For information on Sage Analytics, visit: www.sageanalytics.com, or call: 720-282-4550.

For information on the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, visit: http://oregonmbc.com.

About Sage Analytics:

Sage Analytics created a shift in the cannabis industry by adapting FDA-approved technology used in the pharmaceutical industry, to test marijuana potency with a high degree of accuracy and affordability.

Sage Analytics can replace or augment current testing methodologies, which are expensive and often insufficient due to the inherent drawbacks of small batch testing.

Consumers, regulators, labs, growers, producers, and dispensary owners are demanding quicker and more consistent testing methods, and Sage Analytics provides a vital solution to this industry-wide challenge.

Connect:

Facebook: facebook.com/sageanalytics

Twitter: twitter.com/sageanalytics

Blog: sageanalytics.wordpress.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sage-analytics

Media Inquiries:

Innovation Agency

310.571.5592

www.inov8.us

hello(@)inov8.us

SOURCE Sage Analytics

Related Links

http://www.sageanalytics.com


WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Adviser to the Saudi Defense Minister and Official Spokesman for the Arab Joint Coalition Forces Brigadier General Ahmed Hassan Asseri discussed the significance of a Muslim military alliance to fight terrorism in an op-ed published today by Newsweek, titled "Leading From The Front."

"For the first time in history, 39 Muslim nations have come together to establish a broad global military coalition with the sole aim of countering terrorism," wrote Gen. Asseri.

"From a Joint Command and Coordination Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the newly inaugurated Islamic Military Coalition to Counter Terrorism is drawing up plans to combat terrorists and terror organizations on multiple fronts, including fighting terrorism militarily, drying up funding and combating the mindset that foments or condones terrorist activity."

General Asseri said that this Islamic counter-terrorism military endeavor will mobilize Islamic nations against Daesh, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and groups connected to or acting as proxies for these terrorist organizations.

"This Muslim 'coalition of the willing,' brought together through Saudi leadership, clearly demonstrates our military and social commitment to counter terrorism," said Gen. Asseri.

The op-ed can be read here.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office
While child care providers are the first responders for many of these children, they are not yet receiving the resources that they need to support young children.

Save the Children is one of the only national organization expert in emergencies and early childhood learning that is reaching this group of programs and families in Flint.

"We are here to give the children a fighting chance," said Jeanne-Aimee DeMarrais, Save the Children's senior director of U.S. emergencies.

"Save the Children has come to Michigan to empower child-care providers to support the young children in their care," added DeMarrais. "Our experts have been leading assessments and outreach to the child-care programs in Flint  and we are providing information and resources to support their immediate needs.

"Over the next weeks and months, Save the Children will be helping teach them about the important brain development that takes place in the critical first five years of life. We will teach providers and parents how to help mitigate the impact of lead on children's growth and development, before their child even enters elementary school."

In the past two months, Save the Children has built strong partnerships with the early childhood community in Flint to ensure that the most vulnerable children, ages pre-birth to 6, as well as pregnant women, have their voices brought to the table for both response and recovery efforts.

Save the Children's efforts have focused on mitigating the impact of lead in young children by helping ensure they have access to nutrient-rich foods and early learning. The global children's organization has also supported the distribution of safe water for families in the affected communities, helping over 11,000 people in Flint, to date, of whom over 3,000 are young children.

Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We invest in childhood  every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact and Spokesperson:

Jeanne-Aimee DeMarrais, 203.919.2219, [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357966

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357965

SOURCE Save the Children

Related Links

http://www.savethechildren.org


SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Second Genome, Inc., a privately-held biopharmaceutical company developing novel medicines through innovative microbiome science, today announced that it has closed an oversubscribed Series B investment round with $42.6 million in financing. The round was co-led by Pfizer Venture Investments and Roche Venture Fund, and brings the combined total investment in the company to $59 million. The round also included new investors Digitalis Ventures, Adveq, LifeForce Capital, MBL Venture Capital, and Mayo Clinic, as well as Series A investors Advanced Technology Ventures, Morgenthaler Ventures, Seraph Group, and individual investor Matthew Winkler, Ph.D.

The funds will be used to further expand the Second Genome Microbiome Discovery Platform in a range of indications associated with barrier function, insulin sensitivity, and immune regulation. In addition, proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the clinical investigation of SGM-1019, a small molecule inhibitor of a key microbiome-mediated target to address inflammation and pain in ulcerative colitis, through human proof-of-concept studies.

"Our approach to developing novel therapeutics based on secreted functional proteins, peptides, and metabolites from the microbiome is highly relevant to the pharmaceutical industry. The progress made by our team to date has allowed us to attract significant interest from a premier group of investors, including Pfizer Venture Investments and Roche Venture Fund," said Peter DiLaura, Second Genome's CEO. "This financing will enable us to accelerate our efforts to scale our unique microbiome discovery platform and reach several major inflection points, including key milestones for the SGM-1019 clinical program and other therapeutic programs."

In conjunction with the new financing, Elaine Jones, Ph.D., Executive Director of Pfizer Venture Investments, and Carole Nuechterlein, Head of Roche Venture Fund, will join the Second Genome Board of Directors.

"Second Genome has demonstrated early success in accessing the previously overlooked and untapped potential of the microbiome in drug discovery and development," said Dr. Jones. "The company has developed a unique platform and the deep scientific expertise required to create value by mining the microbiome to build a pipeline of novel therapeutics for a broad range of chronic conditions with high unmet medical need."

Second Genome's Microbiome Discovery Platform combines genomics technologies, computational biology, and phenotypic screening to identify novel proteins, peptides, and metabolites from the microbiome that play a causal role in human disease and wellness.

About Second Genome

Second Genome is a privately-held biopharmaceutical company based in South San Francisco, California. Second Genome's mission is to transform lives with medicines developed through innovative microbiome science. Please visit www.secondgenome.com for more information.

Media Contact:

Ian Stone

Canale Communications Inc.

619.849.5388

[email protected]

SOURCE Second Genome, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.secondgenome.com


MILFORD, Mass., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SeraCare Life Sciences, a manufacturer and leading partner to global in vitro diagnostics manufacturers, and TOMA Biosciences, a genomics company providing the most effective sequencing solution to identify clinically meaningful changes in the DNA of cancer tumors, announce today a co-development partnership during the 2016 American Association of Cancer Research in New Orleans.

Under the terms of the agreement, SeraCare will provide TOMA Biosciences access to their Seraseq Solid Tumor Mutation Mix reference material technology to support the development and validation of the TOMA OS-Seq comprehensive solid tumor gene analysis kit, as well as their upcoming PlasmaSeq liquid biopsy test.

TOMA Bioscience's OS-Seq proprietary technology permits researchers to evaluate in toto each gene in its panel for all mutation types, including Copy Number Alterations (CNAs), with a simplified single day library prep method. The accurate detection of CNAs, single-nucleotide variants, insertion-deletion mutations, and DNA translocations requires well-characterized reference standard material to assist with both assay development and routine assay quality assurance. The Seraseq Solid Tumor Mutation Mix technology offers the broadest selection of actionable and hard-to-sequence somatic variants at precise allelic frequencies within a well characterized reference genome background.

"Seraseq reference materials offer a comprehensive and customizable set of mutations which are ideally suited to the comprehensive nature of the TOMA OS-Seq reagent kit," said Federico Goodsaid, Ph.D., Vice President of Assay Development and Regulatory Affairs at TOMA Biosciences. "More importantly, we share the vision of a strong quality and regulatory approach when bringing validated NGS-based tumor profiling assays to market."

"We are very excited to be working with TOMA Biosciences and supporting their innovative OS-Seq technology with our Seraseq technology," said Trevor Brown, Vice President of Precision Medicine at SeraCare. "SeraCare has 30 years of experience providing high value tools for assay developers and clinical laboratories and strong experience with the 510k/IVD regulatory path." Our goal is to seek out mutually beneficial partnerships with NGS-based assay developers that leverage our ever growing pipeline of innovative tools supporting better data quality in precision diagnostics."

About SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc.

SeraCare enables the promise of precision medicine by advancing the understanding of disease and providing assurance of the diagnostic result. Our innovative tools and technologies not only provide assurance of the safe, effective, and accurate performance of diagnostic assays but also establish a framework for regulating, compiling, and interpreting data from precision diagnostics. Our portfolio includes a broad range of products such as quality control technologies, disease-state specimens and tissues for research and development, processed biological materials, and immunoassay reagents. For more information, please visit www.seracare.com and follow SeraCare on Twitter (@SeraCare).

About TOMA Biosciences, Inc.

TOMA Biosciences provides the most effective sequencing solution to identify clinically meaningful changes in the DNA of cancer tumors. TOMA has commercially launched TOMA OS-Seq reagent kits to help laboratories and researchers uncover genomic changes in tumors, including many missed by other methods. With an exclusive license to the oligo selective sequencing (OS-Seq) technology invented at Stanford University, TOMA has developed a fast, simple and efficient way to comprehensively analyze all types of tumor samples  even those with limited volume and poor quality. A team of renowned industry specialists is leading the product development, commercialization and regulatory pathways to bring these products to laboratories, hospital systems and research institutions around the world. TOMA is a commercial stage, private venture-backed company headquartered in Foster City, California. For more information, visit www.tomabio.com.

Company Contacts:

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150729/249066LOGO

SOURCE SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.seracare.com


A wounded Afghan is treated at a hospital after a Taliban-claimed suicide attack in Kabul. (Photo: AP)

Kabul: The death toll from a Taliban suicide attack in Kabul has more than doubled to 64, officials said Wednesday, the deadliest militant assault in the Afghan capital for years.

The brazen assault on Tuesday in a densely packed Kabul neighbourhood marked the first major Taliban attack in Kabul since the insurgents announced the start of this year's fighting season last week.

A powerful Taliban truck bomb tore through central Kabul and a fierce firefight broke out, sending clouds of smoke billowing into the sky and rattling windows several kilometres away.

"It is with regret that I announce that 64 people were killed and 347 others wounded in yesterday's Kabul attack. Most of them are civilians," ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told reporters.

The ministry had earlier put the death toll at 30.

"The victims of (the) terrorist attack are all fathers, brothers or children of people," Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Twitter.

"We will avenge every drop of Afghan blood."

Mourners in Kabul held emotionally charged funerals for the victims of the attack on Wednesday, one of the deadliest in Kabul for years.

In December 2011, more than 50 people were killed in a suicide attack during the Shiite holy day of Ashura.

The Taliban on Tuesday last week announced the start of their spring offensive, even as the government tries to bring them back to the negotiating table to end the drawn-out conflict.

The insurgents warned they would "employ large-scale attacks on enemy positions across the country" during the offensive -- dubbed Operation Omari in honour of the movement's late founder Mullah Omar, whose death was announced last year.

The Taliban's resurgence has raised serious questions about the ability of Afghan forces to hold their own and prompted calls for the US to reconsider its troop withdrawal schedule, already delayed once by President Barack Obama.

There are currently 9,800 American troops in the country, set to fall to 5,500 by 2017.

Peace talks which began last summer were abruptly halted after it was revealed that Mullah Omar had been dead for two years, a disclosure which sparked infighting in the insurgents' ranks.

A four-country group comprising Afghanistan, the United States, China and Pakistan has been holding meetings since January aimed at jump-starting negotiations, though their efforts have so far been in vain.

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Tuesday announced he was postponing his upcoming trip to Pakistan after "initial evidence of today's suicide attack".

Kabul has fraught relations with Islamabad, which it blames for sponsoring the insurgency.
SINGAPORE, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SoftPay Mobile International, a Singapore based mobile Point of Sale (mPOS) company, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vietnam MPOS Technology JSC, a leading mPOS company operating in Vietnam. Under the terms of this Agreement, SoftPay Mobile will become a majority shareholder of this Vietnamese company. In addition, it will allow SoftPay Mobile to realise its vision to be the leading mPOS Payment Facilitator company in Southeast Asia.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160419/357014

Vietnam MPOS Technology JSC customers include Mai Linh Taxi Group, one of the largest taxi groups in Vietnam, as well as insurance companies. Lazada Vietnam, the largest e-commerce group in the country, is also a customer.

SoftPay Mobile is a venture-backed mPOS company with a presence in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Since its incorporation in late 2014, SoftPay Mobile has been growing aggressively in Southeast Asia.

Investors include Singapore-based fintech fund, Life.SREDA.

Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in the region with foreign investment skyrocketing year on year.

mPos, as a technology, has proven incredibly popular in Southeast Asia where a vast majority of people living in rural areas have no access to traditional banking infrastructure. With the advance of mobile technology, thanks to cheap smartphones and lower data costs, mPos devices such as SoftPay's mobile terminal are able to take advantage of these devices to provide merchants anywhere with a full suite of options for receiving payments.

"We have studied this company for several months. We find that it is a great fit with SoftPay Mobile. This company comprises of an excellent team with numerous customers using mPOS. With this investment, SoftPay Mobile will be able to work closely with our new Vietnam MPOS company to further consolidate our market position as the leading MPOS company in Southeast Asia," said Christopher Low, CEO of SoftPay Mobile.

CONTACT: Christopher Low, Email, Phone: +65-98165187

SOURCE SoftPay Mobile International Pte Ltd
GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sodexo, the world leader in Quality of Life Services, announced today that it ranked #6 on the DiversityInc 2016 Top 50 Companies for Diversity. This marks the eighth consecutive year that Sodexo's commitment to diversity and inclusion was recognized among the Top 10. DiversityInc announced the rankings last night at its annual gala dinner in New York. Sodexo also earned spots on the following specialty lists:

2016 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies Logo

#2 Top Company for Diversity Councils

#6 Top Company for Global Diversity

#6 Top Company for Disability (NOD)

#6 Top Company for Recruiting

#10 Top Company for Mentoring

Among DiversityInc Top 10 companies, there are nearly 50 percent more Blacks, Latinos and Asians in management than in U.S. companies in general. In addition, DiversityInc Top 10 companies have achieved near parity with women in management (48 percent). In the Top 10, women also represent 40 percent of the top earners.

"Sodexo is a perennial DiversityInc Top 10 company, ranking in the Top 10 for the eighth year in a row," said Luke Visconti, DiversityInc's founder and CEO. "This is driven by sharp focus and commitment from the company's senior executives and relentless pursuit of improving an already exceptional talent-development program. I have no doubt Lorna Donatone, Region Chair for North America and CEO of Schools Worldwide, along with Rohini Anand, Global Chief Diversity Officer will continue to push the company further in its diversity and inclusion initiatives."

Sodexo is the only company to land in the top #1 or #2 spot for 5 consecutive years, with this marking our 8th year being recognized as a top 10 company on the list. Most recently it has cultivated an increase in female management representation throughout the organization, and perhaps most notably in terms of gender-balanced leadership roles. The composition of its global board is comprised of 40 percent women. Its global COMEX team is 43 percent women and female leadership now occupies 31 percent of all senior executive positions; up from the 25 percent target that was set for 2015. The company attributes its success to a strategic, metrics-driven approach to diversity. Key to that approach is thorough analysis that includes a matrix of quantitative and qualitative factors.

Companies with more than 1,000 U.S.-based employees are eligible to enter the DiversityInc Top 50 competition each year, and there is no cost to compete. Each company's rank is based on an objective analysis of 183 separate factors, based on data from a 300-question survey. The four equally weighted areas of measurement are Talent Pipeline, Equitable Talent Development, CEO/Leadership Commitment and Supplier Diversity.

"Diversity and inclusion is a key business driver, capable of increasing employee engagement and expanding business opportunities," said Dr. Rohini Anand, global chief diversity officer, Sodexo. "In addition to the technical services we offer, Sodexo has helped many of our clients develop their own diversity."

Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The global Fortune 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.

Learn more about the company at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160330/349448LOGO

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357807LOGO

SOURCE Sodexo

Related Links

http://www.sodexoUSA.com


TAMPA, Fla., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynamic Communities Inc., the supporting organization behind the official user group for Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Microsoft Dynamics NAV products, is holding its inaugural European Congress events in Stuttgart, Germany. These Congress events will be held 9-10 May, 2016 and hundreds of international Dynamics professionals are expected to attend.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160415/356058LOGO

European Congress is a peer-to-peer focused conference dedicated to end user education and networking. At this year's event, experienced Microsoft Dynamics users and partners will lead instructional sessions, showcases, and How To's, focusing on past and current versions of Dynamics AX, NAV, and Microsoft CRM.

The Dynamics AX User Group (AXUG), Dynamics NAV User Group (NAVUG), and Dynamics CRM User Group (CRMUG) have teamed up with Microsoft to deliver a robust line-up of educational training at European Congress. Topics covered will include Business Intelligence, Finance, Technical, Upgrading, and Program and Project Management. To review all session details, including titles, descriptions, and speakers for each User Group European Congress, visit: AXUG European Congress Sessions, CRMUG European Congress Sessions, or NAVUG European Congress Sessions

Supported by Microsoft, several European Congress sessions are instructed by key Microsoft personnel such as Floris van Heijst, General Manager SMS&P, Dilip Popat, EMEA CSM Director, and Marko Perisic, General Manager, SMB. Additional Microsoft involvement in the conference includes:

AXUG European Congress: Conrad Volkmann , Principal Program Management Lead  R&D Stephan Kallus , Escalation Engineer Christine Kloes , Licensing Sales Specialist Dynamics Tariq Bell , Senior Solutions Architect Murray Fife , Technical Solution Professional Agust Bjornsson , Solutions Architect Chris Haley , Solution Architect Frank Naujoks , Product Marketing Manager Dynamics AX

CRMUG European Congress: Siegfried Leiner  Keynote speaker, CRM Analytics Program Manager  Microsoft Dynamics CRM R&D Roger Gilchrist  CRM Solution Architect Gillian Naish  CRMOL Volume Lead, EMEA Somit Goyal  Global CSM Leader Carsten Groth  CRM Technical Solutions Professional

NAVUG European Congress: Duilio Tacconi , Senior Support Engineer Marco Mels , Support Escalation Engineer Anja Haslund , Program Manager



Additionally, Microsoft personnel and Microsoft MVPs sit on all three European Congress program committees: AXUG, CRMUG, and NAVUG. These committees lead the way for the programming at this event, in terms of determining necessary content and selecting session proposals.

While attending European Congress, end users can look forward to connecting with Microsoft team members, subject matter experts, and fellow users from similar industries and job roles. These connections with further end users' Dynamics AX and NAV, and Microsoft CRM competency, make the workplace productions more efficient.

Registration is currently open for this conference. The conference will be held at the International Congress Centre in Stuttgart, Germany on 9-10 May 2016. To learn more about the conference or to register today, visit: www.axugcongress.com; www.crmugcongress.com; or, www.navugcongress.com.

About Dynamic Communities, Inc: Dynamic Communities, Inc. (DCI) is the supporting organization behind the Dynamics AX User Group (AXUG), Dynamics CRM User Group (CRMUG) and Dynamics NAV User Group (NAVUG). Dynamic Communities is independent from Microsoft; however, its close working relationship positions its groups to be a collective voice to Microsoft on user concerns, needs, and requests.

SOURCE Dynamic Communities, Inc.
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) announced today that it will report financial results for the first quarter of 2016 on Thursday, May 5, 2016, after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

SMLP will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern on Friday, May 6, 2016, to discuss its quarterly operating and financial results. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 847-585-4405 or toll-free 888-771-4371 and entering the passcode 42398548. The conference call will also be webcast live and can be accessed through the Investors section of SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available until May 20, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, and can be accessed by dialing 888-843-7419 and entering the replay passcode 42398548#. An archive of the conference call will also be available on SMLP's website.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LP

SMLP is a growth-oriented limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. SMLP currently provides natural gas, crude oil and produced water gathering services pursuant to primarily long-term and fee-based gathering and processing agreements with customers and counterparties in five unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Marcellus and Utica shale formations in West Virginia and Ohio; (ii) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota; (iii) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas; (iv) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado and Utah; and (v) the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado. SMLP also owns a 40% interest in a joint venture that is developing natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in Ohio. SMLP is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas with regional corporate offices in Denver, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LLC

As of March 31, 2016, Summit Midstream Partners, LLC ("Summit Investments") beneficially owned a 44.9% limited partner interest in SMLP and indirectly owns and controls the general partner of SMLP, Summit Midstream GP, LLC, which has sole responsibility for conducting the business and managing the operations of SMLP. Summit Investments is a privately held company controlled by Energy Capital Partners II, LLC, and certain of its affiliates. As of March 31, 2016, an affiliate of Energy Capital Partners II, LLC directly owned a 7.5% limited partner interest in SMLP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond management's control) that may cause SMLP's actual results in future periods to differ materially from anticipated or projected results. An extensive list of specific material risks and uncertainties affecting SMLP is contained in its 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2016, as amended and updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and SMLP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.

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SOURCE Summit Midstream Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.summitmidstream.com


Hendricks is experienced in devising innovative strategies and approaches for growing businesses. His demonstrated strengths include developing sales and marketing strategies to fuel customer acquisition and drive adoption in emerging solution areas, as well as leading successful global business and financial transformations.

"We are thrilled to welcome Randy to the Sungard AS board of directors. Randy is an accomplished executive who has successfully led several solutions businesses in outsourcing, infrastructure and applications," remarked Andrew A. Stern, CEO, Sungard AS. "Randy's proven track record in sales, marketing and operations will be invaluable as we prepare for our next phase of growth."

Sungard AS, a leading provider of information availability through managed IT, cloud and recovery services, has more than 7,000 customers in North America, Europe and India and operates approximately five million square feet of data center and operations space globally. Since becoming an independent company in April 2014, Sungard AS has prioritized growth of newer solutions such as Recovery as a Service (RaaS), Cloud and Enterprise Managed Services, shifting focus from its traditional recovery services as customers increasingly move infrastructure and applications to the cloud.

"In the last two years, Sungard AS has made great strides to transform its business, including its solutions portfolio," said Hendricks. "Driving customer acquisition and adoption of its new services is paramount to the company's growth. I look forward to contributing my experience and insights as the company moves forward."

Previous to Workday, Hendricks was a Managing Partner and General Manager, Public Sector, North America within the Global Business Services (GBS) division at IBM; he also held other senior leadership roles within IBM GBS, including General Manager, Southwest Europe, based in Madrid, Spain; and General Manager, Japan, based in Tokyo. Prior to IBM, Hendricks held senior leadership positions at Unisys and Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), where he was focused on providing consulting, systems integration and outsourcing for clients globally.

About Sungard Availability Services

Sungard Availability Services ("Sungard AS") is a leading provider of critical production and recovery services to global enterprise companies. Sungard AS partners with customers across the globe to understand their business needs and provide production and recovery services tailored to help them achieve their desired business outcomes. Leveraging 35 years of experience, Sungard AS designs, builds and runs critical IT services that help customers manage complex IT, adapt quickly and build resiliency and availability.

To learn more, visit www.sungardas.com or call 1-800-468-7483. Connect with us on Twitter @Sungardas, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Brand Statement

The abbreviation for Sungard Availability Services is 'Sungard AS' as cited above. Please use 'Sungard AS' when abbreviating the name rather than 'Sungard' or 'SunGard,' which may confuse the reader with another separate company with a similar name.

Sungard Availability Services is a trademark or registered trademark of SunGard Data Systems or its affiliate, used under license. The Sungard Availability Services logo by itself is a trademark or registered trademark of Sungard Availability Services Capital, Inc. or its affiliate. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

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SOURCE Sungard Availability Services

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http://www.sungardas.com


NEW YORK and MUMBAI, India, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Tata Consultancy Services (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, today announced the release of a new TCS Intelligent Urban Exchange (IUX) application for Intelligent Water. The new urban analytics application offers pre-built 'use cases' to cost-effectively reduce Non Revenue Water (NRW) loss and ensure delivery of safe, reliable water. The application leverages IUX's scalable analytics platform to allow cities and partners to easily integrate and localize, in order to accelerate the deployment of smart city solutions and enable a future-ready infrastructure for cross domain urban solutions.

Water management is an urgent, increasing concern, both in the U.S. and globally. U.S. utilities reportedly lose $8.7 billion annually due to water loss, while one third of global utilities report that 40 percent of clean water is lost due to leaks.

IUX for Intelligent Water is poised to address critical city infrastructure needs through its ability to quickly analyze and address mounting concerns surrounding water utilities, and reduce NRW loss with real time network awareness, performance insight and recommendations for proactive actions. The Intelligent Water application is built on top of the IUX platform and its powerful decision engine, which allows partners to develop custom applications along with prebuilt use cases to address unique localization requirements, support brownfield development, and target the high growth smart water market.

"Cities will look to adopt solutions to help them address the most critical issues in water loss and infrastructure to ensure scenarios like Flint Michigan don't happen again," said Ruthbea Yesner Clarke, IDC Research Director, Smart Cities Strategies. "There is a real urgency for targeted analytics offerings that are geared towards proactively addressing critical issues like lead detection, pipe failure and water management systems as part of a Smart Cities initiatives."

Leveraging an IoT-grade cloud analytics platform, the IUX Intelligent Water application collects and analyzes data from multiple sources and exchanges real time intelligence and alerts across city departments. IUX's advanced analytics engine and extensive API library also provide a flexible and modular approach to city Big Data, in which partners and third party developers can deploy custom analytics models, add devices to quickly develop their own mashups of intelligent urban applications and launch their own urban exchange cloud. The combination of these features provides real-time insights for advanced situational awareness and decision making to actively manage and reduce water loss, lower operational and Capex costs, and deliver safe water.

"We are excited to extend the IUX solution's platform and use cases with Intelligent Water Management to help governments, utilities and technology partners protect city water and oversee utilization as part of a total smart urban planning initiative," said Seeta Hariharan, General Manager and Group Head of TCS' DS&S group. "Smart water networks can save up to 70 percent of quality monitoring costs, and far more in avoided catastrophe. There is a very large opportunity for water utilities to quickly and cost effectively get on board with Smart Cities initiatives that integrate across city domains and drive adoption of smart water technologies."

Beyond IUX for Intelligent Water Management, the TCS IUX domain-specific applications include:

IUX for Intelligent Transportation: helps city transport administrators and bus operators improve ridership, service levels and fleet utilization. It includes real-time insight and trend analysis of passenger demand and service parameters, such as wait times, queue build-up, ridership, and revenue realization across various routes and schedules to create adaptive planning for more effective public transportation services.

helps city transport administrators and bus operators improve ridership, service levels and fleet utilization. It includes real-time insight and trend analysis of passenger demand and service parameters, such as wait times, queue build-up, ridership, and revenue realization across various routes and schedules to create adaptive planning for more effective public transportation services. IUX for Intelligent Energy: a forthcoming module that helps cities manage and control city and residential energy efficiency, improve renewable integration with real time consumption monitoring, and reduce the carbon footprint using carbon analytics. The solution interfaces with smart grids using sensors, meters, digital controls, and analytics tools to automate and improve the reliability and economics of energy distribution throughout a city.

About TCS Digital Software & Solutions Group

Launched in 2014, TCS Digital Software & Solutions Group is a strategic growth business unit in TCS formed to help customers undergo critical digital transformations with modular, scalable and fully integrated, industry-tailored licensed software and solutions. Industries served are Cities, Retail, Communications, and Banking and Financial Services, four markets with a particularly urgent need to adopt emerging technologies to enhance customer intelligence capabilities and rapidly shift product and service offerings to compete in highly competitive and customer-centric arenas. For more information, visit us at http://www.tcs.com/digital-software-solutions/pages/default.aspx or on Linked In

About Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (TCS)

Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization that delivers real results to global business, ensuring a level of certainty no other firm can match. TCS offers a consulting-led, integrated portfolio of IT, BPS, infrastructure, engineering and assurance services. This is delivered through its unique Global Network Delivery Model, recognised as the benchmark of excellence in software development. A part of the Tata group, India's largest industrial conglomerate, TCS has over 353,000 of the world's best-trained consultants in 46 countries. The company generated consolidated revenues of US $16.5 billion for year ended March 31, 2016 and is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange in India. For more information, visit us at www.tcs.com.

To stay up-to-date on TCS news in North America, follow @TCS_NA. For TCS global news, follow @TCS_News.

Subscribe to an RSS Feed of TCS Press Releases.

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SOURCE Tata Consultancy Services

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http://www.tcs.com


NEW YORK, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Across the United States, the Paulist Fathers are a community of Roman Catholic priests committed to reaching out to all people, seeking unity with individuals of other faiths and helping people find peace in their lives. The Paulists recently recognized an opportunity to develop an engaging, more modern brand to increase awareness and understanding of the community, advance their mission and assert continued essential relevance in contemporary American life. This initiative was in keeping with the admonition Paulist founder Servant of God Father Isaac Hecker, C.S.P. to "present old truths in new forms." To do so, the Paulists enlisted Los Angeles-based Brand Culture Company, LLC to develop new messaging and communications, create a fresh and lively visual identity system and restage a revamped interactive media presence.

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Following extensive research and interviews with priests and laity throughout the Paulist community, BrandCulture collaborated with the Paulist Fathers to develop a new brand platform and visual identity that distinguished the community in a unique, modern way. The new look strikes an approachable balance between modern and friendly, while supporting the stature and gravitas of the storied heritage of service of the Paulist Fathers.

The new logo features a dove evoking the Holy Spirit enclosed in a stylized "P" designed as a speech bubble to signal The Paulist commitment to communicate and engage members of Catholic Church as well as those outside or on the edges of faith, or as Pope Francis has said, "the periphery." The new logo inspired a series of symbols that also play a strong part in the visual identity to reinforce the friendliness and approachability of the many activities and outreach of the Paulists across different missions and ministries.

"We are excited by this new look for our community and the renewed Spirit that comes with it. In a very focused way, it expresses our Gospel call to be at the intersection of faith and culture," said Fr. Eric Andrews, C.S.P., President of the Paulist Fathers. "We are particularly grateful to Eric Pinckert, Jon Hutson, and the entire team at BrandCulture for their tireless efforts to work with us and help us express our unique mission to America."

"We are honored the Paulist Fathers entrusted us with the opportunity to further inspire and advance their work in the world," said Eric Pinckert, Managing Director of BrandCulture. "We are elated that the community now has a new brand platform, visual identity system and website that represent the Paulist mission and reflect the openness, warmth and welcome we have come to understand and appreciate."

The Paulists launched the new identity system and website on April 18, 2016.

About the Paulist Fathers

The Paulist Fathers, founded in 1858, is a community of Catholic priests who work in missions, media, campus ministries, parishes, the arts and more. The first community of Catholic priests founded in the United States, The Paulist Fathers are known for their media ministries, including: Paulist Press, the oldest Catholic publishing house in America; Paulist Productions, a film and television production company; Busted Halo, a website and radio program for young adults and spiritual seekers; Paulist Evangelization Ministries, a creator of webinars and parish-based programs. Engaged in campus ministry on secular university campuses, parishes in major cities, and missionary work across the country, Paulists are recognized for their missionary zeal and welcoming spirit.

About Brand Culture Company, LLC

BrandCulture combines insightful strategy, inspired design, leading technologies and rigorous execution to create transformative brand and culture-building programs that deliver immediate impact and long-term results. Headquartered in Los Angeles, BrandCulture works across industries and markets to help clients ranging from the enterprises known all over the globe to startups taking the world by storm define clear brands and build strong cultures. BrandCulture turns good businesses into great brands. Learn more at BrandCulture.com.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE BrandCulture

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http://www.brandculture.com


NEW YORK, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Taiwan Fund, Inc. (TWN) (the "Fund") announced today the results of its Annual Stockholders Meeting held on April 19, 2016 (the "Meeting"). The Fund's stockholders elected four individuals to the Board of Directors (the "Board"). Michael F. Holland, William C. Kirby, Anthony Kai Yiu Lo and Shelley Rigger were elected by stockholders for one-year terms, expiring in 2017. Joe O. Rogers and Chih T. Cheung were not re-elected by stockholders.

Director Votes Cast for Votes Against/Withheld Joe O. Rogers 2,107,853 5,130,425 Michael F. Holland 3,981,121 3,257,157 William C. Kirby 7,087,280 150,998 Anthony Kai Yiu Lo 6,981,975 256,303 Chih T. Cheung 2,085,021 5,153,257 Shelley Rigger 5,099,553 2,138,725

Pursuant to the Fund's by-laws, each of Joe O. Rogers and Chih T. Cheung are deemed to have tendered to the Board his resignation as a Director, with such resignation to take effect 30 days after the date of the Meeting unless the Board unanimously decides to reject that Director's tender of resignation, in which case the Director shall continue in office until his death, resignation or removal or until his successor shall have been elected and shall have been qualified. The Board, including the Nominating Committee of the Board, is considering the implications of the failure of Joe O. Rogers and Chih T. Cheung to be re-elected by stockholders. Any determination made by the Board as a result of those considerations will be communicated to stockholders.

The stockholders of the Fund also rejected the stockholder proposal to amend the Fund's by-laws. The Fund reported that 28.24% of the Fund's outstanding shares voted for the stockholder proposal to amend the Fund's by-laws.

For Against Abstain Non-votes 2,322,447 4,200,851 8,561 706,419

The Fund is a diversified closed-end investment company, which seeks long term capital appreciation primarily through investments in equity securities listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Shares of the Fund are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "TWN."

For additional information on the Fund, including information on the Fund's holdings, visit the Fund's website at www.thetaiwanfund.com or call 1-877-864-5056.

SOURCE The Taiwan Fund, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.thetaiwanfund.com


WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Gulf Oil, LP announced the appointment of Todd O'Malley as the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. O'Malley will lead the focus and growth of Gulf Oil's commercial activities, including Gulf's geographic expansion, organic growth and enhancements to the supply and logistics platform.

Todd O'Malley joins Gulf Oil with over 20 years of industry experience. Mr. O'Malley most recently served as the President of PBF Logistics GP LLC, prior to which he held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Previous to joining PBF Energy, Mr. O'Malley traded petroleum products globally for Hess Energy Trading Company in London.

Mr. Jerry Ashcroft, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Oil LP stated, "I am pleased to have Todd join our executive team as the Chief Commercial Officer. He brings tremendous experience from his most recent executive positions at PBF, and he has a great reputation as a proven leader within our industry, which will serve Gulf well as we continue to grow our company going forward."

Mr. O'Malley graduated Cum Laude from Colgate University with degrees in Geology and French and a minor in business. He also holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

About Gulf Oil, LP

Gulf Oil, LP owns and operates 17 proprietary terminals as well as supplies wholesale product through 75 other terminals. Gulf Oil, LP is a leading distributor of quality motor fuels, both gasoline and diesel, to over 1,750 branded outlets as well as 1,000 private label retail outlets operated by major chain retailers. More information about Gulf Oil, LP can be found at gulfoil.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Erin Vadala, Warner Communications, 978-468-3076, [email protected].

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SOURCE Gulf Oil

Related Links

http://gulfoil.com


PFLUGERVILLE, Texas, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- TrackingPoint announced three new products today for night-time missions. TorridTM Thermal Imaging, VividTM Gen-3 Night Vision, and HushTM Silencer attachments are now available for most TrackingPoint Precision-Guided Firearms. The defense-grade products are designed to support total-darkness missions for the military, SWAT teams, law enforcement, and civilians. These stealth product offerings are in support of TrackingPoint's efforts to be a primary advocate of the Infantry Soldiers and Marines. Each device comes with a Stealth Kit software-upgrade thumb drive. The Stealth Kit adds features and controls to users' PGFs for Thermal, Night Vision, and Silencer attachments. In February the company announced Gen-2 night vision capabilities for Precision-Guided Firearms.

"Soldiers and Marines can now fully own the night. Depending on the mission, they can deploy our Gen-2 Night Vision, Gen-3 Night Vision, Thermal, and Silencer capabilities," said John McHale, TrackingPoint CEO. "Engaging stationary and moving targets at extreme distances in total darkness is now possible."

TorridTM - Thermal Attachment

Designed specifically for Precision-Guided Firearms, the TorridTM thermal attachment delivers 24/7 mission capability. Users can now tag, track, and eliminate targets at night or through snow, dust, smoke, fog, haze, and other atmospheric obscurants. A TorridTM equipped Precision-Guided Firearm is a dramatic force multiplier. Nighttime battle standoff ranges are extended to create unprecedented squad overmatch capability. The lightweight clip-on utilizes state-of-the-art FLIR Quark 2 technology and is MIL-810G ruggedized with glass fiber re-enforced construction.

Specifications

Compatible with TrackingPoint M600, M800, 300NightHawk, NightEagle 556, 300Blackout, SA556, SA762, XS1, and XS2 Precision-Guided Firearms

ShotGlass TM Compatible  Thermal Images projected in glasses

Compatible  Thermal Images projected in glasses 24/7 Tag-Track-Kill Operation  dark, smoke, haze, fog, snow

Quick-release locking mount

FLIR Quark 2, 17um pitch Thermal Sensor  640X512 pixel array format

SVGA 800x600 OLED Display

Polarity Control  black hot or white hot

Power  One CR123A battery

Dimensions (in) - 4.9x2.4x2

Weight w/o mount (oz.)  8.64

Includes Stealth Kit software-upgrade thumb drive (note: Stealth Kit only needs to be installed one time regardless of number of stealth attachments added to a specific gun.)

Made in America

Pricing and Availability

$8995 MSRP

MSRP Ships beginning June 15 , 2016 ( July 15 for XS series)

VividTM - Gen 3 Night Vision Attachment

VividTM is built on advanced night vision technology. Tactical Precision-Guided missions take on an entirely new dimension in starlight/moonlight conditions. When coupled with an IR Illuminator VividTM delivers clear situational awareness in all nighttime conditions and users can tag, track and eliminate targets with reliable effectiveness. All TrackingPoint Precision-Guided Firearm capabilities are preserved when VividTM is attached, including the ability to stream video to ShotGlassTM digital video glasses.

Specifications

Compatible with TrackingPoint M600, M800, 300NightHawk, NightEagle 556, 300Blackout, SA556, SA762, XS1, and XS2 Precision-Guided Firearms

ShotGlass TM Compatible  Night Vision Images projected in glasses

Compatible  Night Vision Images projected in glasses 24/7 Tag-Track-Kill Operation

Quick-release locking mount

Sensitivity  64-72 Ip/mm, Manual Gain

Power  One CR123A battery or 1.5V AA

Dimensions (in) - 4.9x2.7x2.2

Weight w/o mount (oz.)  16.9

Includes Stealth Kit software-upgrade thumb drive (note: Stealth Kit only needs to be installed one time regardless of number of stealth attachments added to a specific gun.)

Made in America

Pricing and Availability

$6995 MSRP

MSRP Ships beginning June 15 , 2016 ( July 15, 2016 for XS series)

HushTM Silencer Attachment

The HushTM enables Precision-Guided Firearm users to tag, track, and eliminate multiple targets without detection. The Hush-S is optimized for TrackingPoint's M600, M800, SA556, SA762, and XS2 Precision-Guided Firearms. The Hush-L is optimized for TrackingPoint's 300NightHawk and 300Blackout. On both models the Stellite baffles form a solid welded core for extreme durability with a detachable front cap featuring an integrated flash hider. Each Hush-S and Hush-L ships with a keymount muzzle brake.

Specifications

Hush-S

Compatible with TrackingPoint models M600, M800, NightEagle 556, SA556, SA762, and XS2 Precision-Guided Firearms

Length  6.8"

Weight  18 oz.

Diameter  1.5 inches

Finish  Cerakote Body, Nitrided Muzzle Device

Hush-L

Compatible with TrackingPoint models 300NightHawk and 300Blackout

Length  8.9"

Weight  21.8 oz.

Diameter  1.5"

Includes Stealth Kit software-upgrade thumb drive (note: Stealth Kit only needs to be installed one time regardless of number of stealth attachments added to a specific gun.)

Finish  Cerakote Body, Nitrided Muzzle Device

Pricing and Availability

Hush-S

$1495 MSRP

Hush-L

$1695 MSRP

Note: Silencers must be paid in full at time of purchase to facilitate federal approvals.

About TrackingPoint

TrackingPoint, based in Austin, Texas, builds extreme weapons for an extreme world to supercharge the Infantry Soldier. Based on fighter jet technology, the company's Precision-Guided Firearms deliver mission dominance, force multiplication, and remarkable battle overmatch in the war on radical Islamic terrorism. To learn more, visit www.tracking-point.com.

SOURCE TrackingPoint

Related Links

http://www.tracking-point.com


Kathmandu: Nepals first woman President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will visit India next month, her first official foreign trip after assuming office in October last year.

Her visit comes nearly three months after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli also chose India to be his first foreign destination after becoming the premier in October.

Preparations are on for Nepal presidents official visit to India at the invitation of the president of India, though it has not yet been officially announced, said sources close to the president.

Though May 9 is the tentative date of the visit and detail programmes of the entourage is being worked out, the exact date will be fixed within a couple of days, said spokesperson of the President.

According to media reports, 54-year-old Bhandari will first reach the New Delhi on May 9 and hold meetings with senior Indian officials and leaders the following day.

In New Delhi, President Bhandari will meet her Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee on May 10, according to the preliminary itinerary.

On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other Indian leaders will pay courtesy calls on President Bhandari, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Initially Bhandari had shown interest to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, and accordingly it was communicated to the Indian side, the report said.

According to officials, the Indian side, however, expressed its desire to host her in New Delhi first and make her personal-cum-religious visit an official one.

After completing meetings and engagements in New Delhi, she will fly to Ujjain to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

The details of the visit, size of the delegation and other preparations are yet to be worked out, the paper quoted officials as saying.

The bilateral ties between the two countries had faced turbulence in the recent past due to the months-long Madhesi agitation and subsequent blockade which halted the supply of essential goods to landlocked Nepal from India.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, have been demanding the new Constitution be amended to include their concerns about adequate political representation and redrawing of federal boundaries.
CHICAGO, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Barron's honors two HighTower advisors on its "Top 100 Financial Advisors for 2016" list: Paul Pagnato of HighTower Pagnato Karp (ranked 67), and Richard Saperstein of HighTower Treasury Partners (ranked 7).

"Our community of exceptional financial professionals is a pillar of HighTower's culture," said Michael Parker, Chief Development Officer, HighTower. "Paul and Richard are outstanding representatives of that community, and we congratulate them on this achievement."

Paul Pagnato, a Managing Director in Reston, Va., is appearing on the Barron's Top 100 list for the fourth consecutive time. He joined HighTower in 2011 after more than 19 years with Merrill Lynch, where he was a member of the firm's Private Banking & Investment office in Washington DC. The team specializes in meeting the unique needs of the nation's ultra-affluent individuals and their families and oversees more than $2 billion in client assets.

Richard Saperstein is a Managing Director in New York City, and has made the Barron's Top 100 list 12 times since its launch in 2004. He has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services sector and joined HighTower in 2009, after J.P. Morgan acquired his previous employer, Bear Stearns, where he and his team established and oversaw the Cash Management Group. One of the earliest HighTower pioneers, Mr. Saperstein has also been a HighTower Board participant for the past five years. His team oversees more than $10 billion in client assets and delivers a broad array of conservative investment management services to corporations, endowments, family offices, foundations, and private investors.

Barron's publishes its annual "Top 100 Financial Advisors" ranking to recognize advisors who demonstrate exceptional performance, client service, professionalism and community involvement. Selection criteria include assets under management, revenue generated for the advisor's firm, and the quality of advisors' practices. Earlier this year, Barron's selected these two advisors for its "Top 1200 Advisors by State" list.

For media inquiries, please contact Melinda Brodbeck, JConnelly, at 973-850-7348 or [email protected].

About HighTower

HighTower is a national firm built by and for elite financial advisors. HighTower advisors commit to the fiduciary standard: a binding promise to put our clients' interests first. Powered by a proprietary technology and investment platform, HighTower embraces bold change to create a culture of collaboration and growth and to meet the evolving needs of sophisticated investors. For more information, see www.hightoweradvisors.com and www.byadvisorsforadvisors.com.

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SOURCE HighTower

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Unique Fabricating, Inc. (NYSE MKT: UFAB), which engineers and manufactures multi-material foam, rubber, and plastic components utilized in noise, vibration and harshness management for the automotive and industrial appliance market, today announced that John Weinhardt, CEO and Tom Tekiele, CFO, will be presenting at the 13th Annual Small Cap Equity Conference on May 3, 2016 at 2:30pm EDT. The Conference will take place at the Le Parker Meridian, New York City.

A live webcast and archived replay of the presentation will be broadcasted on the company's investor relations website at http://uniquefab.investorroom.com/ and at http://www.wsw.com/webcast/tb8/ufab.

To request additional information about the conference or to register, interested investors should contact Taglich Brothers at 212-779-2971 or visit www.taglich.com.

About Taglich Brothers

Taglich Brothers, Inc. is a full-service broker dealer focused exclusively on microcap companies. The Company defines the microcap segment of the equity market as companies with less than $250 million in market capitalization. Taglich Brothers currently offers institutional and retail brokerage services, investment banking and comprehensive research coverage to the investment community.

About Unique Fabricating, Inc.

Unique Fabricating, Inc. (NYSE MKT: UFAB) engineers and manufactures components for customers in the automotive and industrial appliance market. The Company's solutions are comprised of multi-material foam, rubber, and plastic components and utilized in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) management, acoustical management, water and air sealing, decorative and other functional applications. Unique leverages proprietary manufacturing processes including die cutting, thermoforming, compression molding, Reaction Injection Molding and fusion molding to manufacture a wide range of products including air management products, heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), seals, fender stuffers, air ducts, acoustical insulation, door water shields, gas tank pads, light gaskets, topper pads, mirror gaskets and glove box liners. The company is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. For more information, visit http://www.uniquefab.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements, are based on current expectations. All such forward-looking statements are based on management's present expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, outcome of events, timing and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated January 3, 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and in particular the Section entitled "Risk Factors", as well as any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our periodic and current reports filed with the SEC. All statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Unique Fabricating does not intend to update this information, unless required by law.

Investor Contact:

Hayden IR

Brett Maas/Rob Fink

646-536-7331/646-415-8972

[email protected]

SOURCE Unique Fabricating, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.uniquefab.com


WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the evening of April 18 noted, award-winning humanitarian Raed Saleh -- head of Syria Civil Defense (also known as "The White Helmets") -- was denied entry to the United States. Saleh was scheduled to attend InterAction's Forum -- the largest annual gathering of humanitarian, development and sustainability professionals -- to receive its 2016 Humanitarian Award.

InterAction and Relief International have compiled a quick FAQ below. Saleh is doing interviews direct, via a translator. To schedule an interview please contact Michele Kayal.

See a written statement by Raed Saleh at: https://www.interaction.org/article/remarks-raed-saleh

FAQ - Award Winning Humanitarian Denied Entry to United States

Q: What happened to Saleh?

A: Saleh was traveling to the United States to participate in InterAction's Forum in Washington, D.C. He was to be honored tonight as InterAction's 2016 Humanitarian Award winner. InterAction and Relief International were alerted late on April 18 by one of Saleh's colleagues, Zouheir Albounni, that Saleh was denied entry to the US when he landed at Dulles. Saleh was told that his visa had been cancelled. Albounni was scheduled to serve as a translator for Saleh at Forum.

Albounni works for a USAID implementer that provides support to Syria Civil Defense. Over three years, Albounni said, USAID provided more than $20 million to Syria Civil Defense. This support helped SCD save more than 40,000 civilians.

Q: What was wrong with Saleh's visa?

A: According to Albounni, Saleh's visa is valid until September 2016, and he had not been notified by any entity that it had expired. Albounni added that Saleh was holding a letter from USAID to facilitate his entry with US customs and immigration.

Q: Where is Saleh now?

A: He is back in Istanbul, where he started his travel. Saleh is doing interviews via Albounni. To schedule an interview please contact Michele Kayal.

Q: What happened when Saleh landed?

A: According to Albounni, Saleh was told his visa was canceled. For further information, we encourage you to speak directly with Saleh for an interview.

Q: Have you asked US government officials why Saleh was turned back?

A: We have inquiries into US Government officials into exactly why Saleh was denied entry. Neither InterAction nor Relief International has received an official answer.

Q: Has InterAction set a time to give Saleh his award?

A: We are in contact with Saleh and working to schedule a time to present the award to him in person as soon as his schedule permits.

More About Saleh: Raed Saleh, aged 32, leads more than 2,800 intrepid search-and-rescue volunteers as head of Syria Civil Defense. Known as "The White Helmets," these unarmed and neutral civilians have saved more than 40,000 lives in Syria. Read more online.

More About the Award: InterAction's Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual or individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in support of NGOs and the people they serve in the developing world. Read more online.

About InterAction

InterAction is the largest U.S. alliance of nongovernmental international organizations, with more than 180 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit www.interaction.org.

About Relief International

Relief International (RI) is a leading humanitarian non-profit agency committed to achieving relief from poverty, building resilience and promoting the dignity and well-being of the world's most vulnerable populations. By partnering with people in the communities where we work, RI bridges the gap between immediate relief and long-term community development. RI is non-political and non-sectarian in our mission. More can be found at www.ri.org.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121101/DC04603LOGO

SOURCE InterAction

Related Links

http://www.interaction.org


WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Anna Jarvis organized the first Mother's Day observances in Grafton, W.Va., and Philadelphia on May 10, 1908. As the annual celebration became popular around the country, Jarvis became the driving force behind Mother's Day and asked members of Congress to set aside a day to honor mothers. She succeeded in 1914, when Congress designated the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

How Many Mothers

43.5 million

Number of women between the ages of 15 and 50 who have children. These mothers gave birth to 95.8 million children.

Source: Fertility of Women in the United States: 2014, Detailed Tables, Table 2

http://www.census.gov/hhes/fertility/data/cps/2014.html

3.9 million

Number of women between the ages of 15 and 50 who gave birth in the past 12 months.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey, Table B13002

http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B13002

35.8%

Percentage of women age 15 to 50 who had a birth in the past 12 months who were unmarried.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey, Table S1301

http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1301

How Many Children

62.9

Number of births per 1,000 women age 15-44 in 2014, up slightly (less than 1 percent) from 2013.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics Reports, Page 4

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_12.pdf

22.3%

Percentage of women age 15 to 50 who have had two children. About 42.4 percent had no children, 17 percent had one, 11.7 percent had three, and about 6.8 percent had four or more.

Source: Fertility of Women in the United States: 2014, Detailed Tables, Table 1 http://www.census.gov/hhes/fertility/data/cps/2014.html

Characteristics of Women with a Recent Birth



3.988 million

The number of registered births in 2014, which was 1 percent more than in 2013. Of this number, 249,078 were to teens 15 to 19.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics Reports, Page 3

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_12.pdf

61.8%

Percentage of women age 16 to 50 who had a birth in the past 12 months who were in the labor force.

Source: 2014 American Community Survey, American FactFinder, Table S1301

http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1301

31.3%

The percentage of women who had given birth in the past 12 months who had a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: 2014 American Community Survey, American FactFinder, Table S1301

http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1301

86.3%

Percentage of women age 15 to 50 who gave birth in the past year and who have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Source: 2014 American Community Survey, American FactFinder, Table S1301

http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1301

63

Number of births in the past year per 1,000 women age 15 to 50 with a graduate or professional degree. The number was 55 per 1,000 for women whose highest level of education was a bachelor's degree.

Source: 2014 American Community Survey, American FactFinder, Table S1301

http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/S1301

Noah and Emma

The most popular baby names for boys and girls, respectively, in 2014.

Source: Social Security Administration

https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/

Mothers Celebrated

14,161

Number of florists nationwide in 2013. The 62,222 employees in floral shops across our nation will be especially busy preparing, selling and delivering floral arrangements for Mother's Day.

Source: County Business Patterns: 2013 (NAICS 45311)

http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2013/00A1//naics~45311

*New statistics will be available at the end of April.*

15,113

Number of employees of greeting-card publishers in 2013.

Source: County Business Patterns: 2013 (NAICS 511191) http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2013/00A1//naics~511191

*New statistics will be available at the end of April.*

16,288

The number of cosmetics, beauty supplies and perfume stores nationwide in 2013. Perfume is a popular gift given on Mother's Day.

Source: County Business Patterns: 2013 (NAICS 44612) http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2013/00A1//naics~44612

*New statistics will be available at the end of April.*

23,096

Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2013  the place to purchase necklaces, earrings and other timeless pieces for mom.

Source: County Business Patterns: 2013(NAICS 44831) http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2013/00A1//naics~44831

*New statistics will be available at the end of April.*

Stay-at-Home Moms

5.2 million

Number of stay-at-home moms in married couple family groups in 2015.

Source: America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2015

http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/files/shp1.xls

Taking Care of the Kids

862,043

Number of people employed at one of the 74,939 child day care services across the country in 2013. In addition, there were 688,728 child day care services without paid employees in 2013. Many mothers turn to these centers to help juggle motherhood and careers.

Source: County Business Patterns: 2013 NAICS 6244 http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/BP/2013/00A1//naics~6244

Nonemployer Statistics: 2012 http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/NES/2012/00A1//naics~6244

*New statistics will be available at the end of April for County Business Patterns.*

*New statistics will be available at the end of May for Nonemployer Statistics.*

Single Moms

9.9 million

The number of single mothers living with children younger than 18 in 2015, up from 7.7 million in 1985.

Source: America's Families and Living Arrangements, 2015.

http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/files/fm2.xls

415,617

Number of women age 15 to 50 who had a birth in the past 12 months and were living with a cohabiting partner.

Source: 2014 American Community Survey, American FactFinder, Table B13004

http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_1YR/B13004

Following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau's Facts for Features series:

Black History Month (February) Labor Day Super Bowl Grandparents Day Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) Women's History Month (March) Unmarried and Single Americans Week Irish-American Heritage Month (March)/ Halloween (Oct. 31) St. Patrick's Day (March 17) American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May) (November) Older Americans Month (May) Veterans Day (Nov. 11) Cinco de Mayo (May 5) Thanksgiving Day Mother's Day The Holiday Season (December) Hurricane Season Begins (June 1)

Father's Day

The Fourth of July (July 4)

Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)

Back to School (August)



Editor's note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Facts for Features are customarily released about two months before an observance in order to accommodate magazine production timelines. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau's Public Information Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; or e-mail: [email protected].

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SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau

Related Links

http://www.census.gov


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vectrus Systems Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectrus, Inc. (NYSE: VEC), has been awarded a telecommunications contract for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) worth nearly $12 million. The newly named Enterprise Legacy Voice and Information System (ELVIS) contract, a re-compete of the USAFE Communications Support Contract (UCSC), was awarded by the U.S. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency (AFICA), Ramstein AB, Germany, and includes base and option periods that will run from October 2016 through March 2021.

"We are pleased to be selected as the ELVIS provider and look forward to continuing our nearly 20 year relationship with Air Force communications customers," said Ken Hunzeker, CEO of Vectrus. "Our customers at strategic locations in Europe and Asia rely on Vectrus not only for facilities and infrastructure support services, but IT and network solutions as well. We plan to leverage our existing geographic footprint in order to expand our IT and network services business while providing more value to our customers."

The contract provides for integrated and reliable command and control, intelligence, and deployable communications support to manned and unmanned Air Force sites in Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom and Turkey. The work includes such tasks as operations and maintenance for secret and non-secure Internet protocol router networks (SIPRNet/NIPRNet), local area network and communications security administration, telephone maintenance, Armed Forces Network support, and command and control switching system services.

"Winning the ELVIS re-compete is demonstrative of our ability to offer customers valuable IT and network solutions at a compelling price, and we look forward to building on this success," said Chico Moline, Vectrus vice president for IT and Network Communication Services. "We are looking forward to extending our great relationship with our USAFE customer by providing timely and affordable secure communications and IT support for their critical missions in the region."

About Vectrus

Vectrus is a leading, global government services company with a history in the services market that dates back more than 70 years. The company provides infrastructure asset management, information technology and network communication services, and logistics and supply chain management services to U.S. government customers around the world. Vectrus is differentiated by operational excellence, superior program performance, a history of long-term customer relationships, and a strong commitment to their mission success. Vectrus is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., and includes more than 6,000 employees spanning 132 locations in 18 countries. In 2015, Vectrus generated sales of $1.2 billion. For more information, visit our website at http://www.vectrus.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Contacts:

Media

George Rhynedance

(719) 637-4182

[email protected]

Investors

Mike Smith

(719) 637-5773

[email protected]

SOURCE Vectrus

Related Links

http://www.vectrus.com


SAN DIEGO, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ViaCyte, Inc., a privately-held regenerative medicine company with the first pluripotent stem cell-derived islet replacement therapy for the treatment of diabetes in clinical-stage development, today announced four presentations at upcoming healthcare events.

Details of the presentations are as follows:

Event: GTCbio Diabetes Summit 2016: 9th Diabetes Drug Discovery & Development Conference Speaker: Dr. Kevin D'Amour, Vice President, Research, and Chief Scientific Officer Date/Time: April 26, 9:15 a.m. EDT Location: Boston, Massachusetts



Event: City of Hope Stem Cell Seminar Series Speaker: Dr. Kevin D'Amour, Vice President, Research, and Chief Scientific Officer Date/Time: May 5, 12:00 p.m. PDT Location: Duarte, California



Event: Sanford Health's Annual Alex Rabinovitch Type 1 Diabetes Symposium Speaker: Dr. Howard Foyt, Vice President, Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer Date/Time: May 9, 11:30 a.m. CDT Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota



Event: The World Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Congress 2016 Speaker: Dr. Mark Zimmerman, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development Date/Time: May 20, 9:50 a.m. BST Location: London, United Kingdom

ViaCyte's VC-01 product candidate, a first-in-class cell replacement therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 trial called STEP ONE, or S afety, T olerability, and E fficacy of VC-01 Combination P roduct in Type One Diabetes. More info on the clinical trial is here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02239354.

For more information about ViaCyte's participation in industry events, please visit: http://viacyte.com/news-events-2/viactye-events/

About ViaCyte

ViaCyte is a privately-held regenerative medicine company focused on developing a novel cell replacement therapy for the treatment of diabetes. ViaCyte is conducting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of the Company's lead VC-01 product candidate in patients with type 1 diabetes who have minimal to no insulin-producing beta cell function. ViaCyte's VC-01 combination product candidate is based on the production of pancreatic progenitor cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells. These progenitor cells are implanted in a durable and retrievable encapsulation device. Once implanted and matured, these cells are designed to secrete insulin and other regulatory factors in response to blood glucose levels. The VC-01 product candidate is being developed as a potential long-term diabetes treatment with the goal of reducing the risk of hypoglycemia and diabetes-related complications without requiring long-term immune suppression.

ViaCyte is headquartered in San Diego, California with additional operations in Athens, Georgia. The Company is funded in part by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and JDRF.

For more information please visit www.viacyte.com. Connect with ViaCyte here: www.twitter.com/viacyte and www.facebook.com/viacyte.

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SOURCE ViaCyte

Related Links

http://www.viacyte.com


Vision, the company dedicated to creating solutions that promote resident access and participation, today released a Digital Accessibility Checklist to help guide local government leaders in making online services available to the nearly 60 million Americans with disabilities. The Vision Digital Accessibility Checklist is now available at http://info.visioninternet.com/accessibility-checklist.

"Government leaders at all levels have a legal and a moral obligation to make public services accessible to citizens with disabilities," said Ashley Fruechting, Vision's senior director of strategic initiatives. "Just as poorly designed buildings can prevent citizens with disabilities from entering, poorly designed websites can create unnecessary barriers to full civic participation in the digital age."

Despite nearly 20 years of laws governing digital accessibility, Vision's 2016 survey of hundreds of local government leaders across America revealed that 89 percent of respondents had moderate, weak or no knowledge of Federal web accessibility requirements.

"The Department of Justice (DoJ) has moved accessibility compliance to the top of their regulatory review list, and over the last 15 years they have conducted accessibility reviews at more than 200 locations. Even more interesting is that the pace of reviews has accelerated; the DoJ entered into settlements with 14 cities and counties in 2015 alone. By comparison, there were no settlements in 2014 and only five in 2013" Fruechting said.

Mandates for accessibility are outlined in Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a 1999 amendment requiring websites of Federal agencies to make electronic and information technology accessible to all users. In 2000, the World Wide Web Consortium developed the first Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which were updated as WCAG 2.0 in 2008. In the proposed Section 508 refresh, the U.S. Access Board incorporates WCAG 2.0 accessibility rules and ADA reviews now use these guidelines as their standard for accessibility.

Recognizing local governments' need for assistance and best practices in this area, the Vision team has made accessibility a priority and is working with cities and counties across the country to comply with WCAG 2.0 standards that require websites and web content to be "perceivable, operable, understandable and robust."

The company has worked with a number of municipalities that have come under DoJ scrutiny, including the City of Bend, Oregon. Bend entered into a Settlement Agreement with the DoJ in 2004 and the DoJ closed the file on its review in 2014.

"To be fully inclusive, cities and towns need to ensure that every citizen, regardless of ability, has access to the same information," said Karin Morris, Bend's accessibility manager. "One way of providing equal access to information is to make sure government websites are accessible. That means making all content, including PDF links, etc., accessible as well. This can be increasingly difficult for some due to cost and time constraints faced by many governmental entities."

The Accessibility/ADA Information page on the Bend website now provides their Accessibility Mission Statement, a list of current ADA construction projects, Accessibility Committee minutes and other important Accessibility Program forms and documents.

"Today, the City of Bend and its Accessibility Manager Karin Morris are role models for other cities and exemplify their Accessibility Mission Statement by creating, maintaining and promoting an 'accessible inclusive community,'" said Fruechting.

In Rancho Cordova, Calif., the team working to revamp the city website found that compliance with accessibility standards had implications for the colors they could use as well as for the design itself. The result is a simple, clean site that is easy to read and navigate.

"Website accessibility is a top priority for Rancho Cordova," said Communications Specialist Ashley Downton. "In the beginning, we knew what the federal requirements were but didn't know how to meet them, so we partnered with Vision and others to make it happen. Vision went above and beyond by walking us through the process and allocating resources to make sure Rancho Cordova was on the cutting edge of accessibility. It's an ongoing learning process, but we couldn't have asked for a better partner!"

Fruechting said that accessibility rules and compliance enforcement are rapidly evolving making it difficult for many municipalities to keep pace with the technology and expertise required to stay ahead of the issue.

"The new guidelines endorsed by the DoJ require processes, functionality and content deliverables not provided by many agencies and their existing websites," she said. "That's why we are making the Vision Digital Accessibility Checklist available as a resource to all local government agencies working to bring citizens with disabilities into the digital fold."

To download the checklist, visit http://info.visioninternet.com/accessibility-checklist. For more expert insights into digital accessibility issues, visit the Vision Blog at http://blog.visioninternet.com/an-introduction-to-accessibility-for-local-government-websites or call 888-263-8847.

About Vision

Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., Vision is a national leader in government website development with more than 700 government, non-profit and education clients in U.S. and Canadian communities with populations that range from less than 1,000 residents to more than 5 million. For more than 20 years, Vision has created cost-effective solutions that increase government efficiency, transparency and interactive communications with citizens. The company's powerful, easy-to-use visionLive content management system continues to evolve with feedback from hundreds of municipal clients. In 2016, Vision was named to Government Technology magazine's GovTech 100, a listing of leading companies developing innovative or disruptive offerings to improve or transform government.

CONTACT:

Ashley Fruechting

310-656-3100

[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160328/348411LOGO

SOURCE Vision

Related Links

http://info.visioninternet.com


NAMUR, Belgium, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- VolitionRx Limited (NYSE MKT: VNRX) today announced that a single NuQ biomarker assay detected 71% of early stage I prostate cancer cases at 93% specificity. This is significantly higher than the most common blood test currently used to detect prostate cancer, the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), which is reported to detect 53% of prostate cancers at 73% specificity1. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Surrey Cancer Research Institute at the University of Surrey in the UK. The results are being presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.

Approximately 14% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime and nearly 3 million men are estimated to be living with prostate cancer in the United States alone2. While more than 80% of all prostate cancers are detected at the local stage, and nearly 100% of men diagnosed and treated at this stage will be disease-free after five years, a small percentage of men experience more rapidly growing, aggressive forms of prostate cancer3.

Since 2012, the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended against PSA based screening for healthy men and called for research to identify new screening methods4. Nonetheless, the PSA test is commonly used for patient monitoring and other purposes because it is a low-cost, non-invasive test that is easy to use for the patient. Like VolitionRx's NuQ biomarker assays, the PSA test requires a small amount of blood and uses a common screening platform, known as ELISA, that is ubiquitous in healthcare laboratories worldwide. However, sensitivity and specificity of the PSA test remains less than optimal.

VolitionRx has performed a retrospective study on blood samples collected from 537 men, including 266 with prostate cancer and 271 age-matched healthy controls. The samples were analysed with a single NuQ biomarker assay, which detected 71% of early stage I prostate cancer cases and 86% of late stage IV prostate cancer at 93% specificity (7% false negatives). Details of the data presented at AACR can be found at http://ow.ly/4mRRRm.

Prof. Hardev Pandha, Director of the Surrey Cancer Research Institute and Professor of Urological Oncology at the University of Surrey, said, "This NuQ biomarker study has shown very encouraging results in this patient cohort. Further studies are needed but the test may potentially have uses in detecting and monitoring men with prostate cancer."

VolitionRx Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Jake Micallef, commented, "This single NuQ biomarker assay has shown great potential for high accuracy in detecting early stage I prostate cancer. The ability to detect early stage prostate cancer at significantly greater sensitivity than the PSA test with a simple ELISA blood test is a remarkable breakthrough. The accuracy of this single NuQ test may be further improved by use of a combination of NuQ tests in a panel with PSA and this, plus the usefulness of the test for monitoring treatment, will be a focus of future studies by our team. The achievement of high accuracy with a single assay, rather than a panel of assays, is the result of the increasing insight of VolitionRx in predicting and identifying NuQ markers for the detection of specific cancers with high sensitivity and with very few false positives."

Cameron Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer of VolitionRx, added, "VolitionRx's NuQ biomarker assay uses the same ELISA platform as PSA that is ubiquitous in healthcare laboratories worldwide and is a similarly low cost, non-invasive test and also requires very little blood. Over the coming months, we will conduct further clinical studies on this NuQ biomarker assay, in parallel with pursuing CE marking. With the highly-encouraging results from this study, we are currently aiming for VolitionRx to launch a prostate cancer test for clinical use in Europe in 2017 and start U.S. trials following the commercial launch of our blood test for colorectal cancer towards the end of this year."

Results from on-going clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of VolitionRx's biomarker assays, include:

Colorectal cancer and pre-cancerous colorectal adenomas

Interim results from a 4,800 patient retrospective symptomatic population study (Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen , Denmark), released September 9, 2015 : Panel of four NuQ  biomarker assays detected 81% of colorectal cancers at 78% specificity and 67% of high-risk adenomas. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/531/volitionrx-demonstrates-nuqr-blood-test-detects-81-of)

, Denmark), released : Panel of four NuQ biomarker assays detected 81% of colorectal cancers at 78% specificity and 67% of high-risk adenomas. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/531/volitionrx-demonstrates-nuqr-blood-test-detects-81-of) Results from a completed prospective study of 121 patients referred for colonoscopy (CHU Dinant Godinne - UCL Namur, in Belgium ), released December 8, 2015 : Panel of four NuQ  biomarker assays detected 91% of colorectal cancer cases at 90% specificity and also detected 67% of high-risk adenomas. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/542/volitionrx-demonstrates-more-than-90-accuracy-for)

), released : Panel of four NuQ biomarker assays detected 91% of colorectal cancer cases at 90% specificity and also detected 67% of high-risk adenomas. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/542/volitionrx-demonstrates-more-than-90-accuracy-for) Results from a retrospective study of 430 patients referred for colonoscopy (Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen , Denmark), released February 17, 2016 : Panel of four NuQ biomarker assays demonstrated 75% accuracy in detecting highest-risk pre-cancerous colorectal adenomas and also detected 86% of early (stage I) colorectal cancers at 78% specificity. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/550/volitionrx-demonstrates-75-accuracy-in-detecting)

Pancreatic cancer

Results from a 59-patient retrospective study ( Lund University, Sweden ) published in Clinical Epigenetics online journal (http://www.clinicalepigeneticsjournal.com/content/pdf/s13148-015-0139-4.pdf), October 7, 2015 : Panel of four NuQ  biomarker assays plus CA 19-9 classical biomarker detected 92% of pancreatic cancers at 100% specificity. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/534/volitionrx-announces-publication-of-results-from-pancreatic)

University, ) published in Clinical Epigenetics online journal (http://www.clinicalepigeneticsjournal.com/content/pdf/s13148-015-0139-4.pdf), : Panel of four NuQ biomarker assays plus CA 19-9 classical biomarker detected 92% of pancreatic cancers at 100% specificity. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/534/volitionrx-announces-publication-of-results-from-pancreatic) Interim results from a 4,800 patient retrospective symptomatic population study (Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen , Denmark), released October 22, 2015 : Panel of two NuQ biomarker assays and the classical cancer marker CEA (carcino-embryonic antigen) detected 95% of pancreatic cancers at 84% specificity. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/535/volitionrx-demonstrates-nuq-blood-test-detects-95-of)

Lung cancer

Interim results (73 of 240 patients collected and assessed) from a prospective study (Liege University Hospital, Belgium ), released November 19, 2015 : Panel of four NuQ biomarker assays detected 93% of lung cancers at 91% specificity and differentiated lung cancer from the common lung disease, COPD. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/540/volitionrx-demonstrates-nuq-blood-test-detects-lung)

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Results from a retrospective study of 78 patients referred for colonoscopy (Liege University Hospital, Belgium ), released March 9, 2016 : Preliminary data demonstrated 86% accuracy in detecting Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a fatal lung disease, at 80% specificity. (http://www.volitionrx.com/news/press-releases/detail/551/preliminary-data-demonstrates-86-accuracy-in-detecting)

-End-

References

1. Thompson IM, Ankerst DP, Chi C, Lucia MS, Goodman PJ, Crowley JJ, Parnes HL, Coltman CA Jr. "Operating Characteristics of Prostate-Specific Antigen in Men With an Initial PSA Level of 3.0 ng/mL or Lower." Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). 2005;294(1):66-70. doi:10.1001/jama.294.1.66. July 6 2005. Accessed March 31, 2016.

2. National Cancer Institute. "SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Prostate Cancer." November 2015. Accessed January 25, 2016.

3. Prostate Cancer Foundation. "What is Prostate Cancer?" Accessed January 25, 2016.

4. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. "Final Recommendation Statement, Prostate Cancer: Screening." May 2012. Accessed April 8, 2016.

Animation:

Animation showing how VolitionRx's NuQ tests work. Credit: VolitionRx Ltd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38dodCpyXf0

About VolitionRx

VolitionRx is a life sciences company focused on developing diagnostic tests for cancer and other conditions. The tests are based on the science of Nucleosomics, which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream or other bodily fluid  an indication that disease is present.

VolitionRx's goal is to make the tests as common and simple to use, for both patients and doctors, as existing diabetic and cholesterol blood tests. VolitionRx's research and development activities are centered in the wholly owned subsidiary, Belgian Volition SA, as the company focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market first in Europe, then in the U.S. and ultimately, worldwide.

Visit VolitionRx's website (http://www.volitionrx.com) or connect with us via Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube.

About the University of Surrey

The University of Surrey is one of the UK's leading professional, scientific and technological universities with a world-class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefit to all spheres of life  helping industry to maintain its competitive edge and creating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space science, the environment, communications, defence and social policy. Programmes in science and technology have gained widespread recognition and it also boasts flourishing programmes in dance and music, social sciences, management and languages and law.

In addition to the campus on 150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runs the Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 110 companies employing 2,750 staff. The University of Surrey was recently named University of the Year by the Times and Sunday Times, both overall and for 'Student Experience', and has achieved a top-ten ranking in all three major national university league tables.

For more information about the University and its work, visit www.surrey.ac.uk

Media Contacts

Anita Heward, VolitionRx

[email protected]

Telephone: +44 (0) 7756 034243

Kirsten Thomas, The Ruth Group

[email protected]

Telephone: +1 (508) 280-6592

Peter La, University of Surrey

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: +44 (0) 1483 689191

Investor Contacts

Scott Powell, VolitionRx

[email protected]

Telephone: +1 (646) 650-1351

Lee Roth, The Ruth Group

[email protected]

Telephone: +1 (646) 536-7012

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that concern matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "aims," "targets," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "optimizing," "potential," "goal," "suggests," "could," "would," "should," "may," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to the effectiveness of the Company's bodily-fluid-based diagnostic tests as well as the Company's ability to develop and successfully commercialize such test platforms for early detection of cancer. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties. For instance, if we fail to develop and commercialize diagnostic products, we may be unable to execute our plan of operations. Other risks and uncertainties include the Company's failure to obtain necessary regulatory clearances or approvals to distribute and market future products in the clinical IVD market; a failure by the marketplace to accept the products in the Company's development pipeline or any other diagnostic products the Company might develop; the Company will face fierce competition and the Company's intended products may become obsolete due to the highly competitive nature of the diagnostics market and its rapid technological change; and other risks identified in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Nucleosomics, NuQ and HyperGenomics and their respective logos are trademarks and/or service marks of VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this press release are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE VolitionRx Ltd

Related Links

http://www.volitionrx.com


BURNABY, Canada, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Rising government initiatives to promote modern agricultural practices, increasing food grain demand and growing adoption of micro irrigation technologies to drive the global water soluble fertilizers market

New Age TechSci Research Logo (PRNewsFoto/New Age TechSci Research)

According to TechSci Research report "Global Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021", the global water soluble fertilizers market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% during 2016-2021, on account of rising population, growing demand for food grains, and rising concerns related to depleting ground water resources. Water soluble fertilizers are also being extensively used in order to increase yield, as they are easy to apply and require less amount of fertilizers and water usage. Water soluble fertilizers dissolve faster, have a higher utilization rate and are absorbed quickly as compared to conventional chemical fertilizers.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140117/663730 )



Browse 24 market data Tables and 202 Figures spread through 285 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Water Soluble Fertilizers Market"

http://www.techsciresearch.com/report/global-water-soluble-fertilizers-market-forecast-opportunities-2021/611.html

Globally, demand for water soluble fertilizers is surging due to rising need for increasing agricultural output in order to address increasing global food requirements. Additionally, rising investments by government and private players, increasing research & development activities and new product developments are projected to steer growth in global water soluble fertilizers market through 2021. Horticulture and ornamental plants are the two major application areas for water soluble fertilizers. With global fruit production increasing from 676.9 million tons in 2013 to over 720 million tons in 2015, water soluble fertilizers market is expected to witnessing increasing consumption from the fruit production segment as well over the next five years.

Download Sample Report @ http://www.techsciresearch.com/sample-report.aspx?cid=611

Customers can also request for 10% free customization on this report.

"In 2015, global per capita food consumption was 2860 kcal/person/day, which is expected to increase to 2960 kcal/person/day by 2030. Global demand for fertilizer nutrients was 191 million tonnes in 2015, which is expected to reach 194 million tonnes by 2016. With increasing levels of per capita food consumption as well as fertilizer nutrients, the global demand for water soluble fertilizers is forecast to grow through 2021. In 2015, Europe dominated the global water soluble fertilizers market, followed by North America; however, Asia-Pacific is forecast to witness the fastest growth in demand for water soluble fertilizers over the next five years." said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director, with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

"Global Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021" has analysed the potential of water soluble fertilizers market, provides statistics and information on market sizes, shares and trends. The report will suffice in providing the intending clients with cutting-edge market intelligence and help them in taking sound investment decisions. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes emerging trends along with essential drivers and key challenges faced by the global water soluble fertilizers market.

Browse Related Reports

Iran Fertilizers Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2020

http://www.techsciresearch.com/report/iran-fertilizers-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2020/225.html

India Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2019

http://www.techsciresearch.com/report/india-water-soluble-fertilizers-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2019/161.html

About TechSci Research

TechSci Research is world leading market research firm publishing premium market research reports. Serving 700 global clients with more than 600 premium market research studies, TechSci Research is serving clients across 11 different industrial verticals. TechSci Research specialize in research based consulting assignments in high growth and emerging markets, leading technologies and niche applications. With a workforce of more than 100 fulltime analyst and Consultants with innovative research solutions at TechSci Research tracking global and country specific high growth markets help clients in leading rather then follow market trends.

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SOURCE TechSci Research
LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Waterman Group is pleased to welcome Richard Wilson as the new director of building services to spearhead their business interests in Birmingham and the Midlands region.

Richard Wilson newly appointed director of building services Birmigham (PRNewsFoto/Waterman Group Plc)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357615 )



Wilson joins Waterman from Midlands based MEP consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes where he spent the past 15 years. He has a wealth of design and contracting experience with specialist knowledge in healthcare and manufacturing.

Neil Lewis, Managing Director of Waterman Building Services, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Richard aboard. His appointment will play a key role in our strategic plans to launch a strong building services business in the region. This is an exciting time for us with great growth potential to further develop our presence in this field."

Waterman has had a presence in Birmingham for over 30 years and the team has provided engineering and consultancy services on many high profile projects across the Midlands including Grand Central Birmingham, Bull Ring Birmingham, Touchwood Solihull, MIRA, Telford Shopping Centre, West Midlands Highways Alliance, Elliot's Field Retail Park and the Manufacturing Technology Centre at Ansty Park. The most recent is the Temple Court office development for Legal & General, now starting on site.

About Waterman Group

Waterman Group is a multidisciplinary consultancy providing sustainable solutions to meet the planning, engineering design and project delivery needs of the property, infrastructure, environment and energy markets. Founded in 1952 and listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1988, Waterman has grown into a leading engineering and environmental consultancy with offices throughout the UK, Europe and Australia. Waterman works with government agencies, local authorities, government-regulated industries and private sector clients to provide innovative, sustainable and economic solutions across a wide spectrum of business activities. The firm has extensive experience in property and buildings, environmental consultancy, power and energy, roads, highways and rail infrastructure, urban and regional planning. Award winning teams provide professional services throughout the complete life cycle of the asset starting from initial surveys and concept planning, through to design, delivery, project management, supervision and on-going maintenance. See more information on http://www.watermangroup.com

SOURCE Waterman Group Plc
Thousands of officials were punished in the anti- corruption campaign launched three years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Photo: AFP)

Beijing: As many as 9,361 officials in China have been reprimanded for violating austerity rules in the first three months this year, the ruling Communist party's top anti-graft body has said.

Those punished, including four ministerial-level officials, were involved in 8,788 cases, the Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a report posted on its website on Tuesday.

In March alone, 2,701 officials were reprimanded in 2,672 cases, the report said. It said about one fourth of the cases involved illicit allowances and benefits.

Other prominent problems include unwarranted use of public vehicles as well as offering and accepting gifts and cash in violation of regulations. Thousands of officials were punished in the anti- corruption campaign launched three years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
DETROIT, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WDIV-Local 4/ClickOnDetroit has today announced the appointments of Dustin Block to the newly created role of digital executive producer and David Bartkowiak to managing editor of ClickOnDetroit.

In this role Block will work across WDIV-Local 4/ClickOnDetroit editorial, marketing, social media and commercial teams, helping them to grow audiences and revenues by developing new digital platforms that deepen user and viewer engagement and provide new opportunities to commercial partners. His first day is April 25.

Block brings 18 years of multimedia journalism experience to the station. He joins WDIV from MLive where he was the expansion market editor for the Detroit and Lansing markets and then was promoted to statewide life and culture editor. Prior to arriving in Detroit, Block was the regional editor for the seven Milwaukee area Patch.com sites and the founder of the hyper-local news website, RacinePost.com.

Marla Drutz, vice-president and general manager said, "With Dustin's extensive experience and knowledge of digital we are thrilled to be welcoming him to WDIV and Graham Media Group. He is the ideal candidate at a time when we are extremely focused on growing our business through digital expansion."

"It's exciting to join a media organization that is such a huge part of the history and future of Detroit. This is an amazing opportunity to grow and shape powerful digital experiences for viewers and users," said Block.

Bartkowiak moves into the managing editor position after five years as an online news editor/web producer for ClickOnDetroit. A graduate of Michigan State University, Bartkowiak is currently a Master of Science candidate for Information Architecture and User Experience design at Kent State University.

"We have made great strides in the digital space and Dave has been an integral part of that. He has a true commitment and passion to making ClickonDetroit.com the best news and information website for our users. I am thrilled with Dave's promotion and looking forward to what he does next," said News Director Kim Voet.

As managing editor, he will be responsible for overseeing and integrating news and editorial content across all of WDIV's digital platforms, and helping chart long-term digital strategy for the organization. He will start his new position immediately.

"We have a long history of being content creators and the digital landscape gives us so much opportunity to tell compelling stories of Detroit and beyond in both broad and niche ways while uncovering new sources of revenue," continued Drutz.

Block lives in Grosse Pointe Woods with his wife and children while Bartkowiak and his wife are Livonia residents.

*Photos available upon request

About Local 4

Local 4 News is currently the #1 newscast at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. in Nielsen ratings for the Detroit television market. WDIV is the #1 NBC affiliate in the top 15 LPM markets. In addition, Local 4's ClickOnDetroit.com is a leading breaking news and weather website in Michigan and metro Detroit's #1 TV media website.

About Graham Media Group

Graham Media Group (www.GrahamMedia.com), a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC), owns five local TV stationseach in a top-50 market and all recognized as news leadersreaching 6.3% of U.S. television households: KPRCHouston and WDIVDetroit (NBC); KSATSan Antonio (ABC); WKMGOrlando (CBS); and WJXTJacksonville (independent). The stations also broadcast digital channels focused on classic television and operate market-leading websites, mobile sites and mobile apps that deliver breaking news, weather and community news, reaching millions of users across each platform. Graham Media Group owns SocialNewsDesk, a leading provider of social media software solutions used in more than 600 newsrooms worldwide.

SOURCE WDIV-TV Local 4
Islamabad: Pakistan and the UK have agreed to increase their cooperation in combating terrorism, organised crime and illegal migration.

The decision was taken during the Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz's meeting with British National Security Adviser Sir Mark Lyall-Grant under Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD) in London this week.

"In meeting with NSA, both sides agreed to continue their cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism, organized crime and illegal migration," the FO said in a statement here.

Aziz appreciated Britain's support and assistance in countering the extremist threat and briefed Lyall-Grant on the initiatives taken by Pakistan to improve the security situation in the country.

He also highlighted Pakistan's policy of "peaceful neighbourhood" and briefed him on the steps taken to improve relations with its neighbours including India and Afghanistan.

Lyall-Grant commended Pakistan's efforts to curb extremism and offered Britain's continued support in timely and effective implementation of the National Action Plan.

He also assured of UKs support in capacity building of the security and law enforcement agencies. He lauded Pakistans role in seeking peace and stability in Afghanistan.

On India, he said that UK was ready for its meaningful role in strengthening regional security and cooperation.

Aziz was in the UK on a three-day official visit to attend the third Ministerial Review of the Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue from 18-20 April.
Lahore: In a move indicating strong rebuttal, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that an inquiry should be held into the four billion Rupees collected by the Imran Khan Foundation (IKF) in 2010 for flood-affected people.

The development comes after the PTI chief had called for a probe into Sharif regarding the expose. According to Dawn, when asked about the funds collected by the IKF, the premier said this issue "should also come to the surface". Last week, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif proposed that an investigation should be held into IKF's fund-raising campaign.

"Khawaja Asif has not shared any random or baseless thoughts, He [Khawaja Asif] has studied that subject deeply. He has even briefed me about that issue. So I think things should be made clear and it should also come to the surface. These thoughts were highlighted when floods were there so I think one should look into details of these things as well and one should know about the facts." Sharif said.

Brushing aside rumours about the possibility of his replacement, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to the country on Tuesday night after a week-long 'medical visit' to London.

Nawaz Sharif and some of his family members are facing serious allegations in the wake of appearance of the Panama Papers. Opposition parties are demanding the formation of a judicial into the off shore companies and assets allegedly owned by the Prime Minister and his family.
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have become an essential support element, providing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance prior, during and after air strikes. But current platforms are too slow and vulnerable to operate in contested airspace. The US Air Force and DARPA are looking at new concepts of operations that will enable unmanned platforms to support the future air component in all operational environments.

One such concept is the use of air-launched UAS program is the Gremlins, a DARPA initiative to develop reusable a air launched Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). In March 2016 the agency awarded technology research contracts to four teams to explore different approaches, innovative technologies and systems enabling aircraft to launch volleys of low-cost, reusable UASs, and safely and reliably retrieve them in mid-air.

Named for the imaginary, mischievous imps that became the good luck charms of many British pilots during World War II, the program envisions launching groups of UASs from existing large aircraft such as bombers or transport aircraft  as well as from fighters and other small, fixed-wing platforms  while those planes are out of range of adversary defenses. When the gremlins complete their mission, a C-130 transport aircraft would retrieve them in the air and carry them home, where ground crews would prepare them for their next use within 24 hours.

The Gremlins expected lifetime of about 20 uses could provide significant cost advantages over expendable systems by reducing payload and airframe costs and by having lower mission and maintenance costs than conventional platforms, which are designed to operate for decades.

Phase 1 contracts have been awarded to four teams led by Composite Engineering, Inc., Dynetics, Inc., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Lockheed Martin Corporation. The team effort will pave the way for a proof-of-concept flight demonstration that would validate an air recovery concept of multiple gremlins. The program plans to explore various technical areas, including the launch and recovery techniques, equipment and aircraft integration concepts. It will also look at low-cost, limited-life airframe designs that leverage existing technology and require only modest modifications to current aircraft. Other aspects of the program will study high-fidelity analysis, precision digital flight control, relative navigation and station keeping.

LOYAL WINGMAN  AVATAR

Another ambitious project pursued by the Pentagon Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) is Avatar, that pairs advanced, fifth-generation fighter jets like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter with unmanned versions of fourth generation fighter jets such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon or F/A-18 Hornet.

Previously known as the Loyal Wingman, the program will require unmanned fighters to act with enough autonomy that the pilot in the manned jet doesnt have to direct them all the time.

Other concepts call for the use of arsenal planes supporting the advanced stealth fighters. The arsenal planes will be able to carry a variety of weapons operated by nearby stealth fighters that will remain illusive throughout the engagement. The Pentagon plans to build a prototype of such an unmanned arsenal platform in 2017.
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
New Delhi, April 15 : The first edition of the Dalit Literature Festival will be held from December 6 to 8 on the 62nd death anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar, the organisers said on Friday.

"An annual not-for-profit literary initiative, Dalit Literature Festival is envisioned as a unique festival built to promote Dalit literature," said a press release issued by Dalit Literature Festival Planning Board.

Dalit literature, whether oral or written, has been an integral and vibrant part of Indian literary tradition for centuries, said the release.

The festival will also provide a stage for Dalit culture, arts, films, food, it said.

"There are several writers, Dalit and non-Dalit, who have enriched Dalit literature and continue to be committed to this art form. Dalit literature is a movement of protest or awakening, considering its subjects are varied and contemporary," it said.
Beijing, April 17 : China has come out in support of the odd-even traffic scheme, the second phase of which began on Friday in Delhi with a view to battle pollution.

"The traffic situation in Delhi can become better and traffic structure be optimised if the odd-even license plate formula is followed properly," a top official in Beijing's transport department told IANS.

"The life of people can improve (in Delhi)," said Zhou Tian, deputy director in Decongestion Department of Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport.

With the income of middle class groups rising in both Delhi and Beijing, the demand for cars has shot up, adding to traffic woes and worsening pollution.

Smog hits both cities during peak winter, seriously affecting people's health.

Though Beijing resorted to the odd-even traffic restriction scheme ahead of the 2008 Olympics, Delhi tried it out successfully in January after the judiciary called the Indian capital a virtual gas chamber.

Zhou admitted that the scheme did affect the daily life of people in Beijing.

"We adopt odd-even license plates formula only when there are major events in Beijing. It has been very successful, but it affects the daily life of citizens in Beijing," he said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who figured in the Fortune Magazine's list of world's 50 greatest leaders for experimenting with the idea which many were sceptical of, wants the odd-even traffic scheme to be implemented every month.

Of the nearly nine million vehicles in Delhi, almost a third are cars. Beijing hosts 5.5 million cars but the Chinese capital boasts of a far better public transport than Delhi.

While Beijing's subway network is the second longest after Shanghai, there are nearly 25,000 public transport buses against the fleet of some 4,500 in Delhi.

Over the years, Beijing has been encouraging people to take to public transport. It is also promoting e-bikes that have largely replaced petrol-driven two vehicles.

(Gaurav Sharma is the Beijing-based correspondent of IANS. He can be contacted at gaurav.s@ians.in)
Quito, April 18 : The toll in the deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Ecuador on Saturday evening, rose to 246 on Monday, with authorities heightening relief efforts and activating all resources to cope with the disaster.

According to Vice President Jorge Glas, 2,527 people were injured and an unknown number of others missing in the quake that has generated at least 189 aftershocks of various strength.

The government declared a state of emergency in the provinces of Manabi, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Los Rios and Santa Elena, EFE news reported.

The whole country has begun to take stock and collect medicines, water, blankets, tents and food in order to send them to the hardest-hit places like the coastal Manabi province, where about 200 people died, said Ricardo Penaherrera of Ecuador's national emergency management office.

The cities of Manta, Portoviejo and Pedernales, a tourist destination, saw the most devastation but damage was widespread throughout the country.

The Ecuador government has deployed 10,000 soldiers and 4,600 police officers to the affected areas.

The armed forces built mobile hospitals in Pedernales and Portoviejo and set up temporary shelters.

The military also brought in more K9 units to aid the search for survivors -- and bodies.

"The lack of water and communication remains a big problem," Penaherrera told CNN en Espanol.

"Many highways are in bad shape, especially in the mountainous area because it has been raining recently due to (the) El Nino weather phenomenon."

The governments of Colombia, Chile, Spain and Mexico are sending help for rescue efforts.

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) also announced its readiness to provide their assistance and the UN Programme for Development (UNDP) has opened an account for international donations for those affected.

Television footage showed completely collapsed houses, damaged roads, collapsed hotels, and people on the streets crying and wandering on dusty roads.

The tremor was centred 27 km southeast of the coastal town of Muisne, according to the US Geological Survey.

It is the deadliest earthquake to hit the nation since March 1987 when a 7.2-magnitude temblor killed 1,000 people.

A tsunami threat following the earthquake has "mostly passed," according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

An earlier warning for other nations with coastlines on the Pacific was cancelled.
Kabul, April 18 : At least 30 people were killed in flash floods in Afghanistan overnight, officials said on Monday.

Rainstorms and flash floods killed 12 people and washed away several houses in Burka district of Baghlan province. Flash floods also killed six people in neighbouring Samangan province, Xinhua quoted an official of the Natural Disaster Management Authority as saying.

At least 12 more people lost their lives in Bangi and neighbouring villages in Taluqan districts of northern Takhar province on Sunday night, official Abdul Razaq Zinda said.

Heavy rain and floods killed 23 more people in the western Badghis province on Saturday night.
Sydney, April 18 : The Australian government, under criticism from environmental scientists for neglecting the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef, faced fresh appeals to rescue the world heritage site.

"For heaven's sake, take it seriously -- listen to scientists for a change," said marine and coral scientist Charlie Veron.

"They never listen about climate change in general and now they're not listening about the Great Barrier Reef," Efe news quoted Veron, author of "A Reef in Time: The Great Barrier Reef from Beginning to End", as saying.

A study by Australia's James Cook University had reported last March that coral bleaching -- the loss of colour indicating coral death -- affects 95 percent of the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef.

The reefs are bleached periodically and then recover themselves, but scientists fear that the current process may be irreversible.

"I'm now just furious that the government is still sitting back, not doing enough," said Justin Marshall from the University of Queensland.

Famed British broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough warned in a documentary in April that the Great Barrier Reef could disappear in a few decades because of climate change.

"The twin perils brought by climate change, an increase in the temperature of the ocean and in its acidity threaten its very existence. Do we really care so little about the Earth on which we live that we don't wish to protect one of its greatest wonders from the consequences of our behaviour?" said the 89-year-old scientist.

The health of the Great Barrier Reef, home to 400 types of coral, at least 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of molluscs, began deteriorating in the 1990s due to the warming of the sea water and increased acidity owing to an increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Ranchi, April 19 : Main opposition Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Tuesday called for a shutdown in Jharkhand state on May 14 to protest against the domicile policy.

The decision to call for a shutdown was taken at a JMM meeting on Monday evening.

"The rights of the Moolvasi (indigenous residents) have been snatched in the domicile policy. The BJP government, led by Raghubar Das, has shown a dictatorial attitude. They want to divide people in the name of the domicile policy," Hemant Soren, former chief minister and JMM leader, told reporters here on Tuesday.

According to the policy, which the state government announced on April 7 and notified on Monday, any person living in the state for 30 years will be deemed a 'Jharkhandi,' a permanent resident, and receive full benefits of such a status.

Also to be deemed a 'Jharkhandi' would be a person born in the state who has passed his class 10 schooling in Jharkhand and a person or their ancestor having figured in the land records.

The BJP-led coalition government also announced a recruitment policy according to which local people and local languages will be given preference over others in hiring people for the third and fourth-grade jobs.

The domicile policy has been opposed by JMM and other opposition parties. The BJP's alliance partner All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) has also found fault with the policy.

The JMM said only the last land records should be the criterion for the domicile. The AJSU has objected to equating the criterion of last land record with that of class 10 qualification.

JMM sources said the party is also considering calling for a protest action on April 24 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Jharkhand and will address the Gram Panchayats (village councils) across the country.
New Delhi, April 19 : Though the government has decided to reduce spectrum usage charges (SUC) to 3 percent of adjusted gross revenue from 5 percent made by telecom companies, the industry stakeholders on Tuesday urged the Department of Telecommunications to further reduce it to 1 percent.

"We request that to start with SUC at a uniform rate of 3 percent be made applicable for all spectrum, which may be further reduced to 1 percent in a phased manner," the Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) said in a letter to Telecom Secretary J.S. Deepak on Tuesday. A copy of the letter is available with IANS.

The letter was written by COAI director general Rajan S. Mathews.

In a separate statement, Vodafone India said the government's plan to reduce SUC from 5 to 3 percent of AGR will bring in much needed relief to the highly capital intensive telecom sector.

"The telecom sector is severely debt laden (more than Rs.3 lakh crore at last count and growing). This reduction in SUC charges from 5 to 3 percent will free cash-flows which can be invested towards further enhancing network and customer experience," said Sunil Sood, managing director and CEO, Vodafone India.

"It is a positive step that benefits the industry and is also in line with the TRAI's (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) recommendation of having a uniform, minimal SUC charge for all spectrum across the industry," he added.

The industry body - COAI - also urged for uniform SUC regime as it said the multiplicity of SUC rates leads to ambiguities while entering into merger and acquisitions and spectrum trading and sharing transactions.

"A uniform SUC will simplify the calculations and remove all arbitrages and ambiguities," the letter stated.
New Delhi, April 19 : Targeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday asked as to who influenced the then home minister P. Chidambaram's decision in 2009 to tweak the second affidavit in Ishrat Jahan case.

"In the first affidavit filed on August 6, 2009, the government put forth that Ishrat Jahan was an LeT operative. Merely 45 days later, on September 30, the second affidavit signed by the then home minister P. Chidambaram drops this point and digresses into other details," BJP spokesman Sambit Patra said here on Tuesday.

"We want to know what changed in those 45 days? Who gave Chidambaram the command to change the affidavit because there is only one command centre in the Congress party and that is 10 Janpath," Patra said, referring to Congress president Sonia Gandhi's residential address.

He also accused the Congress of compromising on the crucial issue of national security in order to get political mileage.

"Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and P. Chidambaram could not tolerate Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, but they could tolerate terrorism," he said.

Mumbai college girl Ishrat Jahan and her three alleged associates Pranesh Gopinath Pilai, Amjad Ali and Jishan Johar were killed by Gujarat Police in an allegedly staged shootout near Ahmedabad on June 15, 2004.

Gujarat Police had described the four as Pakistani-controlled terrorists who came from Jammu and Kashmir to assassinate Modi, who was then the chief minister of Gujarat.

In February this year, LeT operative David Headley told a Mumbai court that Ishrat Jahan was a member of the Pakistan-based terror group.
A micro-drone developed by students at MIT with support from the pentagon Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) has been operationally evaluated by the US Air Force in simulated combat wargames held in Alaska in 2015. According to Dan Lamothe of the Washington Post, Over 100 micro drones were used during the Northern Edge exercise.

The drone known as Perdix has a low drag fiberglass fuselage, attached to spring loaded carbon fiber wings designed with custom airfoils. The rear wings have winglets and elevons for flight control. The drone uses a miniature electrical engine driving a custom pusher propeller to keep the drone airborne for the duration of the mission. The drone draws power for propulsion and on-board systems and sensors from a pack of lithium polymer batteries located in up front

Developed by students in MIT since 2011, Perdix was tested in 2014 by the SCO. During these tests the drone was packed into a chaff tube and released from the F-16s chaff and flare dispenser on a high-speed pass from an F-16 at an altitude of 2,000 ft. over Alaska. Upon release the drone is slowed by a parachute and pulled from the chaff canister. Following a short descent its wings are folded and the drone initiates a loitering pattern, simulating an ISR mission.

It also activates a communications link to coordinate its flight with other Perdix drones in the area, and link back to its operators. During the test that was part Exercise Northern Edge 2015 the Air Force simultaneously deployed dozens of Perdix drones from fighter jets, to test their operability as a swarm.

The Perdix air launched micro drone uses miniature 3D printed micro-drones that are designed for high-speed ejection over the target area. Folded into a tube, Perdix fits into a standard flare canister carried by F-16, F-15 or F/A-18 fighter jets.
New Delhi, April 19 : The Congress on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah of obstructing the judicial process by blocking the trial of accused in Ishrat Jahan's alleged staged shootout case pending in a Ahmedabad court.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are shamelessly misleading the country and obstructing judicial process by blocking trial of accused in Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a statement released here.

"Modi government is using a web of selective news leaks, deceptive statements of its ministers and non-grant of sanction for prosecution of the accused to ensure mistrial and re-investigation through pliable investigating agencies," he added.

Surjewala also asserted that Modi and Shah need to tell 125 crore Indians about the real motive behind their desperation to shut down the trial in Ishrat Jahan case.

"What is it that they (Modi and Shah) seek to hide or are scared of? They need to place these things before the nation. Modi government is relying upon patent falsehood to hide the facts of the case," he said.

The Congress party also accused the prime minister of "intentionally hiding the charge sheet that was filed by the CBI in accordance with the Gujarat High Court monitored investigation".

"Modi government also deliberately omits to point out that a case of murder and other offences under Indian Penal Code was registered in Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case on the direction of Division Bench of Gujarat High Court," Surjewala said.

He accused the duo "of falsely hiding behind the language of pleadings before the court to ensure that no trial takes place and truth does not come out."
London, April 20 : Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and younger brother Prince Harry visited the set of "Star Wars: Episode VIII" at the Pinewood Studios here.

They received a tour by actress Daisy Ridley and got a chance to meet Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, as well as director Rian Johnson, on Tuesday, reports eonline.com.

The brothers also took part in a lightsaber battle and got a sneak preview of the film.

Kensington Palace announced Tuesday's visit yesterday on Twitter, and explained that the princes would be celebrating Star Wars' "fantastic British creative talent".

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" will be released in 2017.
New York, April 20 : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has expressed concern over the growing global nexus between terrorism and the flow of illicit money from drug trafficking and cross-border crimes, while assuring India's total support in fighting these evils.

He also informed the world at large that a South Asia Regional Intelligence and Coordination Centre with India's neighbouring countries as co-founders will come up soon to combat drug-related crimes in the region.

"The growing nexus of drug trafficking and terrorist networks endangers peace, security and stability across regions. We have to continue and toughen our collective fight against these evils," Jaitley told the 30th Special Session of the UN General Assembly on drugs problem.

"India is firmly committed to the three UN Conventions on drug matters," said Jaitley.

"As supplier of licit opiate raw material to the world and traditional licit opium cultivator for centuries, India is fully conscious of its own responsibility to eradicate any illicit cultivation, reduce demand and put in preventive and enforcement measures."

The fiance minister, nevertheless, maintained that national efforts, however intense and sincere, can't deal with the drugs problem adequately and that bilateral, regional and global cooperation was essential in this area.

In this regard, he referred to a meeting hosted by New Delhi last November to coordinate regional efforts, and said India with support from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime was in advanced stages of setting up of a regional coordination centre for South Asia.

The Saricc, or the South Asia Regional Intelligence and Coordination Centre, will have as members India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. It will help these countries share intelligence, and coordinate operations against such crimes.

The finance minister said it was also important to look at legitimate side of drugs.

"Several steps are being taken for strengthening of supply and demand-reduction activities and treatment and after-care facilities through a public health approach," he said, adding India was committed to their availability for medical and scientific purposes.

Jaitley said to make drugs and substitutes available for palliative care, pain relief and cancer patients, as also drug abuse victims, India has notified a uniform and simplified rules in May last year on essential narcotic drugs to remove regulatory barriers.

He said three global treaties have served well in these aspects -- the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

"The conventions provide sufficient flexibility to member states to fine-tune domestic laws so as to be commensurate with realities and challenges of 21st century. We strongly believe in the centrality of the three international drug control conventions."

On the margins of the special session Jaitey also held some bilateral meetings, notably with Minister for the Cabinet Office of UK Oliver Letwin, Sri Lankan Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake and Thai Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya.
Mumbai, April 20 : For the second time in two months, a Mumbai-bound Jet Airways flight from Ahmedabad was delayed by several hours following a bomb scare on board the aircraft, the airline officials said here on Wednesday.

The flight S2-4738, with 125 passengers and six crew members, was moved to an isolated area of the Sardar Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, after the bomb threat was received, the airline said in a statement.

All passengers were deplaned and a thorough search was carried out by the security agencies and a bomb squad. But no explosive was found, and the aircraft was finally cleared for its onward flight around 10.15 a.m.

This was the second incident in the past couple of months that Jet Airways fell a victim to bomb hoaxes.

Soon after the Brussels bombing in early March, the Jet Airways was bombarded with anonymous calls warning about explosives planted in five of its flights. The calls turned out to be hoaxes.
Vientiane, April 20 : The Laotian National Assembly on Wednesday elected Bounnhang Vorachit, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), as president of the Southeast Asian nation.

The lawmakers also chose fellow LPRP politburo member Thongloun Sisoulith as prime minister and re-elected another politburo member Pany Yathotu as president of the national assembly at the first session of the eighth legislature, which kicked off in the Lao capital Vientiane.

Former deputy prime minister and education and sport minister Phankham Viphanvanh was elected vice president, while Bounthong Chitmany, Sonexay Siphandone and Somdy Duangdy were elevated to the post of deputy prime minister, Xinhua reported.

During the sitting, the 149-member assembly was due to discuss pertinent issues and consider proposed legislative agenda for the five-year term in addition to candidates to posts of People's Supreme Prosecutor and President of the People's Supreme Court.

The eighth session will also approve the country's development vision until 2030, development strategy until 2025, and the eighth five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2016-2020) as well as an annual budget.

LPRP chief Vorachit was scheduled to address the legislature and give guidance to the new leadership before the conclusion of the session on Saturday.
New Delhi, April 20 : An innovative experiment of raising charity funds through screening feature films in cinema halls seems to have come as a big relief for nine cancer-afflicted girls in Karnataka who are now looking forward to regular fund flows for uninterrupted treatment.

Sreeraksha, Prajna, Amisha, Nafisathula Ifrath, Devapriya, Nidhi Kamat, Mariyam Saheera, Apeksha and Fathimath Misbha, undergoing treatment at the Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangalore, require monetary support - ranging from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.3 lakhs ($1,500-$4,500) - for cancer treatment.

NGO CanKids Kidscan has joined hands with producers of Kannada film "The Plan" to raise awareness and funds for its Girl Child Project that offers treatment and support to girls with cancer.

The funds collected by the NGO, along with the film's producers - Malgudi Talkies and Day Dream Creations - will support the nine girls in Mangalore by offering treatment, emotional and psychological support, transportation, nutrition, education, accommodation and social reintegration.

For a daily wage labourer who is the father of nine-year-old Fathimath Misbha, diagnosed with Acute Lymphblastic Leukemia, the funds would be a blessing for his child.

"We don't have money. If they don't help, we would stop the treatment," said Fathimath's father.

The NGO and the film's producers are aiming to collect Rs.12 lakh through crowd funding for the nine girls through advance sale of tickets of a special re-release of the movie in Mangalore, Udupi, Karkala and Kundapur on April 22.

The producers were about to release a free digital version of the movie on YouTube when a call for a donation from an acquaintance for the cancer treatment of a school girl threw up the idea of generating funds for charity through film screenings.

The Mumbai-based Malgudi Talkies' chief Ashok Shetty said: "My friends suggested that rather than releasing a free version of the film on YouTube, we could re-release it on select screens and collect charity funds through advance sale of tickets."

He said donors can contribute and save a girl's life and get free tickets of "The Plan" by visiting http://malguditalkies.in/shop/

The popular film, featuring Ananth Nag, Kousthubh Jayakumar, Hemanth, Sriram, Gauthami and Harish Roy, was first released in November.

"We are going to colleges and cities to highlight the cause linked to the re-release of the film. We are aiming to collect Rs 12 lakh for the nine cancer bravehearts," Shetty said.

"For every ticket that is sold, Rs.60 would be directed towards the treatment of the nine girls," said Shetty.

Film director Keerthi said if the experiment for the cause is successful, they may continue to re-release the movie in other parts of the state too.

All the nine girls undergoing treatment at KMC Hospital, Mangalore, are under the care of Dr. Harsha Prasad L, assistant professor in the department of paediatrics.

"A majority of childhood cancers are curable. It is a crime not to seek medical help for a girl child with cancer," Prasad maintained.

"The Girl Child Project campaign will help create awareness about the importance of treating girls similar to boys," he added.

CanKids KidsCan chairman Poonam Bagai said: "Such a crowd funding initiative has been attempted first time by us in partnership with Malgudi Talkies and Day Dream Creations."

"Gender discrimination in our country is prevalent at all levels. In a study in Haryana in 2013, we found that girls with cancer seem to be facing discrimination as compared to boys," she said.

"Some parents do not want to inform relatives or neighbors about this ailment as it could hamper the marriage prospect of their other children," she said.

The CanKids Girl Child project aims to strengthen and empower girl patients and survivors to become leaders and ambassador of childhood cancer, she said.

CanKids Kidscan is a non-profit organization for childhood Cancer in India. It works on all aspects to bring a change in childhood cancer from support services to awareness, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, quality care, research and impact.

Cancer kills as many as 264 children per week in the country. As many as 13,726 deaths due to childhood cancer occurred in India in 2010, of which is 0.7 percent of deaths were among those aged one month to 14 years.

(Anjali Madan can be contacted at anjalimadan79@gmail.com)
Gurdaspur (Punjab), April 20 : The mortal remains of Kirpal Singh, who died in a Lahore jail in suspicious circumstances last week, were consigned to flames at his village in Punjab's Gurdaspur district on Wednesday amid a sombre environment.

Hundreds of people from the village and nearby areas joined the mournful family members, relatives and friends of Kirpal Singh at the cremation at Mustafabad village, about four km from the district's Gurdaspur town, to bid farewell to him.

Gurdaspur is about 220 km from Chandigarh.

Kirpal's sister Jagir Kaur and other family members were tearful and inconsolable at the cremation. Dalbir Kaur, sister of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, who was also murdered in the same Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore in April 2013, also joined the mourners.

Kirpal Singh, 54, a former Indian serviceman, was lodged in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since 1992. He died on April 11. The family has maintained he had inadvertently crossed into Pakistan in 1992.

Pakistani authorities labelled him a spy and got him convicted for terror attacks in their country. He was initially sentenced to death which was later commuted to 20 years' imprisonment.

While Pakistani authorities attributed his death to a heart attack, his family members alleged foul play. The family claims he was murdered either by fellow prisoners or prison officials in Pakistan.

Singh's body was handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) officials by Pakistani authorities in a coffin at the Attari-Wagah joint check post on Tuesday afternoon. Family members identified Kirpal Singh's mortal remains.

Close relatives and residents from Kirpal Singh's village were present at Attari, 30 km from Amritsar, when the body was brought back to India.

Family members alleged his body bore injury marks. But doctors who conducted an autopsy at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Amritsar denied it.

The medical board, which conducted the post-mortem examination, said there were no external or internal injury marks on the body.

After the post-mortem examination, Ashok Sharma, head of the three-member medical board, told media on Tuesday that the cause of death has not been established yet.

The doctor said some organs from his body were missing, as an autopsy had already been done in Pakistan.

"I can say with 100 percent accuracy that the wound marks which are inflicted during life, they cannot be removed. The cause of death has not been established yet," Sharma added.
Islamabad, April 20 : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to chair a meeting of the federal ministers and the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leaders here on Wednesday following the 'Panama Papers' leak.

According to Daily Times, the issue of inquiry commission over Panama Papers will be discussed in this meeting.

The ministers will brief the prime minister about their contacts with the opposition parties. Consultations will be made on Panama Leaks commission during the meeting.

A legal team will brief Sharif on the matters related to inquiry commission. He will also be informed about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's prospective protest programme.

Shairf on Tuesday returned to Pakistan after a private visit to Britain, where he had gone ostensibly for health check-ups.
New Delhi, April 20 : Security scenario in the Indian Ocean Region, infrastructure upgrades with special focus on aviation, and inductions on the lines of Make in India will be in the focus as top naval commanders meet in the national capital from April 21-23.

The conference, being held two months after the International Fleet review (IFR), will see the Navy chief, Admiral R.K. Dhowan, reviewing various aspects involving operations, acquisition of assets, personnel and logistics issues.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will inaugurate the conference and also interact with the naval commanders.

The three-day long conference will be focused on reviewing the combat readiness and operational preparedness of the navy, including coastal security, to address the dynamic security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region, an official statement said.

Naval commanders will also review the timelines for capital inductions of the navy in consonance with the "Make in India" initiative which is aligned with the Indian Navy's guiding principles of self-reliance and indigenisation.

The major infrastructure upgrades of the navy with special emphasis on aviation assets will be reviewed, and so will be the roadmap for the future of the force, covering fields like key technology enablers, improving logistics and the numerous initiatives to further strengthen cyber security in the navy.

The Indian Navy has been facing a shortage of helicopters.

Steps taken to improve the service and living conditions of sailors and civilian personnel will also be reviewed.

"The year 2016 has been earmarked as the 'Year of the Civilian Personnel' and accordingly, schemes to improve quality of life and service conditions within the navy will be reviewed during the conference," an official statement said.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 20 : While the Congress-led UDF government has announced that prohibition will be in force by 2023, the opposition CPI-M has made it clear that they will not have any such policy if voted to power.

Speaking to reporters here, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan termed the liquor policy of the Oommen Chandy government a farce.

"Our policy is quite clear and we are interested and committed to bringing down the liquor consumption in the state. We do not subscribe to the policy of achieving prohibition," said Vijayan.

Vijayan also expressed confidence that the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) will win over 100 seats in the May 16 assembly polls.

"See, once the results are announced and we are invited to form the government, we will sit down to elect our leader. There are many of our leaders who are fit to become the chief minister," said Vijayan, who in all likelihood would be chief minister should the LDF romp home.

He said the one reason why the LDF is set to return to office is that people in Kerala are "fed up" with the present Congress-led dispensation which, he said, is "just interested in engaging in corrupt practices".

"The people of Kerala are just waiting for the election day to express their anguish over the present government which has been a disaster. All of them want a change," said Vijayan.

On the recently-formed BDJS -- the political outfit of Hindu Ezhava leader Vellapaly Natesan -- joining hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vijayan said it will not have any impact. He added that "the disconnect between the two has now surfaced" with regard to the policy of reservation.

"While Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the policy of reservation would be there for SCs and STs community, the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) is clear that there need be no reservation at all. But Natesan demands reservation, so there is confusion galore," Vijayan said.

"Chandy thought this new alliance will benefit them as Natesan will eat into the Ezhava votes while he kept silent. But during the recent local body polls, this came a cropper, and hence we know for certain this is not going to have any impact," added Vijayan.

Asked about the relationship the CPI-M has recently struck with the Congress party in West Bengal, Vijayan said the Congress party's presence there is hardly of any significance. He said he was not aware of any electoral tie-up and added that it has no significance for the polls in Kerala.

In reply to a question, Vijayan said the resolution passed against V.S. Achuthanandan for his indiscipline last year still stands, but his contesting the polls need not be linked to the resolution.
The U.S. Navy has entered the final phase of development of the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) pod that will replace the ALQ-99 that has been in use since the Vietnam War. The new electronic attack pod matches advanced electronic-attack technology developed by raytheon, that combines high-powered, agile, beam-jamming techniques with cutting-edge, solid-state electronics.

Earlier this month the Navy awarded the Raytheon Company a sole source contract worth one billion US$ for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) of the baseline NGJ system. Under the contract Raytheon will deliver 15 Engineering Development Model pods for mission systems testing and qualification, and 14 aeromechanical pods to be used for for airworthiness certification, functionality tests and integration with other systems, and carriage on the host aircraft.

The NGJ contract, awarded in the second quarter and announced on April 13th, also covers designing and delivering simulators and prime hardware to government labs and support for flight-testing and government system integration.

The NGJ Critical Design Review is scheduled for early to mid-2017. The new pod will enter service toward the 2020s, fielded with the F/A-18G Growlers of the US Navy. The Navy plans to acquire 138 pod sets through the program. The Mid and High band pods will be identical, while the Increment 2 Low Band will consist of a larger, centerline-mounted pod, containing the larger apertures and emitters handling low frequency signals.

The AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System is currently integrated on the EA-18G GROWLER and EA-6B Prowler aircraft operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps. Both aircraft are currently in service, but only the F/A-18G is expected to be in service beyond the mid 2020s. Therefore, the new pod is developed exclusively for the Growler.

Although the NGJ will cover the same frequencies, it will better address current advanced and emerging threats alike, as well as the growing numbers of threats. Employing the latest digital, software-based and Active Electronically Scanned Array technologies, and Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, NGJ will be able to dwell much higher power levels, directed simultaneously against many threats in different directions. NGJ will have the necessary power and digital techniques to counter increasingly advanced and sophisticated adversary electronic warfare search, surveillance, and targeting-radars and communications systems. The Navy expects to field the new pod by 2019, with initial operational capability expected by 2021.
New Delhi, April 20 : The Congress on Wednesday said party president Sonia Gandhi and her deputy Rahul Gandhi never intervened in any administrative matter including the 'Ishrat Jahan case' during the United Progressive Alliance government.

"Unlike the RSS, Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi never intervened or gave any suggestion to the then home minister P. Chidambaram or any other authority in government for any administrative matter including the Ishrat Jahan case," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a statement released here.

Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Surjewala said: "Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah owe an explanation to 125 crore Indians to tell the 'real motive' behind their desperation to shut the ongoing trial in Ishrat Jahan case."

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop perpetuating bundle of lies by using his cronies and pawns to spread falsehoods about the role of Congress president and vice-president in this case," Surjewala said.

"By such mischievous attempts to hoodwink and divert the attention of people of the country, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah cannot put a lid on the truth. Let truth and justice be not a casualty in this web of deceit being woven by BJP government," he said.

The Congress reaction came in the light of statements of union Minister of Commerce and Industries Nirmala Sitharaman and other BJP spokespersons in Ishrat Jahan shootout case.

Sitharaman and BJP spokesman Sambit Patra had levelled serious allegations against Sonia Gandhi over the Ishrat Jahan shootout case, asserting the Congress had connived to get a political rival eliminated in Gujarat.

"Here is a political rival, the then chief minister of Gujarat, whom the Congress could not face politically. So they quietly allowed a terror plot bloom. By politicising the Ishrat Jahan encounter case, the Congress has undermined the national security. They have weakened the entire security network," Sitharaman said on Monday.

On the other side Congress asserted Prime Minister Modi and Shah to answer "why they are trying to bypass the judicial findings of Metropolitan Court, Ahmedabad, and Division Bench of Gujarat High Court".

"Why the central government and Gujarat government are not giving sanction for prosecution of officers found responsible for the fake encounter of Israt Jahan and accomplices? Why are the prime minister and BJP president trying to block an ongoing trial and blatantly interfere with the judicial process," the Congress asked.
New Delhi, April 20 : The union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its approval to move official amendments in the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management And Planning Authority (CAMPA) Bill, 2015.

The CAMPA Bill is meant to promote afforestation and regeneration activities to compensate for forest land diverted to non-forest uses, by regulating and managing $5.3 billion (almost Rs.350 billion) collected over years.

The government in a statement said this legislation will ensure efficient and transparent utilisation of "unspent amount" of Rs.40,000 crore under the ad hoc CAMPA. This unspent amount, submitted at banks, generates approximately Rs.6,000 crore per annum as "compensatory levies" and "interest".

"Utilisation of these amounts will facilitate timely execution of appropriate measures to mitigate impact of diversion of forest land, for which these amounts have been realised," the government said in a statement.

"Apart from mitigating the impact of diversion of forest land, utilisation of these amounts will result in creation of productive assets and generation of huge employment opportunities in the rural areas, especially the backward tribal areas."

The Narendra Modi government in April 2015 approved the bill for introduction in parliament. However, it was rejected in theRajya Sabha, where the government is in minority.

The cabinet decision to amend the CAMPA Bill provisions came just two days before India is to officially sign the COP-21 Global Climate Agreement at New York City on April 22.

The bill was also included in a report issued by Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, listing it as India's action after the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Kolkata, April 20 : All is not well in West Bengal Left Front, that has stuck together for 39 long years, including 34 years as a ruling coalition. Upset with LF spearhead CPI-M, a prominent partner is now raising questions about the tie-up with the Congress for the assembly polls, wondering "whether we have dug our own grave".

The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) is peeved on multiple counts. The Congress has pitted nine candidates against its nominees, and the CPI-M leaders have gone 'beyond the LF mandate" by campaigning jointly with the Congress. But what riles the RSP the most is the local level CPI-M leaders' reluctance in various areas to side with LF partners in seats where they are up against the Congress.

"We in the LF had thought of having an understanding with right-wing forces, including the Congress, to unite the people against the Trinamool Congress, which has established its monopoly in the state. But we never took a decision on forming any front or alliance with the Congress," RSP state secretary Kshiti Goswami told IANS over the phone.

Goswami said LF chairman Biman Bose had also made an announcement to that effect ruling out any joint campaign.

"Yes, some people in the CPI-M are saying an alliance had been formed with the Congress. But in the LF we never discussed or passed any such proposal. The LF chairman even said that there will be no joint campaign, joint rallies or joint squads.

"We had trusted their announcement. But the later developments have breached our trust. Even eminent leaders of the CPI-M are campaigning jointly with the Congress leaders. The Congress tricolour and the CPI-M's red flag are fluttering together. It seems a green signal has been given by the CPI-M to its cadres that they can walk this road," said Goswami, a former state minister.

Slamming the Congress for putting up candidates in some of the constituencies where LF partners are in the fray. Goswami said the Congress leadership refused to heed the requests to withdraw from the fray.

"For instance, there are such disputes between the Congress and the RSP over nine seats. This is undesirable. We had hoped through discussions this dispute can be overcome. But unfortunately, that was not to be.

"Our local leadership in these constituencies is angry. They are now questioning the rationale for the LF tie-up with the Congress. Naturally, Trinamool will reap the benefit in these seats," he said.

Asked about local level CPI-M leaders extending support to Congress candidates in a number of constituencies where the LF partners are also in fray, Goswami said: "We have conveyed our thoughts to the LF chairman. We can't say if he is cornered in the party. There may be an inner crisis in the CPI-M."

In fact, even CPI-M central committee member Gautam Deb told a Bengali news channel recently that in constituencies where both Congress and LF partners have fielded nominees, his party would extend support to the "strongest candidate" who can defeat the Trinamool.

Goswami regretted that some smaller LF constituents like the Revolutionary Communist Party of India (RCPI), which was with the combine since its formation in 1977, have "virtually been eliminated" from the polls.

LF chairman Bose had in a statement announced the RCPI would withdraw its candidates from two seats in favour of the Congress.

"So, in the LF, questions are being raised whether we have dug our own grave. Such questions are being raised in our party also," said Goswami.

Going hammer and tongs at the CPI-M, Goswami said the Marxist leaders appeared to be more interested in shoring up the party's prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

"In 2014 (general elections), their performance was poor. So, maybe the Marxist leadership is doubtful whether they can retain their status of a national party after the 2019 general elections.

"So they are accommodating others generously with the hope that these parties will leave seats for them during the Lok Sabha polls. They have done it at the cost of West Bengal."

(Sirshendu Panth can be contacted at s.panth@ians.in)
Kabul, April 20 : The death toll in the deadly suicide bombing in the Afghan capital has risen to 64 with 347 others injured, the interior ministry said on Wednesday.

The dead in the Tuesday morning attack also included military personnel and civilians, a ministry spokesman said. Earlier reports put the number of dead at 28 and injured at 327.

The attack took place when a Taliban suicide bomber rammed a truck bomb into the wall of a compound belonging to the national intelligence agency in Pul-e-Mahmood Khan locality.

Two armed militants entered the building and took on the security forces shortly after the blast.

Several elite security personnel, who were in charge of providing security for high-ranking officials, were receiving training inside the building when the attack occurred.

A total of 54 vehicles parked around the site were destroyed by the massive blast, the spokesman said.

Most civilian victims were affected by shrapnel and flying glasses as the blast destroyed several buildings around the site and shattered the windows of nearby business district.

More than 3,540 civilians were killed and over 7,450 injured in violence in Afghanistan last year, according to a UN report released in February.
Kathmandu, April 20 : Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will be visiting India from May 9 on her first foreign visit since assuming the office of the head of the state last October.

Initially, the president had expressed interest in attending the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh. This was communicated to the Indian side which, wishing to play host to the Nepali head of state, converted the visit to an official one, officials privy to the matter told IANS.

Bhandari would, therefore, be visiting India on the invitation of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

Preparations are underway for her India visit, said officials, adding that the two back-to-back visits -- by President Bhandari in May and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in March -- are expected to boost bilateral ties that touched a new low after the promulgation of the new constitution in September last year.

There could be two reasons behind making the visit official -- one because she is the first woman president of Nepal and the second that she was elected to the top office post-promulgation of the new constitution.

In her two-leg visit, she will reach New Delhi on May 9 and the following day would be meeting senior Indian officials and leaders, said sources.

She would meet President Pranab Mukharjee on May 10 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, according to the preliminary itinerary.

On the same day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other Indian leaders will call on President Bhandari in New Delhi.

After her meetings and engagements in New Delhi, the Nepal president will fly to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela where state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other senior officials will meet her.

The details of the visit, size of the delegation and other preparations are yet to be worked out, said officials.

The previous president, Ram Baran Yadav, paid two official and one state visit to India but none of the Indian presidents has visited Nepal since 1998.

K.R. Narayanan was the last president to visit India in 1998.

(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)
Ahmedabad, April 20 : At least 21 workers sustained burn injuries on Wednesday in an accident in one of the nine units of the 4,600 MW thermal power plant of Adani Power Ltd. at Mundra in Gujarat's Kutch district, officials said.

Eight workers with "nominal injuries" were provided first-aid while the others, who suffered varying degree of burns, were shifted to Ahmedabad, some 500 km away.

A company spokesperson said the injured workers were being provided "high quality" medical care at super-speciality hospitals.

In an official communique, the company said there was an accidental splash of hot water from the vent of a flash tank during start-up after a two-day shutdown.

"During the start-up, some steam is normally allowed to vent," the communique said.

During this process, 21 workers on duty at the unit were affected by the hot water splash. The unit was shut down after the incident, the spokesperson said.

The company immediately constituted a multi-disciplinary, cross-functional team of experts to investigate the incident and submit a report within 10 days.
London, April 20 : British Parliament Speaker John Bercow has said democracy thrives in pluralism and free speech is the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy.

Speaking to Asian Lite newspaper from London, the British speaker said he had welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the British parliament during his historic trip to London last November.

"It was an honour to welcome Prime Minister Modi to Parliament," Bercow said.

"Indian democracy is a vibrant rebuke to those who say that such freedoms are unachievable in large states. To rout the disbelievers completely, democracy has to demonstrate that it can respect free speech and incorporate a true diversity of creeds, faiths and orientations without diminishing or disrespecting any of them," he said.

Bercow also praised Britain's Asian community for their contributions to various sectors.

"The Asian community makes a huge contribution to British life, and I hope that its members will continue to build on its successes, both in terms of representation in Parliament and more widely across our national life," he added.

The speaker will be the chief guest of Asian Lite's anniversary celebrations in London on Wednesday. The newspaper is honouring seven British Indian icons for their contributions to business, culture, sport, media and community sectors. Bercow will deliver the key note speech on Democracy in the changed media landscape at an event in Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, London.

The speaker also urged more people from Britain's ethnic communities to come forward to become parliamentarians.

"The first BAME (Black, Asian Minority Ethnic) Member of Parliament was elected in 1841, but in spite of this promising start, it is a fact that headway has been slow in terms of achieving parity," Bercow said.

"It should be an urgent priority for political parties and Parliament alike to address this imbalance to ensure that we benefit from the greater diversity of elected representatives.

"To this end the Speaker's Conference on Parliamentary Representation committed, in 2010, to improving the diversity of Members of Parliament and, more recently, the Speaker's BAME Advisory Group is looking at innovative ways to encourage individuals from what we might term non-traditional backgrounds, to apply to work in the House of Commons."
New Delhi, April 20 : Commemorating the 400th death anniversary of William Shakespeare, the British Council in association with the BBC will announce a "Shakespeare Day Live" digital campaign on April 23 to bring across the upcoming six month online festival on the Bard.

Leading arts organisations across the UK will make available performances, analysis, and talks, all streamed on "Shakespeare Day Live", a digital pop-up channel co-curated by the BBC and the British Council which kicks off "Shakespeare Lives" - a six month online festival available to audiences in the UK, India and across the globe.

"This weekend we're experimenting live with digital formats like never before," said BBC director general Tony Hall.

"Alongside a fantastic line up on radio and television, we're hosting a digital festival, shaped with partners, to bring their creativity to millions here and the world over," he said.

"And, for the first time, the BBC will be showcasing the great talent, we have in our leading cultural institutions on BBC iPlayer. It's another step towards an open BBC - something we all believe in," he added.

Programmes to be presented include David Tennant's performance as Richard II, a celebration of the cast and crew of Hamlet and a performance at Holy Trinity Church.

As a part of this festival, the British council will launch 'All the World's report' that questioned 18,000 respondents in 15 countries about the knowledge and understanding of Shakespeare.

The report reveals that internationally Shakespeare is widely known, liked, understood and regarded as relevant even today.

Over a third of those questioned said that Shakespeare made them feel more positive about the UK in general, with respondents in India (62%) and Brazil (57%) scoring the highest.

"Shakespeare is loved and performed all over the world," said Graham Sheffield, director arts, British council.

"He remains the UK's single most significant cultural figure 400 years after his death, a remarkable feat in itself! In the contemporary context his work enables the exploration of complex issues and develops stronger relationships between Britain and the world."

"We are delighted that with great Britain campaign support, we are able to see the work of so many great artists and organisations from the UK shared with the world through our new partnership with the BBC"," he added.
New Delhi, April 20 : The Congress on Wednesday said party president Sonia Gandhi and her deputy Rahul Gandhi had never intervened in any administrative matter including the 'Ishrat Jahan case' during the party-led UPA government, and clarified that it did not seek to distance itself from former home minister P. Chidambaram in the case.

"Unlike the RSS, Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi never intervened or gave any suggestion to the then home minister P. Chidambaram or any other authority in government for any administrative matter including the Ishrat Jahan case," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Surjewala said: "Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah owe an explanation to 125 crore Indians to tell the 'real motive' behind their desperation to shut the ongoing trial in Ishrat Jahan case.

"PM Narendra Modi is using his cronies to unleash a malicious and false agenda vis-a-vis the role of Congress president and vice president by falsely attempting to connect them to the Ishrat Jahan case."

On the question that by defending Sonia and Rahul is the Congress distancing itself from Chidambaram, Surjewala said: "Mr Chidambaram has amply clarified the entire issue. In the first affidavit, it was said that Ishrat Jahan and accomplices could be part of an LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) module.

"In the second affidavit what was said was that verificaton of somebody being or not being a part of LeT module is necessarily the responsibility of the investigative agency as Intelligence Bureau only provides intelligence inputs. So, you must investigate before deciding upon the character of a particular individual. There is no contradiction in terms of the two affidavits. We are not distancing ourselves from him."

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop perpetuating bundle of lies by using his cronies and pawns to spread falsehoods about the role of Congress president and vice-president in this case," Surjewala said.

"By such mischievous attempts to hoodwink and divert the attention of people of the country, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah cannot put a lid on the truth. They have something to hide. They are trying to derail an ongoing judicial trial in a court in Ahmedabad in the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case. Let truth and justice be not a casualty in this web of deceit being woven by BJP government," he said.

The Congress reaction came in the light of statements of union Minister of Commerce and Industries Nirmala Sitharaman and other BJP spokespersons in the June 2004 Ishrat Jahan staged shootout case.

Sitharaman and BJP spokesman Sambit Patra had alleged that the Congress had connived to get a political rival, then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, eliminated in Gujarat.

The Congress on Wednesday demanded that Prime Minister Modi and Shah answer "why they are trying to bypass the judicial findings of Metropolitan Court, Ahmedabad, and Division Bench of Gujarat High Court."

"Why the central government and Gujarat government are not giving sanction for prosecution of officers found responsible for the fake encounter of Israt Jahan and accomplices? Why are the prime minister and BJP president trying to block an ongoing trial and blatantly interfere with the judicial process," the Congress asked.
Chandigarh, April 20 : Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to file a caveat in the Supreme Court so that the committee could be heard before the court gives a judgment on the return of the Kohinoor diamond to India.

"The SGPC would represent the Sikh community in the PIL and demand that the diamond, which is presently a part of the crown jewels of the Queen of England, be returned to the religious body," Jangveer Singh, media adviser to Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Badal, said here.

"This assertion was being made on the basis that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the head of a Khalsa Raj. In the absence of any such system now, the SGPC is the representative of the Sikh community to which the diamond rightfully belongs," he said.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar had on Tuesday demanded that the Kohinoor be returned to the Sikh community as it was part of the Sikh kingdom in the 19th century.

In another decision on this issue, the ruling Akali Dal decided that a deputation of party leaders will meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to make a representation on behalf of the Sikh community to highlight the wrong version given to the court by the union culture ministry earlier this week on the Kohinoor.

"The Akali Dal delegation will impress upon Sushma Swaraj that Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh sovereign ruler of Punjab, was robbed of the Kohinoor," a party statement said.

"The Akali Dal feels this aspect has not been appropriately put before the apex court. The party will present the facts of the case to the external affairs ministry detailing how the Maharaja was forced to present the Kohinoor to Queen Victoria after being christened and that he had no option in the matter.

"It cannot be regarded has being given as compensation or as a gift in any manner," the party said.

"The party is confident that the Centre will rethink its stand on the issue as there was no doubt that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the absolute owner of the Kohinoor and that after its death it was taken away by the British in a deceitful manner.

"It feels this wrong can only be righted by the return of the diamond to the Sikh community," the statement said.

"To say that the Kohinoor was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away by the British but was given as a present by Maharaja Duleep Singh to the East India Company is a gross misrepresentation of historical facts. This stand seems to support the deceitful ways and means of the British," Makkar said in a statement.

The 108-carat diamond was presented to the then British monarch, Queen Victoria, after the Anglo-Sikh wars, in which Britain gained control over the Sikh empire in the then undivided Punjab.

The Kohinoor diamond, kept under tight security at the Tower of London, is claimed by India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.
The test of RAFAELs Tamir is the first evaluation of a foreign missile associated with the IFPC Increment 2-I and MML.

The Israeli Iron Dome missile system completed a successful test firing in the USA. The US Army completed a successful test of Tamir interceptor missile from the new Multi Mission Launcher (MML) developed under a US Army initiative. During the test the missile scored a hit at the target drone. RAFAEL and Raytheon plan to continue adapting the Iron Dome and Tamir interceptor missile to meet the requirements of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC).

Prior to the test RAFAEL and its US partner Raytheon made the necessary adaptations to fit the Tamir missile with the Army experimental launcher. According to Lt. Col. Michael Fitzgerald, IFPC Inc 2-I Product Manager, the test was part of the US Army evaluation of different alternative effectors  both domestic and international, and their use with the Armys new MML.

The MML is an air-defense launcher being developed for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-Intercept program, to provide the U.S. Army 360 degree short-range air defense capability against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems, rockets, artillery, and mortars.

The Army MML began Engineering Demonstration testing of different effectors at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in March 2016, launching several types of missiles from the common launcher. Tests started with Raytheons Stinger and Lockheed Martin-Raytheon HellfireLongbow, continued with Sidewinder AIM-9X missiles and Lockheed Martin Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) micro-missiles. The test of RAFAELs Tamir is the first evaluation of a foreign missile associated with the IFPC Increment 2-I and MML.

For these tests the MML is designed to fire a variety of different interceptor missiles, depending on the threat and is associated with Thales-Raytheon Improved Sentinel MPQ-64F1 radar. When fully deployed, the system will be fully integrated into the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) to extend the Armys any sensor, best shooter capability for short-range counter rocket, artillery, mortar and UAS (C- U RAM) defense for deployed forces.

The launcher can rotate 360 degrees and elevate from 0-90 degrees. It consists of 15 tubes, each of which can hold either a single large interceptor or multiple smaller interceptors. Developed using an open systems architecture, the launcher will interface to the IBCS Engagement Operations Center to support and coordinate target engagements. . The Army plans to field the system to two active-duty and seven National Guard battalions beginning in 2019.

The Iron Dome has proved highly capable in actual combat, intercepting over 1500 ballistic rockets since its debut in 2011. It has since evolved to engage targets at longer range, as well as aircraft and UAVs. The Longbow Hellfire missile, originally designed as an air-to-ground tank-killing missile, has recently shown success in destroying Unmanned Aircraft Systems targets. Originally an air-to-air weapon, the Sidewinder AIM-9X is suitable for short-range air defense, and would be most suitable against aircraft and cruise missiles. Developed by Lockheed martin specifically for the IFPC program, MHTK offers maximum launcher loadout due to its small dimensions. It is the only weapon that does not use an explosive warhead, relying on kinetic effect of target impact.

Two of the five intercepts were fully integrated shots, where the target was tracked, the engagement command was sent, the engagement was processed by the launcher and the interceptor was launched. Other launches physically tested the release of the weapon ejection from the system.

IFPC Inc 2-I is a joint collaborative effort between the Armys Program Executive Office for Missiles and Spaces Cruise Missile Defense Systems (CMDS) Project Office and the Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC).
New Delhi, April 20 : Cracking the whip against unscrupulous taxi operators for over-charging passengers during the odd-even scheme, the Delhi government on Wednesday said it will put a stop to "surge pricing" by cabs even as it impounded 68 such taxis over the past two days.

"We will bring a policy to stop surge pricing in the city by the cab aggregators," Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai told IANS here.

The sixth day of the Aam Aadmi Party government's odd-even traffic scheme saw complaints from a section of citizens against the non-availability of auto rickshaws and also that the traffic scheme aimed at battling pollution has only added to citizens' woes.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hinted that "surge pricing" by cabs may be banned in the capital.

Responding to a tweet suggesting that suspension of surge pricing should continue even after the odd-even system ends on April 30, Kejriwal replied: "Yes. We will do it."

A representative for app-based cab aggregator Ola when contacted merely said, "We have no comments to make on the subject at the moment."

The Delhi government's transport department impounded 50 more taxis, including 35 registered outside Delhi for over-charging commuters.

"We have impounded 50 more taxis following complaints from customers. All the taxis belong to various app based cab aggregators," a Delhi government official said.

On Monday,the Delhi government had seized 18 taxis belonging to Ola and Uber for over-charging commuters, taking advantage of a leap in demand for taxis during the ongoing odd-even traffic scheme.

Amid criticism of and complaints against the odd-even system by some people on Facebook and Twitter, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), which is under the union government's Ministry of Earth Sciences, said that particulate matter pollution had dipped marginally.

The PM 2.5 level declined to 90.2 on Wednesday from the level of 124.6 a day ago, while PM 10 came down to 210 from 275.1, SAFAR said.

"This time odd-even of Delhi Government is not working. But a few law abiders do obviously suffer," ran one complaint on Facebook.

In some places, citizens complained about auto rickshaw drivers refusing to ferry passengers and demanded that the city government crack down on three-wheelers like they have on cab aggregators.

On Monday, Kejriwal threatened "strict action" over "surge pricing", a technique used by cab aggregators to hike fares in the event of high demand.

After app-based cab operator Uber blamed the Delhi government for taxi shortage, Kejriwal clarified in the morning through a series of tweets that his government was not opposed to online aggregators but insisted they should obey the law.

"We are not against taxi aggregators. We fully support them. They provide important service to people. But they will have to follow (the) law.

"Overcharging, diesel cars, drivers without license/badges and blackmailing by taxi aggregators won't be allowed," the chief minister tweeted.

On Monday, Uber and Ola had suspended surge pricing after Kejriwal threatened of stern action against overcharging by cab operators.

The demand for taxis has shot up in the capital on account of the odd-even traffic scheme that commenced on April 15 and will run till April 30.

Restrictions on diesel and petrol driven cars during the ongoing scheme has forced thousands of motorists to go for taxis to commute.

Kejriwal has termed the surge pricing as "daylight robbery" and blamed the companies for "openly blackmailing" the Delhi government.

"Surge pricing is daylight robbery. No responsible government can allow that.

"Some taxis saying they will not provide cab if they are not allowed to loot. This is open blackmailing (and) government will not let that happen," he said in tweets on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, former Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel, who staged a protest on Monday and was challaned for violating odd-even norms, on Wednesday announced that he would intensify his protest against the Kejriwal regime on the issue.

"The odd-even mechanism has only added to citizen's woes," he said adding that a number of citizens and representatives from various NGOs will visit the residence of AAP MLAs on April 22 and offer them a rose along with a memorandum saying that the scheme was being implemented without any ground work.
New Delhi, April 20 : Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday said team work among ministers and bureaucrats of their departments was the key to successful delivery of good governance.

"Railways was able to achieve an all-time high capital expenditure because of the team work and united efforts and dedication of ministers and our officers. Railways undertook doubling of lines and electrification -- all with record performance," Prabhu said while inaugurating the two-day Civil Services Day function.

On the continuity of the bureaucratic machinery despite political changes at the government level, he said: "This gives governance the flexibility to reorient itself to ensure the delivery, and the key to success is to work as a team where political leadership and the bureaucracy strive hard together to achieve common objectives of good governance."

He emphasised the need for correctly identifying the deliverable targets and then gear up the government machinery at all levels to achieve them.

Prabhu's statement comes a day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked bureaucrats working with his government not to "play politics" with elected representatives.
Hyderabad, April 20 : Leading amusement park operator Wonderla Holidays Ltd on Wednesday formally launched its amusement park, which has come up with an investment of Rs.250 crore off the Outer Ring Road here.

The third amusement park by the company after Kochi and Bengaluru, it has been developed on 50 acres of land near the Hyderabad international airport.

The park with 43 attractions, including 18 water-based rides, can cater to more than 10,000 visitors a day.

D.S. Sachdeva, Chief Executive Officer, Wonderla, said three rides including a giant wheel and a 3D theatre would be ready in four to six weeks.

He said the pre-launch phase since last month evoked good response from the visitors.

Its attractions include India's first reverse looping roller coaster name RECOIL. With maximum height of 40 meters and six inversions per ride, it has been imported from the Netherlands.

Wonderla, which has a resort at its park in Bengaluru, is also looking at a similar model for Kochi and Hyderabad parks.

The company is also scouting for 50 acres of land in Chennai to develop its fourth amusement park in the south. It will invest Rs.350 crore on the project.

"We have also signed MoUs with the Andhra Pradesh government for developing the parks in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam," he said.

The CEO said they want to focus on the south before expanding to the west and the north.

It invested Rs.45 crore on the first park set up at Kochi in 2000. The park and resort set up in Bengaluru over 82 acres in 2005 cost Rs.150 crore.

Listed on Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange, Wonderla so far enthralled 2.5 crore visitors. It has been ranked India's number one amusement park and Asia's seventh best amusement park as per Trip Advisor ranking for three years in a row.
Patna, April 20 : After RJD leader Lalu Prasad, his younger son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav on Wednesday said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was fit to be India's next prime minister.

"Nitish Kumar is an able chief minister. Bihar is developing under his leadership. He is honest and capable, so why can't he become the next prime minister?" Tejaswi Yadav told the media here.

He said Nitish Kumar has been trying to unite all secular and non-BJP parties and would succeed in his mission.

Earlier this year, Tejaswi Yadav had publicly stated that Nitish Kumar was his political guru and he was impressed by his commitment to develop Bihar.

Lalu Prasad had on Tuesday backed Nitish Kumar as the next prime minister.

"I will be very happy if Nitish Kumar becomes the next prime minister," he had said.

Lalu Prasad also called for a broader unity against the BJP and the RSS to defeat them in election -- like in Bihar last year.
Chandigarh, April 20 : The Punjab government on Wednesday said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had authorised it a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs.17,523 crore for wheat procurement.

"The RBI today (Wednesday) issued authorisation of CCL of Rs.17,523 crore to the Punjab government as first instalment for the procurement of 90 lakh tonnes of wheat in the current rabi season, a spokesman of the chief minister's office said here.

The government was on the backfoot as the RBI refused to release the CCL of over Rs.20,000 crore after huge gap in procurement of foodgrain and actual stocks available in the state were pointed out.

"The RBI will issue another authorisation for the second instalment of CCL shortly," the spokesman said.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, along with Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday to urge him for the immediate clearance of CCL.

Pointing out to a "massive" gap in the money spent on procurement of food grain and the actual stocks lying in Punjab, the RBI recently stopped CCL release to the state.

This gap happened mainly during the rule of Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance government, in power in Punjab since 2007.

Opposition parties have said the scam money ranged from Rs.12,000 crore to Rs.20,000 crore and have demanded a high-level probe.

Congress leaders on Wednesday filed a complaint with the state vigilance bureau to demand registration of a case against functionaries of the Punjab government who were responsible for the gap in stocks.

The CCL money is used to pay farmers for the crops the government agencies procure twice annually -- wheat in April-May and paddy in October-November. Wheat procurement in Punjab started on April 1.

Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal termed the RBI nod for CCL as a "strong vindication of the stand of the SAD-BJP alliance that not a single grain of wheat is missing from the stocks".
New Delhi, April 20 : A granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, was on Wednesday conferred a French honour for her contribution in the fields of culture, education and environment.

French Ambassador Francois Richier conferred the L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) on Bhattacharjee at the French Embassy here.

"The honour comes in recognition of Bhattacharjee's remarkable work for promoting peace, solidarity, culture, education and development through her commitment to perpetuating the memory and legacy of her grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi," an embassy statement said.

Bhattacharjee has been working for the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust for the past 28 years. Founded by Mahatma Gandhi, the trust serves the needy women and children in rural India.

She is also active in the movement to protect rivers and environment in India. She has been involved in the Ganga Bachao Andolan for the past 18 years.

The Order of Arts and Letters is given to persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the fields of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and throughout the world.

Some noted Indian recipients of this honour are Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Bharti Kher, Subodh Gupta, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Raghu Rai, Ebrahim Alkazi, Habib Tanveer, and Upamanyu Chatterjee.
New Delhi, April 20 : The union government is likely to move the Supreme Court to expunge the comments made by the Uttarakhand High Court on President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday while hearing the case over imposition of central rule in the state.

"The government does not approve such harsh comments against the president. We will definitely move the Supreme Court, requesting it to expunge the comments," a union minister said on the condition of anonymity.

"Such comments against the president will put a wrong precedent, if not objected to," the minister added.

A bench of the Uttarakhand High Court in Nainital said the country's president was not a king who could be infallible.

The strong rebuke over the imposition of President's Rule in Uttarakhand came as the bench observed: "Absolute power can spoil anybody's mind and even the president can be wrong and in that case his decisions can be subjected to evaluation."

The bench said the right to judicial evaluation of orders passed by everyone lies with the courts.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also expressed displeasure over the high court's comments.

"The court should have refrained from using such language against the president. After independence, no institution has ever made such strong observation against the president," BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya told IANS.

"The post of president is supreme in our democracy and such remarks will unnecessarily instigate a new debate in the country," he added.

Vijayvargiya, who has played a key role for the BJP in the Uttarakhand political crisis, also said that options were open to move the Supreme Court.

"We have taken strong cognizance of the high court's unfortunate remarks. Options are open to move the Supreme Court to ask it to quash the remarks," he said.

He claimed that the BJP still enjoyed majority in the state assembly and was ready to prove it if given an opportunity.

The court had criticised the central government during the previous hearing over the imposition of President's Rule on March 27, a day before the floor test was due to be carried out in the state assembly.

The Uttarakhand political crisis commenced when nine Congress legislators, including former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, whom Rawat replaced, revolted against the chief minister.

They turned to the BJP for support.

In the 70-member assembly, the Congress had 36 legislators, including the nine rebels. The BJP had 28. The other six members, from smaller parties, were said to support the Congress.
New Delhi, April 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called on BJP patriarch L.K. Advani at his residence and spent about half-an-hour with him.

Modi "spent more than 25 minutes" at the house, said a source close to Advani.

"It was like a courtesy call as Modi had missed the condolence meeting to pay tributes to Kamla Advani on April 17," the source said.

Kamla Advani had passed away on April 6. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and union ministers Rajnath Singh and Venkaiah Naidu were there to pay homage to Kamla Advani at a condolence meeting in Delhi on April 17.
New Delhi, April 20 : Former Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel on Wednesday said he would continue to protest against the odd-even scheme in the national capital, albeit in a different way.

Taking a leaf out of 'gandhigiri', he said he will present roses to AAP legislators to register his protest.

Goel protested on Monday by violating the odd-even traffic system on Monday, for which he was issued a challen for Rs.2,000. He was also fined Rs.1,000 for not possessing insurance papers of his car and Rs.500 for not carrying a driver's licence.

"The odd-even mechanism has only added to the citizen's woes. A number of citizens and representatives of various NGOs, including Lok Abhiyan, will visit the residences of all 67 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs on April 22 and offer them roses along with the memorandums stating that the scheme was implemented without any groundwork," Goel said in a statement here.

He said that if the scheme was implemented after proper preparation, it would have been a success.

The BJP leader said that volunteers supporting his stand on the issue will ride two-wheelers to the residences of AAP MLAs and offer them roses and "seek their cooperation" over the issue.

Goel said the Delhi government led by Arvind Kejriwal was confused over the odd-even scheme and huge public money was wasted in the process.

"The Kejriwal government is confused over the odd-even scheme. They are misleading the public and also wasting taxpayers' money for self-publicity," Goel said.

"Through this memorandum we will demand that Chief Minister Kejriwal should answer how much money was spent in the name odd-even scheme. We will highlight the plight of the people and also demand that corruption being indulged in in the name of the odd-even scheme should be stopped," the BJP leader said.
Islamabad, April 20 : A Pakistani Taliban group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the killing of seven policemen who were guarding polio vaccination teams in the country' s commercial hub of Karachi.

The attacks highlighted the risk for the vaccination teams and their police guards in Pakistan which is among the three countries where the polio virus persists.

Vaccination campaign was suspended in parts of Karachi after the two attacks in different locations within 15 minutes, officials said.

Gunmen riding motorcycles sprayed bullets at the police mobile teams, a police officer Fairoz Shah told reporters. The gunmen fled after the attacks.

The authorities launched a three-day polio vaccination drive in Karachi on Monday and the attacks occurred on the last day of the campaign. Health officials had planned to administer drops to nearly 2.2 million children in Karachi.

The Pakistani Taliban splinter Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group claimed responsibility.

"We have carried out both attacks on the polio teams in Karachi, " spokesman for the TTP JA Ehsaullah Ehsan said in a phone call to the local media. He said the attacks were part of the group's activities across Pakistan.

The group, which the officials say operates from the Afghan side of the border, has claimed several recent attacks.

Last month the group's bomber killed over 70 people at a park in Lahore.
New Delhi, April 20 : The simmering tension between Delhi's AAP government and the lt. governor's office saw a senior police officer decline to accept the additional charge of Director General (Prisons) because the appointment had not been approved by Najeeb Jung.

IPS officer J.K. Sharma, who is Director General Home Guards, was on Tuesday given the additional charge of DG (Prisons) by the Delhi government's home department.

Sharma, a 1982-batch IPS officer, went to Tihar Jail around 5 p.m. on Tuesday to take charge.

However, after spending two hours there, the officer decided to relinquish the new responsibility, citing lack of approval from "competent authority".

In a letter addressed to the Delhi government's Principal Secretary (Home) S.N. Sahai, Sharma wrote: "I took over the charge in addition to my own duties as Director General (Home Guards) but since the order referred to has not been issued with the approval of the competent authority, hence the charge taken over by undersigned is hereby returned to the earlier officer who was holding the charge."

He also mentioned in the letter that he will be "happy to resume the above mentioned charge on approval of competent authority".

However, Sharma chose to write on the letter head of "Office of the Director General Prisons, Prison Headquarter Tihar".

The lt. governor's Office denied having anything to do with Sharma's sudden move.

"The home department had issued an order to appoint J.K. Sharma as DG Prisons with additional charge, but the order file has not been sent to the LG office. As the order is invalid without the LG's approval, the officer might have realised the facts and he himsef decided not to join the new posting. It was his own decision," the source told IANS.

In Delhi, the transfer and appointment of all gazetted officers are approved by the lieutenant governor. However, Sharma's appointment to Tihar was signed by an additional secretary of the home department.

The country's largest prison has been without a chief since February 28, when DG Alok Verma was made the Delhi Police Commissioner.
Riyadh, April 20 : US President Barack Obama met on Wednesday with King Salman bin Abdulaziz in the Saudi capital of Riyadh ahead of a summit with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

It is Obama's fourth visit to the oil-rich Gulf nation since taking office in 2009.

The kingdom was seen as one of Washington's most strategic allies in the Middle East, but bilateral relations were strained by the nuclear deal reached with Iran last year.

Hours before Obama met King Salman, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter held talks with his Gulf Arab counterparts on military cooperation and the latest developments in the Middle East, including what were described as Iran's destabilizing activities and the Islamic State terrorist group, said GCC Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani.

The GCC countries and the United States have agreed to carry out joint patrols to stop any Iranian arms shipments reaching Yemen, al-Zayani told a press conference.

The US defence chief urged the GCC members to be more engaged in helping the Iraqi government fight IS and to rebuild areas where the militants have been pushed out.

The White House said the US-GCC summit, scheduled for Thursday, will be an opportunity for leaders to discuss issues such as the fight against the IS group, regional conflicts, and sectarian tensions.

The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The summit comes on the heels of Obama's criticism of Saudi Arabia's regional role, which prompted a strong rebuke from the Saudi royal family.

In a recent interview with The Atlantic, Obama described Saudi Arabia and other allies as "free riders" on US foreign policy, and criticized what he saw as Riyadh's funding of religious intolerance.

Almost a year ago, in May 2015, Obama hosted leaders of Gulf nations at the White House and the Camp David retreat, the first meeting of the Gulf countries after a framework agreement on limiting Iran's nuclear programme.

Except for Kuwait and Qatar, top leaders from four of the six-member GCC countries were absent from the 2015 summit.
New Delhi, April 20 : The Congress on Wednesday demanded that MNREGA and the National Food Security Act must be implemented in all the three lakh villages of the country which have been affected by drought.

"A grave agrarian and drinking water crisis plagues nearly 40 percent of India's population today. Over 33 crore people in 2,55,000 villages in 10 states of India are reeling under severe drought," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told mediapersons.

"If we add the states of Bihar, Uttarakhand and Gujarat, which are also facing drought like conditions, India's population affected by agrarian and water crisis is nearly 48.27 crore in 3,00,000 villages encompassing 300 districts i.e. almost 50 percent of India's 6,38,000 villages and 688 districts," he added.

In view of the situation, the Congress demanded that MNREGA and National Food Security Act must be implemented in all the affected villages.

"MNREGA work should be immediately made available in all the 3,00,000 villages spreading over 300 districts and 13 states of the country. National Food Security Act should be implemented without delay by central/state governments in all the 13 states with the government providing the necessary provision including providing foodgrains," said Surjewala.

"Special provision for mid-day scheme and meals for children in anganwadis must be ensured," he added.
Mumbai, April 20 : SpiceJet on Wednesday said the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) has set aside an impugned Competition Commission of India (CCI) order penalising the low-cost airline and two more rivals for alleged concerted action in relation to cargo fuel surcharge.

"COMPAT vide it's order dated April 18 has set aside the impugned CCI order. The matter has been remanded back to the CCI with the direction to re-consider the report of the Joint Director General (JDG) and to take appropriate decision under Section 26(8) of the Competition Act, 2002," said a SpiceJet regulatory filing.

SpiceJet, Jet Airways and Indigo airlines were fined a total of Rs.258 crore for acting in a concerted manner to fix and revise fuel surcharge (FSC) prices for transporting cargo on November 17, 2015.

Accordingly, the CCI imposed penalties amounting to Rs.151.69 crore, Rs.63.74 crore and Rs.42.48 crore on Jet Airways, InterGlobe Aviation and SpiceJet, respectively.

Asking CCI to pass a fresh order, the tribunal said in case the fair trade regulator disagrees with the findings of JDG after reconsidering, it can indicate the reasons.

"The CCI shall indicate the reasons for such disagreement and issue notice to the parties, incorporating the reasons of disagreement and give them opportunity to file their replies/objections and thereafter to pass appropriate order in accordance with law," said the regulatory filing citing the tribunal order.
London, April 21 : State-run power corporations would woo British investors through rupee-denominated 'masala' bonds to raise funds for renewable energy projects, Union Minister of State for Power Piyush Goyal said here on Wednesday.

"State-run companies like National Thermal Power Corporation, Power Finance Corporation, Power Trading Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation are likely to launch masala bonds worth $1 billion in three-four months in Britain to gauge the investor appetite," Goyal said at a conference here.

As India has set an ambitious target of generating 175-gigawatt (GW) by 2022 from renewable sources, the government is exploring overseas funds for the energy sector.

"The bonds will be limited to 5-7 years and issued in $150-250 million range by boards of power firms," Goyal said at the session on aFinancing renewable and energy efficiency,' organised by the City of London.

In 2015, International Finance Companies (IFC) issued bonds valued at Rs.1,000 crore and listed them on the London Stock Exchange. Some of them are a 10-year, Rs.10 billion rupee-denominated bond to raise funds for infrastructure projects.

Masala bonds are primarily rupee denominated bonds issued to overseas buyers.

Noting that measures were being taken to address risks in the system, Goyal said the latest reform (Uday) would stop losses for distribution firms and revive those that were shut down.

The government launched the Ujwal discom assurance yojana (Uday) on November 5 last year to rescue bankrupt state power utilities and retailers, check power thefts and align consumer tariff with the cost of generation.

The state-run Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) will coordinate a billion dollar equity fund in the renewable space.

"The bonds will be managed by an independent international fund management company and state-run enterprises have committed $315 million," Goyal added./Eom/290 words.
We are training the technology workforce for today's companies and for entrepreneurs in the future.

America Campaign is excited to announce the launch of its newest initiative, the Big Sky Code Academy. Big Sky Code Academy is a state-wide effort, with classes starting in the summer of 2016, to increase todays technology talent pipeline while also training the future generations of talent in the state of Montana.

Guided by the vision to train both adults to enter the workforce today as well as youth to pursue academic and professional careers in technology in the future, Montanas technology sector will be poised for success for generations to come. Big Sky Code Academy provides intensive, accelerated, boot camp style 12 week full-time and 8 month part-time software development and technology training programs.

As the only technology boot camp in Montana with both full-time and part-time programs, we are creating the opportunity for Montanans to enter the technology workforce without having to quit their current jobs, said Devin B. Holmes, founder of the Big Sky Code Academy. By providing the most comprehensive boot camp training program in the state, the Academy can recruit individuals who live in state as well as create the opportunity for Montanans who left the state to come home and pursue high-paying careers in Montana. This approach solves the talent pipeline problem for todays companies and for technology entrepreneurs in the future.

Big Sky Code Academy is now accepting applications for part-time classes starting this summer in Bozeman and Missoula as well as applications for their full-time classes starting this fall in Bozeman, Billings and Missoula. A womens only full time class is also planned for a fall start in Bozeman. Tuition starts at $5,000 with scholarships available for women, veterans and Native Americans as well as financing options for those students who need financial assistance.

Graduates of the program will have the opportunity to pursue high-paying career opportunities with Montana businesses for an attractive return on investment. According to a profile of Montanas High Tech Industries compiled by the Montana High Tech Alliance in February 2015, high tech and manufacturing wages are twice the median earning per Montana worker.

***

The Big Sky Code Academy is an initiative of the America Campaign, a national non-profit working to improve the lives of all Americans through technology, education and the arts founded in 2015 by serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, Devin B. Holmes. In January 2016, the America Campaign also launched the Montana Code Girls program to provide technology training for young women in Montana ages 9 to 19. The goal is to have young women learn how to build mobile apps that address a social problem in their community. The program teaches participants how to write code and also how to create a business plan and solution pitch. Montana Code Girls participants are encouraged to compete in the annual Technovation Challenge, a global technology competition for young women. So far in 2016, 28 young women from Missoula have participated and created 7 different Technovation teams. Montana Code Girls training programs are provided by the Big Sky Code Academy.

Prior to launching the Big Sky Code Academy, Devin founded the America Campaign, StartUpers.com and Warrior Gateway, a national non-profit that connected the military community with members of its G.I. Network, a collaborative of over 220,000 trusted and reliable local service organizations, programs, educators and employers.
We offer complete and secure wireless solutions for government clients.

RESOLUTE Partners, a leader in advanced wired and wireless network solutions, today announced that it will design and deploy an advanced wireless network for Vencore, a defense contractor providing information solutions, engineering and analysis to the U.S. Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and Federal/Civilian Agencies.

We offer complete and secure wireless solutions for government clients, said RESOLUTE Partners CEO Michael Blanco. We have a tremendous wealth of knowledge related to advanced wireless networks based on our history as a leading provider of Wi-Fi to more than 800 buildings on over 30 military installations across CONUS and high security energy control networks that meet the demanding security requirements for various federal projects and follow the rigorous risk management framework for the US Army.

To support its mission, the new wireless network has strict security requirements and will be deployed in facilities housing secure and non-secure environments. The network design will meet the highest level of government security standards. To deliver the service, RESOLUTE will implement an Aruba Networks and Cisco platform supporting a range of wireless enabled devices, meeting Vencores mobility requirements for its staff and offering secure automated on-boarding for guests.

Vencore is upgrading its networks and taking advantage of the latest secure wireless technologies to improve communication and productivity across the organization.

If you would like to discuss your wired or wireless network needs, contact sales(at)resolutepartners(dot)com. For more information about the range of services and expertise we offer, please visit our web site at http://www.resolutepartners.com.

About RESOLUTE Partners

RESOLUTE Partners engineers, installs, operates and maintains a complete range of Internet access and fixed wireless communications solutions for healthcare, government and commer-cial enterprises around the world, including hospitals, educational facilities, military bases and office parks. All designed to offer an enhanced experience for end users, improve operating efficiencies, reduce costs and create new business opportunities for our customers. Established in 1997, RESOLUTE Partners has the knowledge, discipline and experience to deliver on all of your network needs, including guest Wi-Fi, rural broadband and energy management. Customers include US Department of Veterans Affairs, The US Army, US Marine Corp, SENECA Nation of Indians and Johnson Controls. RESOLUTE is ready to provide a portfolio of services as a prime contractor or through teaming agreements with other contract holders.
I used to think that a business transaction is all about making more and more money, but from you, I realised that a business transaction is not only for making money but for helping people too. You have really helped me a lot. Kim

11 months ago Sharon Naylor responded to a plea for help from Kim Ji Saan, the son of a small cottage cashmere manufacturer in Nepal. Sharon, a lifelong lover of Nepal, had recently trekked to the Annapurna Base Camp with her 3 sisters, and on her return, spent a few days in Kathmandu sightseeing and buying souvenirs. Kim was amongst the many people she met. He had a small shop selling his fathers cashmere ponchos, scarves, sweaters and shawls to tourists. Sharon bought and brought his goods home to the UK and they kept in touch via Facebook.

The catastrophic earthquake of April 25th 2015 led to more than 8000 deaths in Nepal. Tourism; the countrys biggest income earner was decimated. No one wanted to visit Nepal; people were homeless and businesses were suffering. Kim was living in the factory when their family home was declared unsafe. Kim reached out to Sharon and asked her if she could help. He sent her a box of cashmere and wool items from his fathers cottage business. Sharon tried selling them on Ebay and to friends and family. When she relayed the story, people were generous and bought. All friends and family had cashmere ponchos and scarves for Christmas!

Within a few months Sharon sent for more stock and created a web-site: The Cashmere Crew.

Nearly one year on, and Kim continues to supply Sharon with cashmere and wool items and their business is mutually beneficial and rewarding.

Sharon says: People here in the UK love our cashmere & wool ponchos and scarves. They are handmade by local craftspeople in the small factory in Kathmandu and are of beautiful export quality. They are right on trend at the moment and really popular, and it is pleasing to know that The Cashmere Crew is doing a small bit to directly help a small business survive. It is also wonderful to have a direct contact in a country such as Nepal. Its like having a pen-friend, hearing all that is happening first hand in Kathmandu.

Kim says he used to think that a business transaction was all about making money, but from Sharon, he realised that a business transaction is not only for making money but for helping people too. He tells her that she really helped him out by placing orders when times were desperate due to a critical shortage of sales after the earthquake. He hopes their partnership will flourish and last for a very long time.

Please take a look at The Cashmere Crew web-site https://cashmerecrew.co.uk and join and like their facebook page for news and events https://www.facebook.com/cashmerecrew

Sharon Naylor is the owner of The Cashmere Crew based in Llandeilo rural West Wales. She can be contacted on 01558 668925

Editorial Notes

Cashmere is the fibre that comes from hair of the Himalayan goat. It has a soft downy texture and is fine, strong and light and three times warmer than wool. Its expensive because it takes 2 years to get enough hair from a cashmere goat to produce a sweater.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashmere_wool

Nepal Earthquake

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2015_Nepal_earthquake
If we can train more people, then we can help employers fill jobs faster.

Associated Training Services (ATS) is bringing all of its classrooms, offices, and heavy equipment training resources under one roof with a new $2 million training facility. The new facility features six classrooms in 16,000 square feet of space in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, 10 miles outside of Madison. Members of the public are invited to a grand opening and open house on Friday, July 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The largest classroom is 3,000 square feet and seats 100 plus, said Dan Swiggum, the business development officer for ATS. We'll use it for orientation and also make it available to associations looking for a place to provide specialized training.

ATS's new training facility includes classrooms, offices for the company's staff, an instructor resource room, a conference room, and dining facilities for students and faculty. Classrooms are sponsored by heavy equipment manufacturers and include Case Construction Equipment, Manitou, Terex Cranes, JCB, and Mazzella Companies.

The extra space will allow us to train more people, Swiggum said. Baby Boomers are retiring, and that's leaving a lot of openings in the workforce. If we can train more people, then we can help employers fill jobs faster.

Swiggum said most of the older buildings will be removed.

ATS currently has commitments from Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization that recruits veterans, large heavy equipment employers and manufacturers, global recruiters for Chicago Bridge & Iron, and other employers seeking new talent. Companies interested in being a part of the event can contact Swiggum for more information. ATS students and graduates will also be present to speak with employers.

WJJO will broadcast the grand opening live through 94.1 FM.

ATS is located at 7190 Elder Lane in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The new facility is located at 7132 Elder Lane, at the corner of Hwy 151 and Hwy VV. Free food and beverages will be served on location from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about ATS, its new training facility, or the grand opening, call Swiggum at 608-354-0721 or e-mail Dan(dot)S(at)ATSDigs(dot)com. To RSVP for the grand opening call Cori McNicol at 608-354-0710.

About Associated Training Services

Associated Training Services (ATS) provides heavy equipment training, crane operator certification courses, rigger and signalperson training, and Class-A CDL training. Started in 1959, the company has maintained its strong family values and entrenched its reputation as the most respected heavy equipment training school in North America. ATS grew out of the Diesel Truck Driver Training School started by Robert Klabacka.

Contact:

Dan Swiggum

Associated Training Services

7190 Elder Lane

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin 53590

Dan(dot)S(at)ATSDigs(dot)com

Ph: 608-354-0721
Strategic Finance Meeting in the Harmony Conference Room at XtreMed's Headquarters. The deepening of our business relationship with Independent Bank allows XtreMeds volume to evolve further beyond even our own expectations, said Houman Farzian, chief executive officer of XtreMed.

XtreMed, a turnkey medical imaging provider, today announced a new financial relationship with Texas-based Independent Bank to expand its share in the freestanding emergency room market.

With this additional financial support, XtreMed continues to increase its role as a nation-wide radiology equipment provider and project manager for freestanding emergency rooms, hospitals, urgent care clinics, imaging centers and ambulatory surgery centers.

Servicing more than 40 locations throughout Texas and Colorado, XtreMed plans to continue several current projects while developing new projects in Arizona, California, Florida and Rhode Island.

The deepening of our business relationship with Independent Bank allows XtreMeds volume to evolve further beyond even our own expectations, said Houman Farzian, chief executive officer of XtreMed. Independent Banks valued support enables XtreMed to meet our expansion challenges head on while allowing our customers to focus their efforts on their patients and not on the technology at hand.

About XtreMed

XtreMed is a medical imaging solutions provider headquartered in Houston, Texas. Since the inception of the freestanding emergency room market, XtreMed has performed more than 250 modality installations and 20 complete radiology suite projects and currently provides technical support and modality maintenance for more than 40 FSECs nationwide. Visit XtreMed Enterprise LLC for more information.

About Independent Bank

Independent Bank is a $5.05 billion dollar community-centric lending institution, where business is handled face-to-face and relationships are built on personal service. More than 40 locations serve North Dallas, Waco, Austin and Houston and provide a wide range of financial solutions tailored to meet the needs of businesses, professionals and individuals. Independent Bank offers some of the best capital equipment financing programs in the industry, helping healthcare administrators deliver cutting edge diagnostic and treatment technologies to people in need. Visit Independent Bank for more information.
Agile Business Technology (Agile), a boutique low-code consulting company, today announced the appointment of experienced ICT sales leader, Jaco Barnard as its new Head of Business Development and Customer Engagement. He joins Agile after having worked for several blue chip consulting organisations including PwC, IBM, Accenture and most recently Wipro Technologies (South Africa).

Jaco, who holds an Engineering Degree (University of Pretoria) and Masters in Management (MGSM, Australia), has worked with large organisations across Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe, to achieve their strategic objectives through the deployment of advanced application technologies.

In his previous role, Barnard was responsible for the establishment of Wipros Consumer Business Unit in South Africa, servicing local retail and consumer goods organisations. At Agile, he will be responsible for managing Agiles sales activities to keep pace with growing demand for accelerated application delivery through the use of Rapid Application Development (RAD) platforms.

We have realised that our customers need for speed (largely driven by digital transformation initiatives) requires new approaches and platforms that enable the delivery of new apps in days and weeks, instead of months, said company founder Warren Eiserman. I have previously worked with Jaco at PwC and believe his focus on client success, coupled with his grasp of the key technology trends will further strengthen Agile's position as a thought leader in this emerging aPaaS segment.

Digital transformation and business agility is becoming a key imperative at most organisations I deal with added Barnard. Agiles strong DNA in assisting large and medium sized organisations solve complex business problems using the latest technology accelerators will be a key differentiator for us in the local market. I look forward to working with the talented team to aggressively grow sales and improve our market position.

About Agile Business Technology

Agile helps customers select and implement Low-Code platforms to support their business objectives. By providing short term strategic consulting, pre-built templates and education solutions we build and iterate new business applications fast.
Kum & Go, the fifth largest privately held, company operated convenience store chain in the United States has selected MTI Digital to provide their first ever in-store music program for its new stores. Customers and associates will hear an extensive mix of contemporary, upbeat music.while they shop and work.

"With the introduction of our Marketplace store design, we wanted to provide our customers with lots of unexpected extras. Music at the pumps and in the stores provides an enhanced shopping experience for our customers and a benefit for our store associates," says Chris Jones, senior vice president-marketing, Kum & Go. "MTI Digital was a great partner and made it easy to bring this upgrade to our new stores."

"MTI Digital is proud to add Kum & Go to its list of select music customers," commented Bradley Golden, president of MTI. "Kum & Go's commitment to steady and measured growth aligns so closely with the goals of MTI. In addition, Kum & Go is dedicated to putting their customers first, a dedication we share at MTI."

Kum & Go was founded in 1959 and now operates more than 430 convenience stores in 11 states. The company is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, employs about 5,000 people and provides service to nearly 500,000 customers daily.

MTI Digital has been in business for over 28 years and operates offices in Detroit, Miami and Boston. The company provides in-store music and messaging programs to retailers in addition to digital signage and sound system design and installation. MTI is certified by WBENC as a woman owned business. The company's website can be found at http://www.mtimusic.com
Minnesotans love water!  Nate Ryan "As Minnesotans, we take clean water for granted. The quality of life we enjoy in Minnesota is not possible without clean, abundant water." - Peggy Ladner, director of The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota.

The Nature Conservancy is launching a new initiative to raise awareness of the importance of the Mississippi River Headwaters area to protect the drinking water supply of more than 1 million Minnesotans.

The Conservancys efforts are focused on the Mississippi River and its tributary streams in central Minnesota, including the Rum, Crow Wing, Pine and Sauk rivers, which supply drinking water to residents in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud and other communities in central Minnesota. These waters also provide important habitat for fish and other wildlife and are vital to Minnesota manufacturing, recreation and tourism.

To draw attention to its initiative, the Conservancy is launching a multi-media public awareness campaign. The campaign features a diverse group of Minnesotans immersing their faces into clean tap water originating from the Mississippi River.

The goal of the campaign is to encourage Minnesotans to take positive, proactive action to protect Minnesotas waters. To help Minnesotans better understand what they can do now, the Conservancy has launched a new website, http://www.cleanwaterstartshere.org.

To protect Minnesotas waters, The Nature Conservancy is seeking to raise $10 million for its Minnesota Headwaters Fund from companies, foundations, and private citizens to:



Conserve forests, grasslands and wetlands in the Mississippi River Headwaters area in central Minnesota to reduce and prevent pollutants and sediment from entering rivers, lakes and groundwater.

Raise awareness about the need to protect Minnesotas waters and encourage Minnesotans to take action to help protect the states rivers, lakes and groundwater.

The quality of life we enjoy in Minnesota is not possible without clean, abundant water, said Peggy Ladner, director of The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota. The Minnesota Headwaters Fund is a way for citizens, business and government to take action now to protect our waters while they are still healthy, ensuring a bright future for us all. We invite all Minnesotans to join us in this essential work.

Demand for clean water provided by the Mississippi River is projected to increase as Minnesotas population grows by 1 million people by 2030. More people will place greater pressure on the development of lands in Minnesotas Mississippi River Headwaters area.

Forests, wetlands, and grasslands are critical to absorbing and filtering the water that eventually drains into the Mississippi River and other waterways. Land use changes have been shown to significantly impact water quality by elevating levels of nitrogen and other pollutants and, in turn, increasing the cost to communities of providing clean water.

Economic forces, including increasing demand for corn and soybeans, are driving changes in land use in the Mississippi Headwaters area. Between 2008 and 2013, more than 260,000 acres of forest, wetland and grassland were converted to agriculture, with the largest proportion of this occurring in critical water supply source areas.

The Nature Conservancy has extensive experience with protecting Minnesotas waters from Lake Superior to the St. Croix, Root and St. Louis rivers. The organization has been protecting forests and water quality in Minnesotas Mississippi River Headwaters area for more than a decade, helping to conserve more than 150,000 acres.

As Minnesotans, we take clean water for granted, Ladner says. We want to help Minnesotans understand that there is a problem and share the steps we can all take now to protect our water before its too late. Protecting land and water in the Mississippi River Headwaters area will ensure clean drinking water, enhance recreation opportunities, provide clean water for fish and other wildlife and protect jobs. Its one of the most important things we can do for ourselves, our children and future generations.

More information about the Conservancys efforts to protect Minnesotas headwaters can be found at http://www.cleanwaterstartshere.org.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. In Minnesota, the Conservancy has helped protect more than 687,000 acres since 1958. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at nature.org/minnesota.

NOTE TO MEDIA: High-res B-roll and Photos Available Upon Request
Dr. Alex Tievsky of Adler Footcare Any patient who has a foot or ankle disorder invoking a bone will benefit from a CT scan

New York podiatrist Dr. Alex Tievsky of Adler Footcare of Greater New York will be presenting as a featured speaker at the FIP World Congress of Podiatry in Montreal, Canada May 26-28, 2016. He will discuss how the advancements with weight bearing CT imaging are being used in the field of podiatry for precise preoperative surgical planning for the foot and ankle, as well as expose patients to less radiation.

Any patient who has a foot or ankle disorder invoking a bone will benefit from a CT scan. The field of podiatry has been using weight bearing x-rays to obtain more detail while the foot is being loaded. A weight bearing CT is the next step to viewing a loaded foot in three dimensions, which can detect exact bony orientation needed for surgical planning.

Weight bearing CTs are not used enough in podiatry because most hospital CT machines are non-weight bearing, Dr. Tievsky said. The biggest problem was always that CTs emitted a lot of radiation. With our current pedCAT machine at Adler Footcare we keep the radiation to around the same levels as three x-ray views.

The CurveBeam pedCAT adds a new dimension to diagnosis and treatment planning, allowing for CT imaging under true physiological weight bearing loads and fast patient scans of one or both feet, leading to more successful foot surgeries.

The FIP World Congress of Podiatry is held every three years and attracts participants from around the world, including podiatrists in private practice, the public sector, the educational stream and students. You can also expect to meet vascular surgeons, nurses, diabetologists and other members of the medical team. The exhibit hall is an integral part of the World Congress that enables delegates to see a wide array of foot related products and services from around the world.

Dr. Tievsky will also be leading a cadaver lab the day before the conference.

For more information, contact Adler Footcare of Greater New York, a HyProCure Center of Excellence at (212) 704-4310 or visit http://www.mynycpodiatrist.com.

About Dr. Alex Tievsky

Dr. Alex Tievsky, a graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, is well-versed in all aspects of Foot & Ankle Surgery. He is a master HyProCure surgeon designated by the Graham International Implant Institute, and has completed a 3-year Podiatric Medicine and Surgery residency program with extra certification in Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery, at Forest Hills Hospital North Shore LIJ.

Dr. Tievsky is Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and also Board Qualified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Prior to going into Podiatry, Dr. Tievsky had completed his bachelors degree in biochemistry from Hunter College in New York City. Dr. Tievsky is fluent in English as well as Russian.
In the same way its power chairs help navigate tight corners and narrow spaces in lifes corridors, Hoveround has introduced a new patient referral program that makes it easier for doctors to identify and gather essential information about a patient during an examination to determine a suitable mobility solution (https://www.hoveround.com).

The kits documentation, charts and checklist simplify communication between doctors and patients and also help ensure insurance requirements are properly evaluated and assessed during the mobility examination.

Its our mission at Hoveround to help people with limited mobility, said founder and president Tom Kruse. Hoveround has been in the business of providing mobility solutions nationwide for over 23 years.

During that time, Hoveround has become the largest direct-to-consumer manufacturer of the most maneuverable, reliable, and compact power chairs available in the United States. An important aspect of the companys mission is helping make sure that the mobility examination not only addresses the payors medical necessity guidelines, but also syncs patients up with the proper product

Fitting a Hoveround Power Chair to a patients specifications is an important step in maintaining their comfort and well-being, said Kruse, a former nurse, who founded the company in 1992. Our kit helps assist doctors, staff and patients with selecting the items available to build a Hoveround Power Chair.

The referral kit, which is made available to physicians at no charge, contains important guidelines that make it easier for doctors to gather valuable information about a patients conditionwhile at the same time helping patients properly pass along pertinent details to caregivers and healthcare providers.

Heres how Hoverounds clients describe the result:

What I love most is I can just go, and I am not stopped.  Cheryl, Milwaukee, WI

Independence is important to me, and now I have mine back.  Martha, San Antonio, TX

You dont have to give up living because you lost your legs. Wayne, Barnegat, NJ

Hoveround manufactures a full line of quality power chairs and an array of mobility accessories. Its Round for a Reason Design offers a narrow, rounded front, that allows users to turn corners easily and navigate small spaces, without damaging walls, furniture, or the power chair itself.

Additional information about Hoveround, its products and how it helps facilitate the power mobility prescription process is available at http://www.hoveround.com/physicians-and-healthcare-providers.

What steps are involved in that process?

Step 1: Conduct Mobility Examination.

Step 2: Writing a prescription.

Step 3: Hoveround begins paperwork.

Step 4: Delivery and Training.

Patients are encouraged to pick up a Hoveround brochure from their doctors office. If their doctor has not yet received a referral kit, one can be obtained by calling, toll-free, 800-375-7047.

For more about Americas largest direct-to-consumer manufacturer of power wheelchairs, visit https://www.hoveround.com. To follow Hoveround on social media, go to https://twitter.com/hoveround or https://www.facebook.com/HoveroundCorp.

ABOUT: Hoveround Corp. is dedicated to providing the highest quality mobility solutions, such as power wheelchairs and scooters, which greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility. It is the largest power wheelchair manufacturer that delivers directly to the customer, and every Hoveround power wheelchair is custom assembled in the USA. - D80015003
Over one hundred supporters today issued a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry calling on him to mount a humanitarian effort to obtain the release of Nizar Zakka, a U.S. permanent resident of Lebanese citizenship imprisoned in Tehran, Iran. Zakka, an information and communication (ICT) technology consultant, has led ICT for development projects funded from organizations from corporations like Cisco and Microsoft, to the US State Department. Zakkas fateful trip to Iran to promote ICT for women which resulted in his imprisonment was funded by State.

Nizar is a man without a country when it comes to getting assistance on his behalf, said David Ramadan. The Lebanese government has failed their responsibility; and Nizar is a contractor for the State Department thus the U.S. government owes him their best efforts. We call on Secretary Kerry to intervene personally with the Iranian leadership to obtain Nizars freedom, both as a humanitarian and a moral issue.

Zakka, a Department of State contractor, has been a permanent resident of the U.S. since 2013 and resides in Washington, DC. He is one of the founding members of The Arab ICT Organization  IJMA3, which was formed to represent a regional alliance of information and communication technology (ICT) organizations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Today, the member organizations represent 18 ICT organizations, across 14 countries. In addition to being an advocate for the ICT industry, IJMA3 works on projects in the field of ICT for Development (ICT4D), which aim to promote income generating opportunities and improved livelihoods for people across the MENA region, particularly youth.

Zakka travelled to Tehran on September 11, 2015 under invitation from the Iranian government to participate in a conference on entrepreneurship and employment at the Second International Conference & Exhibition on Women in Sustainable Development in Tehran. On September 18th, Nizar was scheduled to travel to Beirut, but never arrived. Unofficial reports indicated that he checked out of his hotel but was arrested while he was on his way to the airport. On November 3rd, 2015 the Associated Press reported that the Iranian state-sponsored television station aired a piece indicating that Nizar Zakka had been arrested, with allegations of him being an American spy. (See: Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iran-lebanese-born-technology-envoy-arrested-for-ties-with-us-military/2015/11/03/62feb158-8235-11e5-9afb-0c971f713d0c_story.html)

Ramadan has led an ad-hoc effort of friends and colleagues to obtain Zakkas release, organizing a website http://www.FriendsOfNizarZakka.com and meeting with Members of Congress to raise attention and interest in his predicament.

Ramadan calls on friends and supporters to visit the website to support this effort and obtain Zakkas return.

Ramadan is available to discuss the background of Zakkas case and to update reporters on specific efforts on his behalf.

Contact: David Ramadan, co-Founder

Friends of Nizar Zakka

(703) 945-1741

info(at)FriendsOfNizarZakka(dot)com
The Excellence in Customer Experience awards program recognizes companies that consistently deliver a great customer experience. To their customers, they are superheroes, delivering a superior experience every time.

Retailers at the cutting edge of delivery, packaging, returns, customer experience and innovation were honored at the 2nd annual Excellence in Customer Experience Awards, held April 14 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati OH as part of Multichannel Merchants Operations Summit 2016. The awards recognize companies that consistently deliver a great customer experience from the initial order to the return.

The winners by category were:



Customer Experience Leader: Bonobos

Best Customer Returns: Nordstrom

Best Packaging: Bath & Body Works

Best Shipping and Delivery Experience: Apple

Excellence in Brand Communication: Levi Strauss

Retail Innovator of the Year: Ulta Beauty

Omnichannel retailing requires an increasingly complex operation to handle a wide range of order, fulfillment and delivery options. And it is not enough to just get it right, said Leslie Bacon, Group Publisher, Chief Marketer Network. Every touch is an opportunity to impressor even delight--customers and keep them coming back for more. The companies we honor today do just that.

The awards finalists and winners for five of the six categories were determined by SmartHub, Innotrac + eBay Enterprises extensive benchmarking study of the ecommerce industry. SmartHub places test orders and tracks performance; the data collected from these orders were used to identify the top performers in five of the award categories.

The Retailer Innovator of the Year category recognized the most innovative retailer in the past year. The editors at Multichannel Merchant submitted nominations and selected the winner based on their research and reporting in 2015. Innovations in technology, supply chain, inventory, and other facets that led to an enhanced customer experience were evaluated.

We want to offer our congratulations to all the 2016 winners and finalists for continuing to explore new ways of delivering consistent excellence across all facets of the customer experience, Bacon said. In the process theyre increasing loyalty and driving sales, raising the bar on retail innovation and inspiring others to do so as well.

Smarthub by Innotrac was the awards Diamond Sponsor for 2016; Global Response was the Gold Sponsor of the 2016 Excellence in Customer Experience Awards.
CloudFactory is changing how the world works Weve been relentlessly focused on making it easy, fast and simple to get started with CloudFactory.

CloudFactory, a company that provides businesses with an on-demand workforce to automate and outsource routine work announces the launch of a new product offering that allows more businesses to take advantage of an emerging trend in automating and outsourcing their routine and repetitive, back-office work. CloudFactory is at the forefront of this trend by enabling businesses to connect to previously untapped cloud labor pools across the globe who consistently provide high quality results. Their customers connect to CloudFactorys workforce through their cloud-based platform that automates certain tasks, monitors worker reputation and manages quality in a way that scales.

Empowering startups and other fast growing businesses to take advantage of this critical shift in the future of work has been an obsession for us, says Mark Sears, CEO and Founder of CloudFactory. We see this trend taking hold across many industries now, even those that have been skeptical of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) movement. CloudFactorys newest suite of solutions makes the benefits of cloud labor more convenient and affordable, allowing many more businesses to scale their operations faster and smarter by leveraging talent that is vetted, trained and managed by a trusted partner.

CloudFactorys new product suite allows companies to engage a curated, on-demand workforce for routine, back-office work in three ways: by people, by project, or by business process on a monthly subscription basis. Pricing calculators are available on their website to estimate costs and are designed to make getting started with CloudFactory fast and simple. "Weve been relentlessly focused on making it easy, fast and simple to get started with CloudFactory. On our newly redesigned website customers can easily determine which solution fits their needs, calculate estimated pricing and chat instantly with a Solutions Specialist, explains Sears.

Ever since we launched CloudFactory in 2012 we have been trying to connect really talented people from around the globe with opportunities for meaningful work. This has been the real strength behind our early success, adds Robina Maharjan, CloudFactorys Director of Global Workforce. We obsessively seek out talent hotspots that allow us to connect our customers with well educated and highly motivated people ready to contribute to the global economy.

We believe that talent is equally distributed around the world but opportunity is not, explains Maharjan, who is based in CloudFactorys largest operations center in Kathmandu, Nepal. CloudFactory has been a leader in the Impact Sourcing movement which focuses on hiring people who have limited opportunity for employment. CloudFactory goes beyond this by investing into the personal and professional lives of their workforce, believing that many of them will go on to be the next generation of leaders that make their communities, and their nations better.

CloudFactory began in Nepal, and has expanded into Kenya with other locations already being vetted for future expansion. There are so many hotspots of talent in the world. concludes Maharjan. When properly trained and equipped, the talented people were finding have proven time and again to add value to our customers and to their communities. Its been truly inspiring to see this play out.

Companies like CloudFactory who embrace Impact Sourcing see higher quality work and better productivity while providing benefits that are tangible and sustainable in alleviating poverty in the developing world, Mamadou Biteye, Managing Director, Kenya Regional Office, Rockefeller Foundation.

Until now, the benefits of BPO have largely been realized by large enterprises who have big budgets and resources to shoulder the burdens of management. Now, with CloudFactorys new product suite, that reality is changing, and, just like other traditional models that have been disrupted, technology is the driving force behind this shift in how businesses get work done.

Technology infuses all aspects of CloudFactorys offering, operations and culture. It is how they recruit, hire, train, manage and measure their workforce. We fundamentally believe that the future of work lies in the ability of businesses to find the perfect mix of human and machine intelligence, adds Sears. Our commitment to technological innovation is what allows us to offer easy access to an on-demand, global workforce that solves significant operational realities for our customers.

Learn more about CloudFactory by visiting http://www.CloudFactory.com.
FR Conversions New Home

In an era marked by U.S. firms relocating manufacturing facilities offshore, FR Conversions has done just the opposite. On April 19th, the company will cut the ribbon on newer, larger office management and manufacturing facilities at 1231 Tech Court Westminster, Maryland.

As with any business operating in the U.S., the opportunities to relocate manufacturing abroad were there, but quickly, discounted by FR Conversions Management. Wayne Taylor, VP of Sales and Marketing, explains the company's commitment to American manufacturing. In just three short years, weve become the fastest growing mobility conversion manufacturer in America. On the streets of New York City, youll find more FR Conversions taxis than any other. Our reputation for delivering manufacturing excellence at better-than-competitive prices has automotive dealers and mobility retailers lining up to be a part of our national sales and service network. Weve grown to become Chryslers leading provider of fleet mobility conversions. If something works, you stick with it and Made-in-America is working great for us.

The official ribbon-cutting will be held at the new offices at 10AM. Company officers, employees, members of the FR Mobility Specialist National Network, local officials, and other dignitaries will be in attendance.

Taylor further explains the companys commitment to American manufacturing. "The FR Conversions manufacturing process requires specialized skills, necessary to convert or upfit a variety of vehicles- Ram Promaster, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, and others- for recreational use, those with special needs, limousine transport, or fleet and commercial industries. The company's formula for success relies on unique conversion design. Every specification is built to exceed customer expectations and industry standards, while offering cost efficient and durable solutions. All conversions are individually crafted, one at a time, by technicians who take pride in every detail. Our new corporate home was also built by Americans; FR Conversions' complete line of products bears the label 'Made in America' with pride."

25% of FR Conversions employees have been with the firm since day one. Were sure our FR family will love their new home and it will help motivate them to achieve even greater standards of workmanship. When people love the work they do, the people they do it with, and the place they do it in, they tend to want to stick around awhile.

For more information about FR Conversions please visit the website at FRConversions.com.
AssuredPartners "With Daly Merritts $11.5 million in revenue as a base, AssuredPartners will be able to further expand in the Michigan area." said Tom Riley, President and COO of AssuredPartners, Inc.

AssuredPartners, Inc. is proud to announce that Daly Merritt Insurance, Inc. of Wyandotte, MI has joined the organization. The agency specializes in business, personal and high-net worth insurance solutions. The staff of 55 will continue under the direction of President & CEO Martin F. Daly, CIC, CPCU and General Counsel Joseph S. Daly.

Daly Merritt has a history of delivering high quality service and customized insurance solutions to every client served. said Martin Daly of Daly Merritt. This level of service dates back to our founding in 1928 and will continue on with our newfound relationship with AssuredPartners. Our company has grown organically throughout the years and we are proud to service our Michigan footprint and expand beyond.

We are continually in search of partners like that of the Daly Merritt Insurance team, this group of individuals really values a high level of client satisfaction that we adhere to. said Tom Riley, President and COO of AssuredPartners. With Daly Merritts $11.5 million in revenue as a base, AssuredPartners will be able to further expand in the Michigan area as we continue to grow our AP family. We would like to welcome the employees and clients of Daly Merritt to our team.

For more information about Daly Merritt Insurance, visit: http://www.dalymerritt.com.

About AssuredPartners, Inc.

Headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida and led by Jim Henderson and Tom Riley, AssuredPartners, Inc. acquires and invests in insurance brokerage businesses (property and casualty, employee benefits, surety and MGUs) across the United States and in London. From its founding in March of 2011, AssuredPartners has grown to $585 million in annualized revenue and continues to be one of the fastest growing insurance brokerage firms in the United States* with over 125 offices in 30 states and a London office. Since 2011, AssuredPartners has acquired more than 130 insurance agencies. For more information, please contact Dean Curtis, CFO, at 407.708.0031 or dcurtis(at)assuredptr(dot)com, or visit http://www.assuredptr.com.

*As ranked by Business Insurance in the July 20, 2015 edition, featuring the 100 largest brokers of U.S. business.

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Pressable, a leading provider of managed WordPress hosting, today announced the availability of new pricing plans designed to satisfy the needs of growing WordPress sites. Pressables new plans now offer four times the allotted pageviews of their previous plans, and were designed to address the spectacular growth in traffic experienced by retailers, bloggers and higher education institutions leveraging the WordPress platform.

WordPress now powers over 25% of the Internet and the majority of these sites are experiencing phenomenal growth, said Chris Lauzon, CEO of Pressable. One of the inhibitors to this growth is access to reliable, affordable and high throughput bandwidth. Our new pricing plans address this need by delivering four times the amount of pageviews at the same price. WordPress site owners can now grow their businesses more affordably than ever before.

Pressables entry level pricing plan offers customers the ability to host up to 5 WordPress sites and consume up to 60,000 pageviews a month. Pressables agency pricing plan offers digital agencies developing on the WordPress platform the ability to host up 30 WordPress sites and consume up to 600,000 pageviews per month. Pressable also offers pricing plans for larger digital agencies and higher education institutions that offer over 100 sites and 5,000,000 pageviews.

Pressables new pricing plans give us everything we need to make sure our customers WordPress sites are successful, said Dan Green, President of The Green Internet Group. We not only get more pageviews than ever before, we also get a reliable, scalable and secure platform backed by some of the best support in the industry.

For more information on Pressables new pricing plans visit https://pressable.com/pricing.

About Pressable

Pressable is a privately held managed WordPress hosting provider headquartered in San Antonio, TX. Pressable delivers fast, scalable, secure and fully managed infrastructure and automation that powers todays high-traffic WordPress sites. To learn more visit: https://pressable.com.

About The Green Internet Group

Based in Springfield, MA, The Green Internet Group works with companies to develop a long-term marketing strategy, blending best practices in online and offline marketing with emerging technologies. To learn more visit: http://www.thegreeninternetgroup.com.
FD Cover Our planet is changing. Flood and drought issues transcend every part of our nation.

Our planet is changing. Flood and drought issues transcend every part of our nation.

Join colleagues in the water resources management community to hear from authors of the American Water Resource Association (AWRA) Policy Committee's soon to be released "Proactive Flood and Drought Management, Vol. II: A Selection of Applied Strategies & Lessons Learned from around the United States, and the Floodplain Administrator from Fort Collins, CO, discuss lessons learned from the report, and more specifically the flood mitigation strategies highlighted in the Fort Collins case study. Authors and presenters will answer questions, and attendees will receive a copy of both Volume I and II of the report after the webinar. PDH credit is available to attendees.

Click here for more information, or to register for the webinar.

Webinar date:

Thursday, April 21, 2016, 2:00-3:00 PM EDT

Subject: Overview of the Flood and Drought Management Report

Presenters: Don Duke  Yung-Hsin Sun  Marsha Hilmes-Robinson

Moderator: Michael Campana

Volume II of the AWRA Policy Committee's report, adds six case studies and two overview essays to the previous volume's eight case studies. Selected to illustrate a wide range of circumstances, geographic conditions and strategies; these case studies and analyses are intended to provide a better understanding of current flood and drought management strategies. Based on these case studies, the AWRA Policy Committee lists several specific lessons learned regarding design and implementation of proactive flood and drought management efforts. Case studies included are:

Flood Mitigation Strategies:



Fort Collins, CO

Susquehanna River, PA, Small Towns

Lititz, PA, Stream Restoration

State of California Land Use Policies

Drought Mitigation and Low Flow Strategies:



State of California Drought Strategies

Hillsborough River, FL and State of Florida Minimum Flows and Levels

AWRA Policy Statements

AWRA has developed a number of policy statements during the past five years, signaling those areas in which further public policy development could greatly improve our ability to manage water in the United States. These policy statements have called for (1) a national water vision and strategy, (2) integrated water resources management, (3) managing water resources within a hydrologic context (i.e. within basin or watershed boundaries), and (4) sustainable funding for water-resource infrastructure. View Policy Statements.

About AWRA

Since 1964, American Water Resources Association has been dedicated to the advancement of water resources management, research and education, as well as a balanced approach toward solving water resources challenges. AWRAs membership is comprised of professionals who share a common interest in working and learning across a wide range of disciplines focused on water resources policy, practice and education. Visit AWRA.
This week, Polaris finalized its third major deal of 2016, as it kicked off the largest contract in life science compliance technology history.

Three life science manufacturers have selected the Polaris Global Compliance Platform (GCP) to manage Healthcare Professional (HCP) and Healthcare Organization (HCO) interactions, from needs assessment through to transparency reporting. Using Polaris GCP will allow these companies to compliantly automate interactions such as: advisory boards, consulting arrangements, speaker programs, grants & donations, investigator research and other HCP/HCO interactions. The processes covered include needs assessment, HCP/O identification & due diligence, approvals, contracting, regulatory notification (such as DMOS), reconciliation and finally transparency reporting (e.g. Sunshine Act, US State Rules, EFPIA, France, etc.).

The fully hosted Software as a Service (SaaS) solution can integrate with all major corporate systems, such as ERPs (SAP, Oracle, JDE, etc.), Customer Masters, CRM tools, Single Sign-On and others. Polaris dedicated worldwide implementation and support teams ensure that the systems are implemented properly and that clients are completely satisfied.

When I founded Polaris in 2001, I had a sense that significant changes were on the horizon for the worlds of healthcare and compliance. By partnering with Marc Eigner and brilliant experts in legal, technology and software, we have been able to stay on the cutting edge of healthcare compliance, consistently delivering innovative solutions to the tough global challenges the industry faces, said Andy Bender, Founder and President of Polaris.

Experts from the Polaris team and I will be available to discuss these solutions at three upcoming conferences. First, at the Medical Device Compliance Congress in Chicago on April 20th. April 26th and 27th, we will be at the Pharmaceutical Compliance Congress in Washington DC. May 10-12th, Polaris representatives will be attending the International Pharmaceutical Compliance Congress in Warsaw, Poland. We look forward to sharing our insights and compliance solutions with the life science industries, said Marc Eigner, Co-founder and Senior Partner of Polaris.

About Polaris

Polaris is the global authority on life science compliance, delivering innovative, expert consulting and comprehensive, best-in-class software and technology solutions, compliance management systems and business process outsourcing to the worlds most recognized pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies. Learn more at http://www.polarismanagement.com.
A joint study of terrors impact on business travellers and business travel managers revealed surprising results, especially with regard to traveller fears and anxiety. The study was conducted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and Business Traveller Magazine  in association with American Express Global Business Travel. Released today at ACTEs global conference in Dallas (April 17-19), the studys findings also indicated that corporate travel managers may be missing key traveller concerns.

This study is the first to see the business traveller as less of a road warrior and more of an executive whose office just happens to be the world, said ACTE Executive Director Greeley Koch. These are people who balance their families and the challenges of life against meeting their corporate objectives. Their candid perspectives of the terror issue add a whole new dimension to this discussion.

Some of the studys more surprising results were:



That 31 percent of business travellers worry that a reluctance to travel could hurt their career, and that 6 percent would not feel comfortable expressing their concerns to upper management.

Sixty-seven percent of travellers state that there is a psychological effect on either them or their families when travelling to a region where they may not feel safe

Ten percent of business travellers remain utterly fearless regarding terrorism, and 25 percent have very little fear.

Sixty-five percent of business travellers have varied fears, including being stranded in a security lockdown, in-flight terror incidents, and the threat of medical health risks.

A majority of business travellers fear mugging and traffic accidents while on the road more than the possibility of a terrorist attack.

This study emphasizes the necessity for a broader discussion on the anxieties caused by business travel overall, said Tom Otley, Editor of Business Traveller Magazine. Whilst the resilience of the business traveller terrorism fears remain high, this does not indicate an absence of other cumulative effects. For example, how does a traveller to a recently troubled area explain away the fears of her or his children? And this is but one of a number of issues.

In the world we live in today, traveler care is a growing concern and top priority for companies of all shapes and sizes, said Evan Konwiser, VP, Digital Traveler, American Express Global Business Travel. Weve heard this time and time again from our customers who want access to advanced products and services that ensure the safety and security of their employees, no matter what happens. Equipping our customers with great tools is the first step, followed by ensuring these functionalities are properly communicated to employees so there are no disconnects. At GBT, we continue to add new functionality to our traveler care platform Expert Care to arm our customers with customized and scalable solutions to meet the specific size, geographic footprint and travel behaviors of their companies."

The study also focused on how business travel managers (identified as corporate travel executives) interpreted traveller response to terrorist issues. Travel managers had a higher estimation regarding their policys effectiveness addressing risk than more skeptical business travellers. Specifically, travellers wanted more access to up-to-date risk management tools and specific safety briefings for various destinations. Likewise, corporate travel executives may be assuming that traveller silence indicates total acceptance of a travel program.

The study polled 605 business travellers and 270 corporate travel executives over a two-month period, prior to the attacks in Belgium.

Copies of the joint ACTE/Business Traveller study are available on-line.

About ACTE:

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives is a non-profit education and research organization serving the global business travel industry in 70 countries. Since 1988, ACTE has provided unique programs for travel managers and innovative policies that improve conditions for business travellers, while substantially increasing corporate revenue. ACTE currently leads the business travel industry with more events worldwide, managed through offices in Asia, Australia, Canada, the U.S. and Europe, with representation in Latin America, South America, and Africa. No other travel trade association can make that claim.

About American Express Global Business Travel:

American Express Global Business Travel enables corporations and empowers business travelers with insights, connections and exceptional customer service on a global scale. Through technology and information, American Express Global Business Travel provides leading travel solutions, integrated consulting services, proprietary research, and end-to-end meetings and events capabilities. These innovative offerings enable clients to optimize the return on their travel and meetings investments.

American Express Global Business Travel has operations and network partners in nearly 120 countries worldwide with approximately 12,000 employees. American Express Global Business Travel ranked first among corporate travel providers in the 2015 Corporate Travel 100 (CT100), an annual listing compiled by Business Travel News which ranks companies with the largest volume of U.S. air bookings. Learn more about how American Express Global Business Travel connects the world at amexglobalbusinesstravel.com and twitter.com/amexgbt.

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) is a joint venture that is not wholly-owned by American Express Company or any of its subsidiaries (American Express). American Express Global Business Travel, American Express and the American Express logo are trademarks of American Express, and are used under limited license.

For more information, contact:

Jack Riepe

ACTE Communications Officer

Tel: +1-610-256-0124

Email: jackriepe(at)gmail(dot)com
In partnership with the Golden Foodie Awards, Fisher & Paykel and DCS are proud to participate in the Golden Chef Series. This year's event series will be held at the Irvine Spectrum Center and will feature four live cooking demonstrations by Irvine Spectrum restaurant chefs cooking on Fisher & Paykel and DCS appliances.

Fisher & Paykel and DCS, whose North American headquarters are in Costa Mesa, are partnering alongside local culinary organizations and brands such as The OC Restaurant Association, The Irvine Company, and Melissas Produce for this annual event.

We are passionate about being involved in local events that celebrate the culinary and design communities of Southern California, explains Gina Lathrum, Business Development Manager for Fisher & Paykel and DCS. The Golden Chef Series is the first of our initiatives that highlights the culinary excellence that resides in Orange County, right in our backyard. We look forward to the event series and being in the company of the other partners and food lovers of Orange County.

The appliance brands will outfit two state-of-the-art kitchens, one which will feature Fisher & Paykel appliances and the other DCS appliances. These live demonstrations will feature top recipes, tastes and cooking tips from the following talented chefs:

May 7th: Chef Sarah Daniels, Del Friscos Grille & Chef Anthony Endy, Paul Martins American Grill

May 21st: Chef Vince Carino, Umami Burger & Chef Byron Generalao, Dave & Busters

June 4th: Executive Chef Joe Magnanelli, CUCINA enoteca Irvine & Casey Reinhardt, Caseys Cupcakes

June 18th: Chef Josh LaQuet, Brio Tuscan Grille & Chef Alejandro Benes, Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill

For more information on The Golden Chef Series, including ticket purchases, please visit: http://www.GoldenFoodieAwards.com.

For more information on Fisher & Paykel and DCS, please visit: http://www.fisherpaykel.com

About Fisher & Paykel

Since 1934, the Fisher & Paykel design heritage has been founded on a pioneering spirit and culture of curiosity, that challenges conventional appliance design to consistently deliver products tailored for human needs. Incorporating outstanding performance, and user focused innovation; Fisher & Paykel and DCS by Fisher & Paykel appliance brands inspire people through indoor/outdoor kitchen and laundry products, designed with real life in mind. The brands incorporate innovative technologies driven from a passion to produce the most technically advanced, efficient, and contemporary styled appliances. As pioneers of the worlds first drawer dishwasher, DishDrawer; Fisher & Paykel continues to pave the way for appliance innovation. Since the 1980s, DCS has defined cooking appliance innovation for the commercial food industry, and designs commercial quality appliances for the home. Fisher & Paykel Appliances is a global company operating in 50 countries, manufacturing in the United States, Mexico, Italy, Thailand and New Zealand. For more information, please visit: http://www.fisherpaykel.com.
Heigl explores communication issues between a man and his cat and concludes she wants a better smelling litter box. Cats Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care is the solution

In a campaign for new Cats Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care to launch its new, lightweight litter, Emmy Award-winning actress Katherine Heigl stars as a couples therapist with an uncanny talent for resolving relationship issues between pet owners and their cats. Four tongue-in-cheek spots were produced by Chicago-based agency Magnani Continuum Marketing in partnership with Bully Pictures, based in Santa Monica, and directed by Anne Fletcher, who previously directed Heigl in the hit comedy 27 Dresses. The campaign tagline is Cats are Complicated. Great Litter is Simple.

The spots feature Heigl as a recurring charactera cat/owner couples therapistwho helps owners have a more meaningful and positive relationship with their cats. She continually reinforces how using the best-performing Fresh & Light Ultimate Care can reduce tensions all around and create healthier interactions between cats and their people. In one spot, a woman complains that her feline companion is emotionally unavailable. Heigl, interpreting for the cat, says that the problem is that the litter box too dusty. She suggests Cats Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care as the antidote to domestic discord. In another spot, Heigl explores communication issues between a man and a cat named Tiffany, and concludes she wants a better smelling litter box. Again Cats Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care is the solution.

"We loved this concept because it plays with the interesting and very real tension that exists between cats and their people, especially around litter box issues. And, of course, we all want to know what these complicated creatures are really thinking, says Justin Daab, president of Magnani Continuum Marketing. "As you see in the spots, the good news is that Cat's Pridewith a little help from Ms. Heiglcan help solve the litter box tensions. As for the rest of relationship, well, it's obviously still up in the air as to who's in charge."

Heigl is a natural choice as a Cats Pride spokesperson. Along with being a gifted comedic actress, she is an animal advocate and co-founder and CEO of the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, a non-profit organization, named for her late brother, that seeks to end the needless suffering of animals. Her activism on behalf of animals aligns perfectly with Cats Prides interests in animal welfare, adds Daab.

Anne Fletcher directs the spots with dry, deadpan humor. We wanted to make it funny, while keeping the tone authentic, she explains. Theyre serious therapy sessions only instead of husband and wife, its owner and petand the straight-faced therapist just happens to speak cat.

In casting the pet owners, Fletcher looked for actors with strong improvisational skills. Katherine has a wonderful talent for improv and I wanted to be sure that whoever was playing opposite her had that ability as well, she explains. Plus, when you have a cat on the scene, anything can happen, so we needed actors who were ready to go with the flow.

This marks the first time Magnani Continuum Marketing and Bully Pictures have collaborated on a client campaign. Both the client and agency are pleased with the creative work, according to Daab. Anne Fletcher was super creative and contributed great ideas, he says. We had a wonderful experience working with Bully Pictures. They were flexible, well organized and delivered a great product.

About Bully Pictures:

Bully Pictures is a full-service commercial broadcast, web viral, branded content production company located in Santa Monica, California. The companys roster includes Javier Aguilera, Dustin Lance Black, Fredrik Callinggard, Peter Care, Anne Fletcher, Gaute Hesthagen, Mike Malagon, Justin Simien, Taylor Steele, Morten Tyldum, Tripp & Tyler, Sebastian Weiland, and Erik Van Wyk. For more information, write info(at)bullypictures(dot)com

About Magnani Continuum Marketing:

Since 1985, Magnani Continuum Marketing has made it easier for organizations selling in highly technical and complex markets to deliver the most effective and seamless B2B and B2C traditional and digital brand experiences. With research, strategy, creative, digital and programming  all in house, right in our office  we offer the most integrated service-driven, creative agency experience, anywhere. More digital than advertising agencies. More strategic than digital marketing shops. More creative than management consultants. And a heck of a lot easier to work with than almost all of them.

Credits: http://www.bullypictures.com/ Advertiser: Oil-Dri Corporation of America, Cats Pride

Agency: Magnani Continuum Marketing, Chicago Justin Daab, President (Partner); Brian Riley, Executive Creative Director (Partner); Lauren Stegmeyer, Creative Director; Sara Quoss Martin, Director of Client Services; Justin Jurek, Director of User Experience and Web Development; Leah Shipley, Senior Account Executive

Production: Bully Pictures, Santa Monica, CA. Anne Fletcher, director; Jason Forest, Executive Producer.
Its not just something you can pay for to put on your resume. Its actually the only nationally accredited certification one can have for being an interventionist

Professional interventionist Mike Loverde, founder of Family First Intervention, recently earned his CIP certification, the newest highlight on his list of professional credentials.

CIP stands for Certified Intervention Professional. The CIP program was developed collaboratively by the Association of Intervention Specials and the Pennsylvania Certification Board, with the latter being the certificate issuer.

Im honored and gratified to have been awarded this certification, Loverde said. It took a lot of hard work to earn it. You have to prove yourself worthy. Its not just something you can pay for to put on your resume. Its actually the only nationally accredited certification one can have for being an interventionist."

What this means for me and Family First Intervention is that when someone reaches out to us to perform an intervention, this certification ensures that I will adhere to the highest standard in my field. There are a lot of people out there who call themselves interventionists, but they have little experience, no accreditation and no professional liability insurance. You might save a buck, but you dont really know what youre going to get when you hire them. You dont have to worry about that with Family First Intervention.

In addition to boasting Loverdes CIP credential, Family First Intervention is also a member of the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) and the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), as well as an A+ rated company by the Better Business Bureau.

Family First Intervention was founded in 2008 and recently celebrating its anniversary, moving into its eighth year of being in business. The intervention group helps coordinate and facilitate interventions for addicts and their families, in addition to helping the struggling individual find appropriate treatment afterward. Family First not only performs interventions for people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, but the company also works with individuals who are overindulging in behaviors such as gambling, eating, sex, hoarding and more.

Loverde and his team of qualified intervention counselors offer their services in all 50 states to anyone who is looking to convince a loved one to enter a rehabilitation program. Family First Intervention tries to pair its counselors specialties with the characteristics of a specific intervention case. For example, a 50-year-old who is struggling with alcoholism will not be assigned one of Family Firsts younger counselors who specializes in hard drug addiction. Also worth noting is Family First is not tied to any specific treatment center in the U.S., so the company is able to professionally refer to any rehabilitation program on an impartial basis.

For more information about Family First Intervention or to begin setting up an intervention for someone you know, please visit https://family-intervention.com/.
Fusion Antibodies announce in-licensing of AM2R antibody from Medella Therapeutics We hope that a humanized anti-AM2R antibody will offer targeted treatment for cancers with currently unmet clinical need.

AM2R is one of two distinct heterodimeric cell-surface receptors for the hormone Adrenomedullin (AM), which is responsible for several important functions including control of blood pressure, as well as playing a key role in the growth and spread of many cancer types. AMs physiological role is mediated primarily through the heterodimer AM1R, containing the protein RAMP2, but it is through selective targeting of AM2R, containing the protein RAMP3, that cancer growth and spread can be inhibited. RAMPs are a small family of transmembrane proteins that associate with a group of non-specific cell-surface receptors, to coordinate a range of different physiological responses.

Paul Kerr, Managing Director of Fusion Antibodies: We have worked with Medella Therapeutics team as a CRO and the opportunity to increase our involvement with this exciting antibody is something were we can add significant value through our expertise in humanization and antibody drug development.

Professor Tim Skerry, CSO of Medella Therapeutics and Head of the Department of Oncology and Metabolism at the University of Sheffield said, Thanks to the support of IP Group plc, Medella Therapeutics have progressed the idea of inhibition of AM2R with a monoclonal antibody through early preclinical development to a stage where humanization of the antibody is the next step towards regulatory approval and clinical trials. Having worked with the Fusion Antibodies team in the past, we are excited to partner with them to take the project forward with their cutting-edge technologies and services. We are optimistic that the work will lead to a robust clinical candidate. AM2R is becoming recognised as an important target in oncology, because of its widespread expression in tumour cells and involvement in metastasis, yet low levels of expression in normal host tissues. We hope that a humanized anti-AM2R antibody will offer targeted treatment for cancers with currently unmet clinical need.

About Fusion Antibodies

Fusion Antibodies, a UK based life science company with innovative technologies and world-class expert services for therapeutic antibody drug discovery & development, are specialists in the production of High Quality Humanized Monoclonal Antibodies and Antibody Cell Line Development Projects. With over 15 years of experience in the medical research industry, including multiple Antibodies in clinical and pre-clinical trials, Fusion Antibodies have extensive experience in accelerating therapeutic drug research towards the clinic.

Fusion Antibodies has the knowledge and expertise to build and deliver a bespoke package of the services you need to achieve outstanding results. They provide Royalty-Free Antibody Humanization of Monoclonal Antibodies and using their next generation in-silico CDRx technology, they have modernized the traditional CDR grafting technique. Humanized monoclonal antibodies are an essential step in the progression of therapeutic drugs to the clinic and the in-house expertise at Fusion Antibodies ensures its success.

Visit their website to find out more.

About Medella Therapeutics

Based on the leading research of Prof Tim Skerry and Dr Gareth Richards, Medella Therapeutics Limited is a spin-out company from the University of Sheffield, focused on the discovery and development of novel drugs that interfere with the cell signalling activities of Receptor Activity Modifying Proteins (RAMPs). RAMPs are exciting targets implicated in a range of diseases including bone disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, neurological function and obesity.
Many of our guests are in middle and high schoolnot much younger than the Stevens students. It is particularly exciting for us, and inspiring for our young guests, to have the Stevens team sharing their amazing work with our community.

Imagine meeting a robot that can play Simon Says, responds to commands, and even takes a selfie with you.

Starting this week, at Liberty Science Center one can do those things and more with what is believed to be the fastest produced full upper-torso 3D-printed robot in the world.

This robot, which can move, swivel, raise its arms, pick-up items and wiggle its fingers, was created by students at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey.

"Liberty Science Center is always interested in partnering with organizations to showcase cutting-edge technology for our visitors," said LSC President and CEO Paul Hoffman. "Many of our guests are in middle and high schoolnot much younger than the Stevens students. It is particularly exciting for us, and inspiring for our young guests, to have the Stevens team sharing their amazing work with our community."

Based on work from pioneering French designer Gael Langevin and his InMoov open source project, the robot was transformed by computer-aided design (CAD) file. Approximately 100 components including joints, 'bones' and other mechanical parts of the robot were printed in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic.

After the pieces were printed, student Peter Bruinooge 16, a mechanical engineering major, assembled them as if he were putting together LEGOs.

"I really enjoy the process of creating things from thin air," said Bruinooge. "I was always that kid with LEGOs, the one who liked to take apart and build things with his hands. This is an extension of that. With 3D printing, you can design something on a computer and, just a few hours later, begin producing a prototype of the object."

Stevens PROOF Lab director Professor Kishore Pochiraju worked to coordinate the exhibit with Liberty Science Center to inspire young people who visit the center.

"LSC receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year: parents, high school and junior high-school students, educators, the local scientific community, many others," said Pochiraju. "We're so pleased to be able to bring Stevens' student ingenuity and a fun application of our own technology to their diverse audiences. We hope it inspires some of these young people visiting the Science Center to become interested in science and engineering education and careers themselves."

The robot will be at Liberty Science Center starting April 19 through the month of May. For more information, please visit http://www.lsc.org or call 201.253.1310.

About Liberty Science Center

Liberty Science Center (LSC.org) is a 300,000-square-foot learning center located in Liberty State Park on the Jersey City bank of the Hudson near the Statue of Liberty. Dedicated to bringing the excitement of science to people of all ages, Liberty Science Center houses 12 museum exhibition halls, a live animal collection with 110 species, giant aquariums, a 3D theater, the nations largest IMAX Dome Theater, live simulcast surgeries, tornado and hurricane-force wind simulators, K-12 classrooms and labs, and teacher-development programs. More than half a million students, teachers, and parents visit the Science Center each year, and tens of thousands more participate in the Centers offsite and online programs. LSC is the most visited museum in New Jersey and the largest interactive science center in the NYC-NJ metropolitan area.

About Stevens

Stevens Institute of Technology, The Innovation University, is a premier, private research university situated in Hoboken, N.J. overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Founded in 1870, technological innovation has been the hallmark and legacy of Stevens education and research programs for more than 145 years. Within the universitys three schools and one college, more than 6,800 undergraduate and graduate students collaborate with more than 380 faculty members in an interdisciplinary, student-centric, entrepreneurial environment to advance the frontiers of science and leverage technology to confront global challenges. Stevens is home to three national research centers of excellence, as well as joint research programs focused on critical industries such as healthcare, energy, finance, defense, maritime security, STEM education and coastal sustainability. Stevens is in the midst of a 10-year strategic plan, The Future. Ours to Create., designed to further extend the Stevens legacy to create a forward-looking and far-reaching institution with global impact.
With SDBICs insurance, disclosure of box contents is not required so confidentiality and privacy is maintained." - Jerry Pluard, President of SDBIC

Safe Deposit Box Insurance Coverage, LLC (SDBIC), the only company in the country offering safe deposit box insurance, announced its latest partnership with Crescent Bank in Louisiana.

Crescent Bank customers will now have the opportunity to rent an insured safe deposit box without having to disclose what is in the box. All legal property placed in the insured box is covered against all natural disasters, burglary, robbery, fire and other catastrophes.

Crescent Bank, a FDIC insured institution, was founded in 1991 with its main operations center located in New Orleans, the Crescent City. With more than $1 Billion in assets and decades of growth; Crescent Bank strives to provide its customers with innovative value-added services and products.

With SDBICs insurance, disclosure of box contents is not required so confidentiality and privacy is maintained, said Jerry Pluard, President of SDBIC. Uniquely, the insurance includes coverage to reimburse you for the cost of replacing important documents such as wills, trusts, titles, even photos and digital backup media.

SDBIC coverage is offered in partnership with AXA ART, a member of the global AXA Group, one of the largest insurance companies in the world.

To learn more, or sign-up for coverage, please visit http://www.insuremybox.com/cbtno.

Safe Deposit Box Insurance Coverage, LLC (SDBIC) was founded around one simple conceptto help consumers protect their most valued possessions. We are an advocate for the use of safe storage in financial institutions and the leading provider of insurance solutions for consumers valuables. Our patented insurance solution protects possessions stored inside safe deposit boxes, without compromising on confidentiality or privacy. SDBIC partnered with AXA Art Americas Corporation to offer this unique new insurance solution. AXA ART products are underwritten by AXA Insurance Company, which maintains an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating and an a+ Issuer Credit Rating from A.M. Best. To learn more and/or sign up for coverage please visit http://www.insuremybox.com or call toll free at (844) 426-9467.
This years Forum with its expanded focus on global endeavors and emerging environmental technology will further the Forums longstanding reputation as a place where policy melds with technology and where information helps business decisions.

ExchangeMonitor Publications & Forums will partner with the United States Nuclear Infrastructure Council (NIC) to launch an Environmental Technology Showcase in conjunction with the new Global Environmental Management Forum & Showcase. This Forum will be held November 1-3, 2016 at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. Previously known as the Decisionmakers Forum, the newly-renamed Forum will gather decision makers within the nuclear industry to discuss new ideas, new markets, and new technologies in reducing nuclear danger and nuclear waste in the U.S. and internationally.

David Blee, chief executive for the NIC, is the Technology Chair for the Global EM Forum and joins Program Co-Chair, Llewellyn King, Founder of The Energy Daily and Executive Producer and Host of White House Chronicle and Rob Smart, Program Advisor, a former senior AREVA executive and President of Framatome, to facilitate topics that support this years theme, Building a Strategic Outlook for Nuclear Decision Makers.

The goal of this program is to raise awareness of diverse global initiatives and projects, promote greater participation in international dialogue, and to focus on new waste and environmental management technologies. Also through this Forum, ExchangeMonitor is continuing the late Ed Helminskis legacy by creating an educational program that allows for open and authentic discussions with key industry and government professionals and experts. The program will include key topics such as:



Emerging technologies

Business and financial opportunities and challenges

How to engage a new generation for the workforce

Decommissioning and demolition

Large capital projects

Updates from major sites domestically and internationally

And more!

Taking place a week before the national election, there will also be discussions on how the election results could and will impact the industry. The showcase portion of the program will include a platform for organizations to present and discuss new and developing technology to attendees.

The Council is pleased to co-spearhead the inaugural Global EM Forum & Showcase, said Blee. This years Forum with its expanded focus on global endeavors and emerging environmental technology will further the Forums longstanding reputation as a place where policy melds with technology and where information helps business decisions. The Showcase on environmental technology, in particular, will help to propel this critical mission forward, he said.

As an independent source of education and news, ExchangeMonitor is able to offer, within an intimate setting, an atmosphere of open dialogue to learn, network, and discuss both opportunities and solutions to challenges facing the nuclear industry in todays climate. Participate in frank, honest discourse and leave with real answers and explanations, which cannot be offered at other events.

Registration is now open for the 2016 Global EM Forum & Showcase, formerly known as the Decisionmakers Forum. Plan to join us now November 1-3 in Washington, D.C. to receive important insight into the inner workings of the nuclear industry.

To learn more about the program, speaking and sponsorship opportunities, and more, visit http://www.globalemforum.com.

About ExchangeMonitor, a division of Access Intelligence, LLC

ExchangeMonitor Publications & Forums, founded by the late Edward Helminski, was acquired by Access Intelligence, LLC in March 2015. ExchangeMonitor publishes professional newsletters and creates, manages and sponsors forums, colloquiums and workshops to facilitate an exchange of views and information among government officials, private industry executives, non-governmental organizations and other entities on critical national and international programs and policies.

About Access Intelligence, LLC

Access Intelligence, LLC, a portfolio company of Veronis Suhler Stevenson, is a b-to-b media and information company headquartered in Rockville, Md., serving the media, PR, cable, healthcare management, defense, chemical engineering, satellite and aviation markets. Leading brands include Weapons Complex Monitor, RadWaste Monitor, Nuclear Security and Deterrence Monitor, GHG Reduction Technologies, Defense Daily, Cynopsis, Cablefax, PR News, FOLIO:, AdMonsters, Event Marketer, LeadsCon, Chief Marketer, Media Industry Newsletter, Defense Daily Network, Aviation Today, Studio Daily, POWER and Via Satellite. Market-leading shows include The Radwaste Summit, The Decisionmakers Forum, The Nuclear Deterrence Summit, LeadsCon, CCUS Conference, The FOLIO: Show, Event Marketer Summit, SATELLITE 2016, OR Manager, LDC Trade Forums, Clean Gulf, ELECTRIC POWER, Energy Ocean and Offshore Communications. Access Intelligence also produces executive conferences for the healthcare, PR, media, cable, energy and defense markets.

About the United States Nuclear Infrastructure Council

The NIC is the leading U.S. business consortium advocate for new nuclear and the promotion of the American supply chain globally. The Council is composed of over 70 companies representing the Whos Who of the nuclear supply chain community including key movers, technology suppliers, construction engineers, manufacturers and service providers. The NIC is a member of the U.S. Department of Commerces Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Council and serves in advisory capacities for the Nuclear Innovation Alliance and Bipartisan Policy Center. The NIC encompasses five working groups and select task forces including a DOE Environmental Management Task Force (http://www.usnic.org).
A company that expands its product range in the electronics sector often faces complex challenges. Cost efficiency and speed count more than ever, and choosing the right logistics strategy often crowns the success. Electrical wholesaler Fega & Schmitt has been using Kardex Remstar dynamic storage systems in its central warehouse in Heilsbronn for the past year. Items order once a month are stored in two Shuttle XP Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs) 30 meters high, saving space and enabling fast access to an extensive range of products.

With its wide range of electrical products for the installation sector  consisting of 40,000 items in stock and available within 24 hours  as well as cable and testing equipment for light installation or data and network technology, Fega & Schmitt, based in Ansbach, also sees itself as a partner to the transformation of the energy system. From its central warehouse near Nuremberg, the wholesaler can deliver goods to electricians, solar power specialists and building sites in its core region, which stretches from central to southern Germany, within 24 hours. One of its special services involves the production of individual wire gauges for all cable types and lengths together with the required insulation.

People who compare small items in the electrical wholesale business often go for the lower-priced product, explains Bernd Eberlein, head of logistics at Fega & Schmitt in Heilsbronn. The logistics specialist has been responsible for planning, picking, shipping and distribution at one of Germanys leading electrical wholesalers for more than ten years now.

There were plans to expand our range of small parts in 2014, but we had limited space available. Accordingly, we had to come up with something and the only way was up, says Eberlein. Two 30 meter high Shuttle XP 500 VLMs from Kardex Remstar have been supporting intralogistics processes in Heilsbronn. The idea was to use a space saving storage concept to expand the product range within the limited space available. Up to 3,000 different items can be stored in each VLM. The company is already looking to the future with its expansion: There are plans for another six VLMs.

More than 16,000 order lines are processed in Heilsbronn every day. The journey around the central warehouse begins when the customers order is received. The order is scanned and forwarded via modern conveyor technology to the various storage areas, where the orders are then picked.

Picking carts are used to link the Shuttle XP with the other sections of the central warehouse. With very little effort, operators are in a position to prepare batch orders for shipping. Frive orders make up a batch and they can be processed simultaneously at one packing station. 500 orders are processed out of both Shuttle XPs daily.

Power Pick Global inventory management software is linked to the ERP systems and prioritizes the order sequence. With the software-assisted logistics strategy, it is now possible to classify the items precisely from A to Z and slot items accordingly. Employees actions at the Shuttle XP can be traced within the software, providing the kind of access protection that isnt available with open static shelving. In addition, the small parts are better protected from dust and dirt when stored in the Shuttle XPs, says Eberlein.

Increasing worker productivity by eliminating the need to walk long distances to pick orders has improved order cut off times. Orders can be placed until 7pm and still be available for next day delivery within the core region. Since the dynamic storage systems from Kardex Remstar have been implemented, it has already been possible to add another 3,000 items to the product range. There are plans to expand the product portfolio up to 6,000 items. The addition of six more Shuttle XP VLMs over the coming years will gradually enhance the successful logistics strategy in this area of the Fega & Schmitt facility.

Kardex Remstar, LLC, a company of the Kardex Group is a leading provider of automated storage and retrieval systems for manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, offices and institutions. For information about our dynamic storage solutions, call 800-639-5805 or visit http://www.kardexremstar.com.
Mosca produced their 100,000th machine in 2011, a stainless steel, corrosion resistant system for the food industry. They continue to develop systems for new industries.

In a period spanning 50 years, Mosca GmbH has evolved from a two man shop building string tying machines to a worldwide company known for supplying creative, high-performing strapping systems in diverse markets.

Company Founder Gerd Mosca started his business in the town of Tilden, Germany in 1966 because he thought he had a better idea. His first product was a string tying machine, but he soon saw an opportunity to improve the application of a new product - extruded plastic strapping - for bundling and box closing requirements. Over the years, better ideas have kept coming and the Mosca product offering has only improved and developed a broader customer base.

Examples of important Mosca innovations over the years include a precision cam actuated strap feed track that enabled successful high speed bundler operation with light weight, narrow gage polypropylene strapping, and use of individual DC brushless direct drives to replace noisy, high maintenance mechanical transmission systems. Recently, Moscas proprietary Sonixs, ultra-sonic strap sealing system has made bundling and unitizing systems cleaner, mechanically simpler and more reliable. The Company continues to innovate in the areas of electronics, programming and added functionality to expand the capabilities of its systems, to meet the forever changing requirements of worldwide producers.

Today the Mosca organization is run by Timo Mosca, son of the founder, who, along with his wife Simone, continues the tradition of innovation and growth started by his father. The Mosca organization now circles the globe, employs about 850 associates, and includes not only bundling machines, but also unitizers, complete automated packaging systems and the local support that provides the operational success and security its high profile customers demand. As one measure of its success, the Company shipped its 100,000th machine in 2011.

While the Mosca brand is built on its equipment reputation, the Company is truly a complete system supplier. With modern strap production operations in Germany, the U.S.A. and Malaysia, Mosca offers single source responsibility for machine and consumable performance that provides customers both convenience and proven reliability. In addition, with 16 offices and production facilities throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia, Mosca provides the local sales expertise, technical services and parts support that complete the full solution approach that has been its hallmark since the very beginning.

As a privately held business, the Mosca group benefits from the ability to take a long term approach to innovation and business development. It remains a family company both in terms of ownership and its organization culture. It prides itself on staying close to its markets and truly putting customers first. And of course, true to its roots, Mosca is committed to being the technology leader in the strapping systems world. According to Daniel Dreher, president of EAM-Mosca, the Mosca GmbH affiliate in the Americas, the Company byline is: Innovative Technology, Practical Solutions, Superior Performance. There is no better statement of the Mosca reality, whether we are talking about yesterday, today or tomorrow.

EAM-Mosca Corporation provides high-performance strapping system solutions to a variety of industries, including food, graphic arts, mailing, fulfillment, logistics, corrugated, wood, and other industrial or consumer goods. We combine innovative equipment with strapping materials manufactured to maximize machine performance and customer support programs that help our customers to meet their performance and productivity goals.

To learn more about any of EAM-Moscas other productivity enhancing strapping systems, please call us at 800-456-3420, or email us at info(at)eammosca(dot)com. You can also connect with EAM-Mosca on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/EAMMoscaCorp), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/EAMMoscaCorp), and Facebook and LinkedIn via the companys website, http://www.eammosca.com.
Big Canoes ISO ranking is a very important upgrade for current and potential residents of this Georgia mountain community, and Big Canoe is rightly very proud of this improvement.

Southeast Discovery client community Big Canoe, a master-planned resort and residential community in Jasper, Georgia, has successfully upgraded its Insurance Service Organization (ISO) rating of 4 to 3 effective June 1, 2016.

"A major factor in determining insurance premiums is the level of fire protection, according to Marian Schaffer, founder of Southeast Discovery, a real estate consulting firm specializing in guiding Baby Boomers with their real estate needs in the niche markets of retirement, relocation and second homes in the Southeast region. Most insurance carriers use ISO standards to assess the level of fire protection available and therefore establish insurance rates, Schaffer adds.

The purpose of ISO is to give insurance companies a uniform system on which to base their insurance premiums. ISO rankings are from one through ten, with one being the best protection and ten being the worst. For an insurance company, knowing the capabilities of a fire department is critical to assess potential claims. The better the fire department, the better protected a building is from fire damage and loss which means fewer claims. Fewer claims lead to a lower cost for the insurance provider.

Only 3.6 per cent of fire departments in the nation are an ISO Class 3 and Big Canoe fire department is one of just 4.4 per cent of the fire departments in Georgia that are an ISO Class 3. All residences in Big Canoe are within five road miles of a fire station and within 1,000 feet of a water supply.

A fire department must have or meet the following criteria to achieve an ISO ranking of 3:



Enough pumper capacity to suppress a fire in any building in the community

A 24-hour central dispatch for contacting all firefighters on duty via pagers

A fully-equipped reserve apparatus

A minimum number of firefighters on active in the department to respond to alarms

Firefighter training must greatly exceed minimum standards of training

A definitive, reliable, and pressurized water supply for the fire department and community

Conduct annual tests on pumper trucks, hoses, and hydrants

Perform annual fire code building inspections

It has been our observation at Southeast Discovery that Big Canoe has employed a continuous improvement process since its foundation over 40 years ago and has been recognized on many occasions for its land and community planning, says Schaffer. Big Canoes ISO ranking is not glamorous but, nonetheless, is a very important upgrade for current and potential residents of this Georgia mountain community, and Big Canoe is rightly very proud of this improvement.

About Southeast Discovery

Since 2004, Southeast Discovery has been a trusted resource for candid information and insight on communities, developments, and general real estate in the Southeast. Through its highly-ranked web portal, newsletter and blog and its one-on-one work with clients, Southeast Discovery helps buyers actively looking for a retirement or second home in the Southeast navigate the process of identifying the right area and community for their needs. To learn more, visit http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/.
Kim Carpenter, Associate Partner & Executive Vice President of Integrated Services Kim has been instrumental in HCBs growth over the last decade, and theres no one better suited to lead the next charge in HCBs explosive trajectory, said HCB partner and CEO, Kerry Hilton.

HCB Health, one of the nations fastest growing healthcare advertising agencies, today named Kim Carpenter associate partner and executive vice president of integrated services, where she will launch and manage an integrated services model that connects HCB service lines and fuels the agencys growth. She will also lead an integrated team of account, media and digital services. Carpenters new role is part of a larger HCB effort to create a client-facing, integrated model that provides long-term value and pull-through for todays client landscape, which requires holistic solutions.

Kim has been instrumental in HCBs growth over the last decade, and theres no one better suited to lead the next charge in HCBs explosive trajectory, said HCB partner and CEO, Kerry Hilton. She blends passion with purpose, always serving clients by pushing the boundaries and empowering our team to deliver the best work possible.

Carpenter has been with HCB since 2006, five years after Hilton and Chief Strategy Officer Nancy Beesley founded the Austin-based agency in September 2001. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading business and brand strategy, with a strong focus on integrated healthcare marketing and advertising. She leads a diverse team of strategic thinkers whose experience ranges across multiple aspects of medical marketing from branding to direct marketing, and provides guidance to clients who are looking to find better ways to build more human relationships with audiences and build strong, enduring brands.

Kim leads with conviction and tenacity, said Beesley, HCB partner and CSO. She challenges assumptions, always reminding our clients and our team that we dont just create ads. We solve healthcare problems.

She has worked on a broad range of clients including Alcon U.S. Surgical, Astute Medical, California Pacific Medical Center, Hospital Corporation of America, Edgemont Pharmaceuticals, LDR Spine, Life Line Screening Health, Livestrong, Luminex Corporation, McKesson Specialty Health, Menninger, On-X Life Technologies, Optima Health, Pearson, Schumacher Clinical Partners, Scott & White Health Plan, Dignity Health, Tissue Banks International, Texas Childrens Hospital, Texas Center for Proton Therapy and Texas Oncology.

HCB is celebrating its 15th year anniversary in 2016. With a more diverse client roster and a broader therapeutic portfolio, Hilton sees even greater momentum ahead, with 2016 revenues projected at around $15M.

All of us at HCB share a relentless commitment to breaking down barriers for our clients  said Carpenter. This mindset gives our associates and our clients freedom to do amazing things while always keeping the patient focus front and center in todays changing world.

###

About HCB Health

HCB Health is an independent, full-service healthcare communications agency serving the entire healthcare sector, including the medical device, pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Unfettered from constraints that plague larger agency networks, HCB is celebrating its 15th anniversary as one of the worlds leading medical marketing agencies. More healthcare companies are discovering that independent thinking can set you free  a principle that has propelled HCB since its founding in 2001 and allowed it to serve clients with agility and innovation. HCB has offices in Austin, TX and Chicago, IL.

To learn more about HCB, visit hcbhealth.com, follow us on Facebook facebook.com/HCBhealth, and check out our blog at hcbhealth.com/health-blog.
Twelve outstanding young people were honored this year at the Yes I Can awards ceremony at the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 2016 Convention & Expo. The award recipients, who range in age from nine-years old to 20, are making incredible contributions to their communities as artists, scholars, advocates, technology experts and successful students and employees.

The recipients of the Yes I Can Awards are courageous and hardworking young people who are supported by families, friends and professionals who believe in them, said Alexander T. Graham, CEC executive director. We are grateful to Pearson for its long-term sponsorship of this award program and to the families and thousands of special education teachers around the country who help improve academic outcomes for students with disabilities and special gifts and talents.

Each year, teachers, friends and family members nominate laudable young people for the Yes I Can Awards and recipients are chosen and announced by CEC. Pearson has sponsored this recognition program for more than 20 years.

Two notable winners this year are nine-year-old Raffaella Raffy from Surfside, Florida, and 10-year-old Alex from Powhatan, Virginia.

One night in the neonatal intensive care unit, doctors gave Linda Rinaldi an agonizing choice. Her infant daughter's lungs were failing and she had bleeding on the brain. They told Rinaldi that she could put her daughter, Raffy, on life support, which had a 90 percent chance of stopping her brain from functioning for the rest of her life. Relying on faith, Rinaldi chose the only other option: to let her daughter try to survive the night on her own.

Raffys been defying the odds ever since. Even after surviving that night, doctors predicted she would never walk, talk, or possibly even recognize her family. Instead, she worked through it all with many different types of intense therapies, multiple surgeries, and never-ending support from her family and friends.

Today Raffy has moved from a special education school to a public school. She is a hardworking third-grader who, with her full-time teacher as a shadow, tackles grade-level math and reading, and studies during the summer to keep up.

Raffy is the most positive person you will ever meet, said her mother, Linda Rinaldi. If someone tells her she cant do something, she says, Yes I can. Shes the epitome of this award, and she inspires everyone around her.

In first grade, Alex suffered what no child should. As a talkative, inquisitive child on the autism spectrum, administrators at his school dealt with his behavior by subjecting him to multiple instances of restraint and seclusion. When Alex finally revealed to his family what was happening to him, his parents were surprised to find that there were no state laws prohibiting these discipline methods.

As his parents began the process to change the laws, Alex took a leading role. Learning the power of his verbal talents, he personally connected with lawmakers statewide and told his story to hundreds of decision makers. Because of Alexs efforts, in 2015, two bills mandating regulations on the use of restraint and seclusion in Virginias public schools were passed into law.

If you would have asked me two years ago if I could imagine my son sharing such a difficult story or being interested in politics, I would have said no way, said his father, Sean Campbell. Hes helping us be better people. He showed us that you have to be involved if you want change. Theres always work to do.

When you read the stories of this years winners, like Raffy and Alex, it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase Yes I can. Pearson takes enormous pride in honoring this outstanding group of young people and the many others around the country who are transforming their lives and the lives of everyone around them, said Aurelio Prifitera, Ph.D., managing director of Pearsons clinical assessment group.

About Pearson

Pearson is the world's learning company, with 36,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. Pearsons Clinical Assessment group provides a comprehensive portfolio of research-based instruments to help clinicians develop insights that support evaluations and shape treatment plans. For more information about Pearson Clinical Assessment visit http://www.pearsonclinical.com.

Media Contact: Scott Overland, scott.overland(at)pearson.com, 202-909-4528
We welcome El Sayed El Ayouty & Co, Certified Public Accountants, our new member firm in Bahrain, to the global accountancy network UHY, extending our coverage within the Middle East.

El Sayed El Ayouty & Co, formed in 1989, is based in Manama and with a team of 26, including two partners, the firm provides audit, accounting, management and legal consulting services to a portfolio of local and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) clients, primarily in the wholesale, manufacturing, real estate, contracting/trading and services sectors.

Managing partner, Mohammed Al Shayeb of El Sayed El Ayouty & Co, says: Being part of the UHY global network underpins our commitment to deliver quality services and enhances the services and advice we can offer our clients. The global presence of the network combined with the expertise and knowledge shared among UHYs 7,600 colleagues around the world, not only strengthens our own capabilities, locally and internationally, but also these of our current and potential clients and their operations.

Bernard Fay, chairman of UHY comments: We are delighted to welcome El Sayed El Ayouty & Co to the UHY network, extending our Middle Eastern coverage and capabilities in one of the regions pioneering nations located at the heart of the GCC. Bahrains Economic Vision 2030, based on competitiveness, fairness and sustainability, combined with the regions favorable economic incentives have invigorated economic development and the investment environment. El Sayed El Ayouty & Cos admittance to the UHY network will further strengthen UHYs regional market expertise and capabilities to support clients needs and opportunities in the GCC region.

The firm is in the process of adopting the UHY branding and will be known as UHY El Sayed El Ayouty & Co. Certified Public Accountants.

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About UHY LLP

UHY LLP, a licensed CPA firm, provides audit and other attest services to publicly traded, privately owned and nonprofit organizations in a number of industry sectors. UHY Advisors provides tax and advisory services to entrepreneurial and other organizations, principally those enterprises in the dynamic middle market.

UHY LLP, operating in an alternative practice structure with UHY Advisors, forms one of the largest professional services firms in the US. While that scale might provide confidence for some clients, others tell us our greatest value is the way we bring these resources to bear to help address todays evolving business challenges. Its a philosophy we call The Next Level of Service. To learn more visit http://www.uhy-us.com.

All of the above entities are members of UHY International (UHYI), a worldwide network of independent professional services firms that provide audit, tax and advisory services around the globe. UHYI is ranked among the top international accountancy networks and a proud member in good standing of the Forum of Firms. Collectively, our US operating entities (UHY LLP and UHY Advisors) are the largest independent members of UHYI with significant participation, bringing the power of our international network to serve the individualized needs of our clients.

UHY LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that performs attest services in an alternative practice structure with UHY Advisors, Inc. and its subsidiary entities. UHY Advisors, Inc. provides tax and business consulting services through wholly owned subsidiary entities that operate under the name of UHY Advisors. UHY Advisors, Inc. and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms. UHY LLP and UHY Advisors, Inc. are U.S. members of Urbach Hacker Young International Limited, a UK company, and form part of the international UHY network of legally independent accounting and consulting firms. UHY is the brand name for the UHY international network. Any services described herein are provided by UHY LLP and/or UHY Advisors (as the case may be) and not by UHY or any other member firm of UHY. Neither UHY nor any member of UHY has any liability for services provided by other members.

ABOUT UHY

Established in 1986 and based in London, UK, UHY is a leading network of independent audit, accounting, tax and consulting firms with offices in over 320 major business centres across more than 90 countries.

Our staff members, over 7,600 strong, are proud to be part of the 16th largest international accounting and consultancy network. Each member of UHY is a legally separate and independent firm. For further information on UHY please go to http://www.uhy.com.

UHY is a member of the Forum of Firms, an association of international networks of accounting firms. For additional information on the Forum of Firms, visit http://www.forumoffirms.org.

Liaison office for El Sayed El Ayouty & Co

Contact: Managing partner, Mohammed Al Shayeb on +973 17531631

Email: bahrain(at)elayouty(dot)com website: http://www.elayouty.com
Each couple had unique circumstances that we were able to overcome with treatment and pharmaceuticals from companies like Ferring. Their videos highlight the unique power of hope.

Emily Murphy and Adam Glickman were determined to have children despite two failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Given their circumstances, they were advised to consider using a donor but their physician, Dr. Jeanne OBrien of Shady Grove Fertilitys Rockville, MD, location wanted to try one more cycle. That lucky third cycle changed their lives forever when Dr. OBrien showed them not one but two heartbeats on an ultrasound. Today, they are the proud parents of twins, a boy and girl.

How their twins came to be was the subject of their video submission for Ferring Pharmaceuticals annual Heart to Heart video contest. The contest called for families from across the country to share their fertility stories in support of this years theme, Have Heart, Share Hope.

This year, Shady Grove Fertility is thrilled to announce that both the Murphy-Glickman Family as well as Heather and Brandon Behlendorf, former Shady Grove Fertility patients, were selected as finalists.

"It's important to us to share our infertility experience with others. Too often infertility is something couples face in silence, unaware of how common it really is, said Emily Murphy. We want to tell couples who face these kinds of issues, you're not alone, we did it, and you can too.

For Heather and Brandon Behlendorf, after nine failed treatment cycles and 8.5 years of trying, they knew that their 10th would be there last. Fortunately, their persistence and hope that one day their dreams would come true paid off and they welcomed twin boys. As for the contests educational grant award, Heather said it will start young Josh and Elis college funds. College is a long way off but we are sure it will arrive faster than we expect!

Dr. Jeanne OBrien says the two finalists represent the wide range of patients who receive care at Shady Grove Fertility. Each couple had unique circumstances that we were able to overcome with treatment and pharmaceuticals from companies like Ferring. Their videos highlight the unique power of hope.

The Behlendorfs physician, Dr. David Saffan of Shady Grove Fertilitys Annandale, VA location, commented, While so many couples struggle with infertility, it sadly remains a topic largely kept in the shadows. I am so proud of our patients and all of the participants and finalists whose videos shine an important light on the power of persistence in overcoming infertility.

For more than a decade, Ferring has been providing parents who struggled with infertility the opportunity to win up to $10,000 toward their childs education by sharing their stories to encourage hope and positivity. Earlier this year, Ferring called for entries and the contest had great participation. A panel of judges then selected five finalists, and those five videos were voted on by the online viewing public who selected the eventual grand prize winner. Each of the five finalists received a $4,000 educational grant and the winner received a $10,000 educational grant.

About Shady Grove Fertility

Shady Grove Fertility is a leading fertility and IVF center of excellence offering patients individualized care, innovative financial options, and pregnancy rates among the highest of all national centers. Since 1991, more than 40,000 babies have been born to patients from all 50 states and over 35 countries around the world. Shady Grove Fertility physicians actively train residents and reproductive endocrine fellows and invest in continuous clinical research and education to advance the field of reproductive medicine through numerous academic appointments and partnerships with Georgetown Medical School, Walter Reed, and the National Institutes of Health. Today, 34 reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, Ph.D. scientists, geneticists, and more than 600 highly specialized Shady Grove Fertility staff care for patients in 18 full-service offices, and five satellite sites throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. For more information, call 1-888-761-1967 or visit ShadyGroveFertility.com.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a subsidiary of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company. Ferring Pharmaceuticals specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, gastroenterology, infertility, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopaedics, and urology. For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464); visit http://www.FerringUSA.com.
YASH Technologies, a leading technology services and outsourcing partner for global companies, today announced the acquisition of Soltius Middle East FZ LLC (Soltius ME), a privately held company based in the Middle East. Headquartered in Dubai, Soltius ME is a leading IT consulting and services company, with marquee customers across the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. Focusing on SAP transformation services and specialization in SAP implementation services, Human Capital Management transformation, Mobility and BI-analytics, it is a partner of choice for customers in Oil and Gas, Healthcare, Process Manufacturing, and Retail verticals. This acquisition will significantly enhance YASHs footprint in the region and enable customers to take advantage of its strong services portfolio and strengthened local presence.

Fostering our growth momentum with focused acquisitions that add to our market presence is part of our overall strategy," said Manoj Baheti, Founder & CEO, YASH Technologies. With a strong regional footprint and expertise in Oil and Gas and Healthcare industries, Soltius is an important addition to our global portfolio," he added.

Soltius ME will, going forward, operate as a business division of YASH and carry the entire global services portfolio, including SAP and Oracle application services, and infrastructure management services, in addition to the strong current services for which Soltius ME is known. It will continue to cater to all Middle East and African Countries.

Commenting on the acquisition, Bala Navuluri, COO, YASH Technologies said, We welcome Soltius ME and its customers to the YASH family. Soltius ME is a well-established player and a well-known brand with strong local talent. The customers of Soltius ME and YASH in the region will derive value from the breadth and depth of YASH IT services expertise and the strong local presence.

The consulting & business development teams, led by the Soltius ME management, will be transitioning to YASH as part of this acquisition. Soltius ME customers would be able to take advantage of the global presence and capabilities of YASH, while continuing to engage with their trusted partner.

"We are excited to be part of YASH Technologies and look forward to delivering enhanced business value to our customers states James Griffin, Managing Director of Soltius Middle East FZ LLC. The combination of our joint global services capability and strong local presencewill enable us to better partner with our customers in their journey of growth and expansion.

The integration of Soltius ME team into YASH Technologies is in process and likely to complete in the upcoming weeks.

More information can be found at http://www.yash.com and http://www.soltiusme.com

About YASH Technologies

YASH Technologies focuses on customer success. As a leading technology services and outsourcing partner for medium and large global customers, we leverage technology and our flexible delivery models to drive performance and business value throughout a customer's enterprise. YASH's comprehensive service approach incorporates a holistic view of our customers that extends beyond delivery. This approach integrates enterprise solutions and services, proprietary best practice offerings, strategic application and maintenance outsourcing, as well as consulting and integration services. YASH is a SEI CMMI (Level 3) and an ISO 9001:2008 certified company with U.S. and India headquarters and regional sales and development offices spread across five continents. For more information, please visit http://www.yash.com or email info(at)yash(dot)com

About Soltius FZ Middle East

Soltius ME is renowned IT services enterprise and prominent name in the business solution industry for their expert ERP tools. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, Solitus ME has strong regional presence and profound domain knowledge across SAP solutions primarily across Healthcare, Mobility, Business Intelligence & Human Capital Management. The deal augments the management consulting capabilities of YASH globally and adds more experienced techno-functional consultants and clients in Manufacturing, Healthcare, Oil & Gas and Aviation industries. For more information, please visit the company's website at: http://www.soltiusme.com

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
Califia Farms CEO Greg Steltenpohl and Adrienne Lindgren of Los Angeles Mayor Garcettis office at the Califia Farms HQ Opening Ceremony Innovation, sustainability and California roots are core to Califia Farms. Our new offices reflect this in both their design and in their location in one of the countrys most exciting creative incubator districts: DTLA Arts District

Califia Farms, one of the fastest growing natural beverage companies in the United States, today announced the opening of its new national corporate headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles Arts District, the creative heart of LA. The offices, designed by LA-based Rachel Allen Architecture, comprise 9,000 square feet of energy-efficient space to house Califia Farms growing team. The company celebrated its opening at a reception attended by Adrienne Lindgren of Los Angeles Mayor Garcettis office along with DTLA community members.

Califia Farms mission is to create delicious plant-powered foods and beverages that provide mindful nourishment - including Almondmilks, Creamers, Cold Brew Coffees, Horchatas, and Agua Frescas  and is a leader in the exploding plant-based food and beverage revolution.

The Company, which prides itself on its partnership with California farmers, chose the DTLA Arts District because it fits with the companys identity as a positive disruptor in the beverage industry. Its decision to locate in Los Angeles helps extend the citys  and Southern Californias - growing reputation as an incubator for natural foods.

Innovation, sustainability and California roots are core to Califia Farms. Our new offices reflect this in both their design and in their location in one of the countrys most exciting creative incubator districts: DTLA Arts District, said Greg Steltenpohl, CEO of Califia Farms. We look forward to joining this remarkable community and to the opportunity of working in an area that, by its very nature, will reinforce the Califia Farms teams amazing creativity as it focuses on bringing delicious and healthy, planet-friendly beverages to market."

Named Brand of the Year in 2015 by BevNet, Califia Farms has doubled its sales every year since 2010, and is one of the fastest growing nut milk brands and the leading Ready-to-Drink coffee brand in the natural channel(1). Califia Farms is headed by beverage industry legend Greg Steltenpohl, who received the 2016 Specialty Foods Business Leadership Award and who has been named one of the Top 50 Disrupters in the beverage industry two years in a row.

The sleek, worker-friendly offices occupy a former warehouse close to the Little Tokyo Metro stop, are Title 24 Compliant for Energy Efficiency, feature abundant natural lighting, gallery space and indoor/outdoor bike racks to encourage more sustainable commuting and less reliance on cars.

Join the conversation with @CalifiaFarms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Califia Farms (pronounced Cal-lah-fee-ya, like California)

Inspired by the bounty of California, Califia Farms (http://www.califiafarms.com) mission is to innovate delicious plant-powered foods for mindful nourishment. The Company is a leader in the revolution to de-commodify the food and beverage industry by creating innovative, healthy and great-tasting premium beverages that make it easy for consumers to go plant-powered and dairy-free, without compromise. Founded in 2010 by a farmers co-operative based in the San Joaquin Valley and headed by beverage visionary Greg Steltenpohl, Califia Farms is a uniquely California company. Its Bakersfield, Calif. manufacturing plant, which uses artisanal processes to create healthy and delicious plant-based beverages, is eco-friendly, energy efficient and repurposes more than 90 percent of its post-production byproduct. Califia Farms is one of the fastest-growing natural beverage companies in the U.S., as well as the leading brand in the natural products coffee drinks and nutmilk categories. In 2015, Califia Farms was named Brand of the Year by BevNet and a Breakout Brand by Beverage World.

Califia Farms Media Relations

Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (949) 307-1723, melanie(at)mwebbcom(dot)com

Elizabeth Johnson, mWEBB Communications, (213)713-4865, elizabeth(at)mwebbcom(dot)com

(1) SPINS 3/20/17
Milgard provides windows to HomeAid America Our new national partnership with Milgard Windows & Doors will be a huge benefit to HomeAid by allowing us to build housing for homeless service providers at lower costs, said Peter Simons, CEO of HomeAid America.

Milgard Windows & Doors announces their partnership with HomeAid, a leading national non-profit provider of housing for homeless families and individuals in 11 states across the country.

The partnership consists of window donations supporting five upcoming projects located in Portland, Sacramento, Denver, and Orange County, California areas. The product donations help reduce construction costs for the builders that develop HomeAid homeless housing projects in 2016 that serve women, children, families and returning veterans.

This is the second year Milgard has worked with HomeAid. The first project was for HomeAid Portland and Service Provider, Yamhill Community Action Partnership, contributing 22 windows to Harvest House, a facility that serves homeless families and single women.

In the United States, more than 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year. As we work with HomeAid by donating Milgard window products we are making an effort to help alleviate homelessness in our local communities, said Jeremiah Noneman, marketing director for Milgard Windows & Doors.

Our new national partnership with Milgard Windows & Doors will be a huge benefit to HomeAid by allowing us to build housing for homeless service providers at lower costs, said Peter Simons, CEO of HomeAid America. The extremely generous donation of in-kind windows this year will allow these incredible charities to preserve capital to use on programs to get the situationally homeless back on their feet, which is what HomeAid is all about.

Learn more about this exciting partnership here: http://www.milgard.com/homeaid

About Milgard Windows & Doors Corporation

Milgard Windows & Doors, a Masco company based in Tacoma, Washington, offers a full line of vinyl, wood, fiberglass and aluminum windows and patio doors for builders, dealers and homeowners, all backed by a Full Lifetime Warranty, including parts and labor. The company has been recognized for manufacturing the nations highest quality vinyl windows eight times in a yearly survey sponsored by Hanley-Wood Inc., publishers of BUILDER Magazine. Milgard has approximately 3,800 dealer locations nationwide. For more information, visit milgard.com or call 1.800.MILGARD.

About Masco Corporation

Headquartered in Taylor, Michigan, Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS) is one of the worlds largest manufacturers of brand-name consumer products for the home and family. For more information, visit masco.com or call 313.274.7400.

About HomeAid America

HomeAid is a leading national non-profit provider of housing for homeless families and individuals with 16 chapters in 11 states across the country. Through the generosity of builders, their trades and their suppliers, HomeAid has completed over 440 housing projects nationwide at a value of more than $210 million, of which nearly 50 percent has been donated by the building industry. HomeAid currently has 46 additional projects in development across the country. HomeAids facilities have housed over 240,000 previously homeless people over the years, as well as provided a location for services that help these people get back on their feet. For more information about HomeAid, call 1-888-3HOMEAID or visit http://www.homeaid.org

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The fourth edition of the National Education Policy Centers annual report on online and blended learning schools provides a detailed overview and inventory of full-time virtual and blended learning schools, also called hybrid schools. Little rigorous research has examined the inner workings of these schools, but evidence indicates that students differ from those in traditional public schools, and that school outcomes are consistently below traditional public schools. Nevertheless, enrollment growth has continued, assisted by vigorous advertising campaigns, corporate lobbying, and favorable legislation.

Gary Miron, professor of evaluation, measurement, and research at Western Michigan University, and Charisse Gulosino, assistant professor of leadership and policy studies at the University of Memphis, are the authors of this years Virtual Schools Report 2016: Directory and Performance Review. This report provides a detailed census of full-time virtual and blended schools, including student demographics, state-specific school performance ratings, and a comparison of virtual school outcomes with state norms.

The scope of this study covers charter and district-operated virtual schools and blended learning schools. Miron notes that large private education management organizations dominate the full-time virtual sector and they are increasing their market share in the blended school sector. Districts are opening their own virtual and blended learning schools, although these are typically smaller and with limited enrollment relative to charter-operated virtual and blended schools.

Measures of school performance consistently show virtual school outcomes that lag significantly behind those of traditional brick-and-mortar schools, said Gulosino. While this finding did not surprise us, given past research with similar findings, we were surprised to find that blended schools tended to score similar or lower on performance measures than virtual schools.

The authors conclude that, given the rapid growth of virtual and blended schools and their relatively poor outcomes on widely used accountability measures, several recommendations should be followed:



Policymakers should slow or stop the growth in the number of virtual schools and blended schools and the size of their enrollments until the reasons for their relatively poor performance have been identified and addressed. States should place their first priority on understanding why virtual schools and blended schools perform weakly under a college- and career-ready accountability system and how their performance can be improved before undertaking any measures to expand these relatively new models of schooling.

Oversight authorities should hold virtual schools and blended schools to the same standards as other publicly funded schools, if they fail to improve performance.

Policymakers should require virtual schools and blended schools to devote more resources to instruction, particularly by specifying a maximum ratio of students to teachers.

State agencies should ensure that virtual schools and blended schools fully report data related to the population of students they serve and the teachers they employ.

State and federal policymakers should promote efforts to design new outcome measures appropriate to the unique characteristics of full-time virtual schools and blended schools. Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) represents an opportunity for those states with a growing virtual and blended school sector to improve upon their accountability systems for reporting data on school performance measures.

Policymakers and other stakeholders should support more research to identify which policy optionsespecially those impacting funding and accountability mechanismsare most likely to promote successful virtual schools and blended schools. More research is also needed to increase understanding of the inner workings of virtual and blended schools, including such factors as the curriculum and the nature of student-teacher interactions. Such research should help identify and remedy features that are negatively affecting student learning.

Find Virtual Schools Report 2016: Directory and Performance Review, by Gary Miron and Charisse Gulosino, on the web at:

http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/virtual-schools-annual-2016

The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, produces and disseminates high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions. Visit us at: http://nepc.colorado.edu

This research brief was made possible in part by support provided by the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice: http://www.greatlakescenter.org

Find Documents:

Press Release: http://nepc.info/node/7922

NEPC Publication: http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/virtual-schools-annual-2016
Port of Kalama industrial buildings for warehousing, manufacturing, distribution. We remain very attracted to the Port of Kalama and plan to continue our growth hereits the perfect location for our distribution logistics.

All American Containers LLC, one of the nations largest suppliers of glass, plastic and metal containers, continues to grow its distribution operations and hire new employees at Port of Kalama. AAC Pacific Coast, a division of All American Containers, moved into the 33,000 square foot Kalama facility in 2012 and continues to grow, adding locally-hired employees to its operations.

Continued growth of the wine, craft beer and spirits industry throughout the Pacific Northwest, makes Port of Kalama an ideal location for All American to serve its core customer base with bottles and packaging. All American also sees a regional uptick in demand for unique bottles for specialty products like olive oils, essential oils, all natural fruit juices and more.

We remain very attracted to the Port of Kalama and plan to continue our growth hereits the perfect location for our distribution logistics, says Stephanie Ramczyk, Business Development Manager for All American Containers AAC Wines west coast operations. The Port of Kalama is central to where we are distributing to our customers in Washington, Oregon and beyond. Access to all modes transportation here is huge, and the community is a terrific fit for usthe small, hometown feel suits us and much of our growth is still based on word-of-mouth.

Ramczyk adds that the company serves clients ranging from small customers looking for unique containers for home use to large customers requiring storage and numerous truckloads of AAC products per month.

All American launched operations in the Pacific Northwest after being awarded a distributorship with Kalamas Bennu Glass, a robust wine bottle manufacturer that just sold to Owens Illinois, one of the nations largest glass container manufacturers. All American continues to distribute products for Owens Illinois, which sees a boom in demand for bottles for the regional wine and craft beer industries.

Staff at the Port of Kalama truly care about making sure we are happy and successful as a companythey want to know how they can assist us and how they can make sure we have what we need to meet demand and growth, says Ramczyk.

All American Containers, Inc. is one of the largest suppliers of glass, plastic and metal containers, tubes and dispensers, and plastic and metal closures in the US. Their wine division carries a complete line of wine bottles, corks, and capsules in a wide selection of colors, shapes, styles, and sizes, with bicoastal warehouses servicing the entire United States.

All American Containers joins a growing number of industries and businesses who have found the Port of Kalama an ideal location to grow their businesses. The Port boasts a new Industrial Park and acres of shovel-ready land for manufacturing, technology, storage and many other uses. A 5-acre Marine Park stands out as a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Kalama is already banking on these features and more as it attracts new businesses to the amenity-rich industrial properties. Port officials cite several advantages for businesses like All American Containers to expand operations in Kalama including:



No state, corporate or personal income taxes

Collaborative, business-friendly environment

Affordable/competitive rates

Accessibility to all modes of transportation

Quality buildings, land on river/rail/Interstate

Quality of life, slow-paced, beautiful, quiet, hometown feel

Proximity to international airport at PDXjust 30 minutes away

About Port of Kalama  Where rail and water meet:

The Port of Kalama is located in Southwest Washington on the Columbia River and immediately off of Interstate Highway 5. The port exists to induce capital investment in an environmentally responsible manner to create jobs and to enhance public recreational opportunities. Port of Kalama's industrial area includes five miles of riverfront property adjacent to the 43' federally-maintained deep draft navigation channel of the Columbia River. The Port is served by the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads. There are over 30 businesses located at the Port of Kalama, employing over 1,000 people. Port of Kalama offers all the superior facilities businesses need to thrive, and an unsurpassed quality of life. The port offers shovel ready sites, a new Industrial Park, state of the art Marine Terminals and transportation accessibility to rail and highway all just a 30 minute drive to the Portland International Airport. Port of Kalama also offers high-bandwidth communications, with dual access fiber-optic service to Seattle and Portland. Properties currently available at the port for businesses wishing to expand and thrive: Visit http://portofkalama.com/available-properties/.

Contact: Liz Newman, marketing manager, Port of Kalama, 360-673-2379 or Claudia Johnson, PR, 503-799-2220.
Mapping the Mobile Moment The addition of Placed Attribution and Placed Revenue helps us bridge the gap between online engagement and real-world purchase behavior to help our clients truly own their most meaningful mobile moments.

In order to better understand and capitalize on consumers path to purchase, Go2mobi has leveraged the rapidly growing concept of mobile moments with a proprietary technology called MomentMatch. Go2mobis partnership with Placed, takes MomentMatch reporting a step further, allowing them to attribute in-store visits and revenue, directly to the mobile moment messaging that drove the real-world engagement.

MomentMatch uses first-party, mobile-originated location data tied to personified device ids to break down consumers mobile life map into five core, consumer specific locations: home, work, commuting, out and about, and travelling. Then by layering on variable moment factors, such as POI proximity, local time, digital context, weather and local events, Go2mobi is able to target each moment on its own terms, dynamically serving custom creative that reflects the moment in order to drive increased engagement.

Tom Desaulniers, Go2mobi Co-founder and President commented, We see MomentMatch as the logical evolution of our mobile advertising platform, which is based on the idea that a granular understanding of data can provide meaningful lifts in performance. By categorizing and contextualizing real-time moments tied to specific device id profiles, were able to process consumer behavior at a very granular, individualized level. He added the addition of Placed Attribution and Placed Revenue helps us bridge the gap between online engagement and real-world purchase behavior to help our clients truly own their most meaningful mobile moments.

David Shim, Founder and CEO of Placed states, Go2mobis unique moment approach combined with Placed Attribution delivers a closed loop solution to truly measure ROI both on and offline. Go2mobis understanding of the moments that drive engagement, are now quantified with Placed Attribution, enabling advertisers to understand the mobile moments that matter when driving consumers into the store and purchasing.

Go2mobis Placed integration is notable because it leverages the real-world aspect of Placeds Attribution in a synergistic fashion with its own real-time segmentation technology, MomentMatch. Placed Optimization enables Go2mobi to optimize campaigns based on store visitation and revenue inflight versus post-campaign.

Go2mobis robust MomentMatch reporting, which offers complete performance stats on four pre-defined Perfect Mobile Moments as well as on dozens of other factors such as whether engaged users are at home, at work or shopping, what other points of interest are nearby, the weather and much more, is bolstered by Placeds in-store and revenue attribution, allowing Go2mobi to close the attribution loop and to report on both online engagement and offline foot traffic and revenue metrics.

Go2mobi, which began in 2011, as a performance marketing company offering what it calls "the most performance focused self-serve mobile media buying interface available" has always put a strong focus metrics beyond simple consumer engagement or CTR, urging clients to focus on deeper funnel metrics such as install, purchase or rich media functionality such as add to calendar tap to map features. Desaulniers comments Our integration with Placed goes well beyond traditional online metrics and allows our clients to truly see the advertising efforts that move the needle for their brands.

About Go2mobi

Go2mobi, a member of the H.I.G. Capital digital media portfolio, is a mobile advertising technology company that is changing the way brands think about mobile engagement. Go2mobi used their proprietary MomentMatch technology to serve dynamically customized ads, to well-targeted consumers in the moments of high receptivity. Go2mobi helps brands own the mobile moments that matter.

Go2mobis MomentMatch is the real-time segmentation component to their well-established DMP that gathers trillions of mobile-originated, first-party data points, contextualizing them into over 450MM 60-day fresh, multi-dimensional consumer personas.

Founded in 2011, funded by H.I.G Capital in 2015 and headquartered in Victoria, BC with offices in New York City and Vancouver, Go2mobi is constantly creating repeat customers by producing impressive results and providing industry leading campaign insights.

Visit Go2mobi.com for more information about MomentMatch.

About Placed

Placed Inc. is the leader in location-driven insights and ad intelligence. Measuring billions of locations across the world's largest opt-in location audience, Placed provides the most comprehensive understanding of consumers' offline behaviors. Connecting the physical and digital worlds, Placed is the industry standard currency for brands, agencies, and publishers to measure ad exposure to store visit, target location at scale, and deliver actionable insights into consumer behavior.

Founded in January 2011, Placed is headquartered in Seattle and is backed by Madrona Venture Group and Two Sigma Ventures.
Its not just huge catastrophic events that can wreak havoc on your business. The loss of precious company equipment, a data threat, or even damage to company property stored at your home can have a huge impact on the future of your business

Mike Glavin, Founder of City Floor Supply (formerly Philadelphia Floor Store) will host a Disaster Recovery Seminar at the National Wood Flooring Associations (NWFA) 2016 Wood Flooring Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mikes presentation  9 Steps that will Save Your Business Should Disaster Strike  is scheduled for Thursday April 28th from 9:15am to 10:30am.

Mr. Glavin knows first-hand what it takes to withstand a disastrous business event. He is currently in the process of rebuilding after fire in May of 2015 leveled his companys headquarters and distribution center. While thankfully no one was injured, the company suffered immeasurable losses in terms of assets and inventory. Glavin credits his disaster recovery plan as the single most important reason he was able to get his business back up and running within days.

Mr. Glavin will offer an inside look at the City Floor Supply recovery process and offer advice for other business owners on how they can protect themselves from potential disaster. According to Glavin, Its not just huge catastrophic events that can wreak havoc on your business. The loss of precious company equipment, a data threat or computer virus, or even damage to company property stored at your home office or garage can have a huge impact on the future of your business. Mikes presentation will cover these topics and more and will have something to offer everyone from hardwood floor contractors and dealers, to distributors and manufactures.

Seminar attendees will also receive an advance hard copy of City Floor Supplys soon to be released e-Guide  11 Ways to Market Your Hardwood Floor Business on the Internet - (click here for the electronic version), a checklist designed to help formulate a disaster recovery plan, and a surprise gift that attendees can use to implement a disaster plan immediately following the convention.

About City Floor Supply (CFS)

City Floor Supply (CFS) is a leading provider of unfinished and prefinished hardwood flooring and accessories including stains, finishes, abrasives, flooring tools, and sanding equipment. Family owned and operated, CFS has been serving hardwood flooring contractors for more than 25 years and provides the expertise needed to install and maintain hardwood floors.

The company offers all the top name manufactures including, Aacer, Century, Norton, Lagler, 3M, Clarke, Bona, Basic, Primatech, Bostick, and more. The companys in-house resources include a top-ranked Machine Repair Center, Rental Center, In-house Chemist, and Gym Floor and Wood Floor Consultants. CFS educates customers via personalized service, online training materials, videos, and free events. Visit the CFS showroom opening soon in King of Prussia, PA or shop online http://www.cityfloorsupply.com.

For product information and training videos, visit the companys YouTube channel or Blog. For media inquiries, contact Caran Baxter at caran.baxter(at)cityfloorsupply(dot)com or call 610-940-5757.
Alfred Music, the worlds largest educational music publisher, announced today that it is joining the Peaksware Holdings, LLC portfolio of companies which includes MakeMusic, bringing together the leaders in educational music publishing and music technology.

Alfred Music and MakeMusic will continue to operate independently while sharing resources within the Peaksware group to advance innovations, provide additional content, and leverage distribution channels. MakeMusic will remain steadfast in its long-standing commitment to work equally with all publishing partners to provide the highest level of quality content for musicians and educators within SmartMusic.

Our long-term goal at Peaksware is to build an end-to-end ecosystem that connects composers, publishers, educators, directors, and musicians, explained Peaksware CEO Gear Fisher. Alfred brings additional distribution opportunities for artists and composers while expanding the repertoire within SmartMusic for teachers and musicians.

We are excited about working with the Peaksware portfolio of companies and more closely with MakeMusic to significantly enhance Alfred Musics mission since 1922 of helping the world experience the joy of making music, said Ron Manus, CEO and Chairman of Alfred Music. The combination of the industrys leading music education publisher with the industrys leading technology innovator will excite the entire music community. This is great news for our customers, publishing partners, composers, arrangers, and musicians who will benefit from working with both companies.

Alfred Music produces educational, reference, pop, and performance materials for teachers, students, professionals, and hobbyists spanning every musical instrument, style, and difficulty level. Alfred Music has over 150,000 active titles which represent a wide range of well-known publicationsfrom methods like Alfreds Basic Guitar, Alfreds Basic Piano Library, Premier Piano Course, Music for Little Mozarts, Sound Innovations, and Suzuki, to artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Green Day, Katy Perry, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Who, to brands like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Wizard of Oz, Rolling Stone magazine, and Billboard.

Alfred Musics customers and industry partners should expect business to continue as usual with no immediate changes. The main office will remain in Van Nuys, California and additional offices will stay in their current New York, Miami, UK, Singapore, and Germany locations.

We are very excited by the opportunity to work more closely with Alfred Music on many levels. said Fred Flowerday, Vice President of Product Strategy for MakeMusic. Expanding the breadth and depth of content available in SmartMusic is exactly what our customers are requesting. Additionally, by combining our strengths, expertise, and experience, we are developing an ecosystem that paves the way forward for all publishing partners, composers, teachers and musicians.

MakeMusic owns some of the most advanced and patented technology solutions to support the composing, arranging, teaching, learning, and playing of music. Regular updates and innovations to Finale make it the industry standard for music notation software and the trusted creation tool for composers and arrangers around the world. With more than one million students and 20,000 teachers, SmartMusic is at the forefront of interactive learning technologies for the classroom. And, with their recent acquisition of Weezic, an Augmented Sheet Music innovator, SmartMusic will now be available wherever musicians are  on the web, Chromebooks, iPads, Mac and PC.

To stay current with further developments, visit the Alfred Music Ledger Lines blog, the SmartMusic blog or follow Alfred on Twitter and MakeMusic on Twitter.

Contacts:

Jeremy Duerksen

Chief Marketing Officer

Peaksware Holdings, LLC

303-437-9652

jeremy(at)peaksware.com

Andrew Surmani

Chief Marketing Officer

Alfred Music

(818) 891-5999 x278

asurmani(at)alfred.com

Sonia Bertek

Director of Marketing

MakeMusic, Inc

(612) 875-1636

sbertek(at)makemusic.com

About Peaksware

Peaksware brings together industry leading brands to help guide people along their journey of skill acquisition. Each company within the Peaksware umbrella organization develops software platforms to connect creators, instructors, and performers allowing them to publish, teach, and practice using the proven principles of deliberate practice: set a specific goal, get expert instruction, perform focused practice, and receive immediate feedback. This shared approach is the common thread connecting the brands across their unique market verticals. Additional information can be found at http://www.peaksware.com.

About Alfred Music

Alfred Music is the worlds largest educational music publisher. Alfred Music produces educational, reference, pop, and performance materials for teachers, students, professionals, and hobbyists spanning every musical instrument, style, and difficulty level. Alfred Musics home office is located in Los Angeles, with domestic offices in Miami and New York, as well as offices around the world, including Germany, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Additional information can be found at http://www.alfred.com.

About MakeMusic, Inc.

MakeMusic, Inc. is a world leader in music technology whose mission is to develop and market solutions that transform how music is composed, taught, learned, and performed. For more than 25 years, Finale has been the industry standard in music notation software, enabling musicians worldwide to create, edit, audition, print, and publish musical scores. MakeMusics SmartMusic interactive music learning software transforms the way students practice. With an online library of thousands of band, orchestra, and vocal pieces, students practice with background accompaniment and receive immediate feedback on their performance. Teachers leverage SmartMusic to individualize instruction and document the progress of every student. MakeMusic is also the creator of Garritan sound libraries, providing state-of-the-art virtual instruments with the playback quality of a live performance, and MusicXML, the internet-friendly way to publish musical scores, distribute interactive sheet music, and share music notation with a wide variety of software programs. Additional information can be found at http://www.makemusic.com.
KickFire Kadavu The KickFire Kadavu is the best kite for kids. It soars like a bird in the skies and provides hours of fun in the breeze and the sun.

KickFire Classics, a toy manufacturing company committed to creating fun, quality toys that encourage children to unplug from technology & engage in active play, released a new specialty kite for kids. The KickFire Kadavu Kite is a premium delta kite that is easy to get up and keep up in the air.

Named in honor of the tropical Fijian bird, the KickFire Kadavu kite features a wingspan of almost 6 feet, and stretches 10 feet from top to tail. The multi-colored kite is made from durable, rip-stop nylon and comes with a plastic reel, 100 ft of string, and a convenient carry and store kite bag.

When asked about the Kadavu, KickFire Classics CEO, Janelle Page Misbach, explained, We wanted to create the best kite for kids. One that would be easy for children to fly all by themselves, and one that would turn heads of passersby as it soared in the sky. The Kadavu does just that. Our feedback from parents and children has been fantastic!

The KickFire Kadavu is easy to assemble and comes with a quick-start online video tutorial from KickFire Classics very own resident kite flying expert, Luke Kitewalker. Luke shows users how to uncage their Kadavu and how to get her soaring high in the sky! Luke Kitewalker also appears in the companys kite infomercial, which features product pictures, video footage of the kite in use, and highlights the many features and benefits of the Kadavu kite. You can watch the video on YouTube by clicking here

With kite season in full swing, Tyler Seamons, KickFire Classics COO, stated, It has been exciting to see our Amazon sales soar. What parent doesnt want a hassle-free kite that provides hours of fun in the breeze and the sun? We definitely suggest buying more than one!

About KickFire Classics:

KickFire Classics is a toy manufacturing company in Kaysville, Utah committed to creating high-quality toys for kids that provide a break from technology and challenge children to get outside and play. Some of our most popular toys include the KickFire Kadavu Kite with Luke Kitewalker, the KickFire Diabolos Chinese yoyo with Ty the Diabolo Guy, and the Banded Bandit rubber band gun featuring Cowboy Cory. If you are looking for great gifts for your children or grandkids, check out our full line of KickFire Classics toys at KickFireClassics.com.

Contact Info

Name: Janelle Page Misbach

Organization: KickFire Classics

Website: http://kickfireclassics.com

Email: crew(at)kickfireclassics.com

Phone: 801-800-8608

Country: United States
The Aerospace and Defense Summit is considered one of the most important events in the global aerospace industry each year. Previous years have brought together more than 900 companies from 40 countries worldwide. This year, the event featured a special focus on Boeings 100th year celebration.

The Baja California delegation met with more than 50 key aerospace companies, as well as with representatives from 10 clusters and 35 chambers and associations during the two-day event.

Through participating in the Forum, the delegation was able to identify potential companies that could benefit from manufacturing operations within Baja California as a viable solution to the competitive and cost challenges they face. Additionally, the delegation was able to identify potential suppliers to satisfy the demands of local industries within the state that accounts for 32.5 billions in imports annually.

The global aerospace industry is projected to grow at just 3% in 2016, and according to a Deloittes report companies are facing the challenge of increasing profits in a slow-growing market without risking quality. Manufacturing in Baja California represents a cost-competitive solution, integrating compliance, experience, engineering talent availability and a free trade network of 45 potential markets.

Currently, the US is the leader in this sector and the state of Washington represents the largest cluster in the country, said Cristina Hermosillo, president of the Tijuana EDC. We came to share the competitive advantages of manufacturing in Mexicos top state for the aerospace sector.

Baja California has developed a strong manufacturing base to serve the aerospace and defense industry. In Tijuana alone, there are currently more than 37 aerospace companies operating which generate more than 11,600 jobs making the city the countrys largest concentration in the sector.

Fifty years of experience in aerospace manufacturing is reflected in the growing base of ISO 9100 and NADCAP certified companies with capabilities for metal mechanics, electronics, plastics and composites materials.

Baja California continues to prove its competitiveness in aerospace and defense manufacturing and will continue to be a part of this event and others with the objective to communicate the message that Tijuana and Baja California provide a viable solution to operating cost, proximity and talent availability challenges faced by the global aerospace industry.

About TIJUANA EDC: Founded in 1989, the non-profit Tijuana Economic Development Corporation (DEITAC as its acronym in Spanish) has been dedicated to helping manufacturing companies take advantage of the benefits found in Tijuana. With over 100 private-sector members from both sides of the border who are experts in areas like industrial development, construction, law, accounting, custom brokerage and logistics, maquiladora/shelter services and more, the Tijuana EDC can help your company map out a new path to profits and competitiveness.
Portugal Yoga Teacher Training

Drishti Yoga International Teacher Training has been training Yoga Teachers around the Globe offering 200 hour Yoga Alliance approved courses since 2012. Today they announced that they will now take their trainings to the next level offering more advanced and in depth modules - starting with an advanced 100hr Portugal yoga teacher training module. Sarah Walsh, Co- Founder of Drishti Yoga Teacher Training, explains, We have spent these last few years training people how to teach Yoga with our 200 hour courses which is really just the tip of the Iceberg in terms ones education and training as a professional Yoga Teacher. We are excited to take our students deeper and enhance their offerings as teachers with more knowledge and more tools.

"We are looking forward to holding our first 100 hour advanced module in the beautiful country of Portugal in the summer of 2016," said Beams Co-Founder Carri Uranga. "I spent some time there last year and it is a perfect setting to get away and immerse yourself in Yoga studies while soaking in the beautiful surrounding beaches!" The course is for those who have already completed their 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at another school or from Drishti and looking to work towards their 500 hr. accreditation or simply to further their education.

The 100 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training runs from July 4th until July 17th 2016 in Columbeira, Portugal at Buddha Retreats. The course is a 100 hr. Advanced Yoga Alliance Vinyasa Teacher Training intensive with foundations in Ashtanga Yoga and a focus on Prenatal Yoga.

About Drishti Yoga Teacher Training

Discover the impact of intimate personal attention combined with focused training in exotic locations with Drishti Yoga Teacher Training. Combine your passion for Yoga and your love of travel to create a transformative experience on and off the mat.

Upcoming trainings will be in Portugal from July 4th- July 17th 2016, Greece from July 17th - August 10th, Napa Valley, California from August 26th- September 2nd 2016. For detailed information on these trainings and to find how else Drishti is making a ripple effect in the Global Yoga Community visit us DrishtiYogaTeacherTraining.com
Performance Visualization Raymond Chiu CTO of Local Backhaul Networks stated This new release provides over 20 enhancements directly tied to the input from our widespread customer base that will grow the return they are receiving from the OcularIP platform.

Local Backhaul Networks, http://www.localbackhaul.com, the leading provider of service assurance measurement, reporting and portal solutions, today announced the availability of OcularIP4.0. Raymond Chiu CTO of Local Backhaul Networks stated This new release provides over 20 enhancements directly tied to the input from our widespread customer base that will grow the return they are receiving from the OcularIP platform. Through OcularIPs automated update service, customers were upgraded automatically allowing them to effortlessly take advantage of advanced analytics, trending, enriched visualization to improve network performance and optimize their customers experience.

OcularIP4.0 enhancements include:

Circuit/Service Ranking - Identifies the percentile of service delivery against all other circuits or services. Carriers can address the lowest performing circuits at all times, directing their resources to resolve worst performing services before issues occur. This is in addition to OcularIPs current compliance analytics including SLAs, baselines, and application performance. Automatic performance ranking is a mandatory foundation for carriers looking to migrate to LSO, NFV and SDN.

Smart Maintenance - Industry SLAs are becoming more and more stringent. Smart maintenance helps carriers by calculating actual downtime within a maintenance period versus excluding the entire maintenance window. If a carrier has a 3-hour maintenance window and the circuit is only unavailable for 20 minutes, the operational 160 minutes are added back into the availability period for the computation, potentially making the difference between a pass or fail.

Custom Graphing - Leverages OcularIPs ability to build custom dashboards by user selection of KPIs, circuits, and time frames. Users can now generate multi-faceted graphs tied to these dashboards. This function is ideal to meet the needs of operations, product management, executives and customers. Furthermore, as Custom Graphing is a natural extension of OcularIPs customer portal, pre-determined dashboard graphs can be enabled for specific customers.

Forecast Trends - Enables users to trend performance of any KPIs over any selected time frames. An example is a user defined OcularIP notification that latency has exceeded baselines by 1ms. Today, this has no impact on circuit performance. However by simply selecting the performance trend bar, users can analyze future forecast and see that in 40 days this trend may become service impacting. Forecasting for bandwidth is invaluable as well. This feature is included in OcularIP4.0.

Expanded REST APIs - Automation & Orchestration for SDN/NFV environments is paramount as Carriers are building their LSO services and systems to offer to their customers. OcularIPs open standard REST APIs enable Carriers to seamlessly integrate their BSS/OSS systems for billing, inventory, provisioning, and ticketing management. The new Circuit Management & Provisioning API enables full dynamic SDN-circuit management and high precision SLA Service Assurance.

Most Technologies - OcularIP now supports 284 technologies in OcularIP4.0.

On Demand Licenses - Allows OcularIP users to purchase what they need, when they need it, direct from the portal. Carriers can now align license purchases with their business success.

About Local Backhaul Networks

Local Backhaul Networks provides network software platforms and professional engineering services that enable service providers to succeed in the fast growing market segments of mobile backhaul, Ethernet business and cloud services. Local Backhaul Networks solutions include: OcularIP, the industrys leading circuit performance monitoring and reporting portal, and W.O.O.D (Workflow Operations Optimization Database). Local Backhaul Networks provides engineering services and software solutions to the nations largest wireless carriers, MSOs, IOCs, IXCs and enterprises and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information, contact: http://www.localbackhaulnetworks.com.

All descriptions and specifications are intended for general information. Some features may be optional. All names, products and trademarks are used for identification purposes only and are the property of the respective owners.
CMD's complimentary webcast features chief economists from AIA, AGC and CMD. During the webcast, well discuss pent-up demand and if we think were close to reaching a point where there will be a surge in construction activity level

CMD, one of the leading providers of construction information in North America, today announced its spring economic webcast, Is Construction Gaining or Waning? The complimentary webcast - featuring industry-leading chief economists Kermit Baker of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Ken Simonson of The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Alex Carrick of CMD - will take place at 2 p.m. EDT on May 5.

With construction activity lagging behind the overall economy, the webcast will reveal what economists in the construction industry expect in the months ahead. All three economists will take questions in the last half hour of the session.

The improvement in the construction industry hasnt been nearly as strong as in the past, after a big dip, said Alex Carrick, U.S. chief economist for CMD. During the webcast, well discuss pent-up demand and if we think were close to reaching a point where there will be a surge in construction activity levels.

The webcast will cover numerous other topics as well that are important to the construction industry including:



Trends driving construction growth

Competition for skilled labor

Housing potential

Regions showing the largest gains and losses

Biggest opportunities and risks

To take part in the webcast, register here. AIA members who attend the live broadcast will receive AIA CEU credit, and all registered participants can download the presentation slides and view the webcast archive.

About The American Institute of Architects

For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct to ensure the highest standards in professional practice. Embracing their responsibility to serve society, AIA members engage civic and government leaders and the public in helping find needed solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit the AIA website at aia.org.

About The Associated General Contractors of America

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is a national trade association, dedicated to furthering the ever-changing agenda of commercial construction contractors, improving job site safety, expanding the use of cutting-edge technologies and techniques, and strengthening the dialogue between contractors and owners. Founded in 1918, the AGC today represents more than 33,500 member firms, including 7,500 of Americas leading general contractors and over 13,000 specialty-contracting firms. Visit the AGC website at agc.org.

About CMD

CMD, the Innovation Partner of the AIA, is a leading North American provider of construction information. CMDs diverse portfolio of innovative products and technologies includes national, regional and local project leads, marketing solutions and market intelligence to provide insight to construction industry professionals throughout the U.S. and Canada. Visit the CMD website at cmdgroup.com.
Novo Dia Group, Inc. (NDG), a leader in developing mobile payment solutions, announced today that it has obtained a Level 3 EMV certification. This certification allows merchants using the NDG Mobile Market+ application to securely process EMV transactions via a mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) system NDG Mobile Market+. The addition of EMV technology will allow merchants a safer way to accept payments. Using EMV chip cards makes it nearly impossible to replicate the card and significantly reduces the instances of electronic fraud.

NDGs latest certification indicates our commitment to ensure that merchants have the strongest level of card data protection, as well as the resources to make the transition to EMV technology as easy as possible, said Josh Wiles, president of Novo Dia Group. It keeps our merchants ahead of the curve and makes the Mobile Market+ suite of applications the most comprehensive mPOS solution in the country.

Offering the only USDA certified mPOS solution, the NDG Mobile Market+ application gives registered farmers markets and direct marketing farmers, mobile vendors and small retailers the ability to quickly and safely accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on-site. More than one-third of registered farmers markets and direct marketing farmers in the U.S. use the NDG Mobile Market+ application.

In the last 18 months more than 2,000 farmers markets and direct marketing farmers signed up for NDG Mobile Market+ through the MarketLink program. MarketLink is a program of the National Association of Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (NAFMNP) that assists farmers and markets with accepting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) and electronic payments. Founded in 2013 in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture, MarketLink has helped more than 3,000 farmers and markets accept electronic payments - including more than $1m in SNAP sales.

About NDGs Mobile Market+

NDGs Mobile Market+ application was developed for merchants who need the ability to process government benefit cards as well as other tender types. Used by farmers markets, retailers and mobile vendors across all 50 states, it is the only mPOS application certified by the USDA. Mobile Market+ is the only mPOS solution supporting credit, debit, SNAP, FMNP, WIC EBT (offline & online), EBT Cash, and loyalty transaction types.

About Novo Dia Group, Inc.

Novo Dia Group, Inc. (NDG) is an industry leader in developing mobile payment solutions, with a specialized niche in the electronic delivery and processing of government benefits payments. Based in Austin, TX, NDG has participated in more than 100 government payment programs in more than 40 states. For more information, please visit http://www.novodiagroup.com.
If the network connectivity can be determined through data analytics, rather than by the current labor intensive method, then the savings would be over 10 million for the SSEPD network

Bit Stew Systems, developer of the premier platform that solves the data integration challenge in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), today announced the signing of Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) in Europe.

SSEPD services 3.7 million customers across Scotland and Southern England. Similar to other UK distribution network operators, SSEPD receives a Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) as part of the RIIO price control mechanism to invest in innovations that deliver operational or commercial benefit. SSEPD decided to improve the companys utility network situational awareness by leveraging the artificial intelligence capabilities of Bit Stews MIx product portfolio.

David MacLeman, Distribution R&D Manager at SSEPD, says We are working with Bit Stew Systems to trial an application of their innovative technology on our distribution network. The project will improve our understanding of how data analytics can be used to ensure we continue to provide a safe, secure and reliable electricity supply to our customers.

Bit Stew provides SSEPD faster time to resolution

The utility is using Bit Stews technology to analyse meter and geographical information system (GIS) data from across the energy network to derive a reliable connectivity model. This information will help to ensure optimal service uptime for customers and faster time to resolution when an outage occurs.

We are very excited to share our experience and leadership in building a purpose-built IIoT solution with SSEPD and to help them address data integration and analysis challenges related to their AMI roll-out, says Michele Morgan, Managing Director, Europe at Bit Stew.

If the network connectivity can be determined through data analytics, rather than by the current labor intensive method, then the savings would be over 10 million for the SSEPD network. Our technology will also provide the utility with improved customer service by enabling more accurate energy restoration estimates.

Bit Stew helps drive the future of smart energy performance with BC Hydro

Bit Stew Systems has deep experience working closely with BC Hydro, a Canadian electrical utility serving 1.8 million customers, and many other leading utilities around the globe on their smart meter roll outs and data architecture challenges. BC Hydro partnered with Bit Stew to help design a data architecture that would bring together data from not only its nearly 2 million smart meters, but also more than 30 different operational and IT systems, including homegrown and legacy systems. By implementing Bit Stews MIx Core platform, BC Hydro has been able to quickly and easily integrate AMI and other data from the smart grid along with data from grid-asset health tracking systems, distribution management systems, field dispatch systems, work order management systems including SAP, customer information systems, and more. The improved intelligence about energy consumption and grid performance provided by Bit Stews MIx solutions have enabled BC Hydro to create a self-forming and self-healing grid, and improve energy performance throughout British Columbia.

Today, BC Hydros smart meter deployment is recognized by the global utility industry as the standard of excellence for smart grids and we are proud of Bit Stews role in their success, adds Michele.

About Bit Stew Systems

Bit Stew provides the premier platform for handling complex data integration, data analysis, and predictive automation for connected devices on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Purpose-built for the IIoT, Bit Stews MIx Core platform solves the data integration challenge at scale for complex industrial data environments. In 2015, Bit Stew was named to Greentech Medias Grid Edge 20 list, as one of the top 20 innovators architecting the future of the electric power industry, and was ranked as one of the Top 100 Analytics Companies and Top 100 IoT Startups by Forbes. Incorporated in 2009, Bit Stew is a venture-backed private company that is headquartered in Canada with offices in the USA, Australia and Europe. Visit http://www.bitstew.com to learn more.

For more information, contact:

Karen Dosanjh, Senior Director, Marketing & Communications

Bit Stew Systems

Phone: (604) 328-5171

kdosanjh(at)bitstew(dot)com
The purpose of TEDx events is to spread ideas. To innovate. To inspire. When I was asked to speak at TEDxASU, I knew that the book would be a perfect complement to my talk.

Author, Dr. John Shufeldt announces release of LeadershipYOU print and eBook in conjunction with the TEDxASU event, where he will be speaking on April 23, 2016. His talk, titled, The Question We Need to Stop Asking Our Children, will touch on the importance of encouraging young men and women to avoid single-focused career paths, and to broaden their horizons when dreaming up their futures. LeadershipYOU, Dr. Shufeldts sixth book, is a 10 chapter how-to guide on self-leadership.

The premise of the LeadershipYOU book is that everyone has the ability to flip the switch in their life and take control of their future, says author Dr. Shufeldt. It is a book intended to inspire readers to own their future by following a few guiding principles," says Dr. Shufeldt about the book release.

Dr. Shufeldt says,The purpose of TEDx events is to spread ideas. To innovate. To inspire. When I was asked to speak at TEDxASU, I knew that the book would be a perfect complement to my talk.

Shufeldt, who is a doctor, lawyer, entrepreneur, speaker, author, pilot, and more, is hoping to inspire young people through this TEDxASU talk. He believes that by asking young people questions like What do you want to be when you grow up?, children tend to think that they must only choose one career. Shufeldts background makes him the perfect person to start this conversation.

Amanda Best, Director of Operations at Outliers Publishing, has worked with Dr. Shufeldt on all six of his books in the Outlier Series. As the years have passed, I have been inspired by watching John pursue the things he is passionate about, and continue on in success with each new endeavor. He often says he doesnt feel like hes working, so he packs a lot into one day. I believe his talk will explain how he has accomplished so much with the simple mindset that you arent limited to one career path. The upcoming book, LeadershipYOU distills his thoughts on career and self-leadership, says Best.

TEDxASU is sold out, but live stream video will be available at http://www.tedxasu.com Saturday, April 23rd, 2016, 9:45am-2pmPT.

For media inquiries about TEDxASU, contact Melody Serafino at TEDxPR(at)ted(dot)com.

For book information, or to purchase LeadershipYOU after April 23rd, visit http://www.ingredientsofoutliers.com/leadership-you-online-courses/. For media inquiries, contact abest(at)ingredientsofoutliers(dot)com.

About LeadershipYOU

The goal of LeadershipYOU is to help individuals have an amazing life. The project uses multiple media platforms including a book, website, and MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) to guide, and inspire, individuals on their journey to living a life in which they will find satisfaction and success. The LeadershipYOU project was created by author, speaker, entrepreneur, doctor, pilot Dr. John Shufeldt, MD, JD, MBA, FACEP, who shares inspirational and instructional stories not only from his own life, but also of other self-leaders. Using a variety of communication platforms, Dr. Shufeldt breaks down the leadership qualities and skills necessary for attaining ones most amazing future.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or fewer) delivered by today's leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED's annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, and made available, free, on TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

TED's open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from thousands of volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed; the annual million-dollarTED Prize, which funds exceptional individuals with a "wish," or idea, to create change in the world; TEDx, which provides licenses to thousands of individuals and groups who host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED or Instagram at https://instagram.com/ted.
Closing the racial gap in privately held firms with employees would add 9 million jobs and $300 billion in worker income to the U.S. economy, according to The Color of Entrepreneurship: Why the Racial Gap among Firms Costs the U.S. Billions, released today by the Center for Global Policy Solutions (CGPS).

The economy at large suffers as a result of the underrepresentation of people of color among business owners with employees relative to their share of the labor force, said Algernon Austin, the reports author and a Senior Research Fellow at CGPS. Interest in entrepreneurship among people of color is quite strong, but access to the resources to do it successfully is often a challenge. If we create the economic and social circumstances for these individuals to start and grow their businesses, society overall can benefit from more jobs, less poverty, and greater economic output.

The Color of Entrepreneurship uses data from the U.S. Census Bureaus Survey of Business Owners to examine changes in the economic status of privately held businesses owned by people of color during the depths of the Great Recession, between 2007 and 2012. It presents findings by race, ethnicity, and gender, and offers policy recommendations to expand access to entrepreneurship, including:



provide a tax credit to promote venture capital investments in minority businesses;

provide a tax credit for new low-income entrepreneurs; and

encourage the use by credit rating agencies of alternative data such as rent and utility payments in establishing credit histories.

The report explores average annual sales, average annual pay per employee, number of paid employees, the firms that have added jobs and those that have lost jobs between 2007 and 2012.

Additional key findings include:

Non-white businesses with employees added over 70 percent of the total 1.8 million jobs created by privately held businesses between 2007 and 2012. White-owned privately held businesses employed 51 million people in 2012, which was about 2.5 million less than in 2007.

Asian American womens firms had the strongest numerical growth37.6 percent.

Black womens firms had the largest decline in average annual sales30 percent.

Among firms owned by men of color, black men were the only group that registered a decline in the number of businesses2.3 percent.

Among businesses of color, average sales grew most for Latino mens firms7.2 percent.

Among the factors that lead to business success are existing family wealth that can be invested as startup capital, work experience in a business owned by a family member, college education, and being foreign-born.

The release of the report kicks off the 2016 Color of Wealth Summit, comprised of the 3rd annual Asset Builder Champion Awards (ABC Awards) on the evening of April 20 and Inclusion Revolution: Race, Economic Mobility and the Future of America, which is free and open to the public (click here to register), on April 21. The ABC Awards will honor U.S. Representative Maxine Waters; Pitzer College President-Elect Melvin Oliver; First Nations Development Institute President Michael E. Roberts; and Highlander Research and Education Center Board Member Meizhu Lui for their significant contributions to addressing racial wealth disparities nationwide.

Inclusion Revolution: Race, Economic Mobility and the Future of America will convene leading policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, the media and public in dialogue about the racial wealth gap and solutions for strengthening entrepreneurship and economic development in communities of color. In addition to panels on Banking on Business to Close the Racial Wealth Gap: Strengthening Entrepreneurship in Communities of Color and Equity-Centered Development: Inclusive Strategies for Building and Improving Low-Income Communities, the day will feature Sharkathon: Chewing Over Innovative Ideas for an Inclusive Economy, an interactive session of entrepreneurs with ideas to bring vulnerable populations into the financial mainstream and business leaders (sharks) who will vet the ideas and offer an insiders perspective on what makes a proposal investment-worthy. One Sharkathon winner will receive a $10,000 planning grant generously provided by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

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The Center for Global Policy Solutions is a 501(c)(3) think tank and action organization that labors in pursuit of a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive world in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive in safe and sustainable environments.
When adding new members to our team, we look for candidates with exceptional knowledge in their field, excellent leadership skills and a continual ambition to advance themselves personally and professionally. Todd exemplifies all of these traits.

Heartland Dental, LLC, the largest dental support organization in the country, recently welcomed Todd Petersen as its chief human resources officer.

We are very excited to welcome Todd Petersen to the Heartland Dental executive team, said Rick Workman, DMD, Heartland Dental founder and active executive chairman. The success of our company is a direct result of our culture, which is based on creating value for supported doctors and team members. It is vital we communicate this culture internally and externally. With Todds knowledge and experience, he will help us continually advance in this area.

Mr. Petersen brings over 25 years of experience in organizational growth, finance and sales. Prior to joining Heartland Dental, he was the co-founder, president and chief operations officer for Firelands Group, LLC. He has also held key leadership roles at companies such as Coventry Health Care and others. Mr. Petersen received his MBA from the University of Illinois, as well as a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Missouri.

When adding new members to our team, we look for candidates with exceptional knowledge in their field, excellent leadership skills and a continual ambition to advance themselves personally and professionally. Todd exemplifies all of these traits, added Patrick Bauer, president and chief executive officer of Heartland Dental.

In his role as chief human resources officer, he is responsible for leading a world class human resources model to support growth, advancing the recruiting and selection process, continually building the companys organizational structure and enhancing the overall culture of Heartland Dental. He is based at the organizations headquarters in Effingham, Illinois.

About Heartland Dental

Heartland Dental, LLC is the largest dental support organization in the United States with more than 725 supported dental offices located in 32 states. Based in Effingham, Illinois and founded by Rick Workman, DMD, Heartland Dental offers supported dentists and team members continuing professional education and leadership training, along with a variety of non-clinical administrative services including staffing, human relations, procurement, administration, financial, marketing, and information technology. For more information, visit http://www.Heartland.com. Follow Heartland Dental on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Visit Dr. Workmans Blog, Dentistry Leaders at http://www.dentistryleaders.com.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 400,000 new businesses are being born annually nationwide, while 470,000 per year are dying, which is why representatives with The Lighthouse, the parent company of Crescent Harbor and Crescent Harbor Modern, are proud to celebrate the companys 44th anniversary of being in business.

We have truly been blessed to have the best customers in the world for 44 years, said Tim Fossett, president and spokesman for Crescent Harbor Lighting and Crescent Harbor Modern. Were so excited to celebrate 44 years of service. This is a very competitive industry, but we believe in providing great customer service, along with great products that enhance the lives of our customers. Its truly an honor to still be able to do what we do.

To celebrate 44 years in business is an accomplishment that few businesses experience. In fact, according to a recent report, for the first time in 35 years, American business deaths now outnumber business births.

We look forward to what the future holds, Fossett stressed, before adding, Were committed to making the experience of our customers even better than before. Our mission is to please.

The Lighthouse, a family owned lighting company, was founded in 1972. The company specializes in a high-touch customer service approach to retailing lighting fixtures, ceiling fans and other related items.

The Lighthouse is in its second generation of ownership. The company opened Crescent Harbor as a way to share its unique Maine lighting tastes with the rest of the world.

Being a family-owned business, Fossett pointed out, the company is committed to providing its customers with quality lighting at a reasonable price.

In addition, we are truly dedicated to growing our business in order to offer quality careers to the good people of Southern Maine. Whether you're looking for an accent light for your living room, lighting a new addition or an entire home we can offer you the fixtures you need. From affordable lighting solutions that look like theyre high-end to handmade fixtures that look like works of art, we have the product selection you need to decorate your home just the way you want.

For more information, please visit: http://www.crescentharbor.com and http://www.crescentharbor.com/aboutus.html

About The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is a family-owned lighting company founded in 1972.

The company specializes in a high-touch customer service approach to retailing lighting fixtures, ceiling fans and other related items.

Contact Details:

Tim Fossett

President

88 York Street

US Route One

Kennebunk, Maine, 04043

Toll Free Phone: 1-888-355-9525

Local Phone: 1-207-985-3535

Fax: 1-207-985-4569

Source: Crescent Harbor Lighting

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PreservALL (http://www.preservall.com/), is pleased to announce a new line of preservation bags that feature Intercept Technology, the same technology used in the Paul Revere time capsule.

More than 200 years ago, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and William Scollay put a time capsule beneath the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House, explained PreservALL company partner Chris Della Valle. In December 2014, it was discovered and unearthed. This priceless find yielded up five newspapers, 23 coins (one of which dates back to 1652, a medal with the imprint of George Washington, a paper seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a silver plate that may have been forged and inscribed by Paul Revere himself.

Why is this find so exciting for PresevALL?

Needless to say, these are incredibly important historical artifacts. After they were carefully removed and examined, they needed to be protected, especially since the capsule was to be reburied. These items were packaged with Intercept Technology film to prevent further corrosion and deterioration. Thanks to Intercept, if someone finds the capsule another two centuries from now, the capsule and the contents will be in great condition!

PreservALL sells preservation bags that use this same Intercept Technology, but you dont have to be building a time capsule to use it. The affordable bags that protect against air pollution, oxidation, corrosion, mold, mildew and fading are used for wedding gowns, documents, digital media, guns, memorabilia, auto parts, quilts, tapestries and more. The flexible, environmentally-friendly technology is the perfect way to preserve any important item.

If its good enough for Paul Revere, its good enough for us! laughed Chris.

PreservALL looks forward to keeping your important items in their best condition for future generations to enjoy. To learn more about PreservALL, visit https://preservall.com/about_us and https://preservall.com/Shop-Now.

About PreservAll

We offer preservation and corrosion prevention packaging and storage products for garments, firearms, documents, quilts/tapestries, hunting and camping equipment, coins, antiques and collectables. Our products use Intercept Technology, an environmentally friendly technology that does not coat items or leave detectable deposits on items it protects. Intercept is not a VCI (volatile corrosion inhibitor). Intercept is a reactive technology unlike other products that work passively. Intercept absorbs and neutralizes corrosive gasses that lead to corrosion and breakdown of materials such as fabrics, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, stamps, comic books, documents and anything else affected by atmospheric degradation.

Contact Details:

Mr. Chris Della Valle

600 Kenrick Dr., Suite C-40

Houston, TX 77060

Ph: (713) 822-9040

Fax: 908-526-0007

Source: PreservAll

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Lincoln's Bodyguard by TJ Turner Civil War buffs will love this page-turner

The Story:

In Lincolns Bodyguard, an alternative version of American history, President Lincoln is saved from assassination. Though he prophesied his own deaththe only way he believed the South would truly surrenderLincoln never accounted for the heroics of his bodyguard, Joseph Foster. A biracial mix of white and Miami Indian, Joseph makes an enemy of the South by killing John Wilkes Booth and preventing the death of the president. His wife is murdered and his daughter kidnapped, sending Joseph on a revenge-fueled rampage to recover his daughter. When his search fails, he disappears as the nation falls into a simmering insurgency instead of an end to the War. Years later, Joseph is still running from his past when he receives a letter from Lincoln pleading for help. The President has a secret mission. Pursued from the outset, Joseph turns to the only person who might help, the woman he abandoned years earlier. If he can win Molly over, he might just fulfill the Presidents urgent request, find his daughter, and maybe even hasten the end of the War.

The Reviews:

"In this deft and brilliant reimagining of history, TJ Turner mines the best of old-school detective fiction to bring a wild new version of Lincoln, the Civil War and its aftermath to life. The hero of Lincoln's Bodyguard, Joseph, possesses the scruples of Spade combined with the burning, battered heart of a Heathcliff, yielding a deeply conflicted man on a mission with everything to losethe last parts of him that make him human. You can count down the days till this one is optioned for the big screen."

Joe Clifford, Bestselling author of Lamentation

"A remarkable historical novel, based on a reasonable premise: What if Abraham Lincoln's bodyguard had thwarted John Wilkes Booth? Author T. J. Turner explores a post-Civil War America through the eyes of Joseph, the man in the shadow whose job is to protect Lincoln and help save a country still torn apart."

Jim Satterfield, author of Saving Laura and The River Song

"With Lincoln's Bodyguard TJ Turner has created an excellent alternative-history thriller that is cleverly envisioned and executed with tight plotting, fascinating characters, and crisp prose."

DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Samantha Cody and Dub Walker thriller series

"This tightly constructed story is told economically, moving from Washington to Charleston, South Carolina to Memphis to Yellow Springs, Ohio in 212 pages. Turner unfolds events from Fosters point of view, telling you his thoughts, and sketching out the personalities and appearances of supporting characters. This is a thriller and it is about the plot, not character development. Nonetheless Foster is a fascinating narrator and you root for him throughout the novel. He is a man in need of redemption and you hope that he finds it.

"Turner includes many arcane details for history buffs. When Foster is forced to flee Washington he actually follows the same route taken by Booth after the assassination. Jekyll Island in Georgia is portrayed as an enclave for wealthy Northerners albeit 15 years before it was actually so. Yellow Springs, Ohio really was a prominent stop on the Underground Railroad and a climactic scene in Lincolns Bodyguard takes place in a mill there, likely Cliftons Mill, which is still standing and open to the public.

"Civil War buffs will love this page-turner, but the story is involving enough to grip nearly any reader. It also passes a popular feminist test (for films, but whatever) in that it features a woman who does a lot more than just get rescued. Lincoln fans will also appreciate Turners characterization of him and enjoy his alternate fate."

Ithaca Times

The core of the storyJosephs missionworks just fine on its own terms as a period detective story and an adventure yarn about heroes on the run from deadly pursuit. Josephs mission includes characters who would feel at home in a 1930s noir, from a prostitute with a heart of gold to a mysterious assassin who leaves origami calling cards to a series of strangers who help or betray Joseph along the journey. The characters backstory includes a daughter taken hostage by the Confederate leader who also murdered Josephs wife, as well as a knowledge of Underground Railroad stops thanks to his conductor mother.

"Turner builds the stakes nicely and changes them along the way, making the smaller story work.

Foreword Reviews

In the prologue of Turners first novel, an intriguing and plausible alternative history, Joseph Foster, a bodyguard in the presidential box at Fords Theatre on the night of Apr. 14, 1865, prevents John Wilkes Booth from assassinating Lincoln. Seven years later, however, the Civil War still simmers as a guerilla conflict. Foster, who left Washington after saving the presidents life, returns to D.C. in response to a summons from Lincoln, now in his third term. The president, a shadow of his former self (the office had drained him, pulling his very essence from the shell of his suit), is worried about a traitor in the White House passing secrets to the Confederates. Meanwhile, Col. William Norris, a leader of the resistance who headed the Confederate Secret Service, offers to end the fighting. Despite Norriss role in planning Booths murderous mission, Lincoln wants Foster to meet with him. The plot twists of this imaginative what-if will keep readers guessing.

Publishers Weekly

About the Author:

TJ Turner is a novelist, a historian, a research scientist, and a Federal Agent. He graduated from Cornell University and as a reserve military officer, he has served three tours in Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 2013. His essay about his deployments to AfghanistanThe Power ofTeddy Bearswas accepted and read on NPRs This I Believe national essay series. Turner lives in central Ohio, with his wife, Nancy, and three children. http://www.tjturnerauthor.com/
North-West Collge Our students understand that every Team Member at North-West College works hard to ensure they have the skills and training they need to succeed.

The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) recently visited North-West College's (NWC) Santa Ana and Long Beach campuses as part of their accreditation renewal process. As the institutional accrediting agency for NWC, ACCSC sent a team to inspect every aspect of the campuses' operations.

"These visits are a great external validation of NWC's commitment to remaining totally compliant with our regulators, which is one of our Core Values," Chief Operating Officer Beylor Meza explained. "These results also highlight our dedication to creating impactful learning environments that meet the most rigorous standards set forth by national accrediting agencies like ACCSC."

As part of their visit, ACCSC Team Members also conducted a survey of North-West College students on both the Long Beach and Santa Ana campuses. The survey asked students to rank everything from Admissions and Financial Aid to instructors and facilities at NWC.

"The survey results were outstanding," Corporate Director of Academic Operations Brooke Allen shared. "These numbers offer even more evidence of our strong commitment to our students."

When asked if they would recommend North-West College to a friend, a full 92 percent of Long Beach students and 93 percent of Santa Ana students said they would. In addition, 94 percent of Long Beach students and 96 percent of Santa Ana students surveyed said they felt good about their decision to attend NWC.

"Our students understand that every Team Member at North-West College works hard to ensure they have the skills and training they need to succeed," Allen said. "These survey results show that our students are glad to be changing their lives with the help of North-West College."

About North-West College

Founded in 1966, North-West College has been committed to training individuals to enter and advance in the health care field for 50 years. A leader in allied health education, the College offers 12 short-term programs at seven campuses throughout Southern California, including West Covina, Pomona Valley, Pasadena, Glendale, Riverside, Santa Ana, and Long Beach. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), North-West College offers a supportive educational environment for those ready to start a health care career. To date, the College has graduated more than 45,000 studentsindividuals who have gone on to raise the standard of excellence at health care organizations of all types.

For more information about North-West College and its programs, visit http://www.nw.edu.
Carl's deep workforce management expertise in the UK retail banking industry will add significant value to our customers' success.

Kiran Analytics, Inc, the San Diego-based leader in intelligent branch transformation  announced today that Carl Christon has joined its leadership team to help its UK retail banking customers succeed with their advanced analytics driven solutions.

Retail banks in the UK are optimizing their branch networks and transforming their workforces to deliver a seamless customer experience across both physical and digital channels. Kiran Analytics opened an office in London last year in order to be more responsive to its growing customer base in the UK.

Jim DeLapa, the CEO of Kiran Analytics said, Were excited to have Carl join our team. His deep workforce management expertise in the UK retail banking industry will add significant value to our customers success. Carls proven track record of implementing innovative and sustainable solutions will be a great asset to Kiran Analytics as we accelerate the deployment of our solutions in the UK.

Im looking forward to helping retail banking clients make better decisions with Kirans workforce optimization solutions in the UK, Mr. Christon said. He added, Resource planning and scheduling are key pieces of the branch transformation puzzle as banks strive to improve customer experience, growth, and operational efficiency. Kiran Analytics is uniquely positioned to deliver significant value to retail banks with deep expertise in advanced analytics and innovative cloud-based applications. I am delighted to be part of an organization with such a proven track record in retail banking.

Prior to joining Kiran Analytics, Mr. Christon held leadership positions within FTSE 100 Companies in both Retail Banking (Barclays) and Retailing (Tesco Stores). He is regarded as a subject matter expert in Workforce Optimization, Branch Transformation and Change Management. His broad management experience includes various certifications including Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Work Measurement, Method Study and Productivity, and Project Management.

About Kiran

Kiran Analytics drives intelligent branch transformation for retail banks through the application of predictive analytics. Kirans solutions have been deployed in over 10,000 branches helping to forecast optimal branch staff levels accurately, hire better people faster, and to plan and schedule resources efficiently. As a result, retail banks increase sales and customer service while reducing operational costs. Kiran Analytics is a member of Bank Administration Institute (BAI) and Consumer Bankers Association (CBA).
According to Glassdoors 25 Best Jobs in America 2016 survey, a software engineer career ranks among the top 10 in terms of average base salary, job openings and career opportunity. Now through a new partnership between Pearson and Flatiron School, college and university students can participate in an on-campus Coding Bootcamp to build the skills that lead to those high-paying jobs. Through the partnership, learners will have access to a full-time, 800-hour training program in high-demand software development skills that precisely simulate a professional coders environment.

Through our collaboration with the Flatiron School, we are enabling institutions to provide their students with access to rigorous, career-ready higher education opportunities that will position them to meet their employment goals upon graduation, said Leah Jewell, Managing Director, Career Development and Employability, Pearson. This partnership is part of our comprehensive portfolio of professional development and training course offerings designed to provide high-impact credentialing and employability solutions that prepare learners for successful, accelerated entry into the workforce.

To communicate their skills and content mastery to employers effectively, students complete the training program with a professional profile on Github, an industry-standard project-hosting tool for storing and collaborating on software code.

Our goal at Flatiron School has always been to expand access to outcomes-oriented education. Bringing this training into traditional institutions of higher education through our partnership with Pearson is a great step towards bridging the gap between traditional education and modern skills, said Adam Enbar, Co-founder and CEO, Flatiron School. In addition, were thrilled to be partnering with Delta, given their focus on providing industry-focused training through programs such as those at The Creative Circus in Atlanta.

Our collaboration with Pearson and Flatiron School supports our ongoing commitment to providing students with high-quality, hands-on, real-world learning experiences that will continue to help change futures and lives, said Jason Pfaff, VP of Product Development, Delta Career Education Corporation.

The Flatiron coding bootcamp in-a-box includes:

-A dynamic, continuously updated curriculum,

-A virtual learning environment that uses the same real tools professionals use in industry,

-Resources for instructors to manage classes, including syllabi, course structure and grading tools, and

-Virtual-classroom features that allow students to interact and collaborate in real time.

Pearsons partnership with Flatiron School is part of a broader initiative to increase access to high-quality courseware offerings focused on helping learners to develop the skills and competencies they need to succeed in high-demand career fields. Pearson's comprehensive portfolio of alternative credentialing and employability solutions include partnering with higher education institutions to provide labor market analysis, courseware offerings, and digital badging.

About Pearson

Pearson is the world's learning company, with 36,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. For more information about Pearson, visit http://www.pearsoned.com.

About Flatiron School

Flatiron School trains creative, passionate people in web and mobile development. Established in 2012 by founders Adam Enbar and Avi Flombaum, 99% of Flatiron School's adult graduates have launched careers at companies like Google, Intel, and Microsoft. All classes are facilitated by highly skilled instructors. Flatiron School is a recognized partner of NYC Department of Small Business Services, creating opportunities for all New Yorkers. For more information, visit http://flatironschool.com/.

Media Contact: Scott Overland, scott.overland(at)pearson(dot)com, 202-909-4528
Schein, Nix and Miner

Crowley Maritime Corporations 2016 Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships are helping to further educational opportunities for three students of Texas A&M University, all of whom are enrolled in the colleges License Option program and have expressed an interest in pursuing a career in the towing or petroleum shipping industry after graduation. The three recipients, each of whom have either sailed with Crowley or are scheduled to do so, were chosen based on their demonstrated leadership skills and financial need.

The awardees are Texas natives Bradley Schein from Houston and Baylor Nix from Austin along with Benjamin Miner from San Martin, Calif.

Scholarship recipient Schein earned his associates degree in petroleum engineering technology from Houston Community College prior to transferring to Texas A&M. He will graduate in 2018 and is scheduled for his first summer school ship cruise this summer with Crowley.

Nix, who is also scheduled to graduate in 2018, is majoring in marine transportation with a minor in marine administration while pursuing an Unlimited Tonnage Third Mates license from the U.S. Coast Guard. As a deck cadet, he sailed aboard the USTS Golden Bear, a U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) training ship, as it transited across the globe and back. Nix will also sail aboard one of Crowleys vessels this summer.

Miner served in the U.S. Navy in five overseas deployments and was named Navy Europe Volunteer of the Year prior to joining the U.S. Navy Reserve and turning to Texas A&M to pursue his education. Set to graduate Magna Cum Laude and earn a Third Engineer Unlimited license, Miner completed ship training program on board T/S General Rudder, began an extracurricular research project in material science and conducted his commercial cruise aboard the Crowley-managed Yorktown Express.

Since 1984, Crowley has provided more than $3 million dollars in scholarship funding for more than 1,000 students. The company has also donated more than $2 million over the years to support other educational programs. In 1994, Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley Jr. established the Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarship Program in honor of his father who led the company to extraordinary heights before passing away in 1994. The company continues to give scholarship dollars to deserving students in the U.S., Alaska and Puerto Rico. In 2006, the program was expanded to Central America and to date, has provided financial assistance to more than 20 students in that region. To learn more about the Crowley scholarship program, visit http://www.crowley.com/scholarships.

To learn more about Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime Corp., a 124-year-old privately held company that provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services around the world, visit http://www.crowley.com.

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Preparing our students for the near and distant future is a fundamental part of Milton Hershey Schools role, said MHS science curriculum supervisor and trip leader Dr. Jaunine Fouche.

A group of 12 Milton Hershey School freshmen recently returned from a 10-day international education and global awareness trip to Iceland where they attended the Global Student Leaders Summit on Alternative Energy, organized by Education First.

Traveling internationally and learning about other cultures was a dream come true, said MHS student Ripley VanHoosier. After seeing that geothermal energy is clearly part of Icelands culture, I realized that energy can be connected to culture, religion and more things I enjoy about other countries. That realization has opened my mind to other new ideas.

The summit, a two-day leadership conference, gave students the opportunity to hear from world-renowned speakers on business and energy, attend expert-led workshops, and creatively solve a pressing energy issue. The more than 500 students who attended the energy summit in Reykjavik, Iceland were placed into 42 international teams. They were asked to collaborate using design thinkinga creative problem-solving technique used by companies to create and present solutions to the overarching question: How might we design the future of energy?

The groups learned about alternative energy and how Iceland is working toward a future free of fossil fuels in order to apply their knowledge to the solutions and prototypes they were charged with creating. They showcased their projects in an Innovation Village where six awards were presented. Four of the awards were Popular Vote awards in which students voted for the top four projects. The other two awards were coveted Judges Vote awards in which professional scientists, environmental leaders and young entrepreneurs voted for the most viable and potentially impactful projects.

Milton Hershey School students were on four of the six award-winning teams. Florinda Good-Gonzaless team received the top-ranking Judges Vote award. Her teams project (a malaria water filter) will be displayed at the Nobel Museum in Stockholm, Sweden this summer. Ivaniel Castro Carmona, Timothy Burge, Ripley VanHoosier, Darius Briggs and Sydney Tierney were all members of teams that received Popular Vote awards. Rachel Seymour and Darius Briggs, along with their team, advanced to the final round of debates on the subject of alternative energy in the year 2040.

Preparing our students for the near and distant future is a fundamental part of Milton Hershey Schools role, said MHS science curriculum supervisor and trip leader Dr. Jaunine Fouche. Thanks to weeks of advance preparation, our students felt equipped to successfully contribute to their teams efforts. The fact that four of the six award-winning summit teams had MHS students on them is evidence that preparation pays off.

The students spent 12 weeks preparing for the conference by working on their collaboration skills and the design thinking process. Each student also created a video focused on an energy problem in their local community in advance of the summit. In addition to being recognized as part of the Judges Vote award recipient team, Good-Gonzales was individually recognized for her pre-summit video with the 2016 Best Intro award. As a result, she met and interviewed Nobel laureate former and former U.S. Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu.

The Iceland trip was part of Milton Hershey Schools international service/education and global awareness program. Through the program, MHS creates international experiences and opportunities to promote global awareness and understanding among students.

# # #

ABOUT MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL

Milton Hershey School is one of the worlds best private schools, offering a top-notch education and positive home life to children in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from families of lower income at no charge.
From the playful Italian concertos of Vivaldi to the complex German fugues of Bach, the Baroque era presents a rich and varied musical landscape.

TheClassicalStation.org announces today a Back to Baroque Weekend, April 23-24, 2016. Music Director William Woltz programs a weekend which highlights the language of music that came to be defined as the music we know today.

From the playful Italian concertos of Vivaldi to the complex German fugues of Bach, the Baroque era presents a rich and varied musical landscape, offers Woltz. But there is so much more: Handel and Telemann; Vivaldi, Purcell and Buxtehude.

Here are selected works to be aired:

23 Saturday

8:00 a.m. Bach: Orchestral Suite no. 3 in D

9:00 a.m. Vivaldi: Four Seasons

10:00 a.m. Purcell: Suite from The Fairy Queen

11:00 a.m. Geminiani: Sonata for Cello and Continuo in A

12:00 p.m. Buxtehude: Trio Sonata no. 2 in G

5:00 p.m. Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks

24 Sunday

7:00 a.m. A. Scarlatti: Sinfonia no. 2 in D

11:00 a.m. Telemann: Concerto in B-flat for Winds and Strings

12:00 p.m. Handel: Water Music

2:00 p.m. Couperin: Royal Concert no. 3

3:00 p.m. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto no. 6 in B-flat

4:00 p.m. Albinoni: Concerto in G for Two Oboes

5:00 p.m. Pachelbel: Canon and Gigue in D

In addition to all this wonderful programming, you can program your favorite Baroque music. The Saturday Evening Request Program 6 to midnight plays your requests. Go to SERP and be a radio programmer for an evening!

WCPEs live broadcast of Great Classical Music, 24 Hours A Day can be accessed around the globe in several ways: on-line streaming in multiple formats, including IPv6; local cable television systems; and traditional radio broadcasting. A complete list of the ways WCPE is available with instructions for cable and satellite reception can be found at SERP.

About WCPE:

WCPE broadcasts on a variety of FM frequencies in Eastern North Carolina and is heard throughout Eastern and Central North Carolina and Southern Virginia from its transmitting tower in Wake Forest, NC and other repeater stations. A live feed is also available on the Internet at http://www.theclassicalstation.org, cable systems, affiliate radio stations and via satellite. WCPE is a non-commercial, listener-supported station that plays classical music exclusively. WCPE is owned and operated by the Educational Information Corporation, a North Carolina non-profit broadcasting organization. The Corporation was formed in 1973 and began operating WCPE in July of 1978. The Corporation holds a federal 501 (C) (3) Public Charity Exemption Certificate and the corresponding certificate from the State of North Carolina.

# # #

Media Contact:

Curtis Brothers

919.556.5178

curtis(at)TheClassicalStation(dot)org
There is a huge gap in financial aid knowledge for this population, many of whom may qualify for federal loan discharge. Affected students seeking counseling can submit a request for assistance via NextStepsEdu.org

Across the nation, an estimated 85,000 for-profit college students find themselves in the same bind-- they have student loans to repay but dozens of unanswered questions. Many of these students attended for-profit schools like Corinthian Colleges, which closed suddenly in 2015 leaving them with debt and no degree. To assist borrowers stuck in this disturbing and regrettable situation, NASFAA on April 4 resumed its partnership with Beyond 12 and the Center for Research on Educational Access and Leadership in a joint effort to connect these students with volunteers who are knowledgeable about financial aid, higher education, and academic planning.

The partnership, originally announced in June 2015 by U.S. Department of Education (ED) Under Secretary Ted Mitchell, was one more step in what ED says is a six-year history of cracking down on career colleges that use misleading claims to lure students to enroll. It comes at a time when 12 state attorneys general are urging ED to "deny federal recognition of one of the largest accreditors of for-profit colleges, including the now-defunct Corinthian Colleges, in an effort to protect future students from falling victim to predatory practices employed by some for-profit institutions.

"While some for-profit career colleges play a critical role in helping students succeed in their educational and training pursuits, too often, bad actors in the sector have preyed on some of our nation's most vulnerable students and taken advantage of hard-working Americans who simply want a better future for themselves and their families," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in the June 2015 announcement.

While ED has provided some guidance for these students, many of whom may qualify for federal loan discharge based on borrower defense to repayment, there is a huge gap in financial aid knowledge for this population. Financial aid administrators from NASFAA member institutions will serve as volunteers April-June 2016, providing unbiased assistance, answering general financial aid program questions, and helping students to determine their eligibility for federal student loan discharge.

Affected students seeking counseling through the partnership must submit a request for assistance via NextStepsEdu.org. Once there, they may submit a help ticket and can expect a response from a financial aid administrator within 3-5 business days.

Sudden campus closures can seriously disrupt the lives and educational pursuits of students, said NASFAA President Justin Draeger. NASFAA is pleased to be involved in an initiative to help displaced students understand their financial options and navigate their next steps to hopefully complete their educations elsewhere.

NASFAA will continue to share updates on this effort as they become available. For more information, contact news(at)nasfaa(dot)org.

About NASFAA

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 20,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every ten undergraduates in the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators. For more information, visit http://www.nasfaa.org.
All visitors to Booth B4 who request a demonstration will receive a code to download a free, fully functional, six month term license of conceptTermStoreManager.

Concept Searching, the global leader in semantic metadata generation, auto-classification, and taxonomy management software, and developer of the Smart Content Framework, is pleased to be participating as a Gold Sponsor at SharePoint Fest DC. Concept Searching will deliver demos and discuss client success stories at Booth B4. SharePoint Fest will take place on April 27-29, 2016, at Washington Convention Center.

Demonstrations on Booth B4 will explain how Concept Searching technology platforms manage unstructured and semi-structured content, using unique semantic metadata generation, auto-classification, and taxonomy management. The solutions enable not only the effective management of content but also the use of metadata to drive enforcement to address information governance issues.

All visitors to Booth B4 who request a demonstration will receive a code to download a free, fully functional, six month term license of conceptTermStoreManager, which provides native integration with the SharePoint Term Store and the Managed Metadata Service, where changes in the Term Store can easily be synchronized between SharePoint farms.

conceptTermStoreManager provides the compelling advantage of consistently applying the same metadata structures, and preserving GUIDs, across environments and firewall boundaries. Users can test, validate, and approve term set revisions and then, using conceptTermStoreManager, migrate changes to other farms, including Office 365.

Concept Searching will show the integration capabilities of its technologies in on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environments, and demonstrate how its solutions solve content challenges in all versions of SharePoint, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive for Business.

Attendees are invited to visit Booth B4 to explore their unstructured content challenges with the Concept Searching team, who will discuss real-life outcomes that successfully address search, records management, security, data privacy, intelligent migration, and collaboration.

Conference delegates will hear from keynote speakers, attend breakout sessions and workshops, and benefit from networking opportunities. More information can be found at the SharePoint Fest site.

About Concept Searching

Concept Searching is the industry leader specializing in semantic metadata generation, auto-classification, and taxonomy management. Platform agnostic, Concept Searching also has a Microsoft Gold Application Development competency, and offers a complete suite of SharePoint and Office 365 solutions. The award winning technologies integrated with Concept Searchings Smart Content Framework encompass the entire portfolio of unstructured information assets in on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environments. Clients have deployed the intelligent metadata enabled solutions to improve search, records management, identification and protection of privacy data, migration, text analytics, eDiscovery, and enterprise social networking applications.

Concept Searching is headquartered in the US with offices in the UK, Canada and South Africa. For more information about Concept Searchings solutions and technologies visit http://www.conceptsearching.com and our Blog.
The TreadRight Bat Hawk at the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa "Lion World Travel is constantly emphasizing the importance of conservation and sustainability through their Lion World Cares initiatives, said Lucille Sive, CEO TTC Africa Division.

Lion World Travel is excited to expand their animal conservation work by partnering with the TreadRight Foundation and donating to the Wilderness Foundation  Africa for Earth Day 2016. For every booking made on April 22, 2016, the 46th anniversary of International Earth Day, The Travel Corporations family of brands, including Lion World Travel, and the TreadRight Foundation will donate $1 to the Wilderness Foundation  Africa to help purchase more flight time for their TreadRight Bat Hawk.

Lion World Travel is constantly emphasizing the importance of conservation and sustainability through their Lion World Cares initiatives, said Lucille Sive, CEO TTC Africa Division. We are pleased to celebrate the natural environment and encourage environmental sustainability and animal conservation at a global level this Earth Day.

One of the biggest hurdles facing rhino conservation efforts is the sheer size of the area rhinos inhabit. Game reserves span hundreds of thousands of miles and rhinos have home ranges that can extend hundreds of miles. The ability to take to the sky is hugely beneficial in covering this expanse. While much more cost effective than a helicopter, there are still expenses associated with operating the TreadRight Bat Hawk, such as fuel and pilot time and basic maintenance and upkeep.

Wildlife organizations face an uphill battle against a well-funded and ubiquitous adversary. If organizations like the Wilderness Foundation  Africa are going to win the dire fight to save the rhino, and it is a fight we have to win, they require leading technology and tools in order to do so, said Brett Tollman, CEO, TTC and Founder, TreadRight Foundation. That is why each of our travel brands across the planet is participating in this important Earth Day campaign helping to purchase more flight time for the TreadRight Bat Hawk . The plight of the rhino is a global all-hands on deck problem, so we are getting everyone we can involved.

Over the last four decades, 95% of rhinos have been wiped off the planet for their horn. Driven by erroneous belief that rhino horn can be used as a medicinal cure for various ailments all five species of rhino have been brought to edge of extinction.

Lion World guests interested in learning more about the plight of the rhino on their trips to South Africa are encouraged to consider Lion Worlds five-star "Tented Safari in Style" itinerary, which includes a stay at the Shamwari Game Reserve where the Wilderness Foundation operates its anti-poaching program with the TreadRight Bat Hawk.

For details and reservations, please contact Lion World Travel at 1-800-387-2706 to speak to one of their Africa specialists, or visit http://www.lionworldtravel.com.

About Lion World Travel

Lion World Travel is the leading tour operator from North America specializing in group and individual tours to Southern and East Africa, and is a member of the renowned Travel Corporation , which also includes: Trafalgar Tours, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. In its 51st year, clients continue to benefit from Lion World Travels destination knowledge, expertise, and emphasis on customer service. With their safari specialists all having first-hand knowledge of Africa, Lion World Travel can confidently assist clients in creating an African adventure that fits their specific interests as well as their budget. Extraordinary service, affordable luxury and value for money are what keep clients coming back to Lion World Travel.

Winner of the South African Tourism Ubuntu Awards "Top Producing Tour Operator for North America" for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014

Winner of "Certificate of Excellence for TripAdvisor" for 2014 and 2015

Winner of the South African Airways "Award of Excellence in Travel and Tourism for North America" for 2012

About The TreadRight Foundation

Created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporations family of brands, The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit that works to help ensure the environment and communities we visit remain vibrant and preserved for generations to come. To date, TreadRight has supported more than 35 sustainable tourism projects worldwide. The foundations guiding principle is to encourage sustainable tourism development through conservation, leadership and support for communities.

TreadRights past project partners include WWF, Conservation International and The National Trust in the UK. Current initiatives include sponsoring the National Geographic Societys inaugural World Legacy Awards, helping to combat wildlife crime with WildAid, and empowering individuals with the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise.

To learn more about our past and current work at TreadRight, please visit us at TreadRight.org.

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Teratology Society Recent epidemics like the Zika virus, have shined a spotlight on just how important this particular researchteratologyis.

As Alcohol Awareness Month is recognized nationally, scientists producing the latest research surrounding alcohol use during pregnancy, as well as other exposures leading to serious birth defects, are being recognized by the worlds premier society for this specialized type of science. The Teratology Society is an international professional group of scientists hailed as the prime source for cutting-edge research and authoritative information related to birth defects and developmentally-mediated disorders.

Teratologists study something that affects every single person in one way or another around the worldpregnancy and the exposures that could potentially disrupt the process or the proper development of the baby, said Tacey E. White, PhD, Teratology Society President. Recent epidemics like the Zika virus, have shined a spotlight on just how important this particular research-teratologyis. Its important that we recognize these researchers for the exciting science thats leading to healthier babies and, ultimately, a healthier world, she added.

Through its 2016 Teratology Society Awards and Special Lectures, more than a dozen scientists, including epidemiologists, toxicologists, and health care providers, will be recognized for advancing the science of birth defects research. The scientists will be formally honored during the Societys 56th Annual Meeting at the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio, TX, June 2529, 2016.

The 2016 Teratology Society award recipients and special lecturers include:

Robert L. Brent Lecture: Teratogen Update

Christina L. Chambers, PhD, MPH, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA

Scheduled presentation: Preventing the Preventable: Where Do We Stand on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in 2016?

Josef Warkany Lecture

Elaine M. Faustman, PhD, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Scheduled presentation: Framing Our Birth Defects Questions with Systems Biology: Learning from Our Mentors

F. Clarke Fraser New Investigator Award

Nicole Churchill Kleinstreuer, PhD, NIEHS NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods, Research Triangle Park, NC

Scheduled presentation: Of Mice, Math, and Modeling

Patricia Rodier Mid-Career Award for Research and Mentoring

Christina L. Chambers, PhD, MPH, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA

Scheduled presentation: Research on Long Term Outcomes following Prenatal Exposures: Rarely Studied But Sorely Needed"

James G. Wilson Publication Award for the best paper published in the journal Birth Defects Research

A Comparison of ToxCast Test Results with In Vivo and Other In Vitro Endpoints for Neuro, Endocrine, and Developmental Toxicities: A Case Study Using Endosulfan and Methidathion (Birth Defects Research Part B, 2015 104(2) 71-89) Authors: M. Silva, N. Pham, C. Lewis, S. Iyer, E. Kwok, G. Solomon and L. Zeise

A presentation of the research findings will be made by Marilyn H. Silva, PhD, DABT, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, CA.

Agnish Fellowship

Richard K. Miller, PhD, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

Scheduled presentation: Teratology: Expanding Educational Approaches for Health Care Providers, Regulators, Scientists and Counselors

Birth Defects Research Distinguished Scholar Awards

Muriel J. Harris, PhD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Diana M. Juriloff, PhD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Timothy Oberlander, MD, FRCPC, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Edward W. Carney Distinguished Service Award

Anthony R. Scialli, MD, Scialli Consulting LLC, Washington, DC

Edward W. Carney Trainee Award

Deirdre K. Tucker, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Travel Awards

Shama Bhatia, University of Toronto

Takoua Boukhris, University of Montreal

Songying Cao, China Medical University

Natasha Catlin, National Toxicology Program, NIEHS

Monica Chan, University of Georgia

Harpreet Chima, University of California at Davis

Maelle Dandjinou, University of Montreal, CHU ste Justine

Kristin Di Bona, The University of Texas at Austin

Daoyin Dong, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Danielle Drake, University of Toronto

Nazem El Husseini, McGill University

Shadi-Afarin Ghassemi Jahani, Goteborg University

Bradley Holbrook, University of New Mexico

Maxwell Leung, US Environmental Protection Agency

Valerie McDonald, Virgnia Tech

Marie McKenzie, University of Georgia

Flory Muanda, University of Montreal

Nelson Pace, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Julie Park, University of Washington

Reza Razvi, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Shikhar Shrestha, University of New Mexico

Nicole Sparks, University of California Riverside

Deirdre Tucker, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Camila Ventura, Altino Ventura Foundation

Lauren Walker, University of California, Riverside

Charles Wells, Emporia State University

Carly Wilder, University of Washington

Penghua Yang, University of Maryland, Baltimore

For a full list of Teratology Society awards and recipients, please visit:

http://www.teratology.org/meetings/2016/awards.asp

About the Teratology Society

The Teratology Society is made up of nearly 700 members worldwide specializing in a variety of disciplines, including developmental biology and toxicology, reproduction and endocrinology, epidemiology, cell and molecular biology, nutritional biochemistry, and genetics as well as the clinical disciplines of prenatal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, neonatology, medical genetics, and teratogen risk counseling. Scientists interested in membership in the Teratology Society are encouraged to visit http://www.teratology.org.

More information on the annual meeting program may be found on the 56th Annual Meeting website.

The journal Birth Defects Research is published by John Wiley & Sons in partnership with the Teratology Society.

# # #

Media Contact: Nicole Chavez, 619-368-3259, nchavez(at)teratology(dot)org.
Francis Factor lectures launching at Alvernia University - April 26

Alvernia University will launch a new lecture series exploring Pope Francis on April 26, at 7 p.m., in the McGlinn Conference Center. For the inaugural Francis Factor event, Catholic theology expert William L. Portier, Ph.D., will discuss The Francis Factor in the United States: Reflections on a Pilgrim from the Periphery.

The Francis Factor is a new lecture series at Alvernia University exploring Pope Francis and the ways he is influencing the embrace of the Gospel in the Church and wider world.

The inaugural speaker, Dr. William L. Portier, serves as the Mary Ann Spearin Chair of Catholic Theology and Doctor of Philosophy Program Director in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Dayton. He is president of the College Theology Society, a member of the National Board of the Lilly Fellows Program Network, and he serves on the editorial boards of U.S. Catholic Historian and Communio, International Catholic Review.

His most recent book Divided Friends, Portraits of the Roman Catholic Modernist Crisis in the United States, released in 2013, has been called a must read for anyone interested in the history of the Roman Catholic Americanist and modernist controversies, and anyone interested in the history of Catholicism in the U.S."

Other works he has penned include Isaac Hecker and the First Vatican Council and Tradition and Incarnation  a widely used undergraduate theology text released in 1994.

Through the Francis Factor series, well expand knowledge of our Catholic-Franciscan identity by exploring the broad impact Pope Francis is having both in the Church, and beyond the Church, though his intentional focus on the environment, immigration, service to the poor, hands-on living of the Gospel, social justice and the Year of Mercy, said Alvernia President Thomas F. Flynn, Ph.D.

ALVERNIA is a thriving university that empowers students through real-world learning to discover their passion for life, while providing the education to turn what they love into lifetimes of career success and personal fulfillment, helping them make the world a better place. Situated on a scenic 121-acre suburban campus in historic Berks County, Pa., the university of more than 3,000 students is conveniently located near Philadelphia (60 miles) and within an easy drive of New York, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
"Go Green. Save Green. Green It Up!" Our Orange County residents need to be aware that a pre-season tune up can help prevent a costly breakdown." - Colin Martodam, Greenstar COO

Spring is in the air; as are pollen, dirt, and other allergens. Greenstar Home Services, Orange County Californias leader in sustainable plumbing, HVAC maintenance, and whole home water filtration services, launches the kick off to their pre-season HVAC maintenance initiatives.

We work hard to keep our clients educated on the importance of seasonal HVAC maintenance, comments, Jeremy Prevost, Greenstar CEO.

Prevost continues, We are launching our Spring 2016 campaigns for pre-season HVAC tune-ups, before the summer heat hits Orange County.

Colin Martodam, Greenstar COO shares our Orange County residents need to be aware that a pre-season tune up can help prevent a costly breakdown. An inspection can ensure the unit is operating efficiently. An efficient system will have a longer life cycle, and be best for the environment.

Pre-Season HVAC Maintenance Tips from Greenstar Home Services:



Change the filter: the air filter has been heavily used all Winter; change it at the start of the season.

Schedule a tune up: seasonal system checkups are vital to ensure the unit is operating at capacity. Consider having the equipment and ducts cleaned to remove build-up of dirt and debris.

Test the thermostat: turn on the A/C before the temperature rises to check that the system is working.

Use your senses: listen for odd noises and be aware of unusual smells coming from your HVAC unit. These can be indicators of a system issue.

Inspect air vents: check air vents for blockages to certify maximum air circulation. Obstructions can make the HVAC unit work harder and drive up energy bills.

To learn more on Greenstar Home Services and schedule an HVAC tune up, visit http://www.greenstarhomeservices.com

Facebook (Facebook.com/GreenstarHomeServices)

Twitter (@GreenStarHome1)

To view Greenstars blog, go to http://www.GreenstarHomeServices.com/blog

About Greenstar Home Services:

Greenstar Home Services provides environmentally conscious residential plumbing and HVAC service, repair and installation, as well as whole home central water filtration within the Orange County markets. Our licensed technicians are available all hours of the day, seven days a week. With an expansive knowledge of home maintenance, we provide the highest level of service for our clientsand at an honest price.
Research and Scholarship Day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on April 21 with a display of posters that summarize many of the scholarly activities undertaken by Husson University students during the past year. Our face shows the world who we are. A new face can have a significant impact on both our self-image and the ways that others treat us.

Husson University will be celebrating students and faculty members contributions to the scientific and clinical research communitys growing body of knowledge during its Seventh Annual Research and Scholarship Day on Thursday, April 21, 2016 in the Gracie Theatre and the adjacent Darling Atrium. During the event, undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty members from all of the universitys colleges and schools will share the results of their many capstone research projects, graduate theses and other activities devoted to understanding our world.

This years plenary speaker is the Joseph E. Murray Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Harvard Medical School, Elof Eriksson, M.D., Ph.D. He is also the chief and senior surgeon in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

His talk will be about Face Transplants, a procedure that his group at the Brigham and Womens Hospital has performed on seven individuals with severe facial disfigurements. Dr. Erikssons talk will start at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 21 and is appropriate for members of the university community and anyone interested in this topic. The presentation is free and open to the public.

In assessing the significance of Erikssons presentation, Dr. William J. Lindblad, professor of pharmacology, and director of Husson Universitys Office of Research and Scholarship said: Our face shows the world who we are. A new face can have a significant impact on both our self-image and the ways that others treat us. This should be an exciting interdisciplinary presentation.

Immediately following Erikssons presentation will be a recognition ceremony honoring the best research posters. A reception in the Darling Atrium will conclude the event.

Every year, Husson students and faculty members make important contributions to our understanding of the world. Research and Scholarship Day is an annual opportunity for us to recognize their efforts. Their works helps us better understand the issues, materials, and processes that affect our lives every day. The depth and diversity of students original thinking is a testament to the outstanding education we offer to aspiring professionals, said Lynne Coy-Ogan, Ed.D., senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at Husson University.

Research and Scholarship Day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. in the Darling Atrium in the Beardsley Meeting House with a display of posters that summarize many of the scholarly activities undertaken during the past year. This is followed at 10:00 a.m. by oral platform presentations in the Gracie Theatre where research originators share their findings. From 11:00 a.m.  12:30 p.m., research authors will be present to stand by their posters and answer questions about their findings. Following Dr. Erikssons plenary address, there will be a concluding reception and presentation at 2:30 p.m. recognizing the Best Student Research Posters as judged by a select group of Husson University faculty and staff members. Top scoring student posters will be awarded gift certificates to the Husson University Bookstore.

About this years plenary speaker:

Born in Backe, Sweden, Dr. Elof Eriksson attended the University of Goteborg in Sweden, where he obtained his M.D. and Ph.D. Dr. Eriksson went on to train at hospitals in both Sweden and the U.S., including University of Chicago Hospitals and the Medical College of Virginia, where he completed a fellowship in plastic surgery. In 1986, Dr. Eriksson joined Brigham and Womens Hospital (BWH), where he was named the chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery. In 2006, as a specialist in wound care, Dr. Eriksson initiated and oversaw the Wound Care Guidelines Project, an initiative spearheaded by the Wound Healing Society which published guidelines for treatment and therapies for wound care. At BWH, Dr. Eriksson lead the creation of the Research Laboratory for Tissue Repair and Gene Therapy, which aims at creating better treatment for both acute and chronic wounds. Eriksson also oversaw the creation of the plastic surgery transplantation program at BWH, a novel and unique program focused on state-of-the-art facial and hand transplantation.

About Husson University:

For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells, and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.
Anthony Waddell, Public Finance Director, DCHFA and Maria K. Day-Marshall, General Counsel DCHFA The Agency takes great pride in being recognized by our peers for a project that is so impactful to the redevelopment of its neighborhood while maintaining affordability in the community.

On April 14th the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) honored the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency with the HOME Excellence Award for The Hodge on 7th. The Hodge is a $27.64 million multifamily senior residence located at 1490 7th Street NW, Washington, D.C. The project was financed in part by DCHFA through its issuance of $13 million in long and short-term tax-exempt bonds and $11.3 million of equity raised through the syndication of 4 percent low income housing tax credits. The project also received $6.3 million in subordinate HOME funds The Agency takes great pride in being recognized by our peers for a project that is so impactful to the redevelopment of its neighborhood while maintaining affordability in the community, stated Maria K. Day-Marshall, General Counsel for DCHFA, upon accepting the award.

The Hodge is an integral part of the City Market at O Street, the approximately one million square foot master development built around the National Register of Historic Places designated O Street Market, that includes roughly 90,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel, 90 affordable senior residential units (i.e., The Hodge), 400 market rate residential rental units, and an additional 145 resident-owned housing units. The Hodge is an indispensable reflection of the larger $315 million developments dedication to affordability and resident age diversity.

The development at the City Market at O Street was so emblematic of critical urban revitalization and economic development, that the Obama Administration designated the site as one of 14 national high priority infrastructure projects targeted for the streamlined deployment of federal resources, and one of only two such projects in the initiative assigned primarily to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The HOME Excellence Award was presented during NALHFAs annual conference taking place last week in Dallas. For 34 years the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies has been an advocacy organization whose membership is comprised of professionals working to finance affordable housing in the broader community development context at the local level.

Through its Public Finance division, DCHFA issues tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds to lower the developers costs of acquiring, constructing and rehabilitating rental housing. The Agency offers private for-profit and non-profit developers low cost predevelopment, construction and permanent financing that supports the new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing in the District.

The District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency was established in 1979 to stimulate and expand homeownership and rental housing opportunities in Washington, D.C. We accomplish our mission by offering below market rate mortgage loans to lower the homebuyers costs of purchasing homes and by issuing mortgage revenue bonds to lower the developers costs of acquiring, constructing and rehabilitating rental housing.
Robert Pavlik, French Oil Mill Machinery Company's new Oilseed Sales Engineer We couldnt be happier to have Bob back on our team. He is truly committed to customer partnerships and to delivering results for our customers. His prior familiarity with our equipment and markets...will allow us to better serve our oilseed customers."

French Oil Mill Machinery Company is pleased to announce the rehiring of Robert Pavlik, who will join the Oilseed Group as Oilseed Sales Engineer.

Pavlik will work under the supervision of President, Jason McDaniel, and with veteran Sales Engineer, Jim King, to partner with new and existing customers in both domestic and international markets to develop oilseed processing methods and to supply the appropriate oilseed preparation equipment including flaking mills, cracking mills, cooker/conditioners, oil extraction screw presses and other related equipment needed to optimize each customers unique processing methods.

Pavlik brings over 30 years of capital equipment sales and process development experience to his position, including almost 10 years of French oilseed equipment sales from 1985 through 1994. He was most recently employed by Bartell Machinery Systems LLC, in Rome, New York, where he managed key account locations in the United States, Europe, Russia, India and Asia. This background has helped Pavlik to make an easy transition into his current position with French. Pavlik holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree from The University of Cincinnati.

We couldnt be happier to have Bob back on our team. He is truly committed to customer partnerships and to delivering results for our customers. said Daniel P. French, Chairman and CEO of French Oil Mill Machinery Company. His familiarity with our equipment and markets, plus his professional experiences since, will allow us to better serve our oilseed customers throughout the world.

Visit with Pavlik and the French Oilseed Group in booth 500 at the AOCS Annual Meeting and Expo taking place May 1-4 in Salt Lake City, Utah, or at the Euro Fed Lipid Congress taking place in Ghent, Belgium, from September 18-21. In addition, Pavlik will attend the IOMSA Annual Convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in June.

French Oil Mill Machinery Company designs, manufactures and supports equipment and systems for the preparation and extraction of vegetable oils, such as soybeans, cottonseed, canola, etc., for food and industrial uses, including biodiesel and other fuels. The company also offers rubber mixers and hydraulic press models, for molding and shaping rubber and composite materials. Additionally, French has a broad range of mechanical dewatering and drying presses for the synthetic rubber industry. Most components are manufactured and assembled in Frenchs 225,000 square foot worldwide headquarters in Piqua, Ohio. The company is certified to the ISO 9001:2008 standard and has customers in more than 80 countries.

For more information visit http://www.frenchoil.com.
Vajra Sol Yoga Adventures in Peru. Visit the sacred site of Machu Picchu "The reward is hard to beat: a view of the ancient city rising out of the midst at sunrise. - National Geographic on Machu Picchu

Since 2010 Vajra Sol has been running yoga retreats in Peru when tourism began to grow significantly and the country was viewed as an up and coming culturally rich and diverse travel destination. The 2016 summer and fall dates are July 15 - 23 and October 21 - 29.

June through November is the ideal time to visit the Sacred Valley when the weather is the driest in the Andean Mountain region.

In the wellness niche of the travel industry, yoga retreats are a popular type of vacation particularly for the North American woman traveler who wants to be on an organized group trip for the social and safety aspects and because it frees up their time and effort from researching and planning. The yoga element also gives a more meaningful purpose to their trip that includes regular yoga sessions for all levels and traditional spiritual Andean ceremonies.

National Geographic magazine listed Machu Picchu in their recent special edition issue currently on newsstands, 100 Places That Will Change Your Life, stating about Machu Picchu, the reward is hard to beat: a view of the ancient city rising out of the midst at sunrise.

The Peru yoga retreat is a fully guided trip by the retreat leader, Sandra Tedeschi, and local Peruvian guides who are experts in the Incan history, culture and archeological sites.

The retreat begins and ends in Cusco, the former Incan capital and today a fusion of the modern and ancient cultures. Travelers fly to Lima and then take the 1-hour flight onto Cusco.

The 8-night retreat includes five nights near the town of Urubamba in a traditional Andean lodge, one night at Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu, and two nights in Cusco. The retreat cost is US $2,625 for single occupancy and US $2,300 for double occupancy. To ensure quality attention to each traveler retreats are limited to 16 persons. Retreats typically book up 3-4 months in advance.

Vajra Sol Yoga Adventures is based in Costa Rica and was founded in 2005 to bring together like-minded travelers who have an affinity for yoga and adventure activities in a pristine nature setting. Vajra Sol offers yoga, surf, and stand up paddle (SUP) retreats in Costa Rica throughout the year and yoga adventures to the Sacred Valley of Peru between the months of June and October.
Tuesday morning, the Linn County Board of Commissioners approved the sealed bid sale of a home in Harrisburg that had previously gone unsold in a public auction.

The property is at 925 Cherry Ave. and has a real market value of $117,970, according to county records.

General Services manager Russ Williams said the property was advertised at a minimum bid of $84,928.

Purchasers were William and Ruby Bennett of Springfield, who bid $86,000.

The home has 1,216 square feet and a 120-square-foot outbuilding.

In other business, the commissioners:

Were told by Fair & Expo manager Randy Porter that March income was strong and he predicts April and May will continue that trend.

Updated progress on the purchase of the National Guard Armory and Albany Police Department building. The process now goes to the Albany City Council for final approval.

Were reminded that the annual Budget Hearings will begin Monday and run through Friday in the commissioners meeting room on the second floor of the Linn County Courthouse. Meetings are public.
Seattle bankruptcy attorney Richard Symmes recently announced Symmes Law Group, PLLC is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

We at Symmes Law Group have proudly been helping people for the past five years who are feeling the financial burden of their growing debt and are looking for answers, said Symmes, who is also marking five years volunteering at a clinic designed to assist consumers dealing with debt-related issues.

In addition to his two five-year milestones, Symmes recently posted a blog illustrating 13 facts people need to know about chapter 13 bankruptcy.

When most people first learn of chapter 13 bankruptcy they have a lot of questions about what the process is like and what to expect, said Symmes, who has filed hundreds of bankruptcy petitions, saved a plethora of homes from the brink of foreclosure and assisted consumers in the settlement of numerous debts. This blog presents 13 facts that can help people become debt free and determine if Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for them.

Symmes, a Seattle native, currently focuses his practice on bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and debt-settlement matters and is an experienced bankruptcy advocate. He is also a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

Going through a bankruptcy is a tough one to swallow, and a major hit on anyones pride. Through the process, I have asked Richard several questions and he replies immediately with guidance, honesty and tells you exactly what you need and can expect, said client Stacey N.

About Richard Symmes, Symmes Law Group, PLLC

Richard Symmes is the principal attorney at Symmes Law Group, PLLC, which was formed with the idea of delivering impeccable personal service to all clients, while utilizing technology in order to keep legal fees at a reasonable and affordable rate. For more information, please call (206) 682-7975, or visit http://www.bankruptcy-law-seattle.com. The law office is located at 1001 Fourth Avenue, Suite 3200, Seattle, WA 98154.

About the NALA

The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361.
Kyrene School District now runs 85 percent of its school bus fleet on propane autogas. We applaud Kyrene School District for being a leader in alternative-fuel use in Arizona and we are delighted they are choosing Blue Birds class-leading propane-powered bus as their solution, as have hundreds of other school districts across the country.

Kyrene School District now runs 85 percent of its school bus fleet on propane autogas. An on-road alternative engine fuel, propane autogas costs less than diesel, is easier to service, and reduces harmful emissions.

The school district started with propane autogas in 2014 when it purchased 25 Blue Bird Vision Propane-Powered buses. This school year, Kyrene School District added 73 more.

With our Blue Bird propane autogas school bus fleet, our technicians dont have to worry about the difficulties we encounter when servicing our diesel buses, said Eric Nethercutt, director of transportation and facilities for Kyrene School District. Working with propane is as easy as working on a gasoline engine.

Equipped with Ford Motor Companys 6.8L V10 engine, the 98 buses are powered by ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel systems. The Blue Bird propane buses will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 56,000 pounds and more than 1,400 pounds of particulate matter each year compared with the diesel buses that were replaced.

Our Blue Bird Vision Propane school bus is the right solution for any school system looking to be environmentally and fiscally responsible, said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird. We applaud Kyrene School District for being a leader in alternative-fuel use in Arizona and we are delighted they are choosing Blue Birds class-leading propane-powered bus as their solution, as have hundreds of other school districts across the country.

The districts bus drivers also have a favorable view of the propane autogas buses. Its a different driving experience because the bus is so quiet, said Nethercutt. This allows drivers to better interact and talk with students on the bus without competing with a diesel engine. Buses fueled by propane autogas reduce noise levels by about half.

Kyrene School District has committed to cost-efficient, emissions-reducing propane school buses, said Brian Carney, group account director for ROUSH CleanTech. Kyrenes transportation department, service department, drivers and students are all seeing firsthand the benefits of lower fuel prices, easier maintenance, quieter performance and cleaner air for the community.

Currently, Kyrene School District averages $1.15 per gallon for propane autogas compared with $1.50 per gallon for diesel. In addition, the school district will benefit from a 36 cents per gallon tax rebate provided by the federal government. The school district is working with their propane provider to install an onsite fuel station to further reduce the cost per gallon. Historically, propane autogas costs about 50 percent less than diesel per gallon, and a propane station costs less to install than any other fueling infrastructure.

About Blue Bird Corporation: Blue Bird is the leading independent designer and manufacturer of school buses, with more than 550,000 buses sold since its formation in 1927 and approximately 180,000 buses in operation today. Blue Birds longevity and reputation in the school bus industry have made it an iconic American brand. Blue Bird distinguishes itself from its principal competitors by its singular focus on the design, engineering, manufacture and sale of school buses and related parts. As the only manufacturer of chassis and body production specifically designed for school bus applications, Blue Bird is recognized as an industry leader for school bus innovation, safety, product quality/reliability/durability, operating costs and drivability. In addition, Blue Bird is the market leader in alternative fuel applications with its propane-powered and compressed natural gas-powered school buses. Blue Bird manufactures school buses at two facilities in Fort Valley, Georgia. Its Micro Bird joint venture operates a manufacturing facility in Drummondville, Quebec, Canada. Service and after-market parts are distributed from Blue Birds parts distribution center located in Delaware, Ohio.

About ROUSH CleanTech: ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader of alternative fuel vehicle technology, is a division of ROUSH Enterprises based in Livonia, Mich. ROUSH CleanTech designs, engineers, manufactures and installs propane autogas fuel system technology for light- and medium-duty Ford commercial vehicles, and Type A and Type C Blue Bird school buses. As a Ford QVM-certified alternative fuel vehicle manufacturer, ROUSH CleanTech delivers economical, clean and domestically produced fueling options for fleets across North America. Learn more at ROUSHcleantech.com or by calling 800.59.ROUSH.

# # #
Shark Finds With the help of Kevin Harrington and the Shark Finds team, I hope to take my company to the next level so that more people can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy at home, at work, and when traveling. Past News Releases RSS

Shark Finds and Kevin Harrington, one of the original Sharks from hit reality series Shark Tank pleased to announce the launch of a new DRTV campaign with Smiley Daisy.

Smiley Daisy promotes a relaxing and stress-free lifestyle, which is provided by their product The Daisy. Its a diffuser that uses essential oils, giving off relaxing scents that provide peace of mind. The Daisy can even run on just water, helping to increase room moisture. Featuring multi LED color changing lights, The Daisy can be set to run for a set amount of time or until the water runs out.

I cant wait to launch the DRTV campaign, says Jeffrey Lin, Founder and CEO of Smiley Daisy. With the help of Kevin Harrington and the Shark Finds/AsSeenOnTV.pro team, I hope to take my company to the next level so that more people can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy at home, at work, and even when they travel!

As part of its DRTV campaign with AsSeenOnTV.pro, Smiley Daisy will be appearing in 30 and 60 second spots set to air nationwide and feature the original Shark himself, Kevin Harrington. AsSeenOnTV.pro is comprised of an award-winning team of producers, writers, videographers, and editors as well as industry veterans dedicated to finding the latest, most innovative products and ideas, and putting them on the DRTV map. For more information on Smiley Daisy, please visit http://www.smileydaisy.com.

About Kevin Harrington

As the inventor of the infomercial, founder of As Seen on TV, and one of the original Sharks on Shark Tank, Kevin Harrington has worked with some of the worlds biggest celebrities and launched some of the best-selling DRTV campaigns in history. Since producing his first 30-minute infomercial in 1984, Harrington has been involved in over 500 product launches that have resulted in over $4 billion in sales. Now, in his latest venture with AsSeenOnTV.pro, Harrington is on the hunt for the best new products and ideas, bringing them to homes everywhere through personalized DRTV campaigns featuring the Shark.

About AsSeenOnTV.pro

Headquartered in South Florida, AsSeenOnTV.pro is a full-service production, branding, and marketing company that specializes in direct response television, short- and long-form commercials, and brand building. Based out of a 25,000+ sq ft, state-of-the-art studio, the companys creative team handles every aspect of production from script to screen to airing. For nearly two decades, AsSeenOnTV.pros veteran staff of writers, producers, videographers, and editors has amassed more than 50 Telly Awards, thousands of prestigious clients, and over $20 million in television placements.

About Shark Finds

Shark Finds is an award-winning production company located in Florida. Its creative team guides the spots from script phase to screen-ready stage to final airing. The Shark Finds team has produced over $20 million worth of broadcast placements in just over two decades, with the help of their regional and national relationships.
'Our mission is to empower the smallest of businesses with communication flexibility... as well as unprecedented performance in voice quality with our patent-pending VoIP codec, which powers our new Cloud Phone mobile app.' - Bryan Hertz, CEO of Voxox.

Voxox, the most comprehensive unified communications Platform as a Service company, today announced that it has introduced a mobile app for Voxox Cloud Phone, the pocket-sized business phone system for the smallest of businesses. The new Cloud Phone mobile app enables small business professionals to use their smartphones as a business phone system, equipped with a dedicated U.S. business phone number that can seamlessly route calls to colleagues anywhere in the world. The Cloud Phone mobile app offers exclusive new features, such as Flip, which allows users to instantly transfer a call from their mobile app to their desk phone or any other phone, and Eavesdrop, which enables users to listen in on incoming voicemails in real-time with the ability to pick up the call any time. In addition to its unique features and delightfully simple user experience, the Cloud Phone mobile app is the first of all Voxox products to use the company's patent-pending VoIP codec, which has dramatically outperformed popular competitive technologies in voice quality testing, particularly in poor connectivity environments.

"Mobile technology has brought huge areas of growth and opportunity to the small business world," said Bryan Hertz, CEO and co-founder of Voxox. "Our mission is to empower the smallest of businesses with communication flexibility and ease-of-use, as well as unprecedented performance in voice quality with our patent-pending VoIP codec, which powers our new Cloud Phone mobile app. We look forward to introducing even more exciting features for the small business market this year and beyond."

Originally introduced as a 100 percent web-based service, Cloud Phone provides micro-businesses (businesses with one to 10 employees) with a telephone number that supports multiple employee extensions per account, sophisticated call routing, voicemail transcription, ability to make calls and manage call activity, notifications, call recordings, and much more -- all within a sleek, simple design. No special equipment or advanced skills are necessary to use Cloud Phone. All that a user needs is an Internet connection and any phone to which calls can be routed. The effortless user experience and set-up process, which can be completed in less than a minute, along with highly competitive global calling rates, are key differentiators as compared to alternative solutions.

The new mobile app complements the original web-based Cloud Phone service by offering all of the above capabilities plus exclusive app-only features, such as:



Flip, which allows users to instantly transfer a call from their mobile app to their desk phone or any other phone

Eavesdrop, which lets a user listen in real-time while a caller is being screened or leaving a voicemail with the option to pick up the call any time

Ability to easily set up conference calls on-the-fly with up to five users

Easy one-touch call recording

Faster access to message history and visual voicemail and account settings

And more.

Furthermore, the Cloud Phone mobile app is the first Voxox product to leverage the company's new breakthrough VoIP codec, a technology used to encode and compress voice signals into digital form for transmission. This is particularly significant for small businesses with a disbursed and/or traveling workforce, as the codec dramatically improves voice quality in poor bandwidth settings, such as hotels, convention centers, rural locations, etc. In multiple MOS (Mean Opinion Score) tests, Voxox compared the call quality of its codec against that of popular VoIP services (i.e., Skype, Line, We Chat), and all these services experienced significant call quality degradation around 20 percent packet loss and became unusable at roughly 40 percent packet loss. Voxox's new codec consistently sustained higher quality calls and remained usable at 40 percent packet loss, significantly outperforming others with regards to voice quality.

To view pricing and/or to sign up for Cloud Phone, please visit http://www.cloudphone.com. Download the Cloud Phone Android app directly from Google Play and the iOS app directly from iTunes.

About Voxox

Voxox is an innovator in unified cloud communication solutions for consumers and businesses. The foundation of the company's offerings is its award-winning unified communications Platform as a Service, which enables the company and its customers to build powerful, scalable applications and services. For consumers and service provider partners, Voxox delivers cutting-edge mobile and desktop applications that integrate voice, video, messaging, fax, media sharing and more. For businesses, Voxox provides an extensive suite of carrier-grade business phone solutions, including hosted IP-PBX, SIP Trunking, a wide array of wholesale services, such as high volume SMS, and the company's new virtual PBX service, Cloud Phone. Voxox is headquartered in San Diego. For more information, please visit http://www.voxox.com.
Willy Grunch, from animation video "The Water Source" whose unexpected viral rise to fame led to the creation of the crowdfunding site willygrunch.com "People worldwide have spoken, and were listening. Its time to free Willy Grunch and give him back to the world, said MOONDOG Animation Studio COO, Jean-Marc Khayat.

Today, MOONDOG Animation Studio, South Carolinas premier animation studio, is celebrating the launch of willygrunch.com, a crowdfunding website created to answer the international demand for more episodes of the animated series, Willy Grunch.

With a guitar on his back, Willy Grunch is a carefree, philosophizing poet who stumbles through life. However, for the past 3 years, he has been locked away in MOONDOG Animation Studios YouTube vault. That is until March 15th, 2016 when a Russian Facebook user stole Willy Grunch and released the episode The Water Source. The result has been an international sensation with well over 7 million views and hundreds of thousands of shares.

MOONDOG Animation Studio released the short film series called Willy Grunch in 2012 after a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign. It was based on a Swiss comic book series created by Alain Auderset.

People worldwide have spoken, and were listening. Its time to free Willy Grunch and give him back to the world, said MOONDOG Animation Studio COO, Jean-Marc Khayat.

Willy Grunch now has his own fan base, in addition to all the Kickstarter supporters from the first fundraising campaign, so Moondog Animation Studio decided to go into round two by building their own crowdfunding website, willygrunch.com, to fund more episodes of the series. We are reaching out to the fans, old and new, to push Willy Grunch to the next level, said CEO, Bryan Ransom.

This viral explosion and worldwide demand for Willy Grunch further validates the world-class nature of MOONDOG Animation Studio, said Mayor Linda Page of Mount Pleasant, SC, We look forward to Willys return as the newest citizen of Mount Pleasant.

###

About MOONDOG Animation Studio

MOONDOG Animation Studio is a World-Class Animated Feature Film studio based in Mount Pleasant, part of the Charleston, South Carolina region. MOONDOGs mission is to create content that influences our culture, not only in the United States, but also around the world. Through deep stories, strong characters and beautiful animation, we're inspired to tell stories with the power to change the world around us.

Contact: Kelly Fowler, Executive Synergizer | kellyfowler(at)Moondoganimation(dot)com | (843) 709-5639

About the Town of Mount Pleasant, Office of Business Development

The Town of Mount Pleasant, SC is situated strategically along the Charleston, SC Harbor and has been recognized as One of the Best Cities for Startups by Business Week. The mission of the Town of Mount Pleasant Office of Business Development is to advance the Towns quality of life by fostering an economic environment that is vibrant, favorable to job creation, and promotes the general prosperity of the community. For more information on the Town of Mount Pleasant, visit us online at http://www.tompsc.com, view our videos on the Media Channel, subscribe to our news with Notify Me, like us on Facebook, follow us @MtPleasantBiz and download our Apps Experience Mount Pleasant and ConnectMP.
I am a cradle-to-the-grave Catholic who risked his neck for the church during the last Nazi years in WWII. As a progressive Democrat I have also spent a lifetime advocating for social justice, peace and the poor. In a small group audience with Pope Pius XII at Castel Gandolfo in 1950, I even had the privilege of reporting briefly to His Holiness on the condition of youth in the new Germany. So it is not disloyal  although "crazy," according to Pope Francis (Yahoo News, 4/19/16)  to say that he may have indeed meddled in American politics, be it ever so unintentional, when he met Bernie Sanders in the Vatican.

One could excuse a Pope unfamiliar with the American political system, but not Bernie. He knows that when a Pope and a presidential candidate meet, especially close to the New York and California elections, it is a very public political event. He rightfully descried Netanyahu's attempt to interfere with President Obama's Iran deal. It is disingenuous now to to try to give cover to the Pope by passing off their meeting as a private affair.

Bernie's statement, "I am not a Catholic but there is a radiance that comes from him," reminds me of the personality cult under Pope John Paul XXIII. Instead of soulful sentiments, Bernie needs to tell who invited whom. If indeed the invitation came from the Vatican, he should have refused. Bernie says he didn't want to politicize the Pope. He did exactly that.

P.S. By the way, Bernie, John Paul preached not just social justice, but also defended private property and the profit motive.

Franz Schneider

Albany (April 18)


Interviews

There are many questions about the liberalization Karel Kral, Regional Manager of CEZ for Bulgaria AUTHOR: publics.bg Mr. Kral, you have been regional manager of CEZ for Bulgaria since October last year. What are the main goals that you would like to achieve for the company in the local market?



Similar to other incumbent operators in other sectors  such as telecoms, we are now facing a big change. The business environment is changing for us and this does not mean only liberalization. There are also changes in the way that energy is generated and distributed to consumers. We have to react to that and on top of this natural development we have also been hunt by some negative campaigns which ruined the trust to the sector.



Based on that, my goals are linked to: successfully leading the company through the changes  liberalization and the changes of the sector as such and also to get back the trust in the company and generally in the sector as a whole.



You have been part of the management team of CEZ in Romania and Albania as well. What are the similarities and the differences between their national energy sectors and the Bulgarian one?



It is hard to say, because every country has a slightly different starting position and different level of development of the energy sector. Also, one of the big differences is that Bulgaria and Romania are part of the EU and have to follow its regulations, while Albania is not, even if they are in the Energy Community of SEE. Also, Albania has a generation mainly from hydro capacities  meaning difficulties in dry years, while Bulgaria and Romania have other resources in their energy mix: nuclear, thermal, hydro, etc. Also, there are differences regarding the implementation of EU directives. But the markets are not really comparable.



Romania for instance has already implemented a long time ago the energy exchange and coupled with the neighboring markets of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. This is one of the prerequisites for successful market liberalization, which is still ahead for us in Bulgaria.



Regarding the similarities, there is definitely the underinvestment in the distribution grids, inherited from the past  meaning from the past 50 years.



What are the good practices from the Central European energy market, where CEZ is very active, that could be implemented in Bulgaria?



There are both good practices and mistakes, which may be used as lessons learned from the experience of Central Europe.



One of the best practices is the working power exchanges. From Romania we could take the example of the compulsory bilateral contracts trading on the power exchange  at least for the first few years, as this would create liquidity within the power exchange. Then, as far as I know, Romania is now, after three years of operation of this model, starting to ease the rules and to allow bilateral contracts that are not traded, but just registered on the exchange platform.



Another good practice, this time from the Czech Republic, is related to preventing bad behavior of some suppliers through the implementation of the Code of Ethics of Energy Suppliers, adopted by the Energy Regulatory Office. Also, the rules for switching avoid misbehavior of some of the newcomers in the market, who in some cases in the past cheated the customers. The code includes instructions on avoiding take-or-pay clauses as well as other types of misconduct by suppliers. One of the bad practices there was related to small companies who claimed that they are sent by the regulatory office and mislead the customers, forcing them to sign new contracts with them. We can definitely learn from there some good practices on customer protection.



What are your expectations regarding the implementation of standardized load profiles and the opening of the market for household customers?



The SLPs are one of the prerequisites for the market opening for households and small businesses. The implementation of SLPs is a task which may look simple, but there is a lot of complexity behind it, especially in terms of the platforms for data exchange between the market operator and the market players. There will be a lot of data from the distributors from a number of suppliers.



Currently, the data exchange is easy, because for example CEZ Razpredelenie Bulgaria meters the data and one set from it is given to CEZ Electro Bulgaria for invoicing. After the implementation of the SLPs, CEZ Razpredelenie Bulgaria will have to know who are the suppliers at each metering point and has to supply the respective metering data. But the suppliers as well will have to provide the predictions for all their sites. And the market operator will be forced to be able to put together the predictions and the actual metered consumption, apply the SLPs, calculate properly the balances and imbalances  as the metering periods are not always on the first date of the month  so there is a big question mark on how to calculate the balances for the days after the metering period and who would be responsible for the difference between the predictions and the metered data. If this is not calculated properly, it may create an absolutely unfair redistribution of costs between the market players.



In other countries, there are different models  there is sometimes rounding of the data, there is sometimes a preliminary two-month period for clarifying the data, etc. So this is a bit unclear for us  how this will really work.



Regarding the opening of the market, there are many open questions. Still, the report of the World Bank is not in place, so we do not really know what would be the suggested targeted market model and what will be the steps to get there. The target model itself is probably something not quite difficult. The most important part is to define the phases and the steps how to get to the desired model and that is what we would be curious to see  what the World Bank proposes.



To fully liberalize the market, you need some prerequisites, which are not fully met  a working power exchange, the elimination of cross-subsidies, the data exchange between market participants regarding balancing, etc. There are a number of questions, which are still not answered and therefore these are the things that need to be clarified.



What are the next transformations in the electricity market that we may witness soon?



I would answer this question with a mid-term vision. It is clear, that the way electricity is generated and distributed is going to change. The so-called distributed generation will come, sooner or later  either if we talk about rooftop panels with storage for households or small cogeneration for small factories, schools, hospitals, etc. From the model of big power plants, providing energy to big and small consumers, we will move to a grid with much more generation points and most likely many of them will be renewable and this will create a much larger demand on the grid regarding dispatching  both from TSO and from the distribution companies.



One of the big questions is on storage and how fast it will be developed or more specifically when the price of the batteries will drop. We have experienced a sudden drop of solar panel prices with mass production and the same will most probably happen to storage systems. Then it will start to be more interesting for consumers to think about distributed generation. A big part on that may be as well played by the electric vehicles, as their batteries may also be used as storage, so we are in front of a big revolution in the energy sector.



This will bring a number of questions in the regulatory field as well, because the question is how to pay for the energy. This issue is now heavily discussed at European level, because if you own generation, but you still connection to the grid for reserve, you will either consume or sell net energy quantities to the grid. The question is how to calculate the price for distribution, which is now based mainly on consumed quantities. The clear path for regulation is going toward a fixed price for the access to the grid, which would be a kind of insurance for having the electricity in the moment when your solar panels are not producing. So the future is also related to introducing fixed prices for distribution connection to households as well.



The wholesale electricity market in Bulgaria is still not mature enough. There is an energy exchange operating, but what else should be done in terms of transparency and competition?



Currently, we have only the day-ahead market on the power exchange. What we need is definitely long-term products and balancing through the power exchange. Then, from the mid-term perspective, an intraday platform would be also needed.



What needs to be done in terms of transparency is competition, is similar to what I already mentioned regarding other countries. In order to ensure more liquidity, one solution may be similar to the Romanian example  for a period, to introduce mandatory bilateral contracts trading through the power exchange.



However, traders in Bulgaria are not quite happy with this perspective. What would be the negative effects of such compulsory bilateral contracts trading through the power exchange?



It is indeed a philosophical question with mixed feeling. If you are not allowed to do bilateral trading outside the power exchange, then there are more risks and troubles on traders side. The largest one is the counterparty risk. If I do the transaction on the power exchange and could not choose the counterparty, I may be forced to buy from someone that I do not trust has the possibility to deliver. If I want to buy and this energy is not available due to the counterpartys fault, I may turn out with a contract to sell to my customers  with a fixed price  without the energy in place.



On the other hand, this practice is positive for the liquidity on the market. All the energy will be there and you may be sure that there will be no non-transparent contracts. You will get a real price from the power exchange platform. Definitely in the long term to have mandatory trading on the power exchange is not good, but for a short and defined period of time it may be a way to secure liquidity on the market.



What is the current status of electricity sector regulation from your point of view? Do you see positive changes and what are the next challenges?



I think that it is very clear that we are not absolutely happy with the status of regulation. We have been very unhappy in the past. We do see some positive steps now and believe that this direction of the current regulatory commission is the right one. We cannot say yet that the regulatory environment is at the point where we would like to be  a standard environment. There are still some steps to be done.



The trend, set especially by the July 2015 decision is in the right direction, especially regarding the ex-ante approval of our capital expenses. This is something that is mandatory for the distribution companies  to know in advance that they would be able to invest in the grid and that the investment will be paid back in the tariffs.



Interview questions by Atanas Georgiev



TAGS: | Bulgaria | electrity | liberalisation | power trading | interview | Utilities | magazine



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Interview Teodor Bobochikov, Managing Partner, V-Ridium Energy Transformation  Trends and drivers Full text Events No records in this category! Poll What kind of transport do you use to get to work? Own/company's car

Public transport

Motorcycle

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Publications Books New Shale Gas Book from Springer Full text Publications Articles Blockchain  A Step to the Next Energy Revolution? Full text Publications Analyses Bulgarian National Recovery & Resilience Plan Full text
Akashic

There will be 75 galleys of The Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook: Whole, Organic Ingredients and Delicious Meals from the Marley Kitchen.

Algonquin

On offer will be 500 galleys of each of three titles: Gayle Formans Leave Me, Caroline Leavitts Cruel Beautiful World, and Susan Riverss The Second Mrs. Hockaday.

Amazon/Lake Union

Signing 125 galleys each will be Catherine McKenzie for Fractured and Allison Winn Scotch for In Twenty Years.

Amazon/Thomas & Mercer

Marcia Clark will sign 200 finished copies of Blood Defense, the first in her new Samantha Brinkman series. Robert Dugoni will sign 125 finished copies of In the Clearing.

Atria

Thomas Mullen will sign 100 copies of Darktown, his Buzz Panel book, at the S&S booth, and an additional 300 galleys will be at the panel. The publisher will also bring 300 galleys of Ezekiel Boones The Hatching.

Ballantine

Three authors will sign 200 galleys each at the Penguin Random House booth: Emily Giffin for First Comes Love, Jodi Picoult for Small Great Things, and Justin Cronin for City of Mirrors, the conclusion of the Passage trilogy.

Basic

Up for grabs will be 150 copies each of Tyler Nordgrens Sun Moon Earth: The History of Solar Eclipses from Omens of Doom to Einstein and Exoplanets and Benjamin K. Bergens What the F: What Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains, and Ourselves.

Bloomsbury

Christine Sneed will sign 150 galleys of her new collection, The Virginity of Famous Men. The publisher will also have on hand Ross Kings Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies (500 galleys), Kate Saunderss The Secrets of Wishtide (400 galleys), and John Pipkins The Blind Astronomers Daughter (200 galleys).

Blue Rider

There will be 200 galleys of Little Nothing, the latest novel from Marisa Silver, bestselling author of Mary Coin.

Coach House

The new novel from Giller Prizewinner Andre Alexis, The Hidden Keys, will be available for giveaway (200 galleys).

Counterpoint

Appearing at the show is author Gina Frangello, who will sign 50 copies of her new novel, Every Kind of Wanting.

Crown

Two hundred galleys of Eimear McBrides The Lesser Bohemians, her first novel since winning the Baileys Womens Prize for Fiction, will be available. Two novelists on hand for booth signings of 200 galleys each are Blake Crouch for Dark Matter and Brunonia Barry for The Fifth Petal. Also provided will be 200 galleys of Tara Clancys The Clancys of Queens, Derek Palacios The Mortifications, and Carol Burnetts In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox.

Da Capo Lifelong

The publisher will bring more than 100 galleys each of I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids by Kyle Schwartz and Fire in My Eyes: An Americans Journey from Being Blinded on the Battlefield to Gold Medal Victory by Brad Snyder.

Doubleday

In addition to the 1,000 galleys given at his author breakfast, Colson Whitehead will sign 200 copies of his newest novel, The Underground Railroad, at the Penguin Random House booth. Also signing 200 galleys at the booth is Candice Millard for Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill.

Dutton

Two hundred galleys will be on hand for Jennifer Chiaverinis novel, Fates and Traitors, and for Amy Krouse Rosenthals memoir, Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Rosenthal will also be signing at the booth.

Ecco

Five hundred galleys of Anthony Bourdains first cookbook in more than 10 years, Appetites, will be available. For his thriller Brighton, Michael Harvey will sign 100 galleys. With 150 galleys each, T.C. Boyles latest novel, The Terranauts, and Io Tillett Wrights memoir, Darling Days, will be available, and the publisher will also bring 200 galleys of Jessie Burtons The Muse.

Europa

Alexandre Vidal Porto will be present to sign 150 finished copies of Sergio Y, his novel. There will be 150 galleys each available of Alexander Maksiks Shelter in Place, Joan Londons The Golden Age, and Eric-Emmanuel Schmitts The Carousel of Desire.

The Experiment

Two hundred and fifty galleys each will be on hand for Sixty by Ian Brown and A Woman on the Edge of Time by Jeremy Gavron.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Jonathan Safran Foer will sign 300 galleys of his new novel, Here I Am. Also available are 200 galleys of Steven Prices novel By Gaslight and 200 finished copies of Lian Hearns Emperor of the Eight Islands, the first book in his Tale of Shikanoko series.

Grand Central

Five authors will be signing: Noah Hawley for Before the Fall (300 copies), Robert Hicks for The Orphan Mother (425 copies), Min Jin Lee for Pachinko (425 copies), Brad Meltzer for The House of Secrets (350 copies), and Kimberla Lawson Roby for A Sinful Calling (250 copies). The publisher will also have on hand Jessi Kleins Youll Grow Out of It (400 copies) and Melanie Raabes The Trap (300 copies).

Graywolf

Belle Boggs, author of The Art of Waiting, will sign 125 galleys. The publisher will also have 75 galleys each of Anuradha Roys Sleeping on Jupiter, Angela Palms Riverine, and David Szalays All That Man Is.

Grove/Atlantic

Three authors will be available for signings: Buzz Panel author Emily Fridlund will sign 500 galleys for History of Wolves; Pulitzer Prizewinner Robert Olen Butler will sign 500 galleys of his new novel, Perfume River; and John Freeman will sign 250 copies of his new anthology, Freemans: Family. The publisher will also have 500 galleys of Rabih Alameddines Angel of History and 300 galleys of Patrick Hoffmans Every Man a Menace.

Flatiron

Available for giveaway will be 300 galleys each of Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton and The Guineveres by Sarah Domet.

Hachette Books

Buzz Panel author Emma Flint will sign 500 galleys of Little Deaths, her novel. The publisher will also bring 500 copies of Indestructible by John R. Bruning.

Harlequin

A number of Harlequin authors will be in attendance, including the following, each signing 100 copies: Robyn Carr for Four Friends, Mary Kubica for Dont You Cry, Jodi Thomas for Lone Heart Pass, Lori Foster for Dont Tempt Me, and Brenda Novak for The Secrets She Keeps.

Harper

Ann Patchetts newest novel, Commonwealth, will be available (150 copies). Also on hand are 100 copies each of Margot Liveseys Mercury and Helen Sedgwicks The Comet Seekers.

Harper Perennial

Not Just Jane by Shelley DeWees (100 copies) will be available for giveaway.

Holt

The publisher will have 200 galleys of I Will Send Rain, the new novel from Rae Meadows.

Howard

There will be 300 copies of Believing in Magic by Cookie Johnson and 200 copies of Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away by Ben Utecht.

Kensington

There will be 1,000 galleys on hand of the Swedish romance novel All In by Simona Ahrnstedt.

Knopf

Eight hundred copies of The Nix (a Buzz Panel novel) by Nathan Hill will be given away via the panel, booth signing, and booth giveaways. Jennifer Close will be signing 200 copies of The Hopefuls, her novel. The publisher will also bring 200 copies each of Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen and Bright, Precious Days by Jay McInerney.

Little, Brown

Authors appearing include Elin Hilderbrand for Heres to Us (500 galleys), Michael Koryta for Rise the Dark (200 galleys), and Beth Macy for Truevine (500 galleys). The publisher will also have 300 galleys of The Wonder by Emma Donoghue and 750 galleys of Invincible Summer, the debut novel by Alice Adams, along with two by James Patterson, Woman of God (500 galleys) and Cross Kill (150 galleys).

LB/Boudreaux

Affinity Konar will sign 500 galleys of Mischling, her novel.

LB/Mulholland

Joe Ide will sign 200 galleys of his debut novel, IQ.

Minotaur

The publisher will bring 200 copies each of Charlaine Harriss All the Little Liars and Andrew Grosss The One Man. Louise Penny will sign 100 copies of A Great Reckoning.

Norton

Four hundred copies will be available for both Patrick Phillipss Blood at the Root: A Racial Cleansing of America and Ann Hoods The Book That Matters Most.

Norton/Liveright

Alan Moores novel Jerusalem (250 galleys) will be available, as will Marcy Dermanskys The Red Car (150 galleys). And Winston Groom will sign 400 galleys of El Paso.

Penguin Press

The publisher will bring 200 galleys of Lauren Collinss memoir, When in French: Love in a Second Language.

Picador

Two hundred copies each will be available of Alexander Weinsteins Children of the New World and Keith Donohues The Motion of Puppets.

Putnam

Available for giveaway will be 200 galleys of Shanthi Sekarans novel Lucky Boy.

Random House

The following authors will sign 200 copies each of their respective novels: George Saunders for Lincoln in the Bardo, Emma Cline for The Girls, and Graham Moore for The Last Days of Night. The publisher will also give away 200 copies of The Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Lindsey Lee Johnson and Victoria: The Queen by Julia Baird.

Redhook

Eight hundred galleys of Hollie Overtons Baby Doll will be available.

Riverhead

Buzz Panel author Brit Bennett will be on hand to sign her debut novel, The Mothers (450 copies). The publisher will also have 200 copies of Reputations by Juan Gabriel Vasquez.

Scribner

The publisher will bring 200 galleys of Trying to Float: Coming of Age in the Chelsea Hotel by Nicolaia Rips.

Simon & Schuster

Three hundred finished copies will be provided for Chris Cleaves signing of his latest novel, Everyone Brave Is Forgiven. Also for giveaway will be 300 galleys of Wolf Boys: Two American Teenagers and Mexicos Most Dangerous Drug Cartel by Dan Slater and Faithful by Alice Hoffman.

S&S/Gallery

Available for giveaway will be 300 galleys of Irenas Children by Tilar Mazzeo.

S&S/Scout

The publisher will bring 300 copies each of Iain Reids Im Thinking of Ending Things and Ruth Wares The Woman in Cabin 10.

S&S/Touchstone

Three hundred galleys each will be available of Die Young with Me by Rob Rufus and Please Enjoy Your Happiness by Paul Brinkley-Rogers.

Sounds True

Galleys up for giveaway include Kicking Sick: Your Go-To Guide for Thriving with Chronic Health Conditions by Amy Kurtz (150 copies), The Science of Enlightenment: How Meditation Works by Shinzen Young (100 copies), The Way of Rest: Finding the Courage to Hold Everything in Love by Jeff Foster (100 copies), and A Crooked Smile: A Memoir by Terri Tate (100 copies).

Sourcebooks

Ten titles for giveaway will include The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict (who will attend, along with 350 copies), Two Days Gone by Randall Silvis (500 copies), and Girl in Disguise by Greer Macallister (250 copies).

St. Martins

Among the seven titles for giveaway will be Warp by Lev Grossman (200 copies), All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker (200 copies), One with You by Sylvia Day (who will attend to sign 300 finished copies), The Next by Stephanie Gangi (200 copies), and The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko by Scott Stambach (200 copies).

Thomas Nelson

Katherine Reay will sign 75 galleys of her upcoming novel, A Portrait of Emily Price.

Tor

The publisher will have 150 galleys for both Panacea by F. Paul Wilson and The Rising by Heather Graham and Jon Land.

Tor/Forge

Loren D. Estleman will sign 100 finished copies of his mystery novel Shoot.

Univ. of Chicago

Up for grabs is National Book Awardfinalist Alice Kaplans Looking for The Stranger: Camus and the Life of a Literary Classic, a biography of one of the 20th centurys most influential books.

Univ. of Minnesota

Michael Schumacher will be present to sign 200 copies of his new book, Torn in Two: The Sinking of the Daniel J. Morrell and One Mans Survival on the Open Sea.

Viking

Amor Towles, author of Rules of Civility, will sign 200 galleys of his newest novel, A Gentleman in Moscow, and an additional 200 galleys will be offered for giveaway.

Viking/Dorman

Available for giveaway will be 200 galleys of Carolyn Parkhursts novel Harmony.

Yale Univ.

Little Jewel (50 copies) by Nobel-winner Patrick Modiano will be available. The publisher will also bring 200 copies of Play All: A Bingewatchers Notebook by Clive James.

See also: BEA 2016: Children's Galleys to Grab.

Click here to return to the main feature.
The Calvin College Festival of Faith & Writing marked its silver anniversary April 14-16 with more than 2,000 attending the biennial event in Grand Rapids, Mich. The FFW had 57 featured speakers, more than 100 panelists, and upwards of 125 sessions that included workshops, keynote addresses, poetry readings, and film and music events.

With attendees from 42 states and six countries, the biannual festival has become an important stop on the event circuit for religion publishers in terms of sales and reach. Representatives from religion book and magazine publishersfrom major publishing houses such as Baker Publishing Group and Zondervan to smaller houses like Discovery House and Herald Presshad a presence and showcased authors at the conference. Literary magazines had a presence as well, including Englewood Review of Books and Image Journal.

Other exhibitors included Christian Century, Books & Culture, Eerdmans Publishing Company, and Ave Maria Press. Baker Publishing Group highlighted novelist Jane Kirkpatrick and her book The Memory Weaver, and Kregel Publications featured novelist Susie Finkbeiner and her A Cup of Dust: A Novel of the Dust Bowl. Close to 60 authors signed their books throughout the three-day conference.

Calvin College is Christian, but the list of keynote speakers was ecumenical, including authors Tobias Wolff, George Saunders, Zadie Smith, and Nadia Bolz-Weber. Workshop speakers included Man Booker Prize nominee Chigozie Obioma; bloggers-turned-authors Amy Julia Becker, Addie Zierman, and Preston Yancey; Edgar Award winner Andrew Clements; Laura Ingalls Wilder Medalist Ashley Bryan; and a host of others.

What makes the Festival special is the mix of things that happen here, said Lisa Ann Cockrel, who was managing editor of Brazos Press before becoming the festivals director this year. You can go to a workshop on screenwriting and then attend a George Saunders interview and then listen to Scott Cairns read his poetry all in one afternoon. The festival is a big party for people who love books and storytelling.

New this year at the festival was the Party at the Princea meet-and-greet held at Calvins Prince Conference Centerhosted by Zondervan author Shauna Niequist (Cold Tangerines, Bittersweet, Bread & Wine), which included book signings and giveaways and guest dog The Real Pug Oliver, who accompanied owner Alison Hodgson, author of the April Zondervan release The Pug List: A Ridiculous Dog, a Family Who Lost Everything and How They All Found Their Way Home.

Workshop topics ranged across the spectrumwith an emphasis on poets and poetry, YA authors and writing, memoir and blogging. Keynote speaker Bolz-Weber, pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver and author of Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint (Jericho Books, 2013) and Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People (Convergent Books, 2015), had the audience laughing and crying at the festival finale, ending with a blessing for the thousands who attended.
The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reports that Charles Ridulph has hired an attorney to help him pursue a special prosecutor to defend the conviction.

Jack McCullough was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 in the killing of Maria Ridulph in Sycamore. But a new state's attorney, Richard Schmack, says his review of the investigation found flaws and determined McCullough's alibi was solid.

A judge vacated the conviction and McCullough was released Friday.

Schmack filed a motion Tuesday asking the judge to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning it couldn't be refiled.
CHICAGO (AP)  A Chicago man who spent more than two decades in prison for the murder of two men has been released after Cook County prosecutors dropped charges against him.

Edward Bolden, who walked out of Cook County Jail on Tuesday, was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Irving Clayton and Derrick Frazier. The victims were found shot to death in a burning car on January 29, 1994 in what authorities say was a drug deal gone bad.

Bolden was convicted on the testimony of a single eyewitness who identified him as the gunman.

A judge in January ordered a new trial for the 46-year-old Bolden, saying he had a "substantial deprivation of constitutional rights" following his arrest.

Bolden was being held in lieu of $1 million bail after prosecutors initially said they will retry him.
HILLSDALE -- Hillsdale Mayor Mike Lambrecht said after Monday's raucous meeting that dissension is splitting the village apart.

"I don't like it," Mayor Lambrecht said after another meeting of charged rhetoric and frustration over a number of topics.

"Hopefully, everything works out. I mean, the people here (at the meeting), they're the same people every time, and they have their agenda.

"There's a lot of miscommunication. There's a lot of things I can't tell them. My hands are tied. I'm kind of caught between a rock and a hard place."

Tensions erupted into verbal altercations between Mayor Lambrecht, along with some of the audience, and board members. One point of contention is the amount of money the village has paid for a forensic audit and legal fees related to the investigation of village clerk Jane Lundquist.

Ms. Lundquist, 59, was indicted last month for forgiving two sewer bills totaling about $1,100. The village has spent about $35,000 on a forensic audit paid for by the village and used by the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department in its investigation.

Another part of the cost has come through legal fees via Chicago attorney Paul Keller, who is being paid by the village for work related to the audit and the investigation. Some village officials have questioned why Mr. Keller is still involved in the case.

On Monday, the board, on a 3-to-3 vote with the mayor breaking the tie, approved a motion to pay forensic auditor Sikich, out of Naperville, $5,954 for work done on the audit. The village still owes the accounting firm another $4,036 at this time.

On a similar motion, the board, on another 3-to-3 vote with the mayor again breaking the tie, approved paying Mr. Keller $650 in legal fees.

Board member Chris Dillin, who voted against paying for the audit and legal fees, asked Mayor Lambrecht if the investigation is over.

"I have no idea," the mayor said. "They (sheriff's department) didn't tell me they were going to indict her (Lundquist)."

Audience member Bubba Brooks said the board, and before that the sanitary district, spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in sewer funds with the approval of past and current boards. He said the fund, which is the subject of the criminal investigation, has been misused but was not the fault of Ms. Lundquist.

"She always did her job," Mr. Brooks said. "Never did she not give you a monthly report. The reports are eye opening. They were upside down. Now, you've spent almost $36,000 more for accusations (against her) not doing her job."

The board also discussed briefly whether or not police chief Paul Garza has to use a time card for his hours worked. Board member Jan Lease said the chief should. He does not, and Mayor Lambrecht said he is fully aware of how many hours the chief works and said the chief is complying.
ROCK ISLAND  Having lived the devastation of diabetes, the Kennel-Williams clan decided to take a stand.

"Instead of just writing a check  and that's a wonderful gesture if someone chooses it  we went 'hands on' as family,'' said Linda Kennel. "We were shocked, amazed and taken with the way people responded.''

Running on desire, grit and care, and flying by the seat of their first-time fundraising pants, the Kennel-Williams family raised more than $8,000 for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) in May 2015.

They did it in one day, in one parking lot, on one street corner in Rock Island. In less than four hours.

And they are at it again.

Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. until everything is sold, the Kennels and the Williams will host a blooming basket fundraiser featuring about 360 hanging plants and 100 pans of hand-crafted Amish sweet rolls. Everything takes place in the Advance Auto Parts parking lot, 18th Avenue and 38th Street, Rock Island.

"One of our grandsons is affected by it, and we lost a niece at age 28 because of complications from diabetes,'' Kennel said. "It was time to take a bigger role in making a difference. Everyone has a role, and they all enjoy their part."

The JDRF Quad-Cities One Walk also begins at 10 a.m. May 7 at Black Hawk College.

"We sort of have the day surrounded," Kennel said. "From what they are doing out there at Black Hawk to what we are doing in Rock Island. And Advance Auto Parts is a national sponsor of JDRF and is gracious enough to allow us to use its parking lot. All sides really do come together to make the day work.''

Kennel understands how to make a pitch for a great cause. She combines the beauty of the hanging plant, appeals to the foodie in us with the sweet rolls and offers homemade dog treats as well.

All going toward a life-saving mission.

On Friday, May 6, she will travel to Kalona, Iowa, to a huge hanging plant auction by Amish distributors where she hopes to buy 350 to 400 of the most attractive hanging plants she can. Last year, 304 were sold in under four hours.

After securing the desired number of plants, she will travel the Kalona back roads to an Amish bakery, where she will secure 100 pans of mouth-watering sweet rolls. Kennel-Williams family members also will bake hundreds of dog treats.

On May 7  if last year is any indication  the Advance Auto Parts parking lot will be filled for several hours with patrons buying plants and goodies.

"We did it once, found out what we were doing, and decided to do it again,'' Kennel said. "You can get a treat for you or your pet and you can take care of Mother's Day with a hanging basket.

"In the end, though, it's about the cause," she said. "People were, and have been, great about everything. We went from 50 pans last year to 100 pans of sweet rolls this year. It should be a great day."

A great day for a great cause.
Meng Brings NASA Astronaut To Queens On October 17, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) brought NASA astronaut Dr. Jonny Kim to Queens where he met and spoke with students at Francis...

Celebrating Columbus The Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Queens (FIAO) held their annual Columbus Day parade in Astoria, on Saturday, October 8, during Italian Heritage Month. The...

Russo-Elling Mourned More than 300 first responders lined up on Thursday night to honor FDNY EMT Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, as her body was placed into a waiting...
The informal agreement on the market pillar of the Fourth Railway Package covers access to the EU member states' domestic passenger rail markets for EU train operators. It will also provide safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest and increase transparency between train operators and infrastructure managers, which has been a major hindrance for open-access operators.

Competitive tendering will become the norm across the EU for awarding public service contracts according to the agreed text. Direct award contracts for passenger services will still be possible, but only in justified cases. There has been a fear among existing operators of passenger concessions that some countries would abuse this to continue awarding contracts to incumbents.

"European rail needs a strong competitive impulse if it wants to continue playing a central role in the successful functioning of European economies," says Mr Wim van de Camp, Dutch rapporteur for the proposal on award of public service contracts. "Currently direct awarding, without any competitive bidding is the norm. In the new text we agree it should become an exception. Bidding based on objective criteria will improve the quality and affordability of the services for passengers and boost competitiveness for the sector as a whole."

"Finally we have a good deal after seven months of negotiations," says Mr David-Maria Sassoli, Italian rapporteur for the proposal for market opening and governance of rail infrastructure. "All the European Parliament proposals have been accepted: on the powers of the regulatory body, on avoiding conflicts of interest between operators and infrastructure managers and on ticketing, but above all on open-access for high-speed rail. The market is now open, even if this happens 20 years after it took place in the aviation sector."

"I'm very happy that we are in a position to close these long negotiations on the Fourth Railway Package," says Ms Merja Kyllonen, Finnish rapporteur for the proposal to repeal the regulation on normalisation of accounts. "The final approval of the so called technical pillar is very much anticipated by our rail sector."

The informal agreement now needs to be approved by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament.
Mr Gottfried Eymer, CEO of DBCS, told delegates at the SmartRail Europe conference in Amsterdam on April 19 that equipping the company's fleet of 30 electric locomotives (two types from two different suppliers) at a cost of almost 900,000 apiece risks "killing the business" and that an exit from the market is "one of the scenarios" now under consideration.

Eymer argues that the "low level of maturity and stability" in ERTMS makes it impossible for rail freight operators to invest in equipping their locomotives.

The earliest the industry can deliver a first-in-class prototype for DBCS's Bombardier class 185 Traxx locomotives is mid-2020 and Eymer says it is unclear whether Alstom will be able to deliver equipment to the required baseline (SRS 3.4.0 or 3.5.0), which means SRS 3.3.0 could ultimately be used.

"High costs are driven by the small fleet size, ability to retrofit different locomotive types, and the monopolistic behaviour of suppliers, who do not grant access to their specific train control system or specific national features," Eymer says. "Onboard equipment for 30 locomotives is a problem - you need to equip 1000 locomotives before you achieve economies of scale."

DBCS is also critical of Danish infrastructure manager Banedanmark and its Swedish counterpart Trafikverket for what it perceives as a failure to harmonise ERTMS deployment plans. The entire Danish network is due to be equipped with ERTMS by 2021, but in Sweden the legacy signalling system will remain in operation on the main international freight artery from Malmo towards Stockholm and central Sweden until 2023.

Specific Transition Modules (STM) on DBCS's locomotives will need to be upgraded because of the retention of the legacy system in Sweden and because Banedanmark plans to remove the class B ATC signalling system as it rolls out ETCS on a section-by-section basis. With the phased nature of the rollout, each locomotive will need to be fitted with German signalling equipment, ETCS and a Danish STM for a 400km trip.

Eymer argues that this situation penalises current freight operators. "Anyone who enters the market from the early 2020s onwards will not be faced with the costs of transition," he says. "If you do everything you can to increase the costs of the rail system, there will be no customers left to pay for it."

Funding

The European Union can only provide limited funding for equipping the locomotives. The Connecting Europe Facility will only fund up to 50% of the 250,000 eligible cost set by the EU as the upper limit for onboard ETCS equipment.

The Danish funding programme for ETCS onboard equipment has not yet been finalised, but state support is likely to be capped at 50% of the total cost for freight locomotives, compared with 100% for passenger vehicles.

Eymer is calling on the Danish government to delay full implementation of the ERTMS programme until suppliers can provide "tested and homologated" baseline 3 release 2 (SRS 3.5.0) equipment to limit the technical and financial risk to operators. He also advocates the retention of the legacy signalling system until 2021, harmonisation of implementation plans with Sweden to avoid STM costs, and forcing suppliers to cooperate to reduce costs.

The so-called "bridge toll" model is also put forward for funding onboard equipment through increased track access charges, which would enable freight operators to spread the cost of ETCS over a longer period.
The increase is mainly due to a 25% jump in tonnage sold to Russian Railways (RZD) from 228,000 tonnes in the final quarter of 2015 to 285,000 tonnes in the first quarter of this year, and increased exports to South America and the Middle East.

However, railway products sales dropped by 8.7% in North America from 135,000 tonnes in the final quarter of 2015 to 123,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2016. There was an even greater fall in sales comparing the first quarter of 2015 and 2016, where tonnage fell by 13.5%. Evraz blames lower demand for the reduction in North American railway products sales.

Evraz has also been hit by the global decline in steel prices, with the price per tonne of railway products in Russia falling from $US 512 per tonne in the first quarter of 2014 to $US 414 per tonne in the first quarter of this year.
An RBN Energy LLC analysis shows that about 1.7 million barrels per day of crude by rail (CBR) unload capacity has been built out and is operating in the Gulf Coast region. But this capacity represents a whopping 12 times January 2016 shipmentsa massive overbuild that is continuing today as new terminals are still planned.

According to U.S. Energy Information Administration January 2016 data, an average of only 142 Mb/d (thousand barrels per day) was shipped into the region by rail, down from a peak of just under 450 Mb/d in 2013 and an average of 235 Mb/d in 2015. On the face of it, the odds do not look good for Gulf Coast CBR terminals, writes RBN Energy analyst Sandy Fielden in Slow Train Coming  Massive Over Capacity at Gulf Coast Crude-By-Rail Terminals. It certainly seems like it is a very risky proposition for the new capacity that still is being built, even as volumes are falling off, plenty of pipeline capacity is available and crude price differentials have made rail freight too expensive to compete. And yet several companies are still planning and building new terminals!

While some of these projects are backed by take-or-pay commitments, it seems unlikely that these projects will provide good returns once those take-or-pay commitments (that provide revenue even if the terminal is not used) expire, says Fielden. Unless that is, crude oil prices take off again and U.S. production grows to a point where pipeline capacity is inadequate and rail is needed to take up the slack, as it did in 2012.

There is, however, one possible opportunity for the larger, more-efficient rail terminals, and that is the crude export market, says Fielden. Rail terminals might play a role in that market going forward. Lets assume . . . that U.S. crude production recovers . . . and that domestic prices become competitive vs. overseas crudes. At that point, a crude export market opportunity could exist, and traders/shippers will look to load cargoes of crude at coastal marine docks in large enough batches for exportperhaps 500 to 750 Mb/d of crude at a time from Gulf Coast ports. [R]egular pipeline deliveries might be hard to schedule since such shipments would tend to be one-off responses to export opportunities rather than a regular flow. That would open the door for rail facilities in Houston, Galveston and Port Arthur/Beaumont, Tex., or further east at St. James, La., to be used to accumulate CBR for export, since they provide a connection directly from producing basins to export docks.

Click HERE to access Fieldens full analysis.
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In the last two years, NATO's relations with Russia have collapsed to their post-Cold War nadir. Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, invasion of Eastern Ukraine, multiple aerial incursions into NATO territory, belligerent military exercises along NATO's borders, and cavalier talk about nuclear weapons have demonstrated the Kremlin's deep hostility and willingness to threaten Europe's hard-won post-Cold War security.

In these circumstances, the decision to convene a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels on April 20 has been met with an unusual amount of controversy  and could prove to be a mistake.

To be sure, there are some strong arguments for improved dialogue between NATO and Moscow. As proponents of engagement rightly point out, Russia plays a key role in ensuring Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. It could also play an important role in eventually bringing the war in Syria to an end. Russia's aggressive military operations  in the Middle East and Europe  and dangerous harassment of U.S. ships and aircraft have demonstrated the need to work together to prevent military accidents that could dangerously escalate existing tensions.

It's also true that NATO can talk to Moscow while simultaneously building up its defenses against Russia and strengthening Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, or other NATO partners that Russia seeks to weaken.

Nevertheless, under the current circumstances, very little of value is likely to come out of another meeting between NATO and Russia. What's more, there are real risks. Russia could use the meeting to work against NATO's best interests and try to undermine allied solidarity and resolve on Ukraine and other issues.

The NATO-Russia Council was initially conceived as a way of bringing Russia more closely into Europe's post-Cold War security architecture.

Starting in the mid-1990s, NATO pursued a policy of eastward enlargement, incorporating several former Warsaw Pact and post-Soviet states into its membership over the following decade. Concurrently, the alliance sought to build a closer and more productive relationship with Russia, signing the NATO-Russia Founding Act in 1997 and establishing the NATO-Russia Council in 2002.

The establishment of the council was a practical middle course between those who favored fully incorporating Russia into NATO and those who favored creating a brand new security organization that would include both Russia and all 28 NATO members as equal partners.

In retrospect, however, the creation of the NATO-Russia Council may have been the high water mark in post-Soviet Russia's relations with the West.

Only a year later, Ukraine and Georgia revolted against their undemocratic, Soviet-era leaderships. Russian President Vladimir Putin soon began to reinforce his own position of power, centralizing authority in the Kremlin and prosecuting political rivals on trumped up corruption charges. Putin then began to lament the demise of the Soviet Union and lambasted U.S. and NATO policy in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and on missile defense.

In 2008, when NATO heads of state pledged that Georgia and Ukraine would eventually become members of the alliance, Russia invaded Georgia and forced its westward leaning government to its knees.

In the wake of the Russia-Georgia war, both sides attempted to patch up relations. Limited dialogue and practical cooperation resumed in 2009.

The Obama administration announced it would reset relations between the erstwhile superpower rivals. A meeting of the heads of state of the NATO-Russia Council in Lisbon in 2010 sought to revitalize the NATO-Russia Council and transform it into a true strategic partnership. NATO and Russia then set out to find common ground on issues ranging from Afghanistan, to missile defense, to piracy in the Horn of Africa, to global terrorism.

The intentions during this era were largely good and hopes were high. But the inherent weaknesses of the NATO-Russia Council were clear. Meetings tended to involve set-piece interventions from each of the allies, often followed by blustering and acrimonious displays of distrust and recrimination from the Russian representatives.

Concrete gains remained limited to areas where NATO and Russia not only shared specific interests but also had the ability to conduct specific, small-scale military and peacekeeping operations. Naval operations were often a focus, largely because NATO and Russian forces could cooperate at a distance. Counterterrorism cooperation was far more difficult, because neither side was ready to share the sensitive intelligence needed to catch terrorists.

The council proved largely impotent as a means of promoting larger scale projects for European security, enhancing crisis management, or defanging broader tensions between Russia and the alliance. Because Moscow wrongly views NATO as an organization in which the United States dictates policy, it has tended to place far more value in direct discussions with Washington or key European capitals. Ultimately, it cares little about the NATO-Russia Council beyond the optics.

The same dynamics will be in play again at the meeting tomorrow, the first since 2014. But now, there are no areas for practical cooperation, and Central European allies are even more distrustful of Moscow than they were five years ago.

Meanwhile, Moscow will likely attempt to portray the meeting, particularly at home, as an example of its diplomatic skill  which to a certain degree it will be  and suggest that its relations with Europe are strong despite its belligerence and uncooperative attitude toward ending the conflict in Ukraine. Specifically, it may seek to use the meeting to suggest Europe is weakening its commitment to Ukraine and the sanctions regime imposed on Russia after its invasion of the Donbass in 2014. Those sanctions are currently linked to progress on the 2015 Minsk II Agreement that requires, among other things, an end to hostilities and Ukrainian control over its eastern border. If sanctions weaken without Russian compliance with Minsk II, it will be a clear defeat for the alliance.

Allies should continue to work in a unified and clear-eyed manner for a recovery from the current depths to which Russia's relations with NATO have fallen, while at the same time recognizing that Russia's security relationship with Europe has been problematic for centuries. Dialogue alone is unlikely to effect this reversal and could be counter-productive if mismanaged. Ultimately, it is Russia's political system itself that will need to change if relations are to improve significantly. That is not something that the NATO-Russia Council, or NATO for that matter, can do much about.

Christopher Chivvis is associate director of the RAND International Security and Defense Policy Center and teaches European Security and International History at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He has worked on Eurasian security and NATO-Russia issues in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

This commentary originally appeared on The Cipher Brief on April 19, 2016. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
For Release Wednesday

April 20, 2016

The current effort by the United States and its coalition partners is insufficient to achieve the lasting defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria, according to a new RAND report.

Successful conclusion of the campaign will require significantly increased effort by the United States across two fronts, said Linda Robinson, author of the study and a senior international policy analyst at RAND, a non-profit research organization.

First, more-comprehensive training, advising and assisting will be required to create more-capable, coordinated indigenous forces of appropriate composition in order to enable them to regain and hold territory. Second, political agreements must be forged to resolve key drivers of conflict among Iraqis and Syrians. Without these elements, resurgent extremist violence is likely.

The report assesses the military and political aspects of the campaign against the Islamic State, including the capabilities and motivations of the various counter-ISIL forces on the battlefield and the U.S.-led efforts to provide training, equipment, advice and assistance, including air support.

The U.S. strategy to degrade and defeat ISIL relies heavily on effective partner forces to combat the group, and clear and hold the extensive territory it has seized in Iraq and Syria, Robinson said. The partner forces are not yet able to hold territory, which is essential to lasting defeat.

While the campaign has degraded ISIL by targeting leadership and retaking a portion of territory, achieving lasting defeat of ISIL will be elusive without local forces capable of holding territory.

The key findings show that anti-ISIL forces suffer from capability gaps and a lack of coordination among disparate forces. Iraqs Counter Terrorism Service has carried the brunt of the fighting, suffering extensive casualties and materiel losses.

Lack of advisers at the operational level in Iraq and lack of support to Syrian opposition fighters limit effectiveness of indigenous forces, according to the report.

The training effort also was limited, as some 20,000 Iraqi army and Peshmerga forces were trained in 18 months, including 2,000 Iraqi special operations personnel. Efforts to arm and train Sunni tribes were halting.

In Syria, most territory was retaken by the Syrian Kurdish militia, and other efforts such as those by the New Syrian Forces were inadequate in numbers and capability. Coordination also was lacking among Syrian forces.

In Syria, the only exit from the current zero-sum stalemate is for the United States to embrace a simultaneous campaign to defeat ISIL and put sufficient military pressure on the regime to negotiate Assads departure, Robinson said. That path would mean acknowledging the reality of a two-front war in Syria. The United States can support others in the anti-Assad fight while retaining its leading role in the anti-ISIL fight.

The government in Iraq, led by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, has pledged decentralization efforts to address Sunni concerns, but lacks sufficient Shia support to enact them. Robinson recommends prioritization of the political line of effort, and achieving synergy between the military and political efforts.

The research described in the report was sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The report, Assessment of the Politico-Military Campaign to Counter ISIL and Options for Adaptation, can be found at www.rand.org.

The research was conducted within the RAND National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the defense agencies, and the defense Intelligence Community.
Spanish provider of broadcasting solutions, Albala Ingenieros, has been instrumental in migrating to HD two of Telefonicas Movistar+s Madrid-based studios.



DTS, a company formerly part of Canal+ and now owned by Telefonica , installed Albalas terminal infrastructure in the studios. The TL3000 and Crossconnect equipment covers HD video distribution, digital synchronising and signal up/down cross-converter.Proven quality of Alabalas products for HD signal processing helps us to develop this migration with a high degree of success, said Angel Pacho, engineering and maintenance manager, Movistar+.This is not the first time Telefonica selects Alabala during recent years, as Telefonica Servicios Audiovisuales (TSA) also carried out several projects with solutions provided by the Madrid-based manufacturer.We aim to be always close to our clients, doing our best and with high levels of collaboration, added Vicente Polo, director, Alabala Ingenieros
MOSCOW, April 20 (RAPSI)  The Lefortovsky District Court of Moscow has arrested funds and property of Deputy Minister of Culture, Grigory Pirumov, who stands charged with embezzlement of 100 million rubles ($1.5 mln) from the budget, RAPSI learned from the courts press-secretary Yekaterina Krasnova on Wednesday.

The court has received four documents from investigators who asked to seize Pirumovs property. Their motion was granted, the press-secretary said. She did not specify the estimated value of arrested assets.

According to Krasnova, the court has also arrested funds and property of Boris Mazo, the head of the Ministry Department of property management and investment policies.

Pirumov is charged with four episodes of fraud related to restoration of the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, the Ivanovsky Convent in Moscow, Tsiolkovsky State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics and a theater in Pskov.

Deputy Minister of Culture Grigory Pirumov was detained alongside other high-ranking officials, including Boris Mazo, the head of the Ministry Department of property management and investment policies, on suspicion of corruption and embezzling state funds. Oleg Ivanov, the head of a state unitary enterprise for restoration works supervised by the Ministry, Dmitry Sergeyev, the head of BaltStroy, and Nikita Kolesnikov, the head of Savva Corporate Group, were detained as well.

The investigation has presumably started basing on a report by the Auditing Chamber on restoration of the Izborsk Fortress in the Pskov region presented yet in 2013; however, it may also involve such cultural heritage sites as the State Hermitage in St. Petersburg and the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, as well as works carried out at the Ivanovsky Convent in Moscow, and a theater in Pskov.
The Hague court revokes $50 bln award in Yukos v. Russia dispute - report

MOSCOW, April 20 (RAPSI) - The District Court of The Hague has overturned a lower courts ruling ordering Russia to pay $50 billion to former shareholders of Yukos, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

The court admitted that The Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration had lacked competence to review this dispute.

Tim Osborne from the GML law firm, representing Yukos shareholders, said: "I confirm that we will appeal this surprising decision. It was Russia that argued for provisional application at the time of signing the ECT and if Russia did not think it was bound by the ECT what did it think it was withdrawing from in 2009?"

Russia believes that the The Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration had no right to review the case because the Energy Charter Treaty, which was appealed to during the review of a case, has never been ratified by Russian Parliament. Albert Jan van den Berg, a lawyer who is representing Russia in this case, said that Russian Federation undoubtedly signed the Charter but is not obligated by a contract.

Russian Federation has also claimed that shares of former Yukos co-owners cant be regarded as investments under jurisdiction of the Energy Charter Treaty. According to representatives of Russia, companies behind the investments have been registered in other countries, but in reality theyve been front companies created in violation of Russian legislation, therefore the dispute is to be heard in a Russian court.

Additionally, Russian Federation believes that the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration has made several judicial mistakes: it has not consulted tax authorities of Russia, Cyprus and Great Britain during the review of the case and has used flawed methodology to calculate the losses of Yukos ex-shareholders.

The Energy Charter Treaty establishes a complex system of rules regulating cooperation in energy sphere between signing parties. Russia signed the Treaty in 1994 but did not ratify it, maintaining nation legislation.

A tribunal for The Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration in July 2014 issued awards in three cases filed against Russia. The tribunal ordered that Russia pay Yukos Universal Limited (Isle of Man) over $1.8 billion in damages. Hulley Enterprises Limited (Cyprus) was awarded about $40 billion, and Veteran Petroleum Limited (Cyprus) got over $8 billion. Russian authorities moved to set aside the ruling and turned to the District Court of The Hague. Russia has appealed the ruling.

Yukos ex-shareholders turned to several international courts seeking seizure of Russian assets.

In June 2015, France and Belgium seized accounts of several Russian companies and diplomatic missions at the request of former Yukos shareholders.
ECHR to review Russian nationalist Potkins complaint in simplified procedure

MOSCOW, April 20 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul)  The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has communicated an application by Russian nationalist Alexander Potkin over his long stay in detention, his attorney Irina Khrunova told RAPSI on Wednesday.

ECHR is not going to ask Russian government any questions in our case because this wrongful judicial practice has already been studied enough. For ECHR it is an obvious case: a person is staying in detention for a year and a half  thats far too long. This is why Belov-Potkins appeal will be reviewed in a simplified procedure, Khrunova said.

Potkin (also known as Belov) was arrested on October 15, 2014 at the Hotel Intourist Kolomenskoe in Moscow on charges related to the embezzlement of $5 billion from BTA Bank. At the time of the arrest, Potkin allegedly had documents on him that effectively tied him to the embezzlement.

Investigators believe that Potkin (Belov) was a mastermind in a money laundering operation in 2012-2014. He was also suspected of involvement in laundering money that was embezzled from BTA Bank by its former chairman Mukhtar Ablyazov.

Ablyazov, who allegedly defrauded BTA Bank of more than $6 billion, left Kazakhstan for the UK, where he was granted political asylum in 2011. However, he remained a fugitive from justice since February 2012.

Ablyazovs whereabouts remained unknown until he was detained on July 31, 2015 near Cannes, France. Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine are all seeking his extradition.

In October 2015, French authorities approved Ablyazovs extradition to Russia.
Criminal case against Russian eccentric artist Pavlensky reaches court

MOSCOW, April 20 (RAPSI)  Prosecutors have sent a criminal case against Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky, accused of setting fire to the Moscow headquarters of the Federal Security Service (FSB), to Moscows Meshchansky District Court, the Prosecutor Generals Office reported on Wednesday.

According to investigators, on the night of November 8, 2015, Pavlensky threw a petrol can upon the front door of the FSB headquarters in central Moscow which is a heritage building, the statement reads.

Eccentric artist Pavlensky was arrested on November 9, 2015, along with several other people who claim to be journalists that were invited to the artists performance. The next day Pavlensky was detained under a court decision. In late November, his detention was extended until May 5.

Pavlensky is known for a number of controversial performances.

In July 2012, he sewed up his mouth and stood at the Kazan Cathedral with a poster in support of Pussy Riot.

In May 2013, Pavlensky lay down on the ground in front of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly naked with barbed wire around his body.

In November 2013, also naked, Pavlensky nailed his scrotum to the Red Square pavement near the Lenin Mausoleum.

In October 2014, he staged an eccentric stunt on the roof of the Serbsky Mental Institution in Moscow by cutting off one of his earlobes.

In February 2015, Pavlensky and his accomplices burned car tyres, waved Ukrainian flags and banged sheet metal with sticks in a show of solidarity with the anti-government protesters in Ukraine. The performance was held near the Church of the Savior on Blood in St. Petersburg.
Lawyer and police officer arrested on suspicion of organizing murder in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, April 20 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov)  Several men including a lawyer and a police captain have been arrested in St. Petersburg on suspicion of organizing a murder and intended infliction of grievous bodily harm that negligently caused the death of a victim, RAPSI learnt in the Saint Petersburg main Investigations Directorate of Russia's Investigative Committee on Wednesday.

According to investigators, in September 2010 attorney Alexander Kaidanov organized an assault on a local woman because of enmity.

On September 30, 2010, two alleged accomplices of Kaidanov fetched the women on her head about ten times using a blunt instrument and took minimum three shots in her leg. The woman has been taken to a hospital where she died after a few days.

In November 2010, Kaidanov worked out a plan of killing a local businessman in order to gain possession of his assets worth around 10 million rubles. He involved Police captain Yevgeny Popov in this crime promising him money reward.

Popov in turn gave information about the victim to their alleged accomplices who later committed the murder, according to investigators.
As we see a surge in inflation globally, it is now critical that everyone is aware of the implications this will have along every step of the insurance and reinsurance value chain.
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Price: $ 1,000 Seller State of Residence: Florida City: Jacksonville Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential Location: 322**, Jacksonville, Florida

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Price: $ 9,800 Seller State of Residence: California Property Address: Gendreau Rd. State/Province: Maine City: Grand Isle Type: Recreational, Acreage Zoning: Mixed Zip/Postal Code: 04746 Location: 935**, Lancaster, California

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The name of the Claim"100 OUNCE GULTH" CAMC: 311962Unpatented 20 Acre Placer Mining Claim Mokelumne Hill Mining DistrictLocation: "Mokelumne Hill, Ca" Calaveras/Amadore COUNTY, CA "Mokelumne Hill was one of the richest gold mining towns in California. Founded in 1848 by a group of Oregonians, the placers were so rich that the miners risked starvation rather than head to Stockton to replenish their supplies." "This group includes Granite, Granodiorite, Quartz Diorite, Diorite and Gabbro; Hornblen...

Price: $ 2,175 Seller State of Residence: California State/Province: California City: Mokelumne Hill Type: Recreational, Acreage Zoning: BLM Location: , Groveland, California

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By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/19/2016



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.
Animal Planet's "River Monsters" crew rescued a castaway while shooting in a remote area off the coast of Australia.

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During a recent shoot for an episode titled "Death Down Under," presenter Jeremy Wade and his crew picked up the marooned man after he caught their attention from a nearby uninhabited island.

"He had said his last prayer," the episode's director, Stephen Shearman, told "Inside Edition" about the man, named Tremine.

"He was prepared to die and meet his maker."

Severely dehydrated and scorched by Australia's summer sun, Tremine was stranded on the island, located 60 miles from the nearest town, for an estimated 60 hours.

The man was an experienced fisherman exploring a new area to collect oysters.

After becoming separated from his boat, he reportedly suffered sunstroke and became increasingly disoriented.

"He then spent that first night on the beach, and the next morning he tried again, but the sun had gotten to be too much for him, and at this point, he is now trapped," the director told the outlet.

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During a short clip from the "Death Down Under" episode, host Wade said the crew first noticed Tremine's cooler before catching sight of him, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.

"He immediately came down to the water, and he's yelling out 'give me something to drink, give me something to drink,'" he said.

"He was separated from his boat two days ago...With every hour that passed, his chance of survival diminished."

The human body can only survive 72 hours without water.

The TV crew had not originally intended to fish the waters around the particular island on which Tremine was found, but choppy conditions prompted them to change plans.
At approximately 10:00 a.m., University of Georgia police responded to the Zell B. Miller Learning Center. The police were seen conversing with two individuals, one male and one female, around 10:10 a.m. when Red & Black reporters arrived at the scene.
FRIDAY

Run For the River

What: Part of Earth Week, this 3-mile running tour of streams on campus is hosted by Watershed UGA and the Office of Sustainability

Where: Intersection of Hull Street and Baxter Street

When: Noon

Price: Free
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PenAir will start air service Thursday

PenAir will start daily flights to Portland, Oregon, on Thursday.

The first flight departs Redding Municipal Airport at 4:50 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive in Portland at 7:20 a.m. It will make a stop in Arcata-Eureka before continuing. The afternoon flight will leave Redding at 3:40 and fly nonstop, arriving in Portland at 5:15.

PenAir is using twin-engine, turboprops.

Also this month, SkyWest started a third flight to San Francisco out of Redding on April 5. SkyWest, doing business as United Express, flies twin-engine regional jets.

Chamber hosts business seminar

The Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce will host a business seminar titled "Opportunity Mindset: Tap into your Biggest Asset," presented by Christy Largent.

The workshop is 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on April 27 at the chamber office at 747 Auditorium Drive.

Cost to attend is $35 for chamber members and $60 for nonmembers.

To register, go to http://bit.ly/1SS3TPF.

Reporter David Benda can be reached at 225-8219 or at david.benda@redding.com.
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A 43-year-old Anderson man was sentenced Tuesday in Shasta County Superior Court to more than 13 years in prison for assaulting a 56-year-old woman.

Prosecutors announced on the Shasta County District Attorneys Office Facebook page that Antonio Dominguez pleaded guilty to charges of felony domestic violence with great bodily injury and making criminal threats in connection with an April 4 incident in Anderson in which he assaulted the woman.

Dominguez, who has a lengthy history of domestic violence, was immediately sentenced by Superior Court Judge Cara Beatty to 13 years, four months in prison.

Dominguez will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence, or about 11 years, before hes eligible for parole.


Photo by Jennifer Gibson A row of MacNab cypresses at an old homestead in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. These trees are transplants from the original grove that was once located near the town of Whiskeytown.

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By Damon Arthur of the Redding Record Searchlight

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has long been an attraction to boaters, anglers, hikers and bicycle riders.

A competition next month could move the park in a new direction. Whiskeytown officials are holding a contest next month to attract visitors armed with canvas, brushes and paint for a plein air painting contest.

Artists will have the chance to earn up to $500 for first prize and have their paintings put on sale at the Whiskeytown Visitors Center, said Whiskeytown Superintendent Jim Milestone.

"We hope we're going to get some great artists," Milestone said.

The Paint Out! Competition is the weekend of May 6 to 8 and is open to artists working in oil, water color, acrylics, pastels, charcoal and pencil.

Plein air involves painting outdoors, so competitors can camp for free at the recreation area's Dry Creek Campground on May 6 and 7.

To compete, artists will be required to have a canvas stamped on either May 6 or early May 7 at the Visitors Center. There is a $20 entrance fee, but the National Park Service is giving out prizes from $500 for first prize, $200 for second prize and $100 for third prize.

There will also be special recognition for students under 18.

Following the competition, paintings will go on sale outside the Visitors Center from noon to 2 p.m. on May 8. Friends of Whiskeytown will receive 40 percent of all proceeds from sales.

For complete rules on the contest, go to the Whiskeytown Recreation Area's website at www.nps.gov/whis. For more information, contact Milestone at 242-3460 or by email at Jim_Milestone@nps.gov.

Debra Lucero, executive director of the Shasta County Arts Council, said plein air competitions are common across the country, but not so much in the North State.

That could be changing with the Whiskeytown competition, and through a competition the Arts Council is planning for 2017.

The council is applying for a grant from the California Arts Council to put on a California True North Plein Air Festival and Competition, Lucero said.

The competition would cover the entire North State region and would be held in conjunction with the Redding Rodeo to get artists from all over the country to visit Redding and capture the images of the West on canvas, she said.

Artists also would be encouraged to paint in such locations as the Sundial Bridge, the Sacramento River, the Diestelhorst Bridge, Shasta Historical Park and Castle Crags.
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A four-vehicle collision led Redding police to temporarily close a stretch of Churn Creek Road at Huntington Drive in south Redding this afternoon, police said.

No injuries were reported in the crash, police said.
Robert Lloyd Tyler

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Trial set in boy's hit-and-run death

The trial for a 25-year-old Cottonwood man charged with hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter in the death of a 15-year-old boy has been pushed back to Oct. 4.

Although a trial for Robert Lloyd Tyler had been set to start April 26, it was rescheduled last week to begin in the fall.

Tyler was arrested Dec. 10 in connection with a Dec. 5 collision that killed Aaron Mieger, also of Cottonwood.

Mieger died Dec. 8 at Mercy Medical Center in Redding. He was hit from behind by a 1997 Toyota Camry as he walked south on Cottonwood's Main Street north of Musket Way with a friend, the California Highway Patrol said.

Tyler was arrested five days following the crash after authorities received a number of tips about his whereabouts.

He remains in the Shasta County Jail in lieu of $310,000 bail.

Mother gets prison in death of daughter

A Red Bluff woman has been sentenced to six years in state prison after sheriff's deputies found the body of her 14-month-old daughter last year underneath a pile of clothing inside their residence, the Tehama County District Attorney's Office reported Tuesday.

Sherri Marie Atkinson, 28, who was convicted of child abuse, called 911 on Feb. 9, 2015, to report she could not find her daughter, prosecutors said.

She explained she had put the girl in bed with her the night before and when she woke up the child was gone.

Deputies found the child dead under a pile of clothing on the floor, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Atkinson's two other children, ages 3 and 5, were taken into protective custody due to the "deplorable conditions" of the home.

Blood samples taken from Atkinson that day registered positive for marijuana and methamphetamine, while hair samples taken from the girl and one of her two brothers tested positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, the principal psychoactive ingredient of marijuana.

A coroner's report said the girl had poor oral hygiene and suffered from neglect. An investigation determined the cause of her death was suffocation from being buried under the clothing, prosecutors said.

Man sentenced for assaulting woman

A 43-year-old Anderson man was sentenced Tuesday in Shasta County Superior Court to more than 13 years in prison for assaulting a 56-year-old woman.

Prosecutors announced on the Shasta County District Attorney's Office Facebook page that Antonio Dominguez pleaded guilty to charges of felony domestic violence with great bodily injury and making criminal threats in connection with an April 4 incident in Anderson in which he assaulted the woman.

Dominguez, who has a lengthy history of domestic violence, was immediately sentenced by Superior Court Judge Cara Beatty to 13 years, four months in prison.

Dominguez will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence, or about 11 years, before he's eligible for parole.

Season begins to pick mushrooms

Mushroom harvesting season began Wednesday in the McCloud area of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Forest Service officials began issuing personal and commercial mushroom harvesting permits Wednesday at the McCloud and Mt. Shasta ranger district offices.

Personal use permits are free and good for 29 days from the date they are issued. Permit holders can harvest up to 20 pounds of mushrooms a year. Common mushrooms found in the area include morels, boletus, shaggy mane and puff balls.

Mushrooms with a cap 2 inches or greater in diameter must be cut into quarter sections, according to the Forest Service. Raking the ground for mushrooms is also forbidden, agency officials said.

Commercial permits are available only at the McCloud Ranger Station and range in price from $1 a pound to $150 for 150 pounds harvested.

For more information, contact either the McCloud Ranger Station at 964-2184 or the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station at 926-4511.

Road closes after four-vehicle crash

A four-vehicle collision led Redding police to temporarily close a stretch of Churn Creek Road at Huntington Drive in South Redding this afternoon, police said.

No injuries were reported in the crash, police said.

Blaze destroys fifth-wheel trailer

Firefighters on Tuesday morning extinguished an RV fire on Highway 89 north of Lake Britton in northeastern Shasta County.

Dispatchers reported the fire just after 7:15 a.m. on Highway 89, north of its intersection with Highway 299 and about a 70-mile drive from Redding.

Responding crews noted flames had engulfed the RV and an attached propane tank exploded. Crews said the was fire contained just before 7:40 a.m., less than 30 minutes after it was reported.

The fifth-wheel trailer "burned down to the frame," according to the CHP. No injuries were reported.
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By Nathan Solis of the Redding Record Searchlight

The Shasta County Board of Supervisors learned more about a proposed conservancy that would include portions of counties from Siskiyou down to Napa.

Jeff Morris, consultant with the firm Tuleyome, said Senate Bill 1396, introduced in February, would create the Inner Coast Range Conservancy, a protected swath of land that would include parts of Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama, Solano and Napa counties.

Morris said the proposed conservancy is modeled after the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which includes a portion of eastern Shasta County.

Creating the conservancy would allow the region to tap into state funds for local projects, Morris said.

He added that the conservancy would increase the pace and scale of needed activity in the region, while also creating jobs, though the specifics of any of those goals were not addressed on Tuesday.

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy covers 22 counties and 25 million acres. On Tuesday Morris said the boundary lines of the proposed Inner Coast Range Conservancy would touch into western Shasta County.

Supervisor Leonard Moty, who's district would include a part of the conservancy, said property owners who find themselves in the conservancy boundary can opt-in to any projects.

However, Morris said that property owners would not be notified whether their land falls into the conservancy, but the projects are optional.

Board Chairwoman Pam Giacomini, who represents the county with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, said landowners who do participate in the projects could help benefit the economy.

"Getting the right people on the ground is important to help grow the local economy," said Giacomini.

While landowners can opt out of projects, the county would not be able to veto projects associated with the conservancy, Morris said.

Such a conservancy can provide leverage for the region to secure funding for projects individual counties may not be able to get on their own, Morris said.

Supervisors also heard from Health and Human Services Director Dianna Wagner about child abuse in Shasta County.

She said in January, there were 257 referrals, with 54 that warranted an immediate response from the Children's Services Branch team. There were 76 reports taht warranted a response within 10 days and 124 needed either no follow up with Children Services or another agency.

Supervisor Leonard Moty requested the presentation to understand the protocols in place in Shasta County, and how they differ from Monterey County, because two children involved in numerous reports to Child Services in that county were found dead in a Redding storage unit in December.

The guardian of those children was charged in Monterey County on murder, torture and other charges.

"What happens if there are multiple reports in other counties? What would happen if a case comes in that there are previous reports from other counties?" Moty asked.

Wagner said she did not want to go into a case from another county, but said Shasta County differs in its approach to responding to reports of child abuse or neglect.

Shasta County has a team of specialized professionals who respond to multiple reports from the same location within 24 hours.
Photo by Amber Rae This photo from Facebook is part of the campaign Redding parks and recreation is using to build support for transforming Kids Kingdom into an inclusive playground.

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After 22 years, Redding's popular playground at Enterprise Park is due for a complete transformation.

An art rendering presented Tuesday shows Kids Kingdom getting new play equipment, ziplines, a train and swings. The features are part of a new design to make the place an inclusive playground for children of all ages and abilities.

It will have perimeter fencing, an open design and accessible path. The castle theme, childrens handprints created 23 years ago and mature trees on site will be kept.

It will definitely get your attention and you wont be disappointed, said Kim Niemer, community services director.

Niemer, who has been working with a design team and families interested in the universal playground, pegged the projects cost at $310,000. About half of that cost is for the playground. Surfacing and installation are each estimated at $50,000. Security cameras have a price tag of $32,000 and contingency costs, $28,000.

The city received grants from the California Parks and Recreation Society and PlayCore, a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company that manufactures inclusive play structures.

Niemer said grants could cover half of the costs. The remainder will be raised through community donations, including service clubs and a crowdfunding campaign on Fundrazr.com.

Donors can makes pledges of $25, $50 and $100, which will make them eligible for special recognition through a metal piece cut in the shape of either a shield, castle or crown.

Vice Mayor Brent Weaver made a pledge of $100 on behalf of his children.

Councilwoman Kristen Schreder joined in saying she too was interested in donating on behalf of the five children and 15 grandchildren in her extended family.

Online donations can be made at https://fundrazr.com/kidskingdom2.
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By Jenny Espino of the Redding Record Searchlight

This story has been updated to correct that the $170,000 figure quoted by City Attorney Barry DeWalt is the improved value of the Americana Lodge if all repairs are done.

The Americana Lodge was looking tidier, when Redding Mayor Missy McArthur took a walk around the downtown property on Tuesday before the City Council met.

"What an improvement. I mean it's amazing how much cleaner it looks," she told her peers from the dais.

Her comments followed a report from City Attorney Barry DeWalt about the motel being in the hands of a court-named Southern California receiver and its future still unclear.

DeWalt said Richardson "Red" Griswold of San Diego reported to the city on Monday that 18 of the motel's rooms are occupied.

It's significantly fewer than when the city pulled a search warrant and found many of the rooms still occupied by tenants who had been living there for months. In one case, the person had stayed eight months.

Griswold, who only answers to the court, wants to borrow $70,000 to fully inspect the property and get his arms around the scope of the work the motel needs. The money would not come from the city but the bank that may foreclose on the property.

The motel operator, Shree Shiva LLC, owes nearly $1 million.

The funding would pay for asbestos testing if it is determined that demolition is the way to go. Among other things, it also would pay operational costs and outstanding insurance premiums, according to court documents.

First National Bank of Northern California holds a $950,000 deed of trust on the property and is resisting the request. Ultimately, though, it will be up to the court to decide whether to grant the receiver's request.

As is, the bare lot on Pine Street is worth more than the motel in its current dilapidated conditions.

Griswold is estimating the value of the lot at $450,000. By comparison, his estimate for the building is between $145,000 and $345,000, which means the property likely is under water.

Pictures taken last May during a code-enforcement inspection show the motel's problems are more significant however. The inspection revealed black mold on ceilings and in bathrooms and bedbug infestation.

To rehabilitate the building, Griswold is estimating the cost at $1.5 million, DeWalt told the council.

"So there is a lot of work that needs to be done," DeWalt said.

Those repairs would only improve the value of the property by $170,000.

McArthur, in asking about the money that the receiver wants to borrow to evaluate the motel, at one point quipped, "Maybe we can pay a few bucks and (Fire) Chief (Gerry) Gray can burn it down."

She received applause from someone in the audience and a few chuckles.

Vice Mayor Brent Weaver recognized the financial challenge facing the motel.

"Nobody wants to loan on a building that is under water," he said.

Weaver saved his strongest words for Shree Shiva LLC, the motel's owner.

The landlord has taken advantage of a lot of tenants, he said before telling DeWalt to use every avenue so that the landlord does not operate in the city.

"I have strong feelings of disgust when I think about this particular landlord," Weaver said.

In other business, the council unanimously:

 Approved a two-year contract with the Redding Peace Officers' Association that raises the pay of 77 sworn officers by 3 percent in June and again in January. Phased in over the two years, it also requires sworn personnel to pay 3 percent of the city's California Public Employees Retirement System employer contributions. Police recruits will contribute 1 percent. This is in addition to the 9 percent sworn officers and 7 percent police recruits contribute to their pensions.

 Agreed to rehire Kent Manuel on a temporary basis to assist with the update to the Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan and the relocation of Costco Wholesale from its Dana Drive store. Costco is believed to be interested in the 16-acre Rother property west of Interstate 5 at South Bonnyview Road. Manuel retired last Friday as the city's planning manager. His $55,000 contract, effective April 24, brings him back for up to 960 hours through fiscal 2016-17.

 Awarded a $2 million contract to Cox & Cox Construction to replace about 12,000 linear feet of sewer lines in the Mistletoe Lane area. The cost of the project, estimated at $2.4 million, was budgeted and will be paid through the Wastewater Utility.

 Made four appointments to the Planning Commission. Lisa Jeter will fill a seat whose term expires on May 1, 2017, while Leslie Williem will fill a seat whose term expires on May 1, 2019. Former Redding Mayor Rick Bosetti and Bert Meyer will return to serve four-year terms ending May 1, 2020.

 Approved a 10-year agreement with Turtle Bay Exploration Park to maintain and secure the Sundial Bridge, adjacent plazas and restrooms. The contract more than doubles security patrol hours and updates the maintenance schedule at a cost of $168,160 annually. It is an increase of $62,710. Security during daylight-savings time will be around the clock Thursday through Saturday and 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday. During standard time, it will be 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

 Set a June 7 public hearing to consider forming a landscape maintenance district for the area of Churn Creek Road Browning Street and the proposed small neighborhood Whistling Park on the east edge of the Quail Ridge subdivision. Property owners will be sent ballots ahead of the public hearing. The projected assessment per lot is $66.38.
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Red Bluff authorities chased a bank robbery suspect and caught her Tuesday after she crashed into a parked car and tried to run away.

Red Bluff police were told about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday that a robbery was in progress at Rabobank at 500 Luther Road. The woman, later identified as Sara Beth Natho, 29, of Red Bluff, ran from the bank with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

An investigator from the Tehama County District Attorneys Office found a woman matching the bank robbers description sitting in a parked vehicle in the area of Kirsten Court. When the investigator approached the woman, she fled in her vehicle with authorities starting a pursuit, going west on Kimball Road at speeds up to 75 mph.

The chase ended at Donita Drive and Crosspoint Way when Natho crashed into the parked car. She was apprehended and booked into Tehama County Jail on suspicion of robbery.
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The Redding City Council tonight has a packed agenda with public-safety related topics.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Redding City Hall, 777 Cypress Ave.

It will vote on a pair of 3 percent raises for the police department's 77 sworn officers and a reserve police officer program. That program will start with a single volunteer -- a doctor who has completed his 300 hours of training to carry a badge and gun and work with the SWAT team.

But Chief Robert Paoletti said there may be potential to expand the program but will depend on conversations with officers about the department's needs. Any additional volunteer positions are subject to a meet-and-confer with the police unions.
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By Jenny Espino, Record Searchlight, and staff reports

Redding's Neighborhood Police Unit made a return visit to a room at the Redding Inn on Tuesday and arrested 13 people on drug-related offenses.

Redding Police Chief Robert Paoletti spoke of the raid during the City Council meeting Tuesday night after Councilman Gary Cadd brought it up while delivering the evenings invocation.

What they did was quite amazing. We just want to ask for the blessing for that, Cadd said in his prayer, which described the arrests as a big drug bust.

They are processing that case right now, Paoletti said Tuesday night.

Paoletti said officers with the Neighborhood Police Unit removed 13 people and seized drugs and heroin from the same room at the motel on Pine Street, where Thursday six people were busted.

The chief said he had asked the six-member team to attend the council meeting so they could be recognized. But those plans quickly changed.

In the 10 weeks since the unit began its watch of the downtown and along Hilltop Drive, Paoletti told the council the officers have made 1,127 contacts, issued 139 citations and arrested 236. The figures cover the period from January through last Thursday.

Among its contacts, the majority, or 170 people, are on probation.

The chief also noted the unit has seized 154.8 grams of methamphetamine. Heroin quantities were a lot smaller  7.8 grams  but thats because it only reflect seizures from drug dealers. Heroin addicts, who get sick when they start to feel the effects of withdrawal, consume the drug right away, he said.

The 13 arrests Tuesday were from the same Room 124 at the Redding Inn. The police said went back after receiving reports of continued drug activity.

Three of the people arrested Tuesday were previously arrested last Thursday. Police said those three were Lee Martin Kennedy, 57, Anthony Victory Marchand, 26, and Jonathan Blake Woods, 41. Kennedy, Marchand and Woods were again arrested on suspicion of maintaining a residence for the possession, use, and trafficking of illegal drugs, police said

Police said the trio had 10 other people with them in the room:

- Eric James Haubner, 27, who is on parole as a high risk sex offender. Haubner was arrested for a parole violation and on suspicion of being at a residence maintained for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking.

- Antonio Max Castillo, 30, who is on felony probation. Castillo was arrested for violation of probation and on suspicion of being at a residence maintained for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking.

- Michael Richard Camacho, 36, who is on felony probation. Camacho was arrested for violation of probation and on suspicion of being at a residence maintained for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking.

- Terry Lee Crosley, 20, who is on felony probation. Crosley was arrested for violation of probation and on suspicion of being at a residence maintained for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking and possession of methamphetamine.

- Latrice Gracie Louise Parker, 33, who is on active felony probation. Parker was arrested for violation of probation and on suspicion of being in possession of drug paraphernalia and narcotic pills.

- Russell Edward Howsmon Jr., 22, who is on misdemeanor probation. Howsmon was arrested for violation of probation and on suspicion of being at a residence maintained for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking.

- Nicole Marie Burton, 28, who was arrested on suspicion of being at a residence maintained for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking.

- Summer Hope Sheffer, 20, who was arrested on suspicion of being at a residence maintained for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking.

- Travis Lynn Valenzuela, 29, who was arrested on suspicion of being at a residence maintained for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of heroin.

- Monica Denise Gaytan Webb, 22, who was arrested on suspicion of being at a residence maintained for the purpose of illegal drug trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said Tuesdays search found:

20 needles and syringes, four methamphetamine smoking devices, 14 heroin smoking devices, 20 items of foil with heroin residue, four spoons for injecting heroin, four bindles with heroin, two digital drug scales, a quantity of methamphetamine, more heroin, numerous narcotic pills and some items of suspected stolen property.

All 13 people were booked on their charges at Shasta County Jail.

The police unit was assisted by a representative from the Shasta County District Attorneys Office and a parole agent.

Redding police said additional charges will be considered against the Redding Inn and its owner by the District Attorneys Office for ongoing criminal activity.
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By Amber Sandhu of the Redding Record Searchlight

Shasta County fared poorly for having a greater number of high ozone days, scoring an F this year, according to the 17th annual State of the Air Report by the American Lung Association.

According to the study, which measured air quality from 2012 to 2014, the county measured 13 high ozone days, a rise from last year's report that gathered data from 2011 to 2013. In those years, the county had four ozone days and earned a C.

Will Barrett, senior policy analyst with the American Lung Association, said despite the grades, Shasta County has seen significant improvement over time. The study also points to Shasta County as one of the cleanest counties for having the lowest level of year-round and short-term particle pollution.

John Wahldrop, air pollution inspector with the Air Quality Management District in Shasta County, said ozone in Shasta County is mainly affected by the weather. Summer's high temperatures combine with sunlight, southerly winds and "stagnant air" contribute to high ozone levels.

"What we generate in this area stays here and what comes here from the Bay Area tends to stay here too," Wahldrop said.

It tends to happen more between April and September, when temperatures are high and air doesn't move around much.

"It's called ozone season," he said.

The study also measured air quality of Siskiyou, Tehama, Glenn and Butte counties. Both Tehama and Butte earned Fs for high ozone days, and Glenn and Tehama counties both earned Bs.

But Shasta County earned an A for having no high particle pollution days, whereas Siskiyou and Butte earned Cs. Tehama and Glenn counties had no data collected.

Barrett said Shasta County has to look at the factors that contribute to its high number of ozone days such as major freeways, drought and wildfires, which lead to poorer air quality and poorer health of its residents. For children who may have asthma and adults who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coping with the area's air may be an everyday battle.

"Air pollution affects them at a tangible level every day," he said.

The study used numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau to estimate the number of people at risk for diseases affected by poor air quality. The raw numbers said 11,206 adults in Shasta County had asthma and 3,438 children had pediatric asthma in 2014.

The Shasta County Public Health Department doesn't monitor asthma cases, but the causes of asthma are varied, said Dr. Andrew Deckert, health officer at the Public Health Department. "Asthma has a lot of causes, it's not just air pollution," he said. Cat dander, mites, pollen, dust are just a few of the factors that may cause asthma to flare up, Deckert said.

California has shown continued improvement in air quality overall, and the American Lung Association is raising awareness about a bill that would set targets for "super-pollutants" that affect climate change and people's overall health, Barrett said.

SB 1383 seeks to reduce statewide emissions of pollutants such as black carbon, methane and fluorinated gases by 2030. The bill was introduced in February and just last week was referred to the Appropriations Committee for review.

Barrett added that carpooling, reducing diesel exhaust, changing out fireplaces for other cleaner fuels could help reduce harmful emissions.

"Everybody is responsible for cleaning up their air," he said. "We do have challenges, but we have the tools in place."
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy speaks with Kaiser Health News on April 14, 2016. (Francis Ying/KHN/TNS)

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By Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News

You may not think about public health when you think about the Environmental Protection Agency. But Administrator Gina McCarthy wants you to.

There are challenges to our health and well-being that result from exposures to pollution, said McCarthy. While we are called the Environmental Protection Agency, our major role is public health. That is what we do.

The administrator  who has drawn fire from opponents of stricter air pollution standards as well those who say the agency failed to act quickly enough in Flint, Mich.  started her career as a local health officer in Canton, Mass. She was nominated to head the EPA in 2013. Shes now part of an Obama administration effort to focus attention on climate change and its potential effects on health, which could include more air pollution, heat-related medical problems and the spread of insects that carry disease.

During an hourlong meeting with KHN reporters and editors, McCarthy answered questions about what the EPA is doing to protect workers and residents from pollution, its role in helping defend against the mosquito-borne Zika virus and Flints ongoing water contamination problems.

I never want to see a system like Flint again  never want to see anyone that afraid to drink the water and us having to say, Dont drink it. But I think its unrealistic to think that wont happen again  if we dont continue investment in our infrastructure, she said.

(The interview has been edited for length and clarity.)

Q: The Zika virus, spread by mosquitos, is a growing concern in the U.S. Some critics, often online, have said additional pesticides, perhaps even a return of DDT, are needed to combat this threat. What role will the EPA play in these efforts?

A: We are part of the larger federal effort to look at Zika. We have two roles to play. One is to work with the states to make sure they take advantage of lessons learned on integrated pest management. If we get rid of these small-water sources where mosquitoes breed, thats a primary prevention issue. Then we have to make sure there is training in the use of pesticides. We regulate pesticides to make sure (theyre) used in a way that doesnt add a health burden to the folks using it.

We have approved a number of (outdoor) pesticides that are being used to manage this mosquito. Theres no question pesticide use will play a role in the management of this. Probably not DDT. We have to selectively look at whats best to use. No one has suggested the need to use DDT at this point across the federal family. Theyve suggested lots of others that are on the market today.

Q: In California, there are concerns about the environmental factors that contribute to health disparities among low-income residents of the Central Valley, an agricultural community where farmworkers are at risk of pesticide exposure. What is the agency doing to protect them?

A: We are working with the Hispanic Medical Association. Were also doing a significant amount of work with federally funded community health centers. We are looking at a new worker protection standard, which has a significant impact in California, to make sure we protect the workers from pesticide exposures. We know there are thousands of them reported every year. Its a way of continuing to look at current science and do training of community health center workers to be able to identify pesticide exposures.

Q: Youve visited medical schools to encourage them to discuss so-called upstream prevention, tackling environmental triggers before they cause health problems, such as asthma. Why?

A: Air pollution causes cardiovascular disease. We know this. Its really an opportunity for us to gather together. Im disappointed there isnt more acknowledgement of this and that the medical profession isnt more heavily trained in looking at asthma and, instead of looking at what the treatment regimen needs to be, but also sending someone to the house to talk with parents about the cleaning products they use.

People are ready for those discussions. They want to be active in their own health. They want to understand what contributes to their health problems. I think it would be great to have a concerted effort to have public health schools be more engaging and have them work with medical schools. I dont mean to sound critical of medical schools. But theres more to health than treatment.

Q: How do the EPA efforts regarding these kinds of messages intersect with the Department of Health and Human Services?

A: Were beginning to work with them more successfully in figuring out how we make environmental exposure more apparent and something that needs to be invested in. Im trying to get the word out that there is whole field of health science that seems to be not as visible as it once was. Just because the pollution is invisible, doesnt mean it isnt impacting lives. (We are) working on these issues together to try to bring more vibrancy to that conversation.

Im (also) trying to enhance the capacity of EPA to speak with a health voice. I think EPA doesnt have enough health professionals. I have almost no epidemiologists. I have to rely on outside researchers, which are always good, but why I dont have people inside who can more effectively talk about comparative risk, to talk about putting risk exposure in perspective for people?

Q: Given the polarization of the county and the concerns expressed about whether climate change is even real, how do you get that conversation you want about the connection between public health and environmental issues?

A: It didnt take long in Flint to have that point made. I dont want you to think its about scaring people. Its about reminding them we all have core values. This country has enjoyed and still enjoys the safest drinking water. We continue to do good work on clean air. Thats all I want to remind people of. It continues, but its just not done. You have to invest in the infrastructure. That investment was welcomed back in the 1970s. We wanted it. We demanded it.

Q: The EPA is one of the agencies mentioned by some candidates as one we dont actually need. Whats your response?

A: Richard Nixon created the EPA. Under George H.W. Bush, the EPA made the biggest step forward in clean air that has saved thousands and thousands of lives. It does not need to be partisan. Frankly, I take calls from people on the Hill all the time when their constituencies are being threatened and they have concerns about public health. I dont ask what side of the aisle they are on. And they dont ask me to treat (their issue) any differently whether theyre Republicans or Democrats. I know things get said on campaign trails. But everyone wants their kids to be safe. I just need to keep reminding people of that. I expect the agency to be strong for decades to come.



(Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy news service. It is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.)


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You don't need anyone to tell you Americans are mad at their government, do you?

You may be one of those filled with righteous indignation about how things are going in your country, your state, your county, your city, your water district.

You may be looking at Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders and thinking that a big, dramatic change sounds pretty good right now.

Voting is important. But it has its limits  those of us who don't have our own Super PACs often feel no one in government listens to us at all.

Well, have we got a deal for you.

It's closer to home, where many of the functions of government that most impact your daily life are carried out.

The Shasta County Grand Jury has been recruiting for next year's panel, but has seen a smaller-than-usual pool of applicants. We find this puzzling in a year with so much attention to what's wrong with government, given that grand jurors have the statutory privilege of poking around in its murky depths and hauling out whatever needs exposing.

So slow has the trickle of volunteers been, the Superior Court extended the deadline from last Friday to this next one  April 22. You only have a couple of days, so if you've a strong interest in your community and a belief in good government, you'll want to act quickly. Follow this link to find a printable application and directions for turning it in: http://bit.ly/1XHEsEs.

The truth about grand juries is that some are better than others. There are years when it seems the volunteers, for all their good intentions, never seem to get past the gatekeepers of government skilled at offering easy explanations and pointing the spotlight only on whatever makes them look best. Others may jump to unwarranted conclusions and cast aspersions where they aren't deserved.

But the best grand juries make a real difference. They conduct substantive inquiries and produce professional, well-documented reports that help the community improve.

Joining their ranks is one of the greatest ways to participate in your own government  and to learn a lot about it in the process. You can contact 225-5098 or grandjury@co.shasta.ca.us.

Think about it  but don't think too long. That deadline is Friday.
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Jonas Salk, a physician who poured seven years of his life into developing the polio vaccine said, "Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality." Hope is not just optimism or wishful thinking, but a belief that a particular goal can be achieved, and is the driver that helps us overcome obstacles. Hope is vital to both individual and community well-being. Numerous research studies show that those with higher levels of hope tend to have less depression, happier marriages, finish college, live healthier lifestyles, have less disease and are more likely to survive cancer.

Unfortunately, many have lost hope for a brighter future. So how do we hope again? We hope by keeping our eyes on the goal. Hopelessness occurs when the focus shifts from the target to the obstacles. One of the key components of hope is the belief that there is more than one way to achieve a goal, and that obstacles may be opportunities for something better.

In the depth of the recession, the city of Redding was forced to consider closing the Civic Auditorium. This crisis birthed the successful public-private partnership of Advance Redding, turning a loss into a profit and creating an improved Civic. John Gardner said, "We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems." Personally, I have tremendous hope for our city. Not only do we have numerous organizations actively pursuing a strategic plan for homelessness, but a plan for public safety will soon be presented to our community. Crisis has forced us to focus, to do what could have been done years ago.

As I look at our city, I see a history of hope and perseverance in pursuit of a goal. In a recent visit to the Wintu Cultural Center, I heard the story of people devastated by disease, slavery, discrimination and broken promises. What struck me most was the hope and vision that remains  hope that the future will be different, that a wrong will be righted, and that federal recognition will be restored. This is a stiff lesson in perseverance, that pursuing what is right is worthwhile, even when the benefit may be generations in the making.

Serving on the Community Development Advisory Committee has been a humbling experience. I've met people with tremendous hope who are giving everything to help those most in need, operating on shoestring budgets and somehow making it work. I've met those who are passionate and committed to restoring our open space, developing bike lanes and trail systems that connect our community, and creating a local art and cultural scene, all of which are necessary for a vibrant city.

I'm thankful for our city leaders who persisted in hope, against opposition, for what is now Turtle Bay, a world-class bridge, and an extensive trail system that attracts people to our region. The first four-star hotel north of Sacramento will open next year and the potential of working with the Kutras family to develop Park Marina in the next few years brings me great hope.

There are always naysayers, those who say it can't be done. Pessimism is cheap, requiring little, but hope with vision is altogether different. Fortunately, the EDC and other business leaders, who've persisted in sowing into some hard ground over many years, are beginning to see the fruits of their labor. There is an emerging tech and entrepreneurial scene, start-ups related to our outdoor lifestyle, viticulture, microbreweries and performing and creative arts. We can't be everything in Redding, but what are we doing that has growth and potential for the next generation? Let's do that well, focusing on our quality of life, our natural beauty and the talented and creative people who live here. What if we asked leaders from government, business and work-force development to come up with a plan to reduce unemployment to less than 5 percent and to increase our median income from $44,0000 to $52,000 within the next five years? As we turn our focus from obstacles to assets and set our eyes on the goal of becoming a prosperous city, numerous opportunities will emerge. Let hope arise!

Julie Winter lives in Redding.
Step away from the Netflix marathon and find your way into one of these local theaters for a belly laugh this week. Your guide to Chicago's affordable and under-the-radar comedy scene awaits.

Thursday, April 21

What the Hipnonics: The Game Show



The Playground Theater



3209 N. Halsted St. 773-871-3793



Hosted by comedian Marysa Mavrakys, this BYOB hip hop-themed game show features contestants Whitney Wasson, Tim Barnes, Tyler Jackson and Max Shanker; a rap battle between Alyssa Rivera and Andy Polacek; and musical guest Jovan. 8 p.m. $5-$10. Tickets: theplaygroundtheater.com

Advertisement

Friday, April 22



Adventures of Reginald Sampson (and the Consequence of Bliss)



iO Chicago



1501 N. Kingsbury St. 312-929-2401



Comedy troupe Vienna Juvenile Sketch Comedys fourth sketch revue explores the line between reality and the stories we tell ourselves in this opening performance of a monthlong run. 10:30 p.m. $14. Tickets: ioimprov.com



Lincoln Lodge



Subterranean Lounge



2011 W. North Ave. 773-278-6600



Amy Sumpter, Tommy Mack and Emily Galati are the featured guests in this weeks showcase of comedy and music. 8 p.m. $5-$10 suggested donation. Tickets: thelincolnlodge.com



Saturday, April 23



Jen Kirkman Book Release Show



Thalia Hall



1807 S. Allport St. 312-526-3851



Jen Kirkman, the self-deprecating comedian behind best-seller "I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life Without Kids" and Netflix comedy special "I'm Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine)," celebrates the release of her latest title, "I Know What I'm Doing and Other Lies I Tell Myself" with a stand-up set, reading, Q&A and book signing. 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. $20-$25. Tickets: thaliahallchicago.com

Monday, April 25



Sadsacks and Wisecracks



The High-Hat Club



1920 W. Irving Park Rd. 773-697-8660



A top-secret headliner will join comedians Joe Alden McMahon, Carly Ballerini, Cameron Gillette, David Zoe Leon, host Natalie Jose and musical guest Kate Adams in this recurring show. 8 p.m. Free. For more information: highhat.club

Gwendolyn Purdom is a RedEye contributor.

Want to learn how to brew beer or make a craft cocktail? Click here for cocktail classes in Chicago.
Designer Runa Ray, whose edgy line inspired by an ancient discipline made it to the February New York Fashion Week, discussed the showing with Tista Sengupta/Rediff.com

Have you ever seen a dress inspired by the lovely Japanese art of origami or paper folding?

Then you probably haven't seen Runa Ray's (pictured left) inspired creations.

Her work, on first viewing, leaves an indelible impression on you. It has caused a stir in the Indian fashion world and beyond, with her recent prestigious showing at the New York Fashion Week Fall 2016, where her line didn't go unnoticed.

Bangalore-based Ray earned her degree at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai, before heading to the shores of France to study garment engineering under the Paris Chamber of Commerce at the Ecole Superieure des Industries du Vetement.

In Paris, Ray worked with some of the best, like John Galliano, head designer of the House of Dior.

An ardent lover of art, Runa is passionate about creating things. It might be a painting. It might be something to do with the fine arts. Or fashion designing. Making things with her hands enthuses her -- be it a piece of furniture, a toy or even clothes. That is what interests and challenges her. She is a creative powerhouse.

At one point, writing was a special interest and Runa considered becoming a fashion journalist. But, after some measured thought, she opted to channel her creativity, as she puts it, through fashion design.

The designer likes to explore and experiment. Her work finds its inspiration in life. "We are born blank canvasses on to which we decide to write the chapters of our life. We continue to fold and unfold till we either complete ourselves or remain a mystery. The similar principle lies in the art of making clothes," Runa emphasises; she comes across over the phone as a spontaneous designer, bubbling with energy and enthusiasm.

She provides an account of her journey, telling us how New York happened.

How did the New York Fashion Week Fall 2016 opportunity come about?

I have been showcasing at fashion shows in Singapore and that's how my work went more viral.

One day I got a call at 2 am (from the New York Fashion Week organisers) and I was told that they would like to have me as a part of their family. And I said 'Okay. It's perfect.' So that's how the fashion week in New York happened.

It took me around four years to (reach this milestone). I started the Mojo Design Studio in Bengaluru in 2012 and, in 2014, my designs went international (in Singapore).

How did you decide what to present at the NYFW?

I use origami and its techniques to create clothing. I always wanted to do this, but was waiting for the right time and place to execute the idea.

Nothing could have been better than this platform.

Just like a plain piece of paper can be folded and unfolded until it becomes its purpose, here the fabric has been folded using basic folds, following all the steps diligently or at times stopped halfway to arrest the look.

The collection is straight-cut, has clean lines and no seams. It is eco-friendly as it reduces carbon footprints. You don't have many tailors, machines or thread. It's just a piece of cloth that's being folded. It cuts down on a lot of production time too.

IMAGE: Runa's origami-inspired collection for New York Fashion Week Fall 2016. Photograph: Noam Galai/Getty Images

Describe your experience at NYFW both as a participant and a fashion lover.

It was a fantastic experience. Simply breathtaking!

For a showcased designer, it's huge -- nothing in comparison to what I have seen before. You have an (enormous) production team, a separate hair and make-up team. Everything is fire proof. People there know you before you even walk in. They welcome you so well. They are very professional.

As a fashion lover, it was exciting because you learn a lot. You get to see what others are doing and witness the various aspects of fashion which you probably haven't employed in your process of thinking.

You even see how the public reacts to certain styles that have been brought across. Like I remember a designer's collection in which a lot of fur was used. Some people loved it, whereas some hated it. It was interesting to see the clash that happened outside.

Some people were against the cruelty to animals but then there were people who were spotted walking in huge fur coats in colours like striking pink.

At the end of the day it is what the public demands, but fashion is fashion. And you can't help but just love it.

What were your major takeaways from NYFW? The lessons learnt, especially from the business angle?

The responses have been really good. It's a learning curve and my first time.

In the beginning, there are a lot of things one has to handle all by oneself. Now there's a need to have your own team.

I need to know how to manage my time. There were a lot of interviews I missed out on. Like I said, you need to have the right people who could perhaps do the interviews for you when you are not there.

It teaches you to outdo yourself the next time. And that you need to keep the consistency in designs -- which everyone spoke about -- and (yet) bring your collection across with some newness.

With respect to business: It's actually starting for me now. A show is all about marketing and if there's nobody to buy your stuff after it's over, then I don't think you are into the business of fashion at all.

Hopefully, my outfits will soon be stocked at few stores abroad.

IMAGE: One of Runa's creations -- a gown with an embellished bodice over layers of tulle. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Runa Ray

NYFW described you as a designer who 'has most notably an appreciation for the arts: the unbounded creativity they require and their ability to change the world.' Tell us about your relationship with art and how it inspires you.

Art has always inspired me. Art is intriguing. It's something that anyone can play with and get a message across. Art is what makes you feel and it isn't something that you look at and say 'Oh wow that is good'. Rather, you look at it and it really makes you wonder, 'I don't know if I really liked it, I think I do'.

The fact that art can be coupled with fashion -- because right now that's one of the important tools with which you can actually change the world if you want to -- inspires me the most.

Who are your favourite artists and fashion designers?

I have always liked Henri Matisse's work. I simply don't know why, but it makes you feel something from within. He knew how to play around with colours so well.

In fashion, I like conceptual designers like Yoji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake, Victor & Rolf.

I like the way Indian designers use colours, although I am not very good at it. My colour palette is mostly neutral. I like the embroidery designer Manish Malhotra does. It's indeed a gift that we Indians can play with colours and prints so well.

I would definitely embody the arts and crafts of India, but I would do it very differently. Even this time, the fabrics I used were khadi and silk, but designed very differently. The silhouettes were more western.

Despite your background of working and training in India and Paris, you chose to base Mojo in Singapore while manufacturing out of India. Why?

My clothes are western and the market for me is South East Asia and now the United Kingdom -- I entered that market in 2015. Mojo is well known for its jackets. I think it makes sense for me to go where business takes me.

The Indian fashion market is beautiful, but people still buy ethnic wear like kurtis. Everyone wears it, even I do.

The sari is still the number one selling item in the market. But, in the West, dresses and a pair of trousers with a shirt is their basic everyday wear. I am not saying India isn't the market for western wear, but I haven't yet found a platform here yet.

IMAGE: Through this ensemble, Runa shows how effortlessly she adds glamour and sensuality. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Runa Ray

You have a base in London too. The way you are growing your label and through your work, you seem to embody a very global persona. Your comment.

I think you need to know where your work fits in. That's what matters. You can probably showcase internationally and remain a pauper in the business. Or you could just showcase in your own country and become a millionaire. Having 10 offices around the world and making no money does not make sense. It's how you sell and what you make.

For me, it's a very simple formula. The business of fashion is very important. Money is the only thing that will help you showcase your work. So you have to make money.

Do you think your decision to position yourself outside India right from the start has given you an edge over other Indian designers?

I don't think it has given me an edge. It definitely helps me check out a new territory which I am still exploring.

There are so many successful designers in India and they are doing really well. Western wear designers too have grabbed the market. Designers like Gauri & Nainika make such beautiful gowns and women would love to buy from them. As I said, it's always about the market where you are.

Right now, I think the world is almost like a platform. It's just about how you are going to make it.

Apart from the fact that your designs combine your knowledge of haute couture as well as your expertise in ready-to-wear, what makes your collection unique?

I only work with concepts. This concept is something that I don't think anybody has done. It does have an Indian influence.

After all, the fabrics are from the East and even the concept of origami finds its origin here. My collection is very earthy. If you take a look at it, the models weren't wearing shoes or any piece of accessory. It was very natural.

IMAGE: A creation from Runa's collection for Karnataka Fashion Week, 2015. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Mojo Design Studios/Facebook

Tell us about your personal style. Who is your style icon and why?

I am very casual dresser when I am at work. I like to be in comfortable keds, a t-shirt over a pair of jeans.

When I go out, I like to go with effortless clothing, where I don't have to worry about feeling bloated. I like short stuff and accessorising my look. I like wearing dresses styled in the 1960s way with heels and wedges.

Coco Chanel. She's timeless and classic. I like the way she would carry herself with those pearls and hat -- much like the Audrey Hepburn look.

What's the next milestone for you and your label?

It has to be the Paris Fashion Week, because that's where I have studied and worked. I am thinking about it now. As of now, I haven't started working towards it.

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The readouts by the Indian and Chinese sides on the meeting on Monday between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Moscow bring out that divergences are crowding into the centrestage of their relationship, says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

One almost forgot that it was only 25 years ago that the Treaty on Deepening Military Trust in Border Regions and the Treaty on Reduction of Military Forces in Border Regions among the Shanghai Five -- China, Russia, Kazkahstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan -- was signed in Beijing, which eventually paved the way for Russia and China to fully resolve the border issues and demarcate the border, a process that was completed with the initialing of the 2004 Complementary Agreement that led to transfer of territories (which was carried out by 2008).

Yet, today, seven years and six months later, Russia and China confidently affirm in one voice that their relations are at the highest level ever in history. Make no mistake, this was an intractable border dispute, traceable to the seventeenth century and characterised by military expansion (on both sides) and complicated by mutual territorial claims -- and not a mere leftover by a departing colonial power.

A highly influential Chinese pundit (who is also a renowned expert on Central Asia), Pan Guang, director of the Center of SCO Studies of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, reflected recently on the lessons learnt from the Sino-Russian experience. He noted:

Many observers have been wondering why the five countries (Shanghai Five) solved the disputes over the 7,000-strong kilometres long border in such a short time. First, there must be mutual trust mechanisms. When the treaty was signed 20 years ago, it was just a single piece of paper. The five countries kept in touch with each other and invited each other to attend activities to enhance transparency and ease tensions in border areas. Such a treaty cannot be signed under confrontational circumstances, such as those between Azerbaijan and Armenia at present.

Second, the reduction of armaments helped. It is difficult to realise peace or non-militarisation in conflict zones. At this point, the parties involved should not be affected by external interventions and provocations. Meanwhile, once a general consensus for solving disputes is reached, concrete disputes between two countries should be solved bilaterally and should not involve third parties. As for thorny issues, we can resort to joint development and leave them to the end.

Of course, none of these prerequisites seems to be available as regards the India-China border. A commentary in the Chinese communist party tabloid Global Times today points out that the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement of 2013, a landmark in the Sino-Indian border negotiations during the UPA rule, cannot be implemented due to media hype in India and the tough stance on China taken by certain Indian politicians.

The commentary reminds us that the 2013 pact does not amount to Chinese acquiescence in the status quo on the disputed border.

Meanwhile, it draws attention to confrontational circumstances welling up in the overall relationship -- specifically, the Indian proclivity to bandwagon with the USs alliance system. Beijing anticipates that the visiting Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on own accord might explain why India is doing a thing which is neither consistent with its independent foreign policies nor its self-interests, apart from carrying the risk of souring its ties with China.

Meanwhile, the readouts by the Indian and Chinese sides on the meeting on Monday between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi (on the sidelines of the RIC meeting in Moscow) also bring out that divergences are crowding into the centrestage of the relationship. The Indian readout says:

EAM Smt Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the RIC Ministerial meeting. Both Ministers reviewed the state of bilateral relations. They also assessed the implementation of decisions taken during Prime Minister Modis visit to China last May. They noted the significance of high level exchanges contemplated this year, including the on-going visit of Raksha Mantri Manohar Parrikar. China would be hosting the G20 Summit and India the BRICS Summit in 2016.

The ministers appreciated the expanding trade and investment ties between India and China. They underscored the importance of strengthening people to people ties. In this context, Foreign Minister Wang Yi apprised EAM of Chinas decision to increase the number of Indian pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathu La.

EAM raised the issue of listing of Masood Azhar in the UN 1267 Committee and emphasised that as common victims of terrorism, China and India should cooperate in combating this challenge. It was agreed that the two sides would remain in touch on this matter.

However, the Xinhua report, here (external link), refuses to share the contrived spin of convergence that the Indian version gave. It underscored, on the contrary, that Yi dwelt on what all is possible between the two countries if only India showed the political will.

In sum, EAM Swaraj faithfully executed the brief she was carrying, namely, give hell to the Chinese over the Masood Azhar issue at any and every opportunity -- on the beaches, on the landing grounds, in the fields and in the streets, as it were -- till they got embarrassed and caved in.

This also comes out in the EAMs opening statement at the RIC meeting as well as in her media statement later in the presence of Yi (here and here, external links), which were loaded with Azhar-centric barbs. Suffice to say, the chill in the India-China relationship is palpable.

However, what lasting impression Swaraj would have made on Foreign Minister Yi, a veteran career diplomat, remains to be seen. It may be prudent to think up Plan B.

Perhaps, the year-old tough line toward China, choreographed by South Block mandarins, needs spunk. Go back to Ash Carter? Last we heard of him, he was in Iraq on a surprise visit to discuss the Mosul campaign against the Islamic State -- straight from visiting the American carrier strike group deployed in South China Sea (here, external link).

Image: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj holds delegation-level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow during her visit to Russia on April 18, 2016. Photograph: MEAphotogallery on Flickr.
More than a dozen bahus (daughter-in-laws) have left their in-laws for their parents village in Bihars Gaya district after an acute water shortage.



One such village, Mushantand , that comes under the Imamganj block in Gaya is in grip of an acute water scarcity this summer. This village is also part of the region close to the Bihar-Jharkhand border, known as a stronghold of Maoists.



More than 15 women have left the village for their parents, and have decided to stay there until the water crisis is over, Kali Paswan, a villager told rediff.com.



Budhna Manjhi, another villager, said it is not the only problem, several marriage proposals for ongoing traditional marriage season, locally known as lagan

have been called off in view of water scarcity in the village.Parents of some girls who were keen to marry their daughters in this village are suddenly showing reluctance and some of them have even called off the proposal, Manjhi said.People in most of Bihar's 38 districts, particularly in rural areas, have been facing drinking water problem this summer.Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has repeatedly admitted in last few days about depleting groundwater level and drying rivers.
IMAGE: Police charges the garment workers who were protesting against the new EPF withdrawal norms in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo

Caught off guard by sudden eruption of violence during the garment workers protest over the Provident Fund issue, authorities have deployed central forces in the city and clamped prohibitory orders.

Rapid Action Force personnel today staged a flag march along the Jalahalli Cross stretch, one of the worst-hit by the violence on Tuesday, even as police arrested about 50 persons in connection with the untoward incidents.

Along the stretch from Madiwala to Bengalurus IT corridor Electronics City, which saw widespread protest and violence, 15 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police, three platoons of the Central Reserve Police Force and the RAF and six to seven City Armed Reserve platoons have been deployed, a top police official said.

We have registered around 18 cases, yesterday nine and day before nine; and about 50 persons have been arrested so far, Additional Commissioner of Police (East-BengaluruCity) Harishekaran said.

He said photographs and footage of those involved in stone pelting, assault on police and torching of vehicles are available with police and they would be arrested.

In a spurt of violence, protesting garment workers set several vehicles ablaze and attacked a police station on Tuesday, forcing the government to revoke the amendment to Provident Fund rules that caused the unexpected spontaneous unrest.

Protesters had gone on the rampage pelting stones at Hebbagodi police station and torching seized vehicles there.

The agitation which began on Monday, spun out of control on Tuesday in which several people, including 25 policemen, were injured and traffic was thrown out of gear as thousands of workers took to the streets at different places.

The city police commissioner has promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure in the limits of Bengaluru city till the midnight of April 22.

Harishekharan said police are also visiting garment factories and informing workers about the governments stand.

There is no protest or procession today...in spite of this our bandobast will continue, he added.

Workers opposing amendment to Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act have expressed fear that the new rule would take away their right over the employers contribution of Provident Fund till they attain 58 years.

Buckling under protests, government revoked the order tightening rules for withdrawal of Provident Fund money, hours after deciding to keep it in abeyance for three more months.

Meanwhile, a few media representatives today petitioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking action against police officials who were allegedly involved in violence against scribes who had gone to cover the protest by garment workers.

Both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister G Parameshwara assured action after inquiry.

Lathi-charge on journalists is wrong. We will inquire in to it and take action. I have already spoken to the commissioner, Siddaramaiah said.
A Tamil Nadu district has created interesting ways to increase voting this assembly election.

A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com reports.

IMAGE: S Palanisami, Nagapattinam's district collector, takes to the skies to promote voting. Photograph: Election Commission of India

After producing a popular song Vote Podu, which is a hit on social media, Tamil Nadu officials are coming up with more novel ways of increasing voter awareness.

Last week, Nagapattinam District Collector S Palanisami went paragliding to encourage voting.

"There are 36 colleges in this district. The students are all first time voters," Palanisami tells Rediff.com "We have conducted many programmes to get students to vote."

"There are six assembly constituencies in this district. Paragliding was conducted in three separate locations to create voter awareness among students and also encourage them to participate in paragliding," the IAS officer adds.

"Some of the students hesitated. So I did it to encourage them to participate. This is the first time I have done it," says Palanisami.

"It can climb up to 100 metres," the collector adds, "but I requested them to keep the height to 30 metres. I did it in one place while two of my officers participated in two other places."

IMAGE: Election Commission officials particpate in a song and dance routine promoting voting. Photograph: Election Commission of India

Nagapattinam has a long coast line and in order to encourage voters in the fishing villages, the collector and his officials traveled the coast in six big boats and five small boats, asking the fisherfolk to vote.

"The boat ride was targeted at the womenfolk in the fishing villages," says Palanisami.

The collector has arranged various cultural programmes to create voter awareness among agricultural workers and farmers.
India and China on Wednesday agreed to adhere to "peaceful negotiations" to settle the vexed border issue and reach a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution", amid negativity over Beijing's blocking of India's bid in the UN to ban Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar.

IMAGE: National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval being welcomed by Chinas State Councillor, Yang Jiechi at the 19th India-China Boundary talks in Beijing on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI

The decision was taken during the annual 19th round of boundary talks in Beijing between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to discuss the way forward to resolve the dispute which has bedevilled the relations between the two countries.

Both the leaders had an "extensive, deep and candid" discussion on the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control, which remains undemarcated resulting in tensions between the two sides.

Both sides agreed to adhere to "peaceful negotiations to settle the boundary question". They will make efforts to reach a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution", according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.

Besides the border issue, Doval and Yang, the designated Special Representatives, also have a larger mandate to discuss all contentious bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual concern.

Welcoming Doval, Yang in his opening remarks at the meeting said: "Your visit fully signifies the importance Indian side attaches to this meeting and the efforts to further promote the strategic partnership between China and India.

"China-India relations carry special significance. China stands ready to use this important occasion to have a broad- ranging in-depth and candid discussion with Indian side on the bilateral relations, boundary question, regional and international issues and other issues of shared interest."

Doval in his response spoke about the importance of informal talks between him and Yang, saying "not talking from the mind but also from the heart".

The statement, carried by state-run Xinhua news agency, said that the two sides will properly manage differences and safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas so as to create favourable conditions for development of their ties.

Both sides shared the view that China-India relations have broad prospects and Beijing and New Delhi have far more common interests than differences.

Bilateral ties have entered a new era of comprehensive and rapid development since Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to India in 2014 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to China in 2015, it said.

Both sides should implement the important consensus between the leaders, enhance high-level interactions, tap the potential of cooperation, and promote China-India relations to a higher level, it said.

The issue of China putting technical hold on India's recent bid to bring about a UN ban on Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Azhar for his involvement in the Pathankot terrorist attack was also said to have figured during the talks.

Terming 2015 during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China as a "very positive year" in bilateral ties between the two countries, Doval said: "It started a process about which we feel very satisfied. There has been an improvement in the bilateral exchanges between the two countries in various fields."

He also conveyed greetings by Modi to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Barring the opening remarks, officials maintained total secrecy on the proceedings and Doval himself declined to speak to the media.

Ahead of the talks, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar -- who concluded his visit to China on Wednesday -- highlighted India's stand that there should be clarity about the LAC.

It was highlighted by Modi both during Xi's visit to India in 2014 and his own trip in Beijing last year. But China was averse to accept it and for its part suggested a code of conduct.

Last year, Deputy Director General of the Asian Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry Huang Xilian highlighted China's reservation on the clarification of LAC, saying "whatever we do in the border area it should be constructive. That means it should be a building block for the process of negotiations, not a stumbling block."

In the meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Monday, Parrikar said clarity over LAC will bring down tensions between the troops on both sides which aggressively patrol the areas to assert their control.

"We are insisting it should be done in order to really ensure a very stable border as all the issues take place because of perception," he said.

Marking the LAC is "one of the preconditions of smooth border operations. Without that everything goes by perceptions, which has caused problems sometimes", he told the media here.

Parrikar also highlighted India's concerns over China's projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir especially the USD 46-billion (around Rs 3 lakh crore) Economic Corridor going through the disputed territory. This issue too reportedly figured in the Doval-Yang talks.

On the border dispute, officials on both sides say the protracted boundary talks made progress and that they also made attempts to avert tensions along the disputed border.

While China says that the boundary dispute is confined to 2,000 kms, mainly in Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered the whole of the LAC including the Aksai Chin occupied by China during the 1962 war.

When the Special Representatives were appointed in 2003, the two sides set off a three-stage process.

The two countries first reached an agreement on the guiding principles and setting political parameters for the settlement in 2005.

Officials say the two sides are currently in the second stage which focusses on working out a framework of settlement to be followed by final step drawing the boundary line based on framework agreement.

On the 19th round boundary talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday that "we have been working to resolve territorial disputes through negotiations and consultation. China completely settled territorial disputes with 12 of the 14 land neighbours".

Regarding Azhar, India's UN Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin spoke of "hidden veto" at a meeting at an open debate in UNSC on 'Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts' in New York on April 16, while External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called for a review of China's decision to strike a common stand against terrorism.

For its part, China continued to stick to its stand, saying that its decision is based on facts and fairness.

Defending China's stand, Hua said that "we oppose double standard in counter terrorism campaign. We have been dealing with the listing (of terrorists by UN) matter in accordance with the facts and relevant resolutions.

"We are also in sound communication with all relevant parties including the Indian side," she said.

Significantly Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in his meeting with Parrikar on Tuesday said disputes should be handled properly and ties with New Delhi to be boosted, state-run China Daily reported on Wednesday.

China will properly manage disputes while boosting bilateral cooperation with India, making contributions to Asia's economic growth, Li said.

Doval is scheduled to call on Li on Thursday which makes it a rare occasion for a Chinese premier to meet two top officials in such short time.

Doval and Yang are also reported to have discussed a range of issues including India's concern over USD 46 billion trade deficit with China in about USD 70 billion (around Rs 4.6 lakh crore) bilateral trade.
Report says Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to threats against journalists.

India ranks an abysmally low at 133 among 180 countries in the latest annual World Press Freedom Index which says Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to the threats against journalists.

The 2016 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is led by Finland, which retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

India jumped three spots from the 136th position it had in 2015.

Journalists and bloggers are attacked and anathematised by various religious groups that are quick to take offense, the report said.

At the same time, it is hard for journalists to cover regions such as Kashmir that are regarded as sensitive by the government, it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to these threats and problems, and there is no mechanism for protecting journalists, the report said.

Instead, in a desire to increase control of media coverage, Modi envisages opening a journalism university run by former propaganda ministry officials, it alleged, without substantiating what it refers to.

Among Indias neighbouring countries, Pakistan ranks 147, Sri Lanka 141, Afghanistan 120, Bangladesh 144, Nepal 105 and Bhutan 94. China is ranked 176.

The United States is ranked 44th and Russia is placed at the 148th place.

The report shows that there has been a deep and disturbing decline in respect for media freedom at both the global and regional levels.

The many reasons for this decline in freedom of information include the increasingly authoritarian tendencies of governments in countries such as Turkey and Egypt, tighter government control of state-owned media, even in some European countries such as Poland and security situations that have become more and more fraught in Libya and Burundi, for example, or that are completely disastrous, as in Yemen, the report said.

RSF rued that the survival of independent news coverage is becoming increasingly precarious in both the state and privately-owned media because of the threat from ideologies, especially religious ideologies that are hostile to media freedom and from large-scale propaganda machines.

Throughout the world, oligarchs are buying up media outlets and are exercising pressure that compounds the pressure already coming from governments, the report said.

It is unfortunately clear that many of the worlds leaders are developing a form of paranoia about legitimate journalism, RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.

The climate of fear results in a growing aversion to debate and pluralism, a clampdown on the media by ever more authoritarian and oppressive governments and reporting in the privately-owned media that is increasingly shaped by personal interests, he said.

Among the lowest ranked countries are Syria, at 177th place out of 180, just above North Korea 179th and last placed Eritrea.

Published annually by RSF since 2002, the World Press Freedom Index is based on an evaluation of media freedom that measures pluralism, media independence, the quality of the legal framework and the safety of journalists in 180 countries.
The body of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore, was cremated at his native place Mustafabad in Saida village near Gurdaspur on Wednesday.

His body was brought at civil hospital on Tuesday night after conducting a postmortem at Government Medical college Amritsar.

His nephew, Ashwani Kumar lit the pyre, while Deputy Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal and SSP Jagdip Singh Hundal placed the wreath on behalf of the government.

Sabharwal assured the family members of Kirpal Singh that relief will be provided to them as per government norms.

Dalbir Kaur, sister of another Indian Sarabjit Singh, who too had died in a Pakistani jail in May 2013, was also present.

Kirpal Singh had allegedly crossed Wagah border into Pakistan in 1992 and was arrested.

He was subsequently sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Kirpal was found dead in his cell last Monday at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore.

Kirpal, from Gurdaspur, had reportedly been acquitted in the case by the Lahore High Court but his death sentence could not be commuted because of unspecified reasons.

During the postmortem examination conducted in India, it was found that his heart as well as stomach were missing. However, no internal and external injury was found on his body.

Image: Relatives of Kirpal Singh mourn after his body arrived in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder and chief ministerial candidate of the People's Welfare Front-DMDK combine, Vijayakant on Wednesday landed in controversy when a video footage of him purportedly making gestures at journalists and nudging a man went viral.

The incident reportedly took place at Salem during the actor-politician's visit to participate in a consultative meeting there for the May 16 Tamil Nadu assembly polls.

In the video that was shown in some TV channels, 'Captain' (as he is addressed by supporters), is seen making some gestures when TV cameramen and reporters besides some party functionaries surround him while he is on his way.

The leader, who has earlier courted controversy for allegedly manhandling and spitting at journalists in different instances, is seen raising his hand as if to assault somebody, while partymen and two security persons are seen making way for him.

Later while taking the stairs accompanied by two men walking alongside him like security personnel, the DMDK founder is seen nudging a man walking on his right, which was repeatedly aired on TV channels.

Earlier, Vijayakant was involved in an argument with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the state assembly, and had then too made some gestures, only to be rebuked by the All India Dravida Munetra Kazhagam supremo who regretted having aligned with him for the 2011 assembly polls which the combine won.

The Peoples Welfare Front, comprising Vaiko-led Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, has tied up with the DMDK to fight the assembly polls. G K Vasan's Tamil Maanila Congress joined the combine recently.
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
Halloween events, fall festivals pack October in Abilene, Big Country

From family-friendly to frightful, there are plenty of opportunities to don the costumes and scare up some treats.
The featured speaker for this year's Knox-Bennett Writers Series at McMurry University had to engage in a wee bit of fiction before writing her debut novel, "Pretty Is."

The author's name is Margaret Mitchell, but for obvious reasons she was concerned that people might envision the Margaret Mitchell of "Gone With the Wind" fame when they heard her name. So, she opted for "Maggie" Mitchell and that is the name on the cover of her novel, which she will discuss Thursday at the annual writers series.

Mitchell will discuss the craft of writing at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the Jay-Rollins Library at McMurry and will read from her works at 7:30 p.m. in Matthews Auditorium in Old Main. Both sessions are free, and the public is invited.

Mitchell, who teaches English and creative writing at the University of West Georgia, is the author of several works of fiction, but "Pretty Is" is her first novel. It was published in 2015 by Henry Holt and Co. The book tells the story of two young women who face what happened the summer they were abducted by a stranger at age 12. A New York Times review called "Pretty Is" a "stunning, multilayered debut."

Cole Thompson, who teaches English at McMurry and directs the Knox-Bennett Writers Series, said Mitchell was recommended by Thompson's colleague Richard McLamore.

McLamore and Mitchell were in graduate school together at the University of Connecticut and have remained in touch. Thompson read "Pretty Is" and liked it so much that he invited Mitchell to speak.

"I really like the voices of her two main characters," Thompson said in an email. "Both of these beautiful and intelligent young women are damaged by life, yet try to carry on with optimism and grace."

IF YOU GO:

What: Knox-Bennett Writers Series

When: 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jay-Rollins Library, discussion of the craft of writing; 7:30 p.m. Old Main Matthews Auditorium, reading of selections of authors fiction

Where: McMurry University

Guest writer: Novelist Maggie Mitchell, professor of English and creative writing, University of West Georgia

Details: Free; public invited
Abilene Independent School District trustees approved a three-way deal between its district, the Wylie ISD and the Eula ISD for a pair of land parcels at its school board meeting Monday.

The deal, which was originally negotiated in December, would see Abilene gain within its taxable boundaries a 254-acre parcel of land owned by Abilene Christian University between East North 10th Street and East Highway 80 near Loop 322. This land is currently in the jurisdiction of Eula ISD.

Wylie ISD would gain a parcel of 264 acres currently within the tax boundary of Abilene ISD near Kirby Lake, though the deal stipulates the transfer wouldn't happen until seven years after development of the land begins. Families would also have the ability to choose between the two districts where children would attend, the deal says.

Both of these parcels would be developed for residential use, Abilene ISD Associate Superintendent Scott McLean said Monday.

"I'm not excited to lose the land," Abilene ISD Trustee Randy Piersall said. "But I want to be practical about it."

Practicality in this case means making the land swap because of the location of the two parcels within tax boundaries. The Eula ISD-controlled land is surrounded on all borders by land in the Abilene ISD, while the land Wylie ISD would gain control of, tax-wise, is surrounded entirely by land it already counts on its rolls.

According to leadership in all three districts, the deal as it is laid out fixes these weird scenarios. Eula and Wylie trustees earlier approved the swap.

Tim Kelley, Eula ISD superintendent, said he thinks the exchange is going to be good for all three school districts. According to previous reports from December during initial negotiations, Eula ISD would receive financial compensation from the land owners for giving up tax rights to the land ACU owns.

Kelley said the deal is awaiting the signing of final documents.

Wylie ISD Superintendent Joey Light said the deal was an attempt to be beneficial to all three districts because the process could've left one or two with no compensation at all. The owners of the Kirby Lake property heading to Wylie's tax rolls petitioned AISD in 2012 to be released from its boundaries but was denied.

But the time for reapplication came in 2015 and the owners were intent on filing an appeal with the Texas education commissioner if it was denied again, Light said in December during initial negotiations.

"I think what this does is it shows the willingness of the school districts in the area to try to be reasonable about circumstances as they're presented to them and work together in a way that'll best resolve some of these issues," Light said. "I think it's a new era in cooperation."

Abilene Christian University's Chief Financial Officer Kelly Young, presenting at the Abilene ISD board meeting Monday, said the school envisions its land as a mix between a retreat area and housing developments with as many as 600 upscale homes filling the space.

"This is one of the key developments ACU is looking at," Young said. "We've not made any decisions. We're still doing our feasibility study. But it's not practical for us to develop this land if it's in two different school districts.

"We think this would be a great thing for AISD."
Taylor County commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved payment of more than $22,000 to the victim of an August 2015 traffic accident involving a Taylor County Sheriff deputy.

The victim, Ronald Olsen, was injured Aug. 26 when he was forced to swerve to miss the sheriff's vehicle, driven by Deputy Steven Friedle. The sheriff's office vehicle had pulled into the intersection of U.S. Hwy 277 and FM 707. Olsen had to "lay down" the motorcycle, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.

According to Taylor County Judge Downing Bolls, the settlement payment, which totaled $22,500, is being made with no admission of guilt on the part of the county; Bolls added that the county also assumed no liability for the accident.

In other county commission business, Taylor County received a 2015 safety award from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool. According to information provided by Jack Coffey, risk control consultant for the TAC, the award was being presented for the county's commitment to safety in the workplace, as well as for controlling the county's Worker Compensation claims.

"Taylor County was one of only 13 counties in the state honored with a safety award in 2015," said Coffey. "Through its commitment to safe practices among county employees, Taylor County works to reduce employee injuries and obtain substantial savings for taxpayers by minimizing workers' compensation costs."

In other business, Annette Conover, who works in the County Auditor's office, was recognized for 20 years of service. Taylor County Sheriff Deputy Mike Holley, and Cindy Barnhill, who works for the Justice of the Peace in Precinct 1 Place 1, received employee of the quarter awards in their respective divisions.
Calling Abilene, "a point of pride," Jodey Arrington opened his local headquarters Tuesday in the race for the Republican nomination for the 19th Congressional District.

Arrington, who will face Lubbock Mayor Glen Robertson in the May 24 runoff, said he was pleased to be in Abilene, and thankful to get his office at 4602 S. 14th St. operating.

"Until recently, we lacked the resources to get our Abilene headquarters running," said Arrington, former vice chancellor at Texas Tech University. "Today's opening sends a clear message that we have the intention, and the motivation, to represent the entire district if we are elected on May 24."

Abilene Mayor Norm Archibald recently endorsed Arrington, calling him "a proven conservative leader who will truly represent the people of Abilene and West Texas."

"Abilene has a very real opportunity to influence the outcome of the runoff election," said Archibald during Tuesday's opening. "I believe support for Jodey is 'Abilene strong,' and encourage everyone to endorse and support him by getting out the vote."

Arrington stressed that he will represent the whole district, not just the major cities.

"District 19 is full of people with big heart and big dreams," Arrington said. "I intend to be a champion for all, from Plainview, where I grew up, to Abilene, where I have built great relationships and friendships."

Arrington also discussed the issue of fundraising, noting that his campaign is out-fundraising Robertson by nearly 4-to-1, and saying that the money has come from an expanding breadth of support across the district.

"We have established a sacred trust with our supporters," he added, "and that is being reflected in the numbers of people supporting our campaign. From former President George W. Bush, to former Gov. Rick Perry, and others, the grass-roots support for our campaign is strong and getting stronger."

Arrington's office will be staffed by a team familiar with campaigning and constituent issues. Sylvia Leal, who worked with U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer for more than 10 years, will head up the Abilene office, assisted by Mallory Coon, who worked with Michael Bob Starr during his failed bid for the nomination.

Wes McElhinny, who has worked with Arrington since he started campaigning, will lead a team of staffers charged with the grass-roots, door-to-door effort to get out the vote.

Early voting for the runoff election begins May 16. The winner will face Libertarian Troy Bonar in the general election in November.
For years, a sticker affixed to more than 170,000 gas pumps in Texas featured a straightforward headline  'Fuel Feedback?'  alongside a toll-free number, email address and instructions for consumers with questions.

But in his latest effort to remake the embattled Agriculture Department, Commissioner Sid Miller opted to give the often overlooked stickers a makeover. Under the new design released last week, Miller's name is in a larger font and is now featured prominently across the top. And near the bottom, he's added a new disclaimer likely to rub some lawmakers the wrong way.

'All motor fuel taxes are set by the U.S. Congress and Texas State Legislature, NOT by the Texas Department of Agriculture or Texas Agriculture Commissioner,' the new sticker reads.

The fuel stickers are intended to notify consumers to contact the Texas Department of Agriculture if there is no state registration on the pump or if they have a complaint. The department's wide variety of duties includes checking gas pumps for accuracy.

The department unveiled its new sticker this month, partly in order to add a breakdown of how much federal and state fuel taxes are levied on each gallon of gas, as required by a bill passed last year and authored by state Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston. To keep the Agriculture Department from having to expend additional funds on the new stickers, House Bill 991 also stipulated that new stickers not be issued until the inventory of the old 'Fuel Feedback' stickers has been exhausted.

According to records obtained by the Tribune, the new stickers came with a more-than $91,000 price tag. When asked if the Agriculture Department had purchased new stickers before it had gone through its inventory of old ones, Jason Fearneyhough, the agency's deputy commissioner, wrote in an email that there were 'less than 1,000' remaining.

When asked why the commissioner's name is larger on the new sticker, Fearneyhough said, 'The individuals involved in the design are not currently in the office.'

The new language on the sticker is unlikely to help Miller's already strained relationships at the Legislature, where he clashed with lawmakers last session after asking for a major increase in state revenue for his department. When legislators refused to approve his budget that amounted to almost $50 million beyond the department's last two-year spending plan, Miller responded by hiking the department's fees  in some cases, more than doubling them  for a long list of licenses, registrations and services it provides. Along with checking gas pumps for accuracy, the agency is responsible for licensing and certifying agricultural products, verifying that grocery store scanners work properly and checking that metal scales properly display weights.

Miller went forward with the new fees, which took effect January 2016, despite criticism from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and a letter signed by 72 lawmakers expressing their 'deep concerns' with the plan.

The ag chief also faces a criminal investigation by the Texas Rangers, who are looking into his use of taxpayer funds to bankroll two out-of-state trips. The investigation follows complaints filed by the liberal advocacy group Progress Texas, which asked the department's investigative unit to review two state-paid trips the Stephenville Republican took in February 2015 after media reports indicating he may have traveled for personal benefit, including to participate in a rodeo and to receive a controversial injection known as a 'Jesus Shot.'
Visiting justices from Canada's high court sat in on Monday's immigration arguments before the Supreme Court would be forgiven if they supported building a border wall of their own.

The Senate's refusal to confirm a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia has left the U.S. high court evenly split and increasingly paralyzed. As the justices heard arguments about President Obama's executive actions on illegal immigration, the options were chaos or more chaos.

A divided Congress couldn't deal with the 11 million immigrants here illegally. Obama tried to do something on his own  use his executive authority to defer deportation of parents of children who are American citizens  and the rift grew deeper. Texas, supported by 25 other states, most led by Republican governors, sued. Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia filed briefs on the other side. The GOP-led U.S. House sued as well, but 186 members of the House and 39 senators (virtually the entire Democratic caucus) filed opposing briefs.

Now the Supreme Court has to rule on Obama's DAPA policy (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans). But with no expectation of an agreement, that leaves two options:

Chief Justice John Roberts joins the liberals in that Texas doesn't have standing in court. This would leave it unclear whether DAPA is legal.

Or, the justices tie 4-to-4, and even greater chaos ensues. An appellate ruling invalidating the law stands, in part of the country. Cases will be brought in other circuits, probably causing different views of the law in different parts of the country.

'With either of these two possibilities you have chaos about whether DAPA is legal or not,' says Neal Katyal, the Supreme Court litigator with Hogan Lovells who filed a brief in the case from officials supporting the administration.

Following the 4-to-4 split in an important labor case, the situation indicates that the Supreme Court is barely functioning. The justices have granted only three cases since Scalia died, a figure Supreme Court watchers say is very low. 'They're tending away from deciding much, and when they do reach decision, it is often a very narrow ruling,' Katyal tells me.

On Monday, the justices seemed evenly split, both on the merits of the case and the question of standing. Roberts said Texas' contention that it would lose money because it would have to issue driver's licenses to those aided by Obama's order, was 'the classic case for standing,' and he accused the administration of putting Texas in a 'Catch-22.'

Justice Anthony Kennedy said that the policy was being done 'backwards' and the decision should be 'a legislative, not an executive, act.'

But Justice Sonia Sotomayor disagreed that Texas would be hurt. 'Those nearly 11 million unauthorized aliens are here in the shadows  they are affecting the economy whether we want to or not,' she said. 'If Congress really wanted not to have an economic impact, it would allot the amount of money necessary to deport them, but it hasn't.'

Nobody disputed that the administration has the discretion to defer action on certain illegal immigrants. What disturbed lawyers for the House and for Texas was that those who receive such 'deferred action' are, under long-standing federal law, eligible to apply for authorization to work.

Erin Murphy, representing the House, said flatly that 'Congress has passed a statute that says if you are living in this country without legal authority, you cannot work.'

But Donald Verrilli, the administration's solicitor general, noted that, even without DAPA, there are millions without legal status who work in the United States. They would be out of work under the law as interpreted by the House Republican majority.

Tossing millions from their jobs would cause chaos  what you get when you sideline the Supreme Court.

Dana Milbank writes for The Washington Post Writers Group. Follow him on Twitter, @Milbank.
Following Donald Trump's repeated expressed desire to end NATO, the future of the alliance is relevant for perhaps the first time in the Obama administration.

With NATO's Warsaw Summit looming in July, coupled with the recent attacks in Paris and Brussels, Trump's criticism provides the opportunity for an overdue strategic reboot, and President Barack Obama should take it. The administration should provide a forceful leadership stance and articulate a new NATO that focuses on the challenges of long-term security.

After Trump's comments, the reaction has been to simply assert that NATO still has a purpose. This is not sufficient, and it is not adequate to simply reinforce the alliance's military capabilities that were yesterday's answers.

Recognizing NATO's challenges is a prerequisite. First, acknowledge that, throughout the last seven years, the Obama administration has deprioritized Europe. Our oldest allies in Europe have remained on the sidelines, reduced too often to fringe actors.

It is imperative that the administration refocus on Europe in a 'cooperative security' framework. Rather than reverting to the traditional collective defense, this new NATO should collaborate on key strategies like the response to the unrest in Syria and the Middle East, the refugee crisis, nuclear and conventional trade-offs, and the conditions to sustain strategic stability.

Put simply, NATO must identify its realities, clarify its goals, and adjust its membership priorities.

First, NATO should emphasize a collective defense of the Western values of peace and security. This approach should rely on allies to work together to identify joint strategies to the thorniest issues. The lack of collaboration around current security issues may explain that the United States did not provide antiterrorism information or support to NATO countries directly after the Paris attacks. The exchange of intelligence and best practices must be increased against a persistent set of dangers.

A collective response to terrorist attacks from such as the Islamic State group is critical, but it is not enough. Perhaps the most pressing threat is the constant refugee migration from Syria and the rest of the Middle East into NATO nations. The United States should be heavily involved and invested, both in crafting strategy, and in coordinating the challenges of screening and alleviating the burdens of waves of refugees.

NATO should also provide leadership on pursuing nuclear arms-control, determining a long-term response to crises in Ukraine and Syria, and leading on climate change. An alliance should be responsive to lower-end threats, instead of just a collective nuclear-dependent deterrence system.

Second, with Vladimir Putin's Russia determined to reestablish itself, NATO's own geopolitics must be reinforced. NATO must be seen as an economic and military partner to states in danger of being usurped by Russian forces, to prevent the annexation of more territories. Russia must see NATO as a united alliance. To this end, agreements between the United States and European countries should be promoted as alliance initiatives.

Simultaneously, it is important to note that the ongoing power crisis provides an opportunity to strengthen potential arms-control initiatives. Russia should not be treated solely as a threat.

Third, to give Trump some credit, NATO must again agree, with teeth rather than creative accounting, that free riders in the alliance pay their fair share to maintain its relevance. Only a handful of states are meeting the minimum defense-spending goal of 2 percent of GDP, which was actually lowered during the recent global recession. With improving economics over the next five years, these goals should be easily implemented and must become a requisite for membership.

Perhaps most important, the United States needs to understand that NATO members are its most important partners in meeting increasingly complex global challenges. Rather than creating NATO's downfall, Trump has provided Obama with an opportunity to create a legacy of relevance.

Email Catherine Kelleher, College Park professor of public policy at the University of Maryland and secretary of defense representative to NATO in the Clinton administration, at ckellehe@umd.edu. Email Scott Warren at swarren@generationcitizen.org.
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The character dates all the way back to A New Hope.
From left: Huang Wenxun, Yuan Fengchu and Yuan Xiaohua are pictured in an undated file photo.

Authorities in the central Chinese province of Hubei have finally tried two anti-graft activists who have been held since 2013 on public order charges, their lawyers told RFA on Wednesday.

Yuan Fengchu, also known as Yuan Bing, and Yuan Xiaohua were detained in June 2013 in the southern province of Guangdong while on an advocacy tour of the country.

Their trial on charges of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble"closed on Tuesday at the Chibi Municipal People's Court.

Defense lawyer Lin Qilei said the prosecution had broken many legal procedures, including refusing to share evidence with the defense ahead of the trial.

"But all that this evidence showed was that these two men did nothing to disturb public order; the facts are very clear," Lin said. "This is a case of political persecution, and nothing the prosecution could produce proved this point."

A not guilty plea

Fellow defense lawyer Liu Zhengqing said both Yuans pleaded not guilty.

"They were very resolute about that, and said that they wished to establish freedom and democracy [in China], otherwise, what did China sign the U.N. rights covenants for?"

Security was tight with a strong police presence outside the court during the trial, and supporters were unable to get in to attend the hearing as spectators, fellow activists told RFA.

"There weren't many supporters because there were so many police and police vehicles, as well as plainclothes officers on surveillance for around 100 meters around the court," a supporter surnamed Chen told RFA.

A supporter surnamed Li said police in riot gear had thrown a security cordon around the court buildings, preventing them from approaching the area.

"There were building works outside the court buildings, and they had put traffic barriers across the road, so it was blocked off," Li said.

"They were asking anyone who tried to get through what they were doing there."

"Some people were detained at the Chibi bus station," he said.

Guangdong-based rights activist Jia Pin and Guangxi-based activist Huang Yuzhang both reported being tortured after their detention on Tuesday.

A seat on the tiger bench

"On the night of my detention, they wouldn't let me sleep, and they cuffed me to the tiger bench," Jia said in an interview on Wednesday, in a reference to a chair with restraints.

The Chibi police were extremely rough and rude, and they threatened me," Jia added. "The next day, I saw a lot of other people in the police station, and the police beat some of them."

He said Hunan activist Zhu Chengzhi, 65, was roughly handled during his detention at the Chibi train station.

"He was unwilling to go along with them when they detained him ... and they broke his left thumb," Jia said.

Meanwhile, Huang Yuzhang said he was grabbed by three police officers at the railway station and dragged into a room there.

"They carried out a detailed search ... and then they asked me why I had come to Chibi," he said.

The two Yuans, who are unrelated, had previously been formally arrested on subversion charges. Under China's criminal system, a verdict and sentence is likely within six weeks.

Trial in secret

A third activist, Huang Wenxun, was detained around the same time as the two Yuans, and is believed to have been tried in secret and sentenced to four years' imprisonment for "incitement to subvert state power."

All three activists were held at the Jiayu County Detention Center in Chibi, where Huang and Yuan Fengchu were reportedly beaten by inmates, said rights groups and their lawyer.

Huang was detained after he took part in a peaceful march on March 31, 2013 through Guangzhou's city center along with 10 others, holding placards calling on officials to disclose their assets and to implement political reform.

Dozens of people linked in some way to the anti-graft New Citizens' Movement group have been detained over the past year, according to Amnesty International.

Anti-graft campaigner and movement founder Xu Zhiyong was handed a four-year jail term in January 2014 on public order charges after staging a street protest calling for greater transparency from the country's richest and most powerful people.

Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wen Yuqing for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.
Lao Hmong hill tribe women (C) talk to foreign reporters and diplomats during a trip organized by the Lao foreign ministry in Phongkham village, Bolikhamxay province, in a file photo.

UPDATED at 12:20 P.M. on 21-04-16

Laos latest dismal ranking on an annual international press freedom index issued Wednesday came as no surprise to rights groups, especially since the country enacted a regulation five months ago that requires foreign journalists, embassy personnel, and international organizations to submit their reports to government officials for review before publication.

The Paris-based watchdog group Reporters Without Borders released its annual World Press Freedom Index on Wednesday, ranking Laos 173 out of 180 countries. Laos, which will host major regional diplomatic events in 2016, has ranked near the bottom of the list for several years.

This years annual report on Laos is virtually a carbon copy of previous years, which shows that serious human rights violations in the country continue unabated, and the government is by no means interested in addressing the ongoing abuses, said Andrea Giorgetta, director of the Asia desk at the International Federation for Human Rights in Bangkok, Thailand.

The controversial regulation enacted last Nov. 24 requires foreign journalists and those who work for international organizations and embassies to submit their reports on Laos to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for editing prior to publication.

The new regulations for foreign journalists are clearly designed to prevent any independent agencies from establishing a presence in Laos and reflect the oppressive conditions that exist in the country with regard to freedom of information, Giorgetta said.

Vanida Thepsouvanh, president of the Paris-based Lao Movement for Human Rights, told RFAs Lao Service that the ranking continues to confirm the repressive conditions on freedom of information for the four decades since the establishment of a communist regime in Laos following the Vietnam War.

So there is nothing surprising about the Lao decree of Nov. 24 on news coverage by foreign media, embassies, and international agencies, coming out with regulations and restrictions that are inconceivable in countries with a free media, she said.

RFA contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but no one responded to requests for comment via phone or email.

Prepping for the ASEAN summits

The report comes as Laos gears up to host two annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summits in the capital Vientiane later this yearevents that will be heavily covered by regional and international media.

U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to visit Laos in September for one of the summits, the first visit to the country by a sitting American president.

Laos, one of the least developed members of ASEAN, holds the 10-member organizations chairmanship this year, hosting the two annual summits where the 10 member states discuss key issues in Southeast Asia.

It is a key year for the group as it works on the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community, formed at the end of 2015.

Although the Lao official press stated that there will not be any problem for foreign media during the ASEAN events, it remains to be seen if the foreign media will be free to cover any subject on Laos while in Laos, Thepsouvanh said.

Contrary to development trend

A senior editor of an English-language newspaper in Thailand that covers Laos said the government regulation restricting journalists and others contradicts the trend of regional development among ASEAN member states.

Countries in ASEAN, of which Laos is holding the current chair, need to open up to the world, and the best way to do that is to engage with the world through media, he told RFA.

He also said the measure runs counter to media ethics and codes of conduct that forbid journalists from subjecting their articles to censorship, and that the foreign affairs ministry lacks the ability and the manpower to edit all reports by foreign media outlets.

I dont see any possibility for the Lao government to enforce such a regulation, said the editor, who declined to be named. Unless the foreign media agree to set up their offices in Vientiane, the government has no jurisdiction to enforce such a law to control them. In this sense, the regulation is a paper tiger.

Laos discredited itself and the ASEAN community for issuing a regulation that violates freedom of expression and basic human rights, the Thai editor said.

The enactment of the regulation also reflects the failure of the Lao government to manage information in the modern world, he said. Instead, he suggested that the government make efforts to provide foreign media operating inside the country with accurate and sufficient information for them to do their jobs.

Easy access and the free flow of information would allow the government to handle media and information effectively and wisely, he said.

Difficult to enforce

A foreign journalist based in Cambodia who has reported from Laos agreed that authorities will have a tough time trying to enforce the regulation.

Enforcing laws such as this is difficult outside Vientiane where the central government loses influence in favor of local leaders who make decisions at their own discretion, she said.

The journalist, who requested anonymity, said it was typical of the Lao government to issue a regulation that appears daunting but was next to impossible to enforce.

[Authorities] lack the capacity, and no journalist would ever willingly cooperate with this law, except perhaps those working for Xinhua [Chinese state media], she said, because most reporters do not submit their articles to anyone outside their news organizations for editing or approval before publication.

Journalists already know to be wary because of existing laws, so most have a system to work around Laos limitations, she said, adding that foreign journalists are not allowed to officially report from Laos unless they have a government minder.

But the regulation could have an impact on nongovernmental officials and foreign workers in Laos who are leery of speaking on the record after the government expelled Anne-Sophie Gindroz, Lao country director of the Swiss development organization Helvetas, in December 2012, she said.

She was fairly outspoken, as far as I understand, and that has had a chilling effect on foreigners, which I personally experienced while writing and visiting, the journalist said.

Gindroz had criticized the Lao government as creating a hostile environment for development and civil society groups by stifling freedom of expression and association prior to an annual meeting on foreign aid strategy.

The government said she was expelled because it was dismayed by her improper behavior and unconstructive attitude towards Laos.

Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Ounkeo Souksavanh. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
A handout photo released to AFP from anonymous Rohingya Muslim minority residents shows people carrying a dead body after a boat capsized off the coast in Sittwe, April 19, 2016.

The death toll from a boat disaster off the Myanmar coast continues to rise as more than 20 victims are reported dead after an overloaded vessel carrying dozens of Muslim minority Rohingya people capsized early on Tuesday.

We found 18 dead bodies yesterday and four this morning, a rescue worker told RFAs Myanmar Service. We saved 20 people, and we will continue rescue works for two more days. 

While the death toll is expected to increase, the United Nations said 21 are dead, including nine children. They all died after a boat capsized in choppy waters as it approached the Rakhine state capital of Sittwe, according to the U.N.

Rough seas and an overloaded boat appear to have caused the disaster, but the status of the Rohingya may have contributed as their travel is restricted.

Rohingya recognition issue

Myanmar does not formally recognize the Rohingya as one of the country's patchwork of ethnic minorities.

A rising tide of Buddhist nationalism has in recent years deepened hostility towards the group -- most of whom are rendered stateless by a web of citizenship laws.

While many Rohingya trace their roots in the country back for generations, most of the passengers were inhabitants of Sin Tet Maw, in Paukaw township, a camp for Rohingya Muslim minority members forced from their homes by bouts of communal violence since 2012, according to the Associated Press.

The boat's passengers had received special permission to travel by boat to the market in Sittwe from Paukaw -- a journey through the mouth of a wide river that then skirts several miles around the coast to the state capital, AFP reported.

More than 100,000 Rohingya have been forced to live in apartheid-like conditions since unrest between Buddhists and Muslims left hundreds dead in 2012.

Their movement and access to services, including health care, is severely restricted by authorities in the Buddhist-majority country.

U.N. and U.S.comment

"This accident serves as a tragic reminder of the vulnerability that many communities and families face in this area of Rakhine," said Janet Jackson, the UN's resident and humanitarian co-ordinator in Myanmar.

"Their only option is to use this mode of travel in order to access livelihoods, and other basic services that are essential for a dignified life," she said. The United Nations will continue its efforts in support of the government and local authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of all people in Rakhine State, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and citizenship.

The United States also weighed in as the embassy in Myanmar posted a message on its Facebook page offering condolences to the victims families and mild rebuke to the government.

Restrictions on access to markets, livelihoods and other basic services in Rakhine State can lead to communities unnecessarily risking their lives in an attempt to improve their quality of life, the Facebook post reads. We welcome the Government of Myanmars stated commitment to improve conditions for all people in the Rakhine State and promote reconciliation, peace and stability.

Reported and translated by RFA's Myanmar Service. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.
Myanmar prisoner Thet Wai (R), jailed for three months for conducting an illegal protest, greets sympathizers upon his release from Insein prison in Yangon, April 8, 2016.

Myanmars police force is working to drop charges against remaining political prisoners over the next several days under the direction of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, a police official said Wednesday.

There could be more than 100 charges that we will consider dropping, officer Tun Min of the Myanmar Police Criminal Department told RFAs Myanmar Service.

The procedure for this is that police must request that judges at courts abolish the charges first, he said. Everything will be done in a short time after we have received orders from courts to drop the charges.

Charges will be dropped against those prosecuted under Articles 505(b) and 143 of the countrys penal code, as well as Article 18 of the countrys Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law, Tun Min said.

Authorities have routinely charged activists under the articles which pertain to unlawful assembly and inciting the public to commit acts against the state.

Government administrators are cooperating with police to wipe out the charges in a matter of days, Tun Min said.

Still behind bars

President Htin Kyaw announced the release of 83 political prisoners on Sunday, although only 63 were set free.

The Myanmar Human Right Commission (MHRC) visited various jails to meet with political prisoners to gain assurances that they would not repeat the actions that got them jailed in the first place, said Min Lwin Oo, an attorney with the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).

But some disagreed with the MHRC and were not released, he said. About 150 others remain behind bars on political charges.

Nearly 50 prisoners from Shan, Kachin, Karen and Rakhine armed ethnic groups were not released, he said. Another 50 include farmers who had protested against authorities for taking their land and Muslims who were jailed on charges brought by the nationalist Buddhist group Ma Ba Tha.

To release all these people, the president needs to have agreement from a military chief who is one of the members of the National Defense and Security Council, Min Lwin Oo said, in a reference to the 11-member panel that recommends prisoners to be considered for amnesty.

I think there will still be political prisoners in jails even after police have dropped charges against the activists, he said.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who also is minister of foreign affairs and the Presidents Office in the new administration led by her National League for Democracy (NLD) party, said earlier this month that freeing political prisoners and detained students awaiting trial for participating in a national education policy protest was a government priority.

So far, more than 200 political prisoners, students and activists have been released.

The prisoner releases began a few days before Myanmars New Year holiday on April 11, a period when the president has traditionally granted pardons to detainees.

Reported by Kyaw Thu and Khet Mar for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
The death toll from the April 19 Taliban attack in the Afghan capital has risen to 64 -- more than double the total previously estimated by officials.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on April 20 that 347 people were also wounded in the attack on an office of the country's main security agency in the center of Kabul.

Most of those killed and wounded were civilians.

The attack began with a suicide car bomb during the morning rush hour, which was followed by an assault by armed militants.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a week after the militant group announced the start of its annual spring offensive.

The presidential palace said the attack "will not weaken the will and determination of Afghan security forces to fight against terrorism."

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
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 latest clampdown on a Crimea news site run by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has drawn international condemnation, with the United States denouncing it as "the Russian government's growing crackdown on independent voices" on the annexed peninsula.

Crimea's Moscow-backed authorities have repeatedly targeted the Krym.Realii website for its criticism of the peninsula's annexation by Russia in March 2014.

On April 19, Natalya Poklonskaya, Crimea's de-facto prosecutor-general, said her office planned to ask Russian prosecutors to permanently block access to the website.

Poklonskaya accused Krym.Realii of publishing materials that contain "justification of sabotage, extremism, and endless slander of government bodies in Crimea."

Her statement came shortly after Crimean prosecutors opened a criminal probe into the activities of a local journalist, who has written for RFE/RL, on charges of undermining Russia's territorial integrity.

Mykola Semena could face five years in prison if found guilty.

After Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine, the Russian parliament passed a law making it a criminal offense to question Russia's territorial integrity, which also means opposing the occupation.

The United States and international media-freedom organizations have condemned the clampdown in Crimea.

"The United States remains deeply concerned about increasing restrictions on independent media and civil society in Crimea," said Jonathan Lalley, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, in remarks published on April 20.

Lalley said individuals and organizations with dissenting views "are being silenced or driven out," and condemned Crimean authorities for denying international observers access to the peninsula.

Equating Criticism With Extremism

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) also voiced concerns over the probe into Semena.

"This recent detention only shows the urgent need to stop the arbitrary practice of silencing journalists in Crimea," said Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE representative on media freedom.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called on security forces to "stop harassing journalists in Crimea for their reporting and expressed opinions."

Nina Ognianova, the committee's Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, said Russia "has a record of equating criticism with extremism, and of using its broad laws to intimidate and silence the press."

The Broadcast Board of Governors (BBG), which oversees all U.S. civilian international broadcasting, condemned what it called the targeting of independent journalists in Russia-annexed Crimea.

"The charges being considered against Semena are baseless and are aimed only at silencing independent voices and dissent," BBG CEO and Director John Lansing said. "Threats to the free practice of journalism must neither be made nor tolerated by any government."

"Journalism is not a crime," BBG Chairman Jeff Shell said. "Reporters from RFE/RL and indeed all media outlets must be allowed to do their work in Crimea without fear of intimidation or arrest."

Crimean prosecutors said that the Federal Security Service (FSB) was investigating Krym.Realii over an article "calling for the isolation of the peninsula and its inhabitants, including by military operations."

FSB officers searched Semena's home in Simferopol, the regional capital, on April 19 and took him in for questioning. He was released later in the day and ordered not to leave the peninsula while he is being investigated.

The homes of several other local journalists were also searched.

RFE/RL Editor in Chief Nenad Pejic said attacks on RFE/RL staff have become "a regular practice" in Russia and Crimea.

"They have faced every possible pressure -- public attacks, threats against their families. Many have been forced to leave the peninsula," he said in a statement.

Pejic said Krym.Realii would continue providing independent news to Crimea, adding that the website had over 30 million visits last year.

"This only confirms the importance of RFE/RL's continued presence in Crimea, and the need for our journalists to work safely without fear of arrest or prosecution," he said.

Independent media have been virtually banned in Crimea since the annexation. Like Semena, reporters who work for independent media outlets use pseudonyms to hide their identities.

The Krym.Realii website is published in Russian, Ukrainian, and Crimean Tatar.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Krym.Realii, AP, AFP, and TASS
The Kremlin and its surrogates are spinning today's meeting of the NATO-Russia Council as the end of Moscow's isolation.

In Brussels, it is viewed as a technical meeting to put safeguards in place to prevent an accidental conflict from breaking out amid rising tensions.

The Kremlin says reviving the NATO-Russia Council after nearly two years is proof that a chastened West has realized the error of its ways and is now ready to engage Moscow.

In Western capitals, the meeting is largely viewed as a necessary evil and an opportunity to call out Russia for the provocative actions of its warplanes in international airspace -- and their continued violations of NATO airspace.

The Kremlin is presenting the resurrection of the NATO-Russia Council as a sign that the Ukraine crisis has changed the rules of international politics in Moscow's favor.

NATO officials see it as an opportunity to reprimand Russia for its continued efforts to destabilize Ukraine, for its failure to abide by the Minsk cease-fire agreement -- and to reinforce the message that this behavior has costs and consequences.

Today's meeting among NATO and Russian envoys will again illustrate that Moscow and the West live in completely different cognitive realities.

The Kremlin's propaganda machine will spin it as a major victory for a resurgent Russia.

But optics aside, it will be nothing of the sort.
A Dutch court has quashed a $50 billion award that Russia had been ordered to pay the former majority shareholders of the dismantled oil giant Yukos.

The Hague District Court ruled on April 20 that an international arbitration panel had misinterpreted a treaty that Russia signed but never ratified and wasnt qualified to issue the award to Yukoss former owners.

The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2014 that Moscow used tax claims to seize control of Yukos in 2003 and silence its CEO, tycoon-turned-Kremlin-critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

A number of countries have frozen accounts and property belonging to Russian state companies while GML, a holding company belonging to four former Yukos owners, attempted to collect the award.

The Kremlin welcomed the decision and expressed hope that it will see proceedings in various countries to freeze Russian assets over the case ended.

GML, a holding company belonging to four former Yukos owners, vowed to continue their legal battle for compensation and to appeal the ruling.

Based on reporting AP, AFP, Bloomberg, TASS, and Interfax
BRUSSELS -- The European Union has proposed offering visa-free travel in Europe to Ukrainians.

"Today, we follow up on our commitment to propose short-stay, visa-free travel to the EU for Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports," European Commissioner for Home Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos said on April 20.

"We need to be united and stand by our neighbor," he also said, expressing hope that visa-free travel for Ukrainians will become a reality "very soon."

The decision will come as a relief to the pro-Western government in Kyiv as many feared that the visa-liberalization process could grind to a halt after the Netherlands earlier this month voted against the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU in a consultative referendum.

However, it is still unclear how fast the liberalization process will be dealt with in the European Parliament and European Council, where some EU member states might want to slow down the process.

The EU's neighborhood commissioner, Johannes Hahn, travels to Ukraine on April 20 to officially present the proposal.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Iran must pay nearly $2 billion in frozen assets to victims and families of those killed in Tehran-sponsored terrorist attacks.

The court on April 20 ruled 6-2 in favor of relatives of the 241 Marines who died in a 1983 terrorist attack in Beirut and victims of other attacks that U.S. courts have linked to the Islamic republic.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg rejected claims by Iran's central bank that Congress was intruding into the business of federal courts when it passed a 2012 law that specifically directs that the banks' assets in the United States be paid to the families.

More than 1,300 people are among the relatives of the victims of attacks that were carried out by groups with links to Iran.

Congress has repeatedly changed the law in the past 20 years to make it easier for victims to sue over state-sponsored terrorism. Federal courts have often ruled for the victims.

Iran has refused to comply with the rulings.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Several thousand people protested in Macedonia's capital, Skopje, for the eighth day on April 19, calling for President Gjorge Ivanov to resign.

The country's political crisis began last year when the opposition accused the government of illegally wiretapping some 20,000 people, including politicians, judges, police, journalists, and diplomats.

Then-prime minister Nikola Gruevski, who stepped down in January, has denied the claims and has instead accused opposition leader Zoran Zaev of plotting a coup.

During the past week, Ivanov granted amnesty to 56 officials alleged to be involved in the scandal, sparking sometimes violent protests in Skopje.

Ivanov said he issued the pardons to protect national interests, and insisted he wouldnt change his decision.

The European Union and the United States criticized the pardons, and EU enlargement minister Johannes Hahn publicly questioned whether credible parliamentary elections scheduled for June were still possible.

Based on reporting by AFP and MIA
The first meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in almost two years was "frank and serious," and reasserted deep disagreements over the Ukrainian crisis, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said after the talks in Brussels.

The April 20 meeting of the council, which serves as a forum for cooperation between the two sides, ran more than 90 minutes over schedule.

The two sides also discussed military activities of the alliance and Russia, and the security situation in and around Afghanistan, Stoltenberg told a news conference.

"NATO and Russia have profound and persistent differences," Stoltenberg said. "Today's meeting did not change that."

"In the meeting, it was reconfirmed that we disagree on the facts, on the narrative, and the responsibilities in and around Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

Practically all civilian and military cooperation between the alliance and Moscow was suspended in April 2014 following Russia's unrecognized annexation the previous month of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

The council has met only once -- in June 2014 -- since Russia annexed Crimea. However, Stoltenberg has met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on several occasions in recent years and the alliance has stressed that while cooperation had been halted, channels of communication were open.

The April 20 meeting was presented as an opportunity for the two sides to continue their political dialogue, but came amid continuing disagreements over Russia's role in Ukraine, heightened tensions over Moscow's air campaign in Syria, and recent incidents involving the U.S. military and Russian planes in the Baltic Sea.

Following the meeting, Stoltenberg highlighted NATO's differences with Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

"Many allies disagree when Russia tries to portray this as a civil war," he said. "This is Russia destabilizing eastern Ukraine, providing support for the separatists, munitions, funding, equipment, and also command-and-control."

"So there were profound disagreements," he said.

However, the NATO chief also said the meeting was a potential step toward repairing relations, and stressed the need for dialogue.

The allies and Russia "hold very different views but we have listened to what each other has to say. I think we had a very frank, serious, and actually good meeting," Stoltenberg told a news conference.

Ahead of the talks, Stoltenberg had stressed that "dialogue is more important when times are difficult and tensions are high," while also saying that the meeting did not mean that "we are back to business as normal."

Russia's permanent representative to NATO, Aleksandr Grushko, sounded a skeptical note after the meeting.

"If the situation turns toward a positive agenda," Grushko said, "then why not hold another meeting? The problem is that, at this point, we have no positive agenda."

High on the agenda on April 20 were incidents this month involving the Russian and U.S. militaries in the Baltic Sea.

U.S. military officials said that, on April 12, two Russian military jets carried out "aggressive" overflights near a U.S. guided-missile destroyer in "simulated attack profiles" in international waters off the coast of Russia.

The U.S. officials said the Russian Su-24 jets were not armed, but flew so close to the U.S. destroyer and at such a low altitude that they created a "wake in the water."

On April 18, the Pentagon reported what it described as an "unsafe" maneuver by a Russian fighter jet that flew close to a U.S. reconnaissance plane.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said a Russian Su-27 flew less than 15 meters from the wingtip of the U.S. plane in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on April 14.

The council was set up in 2002 as a consultative body. NATO froze formal meetings and some cooperation under the council's auspices in 2008 due to what it called Russia's "disproportionate military action" in Moscow's brief war with Georgia.

With reporting by dpa, AFP, Reuters, and AP
Gunmen on motorcycles have gunned down seven police officers guarding a children's polio vaccination team in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi.

Police said the gunmen carried out the killings in two separate attacks minutes apart on April 20 in the city's western Orangi Town neighborhood.

The attackers opened fire on a police vehicle, killing all four officers inside, and three other policemen who were on duty in the area.

No polio workers were harmed.

No one so far claimed responsibility, but militants in Pakistan have regularly targeted polio workers and their guards.

Militants say the polio vaccination campaign is a cover for Western spies or a conspiracy to sterilize Pakistani children.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where the disease is still endemic.

With reporting by Dawn and AFP
WASHINGTON -- A district court in The Hague has quashed a $50 billion award that Russia had been ordered to pay the former majority shareholders of the dismantled oil giant Yukos, a major victory for Russia and its effort to portray the dismantling a decade ago as a case of righting past wrongs.

The Hague court ruled on April 20 that the European arbitration court, which ruled in July 2014, misinterpreted a treaty that Russia signed but never ratified and wasn't qualified to issue the award to Yukos's former owners.

The July 2014 award was the largest ever issued by an arbitration court anywhere.

Yukos was once Russia's largest oil company until its co-founder, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was imprisoned, and its most profitable assets sold off in dubious auctions.

The shareholders who took the case to the court of arbitration, known as Group Menatep Limited (GML), have vowed to appeal the April 20 decision.



The Origins Of Yukos



Formed in the early years of Boris Yeltsin's presidency, Yukos was put together from several Siberian oil and gas fields and refineries. In 1995, the Yeltsin government began selling off key state assets under a controversial program known as "loans for shares."

Yukos ended up in the hands of a former leader of the youth division of the Communist Party, Khodorkovsky, who built up the company -- sometimes ruthlessly -- into what became Russia's largest.

Khodorkovsky Arrest



In 2003, Khodorkovsky, by then a billionaire, was arrested, then convicted on fraud charges, and he served his prison sentence, mainly in a Siberian penal colony, until 2013 when he was pardoned by President Vladimir Putin.



In the years after Khodorkovsky's arrest, Yukos was dismantled, its key assets sold off in state-run auctions and acquired by the government-owned oil giant Rosneft.



The Fight Back

Shortly after Yukos started being dismantled, GML began waging a legal battle to recover some of their assets. Khodorkovsky, who now lives in Switzerland, is not among them.



GML have built their case using a provision in a European treaty known as the Energy Charter, which Russia signed in 1994.



Moscow has argued that, since it never ratified the treaty, its provisions don't apply, and Putin formally withdrew Russia from the charter in 2009.



In July 2014, the Permanent Court for Arbitration in The Hague rejected those arguments, and awarded GML $50 billion, ruling that Yukos was deliberately destroyed through punitive tax penalties and expropriation of assets.

But, in its ruling on April 20, the Hague court essentially agreed with the Russian argument on the question of the treaty's relevance.

Beginning last year, court bailiffs in France and Belgium began seizing assets, mainly outstanding debt, owed by European countries to Russian government-linked companies such as the space agency, Roscosmos. By one estimate, already $1 billion has been ordered seized. Related proceedings are beginning to make their way through U.S. federal courts.

What's At Stake?

The fight for its legacy -- specifically compensation for its current and former shareholders -- has become a battle between Russia and the West.

Before the latest ruling, Russia reacted angrily and threatened to seize other governments' property in retaliation. Aleksandr Bastrykin, the head of Russias Investigative Committee, accused the United States this week of wielding "legal weapons" in a "hybrid war" against Russia.

In light of the April 20 ruling, the asset seizure cases being heard in various courts will likely be suspended for now, though GML has vowed to appeal the latest verdict.

"The arbitration tribunal was composed of three international law experts of the highest caliber, who were unanimous in their reasoning," Emmanuel Gaillard, who was the lawyer for the Yukos shareholders in the proceedings, said in a statement. "I am confident that today's decision will be reversed on appeal."

For his part, Khodorkovsky, despite not being directly involved in the case, reacted strongly to the April 20 ruling, saying it showed that "the West had eased up on pressuring" Russia.

"My friends will continue their resistance. I have, and will, go about regime change by other means," he said in a Twitter posting on April 20.
Former Soviet dissident Vladimir Bukovsky has announced a hunger strike to protest charges pressed against him by British prosecutors.

Bukovsky, 73, was charged nearly a year ago of making and holding indecent images of children.

He wrote on his blog on the Moscow-based Ekho Moskvy radio station's website on April 20 that he will continue his hunger strike until all charges against him are dropped.

He also called on the High Court of Justice in London to look into "the premeditated blackmailing campaign" launched against him by Russia's Federal Security Service.

Bukovsky, who spent 12 years in Soviet prisons and psychiatric hospitals for anti-Soviet propaganda, has lived in Britain since 1976.

He has been a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin and accused the Kremlin of involvement in the radiation-poisoning death of former Russian intelligence officer Aleksandr Litvinenko in London in 2006.
ON MY MIND

If you believe Investigative Committee chief Aleksandr Bastrykin, Russia must be a really, really weak country. How else can you explain a country that is so fragile that the mere presence of foreign media on the Internet can cause it to collapse?

If you believe Bastrykin, Russia's security services and law enforcement must be really really incompetent. How else could you explain the country being so infiltrated with enemies, fifth columnists, and foreign agents bent on its destruction?

If Russia is as vulnerable as Bastrykin suggested in his controversial manifesto published by Kommersant Vlast this week -- an article in which he calls for a wave of new repressive measures -- then the 16-year reign of Vladimir Putin's regime has been a complete and utter failure.

IN THE NEWS

The NATO-Russia Council meets today for the first time in nearly two years amid rising tensions.

A Dutch court has quashed a $50 billion award for Yukos shareholders.

The Dutch parliament has voted to uphold the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and free-trade pact.



According to a new poll by the Levada Center, 40 percent of Russians say the state is not fulfilling its obligations to citizens.

Legislation to tighten controls on online news aggregators has been introduced into the Russian State Duma.

WHAT I'M READING

Ukraine's Oligarchs

These are few better commentators on Ukraine than Andrew Wilson of the European Council on Foreign Relations. In his latest piece, Survival Of The Richest, Andrew looks at how oligarchs are blocking real reform in Ukraine.

"Ukraine suffers from many types of corruption, but the inter-penetration of the corrupt political class and super-rich oligarchy is the main obstacle to reform," Wilson writes. "The oligarchys power comes first of all from the sheer concentration of wealth in its hands. Just before the Euromaidan protests began, in November 2013, it was calculated that the assets of Ukraines 50 richest individuals made up over 45 percent of GDP, compared to less than 20 percent in Russia and less than 10 percent in the U.S."

Moscow-based foreign affairs analyst Vladimir Frolov, meanwhile, takes a look the state of play in Ukraine -- and between Ukraine and Russia -- in the wake of its government shake-up.

More Reactions To Bastrykin

The commentary on Aleksandr Bastrykin's controversial article in Kommersant Vlast calling for a national ideology, political indoctrination, and tougher censorship continues to generate comments. In his column for Bloomberg, political commentator Leonid Bershidsky writes that Bastrykin makes Putin look tame. Maybe that's the point.

And in an op-ed for Vedomosti, The Apocalypse From Bastrykin, political analyst Fyodor Krashennikov lampoons the Investigative Committee head's characterization of Russia as "a permanent victim and helpless puppet in U.S. hands."



The Siloviki Shuffle

Moscow-based political analyst NIkolai Petrov takes a look at how Putin has changed the balance of power among the security services with the creation of a National Guard.

Spooks, Crooks, And Money

Slon.ru interviews New York University professor and Power Vertical Podcast co-host Mark Galeotti on his favorite topics: spooks and crooks.

Putin's War On Europe

German journalist Boris Reitschuster is making waves with a new book, Putin's Hidden War, in which he argues that Russia is using a network of martial arts clubs in Europe to form a network of pro-Moscow paramilitaries. Deutsche Welle interviewed Reitschuster about his allegations about Putin's secret sleepers.

Bloomberg, meanwhile has a story outlining Russia's various efforts to destabilize Europe.

Europe, Meet Geopolitics...

Andrew Michta of the U.S. Naval War College and the Center for Strategic and International Studies has a piece in The American Interest about how geopolitics has returned to Europe.

"With the next NATO summit in Warsaw just three months away, an increasingly militarized fault line dividing Russia from the West is in place, running along the eastern frontier of the Baltic states, Polands border along the Bug River boundary, and farther south along the frontier of the Black Sea NATO allies. And there are reasons to believe that the process of a further geostrategic readjustment in Europe has barely begun," Michta writes.

Sanctions Fallout

Russia is abandoning plans to issue Eurobonds this year in the face of Western sanctions and pressure on top banks not to participate, according to this report by Bloomberg.

In Vedomosti, meanwhile, political commentator Vladislav Inozemtsev evaluates the effectiveness of Western sanctions.

Navalny Walks The Walk

Practicing what he preaches, opposition leader Aleksei Navanly has published his Anti-Corruption Foundation's financial accounts on his blog.
Ukraine says three of its soldiers have been killed in the countrys east -- the heaviest toll reported in the region in nearly two months.

Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said on April 20 that the soldiers died in a mortar attack on the government-held village of Mayorsk, located some 35 kilometers north of Donetsk.

He said five soldiers were also wounded over the previous 24 hours in separate incidents along the 500-kilometer front splitting the separatist-held regions of Luhansk and Donetsk from the rest of the country.

The news comes amid rising concerns about cease-fire violations in eastern Ukraine, where fighting between government forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed more than 9,100 since April 2014.

Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax
Health is not just the absence of illness, Richmond City Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille said Tuesday during a groundbreaking for the Parsleys Center for Healthy Communities in the East End.

Health is also the active promotion of wellness, she continued.

While we have quality affordable health care, we also have to have access to health and wellness strategies that help us improve overall well-being, Newbille said.

The Parsleys Center is aimed at encouraging residents to achieve that well-being, according to officials from Bon Secours Richmond Health System, the city of Richmond and Church Hill Activities & Tutoring, or CHAT, all of which collaborated to develop the new center at 2600 Nine Mile Road.

Slated for completion in September, the 3,250-square-foot center will feature a group health and community meeting space, a commercial kitchen and a CHAT coffee shop  which also will serve as the groups headquarters.

Founded 13 years ago, the organization works with youth to help break cycles of poverty, and the coffee shop will employ young people from the neighborhood.

As our youth got older, we realized they lived in a community where its nearly impossible to get a part-time job. Why? Because those opportunities arent available, said Percy Strickland, CHAT founder and CEO. I have yet to find a successful person who didnt have that opportunity. And thats what we desire for our youth: success and a future.

The kitchen will host cooking lessons to teach nearby residents how to prepare food. It also will serve as the headquarters for Class-A-Roll, the health systems mobile-learning kitchen.

We want this to be a place where food access is improved, said Cindy Reynolds, chief development officer for Bon Secours Virginia Foundation.

The area around the center is considered a food desert, as many of its residents live in poverty and are more than a mile from a large grocery store.

That may soon change, however. Bon Secours has approved the sale of land it owns at North 25th Street and Nine Mile Road to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for the construction of a new grocery store.

The Bon Secours Health Care Foundation is raising funds to construct the $1.5 million Parsleys Center, with Reynolds noting that about $1 million is already secured. Bon Secours has provided about a third of the total amount.

Bon Secours purchased the half-acre property on which the Parsleys Center will sit for $98,000 in 2014 from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The health system will retain ownership of the development once it is completed.

Locally based UrbanCore Construction and Baskervill are the general contractor and architect, respectively.

The Parsleys Center is just a piece of Bon Secours larger goal to help address the social determinants that impact health, said Toni Ardabell, CEO of Bon Secours Richmond Health System.

Mark Gordon, CEO of Bon Secours Richmond East, echoed Ardabells point, adding that having employment opportunities is also vital in creating a healthy community.

We know that there is a high correlation between your income and your ability to get a good job, which determines your ability to have a healthy lifestyle, Gordon said.

The Parsleys Center is part of a $6.4 million sponsorship deal between Bon Secours, the city and the Washington Redskins in which the health system agreed to invest in the football teams training camp in exchange for a 60-year lease of the Westhampton School in the West End and to expand services in the East End.

Bon Secours is moving toward its planned nursing school at Westhampton. Reynolds said the health system is raising $7.5 million for the building renovation and $2.5 million for academic programming. So far, $1.2 million has been secured, with the timeline dependent on when the additional funds are raised.
In the 1960s, colleges were at the center of a debate on freedom of expression as students conducted sit-ins to protest university policies against political speech on campus.

Today, free speech on campus is again a national issue, but the roles have reversed, as some students picket for the right to silence their opponents.

This transformation caught the attention of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Freedom of Expression, which has dedicated its annual Jefferson Muzzle Awards to higher education.

Colleges and universities have always been central to the free speech debate in this country, said Clay Hansen, the centers assistant director. Its always been a subject of interest on campus  anytime you get students and academics wanting to pursue an interest. Whats interesting is its moved in the opposite direction.

Earning a Muzzle is a dubious honor, like winning a Golden Raspberry Award in film. Each year, the center gives them out to people and institutions that attempted to suppress free speech and expression. There are usually a few college administrators on the list, Hansen said, but this years award list includes 50 colleges and universities nationwide.

The recipients are among the top institutions in the country  the University of Missouri, Yale, Duke University and the University of Oklahoma, to name a few. (The University of Virginia did not make the list.) At some institutions, students demanded speech codes that could effectively silence people with unpopular opinions.

At others, university administrations moved to silence a student (or group of students) on their own.

Examples include:

 The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, where students brought a Title IX lawsuit against the institution after the administration declined to put in a speech code.

 Texas Christian University, where a student was suspended and placed on probation for infliction of bodily or emotional harm after his Twitter posts triggered complaints from a group of non-students living outside the state.

 Yale University, where students pressured instructor Erika Christakis into resigning over an email she wrote. Christakis pushed back against a previous message, sent by the Intercultural Affairs Committee, cautioning students against wearing culturally insensitive costumes on Halloween. Christakis email suggested the university should not exercise implied control over students costumes.

 Amherst College, where student protesters demanded the administration adopt zero-tolerance policies for hate speech and condemn students who placed All Lives Matter signs around campus.

The center was careful to praise some institutions for protecting free speech. The University of Chicago, for example, issued a speech policy guaranteeing members of the community the broadest possible latitude in freedom of expression.

American, Purdue and Princeton universities all have issued similar statements.

Although many of the universities named in this years Muzzles are private institutions, they have historically leaned toward freedom of expression.

Traditionally private universities have taken the view that they are as much places for freedom of debate and inquiry as public universities, said Eugene Volokh, a board member at the center and a noted First Amendment scholar at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Though the cases are all different, Hansen said theres typically a symbiotic relationship between administrators and students who want to suppress speech they see as offensive. Thats unusual  in the 25 years the center has been handing out Muzzles, the honor has usually gone to administrators who punish a student for a controversial article or protest.

Today, we see students are just as likely to be calling for the censorship as the ones protesting it, Hansen said.

Volokh said the transformation has arisen as students have come to redefine rude or controversial speech as violence and called on administrators to protect them from speech they find hateful or offensive. This tactic, typically used by the far left, puts pressure on administrators to crack down on the expression of opinions they perceive as racist, homophobic or sexist.

Its a stark contrast to the Free Speech Movement of the 1960s, when colleges felt pressure from conservatives to crack down on communist movements on campus. It was these fears that prompted administrators to restrict political speech on campuses in general.

Now, Volokh said, its a tactic typically employed by a few far left-wing activists looking to shut down offensive speech in the name of safety.

I know what violence is, and its not speech, Volokh said. The speech may be something thats wrong or offensive, but you have to put it in perspective.

Josh Wheeler, director of the center, said this years awards arent meant to minimize student concerns over some of the issues facing colleges  employees wages, allegations of ethnic discrimination or sexual assault, for example.

We dont want the Muzzles to come across as being dismissive of the students and others who have legitimate concerns and often the best of intentions, Wheeler said. But somewhere along the way, they lose sight of the principles and value of free speech.

A news conference to announce the Muzzle awards will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in front of the Free Speech Wall on Charlottesvilles Downtown Mall. The announcement also will serve as a 10th anniversary celebration of the chalkboard wall, which was dedicated April 20, 2006. According to a news release, Wheeler will celebrate the First Amendment monuments dual role as a symbol of the right to free expression and as a venue for exercising that right.

The complete list of Muzzle winners is available at tjcenter.org/muzzles.
Being in the legislative minority means General Assembly Democrats did not have the chance to pass the partisan bills they wanted in the legislative session that concluded last March.

But in Wednesdays reconvened session, the 18 Democrats in the Virginia Senate and 34 Democrats in the House of Delegates were sufficient to keep Republicans from overriding Gov. Terry McAuliffes vetoes.

The General Assembly sustained all of McAuliffes 32 vetoes of legislation passed during the 2016 session. Among votes of note Wednesday, the Republican majority was unable to override the governors vetoes of bills that would have:

protected ministers and religious entities from civil liabilities and penalties stemming from their opposition to gay marriage;

authorized millions in coal tax credits;

prohibited localities from removing Confederate monuments;

allowed home-schooled students to participate in public high school athletics;

allowed parents to opt out their children from instructional material identified as sexually explicit; and

placed additional restrictions on funding for abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood.

The vetoes I submitted to the legislature for their consideration today honored the promise I made in the State of the Commonwealth (address) to reject legislation that divides Virginians, makes them less safe, or sends a negative message about the climate we offer to families or businesses that may want to locate here, McAuliffe said in a statement.

The controversies we are watching in other states underscore the need to reject legislation that divides or distracts us from the work Virginians elected us to do.

McAuliffe said he is proud that the legislature has not overridden any of the 68 vetoes he has submitted in his first three years as governor.

He said lawmakers on Wednesday also accepted his proposed amendments to 40 of 45 bills he sought to change. It takes only a majority vote in both chambers to adopt or reject a governors amendments to legislation.

Lawmakers put the finishing touches on a revised version of the economic development program, GO Virginia. They also adopted amended capital outlay legislation that incorporates the demolition of the existing General Assembly Building and construction of a new building to house lawmaker offices, and meeting space.

But legislators rejected amendments McAuliffe proposed to recently passed ethics reform legislation.

Legislators in 2015 passed a measure to put a $100 cap on gifts. McAuliffe sought to counter legislation that passed this year that exempts food and drinks worth less than $20 from counting against the cap.

The governor must now decide whether to sign the measure into law without his proposed changes.

McAuliffe said he did not seek significant changes to the state budget, but that lawmakers accepted 57 percent of the budget amendments he proposed.

An override of a veto would have required 67 votes in the House and 26 votes in the Senate, which was only at 39 members Wednesday due to the recent death of Sen. John C. Miller, D-Newport News.

Im proud that we have sustained every veto to come before the Senate since the start of Gov. McAuliffes term  but these bills should never have been introduced in the first place, said Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax.

House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights, criticized the governor.

Instead of highlighting our common ground for the last six weeks, hes spent time, to me, dividing Virginians, Cox said.

Unfortunately, this is often how this administration, to me, has worked over the last four years. On many issues, they tend to be fairly disengaged throughout the session, but after the session too quick to be in front of the cameras with the veto pen.

On March 30, McAuliffe vetoed the Republican-backed legislation that would have protected ministers and religious entities from facing government-imposed penalties or civil liability over opposition to same-sex marriage. McAuliffe called it unconstitutional and discriminatory.

The legislation was an attempt to protect pastors from having to go against things that are deeply held religious beliefs, said Sen. Charles W. Carrico Sr., R-Grayson.

Sen. Adam P. Ebbin, D-Alexandria, said the bill was a license to discriminate against same-sex couples and families not just in religious settings but in schools and hospitals.

Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam, a Democrat, said in a statement: The anti-LGBT legislation would have dealt a significant blow to our economy and sent the absolute wrong message to prospective and current businesses who want their employees to live in a welcoming and inclusive commonwealth.

The Senate also fell short of overriding McAuliffes veto of a bill that would bar law enforcement officials from releasing inmates if they are suspected of violating U.S. immigration laws.

The Senate did not join the House of Delegates in voting to override the governors veto of a measure to extend coal tax credits.

Sen. A. Benton Chafin Jr., R-Russell, said McAuliffe and the Obama administration want to kill coal and warned fellow senators that he might not be as cooperative on future legislation that is designed to protect regional interests given the tax credit vote and its impact on Southwest Virginia.

It doesnt save jobs, said Sen. Janet D. Howell, D-Fairfax. It doesnt create jobs. Its just throwing money down the coal mine, she said, referring to a study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission that found the credits were not effective.

The Senate also refused to join a House effort to override McAuliffes veto of a bill that would prevent Virginia localities from taking down monuments to the Confederacy and other war-related memorials. McAuliffe said it would prohibit communities from making their own decisions about controversial symbols.

Sen. William M. Stanley Jr., R-Franklin County, spoke in favor of the bill, arguing that monuments are moments of history  good history or bad history  whether we like it or not. Removing a monument because you think it has a (negative) history to it is censorship of the highest order, he said.

Amid the votes Wednesday, senators took time out to honor Miller, who died April 4 at age 68. Colleagues remembered Miller, first elected in 2007, as a kind and gentle man, who sought to improve the lives of Virginians in areas of education and childhood obesity.

Its a big loss to this institution, Saslaw said.

He did things for the right reason, said Sen. George L. Barker, D-Fairfax.

Millers desk in the Senate was shrouded in a blue drape during the veto session.
A state lawmaker who filed a bill this year to more clearly exclude transgender people from Virginias anti-discrimination laws has asked a court to force Attorney General Mark R. Herring to respond to a request for legal clarity on the term sex.

Del. David A. LaRock, R-Loudoun, filed a writ of mandamus against Herring in Richmond Circuit Court late last week after waiting seven months for an official opinion on whether the term sex includes sexual orientation and gender identity for the purposes of discrimination law.

Through the unusual step of taking Herring to court, LaRock will essentially be asking a judge to order Herring to perform the duties of the attorney generals office, which include providing advisory opinions to members of the General Assembly.

LaRock, who said hes personally paying the law firm helping him with the filing against Herring, requested guidance from Herring on Sept. 21. As of Wednesday, he said, he has still not received an opinion.

The attorney general conducts his office in a way that wastes legislators time and hampers our ability to do our job, LaRock said at a news conference Wednesday morning at the state Capitol, where he was joined by eight other Republican lawmakers. All this while he waltzes around the country making headlines, promoting things that have nothing to do with what the taxpayers of Virginia hired him to do.

Herrings office responded on March 11 to a follow-up inquiry from LaRock, telling him a response would be provided.

Turnaround time on opinions depends on numerous factors and our first priority is always to provide strong, accurate legal advice, said Herring spokesman Michael Kelly. As evidenced by yesterdays 4th Circuit ruling, the law in this area is developing very rapidly in very significant ways. As we told Delegate LaRock, his request is being researched and a response will be provided in due course.

House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox, R-Colonial Heights, spoke in support of LaRock at Wednesdays announcement.

Hes been extremely patient on something thats very, very important, Cox said, adding that Herring has given swift responses to other recent requests.

Of all of the things that are absolutely essential and required by law is the obligation to render opinions when requested, said Sen. Richard H. Black, R-Loudoun. The opinion requested by Delegate LaRock is not a complex opinion. It is not a difficult one.

Virginia does not have a statewide law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.

LaRocks legal filing comes as transgender issues have created a host of new public policy questions, with North Carolina embroiled in controversy over legislation to force transgender people to use bathrooms in public buildings that correspond to their birth sex.

On Tuesday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond ruled in favor of a transgender teenager challenging the Gloucester County School Boards decision to bar him from using the boys bathroom. That ruling could have significant ramifications for the North Carolina law and transgender laws in Virginia, where a similar bathroom bill was put on hold pending the court decision.

LaRock sponsored unsuccessful bills this year that would have prevented birth certificates from being altered to reflect sex changes and defined sex and gender to mean biological characteristics determined at birth. Both bills were left in committee.

A critic of widening anti-discrimination laws to include LGBT people, LaRock wrote in a presession newsletter that he would oppose efforts by liberals to mandate special protections on the basis of gender confusion and sexual disorientation.

Anna Scholl, executive director of Progress Virginia, called LaRocks suit an attack on Herring in an attempt to score cheap political points.

Delegate Dave LaRock announced to the world this morning that the next step in his creepy campaign to advance outrageous, North Carolina-style discrimination measures against gay, lesbian, and transgender Virginians is to take the apparently unprecedented step of suing Attorney General Mark Herring, Scholl said.
McKEE, Andrew Jared, 16, of Powhatan, walked into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, April 12, as a result of an automobile accident. He was born on September 10, 1999 at Johnston-Willis Hospital in Chesterfield, Va. Andrew attended Powhatan County Public Schools from kindergarten through his freshman year. His sophomore year was completed at the Discovery School of Virginia in Dillwyn. He was currently attending Bear Creek Academy in Cumberland and Powhatan High School. Known as "Andy" to his friends, he worked at KFC/Taco Bell in Powhatan and was valued by customers and employees alike. He enjoyed attending school, being outdoors, walking through the trails at Fighting Creek Park, laughing and talking with friends and family, and playing Xbox. Andrew never met a stranger and was much-loved by everyone he met. Surviving are his loving parents, Donald Sutton and Shelly (Payne) McKee-Sutton; brother, Joshua McKee of Powhatan; stepsisters, Brittney, Haleigh and Gracie Lin Sutton; and stepbrother, Joshua Sutton of Chesterfield; as well as grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. His family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 22, at Huguenot Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Rd. A celebration of Andrew's life and love of others will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 24, at Powhatan High School. Casual dress is requested. His family wishes that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in his memory to Bear Creek Academy, P.O. Box 192, Cumberland Va. 23040.
At todays General Assembly veto session, our lawmakers must decide whether to accept a flawed government-secrecy proposal floated by Gov. Terry McAuliffe. To date, McAuliffe has successfully diverted attention from his proposals rejection of government transparency by framing the vote as a referendum on the death penalty. Lawmakers should reject this diversionary tactic and vote down McAuliffes death-drug secrecy proposal, just as they nixed similar legislation last year.

The vote is on what amounts to a substitute bill for one enacted by the General Assembly in its regular session. If enacted, the original General Assembly bill would have made the electric chair the default method of execution if lethal injection were unavailable. By contrast, McAuliffes secrecy substitute would not make electric chair the default, but would instead try to make lethal injections easier to carry out by hiding the identity of the governments drug suppliers.

The most important thing to understand about this maneuver is that the governors proposal makes for good politics precisely because it would make for bad law. If the bill passes, the one sure consequence is more litigation.

And litigation over the bills legality and its effects will have the practical effect of halting executions for a while. Thats what has thus far happened in other states that have passed laws like this.

McAuliffe has said he will veto the electric-chair-as-default bill if the General Assembly does not enact his substitute bill. Notice how this sets up a win-win for him if people buy his framing of the vote as a referendum on the death penalty.

If his secrecy substitute does not pass, McAuliffe can blame the Assembly for inaction and divert attention from his anticipated veto of the electric-chair bill. And if his secrecy substitute does pass, McAuliffe can anticipate the litigation it invites to achieve the same result that comes from his electric-chair veto, at least for a season.

Its hard not to admire the governors tactical skills in avoiding a politically difficult choice. But from the perspective of the legislators who had to make a tough choice in deciding how to vote on the electric-chair-default bill, McAuliffes substitute secrecy bill probably looks like an artful dodge. It is, and our lawmakers should not be taken in.

There are some things that are worth doing poorly because they are worth doing, period. Executing people is not one. The government should either do that right, or not do it at all.

The governors death-drug secrecy bill would make it harder, not easier, to carry out capital punishment correctly. By exempting the governments suppliers from state-law oversight, the secrecy law eliminates a safeguard against poorly compounded drugs before they are used. And if there is a botched execution, as there have been in other states, McAuliffes secrecy cloak could insulate drug suppliers from accountability after the fact.

Our government should not try to hide from us, or from the condemned, how its death drugs are compounded and who mixes the governments lethal drug cocktails. The default should be government transparency, with a heavy burden on the government to justify secrecy.

We should also consider simple economics. Suppliers can get away with charging the government more when there is no oversight of their relationship. Enact this secrecy law, and capital punishment cronyism, welcome to Virginia!

If our government can execute people only by keeping secrets about its partners and its processes, what does that say about our government?

Virginians deserve better. Lets hope our legislators do not sacrifice the principle of government transparency for the practice of death-drug secrecy.
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The incident occurred at about 1:50 p.m. Saturday.

After being seen at the plants onsite hospital, the associate chose to drive home and visit a local medical provider later that day and for a follow-up visit Monday, according to a Goodyear news release. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Goodyear is committed to providing a safe work environment for our associates, the news release stated.

Mike Wright, the unions director of health, safety and environment, said the employee was a pipefitter scalded by steam or a mixture of hot liquid and steam. The victim first sought treatment by medical personnel at the plant and it was thought the injuries werent serious, Wright said.

The employees injuries included second-degree burns, which occurred through clothing, he said.

However, the burns were looked at again Monday morning at Danville Regional Medical Center, where personnel thought the employee should be treated at a regional burn center, Wright said.

Local 831  the unions local branch that represents Goodyear employees in Danville  did not report the accident to the unions headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wright said.

It wasnt called in to us because the local union did not think it rose to that level [of seriousness], Wright said. He said he did not know the employees condition.

Wright found out about the incident from a union official investigating last weeks fatality at the Goodyear plant. The union is investigating Saturdays incident, as well, Wright said.

The official investigating the fatality and the unions assistant director of health, safety and environment are having safety discussions with Goodyear officials, Wright said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is conducting a comprehensive inspection of the Danville plant, he said.

Saturdays incident follows two recent fatalities at the Goodyear plant. On April 12, Greg Cooper, 52, of Chatham died on the job. Coopers death led to a temporary plant shutdown as the company, OSHA and the United Steelworkers Union conducted investigations.
Virginia would not run afoul of federal law or violate death row inmates' constitutional rights by passing a law allowing the state to obtain lethal injection drugs from secret sources, according to an opinion released late Tuesday by Attorney General Mark Herring.

In a 13-page document, Herring responded to a series of Republican and Democratic lawmakers' questions about a pending death penalty bill that will be a major focus when the General Assembly reconvenes Wednesday to take up Gov. Terry McAuliffe's vetoes and amendments.

McAuliffe has recommended allowing the state to obtain execution chemicals from unidentified pharmacies and outsourcing facilities. The proposal, pitched as a solution to a widespread shortage of execution drugs, raised legal questions about whether pharmacists could compound drugs for non-medicinal purposes and whether the state could shield information about its execution methods from prisoners scheduled to die.

Herring's opinion states that the governor's amendments to House Bill 815 would not violate the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act or the Controlled Substances Act, federal statutes meant to control the manufacture and distribution of drugs. Herring said courts would likely find the compounding of lethal drugs falls outside the scope of both laws.

The secrecy provision, which would exempt the identities of drug providers from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, is perhaps the most controversial element of the governor's plan. McAuliffe has said it's necessary to induce businesses to partner with the Department of Corrections.

Herring said the governor's amendments would allow prisoners' defense teams to gather evidence pertaining to the names of the drugs and the injection protocol. The provision would not violate constitutional protections, Herring wrote, adding that it's up to the General Assembly "to decide whether such limitations on disclosure are in the public interest."

"Decisions related to the process by which the commonwealth carries out a court-imposed sentence of death deserve the greatest deliberation and consideration, as this is among the most solemn and consequential powers exercised by the state," wrote Herring, who said he was supplying an explanation of existing law to inform the policy decision being weighed by legislators.

Herring and McAuliffe both are Democrats.

Matt Moran, a spokesman for House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford, called Herring's opinion a "strong legal endorsement of capital punishment in Virginia."

The original legislation  introduced by Del. Jackson H. Miller, R-Manassas  would have allowed the state to use the electric chair to execute prisoners in lieu of lethal injection. Under current law, death row inmates are given a choice between electrocution and lethal injection.

McAuliffe, who personally opposes the death penalty, has said he'll veto the electric chair bill if legislators reject his recommendation to give the state new powers to acquire drugs secretly.

Religious leaders and others have criticized the governor's proposal as a blow to government transparency for the sake of continuing a controversial practice. Miller and others have said a fix is needed to ensure that death sentences handed down for heinous crimes can be carried out.

Miller asked Herring to weigh in on the legal issues last week and requested the opinion be issued before Wednesday's session.

The attorney general also responded to a series of additional questions posed by Sen. Scott A. Surovell, D-Fairfax, and Del. Marcus B. Simon, D-Fairfax.

Herring opined that the state can pursue alternative drugs without legislative action, but said the Department of Corrections does not have the authority to delay executions until after the 2017 legislative session to give lawmakers more time on the issue. He also said that the state would be unlikely to face civil liability for using a drug in a manner "contrary to the wishes of its manufacturer."

Wednesday's legislative session is scheduled to begin at noon.
Reverend Fr. Alistair McKay, C.Ss.R., 70, of Salem, Va., passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2016.Born in Perth, Scotland on Monday, February 28, 1946, he was educated at St John's and Lawside Academy. He professed vows as a Redemptorist in 1970 and studied in Canterbury. He was ordained a priest in 1975 and began work on the overseas missions in Zimbabwe. He was fluent in Shona and was a support to many during a time of political turmoil. He moved to South Africa, where he worked in Cape Town and then spent many years on a remote mission in Vleschfontein. He learned the Tsawana language and became integrated into the community. He worked tirelessly for the poorest of the poor.He came to the United States for a sabbatical in 1996 and was transferred to the Redemptorist Vice-Province of Richmond. He served at St. Jude's and St. Anne's (Sumter, S.C.), St. Joseph's (Hampton, Va.), St. Vincent de Paul (Newport News, Va.), Sacred Heart (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.), and St. John's (Highland Springs, Va.). Most recently, he was appointed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Salem, where he served as pastor for nearly two years. His work of service to the Catholic and wider community helped build up the parish. He was a man of deep faith, whose love and kindness towards families, children, the elderly, and the frail made him such a well-loved priest.He was treated for cancer at Lewis-Gale Medical Center starting in November 2015. During this period, he remained active in his ministry. Towards the end of his life, he accepted the care and support of parishioners, and he died peacefully in the care of those who had ministered to him during his last days.He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Frances McKay; and by his brother, Charles McKay.He is survived by brother, Ian McKay and wife, Josephine; along with their children, Ruari and Mairi Frances.A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Salem. Visitation will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the church. The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m., with Most Rev. Francis DiLorenzo, Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, presiding. A reception will immediately follow.There will also be a vigil at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Following a Mass at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, Father McKay will be laid to rest at Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery in Edgewater, Fla.Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.Father Alistair McKay will be missed by his fellow clergy, family, and friends. He was a proud Scotsman, the "Braveheart" of Salem. Na Alba gu brath. We trust his soul to the mercy of a loving God.
Drought and salinity are causing severe affects in many provinces in the South of Vietnam. : VNA

Waste of water is a pressing issue for Vietnam as the country battles to combat climate change and avoid over-reliance on outside sources, according to a water resources expert.

Chairman of the Vietnam Academy for Water Resources Vu Trong Hong said the absence of a strategic agenda on how water should be used is the major issue for Vietnam in the fight against historic drought and saline intrusion, according to Vietnam News Agency.

The severe disaster is threatening the livelihoods, food security and water resources of nearly 1.8 million people, including 455,000 children. Thousands of hectares of cultivation land have been damaged, and many households are facing water shortages, along with other risks related to health, nutrition and hygiene.

Despite of the situation, in an interview with Vietnam News Agency, Hong said Vietnam is able to make use of merely 1.5 million cubic meters out of its 300 billion cubic meters of domestic water resources for agriculture.

One of the reasons, Hong said, is due to the lack of canals and waterway development. Out of 10 billion cubic meters that the irrigation reservoirs in Vietnam can contain each year, only 1.5 million cubic meters was used to serve four million hectares of agricultural land. Vietnams agriculture sector, therefore, depends heavily on rainfall and the weather, Hong said.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said the country needs to invest dozens of trillion of VND to upgrade its irrigation system. According to Hong, this shows Vietnam is lagging behind in terms of establishing an irrigation system that can meet production demand.

Another reason, he said, is due to that Vietnam has yet developed a strategic agenda for the utilization of water resources and the existing Law on Water Resources does not stipulate how water should be used.

Regarding the specific tasks ahead for the Mekong Delta region, Hong said that saltwater intrusion must be stopped, and if the water intake in downstream areas is not adequate, irrigation networks should be moved upstream. There is also a need to review nationwide irrigation infrastructure, and it must be further developed if it is found lacking.

Hong also said a leader should be appointed to implement a unified plan to coordinate drought and salinity relief efforts instead of letting locals and farmers manage water resources themselves.

Vietnam receives about 800 billion cubic meters of water annually. This includes 500 billion cubic meters from abroad, via the Mekong River and China, while 300 billion come from domestic sources.
MARGARET Drinkall left school with no qualifications whatsoever, but a passion to write. Having always loved local history, she decided to write about life in the Rotherham workhouse and that started her new career. She has now published 14 books.

ONE of the worst areas for slums in Rotherham was around the area of Westgate and the most notorious of these was Oil Mill Fold. In January 1889 a middle aged woman called Catherine Hazel was brought before the magistrates and found guilty of the neglect of her twin children born on July4 the previous year.

The woman was renowned for her drunken behaviour and would often beg in the streets for clothing for her five-and-a-half month-old children. Charitable persons who gave her donations of clothes did not realise that it would go straight into pawn shops, and the profit would be spent on alcohol. On December 27, the police surgeon Mr Cobban visited the house following reports on the condition of the two children, a boy John and a girl, Catherine. He found the house empty and Sergeant Hepworth was dispatched to the nearest public houses to try to find the mother. He found Hazel at the nearby Wellington Inn and he returned her to the house, where she appeared to be very drunk. When she was searched a total of 29 pawn tickets were found on her for children's clothing.

In the house, Mr Cobban found the two children in a dirty and neglected condition. One was downstairs on the kitchen table, wrapped in a portion of an old blanket and placed on a dirty pillow. From what he could see, Dr Cobban thought the child had been lying in the same place for a week without having been moved. The second twin was upstairs, and wrapped in some other equally filthy material. When Dr Cobban asked the mother to bring the baby downstairs, she could not find the baby until it cried, she was so befuddled with drink. Two bottles were found with the children that were pint beer bottles fitted up with a teat. One of them had been placed on the kitchen table at the side of the child.

He called Hazels attention to the state of the bottles and she told him that the children regularly got plenty of milk. The woman admitted that she had neglected washing the children recently, as she claimed she had not been very well for a few days. Dr Cobban reported the incident to Captain Burnett, the Chief Constable and both children were removed in a cab that same night to the workhouse.

The workhouse medical officer examined the children, and found them both to be in a very emaciated and neglected condition. He saw that they were suffering from chest infections, which he thought was bronchitis. Both had abrasions and rashes on the skin, particularly around the legs and the bottom. He weighed them and noted that they were about 9 lbs each, when the usual weight for children of that age should have been around 14 lbs. Catherine Hazel was brought into court on Thursday January 3 1889 where a solicitor called Mr Neal attended, representing the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Dr Cobban gave evidence and he commented that the only food provided for the children was milk, which was given to them out of the dirty bottles, which he produced in court. The prisoner claimed that the children had thrush and that was what had caused the rashes but Dr Cobban denied this, and stated again that the rashes were caused by dirt and neglect. Police sergeant Hepworth also described the state of the house and the wretchedness of the children, before he stated the real reason for the negligence.

In his search of the house he had found documentation from the London, Edinburgh and Glasgow Insurance Company which had insured both the childrens lives for 30s (he equivalent of 164 today). Sergeant Hepworth told the court that he had known Hazel for some years and that she had consistently neglected the children. Charles Edwin Parker, the Nuisance Inspector, told the court that she had lived in the cottage for 30 years and that she shared it with a man called McHugh, although they were not married. He gave his opinion that the house was unfit for human habitation, and since the woman had been in custody, he had it thoroughly cleaned, the bedding burned and every room scoured and whitewashed.

At this point the prisoner cried out that she wanted to see her children. She told the court that she had tried to keep them clean, but she had no friends thanks to the violence of her partner McHugh.

The mayor showed little sympathy as he ordered her to be imprisoned for four months with hard labour, and ordered the children to remain at the workhouse. He commented that the bench could do nothing to stop the system of infant insurance which was becoming a perfect pest.
PORT Talbots Tata Steel boss is planning a management buyout of the firms UK operations.

Managing director Stuart Wilkie was previously behind a survival plan rejected by Tatas board in India in March.

It was reported on Wednesday morning that Mr Wilkie was leading a group of staff hoping to take over operations including those in Rotherham.

It is understood that private funding and Government support would be required for a deal to be struck.
In its first quarter production results release, Rio Tinto Group has indicated an increase of 10% in diamond production to 4.52 m cts in Q1 2016 versus 4.11 m cts in Q1 2015; and an increase of 6% from 4.26 m cts in Q4 2015.

At Argyle (100% owned by Rio Tinto), the 3.39 m cts production was 5% higher than the first quarter of 2015 due to increased underground volumes.

At Diavik (60% owned by Rio Tinto), 1.13 m cts recovered was 26 per cent higher in the Q1 of 2016 compared with the Q1 of 2015, due to higher mining rates, availability of stockpiled ore and higher grades recovered.

Production was also 26 per cent higher than the Q4 of 2015, following the processing pause late in 2015. Commenting on the Groups performance on the whole, Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said These results demonstrate our commitment to operational excellence in 2016, with notable improvements in several important areas, including a strong performance in Aluminium. However, we continue to experience volatility in commodity prices across all markets. In the face of a testing external environment, our focus remains on delivering further cost and productivity improvements, disciplined capital management and maximising free cash flow, to ensure that Rio Tinto remains strong.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished




As China shaked off its surplus steel abroad, Vietnam's domestic market has been inundated with shipments from the neighboring country. Vietnam is hardly alone in the face of this global steel surplus. The U.S. and seven other countries called on Tuesday for urgent action, a day after China and other major steel producers failed to agree on measures to tackle an industry crisis.

Under "steel surplus" attack

Rising shipments from China made Vietnams steel imports hit an all-time record high of 1.94 million tons in March, jumping 76 percent from a year before. Chinese steel imports to Vietnam in the first quarter rose 70 percent year on year to 2.9 million tons, accouting for 61 percent of Vietnams total imports in the period, statistics showed.

Vietnam has even turned to safeguards to protect the domestic market against the wave of steel imports from its northern neighbour.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade decided earlier last month to impose temporary tariff increases on steel imports, with a 23.3 percent duty imposed on steel billet and 14.2 percent on steel bars, effective from March 22 to October 7.

China, the world's top steel producer and exporter, is also the fifth-largest importer of steel, buying an equivalent of 13.57 million tonnes of crude steel last year. China's steel production hit a record high last month as rising prices, and profits, encouraged mills that had been shut or suspended to resume production, Reuters reports.

Urgent action

According to Reuters, representatives of the U.S., Canada, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Switzerland and Turkey agreed that urgent steel industry restructuring was imperative, and must be market driven, according to a joint statement released by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

They also agreed that their governments should not provide subsidies or other support that sustain loss-making steel plants or encourage additional capacity.

In a separate statement, U.S. officials said they would continue to lobby for action on steel with trade partners.

"It is our shared goal that other economies, including China, will come to recognize the value of these actions and will join our collective effort to address the causes of the current excess capacity problem," Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in a separate statement.

"The United States will continue to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with trading partners, including China, to take meaningful action to meet that goal."

A meeting of ministers and trade officials from over 30 countries, hosted by Belgium and the OECD on Monday, concluded only that overcapacity had to be dealt with in a swift and structural way.

Washington pointed the finger at China for the talks failure, saying Beijing needed to cut overcapacity or face possible trade action from other countries.

But Chinese officials said it was already taking sufficient steps to curb capacity, while state news said blaming China for the global steel industry crisis was a lazy excuse for protectionism that would be counter-productive.

"It is the slow recovery of the world economy that causes sluggish demand for steel products, which further leads to the overcapacity issue in the steel sector," Zhang Ji, assistant minister at China's Ministry of Commerce, told state-run Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday.

The Chinese government has taken the most concrete measures and is paying an enormous price to cut overcapacity, said Zhang.

Beijing is also aiming to boost domestic steel demand from major consumers, including the automobile and machinery sectors, and drive the use of high-value added steel structures in infrastructure, Zhang said.

The OECD says global steelmaking capacity was 2.37 billion tonnes in 2015, but declining production meant only 67.5 percent of that was used, down from 70.9 percent in 2014.

Britain in particular has felt the squeeze as its largest producer Tata Steel has announced plans to pull out of the country, threatening 15,000 jobs. Last week, more than 40,000 German steelworkers took to the streets to protest against dumping from China.
Tanzania Mineral Dealers Association (TAMIDA) said it is working together with ministry of energy and minerals to increase the countrys polishing capabilities as well as to bring the gemstone market back to Tanzania.

The associations Sammy Mollel said in remarks made at the 5th annual Arusha Gem Fair in Arusha, Tanzania that polishing local gems was important as it created local employment apart from boosting revenue to the national purse.

We produce the gemstones, we are building the capacity to polish here and we need to create the employment for Tanzanians, he said.

Meanwhile, the Arusha Gem Fair organising committee chairperson Peter Pereira said the world was currently going through huge financial crisis and this was affecting their business.

Tanzania was the only producer of the rare Tanzanite.

It also produces diamonds and several other gemstones.

But, being a source (of Tanzanite) we will survive, he said during the opening ceremony of the fair.

Meanwhile, Pereira said Africa was still unexplored and always surprises many with new deposits.

In recent times Africa has produced very good qualities of rubies and unique stones to the world like tanzanite, tsavorite, paribaso I only see a bright future for all those gemstone dealers connected to us for further opportunities, he said.

Other African countries represented at the fair were DRC, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, from Arusha, Tanzania, Rough&Polished




Fischler Diamonds rolled out its new program, under which every diamond sold of .70 carat and above will include a pre-paid registration gift card in the online Museum of Named Diamonds (MoND). According to the firm, the cards worth $100 each can help retail jewelers move beyond the standard 4 c's and price comparisons in diamond sales.

The Museum of Named Diamonds, a non-profit organization, opened in 2015 with a mission to bring together the stories and emotions that diamonds represent. Personalized diamonds in the Museum are easily shareable on social media.

"We can't put the genie back in the bottle when it comes to competitive pricing and the growing trend towards diamond commoditization," said Serge Fischler, President, Fischler Diamonds USA. "What we can do is remind the consumer-and ourselves for that matter-what makes a diamond special. It's not the difference between a VS1 and a VS2. It's about the emotions that the diamond represents."

"Grading reports will always be part of the market," said Bill Boyajian, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Museum, and former president of the GIA. "But we, as an industry, need to focus as much on the meaning behind the diamond, as the numbers behind the diamond. This is what Fischler is doing."

"We introduced the program at the recent IJO Show in Orlando," said Fischler. "And the response exceeded our expectations. Retailers were excited about this new value-added. Of course everyone knows a diamond is forever. Now, with pre-paid Museum registration cards, the story of that diamond, and the love it symbolizes, can be forever as well. That's a powerful concept that can resonate with the consumer."



Theodor Lisovoy, Rough&Polished, Moscow




The Government of India is planning to issue the fourth tranche of sovereign gold bonds around Akshaya Tritiya, which falls on May 9 this year.

It is an important day for the bullion market as people consider buying gold on that day as auspicious. In 2014 and 2015, gold demand on this day stood at 25-30 tons. In 2013, around 50 tons of gold was estimated to have been sold on Akshay Tritiya.

The Indian government has issued three tranche of sovereign gold bonds so far, with a total subscription of around 5,000 kg. Of this, the second tranche accounted for around 60 per cent.

The third tranche evoked very poor response because it was issued in March last year when investors were more focused on investing in tax-saving products and gold price was also at US$43.62 a gram for bonds, which was considered quite high.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished




China launched a yuan-denominated gold benchmark on 19 April, in an ambitious step to exert more control over the pricing of the gold and boost its influence in the global bullion market, as reported in Reuters.

The Chinese benchmark price, derived from a 1 kg-contract traded by 18 participants on the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE), was set at 256.92 yuan ($39.69) per gram.

"The Shanghai gold benchmark will provide a fair and tradable yuan-denominated gold fix price ... will help improve yuan pricing mechanism and promote internationalisation of the Chinese gold market," Pan Gongsheng, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China said at the launch in Shanghai.

The benchmark price will be set twice a day based on a few minutes of trading in each session. The yuan price will be complementary to the prices in London and futures trading hub New York, the World Gold Council (WGC) said. "It is a stepping stone to a new multi-axis trading market consisting of London, New York and Shanghai and signals the continuing shift in demand from West to East," WGC's CEO Aram Shishmanian said in a statement. As the market expands to reflect the growing interest in gold by Chinese consumers, so too will China's influence increase on the global gold market, he added.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished




ALROSA will invest RUB 62.9 billion into Verkhne-Munskoye Diamond Field in Yakutia

20 april 2016 News

The Far East Investment Projects Sub-Commission chaired by Yury Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District approved the investment project carried out by ALROSA to establish a diamond mining operation based on the Verkhne-Munskoye Diamond Field. This was announced by the Ministry for Development of Russian Far East on Tuesday.

The investment project has been implemented starting from 2015 and the planned amount of private investments is set at RUB 62.98 billion. The investor requested infrastructural support from the government with a view to build a temporary 150-km-long road from the City of Udachny to Verkhne-Munskoye. The upper limit for the subsidy required by the miner is RUB 8.5 billion.

The mining operation is scheduled to reach its nameplate production capacity of 3 million tons of ore per year in 2019. Verkhne-Munskoye has an in-place diamond reserve of 38.3 million carats, which is scheduled to be developed up to 2043. ALROSA will use its own funds to implement this project creating 713 new jobs.

Expected tax revenues and contributions from the project in the course of ten years are estimated at RUB 46.4 billion, including RUB 15.5 billion to the federal budget. The project's contribution to the gross regional product will reach RUB 5.84 billion.

ALROSA plans to erect the infrastructure until 2018 on its own account and then use the subsidy to offset the costs incurred in line with the rules for subsidies approved by the Resolution of the Russian Government.

According to Sergey Kachayev, Deputy Minister for Development of Russian Far East, the Verkhne-Munskoye Project is generating 7.4 rubles of private investment for 1 ruble of government investment. The investments from the federal budget will be repaid almost twice in the course of 10 years.






Mass drowning probe finds nine schoolboys were "trying to save each other"

Nine schoolboys who drowned in central Vietnam had been trying to help each other after they started experiencing difficulties, said local fire and rescue authorities yesterday after nearly a week of investigations.

The mass drowning occurred in the central province of Quang Ngai last Friday when a group of 11 teenagers, including nine boys and two girls, aged about 12 years old, went for a swim in the Tra Khuc River.

The victims, who were sixth-grade students from the same school, were all identified after dive teams spent several hours trying to recover their bodies. The bodies were found next to each other, entangled in grass on the riverbed.

The initial investigation showed that some of the victims must have accidentally jumped into a 2-meter sinkhole, so the rest then entered the water to save those struggling against the current.

A group of nine schoolboys, ranging between 11 to 13, drowned in a section of the Tra Khuc River in Quang Ngai Province while trying to rescue each other. Photo by X.N

If they hadnt jumped into the water from a height, the tragic incident wouldnt have happened, said a senior fire and rescue official in Quang Ngai.

The boys were earlier seen playing in shallow water but the river recently had a new drainage system installed, which means the water is up to two meters in parts, said local authorities.

The children were also said to have ignored warnings from a local woman who had seen them playing by the river.

Vietnamese schools dont teach students how to swim due mainly to a lack of facilities. The government has tried and failed to introduce swimming classes in schools nationwide.

Drowning is one of the main causes of child deaths in Vietnam. According to a recent survey by the World Health Organisation, more than 11,000 children die by drowning each year in Vietnam. Statistics from the Health Ministry showed that around 3,300 children died from drowning last year.
Business mogul Donald J. Trump picked up a resounding win Tuesday in the New York State Republican primary, continuing his drive to land the party's nomination for the presidential race in November.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also rolled to victory in New York, winning the Democratic race and extending her formidable delegate lead.

Steamrolling through his home state, Trump was called the winner immediately after the polls closed at 9 p.m. EST.

He's held a margin of about 60 percent of the vote, with Ohio Governor a distant second with 24 percent and Texas Senator Ted Cruz far behind with 14 percent.

It took a little longer for Clinton to be called the winner, although she eventually worked her way to a bid advantage - grabbing 58.9 percent of the vote compared to 41.1 percent for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Business mogul Donald J. Trump rolled to a resounding win Tuesday in the New York State Republican primary, continuing his drive to land the party's presidential nomination.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also cruised to victory in New York, winning the Democratic race and extending her formidable delegate lead.

Steamrolling through his home state, Trump was called the winner immediately after the polls closed at 9 p.m. EST.

He's held a margin of about 60 percent of the vote, with Ohio Governor John Kasich a distant second with 24 percent and Texas Senator Ted Cruz far behind with 14 percent.

Heading into the New York race, Trump had 755 delegates, followed by Cruz with 543, Florida Senator Marco Rubio - who has since suspended his campaign - with 171 and Kasich with 144.

1,237 delegates are required to clinch the nomination.

Trump locked down at least 48 of the 95 delegates available in New York, and he figures to net a lot more of them when the final votes are tallied - although Kasich will probably grab a few as well.

It took a little longer for Clinton to be called the winner, although she eventually worked her way to a big advantage - grabbing 58.9 percent of the vote compared to 41.1 percent for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

Heading into Tuesday's contest in New York, Clinton had 1,307 pledged delegates and Sanders had 1,087. In addition, Clinton has 469 so-called unpledged super delegates and Sanders has 31 - giving the former Secretary of State an unofficial edge of 1,776 to 1,118.

2,383 delegates are required to clinch the Democratic Party's nomination.

Of the 247 delegates available in the Democratic race, Clinton has clinched 104 and Sanders received 85 - with the rest to be determined upon the final count.

After New York, both parties have primaries in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island on April 26th.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
Editors Pick

Pfizer Inc. expects to increase the price of its COVID-19 vaccine after the United States government's current purchase program expires, Reuters reported citing Pfizer executive Angela Lukin. The drug major is likely to quadruple the price of its COVID-19 vaccine to about $110 to $130 per dose.

Integrated payments company American Express reported on Friday the net profit for the third quarter grew three percent from last year, driven by double-digit revenue growth across all its operating segments, partially offset by higher provisions for credit losses. Earnings per share topped analysts' estimates, while quarterly revenues missed it by a whisker.

Department store chain TJX Companies Inc. is recalling 108,000 units of Mittal International Baby Blankets citing risks to children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. According to the agency, the threads in the recalled woven baby blankets can come loose and detach posing choking, entrapment and strangulation hazards.
German chemical giant BASF SE (BFA.L,BASFY.PK) said it has agreed to acquire the assets of Guangdong Yinfan Chemistry Co., Ltd. in China, as part of efforts to grow its automotive refinish coatings . Financial terms of the deal, which is expected to close in the second half of 2016, were not disclosed.

BASF noted that with the acquisition, it will establish a stronger coatings production footprint by gaining access to a state-of-the-art automotive refinish coatings plant in China.

The acquisition will also enable the company to broaden its automotive refinish portfolio in Asia Pacific by adding the Yinfan line of products to its own brands including Glasurit, R-M, baslac and Norbin.

Markus Kamieth, President of BASF's Coatings division, "The acquisition underlines our strong commitment to growing our automotive coatings business and further investing in emerging . With this acquisition, we will broaden our portfolio and gain access to a strong distribution network, which will strengthen our position in the fast-growing Chinese automotive aftermarket."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
German shares fell slightly on Wednesday as oil and metal prices retreated and mainland Chinese shares dropped by the most since February on concerns that improving economic data will prevent the government from adding stimulus.

WTI as well Brent crude prices were down about 2 percent after Kuwaiti oil workers called off a three-day strike that had cut output from the Middle Eastern country, and industry data showed a bigger-than-expected build in stockpiles last week.

The benchmark DAX was down 33 points or 0.32 percent at 10,313 in midday trading after rallying 2.3 percent the previous day on the back of solid German economic sentiment data.

SAP shares fell over 1 percent. The software maker reiterated its guidance for the current year after reporting a 9 percent rise in Q1 profit.

Chemical giant BASF edged down half a percent. The company said it has agreed to acquire the assets of Guangdong Yinfan Chemistry Co., Ltd. in China, as part of efforts to grow its automotive refinish coatings business.

Banks traded mixed, with Commerzbank falling over 2 percent while rival Deutsche Bank rose 1.2 percent.

Volkswagen jumped over 5 percent after reportedly confessing that it created Diselgate - the diesel emissions tests cheating software that its parent company used in its cars.

In economic releases, German producer prices fell an annual 3.1 percent in March, faster than February's 3 percent drop and the expected 2.9 percent decrease, figures from Destatis revealed.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Bemis Co., Inc. (BMS), a supplier of flexible and rigid packaging, announced Wednesday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the medical device packaging operations and related value-added services of SteriPack Group. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.

The transaction is expected to close effective April 29, 2016.

This acquisition includes a facility in Ireland as well as packaging production assets in Malaysia and the United States.

These operations recorded annual net sales of approximately $65 million in fiscal 2015.

Following the deal, SteriPack Group will continue to independently own and operate its contract manufacturing services .

William Austen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bemis, said, "This acquisition supports Bemis' strategy to grow our healthcare packaging business. We expect this acquisition to be modestly accretive to earnings per share in 2016."

XMS Capital Partners, LLC is acting as financial advisor and Squire Patton Boggs LLP is acting as legal advisor to Bemis.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) announced encouraging preliminary data from an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial with BMN 270, an investigational gene therapy treatment for hemophilia A.

The company said that a total of eight patients with severe hemophilia A received a single dose of BMN 270, six of whom have been treated at the highest dose of 6 x 1013 vg/kg, and to date, post-treatment follow-up ranges from five to 16 weeks.

Patients with hemophilia A are not able to produce enough functional Factor VIII to prevent bleeding, and are currently treated with prophylactic or on-demand infusions of plasma-derived or recombinant Factor VIII.

At last observation, patients at the highest dose experienced increasing Factor VIII activity levels ranging between 4 and 60 percent, with five of six patients treated at the high dose showing factor VIII levels above 5 percent and two of six showing increasing levels of factor VIII at over 50 percent.

All the high dose patients improved from severe to either moderate, mild or normal range in terms of factor levels based on World Federation of Hemophilia criteria.

"We are encouraged by this early data on BMN 270 and the trend we are seeing in increasing Factor VIII levels over time. BMN 270 could have the potential to reduce and possibly eliminate the need for infusions of Factor VIII," said Hank Fuchs, Chief Medical Officer at BioMarin.

BioMarin plans to discuss these findings with UK regulatory authorities prior to dosing the remaining patients.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
If Saudi Arabia decides to sell off U.S. assets worth $750 billion in protest against a controversial legislation that would allow 9/11 victims to sue the kingdom, it would destabilize the global financial , the White House has warned.

The warning comes a day after the White House indicated that President Obama would veto a legislation allowing relatives of the victims of 9/11 to sue the Saudi government or other foreign entities who were shown to be directly involved in the 9/11 attacks.

The White House has said it is not sure if Obama is going to address the issue during his ongoing tour of Saudi Arabia.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was asked at his daily news conference Tuesday if he has any sense about if the Saudis follow through on their threat to sell $750 billion in U.S. assets, what kind of damage that would do to the U.S. and to the United States generally.

He replied: "What I'll just say in general is our concern is that a hypothetical transaction or series of transactions like this would destabilize the global financial markets. And that kind of instability and that kind of volatility is not in the interest of any of the advanced economies around the world. Both the United States and Saudi Arabia would be in the category of advanced economies that would not benefit from a situation like that."

Earnest expressed doubt "how seriously something like that is being considered there."



Given our shared interest in protecting the stability of the global financial system, I suspect it's not something that would be considered for long, he told reporters.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
After presidential frontrunners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton scored big victories in their respective New York primaries, the results of a Quinnipiac poll suggest they are also likely to perform well in neighboring Connecticut.

Trump is the preferred choice of 48 percent of likely Connecticut Republican primary voters, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich comes in a distant second at 28 percent and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., is in third at 19 percent.

Only 5 percent of Republican voters are undecided, although 25 percent of those who named a candidate said they might change their mind before the primary next Tuesday.

"Connecticut Republicans have gone for outsider candidates such as Linda McMahon and Tom Foley. They continue that trend with Donald Trump," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD.

"The conventional wisdom that Sen. Cruz is too conservative for Connecticut looks true, as he comes in a distant third in the Republican primary," he added. "Kasich clearly is outpacing Cruz for second, but running well behind Trump."

The poll also showed Clinton with a significant 51 percent to 42 percent lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on the Democratic side.

Clinton benefits from strong support among women and black voters as well as Democrats that describe themselves as somewhat liberal, moderate or conservative.

"Clinton wins on all the most important issues to voters, except for income inequality," Schwartz said. "Sanders wins on honesty, values, and empathy. But Clinton wins by bigger margins on leadership, electability, and experience."

The Connecticut primaries will be held on Tuesday, April 26th, the same day as contests in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

The Quinnipiac survey was conducted April 12th through 18th and included 823 likely Republican primary voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points and 1,037 likely Democratic primary voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

(Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore)

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
French tire maker Michelin Cie Des Estb (MGDDY.PK,MGDDF.PK) said Wednesday its net sales for the first quarter grew 0.9 percent to 5.07 billion euros from 5.02 billion euros last year.

Sales were driven by robust passenger car and truck demand in mature

Net sales in the Passenger car and Light truck tires unit rose to 2.90 billion euros from 2.78 billion euros last year.

Net sales in the truck tires dropped to 1.43 billion euros from 1.47 billion euros last year.

Net sales for the specialty businesses dropped to 738 million euros from 771 million euros last year.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Water contaminated with toxic elements is to blame for the large number of dead fish that have washed up along Vietnam's central coastline in the last few days, according to a report by Quang Binh province's agriculture department.

The report, which was issued on April 20, concluded that pollution in Ha Tinh province was to blame for the thousands of deep-sea and prize fish deaths along the central coast. Ocean currents had swept the polluted water from Ha Tinh was down to southern areas, killing tons of fish, the report said.

Through analysis of the water and dead fish samples, results showed that the mass fish deaths were not due to bacterial pathogens or viruses but from toxic elements in the marine environment.

Deputy director of the department Tran Dinh Du said they have yet to find a specific element in the water that is killing the fish. The department said people should stop pumping water from the sea to their farm ponds until the problem is resolved.

On April 10, thousands of fish were found washed up in Quang Dong commune, and the phenomenon gradually spread south over the next few days. This is the first time this has happened in central Vietnam, raising concerns among local fishermen.

An aquaculture expert in Quang Tri province said the poison may have come from a heavy metal element, in which it case it would sink to the sea bed and only effect fish that inhabit deep waters.
Delegation of Ansarullah, GPC heads to Kuwait





SANAA, April 20 (Saba)  A delegation consisting of representatives of Ansarullah and the General Peoples Congress (GPC) headed on Wednesday to Kuwait to partake in the dialogue called for by the United Nations.



In a statement to media before departing Sanaa International Airport, the official spokesman for Ansarullah Mohamed Abdulsalam said the delegations first purpose is the success of the dialogue, despite the continuing bombing and blockade.



" We are going to Kuwait to prove to the public opinion, the Yemeni people and the army and popular committees everywhere that we are keen on achieving the security and stability, Abdulsalm said.



He confirmed attending the dialogue, despite the reservation, which came in the delegations letter to the UN envoy, about halting the military acts and about the ambiguity in the UN agenda.



The priority now is a political solution for a consensus authority in the country in order to go to a comprehensive solution, he explained.



He pointed out that there is no problem in discussing issues of arms existing with all parties and withdrawals, as well as issues related to detainees, reconstruction and militants of al-Qaeda and Daesh.



For his part, the member of the GPCs General Committee Yahya Dowid referred that the reason behind the delay of the talks in Kuwait is the lack of the other party's commitment to the pledges and commitments to halt military actions and the lack of clarity Kuwait talks agenda.



Dowid stressed the necessity to return to the stage of consensus and develop a plan in which all Yemenis participate without ambition or greed of any party to the exclusion of others under any pretext.



He said, "we are going to Kuwait and we are serious and we have sincere intentions and carte blanche to sign on whatever leads to the return to the political dialogue and exit from the stage of the conflict and fighting and we hope that the other party shares with us the same values and aspirations."



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[21/April/2016]
The European Commission and the International Energy Agency will address the impact of the energy crisis on SMEs in an online event on 21 October.
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
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(Photo: LWF / MTI)Hungarian police form a cordon as refugees board a train for northern Europe in Sept. 2015.

Thousands of Hungarians have participated in the 'March of the Living' to commemorate Holocaust victims in the biggest 2016 anti-racist march at which Christian clerics expressed repentance for what happened to Jews.

The march took place shortly after the remains of about 20 executed people, most of them Jews, were buried in Budapest's Jewish cemetery.

"It is a historic moment, when the leaders of the Christian and the Jewish religion are on the same stage together," Gabor Gordon, the head of the March of the Living Hungary Foundation, said in his introduction, the World Jewish Congress reported.

The yearly March of the Living is in its 14th year and commemorates the deportation of Hungarian Jewry to the Auschwitz concentration camp, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported.

It is the largest civic demonstration against racism, anti-Semitism and neo-Nazi and anti-democratic movements in Hungary.

Jews have long played a key part in the history of Hungary and at the beginning of the 20th century they accounted for about 5 percent of the population. Today they are thought to number less than 50,000 of the 9.9 million people in the eastern European nation.

The ghettoization of the Hungarian Jews started on April 17, 1944 under Nazi occupation.

Of approximately 825,000 Jews living in Hungary in 1941, about 63,000 died or were killed prior to the German occupation of March 1944, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia.

Around 437,000 Jews from the countryside were sent to Auschwitz in Poland and the majority of them were gassed in the neighboring death camp of Birkenau, with only a few thousand surviving.

At total of 600,000 Hungarian Jews were exterminated in different concentration camps during the Holocaust which occurred during the period around the Second World War.

The Hungarian branch of the international organization of the March of the Living Foundation, ahead of the March of the Living to Auschwitz, also holds an annual anti-xenophobic and anti-racist rally in Hungary.

This year's march started April 17 from the downtown Dohany Street Synagogue and ended at the downtown Basilica, the largest Catholic Church in Budapest.

For the first time, three Christian bishops took part together in the March of the Living and gave speeches on the same stage.

"It is a historic moment, when the leaders of the Christian and the Jewish religion are on the same stage together," Gabor Gordon, the head of the March of the Living Hungary Foundation, said in his introduction.

IMRE KERTESZ

The rally started with a moment of silence in memory of Imre Kertesz, the Hungarian Jewish writer who died earlier this month at the age of 87, and whose Holocaust novels won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2002.

Hungarian Chief Rabbi Robert Frolich got loud applause in his speech and was speech was openly critical of the Christian churches.

"What if the doors of the Basilica had been left open then, during the Holocaust? ... But the doors were not open, the Basilica was closed when it needed to be open," he said.

Roman Catholic bishop Janos Szekely said: "We are here now at the March of the Living in Budapest to express our pain and repentance over the killing of more than half a million Hungarian Jewish compatriots."

Among those at the rally was the Israeli Ambassador to Hungary, Ilan Mor, who said: "This is now the March of the Living and not as it was 72 years ago, when it was the March of the Dead. Now this is the March of Hope."

Geza Rohrig, the star of the Oscar Award-winning Hungarian film "Son of Saul" also appeared at the event.
Here's what the new Docking State Office Building could look like
U. S. Ambassador to Belize Carlos Moreno and the Right Honorable Prime Minister Dean Barrow recently signed the 16th Amendment to the Letter of Agreement implementing the Central America Regional Security Initiative, or CARSI. The U.S. Government has provided over $35 million in programs and grants to Belize through CARSI since 2008.

The agreement provides $6,450,000 in funding to be used for the following projects: Improved Border Inspection, Vetted Units, Capacity Enhancement, Justice Sector Reform, and Community Policing. To date, the U.S. Government has committed a total of$28.4 million since 2008 to these programs in Belize.

In addition, the U.S. Embassy has also provided over $6 million in CARSI Economic Support Fund grants to local and international NGOs operating in Belize. Programs have included entrepreneurship, vocational training and job placement, after school activities, educational assistance, skills training, and arts and culture. Another $1.2 million will be issued as grants again this year.

CARSI programs have assisted police nationwide with trainings and equipment. Through this programming, the Belize Police Department has dramatically improved mobility and taken major steps toward modernization including case management and evidence handling.

CARSI has also focused on the concept of community policing, both within the police and in communities. In areas with active, U.S.-funded neighborhood watch and community policing programs, local police stations have reported decreases in burglaries and other crimes.

The CARSI program continues to support safer streets and more resilient communities in Belize. Ongoing efforts will enhance capacity throughout Belize with programs in forensics, prosecution, and the judiciary. CARSI continues to support law enforcement agencies as well as community led programs.

The United States Government is proud to support citizen security in Belize, a country which shares our values of democracy, human rights, and rule of law.
14IB and Balangkayan denounce NPA atrocities in Eastern Samar

By DPAO, 8ID PA

March 10, 2016

ORAS, Eastern Samar  The 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion, Philippine Army and the peace loving populace of Balangkayan strongly condemn the recent attack by the New Peoples Army at the Municipal Police Station in Balangkayan, Eastern Samar last March 7, 2016.

Avenger troopers uphold the rights of Balangkayanon during a peace dialogue with local officials and residents wherein they expressed disappointment against the violence and cruelty of the NPA such as the hijack of two Duptours Vans prior to the attack, ransack of the Balangkayan MPS and carting away of nine (9) M16 Rifles, one (1) shotgun, four (4) 9mm pistols and other important documents.

Lt. Col. Ronie T Ebarita, commanding officer, 14th Infantry Battalion said that the acts of the NPA clearly show their utter disregard of human lives and concern of the welfare of the local populace despite the efforts of the government to uplift the well being of the people of Balangkayan thru sustained development.

These NPAs are in desperate mode of projecting themselves as strong force to extort, intimidate, and harm both civilians and government forces especially that the national and local elections are fast approaching.
Group hit finger-pointing pols over coco levy issue

By SANLAKAS

March 14, 2016

QUEZON CITY  Partylist coalition Sanlakas called out all candidates vying for national positions to cease finger-pointing and politicking for all of them are liable in varying degrees for the much-delayed release of the 93 billion peso coco levy funds to the coconut farmers.

The group scored all opposing camps for trying to pin the blame on each other for each others inaction when all of them were incumbent senators, cabinet ministers and or simply part of the bureaucracy that failed to deliver justice to the thousands of coconut farmers victimized by forced taxation under the Marcos dictatorship.

Washing their dirty hands of any accountability is not advancing the interests of the poor farmers but merely saving their own skins from an electoral verdict come May ninth, said Atty. Aaron Pedrosa, Sanlakas secretary general and nominee.

He added that, Nor will all any amount of damage control by their PR operators conjure what they failed to accomplish in the past three or more years in public office. The electorate will be the judge of their culpability.

The finger-pointing stemmed from a shout out made by senatorial aspirant Kiko Pangilinan to fellow candidates to prioritize the release of the funds once elected that led to a free-for-all among the electoral aspirants.

All this does is add insult to injury  accusing each other or protecting their patrons as the bellies of the poor farmers and their families grumble day in day out for more than four decades now.

The injustice to the coconut farmers has gone too far too long wrought by the back-breaking coco levy from 1973 up to 1982, the plunder of the funds by Danding Cojuangco and cohorts to buy majority shares of San Miguel Corporation, notwithstanding the protracted legal battle for nearly thirty years only to be given false hope under this administration, Pedrosa cited.

Aquino most accountable

The group reserved their most bitter criticism for the Aquino government for doing too little, too late to abide by the Supreme Court decision on the ownership of the funds and its return to the poor farmers.

Pedrosa explained that, Certifying a bill as urgent is not enough. We all know that Malacanang has all the power and means to serve justice for the farmers, but true to his haciendero character he elected to suffer their impoverished conditions in the midst of a declining coconut industry.

On many instances in the 15th and 16th Congress, have we seen the Aquino administration move mountains to get what it wants or reject what it doesnt want from the legislative body. The re-legitimization of savings through the GAA Law passed in 2015, despite the declaration of unconstitutionality of DAP easily comes to mind. Or, more recently, when Aquino blocked the passage of the P2,000 increase of SSS pension by a simple veto, he insisted.

The group likewise announced that they are now coordinating with organizations of coconut farmers that will march from the provinces in the coming weeks to push for the return of the coco levy funds.
Build toward Peace: Address the Roots of Armed Conflict and Implement CARHRIHL

A statement by the Citizens Alliance for Just Peace

March 15, 2016

As March 16, 2016 marks the 18th anniversary of the hallmark Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), the first substantive agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front-Philippines, the Citizens Alliance for Just Peace raises a collective voice to urge continued efforts to build toward peace, justice and human rights in the Philippines.

The Government of the Philippines including political parties, election candidates and the electorate should prioritize the peoples peace agenda in the election process. By reinvigorating expression of a common aspiration for a just and enduring peace, we hope to nurture the seeds of peace so dearly needed in our nation. Not only is this a fertile opportunity for Filipinos to discern and act on the peace platforms of national leaders, but it is also an essential time to continue the clamor for tangible efforts and concrete actions in building peace that addresses the roots of armed conflict.

As peace advocates, we also continue our call for a thorough and vibrant implementation of CARHRIHL as an essential building block of the peace process between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front - Philippines.

Through embracing a common desire for the respect of human rights and international humanitarian law, we believe that both parties can be inspired to continue on the journey toward a negotiated political settlement through Peace Talks. We encourage confidence building measures, principled and innovative resolution of issues and impasses, as well as creative spaces that welcome and promote dynamic participation from the peace constituency.
Syria's top opposition leader vowed to fight "even with stones" to depose President Bashar Assad, shifting sharply to a tone of conflict over conciliation as peace talks in Geneva teetered near collapse Tuesday amid a new surge in fighting  including government airstrikes that left dozens dead.

Angry and defiant, Riad Hijab of the Western-backed Syrian High Negotiations Committee thundered home the opposition coalition's decision to walk back  if not entirely away  from U.N.-brokered peace talks in Geneva. He demanded more Security Council oversight of an increasingly wobbly cease-fire as Assad's troops battled rebel fighters in various parts of the country.

The calculated gamble to jeopardize what diplomats have called the best chance in years to bring a diplomatic end to Syria's five-year war came amid the opposition group's growing frustration over unproductive peace talks and hundreds of government cease-fire violations in recent weeks.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 44 people  mostly civilians  died in government airstrikes on opposition-held towns in northern Idlib province on Tuesday. Government warplanes also bombed areas in the central Homs and Hama provinces, activists said.

Salem Meslet, the High Negotiations Committee spokesman, said the deadly strikes validated the coalition's decision to suspend participation in the Geneva talks. Calling the strikes a "massacre of innocents," Meslet said that "Assad is telling the world he has no interest in diplomacy or peace."

The opposition coalition accuses the government of preparing an assault on the city of Aleppo, ignoring its demands for the release of thousands of detainees, and rejecting or avoiding requests for U.N.-led humanitarian aid shipments in recent weeks. The opposition says those are signs of bad faith by Assad's side and accuses it of stalling for time in the Geneva talks.

"We cannot continue to be in discussions in Geneva when our people are dying of hunger and bombardments," Hijab told a news conference. "We will fight no matter the circumstances. We will fight even with stones, and will not surrender."

"There cannot be a political process that prolongs the life of this regime," he said. "For us, as of yesterday, we are out of the political process."

He demanded deployment of international monitors to inspect adherence to the cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Russia in late February. While calling the United States a "friend" of the opposition, Hijab also put some blame on the U.S., saying it has responsibilities in upholding human rights that "are being violated on a daily basis in Syria."

"We demand that the United States shoulder its responsibility," he said. "Words are not enough, and humanitarian support is not enough. We need action on the ground."

The opposition coalition's decision to suspend participation in the Geneva talks has strained the finely crafted mediation by the U.N. Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, whose office continued holding discussions with smaller opposition groups. De Mistura has said he would review the state of the talks on Friday.

De Mistura's office declined to comment on Hijab's statement.

Mohammed Alloush, the opposition coalition's main negotiator, said its delegation would only return if Assad's government implemented international agreements and halted airstrikes. In comments to The Associated Press, Alloush said he was leaving Geneva because he didn't want to be part of an "absurd" process that may not reach a viable political solution.

Hijab said he too was leaving, but that a High Negotiations Committee team will remain  even if its members won't go to the U.N. offices that have hosted the talks on-and-off since early February. In the talks, the two sides have met with de Mistura at separate times, but not face-to-face.

Russia, a key backer of Assad, lashed out at the pullback. Russia's ambassador in Geneva, Alexei Borodavkin, told the Russian news agency TASS on Tuesday that the High Negotiations Committee's suspended participation in the talks "is proof that, unfortunately, extremists took control within the delegation."

In a conference call with journalists, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, reaffirmed Moscow's support for Assad and the talks. In a telephone call Monday with U.S. President Barack Obama, Putin stressed support for dialogue and the cease-fire, according to Peskov.

In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the U.S. would continue to push both sides to participate in the talks and called on Russia to use its influence with Assad to force the government to honor the cease-fire agreement.

While the indirect talks were to focus on political transition, the two sides got bogged down on Assad's future. Aided by the Russian air power that entered Syrian skies in late September, the Syrian army and allied militiamen have reversed the tide of the war in recent months, making rapid advances against opposing forces, including the radical Islamic State group, which is not in the peace process.

Hijab accused the government of using the cease-fire to advance on rebel positions and said Assad's biggest allies, Russia and Iran, continued to supply his forces with weapons and fighters. He complained that supplies and ammunition were denied to rebel forces, and said he hoped that the U.S would continue supplying weapons to some rebel groups.

On Tuesday, government troops restored control of most of the villages and hills it lost to rebels a day earlier in their offensive in the government-held coastal region of Latakia, according to the Local Coordination Committee, an activist-operated media forum, and al-Manar TV, which is affiliated with the pro-Assad Lebanese Hezbollah group.

The Local Coordination Committee reported government airstrikes, including barrel bombs, in multiple locations in Homs province. The group said there was intense fighting in Kafer-Laha in central Homs.
The United States condemns the vicious murder of a television journalist in Turkey who worked courageously to expose the hypocrisy of the terrorist organization Daesh. The group, also known as ISIL, claimed responsibility for the attack that killed Zahir al-Sherqat of Halab Today TV. According to Turkish press reports, the Syrian journalist was shot in the neck at close range while walking in the city of Gaziantap. Al-Sherqat, an Imam who studied Islamic Law at Damascus University, had received death threats from Daesh in the past.

We express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. al-Sherqat, who is survived by his wife and young son, said State Department spokesperson John Kirby.

Al-Sherqat organized protests against the Syrian regime in his home city of Al-Bab, where he also spoke out against extremist groups al-Nusrah and Daesh. He moved in 2014 to Turkey, where his work for Halab Today TV exposed the bankrupt ideology of extremist groups like Daesh.

This was Daeshs fourth attack on a Syrian journalist in Turkey. We stand ready to support Turkey as it works to bring to justice those responsible for attacks on the media, said Spokesperson Kirby.

Freedom of the press, including ensuring that journalists can safely report on the crisis in Syria, remains critical as reporters keep working to expose the truth about this brutal conflict and Daeshs atrocities.
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
Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2016 -- The grow lights market was valued at USD 2.07 Billion in 2015 and is expected to increase to USD 4.19 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 9.63% between 2016 and 2022. The base year used for study is 2015 and the forecast period is between 2016 and 2022. This report provides a detailed analysis of the grow lights market based on technology, type of installation, application, and geography. The demand for horticultural produce is increasing all over the world due to the rising population. Grow lights are being used to accelerate plant development and obtain a greater yield from the available growing area, to meet this demand. The emergence of vertical farming in urban areas is also proving to be a major driver for grow lights market as a large number of grow light units can be installed within a single vertical farm.



Browse 69 tables and 54 figures spread through 144 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Grow Lights Market - Global Forecast to 2022"



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Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports.



LED technology to hold the largest share in the grow lights market



The LED technology is witnessing a significant evolution in horticultural applications and the R&D is aimed at introducing grow lights that can cover the entire photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) range. The light spectrum emitted by these LEDs can be adjusted to suit the different types of plants, which allows the growers more flexibility in plant selection. Moreover, these lights offer an improved energy-efficiency over conventional lighting technologies and also a longer operational life of around three to five years.



The market for the vertical farming is expected to grow at the highest growth rate



The concept of vertical farming is emerging across major urban centers and is expected to drive the demand for grow lights during the forecast period. It offers urban residents an access to fresh horticultural produce, without compromising on its taste or other quality aspects.



The grow lights market in Europe expected to hold the largest share during the forecast period



Europe has been a leading market for grow lights, especially for supplemental lighting in commercial greenhouses. The growers and lamp manufacturers in this region have used their experience in greenhouses to develop and deploy grow lights for indoor growing applications as well. The adoption of artificial lighting is particularly high in the Netherlands, and the Scandinavian countries, whereas the demand is increasing from other European countries.



Report Information: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/grow-lights-market-68944493.html



The major companies in the grow lights market include Royal Philips Electronics N.V. (Netherlands), General Electric Company (U.S.), Osram Licht AG (Germany), Gavita Holland B.V. (Netherlands), LumiGrow, Inc. (U.S.), Heliospectra AB (Sweden), Iwasaki Electric Co. Ltd. (Japan), Illumitex, Inc. (U.S.), Hortilux Schreder B.V. (Netherlands), iGrow Induction Lighting LLC. (U.S.), and Sunlight Supply, Inc. (U.S.) among others.



This research report categorizes the global grow lights market on the basis of technology, type of installation, application, and region. This report describes the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges with respect to the grow lights market. The Porter's Five Forces analysis has been included in the report with a description of each of its forces and their respective impact on the grow lights market.



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Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2016 -- The telecommunications market in Italy will generate $26.6bn (25.3bn) in service revenue in 2016. Telecom service revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% during 2015-2020, driven by growth in mobile data, fixed VoIP, fixed broadband and pay-TV. Mobile data will be the fastest-growing segment, registering a CAGR of 8.1% over 2015-2020, followed by fixed broadband (7.4%). To offset the decline in traditional fixed and mobile voice and messaging services, operators are focusing on increasing broadband penetration and mobile data, which will be driven by increasing adoption of mobile broadband services, paving the way for potential growth areas including M2M and mobile payment services. Going forward, operators should focus on fixed/mobile convergence to retain customers and increase spend per household. Increasing investments by operators on high-speed networks will offer opportunities for network and equipment vendors. Increasing consolidation in the market will further intensify competition, unlocking new revenue streams for operators.



View Full Report at http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/708818



Key Findings



The overall telecom service revenue in Italy will decline by 6.1% over 2015-2016 to reach $26.6bn (25.3bn) in 2016. From 2015 to 2020, the telecommunications market in Italy will see service revenue grow at a CAGR of 2.1%, boosted mainly by mobile and fixed data segments.



Mobile revenue will account for 56.9% of total telecom revenue in 2020. Mobile data will be an important driver behind this trend, as it will expand at a CAGR of 8.1% during 2015-2020.



We expect the contribution of Internet access to fixed services revenue to reach 46.4% in 2016 and increase to 58.3% in 2020.



The Italian telecom market will be dominated by Telecom Italia as the leading mobile and fixed line operator, followed by Vodafone Italy and WIND Italy. The presence of alternate operators and M&A activity in the country will further intensify competition.



Download Sample Copy of this Report at http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/708818



Synopsis



"Italy: Broadband Initiatives and Enhancement of Service and Content Offerings Are Key to Driving Revenue Growth" provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Italy today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2020. It delivers deep quantitative and qualitative insight into the Italian telecom market, analyzing key trends, evaluating near-term opportunities and assessing risk factors, based on proprietary data from Pyramid Research's databases.



The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following:



Regional context: Telecom market size and trends in Italy compared with other countries in the Western European region.



Economic, demographic and political context in Italy.



The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.



A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, fixed Internet, mobile voice and mobile data and pay-TV.



Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2013 to 2020.



The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.



In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.



Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in Italy's telecommunications market.



Reasons To Buy



Gain in-depth analysis of current strategies and future trends of the telecommunications market in Italy, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format, to build proactive and profitable growth strategies.



Understand the factors behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Italy's mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband markets and pay-TV markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares, to align product offerings and strategies to meet customer's demand.



Leverage the graphical information (more than 20 charts and tables in the report based on the Pyramid Research forecast products), to gain an overview of the telecom market in Italy.



Analysis of key telecom players in the markets and major business strategies being adopted by them, to identify the opportunities to improve the market share.



Explore novel opportunities to align your product strategies and offerings to meet the requirements and succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Italy.



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Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2016 -- Description



Life Insurance in the Netherlands, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019



Synopsis



Timetrics 'Life Insurance in the Netherlands, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the Dutch life insurance segment.



It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, total assets, total investment income and retentions during the review period (20102014) and forecast period (20142019).



View Full Report at: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/489952



The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of the Dutch economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.



The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.



Summary



Timetrics ' Life Insurance in the Netherlands, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Dutch life insurance segment, including:



The Dutch life insurance segments growth prospects by life insurance category



Key trends, drivers and challenges for the life insurance segment



A comprehensive overview of the Dutch economy and demographics



The various distribution channels in the Dutch life insurance segment



Details of the competitive landscape in the life insurance segment in the Netherlands



Details of regulatory policy applicable to the Dutch insurance industry



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Scope



This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the life insurance segment in the Netherlands:



It provides historical values for the Dutch life insurance segment for the reports 20102014 review period, and projected figures for the 20142019 forecast period.



It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Dutch life insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2019.



It analyzes the various distribution channels for life insurance products in the Netherlands.



It profiles the top life insurance companies in the Netherlands and outlines the key regulations affecting them.



Reasons To Buy



Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Dutch life insurance segment, and each category within it.



Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Dutch life insurance segment.



Assess the competitive dynamics in the life insurance segment.



Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.



Gain insights into key regulations governing the Dutch insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.



Key Highlights



The Dutch insurance industry contributed 14.7% to the countrys GDP in 2013.



The Dutch life segment accounted for 23.7% of the overall insurance gross written premium in 2013.



The Equal Status (Amendment) Act 2012 was implemented with effect from December 21, 2012. The act removed differentiation based on gender when setting premiums for pension or annuity products.



Many life insurers, due to sluggish investment returns and poor performance in the segment, are expected to concentrate on increasing cost-effectiveness and the revival of individual life insurance.



The Dutch government is gradually raising the state pension retirement age from 65 years in 2012 to 67 years by 2023.



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Pune, Maharastra -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/19/2016 -- Germany presents an attractive set of conditions making investment possible. Despite a Global recession, Germany has not been in bad shape in Germany outbound tourism market. The number of Germany outbound tourists is forecasted to reach nearly 5 Million by 2020. Additionally, Germany outbound tourists spending was nearly 11 Billion in 2015.



Countries Analyzed in Germany Outbound Tourism Market:

Top 10 Countries: Singapore, United States, Australia, China, Japan, South Africa, Korea, New Zealand, Cambodia and India



Complete report available at http://www.marketreportsonline.com/463578.html.



Germany Outbound Tourists Visit Analysis: United States has emerged as the most popular tourist destination for German travelers. In 2015, XXXX% of the total Germany outbound tourists visited United States. It is predicted that United States will be leading destination for the German travelers by the year 2020. China and Singapore were at the 2nd and 3rd popular destination for German travelers with XXX% and XXX% share respectively in 2015.



Germany Outbound Tourism Spending Analysis: United States is the leader with XXX% of spending in 2015 by the German Tourists. German tourists spending share in United States is higher than the combined share of the top 9 tourism destination. United States is likely to maintain dominance in Germany outbound tourism spending but its share is expected to tumble down to XXX% by the year 2020, as German tourists are now exploring various other destinations. China and Australia accounted for XXX% and XXX% share of total outbound spending by Germany in 2015. It is projected that China and Australia will have spending share of XXX% and XXX% respectively in 2020. In the year 2015, India was standing at fourth spot in terms of spending by German tourists being followed by New Zealand in 2015.



Purchase a copy of this Outbound Tourism Market research report at USD 800 (Single User License) http://www.marketreportsonline.com/contacts/purchase.php?name=463578.



This report entitled "Germany Outbound Tourism Market: Outbound Tourists Visit, Tourists Spending & Forecast" provides a comprehensive assessment of the fast-evolving, high-growth Germany outbound travel industry. This report provides a complete analysis of top 10 countries worldwide for German tourists. All the country in the report has been studied from three view points

- Germany outbound tourists to top 10 countries

- Germany outbound tourists market (spending) in top 10 countries

- Germany outbound tourists purpose of visit (Business, Holiday/Leisure, VFR & Others)



Table of Contents Provided in Outbound Tourism Market:



1. Executive Summary



2. Worldwide  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending (2009  2020)

2.1 Worldwide  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Forecast

2.2 Worldwide  Germany Outbound Tourists Spending & Forecast



3. Worldwide  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Share (2009  2020)

3.1 Worldwide  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit Share & Forecast

3.2 Worldwide  Germany Outbound Tourists Spending Share & Forecast



4. Germany  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending to (10 Countries) (2007  2020)

4.1 United States  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Forecast

4.1.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to United States & Forecast

4.1.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to United States Purpose of Visit

4.1.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in United States & Forecast

4.2 Australia  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Forecast

4.2.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Australia & Forecast

4.2.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Australia Purpose of Visit

4.2.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in Australia & Forecast

4.3 Singapore  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Forecast

4.3.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Singapore & Forecast

4.3.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Singapore Purpose of Visit

4.3.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in Singapore & Forecast

4.4 Korea  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Forecast

4.4.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Korea & Forecast

4.4.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Korea Purpose of Visit

4.4.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in Korea & Forecast

4.5 India  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Forecast

4.5.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to India & Forecast

4.5.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to India Purpose of Visit

4.5.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in India & Forecast

4.6 Cambodia  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Forecast

4.6.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Cambodia & Forecast

4.6.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Cambodia Purpose of Visit

4.6.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in Cambodia & Forecast

4.7 South Africa  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Forecast

4.7.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to South Africa & Forecast

4.7.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to South Africa Purpose of Visit

4.7.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in South Africa & Forecast

4.8 New Zealand  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to New Zealand & Forecast

4.8.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to New Zealand & Forecast

4.8.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to New Zealand Purpose of Visit

4.8.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in New Zealand & Forecast

4.9 Japan  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Forecast

4.9.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Japan & Forecast

4.9.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to Japan Purpose of Visit

4.9.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in Japan & Forecast

4.10 China  Germany Outbound Tourists Visit & Spending Forecast

4.10.1 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to China & Forecast

4.10.2 Germany Outbound Tourists Visit to China Purpose of Visit

4.10.3 Germany Outbound Tourists Spending in China & Forecast



5. Growth Drivers in Germany Outbound Tourism Market

5.1 Good Export Prospects by Travelers from Germany

5.2 Promotional Activities by Tourism Board to Attract German Tourists



6. Challenges in Germany Outbound Tourism Market

6.1 Airline Departure Tax

6.2 Entry/Exit Experience



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Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2016 -- Description



Synopsis



Timetrics 'Personal Accident and Health Insurance in Luxembourg, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers, challenges in the Luxembourg personal accident and health insurance segment.



It provides key performance indicators such as written premium, incurred loss, loss ratio, commissions and expenses, combined ratio, total assets, total investment income and claims during the review period (20102014) and over the forecast period (20142019).



The report also analyzes distribution channels operating in the segment, gives a comprehensive overview of Luxembourg's economy and demographics, and provides detailed information on the competitive landscape in the country.



View Full Report at: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/707144



The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise, giving insurers access to information on segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and profiles of insurers operating in the country. The report also includes details of insurance regulations, and recent changes in the regulatory structure.



Summary



Timetrics 'Personal Accident and Health Insurance in Luxembourg, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Luxembourg personal accident and health insurance segment, including:



The Luxembourg personal accident and health insurance segments growth prospects by insurance category



The key trends, drivers and challenges for the personal accident and health insurance segment



A comprehensive overview of Luxembourg's economy and demographics



The various distribution channels in the Luxembourg personal accident and health insurance segment



Details of the competitive landscape in the personal accident and health insurance segment in Luxembourg



Details of regulatory policies applicable to the Luxembourg insurance industry



Download Detail Report With Complete TOC at: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/707144



Scope



This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the personal accident and health insurance segment in Luxembourg:



It provides historical values for the Luxembourg personal accident and health insurance segment for the reports 20102014 review period, and projected figures for the 20142019 forecast period.



It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Luxembourg personal accident and health insurance segment, and market forecasts to 2019.



It analyzes the various distribution channels for personal accident and health insurance products in Luxembourg.



It profiles the top personal accident and health insurance companies in Luxembourg, and outlines the key regulations affecting them.



Reasons To Buy



Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Luxembourg personal accident and health insurance segment, and each category within it.



Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Luxembourg personal accident and health insurance segment.



Assess the competitive dynamics in the personal accident and health insurance segment.



Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.



Gain insights into key regulations governing the Luxembourg insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.



Key Highlights



Luxembourg has a compulsory public health system that offers universal cover and the ability to choose hospitals and doctors, leaving little scope for private insurance.



The personal accident and health segment accounted for 0.8% of the industrys gross written premium in 2014, remaining resilient to economic difficulties and recording robust growth.



Changing demographics and an emphasis on providing high-quality affordable healthcare are expected to drive growth in the segment over the forecast period.



Many private health insurers primarily focused on the countrys large expatriate and immigrant population.



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Philadelphia, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2016 -- Rightway Waterproofing Co. has over 20 years experience with basement waterproofing around Montgomery County, PA. The primary goal of the Delaware Valley organization is to eliminate moisture, mold, and mildew from basements at an affordable price. The company also handles basement finishing and mold remediation services to clients. Currently, the company website is offering all interested individuals a free estimate to get a custom quote for any job.



Rightway Waterproofing Co. offers a lifetime guarantee to ensure that the job is done right. The company follows up after every job to ensure that the customer is satisfied with their high-quality work. Rightway Waterproofing Co. is fully licensed and insured. The company operates both ethically and honestly.



Although the business is the top basement waterproofing company near Philadelphia, Rightway Waterproofing Co. will also travel to New Jersey and Bucks County to lend assistance. If customers are experiencing emergencies such as mold, the company offers a removal service. The most common mold is a black, bold, and deadly (Stachybotrys). Before the organization undertakes a job, they make sure their employees are properly trained and safely dressed. Untreated basement moisture can lead to serious health effects.



Rightway Waterproofing Co. will also take proactive measures to waterproof any basement that they work on. The most efficient method that the company uses is installing a pipe to drain excess water out of the cellar. Free quotes are available online 24 hours a day. Interested parties are encouraged to visit http://rightwaywaterproofing.com or call 866-741-6190.



About Rightway Waterproofing

For over two decades, Rightway Waterproofing has been eradicating basement moisture, black mold, and mildew in New Jersey. Their goal is to provide the best basement waterproofing, basement finishing, and mold remediation services to each and every customer they come in contact with.



For more information, please visit http://www.rightwaywaterproofing.com/.
Albas, France -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2016 -- Voile d'Ombrage France is an authorized retailer of the Sail Shade World brand of shade products. Recent changes in the on-line ordering and distribution of these products is delivering a 30 percent cost saving to the customer.



Shade Sails were invented in Australia and were introduced to the French market seven years ago. Demand from style-conscious French customers has grown year by year, with the French market becoming the largest in Europe. The product range consists of two main lines: standard size or ready-made sails and custom-size or made-to-measure sails.



The standard-size products are offered in five different sizes ranging from a small 3,6m equilateral triangle up to a 5m x 5m square. The standard sails are manufactured from 220g/m2 material and are available in three different colors : Porcelain, Sand and Grey. These products are held in stock by Voile d'Ombrage France and can be shipped all over Europe in two to three days. The custom-made products are available in three different material weights: 220g/m2, 340 g/m2 and 440 g/m2 and a choice of 15 different colors. Delivery within Europe is 10-14 days from order placement.



In the past the custom sails were ordered from the French distributor and delivered direct to the customer. This meant that the price included the local distributor's mark up and, because the sails are manufactured outside the EU, the customer was required to pay tax and import duty when the sail was delivered. Under the new system, sails are ordered directly from the Sail Shade World on-line quotation system and shipped to a European distribution center in the UK. This has reduced delivery costs through bulk shipping and sails are now delivered to customers with no additional charges to pay. The combined effect of these changes is that the price to the customer has been reduced by 30 percent.



About Sale Shade World

Sail Shade World is the world's largest manufacturer of shade sails with over 80,000 units supplied worldwide. Sail Shade World is an Australian company and works with local partners to market and distribute their products in different countries. Voile d'Ombrage France is the leading European retailer of Sail Shade World products with more than 1,500 sails in stock for immediate dispatch throughout Europe.



Voile d'Ombrage France is owned by French Vie Ltd - a UK registered company.



Contact:

Colin Lawrence

Company: French Vie Ltd

Address: Hauts Du Brel, 46140 Albas, France

Phone: +33 565 31 39 57

Email: info@voiledombragefrance.fr

Website: http://voiledombragefrance.fr/
Boston, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2016 -- With President-elect Tsai Ing-wen's independence-leaning administration taking office in May 2016, relations with mainland China have cooled. In comparison to China's People's Liberation Army, Taiwan's military is small in size, and lacks technologically advanced equipment. Compounded by our view that the US is increasingly unlikely to come to Taiwan's aid in the event of military conflict with the mainland, domestic demand for modern equipment is significant and rising, particularly for products such as advanced multi-role combat aircraft, submarines and air defence systems. Taiwan's armed forces are being restructured and professionalised, which eventually will mean that a greater share of the defence budget can be directed towards R&D and new procurement, rather than personnel costs. The domestic defence sector boasts design and development capabilities in a range of segments, however, more technologically advanced military equipment still needs to be imported from the US. Apart from the US, most countries avoid defence exports to, and industry collaboration with Taiwan, in fear of the potential loss of Chinese goodwill . Exports are similarly affected by the island's ambiguous sovereignty status.



Get More Details on this Report and a Full Table of Contents at Taiwan Defence & Security Report 2016



Latest Updates



In January 2016, Taiwan's independence-leaning opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen won presidential elections, with her Democratic Progressive Party in majority in the legislature for the first time in party history - ousting the ruling Kuomintang (KMT). Tsai has stated that she will maintain the 'status quo' in regards to the 1992 'One China' consensus.



In December 2015, in a move that was met with condemnation by Beijing, the Obama administration formally authorised a potential USD1.83bn arms sale package for Taiwan. The package will include: AAV-7 amphibious assault vehicles, Perry-class frigates, air defence systems, TOW 2B missiles, ITAS launchers, Javelin antitank missiles and communication systems. The principal contractors of these items are Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.



Taiwan held its biennial Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) from August 13 to 16 2015. At the exhibition, a range of new and still-in-development technologies and systems were exhibited by domestic players, namely: a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV, the ship-based short-range Sea Oryx Missile System for air defence and a coastal defence turret-mounted rocket system all by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) as well as a surveillance UAV by privately-owned GEOSAT Aerospace & Technology Inc.



In mid-2015, the Ministry of National Defense submitted a USD89.32mn budget request to the legislature to begin implementation of the island's indigenous submarine development programme with a four-year design phase. The initial phase is aimed to begin in H216, with the end-goal of building four 1,200-1,300 tonne diesel-electric submarines to replace obsolete submersible vessels.



Defence Industry Risk Reward Index



Taiwan places second-to-last regionally in our Defence Industry Risk Reward Index, above only North Korea. Demand for military equipment is significant, government support for defence sector development is strengthening, and ties to the US are strong, facilitating military imports. However, other countries are deterred from defence trade and industry collaboration with Taiwan, fearing a negative reaction from Beijing amid cooling cross-Strait relations. This severely hampers Taiwan's defence sector's ability to export products and develop its technological capabilities.



The Taiwan Defence & Security Report features BMI Research's independent forecasts for national and international security, the defence industry, military expenditure, employment in arms production, and arms imports and exports, as well as examining industry trends and prospects, national and multinational arms producers and the regulatory environment.



BMI'sTaiwan Defence & Security Report provides professionals, consultancies, government departments, regulatory bodies and researchers with independent forecasts and regional competitive intelligence on the Taiwanese defence and security industry.



Key Benefits

Benchmark BMI's independent defence and security industry forecasts on Taiwan to test other views - a key input for successful budgetary and strategic business planning in the Taiwanese defence and security market.

Target business opportunities and risks in the Asia defence and security sector through reviews of latest industry trends, regulatory changes and major deals, projects and investments in Asia.

Assess the activities, strategy and market position of your competitors, partners and clients via our Company Profiles (inc. KPIs and latest activity).



Coverage



Global and Regional Political Outlooks



About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is a leading distributor of market research and business information. Representing the world's top research publishers and analysts, we provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available. Our unbiased, expert staff is always available to help you find the right research to fit your requirements and your budget. For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.



Browse all Defense research reports at Fast Market Research



You may also be interested in these related reports:



-Hungary Defence & Security Report 2016

-Czech Republic Defence & Security Report 2016

-Serbia Defence & Security Report 2016

-Italy Defence & Security Report 2016

-Egypt Defence & Security Report 2016
Grand Rapids, MI -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/20/2016 -- viastore Systems, the leading international provider of automated material handling solutions, will exhibit at the SAP Sapphire NOW and ASUG (Americas' SAP Users' Group) Annual Conference at booth 1482C in Orlando, FL from May15-19, 2016.



As a leading international provider of turnkey intralogistics systems for trade and industry, viastore Systems provides top-level experts in warehouse technology and also material flow solutions and the connection and management of standard software solutions from SAP.



With viastore SAP Intralogistics Supply Chain Execution (SAP ISCE), the company is a consultant and provider of services and SAP-based intralogistics solutions, specializing in technologies and add-ons for warehouse logistics. viastore integrates its SAP-certified warehouse management system viadat directly in SAP or implements warehouse management and control solutions using SAP LES, SAP TRM, or SAP EWM exclusively.



viastore SOFTWARE is a silver-level status SAP Service Partner in the categories SAP Database & Technology and SAP All-in-One.



Sapphire NOW and ASUG Annual Conference in 2016 is the largest global business technology event, hosted by SAP and ASUG. Attendees will connect with the community that uses SAP software every day and learn how to enable digital business strategy and get more from the technology investment. Attendees will explore the full array of SAP, SAP Ariba, SAP Fieldglass, SAP Hybris, SAP SuccessFactors, and Concur offerings all in one place.



About viastore Systems, Inc.

For over 40 years, viastore Systems, Inc. (http://bit.ly/1PxYifB) has been a leading international provider of automated material handling solutions including AS/RS (automated storage and retrieval systems), conveyor and shuttle systems, warehouse management systems software, material flow and process controls, and integrated SAP logistics solutions. The company employs over 470 people worldwide and has annual sales of over $140 Million.



viastore's focus is on consulting and planning, together with the implementation and constant improvement of intralogistics solutions with locations in Germany, USA, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Russia, China, Croatia, Turkey, Poland, Israel, Ukraine, Sweden, and Brazil. viastore, with North American headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI, is an integrated and certified partner for all major ERP system database and operating system suppliers such as SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft. viastore earned a return spot on Food Logistics' 2015 FL100+ list of software and technology providers whose products and solutions are key to the global food supply chain. viastore is a proud member of MHI. Follow viastore Systems on Twitter @viastoresystems.
[MANILA] A new initiative that aims to make research agreements fair and equitable kicked off in the Philippines (20 April) as part of a collaboration framework to strengthen regional health research cooperation.

The Research Fairness Initiative (RFI), developed by the Geneva-based Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED), was test-run at a workshop by members of both the Philippine public and private sectors involved in health research.

The initiative comes at a time when the Philippines is experiencing growth in local research initiatives and international collaborations, according to Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), the lead coordinating agency for health research in the country, which conducted the internal workshop.

We should be able to maximise the benefits from the RFI that will further promote and improve international research collaborations and partnerships, Montoya tells SciDev.Net.

The RFI officially launches this July and will require users from all sectors and industries to submit a report based on set guidelines that provide credible and measurable steps to increase research capacity, particularly of low- and middle-income countries. These reports will be used as a key management tool to help increase awareness of an institutions strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for growth. The reports will be uploaded to an online platform and made accessible to other institutions that have produced reports.

The institution can then further understand how potential partners function, in addition to being inspired to improve due to the information made available by successful partners' reports, Lauranne Botti, whos managing the RFI at COHRED, tells SciDev.Net.

The RFI will simultaneously assess the extent to which institutions are fair partners through a series of meta-analyses that will compare and contrast the data collected from the reports provided. Sample indicators of

fairness include whether or not institutions place more importance in benefit sharing between partners than in having an adequate ethics review.

Aside from the Philippines, workshops on the RFI are currently being organised in Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal. About 63 universities and research centres in Africa, Asia and Oceania, including the Philippines and Thailand, have expressed interest in the initiative.

The guidelines for conducting fair research practices would be particularly useful to Asians, says Amelia Guevara, undersecretary for research and development at the Philippine Department of Science and Technology, who attended a meeting last year in London on the RFI.

We (Asians) are not too vocal about things, Guevara says. Sometimes you cannot express what you want, but you want to say something. Thats very critical in future partnerships. From the very start, there has to be that mutual respect.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets South-East Asia & Pacific desk.
[LONDON] Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect poor people in rich countries as well as poor ones, so all nations must fight them together, a conference heard.

Climate change and international travel allow viruses and parasites to spread across the world, far beyond developing countries, said Peter Hotez, the United States science envoy for the Middle East and North Africa, at an event in London, United Kingdom, last week.

For example, there are 12 million US Americans with a neglected tropical disease, but awareness of this is nil, he told the British Society for Parasitologys spring meeting on 12 April.

We must put more pressure on leaders to take care of the health of their poorest people. Peter Hotez, United States science envoy for the Middle East and North Africa

Nowadays, you find most cases of neglected tropical diseases in booming countries that have remaining pockets of poverty, such as China, India, Mexico, Brazil and the Balkans, added Hotez, who is also the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in the United States.

Neglected tropical diseases, such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis, are rarely deadly. But the long-term health problems they cause can slow development as affected children miss school and adults miss work. A disease is considered neglected if it gets little international attention from either politicians or scientists.

Hotez explained that rich, middle-income and poor countries need to unite their efforts to control NTDs and tackle their development impact: We must put more pressure on leaders to take care of the health of their poorest people.

The UNs third Sustainable Development Goal says all people should live healthy lives. But many NTDs are on the rise, Hotez said. Schistosomiasis infection rates, for example, increased by 30 per cent between 1990 and 2015, the conference heard.

This situation could be tackled with better screening programmes and more international collaboration on identifying and containing disease hotspots, said Kat Rock, a sleeping sickness researcher at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. Rock found that the Gambian strain of sleeping sickness may be underreported by more than 70 per cent, as screening for this disease is haphazard and ineffective.

The high-risk people  the poorest or those who live in remote areas  do not participate in active screening, she told the event. But screening is so important, as you find more people with the disease, treat more people and thus take them out of the infection chain.

Conference attendees agreed that better collaboration on screening would also benefit rich countries, which are seeing more NTDs but are struggling to contain them, as many doctors do not recognise the symptoms.
[NAIROBI] Up to 13 climate change start-ups in Kenya have received a cash prize of US$82,500 for innovations that could help vulnerable communities.



The Climate Information Prize (CIP) awarded the cash prizes this month (6 April) to boost new solutions that use climate information and data targeting vulnerable communities in Kenyas eastern, north-eastern and Rift Valley regions.

The winning innovations have the potential to become vibrant and profitable businesses for sustainability. Slater Jonty, CIP

According to Slater Jonty, the CIP director, of the 115 innovators who applied for funding, 13 emerged winners. The 13 had the potential of reaching more people, were sustainable and benefited the vulnerable group, Jonty says.



The first prize of US$15,000 was awarded to Sam Owilly of Pawa-Farm for a project on climate conditions that enable farmers make informed decisions and improve farm management practices.



The CIP money will enable us reach more people in Makueni County from the 1,500 we are currently working with to at least 5,000. It will also help us scale up the project to the other counties, Owilly says.



Denis Odera of WeFarm received the second prize of US$10,000. WeFarm enables farmers access information on agriculture and climate change through text messages and receive crowd-sourced information from farmers.



With the CIP cash, WeFarm will trial providing climate information to all networks of farmers through text messages across the country in conjunction with the Kenya Meteorological office, says Odera, adding that the aim is to increase food production in the country.



Kyamatu Climate Smart Village of Grace Mativo got the third prize of US$7,500 for localised climate information for improved food security, water management and access to reliable energy to people. The other 10 runner up innovators got US$5,000 each.



The winning innovations have the potential to become vibrant and profitable businesses for sustainability, Jonty says.



The second grand competition, Tekeleza Prize will be awarded in 2018 with more innovators joining the 13 to compete for the jackpot prize of US$200,000, Jonty tells SciDev.Net. The challenge targeted the vulnerable communities because they are the people adversely affected by the weather and climate changes and often lack the means to protect themselves against the effects.



James Kongoti, director, Kenya Meteorological Department, says the CIP challenge used the climate information data from his outfit.

Michele Leone, a climate change specialist from the Kenya office of the Canada-based International Development Research Centre, explains that the challenge with the available climate change innovations is how to access them, understand and apply them directly to livelihoods.CIP will encourage more innovators to come up with ways to bridge the gap and enhance their resilience to climate risks, Leone adds.Anjali Saini, an expert from the Kenya-headquartered Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, says that CIP has opened doors for an innovative way of facilitating sustainable development and making communities resilient to climate change.This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Jupiter is going to illuminate the skies throughout the following nights, but on Sunday, April 17, the planet amazed onlookers by being nearest to the moon, according to the experts.

Giant Jupiter and the moon have appeared near to each other, according to Astronomy Ireland's David Moore. Moore referred to the large planet's alignment with the moon as the result of this line-of-sight. Realistically, the planet Jupiter is about 2,000 times away from the Earth than the moon.

The Jupiter and moon alignment, according to Moore, is among the most stunning sightings of the moon, along with other celestial bodies. Stargazers and astronomers around the world were excited about the event, and as Moore said, it was an extremely rare event that should not be missed by people around the globe.

Jupiter is currently in the Leo constellation but reached its highest point in the sky on Sunday, 10 p.m. Through binoculars, the fifth planet can easily be identified. Following this, Jupiter and the natural satellite will return on May 14, according to astronomers, Perf Science reported.

Based on some reports, the event, which was visible across the world, was witnessed by a group in Ireland through a close-up view of telescopes provided by Astronomy Ireland.

The special event took place at the Headquarters of Astronomy Ireland in Rosemount Business Park, Blanchardstown, at 9pm. Moore noted that it is just a line-of-sight effect given the planet's distance of 2,000 times away than the moon. Nonetheless, the public has seen both of the brightest objects in the sky, appearing beside each other in the most stunning display.

The moon had a companion last Sunday, and if people kept an eye on the dark sky, they would have found a striking heavenly body close to the moon. Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, was seen in its closest distance to the moon, bringing a visual enchantment to everyone, India Times reported.
A stem cell biologist at the Karolinska Institute is making a huge leap in preparing experiments that involve editing genes in human embryos. This type of experiment has started an international craze last year when a team of Chinese researchers declared they have made an experiment of this kind for the first time.

Frederik Lanner, the one responsible for the experiment, is not expecting that his work will cause people to react the same way they did last year. After a year of discussion about the ethical side of researches involving embryo-editing and quite possibly the passage of time, he believes that it has toned down the controversial angle of the issue.

Scientific American reported that despite having people understand these kind of works, there are still those who still have ethical anxieties over other reproductive-biology experiments. "At least in the scientific community, I sense more support for basic-research applications," says Lanner, who gained approval for his experiments last June.

Lanner was led to pursue the experiment when an experiment of the same nature was published this month making it only the second experiment to edit human embryos. The team was led by Yong Fan from Guangzhou Medical University in China which used the gene-editing technology CRISPR-Cas9 to start a mutation that will make humans resistant to HIV infection.

A bioethicist at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom explained that she doesn't think there is anything wrong with these experiments. She believes that the kind of work these scientists are doing isn't starting to what is still ethically controversial. "It's not seeking to create genetically modified human beings," she continued. The ethics committee of the university-affiliated hospital which gave Fan's work a go explained that two other embryo-editing projects doesn't seem ethically wrong because it will lead to improvements that could help prevent diseases., nature.com reports.
About a century ago, scientists discarded the findings of a study which showed that human limbs evolved from gills because it lacked fossil evidence. However, a new study revealed that human limbs actually share a gene with the gills of cartilaginous fish such as sharks, rays and skates. The study was printed in the journal Development.

Karl Gegenbaur, a German anatomist and a strong supporter of Darwin's theory of organic evolution, presented a theory that limbs evolved from the gill arch of cartilaginous fish in 1878. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the fossil record that can support his theory, according to Daily Mail.

Today, the researchers from the University of Cambridge have reinvestigated Gegenbaur's theory utilizing the latest genetic techniques on embryos of the small skate. They discovered resemblances between the genetic mechanism that was used in the growth of its gill arches and the human limbs.

The scientists said that the gene, which is called "Sonic hedgehog", plays an important role in identifying the form and number of digits and ensuring that everything is in the exact place. It also maintains the growth of the limb skeleton. "In a hand, for instance, Sonic hedgehog tells the limb which side will be the thumb and which side will be the pinky finger," said Dr. Andrew Gillis, the lead author of the study from the University of Cambridge.

New York Post reports that the researchers discovered that the Sonic hedgehog gene determines the development of gill support structures, which is called branchial rays. Neil Shubin, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago said that the rays are behaving like digits and what Gillis is seeing is that some of the genetic processes that shape and pattern gill rays are essential to the development of limbs with finger and toes. He further said that it is a very interesting insight.

Dr. Gillis said that the experiment could be interpreted as evidence that human limbs have a genetic program with gill arches because the fins and the limbs evolved by transformation of a gill arch in ancestral vertebrae, as suggested by Gegenbaur. On the other hand, he explained that these structures evolved distinctly, but re-used similar pre-existing genetic programme.

He further said that without fossil evidence, it remains a mystery. Hence, he stated that it is a fascinating discovery because it delivers evidence for an important evolutionary link between the branchial rays and the limbs.
Europa, the sixth largest moon in the solar system, has been discovered to be an ice queen. The quest for more knowledge about Europa has led scientists to convene in Paris to tackle different proposals for new Europa missions. Scientists have already been captivated by one of Jupiter's moons known as "Jupiter II" since its discovery in 1610 by Galileo.

According to BBC News, scientists have quite a number of ideas that could count as add-ons to the U.S. missions that are most likely to happen in 2022. The ideas range from remote-sensing instruments to penetrators. The aim is to punch a hole on Europa's ice-filled surface. However, the idea has to win the approval and support of the European Space Agency.

The organization based in Paris is on the verge of issuing an announcement to fill a medium-cost launch opportunity. The invitation will cover the full spectrum of space exploration and not merely planetary science. The exploration will range from as normal as remote-sensing instruments orbiting the moon and collecting data from above to the bizarre firing of burrow sensors into Europa's icy surface to study the moon closely, inverse.com reported.

Reports also have found that of all the concepts that were presented, the one that has been getting the most attention is the penetrator. The new technology is British-led and has already attracted the space agency's development money in the past. Airbus, which is a big European aerospace company, was responsible for the demonstration of what the technology is capable of doing.

In 2013, it shot a prototype into a block of ice to find out how the technology will perform at Europa. The result showed that the steel missile struck the target at 300m/s before coming to a full halt. "For a few milliseconds, it's quite a shock for the instruments," said Geraint Jones from the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London. "300m/s is around 700mph. Yes, it's very fast, but some of the instruments have been tested at these speeds and they survived. They worked to take data after the impact and store it safely," he said.

The ESA will be making the final call about the various proposals at the end of the month. They have already a plan to visit Europa during the flyby of the Jupiter Icy moons Explorer (JUICE) probe while making its way to the Ganymede moon. However, it won't get there until 2030.
It has been recently found that the global wind energy capacity will nearly double in the next five years. The market is largely led by the further growth in China; however the United States is also emerging as a strong competition in the industry. The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) said.

The energy council explained the status of the global wind industry in its annual report saying that the cumulative wind energy capacity was 433 gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2015 which was discovered to be 17 percent higher than the year before.

According to townhall.com, GWEC predicted that the number will double to approximately 792 GW by the end of 2020 as countries make great efforts to develop more renewable energy to comply with emission cut targets, the continuous price devaluation and policies to support wind power in the United States become more stable. Reports also said that the wind energy installed in 2015 reached 63 GW which is 22 percent higher than last year with China installing nearly half of the new capacity at 30.8 GW.

News Daily reported that in December of last year, approximately 200 countries agreed on a landmark deal to decrease greenhouse emissions from 2020. The goal is to limit global average temperature elevation to below 2 degree Celsius. "The Paris Agreement requires a fully decarbonized power system by 2050 if not before, if we are keeping temperatures below 2 C above pre-industrial levels," Steve Sawyer, GWEC Secretary General, said in a statement.

Aside from China, the Asian market will be led by India. New markets in Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Mongolia were found to be developing quickly. There have also been reports of new markets brewing in Africa and Latin America which are expected to be sources of growth in the next 10 years.

These are some of the things people at GWEC have been preparing for and have been closely monitoring to make sure that the goals they have set will be met at the time they have forecasted.
LAKE CITY, S.C.  When volunteer firefighter Amanda Healy moved from Ohio to Lake City seven years ago, she imagined a place close to the beach with palm trees lining the streets and having access to a lake near her home.

None of that happened, but Healy doesnt regret her decision at all.

A career in education brought her to Lake City. Healy was hired as a sixth-grade math teacher at J. Paul Truluck Intermediate School. Now she volunteers as a firefighter for both Lake City and South Lynches fire departments on top of teaching math courses at the intermediate school as well as a firefighting course at Lake City High School.

Though Lake City might not have met her original expectations, Healy said the combination of the people, her students and the fire department has won her over.

Ive never seen a community so close knit and so supportive of the kids and involved in so much, Healy said. I havent been able to move back because of that.

Healy moved to Lake City with her husband, Craig, in 2009. Craig, who works for the Florence Fire Department and volunteers for the Lake City Fire Department, would take Healy on every fire call he went on, and she would help out on scene pulling hose and supporting the crew. Working around her teaching schedule, Healy would also attend every drill session the department had scheduled.

I would just sit in the back and learn and absorb everything, Healy said. I decided I can do this. I want to do it. Im here all the time anyway.

Healy started volunteering for the Lake City Fire Department in 2011 and then joined South Lynches shortly afterward. During that time, Healy moved up the ranks, most recently earning certification at the Firefighter II level. Healy also has furthered her education, completing her masters degree in February through the University of Phoenix online. While she was completing her degree, she and her husband welcomed their first child, Ellie, into the world.

Lake City Fire Chief Randy Driggers said Healys dedication is what sets her apart from her fellow volunteers, along with the fact that she is one of only three female volunteers at the department.

She deserves the recognition, Driggers said. Shes got a lot on her plate. I dont know how she does it all.

Apparently, Healy was still hungry for more. In August 2015, she was hired to be a fire instructor for the Career and Technical Education program at Lake City High School. This school year was the first year the firefighting class was available to students. By teaching this class, Healy is able to combine her two favorite subjects: teaching and firefighting.

I love teaching it because Im seeing other kids get that passion, that fire and that drive that I have to go fight that next fire, Healy said. It makes me remember that passion. It kind of reinspires me again to go back and teach a new way to do something.

The course allows students who are interested in eventually joining the fire service to become certified at the Firefighter I level. If they earn their certification, students can join the fire department when they are 18 years old. Healy said the class provides students an opportunity to enter the work force immediately upon graduation, if that is something they choose to do.

The kids that will graduate can go get a job full time anywhere, Healy said. Thats huge to offer these kids. Thats a big thing for our school district, for our students and for our community.

To be able to enroll in the firefighting program, students must be at least 16 years old, have no criminal history, pass a fitness test and have good standing in grades in their other classes. Healy said she tutors her fire students twice a week after school if they need help in a certain area of study.

Driggers recognizes that Healy and the firefighter program pique interest for firefighting at a young age.

These kids are our future, Driggers said. She does a lot for these kids. The time we invest in them now makes a difference.

Healys words are parallel to her chiefs.

Doing something productive and investing into somebody means more than, you know, anything because you invest into someones future, Healy said. Lets invest in our youth. Theres excitement in the air about firefighting, and thats what this community needs.
With new programs coming on line right, left and center, the Pee Dee is on the brink of a golden age of health science education, and not a moment too soon for the regions health care needs.

From technical colleges to the Pee Dees largest institution of higher education, Francis Marion University, a focus on applied sciences to provide skilled health professionals to the region is a major trend in education offerings.

Its a reasonable direction for this region of the state to go, further necessitated by the fact that we dont have a lot of money in this region, FMU President Fred Carter said. We dont have money to expend making mistakes with the programs we create. Weve got to get it right the first time we do it, so we studied this extensively.

In 2006, FMU embarked on carefully building up programs, creating its bachelor of science in nursing degree, which grew last year into providing two masters-level degrees in the field: nurse practitioner and nurse educator. The school is well into establishing a physician assistant bachelors degree that is expected to accept its first students in 2016.

Carter recently said that the administration hopes to also establish a masters degree in speech therapy and a bachelors in respiratory therapy in coordination with Florence-Darlington Technical Colleges respiratory health associate degree program. With so many new applied science programs coming to fruition, Carter said that by fall the administration will propose restructuring so they will all be housed in a new health science school. But with all of these future advanced care professionals comprising only one part of the equation for delivering health care to citizens, FMU also has partnered with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine to bring third- and fourth-year medical students to Florence and its two major regional health centers  Carolinas Hospital system and McLeod Regional Medical Center  for rotations.

Its a fundamental part of it, getting more young physicians to embrace family practice, getting them to look at moving to areas of the state that are rural and serving underserved populations, but you know thats not really going to address the broad base and health care in places like the Pee Dee, Carter said. A very, very good solution to that is to produce more nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Meanwhile, other pieces of the puzzle still are being tackled at Northeastern Technical College, where grants from the Ryan Community Health Network enabled two programs  community health worker and certified medical assistants  to come online last year, in coordination with provider CareSouth Carolina.

This surge in educating medical professionals will help in general ways  like addressing a growth in health care needs due to aging baby boomers as well as a shortage of general practitioners over specialists that is being felt nationwide  but also will address needs specific to the Pee Dee. The mostly rural region is massively underserved, and some counties have few, if any, physicians available for the general public. The team approach, which includes a physician assistant or nurse practitioner working with an M.D., can broaden that doctors reach and also utilizes the unique skill sets of non-doctor advanced care professionals. For example NPs and PAs are usually quicker to see, known for better training in bedside manner and often spend more face time with patients than doctors do, looking at the many inputs that affect a persons health.

We are very interested in team-based care and continuity of care, said Todd Shifflet, the director of community development at CareSouth Carolina. We want patients getting to know everyone on their team, not just the primary provider, and the health sciences are very important to us from that point of view.

Educating these various types of providers in close proximity, like with FMUs future PAs and NPs working side-by-side with third-and fourth-year medical students in a soon-to-be-built downtown health science facility, hopefully will build respect and foster the team approach to care. In addition to a medical team having a broader reach and being more efficient, they are more economically sound than an M.D. alone because of visit costs as well as addressing small issues before they grow and become costly.

That model also works economically, Carter said. With areas of our state that are largely dependent upon Medicaid reimbursement for health services, that kind of teamwork works well economically. Its more prudent and realistic than grouping two or three physicians together.
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina finance leaders are weighing whether to require state employees to pay much more for their retirements to cover $16.75 billion in unfunded debts in the states pension system.

Officials with the state Public Employee Benefit Authority, the states retirement system, laid out several scenarios to state leaders Tuesday to help pay down the retirement systems debt.

The scenarios include requiring state employees to pay 11 percent of their salaries annually into the retirement system. Those workers now pay in slightly more than 8 percent of their salaries, according to a PEBA presentation.

The higher pension costs would affect more than 200,000 S.C. employees who work for state agencies, public schools and local governments, and are paying into the retirement system now. (Judges, law enforcement officers and members of the General Assembly have separate, smaller retirement programs.)

Representatives of S.C. teachers and state employees Tuesday criticized discussion of raising state workers retirement contributions, noting their pay has been stagnant since the Great Recession.

Theyre (the state is) not going to have any competent employees left because theyre going to run them all off, said S.C. State Employees Association executive director Carlton Washington.

Retirement officials described the increased pension cost increase for state workers as aggressive, adding it could be phased in over time if state leaders choose that approach.

Under that scenario, the public-sector workers employers  state agencies, city or county governments, or school systems  also would pay more into the system.

In another scenario, retirement officials said state employees might have to contribute even more  more than 12 percent. That money is needed to make up for investment losses and to offset lower projected earnings by the pension system.

Past aggressive projections of how much the pension system would earn on its investments have not panned out, contributing to the pension systems $16.75 billion in unfunded liabilities.

But Employees Association head Washington said asking workers to pay higher retirement costs would make the state even less competitive as an employer.

S.C. employees already pay more for their pensions than in any other Southeastern state and more than many private-sector employees, Washington said, referring to a compensation study released in January.

Ive had some teachers say their paycheck now is less than in 2002, said Palmetto State Teachers Association executive director Kathy Maness, adding increases in what teachers pay for their health insurance and retirement have outpaced salary increases and cost-of-living adjustments.

In the budget that starts July 1, the S.C. House has proposed a 2 percent cost-of-living pay increase for state employees. But, under that plan, state employees also would have to pay 0.5 percent more for their retirement contributions.

Officials with a commission that invests the states retirement money also testified Tuesday before the State Fiscal Accountability Authority.

That commissions leaders said the investments  intended to raise money for the state pension system  have underperformed.

Of the ailing retirement system, Gov. Nikki Haley, who chairs the State Fiscal Accountability Authority, said she does not want to leave to the next administration anything that they feel is not solid, consistent and good.

Haley said she would like to start righting the ship, and decisions hurt. Hard decisions are not easy.

House Ways and Means chairman Brian White, R-Anderson, said the state has put off for long enough deciding how to pay the pension systems unfunded liability  the amount by which its projected costs to pay pensions exceed the projected value of its investments and their earnings.

State finance leaders tentatively plan to meet again next month.

Haley said if the state is going to make major changes to its retirement system, the changes need to be right the first time.
A pro-Gov. Nikki Haley political group has raised $515,000 to elect legislative candidates this year that back the Republicans agenda.

Great Day SC raised the money from six contributors, including a pair who donated to a previous pro-Haley political group, according to a filing provided to The State newspaper. Only one Great Day SC contributor was from South Carolina.

Great Day chief Tim Pearson  Haleys top strategist, and former campaign manager and chief of staff  said Great Day SC, formed in February, is not ready to disclose how its money will be spent.

Great Days filing did not include any expenditures.

However, Pearson has been paid more than $1 million in earnings tied to Haley since she first ran for governor in 2009.

Pearson received $119,000 from Haleys re-election campaign at the end of March, according to records filed with the S.C. Ethics Commission. He had not been paid by the campaign since May.

Over the past seven years, Pearson has been paid $607,000 for running the governors two campaigns, $270,400 as her chief of staff in the governors office and $179,600 as an adviser to the first pro-Haley political organization, The Movement Fund.

Pearson, who left as Haleys chief of staff in October 2012, remains a presence in Haleys office. He attends her news conferences and other events, including updates with public-safety officials during the October flood.

He did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday about his compensation tied to the governor.

However, John Crangle, state director for the government watchdog Common Cause group, said lawmakers should regulate how closely nonstate employees, who do not have to follow state ethics laws, work with the governors office.

Its a political transgender problem. Who should get access to the governors office? Crangle said. She does not let you or I come into her office and talk about those matters.

Crangle asked if Pearson has the security clearance needed to hear briefings reserved for members of Haleys staff.

Pearson does not have a security clearance and does not attend those briefings, the governors office said.

After paying Pearson, Haleys campaign has drawn down almost all the $539,000 left over in her 2014 re-election account. The campaign had $39,700 remaining in that account at the end of March, according to its filings.

Great Day gives Haley a chance to push her agenda during her second and final term as governor. There are no limits on the contributions the political group, registered with the Internal Revenue Service, can accept from individuals and companies.

Pearson declined to say how Great Day would spend its contributions. But, last month, he said the group would not back the state Senate run of state Rep. Stephen Goldfinch, R-Georgetown, who voted for a House roads-funding plan that included raising the state gas tax.

Other likely targets of Great Day include Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, and Senate Ethics Committee chairman Luke Rankin, R-Horry. They have fought Haleys efforts to increase income disclosure by lawmakers.

Great Day contributors included Florida pharmaceutical entrepreneur Rama Mantena and New Jersey health care mogul Vivek Garipalli, who donated $872,000 combined to The Movement Fund, nearly half of the $1.8 million that fund raised overall.

Mantena donated $100,000 to Great Day, while Garipalli kicked in $250,000.

Other Great Day contributors included:

New River Auto Mall of Hardeeville, $100,000

Financier Rex Sinquefield of Westphalia, Mo., $50,000

Construction equipment dealer Yancey Brothers Co. of Austell, Ga., $10,000

Creative Solutions Healthcare of Fort Worth, Texas, $5,000
COLUMBIA, S.C.  Two Senate bills that would borrow about $2 billion for road and bridge improvements hit some committee potholes Tuesday with time running out.

The Senate Finance Committee debated the bills and concerns by some senators but took no action in hopes a compromise could be worked out by the time the committee meets again Wednesday, with four legislative days left before a May 1 crossover deadline.

Some senators said the bills may be the only hope this year for a large infusion of money into the state's crumbling infrastructure.

"To me, this is one way to not only help our interstates but allow these rural roads throughout South Carolina to get some attention," said Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh Leatherman, the bills' author.

But the proposals by Leatherman, who also chairs the Senate Finance Committee, on Tuesday exposed existing fault lines in the Senate on the issues of state Department of Transportation reform, rural vs. urban spending and gubernatorial control of the state's transportation system, issues that in the past have hindered a Senate consensus on road funding.

The bills would dedicate revenue from the sales tax on vehicles and state Department of Motor Vehicle fees to the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank, which could then issue bonds.

Leatherman proposed a similar measure during debate last month on the Senate roads plan but Senate Republicans, who did not want the bill amended, tabled the proposal.

The Senate in its roads plan has proposed spending $400 million more in recurring money each year from the General Fund on roads, a proposal the House recently rejected as inadequate to address the state's long-term funding needs. The House passed a budget that includes $415 million related to roads or DOT, with its leaders saying a long-term solution would have to be debated next year. In rejecting the Senate plan, the House proposed some different ideas for DOT governance, which the Senate rejected unanimously Tuesday.

Leatherman's bills do not raise any fee or taxes. Instead they dedicate existing revenue streams so they can be converted to bonds, with a resulting yield of 10 or 11 times the initial revenue. Leatherman estimated Tuesday the bills could raise a total of about $2.2 billion.

But such a plan comes with restrictions. The bond money cannot be used on maintenance, such as filling potholes, and the existing system limits financing at the Infrastructure Bank to projects of at least $100 million, with a preference for applications from communities or counties that provide a local match of about a third of the project cost.

The bank's board in recent years has been criticized for political favoritism and not spreading its financing around to more counties, a result, bank officials have said, of which counties apply and bring major projects.

Sen. John Matthews, an Orangeburg Democrat, sought Tuesday to open the process to smaller and poorer counties by proposing a project threshold as low as $10 million, with no requirement for a local match. He argued rural communities are watching as existing infrastructure and institutions, such as hospitals, crumble or leave.

"We cannot continue to dis-invest in rural areas," he told the committee.

But Sen. Tom Davis, a Beaufort Republican, said he did not think the Legislature should change the fundamental purpose of the Infrastructure bank, making it into a "shadow DOT."

Sen. Wes Hayes, a Rock Hill Republican, said he agreed that any large infusion of cash should be spread around the state and wondered if most of the money should be allocated to DOT for that purpose, with a smaller amount sent to the Infrastructure Bank.

He and others also said they wanted to see the Senate's reforms, which included giving the governor the authority to appoint highway commissioners and making any Infrastructure Bank projects be approved by the DOT board, part of Leatherman's bills, in case the House and Senate fail to reach agreement on the reform issue.

Sen. Vincent Sheheen, a Camden Democrat who has a proposal with Republican Sen. Larry Grooms to spell out the duties of highway commissioners and the transportation secretary, said placing reforms in the two bills is "pretty much guaranteeing this isn't going to happen."

"No way I'm going to support giving $2 billion to one person," a reference to the governor controlling DOT under proposed reforms.

Senators tossed out ideas to add to the bills, finally drawing a warning from Matthews not to overload them.

"If you keep it clean, we can fix some roads," he said.

Davis said his problem was not with the idea of borrowing the money but in how it would be spent, suggesting that perhaps Transportation Secretary Christy Hall could tell senators how her agency would like to see the $2 billion spent, rather than senators dictating directives.

Hall earlier Tuesday told a subcommittee she would have a concern if one bill passed as is because it would take away $65 million now used to maintain about half the state's road mileage. Those roads, which carry only about 7 percent of all traffic, are secondary routes, some of them in cities, some rural roads, that are ineligible for any federal money.

She said if the $65 million is removed from that program, there will only be enough money to care for 1-2 roads in each county.

Grooms, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, said he would not support the bill if it removes that money.

"We've got some of the most dangerous rural roads in the country," he said. "I won't be a party to taking any monies away from our current maintenance program. I'm not going to do it. I'll stand opposed to it. I'll take to the podium. I'll speak until the cows come home."

Sen. Joel Lourie, a Columbia Democrat, said while the choice is a hard one for lawmakers, he likened it to facing a table of hungry children and trying to save some who might die or feed those who are merely hungry.

"It may be robbing Peter to save Paul," he said. "I think it may be the only way we can leverage what dollars we have to seriously improve this infrastructure."

He said under the bill, money could be used to rebuild deficient bridges, which could save lives.

But Grooms argued the state faces dangers in not maintaining its roads as well and would not support sacrificing current maintenance for expansion projects.

One of the bills, which would could raise about $1.4 billion, would direct the Infrastructure Bank to spend most of the money on interstate expansion and improvement projects.

Sen. Nikki Setzler, a Lexington County Democrat, reminded the committee that the state's top interstate project, still unfunded, is the convergence of I-26 and I-20 in Columbia, what is known locally as Malfunction Junction. Whatever is decided with the bills, he said, he wants to be sure that project is addressed. DOT has estimated the project would cost more than $1 billion.

Sheheen said he was willing to work with Davis to find some compromise.

The Finance Committee hopes to dispose of the bills before taking up debate on the budget.
ELKO  Elko County graduates have gone on to earn recognition at colleges and universities.

Analisa M. Girard of Elko is earning a straight-A average as a senior at Oregon State University. She is majoring in Human Development and Family Science.

She made the Scholastic Honor Roll for the winter term. To be on the Honor Roll, students must carry at least 12 graded hours of course work.

Kyla Siri of Spring Creek was named to the fall Deans List at Pacific University in Oregon.

Siri is among 411 undergraduate students at Pacific University to achieve this high academic honor.

To qualify for the Deans List at Pacific, a student must achieve a term grade-point average 3.70 and complete 12 or more graded hours.
ELKO  The popular Mexican Folkloric Ballet will present their colorful dance routines at 5 p.m. May 14 at the GBC Theatre.

This year the group will represent Durango and Nochistlan, said trainer Valentina Ortiz.

Elko did not have a traditional dance group until Ortiz and friend Zita Sharek saw the need and created the program. They have been teaching since 2009 and now have about 50 performers.

The young people practice their dance routines every Thursday afternoon and evening at Encore Dance Company. Ortiz helps the younger children learn the steps and encourages the advanced students as they twirl across the floor.

The dresses the dancers wear are truly works of art and the public is not allowed to see them until the actual performance.

The actual dresses are super pretty, said Ortiz. We have a lady in town who makes most of them and some come from Mexico.

Tickets are now on sale for the May show. They can be purchased at Abbey Carpet or from one of the dancers. The tickets cost $10 and people can also buy dinner tickets for an additional $10. The meal will be served after the show and will consist of food and drinks from the various states of Mexico. The funds from these sales help keep the program going.

Sophie Lozano, a dancer in the group. explained why she likes the Mexican Folkloric Ballet.

Its pretty fun. I have a nice teacher and a good friend who dances with me.
ELKO  It is political season and that means signs will be popping up all over the county, but candidates are advised that they must be placed with care.

The Nevada Department of Transportation said political signs are not allowed on state road right of way.

In addition, federal and state highway beautification acts do not allow the placement of signs within 660 feet of a national highway system route or freeway, unless they are less than four by eight feet, NDOT stated. Signs larger than four by eight feet require an NDOT permit.

State road right of way often extends farther than people think. It can go beyond the roadside, fence line or sidewalk, so people should call 775-888-7000 or visit public involvement/sign rules and regulations at www.nevadadot.com before placing signs.

If a candidate or supporter place a sign and it is removed, they may want to call NDOT. State employees will remove signs erected in the right of way and store them at the nearest NDOT maintenance station for retrieval by the sign owner within 30 days.

Political signs are a very important part of our political process and rights, NDOT Director Rudy Malfabon explained. These laws are specifically about safety. Signs that distract drivers, block the view of motorists, resemble official traffic signs or interfere with maintenance of our roadsides are not safe, and we want to send out this friendly reminder to help avoid the potential of political signs interfering with road safety.

Elko County has an unofficial policy about political signs along county roads, said Assistant County Manager Randy Brown. The County wants political signs 25 to 30 feet from the side of the road and asks residents to not block the line of sight along a road.

People have been pretty good about it, Brown said. They understand we dont want them to be a traffic hazard.

Elko City follows Nevada Revised Statutes on the placement of signs and when they can be displayed.

NRS states that political signs are allowed in permitted areas along state and primary highways, and they can be displayed 60 days before the primary election and remain up until 30 days after the general election. If a candidate loses in the primary, the signs must come down within 30 days of the primary.

City code states no sign shall be placed that impedes the safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians, or obstruct any signs for traffic control, direction to public facilities, or for regulatory notice, warning or other public purposes. No sign shall obstruct the view of a fire hydrant. City code also states no sign shall be attached to any public utility poles or structures, nor traffic control devices, posts or signs.

Also, the state prohibits signs from being displayed within 100 feet of a polling location when voting is taking place.

Nevada law also states any political advertisement that costs more than $100 should disclose the name, address, phone number and Internet address of the candidate that approved it.
While the French line has been running trial calls with the 17,800 teu CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin between Asia and the US West Coast since December 2015, a plan to add another five sister vessels for a regular string from the end of May.

It would have marked the first time that a line deployed such large containerships into US ports on a regular basis, breaking the current 100% reliance on the Asia  Europe trade.

These plans appear now to have been shelved after freight rates on the FE (Far East) -USWC route plunged to record lows, Alphaliner said.
Robbert van Trooijen, chief executive, Asia Pacific region, Maersk Line, told delegates at an industry conference that shipping lines need to get accustomed to low freight rates and learn how to operate with lower costs.

We have seen declining rates of 2% consistently over the last 10-15 years, triggering the need of economy of scale so Maersk Line has been investing in larger ships to bring down unit cost, van Trooijen said at the TOC Asia conference held in Singapore on Wednesday.

He added that the GDP multiplier effect for container shipping has fallen from a multiplier of three in earlier times before dropping to two during 2008-2011 and further decreasing to just one since 2012. So if global GDP grows by 3-4%, container trades will grow less than 3-4%. A double-digit growth in container trades is not going to happen, he said.

Abdulla Bin Damithan, commercial director, DP World UAE region, noted that global container demand has grown by only 1% against the vessel supply growth of 8.5% last year, pointing to the overhang of tonnage.

In 2015, newbuilding tonnage of 1.7m dwt were delivered, which was a record delivery. In 2016, over 1.35m dwt of tonnage are expected to be added. Shipping lines are facing blank sailings and idling vessels, Damithan said.

In the face of growing challenges, carriers are entering into alliances and forging new partnerships, and industry consolidation is very much on the table. The trend of consolidation has seen CMA CGM in the process of acquiring Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), and the merger of Chinas two state giant shipping conglomerates, China Cosco Group and China Shipping Group.

Maersk Lines van Trooijen said the looming oversupply has led to low utilisation of ship capacity. Today, even at 95% vessel capacity utilisation, carriers can hardly make money. 99% utilisation is sometimes not even enough, and with approximately 20% downfall ratio, every carrier has to overbook by 20% just so that the ship can sail with full capacity, he explained.

Damithan said: "2015 has been challenging for container shipping and the outlook for 2016 remains uncertain."
Speaking to a media briefing in Singapore on Wednsdeay, James aBeckett, head of dry cargo broking for Braemar ACM Shipbroking, said: The market needs to restructure itself and you are going to see that with operators. I do think that the Japanese investment model of investor goes to a bank, borrows money, then builds a ship and puts that on long term charter to one of the major operators  that model needs to be reviewed.

He said that it would take until 2018 for this to play out.

This would include vessels built in the boom, that are highly inefficient compared to ships built recently, which as a result have been rendered largely redundant.

The control of vessels will return to the head owners and also the banks.

Were going to see vessel control going back to the head owners and back to the banks. Obviously theres a huge amount debt associated with that and the banks have kicked that down the road and thats the critical thing, and thats got to change, aBeckett said.

Denis Petrpoulos, president of Braemar Group Asia, noted that first rates have to return to a level where they cover operating costs, and capital expenditure. It is hard for banks to scream for their money when shipowners are barely paying their crew, they know their being over demanding would comprise safety, he said.

While markets have bounced back in the last few weeks, in particular capesizes, rates remain at extremely low levels in historical terms.

The underlying thing is the dry cargo fleet is incredibly modern and its more than we need and thats not going to change for a long time, aBeckett said.
In-keeping with the World Maritime Day theme of "Maritime Education and Training", the students learned about various types of ships, the cargoes they carry, regulations for ships and a range of careers in the maritime world, and took part in interactive ship simulations, leaving them more with greater knowledge of the industry than the majority of British adults.

Copyright  2022. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.
In order to meet a judicially imposed deadline, in September Interior Secretary Sally Jewell declared that the greater sage grouse  whose habitat stretches across 23 million acres in 11 Western states, including much of Nevada  would not be listed under the Endangered Species Act, but instead imposed a federal land use plan restricting beneficial economic activity in order to protect the bird.

The Fish and Wildlife Service, a division of the Interior, stated in a 341-page announcement that 10 million acres of public land  nearly a third of that in Nevada  would be taken out of consideration for future mining claims, as well as oil and gas drilling near breeding grounds and there would be additional reviews on grazing permits.

Elko and Eureka counties and two mining companies filed suit in federal court in Reno the next day, calling the plan arbitrary, capricious and unlawful.

Since then the state of Nevada, seven more counties, another mining company and a ranch have joined the litigation in an effort to block implementation of the land use restrictions.

Even though federal Judge Miranda Du has refused to issue an order suspending the land use plan, saying the plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate irreparable harm, Attorney General Adam Laxalts office has filed a 50-page motion for summary judgment, saying the federal land agencies were so intent on meeting a deadline and imposing a predetermined political agenda instead of making a scientific analysis that they ignored public input, which violates federal law and should void the action.

Though the objections of Gov. Brian Sandoval and the various counties were entirely ignored, the motion says three top Interior Department officials met privately, after the public comment period was closed, with environmental groups to obtain their buy-in on the land use plan.

The motion says the three called themselves the Grouseketeers and identifies them as Secretary Jewells top greater sage grouse advisors Deputy Assistant Secretary Jim Lyons, Counselor to the Secretary Sarah Greenberger and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Michael Bean.

Though an Associated Press account suggested the self-anointed Grouseketeers apparently based their label on the Mousketeers of the 1950s televised The Mickey Mouse Club, we doubt they saw their operation as Mickey Mouse, though the plaintiffs might. We suspect they were identifying themselves and their noble cause more with the original Alexander Dumas swashbuckling characters who defended the King of France.

The Grouseketeers facilitated a process that suppressed concerns of their own high-level staff who raised the same issues as Plaintiffs: the need for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), lack of scientific data to support new restrictions imposed at the insistence of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the failure to compile or review readily available information about mineral potential and grazing management on the lands at issue, the attorney generals motion for summary judgment declares.

The motion repeatedly cites Interior Department internal memos that show science was ignored in deference to a pre-determined political agenda.

The agencies omitted an entire body of science that demonstrates that properly managed grazing can be beneficial to GSG (greater sage grouse) habitat, the motion notes. Yet the Bureau of Land Management entered into the record an erroneous statement that there are no science-based studies demonstrating that increased livestock grazing on public lands would enhance or restore sage grouse habitat, ignoring the fact that the state and Elko and Eureka counties submitted just such published scientific findings.

The motion says one mine alone that is jeopardized by the land use plan could be worth $3 billion  1.4 million ounces of gold and 21 million ounces of silver.

Sandoval and other governors have repeatedly accused the federal land agencies of ignoring their input and stonewalling their appeals.

Laxalts motion says the land use maps used by Interior are woefully out of date and BLM officials knew but ignored it. Top Nevada BLM officials knew that roughly 26 percent (723,000 acres) of the 2.8 million acre Nevada SFA (sagebrush focal area) was not priority habitat  it included lower priority habitat and 75,100 acres of non-habitat, the motion says.

Fish and Wildlife says these restrictions are needed to protect sage grouse, though its own Federal Register filing states that over the last 15 years the rate of extinction of leks and the probability of recolonization of leks has been remarkably stable.

The judge could put a stop to this blatant fiasco in which politics trumps science, but will she?
Press Release

April 19, 2016 GRACE POE TO SOLIDIFY SUPPORT BASE IN MINDANAO Presidential bet Sen. Grace Poe will be in Mindanao tomorrow, April 20, to meet with local leaders and citizens from the southern cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, as well as supporters from the towns of Initao, Villanueva and Tagoloan, to share her campaign platform and be with Mindanaoans. As Mindanao is home to some of the country's poorest towns and provinces, Poe will be trumpeting a program of action based mainly on the need to eradicate poverty, which according to the senator is the root cause of many major problems like criminality and insurgency. She has earlier declared that one of her first acts as president, if fortunate, is to put an end to "endo," short for "end of contract," or contractualization, which she described as oppressive and discriminatory. Poe will be in Iligan City at around 7 a.m., hitting the ground running as she visits the Iligan Public Market. She will then meet with local officials of Iligan before proceeding to the town of Initao, where she will be conferring with LGU officials of Misamis Oriental and, subsequently, volunteer support groups from Gingoog, Jasaan, Claveria and Villanueva. Poe will then proceed to Tagoloan to meet with supporters and local officials before proceeding to Cagayan de Oro City for a market visit and a big proclamation rally at the SM Pueblo Open Field.
Press Release

April 20, 2016 Legarda Addresses Vulnerable Nations Ahead of Paris Agreement Signing United Nations Global Champion for Resilience, Senator Loren Legarda, will address today, April 20, members of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) in a meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York. Two days ahead of the High-Level Signing Ceremony for the Paris Agreement in New York, Legarda, who is also Co-Head of the Philippine Delegation, said that CVF member states must unite in ensuring the early entry into force of the Agreement. "Two days from now, representatives of nations will assemble to take us closer to delivering meaningful action on climate change. Our advocacies will not stop in New York; but rather, our efforts will need to ramp up as we strive to achieve the ratification by at least 55 countries representing 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It is only then that the Paris Agreement will enter into force," she said. The Senator explained that the Agreement is vital because national actions will be driven by the countries' ambitions and plans for carbon reduction. "The members of CVF are put in a unique leadership position in that our commitments and actions should inspire action from others, such as in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, and forest protection." "We cannot afford delays in carrying out our commitments because the more we stall action, the faster we reach the dangerous 2 degrees Celsius mark," Legarda said, stressing that CVF member states have already been experiencing the severe impacts of climate change even before warming exceeded the 1 degree Celsius mark above pre-industrial levels. The 20 nations[1] that first joined the CVF have recorded, collectively, an average of more than 50,000 deaths per year since 2010, a number expected to increase exponentially by 2030; and have experienced escalating annual losses of at least 2.5% of our GDP potential per year, estimated at US$45 ?billion since 2010. This is expected to increase to close to US$400 billion in the next 20 years. "The number of extremely hot days and hot nights has doubled in the last 50 years and extreme weather events have increased and have become more frequent, like typhoons with wind speeds that are around 10% stronger, as my country had experienced during Supertyphoon Haiyan," she added. "I call on my fellow parliamentarians in the CVF and everyone who values life and our future -- let us continue to rally our networks, organizations, and civil society in ensuring that our governments keep the promises they delivered in Paris," said Legarda. In her capacity as the UN Global Champion for Resilience and Chairperson of the Philippine Senate's Committee on Climate Change, Legarda wrote parliamentarians of CVF member countries, encouraging them to ratify the Paris Agreement as soon as possible for its early entry into force. "The early legislative action by the entirety of the CVF membership would send a clear signal to the international community, encouraging highly industrialized economies, major emitting nations and all countries to follow suit," said Legarda. The Philippines is the current Chair of the CVF, an international partnership of countries highly vulnerable to climate change. The Forum serves as a cooperation platform for participating governments to act together to deal with climate change. It currently has 43 member states. CVF members Fiji, Palau, Marshall Islands and Maldives were the first countries to ratify the Paris Agreement.
Press Release

April 20, 2016 INFLUENTIAL FIL-CHINESE GROUP FETES BONGBONG MARCOS Noting the crucial role his father played in strengthening the relationship between the government and the Chinese community in the country, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) feted vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. during a forum in Manila late Tuesday. The FFCCCII had invited Marcos to address the 160-member organization composed of renowned Filipino-Chinese businessmen and civic leaders all over the Philippines during its Leadership Forum in Binondo, the center of Filipino-Chinese trading in the country. Those in attendance included Dr. Lucio Tan, FFCCCII Chairman Emeritus, and Honorary Presidents Alfonso Siy, Domingo Lee, Vicente Yu, Robin Sy, Francis Chua, Alfonso Cui and John Tan, among others. The group noted that the late President Ferdinand Marcos has made it possible for many of their officers and members to stay in the country legally during his term when he issued several decrees on naturalization. The group also stated that the elder Marcos further strengthened Filipino-Chinese relations when he supported export promotion, trade, agricultural exchange, education and other partnership programs during his term. "The late President Marcos helped strengthen our ties with our neighbors in Southeast Asia and opened opportunities for many of us," the group said. On Marcos' vice presidential bid, the FFCCCII it believed in his capabilities and wished him the best. "We wish you all the best in this coming elections," the group said. Also invited to address the forum was senatorial candidate Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. Marcos, for his part, thanked the group for the invitation and warm welcome saying the Filipino-Chinese community has been a cornerstone of the Philippine economy. "We recognize the part you have played not only in the economic and cultural aspects but the whole Philippine society," he said. He added that if he gets elected to the vice presidency, he will bring back the concept of nation-building through infrastructure development not only to create jobs but spur business. Marcos has been pushing for massive government investment in "business-driven" infrastructures or those that would provide a suitable environment to encourage expansion of private business enterprises. "By infrastructure, I mean not only roads and bridges but also schools, power generation plants, water system and including our Internet service, which is the second slowest in the world," Marcos said. He noted that government and business must forge better partnerships to carry out vital programs for the people. While the government must provide the necessary atmosphere for private businesses to flourish, Marcos added it must also ensure adequate protection for our workers. In particular, Marcos said laws against contractualization must be enforced strictly. "We need to unite once again for nation-building, a word I haven't heard for a long time. With your support we can make our nation great once again," he said.
Press Release

April 20, 2016 RETIRED GENERALS, COLONELS, OTHER UNIFORMED OFFICERS

THROW SUPPORT BEHIND BONGBONG MARCOS Pledges of support continue to pour into the vice presidential bid of Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. Retired generals, colonels and other ranking officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines late Tuesday threw their "unequivocal support" to his bid for the second highest position. Retired uniformed officers, led by former AFP Chief of Staff Benjamin Santiago hosted a dinner for the senator in Makati City to express their support to his candidacy. Santiago said his group is composed of four former chiefs of staff, three former major service commanders and other major commanders of the different forces of the AFP. Those present included former AFP Chiefs of Staff retired Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, Brig. Gen. Florencio Junio and retired Major Gen. Rene Samonte, Commander of Philippine Air Force among others " "We are privileged to introduce to you the next Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines, Senator Bongbong Marcos!," Defensor declared to the roaring applause of the more than 200 people in attendance. "Si Bongbong is matagal na sa pulitika at I have seen, I have felt what it is like to be a candidate and I will tell you napakalayo ng lamang nya sa mga kalaban na kapag natalo si Bongbong ngayong halalan, sya ay dinaya," he said. He further stated that even if Marcos is leading in the surveys, the results do not reflect the true sentiment of the voters. "Nakikita natin na mataas sya sa survey pero binabawasan pa yan kasi natatakot ang mga kalaban. Masyadong madikit," he said. Defensor also thanked Marcos for taking care of his sister, his presidential running mate Miriam Defensor Santiago, in the campaign. "I have never someone take care of my sister in the campaign and that is the reason why I am returning the favor," he said. Marcos, in his speech, expressed his gratitude to the endorsement of the retired officers saying they are the prime example of his message for national unity. "You are the only people in government who have pledged to lay their lives on the line and you have shown what unity can do for the country's welfare and this is my very message to the Filipino people - that our nation can be great once again if only we forget about the divisiveness of politics and work together to give our people a progressive future," he said.
Press Release

April 20, 2016 SEN. GRACE POE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

Punto Asintado hosted by Erwin Tulfo and Martin Andanar ERWIN TULFO: Magandang umaga po, Senator Grace, ma'am. SEN. GRACE POE: Hi, magandang umaga, Erwin at Martin, sa muling pagkakataon at sa lahat ng nakikinig, magandang umaga po. Erwin: Pwede bang gayahin itong ginawa sa India, ma'am, na (ang mga) hindi nagbabayad ng mga buwis pinapadalhan ng drum and bugle 'yung bahay para magbayad ng buwis? MARTIN ANDANAR: Para mapahiya. Erwin: Palagay ko maganda 'yan, pagka kayo ho ay maluklok, ma'am, padalhan ng BIR ng drum and bugle corps 'yung isang bahay na negosyo o negosyante o tao na ayaw magbayad ng buwis, Senator Grace. POE: Para sa akin, ano, kailangan talaga magbayad ng buwis lalong-lalo na kung merong malaking negosyo o may negosyo. Pero ayusin muna natin 'yung sistema ng buwis sa ating bansa. 'Yun 'yong problema e, parang hinahabol natin 'yung mga ibang maliliit pero 'yung iba naman na malalaki hindi, tapos ang taas-taas pa ng buwis sa ating bayan. Para sa akin kasi talagang gusto ko babaan naman natin nang konti sapagkat, ikumpara mo sa ibang bansa Asya, tayo na 'yung pinakamataas o isa sa pinakamataas e. So, isa 'yon, dapat magkaroon muna ng pagbabago sa BIR. Dapat talagang mapapagkatiwalaan ang mga naroon bago tayo gumawa ng mga hakbang na parusahan 'yung ating mga kababayan. Erwin: Yes, ma'am. Hindi ho ba, ma'am, diyan sa Senado inaprubahan ho ninyo 'yung tungkol sa income tax, pagpapababa ng income tax ng mga indibidwal na hindi inaprubahan po ng gobyerno, pero kayo sa Senado inaprubahan ninyo dahil nakita ninyo na pwede, 'di ho ba? POE: Opo, 'yon po talaga ang ginawa namin sapagkat... Si Senator Sonny Angara nga 'yung nagpaumpisa 'non pero hindi po 'yan kasi pinayagan din, na-veto yata 'yung bill na 'yon. Erwin: Opo. Pero pwede, ma'am, kung talagang gugustuhin? Kung saka-sakaling palarin kayo diyan, ma'am, ay pwede bang babaan itong mga buwis na ito? At saka 'yung mga sinasabing SSS na 'yan ay taasan naman, dagdagan ng P2,000? I'm sure pumasa po sa inyo diyan sa Senado 'yan noon, so I'm sure siguro lulusot na 'yan 'pag nagpalit na ho ng gobyerno? POE: 'Yon po talaga 'yung balak namin, na talagang babaan ang buwis, lalong-lalo na may teachers, halimbawa, kumikita ng twenty-six-hindi. Kumikita ang isang teacher ng P18,000 a month, pagdating po ng isang taon, ang ibinabayad nila halos P26,000 para sa taxes... Erwin: P26,000, ma'am? Diyos ko... POE: P26,000. E akalain mo 'yon? Ano ba ang pwedeng bilhin ng P26,000? Tuition ng anak mo, pwede kang bumili ng pagkain, pambayad ng kuryente ng ilang buwan... Kaya nga po malaking bagay talaga na pababain natin. Erwin: Mapupunta lang po sa ano 'yung mga-pagpapautang-mga loan site, doon napupunta, kawawa naman... POE: Oo nga. Erwin: Anyway, Senator Grace, kaya nga po kami napatawag ay may bago ho kayong ad na napanood po ng mga kababayan natin. It's about-ang tono ho ay women equality. Bakit po? May last 19 days to go, bakit naglabas pa ho kayo ng ganoong ad, Senator Grace? Is it about somebody, or is it just a message to tell everyone na in your administration, everybody is equal including the women? POE: Actually po, matagal na namin talaga 'yang adbokasiya, na pantay-pantay dapat lahat. Sa mga darating na araw, meron din akong isa pang lalabas na ad tungkol naman sa isang adbokasiya, kaya... Kasi, siyempre, ngayon na nag-iisip ang ating mga kababayan-sino ang karapat-dapat, sino ang susuportahan-responsibilidad din namin ilabas kung ano ba 'yung aming mga ipaglalaban para sa kanila. So 'yon po ay kasama po ng aming pagpapakilala ng plataporma. Pero totoo naman po, dapat naman talaga iginagalang ang lahat, lalo na ang mga kababaihan. At nais ko nga palang batiin si Tita Caring kung nakikinig. Erwin: Ay, naku, oo... Ma'am, may isa pa po pala. In the past few days, we've been trying to get in touch with you. Hihingi lang kami sana ni Pareng Martin ng reaction kasi, hindi ho ba, under sa inyo itong transportation? Itong, ngayon, nangyari na itong nakawan naman. Nandiyan na ho kayo ngayon, medyo hindi na ho naimbestigahan ito; sabi ng DOTC imbestigahan, awa ng Diyos wala pa ring nangyayari. May nanakawan na ho diyan na kapatid ni Pacquiao at saka 'yung ilan pang mga pasahero, nagkaroon ng brownout. Kaliwa't kanan na po ang problema diyan sa NAIA natin, susmaryosep, Senadora. POE: Alam mo, talagang sa ngayon mapapalitan na sila e-'yung mga nandiyan-sapagkat alam naman natin, pagdating ng Mayo, sa tingin ko hindi na itatalaga 'yung mga dati nang nandiyan. 'Yung malungkot 'non, sa nakita naman natin, 'nung 'tanim-bala' dapat naglagay na ng mga CCTV. Hindi natin alam kung kumpleto na ba 'yan. Pangalawa, nagka-brownout pa nga sa NAIA e, so talagang hindi nakakapagtaka pero dapat talaga managot matagal na 'yung namamahala diyan sapagkat hindi nila napapatakbo nang tama 'yung kanilang dapat responsibilidad. Ako ay talagang naaawa rin sa ating mga kababayan. Dapat hindi talaga nangyayari 'yan. Ang airport ang una nating pinupuntahan 'pag aalis tayo-ang huli nating nakikita 'pag aalis tayo at ang una nating nakikita, ng ating mga turista 'pag pumupunta dito sa Pilipinas, dapat maayos. Erwin: Kayo ho ba Senator Grace Poe ay handang-handa na para sa ikatlong debate diyan sa Pangasinan, ma'am? POE: Alam mo, Erwin, ako talaga ay gusto ko na lang kausapin ang ating mga kababayan kung ano ba talaga ang dahilan kung bakit ako tumakbo. Sa huli po, sila naman po talaga ang magdedesisyon. At kung ano man 'yung mga alam natin para makatulong sa kanila, 'yon naman ang nais nating ilahad. Erwin: Ma'am, alam ko ho busy kayo. Nasa lalawigan po kayo ngayon, ma'am, sabi po ng staff namin. Is this correct? POE: Opo. Nag-land po kami sa Cagayan de Oro pero nandito na po kami ngayon sa Iligan. 'Yung ating mga kababayan- Martin: Iligan City? POE: Opo, nandito po kami. Erwin: Ma'am, panghuli na kami, baka mawala po 'yung signal natin. Reaksyon lang po, ma'am, kasi may mga natatanggap po kaming report ni Pareng Martin, 'yun nga pong mga nangyayari doon po sa Overseas Absentee Voting. Sa mga embahada nating konsulado 'pag nagboboto raw 'yung kababayan natin ay sabay bulong na 'yung manok daw ng administrasyon ang iboto. Diyan sa Japan 'pag nag-renew ng passport sinasabihan daw doon ng consul: 'O, si ganito tayo ha, kay Roxas tayo ha...' E ganoon daw ho, ma'am, tapos meron pa kaming... Ito pa ang mas masaklap ngayon, ma'am, baka may mga kilala ho kayo na mga kaibigan ninyo diyan na may mga VIP, ika nga, security na galing sa PNP. 'Pag nalaman 'yung pulis, 'yung boss ng mga pulis na 'yon na mga security galing sa PSPG ay sumusuporta kay Grace Poe, kay Binay o Duterte, kawawa po 'yung pulis na 'yon; laging pinag-re-report sa Kampo Krame, ma'am. Ano po ang reaksyon niyo ho rito, Senadora? POE: Nais kong ipaalala sa ating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno na hindi sila pwedeng magkampanya lalo na kung sila ay (nasa) isang appointed position o kaya regular na kawani. Pwede naman silang pumili pero hindi sila pwede talagang magkampanya. At sa ating mga pulis at militar, alam ko marami talaga sa kanila ay may mga personal talaga na gusto nila, karapatan ninyo 'yon. Kaya huwag kayong magpapagamit maski na kanino sapagkat ang responsibilidad ninyo ay protektahan ang ating mga kababayan. Martin: Alright. Senator Grace Poe, good morning, si Martin po ito ma'am. POE: Hi, Martin. Martin: Para po sa kababayan natin diyan sa Mindanao-sa Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental-saan po kayo papunta, ma'am? Saan po papunta ang inyong caravan? POE: Opo, nandito po kami sa Iligan ngayon, tapos pupunta kami ng Cagayan de Oro mamaya; meron pong Misamis Oriental. Sa Cagayan de Oro mamayang gabi, meron pong malaking pagtitipon, mga alas-singko ng hapon po 'yon. Kaya siyempre dito sa atin importante talaga mapuntahan natin ang lahat ng lugar at lalong-lalo na rin dito sa Mindanao. Erwin: Alright. Senadora Grace Poe, ma'am, maraming salamat po. Magandang umaga, mag-ingat po kayo diyan. Martin: Thank you po. POE: Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nakikinig, at sa inyo Martin at Erwin, thank you.
Press Release

April 20, 2016 1.7 MILLION JOBS A YEAR TO COME FROM MSMEs,

MANUFACTURING, TOURISM - POE Proving that her goal of over a million jobs a year is not impossible, Sen. Grace Poe bared plans to develop the manufacturing and tourism sectors, along with the country's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to create employment opportunities for Filipinos. Poe said her administration, if she wins, will work to generate 1.7 million jobs every year for six years as a concrete step in fighting poverty, the root of criminality in the country. "Sa aking gobyerno, sisiguraduhin ko na ang kahirapan ay mababawasan, kung hindi man mawawala, sapagkat bawat Pilipino ay bibigyan ko ng sapat na pagkakataon, trabaho, sapat na kitang permanente para sa inyong pamilya," she said in a recent campaign sortie in Bicol. As of January 2016, the unemployment rate was at 5.8 percent. Of the jobless, 45 percent were high school graduates. A third of the unemployed are in the 25-34 age group while 48 percent are in the 15-24. To create jobs, Poe said she will give small MSMEs easier access to financial assistance so that more Filipinos would be encouraged to venture into business. Of the 944,897 business enterprises operating in the country as of 2012, 99.58 percent or 940,886 are MSMEs. MSMEs account for 61 percent of jobs in the country. According to a study by Small Enterprise Assistance Funds, a New York-based non-profit investing in emerging markets, for every dollar invested in MSMEs, $12 dollars is generated for the economy. Poe also wants to strengthen the manufacturing sector, where workers could get higher pay compared to the agriculture and services sector. "Susuportahan natin na mas dumami ang manufacturing sa ating bansa sapagkat kung dumami ang 'Made in the Philippines,' mas maraming trabahong malilikha para sa inyo," she said during a visit to Laguna, one of the country's manufacturing hubs. The manufacturing sector, which comprises more than half of the Philippines' industrial sector, accounts for almost a quarter of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Poe also said she would support infrastructure projects that would strengthen the tourism industry, which contributes 1 of every 10 jobs in the country. "Kung ako ang magiging pangulo ninyo, hindi ako magiging kampante sa pagbubunyi kung gaano tumaas ang ating GDP at ng iba pang istadistika na numero lamang sa karaniwang tao. Ang titingnan ko ay kung bumubuti ba ang buhay ng mga nasa ibaba dahil iyon ang tunay na indikasyon ng kaunlaran," she said. Poe and running mate Sen. Francis Escudero have committed to allot P300 billion to agriculture, the Philippines' second largest employer and also the poorest sector. While it employs 31 percent of the total labor force, agriculture accounts for only 11 percent of the GDP-the lowest contribution to the economy. "Ito ang sektor na nagbibigay ng pagkain sa atin; at hindi lamang 'yon, isang sektor na tila yata napabayaan ng ilang dekada. Dapat mabigyan ng tamang lugar kung saan ang ating mga magsasaka ay hindi na mahihirapan magbenta ng kanilang produkto at hindi na kayo lolokohin ng mga middlemen," said Poe. Under her "Gobyernong may Puso," Poe promised that there will be free irrigation, more climate-resilient post-harvest facilities and well-placed agro-industrial zones.
Dog owners who let their animal foul public places now face fines or community service. ALVARO GARCIA

Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena has announced a plan to crack down on owners who allow their dogs to foul pavements, parks and other public areas.

They are going to be surprised at the toughness of the law, said Carmena earlier this week, adding that careless dog owners will face fines of between 751 and 1,500.

Scoop-the-poop campaigns Other Spanish cities have already adopted similar "scoop-the-poop" measures to tackle careless dog owners. In the Madrid dormitory town of Brunete, inspectors were sent out to monitor offenders, then mailed the droppings back to dog owners as a warning. Another town filmed owners who let their dogs foul the pavement, while a third location organized volunteers along the lines of "canine patrols" to inform offenders. The town of Xativa, in Valencia, has even gone so far as to create a DNA database of dogs registered in the municipality to identify them through their excrement, with the owner paying both a fine and the cost of the DNA test. Some Catalan towns are following that example.

However, under a new ordinance currently being drafted, the sanctions may be traded in for community service such as cleaning or sweeping the streets on weekends.

The mayor said that the city will deploy municipal police officers in two trial districts at times of the day when the greatest number of infractions are being committed. She declined to say when and where this would take place.

Explaining that the fine system was actually introduced by the previous Popular Party administration, a City Hall official said that owners unable or unwilling to pay a fine could opt for street cleaning in the capital Saturdays and Sundays, between 9am and 2 pm.

The move is part of a bigger plan by the Carmena administration to raise awareness about the need to keep the city's streets clean.

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The city also intends to crack down on litterbugs, with similar fines targeting teenage revelers who leave bottles and rubbish behind after holding so-called botellon drinking parties in the street. They, too, will be able to opt for community service or any other alternative measure with the aim of making offenders aware of how to behave in public places.

Calculations would be made along the lines of four hours of work for every 100 of the fine, and up to 28 hours for serious offenses, says City Hall.

By June, the new legislation will also apply to people who do not dispose properly of cigarette butts or wrappers, feed pigeons, sort through trash bins, spray-paint walls or city furniture, and urinate in the street.

English version by Nick Lyne
Press Release

April 20, 2016 Before PNoy steps down

Make June 30 nat'l deadline for return of Bangladeshi money-Recto All the loot recovered in the Philippines from money hacked from a Bangladesh bank should be returned to that country before President Aquino steps down from office on June 30, a senator said today. "That should be our national deadline. Before President Aquino returns to private life, we must see to it that all the recoverable money from that heist has been returned to its rightful owner," Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said. "Pangit naman siguro that the counting and the canvass of 54 million votes and proclamation and the inauguration of the new president will take longer," Recto said. "I am not saying that money stolen in minutes should be returned in minutes. There's a process to be followed. But it shouldn't take several long months either," he said. "Before noon of June 30, nasauli na dapat," Recto said, referring to the high noon rites on that day when the new president takes "his or her" oath of office. If the entire recovered amount will not be repatriated in one go for lack of court clearance, Recto said it would "still be okay if substantial tranches have been returned before June 30." "Kung ang pagsauli ay by installment, dapat malaki ang unang downpayment," he said. While suitcases of the cyberheist loot which ended up laundered in a Philippine bank and casinos have been turned over to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), its remittance to Bangladesh has to be cleared by the courts pursuant to law. "All the bags are packed and ready to go, kaya lang dapat may okay ang korte, " Recto said. Recto said Republic Act 10365 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act requires that monies seized from laundering activities can only be disposed via civil forfeiture. The law requires the AMLC to file with the appropriate court through the Office of the Solicitor General, a verified ex parte petition for forfeiture, and the Rules of Court on Civil Forfeiture shall apply. When the court has issued an order of forfeiture, any person claiming an interest on the seized funds may appeal that portions he is claiming to be lawfully his be excluded. So far, a total of $4.63M and P238.28M has been returned by casino junket operator Kim Wong to AMLC. This as a money remittance firm, RCBC, and even the state gaming regulator have all expressed willingness to comply with any legal order ordering them to return parts of the cyberheist loot which ended up in their possession.
Press Release

April 20, 2016 MIRIAM IN MINDANAO: WHY EXCLUDE ME IN SURVEYS? The rousing welcome from thousands of supporters in Davao City Wednesday made presidential candidate Miriam Defensor Santiago question the credibility of "commercial surveys" that do not reflect the campus polls she has been topping. "Gusto kong magtanong, pero baka ang sagot nasa Maynila. Bakit kapag nagtanong sa mga university kung sino ang gusto nilang presidente, the answer, left and right, is Miriam. Pero kapag commercial survey na-iyong binabayaran-ni wala doon ang pangalan ko? Nakakasama naman ng loob," Santiago said. She was speaking before a crowd of some 1,500 supporters at the University of the Philippines in Mindanao, the first campus she visited in the Mindanao area besides Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City, the venue of the first presidential debate. Santiago's U.P. Mindanao speech came two days after she topped a new pre-election survey conducted in U.P. Diliman. The senator was chosen president by 57 percent or 405 of the total 710 respondents in the online survey by Pulse. She was followed in that poll by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, 13.5 percent; Sen. Grace Poe, 9 percent; Liberal Party bet Mar Roxas, 7.3 percent; and Vice President Jejomar Binay, 0.85 percent. Some 12 percent of respondents abstained. Santiago has earlier discredited the recent results released by the two leading pollsters, noting that her supporters have reported anomalous survey methods, particularly the exclusion of her name in some of the survey questionnaires. Her U.P. Mindanao trip caps Santiago's busiest week so far in the campaign. She jump-started her campus tour on April 13 with a homecoming in U.P. Iloilo, then visited Saint Louis University in Baguio City and the Bulacan State University in Malalos. At the sidelines of the commencement exercises in Bulacan, Santiago also confirmed that she will attend the third and final leg of the Commission on Elections-led presidential debates, which will be held in Pangasinan. "I would like to elevate the level of discussion there. Puro na lang siraan ang mga kandidato," she told reporters, referring to the ugly word war between the bets in the Visayas debate she skipped.
Press Release

April 20, 2016 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH

By SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO

Speech at the University of the Philippines Mindanao All candidates eloquently promise inclusive growth, but stutter when asked how they plan to achieve it. The answer is simple: We must invest in people. We need to educate them, take care of their health, and feed them so they will become productive members of a growing work force. Only by investing in people can we truly make growth inclusive. Education will be a cornerstone of my administration. We will educate the poor by institutionalizing Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program, including a provision that expands its coverage to include beneficiaries aged 15 to 18. We will bridge the classroom gap, both through increased public investment and improved private participation through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program. We will continue to support the K to 12 program, but will also make sure that it is in sync with all efforts in technical-vocational education and training (TVET). A recent University of the Philippines research, however, found that we must complement education with research and development (R&D) in order to make our human capital highly competitive and ready to partake of economic growth. I wholeheartedly adopt U.P.'s proposal of investing more heavily in R&D. The first budget proposal we will submit to Congress will have R&D allocation equivalent to 1 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). This will gradually increase, to 2 percent of the GDP by our last year in office. Key investment areas will include : Agriculture, particularly for the development of farming technologies and crop varieties that will help the sector cope with disasters and climate change; Manufacturing and micro, small, and medium enterprises, particularly for the production of more high-valued products from agricultural raw materials; Health, particularly to improve strategies for diseases HIV/AIDS; Renewable energy, to help address the country's power needs and achieve goals of reduced carbon emissions; and Environment, climate change, and disasters, particularly for hazard mapping, the development of early warning systems, and biodiversity protection. As senator, I have filed several bills aimed at creating an environment conducive to innovation and fostering collaboration among the government, the private sector, the academe, and research institutions. Unfortunately, these bills have languished at the committee level. Once elected, I will shepherd the following into approval: The Scientific Communications Act, which seeks to train scientists and researchers to better relay the results of their endeavors to policymakers; The Research and Development Efficiency Act, which seeks to establish under the Office of the President a Research and Development Support Committee to review regulations affecting research and development; and The International Science and Technology Cooperation Act, which seeks to establish under the National Academy of Science and Technology a committee that will identify and coordinate with international partners for science and technology. We will revise procedures on government acquisition of scientific equipment and the audit of R&D expenditures. The human resource arms of all government agencies related to R&D will also be better trained to hire and retain scientists and researchers. In order to invite Filipino scientists and researchers abroad to come home, we will increase the salaries and provide additional incentives for experts and specialists. We will also improve the work environment of Filipino scientists, not only to retain them but also to improve the quality of their output. I will also ask Congress to pass my proposed Pinoy Innovator Act, which seeks to establish a program to award prizes to individuals and entities who develop innovative technologies. If Congress fails to approve these proposals by midterm, I shall issue executive orders with the same effect. Gusto ko lang magtanong, pero baka ang sagot nasa Maynila. Bakit kapag nagtanong sa mga university kung sino ang gusto nilang presidente, the answer, left and right, is Miriam. Pero kapag ibang survey na-iyong binabayaran-ni wala doon ang pangalan ko? With a strong R&D sector, we can once and for all stop depending on advanced economies to solve our problems. I have no doubt that the Filipino, with divine guidance, can make anything possible. For as the poet said, God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines,

With never-failing skill,

He treasures up his bright designs,

And works his sovereign will.
Empty PP seats in Spanish Congress on Tuesday. Mariscal (EFE)

Since the inconclusive elections in December plunged Spanish politics into unknown territory, there have been a series of bizarre episodes. The latest came on Tuesday, as assembled Congress members agreed to cancel a session scheduled for today, when the opposition was due to question the acting government on a series of recent events, including the resignation of acting Industry Minister Jose Manuel Soria over the Panama Papers scandal.

The reason for the cancellation is the ruling Popular Party (PP)s continuing refusal to submit to congressional oversight, on the basis that it is a caretaker government whose mandate does not emanate from the legislature that emerged following the inconclusive election of December 20.

If the session had gone ahead, Spaniards would have been treated to the dubious spectacle of opposition politicians addressing empty seats, awaiting a response from absent members of the acting PP government.

Were not going to enter the realm of fiction and expect a seat to answer us

Aitor Esteban, Basque Nationalist Party

All opposition spokespeople accused the acting executive of being in contempt of Congress, and said that the attitude illustrates the way the PP has governed these past four years.

The image at the plenary session today is sad, yet consistent with [the PPs] track record, said Socialist spokesman Antonio Hernando. The prime ministers absence is the political epitaph of a person who spent his entire life avoiding the need to face his responsibilities.

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, a university professor by trade, said that it is unacceptable for the government and Rajoy to be cutting class.

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Albert Rivera, of the emerging Ciudadanos party, noted that this is the end of an era, and this is its picture.

No citizen watching us now would even think of not showing up for work, like the government has done this Tuesday, he added. Turning up is a constitutional obligation.

For Aitor Esteban, of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), the no-show captures the governments attitude, but he said the session should have been held anyway as a way to shame the PP.

Were not going to enter the realm of fiction and expect a seat to answer us, but it would be good to place them [government members] in front of a mirror and capture their portrait, he said.

Home free?

It appears that the acting government has managed to make it through an entire  if short-lived  term without once submitting to congressional oversight. Given the lack of cross-party consensus to form a coalition or a minority government, next week will be the last time that the legislature convenes before the king dissolves parliament and announces a fresh election, as per Spanish voting legislation.

No new meetings between political leaders have been announced between now and then, and the king has yet to call in party chiefs for one last-minute consultation before he goes ahead with the new call to vote.

Barring any eleventh-hour deal, Spaniards will be asked to go to the polls again on June 26, although polls show that the outcome will be a similarly fragmented political scenario.

English version by Susana Urra.
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Call it Green Wednesday.

The April 20 pot-imbibing counterculture holiday simply known as 4/20, which has its roots in the Bay Area, has taken on a more corporate hue as the medical marijuana industry has grown and adult recreational use has become legal in states including Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

You see all kinds of door-buster sales and discounts, half off certain products and strains, and very aggressive marketing by recreational marijuana stores, said Chris Walsh, managing editor of Marijuana Business Daily, a publication that reports on the medical and retail cannabis markets.

This years marketing efforts range from the mainstream and blatant  General Mills is going after Denver weed consumers with billboards for Totinos Pizza Rolls encouraging them to stock up b4/20  to more subdued efforts like patient appreciation parties with samples and discounts.

In states like California, where marijuana is legal only for medical purposes, Walsh said things are tricky. After all, this is supposed to be a medical product or medicine, he said. You dont see a day where Viagra is half off.

Amy Osborne/Special To The Chronicle

Even cannabis dispensary owners in the Bay Area who try to distance themselves from stoner culture acknowledge that 4/20 is a day they need to stock up on product, increase staff and security and brace for larger-than-normal crowds. They described the unofficial holiday as their single biggest day for sales of the year.

Its just like Black Friday, said Joel Freston, spokesman for Sparc, a San Francisco medical cannabis dispensary at Ninth and Mission streets. Well try to manage the crowds as best we can, but the line will go around the corner.

Sparc will offer percentage-off discounts and other specials on Wednesday, Freston said. Its pretty much like what youd see in terms of the discounts at Macys, he said. We try to carry as much as we can across the spectrum of products.

Origins of holiday

While hundreds of 4/20 events will be held in cities around the country, and even around the world, the Bay Area can lay claim to the origins of the unofficial holiday. According to pot-culture lore, a group of teenagers in San Rafael in the 1970s used to gather to get high at a designated meeting spot at 4:20 p.m.

Flash-forward nearly four decades, and a multibillion-dollar industry is born. While experts dont track sales figures specifically for April 20, they estimate that annual retail sales of medical and recreational cannabis in all states where such sales are legal will reach between $3.5 billion and $4.3 billion this year, up from $3 billion to $3.4 billion in 2015.

Marijuana Business Dailys Walsh said some businesses see up to a 60 percent spike in sales for the one day. But businesses vary widely on how  or whether  they choose to capitalize on 4/20, he said.

Amy Osborne/Special To The Chronicle

Some use this as a way to boost their sales or draw attention to legalization, he said. You have others that want to fly under the radar and not make a huge deal of it, because there is still a huge stigma around marijuana use.

Some California 4/20 events are also taking a more political tone this year. The state is expected to put at least one initiative calling for legal adult recreational use on the November ballot.

Marijuana advocate Dave Hodges, who founded San Joses first storefront cannabis collective, said hes using the day to speak at a rally in Oakland in support of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Sanders is the only major candidate to come out in full support of ending the federal marijuana prohibition, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. Supporters are urging 4/20 donations of $4.20, $42 or $420.

Initiative petition

Hodges will also be gathering signatures before the April 28 deadline for the Marijuana Control, Legalization and Revenue Act of 2016, a competing initiative to the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which is backed by billionaire Sean Parker and has garnered the most signatures.

But whether for politics or sales, 4/20 is a big deal, Hodges said. For people who smoke too much weed, he said, its a holiday like no other.

At the Apothecarium in San Franciscos Castro neighborhood, co-owner Ryan Hudson stressed the dispensarys medical credentials and its efforts to be a good neighbor.

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While the dispensary is offering 4/20 specials  two free joints for spending at least $85 and a chance to win a $1,500 gift basket by spending more than $150  its also trying to help clean up 4/20s reputation. The dispensary is giving away free vape pens to the first 100 people who bring filled 30-gallon bags of trash from Golden Gate Parks Hippie Hill, where thousands of revelers in years past have left mounds of garbage.

Mixed feelings

We definitely have mixed feeling about 4/20. Its a very busy day at the dispensary and its a day thats important to patients, Hudson said. But the Apothecarium is not about partying or stoner culture.

Flow Kana, a San Francisco delivery service for organic and locally grown marijuana, plans to use the holiday to orchestrate an advertising blitz on billboards, bus shelters, social media and through videos shown to passengers on Lyft and Uber rides.

The campaign is capitalizing on both 4/20 and Earth Day on April 22 to draw attention to small, sustainable cannabis farming, said Michael Steinmetz, Flow Kanas co-founder and CEO. Were in a battle for the soul of cannabis in California, he said.

Even the arts are getting in on the 4/20 buzz.

The Oakland Museum of California on Saturday opened Altered State: Marijuana in California, the first-ever museum exhibition to focus on cannabis. On Wednesday, admission will be $4.20.

Victoria Colliver is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vcolliver@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @vcolliver
Jurors in the criminal trial of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. can hear evidence about the San Bruno gas pipeline explosion  clearly relevant to the charges that PG&E violated pipeline-safety standards and obstructed justice  but wont hear some of the most graphic details, like the death and devastation it caused to a neighborhood, or view the wrecked pipe itself, a federal judge has ruled.

Avoiding accidents like the San Bruno explosion is the very purpose of the Pipeline Safety Act that PG&E is charged with violating, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson said in a decision late Monday over evidence at the upcoming trial. He said the blast also provides necessary context for the National Transportation Safety Boards subsequent investigation of the utility and PG&Es potential motives for obstructing it.

Avoiding prejudice

But Henderson said allowing federal prosecutors to focus on the explosion and its aftermath could prejudice the jury.

This is not a trial about the San Bruno explosion, the judge said.

He barred evidence about the deaths, injuries and houses damaged or destroyed by the blast, photos and videos of the scene, and proposed testimony by a firefighter. Henderson also rejected prosecutors request to haul the 28-foot-long, 3,000-pound pipe to the front of the courthouse for juror viewing  an exhibit he said would prove little about the facts of the case  but said prosecutors could present photos of the pipe if PG&E disputed the impact of the explosion.

In addition, he granted PG&Es request to exclude evidence of investigations by both the federal safety board and the California Public Utilities Commission that found the utility at fault for the explosion. The specific cause of the explosion is irrelevant to the federal charges, Henderson said, and if jurors heard that the state commission had ordered PG&E to change its practices, they might assume that PG&E is deserving of punishment.

The September 2010 explosion killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes in the Crestmoor neighborhood of San Bruno. It triggered a federal investigation that led to a grand jury indictment last April charging PG&E with 12 violations of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act, which requires operators of gas pipes to maintain accurate records, identify risks to lines, and inspect or test when pipe pressures exceed the legal maximum.

The obstruction charge involves an internal PG&E document that said the company would test older lines for welding problems only if pipe pressure exceeded the federal maximum by 10 percent, leeway that federal law does not allow. PG&E told the federal safety board in March 2011 that the document was only a draft that had never been implemented, but prosecutors said the utility had actually carried out its 10 percent policy to avoid testing lines, and obstructed justice by falsely denying it.

The state Public Utilities Commission has fined PG&E $1.6 billion, a penalty prosecutors are not allowed to mention to the jury. The utility faces fines of up to $500 million if convicted of all criminal charges. No company executives have been indicted. The trial is scheduled to begin April 26 and last six weeks, but PG&E has asked for a postponement to review evidence it says it recently received from the prosecution.

Tentatively allowed

On other issues, Henderson tentatively allowed prosecutors to offer evidence that PG&E cut costs on pipeline safety to enhance its profits, if a government witness can draw connections between PG&Es expenses and its lack of safety measures.

He also said prosecutors could introduce evidence that PG&E, under orders from the state Public Utilities Commission, upgraded more than 200 miles of pipeline so that it would be easier to inspect and conducted pressure tests on more than 650 miles of pipes after the explosion.

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But Henderson rejected a prosecution request to admit evidence that PG&E officials had publicly apologized for the explosion, saying the statements might be taken as admissions of pipeline safety violations.

In another split ruling, Henderson said Leslie McNiece, hired by PG&E in 2012 to improve the companys flawed record-keeping, could testify for the prosecution about the problems she saw and the resistance she said she encountered from top officials. But he said she wouldnt be allowed to testify that she was told to destroy documents and found a company map of the San Bruno pipeline in a Dumpster outside her office. The destroyed documents had little apparent connection to the case, and PG&E has copies of the documents McNiece found in the Dumpster, Henderson said.

PG&E on Tuesday did not comment directly on the ruling, but denied intentionally violating safety laws and said it is focusing on re-earning the trust of the communities we serve.

San Bruno City Manager Connie Jackson said city officials would have preferred the admission of more evidence and the indictment of one or more PG&E officials, but were pleased that Henderson had rejected the utilitys attempt to exclude the explosion from the trial.

But for the tragedy of San Bruno, there wouldnt be a trial, she said.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
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The billboards, bus ads and online videos popping up around the Bay Area this week look like they could be hawking beer or coffee or kale. Over a photo of a soil-covered hand caressing a tiny plant are the words: Craft farmers. Small batch. Sustainable. The California Way.

But the ads are extolling the California way of growing cannabis. And on this April 20  a.k.a. 4/20, the off-the-calendar holiday/celebration of all things marijuana  the new ad campaign is a sign of an industry simultaneously excited and a bit nervous about growing up, coming out of the darkness and going legitimate.

These should be heady days for cannabis farmers and fans, perhaps the last 4/20 when marijuana is not fully legal for adults in California. In October, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, a package of measures intended to provide more structure and clarity for the states loosely regulated, billion-dollar medicinal cannabis industry.

In November, at least one ballot measure legalizing adult recreational use of cannabis is expected to be before California voters. Unlike past legalization efforts, which were either underfunded or avoided by the political mainstream, one proposal is backed by billionaire tech investor Sean Parker and has the support of Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Threatened by agribusiness

Yet under the high hopes roils a bit of paranoia. Many small cannabis growers  folks who have been growing weed for generations in the Emerald Triangle of Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity counties, where most of the nations weed is grown  are worried. They fear that should the states voters green-light recreational marijuana, major corporations would buy up massive amounts of land across the state. And that these huge grow operations would crank out the Two-Buck Chuck of cannabis  a less-expensive but inferior product that could cut deeply into their business.

Small California farmers also fear competition coming from weed-friendly celebrity stoners. Entertainer Whoopi Goldberg, rapper Snoop Dogg and heirs to the late reggae icon Bob Marley (backed in part by Silicon Valley venture capitalists) all have branded cannabis products.

Leah Millis/The Chronicle

Thats where the $200,000, multi-platform California Way advertising campaign comes in. Funded by Flow Kana, a 2-year-old San Francisco company that started as a medical cannabis delivery service and is expanding into branding, the campaign seeks to elevate the reputation of the product grown by farmers in Californias weed country by branding it as something for the discerning palate.

Their point: These California farmers have been making craft beer for years while the big players would be cranking out Bud Light.

Plus, the California Way says these veteran farmers are growing bud in an environmentally sensitive way. For years, California environmental regulators and law enforcement officials have been sounding the alarm about the amount of chemicals pouring into the states waterways from illegal growing operations, mostly in the Emerald Triangle.

The hope is that branding weed grown sustainably in small batches will help the small farmers in Flow Kanas network stand out. The company hopes eventually to sign up hundreds of growers. With the new medical regulations rolling out of Sacramento, a lot of small growers are going to be leaning on each other for help and support and to possibly share costs.

Co-ops key to survival

Small co-ops are the only way that small farmers can exist, said Michael Steinmetz, founder of Flow Kana. Were trying to grow and build infrastructure for them. We can give them economies of scale.

Banding together is a template that some of the 50,000 to 65,000 cannabis growers in California have been exploring as they try to navigate the new, regulated weed world, said Sean Donahoe, an Oakland-based marijuana industry consultant.

Weve been seeing a lot of farms coming together, said Donahoe, who consults for both large and small growers and other industry players in California and nationally. They could come together under geographic appellations or other ties that bind the growers.

This is a smart and strategic way forward for a lot of small growers to take the next step forward, said Kimberly Simms, a San Diego attorney whose practice has specialized in cannabis issues since 2009.

Simms said cannabis farmers are more united in Northern California than where she lives.

You simply dont see that in Southern California. The growers dont see the benefit in coalescing, but that is going to have to change, she said. The marketplace will change. The consumer marketplace will grow more sophisticated.

Billions in sales

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And it will continue to boom. Last year, Californias medicinal marijuana industry generated $2.7 billion in sales  or 62 percent of the value of the national market, according to ArcView, a cannabis investor group that studies the industry. Should California voters legalize recreational marijuana in November, the overall medicinal and recreational market would grow to $6.4 billion in 2020, according to ArcView.

While the small growers have united, many major companies  possibly tobacco and pharmaceutical firms  and investors are waiting to see what California voters say in November. They are also waiting for a green light from the federal government, which considers cannabis to be illegal and classifies it a drug on par with heroin.

Banks also largely wont handle money from cannabis businesses. Until these two things change, major investors will invest only in the infrastructure of the industry  technology, water systems, grow lighting, etc.  but nothing that, as the weed world saying goes, touches the plant.

The biggest companies  the most well-known companies  are not going to make any moves in this space that is touching the plant until federal law changes, said ArcView CEO Troy Dayton.

He thinks the California Way campaign is great. Its also about building support for policies to ensure that small growers have a place in this growing and expanding industry.

Joe Garofoli is the San Francisco Chronicle senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli

Video ad

See a video produced by Flow Kana at http://bit.ly/1VAIW2r
Ausbanc chief Luis Pineda during the search of association premises on Friday. Samuel Sanchez

Following the arrest last week of a consumer association chief on extortion charges, most of Spains major banks have canceled the advertising they had taken out in the groups financial publications.

Except for BBVA, Bankinter and Caja Madrid, which refused to deal with the company, many Spanish lenders have spent years paying Ausbanc, a financial consumer association, to avoid a smear campaign that could have ruined their business.

Infanta trial not affected Fernando J. Perez The ongoing investigation into Manos Limpias will not affect the Noos trial, at least not for the moment, legal sources said. It was this group that brought the private prosecution that forced Cristina de Borbon to take the stand for tax fraud as part of a larger probe into her husband's shady business dealings. Manos Limpias leader Miguel Bernad, who was arrested on Friday on extortion charges, is believed to have demanded three million euros from the royals defense in order to drop the accusation against her. Legal experts said that Manos Limpias cannot be expelled from the case despite its leaders arrest. The High Court judge investigating Bernad has no plans to place the unions activities on hold, these same sources said. The princesss lawyer, Miguel Roca, reported the extortion attempt to the police.

Banco Santander, CaixaBank, Bankia, Banco Sabadell, Banco Popular and several smaller savings banks all admitted that they had ended their commercial relations with Ausbanc following the arrest.

Ausbanc president Luis Pineda was detained on Friday along with Miguel Bernad, the head of Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), an obscure far-right labor union known for bringing private prosecutions against high-profile individuals, ranging from former High Court Judge Baltasar Garzon to Spanish royal Cristina de Borbon.

Both men are believed to have been lodging complaints against individuals, institutions and businesses and then demanding money in return for withdrawing legal action, according to judicial sources. In Ausbancs case, Pineda asked lenders to take out expensive ads or face a storm of negative stories.

The suspects, who are longtime friends and politically on the far right, are being investigated for extortion, subsidy fraud, tax crimes, money laundering and criminal association.

Threatening letters

EL PAIS has had access to letters in which Pineda asked banks to take out advertising in his magazines, arguing that judges who slap people with fines were contributing writers. On several occasions, he threatened communications department managers with sending negative reviews about their own work to their superiors.

No Ausbanc representative could be reached for comment.

Give me 300,000 or Ill sink your firm Jose Antonio Hernandez Ausbanc president Luis Pineda asked the head of CreditServices for 300,000 a year in exchange for changing its negative coverage of the debt consolidation company following a complaint by an Ausbanc member. The money would go toward advertising, subscriptions and protocol, according to secret recordings of the conversations between Pineda and CreditServices chief Javier Lopez. EL PAIS has accessed passages of the recordings, made by Lopez at two of the three meetings he had with Pineda between 2005 and 2006 to try to stop the negative campaign. He told me that either I gave him the 300,000 or he could sink my business, says Lopez. I walked out of his office in shock. I talked about what happened with people in banking, and they told me to be careful with him because he was doing the same with other lenders.

Pinedas letters to lenders reflect a variety of veiled threats. When the financial crisis hit in 2008, some banks were told that the situation is difficult, but nothing that cannot be resolved with perseverance and a bit of magic, with our help.

And if the magic did not work, Pineda raised the tone. In one letter he noted, just to show you my teeth, that he had hired a New York attorney who is used to slapping banks there with multi-million-dollar fines.

Other times, Pineda met with the banks communications chief and produced a magazine issue with the bank on the cover and a laudatory story inside. This is not for free, he told one bank employee who refused to use his name. When the executive noted that the bank did not pay for information, Pineda allegedly replied: Information? Youll see that the story can turn out to be very different if you dont cooperate.

Besides Spanish publications like Mercado de dinero (Money market) or Dinero y salud (Money and health), Pineda had magazines in Britain, Venezuela, Colombia and Miami.

Sources consulted for this story said they were never asked to pay in cash. Everything was invoiced through the companies that Ausbanc had set up for that purpose, including travel agencies, event organizers, legal assistance departments and the magazines themselves.

Ausbanc was flexible with contributions, allowing clients to pay a fixed annual amount or make sporadic payments, to take out ads (at around 5,000 per page) or to hire events.

English version by Susana Urra.
City College of San Francisco could become free for all students under a proposal floated Tuesday by Supervisor Jane Kim.

Kim said providing free classes would allow students from all walks of life to pursue their dreams, but it may have an even more important impact: to rebuild the colleges hemorrhaging student population, which has declined by 30 percent since 2012. Thats when the college began battling to maintain its accreditation.

Kim has yet to introduce legislation related to her proposal. It is contingent on getting a measure on the November ballot to increase transfer taxes on commercial and residential buildings that sell for more than $5 million  and voters passing that measure.

We may not be able to stop the luxury housing market here in San Francisco, but we can certainly ask those that are buying homes above $5 million and above $25 million to pay more, Kim said at a news conference on City Hall steps Tuesday.

Two CCSF trustees, John Rizzo and Brigitte Davila, also spoke in support of the idea.

The college now has around 70,000 full- and part-time students, down from 100,000 four years ago.

At least a fifth of enrolled students already receive a fee waiver to attend classes for free. For those students, Kim wants to make them eligible for free textbooks, transportation and child care.

A key supporter of Kims proposal is the American Federation of Teachers Local 2121, which represents the teachers, counselors and other workers at CCSF.

This proposal opens the door of opportunity for folks who need to rise up in our society, said Tim Killikelly, the unions president and a teacher at the school. This is an idea whose time has come.

CCSF spokesman Jeff Hamilton said the college did not have details about the proposal.

We appreciate Supervisor Kims efforts. We havent heard the details. We look forward to discussions with Supervisor Kim to learn more about her proposal, Hamilton said.

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Also on Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed legislation requiring the installation of solar panels on new residential and commercial buildings.

San Francisco is once again leading the nation in the fight against climate change and the reduction of our reliance on fossil fuels, Supervisor Scott Wiener, who authored the legislation, said in a statement.

The new solar panels can take the form of solar photovoltaic or solar water panels.

Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @emilytgreen
The San Francisco Fire Department begins a months-long celebration of its 150th anniversary Monday. April 18, the very date the city was almost destroyed by earthquake and fire.

Monday is a three-alarm event for followers of the citys history. Just after 5 in the morning  the moment the huge quake struck in 1906  100 or so people will gather at Lottas Fountain at Market and Kearny streets in a commemoration that has become a city tradition.

Not long after that, a smaller group will show up at 20th and Church streets to spray a coat of gold paint on a hydrant that prevented the spread of the big fire and saved the Mission District.

And at 9, the Fire Department will celebrate its own anniversary with an event in Union Square. The department will be putting its best foot forward  new fire engines, antique fire equipment, a demonstration of an aerial ladder as tall as a six-story building and warnings about the chances for another big disaster.

Flimsy boom town

Fires have always been a menace in San Francisco, a city with a wooden heart. All the famous buildings are steel and concrete, but most of the residents live in wooden houses  in the Mission, in the prized Victorians of the Western Addition, in the stucco-covered homes of the Richmond and the Sunset districts. Theyre lined up in rows, from the western hills to the ocean.

During the Gold Rush, San Francisco was a city built entirely of wood and canvas. It was a flimsy boom town if there ever was one. And on Christmas Eve 1849, a tremendous fire broke out. There was no defense, only men carrying buckets of water.

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That night, a special meeting of the City Council decided that something must be done. All the big men of the time were there: Harrison, Ellis, Turk, Steuart, Green, Brannan, Davis. Streets were named for all of them later. John Geary presided. Out of that came the first volunteer Fire Department.

But the raw, new city continued to burn. Between 1849 and 1851, six huge fires devastated the city. San Francisco burned so often that the phoenix, a mythical bird that rises anew from its own ashes, became one of the symbols of the city.

The volunteers did their best, but it was never enough. The engines were pulled by manpower and the water was pumped by hand. The firemen, young and fit as a fiddle, were the elite. Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a young society woman, was the patron saint of the fire volunteers in those days, the toast of the town.

But time marched on, and soon it became clear that the city needed more than volunteer firefighters. In 1866, the Legislature passed an act permitting the organization of a paid professional San Francisco Fire Department. This is the anniversary the department is celebrating.

Nathaniel Y. Downes/The Chronicle

Powered by horses

The engine of change was the steam pumper, too heavy to be pulled by humans. Horses, specially trained, did the heavy work. The fire horses were so good that, according to fire historian Bill Koenig, they could clear the firehouse in 12 seconds pulling a steam fire engine.

But San Francisco was a disaster waiting to happen. A huge blaze that destroyed the big Baldwin Hotel and theater at Powell and Market streets in 1898 exposed a weakness: There was not enough water.

Dennis Sullivan, the fire chief at the time, urged the city to set up a high-pressure water system with cisterns and reservoirs, but the Board of Supervisors turned him down. Too expensive.

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Leaderless department

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On April 18, 1906, an earthquake rocked the city  and broke the water mains. Without water, the Fire Department was helpless.

The city burned for three days: the biggest natural disaster of 20th century America. Sullivan himself was fatally injured, and during its greatest test, the Fire Department was virtually leaderless.

The city was rebuilt, of course, time went on, and in the haze of nostalgia many San Franciscans fondly remember the middle years of the 20th century.

The Fire Department itself became an institution, a band of brothers. In 1955, San Franciscos Fire Department was all white and all male. As huge changes swept over the city, the face of the department stayed the same. By 1970, there were only four African American firefighters out of 1,800 uniformed personnel.

The result was a long fight, lawsuits and bitterness that nearly tore the department apart. Now, according to the latest numbers, uniformed personnel in the department are 48 percent white, and 52 percent are from minority groups. Sixteen percent of the firefighters are women.

Its a different world, with an emphasis in the department now on other services like providing emergency medical help. But the department still holds to bits of the past, including wearing leather helmets. They look good, they are traditional and they are safe. We are not going to change, said Chief Joanne Hayes-White. Not on my watch.

Carl Nolte is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. His column appears every Sunday. Email: cnolte@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carlnoltesf
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Airbnb continues to think locally even as it expands globally. The vacation-rental site, which now lists 2.25 million homes in 191 countries, rolled out a new brand campaign with the slogan Live There at a splashy event Tuesday for about 200 hosts and guests at its South of Market headquarters.

The companys goal is to persuade travelers that its far-flung network of homes provide experiences more intimate and more local than brands like Hilton or Sheraton. Its research shows that people use Airbnb because they want to live like a local, the company said.

You stay in a hotel, but you live in a home, CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky told an enthusiastic crowd at Airbnb headquarters. You tour a city center but you live in a neighborhood. We want to change the way you live through travel.

The new slogan tells a story immediately, said Andrew Fay, president and chief operating officer of the Gettys Group, a hospitality branding and consulting firm. It says youre living somewhere connected to the environment, the community, your location, as opposed to just staying there.

Jeff Goodby, a partner in San Francisco ad agency Goodby Silverstein & Partners, had a similar take: It captures whats great about Airbnb and avoids a lot of the political issues people have about it. Its smart to elevate the discussion to a higher plane.

Those issues include opposition in San Francisco and other cities by housing activists and neighborhood groups who fear that lucrative vacation rentals drain housing for permanent residents and change the feel of local areas.

Airbnb says that its the antithesis of mass tourism, which Chesky called safe, controlled, predetermined. He showed humorous images of his parents recent trip to Paris where they battled lines at the Louvre, took photos of the Eiffel Tower, chowed down at Subway, and cruised on a big boat on the Seine.

Instead of bland experiences, Airbnb will offer a taste of real life, he said. This is the difference between seeing a city like a tourist and seeing a city like a local, Chesky said.

Theres a certain irony in Airbnb emphasizing one-on-one connections. When Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide complete their $13.6 billion merger, creating the worlds largest hotel chain, it will have 1.1 million rooms, half of Airbnbs offerings. The companys $25.5 billion private valuation dwarfs those of many chains.

Since its beginning, Airbnb has cultivated being the anti-hotel, said Armin Vit, editor of Brand New, a blog on corporate and brand identity. Even though they have more rooms than any major hotel chain, theyve managed to keep it feeling small, as if wherever you stay will be special for you.

Airbnb redesigned its app to fine-tune host-guest matching using machine learning; let guests search on neighborhood traits such as family-friendly, near transit, walkable or hip; and include guidebooks with insider tips from locals. Users can also select their preferred type of accommodation: not just houses or rooms, but castles, igloos, tents, treehouses, lighthouses or chalets.

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We fundamentally rethought the experience as if we had invented Airbnb for the mobile generation, said Alex Schleifer, vice president of design, in an interview. In 2008 when Airbnb started, the Web was its main platform. Now, two-thirds of all people making reservations use the mobile app at some point.

Two years ago Airbnb launched another two-word campaign, Belong Anywhere, along with a new logo called a belo that many people saw as a sexual Rorschach test. This years rollout drew less controversy.

For traditional hotels, making changes is like trying to turn the Queen Mary around; you cant do it overnight," said Robert Passikoff, founder of the Brand Keys, a brand loyalty research firm. Airbnb is more nimble. Theyre creating an emotional engagement with their brand.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid
Silicon Valley executives and law enforcement officials told a House of Representatives subcommittee Tuesday that theyre searching for common ground in the fight over encryption.

But their comments showed just how hard reaching a compromise will be.

Bruce Sewell, Apples general counsel, told a subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee that he works directly with his counterparts at the FBI and the Department of Justice, even as his company resists the governments calls to make its iPhones searchable during criminal investigations. In February, the issue reemerged after federal officials demanded that Apple help bypass the pass code on a phone belonging to one of the shooters in Decembers San Bernardino attack.

But experts testifying at the hearing Tuesday said the issue was not as as simple as, say, cracking open a safe-deposit box at a bank.

We can create an access point, and we can create locks, Sewell said. But the problem is the keys to that lock will ultimately be available somewhere. And if they are available anywhere, they can be accessed by both good guys and bad guys.

Cryptography, he said, is the best way to keep people  and their bank account information, their medical records and their secrets  safe.

Capt. Charles Cohen, the commander of the Indiana State Police Office of Intelligence and Investigative Technologies, insisted that law enforcement agents need better access to encrypted data.

I have also heard so-called experts say that law enforcement can get everything we need with metadata. The short answer is: We cannot, he said. Asking a detective to use only the metadata to solve an online crime is the equivalent of asking a detective to process a crime scene by only looking at the street address on the outside of the house where a crime was committed.

Cohen added that in Indiana, if an iPhone 5s or newer Apple phone is offered to the state police, we dont even take that as an item of evidence anymore, because we know there is no technical way to unlock the device.

In the last six months, the FBI hasnt been able to access roughly 1 in 10 of the encrypted smartphones protected by pass codes that it has seized as evidence, said Amy Hess, the bureaus executive assistant director for science and technology. In that same time, the New York Police Department hasnt been able to access 102 devices  including a piece of evidence involved the shooting of two officers.

Both sides of the debate expressed frustration during the hearing, as did members of Congress.

Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat from Colorado, criticized Facebook and its subsidiary WhatsApp for declining an invitation to appear.

Its hard to solve a problem when the key players wont show up for the discussion, she said.

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A spokesman for both companies refused to explain why they didnt send representatives to the hearing but said the companies would remain engaged in the debate.

Sewell, meanwhile, tried to swat down a series of allegations that law enforcement officials made against Apple during the hearing.

We have not provided source code to the Chinese government, he said. We did not have a key 19 months ago that we threw away. We have not announced that we are going to apply pass code encryption to the next generation iCloud. I just want to be very clear on that, because we heard three allegations. Those allegations have no merit.

Hess defended the FBIs decision to work with outside security researchers  known as grey-hat hackers  to break into the San Bernardino shooters iPhone. But she admitted that she does not think that that should be the solution.

Sean Sposito is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer: Email: ssposito@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @seansposito
Wells Fargo is treading lightly with its regulators these days. For a good reason.

Not only are regulators forcing it to raise more capital, but the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Federal Reserve recently told the San Francisco banking giant that its plan to enter bankruptcy if needed was not credible. And this from the very institutions that practically begged Wells to absorb Wachovia during the height of the financial crisis eight years ago.

But instead of complaining loudly, Wells Fargo has adopted a more muted response to the feds. We understand the importance of these findings and we will address them as we update our plan by the October 1, 2016 deadline identified by the agencies, the company said. We remain dedicated to sound resolution planning and preparedness.

Wells Fargos tone could just be a reflection of CEO John Stumpfs natural diplomacy, a vast contrast to the bombastic rhetoric of Jamie Dimon, his counterpart at JPMorgan Chase. But more likely, Wells Fargo knows that whatever measures regulators force it to take to prevent another financial crisis are preferable to the nuclear option: breaking up the big banks.

First of all, despite the rhetoric emanating from Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, chopping up big banks stands as much chance as happening as President Donald Trump building his wall on the southern border and forcing Mexico to pay for it. Neither man has offered much detail as to how they would do it.

Mark Lennihan/Associated Press

In any case, we dont even need to take as radical a step as breaking up banks, said Peter Conti-Brown, an assistant professor of legal studies at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School and author of a book about the Federal Reserve.

The reforms in the Dodd-Frank Act  requiring each large bank to develop a bankruptcy plan and carry more cash and equity on its books to cover potential losses  will go a long way to prevent another financial crisis, he said.

Weve definitely made progress, he said.

But Sanders position has clearly resonated with a significant segment of voters. And in February Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari, a Republican who lost to Jerry Brown in Californias 2014 gubernatorial race, said he too supports the idea of breaking up banks. Supporters say doing so will lessen the chance the banks become too big to fail and thus need a taxpayer bailout should a crisis hit the economy.

Heres the irony: The federal government wanted needed  Wells Fargo to get big real fast in 2008.

At the time, the collapse of the housing market had dealt a severe shock to the financial industry: Bear Stearns was sold to JPMorgan Chase, Lehman Bros. folded, Bank of America took over Merrill Lynch, and Wachovia teetered. The feds first tried to get Citigroup to purchase Wachovia, then turned to Wells Fargo.

Normally, such a megadeal would take months to complete: Wells Fargo finished the acquisition in less than a week.

Thus lies the paradox with large banks. Wells Fargo was able to absorb Wachovia precisely because Wells Fargo was an enormous bank, with the necessary resources to complete the deal in such a short period of time. Had Wells Fargo not bought Wachovia and Wachovia failed, who knows how long the Great Recession would have lasted.

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Wells Fargo ultimately made out pretty well from buying Wachovia. From 2008 to 2014, Wells nearly doubled its customer count and saw total assets jump from $622.4 billion to $1.6 trillion.

The deal is the best merger of size, probably ever, Stumpf told me last year. This turned out to be just a terrific deal. We (inherited) great people, great customers, great communities. ... We couldn't imagine life today without it. It was the most difficult time in our industry, and (the Wachovia acquisition) was the best of all the ones I've been involved in.

Which is why Wells Fargo is not particularly interested in the feds chopping it into bits. During a recent conference call with analysts, Stumpf said the company has already divested some operations, including student loans and wholesale mortgages.

Even though our company has grown significantly, organically over the last seven or eight years, we have continued to simplify our business, Stumpf said. We shed businesses quietly that either didn't have scale for us or had a risk-reward relationship that was not consistent.

Trust me, folks. Wells Fargo would gladly shed some businesses and file more paperwork with the feds if it means preserving the greatest acquisition in its history, if not in all of banking.

Thomas Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: tlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByTomLee
Joycelyn Elders 15-month stint as the surgeon general in Bill Clintons administration is likely first remembered for its controversy. She resigned under pressure in December 1994 after suggesting that sex education classes should include discussion of masturbation.

But when it came to cannabis policy, Elders was decades ahead of her time  at least by Washingtons glacial evolution  as she was one of the first top federal officials to call for studying the legalization of marijuana. Back in 1993, three years before California voters were the first in the nation to legalize medical marijuana, Elders said it would markedly reduce our crime rate if drugs were legalized.

Republican Sen. Bob Dole was aghast, saying at the time that Americans must be wondering if the surgeon general is hazardous to our health.

In 2010, Elders again was in the vanguard of cannabis policy changes, becoming one of the few national top health officials to endorse Proposition 19, the legalization measure that California voters turned down that year.

On Feb. 13, Elders will be in San Francisco to keynote the International Cannabis Business Conference. She returns at a very different cultural moment, when polls nationally and statewide show support for legalization, which is likely to again be on the California ballot in November.

Plus, in December, current Surgeon General Vivek Murthy announced he was preparing whats believed to the first-of-its-kind study on the state of the science on substance use, addiction and health. It would look at both illegal and legal drugs like alcohol.

Last year, Murthy said We have some preliminary data showing that for certain medical conditions and symptoms, that marijuana can be helpful.

Before her appearance, Elders answered questions by e-mail via conference organizers. Questions and answers have been edited for brevity and clarity:

Q: Why do you think marijuana should be legalized for people over 21?

A: It is needless regulation of an adults choices. It does not impact others around an individual nearly as much as alcohol.

Q: What do you think the health impacts will be of legalizing another popular smokable product? What would the cost of that be?

A: Smoking anything impacts the health of bodies  especially lungs and respiration. However, more young people seem to be either using edibles or vaping, which has a lower impact on health. Further study and research needs to be done.

Q: What do you think the impact of legalization would be on low-income communities? On communities of color?

A: With legalization, we would stop using our poor to subsidize private prison industries. ... We should spend more money on drug treatment rather than incarceration. Also, states and federal government would not spend so much on keeping people warehoused in prisons, and could spend that money on education and community development.

Peoples lives could improve by not having the specter of a criminal conviction hovering over them forever, affecting child custody, voting rights, employment, business loans, trade licensing, student aid, public housing and other public assistance. The consequences of any drug conviction are lifelong and severe and are not experienced equally throughout the population despite comparable drug use and selling rates; African Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately punished for drug law violations whether they are for drug using or selling.

Q: What was the reaction you received from the Clinton Administration when you proposed legalization as surgeon general?

A: I didnt know whether we should legalize it, but I thought we should study it. So, I proposed that we study and research it. I was told that we were not going to study it or legalize it.

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Q: Have you advised any of the presidential candidates on the cannabis issue? If not, what would you advise former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (who opposes legalization) to say on cannabis?

A: I have not advised any of the candidates. However, if I were to offer advice, I would suggest that we get the best information that we can from scientific study and research, and make our decision based on that information.

Q: What do states like Colorado and Washington that have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use still need to get right?

A: Probably everything. They used studies and scientific research to get started, but there is nothing like learning from experience. I can imagine that they will need to adjust almost everything that they are doing in order to find the best paths to take.

Q: What have you learned from the early days of legalization in those states?

A: That public opinion can change and adapt very quickly.

Q: Californias Blue Ribbon Commission on Marijuana Policy recently said that even if cannabis were legalized there would still be an underground/street market for marijuana. What would you do about that?

A: I really dont have enough information on that area of the subject to have a personal opinion. However, a person can buy almost anything on the street, including Rolex watches!
For companies and shareholders, transparency is normally a good thing. In exchange for purchasing stock, investors should get to see a companys financial data so they can properly evaluate its performance.

But in the case of struggling retailer Gap, perhaps there really is such a thing as too much information.

The company is one of the few major retailers in the United States that still report monthly sales data, specifically sales at stores that have been open for at least a year.

We believe in transparency and prioritize frequent communication with the investment community, Gap spokeswoman Jennifer Poppers said in an email.

But that communication has been really bad for a long time. Gap hasnt reported a monthly increase in same-store sales, also known as comp sales, since March 2015, more than a year ago. In fact, the retailer has posted a gain in only seven of the previous 26 months.

We get it, Gap. Times are tough. And yes, its weird for a business columnist to call on companies to release less data.

But theres a fine line between honesty and self-flagellation.

Its not like Gap can hide its struggles. The Securities and Exchange Commission requires publicly traded companies to report performance every quarter and file an annual report. So you have to wonder why Gap would voluntarily keep reporting month after month of bad results, which can only further weigh down the stock.

Plus, its just very depressing.

I think (monthly reporting) hurts Gap, said Chicago retail consultant Brian Kelly, a former executive at Sears. Wall Street does not really need to have the monthly insight.

The move away from monthly sales reports started in the mid-2000s but gained momentum when Walmart, the nations largest retailer, said in 2009 that it would no longer release monthly numbers. The timing was not accidental.

At the time, the United States was in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Not surprisingly, consumers severely reduced spending, sending the industry into a tailspin. But something deeper drove the move.

Online retail giant Amazon had started to steal significant market share from traditional brick-and-mortar chains like Walmart and Target. And even though Amazon didnt generate much, if any, profit, Wall Street handsomely rewarded its stock based on strong future growth prospects. At the same time, investors punished the shares of mature retailers if they reported subpar numbers for one quarter.

We lost control of our story, said Brian Kilcourse, a former top executive at Longs Drug Stores. Our price-earnings ratio didnt mean s anymore. We were trying to boost same-store sales to jack up our stock price. We all became day traders.

So by eliminating monthly sales data, retailers have tried to steer Wall Streets focus toward the future.

They are trying to take the angst out of headquarters, to make life better so youre not consumed by day-to-day operations, Kelly said.

But the situation raises important questions on how to best measure a retailers performance in the digital age.

For more than 20 years, sales at stores open for at least a year was the gold standard for measuring growth. But the metric seems outdated given the exponential growth of e-commerce and fewer people visiting stores. And U.S. retailers are hardly opening tons of physical locations.

Old ways of measuring value are not sufficient anymore, said Kilcourse, now managing director of the RSR Research consulting firm.

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For example, people are using a variety of ways to purchase merchandise. Shoppers can buy something online and pick up in the store. Should that transaction count as e-commerce or go toward same-store sales?

Several retailers, including Target, Best Buy and even Gap specifically report e-commerce data, with Target taking the extra step of disclosing how much digital sales contributed to overall sales growth.

But breaking out Internet data does not necessarily say much either, because retailers e-commerce sales were low from the start. A retailer can say that e-commerce sales jumped 25 percent in the first quarter this year compared with the same period in 2015. But that percentage jump becomes less impressive when we figure out that the retailer generated only $1 million in the earlier period.

Kelly said retail performance should come down to two basic pieces of data: total sales and how well the company is managing costs. To measure the health of digital operations, retailers should also disclose the percentage of total sales that comes from the Internet, he said.

Kellys recommendations wouldnt really help Gap, because the companys store and online sales are both dreadful right now. But Gap should still eliminate monthly sales reporting to give it some breathing room from Wall Street.

No use pouring gasoline on a raging fire.

Thomas Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. He is the author of Rebuilding Empires (St. Martins Press), on the future of big-box retail in the digital age. Email: tlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByTomLee
Pharmacy employees dont need to be on Vicodin to legally dispense prescription opiates, but anyone who works at a medicinal cannabis dispensary has to be a medical marijuana patient.

Many in the industry say the long-standing requirement is outdated and even absurd, especially since California was the first state in the country to allow for the medicinal use of cannabis and is finally poised to start regulating the multibillion-dollar industry.

Right now it would be nice if we could just hire the best person for the job, said Debby Goldsberry, executive director of Magnolia Wellness, an Oakland club dispensary. My bookkeeper has to be a medical marijuana patient. Its limiting the collectives ability to be professional and serve our patients in the highest manner.

Legal experts call the requirement a vestige of the earliest medical cannabis laws. They say it also offers protection from federal law, which continues to prohibit marijuana use and distribution.

If you dont have a qualifying patient card, you could be in deep trouble, said Allison Margolin, a criminal defense attorney with an expertise in federal and state marijuana laws.

When California voters in 1996 passed Proposition 215, known as the Compassionate Use Act, laws were created that established patient collectives, nonprofit groups that were able bypass the federal prohibition on marijuana use and cultivation by limiting consumption and distribution to fellow patients or their caregivers. To be a member of a collective, individuals have to have a doctors recommendation. (Under medical marijuana regulations, doctors recommend cannabis rather than prescribe it.)

Different requirements

Other industries generally dont place such requirements on their employees, said Margolin, a partner of Margolin & Lawrence, a law firm with offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. How does it make sense that somebody should be on a drug if they are to distribute it?

Over the years, Californias medicinal marijuana industry grew and expanded from homegrown clubs to slick retail operations like Oaklands Harborside Health Center, which is widely considered one of the worlds largest medical cannabis dispensaries. What hasnt yet changed is the nonprofit setting and the patient requirement.

Last fall, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a package of bills that will regulate all aspects of the industry, from licensing and taxation to quality control and shipping, and will no longer require businesses to be nonprofit collectives. The state is also expected to have recreational adult marijuana use on the November ballot which, if passed, wont require users to get a doctors note.

Must have a card

But its unclear how quickly these changes will happen. The industry regulations dont go in effect until 2018. And marijuana continues to remain illegal under federal law.

So to avoid running afoul of the law  be it getting stopped by the police while delivering medical cannabis or getting caught in a federal raid at a dispensary  lawyers say its wise for anyone involved in the industry to have a medical marijuana card.

It is the one piece of documentation that when you show to the cop, the cop will say  Im not going to mess with you, said Hilary Bricken, a partner with the Seattle law firm Harris Moure, who heads firms cannabis law group. If Im an employee and dont have that (card) and get pulled over  Im not going to be instantly afforded the benefit of whats called an affirmative defense, which is an excuse for violating the law.

Since California led the way for medical marijuana use, more than 20 other states have passed similar laws. The states of Alaska, Colorado, Washington and Oregon have also made the substance legal for recreational use.

Bricken said other states generally dont require employees to be patients, and noted that the rule undermines the herbs medicinal claims. Its hard to say its legally a medicine when its treated like an employment condition, and you are able-bodied and in good health, she said.

So many hoops

Candace Wiggins has two jobs in the cannabis industry. She didnt need to be a patient for her job as a receptionist for Green Rush Consulting in Oakland, which offers licensing and other advice on opening cannabis businesses, but she had to have the card to work as an office manager at the Berkeley delivery service StashTwist.

I think it silly we have to jump through so many hoops, she said. I kind of only got my card because I wanted to work in the industry.

But Wiggins, who has suffered from depression, said shes managed to wean herself completely off antidepressants. Honestly I didnt realize it was going to help so much, she said, adding that she would be reluctant to take advice from dispensary workers who did not use the products.

Still, some employers said they would welcome the opportunity to shed the patient requirement.

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Goldsberry, of Magnolia Wellness, said she recently hired a registered nurse to work in the dispensary. While she was able to find a qualified applicant who also happens to be a patient, Goldsberry said the requirement is limiting. She said she cant even interview a job candidate in person at the dispensary who doesnt have a patient card.

Maybe the best person for the job doesnt have an existing medical condition, she said. We just want the most qualified employee serving our patients.

Cards easy to get

Michael Ray, director of Bloom Farms, said the patient card hasnt been a hurdle for the San Francisco medical cannabis company. He said virtually all 25 employees, with the exception of possibly the security guard, are patients because they come in contact with the companys vape pens and other products.

Ray, a board member of the California Cannabis Industry Association, added its easy to get a prescription card. It should be easy to get a medical recommendation, he said. We have plenty of other substances that are legal and dont need a doctors recommendation, and yet they kill millions of people a year.

While many people use cannabis for serious health conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, its clear the vast majority are using it for therapeutic rather than medicinal purposes, said Amanda Reiman, manager of marijuana law and policy at the Drug Policy Alliance in Berkeley.

There are certain things in place that are really relics and old paradigms that are just hanging around, she said. They wont be here forever.

Making do

Dale Gieringer, director of California NORML, the state chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said its unclear how long the transition under the new regulatory laws will take. The industry will make do in the meantime under the old rules.

I cant recall an instance of somebody who came to me to say I want to be in the industry, but I cant because I dont have a medical marijuana card, he said.

Victoria Colliver is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vcolliver@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @vcolliver
Yahoo reported Tuesday that its revenue plunged 11 percent in the first quarter to $1.09 billion, while executives defended their process for exploring a sale of the troubled search pioneer.

Yahoo reported a net loss of $99 million (10 cents per share).

The Sunnyvale company is under mounting pressure from activist investors to sell its core businesses and change its management team. New York hedge fund Starboard Value is even waging a proxy battle to overthrow Yahoos entire board.

Sources close to the process have complained that Yahoos board has been dragging its feet on a potential sale, not offering as much information as it should and not giving enough access to CEO Marissa Mayer and Chief Financial Officer Ken Goldman. But during a conference call with Wall Street analysts Tuesday, Mayer insisted the board is serious about exploring a sale.

Our board, our management team and I made the strategic alternative process a top priority, she said. They are leading a well-run process to achieve the best possible outcome to our shareholders.

The Yahoo team, Mayer said, has answered hundreds of questions during the sale process and provided in-person meetings to some potential buyers.

Weve been very thoughtful about running a quality process designed to keep interested parties engaged by highlighting the tremendous value in Yahoo, Mayer said.

Analysts said the potential sale could create a distraction for Yahoos management and board, who are also trying to turn around the companys sagging fortunes. The quarterly results Yahoo posted Tuesday were slightly better than many analysts predicted, but their expectations were already low.

Potential low employee morale and people more worried about self-preservation than about whether the next product is going to launch could potentially create negative sentiment within the firm that can ultimately show in the results, said Neil Doshi, an analyst with Mizuho Securities USA Inc.

Goldman said that first quarter results were at the high end or above our guidance ranges. Yahoos revenue, minus fees paid to search partners, was $859 million in the first quarter, down about 18 percent from a year earlier.

Search revenue declined 9 percent to $492 million in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Yahoos display ads were flat at $463 million.

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Yahoo reduced its workforce during the quarter, closing offices and canceling several products. Yahoo had 9,400 employees in the quarter, 21 percent fewer than a year ago.

The changes we instituted this quarter were necessary, but they were not easy, Mayer said. Despite these changes, along with the external noise, the company rallied to deliver a productive quarter.

Yahoo is trying to revive its business by investing heavily in mobile, video, native and social advertising. This category continued to show growth in the first quarter, generating $390 million in sales, an increase of 7 percent.

But analysts are concerned that the core business continues to decline.

We continue to believe that one of the greatest risks in the stock is the core being a melting ice cube, as a prolonged sale process draws on, creating questions for employees, advertisers, and partners, wrote Robert Peck, an analyst with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, in a note to investors last week.

Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thewendylee
A man who broke into at least five cars in San Francisco  a city that has been plagued by the crime  was arrested and charged with auto burglary, authorities said.

Jacquar McHenry, 25, was taken into custody last week by city police officers with a special patrol bureau task force that was formed last year after a dramatic uptick in car break-ins.

Investigators chasing a number of leads tied McHenry to at least five burglaries committed in the Marina District, Russian Hill, the Financial District and the South of Market area, officials said.

Police arrested McHenry in Oakland last Wednesday. After executing a search warrant at his home in Vallejo, investigators found evidence connecting him to the break-ins, as well as tools commonly used in auto burglaries, police said.

At the time of his arrest, McHenry was out on bail after being charged with breaking into three other cars on Russian Hill, police said. McHenry was also wanted for drug-related offenses in Napa County and was on felony probation in San Francisco and Alameda County.

McHenry had numerous prior arrests for burglary, possession of burglary tools, and auto burglary, police said.

In the most recent case, prosecutors charged McHenry with five felony counts of auto burglary, three felony counts of receiving or buying stolen property and two misdemeanor counts of possession of burglary tools, according to the district attorneys office.

McHenry pleaded not guilty to all of the charges on Friday, and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. The public defenders office, which is representing him, did not respond to calls for comment.

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Car break-ins increased by 31 percent in 2015, according to police data, driving a 17 percent increase in overall property crime. The task force was formed in August, a month after 32-year-old Kathryn Steinle was fatally shot on Pier 14, allegedly by a man using a gun that had been stolen from a federal agents car.

The officers, who primarily dress in plain clothes, saturate known break-in hot spots. Since the formation of the bureau, car burglaries have dropped by 33 percent, officials said.

Vivian Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VivianHo
More information Ecuador eleva a 525 los fallecidos en el terremoto y a mas de 4.000 los heridos

A fresh earthquake shook the northern coast of Ecuador before dawn on Wednesday.

The 6.2-magnitude tremor was felt for around 30 seconds at 3.33am (10.33am Spanish time), and was the biggest aftershock felt since Saturdays 7.8-magnitude quake that killed at least 525 people and injured more that 4,000. Around 1,700 people still remain unaccounted for.

The epicenter of the new tremor was 70 kilometers west-southwest of the coastal town of Esmeraldas, in the north of the country, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center told the Reuters news agency. It was not felt in the capital, Quito, which is 214 kilometers away inland.

No official information regarding the number of victims or material damage caused by this latest tremor has been released.

Most of the population in the affected area, on the Pacific coast, has been sleeping outdoors since Saturday for fear of structural damage to the buildings that were left standing. There have been strong aftershocks since then, one on Sunday measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale .

Ecuadors President Rafael Correa estimates the cost of the damage at around 2.6 billion, or 3% of the countrys GDP

The government says more than 400 members of rescue teams have begun to arrive from neighboring countries. Spain has sent a 50-strong team from its Military Emergency Unit (UME), which is working in the north of Ecuador. On Wednesday, some 12.5 tons of humanitarian aid left Spain aboard a military plane.

Meanwhile, the UN ACNUR refugee agency has sent tents, cooking equipment and plastic sheeting, along with 18,000 mosquito nets to help contain the risk of the Zika virus spreading.

Ecuadors President Rafael Correa estimates the cost of the damage at around 2.6 billion, or 3% of the countrys GDP. This will be a long fight, and we mustnt become discouraged, he told the nation in a televised address, going on to list the names of towns that will need to be rebuilt. The Red Cross estimates that between 70,000 and 100,000 people are in need of help and that up to 5,000 need emergency aid.

The president has also called on people still sleeping in the open air to head for shelters. We understand the situation, but people cannot live outside. The refuges and shelters are a temporary arrangement, because we have to demolish dangerous structures and build new houses, perhaps even new neighborhoods.

The government has also deployed some 16,000 extra police and military to areas damaged by the quake following reports of looting and theft.

A number of smaller, remote rural communities in the interior of the country have requested help, saying that aid has tended so far to go to larger towns on the coast.

English version by Susana Urra and Nick Lyne.
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The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco will jack up general admission charges from the current $10 to $15 for adults, a 50 percent increase approved by the Board of Trustees on Tuesday.

The spike in price will take effect July 1 at the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor, both owned by the city and county of San Francisco and operated in a public/private partnership with the FAMSF Board of Trustees.

The first price increase since the new de Young opened in 2004 was approved without comment by either the board or the public during the regular meeting at the Legion of Honor.

Before the vote, FAMSF acting Director Richard Benefield said the price increase was carefully analyzed by the finance and marketing committees and found to be much lower than other museums of similar stature, both locally and nationally.

Admission for seniors will rise from $7 to $10, the rate for college students will remain at $6, and for the first time all visitors under age 18 will be admitted for free, eliminating what was formerly a $6 category. Admission for members will also still be free. Annual membership dues range from $60 for students, $99 for individuals and $149 for families on up to $1,000 to achieve friend status.

At each level, the membership rate is $1 lower than at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. But single-visit admissions are decidedly pricier at SFMOMA: $25 general admission and $22 for seniors when SFMOMA reopens on May 14.

The California Academy of Sciences, just across the Golden Gate Park Concourse from the de Young, charges $34.95 for adults and $29.95 for seniors and students. The Asian Art Museum charges $15 for adults, and the Contemporary Jewish Museum charges $12.50.

The price increase is expected to bring in enough additional revenue to offset free first Tuesdays once a month at the Legion and de Young, as well as access days, in which anyone with a disability gets in free on Mondays when the museums are otherwise closed.

The de Young and Legion have kept their ticket prices lower by adding a surcharge to every big-ticket touring exhibition they book into their galleries.

A 2014-15 Keith Haring show at the de Young, for example, cost $46 for adults on weekends and $26 for members. Admission for the de Youngs J.M.W. Turner exhibit was $25 for adults, but members got in free.

In other action, the board had been expected to deal with a settlement regarding an investigation by state Attorney General Kamala Harris into a $450,000 disability severance paid to a retired engineer by FAMSF President Diane B. Wilsey without board approval.

A legal committee assigned by the board had arranged for anonymous donors to repay the museum. But the deal has not been signed off on by the state attorney generals office. The matter is still under review, Rachele Huennekens, press secretary for Harris, said Tuesday.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Instagram: @sfchronicle_art
He said it 24 years ago, with his needle-threading flair for having it both ways. I experimented with marijuana a time or two, then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton acknowledged in a 1992 television interview, and didnt like it. I didnt inhale, and I didnt try it again.

Clinton hadnt meant to do it, but with those few oft-quoted, politically expedient lines, he captured the ambivalence, paradox and hypocrisy-tinged doublespeak of American cultures prolonged and complicated relationship to marijuana.

From the government-sponsored scare tactics of the 1936 film Reefer Madness to the doped-out comic haze of Cheech and Chongs 1978 Up in Smoke, Richard Nixons Operation Intercept to Doonesburys Zonker, weve scorned and celebrated, stigmatized and mythologized the centuries-old allure of cannabis. When the late Nancy Reagan urged people to Just Say No to pot and recreational drugs in general, she plugged a finger in a dam that was already, inexorably overflowing.

Long cherished by musicians and writers for its purported liberating powers, suffused through the 1960s antiwar counterculture and embedded in the modern middle-class way of life the TV series Weeds so cunningly explored, marijuana is everywhere and ever present in society.

According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), 100 million Americans have used the herb, more than 25 million in the past year. The National Institute on Drug Abuse pegs the number at 22.2 million past-month users. Estimates of the economic scale of the marijuana industry cover a mind-bending range from $10 billion to $120 billion a year.

Whatever the numbers suggest (or disguise) about the scale and extent of marijuana use, a cultural sea change is clearly and dramatically under way. With Colorado and Washington leading the way in 2012, the move toward widespread legalization has gained significant political traction and popular momentum.

So has the growing mainstream acceptance of medical marijuana, touted for everything from anorexia to Alzheimers disease, epilepsy to Tourettes syndrome. California, where it has been legal for 20 years, is one of 23 states, along with the District of Columbia, that has legalized medical marijuana use. Many if not all the states are likely to follow suit.

Like gay marriage, which seemed inconceivable a generation ago, marijuana has moved from the shadows to the middle of the American conversation. Pot is unmistakably out of the closet.

In one sense, thats both unsurprising and absurdly overdue. With its documented use dating back to Stone Age Taiwan, marijuana forms a throughline in human history. The fourth book of the Indian Vedas (2000-1400 B.C.) called bhang one of the five kingdoms of herbs ... which releases us from anxiety. Napoleon told his troops in 1800 that users lose their reason and are victims of violent delirium. Flaubert drafted a novel about a hash user who wound up in an insane asylum. Baudelaire wrote poetry extolling the drugs effects.

In America, claims that both Washington and Jefferson were occasional potheads doesnt stand up to scrutiny. The hemp they cultivated was used to make rope and other products. But almost certainly the easily grown crop was around and in use here from colonial times on.

The jazz musician Milton Mezz Mezzrow was an early 20th century advocate. The first thing I noticed, he said of marijuanas effects, was that I began to hear my saxophone as though it were inside my head. Scores of musicians as different as Cab Calloway (The Reefer Man), Benny Goodman (Sweet Marihuana Brown) and Ella Fitzgerald (When I Get Low, I Get High) picked up the beat and openly expressed it.

No sooner had this subculture fairly openly flourished than the powers that be moved to suppress it. In his 32-year reign as the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Departments Federal Bureau of Narcotics (1930-62), Harry J. Anslinger inveighed against pot, with his racial and social agenda undisguised. Of the 100,000 marijuana smokers, he told the Senate, most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. White women, he added, were driven to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.

Menacing as his rhetoric may have been, Anslinger helped prepare the ground for a reactive insurrection that gave marijuana a subversive, antiestablishment appeal. The way was paved for pot-praising rhapsodists (Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg), movie folk heroes (Jack Nicholson as a fallen innocent in Easy Rider, Sean Penn as the stoner Svengali Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High) and martyr-ish figures like Robert Mitchum (whose career was threatened by a 1948 arrest) and Willie Nelson, repeatedly busted for possessing pot. Young people, always on the watch for a chance to flout authority, and get high doing it, got the message.

Time and again, marijuana has been the attention-grabbing measure of some cultural occurrence or phenomenon. Don Draper (Jon Hamm) had his time-capsule moment when he toked on Mad Men. So did Roseanne Barr on Roseanne and Candice Bergen on Murphy Brown. As a mother who takes to selling dope after her husband dies, Mary-Louise Parkers Weeds character Nancy Botwin walked a fascinating eight-season path from panic to pragmatic prosperity to prison and beyond. Marijuana being illegal was a central defining premise for the show.

As the drug gains wider acceptance, legally and socially, its status and significance in the culture are certain to evolve and change. The press is already preoccupied with marijuana ballot-box issues, business models and tax revenues. Anyone old enough to remember the aromatic heyday of the Haight Ashbury may find the 4/20 pot-smoking holiday of April 20 to be a little too codified for their tastes. Can corporate sponsorship be far off?

For one metric of how far weve come in the past two decades, Bill Clinton is once again a voice of the times. Reflecting on his I didnt inhale line to Fusion TVs Jorge Ramos a few years back, the ex-president insisted he wasnt being holier than thou. He said hed tried marijuana, adding, I told the truth. I thought it was funny.

Steven Winn is The San Francisco Chronicles former arts and culture critic.
Bay Area shoppers will soon be able to get a new kind of local produce at Whole Foods stores.

Affectionately known as ugly produce, the fruits and vegetables are perfectly healthy and safe yet are usually left to rot because they dont meet typical supermarket cosmetic standards.

Bags of the aesthetically challenged produce will arrive at Northern California Whole Foods outposts later this month. To start, five stores  Berkeley (Telegraph), Oakland (Harrison), Cupertino (Stevens Creek), Santa Rosa (Coddingtown) and Sonoma  will sell ugly produce, thanks to Emeryvilles Imperfect, one of several new Bay Area companies taking advantage of crops that are usually wasted in California fields. The move underscores not only the Bay Areas growing awareness surrounding food waste, but also a new commercial industry growing around the untapped resource.

Of the estimated 62.5 million tons of food Americans waste annually, much more is generated in homes, stores and restaurants than farms, but the loss at farms is more suitable for reuse. The issue will gain more attention with an Earth Day-oriented national ad campaign called "Save the Food" debuting today from the Ad Council and the Natural Resources Defense Council and aimed at getting people to reduce food waste at home.

Restaurants and retail account for an estimated 40 percent of wasted food, one of the reasons California passed AB1826, which went into effect April 1. The bill requires supermarkets and other food companies that produce a certain amount of organic waste to compost or otherwise recycle it, rather than send it to the landfill. California Safe Soil in West Sacramento collects discarded food from Save Mart dumpsters and uses aerobic enzymatic digestion  a combination of enzymes and grinders  to turn it into a liquid fertilizer used by California almond, walnut, wine grape and strawberry growers.

James Tensuan / Special to The Chronicle 2016

Food not harvested

But farms are still responsible for almost 20 percent of American food waste. For some specialty California crops, such as greens, 50 percent is left in the field because its not worth harvesting, said Christine Moseley, founder and chief executive officer of Full Harvest, a San Francisco startup that aggregates ugly produce from Salinas Valley growers for Bay Area food and beverage companies.

I found out that theres this massive problem with food waste, and I saw that as an opportunity, said Moseley, who recently moved to the Bay Area from New York with the goal of starting a company that would make healthy food more affordable.

So far, she hasnt reached that goal because her main clients are high-end organic juice companies like Project Juice and Urban Remedy, but she has projects in the works with larger national companies and has contracts in place to deliver 1 million pounds of imperfect and surplus produce this year.

Juice is a natural fit for ugly produce. Though juicer apples have long been available to applesauce and cider producers, there hasnt been a traditional channel for ugly or surplus versions of most other types of produce, such as the tons of kale, beets, carrots and lemons used in the trending cold-pressed juices.

In the world of juice, we dont need it to be perfect, from an aesthetic point of view, said Paul Coletta, CEO of Urban Remedy, which gets 5,000 pounds of produce from Full Harvest each week, including too-curvy cucumbers and undersized kale leaves.

Moseley spends a lot of time at farms working out ways to make it worthwhile for farmers to harvest their ugly produce and to make sure it meets standards from her buyers, who cant use anything bruised or punctured but are fine with wind damage, for example, when fruit gets superficial scratches from swaying tree branches.

Since it launched last year, Full Harvest has rescued 15,000 pounds of previously worthless produce  the equivalent of 550,000 gallons of water, Moseley said.

Produce boxes delivered

Even before the new deal with Whole Foods, Imperfect was seeing similar success. Last year, Imperfect began delivering boxes of ugly produce to homes in the East Bay, typically priced 30 percent cheaper than usual supermarket prices. It recently expanded delivery to San Francisco, now delivering over 1,900 boxes per week total.

Michael Short Michael Short/Special To The Chronicle

Cerplus, which launched January, has a similar idea. Co-founder Zoe Wong works with specific farms to find ugly and surplus produce she knows her customers tend to want  caterers, broth or baby food companies, bakeries and even some restaurants  then picks it up from farmers markets in San Francisco and Berkeley.

From there, it goes to a warehouse in San Mateo, and she posts it on the Cerplus website, where customers can find excess inventory of avocados, cabbage and even pasture-raised eggs at a 30 to 50 percent discount. If the food finds a buyer, Cerplus delivers it and the farmer gets paid, which is a better return than they would get if they composted or donated their leftover food. In the past few months, the company has diverted 11,000 pounds of produce.

In addition to the social mission, the price is a draw, said Wong, whose previous company, Revive Foods, made jam with surplus fruit. A lot of these food businesses are running really tight operations, she said.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Dan Kurzrock and Jordan Schwartz work with a different type of wasted product: what they call beer grain, or the edible by-product of beer production. When they began home brewing as UCLA undergrads in 2009, they noticed that 5 gallons of beer would result in 15 pounds of leftover barley or other grains.

I was just blown away with all the waste, said Kurzrock.

A use for beer grains

They started making granola bars with the leftover mix, including barley, oats, wheat and rye, which led to a business, named ReGrained, that launched in 2014. They now pick up the grain from the San Francisco brewers 21st Amendment, Magnolia and Triple Voodoo. Kurzrock notes that breweries have traditionally donated spent grain to hog farms, but thats more difficult to do from an urban environment; he estimates there are 28 craft breweries in San Francisco alone.

Dan Evans

The high-fiber bars are sold at Rainbow Grocery, Guss Community Market and Drivers Market in Sausalito for $2.50 each. Theyre not cheap, and neither are cold-pressed juices that use recovered produce from Full Harvest, which start at $7 a bottle (though 4 pounds of produce typically goes into each bottle). But Moseley thinks prices will go down if the organic and healthy food category continues to grow as projected.

The way (for companies) to differentiate is with pricing, she said. Eventually theyll be able to pass along the discount.

Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan
1960s-era Chronicle, youve outdone yourself again.

This front page from April 20, 1966, covers a number of entertaining stories, including a pet lion in Piedmont, the birth of triplets, psychedelic drug tests and a Giants game with homers by Mays, Cepeda, etc. fueling a win.

First up, the huge above-the-nameplate headline construction that was typical of the Chronicle in the 1960s is pleasing to fans of the orange-and-black, even though 4 Giant homers win doesnt make much sense as far as prose goes. The overline lists Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda as the sluggers who hit home runs, along with etc. That seems odd. Fifty years later, lets give Hal Lanier and Jim Ray Hart their due. Theyre the other Giants who hit homers in the 11-10 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Down the page, we see a Hayward 18-year-old had triplets, despite weighing 90 pounds. The question remains: Did she weigh 90 pounds after delivering 11 pounds, 12.5 ounces worth of children?

In the middle of the page we see a Chronicle classic: The Lion Next Door. Two UC Berkeley graduate students in mathematics  in theory smart, well-educated young men  were dumb enough to keep the 6-foot, 125-pound Simba as a pet, sending the Piedmont City Council into a tizzy.

The councils position was understandable: No man-eating lions within city limits. Not in someones home, anyway, Michael Grieg reported for The Chronicle.

The whole thing got out of hand, Chief of Police Lou Guider told the council Monday night, when Simba jumped a fence recently and was taken into custody by a posse of high school boys.

What could go wrong?

Keep reading (how could you stop?) and youll find a story by current Chronicle Science Editor David Perlman headlined Blaze of Creative Action in Psychedelic Drug Test. Its as if the editors who selected this story and wrote the blaze headline had fast-forwarded a few decades and knew that April 20 (4/20) would become the unofficial stoner holiday.

Groovy page, dudes.

See more front pages: Go to SFChronicle.com/covers to search a database of hundreds of Chronicle Covers articles that showcase the newspaper's history.

More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond.

Chronicle Covers is a yearlong project highlighting one classic Chronicle newspaper page from our archive every day for 366 days. Library director Bill Van Niekerken, art director Danielle Mollette-Parks, producer Michelle Devera and editorial assistant Jillian Sullivan contributed to the project. Tim ORourke is the executive producer and editor of SFChronicle.com. Email: torourke@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TimothyORourke

(Click to enlarge)




King Felipe VI will meet political leaders on April 25 and 26. JAVIER SORIANO (AFP)

King Felipe VI will make one last call to Spains political leaders to see if there is a chance of averting a fresh general election.

It will be the third time that the Spanish monarch has met with the countrys top politicians over the issue of who will be the next prime minister.

On Thursday, congressional speaker Patxi Lopez will hand him a list of politicians who have expressed a desire to meet with the king.

The head of state will tell the congressional speaker whether it makes sense to attempt a third investiture vote

The royal palace will then draw up an agenda of meetings due to take place on April 25 and 26. The order will depend on each partys parliamentary representation, from highest to lowest. At each of the last two rounds, there were 14 meetings altogether.

Afterwards, the head of state will tell the congressional speaker whether it makes sense to attempt a third investiture vote, or whether new elections are the only way out of the political impasse.

So far, there is no indication that a deal is forthcoming, and there are no scheduled meetings between political leaders between now and next week.

Four months of gridlock

Following the inconclusive vote of December 20, which yielded a hung parliament, cross-party talks to build a coalition or a minority government have been fruitless.

As per Spanish legislation, the monarch met with party leaders and asked two of them to submit to a congressional vote to name a new prime minister, based on their results at the polls. The first, Mariano Rajoy of the Popular Party (PP), refused on the basis that he lacked sufficient support from other parties. The second, Pedro Sanchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE), tried and failed.

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A constitutionally mandated countdown then began that ends on May 2, when parliament will be dissolved and new elections called for June 26  barring any eleventh-hour political deals that would require a last-minute investiture vote.

But such a deal seems highly unlikely following months of failed talks and bitter recriminations between the leaders of the PP, PSOE and the emerging Podemos and Ciudadanos. Instead, Spain seems set to hold a fresh election  a previously unseen situation in the countrys democratic history.

English version by Susana Urra.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP

High-speed rail can go a long way toward addressing the big challenges that face us today: How do we accommodate a growing population? How do we increase our economic competitiveness? How do we link our vast and diverse regions together? How do we do this while protecting our environment and combating climate change?

Californias 2016 High Speed Rail business plan marks a significant transition from past plans, because it identifies full funding  $20.7 billion  for an operable system to connect the Bay Area and the Central Valley by 2025. The implications of this connection are far-reaching and could significantly change our region for the better. Today it takes about three hours to drive from Fresno to the Bay Area. High-speed rail would reduce this trip time to about an hour. This connection will open new job markets for people living in the Central Valley. New linkages will be created between higher education institutions in the valley and high-tech and other cutting-edge industries in the Bay Area.
Mark Laffitte and his co-workers at a large staffing agency had had enough of their employers wage theft by 2004 and, with the help of legal advocates, filed a class-action lawsuit for nearly 4,000 workers.

Class actions, like Lafittes, benefit millions of Californians every day. Class actions promote equal pay for equal work, challenge race discrimination, safeguard the environment and deter corporate fraud and hidden fees. Class actions provide access to the courts for everybody  not just big corporations  supplying a check in our judicial system. Class actions save time and money because thousands of claims get resolved in a single case.

Eight years after Laffittes case was filed, the employer settled for $19 million. After careful evaluation, the court awarded 33 percent of the fund to his advocates as compensation for their work. Just one class member objected to the fees and appealed the settlement. The California Supreme Court soon will decide how best to compensate the legal team that has now persevered for more than a decade representing Lafitte and his co-workers. Getting this question right in this and future cases will be critical for preserving class actions as a viable tool for justice.

At the heart of the issue is a practical problem: how to get someone  an attorney  to risk spending the time and money necessary to help victims and hold law breakers accountable. In class actions, attorneys get paid only if and when they are successful, and often after many years and substantial investment of their own money in fronting expenses. The answer, under California law, is to provide fair compensation to the advocates who undertake and win these David-versus-Goliath struggles.

As it stands now, if a case is successful, then the judge, who has observed the advocates work firsthand, sets the compensation. He or she is in the best position to know how good a job has been done and whether the advocates have achieved a good result. Californians dont need another expensive layer of bureaucracy to second-guess our able and experienced judges.

Judges use the same methods to compensate a successful team of class-action advocates that are used in ordinary cases, either allocating a percentage of the amount of the money received by the plaintiff or authorizing an hourly rate.

In cases where a percentage is used, the average in class actions is 25 percent, lower than the up to 40 percent that a person would pay to bring the same lawsuit on his or her own. Compensating the legal team in class actions based on a percentage ensures that the attorneys interest is always 100 percent aligned with the victims. Awarding an hourly rate, on the other hand, makes sense when the result is not money, but corporate or government reform, such as ending a discriminatory practice.

Every class member gets a notice about what the proposed payment to the legal team is and can provide his or her views to the judge. No fee is ever approved under cover of night  in every class action, the judge scrutinizes the nature and quality of work done to ensure that the compensation is fair.

Class-action justice is already under attack by big business  understandably not its biggest fan. Further restrictions will only discourage the already small community of advocates who take on these tough cases, depriving ordinary Californians of equal access to justice.

Jocelyn D. Larkin is the executive director of the Impact Fund, a legal nonprofit that advances social justice through impact litigation. She authored a friend of the court brief in support of the workers in the case, Laffitte vs. Robert Half International.
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images

A battle is being waged in the California Supreme Court over how much money courts should pay attorneys from class-action settlements. If class members are successful, then California would live up to its reputation as a national trendsetter by potentially increasing by billions of dollars the amount of money class members receive from settlements. Whats at stake is whether attorneys are to be paid based on a percentage of the settlement or based on the legal services they provide to the class. Also at issue is whether a class guardian would be appointed to protect against excessive attorneys fee requests by class counsel.

The case, Laffitte vs. Robert Half International, is an employment dispute, in which the class recovery was $19 million. The plaintiffs lawyers were awarded 33.3 percent of their clients fund, some $6.3 million. This was the equivalent of being paid $1,597.50 an hour. The difference between a payment for legal services provided as opposed a percentage of the settlement is a windfall profit for the attorneys. Every dollar of fees is a dollar that does not go to a class member.
Every presidential election year, in the weeks following election day, Harvards Kennedy School puts on a conference for campaign decision makers. Its a sort of election postmortem that ends with a public event at the prestigious Kennedy Forum.

Tiburons Gina Glantz knows the conference pretty well; she was former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradleys campaign manager in 2000 and sat on one of the panels. During the last conference, in 2012, she noticed something odd, though. All the panelists in the public forum were men, and they were all white. This, of course, was four years after voters had elected Barack Obama as the nations first black president and four years after Hillary Clinton had given a speech about the 18 million cracks voters had put in the highest and hardest glass ceiling.

It just sent me around the bend, Glantz says. She decided to write a quick post on Facebook about how she wouldnt be going, and almost immediately, the likes and comments rolled in. So did a rebuke from a Kennedy School administrator, who said, You know, were really good at this. This, of course, being gender equity. Well, no, youre not, Glantz thought. The panel was evidence.

After that, everywhere she looked, she saw another example of women being shut out of important conversations, whether it was at other conferences or Esquires infamous list of The 80 Books Every Man Should Read, which included exactly one female author. Everywhere I looked, all of the sudden I had increased sensitivity.

Then something else happened. A book landed at her door, a written review of the ongoing movement to change the Electoral College. On the cover there were six authors, 19 commentators and one woman. She knew the co-chair, so she shot off an email. Did you forget that 54 percent of the electorate are women? You couldnt find any women to comment on this? she asked. Well, his reaction was just the opposite of Harvard. He wrote back and said, Im so embarrassed.

The moment was small, but it was also revelatory. Glantz realized that simply pointing out the absence of women from these spaces might be enough to prompt their inclusion in the future. I thought Cripes, I better do something.

Brittany Murphy/The Chronicle

So, Glantz, along with her friend Susan Askew, founded GenderAvenger, a website that acts as a hub for a community of people who are on the lookout for spaces where women have been left out and are ready to say something when they see it. On the site, Glantz and others write blog posts, pass along news stories, and highlight the good and the bad around gender equity. Theyve also created an app for tallying the gender balance on panels at conferences, and theyve made a pledge for men to sign promising not to sit on a panel that doesnt include at least one woman.

This election season, GenderAvenger has also teamed up with Rutgers University Center for American Women and Politics and the Womens Media Center to create Who Talks?, an ongoing survey of gender balance on cable news shows. We sat down with Glantz, who works on GenderAvenger out of her home, to chat with her about the representation of women and whether she feels that shes making any headway.

Q: Just to start  and maybe this seems obvious  but why is it important to strike a balance, whether on panels or book lists or cable news shows?

A: There are two ends to it. Its important from the conversation end. People bring different perspectives. And then theres the other side of it  from the viewers, the attending group  which is, I would feel more welcome if the people I see who are part of this look like me. There are many mothers of this saying: You cant be it if you cant see it. So seeing that there are women on lists of books, on stages of the most talented Internet gurus of 2017  whatever it is  says, I can be that. I think thats really important.

Q: Were you surprised that others didnt see this value or, at the very least, didnt seem to notice women missing?

A: I was flabbergasted that I could be sitting across from or having a conversation with somebody and the response was Ah! I cant believe I did that. Well, believe you did that. And that propelled my need to build this community. If so many people were doing this and not recognizing it, and if by recognizing it I might cause change, then that was a reason to do it.

Q: Whats the reaction generally like when you call somebody out?

A: It ranges. Theres one guy that tweeted back and said, Oh I know, we suck, Im really working on it. Well, good for him.  But there are other reactions. Theres a guy named Jason Calacanis who runs, amongst other things, something called the Launch Festival. He was very snarky and told us that 23 percent (of panelists being women) was really good. Well about six months later  we got together, and he would then tweet things like GenderAvenger challenged me to get to 40 percent; Im trying!

Q: I imagine theres some excuse-making that happens when you point it out?

A: People will say, Oh, well I asked and nobody was available. And you say, Ask more, or, Make your conference more woman-friendly. Be sure you have a sexual harassment policy. Inform people of child care possibilities. And just ask more.

Q: You base your critique on hard numbers. Thats a nice objective standard, but it also has the potential to be a little superficial. Are there deeper critiques to be made? Do some shows only turn to women commenters for a narrower range of topics, for instance?

A: What powers GenderAvengers success is the simplicity of its mission and the ease of taking action, whether with the GenderAvenger Tally or through the newsletters, and I think thats really an important point. We are often asked to do other things, and I always have to say, You know thats not what we do, and hope that others will build on what we do, just as we build on what other organizations do. ... Every time there is something which takes it that step further, we promote it very heavily.

Q: What about intersectionality? I imagine women of color are even more underrepresented.

A: I hear this, and its so important. Its really important. Were in conversation with Color of Change and Race Forward (two groups that focus on racial equity). What were talking to them about is giving them our (app coding) so they can adapt the tally to their needs and their purpose, however they want to use it. ... When I do get out and talk to groups, I will hear from African American women, in particular, that you can find a lot of African American men onstage, African American men on television, but you rarely see African American women. I have no data, but I bet they are right.

Q: Youve been involved with these issues for many, many years, even before GenderAvenger. Does the fact that something like this is necessary in 2016 frustrate you?

A: Have I been disappointed over the decades? The answer is yes. But maybe this is the moment. Ill tell you why: Ive been very encouraged by the response to GenderAvenger. I mean we have very modest funding, yet have gotten some attention, are now getting more attention. We seem to be having an impact.

We live in a much different world. There are a lot more social media outlets, there are a lot more organizations that are working on this that are known to a lot more people. It used to be, if I had started this even 10 years ago, the exposure would have been much more limited.

Ryan Kost is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rkost@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @RyanKost
Is it a high-end cafe? Is it a grocery store? Nope, its a medical marijuana dispensary.

Walking into Harvest, a month-old business in San Franciscos Richmond District, is not unlike checking out one of the citys many gourmet food shops. Perhaps more significantly, Harvest represents a new model for a boutique food-centric cannabis shop.

More on medical marijuana Pot for foodies: Is marijuana the next California cuisine?

Inside Gearys former Hemp Center and now under new ownership, Harvest is marked by a clean, modern wood interior accented by shelves dominated by high-end edibles. A jewelry case in the middle of the room showcases premium tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extracts that carry triple-digit price tags and are ready to be eaten, smoked or dabbed. On the other side of the shop, a refrigerated case of cannabis coolers and cannabis-spiked sodas beckons, with flavors like strawberry wedding cake and Presidential OG (with an Obama lookalike on the bottle, no less).

Everything is out and accessible to the customer.

Thats a significant breakthrough in this local industry. The product layout is unlike any other dispensary operating in the city, where customers are not usually allowed to pluck products off the wall, or even touch them in any way. Harvest, on the other hand, offers large silver shopping baskets for those who want to stock up.

The dispensary has attracted both praise and critique; the former finds the shop being repeatedly compared to the Whole Foods of weed, while the latter calls into question the seriousness of the operation. It feels less like a place to get medicine and medical advice and more like a place to buy novelty edibles, wrote one visitor on Yelp.

The edibles are certainly outside the norm, with brown butter sage marshmallows (cheekily called Mellows) sharing displays with Sriracha-doused potato chips and dosed Mexican-style drinking chocolate. A complete meal, from appetizers to dessert, could likely be put together here. You could even start your day with a bowl of enhanced granola.

Edible purveyors on the shelves, such as Auntie Dolores and Yummi Karma, have gotten their flavor profiles down to a science, masking the harsh flavor of weed with ever-more creative products. But a lack of a standardized dose level across companies and steadily improving taste levels can make it difficult to tread the line from ingesting a product that helps with anxiety or stress levels  or exacerbates them.

Packaging has similarly elevated over the last few years. One line of chocolate bars even looks as if they were shipped in from a Parisian chocolatier, seemingly more in line at a twee Ferry Building shop than a weed dispensary. Surprisingly, there is only a small selection of actual cannabis at Harvest, though much of it bears that same stamp as the food  largely sun-grown farm-to-pipe varietals in attractive packages.

Harvests website extolls its commitment to creating a new kind of retail experience that can become the model for medical cannabis across the country. It feels like such a place  touting artisanal goods in a stylish space  should be a common model in a city like San Francisco, where medical marijuana assists a wide range of ages in the community. While some Bay Area clubs feel like bodegas, it was inevitable that the market would want a boutique dispensary. Soon, Harvest will have a members-only lounge in the back with what one sales associate described as concierge services.

Justin Glardon/Special to The Chronicle

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

If California eventually legalizes marijuana, as many have predicted, my guess is that it wont be long before there are countless copycats of Harvests model throughout the Bay Area. The future is here.

Harvest: 4811 Geary Blvd., between 12th and Funston avenues, San Francisco. (415) 702-6767 or harvestshop.com. Open daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Tamara Palmer is a freelance writer in the Bay Area. Twitter: @eatstreetfood E-mail: food@sfchronicle.com
A government-run power company in Norway has agreed to buy carbon credits from the owners of a Northern California forest, a clear signal that the eyes of the world are on Californias pioneering cap-and-trade program after last weeks landmark global climate treaty in Paris.

Statkraft, Europes biggest generator of renewable energy, is essentially investing in the carbon stored in California trees, which can be bought and sold under the states one-of-a-kind, stock market-style program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Companies that release more gases than state law permits can avoid fines by purchasing the carbon credits, or offsets, from those who conserve or capture greenhouse gases.

Everyone should take notice, said Chris Kelly, the California program director for the nonprofit Conservation Fund, which is selling the offsets. He said the deal marks an important milestone in the international recognition of the viability of Californias approach to reducing emissions in general, and the importance of forests in particular.

First foreign investment

The nationalized hydro-power, wind and gas company invested an undisclosed amount in the 16,300-acre Big River and Salmon Creek forests in Mendocino County. It is the first time a foreign company has entered Californias controversial carbon market, the largest and most far-reaching system established in the United States.

We cannot fight climate change without improving the management of forests worldwide to store carbon, said Mary Nichols, the chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board, which administers the program. Californias cap-and-trade program provides a mechanism to support that goal with incentives to expand forest conservation within the United States and, as we move forward, beyond our borders, too.

The deal means that Statkraft, which has 403 power and heating plants in 20 countries, will pay for the carbon stored in the vast stands of redwood and Douglas fir in the two forests near the town of Mendocino.

The money will be used by the Conservation Fund, which owns 75,000 acres in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, to pay off debt and cover the cost of forest recovery, including sediment reduction programs, restoration of creeks and habitat improvements for coho salmon, spotted owls and other wildlife.

The fund, which has sold 3.5 million carbon offsets to a variety of groups for a total of $37 million since 2008, practices what it calls sustainable logging, which means it buys timberland from loggers and drastically reduces the number of trees that get cut every year as part of a long term ecological improvement program.

This is the largest single transaction that we have done with any entity in terms of the total volume of offsets that have been delivered, Kelly said. We think the carbon market has never been more promising and the role of forests have never been more prominent, and California is at the forefront of it all.

Californias cap-and-trade system was made possible by AB32, the landmark law passed in 2006 that requires California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

It specifically allows credits or offsets to be sold by companies and organizations that have state-certified technology or practices that fight global warming. Wind farms, solar energy and methane-capturing systems for livestock, food waste, landfills and coal mines can sell credits. Urban tree planting, forest management and reforestation programs can also be certified by the state to sell offsets.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Offsets verified

The offsets sold to Statkraft have been verified by the California Air Resources Board and could be sold or used to offset emissions in California if the company were to build a plant in the state. Statkraft, however, did not indicate that it has any plan to use the credits. Norway has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Our work in producing renewable energy and now helping to ensure the protection of North American forests demonstrates our support and confidence in the integrity of the California cap-and-trade program as a means to reduce greenhouse gases globally, said Patrick Pfeiffer, the managing director of Statkrafts U.S. operations, in a written statement. The Conservation Fund has always been a leader and early mover in forest conservation, and we are thrilled to be supporting their continued efforts.

The deal comes a week after representatives of 195 nations agreed on a historic global climate treaty in Paris, the first time so many countries have agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite
A woman leaving a voting center in New York on Tuesday PETER FOLEY (EFE)

More information Clinton y Trump triunfan en las primarias de Nueva York

It now seems inevitable that Hillary Clinton will face Donald Trump in Novembers presidential elections. Clinton is a candidate who wears her extensive experience in politics as a stripe of honor, while Trump says his main appeal is his lack of political baggage. She is a classic Democratic candidate, while he has arrived completely uninvited, causing the Republican party to implode. Tuesdays contest was one of the most decisive primaries that New York has held in decades, and, though the race for nomination is not over yet, their opponents have little time left to catch up.

New Yorkers have not failed Clinton. Before serving as secretary of state, she held a New York senate seat for two terms and won the primary there against Barack Obama eight years ago. On Tuesday, 57.9% of New Yorkers chose her, giving her a 15-point lead over leftist Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

New Yorkers, you have always had my back, and I have always tried to have yours Hillary Clinton

The Sheraton Hotel on 53rd Street in Manhattan burst into celebration. Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind blared out as Clinton walked on stage. Today you proved once again theres no place like home, she told supporters. New Yorkers, you have always had my back, and I have always tried to have yours.

Meanwhile, her acolytes were already thinking about the November presidential elections  even though Sanders has proven to be tougher to beat than Clinton thought at the beginning of the race. She is going to be a great president, Im sure, said Aidyn Urena, a 27-year-old African American resident of Harlem who grew up in the Bronx. And she is going to beat Trump. I dont know anyone in my community, no Latinos or African Americans, who could vote for a candidate like him or Ted Cruz.

I dont know anyone in my community, no Latinos or African Americans, who could vote for a candidate like him or Ted Cruz Aidyn Urena, a 27-year-old African American resident of Harlem

Bernie Sanders has stumbled in his homeland of New York after winning seven of the last eight primaries. The Brooklyn native criticized Clinton for her ties with Wall Street and the so-called establishment, but that was not enough for New York. I believe in progressive changes, in someone who is going to continue Obamas work, Urena said.

Just a few blocks away, Donald Trump was basking in his latest electoral victory in his namesake tower on 5th Avenue. Some TV stations reported the real estate moguls win minutes after the last polls closed, because his victory seemed already beyond question. He took 60.5% of the Republican vote, which means he will receive nearly all the delegates because he has won by a majority.

It has been a tremendous success, incredible, Trump told the crowd. We don't have much of a race anymore. Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated. We have won millions and millions of more votes than Governor Kasich.

Trumps lead in the race means the Republican Partys future is in the hands of this garrulous, part-businessman part-showman

Texas Senator Ted Cruz is Trumps toughest rival in the primary race but New Yorkers only gave him 14.5% of the vote on Tuesday after he disdainfully suggested that Trump embodies New York values. Ohio Governor John Kasich, the only man in whom the Republican Party has any faith, received 25.1 percent of the votes.

Trumps lead in the race means the Republican Partys future is in the hands of this garrulous, part-businessman part-showman, who spits xenophobia and sexism and believes his unconventional style is his main virtue. Republicans will have to make do with him or pull off a dangerous maneuver at the convention in order to keep him away from the nomination. Were going to go into the convention I think as the winner, Trump said in his victory speech on Tuesday.

Hillary Clinton chose New York, a Democratic stronghold, to launch her political career as senator. After leaving the White House, the Clintons bought a house in the affluent town of Chappaqua in upstate New York where they voted on Tuesday. She has a good deal of support from Latinos, African Americans and women  even if younger generations have some reservations about her.

Can you imagine Clinton in a debate with Trump? She will tear him apart Andrew Young, a 30-year-old publicist

When asked why he is voting for her, Andrew Young, a 30-year-old publicist said: There are many things but I think that the most important now is to get the first woman to the White House. Its about time. Because shes a woman? Well, thats a good reason but the truth is she is incredibly intelligent and a great politician. Can you imagine her in a debate with Trump? She will tear him apart.

More and more people expect to see that debate even though there are still 20 primaries left including decisive contests in Pennsylvania and California. Meanwhile, Clinton is already preparing to face Cruz or Trump, whom she accuses of presenting a dangerous and slanted vision of the United States.

English version by Dyane Jean Francois.
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Sonoma Countys prized wines need artisan cheese to show their best, and for that, you need look no further than the pastoral landscape west of Petaluma. The region remains a dairy farming paradise, with mild, marine-influenced weather, lush emerald-green pasture (this spring, at least) and a culture of humane animal husbandry. All in all, a nice place to be a cow.

Most of the creameries that have sprouted in this bucolic setting dont welcome visitors. Some are bootstrap ventures without the staff or space for guests, and all are rightly obsessed with sanitation. But a few do offer tours by appointment, making it possible to plot a delicious day trip devoted to cheese from the ground up. Bring a cooler.

To fuel up for the drive, start at Della Fattoria, downtown Petalumas acclaimed bakery-cafe. Fortunately, the chef knows its never too early for cheese. Order Della toast topped with Bellwether Farms ricotta, bananas, toasted pecans, honey and fleur de sel to earn locavore points.

After breakfast, follow Bodega Avenue out of town to the DeBernardi Dairy, home of Two Rock Valley Cheese. Don and Bonnie DeBernardi supply cows milk to an organic cooperative, but thats for income. For fun, they make goat cheese.

The goats are mine, the cheese is his, says Bonnie, who purchased two goats as pets for her young grandsons 18 years ago. She now milks about 40 goats, and Don transforms it into cheese in what could be Northern Californias smallest creamery, a 100-square-foot storage container. His specialty is an aged goat tomme which he sells at a range of ages, from 2 months to a year. The more mature wheels are nutty and sweet, with hints of caramel and smoke.

Don, now 78, learned basic cheese-making from an Italian neighbor who knew the methods Dons Swiss-Italian forebears would have used in the Alps. A professional consultant helped him take his tommes to the next level. His latest endeavor, goat brie, sells so briskly at farmers markets that he cant keep it in stock at the farm. But vacuum-sealed wedges of young and aged tommes are always on hand.

Russell Yip/The Chronicle

The DeBernardis dont charge for a visit, which starts with Bonnie and the goats and concludes with a creamery tour and tasting with Don. I cant charge for something I enjoy, says Bonnie.

Less than 10 minutes from the DeBernardis, Anna Hancock oversees a goat farm so pristine and orderly that you have to wonder if the goats actually live there. A San Francisco native who fantasized about a country life, Hancock came perilously close to a legal career. She and her mother bought their 80-acre parcel eight years ago, while Hancock was halfway through law school. She took the bar exam between stints delivering goats.

Her husband  now ex  took off for Los Angeles when he learned how hard farming was, but Hancock seems determined to make it harder. She recently added 550 pasture-fed chickens, whose eggs turn up on the breakfast plates at the Estero Cafe in nearby Valley Ford. Five pigs  one is a pet  thrive on her cheese whey and the neighbors pumpkins. I believe in happy meat, says Hancock.

White Whale Farm, her enterprise, supports about 80 milking goats and, in spring, a growing cadre of cuddly newborns. Beware of the baby barn or you may end up with a goat farm, too. These furry creatures are cuter than puppies, and needier. Some eventually have to be milked twice a day.

Five times a week, Hancock turns the milk into a fresh goat cheese called Cosette, as delicate, fluffy and clean-tasting as chevre gets. Pick up a tub to slather on garlic-rubbed toast with olive oil and cracked black pepper.

For lunch, follow the Freestone Valley Ford Road to the improbable foodie mecca of Freestone. Between the wood-fired seedy loaves at Wild Flour Bread and the well-curated collection at neighboring Freestone Artisan Cheese shop, lunch is a no-brainer. Picnic next to the shop at tables set in a shady grove.

More cheese? You can do it. From Freestone, head for Sebastopol via Bodega Highway. About one mile north of town, Bohemian Creamery offers tours on weekends, with proprietor Lisa Gottreich as guide. Gottreich makes more than a dozen different cheeses from a variety of milk types, but the goat milk is hers. Rare among local cheese-makers, she takes visitors into her aging rooms, where they can see the funky, furry rinds before wheels are cleaned up for sale.

Its the same stuff were breathing, she tells visitors who wonder whats on the cheese surface and whether its edible. Cut off the rind? Thats like saying, I like apple pie, but can I just eat the apples? says Gottreich.

If theres still room in your cooler, check out the creamerys retail case. Gottreichs creative spirit can lead her to places others dont go. Cowabunga, a soft cows milk cheese layered with cajeta (goat caramel), is one such novelty with a big fan club.

Janet Fletcher publishes the Planet Cheese blog and teaches cooking and cheese-appreciation classes. View her class schedule at www.janetfletcher.com. Email: travel@sfchronicle.com

Sonoma cheese tour

Della Fattoria, 141 Petaluma Boulevard N., Petaluma. (707) 763-0161.

Two Rock Valley Cheese at DeBernardi Dairy, 7955 Valley Ford Road, Petaluma. (707) 762-6182. www.tworockgoatcheese.com. Tours by appointment.

Pugs Leap Creamery & White Whale Farm, 5880 Carroll Road, Petaluma. (707) 876-3300. www.whitewhalefarm.com. Tours by appointment.

Wild Flour Bakery, 140 Bohemian Hwy., Freestone. (707) 874-2938. Open Friday-Monday only.

Bohemian Creamery, 7380 Occidental Road, Sebastopol. info@bohemiancreamery.com. www.bohemiancreamery.com. Tours by appointment.

Freestone Artisan Cheese, 380 Bohemian Hwy., Freestone. (707) 874-1030. Open Thursday-Monday only.
Can you handle two more rocks? Old Hands asks. Sitting cross-legged in the dirt in a sweat-soaked T-shirt, Im pleasantly hypnotized by the rhythm of a drumbeat.

Bring them on, I tell the medicine man.

When theyre delivered, cradled on deer antlers, Old Hands ladles water over them, sending up clouds of steam. Its pitch black inside the traditional sweat lodge except for the glowing stones. We sweat, talk and sweat some more.

By the time I emerge from the domed willow tent frame draped with thick blankets, I feel surprisingly lighter and revitalized, but its a shock to look around and remember that were on the sixth-floor rooftop patio of a boutique hotel in the middle of downtown Vancouver.

In an effort to protect their traditions, Canadas First Nations people largely stayed out of tourism in the past, but in recent years thats been changing. Pride, confidence and a new generation with a desire to share their culture and way of life have created a boom in aboriginal tourism, especially in British Columbia. According to the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia, business grew by 10 percent in 2015 over the previous year, to $50 million.

Though still a small industry, its now possible to stay in an aboriginal hotel, dine on coastal peoples cuisine, tap into their ancient knowledge of the natural world, and experience and learn traditions from canoeing and art-making to drumming and sweat-purging. And thats what I planned to explore over several days in Vancouver.

Margo Pfeiff/Special to The Chronicle

I started by checking into Skwachays Lodge, whose lobby doubles as the Urban Aboriginal Fair Trade Gallery. The chic little hotel opened in 2014 between the citys historic Gastown and Chinatown neighborhoods and features a 40-foot totem pole on the roof. Its run by the nonprofit Vancouver Native Housing Society, a social enterprise whose profits are funneled to the local aboriginal community, including the support of 24 artists in residence within the lodge.

Three floors of Skwachays have been transformed into a modern hotel with the help of six top hotel interior designers volunteering their services by teaming up with six aboriginal artists to create 18 unique rooms featuring original carvings, paintings and blankets.

On the rooftop patio is the sweat lodge as well as a Smudge Room, where guests can experience traditional purification rituals using sweet grass and sage.

For years this building was a healing lodge for First Nations people from throughout the province who came to the city for medical treatments, says general manager Maggie Edwards, so we wanted to make those experiences accessible to guests interested in native culture.

Later that morning, Candace Campo meets me at a trailhead amid Stanley Parks towering rain forest. A member of the Sechelt First Nation, she leads Talking Trees Walks through the 1,000-acre city park.

We follow paths Ive walked and jogged most of my life growing up in Vancouver, pointing out things Ive never noticed and overlaying a historical map on my hometown that I never knew existed. She names native villages that once existed within the park  with archaeology going back 3,000 years  and talks about traditional canoe shuttles that once ferried people all around what is now Greater Vancouver.

With many freshwater streams and abundant salmon, the site where Vancouver now stands contained many settlements, she says, and Stanley Park was so profoundly important for medicine, food and shelter that it was shared by three different tribes.

Campo points out fiddleheads and salmonberries and explains how western hemlock is a source of vitamin C and alder bark is still used to soothe sore throats. It was a free pharmacy. She touches a red cedar, whose fibrous inner bark was worked into clothing fabric and whose logs supported local longhouses, at least one of them measuring 200 feet by 60 feet. They held potlatches there for a thousand people or more.

Today, at nearby Brockton Point, there is a grove of nine totem poles, a mortuary pole and sculptures representing various coastal tribes. You can even watch totem poles being carved at times in a permanent carving shed at the Granville Island Public Market.

Not far from downtown, one of the worlds finest displays of Northwest Coast First Nations art is housed at the University of British Columbias Museum of Anthropology. Set in a spectacular contemporary building reminiscent of a longhouse, it overlooks the ocean and mountains, a treasure house of totem poles, huge carved feast dishes, canoes and bent boxes naturally lit through a glass wall within the Great Hall.

I always make a pilgrimage to my favorite installment, the Raven and the First Men cedar sculpture by Bill Reid, a half-Haida jewelry maker/radio announcer who reconnected with his aboriginal roots in the 1950s and became vital in bringing British Columbias aboriginal art back to life.

Actually, a Reid work might be one of the first things you see after disembarking from a plane at Vancouver International Airport  the 20-foot long, green-colored Jade Canoe bronze sculpture filled with spiritual half-human, half-animal figures. Its appeared on a stamp and Canadian $20 bills, and a copy stands at Canadas Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Another much-loved Reid bronze is Chief of the Undersea World  a killer whale breaching outside the entrance to the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park.

The downtown Bill Reid Gallery showcases a permanent collection of Reids work as well as changing exhibitions of contemporary aboriginal art. From there I like to walk eastward toward Gastown, modern Vancouvers birthplace, to prowl the cobblestone streets and visit several First Nations art shops: the Spirit Wrestler, Coastal Peoples Gallery and Hills Native Art.

On my last Gastown visit, there was a new First Nations addition to the neighborhoods regentrification boom. The Capilano Teahouse and Botanical Soda Co. is a stylish little cafe with indigenous hipster decor that opened in February, run by a mother-daughter duo of Squamish Nation descent. Michelle Nahanee tapped into local elders age-old tea recipes, blending rooibos and black teas with traditional ingredients such as blackberry leaves, nettles, juniper and sage. Meanwhile, 19-year-old daughter Paisley  whos been creating botanical sodas since she was 15  uses a similar global approach to conjure up delicious sodas, including real root beer, wild cherry bark cream soda and a rose lemonade.

Capilanos light lunch menu includes Salish Sea soup, phyllo stuffed with bison or wild rice and berries, and elk stew. They also took traditional bannock bread up a few notches by adding coconut oil and serving it with homemade rhubarb-bergamot jam.

Growing up in North Vancouver, I would sometimes head with my family to the Capilano Indian Reserve along the waterfront at the Lions Gate Bridges north end to buy fresh fruit and Indian candied salmon from roadside stands near the reserves longhouse. Or we would tuck into a mondo breakfast at the homey Tomahawk Restaurant near the reserve, a popular diner stuffed with First Nations artifacts collected since it opened in 1926.

Farther east, near the Second Narrows Bridge, is the Tsleil-Waututh (SLAY-wah-tuth) Nation reserve, where Dennis Thomas runs Takaya Tours. I step on board a traditional-style 26-foot oceangoing war canoe and, along with 10 others, use wooden, diamond-bladed paddles to make our way up scenic Indian Arm.

En route, our guide relates legends and stories and points out ancient village sites. A girl at the helm sings and drums as we try with limited success  but much laughter  to coordinate our paddle strokes.

Humor and memorable characters turn out to be some of the best parts of my three days in Vancouver, and one of the highlights sits opposite me on my last evening. Inez Cook, the lively co-owner of the Salmon n Bannock bistro and a member of the central-coastal Nuxalk Nation, is plying me with musk ox prosciutto and spicy game chorizo sausage beneath a suspended Haida canoe in a small fine-dining eatery decorated with aboriginal art on deep red walls.

This is the only restaurant in Vancouver offering 100 percent First Nations food, and its staffed entirely by native people, she says proudly.

She urges me to try salmon bathed in a maple syrup glaze, blueberry chutney on venison carpaccio and the most amazing crispy salmon skin chip, which magically bursts in your mouth. Dishes are paired with wines from NkMip Cellars, a native-owned and operated winery.

The bistro opened in 2010 and sources only fresh and wild foods.

Just like in pre-European days, there are no preservatives, additives, nothing is genetically modified or factory farm raised, she says. When I note that the menu features mostly meat and fish dishes, Cook answers with a rollicking laugh. Yeah, natives think vegetarians are just lousy hunters.

By the time I leave the restaurant, its clear Ive indulged far too much. And while Cook is pleased, Im thinking I could really use another session in the sweat lodge.

Margo Pfeiff is a Montreal freelance writer. Email: travel@sfchronicle.com

If you go

WHERE

TO STAY

Skwachays Lodge: 31 West Pender St., Vancouver, (888) 998-0797 or (604) 687-3589, www.skwachays.com. Canadas first aboriginal boutique hotel and gallery, with 18 unique First Nations art-themed rooms, between Gastown and Chinatown. Sweat lodge and Smudge Room rituals require bookings well in advance. From $120 double with continental breakfast.

WHERE

TO EAT

Salmon n Bannock: 7-1128 West Broadway, Vancouver, (604) 568-8971, www.salmonandbannock.net. Creative fine-dining restaurant that puts a contemporary twist on First Nations ingredients. One of the signature dishes is a luscious wild salmon soup. Open for lunch and dinner. For two: from $50.

Capilano Tea House and Botanical Soda Co.: 221 Abbott St., Gastown, www.thecapilano.com. Small, chic, contemporary aboriginal teahouse and lunch cafe. From $25 for two.

WHAT TO DO

Talaysay Tours: (800) 605-4643 or (604) 628-8555, www.talaysay.com. Aboriginal kayak, wilderness and outdoor guided trips in Vancouver area. Talking Trees Walk in Stanley Park is an enlightening tour lasting 1 to 2 hours. Adults: $30.

Takaya Tours: (604) 904-7410, www.takayatours.com. Wide selection of cultural kayaking, motorboat, walking and traditional canoe tours with local guides from North Vancouvers Tsleil-Waututh Nation from May through October. Two-hour canoe paddling tour from $50 per person.

Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art: 639 Hornby St., Vancouver, (604) 682-3455, www.billreidgallery.ca. Downtown First Nations art collection with rotating exhibitions of Northwest Coast art and frequent live cultural performances and lectures. Admission: $8.

UBC Museum of Anthropology: 6393 Northwest Marine Drive on the University of British Columbia campus, Vancouver, (604) 822-5950, www.moa.ubc.ca. One of the worlds finest displays of Northwest Coast First Nations art in a contemporary longhouse-style building with a mountain and sea view. Admission: $14.

LEARN

MORE

Destination British Columbia: www.hellobc.com

Tourism Vancouver: www.tourismvancouver.com

Aboriginal B.C.: Online hub for aboriginal events, packages and things to do across the province. www.aboriginalbc.com
Berkeley comic W. Kamau Bell hasnt been doing a lot of TV since his ground- and genre-breaking talk show Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell was canceled by FXX. This month, hes making up for lost time with the launch of both a new CNN series, United Shades of America, and his first Showtime special, Semi-Prominent Negro.

Other than hosting a couple of shows for Showtime from South by Southwest, he admits he was in a kind of stumbly, bumbly whats-going-on-with-my-career place after he and his wife and two kids moved back to Berkeley.

He had a lot of meetings with various cable news stations, including CNN, to talk about potential projects. CNN thought Bell would be great doing a show about a black guy in white America, he says.

And I was like, thaaaats great, but can it not just be white places? he recalls by phone from Philadelphia, where he has a standup gig for a college audience that night.

Spotlight on W. Kamau Bell Black comic W. Kamau Bell gets inside the KKKs hooded heads

CNN liked Bells counter-proposal to go all over the country having conversations about race. They also liked his idea that the series premiere on Sunday, April 24, would find him driving through the American South talking to members of the Ku Klux Klan.

If viewers feel a bit of tension as KKK members talk about the mud races and say its an abomination for an African American man to be married to a white woman (as Bell is), he says he didnt feel threatened at all.

Once I sat down and talked to them, I felt they were very misguided rather than very scary after a while, he says, and that includes attending a cross lighting (as its officially called, not a cross burning). This is just like a twisted mens group is what this is, he recalls thinking. In some communities, this would be an Elks lodge.

When you hang with them for a while, its a bunch of dudes that enjoy hanging out with each other.

Meeting KKK members, some in their traditional robes and hoods and others in everyday attire, gave Bell some insight into why the Klan still exists after all these years. Many of these men live in small towns, most are probably under-employed and their lives may not have turned out as theyd once hoped, he surmises.

Instead of saying, what did I do to bring myself here, they decided its my fault. Black people are to blame, Bell says. Its easy to blame black people when there arent that many around.

Future episodes will find Bell going to Daytona Beach, Fla., to talk both to spring-breakers and retirees, visiting Alaskas Point Barrow and hanging out with cops in Camden, N.J.

I got to hang out with the police force, he deadpans. Every black mans dream.

He is especially proud of the second episode in the series, in which he visits San Quentin State Prison. Bells purpose in the Behind the Walls episode, airing on May 1, is to find out how spending a lifetime behind bars has impacted these men. The episode asks the questions of whether a murderer can ever be rehabilitated and if he even deserves to be. Bell will return to San Quentin to screen the episode for the inmates the day before the show airs.

In another episode, Bell visits the real-life Portlandia to show a side of the Oregon city you probably wont see on the IFC series. In the city of laid-back hipsters that can make Berkeley look like Bayonne, Bell looks at the effects of gentrification on the black community.

Instead of sandal-shod hipsters drinking herbal tea, Bell finds sad and angry black people who have been uprooted from their homes and are wondering, What did you do to my neighborhood.

We could have shot it in Oakland, he says.

He isnt joking.

The CNN series showcases Bells finely honed ability to tackle hot-button issues with smiling, disarming directness, something his standup audiences have learned to appreciate  and laugh at  over the years.

No matter how funny he is, though, he never loses sight of real issues, and the current presidential circus is providing him with a lot of material for standup.

The stuff I do on college campuses is multimedia, so I just play a clip of Donald Trump and point at it, he says.

I live in Berkeley, the land of Bernie Sanders, and what I talk about is how long it has taken my people, my liberal, progressive people, to take the threat of Donald Trump seriously.

Before Trump began racking up primary win after primary win, Bell began referring to him as President Trump to get people to understand that Hey, its not Lord Voldemort. Its not like he wont show up.

Again: He isnt joking.

David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. Follow me on Facebook. Email: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV

United Shades of America: Eight-part docu-comedy series, 10 p.m. Sunday, April 24, on CNN.

W. Kamau Bell: Semi-Prominent Negro: Comedy special, 10 p.m. Friday, April 29, on Showtime.
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In an era when the concept of actual dialogue is an endangered species in American society, an African American comic with a deceptively cheerful disposition wanders through the American South chatting up members of the Ku Klux Klan.

Thats what happens in the first of the eight episodes of United Shades of America, a new series starring Berkeley comic W. Kamau Bell (Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell) and premiering Sunday, April 24, with The New KKK.

Bell introduces Sundays premiere as the what the hell am I thinking tour as he drives to Arkansas to meet with the head of the Klan, who tells him that the KKK is no longer antiblack, just pro-white.

Were out to look at the Klan for the 21st century, the Klan leader adds, as if the Klan had hired consultants to come up with an expensive rebranding campaign.

As you sit there listening in disbelief while Klan members say things like Jews will never be in the Klan. Theyre a dirty race, the Klan doesnt want to mingle our seed with the beasts of the field and the whole reason Klansmen wear hoods is to show were all equal, you cant help feeling you have gained some sad insight into why race remains such an ugly and divisive part of American life.

But to elevate your eyebrows further, how about justifying separation of the races by comparing the American populace to a bag of Skittles? Thats how one Klansman explains the groups philosophy. If you separate Skittles by color, youll find each one tastes better than if you just take a handful of multiple-colored candy, he argues.

In other words, the nations racial problems could have been solved years ago if only wed thought of visiting the candy counter.

Bell visits the small town of Harrison, Ark., which is 96 percent white. Driving into town, youre greeted by a billboard that advises you, Anti Racist Is a Code Word for Anti White. No one officially knows who has paid for the billboard, but many suspect Rev. Thomas Robb, who, in conversation with Bell, wont say if he paid for the sign, but does say diversity is a code word for white genocide.

Sitting across from Bell at a local diner, the preacher offers that it is his personal belief that black people cannot maintain law and order.

Throughout the hour-long premiere, youre stunned not only by the crazy utterances of the Klan members but by Bells ability to keep things on a conversational level.

Future episodes of United Shades of America will find Bell traveling to Daytona Beach, Fla., where he will interview retirees as well as college students on spring break, to Portland, Ore., to talk to African Americans who have been displaced by gentrification, to San Quentin State Prison to talk to long-term inmates, and to Camden, N.J., where he hangs out with local cops.

Everyone talks about the ongoing national conversation on race, but for the most part, that conversation has been a shouting match at best. At worst, its resulted in demonstrations, riots, injuries and death. In United Shades of America, W. Kamau Bell makes the case that using humor to defuse some of the hatred is one way to get people to listen to each other.

David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. Follow me on Facebook. Email: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV

United Shades of America: With W. Kamau Bell, 10 p.m. Sunday, April 24, on CNN.
Leah Millis/The Chronicle

Given that Democrat Sen. Bernie Sanders is the most cannabis-friendly presidential candidate in either major party, it should come as no surprise that there is a Burn One for Bernie 4/20 Cannabis Awareness Reggae Concert in Oakland Wednesday night  coinciding with the 4/20 high holy day of all things cannabis.

In what may be a new synergy for a presidential fundraiser, the cover charge will be lifted for guests who donate $4.20 or more to Bernie Sanders campaign ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT and show us your receipt (on your phone) for entry or donate at the door! 100% of funds raised will go to Bernie Sanders campaign! according to a Facebook ad for the event at the Au Lounge.
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The legacy of Harvey Milk looms large in San Francisco, where the gay rights leaders name adorns a number of city landmarks. But thats not so much the case elsewhere  and certainly not in Utah, home of the conservative Mormon church.

This is now likely to change, however. On Tuesday night the Salt Lake City Council unanimously voted to name a street after the late San Francisco supervisor who is thought to be the first openly gay elected official in California.

The move will not only bolster the memory of a Bay Area icon far beyond his hometown, but also cement Utahs capital and most populous city as a progressive oasis amid a bastion of conservatism.

There are a lot of perceptions of what Salt Lake City is and is not, said Councilman Stan Penfold, who authored the Harvey Milk proposal. I felt it was really important that we send a message that we are an open and inclusive city.

Penfold is one of two gay members of the Salt Lake City Council, alongside the citys recently elected lesbian mayor  all in a state where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long helped shape public policy.

The influential church considers homosexuality a sin and remains opposed to same-sex marriage.

For Penfold, the Harvey Milk proposal is personal, being the first openly gay council member in Salt Lake City. But he also said Milks achievements go beyond the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

People look to him as a symbol of activism, of getting involved, of being engaged, Penfold said. Im amazed at how familiar people seem to be with him.

Milks story as a gay rights leader was the subject of an Oscar-winning movie in 2008, and in 2014 he was honored with a commemorative U.S. postal stamp.

The San Francisco supervisor, who succeeded in passing the citys first strict gay rights ordinance in a place where police had only recently stopped raiding gay bars, was assassinated alongside Mayor George Moscone in 1978. Their killer, former Supervisor Dan White, became angry when he was not reappointed to the council after leaving office.

Salt Lake City officials say there has been plenty of opposition to naming a street after Milk, but that far more have shown support.

The legislation will name a portion of 900 South after Milk. The segment of street is located on the southern edge of the citys downtown and runs through a mix of industrial and residential neighborhoods. Salt Lake City has in the past named major corridors after Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez and Rosa Parks.

The City Council hearing hearing drew about 100 people, with several speaking against the idea, arguing that a local Salt Lake City leader or inventor should be honored, rather than one who made his mark 735 miles away in San Francisco.

Those are our pioneers, not San Franciscos pioneers, said resident Ralph Pahnke.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
Hundreds of faculty announced last week they will picket San Francisco City College locations throughout the city on April 27.

During the one-day walk-out, no classes will be held nor papers graded, a statement from the American Federation of Teachers Local 2121 read.
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Advocates for the blind have agreed with Uber on overall terms of settling a lawsuit that accused the ride-hailing company of discriminating against passengers with guide dogs, a lawyer said Wednesday.

The suit, filed by the National Federation of the Blind in September 2014, said many Uber drivers in California have refused to take passengers with dogs. Uber denied discriminating and argued that its contracts with passengers required them to take disputes to arbitration rather than suing in court, but a federal magistrate in San Francisco ruled in April 2015 that the suit could proceed.

U.S. Magistrate Nathanael Cousins ordered both sides Wednesday to file terms of the proposed settlement within a week or prepare to go to trial. Larry Paradis, executive director of the nonprofit Disability Rights Advocates and a lawyer for the passengers, said he expects to meet the deadline.

We are on the verge of finalizing a settlement, Paradis said. Were pretty much in agreement on all the substantive issues.

He did not disclose the details. But the disputed issues in the suit include whether Uber is a transportation company covered by disability laws  the company contends it merely connects drivers and passengers  and, if so, what responsibility Uber has when its drivers refuse to accommodate blind passengers.

The lawsuit said one Uber driver had agreed by phone to take two passengers to a home in Menlo Park, but when he arrived and saw a guide dog, he shouted No dogs and sped away.

Another driver locked a Sacramento passengers guide dog in the trunk, the suit said, and Uber tried to charge cancellation fees to some blind passengers after its drivers refused to transport them.

Federal law requires taxis and other transportation services to carry a disabled passengers service animal. In response to the suit, Uber said that it had a policy of accommodating passengers with disabilities and that any driver who refused to carry a service animal would be deactivated from the Uber platform.

Uber did not respond immediately to a request for comment on the proposed settlement.

Paradis said his organization is also negotiating with Ubers competitor, Lyft, on the same issues, without filing a suit. He said blind passengers have reported similar experiences with Lyft drivers.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com
Awarded a Creative Work Fund grant for the third time since 2004, the Poetry Center at San Francisco State University has partnered with Barbara Jane Reyes to produce a text and a series of performances based on kuwentuhan, or talk story.

I started thinking about these oral traditions, and orality, that happen mostly in informal spaces, like family spaces, places with friends and family and food and drink  those are the times that people do come together, and theres always this wealth of story that happens in those places, Reyes said by phone. Could we make that happen in and with the Poetry Center, and if so, what would that look like?

An SFSU alumna who has written several books, including To Love as Aswang, Diwata (a finalist for the California Book Award), and Poeta en San Francisco (winner of the James Laughlin Award from the Academy of American Poets), Reyes, a Filipina American, invited a wish list of poets to converge, write and essentially feed off of one another. The idea was that they would communicate via letters leading up to the events.

Reyes father died in November, and the experience permeated her letters. It was really intense, my kind of just spilling my heart out in these letters and telling them how broken up I was about what had happened, she said. Each of the poets responded in kind, with memories of their parents, or with other intimacies; it confirmed an idea Reyes holds from teaching: if you open up to people, they will open up to you.

Its uncertain what will happen at the events, which begin on Thursday afternoon and culminate in a collective performance Saturday night. Each is preceded by an afternoon of private time among the authors, wherein they get together to talk and write, improv-style, and then try to extend that intimacy to the public.

Were constantly learning how to put ourselves out in public as authors and as educators, and I definitely am understanding how much of a connection is made when I am able to share something about myself instead of just falling back on the speaker and the persona, to actually talk about that poetic I as I, Reyes said.

Participating authors are Javier O. Huerta, Lehua M. Taitano, Arlene Biala, Aimee Suzara, Urayoan Noel (New York) and Angela Narciso Torres (Chicago).

Write of Way Literary

Festival

Miah Jeffra, English staff at San Francisco Art Institute, has put together a daylong festival featuring 35 of the Bay Areas indie lit organizations.

I originally thought, OK, this will be kind of small, Jeffra said by phone. He laughs, having spent all week adding more names to the flier. I reached out to desired organizations, thinking that most of them probably wouldnt be able to, simply because of either being overtaxed or whatever the case may be, and then almost all of them said yes, and it was kind of like, oh, whoa! Obviously theres a need for this, so I went back to the school, and said, hey, can I have more space, because we have all these people who want to do it.

SFAI is devoting a large lecture hall, a classroom, and a cafe area to the eight-hour event, which includes performances, a bazaar, and even some panels and a studio-style workshop.

Kuwentuhan: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 23, $10, McRoskey Mattress Co., 1687 Market St., (415) 338-2227, poetry.sfsu.edu.

Write of Way Literary Festival: 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Free, San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut St., (415) 771-7020, writeofwayfestival.com.

Evan Karp is the creator of Quiet Lightning and Litseen.com. Twitter: @Litseen

Additional listings

Anna Pulley reads from The Lesbian Sex Haiku Book (with Cats!) (7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, t he Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., Free). www.booksmith.com/event/anna-pulley-lesbian-sex-haiku-book-cats

Scott Esposito (The Surrender), Janice Lee (The Sky Isnt Blue), and 2016 NEA Translation fellow Kit Schluter read from new writings (7 p.m. Friday, April 22, Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College Ave., Oakland, Free). www.facebook.com/events/1684386335142963/
BRUSSELS  The European Union is broadening its battle with Google, alleging that the technology giant rigs the global market for mobile apps by making its Android operating system give preferential treatment to its own products.

EU Antitrust Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Wednesday that Googles behavior denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation.

The Android operating system is designed to feature Googles search engine, maps, Gmail, YouTube video service and other products that give the company more opportunities to sell digital ads.

Device makers dont have to use Android as Google sets it up, but European regulators are looking into complaints that the company penalizes those that deviate from Googles favored design.

Vestager kicked off what is likely to be a protracted legal battle with a so-called Statement of Objections accusing Google of using its high market share to force its apps on customers.

Vestager said Wednesdays move in no way prejudges the outcome of its investigation.

It is an interim step and not the end of the road, said Vestager.

The 28-nation EU also has other investigations against Google, with the biggest centering on its search services. Vestager said there were antitrust concerns over a range of the multinationals operations.

Vestager noted that the Mountain View company had shares of over 90 percent in Europe in the markets for general Internet search services, licensable smart mobile operating systems and app stores for the Android operating system.

Her view is that Google has abused its dominant positions in these three markets.

As an indication of how big the latest issue is, 4 out of 5 smartphones and tablets globally, and in the European market, use Android. Google has stormed the market since it began eight years ago to give away its Android software for free to manufacturers to counter the runaway success of Apples iPhone.

Now, Android powers billions of mobile devices, largely because it doesnt cost phone and tablet makers anything to use the software.

Dominant companies have a responsibility not to abuse their position, said Vestager. Google has abused its dominant position.

Google strongly denied the charges and its General Council Kent Walker said it was looking forward to working with the European Commission to demonstrate that Android is good for competition and good for consumers.

While Vestager complains about restrictive licensing practices, Walker highlighted that Googles partner agreements are entirely voluntary allowing companies to use and modify Android at will.

The EU charges come a day after Canadian competition authorities cleared Google of some of the same issues that the EU is objecting to, said the CCIA global group of computer, communications and Internet companies.

Google now has 12 weeks to respond to Vestagers objections.
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There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

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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

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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".

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A day after Google said the homepage of its popular search engine was partially dangerous to malware, the company is now saying its safe to browse.

Safe Browsing has not recently seen malicious content on google.com, the Mountain View company said in its updated transparency report on Wednesday.

The company did warn in its report that consumers will still need to watch out for pages on google.com that could install malware or redirect users to dangerous websites that install malware on visitors computers.

Google did not respond to a request for comment.

Rob Enderle with advisory services firm Enderle Group said that any high-trafficked site, especially Google, will be a huge target for malware.

If someone can embed malware into the site, they are going to do it, Enderle said.

But Google has been incredibly aggressive at keeping its site safer and by being transparent about potential security risks, Enderle said, adding the moves are a form of defense for the company.

A report by Google and UC Berkeley researchers said it looked at 760,935 hijacking incidents that were labeled as such by Google Safe Browsing and Search Quality from July 2014 to June 2015. The report showed that more communication with webmasters reduced the risk.

We observe that direct communication with webmasters increases the likelihood of cleanup by over 50 percent and reduces infection lengths by at least 62 percent, the report said.

Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thewendylee
TOKYO  In the latest scandal to hit the automobile industry, Mitsubishi Motors said Wednesday that it had cheated on fuel-economy tests for an ultrasmall car it produces in Japan. The company acknowledged that its engineers had intentionally manipulated evaluations.

The cheating affected about 620,000 cars sold in the Japanese market starting in 2013, Tetsuro Aikawa, Mitsubishis president, said at a news conference.

But the problem could stretch beyond that make of car. Aikawa said that the same testing method, which was in violation of Japanese standards, was used on other models in the country and that Mitsubishi was investigating whether fuel-economy ratings for other lines had been exaggerated as a result.

It has become clear that improper testing methods were used to improve the appearance of fuel efficiency, Aikawa said before he and other company leaders bowed in apology. Company executives called the manipulation of tests on the microcar, called the eK, intentional.

Automakers reports of fuel economy and pollution ratings have come under especially close scrutiny after a scandal at Volkswagen last year. The German automaker was found to have manipulated software in 11 million diesel vehicles to cheat on emissions tests.

Mitsubishis reputation has been battered by scandal before. In 2000, the company admitted that it had been hiding reports on vehicle defects for more than two decades. The news contributed to a sales plunge of nearly 50 percent and nearly pushed the automaker into bankruptcy.

The revelation of cheating put the fuel ratings of other Mitsubishi vehicles under scrutiny. Shares in Mitsubishi fell 15 percent Wednesday after the company released a brief statement saying it had engaged in improper fuel-economy reporting. It disclosed the details after the market closed.

The cheating at Mitsubishi appears to have been exposed by an unexpected source: another Japanese carmaker, Nissan Motor.

Selling to Nissan

Mitsubishi manufactures the eK and sells it at dealerships in Japan. But it also supplies versions of the car to Nissan, which markets them under a different name, the Dayz. Nissan, a larger company with a more extensive dealer network, actually sells more of the vehicles than Mitsubishi does.

Such arrangements are increasingly common in the global automobile industry, as manufactures pursue greater scale in an effort to lower costs. And for smaller manufacturers like Mitsubishi, whose sales of 1.2 million vehicles a year make it only Japans sixth-biggest carmaker, they can be financially indispensable.

Nissan took over development and design work on the eK and Dayz last year. It was then, Aikawa said, that Nissans engineers noticed the discrepancy in the published fuel rating  ostensibly an impressive 25 to 30 kilometers per liter, or 60 to 70 mpg, depending on the version  and confronted Mitsubishi. He said the company would pay compensation to Nissan; the amount is subject to negotiation.

Aikawa said he and other top executives were unaware of the manipulation until it was pointed out by Nissan, at which point Mitsubishi began an internal investigation. It remained unclear who ordered the cheating, he said, but Mitsubishi plans to ask an independent commission of experts to conduct a more thorough inquiry.

We had problems in the past, and we thought that we had overcome them as an organization, but that wasnt the case, said Ryugo Nakao, a Mitsubishi executive vice president in charge of product development.

The car is a kei, a category of tiny vehicles with engines under 660 cubic centimeters  smaller and less powerful than many motorcycles  that is specific to Japan. Subject to lower taxes than full-size cars, keis were introduced in the lean years after World War II to promote car ownership, and they remain popular with budget-conscious buyers.

The manipulation of the eKs fuel rating involved the way Mitsubishi calculated the effect of wind and tire resistance on the car during driving simulations. Resistance fluctuates, depending on a cars speed and other conditions, and manufacturers are supposed to operate test vehicles in a way that produces an average over the course of a test. That, presumably, gives a result closer to real-world conditions.

But Mitsubishi said it had secretly used a test method that can produce lower resistance and that can make the vehicle appear to be able to travel farther on less fuel. It said that it had used the same method on an unspecified number of other vehicle models, and that it was examining test results dating back to 2002 to determine if they were faulty.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which regulates the automobile industry, said the method Mitsubishi used differed from Japans nationally mandated standard.

Overseas results

Many countries, including the United States, set their own detailed rules for fuel-economy testing, and Nakao said Mitsubishi, like other carmakers, tested the cars it makes for export with methods different from those used on cars it sells in Japan. But he said Mitsubishi would also review the fuel-economy standards it had reported overseas for possible discrepancies.

Mitsubishis admission is the latest blow to the credibility of automakers, said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst at AutoTrader.

This has left a cloud over the auto industry that suggests it isnt honest, Krebs said. It leads consumers and regulators to be suspicious.

Volkswagen is still reeling after its acknowledgment in September that it had equipped millions of cars worldwide with software intended to cheat tailpipe emissions tests. The vehicles spewed far more pollutants than allowed under federal standards.

Since 2012, Hyundai, Kia, Ford and the Mini division of BMW have all been forced by U.S. regulators to lower their fuel-economy ratings for various lines. Hyundai and Kia were ordered to pay a combined $300 million in penalties related to fuel-economy claims. Ford paid up to $1,050 each to about 200,000 owners of six different models, most of them hybrids, that had been sold with inflated mileage ratings.

Krebs said the willingness to take shortcuts reflected difficulties that automakers face as they strive to meet new standards for emissions and fuel economy that regulators in Europe, the United States and elsewhere have set.

Theres intense pressure to reach these standards, she said, and some are doing it by not actually having the performance to back it up.
A 34-year-old Vacaville man was identified on Wednesday by San Francisco police as the Nob Hill burglar who allegedly pointed a gun at officers before leaping from the roof of a four-story building and landing on a parked car.

Alexander Kolesnikov was booked into San Francisco County Jail on a host of charges, including burglary, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and a number of outstanding warrants, said Sgt. Michael Andraychak, a police spokesman.

The incident began about 8:45 a.m. Saturday on the 1300 block of Pacific Avenue when police, responding to reports of a burglary, found luggage from the crime on a buildings roof and were told of another burglary in progress nearby on the 1500 block of Leavenworth Street, Andraychak said.

Kolesnikov allegedly broke in and held a victim at gunpoint at the second location before leaving, but he ran into responding officers in the building. Kolesnikov allegedly pointed a gun at the officers, Andraychak said, and they ordered him to drop the weapon.

It was unclear whether the gun in question was real, as Kolesnikov was booked on suspicion of possessing a pellet gun and police did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.

Kolesnikov did not comply and fled on foot, Andraychak said. He ran toward the 1300 block of Pacific Avenue, where he allegedly broke into a building and led police on a rooftop chase toward Pacific Avenue and Hyde Street, the police spokesman said.

No shots were fired, Andraychak said.

Kolesnikov then dropped the gun on the roof and jumped, Andraychak said, falling through a tree and onto an Audi parked in front of 1600 Hyde St.

He was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was treated and released prior to his booking into county jail, where he remained Wednesday afternoon on $1,276,000 bail.

Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kwilliams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfkale
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A teen killed over the weekend after a group of men inside a vehicle pulled up, got out of the car and left him suffering from fatal gunshot wounds was an 18-year-old San Jose resident, police said Tuesday.

Before sunset Saturday, the suspect vehicle drove up to the teen walking on the 10000 block of Lyndale Avenue about a block south of an elementary school. After the victim was shot, the men ran back inside the vehicle and sped away, officials said.
Community activists outraged by recent killings by San Francisco police officers say they will take a dramatic step in their efforts to force change: a hunger strike.

Starting Thursday, a small group led by Ilyich Sato, who is also known as the rapper Equipto, plan to stand in front of the Police Departments Mission Station and refuse to eat until either Police Chief Greg Suhr or Mayor Ed Lee resigns.

Activists have been calling for Suhrs job since the video-recorded fatal shooting of Mario Woods on Dec. 2 in the Bayview neighborhood. Pointing to the killing of Luis Gongora in the Mission District on April 7  as well as the killings of Alex Nieto in 2014 on Bernal Hill and Amilcar Perez-Lopez last year in the Mission  Sato said, drastic measures need to be taken.

We can no longer watch our community be targeted and murdered, he said in a Facebook post. We can no longer support a department that is wrought with corruption, criminal behavior, racial profiling and murder.

Suhr and Lee have said they are committed to seeking reforms that reduce police use of force and build police-community relations, though critics want changes to be mandated.

Lees spokeswoman, Christine Falvey, said Wednesday that under his direction, the police force and Police Commission are moving faster and more dramatically to reform the department and its practices than any city in America.

She said Lee had been meeting with residents in a variety of neighborhoods to continue the long, hard work of building back community trust.

Woods death thrust San Francisco into the national conversation on law enforcement reform, with the Police Commission moving to revise the departments use-of-force policies to put an emphasis on de-escalation techniques. The U.S. Department of Justices community-policing division is conducting a collaborative review of the department at the behest of the chief and mayor.

These efforts were taking shape when two officers fatally shot Gongora, a homeless man with a knife, near an encampment on Shotwell Street.

A video obtained by The Chronicle, which showed the shooting unfolded in less than 30 seconds, raised questions about why the officers did not appear to employ de-escalation techniques at the heart of the reform discussions. Witnesses came forward to dispute the police account that Gongora charged them with the knife, instead describing Gongora as calm and sitting on the ground.

The shooting happened after at least four officers were implicated last month in allegedly exchanging racist and homophobic text messages  the second set of San Francisco officers to be accused of the behavior.

Sato said all of this contributed to the decision to launch the hunger strike, which will include his mother and a few of his friends.

Its time for a change and I want to be a part of that change, Sato said. Were going to stay as long as we can, until we cant take it and until we get hospitalized. Weve talked over this and discussed the situations.

Were considering our lives but at the same time, Im considering the families, and that is what is going to get me through. All I can think about is the mother and father of Alex Nieto, of Gwendolyn Woods, Mario Woods mother. Were going to stand out there until we find some kind of justice for them.
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Madame Tussauds in San Francisco has just unveiled its newest character: Tyrion Lannister.

Er, Peter Dinklage, that is.

"I'm not very tall, am I?" Dinklage joked, as he circled around his new wax twin. The figure is one of the museum's better, more realistic models, requiring 20 artists working around four months to complete. The final price tag? About $350,000.

Now, standing inside the San Francisco Madame Tussauds location at Fisherman's Wharf, the wax man first seemed to Dinklage like it couldn't possibly be real, even though the actor had even donated a suit he owned for the final model.

"I didn't believe this was real, and now I do believe it's real," he said upon inspecting it. "I haven't told anyone but my wife because maybe I'm going to just invite them to San Francisco and freak them out."

"With the upcoming 'Game of Thrones' season premiere, we felt it was the perfect time to reveal Peter Dinklage's wax figure," said Chris Connors, General Manager of Madame Tussauds San Francisco. "We are excited to share his figure with the show's legions of fans."

The new season of "Game of Thrones" premieres on HBO this Sunday, April 24.
So far, this San Francisco April has been a little toastier than usual. Locals in the city certainly know the struggle of being incapable of leaving the house without a jacket, only to not wear it all day.

However, we're not ones to complain about sunny days (though we do love our fog!). Unless your digs are in the Mission, heat seems to happen sporadically during the year, so we try to complement every warm city day by grabbing ice cream from Swensen's, Bi-Rite, Three Twins, or an It's It cookie treat.
Sometimes a plan looks good on paper, but in reality not so much, which is why the Giants optioned right-hander Chris Heston to Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday. The club thought Heston could make the transition from starting to long relief. It did not work, and he will join the River Cats rotation.

Heston pitched in six games and allowed five runs over four innings, including the go-ahead run in the 11th inning of Monday nights 9-7 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Its never easy making a move like this, manager Bruce Bochy said. He did such a great job for us.

The Giants promoted right-hander Mike Broadway and left-hander Steven Okert to replace Heston and George Kontos, who is going on the disabled list with a flexor-tendon strain. Okert threw two shutout innings in his big-league debut Tuesday. Broadway struck out two in one scoreless inning.

The Giants have two motivations for having Heston start in Triple-A. Mainly, they hope regular work will allow him to regain the command that enabled him to no-hit the Mets last year. Also, the Giants want to stretch his pitch count to give themselves another option if a starter gets hurt.

Prospect Clayton Blackburn has topped everyones list of next man up, but he did not inspire confidence over his final two spring training starts, in particular a televised night game against the Dodgers. Blackburn did not survive the first inning. The Giants have other starters at Double- and Triple-A, some of whom might have passed Blackburn, but it helps to have a pitcher with big-league experience, like Heston, with enough arm strength to be able to work five or six innings.

Kontos injury: Kontos has been the bullpen workhorse. He pitched in 73 games last year and appeared in six of the teams first nine this year despite soreness in his elbow that went back to spring training.

It was just a little bit of soreness, something Im typically not used to dealing with, Kontos said. We were on top of it. It was manageable and getting better. Once the workload increased a little bit, it started barking a little bit more. It got to the point where I could still pitch through it, but wed rather get it looked at and taken care of now so its only 15 days and not longer than that.

Kontos had an MRI exam Monday and was relieved that there was no structural damage to his ulnar-collateral ligament. He had Tommy John surgery in 2009.

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

On deck

Wednesday

vs. Diamondbacks

7:15 p.m. CSNBA

Greinke (0-2) vs.

Bumgarner (1-1)

Thursday

vs. Diamondbacks

12:45 p.m. CSNBA

Miller (0-1) vs.

Cueto (3-0)

Friday

vs. Marlins

7:15 p.m. Channel: 11

Cosart (0-0) vs.

Samardzjia (1-1)

Leading off

Nemesis: In September, the Giants finally won a game started by Zack Greinke, Arizonas Wednesday starter, but they still have not beaten him. He is 7-0 with a 2.19 ERA in 10 starts against San Francisco.

 Henry Schulman
Shame on German Chancellor Merkel For Succumbing to Erdogans Bullying

By Harut Sassounian Publisher, The California Courier www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com It is bad enough that Turkish President Erdogan wants to sue a German comic for insulting him! It is much more outrageous for German Chancellor Angela Merkel allowing the lawsuit to go forward, based on a 19th century law! Under this archaic law, anyone who offends a foreign leader can be sued in court after obtaining the consent of the German government. Erdogan now joins the dictatorial ranks of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran and Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet who had filed similar lawsuits in Germany. Merkel, after initially defending the German citizens right to freedom of press and opinion, contrary to Turkeys repressive laws, shamefully buckled under Erdogans threat to flood Europe with Syrian refugees, after accepting several billion dollars to block such migrants! Merkel, Obama, and others dont seem to understand that appeasing a bully only leads to more bullying. The best way to stop a bully is just to say no! Naturally, Erdogan will throw a temper tantrum like a spoiled brat, make threats, and probably withdraw his ambassador! But, after a while, he will learn that he cant impose his will outside of Turkey, and that the rest of the world will not meekly kowtow to his Sultanic diktats! For several decades, American, British and Israeli leaders have made the same humiliating mistake of buckling under threats from Erdogan and his predecessors not to utter the words Armenian Genocide. Had these foreign leaders just said no on day one, they would have spared themselves years of escalating threats! Unfortunate, they have allowed the tail to wag the dog! Merkel has now gone down the slippery slope of appeasing the Turkish bully. She has made the gross misjudgment that by allowing the prosecution of the German satirist, she has bought Erdogans friendship! The German Chancellor will soon face new demands from the Turkish President on Syrian refugees and many other issues, such as next months scheduled vote in the Bundestag on the Armenian Genocide which has already been postponed several times under earlier Turkish threats. Merkels unwise and undemocratic move may cause a split in her grand coalition government. Thomas Oppermann, the parliamentary leader of the center-left Social Democrats, criticized her decision, urging the Chancellor to repeal the antiquated law. Foreign heads of state should not enjoy special rights to sue German citizens, Oppermann warned. Two influential ministers in Merkels government also announced their opposition to her decision. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Justice Minister Heiko Maas declared: The freedom of opinion, media and culture are the highest treasures of our Constitution. Furthermore, two-thirds of the German public opposes Merkels decision to try the satirist, according to a recent survey. In the last few days, her popularity fell from 56% to 45%. According to another survey, 66% of the respondents oppose the prosecution of the satirist, while only 22% support it. The German newspaper ZDF, which posted the satirists video on Erdogan, has promised its full legal support during the investigation. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker also criticized Erdogans unacceptable overreaction. Juncker vowed not to compromise on European values in order to preserve the recently struck deal with Ankara to stem migrant flows, according to the Turkish Hurriyet newspaper. I cannot understand at all that a German ambassador has been summoned for an admittedly difficult satirical song, Juncker stated on April 13. That does not bring Turkey closer to us. It will put us farther away from each other. According to the New York Times, Erdogan has filed almost 2,000 lawsuits in Turkey against those he accuses of insulting him. The Turkish President has already brought a private lawsuit in a German court against the satirist, who could face a three-year jail term or an unspecified fine, if found guilty. Satirist Jan Bohmermann, in his sarcastic poem, made references to sex with goats and oppressing minorities. He called Erdogan dumb as a post, cowardly and uptight and perverse, lice-ridden kicking Kurds, beating Christians, all the while watching child porno films. No matter how insulting the poem may be, the writer should have the right to express his opinion freely. It is one thing for Erdogan, the dictatorial leader of a third world country, to repress the media. It is completely a different matter for the head of a major Western European democracy to side with the Sultan of a fascist Middle Eastern state. In this regard, Merkels transgression is much worse than Erdogans!
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Rain showers began falling Wednesday morning in northwest Harris County as another round of thunderstorms slowly marched into the Houston region, prompting fears of more flooding in areas already underwater.

The slow-moving storms are likely to linger in the area throughout much of the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy rains started falling in the Cypress area before 9:30 a.m. In Waller County, which has been deluged in recent days, the heavy rainfall was brief Wednesday morning and no already-inundated areas reported increased flooding.

Northwest Harris County also has been hard hit, causing rain-swollen Cypress Creek to spill over its banks onto roads, flooding apartment complexes and houses. The floodwaters forced hundreds of people to be evacuated Tuesday.

No further evacuations were reported in northwest Harris County Wednesday morning but rescue crews were staged nearby at Champion Forest Baptist Church, 15555 Stuebner Airline Road.

Even before the rains hit Wednesday, evacuations began in flooded spots in north Harris County.

Wednesday's storms, forecasters said, will likely drop between about 1 inch and 3 inches of rain in most spots, but some areas could receive more.

STAY INFORMED: Get real-time weather updates on our weather page

Areas already flooded, especially in northwest Harris County along Cypress Creek, could see floodwaters increase.

"If the rain falls over vulnerable areas we could see more flash flooding," said Dan Reilly, a meteorologist with the weather service.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until Wednesday evening for much of southeast Texas, including Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Montgomery, Galveston and Waller counties.

Reilly said more rain is forecast for Thursday, increasing the chance for more flooding.

CHECK BEFORE YOU DRIVE: See road closures and high-water spots before heading out

"Even after today we're not out of the woods," Reilly said.

The area may dry out on Friday and Saturday, when little or no rain is expected before the chance of rain increases to 30 percent on Sunday and Monday.

Floodwaters have yet to recede in areas of northwest Harris County, where Cypress Creek remains over its banks, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Some roads in the area remain closed by floodwaters.

Evacuations of residents were completed Tuesday at an assisted-living center in north Harris County surrounded by high water.

EDITOR'S PICKS: Incredible photos from Aprils's storms

In hard-hit Waller County, more than a dozen roads remained blocked. The closures included Morton Road from FM 362 to FM 2855, Highway 90 at Cardiff Road and Peach Ridge at Interstate 10.

Though the Brazos River was no longer predicted to crest as high in Simonton as once was thought, a voluntary evacuation remained in place mid-day Wednesday in the city, which is nestled along the winding waterway in northwest Fort Bend County.

The city since Tuesday morning had been advising residents "if they don't have to be here, not to be here," Mayor Daniel McJunkin said.

Seven or so of the city's 270 homes had received some water, only one of which had been flooded by a couple of feet, McJunkin said. The city had been notified of about nine homes that had self-evacuated, which the county sheriff's office was helping to monitor.

Still, the outlook Wednesday seemed to be improving.

"The good news is that the projections from the Brazos River as coming down from Hempstead to us have mitigated," McJunkin said, explaining that it seemed the water in Simonton would stay within the riverbanks -- "but barely."

The Hempstead prediction upriver showed the water level in Simonton would hit 47.5 feet, just bellow a 48-foot trigger point city officials worry about.

"All of the indications are positive presently," McJunkin said when reached by phone just before noon Wednesday. "Although we do have localized flooding, it is by no means what other cities have had to deal with."

County officials and local volunteers also continued to man pumps to get water out of neighborhoods and back into the river.

"I just can't say enough about how this community comes together in a time of need such as this," McJunkin said. "It's one of the great things about Simonton."

In addition to Simonton, Fort Bend County officials are keeping an eye on Tierra Grande and parts of the city of Kendleton, entries to which may get cut off as the San Bernard River continues to rise.

Officials distributed fliers Monday to residents in both areas, warning them that they might lose access to their neighborhoods as the waterway rose and other creeks and tributaries leading to it backed up, said Lach Mullen, a planner in the county's office of emergency management.

In Tierra Grande, a subdivision in the southwest portion of the county where many homes are built on stilts, a low crossing was expected to be submerged but hadn't been reported closed yet as of early Wednesday afternoon, Mullen said.

"That's kind of an expected impact every time it does this," Mullen said, explaining that homeowners usually anticipate it and houses don't typically flood. "They just lose access to the rest of the world."

Nearby, to the northwest of Tierra Grande, Mullen said neighborhoods in Kendleton could also be cut off, but not necessarily.

Like their neighbors in Fort Bend County, officials in Brazoria County were keeping an eye on the Brazos and San Bernard Rivers.

Only one road closure was in place Wednesday afternoon, on Cow Creek Bridge along County Road 25, county spokesperson Sharon Trower said. No voluntary evacuations were yet implemented.

In preparation for rising water levels, residents had been asked to remove boats or get them to a safe area because of debris expected to come down the river, Trower said.

Those who needed help with livestock in areas of the county that could flood were also asked to call the AgriLife Extension Office at 979-864-1558.

"We're just continuing to monitor the rivers, both of them," Trower said.

High water in Montgomery County has receded from most roads that were closed Tuesday because of flooding. However, the Grand Parkway service road between Interstate 45 and U.S. 59 remains underwater.

Officials have blocked about a dozen roads in Fort Bend County for high water or other dangers related to flooding.

County Judge Craig Doyal urged residents to take steps to determine the extent of damage to their properties. He recommended they submit a damage report at mctxoem.org, or call call 936-523-3916 or the United Way 281-292-4155 ext. 245.

He said this will allow the county to formally assess damages and qualify for federal aid.
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A southwest Washington wood dealer at the center of an old-growth maple poaching ring will serve jail time for the thefts.

J&L Tonewoods owner Harold Clause Kupers III was sentenced Tuesday to six months in federal detention followed by six months of house arrest for crimes related to maple thefts from Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Kupers and three others faced federal charges in the operation, which was broken up by U.S. Forest Service investigators

Writing the court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Wilkinson said Kupers, 48, sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of maple annually at a 200 percent profit margin  a margin that he called absolutely huge. Kupers hid the woods illicit origin from his customers, who used the music wood to make musical instruments and fine woodcrafts.

As long as unscrupulous mill owners like this defendant create a market for poached wood, our protected forests are at risk, U.S. Attorney for Western Washington Annette L. Hayes said in a statement. This defendant was effectively a fence for stolen goods. In his case not stolen jewelry or electronics, but stolen publicly owned and irreplaceable natural resources.

Kupers codefendants illegally logged the massive big leaf maples from federal land located east of Chehalis. Each of those men -- Ryan Anthony Justice, James Michael Miller, Kevin James Mullins  has since pleaded guilty to related charges.

The big leaf maple trees alleged to have been taken by the men are described by prosecutors as critical habitat for many species. Theyre the last home of the Puget Oregonian snail, a species now extinct in Canada and declining in Washington.

The textured wood known as figured maple found in some big leaf maple trees is prized by woodworkers. Writing the court, Wilkinson said blocks of some patterns  flame maple and quilt maple  sell for hundreds of dollars.

Trees growing on public land are public property. Despite state and federal laws meant to stem timber poaching, though, the U.S. Forest Service estimates $1 billion worth of timber is stolen each year from public and private lands.

Kupers bought stolen maple from Justice, Miller and James. An associate of the men described Kupers, a Winlock resident, as a mentor who helped train the timber thieves who provided him with poached wood.

The timber thieves visited Gifford Pinchot National Forest during daylight hours searching for figured maple. They then returned at night to fell trees and haul rounds and blocks to J&L Tonewoods.

One of the site near the Iron Creek Campground was known as the slaughterhouse, Wilkinson said in court papers. There the timber thieves took $95,000-worth of maple in three weeks. Thefts were reported near state Route 508 and the Cispus River, as well as near Dry Creek.

From 2011 through 2013, J&L Tonewoods took in more than $800,000 selling illegally possessed maple, Wilkinson told the court. Kupers sold wood to a Maryland guitar maker and an Oregon wood products company, among others.

In a letter to the court, Kupers contended he didnt know the wood he dealt had to be permitted until he met with federal agents in 2012. He went on to claim he had no idea the wood was stolen.

I am a law abiding citizen, the former corrections officer said in the letter. Without rules and laws people would run amuck. 

I am an honorable man and have never given anybody cause to raise an eyebrow at my actions or intentions. I will now be thought of as a thief by some people.

Wilkinson noted that the thefts after April 2012  when Kupers was warned by authorities to stop dealing stolen wood amounted to $499,414. Kupers, the prosecutor said built an entire business on the theft of natural resources  and profited handsomely from it.

Unlawful logging on public lands is a major problem in Western Washington, Wilkinson said in court papers. The government has prosecuted numerous individual poachers over the last 10 years in an effort to eradicate this problem. 

So long as unscrupulous mill owners like (Kupers) create a market for poached wood, individuals will turn to poaching faster than the government can investigate and prosecute the poachers.

U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle sentenced Kupers to a term similar to those handed to Kupers codefendants.

James Miller, 36, of Morton was sentenced in February 2016 to six months in custody. Ryan Justice, 28, of Randle, was sentenced in December 2015 to 15 months in prison, while Kevin Mullins, 56, of Packwood, is scheduled to be sentenced in June.

Seattlepi.com reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 orlevipulkkinen@seattlepi.com. Follow Levi on Twitter at twitter.com/levipulk.
In the first seconds of A Hologram for a King, Tom Tykwer flings the audience into a surreal sequence, in which Tom Hanks is performing a version of the old Talking Heads song Once in a Lifetime. As Hanks advances on the camera, asking himself how he happened to get his beautiful house and his beautiful wife, each vanishes into blue smoke. And then, just as were getting used to this rock video approach and enjoying it, Tykwer breaks it off and shows Hanks on an airplane, getting startled awake by the Muslim call to prayer.

Its a great opening. Tykwer, oozing directorial confidence, prepares his audience for the unconventional, all the while conveying two important pieces of information  one in terms of story, the other, theme: This is about an American traveling to the Middle East on business. And this is the story of a man who finds himself at midlife wondering about his path, asking the big life questions and not having a clue.

A Hologram for the King has great energy, and also a languorous, lived-in quality. Adapted by Tykwer from the Dave Eggers novel, the movie locates us in a place  Saudi Arabia  and without seeming to be trying, makes us want to stay. It finds a rhythm and engages us in the struggle of the central character, such that it feels as if we might happily keep watching for three hours, not just 97 minutes. It becomes a kind of world, and were glad to be in it.

Its the story of a decent man who needs to put over a deal. An IT specialist, he has been invited by the government of Saudi Arabia to show his companys hologram technology to the king. If he makes the sale and gets the commission, everything will be OK. But for now, his boss doubts him; his divorce is costing him money; and his devoted daughter had to temporarily leave college because he couldnt pay the tuition.

Because Tykwer is a smart director and because Hanks is one of the best screen actors in the world, Hanks doesnt do the obvious thing here. He doesnt play the characters desperation, not for one second. Rather he plays the professionalism of an executive salesman. He plays a fellow whose job is to conceal his worries and make sure nobody else worries, not the boss above him nor the employees below him. He plays someone who knows the value of a sunny attitude, of a crisp white shirt and of always remembering the other fellows name. He also plays the discombobulation and irritation that comes of realizing that all his assets of personality and disposition might not help one bit.

Its one businessmans story, but its bigger than that. Theres the sense that this is the story of the American businessman, competing in a global climate thats cold to the persuasive charm of American cheerfulness and interested in money entirely and in quality not at all. Alan (Hanks), we are told, previously worked for Schwinn bicycles, a once-great company that relocated its factories overseas and eventually was sold off to the Chinese. Tykwer, in a deft touch that makes up perhaps just one second of screen time, flashes back to something in Alans memory, the moment in which he stood before the workers in Schwinns American plant and told them that their jobs were gone.

That one second replicates the way the mind works, how pictures you cant forget and dont want to remember have a way of presenting themselves in brief bursts, immediately suppressed. Such touches throughout Hologram indicate a director in harmony with his subject and free in his inspiration, who has access to everything in his arsenal and knows what to use and when.

Hanks is ideal for the central role, both in his essence and his skill. With Hanks, you dont have to explain to the audience that this is a good guy and you need to care about him. His casting does that automatically. Hanks does the rest, finding a dignity in disappointment that comes out of the simple assumption that people have value, that lives are bigger than deals.

Everyone else is up to his level, from the mysterious Saudi businessmen to the two women who cross his path, a Danish woman working in the kingdom (Sidse Babett Knudsen) and a Saudi doctor (Sarita Choudhury) with Western tendencies. Its a strange thing: A Hologram for the King is mostly about a series of nuisances, annoyances and stresses, and yet its a pleasure from beginning to end.

Mick LaSalle is The San Francisco Chronicles movie critic. Email: mlasalle@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@MickLaSalle

A Hologram

for the King

Drama. Starring Tom Hanks, Sarita Choudhury and Sidse Babett Knudsen. Directed by Tom Tykwer. (R. 97 minutes.)

To view a trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW4OE1egbHs.
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John Carneys Sing Street, about troubled Irish schoolkids who form a band in 1985, has enough charms to overcome its prefab material. The directors skill pushes what could have been the same old song into a likable testament to the powers of young love and rock n roll.

The mid-80s date is important  it establishes the musical period (Duran Duran and other New Romantic bands), and the tough economic times that saw many Irish heading to London for better prospects.

His parents have been losing work, so 14-year-old Connor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), who looks a bit like an adolescent Paul McCartney, is sent to a rough-and-tumble school  which happens to be located on Dublins Synge Street. Connor is catnip to the schools ample supply of bullies.

He handles the tough kids with equanimity, meanwhile noticing a beautiful young woman, Raphina (Lucy Boynton). To catch her eye, he uses the time-tested strategy of putting together a rock band, and among his first recruits is Eamon (Mark McKenna, the Lennon to Connors McCartney), who happens to have all the required instruments.

One of the films best scenes follows as the fledgling band sets out to make a video of its unintentionally daffy song The Riddle of the Model, with Rafina as the glam girl. She offers grooming and costuming tips to these sad-sack youngsters, and it all adds up to a nice parody of the pretensions and plain silliness of the Spandau Ballet era.

Carney attended a similar school in Dublin, and became bassist for the Frames, Glen Hansards band. Switching to movies, Carney won acclaim in 2006 with Once. In Sing Street, he doesnt ignore the foibles of his young rockers but is filled with obvious affection for them.

Among the more melancholy strains is Connors older brother, a college dropout who hangs around the house smoking dope but redeems himself by mentoring the boy.

Its best not to question its plausibility  the film is a wish fulfillment and an exercise in nostalgia. Dont be deterred by the timeworn material  as a romantic vision of youth and rock, Sing Street is No. 1 with a bullet.

Walter Addiego is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: waddiego@sfchronicle.com

Sing Street

Comedy-drama. Directed by John Carney. With Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton and Mark McKenna. (PG-13. 106 minutes.)

To view a trailer: http://bit.ly/1QpLmgS.
The soulful violin virtuoso Hilary Hahn won her third Grammy last year for In 27 Pieces: the Hilary Hahn Encores, an expansive collection of short contemporary pieces commissioned from 27 composers. One was the Spaniard Anton Garcia Abril, from whom Hahn solicited her latest contribution to the repertoire  six polyphonic partitas for solo violin.

Hahn loved Abrils Third Sigh, a short piece for violin and piano, as well as another piece shed received from him but didnt record, Second Sigh for solo violin. Its even richer in polyphonic (multi-voice) writing, which Hahn didnt find much in contemporary solo violin music and wanted to encourage.

Every so often, shed ask Abril to write her a set of polyphonic sonatas or partitas for solo violin. But she never got a firm reply until he surprised her at a post-concert supper in Spain.

He showed up for dinner very excited and said, I have something for you, Hahn recalls. He waited until dessert, then presented me with the full first draft of all six partitas. That was just thrilling. I couldnt believe I had this new body of work.

Hahn, whose previous commissions include Jennifer Higdons 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning violin concerto, will premiere the first of Abrils six partitas at her Davies Hall recital on Tuesday, April 26.

Appearing with pianist Cory Smythe, shell also play music for violin and piano by Mozart (the sonata in G major) and Copland, as well as Bachs demanding Sonata No. 3 in C major for solo violin, a sweeping polyphonic masterpiece with the longest fugue Bach composed for any instrument. Hahn plays it with vigorous feeling, clarity and grace on her astonishing 1997 debut recording, made when she was 18.

Most composers dont spend a lot of time writing for solo violin, because its a challenge, says Hahn, 36, on the phone from her New York home.

There are four strings; thats the most you can play at one time. And you cant sustain all four at one time, so there has to be an element of implication in the voices. You hold one in check, while you draw attention to the others, giving an illusion that all the things that are up in the air are continuing with equal importance. Its a bit of a smoke-and-mirrors game.

But magic, she adds, can be art.

I also enjoy when composers write pieces for violin with just one line, and thats very beautiful, too, she says. I just hadnt seen polyphonic writing in contemporary music developed to the extent that other techniques for violin have been developed, and other music forms developed. I got serious about it.

Hahn turned to Abril, a prolific composer of symphonic, chamber and film music whose expressive way with melody grabbed her.

He has a real vocal quality to his melodic writing, but I hadnt realized until I listened how free his music is, and how interpretive you can be, Hahn says. At first I heard the unusually beautiful treatment of melody. Then as I worked on these pieces, I got into the timing and flow of things, the feeling of how time can be bent and stretched and pressed.

Abril wrote for her in a very special way. It feels like it fits.

Each partita is a single, multi-character movement with its own arc, says Hahn, who describes the music as flowing, abstract, impressionistic and very expressive. Anton is a very emotional composer. A lot of the indications (on the score) have to do with feeling.

When Abril discusses his music, he gestures wildly with his hands. His breath changes as he talks about certain phrases. Its all about shape and feeling and impulse.

For more information, go to www.sfsymphony.org

Music for

many tastes

Back after a long tour, the San Francisco Gypsy rock band Diegos Umbrella gets down with the hometown crowd Thursday, April 28, at Great American Music Hall, playing stuff for its forthcoming album.

For more information, go to www.slimspresents.com

Ragazzi Boys Chorus sings the full version of Faures late 1880s Requiem on Saturday, April 23, at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in San Mateo and Sunday, April 24, at St. Patricks Seminary & University in Menlo Park. As Faure intended, a boy treble sings the famous soprano solo Pie Jesu.

For more information, go to www.ragazzi.org.

Jesse Hamlin is a Bay Area journalist and former San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.
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There was little doubt that native New Yorker Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, twice elected to the Senate in her adopted home state, would win the New York primary and at least temporarily pause the narrative of negative stories dogging their campaigns.

Now, with the electoral math in their favor after taking home New Yorks large delegate prizes, both candidates face perhaps a bigger challenge: persuading their respective opponents often dubious followers to back them and unite their parties.

It wont be easy, and it may be premature with California  boasting the nations largest electoral prizes  up for grabs on June 7, but both front-runners started to kick into their home run trots Tuesday night during their victory speeches.

To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us, Clinton said in her victory speech. The race for the Democratic nomination is in the homestretch, and victory is in sight.

Sanders would need to win close to 60 percent of the remaining 2,383 delegates to capture the nomination.

Sanders response

Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver told MSNBC on Tuesday after the results were in: Look, were going to go to the convention. It is extremely unlikely that either candidate will have the requisite number of pledged delegates. ... Its going to be an election determined by the superdelegates. And superdelegates are largely elected officials, party leaders.

With the challenge of capturing enough pledged delegates growing more difficult with each primary, some predict Sanders will soon begin hearing calls from the Democratic establishment to get out of the race.

Bernie Sanders has a following. His choice now is how he handles that following. Does he go harsh, or does he tell them to support Clinton, said Mitchell Moss, a New York University professor of urban policy. Thats his call.

Barbara Perry, director of presidential studies at the University of Virginias Presidential Center, wonders, What does Sanders want from the party? What does he want from Hillary? What does he want from the platform?

Does he stick with his principles  and stay in the race hoping for a bigger megaphone? But if he does so, does he risk weakening Hillary? Perry asked.

In the Republican race, Trump also needs to win about 60 percent of the remaining delegates to get the 1,237 needed to secure the GOP nomination, but the difference is that he is far ahead of his nearest competitor, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who finished a distant third Tuesday behind Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Trumps victory speech

Trump was less magnanimous in his victory speech than Clinton, though this time he didnt refer to Cruz as Lyin Ted, his favorite sobriquet.

We dont have much of a race anymore, based on what Im seeing on television. Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated, Trump said.

The Republican establishment does not see Trump as a unifier. On Tuesday, Sen. Roger Wicker, D-Miss, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told senators facing tough re-election battles to stay away from the GOP national convention in July in Cleveland.

If theres going to be a brouhaha, Im advising candidates to be present for more unifying events, Wicker told the Hill, a Washington, D.C., publication.

GOP Sens. John McCain, the partys 2008 presidential nominee and a frequent speaker at national conventions, Mark Kirk, R-Ill., and Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., are all in tight re-election races and have already said they wont be there.

Some other conclusions gleaned from the New York primary:

New York to Ted Cruz: You talkin to me? Cruz never really recovered from mocking New York values during a primary debate in South Carolina. Cruz-loathing in New York was best illustrated by this exit poll tidbit: Six in 10 Republican voters professed to being scared or concerned by what Cruz would do as president.

New York not as Christian or conservative: Only 23 percent of the Republican voters identified as evangelical Christians, according to NBC exit polls. That compares with 49 percent in other states that have held primary and caucus votes. CNN exit polls showed that among GOP voters, roughly 1 in 5 identified as very conservative, much less than the average of 35 percent in other states. That helps to explain  a little bit  why Cruz lost so badly.

But Cruz was never going to do well here, Moss said.

Was this the last stop for the never-Trump train? If the stop-Trump people were to make a major statement, it would have been Tuesday, Perry said. Pouncing on Trump in his home state after his loss in Wisconsin would have been the time to say he lost momentum. But the never-Trump movement never seems to get it together.

Clinton winning Latinos: Clinton won about two-thirds of nonwhite voters in a state that is 40 percent nonwhite. Exit polls showed her capturing 6 in 10 Latino votes. Thats significant, as a recent Field Poll showed Sanders closing the gap among Latinos in California.

Why is Kasich sticking around? To be VP? The Ohio governor is still looking to win a state not named Ohio. Perry said, That must be why hes sticking around until the convention.

Pick your party early  like by last Halloween: New Yorkers had to choose what party primary they wanted to vote in back in October, which could have hurt Sanders, who draws many independent voters. California voters can relax, somewhat. They have until May 23.

Joe Garofoli is the San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
ST. LOUIS  A federal judge approved an agreement Tuesday between Ferguson, Mo., and the U.S. Justice Department that calls for sweeping changes in the city where 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry issued her ruling after a public hearing of several hours in St. Louis, where nearly three dozen people spoke, and many others had submitted written comments. Perry said the settlement is a reasonable resolution that avoids an extensive court battle.

I think its in everyones best interest and I think its in the interest of justice, she said.

The settlement calls for diversity training for police; the purchase of software and the hiring of staff to analyze records on arrests, use of force and other police matters; outfitting all officers and jail workers with body cameras; the hiring of a team to monitor progress; significant municipal court reforms; and other changes.

Mayor James Knowles III said after the hearing that the city has already implemented many reforms, and will act swiftly on others to move into compliance as soon as possible. During the hearing, Knowles told Perry the agreement is an important step in bringing this community together and moving us forward.

Ferguson has been under scrutiny since Brown, who was black and unarmed, was fatally shot by white police officer Darren Wilson in 2014. Browns death was a catalyst in the national Black Lives Matter movement. A grand jury and the Justice Department cleared Wilson, who resigned from the police force in November 2014, but the shooting led to a Justice Department investigation.

That inquiry found alarming patterns of racial bias in policing and a municipal court system that generated revenue largely on the backs of poor and minority residents. The Justice Departments critical report in March 2015 prompted the resignations of Fergusons city manager, police chief and municipal judge. All three were white men who have since been replaced by black men.

Ferguson leaders and Justice Department officials spent months negotiating the settlement. But in February, after a series of public hearings, the City Council rejected it, mostly over concerns the cost could bankrupt Ferguson. The Justice Department sued the next day. In March, after receiving some assurance that the cost wouldnt be as high as feared, the City Council approved the deal, expected to cost about $2.3 million over three years.
1 Tourism cancellations: The agency that promotes tourism in Raleigh, N.C., says losses have reached $3 million because of cancellations prompted by the protests of North Carolinas law on LGBT rights. The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau said the economic losses from the law have quadrupled in the past week. The visitors bureau said $2.4 million in lost business has been reported this week. The bureau said last week that the area lost about $732,000 because of cancellations or the scaling back of plans. Opponents say the law discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

2 Stairwell shooting: A former New York City police officer convicted in the shooting death of an unarmed man in a darkened stairwell was spared prison time Tuesday, and a judge reduced his manslaughter conviction to a lesser charge. Peter Liang was sentenced to five years probation and 800 hours of community service in the 2014 shooting of Akai Gurley, who was walking down a stairway in a public housing complex when the rookie officer fired a bullet into the dark  by accident after being startled, he said. The bullet ricocheted and killed Gurley, 28.
WASHINGTON  Global warming has mostly made the weather more pleasant for Americans over the last 40 years, which may explain why much of the public doesnt rank climate change as big a threat as do scientists and the rest of the world, a new study suggests.

But that perceived benefit of global warming  mostly milder winters  will soon be outweighed by more oppressive summer heat, according to a study in the journal Nature thats dividing the scientific community.

Americans are getting the wrong signal from year-round weather about whether they should be concerned about climate change, said study lead author Patrick Egan, a public policy professor at New York University. Theyre getting the good parts and havent had to pay the price of the bad part.

At least, not yet.

If heat-trapping gases arent controlled, nearly nine out of 10 Americans will have noticeably worse weather  not better  by the end of the century, especially in the summer, the study found.

To try to understand Americas reluctance to tackle climate change, Egan and Megan Mullin, an environmental policy professor at Duke University, created a weather preference index for Americans based on past studies that look at where people move, taking employment and other factors into account. It is essentially calculated on where people choose to live.

And all things being equal, the average American prefers the weather to be warmer in the winter and less hot and humid in the summer. In other words, Miami, San Diego and Phoenix, which topped the chart of the new index. At the bottom are Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Detroit.

Over the past 40 years, Americas weather has trended closer toward Miami than Pittsburgh.

For the average American, the daily weather has gotten better, Mullin said. They like going coatless in December, as many did this past year.

For 99 percent of Americans, winters have warmed by 1 degree Fahrenheit a decade in the winter and only a seventh of a degree a decade in the summer, the study found.

America may have been lulled into complacency when it comes to the impacts of climate change, said Penn State climate scientist Michael Mann, who wasnt part of the study but called it a solid analysis. He and other scientists said the study raises interesting points, but climate change has other major impacts on people. It can trigger droughts, floods and heavy rainfalls; increase sea levels; make food and water scarce; and spread insect-borne diseases.

Other scientists dismissed the study. Matthew Nisbet, who studies climate communications at Northeastern University, said looking at where people live is a not a good indicator of the weather people prefer.

Critics also noted that the study doesnt deal with extreme weather like this weeks downpours in Houston, Californias four-year drought or Superstorm Sandy.
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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

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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

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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

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The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

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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
A divided state appeals court ruled Wednesday that Californias anemic level of school funding does not violate students constitutional right to an education of some quality because no such right exists.

The 2-1 decision by the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco upheld a judges dismissal of a suit filed by some of the states major participants in public education  school boards and administrators, the California Teachers Association and State PTA, and nine school districts, including San Francisco and Alameda. The plaintiffs argued that a state that trails nearly every other state in per-pupil spending, staffing and student achievement violates Californias 1879 constitutional guarantee of a school system that encourages the promotion of intellectual ... improvement.

Similar suits have been filed in other states, and a majority have been successful, with courts in at least six states finding that their school finance systems violated students rights. Last year, the Washington state Supreme Court held its Legislature in contempt for failing to increase funding and imposed a fine of $100,000 a day, which is still in effect.

But the San Francisco court said the right to a public education, guaranteed by the California Constitution, does not include a right to any particular level of educational quality or funding.

An education of some quality, the standard asserted by the plaintiffs in the suit, is good public policy, Justice Martin Jenkins said in the majority opinion. But he said the state Constitutions provisions leave the difficult and policy-laden questions associated with educational adequacy and funding to the legislative branch, not the courts.

The state Supreme Court first declared education to be a fundamental right in a 1971 ruling that struck down a statewide school financing system based on unequal local property taxes. But Jenkins, quoting that ruling, said the high court had found no constitutional requirement for the Legislature to fund schools at some magic level to produce either an adequate-quality educational program or a high-quality educational program.

In dissent, Justice Stuart Pollak said the constitutional mandate of a public school system implies the need to maintain public schools at some minimum level of competence  just like a criminal defendants constitutional right to a lawyer includes a right of effective legal representation. He said the courts could simply find that the current system falls short of the constitutional standard and leave the solution to lawmakers, with judicial oversight.

Pollak cited the plaintiffs evidence that California, in recent years, ranked 47th in the nation in per-pupil spending, 47th or lower in school staffing, and near the bottom in reading and math tests and high school graduation rates. The state, with more than 6 million public school students, plunged from the top to the bottom of national ranking after passage of the Proposition 13 property tax cut in 1978 and subsequent reductions in state spending.

The plaintiffs will ask the state Supreme Court to review the case, said attorney John Affeldt of the nonprofit Public Advocates. He said the court has already determined that the right to an education should enable students to graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the economy and democracy, and should take up the case to enforce the right to a quality education.

The ruling comes six days after an appellate court in Los Angeles upheld state laws on teacher tenure and seniority, overturning a judges ruling that found the laws saddled poor and minority students with incompetent teachers and violated the right to educational equality. The plaintiffs plan to appeal that ruling to the state Supreme Court.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko

View the decision at http://bit.ly/schoolsruling.
Barev Yerevan faction calls on Yerevan Mayor to help families of deceased soldiers

The opposition Barev Yerevan faction in the Council of Elders of Yerevan has addressed a letter to Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan urging the latter to help the families of two Armenian soldiers who were killed during the border skirmishes earlier this month. Of course, you know that the families of Sargis Khalafyan and Hrach Muradyan, who were killed in the April war in the Nagorno-karabakh conflict zone, live in rented apartments. Sargis Khalafyan has four children while Hrach Muradyan has three children, all of whom are minors aged 8, 6 and 2. In the February sitting of the Council of Elders we approved the list of property belonging to Yerevan City. About 440 apartments are included in the list. We are sure that you are equally concerned about these families and are anxious to solve the problem of their housing; moreover, we believe that you feel obliged to help them. Therefore, we propose that you present in the next sitting of the City Council a corresponding project to provide apartments to these families, the faction said in a statement.
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A small crowd of red-eyed stoners broke off from the sea of thousands Wednesday to follow a scruffy man pulling a cart of mature marijuana plants through Sharon Meadow in San Franciscos Golden Gate Park.

Fabio, as the plant man preferred to be called, and his six strains of pot shrubs were among the scores of crowd-pleasing curiosities for the estimated 10,000-plus revelers celebrating at what has become the global epicenter of the 4/20 marijuana holiday.

Thank you for smoking weed all your life! he said to his newly formed, gawking entourage, while paying homage to all the potheads who laid the groundwork for the celebration. And thank you to all the OGs, so I could just come out here and flaunt it.

If a ballot measure before California voters passes in November, the state will join four others that have legalized and regulated recreational marijuana use. Such a move would make Wednesdays 4/20 celebration the last smoke-out in Golden Gate Park in which weed is not fully legal.

But even with legalization, chances that Golden Gate Park could ever be a legitimate venue for the national holiday are slim. Smoking has been banned in all San Francisco parks for more than a decade.

More for you Joint-blazing San Rafael originators of term 420 tell their story

As in previous years, the annual unsanctioned pot party attracted people from all over the Bay Area, California and the world. While authorities maintained a lax attitude toward many of the illegal activities during the free-for-all, city officials had put measures in place to mitigate troubling behavior seen at previous gatherings, including an assault on a park ranger last year.

The day was not without drama. At about 5:45 p.m. hundreds of people started to make a mad dash out of the Hippy Hill area as rumors spread that a man on the hill was waving a gun. The chaos lasted less than a minute  before whatever threat occurred seemed to dissipate. Police officers on the scene said the report of a firearm was unconfirmed and nobody had been arrested.

Brother, I thought it was a tsunami, said Leo Lopez of San Jose, who was in the area. I just started running. Thank God it wasnt anything serious.

Without anyone to hold accountable for the helter-skelter gathering, the city is ponying up nearly $100,000 for the extra police, firefighters, juvenile probation officers and Muni resources used to manage the side-effects that once again tested neighbors tolerance.

City residents and drivers, many of whom want nothing to do with the event, toughed out an afternoon of traffic headaches as cooler- and tent-toting throngs began clogging streets.

I hate whats happening to San Francisco, a frustrated Samantha Grier said while stuck in traffic on Fell Street along the Panhandle. Its bumper-to-bumper.

Inside the park, thousands set up on Hippie Hill while dozens of vendors  selling beer, Tequila, Jell-O shots and a host of infused edibles  lined the path that winds through Sharon Meadow.

Edibles! Margaritas! Hot Dogs! Cold Beer! one shirtless man shouted while standing on a cooler, surrounded by scores of other unlicensed vendors selling food, booze, glass pipes and T-shirts.

Diamond, a 24-year-old Stockton resident who didnt use a last name, was selling treats made with Fruity Pebbles and Froot Loops, among other substances, though he said his wasnt a money-making endeavor.

Im not here to make a profit, Im here to feed the need, he said, noting that his belief in karma prevented him from exploiting the hungry stoners around him. What goes around comes around.

The aptly named Joe Green, 24, of San Francisco rode a tall bike painted in green, red and yellow Rastafarian colors through the meadow carrying an equally tall joint, filled with a quarter-ounce of weed he picked up in the park earlier in the day for $50, a deal he called the dirt-cheap holiday special. He intended to spark the monstrous doobie right at 4:20 p.m. to make sure Im part of the cloud, he said.

As 4:20 arrived, an extra pungent skunk-scented aroma mushroomed predictably above the now somewhat trashed lawns of Golden Gate Park. But that hardly signified the end of the party. Even at 5 p.m., hundreds of newcomers streamed into the Hippie Hill area by the tennis courts, where dozens of people lined the bleachers despite the fact that there was no tennis being played.

Alex Hill of Berkeley, who was selling marijuana-themed socks, got there at 4:15 p.m. He had planned on being there earlier  much earlier. Still, he managed to sell 10 pairs of Cheech & Chong socks in under an hour.

When youre high, youre generally late for stuff, even a party, he said.

Evan Sernoffsky and Kale Williams are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com, kwilliams@sfchronicle.com, jdineen@sfchronicle Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky, @sfkale, @SFjkdineen
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NEW YORK  Donald Trump triumphed with ease Tuesday in the Republican primary in New York, rebounding from a tough stretch that had strained his path to the GOP nomination and highlighted weaknesses in his campaign. Among Democrats, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were in a close race as polls closed.

The margin of Trumps victory in his home state and the number of delegates he secures will determine the real impact of his win. If he captures more than 50 percent of the vote, he will be in a strong position to win most of New Yorks 95 delegates, an impressive haul that will keep him on a narrow path to the nomination.

Trumps closest rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, downplayed the billionaire businessmans win as little more than a politician winning his home state. Cruz left New York before the polls closed, turning his attention to Pennsylvania, where he delivered a speech calling on Americans to join together to move the country forward.

Let us unite on the things that have always made us great, Cruz said.

The Democratic contest between Clinton and Sanders marked a potential turning point in their surprisingly competitive race. Clinton has maintained a solid lead in the delegate count throughout much of the primary season, and a win in New York would strengthen her claim to the Democratic nomination. Even before the results were in, her top campaign aides were casting her as the near-certain nominee and urging Sanders to tone down his attacks on the former secretary of state.

An upset win for Sanders, however, would be a blow for Clinton and raise fresh questions about her weaknesses. Sanders campaigned aggressively in New York, playing up his own local roots in Brooklyn, but he, too, headed to Pennsylvania before voting wrapped up.

Speaking at a rally in State College, he appeared to predict a win for his rival.

Virtually the entire New York Democratic establishment is standing with her, he said. You know what, were going to do just fine tonight in New York.

The fight for New Yorks delegate haul has consumed the presidential contenders for two weeks, an eternity in the fast-moving White House race. Candidates blanketed every corner of New York, bidding for votes from Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs to the working class cities and rural enclaves that dot the rest of the state.

Trump spent much of the lead-up to Tuesdays primary combatting questions about his strength as the Republican front-runner and his preparedness for a convention fight.

Having spent months relying on a slim staff, Trump has started hiring more seasoned campaign veterans. He acknowledges that bringing new people into his orbit may cause some strife, but says the moves were necessary at this stage of the race.

When you bring other people in, I could see some people their feelings get a little bit hurt, Trump said Tuesday on Fox News. But frankly, you know, were in a position where wed like to see if we can close it out.

Cruz is trying to stay close enough in the delegate count to push the GOP race to a contested convention. Cruzs campaign feels confident that its mastered the complicated process of lining up individual delegates who could shift their support to the Texas senator after a first round of convention balloting.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the only other Republican left in the race, was seeking to add to his scant delegate total in New York and keep up his bid to play a long-shot spoiler at the convention. Kasich has refused to end his campaign despite winning only his home state.

Trumps political strength, though he boasts of drawing new members to the party, has left some Republicans concerned that his nomination could splinter the GOP. Among Republican voters in New York, nearly 6 in 10 said the nominating contest is dividing the party, according to exit polls.

Trump leads the GOP race with 756 delegates, ahead of Cruz with 559 and Kasich with 144. Securing the GOP nomination requires 1,237.

Clinton has 1,758 delegates to Sanders 1,076. Those totals include both pledged delegates from primaries and caucuses and superdelegates, the party insiders who can back the candidate of their choice regardless of how their state votes. It takes 2,383 to win the Democratic nomination.

Clinton spent her final hours of campaigning in New York trying to drive up turnout among women and minorities, her most ardent supporters. She and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, cast their votes in their adopted home town of Chappaqua.

I love New York, and this has been a joy during the last two weeks to be here, she said.

Sanders has stayed stubbornly close, rattling off a string of wins in recent primaries and caucuses. But he needs to win 68 percent of the remaining delegates to clinch the Democratic nomination.

This is a campaign on the move, Sanders said Monday night at his final rally in the state. This is a movement getting the establishment very, very nervous.
President of Austria: I hate wars and shooting (video)

The President of Austria, Heinz Fischer, presented the position of Austria and other European countries on the four-day skirmishes in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Talking to journalists in Strasbourg, Mr Fischer presented his opinion on the latest escalation on the Line of Contact between Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces. He said violence must be stopped immediately, stability must be re-established in the conflict zone and substantial negotiations must be stated over Karabakh. Last year, I visited Armenia and Azerbaijan. I remember meeting the presidents of both countries in Vienna a few years ago. They did not come to an agreement then [in Vienna], but I was glad that they had an opportunity to talk face-to-face and I hoped it would be possible to avoid resumption of hostilities and violence in the future, Heinz Fischer said stressing his disappointment following the April tensions on the Karabakh-Azerbaijani border. At the end of his speech, the President of Austria said, We'll see whether we can achieve progress through negotiations and under pressure from all sides. I hope our efforts will work. I hate wars and shooting.
First-generation Nigerian American playwright Mfoniso Udofia, who received her masters degree in acting from the American Conservatory Theater, is in residence at Magic Theater working on her nine-play Ufot Family Cycle. The poetic plays examine a Nigerian familys legacy over several decades.

Sojourners, which is part of the series, makes a West Coast premiere this month pitting tradition against assimilation. The play tells the story of a couple who travel to America from Nigeria in 1978. The plan is for the couple to return to their home country once hes graduated to help rebuild after a civil war, but neither her husband nor Houston turns out to be what she expects.
Gregg Le Blanc, CumulusLight.com/Courtesy Livermore Shakespeare Festival

Ales well that ends well as the Livermore Shakespeare Festival celebrates William Shakespeares legacy with ShakesBeer at Eight Bridges Brewing Co. The all-ages affair includes local beers, food, kids games and Drunken Shakespeare, Lisa A. Tromovitchs sketch comedy adaptation of Shakespeares boozy scenes in which his blotto characters take center stage.

ShakesBeer is a free event with a portion of food and drink sales going to LSFs education program and Livermore public schools. Drunken Shakespeare is performed twice, at 2 and 5 p.m.
The fate of Melissa McConnells house is hanging on steel girders 4 feet high in Pacifica, where a team of movers is performing an elaborate balancing act to protect the structure from tumbling off a cliff.

McConnell isnt ready to give up what she calls her dream house, which she and her husband bought seven years ago. So she has hired a contractor to pick up the structure and move it 25 feet inland.

This will buy us some time, McConnell said Tuesday as workers fired up the hydraulic pumps in preparation to lift her house onto the girders. I would rather kill myself than see it bulldozed.

The three-bedroom, 910-square-foot beach bungalow at 532 Esplanade Ave. is just down the street from two apartment buildings that had to be demolished after the hillside underneath them eroded away during El Nino storms this winter. Pacifica declared a state of emergency in January after rain and big surf pounded the cliffs along Esplanade, causing big chunks of dirt to break away and crash into the ocean.

McConnell said waves rolled over the 25-foot-tall rock barrier laid to protect the cliff below her from erosion. The surf wore away the cliff, causing her back patio to crack away. The house, built in 1949, was left teetering on the edge.

After the house was yellow-tagged Jan. 12, McConnell and her husband, Tom Wilson, decided they would try to save it. The couple, who in 2009 bought what was then a rundown home for $270,000 and spent the next seven years renovating it, had put too much of their hearts into it to let it go.

A company specializing in house raising  Tony Medeiros-Wacker & Sons  lifted the house off its cement slab Tuesday onto two 36-foot-long steel girders using 10 hydraulic pumps, which averaged about 1,000 pounds of pressure each. The plan is to slide the house on a track to the edge of the property line near the sidewalk over the next two days, where it will sit until McConnell and Wilson can figure out a permanent location.

They want to buy another piece of property, hopefully at a discount, and move the house there before the erosion catches up to them again.

We really need to find someone who has a big heart who can sell us their vacant lot, McConnell said. Were hoping not to spend every dime we have left.

Erosion trouble

The disappearing-land issue could be a glimpse of the future along the California coast, where coastal erosion is a growing problem as a result of global warming and increasingly intense winter storms.

The area south of San Francisco is the most rapidly retreating stretch of coastline in California, said Patrick Barnard, a coastal geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey.

Erosion has increased by roughly 50 percent along the coast of Pacifica since the 1970s, mainly as a result of several El Nino winters that buffeted the sandy shore, according to geologists. Scientists believe such storms will be more frequent in the future.

The pounding surf also damaged the seawall along Beach Boulevard, the Pacifica Pier and the Milagra Creek watershed near Highway 1.

Its happening all up and down the coast, said Gino Medeiros, vice president of the house-raising company. Medeiros and his husband and business partner, Tony Medeiros, have also been trying to help a homeowner in Bodega Bay whose home was red-tagged by Sonoma County.

A lot of these coastal homes have sentimental value because theyve been in the family for generations, Gino Medeiros said. The one in Bodega Bay has been in the family for three generations.

Question of who pays

There is no protocol for what to do to protect landowners and residents in these cliffside areas, and nobody knows where the money will come from to pay for the removal of endangered structures in the coastal zone.

McConnell and Wilson said they made an informed choice when they bought the property. There was at least 30 feet of land between the house and the cliff face at the time, and everyone seemed to believe the rock revetment placed under the bluffs in 1998 would hold.

The couple has flood insurance, which would technically cover the home if it fell into the water. The problem is, the house has never gotten wet, so insurance wont cover demolition or the cost of moving.

McConnell, a disc jockey for KATM radio in Stockton, and her husband, a former schoolteacher who now works for an education software company, felt that moving the house would cost less than buying a new one. A comparable home in Pacifica now goes for about $800,000, she said.

Moving a house would normally cost up to $25,000, but the Medeiros es were so compelled by the couples story that they decided to give them a break and do it at cost, meaning they wont make any money on the project.

Doing the right thing

Shes desperate to save her house, so how could we not help? said Gino Medeiros. Sometimes doing the right thing is more important than the bottom line.

McConnell walked to the back window one last time before the house was moved Tuesday and stared out at the blue Pacific.

I wanted a beach house for a long time, but we're not wealthy people, a downcast McConnell said as she stood in the living room, hammers and saws working all around her. The view here is to die for. If we had been here longer and I was a lot older I might have just stayed with it and gone down with the ship.

Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite
1 Quake deaths rise: Japans southern quake-hit area was rattled by a strong aftershock Tuesday and searchers found a womans body buried under landslide rubble, raising the death toll from the twin earthquakes to 45. More than 100,000 evacuees, some sleeping in their cars and others in gymnasiums or community centers, were bracing for another chilly night. Many people are afraid to stay in their homes as aftershocks continued to shake the area on the southern island of Kyushu, including a 5.5-magnitude temblor Tuesday afternoon.

2 Warsaw Ghetto: Polands president on Tuesday led state ceremonies honoring the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, young Jews who took up arms to fight against the Nazi German occupiers during World War II rather than be transported to a death camp. President Andrzej Duda led the ceremonies on the 73th anniversary of the start of the uprising, April 19, 1943. The fighters were crushed by the overwhelming forces of the German army, but they died as they chose: arms-in-hand. As every year, the main state ceremonies were held in front of a memorial to the hundreds of Jewish fighters in the heart of the former Warsaw Ghetto
LONDON  She has been served by 12 prime ministers, starting with Churchill; navigated the decline of the British Empire; braved the tragedies of her family and the nation; and, on Sept. 9, edged out Queen Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch in British history: 64 years now. She is lauded for having the stiffest upper lip in the realm.

On Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II will celebrate her 90th birthday, and a grateful nation will honor a woman her biographer Douglas Hurd, a former foreign minister, has called The Steadfast.

Indeed, through seven decades, she has remained gloriously and relentlessly enigmatic in one of her signature pastel outfits and colorful hats, chosen, royal experts say, so onlookers can spot her in a crowd.

This being Britain, the occasion will be celebrated with pageantry; warm beer; longer pub hours; equestrian displays; and an appearance by actress Helen Mirren, who won an Oscar for portraying the queen.

But, befitting a workhorse who carried out 341 engagements last year, Elizabeth kicked off birthday celebrations on Wednesday in a dutiful display. At a Royal Mail delivery center, where she and her husband, the duke of Edinburgh, watched workers sort mail and were serenaded by a choir of postal employees. On Thursday, she is to light the first of more than 900 celebratory beacons. On Friday, President Obama will offer the queen birthday wishes at Windsor Castle.

And the frenzy wont end this week.

Pub opening times in England and Wales will be extended for two hours, until 1 a.m. on June 10 and 11. (Her birthday is officially celebrated in June for ceremonial purposes.) A British artist has also paid tribute to her service as an Army mechanic during World War II by using 800 car parts to create a giant sculpture of the queens head, including a crown made with spark plugs. There is a new set of postage stamps to honor the birthday, featuring four generation of royals, including little Prince George. They will be first class, of course.

Retailers and canny subjects are cashing in. Those who cannot afford the bespoke 22-karat gold God Save the Queen music box (retailing for $1,425) can buy a souvenir waistcoat emblazoned with the queens image ($50, on eBay).

In a nod to Britains increasing multiculturalism, Nadiya Hussain, a headscarf-wearing Muslim baker who won the BBCs wildly popular Great British Bake Off, will prepare an orange drizzle cake with orange curd and orange buttercream.

Born on April 21, 1926, Elizabeth was initially third in line to the throne. In 1947, she defied her parents to marry Prince Philip, a part Danish, part Greek, prince she was smitten with when she saw him at age 13. She acceded to the throne in 1952 after the death of her father, King George VI; his older brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936 to marry an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson.

The queens mother lived to 101, and Elizabeth shows little sign of slowing down, but Stephen Bates, the author of Royalty Inc.: Britains Best-Known Brand, said that in Buckingham Palace, uttering the word abdication was akin to swearing in a church.
PORTOVIEJO, Ecuador  Despite the grief roiling this earthquake-stricken town, Pablo Cordova has something to be thankful for: He can return the coffin his wife had bought for his funeral.

The 51-year-old hotel administrator was one of a trickle of survivors pulled from the rubble after Ecuadors strongest earthquake in decades flattened towns along the coast and killed at least 480 people.

Cordovas wife had given up on ever seeing him again after the five-story Gato de Portoviejo hotel collapsed on him Saturday, pancaked by the magnitude-7.8 earthquake like the rest of downtown. She asked his boss to help her buy his casket.

But Cordova held out for 36 hours beneath the rubble, drinking his own urine and praying service would be restored before his cell phone battery died. He was finally able to call his wife on Monday afternoon, and was pulled from the wreckage soon after by a team of rescuers from Colombia.

They were organizing the funeral, but Ive been reborn, Cordova said, grinning from beneath his bushy mustache in a provincial hospital. I will have to give that coffin back because I still have a long way to go before I die.

On Tuesday, teams from all over the world fanned out across the countrys Pacific coastline to look for the dozens of people still missing. Residents joined in with their bare hands, increasingly desperate as the clock for finding survivors runs down.

Since Saturday, when this country started shaking, Ive slept only two hours and havent stopped working, said Juan Carranza, one of the firefighters leading the rescue effort in Portoviejo.

In the port city of Manta, a group of about 50 rescuers working with trained dogs, hydraulic jacks and a drill managed to free eight people trapped for more than 32 hours in the rubble of a shopping center that was flattened by Saturday nights quake.

While the country cheered videos of such rescues, tragedy continued to mount.

At the same shopping center, authorities were working to free a woman they had found buried alive with a heavy concrete slab pinning her legs when an aftershock forced them to suspend the effort. When they returned the debris pile had moved and the woman was dead, said Angel Moreira, a firefighter coordinating the effort.

The government reported Tuesday that the official death count had increased to 480 and for the first time gave an estimate of the missing for the first time, putting that number at 231. That means the death toll is likely to rise in the coming days.
SANAA, Yemen  Yemens Shiite rebels have reversed an earlier decision to boycott U.N.-sponsored peace talks designed to find a way to end the war in the impoverished Arab nation and their delegation was on its way Wednesday, heading to the negotiations, due to take place in Kuwait.

Representatives of the rebels, also known as Houthis, and their allies left the capital, Sanaa, to neighboring Oman en route to Kuwait.
Use of electronic monitoring equipment to track criminal offenders and pretrial defendants in Santa Fe County has nearly doubled over the past five years, according to figures released to SFR by the county Public Safety Department.

From 2011 to 2015, the number of county residents ordered by judges to wear GPS monitors or use breathalyzers increased from 837 to 1,443. A county memo touts the programs as cost-effective alternatives to incarceration, but as the use of monitoring devices increased, the jail population has remained relatively steady.

County spending on electronic monitoring programs increased by 500 percent since 2011, when commissioners awarded a contract to BI Inc., the nation's leading provider of offender monitoring devices and services. Last week, the Board of County Commissioners approved an additional $250,000 to pay for BI's products, bringing the county's total compensation of the company to more than $2 million.

While the county manages electronic monitoring, it is ultimately up to the courts to decide which offenders to track. County Manager Katherine Miller says that the current rate of expansion is becoming unsustainable. During a meeting with judges, she asked them to exercise discretion when considering the use of electronic monitoring.

"I'm not saying 'Send them to jail.' What I'm saying is, 'If they're not a flight risk, is GPS monitoring necessary?'" Miller says. "I'm asking them to work with us, because having this much of a budget increase doesn't work with us."

Tino Alva, the director of county monitoring programs, says part of the cash went to upgrading technology. Beginning in December 2010, the county gradually transitioned from landline-based radio trackers to satellite GPS devices, which provide real-time updates of a person's whereabouts. For example, someone accused of domestic violence would automatically trigger an alert if they approach a victim's address. And in March 2014, the county also switched from a home-based alcohol monitoring system to Soberlink, a portable breathalyzer. On Monday, the county oversaw 125 people wearing ankle bracelets and 128 using Soberlink.

Thomas Clark, a criminal defense attorney based in Santa Fe, says he has seen a dramatic increase in the number of judges imposing Soberlink as a condition of release for DWI and other alcohol-fueled crimes. "These devices are a way for the court to ensure people don't violate their release conditions," Clark tells SFR. "It's cumbersome and embarrassing, but as opposed to sitting in jail, the tradeoff is worth it."

Santa Fe Reporter
Much of the popularity of 1988s dark comedy cult hit Heathers is in its universally relatable themes. High school sucks (or sucked) for a lot of us, but even when the popular set was cruel or hateful or just made us sick to our stomachs, we still had that detestable little part of ourselves that wished they had thought we were cool or accepted us. Still, we never went so far as to actually kill the pretty girls. For those unfamiliar, Heathers tells the tale of Veronica Sawyer, a young misfit who finds herself absorbed by a group of popular girls known as The Heathers. Before long, Veronica meets and falls for JD, a morally corrupt new kid who enlists her to wreak vengeance on the stereotypically awful young women.

And there's the rub: the darkly absurd and devilishly funny aspect that reaches deep down into that awful part of us that thinks, "Yeah, Winona Ryder and Christian Slaterget 'em!" Of course, the over-the-top cliquish-ness of the Heathers in the film dramatically exaggerates reality for humor's sake, but that's why it's the perfect film-to-musical adaptation from the minds that brought us Reefer Madness and Bat Boy, and a killer (literally) choice for the theater program at the Santa Fe University of Art & Design. "Yes, it's dark, but it has the music, so that's like a spoonful of sugar," director Gail Springer says of Heathers the Musical. It's Springer's final show with the school after 35 years, including SFUAD's former identity as the College of Santa Fe. "The music brings out the satirical aspects a little more strongly," she adds.

Stylistically, the songs run the gamut from rock to chorus line and all points between. "There's a gospel-feeling number and an R&B-style song," says Donna Bella Litton, the 20-year-old musical theater major who plays Veronica. "The music has been challenging for a lot of us [in the cast], butand maybe this sounds clicheit's going to be an amazing show, and it was fun to explore that side of high school." Look, we'll make this simplesee this musical. (Alex De Vore)



Heathers the Musical:

7 pm Friday, April 22. $15

Greer Garson Theatre at SFUAD,

1600 St. Michael's Drive

988-1234

Stuff Your Face for Good

Courtesy Kitchen Angels (Courtesy Kitchen Angels)

Youre a good person, right? And you like to go out to eat? In the spirit of these things, take special note of Kitchen Angels 18th annual Angels Night Out, a town-sprawling fundraising event featuring 29 local restaurants that will donate 25 percent of the days sales to the local nonprofit. Its a great community event, and weve got some new restaurants this year, executive director of Kitchen Angels, Tony McCarty, says. If youre going out to eat anyway, choose one of our restaurants! Tecolote, Santa Fe Bite, Vinaigrette and many more are on board, and you should be, too. (ADV)

Angels Night Out:

All day Thursday, April 21,

at various locations. Visit kitchenangels.org

for a complete list of participants.

HELP

Mstyslav Chernov (Mstyslav Chernov)

The Syrian refugee crisis is as real as ever, and there are still people doing something about it. People like John McKissick of Radical Abacus who, along with composer Grisha Krivchenia and soprano Tara Khozein, will host a benefit show featuring new compositions for Migrant Offshore Aid Station, a nonprofit that aids refugees. Grisha, Tara and I are all committed to peace and justice in the Middle East for various personal and political reasons, McKissick says. This was a great way to use Radical Abacus to draw attention to a crisis that seems far away from us but is still so pressing. (ADV)

Refuge: A Benefit for Syrian Refugees:

7 pm Saturday, April 23. $10.

Radical Abacus,

1226 Calle de Commercio

Six-String Gathering

John Clift (John Clift)

If you ever wanted to play a guitar in a museum (without having to sneak in after hours with your no-good friends and a bottle of Night Train to play Freebird), youre in luck. The New Mexico Museum of Art has an event that allows you to come in and play a donated Fender guitar. Were also raffling off tickets to win a Fender Squier electric and, in addition to that, an acoustic Yamaha Jr., says head of Education and Visitor Experience, Rebecca Aubin. This is the last day you can strum your ax in the museum without getting hassled by security. (Ben Kendall)

Sunday Guitar Show-Off:

Noon Sunday, April 24. Free.

New Mexico Museum of Art,

107 W Palace Ave.,

476-5072

Santa Fe Reporter
If you had a time machine and wanted to know where "cool" came from, you could do worse than to travel back to 1949 New York and look up a guy named Miles Davis. Davis was a pioneer in bebop and jazz music, in case you didn't know (and if you didn't, shame on you). It seems like it would be a great fit for Hollyweird to make some sort of biopic of Davis and his exploits on the bleeding edge of music and popular culture. Somehow, it hasn't happened until now, with Don Cheadle's feature film directorial debut, Miles Ahead.

Cheadle takes the lead in front of the camera as well, playing Davis during his post-post-modern era in the late '70s, with wild hair and an even wilder drug-addicted disposition. Davis is on the edge of creative destruction, holed up in his Manhattan apartment, being hounded by record company executives and a morally bankrupt but somehow loveable freelance reporter, played by Ewan McGregor. Cheadle's performance is remarkable. He keys into Davis' raspy, curt, nearly unhinged personality.

The movie starts off with a car chase and a gunfight. You read that right. A lauded jazz musician, whose music you're more likely to hear now in a fine dining restaurant than in the smoke-filled gin-joints of yesteryear, wildly fires a revolver out of the back of his luxury automobilechased by an unknown assailant for a reason that's not entirely clear at the outset. It's worth noting that it's not the only gunfight of the movie (or the only car chase, for that matter). Whether this event is true or not isn't the point. Rather, Miles Ahead is an attempt to portray Davis as a gangster (those are Cheadle's words) and a man of his timebeing an African-American somewhat involved with a criminal underworld due to his habits during the high era of the civil rights movement and its immediate aftermath.

The story alternates back and forth between his experiences in the 1950s and meeting his wife Frances (a powerhouse performance by Emayatzy Corinealdi), and the '70s coked-up and in-a-rut version of Davis. The editing helps to communicate the fractured point-of-view of Davis' character, with seamless transitions throughout the narrative. You can respect the artistic decisions behind every shot and cut.

Miles Ahead is worth taking the time to see. It never lets up in its unapologetic portrayal of an American icon, despite how uncomfortable he may make us feel at times. Cheadle makes Miles real.



Miles Ahead

Violet Crown,

R,

100 min.



Santa Fe Reporter
After two decades reporting from campaign trails and watchdogging governments around the globe, Amy Goodman insists that grassroots movements matter more than any single politician. Her latest book, Democracy Now! Twenty Years Covering the Movements Changing America, spotlights those ongoing efforts for equality. Goodman says what shes learned comes back to the importance of independent media.

"It is the oxygen of democracy," she tells SFR. Independent, community-based media gives voice to people at the roots of an issue, rather than the rotating roster of pundits so often trotted out"that small circle who know so little about so much, explaining the world to us and getting it so wrong," as Goodman says.

She'll be speaking in Santa Fe at the Lensic on Tuesday, April 26, as part of a 100-city tour.



Amy Goodman says a movement is where you can find hope beyond dismal voter participation figures. (Courtesy Amy Goodman)

Democracy Now! started in 1996 as an assignment from Pacifica Network to cover the presidential elections, but Goodman didn't expect the gig to continue. It's now broadcast from 1,400 community stations around the globe on both radio and television. The more places she's seen the show travel, she says, the more people have come forward, wanting to share their stories. Every week, a new station picks up the show, which has become a global news hour.

"I think it is a testament to the hunger for those voices," Goodman says of that pace. And by "those voices," she means the voices of people at the heart of a story.

"Whether you're talking about a Palestinian child, or an Israeli grandmother, a kid in the South Valley in Albuquerque or a kid in the South Bronx, when you hear someone describing their own experience, it breaks down barriers that fuel the hate groups, because hate groups thrive on ignorance, on people not knowing each other," she says. "You look at this presidential election and the kind of underbelly of hate that is being tapped when Donald Trump says, 'We're going to build a wall. We're going to stop all Muslims from coming into the country.' He's tapping into fear. If people know each other, it makes it much less likely that they'll want to destroy each another. I just think the media can be the greatest force for peace on earth, and instead it's wielded as a weapon of war."

Part of her enthusiasm for bringing her tour to New Mexico stems from the multiple community media outlets she'll be fundraising for here, including KUNM, KSFR and KNME-TV, and nonprofit media organization Quote  Unquote.

As it stands now, she sees the media failing to serve our democratic society in many ways, from wars to elections. With yet another presidential campaign circus now well underway, she's calling for a season without polls.



"It doesn't matter what your family thinks, what other people think; who do you feel is the best person to lead this country?" she says. "The networks spend millions of dollars on these polls, they talk about the polls leading up to the elections and caucuses, and then they talk afterwards about why the polls got it so wrong. Why not have that same money, energy and investigation into what the candidates' positions are, what their records are?"

Data hawks will still get their numbers every time there's a caucus or a primary, at which point they can see what people think, as well as have a chance to collect demographics, including race and age.

"I think a big story that isn't focused on is the number of people who don't vote," she says. "Eighty percent of people don't come out for these primaries and caucuses. But the polls are there, and instead of speculating, let's look at the hard facts of people's records. Instead, it becomes a kind of horse race coverage that makes people's eyes glaze over. These are critical elections. They will help to determine the state of the planet, and we have to take them seriously, and cover them responsibly."

The subtitle of her latest book, co-written with David Goodman, her brother, and Denis Moynihan (who will join her at the Lensic), focuses on the movements that run counter to the mainstream drumbeat in Americasuggesting in ways most news updates often don't that there is activism and hope and a will for change afoot.

From where she stands, Goodman says, she sees movements reshaping electionsthe immigrants rights movement affecting campaigns even while a decision on undocumented migrants sits with the US Supreme Court, and Black Lives Matter activists appearing at campaign stops and disrupting the program when they're not given a chance to participate in the conversation: "The corporate networks won't hand them a mic, so they grab the microphone, and they demand answers."

The journalist's job is to hold those in power accountable. In an era of increasing police brutality, it's all the more important to monitor the stateand monitor the police. Just last week, a pair of journalists filming for Democracy Now! were among two dozen people taken into police custody at an anti-Trump rally in Manhattan. They shouted, "Press! First Amendment rights!" even as the police pulled the camera and microphone from their hands and knocked them to the ground, Democracy Now! reported.

The task essential to a democratic society gives voice to those fighting for equality and for peace.

"It's about movements. That is ultimately more powerful than even any president of the United States, who occupies the most powerful position on earth," she says. "Movements make the difference. Movements matter. The media denigrates activists, but what could be more noble than dedicating your life to making the world a better place?"



An Evening with Amy Goodman

7:30 pm Tuesday, April 26

The Lensic Performing Arts Center,

211 W San Francisco St., $15

988-1234

Santa Fe Reporter
Health Care Exchanges Still Unsettled

United Health Care, which insures more than 795,000 people in state health exchanges, is reportedly going to pull out of 27 states,

.

Social Justice

Mothers Against Drunk Driving are going to start monitoring court hearings by judges who are routinely lenient in drunken driving cases and then

about sentencing outcomes.

State Can't Ignore Prison Health Problems

After their in-depth look at medical care problems inside state prisons, the New Mexican comes out with an opinion that

Martinez Owes New Mexicans An Apology

Heath Haussamen thinks its time Gov. Susana Martinez

, and she must foster a transparent, honest discussion about how we fix her Administrations mess.



Governor Blasts Trump

While she considers owning up to problems in New Mexico, Martinez was blasting Donald Trump in Florida on

. Michael Coleman writes, At this point, anyone hoping for a Trump-Martinez presidential ticket on the Republican side could be out of luck. Meanwhile, Chris Sanchez, a spokesman for Martinez, says

.

Trump and Clinton Win New York

Trump and Hillary Clinton are

to securing their partys nomination. They each cruised to double-digit victories in New Yorks primary on Tuesday. Ted Cruz, who has been hoping to keep it close enough to force an open convention in Cleveland this summer, came in third behind Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Gary Johnson Profiled

With most Americans are on the record saying they dont support any of the Republican or Democrat candidates,

. Someone like former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. New Mexico Political Reports Andy Lyman has written a long feature on the Libertarian Partys front-runner.

Heinrich Proposes Wilderness Areas

US Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, an avid outdoorsman, wants to boost public access to recreation on federal lands, including creating

in New Mexico.

Intel Plans Unclear

Intel says it will cut 12,000 employees from its workforce worldwide, but its still not clear how many will lose their jobs at the chipmakers Rio Rancho plant, which is already

.

Conceal Carry Permits

KRQE reports lawmakers are raising questions about why

before getting a conceal carry weapon permit.

'Movements Matter'

National radio show host Amy Goodman is headed to Santa Fe. Elizabeth Miller reports shell speak on why

as a



force for peace.



420 Celebrated

April 20 is the high holiday for marijuana and medical cannabis supporters. To review whats going on in the emerging industry, I was invited to be a guest on Lainie Sevante Wulkan's national radio program. We talked about sentencing reforms for nonviolent drug offenders and the corporatization of cannabis businesses.

.

Santa Fe Reporter
Honey New Zealand International's Manuka Doctor branding isn't claiming a health claim and doesn't breach food standards, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Justices Tony Randerson, Mark Cooper and Helen Winkelmann upheld the company's appeal today, declaring the trademark used on exported honey products doesn't breach the food standards code. Honey New Zealand was forced to stop exporting the product after the Ministry for Primary Industries pulled the company's export licence when it decided Manuka Doctor was an impermissible health claim or therapeutic claim.

The judges said the food standards code was "clearly aimed at claims of specific measurable health effects" and didn't prohibit general claims, they said in a judgment.

"We consider that consumers exercising reasonable care would have regard to the label as a whole and conclude that the use of the words 'Manuka Doctor' relates to the expertise of the producers and the assurance of the purity and quality of the honey through the UMF grading system," the judgment said. "We consider it unlikely that substantial numbers of the consumer public would make the connection between the health benefits of honey as a wound dressing and the words 'Manuka Doctor' so as to conclude that these implied that honey would be 'good for you'."

MPI has been cracking down on the manuka honey industry amid international criticism there was more manuka honey coming out of the country than New Zealand actually produces. With no industry consensus on what constitutes manuka honey, MPI introduced an interim labelling guideline in July 2014 to give the industry clarity and protect consumers from false claims, as well as to try to improve credibility of the manuka products.

The company's Manuka Pharm branding was an issue in the High Court hearing, but Honey New Zealand didn't pursue an appeal in relation to those words.

The judges awarded costs to Honey New Zealand.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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Agricultural products and services company PGG Wrightson has warned investors that its seed cleaning site in Uruguay has fallen victim to that country's widespread flooding.

The company told shareholders in February that its South American business was expected to perform better between January and June. In a statement to the NZX today, chief executive Mark Dewdney said that was no longer anticipated.

"The strength of beef prices gave us reason to believe we would see a recovery in our Uruguayan business at the full year, he said. "While it remains too soon to quantify the full impact of the current flooding, we are now not expecting to see that full recovery in the current financial year".

Even so, Wrightson maintained its outlook for full-year operating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of between $61 million and $67 million, saying it still believes the guidance range is appropriate.

Both the office and the machine processing room at the seed cleaning site near Rosario in Uruguay were hit by flooding. All staff were safely evacuated after moving as much seed and plant as possible to higher ground. Dewdney said the physical damage was not expected to be material, but the broader agricultural sector in the country would be hit.

Businesses in New Zealand and Australia continue to perform well, the company said. However, its PGW Water business has been hit by fewer dairy conversions and irrigation upgrades due to the slump in dairy prices.

Shares in Wrightson fell 1.2% to 40.5 cents and have fallen 7.8% in the past 12 months.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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Where are millions of dollars sent to Armenia? (video)

Our soldiers were armed with high fighting spirit and that fighting spirit brought them victory. If the hostilities continued on the border our soldiers would counterattack and give the enemy a worthwhile response within four days, Mr Sargsyan said to A1+. The freedom fighter is frustrated by the fact that Armenia does not have modern military equipment and blames the countrys authorities for it. What have they [authorities] done with millions of dollars that were sent to Armenia? What have they done with the money? The government should be held accountable. A person cannot be richer than his country but in Armenia there are numerous people who are much richer than the state. Armenia does not have even a cat today, he stressed. Grisha Sargsyan says the money must be returned to the state budget to buy firearms for the army and to arm our troops with the latest technology. Have pity on our children, have pity on our people. About 105 veterans of the Union have been guarding the Karvachar-Martakert section of the border since April 2. More veterans will join them in the near future to replace their friends. Speaking about Russias stance during the April war in Karabakh, Mr Sargsyan said, Armenia should withdraw from all formats. After all, this nation needs to wise up. Can we bang our fist on the table or not? I cannot understand what disturbs us or prevents us from doing it. Only in this way shall we be able to make Russians come to their senses.
Driving progress and prosperity

Today, we are every bit as committed to collaboration, continuing to help the aviation industry drive progress and prosperity.

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Shell Aviation works with our customers in a range of ways, to help their businesses succeed.
Rep. Schiff calls on Obama to recognize Armenian Genocide and pronounce 'G' word (video)

Rep. Adam Schiff has addressed an open letter to President Barack Obama. "I dearly hope, as do millions of Armenians descended from genocide survivors around the world, that you take this final opportunity to call the Armenian Genocide what it was  Genocide. To say that the Ottoman Empire committed this grotesque crime against the Armenians, but that their campaign of extermination failed. And that, above all, we will never forget and we will never again be intimidated into silence. Let this be part of your legacy, and you will see future Administrations follow your example. Mr. President, there is no higher moral calling than speaking the truth in the face of genocide denial. Please, this year, add your voice to the millions who speak out for those who died in the desert, for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Mr. President, regardless of what you say on April 24th, there can be little doubt that Turkey will do exactly as it has always done in its relations with the United States  and that is whatever Turkey believes to be in its self-interest. Many of our European allies and world leaders, including Pope Francis, have recognized the genocide, yet they have continued to work closely with Turkey, because that has been in Turkeys interests. The same will be true after U.S. recognition of the Genocide," Adam Schiff said in his letter.
MUMBAI: TCS results Q4 2016: After experiencing volatility in its Indian business for the past many years, top software exporter TCS today said its revenue from domestic market crossed $1 billion last fiscal and expects a decent performance from the vertical in 2016-17 fiscal.

We have done well, and have grown over 2 per cent on a sequential basis. So, it is good. As we move forward, I cant predict (if) the momentum will be consistent, but on a year-on-year basis, it will do decently well, Managing Director and Chief Executive N Chandrasekaran told reporters.

He further said the domestic revenue now occupies 6.2 per cent of the overall topline pie and it grew 9.8 per cent to over USD 1 billion last fiscal on a constant currency basis.

Corporates account for a bulk of the revenue from the local market, which is three to four times more than that of the government business, said Chandrasekaran.

I think our portfolio is strong, we have a combination of corporates and government business and also a platform business. All the three aspects are growing in size and scale now, he said.

The business of the erstwhile CMC has also been fully- integrated with TCS, giving it a leg-up in the domestic market through the synergies.

It can be noted that a lot of IT players have complained about the domestic market not being very supportive. Some say the government contracts are not properly drafted while some have complained of payment issues.

In the past, I have said that it is changing but has not happened, he added.

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India, Indonesia Score Big On Offshore Investment Inflows
BENGALURU: The hard work of about 250 students of the PES University, Bengaluru is going to pay them high as they are on the course of becoming youngest Indian space scientists. Indian Space Research organization (ISRO) is ready to launch the imaging Nanosatellite made by these younger scientists. These students with their faculties have invested a lot of time and energy in designing this futuristic satellite and now very soon it is going to be propelled into space on account of an ISRO space program. As reported by Aparajita Ray for the Times of India, this achievement will provide a moral boost to the students and university, to work harder in their future endeavors.

The university named the satellite as PISAT, after a mathematical constant PI. This satellite is equipped with the instruments that will take snapshots of the Earth, especially India, from space. A control and commanding station are established at the university campus and the professors along with the students will control the device from there. PISAT will accompany the PSLV of ISRO while launching into space.

Professor V Sambasivarao, former deputy director of ISRO and a faculty of PES University first anticipated the idea of the project. He mentioned that after retiring from ISRO in 2011 and while starting as a professor at PES University, he was willing to teach students about the world related to space and rocket science. He started the project at the end of 2011 with the funding from the college management. Moreover, ISRO scientists were guiding them at each stage of the satellite building process.

ISRO scientists visited the college campus for testing the satellite and reviewing the design before giving it a final clearance for its launch. The education minister of Karnataka Mr. B Jayachandra will unveil the satellite and soon it will be handed over to ISRO. The travelling vehicle, which is going to accompany the satellite, is also finalized by ISRO.

The students of different engineering branches anticipated in the completion of the project and four other colleges also collaborated in the successful completion of the project. These colleges are NCERC, Thrissur; Veltech University, Chennai; SKREC, Chennai; Sona College of Technology, Salem. The Institution of Engineers (I.E.I) also participated in the satellite-building program. ISRO provided the necessary guidance to the students involved in this project in a period of five years. The students and professors teamed up and worked hard enough to achieve the feat and it is going to be a major milestone in the universitys achievements board.

Read Also: China, India Move Step Closer To Set Up Military Hotline

India Attaches Highest Priority To Ties With China: Manohar Parrikar
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The South Beach man accused of slathering lotion on a sleeping female passenger's private parts on an international flight told detectives he was hallucinating and thought the woman was his wife, according to

Nadeem Quraishi's videotaped interview with authorities after his arrest was played for jurors Tuesday in Brooklyn Federal Court during the 43-year-old's trial.

"I was disturbed," he told a detective, according to the News account. "I went into a hallucination state of mind, I was like feeling like I'm traveling with my wife."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon joined NYPD officials and other law enforcement jurisdictions Wednesday to discuss the arrest of a suspect in the infamous "Ninja Burglar" spree.

Robert H. Costanzo, 46, a convicted rapist from New Brighton, was ordered held without bail during his arraignment Wednesday morning after he was turned over to NYPD officers after pleading guilty in a knife-point home invasion robbery in Farmington, Conn.

You can watch video the press conference here, or read the comments section of this story for updates as they unfolded.

The Advance first reported on Tuesday that authorities had a suspect in custody in connection with the Ninja Burglar pattern of break-ins, a wave that left residents on edge on Todt Hill and other wealthy communities nearly 10 years ago.

Police were believed to have quietly closed the case in 2008 after starting deportation proceedings against at least one Albanian man they believed to be connected with the spree.

Costanzo, a convicted rapist, was turned over to NYPD officers after pleading guilty in a knife-point home invasion robbery in Farmington, Conn., according to a report by the Hartford Courant.

-- Advance reporter Frank Donnelly contributed to this report.
Update, 4/20/2016, 4:23 p.m.: This story has been updated to reflect final numbers for the borough and Congressional District.

11:38 p.m. Final vote count for Congressional District

Trump and Clinton have won the 11th Congressional District, which encompasses Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. Here's the breakdown:

Democratic primary (45,279 votes)

Clinton -- 23,231 votes, 51.31 percent

Sanders -- 22,048 votes, 48.69 percent

Republican primary (30,799 votes)

Trump -- 24,805 votes, 80.54 percent

Kasich -- 3,424 votes, 11.12 percent

Cruz -- 2,570 votes, 8.34 percent

11:30 p.m. Voter turnout on Staten Island

Of the 80,270 Republicans registered on Staten Island, 24,688 -- or 30.76 percent -- went to the polls Tuesday.

By contrast, 30,467 of the 127,575 registered Democrats on the Island (23.89 percent) voted in the primary.

11:23 p.m. 100 percent of Island vote tallied

With 100 percent of the 289 Election Districts reporting on Staten Island, here's the breakdown:

Democratic primary (30,467 votes)

Clinton -- 16,127 votes, 52.9 percent

Sanders -- 14,340 votes, 47.1 percent

Republican primary (24,688 votes)

Trump -- 20,263 votes, 82.1 percent

Kasich -- 2,502 votes, 10.1 percent

Cruz -- 1,923 votes, 7.8 percent

11:09 p.m. Clinton leads Sanders, 51-49 percent

With 439 of the 442 Election Districts reporting in the 11th Congressional District, Clinton leads Sanders, 51.3 percent to 48.7 percent. Here's the breakdown:

Democratic primary (44,124 votes)

Clinton -- 22,636 votes, 51.3 percent

Sanders -- 21,488 votes, 48.77 percent

11:04 p.m. Trump with 80% in Congressional District

Trump has garnered more than 80 percent of the vote with 439 of the 442 Election Districts reporting in the 11th Congressional District, which encompasses Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. Here's the breakdown:

Republican primary (29,866 votes)

Trump -- 24,011 votes, 80.4 percent

Kasich -- 3,347 votes, 11.2 percent

Cruz -- 2,508 votes, 8.4 percent

10:44 p.m. 99 percent of Island vote tallied

With 99 percent of the Election Districts (287 of 289) reporting on Staten Island, here's the breakdown:

Democratic primary (29,259 votes)

Clinton -- 15,502 votes, 53 percent

Sanders -- 13,757 votes, 47 percent

Republican primary (23,601 votes)

Trump -- 19,335 votes, 81.9 percent

Kasich -- 2,408 votes, 10.2 percent

Cruz -- 1,858 votes, 7.9 percent

10:36 p.m. More votes than 2015 Special Election

With 98 percent of Staten Island's Election Districts tallied, more people's votes have already been counted than in the entire 2015 Special Election for Congress, which also included voters in Brooklyn.

Approximately 30,500 votes were cast on Staten Island in that election with Daniel Donovan besting Vincent Gentile, 20,049 votes to 10,436. (Another 8,732 votes were cast in Brooklyn, with Gentile winning there, 5,372 to 3,360.)

More than 52,000 votes have been tallied on Staten Island so far this evening, according to the AP.

10:29 p.m. 98 percent of Island vote tallied

Clinton leads Sanders on Staten Island, 15,390 to 13,584 votes, with 98 percent of the Election Districts (283 out of 289) reporting, according to the AP.

Meanwhile, Trump leads Kasich and Cruz, 19,054 votes to 2,389 and 1,837, respectively.

10:13 p.m. 92 percent of Island vote tallied

Clinton leads Sanders on Staten Island, 15,251 to 13,416 votes, with 92 percent of the Election Districts (265 out of 289) reporting, according to the AP.

Meanwhile, Trump leads Kasich and Cruz, 18,548 votes to 2,342 and 1,784, respectively.

10:10 p.m. More than 50,000 votes cast on Island

With 90 percent of the Election Districts reporting on Staten Island, more than 50,000 votes have been tallied so far.

Just a hair more than 22,000 votes have been cast in Republican primary while 28,171 votes have been cast in the Democratic primary, the AP reports.

10:02 p.m. Clinton leads Sanders, 53 to 47 percent

It's a tight race on Staten Island, with Clinton leading Sanders, 53.3 percent to 46.7 percent, with 261 of 289 Election Districts reporting, the AP says.

9:58 p.m. Trump, Clinton lead with 90 percent in

Trump leads Kasich and Cruz on Staten Island, 17,386 votes to 2,160 and 1,683, respectively, with 259 out of 289 Election Districts reporting, according to the AP.

Meanwhile, Clinton leads Sanders, 14,576 to 12,735 votes.

9:50 p.m. Clinton is projected winner in N.Y.

CNN is projecting that Hillary Clinton has taken New York.

9:49 p.m. Trump with 82 percent of Island GOP vote

With 85 percent of the borough's 289 Election Districts reporting, Trump has garnered 82 percent of the Republican vote on Staten Island -- 16,748 votes to Kasich's 2,042 and Cruz's 1,629.

9:39 p.m. 83 percent of Island vote tallied

Clinton leads Sanders on Staten Island, 13,298 to 11,637 votes, with 83 percent of the Election Districts (239 out of 289) reporting, according to the AP.

Meanwhile, Trump leads Kasich and Cruz, 16,383 votes to 1,985 and 1,575, respectively, with 83 percent of the districts reporting.

9:32 p.m. Trump, Clinton lead on the Island

Clinton leads Sanders on Staten Island, 11,341 to 10,249 votes, with 77 percent of the Election Districts (221 out of 289) reporting, the AP reports.

Meanwhile, Trump leads Kasich and Cruz, 14,477 votes to 1,752 and 1,398, respectively, with 77 percent of the districts reporting.

9:25 p.m. 64 percent of Island vote tallied

Clinton leads Sanders on Staten Island, 9,995 to 9,021 votes, with 186 of the borough's 289 Election Districts reporting, the AP reports.

Meanwhile, Trump leads Kasich and Cruz, 12,720 votes to 1,529 and 1,223, respectively, with 186 of the 289 districts reporting.

9:17 p.m. First Staten Island numbers are in

According to the Associated Press, Clinton leads Sanders on Staten Island, 3,207 to 2,768 votes, with 66 of the borough's 289 Election Districts reporting.

Meanwhile, Trump leads Kasich and Cruz, 1,855 votes to 240 and 226, respectively, with 53 of the 289 districts reporting.

9:13 p.m. Trump, Sanders with early leads locally

With 7 of 442 Election Districts reporting, Trump has 19 votes to Cruz's 3 and Kasich's 2.

Meanwhile, Sanders has an early lead on Clinton with 16 of the 442 Election Districts reporting -- 429 to 372.

All of the districts reporting are located in Brooklyn. There are no results for Staten Island yet.

9:11 p.m. Clinton leading in New York

CNN is showing Hillary Clinton in the lead across New York state, with 60 percent of the vote.

9:02 p.m. Trump is projected winner

Based on exit polls, CNN is reporting that Donald Trump has won the New York primary.

***

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Donald Trump. Ted Cruz. John Kasich. Ben Carson?

Despite withdrawing from the presidential race last month, Carson remained on the New York ballot Tuesday when Republicans on Staten Island and around the state went to the polls to cast their vote in the GOP primary.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders went head-to-head for the Democratic nomination.

Polling sites closed at 9 p.m. Check back here as we update the results from the race.

And make sure to follow our live coverage as we provide updates throughout the night.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The suspect in the notorious "Ninja Burglar" break-ins appears poised to plead guilty Thursday to burglary charges.

State Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Rooney on Wednesday scheduled a conference Thursday for Robert H. Costanzo, adding there might be a disposition.

Earlier Wednesday, Costanzo, 46, a convicted rapist from New Brighton, was arraigned before Criminal Court Judge Raymond L. Rodriguez on three counts of second-degree burglary.

Rodriguez ordered Costanzo held without bail, and the case was transferred upstairs to Rooney's courtroom where a Superior Court Information was filed against Costanzo. The SCI contains three second-degree burglary charges, online state court records show.

A Superior Court Information, or SCI, is filed in lieu of an indictment after a defendant waives his right to have his case heard by a grand jury. The indictment or SCI contains the formal charges on which a defendant is to be tried.

Defendants typically plead guilty to an SCI.

Costanzo's lawyer, John Stawicki, of the public defender's office in Connecticut, declined comment outside court.

Costanzo, whose head is closely shaved, appeared in Criminal Court garbed in a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. He said nothing during the arraignment.

Assistant District Attorney David Frey told Rodriguez, "There was a statement," apparently meaning the defendant had made an admission to police. Stawicki later waived his client's appearance for the brief Supreme Court proceeding.

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon was holding an afternoon press conference to discuss the case.

In remanding Costanzo, Rodriguez said the defendant was also being held without bail on a Saratoga County arrest warrant.

Costanzo was turned over to NYPD officers Tuesday after admitting in Superior Court in Hartford, Conn. to a knife-point home invasion robbery in Farmington, Conn., according to a report by the Hartford Courant.

The defendant pleaded guilty to felony counts of robbery, kidnapping and burglary in the Connecticut incident, which took place two years ago, according to the report.

Authorities allege Costanzo, a Butler Terrace resident, broke into a 66-year-old woman's home on April 14, 2014, and removed her from her bed at knifepoint.

The defendant, police say, then forced the woman to reveal the combination to her safe and stole approximately $75,000 worth of jewelry before taking off and leaving her in a closet.

A source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed for the Courant that Costanzo was the "ninja" suspect and has been implicated in more than 100 burglaries in the tri-state area.

On Tuesday, Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon announced the "Ninja Burglar" suspect was in custody and to be arraigned Wednesday.

Officials did not provide a name or details about his arrest at that time.

At its height, police attributed 19 separate break-ins to the "Ninja Burglar" pattern, mainly in the Todt Hill and Grymes Hill neighborhoods between May 2007 and January of 2008.

The "Ninja Burglar" moniker was born on Sept. 6, 2007, when Dongan Hills resident Phil Chiolo claimed he had a nunchucks-vs.-knife battle with an intruder dressed like a ninja. Chiolo told the Advance that day he stabbed the prowler with a steak knife.

The nickname stuck, and when the next victim walked in on a burglar, she screamed, "The Ninja is here! The Ninja! The Ninja!"

At the time, NYPD brass had been loath to acknowledge the serial burglar's "ninja" nickname, instead referring to the spree simply as "Pattern 16."

In April of 2008, police sources told the Advance detectives had quietly closed the book on the string of break-ins after authorities started deportation proceedings against at least one Albanian man they believed to be connected with the spree.

Police were tight-lipped and would say only that the burglaries attributed to the "Ninja Burglar" were actually the work of up to three Albanian nationals facing deportation because of their illegal status in this country.

Some residents here remained skeptical.

Costanzo has a lengthy criminal history.

Police said he woke the woman in her apartment, held his hand over her mouth, and threatened her with a knife before covering her head and sexually attacking her. He bound her hands and legs as he ransacked her apartment, fleeing with jewelry and cash.

He went on the lam for two years, before his arrest in late 1991 following a shootout with police in Manhattan, the Advance reported. Officers wounded Costanzo after he allegedly fired at a cop.

Costanzo later pleaded guilty to first-degree rape stemming from the Staten Island incident and was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The "Ninja Burglar" suspect was ordered held without bail during a brief arraignment in Criminal Court in St. George Wednesday morning.

Dressed in gray sweatpants and a sweatshirt, Robert H. Costanzo, 46, of New Brighton, said nothing during the proceeding.

He is being charged with second-degree burglary, officials said, though it wasn't immediately clear how many counts.

The proceeding was before Judge Raymond L. Rodriguez.

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon has scheduled a press conference at 1 p.m. to discuss the case.



Further information will be posted as it becomes available.

The Advance first reported on Tuesday that authorities had a suspect in custody in connection with the pattern of break-ins, a wave that left residents on edge on Todt Hill and other wealthy communities nearly 10 years ago.

Police were believed to have quietly closed the case in 2008 after starting deportation proceedings against at least one Albanian man they believed to be connected with the spree.

Costanzo, a convicted rapist, was turned over to NYPD officers after pleading guilty in a knife-point home invasion robbery in Farmington, Conn., according to a report by the Hartford Courant.

At its height, police attributed 19 separate break-ins to the pattern, mainly in the Todt Hill and Grymes Hill neighborhoods between May 2007 and January of 2008.

The "Ninja Burglar" moniker was born on Sept. 6, 2007, when Dongan Hills resident Phil Chiolo claimed he had a nunchucks-vs.-knife battle with an intruder dressed like a ninja. Chiolo told the Advance that day he stabbed the prowler with a steak knife.
Robert Costanzo, 45, of Staten Island, N.Y. (Farmington Police)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Authorities are expected to provide answers in the infamous "Ninja Burgar" spree on Wednesday, when the suspect in the rash of burglaries, which struck fear in the hearts of affluent Staten Island homeowners in 2007 and 2008, is expected to be arraigned in Criminal Court.

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon will discuss the case during a press conference at 1 p.m.

The Advance first reported on Tuesday that authorities had a suspect in custody in connection with the pattern of break-ins, a wave that left residents on edge on Todt Hill and other wealthy communities nearly 10 years ago.

Police were believed to have quietly closed the case in 2008 after starting deportation proceedings against at least one Albanian man they believed to be connected with the spree.

Robert H. Costanzo, 46, a convicted rapist from New Brighton, was turned over to NYPD officers after pleading guilty in a knife-point home invasion robbery in Farmington, Conn., according to a report by the Hartford Courant.

A source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed for the Courant that Costanzo was the "Ninja Burglar" suspect who has been implicated in more than 100 burglaries in the tri-state area.

The "Ninja Burglar" suspect was in the custody of the Richmond County District Attorney detective squad, McMahon revealed in a bombshell announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

At its height, police attributed 19 separate break-ins to the pattern, mainly in the Todt Hill and Grymes Hill neighborhoods between May 2007 and January of 2008.

The "Ninja Burglar" moniker was born on Sept. 6, 2007, when Dongan Hills resident Phil Chiolo claimed he had a nunchucks-vs.-knife battle with an intruder dressed like a ninja. Chiolo told the Advance that day he stabbed the prowler with a steak knife.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Statewide, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump took home wins in the high 50s, but in the 11th Congressional District, made up mostly by Staten Island, the margins of victories were vastly different.

As both Trump and Clinton celebrated their victories with supporters in Manhattan, Staten Islanders gathered at smaller watch parties to see the election results come in.

Trump, who visited the Island on Sunday, got an astounding 80 percent of the vote here.

Clinton narrowly beat Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, taking home 51 percent of the vote in the 11th CD.

ISLAND DEMS FOR CLINTON

Gathering among a small group in Jody's Club Forest in West Brighton, Democrat John Mancuso is confident Clinton will shore up enough support before the convention to be the party's nominee in the November general election.

"I think she'll make an excellent president," he said. "She has the experience, she was secretary of state, she was U.S. senator. She knows New York, she loves New York and I think she'll be an asset for New York."

Now a district leader for the 64th Assembly District and former candidate for local office, Mancuso volunteered on Clinton's Senate campaign and met her when she was First Lady and visited Staten Island with husband, Bill.

Rosemary Palladino, of Grasmere, wore a black and pink "Hillary 2016" T-shirt that she bought at Snug Harbor Cultural Center when Clinton spoke there on Sunday.

"I expected her to be really good on Sunday and I thought she was just fabulous," she said. "She spoke so long and she seemed to really mean what she said. Her remarks were tailored for Staten Island."

"You just can't beat her experience. Experience inside the White House, experience as a senator, as secretary of state. Who knows more than she does?"

Democratic Party Chairman John Gulino spoke about Clinton's win in a statement.

"Tonight, Hillary Clinton won a resounding victory," he said. "She has demonstrated time and time again that she has the experience, strength and judgment to serve as our president. No matter what the Republicans or the media have said or done to try to discredit her, she's standing stronger than ever and fighting for the future of every American. It is my hope that tonight represents the beginning of a push for unity that will be essential in ensuring a Democratic victory in November."

GOP CELEBRATES TRUMP VICTORY

Local Republicans gathered at Giovanni's Trattoria in Eltingville, where Ron Castorina Jr. celebrated his victory in his unopposed race for state Assembly.

Castorina is a Trump supporter, as is Councilman Joe Borelli, whose former Assembly seat Castorina was just elected to. Borelli (R-South Shore) is a co-chair for Trump's campaign in New York and was in Manhattan for the big win.

Pleasantly surprised by Trump's big win in the 11th CD, GOP Chair John Antoniello said, "It's pretty awesome, for any candidate in any election to get 80 percent. That's a landslide by far."

Trump's visit to Staten Island Sunday probably helped him here, Antoniello said.

Attorney Richard Luthmann, a Democrat who supports Trump, was sporting a "Make America Great Again" hat and a Trump button.

Sean O'Sullivan, a former Republican, now a registered Conservative who couldn't vote in the primary, isn't a Trump supporter and sees the win as inevitable because Texas Sen. Ted Cruz "shot himself in the foot" with his disparaging "New York values" comment, and John Kasich is too moderate for many Staten Islanders.

But "Donald Trump is a Republican of convenience," he said.

O'Sullivan agreed Trump's visit here helped him.

"For some people, he's saying what people want to hear. I don't know if he believes it, I don't know if it's conceivable it could happen."
Screen Shot 2016-04-19 at 8.06.35 PM.png

Anthony (Skinny) Santoro of Great Kills is one of many Bonanno associates rounded up in Manhattan Criminal Court July 9 2013. (Joe Marino/New York Daily News)

MANHATTAN, N.Y. -- Anthony (Skinny) Santoro was the key player in the Bonanno crime family's illegal gambling operation, the organization's easy moneymaker, the prosecution claims.

"Anthony Santoro is at the center of the crew and functions as a soldier below (co-defendants) Aiello and Badamo,"Assistant District Attorney Gary Galperin said during his summation Tuesday in Manhattan Supreme Court. "The gambling brings the defendants together the most."

Santoro, 52, of Great Kills, and his co-defendants -- Vito Badamo, 53, Nicholas Santora, 73, and Ernest Aiello, 36 -- are accused of enterprise corruption, including loansharking, gambling and drug dealing after authorities say they busted a nine-man Bonanno crew in July 2013.

The Staten Island man, Galperin claimed, oversaw the gambling. He set the prices for drugs and decided on opening and freezing gambling accounts.

He also, the prosecutor said, ran an illegal online gambling site, allaction247.com, which was a wire room in Costa Rica.

Many of the intercepted communications, including texts and calls, connect Santoro to money, gambling and drugs, Galperin said.

The prosecutor displayed an international gambling flow chart that showed Santoro in the middle of the operation with three associates below him.

However, Santoro's lawyer, Adam Konta, said Monday during his closing arguments his client tried many business ventures, including legal gambling site.

"They (the defense) would have you believe they were all just friends or business men trying to survive," Galperin said.

The state claims Santora, nicknamed "Captain Crunch," was an undisputed member of the organized crime family who worked his way up to capo and oversaw a crew that engaged in various criminal activities.

He was in charge of an Internet gambling site, sold prescription drugs, such as oxycodone and Viagra, on the black market, and the other three defendants were his associates.

The prosecution maintains that money made from any illegal activity flowed to Santora, proving the organized crime family's hierarchy.

"The purpose of the Bonanno family is to make money and they do so by doing criminal activity," Galperin said. "These defendants came together and committed crimes."

During summations, a couple of the defense attorneys argued the co-defendants were targeted because they were Italian-American and their mob ties was based on social stereotypes.

But Galperin was offended by the implication.

"How unfounded and insulting that is," Galperin told the jury.

"There is no reasonable doubt these co-defendants are guilty of pattern acts of enterprise corruption," he added. "Announce to this captain and this crew that their ship will set sail no more."

After a nearly three-month trial, the judge will charge the jury Wednesday morning before the panel begins deliberations.
Ninja Burglar

Robert Costanzo, 45, of Staten Island, N.Y. (Farmington Police)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The suspect in the notorious "Ninja Burglar" break-ins has been turned over to officers from the NYPD after pleading guilty in a knife-point home invasion robbery in Farmington, Conn., according to a report by the Hartford Courant.

Robert H. Costanzo, 46, a convicted rapist from New Brighton, pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony counts of robbery, kidnapping and burglary in the Connecticut incident, which took place two years ago, according to the report.

A source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed for the Courant Costanzo was the "ninja" suspect and has been implicated in more than 100 burglaries in the tri-state area.

On Tuesday, Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon announced the "Ninja Burglar" suspect was in custody and to be arraigned on Wednesday.

Officials did not provide a name or details about his arrest, but McMahon scheduled a press conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the case.

At its height, police attributed 19 separate break-ins to the "Ninja Burglar" pattern, mainly in the Todt Hill and Grymes Hill neighborhoods between May 2007 and January of 2008.

It was not immediately clear if Costanzo would be charged with some or all of those incidents -- or additional ones.

The "Ninja Burglar" moniker was born on Sept. 6, 2007, when Dongan Hills resident Phil Chiolo claimed he had a nunchucks-vs.-knife battle with an intruder dressed like a ninja. Chiolo told the Advance that day he stabbed the prowler with a steak knife.

The nickname stuck, and when the next victim walked in on a burglar, she screamed, "The Ninja is here! The Ninja! The Ninja!"

At the time, NYPD brass had been loath to acknowledge the serial burglar's "ninja" nickname, instead referring to the spree simply as "Pattern 16."

In April of 2008, police sources told the Advance detectives had quietly closed the book on the string of break-ins after authorities started deportation proceedings against at least one Albanian man they believed to be connected with the spree.

Police were tight-lipped and would say only that the burglaries attributed to the "Ninja Burglar" were actually the work of up to three Albanian nationals facing deportation because of their illegal status in this country.

Some residents here remained skeptical.

In the Farmington case, authorities allege Costanzo, a Butler Terrace resident, broke into a 66-year-old woman's home on April 14, 2014, and removed her from her bed at knifepoint.

The defendant, police say, then forced the woman to reveal the combination to her safe and stole approximately $75,000 worth of jewelry before taking off and leaving her in a closet.

Police said he woke the woman in her apartment, held his hand over her mouth, and threatened her with a knife before covering her head and sexually attacking her. He bound her hands and legs as he ransacked her apartment, fleeing with jewelry and cash.

He went on the lam for two years, before his arrest in late 1991 following a shootout with police in Manhattan, the Advance reported. Officers wounded Costanzo after he allegedly fired at a cop.

Costanzo later pleaded guilty to first-degree rape stemming from the Staten Island incident and was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - New York state voters left no doubt about whom they want to see matched up for president in November.

And wins on primary night in the Empire State gave Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton big boosts in their overall bids for their party nominations.

Trump's win was enormous, with The Donald wiping the floor with Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in New York, his home state. The polls closed at 9 p.m., and CNN called the primary for him less than a minute later.

And the numbers showed that the frenzied response that Trump got campaigning on Staten Island on Sunday was no fluke: Borough Republicans went for him by about 82 percent.

Clinton had to wait about 45 minutes longer, but she was also a no-doubt-about-it winner in her adopted home state. Hillary also campaigned on Staten Island on Sunday, and got about 53 percent of the vote here.

Trump needed the win after some losses to Cruz and amid continued fretting about whether he will get the 1,237 delegates he needs to get the nomination on the first ballot at this summer's convention.

So the best news of the night for Trump was that Cruz, his main remaining opponent, finished third behind Kasich. Cruz didn't even stick around for the results. He'd already taken off for Pennsylvania.

But Pennsylvania and other Northeast states voting next week set up very well for Trump as well, so Cruz's bubble may have burst. His peak may have come and gone. It's going to be harder and harder for him to appear as anything more than a spoiler going forward.

Clinton was also looking to right the ship after a string of losses to Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. The only way Sanders could have carried last night would have been an unlikely outright win here or by keeping Clinton's margin of victory to the single digits. After all, New York is Sanders' native state.

It didn't happen. And how Sanders, like Cruz, needs to do some re-evaluating. The math is against both of them, even though Sanders still has a pile of money he can burn through if he wants to keep playing. His supporters are rabidly for him. Will Hillary be able to lure them to her side or will they stay on the sidelines if their man is no longer running?

One thing about Sanders, though: Just when you think he's done for good, he pulls a win out of his hat and puts himself back on the map again. Next Tuesday will tell that tale.

It was the first time in years that New York played a pivotal role in the presidential primaries of both parties. And when the history of 2016 campaign is written, it might be said that New York was the state that pretty much ended the races on both sides.
Climate Bet for Charity, 2016 Update

Posted on 20 April 2016 by Rob Honeycutt

We are now half way into a climate bet made between a number of climate realists and climate contrarians who were commenting on the NoTricksZone blog 5 years ago. This bet originated when I made an off-handed comment at NTZ that I felt contrarians don't have the convictions of their often emphatic beliefs because I'd never found any who would bet on the climate.

Both Dana and myself were active on NTZ at that time, and we worked up a bet through Pierre Gosselin, who owns the NTZ site. Eventually we agreed to a bet stating that, based on an average of UAH and RSS satellite data, the decade of 2011 to 2020 would be warmer than the decade of 2001 to 2010. Realists saying, "Yes, this decade would be warmer." And contrarians saying, "No, this decade would not be warmer."

From there Pierre posted the bet on his website. Eventually, the climate realists raised upward of $10,000 in "realist" bets, and contrarians raised something around half of that for the "contrarian" position.

Half way through, how do things stand? That sort of depends on how you're currently tracking the data.

Running decadal average

My preferred method to track the bet is to use a running decadal average and compare where the results would be if the bet had been made ten years previous to this month. Who would win in that case? When you look at it in that context there is no point during the past 5 years when the most recent decade was cooler than the previous decade. It's been close very recently, but still the most recent decade has remained warmer than the previous in the satellite data. (Full size graphic.)

Data updates

To date, we've only had one major data update coming from the University of Alabama, Huntsville (UAH) group when they moved from their version 5.5 to version 6.0. That had the effect of lowering the UAH trend fairly significantly, and brought it more in line with the Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) v3.3 data.

Last month RSS updated their TTT and TMT data (total troposphere and mid-troposphere, respectively) from version 3.3 to 4.0, which raised those trends significantly. They have yet to update the TLT data (lower troposphere, which we're using) to version 4.0, but when that happens we expect to see more warming from about 2000 forward.

Everything seems to be okay on both sides so far. We agreed that, in spite of differing opinions and perhaps through gritted teeth, each group (UAH and RSS) are good scientists doing their best to get accurate results. We are continuing to operate under the assumption that we will be basing the bet on the most recent TLT data sets published by UAH and RSS.

Short term climatic influences

An aspect that was not considered when the bet was initiated was the timing of climate events on the data. The reason I've included the 1991-2000 data on my chart is to help identify these. We had the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in mid-1991. Pinatubo acted to cool the planet for a couple of years after the eruption, and you can see how the decadal average levels off and then cools slightly. Conversely, in 1998 we saw sharp warming from a super El Nino, and the decadal trend warms quickly and then levels off with the following la Nina.

Climatology works with 30 year time spans as a normal yardstick. One decade can have a lot of influence from the kinds of short term events mentioned above, and 10 years of data is most certainly not going to be statistically significant. None-the-less, I have a great deal of confidence, based on the available scientific research, that the human influence on global warming is strong enough to make it nearly certain that, short of a massive low latitude volcanic event, we will win this bet. Dana did a recent piece in the Guardian showing why betting against global warming is a sure way to lose money.

Other presentations of the horse race

A blogger called "Kiwi Thinker" has picked up on this bet and decided to create his own graph of how this is progressing. Kiwi Thinker calls his graph an "accumulating average", but I would say he and I have different ideas about what an accumulating average is.

I've created my own accumulating average below and it's nothing like his. My method is to simply take the average of RSS and UAH the first month, then include the average of the two the next month, and then fill the formula down from there. Such a method is accurate but doesn't really reveal very much information merely because the early data is mostly noise. And, as you might expect, the plot levels out as the data accumulates. (Full size image.)

It took me some time to figure out what Kiwi Thinker was doing with his method. He's taking the average of RSS and UAH on the first month and divides it by 120 (months). The next month averages RSS and UAH, divides by 120 and then adds the previous month. (Full size image.)

Kiwi Thinker's method more or less presents the data as a horse race by giving more and more weight to the to the average as it accumulates; in essence, it's double accumulating. It's not an accurate graph because, well, for one, it's saying that the current accumulated average of RSS and UAH is just above 0.1C, and that's not the case. And the average of UAH+RSS was certainly not 0C in January 2011. If you average the data for the first 5 years and 3 months (Jan 2011 to present) you get an anomaly of 0.209C, not 0.109C.

I'm still struggling to ascribe any real meaning to this chart.

It's really neither here nor there, though, since he will end up with the right answer when the bet finalizes. I just think he's going to be in for a rude surprise over the next 5 years. His method is going to over-emphasize the trend and make it look like we're going to hell in a hand basket. I would also note that on his chart his Y-axis tops out at 0.25C. He's probably going to have to shift that up to 0.3C or higher before all is said and done.

I believe the running decadal average method, used in the top graph, offers far more interesting information about decadal warming by making every point along the plot a 10 year average. That makes it easy to compare any two decadal averages by merely choosing a point along the plot and referencing the point directly above or below it.

New climate bet widget

We're adding a new widget to the SkS right-side sidebar that will be updated on a monthly basis. The next 5 years of this bet are going to be where all the fun is, so it's worth having a little reminder of where things stand.

Here, I'm going to go one step further than just stating that this decade will be warmer than the last. I'm going to predict this decade will end at least 0.1C warmer than the last, based on UAH+RSS. [This statement is ancillary to the bet.] If I'd made such a statement that ended this month my prediction would be wrong. But looking at how the decadal average rose after the 1998 El Nino, and noting that the following la Nina will only act to flatten the plot after that, I think +0.1C is pretty safe. You can also note that, after the cooling from Pinatubo dropped out of the average, temperature rose almost 0.15C in about 5 years. Relative to the decadal trend, that may be somewhat analogous to the extended la Nina and ENSO neutral conditions we've seen since the 1998 El Nino. Note also that 2001 started ~0.15C warmer than 1991, and 2011 was ~0.15C warmer than 2001. It's not unreasonable to expect 2020 will end as much as 0.15C warmer than 2011.

The bigger message

While bets are a fun way to engage people in the issue, it has no direct bearing on what's really important. It's overwhelmingly clear that human activities are responsible for most or all of the warming of the past 50 years. If we continue to emit carbon into the atmosphere at our current rate we risk unconscionable consequences for later generations. We absolutely must shift our energy systems away from fossil fuel sources and replace them with carbon-free energy. We have precious little time to make this fundamental and massive adjustment.
RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesTwo GS9 street gang members and associates of Brooklyn rapper Bobby Shmurda have been convicted of murder and numerous acts of violence in New York City and Miami Beach, the New York City's Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office announced.

The two defendants, Rashid Derissant and Alex Crandon were convicted by a jury for the February 2013 murder of a 19-year old rival gang member in Brooklyn.

Both men were found guilty on charges including second degree murder, multiple counts of second degree attempted murder, weapons possession and assault among other charges.

Bobby Shmurda, whose legal name is Ackquille Pollard, was arrested in December 2014 and faces conspiracy, weapons and drug charges stemming from his alleged involvement with the GS9 gang. He currently is awaiting trial.

The rapper is best known for his song Hot N**** and for popularizing the trendy Shmoney dance.
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Under the bill, airlines would have to refund checked-bag fees to passengers whose luggage is lost or arrives more than six hours after a domestic flight has landed and more than 12 hours after an international flight has landed. Fees for services not delivered, such as advance seat assignments or early boarding, would also have to be refunded. Airlines' disclosure of fees for checked bags, seat assignments and ticket changes or cancellations would be standardized so consumers can more easily compare prices as they shop for tickets. Airlines would also have to seat families together at no extra charge.
About Us At St. Lucia Online , we bring together two worlds: that of the internet with that of the fascinating Caribbean island of St. Lucia.We look 'inwards' in the sense that we keep close track of current events in St. Lucia, including the latest in news and sports, job vacancies, weather forecasts, satellite weather maps and community affairs. There are also direct links to the St. Lucia telephone directory and to our internet shop ('Strictly Roots') which stocks strictly St. Lucian wares. At the same time, we also look 'outwards', in the sense that we offer a comprehensive set of tools to make life on the internet more fun, more fruitful, easier and cheaper to use. We 'work the web for you', making sure that you always have the best tools at your fingertips. Some of our current assets are: Free E-mail which affirms your roots (yourname@slucia.com)

which affirms your roots St Lucia Online radio plays music by St Lucian artistes 24 hours a day.

Find St. Lucia related websites - using the only search engine entirely dedicated to St. Lucian websites, you can find all there is to know about the island without all those spurious results that the other search engines come up with. Also find smaller more obscure sites that do not show up in other search engines.

search engine entirely dedicated to St. Lucian websites, you can find all there is to know about the island without all those spurious results that the other search engines come up with. Also find smaller more obscure sites that do not show up in other search engines. Local Site Search - easily pinpoint anything hosted at the St. Lucia Online site.

site. Classified Ads - The fun way to sell your stuff online.

Internet Shop - Buy local goodies online. Who we are S t. Lucia Online is a small, independent, Vieux Fort-based operation, where we combine commercial instinct and technological know-how with a critical but compassionate attitude towards the news and society in general. What we're about



We recognise that subscribers use St. Lucia Online first and foremost for practical reasons. People do not, as a rule, visit websites primarily to read the advertisements - yet advertising is what makes running a site like this one financially possible. In short, at St. Lucia Online , we are committed to ensuring that our technical and information-providing services are fast, faultless and up-to-date - so that you have every reason to return to us regularly (or even to make St. Lucia Online the start page for your browser ). Our businesspeople, in turn, can then be sure of having an intelligent and reliable audience (...yes, we mean you!).

Additionally, we ensure that St. Lucia Online remains well ranked with the popular search engines and directories, so that other 'netizens' with an interest in St. Lucia also have easy access to our site.



In the category 'Prime Sites', you find the web sites of our most valued customers - the people who, in effect, make it possible for us to provide this service for your convenience.



We believe that St. Lucia Online has a valuable role to play in today's world - a world which, although having become something of a 'global village', has not necessarily become a fairer or less complex place in which to survive. By making it possible for St. Lucians and others - from Banse to Brooklyn, from Castries to California, from Laborie to London and from Ti Rocher to Toronto - to communicate quickly, easily and directly on the basis of unbiased, critical, and up-to-date information, St. Lucia Online aims to add another building block to the construction process of making our beloved island a less vulnerable, better-equipped partner in the harsh game of international political and economic survival, and a more equitable and peaceful place to call home.


St. Lucia may be described in terms of its size (twenty seven by fourteen miles), its approximate population (160,000), its climate (tropical), or its main sources of income (banana production, tourism, light manufacturing) - but what do such descriptions mean to those of us who were born and raised here? Or to those of us who now live overseas? It doesn't stir up memories of the exhilaration felt when going up river with a gang of other kids to slide down the waterfalls, crying 'Whiiiiee Sallee!' all the way down. It doesn't convey anything of the all-familiar sight of school children, barefoot with their uniforms dishevelled, pelting stones into fruit-laden mango trees and later, bellies full, pulling the stringy bits from between their teeth with their shirtsleeves. And what does dry, quantitative information teach those of us who intend to visit the island for the first time, hoping for a relaxed get-away on a soft, sandy beach, or a romantic time in a smoothly-run hotel? Lets try to keep those smells, sights and sounds in mind, and remember that they are what really make up the culture and people of St. Lucia  as we take ourselves on a concise tour of the island's history, its political make-up and social structure. St. Lucia was colonised for the very first time around 500 BC by the Ciboneys - an Amerindian people orginating in Venezuela. They were followed by Arawak Indians around 200 AD, and later again, around 900 AD, by the Caribs. Today, very little remains of the culture of these original inhabitants in St. Lucia, bar some knowledge regarding boat building, weaving and pottery, and some linguistic remains. From 1605 onwards, French, British and Dutch seafarers began colonising St. Lucia - as they did elsewhere in the New World. By 1680, the Caribs had had to yield control over the island, and European settlement began in earnest. Soon, French, British and Irish colonisers felt compelled to bring in enslaved workers from the West-African coast to perform the arduous tasks associated with tropical agriculture, particularly sugar cultivation. Despite a major uprising in the 1790s, known as the Brigands' War, slavery continued in St. Lucia until 1838, when it was finally abolished in all of the British West Indian colonies. Since 1804, St. Lucia had permanently been under British rule, after several changes in ownership between France and Britain during the 17th and 18th centuries. Culturally, however, St. Lucia continues to demonstrate strong French influences - as is highlighted by its predominantly French-based Creole (also informally known as 'patois'). After Emancipation, in 1838, St. Lucians remained in many ways subservient to the demands and needs of the capitalist world system. A small white elite of planters and merchants maintained control over a large black workforce, with a small but expanding coloured middle-class mediating between the two. Some workers managed to establish themselves as peasants on lands not in use by the elite-owned sugar plantations, but many had to continue working on these estates for a livelihood. Wages were very low until well into the 20th century, and alternative ways of making a living remained limited to fishing, charcoal-making, wood cutting, shopkeeping or emigration (both seasonal and permanent). In the late 19th century, contract labourers from India were imported to work on the sugar estates, and this 'East-Indian' heritage has since complemented the African and European ethnic make-up of St. Lucian culture and society. In the mid-twentieth century, St. Lucian society went through a series of major changes. Plantation-based sugar cultivation was abandoned in the 1950s, and replaced by small-scale, farmer-grown banana production. Around the same time, thousands of St. Lucians decided to try their luck overseas: in Curacao first, and soon after in the U.K., Canada, the United States and elsewhere. In political terms, the birth of a labour movement (in the 1930s) gave rise in the 1950s to an increasing level of self-governance. Adult suffrage, various constitutional changes and closer cooperation within the Eastern Caribbean finally gave rise, in 1979, to political independence for St. Lucia within the British Commonwealth. Since the 1970s, subsequent governments have prompted diversification of the local economy, by stimulating investments in the tourism and light manufacturing sectors. Today, tourism and banana production form the mainstay of the island's economy, with manufacturing and a range of other, smaller income-earners making up the rest. St. Lucia is a parliamentary democracy, boasting two political parties: The United Workers Party (which was in almost permanent power from 1964 until 1997, most of the time under the leadership of Sir John Compton), and the St. Lucia Labour Party, which was in power from 1979 to1982, and again since 1997, under current Prime-Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony. Traditionally, St. Lucia's education system has been in the hands of the Catholic church. Due to perpetual clashes between the (French-oriented) church and the (British-oriented) government, development of the education system has long been a bone of contention. Until the 1960s, the island relied on only two secondary schools - St. Mary's College for boys, and St. Joseph's Convent for girls, in Castries. Since then, however, the expansion of primary and secondary schooling has steadily continued, and the aim of secondary education for all is now within reach. Extraordinarily, the absolute lack of educational opportunities has not prevented St. Lucians from attaining the highest honour any scholar can achieve: in 1979, Sir Arthur Lewis was awarded the Nobel Prize for economics and in 1992, Sir Derek Walcott received the same for literature. Besides that, numerous other St. Lucians are leading specialists, world-wide, in the fields of medicine, law, accountancy, history, chemistry, and other disciplines.
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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.

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While controlled burns are all about reducing hazard, for some residents they present a different danger.

The air quality reached dangerous levels in parts of Canberra this month, prompting a warning to Canberrans with chronic heart or lung diseases like asthma or cystic fibrosis.

Mat Williams has suffered due to poor air quality in Canberra recently. Credit:Jay Cronan

Acton resident Mat Williams said he hasn't needed a puffer since he was in primary school but had to go out and buy his first one in years due to the excess of smoke in the air.
Since she was 12, Jessica has been spinning cotton in the fabric mills of southern India, mostly to be used in the clothes of Western fashion brands.

Now in her late teens, Jessica is not only struggling with health issues caused by the constant inhalation of cotton fibres, but she's fighting to receive the full lump sum payment her family was promised for years of bonded labour.

Jessica's story is typical of some 300,000 young women in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where they've been lured with promises of money and safe accommodation but instead been abused and exploited.
Despite the differing accounts, Stan's existence is, of course, not in dispute; the Bureau of Meteorology reported 150 kilometre winds as it crossed the coast about 130 kilometres north-east of Port Hedland on January 30. (That's about 330 kilometres from Rio Tinto's Cape Lambert Port). Port Hedland was forced to shut down for 48.8 hours, and anchorages outside the port were shut for more than 60 hours. The order of shipping at Port Hedland is usually not changed when a cyclone hits, meaning it is unlikely Fortescue got some kind of shipping advantage that was not available to BHP. Meteorologists often talk about "isolated showers" in their weather reports, and perhaps Stan was a rare case of an isolated cyclone.

Export run is over While the mystery around Stan remains unresolved, what is increasingly clear is that the long-running trend for Australia to export ever-increasing amounts of iron ore is over. On the guidance provided by Rio and BHP this week, neither company will be meaningfully expanding exports over the next 18 months. In a monumental piece of symbolism, BHP's share of exports in the year to June 30 is forecast to be lower than in the previous financial year, marking the company's first year-on-year production cut since the Billiton merger 15 years ago. Both Australian majors have flagged plans to upgrade their Pilbara rail networks over the next 18 to 24 months, and near-term export growth will likely be sacrificed to do so.

With the big two taking a breather, export growth appears unlikely to come from anywhere else in Australia. Smaller operators breather Fortescue shipments may increase slightly this year, but the company's iron ore division is largely ex-growth, not least because it would be incredibly hypocritical to ramp up exports after chairman Andrew Forrest spent most of last year accusing the majors of flooding the iron ore market with excess supply. Roy Hill will deliver new tonnes in the market, but so far Gina Rinehart's joint venture would barely have replaced the tonnes that are exiting the market, like those of struggling steelmaker Arrium Limited. Cliffs Natural Resources will exit Australian iron ore around 2020, while Atlas Iron may not survive until Christmas.

Little wonder then that iron ore prices have been so strong over the past three months. Australia's most lucrative export commodity has been averaging $US50.08 per tonne since January 1, well above the sombre predictions for an average price of about $US35 per tonne through 2016. Vale's stutter-step Brazilian miner Vale was also expected to report an interrupted start to 2016 when it published production numbers on Thursday morning. Vale is supposed to continue spending billions this year chasing export growth, but one can't help wondering whether it too will be tempted into slowing its pace of growth, particularly given the debt-laden Brazilian knows its Australian rivals will not be stealing market share for a couple of years at least.

Iron ore prices will no doubt fall below current levels as the year goes on; production in the March quarter is traditionally weaker than the rest of the year, and the recent rebound in Chinese economic activity can't be taken for granted. BHP and Rio still both have long-term iron ore export targets, suggesting they will continue growing exports at some time in the future. But the forces capable of pushing iron ore prices below $US30 per tonne no longer appear to exist; not for the next two years at least. Good news for government That is good news for Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison, who is due to deliver his debut budget within a fortnight.
Australians haven't completely cut ties with their colonial masters, if online spending at UK department stores is any guide.

Less than a week after British department store Debenhams launched a dedicated Australian web store, high-street rival House of Fraser has unveiled its own plans to target Australian consumers online with local content and prices in Australian dollars.

Debenhams and House of Fraser are the two latest UK retailers to target Australian shoppers.

House of Fraser chief executive Nigel Oddy says Australian shoppers are the biggest international spenders on the UK retailer's online store, which generates sales of around 247 million ($456 million) a year or around 19 per cent of the retailer's total annual revenues of 1.3 billion ($2.4 billion).

"Australia is House of Fraser's biggest online market outside of the UK," a spokesperson said.
The Turnbull government will take a decisive policy to the forthcoming election supporting underpaid temporary migrant workers. That is it will if it's smart and if it wants to lead long term.

For many months we have been inundated with reports of exploited temporary migrant workers in Australia. 7-Eleven has dominated the headlines but it is clear that wage theft by unscrupulous employers is rife across many sectors of our workforce.

Some 7-Eleven workers are now finally receiving payment of their stolen wages through the independent Fels panel. But what about the thousands of workers continuing to suffer similar mistreatment but whose employers have not been caught and forced to fulfil their legal obligations?

Senate and Productivity Commission inquiries have made some sound recommendations for reform. The Labor Opposition seized the initiative and currently has a bill before Parliament seeking to implement some of these changes.
The MP, named by The Sun as Bob Stewart, later dismissed the story as "political correctness". Isabel Oakeshott, another political journalist, "thought carefully" about wading into the argument by writing a piece expressing amazement at the way Hardman had reacted.

Oh, I know, I know. It seems harmless. Flattering, even. Why do young women nowadays get so uppity about compliments?

"Women are still expected to put up and shut up if they happen to have a nice smile and a cracking pair of boobs." Credit:iStock

"Have been thinking about whether or not to tweet about it," she explained in a post, "but actually that is NOT on and lobby women shouldn't have to put up with it."

Was anyone surprised by the news this week that a British MP had described a female journalist as "totty"? Isabel Hardman, assistant editor of The Spectator, wrote about the encounter on Twitter, saying that she had passed the MP's name to a whip, and that he had apologised.

Oakeshott described her colleague's tweets as a "drastic decision". "I do not think she should have complained to whips over what seems to have been a trivial incident," wrote Oakeshott.

And now, I, too, hesitate to add my voice to the debate.

Hardman's experience echoed one I had in 2010. I met an MP at a leaving do for a colleague of mine on the paper, and the MP wondered if I knew that "slut" who wrote the column at the back of one of the Telegraph magazines. This was a little embarrassing because I was that slut; he apologised, and that would have been that, had I not been a journalist as well as a slut.

I wrote about the incident because, at the time, I thought it was funny. Not wanting to offend readers, my editor changed the word "slut" to "slattern". Again, that would have been that, had the MP not been promoted to David Cameron's Cabinet in a 2014 reshuffle described as "female-friendly" because it happened to include a few women.

Suddenly, I lost some of my sense of humour. I wrote about the incident again, without naming the MP. That weekend, a Sunday newspaper did name him, on its front page. The MP denied it and his friends challenged my version of events, pointing out that my original story contained the word "slattern". A "source close to" the MP told the paper that "they were talking about her column, which was all about her escapades ... He referred to them in the wrong way, which went down badly and he apologised for that, but he did not use the word 'slut'? Like all these stories, there's a bit on each side."
Never before has a budget advertisement been prepared ahead of the budget itself. In fact, rarely before has a budget needed an advertisement.

The leaked script read on Sky News is a bit like something for Seinfeld in that it is a script about nothing. All previous budget advertising campaigns have been about something specific, such as small-business tax breaks.

The government has worked up the ads early because it will have only days to air them before the election is called. After that date, they would be, arguably, illegal.

They will help the government get its lines straight, however. The government minister who said the Coalition had cut Labor's debt probably needs to know that by doing little to cut the deficit, it has allowed debt to balloon. The minister who said Labor's negative gearing policy would push up house prices probably needs to know that the official line is it would push them down.
Emeritus Professor Giovanni Carsaniga, well known to many Italianists in Australia and abroad, has died in London aged 82.

Most recently he held the chair of Italian Studies at the University of Sydney from 1990 to 2000. He had previously held the Vaccari Foundation Chair of Italian Studies at La Trobe University in Victoria from 1982 to 1989 and had been the Visiting Professor of Italian at the University of Western Australia from 1975 to 1977.

His earlier academic career had been spent in the UK, progressing through junior positions at the universities of Aberdeen, Cambridge and Birmingham before joining the University of Sussex in 1966, where he rose to the position of reader.

The period of his energetic tenure at La Trobe saw Italian Studies develop impressively, with strong student enrolments and up to 10 academic staff.

Carsaniga maintained strong links with the Italian Institute of Culture in Melbourne and with Victoria's Italian community.

He was elected to a fellowship of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
How about Turnbull puts back $70 million of the money ripped out of the regulators and assigns the other $50 million to a royal commission. Michael Tierney Manly Vale The banks commit multiple misdemeanours. The government in a previous budget cuts the budget for ASIC. Now it wants to increase the budget for ASIC. Does this government have any idea how to govern in a meaningful manner? Paul Day Wyong After a litany of financial scandals emanating from the banking industry, it is not surprising that nearly two-thirds of voters support a royal commission into their conduct. Turnbull says repeatedly it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The Parliamentary Budget Office puts the figure at $53 million. His latest rearguard action to put some teeth back into ASIC is an expedient Band-Aid that he hopes will tide him through to the federal election.

Frank Carroll Moorooka The Government claims the extra funding it is providing to ASIC before the election more than makes up for that exact same cut in 2014. This is not true. A $120 million cut to an organisation means redundancies and loss of many skilled and experienced employees. It also means a loss of corporate function and corporate memory. Restoring the funding two years later is just another sign that this government really has no long-term plan for Australia's future and is just operating on an electoral cycle. Julie Williams Randwick

A plan to stop unconscionable misbehaviour by the banks and allied financial services is to levy them and give the money to ASIC to keep them in line. Reality check: the customers will pay the levy not the banks. Royal commission please. Kerry Stratton Wombarra Breathtaking hypocrisy Talk about the mother of all backflips ("Budget takes aim at highest earners", April 20). The government intends to tax high-income earners on their super after lambasting the opposition over the same policy, calling it just another Labor tax. It closely rivals Tony Abbott's paid parental leave (over my dead body) backflip with his "rolled gold" scheme.

The hypocrisy of this government is breathtaking and will surely be seen as such by the punters. Jerry Stiel Lilyfield Given that the Prime Minister already had a trigger for his double dissolution, the recall of both houses of Parliament seems to have been a waste of time and money. And, if the contents of the budget continue to be leaked, the ceremony of budget night will appear at worst unnecessary and at best little more than a rubber stamp. Garth Clarke North Sydney

Training 'efficiency' comes at a big cost Excellent to see Boston Consulting recommend the superior performance of private providers over the publicly funded TAFE system in the vocational training sector ("Failed college praised over TAFE", April 20). Sure, some of these private providers are being investigated by the Australian Federal Police and the competition watchdog says one used unconscionable practices with intellectually disabled students and preying on Aboriginal communities who could not afford their fees. But that misses the point. The private sector, backed by public debt, is efficient. No matter that they will never bring access and equity to those in disadvantaged areas who cannot connect to the internet. Here's hoping Boston Consulting get the gig for advising on medicinal cannabis. No doubt they'll be able to show us how much more efficient bikie gangs are at growing and distributing drugs than the regulated industry.

Chris Andrew Turramurra People benefiting from the cynical 25-year federal and state program to destroy TAFE: revolving door-loads of smarty-pants ministers, yes-ministers, economic "consultants", and shonky "providers" who know a home insulation program when they see one.People not benefiting: the great mass of ordinary, rural, and disadvantaged Australians who used to depend on TAFE for quality apprenticeships and traineeships, and other up-skilling programs for strivers who deserve another chance.Smart and skilled? I don't think so. Shame on you, Skills Minister John Barilaro. Stephen Saunders O'Connor Super perks not so super for younger taxpayers Most of your younger readers don't know that while they struggle to pay the mortgage and feed their children and pay tax at a marginal rate of 32.5 or 37 per cent, retired people on similar, or much larger, incomes, and with no mortgage or children to pay for, pay no tax ("Budget takes aim at highest earners", April 20). Zilch. Nada.

That's because earnings on superannuation accounts which are paying benefits are subject to no tax. Younger readers may also not know that there is no limit on the size of the accounts concerned. If they go to the Australian Taxation Office's "total asset range table" they will find that there are tens of thousands of self-managed super accounts with more than $2 million in them, all paying only 15 per cent, or nothing at all on their earnings. Clearly, fixing the contributions rort is a good start, but doesn't go nearly far enough. We also need to deal with the "earnings" rort. We could fix this by reintroducing some things like the old "reasonable benefit limit" so that people with more than $1.5 million in super would have the excess returned to their bank accounts and subject to tax in the normal way, and then by making retired people pay income tax on their earnings like everyone else.

I understand the howls of outrage which these proposals will induce, but at present the government is running a deficit of about $37 billion a year, and simply can't afford to spend more than $30 billion a year on badly targeted super concessions. And there is an even more radical alternative than I have proposed. Superannuation guarantee contributions are compulsory and there is actually no need to offer any concession at all. Nicholas Reid Hughes (ACT) Wake up now Bleaching across 90 per cent of the Great Barrier Reef, a March that was 2.3 degrees hotter than the long-term average and 0.45 degrees hotter than the last big El Nino only 18 years ago ("Most of the barrier reef hit by bleaching", April 20). This is just the beginning on our path to environmental, social and economic disaster. What will happen to our ability to feed ourselves, to our unique and irreplaceable places of natural beauty? To our precious wildlife? How many of us will die of heat-related illnesses? Yet barely a mention of this in what passes for political discourse in this country. This is sickening and incomprehensible. Patrick Kavanagh Strangways (Vic)

Rabies a big threat Brian McKeown (Letters, April 20) is right to point out the damage done by feral animals and the government laxity about the environment. However, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is correct regarding the dogs illegally imported by the actor Amber Heard. Those who think this is trivial should view evidence of the results of a rabies outbreak. Heard would have been dealt with more severely but for her and her partner Johnny Depp's fame. George Grainger Baulkham Hills Serco in spotlight It is no surprise that the cost of a night on Christmas Island is equivalent to a night in a luxury hotel suite ("Nightly cost of detainees about $1500 per person". April 20). Serco, which runs the centre on our government's behalf, has been discovered to have several overcharging incidents in the UK on its government contracts. Serco shareholders must be ecstatic at the huge margins the company is making at the expense of asylum seekers who suffer in dismal surroundings.

Michelle Willoughby Naremburn Dignity debased The language of dignity  defined as "the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect"  has been hijacked and debased by the euthanasia debate. In particular, it troubles me that some of the conditions and circumstances that develop with age  dementia, or incontinence, for example; and loss of independence  are equated to a loss of worthiness, honour and respect. My mother developed dementia. She was often extremely confused, sometimes frightened, and at times behaved shockingly, and so she needed a lot of forbearance and love, as we all do from time to time. But I didn't ever think my mother ceased to be a person of great dignity, worthy of honour and respect. Sue Burton Mosman Parramatta loses out

Pity the poor citizens of Parramatta, initially like naive fools we welcomed the redevelopment of our CBD. Little did we realise the redevelopment meant the loss of our memorial swimming pool; the loss of green space and Crown land such as the historic North Parramatta precinct, which will be sold off for high-rise development with the oldest buildings preserved but not their surroundings. All tourist potential lost.We will be a city of high-rise apartments with minimal public amenities. Where will the children play and the citizens breathe?Be glad, other suburbs of Sydney, you were not picked for redevelopment! Gaie Crawford North Parramatta Flattery works wonders Colin Booth (Letters, April 20) named the wrong Victorian prime minister. It was William Gladstone whom the Queen accused of speaking to her as if she were a public meeting. Benjamin Disraeli, on the other hand, took his own advice in his dealings with the monarch: "Everyone likes flattery, and when you come to royalty, you should lay it on with a trowel." It seems to have worked: Queen Victoria made him Earl of Beaconsfield. Louise Webb Kianga

Offset foreign aid with higher taxes on religion I would have to agree with church Leaders pleading with the Treasurer to stop Australia's foreign aid from falling to the least generous level in history ("Churches call on Morrison to reverse cuts", April 20).An increase in foreign aid could be easily offset by a reduction in the highly over-generous tax treatment afforded all religions.A win-win situation. Bill O'Donnell Laurieton The Abbott and the Bishop Rose Panidis' letter (April 20) about the Abbott, the Bishop and the vestry reminded me of the wonderful story told by the late Ronnie Corbett. It seems the parish council sacked both the vicar and his housekeeper when it found his vest in her pantry and her pants in his vestry.

James Prior Sylvania Waters A web of greenery Redback spiders in the broccoli? Adds a whole new dimension to Woolworths' Red Spot Specials. And a great idea for a public health initiative: a free huntsman in every third can of soft drink. Doug Walker Baulkham Hills Redbacks can be lethal. More lighthearted, a load of lettuce laced with lively little frogs, lime legs leaping from the leaves. A lot of laughter in my local ... greengrocer.
This week's shocking discovery that coral bleaching has reached the waters of Sydney Harbour has given new urgency to calls to declare a marine park for the Sydney region and to restore full protections to marine sanctuaries that were downgraded in 2013.

While marine reserves cannot stop coral bleaching  that requires a rapid transition to renewable energy  they will increase the odds of survival for marine life struggling under the pressures of climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

Great progress has been made developing a network of marine parks in NSW waters, but that work is far from complete, and on some fronts is going backwards.
Ten years ago today Australia celebrated an unusual milestone  the federal government announced that its debt had finally been paid off.

"Debt-free day," treasurer Peter Costello called it in a speech celebrating the event. "The day we pay off the mortgage."

As last week's warnings of a credit downgrade ring in our ears, it is worth considering a few lessons from that special moment in history.

In mechanical terms, the $96 billion debt was essentially paid off by a combination of the government living within its means  creating and then sustaining budget surpluses over many years  and using asset sales to retire debt.
Australia needs to stop the rhetoric and decide where we wish to innovate. New banking apps to make your credit card debts "easier" to service? New ways to re-distribute what is already there (think Airbnb, Uber) by optimising software?

Is this really what we need to address the dramatic global challenges of water shortages, food supply, pollution or climate change? We will combat increasing instability across the globe by making it easier to order pizza on your phone?

No, the solutions of the future are to be found through "big science" asking big questions, supported by long-term strategic investment.

Australia is uniquely positioned to take advantage of a highly trained and skilled "ideas" workforce. Some 10 per cent of the top 50 universities in the world are here, which is an astounding achievement with only 24 million people.
Representatives of UN member states, human rights groups and academia gathered at the Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, last week for the third Informal Meeting of Experts regarding Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, otherwise known as artificially intelligent "killer robots".

The meeting, chaired for the second time by Ambassador Michael Biontino of Germany, was presented to participants as an opportunity to deepen the understanding and discussions on these weapons with a view toward examining whether their rise can be accommodated within the existing Geneva Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons of 1949 or calls for amendments. However, little real progress has been made toward defining the term "autonomous weapon system", let alone reaching consensus on any form of regulation.

Some delegations, including many of the world's undeveloped nations, have stated that machines tasked with making life and death decisions without any human intervention would be in breach of international humanitarian law, unethical and possibly even pose a risk to humanity itself.

Others stressed that such systems do not currently exist and said that their governments have no intention of developing weapons systems of this nature.

The Australian delegation, along with the Canadian and the US delegations, simply reaffirmed their commitment to the existing legal framework for reviewing new weapons under Article 36 of Additional Protocol I of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions.
Princes William and Harry have visited the Pinewood Studios set of Star Wars: Episode VIII as a PR stunt to celebrate British film-making.

Harry and William were shown around the set by British actress Daisy Ridley, who starred as newcomer Rey in the global smash Star Wars: The Force Awakens. A highlight of the visit was Harry attempting to end his brother's claim to the throne throne with a lightsaber.

Prince Charles is next in line to be King of the United Kingdom (and head of the Commonweath) after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, dies or abdicates. But many expect Charles will pass the birthright on to William, his eldest son.

The Princes met Ridley, John Boyega, Hamill, Peter Mayhew (who plays Chewbacca), the droid from The Force Awakens, BB-8 as well as costume designers, set designers and make-up artists.
"The computer chip pretends you almost won  but it's a scam," says the voice-over. "This isn't a game of chance - it's rigged." A new advertisement, airing on Sky News, from the Alliance for Gambling Reform. Credit:Screenshot In October last year, Fairfax Media revealed the looming landmark legal challenge against the multibillion-dollar pokies industry. Maurice Blackburn lawyers will argue poker machines are illegal in their current form, because they breach consumer laws for "misleading and deceptive conduct". Losses allegedly disguised as wins will be central to the Alliance's case. "The computer chip pretends you almost won but it's a scam." A new TV ad hints at how a looming Federal Court case will be fought. Credit:Screenshot

Rohan Wenn, director of strategy for the Alliance, says the group plans to lodge documents in Melbourne's Federal Court in May. Though the issue will be thrashed out in court, not in Parliament, the advertisement is essentially a warning shot to politicians, some of whom are supported by powerful gambling interests. The [federal politicians] had their chance and they blew it. "To get any message out to the public, you need poorly informed politicians not to wade in with distracting sound-bites," says Wenn, a former chief of staff to independent senator Nick Xenophon, and a journalist at the Seven and Nine networks. "The [federal politicians] had their chance and they blew it."

Fed up with these politicians using "personal choice" rhetoric to dispute the harm caused by pokies, the ad spells out how the Alliance will fight them. With hard drug analogies, and allegations of "addiction specialists" rigging the system. "We want to expose the scam of poker machines as the con-job that it is," Wenn says. "The time for manners is over." Ross Ferrar, CEO of industry group Gaming Technologies Association (GTA), strongly disputes such claims. "We do not think [their] emotive language is a constructive contribution to this issue," he tells Fairfax Media.

"Every time you play a poker machine, there is no disguising the outcome. Win or lose, every result is clearly displayed." Ferrar says the machines are extensively tested before approval, and that national standards prohibit "misleading, illusory or deceptive [design]  such as near miss design." He notes that the Federal Court action has not been filed yet, and says the GTA does not plan to take other legal action against the Alliance. "Our industry has a long track record of constructive dialogue with governments, regulators and other community stakeholders to address important issues such as problem gambling," he says, The mooted court stoush has already pitted a coalition of local councils in Victoria against the state government. The councils (including Moreland, Whittlesea and Monash) say they are sick of inaction by the Andrews government.

They claim that "no responsible government" would allow such huge losses to continue. In 2014-15, Victorians blew more than $2.5 billion on poker machines. "The states are financially comprised, even though most state pollies will privately tell you they hate pokies," Wenn claims. "That's why local governments are working with the Alliance to take this out of the hands of pollies and resolve this in the Federal Court." He says the Alliance is not afraid of being sued over its bold TV commercial. "The ad was fact-checked at Monash Uni [by public health professor Charles Livingstone]. If they sue, it will only make it a bigger story."
Australia's biggest companies will be hit with extra charges of at least $330 million a year when the corporate regulator moves to a full user-pays model.

Treasurer Scott Morrison said on Wednesday Australia's banks would kick in $121 million of a $127 million funding boost for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, prompting warnings that households could ultimately pick up the tab.

But in two years, banks, super funds, insurance companies and publicly listed companies will cover ASIC's budget - now about $330 million a year - delivering a saving to the budget bottom line of more than $1 billion over the four years from 2018-19.
Australia's banks will cough up $121 million to boost the resources of corporate regulator ASIC and ensure it is a "tough cop on the beat".

Treasurer Scott Morrison and Assistant Treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer unveiled a package of reforms on Wednesday designed to strengthen the regulator, head off mounting public concerns about bad behaviour at the major banks and push back against Labor's politically popular pledge to hold a royal commission into the banking sector if it is elected.

A Fairfax-Ipsos poll published on Monday found 65 per cent of voters backed a banks royal commission and the federal government will be hoping the package will allow it to neutralise the issue politically.

"No longer will it be the case that taxpayers will be hit to fund this regulator, this enforcement authority, this cop on the beat. Those whom it's enforcing the regulations and rules on will pay the price for that," Mr Morrison said.
Motoring Enthusiast senator Ricky Muir has revealed himself to also be a firearm enthusiast after posting a video in which he fires a controversial shotgun that is facing a ban.

Senator Muir, whose six-year term is set to be cut in half when the Senate is dissolved ahead of the election, waded into the battle over the Adler 110 lever-action shotgun, accusing media and gun control advocates of sensationalist lies.

Last year, the Abbott government introduced a temporary ban on imports of the shotgun after concerns were raised that it undermined the Howard government's firearm reforms following the Port Arthur massacre.
Demi Moore, Kaley Cuoco and Emma Stone are among a group of California residents who accidentally joined the US' answer to Reclaim Australia while trying to register to vote in the upcoming Democratic primaries.

According to the Los Angeles Times, potentially thousands of people who wanted to register to vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries as independents have accidentally joined the American Independent Party, whose policy platform includes opposition to same-sex marriage and support for closing the US border with Mexico and instituting tougher penalties for illegal immigrants.

A poll of 500 AIP registered voters conducted by the Times found that 73 per cent of the party's registered voters thought they had registered as an independent voter for the elections, and not as a member of the AIP.

Those who intended to vote as an independent in the Democratic or Republican parties will be left disappointed unless they change their affiliation before registration closes on May 23, as members of the AIP are not eligible to cast their vote in the race between Clinton and Sanders, or Cruz and Trump.
She might be the CEO and co-founder of Polyvore, one of the most fashionable tech companies around, which bases itself on the premise of mixing and matching endless style variations, but Jess Lee "wears a uniform".

"You will always find me in black pants and black boots. I am fairly monochromatic. This [pointing to a green khaki jacket] is a bit unusual," she said laughing when speaking to Fairfax Media in Sydney on Wednesday morning. "I like to switch up accessories. I like scary-looking, spiky jewellery, but it is pretty consistent."

She might be the CEO and co-founder of Polyvore, one of the most fashionable tech companies around, but Jess Lee "wears a uniform". Credit:Yahoo!7

Although it might sound quite contradictory being head of Polyvore, a site that prides itself on being a one-stop shop for stores' inventory, the Stanford University graduate with a degree in computer science has, unsurprisingly, a pretty compelling reason for her consistency.

"It cuts out the decision making in the morning," the 33-year-old started out. "I have read studies [the science of simplicity] that there is supposedly a finite amount of decision-making capacity that a person has in one day, so I like to reserve it for work and other important company stuff.
Bureaucratic red tape has been blamed for reducing the ability of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to effectively prosecute illegal or unethical activity in the financial sector.

In an attempt to allay concerns about misconduct at major banks, Treasurer Scott Morrison on Wednesday revealed Australian banks would provide $121 million to ASIC over four years in a bid to make it a "tough cop on the beat".

But the treasurer also freed ASIC from the Public Service Act, which dictates the pay and workplace entitlements for government employees that remain the subject of a protracted industrial relations battle with unions.

The decision was made after a damning capability review chaired by Productivity Commissioner Karen Chester, which found the red tape had stopped the watchdog for hiring the talent needed to tackle unethical activity.
Former detective and true-crime author Glen McNamara has denied killing university student Jamie Gao and giving false evidence during his NSW Supreme Court murder trial.

Mr McNamara and another former policeman, Roger Rogerson, are charged with the murder of Mr Gao, who was shot dead inside a southern Sydney storage shed in May 2014.

Glen McNamara leaves the NSW Supreme Court in February. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

They are then accused of taking the 2.78 kilograms of the drug ice that Mr Gao had brought to them.
One year after the lives of Mount Druitt's Kennedy family were laid bare in SBS's gritty documentary series Struggle Street, one of the family's battles has become only more desperate.

Ashley Kennedy was at his wits' end as he stood outside Penrith Local Court on Friday, detailing the reasons that his ice-addicted son Corey Kennedy needed to be sent to jail when he is sentenced over a high-speed police pursuit through Sydney.

"I don't want him hurting nobody else, I don't want to see him go to jail for murder," Mr Kennedy told Channel Nine's A Current Affair, in an episode that aired on Tuesday night.
The six patients suffered potentially fatal complications and 33 were exposed to questionable levels of sedation at The Cosmetic Institute, the HCCC letter said. "It appears from the letter that I may have been overdosed on anaesthesia and that I was not in twilight sedation," Ms Morgan said. "I'm shocked because I thought I would be told about that. I didn't expect to find out in a letter. "That was the first time in a year and a half that I was advised of that." Ms Morgan said she had been told The Cosmetic Institute was not licensed to administer more than conscious sedation.

"I was under the impression that I wouldn't be given more than they were licensed to offer," she said. Ms Morgan said the HCCC was still investigating her case, including the anaesthetist involved in her procedure. Ms Morgan said that, after having the procedure, she complained that her back was starting to ache and she was short of breath. But she was told this was "normal". "I couldn't breathe and I was told it is normal to be short of breath," she said. "This sensation continued to the point where they told me they were calling an ambulance for a routine check and that sometimes it's normal for tall thin girls to have lungs collapse for no given reason. "I arrived at emergency and was given X-rays where I was told that I had a large hole in my right lung where the needle had gone through and completely deflated my lung."

Ms Morgan said the surgeon visited her at St Vincent's Hospital every day with flowers. "He told me on examination while I was lying in hospital that I should be happy with the results, my breasts look great," she said. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons said on Wednesday the HCCC findings were "shocking and highlight the urgent need for governments to regulate the cosmetic surgery industry". Associate Professor Hugh Bartholomeusz, president of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, said it had been lobbying state governments around Australia to tighten laws around the use of high volume anaesthesia and "conscious sedation", and surgery in unlicensed premises "as well as appropriate surgical qualifications for those performing cosmetic surgery". "Our number one priority is patient safety and it is for that reason we have been, over many years, calling for nationally consistent regulations to help provide protection against the kind of practices that have been reportedly occurring at The Cosmetic Institute," he said.

"The sooner governments act to help clean up the industry in the interests of patients' welfare, the better. It is completely unacceptable that this has been allowed to occur." Professor Bartholomeusz said an increasing number of doctors were turning their hands to cosmetic surgery with more sophisticated operations being undertaken in doctors' offices and unlicensed premises around Australia, creating potentially dangerous scenarios. "Unfortunately consumers are ill-equipped to discern whether the doctor they choose for their cosmetic surgery is adequately trained to perform their procedure, and whether the facility in which they have their surgery is accredited, and therefore it is incumbent on governments to provide tighter oversight of this growing area of practice," he said. A NSW Health spokeswoman said its discussion paper on cosmetic surgery, released in December, raised a number of complex issues about the regulation of facilities undertaking cosmetic surgery. "The ministry is in the process of working through these issues before a final decision is made relating to the regulation of cosmetic surgery facilities," the spokeswoman said.

Fairfax Media has reported at least four cases involving the emergency transfer of patients from The Cosmetic Institute to hospital. They included the case of Amy Rickhuss who went into cardiac arrest during cosmetic surgery at The Cosmetic Institute's Parramatta clinic on January 30, 2015. She was rushed to Westmead Hospital's emergency unit and early reports from The Cosmetic Institute indicated that she "had a reaction to the anaesthetic". Fairfax Media later revealed Ms Rickhuss, 21, was given Intralipid, a drug most commonly used to treat an overdose of local anaesthetic. Fairfax Media also revealed a 22-year-old woman from Mordialloc in Victoria was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital emergency unit from The Cosmetic Institute's Bondi clinic after having serious complications during a breast enlargement procedure.

Fairfax Media understands the woman, who did not wish to be identified, had planned to return to The Cosmetic Institute to complete the procedure and had no complaints about her treatment. The HCCC report said two patients flatlined while having breast enlargements at The Cosmetic Institute clinics and needed to be resuscitated, another suffered a seizure, and a third went into ventricular tachycardia and needed to be resuscitated. Patients were routinely given adrenalin with a cocktail of sedative drugs "well above the accepted upper limit of safe dosage", and "an overdose of adrenalin is likely to have contributed to some of the adverse outcomes seen in patients", the report says. The Cosmetic Institute markets breast augmentations performed under conscious sedation, using the local anaesthetic. But patients were given a combination of sedative drugs that in many cases "were consistent with general anaesthesia" and "in excess of the safe upper limit recommended for these drugs". The Cosmetic Institute general manager Andrew Gill said the clinics had taken steps to address the issues, but disputed the HCCC's finding that the clinics had put the health and safety of the public at risk.
The colourful local newspaper publisher awarded a "matehood" by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been cleared of giving false and misleading evidence to the corruption watchdog.

John Booth, the proprietor of Ryde's The Weekly Times, was acquitted after a criminal trial in Downing Centre local court was adjourned part-heard earlier this month.

Newspaper publisher John Booth has been found not guilty of giving false and misleading evidence to ICAC Credit:Nick Moir

Mr Booth counted among a number of figures recommended for prosecution following the Independent Commission Against Corruption's inquiry into the City of Ryde council in 2013.

ICAC had found that Mr Booth had misled its two-week public inquiry when he claimed that election advertising published in his newspaper under the banner "saveryde.com" had been organised by Barry O'Grady, who had since died.
Mr Wu uses the character tun (), which also means pig in Japanese but is archaic in Chinese, where the vastly more common used character is zhu (). In online dissident circles, the character tun has been co-opted as a form of political slang with its roots likely from the derogatory Japanese term zhinatun (). University of Sydney tutor Wei Wu Credit:Facebook The term haitun (), which literally means dolphin, has been co-opted in those circles to mean overseas Chinese who are prone to believe party propaganda and are therefore nationalistic. It an extension of the more commonly seen wordplay around haigui () which literally means sea turtle but in online slang also refers to Chinese who studied overseas but have since returned home. And haidai () means both seaweed, and Chinese students who return from overseas but are waiting to find work. "It [tun] is actually a euphemism used online to refer to guanerdai, the second-generation [offspring] of [Communist Party] officials who have gone overseas to study," Wai Ling Yeung, the recently retired head of Chinese Studies at Curtin University, said. Student petition raising concerns over University of Sydney tutor Wei Wu's online remarks.

"One of the characteristics of these overseas students from very rich families is that their families very closely connected with the party, they are very supportive of the party." The relative obscurity and subversiveness of the term meant many mainland Chinese would not be aware of the political subtext, added Dr Yeung, who is also an accredited translator. Protest art in support of Wu Wei rendered by Adelaide-based dissident artist Badiucao. Credit:Badiucao Tony Pun, of the Chinese Community Council of Australia, had initially called for the case to be referred to the state's anti-discrimination board. But he now said "we do not believe he was racist". "Young people do make mistakes, in this case, despite his high intelligence, he was not wise."

A screenshot of a Sydney University Business School WeChat group discussing tutor Wei Wu. Credit:WeChat Mr Wu has declined to speak to media. While he is not known to be active in Chinese-Australian dissident circles, they have been quick to embrace him as a cause celebre, criticising Sydney University for "pressuring" him to resign in order to placate their most lucrative international student base. Mr Wu's supporters insist he has been persecuted for his political views and criticism of the Communist Party. The burning of his passport, more than anything, generated the bulk of the backlash, they say. Prominent Adelaide-based dissident artist Badiucao has lent a series of artworks to support the pro-Wu counter-petition, including one where the sandstone buildings of Sydney University are re-imagined as Tiananmen Square, replete with a portrait of Chairman Mao. "Political dissent is NOT racism," reads one supporter's comment on the counter-petition. Quite apart from whether it is possible for an ethnic Chinese person to be "racist" toward another, Mr Wu's missives on social media  and the huge attention it garnered  provides a strong argument his position was untenable.
Police are hunting for a Sydney personal trainer who has gone on the run since being sentenced to prison for an assault on a fellow dog walker in an inner city suburb.

David Mulligan repeatedly punched a man in the face when their dogs became entangled on a footpath in Alexandria on September 11, 2014.

He pleaded guilty to the assault that left his victim, Karl Nissen, with a fractured eye socket, a fractured jaw and a collapsed sinus that later led to a lung infection.

District Court judge Peter Maiden initially gave Mulligan a 15-month sentence but suspended it - meaning he could be released into the community - on the condition that he be of good behaviour and pay Mr Nissen $15,000.
A protein that helps brains to develop could hold the key to stopping the growth of brain tumours, a Queensland study has found.

Queensland Brain Institute deputy director professor Linda Richards has been working on a protein in the body called NFIB protein for two decades and found it works to help brain cells stop dividing and begin developing.

Cancerous glioma cells. Credit:QIMR Berghofer Medical Research

"I work on brain development and in particular how the brain is wired during development," she said.

"During brain development the cells in the early brain have to divide to produce all of the cells of the brain and at some point they stop dividing and become the mature cells, for example neurons that make up the brain.
A former Gold Coast prostitute has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the execution-style murder of her businessman fiance.

Melissa Leigh Shaw, 30, had pleaded not guilty to colluding with an on-again, off-again lover to first try, then succeed in murdering Shyam Sam Dhody in July 2013.

Melissa Leigh Shaw had pleaded not guilty to colluding with an on-again, off-again lover to murder Shyam Sam Dhody in 2013.

But a Supreme Court jury on Wednesday found her guilty of murder and assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed, for which Justice Peter Flanagan imposed sentences of life and two years respectively.

EARLIER
The LNP has joined with Master Electricians to launch a "save our sparkies" campaign, aimed at stopping the state government's plan to create a state-owned electrical services business.

The Palaszczuk Government, which is yet to release the fully formed plan, confirmed it plans on setting up a new business, which will offer services such as solar installation, and connecting other renewable energy sources to the grid.

The Palaszczuk govt confirmed it plans on setting up a new business, which will offer services such as solar installation and connecting other renewable energy sources to the grid. Credit:Tanya Lake

It solves two problems for the government, as it provides a way to ensure its no forced redundancies promise with the merger of Ergon and Energex into one company is met, as well as give it an entry into the renewable energy market, one of its stated aims.

The government has repeatedly denied the business would target existing solar installers or contractors in established markets and said it would look to offer services in areas where there are limited to no options, such as remote areas of far north Queensland.
If you have ever dreamed of being able to virtually wander around Dreamworld to plan your day for optimum thrills, Google has a solution.

After allowing us to drive the streets of most places in the world from the comfort of our computer, letting us dive the Great Barrier Reef without even getting damp and explore Antarctica without even needing a comfortable cardigan, now they are mapping Dreamworld and other destinations such as the Skypoint Observation Deck at Q1.

The Google Street View trekker has visted Dreamworld.

Google's Shane Treeves said the company's plan was to create a digital mirror of the real world giving tourists a chance to explore before they leave their loungeroom.

"We want people to be able to explore the places they would like to go from their own home," he said.
The vice-chancellor of the University of Sydney, Michael Spence, has told a scientific forum there is "a lot of stupid talk about innovation" and declared that universities will be at the centre of a global revolution for innovation in science.

Speaking at the launch of the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and its Sydney Nanoscience Hub, Dr Spence said "universities are critical to revolutions . . . That's why governments are suspicious of us".

The university has invested $110 million in its centre for nanoscience research, alongside $40 million from the federal government.
From time to time our advice is sought on camera buying and answering the inquiries is not easy.

The advice usually comes down to offering a few alternatives that may or may not suit the inquirer. Perhaps a few generalisations about the desirable characteristics of a good camera, regardless of price, could be more useful.

Choosing a new camera depends a lot on what you want to shoot.

First, a warning. Big numbers do not indicate a better camera. More pixels and longer zooms are not, of themselves, indicators of quality. Here is why.

Bigger pixels (light-collecting thingies) make for less digital "noise" and better dynamic range. Fewer pixels on a given sensor area will result in fewer gritty speckles in the picture and will allow shooting at higher sensitivity (ISO speed). This makes it possible to shoot in dimmer light without resorting to flash.
Drug taskforce detectives have uncovered thousands of ecstasy pills, methamphetamine and cash during separate raids on two Melbourne dance clubs that led to serious trafficking charges against an owner and other staff.

The discovery of large quantities of drugs at Two Floors Up nightclub in the CBD and Brunswick's Railway Hotel has raised serious concerns about the licensing and regulation of Melbourne's late-night venues.

Promotion for the "Jail House Rock" event at night club Two Floors Up, featuring Jason Kolbeck (pictured). Credit:Facebook

Both clubs have been allowed to continue trading, despite the three men charged with serious trafficking offences being involved in the management and operation of the clubs.

On April 15, the drug taskforce raided the The Railway Hotel on Albert Street, along with three other properties in Brunswick and Elwood.
It looked like the contents of Sergeant Rob Campbell's leg, bulbous and intestine-like, were about to spill out. The 30-year Victorian police veteran, sitting on an armchair in his home, was on his iPad flicking through the horror show of photos taken in hospital after he was shot.

Now, his leg is covered in a patchwork quilt of scars. Like a Frankenstein leg.

Sergeant Rob Campbell on his daughter Rhiannon's wedding day with her husband and his wife Marianne Luttick.

Plan A was never to bust down the door into Martin Pilli's room in October 2014. Plan A was call in police negotiators to try and talk him down from hanging himself.

But when Sergeant Campbell heard gurgling coming from inside the Preston hotel room, Plan A was thrown out the window and he went in with two of his offsiders.
The teenager accused of fatally crashing a mini-motorbike into a woman while she was on a zebra crossing is in custody after having his bail revoked.

Caleb Jakobsson, 19, spent Tuesday night in the cells at the Supreme Court and was also due to stay there Wednesday night, Melbourne Magistrates Court heard.

Mr Jakobsson was granted bail by a Supreme Court judge last year on conditions he stay with a relative in country Victoria and abide by a nightly curfew, but, the court heard on Wednesday, he allegedly failed to present to police who were checking the curfew on eight separate occasions.

The teenager faces a string of charges, including culpable driving causing death, failing to stop after an accident and speeding, over the death of Andrea Lehane, who was hit by a so-called "monkey" motorbike outside a Carrum Downs shopping centre on September 23 last year.
Members of the taxi driver's family arrive at the scene in Fitzroy. Credit:Joe Armao Two people in the nearby Condell Street reserve - a small park across the road from where Mr Muketar was attacked - heard the dying man's faint cries for help about five minutes later. The couple saw a young man who they described as being 183cm tall with a slim build and light shoulder-length hair, running through the reserve and down Wood Street. He looked like he was carrying a satchel. Mohamud Mohmud Muketar left strife-riven Somalia in the hopes of a safer life. Detective Inspector Hughes asked that man to come forward.

"There is no suggestion he's involved, but he's certainly in the location at the time of the murder," he said. Police at the scene of the fatal stabbing in Fitzroy. Credit:Joe Armao Mr Muketar's wallet and phone were found lying beside him. Inspector Hughes said the driver's father, who lived with him, came across his own son's crime scene. After being unable to reach him on his phone, he started looking for his son. At about 4am on Thursday, he walked towards where the taxi was parked in Condell Street - where they normally parked the car - and found Napier Street blocked-off with police.

According to relatives and friends, Mr Muketar had been driving taxis for between four and five years. They said he had moved to Australia from New Zealand, where he had sought refuge from Somalia with his family. Fellow taxi driver Abdul Botan said he only saw his friend at the airport last night. "It's very sad time for the whole community around. We're just shocked. We don't know what to say to be honest," Mr Botan said. "He's just a young guy full of love and life." Mr Botan said he could not believe his friend had been killed so close to a police station.

"No one could save his life, in front of a police station. If you're not going to be safe outside a police station, how are you going to be safe?" he said. Inspector Hughes said officers inside the thick-walled Fitzroy police station did not hear a sound. Relative Ahmed Goud said he was in complete shock. "He's a very nice guy, we're a close family. It's really, I just can't believe, you know," he said. "Even now, I think I'm dreaming, it's not true, I'm not believing what's happening.

"He was very nice and very hardworking." Mr Muketar lived in the commission flats in Napier Street. A resident of the flats was the first to lay flowers at the scene of his death. "[The loss of life] should be acknowledged and it should not pass unmarked," she said.



Silver Top Taxis put out a statement recognising the death of one of their drivers, saying they were shocked and saddened. "Mr Muketar was a well respected and much loved person at our organisation," the statement read. Police have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestopppersvic.com.au.
Melbourne will be home to a multi-million-dollar Pride Centre, bigger than San Francisco's LGBTI Community Centre.

The Andrews Government has announced $15million in funding for the centre that will serve as a hub for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community, as part of its 2016/2017 Victorian Budget.

The final design, location and timeframe for the establishment of the Pride Centre will be agreed in consultation with the LGBTI community.

The centre is planned to showcase LGBTI art and history, as well as house free advisory, health and support services, and community spaces.
Infrastructure Victoria, the Andrews government's purpose-built advisory body on major projects, does not have the authority to give advice on any government plan or project unless it is specifically asked to.

The limited nature of the new agency's role emerged before a parliamentary committee on Wednesday, and was pounced on by Victoria's Opposition as evidence it is more "infrastructure lapdog" than watchdog.

Head of Infrastructure Victoria Michael Masson says the authority is bound by what projects the government asks it to analyse. Credit:Ken Irwin

Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Michel Masson told a state parliament inquiry into infrastructure projects that the authority was bound by what projects the government asked it to analyse.

For this reason, it has offered no advice on two of the government's biggest projects, the Melbourne Metro rail tunnel or the Western Distributor toll road, Mr Masson said.
Firefighters have stopped the spread of a fire that was earlier threatening communities in Victoria's south-west.

The threat level for the Hotspur area fire, near the Victoria - South Australia border, has been downgraded from a watch and act to an advice.

The watch-and-act area in the state's south-west.

"There is currently no threat to communities, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions," the CFA advised shortly after 5pm.

Communities that need to remain on alert include Hotspur, Lower Crawford, Glenaulin and Greenwald East.
Police are hunting a man who allegedly lured two young children from a day care centre and sexually assaulted them before dumping them at a Perth park.

Police allege a man, believed to be in his late 40s or 50s, enticed a four-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy from a school holiday child care program in North Perth on Tuesday around 11am.

Commander Kylie Whiteley said the children were then found alone at Hyde Park by a passerby at 12.15pm who raised the alarm.

She said holiday program staff members were not aware the children, who had been taken one kilometre away from the centre, were missing until alerted by police.
They had been detained in Lebanon for two weeks for their part in a bid by Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner to retrieve her two children from Lebanon where they have been living with their father Ali Elamine since May 2015.

Beirut: The judge investigating whether charges should be laid over a failed child-abduction plot says the Nine Network's 60 Minutes crew could still be recalled to Lebanon to face charges.

Mr Elamine, who on Monday said that Channel Nine had "dropped the ball big time" and "shouldn't have gotten involved in family matters", said on Wednesday that the crew were just doing their job and did not take part in the physical abduction of his children on April 6.

David Ballment, Tara Brown and Sally Faulkner have been released from a Lebanon jail. Credit:Nine Network

He agreed to drop personal charges against the Nine crew, insisting a display of emotion from Wilkinson and not a financial settlement had sealed the deal.

But Judge Rami Abdullah warned that the Nine crew's freedom and departure from Lebanon did not necessarily spell the end of the matter as he still had to decide whether there would be a public prosecution over the kidnapping.

"There was a crime that happened and everyone had a role in the affair, so they will be treated as each one, what he did in this crime.,
"Not the kids yet. I can't wait to speak to them obviously, but they have no idea about any of this. It's great to talk to home. It's great to be going home." The 60 Minutes crew, Stephen Rice, Ben Williamson and David Ballment, following their release from a Lebanon jail. Credit:Nine Network It is understood McAvoy had not told the couple's two young children, aged seven and five, about their mother's predicament in Lebanon. Ms Faulkner said she was "just so glad to be out of there". Nine's review will "ascertain what went wrong and why our systems, designed to protect staff, failed to do so in this case". Credit:AP

"I mean, they treated us well. We can't complain about that. But it's just the uncertainty that sort of kept me awake at night, not knowing if it was going to be a life-long sentence or what. Yeah, it was no joke," she said. Ballment said "we were all hoping for the best, but prepared for the worst", while Rice appeared emotional as he reflected on his release. Ali Elamine outside court. Credit:Nine Network "Half an hour ago we were sitting in a very, very small cell. This has just come completely out of the blue," he said. It was the personal anguish of Ballment and Williamson at not being able to see their children that, in part, led to Mr Elamine dropping the personal charges over the botched child-recovery operation two weeks ago.

Williamson's first thoughts after his release were about his family in Australia. "I'll hug my wife and my kids and tell them I love them," he said, as the van travelled to the airport. The 60 Minutes crew's flight is believed to have landed in Dubai early on Thursday AEDT, and they are expected back in Sydney late on Thursday night. Steinfort said it was "quite amazing" to be there when the crew was released from custody. "We were in the van with them as they headed out to the airport, and just the smiles on their faces, particularly the cameraman, Ben Williamson," Steinfort said.

"He was talking to me about the phone conversation he had just had with his wife for the first time. He hadn't spoken to her for two weeks, they've had no contact back home. He said he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. There were tears, there was joy, and for all of them, there was that gamut of emotions, the fact that after this ordeal, they were finally free. "I spoke to some of their family members overnight who were in tears with this news that their loved ones were coming home, and they said they would be delivering hugs so strong they may well break their ribs when they get back there." He also said the crew had been relieved to see sunshine again. "They had not seen the sun for two weeks," he said. Steinfort said a deal had been struck between all parties in the case, and a compensation payment had been made to Mr Elamine. He did not reveal how much Mr Elamine had been paid. While the personal charges had been dropped, Steinfort said a criminal case against the crew would potentially still go to trial in Lebanon.
Beijing: In a sign of China's increasingly aggressive efforts to combat espionage and other security threats, the government said it had sentenced a former computer technician to death for selling 150,000 classified documents to foreign spies, according to state media reports.

The man, Huang Yu, 41, worked for a research institute specialising in cryptography in Chengdu, a city in south-western China. He sold the materials, which included military codes, from 2002 to 2011, making about $US700,000 (nearly $900,000) the state-run broadcaster China Central Television reported. The government did not specify which spy agencies he had sold the documents to.

Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing earlier this month. Credit:AP

Huang's death sentence was the first known case of a Chinese citizen's receiving the death penalty for espionage since 2008, when the government executed a biomedical researcher and a distant relative of his, accusing them of passing secrets to Taiwan.
Philadelphia: Goofing around at his home over the weekend in Philadelphia, Maurice Phillips committed an act of unimaginable carelessness with a gun, police officials said, accidentally killing his four-year-old daughter with a shot to the head.

Phillips' reaction then set in motion a series of events that led to wild confusion, a desperate search and widespread news reports that the girl had been killed by her five-year-old sister.

Tahirah Phillips died of a gunshot wound to the head. Credit:Facebook

The shooting unfolded Saturday afternoon at a home that Phillips, 30, shared with his fiancee and seven children, the police said.

His daughter, Tahirah Phillips, had been watching television and playing with her siblings when her father entered the room and started waving a gun around like a toy, according to his eventual confession.
Rome: Up to 500 migrants might have drowned in the Mediterranean last week when human traffickers crammed people onto an already overcrowded ship, causing it to sink, the UN refugee agency said.

Somalia's government said on Monday about 200 or more Somalis may have died in the tragedy while trying to cross illegally to Europe.

After talking to survivors, the UNHCR agency said on Wednesday the overall death toll might have been much higher.

"If confirmed, as many as 500 people may have lost their lives when a large ship went down in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy," the UNHCR said.
Her thesis - the first gender analysis of the New Order - was later published as a book and is taught at universities throughout the world.

Ms Suryakusuma says state ibuism was epitomised in Dharma Wanita, a state-sanctioned organisation for civil servants' wives, whose positions within the organisation mirrored their husbands'.

Ms Suryakusuma is a feminist pioneer in Indonesia. She coined the phrase "state ibuism", an ideology that defined women as wives and mothers during the New Order.

Some gains in women's rights have been made since the fall of Suharto.

"At the beginning of reformasi (the post-Suharto era) the rape of many Chinese women led to the formation of Komnas Perempuan (the National Commission of Violence Against Women)," Ms Suryakusuma says.

She is inspired by Islamic feminists, including Kiai Haji Husein Muhammad, a Muslim scholar who has written a book about feminist reinterpretations of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence).

"It's very important for feminism to infiltrate religious organisations. If you look at western feminists they are always shouting from the rooftops but we have to go under the radar. It's not a different feminism, it's a different strategy," Ms Suryakusuma says. "Western feminists don't understand what being subtle is. We have to work with Islam. Islam is not the enemy, patriarchy is."

Ms Suryakusuma says women's issues of concern to her now include poverty, violence against women, workplace discrimination, the exploitation of female migrant workers overseas (many of them domestic workers who take care of other people's children for years to support their own, whom they almost never see) and child marriage.
Meanwhile, her negative ratings have been rising and now outweigh her positives by 24 points, according to the NBC-Wall Street Journal poll. That makes her seen no more favourably than Cruz is. Her only salvation is that Trump's net negative is minus 41. Sanders, meanwhile, has a net positive of nine points - although it's fair to say that one reason for that is that he has received far less in the way of attacks from Republicans or scrutiny from the media than Clinton has. Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton celebrate at her New York primary campaign headquarters. Credit:AP Clinton's image is at or near record lows among major demographic groups. Among men, she is at minus 40. Among women, she is at minus nine. Among whites, she is at minus 39. Among white women, she is at minus 25. Among white men, she is at minus 72. Her favourability among whites at this point in the election cycle is worse than President Obama's ever has been, according to Bill McInturff, a Republican pollster who conducted the NBC-Wall Street Journal poll with Democratic pollster Peter Hart. Minority voters have been the linchpin of Clinton's nomination strategy and were a key to her success in New York. Among African Americans nationally, the NBC-Wall Street Journal poll shows her with a net positive of 51 points. But that's down 13 points from her first-quarter average and is roughly at her lowest ever. Among Latinos, her net positive is just two points, down from plus 21 points during the first quarter. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton celebrates on stage after winning the New York state primary election. Credit:AP

Voters' perceptions of her having the knowledge and experience to be president remain strongly positive and unchanged since last autumn. On other measures, however, such as whether she is easygoing and likable, or "shares your position on issues", or is able to bring real change to the country or is honest and straightforward, she has seen her standing erode since last autumn and even more when compared with her first presidential campaign, in 2008. "By any conventional standard, this is a candidate who's been disqualified to be president [by the voters]," McInturff said. "Her terrible numbers for months have been masked because we have the one candidate in modern history who has worse numbers. The spectacle of Donald Trump has gotten so much attention that she's slipped under the radar for what ought to be a real story ... Her numbers have gone from terrible to historic and disqualifying." Senator Bernie Sanders - he lost the New York primary, but he has solid numbers. Credit:Bloomberg Democrats see Sanders as an agent in Clinton's decline, arguing that in recent weeks his attacks have been aimed less at policy differences and more at questions about her character. Sanders has attacked Clinton as being too cozy with Wall Street, too dependent on big money and for not releasing transcripts of her paid speeches to Goldman Sachs. "It's hard to dispute the rising negatives," said Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg. "I was actually surprised when Sanders began not just to make that personal but appeared to be producing enduring damage."

Donald Trump speaks at an election night event in New York. Credit:Bloomberg Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster who is working with Priorities USA, a pro-Clinton super PAC, said the primaries have reinforced perceptions of the former secretary of state as "strong, smart and resilient" and as a candidate with a policy agenda far more in tune with the electorate than what Republicans are offering. But he also said that Sanders's attacks have "reinforced stereotypes that are untrue but challenging nonetheless" for Clinton. Other candidates have come out of tough nominating contests badly bruised, including Clinton's husband, former president Bill Clinton, in 1992. He was successful, through a major effort by his campaign, in turning around his image in the time between the end of the primaries in early June of and the end of his convention later in that year. Republicans believe that Clinton is so well known that she will have difficulty changing minds. "She is substantially weaker as a candidate than I expected and substantially less able to create a compelling persona on the stump," said Whit Ayres, who was Rubio's campaign pollster. Greenberg said there certainly was more room for Bill Clinton to get a second look from voters because he was newer to the national stage. But Greenberg noted that Hillary Clinton has been able to rebound in the past and said she can do so again. "I don't think there's the same degree of freedom [as her husband had], but there's room to improve," he said. "And I wouldn't overlook this broad base [of voters] that wants to vote for a Democrat and doesn't want to vote for a Trump or Cruz."
Jakarta: Indonesian prison authorities have been told to prepare for another round of executions on the penal island of Nusakambangan almost a year after eight drug offenders - including Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran- were killed by firing squad.

"We have been informed there will be one [execution round]," Molyanto, the head of the Central Java prison division, told Fairfax Media.

He said authorities were anticipating more prisoners would be put to death this time and therefore an alternative execution site had been chosen on the island, known as Indonesia's Alcatraz.
Wellington, New Zealand: An 18-year-old university student saved the life of a stranger  and was so overcome that he burst into tears on the kerbside.

Neil Rudman was walking with friends in Wellington, about 11.15pm on Friday when saw a young man fall in front of him, and hit his head with a loud crack.

Claudia van Velthooven with Neil Rudman, who saved her brother Isaac by performing CPR after he collapsed. Credit:MAARTEN HOLL/ FAIRFAX NZ

It was Isaac van Velthooven, 19, who was waiting for a taxi home when he had a cardiac arrest.

Rudman rushed over from 100 metres away and immediately put van Velthooven in the recovery position.
Part of a plane in Mossel Bay, near Cape Town, on Monday. Credit:AP

The wreckage, discovered near the town of Mossel Bay on Tuesday, could be from an "inlet cowling" of an aircraft engine based on early reports, the Malaysian transport ministry said in a statement, two years after MH370 disappeared.

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has said it will send a team to retrieve a piece of debris found along the southern coast of South Africa to check whether it could belong to missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Malaysia said further examination was required to verify if the debris belonged to MH370.

Flight MH370 disappeared with 239 passengers and crew on board, shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing.

A curved piece of debris which may be part of the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, was found in Wartburg, South Africa, in March. Credit:AP

A piece of the plane washed up on the French island of Reunion in July 2015 but no further trace has been found.

Debris found earlier this month off the south-east African coast arrived in Australia for testing on Monday.
Instead, his chances may come down to the whims of 54 unpledged Pennsylvania delegates.

If the state adopted the delegate rules of any other primary, he would probably be an even-money favourite, or better, to amass the 1237 delegates needed before the convention.

New York: Pennsylvania, which holds its primary on Tuesday, uses a non-binding "loophole" primary - and that could cost Donald Trump the Republican nomination.

No other state leaves so many of its delegates unbound - allowed to vote for whomever they please at the convention. That's because it conducts its loophole primary in two parts. First is the "beauty contest", which is a presidential primary preference vote. The winner of the beauty contest gets all Pennsylvania's 17 at-large and bonus delegates.

Donald Trump speaks at an election night event in New York. Credit:Bloomberg

But the remaining 54 - the three delegates awarded to each congressional district - are unbound and elected in the delegate selection primary. In this part, voters directly elect delegates to the national convention. What makes Pennsylvania's Republican delegate selection primary so distinctive is that the ballot includes no guidance on whom a delegate will support at the national convention. (Prospective Democratic delegates commit to a candidate.) A voter will just see a list of names - some of whom might be recognisable, but others might as well be Joe Schmo.

(It's called a loophole primary because it could circumvent the delegate allocation rules. Voters could, in theory, elect a slate of delegates who unanimously support one candidate, even in cases where a winner-take-all contest was prohibited.)

The result is that Pennsylvania, with the seventh-most Republican delegates of any state, ranks 49th in pledged delegates. It's behind even Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
In terms of grabbing all of New York's 95 Republican convention delegates, Trump needed more than that 50 per cent to snatch all of the state's 14 at-large delegates and to clean up in the congressional district-by-district allocation of delegates he also needed an absolute majority for the three delegates from each district and for each district in which he scores less than 50 per cent, he'd surrender a delegate to the second-placed Ohio Governor John Kasich. Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton celebrate at her New York primary campaign headquarters. Credit:AP And with more than 55 per cent of the vote counted, analysts were predicting that Trump would win more than 90 of the state's 95 delegate. Before the New York vote Trump led with 756 delegates, ahead of Cruz's 559 and Ohio Governor John Kasich's 144. Still, the New York win doesn't get Trump out of the woods  he has more of a cushion, he still needs to perform strongly in upcoming state-by-state votes if he is to win the 1237 delegates required to clinch the nomination ahead of the July convention. Republican presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz. Credit:AP

More importantly, he also needs show that he has overcome the failure to date of his campaign to play the local political game, to ensure that the individuals who are appointed by the party's state officials are loyal to him  and not Cruz supporters. In victory speech, Trump was dismissive of Cruz - "We don't have much of a race any more - Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated". Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton waves to supporters as she enters the room with daughter Chelsea. Credit:AP The detail in CNN's exit poll data was a fascinating revelation of the thinking that turbo-charged Trumps run-away win in New York  he had super majorities in all the key demographic: men (59 per cent), women (56 per cent), all age groups 30 and older, whites (59 per cent). And, perhaps surprisingly, Trump won across all educational groups: Those with high school diplomas or less (67 per cent), some college education (59 per cent), a college degree (53 per cent) and those with postgraduate degrees (50 per cent). When Trump came out to celebrate, observers wondered if he had undergone some kind of 'Ineedto bemorepresidential' makeover - there was no promotion of his steaks or his bottled water; 'Lyin' Ted' had become 'Senator Cruz;' and his Democratic opponent, who he's taken to calling 'Crooked Hillary,' simply wasn't mentioned. Trump avoided one of his biggest windup risks by not taking questions from reporters.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton celebrates on stage after winning the New York state primary election. Credit:AP Entering to Frank Sinatra's New York, New York, played at the level of a sonic boom, Trump told supporters and reporters at Trump Tower in downtown Manhattan: "Nobody's gonna to mess with us [when I'm president]. "It's just incredible - guess we're close to 70 per cent, and we're gonna end at a very high level, and get a lot more delegates than anybody projected, even in their wildest dreams. Republican front-runner Donald Trump easily won New York state's presidential nominating contest on Tuesday. Credit:AP "We are gonna be so strong again, we are gonna be literally, legitimately so strong again. We don't have much of a race anymore, going by what I see on television. Senator Cruz... I've pretty much knocked the hell out of him.

"Nobody should take delegates and claim victory unless they win those delegates with voters and voting," Trump said, a reference to the delegate battle in which he has been out-foxed by Cruz. "We're going to go into the convention, I think, as the winner. I wanna just thank everybody, I have great, great admiration and praise for the city of New York and the state of New York. I can think of nowhere I would rather have this victory! We love New York! We love New York!" At a victory rally at the Sheraton New York, Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind faded as Clinton declared: "There's no place like home. "We have won in every region in the country. New Yorkers, you've always had my back, and I've always tried to have yours. Today together we did it again, and I am deeply, deeply grateful. "It is humbling that you trust me with the awesome responsibilities that await our next president, and to all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe that there is much more that unites us than divides us."

That last line was the long expected pitch for party unity  and a coded appeal for Sanders to surrender, which he has long said he'll not do ahead of the Democratic convention in Philadelphia in mid-July. Of course Clinton had dipped her toe in these waters before. In 2008 as a wouldbe presidential nominee, she trounced the littleknown Barack Obama in the New York primary  by a resounding 17 points. She lost the nomination 2008 nomination to Obama, but after New York 2016, Clinton is more certain that she's on her way to a general election. You won't hear it from the Sanders campaign, but the Vermont senator pretty well cooked his presidential goose in New York. He needed to do much better than the prospective New York delegate split with Clinton  104/85 in Clinton's favour  if he was to seriously dent the 200plus delegate lead she has over him. He didn't  and with so much good New York wind in her campaign sails, Clinton likely will be making life a bit more difficult for Sanders in upcoming contests in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and California  with its gleaming haul of 475 delegates.

Even before voting closed at 9pm local time, Texas Senator Ted Cruz conceded defeat while campaigning in Philadelphia, telling reporters: "This is the year of the outsider and I am an outsider; Bernie Sanders is an outsider." But there were concerns about what Pennsylvania weed Cruz might have been smoking when he added: "America has always been her best when she is lying down with her back on the mat" Attempting to reposition himself as an outsider, as opposed to the Washington politician that he is, Ted Cruz introduced new lines to his stump speech in Philadelphia, declaring: "I'm an outsider, Bernie Sanders is an outsider. Both with the same diagnosis [of America's problems], but both with very different paths to healing. Millions of Americans have chosen one of these outsiders." Later Cruz spoke of Ronald Reagan and John F Kennedy as outsiders. But the line of comparison that he drew for himself was with his fellow Harvard Law graduate, Barack Obama. And then he virtually stole Obama's signature slogan, mouthing "yes we will" as opposed to Obama's "yes we can." Cruz explained: "Our sitting president ran on a slogan that should have been a great first step It promised us, "yes we can." In his analysis "Yes we can" was a recognition of the hope that we can and should recover.
Washington: The US Supreme Court has ruled that almost $US 2 billion ($2.56 billion) in frozen Iranian assets must be turned over to American families of people killed in the 1983 bombing of a US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.

The court's 6-2 ruling on Wednesday dealt a setback to Iran's central bank, finding that the US Congress did not usurp the authority of American courts by passing a 2012 law stating that the frozen funds should go toward satisfying a $US2.65 billion judgment won by the families against Iran in US federal court in 2007.

The aftermath of the bombing of the US Marines barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983. Credit:AP

Bank Markazi had challenged a 2014 ruling by the New York-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals that the assets, bonds held in a Citibank trust account in New York, should be handed over to the more than 1000 American plaintiffs.
GREAT BAY(DCOMM):---- Paying keen attention to the needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on St. Maarten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (Ministry TEATT) Ingrid Arrindell, met with advisors from the Department of Economy, Transportation and Telecommunication (EVT) and representatives of the European Union funded COSME Programme to be presented with a preliminary update of COSMEs Doing Business study.

In her meeting with EVT staff and COMSE representatives Huib Poot and Tamira La Cruz, Minister Arrindell was briefed on the research areas which focused on the existing processes and procedures associated with doing business on St. Maarten.

In particular, the COSME Team has been administering surveys to gain insight into the length of time required to establish a business, procedures associated with importing goods, labor laws, tax administration for small businesses and the steps associated with acquiring property for ones businesses.

The COSME Team informed the Minister that the final results of their study will shed light on how attractive St. Maarten is as a country for doing business based on the countrys procedures, processing time and fee structure.

Furthermore, the study will also indicate areas for improvement and provide comparisons with other islands in the region.

The COSME Teams work in St. Maarten will resume in May when the island hosts the COSME Stakeholder and Steering Committee meeting on May 3rd & 4th and the launch of the Bidx Virtual Incubation Platform for MSMEs within the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories which COSME is facilitating.

The European Union-funded COSME Programme was designed to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises throughout the 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories. Persons interested in learning more about COSME can visit www.cosmeprogramme.org.
GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- On Friday, Minister of Justice Edson Kirindongo met with Aruba Minister of Justice Arthur Dowers in Oranjestad. It was a work visit.

After a warm welcome a number of issues was discussed. The Aruban Ministry of Justice is willing to assist Sint Maarten where possible.

Some of the topics discussed were: agreements made at the last Judicial Four-party Meeting (JVO) in January in Aruba; Arubas experience with Actpol Information Technology System; sustainable specialty cooperation from Aruba in the following areas, Police, Prison and Customs.

Also present during this meeting was, Arubas Attorney General, Marck van Erven, Aruba's Solicitor, Frans van Deutekom, and Chief of the Police, Head Commissioner Adolfo Richardson.
PHILIPSBURG"--- Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo received an answer directly from the US Embassy on the issue of visa requirements for citizens of the former Netherlands Antilles.

Clarification was given by the Embassy located in Curacao after the Member of Parliament called and emailed the office on Monday April 18th, 2016.

Persons from the former Netherlands Antilles are eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program "VWP", according to the representative. It was further explained that as of April 1st 2016 all persons will be able to apply for the VWP once they have an Electronic passport "e-passport".

The Member of Parliament thanked the representative for their speedy correspondence and for the clarification. This response will put to rest the concern of those citizens who worried about what they read on the website of the US Homeland Security.

This answers one of the questions posed to the Minister of General Affairs stated Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo.
National Development Bank might be a temporary solution for those affected.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr. acknowledged that several persons have been affected through the banking system on St. Maarten due to the FATCA rules and regulation. SMN News asked the Minister of Finance if he was aware of the amount of businesses and private citizens that are being affected even though they are legally compliant. According to information provided to SMN News banks on St. Maarten are selecting people and tell them they need to close their bank accounts and seek services elsewhere, even though the persons selected are legally compliant. Minister Gibson in his response said the matter is a vexing issue and government is fully aware of the situation. He said the previous government left it up to the banks to report to FATCA instead of government doing the reporting. He said institutions that does not comply with the FATCA regulations could be exposed to astronomical fines for non-compliance. Minister Gibson further explained that this matter is not only affecting St. Maarten but it is affecting the entire Caribbean region/world. He said the financial institutions would earmark certain accounts they deem as high risk accounts and report them to the FATCA. He said when that happens the clients are being called in and are asked to close their accounts and to find another institution to do business. He also said the banks are not obligated to give their services to everyone, instead they have a right to choose their clients besides that the banks on St. Maarten have their headquarters overseas and they are the ones that makes the call on which accounts they consider high risk. He said that under the FATCA regime has given countries the choice to exchange information through government or the financial institution, however, the former government chose to leave the reporting to the financial institutions. The MInister of FInance said when the CRS is implemented sometime next year that will give government a bit or leeway in the reporting system.

He said the Council of Ministers held meetings with persons that have suffered from the decisions taken by the banks on St. Maarten and for now the only solution he sees for now is to have the National Development Bank that will have an arm that could service businesses or persons on St. Maarten to transact business locally and not overseas.

Etienne Ys to evaluate St. Maarten Tax System.

SMN News learnt from well-placed sources that the Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr met with former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles Etienne Ys during his recent visit to Curacao in order to hire him to evaluate St. Maarten Tax system. On Wednesday SMN News reporter asked the Minister of Finance if Ys was contacted and what contribution the former Prime Minister could make to St. Maarten while Curacao economy is collapsing. Minister Gibson confirmed that he consulted with Ys and requested his services to evaluate St. Maarten Tax system. He said that Ys was the President of Curacaos Financial Association, while he is a tax expert and has vast experience in advising on matters relating to taxes. Gibson said he did invite Ys to St. Maarten to conduct the evaluation especially since Curacao and Aruba revised their tax system and St. Maarten is running behind and it is losing its competitive edge. He said that the country cannot jump into tax reform because things may very well go haywire. Gibson said at the moment he is conducting general discussions but in the month of May there will be a general discussion with the three countries, Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten and the more information he gets will be useful to St. Maarten moreover, he felt that St. Maarten would benefit from Ys experience and knowledge since he is in private practice.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The IB Diploma Class of 2016's CAS Presentation and Pinning Ceremony marked the end of their two-year journey to discover the answer to the question: "What can I be? On Friday, April 15, the Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs, The Catholic School Board, The Department of Inspection, School Manager Ms. Gianne Wilson-DeWeever, representatives of several NGO's, community stakeholders, parents, and teachers were part of this celebratory event.

The program opened with the students highlighting the skills and experiences they cultivated by engaging in the Creativity, Action and Service component of their academically rigorous IB Diploma Programme. Students demonstrated their learning outcomes for Creativity by highlighting their involvement in activities like Moot Court, Teachers' Appreciation Day and painting lessons. Activities such as diving with the Alfredo Foundation, calisthenics after school and sailing with Kids at Sea gave students the opportunity to develop the Action component. The last component of CAS - Service - had students engaged in the Red Cross, the Classical Delights Foundation and the SKOS After School Program. The recurring comment made by the students was "I never imagined I would be doing these activities and how much I learned about myself, my classmates and my community."

The second part of the program, the Pinning Ceremony, was explained by Ms. Marie Richardson, the Diploma Programme Coordinator: "Similar to the topping-out ceremony when a tree or flag marks the raising of a building's highest beam to signify that a construction project has reached its literal apogee, its most auspicious point, this pinning ceremony signifies the topping point of the IB students' learning experience at St. Dominic High School". Each student received a silver pin with the IB logo. Since students did not complete this journey alone, they were pinned by someone who guided and supported them. So students were pinned by their parents, grandparents, friends, a sibling, or a mentor. One student Pooja Sadarangani was awarded the gold IB pin to recognize her perseverance and motivation to embody the traits of the IB Learner Profile. All IB learners strive to be: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Courageous, Caring, Balanced, and Reflective. The evening closed with final words from an IB parent, Mrs. Beverly Brunings who emphasized the important role that parents have to play to ensure the success of their child in the IB Programme.
Frankel Media Group Excels With 14 American Advertising Awards Including Nine Golds and Two Best of Shows

GAINESVILLE, FL  (Marketwired)  04/19/16  Frankel Media Group continued its record of success at the American Advertising Awards (formerly ADDYs) with nine golds and three silvers in the digital marketing, branded content, website development, television commercial, and graphic design categories. Among the accolades were two Best in Show awards based on client work produced in 2015.

These awards reflect the talent and dedication of our team and the exceptional clients we are fortunate to represent, said Ryan Frankel, President, Frankel Media Group. Im proud of our many years of consistently effective campaigns and high-quality work product, and appreciative of this recognition by the American Advertising Federation.

The American Advertising Awards are the advertising industrys largest and most representative competition, attracting over 40,000 entries every year in local AAF Club (Ad Club) competitions.

The firms awards were:

Frankel Media Group, founded in 2005, is known for its instinctive grasp of audience, innovative brand development and the ability to improve a clients bottom line. The team delves into a clients brand, business, story, customers and needs, then applies big ideas and answers based on tremendous insight and creativity. In 2015, Inc. Magazine ranked Frankel Media Group on its Inc. 5000 list of Americas fastest growing private companies.

Frankel Media Group (FMG) is a full-service advertising and marketing communications firm headquartered in Gainesville, Florida. FMGs key capabilities include strategic communications research and planning, advertising, digital marketing, social media, public relations and design. FMG works with local, regional and national clients in various industries including higher education, real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, medical, government, non-profit and startups.

For more information about Frankel Media Group, please visit or call 352-331-5558.
AirIQ Launches New Corporate Website

TORONTO, ONTARIO  (Marketwired)  04/19/16  AirIQ Inc. (AirIQ or the Company) (TSX VENTURE: IQ), a supplier of wireless asset management services, today announced the launch of its newly designed corporate website, located at the web address .

We are very excited to launch our new and improved website, coming right on the heels of the recent launch of our new online platform, AirIQ Fleet, and our mobile app, stated Michael Robb, President and Chief Executive Officer of AirIQ. Our new website was designed to improve how we connect with our target markets with a view to increasing market penetration opportunities in the future, continued Mr. Robb.

The objective of the new website is to provide a simplified and informative experience for both current and prospective customers, investors and partners. The new website is more customer- focused, and clearly and concisely identifies what AirIQ provides, and how the Companys products and services can benefit customers in a wide variety of markets. It also enables AirIQ stakeholders to more readily access corporate information including news releases and public filings. Major features of the updated website include new imagery, look, branding and content.

As the Companys official online public portal, the website reflects the value and excitement of what AirIQ has to offer to our customers, stakeholders and business partners.

About AirIQ

AirIQ currently trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol IQ. AirIQ is an intuitive web-based platform that provides fleet operators and vehicle owners with a suite of asset management solutions to reduce cost, improve efficiency and monitor, manage and protect their assets. Services are available online or via a mobile app, and include: instant vehicle locating, boundary notification, automated inventory reports, maintenance reminders, security alerts and vehicle disabling and unauthorized movement alerts. AirIQs office is located in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. For additional information on AirIQ or its products and services, please visit the Companys website at .

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information based on managements best estimates and the current operating environment. These forward-looking statements are related to, but not limited to, AirIQs operations, anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategies. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as hope, goal, anticipate, believe, expect, plan or similar words suggesting future outcomes. These statements are based upon certain material factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection as reflected in the forward-looking statements, including AirIQs perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Such forward-looking statements are as of the date which such statement is made and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from future results expressed, anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in market and competition, technological and competitive developments and potential downturns in economic conditions generally. Therefore, actual outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about managements current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Other than as may be required by law, AirIQ disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of such information, future events or otherwise.

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

Contacts:

AirIQ Inc.

Michael Robb

President and Chief Executive Officer

(905) 831-6444, Ext. 4371
Advantests VOICE 2016 Developer Conference to Feature Global Line-up of Technical Sessions, Keynote Speakers, Interactive Kiosks and Networking Events in San Diego and Taiwan

TOKYO, JAPAN  (Marketwired)  04/20/16  VOICE, the annual developer conference hosted by leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857), will celebrate its 10th anniversary in May with a comprehensive line-up of more than 120 technical presentations, technology kiosks, a Partners Expo, multiple networking events and opportunities for in-depth discussions about Advantests test platforms as well as handlers, test cell solutions and related technologies. This years international conference will be held in both the United States and Asia with events at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, California, on May 10-11 and  for the first time  in Hsinchu, Taiwan, at the Sheraton Hotel on May 18.

The VOICE 2016 technical program () will feature Advantest customers, partners and employees from around the world sharing their insights and best practices. The number of submitted and accepted papers reached new highs this year, and is reflected in the comprehensive and expanded schedule of technical presentations, which also includes an increase in those related to system-on-chip (SoC) test. Technical sessions will cover hot, timely topics in the automatic test equipment (ATE) industry, hardware design and integration, improving throughput, reducing time to market, new hardware and software test solutions, test methodologies, device-specific testing and  for the first time  a product engineering track. Additional topics will be spotlighted in technical kiosks staffed by Advantest R&D engineers, industry experts and technologists from supplier companies.

In addition to the strong technical content, VOICE 2016 will include a dynamic keynote speaker each morning. The San Diego events opening day will feature a talk by the industry visionary who presented the first-ever VOICE keynote in 2006; Michael Campbell, senior vice president of engineering for Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, will discuss Technologies & Trends Driving the Internet of Things. The second days keynote speaker will be Yossi Ghinsberg, an international best-selling author whose exhilarating true story of survival in the Amazon jungle soon will be the subject of a Hollywood movie. In Taiwan, Colley Hwang, president of the international information source Digitimes and former head of the Institute for Information Industrys Market Intelligence Center, will deliver a keynote entitled Making Differences Matter: A New Paradigm for the Asian Semiconductor Industry.

A new VOICE Mobile App, available for both the San Diego and Taiwan venues, will make it easy for attendees to connect before and during the events and to access conference highlights, agendas, session details, maps, technology kiosk information and more. Participants also can interact with other VOICE attendees, share photos, check in for the various conference activities and learn more about event sponsors and industry supporters.

Opportunities for face-to-face interaction will be available in various networking activities, including a special 10th anniversary celebration event on May 10 at the iconic USS Midway in San Diego. In addition, a Partners Expo will be held in both San Diego and Taiwan for sponsors to showcase their advanced solutions related to semiconductor testing.

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we wanted this years VOICE to be the best ever and the response has been outstanding, said Judy Davies, ambassador for the VOICE 2016 Developer Conference and vice president of Global Marketing Communications at Advantest. I want to thank our sponsors, industry supporters and VOICE board members for helping to make 2016 a record year for this annual industry gathering. We invite all of our users and partners to join us in San Diego, Taiwan or both locations for a truly memorable VOICE 2016.

To register for VOICE 2016, visit the registration page on the VOICE website at . Online registration closes May 6. On-site registration will be available. For information about group discounts, email .

Registered VOICE 2016 attendees are encouraged to make their hotel reservations early. The deadline for the San Diego Paradise Point Resort & Spa is April 25. Additional hotel information for both events is available on the VOICE website at .

For companies interested in supporting VOICE 2016, a limited number of a la carte sponsorship opportunities are still available. To join our roster of sponsors (), email for details.

Follow #VOICE2016 on Twitter @Advantest_ATE or visit for more ways to connect.

Learn more about the VOICE 2016 10 Wonders of Technology theme and additional event details on the VOICE website at .

Managed by a steering committee of volunteer representatives from Advantest and its customers, VOICE is the leading conference for the growing international community of users and strategic partners involved with Advantests V93000 and T2000 SoC test platforms as well as Advantest memory testers, handlers and test cell solutions. The conference, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016, offers a unique opportunity to take part in making semiconductor testing operations as efficient and cost-effective as possible. Attendees gain and share valuable insights, build long-lasting relationships and learn whats new about Advantest test equipment, handlers and applications.

A world-class technology company, Advantest is the leading producer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry and a premier manufacturer of measuring instruments used in the design and production of electronic instruments and systems. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also focuses on R&D for emerging markets that benefit from advancements in nanotech and terahertz technologies, and has introduced multi-vision metrology scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing, as well as groundbreaking 3D imaging and analysis tools. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its first subsidiary in 1982, in the USA, and now has subsidiaries worldwide. More information is available at .

3061 Zanker Road

San Jose, CA 95134, USA

Judy Davies
New Aspect Middle East Deal Sounds Warning To Big Entrenched CTRM Vendors

Posted by Publisher Software

Cloud E/CTRM provider Aspect has signed its second new major E/CTRM customer in the Middle East within three months in what the company is describing as a warning for big traditional vendors of legacy solutions. In a market where the big players once dominated, they are now feeling the pinch claims Aspect as the strengths of cloud vendors  with agility, flexibility, better risk management and subscription-based opex over capex pricing models  become more important to customers.

The latest deal for Aspect is with the Dubai-based, MENA Energy which offers a broad base of services including energy trading and shipping. MENA Energy considered traditional software/hardware solutions alongside Aspect but chose the latters cloud based offering.

MENA liked the extensive discovery process we conducted with them and the depth of understanding we were able to develop in their business as a result, says Aspects sales manager Middle East, Fieras Freijieh. Its interesting how in this market it used to be the smaller vendors who worked in the shadow of the big players. Now were seeing a 180-degree turnaround as customers increasingly value the benefits that emerging players with leading technology can deliver.

MENA Energy has signed up for the AspectCTRM standard edition teamed with the companys AspectDSC market information and analysis product. Together the two make a formidable trade and risk management toolset which will be fully implemented, including data migration from MENAs previous solution, within three months.
Carahsoft Wins Red Hat North America Partner Award

RESTON, VA  (Marketwired)  04/20/16  , the trusted government IT solutions provider, is proud to announce it has been named Public Sector Distributor of the Year by Red Hat, the worlds leading provider of open source solutions. This award is part of the annual Red Hat North America Partner Awards, which were announced during the 2016 Red Hat North America Partner Conference in New Orleans.

Carahsoft was honored for its dedication to providing innovative open source solutions to customers in the public sector. Specifically, Carahsoft was recognized for its exceptional support for Red Hat solutions, contributing to Red Hats year-over-year revenue growth in 2015. This is the third consecutive year that Carahsoft has been recognized at Red Hats annual partner event.

We are honored to be recognized for our success in supporting our government customers and our partners with Red Hats award-winning solutions, said Natalie Gregory, vice president of Open Source solutions at Carahsoft. With the support of our ecosystem of open source resellers and integrators, we will continue to work together to promote adoption of Red Hat solutions throughout the public sector market.

Red Hats 2015 North America Partner Awards honor both commercial and public sector partners for their dedication to successfully delivering innovative open source solutions to customers. Several Carahsoft partners were also recognized for outstanding performances in 2015 across several categories including: Booz Allen Hamilton as Public Sector Cloud Partner of the Year; DLT Solutions as Middleware Solutions Provider Partner of the Year and Partner of the Year; Fierce Software as Public Sector Rising Star Partner of the Year; and General Dynamics Corporation as Public Sector System Integrator Partner of the Year.

Carahsoft is a valued channel partner to Red Hat, and we are pleased to honor them with this well-deserved award, said Mark Enzweiler, senior vice president, Global Channel Sales and Alliances, Red Hat. We look forward to our continued relationship with Carahsoft and helping them provide the best in open source solutions to their customers.

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is the trusted Government IT solutions provider. As a top-ranked GSA Schedule Contract holder, Carahsoft serves as the master government aggregator for many of its best-of-breed technology vendors, supporting an extensive ecosystem of manufacturers, value-added resellers, system integrators, and consulting partners committed to helping government agencies select and implement the best solution at the best possible value.

The companys dedicated Solutions Divisions proactively market, sell and deliver Red Hat, VMware, Symantec, EMC, Adobe, F5 Networks, HPE Software, SAP, and Innovative and Intelligence products and services, among others. Carahsoft is consistently recognized by its partners as a top revenue producer, and is listed annually among the industrys fastest growing firms by CRN, Inc., Washington Technology, The Washington Post, Washington Business Journal, and SmartCEO. Visit us at .

Red Hat is a trademark of Red Hat, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Mary Lange

Carahsoft Technology Corp.
Vectra Post-Intrusion Report Shows Cyber Attackers Are Getting Quieter Once Inside the Network

Posted by Publisher Software

SAN JOSE, CA  (Marketwired)  04/20/16  , the leader in automated threat management, today announced the results of its latest Post-Intrusion Report, a real-world study about threats that evade perimeter defenses and what attackers do once they get inside your network.

The report analyzed data from 120 Vectra customer networks comprised of more than 1.3 million hosts over the first quarter of 2016, a three-fold increase from the that analyzed 40 customer organizations.

In the current report, all organizations showed signs of targeted attacks including internal reconnaissance, lateral movement or data exfiltration. Of the 120 participating organizations, 117 detected at least one of these behaviors during each month of the study.

Despite that nearly 98 percent of organizations detected at least one behavior per month during the three-month period, researchers found that fewer detections were observed deeper in the kill chain. As an example, data exfiltration  which is by far the most dangerous behavior  was the lowest of all categories at 3 percent.

This data shows that security teams that are laser focused on the active phase of a network attack are successfully decreasing the risk of data theft, said Gunter Ollmann, CSO at Vectra Networks. They are responding faster and shutting down attacks before critical data is extracted from their networks and any real damage is done.

Researchers found that not only are command-and-control (C&C) attacks increasing, accounting for 67 percent of detections, but the use of HTTP and HTTPS C&C for hidden tunnels also made a significant jump this year.

HTTP and HTTPS C&C is an emerging technique that allows sophisticated attackers to pass hidden messages and steal data within protocols that are generally not blocked by perimeter firewalls.

Together, HTTP and HTTPS tunnels accounted for 7.6 percent of all C&C detections, making them the third most-common C&C technique overall. This trend was consistent when normalizing for the number of hosts monitored. Hidden C&C tunnels were observed 4.9 times per 1,000 hosts, which is up from 2.1 times per 1,000 hosts seen in the previous report.

Lateral movement, which enables attackers to spread from east to west to gather information, dropped significantly from 34 percent of total detections in 2015 to roughly 8.6 percent of total detections this year.

However, once inside the network, attackers appear to be getting quieter. Of these lateral movement detections, brute force attacks  the most popular technique last year  are down significantly, while Kerberos client and automated replication behaviors increased over last year, tying at 36.3 percent of lateral movement detections.

Because brute force techniques are so noisy, more experienced and skilled attackers tend to try other access techniques first  preferably automatable techniques that are difficult to distinguish from normal network traffic and where failures are unlikely to be alerted upon, said Ollmann.

As an example, and demonstrated by our findings, public disclosures of Kerberos vulnerabilities and new attack tools that can automate exploitation are now part of the hackers arsenal, he continued. Once suitable Kerberos keys are created and administrative accounts are broken, the process of compromising other hosts in the victims network is simple and mechanical.

In the realm of botnet behaviors, click fraud remains the leading technique at 58.1 percent. While botnet infections may pose a lower risk to organizations than a targeted attack, they are by no means risk free.

This year saw a proportional increase in denial-of-service, outbound brute force and port scanning. These botnet behaviors are important to enterprises as they can have significant impacts on the reputation of the network. Taken together, these detections represent 27 percent of botnet events, more than double the 12 percent that was previously observed.

A copy of the Post-Intrusion Report is available for download at .

Vectra Networks is the leader in automated threat management solutions for real-time detection of in-progress cyber attacks. The companys solution automatically correlates threats against hosts that are under attack and provides unique context about what attackers are doing so organizations can quickly prevent or mitigate loss. Vectra prioritizes attacks that pose the greatest business risk, enabling organizations to make rapid decisions on where to focus time and resources. In 2015, Gartner named Vectra a Cool Vendor in Security Intelligence for addressing the challenges of post-breach threat detection. The American Business Awards also selected Vectra as the Gold Award winner for Tech Startup of 2015. Vectra investors include Khosla Ventures, Accel Partners, IA Ventures, AME Cloud Ventures and DAG Ventures. The companys headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., and it has European regional headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. More information can be found at .

Vectra and the Vectra Networks logo are registered trademarks and Security that thinks, the Vectra Threat Labs, and the Threat Certainty Index are trademarks of Vectra Networks. Other brand, product and service names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective holders.

Image Available:

Kylie Heintz

Director of Corporate Communications

Vectra Networks, Inc.

Office: 408-326-2020 ext. 136
Telenor Connexion launches ARTS Data Analytics Tool for actionable IoT Insights

Specifically designed for IoT devices, ARTS collects and analyses Big Data and provides customers with actionable and detailed insights. ARTS delivers results for optimized operations and maintenance, improved service delivery and increased revenues.

Telenor Connexion today announced the expansion of its IoT solutions offering with the release of its new Big Data Analytics tool: ARTS (Advanced Real-time troubleshooting ToolSet).

With this toolset, especially designed for IoT devices, Telenor Connexion is making it possible for its customers to gain deeper insights into their data. ARTS provides unique, real-time insights into global mobile networks and connected devices, thereby empowering their customers to be able to deliver a better end-user experience, improve their competitive position and increase revenues.

ARTS measures and reports efficient and optimized IoT service delivery globally and also provides insights on untapped market potential. This new tool is targeted towards new and existing business customers in industries such as automotive, fleet management, utilities and security, and is of particular value to those with global reach.

One customer that has successfully tested the beta version of ARTS is Verisure Securitas Direct, Europes leading provider of professionally monitored alarms and connected services for the home and small business.

?ARTS has enabled us to improve the quality of our service and to take proactive actions. Real-time insights have enabled us to predict the performance of our connected assets, allowing us to serve our customers even better and provide them with greater peace of mind,? says Johan Noren, Project Manager Connectivity at Verisure Securitas Direct.

?Internet of Things analytics can really drive value. ARTSprovides our customers with a tool to understand the IoT data at their disposal. It has the added benefit of reducing maintenance costs, generating savings and uncovering new revenue streams?, says Mats Lundquist, CEO of Telenor Connexion.

Based on real-time device behavior and big data analytics, ARTS continuously analyzes the data and can predict an issue before it happens, enabling actions to be proactively taken and quality of service to be improved. The tool provides detailed insights for troubleshooting and support, operations, and business intelligence.

The ARTS toolset is a web interface that utilizes the secure and reliable cloud infrastructure of Amazon Web Services (AWS), which further complements Telenor Connexion?s mission to help customers get the full benefit of being connected.

?Telenor Connexion has embraced the benefits of Big Data in the cloud? says Darren Mowry, Head of Nordics, Amazon Web Services. ?Using the cloud, ARTS has enabled Telenor Connexion to provide its customers with a secure, scalable solution for data-driven predictions without the burden of customers having to run and manage their own infrastructure.?

Demo at Hannover Messe

The new ARTS analytics tool will be demonstrated on April 25-28 at the Hannover Messe in Germany. Please come by Telenor Connexion?s stand at the Smart Connected joint booth, Hall 8, Stand D37, located within the Industrial Automation area.

About Verisure

Securitas Direct Verisure Group is a leading European provider of professionally monitored fire and intrusion alarms that include response services. The customer offering covers the whole value chain ? from product development, design and sale to installation, service and a 24/7 professional monitoring solution. Thanks to a strong focus on high quality, the company?s 2 million customers are among the most satisfied in the industry. The company is present in 14 countries across Europe and Latin America and has more than 9,000 employees and partners. The group has grown to be the second largest home alarm provider in the world. https://www.verisure.com/

About Amazon Web Services

For 10 years, Amazon Web Services has been the world?s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. AWS offers over 70 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, analytics, mobile, Internet of Things (IoT) and enterprise applications from 33 Availability Zones (AZs) across 12 geographic regions in the U.S., Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, and Singapore. AWS services are trusted by more than a million active customers around the world ? including the fastest growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies ? to power their infrastructure, make them more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit http://aws.amazon.com

Telenor Connexion designs and operates IoT solutions. Building on more than 15 years of experience, a strong solutions portfolio and a collaborative approach, Telenor Connexion makes it easy to realize the value of connected services. Together with customers such as Volvo, Nissan, Scania, Hitachi, Verisure Securitas Direct and Telcare, the company has designed smart and innovative IoT solutions deployed across the globe.

Telenor Connexion supports its customers throughout the entire product lifecycle  from solution design to operations and future development. By partnering with Telenor Connexion customers are ensured a reliable and secure end-to-end solution that can evolve over time.

Headquarters and tech centre are located in Sweden and the company has regional offices in UK, Germany, US and Japan. Telenor Connexion is wholly owned by Telenor Group, one of the worlds major mobile operators. For more information please visit www.telenorconnexion.com
Exabeam Named a Finalist for Most Innovative Cybersecurity Company in the 2016 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards

SAN MATEO, CA  (Marketwired)  04/20/16  , the leader in user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) for security, has been named a finalist in the 2016 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards. Exabeam is recognized in the Most Innovative Cybersecurity Company category, for demonstrating innovation and leadership in information security.

We as an industry must continue to innovate in order to level the playing field against new and emerging cybercrime tactics, said Nir Polak, CEO of Exabeam. We are honored to receive this award as it validates our drive to provide the most innovative and effective approach to detecting modern attacks and simplifying security operations.

The 2016 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards honor individuals and companies that demonstrate excellence, innovation and leadership in information security. The Cybersecurity Excellence Awards are produced in cooperation with the Information Security Community on LinkedIn, tapping into the experience of over 300,000+ cybersecurity professionals to recognize the worlds best cybersecurity products, individuals and organizations.

Congratulations to Exabeam for being recognized as a finalist in the Most Innovative Cybersecurity Company category of the 2016 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, said Holger Schulze, founder of the 300,000 member Information Security Community on LinkedIn. With a record of over 430 entries, the awards are highly competitive and reflect the dynamic pace of growth and innovation in the cybersecurity space.

The awards are determined based on the content of the nominations (innovation, excellence, market success) as well as community feedback (votes and comments). For more information about the 2016 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, including details on the winners and finalist, please visit:

This is the fourth award recognition for Exabeam in four months. The company was recently named the , , and was selected as a finalist for .

Exabeams solution leverages existing log, endpoint, and other data to quickly detect advanced attacks, prioritize incidents and guide effective response. The companys Stateful User Tracking automates the work of security analysts by resolving individual security events and behavioral anomalies into a complete attack chain. This dramatically reduces response times and uncovers attack impacts that would otherwise go unseen. Built by seasoned security experts and enterprise IT veterans from Imperva, ArcSight and Sumo Logic, Exabeam is headquartered in San Mateo, California and is privately funded by Aspect Ventures, Icon Ventures, Investor Shlomo Kramer and Norwest Venture Partners. Visit us on or and follow us on .

The Cybersecurity Excellence Awards honor companies and individuals that demonstrate excellence, innovation and leadership in information security. This independent awards program is produced in cooperation with the Information Security Community on LinkedIn, tapping into the experience of over 300,000+ cybersecurity professionals to recognize the worlds best cybersecurity products, individuals and organizations. For more information visit

Chris Fucanan

AquaLab PR for Exabeam

(916) 684-9781
Nep Sidhus perspective bridges Sikhism, Islam, and indigenous cultural practises and is in Shadows in the Major Seventh exhibit which displayed at the Surrey Art Gallery.

Learn more about the art, artist, and ideas behind the exhibition in this tour and talk on Wednesday, April 27 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. The clothing, prayer rugs, tapestries, and paintings of Nep Sidhu tell stories in Shadows in the Major Seventh. Leading the tour will be Jordan Strom, Curator of Exhibitions and Collections, who will be joined in conversation by special guest Satwinder Bains, Director at the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, University of the Fraser Valley. The event is free.

Originally a welder by trade, he comes from a long line of storytellers. Sidhu has a non-commercial clothing line Paradise Sportif. These garments are worn by pioneering personalities in the music group Shabazz Palaces and the arts collective Black Constellation. The exhibit also has a large prayer rugs that honour Malcolm X, elaborate gowns that address the empowerment of women in India and First Nations women in Canada and Alaska and paintings that combine steel sculpture and calligraphy.

Photo caption

Confirmation: Nep Sidhu, Confimation A (2013present), detail, ink on paper, brass, sheet veneer marble, 86 x 86. Photo: Mark Woods (Courtesy of the Frye Art Museum, Seattle).

Malcolm's-Smile: Nep Sidhu, Malcolms Smile, 7a, 7b, 7c (2015), wool, poly-cotton, aluminum, 150 x 96 x 15. Commissioned by the Frye Art Museum and funded by the Frye Foundation, Douglas Smith. Made in Collaboration with Ishmael Butlers sound installation Ecdysis. Photo: Mark Woods (Courtesy of the Frye Art Museum, Seattle).

No-Pigs-in-Paradise: Nep Sidhu and Nicolas Galanin, No Pigs in Paradise (2016), detail. Textiles by Sidhu and adornment by Galanin. Photo courtesy of Anchorage Museum, Alaska.

Paradise-Sportif: Nep Sidhu, Collection of Paradise Sportif (20132014), detail, various materials. Photo: Mark Woods (Courtesy of the Frye Art Museum).
Letters: My teachers mean a lot to me. Why are they paid so little?
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.
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SALT LAKE CITY  Japan's troubled Hitomi satellite managed to collect some science data before going silent last month, scientists said.

Officials haven't heard from the Hitomi X-ray astronomy satellite since late March, about six weeks after the satellite's launch, and the craft appears to have broken into several pieces. But Hitomi did manage to complete two scientific measurements before the trouble hit, said Ann Hornschemeier, a scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

"I am aware of the situation right now with Hitomi," Hornschemeier said here Sunday (April 17), during a session at the American Physical Society's April Meeting. "However, it did gather science data. There are science-data activities going on right now. At NASA, we're still carrying it as an operating mission."

Ralph Kraft, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts, also spoke briefly about the Hitomi results during his presentation in the same session, which focused on NASA's Physics of the Cosmos program.

Facts about Hitomi, the JAXA satellite that fell silent shortly after orbiting Earth in early 2016. See our full infographic about Japan's Hitomi X-ray astronomy satellite here (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)

"Hitomi actually made two observations, science-calibration observations," Kraft said. "One was of the Crab Nebula; one was of the Perseus cluster."

Kraft clarified that Hitomi managed to take spectroscopic data of these two objects. Spectroscopy allows scientists to study the chemical and atomic properties of a source, based on the light that the source emits.

Kraft is not working on the Hitomi science analysis himself. However, he said he has seen preliminary results from that analysis, which he said are not yet public. Kraft indicated that the results had been submitted for publication.

Hitomi, also known as ASTRO-H, launched to Earth orbit on Feb. 17. The satellite is equipped with instruments to observe the sky in both X-ray and gamma-ray wavelengths; its planned observations were intended to help scientists study dark matter distribution in the universe, the evolution and large-scale structure of the universe, black holes and other extreme states of matter, and many other phenomena.

It's unclear what exactly happened to Hitomi. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said it hasn't given up hope on saving the satellite, but the long silence and the apparent breakup of the probe are obviously not good news.

"This is a real tragedy for our community that Hitomi is having problems," Kraft said.

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield.Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
Astronaut Alan Bean collects a moon-rock sample from the lunar surface during NASA's Apollo 12 moon landing mission in November 1969. A new study of Apollo moon-rock samples has revealed traces of radioactive iron from a supernova, scientists say.

Radioactive iron in moon rocks collected by astronauts on NASA's Apollo missions suggests that a nearby supernova blasted Earth a few million years ago, according to a new study.

This finding supports the idea that nearby stellar explosions may have influenced life on Earth, including the evolution of humans, the researchers said.

Supernovas are powerful explosions from gigantic dying stars. These outbursts are visible all the way to the edge of the universe, and are bright enough to briefly outshine all of the other stars in their host galaxies. [Awesome Photos of Supernova Explosions]

Previous research found that supernovas generate huge amounts of a mildly radioactive variety of iron known as iron-60, which these cataclysmic explosions spew out into space. Other natural ways of creating iron-60 produce only up to one-tenth as much.

Now, scientists have discovered unusually high levels of iron-60 in moon rocks gathered during Apollo missions 12, 15 and 16 between 1969 and 1972. This finding suggests that debris from a nearby supernova sprayed Earth and the rest of the solar system in the past few million years.

Iron-60 has a half-life of about 2.6 million years, meaning that about half of any given sample of iron-60 will break down every 2.6 million years or so. This is relatively short compared to the 4.6-billion-year age of the solar system, so the iron-60 seen in these lunar samples probably came from a fairly recent and close supernova, the researchers said.

"We could identify iron-60 expelled from one or more supernovae on the surface of the moon," study co-author Gunther Korschinek, a physicist at the Technical University of Munich in Germany, told Space.com.

Korschinek and his colleagues first discovered evidence of a supernova impact on Earth in 1999, in the form of high iron-60 concentrations in ancient deep-sea rocks. However, the pristine nature of these lunar samples compared to Earth rocks helps to provide a more accurate estimate of the total amount of debris from nearby supernovas. This estimate, in turn, can help scientists pinpoint when and where these supernovas happened  between 1.7 million and 2.6 million years ago, and about 300 light-years from Earth, supporting recent findings, the researchers said.

Prior research suggested that nearby stellar explosions could have influenced life on Earth by disrupting global climate and even triggering mass extinctions. A supernova about 300 light-years from Earth would have slightly increased the amount of cosmic radiation the planet received about 2 million years ago, Korschinek said  around the time when the human lineage first evolved.

"There are scientific discussions that cosmic radiation might influence cloud formation in our atmosphere," Korschinek said. "If so, we can also expect a drop of the temperature at that time. Climate changes, which started several million years ago, are considered as driving forces of our evolution. In conclusion, we can speculate that these supernovae have influenced human history."

Future research can look for other supernova debris on the moon, which could help confirm which nuclear reactions occur during these catastrophic explosions, Korschinek said.

The scientists detailed their findings online April 13 in the journal Physical Review Letters.

Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
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Most of the country is actually controlled by local militias, which follow the latest decisions made by the government controlling their areas to varying degrees. The only things really holding the country together is the central bank and the national oil company which are dividing money evenly among all the parties. But oil production has fallen from 1.7 million barrels a day to just one-fifth of that total.

A Lack of Unity over 'Unity' Government

The international community and UN representative Kobler are now placing their hopes in a third government that is hopefully soon to be making decisions for the entire country: the so-called national unity government, brokered by the UN. In order to emphasize its legitimacy, Kobler has asked high-ranking EU diplomats to only speak with members of that government.

But there is still no unity in the country over this national unity government. The story of the new government's arrival at the end of March illustrates just how great the challenges are. Tripoli refused to provide clearance for Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj to land, so he and six other representatives instead traveled by boat and have mostly been stuck at the Abu Sitta naval base outside of Tripoli ever since.

Protection for the government is being provided by the powerful militias in the trading city of Misurata, which is located 160 kilometers away. There is also a proposal to establish a zone protected by the military for the national unity government -- similar to the former Green Zone in Baghdad. The EU has also assured that it would provide warships to evacuate the government in an emergency. Kobler, too, is planning to move soon to Tripoli with his team -- where they plan to be based in the Peacock Hotel, a luxury hotel surrounded by high cement walls, barbed wire and guarded by 200 security personnel.

In Tunis, Kobler shows Libyan newspaper cartoons that he's saved on his mobile phone. One depicts Kobler as a puppeteer pulling the strings on "Unity Prime Minister" Sarraj. Another shows Sarraj dropping into Tripoli by UN parachute. The criticism is clear: The new government is being steered from abroad and the United Nations is perceived in the country to be a tool of the West.

But Kobler is pushing forward with his plan. He wants to organize tribal councils across the country and persuade local leaders to follow the new government.

Although a majority in western Libya support the UN compromise and the national unity government, the government in the east is still putting up significant resistance. Should that not change, the UN plan could actually deepen the country's divisions -- and local warlords and IS supporters would be the ones to profit.

The roots of the current chaos lead back to 2011, when Moammar Gadhafi, who had ruled the country with an iron fist for decades, was toppled. Following the mass protests in Tunisia and Egypt, protests also sprouted up in eastern Libya, where people had long felt strong-armed by Tripoli. Gadhafi reacted predictably and sent in snipers, artillery and cluster bombs. Many feared that a long and brutal civil war would ensue that could claim countless civilian lives.

In contrast to the later war in Syria, the international community decided to take immediate action in Libya. But even before the military intervention began, the West made a mistake for which there are still consequences today. France became the first country to recognize the self-appointed, rebel-led National Transitional Council without actually knowing who its members were. But importantly, all key figures in the body came from eastern Libya. Other EU member states and the wealthy Gulf states Qatar and the United Arab Emirates quickly followed. The tug-o-war over the country's wealth had begun and the international community had unwittingly contributed to the country's disintegration.

Western Failures

The primary aim of the intervention approved by the UN Security Council on March 17 was not regime change. Rather, it was to provide protection to the civilian population from Gadhafi's government troops. By that standard, the intervention was successful.

Significantly fewer civilians were killed in Libya after 2011 than in Syria, where the West didn't take any action. Between 15,000 and 30,000 people died in Libya. But in Syria, estimates put the number who have perished in the war thus far at between 250,000 and 400,000, a vast number of them civilians.

In Libya, though, France, the United States, Great Britain and Italy all aimed at a regime change. The NATO mission ended shortly after Gadhafi's murder on Oct. 20, 2011 at the hands of Libyan rebels. Only then did the West commit its biggest mistake. Indeed, earlier this month, US President Barack Obama called it the greatest foreign policy mistake made during his term: "Failing to plan for the day after, what I think was the right thing to do, in intervening in Libya."

UN Special Representative Kobler of Germany adds: "It was a mistake for us to have abandoned the country after the 2011 intervention. When you make the decision to intervene militarily, you also have to support the country afterwards."

During his 42 years at the helm, Gadhafi ruled Libya like a mafia godfather, employing terror in addition to the bestowal of favors on those who were close to him. With the exception of the national oil company and the central bank, he never allowed any state institutions to become strong out of fear of potential rivals. Once he was killed, though, it wasn't clear who would succeed him. Worse, Libya had plenty of fully stocked weapons depots at the time and they were essentially open to all comers. The country quickly became a major source of weaponry for the entire region.

Fundamental Conflict Unresolved

The transitional government that was appointed didn't have the power to disarm the local militias. Instead it gave anyone believed to have fought on behalf of the revolution a generous wage. The number of self-proclaimed revolutionaries promptly ballooned from around 30,000 to 250,000. Soon, weapons took precedence over politics, culminating in 2011 with the brief kidnapping of the then-prime minister.

The fundamental conflict between the east and the west had never been solved. In spring 2014, a battle against Islamists began in the east under General Haftar, backed by the three most powerful tribes. In the western part of the country, the Islamists with the Libya Dawn movement seized power, backed by residents of the wealthy coastal city Misurata. Since then, the country has been in a state of civil war between east and west.

It was only after the November 2015 terrorist attacks on Paris that the international community increased pressure on the warring parties to come to an agreement -- primarily due to concerns about Islamic State, which had established a foothold in Libya. Things were rushed and countries were very quick to recognize the national unity government. It was only after the fact that attempts were made to convince as many militias and politicians as possible to back the new government. Critics argue that another path should have been taken: A deal should have been reached first on the distribution of oil revenues in the country. That, too, makes Kobler's job very difficult.

Many Libyans have been cynical about Kobler's efforts. "The only reason the diplomats are hoping that the former parties in the civil war will join forces in the fight against Islamic State is because they have been observing the situation for almost two years from Tunis," says Ayyoub Sufyan, an activist and former revolutionary from Zuwara, a city that is home to a Berber-speaking population in the western part of the country located near the border to Tunisia.

As in Syria, where IS was able to establish itself because Assad supporters and opponents were too busy fighting each other, Islamic State profits in Libya from the fact that it isn't the primary opponent of any party. And thus a growing number of young men from Tunisia, Egypt or Nigeria will continue to make their way to Islamic State's stronghold in Sirte.

'Most Important Source of Income'

Last week, a masked IS commander announced his group's intention to wage a war of attrition against the unity government, using car bombs and suicide attackers. In summer 2015, IS already launched one attack against the Tripoli government. The group also went after the country's most important oil refinery in Ras Lanuf, took control of several oil fields and carried out attacks on pipelines. The terrorist group has long since expanded beyond Sirte and into other parts of the country and is now working together with migrant smugglers.

Sufyan, the activist, tells how he and some friends in Zuwara founded a militia to take on the smugglers. Up until last fall, most of the boats heading for Lampedusa would launch from the Zuwara coastline. "Since the collapse of oil production," Sufyan says, "migration has been the most important source of income in the country." His militia managed to lock up many smugglers, forcing others to move their operations into the neighboring city of Sabrata.

It is a place long known for its extremist scene. Islamic State sympathizers still have the say in Sabrata and are profiting financially from the smuggling business, but the lines between IS, al-Qaida and other jihadi groups are becoming blurry. Sabrata is also the springboard for Tunisian extremists heading to join the fight in Syria.

The fusion between the extremists and the migrant smugglers, particularly in Sabrata, has now become a significant security risk for Europe and the rest of the West. Indeed, the US bombed an IS training camp near Sabrata back in February and British, French and American special forces are operating in the country. But the forces tend to rely on the help of local militias, which has created competition for weapons, money and influence -- and hindered the establishment of a national military.

Italy, the country's former colonial power, is particular anxious to quickly set up an EU military aid mission. Under the working title Libyan International Assistance Mission, Rome is planning accelerated training for a new Libyan army. The Italians introduced their proposal to representatives of 30 countries in mid-March in Rome, including EU member states, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Qatar and Russia. The plan foresees military training and guidance but does not include sending in foreign troops to impose stability or carry out anti-terror operations. Part of the proposal is a unit to provide security for the new unity government.

The plans were discussed further by EU foreign and defense ministers on Monday in Luxembourg. The EU ministers said they were prepared to offer security support while the Libyan government said it was also interested in help setting up a coast guard.

The ministers, however, elected not to go ahead with a proposal from France that initially called for the expansion of the existing EU mission "Sophia," launched in an attempt to cut off migrant smuggling routes across the Mediterranean, into an anti-terror operation. The idea was to empower EU warships to stop and search ships suspected of smuggling weapons to Islamic State in Libya. But Germany was skeptical and France itself backed away from the idea prior to Monday's meeting.

Room for Skepticism

Still, the EU agreed as expected on Monday to make 100 million ($114 million) available to the unity government for projects identified together with both the UN and the unity government. The focus is to be on humanitarian projects and on strengthening Libyan institutions. In addition, the EU in early April implemented sanctions, such as visa bans, on high ranking politicians who have come out in opposition to the new government. Among them are the president of the parliament in eastern Libya, Aguila Saleh Issa, and the "prime minister" of the Tripoli government in the west, Khalifa Ghwell.

Despite the progress made recently in resolving the problems facing Libya, many are wondering if the steps thus far taken will be enough. Libyan politicians and clans will have to accept the new government and new state structures will have to be built. There is plenty of room for skepticism.

Martin Kobler is pleased that the government he helped broker has at least won backing in Tripoli. But things don't look good in the east. The parliament in Tobruk is widely expected to reject the unity government's cabinet list, though it postponed the vote this week. And General Haftar, the military leader in the east, is also being difficult. He would like to head up Libya's new army or become the country's next defense minister, preferably both. Kobler, though, doesn't believe that is feasible, given the hate western Islamists have for the general. Still, though, Haftar will have to play a significant role in Libya's future armed forces.

Kobler says that the humanitarian situation in the country has priority. People have to quickly see that that the new government is improving their lives. One area that requires immediate attention, for example is exploding food costs, with UN representatives saying they have even heard about elderly Libyans breaking out their gold fillings to pay for foodstuffs.

Kobler says he doesn't particularly care how the state structures look in the end as long as they guarantee the protection of human rights. "We don't support a particular side, but we aren't neutral," he says.

He pulls a wrinkled piece of paper out of his wallet. On it, he has written the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1948 in several languages: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights."

By Matthias Gebauer, Mirco Keilberth, Peter Muller, Mathieu von Rohr, Raniah Salloum and Christoph Schult
Tilhill Forestry has created a 10-year plan that will guide the future management of Farnley Estates 400 acres of woodland.

Around 60 per cent of our woodlands are classed as ancient, semi-natural woodland, some of which dates back to the reign of Henry VIII. Theyre also an important aesthetic addition to the local landscape in Huddersfield. Having a robust woodland management plan in place will help to make sure that these woodlands remain healthy for at least the next 50 to 100 years, says Paul Sykes, Director Farnley Estates.

When approved by the Forestry Commission, the woodland management plan will provide a blueprint for felling and under-planting over the next decade. The aim is to create healthy and diverse woodlands.

The woodland management plan is an integral part of the Estates longer-term vision. The ultimate aim is to give people greater access to the land to enjoy, among others, education, recreation and health benefits.

Were stewards of this land, and this long-term programme will last beyond our lifetime. Following guidance from Natural England, were planning selective felling of trees in specific areas. This allows sunlight to reach the woodland floor and promotes the growth of plants and shrubs that provide shelter and food for birds and animals. Well then plant specially selected tree species to create woodlands of differing ages, added Paul.

Re-introducing a variety of native tree species also helps to protect woodland against disease. As different species require different amounts of light and water to remain healthy. Having diverse woodlands can also mitigate the effects of climate change.

Ezra Southward MScFor, Assistant Manager for Tilhill Forestry added:

Were delighted to be involved with Farnley Estates and have the opportunity to help improve their woodland. We are experts in producing woodland management plans and helping clients apply for Countryside Stewardship Woodland Capital Grants so we were ideally placed to help Farnley Estates with their application.
President Tran Dai Quang and Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vnukov. (Source: VNA)

He informed the ambassador that Vietnam is working with Russia to prepare for the ASEAN-Russia Summit to be held in Sochi city in May.



In the annual list of priority tasks to boost Vietnam  Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, the President suggested focusing on the political-diplomatic, economic-trade, national defence-security pillars, particularly oil and gas, and nuclear power.



The host urged Vnukov to recommend that the Russian Government early sign a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) in which Russia is a member.



Amid the complicated developments globally, he also suggested Russia enhance cooperation with Vietnam in regional and global forums as well as in matters of shared concern.



Vietnam always supports and shares sympathy with Russia over the current embargoes and sanctions, he said.



On the occasion, he also extended his invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Vietnam in his convenience.



Vnukov, for his part, hailed Vietnam as a long-time and trustworthy friend which will be a priority in Russias external relations with Asia-Pacific.



He said the upcoming ASEAN-Russia Summit in Sochi is one of Russias major diplomatic events this year, adding that Russia is ready to welcome Vietnamese high-ranking leaders to the event.



The Russia parliament stands ready to approve the FTA between Vietnam and the EEU, he stated, expressing his belief that FTA member countries will adopt the deal in the foreseeable future to make it valid later this year./.
T he Brexit camp, having besmirched the achievements of pro-EU business leaders, was today set to turn its fire across the Atlantic.

Former US Treasury Secretaries going all the way back to 1972 have penned a polite letter pointing out that it would be bad for the UK and global economies if we were to leave.

Hypocrites! The Brexiteers will argue. How would they like being subjugated to a faraway parliament like Brussels?

Thats to forget, though, that the US is itself a federation of very diverse states, united to advance free trade among its combined 318 million people.

Sure, they squabble about local interests and bicker over the bureaucracy and waste in Washington DC. But the unity of the States has served its citizens well, both in wealth and political stability. Its combined military might has been rather helpful to us since 1939 too.

Similarly, for all its faults, the EU is good for Britain and the world.

To brand anti-Brexit US statesmen as anti-British hypocrites, as Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson have with the President, is childish and undignified.

I suspect voters will agree with me, and respectfully listen to the advice of our friends across the Pond.
F orget discounting properties  landlords of high-end flats should be tempting prospective buyers with luxury experiences such as Aston Martin racing, the boss of a major London housebuilder has said.

Mount Anvils Killian Hurley said a mixture of stamp duty hikes and concerns over a possible Brexit meant developers had to work harder to sell London flats.

The firm, which plans to build 1100 homes, has become a partner to the Aston Martin racing team. It will give new buyers tickets and experience days at Silverstone, as well as at Le Mans, Austin in Texas, Bahrain and Shanghai.

It will make sure our company name stands out around the world, and help entice new UK and overseas buyers, Hurley told the Evening Standard.

The firm, which is building apartments in Islington and at Keybridge House in Vauxhall, made a pre-tax profit of 25 million in 2015, up 25% on the prior year. It also made 41 million for its joint venture partners.

Sales rose to 252.1 million from 216.2 million, and the average selling price climbed 34% to 867,000.
S hares in Yahoo rose 1.6% in after hours trading, as the web companys first quarter results nudged past analysts expectations.

Prompted by activist investors, Yahoo has just closed first-round bids for its core business. Bidders including telecoms giant Verizon and the UK newspaper group, the Daily Mail, with private equity group TPG, are understood to have submitted offers.

Potential buyers will hear shortly whether they have progressed to the second round in an auction that is due to be completed in June. Marissa Meyer, Yahoos chief executive refused to comment on the sale, saying only that it was "a top priority" in order "to achieve the best possible outcome for our shareholders".

Yahoos first quarter revenue fell 11.3% to $1.09 billion (758 million) in the first quarter, the first decline after four straight quarters of growth. But the numbers were marginally better than analyst estimates of $1.08 billion.

Yahoo reported a net loss of $99 million, compared with a profit of $21 million, a year ago.

Yahoos core business, which includes search as well as digital media units such as Tumblr, Yahoo Finance and Yahoo News, is valued at anything between $1 billion and $10 billion.

Separately, chip maker Intel announced plans to slash 12,000 jobs, or around 11% of its workforce amid plummeting PC sales. It will focus on cloud computing services under a restructuring plan.
President Tran Dai Quang welcomes Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Fukada Hiroshi (Source: VNA)



At the meeting, the President extended his condolences over the great losses in human and assets suffered by the Japanese people in recent consecutive earthquakes in Kumamoto prefecture.

He said he believes that under the Japanese Governments leadership and the peoples willpower, Japan will surmount the consequences and help disaster-hit locals in re-building efforts.

The State leader thanked Japan for its support for Vietnams national construction and development, including the provision of official development assistance (ODA).

Vietnam always treasures its intensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia with Japan, and considers Japan its leading important partner, he said, adding that the signing of a joint vision statement on Vietnam-Japan relations showed that the two countries found a common voice in promoting the bilateral ties.

He suggested the nations intensify high-ranking delegation exchanges and continue consolidating trust between the two Governments and peoples.

Vietnam decided to send a high-level delegation headed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Japan to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in May, and is preparing to welcome a visit by a ministerial-level delegation from Japan to Vietnam within this year, he added.

President Tran Dai Quang also expressed his hope that Japan maintains its voice supporting Vietnam in the East Sea issue.

For his part, Ambassador Hiroshi stressed the significance of the visits paid by the two countries leaders for the development of the bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attaches importance to the relations with Vietnam, which is reflected through his invitation to attend the G7 Summit to his Vietnamese counterpart. This will offer a chance for the two leaders to discuss future orientations for the bilateral ties, he said.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the diplomat affirmed that Japan backs the stance of not unilaterally addressing disputes and dissimilarities. He hailed the importance for the two countries to raise their common voice at regional and international forums.

He went on to say that climate change is an urgent issue and needs long-term solutions.

Japan will make fact-finding tours in order to carry out appropriate measures to help Vietnam cope with the phenomenon, he added./.
T he senior judge, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas, who has expressed surprise at the sexually explicit content of social media, is not unusually out of touch with society; many people over 30 are taken aback by the way teenagers are sexting. But it is the extent to which this affects the workings of the justice system that concerns Lord Thomas. As he says, the issue of online disclosure is probably the biggest problem that all parts of the common law justice system faces.

Speaking for an entire older generation, he observed: I did not appreciate how important it is in sexual offending until I realised what people put on their smartphones or how they use social media; I am not used to seeing described what happens in such detail for the benefit of other people. The issue comes to the fore a week after four students were acquitted of rape when it emerged that police had not disclosed the alleged victims texts before the event, which appeared to suggest consent on her part.

This is a challenge for the justice system. Police and prosecutors must be more alert to the extent to which online material counts in cases of this kind; but younger recruits will be more aware of the issue of online self-dislosure for those who may come before the courts.

But there is also a lesson here for young people who are at ease with social media, and used to sharing sexually explicit material, but dangerously naive about the extent to which their material is accessible. The fact that their online material could make them vulnerable in a court case is something many social media users are unaware of.

Indeed, the extent of moral and social harm that the routine sharing of sexual material can cause is evident in a recent report on its extent in schools, and the way girls, in particular, are being intimidated by it. Schools are alert to the problem of online grooming and educate pupils about its dangers; now they need to educate them about the consequences of online sexual self-disclosure.

Jobs: good and bad news

The good news is that employment is at a record 31.41 million; the bad is that the 20,000 rise over the three months to February is the smallest since last year. Unemployment, according to the Office for National Statistics, rose by 21,000 in the quarter, reaching 1.7 million: the first increase since July last year.

Obviously, EU supporters will claim that fears about Brexit are causing employers to think twice before taking on workers. But it is also possible that the prospect of the increased living wage  in itself an excellent development  may cause some small employers to take on fewer workers and may cause large ones to expedite the automation of jobs. The number of people in work has been one of the great achievements of this Government; the prospect of a fall is bad news for the Chancellor.

New York primaries

By winning comfortably in the New York primaries, both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have regained precious momentum in the race to win their respective parties presidential nomination. Clinton, the Democrat frontrunner, had come under pressure from a resurgent Bernie Sanders. Trumps problems, meanwhile, were largely of his own making: but bringing in new advisers appears to have created a degree of equilibrium not seen before in his campaign, which may reassure the Republican establishment. Whatever may still be to come, it is clear that American politics has been shaken up by the battles for the presidential candidacy. The fight for the White House is likely to be as dramatic.
O n December 22nd 2068, the captain steered away from the archipelago and headed north for Sunderland on her last homeward voyage. She reflected on the many sad things she had seen from the ancient research ship. The death of the last beluga whale; the glaciers collapsing; that eerie moment when they reached the slushy remains of the North Pole on the first circumpolar navigation.

But of all her duties, none was so solemn as explaining how the vessel got its name. Ah yes, she would say to visiting researchers as they pored over incriminating rock samples in the onboard lab. In 2016 there was a public vote to name the ship on this thing called the internet. And, erm, RSS Boaty McBoatface was what they chose.

Boaty McBoatface?

Yes. They thought it was funny..

They thought impending environmental catastrophe was funny?

No, well... Im not sure they gave it much thought, to be honest. It just became a meme. It made people proud to be British or something. And then they lynched the science minister and the Prime Minister didnt want to seem humourless so, well, it stuck.

And they would share the weary smile they often shared when discussing the early 21st century, when people saw all this coming but did so little to avert it.

So here we are back in 2016 and more than 100,000 individuals have petitioned the Natural Environment Research Council to name a 200 million research ship Boaty McBoatface. There has been an online poll and thats whats come out on top. Infantile humour is about all that unites us these days. One newspaper claimed that it beautifully highlights the British sense of humour at its finest. It shows our unique ability to reduce serious situations to silliness. LOL.

Its true, there was a certain Brass Eye quality to poor science minister Jo Johnson trying to avoid becoming a social media meme when interviewed on the subject. Of course he would listen to the public but really, he pleaded, wouldnt it be preferable to have a name that lasts longer than the social media news cycle? No? Eventually, he resorted to the what would the Queen say? defence, as Conservatives often do when backed into a corner.

What he should have said was: Grow up. Rather than inflame me with patriotism, laffaire Boaty McBoatface suggests social media is amplifying the anti-intellectualism, self-satisfaction and bullying that must count as our worst traits. True surrealism is non-conformist. To vote for a silly name because other people are doing the same is the opposite. It contains no subversion or creativity. All it does is create a tyranny of whimsy, where its far more subversive to believe in something.

And grow up seems about the only worthwhile response to the British atheist who staged the worlds first Pastafarian wedding on Saturday. The movement is based on a piece of facetiousness that was funny for about half a second in 2005 (Hey! What if God was a flying monster made of spaghetti, guys!). Can you imagine feeling that pasta-based puns were so on point, youd base your identity around them?

Underpinning this all is a sort of complacent relativism that says life is all a big LOL. You think the emoji is crying with laughter. In fact, its laughing through tears.

Shakespeare has something important to say to everyone

A British Council survey has found that on his 400th birthday Shakespeare is more popular abroad than he is on this sceptred isle (thats from Richard II, that is). Some 89 per cent of Indians, 88 per cent of Mexicans and 87 per cent of Brazilians dig Shakespeare, compared with 57 per cent of this happy breed.

It seems that studying the original texts at school puts some people off for life. Its also hard to extricate Shakespeare from a culture where things such as reading and going to the theatre are bound up with social class, unlike in, say, Russia, where Pushkin and Tolstoy belong to everyone.

But I do think its possible. I remember watching Baz Luhrmanns Romeo + Juliet at Enfield Odeon back in 1986. The audience mostly consisted of teenage girls who were there for Leonardo DiCaprio and could not contain their emotion over the final twists and turns. Leo, wake up! Ohmygodohmygod thats well harsh! etc.

Its why I always feel that coming to these great works fresh is something to be envied  not scorned.

The impossible dream?

We Spurs fans find ourselves in an unusual position. Monday nights 4-0 dismantling of Stoke City leaves us five points off the top of the table with 12 points left to play for. I must be careful how I phrase this ... but it is not mathematically impossible that  No, never mind. We are assured of a Europa League spot and thats a good effort, right?

What I can safely say is that we must be the only fans in the country who are now willing Leicester Citys improbable fairytale to end.

In any other season I would take unalloyed delight in their improbable rise to the summit of the Premiership. As it is, well it would be such a shame if they somehow contrived to mess it up now, wouldnt it?
L ondon is no stranger to bars and restaurants that specialise in just a couple of items  we have Champagne + Fromage, Burger & Lobster, Chick n Sours and Bubbledogs, where Champagne is paired with hot dogs.

Trufflesecco is the latest to join the ranks, with a menu that specialises  as its name suggests  in prosecco and truffles.

One of the founders, Irina Lily, explains: Prosecco is all about having fun, and truffles add a real sense of luxury  our philosophy here is to celebrate every day as if its a special occasion.

The restaurant is inspired by the elegant eateries of Florence, and has been designed with shutters on the wall to evoke the feeling of sitting on a pavement outside a cafe in the Italian city  you could almost forget youre in Camden Town.

Florence from afar: The decor is based on elegant eateries from the Italian city

Food options include an excellent, creamy burrata lavished with fresh black truffles and a truffle carpaccio tapenade, as well as both meat and cheese platters. The latter includes a truffled cheese, as well as a gnocco fritto gooey fried pastry studded with truffle.

Given the abundance of the costly fungus, the prices are reasonable  16 for the cheese platter and 14 for the meat.

Fizz: There are seven different prosecco's available at Trufflesecco, plus cocktails and wines

The drinks list is dominated by seven different bottles of prosecco  ranging from 28 to 50  along with some prosecco-based cocktails and a decent selection of non-sparkling Italian options.

At the higher end, Epsilon Wines Luxxo, a 100% Chardonnay prosecco from the Veneto region, is fruity but well-structured and rich tasting  a prosecco that easily rivals many a Champagne.

London's best wine bars 1 /17 London's best wine bars The Laughing Heart The Laughing Heart is well-equipped for lingerers  it is very much a place for gathering and cracking open as many bottles as is sensible. The personal touch of its convivial nature is echoed in a wine list that champions artisan growers, in turn showcasing the entire portfolio of a chosen small producer. Its by-the-glass list is short but precise, while its bottle menu is sprawling  youll have time to explore more than one, considering the place stays open until 2am, with a kitchen open until 1am from Monday to Saturday. The late-night food isnt just your average stomach-lining grub either: chef Tom Angleseas innovative cooking melds British produce with Asian flavours  his signature dessert is a creme brulee with sparky Sichuan peppercorns. P. Franco East Londons natural wine scene just keeps getting better  and a lot of that is down to the team behind P. Franco. This unassuming Clapton wine bar was set up in 2014 in a former Chinese takeaway by Liam Kelleher and James Noble, of the Noble Fine Liquor shops. In the years since, it's garnered runaway praise for mixing an innovative wine selection with an eclectic, very contemporary food menu in utilitarian surroundings. It's so relaxed that they don't even have a wine list, technically  the daily changing selection is delivered verbally. Bright and latterly Peg have followed in its suit  all are wonderful places to take wining and dining back to basics. Benjamin McMahon Terroirs Just off Trafalgar Square, Terroirs is always busy. Evenings start at a hum and end on with a roar as reams of Londoners bravely battle their way through glorious bottle after glorious bottle. The list is long enough to offer lots of choice and good enough that youll struggle to make a bad one. Food is excellent and there is barely a better spot in town to quaff down a bottle than up against the bar. Theyre big on natural wine here: if youre unsure about organic and biodynamic wine, try it here. A slight price premium comes attached, but its good fun. Wine is categorised by region and includes lesser-spotted wines from the likes of Greece, Slovenia and Georgia. Humble Grape This wine-merchant mini-chain prides itself on its organic, sustainable producers and how well it knows them. The bars get their wines directly from artisan, often family-run producers  this means they skip out the expensive distributors and both you and the winemakers save a little. Humble Grape is also so keen to stay in-the-know with its sources, the bar even gets producers in to train the staff. You can currently find the bars in Battersea, Fleet Street, Islington and Liverpool Street, with one more opening in Canary Wharf this summer. Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels This Covent Garden outpost of a popular Parisian spot offers a catalogue of wine options that focuses on lesser-known styles and varieties  hence its popularity with those in the industry. French wine takes top billing, naturally, but there are bottles from around the world and the team are on hand to enthuse over what to try. Theres an impressive range by glass  including an extensive selection of Madeira  to facilitate more trying, while a fun touch is the inclusion of a mystery wine on the list. This regularly-changing offering costs 9 a glass and could be any wine from the list that costs between 35 and 95 a bottle. If you guess which one it is, you get a bottle free. Noble Rot Earlier this year, the World Restaurant Awards named Noble Rot the best Red-Wine Serving Restaurant on the planet. Yes, the vast majority of restaurants in the world serve red wine, but Noble Rot does do it particularly well. More than 60 per cent of its 700-bottle strong list is red, and wine leapfrogs food to the top of the agenda. The whole set up is rebellious in nature: the menu lambasts lazy misconceptions by proclaiming chardonnay to be the the worlds greatest white wine and its shop sells both its own magazine and tote bags emblazoned with Sex & Drugs & Pinot Noir. The food is not to be forgotten in the fracas: Stephen Harris of the Sportsman in Kent has a consulting role, making it easy to fill up both glasses and plates. Sager + Wilde This modern spot set up by wine experts Michael Sager and Charlotte Wilde is easy enough not to notice on the Hackney Road  and the blinds on the windows do nothing to suggest they want people in. But to take it that way would be a mistake: inside, all marble, dark wood and glass bricks, is an unpretentious take on a wine bar, modern London and old Paris all at once. They serve up some unusual offerings, perfect for anyone wanting to explore and, happily, the small plates of food they serve arent very small at all. The more restaurant-leaning Paradise Row edition in Bethnal Green is also excellent, while the new Fare Bar and Canteen is natural wine hotspot. Gordon's Enough has been written about Gordons to sell the place a thousand times over. There isnt anything left to say, really: its an institution thats far more about the atmosphere than the wine served (though they do that pretty decently, too). Its family run, has been since 1890 and has become a London institution in its own lifetime. Some prefer it in the summer time, when the outside tables fill up, but the cave-like indoors are a wonderful place to get lost in. Just remember to get there early: Gordon's gets full to bursting extremely early.



Info: 47 Villiers St, WC2N 6NE

gordonswinebar.com Comptoir Xavier Rousset can be found at the helm of many an acclaimed, wine-centric hotspot in London. Formerly head sommelier at Raymond Blancs Le Manoir aux QuatSaisons, Rousset went on to set up the 28-50 wine bars alongside restaurants Blandford Comptoir, Cabotte and Michelin-starred Texture. His most recent opening, Mayfairs Comptoir, showcases his love for a glass or two in more informal settings  a cafe and wine shop during the day, a wine bar by night. Around 30 wines are available by the glass  but more than 1800 are available by the bottle. Andrew Edmunds There are few better things to do in Soho than take your time over a bottle of wine. Where better to do such a thing than in one of the last bastions of Old Soho? Andrew Edmunds is small in size, but big in character, history and wine list. Wines by the glass at this restaurant start at a startling 4 something, and dont climb too much. A gloriously wide-ranging repertoire will take you up to the heady heights of a 475 1996 Abreu, but its possible to stay mercifully down to earth with enough bottles for less than 30. 10 Cases This small bistrot is a little like the French place you always wished you could find: somewhere for home-cooking and jugs of plonk. The only difference is that they dont serve any plonk  they do, however, have a very respectable selection under 10. Wines can be bought by the glass, carafe or bottle, with bottles available to take-away or drink in with 12 corkage. Youll also never be tempted (nor able) to settle into ordering your favourite wine over and over again: wines are only ever purchased in 10 case orders, and once theyre gone, theyre gone  in all its years of trading, the venue has never listed the same wine twice. 68 and Boston Bottles

Theres even a truffle-infused grappa available to round things off at 6 a shot, for those who want to complete the truffle experience.

Trufflesecco is at 11 Camden High Street, NW1 7JE  near Mornington Crescent station. Visit trufflesecco.com.

Follow Ben Norum on Twitter @BenNorum

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S undance, founded in 1978, is the largest independent film festival in the United States, kicking off the film year each January. Chaired by Robert Redford, in that first year it showed films such as Deliverance, Midnight Cowboy and Mean Streets  and its record ever since of bringing forward new talent, with films from Reservoir Dogs to The Blair Witch Project, Little Miss Sunshine to Sex, Lies and Videotape, Napoleon Dynamite to Whiplash, has been pretty astounding.

The atmosphere of the festival is unique, a community gathering in the mountains of Utah. Down the line from there, its director, John Cooper, and director of programming, Trevor Groth, are as one about that. What we really do is all about the discovery of new talent  thats the core of our mission, says Cooper. We stay true to our founder Robert Redfords original vision for what Sundance is all about, adds Groth, supporting artists working in film outside of the mainstream, giving them a place to develop their voice and to connect with audiences  thats what Sundance can do, thats our legacy, which has helped to shape independent film into how people think of it today  directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, the Coen Brothers  the list goes on and on. Its the core of independent film over the past 30 years.

But its in Utah! In January! Happily, a few years ago, Redford resolved to bring Sundance to London and in April 2012, 2013 and 2014 Sundance London was held at the O2  but cancelled for last year. This year, its back  in June this time  and its now going to be at the amazing Picturehouse Central, which opened last year in the Trocadero site in the heart of Soho.

The festival directors put together a wish list of the films they wanted and it came together in the way they hoped

With Picturehouse, we saw really early plans of theirs, says Cooper, enthusiastically. They just did such a great job with it  it really does capture and play off the spirit of Sundance. The community spaces, the quality of its theatres... theyre bigger than just a venue.

TODO: define component type brightcove

Groth adds: We felt the line-up in Park City, top to bottom, was the strongest its ever been and so coming to London we had a lot to choose from and were really thrilled with the films that we have  its a really great representation of all the different voices and styles that we showcase. We love them all. They show just where American independent film is right now. And today the Standard can exclusively announce this years London programme for Sundance.

Inevitably, almost as a victim of the festivals success in the US, there are a couple of notable absences, including The Birth of a Nation, Nate Parkers film about the Nat Turner slave revolt, bought by Fox Searchlight for a record $17.5 million after it won the Grand Jury Prize. But the Sundance directors, together with Picturehouse director of programming and acquisitions, Clare Binns, put together a wish list of the films they wanted and it came together in the way they hoped, says Groth.

As if that were not enough, theres also an extensive programme of shorts, including British entrants and the winner, Thunder Road, by writer, director and actor Jim Cummings. Short films have always been an important part of the festival because they are where you can really discover exciting talent  thats where we found Paul Thomas Anderson and Wes Anderson, says Groth. Its what Sundance is for.

Sundance Film Festival: London (sundance.org/london) is at Picturehouse Central, W1, from June 2-5; festival passes go on sale on May 5 and individual tickets on May 9

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I ts nice to be congratulated, says Jasper Cuppaidge, the founder of Camden Town Brewery. He recently sealed an 85 million deal for his company, which will be taken over by AB InBev, the drinks giant that owns Budweiser. The money has allowed Cuppaidge to build Londons biggest brewery, opening next year in Enfield, to make more beer for the capital.

But there was a backlash from people who felt that the brand, founded in 2010 at the start of Londons love affair with craft beer, had sold out. BrewDog stopped stocking Camden beer in its pubs and others grumbled about it no longer being craft. When I meet Cuppaidge, he is in defensive mode, telling me: Im the same. Im still wearing my signature jacket [a blue Patagonia puffer], I dont have a shiny pair of shoes; Im in a silly bobble hat.

He hasnt given himself a pay rise  Why would I? Ive always been happy  but did buy himself a John Lewis frying pan to celebrate.

It doesnt affect me personally when people criticise us but I hate it for the team, says the beer entrepreneur, aged 40. He grew up in Queensland, Australia, uses phrases such as absolute, 100 per cent and talks a lot about barbecues (theyre stressful so it takes your mind off things). Everyone has their opinions. Were more craft than ever because that gives us the ability to brew more beer ourselves. The beer tastes as good as last week, if not better. Some people want to remain independent but its like, Mike there wears Converse, I like Vans. Everyone has their cool thing.

Were at the bar in his Kentish Town HQ, which used to be Cuppaidges office and smells of hops. ABI approached Cuppaidge last August and he thought it wanted a distribution deal. Weve always wanted to work with a brewing company but for it to come so soon was amazing. My favourite beers around the world are owned by major companies  thats how you take a brand to being for everybody.

ABI told Cuppaidge and his team to keep doing what we do and do it better. They dont have the greatest of reputations but what were doing together will show people that it is a wonderful company. The deal has given us security and great pensions for the staff that I couldnt have offered by myself.

Theres a rebrand coming up and the people who set up Innocent smoothies are coming in to do an HR overhaul: Innocent was with Coke from early on and stayed the same. Its more fun because the strains of building a big business so quickly are now gone and we can focus on the things we are good at  making beer and having a good party. We can take on the big boys but with personality.

He is upset to hear that CaffeNero has abolished free lunches for staff. At Camden the company buys lunch on Fridays and the whole team eats together, from the drivers to the directors.

When he started Camden with his father-in-law, John Hegarty of advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (Gentlemans Wit beer is named after Hegartys gentlemanly nature), there were only three breweries in London and he had to give beer the hard sell at restaurants. Now there are more than 80 brewers in the capital.

The Camden Town Brewery range

His wife, a photographer, is still a partner in the business but he misses working with my best mates, who were bought out. But they are my childrens godparents and will be at my barbecues, 100 per cent. I can make new friends with my new associates.

He was inspired by the US, Europe and Australia where every fridge has a beer in it. I loved American brands and there was nothing in London that was engaging. Beer wasnt sexy five years ago  people like us are making it exciting for a market that was stale. Is it significant that the beer boom began in a time of austerity? Beer is elastic  it bends and stretches with the economy. We sell at a price that means people will enjoy it. Good times, bad times, beers always a great time, he says, looking pleased. Thats a good sentence; I should trademark it.

Cuppaidge has spent his whole life getting into trouble with beer. He made his own at boarding school and his grandparents ran a brewery. His father is a lawyer and his mother works in PR. He came to London by accident after he missed a connecting flight between Africa and Mexico on a surfing trip and loved the electricity of the city. He found a job at The Westbourne pub collecting glasses and met his wife drinking there.

Now he lives in north London, spending weekends in Suffolk, reading historical biographies and business books. He has injured his knee running but keen to get back in shape: Running is like survival for me. I love the freedom. A lot of people in breweries run, we have a running club.

He drinks beer every day and says the hairs on my back still stand up if I see people drink my beer anywhere. Jamie Oliver drinks it on TV.

The best craft beer pubs in London 1 /26 The best craft beer pubs in London The Old Red Cow Smithfield A hefty range of interesting beers spans two bars at this Long Lane pub, with significantly more keg than cask on offer. Should the 10-15 on tap not suffice, there are countless more available in bottle. Decent pub grub also features, while the wine list is notably excellent by craft beer pub standards. theoldredcow.com The Queens Head Kings Cross Tucked away around the corner from the station, just off Grays Inn Road, this charming old pub does more than just good beer. On top of three rotating, interestingly stocked hand pumps and more taps it also offers more than 12 whiskies, several ciders, serves platters of cheeses and cured meats, and has board games galore. queensheadlondon.com The Earl of Essex Islington Around 18 beers feature at this pub near the Regents Canal, including many from local London breweries such as Beavertown and Redemption. The pub food menu, which comes with recommended beer pairings, is also decent. Theres a small but sweet beer garden to boot. earlofessex.net Crown and Anchor Brixton Set almost equal distance between Stockwell, Brixton and Oval, this pub offers 20-odd beers on keg and cask. The beers are eclectic, but south London brews feature particularly prominently. Its fairly bustling of an evening, and youll also find a decent roast dinner. crownandanchorbrixton.co.uk The Understudy South Bank This relative newcomer from the National Theatre is the South Banks best pub bar none. Its package includes in excess of 10 beers on tap, a tank of brewery fresh Meantime lager, a decent spirit, wine and cocktail offering, and some pretty sweet views over the Thames to boot. nationaltheatre.org.uk Cock Tavern Hackney Central Originally the home of Howling Hops brewery (before they outgrew the space and launched their own tank bar), this Hackney Central boozer is now home to Maregade Brew Co.. As well as serving their brews, it also specialises in great beer generally. More than 20 lines of it in fact, including a fair bit of Howling Hops stuff. Be aware that its cash only. thecocktavern.co.uk Old Fountain Old Street Theres usually upwards of 15 craft beers on the taps at this comfy (unless its rammed) Old Street boozer, and it has the added bonus of a rather nice terrace. A decent number of the beers available tend to be London brews, with Five Points, Hammerton and Kernel among the regulars. Looking for another point of difference? It has a fish tank. oldfountain.co.uk The Southampton Arms Kentish Town This pub set about equal distance between Gospel Oak, Tufnell Park and Kentish Town stations has resisted going too craft despite stocking around 20 varieties just that  it still feels like a local boozer. Theres a particular prevalence of brews from Londons smaller breweries as well as those from around the UK, while fans of craft cider are also well catered for with five or six on tap at all times. thesouthamptonarms.co.uk The Harp Covent Garden This characterful but cramped old pub a stones throw from Charing Cross station offers a rotating selection of 20 or so brews, main focusing on real ales. And as a regular CAMRA award winner, you can rest assured theyre in good condition. Only problem? It gets absolutely rammed. harpcoventgarden.com Mother Kellys Bethnal Green This Paradise Row beer bar from the team behind The Queens Head in Kings Cross has over 23 numbered taps which correspond to a changing selection of brews  like a Chinese restaurant for beer. Its inspired by a New York taproom, so dont expect a cosy pub  but if the weathers nice, you can count on an outdoor barbecue and plenty of atmosphere on the terrace. motherkellys.co.uk The Lyric Soho The best thing about this characterful pub near Piccadilly Circus is the way it merges the music, fun and frivolity youd expect from a Soho boozer with a surprisingly stunning selection of beers  theres never far off 20 on tap. Oh, and there are open fires. lyricsoho.co.uk Hack and Hop City The latest pub from the team behind The Dean Swift and The Old Red Cow (also in this list), this decent-sized venue just off Fleet Street has more than a decent beer list  more than 20 split between cask and keg. Theres also a gastropub-style food menu, though thats not what brings most people in. thehackandhop.com The White Horse Parsons Green This west London institution  affectionately(ish) known as The Sloaney Pony due to its location and clientele  serves a lot of great British beer, but really comes into its own when it comes to foreign imports  particularly from Belgium, Germany and the USA. Options include Pilsner Urquell tank beer alongside eight hand pumps and around 10 taps, plus more than 130 bottles. The gastropub food is good quality and it boasts a particularly sizeable beer garden along with a calendar packed with beer festivals. whitehorsesw6.com Euston Tap Euston Housed in a teeny stone building just in front of Euston station which was built in 1870 as a form of passenger information kiosk, the Euston Tap is not blessed when it comes to space. Neither is it in any way comfy. However, it does stock an impressive range of beers  20 keg, 8 cask and 150 by bottle, to be exact. Those with an affection for apples should also check out sister site Cider Tap across the road. eustontap.com Dean Swift Bermondsey A rotating selection of more than 15 cask and keg beers are almost always available at The Dean Swift. What makes the place particularly great is that despite this great beer selection, and some very good Sunday roasts served upstairs, it maintains a real local boozer vibe. thedeanswift.com The Fox Haggerston This east London longtimer offers a regularly-changing selection of between 15 and 20 beers on tap at all times, plus some very decent booze-absorbing pizzas. Brews from London makers such as Kernel, Beavertown and Pressure Drop tend to get top billing alongside plenty of international offers. Theres a beer garden out back, too. Cask Pub & Kitchen Pimlico Theres a constantly changing selection of 25 beers on tap at this tucked-away Pimlico pub, not to mention multiple fridges full of interesting bottles. Its the original from the group behind the Craft Beer Co chain, and we reckon its still the best. caskpubandkitchen.com Craft Beer Co Various locations The original Clerkenwell branch of this mini-chain was one of the first proponents of craft beer in London. Its still going strong, while there are now also sites in Brixton, Islington, Clapham, Covent Garden and the City. The Islington branch, which comes with a large beer garden and comfier seating, is a favourite. thecraftbeerco.com BrewDog Various locations Youll no these guys. They do beer for punks, apparently. Whatever you make of BrewDogs marketing gimmicks, they make some bloody good beer. Find it at their bars in Camden, Clapham Junction, Clerkenwell, Angel, Shepherds Bush, Shoreditch and Soho, along with plenty of guest beers from other brewers. The Shepherds Bush branch usually has the biggest selection of beers, totalling more than 30. brewdog.com Draft House Various locations The Draft House group is far removed from the kind of minimalist, vaguely uncomfortable craft beer pub where its all about beer. Expect quirky design, good music and burgers, hot dogs and pub staples served throughout the day. Find sites in Battersea, Fitzrovia, Hammersmith, Tower Bridge, the City and Bethnal Green. drafthouse.co.uk

He and his wife have three children, aged nine, seven and four, who go to Heathside, a private school in Hampstead. They love the trucks we use and love saying I make beer. Theyve tasted it. He takes them to school once a week and is home for dinner but often goes back to work.

He hasnt benefited from tax breaks and doesnt read newspapers. I dont know enough about politics to have strong opinions but Im against Brexit. 37 nationalities work in this company; long may that diversity continue.

The pace hasnt slowed. The beer world is changing. We want to make sure we are part of that and dont miss a trick. Next month Inner City Green launches, a juicy, hoppy lager for Londons green spaces, and in June they are picking fruit in Essex to make Strawberry Hells Forever beer.

He says: Im working harder than ever because now I dont worry about the company going faster than it can. I want to do it better. Im surrounded by wonderful people who I need to deliver for. If you stop worrying you might as well stop. Being an entrepreneur you are always looking for new things to worry about.

Follow Susannah Butter on Twitter: @susannahbutter
W hen Celeste Wong worked as a barista at Lantana in Fitzrovia, people would stop her in the street and ask where they recognised her from. Then they realised. I was the girl in the cafe, she says.

Wong started an Instagram called The Girl in the Cafe to share pictures of new drinks, people shed met and places that her job took her to. She now has nearly 5,000 followers and has recently made a web series about Londons coffee scene. For the launch she served potent coffee cocktails that had been made with vermouth instead of water.

The series is online and shown on Air New Zealand flights. In the first series, Wong, who is also an actress, meets coffee connoisseurs, including Hugh Duffie and Luke Suddard from Sandows, who make nitro brews. In the second she meets the customers and surprises them at the end by asking them to make her a coffee. She says: Theres a war reporter who works in Afghanistan for Vice. But when I ask him to make me a drink hes out of his comfort zone.

The idea came about when Wong was thinking about all the people she meets through her job. Coffee is more than a drink  its about connecting people and is a facilitator for talking and sharing. Theres a huge amount of creativity in the industry. I started drinking coffee as a teenager and liked the conversations we had while drinking it and feeling part of something. Doing something for the internet gives you freedom.

She rarely has time to drink a whole coffee while working but will have around 20 tastes a day to check the quality. On days off she starts with a long black, made in a v60, AeroPress or cafetiere, saying: I like the clean, pure flavour in the morning, then when I want more texture I have a flat white and in the afternoon I have a piccolo. She has recently been impressed with a Bonavita eight-cup brewing machine and rarely goes to chains.

Best London food Instagrams - in pictures 1 /26 Best London food Instagrams - in pictures Mowie Kay Mowie is a professional food and lifestyle photographer. Unique food styling and lovely lighting make his Instagram just gorgeous. Clerkenwell Boy Wondering if that hyped up restaurant is really as good as it looks? This local foodie has tried it all. David Munns David Munns is a food photographer based in Clerkenwell. His feed is full of lively photos of both food and his family life in London. Sarka Babicka This egg enthusiast only takes photos using her iPhone. Full of healthy breakfast ideas. Top With Cinnamon Izy Hossack is just 19 years old, but already has nearly 150k followers - and for good reason. Her Instagram will make you want to ditch your diet and indulge in some sweets. Candids By Jo Jo Yee's beautiful feed is a testament to what you can do with just an iPhone. Dan Doherty The executive chef at one of London's "it" restaurants, Duck and Waffle, also has an Instagram that will make you drool. Skye McAlpine This food writer splits her time between London and Venice, bringing tasty-looking Italian flair to her food. Deliciously Ella For delicious vegan and gluten free food, look no further than Ella Woodward's feed. Lily Vanilli The east London bakery's Instagram is nothing short of a treat. Absolutely mesmerising food styling makes the cakes almost too pretty to want to eat. Fooodstylist If you couldn't tell by the name, Kate Wesson is a professional food stylist. Her fun, family-friendly feed is lovely and inspiring. Crumbs and Doilies Get your fix of cupcake cuteness with this Instagram. Jamie Oliver Featuring tons of healthy recipes for anything and everything, Jamie Oliver's feed is a must-follow. Symmetry Breakfast Run by a couple who eat fabulous twin meals together every morning, this Instagram is sure to become an instant favourite. David Griffen Be careful - this photographer's luscious food shots will have your tummy rumbling. Violet Cakes Claire Ptak's Instagram is every bit as gorgeous as her new book, The Violet Cakes Cookbook. Gizzi Erskine Gizzi's 60's-esque feed gives an inside look into the food writer's glam lifestyle alongside some fab foodie photos. Also good for celeb spotting. Hemsley and Hemsley These spirulising queens have an Instagram to die for. Get all your healthy food inspo right here. Mondomulia If you like a little jetsetting with your meal, follow food and travel blogger Giulia Mule. Rosie Foodie Rosie Birkett is a cook and food writer looks like she's having a blast with food and friends. Can we join?

She likes natural coffee that has been semi-washed and dried in the sun and her favourite beans are Guatemalan. Climpson & Sons and Square Mile are good suppliers.

She wants to do more podcasts and vlogging and is also running coffee pop-ups. The next is at Clerkenwell Design Week (May 24-26) with the Platform show. She is working with Two Hands Bakery and hopes they will do a menu with food pairings to go with the coffee she chooses.

Wong grew up in New Zealand, which is known for its way with coffee, but she says London is the place to be for beans. She lives in east London and says: The coffee scene is a melting pot, influenced by NZ, Australia and Europe.

She once tried to detox and almost passed out. After four days it was all right but I really enjoy everything about coffee. Theres nothing like it.

Follow Celeste on Instagram @the_girl_in_the_cafe
T here are big mistakes that can instantly ruin your reputation at work or even get you fired. But more commonly, it's the gradual accumulation of smaller offenses that keeps employees from getting ahead in their careers.

Bad habits, such as giving curt responses to emails or keeping to yourself all day, could be hurting your reputation  whether you realize it or not.

Here are 15 examples of bad behaviour that will slowly erode your credibility and cost you in the end:

1. You don't adapt to the company culture

Every workplace operates under its own set of social customs. Not making an effort to assimilate into this culture can make you seem disapproving or judgemental. This holier-than-thou attitude is alienating to coworkers and makes it seem like you don't care about forming positive relationships in the office.

2. You make excuses

Not taking responsibility for your mistakes and failures will catch up with you. Waiting until the day a project is due to explain why you're behind, for example, tells your boss that you can't manage your time well.

3. You do the bare minimum

Even if you always meet deadlines and consistently turn in quality work, doing only the bare minimum makes you seem complacent. On the other hand, looking for opportunities instead of waiting for them to fall into your lap shows your boss that you're driven and care about your future at the company.

4. You dress like a slob

Once you're settled into a position, it can be easy to let your appearance fall by the wayside. But failing to look put-together undermines your credibility and authority and may make you seem like you don't care. Remember the age-old saying: Dress for the job you want.

5. You don't follow through

When you fail to do what you say you're going to do, from restocking the printer to copy editing your neighbour's report, you garner a reputation for being unreliable. Keeping your word shows that you're accountable and can be trusted with more responsibilities when it comes time to be considered for a promotion.

6. You're a pessimist

If you're habitually sporting a bad attitude, you become a nuisance to your boss and can drag down your team. Constantly whining and complaining won't make you pleasant to be around, and certainly won't entice your boss to keep you around for long.

7. You ignore coworkers

Forming friendships with your colleagues is just as important as cultivating relationships with higher-ups. Strive to be known and well-liked so coworkers want to share valuable information with you and help you when you need it.

8. You're defensive

Your boss doesn't expect you to be perfect, but getting defensive when receiving negative feedback makes you look unprofessional. If you're unwilling to listen to constructive criticism, it tells your boss that you're unlikely to push yourself to improve.

9. You procrastinate

Putting off projects until the last minute not only puts stress on you, but it hinders the progress of every other person relying on your portion of the work. If something goes wrong, you'll likely be the first one blamed.

10. You write brusque emails

No matter how friendly you are in person, terse language can easily be misconstrued in an email. Even if it's unintentional, rude emails immediately sour your reputation around the office and keep others from wanting to interact with you.

11. You don't make meaningful contributions

Saying something in a meeting just for the sake of speaking doesn't add anything productive. Instead, prepare ahead of time, and remember quality over quantity when sharing ideas.

12. You're always late

Frequent tardiness signifies to coworkers that something else is more important to you and that you don't value their time. It paints you as disrespectful and uncaring, making people wary of trusting you. No matter what it takes, always find a way to be punctual.

13. You never stop talking

Yes, it's great to get to know your coworkers, but if you're constantly socialising, it prevents everyone around you from getting their work done. Keep the chatter to your lunch hour and breaks to avoid annoying others and becoming the person no one wants to work with.

14. You ignore emails

Failing to answer emails in a reasonable time frame not only frustrates those who need responses from you, but it signifies to colleagues that they aren't worth your time, can cause you to miss deadlines, and generally paints you as unprofessional. Although answering each one as soon as it's received is impractical, making a conscious effort to stay on top of your inbox goes a long way.

15. You're rude

Doing good work doesn't matter if no one wants to work with you. Not only does rudeness alienate coworkers, but most managers won't tolerate abrasive and inconsiderate employees. Remember, being polite is a key to winning people over.
B ritains longest-serving monarch celebrates nine decades this week as her 90th birthday celebrations get underway.

Today April 20, Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the Royal Mails main sorting office in Windsor, after making the short journey from Windsor Castle, to begin the first official engagement of her birthday week - meeting Britains longest-serving postman.

On her actual birthday on Thursday April 21, the Queen will step out of her Windsor Castle home, where she has been staying during Easter Court, and visit the town centre, meeting the eager crowds who will gather to catch a glimpse of her on her big day.

But its not all business. The Queen may have a month-long schedule of official birthday engagements ahead of her, but rumour has it that Heir to the throne Charles is planning stage a lavish private family dinner for the royal matriarch. And having clocked up 90 birthdays, we reckon HRH knows a thing or two about how to have a jolly good knees up.

Heres how we reckon shell be celebrating on the day...

The venue

The Queen spends most of her private evenings at Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, so it would make perfect sense that shed choose mark the occasion in a venue that shes so fond of.

Charles has reportedly done most of the organising himself, with the help of his trusted former valet Michael Fawcett.

But how do you put on a spread that's fit for a Queen? We'll give you a clue - it involves 1,200 glasses, 2,000 pieces of silver-gilt cutlery, a 175 ft table and 100 footmen according to sources close to Windsor Castle.

A palace steward has previously divulged that It takes two days to lay the 175ft table for dinner, demanding the precision of a petit-point embroiderer to place each piece of cutlery to millimetre exactness.

The room itself is a regal spectacle - lined from ceiling to floor with the shields of all the Knights of the Garter, appointed since Edward III founded the oldest order of chivalry in the world, at Windsor in 1348.

One things for certain, it wont be your average dining room affair.

Royal seal of approval: Windsor Castle

The party favours

Should Charles need a helping hand, Kate Middletons family should be his first port of call for everything from decorations to guest lists - after all, they know how to throw a good bash.

Pippa released her own party-planning book Celebrate in 2012, in which she informs her readers on how to decorously throw every type of celebration - from birthday parties to New Years Eve celebrations.

Charles can also be thankful that she doesnt have to source the party decor himself - the Duchesss parents Carole and Michael have been running their own party supplies business for over 25 years. Anyone for a royal party popper?

Queen Elizabeth II - In pictures 1 /114 Queen Elizabeth II - In pictures PA Princess Elizabeth waving from the carriage as she drives in London in May 1928 PA The Queen wearing the Imperial State Crown and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh in uniform of Admiral of the Fleet wave from the balcony to the onlooking crowds around the gates of Buckingham Palace after the Coronation in 1953 PA England captain Bobby Moore receives the Jules Rimet Trophy from The Queen after England defeated West Germany in 1966 AP Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear having cream tea at Buckingham Palace PA PA Wire Chris Jackson/Buckingham Palace via Getty Images PA The Queen sitting with her corgis at Virginia Water to watch competitors, including Prince Philip in the Marathon of the European Driving Championship, part of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1973 PA The then the Duke and Duchess of York with their daughter Princess Elizabeth at her christening on May 1, 1926. It was not expected that Elizabeth would become Queen PA Princess Elizabeth arriving at Olympia for the Royal Tournament in 1930 PA Two-year-old Princess Margaret with her sister Princess Elizabeth in 1933 PA Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) with her eldest daughter on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, after the coronation of King George VI in May, 1937 PA Princess Elizabeth after she broadcast on Children's Hour from Buckingham Palace in October 1940 PA Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) and King George VI with Elizabeth in April 1944, shortly before her 18th birthday PA Elizabeth at the wheel of an Army vehicle when she served during the Second World War in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in January 1945 PA Elizabeth holding her son Prince Charles after his christening ceremony in Buckingham Palace in December 1948 PA Princess Elizabeth and Lt Philip Mountbatten at Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony, November 20, 1947 PA And with her baby daughter, Princess Anne, after her christening at Buckingham Palace in October 1950 PA Queen Elizabeth II, in a black mourning outfit, waving as she returns to Clarence House in London the day after she became Queen in February 1952 PA Queen Elizabeth wearing the St Edward Crown and carrying the Sceptre and the Rod after her coronation at Westminster Abbey, June 2 1953 PA Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill bowing to Queen Elizabeth as he welcomes her and the Duke of Edinburgh to 10 Downing Street for dinner in April 1955 PA Her Majesty holds Prince Andrew during an outing in the grounds at Balmoral, Scotland. He was the first child to be born to a reigning monarch for 103 years PA The Queen wearing a leopard-skin coat at a Sandown Park race meeting in March 1962 PA The Royal Family in the grounds of Frogmore House, Windsor, Berkshire. Left to right: Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew in 1968 PA The Queen on a walk-about in Portsmouth during her Silver Jubilee tour of Great Britain in June 1977 PA Her Majesty on a walkabout during a visit to Liberia, Antigua, during her Silver Jubilee tour of the Caribbean in October 1977. The Queen has travelled around the world 42 times, visiting 117 countries according to the official count during her 90 years - and all without a passport PA Queen Elizabeth II with some of her corgis walking the Cross Country course during the second day of the Windsor Horse Trials in 1980 PA Mother Teresa with the Queen in New Delhi, India in 1983 PA The Queen Mother, The Queen, Prince William, Prince Harry and the Prince and Princess of Wales after the christening ceremony of Harry in December 1984 PA Her Majesty takes the salute of the Household Guards regiments during the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in London in June 1985 PA The Queen surveys the scene at following the fire at Windsor Castle in November 1992 PA The Queen surveys the damage caused by the fire inside Windsor Castle in 1992 PA South Africa's President Nelson Mandela greets The Queen as she steps from the royal yacht Britannia in Cape Town at the official start of the her first visit to the country since 1947 PA Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa, and The Queen ride in a carriage along the Mall in 1996 PA The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh viewing the floral tributes to Diana, Princess of Wales, at Buckingham Palace following her death in 1997 PA Members of the Royal Family appear with The Queen Mother during celebrations to mark her 101st birthday in 2001 Getty Images The Queen and Prince Philip ride in the Golden State Carriage at the head of a parade from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee along The Mall in 2002 Getty Images The Queen waves to the crowd as she rides in the Gold State coach from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral for a service of Thanksgiving to celebrate to her Golden Jubilee PA Her Majesty - and Berry the corgi - with the England rugby squad after the 2003 Rugby World Cup win PA The Queen smiles in 2004 during her visit of the Light Cavalry of the Honourable Artillery Company to present a Royal Warrant in Windsor Getty Images Prince of Wales and his new bride Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, with their families (L-R back row) Prince Harry, Prince William, Tom and Laura Parker Bowles (L-R front row) Duke of Edinburgh,The Queen and Camilla's father Major Bruce Shand in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony in 2005 Getty Images The Queen in the Regency Room at Buckingham Palace in London looking at some of the cards which have been sent to her for her 80th birthday in April 2006 PA The Queen attends the Royal Windsor Horseshow in 2007 Getty Images The Queen is handed a puck by President of Slovakia Ivan Gasparovic before throwing in the puck to start an ice hockey match between Aqua City Poprad and Guildford Flames in 2008 Getty Images The Queen meets singer Lady Gaga following the Royal Variety Performance in 2009 Getty Images The Queen watches the International Driving Competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire in 2009 PA The Queen studies and re-launches the new layout of the Monarchy Website in 2010 Getty Images The Queen inspects the Grenadier Guards in 2010 before presenting their new colours in the garden of Buckingham Palace Getty Images The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh wear 3 D glasses to watch a display and pilot a JCB digger, during a visit to the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research centre in 2010 Getty Images The Queen places a wreathe at Ground Zero in 2010 in New York to honor the victims of September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center AFP/Getty Images The Duke of Edinburgh looks on as aThe Queen talks with Pope Benedict XVI exchange gifts during an audience in the Morning Drawing Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh in 2010 PA U.S. President Barack Obama, The Queen and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive at Winfield House, the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America, in Regent's Park in 2011 Getty Images The Queen is escorted by her grandson Prince William during a visit to RAF Valley in 2011 Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II drives her Range Rover as she attends Windsor Horse Show in 2011 Getty Images On stage outside Buckingham Palace in London with Charles, Camilla and a host of pop stars at the Diamond Jubilee concert during celebrations to mark her 60 years as sovereign in 2012 PA Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge onboard the Spirit of Chartwell during the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames in 2012 Getty Images The Queen appears in cameo role for the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games The Queen speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games Getty Images The Queen attends an audience with Pope Francis, during their one-day visit to Rome in 2013 Getty Images The Queen and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales watch the action during the Braemar Highland Games in 2014 Getty Images Queen posts first tweet signed 'Elizabeth R' in 2014 The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red evolving art installation at the Tower of London in 2014 PA The Queen sitting next to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh looks up during the Queen's Speech in House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in 2015 Getty Images Her Majesty attends the formal unveiling of the new logo for Crossrail, which is being named the Elizabeth line, at the construction site of the Bond Street station in central London, February 23, 2016 Reuters The Queen sits at a desk in the Regency Room after recording her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth at Buckingham Palace in 2016 Getty Images Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Charles, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh watch a fly past during the Trooping the Colour in 2017 Getty Images The Queen arriving at the National Service of Thanksgiving to mark her 90th birthday at St. Paul's Cathedral Alex Lentati The Queen hands out Maundy money during the Royal Maundy service at Leicester Cathedral in 2017 Reuters The Queen and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh (C-R) attend the Royal Maundy Service in Leicester Cathedral in 2017 EPA The Queen smiles as she departs after officially re-opening the The National Army Museum in 2017 Getty Images The Queen arrives at Hull Railway Station, during a visit to the city to mark its year as the UK City of Culture PA Service: The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall observe from a balcony during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph in 2017 PA Queen Elizabeth II sits and laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in 2018 Getty Images The Queen joins Anna Wintour on the front row at London Fashion Week AW18 PA The Queen posts her first ever Instagram message in 2019 @RoyalFamily The Queen smiling during a visit to the headquarters of British Airways at Heathrow Airport, London, to mark their centenary year PA US President Donald Trump, Queen Elizabeth II, Melania Trump, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, during a group photo ahead of the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, London PA The Queen with keeper Maia Gordon as Olive the duck walks alongside them during a visit to Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh. PA The Queen talks to guests following the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament Getty Images The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in 2003 (Countess of Wessex/PA) PA Media The Queen sat alone at the Duke of Edinburghs funeral PA Wire The Queen sat alone at the Duke of Edinburghs funeral PA Wire Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle PA Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, looking at their homemade wedding anniversary card, given to them by their great grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, ahead of their 73rd wedding anniversary PA Queen Elizabeth II waits in the Drawing Room before receiving Liz Truss for an audience at Balmoral, Scotland PA

The cake

Theres no question where the birthday cake will be coming from, should HRH want something bespoke - Kates brother James Middleton owns his own confectionery empire, which specialise in themed cakes.

His business, Cake Kit Company, is well known for printing personalised cupcakes which have gone down well with the Queen at previous Middleton-thrown soirees.

Perhaps maam will opt for an edible version of her famous Launer handbags?

The guests

Last years guests included Princess Annes children Peter and Zara, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, as well as Prince Harry and other members of the Royal Family.

Of course, husband Prince Philip is expected to be at the Queens side throughout the celebrations.

Adorable: Prince George stands on foam blocks during a Royal Mail photoshoot for a stamp sheet to mark the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, along with Prince Charles and Prince William / Ranald Mackechnie/Royal Mail/PA Wire

And with Kate and William recently back from their Royal Tour of India and Bhutan, we imagine theyll be entertaining their guests with holiday stories and snaps from their week-long tour.

Kate and William's tour to India and Bhutan - highlights

The food

Sources close to the Queen say she is fond of Gaelic steak from Balmoral, served with a sauce of mushroom, cream and whisky.

And just like millions of her subjects, she enjoys a Sunday roast  but its the well-done end slice of a joint which makes its way onto our monarchs plate. Perhaps shell break the rules and serve up a side of beef on her birthday?

For dessert, shes said to relish the strawberries grown at Balmoral, and the sweet-scented, white peaches that are nurtured in her greenhouses at Windsor Castle.

Now, who do we contact about getting an invite?

Follow us on Twitter: @eslifeandstyle
A fifth of cases tackled by the government's forced marriage unit (FMU) last year were in London, official figures show.

Forced marriage was made a criminal offence in 2014, and in 2015 the FMU gave advice or support relating to 1,220 possible forced marriage cases - a three per cent fall on last year.

The agency said that almost 80 per cent of referrals came from professionals or other third parties, such as friends or family, rather than victims themselves.

In London the unit dealt with 263 cases - 22 per cent of overall total referrals, figures released last month have shown.

Since it was established in 2005, the FMU has dealt with cases concerning over 90 countries, with the most cases in the last year relating to Pakistan, Bangladesh or India, followed by Somalia and Afghanistan.

There were also 175 cases where victims were identified as being at risk of being forced to marry within the UK.

Victims ages ranged from very young children to people post-retirement age, and in 12 per cent of cases dealt with nationally the victims had either a physical or learning disability.

Although 80 per cent of victims were female, there were 240 cases of men or boys being a risk of a forced marriage - and 87 of those were reported as having a disability.

The unit also dealt with 29 cases where the victim identied as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

In an interview with the Guardian, Britains most senior Muslim police chief, Commander Mak Chishty, urged members of the Muslim community to come forward to tackle forced marriage.

He told the newspaper: My message to the community and to victims is I recognise its under-reported, I recognise its going on. I need you  through friends, family, teachers  to come and tell me and my colleagues in policing so we can help.

I also appeal to the wider community to say actually this practice is out of date, it is abuse and it must be stopped. That doesnt mean not practising your religion, this means conforming with human rights.

Its not about disrespecting any culture  I myself am from a Muslim Pakistani background  but this is about a human being, their human values, their human rights and us being able to protect them.
The program aims to diversify products and services, creating more options for passengers, especially the priorities for members of the Lotusmiles program.



Photo: ATP



Accordingly, from April 15th, members of Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles program will earn bonus miles when buying flexible ticket Starter Plus or optimal ticket Starter Max by Jetstar Pacific. Accumulated reward miles can be exchanged for reward economy tickets on flights of Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific Airlines or any member airliner of the global alliance SkyTeam. In addition, members can use rewarded miles to upgrade their seats, or exchange for excess baggage, Business lounge invitation or other rewards of the Lotusmiles program.

Mr. Trinh Ngoc Thanh- Executive Vice President of Marketing - Vietnam Airlines said: Since 2015, the two sides have engaged in code-share cooperation on Jetstar Pacifics flights, with a view to offering more choices to our customers. Now, they can travel by air at a lower cost while still enjoying benefits of the special offers. Today, the cooperation is even deepened as Jetstar Pacific contributes additional benefits to members of Lotusmiles program. We are committed to further efforts to improve the services quality and we hope this dual-brand will offer more convenience and satisfaction to all customers, especially bring new value for approximately 900 thousand members of Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles program.

While Mr. Le Hong Ha - Jetstar Pacific shared: With the commitment to bringing new values to our services and better satisfying our customers, Jetstar Pacific has adopted specific policies. Dual-brand strategy with Vietnam Airlines does not only create a vantage point for Jetstar Pacific to prosper in the long term, but more importantly, it offers our passengers more choices, more convenience and satisfaction while keeping the fare low.

On the occasion, from April 15th to June 15th, there will be a special offer:

- Jetstar Pacifics coupons of VND300,000 and 500 miles added to the Lotusmiles account for the first 1,000 members signing up at: http://vietnamairlines.com/vi/glp-online/my-account/enrollment?Partner Code=BL

- Jetstar Pacifics coupons of VND200,000 for the first 3,000 Silver and Titanium members buying Starter Max and Starter Plus tickets and booking flights with Jetstar Pacific from April 15th to June 15th.

Last year, the two parties implemented codeshare cooperation on all domestic flights of Jetstar Pacific. They will also continue with codeshare on international routes of Jetstar Pacific this June. Accordingly, customers will have more choices when buying Vietnam Airlines tickets, taking JPAs flight while enjoying free baggage allowance of Vietnam Airlines and free meals (fresh or light meals) depending on flight length.

In addition, passengers will receive luggage incentives and access to the lounge relevant for their membership; Titanium members upwards will check in at private counters at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Da Nang airports./.
A woman was shoved to the ground and left badly bruised by a 'berserk' commuter in a skirmish on the Tube.

Civil servant Amanda Robinson, 64, was making her way home to Chiswick on Monday evening when she was caught up in a crowd of commuters at Waterloo.

Ms Robinson, who is 5'3 tall, said she accidentally bumped into another passenger, who then retaliated by pushing her to the floor in a rage.

She has criticised police who were called to the scene, claiming they failed to properly pursue the matter.

Ms Robinson told the Standard: "We were going on the escalator from the Jubilee Line. It was very busy at the top.

"We both turned right and the stream of people I was in narrowed down, we bumped into each other quite gently.

Black eye: Amanda Robinson / Amanda Robinson

"She came up behind me and scraped the heel of her shoe along the back of my leg.

"I turned around and asked her what she had done that for and she went absolutely berserk and pushed me.

"I fell to the ground and banged my face."

Ms Robinson said the incident was witnessed by several other commuters, one of whom chased after the woman, who had rushed away after the attack.

The police were called, but Ms Robinson said the officer spoke to the woman out of sight of her, before letting her go.

Ms Robinson, who was left with a black eye and and a bruised hip following the attack, told the Standard: "She said she was sorry and he let her go.

"I would like the police to have taken some action, I felt very shaken and upset.

"Perhaps it would have deterred her from doing it to someone else. I've got a terrible black eye and bruised hip.

"I want her to see the picture and know what she's done to me.

"The train companies have notices everywhere saying they won't tolerate aggression towards members of their staff. It's a pity the same isn't true about aggression towards passengers.

"I'm 64 and 5'3" so I qualify as a little old lady."

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said the incident had not been formally reported, and it is thought the officer who intervened on the day could have been off-duty.

He said: We are aware of a incident of a woman being assaulted at Waterloo station on Monday, 18 April.

While this has not been formally reported to BTP, we are clear that any assault, intimidation or violence on the rail network is absolutely unacceptable and we will always take action to identify those responsible.

We would encourage this person, or any other witnesses, to contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 to help us investigate.
P olice have arrested 11 men after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted in a car park at Bluewater shopping centre.

The woman, aged in her 20s, was attacked in the car park between 6.30pm and 9pm on March 6, police said.

A Kent Police spokesman said: Kent Police is investigating after receiving a report that a woman, in her 20s, was sexually assaulted in a car park at Bluewater between 6.30pm and 9pm on March 6.

As part of ongoing enquiries, 11 arrests have been made in connection with the inquiry."

The suspects have been bailed while inquiries continue.

A spokesman for Bluewater said: "Kent Police is investigating an incident that took place in a Bluewater car park on March 6.

"From day one this has been a police matter and therefore we can't and don't comment on an ongoing investigation.

"The safety and wellbeing of our staff and guests is our highest priority. Bluewater's security procedures are regularly reviewed and tested, and we have a 24 hour security team and dedicated onsite Kent police officers.

"As well as extensive CCTV across the whole of Bluewater, our car parks are patrolled and we have security vehicles that provide a further visible presence."
T wo burglars threw a woman to the ground, tied her up and threatened her with a gun before stealing cash in a terrifying raid on her west London home.

They burst into the house in Feltham at about noon on Tuesday after she opened her door to two men holding a parcel.

The pair knocked the woman over before binding her wrists and ankles with tape as she lay on the ground.

During the attack, she was struck in the head and threatened with what she thought to be a firearm, police say.

The burglars then searched the house and escaped with a large amount of money.

Police say the first man was around 5ft 11in tall, of medium build and wore a brown hooded jacket with a brown cap.

The second burglar was of medium build and wore a high-vis vest over a light grey hooded top.

Detective Constable James Dickson-Leach, from Hounslow CID, said: "This was a violent attack on a woman in her own home and we would like to trace the people responsible as soon as possible.

We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time who may have information that can assist our investigation.

Anyone with information should call Hounslow CID on 020 8247 6160 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
P olice in south-west London have pledged to beef up patrols across Kingston after three stabbings in as many days.

Officers said the knife attacks are not thought to be linked but a more visible presence has been ordered to reassure residents in the wake of the violence.

A statement on the Kingston Police Facebook page reads: Sadly, over the last few days there has been three separate stabbings on the Borough.

At this stage we believe that the three incidents are not linked and Detectives from Kingston CID are working extremely hard to ensure the cases are thoroughly investigated.

Extra patrols have been ordered to the areas affected and we urge those with information to call us.

On Saturday, police found a young man stabbed near a parade of shops in Red Lion Road, Tolworth.

A suspect was arrested and has been bailed until next month.

The victim, aged in his 20s, has been released from hospital after he suffered facial injuries.

On Monday, an officer on patrol found another man stabbed after he intervened in a fight in School Lane, Tolworth at around 2pm.

The injured victim has also been released from hospital.

Two suspects were arrested nearby and have been bailed until June.

Less than two hours later another stabbing was reported in Lincoln Road, New Malden where a man was found with life-threatening injuries to his arm, chest and abdomen.

Police said the victim is now in a stable condition.

Lee Francis, 38, of Lincoln Road, was charged with GBH and appeared at court on Wednesday.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
A launderette manager was gassed to death by carbon monoxide from his own boiler when a flue used to expel the toxic fumes was blocked, the Old Bailey heard.

Mohammed Javid Butt, 63, collapsed and died at his Taniya dry cleaning business in Wandsworth Road, Clapham, due to the gas being pumped back into the basement premises.

Builder Keith Morris, 65, is accused of sawing off the top of the flue while erecting scaffolding for the renovation of flats above Mr Butts business.

He allegedly blocked the pipe with scaffolding boards and clogged it with debris and parts of the sawn off flue.

He is on trial alongside Caroline Whalley, 58, the North Yorkshire businesswoman who hired Morris to carry out the work.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC said Morris, who is accused of gross negligence manslaughter, made no effort to find out whether the flue was an essential part of Mr Butts business.

He had caused Mohammed Butts death and that he had done so by the grossly negligent way in which he had undertaken his work on the site, he said.

He cut off the end of the flue at the time that scaffolding had been constructed to allow for further work to be undertaken without consideration of the consequences of doing so.

He took no proper and sufficient steps to prevent debris entering and obstructing the flue both when he cut it and thereafter.

Mr Butt, who had run the dry cleaning business since 1986, was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning on October 5, 2013. He was slumped on the floor next to the wall in an area where clothes were hanging.

Mr Atkinson said the modified flue running up the side of the building should have expelled carbon monoxide generated by the operation of the boiler from the premises.

On investigation, it was found that the flue to the boiler had been significantly obstructed in several critical respects that were directly connected to the building works that Mr Morris was in charge of.

Scaffolding had been erected over the top of the flue and scaffolding boards placed over the mouth of the flue.

The top of the flue had been sawn off and debris, including parts of the sawn off flue, had fallen into and completely obstructed the flue.

He said Morris later admitted sawing off the top of the flue.

On the second visit by investigators, said Mr Atkinson: It was found that someone had returned to the scene and re-cut the flue to create a gap between its mouth and the scaffolding boards which he been absent at the time of Mohammed Butts death.

The evidence shows the person who re-cut the flue was again Keith Morris.

In effect therefore, he had tried to create a gap at the top of the flue after the event, with a view to making it appear that the scaffolding had not been blocking the top of the flue at the time of the event.

Morris, from Beckenham, denies gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety breach.

Whalley, from Gilling East, near Ampleforth In North Yorkshire, denies a health and safety breach by failing monitor Morris work.

Construction firm 6699 Limited, based in Morden, southwest London, has already pleaded guilty to a health and safety breach over the death.
A south London teacher who sent explicit videos to a 16-year-old pupil today pleaded guilty to sexual activity with the schoolboy.

Lauren Cox, 27, who first met the boy when he was just 13 years old, groomed him at a Bromley school where he was a pupil and she was teacher.

Police said "arrogant" Cox had shown "no remorse" for her crimes against the boy, who had been "extremely adversely affected" by the relationship.

Cox, of Oxted, pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court today to five counts of sexual activity with a child under 18 in a position of trust.

She first met the child in 2012 only weeks after starting a job at his school.

The victim said he and Cox formed a close relationship, and in January 2015 she began a sexual relationship with the boy.

She would meet him after school and during school holidays, and she also sent explicit pictures and videos of herself to the boy. Cox was arrested on September 16 last year after the pupil admitted the abuse to his parents.

The boy had ended the relationship in August, after his parents suspected what was going and confronted their son, who admitted the relationship with Cox.

However, Cox continued to message the boy and his parents informed the headmaster of the school, who in turn contacted social services.

The officer investigating the case, PC Laura Davies of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command (SOECA), said: "Cox abused her position of trust as a teacher and groomed the boy which went on to sexual abuse. The abuse has had an extremely adverse effect on the boy with his studies suffering as a result.

"Cox never once admitted the offences during police interview. She has now admitted the offences today but only because of the wealth of evidence against her.

"Cox displayed dismissive arrogance to the seriousness of the allegations against her. It's most concerning that she showed no remorse - as professionals, teachers have a specific duty of care to young people and this was abused."
T wo 14-year-old boys and a 20-year-old man have been arrested over the stabbing of an elderly shopkeeper while he defended his east London post office.

The 70-year-old was knifed as he brandished a shop sign in a bid to drive away attackers during the attempted robbery in Walthamstow on Sunday.

CCTV footage showed the man swiping at the masked and hooded assailants after they stormed his shop.

A customer is also seen using a stool to protect against the attackers.

Stabbing: The shopkeeper was knifed during the robbery attempt / Met Police

The two boys and the man were arrested on Tuesday before being taken an east London police station for questioning, police said.

Detectives are still appealing for information after the attempted raid on the shop in Carr Road.

Officers were called at around 9.10pm by the London Ambulance Service and found the victim with a number of stab wounds.

He is in hospital in a serious but stable condition, Scotland Yard said.

Three suspects were seen to leave the premises immediately after the stabbing.

They wore dark tracksuit bottoms and dark jackets with hoods. One man had a grey hooded top underneath a black "puffa" style jacket.

Detective Sergeant Ben Voss of Waltham Forest CID said: "This was a violent attack on a pensioner who was trying to run his shop.

"The assailants used an extreme level of violence against elderly man who was trying to defend himself, his wife, customers and business.

"The attack could have resulted in tragic consequences but luckily the victim is now recovering in hospital.

"I would appeal to anyone who has any information on who was responsible to contact police as soon as possible."

Anyone with information regarding this stabbing is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
T he family of a shopkeeper stabbed as he shielded his wife from three knife-wielding robbers today said they had been overwhelmed by support from loyal customers as he recovers in hospital.

Suntharalingham Sockalingam, 70, known as Sunny, suffered three stab wounds as he fought off the hooded thugs who burst into the family-run post office in Walthamstow on Sunday.

At first his condition was said to be critical and there were fears for his life but today his condition is described as serious but stable in hospital.

The gang fled empty-handed after father-of-three Mr Sockalingam defended himself and his wife Premala armed only with an advertising stand inside their store in Carr Road.

Mrs Suntharalingam, who can be seen pushing away the armed robbers with a stool in dramatic footage captured by the shops CCTV cameras, today thanked customers who have deluged the store with teddy bears, flowers and cards.

A friend holds the fort in Sunny's shop in Walthamstow

Speaking at her husbands bedside at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, she said: The support we have received has been overwhelming and we would like to thank everyone who has been in touch regarding Sunnys wellbeing.

This is an extremely difficult time for us all.

Sunny is in a serious but stable condition and is being looked after by an excellent medical team.

The owner of the Harvest Wine Store opposite today told the Standard how he tended to the terrified couple after the three thugs fled.

He said: I saw three guys acting suspiciously. One of them was pacing back and forth and then shouted come with me before they ran into the shop.

I knew they were going to be robbed so I went outside to help. When I got there I could see Sunny was bleeding from the chest, his wife was in a panic and screaming.

We got him a chair and sat him down. We stripped off his shirt, all I had was pocket tissues so I had to try and wrap them tight around him to make a makeshift bandage.

At one time his eyes started to roll back and I thought we were losing him - it was scary.

He said the shop owner was stabbed in the chest and ribs but luckily the knife hit his chest bone, not his heart.

He is incredibly lucky that they didnt hit his heart or lungs, he said.

Sunny is a 70-year-old man, he should be retired why do you need to stab him? They are cowards.

Family friend Sritharan Thurairasa, who has taken over the running of the post office while Mr Sockalingam recovers, said: Sunny can slightly open his mouth but it hurts him to talk.

Hes a very tough man and a fighter and we hope he comes back soon. He is always telling us he gets bored at home and he just wants to come in and make the customers happy.

Scotland Yard said a man aged 20 and two 14-year-old boys were arrested in connection with the stabbing last night. They were being questioned at an east London police station today.

Detective Sergeant Ben Voss of Waltham Forest CID said: This was a violent attack on a pensioner who was trying to run his shop.

The assailants used an extreme level of violence against elderly man who was trying to defend himself, his wife, customers and business.

The attack could have resulted in tragic consequences but luckily the victim is now recovering in hospital.
C annabis protesters have gathered in Hyde Park at an annual demonstration which calls to end criminilisation of the drug.

Large crowds flocked to the central London park throughout Wednesday for this years 420 protest.

Organisers encouraged visitors to bring banners and a picnic for the event which attracted a thousand people last year.

Campaigners said they believes attitudes towards the drug had changed with hopes it could be legalised in the future.

Paradigm shift: Lee Harris said attitudes towards cannabis had changed dramatically over the past 50 years / LondonLive

Lee Harris, London mayoral candidate for The Cannabis is Safer Than Alcohol party (Cista), said he had seen a huge change in opinion over the past 50 years.

He said: There has been a paradigm shift in public opinion and not just in this country.

I think things are going to happen. We have many of the police forces on our side who think prohibition did not work.

The war on drugs was an utter failure and caused so much harm in our society.

Cannabis should be regulated, legalised and taxed.

The term 420, which has now become a code word, was apparently coined in 1971 by a group of teenagers in California.

The Met Police said 20 people were arrested for a variety of drug offences.

One 27-year-old woman was been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A substance, 19 people were arrested for possession of cannabis, and 12 more were issued with cannabis warnings.
A north London home undergoing extensive renovations was almost destroyed today after it was engulfed in what neighbours described as an inferno.

Firefighters rushed to the scene after the semi-detached house in Arden Road, Finchley, went up in flames at about 9.40am.

Pictures and video posted on Twitter showed bright orange flames and thick, black smoke billowing into the sky above the house.

Bystanders looked on in shock as dozens of firefighters battled for almost two hours to bring the flames under control.

Neighbour Deepak Mirpuri, 65, said: "It was like an absolute inferno. It was like a movie scene actually.

House fire: Dozens of firefighters are tackling a blaze in Arden Road / Twitter / @ontrackTV

"The house next door has been very badly damaged too.

My wife came running downstairs saying there was an uncontrollable fire.

Evelyn Sassoon, 65, who lives behind the property, said: I looked out and the flames were just roaring upwards. It's extremely upsetting.

The builders have been working there for a couple of months. It was quite extensive building work, they were building a two-storey extension.

The people who lived there had moved out to have the work done.

Another resident, Rachel Ward, 54, said she understood builders may have been working on the road with a blow torch.

She added: My neighbours in the house next door were at home but they just got out as quickly as possible.

It's a lovely road but we're bedevilled by building work.

Six fire engines and 35 firefighters were sent to tackle the fire, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

Crews from Finchley, Hendon, Hornsey and West Hampsted fire stations attended and two aerial ladder platforms were used to douse the flames.

An LFB spokesman said: The roof and first floor of the semi-detached property, which was under refurbishment, was badly damaged by the fire as well as part of the roof of the neighbouring house.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation."

No-one was injured in the fire, LFB said.

The company responsible for the building work declined to comment when approached by the Standard outside the property.
P olice have blown up an unexploded World War II bomb at an east London park after the ordnance was found on a nearby building site.

The unexploded device was uncovered during building excavation works in Parnell Road, Hackney, shortly after 2pm on Wednesday.

Sarah Kay Parsons, who was at her home in Victoria Park Road, said she heard a "muffled deep boom" at the time of the explosion before flocks of birds flew into the air.

A large cordon was put in place while the controlled explosion was carried out at the park.

Scene: Police outside Victoria Park in Hackney / @teninchwheels

Park users reported being asked to leave the area while officers attended the scene.

One Twitter user (@YUSEI_RKO) posted: "WW2 bomb found in Victoria Park. One side of the park has been closed. Police set up around roads."

A Metropolitan Police Service spokesman confirmed to the Standard the incident has since been stood down and cordons will be removed in due course.
A pub that helped to shape the sound of The Kinks looks set to be bulldozed to make way for luxury homes.

The Alexandra in East Finchley was a haunt for Kinks founders Dave and Ray Davies in their youth and the brothers celebrated New Years parties there.

But since its last landlord left in 2012, the Victorian pub has fallen into disrepair and been vandalised.

Its owners, STO Capital, want to knock it down to make way for housing, but local campaigners hope to see it preserved.

Kinks guitarist Dave Davies has backed the campaign, saying the music he and his brother listened to at the bar had influenced the band and they had enjoyed regular singalongs around the piano.

The Save the Alexandra Action Committee wanted to thwart the housing plan by designating the pub as an asset of community value, giving locals the chance to buy it. But Judge Peter Lane, sitting at the First-Tier Tribunal, has allowed an appeal by the developer to strip the pub of its special status, clearing the way for the bulldozers.

He said no community group had shown enough interest in saving the pub, and it would be too expensive if anyone did.
P olice have warned about the danger of removing the hard shoulder from motorways after a woman was killed when an HGV ploughed into the back of a broken-down car on the M25.

Laura Cooper, 34, who was the rear-seat passenger in the car, died in hospital four days after the late-night collision on an unlit section of the motorway near Waltham Abbey.

The case was described as extremely disturbing by MPs when details were revealed by police to a Commons inquiry into so-called smart motorways, which have the hard shoulder converted into a normal lane to ease congestion.

Pc Simon Wickenden, a Met police road safety expert, told the Commons transport committee on Monday that all-lane running had been introduced despite a 200 per cent higher risk of collisions involving vehicles broken down in a live lane.

He said the crash, believed to have been caused after the Nissan Note car ran out of fuel, is being investigated by Essex police, but on the facts that we have, that is exactly the type of collision that was both predicted by the police, and acknowledged by the Highways Agency at the time, that there was an increased likelihood of occurring.

Killed: Laura Cooper was in a Nissan hit by an HGV on the hard shoulder

Pc Wickenden said: Though the visibility was clear, this was on an unlit section of the road, where no hard shoulder was provided. A short time after stopping... [the car] was struck by a following HGV.

"That resulted in fatal injury to the rear seat occupant and serious injury to the other two occupants of the car.

That type of collision is more likely to result in a serious or fatal injury than any of the collision types that are being reduced. The increased risk to us is unacceptable.

TODO: define component type apester

The collision occurred between junctions 26 and 27 at 1.55am on March 29. Ms Cooper, who had an 18-year-old son Josh and lived in Leicestershire, was returning with relatives to London to visit her mother.

She was treated at the scene by paramedics and a doctor from Londons Air Ambulance and taken to the Royal London Hospital. She died on April 2. Her donated organs are believed to have saved three people.

The HGV driver, who is 61 and from Telford, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. He has been bailed until June 27.

Ms Coopers sister, Jo-Anne Adamson, who asked for donations to be made to Londons Air Ambulance, said: Laura was a very popular and generous young woman with roots in both London and Leicester. She will leave a huge hole in the lives of her many loved ones.

All-lane running was introduced on two sections of the M25 in 2014. It is also used on the M1 and is being introduced on the M4. Almost 300 miles of smart motorways are planned by 2020.

On the M25, they have cut collisions by about 15 per cent and eased congestion. There were 3,700 break-downs in a live lane in the first year of the M25 trials; two resulted in injury collisions.

Pc Wickenden said there was no way for Highway England to automatically detect when a vehicle had broken down. He said the first it knew of the Nissan Note stopping was when the crash occurred.

Labour MP Louise Ellman, the chairwoman of the transport committee, said the case painted a very disturbing picture of safety.

A Highways England spokesman said: Safety is our top priority and our thoughts remain with those affected by this tragic incident on the M25. We will assist the police in their investigations and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
S ix out of 10 private renters in London are forced to endure hazards such as mould, leaks or pest infestations that lower their quality of life, a survey has revealed.

The most common failing with rented homes is damp or mould, endured by 39 per cent of tenants in the past year, according to the research. Inadequate heating and insulation was also a common complaint with 26 per cent saying they had suffered.

Alarmingly many tenants said the failings in their properties were potentially dangerous or left them insecure. Almost one in six said their doors or locks were inadequate and a similar proportion had to negotiate trip hazards such as uneven floors.

One in seven reported electrical problems with wiring or sockets and one per cent even said there had been a fire caused by the poor conditions.

Mess: One in seven reported electrical problems with wiring or sockets

Campbell Robb, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, which commissioned the research from polling company YouGov, said: Every day at Shelter we hear from London renters who are dealing with appalling conditions and, shockingly, most are paying extortionate rents for the privilege. We should all have a place to call home  somewhere warm, safe and secure, but for more than a million Londoners, home is cold, damp and often downright dangerous.

Around a quarter of Londons population rent from private landlords but regulation of the sector has been notoriously lax. The Government has said that it wants to see more professionally-managed built to rent accommodation in London, backed by City investors. It has also proposed banning orders and a national database for rogue landlords in the housing and planning Bill currently in the House of Lords. Tax changes such as the introduction of a three per cent stamp duty surcharge on buy to let properties are also expected to reduce the number of amateur landlords in London. In 2014, Boris Johnson introduced a voluntary kitemark for landlords and letting agents called the London Rental Standard but take-up has been low.

Londoners face 'appalling' conditions but pay extortionate rent, Shelter says

Shelter is calling for the next Mayor to insist on the London-wide licensing of landlords.

Water ran down the wall but landlord did nothing

Neal Parsons said he moved into a two-bed flat above a chicken shop in Stoke Newington in May 2013 and from the off my expectations were pretty low.

The cameraman, 30, said: Once the autumn rain began the ceiling in the living room started leaking, and then there was a small rivulet of water running down one of the bedroom walls.

We notified our landlord immediately only to be told there wasnt much he could do about it. Then the mould developed  again first in the living room, on three separate walls, and again in a bedroom.

Again we complained, again we were told nothing could be done. So we dealt with it as best we could, we cleaned the walls, we applied anti-damp paint, we even tried re-plastering one of the affected areas. But the leaks got worse and the damp always came back. After a year of this we finally managed to get our landlord to acknowledge there was a problem, but apart from one visit from a builder, who confirmed our own diagnosis that structural repairs not cosmetic efforts were needed, nothing happened.

At one point during a severe rain storm we had water pouring into our flat  my flatmate and I took shifts through the early hours holding a piece of plastic sheeting out of the window to catch the water and bale it out of the flat. After we spoke to Shelter about our rights we found out that he hadnt protected our deposits in a government backed security scheme and was therefore liable to be sued for up to three times our deposit amount. We informed him of this in writing and after a weekend of abusive phone calls and threats we agreed a settlement out of court.

What makes me very sad though is that I walk past this flat regularly and people are clearly living in there again, and its evident no work has been done  the tree growing out of the roof above the living room is still there.
A teenager who drowned in an east London canal could still be alive because there was enough time to save him, an inquest has heard.

Jack Susianta, 17, from Hackney, died after getting into the canal at Walthamstow Marshes after he was pursued by police on July 29 last year.

Dog walker Kamila Grabowska said Jack appeared stressed in the water and refused a floatation ring thrown to him by police.

She added an officer did not enter the water until he had fully disappeared under.

She told the inquest at St Pancras Coroners Court: [Jack] did not want to take the ring. It seemed as if he was not listening to what they were saying to him.

"It was strange. He must have been under a great deal of stress."

Ms Grabowska said she saw Jack "submerging and emerging" from below the water but said he did not say anything, before "finally" disappearing.

She told the inquest a police officer did enter the water a "few minutes later", adding: I believe this boy could have been saved and he could still be alive.

"There was enough time to save him and it was clear that he was stressed."

Another witness, Fred McGruer, who owns a barge on the canal, told the inquest he asked a male officer why police did not enter the water.

He said he was told they werent allowed to because officers had previously been injured rescuing people.

Mr McGruer told the court the situation seemed to escalate too quickly despite the water hardly moving.

He added: There was an officer willing to go in and that should have been identified sooner."

The inquest also hard from PC Muhammed Haque who was called to Jacks family home to act as a liaison between officers in the field and the family.

He told the court police were aware Jack had mental health issues and said he was told by his mother, Anna, he was on the "lower end of the spectrum of autism".

Mr Haque said Mrs Susianta had warned them to be careful as Jack "does not trust police as real police and thinks they are out to get him".

Arrangements were made for Mrs Susianta to go to the canal after Jack was sighted there, Mr Haque told the court.

But when it was reported on the police radio that he had entered the water, their vehicle was told to wait.

Mr Haque said: "She made the comment that he is not going to come out. He is going to go under and hide from the police.

He added: We did our best and I do not think I would have done anything differently.

Additional reporting by Press Association.
D avid Cameron today launched an attack on Sadiq Khan for sharing platforms with extremists time and again.

Amid stormy scenes in the Commons, the Prime Minister said Labours candidate for London Mayor had shown poor judgment by appearing alongside Islamic extremists.

He said it was understandable for an MP to share a platform with one extremist by accident  but added that Mr Khan had done so repeatedly. His attack caused uproar in the Commons, with Labour MPs howling in protest.

But Mr Cameron told them they were trying to drown out the truth about Mr Khans judgment. He said Mr Khan spoke at nine events attended by Islamic cleric Suliman Gani, who has called women subservient and condemned homosexuality.

The scenes erupted when Tory MP Christopher Pincher said it was the duty of all members of this House to condemn without caveat terrorists and extremists. Mr Cameron agreed and launched into a tirade against Mr Khan.

It is very important we do not back these people and do not appear on platforms with these people, he said. I have to say I am concerned about Labours candidate for Mayor of London who has appeared again and again and again.

The Prime Minister was interrupted by furious Labour MPs, including leader Jeremy Corbyn.

But Mr Cameron snapped: They are shouting down this point because they dont want to hear the truth.

"Anyone can make a mistake about who they appear on a platform with. But if you do it time after time after time, it is right to question your judgment.

The Khan campaign has called the claims desperate stuff, saying: Sadiq has always condemned all extremism.
L ondon's status as a world-leading tech hub risks being put in peril if Britain quits the EU, parliamentarians warned today.

Baroness Lane-Fox, co-founder of bookings website Lastminute.com, said more than two-thirds of financial technology companies could move their headquarters abroad after a Brexit.

She added that a vote for Out on June 23 would leave tech firms struggling to fill a predicted one million jobs by 2020.

The entrepreneur made the claims at a debate organised by the Creative Industries Federation on what Brexit would mean for the UKs creative industries. It came just hours before an authoritative Lords report concluded that the UK stands to gain more than any other EU country from the creation of a digital single market.

Peers hailed London for being streets ahead of any other European city with its growing number of hi-tech, entrepreneurial firms.

Thirteen out of 40 unicorns in Europe  hi-tech start-ups worth at least $1 billion  are based in the capital, including Rightmove, luxury fashion retailer Farfetch, JustEat, property platform Zoopla, and Funding Circle.

The Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committees report did not comment on Brexit. Committee chairman, Labour peer Lord Whitty said: The fact that London is streets ahead of any other European city when it comes to tech start-ups is massively encouraging for the city. In our report we highlight the need for increased investment in the UK, and shared regulation across Europe, to allow our start-ups to thrive and grow, but we also say its vital that small businesses and consumers must be protected at the same time.

Meanwhile, ahead of a visit to the Google campus in Shoreditch, shadow business secretary Angela Eagle warned of the dangers to the capital's flourishing tech centre if the country votes Leave.

She said: "London is a real global centre for the tech industry. Brexit puts this all at risk."

During last nights debate at the British Library, Baroness Lane-Fox warned that failing to join the EUs planned digital single market and preventing the free movement across of European tech experts would be disastrous. She added: I have spent my working life trying to break down barriers between countries, the idea that we would erect more of them is baffling in a world that is becoming more connected. However, Munira Mirza, Londons deputy mayor for education and culture, said the tech and creative industries would not be adversely affected outside the EU.

She argued that leaving would open up the possibility of employing tech experts from around the world. She said: Leaving the EU is not the same thing as leaving Europe. We will still be able to continue trading with Europe.

Also arguing to leave were Luke Johnson, founder of Risk Capital Partners and a former chairman of the Royal Society of Arts, and Lady Harriet Bridgeman, founder of the Bridgeman Art Library. While on the Remain side were Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Maria Eagle nd Jude Kelly, artistic director of the Southbank Centre.
N ature lovers have hit out against a "criminal" National Trust plan to charge visitors to see bluebells in bloom.

Adults will be made to pay 3 and children 1 for entry to Dockey Wood, part of the Ashridge estate in Hertfordshire, if they want to see the flowers when they are at their best in the early May bank holiday and the following weekend.

National Trust bosses said the measures were needed to pay for crowd control to prevent the bluebells from being trampled, as it is expecting up to 2,000 cars a day will visit at peak times.

But one anonymous resident of a nearby village told the Times the move had "ruined what is a perfect setting".

They said: This is a crime against country lovers who have been going there for years to enjoy the peace and tranquillity.

I saw the fencing last weekend and thought it was for child safety, I never dreamt it was for a turnstile. I cannot believe this crass decision."

Trust members have also branded the decision "disgraceful", with some even threatening to cancel their subscriptions.

And one Twitter user wrote: "Utterly disgusted @nationaltrust is now charging for visitors to #DockeyWood on the #AshridgeEstate. Shame on you."

In a statement on its website, the charity said: "In past years we've placed signs throughout the wood to try to reduce the damage, but this hasn't worked. This year we will have rangers on site at the peak times so that we can talk to visitors about how we take care of this special place.

"The small charge will contribute to our costs and hopefully spread visitors more evenly."
T he body of a British backpacker missing for two weeks has been found at the bottom of a crevasse in the Peruvian Andes.

The family of Harry Greaves, 28, launched an appeal to find him after he went missing while hiking in the mountains.

The furniture maker had flown out to Peru on February 20 and was travelling in the country while visiting friends in Pisac, near Coscou.

On April 7, Mr Greaves ventured out by himself on a solo mountain hike, two days before his 29th birthday.

The alarm was raised by his friends after he failed to return after three days.

Mr Greaves, from Shropshire, had been due to return to Britain on Saturday.

But last night, Peruvian police confirmed that Mr Greaves body had been found in a 40-metre crevasse.

A statement from Mr Greaves family said: It is with great sadness that we announce that his smile will no longer give such light, he will no longer give calm through his touch and wisdom through his words.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us find our beloved Harry. His spirit will always be with us. From his loving family.

A statement from the Foreign Office confirmed they would be supporting Mr Greaves family and offered their condolences.

They said: Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time and our Embassy staff are continuing to support them.

On the Go Fund Me used to raise funds for his search, Mr Greaves is described as one of the loveliest men you could ever wish to meet.

It also states: Harry is a very-skilled furniture maker and promotes to transform the world by embracing permaculture and writing life-inspiring poems.

He has been sharing his gifts and skills generously and he is dearly loved and respected in his vast community and network of friends and family.
B ritain's most senior judge has warned that the volume of explicit material about peoples sexual encounters now being stored on phones and posted online is posing a very serious challenge to rape and sex offences trials.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas, said he was not used to seeing what happens described in such detail and had been surprised to discover what people put on their smartphones or social media.

He said the trend was making it harder for judges and lawyers to ensure that rules requiring the disclosure of relevant evidence were implemented and that the problem had become a new and significant issue for courts to handle.

His comments will fuel the debate about the impact of sexual material stored online and on phones in the wake of the acquittal last week of four students accused of carrying out a filmed rape at the Royal Agricultural University.

The trial  at which jurors had been told to prepare to watch adult pornographic material involving the men and their alleged victim  was abandoned by prosecutors amid claims that texts sent by the woman, indicating that she might have consented to sex, had been buried by police instead of being disclosed.

There have also been separate warnings from Labour and other campaigners about an explosion of sexting in which children send graphic images to others using smartphone apps such as WhatsApp and Snapchat.

The Commons Women and Equalities Committee has responded to such concerns by launching an inquiry into sexual harassment and violence in schools after receiving research suggesting that sexualised behaviour among pupils has become normal.

Lord Thomas  addressing an event at Grays Inn, London, to launch a book on sex offence cases  focused on the challenge such trends pose to courts.

The book, published by Oxford University Press, is titled Witness Testimony In Sexual Cases  Evidential, Investigative And Scientific Perspectives.

The judge said it came at an extremely important time when the country was seeing a huge growth in the amount of time taken in the courts in trying sexual offending cases.

He added that challenges included how you treat people properly when they come to court, which had quite a long way still to go despite recent improvements.

Other tasks included ensuring that prosecutors were accountable for their actions, improving the use of expert testimony and better understanding evidence given by children.

His most striking comments were, however, on disclosure and the impact social media is having on sex trials.

He warned that disclosure was probably the biggest problem all parts of the common law justice system face, admitting that he had not expected it to be so important in sex trials.

He added: I did not appreciate how important it is in sexual offending until I realised what people put on their smartphones or how they use social media.

"I am not used to seeing described what happens in such detail for the benefit of other people.

There is therefore a new and significant issue in relation to disclosure  one of the things that you would never in the past have thought as pertaining to much sexual offending.

The number of sex offence cases being investigated by police has risen sharply since the revelations about the paedophile activities of the late disc jockey Jimmy Savile and other celebrities.

A significant proportion of the cases relate to historical abuse allegations. Trials in both these cases and over contemporary sexual offences tend to take longer than other prosecutions because of their complexity.

In the Royal Agricultural University case, students Thady Duff, Leo Mahon and Patrick Foster, all 22, and James Martin, 20, had denied charges of rape and sexual assault after a drunken sex session on the night of the Mad Hatters May ball in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, in 2014.

A pornographic video of the act was shared on social messaging app Snapchat, after which the woman involved told police she was raped.

But it emerged shortly before the mens trial was due to begin that detectives had allegedly buried text messages sent by the woman indicating that she might have consented and was worried she would look bad if the sex tapes existence became known.

Police were also accused of failing to reveal that the woman had given different accounts as a witness to an alleged rape on an Army base in October 2014, over which the suspect was later cleared.
A county council is set to ban thousands of employees from taking smoking breaks.

E-cigarettes will also be prohibited from being used in all council buildings, land and vehicles during working hours by Nottinghamshire County Council when new rules come into force in May.

The local authority, which approved the ruling on Wednesday, said the ban was aimed at boosting its workers health, increasing time spent working and reducing levels of sick leave.

The ban is said to affect 9,000 council workers.

Joyce Bosnjak, chair of Nottinghamshire County Council's public health committee, said: "The harm that tobacco causes stretches across all parts of society, and if we are to make significant progress in tackling it locally, we also need to ensure that we address it in the workplace.

"We have a responsibility to protect the health of our employees.

"Giving up smoking is recognised by health professionals as the single biggest behaviour change a person can make to improve their health. We are therefore offering support and advice to staff who want to quit, to help them make this positive lifestyle change."

Staff who wish to smoke will be allowed to do so during their breaks and away from council property.

Additional reporting by Press Association.
P olice have been searching woodland near the home of missing childrens author Helen Bailey.

Specialist search teams have been deployed in Royston, Hertfordshire, where Mrs Bailey was last seen walking her dog Boris on Monday, April 11.

It comes following a number of public appeals issued in the hope of finding the author, who has links to London, Kent and Northumbria.

Detective Inspector Lynda Coates, who is leading the investigation, said: "We understand that before Helen was reported missing she had apparently stated that she needed a little time to herself.

Missing: Helen Bailey / Hertfordshire Police

"However it has now been over a week since she was last seen or heard from and we are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.

"We are keeping an open mind on the circumstances and have been carrying out a number of enquiries in order to try and locate Helen and these are continuing today with specialist searches in the Royston area.

"I would ask Helen to please get in contact with us if she sees this appeal to let us know she is safe and well."

The 51-year-old has written around 20 books for teenage girls and is best known for her Crazy World of Electra Brown series.

Missing: Ms Bailey was last seen walking dog Boris / Helen Bailey

In 2011, her husband John Sinfield drowned during a holiday in Barbados, where the pair had previously married.

Her blog Planet Grief describes her struggle with being a widow.

In a recent post, she wrote: "Believe me, I know what it's like to feel the unrelenting pain of searing grief, to long to spontaneously combust in front of the meal-for-one section in M&S, to stand in the park and scream into the sky, 'Where are you?' and to sob hysterically over having to drag a slug-covered wheelie bin into the street, alone, late at night, week after lonely week."

Mrs Bailey's publisher, told the Bookseller magazine: "Along with Helen's friends and family we anxiously await the news of her safe return."

She is described as slim, with long black hair. It is not known what she was wearing at the time she went missing.
T he husband of Formula One heiress Tamara Ecclestone has had claims that he helped a drug kingpin to flee the country dropped.

Jay Rutland, 35, was facing a trial over the allegation that in 2010 he helped crime lord James Tarrant to go on the run, but the Crown Prosecution Service has written to Thames magistrates to say the case against him had been abandoned because of lack of evidence.

Mr Rutland, a former stockbroker, had appeared twice in court on the charge already, and faced a stream of tabloid speculation that Miss Ecclestone, 31, was about to leave him.

Convicted: drugs trafficker James Tarrant. It was claimed that Mr Rutland helped him go on the run

Tarrant skipped bail while facing drug trafficking and firearms charges, and stayed on the run for five years before turning himself in last year. He was jailed for 14 years in his absence and is now serving the sentence.

In the charge levelled at Mr Rutland it was said he facilitated the movement of an international fugitive across international borders, with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of James Tarrant.

Prosecutors have now conceded there is not enough evidence to sustain the charge.

Mr Rutland did not did not attend todays hearing at which the case was discontinued, which lasted less than a minute.

The case against his co-defendant Martin Beckett, 42, who was charged with the same offence, was also discontinued.
P rincess Elizabeth, aged only 10, was at home at 145 Piccadilly, Hyde Park when she heard muffled cries of God Save The King outside. It was December 10, 1936 and the day her life changed forever.

Her uncle David King Edward VIII  had just abdicated and her father, the Duke of York, was now King George VI. Elizabeth was heir presumptive.

er six-year-old sister, Princess Margaret, piped up, Does that mean that you will have to be queen one day? Elizabeth paused for a moment and then replied, Yes, some day. Margaret responded: Poor you.

She may have been an accidental heir, but Elizabeth has gone on to become the oldest and longest reigning monarch in our history. Tomorrow she will become the first sovereign to celebrate her 90th birthday. Her place in history is assured.

But the Queens legacy is not simply about such milestones  it is about real achievements.

Her father, George VI, and late mother are often credited with saving the monarchy after the 1936 abdication crisis  but it is their daughter who has been the beacon of stability and national unity for so many years that it makes that once seismic royal crisis seem like a blip in history.

Prince Harry, who has an innate ability to hit the nail on the head, summed up his grandmothers talent and legacy astutely.

Shes managed to get the family to move with the times, and I think thats incredibly important, he told ABCs Katie Couric.

Queen Elizabeth II - In pictures 1 /114 Queen Elizabeth II - In pictures PA Princess Elizabeth waving from the carriage as she drives in London in May 1928 PA The Queen wearing the Imperial State Crown and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh in uniform of Admiral of the Fleet wave from the balcony to the onlooking crowds around the gates of Buckingham Palace after the Coronation in 1953 PA England captain Bobby Moore receives the Jules Rimet Trophy from The Queen after England defeated West Germany in 1966 AP Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington Bear having cream tea at Buckingham Palace PA PA Wire Chris Jackson/Buckingham Palace via Getty Images PA The Queen sitting with her corgis at Virginia Water to watch competitors, including Prince Philip in the Marathon of the European Driving Championship, part of the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1973 PA The then the Duke and Duchess of York with their daughter Princess Elizabeth at her christening on May 1, 1926. It was not expected that Elizabeth would become Queen PA Princess Elizabeth arriving at Olympia for the Royal Tournament in 1930 PA Two-year-old Princess Margaret with her sister Princess Elizabeth in 1933 PA Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) with her eldest daughter on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, after the coronation of King George VI in May, 1937 PA Princess Elizabeth after she broadcast on Children's Hour from Buckingham Palace in October 1940 PA Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) and King George VI with Elizabeth in April 1944, shortly before her 18th birthday PA Elizabeth at the wheel of an Army vehicle when she served during the Second World War in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in January 1945 PA Elizabeth holding her son Prince Charles after his christening ceremony in Buckingham Palace in December 1948 PA Princess Elizabeth and Lt Philip Mountbatten at Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony, November 20, 1947 PA And with her baby daughter, Princess Anne, after her christening at Buckingham Palace in October 1950 PA Queen Elizabeth II, in a black mourning outfit, waving as she returns to Clarence House in London the day after she became Queen in February 1952 PA Queen Elizabeth wearing the St Edward Crown and carrying the Sceptre and the Rod after her coronation at Westminster Abbey, June 2 1953 PA Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill bowing to Queen Elizabeth as he welcomes her and the Duke of Edinburgh to 10 Downing Street for dinner in April 1955 PA Her Majesty holds Prince Andrew during an outing in the grounds at Balmoral, Scotland. He was the first child to be born to a reigning monarch for 103 years PA The Queen wearing a leopard-skin coat at a Sandown Park race meeting in March 1962 PA The Royal Family in the grounds of Frogmore House, Windsor, Berkshire. Left to right: Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew in 1968 PA The Queen on a walk-about in Portsmouth during her Silver Jubilee tour of Great Britain in June 1977 PA Her Majesty on a walkabout during a visit to Liberia, Antigua, during her Silver Jubilee tour of the Caribbean in October 1977. The Queen has travelled around the world 42 times, visiting 117 countries according to the official count during her 90 years - and all without a passport PA Queen Elizabeth II with some of her corgis walking the Cross Country course during the second day of the Windsor Horse Trials in 1980 PA Mother Teresa with the Queen in New Delhi, India in 1983 PA The Queen Mother, The Queen, Prince William, Prince Harry and the Prince and Princess of Wales after the christening ceremony of Harry in December 1984 PA Her Majesty takes the salute of the Household Guards regiments during the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in London in June 1985 PA The Queen surveys the scene at following the fire at Windsor Castle in November 1992 PA The Queen surveys the damage caused by the fire inside Windsor Castle in 1992 PA South Africa's President Nelson Mandela greets The Queen as she steps from the royal yacht Britannia in Cape Town at the official start of the her first visit to the country since 1947 PA Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa, and The Queen ride in a carriage along the Mall in 1996 PA The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh viewing the floral tributes to Diana, Princess of Wales, at Buckingham Palace following her death in 1997 PA Members of the Royal Family appear with The Queen Mother during celebrations to mark her 101st birthday in 2001 Getty Images The Queen and Prince Philip ride in the Golden State Carriage at the head of a parade from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee along The Mall in 2002 Getty Images The Queen waves to the crowd as she rides in the Gold State coach from Buckingham Palace to St Paul's Cathedral for a service of Thanksgiving to celebrate to her Golden Jubilee PA Her Majesty - and Berry the corgi - with the England rugby squad after the 2003 Rugby World Cup win PA The Queen smiles in 2004 during her visit of the Light Cavalry of the Honourable Artillery Company to present a Royal Warrant in Windsor Getty Images Prince of Wales and his new bride Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, with their families (L-R back row) Prince Harry, Prince William, Tom and Laura Parker Bowles (L-R front row) Duke of Edinburgh,The Queen and Camilla's father Major Bruce Shand in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle after their wedding ceremony in 2005 Getty Images The Queen in the Regency Room at Buckingham Palace in London looking at some of the cards which have been sent to her for her 80th birthday in April 2006 PA The Queen attends the Royal Windsor Horseshow in 2007 Getty Images The Queen is handed a puck by President of Slovakia Ivan Gasparovic before throwing in the puck to start an ice hockey match between Aqua City Poprad and Guildford Flames in 2008 Getty Images The Queen meets singer Lady Gaga following the Royal Variety Performance in 2009 Getty Images The Queen watches the International Driving Competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show held in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire in 2009 PA The Queen studies and re-launches the new layout of the Monarchy Website in 2010 Getty Images The Queen inspects the Grenadier Guards in 2010 before presenting their new colours in the garden of Buckingham Palace Getty Images The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh wear 3 D glasses to watch a display and pilot a JCB digger, during a visit to the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research centre in 2010 Getty Images The Queen places a wreathe at Ground Zero in 2010 in New York to honor the victims of September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center AFP/Getty Images The Duke of Edinburgh looks on as aThe Queen talks with Pope Benedict XVI exchange gifts during an audience in the Morning Drawing Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh in 2010 PA U.S. President Barack Obama, The Queen and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive at Winfield House, the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America, in Regent's Park in 2011 Getty Images The Queen is escorted by her grandson Prince William during a visit to RAF Valley in 2011 Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II drives her Range Rover as she attends Windsor Horse Show in 2011 Getty Images On stage outside Buckingham Palace in London with Charles, Camilla and a host of pop stars at the Diamond Jubilee concert during celebrations to mark her 60 years as sovereign in 2012 PA Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge onboard the Spirit of Chartwell during the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames in 2012 Getty Images The Queen appears in cameo role for the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games The Queen speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games Getty Images The Queen attends an audience with Pope Francis, during their one-day visit to Rome in 2013 Getty Images The Queen and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales watch the action during the Braemar Highland Games in 2014 Getty Images Queen posts first tweet signed 'Elizabeth R' in 2014 The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red evolving art installation at the Tower of London in 2014 PA The Queen sitting next to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh looks up during the Queen's Speech in House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in 2015 Getty Images Her Majesty attends the formal unveiling of the new logo for Crossrail, which is being named the Elizabeth line, at the construction site of the Bond Street station in central London, February 23, 2016 Reuters The Queen sits at a desk in the Regency Room after recording her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth at Buckingham Palace in 2016 Getty Images Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Charles, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, The Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh watch a fly past during the Trooping the Colour in 2017 Getty Images The Queen arriving at the National Service of Thanksgiving to mark her 90th birthday at St. Paul's Cathedral Alex Lentati The Queen hands out Maundy money during the Royal Maundy service at Leicester Cathedral in 2017 Reuters The Queen and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh (C-R) attend the Royal Maundy Service in Leicester Cathedral in 2017 EPA The Queen smiles as she departs after officially re-opening the The National Army Museum in 2017 Getty Images The Queen arrives at Hull Railway Station, during a visit to the city to mark its year as the UK City of Culture PA Service: The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall observe from a balcony during the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph in 2017 PA Queen Elizabeth II sits and laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in 2018 Getty Images The Queen joins Anna Wintour on the front row at London Fashion Week AW18 PA The Queen posts her first ever Instagram message in 2019 @RoyalFamily The Queen smiling during a visit to the headquarters of British Airways at Heathrow Airport, London, to mark their centenary year PA US President Donald Trump, Queen Elizabeth II, Melania Trump, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, during a group photo ahead of the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, London PA The Queen with keeper Maia Gordon as Olive the duck walks alongside them during a visit to Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh. PA The Queen talks to guests following the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament Getty Images The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in 2003 (Countess of Wessex/PA) PA Media The Queen sat alone at the Duke of Edinburghs funeral PA Wire The Queen sat alone at the Duke of Edinburghs funeral PA Wire Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle PA Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, looking at their homemade wedding anniversary card, given to them by their great grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, ahead of their 73rd wedding anniversary PA Queen Elizabeth II waits in the Drawing Room before receiving Liz Truss for an audience at Balmoral, Scotland PA

You cant get stuck in a sort of an old-age situation when everything else around you is changing. So you have to go with it.

And she has gone with it. In her time as monarch, the Queen has seen the media explode, with 24-hour news channels, internet news and social media. She has made sure Buckingham Palace has kept pace with such change.

She has always been at the vanguard of social media, being the first member of the royal family to launch a website, YouTube channel and Twitter feed.

She recently sanctioned an interactive repository of royal information, so that each member of her family had their own infinity page, a rolling screen of photographs, facts, figures and videos.

It is also the Queens way of getting her message out first, after years of sometimes difficult relations with the traditional media, particularly Fleet Streets tabloid press.

Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela ride in a carriage together in 1996

Her reign has been an age of change. Her father was the last Emperor of India, the last custodian of the British Empire and all that symbolised.

TODO: define component type apester

She became the head of the Commonwealth, helping forge a new global association and holding it together. She is its mother figure and regards its development and survival as one of her more important achievements.

It is not, as the Queen has said, an organisation with a mission. Instead it offers its 2.1 billion people  about 30 per cent of the global population  a unique chance to work together to achieve solutions to a wide range of problems.

Under her stewardship the Commonwealth has grown from a handful of founding nations into a voluntary association of 53 independent countries.

It promotes democracy, freedom and sustainable development. As our most travelled monarch, she has visited most of the Commonwealth countries, some many times. Those close to her say it has given her more pleasure than any other aspect of her duty.

Alongside the Commonwealth, perhaps the Queens greatest achievement has been her ability to remain politically neutral. In this respect she is the embodiment of a constitutional monarch; never publicly meddling in political affairs.

There have been some blips. In 1957 she received her first significant criticism after Anthony Eden resigned as prime minister.

Some expected Rab Butler to form the next administration but on the advice of Winston Churchill and the Marquess of Salisbury, who had spoken to the Cabinet, she called on Harold Macmillan to be prime minister.

When he resigned in 1963, Alec Douglas-Home was chosen  and observers accused Macmillan of manipulating the process to avoid Butler again.

Queen's 90th birthday: Monarch's reign in numbers

In 1965, a proper mechanism was brought in to find a leader  preventing the monarch facing unfair criticism.

Since then the Queen has been careful not to appear to favour any party or individual. She has on very rare occasions made her personal views clear about politics  for instance in 1977, when she intervened on the issue of Scottish independence by recalling she was crowned Queen of a United Kingdom.

In 2014 she again made her personal feelings about the possible break up of the union known when she told wellwishers outside the church near her Balmoral estate that she hoped people will think very carefully about the future ahead of the Scottish independence referendum.

For the Queen, her most important role in recent years has been creating links with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The Queen meets with Martin McGuinness in Northern Ireland in 2014

In 2011, she made a state visit to Ireland and gave a significant speech about things we would wish had been done differently or not at all.

A year later she shook hands with Martin McGuinness, deputy first minister and a former IRA leader. In 2014, the Irish president, Michael Higgins, made his first state visit to the UK.

With experience, dignity and quiet authority the Queen has guided and united our nation and the Commonwealth throughout her long life.

Ever the supreme diplomat, she may not have aggressively challenged the policies of any of world leaders she has met, from Kennedy to Mandela  her job description does not warrant that  but quietly she passed on her wisdom where she judged it might help.

One of her other strengths has been her strong Christian faith, which she has never compromised. In her Christmas addresses she often talks of the importance of the Christian message, avoiding offending the religious sensibilities of this diverse society.

There is no doubt that we have been lucky to have our Queen for so long.

In time, historians will reflect upon this second great Elizabethan age and try to pinpoint the Queens legacy.

For me, after chronicling the ups and downs of the House of Windsor as an accredited royal correspondent for 25 years, it must be her steadfastness.

By keeping calm and carrying on, even in the most difficult time for the monarchy after the death of Princess Diana, she has ensured the survival of the institution she cherishes.

If there is strong support for the monarchy now it is due greatly to the affection in which people hold her. She can rest easy knowing that the monarchy will survive her. The monarchy, she knows, is in safe hands with her son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William poised to follow her lead.
A teacher has been mauled by a bear on an Alaskan mountain in a terrifying attack in front of his students.

Forest Wagner, 35, was set upon by the animal, which was with two cubs, while leading an 11-strong group on a mountaineering course on Mount Emmerich, in the south-east of the state, on Monday.

One of his students, from the University of Alaska Southeast, had to run down the mountain to pick up a mobile phone signal and dial for help.

Alaska State Troopers flew the stricken teacher off the mountain by helicopter and he was transferred to hospital.

The university said Mr Wagner, who has been teaching outdoor studies there since 2006, was in a stable condition in Anchorages Providence Hospital.

His students were taken down from the mountain before spending the night in Haines and were scheduled to travel back yesterday.

University spokeswoman Kate Bausler said the animal had been sighted again after the mauling.

Mr Wagner is the second man to be attacked by a bear in Alaska within days.

A 77-year-old bear hunter Glenn Bohn is still recovering from his injuries after being mauled by a grizzly on Friday.
D onald Trump and Hillary Clinton roared back to life in their bids for the White House with crucial victories on their home turf of New York.

In the Republican primary, a huge win for Mr Trump put the billionaire back on track with his closest rival Ted Cruz finishing in a disastrous third place.

Mrs Clinton said she was on the home stretch and victory is in sight. The former New York senator, whose main home is upstate, smiled broadly during her victory speech and declared: This ones personal. The loss is a bitter blow for Brooklyn-raised rival Bernie Sanders, who predicted an upset after rallies that attracted tens of thousands.

New York has been one of the most hotly contested battles of the primary season, during which the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates are being chosen. Mr Trump, who grew up in Queens, Mrs Clinton and Mr Sanders all had a strong claim to the state and pushed their local connections.

Important win: Hillary Clinton celebrates on stage / AP

The Empire State Building glowed red for the Republicans when Mr Trumps victory was announced and went blue when Mrs Clinton won. With 98 per cent of votes counted in the Democratic contest, she had 57.9 per cent against 42.1 for Mr Sanders.

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She gave her victory speech in the Sheraton New York, where she celebrated 10 years ago after being elected senator. Her husband Bill joined her on stage as the crowd roared and Jay Zs Empire State Of Mind played over the speakers.

Mrs Clinton told them there was no place like home, adding: New Yorkers, youve always had my back. And Ive always tried to have yours. Today, together, we did it again and Im deeply deeply grateful.

In a swipe at Mr Sanders, the former secretary of state added: Under the bright lights of NY we have seen its not enough to diagnose problems, you have to ex-plain how you would actually solve the problem.

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However she offered an olive branch to backers of the Left-wing Vermont sen-ator, adding: To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us.

He did not give a speech and had left New York by the time the results came in. The breakdown of the vote showed that, as before, Mrs Clinton won among female and ethnic minority voters while he dominated the youth vote.

With 98 per cent of the Republican districts reporting, Mr Trump had 60.5 per cent followed by Ohio governor John Kasich on 25.1. Mr Cruz  an evangelical Christian and Texas senator who had attacked the tycoon for having liberal New York values  slumped with 14.5 per cent.

The billionaire arrived for his victory speech at Trump Tower to the sound of Frank Sinatras New York, New York played at ear-splitting volume.

He told the crowd nobody is going to mess with us when he is president, and used the speech to show he was in control of the Republican contest: We dont have much of a race any more, based on what I see on television. Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated... Ive pretty much knocked the hell out of him.

The crowd chanted USA! USA! and Trump! Trump! He added: Were going to go into the [Republican] convention, I think, as the winner. Presidential candidates will be picked at each partys national convention in June by delegates elected at the primaries.
I ts the question on everyones lips: are we going to get series two of The Night Manager?

There is perhaps no man better placed to answer than Simon Cornwell, who not only produced the cult drama along with his brother Stephen but is also the son of John le Carre, who wrote the original novel.

We fell in love with the BBCs lavish 20 million adaptation as much for Hugh Lauries menacing, bug-eyed baddie as Tom Hiddlestons bare bum and Elizabeth Debickis gauzy gowns, and we want more, I tell him.

Sunday evenings just arent the same. Inevitably, when a shows had close to 10 million viewers people are going to say lets talk about doing more, but nobodys made any decisions yet, he says enigmatically, sipping his green tea.

Simon Cornwell / Daniel Hambury

Cornwell, 59, is the oldest of le Carres four sons. Le Carre, whose real name is David Cornwell, worked for the intelligence services in the Fifties and Sixties until his novels of Cold War espionage became so successful that he left to became a full-time author.

As much as MI6 shaped what has been a long and extremely successful writing career, it was his father, Ronnie Cornwell, a lifelong conman with a secret life, who has exerted the most profound influence on him.

Simon Cornwell and his brother Stephen co-founded The Ink Factory in 2010. Two years they took control of all le Carres film and television adaptations, thus becoming a family firm.

We raised a pool of capital to finance our own productions and have regularised all our arrangements with le Carre, says Cornwell.

Keeping it in the family means we really care and go the extra mile to get things right.

It was Cornwells idea to update The Night Manager, which le Carre wrote in 1993 novel, by setting it in the present-day Middle East, with Richard the worst man in the world Roper running his empire from a luxurious Mediterranean villa instead of a yacht, and turning the principal intelligence officer into a woman.

TODO: define component type brightcove

The result, he thinks, was the boldest le Carre adaptation thats ever been done, but for his father it was a shock. In a new afterword to the TV tie-in edition, le Carre describes his misgivings:

My beloved Colombian drugs barons replaced by Middle Eastern warlords? No zillion-dollar yacht for Richard Roper? ... Oh, and by the way, if its all right by you, David, well be turning your leading investigator into a woman shrewd, gutsy, dour, sparkling and heavily pregnant throughout the movie.

To all of which, a lesser being such as myself might reasonably have responded: Why not write your own b****y novel?

Cornwell describes feeling significant trepidation. Especially when I told [my father] that we were turning Leonard Burr into a woman.

He was very apprehensive to begin with but it took him about five seconds to figure out the logic that the civil service today is going to have women in senior positions. The wonderful thing about him is that hes incredibly creative and smart.

Le Carre himself appeared in a cameo role  as he has done in previous adaptations  drinking a vodka martini at the restaurant table next to Ropers. Its become a bit of a Hitchcockian tradition.

Cornwell says le Carre, who has worked on at least 10 film adaptations, loves the whole process of film-making and can read whats going on in a production quite accurately.

Did his father interfere? No. He tried not to be a presence on set but he commented on every draft of the script; he sees it as his role to interrogate and question, as he should, replies Cornwell, without irony.

Family affair: John Le Carre wiht his sons Simon and Stephen / Ralph Crane/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

With American audiences acquiring a taste for le Carre  The Night Manager is currently airing to rave reviews  the family brand is gaining momentum.

The Ink Factory is working on similarly ambitious adaptations of Absolute Friends (2003) and A Delicate Truth (2013). And next month, Our Kind of Traitor  le Carres tale of Russian money-laundering and espionage  is released on the big screen.

Damian Lewis, Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgard and Naomie Harris star in the glossy action-packed thriller. With its lavish international locations, car chases and glamorous sets, the film is set to give the Bond franchise a run for its money.

Will it seal le Carres reputation as the new Ian Fleming?

Its exciting, fast-paced and well-executed but youll have to make up your own mind about that, he replies, diplomatically.

One big difference is that whereas Bond is Bond, in le Carre there are different worlds and believable characters with complicated lives, which gives you a richness you dont find in Fleming.

A growing appetite for complex characterisation helps explain why le Carre is currently hitting our sweet spot.

First look: Damien Lewis stars in Our Kind of Traitor / Studiocanal

The received wisdom is that the way to appeal to mass audiences is to dumb things down but the lesson of the past few years is that this isnt true at all.

"Just look at the success of series such as Mad Men or Breaking Bad. People have become incredibly sophisticated and love ambiguity and complexity.

And there is surely no one more ambiguous or complex than le Carre himself.

His biographer, Adam Sisman, had quite a task ironing out some of le Carres apparently fictional reimagining of events, pointing out that even the name of John le Carre acts as a veil between reality and the man himself.

This may or may not be redressed in le Carres forthcoming memoir, The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories from My Life, which comes out in September.

The Night Manager: US Premiere 1 /9 The Night Manager: US Premiere Tom Hiddleston poses at the launch Rex Olivia Coleman, Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Debicki and Hugh Laurie Jesse Grant/Getty Images Elizabeth Debicki at The Night Manager opening Rex Features The Night Manager villian Hugh Laurie Rex Tom Hiddleston grins for the cameras Rex Olivia Colman Rex Jacqueline Bisset Rex

Its cover depicts le Carre in a double silhouette, a clever optical illusion that offers a clue.

Did le Carre write the memoir in response to Sisman?

Hes not responded publicly, and I wouldnt want to do that on his behalf, but in some senses Sismans biography and The Pigeon Tunnel may be two sides of the same urge, which is to reflect a little bit at this stage of his life, replies Cornwell.

The Pigeon Tunnel is about the creative process and the way incident moves into fiction. Its beautiful and full of wonderful stories.

The physical resemblance between father and son is strong, as is Cornwells tendency to offer slightly opaque answers.

When I was born my father was a schoolteacher; by the time I was three or four wed moved and hed joined what we now know was the intelligence services, although as far as I was concerned hed joined the Diplomatic Service.

"Then when I was six or seven, The Spy [Who Came In From The Cold] came out and he resigned. I dont think he could really have combined life as a diplomat or a spook with life as a best-selling novelist.

Has it ever felt difficult to be le Carres son? Thats not a question Ive ever really asked myself. Ive never known life as anything else, he replies.

Around the time his parents divorced in 1971, Cornwell won a scholarship to board at Westminster School. I had a very normal, boring, middle-class life. Id love to be able to claim that I had a deeply troubled childhood.

"For a divorced family we were extremely functional. After starting a degree in physics at Oxford, he switched to modern languages and became a venture capitalist.

The next brother down is screenwriter Stephen, The Ink Factory co-founder who lives in California, and then theres Timothy, a journalist.

From le Carres second marriage to Jane Cornwell there is Nicholas, who writes novels as Nick Harkaway and, from Cornwells mother Anns second marriage, Adam Martin, a film director based in LA.

Cornwell himself has two sons with his Thai wife Mimi. One has just sold his first two screenplays, while the other, having begun a career in theatre, is bucking the trend and has just graduated from Hendon Police Academy as Constable Cornwell.

Weve always been a close family. Theres no distinction between work life and family life  it all mingles and when we get together we talk about work, except that it doesnt feel like work. Its wonderful when family and all of life converge.

Especially, one might add, when the family firm can turn books into a bankable box-office brand that beats Bond hands down.

The Night Manager is out now on DVD
Prosecutors have charged a Gering man, accusing him of sexually-assaulting a 5-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy.

Richard Requejo Sr., 62, of Gering, has been charged with third-degree sexual assault of a child, a Class IIIA felony; and first-degree sexual assault of a child, a Class IB felony.

According to an arrest affidavit filed in Scotts Bluff County District Court, a Scotts Bluff County Sheriff's investigator was called to Regional West Medical Center on Saturday. A woman had brought her daughter in, alleging that Requejo had assaulted the girl.

The woman told police that she and her children had been staying at Requejo's home. A relative had been babysitting the children when he told the woman, a 7-year-old child had disclosed that Requejo had assaulted his sister. The relative told the woman and she took her child to the emergency room.

The woman also spoke to her son, who allegedly told her that his sister had been sexually assaulted and that he had also been forced to perform sexual acts.

Investigators interviewed the children on Tuesday, April 19, at CAPstone. During the interview, the children allegedly disclosed that they had been inappropriately touched and sexually abused within the last six weeks. A warrant for Requejo's arrest was issued and he was arrested on Tuesday.

He will be arraigned on charges Wednesday.

What to read next:
An attorney for a former Millard North High School teacher convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student was rattling off all of the teacher's accomplishments in the buildup to his sentencing Wednesday.

The mother of Bryan Black's victim, meanwhile, was muttering her own descriptions, under her breath, from the back row.

Military policeman.

"Child molester."

War survivor.

"Child molester."

Mentor to Syrian refugees.

"Child molester."

Douglas County District Judge Shelly Stratman said she couldn't ignore that overriding description, or Black's underlying convictions. The judge sentenced Black to 32 to 60 years in prison.

Under state law, Black, 37, must serve 17 1/2 years before he is eligible for parole; absent parole, he must serve 30 years before release. Black had faced anywhere from three to 100 years in prison.

As the judge announced the term, Black leaned forward in his seat and collapsed his face into his hands. Married with a 3-year-old son, Black started a relationship with a 15-year-old freshman that culminated in sexual contact in February and March of 2015.

Black asked the girl to send him nude photos, touched her breasts and digitally penetrated her at the school.

Stratman said it was tough to reconcile Black's crimes with his "phenomenal military career."

"It's such a stark contrast with how people know you out in the light," Stratman said. "But these are crimes that happen in the shadows."

The judge spotlighted Black's shadowy behavior. How he had tried to strike up a text exchange with another student, but that student blocked his phone number. How he then turned to this victim  and the two exchanged phone numbers.

The judge and prosecutor Molly Keane said Black preyed on her immaturity and her insecurity over her body.

Black quickly escalated the relationship to sexting, as the judge described it. In all, the criminal conduct -- sexting and touching -- lasted three weeks before other students alerted school officials. Police were called, and Millard Public Schools officials fired Black.

"It was such an egregious violation of trust," Stratman said. "She was confused and insecure, looking for someone to talk about all the issues that were going on in her life.

"Parents shouldn't have to protect their children from the very people they've entrusted them to."

Black himself apologized.

Holding a rosary, he quietly talked about how he had betrayed three oaths in his life -- his military oath, his marital oath and his oath as an educator.

"I'm so angry at myself for being so weak and failing everyone who trusted me," he said. "It breaks my heart. Why I was able to keep an oath while under fire and not (since) is something I've been dealing with for the past year."

Omaha attorney Joe Howard said Black, of Papillion, had nobly served his country. He was a military police officer who guarded the Pentagon after the September 2001 terrorist attacks and went to battle overseas. Howard said Black's diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder partly explains, but doesn't excuse, his actions.

Howard suggested the judge sentence Black to the minimum three years in prison on the child pornography charge and then to probation on an attempted first-degree sexual assault charge. Black had pleaded no contest to the charges in January.

"Mr. Black already has served his time," Howard told the judge. "He's had to kill. He's had to hold dying people in his arms.

"He's lived far worse than a jail cell."

The girl has had her own set of challenges, said Keane, the prosecutor. In the wake of Black's crimes, the girl transferred to a different school after enduring some bullying on social media.

Her mother said the girl, now 16, has been in constant therapy and on medication since the assault.

The Omaha woman said her daughter knew Black from his work as a substitute teacher in Millard Public Schools for the prior two school years. He had just started as a full-time English teacher when he befriended her.

She said she was relieved by the sentence.

"It affected our whole family," the woman said. "We all have a hard time trusting.

"I know my daughter has a long road ahead of her. But today is a good start."
Winter's just around the corner, and if there's anything that's certain about a Nebraska winter, it's that nothing is certain. This winter will be no different, forecasters say.
LINCOLN  Gov. Pete Ricketts on Tuesday praised his property tax package as a huge accomplishment and team effort that will help to deliver his top priority: property tax relief.

At a bill signing, the governor signed into law Legislative Bill 958, which will give $20 million worth of new property tax credits to farm and ranch land owners.

LB 959, the second part of the governors tax relief package, is projected to reduce property taxes by increasing state aid to schools more than $8 million. Ricketts signed that measure into law on Monday.

Ricketts called both important steps in relieving property taxes, his No. 1 priority for this legislative session. Work on the companion bills that advanced from the Education and Revenue Committees started at the Nebraska State Fair nearly eight months ago, he said.

This is not something that happens easily, he said. It happens because you have a lot of people who are working very, very hard.

Introduced on behalf of the governor by State Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island, the Revenue Committee chairman, the first part of the package passed last week in the Nebraska Legislature on a 47-1 vote.

It will add $20 million annually to the states Property Tax Credit Fund to boost tax credits available to owners of farm and ranch land. Starting next year, the new money will raise their property tax credit to about $108 per $100,000 of valuation.

The amount allocated for tax credits to residential and commercial property owners, meanwhile, will remain at the current level.

The second bill was introduced by Sen. Kate Sullivan, the Education Committee chairwoman, on the governors behalf. He signed it into law Monday after the Legislature passed it last week 47-0.

Largely benefiting rural schools, the measure is projected to reduce property taxes by about $8.5 million, a figure that represents a small percentage of total annual property tax collections by local governments  nearly $3.8 billion in 2015.

Gloor said while hes pleased with the focus on the property tax credits, he hopes the package sets a framework for future lawmakers to begin talking about reducing property taxes.

Added Sullivan: I also think that this maybe sends a message that were going to continue, I wont be here, but well continue to make some structural changes in our funding formula to still provide great support for education in Nebraska.

The governor acknowledged that the bills changed from their original forms. His initial proposals would have tightened budget and levy limits on local governments and capped the statewide growth of agricultural land valuations at 3 percent.

At one point, an amended version of the bill would have added a proposed $30 million a year to the states Property Tax Credit Fund.

I know that these bills are not everything that we all wanted when we started in the process, Ricketts said, but thats part of the give and take that goes along with this legislative process.

The governor vowed for some sort of tax relief every year but said much of what will get done in the future depends on who chairs the legislative committees.
SPRINGFIELD, Nebraska  The Learning Community remains a target for some Sarpy County senators even after the governor signed a bill Tuesday eliminating its controversial common levy.

Gov. Pete Ricketts called Legislative Bill 1067 a fantastic compromise that ends the chief source of unhappiness with the Learning Community.

However, at least two senators suggested efforts would continue to abolish the Learning Community entirely.

In an optimistic view, this is the first couple nails in the coffin of the Learning Community, said State Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion. If youre less optimistic, this is just an historic day, and were fixing a problem that needs to be fixed.

Sen. John Murante of Gretna called LB 1067 an important step forward but not the end of discussions about the Learning Community. He said discussions are needed about such topics as whether to continue the Learning Community.

But Sen. Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids, the Education Committee chairwoman and introducer of LB 1067, said lawmakers who would seek to abolish the Learning Community will need to have a good reason for taking that step.

She said her bill got rid of the most divisive issue with the Learning Community and preserved the parts that are showing results in helping boost student learning.

Ricketts signed the bill at a ceremony at Platteview High School in southern Sarpy County, flanked by four Sarpy County senators and several Learning Community superintendents. All 11 superintendents were invited but four, including Omaha Public School Superintendent Mark Evans, did not attend.

The governor was met with applause when he held up the signed copy of LB 1067, which revamps the experimental educational structure but provides for the member school districts to continue working together on student achievement.

This is a great day for Omaha-area students and particularly Sarpy County, Ricketts said.

The governor did not join in talk about abolishing the Learning Community, although he noted that he had campaigned on that issue.

On Tuesday, he said he wants to see how well the compromise works, particularly the community achievement plans, before deciding whether additional changes are needed.

LB 1067 ends an experiment with pooling metro area property taxes to help high-poverty school districts like the Omaha Public Schools. In exchange, the bill increases state school aid to the 11 member school districts, especially those with large numbers of children in poverty.

It leaves in place the Learning Community structure and its programs, including two elementary learning centers and several early childhood programs. The Learning Community will keep its authority to levy as much as 2 cents per $100 of valuation for the programs.

The bill also requires the districts to collaborate on three-year plans for raising educational achievement among all metro-area students. Ricketts said he will be looking for measurable results from the achievement plan.

He also said it will be important to see demonstrable successes from the increased state school aid, noting that schools need to be held accountable.

The major features of LB 1067 will take effect for the 2017-18 school year.

Kintner said he expects to wait a couple of years before deciding whether further surgery or complete elimination of the Learning Community is needed.

This is what weve got, so we need to evaluate and see what weve done, he said.

Sen. Burke Harr of Omaha said opponents of the Learning Community can try to make changes in the future, if they want. However, he said LB 1067 represented a reaffirmation of the Learning Community and the commitment of all metro area school districts to work on educating all the children in the area.

This was a compromise bill, Harr said. Neither side was extremely excited about the outcome.

The end of the common levy means the 11 school districts will keep all of the property taxes collected from district residents.

Thats good news for Springfield Platteview, a Sarpy County district that had contributed millions to the Learning Community pool. The district has large amounts of agricultural land, which has seen historic increases in valuation in recent years across the state.

Its been a rough ride for our school district and our taxpayers, said Brett Richards, the Springfield Platteview superintendent.

Kevin Riley, the Gretna superintendent, thanked Sullivan for remaining rock solid through two years worth of wrangling over the superintendents 2014 recommendations for change in the Learning Community. LB 1067 incorporates many of those recommendations.

Its been the right thing to do. Its done, and Im relieved, Riley said Tuesday.

The mood was considerably less celebratory at the OPS school board meeting on Monday night.

Board members lamented the repeal of the common levy, which the district considered a much-needed source of funding stability.

Board member Marian Fey decried the winners and losers narrative that marked much of the Learning Community debate. She predicted that OPS students would suffer the consequences of the switch from the common levy to state aid funding.

Board member Matt Scanlan said its up to OPS to show taxpayers and state legislators that the district is being financially responsible.

While OPS will get more state aid under the bill, chief financial officer Connie Knoche said the district will have to increasingly rely on that state funding instead of property tax revenue. OPS property valuations are typically flat, compared with other surrounding school districts that see single or double-digit annual growth, she said.

Based on 2016 numbers, a legislative fiscal analysis predicted OPS could gain $5 million with the new state aid infusion.

World-Herald staff writer Erin Duffy contributed to this report.

Learning Community Q&A

Q. Without the common levy, what will happen to my school property tax rate if I live in Sarpy or Douglas County?

A. You probably wont see a change. School property tax rates in the Learning Community now include the common levy plus any additional levy charged by individual school districts to meet local needs. The total is capped at $1.05 per $100 of valuation.

Under the bill passed by the Legislature, the common levy will go away on July 1, 2017. That means taxpayers will no longer pay 95 cents per $100 of valuation into the common levy pool, to be shared among the 11 Learning Community districts.

Instead, that money will go directly to the local school district. The total district levy will still be capped at $1.05.

Q. Which districts will gain financially under the bill? Which will lose?

A. Eight of the 11 Learning Community districts will come out ahead financially when property taxes and state aid are factored in. Three will lose money, according to estimates from the Legislative Fiscal Office.

The estimates are based on 2016 figures and assume that property tax levies remain at current levels.

The picture could change by the time state school aid and property taxes are calculated in 2017. Two districts  Springfield Platteview and Douglas County West  most likely would lower their tax levies, so they would not gain as much as shown here.

The districts that will gain:

 Omaha, $5.19 million

 Springfield Platteview, $4.11 million

 Douglas County West, $1.75 million

 Papillion-La Vista, $1.37 million

 Westside, $1.32 million

 Bellevue, $1.28 million

 Gretna, $677,000

 Ralston, $12,000

The districts that will lose:

 Elkhorn, $1.16 million

 Millard, $892,000

 Bennington, $219,000

The three losing districts will qualify for transition aid equal to half of their losses in the first year and 25 percent of their losses in the second year.

Q. What impact will this legislation have on school districts outside of the Learning Community?

A. The bill wont affect state school aid for other school districts.

But it will require all districts to set policies about transportation of students opting into the district. Schools will be allowed to offer free transportation to transferring students who qualify for free lunches.

Q. Are more changes in store for the Learning Community?

A. Not without legislative action in future years. Two senators raised questions Tuesday about whether to continue the Learning Community but suggested they would wait a couple of years before attempting any changes. The governor said he wants to see whether the community achievement plan required under the bill will produce measurable results.

Contact the writer: 402-473-9583, martha.stoddard@owh.com

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Wednesday, 20 April 2016 23:23:53 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo

The council of the Minas Gerais state environment police, Copam, has confirmed that the Vale, BHP owned pellets producer Samarco was fined BRL 112 million ($31.7 million), following a deadly iron ore waste dam burst in November.





Samarco has 20 days to appeal the decision to a Copams normative chamber. If the appeal is denied, the Minas Gerais state environment secretariat can then enforce the pellet producer to pay the fine, which can be made in 72 installments.





Samarco can appeal the fine at a court as well, according to several media reports.








Wednesday, 20 April 2016 23:19:53 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo

Chilean iron ore producer CAP Mineria expects an increase in the cost of production of iron ore in 2016, according to several media reports quoting a companys executive.





In 2015, the companys production cost for the commodity was $33/mt, down from $49/mt in 2014. However, electricity and water contracts should raise that cost, according to a companys executive, who didnt provide an exact estimate for 2016.





CAP, which expects to invest $50 million in the on-going year to maintain its operations, said its ready to fight much lower iron ore prices.




Wednesday, 20 April 2016 09:51:14 (GMT+3) | Shanghai

Zhejiang Province-based Chinese steelmaker Hangzhou Iron & Steel Co. (Hangzhou Steel) has announced in its annual report that in 2015 it registered an operating revenue of RMB 8.35 billion ($1.29 billion), down 42.21 percent year on year, with a net loss of RMB 1.089 billion ($0.17 billion) compared to the net profit of RMB 10.7336 million in 2014.





In 2015, Hangzhou Steel produced 2.2633 million mt of pig iron, 2.7264 million mt of crude steel and 2.1084 million mt of finished steel.
Wednesday, 20 April 2016 23:23:13 (GMT+3) |

Mexico s economy secretariat, SE, has applied definite countervailing duties over the imports of welded carbon steel tubes from India, Spain and the US, it said on Wednesday.





According to the Mexican government, US imports of the product will pay a countervailing duty of $575.01/mt for the purchases coming from Stupp or any other company in the US.





Imports coming from Spains Siderurgica de Tubo Soldado and others will pay a $62.22/mt CVD. Exports from Indias Welspun Corp and other exporting companies will pay a $81.61/mt CVD.





According to SE, the measure is effective as of April 20, 2016.





The products subject to the tariffs currently fall under the following Customs Tariff Statistics Position Numbers: 7305.11.01, 7305.11.99, 7305.12.01, 7305.12.99, 7305.19.01 and 7305.19.99.








Wednesday, 20 April 2016 14:36:30 (GMT+3) | Istanbul

According to the figures released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), in March this year Turkish producers' foreign sales price index (PPI)* in general decreased by 0.73 percent from February and was up 6.64 percent year on year, while an average rise of 10.7 percent was registered for the latest 12 months.

In March this year, the foreign sales prices of producers in the Turkish domestic basic metal industry were almost unchanged on month-on-month basis and were up 3.37 percent compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, the average increase in prices in the latest 12 months was 12.69 percent.

On the other hand, in March of the current year Turkish producers' foreign sales prices for domestic manufactured metal products, except machinery, decreased by 1.13 percent compared to February and were up 7.08 percent year on year. Meanwhile, the average increase in prices in the latest 12 months was 14.4 percent.

*Foreign sales price index indicates changes in Turkish producers' prices for other countries.
Legislative instability and absence of predictability have been identified by courts as the main vulnerabilities of the Romanian judiciary, according to a 2015 judiciary state report released on Wednesday by the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM).

"Whereas requests for high performance of the judiciary are on the rise, such performance cannot be always obtained only by the efforts of those involved in the justice system. Thus, judges continue to name legislative instability and absence of predictability the main vulnerabilities of the system, along with a stuffy and inconsistent legislative framework and legislative as well as regulatory changes with no impact studies to back them and without securing materials and personnel and also the absence of harmonisation procedure and merit matters with rulings of the Constitutional Court. On the other hand, they mention the need for the Constitutional Court to limit its integrations to its lawful powers," reads the CSM report.

Agerpres
The General Prosecutor's Office (PG) has decided to prosecute former president Traian Basescu for money laundering in a criminal case on sale of land in Bucharest's northern neighbourhood of Baneasa to businessman Costel Casuneanu.

Judicial sources say that Traian Basescu is to be summoned to the PG to be officially informed on the fact he is prosecuted.On 9 August 2000, when he was general mayor of Bucharest, Basescu has bought 3,700 square metres of land in Aleea Privighetorilor 86 for 1.4 billion old lei (then equivalent to approximately 70,000 dollars). On the same day, Casuneanu bought a nearbly plot of similar size for a threefold sum.Basescu eventually sold his property in October 2002 to Casuneanu's sister-in-law Gabriela Blaj for 12 billion old lei (300,000 dollars), and subsequently paid 280,000 dollars for a villa he later donated to his daughter, Ioana Basescu.The former President confirmed on Wednesday that he has been informed by the PG that he is suspect of money laundering. He asserted that the PG had closed the same case in June 2012. AGERPRES
MINNEAPOLIS  Target Corp. made it clear that transgender people in its stores are welcome to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.

The statement Tuesday by the Minneapolis-based retailer comes amid debates in many state legislatures over restricting public restroom use to the sex listed on a persons birth certificate.

While many of those conversations have centered around restrooms in public schools and government buildings, Target appears to be one of the first big-box retailers to take a proactive stance in declaring its position on the matter when it comes to its own restrooms.

While they may not be technically public, restrooms in stores are often the most easily accessible and widely available options outside of peoples homes and workplaces.

Targets position also extends to its fitting rooms.

Inclusivity is a core belief at Target, the company said in a statement on its corporate website. Its something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day.

Molly Snyder, a Target spokeswoman, said it is not a new policy, but the retailer wanted to clarify its position given the questions it has received from both customers and employees amid the national debate. Executives sent email to store leaders earlier this week to convey the message.

Its a restatement of a policy, she said. Its just us being very overt in stating it.

A number of other companies, including some retailers, have been vocal in opposing North Carolinas recently-enacted law that restricts transgender people from using the restroom that aligns with their gender identity in public buildings. Other states are considering similar bills.

More than 100 companies that include Starbucks, Apple, Google, Twitter and Facebook have signed a letter asking the governor of North Carolina to repeal its law. Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen are among those who have canceled concerts in the state in protest.

Retail industry analysts said they havent heard much until now from major retailers about their own restroom policies.

Target being more proactive about it could very well open  or force  the dialogue, said Carol Spieckerman, a retail consultant. Anytime a retailer takes a more vocal stance, the microphone goes in front of all of the others.

Best Buy and Wal-Mart did not immediately return requests for comment late Tuesday afternoon.

It was probably smart for Target to get out ahead of this issue, Spieckerman added, rather than waiting until it is pressed up against a wall or until a conversation unfolds on social media about it. In the past, she noted that retailers often tried to be somewhat vague when it came to controversial issues.

But its now a really relentless environment in which retailers have to clearly state their beliefs, she said.

While Targets public declaration may not be popular with everyone, it will be more accepted by its core shopper base, which tends to be younger and more urban, said Amy Koo, an analyst with Kantar Retail.

Theyre going to do whats in the interest of the business, she said. It doesnt hurt them as much as it helps them.

This isnt the first time Target has treaded into more controversial issues. Last fall, Target received both praise and criticism when it took down the gender-based signs in its toys and kids bedding aisles.

A couple of years ago, it found itself in the midst of a gun debate when protesters tried to force it and other retailers to ban customers from openly carrying guns in their stores. Target ended up pacifying protesters by asking customers to not bring guns into its stores.

And in 2010, Target found itself on the defensive when gay rights activists assailed it over campaign contributions to an Republican Minnesota gubernatorial candidate who opposed gay marriage. But the retailer has worked its way back into the good graces of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community since then.

In 2014, the company, which has long offered benefits to same-sex partners, came out publicly in support of gay marriage.
To shore up its bottom line, UnitedHealth Group Inc. plans to stop selling next year individual medical insurance plans in Missouri, including those offered through the federal governments health insurance exchange.

There was no information on whether UnitedHealth, the nations largest health insurer, would take similar action in Illinois.

The news comes after the UnitedHealth CEO told investors Tuesday morning that the insurer would only offer exchange health plans in a handful of states after expanding to 34 this year. Specifics on the exact footprint was not provided during a conference call with investors.

The insurer cited losses as a reason for exiting the individual exchange business. The online exchanges are a key component of the Affordable Care Act that allows consumers to buy and compare individual health plans online.

UnitedHealth sent a letter, dated April 15, to inform the director of Missouris Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration of the decision to exit the exchange business altogether.

I am providing you with this formal notice of our intention to effectuate an individual market exit effective 1/1/2017  as well as our decision not to participate on the Individual Exchange for 2017, the letter states.

Current enrollees in UnitedHealths individual insurance plans in Missouri will be notified of the change at least 180 days prior to Jan. 1, according to the letter.

Health insurance broker Emily Bremer, of Clayton-based Bremer Conley, said UnitedHealth offered plans with a network that allowed patients to see a broad number of doctors at different area health systems. Its more common to see very limited networks with individual plans, she said.

The letter says the exit will not affect other UnitedHealth products, such as small and large group insurance plans, sold in the state.

Meanwhile, a UnitedHealthcare spokeswoman declined to say whether the company would exit the Illinois exchange.

The Illinois Department of Insurance had no comment, said spokeswoman Allie Bovis.

Losing money

UnitedHealth Group Inc. said Tuesday that it expects to lose $650 million this year on its exchange business, up from its previous projection of $525 million. The insurer lost $475 million in 2015.

CEO Stephen Hemsley told analysts during a Tuesday morning conference call that his company will not carry into 2017 financial exposure from the exchanges, which represent a small slice of its overall business.

UnitedHealth covered 795,000 people through the exchanges as of the end of March, or roughly 6 percent of the 12.7 million total people who signed up for 2016 coverage through the ACAs public exchanges. Some states operate their own exchanges, while others rely on the federal government to run the online exchanges.

Its unclear how many individuals UnitedHealth covers in Missouri. Insurers also offering individual plans in Missouri include Coventry, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Humana.

However, a study this week by Kaiser Family Foundation for Health found that 83 percent of Missouri counties would still have a choice of at least two insurers selling exchange plans.

The study also found that consumers in two counties  Buchanan and Clinton in northwest Missouri  would be left with only one insurer to choose from after UnitedHealth leaves the market.

Industry watchers say they expect other companies to also adjust their exchange participation as they put together their coverage plans for 2017. But they dont see UnitedHealths move as the start of a mass exodus.

I think insurers will have to become more selective in terms of which exchanges and how they participate, but by far and away I think the United move will be the biggest one this year, said Mizuho Securities Managing Director Sheryl Skolnick.

UnitedHealth had been cautious about participating in the state and federal exchanges. It begin offering plans in Missouri and other states in 2015, the year following the introduction of the exchanges.

Health and Human Services spokesman Ben Wakana said the government expected insurers to enter and leave exchanges in their early years, and they have confidence that the new marketplace will continue to thrive for years ahead.

Health insurers have faced several challenges in building their exchange business. Their initial wave of customers generated higher-than-normal claims in part because some of the uninsured had not used the health care system for years and were waiting for coverage to help pay for needed care.

Insurers also have struggled in many markets to add younger consumers who dont use as much health care and could balance those more expensive patients. Insurers say they also have been hurt by expensive patients who sign up outside regular enrollment windows.

The Associated Press and the Chicago Tribune contributed to this report.
Gerard Craft has announced the appointment of new executive chefs at his flagship restaurant, Niche, and his French restaurant, Brasserie by Niche. Nick Blue, currently Brasserie's executive chef, will take over Niche's kitchen, while Brian Moxey, most recently the chef at Perennial Artisan Ales, will succeed Blue at Brasserie.

As Sauce Magazine first reported, current Niche executive chef Nate Hereford will depart the restaurant after 6 years for a position with the San Francisco-based food company Hampton Creek.

"It's amazing," Craft tells Off the Menu of Hereford's tenure. "It's been really exciting to watch Nate develop as a chef, then play the part of chef de cuisine for a long time  and to even break free from that and create his own voice."

Craft sees the elevation to Niche's executive chef as a natural next step for Blue, whose resume includes time at the acclaimed Chicago restaurant Blackbird.

"Nick's background has always been fine-dining, progressive cuisine," Craft says. "(Blue's time at Brasserie) was really helpful (for him) to play a little bit the part of the historian and learn how to go back and still make fun food."

Moxey's appointment as Brasserie's executive chef marks a return to the fold for the former executive chef at Craft's Pastaria.

"I like coming full circle," says Craft, who just last week announced the return of original Niche pastry chef Mathew Rice as the pastry chef at the new Nashville outpost of Pastaria.
ST. LOUIS  A retired Roman Catholic priest who has previously been accused of sexual abuse is facing new allegations.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is informing the region's Catholic community that a new allegation was recently reported against the Rev. Thomas J. Graham. The alleged abuse occurred in the 1980s at St. Alban Roe Catholic Church in Wildwood.

According to a statement from the archdiocese, Graham is already on permanent administrative leave which prohibits him from engaging in ministry.

In 2005 Graham was convicted for allegedly engaging in oral sex with a teenager at the Old Cathedral downtown in the 1970s. He was sentenced to 20 years.

But in 2006, the Missouri Supreme Court overturned that conviction on the grounds that it was based on an ambiguous state statute. Prosecutors had hoped that statute could be used to pursue other cases in which abuse had been alleged to have taken place decades prior.

The archdiocese says an announcement about the new allegation against Graham will be made in the archdiocesan newspaper, The St. Louis Review, and in the parish bulletins where Graham served.

The archdiocese asks those with reports of abuse of a minor involving a member of the clergy or other church personnel to contact Deacon Phil Hengen, director of child and youth protection, at 314-792-7704, the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-3738.
DUPO  The day before Emily Rose Perrins fifth birthday, as she played on the floor with dolls, her naked mother came up behind her and sat on top of the little girl, then pressed against her mouth and nose to suffocate her.

When the mothers roommate walked in and saw the frightening scene, the mother said she was sending Emily to see Jesus, according to court documents.

Later, the mother told a police officer who frantically tried to perform CPR on Emily: Jesus came along with the dark angels.

That is the account found in Dupo police reports and search warrant applications in St. Clair County, as authorities built the first-degree murder case against Emilys mother, Mary B. Lockett.

Emily, 4, died that day, April 10, and Lockett was charged days later with murder. Locketts attorney has asked that she receive a mental health evaluation. Meanwhile, Lockett, of Dupo, remained held Wednesday in the St. Clair County Jail on $1 million bail.

Emily had cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system. An older brother, William Perrin, of St. Louis, told the Post-Dispatch on Wednesday that Emily was a happy girl, despite the illness.

My little sister was an angel, a little princess, said Perrin. She always smiled, even though in life she was handed lemons. She had a difficult life."

Going crazy

The court records and police report that detail the day Emily died are tied to searches of Locketts car, cellphone, body and duplex at 105 North Ninth Street.

Dupo Police Sgt. Kevin Smith sought the warrants. His application includes a detailed account from Dupo Officer Michael Sullivan, the first officer to arrive at the duplex about 2:30 p.m. April 10.

Locketts roommate, Eric L. Kirk, told police that he had gone out to buy marijuana that afternoon. When he left, Lockett was smoking marijuana in her bedroom, police say.

Kirk, 42, came back 15 minutes later and found Lockett sitting on top of the little girl, pressing on her mouth and nose, according to court documents. Kirk pulled Lockett off Emily and called 911.

When police arrived, they found Emily on her back on the living room floor not breathing. Her lips were purple. Locketts 8-year-old son was standing in the bedroom doorway. Kirk was restraining Lockett, police say.

Lockett was going crazy inside the residence and saying she was going to kill herself, the police report says.

Sullivan performed CPR on Emily, and paramedics continued to try to resuscitate her on their way to St. Anthonys Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. She would have turned 5 the next day.

Paramedics took Lockett, 36, to Touchette Hospital in Centreville, where she was sedated for the safety of hospital staff, police say.

State concern

Police say Lockett made bizarre statements about a sword at the hospital, and they found a metal sword when they searched her Dodge Journey.

Locketts 19-year-old daughter told police that Lockett was on prescription medicine for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia but takes the medication inconsistently.

In their search of the home, police found medications used to treat schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. They found photographs of Lockett in sexual positions. Some of the photos include small children, court records say. The documents dont say more about who was depicted in the photos.

Veronica Resa, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, confirmed that the agency had been working with Lockett since June 2015.

Citing privacy issues, Resa declined to give specifics about the initial call that brought Lockett to the agencys attention. She also would not say what kind of help the state agency provided to the family. Resa did say, however, that there was no physical abuse involved.

She has never been violent toward her children before, Resa said. She said the agency had been trying to keep the family unified.
University of Missouri-Columbia graduate assistants have voted in favor of forming a union.

The vote was 668-127.

The move almost certainly sets the stage for a legal fight with Mizzous administration over whether graduate assistants qualify as employees.

Graduate assistants are students pursuing advanced degrees. They also teach classes, grade papers and conduct research.

Similar to part-time instructors known as adjuncts, colleges and universities nationwide are increasingly relying on graduate assistants as a cheaper alternative to full-time professors.

As of last fall, Mizzou had 2,569 graduate assistants and 1,973 faculty members.

But within the UM System, graduate assistants arent recognized as employees.

We are seeking clarity on whether graduate students have legal rights to organize, spokesman John Fougere said. There is no legal precedent for that in current Missouri law to make that determination.

The issue of whether graduate assistants have standing to collectively bargain varies state-by-state and, in some cases, institution-to-institution.

Leonard Perez, an administrator with the National Labor Relations Board explains that, for private schools in particular, the issue has been unsettled for the past 25 years.

Right now, the NLRB doesnt recognize graduate assistants as employees. But that all depends on the political bent of the board at any given time, Perez said.

For public schools, the NLRB has no input and the matter is generally decided by the state, he said.

In Missouri, both sides have hired lawyers and are resigned to fight it out in court  the UM System vs. the Coalition of Graduate Workers, a campaign affiliated with the Missouri National Education Association.

Joseph Moore, a graduate instructor in Mizzous journalism school, said the university leaders could avoid a legal fight if they want to.

This vote represents the democratic will of grad students, he said. The onus is on the university to recognized this democratic result. The university absolutely has the authority to recognize graduate workers as employees; they are choosing not to.

Moore said hes optimistic graduate students will eventually prevail. I dont think its a question of if we will be recognized, but when, he said.

The push for unionization grew out of an uproar late last summer when the university abruptly stripped them of their health insurance subsidies just before the school year started.

After a loud outcry and a number of protests, university leaders eventually restored the benefits through 2017. Later, the university agreed to increase pay  in the form of stipends  for some graduate assistants.

But, for some, the trust between the university and graduate assistants has been damaged irreparably.

Our unofficial motto is: No more surprises, said Anahita Zare, the outreach chair for the universitys Forum on Graduate Rights.

Our ultimate goal is a contract that guarantees a salary and health care benefits, Zare said. We dont want anymore emails informing us 13 hours before school starts that we no longer have health insurance.
ST. LOUIS  Starting next school year, children in preschool through second grade in St. Louis Public Schools will no longer receive out-of-school suspension for acting out, but instead will learn about classroom expectations and receive counseling. And students with drug infractions at all grade levels will receive treatment as an option, rather than automatic punishment.

The changes approved by the Special Administrative Board on Tuesday mark a significant shift in discipline policy in the city school district, which was suspending nearly 30 percent of its elementary school population just three years ago.

We just think its the right thing to do, Superintendent Kelvin Adams said. What were trying to do is not say that our kids are bad, but that our kids need support.

The district will be pouring more resources toward social workers and counselors throughout the system to help students with whatever problems they may have, thanks to the passage of Proposition 1. Teachers will receive training throughout the year in student trauma to more proactively address certain behaviors.

We know to do this we need to provide ongoing professional development, said Stacy Clay, a deputy superintendent. It is a bit of a shift, but we believe it is an important one.

The district is the first in the St. Louis area to take this kind of stand after a report by the University of California, Los Angeles, last spring showed that black elementary school children were more likely to be suspended in Missouri than in any state in the nation. It called out St. Louis Public Schools as a top suspender. So far this year, city schools have issued 475 out-of-school suspensions to children in second grade or younger.

Since Adams became superintendent in 2008, the out-of-school suspension rate is down by more than half, partly because disruptive older students have been sent instead to alternative schools and online education programs.

This year a therapeutic school is helping 50 children in the elementary grades work through behavioral challenges. Area health partners next year will help provide drug treatment for students as an alternative to punishment for drug infractions.

Were trying to keep more of them in so we can work with them, so we can address issues with these children rather than sending them out, said Richard Gaines, a member of the SAB.

And by eliminating out-of-school suspension as an option for the youngest of students, Adams said he hopes to stop what many refer to as the school-to-prison pipeline.

Some experts say a troublesome cycle begins when a child is suspended in the early grades. They often return to school with the same behaviors. And future teachers expect bad behavior, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy.
JEFFERSON CITY  The day Jim O'Neill died, he and his wife Cindy fought about how many prescription drugs he was taking. Cindy left their Wildwood house to get a bite to eat and received a text from Jim: "I'm so sorry."

"I just figured  he's on my side of the story," she said. "And I get home later that evening and I can't find him anywhere. Searched everywhere. Found him on our porch swing with a shotgun between his knees."

Jim was prescribed opioid painkillers after he injured his back. O'Neill said Jim was also being treated for mild depression and attention deficit disorder. He wasn't a bad person, his widow said, but he had an addictive personality.

"There are people out there who have addictive personalities and you don't know until you've taken something whether that may be you," she said.

O'Neill, who was profiled by Post-Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger in February, told her story to the Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday. She testified along with health care professionals who want comprehensive access to patient prescription histories and members of law enforcement who say they are tired of arresting people addicted to painkillers.

They urged the committee to advance the Narcotics Control Act. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing.

Missouri is the only state without a prescription drug monitoring program, or PDMP, which experts say is an essential tool in combating opioid addiction, which has ravaged the country in recent years. Such a program would allow doctors and pharmacists to see patient prescription history to reduce "doctor shopping"  when addicts visit multiple doctors seeking similar prescriptions.

"This is not a silver bullet," state Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston and the bill's sponsor, told the committee. "I wish that we could say it curtails all abuse, but it doesn't. But it's definitely a tool that we don't have in our tool box. And wouldn't the families in Missouri love to see the decreases and the positive outcomes that these other states have seen?"

Opioid painkillers, while effective at treating pain, are also addictive and fall into the same category of drugs as heroin. Since 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths from opioids, including heroin and prescription painkillers, have quadrupled.

The Narcotics Control Act, or House Bill 1892, would require the state Department of Health and Senior Services to start tracking Schedule II through Schedule IV prescriptions in the state. Doctors wouldn't be required to use the database.

The bill advanced out of the House last month by a narrow margin after a campaign against the bill by some lawmakers and outside groups concerned about patient privacy.

Speed bumps

The same speed bumps in the House are present in the Senate, it appears. Before Rehder presented her bill, state Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, presented a bill of his own to the committee.

Under his proposal, the state Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs would track prescriptions, but doctors and pharmacists wouldn't be able to access the records. Instead, the bureau would alert authorities to suspicious cases. It would only go into effect if voters approved.

Schaaf said he is worried about infringing on the liberty of law-abiding citizens who had committed no crime. He said he would filibuster Rehder's bill if it came to the Senate floor as is.

"If you send the House bill to the floor without the referendum clause and the ballot language, it will surely die," Schaaf said. "If you strip the referendum clause from my bill  the Senate version  and send it to floor, it will surely pass. Because it did pass last year.

"Or you can do nothing," Schaaf said. "The choice is yours."

Those comments irked state Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, who sits on the committee.

"The fact, you know, you claim there's only one path and all roads lead through yourself," Schatz said. "Would that be a fair statement?"

"No. No, senator," Schaaf said. He repeated that the Senate could either pass Rehder's bill with a referendum clause or pass his bill without one.

Schatz asked why the voters would need to weigh in on Rehder's PDMP bill "when we are sent here to vote on issues."

"Are you just at the point where, you know, again, this is your way or no way?" Schatz asked. "Because ... you say you're not going to let this come to a vote if it isn't your way."

"No, I'd be more than happy to allow the way that is palatable that will protect "

"That's your way," Schatz said. "Senator, that's your particular way."

Schatz and Schaaf agreed that the two would continue talking about a possible way patients could opt out of having their information stored.

Other testimony

When proponents of Rehder's bill were done weighing in, it was time for those opposed to speak.

Dr. John Lilly, a physician from Springfield, said that the committee shouldn't evaluate Rehder's bill based on some of the emotional testimony they heard.

"One of my professors in business school had a lot of very good sayings," he said. "One of the best was, 'The plural of anecdote is anecdotes, not data.' Today, this committee has heard a lot of anecdotal evidence. ... Public policy must be based on data, not anecdotal evidence."

Proponents cite accounts from other states where PDMPs have led to fewer painkiller prescriptions. But opponents say that if addicts are denied drugs at the doctor, they are more likely to turn to heroin on the streets.

But allowing doctors access to past prescription information makes it easier to spot and treat risks before addiction takes hold, proponents say.

For Cindy O'Neill's husband, having a PDMP in Missouri might've helped save his life.

"Had he lived anywhere else there was a chance that my husband would still be here with us today," she told the committee. "But in Missouri, no, no  the one state that cost him his life, in my opinion."
ROCK HILL  A company has proposed a tax-abated residential development on the west side of McKnight Road north of Manchester Road.

Pulte Group Inc., a national firm that has done other developments in the St. Louis area, is behind the proposal. City officials had few details about it at Tuesday nights Board of Aldermen meeting.

The aldermen decided to issue a request for proposals to redevelop the site. The move is the first step for the city to consider Pultes request. The request said the city will not consider tax increment financing as an incentive.

The aldermen also decided to hire Development Strategies Inc. as a consultant on financial and land use matters relating to the project. Development Strategies is to prepare a blight study, development plan and tax impact statement in about four weeks. Pulte and the city will sign an agreement that requires the company to pay $43,500 for processing its proposal.

The development covers 17 lots on the west side of McKnight and on both sides of Charleville Avenue. Pulte has options for the properties, City Administrator Jennifer Yackley said. However, the request for proposals allows developers to include an area larger than the 17 lots, she said.

The site is north of a CVS drug store on the northwest corner of Manchester and McKnight. The site also is in an area that has been discussed for redevelopment for decades. At one point it was to be part of the Market at McKnight development.

On another matter, the board decided to hire Paric Corp. as project manager for construction of the citys new municipal center. Paric, one of five companies that sought the contract, will receive $215,445 for its work. The city will soon put out a request for qualifications for an architect to do the design work, Yackley said.
Two female Tasmanian devils, an endangered species, can now call the St. Louis Zoo home.

Their new $550,000 habitat in the Emerson Childrens Zoo opens April 28. The sisters arrival marks the first time in 30 years that the zoo has cared for this species.

Yindi (YIN-dee) and Jannali (JAN-al-ee), both age 2, arrived last month in St. Louis from Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, Australia. Tasmanian devils are found in the wild only in Tasmania, an island state of Australia.

The animals are the world's largest carnivorous marsupials and are well known for their intense vocalizations  an extremely loud screech  and their "Looney Tunes" cartoon character.

But they are also at risk. Tasmanian devil populations in the wild have been decimated since the emergence of devil facial tumor disease in 1996, which is spread through devils biting each other in fights.

The St. Louis Zoo is one of six selected U.S. zoos to care for Tasmanian devils as part of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, an Australian government initiative. As part of its commitment to this species, the Zoo provides funds to Australias Zoo Aquarium Association Wildlife Conservation Fund supporting Tasmanian devil population monitoring and management.

"These two animals will serve as ambassadors to raise awareness among our 3.2 million annual visitors about the need to save the wild devil population," said Jeffrey Bonner, chief executive officer of the Saint Louis Zoo, in a news release.

At the new habitat, zoo visitors will be able to view the Tasmanian devils through two eight-foot-by-eight-foot Ornilux glass panels. This is the first exhibit at the Zoo to incorporate this special glass, which is glazed with ultraviolet reflective striping that is highly visible to birds, yet almost invisible to humans.

"While their name makes Tasmanian devils sound scary, they are actually quite shy," said Alice Seyfried, curator of the Children's Zoo. "We are told the name devil may come from the sounds they make. They make eerie growls while searching for food at night. And when a group of them feeds together, they screech and scream. They really are fascinating animals to care for and observe.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect opening date for the animal exhibit.
MAPLEWOOD  The St. Louis County Elections Commission on Tuesday suspended Democratic Elections Director Eric Fey for two weeks without pay for the flaws that left dozens of county precincts without enough ballots in April 5 municipal elections.

County sources confirmed that Republican Director Gary Fuhr tendered his resignation at the Tuesday afternoon board meeting.

The commissioners however did not accept the resignation and asked Fuhr to reconsider, county sources said.

One other official, Laura Goebel, an elections coordinator, received a one-week unpaid suspension.

The commission made its judgment in a 90-minute session closed to the public and, for a time, to Fey and Fuhr.

I respect the boards decision, Fey said in a Tuesday evening text to a reporter.

Republican commissioner John Maupin said the board carefully weighed the circumstances surrounding the bungled election before reaching a conclusion based on the facts, not emotion.

There was a mistake made, simply a mistake. It was certainly not malicious, it was just a mistake, Maupin said.

But state Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, released a statement expressing disappointment in the limits of the discipline, after the disenfranchisement of hundreds if not thousands of St. Louis Countians.

Dogan continued, Since Governor Nixon stated that such disenfranchisement was unacceptable, I believe his next step should be to replace his appointed Commissioners who failed to hold anyone accountable through either resignation or termination.

West County Republican County Councilman Mark Harder echoed that sentiment in remarks to reporters after Tuesday evenings council meeting.

I thought there would be stricter penalties as well as someone taking the blame for the mishap of a couple of weeks ago, Harder said. Probably someone should have lost their job over this and just a one-week suspension or a two-week suspension doesnt make any sense with this whole situation.

Maupin defended the boards decision.

We dont take actions just to be taking actions, he said. We were interested in making sure we have a free and fair election process that allows everyone to vote who wishes to vote. And we will take whatever steps that are necessary to move that goal toward a reality.

Dogan said the House Task Force on Election Procedures and Accountability, of which he is vice chairman, will continue to investigate the situation.

In testimony in Jefferson City last week before a joint hearing by the task force and House Special Committee on Urban Affairs, Fey and Fuhr attributed the initial breakdown of the process to a glitch between the electoral software used by the state and county.

The four St. Louis County election commission members are appointed by the governor  two from each party. The commission in turn taps two directors, one from each party, to head the office. Fey, a Democrat, serves as lead director because he is a member of the party now holding the governors office.

Election headquarters is itself evenly staffed with 35 full-time Democrats and 35 full-time Republicans. Part-time workers, also selected on a bipartisan basis, make up the remainder of the workforce.

Races in question

In addition to the suspensions, Maupin said the board will examine four municipal races with outcomes that ended in doubt because of the issues that surfaced on April 5.

The races, brought to the commissioners attention by losing candidates, were for Berkeley mayor; an Overland City Council member in the 3rd Ward; a Town and Country alderman in the 2nd Ward; and a Sunset Hills alderman in the 1st Ward.

Frank Hardy, the Sunset Hills candidate, presented a petition to the commission Tuesday formally requesting a special election in his district. Hardy lost his April 5 challenge of incumbent Richard Gau by 73 votes.

All a candidate wants is a fair and honest election, Hardy told the commissioners. And, obviously, this one was not.

Candidates have 30 days from Tuesday  the day April 5 election tallies were certified  to file a request for a recount or special election with the St. Louis County Circuit Court. Election commissioners also may petition the court for a special election  an option Maupin did not rule out.

Town and Countrys Nan Kulkarni, a retired physician defeated in her first bid for public office, said Tuesday she is weighing the option of requesting a special election to rectify the irregularities in her aldermanic race.

Kulkarni said supporters began passing along word of a ballot shortage at the precinct closest to her home late on election day afternoon. Poll workers, she said, attempted to correct the problem by suggesting voters write in the name of Kulkarni or her opponent, Lindsey Butler.

Kulkarni said she had no way of knowing how many supporters went home without casting a ballot.

A nation that regularly sends observers to oversee free elections in other countries, Kulkarni lamented, cant even get it right in our own backyard.

County Executive Steve Stenger said he respected the decision of the independent board of commissioners to suspend Fey.

The county executive at the same time said the election authority really needs to get their act together and I want to see these problems fixed.

Maupin promised that addressing the woes that plagued the April 5 voting will be a top priority.

I think its fair to say that there will be no ballots going out of here that wont be double, triple and quadruple checked from this day forward, the commissioner said. And that is one of the protocols we are going to insist on.
LONDON MARKET CLOSE: FTSE 100 ends higher; Mordaunt makes UK PM tilt

Friday, October 21, 2022 - 17:22

The pound regained some poise on Friday afternoon but remained in precarious territory, after falling below the $1.11 mark in afternoon trade.

The pound was quoted at $1.1203 at the close on Friday, down versus $1.1294 at the London equities close on Thursday. It hit an intraday low of $1.1063 not long after midday.

Sterling was hurt by continued political uncertainty. Speculation about who will join Penny Mordaunt in throwing their hats in the ring in the race for Number 10 continues. Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, one-time neighbours at Number 10 and 11 Downing Street - but now bitter rivals - have pockets of support from Tory MPs.

Adding to the pressure on sterling, disappointing UK retail sales data showed a bigger-than-expected decline in September, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Retail sales fell 6.9% annually in September, with the decline accelerating from a 5.6% fall in August. It also was worse than FXStreet-cited market consensus, which had expected a fall of just 5%.

The pound had initially found some support on Thursday after Liz Truss called an end to her disastrous tenure as prime minister - poking above $1.13 - but has since been dragged lower.

The FTSE 100 index closed up 25.82 points, or 0.4%, at 6,969.73 - closing out the week up 1.6%.

The FTSE 250 lost 182.38 points, or 1.1%, at 17,206.55, but still managed to gain 1.0% this week, and the AIM All-Share ended down 1.04 points, or 0.1% at 785.40 - but advanced 0.8% over the past five days.

The Cboe UK 100 closed up 0.4% at 696.31, the Cboe UK 250 ended down 1.0% at 14,694.15, and the Cboe Small Companies lost 0.3% at 12,240.46.

In European equities on Friday, the CAC 40 in Paris lost 0.9%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt gave back 0.3%.

The Tories have begun to declare their allegiances in the party's second leadership contest of the year as speculation mounts over who will seek to replace Truss at the helm of the party.

Supporters of Johnson are backing the former prime minister to make an extraordinary political comeback, while ex-chancellor Sunak and Commons Leader Mordaunt also have the public support of several MPs.

Mordaunt become the first to declare her candidacy, with a pledge to re-unite the bitterly divided party.

The leader of the House  who finished third in the last leadership election  said she had been encouraged by the support she had received from fellow Conservative MPs.

There has also been no declaration yet from Sunak, who did not answer questions from reporters as he left his home on Friday morning.

Whoever does win will face an immediate test, choosing whether to go ahead with the planned Halloween statement setting out how the government intends to get the public finances back on track, Downing Street has said.

Work is continuing in Whitehall, led by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, in preparation for the medium-term fiscal plan to be announced on October 31 along with an updated set of economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility.

However, a Number 10 spokeswoman said it would be up to Liz Truss's successor to decide whether to proceed with that approach and with the same timetable.

In London, blue chip miners helped push FTSE 100 higher. Glencore gained 3.6%, Anglo American 3.1%, Antofagasta 2.7%, and Rio Tinto added 1.6%.

Retailers, however, were showing weakness after the disappointing UK retail sales data. A profit warning from Adidas did nothing to help the mood either.

JD Sports closed down 6.1%, Frasers 4.0%, Burberry 2.2%, and Next shed 2.9%.

On Thursday, Adidas lowered annual guidance as it struggles with "deteriorating traffic" in China and high inventory levels.

The sports apparel maker said it has needed to turn to "higher clearance activity" to try and shift stock.

It lost 9.0% in Frankfurt.

Deliveroo gained 3.6%.

The London-based online food delivery service said gross transaction values rose 8.3% annually in the third quarter to 1.70 billion from 1.57 billion, though orders fell by 1.1% to 72.8 million from 73.6 million.

Deliveroo said the decline in orders was due to a difficult consumer environment. With economic data on Friday showing that UK consumer confidence remains near record lows, this seems unlikely to change anytime soon.

InterContinental Hotels gave back 2.2% but reported strong revenue growth in the third quarter to September 30, saying that high global employment levels are boosting occupancy levels.

Revenue per available room, or RevPAR, rose 28% year-on-year and now exceeds its pre-pandemic level, being up 2.7% on the third quarter of 2019.

In the third quarter of 2022, the average daily rate increased by 13% compared to a year ago and was up 11% on 2019.

Chief Financial Officer & Head of Strategy Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson will leave the company in six months time to become CFO of Flutter Entertainment in the first half of 2023.

IHG has started the process of finding a new CFO.

The euro stood at $0.9802 Friday evening, down against $0.9822 at the close on Thursday.

Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP148.03, compared to JP149.77 late Thursday. The yen was staging a fightback after the open on Wall Street, after nearly hitting JP152 during the Asia session.

Stocks in New York opened higher on Friday, with the DJIA up 1.1%, the S&P 500 index up 0.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite was 0.6% higher.

Brent oil was quoted at $92.84 a barrel late Friday, down from $93.29 late Thursday. Gold was quoted at $1,643.70 an ounce Friday, up against $1,641.90 from Thursday.

In the international economics events calendar next week, Monday will be dominated by a slew of composite PMIs, with Japan overnight followed by Germany, eurozone and the UK in the morning then the US in the afternoon. A quiet Tuesday will be headlined by a US house price index.

On Wednesday, there is Chinese GDP, retail sales and industrial production overnight, then on Thursday attention will be on the European Central Bank interest rate decision at 1315 BST. Friday will be headlined by a Bank of Japan rate decision.

In the local corporate calendar on Monday, there are half-year results from Dr Martens, while education publishing firm Pearson will issue a third quarter update.

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If you read StogieGuys.com regularly, youre aware of the danger the seemingly imminent FDA regulation of cigars poses. While were proud to have covered this issue in more depth and longer than any other media outlet, the FDA is hardly the only threat cigars face.

Taxes and smoking bans are two other prominent attacks on cigar rights, but even adding those doesnt encompass the full scale of the multi-front attack on cigar freedom. To that end, here are three under-the-radar attacks on the freedom to smoke cigars.

Limitations on Shipping Cigars

Last year, FedEx announced they would no longer be allowing cigars to be shipped as of the beginning of 2016. The company cited the complex regulatory environment as part of the reason for its decision to cease shipments. Although consumers are unlikely to notice the change since FedEx had been used mostly by manufacturers and distributors to ship cigars to retailers, the change is part of a larger trend that is cutting off legal business from using the necessary tools of commerce.

The same regulatory environment that led FedEx to stop shipments is likely to spread with UPS being the next likely target. FedEx faced a massive lawsuit from the state of New York for shipping untaxed cigarettes into the state, even though the company has no way of knowing the contents of the millions of packages it transports every day. UPS is currently facing a similar lawsuit. Weve heard UPS has attempted to refuse to open accounts with new cigar businesses. While so far these are isolated incidents, if the shipment of cigars were left solely to the hands of the United States Postal Service, it would drive up the cost of business, not to mention leave legal cigar shipments entirely in the hands of a federal bureaucracy influenced more by the whims of politics than the motivation to satisfy customers needs.

Restricting Cigar Business Access to Banking and Credit Services

Starting in 2013, the Department of Justice began an initiative called Operation Choke Point with the goal of cutting off financial services to high-risk businesses for fraud. But critics have said Choke Point has been used to target many legal businesses deemed undesirable by the current administration, which includes tobacco retailers.

Multiple cigar retailers have already been dropped by their credit card processors or banks, according to the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR). And a Department of Justice list, since taken down from its website, lists tobacco sales as one of the targeted businesses. Running a business without access to reputable banking and credit card services is impossible in todays environment. Already, cigar retailers have had longstanding relationships severed, the effect of which is a hidden tax that drives up the cost of transactions involving completely legal cigar purchases.

Crackdown on Cigar Groups on Social Media

On Monday, multiple cigar groups on Facebook were shut down. The move was the result of sweeping action by Facebook that shuttered numerous private groups involving cigars, beer, whiskey, and other alcohol. Facebook is a private company and can allow or ban whatever it wants. But it isnt a stretch to suspect something more is behind the move, especially considering there are any number of ugly and hateful things posted by users on the social media giants platform.

In many of those cigar and booze groups, sales and trades were taking place. Facebooks terms of service note that activity involving tobacco and alcohol must be age-restricted and specific users are responsible for following all applicable laws. Even though surely many transactions were initiated in these groups that werent in full compliance with the law, the response wasnt to ban specific users but to eliminate entire groups with thousands of users. Federal law generally protects internet companies from being held responsible for the postings of its users (otherwise Facebook, Twitter, or even any blog with a large number of comments could be sued out of existence). But likely either in anticipation of, or in direct response to, threats that it would be held responsible by authorities for any such activities, Facebook simply eliminated targeted groups.

Patrick S

photo credit: YouTube.com
By Barani Krishnan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose 4 percent on Wednesday after a smaller-than-expected build in U.S. crude inventories offset glut worries stirred by the end of a Kuwaiti strike, and as oil bulls bet that major crude producers would meet again to try to curtail output.

Moscow, however, denied media reports that Russia planned to host such a meeting. Just on Sunday, Russia and OPEC nations failed to reach an agreement on freezing production at a meeting in Doha, Qatar.

"There is no such agreement" for producing nations to meet in Russia, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak was quoted as saying by RIA news agency.

Earlier, Russia said it was ready to ramp up its oil output in a further fallout after producers failed to reach a deal for a freeze.

Brent's front-month contract settled up $1.77, or 4 percent, at $45.80 a barrel. It had fallen to a session low of $42.81.

U.S. crude's front-month contract, May, which expired at Wednesday's settlement, finished up $1.55, or 3.8 percent, at $42.63 a barrel. The session low was $39.85.

Oil prices rebounded after the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said crude stocks rose 2.1 million barrels last week, compared with forecasts for a 2.4 million-barrel build and industry group American Petroleum Institute's data showing a 3.1 million-barrel rise.

"It's overall mixed and slightly supportive, with total stocks of refined products and crude oil combined declining slightly," said Dominick Chirichella, senior partner at the Energy Management Institute in New York.

Prices of ultra-low sulfur diesel, also known as heating oil, rose 5 percent and hit 4-1/2-month highs after the EIA report showed an unexpected drop in stockpiles of distillates, which include diesel.

Gasoline rose more modestly, about 1 percent, after inventories for the motor fuel fell just about a tenth of expected levels.

"Distillates are the standout bullish element of the report and gasoline is the disappointment," said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at New York-headquartered energy data provider ClipperData.

Crude prices had initially tumbled as the Kuwaiti oil and gas industry called off a three-day strike and reports later said six supertankers had lined up at Kuwait's crude export terminal to load oil. Kuwait has also raised its oil output to 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) from 1.1 million on Sunday.

(Additional reporting by Simon Falush in LONDON; Editing by David Gregorio; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Devon Energy Corp. (NYSE: DVN) announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its non-core Mississippian assets in northern Oklahoma to White Star Petroleum, LLC for $200 million. The transaction is subject to customary terms and conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2016 with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2016.

This is another important step in executing on our plan to divest $2 billion to $3 billion of non-core assets across our portfolio during 2016, said Dave Hager, president and CEO. Proceeds will be used to further strengthen our investment-grade balance sheet. Additionally, this timely transaction accelerates Devons efforts to focus exclusively on its best-in-class resource plays in onshore North America.

Net production from the Mississippian assets averaged 12,800 oil-equivalent barrels (Boe) per day in the first quarter of 2016, of which approximately 30 percent was oil. At Dec. 31, 2015, proved reserves associated with these properties amounted to 11 million Boe. Field-level cash flow accompanying these assets, which excludes overhead costs, totaled $8 million in the first quarter.

The divestiture process for the Companys remaining non-core assets is ongoing. Devon is marketing its 50 percent interest in the Access Pipeline in Canada and anticipates an announcement in the first half of 2016. Efforts to monetize remaining upstream assets in the U.S. are also progressing. Data rooms for upstream assets have been open since early March and bids are expected in the second quarter. Overall, Devon remains on track to complete its $2 billion to $3 billion of non-core divestitures by year end.

Jefferies LLC acted as the lead financial advisor to Devon on the transaction. RBC Richardson Barr also acted as a financial advisor to Devon on the transaction. Vinson & Elkins LLP acted as legal advisor to Devon.
Pembina Pipeline Corporation (NYSE: PBA) announced that that the Company has completed its previously announced acquisition (the "Transaction") of certain sour natural gas processing assets (the "Assets") from Paramount Resources ("Paramount").

"I am very pleased to add these large-scale, newly constructed and integrated assets to our Cutbank Complex," said Jaret Sprott, Pembina's Vice President, Gas Services. "These assets will substantially increase Pembina's service offering through the addition of sour processing and strengthens our strategic positioning in one of our core areas. Furthermore, these assets will support some of the most economic geology in North America and are underpinned by a 20 year take-or-pay commitment."

The Transaction was funded through net proceeds from the Company's previously announced common share offering, which closed on March 29, 2016, as well as existing capacity under the Company's recently increased $2.5 billion credit facility.

For additional information on the Transaction, including a description of the Assets acquired, please see Pembina's website at www.pembina.com.
Seventy Seven Energy Inc. (NYSE: SSE) today announced that it has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement (the Agreement) with certain lenders (the Incremental Term Loan Lenders) representing 92.0% of the outstanding principal amount under the Companys Incremental Term Supplement (Tranche A) loan and certain noteholders (the Consenting 2019 Noteholders) collectively owning or controlling in excess of 57.7% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Companys 6.625% senior notes due 2019 (the 2019 Notes). The terms of the Agreement provide for a substantial deleveraging of the Companys balance sheet by converting approximately $1.1 billion of the Companys bond debt into new common equity without interrupting the Companys daily operations. The Agreement outlines an expected restructuring through a prepackaged plan of reorganization (the Plan).

$1.1 Billion of Existing Debt to be Converted into New Common Equity

Trade Creditors, Suppliers and Contractors to be Paid in Full in the Ordinary Course

Customer Contracts to Continue Uninterrupted

Today's announcement is a clear endorsement by the stakeholders of Seventy Seven Energy in the future of this company, Chief Executive Officer Jerry Winchester said. The exchange of debt for equity will provide us with a significantly deleveraged balance sheet, and we will emerge from this process as a stronger company. After a thorough evaluation of our options, we are confident this is the correct path that will enable us to take advantage of our operational strengths and strong asset base to proactively grow our business as market conditions improve.

A key component of the Plan is that all trade creditors, suppliers and contractors will be paid in the ordinary course of business. All of the Companys commercial and operational contracts will remain in effect in accordance with their terms preserving the rights of all parties, and customer relationships will continue uninterrupted. Employees can expect that operations will continue as usual and they will be paid in the ordinary course. The Company intends to commence a prepackaged Chapter 11 proceeding on or before May 26, in order to implement the Plan. The pre-packaged Chapter 11 filing will follow a solicitation process that is expected to commence on April 22.

The Companys 8-K filing today outlines certain terms of the Plan. Significant elements of the Plan include:

payment in full in the ordinary course of all trade creditors and other general unsecured creditors;

the exchange of the full $650.0 million of the 2019 Notes into either 96.75%, if the holders of the 2022 Notes vote as a class to accept the Plan, or 98.67%, if the holders of the 2022 Notes vote as a class to not accept the Plan, of the Companys new common stock to be issued in the reorganization (New Common Stock);

the exchange of the full $450.0 million of the 2022 Notes for (i) 3.25% of the New Common Stock as well as warrants exercisable for 15% of the New Common Stock at predetermined equity values (the 2022 Warrants), if the holders of the 2022 Notes vote as a class to accept the Plan, or (ii) 1.33% of the New Common Stock, if the holders of the 2022 Notes vote as a class to not accept the Plan;

the issuance by the Company, if all classes of claims entitled to vote accept the Plan, to existing common stockholders of the Company of two series of warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 20% of the New Common Stock at predetermined equity values;

the reinstatement of the Companys existing $400 million secured term loan on identical terms; and

the payment of a consent fee equal to 2% of the Incremental Term Loan plus $15 million of the outstanding Incremental Term Loan balance, together with the reinstatement of the remaining $84 million balance of the Incremental Term Loan on identical terms other than the suspension of any prepayment premium for a period of 18 months.

The Company has set up a toll-free information line to answer questions about this announcement. The information line can be accessed by calling (844)224-1136 (internationally +1 (917) 962-8386). The Company has also posted FAQs on its website at 77NRG.com/Restructuring/.

Baker Botts LLP is serving as legal counsel and Lazard Freres & Co. LLC has been engaged as financial advisor to Seventy Seven Energy. Alvarez & Marsal is restructuring advisor to the Company.
By Svea Herbst-Bayliss

BOSTON (Reuters) - Hedge fund Citadel is launching a new stock-picking unit later this year and has hired industry veteran Richard Schimel to run it, illustrating the $24 billion firm's commitment to a sector where it has expanded dramatically in the last year.

The company said Schimel will join as a senior managing director and will sit on the firm's investment committee while overseeing the still unnamed new unit.

"With Richard's hire we continue to execute our talent growth strategies, establishing teams in talent-rich locations while also providing ample opportunities to promote and develop existing team members through a number of platforms," Citadel wrote to investors in a letter seen by Reuters.

Schimel said he expects to hire as many as 70 people in the first year alone. Six to eight teams with seven to nine members each will cover all key stock sectors.

Schimel previously ran Diamondback Capital Management, a prominent hedge fund that counted Blackstone Group and many pension funds as clients.

The new unit will be based in Greenwich, Connecticut, marking the first time Chicago-headquartered Citadel will have a major presence in a state that is home to Steven A. Cohen's Point72 Asset Management and many other hedge funds.

A year ago Citadel launched Ravelin Capital, a new stock picking unit in San Francisco. It also has two other units, Global Equities and Surveyor Capital.

The expansion further underscores the resurgence of Kenneth Griffin's Citadel which has steadily rebuilt since losing roughly 50 percent during the 2007-09 financial crisis on the back of riskier bets. The firm's flagship Kensington and Wellington funds gained 14 percent last year, a year in which the average hedge fund lost money.

It also illustrates how Citadel is sticking with a multi-manager platform at a time when funds with this type of format have experienced some troubles.

Citadel replaced Jon Venetos as head of Surveyor earlier this year and laid off more than two dozen employees in the wake of losses.

"Investors will continue to want low net, market neutral strategies and we think this is going to be a substantial opportunity for Citadel," Schimel said. He also noted that it is a good time to be hiring since many smaller firms are struggling right now.

For Schimel the move to Citadel marks a full comeback.

He was forced to shut down Diamondback when the firm he co-founded with Larry Sapanski and Chad Loweth was touched by the U.S. government's insider-trading investigation. Neither Diamondback nor its founders were ever charged with any wrongdoing.

Former Diamondback partners earlier this year received a $3 million refund from the Securities and Exchange Commission paid years ago to settle civil charges related to the insider trading case.

At its peak, Diamondback employed 260, including 50 portfolio managers, and once had as much as $6 billion in assets.

After Diamondback, Schimel set up hedge fund Sterling Ridge but like many smaller firms, it struggled to gain traction and most recently managed only about $250 million. Investors have been told that the firm is being shut down and the portfolio is being liquidated.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; editing by Lisa Von Ahn, G Crosse)
Newcomers bring decades of experience to organization dedicated to lowering recidivism

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Danny Ludeman, CEO and President of Concordance Academy of Leadership, announced the addition of two senior level executives, naming Jeff Smith as EVP, Head of Community Engagement & Policy, and Mary Beth Bulte as EVP, Head of Comprehensive Care. Additionally, Ben Hanna joins the Academy as Onboarding Specialist, and Monica Horton will serve as Services & Counseling Coordinator. Bulte, Hanna and Horton have already joined the organization, while Smith is slated to start in June. All four hires will fill critical roles for the organization, which focuses on assisting individuals as they re-enter society from prison.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005434/en/

Dr. Smith comes to the Academy with a robust record of educational and public service achievements. A St. Louis native, Smith who graduated Phi Beta Kappa from University of North Carolina  Chapel Hill, received masters and doctorate degrees in political science from Washington University, where he later taught. He also has taught at Dartmouth College and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. After narrowly losing a 2004 U.S. Congressional bid, Smith was elected to the Missouri Senate in 2006, where he sponsored sentencing reform legislation that was signed into law in 2009. Smith spent 2010 in federal prison after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice stemming from an FEC investigation related to his 2004 race. Smith wrote about his experience as part of a broader call for systemic reform in Mr. Smith Goes to Prison: What My Year Behind Bars Taught Me About Americas Prison Crisis, which C-Span named one of 2015s top books. Most recently, Smith has served as assistant professor in the urban policy graduate program at The New School in New York City.

Smith will spearhead the creation of an extensive national volunteer network for the Academy, enlisting thousands of volunteers in the organizations initial years. He also will lead community engagement efforts, pushing stakeholders and lawmakers for smart policy changes that benefit both justice-involved adults and the communities to which they return.

This opportunity hits at the very heart of why Concordance Academy exists  creating second chances that are real and tangible, Smith said. I made a big mistake that led to my incarceration, and remain grateful to The New School for hiring me after prison. Now, I am proud to join an organization committed to helping others get the type of second chance I received  the opportunity to own their past and redefine their future. Im excited to offer this perspective as I work to engage the larger community in this endeavor.

Bulte brings more than 30 years of behavioral health experience to the Academy, where she will focus on delivery of services. She most recently served as Executive Director for Behavioral Health at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, providing management of behavioral health services for patients with psychiatric illness and substance abuse disorders. Bulte managed a team of 25 specialists, a network of over 2,000 licensed specialists and, under her leadership, Mercy managed services for more than 400,000 people. She also worked closely with research-based organizations to refine programs to improve outcome quality. Bulte has a masters degree in social work from Washington Universitys Brown School and a masters in business administration from Maryville University.

Mary Beth has served effectively in a practitioner role, and she has a track record of excellence in care management models, with a proven ability to implement them at scale, Ludeman said. Her leadership skills and compassion will drive the Academy forward, helping us build a solid infrastructure for service delivery.

Hanna has spent nearly 10 years working with justice-involved adults, primarily in legal defense settings. The majority of that time was spent with The Bronx Defenders, a nationally recognized holistic public defense office in New York. He has co-taught on criminal justice issues at Columbia University School of Social Work, in addition to facilitating advocacy training at New York University School of Law. He has a masters in social work from Columbia University and a bachelors degree in mass communication and media arts from Southern Illinois University  Carbondale. In his role at the Academy, Hanna will assist with staff hiring and training; pre- to post-release service design and practice approaches; and developing education and employment models.

Ben brings direct practical experience with an organization that, like Concordance, believes in a holistic approach to addressing these problems, Ludeman said.

As a Services & Counseling Coordinator, Horton will be responsible for delivering evidence-based interventions to participants before they are released from prison. Over the last 25 years, she has worked in case management, clinical coordination, counseling and behavioral health roles, specifically serving patients struggling with substance abuse disorders. Horton received her masters degree in professional counseling from Lindenwood University and a bachelors degree in social work from Southern Illinois University  Carbondale.

Monicas significant experience in developing treatment and aftercare plans for patients will be critical to the success of Academy participants as they prepare for their transition back to their communities, Ludeman said. All four of these new hires are valuable additions to our core team.

The Concordance Initiative was created to address reincarceration and its many associated social problems. The Initiative is the first holistic, integrated and evidence-driven model in the country that engages the public, private and academic communities in providing quality services tailored to reentering prisoners. At its foundation is a partnership between Concordance Academy of Leadership, the service-providing arm, and Concordance Institute for Advancing Social Justice, a research center housed at Washington University Brown School that identifies and tests best practices to inform the Academys work.

The Academys curriculum includes education and job readiness, employment, substance abuse, mental health, cognitive and relationship skills, housing and life in the community. Six months prior to release, the Academy assesses each enrollee  academically, cognitively and socially  to create a customized plan for each individual. Upon release, participants engage in a yearlong integrated program. Resources include an internal employment agency and in-patient substance abuse treatment facility.

Led by Dr. Carrie Pettus-Davis, the Institute is the first research center in a school of social work dedicated to scientific discovery focusing on the issues of reincarceration. Pettus-Davis has 15 years of experience designing and delivering programs in criminal justice and community settings. Other national experts on the subject serve on the Institutes Scientific Advisory and Executive boards.

The Institute aims to advance science, igniting a real-time feedback loop, to improve well-being of individuals and families impacted by criminal justice system involvement. Its four primary functions are to conduct rigorous real-world research, utilizing randomized controlled trials; innovate and introduce new interventions and services; identify and propose evidence-informed policy reforms; and disseminate best practices in the field, facilitating further scientific exploration and advancement.

Concordance Academy will deliver services, first in St. Louis, and then scaled up and replicated in other cities to achieve national impact. Earlier this month, the organization announced nearly $2 million in pledged funding from St. Louis County, St. Charles County and the City of St. Louis. In total, more than $12 million in contributions from the public and private sectors, including major employers in the region, has been secured.

Those interested in learning more about Concordance Academys volunteer movement and how to get involved as an individual, group or business, can e-mail [email protected].

The Concordance Academy of Leadership and the Concordance Institute for Advancing Social Justice is a collaborative initiative of public, private and academic support to offer groundbreaking services to individuals returning to communities from incarceration, backed by innovative research from the Brown School at Washington University. To learn more about the Concordance Academy and its services, please visit www.concordanceacademy.com, and to learn more about the Concordance Institute and its research, please visit www.concordanceinstitute.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005434/en/

HLK

Erin Smith, 314-571-6313

[email protected]

Source: Concordance Academy of Leadership
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, April 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heineken N.V. (EURONEXT: HEIA; OTCQX: HEINY) today announces its trading update for the first quarter of 2016.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Consolidated beer volume grew 7.0% organically, positive across all regions

Heineken volume in the premium segment grew 4.8%

The first quarter is seasonally less significant in terms of both volume and profit to full year HEINEKEN group results.

CEO STATEMENT Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board & CEO, commented: "This has been a good first quarter supported by a strong Vietnamese and Chinese New Year period and the earlier timing of Easter. There was good volume growth in Americas and Europe. In Africa Middle East & Eastern Europe, volume growth reflected easier comparatives in Nigeria, and the region remains challenging. Our full year expectations remain unchanged. Adverse currency development continues to weigh on results and foreign exchange markets remain volatile."

FIRST QUARTER VOLUME BREAKDOWN

Key figures1 (in mhl or %) 1Q16 Total growth % Organic growth % 1Q15 Consolidated beer volume Heineken N.V. 43.5 11 7.0 39.3 Africa Middle East & Eastern Europe 9.0 12 4.6 8.1 Americas 13.5 9.4 8.2 12.4 Asia Pacific 5.8 31 23 4.4 Europe 15.2 5.2 2.3 14.4

Heineken (in mhl or %) 1Q16 Organic growth % Heineken in premium segment 7.0 4.8 Africa Middle East & Eastern Europe 1.0 -0.8 Americas 2.3 6.5 Asia Pacific 1.6 5.2 Europe 2.1 5.8

Heineken volume in the premium segment grew by 4.8%. Key markets contributing to this growth included Brazil, France, Spain, Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. (CCU) markets, Vietnam, Mexico, and the UK.

1 Refer to the Definitions section for an explanation of organic growth.

REGIONAL REVIEW

Africa Middle East & Eastern Europe

Organic consolidated beer volume growth of 4.6% was driven by growth in Nigeria and Ethiopia. Elsewhere in the region, volume was challenging and remains weak, with both affordability and lower tourism continuing to impact performance. Excluding Nigeria, volume would have been down organically for the region.

In Nigeria volume was flattered by an easy comparative given the election in the same period last year; cycling the forthcoming quarters will be more difficult. Underlying trading conditions remain tough and the weaker consumer environment, due to the low global oil price, continues to drive negative brand mix. It is becoming increasingly challenging to obtain hard currency in the market, and the uncertainty regarding a possible devaluation of the Naira continues to impact the business adversely.

In Russia the market remains under pressure, with our volume down mid-single digit.

Americas

Organic consolidated beer volume growth of 8.2% was led by continued growth in Mexico , Brazil , the US and the Caribbean.

In Mexico volume was up double digit and benefited from the earlier timing of Easter, as well as the positive economic backdrop. Tecate Light and Dos Equis continue to perform strongly.

In Brazil volume grew mid-single digit, with strong double digit Heineken volume growth.

In the US both sales and depletions were positive, outperforming the overall market.

Asia Pacific

Organic consolidated beer volume was up 23%, with double digit volume growth in Vietnam , Indonesia and Cambodia .

In Vietnam strong volume growth reflected the successful Vietnamese New Year campaign and the continued momentum of the Tiger brand.

In China higher sales around the Chinese New Year resulted in volume growth.

In Indonesia volume was up double digit, flattered by the low comparable last year when the market destocked heavily ahead of the minimart regulation change.

Europe

Organic consolidated beer volume growth of 2.3% was helped by mild weather in some countries as well as the earlier timing of Easter.

In Spain, France, the UK, Austria, Poland and Italy volume development was positive.

In the Netherlands volume was down slightly due to less participation in Off Trade pricing promotions.

REPORTED NET PROFIT Reported net profit in the quarter was 265 million (2015:579 million). Note that last year the comparative included the exceptional post tax book gain of 379 million from the EMPAQUE sale.

TRANSLATIONAL CURRENCY UPDATE Assuming spot rates as of 15 April 2016 the calculated negative translational currency impact for 2016 would be approximately 80 million at consolidated operating profit (beia), and 50 million at net profit (beia). Foreign exchange markets remain very volatile.

DEFINITIONS Organic growth excludes the effect of foreign currency translational effects, consolidation changes, accounting policy changes, exceptional items and amortisation of acquisition-related intangibles.

ENQUIRIES

Media John Clarke Director of External Communication Michael Fuchs Financial Communications Manager E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +31-20-5239355 Investors Sonya Ghobrial Director of Investor Relations Marc Kanter / Gabriela Malczynska Investor Relations Manager / Analyst E-mail: [email protected] Tel: +31-20-5239590

Editorial information: HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, the Group has a powerful portfolio of more than 250 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business and delivers value for all stakeholders. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ more than 73,000 people and operate more than 160 breweries in over 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY). Most recent information is available on HEINEKEN's website: www.theHEINEKENcompany.com and follow us via @HEINEKENCorp.

Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements with regard to the financial position and results of HEINEKEN's activities. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond HEINEKEN's ability to control or estimate precisely, such as future market and economic conditions, the behaviour of other market participants, changes in consumer preferences, the ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and achieve anticipated synergies, costs of raw materials, interest-rate and exchange-rate fluctuations, changes in tax rates, changes in law, change in pension costs, the actions of government regulators and weather conditions. These and other risk factors are detailed in HEINEKEN's publicly filed annual reports. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only of the date of this press release. HEINEKEN does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Market share estimates contained in this press release are based on outside sources, such as specialised research institutes, in combination with management estimates.

Click here for full media release http://hugin.info/130667/R/2004927/740404.pdf

HUG#2004927

Source: HEINEKEN NV
POULTNEY, Vt., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Robert (Bob) W. Allen, President and CEO of The Windham Foundation of Grafton, Vermont, and an experienced leader of academic and business institutions, has been named the eighth President of Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont. He will succeed Dr. Paul Fonteyn, the College's president for the past eight years, who is retiring. Allen will assume the presidency on July 1st.

Green Mountain College, which was founded in 1834, declared its environmental mission in 1995 with the launch of the environmental liberal arts curriculum. The Princeton Review, a respected source of college ratings, ranks Green Mountain as the "Second Greenest School in the US". In 2011 Green Mountain became the second school in the country to reach carbon neutrality in its operations. Allen is committed to continuing Green Mountain College's commitment to economic, social and environmental sustainability.

"Bob Allen is an inspired choice," said Dr. Anthony Cortese, Chair of the College's Board of Trustees. "Bob's passion for the school's mission, his commitment to Vermont and his background in academia, business and non-profit leadership is the unique combination of talents that Green Mountain needs.

"We are forever grateful to our retiring president Paul Fonteyn, whose leadership has been critical in expanding the quality of the faculty and students and bringing national recognition to Green Mountain College. Bob is the right person to continue his work."

Allen has been President and CEO of The Windham Foundation since 2011. Prior to this role, Allen was a senior executive of the Vermont Country Store for 25 years, was named President and CEO of the company in 1994, and retired at age 55 in 2005. During his time in office, the company dramatically expanded, with the number of employees growing from 50 to more than 600, with profit sharing and annual bonuses awarded every year. After retiring from Vermont Country Store, Allen worked as a business consultant and interim president of the Direct Marketing Association in New York City before joining the Windham Foundation.

From 1995 to 2007, Allen served on the board of Champlain College, which he chaired from 2005 to 2007. He headed the search committee that brought former College President David Finney to Champlain in 2005, and was the co-chair of the College Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. All of the recommendations of that committee were implemented within six months of its report, including the appointment of a Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Champlain continues to be a leading institution in promoting the benefit of greater campus diversity.

"The mission of Green Mountain College to foster a sustainable future is what drew me to applying for the presidency," said Allen. "We must move as quickly as possible to a more sustainable society. My generation  the Baby Boomers  set out to change the world, but unfortunately, we have failed to live up to our goals. Future generations have the enormous task of fixing the situation we have created, and Green Mountain is committed to being a part of the solution. Green Mountain College will succeed by staying true to its mission and becoming even more focused on fostering the global ideals of environmental and individual responsibility, civic engagement and entrepreneurial spirit. I am excited to have the opportunity to help lead that effort."

Allen is a first generation college graduate, with a Magna Cum Laude degree in mathematics and a minor in economics from the University of Rhode Island. He and his wife, Karen, are residents of Dorset, Vermont, where Allen served on the local school board as well as serving as a trustee of Burr and Burton Academy of Manchester, Vermont. They have two children; daughter Chelsea and son Connor.

A national search for President Fonteyn's successor began in September 2015, when he announced his plan to retire at the end of the academic year. The Presidential Search Committee was co-chaired by college trustees Deborah Granquist and Robert Charlebois and included six trustees and representatives of the faculty, staff and student government. The Committee selected Allen from a pool of 68 applicants.

Deborah Granquist said "The extraordinary range of experience and talents that Bob brings will ensure that Green Mountain not only holds its ranking as one of the top environmentally focused schools of higher education in the U.S., but will gain even more recognition for its unique combination of liberal arts education and an emphasis on sustainability."

"Small colleges like Green Mountain face extraordinary challenges," said Charlebois. "Bob Allen has a wide range of skills to take us to the next level of leadership in education for the next century and we are delighted that he will lead Green Mountain forward."

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SOURCE Green Mountain College
MONACO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG) (the "Company") announced today that the Company plans to issue its first quarter 2016 earnings before the market open on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 and will host a conference call later in the day at 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time and 4:30 PM Central European Summer Time.

Conference Call Details:

Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time and 4:30 PM Central European Summer Time.

Participants should dial into the call 10 minutes before the scheduled time using the following numbers: 1 (888)-205-6875 (U.S.) or +1 (913)-312-0685 (International). The conference participant passcode is 2946006. The information provided on the teleconference is only accurate at the time of the conference call, and the Company will take no responsibility for providing updated information.

Slides and Audio Webcast:

There will also be a simultaneous live webcast over the internet, through the Scorpio Tankers Inc. website www.scorpiotankers.com. Participants to the live webcast should register on the website approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

Webcast URL: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/610/14769

About Scorpio Tankers Inc.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. is a provider of marine transportation of petroleum products worldwide. Scorpio Tankers Inc. currently owns 78 product tankers (20 LR2, 14 Handymax, and 44 MR tankers) with an average age of 1.5 years and time charters-in 12 product tankers (two LR2, one LR1, four MR and five Handymax tankers). The Company has contracted for 11 newbuilding product tankers (eight MR and three LR2 tankers). The three LR2s are expected to be delivered in 2016 (one per quarter), and the eight MRs are expected to be delivered throughout 2017. The Company has also reached an agreement to sell two of its 2014 built MR product tankers. Additional information about the Company is available at the Company's website www.scorpiotankers.com, which is not a part of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intends," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation, and specifically decline any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the failure of counterparties to fully perform their contracts with us, the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for tanker vessel capacity, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, charter counterparty performance, ability to obtain financing and comply with covenants in such financing arrangements, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

Scorpio Tankers Inc. 212-542-1616

Source: Scorpio Tankers Inc.
By Lizbeth Diaz

COATZACOALCOS, Mexico (Reuters) - Twenty-four people died after a leak caused a deadly petrochemical plant blast, and the death toll could still rise, Mexican oil giant Pemex said on Thursday, the latest in a series of fatal accidents to batter the company.

Pemex CEO Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, who traveled to the site of Wednesday's blast near the port of Coatzacoalcos, one of Pemex's top oil export hubs, told local television it was unclear what caused the accident.

The massive explosion at the facility's chlorinate 3 plant in the Gulf state of Veracruz also injured 136 people, 13 of them seriously. Another 18 people were unaccounted for, and one badly damaged part of the plant had yet to be scoured.

"We know there was a leak, what we don't know is why, but everything points to an accident," Gonzalez Anaya said.

He shared an updated death toll at a press conference late on Thursday, adding that remediation of the site could take up to a year. He denied the blast was tied to the economic problems of Pemex, which is trying to stem sliding output and slash costs as it creaks under the pressure of low crude prices.

The sharp odor of ammonia filled the air and the plants' turbines still streamed gray smoke on Thursday afternoon, where local and municipal police, as well as marines, blocked the entrance to the facility.

Most officials wore blue face masks to protect against the fumes, while family members crowded around, their faces uncovered, demanding more information on missing relatives and at times throwing objects at the officials or pushing them. Others held hands and prayed for the missing and dead.

"We are desperate because no-one is coming out to show their face," said Ancelma Cordero, 49, whose 21-year-old brother is one of the missing and has not responded to his cellphone.

She said she had been waiting since the prior night and her head was starting to hurt.

"They told us we were breathing toxins and we should leave," she said of authorities. "But ... if we leave, they could make the bodies disappear."

Calling it a "tragic accident", President Enrique Pena Nieto headed to the region late Thursday to tour the facility with local officials and speak with victims and their families.

The blast occurred at a vinyl petrochemical plant that is a joint venture between Pemex's petrochemical unit and majority owner Mexican plastic pipe maker Mexichem . Pemex operates the larger petrochemical complex where the plant was located, known as Pajaritos.

The plant produces some 900 tons a day of vinyl chloride monomer, also known as chloroethene, an industrial chemical used to produce plastic piping. The joint venture had forecast sales of $260 million this year. Shares in Mexichem closed 5.2 percent lower on Thursday.

"This is neither the time for excuses nor finding those to blame," Juan Pablo del Valle, Mexichem's chairman, said on Twitter. "It is the time to tend to the injured, be accountable and support all those affected."

In February, a fire killed a worker at the same plant, the latest in a litany of safety disasters that have plagued the state oil giant.

In 2013, at least 37 people were killed by a blast at its Mexico City headquarters, and 26 people died in a fire at a Pemex natural gas facility in northern Mexico in September 2012.

A 2015 fire at its Abkatun Permanente platform in the oil-rich Bay of Campeche affected oil output and cost the company up to $780 million.

(Reporting by Tomas Bravo, Anahi Rama, Veronica Gomez, Gabriel Stargardter and Joanna Zuckerman Bernstein, writing by Alexandra Alper and Anna Yukhananov; Editing by Simon Gardner, Alan Crosby and Himani Sarkar)
The company logo of Halliburton oilfield services corporate offices is seen in Houston, Texas April 6, 2012. REUTERS/Richard Carson

By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS - European Union antitrust regulators are set to warn U.S. oil industry services group Halliburton Co (NYSE: HAL) that its plan to buy Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI) will hurt competition, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The move will add to Halliburton's woes after the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit this month to stop the deal because the combined company would only compete with Schlumberger NV (NYSE: SLB) in 20 business lines in the global well drilling and oil industry construction services industry.

The warning in the form of a so-called statement of objections from the European Commission could come as soon as next week, the people said. Such a move typically means the EU watchdog is poised to block a merger unless companies provide concessions to address its concerns.

Commission spokesman Ricardo Cardoso declined to comment. Halliburton did not immediately reply to an email for comment.

The Commission has previously voiced worries that the deal may reduce competition and innovation.

Halliburton is willing to sell assets from both companies with a combined 2013 revenue of $5.2 billion but has yet to make a formal offer to regulators.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by David Clarke)
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 20, 2016

Independence Contract Drilling, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 001-36590 37-1653648 (State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation) (Commission

File Number) (IRS Employer

Identification Number)

11601 North Galayda Street

Houston, Texas 77086

(Address of principal executive offices)

(281) 598-1230

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

Operational Update and Preliminary Unaudited Selected Financial Data for First Quarter 2016

Operational Update.

Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. (the Company) provides the following operational update relating to its rig operations:

 At the end of the first quarter of 2016,

 five rigs were operating and four rigs were earning revenue on standby-without-crew basis;

 one rig was earning early termination revenues;

 two rigs were idle; and

 one rig was substantially converted to 200 Series ShaleDriller pad-optimal status and one decommissioned rig was scheduled for conversion to 200 series pad-optimal status pending improved market conditions.

 During the first quarter of 2016, the Company successfully extended contracts for two rigs operating in the spot market on a multi-well basis through late in the second quarter of 2016.

 During the first quarter of 2016, in exchange for agreeing to a standby-without-crew accommodation, the Company successfully extended the duration of a term drilling contract that was scheduled to expire in December 2016 through the first quarter of 2017 without a reduction in operating dayrate.

Subsequent to the first quarter of 2016, the Company had one term contract expire in accordance with its terms. The rig subject to this contract is being actively marketed but has not been re-contracted as of April 20, 2016. Consequently, the Company currently has four rigs operating, four rigs earning revenue on a standby-without-crew basis, one rig earning early termination revenues and one additional rig going to idle status.

Standby-without-crew status is an accommodation the Company permits under its drilling contracts which allows the Company to receive a reduced dayrate without incurring material operating expenses thus realizing full expected margins under the term contract. In the majority of the Companys contracts that permit standby-without-crew status, the term of the contract extends based upon the number of days the customer maintains the rig under such classification.

Preliminary Unaudited Selected Financial Data for First Quarter 2016.

While the Company has not yet finalized its financial statements for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016, set forth below are certain preliminary estimates of the results of operations that it expects to report for the quarter. The Companys independent public accountants have not reviewed these estimates and the Companys actual results may differ materially from these estimates due to the completion of its financial closing procedures, final adjustments and other developments that may arise between now and the time the financial results for the first quarter are finalized. For the first quarter of 2016, the Company expects to report:

 revenue days: between 940-950, excluding ten revenue days associated with the early termination of a contract at the end of the first quarter of 2016;

 revenues: between $22.2 million and $22.5 million;

 net loss: between $0.4 million and $0.7 million;

 net loss per share: between $.02 and $.03 per share;

 EBITDA (as defined below) between $6.2 million and $6.4 million; and

 Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) between $7.3 million and $7.4 million.

The range of expected revenues includes approximately $0.2 million associated with the early termination of a contract with an original term expiring at the end of the second quarter of 2016. The rig associated with this contract was previously earning revenue on a standby-without-crew basis. The Company expects to recognize approximately $1.6 million of revenue associated with the early termination of this contract during the second quarter of 2016. The range of expected loss compares favorably to previously reported guidance principally due to better than expected rig level costs during the quarter, deferral of rig preservation activities and associated costs of approximately $0.3 million into the second quarter of 2016, and the recognition of previously described early termination revenue during the quarter.

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Outstanding borrowings under the Companys revolving credit facility at March 31, 2016, are expected to be approximately $62.7 million, and the Companys estimated borrowing base under its revolving credit facility at March 31, 2016, adjusted for the recent revolving credit facility amendment and related matters, was approximately $86.4 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures that are used by management and external users of the Companys financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. The Company defines EBITDA as earnings (or loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, and it defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before stock-based compensation, and non-cash asset impairments and gain (or loss) on asset disposition. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of net income as determined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

The Companys management believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful because such measures allow the Company and its stockholders to more effectively evaluate its operating performance and compare the results of its operations from period to period and against its peers without regard to its financing methods or capital structure. The Company excludes the items listed below from net income (loss) in calculating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within the Companys industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered alternatives to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss), the most closely comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of the Companys operating performance or liquidity. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a companys financial performance, such as a companys cost of capital and tax structure, as well as stock-based compensation and the historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are components of Adjusted EBITDA. The Companys presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that its results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. The Companys computations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table reconciles the Companys range of estimated net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to its range of estimated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2016:

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2016 (Estimated data; in millions) Low High Net loss $ (0.7 ) $ (0.4 ) Interest expense, net $ 1.0 $ 1.0 Income tax provision $ 0.0 $ 0.0 Depreciation and amortization $ 5.9 $ 5.8 EBITDA $ 6.2 $ 6.4 Exclusions: Stock-based compensation $ 1.2 $ 1.1 Gain on asset disposition $ (0.1 ) $ (0.1 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 7.3 $ 7.4

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The information provided in this Item 7.01 shall not be deemed to be filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), nor shall it be incorporated by reference in any filing made by the Company pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, other than to the extent that such filing incorporates by reference any or all of such information by express reference thereto.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Independence Contract Drilling, Inc. Date: April 20, 2016 By: /s/ Philip A. Choyce Name: Philip A. Choyce Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________________

FORM 8-K/A

(Amendment No. 1)

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): April 15, 2016

ATRINSIC, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 000-51353 06-1390025 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

149 Fifth Avenue, Suite 500, New York, NY 10010 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

212-994-8200 (Registrants telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Explanatory Note

This Amendment No. 1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2016 is being filed to correct the number of Placement Agent Warrants (defined below) issued at the Final Closing (defined below) and the total number of Placement Agent Warrants issued in the Offering (defined below).

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On April 15, 2016, Atrinsic, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), completed the final closing (the Final Closing) of its previously announced private placement (the Offering) of equity securities. At the Final Closing, the Company offered and sold an aggregate of 420,260 shares (Shares) of its Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.000001 per share (Series B Preferred Stock), at a price of $1.25 per Share, to accredited investors (as defined under Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act)), for total gross proceeds of $525,325. Each investor entered into a Subscription Agreement (each, a Subscription Agreement) and a Registration Rights Agreement (each, a Registration Rights Agreement) with the Company in connection with each investors investment at the Final Closing.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of approximately $505,187.50 from the Final Closing for working capital and general corporate purposes.

As was previously announced, on February 12, 2016, the Company completed the first closing of the Offering, at which 2,775,000 shares at a price of $1.25 per Share were sold to accredited investors for total gross proceeds of $3,468,750, which included the conversion of $500,000 of principal and accrued interest owed by the Company and Protagenic Therapeutics, Inc. (Protagenic). The first closing was conducted simultaneously with the completion of the Companys merger (the Merger) with Protagenic. On March 2, 2016 the Company completed the second closing of the Offering, at which the Company issued an additional 913,200 Shares to accredited investors, for total gross proceeds of $1,141,500.

The offer, sale and issuance to the investors of the Shares at the Final Closing have been made in reliance on the statutory exemption from registration in Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, have not been registered under the 1933 Act, and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws.

The Company paid Katalyst Securities LLC, its placement agent (the Placement Agent), and its selected dealers a cash commission of 10% of the funds raised from the investors participating in the Final Closing who were introduced by the Placement Agent or its selected dealers. In addition, the Placement Agent and its selected dealers received warrants (the Placement Agent Warrants) to purchase a number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock equal to 10% of the Shares sold to investors at the Final Closing who were introduced by the Placement Agent or its selected dealers. As a result of the foregoing arrangement, at the Final Closing, the Placement Agent and its selected dealers were paid commissions of $20,032.50, and the Placement Agent and its selected dealers were issued Placement Agent Warrants to purchase 16,026 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. The Placement Agent Warrants have registration rights pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement discussed below.

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For all three closings, the Company raised total gross proceeds of $4,635,575 and total net proceeds of $4,283,437.50 (or total gross proceeds of $5,135,575 and total net proceeds of $4,783,437.50, including the conversion of the $500,000 in principal and interest referred to above). The Company issued 4,108,460 Shares to investors in the Offering. The Placement Agent and its selected dealers were paid total cash commissions of $159,182.50 and the Placement Agent was paid an expense allowance of $15,000 and was issued (together with its selected dealers) Placement Agent Warrants to purchase 127,346 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share.

The Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the investors in the Offering. Under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to file a registration statement covering the resale of the shares of the Companys common stock (the Registrable Securities) underlying the Series B Preferred Stock and that are issuable on exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants within 120 days from the Final Closing of the Offering, and to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective no later than 90 days after it is filed.

The Company agreed to use reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement through the one year anniversary of the date the registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), or for such shorter period ending on the earlier to occur of (i) the date as of which all of the Offering investors may sell all of their Registrable Securities without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or (ii) the date when all of the Registrable Securities shall have been sold.

The foregoing descriptions of the Registration Rights Agreement, Subscription Agreement and Placement Agent Warrants and the transactions contemplated therein and thereby, do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements, instruments and documents, which are filed herewith, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This Current Report on Form 8-K is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein. This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c of the 1933 Act.

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information disclosed under Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index below are filed with this report.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ATRINSIC, INC. Date: April 20, 2016 By: /s/ Alexander Arrow Name: Alexander Arrow Title: Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description 4.5 Form of Placement Agent Warrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2016) 10.1 Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, by and between Atrinsic, Inc. and the investors in the Private Offering (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2016) 10.2 Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between Atrinsic, Inc. and the investors in the Private Offering (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2016) 10.3 Placement Agency Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2016) 10.4 Delaware Escrow Agreement, by and between Atrinsic Inc., Depositor and Delaware Trust Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2016)
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

IMMUNOCLIN CORPORATION

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

45256L 109

(CUSIP Number)

Castor Management Services Inc.

9107 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Attn: Mark Jordan, President

949.423.7127

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of Filing Persons)

April 5, 2013

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See  240.13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( Act ) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No. 45256L 109

1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. Castor Management Services Inc. 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a)  (b)  3. SEC USE ONLY 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS OO 5. CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(D) OR 2(E) X 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Nevada

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 0 (See Item 4 for additional information relating to the Reporting Person's ownership of shares of Series A Preferred Stock). 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 0 (See Item 4). 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 (See Item 4). 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 (See Item 4).

11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 0 12. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES  13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0% 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO

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Item 1. Security and Issuer

This statement on Schedule 13D (this  Schedule 13D ) relates to the common stock, par value $0.001 per share (each, a  Share , and collectively, the  Shares ), of Immunoclin Corporation, a Nevada corporation ( Immunoclin  or the  Issuer ). The principal executive offices of Immunoclin are located at 1420 N Street NW, Suite 102, Washington, DC 20005.

Item 2. Identity and Background

This Schedule 13D is being filed by Castor Management Services Inc. (the  Reporting Person ), a Nevada corporation, which has sole voting and dispositive power over 0 Shares. Mark Jordan is the President of the Reporting Person and is a citizen of the United States.

The principal business of the Reporting Person is providing financial and business development services to its clients.

The Reporting Person and each of the persons identified above has a business address at 9107 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

Under an agreement with the Reporting Person, Raymond C. Dabney became a beneficial owner of the Shares. All information relating to Mr. Dabney is incorporated by reference to the Schedule 13D filed by Mr. Dabney on April 14, 2016.

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

The Reporting Person acquired the beneficial interest in the Shares that triggered the filing of this Schedule 13D as further described in Item 4 hereto.

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction

On April 5, 2013, the Reporting Person entered into a management agreement with the predecessor of the Issuer, Pharma Investing News, Inc. (the " Issuer's Predecessor "), pursuant to which the Issuer's Predecessor issued 10,000,000 shares of common stock to the Reporting Person as compensation for performing consultant services. Pursuant to a prior agreement with the Reporting Person, Raymond C. Dabney became a beneficial owner of these shares of common stock. This issue increased the Reporting Person's beneficial ownership from 0 to 10,000,000 shares of common stock and its beneficial ownership percentage from 0% to 65.1%.

On December 13, 2013, the Issuer's Predecessor entered into a takeover agreement with Immunoclin Limited, a United Kingdom corporation (" IMC "), to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of IMC from its founder and sole shareholder, Dorothy Bray, in exchange for the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of the Issuer's Predecessor's stock. Also on December 13, 2013, the Issuer issued to Mr. Dabney 1,000,000 shares of common stock as compensation for performing consultant services. These issues decreased the Reporting Person's ownership percentage from 96.5% to 46.8%. (Previously such interest had increased to 96.5% due to the cancellation of outstanding shares of common stock). Under the terms of this takeover agreement, Ms. Bray and the Reporting Person were also each to be issued 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Issuer. As also noted above, pursuant to a prior agreement with the Reporting Person, Mr. Dabney also became a beneficial owner of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to the Reporting Person.

3

On December 13, 2013, the Issuer's Predecessor also entered into the Control Shareholder Agreement (the " CSA ") with the Reporting Person, BHD Holding B.V., Khadija Benlhassan-Chahour, Ph.D. and CSJ Group LLC. Under the terms of the CSA, the Reporting Person and the other control shareholders agreed to place all 1,000,000 shares of the issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Stock under the beneficial control of the control shareholders in pool with an escrow agent. As of the date hereof, there are 1,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock (the " Certificate of Designation ") established the Series A Preferred Stock as a new class of the Issuer's securities. The Certificate of Designation states, in part, that for as long as there are any of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, the holders of such shares, voting separately as a class, will have the right to vote on all shareholder matters equal to 51% of the total vote. In addition, for as long as there are any of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, the Issuer will not, without the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding Series A Preferred stockholders, (i) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Issuer that may adversely affect the rights or preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock, (ii) effect reclassification of the Series A Preferred Stock, or (iii) designate any additional series of preferred stock that may adversely affect the rights or preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock. Finally, the Certificate of Designation prohibits the Issuer, without the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding Series A Preferred stockholders, from amending, altering or repealing any provision of the Certificate of Designation; provided, however, that the Issuer is permitted to make corrective or similar changes to the Certificate of Designation. The foregoing description of the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the Certificate of Designation filed as Exhibit 3.1 of the Issuer's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2014.

On January 14, 2015, the Reporting Person entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Mr. Dabney, pursuant to which the Reporting Person sold its 10,000,000 shares of common stock of the Issuer to Mr. Dabney on January 30, 2015. This decreased the Reporting Person's beneficial ownership from 10,000,000 to 0 shares of common stock and its ownership percentage from 34.7% to 0% of the shares of common stock. Also on January 14, 2015, the Reporting Person entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Reporting Person sold its 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Issuer to Mr. Dabney.

The Reporting Person retains the right to change its investment intent, from time to time to acquire additional Shares or other securities of the Issuer, or to sell or otherwise dispose of (or enter into plans or arrangements to sell or otherwise dispose of), all or part of the Shares or other securities of the Issuer, if any, beneficially owned by it, in any manner permitted by law. The Reporting Person may engage from time to time in transactions with financial institutions and other parties with respect to the Shares as permitted by law. Other than as described above, the Reporting Person currently has no plans or proposals which would be related to or would result in any of the matters described in Items 4(a)-(j) of the Instructions to Schedule 13D. However, as part of the ongoing evaluation of investment and investment alternatives, the Reporting Person may consider such matters and, subject to applicable law, may formulate a plan with respect to such matters, and, from time to time, the Reporting Person may hold discussions with or make formal proposals to management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer or other third parties regarding such matters as permitted by law.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer

(a)  (b) The responses to Items 7 to 13 on page two of this Schedule 13D are incorporated herein by reference.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) Other than as described in Item 4 above relating to a prior agreement whereby Raymond C. Dabney became the beneficial owner of 10,000,000 shares of common stock and 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock that were previously directly owned by the Reporting Person and subsequently sold to Mr. Dabney, the Reporting Person does not know of any person having the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares beneficially owned by the Reporting Person.

(e) The Reporting Person ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Issuer's common stock on January 30, 2015.

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

Other than reported in Item 4, to the knowledge of the Reporting Person, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the persons named in Item 2 above, or between such person and any other person with respect to the securities of the Issuer, including, but not limited to, transfer or voting of any securities, finders fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.

4

Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits

Exhibit 1 Management Agreement, dated April 5, 2013.

Exhibit 2 Control Shareholder Agreement, dated December 13, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Issuer's Predecessor's Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 20, 2013).

Exhibit 3 Certificate of Designation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Issuer's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2014).

Exhibit 4 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 14, 2015 (10,000,000 shares of common stock) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 of the Schedule 13D filed by Raymond C. Dabney on April 14, 2016).

Exhibit 5 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 14, 2015 (500,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 of the Schedule 13D filed by Raymond C. Dabney on April 14, 2016).

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SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: April 18, 2016

Signature:

CASTOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC. By: /s/ Mark Jordan Mark Jordan, President

6

Exhibit 1

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") effective as of the Fifth (5th) day of April, 2013 (the Effective Date), entered into between Pharma Investing News, Inc., a Nevada Corporation, with its principal offices located at 1810 East Sahara Avenue, Suite 1571, Las Vegas, Nevada 89104 (the Company or PINV) and Castor Management Services Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of Nevada, having an address at principal offices located at 9107 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (the Consultant) in connection with the provision of the Consultants services to the Company.

WHEREAS:

A. The Company is an internet-based company that provides advertising solutions to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies;

B. The Company wishes to engage the services of the Consultant as an independent contractor of the Company; and

C. The Company and the Consultant have agreed to enter into a consulting agreement for their mutual benefit.

THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES THAT in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

1. ENGAGEMENT AS A CONSULTANT

1.1 The Company hereby engages the Consultant as an independent contractor of the Company for financial and business development services (collectively the Services) and the Consultant accepts such engagement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2. TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT

2.1 The term of this Agreement shall begin as of the Effective Date and shall continue for a three (3) year period or until terminated earlier pursuant to Sections 10 and 11 herein (the Term). Any renewal period for this Agreement shall be at the sole discretion of the Company along with the renewal term including any compensation for services during the renewal term.

3. CONSULTANT SERVICES

3.1 The Consultant shall undertake and perform the duties and responsibilities commonly associated with the financial and business development. The Consultant agrees that its duties may be reasonably modified at the Companys and the Consultants mutual agreement from time to time.

3.2 In providing the Services the Consultant shall:

 comply with all applicable local statutes, laws and regulations;

 not make any misrepresentation or omit to state any material fact which results in a misrepresentation regarding the business of the Company;

Page 1 of 6 Initials ____ ____

 not disclose, release or publish any information regarding the Company without the prior written consent of the Company; and

 not employ any person in any capacity, or contract for the purchase or rental of any service, article or material, nor make any commitment, agreement or obligation whereby the Company shall be required to pay any monies or other consideration without the Company's prior written consent.

4. CONSULTANT COMPENSATION

4.1 Management Fees . As compensation, the Company shall pay the Consultant Ten Million (10,000,000) Rule 144-restricted shares of PINV common stock with a fair market value of seven cents ($0.07) per share, par value $0.001 per share, for services rendered to the Company under this Agreement. Any shares issued for renewal periods under this Agreement shall be at the sole discretion of the Company.

5. NO REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES

5.1 The parties agree that the Compensation hereunder shall be inclusive of any and all fees or expenses incurred by the Consultant on the Consultants own behalf pursuant to this Agreement including but not limited to the costs of rendering the Services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall reimburse the Consultant for any bona fide expenses incurred by the Consultant on behalf of the Company in connection with the provision of the Services provided that the Consultant submits to the Company an itemized written account of such expenses and corresponding receipts of purchase in a form acceptable to the Company within 10 days after the Consultant incurs such expenses. However, the Company shall have no obligation to reimburse the Consultant for any single expense in excess of $500 dollars or $3,000.00 dollars in the aggregate without the express prior written approval of the Companys Board of Directors.

6. CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1 The Consultant shall not disclose to any third party without the prior consent of the Company any financial or business information concerning the business, affairs, plans and programs of the Company its Directors, officers, shareholders, employees, or consultants (the "Confidential Information"). The Consultant shall not be bound by the foregoing limitation in the event (i) the Confidential Information is otherwise disseminated and becomes public information or (ii) the Consultant is required to disclose the Confidential Informational pursuant to a subpoena or other judicial order. As a material inducement to the Company entering into this Agreement, the Consultant shall, at the Companys request, execute a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement in a form mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Consultant.

7. GRANTS OF RIGHTS AND INSURANCE

7.1 The Consultant agrees that the results and proceeds of the Services under this Agreement, although not created in an employment relationship, shall, for the purpose of copyright only, be deemed a work made in the course of employment under the Canadian law or a work-made-for-hire under the United States law and all other comparable international intellectual property laws and conventions. All intellectual property rights and any other rights (including, without limitation, all copyright) which the Consultant may have in and to any work, materials, or other results and proceeds of the Services hereunder shall vest irrevocably and exclusively with the Company and are otherwise hereby assigned to the Company as and when created. The Consultant hereby waives any moral rights of authors or similar rights the Consultant may have in or to the results and proceeds of the Consulting Services hereunder.

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7.2 The Company shall have the right to apply for and take out, at the Company's expense, life, health, accident, or other insurance covering the Consultant, in any amount the Company deems necessary to protect the Company's interest hereunder. The Consultant shall not have any right, title or interest in or to such insurance.

8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

8.1 The Consultant represents, warrants and covenants to the Company as follows:

(a) the Consultant is not under any contractual or other restriction which is inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement, the performance of the Services hereunder or any other rights of the Company hereunder;

(b) the Consultant is not under any physical or mental disability that would hinder the performance of its duties under this Agreement;

9. INDEMNIFICATION

9.1 The Consultant shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its partners, financiers, parent, affiliated and related companies, and all of their respective individual shareholders, directors, officers, employees, licensees and assigns from and against any claims, actions, losses and expenses (including legal expenses) occasioned by any breach by the Consultant of any representations and warranties contained in, or by any breach of any other provision of, this Agreement by the Consultant.

9.2 The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Consultant, its partners, financiers, parent, affiliated and related companies, and all of their respective individual shareholders, directors, officers, employees, licensees and assigns from and against any claims, actions, losses and expenses (including legal expenses) occasioned by any breach by the Company of any representations and warranties contained in, or by any breach of any other provision of, this Agreement by the Company.

10. NO OBLIGATION TO PROCEED.

10.1 Nothing herein contained shall in any way obligate the Company to use the Services hereunder or to exploit the results and proceeds of the Services hereunder; provided that, upon the condition that the Consultant is not in material default of the terms and conditions hereof, nothing contained in this section 10.1 shall relieve the Company of its obligation to deliver to the Consultant the Compensation. All of the foregoing shall be subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Companys right of termination, disability and default).

11. RIGHT OF TERMINATION.

11.1 The Company and the Consultant shall each have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time in its sole discretion by giving not less than 30 days written notice. Upon termination of this agreement all monies due to the contractors will be considered paid in full for the term the services were performed. Upon termination of this agreement, the consultant shall continue to work with the company to fulfill the obligations of this agreement.

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12. DEFAULT/DISABILITY.

12.1 No act or omission of the Company hereunder shall constitute an event of default or breach of this Agreement unless the Consultant shall first notify the Company in writing setting forth such alleged breach or default and the Company shall cure said alleged breach or default within 10 days after receipt of such notice (or commence said cure within said ten days if the matter cannot be cured in ten days, and shall diligently continue to complete said cure). Upon any material breach or default by the Consultant of any of the terms and conditions hereof, or the terms and conditions of any other agreement between the Company and the Consultant for the services of the Consultant, the Consultant may cure said alleged breach or default within 10 days after receipt of such notice (or commence said cure within said ten days if the matter cannot be cured in ten days, and shall diligently continue to complete said cure), or the Company shall immediately have the right to suspend or to terminate this Agreement and any other agreement between the Company and the Consultant for the services of the Consultant.

13. COMPANY'S REMEDIES.

13.1 The services to be rendered by the Consultant hereunder and the rights and privileges herein granted to the Company are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary and intellectual character which gives them a peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in an action at law, it being understood and agreed that a breach by the Consultant of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall cause the Company irreparable injury and damages. The Consultant expressly agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive and/or other equitable relief to prevent a breach hereof the Consultant. Resort to such equitable relief, however, shall not be construed as a waiver of any other rights or remedies which the Company may have in the premises for damages or otherwise.

14. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

14.1 Nothing herein shall be construed as creating a partnership, joint venture, or master-servant relationship between the parties for any purpose whatsoever. Except as may be expressly provided herein, neither party may be held responsible for the acts either of omission or commission of the other party, and neither party is authorized, or has the power, to obligate or bind the other party by contract, agreement, warranty, representation or otherwise in any manner. It is expressly understood that the relationship between the parties is one of independent contractors.

15. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

(a) Time . Time is of the essence of this Agreement.

(b) Presumption . This Agreement or any section thereof shall not be construed against any party due to the fact that said Agreement or any section thereof was drafted by said party.

(c) Titles and Captions . All article, section and paragraph titles or captions contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed part of the context nor affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

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(d) Further Action . The parties hereto shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or forbear from all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

(e) Savings Clause . If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

(f) Assignment . The Company may assign this Agreement, in whole or in part, at any time to any party, as the Company shall determine in its sole discretion; provided that, no such assignment shall relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder unless consented to by the Consultant in writing. The Consultant may assign this Agreement with the prior written consent of the Company.

(g) Notices . All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be delivered, either personally or by express delivery service, to the party to be notified. Notice to each party shall be deemed to have been duly given upon delivery, personally or by courier, addressed to the attention of the officer at the address set forth heretofore, or to such other officer or addresses as either party may designate, upon at least ten days written notice, to the other party.

(h) Entire agreement . This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement among the parties. There are no other agreements, conditions or representations, oral or written, express or implied, with regard thereto. This Agreement may be amended only in writing signed by all parties.

(i) Jurisdiction and Venue. It is the intention of the parties hereto that this Agreement and the performance hereunder and all suits and special proceedings hereunder be construed in accordance with and under and pursuant to the laws of the State of Nevada. Therefore, each of the parties hereto hereby consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Nevada.

(j) Waiver . A delay or failure by any party to exercise a right under this Agreement, or a partial or single exercise of that right, shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right.

(k) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in duplicate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that the document is signed by one party and faxed to another the parties agree that a faxed signature shall be binding upon the parties to this agreement as though the signature was an original.

(l) Successors . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon all parties, their successors and permitted assigns.

(m) Counsel . The parties expressly acknowledge that each has been advised to seek separate counsel for advice in this matter and has been given a reasonable opportunity to do so.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.

PHARMA INVESTING NEWS, INC.

Per: /s/ Robert Lawrence Robert Lawrence, President

CASTOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC.

Per: /s/ Mark Jordan Mark Jordan, President
Arun Kumar was killed inside his Railside Dairy in Henderson. His killer's sentence has been reduced on appeal.

A young killer who stabbed an Auckland dairy owner to death has had his sentence reduced and could be free by the end of the year.

The 14-year-old boy, who has name suppression, was sentenced to six years in prison with a minimum non-parole period of three years and three months.

He was 13 when he stabbed to death west Auckland dairy owner Arun Kumar on June 10, 2014.

SUPPLIED Arun Kumar, 57, was stabbed to death.

The teenager was with another boy, aged 12, who also has name suppression, who was found not guilty of manslaughter by jury in the High Court.

READ MORE:

* Kumar family reaction to jury decisions

* The killing of Arun Kumar - a trial walking a tightrope of "welfarising" a criminal issue

* Dairy killer jailed for six years

The older teen was charged with murder but escaped that conviction - he was instead found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced in July last year to six years behind bars, with a minimum non-parole period of three years and three months.

However, that sentence has been successfully appealed in the Court of Appeal.

The teen could now be free by the end of the year, with a new reduced sentence of four-and-a-half years - and no minimum non-parole period.

Appeal court judge Justice John Wild explained: "Based on our proposed sentence of four and a half years imprisonment, P [an initial used to anonymise the prisoner] would be eligible for parole after 18 months.

"That would be around the end of this year or early next year when P will be 16, or almost 16."

The Court of Appeal found the sentencing judge had erred in imposing a minimum non-parole period for the teenager, and also decided the killer should have been granted a greater discount for the his reduced mental faculty.

A large part of the teen's defence had focussed on a brain injury he suffered as an 8-year-old, when he was hit by a taxi travelling about 50kmh.

A medical report available to the courts outlined the effect the injury had on the teenager's reasoning on the day of the killing: "although knowing right from wrong, [P] was significantly reduced in his capacity to choose right from wrong, due to his lasting brain injury impairments.

"He could not use his knowledge normally to control his actions on the day and in the situation in the dairy. He had less control than another person his age would have had in the same circumstances due to his brain damage."

In June 2015, after verdicts had been read out in the Auckland High Court, the Kumar family said the justice system had failed.

"We're now living in this society where kids are on drugs, roaming the streets with weapons at the ready. It should never have come to this," Arun Kumar's son Shivneel Kumar said at the time.

"Our dad meant so much to us that we can't even begin to describe it. We don't want another family to ever experience this. We hope lessons are learned. Dad did not deserve this, neither did we."
New Zealand is looking down the barrel of a generation of renters.

New Zealand is looking down the barrel of a generation of renters.

Everyone agrees that is an issue, but no one can agree on how to solve it.

National's David Bennett says councils need to free up land, Labour's Nanania Mahuta doesn't know what to do, but says it's the children who are going to be worse off and the Reserve Bank is rumoured to be looking at further restrictions for lending on homes.

Several financial commentators are suggesting on May 11 the Reserve Bank will set macro-prudential policy, or targeted rules in regards to lending on houses, to try and level out the property market.

One suggestion that has been strongly touted is an increase in the required deposit - to 30 per cent.

READ MORE:

* Resurgent housing market could herald more mortgage restrictions: economists

* Reserve Bank's new loan restrictions for Auckland property investors

* Property experts say Bill English's housing crash warning may not move market

Bennett, who is the Hamilton East MP, pointed the blame squarely onto local government.

"What we really need is more supply coming in, councils need to free up more land," Bennett said.

Add to that the number of building consents being issued in Hamilton was pitiful, he said.

"The same number of consents are being issued in rural Waikato and Waipa as Hamilton, but Hamilton is a much larger centre with a growing population."

When pushed for an answer on the speculated actions of the Reserve Bank, Bennett said measures imposing strong restrictions regarding lending have been imposed before and did not work.

"Sure the Reserve Bank can take those measures, but there are other ways to deal to this issue."

He revisited the National Party line that freeing up the supply of land was what was needed to solve the issue.

Local Government New Zealand national president Lawrence Yule believed Bennett's suggestion was too simplistic.

"I know there is a problem in Auckland, but in the rest of New Zealand council's have freed up land, it's just owned by developers," Yule said.

The majority of land is correctly zoned, he explained.

It just came down to when developers wanted to release what they owned to maximise profits, Yule said.

Labour MP for Hauraki-Waikato Nanaia Mahuta believed there was a massive problem ahead in the property market, but was not sure how to tackle it.

High priced property market would have detrimental societal effects, in particular on children, she said.

"Home ownership is out of reach for modest income earners. We are looking at a generation of life-time renters," Mahuta said.

The problems surrounding a higher rental population is that they are transient, and children don't generally perform as well if they don't have the stability, Mahuta said.

They move from school to school and do not get the stability they require, she said.

"It's the children who are being disadvantaged."

ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley suggested the Reserve Bank had three options to level the market.

One, place the 30 per cent Auckland investment property deposit regulation on investment properties throughout the country, he said.

That stringent criteria had caused Auckland investors to spread their investment wings to the rest of the country, he said.

"It could pull back the demand on the [entry-level] properties throughout the country where it is far more relaxed."

Two, it could place tighter restrictions on Auckland investors, lifting their threshold from a 30 per cent deposit to either 35 per cent or even 40 per cent, he said

"But that's not really effective as they will just invest elsewhere."

Three, raise the amount universally for house deposits, he said.

Again, not an attractive option.

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Pauline and Bill McLeod, a past teacher aide and board chair respectively, survey the destruction at Kereone School.

Legal action is being considered over the demolition of a Waikato school.

Kereone School classrooms were knocked down by diggers last week to the shock and surprise of residents and those connected with the school.

The school, near Morrinsville, closed in 2014 after serving the district for more than 90 years.

STEVE EDWARDS/FAIRFAX NZ Kereone School before it was demolished.

The Ministry of Education has admitted that it "could have done better" in its handling of the demolition - a process that could now see them end up in court.

READ MORE: Piako community crushed by school demolition

Gary Lever, board chair when the school closed, said they were seeking legal advice in regards to the demolition of the school's tennis courts and swimming pool.

STEVE EDWARDS/FAIRFAX NZ Supporters of the school gather in the wake of the demolition.

A memorandum of agreement between the ministry and school board said the community could continue to have access to the grounds, including the courts and pool, after the school closed.

The ministry says the agreement didn't include any undertaking that they would would keep the classrooms, tennis courts or swimming pool for community use, but Lever said the amenities were built by the community, not the ministry.

"Our advice is we have a pretty good case," he said.

KEREONE SCHOOL/FACEBOOK Remains of the school.

"We believe they (the ministry) should have to reinstate or reimburse."

The board plans to take the matter to the Minister of Education.

Ministry spokesman Jerome Sheppard said they did try to keep members of the community informed when disposing of ministry property, particularly at closed schools around the country.

"In this case, we could have done better, so that the demolition was less of a surprise," he said on Wednesday.

"We're really concerned about how much upset the demolition has caused, and we're looking at how we handle these to see if we can improve communication in future."

Waikato MP Lindsay Tisch also plans to "follow through" with the ministry.

He visited the site, describing it as "complete devastation".

"I'm really disappointed in what happened," said Tisch. "I understand the community's concern. It's a crying shame."

Matamata-Piako mayor Jan Barnes was similarly "horrified" after hearing about the demolition.

"We (the district council) knew nothing about it," she said. "I am really shocked."

Many have taken to social media since news of the demolition broke, some suggesting the property had been sold to a developer.

But Sheppard said the property had not been sold.

"We are preparing the property to hand over to LINZ (Land Information New Zealand) so it can continue to be disposed of under the Public Works Act."

Through this legislation the land can either be offered to the original owners, or used in a Treaty of Waitangi settlement, or sold.

Sheppard said on Wednesday the remains of the buildings are being disposed of by the demolition contractors.

"Once the site is ready, we will formally declare it as no longer needed for educational purposes.

"It will then be handed over to LINZ and enter the next stage of the disposal process.

"We are expecting that to happen in the next couple of weeks."

Sheppard said, under government procurement rules, tenders for the demolition did not need to be publicly advertised if the work was under $100,000, which was the case with Kereone.

"If we were selling the buildings for removal, we would seek expressions of interest, when the value of the buildings is likely to exceed the cost of disposing of the buildings."

Sheppard said three of the buildings on the Kereone site were relocated following enquiries from the community  two to local landowners and one to another school.

The classroom that was demolished last week contained asbestos, which meant it couldn't be removed intact for other purposes, he said.

The asbestos was removed according to WorkSafe NZ procedure before the building was demolished.
The Taranaki Rescue Helicopter has been called to a crash site near Mokau.

A 19-year-old woman has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after a ute crashed near Mokau, North Taranaki.

About 6.40pm on Tuesday emergency services were called a motor vehicle crash on State Highway 3, or Manganui Rd, near Awakino.

The woman was treated at the scene by a St John first response staff member then airlifted to Taranaki Base Hospital by the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter with serious head and neck injuries, St John operations manager Ian May said.

St John were also called to a farm bike crash on a farm on Eltham Rd, Opunake, about 7pm.

A male patient was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital by ambulance with moderate chest injuries.
A crash has closed a section of State Highway 1 at Karapiro in the Waikato.

Emergency services were called to the crash near the intersection of Kentucky Rd about 11.15am.

A truck had collided with two cars, Northern Fire Communications shift manager Steve Smith said.

"The whole highway has been closed."

All occupants were out of the vehicles.

Four people had minor injuries and were being treated by paramedics, he said.

Both lanes are closed completely and temporary diversions are being arranged with manned staff to provide directions.

Police hoped to open one lane by 12.30pm but warned delays were still possible as traffic was backed up. A contra-flow system would be in place for some time.

Further short full closures may be required when heavy tow vehicles arrive.

Motorists are asked to take care through the scene and to take alternative routes if possible.
Speaking to 3AW's Neil Mitchell, Sally Faulkner's estranged husband Ali Elamine says his children are 'a bit shaken by the whole situation'.

Kidnapping charges against the Australian 60 Minutes crew being held in Lebanon, and Australian mum Sally Faulkner have been dropped.

Faulkner has reportedly relinquished custody of her two children. The Channel Nine crew are free to leave Lebanon, the network's lawyer said.

"Everybody is happy," said Nine Network lawyer, Kamal Aboudaher.

FAIRFAX MEDIA Sally Faulkner and her two children in a safe house in Beirut after the alleged child snatch operation.

Nine will pay financial compensation worth several hundreds of thousands of dollars. An exact figure could not be immediately confirmed. There is hope the Channel Nine crew will be free as early as tonight. The plan would be to fly the crew home on the first flight available.

READ MORE:

* Dad refuses to drop charges in Sally Faulkner, 60 Minutes case in Lebanon

* Messages show 60 Minutes may have rejected fallback escape plan after kidnapping

* 60 Minutes reporter detained

* Lebanon set to charge Australian mum, 60 Minutes crew over kidnap

* 'Child recovery team' member just a 'lazy tattooist' - ex

* Sally Faulkner seeks bail

* Faulkner, TV crew appear before judge

FACEBOOK Sally Faulkner with her children Lahela and Noah.

The children's father Ali Elamine has insisted he did not receive financial compensation. He also said he would be open to allowing the children to travel to Australia to visit their mother but not in the immediate short term. He said he was relieved it was all over.

Faulkner and Tara Brown arrived at the Palace of Justice with their hands cuffed together in front of them. An Australian Embassy official had joined the proceedings.

A short time later the rest of the 60 Minutes crew also in handcuffs were brought up to Brown and Faulkner in the waiting room.

Judge Rami Abdullah refused to comment when asked if he could rule out a financial settlement taking place to break the deadlock.

Faulkner and Elamine and their children will meet with Judge Abdullah at 11am (local time) on Thursday.

The Lebanese men involved on the child abduction plot and British national Adam Whittington, from the Child Abduction Recovery International agency, remain in custody.

Elamine reportedly told the judge he felt the 60 Minutes crew was just doing its job and he was happy to see the charges against them dropped.

The lawyer for Whittington, Joe Karam said that "everyone will take advantage of the deal," when asked if Whittington would also walk free.



The breakthrough in the kidnapping case involving Brisbane mother Faulkner came two weeks after the botched child abduction plot landed seven people in jail.

The lawyer for Faulkner, Ghassan Moughabghab, earlier said all the signs were heading towards an agreement being reached on Wednesday, when the matter was due to resume before investigative judge Rami Abdullah at Beirut's Palace of Justice.

Asked if a deal had been struck, Moughabghab said "yes". The deal was struck after a closed-doors meeting between lawyers representing all parties and the judge.

Asked if a deal had been struck on Wednesday, Moughabghab said "yes" but said nothing was 100 per cent until the judge signs off and all parties have met and formally agreed.

Karam also told Fairfax Media there were positive signs but said confirmation would have to wait until the legal proceedings resumed.

Ali Elamine's lawyer Hussein Berjawi also sounded optimistic but declined to confirm any settlement before an imminent meeting of all lawyers with the judge.

He insisted there would be no financial settlement as part of the deal. "No nothing like that," he said.

But under local custom any financial compensation would not be disclosed as part of the legal process but arranged behind the scenes.

A lawyer acting for Mohamed Hamze, the owner of the safe house where Faulkner and her children were taken after the abduction, had earlier said it was "100 per cent" part of the deal that Elamine would drop charges against his estranged wife and that this would include the 60 Minutes crew.

Lawyer Sahar Mohsen said it was less certain whether this would extend to child recovery agent Whittington.

Her client also carried out the pre-runs for Whittington in the days before the abduction. But he will argue that he thought he was aiding a mother reuniting with her children and not a kidnapping.

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The volume of trade between Ukraine and Russia, earlier considered as the largest trading partner of the country, in 2012-2015 fell by a total of $98 billion mainly due to the introduction of illegal and discriminatory trade restrictions, Ukraine reported in a review of trade policy, submitted to the World Trade Organization.

"The decrease in volumes of metal supplies and products thereof, as well as mineral products triggered the decline in exports to the EU countries. However, the share of exports to the EU still increased from 22.3% in 2012 to 34.1% in 2015," reads the report posted on the website of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

According to the document, the share of exports to Russia decreased from 24.3% to 12.7% in 2015.

The report states Ukraine's economy is characterized with a high export dependency (in 2014 goods and services exports amounted to 48.6% of GDP) which causes the growth of the economy dependency from the foreign economic conditions.

According to the State Statistics Service, trade in goods between Ukraine and Russia peaked in 2011: exports totaled $19.82 billion, while imports $29.13 billion, while over the next four years they were falling rapidly.

In particular, exports of goods in 2012 fell by 11% and imports by 5.9%, while in 2013 their fall accelerated to 14.5% and 15.3% respectively, in 2014 the figures reached 35% and 45.4%
Tributes are flowing for a Tauranga woman as police investigate the circumstances of her death.



Melanie Floyd, who grew up in Tauranga and went to Otumoetai College, succumbed to severe head injuries in the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital on Saturday after her family made the decision to switch off life support.
The Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trust is turning to the community to help them keep people safe.

The trust wants to build a new $4 million rescue base to replace the current, cramped and outdated building, which the Papamoa Surf Club presently patrols from.



Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trust chair Jim Pearson with a concept design for the new rescue base. View the slideshow to see more concept designs Photo: Tracy Hardy

Trust chair Jim Pearson is calling on members of the community to pledge their support for the new building by adding their name to a supporters list, which will be presented to the Tauranga City Council during the Annual Plan 2016/17 hearing submissions from April 26-28.

Were not seeking donations at this stage, were asking people to visit our website and become a supporter of the club, explains Jim.

This is basically a way for people to tell council they support our plan and want to see this build happen.

Papamoa is New Zealands fastest growing suburb and its projected that 31,337 people will be living in the suburb by 2028. But a boost in population means more demand on essential services, like the surf lifesaving club.

The current base was built in 1990 when the club had 150 members. Fast forward to today, they now have more than 750 members  which is expected to grow to well over 1000 members by 2020.

Jim says the building does not adequately support the clubs patrol of the 14km long beach and space is also at a premium.

For example, equipment is being stored outside in containers or at members homes, while the lounge is also a changing room, a storage area, and a dining area, he says.



The lounge behind the patrol tower also doubles as a change room, a lifeguard patrol stand down area, a training room, an equipment storage area, a meeting room, a hired function room, a gym and a dining area. Photo: Tracy Hardy

The major change with the new building would be to functional space because our current one is essentially compromised, not just in terms of its size but also the layout.

There will be a completely different layout as the new building would face the sea which will increase our visual coverage of Papamoa Beach.

Weve also designed the new building in a way that will meet our needs now, but is also adaptable in a way to meet our needs 30 years into the future should they change, future proofing basically.

The new base would be more than two times bigger than the current building and would provide improved facilities for training, education, St John as well as the clubs emergency response.

Should the trusts submission prove successful, theyll then apply for a resource consent within the next two months before undertaking fundraising for the estimated $4m building.

The current base would either be salvaged or demolished, with work on the new building commencing in 2017.

The Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trust would build, own and operate the facility, with a sub-lease to the Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club as the primary tenant.

For more information or to pledge your support visit The Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trusts website at: www.papamoabuild.org.nz
Police are now able to release the name of the young man who died at the Kitekite Falls last night.

He was 18-year-old Louis Hasenmaier, a visitor here from Germany.

Mr Hasenmaier had been travelling with friends, who were with him when he slipped and fell.

They managed to pull him from the water and gave CPR but despite their efforts and those of another member of the public, he was not able to be revived.

Police and Victim Support are assisting Mr Hasenmaiers friends and family.

Source: New Zealand Police.
Southern Police are continuing to investigate the fatal vehicle crash south of Twizel last night which has resulted in the death of two people.

Police can now confirm the two who died were a 37 year-old Christchurch woman, Mon Chhetri, and her 8 month-old son, Aaron Chhetri.

Initial inquiries have indicated that the vehicle Mon and Aaron were travelling in was approaching State Highway 8.

The driver has slowed at the intersection and has pulled out on State Highway into the path of an oncoming vehicle travelling south towards Omarama.

The driver, a 44 year-old male, and the other occupant, a 10 year-old girl, were airlifted to hospital.

The three passengers in the second vehicle travelling south on State Highway 8 were transported to hospital, with two by helicopter and one by ambulance.

A serious crash investigation is continuing into the crash.

SOURCE: New Zealand Police
In three days time, as we catch our trains and board our planes home, the world will ask what was achieved here in New York at this United Nations General Assembly Special Session meeting.

The question is the most important that could be asked of delegates - what will we have to show for our efforts?

The Outcome Document to be ratified at this meeting is broad, but New Zealand notes with strong regret the failure to achieve consensus on inclusion of reference to the death penalty.

It may not be in the Outcome Document, but make no mistake, the death penalty has no place in civilised society, and blocking the inclusion of references to it not only does not change this, it does a disservice to those who seek to reduce the harm from drugs.

The Outcome Document talks of reiterating, reaffirming and intensifying our efforts, but unless they result in tangible actions, that make a difference to peoples lives, they will be just words, and critics will hold them up as further evidence of an international system that promises much but achieves little.

It has been a welcome development in recent years to see the shift away from treating drug issues as primarily a law and order responsibility, to a health focus, but let us not rest on our laurels.

Last year at CND 58, I spoke of the importance of three fundamental pillars of drug policy - Proportion, Compassion and Innovation.

New Zealand has woven these principles throughout its approach to addressing drug issues, including them as central tenets in its recently launched 2015 National Drug Policy.

But perhaps there is a fourth pillar that is missing - boldness.

Incremental movement, if any, has been the norm for drug policy development for as long as I can remember - and the movement has not always been forward.

As encouraging as the shift has been, the fact is that compared to the global narcotic industries, we are moving at a glacial pace, hamstrung by an outdated overly punitive approach.

I put it to those assembled here that globally, we need to be bolder in our approaches.

With boldness will come obstacles, for no great success was ever achieved without failure.

The great American Thomas Edison on his development of the light bulb famously remarked, "I have not failed, I have just found 10,000 ways that wont work."

I suggest that globally, drug policy is approaching its own 10,000 failed attempts and it is time to flick the enlightenment switch.

Responsible regulation is the key to reducing drug-related harm and achieving long-term success in drug control approaches.

The key word here is responsible  we must not conflate boldness with recklessness  changes in policy must ensure that the likelihood of harm is minimised.

It is imperative that any move to a regulated market is an authority-led process, and that we do not find ourselves in the position of playing catch up.

Easier said than done.

Certainly in New Zealand, we allowed an unregulated, under the radar New Psychoactive Substances industry to steal a march before it was brought into a regulated system via our Psychoactive Substances Act.

This Act allows for NPS products to be brought to market if they can be proven to be low risk, essentially reversing the onus of proof back on to the industry.

For those nations with federal systems of government, in which individual states have pushed ahead with drug law reforms, the need for getting the balance right is critical.

There are a number of examples at the moment where reformist cannabis policy has simply outstripped the ability of robust regulation, a situation which ultimately damages the reform movement and increases potential for harm.

Currently, New Zealands position is this: if cannabis is to be used for medical purposes, it must be subject to the same testing processes as any other therapeutic pharmaceuticals.

Identifying the greatest therapeutic benefits and determining the most appropriate ratios, dosage and delivery mechanisms will only come through a robust, scientific approach.

Otherwise we are essentially flying blind and hoping for the best, an approach that flies in the face of evidence-based medicines policy.

That said, for those with a terminal or debilitating illness, New Zealands position is that a compassionate approach is warranted and ensuring such an approach exists is a priority.

New Zealand also calls on the pharmaceutical industry to step up and invest more in its research and development of cannabis-based products.

To close, I return to my introductory question - what will be achieved here in New York at this UNGLASS meeting?

The answer to this will be the changes that we see on a state-by-state basis in the coming years.

If nations continue to muddle along, choosing the easy options and throwing the problems to their police and judiciaries, then the answer will be very little.

If the pace of change picks up, appropriate regulation is put in train and bold, innovative, compassionate and proportionate policy thrives, then the answer will be progress.

SOURCE: Office of Peter Dunne
Tauranga City Council Amanda Weatherley has been announced as a finalist in this years Public Relations Institute of New Zealand Awards.

The council group communication advisor was nominated for the Commemorating 100 years, together campaign which marked the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign on Anzac Day.
The Charter Parade by the New Zealand Navys Littoral Warfare Unit through a Bay of Plenty town this morning will be a sight to behold.

Its the first time the unit, which has chosen Whakatane as its home port, is putting on the show.
The first experimental launch of a freight train on the so called new Silk Road was successful from a political point of view, but not quite correctly organized on the technical side, Ukraine's Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelian considers.

"The government has made conclusions. I hope that even the announcement of a tender to select the head of the Lisky branch of PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia, which was one of the main operators of the route, will lead to the emergence of the entity that will develop the Silk Road," he told journalists in Kyiv.

In general, the minister said that with this project Ukraine "hit the top ten." Many countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, China, Kazakhstan, Iran stated their readiness to work with Ukrzaliznytsia to develop the direction of container link and other types of cargo.

Speaking about the tariff for the said transportation, Omelian said that it has not been approved - it is necessary to conclude negotiations with Kazakhstan.

"There are both economic and political components in these negotiations. I hope we will complete them in June," the minister added.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has stated he considers the situation at customs to be "abnormal" and promised to fight against shadow flows.

"I think today the situation at customs is not normal," Groysman said at a meeting of the National Reforms Council in Kyiv.

He said that the target of revenues from customs offices stands at UAH 207 billion per year and the State Fiscal Service overfulfils this plan, however "there is a deficit of the Pension Fund."

"And we know that there are shadow flows at the Fiscal Service, at customs, which should have gone to the national budget, but they are not received  this is a challenge for all of us to put things in order in this sphere and account each hryvnia," Groysman said.

The premier said the president and the parliament fully support the issue of restoring order at customs.
The year was 1969 and Benny Meacham was a student at Northern Arizona University, studying data processing and looking toward a bright future. And then the letter came.

What an awesome time in life, full of excitement and adventure and anticipation of tomorrow. I came back to the dorm and was handed a letter from the selective service. My President has decided I need to go to war more than to get an education. I was ordered to report to Phoenix on a certain date to be inducted into the United States Army. What? No more school. No more friends. This could only mean one thing. Im headed to Vietnam, Meacham said.

Meacham, like most students, had been following the news and heard talk about the war. Suddenly what he had heard on television or read in the newspaper had become personal.

Dan Rather showed us what it was like every day  guns, cannons, bombs, napalm. Young men were dying and no one can give you a good answer as to why  just because our government said to, Meacham added.

Meacham went to Yuma, Ariz., to talk to his father, a decorated World War II Navy veteran. His dad would help him understand. He told his father he knew a lot of Americans were going to Canada.

My dad told me: Son, you are an American. We have to defend our freedoms for ourselves and everyone else. I didnt want to go either, but I did, Meacham said.

Ill never be the same, but I went, knowing that Im an American and would answer the call of my country to whatever purpose and events that would occur. I said, I love you dad and Ill go for you and mom. I did what I believed was the right thing to do, Meacham said.

The thought of having to kill other human beings bothered Meacham. He had always believed that killing was wrong.

I told my dad I will have to kill human beings. It doesnt seem right. That evening my dad and I watched the evening news with Walter Cronkite, holding hands and watching the war on TV in silence. My dad told me: Son, young men have always defended our way of life and our country because we are Americans, and yes, some kill others and some die. Sometimes thats life, son, but we are Americans, Meacham said.

Before reporting to basic training, Meacham spent as much time with his family and friends as he could. He was introduced to Larry by his friend, Deb.

There was something strange about Larry. We had not met before, but there was something so familiar between us. We instantly became best friends, like brothers. We were inseparable over the next few days, Meacham explained.

Larry told Meacham that he had tried to enlist in the Army, but was rejected for medical reasons. A couple of days before Meacham was to report for duty, Larry told him he had lied about his medical condition and was accepted. He told Meacham he would only be a few days behind him and would find him in Vietnam. He said he would tell the military he was Meachams brother so the Army would let them serve in the same unit. They would take care of each other.

Meacham completed basic training and advanced infantry training (AIT) at Fort Lewis, Wash.

After several days of indoctrination, they assigned me to a company to start training. I had never seen anything like this in my whole life  screaming, hollering, name calling, up in the middle of the night, before dawn, running, exercising. More of the same each day. They made us feel useless and sub-human. I had no identity, none of us did. Just followed orders regardless of what they were, he explained.

He received weapons training on the M-16 rifle and the M-60 machine gun and live combat training. He was volunteered to disassemble and clean the M-60. He completed AIT training and was given a 30-day leave to visit his family and friends before he shipped out.

Meacham was assigned to the 11th Armory Calvary Unit. One of the first things he noticed in Vietnam was the effects of the war, the destruction all around. He was handed an M-16 and told to watch behind the tank he was on.

My mind was running wild with what ifs. I cant kill a human being. I have to. Ive been trained to. Ive been told all my life its wrong, against the law. Its not acceptable to our moral understanding, but here I am holding black death and clearly understanding what it does, but not the after effects on someone who uses it. I dont know if I can do this, he remembered.

He was soon assigned as the right gunner, armed with a mounted M-60 machine gun. The M-60 was a light weapons machine gun that weighed over 23 pounds and could be carried or mounted, Meacham explained. He recalled riding around on the tank, sitting on top of 14,000 rounds of 50 caliber and 7.62 ammunition, thinking and hoping the North Vietnamese were afraid of the Americans and still having doubts about killing someone.

On day 15 it happened. We were fired upon. I could not have imagined what took place, one continuous wall of fire, green light/red light as tracers bounced off everything in sight. It was over just like that. What the hell? We all just sat there for a while, taking it all in. My mind couldnt stop racing. What about this? What about that? Then I noticed the 400 rounds in my M-60 were gone. Damn, the training had paid off. I could fire on human beings. Silence set in on everyone. I didnt feel good, shaking all over. As we moved down the path, I was told reload stupid, they might hit us again. Again? Youre kidding. After that? Meacham said, adding that he followed orders and reloaded the M-60.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. The skirmishes continued. Meachams tank hit a total of three 15-to-30-pound mines. The first two mines were small. Meacham was injured. He was sent for medical treatment and then returned to the front lines.

Meacham recalls the first time his tank hit a mine, The mine damaged the tanks right track. My head was pounding, ears ringing. My face was burning and my eyes were blurry.

The war continued and Meacham dealt with the horrors the best he could. He was thankful that he was alive. He wondered where his friend Larry was and why he hadnt arrived at his unit. He figured it was just a delay in the processing of his transfer paperwork.

I got a letter from a friend back home. The news was bad. Larry was killed in some valley in DaNang. My friend was dead. I remember thinking, What do you do when your heart stops and is torn apart. I couldnt breathe. I couldnt cry and I didnt know why. I couldnt scream. I was just numb, not caring about anything. What kindness I had left in me just died, Meacham said.

Reason started to come back, but Im not the same. I actually looked forward to contact. I put an extra 200 rounds on the dragon. He knew what to do. I looked forward to them jumping on us. Not caring if I or we died in the process just as long as I take them with me. I didnt eat. I didnt sleep. I just watched and waited, knowing they would come and I would be ready. The dragon was with me. I had never been at such a loss as this. All I could think about was revenge. I just spent time cleaning and oiling the dragon, making sure he could do what he was created to do, Meacham said.

Meacham explained that the dragon was his gun. He called it that because when it was fired at night, fire came out of it and looked like a fire-breathing dragon.

I was always ready. I rested with my dragon for a pillow, thinking Ill get them for us, Larry. I wish you were here my friend and brother. You are supposed to be here so we could take care of each other. I found out later that Larry was killed by a grenade. He was the best friend I ever had. He was more than my brother. Larry can be found on the Vietnam Memorial Wall, panel W-12, row 100, but I cant go there. I dont want to see his name there, he said.

As the war raged on, Meacham followed orders. He was aware of all the death and destruction surrounding him, but he felt numb, desensitized.

It was strange how one becomes accustomed to death. No more shakes. No more physical difficulties. Its just what we did, he remembered.

Meachams tank hit a large mine in Cambodia. His injuries were severe.

If it wasnt for the tank, I would have been dead. I can still remember the smell of alcohol, cold on my head and face and someone washing my face. I came to on a chopper with other wounded soldiers all around me. Legs bleeding. Head and face bleeding. I recall someone saying, Ill help you soldier, and washing my face over and over. I came to in a big hospital. There were guys hurt everywhere. I didnt know where I was but realized I was in a big hospital somewhere. I couldnt remember what happened. I was hurting all over. All I wanted to do was sleep, Meacham said.

I remember lying quiet with my head splitting, my eyes and nose burning. I couldnt breathe through my nose. Sometimes water ran out of my nose. I could taste metal in my mouth. My eyes were blurry. They finally let me sleep, he added.

Meacham was referred to a psychiatrist prior to being returned to the front lines.

I remember talking to this man about combat and death and telling him, I dont want to go back. I want to go home to America, to Arizona, to my family. I cant kill anymore. I was nervous and shaking a lot, he said.

He was sent to a different location at a beach to recuperate before returning to his unit in the field. He was about to board a chopper to return to active duty when a sergeant he recognized asked him if he would go to Saigon on a security detail. He was assigned to special services.

The Army would take front-line combat troops and send them to the cities to work security. I finished my tour of duty there and was discharged in March of 1971. I spent 15 months in Vietnam, he said.

Meacham could not believe how different Saigon was from the field. Soldiers had the use of swimming pools, gyms, tennis courts, steam rooms and other recreational opportunities. They had modern barracks with hot showers. The soldiers openly smoked marijuana and the officers looked the other way.

It was mind boggling. I remember thinking, This cant be possible. We are at war, arent we? I know. Ive been there. This cant be right, but Im here. Some soldiers are selected to kill, maim and die while others enjoy freedom and life. This should not be, but Im here. Most of the guys in our barracks were on drugs of one kind or another. It was so different from in the field, he said.

Meacham was processed out in Oakland, Calif., with a rank of Specialist Fourth Class, a corporal. He was awarded a Purple Heart. Meacham returned home to Phoenix, a different man than the one who had left.

When I got off the plane, people stared at me. They spit on me and called me a murderer, a baby killer. It hurt, but thats OK. I went to war for their rights too, to protect their rights to do that, he said.

Meacham worked several different jobs, but didnt keep any for very long. He and his friend, Hugh Jones, hitchhiked throughout the western United States. He turned to marijuana to cope.

I stayed stoned for several years. I truly believe to this day that all the pot I smoked helped me to be half-sane. Pot calmed my mind to where reason and understanding started to take hold. I knew I would never be the same. That student at Northern Arizona University was dead and gone forever and what was left was someone entirely different, Meacham said.

What we experienced as soldiers caused a lack of empathy. We just didnt care. We were put in circumstances over and over, repetitively. We lost all sense of morality. You may shoot 30 people and you just dont care. A soldier might empty 600 rounds and have no idea how many people he killed. I answered my countrys call to service and followed orders. I am not ashamed of anything I did, Meacham said.

I should have gone back to school, but I didnt. I got married and raised a family and it changed my life, he added.

His wife of 42 years, Becky, realizes that the trauma he experienced in Vietnam has had a profound effect on his life.

God brought him through that for a purpose. He is a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, but he still has collateral damage from what he went through. I never really put it together until a few years ago. I realized that some of the things he does and says come from what he experienced in Vietnam. These are true stories. People need to wake up and realize what our soldiers are forced to do. Our country sends them into a war and they do what they have to do, she said.

Meacham came to Marion in 1991 and went to work for Royal Mouldings as a maintenance supervisor. He worked there for 15 years and spent the last six years in maintenance at the Lifetime Wellness Center before deciding to retire. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, Francis Marion Post 4667, in Marion, and teaches an adult Sunday school class and Wednesday night Bible study at Calvary Baptist Church.

Meacham realizes that talking to other veterans has helped him and he would like to see vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan become involved with the older veterans at the local VFW.

I wish the vets from Iraq and Afghanistan would come to the VFW where they can be around people who understand and have had similar experiences. I never talked about it for years and years, but I found I could talk about it with other veterans and it helped. You cant go through something like that and be normal, Meacham said.

I have great hope for the future of America. I wish Americans could recall the history of this country and all the good it has done. The future of America could be so bright for the whole world if people would just agree on what is right. We have been blessed by so much, but we just cant see it, he said.
MEXICO, N.Y. -- A former town justice has been charged with manslaughter for an Oswego County crash that left one man dead.

Douglas B. Horton, 51, of 2885 Route 104, Mexico, was arrested Tuesday and charged with vehicular manslaughter. The Oswego County Sheriff's Office reports Horton, a former Mexico town judge, was intoxicated March 26 when he caused the Mexico crash that killed Michael J. Fredette.

Horton was driving north near 115 Rowe Road around 7:15 p.m. when he drove his truck off the west side of the road, deputies said. The 2016 Dodge pickup rolled over, injuring all four people riding in the truck.

Fredette, 51, of Oswego, was a rear passenger in the truck, deputies said. He was pronounced dead at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse.

Horton and two female passengers were treated at Upstate, deputies said.

Horton was originally charged with driving while intoxicated. On Tuesday morning, he was charged with first-degree vehicular manslaughter and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Defendants charged with aggravated DWI stand accused of driving with a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit.

Horton is not listed in custody.

Horton started serving as Mexico's town justice in 2008. About four years into his service, he was admonished by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct after he was accused of pushing his girlfriend into a wall in 2010.

He ran to again serve as town justice in 2013, but lost the election to Jon Moretti.


Norm.jpg

A collage of photos of Norman Mattice from his days as a guitarist to the present.

(Provided)

This 1982 poster for the band Dress Code, a Syracuse band that the late Norm Mattice played in.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Norman Mattice was radiant.

That's how Steve Martell described Mattice, his late, lifelong best friend, who he said shined brightest when he was on stage playing his guitar.

Mattice was a fixture in Syracuse's music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He played in the band Dress Code with his cousins and Martell, attracting a dedicated local following and inspiring budding musicians. He later joined the band 1.4.5., chasing his dream of becoming a rock star to Boston.

"Just his presence would brighten up the whole room," Martell said. "When you got him on stage, he was brilliant."

But Mattice, who fought alcoholism for years, suffered a breakup with his wife and lost his home in recent years. By this past fall, he was chronically homeless.

Desperate for money, Mattice sold his guitar early last fall. That upset Martell.

"I was angry. I was angry at him, because to me, he was giving up," Martell said. "And the guy that I knew, he was a rock. He would never give up."

Mattice, 54, of Syracuse, was found dead Saturday underneath the entrance ramp to the Salt Museum at Onondaga Lake Park. Hypothermia appears to have caused his death, police said.

Mattice was raised in Brewerton. He was an only child, but he grew up with Elliott and Eric Mattice, cousins who felt more like brothers, said Elliott Mattice.

Along with Martell, the Mattices started Dress Code as a garage band around 1978, said Elliott Mattice. The boys taught themselves how to play instruments and wrote their own songs, eventually making a record called "Alone In The Crowd."

Maura Kennedy, of folk-rock duo The Kennedys, spent her teenage years watching local bands like Dress Code play in Syracuse. She loved live music, particularly The Beatles-inspired, self-penned music of Mattice's band.

"He always wanted to be a rock star, and he was a rock star locally," Kennedy said.

Kennedy, of Manhattan, keeps one of Dress Code's albums handy, fond of the impact Syracuse bands had on her career. But she also remembers the kindness Mattice showed to rookie musicians.

In her late teens, Kennedy played bass in a band that opened for Dress Code. She said Mattice showed her band how to stretch out guitar strings so they'd stay in tune.

Mattice didn't just show kindness to young musicians.

When a car accident left his friend Martell partially paralyzed and unable to play drums, Mattice helped him keep going, Martell recalled.

Elliott Mattice said his cousin was a gentle man who loved Christmas and cats.

"He'd constantly goof around and inject his corny humor into any situation," he said.

Norm Mattice smiles at his cousin Elliott Mattice's Christmas party in 2011.

But Mattice had his demons, his friends and family said.

Mattice got married and moved to Buffalo, where he worked as a partner in a house cleaning business, said Elliott Mattice. Mattice and his wife split, and he lost his home and moved back to Syracuse, he said.

For a while, Mattice stayed in Martell's Syracuse home. Mattice lost a series of jobs and continued to battle alcoholism, eventually ending up homeless, his cousin said.

Mattice's best friend and cousin said they tried to save him, but he resisted.

About nine months ago, Mattice started sleeping on the street. Elliott Mattice said he often brought him clothes, food and heating pads -- desperate to help keep his cousin alive.

"I always had the hope that there was some way of him getting back on his feet, but it just never happened no matter how much we tried to help him," Elliott Mattice said. "He had burned every person who had reached out to help him, including us, but that tiny hope and those shared memories of better days held us connected."

After a decade of spiraling downward, Mattice appeared to be getting better.

Mattice started staying in Catholic Charities' emergency shelter in December. During the last two weeks of March, Mattice was working a temporary job and seeing a psychiatrist, Martell said.

"He was really probably doing the best that he'd been doing, better in those two weeks than in the whole 10 years before that," Martell said.

Then, Mattice disappeared.

Mattice left Martell a voicemail on April 1 saying he planned to walk to Onondaga Lake Park. It was sunny, and Mattice told his friend he wanted to enjoy the good weather.

Martell repeatedly called his friend back -- calling until the phone died. Police started looking for Mattice on April 5.

Two weeks later, Mattice's body was found.

When Kennedy heard about Mattice's death, she wanted to ensure he had a proper burial. So teaming up with Martell, Kennedy started a GoFundMe page. In less than a day, more than $7,000 had been raised; it stands at $9,878 this morning. Any money not spent on the funeral will be donated to Catholic Charities and used to buy a memorial bench for Mattice at Onondaga Lake Park, she said.

Kennedy was blown away by the community's generosity. She just wishes they could've helped Mattice before he died.

"We should learn from this. We need to help each other," her voice shaking. "I wish he could see all this response and this great outpouring of love because I think it would cure him of everything."
Nedrow Fire 8.JPG

Volunteer firefighters battle a house fire in Nedrow in this February file photo.

(Ken Sturtz | ksturtz@syracuse.com)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Volunteer fire departments across Central New York and around the state will open their doors this weekend to recruit new members.

"Being a volunteer firefighter is not all about fighting fires," said Taunton Fire Department volunteer Gordy Kotars. "Volunteers do a wide-range of jobs."

Kotars said volunteer departments across CNY are in need of people to help with a variety of tasks. Volunteers can help fundraise, be trained to be emergency medical technicians, cook, help with paperwork or computers and many other tasks.

"There is a job for everyone," said Kotars, who is also a spokesman for the Firemen's Association of State of New York.

To help fill those volunteer positions, hundreds of departments across the state will participate in FASNY's Recruit NY and hold open houses this weekend. The Recruit NY program launched in 2011 as s statewide recruitment effort. Departments across the state will open their doors Saturday and Sunday to give demonstrations and pass out information on volunteering.

"Just come and talk with us to see what we have to offer," Kotars said.

More than 35 departments in Onondaga County will participate. To see a complete list of departments around CNY or to find more information on open houses, visit the FASNY's website.

Participating volunteer fire departments in Onondaga County:

Saturday & Sunday

Camillus Volunteer Fire Department.

Elbridge Fire Company

Lafayette Fire Department

Liverpool Fire Department

Mattydale Fire Department

Moyers Corners Fire Department

Nedrow Volunteer Fire Department Inc.

Saturday

Apulia Volunteer Fire Department Inc

Baldwinsville Fire Department

Belgium Cold Springs Fire Department - Station 1

Belgium Cold Springs Fire Department - Station 2

Borodino Fire Department

Brewerton Fire Department

Cicero Fire Department

Fayetteville Fire and EMS

Jordan Fire Company

Kirkville Fire Company

Lyncourt Fire Department

Manlius Volunteer Fire Company

Marcellus Volunteer Fire Department

Mattydale Fire Department

Mottville Fire Company

Onondaga Hill Fire Department

Seneca River Fire Department

Solvay

South Bay Fire Department

Tully Hose Co.#1

Sunday

DeWitt Fire District

Fabius Fire Department

Howlett Hill Fire Department

Lakeside Fire Department

Lysander Fire Department

Mattydale Volunteer Fire Department

North Syracuse Fire Department

Skaneateles Fire Department

Southwood Fire Department

Spafford Fire Department

Taunton Fire Department

Sarah Moses covers the northern suburbs of Onondaga County and Oswego County. Contact Sarah at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298. Follow @SarahMoses315
The Bachelor, Chris Soules

This undated photo released by ABC, shows Chris Soules, the stylish farmer from Iowa, who stars in the 19th edition of ABC's romance reality series, "The Bachelor."

(ABC, Matthew Putney | AP)

VERONA, N.Y. -- Chris Soules of ABC's hit dating show, "The Bachelor," will meet fans at The Ultimate Ladies' Night Out at Turning Stone's Exit 33 on Saturday, May 7.

Soules, an Iowa farmer known on the show as "Prince Farming," starred in the 19th season of "The Bachelor." He gave his final rose to Whitney Bischoff, but the couple broke off their engagement a few months after the show ended.

Syracuse University alumna Ashley Iaconetti also appeared on "The Bachelor" that season, making waves for repeatedly discussing her virginity.

The Ultimate Ladies' Night Out includes a cocktail party to meet Soules at LAVA Nightclub, see a "Hot Male Body Contest" at Tin Rooster and enjoy male dance performances in The Atrium at Exit 33.

A $25 Ladies' Night Out ticket includes:

* VIP meet and greet and cocktail party with Chris Soules at LAVA Nightclub

* Party masks, candy, champagne party poppers, boas

* Entry to the "Hot Male Body Contest" at Tin Rooster

* Male revue performance

* VIP access to all Exit 33 venues, with line-jumping

Guests without a ticket can still enjoy Exit 33's Ultimate Ladies' Night Out. Cover charges for the individual venues are:

* Tin Rooster: $5

* LAVA Nightclub: $15 (Ladies free before 11 p.m.)

* The Atrium: No cover

* Turquoise Tiger: No cover

* The Gig: No cover

Where: Turning Stone Resort Casino at 5218 Patrick Rd., Verona.

When: Saturday, May 7 at 10 p.m.

How much: Advance tickets for the cocktail party with Chris Soules are required. Tickets are $25 on EventBrite.
Auburn, NY - U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew Wednesday afternoon announced sweeping changes to the $5, $10 and $20 bill, including placing the portrait of Auburn's Harriet Tubman on the $20.

Historians and Auburn residents heralded Lew's decision to put Tubman's portrait on currency saying honoring the former slave who guided others to freedom is long overdue.

The $10 bill will retain its portrait of Alexander Hamilton on the front, but the reverse will feature an image of the historic march for suffrage that ended on the steps of the Treasury Department and honor the leaders of the suffrage movement - Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul, several with strong ties to Central New York.

The reverse of the new $5 bill will honor events at the Lincoln Memorial and the individuals involved in those events such as Marian Anderson, Eleanor Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr.

Historians and Auburn residents are excited that Tubman, who escaped slavery to then return and lead others to freedom, will become the first black woman to have her portrait on U.S. currency. The reverse side of the $20 bill will have a portrait of President Andrew Jackson and the White House.

"She represents the best of America and believed in the promise of America," said Karen Hill, president and chief executive officer of the Harriet Tubman Home Inc., an Auburn museum.

Hill said Tubman embodies much of the American character; ingenuity and drive, belief in freedom and democratic ideals, patriotism and care for others. "She was so much of what makes America great," Hill said.

"It's a fitting tribute to a lady I would have loved to have met," said Auburn Mayor Michael Quill, adding that his grandparents farmed across the street from the Tubman home.

Tubman escaped slavery on a Maryland plantation in 1849. She returned to the south becoming a conductor on the Underground Railroad and during the Civil War served as a cook, nurse, scout and spy for the Union Army.

In making the change to the $20 bill, the Treasury Department replaces Jackson, a president who once was a wealthy slave owner and waged war against Native Americans with a former slave, who lead others to freedom and championed a woman's right to vote.

"She's perfect for the $20 bill," said Billye Chabot, the executive director of the Seward House Museum in Auburn. Sen. William H. Seward, an Auburn resident who was U.S. Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869, sold Tubman land in Auburn for $1,200.

Chabot and Hill said they hope that the Treasury Department moves quickly to put the redesigned $20 with Tubman's face in circulation by 2020, the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment which gave women voting rights in the United States.

With the celebration of the 19th Amendment, the creation of a National Park in Auburn honoring Tubman and now her face enshrined on currency, "it's the perfect alignment," Chabot said.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said in a statement "it's extraordinary that Harriet Tubman, a civil rights icon and New Yorker, will get her rightful place on the $20 bill so that future generations of Americans will learn her story and the integral role she played during a painful time in our nation's history"

"It is past due for a woman to be represented on our currency, and Harriet Tubman is a fitting choice for this honor," the senator from New York said.

"This is a double win for New York--Hamilton on the $10, Tubman on the $20--linking Upstate and Downstate," U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said in a statement.

Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus, who had earlier introduced bipartisan legislation to have Tubman's likeness put on a Federal Reserve note, praised the Treasury's decision.

"It is far past time that our currency honor and celebrate the accomplishments of American women," Katko said in a statement. "Today's historic announcement that the U.S. Treasury will feature Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill is tremendous news for Central New York, and especially for Auburn - a place that Harriet Tubman called home."

Tubman was born on a plantation on the eastern shore of Maryland sometime between 1815 and 1825. Her parents named her Araminta "Minty" Ross, but her exact date of birth is unknown because many plantations did not keep birth records for slaves.

Tubman endured cruel treatment at the hands of her owners. In 1849 she left behind her husband, John Tubman, a free black man, and ran away from the plantation with her two brothers. While her brothers turned back, Tubman continued the trek north to freedom.

She changed her name to Harriet, which was her mother's name and kept her husband's last name.

From 1851 to 1860, Tubman made 19 trips throughout the south leading 300 people to freedom or giving them instructions. Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison called her the "Moses" of her people.

For a time Tubman lived in St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada. In 1859, Seward sold her the land in Auburn.

During the Civil War, Tubman served as a cook, nurse, scout and spy for the Union Army, and lead a charge that rescued 700 slaves. After the war, she married a man 22 years her junior and settled in Auburn.

Two of her great-great-grand nieces, Pauline Copes Johnson and Judith Bryant, still live in Auburn, Hill said. Johnson's sister, Geraldine Daniels, lives in Rochester, she said.

Tubman later donated her land to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church to be used as a home for elderly and indigent blacks.

She died in 1913 and is buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn. The National Park Service has reached an agreement with the Harriet Tubman Home to jointly operate her property on South Street. It's a step toward creating a national park honoring Tubman in Auburn.
Ukraine will not hold negotiations on gas with Russia until the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce finishes considering the case, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Ihor Nasalyk has said.

"There'll be no negotiations until the end of the Stockholm proceedings," Nasalyk told journalists following a Ukrainian government meeting on Wednesday.
sanders clinton.jpg

Bernie Sanders earned support in Upstate New York, but not enough to keep Hillary Clinton from winning the primary

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Bernie Sanders nearly swept Upstate New York in Tuesday's primary, but it wasn't enough to compete with support for Hillary Clinton around New York City.

Clinton won New York with large margins of victory throughout downstate and narrow wins in the districts that house Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo. Sanders proved popular outside those urban epicenters, but couldn't muster the votes to win the state.

There are 247 available Democratic delegates in New York, which are awarded based on congressional districts. So far, Hillary Clinton has earned 135 of those and Sanders 104. Clinton leads Sanders by more than 700 delegates in the national race.

Sanders won six of the nine congressional districts in Upstate New York and all but three of Upstate's 55 counties. The only areas where Clinton won were districts surrounding Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.

In Central New York's 24th district, Sanders earned 49 percent of the vote, losing to Clinton by about 1,200 votes -- one of the closest races in the state.

Sanders earned his biggest win -- about 63 percent of the vote -- in the 21st district, which covers the Adirondack Mountains and borders his home state of Vermont.

But Clinton crushed Sanders in the New York City, Westchester and Long Island region, winning in some districts with more than 70 percent of the vote.

The loss for Sanders makes his candidacy even more of a long shot than it previously was. It's a decisive blow for Sanders, who had won eight of the last nine state primaries, but now faces several states like Connecticut and Pennsylvania where Clinton is, again, favored in polls.
Hillary Clinton

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton poses for photos with poll workers at the Grafflin Elementary School in Chappaqua, N.Y., on Tuesday.

(Richard Drew | Associated Press)

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. -- Bill and Hillary Clinton are casting their votes Tuesday morning in their adopted home of Chappaqua, New York, the Associated Press reported.

The former president and current Democratic primary front-runner voted in the Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School gymnasium amid a crush of supporters.

Hillary Clinton says she loves New York and "This has been a joy during the last two weeks to be here."

She's encouraging "everybody to go vote."

Republican Donald Trump and Clinton hope to emerge victorious from Tuesday's primaries in New York, contests that offer big delegate hauls and an opportunity for the front-runners to inch closer to their parties' nominations.

Even before the New York results are in, Clinton's campaign is declaring the Democratic race virtually over and warning rival Bernie Sanders that he risked damaging the party's eventual nominee if he keeps up harsh criticism of the former secretary of state.

The lead-up to Tuesday's voting created surreal scenes in New York, a state that hasn't seen competitive primaries in decades. Candidates blanketed every corner of the state, from Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs to the working class enclaves in Buffalo and Syracuse.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani says he is endorsing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for president, but he's not playing a role in the campaign.

While Giuliani has already made his support for Trump known, he told CNN Tuesday that he hasn't described it as an endorsement because he's not playing a role in the campaign and he's not a surrogate.

Pressed by CNN, Giuliani said: "I endorse Donald Trump but I'm not part of the campaign."

New Yorkers will head to the polls Tuesday to vote in the state's crucial primary. Trump was leading his rivals in New York preference polls ahead of Tuesday's primary.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Donald Trump's dominating performance in the New York Republican primary will land him at least 89 of the state's 95 delegates that were at stake in Tuesday's election.

But Trump encountered one of his few speed bumps in the Syracuse area's 24th Congressional District, where the Republican front-runner had his worst performance in Upstate New York.

Trump received 48 percent of the vote in the district, followed by Ohio Gov. John Kasich at 33 percent and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at 18 percent, according to unofficial election returns with 100 percent of the vote counted.

The only other congressional districts in the state where Trump had a worse performance were in New York City, where the New York City businessman was in a dead heat with Kasich in the 12th District in Manhattan (each 44 percent) and 10th District (Trump 45 percent, Kasich 35 percent) in parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

If the percentages hold, Trump will fail to sweep all three delegates available in the three districts -- as he did across most of New York's 27 congressional districts. Instead, Trump will receive two of the Syracuse district's delegates, and Kasich will receive one delegate.

Under New York GOP rules, any candidate who wins more than 50 percent of the vote in a congressional district receives all three delegates in that district, for a possible total of 81 statewide.

If nobody wins more than 50 percent of a district, the winner takes two delegates and the runner-up receives one delegate, as long as the runner-up has more than 20 percent of the vote.

Trump also won all 14 of the state's at-large delegates by receiving more than 50 percent of the statewide vote.

Kasich, seeing an opportunity to do well in the Syracuse area, visited twice during the primary campaign - more than any other candidate. He picked up an important endorsement Monday from Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney.

Trump campaigned in Syracuse on Saturday at a rally attended by more than 5,000 people. His relatively poor showing in the region compared to the rest of the state is a blow to Onondaga County Republican Chairman Tom Dadey, one of Trump's earliest and most vocal supporters, and a co-chair of his New York campaign.

Former U.S. Rep. James Walsh, who represented the Syracuse area in Congress for 20 years, campaigned heavily for Kasich in the region and is a member of his national steering committee.

"Our goal was to try to win (Rep.) John Katko's district," Walsh said as the final returns came in late Tuesday. "We didn't. But we didn't have any resources. Kasich was running his campaign on a shoestring. But he did visit twice, and people came to see him and were very enthusiastic."

Walsh said he was still pleased that Kasich was able to pick up one of his three delegates in the Syracuse area district, which covers all of Onondaga, Cayuga and Wayne counties, and the western half of Oswego County.

"It's a small victory, but it's a victory," Walsh said.

Contact Mark Weiner anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
Donald Trump

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gives a thumbs up to the audience as he arrives to a campaign stop at the First Niagara Center, Monday, April 18, 2016, in Buffalo, N.Y.

(John Minchillo | AP)

NEW YORK -- Even after a lopsided victory in the New York primary, Donald Trump still believes the political system is rigged.

In a victory speech devoid of much of his usual antagonism, Trump said that despite unfair political rules, he plans to enter this summer's Republican National Convention as the presumptive nominee.

"It's really nice to win the delegates with the votes," he said. "Even though we're leading by a lot and it's impossible to catch us, nobody should get delegates except by voters and voting...We're going to go back to the old way called you vote and you win."

Trump is the projected winner in New York, where he is poised to take most, if not all, of the state's 95 delegates.

Trump repeatedly thanked the state of New York before launching into bits of his stump speech about bringing back jobs, strengthening the military and negotiating good deals.

He didn't make his usual pledge to build a wall on the Mexican border, a popular rally cry. He also refrained from his campaign trail insults for "Lyin' Ted Cruz," (instead referring to him as "Senator Ted Cruz") and was relatively tame in his criticism of the media.

Flanked by his family as well as supporters like Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino, Trump thanked his "evolving" team and called it a "team of unity."
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The degree of Donald Trump's success in his home state's presidential primary Tuesday will depend on the margin of his victory in each of New York's 27 congressional districts.

The candidate who receives 50 percent or more of the vote in any congressional district will be awarded all three of that district's available delegates to the Republican National Convention.

That means Trump -- who leads Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz by 20 percentage points or more in major polls -- could sweep all 81 delegates available in the congressional districts by receiving at least half the vote in those districts.

In addition, if Trump can reach 50 percent or more in the statewide vote, he will receive an additional 14 at-large delegates to the convention.

That means Trump could walk away with all 95 GOP delegates in New York by the end of the night.

But when the votes are tallied tonight, the Trump campaign could run into trouble in congressional districts in Syracuse, Rochester, the Capital District and the North Country, according to an Optimus poll made public last week. Those are districts where Trump was polling below 50 percent.

In the Syracuse area's 24th Congressional District, Trump was favored by 38 percent of likely Republican primary voters -- his worst performance in Upstate New York. Kasich had 28 percent of likely voters and Cruz was favored by 15 percent.

Under state GOP rules, if no candidate receives 50 percent or more of the vote in a congressional district, the winner receives two delegates and the runner-up receives one delegate as long as the second-place candidate has at least 20 percent of the vote.

If the Syracuse poll numbers hold steady tonight, that means Trump would win two of the delegates in the district, and Kasich would be awarded one. The district covers all of Onondaga, Cayuga and Wayne counties, and the western half of Oswego County.

Contact Mark Weiner anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton's big victories in New York's presidential primary Tuesday included a big prize for the Republican and Democratic front-runners: Both will receive a large haul of delegates to their party conventions.

Trump won 89 of the 95 GOP delegates at stake, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich won three delegates and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was shutout despite campaigning in New York City and Upstate New York.

The winner of the three Republican delegates at stake in New York's 12th Congressional District in Manhattan was still undecided early Wednesday, with Trump and Kasich capturing 44 percent of the vote.

With 100 percent of the district's votes counted, Kasich clung to a 70-vote lead, meaning the race will have to be decided by a count of absentee ballots.

On the Democratic side, Clinton won 135 delegates statewide, compared to 104 for Sanders, with 97 percent of the votes counted. That gives Clinton a net gain of 31 delegates as she attempts to clinch the Democratic nomination.

Clinton now has 1,893 of the 2,383 pledged delegates and super delegates needed to clinch the nomination, according to the Associated Press. Sanders has a combined total of 1,180.



Contact Mark Weiner anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
Ukraine plans to conclude negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the second revision of the reform program and receive the third tranche of the loan by the end of the second quarter of this year, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv has told reporters.

"A meeting of the working group has been held, which was attended by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. The structure of communications [with the IMF] was discussed. There is a certain hour line for the implementation of orders, including the preparation of draft laws, the adoption of bills in the Verkhovna Rada. Apparently, a Skype conference with the IMF will be conducted, and we will get additional principles for forming the positions of the Ministry of Finance, the Economy Ministry and other ministries. Then we all set out this on paper and inform. This will take some time, but we want to do this in the near future. This should be done by May 1. The premier clearly set the task," Kubiv said.

According to him, the position of Ukrainian authorities will take into consideration the opinion of other creditors of the country, namely the EBRD and the World Bank.

Kubiv stressed that currently Ukraine does not insist on combining several tranches.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko plans in the near future to hold a meeting with business representatives to discuss their problems.

"In the near future, I hope, I will have my first meeting with the representatives of different business communities. In protecting their legitimate rights and interests, I, as the president of Ukraine, am ready to become the most important ally of our business ombudsman," the head of state said at a meeting of the National Reforms Council in Kyiv.

The president believes it is necessary to accelerate the pace of reforms and called for the improvement of the investment climate in Ukraine, which is impossible without the creation of a fair judicial system.
Denmark supports Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and on the path of reform, Danish Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen has said.

"I would like to assure you, Mr. Prime Minister (Volodymyr Groysman), that Ukraine is not alone, Denmark and the EU support Ukraine at this time and I'm glad to hear that the new government is set to continue the reforms in Ukraine, to fulfill the criteria recorded in a memorandum with the IMF," Rasmussen said in a statement after a meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman in Kyiv on Tuesday.

The Danish prime minister assured that his country would continue not to recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

However, he stressed that the signing of an agreement on association and a free trade area (FTA) between Ukraine and the EU gave Ukraine and Denmark new opportunities for trade and investment.

Rasmussen also noted that he discussed with his counterpart the investment climate in Ukraine and called on Danish companies to invest in this country adding that Denmark had high hopes for the new Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
SHARE Xiomara Hunter

By Will Greenlee of TCPalm

Editor's Note: The charge against Xiomara Hunter was dropped Feb. 9, 2016. The charge against Xiomara Medina was dropped Feb. 17, 2016.

----------------

PORT ST. LUCIE  A mother and daughter were arrested after officials said their dog ran loose and attacked a Yorkshire terrier, according to records released Thursday.

Xiomara Hunter, 54, and her 26-year-old daughter, Xiomara Medina, both of the 600 block of Northeast Emerson Street, were arrested Wednesday, each on a misdemeanor attack by known dangerous dog charge.

Port St. Lucie animal control officials documented a history involving Hunter and Medinas male pit bull, named Argos, which had been declared dangerous under state law.

The first incident happened in June 2014. A man told officials he was walking his Yorkshire terrier in his motorized wheelchair when Argos ran out across the street and attacked his dog.

The man said when he tried to help his Yorkshire terrier, the pit bull bit his arm. Four neighbors came out to help. At the time, Medina reported her dog had ran outside and that she had seen the incident.

A month later, Hunter told animal control officials that her daughter owned Argos, but she was taking responsibility for the pooch because Medina is in college.

In August 2014, Argos was declared dangerous by animal control officials, and Hunter and Medina didnt contest the designation.

In January, an animal control official went to Hunters and Medinas home after a person walking a dog reported being attacked. The officer issued a citation related to having a dangerous dog at large, or not properly secured. An animal control official learned Argos had gone out the front door, the report said.

The most recently reported attack came Oct. 9 when a woman said a dog living at Hunters and Medinas address jumped a fence and approached her dog. The approaching dog was later identified as Argos.

Officials got warrants for the arrest of Medina and Hunter, accusing them of allowing Argos to run loose after Argos was declared dangerous.

WHAT IS A DANGEROUS ANIMAL? An animal control officer can declare an animal dangerous if it bites, attacks, endangers or severely injures a person; has severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owners property; has chased or approached a person on public grounds in a menacing manner provided there is a sworn statement. Fulfilling one of these could get the animal declared dangerous. The declaration can be contested.



Owners of dangerous animals must follow a variety of requirements. For example, if you walk a dangerous dog on a leash it must be a solid, as opposed to a retractable, leash and the dog must be muzzled and have a microchip implanted.



If a dangerous dog attacks a person or animal, state law requires the dog to be confiscated and the owner arrested. The confiscation can be appealed. If its not appealed, the animal will be destroyed.



SOURCE: Todd Wallace, Port St. Lucie Animal Control supervisor.
SHARE

By Keona Gardner of TCPalm

ST. LUCIE COUNTY  Voters in November could be asked to increase the sales tax here to pave roads, build sidewalks and complete drainage projects.

Some county commissioners, however, are asking for specifics on the proposed work before signing on to increasing the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent.

A state formula allocates the new revenue, with 50.05 percent going to the county and 49.95 percent divided among Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce and St. Lucie Village, based on population.

The first year of an increase would generate $15.5 million, with $7.7 million going to the county, $6.2 million to Port St. Lucie, $1.5 million to Fort Pierce and $21,515 for St. Lucie Village.

The money would be used only for infrastructure projects.

The County Commission plans to vote on the tax increase on June 7. It could become permanent, or the commission could set an expiration date.

It would be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Raising the sales tax rate is needed to pay for a backlog of $600 million of capital needs, including new roads and drainage projects, new buildings and vehicles, County Administrator Howard Tipton said.

Yet it was clear Tuesday that all commissioners aren't yet onboard.

Before she votes, Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson said, she wants a list of projects to be done and their costs.

"If we are going to go down this road, we owe this to the taxpayers," Hutchinson said.

Commissioner Paula Lewis, too, said more details are needed.

"It's wonderful to say you want to do a water project, but what does that mean? It's great the county wants to fix the road. But OK, which roads? And so you want to build sidewalks. That's great, but where do you want to build them?" Lewis asked.

The sales tax is considered a regressive tax with poor people paying more, Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky said, "but we have several communities in this county with dirt roads and that is just unacceptable."

The county repaves about 5 miles of roads a year when it should repave 25 miles a year, Tipton told commissioners.

"With that backlog, that means the following year you have to repave 25 plus the 20 miles that you didn't get to the prior year. It's impossible catch up," Tipton said.

If the sales tax rate isn't increased, the county would have to consider cutting services or raising property taxes, but that still would not be enough to pay for roadwork, Tipton said.

"You cannot cut your way out of this because there is just not enough to cut," Tipton said.

Raising the sales tax rate shares the cost among property owners, renters, tourists and any others who purchase goods in the county.

"All the proceeds stay here," Tipton said. "It doesn't go up to Tallahassee and then trickle back to us."

If the issue is approved for a countywide vote, a campaign of public-service announcements would be launched this summer to sell the tax hike, Tipton said. About 18 Florida counties, including Indian River, earmark a portion on their sales-tax money for infrastructure projects, Tipton said.

Martin County, like St. Lucie, has a 6 percent sales tax. Indian River County's sales tax already is at 7 percent.

This is not the first time the county discussed raising the sales tax rate to pay for infrastructure projects. It was discussed at last summer's budget talks but tabled for staff to get more information.

SALES TAX RATE

St. Lucie County is considering raising its sales tax rate from 6 percent to 7 percent. The money collected would be used to pay for roads, sidewalk and water-improvement projects.

Heres how much the county and its cities would collect:

Year 1

St. Lucie County: $7.78 million

Port St. Lucie: $6.23 million

Fort Pierce: $1.53 million

St. Lucie Village: $21,515

Year 10

St. Lucie County: $94.2 million

Port St. Lucie: $75.5 million

Fort Pierce: $18.6 million

St. Lucie Village: $260,493

Year 20

St. Lucie County: $216 million

Port St. Lucie: $173.1 million

Fort Pierce: $42.6 million

St. Lucie Village: $597,318

Source: St. Lucie County
Photos by Stephanie Labaff The Indian River County Volunteer Ambulance Squad is celebrating its 50 year anniversary.

SHARE Gina Edwards (7 years on the squad), Wayne Samson (2 years), Larry Wilhelm (13 years), John Ross (14 years) and Art Eberhart (1 year). Board member Clark Ballard and administrator April Hargett dispatch a driver for a pickup. The board in the back shows the pickup schedule for the week. Photo by Sharon Smith Volunteer driver Art Eberhart assisting Robert Knudson. Board member Clark Ballard and administrator April Hargett

By Stephanie Labaff, The Newsweekly

Fifty years ago when there was a car accident or a heart attack, victims were taken to the hospital by any means possible.

If they couldn't be find transportation, the funeral home was called and a hearse was used as a makeshift ambulance.

In May of 1966, a group of volunteers got together and decided to start what is now the Volunteer Ambulance Squad. Initially, the volunteers used two old Cadillac ambulances to transport patients.

Then in 1989, the Indian River County Fire Rescue Division added a staff of trained paramedics to the service, which relieved the volunteers from making emergency transports.

But they wanted to continue doing something. At first, the volunteers worked side by side with the paramedics: volunteers drove the ambulance to the scene, where the paramedics would meet them. If the patient needed to go to the hospital, volunteers would drive the paramedic's car to the hospital so those emergency personnel could ride along with the patient.

This model didn't work well, so the volunteers decided to focus on non-emergency services. In the beginning, they took stretcher patients to doctors appointments. Later, their services were expanded to include wheelchair-bound, then ambulatory patients.

Last year, the squad provided free transportation to more than 1,000 Indian River County residents, which added up to more than 14,000 trips to and from non-emergency medical appointments. That's an average of about 35 trips per day.

Independence

On a typical day at their headquarters at the base of the Merrill P. Barber Bridge, the squad's drivers file in to get their assignments. They chatter with enthusiasm about which clients they will be picking up. There's an aura of familiarity and genuine care as they head for their cars.

While not all of the squad's customers are senior citizens, they do represent a good portion of those using the transportation services.

Getting to the doctor is crucial for older adults to remain independent. But maintaining a car is not a possibility for many because of costs and physical disabilities.

The US Census Bureau estimates that 11 million people aged 65 and older lived alone in 2010. Many of them were unable to drive.

Yet, as the Florida Department of Elder Affairs points out, mobility and accessibility are essential for independent living  transportation is the link that allows seniors access to needed services, including medical care.

Rosalyn Showalter, 80, has experienced more than her share of loss. The former school principal is wheelchair bound and has diabetes. After losing both of her daughters, she doesn't want to be a burden to her grandsons.

"These people are so caring  they even came to my daughter's funeral," she said. "I can't tell you how much their support has meant to me over the years. I just don't know how they manage everything so well."

Full service

The Volunteer Ambulance Squad is strictly a non-emergency service yet they make it possible for seniors, like Showalter, to access the medical attention they need.

"We take patients to scheduled appointments: doctors, dentists, hearing aid consultations, eye glasses, procedures, treatments, dialysis, chemotherapy and much, much more," explains Vice President and volunteer driver Clark Ballard.

More than 70 volunteers spend at least one day per week driving passengers in one of the nine vehicles in the fleet. Three vehicles are equipped to transport wheelchair patients, and the other six smaller vehicles are used for ambulatory patients.

But according to Ballard, the squad sometimes face seasonal challenges keeping up with demand.

"Most of the patients live here year round. They don't leave in the winter  their health doesn't permit it," he says. "We do lose drivers in the winter, though."

Appreciated

The freedom of movement that the squad provides also has the extra benefit of allowing people to stay in their homes longer. If they can get to their doctor's appointments, they don't have to move into an assisted-living facility.

Drivers say they receive as much out of the experience as they give.

Wayne Samson has been volunteering behind the wheel for two years.

"I like to help other people that need assistance," he said.

The retired corporate lawyer drives one day a week and says, "My wife will tell you I come home raving about the great experiences I've had  meeting people that I otherwise wouldn't know and giving them the assistance they need."

That kind of compassionate care allows residents to maintain their dignity  and many look forward to their daily and weekly trips. For some, it's a rare and treasured interaction with caring people.

Lucille (LuLu) Walkowski, 87, started using the Volunteer Ambulance Squad two years ago after suffering from a stroke.

"I appreciate what these people do for me. Every single one of them has been kind and helpful," she said. "They are so interesting and we talk about all sorts of things during the drive. I don't know how I would get to the doctors without them."

Five years ago Dominick Sclafani, 86, was declared legally blind and couldn't drive anymore.

"I see seven different doctors and don't know how I would get to my appointments without them," he said. "They are so kind. They help me in and out of the car, take me into my appointments. They are always so helpful and are great conversationalists."

The squad offers free transportation to medical appointments for anyone in Indian River County.

"We pick people up in Fellsmere, Sebastian, John's Island, anywhere in the county," says Ballard.

What they provide is kindness and hope.

There is no charge to passengers for transportation, but donations are accepted. The squad raises funds to cover costs through an annual letter campaign. They receive no city, state or local funding.

To help celebrate their semi-centennial, the squad will host an Open House on May 7, at squad headquarters along with a Celebration Luncheon for current and former drivers and their spouses.

If you, or someone you know, have volunteered for the Ambulance Squad in the past, call the squad at 772-231-1230, so an invitation can be sent.

To learn more about the Volunteer Ambulance Squad, make a donation, schedule transportation or would like to volunteer, visit VolunteerAmbulanceSquad.org or call 772-231-1230.
A storm passing through Vero Beach on April 15 produced many lightning strikes, including this one seen near the Vero Beach Municipal Marina. (SAM WOLFE/SPECIAL TO TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)

By Laurie K. Blandford of TCPalm

Chris Ebner's scar above his left eye where lightning hit him nearly 20 years ago has faded.

The 36-year-old Vero Beach resident and Fort Pierce native knows what happened that day only because others have told him.

"I don't remember it," Ebner said. "All I remember is (seeing) all white, and then I blacked out."

Ebner was only 17 years old when he was struck by lightning in the head  similar to how a bolt hit and killed 41-year-old Farooq Mohammad in Hobe Sound last month.

But Ebner survived, as do most people who are struck by lightning, said John Jensenius, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service lightning safety specialist.

Florida is known as the lightning capital of the nation, according to NOAA data.

It has an average of 1,382,228 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes annually, which is second in the nation after Texas only because of size. It's the highest in the nation when it comes to cloud-to-ground lightning strikes per square mile, with an average of 20.8.

On average, one out of every 10 people struck by lightning across the nation dies, Jensenius said.

Mohammad, who was from Lake Worth, was only the second person to die from a lightning strike on the Treasure Coast since NOAA started tracking lightning-related incidents in 1997.

Since then, there have been 12 incidents in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties in which 12 people were hurt and two were killed: Mohammad and Rosemary Hinton, a 46-year-old physical education teacher at St. Edward's School in Vero Beach in 2003.

Those who survive typically have long-term effects that can show up years later.

"They have neurological problems," Jensenius said. "They often suffer from headaches and other pains. Their lives may never be the same."

A Survivor's Story

Chris Ebner was just starting his junior year at John Carroll Catholic High School in Fort Pierce when his life changed.

Just before 5 p.m. on Aug. 1, 1997, he was taking an air ambulance jet to a hangar as part of his job at what was then the St. Lucie County International Airport when he noticed storm clouds approaching. Ebner, who was in the middle of the wide open airport field, saw a couple lightning strikes several miles away.

A medic still was inside the jet when a bolt of lightning hit Ebner, who was thrown about 20 feet.

"All I remember is little flashes," Ebner said. "I was somewhat in and out of consciousness."

The medic picked up Ebner and took him inside the airport's office while another got an ambulance and took him to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute.

"It knocked me out," he said. "I didn't wake up for a day and a half."

Ebner recalled waking up at one point, looking down and wondering why his clothes were charred. He noticed the bottom of his work boots had bubbled and melted.

"There was nothing left," Ebner said. "They were dripping off my feet."

Above: Chris Ebner, 36, was 17 years old when he was struck by lightning while on the job at the Treasure Coast International Airport and Business Park in St. Lucie County. "I'm not real clear on what happened because I blacked out," Ebner said. (PATRICK DOVE/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)

He was told he survived the direct hit probably because of the rain-soaked yellow jacket he had been wearing.

"There was nothing left of it but the zipper," Ebner said. "It just disintegrated."

Since he didn't have an exit wound from the strike, experts told Ebner the lightning must have hit him on his wet head and then went around and under him.

"Being soaking wet in that suit could have given it somewhere else to go besides through me," Ebner said.

Ebner spent about a week in the hospital. He was out of school for about a month.

He couldn't talk at first, and then he could barely walk. He had physical therapy to regain use of his clenched muscles.

And he had more scars than the one above his eye.

"The buttons on my shirt actually melted into my skin," Ebner said.

Today, he has memory loss. A neurologist told him his short-term memory was affected because he was struck on the forehead where that part of the brain is located.

Ebner, who now does electrical installation for the Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Jupiter, said his experience made him more cautious.

"I will cancel anything if it's lightning outside," Ebner said.

What Is Lightning?

Lightning is a giant spark of electricity in the atmosphere or between the atmosphere and the ground. In the initial stages of development, air acts as an insulator between the positive and negative charges in the cloud and between the cloud and the ground. However, when the differences in charges become too great, this insulating capacity of the air breaks down and there is a rapid discharge of electricity that we know as lightning.

MORE | How you can be alerted to a severe thunderstorm in your county.

Fewer Deaths

The number of lightning-related deaths across the nation has been decreasing since the 1940s when officials were seeing between 300 and 400 deaths annually. That's because more people were farming, and tractors didn't have metal cabs to protect the farmers who were driving them as they do now. That's also because most telephones were connected by wires before the arrival of cordless phones and cellphones.

Future Technology

The National Weather Service plans to partner with NASA to install a sensor on a satellite in space that will be able to detect lightning by seeing optical flashes in clouds. It will key in on flashes by detecting charges in clouds, indicating people need to get somewhere safe. This technology is expected to be available to the general public within the next few years, and it would be available online. Still, officials warn enhanced lightning detection won't matter if people don't pay attention and take the proper precautions before, during and after storms.

Staying Safe During Storms

People's eyes and ears are their best protection; they should look for developing storms and listen for thunder. If they see or hear either, they should get to a safe location.

Pay attention to daily weather forecasts and NOAA's radar to make plans for well before a storm approaches because lightning can strike 10 miles away from a storm. Most deaths occur before and after storms because people wait too long to get somewhere safe. They should wait to go back outside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.

Residents also can sign up for notifications from local public safety and emergency management agencies for severe weather alerts.

Did You Know?

You shouldn't take a shower or do the dishes during a storm. Most people know that lightning can hit a building and travel through any wire, but it also can travel through the plumbing.

Source: John Jensenius, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service lightning safety specialist
The FBI paid hackers to break onto the iPhone of the San Bernardino, California, shooter, according to a news report published Tuesday in The Washington Post.

The bureau obtained the services of gray hats, the Post said, citing unnamed sources. It apparently did not get help fromCellebrite, as earlier reports had suggested.

Gray hats are hackers who sell flaws to governments or companies that make surveillance tools.

The FBI would not confirm that it had turned to gray hats, but its National Press Office directed the E-Commerce Times to a speech FBI Director James Comey made at Kenyon College last week, calling attention to his statement that someone outside the government came up with a solution that will be closely protected, and used lawfully and appropriately.

Comey knows about the people the FBI bought the solution from, he said, and he expressed a high degree of confidence that they are very good at protecting it, and their motivations align with ours.

Support for the FBIs Actions

The use of bad guys by the United States government, and in fact all governments, has been going on since the beginning of time, remarked Philip Lieberman, CEO ofLieberman Software.

I would rather live in the U.S., where safety and sanity trumps a repressive government that implements an idealistic set of privacy laws that end up putting my life at risk, he told the E-Commerce Times.

U.S. policy holds that the governments need to protect citizens trumps privacy rights, while the UK and the EU take the opposite tack, which has resulted in unintended consequences of death and destruction due to laws that protect criminals and psychopaths and criminalize breaches of privacy to the degree that potentially saving the lives of others is a criminal act, Lieberman said.

When it comes to justice, the FBI should be able to use whatever resources necessary in its pursuit of information, argued Brad Bussie, director of product management atStealthbits Technologies.

The gray hat is a contractor, and Im more interested in how closely the FBI will be watching its new contractor to see if they try to make more money with the technique that was used on the terrorists iPhone, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The Other Side of the Argument

From a macro perspective, its incredibly stupid to work with the gray hats, argued Rob Enderle principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

Its in line with negotiating with terrorists or kidnappers, he told the E-Commerce Times. The larger outcome is generally worse than the specific problem the efforts attempting to address.

If true, the action comes uncomfortably close to blackmail, Enderle suggested. The implicit threat is that, if you dont do what we ask, we will open your platform to attackers harming your customers and putting your business at risk.

The problem is, the ethics have an extremely fuzzy boundary, Craig Kensek, security expert atLastline, pointed out.

There are people who will say once youve gone black or gray, youll always go back, he told the E-Commerce Times.

If the FBI pays researchers to discover vulnerabilities and then reports them to the vendors, its participating in beneficial vulnerability research, suggested Tim Erlin, director of IT security and risk strategy forTripwire.

However, choosing to not disclose discovered vulnerabilities to the vendors simply ensures that risk remains in the market, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The FBI has not decided whether to disclose the vulnerability to Apple. In the meantime, it reportedly has written to local police departments offering its help to crack iPhones of suspects.
The National Reforms Council has prepared a plan of reforms, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has stated.

"The Secretariat of the National Reforms Council has prepared a monthly action plan, which was developed by the National Reforms Council, and a weekly plan of priority actions. The two documents you were handed out," Poroshenko said at a meeting of the National Reforms Council in Kyiv.
Chinese-based smartphone manufacturer LeEco (formerly Letv) on Wednesday refreshed its entire line of handsets. The new devices, the Le 2, the Le 2 Pro and the Le Max 2, are especially noteworthy as none of them feature traditional 3.5mm headphone jacks.

As you might guess, the naming convention represents the company's mid-tier, flagship and phablet devices, respectively.

The Le 2 and Le 2 Pro both utilize a 5.5-inch, 1080p LCD display. The entry-level Le 2 packs a MediaTek Helio X20 SoC, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of flash storage while the higher-end Le 2 Pro gets MediaTek's Helio X25 chip and 4GB of RAM to go with its 32GB of local storage.

Those paying a bit more for the Pro model will also enjoy a 21-megapixel rear-facing camera from Sony versus the 16-megapixel shooter on the standard Le 2.

Not impressed yet? Perhaps LeEco's phablet-class device will sway you.

The 5.7-inch, QHD Le Max 2 features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 SoC with up to 6GB of RAM (a first for any Android phone). It's offered in your choice of 32GB or 64GB of local flash storage, a 21-megapixel rear-facing camera (Sony IMX230 image sensor) with optical image stabilization, an 8-megapixel selfie cam, dual-band 801.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, 4G LTE and more, all powered by a 3,100mAh battery.

All three handsets ditch the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of a USB Type-C connector that handles both charging and audio duties. As AnandTech points out, LeEco includes a USB Type-C to 3.5mm audio adapter with each phone so you'll still be able to use your existing 3.5mm-based headphones.

Pricing is set at around $170 for the Le2 and climbs to roughly $230 for the Le 2 Pro. If it's the Le Max 2 that you're after, expect to pay around $325 for the base model with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage or $385 for the high-end offering with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of flash storage. Unfortunately, LeEco only has plans to launch these phones in China for the time being although one could show up in the US later this year.
Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's Xbox division, said earlier today on the official Xbox blog that they've decided to stop manufacturing new Xbox 360 consoles. Microsoft will continue to sell its existing inventory of 360s but once those are gone, it'll bring an end to a storied console that's more than a decade old.

With rumors of a successor to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 making the rounds, the news shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone.

The Xbox 360 will be remembered as a key cog in console gaming history, proving that the original Xbox wasn't a fluke.

Microsoft announced the Xbox 360 in May 2015 and held a massive launch event in November at a "secret" location in the Mojave Desert. The 360 served as the launching pad for several franchises including Gears of War. Others, like Forza and Halo, really came into their own on the 360.

The Kinect motion-sensing device also got its start on the Xbox 360.

Over the years, gamers have amassed nearly 486 billion Gamerscore points from 27 billion achievements while putting in over 78 billion hours of gameplay (plus another 25 billion spent in apps).

Spencer said that despite stopping production, they'll continue to support the 360. Specifically, Microsoft will still offer and support Xbox Live services (keeping servers online and active, for example), sell games and accessories, support hardware (presumably, warranties) and continue to offer backward compatibility on the Xbox One.
As a marketing strategy, many salespeople push their products to clients, some even run after them in the malls. This product pushing is no longer new, but a mom stood up to one common sales pitch.

Annick Robinson of Montreal, Canada is on her way to her gate in Calgary Airport when a salesman from a store offers her a free natural soap, but apparently he really wants to sell her an anti-aging cream.

The sales guy starts talking about facial skin and wrinkles. When he tries to guess Robinson's age, he even pulled out a number which is 12 years younger.

"I look my age and that's okay actually," she responded to the salesman.

The man is not discouraged by her reply, instead he proceeds to show her the anti aging face serum, that can help because by age 45, creams won't do anymore.

"What's wrong with a woman looking 40?" Robinson said.

As a strategy, the salesman did not back out and still pushed on marketing the serum.

The salesman proceeds to describe Robinson's eye bags and smile wrinkles, which is really degrading. Robinson says that she's happy with her eye bags - they were a result of not sleeping for two years because of her miracle baby and it's because she and her husband loves to laugh.

The unintimidated salesman continues to push the product saying that if those wrinkles and sagging skin are not managed, she will need a surgery to correct it.

Robinson at this point just has enough and replies to the salesman that there's nothing wrong with aging and it is how life works. Moreover, she and her husband can't wait to grow old together and look like an old couple with funny wrinkles.

People are already listening in to their conversation, but the salesman still continues to sell the product highlighting a package of facial serum cheaper than a Botox.

Robinson finally shuts the man.

"I look fine now and when I'm 45 I will look fine and when I'm 50 I will look fine, because there is nothing wrong with a woman aging."

Robinson also says that old age is a privilege denied to many and she does not appreciate a salesman marketing youth instead of his products and denigrating aging women as a sales tactic.

She then proudly took a selfie and posted it on Facebook. After several hours, the post bags thousand of Likes and Shares.

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Japanese fishermen were in it for the surprise of their lives when they captured an extremely rare creature, a megamouth shark.

The fishermen found the rare creature caught in their fishing net around 3 miles from Owase Port in Mie Prefecture. Measuring more than 15 feet long and weighing about a ton, this elusive creature is rarely seen even by fishermen.

Megamouth sharks have only been spotted about 60 times since it was first discovered and most of them were seen in Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

The first known close encounter with a megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) was in 1976, when a United States Navy crew caught the creature off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii. During that time, the crew was unable to identify the unusual and odd-looking creature, so they preserved the carcass and brought it to the Waikiki Aquarium for analysis.

It was later on identified as an undocumented species of planktivorous shark, which uses its massive mouth to catch jellyfish, plankton and other food particles.

A report said that the megamouth shark recently caught in Japan was purchased by a fishmonger and transported outside the prefecture. The shark is reportedly being processed for human consumption.

Scientists usually request to have rare creatures examined but fishermen are reluctant to surrender their catch without due profit.

Though the megamouth shark has been seen a few times since it was first discovered, it has been listed under Least Concern in the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This means that a taxon has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for other categories.

The real status of the megamouth shark's real population trend has not been established since it has been spotted only a few times since the '70s.

Since the shark has been rarely encountered throughout its range, further research on its ecology and habitat are required to better understand the possible impacts of fishing to the creature's population.

Fishermen in Asia, particularly in Taiwan, encounter an increasing number of catches involving megamouth sharks. Captures made by fisheries should be tracked and studied cautiously to make sure the species does not become threatened in the future.

"The increasing reports of captures from Southeast Asia suggest some potential effects of fisheries. However, the lack of catch data and life history information makes it difficult to understand the effects of these catches," the IUCN wrote in its report.

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Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced on April 18 that he will drink Flint tap water for at least a month to show that it is already safe to do so.

The Flint community has been down by the water crisis involving high levels of toxic substances found in tap water. Bad laboratory results just keep coming one after the other, discouraging the residents and leaving them helpless in the process.

On March 4, the city announced its FAST Start Program, which aims to remove the city's first lead water service line. This sparked hope for the community, but hesitations remained and no matter how officials say the water is now safe for consumption, the people still find it hard to believe fully.

Heeding The Public's Call

Snyder received a request to visit a home that was gravely stricken by the Flint water crisis. The said home was recently tested and was found to have high amounts of lead via the state's testing program.

Snyder talked with the homeowner and explained the water situation, including the the importance of using water filters to ensure safety.

After this talk, he drank filtered water with the family to show that the water is now safe for consumption.

Snyder says he fully sees the point of some Flint residents who are skeptical in drinking the water. He hopes to lift some of that worries and lack of trust by turning his words into actions.

"And I will continue drinking Flint water at work and at home for at least 30 days," he adds.

Snyder acknowledges that the public particularly requested for him to personally drink Flint tap water for 30 days or for an entire month. He marks that day as the start of his response..

Snyder even left with a supply of filtered water from the home that is sufficient enough to get him started. He plans to use the water both for drinking and cooking. He will get his refill of Flint water during his weekly visits to the city.

Improving Flint Water

Just this month, the federal, state and independent water quality specialists came to a unanimous finding that the water quality in Flint is indeed improving. Ultimately, the water is now safe for consumption, provided that a water filter is installed.

Workers are still in the midst of restoring the protective coating of the water pipes - a measure that is vital until all lead water pipes are changed.

Meanwhile, authorities advise the public to follow the home flushing protocol they have released to boost the flow of treatments.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An astrophysicist in Florida may have finally cracked the mystery behind a strange radio blast from space known the "Wow!" signal, which many believe could be proof of extraterrestrial life.

The Wow! signal was discovered by astronomer Jerry R. Ehman on August 15, 1977 using the Big Ear radio telescope at Ohio State University. The instrument was pointed toward a group of stars known as Chi Sagittarii when it suddenly detected a strong blast of radio waves that lasted for about 72 seconds.

When Ehman saw the reading, he circled the point where the radio blast occurred and simply labeled it as "Wow!"

Researchers analyzed the Big Ear's read out and saw that it had characteristics that could prove it really came from outer space. This led to the notion that the radio signal could likely have been broadcasted alien lifeforms.

However, since the radio blast was never detected again despite numerous attempts by scientists over the years, the origin of the signal remained largely unexplored.

Antonio Paris, an astronomy professor at St. Petersburg College in Florida and former analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense, offers a possible explanation to what could have created the Wow! signal in 1977.

In a study featured in the Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, Paris described how he was able to examine the area of space where the Wow! signal likely came from.

While he didn't find any alien species, he did come across two comets named 335P/Gibbs and 266P/Christensen, which could be the culprits behind the powerful radio blast detected by the OSU's Big Ear radio telescope.

Despite being in the area of Chi Sagittarii when the Wow! signal was detected, no one explored the possibility that the comets could have caused the radio blast because researchers only found out about their existence in 2008 and 2006 respectively.

Paris believes that radio blast could have been emitted by massive hydrogen gas clouds that surround comets. The 1420MHz radio frequency at which Ehman detected the Wow! signal is typically associated with hydrogen emissions.

To prove his hypothesis, Paris plans to study the two comets as they make their pass in the vicinity of Chi Sagittarii again. 266P/Christensen is set to make its transit in the area on Jan. 25, 2017, while 335P/Gibbs is set to make its own transit on Jan. 7, 2018.

However, before Paris can conduct his observations of 266P/Christensen and 335P/Gibbs, he still needs to secure a radio telescope of his own since all of the other instruments in existence are already being used.

He has set up a GoFundMe crowdfunding drive in order to raise the $13,000 needed to purchase a new radio telescope for his observation. He has received donations from people who support his project and is on his way to meeting his target amount.

Paris and his colleagues are aware of the criticism thrown at them by fellow scientists, but they believe that even if their hypothesis ends up being wrong they can still learn more about comets through their observation.

If the source of the Wow! signal turns out to be not comets, then researchers at SETI still have a chance to prove that radio blast did indeed come from extraterrestrial lifeforms.

Photo: Tony Netone | Flickr

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Danish Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen has pointed out Ukraine's potential and said that Denmark expects further reforms from the country's authorities.

"It is important for Ukraine to continue the reform process... I congratulated the prime minister and the president on the reforms that Ukraine has conducted over the past years," he said during a joint press conference after the talks with Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv on Tuesday.

He added that Denmark, as a member of the European Union, will continue to support Ukraine on this path.

"I have brought with me representatives of Danish companies. These are more than 30 largest Danish companies, who joined me during this visit. I think this shows a great potential and interest in the continuation of investments and in the expansion of trade between our countries," the Danish prime minister said, adding that the interest of Danish companies in Ukraine has increased in recent years.

Rasmussen welcomed the progress made by the Ukrainian authorities on the path of transformations, the reforms that were proposed and passed by the Ukrainian parliament, but noted that there existed problems with the implementation of these laws and different obstacles for business.

Speaking about his meeting with new Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Rasmussen said that he was impressed by the meeting and the conversation with the latter.
Mike Vernal, one of the key executives at Facebook, is leaving the company to join Sequoia Capital as a partner.

Vernal has been with the social network leader for eight long years and was in charge of the company's search, local and developer products. During his tenure, Vernal climbed the corporate ladder successfully to reach his optimum growth and reported directly to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

"Mike Vernal has been an integral part of the Facebook team for eight years. While we're sad to lose him, we're happy for him to take the next step in his career and wish him all the best," was Facebook's statement for its ex-VP. Apparently, the company is in no hurry to find an immediate replacement for Vernal and plans to divide his responsibilities among the management teams.

Vernal parted ways with Facebook a week after the company's annual developer conference was held in San Francisco. He said that the decision to leave one of the most sought-after companies in the world hasn't been an easy one at all, especially after attending the conference where Zuckerberg shared his 10-year vision with 2500 attendees. Vernal also confessed that it is always hard leaving a company that is so mission-driven.

However, he seemed excited about the new prospects at Sequoia where his responsibilities lie with consumer and developer technology. One of the partners, Bryan Schreier, who got to know Vernal while he was setting up startups as part of a Facebook initiative, stated, "You don't recruit people like Mike. They choose you and we are thrilled to have him join."

Vernal's arrival at Sequoia marks the departure of its long-term partner, Michael Goguen, who has been hit by one of the most controversial lawsuits in Silicon Valley. Vernal is yet another male member to join the string of male partners in the company, a fact which the company is widely criticized for.

Currently, the company's Chinese and Indian arms have three and two female members respectively. Chairman Michael Moritz has been known to state that while the company is working to rectify this lack of diversity, it won't be lowering its standards to achieve that end.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A 14-year old girl impressed U.S. President Barack Obama with her science project presented during the 2016 White House Science Fair.

Inspired by a friend in Ethiopia, Hannah Herbst from Florida made an ocean-energy probe prototype, BEACON, designed to help developing countries have a power source using ocean currents. Energy gathered from the currents will be stored in a generator and can be used for other purposes such as desalinization of water.

The ninth-grader from the Florida Atlantic University High School previously presented the ocean-energy probe prototype in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge in 2015. Herbst won the challenge and was named America's Top Young Scientist.

Herbst has received numerous honors from different organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers, the Florida Science Teachers Association and the Office of Naval Research.

She was mentored by 3M scientist Jeffrey Emslander, a recognized expert in polymeric film materials.

On April 13, Obama toured the science fair and stopped by Herbst's exhibit where he pulled a string that illustrated how electricity was generated using seawater.

In its website, the 2016 White House Science Fair said that this year's projects tackle pressing problems that demand immediate attention such as climate change, cancer therapy and space exploration.

The president acknowledges that many young people of today look up to athletes as their role models, but through the science fair, he wants to show these young individuals that science can be cool, as well.

He believes that these young scientists will continue to put the United States as a global frontrunner in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). During last year's fair, Obama announced pledges worth $240 million from private sectors to help fund students to pursue STEM.

"As a society, we have to celebrate outstanding work by young people in science at least as much as we do Super Bowl winners. Because superstar biologists and engineers and rocket scientists and robot-builders ... they're what's going to transform our society. They're the folks who are going to come up with cures for diseases and new sources of energy, and help us build healthier, more successful societies," Obama said.

Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture | Flickr

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Malarial infection that caused loon death is due to climate change, a report has revealed.

To understand loon deaths, associate professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Tufts University Mark Pokras and his team have collected blood samples of the birds for their study.

For thirty years, most of the results of the blood tests have shown that majority of the birds have high mercury and lead content. They reasoned that this is due to environmental pollutions. However, more recent blood samples from dying loons now show that as much as 12 percent of blood samples are positive for the avian infection.

Last summer, the first loon death due to malaria infection was reported in Umbagog Lake in New Hampshire.

Pokras said that particular loon death should be further studied.

"It may certainly be this bird that died was unlucky or maybe it had some immune deficiency that made it more susceptible to the parasite. I doubt it but we don't know that yet," Pokras said.

Ellen Martinsen, a research associate from Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute who molecularly screened loon population with malaria parasite, expressed concern that this "susceptibility" is what killed the vulnerable birds.

She said these boreal birds do not have the sufficient defenses to counter malaria infection. She is afraid that if malaria is an emerging infectious disease in common loons, the population can significantly decline.

Scientists believe that climate change is to blame. When New England temperature rises, avian diseases also move northward, affecting boreal birds that have not adapted yet.

Experts have established that the continual loss of biodiversity is due to climate change. Species that cannot adapt to environmental changes can become extinct. In fact, a meta-analysis of 100 published studies showed that one in six of Earth species can die out if warming climate ensues.

"We are going to see more pathogens moving northward and getting into these susceptible wildlife species," said Martinsen.

Martinsen added that avian malaria infection is specific to birds and will not transmit any disease to humans. However, it may significantly affect other northern species like snowy owls, gray falcons, hawk owls, and chikadees.

Although no other loon deaths due to malaria infection were reported, Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) has instructed its volunteers to intensify its surveillance and be on the watch out for dead birds.

Photo: USFWS - Pacific | Flickr

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In February this year, LG announced its flagship smartphone - the LG G5. The company also revealed a number of companion accessories called LG Friends for the handset, and now LG has launched a dedicated website for these accessories to help customers easily find and purchase them.

LG fans in the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and South Korea can visit the new LG Friends website and directly purchase one of the six available accessories: Cam Plus, Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play, 360 VR, 360 CAM, Rolling Bot and LG Tone Platinum HBS-1100.

Customers can go to the new website and click on the LG G5 accessory they want to purchase. After clicking on a specific accessory, customers will be taken to a webpage dedicated to that product. Customers will also notice a "Buy Now" section, which includes the flags of the United States, UK, South Korea and UAE. Customers have to click on one of the flags to find the availability of the product in that country.

The LG 360 VR is one of the companion devices of the LG G5, and is a virtual reality (VR) headset that can be coupled with an LG G5 to view VR content. The VR headset weighs 118 grams, or about 4.16 ounces, which is quite light when compared to many other VR headsets sold in the market.

"A casual device that incorporates Virtual Reality technology to enjoy VR content anytime, anywhere. When playing VR content using LG 360 VR, turn your head in the direction you want to see, just as if you're inside the scene," says LG Friends.

According to the LG Friends website, the LG 360 VR is available in the United States at T-Mobile and customers can preorder the headset at B&H. The website suggests that customers in the UK can find the accessory in LaptopOutlet.co.uk.

The dedicated webpage of an accessory will not show the name and flag of a country if the product is not available there. For instance, the webpage of the LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play, an audio player for the LG G5, does not show the U.S. flag in the "Buy Now" section as the item is not available in the United States.

However, LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play is available in the UK, UAE and South Korea and the product's webpage shows the flags of these countries in the "Buy Now" section.

LG suggests that more accessories for the LG G5 will be added to the LG Friends website in the near term.

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Experts warned that wearing underwear in bed can turn your privates into a breeding area for skin infections. It gets worse. It can lead to severe chafing incidents for both sexes and fertility issues for men.

Experts explained that body parts that are constantly covered, especially the privates, create the perfect breeding environment for yeast and bacteria that can lead to infections. This is especially true for clothing items that are not capable of absorbing moisture.

Going commando at night can help women prevent vaginal thrush, which is a common yeast infection. It can also help women avoid worsening any infections from ingrowing hairs, as tight underwear increases the chances of the hairs to become ingrown.

If you don't like going commando at night, experts suggested wearing large pants or even the embarrassing but ultra-comfortable 'granny undies.' This will help air out the privates and keep moisture at bay.

For the men, the consequences can affect his future family tree. According to Dr. Brian Steixner from the Jersey Urology Group, men who sleep wearing tight underwear do not just increase their risk of chafing but it can lead to infertility issues, which is bad news for couples trying to conceive.

"Your nether regions need to be just the right temperature in order to optimize sperm production," said Steixner who is the group's Institute for Men's Health director. The more bacteria present increases the chances of infection for any chafed skin in the privates.

In a 2015 study, researchers from the Stanford University and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Maryland found that men who slept in the nude and wore boxers during the day were more likely to have less DNA fragmentation in their sperm.

In specific, they had 25 percent less than the ones who wore tight-fitting underwear the whole day. The findings can be beneficial to couples who are planning or trying to conceive.

"Reducing exposure for bed decreases DNA fragmentation; better semen quality parameters are observed in men wearing boxers during the day and none to bed," said Katherine Sapra, the study's lead researcher from the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Photo: Pedro Ribeiro Simoes | Flickr

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Missouri has passed the legislation that allow for the use of medical marijuana, but with heavy restrictions. Ohio is expected to follow suit.

On a 91-59 vote, House of Representative gave preliminary approval to include in the ballot the question whether Missourians would allow growing and selling of medical marijuana for patients at the end of their lives.

The Missouri Compassionate Care Act allows only cancer patients in hospices to use medical marijuana. The Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control would oversee the cultivation and sale of the drug. Only 30 licenses each for medical marijuana cultivation centers and dispensaries would be issued by the agency.

Missouri residents are not permitted to grow the drug in their homes.

The legislation, House Bill 2213 (HB 2213), was an attempt to mimic what other states have done in permitting its citizens with epilepsy and autism to buy and use medical marijuana but it was watered down just so other members of the House would approve it.

The bill's sponsor, St. Clair Representative Dave Hinson admitted that the bill was heavily amended but still encouraged his colleagues to approve it and do something right for dying patients.

On the other hand, Kansas City Representative Jeremy LaFaver expressed dismay at the turnout of the measure.

"We had a bill six amendments ago that was barely palatable and now we've put this into a position where the only people that can get access to it are people that are ready to die," said LaFaver. "Not only are we going to say that these are the folks that only are on death's door, but then we are going to make a new class of felony for people that are about to die."

Some of the lawmakers were not happy with the restrictions but gained solace that the bill is moving forward.

Republican representative Kevin Engler said that these restrictions in the bill convinced him to approve the measure.

"By doing that, I think we have a chance of having some control over this situation," said Engler.

Representative Mike Colona acknowledged backing up the legislation is just appropriate even with the political risks involved. He added that the Senate can smooth the rough edges of the measure.

Those opposing the legislation reasoned that the limited licenses and financial restrictions trim down the potential individuals who can go into business and may eventually push drug prices up.

New Approach Missouri is presently collecting signatures to allow a question whether Missourians want to allow medical marijuana to be included in the November election ballot.

With the approval in the Missouri House, Ohio lawmakers are also pushing to legalize the use of medical marijuana.

Republican House members say that the bill has safety measures that make it better than what is included in the ballot initiative.

Canton Republican Representative Kirk Schuring acknowledges the growing clamor for medical marijuana.

"We want to make sure it's done right," Schuring said. He emphasized that the measure should have the necessary control around it to prevent abuse.

Representative Stephen Huffman introduced House Bill 523 (HB 523) that sets in motion the medical marijuana program in Ohio. The proposed bill includes provisions on cultivation, prescription, and sale of medical marijuana.

If approved, it will remove the law that prohibits possession and use of marijuana in Ohio.

Schuring hopes the House will approve it in two to three weeks' time.

Photo: Tanjila Ahmed | Flickr

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An endangered green sea turtle found in Canada's frigid seas in January is now heading back to California's warmer waters after receiving initial rehabilitation from hypothermia.

Comber, a green sea turtle discovered on a far-flung beach in Vancouver Island's west coast, had suffered from a hypothermia so terrible that it had been hard for officials to say if the turtle was still alive.

Sea turtles such as Comber are cold-blooded, which means they depend on external environments to regulate body temperature. As such, sea turtles do not usually live in Canada because of the country's climate.

On Jan. 23, the sea turtle, who is about 12 to 20 years old, was admitted to Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Center with an 11.2 degree Celsius (52.16 degree Fahrenheit) body temperature.

Dr. Martin Haulena, the rescue center's head veterinarian, said Comber's state in January was so bad that he had difficulty breathing.

The aquarium staff then treated Comber with gastrointestinal protectants, antibiotics, and a measured boost in temperature. They kept track of the turtle's heartbeats through ultrasound.

Comber's Future

Hauder said there is nowhere in the country with waters warm enough to help the 35-kilogram (77-pound) Comber survive.

To make sure that Comber gets to find a suitable home, Vancouver Aquarium had coordinated with other agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (UFWS), U.S. Coast Guard, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and several U.S. aquariums.

Fortunately, Comber will be taken by the UFWS and returned to California. After staying at the Seattle aquarium for one night, Comber will be taken to San Diego SeaWorld where they will finish the turtle's rehabilitation.

Once waters are temperate enough, Comber and other sea turtles under rehabilitation, including an olive ridley sea turtle named Tucker, will be freed. Of these animals, Comber is the single sea turtle that managed to reach Canada. Tucker was found off a Washington coast.

Although Comber is the first green sea turtle rescued and released by the aquarium, he is not the first to be rehabilitated.

In 2005, the team found a green sea turtle named Schoona in the waters off British Columbia. She was considered non-releasable and now stays in the aquarium's gallery of Tropical Waters.

In California, when green sea turtles are rescued, only 30 percent of the saved animals make it to release, said Haulena.

Comber, however, had beaten the odds.

Haulena said getting Comber healthy enough so he could be released into the wild was their number goal.

"He can contribute to the growth of the endangered sea turtle population," added Haulena.

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Apple lawyers say that the company has denied source code requests from Chinese authorities in the last two years.

On April 19, Bruce Sewell, Apple's general counsel, told a congressional hearing that the company has never released any user data to government authorities of any country.

In February, the FBI has filed documents in a federal court that wants Apple's technological assistance in unlocking an iPhone 5c related to San Bernardino shootings in 2015. The iPhone 5c was used by Rizwan Farook, the gunman responsible for killing 14 and wounding another 22 people.

Law enforcement officials believe that the iPhone 5c in question may unravel more information regarding the said shootings.

Captain Charles Cohen, a commander in the Indiana State Police, also backs claims that in the past Apple has been secretly cooperating with the China, and has given the source code to its government.

However, Apple denies the allegation and suggests that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is accusing Apple so that they can get assistance in unlocking the iPhone 5c.

"I want to be very clear on this. We have not provided source code to the Chinese government," said Sewell.

Security and technology experts believe that if the FBI is successful in getting Apple to unlock the iPhone, then other government agencies across the world may also make similar requests if the need arises. This could negatively impact the sales of Apple products, thus, resulting in financial loss to the company.

The FBI had dropped the case in March saying that the agency has found a third-party that could break into Apple iPhones. However, it seems that the entity hired by the FBI was unsuccessful in unlocking the iPhone 5c, because the FBI is seeking Apple's assistance again.

The security systems in mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have been increasing, which helps in keeping customer data safe. However, law enforcement says that the advances in security technology are also posing a threat to the national security as criminals can successfully hide data in smartphones and potentially paralyze investigations.

Thomas Galati, the chief of intelligence at the New York Police Department, says that from October 2015 to March 2016 investigators in his team have failed to unlock 67 Apple devices. These iDevices are linked with 44 violent crimes, which include homicides, rapes and shooting of an officer.

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Google's Safe Browsing technology, which scrutinizes billions of URLs every day searching for malicious sites, has flagged Google.com as "partially dangerous," saying some pages on it has potentially dangerous content.

The tool warns that some pages on Google.com install malware on the computers of those who visit it.

"Attackers on this site might try to trick you to download software or steal your information (for example passwords, messages, or credit card information)," the Web tool says.

Furthermore, Safe Browsing says that a few pages on the site redirect visitors to hazardous websites that contain malware. Some of the unsafe sites the tool identifies include bou7out.blogspot.com, maeaflordapele.com and valeimaginar.blogspot.com.

While this news is definitely odd, and, yes, a bit funny, the Washington Post believes that there might be a logical explanation for it.

"[T]hose ominous warnings likely don't mean that visiting 'google.com' itself is dangerous," it says. "Instead, they suggest that some people have used Google services to host or link to something malicious, so the tool is flagging the whole domain as a little risky."

At the bottom part of Safe Browsing, there is also a note saying Dont panic. The tool adds that sometimes, a few users push out unsafe content on sites that are more often than not safe. It goes on to say that it will soon update the safety status as soon as the webmaster has cleaned up content that are considered "bad."

Google's search arm is not the only major site to be tagged as such. Sites like tumblr.com and github.com are likewise deemed as "partially dangerous" by the tool.

Perhaps, the lesson that we could gain from this news is that the World Wide Web is not 100 percent safe and it could pose risks to users. This being said, the responsibility to surf safely lies more in the hands of users.

Another report from Engadget points out that the news just shows off that this Google's tool "isn't perfect."

"It's best to exercise caution even if it says that the URL you're visiting is safe," it says.

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T-Mobile's aggressive promotions to get more users to switch to its network from other carriers is apparently paying off.

According to the latest data, a whopping 42 percent of the new phone activations T-Mobile saw in the first quarter of this year came from users who switched from rival carriers.

This means that nearly half of T-Mobile's new phone activations can be attributed to new customers who left their carriers for T-Mobile's network, if the estimate from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) turns out to be accurate.

"CIRP finds that among major mobile phone companies, T-Mobile (including MetroPCS) had the greatest gains, retaining customers at a similar rate as other carriers with much greater switching from other carriers," reads the report. "Sprint (including Boost Mobile) also had significant gains, but lost customers at almost the same magnitude. Similarly, both AT&T and Verizon had customer gains barely offsetting losses such that they grew slightly in the quarter."

At the same time, it seems that only 18 percent of the customers considered at risk of leaving T-Mobile actually left.

Sprint, meanwhile, saw 30 percent of its new activations in the first quarter, from January through March, coming from users who switched from another carrier. The same report shows that 27 percent of the Sprint customers considered at risk of leaving the network actually left, so that basically negates the percentage of new additions.

Verizon, meanwhile, saw 14 percent of new phone activations from users switching from a rival carrier, and it lost 17 percent of subscribers considered at risk of fleeing its network.

AT&T reportedly saw only 10 percent of new phone activations from users coming from a rival carrier, and lost 16 percent of subscribers considered at risk of leaving the network.

Overall, it looks like T-Mobile was the most successful when it comes to attracting new customers, as well as retaining its existing ones.

The Uncarrier will likely gain even more customers in the following period, especially with attractive offers such as the Spring Break Promo it launched recently. Removing caps for popular music streaming services also boosted the hype, and adding the hottest flagships such as the HTC 10 and Samsung Galaxy S7 to its lineup will surely tempt more users to join its network.

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The new government should as quickly as possible carry out radical reforms in Ukraine relying on Ukrainian reformers who have already been put through their paces, Head of Odesa Regional Administration Mikheil Saakashvili has said.

"The first test [for the new Cabinet] is to enact reforms immediately, on the first day. As soon as they start to wobble: "let us understand," "let us evaluate," "we still have votes"  the reforms will end without starting," he said at the conference "The week of structural reforms in honor of Kakha Bendukidze" in Kyiv.

Saakashvili said that the test of the new government would be large-scale tax reform.

"The system of tax administration must be completely changed," he said, adding that radical reforms within two months will guarantee Ukraine a double-digit economic growth.

The official called on the government, when carrying out reforms, to rely on local officials who have shown what they can achieve, rather than on foreigners.
Now that next-gen gaming is actually current-gen gaming, the end is officially here for the Xbox 360.

Microsoft announced plans to discontinue sales of its previous-gen console, which celebrated its 10th anniversary just last year. That means that no new Xbox 360s will ever get produced again, and the only ones remaining in stores will be whatever stock is left.

This certainly marks the end of an era, which saw video games explode like never before. Not only did the Xbox 360 see the dawn of some of the most popular video game franchises, such as Gears of War, but it also led to technological innovations such as Kinect.

"Xbox 360 means a lot to everyone in Microsoft," Xbox Head Phil Spencer wrote on the Xbox blog. "And while we've had an amazing run, the realities of manufacturing a product over a decade old are starting to creep up on us. Which is why we have made the decision to stop manufacturing new Xbox 360 consoles. We will continue to sell existing inventory of Xbox 360 consoles, with availability varying by country."

That doesn't mean that the company won't continue supporting the console, though. Xbox 360 owners will still receive Xbox Live on their machines and will still have access to multiplayer gaming and apps. The company also plans on keeping Xbox Live servers that support the 360 online. Players can still purchase Xbox 360 games, too, while Microsoft plans on continuing its hardware support for the console.

Players with existing Xbox 360 games will have access to many of those games on the Xbox One, thanks to that console's backward compatibility.

Microsoft thanked the gaming community for its support over the past 10 years and promises that it will soon reveal more of its plans for Windows 10 and Xbox One gaming.

"I want to personally thank the Xbox community  that includes the vast and diverse audience of gamers, developers and publishers who brought so much passion and creativity to the Xbox 360," Spencer wrote. "You are the heart of what we do at Team Xbox, and you have been critical to the success of Xbox 360."

So long, Xbox 360. It was nice knowing you.

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Publicly, Microsofts stance on piracy is clear: No. Privately, as we know, its a different story. Google Office 2010 and youll get results from Microsoft; do a torrent search and youll get something else. Why?

In 2006, Hal Varian, a professor of information management at the University of California at Berkeley, compared Microsofts products to street drugs: The first dose is free. Once you start using a product, you keep using it.

And Bill Gates said, quite clearly the same year: Although about 3 million computers get sold every year in China, people don't pay for the software. Someday they will, though. ... We want them to steal... Theyll get sort of addicted, and then we'll somehow figure out how to collect...

Thats exactly the way it happens. Why hasnt OpenOffice ever really taken off? Well, you get addicted to MS Office (and Windows), and then you want the same thing at work or at school  where, of course, they pay for the licenses.

Also at play here is that MS gets to charge more for their products to offset the so-called cost of piracy. (Which isnt really a cost at all  its an opportunity.)

Even if the addiction aspect werent true, MS would rather allow piracy and make money on a few licensed copies  and thus maintain market share and mind share.

After all, they dont really lose money if I buy a pirated copy of Windows. Its something like the music industry saying they lose money when someone downloads a pirated album: I wouldnt pay for it, and Im only downloading it because its pirated and free.

All of which tells us that software piracy is going to be around for a while. MS isnt dumb.

Microsoft, piracy, Bill Gates
California lawmakers are pushing again for state restrictions on drone flights, unwilling to leave the issue to the federal government and hopeful that Gov. Jerry Brown will side with them this year.



The Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday approved legislation that would ban drones near airports and critical infrastructure over the objections of a burgeoning drone industry, technology groups and business interests.



We must develop some kind of approach to addressing this very exciting, but also very potentially dangerous technology, bill author Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, told the panel.



SB 868 is Jacksons second attempt to regulate drones in Californias skies after Gov. Jerry Brown last year vetoed legislation that would have banned drones over private property. In his veto message, he said the measure would have exposed drone users to burdensome litigation and new causes of action.



Over the last few years, drones have grounded firefighting aircraft, crashed into buildings and come too close to commercial aircraft, including a near-miss last month of a Lufthansa plane landing at Los Angeles International Airport.



The often noisy drones are also impacting wildlife, affecting animals migratory patterns, breeding habits and habitats, said Jena Price, legislative affairs manager at the California League of Conservation Voters. The bill would ban drones over state parks and wildlife refuges.



SB 868 also would make it illegal to fly a drone within 500 feet of critical infrastructure, such as bridges, power plants, hospitals, water delivery systems, and oil refineries. Drones wouldnt be allowed within 1,000 feet of a heliport or 5 miles of an airport unless given permission.



Critics say such restrictions should be left to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is currently drafting rules for unmanned vehicles and already has the 5-mile limit around airports. And they warn Jacksons bill would hamper a nascent industry with a complicated hodgepodge of laws that could erode, rather than enhance, safety.



Indeed the law is clear  only the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can regulate the national airspace; states and municipalities cannot, Brian Wynne, president of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International wrote in an opposition letter.



In addition, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association has expressed concern the proposed rules would deter innovation and investment in California by imposing technology-specific criminal offenses and penalties and the heavy regulatory burden of liability insurance.



Jackson dismissed concerns that California would be preempted by the federal regulations, telling lawmakers the FAA doesnt control everything, and the state has its responsibilities. She also downplayed the effect of her bill on commercial drone flights, which companies like Amazon, Google and Walmart would like to use to deliver packages to their customers within the next few years.



Under the bill, violators could be charged with an infraction up to $250, fined up to $1,000, or jailed for up to six months. And commercial operators would need liability insurance, a mandate the insurance industry says is not yet available.



Nearly every day we hear of another potentially dangerous or destructive incident involving a drone, Jackson said. We simply cannot wait for disaster to strike before setting clear, common-sense rules that provide certainty for everyone while keeping the public safe.




Manhattan couple sues lawyer for not protecting them from hackers who stole $1.9 million

A Manhattan couple is suing their lawyer, whose AOL email account was hacked, causing the couple to wire a $1.9 million down payment to an account taken over by scammers.

Robert Millard, a managing partner at Realm Partners, and his wife, Bethany, blame their real estate attorney, Patricia Doran, for cybercriminals stealing the 10 percent deposit intended for a Manhattan co-op they were buying for $19.4 million, according to a new lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court.

However, the couple were able to learn of the scam before their lawyer did, and were able to recover all but $196,000 of their transferred funds. They are seeking that sum and additional damages in their lawsuit.

But the Millards claim that Long Island real estate lawyer Patricia Doran was computer negligent and failed to take basic steps to secure her computer and protect them from an elaborate wire fraud.

The Millards claim Doran should have done more to protect her email:

The lack of basic cybersecurity measures or awareness also meant that this hack was not detected by Doran. These cybercriminals then learned when and how the Millards intended to pay for the Apartment, knowledge that permitted them to pose as the sellers attorneys, and thereby steal the Millards money.

The Manhattan Supreme Court suit says, Through her negligence, she permitted cybercriminals to hack into her email system and read and intercept all of her communications.

It accuses Doran of forwarding bogus emails from the hackers who were imitating the seller of the apartments attorney about payments from the Millards without checking their legitimacy last December. The couple also claims Doran failed to detect a fake confirmation email from the scammers even though it contained several red flags, including misspelling of attorney names and a message that it would be impossible to reach the sellers lawyers.

The couple also stated that Doran did not react upon receiving a fax from the sellers real attorneys that mentioned the contract would not be complete until receipt of a down payment.

The couple had taken the services of Doran to handle the purchase of a co-op apartment with a selling price of $19.3 million.

Doran has an AOL email account that the suit contends is notoriously vulnerable to hacking.

The hackers reportedly learned when and how the Millards were going to buy the apartment and sent them emails posing as the seller in order to steal their money, the suit states.

The missing funds were transferred by the hackers to a bank in China.
Google warns that surfing on Google.com is dangerous, here is why!

The worlds top website is partially dangerous for Internet users. We are not saying it but Google itself is claiming that surfing on Google.com can be partially dangerous. As seen in the image below, Googles Safe Browsing Site Status checker lists Google.com as dangerous.

The worlds most visited website with approximate 1.7 billion visitors per month and a Alexa rank of 1 in world as well as United States can redirect users to malware laden websites according to Googles own admission.

This was discovered by Reddit user who mentioned this on a thread. It warns that some pages on this website redirect visitors to dangerous [ones] that install malware on visitors computers. The malware, in turn, could steal personal and financial info.

Why Google.com is not safe?

Some pages on this website install malware on visitors computers.

Attackers on this site might try to trick you to download software or steal your information (for example passwords, messages, or credit card information).

Some pages on this website redirect visitors to dangerous websites that install malware on visitors computers, including:7b726aeb-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com,polnu4ewtan4iwki.ws, and 40d0dfd9-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com.

Dangerous websites have been sending visitors to this website, including: maeaflordapele.com,valeimaginar.blogspot.com, and bou7out.blogspot.com.

While it may be of concern to some users while others may see it as a bit of irony but the site also gives a logical explanation for the listing.

Dont panic. Users sometimes post bad content on websites that are normally safe. Safe Browsing will update the safety status once the webmaster has cleaned up the bad content.
Microsoft research chief: AI systems of today arent a threat to the human race

For the AI naysayers, Microsoft chief of research has a solid answer : AI is still too stupid to wipe humans out. Chris Bishop, Microsofts director of research at Cambridge dismissed the fear that humans are on the verge of developing an artificial intelligence whose abilities far outdo our own. Highlighting the many limitations of AI systems, he added that it will continue to lag human performance for decades to come.

This is a good moment for a little reality check, he told a public discussion hosted by The Royal Society in London last week.

Yes, deep learning has achieved human-level performance in object recognition, but what does that mean? Bishop asks. It means the machine makes about the same number of errors as the human.

The reason the machine is as good as the human at this is because it can distinguish between 157 varieties of mushroom, whereas it makes all kinds of stupid mistakes that humans wouldnt make.

Bishop stresses even hyped examples of machine intelligence, such as Google DeepMinds Go-playing system need to be understood in context of the time and effort that went into building the system.

[Take] the Go example, where the machine has just about crept ahead of the best human. The machine saw at least 10,000-times as many Go games as the human saw. Human capabilities still far outstrip machines in many areas, echoing researchers who highlight the trouble robots have with picking up items and walking.

He also cites that another common misconception is that since machine learning systems can do some of the individual tasks that people can do means they are on the brink of matching more general human abilities.

Maja Pantic, professor of affective and behavioural computing at Imperial College London says this myth is demystified by the fact that developing generalized systems capable of solving any possible problem was proved impossible.

What people were thinking at the time was to build generic systems that would solve any possible problem. Then they realised this was completely impossible, she told the debate.

Even though Bishop downplays doubts of homicidal AIs overpowering humanity, he admits more ordinary dangers and risks essential to the technology. For instance, Bishop notes the opaque nature of deep neural networks raises the possibility the AIs decisions could be subject to unknown biases, originating from the huge amount of data such systems are trained on.

Bishop may be right but many experts including a Oxford study have warned that intelligent AI is a threat to humans in long run.
See how rival Chinese construction companies use six bulldozers to battle against each other

In one of the wildest demolition derbies ever witnessed, six bulldozers that looked apparently pissed were battling with each other on a public road in northern China.

In China, construction workers settle their differences with heavy machinery. In a video that has to be seen to be believed, the six bulldozers that are involved in a demolition derby is sparked by a workplace argument. Also, seen are normal cars on the street driving around that are trying to avoid the ridiculousness with the giant bulldozers trying to ram the hell out of each other. In addition, two bulldozers were left flipped over in the street after the brawl that sent cars and pedestrians fleeing.

Xu Feng, a local government spokesman in Hebei provinces Xingtang County told the AP the construction workers were from two companies competing for business. However, they have not said if anyone got arrested or hurt.
A 40 anos de Malvinas

"Revisar el pasado es pensar el futuro". La frase de la presidenta de Telam, Bernarda Llorente, resume el espiritu del documental coproducido entre la agencia de noticias y el canal publico de TV sobre la cobertura que los medios de comunicacion hicieron del conflicto, plagada de censura y mentiras. Una autocritica necesaria para mirar hacia adelante en un (ya viejo) contexto de fake news y negocio informativo.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has expressed its protest against the forced change of citizenship of Crimea resident Hennadiy Afanasyev, who was been convicted in Russia, from Ukrainian to Russian.

"The Foreign Ministry has called on the Russian side to stop the illegal actions regarding the enforced conferment of Russian citizenship on Hennadiy Afanasyev. It also demands granting permission to Ukrainian consuls to meet with their compatriot, immediate release of Hennadiy Afanasyev from detention and ensuring his return to Ukraine," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said in a comment issued on Monday.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry recalled that on March 27, 2014, the UN General Assembly issued resolution 68/262 which reaffirmed the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, as well as confirmed the illegitimacy of the referendum in Crimea and Sevastopol held on March 16, 2014.

"Accordingly, citizens of Ukraine who live in the territory of Crimea, can be recognized neither as Russian citizens, nor as persons with multiple nationality. According to the law on Ukraine's citizenship, Ukrainian citizenship can be terminated only through the renunciation of citizenship of Ukraine, the loss of citizenship of Ukraine, as well as on the grounds stipulated by international treaties signed by Ukraine. Despite the presence in Hennadiy Afanasyev's personal file of a foreign travel passport of a Ukrainian citizen, as well as his official statements about the refusal of the Russian citizenship and his recognition of his Ukrainian citizenship, the Russian side does not recognize his Ukrainian citizenship and refuses to grant permission for his meeting with consular officials of Ukraine," the comment reads.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed that the citizens of Ukraine who live in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea and Sevastopol, and who were improperly provided Russian citizenship, will be treated in legal relations with Ukraine only as citizens of Ukraine.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on May 30, 2014, that members of Right Sector had been arrested in Crimea on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks in some Crimean cities.

The FSB later said that the detainees had been plotting "detonating improvised explosive devices before dawn on May 9, 2014, near the Eternal Flame memorial and the Lenin monument in Simferopol and setting fire to the offices of the public organization Russian Community of Crimea and the representative office of the United Russia party in Simferopol on April 14 and April 18, 2014."

On December 25, 2015, the Moscow City Court convicted Afanasyev of a terrorist attack and sentenced him to seven years in a high-security prison. Sentsov was sentenced to 20 years in a high-security prison, Kolchenko to ten years in a high-security prison, and Soloshenko to six years in a high-security prison.

On March 10, 2016, the Ukrainian Justice Ministry said it sent a request to the Russian counterparts asking them to hand over Ukrainians Oleh Sentsov, Hennadiy Afanasyev, Oleksandr Kolchenko, and Yuriy Soloshenko, convicted by Russian courts to Ukraine under the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

The Russian Justice Ministry said it will respond to Ukraine's inquiry on within a month's time.

On April 14, Afanasyev's mother said that her son had been informed by the Federal Migration Service of Russia that he is a Russian national.

"I have bad news. Gena has received a document, in which the Federal Penitentiary Service recognizes him as a Russian national," Olha Afanasyeva wrote on Facebook.

This calls into question the possibility of Afanasyev's transfer for serving prison time in Ukraine, as Russian law prohibits transferring Russian inmates abroad.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded an unprecedented number of apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border in a fiscal year. | Read More
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will go on an official visit to Romania on April 21.

The visit will take place at an invitation of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. Poroshenko is scheduled to hold talks with the Romanian president, prime minister, leaders of the parliament and the patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Ukrainian president's press service reported.

A wide range of issues of international security and those of bilateral cooperation will be raised, the press service said.

The officials plan to sign a number of bilateral documents, including a protocol on the Ukrainian-Romanian joint presidential commission and an agreement between the two governments on the abolition of fees for issuing long-term visas.
Three soldiers killed, five injured in ATO zone on Tuesday

Five Ukrainian soldiers were injured in hostilities in the anti-terrorist operation zone (ATO) on Tuesday, and three soldiers were killed as a result of stepping on a land mine, Ukrainian presidential administration's spokesman for ATO matters Andriy Lysenko has said.

"In the past day, three Ukrainian soldiers were killed and five were wounded in hostilities," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Lysenko said that the three soldiers were killed and two were wounded in the area of Mayorsk, two others were injured in Leninske, and another one in Verkhniotoretske.

Militants conducted nine attacks in the Donetsk area. The most intense shelling was registered Verhniotoretske, the suburb of Horlivka, the industrial zone of Avdiyivka and Donetsk airport.

In the Mariupol area, the enemy continued to shell Maryinka and Shyrokyne. Fourteen attacks were reported there.

Lysenko said that the Luhansk area was relatively calm.
Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff Chief Viktor Muzhenko and Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Alexander Hug have discussed the situation in the anti-terrorist operation zone in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff press service said on Tuesday.

"The participants in the meeting, which was traditional and held with a certain degree of periodicity, discussed further ways of settling the conflict. They also spoke about mechanisms of implementing security guarantees for the operation of OSCE SMM representatives amid multiple provocations staged by the other side. The need for full implementation of the OSCE SMM mandate was noted," the report said.

Muzhenko thanked the OSCE representative for the contribution made by the monitoring mission to the resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and assured him that Ukraine was ready to continue giving comprehensive support to that activity.

"We have a common task of ceasefire and reduction of the threat to the life and health of our servicemen and Donbas civilians," the General Staff chief said.

Hug said, in turn, that the activity of the monitoring mission was aimed at the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements.
American music band Della Mae will take a tour to Vietnam starting April 23. Photo courtesy of the band.

American bluegrass band Della Mae, a group of five female artists, will perform at three concerts in two Vietnamese city during a nine-day tour starting April 23.

The first is at Lan Anh Club in Ho Chi Minh City next Wednesday (April 27) and the other two in the former feudal capital of Hue next Saturday (April 30) and Sunday (May 1), when the country celebrates Reunification Day and International Labor day.

All the concerts are free of charge but people have to register in advance here to be randomly selected and invited, organizers said.

Their tour, organized by the US Consulate in HCMC to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries, will also include several master classes and outreach events in both cities.

Currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, this band took shape in 2009 to address the lack of all-women bands on the national touring scene.

Since then, it has toured over 200 days a year in 24 countries, earned a spot on Rolling Stone magazine's Top ten artists you need to know list, and in 2013 received a GRAMMY nomination for Best bluegrass album of the year with its debut album This World Oft Can Be.

In May 2015 the band released its sophomore album Della Mae, which was hailed by The Telegraph as one of the Best Country Albums of 2015 and earned a spot on Americana Music Association's Top 100 Albums of 2015.

Della Mae's live performances combine original songwriting with instrumental prowess and emotional delivery. The groups current members are Celia Woodsmith (vocal), Jenni Lyn Gardner (mandolin), Courtney Hartman (guitar/banjo), Zoe Guigueno (bass), and founder Kimber Ludiker (fiddle).

They also serve as cultural ambassadors for the US Department of State.
South Koreas Lotte Group is among suitors that submitted bids for French retailer Casino Guichard-Perrachon SAs Vietnam grocery business, which could fetch as much as $800 million, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdis TCC Holding Co. and Central Group, controlled by Thailands Chirathivat family, also submitted first-round offers by the March 10 deadline, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.

Casino is selling assets in Asia and Latin America to cut debt, while focusing on price and convenience in its largest market, France, as it competes for growth amid weak consumer spending. Any deal would follow Casinos agreement last month to sell control of Thai supermarket chain Big C Supercenter Pcl to TCC Holding for 3.1 billion euros ($3.5 billion).

A representative for Casino didnt immediately answer a phone call seeking comment. A spokesman for Lotte Group said in a mobile-phone text message it has interest in the company, as its running various businesses in Vietnam including distribution. A call to Charoens office in Bangkok went unanswered Thursday outside regular business hours, while a representative for Central Group said she didnt have information on the issue.

Rapid growth

Rising retail sales and booming foreign direct investment are helping the Vietnamese economy expand at its fastest pace in almost a decade. Achieving the governments growth forecast of 6.7 percent this year would make the Southeast Asian nation among the most rapidly growing markets in the world.

Lotte Group said last year that it plans to open 60 supermarkets in Vietnam by 2020. The South Korean retail giant also runs Lotteria fast-food chains, shopping malls, hotels and cinemas in the country.

TCC in January completed the purchase of Metro AGs Cash & Carry wholesale business in Vietnam for 655 million euros.
French retail group Casino's sale of its Thai and Vietnam units has drawn the eye of Singapore's Dairy Farm International Holdings and South Korea's Lotte Shopping but they'll need punchy bids to go up against deep-pocketed Thai tycoons, bankers said.

The auction represents a rare opportunity for cashed-up Asian companies to expand into what analysts say are two of Southeast Asia's most profitable retail markets, but they also warn there is a risk of overpaying, particularly in Thailand where the economy is slowing.

Central Group, Thailand's biggest retailer led by tycoon Tos Chirathivat, has pole position as it already owns a quarter of Big C Supercenter Pcl, the nation's second-largest discount retailer which it founded in 1993.

Central has said it is keen to buy Casino's 58.6 percent stake in Thailand's Big C, worth around $3.1 billion at current market prices, and Casino's wholly owned unit, Big C Vietnam, which bankers have valued at between $800 million and $1 billion.

"Whoever is going to buy this will have to pay a high price to get Central out or they will have to co-exist," said a banking source familiar with the matter.

A separate banking source said Casino was keen to sell both units to the same bidder.

In addition to Dairy Farm and Lotte Shopping discussing potential bids with banks, Japanese retail conglomerate Aeon Co Ltd (8267.T) is weighing an offer, the sources said but added it was unlikely to bid aggressively.

The sources declined to be identified as they were not authorized to speak about the matter.

Dairy Farm, the second-biggest retailer in Singapore and Hong Kong, and Lotte Shopping, South Korea's largest department store operator declined to comment. Aeon and Casino also declined to comment.

The bidder seen most likely to give Central Group a run for its money is Thai business magnate Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, who is keen to expand further in retail.

Berli Jucker Public Co (BJC.BK), the listed retail arm of Charoen's TCC group, has said it is interested in Casino's Vietnam unit and bankers also expect TCC to make an offer for the Thai unit.

Asked whether TCC would bid for the Thai business, Charoen told Reuters in Bangkok on Wednesday: "Not yet, we haven't done anything. We need to have a look first."

Premiums needed

The first source said that to outbid Central for the Thai asset, other suitors would likely have to pay 270 baht per share, a 14 percent premium to Thursday's close that would value Casino's stake at $3.6 billion.

Bangkok-based AEC Securities said in a note to clients it expects bidders to pay 238-298 baht per share. Thailand's Big C shares have jumped as much as 17 percent since Casino said on Jan. 15 it has received expressions of interest..

Casino's surprise plans to sell the Thai unit came after a December report by short-seller Muddy Waters that said the French firm was "dangerously leveraged", prompting its worst stock slide in seven years. The Vietnam unit sale had been planned beforehand.

Preliminary bids for the Thai unit, which had 734 stores including 125 hypermarkets at the end of 2015, are due on Feb. 5. Bids for the Vietnam unit are due in late February, one source said.

Thailand's retail market is worth $93 billion annually, according to research firm Euromonitor. The sector trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 24, the highest in Southeast Asia, and is no stranger to rich deals.

In 2013, CP All (CPALL.BK), backed by Thailand's richest man Dhanin Chearavanont, bought cash-and-carry wholesaler Siam Makro for $6.6 billion, valuing it at 53 times earnings in Asia's most expensive consumer sector deal by multiple.
Doctors in central Vietnam have removed a steel teaspoon from the intestine of a 19-year old girl who had swallowed it while drinking lemonade.

Phan Thi Thu Ha, a student in Quang Tri Province, was rushed to the Hue Central Hospital on April 8 where an X-ray showed the spoon stuck in her duodenum, the first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach.

A doctor takes the spoon out using a pair of forceps. Photo supplied by doctors



Amazingly, the spoon, measuring around 10 cm, manage to go down her throat instantly, even before she realized she had gulped it.

On April 10 doctors performed an upper endoscopy through her throat but were unable to reach the spoon.

Three days later they decided to insert an endoscope through a small cut in her stomachs antral section to remove it.
Chinese ships around the area in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone where the Haiyang Shiyou 981 rig was deployed in 2014. Photo: Reuters

Vietnam on Thursday demanded that China move an oil rig and abandon plans to start drilling in waters where jurisdiction is still under negotiation.

Le Hai Binh, the spokesman of the foreign ministry, said that on \April 3 the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig was sent to the waters off the mouth of the Tonkin Gulf, located at 17 degrees 3 minutes 12 seconds north latitude and 110 degrees 4 minutes 18 seconds east longitude.

The demarcation of this area is being negotiated by Vietnam and China, Binh said.

Vietnam demands that China " not repeat such unilateral actions that complicate the situation ... in the East Sea, Binh said, using the Vietnamese name of the South China Sea.

China, instead, should "make practical contributions to peace and stability."

Vietnam maintains and protects all of its legitimate rights and interests to the above-mentioned area through peaceful measures in tune with internal law, Binh said.

A lighthouse that China built on Subi Reef of Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, which is claimed by Vietnam. Photo: Xinhua/VNA.

In 2014, China deployed the same rig for 10 weeks in Vietnam's exclusive economic zone, straining ties between the two neighbors.

Binh also criticized China's decision to start operating a lighthouse on Xubi (Subi) Reef of Vietnams Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

The act is a "serious violation" of Vietnam's sovereignty and was "illegal and void," he said.

Vietnam, once again, affirmed that the country has full legal foundations and historical evidence proving its indisputable sovereignty over the [Paracel and Spratly] archipelagoes, Binh said.
Police in the central province of Quang Nam are investigating accusations that a primary school teacher molested at least three girls aged eight to nine for several months.

The 48-year old man, who ironically teaches moral education at the Zo Nong Primary School, has not returned to the school since the police began investigations earlier this week.

The police have had the three victims examined at a hospital. We are awaiting the results, a deputy head of the Nam Giang District police department said.

School managers received complaints from two families in mid-April that the teacher had told their daughters to visit either his office or the computer room and sexually assaulted them several times since September.

The parents of the third girl complained on April 19, the police said, adding that investigators are trying to find out if there were more victims.
Locals catch batoids that were found dead and drifted ashore in Quang Tri Province. Photo: Nguyen Phuc/Thanh Nien

A large number of fish were found dead on the shore of the central province of Quang Tri in recent days, sparking concern that the water might have been contaminated.

Local fishers are flocking to a beach stretching around 20 kilometers from Vinh Thai Commune to Cua Tung Town to pick up the dead fish.

Some of the fish such as batoids, groupers, and humphead snappers lived deep under the sea and were of high value, according to the fishers.

Hoang Van Toan, a resident in Cua Tung Town, said fishers usually caught only several individuals of these kinds a day, but now they could catch up to one ton just by casting a fishing net near the shore.

Traders said although fishers caught a lot of fish in recent days, local people were reluctant to buy them as they were afraid that the fish may have been contaminated.

Residents in coastal areas in the central provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Binh and Ha Tinh also reported an unusual number of fish that were found dying or already dead on their beaches recently.

On Tuesday, Quang Binh authorities announced test results blaming the deaths of fish on contaminated water.

They said the polluted water may have come from Ha Tinh Province, where there is a large industrial park, and spread to other central provinces.

It may require more time to test and confirm this claim.

The same day, a medical center in Quang Binh's Quang Phu Commune said an 8-year-old local child was admitted to the center with poisoning symptoms after reportedly eating dead fish that drifted ashore. The child has recovered after treatment.

The province's Department of Aquatic Resources Protection has taken sea water samples for further testing and warned local fishers not to eat fish found onshore before test results are officially announced.
A guard at a primary school in northern Vietnam has been arrested for allegedly molesting 23 students.

Managers of the school in Lao Cai Province said many students have recently refused to come to school.

Teachers visited their houses and found that the schools 35-year-old guard had molested most of them on more than one occasion, Phu Nu Thu Do newspaper reported.

The children, aged between five and 10, said he had threatened them not to tell anyone.

Molesting children is punishable by up to 12 years in jail.
Russian suspect Denis Nosov, 27, at a police station in Khanh Hoa province on Friday night. Photo: Nguyen Chung.

Vietnamese police on Friday afternoon arrested a Russian man wanted by Interpol when he was hiding in a hotel in the resort beach town of Nha Trang.

Denis Nosov, 27, was caught in his rented room in Nha Trang, the police said.

Nosov allegedly stabbed and severely injured another man in Russia in March 2014, according to the Interpol.

He then fled to Vietnam and moved from place to place before arriving in Nha Trang in August 2015.
To strengthen its economy, Ukraine will have to take a number of unpopular measures, including setting economically-grounded prices for [natural] gas, as was agreed with the International Monetary Fund, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said.

"There are many different unpopular decisions, which need to be taken, in particular, the adoption of economically grounded prices of gas. I understand that this needs to be decided. And we're now working on it, to make it public, in an open and understandable way," he said at a briefing on Wednesday.

He said that the liabilities were undertaken by Ukraine as part of cooperation with the IMF and they are in line with the national interests.

"Where there is a loop for underpriced gas, there is billions worth of fraud, which is bad for Ukrainian society. Have no doubt that lowered gas tariffs mean that the difference (between purchase price and cost) is paid out of the pockets of those who are unfamiliar with these issues," he said.

He said government would properly service its liabilities before the IMF.

Under the Extended Fund Facility program signed by Ukraine and the IMF there was planned an increase in gas prices as of April 1, 2016 in order to bring them in line with market-oriented prices. However, Arseniy Yatseniuk's government, which resigned last week, postponed the decision for a month.
Kim Suktai, who is wanted for rape in South Korea, has been arrested in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Vietnam police

A South Korean wanted for rape in his country has been arrested in southern Vietnam where he had been hiding.

The Ministry of Public Security said in a statement Tuesday that Kim Suk Tai, 55, was arrested at a guesthouse in Dong Nai Province this month.

There is an Interpol warrant for him for raping a masseuse at a massage parlor in South Korea last year. He fled the country soon after that.

Vietnamese law enforcement started looking for him after receiving an alert from Interpol. They found he was hiding in the south and had hired someone to prepare papers for leaving the country.

The police are investigating if Kim has committed any crimes in Vietnam.
Trcek Jurij from Slovenia at a Vietnam police station after arrested under an Interpol warrant. Photo credit: Zing

Vietnamese police have arrested a Slovenian businessman for whom there is an Interpol warrant for committing a US$200,000 fraud at home.

Investigators from the Ministry of Public Security and officers from the central province of Binh Thuan arrested Jurij Trcek, 50, following requests from Interpol and the Slovenian police.

Investigations found Trcek, as director of a company, had signed various contracts to buy construction materials but only paid part of the dues and fled with more than $192,000.

Interpol issued a warrant in March last year.

Vietnamese police tracked him down to a hotel in Binh Thuan on October 20.

They are investigating his activities in Vietnam before handing him over to Slovenian authorities.
Police in the northern province of Lao Cai on Friday said they have arrested a primary school teacher on suspicion of sexually abusing an 11-year-old student several times.

The teacher has also been suspended by Ban Khoang, a boarding school in Sa Pa, local media reported.

Parents of the girl, a fifth grader, told p olice that she refused to go to school the last few days.

When being questioned by her mother, she said that her teacher had repeatedly molested her.

Last week, police in the province arrested a security guard of another boarding school for allegedly molesting several girls aged 6-11 since 2014.

Both cases are being investigated.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton reacts as she arrives onstage at her New York presidential primary night rally in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., April 19, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Mike Segar

Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton won commanding victories in New York state's U.S. presidential nominating contests on Tuesday, recapturing lost campaign momentum and moving the front-runners closer to their parties' nominations.

The billionaire businessman's huge victory in his home state put Trump in position to win nearly all of the state's 95 delegates, edging closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to win his party's presidential nomination and avoid a contested national convention in July.

Clinton's dominating double-digit primary election win in New York, which she once represented in the U.S. Senate, snapped Democratic rival Bernie Sanders' winning streak and made it nearly impossible for him to overtake her delegate lead.

The victories in one of the biggest state nominating contests so far set up Trump and Clinton for another round of strong performances next Tuesday, when they are expected to do well in five other Northeastern state primaries.

Trump captured about 60 percent of the vote, easily beating Ohio Governor John Kasich, who got 25 percent, and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who had 15 percent, with 95 percent of the votes counted. For Trump, it was enough to win all 14 statewide delegates and most of the delegates from each of New York's congressional districts.

"We don't have much of a race anymore based on what I'm seeing on television," Trump, 69, told cheering supporters at a victory party at his Trump Tower in Manhattan. "We are really, really rocking."

He said the Republican Party establishment forces that have tried to keep him from a first-ballot victory at the convention are "in trouble," and repeated his criticism of a "crooked" system that has allowed Cruz to outmaneuver him and win delegates in a series of recent state conventions.

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at his New York presidential primary night rally in Manhattan, New York, U.S., April 19, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

Trump entered the New York contest with 756 delegates, while Cruz had 559 and Kasich had 144, according to an Associated Press count. The count includes endorsements from several delegates who are free to support the candidate of their choice.

Trump said his New York win would make it almost mathematically impossible for Cruz, 45, to win the nomination on the first ballot at the party's national convention in July.

If Trump cannot secure enough delegates to win the nomination on the first ballot at the July 18-21 conclave in Cleveland, delegates would be allowed to switch to other candidates.

Some establishment Republicans have been alienated by Trump's more incendiary proposals, such as building a wall along the border with Mexico and temporarily banning Muslims from entering the country.

"We have shown the all-talk, no-action politicians that this is a movement that cannot be stopped," Trump said in an email to supporters after his win.

'Victory is in sight'

Clinton's New York victory followed some of the most heated personal exchanges of her political duel with Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont and Brooklyn native who had won seven of the last eight state-by-state nominating contests.

"The race for the Democratic nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sight," Clinton, 68, told a cheering, chanting crowd at a Manhattan hotel, noting that she had gained more than 10 million votes and won in every region of the country.

"Today you proved there is no place like home," Clinton said in a victory speech at a Manhattan hotel that had her looking toward the Nov. 8 election against the eventual Republican nominee.

She reached out to Sanders supporters in what has become an increasingly antagonistic campaign. "There is much more that unites us than divides us," she said.

But Clinton also could not resist a dig at her rival, repeating language she has used recently to criticize the 74-year-old senator for offering vague policy ideas without a concrete explanation of how he would achieve them.

"In the bright lights of New York we have seen it's not enough to diagnose problems; you have to explain how you actually solve them," she said.

The New York victory will expand Clinton's lead of 244 pledged delegates over Sanders, and make it nearly impossible for him to overcome the deficit and capture the 2,383 delegates needed for the nomination under Democratic rules that allocate delegates proportionally based on each state's result.

Sanders headed to Pennsylvania to campaign on Tuesday, and then went home to Vermont for a day off the campaign trail.

The voting in New York was marred by irregularities, including more than 125,000 people missing from New York City voter rolls. The city has roughly 4 million voters considered active for the primaries.

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer ordered an audit of the city elections board after it confirmed the names had been removed from voter rolls. He told the board in a letter it was "consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient."

Addressing supporters at a rally in State College, Pennsylvania, Sanders termed the situation "absurd."
A rocket is launched during a demonstration of a new large-caliber multiple rocket launching system attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (not pictured) at an unknown location, in this undated file photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Photo:Reuters/KCNA/Files

The United States will respond strongly in the case of a further North Korean nuclear test, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday, days after the North's failure to launch what the United States believes was an intermediate-range ballistic missile.

North Korea conducted a fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch the next month, both in contravention of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Expanded U.N. sanctions aimed at starving North Korea of funds for its nuclear weapons program were approved in a unanimous Security Council vote in early March on a resolution drafted by the United States and China.

Blinken, who is meeting senior Japanese government officials in Tokyo, told reporters North Korea would be digging itself deeper into a hole if it pursued further provocations.

"There will be additional strong response in case of another (North Korean) nuclear test," Blinken said, adding that such actions by North Korea were "unacceptable".

Blinken said the United States would consider "a number of possibilities" while adding that it was "premature" to be specific.

Some experts expect North Korea to conduct its fifth nuclear test in the near future, possibly before its party congress in early May, following the embarrassing missile failure on Friday.
European Commission hopes visa-free travel for Ukrainian to become reality soon

European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos has said he hopes soon Ukrainians would travel to the EU without visas.

"I hope European Parliament and the Council will adopt European Commission's proposal very soon. I hope visa-free travel for Ukrainians will become a reality very soon," he said at a briefing in Brussels on Wednesday.

He also added that the EC submits a legislative proposal regarding including Ukraine into the list of the states, with which EU abolished visa regime.
Police have for the first time used new powers to fine an anti-abortion protester outside a clinic in Civic.

The fine was issued to a protester who breached a protest-free zone on Friday morning, roughly a month since the new laws came into effect.

Canberra Goulburn Catholic Archbishop Christopher Prowse leads a vigil outside Civic's abortion clinic last year. Credit:Graham Tidy

The powers are designed to protect women from being harassed, intimidated, obstructed, photographed, or filmed as they access Canberra's abortion clinic.

Based on a scheme introduced in Tasmania in 2013, the laws effectively create protest-free buffer zones around approved medical clinics, including the ACT Health building on Moore Street in Civic, where protesters have gathered for more than 17 years.
Banks have warned the federal government that a proposed law requiring mandatory notification of serious data breaches risks stirring up fear about the nation's transition towards a digital economy.

As banks brace themselves for a tougher regulator, they are also concerned about more intrusive regulation by the government of IT security.

The government is considering a bill that will require mandatory reporting of serious data breaches  such as those where criminals target personal details, tax file numbers or credit information  to the Australian Information Commissioner and affected customers.

The legislation was supported by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull when he was Communications Minister as a way of bolstering Australia's defences from attacks by cyber criminals.
The coordinator of the working subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine has expressed concern over a sharp increase in the number of ceasefire violations in Donbas, said Martin Sajdik, a Special Representative of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

There has been a sharp rise in ceasefire violations, especially after April 6, up to 4,700 violations in one day alone, Sajdik told reporters in Minsk on Wednesday.

Heavy weapons were seen being used during hostilities, he said.

Combatants used heavy weapons, artillery and mortar launchers which had been previously removed from the contact line, the OSCE special representative said.
Providers of small loans, such as Cash Converters and Money3, say a cap on the proportion of customers' income that can be used to repay their loans could put some lenders out of business.

A government review of so-called small amount credit contracts (SACC)  which the industry says are wrongly called payday loans because these have been banned since 2013  has recommended only 10 per cent of borrowers' pay can be used to repay SACC loans and consumer leases.

SACC loan companies such Cash Converters are worried tough income caps will make their products unviable Credit:Craig Abraham

"That recommendation would be unviable for some lenders," said Phil Johns, the head of industry body National Credit Providers Association.

At present, only borrowers who are on government benefits are subject to a cap on the proportion of their income they can spend on SACC loans. The cap is set at 20 per cent and limited to $2000 during 16 weeks. The review has recommended halving the cap and extending it to all borrowers.
You know the old saying about buy when there's "blood in the streets".

A number of prominent executives have had the opportunity to put it into practice this week.

Qantas chairman, Richard Leigh Clifford, led the charge with the airline putting out a notice within hours of him buying 30,000 shares.

It helped arrest a stock rout following Monday's news the airline was pulling back on domestic routes  which means Clifford was already in the money soon after acquiring the shares at $3.38 each.
China's stocks headed for their steepest slide in seven weeks, pushing a gauge of volatility up from its lowest level this year.

The Shanghai Composite Index dropped 2.6 per cent, with all the losses coming in the hour before the trading break. Consumer and technology companies led declines. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index slid from a three-month high in Hong Kong as China Telecom and China Shenhua Energy sank more than 4 per cent.

The Shanghai Composite fell below the key 3,000 level for the first time since April 8. Credit:AP

The losses come amid signs of waning interest in mainland equities after March's 12 per cent rebound and speculation better economic data will prevent the government from adding stimulus. A gauge of 50-day price swings fell to its lowest level this year on Tuesday, while the Shanghai gauge is down 1.3 per cent this month.

"We still haven't heard any news or speculation yet," said Jeff Lau, a Hong Kong-based trader at China Securities International Financial Holdings.
BHP Billiton chief executive Andrew Mackenzie has declared the miner still has "the potential to significantly grow" despite cutting its iron ore production guidance and posting production falls across its four "pillar" commodities this financial year.

The miner pared its production guidance for the Pilbara to 260 million tonnes for the current year, from 270 million tonnes, blaming bad weather and rail maintenance.

Andrew Mackenzie says BHP is well placed to grow. Credit:Paul Jeffers

The move came a day after Rio TInto cut its iron ore guidance for 2017 in the Pilbara by as much as 20 million tonnes, to between 330 and 340 million tonnes.

BHP's total global iron ore production for the March quarter was 53.06 million tonnes, well below last year's production of 58.98mt. The drop is partly associated with the suspension of operations at BHP's disaster-hit Brazilian operation, Samarco, and poor weather during the period.
It's a case of musical chairs in the real estate investment trust sector with a number of chief executives changing places.

DEXUS chief operating officer Craig Mitchell has resigned to take up the head role at Melbourne-based developer Grocon. He will replace Carolyn Viney who has left the group after 13 years to pursue other interests.

IOF fund manager Ming Long has resigned. Credit:Michele Mossop

Mr Mitchell's move comes days after DEXUS Property was thwarted in its takeover of the listed Investa Office Fund, although his departure is not related. With his knowledge of the property sector, Mr Mitchell's name has popped up several times as a candidate for chief executive roles, the most recent being for GPT Group, which went to Bob Johnston.

DEXUS chief executive Darren Steinberg thanked Mr Mitchell for his "significant contribution to the group over more than eight years".
The "merger" of Target and Kmart may save Wesfarmers from having to write down its struggling department store chain by as much as $800 million, denting bottom-line profits.

Industry sources believe Wesfarmers may consolidate the balance sheets and cashflows of Kmart and Target after creating a new department store division headed by long-serving Kmart boss Guy Russo.

Kmart's strong cashflows would offset declining cashflows from Target, negating the need for major goodwill impairments when Wesfarmers tests asset values at the end of the financial year.

Sources said pressure on asset values was likely to have been a factor  although not the primary trigger  of the department store restructuring, which was announced by Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder in February.
Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan will be asked to address concerns that tax authorities have been "soft" on tax avoidance at a Senate inquiry hearing on Thursday.

The inquiry, which follows the explosive revelation of the Panama Papers by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists  more than 11.5 million documents that were hacked from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, alleging tax evasion, money laundering and other crimes by wealthy individuals and politicians.

The papers have prompted a global hunt for criminals, and raised questions about the inability of tax regulators to ensure multinationals pay their "fair share" of tax.

It is estimated trillions of dollars is lost globally each year due to crime, corruption and tax evasion. The local cost of tax avoidance is also high, with estimates United States corporations avoid an estimated $2 billion of tax in Australia each year by shifting their profits to low or no-tax countries.
Despite extensive experience in the finance and IT industry, Mr Kazachov was surprised to be asked if he had a laptop after making it to the final stage of a recent job interview.

"It is even worse at the age of 50," he says.

After hitting the age of 45, David Kazachov started having trouble getting work.

Well, of course he did, but there seemed to be an assumption behind the question that he was too old to be savvy with computer technology.

Robert De Niro showed old dogs sometimes have the best tricks in The Intern.

But as it turns out, ageism in the workforce is built on a faulty premise, according to leading Australian researchers of intergenerational employment.

Associate Professor Leanne Cutcher from the University of Sydney Business School is about to publish a new study that has found that contrary to stereotypes and assumptions, the most innovative companies are the ones where the age of employees does not matter.

One health engineering company that had a young chief executive officer appointing 65-year-old workers to new roles leading projects was among companies the researchers found to be the most innovative.
The Donbas ceasefire is being violated by both parties to the conflict, said Martin Sajdik, a Special Representative of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

All parties are violating the commitments they assumed earlier, and have been urged by the coordinator of the working subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine to cease fire, especially in light of the increased number of casualties and incidents involving OSCE SMM [Special Monitoring Mission] monitors, Sajdik told reporters in Minsk on Wednesday.
When was the last time you opted to get out of your seat to talk to a nearby colleague instead of sending them an email?

If you can't remember, you are part of a growing majority of Australian workers who are spending less time talking to colleagues face-to-face.

That is despite nine in 10 people saying they believe face-to-face meetings are the best way to interact at work. And despite office comradery consistently ranking among the job attributes most valued by workers.
Their overarching message is that Islam is a religion of peace, not violence, yet they say being a Muslim in this country is not easy. It is fraught with practical difficulties as well as ideological prejudice, such as the stares and insults that many Muslim women endure when they wear veils in the street and the outrageous slurs cast in ignorance.

The Age agrees. That is why we want our readers today to hear some of the voices of Muslims in Australia. Read their stories. Watch online as they tell about their lives, their experiences and their fears. They may be your neighbours, your friends or colleagues. We want you to hear what they have to say because, in their quiet and passionate ways, they warn of potential risks arising from marginalisation and disaffection.

As a young girl growing up in outback South Australia, Aisha Novakovich, the daughter of a Greek Orthodox man and Indonesian Muslim woman, admired Osama bin Laden and his abhorrence of Western ideals. She now says it is important to have discussions about why some people are so enamoured of terrorist groups.

A report by the Human Rights Commission last year said Muslims in Australia "experienced racial and religious vilification with regular frequency". A series of annual surveys by the Scanlon Foundation has consistently found that at least one in five and as many as one in four Australians harbours "somewhat negative" or "very negative" views towards Muslims.

And then, for many Muslims, there is a very real threat from within their own community. They fear their sons and daughters, their friends and colleagues, will lose touch with the uplifting freedoms, liberties and responsibilities of our democracy, and seek solace instead in extremist ideals. Says an Eritrean woman, who fled war to come to a safe country and now lives in Melbourne, "Before extremists targeted our children, I was worried about drugs and alcohol." She says that having the threat of extremists in the midst of her community is like having the war follow her.

Ms Novakovich talks of being emboldened and passionate about her beliefs, and how her decision to practise them by wearing a hijab or veil was part of her democratic right. Yet the adverse reactions she encountered led her to consider the political issues about Islam and within Islam, and what it means to be "radical".

Marginalisation or discrimination can feed discontent and rebelliousness, self-loathing and retribution. If unchecked, it can feed much more dangerous reactions.

What we hear in this selection of Muslim voices is a passion for life, a plea for understanding about religious beliefs and practices, and an aching entreaty for simple respect. Says one man: "The hardest part of being a Muslim Australian is fitting into society without compromising who I am."
The drums are beating. "Come on in, a round or two for a pound or two." In the blue corner, we have Malcolm "Thought Bubble" Turnbull, champion of the Big End of Town and current titleholder. In the red corner, Bill "The Zinger" Shorten, Champion of the Unions. Interestingly, Thought Bubbles' corner man, Scott Morrison, showed a lot of potential early when hurling armed naval vessels at refugee boats but seemed to develop a glass jaw when confronted with the multinationals. I'll give you a tip, Scott, hit them with a turnover tax, it ain't rocket science, son. Sorry, I digress. As interesting as the coming bout will be, what will the result mean? What's in it for a smoking, drinking low-income earner? The truth, unfortunately, is sweet nothing. I've decided I'm going to get something out of it just for the inconvenience of an early election (hours of election ads, mail box full of glossy brochures and larger-than-life roadside signs of candidates). I'm going to sell my vote to the highest bidder on Gumtree. Frank Smith, Oaklands, NSW The mainstream myth It is time the public became alert to the subtle and not-so-subtle social engineering promoted through the "inclusive education for all students" model ("Students with disabilities out in the cold", 18/4). Inclusion as an ideology is symbolic of the children's popular card game "Happy Families". Inclusion is paraded as the way of making the whole of society a happy place. By association, the inclusionists promote the idea that all children and young people with disabilities should have their educational and developmental needs met through mainstream education.

Conveniently, the social engineers who promote unfettered inclusion ignore the fact that there are children and young people whose education and social development needs can be better met in a specialised environment. These same social engineers seem to ignore the fact that school can be harsh environments, where inclusion is not simply created by establishing yet another policy. Special education has served Victoria well over many decades. Those children and young people with a disability who can benefit best from this education stream must be allowed to do so. They must not be forced into mainstream education when this will not meet their needs, no matter how much money and teacher education is thrown at it. Max Jackson, former chief of Kew Cottages and special ed teacher, Southbank Test is a failure How bizarre can this be  testing four-year-olds with criteria that are neither realistic nor backed by research ("Preschools fail to pass the grade", 20/4)? Yes, for many children there is some sort of endemic failure from preschool but it is mainly institutional. Permanent poor handwriting skills are embedded by requiring children to use a pencil before they are able to hold and control it. Draw a straight line?

Why not show you where straight lines are used and necessary as they walk along the top of a wall, or then along a winding path, or in something they made themselves? Learning at this age is not about being sat down and asked to perform mindlessly. Decades of observing preps makes me despair at the overly formal approaches, which is what leaves children behind. Fay Magee, Cowes Preventative treatment Mental health often draws attention in response to a suicide or tragic incident. So it is refreshing to hear calls for an increase in mental health funding as an investment ("Mental health funding is a human investment", Editorial, 19/4). Millions of Australians' lives have been improved through Medicare-subsidised access to psychological services under the Better Access to Mental Health Care program. It has been evaluated as highly effective and cost efficient way of supporting people who may not otherwise be eligible for treatment. In 2013, the option of additional sessions for people with more severe mental illness was reduced from 18 to 10, which for some people is a lower than adequate "dose" of psychological treatment. These sessions need to be reinstated. People can slip through the cracks and end up losing their relationships, jobs and homes if not properly supported. That is a high cost for any community and deserves investment. Professor Lyn Littlefield, executive director, Australian Psychological Society, Melbourne A lethal movement

A Melbourne woman suffers the deadly post-measles SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis) ("Woman faces death from measles case", 18/4). Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children may have enjoyed reading the books of Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose sister Mary was blinded by measles, and Roald Dahl, whose firstborn daughter died of measles at age seven. The "anti-vax movement" is lethal. Barbara Sharpe, Heidelberg Backing from the law Greg Chipp points out it is not possible to get rid of illicit drugs and notes that Portugal hasn't fallen apart since decriminalising all drugs ("A drug-free world is an impossible dream", Comment, 19/4). On the macro level, I'm sure it hasn't made much of a difference. However, as a parent, when I tell my son about the evils of drugs, I would like to have the support of the law. I would like him to make a decision, as I did, that is supported by the policymakers and thinkers of this world, using legislation to indicate which direct behaviours are detrimental to us as individuals and a society. When it comes down to it, where possible, we should set up our laws to benefit those who follow the law. If there is one person whose behaviour is influenced by the law, and I suspect there are a lot more than that, that is more important than a billion people who don't. This is not the place for utilitarianism. The ludicrous idea that a drug should go from illegal to "look the other way" when we have an imperfect but fixable prescription system in between, is yet to be adequately explained.

James Mason, Kings Park Freedom first In the case of Sally Faulkner, any wins are minimised and losses maximised with anyone in custody ("Beirut dad's call to mum led to arrest", 20/4). The main game here is the complicated, heart-wrenching politics of a separated nuclear family, not abject hate and random violence. When old enough, the little girl and boy will realise how deeply their parents loved them, given the lengths each was willing to take to recover their babies. For their sakes, I hope both children see the courts in both countries award both parents and their parents' supporters freedom, and that we see everybody's return to the places they live, with their families of creation, some also with their families of origin, all with their familiar networks. That's the clearest path to establishing a healthy, revised model of family unity post separation and divorce. Nina Wellington-Iser, Hawthorn East

Art in context David Davies (Letters, 19/4) makes some interesting points, art or obscenity? From images in the media the painting purported to be by Caravaggio does indeed seem to be stylistically consistent with this artist's dramatic and often brutal subject matter. But the suggestion of a double standard in showing this work is going too far. An understanding of the context of why and when this artist's work was created, the Counter Reformation in Rome explains this, and similar subject matter. A visitor to NGV International would see paintings showing crucifixions, stonings and people being burnt alive, all actions which have been brutally used by Islamic State. Is Mr Davies suggesting these should be taken off the walls? As for the value, $178 million does indeed seem to many to be an obscene amount of money. However, the painting will most likely stay in France and if sold, be bought by the French state. It is worth comparing this amount to the billions countries spend on armaments, for example. It is simplistic to make the connection with this painting's worth and a country's foreign aid. Tony Healy, North Balwyn Farewell to an era

It should be noted that Lady Mary Nolan was not married to just one of Australia's most celebrated painters, but two ("A life spent at the heart of art", 19/4). Her first husband, John Perceval, was one of the great Australian painters. He is remembered by many for his wartime social realist paintings (try looking at Exodus from a Bombed City and putting it out of mind), vibrant Williamstown series, seascapes, and wild and tangled landscapes. And this is not to mention his unforgettable ceramic delinquent angels. Lady Mary Nolan's death marks the end of an era. Her generation of artists which includes the likes of Sidney Nolan, Perceval and her brother, Arthur, do not come along often. We are so fortunate to have had them. Vale Lady Mary Nolan. Colin Smith, Murrumbeena As good as they come It is 7am, and I have already been at Essendon railway station selling Anzac pins for quite some time. Cold, and feeling it ever more every time a train whistles past behind me, it is, after all, the Anzac Appeal. But it feels great when I try to walk up the long ramp with tray, table and chair when a kind-hearted person offers to help me with my load. Or when a nice person asks if I would love a cup of hot coffee. Of course I would but I can't ask anyone to do that for me. It wouldn't feel right. But it does feel good when a young kid comes up with a donation, not wanting a badge. Or a pensioner struggles with a $5 note. When people smile and say hello, and wish you a good day. It gives you hope for humanity when someone gives you $20 for a $5 badge but refuses to accept their change. Australia, give me more of you.

Ange Kenos, Essendon RSL president, Niddrie AND ANOTHER THING ... Politics Give me Ricky Muir over Derryn Hinch in the Senate any day.

Bruce Cormack, Kilsyth Peter McNamara (Letters, 19/4), Scott Morrison is not as good as his boss Malcolm in stringing together fine sounding but meaningless words. John Walsh, Watsonia If you think a two-month election period is tedious, spare a thought for the Americans. Roger Farrer, Hampton

Beware of what you wish for. A Labor win may resurrect Tony Abbott. Alex Njoo, St Kilda The Bombers a chance on Anzac Day. Labor a chance in July. Who would have thought it possible? Geoff Miller, Essendon Reassuring to learn some of those ships we're commissioning for our defence are to be "offshore" vessels ("Australians set to go to ...", 19/4). They'll join our "in air" planes.

Barry Lamb, Heidelberg West Banks Would the government have restored funding to ASIC if the opposition hadn't promised a royal commission into the banking sector? Phil Lipshut, Elsternwick As the ASIC money will be raised from a levy on banks, you don't suppose there's any likelihood the big banks will pass it on to customers?

Thos Puckett, Ashgrove, Qld I wonder what scenario we'd have today if Ben Chifley had succeeded in nationalising the banks. Geoff Schmidt, Fitzroy North Elsewhere Like Amber Heard, Tara Brown could try a contrition video for her get-out-of-jail card, on why child abduction is not a good idea .
How can we judge Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner, a case study in desperation? At the time of writing, she finds herself imprisoned in a Beirut jail, with 60 Minutes journalist Tara Brown her cellmate, after a botched attempt to snatch her two children from her estranged husband.

Trying to scrutinise maternal love is like trying to gaze into the sun: unbearable, blinding. So the public conversation understandably swerves away from weighing Faulkner's actions, settling on phrases such as "any mother in her position would do the same".

Father Ali Elamine leaves court on April 18. Credit:Getty Images

It is much easier, more comfortable and more conspicuously in the public interest to dwell instead on 60 Minutes and the ethics, or lack of, displayed by the program in allegedly paying $115,000 for a "child recovery agent" to demonstrate expertise with the cameras rolling.

But judgment underpins this dreadful saga, specifically 60 Minutes' impeccable news judgment in knowing its viewers would side with a mother succumbing to extreme measures to recover her abducted children.
It's on again. The tin is being rattled and the begging letters are going out to all and sundry. Ah, what bliss it is to be alive in the days of the group email and the megaphone of Facebook. But like much else in Australia today, election campaign financing is a hierarchical business  decided by the few on behalf of the many.

For the wannabes, that sturdy band of underdogs now running campaigns in dozens of electorates across the country, it's a case of how many coins can be raised through backyard barbecues and deck parties. Only the favourites, or the "targeted", will benefit from the munificence of party coffers.

Illustration: John Spooner

Sophie Ismail, Labor's candidate in Melbourne, is a case in point. Gutsy enough to put her hand up to take on Greens MP Adam Bandt in an inner-city seat once held by Arthur Calwell and later by Lindsay Tanner, the young employment lawyer can expect to receive the bare minimum in resourcing from the ALP head office.

Even more galling for Ismail is facing up to the flush-with-cash Bandt, whose fortunes have been further boosted by a reported $300,000 donation from the Electrical Trades Union.
The Australian filmmaker had the world premiere of Mystery Road, an outback western with Aaron Pedersen as an Aboriginal detective on a murder investigation, on opening night in 2013.

Director Ivan Sen's film Goldstone has been chosen as the opening night film for the Sydney Film Festival. Credit:Bradley Kanaris

Not only does he write, direct, shoot, edit and compose the music for his films but he is opening the Sydney Film Festival for the second time in just four years.

Now festival director Nashen Moodley has announced that Sen's outback thriller Goldstone will also have its world premiere as the opening attraction in June.

Opening night attraction ... Alex Russell and Aaron Pedersen in Goldstone.

It's a rare double honour, especially since Goldstone centres on the same detective, Jay Swan, taking on a missing persons investigation in a remote mining town. The film also stars Jacki Weaver, David Gulpilil and Tom E. Lewis.

Sen, who had the hard-hitting drama Toomelah in competition at the festival five years ago, describes Goldstone as a spin-off rather than sequel to Mystery Road.

"Jay Swan begins to uncover a web of corruption in the establishment that controls the town, the local mine and the local Aboriginal land council," he said.
It must be tough writing political satire in 2016. Though the news cycle churns up absurd moment after absurd moment, what should be an embarrassment of riches seems, for the most part, to have simply morphed into an embarrassment: candidates who demonstrate stupidity more often than statesmanship, policies which are hollow and slogans which are meaningless.

Take Veep's "continuity with change". It was conceived as an example of the gold standard for meaningless political sloganeering, spoken by the impossibly shallow Selina Meyer, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Until, of course, Australia's own Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, used the phrase "continuity and change" in an interview with the ABC's 7.30 program. And as a moment in which realpolitik sinks to the level of self-satire, it could not be beaten.

"Hats off to him for making it his own, don't you think?" says Louis-Dreyfus, smiling. The 55-year-old star of Veep has come to meet Fairfax Media to discuss the new season of her political comedy. But the first, unavoidable item on our agenda is Turnbull's gaffe, and the subsequent headlines proclaiming he'd taken the Australian government's new slogan from the pages of a TV comedy, which Louis-Dreyfus admits left her "dumbstruck".

"First of all, I don't think they stole it, I think they thought it was a good idea and that's actually much more alarming," Louis-Dreyfus says. "When we wrote 'continuity with change' the intention behind it was to write something as empty and as moronic sounding as possible and that is what we came up with. So I don't know what to tell you. I'm praying for you guys over there."
Imagine Derryn Hinch without anyone to flick the switch to "off" when he decides to name and shame.

And think of Hinch at full throttle, the nation listening, without him having to fear a judge, a jail or a defamation jury.

Here, then, may be the future, though he hastened to reassure Fairfax on Wednesday that "despite my reputation, I'm not a total cowboy".
The United Nations will not meet its 2030 goals of ending poverty and inequality unless there is a global effort to tackle disadvantage faced by Indigenous and tribal peoples, a landmark study has found.

Led by Australian Indigenous health experts, the study calls for "a revitalised global partnership" to improve health outcomes and "counter political marginalisation" in countries.

"We need to stop thinking about Indigenous health as a parochial issue; it's a global issue," said lead author, Ian Anderson, the chairman of Indigenous Education at the University of Melbourne.

"The UN agenda about global development won't be successful unless we start to tackle at a global level the issues of Indigenous and tribal peoples who sit right at the bottom of wealth globally."
Former Labor leader Kim Beazley has fallen over on stage after a lecture about US politics, in an incident reminiscent of his tumble on black ice in Washington six years ago.

The trip came after Mr Beazley had predicted a win for Hillary Clinton and warned a Donald Trump presidency would have grave implications for the world and would almost certainly create problems with China.

Kim Beazley with Barack Obama after his 2010 tumble. Credit:Samantha Appleton

The recently returned former ambassador to Washington was being applauded by a full house of admiring academics and scholars at Canberra's Australian National University's Llewellyn Hall when he tripped over leaving the podium, tumbling to the polished floor, and bringing a collective gasp from the audience.

But the 67-year-old was quick to his feet again, uttering an embarrassed, "I'm just getting too damned old", by way of reassurance that it was mainly his pride that was hurt.
The Ukrainian side in the Trilateral Contact Group has noticed some progress in the course of the efforts on Nadia Savchenko's release, Darka Olifer, spokesperson for Ukraine's second president Leonid Kuchma, who represents the country in the Trilateral Contact Group, said.

"We can also see certain progress in the course of the release of our pilot Nadia Savchenko and we are anticipating her return to Ukraine," Olifer wrote on her Facebook page following the Contact Group meeting on Wednesday.

Ukraine expects 25 Donbas prisoners of war to be released in the eve of the Easter festival. "We are eager to see that the people can come back to their families," Olifer said.
The University of Sydney will receive a $35 million donation to build part of a new health precinct, the largest donation in the university's history.

The donation from Susan and Isaac Wakil, owners of many of Sydney's derelict buildings in Pyrmont and the CBD, will allow the university to bring nursing, midwifery, medicine, pharmacy and dentistry all together under the one roof.

In a rare comment to the media, Mr Wakil said they were pleased to be able to make the project a reality.
The public service must encourage more women into senior roles and embrace the technology prowess of younger staff, the Prime Minister says.

Malcolm Turnbull spoke to about 800 mostly senior public servants in Parliament on Wednesday morning, in what is understood to be the first prime ministerial address to the bureaucracy in about six years.

Malcolm Turnbull's government had the opportunity to make the super contribution permanent but chose not. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

He exhorted them to find the courage to experiment with technology, saying government agencies needed to harness data to measure and improve their services.
A national commission to deal with a fractured and piecemeal approach to eliminating domestic violence is the key recommendation in a landmark report delivered to the federal government on Tuesday.

The report from the first National Family Violence Summit held in Canberra in March has singled out primary school education, men's behavioural change programs and dedicated family violence courts as the most urgent reforms.

"It is a desperate yet practical call for action that comes from those who are closest to the frontline," the report's author, Michael Costigan, said.

However, the service sector to combat domestic violence was still too fragmented to run effectively, Mr Costigan, chief executive of the Tara Costigan Foundation, said.
Queensland MPs received more than 8500 emails overnight from Uber supporters as Parliament prepares for a show down, with the Katters attempting to ban ride-sharing companies like Uber in Queensland comes to a head.

The bill, which would see drivers lose their licence if they are caught driving for the service three times, did not get the support of the Parliamentary committee charged with reviewing it.

Instead, it recommended stricter enforcement of current legislation designed to stop unregulated taxi services.

Neither Labor nor the LNP have committed to supporting the Katter bill and without one of the major parties, it is doomed to fail. Labor has not ruled out making amendments to the bill, with a spokeswoman only saying "consideration" was being given to what those amendments may look like.
Borobi - Queensland Parliament's MVP. Credit:Amanda Abate/Seven News

To the wash up:

Theme of the day - Thank Beyonce we're halfway through

MVP - Borobi. By a country mile.

The rest of the day will see the LNP's motion -

"I GIVE NOTICE THAT I SHALL MOVE-

1) THAT THIS HOUSE NOTES THAT QUEENSLAND IS ALREADY WELL SERVICED BY THOUSANDS OF REGISTERED LOCAL ELECTRICIANS AND CONTRACTORS WHO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE, HIGH QUALITY ELECTRICAL SERVICES, AND PROVIDE JOBS, TRAINING AND SKILLS TO APPRENTICES IN QUEENSLAND.

AND

2) CALLS ON THE PALASZCZUK LABOR GOVERNMENT TO ABANDON ITS PLANS TO CREATE A TAXPAYER FUNDED MONOLITH COMPANY TO COMPETE AGAINST MUM AND DAD SMALL BUSINESS ELECTRICIANS AND LOCAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS."

But the big show is the Katters' Uber bill. That's to be debated later today and will be a full house. Below and above the gallery.

We'll be back tomorrow when the big ticket item will be the LNP's extra MP legislation is due to be debated and, at this stage, looks like passing.

That's also going to be fiery.

But first, there will be question time, so join us back here just after 10am for all the fun and games of the Queensland Parliament.

Thank you to Cameron Atfield for stepping in to produce this afternoon, and to you, as always, for reading. Have a wonderful evening.
Google is warning you to watch out for, well, Google.

As of Wednesday morning, the search giant's own Safe Browsing tool labels "google.com" as "partially dangerous." The tool, which automatically scans "billions of URLs per day looking for unsafe websites," cites the search giant's home page for some potentially scary problems.

Safe Browsing scans 'billions of URLs per day looking for unsafe websites.

"Some pages on this website install malware on visitors' computers," the Safe Browsing Site Status page warned, adding that "[a]ttackers on this site might try to trick you to download software or steal your information."

Google declined to comment on the site's status, but those ominous warnings likely don't mean that visiting google.com itself is dangerous. Instead, they suggest that some people have used Google services to host or link to something malicious, so the tool is flagging the whole domain as a little risky.
Who knew that a Nokia 3310 phone  that seemingly indestructible model of years past, with its LCD screen and vintage snake game  sounds like the shell of a giant cockroach cracking and the flesh squelching underneath when you put it in a 100-ton hydraulic press. Yuck.

It's kind of poetic that one of Finland's most popular YouTube channels should choose a once mighty  now diminished  symbol of Finnish industry as one of its guinea pigs to destroy.

The Hydraulic Press Channel is a joyous exercise in destruction, and it's taking the world by storm.

Part heavy metal mayhem, part theatre of the absurd, each episode is bookended with the noise of heavy Scandinavian rock, before Lauri Vuohensilta places an object in an industrial size hydraulic press and lowers the ram, crushing it to pieces, or flattening it beyond recognition.
Australia's largest port operator has threatened to lock out its entire workforce nationwide for the first time since the infamous 1998 waterfront dispute and just months before a federal election.

Hundreds of wharf workers at Patrick Stevedores terminals have gone on strike in recent weeks, with a potentially damaging 48-hour staff walkout imminent at the country's busiest container port in Melbourne.

Security guards at Port Botany Patrick terminal 1998 Credit:Dean Sewell

Escalating a year-long battle over pay and conditions, the strike is expected to land a heavy blow to the company's operations at East Swanson Dock between 7am on Thursday and 7am on Saturday.

Patrick has announced it will put a proposed workplace agreement directly to a vote of employees, but warns it could move to lock out the heavily unionised 850-person workforce if the ballot does not succeed.
A second Victorian school is embroiled in a drug controversy, with the bust filmed in a new TV series that has sent the Education Department into a spin.

TV crews working on a new ABC series filmed a student being busted with marijuana at Kambrya College in Melbourne's south-east.

The revelation followed a Melbourne Girls Grammar student being expelled and two others being suspended after they were caught with drugs, reportedly including ecstasy, at their year 12 formal.

The ABC and CJZ co-production, which will air in the next few months, promises to uncover "what really goes on in our high schools".
Defense Ministry: Some 16,600 Ukrainians to be called for regular military service through May-June 2016

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the number of Ukrainian citizens to be conscripted for a regular military service through May to June, a press service of Defense Ministry of Ukraine said.

The exact number is 16,615 people.

"A total of 8,015 persons will serve at the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 4,000 in the National Guard, 4,000 at the State Border Guard Service and 600 at State Special Transport Service," reads a report posted on the ministry's website on Wednesday.

The Cabinet allotted nearly UAH 54 million for the conscription.

The respective document was approved at the sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers on April 20.
The best system Victoria has to protect the public from dangerous city construction sites failed spectacularly on Wednesday, just three years after the Swanston Street wall collapse killed three people.

Safety authorities have come under fire over a potentially fatal incident in North Melbourne, where a brick wall crashed down onto the footpath less than 24 hours after the site was audited.

The wall  on the partly demolished site of the former Royal Park Hotel in North Melbourne  came down soon after 9am on Wednesday.

Falling bricks narrowly missed members of the public near the corner of Queensberry and Howard streets, including a female pedestrian pushing a pram, but no injuries were reported.
The final stage of the controversial Perth Freight Link probably won't be needed for a decade, but there will be a traffic choke point in the meantime, WA premier Colin Barnett says.

After Transport Minister Dean Nalder told a community newspaper that stage three wouldn't be required until 2026, Mr Barnett was asked if that was true.

Perth Freight Link has caused division since its inception.

"It probably is - I'm not aware of the actual dates," he told ABC radio on Wednesday.

"So the first sort of kilometre or so out of the harbour is going to be slow, but it works and from there on, when the freight link is completed, the trucks will be on a no-intersection route that will take them all the way through to Muchea."
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has partly blamed the high number of deaths on country roads on regional communities.

The police union this week criticised the government and police force for not putting enough speed cameras in country towns, but Mr Barnett said country towns had to take more responsibility for how the behaviour of drivers caused the consistent high number of deaths in regional areas.

More than 70 per cent of the state's 2016 road deaths have occurred on country roads, representing 42 out of the 59 fatalities. Credit:Philip Gostelow

"I think, and this won't be liked, there is a greater responsibility on country communities to take some ownership of this problem and get away from a pattern of bad, irresponsible driving to one of safe and good driving," Mr Barnett told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

"To country people out there, look at your own community please, don't let these young guys... go out drinking and get behind the wheel.
The post refutes claims his organisation had faked success stories on its website. Reporter Tara Brown, centre, sound recordist David Ballment, left, and Sally Faulkner, right, after being released from a Beirut jail. Credit:Nine Network In the months before the bungled recovery, Mr Whittington's website had been aggressively insulting and attacking some of his British-based rivals. Under a "Warning" heading, the web page named two recovery agents as "con artists" and urged parents not to use them. Craig Michael remains in detention in Beirut.

One of the named competitors has told Fairfax Media he is suing Mr Whittington for defamation over the claims. Both have vigorously disputed the claims. Ali Elamine says he knew the abduction attempt was coming. Credit:ABC The CARI post also says its operatives left behind in Beirut "are strong and well".

Mr Whittington's wife, who did not give her name, also posted on the page attacking critics of her husband and saying he was "an honourable and brave" man and called for authorities to be lenient in their treatment of him. "Adam is receiving some bad press at the moment and he is being accused of being a liar and a fraudster," she wrote. "Adam is a former military man and police officer. He is honourable and brave and a man who stands up for what he believes in. "He feels passionately that it is wrong for one parent to take unilateral action and remove children from their custodial parent and from their home. That is exactly what this father did in this case. "Adam is a good hearted family man who was trying to help a desperate mother."

She said leniency should have been shown to her husband. "I cannot comment on the details of the case but if the outcome is that Adam has committed a crime he will accept that and respect the Lebanese legal system and their right to punish him," she said. "For my part I hope that any punishment is as lenient as possible. He has not committed a crime against humanity." Earlier, Mr Whittington's and Mr Michael's lawyer, Joe Karam, claimed bank records showed the Nine Network directly paid for the botched child operation and hit out at the media company's "unethical" decision to exclude those who carried out the plot from a deal that secured the television crew's freedom.

While the Australians have gone free, Mr Elamine will pursue personal charges against Mr Whittington and Mr Michael and two Lebanese men who assisted with the plot. "Ethically it wasn't appropriate for Channel Nine to arrange for a deal and not include the man they asked to execute for them something," Mr Karam told reporters outside the Palace of Justice. Mr Karam said bank records would show Nine directly paid CARI $69,000 in one of two expected instalments. "That shows that they did ask him to provide an investigation in a missing child which is not buying a story; they asked for what happened. "They were all a team; they came altogether and I think they should leave altogether," he said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said she was pleased the civil proceedings had been settled and that Ms Faulkner and the 60 Minutes crew were on their way home. She emphasised that, in situations such as these, Australia would "do what we can" on behalf of citizens, but ultimately they were in the hands of foreign laws and courts. "Australian governments cannot become involved in the sovereign legal proceedings of other countries," she said. "You have to abide by the law of the other country in which you are a visitor." Mr Karam has called on the Australian government to do more to assist Mr Whittington, who is a dual British-Australian citizen.
Beirut: The lawyer for Adam Whittington, the self-styled international "child recovery" operative caught up in the 60 Minutes saga, claims bank records show the Nine Network paid directly for the botched operation and has hit out the media company's "unethical" decision to exclude those who carried out the plot from a deal that secured the television crew's freedom.

60 Minutes presenter Tara Brown, producer Stephen Rice, sound recordist David Ballment and cameraman Benjamin Williamson walked free from their Lebanese jail cells on Wednesday, along with Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner, who had to relinquish her custody rights for her two children, Noah and Lahala, as part of the agreement.

While they have gone free, Ms Faulkner's estranged husband Ali Elamine will pursue personal charges against Adam Whittington, his colleague Craig Michael and two Lebanese men who assisted with the April 6 plot.
Beirut: It was the personal anguish of Nine Network cameraman Benjamin Williamson and sound recordist David Ballment at not being able to see their children that led to Ali Elamine agreeing to drop personal charges against his estranged wife and the entire 60 Minutes crew after being detained for a botched child-recovery operation in Beirut two weeks ago.

Presenter Tara Brown and her colleagues were freed from prison and Fairfax Media understands they have now departed Lebanon on a flight on Wednesday night, local time, under the deal, which was struck after hours of tense negotiations.

They appeared before Judge Rami Abdullah on Wednesday along with Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner, whom Channel Nine paid to film her planned reunion with her children. But under the deal Ms Faulkner will relinquish her Australian rights to custody of the children and formally divorce Mr Elamine.
Beirut: Kidnapping charges against the Australian 60 Minutes crew being held in Lebanon, and Australian mum Sally Faulkner, have been dropped, with the television team already free from prison and on a flight out of Lebanon.

The dramatic turnaround in the crew's fortune comes amid a reported deal, in which Ms Faulkner has reportedly relinquished custody of her children.

"Everybody is happy," said Nine Network lawyer, Kamal Aboudaher.
BRASILIA, April 12, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Lawmakers vote on the impeachment of the Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff during a session of the parliamentary committee at the Chamber of the Deputies in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 11, 2016. A Brazilian congressional commission recommended impeachment against President Dilma Rousseff in a vote on Monday. The commission voted 38 to 27 to support the impeachment, setting the tone for the full lower house to vote on Sunday whether Rousseff should face trial. (Xinhua/AGENCIA ESTADO)

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 18 -- Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Monday expressed indignation in her first interview after the lower house of parliament voted to open an impeachment process against her.

The process lacked legal basis and she did not commit the crime of fiscal responsibility of which she has been accused, said Rousseff.

The Rousseff government claimed that the fiscal maneuvers of which the president is accused did not consist in a crime of fiscal responsibility and that the impeachment process resulting from that basis is in fact a coup attempt.

Rousseff said that she was disappointed at the fact that the actual accusation was not discussed during the entire session in the Chamber of Deputies.

"Injustice always occurs when the defense process is smashed and when, in an absurd manner, first someone is accused of something that is not a crime and then no one refers to the problem," she said.

The president also claimed that the fiscal maneuvers were practiced by past presidents and were never considered illegal.

"I feel indignation and injustice ... Those acts were based in technical reports and none of them directly benefits me. These are not acts through which I got rich illicitly," she said.

As the chamber opened the impeachment process on Sunday, the impeachment will then head to the Senate.

From the moment the Senate accepts the impeachment process, the president is temporarily removed and Vice President Michel Temer becomes interim president. He is considered one of the masterminds of the impeachment process.
Riyadh: US President Barack Obama met Saudi Arabia's King Salman to seek joint action on security threats including Iran and Islamic State - and to talk through tensions between the two allies that have been laid bare in recent weeks.

Mr Obama's visit to the world's top oil exporter on Wednesday, his fourth and likely last, has been overshadowed by Gulf Arab exasperation with his approach to the region, and doubts about Washington's commitment to their security.

President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia's King Salman in Riyadh. Credit:Carolyn Kaster

Most of the Gulf Arab monarchies have in private been sorely disappointed by Mr Obama's presidency, regarding it as a period in which the US has pulled back from the region, giving more space to their arch-rival Iran to expand its influence.
Ford F-150 Special Service Vehicle Reporting For Duty







DEARBORN, MI - April 19, 2016: Government and fleet customers  including law enforcement and roadside assistance providers  require the toughest, smartest, most capable vehicles for their work, so Ford offers a Special Service Vehicle package for the 2016 F-150 to meet their rigorous needs.

F-150 Special Service Vehicle gives fleets a selection of configurations so customers can pick what best suits their needs. Available in XL trim for either F-150 SuperCrew or SuperCab configuration, customers can opt for the package in a 4x4 or 4x2 drivetrain, along with the 5.0-liter V8 or high-torque 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine to ensure there is never a lack of power.

Law enforcement and fleet work can get messy, so trucks equipped with the package replace carpeting with easy-to-clean vinyl flooring. The rear seat is swapped out for a vinyl bench for quick cleanup.

A high-output 240-amp alternator replaces the stock unit to accommodate for extended idle times. Standard 40/20/40 seats are replaced with 40/blank/40 seats, with the center section deleted to create more space for customization.

Many officers need the extra space F-150 Special Service Vehicle offers, said Stephen Tyler, Ford police marketing manager. They can load the cargo box with equipment and still fit five people inside. Its utility is unmatched.

Law enforcement makes up a large portion of Special Service Vehicle purchases, so Ford added F-150 to satisfy a complete range of police needs.

We offer a whole family of police vehicles, said Arie Groeneveld, Ford chief program engineer for police vehicles. Our lineup aims to fulfill the unique needs of law enforcement officers, and our F-150 Special Service Vehicle is an extension of that offering. This vehicle definitely lives up to its Built Ford Tough reputation.

The following Ford vehicles are available for law enforcement use:

 F-150 Special Service Vehicle

 Expedition Special Service Vehicle

 Special Service Police Sedan

 Transit Prisoner Transport Vehicle

 Police Interceptor Sedan

 Police Interceptor Utility
Three Chinese Corporations Amongst Forbes List of 20 Largest Buyers of Russian oil

File photo: Oil field in Russia

The Russian edition of Forbes magazine has recently published a list with a ranking of the 20 largest buyers of Russian oil, with three Chinese corporations enlisted.

China National United Oil Corporation is among all ranked the second place, after Swiss-based Litasco, with the volume of purchases in Russia amounts to 26.9 million tonnes, 53.6 per barrel, while the Swiss firm Litasco 5.8 million tonnes of oil by 49.7 per dollar per barrel.

Concept Oil Services, ranking the tenth place, was the second Chinese corporation amongst others, with contracts of 2.3 billion dollars awarded and the volume of purchases in Russia amounted to 5.9 million tonnes.

China International United Petroleum & Chemicals Co., Ltd came in the fourteenth place, with contracts of 2 billion dollar awarded to the company and the volume of purchases reached 4.9 million.

The top ten ranking buyers also includes: Swiss Total Oil Trading, Trafigura, Polish Orlen, British Shell International Trading, Swiss Mercuria Energy Trading, the Irish Ros-GIP Limited, controlled by Glencore, Swiss Tatneft Europe.

In 2015 Russia exported 244,5 million tonnes of crude oil worth about to 89.6 billion.
The role of asset based lending in export

By Richard Haighton, trade and working capital director, Barclays

ASSET based lending, or ABL, is an often overlooked but increasingly important tool for UK businesses looking to expand their exporting activity.

ABL is a generic term, but typically involves a company securing funding from one or more of its receivables, inventory or plant & machinery (P&M) assets.

For a UK business looking to fund its trade cycle with export customers, there are two key  but potentially very diverse  attractions of this approach.

Firstly, a company could look to leverage the asset generated by the export trade  likely to be the export receivable  thus matching funding, credit and exchange risk to the underlying transaction.

For example an invoice for a sale of product to Europe, China, USA or other territory could be discounted here in the UK to provide early financing against the future receivable. This may also enable the seller to offer credit terms to a buyer, or extend terms beyond the period with which the UK exporter may otherwise be comfortable, which itself may help to drive sales.

If coupled with a credit insurance policy or bad debt protection product from the discounter, this could be very powerful solution to any company looking to fund the working capital cycle created by its export activity.

Traditionally, receivables finance was based around invoice discounting or factoring, but increasingly Barclays are seeing large and sophisticated corporates take a more bespoke approach to their financing requirements, looking at funding individual debtors or even individual receivables for example. In some circumstances it is even possible to fund these receivables on a non-recourse basis, and with appropriate auditor sign off take them off balance sheet too.

An alternative to using the receivable created by the export sale to raise finance is to use UK based assets (UK receivables, inventory and P&M) to secure finance. There are some good reasons why this may be beneficial to the exporter: they may be unable to secure finance against the export receivable for corporate and/or country risk reasons, there may be an attractive price advantage to using UK assets or perhaps FX management would drive this approach.

Again, there are now a myriad of ways to fund even the receivables element of these assets, and a bespoke solution can usually be found.

Often, your financing partner can provide invaluable feedback on the merits and problems associated with any planned export activity. If your bank or credit insurer is unwilling to take a risk against a particular debtor or even country for example, why should you? Alternatively they can advise on the best way to structure a transaction, providing some dos and donts on the terms of trade which could mitigate risk, improve cashflow or even increase the profitability of the transaction.

ABL is effectively an evolution of the mature factoring and invoice discounting markets that now provides numerous funding options for SMEs, large and even global corporates alike. Equally, we are offering marrying these facilities with more traditional export solutions (bonds and letters of credit for example) to ensure a whole of trade cycle solution. Our advice is to make sure that ABL and receivables finance is at least on your list of potential export funding solutions.
President urges tolerance, faster work on cyber-law

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also head of the central Internet security and informatization leading group, presides over a symposium on cyberspace security and informatization in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for "more tolerance and patience" toward netizens and welcomed online criticism, "whether mild or fierce", as long as it arises from goodwill.

Xi made the remarks at a rare high-profile meeting as the country's 700 million internet users get more say in social governance and public events.

The president also urged speeding up legislation of a cyber-law, improving legal supervision and preventing risks caused by the internet.

The government should take constructive advice from netizens, help those who are in difficulties and explain to those who don't understand the situation, Xi said. Netizens' complaints should be addressed quickly, and wrong online attitudes should be corrected.

Government officials should get close to the people through the internet, listen to online public opinions and suggestions, and answer the public's concerns in a positive manner, he said.

The meeting was attended by entrepreneurs of internet giants such as Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu, experts on media research and officials of internet management.

Premier Li Keqiang and senior publicity official Liu Yunshan, both on the seven-member Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting as deputy leaders of the central internet security and informatization leading group. The group, headed by Xi, was established in February 2014.

During the meeting, Xi talked with 10 representatives from colleges, companies and government departments and heard their suggestions on cybersecurity, core technology and public opinions.

Noting China's large number of internet users, Xi said that cyberspace should be regulated to make it a clean place for netizens, especially adolescents.
As Donald Trump arrived to vote for Donald Trump his hair was definitely less orange than when he reported for jury duty back in August.

Maybe he added a little powdered-wig white to the bottled blonde, a hint of George Washington to the Marilyn Monroe.

The result was a slightly more presidential effect as he strode on Primary Day into New York County polling site 110980, located in the tony Central Synagogue Pavilion near his signature tower. A sample ballot taped to the wall read:

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

VOTE FOR ONE

1. DONALD J. TRUMP2. JOHN R. KASICH3. BEN CARSON4. TED CRUZ

Trump strode smiling up to the front desk with a Secret Service contingent to augment the same bodyguard who had accompanied him to jury duty last summer. His wife, Melania, was not with him.

He called out the same greeting as he had when he entered the juror assembly room at Manhattan Supreme Court.

How are you?

The slight change in hair hue made him no less recognizable as The Donald, but procedure was still procedure.

A photo I.D.? he asked the woman at the desk.

The woman answered in the affirmative. Trump pulled out his wallet, and officially confirmed that Trump was Trump. He proceeded on to the table for the 46th electoral district of the 73rd assembly district.

Who are you voting for? somebody called out from the media mob.

Easy decision, Trump said.

In attendance to ensure that all went smoothly as Trump exercised his right to vote before the news cameras was Michael Ryan, executive director of the New York City Board of Elections. Ryan would soon discover that voting had turned disastrously chaotic in too many other places in the city.

But everything here was just as it was supposed to be as Trump started over to one of a row of what are called privacy booths, which are small, chest high tables equipped with shields to guard against prying eyes. The agents kept the media mob following him at bay.

Secret vote, Trump said. Secret vote.

He had been unfamiliar with the jury duty routine, having failed to answer five previous summonses to report. But he is a regular voter and was quickly done without a hitch. He gave a thumbs up.

It was a great honor really, he said. Who would have thought?

Who indeed.

Back in his oranger days, even Trump did not seem to believe he could be a serious contender. He hesitated before writing simply Real Estate in the space for occupation in the juror questionnaire, but he did not have the air of someone who imagined he might someday put President.

Now here he was, not just on the ballot, but the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. He gave another thumbs up as he returned with his security contingent to a sparkling morning and climbed into a waiting SUV for the two-minute ride home.

Upon arriving back at Trump Tower, he said as he has often before that the only reason he was running was to realize the goal that he has made his mantra, having lifted it from Ronald Reagan as if it were his own.

Make America great again!

One bit of Americas true and continuing greatness had been standing not six feet from Trump back at the polling place in the person of 47-year-old Dean Evans.

Evans was there as a one-day hire, an accessibility clerk for the Board of Elections. He remarked to a reporter that the peaceful progress of the voting here was in marked contrast with the violence of the elections in his native Jamaica during his youth. The talk of his homeland caused him to realize that Primary Day also happened to be the 20th anniversary of when he arrived in America.

April 19, 1996! he announced.

By January 1997, he had enlisted in the Navy, serving four and a half years. He was on the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan in October 2000, when the destroyer USS Cole asked to go ahead of it for refueling in Yemen. The USS Cole was bombed and 17 sailors were killed in the berth where Evanss ship would have been.

Who knows what would have happened, Evans said on Tuesday.

Evans reported that he had gone from the Navy to Lehman College, where he graduated with a double major in business and philosophy.

He has written two books, one a thriller, the other a comic novel about a man who buys a picture of a pug that then comes to life.

And he lives in an apartment where the landlady has a strict no-pet policy, he elaborated.

But Evans had expected that being a vet and a college grad would have led to a better employment than his present regular job as a security guard.

I thought I would have become a professional, he sighed.

His temporary second job as a kind of polling place greeter precluded him from making comments about candidates, but he no doubt would have been cheered to see a candidate arrive who promised to help those who have done everything right but still find the dream beyond their grasp.

The only candidate who appeared at polling site 110980 was Trump, and Evans did not exactly seem to glow with hope. The Donald is still The Donald, however less orange. Even if he let his hair go altogether natural, his bullying xenophobia would still make him seem a foe of immigrants and the children of immigrants, which is to say most of his home city.

One elegant looking immigrant who unquestionably supports Trump did arrive to vote around 2:30 pm.

Hello, how are you doing? Evans asked, his standard welcome.

A bodyguard type coming behind her gave Evans a look. Evans heard somebody say, Melania and he realized that this was Trumps wife.

Melania Trump is from Slovenia and she arrived in New York in 1996, the same year as Evans. She registered to vote as a Republican in 2006 and voted in the last presidential election. Her 20th year here saw her check in at the desk with a photo ID, receive a ballot and vote for her husband as president.

A very exciting day, yesVery proudGet to see his name and to vote for him, she told a diminished media mob afterwards.

Her outsized sunglasses added to her manifest glamour, but she came across as surprisingly pleasant.

She did wow the crowd, Evans reported.

Back at the beginning of the day, Evans had stopped into the deli across the street, where he chanced to see TV news coverage of Hillary Clinton voting with Bill Clinton at a polling place in suburban Chappaqua.

Here in the city, Donald Trumps big mistake on Primary Day was not to vote with Melania Trump. He would have seemed less like a guy who is perpetually voting for himself his every waking hour as well as in his dreams.

At least he is less orange.
Alba Guerrero was dumbfounded. Shed arrived at her polling place in Ozone Park, Queens, only to be told that she had been registered as a Republican since 2004.

That was news to her. She remembers registering to vote for the first time as a Democrat so she could vote for Barack Obama in the general election in 2008. When she recently moved from Manhattan to Ozone Park, in Queens, she re-registered at the DMV, she says, and even checked online on March 9 to be sure she was registered at her new address.

But when she showed up to vote for Bernie Sanders at PS63 on Tuesday, she says she was told she couldnt. New York is a closed primary, where only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic Primaryand voters had to be registered by last October. She was toldvery politely, she wants to make clearby poll workers to take it up with a judge. She was given a court order in nearby Forest Hills.

Guerrero drove to the Queens County Board of Elections and pleaded her case, but Judge Ira Margulis initially turned her away.

The judge tells me, No, thats it2004. He shows me, Im registered as a Republican. He says theres nothing we can do, she said.

But on her way out she saw a Board of Elections worker holding something with her name on it. It was her 2004 voter registration, replete, she remembers, with her name, her social security number, her birthdayand someone elses signature.

I said, Excuse me, thats not my signature, she said. Its not my handwriting. It showed completely different signatures.

Sure enough, the signatures are strikingly different. Next to a box checked Republican, her 2004 signature is written in clear, deliberate, legible cursive and includes her middle name. Her more recent signature is a loopy, illegible scrawl. She insists shes never changed it in her life, and says she can produce old tax forms to prove it.

So Guerrero went back to to Judge Margulis and showed him the discrepancy.

He allowed me to change for that day, she said.

Guerreros voting nightmare had a happy ending. She says the people working the polling stations were incredibly helpful, and she was able to drive back and forth with her car and a lot of sticktoitiveness. But voting in New Yorks primaries on Tuesday posed many unsolvable problems for would-be votersfrom polling places that opened late to broken voting machines.

We are deeply disturbed by what were hearing from polling places across the state. From long lines and dramatic understaffing to longtime voters being forced to cast affidavit ballots and thousands of registered New Yorkers being dropped from the rolls, whats happening today is a disgrace, Bernie Sanders campaign spokesperson Karthik Ganapathy told The Daily Beast.

We need to be making it easier for people to vote, not inventing arbitrary obstaclesand todays shameful demonstration must underline the urgent importance of fixing voting laws across the country.

The many messes drew rare national attention to the sad sate of voting in New York City, where broken machines, erroneous counts and worse are commonplace experiences.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, who tweeted at 11:50 a.m., Theres nothing more punk rock than voting. #GetOutAndVote, had to change his tune by the end of the day. WNYC reported this morning that 126,000 Brooklyn Democrats had been removed from the voting rolls since last fall.

It has been reported to us from voters and voting rights monitors that the voting lists in Brooklyn contain numerous errors, including the purging of entire buildings and blocks of voters from the voting lists, he said in a statement released after 5 p.m. on Election Day. I am calling on the Board of Election to reverse that purge and update the lists again using Central, not Brooklyn borough, Board of Election staff.

Bernie Sanders supporters took to social media sites like Twitter and Reddit to decry what they believed to be rampant irregularities at polling places. On the largest subreddit dedicated to his campaign, users compiled a Voting irregularities and issues megathread that boasts over 1,700 posts and hotline numbers for voters who believe they have been disenfranchised.

A spokesperson for New York Attorney Eric Schneiderman told the New York Daily News that his office received by far the largest volume of complaints we have received for an election since Attorney General Schneiderman took office in 2011.

Some polling sites did not open on time, citing too few election workers. Others had faulty voting machines, or were delivered half the number of promised voting machines.

Then there are the extraordinary examples, like Guererros and Ben Gershmans.

Gershman met Guerrero and took a cellphone video of her competing signatures at the Queens County BOE. He had arrived there to fight for his right to vote, also for Bernie Sanders.

He had checked his status two weeks before the registration deadline online to see if he was, in fact, registered to vote in the primary in Queens. He had registered at the DMV when he moved to Queens six months ago, but there was a hangup: There was a man in the Bronx with the same name and a shared middle initial, and he wasnt registered to vote as a Democrat.

So Gershman repeatedly emailed the Board of Elections in the last few days to sort it out (he forwarded those emails to The Daily Beast to verify his story), and received assurances that he would be able to vote from various BOE workers.

Still, Gershman arrived at his polling place at 7:45 a.m. today to find that he could not vote and that he, too, would have to drive to Forest Hills to appeal for his right to vote.

By the end of it, Gershman didnt get to work until noon, butthree car rides laterhe did get to vote for his candidate.

I spent three hours this morning trying to vote, he said. Im at a loss for words. I dont understand that in the 21st century you have to stand in front of a judge to get to vote. It was laughable.

Gershman was peeved by what happened to him, but he wonders what wouldve happened if he didnt have a car, or the ability to miss a morning of work to fight for his ballot. And hes also confounded by what happened to Guerreros voter registration form, which he shared on YouTube and calls pretty clear fraud.

Guerrero calls the whole incident creepy. She has no idea who might want to forge her signature on a voter registration form.

Its just disheartening. Were supposed to be the number one country in the world, but things like this youd imagine would happen in a second- or third-world country, she said. What happened to me, basically, was fraud.

Repeated calls to the New York City Board of Elections went unanswered at press time.
It wouldnt be a Republican primary without charges of foul play levelled at Ted Cruz. And New York is no exception.

A few hours before polls closed in the Empire State, John Kasichs strategist John Weaver tweeted that the Texan was responsible for misleading robocallswhich falsely claimed that New Yorks Democratic governor had endorsed Kasich.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is a major bugbear for conservatives, in large part because of his participation in efforts to increase restrictions on guns. A Cuomo endorsement would likely be a kiss of death for a Republican presidential candidate, even one as moderate as Kasich.

Alice Stewart, a spokesperson for Cruzs campaign, denied any dirty trickery.

We didnt make any such calls, she emailed The Daily Beast.

The Kasich campaign did not provide audio of any robocalls saying Cuomo had endorsed their guy.

Still, Weaver didnt dial back his charge that Cruz had used unethical campaign practices.

It was what we come to expect from him & them. Push polling, lying robo calls, etc at every turn. But it is a long road without a turn Ted, he tweeted.

There isnt a lie too low to spread by Cruz and crew, he added.

Allegations of sabotage have dogged the Texas senator throughout the campaign cycle. In February, Cruz publicly apologized to then-candidate Ben Carson after his backers spread a false rumor right before the Iowa caucuses that Carson was on the verge of leaving the race. And Marco Rubio said the Cruz crew pushed baseless allegations in the lead-up to the Hawaii primary that he was about to can his campaign.

Eagle Forum leader Ed Martin also recently charged that Cruzs campaign tried to sow discontent in his organization as revenge for Phyllis Schlaflys endorsement of Donald Trumpprompting The New Yorker to dedicate an entire piece to it, dubbed Ted Cruz and the Art of the Dirty Trick.
Theres a scene late in AMCs sexy spy thriller The Night Manager in which star Tom Hiddleston, tailored to a swoon in a bespoke suit, suavely gestures to the barkeep and orders a drink: Excuse me, sir, could I have a vodka martini, please?

After the miniseries run of The Night Manager, a slick and highly entertaining cat-and-mouse romp (but mostly a six-episode Tom Hiddleston audition to be the next James Bond), its a wonder that our dashing hero doesnt freeze in the frame right there, as whimsical animations take over the screen to the tune of a Shirley Bassey torch song.

Thats not a spoiler. It might be an endorsement.

After all, there are many reasons to watch the show thats already obsessed audiences across the pond before Tuesday nights stateside debut. That it gamely fills in the gap while we wait on another Bond filmand cleanses the spy palate after the ghastly nonsense orgy that was Spectreis the least of them. (And with his performance, Hiddleston more than earns a potential license to kill.)

Based on John Le Carres 1993 espionage thriller of the same name, The Night Manager stylishly updates the novels events for a more immediate modern-day resonance. (Specifically, in the midst of the Arab Spring.)

We meet Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston), a former soldier and the best damned night manager at a Cairo hotel youve ever met.

He encounters the mistress of a corrupt member of Egypts most powerful family. He senses shes in danger. They fall, with the swiftness of 007 in pheromone-sniffing distance of a leggy blonde, in loveand in bed. And you know the rule about the first Bond Girl: tragedy ensues.

Quickly, he finds himself entrenched in an undercover mission to bring down the man responsible, an English billionaire named Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), a corrupt arms dealer in the costume of a wealthy philanthropist.

At the behest of British intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman), Hiddleston is soon criss-crossing the globe, assuming identities to help him infiltrate Ropers inner circle and plunging into a bit of personal darkness along the way.

The tenets weve come to expect from spy thrillers are all there: the fetishizing of opulence, the giddiness of being dastardly, the beleaguered bravery of the hero, the sexiness of the whole kill or be killed mantra, and the bevy of baddies who are not what they seem. Its all slick and silly but, like the best of Daniel Craigs Bond outings, it has just enough unexpected edge to make it truly compelling.

The acting, especially, is spectacular. Everyone has to live up to lofty descriptions, and then the loftier challenge of characterizing those descriptions without succumbing to the genres worst cliches.

Lauries Richard Roper, for example, is branded by Colmans Burr as the worst man in the world. The House star channels all the arrogance and danger such a moniker might project, but directs it with a calculated ease and tangible intelligence. This kind of story is famous for mustache-twirling, scenery-hungry villains. Turns out its far more interesting when the guy is actually human.

As for Hiddlestons Jonathan Pine, Burr nails it from the get-go: Youre too bloody perfect, Jonathan Pine, thats your trouble. We meet him in episode one, fearlessly walking through the uprising in Egypts streets and making it to the hotel unscathed. You walked? Through that? hes asked. Ive seen worse, Pine responds, with that classic spy-hero shrug.

Hes all conscience and nobility as he tries desperately to help our first damsel in distress, and all heartache and vengefulness when he fails. As consequences become rabbit holes and Hiddleston, motivated by his dark-knight loss, dives in, Burrs second estimation becomes Pines characters arc.

Theres half a psychopath in there, she says, enlisting him in her lifes work of taking down Roperat once warning him of what it will take and inspiring him to jump off the ledge. Of course, he does so with effortless, Bond-ian grace, barely a hair follicle budging as he leaps. Theres not a scrap of you that wont be used, Burr says. Theres not an hour that you wont be scared, but you will nail him.

Hiddleston, seemingly taking the torch from Benedict Cumberbatch as Hot Brit of the Year, is in a bit of a career moment, and his work in The Night Manager underwrites any potential Hollywood has invested in him.

He may just be the most in-shape graveyard shift hotel employee of all time, and The Night Manager blessedly sexualizes every ab on that washboard as often as it Bond-Girl-objectifies the series female leads (Elizabeth Debicki especially).

And while the Internet is a bounty of love letters and memes devoted to Hiddlestons blue eyesthe kind that laser directly into your body and start heating up your nether regionstheyre also used here as an essential acting tool.

For all the badassery and action star thugness of The Night Manager, Pines character is really quite often a reactive one. And as the action cuts unsettlingly across timelines and far-flung exotic locales, its the way those eyes react to these new scenes that puts you both at ease while you figure out what the hell is going on and also excites you as you watch Pine figure out what the hell is going on and what his next move will be.

More, Hiddleston never tunnel-visions Jonathan Pines transformation from literal night manager to newest globe-trotting member of the coterie of kickass J-men: Jason Bourne, James Bond, and Jack Bauer. Behind every sorrowful stare, roguish ruse, real-time analysis, or even violent beat-down are the lingering pains that pushed him into this life in the first place.

Perhaps its PTSD from his days as a soldier in the Iraq War. Maybe hes constantly haunted by the loss hes suffered. To explain further would spoil things. But what Hiddlestons accomplished is no small feat: an action hero with gravitas.

Weve seen this all before. The good guys descent into darkness, the cat-and-mouse thriller, the escapist action series, the on-location porn. Does The Night Manager do it any better than were used to? Sure, quite often. But at least it almost never does it any worse.

At a time when goriness and the supernatural pervade event dramas, when the best miniseries admirably (if occasionally pedantically) blanket their narratives with issues, and the contenders for the next Don Draper have all gone down like weakly watered-down bourbon, The Night Manager injects the prestige series with a little bit of fun and sexiness. And with Hiddleston: a complicated lead whos both shaken and stirred.
With bipartisan pressure building to declassify 28 pages from a 2003 congressional report on the 9/11 attacks, House Speaker Paul Ryan became a cautious yes on Tuesday indicating through a statement from his press secretary that he is deferring to the judgment of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, who after a powerful report on CBS News 60 Minutes, last week put out this statement:

The benefits of publishing this information would outweigh any potential damage to Americas national security. I encourage the administration to declassify this section of the Joint Inquiry into the 9/11 attacks.

AshLee Strong, Ryans press secretary, noted in her statement that the speaker defers to his (Chairman Nunes) judgment on whether a report from his Committee should still be classified. Ultimately, however, this is a question for the president since he makes classification decisions.

Ryans less-than-ringing endorsement reflects his cautious personal style plus the tricky politics of the Middle East on Capitol Hill. As Speaker, he follows what he calls a bottom-up approach, letting committee chairs take the lead in their subject matter. Even so, it took several days and numerous media inquiries after Chairman Nunes made his statement to clarify where Ryan stood.

Thats where the multi-layered politics of the Middle East come into play, at home and abroad. In the House, 43 lawmakers (27 Democrats, 16 Republicans), who have now signed a resolution calling for declassification. Among the recent signers is New York Rep. Charlie Rangel, who confessed he has not gone to the vault on Capitol Hill where the 28 pages are kept to read them because he didnt want the burden of keeping what he read secret.

President Obama too said in an interview he hasnt read the pages but has a sense of whats in them. A statement from September 11th Advocates, survivors and family members of those who died, said they were horrified to watch Obamas public admission. The president did say that a process of review is underway at the NSA, and suggest the document is likely to be made public later this year.

Ahead of whats likely to be a chilly trip to Saudi Arabia for President Obama, pressure is also mounting in the Senate for a narrowly tailored piece of legislation that would allow 9/11 survivors and families to sue the Saudi government for compensation. Its called JASTA (Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act), and Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have endorsed it even as the White House is lobbying hard against it.

Obama says it would open the door for foreign governments and individuals to sue the U.S. government, and when Speaker Ryan was asked about JASTA, he was even more cautious about the legislation than he is about the 28 pages. The conventional wisdom, such as it is in this unconventional election year, says if JASTA reaches Obamas desk, he would vetoand its unlikely there would be enough votes to override his veto.

At this point, almost 15 years after the 9/11 attacks, what is the motivation for the continuing secrecy? Its a combination of factors from protecting the administration that was in power at the time to protecting a whole web of relationships between politicians and business interests with Saudi Arabia and its royal family, which by some estimates includes as many as 6,000 Saudis that claim royal bloodlines.

Keeping those pages under wraps is also protecting a relationship that is highly problematic but still has a great deal of value for the United States, says Jonah Blank, a senior political scientist at the Rand Corporation. Now that U.S. dependence on oil has lessened, more lawmakers are ready to blow the whistle on the dangerous extremism that the Saudis sponsor around the world.

Since the 60 Minutes broadcast that featured the co-chairs of the joint congressional committee that wrote the 2003 report along with several members of the 9/11 Commission from both sides of the political aisle calling for declassification of the 28 pages, the number of lawmakers willing to publicly join the cause to call out the Saudis has been steadily increasing.

After House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement calling for the pages to be made public, it was natural to ask where Speaker Ryan was on the issue. His office last week said he had nothing to say at the time, but left the door open. Republicans have been a bit slower than Democrats to jump on the bandwagon, and thats partly a function of the partys political positioning on Iran.

Its a fact of Middle East politics that the harder line you want to be against Saudi Arabia, the more flexible you have to be on Iran, says Rands Jonah Blank.

Put more directly, politicians that oppose the nuclear deal that Obama negotiated with Iran are by default siding with the Saudis, who vehemently opposed the deal. You cant be an uncompromising hawk against both the Saudis and the Iranians at the same time. Unless of course youre Donald Trump and you can say screw them all, but not if youre a responsible player in geo-politics, which Ryans commendable caution suggests he is.
Back in August of 1992, four years before his untimely death, rapper Tupac Shakur sat down in the studio for a wide-ranging interview with MTV News. Today, one seemingly off-hand comment he made has taken on new resonance.

If you want to be successful, if you want to be like Trump, he says, referencing the current Republican presidential frontrunner, gimme, gimme, gimme. Push, push, push, push. Step, step, step. Crush, crush, crush. Thats how it all is, its like nobody ever stops.

Speaking to his African-American fans, Shakur said they need to do more than just say slavery was bad and bad whitey.

Everybodys smart enough to know that weve been slighted, and we want ours, he continued. And I dont mean forty acres and a mule, because were past that. But we need help.

Shakur went on to say that nobody should be raking in millions of dollars while others are starving in the streets. In addition to Trump, he called out Michael Jackson for not doing enough to help those who were struggling. Theres no way that these people should own planes and these people dont have houses, apartments, shacks, drawers, pants.

Even if you earned it, you still owe, he said. And even though he was not as mega-rich as someone like Trump, Shakur said he felt guilty walking past someone who has less. If I have $3,000 in my pocket, I feel like its wrong to give that person a quarter or a dollar.

Can you imagine someone has $32 million and this person has nothing? he asked, growing more animated. And you can sleep?

Twenty-four years later, Donald Trump says he is worth $10 billion and has reportedly given no personal money to charity over the past five years.

If he were alive today, it sure sounds like Tupac would be feeling the Bern.
Anti-transgender bathroom laws like North Carolinas HB 2 are not just inconvenient for transgender people. They may also be life-threatening.

Greta Gustava Martela, co-founder of Trans Lifeline, a crisis hotline for transgender people, told The Daily Beast that their call volume has nearly doubled since North Carolina restricted the use of public bathrooms based on birth certificate gender markers.

This would normally be a time of year when we would be on an upswing, Martela told The Daily Beast, explaining that suicide prevalence generally rises in the spring, but to her the steepness of this increase is indicative of some event happening, rather than the normal seasonal fluctuations.

Trans Lifeline data shared with The Daily Beast shows that before Gov. Pat McCrory signed HB 2 on March 23, the hotlines daily volume peaked at around 200 incoming calls. After the law, the peaks started getting higher.

From April 8 to April 16, the most recent date included in the data set, the hotline has only seen two days below 200 incoming calls. On April 13, they received what Martela notes is an unprecedented 357 calls.

When asked if the call volume increase could be attributed to any media attention directed at Trans Lifeline post-HB 2, Martela cited internal analysis showing that the hotline had already reached two-thirds of U.S. countiesbasically all the populated places in the United Stateswithin six months of its 2014 launch.

I dont think that news stories are whats driving people to our hotline anymore, she explained.

The spike in calls to the Trans Lifeline is sadly unsurprising.

If I had to guess whats being impacted I think [its] probably peoples hope for the future, Martela said, citing recent legislative attacks on transgender people that have been endorsed by the Republican National Committee.

In February, the Human Rights Campaign reported that there were 29 anti-transgender bathroom bills under consideration at the state level.

Many of these bills perpetuate the harmful myth that transgender people are dangerous predators. According to a recent SurveyUSA poll, an astonishing 56 percent of North Carolina voters believe that transgender bathroom use pose[s] a security risk for women and children.

In reality, there are zero reported instances of a transgender person harassing a non-transgender person in a bathroom.If anything, it is non-transgender people who pose a threat to transgender people in the bathroom. Nine percent of transgender respondents to a Williams Institute survey reported experiencing physical assault in a public restroom and 68 percent reported experiencing verbal harassment (PDF).

Being denied access to basic bodily functions based on an urban legend, it turns out, can take a deeply personal toll.

Bathroom access is a basic human rightits something we all need, wherever we live, said Dr. Kristie L. Seelman, an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Georgia State University, in an interview with The Daily Beast.

To deny someone the ability to use a public restroom is an attempt to deny that person basic dignity, she added. Such a situation has a profound impact on well-being, including mental health.

Dr. Seelman is the author of a February 2016 study published in the Journal of Homosexuality, which analyzed survey responses from 2,325 transgender people who had attended college and found that denial of access to bathrooms and denial of access to campus housing due to being trans were statistically significantly associated with lifetime suicide attempt.

This is not the first time that the link between bathroom access and mental health has come up in her career.

What Ive heard from transgender people in my past research is that not having access to a bathroom heightens their anxiety and stress, leading them to try to plan their daily lives around when and where they can find a bathroom, sometimes even getting to a point of dehydration or social isolation, she noted.

Her latest study research that the association between bathroom barriers and trans suicidality remained significant even after controlling for other experiences of bullying.This suggests that there may be a distinct relationship between the stress of not being able to use bathrooms and ones mental health, the study noted.

Dr. Seelman cautions that we cannot yet interpret causality from the data but believes that it should still act as a warning to lawmakers who seek to restrict bathroom use for transgender people.

We know that stigma and lifetime discrimination influence suicide rates, whether were talking about transgender people or another marginalized group, she told The Daily Beast. Policies like HB 2 are not solving a problemthey are actually making things worse.

Given its sample of college attendees, Dr. Seelmans study should also hold special significance for the University of North Carolina (UNC) school system, which announced on April 5 that it would require all of its campuses to comply with HB 2.

In the midst of the current bathroom panic and its potentially grave consequences, there are emerging signs that the tide is starting to turn against this recent wave of state-level anti-transgender legislation.

Perhaps fearing the backlash that North Carolinas law has received, Tennessee lawmakers tabled their own anti-transgender bathroom bill until 2017.

With regards to that bill, transgender teenager Henry Seaton had specifically warned legislators that restroom restrictions could increase the already alarming suicide rate in his community.

When you dont have a restroom to use, he said, that really encourages those numbers to increase exponentially.

And on Tuesday, a federal appeals court issued a landmark ruling defending Gavin Grimm, a 16-year-old transgender boy who sought to use the boys bathroom at his Virginia high school.

As BuzzFeeds Chris Geidner reports, that ruling reaffirms the Department of Educations interpretation of Title IX, which holds that discrimination against transgender people is a form of sex discrimination.

McCrory, North Carolinas governor, said Tuesday that he would respect the ruling, although it is not yet clear what actions his administration will take.

These and other victories could help lower the suicide risk in an already endangered community. According to the Trevor Project, one-quarter of transgender youth report attempting suicide.Researchers have already concluded that the suicide risk for transgender people depends on broader social support, but now it is becoming clearer that it is also directly tied to having a safe place to pee.

While courts and state legislatures continue to debate bathroom access, Martelas and Seelmans data should serve as potent reminders that trans lives are on the line.
A Norway court just ruled that the prison where mass-murderer Anders Breivik is being held violated his human rightsbut the perks he enjoys at the Scandinavian lock-up are downright plush.

On Wednesday, an Oslo district court awarded Breivikwho killed 77 people in a 2011 shooting spree, including 69 children at the Utoya summer campwith 331,000 kroner (roughly $40,600) and a promise for improved living conditions. Ruling from a makeshift courtroom in the prison gym, the court judged his solitary confinement and nude searches by prison guards to be inhumane.

But Breiviks prison conditions, which the Norwegian court ruled inhuman or degrading treatment, would be considered luxe in most U.S. college dorms, let alone a U.S. prison.

Breiviks private prison compound consists of three personal cells: one for living, one for studying, and a third for physical exercise, according to Agence France Presse.

The studying space is important for Breivik: in 2015 he enrolled in political science courses at the University of Oslo. A university representative will visit his cell to teach the classes, as Breivik is not allowed to access the Internet on his in-cell computer.

Yes, he has a personal computer in his cell. He also has a personal television and a Playstation 2, which he deemed insufficient, threatening to go on a hunger strike if it was not upgraded to a Playstation 3, AFP reported in 2014.

Breiviks grievances extended to the quality of the rubber pens in his cell.

If it were theoretically possible to develop rheumatism, I am convinced that this rubber pen would be capable of causing it, Breivik wrote in a letter obtained by the New Yorker. It is a nightmare of an instrument and I am frustrated by its use.

From the confines of his three-room cell, Breivik is able to do his own laundry and cook, even making a gingerbread house for a prison competition, the BBC reports. He has access to an exercise yard, newspapers, and phone calls. And unless Breivik is considered an immediate danger to society at the end of his sentence, he is only confined to prison for 21 years, the maximum sentence available in the country.

Breiviks brief sentence and comparatively cushy quarters are commonplace in Norway, a country that prides itself on its progressive prison system. Norwegian prisons focus on rehabilitation, rather than punishment. Sentences are short, 90 percent of them under a year, and inmates are allowed surprising freedom within prison walls. The Norwegian prison Bastoey looks more like an island town than a detention center, with inmates walking freely between buildings and tending to the islands farm. In the high-security Halden prison, inmates work with knives in the kitchen, and guitars in the facilitys music studio.

Breivik, a maximum-security inmate, will not likely be allowed to live on a prison-turned-farming colony any time soon. But the Oslo court ruled that his solitary confinement and nude searches constituted a breach of human rights, though the ruling did not describe how his conditions would change in the future, CNN reports.

Despite the devastating effects of Breiviks crime, even some Norwegians agree that his prison conditions should improve.

Our best weapon in fighting extremism is humanity, Bjorn Ihler, a survivor of Breiviks 2011 massacre tweeted on Wednesday. The ruling in the Breivik case shows that we acknowledge the humanity of extremists too.
Through the endless years of house arrest, through the celebrity of the Nobel Peace Prize, through personal tragedy and through steady, determined confrontation with the military and quasi-military powers that be in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Aung San Suu Kyi mastered the subtle art of the workaround. When any one path to her goal was blocked, she found several others.

Last month, as her National League for Democracy (NLD) government was being installed in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi took a number of bold steps to translate her decisive victory in the November 2015 elections into a clear message that civilians are now in charge after more than half a century of military-dictated government.

Because the 2008 constitution, designed by the military, denies her the right to be president, she named one of her closest friends to the presidency and took three key positions in the government to achieve her own de facto leadership.

First, with her inspiration, the parliament created the new position of state counselor to set her virtually on a level with the president and allow her to work across lines between the executive and legislative branches. Second, she was appointed foreign minister, making her the countrys chief interlocutor with foreign governments and institutions. And finally, she became minister in the presidents office, giving her authority to coordinate among all the other ministries. With these moves, Aung San Suu Kyi has left no doubt about who will be in charge of the NLD government.

The other NLD appointments to parliamentary leadership and government ministries have been calculated to demonstrate political and ethnic diversity, as well as civilian predominance. Aung San Suu Kyi has set strict rules for their comportment in government, including limits on the value of gifts they may accept. While this discipline may seem extreme, it is undoubtedly meant to gain public confidence by setting the NLD government apart from its military and quasi-military predecessors, many of whom were both corrupt and profligate.

Having assumed office so forthrightly, Aung San Suu Kyi then used her new authorities to demonstrate NLD intentions to grab the reins of government firmly and present a direct challenge to military control. As State Counselor, rather than relying on the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (controlled by the military), she used legal processes to release some 72 students who had been jailed in March 2015 for protesting the new education reform law. Another 200 political prisoners were released shortly after that. As Foreign Minister she held her first meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, suggesting that Beijing would have to pursue its interests in Myanmar with her rather than through the generals, as had been the case in the past.

Aung San Suu Kyis bold moves during the early weeks of the NLD government have doubtless caused considerable consternation within the military leadership. The appointed military members of parliament raised strong objections to the legislation establishing the position of State Counselor, but were overruled by an NLD majority vote. Military leaders may still mount a constitutional challenge to the legislation, and it is possible that they may try to prevent release of the remaining political prisoners. In the new political environment, however, they would have to consider carefully the impact this would have on the militarys popular image, which they have been working hard to improve.

The NLD strategy to assert civilian supremacy so boldly at the outset of its term is therefore risky, because the fact is that the party must rule in partnership with the military for the next five years. The constitution guarantees the military enough political leverage to erect roadblocks to major NLD policy objectives, beginning with its priority goal of achieving a peace agreement with the countrys warring ethnic armies. A peace agreement will be fundamental to amending the undemocratic provisions of the constitution, to assuring the countrys stability, to developing its economy, and to building the foundations of sustainable democracy, which still lies far in the future. Peace cannot be achieved without close military cooperation.

At the same time, as much as the NLDs bold moves may have dismayed military leaders, they probably delighted the voters, who gave Aung San Suu Kyi such a decisive win believing that she would indeed stand up to the military. This, in turn, could fortify popular patience with the NLD government, allowing it more space to expand civil freedoms and deliver improvements in living conditions without undue public pressure.

The political situation in Myanmar today is unprecedented in its history and offers great hope for a democratic future, as I have explained in my recent report for the Council on Foreign Relations Securing a Democratic Future for Myanmar. Nonetheless, it is clear that the countrys governance, even when elected, still relies primarily on the authority of the top leaders. Therefore, the successful traverse of the remaining distance between dictatorship and democracy will be determined by the ability of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and her military counterpart Commander in Chief Min Aung Hlaing to develop an effective working relationship. This will be the critical ingredient for the success of the NLD government.
This satellite image shows the Yongshu Jiao of China's Nansha Islands. [Photo/Xinhua]

Russia opposes actions "internationalizing the South China Sea issue" and favors direct negotiation between the countries involved, as China aims to uphold "the authority of the law" by rejecting unilateral arbitration.

The show of support came as a tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague prepares to issue a ruling, expected in late May or early June, in Manila's sovereignty case against China. The tribunal was established in 2014 at Manila's request, and China has rejected the arbitration process since the request was filed.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Moscow on Monday, said Moscow supports direct negotiation by countries directly involved to resolve disputes.

According to a Foreign Ministry media release on Tuesday, Wang told Lavrov that Beijing's rejection of the Philippines' unilaterally proposed arbitration case is a move meant to "uphold the dignity and authority of the law".

"Both China and Russia should remain alert against behavior abusing the mechanism of compulsory arbitration," said Wang, who visited Moscow to attend the 14th meeting of foreign ministers of China, Russia and India.

On Monday, Wang said China is "entitled to choose by itself, in accordance with relevant laws, ways for resolving disputes".

Reuters noted that the court has no powers of enforcement and its rulings have been ignored before.

Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said that the tribunal "has triggered concerns over it assertively expanding its realm of jurisdiction as well as its impartiality".

Wu said the Philippines and Western supporters, including the United States, are attempting to force China into a corner, and the disputes "will not be resolved by the arbitration, but will flare up and worsen".
Bernie Sanders cares about the little guy. Except when the little guy disagrees with him.

Thats the message the Democratic presidential candidate sent when his campaign threatened legal action against a small T-shirt vendor who had dared to make fun of him.

Late last week, a Seattle lawyer representing Sanderss campaign demanded that LibertyManiacs, a three-employee online merchandising shop, immediately take down T-shirts that humorously portrayed the Vermont senator alongside a pantheon of communist figures, with the caption: Bernie is my comrade. (A red star replaced the dot over the i in Bernie for emphasis.)

Using high-priced lawyers to bully a small business that is making fun your campaign is an odd move for a politician who has built a grassroots movement on protecting average Americans from the whims of the rich and powerful.

Nonetheless, the Sanders campaign lawyer apparently didnt see the irony.

We encourage you to be creative in designing and using your own logos or trademarks to clearly identify you as the source of the efforts, the legal notice lectured. Hopefully you see this as an opportunity to creatively and distinctively come up with something new and clever on your own.

The similarity between the Bernie Sanders campaign logo and the T-shirts design, the Sanders campaign lawyer wrote (PDF), was likely to cause confusiondespite the obvious humorous nature of the T-shirt (PDF).

Paul Levy, a lawyer for the government watchdog Public Citizen, is representing LibertyManiacs owner Daniel McCall in this battle against the Sanders campaign. Levy identifies as on the political left but is defending McCall on principle, telling The Daily Beast that the T-shirt designers work is intensely political speech, which is at the core of what the First Amendment protects.

Its a completely baseless takedown. McCall is standing for his rights if [the Sanders campaign had] any decency, theyd say, We made a mistake and were withdrawing our demand, Levy said. Each of his parodies have been fun as well as fully protected by the First Amendment hes entitled to his opinion.

The Sanders campaign declined to respond to a Daily Beast inquiry about whether they stood behind their threatening takedown notice.

Parody is a protected form of art and expression, and organizations, big and small, shouldnt be using lawyering to hush dissent, McCall told The Daily Beast. Its actually going on, and the reason Ive been fighting this fight is because Ive been trying to do my little part to do something.

McCalls parodies have stung campaigns and government entities in the past: In 2011, the National Security Agency demanded that a vendor that McCall was using cease and desist selling a design that called it the only part of government that actually listens. The NSA was later forced to back down, indicating that it had inaccurately accused McCall of violating federal law.

And two years ago, Ready for Hillary, a political action committee promoting Hillary Clintons presidential candidacy, demanded the takedown of a design mimicking their logo that read, Im Ready for Oligarchy. This T-shirt remains on sale today.

But while McCall has been fighting for his free-speech rights, the legal threats have taken a toll. After the Ready for Hillary PAC complained, three partners who carried McCalls merchandise refused to carry any of his political designshitting his business hard.

None of these companies will carry my satire anymore[they tell me,] Sorry, Dan, we cant spare the hassle. Thats why I get so passionate about this, McCall said.

McCall has been running his LibertyManiacs website for about 12 years, and working on it full-time for seven years alongside his own design business. Revenue is substantially down from when he was working with several vending partners on his politically themed designs, he said.

But in the short term, after a controversy, there can be a boon. His lawyer Levy is puzzled as to why the Sanders campaign would ever attempt to bully this small business into taking down a satirical design, noting that it was likely to backfire tremendously from the outset.

This is a Seattle-based firm with a substantial intellectual-property practice. Have they never heard of the Streisand Effect? Levy said, citing the theory by which attempting to suppress information will have the unintended consequence of distributing it more widely. (The Streisand Effect was so named after the entertainer attempted to suppress photographs of her house in California, but in so doing attracted even more interest in it.) Maybe its not legal malpractice, but its political malpractice, sending this takedown [demand letter].

Happily for McCall, there are signs that this Streisand Effect is in full force. His lawyer wrote about the case on Public Citizens blog, and McCall estimates that sales are up 200 to 300 percent over the past few days.

Updated 12:19 p.m. to correct the name Andy Levy to Paul Levy, the lawyer for the government watchdog Public Citizen. We regret the error.
ROME  Its well known that ISIS leaders are punishing those who use recreational drugs, which is against their peculiar version of sharia law. But the terror group apparently doesnt have a problem with pushing those same drugs for profitwhich is why it's been teaming up with the Sicilian Mafia to cash in on the lucrative trade.

Thats also why Italys chief anti-Mafia prosecutor, Franco Roberti, wants to legalize cannabis and hash, not just in Italy, but throughout Europe. Decriminalization or even legalization would definitely be a weapon against traffickers, among whom there could be terrorists who make money off of it, Roberti told Reuters in a wide-ranging interview this week.

The prosecutor, who also heads Italys anti-terrorism investigations, has just written a book, The Opposite of Fear, that outlines the similarities and links between organized crime syndicates and terrorist organizations like the so-called Islamic State. He says both use the same criminal playbook. International terrorism finances itself with criminal activities that are typical of the mafia, he writes in his book. Like drug trafficking, smuggling commercial goods, smuggling oil, smuggling archaeological relics and art, kidnapping for ransom, and extortion.

Roberti has long held that Italys fight against organized crime could help lead the battle against ISIS. The Islamic State is, in effect, a mafia state, it has all the features, Roberti said when presenting Italys National Anti Mafia Directorate annual report in March. The Islamic State is a transnational mafia organization, which uses external organizations for smuggling [and] drug traffickingin this case the Mafia.

He says the Sicilian Mafia, also called Cosa Nostra, has had no choice but to partner with ISIS to continue to use the Libyan coastline for its high-stakes smuggling business. Certainly [ISIS] controls the Libya route, Roberti told Reuters. It controls the coast along the Gulf of Sirte.

That coastline is the main conduit for the Cosa Nostra to channel drugs into Italy and throughout Europe, an operation that nets the mob some $36 billion a year, according to the United Nations Office on Narcotics and Crime.

According to a report by IHS, ISIS has had to beef up trades like drug trafficking to make up for a 30 percent loss in income as people who would generally pay taxes flee. The Islamic State has lost about 22 percent of its territory in the past 15 months, said IHS senior analyst Columb Strack. Its population has declined from around 9 million to around 6 million. There are fewer people and business activities to tax; the same applies to properties and land to confiscate.

Libya is not the only country where ISIS deals drugs. As The Daily Beast reported last year, ISIS is also buying up hashish from Lebanon to help fund its battle in Syria. Ahmad Moussalli, a political science professor at the American University in Beirut, says ISIS has taken over significant areas of cannabis crops around the border with Lebanon, allowing them to profit from the trade.

If the lucrative black-market sale of cannabis and hash were decriminalized, Roberti argues that it would cut off a valuable resource of revenue for the terrorists and for the Mafia. This should be an Italian domestic debate, he writes in his book. And also a European one.
ROME  There were only 28 survivors, all men, and they tell the same haunting tale.

On April 18, 2015, as many as 850 migrants and refugees from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mali, and Senegal were taken by human traffickers on rubber dinghies at dusk to a 75-foot fishing boat with an Eritrean flag anchored a few miles off the coast of Libya. They had paid for passage to Italybut the ship would never make it.

Instead, it toppled over during a risky rescue attempt by a merchant vessel and sank to the bottom of the sea, some 1,200 feet below the surface of the water, with most of the passengers still alive and locked into the lower hulls.

One year after the tragic wreck, the deadliest maritime accident since World War II, the Italian navy is heading out to the crash site to attempt to raise the ship, and with it the dead who are now a mass of entangled decomposed corpses.

The bodies will eventually be extracted, and volunteer forensic specialists from 24 Italian universities will start the painstaking work of identifying the dead from DNA and dental records that have been collected from family members who think their loved ones might have been on that ship. It is about giving dignity to the dead, even if we never know their names, said Giovanni Salvi, the prosecutor leading the case against two alleged traffickers who were among the survivors. The world needs to be aware that this is the reality of human trafficking.

The operation to raise the ship started last summer when the Italian navy found the wreckage after an intense search. They sent down a robot called Pegaso, which was equipped with a video camera and sonar to take a good look at the ship and try to identify any bodies that had settled onto the seabed.

What the video captured was horrific. Hundreds of bodies were intertwined, their ghost-like faces blankly staring out of the portholes and windows. Some had been partially eaten by fish, which tend to eat the ears and eyes first. Others were missing limbs. A few were caught between the seabed and the vessel. There were children, women, and young mentoo many to even estimate the number.

Whenever Pegaso found a body, operators on the surface used the robots mechanical arm to recover it and bring it to the surface. They found 169, which means as many as 700 bodies could still be inside the ship.

The investigation of the wreckage began as part of the criminal trafficking case against the ships Tunisian captain, 27-year-old Mohammed Ali Malek, and his Syrian first mate, Mahmud Bikhit, 25, who both claim they were just passengers on the ship despite testimony from other survivors that pinpointed them as the men in charge. They both face multiple manslaughter charges and Ali Malek faces additional charges of causing a shipwreck.

Prosecutor Salvi asked the Italian navy if the ship could be brought up, both for investigative purposes to confirm whether the lower compartments were locked, and to give some dignity back to the victims.

They Italian navy is using four vessels, including a minesweeper, for the recovery. They are working in conjunction with the private company Impresub Diving and Marine, which will utilize a system of pistons and man-made strong waves to essentially plunge the ship off the seabed to raise it. It will be immediately contained with strong mesh netting and towed underwater to Catania, Sicily.

Once in Catania, the ship will be sprayed with liquid nitrogen as it is lifted to help preserve the bodies, which will decompose even faster once they are exposed to air. The ship will then be moved to a special hangar on the nearby NATO base, where Italys special rescuers from the fire brigade will start the grim work of disentangling the cadavers.

Once they are freed, the bodies will be put in a Red Cross freezer truck and then eventually thawed and examined four at a time to determine first the sex and general age. Autopsies will be performed on any intact bodies. Then DNA will be extracted from whatever bones are intact. Dental records and photos supplied by family members will also be used.

Because the identification of the victims is part of a criminal investigation, investigators will also be on site during the process, which could take years, depending on how many bodies are in the boat.

Vito Cirielli, a forensic specialist from the University of Verona, is one of 24 specialists lined up for the project. He told The Daily Beast that he anticipates the bodies in the center of the huddle of humanity will be fairly preserved. It is possible that some can be identified by photos, he said. But we only have around 100 or so samples to compare with as many as 700 corpses.

Some argue against raising a ship of nameless dead rather than leaving it on the bottom of the sea. The operation could cost as much as 500,000 a day by the time the ship is towed to Catania, which might take weeks.

When Italys Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced that the boat would be recovered, he said leaving it underwater was not an option. Europe cannot permit the bodies of our brothers to stay under 400 meters of water, he said. We will bring up that boat because we can no longer close our eyes to this problem.

On April 18, the day the Italian navy set out to recover the sunken ship, four boats carrying 200 to 400 teenagers, mostly from Somalia, reportedly went down off the coast of Libya after setting sail from Egypt. If that is indeed the case, nearly 1,000 of the more than 161,000 people trying to get to Europe so far in 2016 will have already lost their lives. Most will stay buried at sea.
If 9,000 people camp out at the Sunoco on Wayne Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, tonight expecting Limp Bizkit to play Rollin next to the diesel pump, do not blame Brian Baker.

I made the event for 2017and then the people decided that they want it now, he said. If they decide to show up tonight, thats up to Fred and Limp Bizkit.

This week, Baker created a Facebook event called Limp Bizkit Comes to the Sunoco on Wayne. This may come as a shock, but Limp Bizkit is not playing a Monster Energy Drink-sponsored concert at an Ohio gas station on 4/20.

Still, somehow, by some miracle, people bought it. Dayton.com wrote about it. So did the local news station, NBC4. People started signing up for the page in earnest.

These people had Faith. So much Faith, in fact, that the Dayton Police Department had to step in.

There is no concert at the gas station, is a sentence someone at the Dayton Police Department actually had to write.

Fred Durst did not tweet Party with us at the Sunoco in Dayton on 4/20, either, report the buzzkills at the DPD.

But it was too late. At this point, T- shirts and sweatshirts were being made. It was not just the one concert anymore. It is now the Limp Bizkit Sunoco Tour 2016.

Daytonite Josh Gwin even uploaded some live footage from the event, showing throngs of animated Ohioans rocking out to some of 1999s most remembered numetal jams outside the Wayne Ave Sunoco.

Baker, who is in Dayton rock group Brat Curse, isnt sure how it got to this level.

We all just passed it around. And were all n together now, breaking stuff, he punned to The Daily Beast, remarkably unsubtly. Its just one of those days.

According to fellow event administrator Andy Rowe, it really took off when Fred Durst really tweeted about it on Tuesday.

An anxious Limp Bizkit fan wrote to Durst asking if this was happening (This is right by my house I need answers, she wrote.) NOT TRUEdont let them pull one on you, Durst responded.

But that had already happened.

I have never laughed so hard like I have these last two days, yet understood so little about why its funny in the first place, Rowe told The Daily Beast. I keep asking myself, Why does it seem like the whole world is bent on seeing Limp Bizkit play at this gas station?

At 1:30 on Wednesday, Rowe says the event page was receiving 10 posts per minute, including important questions such as, Whos tryin to slam some smack and have unprotected sex in the portapotties? [sic]

One Facebook user, apparently at the gas station, took a picture of the hatch of an 18-wheeler along with the caption, Tour bus is here at Pump 2 ready to set up.

When The Daily Beast called the gas station, a woman who declined to give her name stated, There is no concert when she picked up the phone.

When asked how many phone calls the business received today, she said lots. Asked if the Sunoco had anyone swing by to get in line for a concert, she said no, then ended the phone call.

Workers at the Wayne Ave Sunoco may not be happy, but Rowe says the band who once wrote the lyric Hey kid, take my advice: You dont want to step into a big pile of shit has done wonders for Dayton.

Everyone in the scene here has grown super excited about just pushing it. Its become something that is bringing everyone together in the weirdest way, he said. We invent things here that are core to partying: ice cube trays, pop top cans, airplanes, cash registers. The stars have been aligning for this party for a long time.

He even thinks this could be a Dayton staple on 4/20 every year: Have the worlds worst party at the gas station.

The tickets say 2017 on them, anyway. Some guy on Twitter, of course, even designed and printed out those tickets. Both Baker and Rowe are hoping Fred Durst does his civic duty and honors them.

After all, when was the last time 9,000 people were excited to go to a Limp Bizkit concert?

They just want the Bizkit, Baker said.

Then Baker, who seemed unfazed by his newfound celebrity, said he had to get back to work. He was on break, and he had a busy night ahead not going to a Limp Bizkit concert.

I would like to say one, important thing before I go, though, he said. That we did it all for the nookie.
LONDON  On Thursday, President Barack Obama will meet with the kings and emirs of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Saudi Arabia. And of the many things they may talk about (Iran, Syria, Yemen, al Qaeda, and ISIS, not to mention oil prices and the efforts by U.S. lawyers and politicians to blame the 9/11 attacks on the Riyadh royals), its doubtful they will do much talking about the Panama Papers. But they certainly should.

Its been more than a year since an anonymous source contacted journalist Bastian Obermayer at the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung asking a simple yet devastating question, Want data?

How much? Obermayer asked.

More than anything you have ever seen, came the reply: 11.5 million leaked confidential documents exposing more than 214,000 offshore companies set up through the Panamanian firm of Mossack Fonseca, with connections that include 12 current or former heads of state.

Significantly, leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar were among them. But why would these Arab sheikhs go to the trouble of hiding their money in offshore accounts? To all intents and purposes they already own their countries, and they certainly pay no taxes.

The answer points to a growing insecurity these rulers and their families may have about how long they have left in power. Most of the last few remaining absolute monarchies in the world belong to this region.

But as global connectivity, education levels, and social mobility rise, their citizens are demanding greater rights, greater autonomy, and greater control. Grotesquely wealthy, precarious, family-run fiefdoms cannot stand forever, and the fact their owners seek to funnel money abroad via secret offshore companies points to that.

Lets take a look at some specifics:

King Salman of Saudi Arabia, who will be hosting Obama, is linked to two British Virgin Islands companies that took out mortgages for more than $34 million to purchase expensive property in London. His nephew, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, has apparently sought the services of Swiss bank UBS in order to buy Panamanian companies from Mossack Fonseca for the opening of bank accounts.

Not to be outdone, UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan used Mossack Fonseca to establish at least 30 companies in the British Virgin Islands that owned and operated $1.7 billion worth of commercial and residential assets in up-market areas of the United Kingdom.

The former emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, who ruled from 1995 to 2013 before handing over power to his son, is also named. In September 2013, al Thani was listed as the majority shareholder of two companies; each had a 25 percent stake that went to another family member, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, who was Qatars former prime minister and foreign minister.

Now, let me reiterate: That Arab royalty from the Gulf and beyond found it necessary to hide their money is a curiosity. The Gulf is known for its low taxes and its rulers are absolute monarchs, meaning they legally own their respective countries and all their assets.

But these days this is a very nervous absolutism, and what happened to the leaders of nearby Arab republics after the Arab uprisings that began in 2011 must have lent a sense of considerable urgency to their personal financial planning.

Over in war-torn Syria, Mossack Fonseca ran six businesses for Rami Makhlouf, cousin of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, despite U.S. sanctions against him.

It is said that Rami and his brother Hafez Makhlouf made a fortune through exploiting their relation to the Syrian leader. A money trail in the documents ended at the Syrian president himself, without explicitly naming him. It has long been known, and the leaks reconfirm, that any foreign company seeking to do business in Syria had to be cleared by Rami, and sure enough, Rami had a 63 percent stake in a Syrian telecoms company Syriatel through his British Virgin Islands company Drex Technologies SA.

When financial investigators contacted Mossack Fonseca in 2011 about an anti-money-laundering investigation into Ramis shell Drex, Mossack Fonseca cut ties with the Makhlouf businesses. The Syrian uprising has proved just how precarious the position of Arab rulers can be in this day and age, and suggests why they may be feathering their nests in the Caribbean and beyond.

Egypt, too, very likely provided the Gulf sheikhs with a reminder of their precarity. Former President Mubaraks sons Alaa and Gamal were detained in April 2011, two months after Hosni Mubarak resigned in the face of a popular uprising. The Panama Papers reveal that Alaa owned the British Virgin Islands firm Pan World Investments Inc.

In 2013, after regime change in Egypt, Mossack Fonseca was fined $37,500 for failing to properly check Alaa as a high-risk customer. Despite having admitted internally that its procedures were seriously flawed, these leaks demonstrate how Mossack Fonseca carried on business as usual afterward.

Lessons are perhaps to be learned from the Sharifs of Pakistan, too. When Nawaz Sharif was deposed in a military coup in 1999, he fled to Saudi Arabia and managed not only to survive, but bounced back as prime minister in 2013. One suspects that part of the way he survived this difficult exile was to draw down accounts in foreign shell companies. In any case, Mossack Fonseca records tie Sharifs daughter Maryam Nawaz and her brothers Hussein and Hassan to four offshore companies, Nescoll Ltd., Nielson Holdings Ltd., Coomber Group Inc., and the perhaps appropriately named Hangon Property Holdings Ltd. The companies are reported to have acquired luxury properties in London during 2006-2007 through mortgages of 7 million from Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, including four flats on Park Lane as well as one flat at 1 Hyde Park Place, London.

Beyond serving as a rainy day fund for a Nawaz-Sharif-style quick escape, secret accounts have also been used by Gulf rulers to fund activities which, for various reasons, they wish not to be associated with.

Qatars post-Arab Spring financing of Islamist factions in Egypt, Libya, and now Turkey has been an open secret that has played its part in further destabilizing an already volatile region.

Meanwhile, Iran stands accused in the leaks of creating 33 names and companies, many of which are linked to the pro-Assad terrorist militia Hizbollah. This Iran-Hezbollah axis, by some accounts, involves engaging in the drug trade in Mexico.

While the Arab press has been accused of cherry-picking only those named in the papers who are the enemies of their respective host countries, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) managed this unprecedented cache of data by coordinating among 400 reporters worldwide, who in turn kept the Panama Papers secret for over a year. That is some feat.

Edward Snowden described it as the biggest leak in the history of data journalism. Gerard Ryle, director of the ICIJ, called it probably the biggest blow the offshore world has ever taken.

Obermayer, the journalist who first received the Panama Papers, commented recently about what motivated his still anonymous, financially unremunerated source: The source thinks that this law firm in Panama is doing real harm to the world, and the source wants to end that.

Only when some of the worlds most unacceptable regimes begin to act with such moral fortitude will the funds that flow to serve illegal drug wars, terrorism and money laundering diminish. Online transparency may just usher in accountability for some of the worlds most opaque regimes.

In the meantime, this week President Obama will be shaking hands with many of them.
When students at a Parisian university announced a Hijab Day, their hope was to combat Islamophobia on campus. But the event, which invites non-Muslim students at the Sciences Po University to don the traditionally Muslim headscarf, has put the university at the forefront of a national debate on the religious garment.

A Facebook event for the schools Hijab Day invites all students who believe all women should have the right to dress however they want and be respected in their choices to don a hijab during school hours.

In France, where women are legally prohibited from wearing face-covering religious garments like burqas, and Islamophobic sentiment is high, the hijab taken on new status as a political symbol.

In April, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls called the hijab a symbol of enslavement of women.

Laurence Rossignol, the countrys minister for womens rights, took the sentiment further during a televised in March, railing against clothing companies like H&M and Dolce & Gabbana, which have recently begun catering to Muslim women with new, hijab-friendly clothing lines. When the interviewer pointed out that many Muslim women wear religious garments out of personal choice, Rossignol likened these women to American slaves.

Of course there are women who choose it, Rossignol said. There were American negroes who were in favor of slavery.Hijab Day organizers hit back at these political figures, describing themselves as pretty disturbed by declarations of French ministers and public figures about some girls.

More than 450 people have RSVPed for the Wednesday event on Facebook. But the movement has seen sharp criticism from right-wing students, and guarded responses from Sciences Po administrators.

Sciences Pos student branch of the anti-immigrant National Front party described Hijab Day as nauseating in a post on their own Facebook wall, the Straits Times reports.

In a statement of its own, the Sciences Po administration distanced itself from the event, disavowing official university involvement.

The issue of hijab, within higher education institutions and more broadly in France, is a topical debate which raises a variety of positions, Sciences Po wrote in a statement in French. The holding of this event in the walls of Sciences Po cannot be interpreted as any school support to this initiative.

Sciences Po is not the first university to come under the microscope when non-Muslim women wear the hijab on campus. In December, a tenured professor at Wheaton College, an Illinois Christian school, was suspended for donning the hijab in her classroom. The professor said she chose to wear the headscarf as an act of solidarity with Muslim women, who face violence and discrimination as Islamophobic sentiment spikes in the United States.

But some hijabi women say these acts of so-called solidarity are missing the point; that non-Muslim women can wear the hijab with little threat of violence, while Muslim women risk attack for wearing the symbols of their religion.

It privileges the experience of non-Muslim women over and above the stories and narratives of actual Muslim women who wear hijab every day, blogger Ms. Muslamic wrote in a post about World Hijab Day. Solidarity through cultural appropriation is extremely problematic, because the consequences for non-Muslims wearing hijab are never as severe as they are for Muslims.

But Sciences Pos Hijab Day is organized in part by Muslim women, some of whom wear hijabs, the group wrote in its Facebook event.

This wednesday, weMuslim and non-Muslim women, hijabi (veiled) or non hijabi (and a few men as well  )- invite you to a hijab-in-France-awareness-day.

The group also offered to provide scarves and tutorials on their correct use.

It would be nice to try decency, mutual respect and understanding, etc in our gloomy society, the group wrote. [In] short, if you are a humanist, a feminist, anti-racist, anti-paternalist, or whatever COME JOIN UUUUUS.
Theres a major push in Congress right now for a bill that could hold the government of Saudi Arabia legally responsible for the 9/11 attacks. U.S. military and counterterrorism officials now leading the fights against al Qaeda and ISIS think that bill is a terrible idea.

We dont need this debate right now, one defense official said, like others speaking on condition of anonymity because theyre not authorized publicly to criticize the bill, known as the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. Saudi officials have lobbied hard against the bill, telling members of the Obama administration, lawmakers, and journalists that the Saudi government has been a stalwart ally with the U.S. and was fighting al Qaeda years before it ever attacked American soil.

That message is resonating inside the Pentagon and in U.S. national security circles. Two former officials, who likewise declined to comment on the record about the bill, said it represented a troubling insertion of politics at a key point in the war against ISIS and would distract from a shared goal of combatting Islamic extremism.

Another currently-serving official said filing lawsuits against Saudi officials placed blame on the wrong party for the deadliest act of terrorism in U.S. history. As far as I am concerned, Osama bin Laden attacked the United States, the official said.

In the last two years, the White House and Pentagon officials have repeatedly clashed over the conduct of the wars against ISIS and al Qaeda. The opposition to the bill among defense officials is a rare instance in which those now battling al Qaedawhich carried out the 9/11 attacksand running an air campaign against its ISIS progeny find themselves in agreement with the White House over the strategy to combat religious extremism and terrorism.

White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said Monday that President Obama would likely veto the bill, which would remove some barriers against bringing lawsuits against foreign government officials who support terrorist attacks that kill Americans. The administration fears that other countries might change their laws to weaken so-called sovereign immunity provisions, thus opening the door to foreign prosecutions of U.S. military personnel, diplomats, and government employees.

Obama will arrive in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, amid tensions that were already flaring before the controversy over the proposed law. The president has publicly criticized Saudi Arabias human-rights record, its treatment of women, and Saudi funding of religious schools that teach a fundamentalist version of Islam.

U.S. officials acknowledged those long-standing grievances, which themselves may threaten to derail the bilateral relations in the long term. But for now, they argued, Saudi Arabia is one of the best U.S. partners in the region. They said its contribution to fighting extremism can be measured in the more than 1,000 suspected jihadists the government has arrested since the rise of ISIS in 2014, and in the Saudi regime proving to be among the most effective states at spotting potential attacks. Tactically, they see Saudi Arabia as an ally in the war against extremism.

The New York Times reported that Saudi officials have threatened to sell more than $750 billion in U.S. treasury securities and other assets were the bill to become law. But its unclear how the Saudis would unload such an enormous sum without losing much of their investment in a fire sale and setting off a global panic.

For their part, the Saudis have portrayed the sale as a way to protect their assets from being frozen amid lawsuits. But the threat has rung hollow in Washington because it would probably hurt the Saudis more than the U.S.

Still, there are other ways Riyadh could punish Washington. Officials said that Saudi Arabia could threaten to curtail ongoing joint efforts to combat terrorism by withholding military and intelligence assistance, for instance.

The country could also stop buying U.S. made weapons.

That alone could have a large impact. According to State Department statistics released last month, the U.S. has authorized $33 billion in defense sales to the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council since last May, and Saudi Arabia was the biggest purchaser among the GCC states. (The other members are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.)

Saudi Arabia is one of the top arms purchasers in the world, with the U.S. being a major supplier, Lori Plotkin Boghardt, an expert on the Gulf at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told The Daily Beast. One area where they could respond would be to direct weapons purchases to companies of what they consider less complicated countries.

Still others are confident that no matter how much the U.S. needs Saudi Arabia to defeat ISIS, Saudi Arabia needs the U.S. more. The regime fears Sunni extremist elements could try to undo a kingdom that is already battling falling oil prices and an ensuing economic crisis.

U.S. officials said they werent ignorant of the many long-standing issues that have divided the two countries. Some said they shared Obamas comments, revealed in a recent feature story in The Atlantic, that Saudi Arabias decades-long support of a certain thread of Islam, Wahhabism, has fueled the ideology that became ISIS and al Qaeda.

As it was described in the piece, Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister of Australia, recently asked Obama during a private meeting, Arent the Saudis your friends?

According to the piece, the president smiled and responded: Its complicated.

But the politics of that relationship may have reached a breaking point. Debate over the bill is happening as the Obama administration says it may soon declassify 28 pages from a joint congressional inquiry into the 9/11 attacks that are said to find potential links between Saudi government officials in the U.S. and some of the terrorists.

The bill has also gained support from Republicans and Democrats, including GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz and Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. Holding Saudi Arabia accountable, it would seem, is an issue that both parties can agree on.

If Saudi Arabia participated in terrorism, of course they should be able to be sued, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), a co-sponsor of the bill, said Monday. This bill would allow a suit to go forward and victims of terrorism to go to court to determine if the Saudi government participated in terrorist acts. If the Saudis did, they should pay a price.

Theres precedent for the surviving family members of Americans killed in terrorist attacks suing for damages. In 1998, U.S District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the government of Iran to pay nearly $250 million to the family of a 20-year-old exchange student who died in a bombing in Israel that was carried out by a militant group linked to Iran.

Just two years ago, Lamberth awarded $454 million to 62 relatives of some Marines and Navy corpsmen killed in the 1983 suicide bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, an attack that was also blamed on Iran. Family members of that attack have won billions in damages in other cases.

And on Tuesday, the family of journalist Steven Sotloff filed a lawsuit against the government of Syria, alleging that it provided material support to the ISIS militants who kidnapped Sotloff and beheaded him in 2014.

Under U.S. law, Americans can sue foreign governments for acts of terrorism that occur overseas. The proposed bill would allow lawsuits to go forward if the terrorist attack occurred in the U.S.

But its not clear that anyone who brings a law would ever see such big judgments as in previous casesmuch less ever actually obtain the money. Whats more, theres no guarantee theyd even have their day in court.

Any successful case would have to demonstrate that a Saudi official who assisted with the plot was doing so in connection with his job, and not undertaking that support entirely on his own without any official knowledge, Peter Margulies, a professor at the Roger Williams University School of Law, told The Daily Beast.

Youd have to show that in some way the government contemplates this, its part of the job description, Margulies said. The bill as its written now wouldnt remove all the protections that foreign officials enjoy, and significant legal and jurisdictional hurdles would still be in place.

In that respect, the bill is not as radical as some of its critics have charged, Margulies said. On balance [its] a worthwhile effort that will promote transparency and accountability. I think theres strong evidence that at the very least the Saudi government didnt diligently monitor the behavior of its mid- and lower-ranking officials who may have aided the 9/11 hijackers, Margulies said.

But, he added, Its not going to be open season on the Saudis.

Updated 9:22 a.m. to correct Gulf Cooperation Council, previously referred to incorrectly as the Gulf Coordination Council.
Oscar-nominated actress and activist Salma Hayek believes in the power of womenin particular, the power of Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton, the candidate she believes is best suited to run America come November.

Because shes a woman shes always been in the shadows operating under the rules of men, and shes navigated beautifully in it, Hayek told The Daily Beast from London on Tuesday. We have not seen her full potential yet.

Women rule the baroque fantasyscape of Hayeks latest film Tale of Tales, a surreal tapestry of intertwining fables from Italian director Matteo Garrone also starring Vincent Cassel and Toby Jones. In it, Hayek and John C. Reilly play royals driven to drastic measures when they cannot conceivea premise based on Italian poet Giambattista Basiles collection of 17th-century fairy tales.

When a necromancer promises a life in return for a life, Hayeks queen agrees at any cost. She sends her husband to the depths of the ocean to hunt a sea monster whose heart, cooked by a virgin, will grant her greatest wish: a child. And as Hayeks tragic tale gives way to two more twisted stories of female longing, disappointment, and desireone tracking a neighboring kings obsession with a flea that leads him to marry off his only daughter to an ogre, the third following two crones tempted by the promise of eternal youththe Pasolini-esque threads of Garrones English language debut weave a thoroughly modern examination of what it means, and perhaps always has meant, to be a woman.

Whats fascinating is that its based on a book that was written in the 1600s, three stories seen from the point of view of women, Hayek mused. Already that is very modern because as you know, its not very often that they do movies from the point of view of women! And they talk about concerns that women still have today, and that are very important in our livesmotherhood, and the fear of not becoming a mother, and the fear of losing your children when you are one.

The other [story] talks about marrying a monster and trying to escape it, she continued. And the third talks about obsession with youthno, it really talks about the obsession with being loved. The necessity that women have of feeling loved by a man, and how they become desperate when they realize the only way they can be loved is if they are young and beautiful.

She pauses. This is a very big problem, said Hayek. Inventing a form of plastic surgery in the 1600s! And its still so contemporary today. It takes all those fears that we have and takes them into horror. But [Garrone] does horror in such an elegant way.

Striking visuals abound in the gorgeous Tale of Tales, which was shot on location in the Italian countryside and premiered in competition in Cannes last year. But no single image is as powerful as the determination, grief, and desperation on Hayeks face as her queen sits at the head of a long table, ravenously devouring the bloody heart of a sea monster.

It was disgusting and it tasted really, really bad, she laughed. They would not tell me what was in it! But I will tell you what was fascinating: When I read the script it said, And the queen eats the heart of the sea monsterdevours the heart of the sea monster. I thought, Oh my god, this is going to be grotesque.

Nine very long takes later, Hayek had a new appreciation for the scene that would become emblematic of the film, plastered across its posters amidst haunting phantasmagorias of iconic images and sumptuous scenery. Each take, [Garrone] would come and say, Every bite on this take, you are hopeful. You are hopeful for what this is going to bring for you. Be tender with it, because all your dreams can come true. Youve lost so much for this, but this can give it to you. So I did that. Then, You are desperate! Try to eat as much as you canyou are in a state of anxiety! The next take: You are sad, because you are afraid that it might not happen, because its gone to waste, because you are so fragile.

It was so interesting, said Hayek. I remember I was crying. She paused. I did not know there were so many ways to eat a heart.

After an eclectic 2015 that included a starring role in the Iran-set drama Septembers of Shiraz, Hayek follows Tale of Tales with a voice role in the raunchy animated Seth Rogen comedy Sausage Party. She recently wrapped filming on comedy Drunk Parents, in which she and Alec Baldwin star as wealthy parents who send their daughter off to college only to discover theyre suddenly broke, and panic. I love my character, said Hayek. She starts out really stuck up and starts falling apart really, really grotesquely.

But while she moves from one film project to the next, Hayek has been keenly keeping tabs on the run-up to the election. As one of Hollywoods most prominent Latinas, shes been watching the 2016 presidential race closely, from Republican frontrunner Donald Trumps incendiary early attacks on Hispanics and immigrants through his continued theatrics on the campaign trail. Earlier in the day, hours before we spoke, the Frida star and native Mexican couldnt resist taking Trump to task on Twitter over his 7/11 flub.

This election has been an eye-opener, because there are a lot of things about America that were not as palpable as before that have come out in this election. Theres a lot more racism than we have ever acknowledged before, in this country of freedom, noted Hayek, who is officially endorsing Clintons campaign. But there are also a lot more people that want equality and care about the environment, and care about education and health and equal pay for men and women, and no discriminationthe absolute opposite.

Trump, for one, has become much more of a reality than the reality show model she used to describe his campaign tactics last fall. America is in trouble, she told The Daily Beast in September. We have to take this very seriously. This is not a reality show. America is not a reality show. This is not a popularity contest. This is not Miss America or Miss Universe.

As voters in New York flocked to the polls, granting Hillary a decisive win, Hayek appealed to her fellow Democrats who are splitting the party between #TeamBernie and #TeamHillary. I think that because theres been so much publicity in this election process, people have chosen characters without maybe not really thinking about what this candidate would be like as a presidentfor real. But its what they want their friends to see as their identity, she warned.

I am all for the environment, she explained. [My position] is maybe closer to what Bernie says. But that doesnt mean Im going to vote for Bernie, because you have to vote for what is best for Americanot what Im going to show my friends I voted for. You have to take a lot more things into consideration. If somebody is dehydrated and you give them lots of water, you kill them. We have been operating in a system for way too long. If you want to change the system you have to bring somebody that is different who understands the system.

Hayek, who threw her support behind Latinos for Hillary last October, describes Clintons gender as a strength in a field dominated by men. Men are too passionate and their egos are too stubborn, she said. She is levelheaded. She is kind. She has a heart. Shes human. Shes smart. But nothing brings her down. Theyve been trying to put this woman down for 30 years. Shes indestructible. She gets up with grace. And she gets things done with gracenot bullying.

And the thing is, she doesnt oversell a fantastic dream, added Hayek. I think she tells you what she thinks can be done, and I think she will surprise us by doing much more than that. I think the things shes saying arent only to catch votes. Everyone else is trying to catch the votes.

Maybe its not as exciting, but its very dangerous right now to put the American army in the hands of the wrong people, she concluded. Either one extreme, or the other. These are not times to be messing around. I live in Europe and I tell you, its very, very dangerous. The only person that is truly respected by all the other countries is her. When they ask all of these people, How would you deal with ISIS? I listen to them respond, and I trembleexcept for when she talks.
Springs longer days, warmer temperatures and bright sunshine mean one thing to me: Its officially cocktail weather.

And to pair with the change in seasons (and wardrobe) you need a new refreshing favorite drink.

While certainly no one would blame you for fixing warming and whiskey-centric Manhattans and Sazeracs, this time of year I crave elixirs that feature big ice cubes, tropical fruit, and fizzy water or bubbly wine.

Fortunately, theres a range of classic concoctions that include most of these ingredients and are perfect for these unseasonably hot afternoons.

THE PALOMATHE UNSUNG HERO

While the Margarita is the most famous tequila cocktail, the paloma, which also features the agave spirit, has toiled far too long in mixological obscurity. The quaffable combination of tequila (or mezcal if you prefer a slightly smokier tipple), grapefruit soda, a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt is exactly what you need for a day spent out in the sun. The great thing about the paloma is that you can easily regulate its strength by adding more or less tequila and soda.

Paloma

Ingredients:

1.5 oz TequilaJuice of half a limeGrapefruit sodaPinch salt

Glass:Tom Collins

Directions:

Fill a Tom Collins glass with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice and salt and top with the grapefruit soda.

BEAST TWIST:

For an extra-citrusy version, use equal parts fresh grapefruit juice and seltzer instead of the sweeter grapefruit soda.

HIGHBALLTHE CLASSIC

If you insist on drinking whiskey in the summer, there are plenty of satisfying ways to do it. One of my favorites is the easiest: the highball. The ridiculously simple mix of whiskey and seltzer or ginger ale is also ridiculously drinkable. To paraphrase Tom Waits the drink is currently big in Japan and was huge in the States during the 1950s and 60s.

While I might not use my rarest and most treasured Scotch or bourbon for a highball, adding ice or soda can turn a sipping whiskey into a summer refresher.

Highball

Ingredients:

2 oz WhiskeyClub soda or ginger ale

Glass:Highball

Directions:

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the whiskey and top with soda.

BEAST TWIST:

To make sure you get plenty of whiskey flavor use a spirit that is high proof (above 80-proof) and with plenty of character like rye or a big peaty single malt. Large ice cubes that will melt more slowly in the sun are a must.

Also, try spicy ginger beer instead of sugary ginger ale and use small bottles of soda to ensure you get plenty of effervescence.

SPRITZAN INTERNATIONAL STANDARD

The spritz has been cooling down Europeans for decades. Talia Baiocchi and Leslie Pariseau, authors of the recently published Spritz: Italys most iconic aperitivo cocktail, with recipes, have even found evidence that Romans and Greeks were drinking some version of it.

But really during the last century the low-alcohol concoction has become an international sensation. Today, the spritz archetype is more or less a combination of three parts prosecco, two parts bitter liqueur, and one part soda, write Baiocchi and Pariseau. And thanks to Aperol, its now Italys most popular cocktail.

That basic formula can be used to fix many different delicious combinations and permutations. Start with the Venetian Spritz, which follows this recipe and once youve mastered that you can start experimenting.

Venetian Spritz

Contributed by Talia Baiocchi & Leslie Pariseau

Ingredients:

2 oz Aperol3 to 4 oz Prosecco2 oz Soda waterGarnish: Olive and a slice of citrus

Glass:Rocks or wine glass

Directions:

Fill a rocks or wine glass with ice and then add the rest of the ingredients. Garnish with an olive and a slice of citrus.

BEAST TWIST:

If you find Aperol too sweet, Baiocchi and Pariseau suggest using a mix of equal parts Aperol and the more bitter Campari.
For all the ways that technology has enabled infidelity, from sexting to the adultery website Ashley Madison, partner-monitoring innovations may be catching up.

There are webcams that sync to your smartphone, spying apps that remotely track your significant others social media activity, and, most recently, a mattress that alerts you when someone is having vigorous, acrobatic sex in your bed.

The Durmet Smarttress boasts a so-called Lover Detection System with hidden ultrasonic sensors built into its springs that detect when your bed is being used for sport when youre not home.

If its getting a workout, youll receive an alert on your smartphone, where you can monitor duration, intensity, and impact per minute as long as you have a 4G connection.

The brainchild of Durmet, a small mattress company in northern Spain, Smartress officially launched last week with a video marketing campaign warning of a global infidelity crisis.

We see couples screaming at each other in dark corners; sweaty lovers in various states of undress; an engagement ring thrown carelessly on the floor. Doomsday music builds to a climax as the camera pans from shaking bedposts to the culprits beneath a duvet, then cuts to a cell phone beeping menacingly.

Its a brilliant parody of a PSA, though theres apparently a serious demand for this kind of technology.

Durmet was struggling to find a niche market for innovative products when they landed on a study from Ashley Madison, the cheating website, that found Spain was the most unfaithful country in Europe.

This technology has been present in mattresses for a couple of years already, Damian Lucas, project coordinator for the Smarttress ad campaign, told The Daily Beast, referring to the matrix of 24 sensors in the mattress and an algorithm system that detects suspicious activity.

Durmet collaborated with Grey Advertising to fuse the innovation with the concept, Lucas said, so that men and women can relax at night and be reassured during the day.

Lucas also stressed that the mattress is as comfortable as any premium quality mattress, and that the sensors are feather light. People delivering the mattress dont even know that its any different from an ordinary mattress, he added.

Though its only available in Spain for now, with prices starting at $1750, Lucas said Durmets already planning to expand outside of Spain and, eventually, overseas. He also said they cant yet determine how many mattresses theyve sold, but that Durmet has been inundated with requests for the product, particularly from prospective clients in Britain and South America.

The impact has been much bigger than [Durmet] was expecting, Lucas said. They werent prepared for this reaction.

The Spanish lifestyle, with its daily siestas and nightlife culture, seems particularly conducive to affairs. Lucas admitted this may contribute to spousal paranoia, but that it wasnt clear whether the countrys infidelity rates were directly linked to Spanish culture.

In theory, Smarttress seems like a fantastic tool to ensure conspiratorial types that their partners arent bringing lovers and hookers home at odd hoursunless the cheater opts for the kitchen counter, the bathroom floor, or any other household surface. Surely the conjugal bed would be a last resort for a quickie with the poolboy.

Regardless of how much people are catching on to the idea that monogamy is an outdated socioeconomic construct, Smarttress and other partner-monitoring products indicate that capitalism has a vestigial morality after all.
It was a heart-stopping moment when a 3-year-old boy fell from the 15th floor window of his apartment in Changzhou, Jiangsu province last Monday. The boy, named Qiqi, landed on his face, yet miraculously survived despite multiple fractures. After undergoing intensive treatment, he has improved greatly but is not out of danger yet.

Mother sits by the bedside of her son in the hospital. (Photo/Yangtse Evening News)

Qiqis parents were in the middle of renovating their newly purchased apartment on the 15th floor of a residential building when the accident occurred. In order to ensure the safety of their little boy, the boys parents decided to install burglary-resistant windows for their balcony.

On April 11, workers removed the original balcony windows and started to install the new ones. Qiqis mother told the boy to stay away from the windows, and then she went into the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Unable to resist his curiosity, Qiqi approached the balcony window and fell from the 15th floor apartment. The boys mother actually witnessed his fall, but she was not able to do anything. She could only rush downstairs after her son was already on the ground.

A hard concrete floor 15 centimeters from where the boy landed. (Photo/ Yangtse Evening News)

She immediately saw a pool of blood in the muddy grass, but she didnt see her son anywhere. In fact, it turned out that the boy had been spotted by a security guard who was patrolling in the community. The guard saw the boy land on his face. He turned the boy over and found that he was bleeding and crying, but not unconscious. He immediately sent the boy to a nearby hospital.

The boy was diagnosed with multiple fractures, including his skull, ribs, right femoral shaft and left pneumothorax. He also had pulmonary contusions and liver lacerations. According to the boys mother, his fall was slowed by a clothes hanger outside a window on the seventh floor.
Hillary Clinton claimed that she was finally in the homestretch of the Democratic nomination battle Tuesday night after halting Bernie Sanderss comeback with a decisive victory in the New York primary.

Sanders spent the week sowing the seeds of doubt within Clintons coalitionblistering her for her association with Wall Street, holding a series of mega-rallies, collecting a host of celebrity endorsements, and out-spending her by 2-1 on TV ads.

He needed a win, or a very close finish, to maintain the momentum in his unlikely bid to upset Clinton, but the Brooklyn native was defeated by more than 15 points.

Victory is in sight! declared Clinton at a New York rally. Staffers near the back of the room hugged each othervisibly relieved that this particularly ugly part of the primary campaign had concluded.

The Democratic race had taken a turn for the combative in New Yorka family feud that played out in prime time last week during the debate in Brooklyn.

At about a quarter to 10, Another One Bites the Dust blasted through the Sheraton ballroomat the same moment Clinton tweeted her thanks to New York for electing her statewide yet again. With 98 percent of the precincts declared, she was leading 57.9 percent to 42.1 percent.

You proved once again theres no place like home, she said. This one is personal.

She claimed the race was all but over and that a certain wild-haired socialist might start thinking about packing it in.

Clinton even tried to knock the assumption that the Sanders campaign had a monopoly on excitement. Tonight I want to say to all of my supporters and all of the voters: You have carried us every step of the way with passion and conviction that some critics have tried to dismiss, she said, a campaign version of a Weve Got Spirit taunt.

After days of massive, confidence-boosting rallies, most Sanders supporters were were likely in no mood to listen, but Clinton also tried to reach out. I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us, she said.

Judging by Sanderss fundraising email blast as the results came in, the Vermont senator is not about to give up and unite behind the frontrunner.

Sisters and Brothers, it began. We didnt get the victory we had hoped for this evening, but whats important is that it looks like were going to win a lot more delegates in New York than any state that voted or caucused before tonight.

He then suggested a donation of $2.70 to keep the Bern going.

Despite the Sanders insurgency, Hillary Clinton has looked every inch the Democratic nominee for years.

Across town Tuesday night, Donald Trump walked through the lobby of Trump Tower, looking more like a potential nominee than a celebrity for the first time.

He entered to Frank Sinatras New York, New York, bathed in the red and blue lights that have decorated each of his victory speeches to date. He shook hands and hugged bystanders before taking to the lectern, surrounded by his family and friends like Carl Paladino, the failed gubernatorial candidate.

Ten months ago, on June 16, Trump was in this very room. In what he now believes to be an iconic scene, he came down the escalator with his wife, Melania, and into a sea of reporters and paid extras pretending to be fervent fans. Back then he seemed like a sideshow, and Beltway analysts and pundits predicted he would fizzle out quickly.

This time the escalator was frozen. His fans stood on it and peered down at him as he spoke. He had just won his 20th contestwith more than 60 percent of the voteand added to his substantial delegate lead, on his way to the 1,237 needed to secure the Republican nomination.

The event was billed as a press conference by Trumps campaign, but he didnt take any questions, instead giving a condensed version of his stump speech that focused primarily on jobs. He promised not just to Make America Great Again, but to make it really, legitimately, so great.

But as always, politicsnot policy specificspreoccupied the candidate.

Were gonna end at a very high level and get a lot more delegates than anybody projected in their wildest imaginations, he said.

This has been an incredible evening. Its been an incredible day and week! he said. It has really been something amazing.

Like Clinton, he suggested it was time for primary season to come to an end.

We dont have much of a race anymore, based on what Im seeing on television, he added, Sen. Cruz is just about mathematically eliminatedand weve won another state.

Ted Cruz was beaten into third place in the New York primary with just 14.5 percent of the vote, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich was at 25.1 percent with 98 percent of precincts counted.

We expect were going to have an amazing number of weeks, he said.

Were going to go into the convention, I think, as a winnerand nobody can take an election away the way theyre doing it in the Republican Party, he said.
Chinese tourism authorities are promoting a "toilet revolution", which was long overdue. In fact, not only toilets at scenic spots, but also public toilets in other places need a "revolution".

Foreigners usually complain about the stench and foulness of toilets in busy public places such as train and bus stations. They also grumble about the lack of privacy in some public toilets, particularly in small towns in China's inland and rural areas. Most of the toilets in these places have no partition, not to speak of doors, denying any privacy to users. Fully-enclosed toilets are a rarity in these areas.

Older Chinese people, those from rural areas in particular, are used to the lack of privacy in public toiletsit's not rare to see men smoking or even chatting with one another while going about their business in open squat toiletsbut foreigners find the experience embarrassing.

The embarrassment is intensified because foreignersmostly Westernersfeel awkward and difficult when it comes to squatting. Imagine the distress of having to maintain precarious balance in a squat toilet, and at the same time being overwhelmed by the feeling of people observing you.

For these reasons, revamping of public toilets in China requires careful deliberation. For it is not just a question of cleanliness, privacy and better management, and not all public toilets in China are equalmany public toilets in cities are indeed spotless and do have all the trappings of a modern toilet. But there are clean and unclean toilets in the same city, sometimes even in the same neighborhoodsuch a difference is expectable in a fast-developing country like China.

The same difference is present in Chinese society toothe social contradiction of rapid infrastructure and social development. The urbane, better-educated Chinese are themselves aghast at the unhygienic and uncivil antics of some of their fellow citizens. In this sense, when the authorities talk of a "toilet revolution", they ought to treat the issue holistically. For one, they have to improve the standards of public toilets to match at least the expectations of the more socially advanced Chinese, who share the same sensibilities of cleanliness and privacy as Westerners. And that requires more than better management, including educational campaigns aimed at changing the habits of the less-hygienic people.

There is, however, a difference between Westerners and even urbane Chinese in the choice of toilet. Most Chinese people, despite having a commode toilet at home, would be unwilling to use one in a public restroom out of concern for hygiene or fear of contracting a disease. That's why the norm in China is still to have mostly squat toilets in public restrooms. I share the sensibility of the Chinese people after spending years in China, but I have the advantage of having become partly accustomed to squatting. The same cannot be said about foreigners who are only visiting China and whose squat is as clumsy and uncomfortable as their use of chopsticks. So, bearing all this in mind, the ongoing revamp should be aimed at equipping public restrooms with squat toilets as well as commode toilets in a ratio that's skewed toward the former.

The author is a freelance writer who specializes in culture, travel, and lifestyle.
Cuban leader Raul Castro on Tuesday was re-elected the first secretary of the Central Committee of Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) at the the final plenary session of PCC's seventh Congress, Cuba's official state news agency Prensa Latina reported.

Raul Castro was re-elected by nearly 1,000 delegates at the meeting, including the leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro, his elder brother, said Prensa Latina.

Raul had served as the first secretary of the PCC since the last Congress held in 2011, when he replaced his elder brother Fidel.

Fidel Castro directed PCC's political organization since its founding in 1965, a severe illness forced him to leave office in 2006.

The PCC Central Committee also ratified Dr. Jose Ramon Machado Ventura in his position as the second secretary of PCC.

In an interview with Granma, the mouth piece of PCC, Susely Morfa Gonzalez, a young member of the newly elected Committee, said Raul's reelection as first secretary is a clear proof of people's confidence in the leadership.

The new Central Committee has 142 members, with an average age of 54.5 years, younger than the one elected in 2011, according to Raul. He has frequently insisted the need to guarantee the generational replacement of the Party leadership and proposed an age limit of 60 to join to the PCC Central Committee.

The 7th PCC Congress, with 1,000 delegates and 280 guests in attendance, was held from Saturday to Tuesday. During the meeting, the delegates discussed and approved reform guidelines until 2021, which are advocated by Raul Castro and aimed to shape Cuba's economic and social course, as well as the national development plan until 2030.
Wood's rum repositioned and repackaged

London design agency Purple Creative has just completed a 10-month project for William Grant & Sons UK, helping to reposition and repackage Woods Old Navy Rum, established in 1887.

Our objective was to make the Woods bottle and packaging more premium, iconic and memorable, says Purple founding partner and creative director Steve Bewick. We conducted extensive research into the history and heritage of Woods, including unearthing some previously unknown facts about the brand inspired by its rich naval heritage and traditions.

The rums recipe has never changed in 129 years. It is distilled in the worlds only single wooden pot still (up to 250 years old), which is made of greenheart, a local hardwood that imparts complex flavours. Its the only demerara rum bottled at 57% ABV (British Navy issue strength)  a blend of three Guyana rums made from demerara black strap molasses

Bewick explains the design decisions: We gave the Woods bottle an overhaul  a stronger, sturdier bottle with thicker glass to represent the strength of the liquid and the toughness of sailors in the British Navy in the eighteenth century when they were given their daily ration of rum. We added a cork to make it more premium and more authentic, as original bottles on board would have had corks.

We transformed the pastel illustration of the sailor from the old bottle, into a bolder and more iconic image, strong enough to stand alone as part of the Woods brand identity. It is now a more realistic representation of an able seaman in and around the early 1900s (beards were allowed!).

Aboard old British Navy ships, splicing the mainbrace was the exhausting job of intertwining thick hemp to repair the masts main rigging  only the strongest able seamen were chosen to perform it. As a reward for a job well done, each sailor involved was issued with an extra ration of navy rum. Inspired by this tradition, we have incorporated subtle rope embellishments into the design.

We took inspiration from navel uniforms of the time, especially the stripes on the lapels, to create a simple but bold graphic device that can be used on communications to create a recognisable look and feel. And, like the language on board ship, the brands tone of voice is bold, honest and straightforward.

Gwilym Cooke, Woods brand manager, comments: After evaluating the brands rich history, consumer trends and the dark rum category, we recognised an opportunity to rejuvenate Woods. Purple has succeeded in creating premium packaging that matches the quality of the liquid inside the bottle, without straying from the navy history that is so iconic to the brand.

Pictured above: Before and after redesign (before in centre)

20 April 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Rport, editor
The event, designed for those who assist loved ones or friends with day-to-day activities, will cover trauma counseling, the long-term care ombudsman program, tips on identifying dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and information about Medicaid and other programs. Lunch will be provided.
A team of graduate students from Texas A&M University made history this past weekend in Houston.

Doctoral candidates Brandon Sweeney and Blake Teipel, along with Britton Eastburn, who is working toward a master's degree at Mays Business School, were the first A&M group to take home the grand prize in the Rice Business Plan Competition -- the largest student startup contest in the world.

The team's startup business, TriFusion Devices, beat out 41 competitors from top universities around the world in the three-day competition on the Rice University campus. The group earned the grand prize valued at $458,000.

Co-founded by Sweeney and Teipel, TriFusion Devices is a fully incorporated Texas company based in College Station that designs and manufactures 3-D printed prosthetics.

The pair has won first place with TriFusion Devices in several competitions across the country in the past year, including A&M's Center of New Ventures and Entrepreneurship's 14th annual Raymond Ideas Challenge, Student Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition at the 2015 Southeastern Conference Symposium and the 2016 Baylor New Venture Competition.

During the Rice event, the team gave four 15-minute oral presentations of its business plan summary in three rounds to a panel of judges, with chances to tweak the project after each round. Sweeney said although the process was rigorous and exhausting, he thinks the group "left it all out there" during the final round.

"The last presentation was definitely the best performance," he said. "If we were to go back and do it over, I don't think we would have changed anything. It was the best performance we could have given."

According to Teipel, the team will use the prize money along with other investment funds they have saved to buy their own 3-D printer, invest in various personnel -- including sales, marketing and engineering staff -- and buy enough materials to manufacture 50 prosthetic devices.

TriFusion Devices is in its clinical phase and will soon be tested on patients in need of prosthetics in collaboration with the Baylor University College of Medicine. Sweeney said a full-scale release to the public is pending, since it can take up to two years to prove the devices are safe.

The pair said they plan to identify and coach future A&M student entrepreneurs interested in having their own startup.

"This school can compete with the top universities. In fact, it is one of the top universities," Teipel said. "We have an ecosystem in place and the quality of ideas to compete. [Brandon and I] will try to continually identify great ideas and high-caliber teams to compete for A&M."
Peng Liyuan, Chinese President Xi Jinping's wife, met with a group of students and teachers from Sydney, Australia Tuesday afternoon at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in central Beijing.

In a merry atmosphere, Peng, together with the 11 girls and five teachers, watched a video recalling her visit to the Ravenswood School for Girls in Sydney in November 2014 during Xi's state visit to Australia, and listened to the girls telling their experience over the past ten days in China.

Prior to Beijing, the girls went to Shanghai and Nanjing in east China, Chengdu in the southwest and Xi'an in the northwest.

They had conversations with students in Nanjing No.1 Middle School - a sister school of Ravenswood - took a high-speed train between Shanghai and Nanjing, saw pandas in a research base in Chengdu and the terra cotta warriors in the ancient city of Xi'an.

They also visited the Great Wall and the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, the main venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Calling their visit "fruitful and rewarding," Peng said the girls not only saw the picturesque scenery of China and had a taste of the Chinese history and culture, but also knew quite some Chinese friends.

"I hope the visit will help deepen your understanding of China," said Peng.

She encouraged the girls to make the best of their youth to study more and travel more, and continue to learn the Chinese language and culture so as to be "young ambassadors" and contribute greater share to the friendship between Chinese and Australian peoples.

Speaking highly of the booming development of education cooperation between the two countries in recent years, Peng expressed the hope that both sides can further expand two-way education cooperation in the hope of nurturing more successors to the cause of China-Australia friendship.

"As UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls' and Women's Education, I am fully aware how important education is for all girls and the world," Peng said.

"We need to work together to ensure the equal access to education for all girls in the world so that they can enjoy a happy life," she said.

The students and teachers, headed by Deputy Principal David Garner, expressed their honor to receive Peng in 2014 and their excitement to be in China.

"There is no better way to learn the language, history and culture of a country than to visit that country, " said Garner.

Chloe Verman, a 10th grader, said she loved China more than ever through the visit.

"I have great interest in learning the Chinese language and history. I think I will come back to China one day,"she said in fluent Chinese.

During the gathering, the girls also sang the theme song of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in both Chinese and English.

Established in 1901, Ravenswood School for Girls is an independent day and boarding school for girls from kindergarten to grade 12.

As one of Australia's leading girls' schools, it set up a Confucius Classroom in 2014 to provide Chinese language education.
And it's not just birds that are safeguarded under EU rules: the Habitats Directive ensures that bats, newts, otters, lizards and other species are guarded against overzealous development and destruction of the areas in which they live.

EU leading on climate change and air pollution

Another persistent reminder of the need for cross border rules is the air pollution crisis we're facing in this country, and the 40,000 deaths associated with it. Sources of air pollution are varied - the majority of the fumes comes from traffic in our cities, while some of the tiny toxic particles float across the Channel from France, carried by the wind.

Thankfully the EU's Clean Air Policy Package, which applies just as much to Northern France as it does to our own towns and cities - is forcing Government's like our own to clean up their act. Though they are reluctant, Ministers know that the threat of legal action looms if they don't reduce the levels of killer pollution in our towns and cities.

Coal-fired power stations in the UK - a longstanding source of pollution - have been shut down in the UK thanks to the EU's Large Combustion Plant Directive.

Precedent for such action exists in the shape of EU-wide action to tackle acid rain. Thanks to European laws this particularly damaging pollution - which threatened woodlands, river ecosystems and our own health - was cleaned up extremely successfully - meaning we saw a 90% fall in sulphur dioxide pollution since its peak level.

Of course it is the threat of catastrophic climate change which hangs over everything else we're doing to protect our environment. Surely there is no better reason to work with our neighbours than the need to tackle this complex cross-border catastrophe.

If we join forces with other countries, strengthening the EU-wide rules on carbon emissions that are already in place, then we have a chance of keeping future generations safe. Going it alone simply isn't an option for a challenge of this magnitude.

It's worth noting that it was the EU's political decision in 1990 to cap emissions of greenhouse gases by 2000 that formed the cornerstone of the 1992 UN climate convention. The climate and energy package, whilst being inadequate in its current form, has been a major factor in driving the deployment of renewable energy in the UK. Some of our dirtiest power stations have also been closed thanks to EU directives.

Not perfect on agriculture and fisheries - but it is getting better

As a former MEP, I am the first to admit that the EU has been far from perfect when it comes to protecting our environment. Some policies, such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), have indeed had deeply damaging aspects. But CAP has also seen some improvements from a nature and conservation perspective and farmers are some of the most outspoken advocates for remaining in the EU.

Similarly the Common Fisheries Policy has not always worked well - a result of the policy itself, not the fact that it's common. Quota management in the EU began for the majority of commercial fish stocks with the first Common Fisheries Policy in 1983, a time when fish stocks were at extremely low levels and fishing pressure was still high.

Over time, fishing pressure has - slowly - decreased for quota species and some fish stocks are finally growing. The reformed EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) that became law in 2014 lays the foundations that could eventually lead to sustainable management of fish stocks in Europe.

Thanks, for example, to a Europe-wide campaign, and in spite of intense lobbying from the multinational fishing industry, we now have a ban on the hugely damaging practise of fish discards.

Though some European laws could clearly have been far better, rejecting the EU on the basis of not liking some policies would be to throw the baby out with the bath water. Indeed to think that things would be better if we weren't a member, seems to me to be somewhat short-sighted.

UK government's heavy hints to the future they plan outside

Of course it is impossible to know exactly what would happen if Britain left the EU but, when it comes to protecting our environment, the Government has dropped some heavy hints.

Ministers have tried their best to water down air pollution rules, the Chancellor has said that EU nature laws place "ridiculous costs" on British firms and, most worryingly of all, the government has been vigorously stripping away support for clean energy and renewable technology in the UK.

The UK government's role in putting a halt to EU wide fracking regulations should also serve as a warning - as should British MEPs being advised by the government to vote against legislation to oblige countries to carry out "routine and non-routine" inspections on vehicles' "real-world" emissions.

When it comes to EU proposals that fail to adequately protect the environment, we need to make sure we're pointing the finger in the right direction.

The EU isn't perfect, and ongoing reform to strengthen environmental rules is clearly needed, but we can only influence that by keeping our seat at the table. The idea of leaving our precious environment in the hands of the current set of ministers fills me with terror.

Only last week a detailed independent report on the subject concluded that leaving the union would be risky and could damage key green protections - and similar findings emerged in a landmark report by Institute for European Environmental Policy earlier this year.

Working with our neighbours to solve environmental problems

For challenges that span national boundaries, we need to work closely with other countries to solve them - to avoid duplication, increase co-ordination, and pool resources. Indeed if Britain is to ever be a world leader on protecting the environment, it will do so through the EU. As Tony Juniper, ex director of Friends of the Earth, noted: "We would never have had the impact we do as one country alone."

The EU can also provide a space for more radical ideas to develop and become mainstream while they're still off the radar of UK politics. Efforts to create a circular economy in Europe, for example, have the potential to be hugely beneficial by driving a radical shift of both consumption and production.

Ultimately, it's obvious that being part of the EU makes sense when it comes to protecting our environment. Pollution, threats to wildlife and environmental degradation don't respect national borders - so we clearly need shared solutions to the environmental challenges we all face.

The fundamental principle underpinning EU environmental regulations - that we need a level playing field across Europe to prevent a 'race-to-the-bottom', where member states seek to gain competitive advantage by destroying the natural environment - is more relevant than ever.

On June 23rd each of us is required to make an assessment about the UK's membership of the EU based on the best available evidence.

On that basis, if you're someone who cares about clean air, fighting climate change or protecting our wildlife, the case for putting a cross in the 'remain' box is overwhelming.

Caroline Lucas is the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, and former leader of the Green Party. She is also a member of Environmentalists for Europe, a board member of Stronger In and a support of Another Europe is Possible.



Event: Caroline will be speaking at Friends of the Earth's event 'What has the EU done for the UK environment?' on Thursday 21st April. You can reserve your place here.

This article was originally published by openDemocracy under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence.
The report adds: "So far this year nine poachers have been killed, many arrested, and at least five poachers received fatal bullet injuries (and might have died elsewhere ...) However, this is also not enough." The aim is clearly to maximize casualties and execute as many suspected poachers as possible - without the need to find evidence of their involvement in poaching, arrest them, or put them on trial.

And all of this is taking place in a politically sensitive border region of India with a history of armed conflict and many tribal communities, who bear no responsibility for the endangerment of local wildlife by imperial British hunters and loss of habitat - but who are now being punished as part of an effort to limit the damage.

In the past decade, at least 62 people have been summarily executed under this policy. The man who oversaw it for nine years, Bishan Singh Bonal, who is now head of the Indian National Tiger Conservation Authority, described his time in charge as "open war" and has spoken about the heavy toll it took on his staff.

Nevertheless, he believes the policy to be justified, and it may well be coming soon to other parks and reserves in India. Inevitably, it will once again be innocent tribes who suffer as a result of this officially sanctioned brutality.

A serious human rights issue

The policy is not nearly as controversial as it should be. Extrajudicial execution, no matter how terrible the crime it is administered as punishment for, inevitably leads to knee-jerk violence and chaos in the areas where it takes place. It bypasses all judicial checks and balances and gives low-ranking authorities the power of life and death over fellow citizens.

Worse, it has serious implications for tribal peoples and the increasingly hard-line conservation authorities who are given power over their ancestral lands.

As far as many Indian conservationists are concerned, tribespeople are a nuisance, primitive people, likely to be involved in poaching and in direct conflict with wildlife. There is absolutely no reason to believe any of this. After all, tribespeople have lived peacefully alongside creatures like the tiger for generations and live far more sustainable lives than almost anyone in the industrialized world.

It was not tribes who decimated the population of the Bengal Tiger by hunting on a massive scale for sport. It is not tribes who are now powering the destruction of flora and fauna through extractive industries and urbanization.

Yet it is tribes who apparently must suffer the consequences of conservation policy: eviction, assault, and even death, as part of an effort to limit the damage.

The best guardians of the natural world

Of course poaching is a terrible crime. Endangered species and their habitats should be protected, and the criminal gangs who profit from the trade in their viciously procured body parts should be investigated, punished, and deterred. But to say that the solution to this problem is to have gangs of armed men patrolling the reserves and employing violence above the law is to go too far.

Conservationists should be working with local communities, not criminalizing them, stealing their land and claiming to know how to administer it better. They should certainly not be encouraging the liberal use of summary execution against often innocent people.

One Indian journalist has quipped that in the heat of the moment, park guards could not possibly know the difference between say, an environmental reporter doing their job, and a poacher stalking his prey. The policy is not only absurd, it is also deeply immoral.

This is an extremely emotive issue, but it has to be treated with a proper concern for human rights, especially for the rights of some of the most vulnerable peoples on Earth - tribes. We cannot allow our passion for conserving the environment, or the rage we feel on seeing a picture of a butchered rhino's horn or dead tiger cub blind us to this.

At Survival, we hope that influential conservation patrons like Prince William will start to acknowledge the humanitarian side of conservation, and encourage Indian authorities to respect the rights of tribes.

Lewis Evans is a campaigner at Survival International, the global movement for tribal peoples' rights.
Four years after China established the city of Sansha in the South China Sea's Xisha archipelago, the Global Times reporter landed on Yongxing, the main island. With its untapped tropical resources, the military presence and civilian facilities in China's southernmost city have improved quickly.

Yongxing Island, the largest in the Xisha archipelago, is more than 180 nautical miles from Sanya, South China's Hainan Province. The island serves as the seat of the Sansha city government, which was established in 2012 under the administration of Hainan.

Last Monday evening, a Global Times reporter boarded a ship and set off from Sanya. After 12 hours of high-speed sailing, they arrived on Yongxing the next morning. Right now, only people invited by the government or military can travel to Yongxing.

From the pier, one can see a set of black wooden pegs, where ships can be docked. A few tall coconut trees form a natural protective screen. Some houses sit behind the trees, one of which has a sign hung from its roof, emblazoned with military slogans.

There are also a few pavilions on the pier. Everybody on the island is welcome to rest there without going through checks or carrying ID.

The military camps are also open. There are only guards in front of important departments and all the other facilities are open to the public. Island dwellers can enjoy the medical resources of the military hospital, or see the famous "general forest," which consists of coconut trees planted by the national leaders and generals who have visited the island over the years.

Besides the pier, another facility that's been in the spotlight is the airport. The airport is still under construction, but it's not as strictly guarded as one might think. It's clear the airport is designed for both military and civil purposes.

The convergence can also be seen in its design - because the island lacks fresh water, in order to collect rain water, the runway and aircraft parking space are designed to have a slight slope. After rainwater is collected, the military purifies it and provides it to the residents.

Residents of Yongxing consist of government staff, military troops, policemen, fishermen and construction workers, with tourists dropping by now and then. The island has everything, a government, a commercial bank, a post office, a school, a residential committee, WiFi and even stray dogs. The restaurants have red lanterns hanging by their doors and hammocks stretch between coconut trees.

However, because the small island is far away from the mainland, most daily necessities need to be transported there and can be expensive.

The only school on the island, Yongxing School, proves how small Sansha is. It's the southernmost school in China and was established in 2015. The school has a kindergarten, first grade and third grade classes and 27 students, all of whom are fishermen's children. Li Ruyin is 8 years old and told the Global Times her father owns a barbecue shop and her mother cleans the streets.
Scattered around one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Quiapo district of Manila are hundreds of stalls selling a dizzying assortment of goods advertised as coming from God Himself.

There are ruby-red candles to hex a philandering husband, towels consecrated at the feet of a revered, 400-year-old statue of the Black Nazarene that devotees attest can drive away spirits that bring sickness and ruin, as well as a multitude of roots and leaves said to cure anything from diarrhoea to cancer.

Tucked among this cornucopia of superstition-inspired capitalism are used rum bottles with labels stating plainly what their gooey, acrid contents are for: "pamparegla", to induce menstruation. When taken with a banned anti-ulcer drug, the potent mix can induce miscarriages, even at three months.

That the "abortion capital of Manila" sits under the very nose of the Catholic church says a lot about the population conundrum in the Philippines.

Despite a law that allows the government to give away condoms and birth control pills for free, the population is still growing: 1.7 per cent, or 3.4 million babies, annually. By 2050, about 157 million people will call the Philippines home.

The Catholic church has had a hand in this boom.

Four in five Filipinos are Catholics. The church, using the pulpit and lobbyists, has been sideswiping all government efforts to check population growth through artificial birth control. For the church, the only acceptable way to manage population is by natural means, such as the rhythm method, or by abstaining from sex.

In 2012, after a 15-year slog through Congress, President Benigno Aquino signed the Reproductive Health Law allowing the government to distribute condoms and birth control pills, and provide vasectomy and ligation, for free. It also requires public schools to include sex education in their curricula.

But it took two more years before the law could be implemented. Pro-life groups affiliated with the church challenged it in court, claiming it promotes abortion.

In 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that the government can go ahead and implement the law. Yet, more than a year on, the law is still hopping on one leg.

Lawmakers have gutted it, slashing one billion pesos (C$30 million) off the 3.27 billion pesos requested by the health ministry for this year. That money was supposed to be for the purchase of condoms, birth control pills, intrauterine devices and injectable contraceptives for women who cannot afford them.

Then there are holdouts like the capital Manila, which has 1.6 million people and whose former mayor, Lito Atienza, leads one of the nation's biggest pro-life groups. During his term, in 2000, he banned the city's health centres from distributing birth control pills and providing vasectomy.

His successors have refused to rescind that order, fearing reprisals from the church.

"Policymakers are scared to talk about sex. It's more sexy to talk about infrastructure," said Mr Klaus Beck, the Philippine representative of the United Nations Population Fund.

But it is not just the church telling its flock to "go forth and multiply".

Peer pressure, ignorance and other social factors that fuel risky behaviour among adolescents remain. Poverty continues to unravel family ties as both parents are often compelled to work, with one sometimes working abroad for years.

Over the past 10 years, a new threat has emerged: mobile communication and the Internet.

Four in five Filipino teens have handphones, and some 90 per cent have access to the Internet.

Technology is allowing them to bypass traditional circuit breakers - their parents, adult supervision in schools and their social circles, and the stigma of getting caught.

The result has been more and more boys and girls, some as young as 10, engaging in risky behaviour - binge drinking, casual sex, prostitution, substance abuse - leading to unwanted pregnancies.

A study by the UN Population Fund shows that between 9 and 12 per cent of 15- to 19-year-olds have experienced binge drinking. Female sex workers aged 14 to 17, meanwhile, are more than three times less likely to ask clients to use condoms than adult sex workers, and more likely to use drugs.

It does seem ironic that with all the information they have at their fingertips, today's young people are still largely ignorant about safe sex. Misconceptions remain, like a belief that having sex while standing, or urinating after having sex, will not lead to pregnancy, or that condom use shows insincerity.

Yet, even those who do know safe-sex practices have to jump through hoops to get access. Teens cannot, on their own, buy pills from a drugstore. While they can engage in consensual sex at 12, they will still need parental consent before they can purchase contraceptives.

So, to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy, they go instead to Quiapo or to clandestine abortion clinics where they are as likely to die as they are to have a successful abortion. The maternal mortality rate continues to rise at 221 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Alissa Mae Hernandez, who lives in Victoria town, Laguna province, a two-hour drive from Manila, is 18 and expecting her first child next month.

"I saw the pills that my big sister was using inside the fridge. I wanted to use them, but I didn't know how to. There were numbers on the bottle I didn't understand," she said.

She said she had lessons about reproduction at school, "but there were no details".

Her 17-year-old partner had suggested an abortion, but they had no money and no idea where to go.

"Besides, we'll just be committing a sin to wash away another sin," said Ms Hernandez. "I have regrets, especially when I see girls my age going to school."

She and her partner have stopped going to school and plan to find a job after their baby is born.

"It's going to be difficult, but I see my child as a blessing," she said.

Large families aggravate poverty. Among families with one child, only 2.9 per cent are poor. The figure leaps to 46.4 per cent for households with nine or more children.

Simply put, the Philippine economy is not keeping up with population growth.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times.
Morris Stephenson is The Franklin News-Posts greatest treasure.

For so many years, he has written stories, taken photos and sold advertisements for the newspaper he loves. He also continues to write his popular column, Down the River, about his escapades and (mis)adventures over the years.

Morris recently celebrated his 80th birthday and was presented with the key to the Town of Rocky Mount for his contributions to the community since he moved to Franklin County in 1964.

But perhaps Morris is best known for his knowledge of Franklin Countys most infamous trade  bootlegging. He worked with ABC agents in Franklin County for many years, and still does on occasion, covering raids on stills throughout the county. He has even written a book about moonshining that tells the tale of one night when a friend invited him to work his still for the evening.

After years of asking his contacts to allow him to observe the liquor-making process, Morris was granted the opportunity in the 1980s. Arriving under the veil of night, he assisted with the making, learning through hard work, the craft. This night of making liquor is detailed in his book, A Night of Makin' Likker and Other Stories from the Moonshine Capital of the World, which is available on Amazon.com.

Morris has even consulted with the television crew that shoots The Moonshiners, where his expertise was put to the test by the rowdy and popular Tickle and friend Tim Smith, also of the show. Morris added the two celebrity whiskey makers to the list of contacts he has made over time. Occasionally, he touches base with them.

Some of the most memorable raids Morris has covered took place in recent years. One, which took place in Penhook in 1993, stands out in Morris mind because production took place in a metal building right on the shore of Smith Mountain Lake. Another, in the mountainous community of Providence, featured a fake cemetery that looked real from the air where ABC agents are known to look for moonshining operations. Below, however, were fake headstones and a real pathway leading to a building thought to be part of a cemetery but really used for whiskey-making.

In 1999, Operation Lightning Strike resulted in indictments for 30 people and the arrest of Ralph Hale who ran the Helms Farm Exchange out of a storefront ironically situated next door to the sheriffs office and court house in Rocky Mount. His operation was said to have produced more than 210,000 gallons of moonshine between 1992 and 1999.

So dont miss the Franklin County Moonshine Fest this weekend, where Morris will be sharing his stories and photographs, as well as selling his book. Hes even agreed to play a part in Tales of Honor, Moonshine Stories from the Heart of Franklin County.

Franklin Countys first Moonshine Fest will take place this Friday night and Saturday in downtown Rocky Mount.
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By Erin Schmitt of The Gleaner

Great strides have been made to grow and retain jobs in the region, but Kyndle is aiming for even better returns with its ambitious five-year economic development strategic plan Ignite 2021.

"New jobs and investment don't just happen," said Rick Tappan, the immediate past chairman of Kyndle. "It has to be a coordinated approach."

Kyndle unveiled its $3 million, five-year economic development initiative to attract jobs to Henderson, Union, Webster and McLean counties during an informational meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Henderson Fine Arts Center.

The goal is to raise $3 million in cash and pledge commitments. Ignite 2021 campaign co-chair Scott Davis acknowledged it was a daunting challenge but that he was "extremely confident" the goal would be achieved.

In the past 90 days, 55 investors have raised $2,110,000. Kyndle is 70 percent of the way to its fundraising goal and aims to reach the $3 million mark by May 31.

Davis and Old National Bank Market President Tony Krampe held up a large ceremonial check with the amount raised during the meeting. Old National Bank provided a key contribution to the campaign.

"We feel that Kyndle is the engine for economic growth and development in our community and our region," Krampe said. "Our pledge for this campaign is just another sign of Old National's ongoing commitment to impacting the lives and strengthening the communities and areas that we serve."

"We're going to need the money to lure these new businesses and to operate Kyndle effectively," Dempewolf said.

About five years ago, Northwest Kentucky Forward launched a campaign called Opportunity 2016 to help grow the economy in the region through new capital investment and new and retained measurement.

That five-year campaign, which ends in June, helped create or retain 2,106 jobs and generated more than $224 million in new capital investment.

Kyndle, which was formed from the merger of Northwest Kentucky Forward and the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, created Ignite 2021 to continue the efforts begun by Opportunity 2016.

Ignite 2021 was shaped in part by a feasibility study in which 66 Kyndle stakeholders were asked to give anonymous feedback. The plan was developed from a compilation of those answers.

Kyndle considers metals, logistics, prepared foods and automotive to be the key industry targets.

The Ignite 2021 benchmarks are to: provide assistance to new and expanding communities, resulting in the creation of 1,500 new jobs; and to help facilitate at least $200 million in new capital investment from new and existing industries.

The economic development focus is geared toward new industry recruitment, existing industry expansion and retention, and workforce development.

There are five main strategic objectives for Ignite 2021, each with several goals. The objectives are as follows:

Aggressively market Northwest Kentucky to attract new industries to our region;

Strengthen the existing industry program;

Strengthen workforce development program;

Enhance partnerships and communication among stakeholders, the community and region;

Create a local revolving loan fund/incentive program for new and existing industry.

While the four-county region has its strengths, Tappan said it hasn't been as successful as it should be in some areas to draw in or retain industry. He noted that too often Henderson ends up "the bridesmaid rather than the bride."

Other areas of concern include too many young professionals leaving the region for what they think are greener pastures; the area's dependence on the coal industry; and the per capita income decline in the past 30 years.

Tappan persuaded Davis, Garland Certain and Lin Shannon to become the Ignite 2021 Campaign chairs. Davis is the chairman of Field and Main Bank in Henderson County, Certain is the CEO of United Community Bank in Union County and Shannon is a partner at the Indiana law firm of Fine & Hatfield.

"My firm and I have personally seen the positive impact of job creation, job retention and continued workforce training in this area," said Shannon. "That immense impact in those areas really helps and is offspring of so many things. It helps families in this region, it helps quality of life, communities, organizations, schools and businesses."

He recounted a story relayed to him by the late Henderson County Judge-executive Sandy Watkins that Shannon said epitomizes why a community cannot remain stagnant.

Many years ago Kentucky Legislature was looking at Western Kentucky to establish a new small college. Henderson was considered for the college, but business leaders at the time didn't want the region to change. That college, according to Watkins, became Murray State University.

"We cannot fear change," said Shannon. "We must take action to improve our region together."

The top elected officials for each county, except for Union County Judge-executive Jody Jenkins, who was unable to attend, also made remarks at the meeting.

Building and continuing partnerships between the counties is key to bringing jobs that will benefit the region, said McLean County Judge-executive Kelly Thurman.

"We're always looking for that opportunity to increase the job opportunity for our people and people regionally," Thurman said.

Though the partnership didn't always have a name, the four counties have long worked together to entice new industry to the area. About 20 years ago, the counties worked to bring Hudson Foods, which was subsequently bought by Tyson foods, to the area, said Webster County Judge-executive Jim Townsend.

"The only way that I see that any of us are large enough to do what we would like to do in industry is to join together," said Townsend.

Former Kyndle CEO and newly appointed Henderson County Judge-executive Brad Schneider credited his late predecessor Hugh McCormick for being a true champion and strong supporter of Kyndle. He also touted the agency's staff.

"When I had the rather unfortunate but important opportunity to take over as Judge-executive I could not have left (Kyndle) in better shape, I don't think, with that team and the support of people like you," he said.

Henderson Mayor Steve Austin spoke of opportunities for local prosperity and how heavily they depend on economic development.

"When I-69 is complete between Memphis and Indianapolis, we are going to be sitting right dead center to millions of people and tens of thousands of businesses and industries that are going to depend on transportation and shipping over that north-south corridor," he said. "We need to take advantage of all that."

Economic development is competitive, but Kyndle's five-year plan is an "opportunity to get in the ballgame," he said.

"We have some needs," Austin said. "We know where they are. We know the goals we want to reach and you can make it happen."

Tommy Dempewolf, president of Dempewolf Ford, was one of the first investors in the effort. He is also serving as a platinum division chair.

He urged those gathered in the room to reach out to any business associates they know who would have even a remote interest in investing in the prosperity of the region. He also requested those business associates be put in touch with campaign director Lawrence McKinney or campaign coordinator Elizabeth Hennen.
Kentucky Governor-elect Matt Bevin answers a question during a press conference in the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda, Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, in Frankfort, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

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By Adam Beam, Associated Press

FRANKFORT, Ky.  Republican Gov. Matt Bevin released more than $23 million in state tax dollars to public colleges and universities one day before the Democratic Attorney General planned to take him to court over his authority to cut spending without legislative approval.

Last month, Bevin cut state spending by $41 million for colleges and universities through June 30. He wants to begin saving that money to pay down the state's massive pension debt, estimated at more than $30 billion. Tuesday, he revised that reduction to $17.8 million for most public colleges and universities. He completely restored funding to Kentucky State University.

The revised spending cuts amount to 2 percent of what the state legislature sends to public colleges and universities every year. The total budgets for public colleges and universities, which also include tuition, fees and federal dollars, is more than $6.6 billion, not including Kentucky State University. The spending cuts Bevin ordered amount to less than half of 1 percent of the institutions' total budgets.

But most of that money is restricted, meaning colleges and universities can only spend it on certain things. College presidents say that's why it is difficult to compensate for any cuts in state spending.

The state legislature did not include Bevin's mid-year spending cuts in the two-year operating budget it approved last week. But Bevin ordered the spending cuts anyway. Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear sued him, arguing that the cuts were illegal. A hearing on the case is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.

On Wednesday, Beshear said he was pleased that "the pressure of our lawsuit" had convinced Bevin to reduce the spending cuts. However, he said "the governor's unilateral cuts are still illegal."

"The constitution does not allow such power in order to protect our liberty," he said.

Bevin spokeswoman Jessica Ditto said Bevin revised the cuts as a result "of a compromise agreement between the governor, legislative leadership and university presidents."

"This frivolous lawsuit has no bearing on the governor's decision to uphold that agreement," Ditto said.

College and university presidents wrote a letter to Bevin saying they agreed to the 2 percent cuts "if it is determined by the courts to be permissible."

In court filings, Beshear said Bevin ordered the cuts "by executive fiat" and argued it was his job to force Bevin to uphold the law.

"If this directive were left to stand, Governor Bevin could and would repeat the behavior," Beshear argued in court documents. "Under his theory, he could sign a budget bill into law on one day, yet decide to withhold funds from any expenditure he disliked the very next day."

Bevin, through his attorneys, has asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit. He said Beshear, "in his headlong rush to sue the governor," has sued too early. Bevin's attorney Stephen Pitt said Bevin could restore the cuts at any time between now and June 30, using the most recent reduction as an example.

Pitt also argued that the legislature's job is to appropriate money, and the governor's job is to spend the money. There is no state law declaring Bevin must spend all of the money, he said.

"(Beshear) would tell all executive branch agencies that they must find some way to get rid of every penny appropriated to them, whether they pile it up in a field and set it on fire or spend it on needless trinkets," Pitt wrote. "This is obviously not the law. Nor should it be."
China on Tuesday once again rejected US concerns over a military aircraft sent by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) for the evacuation of sick workers from Nansha Islands, stressing indisputable sovereignty rights over the islands and its neighboring waters that the US has no right to comment on.

Serving the people whole-heartedly is the mission of the PLA and rescuing the people in danger is a fine tradition of the PLA, China's defense ministry said on Tuesday, referring to a rescue mission on Sunday where a military aircraft patrolling over the South China Sea received orders to evacuate three seriously ill workers at a construction site on Yongshu Reef.

CNN quoted Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis as saying it was unclear why China had used a military aircraft rather than a civilian one in the landing, Reuters reported.

The defense ministry also expressed doubt s whether the US military would stand aloof if US citizens fell suddenly ill on US soil.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying also said China was "baffled" by Pentagon's remarks.

"The participation of military planes in disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and evacuating civilians is a common practice around the world ... On Chinese soil, Chinese military planes and personnel will show up whenever they are needed," Hua said at a Tuesday press conference.

China began to reclaim land on Yongshu Reef in August 2014. The US has repeatedly criticized construction on the islands, and has expressed concern that China plans to use them for military purposes.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the US has no right to point fingers at China's building activity and defensive facilities there, the defense ministry stressed.

Hua questioned why the US sends military ships and planes, instead of civilian ones, to what they described as efforts to maintain freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, while urging the US to take real actions to safeguard peace and stability on the sea.
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By Laura Acchiardo, laura.acchiardo@thegleaner.com

A new committee plans to tackle Henderson's business image.

Brian Bishop, executive director of the Planning Commission, gave a presentation on the Scope Steering Committee's project at Henderson Fiscal Court's meeting Tuesday morning.

In March, a branding agency hired by Henderson County Tourism Commission for its Henderson Branding Project found Henderson is not perceived as business friendly.

The Scope Steering Committee was appointed by the Henderson City-County Planning Commission to compile reasons why Henderson is not seen as business friendly and to screen outside consultants to analyze Henderson's business image and development regulations. Their first meeting was April 14.

"Some of the comments that came out of the branding survey were from business people outside our community," said Judge-executive Brad Schneider, who serves on the steering committee. "The effort to improve the way regulatory agencies work with businesses in our community has been a focus for the last seven or eight years. This is a worthwhile endeavor."

To address the issue the committee will use a two-pronged approach, coming from both a public relations and development standpoint.

"We contacted the Kentucky League of Cities to see if there was anything we could use to base our study off of," said Bishop. "They have never done that, so we hope to be plowing new ground."

The project will be funded via excess revenue from the Planning Commission budget. The city and county of Henderson will be responsible for equal shares.

The committee wants the consultant to compare Henderson's permit and zoning procedures with cities in Kentucky of similar size, polling both business owners and consumers. To field different consultants, Bishop as well as Planning Commission Assistant Director Claudia Wayne and Assistant City Manager Buzzy Newman will draft a request for proposal (RFP), present it to the steering committee and the planning commission, and then send it to several PR firms.

In other business:

Ambulance Service Contract: Fiscal Court approved a three-year ambulance service contract with Methodist Hospital.

Previously the city and county split the deficit 50/50, but under the new contract, Methodist will contribute 25 percent, while the city and county will each cover 37.5 percent. Rates are to be approved annually.

The city approved the contract at their meeting on April 12. Methodist Hospital will also need to approve the contract before it is implemented.

Drew Reid Day: For his Eagle Scout project, Drew Reid planted 843 trees at Sandy Lee Watkins Park. According to County Engineer Bill Hubiak, the county was able to facilitate a $10,000 grant from Louisville Gas and Electric Company to plant more trees at the park thanks to Reid's project.

"It was because of his efforts that we were able to utilize the information to get that grant for additional planting," said Hubiak.

In honor of his service to Henderson, Fiscal Court declared April 19 Drew Reid Day.

Gradall Lease: Fiscal Court approved the purchase of a 2016 Gradall for the Henderson County Highway Department. The 2016 Gradall is to replace two older Gradalls from 1998 and 2005, which will be traded in for $7,000 and $41,556. With the trade-ins, the new machine will cost $260,000. It will be paid off over a period of 24 months.

WARM Grant: Fiscal court approved the Women's Addiction Recovery Manor's application for a Community Development Block Grant. The grant is through the Recovery Kentucky Program and will be used for staff salaries and large purchases.
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By Beth Smith of The Gleaner

Pensions funds, I-69 funding and more financial transparency were among the topics Tuesday as state legislators came together for "Coffee with Kyndle: A Legislative Review Breakfast."

Panel participants included senators Dorsey Ridley and Joe Bowen, and representatives Jim Gooch Jr., Suzanne Miles and David Watkins.

"It was an interesting session," said Ridley, who represents Henderson, Union, Webster, Livingston, Crittenden and Caldwell counties. "I told you back in January, there were two issues (the assembly) needed to address  to pass a biennial budget, which we did, and we had a true issue with the pensions ... We put $1.2 billion into our pension systems ... that's a first time ever."

Other good news, he said: "Our revenue stream is growing, and that's a good thing. That's what we will use to pay the pensions in the future. Revenue has increased by 10.1 percent over last year."

"The I-69 (bridge) corridor is alive and well, and the road plan we put before Gov. Matt Bevin is better than I ever dreamed," Ridley explained. "Simply because in 2016, we have $2.8 million for the environment survey; in 2017, we have $6 million for the design phase; then in 2018, there's $20 million for right of way acquisition; and in 2019 there's money to do the utility moving. These are all things that have to happen before we turn the first spade of dirt ... I do have to give Gov. Bevin credit because he pushed the original environmental piece forward, and the rest of it came rapidly."

Bowen, who represents District 8's Daviess, Hancock and McLean counties, acknowledged that he doesn't directly represent most of those attending the legislative review, but still backs bills which affect this region and all Kentucky residents  one of which involves more transparency with the pension funds.

Bowen said if he's disappointed with anything regarding this session, it's that Senate Bill 2, which he sponsored, "didn't make it out of the process."

"It simply said if we're going to appropriate this amount of money for the pensions, shouldn't we ask for more transparency for the systems we are funding?" he said. "It's a common sense bill. What I mean by more transparency is that we are privy to the information they have and the decisions they are making, who are they investing with, why they are investing with that company and what the fees are. So it's not unreasonable. It's (information) taxpayers deserve."

"The bill didn't make it," Bowen said, but added he plans to try again.

Miles, who represents Henderson, Union and Daviess counties, also expressed disappointment that Senate Bill 2 failed.

"I was equally disappointed that Senate Bill 2 didn't pass the House. I think that's one of the most responsible opportunities that we have to find out why our pension funds are where they are and making sure this never happens again. I'm hopeful that next time around we can have more transparency," she said.

"A lot of people come to us wanting money but they don't really want to tell a lot of the details of the how and why and things like that," Miles said.

"What I'm most proud of is in the transportation budget ... we are going to fix the section of U.S. 60 that floods," she said. "That might seem menial to some of you, but to you all who drive that road and every time it rains it shuts down, that was a huge project for me, and we got the money to fix it."

Gooch said he understands that no one likes cuts to a budget and it took quite a bit of effort on both sides to reach a compromise.

"Nobody wants to make cuts, but the (state) pension was something that had to be addressed," he said. "The cuts which occurred now had to happen or much larger cuts would occur down the road ... It was the responsible thing to do in this budget."

Watkins, who was last to speak, said, "I was excited about the budget ... It's not a perfect budget ... but a good one. It's a good one for our community colleges. I'm a community college graduate myself, and if you talk about workforce development, I can't think of a better organization for workforce development than community colleges. We have money (in the budget) to pay for two years of community college education, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Gov. Bevin won't veto that."
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By Lewis W. Diuguid, The Kansas City Star (TNS)

The Russians must have thought they were on a 1950s-1960s set of a Cold War movie being filmed about the building political tensions between two superpowers.

Instead of a film, what happened last Monday and Tuesday in the Baltic Sea was only too real. Russian Su-24 attack planes buzzed the USS Donald Cook multiple times getting as close as 30 feet to the Navy destroyer.

The Russian jets appeared unarmed on Tuesday, but the commander of the USS Donald Cook said the planes flew a simulated attack profile, The Associated Press reports.

The Russians have ceased their brutal bombing raids in Syria in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces in that country's civil war. The U.S. military, which is still conducting airstrikes in Syria, often found its support of the rebels and against the Islamic State at odds with the Russian mission.

The Navy destroyer's commander called the Russian pilots' actions unsafe and unprofessional. That's probably the nicest way to characterize it and certainly is stating the obvious.

The Russians certainly are upset with the United States still over sanctions after Russia annexed Crimea and Russia's military involvement in eastern Ukraine.

The concern among U.S. and Europe leaders continues to be over Russia's exercise its political muscle under President Vladimir Putin.

In a four-hour, annual call-in show today with questions from Russians, ranging from personal matters to foreign policy, Putin said the U.S. must drop its "imperial ambitions" and consider Russia an equal partner.

USA Today reported that Putin also said: "America is not the problem we face, we need to deal with domestic problems first, roads, education, economic development. If we do that, America will not be the issue. Because we will feel strong enough and we will be proud of our country."

The U.S. and European Union economic sanctions have hurt the communist nation. The glut of crud oil on the world market depressing prices also has negatively affected Russia's economy.

On the incidents in the Baltic Sea, U.S. officials planned to address the concern through diplomatic channels. The USS Cook reported Russian Su-24 planes making 20 close swipes over the ship on Monday.

On Tuesday a Russian KA-26 submarine-hunting helicopter circled the U.S. destroyer seven times at a low altitude to take photos. Afterward, a couple more Su-24 planes appeared to buzz the Cook 11 times.

It's good that the U.S. forces on the Cook kept their cool and didn't respond in a way that would have made that bad situation worse.

Lewis W. Diuguid is a member of The Kansas City Star's Editorial Board.
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President Obama's standing in the eyes of the American people has recovered after a three-year slump  and that's good news for Hillary Clinton.

Obama's job approval rating  the percentage of voters who say he's doing a decent job  has reached an average of about 50 percent over the last two months.

A 50-50 split may not look like a historic achievement, but it's a better number than Obama has seen since 2013. And it's not a mirage; the president's standing has been on a gradual upswing for the last four months.

That's been enough to make Obama aides throw their hats in the air, figuratively speaking. "Five points makes a huge difference," one of them told me last week.

Politicians routinely pretend that they don't pay attention to the polls, but there's no question Obama pays attention to his. During his years in the polling wilderness, he often sounded frustrated that he wasn't getting credit for his accomplishments.

Now, though, Obama sounds more confident that he might be able to end his presidency on a high note. "I feel greatly encouraged," he told Democrats in Texas last month. "I think when people step back and get some perspective, they'll say we did good."

And he sounds eager to campaign for a Democratic successor "who can continue the legacy that we built"  especially if it's Hillary Clinton, who has embraced his record more fervently than Bernie Sanders.

A popular president, even one on the way out, is naturally a bigger asset to his party than an unpopular one. Alan Abramowitz of Emory University has found that when a two-term president leaves office, his party is likely to win the next election if his job approval is over 50 percent, but lose if the number is below 50 percent.

But there's a quirk inside Obama's improved poll numbers.

The president and his aides would like to think his standing has improved mostly because Americans have finally recognized that the economy is on the upswing, and acknowledge the president's role in making that happen. But most of the available evidence doesn't support that theory. The Gallup Poll's economic confidence index, a measure of how Americans feel about the economy, is the same now as it was late last year, when the president was less popular.

"There's no clear correlation with presidential approval," Democratic pollster Mark Mellman noted.

Instead, Obama's numbers appear to have gone up in large part because the Republican campaign  in particular, GOP front-runner Donald Trump  have reminded many voters why they chose Obama in the first place.

The public image of the Republican Party has fallen as the president's has risen. During the last three months, the CNN-ORC poll found that the share of voters with an unfavorable view of the GOP swelled from 50 percent to 61 percent.

In the same period, Trump impressed increasing numbers of American voters  in the wrong direction. In the CNN-ORC poll, 67 percent of adults said they had an unfavorable impression of the real estate magnate, the highest negative rating ever recorded for a major party's presidential candidate.

The Trump hypothesis is bolstered by other surveys showing that much of Obama's increased support has come from younger voters and Latinos, two groups that have reacted strongly against the Republican front-runner. Both groups are strongly opposed to more restrictive immigration policies, Trump's signature issue.

Obama has tried quite bluntly to capitalize on the vulnerabilities of the GOP field as he has tuned up his message for the fall campaign.

"I actually think that Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have done us a favor," he said at a Democratic fundraising event in San Francisco on April 9.

The favor, he explained in Los Angeles, "is laying bare, unvarnished, some of the nonsense that we've been dealing with in Congress on a daily basis. People act as if these folks are outliers. But they're not.  We should thank Mr. Trump and Mr. Cruz for just being honest."

That's a partisan argument, of course, aimed at rallying Democrats around their president and, eventually, their new nominee.

But that's what a presidential campaign is mostly about: making sure a party's voters "come home" and vote for their side  or against the other side, which is just as effective. That's pretty much what Obama did in 2012, when he succeeded in painting Mitt Romney as a heartless plutocrat.

Obama's standing is still fragile.

He and his aides would feel better if he were over the 50 percent mark. They know that an economic reversal (which they consider unlikely) or a terrorist attack (entirely possible) could blow a hole in his job approval.

But for the moment, their prospects for securing the Obama legacy with a third Democratic term have been improved  thanks to the unlikely assistance of Donald Trump.
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NORWALK, Conn.  Xerox is paying $123 million to the California Department of Health Care Services, after scrapping the companys design efforts for a new Medicaid management information system.

In January, Xerox CEO Ursula Burns told investors the California contract termination was our decision  to reduce our financial risk in her words. Xerox is also ending a Medicaid contract in Montana.
NORWALK  About 30 Westport high school students, among three groups that traveled to Ecuador on Builders Beyond Borders service missions when a devastating earthquake struck over the weekend, are "completely safe, an official of the Norwalk-based group said Monday.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that devastated part of the South American nation Saturday night left approximately 443 people dead and injured more than 2,500, a toll that is still rising.

Amy Schroeder-Riggio, executive director of Builders Beyond Borders, said five Staples High School students were in its C-4 and Estrellon teams. Both of those groups flew into Quito, the capital of Ecuador, on April 9 for their respective service trips. Builders Without Borders organizes missions to developing countries where students, usually on school vacation breaks, work with residents of the host community to repair or build facilities such as schools, clinics or infrastructure like aqueducts.

Both groups left Quito for the return trip to the United States "late afternoon, early evening" Saturday and arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York at around 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Schroeder-Riggio said.

Rock-It!, a third Builders Without Borders group with 25 Staples students and other area teens, remains in Ecuador and is building a school in El Tambo Canton, a town of about 10,000 residents on the Pan-American Highway. They arrived at the airport in Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador, about 10 a.m. Saturday and stopped for lunch outside Guayaquil about 1 p.m. About six hours later, they arrived at El Tambo Canton, a journey of about 100 miles.

The Rock-It! team plans to leave Guayaquil on Saturday morning and is expected to arrive back at JFK Airport on Sunday morning, according to Schroeder-Riggio. If the group cannot fly out of Guayaquil, the backup plan is to depart from the airport in Cuenca, Schroeder-Riggio said.

Schroeder-Riggio, who usually accompanies the students on their trips, on Monday said that she planned to travel to Ecuador the next day, flying to Guayaquil and arriving in El Tambo Canton by Wednesday.

"The parents were obviously concerned to know that their children were safe and everyone was fine. Normal parent questions," Shroeder-Riggio said of parents communications with Builders Beyond Borders. "We reached out to all the parents with phone messages and we followed up with multiple emails  were nothing if not over-commmunicators. The parents were kept in the loop of everything."

The Rock-It! group has volunteer adults accompanying the students  there are two international phones that the adults use to call Schroeder-Riggio. She said that she speaks every day with one of the adults on the mission.

"They are not aware of the extent of the damage from the earthquake," Schroeder-Riggio said of students in El Tambo Canton. "They dont know the seriousness of the earthquake. Theyre really focused on what theyre doing, theyre in a really cool indigenous community  when they are away they are unplugged.

However, they have been informed there was an earthquake in the northern part of Ecuador and that lives were lost and buildings crumbled," she added.

The Builders Beyond Borders groups on their spring trips to Ecuador worked on building schools and a medical center.

The epicenter of the earthquake was just south of Muisne, a northern coastal town. El Tambo Canton, where the Rock It! team is working, is about 400 miles south of the epicenter.

According to CNN, Ricardo Penaherrera of Ecuador's national emergency management office, said in the area hit hardest the earthquake, "The lack of water and communication remains a big problem ... Many highways are in bad shape, especially in the mountainous area because it has been raining recently due to (the) El Nino weather phenomenon."

A CNN report shows video from a store in Guayaquil where kitchen utensils were swinging back and forth as some items tumbled off shelves from quake after-shocks.

CNN also reported eyewitness accounts from Guayaquil: "It was the worst experience of my life," survivor Jose Meregildo said Sunday about tremors that violently shook his house in Guayaquil, 300 miles away from the quake's epicenter. "Everybody in my neighborhood was screaming, saying it was going to be the end of the world."

Some of Ecuadors coastal provinces remain under states of emergency, CNN reported.
Thousands of protesters rally outside the Capitol Hill in the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C., chanting slogans such as "one person, one vote," and "justice," while carrying banners and placards that read "If money is speech, then speech ain't free" on April 18, 2016. (Photo/CNS)

Public dissatisfied with elites, trust eroding

The recent Democracy Spring protests, which saw a record number of people arrested on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, not only adds to the drama of the US elections but also shows the public's growing disappointment in US politics, which continues to lose its cohesion and becomes more fragmented in the hands of interest groups, analysts said.

According to the website of Democracy Spring, which organized the protests, by Monday, over 1,300 people had been arrested on the steps of the US Congress protesting against the influence of big money in US politics.

The demonstrators were charged under the DC Code prohibiting "crowding, obstructing, or incommoding," said a police statement.

The demonstrators were later released.

The protest is yet another event in the chaotic nomination contest, which has seen the rise of two nontraditional politicians - Republican candidate Donald Trump, who was a complete outsider with no political experience prior to entering the elections, and Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, who calls himself a "Democratic socialist," raising a lot of eyebrows among conservatives.

"You can clearly see there is a change in the political spectrum," Zhou Qi, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"There is a return of populism in the US. The middle to lower class constituents are unhappy with how a lot of society's problems have remained unsolved for years. They are seeking a change and Trump and Sanders each represent a different direction," he said.

Trump has previously advocated a ban on all Muslims from traveling to the US and building a wall on the border with Mexico to fend off all illegal immigrants. He also vowed to bring jobs back from China.

Sanders, for his part, wants to take on what he calls the "greedy" and "fraudulent" Wall Street and break up big banks.

"A core issue is that the US public has grown dissatisfied with traditional political elites and the trust continues to erode," Ni Feng, deputy director of the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

Ni believes that the new US administration, regardless of who the president may be, will have to invest a considerable amount of resources to address its domestic woes as reflected in the current contests.
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The Chinese military announced Sunday that a naval patrol aircraft had landed on Yongshu Jiao, part of the Nansha Islands, to pick up three sick construction workers on Sunday morning. They were brought to Sanya in Hainan Province for further treatment. The Pentagon reacted sensitively to the news. In a statement, a Pentagon spokesperson said "it is unclear why the Chinese used a military aircraft, as opposed to a civilian one."

It is noteworthy that the US is the first country to openly oppose China conducting a humanitarian mission using military aircraft on Yongshu Jiao. It proves the direct intervention of the US and the US-China competition in the South China Sea that it provoked are becoming major contradictions in the region. Territorial disputes have been turned into excuses by the US to reinforce containment of China.

The US is busy strengthening its military presence surrounding the South China Sea. Philip Goldberg, US ambassador to the Philippines, announced Monday that Washington would supply Manila with $42 million worth of sensors, radar and communications equipment. A few days ago, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter inspected five military bases in the Philippines that the US re-opened, three of which are close to the nine-dash line.

Meanwhile, Washington is solidifying its alliance against China in the region. The Pentagon, with all these provocations, has the nerve to examine the "military meaning" of China's evacuation of the sick.

China announced earlier that it will not militarize the constructed islands in Nansha, but it has never pledged not to use military aircraft, which are needed to defend China's soil. Washington's intensifying military presence in the South China Sea is heightening the need to deploy defensive weapons to the islands concerned. Washington is clear about Beijing's prudence and restraint in its maritime strategies. China's maritime activities are in accordance with its national interests and growth. China has no ambition to challenge US hegemony, nor has it used its strength to pressure its neighboring countries in face of frictions.

In the 20th century, the US faced direct strategic challenges from Japan and the Soviet Union, both of which started to confront Washington when their economies lagged far behind the US. The US is aware of real militarization. Washington should respect China's rise. The rise has profoundly changed the power grid of East Asia and will unavoidably be reflected in the regional order. The time that the US can accept this will perhaps be the turning point when strategic risks in Asia can be peacefully eliminated.
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta, Indonesia  Thu, April 21, 2016

Financially disadvantaged villagers living in rural areas are highly susceptible to diarrhea and other waterborn diseases because their well or spring water is not properly treated or the boiled water is stored in dirty pots and pans.

In Donomulyo sub-district, Malang, East Java, for instance, water sourced from the ground, rivers and the mountain springs is often murky, and also contains high levels of bacteria. Boiling the water does not make dirty water clear and if water is boiled for less than 3 minutes not all bacteria are killed.

Because the water is unsafe to drink, we educate local people about the importance of treating the water. Using a Nazava water filter is one of the solutions to the communitys health problems, said Ipung Dyah Kurniasasi, 38, an environmental health department sanitarian at the Donomulyo community health center (Puskesmas), who coordinates the sale of the Nazava water filters in Donomulyo.

For most villagers, drinking filtered water is a new experience and therefore, extra effort is needed to change their long and established drinking habits.

In every community event in which I educate people on safe water consumption, I always show samples of laboratory tested water to the people to make them aware of the difference between treated and untreated water, she said.

She said that it has worked effectively when it came to raising awareness about the importance of consuming safe drinking water.

Donomulyo sub-district covers 10 villages, some of which are difficult to reach because of the mountainous area they are located in.

I conduct counseling once a month from one village to another. My sub-coordinators totaling 9 ladies also conduct counseling in targeted villages, she said.

In her village meetings, she always includes the issue of safe drinking water while speaking about in the first 1000 days of life movement  which is a national campaign.

The bacteria in untreated water can cause diarrhea, one of the major causes of child mortality, she said.

My main task as is to increase peoples understanding of health, she said.

To make sure that even poor farmers can have access to safe drinking water, the Nazava water filter can be paid in 10 installments of Rp 20,500 (1.5USD)

The prices vary, depending on the storage size, ranging from Rp 205,000 to Rp 610,000. The 16 liter-water filter priced at Rp 590,000 is the most popular one, she said.

The mother of two started to sell water filters in February 2015 and to date, about 400 families have purchased the product. My target is to educate as many families as possible, she pointed out.

Her goal is to change the behavior of people in relation to water consumption. Changing peoples behavior in this regard is a long process that needs our patience and persistence, she noted.

But she was pleased to learn that the number of cases of diarrhea has reduced since more people consume filtered water.

Meanwhile, water-related problems in Tumpang sub-district, also in Malang, covering 15 villages, vary from village to village. There is village where a livestock chicken venture has emerged, leaving the water heavily contaminated with E.coli bacteria, while there is also another relatively-densely populated village with shallow wells close to houses.

A research by Malang health office on the water condition in 8 villages in the sub-district in 2015 shows that seven of the targeted villages are contaminated with E.coli bacteria.

Most of the ground water sources are located less than 10 meter from a septic pit, the minimum required distance for the ground water sources, said Yekti Indriati, 31, a sanitarian at the Tumpang Puskesmas, who is also engaged in coordinating and reselling Nazava water filters.

She said that in every counseling session, she always starts with explaining the crucial issue of the first 1,000 days of a childs life. Clean water plays a vital role in a childs growth. Filtered water is not only bacteria free but also contains minerals that our body needs, she said.

Yekti shared Ipungs view that reselling water filters to the community needs patience because most people are unaccustomed to drinking filtered water.

Despite explaining that consuming unfiltered water posed a threat to their health, it took some time for them to be aware of it and change their mindset. When first introduced last year, many had doubts about drinking filtered water without boiling it first, she said.

But after several months of the program running, more villagers have begun to realize the benefit of owning water filters with a water storage. In every meeting, held irregularly, an average four filters are purchased and as of early April, she has sold 165 units.

Consuming filtered water makes consumers healthy because the water is free of bacteria and they can drink it without boiling it first, which means saving money on wood or gas, which they commonly use as fuel, according to Yekti.

The most important thing is that I can assist people in accessing clean and safe drinking water at a price they can easily afford, she concluded.
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Linkedin (China Daily/Asia News Network)  Wed, April 20, 2016

The British royal family is looking for a 50,000 (US$72,000) per year social media specialist to run The Queen's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

"Whether you're covering a state visit, award ceremony or royal engagement, you'll make sure our digital channels consistently spark interest and reach a range of audiences," said the job specification for "the Head of Digital Engagement".

The advert perhaps did not come as a surprise to many, as Queen Elizabeth II, who turns 90 on Thursday, is known as a social media-savvy senior citizen.

She sent her first tweet in 2014 and her majesty's own website was launched as early as 1997.

Earlier this month, The Queen backed a major upgrade of the Buckingham Palace official website, with more emphasis on social media.

The British Monarchy Twitter account already has over 2 million followers, Kensington Palace has 628,000 on Twitter and Clarence House has over 500,000 on Twitter.

But the job advert says "it's about never standing still and finding new ways to maintain The Queen's presence in the public eye and on the world stage. This is what makes working for the Royal Household exceptional".

The person who gets the job must have experience "managing high profile websites" and be "comfortable developing strategy and managing wide-reaching projects".

As for the benefits package, there will be "a 15% employer contribution pension scheme and 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays."
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Linkedin (Associated Press) New York, United States  Wed, April 20, 2016

Designers Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli are leaving Calvin Klein as part of what the company describes as a global creative strategy to unify all of its brands under one vision.

Costa has been at the New York fashion house for more than a decade and became the women's creative director in 2003. Zucchelli became the men's creative director a year later.

In a company release Tuesday, Calvin Klein, owned by PVH Corp., said the new strategy "comes as part of a global revolution in the direction of the Calvin Klein brand." That began with the reacquisition of its jeans and underwear business in 2013 with its purchase of Warnaco Group. The parent company aims to develop a $10 billion global retail sales business.

There was no immediate word on how the designers will be replaced.

"This creative strategy marks the beginning of another significant chapter in Calvin Klein's brand legacy since Mr. Klein's retirement," Steve Shiffman, CEO of Calvin Klein, said in a statement.

The Calvin Klein empire spans women's dresses and suits, jeans wear, underwear, handbags and home furnishings.

PVH also owns the Tommy Hilfiger brand, Van Heusen, Izod, Arrow and Speedo.
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Linkedin (Associated Press) London  Wed, April 20, 2016

Princes William and Harry battled with lightsabers and hugged a Wookie Tuesday during a visit to the set of the next "Star Wars" movie.

The royals were given a tour of the set at Pinewood Studios near London by British actress Daisy Ridley, who plays heroine Rey in the sci-fi reboot.

Britain's Prince Harry sits in an A-wing fighter as he talks with US actor Mark Hamill during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west London, Tuesday April 19, 2016. (AP/Adrian Dennis)

The brothers met director Rian Johnson and cast members including London-born John Boyega, who plays Finn, and Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker. They also dueled with lightsabers, saw roly-poly robot BB-8 and met 7 foot 6 inch (2.3 meter) Chewbacca, who gave the princes a furry hug.

Britain's Prince William, gets a hug from the Star Wars character Chewbacca during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London on Tuesday April 19, 2016.(AP/Adrian Dennis)

Prince William is president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and Kensington Palace said Tuesday's visit was intended to salute the British creative talent involved in the "Star Wars" films, which have used U.K.-based studios, actors, craftspeople and technicians since the 1970s.

Britain's Prince William looks at BB-8 droid during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west London, Tuesday April 19, 2016.(AP/Adrian Dennis)

The seventh instalment in the series, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," was released last year. Episode eight, whose title has not been released, is due for release in 2017.
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

Google Chrome users can now expect a more seamless mobile experience following the browser's latest updates, which have been based on user feedback.

"In Indonesia and India, people use mobile devices in a different way to those living in the US. They're particularly concerned about data usage and thus frequently turn it on and off," Google Chrome product management director Rahul Roy-chowdhury told a press conference on Wednesday.

Chrome's new features reportedly included faster webpage loading and push notifications even over poor internet connections.

Roy-chowdhury added that users in both India and Indonesia were in fact cutting-edge in terms of mobile devices, which sometimes serve as their sole gadget for accessing the internet.

"Many of the [changes] that were inspired by users in Indonesia and India have started to be applied elsewhere," he said.

Google has also optimized its "smart image replacement", which will cut out some images on the web that are not important for navigation; a feature that is said to conserve data usage by up to 70 percent. Google even claimed it could save users about 2GB per month.

"Many web designers don't care about data usage. Take a fast food website, for example. They put a burger image for navigation, but an additional image needs additional data. By cutting these images, we can save data usage [for users]," said Roy-chowdhury.

Separately, due to a security update, Google will no longer support older operating systems.

"For operating systems like Windows XP, Microsoft doesn't provide security updates anymore, so we have difficulty implementing our update. However, the old version of Chrome will still work," he added. (kes)
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Linkedin Bradley Klapper (Associated Press) Yaounde, Cameroon  Wed, April 20, 2016

Some 2,000 illegally trafficked elephant tusks and hundreds of finished ivory products erupted in a ball of fire Tuesday as Cameroonian authorities conducted what was believed to be one of the largest burnings of poached wildlife goods in African history.

Setting the pyre aflame in a sandy square in Cameroon's capital, Samantha Power, America's UN ambassador, joined Cameroonian officials in hailing the ceremony as symbolic of their commitment to win the war against illegal smuggling of animal products.

Central Africa's forest elephants have declined in number by two-thirds between 2002 and 2012.

"All of our countries can and must do more," Power said. The burning sends a clear message, she added, that "the only place ivory belongs and the only value ivory has is on elephants."

The heap included ivory chess boards, beads, totem poles and even miniature elephant sculptures, all intermixed with the raw tusks. Cameroonian officials said the pile totaled 3.5 tons of tusk alone, though that figure couldn't be verified. What's certain is the merchandise was worth millions of dollars. The pyre will burn for three days.

Philip Ngole Ngwese, Cameroon's minister of forestry and wildlife, said the seized tusks and ivory, much of which originated abroad, were now "beyond reach." He also described the human costs of poaching, mourning several guides and park rangers who have been killed in recent years.

Cameroon's biggest city, Douala, is a port through which much of the region's trafficked goods transit overseas.

Power, on a weeklong trip to promote the battle against the Muslim extremist group Boko Haram, also met President Paul Biya and other senior Cameroonian officials. She announced US$40 million in new US humanitarian aid to the region.

The United States has some 200 special operations forces in Cameroon advising and assisting African troops in the fight. Power, making the first trip to the country by a US Cabinet member in a quarter-century, stressed the need for Cameroonian soldiers to exercise restraint amid reports they've sometimes targeted civilians.

"Any fight against terrorism has to be comprehensive," she said, echoing remarks she made in Cameroon's embattled north on Monday. Political inclusiveness, good governance, economic development and combatting extremism at the grassroots level, she said, "are every bit as critical as one's military campaign itself."

Smoke billowed from the pyre as the ivory tusks turned black and statuettes smoldered.

Ivory-burning ceremonies aren't a gesture universally appreciated - even in Cameroon. Some wonder why the valuable tusks aren't reused in some capacity, given the elephants are already dead.

Echoing such sentiments, one local journalist asked Power why the tusks aren't preserved in museums for future generations that may never see elephants.

"I don't want to think about contingency plans for if elephants are eliminated from the wild," Power said.

The event and Power's participation underscored the Obama administration's effort to prioritize the fight against wildlife trafficking. In doing so, it is trying to break a multibillion-dollar criminal industry that officials say sometimes interweaves with drug trafficking and even terrorist enterprises. The US held its own ivory crushes in 2013 and 2015.

In March, a US task force said a "turning point" had been reached in the global endeavor to strengthen enforcement, reduce demand and expand international cooperation. But much ultimately depends on China cracking down, because its citizens are driving global demand.

As a port of exit, Cameroon plays a major role in snuffing out ivory smuggling from Central Africa, where several countries are struggling to assert control over their own territory, and national parks are often poorly protected. Cameroon, too, has suffered from poaching.

Four years ago, armed poaching gangs from Sudan massacred more than half of the elephants in the Bouba Njida National Park in northern Cameroon. The raids highlighted the vulnerability of elephants even in stable African countries. Biya, who is 83, has ruled Cameroon for more than 30 years.
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Linkedin Erika Anindita Dewi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

The authority for law enforcement institutions to intercept telephone conversations through wiretapping should be regulated by a comprehensive law on the issue, a minister has said.

Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara said on Tuesday that there was no comprehensive regulation on wiretapping. Instead, the issue was dealt with in a number of laws such as laws on electronic information and transactions, telecommunications, narcotics and the Corruption Eradication Commission.

The authority to wiretap is also stipulated in a ministerial decree on the interception of information.

Given the disjointed nature of the authority, the government and the House of Representatives need to prepare a draft law to comprehensively regulate wiretapping, the minister said

The preparation must include academic studies, a draft bill by the government and its submission to the Houses legislation program (Prolegnas), he added.

Meanwhile, former communications and information minister Tifatul Sembiring, who is now a member of House Commission III overseeing legal affairs, said the ministerial decree on the interception of information could be upgraded into draft bill with further deliberation by legislators.

Under the ministerial decree, a lawful interception can be organized during the pre-investigative process, during the investigation, during the prosecution process and even during the trial of a criminal case, said Tifatul during a hearing with Commission III and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on Monday. (bbn)
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Linkedin (Associated Press) Washington  Wed, April 20, 2016

President Barack Obama's policy on the disputed South China Sea came under attack Tuesday from a fellow Democrat, and in an unusual twist, it was a Republican adversary who leaped to the administration's defense.

State Department officials were testifying before a House foreign affairs subcommittee, requesting an increase in their budget for East Asia and the Pacific, which Obama has made a strategic priority even as he has been sidetracked by turmoil in the Mideast.

Rep. Brad Sherman of California, the panel's top-ranking Democrat, accused the administration of exaggerating the importance of uninhabited islands in the region's contested seas. He contended that the Pentagon was also playing up the threat posed by China, which has territorial disputes with several of its neighbors.

"While we all agree that the region is important, I think we are going down the wrong path because we are being war hawks about some islets that remain uninhabited to this day. That's how useless they are," Sherman said.

Daniel Russel, top diplomat for East Asia, responded that the US was standing up for international norms and had a "vital" economic and security interests there.

"It's not about the rocks, it's about the rules. We profit when we live in a rules-based world," Russel said.

Rep. Matt Salmon of Arizona, Republican chair of the panel, agreed. He said if the islands have no value, "then why is China building runways on them?"

"It's causing our allies in the region great, great, great concern," he said.

Tensions have risen in the last two years in the South China Sea, and although the US does not claim territory there, it has become a major source of friction with rising power China.

China has reclaimed land on disputed reefs and islets that could be used to project its military might far from the Chinese mainland. The Philippines, which is a US ally, as well as Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have territorial claims there. China has a separate dispute with Japan over uninhabited islands lying further north.

Although Salmon is a staunch critic of higher spending on most US government programs, he was fulsome in his support of the administration's budget request for $1.5 billion for US foreign operations and assistance for East Asia, for the fiscal year starting in October  an 11 percent increase over fiscal 2015.

"What you all do is keep us out of war. For less than 1 percent of the total budget, the job that you do is incredibly worth it," Salmon said, referring to the proportion of the federal budget spent on global foreign operations.

Salmon was also strongly supportive of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional free-trade pact championed by Obama. It was signed in February by the US and 11 Pacific rim nations, including Japan, but has yet to be ratified by Congress.

Like many Democrats, Sherman is vehemently against the pact, fearing it will cost American jobs. He said it was "manifestly against American interests." (bbn)
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Linkedin Jamey Keaten and Philip Issa (Associated Press) Geneva  Wed, April 20, 2016

Syria's top opposition leader vowed to fight "even with stones" to depose President Bashar Assad, shifting sharply to a tone of conflict over conciliation as peace talks in Geneva teetered near collapse Tuesday amid a new surge in fighting  including government airstrikes that left dozens dead.

Angry and defiant, Riad Hijab of the Western-backed Syrian High Negotiations Committee thundered home the opposition coalition's decision to walk back  if not entirely away  from UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva. He demanded more Security Council oversight of an increasingly wobbly cease-fire as Assad's troops battled rebel fighters in various parts of the country.

The calculated gamble to jeopardize what diplomats have called the best chance in years to bring a diplomatic end to Syria's five-year war came amid the opposition group's growing frustration over unproductive peace talks and hundreds of government cease-fire violations in recent weeks.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 44 people  mostly civilians  died in government airstrikes on opposition-held towns in northern Idlib province on Tuesday. Government warplanes also bombed areas in the central Homs and Hama provinces, activists said.

Salem Meslet, the High Negotiations Committee spokesman, said the deadly strikes validated the coalition's decision to suspend participation in the Geneva talks. Calling the strikes a "massacre of innocents," Meslet said that "Assad is telling the world he has no interest in diplomacy or peace."

The opposition coalition accuses the government of preparing an assault on the city of Aleppo, ignoring its demands for the release of thousands of detainees, and rejecting or avoiding requests for UN-led humanitarian aid shipments in recent weeks. The opposition says those are signs of bad faith by Assad's side and accuses it of stalling for time in the Geneva talks.

"We cannot continue to be in discussions in Geneva when our people are dying of hunger and bombardments," Hijab told a news conference. "We will fight no matter the circumstances. We will fight even with stones, and will not surrender."

"There cannot be a political process that prolongs the life of this regime," he said. "For us, as of yesterday, we are out of the political process."

He demanded deployment of international monitors to inspect adherence to the cease-fire brokered by the US and Russia in late February. While calling the United States a "friend" of the opposition, Hijab also put some blame on the US, saying it has responsibilities in upholding human rights that "are being violated on a daily basis in Syria."

"We demand that the United States shoulder its responsibility," he said. "Words are not enough, and humanitarian support is not enough. We need action on the ground."

The opposition coalition's decision to suspend participation in the Geneva talks has strained the finely crafted mediation by the UN Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, whose office continued holding discussions with smaller opposition groups. De Mistura has said he would review the state of the talks on Friday.

De Mistura's office declined to comment on Hijab's statement.

Mohammed Alloush, the opposition coalition's main negotiator, said its delegation would only return if Assad's government implemented international agreements and halted airstrikes. In comments to The Associated Press, Alloush said he was leaving Geneva because he didn't want to be part of an "absurd" process that may not reach a viable political solution.

Hijab said he too was leaving, but that a High Negotiations Committee team will remain  even if its members won't go to the UN offices that have hosted the talks on-and-off since early February. In the talks, the two sides have met with de Mistura at separate times, but not face-to-face.

Russia, a key backer of Assad, lashed out at the pullback. Russia's ambassador in Geneva, Alexei Borodavkin, told the Russian news agency TASS on Tuesday that the High Negotiations Committee's suspended participation in the talks "is proof that, unfortunately, extremists took control within the delegation."

In a conference call with journalists, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, reaffirmed Moscow's support for Assad and the talks. In a telephone call Monday with US President Barack Obama, Putin stressed support for dialogue and the cease-fire, according to Peskov.

In Washington, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the US would continue to push both sides to participate in the talks and called on Russia to use its influence with Assad to force the government to honor the cease-fire agreement.

While the indirect talks were to focus on political transition, the two sides got bogged down on Assad's future. Aided by the Russian air power that entered Syrian skies in late September, the Syrian army and allied militiamen have reversed the tide of the war in recent months, making rapid advances against opposing forces, including the radical Islamic State group, which is not in the peace process.

Hijab accused the government of using the cease-fire to advance on rebel positions and said Assad's biggest allies, Russia and Iran, continued to supply his forces with weapons and fighters. He complained that supplies and ammunition were denied to rebel forces, and said he hoped that the US would continue supplying weapons to some rebel groups.

On Tuesday, government troops restored control of most of the villages and hills it lost to rebels a day earlier in their offensive in the government-held coastal region of Latakia, according to the Local Coordination Committee, an activist-operated media forum, and al-Manar TV, which is affiliated with the pro-Assad Lebanese Hezbollah group.

The Local Coordination Committee reported government airstrikes, including barrel bombs, in multiple locations in Homs province. The group said there was intense fighting in Kafer-Laha in central Homs. (bbn)
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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Sragen, Central Java  Wed, April 20, 2016

Fire destroyed parts of a furniture factory owned by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at the Kalijambe Industrial Zone in Sragen regency, Central Java, on Tuesday.

The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon at around 4:30 p.m. Several witnesses said the fire broke out from a wood-drying oven.

No casualties were reported in the incident.

"The fire was first seen on the roof of the oven room and then it quickly spread to other sides of the factory. Workers panicked and they tried to put out the fire with fire extinguishers but the fire was too big," said Agus Santoso, a witness to the event.

Security officers at the factory asked everybody to evacuate and called in the fire department. More than 10 fire trucks were deployed to extinguish the fire.

Surakarta Police also deployed a water cannon car to help extinguish the fire as the fire trucks were initially overwhelmed by the spread of the fire.

As of today, two out of five buildings at the factory have been damaged.

The fire fighters worked until the evening.

Sragen Police chief Adj. Sr. Cmr. Ari Wibowo said once the fire was under control, the police would conduct an investigation to ascertain the cause of the incident.

Before joining politics and becoming mayor of Surakarta, Jokowi ran a successful furniture business and exported products overseas. (rin)
The British royal family is looking for a 50,000 ($72,000) per year social media specialist to run The Queen's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

"Whether you're covering a state visit, award ceremony or royal engagement, you'll make sure our digital channels consistently spark interest and reach a range of audiences," said the job specification for "the Head of Digital Engagement".

The advert perhaps did not come as a surprise to many, as Queen Elizabeth II, who turns 90 on Thursday, is known as a social media-savvy senior citizen.

She sent her first tweet in 2014 and her majesty's own website was launched as early as 1997.

Earlier this month, The Queen backed a major upgrade of the Buckingham Palace official website, with more emphasis on social media.

The British Monarchy Twitter account already has over 2 million followers, Kensington Palace has 628,000 on Twitter and Clarence House has over 500,000 on Twitter.

But the job advert says "it's about never standing still and finding new ways to maintain The Queen's presence in the public eye and on the world stage. This is what makes working for the Royal Household exceptional".

The person who gets the job must have experience "managing high profile websites" and be "comfortable developing strategy and managing wide-reaching projects".

As for the benefits package, there will be "a 15% employer contribution pension scheme and 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays."
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

To take on global competition, Indonesian handicraft producers must be able to read global trends and improve innovation, Vice President Jusuf Kalla has said.

At the opening ceremony of the Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair (Inacraft), he said the government was encouraging them to not only sell their products in the domestic market but also seek new markets abroad.

In the world market, these products have to face competition in terms of quality, price and delivery time. It takes technology and the digital economy, Kalla said at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Jakarta on Wednesday.

To address these issues, he continued, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) could not stand alone. In the end, they needed supporting machinery to improve productivity and product quality.

Kalla also reminded craft entrepreneurs to not only produce ornaments or decorative products but also functional ones.

"Not only creating products based on our taste, you must also consider the market trends. If you want to get to a commercial stage, the product must be functional, not only decoration, he said.

Artisans, producers, craft entrepreneurs and SMEs had to work on production efficiency and business management to improve market absorption of local products in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the Vice President urged.

Indonesian Handicraft Exporters and Producers Association (ASEPHI) secretary-general Sugiarto said the 18th Inacraft exhibition carried the theme The Splendour of Minangkabau to promote the rich cultural heritage of West Sumatra.

According to Trade Ministry data, Sumatra contributed a relatively large portion of the added-value non-oil and gas industry, accounting for 23.9 percent. Indonesian handicraft exports reached US$704.2 million in 2015, up 1.4 percent from the previous year.

In January and February 2016, the exports amounted to $114.1 million, up 3.7 percent from the same period last year. Major products with high export value were wigs, false eyebrows and eyelashes, textile materials, wooden frames, statutes and ornaments. (ags)
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo stressed the importance of marine sustainability and called for better and comprehensive international regulations to address marine pollution on Tuesday.

Speaking at an International Maritime Organization (IMO) meeting in London on Tuesday, the President pointed out that offshore oil rig activities also contributed to marine pollution.

"Currently, we there are no regulations stipulating the responsibilities and compensation for transboundary pollution caused by these activities," he said as quoted in a press statement sent out by the presidential press bureau.

The future of global welfare lies in the management of the ocean, he said.

Indonesia has taken a firm stance against illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, which violate the country's sovereignty and damages the maritime environment, the President told 171 representatives of state.

"We realize the utilization of marine resources should bring sustainable welfare to our people. It is our responsibility as citizens of the world to preserve the oceans," Jokowi said.

The IMO is a United Nations' agency established in 1959 to safeguard the security and safety of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution.

The agency, lead by IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim from South Korea, plays a pivotal role considering 80 percent of world trade relies on shipping.

The IMO has generated a number of international legal instruments and mechanisms, such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC). (rin)
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

Indonesia and the UK signed agreements to tighten cooperation in five fields during President Joko Jokowi Widodo's working visit to London on Tuesday.

Aside from cooperation in the creative economy, the two countries agreed to work together in the fields of sports, fisheries and maritime affairs and education, as well as reaching a business-to business agreement between national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia and Airbus and Rolls Royce.

The signing of the five cooperation agreements reflects the stronger bilateral relations between the two countries, the presidential communication team said in a statement on Wednesday.

The team said the memorandums of understanding (MOUs) had been signed on the sidelines of a one-on-one meeting between Jokowi and Prime Minister David Cameron in London on Tuesday.

In the field of the creative economy, the agreement ensured tighter cooperation in capacity-building and skills, education and training. The agreement will also serve as the basis for the development of the creative industry in Indonesia, including financing models and the development of creative cities.

I will use my visit to strengthen cooperation in the creative economy and to develop our creative industry," Jokowi said as quoted in the statement.

In sports, the two countries agreed to cooperate in the organizing of world sporting events. The agreement provides a framework to share experience and information between the two countries, such as strategies and programs to maximize trade, business opportunities and investment. This cooperation will benefit Indonesia, which is currently preparing to host the 2018 Asian Games.

Indonesia and the UK also agreed to cooperate in combating illegal fishing, developing maritime and fisheries research, biodiversity conservation, fisheries management systems and human resources capacity-building. A technical working committee has been established to discuss the cooperation further.

The presidential communication team said the MoU signed by Garuda Indonesia, Airbus and Rolls Royce aimed to develop the capacity of the Garuda Maintenance Facility (GMF).

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) aims to ink 11 business agreements worth Rp 10 billion (US$759,446) with UK companies, comprising cooperation in the fields of energy, telecommunications, consumer products, agribusiness and industry.

Kadin chairman Rosan Roeslandi expressed his support for Jokowis visit to four Europe countries, namely Germany, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Kadin vice chairman Shinta Widjaja Kamdani welcomed the progress achieved in the initial phase of the Indonesia- EU Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (IE-CEPA), noting that amid the current global economic challenges, strengthening business and economic relations between the two parties through a free trade agreement was vital.

Shinta said IE-CEPA could effectively boost Indonesia's export performance by cutting the high taxes imposed by EU governments on several Indonesian commodities, including cocoa products, fish, palm oil and other agricultural products.

"Kadin will continue to work with the government to ensure that the implementation of IE-CEPA is based on the principles of fair trade, which cover several issues, namely tariff and non-tariff barriers, trade in goods and services and investment," said Shinta.

She further noted that the EU was also one of Indonesias largest export destinations and second-largest source of foreign direct investment. (ebf)
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Linkedin thejakartapost.com (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

Indonesia and the United Kingdom have signed an agreement to boost cooperation in the creative economy after President Joko Jokowi Widodo met with Prime Minister David Cameron in Britain on Monday, local time.

"This time, my visit is to strengthen cooperation in the creative economy and to develop our creative industry," Jokowi said in a statement received by thejakartapost.com.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Cameron said that, Indonesia, as a country projected to become the world's seventh largest economy by 2030, is a major partner for the UK.

The UK is Indonesias fifth largest investor.

"Exports are growing between our two countries and the number of Indonesian students in the UK has also increased," he said.

Cameron also expressed support for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Indonesia and the European Union.

As a democratic and predominately Muslim country, Cameron said Indonesia could help address the challenges of terrorism and extremism. (aym/bbn)
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

President Joko Jokowi Widodo spent time learning about the dual training system, a job-oriented education program praised as an effective way to tackle unemployment, during his working visit to Germany on Monday.

In the dual training system, students are required to learn at two places, at school and in the industrial sector. This process synergizes education with industry.

Jokowi visited a vocational education training center in Siemenstadt, a city built by Siemens AG, the largest engineering company in Europe, to explore the system.

Some EU countries have implemented Germanys vocational education system to overcome unemployment. Brazil, Russia and the US are specifically interested in adopting the dual training system, which involves cooperation with local partners in the respective countries.

During Jokowis visit, Siemensstadt Vocational Educational Training Center senior director Thomas Leubner explained how vocational education was based on several principles, including cooperation between government and industry. He said government and industry were responsible for formulating and designing the vocational education framework, while control over the training was delegated to an institution called Industrie und Handelskammer (Chamber of Commerce and Industry).

Thomas further said the quality of the vocational school was guaranteed through the implementation of educational standards.

Meanwhile, vocational educators must master and understand the concept of berufspadagogik, or vocational pedagogy.

The availability of research institutions and consulting careers are necessary for students to find out what is growing in the industrialized world.

Siemens Training Center offers vocational education at 41 locations across Germany with 10,000 participants and investment of 187 million Euros a year. Siemens is the biggest dual training organizer in Germany. Each year, the company generates around 2,000 graduates ready to meet industry needs. (ebf)
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Linkedin John-Thor Dahlburg (Associated Press) Brussels  Wed, April 20, 2016

The first meeting of the NATO-Russia council in nearly two years failed to bridge differences between Moscow and the alliance, NATO's chief said Wednesday.

The meeting, which ran more than 90 minutes over schedule, was the occasion for a "frank and serious" discussion about the situation in Ukraine, issues related to military activities of the alliance and Russia, and the security situation in and around Afghanistan, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

"NATO and Russia have profound and persistent differences," Stoltenberg said. "Today's meeting did not change that."

No decisions were announced as a result of the meeting, the councils first since June 2014. "I expect we will meet again" Stoltenberg said, without announcing or predicting a date.

Russian Ambassador Alexander Grushko, who represented his nation at the meeting with his counterparts from NATO's 28 member states, was expected to deliver his report on the meeting to journalists later.

Before the talks, Stoltenberg said the meeting at alliance headquarters was being held to exchange views on Ukraine and other issues, but also to discuss improving "mechanisms of risk reduction related to military activities."

Last week, US officials accused Russian warplanes of repeatedly buzzing a US Navy destroyer in the Baltic Sea, coming as close as 30 feet (9 meters). Russia's Defense Ministry rejected the US complaints.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the meeting was not expected to be simple and harmonious. "But given the large number of difficult issues, this dialogue has a value in itself and should be continued," he said in a statement.

The NATO-Russia Council was founded in 2002 as a forum for consultations between the former Cold War foes, but last met in June 2014, when the Kremlin's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine sent relations with the West into a deep freeze.

NATO also suspended practical cooperation with Russia due to the Crimean annexation and what it views as Russia's support for an armed insurgency in eastern Ukraine. But Stoltenberg said it was vital to keep channels of communication with Moscow open.

"When tensions are high, I think the need for open channels, for political dialogue, for predictability, for transparency, is even more important," Stoltenberg said Tuesday while attending a meeting with European Union defense ministers in Luxembourg.

NATO is engaging in the largest reinforcement of its collective defenses since the Cold War, in large part in response to what it perceives as a newly aggressive Russia. Dmitry Peskov, press secretary to Russian President Vladimir Putin, blamed NATO for the resulting "lack of mutual trust."

"We are seeing hostile actions by boosting NATO potential at our borders, it's a threat to our national interests," Peskov said Tuesday. "NATO's recent actions show that the alliance is still working on its original concept: to constrain Russia and confront it. We're glad there is a dialogue, but it won't be easy."

___

Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow contributed to this report.
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

The two-day symposium on the 1965 tragedy ended on Monday, but historians could not reach any conclusions about this dark episode in Indonesian history, although the organizers tried to invite all related parties to participate in the discussion.

The organizers invited three sides to the symposium: members or relatives of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) who were the primary victims of the tragedy, ex-military personnel who were involved in operations against members of the PKI, and those who were accused of being PKI members and communist academics.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesias largest Muslim organization, was involved in the killings, and historical activist Imam Azis told thejakartapost.com that NU had data on PKI members who were caught in Central Java and Yogyakarta, but exact historical details were difficult to confirm.

They were brought to a temporary building such as the Vredeburg Port. Then they were brought to Gunung Kidul and killed in October, 1965. But we do not know how and where to confirm, he said.

Imam said there was no war at the time and PKI members in Central Java did not know what had happened in Jakarta. He denied that NU deliberately helped the military eradicate people associated with the PKI. NU did not know anything at that time. We were told that we were under attack. The choice was to kill or be killed, he said.

The 1965 tragedy started with the kidnapping and murder of several military generals. The PKI was blamed for the atrocity. The revenge by the military caused the death of between 500,000 to 1 million alleged PKI supporters throughout many parts of the country. Millions of people were imprisoned without being trial.

The episode has sparked off a good many conspiracy theories regarding what happened within the military and government at the time. Sukmawati Sukarno Putri, the daughter of founding president Sukarno, said the PKI was tricked by information of a generals council that would attempt to orchestrate a coup detat against Sukarno.

They were manipulated by Soeharto to catch the generals through a double agent named Syam [Kamaruzzaman] who worked for both Soeharto and D.N. Aidit. But actually the PKI became a tool for Soeharto to show off his heroism, she told thejakartapost.com on Monday. Aidit was the leader of the PKI.

Meanwhile, historian Yosef M. Djakababa, said the technical aspects of the events were still blurred and could not be confirmed by any documents.

There is no evidence yet regarding Syam, who was said to be a double agent. In an extraordinary military court, Syam said he reported only to Aidit without mentioning Soeharto, he said.

He confirmed that the military had always been anticommunist. It had fought a PKI rebellion in 1948 and the military was afraid Sukarno was getting too close with the PKI. However, despite its fears, Yosef claimed the military remained broadly loyal to the government. The killing of the generals remains a mystery, he said.

Lt. Col. (ret.) Untung admitted in a military court that there was an order to kidnap the generals but there was no order to kill them. There is a conspiracy theory about possible infiltration in the operation, Josef said. (bbn)
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Linkedin Agus Maryono (The Jakarta Post) Cilacap, Central Java  Wed, April 20, 2016

Cilacap Police are preparing security measures for the execution of several death row inmates convicted of drug charges on Nusakambangan prison island in Cilacap, Central Java.

Cilacap Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ulung Sampurna Jaya said the third batch of executions carried out during President Joko Jokowi Widodos administration would be conducted in the near future. The police chief said, however, he had not yet received an official order to prepare the executions.

It will be conducted in a matter of weeks, said Ulung.

Therefore, we have prepared everything, including security teams and Mobile Brigade personnel that can deploy at anytime to carry out the executions, he told thejakartapost.com on Tuesday.

Ulung went on to say that a number of locations around Nusakambangan were guarded tightly by Brimob personnel. Especially Pasir Putih prison, which has maximum security, said Ulung.

Hundreds of drug convicts and convicted terrorists, including several death row inmates, are imprisoned at Pasir Putih. Convicted terrorist Abu Bakar Baasyir served his sentence at Pasir Putih prison before he was moved to Gunung Sindur prison in Bogor, West Java, on Saturday.

All set  Police and military personnel prepare themselves for the execution of eight death row inmates on Nusakambangan prison island in Cilacap, Central Java, in April 2015. (thejakartapost.com/Agus Maryono)

Earlier, Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo told journalists in Jakarta that the third batch executions would certainly be conducted. Those set to be executed comprise foreign nationals and Indonesian citizens. Prasetyo refused to give details on when the executions would be conducted.

Any death row inmate whose legal rights have been fulfilled will be executed, said Prasetyo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta at the beginning of April.

National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso recently called for the execution of death row inmates on drug smuggling charges. He asked the Attorney Generals Office (AGO) to execute 151 drug dealers sentenced to death by the courts.

The AGO executed 14 death row inmates throughout 2015. The first batch of executions was conducted on Jan. 18, 2015. Six death row inmates were executed by firing squad on Nusakambangan and at Brimob headquarters in Boyolali, Central Java.

Eight death row inmates were executed in the second round of executions on April 29, 2015. Seven of the convicts were foreigners -- two Australians named Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, Raheem Agbaje Salami, Okwudili Oyatanze and Silvester Obiekwe Nwaolise, alias Mustofa, from Nigeria, Rodrigo Gularte from Brazil and Martin Anderson, alias Belo, from Ghana. Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso from the Philippines was initially listed for execution but her execution was postponed just minutes before she was set to face the firing squad. (ebf)
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Linkedin thejakartapost.com (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has reported suspicious transactions worth Rp 3.6 trillion (US$273.8 million) allegedly related to drugs and illegal online gambling.

PPATK chairman Muhammad Yusuf said at least three people were involved in the fishy transactions, conducting international money transfers and suspicious cash transactions.

"We are investigating more deeply based on the international transfer findings. The transactions total Rp 3.6 trillion, related to several possible activities such as drugs, online gambling and other crimes," he said as reported by tempo.co on Wednesday.

The PPTAK, he continued, had received the report of the transactions two weeks ago. One of the three individuals implicated was reported for similar fishy transactions of Rp 500 million per transaction.

Yusuf declined to expose the identity of the person, saying that the case has been handed over to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) for further investigation.

BNN chief Com. Gen. Budi Waseso confirmed that agency was indeed working on the case. "We are now investigating the case. For now, we cannot expose who the suspects are as the investigation is still ongoing," he said. (ags)
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Linkedin Kim Tong-hyung and Foster Klug (Associated Press) Busan, South Korea  Tue, April 19, 2016

The 14-year-old boy in the black school jacket stared at his sneakers, his heart pounding, as the policeman accused him of stealing a piece of bread.

Even now, more than 30 years later, Choi Seung-woo weeps when he describes all that happened next. The policeman yanked down the boy's pants and sparked a cigarette lighter near Choi's genitals until he confessed to a crime he didn't commit. Then two men with clubs came and dragged Choi off to the Brothers Home, a mountainside institution where some of the worst human rights atrocities in modern South Korean history took place.

A guard in Choi's dormitory raped him that night in 1982  and the next, and the next. So began five hellish years of slave labor and near-daily assaults, years in which Choi saw men and women beaten to death, their bodies carted away like garbage.

Choi was one of thousands  the homeless, the drunk, but mostly children and the disabled  rounded up off the streets ahead of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which the ruling dictators saw as international validation of South Korea's arrival as a modern country. An Associated Press investigation shows that the abuse of these so-called vagrants at Brothers, the largest of dozens of such facilities, was much more vicious and widespread than previously known, based on hundreds of exclusive documents and dozens of interviews with officials and former inmates.

Yet nobody has been held accountable to date for the rapes and killings at the Brothers compound because of a cover-up orchestrated at the highest levels of government, the AP found. Two early attempts to investigate were suppressed by senior officials who went on to thrive in high-profile jobs; one remains a senior adviser to the current ruling party. Products made using slave labor at Brothers were sent to Europe, Japan and possibly beyond, and the family that owned the institution continued to run welfare facilities and schools until just two years ago.

Even as South Korea prepares for its second Olympics, in 2018, thousands of traumatized former inmates have still received no compensation, let alone public recognition or an apology. The few who now speak out want a new investigation.

The current government, however, refuses to revisit the case, and is blocking a push by an opposition lawmaker to do so on the grounds that the evidence is too old.

Ahn Jeong-tae, an official from Seoul's Ministry of the Interior, said focusing on just one human rights incident would financially burden the government and set a bad precedent. The Brothers' victims, he said, should have submitted their case to a temporary truth-finding commission established in the mid-2000s to investigate past atrocities.

"We can't make separate laws for every incident and there have been so many incidents since the Korean War," Ahn said.

Former inmates, however, cannot forget. One spent months standing quietly in front of the National Assembly with a signboard demanding justice. Choi has attempted suicide several times and now attends weekly therapy sessions.

"The government has consistently tried to bury what happened. How do you fight that? If we spoke up, who would have heard us?" he asked. "I am wailing, desperate to tell our story. Please listen to us."

This undated photo shows the Brothers Home compound in Busan, South Korea.(Yonhap via AP/-)

"HELL WITHIN A HELL"

Once an orphanage, Brothers Home at its peak had more than 20 factories churning out woodwork, metalwork, clothing, shoes and other goods made by mostly unpaid inmates. The sprawling compound of concrete buildings rose above the southern port city of Busan, its inmates hidden from view by tall walls and kept there by guards who carried bats and patrolled with dogs.

The horrors that happened behind those walls are inextricably linked to South Korea's modern history.

The country at the time was still recovering from the near-total devastation of the 1950-53 Korean War, which followed nearly four decades of brutal Japanese colonization. From the 1960s until the '80s, before democracy, it was ruled by military dictators who focused overwhelmingly on improving the economy.

In 1975, dictator President Park Chung-hee, father of current President Park Geun-hye, issued a directive to police and local officials to "purify" city streets of vagrants. Police officers, assisted by shop owners, rounded up panhandlers, small-time street merchants selling gum and trinkets, the disabled, lost or unattended children, and dissidents, including a college student who'd been holding anti-government leaflets.

They ended up as prisoners at 36 nationwide facilities. By 1986, the number of inmates had jumped over five years from 8,600 to more than 16,000, according to government documents obtained by AP.

Nearly 4,000 were at Brothers. But about 90 percent of them didn't even meet the government's definition of "vagrant" and therefore shouldn't have been confined there, former prosecutor Kim Yong Won told the AP, based on Brothers' records and interviews compiled before government officials ended his investigation.

The inner workings of Brothers are laid bare by former inmate Lee Chae-sik, who had extraordinary access as personal assistant to the man in charge of enforcing the rules. The AP independently verified many of the details provided by Lee, now 46, through government documents.

Lee was sent to Brothers at 13 after trouble at school. His first job was in a medical ward. Twice a day, Lee and four others, none of whom had medical training, would try to care for patients, often dousing their open wounds with disinfectant or removing maggots with tweezers.

"People screamed in pain, but we couldn't do much," Lee said. "It was a hell within a hell. The patients had been left there to die."

Stronger inmates raped and beat the weak and stole their food, he said. Lee attempted suicide after a guard at the medical ward raped him.

A year later, he was made personal assistant to chief enforcer Kim Kwang-seok, who like other guards at Brothers was an inmate raised to power by the owner because of his loyalty. Many former inmates remember Kim as the facility's most feared man. The AP tried repeatedly to track Kim down but could not find him.

Lee said he was present when Kim, a short, stocky man with sunburned skin, led near-daily, often fatal beatings at the compound's "corrections room." Lee accompanied Kim as he compiled a twice-a-day tally of the sick and dead for the owner; four or five daily deaths were often on the list.

A scene recounted by Lee provides a firsthand account of the efficient, almost casually evil way the facility worked. One morning, Kim approached owner Park In-keun on his daily jog to report that yet another inmate had been beaten to death the night before. The boy heard Park order Kim to bury the body in the hills behind the compound's walls.

Brothers Home inmates work at a construction site in Ulsan, South Korea, December 1986.(Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office via AP/-)

MONEY FROM SLAVES

The violence at Brothers happened in the shadow of a massive money-making operation partly based on slave labor. The factories were ostensibly meant to train inmates for future jobs. But by the end of 1986, Brothers saw a profit from 11 of them, according to Busan city government documents obtained exclusively by the AP.

The documents show that Brothers should have paid the current equivalent of US$1.7 million to more than 1,000 inmates for their dawn-to-dusk work over an unspecified period. However, facility records and interviews with inmates at the time suggest that, instead, most of the nearly 4,000 people at Brothers were subject to forced labor without pay, according to prosecutor Kim.

Another probe at the time, quickly scrapped by the government, showed that "nearly none" of about 100 inmates interviewed received payment. None of 20 former inmates interviewed by the AP received money while at Brothers either, though three got small payments later.

Adults worked on construction jobs, both at Brothers and off-site. Children sometimes hauled dirt and built walls, but mostly they assembled ballpoint pens and fishing hooks.

Some products were tied to other countries. For example, dress shirts made at Brothers' sewing factory were sent to Europe, and inmates were trained by employees at Daewoo, a major clothing exporter during the 1980s to the United States and other markets, according to the owner's autobiography. Park, the owner, said officials from Daewoo had toured the facility before offering a partnership. Daewoo International spokesman Kim Jin-ho said it was impossible to confirm such details because of a lack of records from the time.

Inmates during the 1970s recounted spending long hours tying fishing lines to hooks for packages with Japanese writing on them, for export to Japan.

Kim Hee-gon, an inmate at Brothers for eight years, said he and his colleagues were beaten severely in the early 1970s after thousands of such packages shipped to Japan were returned because they were faulty or missing hooks. Park Gyeong-bo, who was confined at Brothers from 1975 to 1980, remembered sneaker bottoms produced with the logo of Kukje Sangsa, a now-defunct company that manufactured shoes for the United States and Europe in the 1970s and 80s.

The operation thrived because everybody benefited, except the inmates.

Local officials needed somewhere to put the vagrants they were charged with corralling, so each year they renewed a contract with Brothers that required an inspection of how the inmates were treated and of how the facility was financially managed. Brothers got government subsidies based on its number of inmates, so it pushed police to round up more vagrants, the early probe found. And police officers were often promoted depending on how many vagrants they picked up.

Two Busan city officials would say only that the facts are difficult to confirm now because the facility closed three decades ago. Heo Gwi-yong, a spokesman for the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, said he couldn't confirm any details for the same reason.

The owner of Brothers, Park, received two state medals for social welfare achievements and sat on a government advisory panel. His version of his story even inspired a 1985 television drama about a man's heroic devotion to caring for what were called "bottom-life people."

Park eventually served a short prison stint for embezzlement and other relatively minor charges, but not for the abuse at Brothers. When the facility was at last raided in 1987, investigators found a vault in Park's office filled with the current equivalent of about $5 million in US and Japanese currencies and certificates of deposit.

In his autobiography, in court hearings and in talks with close associates, Park has denied wrongdoing and maintained that he simply followed government orders. Repeated attempts to contact him through family, friends and activists were unsuccessful.

The AP, however, tracked down the former second-highest management official at Brothers, Lim Young-soon, who bristled in a telephone interview at descriptions of corruption, violence and slavery at the facility. Lim, a Protestant pastor now in Australia who is the brother of Park's wife, said Park was a "devoted" social worker who made Busan better by cleaning its streets of troublemakers. He said Brothers' closure "damaged national interests."

Lim acknowledged beating deaths at Brothers, but said they were caused by clashes between inmates. He attributed the facility's high death toll to the many inmates he said arrived there in poor physical and mental health.

"These were people who would have died in the streets anyway," Lim said.

Residents exercise as at a school near an apartment complex at the former location of the Brothers Home, Jan. 28. (AP/Ahn Young-joon)

"I DIDN'T LIVE AS A HUMAN"

While Park raked in the money, the death toll mounted and the inmates struggled to survive.

On his second day at Brothers, still dazed from his brutal rape the night before, Choi waited with other children to be stripped and washed. He said he watched a guard drag a woman by her hair and then beat her with a club until blood flowed from her head.

"I just stood there, trembling like a leaf," Choi, 46, said. "I couldn't even scream when the platoon leader later raped me again."

Another time, Choi recalled, he saw seven guards knock down a screaming man, cover him with a blue blanket and stomp and beat him. Blood seeped through the blanket. When it fell away, the dead man's eyes had rolled back into his head.

Death tallies compiled by the facility claimed 513 people died between 1975 and 1986; the real toll was almost certainly higher. Prosecutor Kim interviewed multiple inmates who said facility officials refused to send people to hospitals until they were nearly dead for fear of escape.

"The facility was Park's kingdom, and violence was how he ruled," Kim said of the owner. "When you are confined to a place where people are getting beaten to death every day, you aren't likely to complain too much about forced labor, abuse or getting raped."

Most of the new arrivals at Brothers were in relatively good health, government documents show. Yet at least 15 inmates were dead within just a month of arrival in 1985, and 22 in 1986.

Of the more than 180 documented deaths at Brothers in 1985 and 1986, 55 of the death certificates were issued by a single doctor, Chung Myung-kuk, according to internal facility documents, interviews and records compiled by Kim. Chung, now dead, mostly listed the cause of death as "heart failure" and "general weakness."

Life at Brothers began before dawn, as inmates washed and got ready for mandatory 5:30 a.m. prayers, transmitted by loudspeaker from the facility's Presbyterian church. After a morning run, they ate breakfast and then headed to factories or construction sites.

When city officials, foreign missionaries or aid workers visited, a select group of healthy inmates worked for hours to prepare a sanitized version of Brothers for the guests. Guards locked everyone else in their dormitories. Choi said inmates watched hopelessly as these clueless do-gooders trooped through.

"We were trapped in a prison. But who could help us? No one," Choi said.

Once the doors were locked at 6 p.m., Choi said, the guards unleashed "uncontrolled violence" upon the 60 to 100 kids in his dormitory, including frequent rapes.

A principal at a Busan school who once taught at Brothers acknowledged that inmates were held against their will, and even called the facility a massive concentration camp. However, the principal, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was worried about his reputation, staunchly defended its practices. He said severe violence and military-style discipline were the only ways to run a place filled with thousands of unruly people who didn't want to be there.

Park Sun-yi, who had been snatched by police at age 9 from a Busan train station in 1980, was one of the few to escape.

She had watched as the guards reserved their most ruthless beatings, the kind where inmates sometimes didn't recover, for those who tried to run. But after five years, she said, she became "consumed with the thought that my life might be like this forever and that I might die here."

She and five other girls used a broken saw from the ironwork factory to file away bars on a second-floor window at night, little by little, reattaching them with gum each morning. At last, they squeezed themselves out, scaled a wall embedded with broken glass and fled into the hills.

When she finally walked through the door of her family home in Munsan, she said, her father fainted.

"JUST WAITING TO DIE"

The unraveling of Brothers began by accident.

While pheasant hunting, Kim, then a newly appointed prosecutor in the city of Ulsan, heard from his guide about men with wooden bats and large dogs guarding bedraggled prisoners on a nearby mountain. When they drove there, the men said they were building a ranch for the owner of the Brothers Home in nearby Busan. Kim knew immediately, he said, that he'd stumbled onto "a very serious crime."

On a frigid January evening in 1987, Kim led 10 policemen in a surprise raid past the facility's high walls, imposing steel gates and gape-mouthed guards. Inside, he found battered and malnourished inmates locked in overcrowded dormitories. The inmates gave the unexpected visitors crisp, military-style salutes.

"I remember thinking, 'This isn't a welfare facility; it's a concentration camp,'" Kim, now 61 and a managing partner at a Seoul law firm, said. People lay coughing and moaning in a squalid sick ward, "just waiting to die."

After the owner was arrested, he demanded a meeting with Kim's boss, the chief Busan prosecutor, who then supervised Ulsan. A day later, Busan Mayor Kim Joo-ho, who died in 2014, called Kim to plead for Park's release. Kim said he politely declined and hung up.

At every turn, Kim said, high-ranking officials blocked his investigation, in part out of fear of an embarrassing international incident on the eve of the Olympics. President Chun Doo-hwan, who took power in a coup after Park Chung-hee was assassinated, didn't need another scandal as he tried to fend off huge pro-democracy protests.

Internal prosecution records reveal several instances where Kim noted intense pressure from Chun's office to curb his probe and push for lighter punishment for the owner. Kim had to reassure presidential officials directly and regularly that his investigation wouldn't expand.

Park Hee-tae, then Busan's head prosecutor and later the nation's justice minister, relentlessly pushed to reduce the scope of the investigation, Kim said, including forcing him to stop his efforts to interview every inmate at Brothers. Park, a senior adviser to the current ruling party, has repeatedly denied AP interview requests. His personal secretary said Park can't remember details about the investigation.

Despite interference, Kim eventually collected bank records and financial transactions indicating that, in 1985 and 1986 alone, the owner of Brothers embezzled what would be the current equivalent of more than $3 million. That came from about $10 million of government subsidies meant to feed and clothe the inmates and maintain the facilities. However, Kim said, the chief Busan prosecutor forced Kim to list the embezzlement as nearly half the amount he had actually found so that a life sentence couldn't be pursued under the law at the time.

Kim said his bosses also prevented him from charging the owner, Park, or anyone else for the suspected widespread abuse at the Brothers compound, and limited the prosecutor to pursuing much narrower abuse linked to the construction site Kim found while hunting.

Kim demanded a 15-year prison term for Park. After a lengthy battle, the Supreme Court in 1989 gave Park 2 years in prison for embezzlement and violations of construction, grassland management and foreign currency laws. He was acquitted of charges linked to off-site abuse. Only two guards received prison terms, one for 1 years and another for eight months.

After prison, Park continued to earn money from welfare facilities and land sales. The Brothers site was purchased in 2001 by a construction company for what would now be about $27 million, according to a copy of the land sale shown to the AP. One of Park's daughters operated a school for troubled kids that closed in 2013. His family in 2014 sold a home for the severely disabled.

UNFORGETTABLE PAIN

The legacy of Brothers lingers.

It finally closed its gates in 1988. In the 1990s, construction laborers dug up about 100 human bones on the patch of mountain just outside where it stood, according to one of the workers who found the bones, Lee Jin-seob. Blankets covering the bones and the lack of burial mounds made Lee think they'd been buried informally and quickly. It's unclear what happened to the remains.

On a recent trip to the site, which is now covered with tall apartment buildings, ex-inmates Choi and Lee Chae-sik stood on a concrete-covered former water reservoir that they think is the only remaining physical trace of Brothers. Both recalled the sight of guards carrying corpses into the woods.

"There could be hundreds of bodies still out there," Lee said, pointing toward the steep slopes.

Inmates released from the facility ended up homeless and in shelters and mental institutions; many struggle with alcoholism, depression, rage, shame and poverty. Choi, whose back is covered by a large tattoo from his time in a gang after he left Brothers, was imprisoned for assaulting a policeman.

The few former inmates who have begun speaking out want justice: an apology and an admission that officials encouraged police to kidnap and lock away people who shouldn't have been confined.

"How can we ever forget the pain from the beatings, the dead bodies, the backbreaking labor, the fear ... all the bad memories," Lee, who now manages a lakeside motel, said. "It will haunt us until we die."
A Chinese Naval patrol aircraft was sent to rescue 3 construction workers in serious illness at Nansha islands in the South China Sea after the Nansha islands construction team reported an emergency to the Chinese Navy on April 17, 2016.

BEIJING, April 20 -- China's sending a military plane to transport sick workers from a reef in the South China Sea is lawful and rational.

A Chinese navy patrol plane on Sunday picked up three seriously sick workers on Yongshu Jiao and transported them to Sanya, Hainan Province, in South China.

But the humanitarian move gave rise to dissatisfaction from Washington, which questioned China's purpose behind using a military aircraft instead of a civilian one to evacuate the workers.

In fact, Washington's suspicion is needless and baseless.

First, dispatching a military plane to transport the workers from Yongshu Jiao does not violate international law.

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and its surrounding waters. It is lawful for a Chinese plane to fly in China's own airspace and the United States has no right to criticize such a move.

Not to mention the participation of military planes in disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civilians is a common practice around the world.

Second, facing the heavily sick workers, the top priority is to save their lives instead of focusing on which type of planes was used.

On Sunday morning, Li Wanmei, one of the three workers, who suffered acute gastrointestinal bleeding, was in a state of hemorrhagic shock and severe anemia. Li urgently needed a blood transfusion, a condition which the reef cannot offer.

Considering using ships will take a longer time and could worsen Li's illness, the Chinese Navy ordered a Y-8 navy patrol plane to fly to Yongshu Jiao and transport the patients.

Under such circumstances, U.S. questioning whether a military or a civilian plane should be the choice for China seems irrational and merciless.

"Serving the people whole-heartedly is the mission of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Rescuing the people in danger is a fine tradition of the PLA," the China's Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Third, the landing of a Chinese military plane on Yongshu Jiao demonstrated that China's construction of South China Sea islands and reefs is conducive to better carrying out humanitarian rescue tasks.

With a complicated situation in the South China Sea and the great amount of fishing and merchant ships in one of the world's busiest waterways, Chinese ships and planes, in case of emergency disasters, can use facilities on South China Sea islands and reefs to offer rescue efforts.

In fact, Washington's overreaction to a common rescue operation by a Chinese military plane is due to its mentality of militarizing the South China Sea issue. It has repeatedly sent military ships and planes to what they described as efforts to maintain freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

To conclude, escalating the situation in the South China Sea will do no good to any party in the Asia-Pacific. It is advisable that Washington stop finger-pointing and take real actions to safeguard regional peace and stability.
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

Sidarto Danusubroto, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpress), has said the state must acknowledge its involvement in the 1965 tragedy that killed at least 500,000 people and improperly imprisoned millions of others.

There were vertical conflicts in 1965 but we must admit state involvement in the tragedy, said Sidarto, who acted as an advisor for the two-day national symposium on the 1965 tragedy that ended on Tuesday.

He expressed the hope that the symposium would lead to the rehabilitation of human rights for the victims and that victims would be free to speak openly about the tragedy.

Regarding the outcome of the symposium, Sidarto said a committee would form a recommendation and offer it to the President with the hope that the President would then issue a decree related to the issue.

But it is not my job, it is the job of the committee to formulate the summary and bring it to the President. I am only here as the advisor, he said.

The 1965 tragedy started with the kidnapping and murder of several military generals. The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) was blamed for the killing. Revenge by the military caused the death of between 500,000 to 1 million alleged PKI supporters in many parts of the country. Millions of people were imprisoned without trial.

Meanwhile, Ilham Aidit, the son of Indonesia Communist Party (PKI) leader D.N. Aidit, said this symposium was the most complete discussion yet on the tragedy.

Rehabilitation is what the victims want. The state has to admit there were human rights violations. We must be honest about our history, he said.

Responding to Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitans statement that the state would not apologize for the tragedy, Ilham said, as a victim, he would apologize instead.

An apology from the state is what the victims want, but since Luhut already stated that the state would not offer apology, then we, as the victims, will apologize to every party involved, Ilham said.

Meanwhile, psychologist Nanti Nurrachman Sutojo, who is a daughter of the kidnapped and murdered Gen. Sutoyo Siswomiharjo, said psychological pressures were felt by both sides.

The trauma is the same on both sides. It is not an easy thing because Indonesia is a collectivist society. There is a burden of carrying the family name, she told thejakartapost.com, adding that she needed 22 years to come out from depression. (bbn)
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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Surakarta, Central Java  Wed, April 20, 2016

The Radya Pustaka Museum in Surakarta, Central Java, has returned to normal after the Surakarta administration disbursed Rp 300 million (US$22,839.75) to fund the museums operations on Tuesday.

The Surakarta administration said it agreed to pay the fund in three stages. It will first pay 40 percent of the total fund, followed by second and third payments amounting to 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

The Surakarta Asset and Financial Revenue Management Agency (DPPKA) agreed to disburse the fund after it received verified data and documents on the museums fund disbursement proposal from the Surakarta Culture and Tourism Agency (Disbudpar).

All is set. We have received the verified data and documents from Disbudpar. The fund can be disbursed now, DPPKA Surakarta head Budi Yulistiyanto said on Tuesday.

Yulistiyanto further said the fund could not be used to finance museum activities and programs. The fund was allocated only to pay for the operations of the museum, such as salary payments for eight Radya Pustaka employees and four museum committee members.

Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi Rudy Rudyatmo explained that the Rp 300 million fund was not a grant as previously reported but a loan provided by Disbudpar. He said according to existing rules, a grant fund could be provided only to a corporate body. The Radya Pustaka Museum is not considered a corporate body.

Rudy said the disbursement of the museums fund was based on a law dedicated to preserving culture. The 2010 Culture Preservation Law stipulates that the central government and provincial and local administrations are required to protect, treat and conserve cultural objects, sites and museums.

The budgetary allocations are from the state budget [APBN] and local budgets [APBD], both at provincial and mayoral administrations. The problem is both APBN and APBD Central Java have no allocations for Radya Pustaka, so it is the APBD Surakarta that allocates the operational fund for the museum, said Rudy.

Radya Pustaka Museum committee secretary ST Wiyono confirmed that the museums operational fund had been disbursed. The committees treasurer had taken the fund and used it to pay employee salaries.

The most urgent thing is to pay the employees because they have not received their salaries for four months. It is likely that they will not receive the same salary they received last year because the total amount of the operational fund is lower for this year, said Wiyono.

In 2015, Radya Pustaka received a grant fund amounting to Rp 400 million. The museums employees received a salary of between Rp 1.3 million and Rp 2 million per person per month.

A museum employee, Fajar Suryanto, said he was very happy with the disbursement of the fund because now the museums operations could return to normal.

We also dont think about how much money we will receive. As the fund is disbursed, the museum can live again, right? We are not working at Radya Pustaka just to seek a salary, said Fajar.

Culture  Visitors enjoy exhibitions at the Radya Pustaka Museum in Surakarta, Central Java, on Saturday. (thejakartapost.com/Ganug Nugroho Adi)

On Tuesday, the Surakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) and the Surakarta administration agreed to the possibility of Radya Pustaka Museum being managed by a regional technical implementing unit (UPTD) under Disbudpar, not by the museum committee. The change of management is aimed to ease the fund disbursement mechanism for the museum.

The DPRD also called on the Surakarta administration to be more committed in developing the museum. The Surakarta administration is somewhat reluctant to spend money on managing the museum. Just disband the committee. It can then directly handle the museum via the UPTD, said the councils Commission IV member Reny Widyawati said on Tuesday.

The legislator further said the complicated fund disbursement process could be simplified via the UPTD. The Surakarta administration could also be fully responsible for the development of the museum. Moreover, Reny said, the Radya Pustaka Museum committee was not a corporate body as required by the law.

Just replace the committee with the UPTD. The problem will be finished. But the Surakarta administration must be fully committed to handling museum-related problems, said Reny, a member of the Democratic Party.

Similarly, Commission IV Speaker Hartanti said that in all this time, the committee had not yet properly managed or developed Radya Pustaka.

Im curious as to why the museum is always given attention only after it faces a problem, said Hartanti.

Radya Pustakas committee chairman, Purnomo Subagyo, said he did not mind which institution managed the museum.

It will be okay by me if it is handled by the committee or the UPTD. The most important thing is, it is for the sake of Radya Pustaka, said Purnomo. (ebf)
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Linkedin Christopher Bodeen (Associated Press) Beijing  Wed, April 20, 2016

Taiwanese officials are seeking to ensure fair treatment for their nationals who were deported from Kenya to face wire fraud charges in China, a case that has prompted concerns that Beijing is bringing additional diplomatic pressure on the island it considers its own territory.

The 10-member delegation of judicial and police officials arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for talks that will also try to set up a mechanism for cooperation on such cases, team leader Chen Wen-chi said before departing Taiwan.

"We hope both sides can work together on crime investigation and share out the work and help each other for dealing with this case," said Chen, who heads the Justice Ministry's department of international and cross-strait legal affairs.

Chen and her delegation made no further comments after arriving in Beijing just before noon.

China claims jurisdiction in the Kenya case because it says the alleged victims of the fraud artists were residents of mainland China. Officials and state media have also complained that Taiwan doesn't punish such crimes harshly enough, encouraging others to try their luck at such relatively low-risk, low-overhead scams that can potentially lead to massive payouts.

Taiwan says Beijing violated a tacit understanding under which both sides agreed not to interfere in the legal affairs of their citizens abroad.

China's moves on the deportations are widely seen an attempt to assert its claims to sovereignty over Taiwan and legal authority over its residents, particularly in the run-up to the inauguration of Taiwan's independence-leaning President-elect Tsai Ing-wen next month.

The sides split amid civil war in 1949 and China has long sought to isolate Taiwan diplomatically by preventing it from maintaining formal ties with most countries and international organizations such as the United Nations. While Beijing had observed an undeclared diplomatic truce under the administration of China-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou, observers say Beijing could take a much harder line if Tsai refuses to meet basic conditions, including recognizing the claim that Taiwan is part of China.

Taiwanese criminals have been blamed for a proliferation of telephone and computer scams in which fraudsters posing as police, insurance agents or government officials attempt to trick their victims into providing personal financial information or transferring money.

Chinese broadcaster CCTV has broadcast footage of some of the Taiwanese suspects deported from Kenya handcuffed and wearing prison garb. Some have admitted to taking part in scams and expressed remorse, part of China's controversial practice of broadcasting confessions from suspects prior to their trials.

Facing intense public pressure, Taiwanese officials managed last week to convince Malaysia to deport a separate group of Taiwanese criminal suspects to Taiwan despite Beijing's request that they be sent to China.

However, with little evidence of their alleged crimes and no arrest warrants, police released them upon arrival in Taiwan, prompting outrage in China.
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Linkedin thejakartapost.com (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, April 20, 2016

Despite denials from the military, victims of the 1965 massacre have reaffirmed that the number of people killed in the tragedy could reach as many as 3 million, and the total number of those affected by it might reach 26 million people.

"If we count the affected survivors, the number could reach 26 million," said Bedjo Untung, the head of the Murder Victims Research Foundation (YPKP) 1965/1966, during the national symposium on the 1965 tragedy in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan earlier dismissed the estimation released by the victims. Sintong Panjaitan, a retired special forces general, claimed recently that the number was closer to around 80,000 people.

According to a study compiled by a victims group, there are plenty of mass graves located in Java, Sumatra and Bali, including seven mass graves in Pati, and five in Pemalang, both in Central Java.

"So it's impossible that the number is only 80,000 people," Bedjo said.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has launched an investigation into the case, but its recommendations have never been followed up by the Attorney General's Office (AGO).

Komnas HAM and the Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres) held a national symposium on April 18-19 in Jakarta to discuss the 1965 tragedy and to offer further recommendations to the government. The symposium involved academics, human rights activists, victims, politicians and representatives from several government bodies.

It is unlikely that the whole truth behind the tragedy of 1965, and the convulsions that triggered it, will be uncovered, as the majority of those involved have already passed away and some sections of the declassified documents were blacked-out prior to their release. It will take two to three generations to free this country from the impact of 1965. (vps/dan)
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Linkedin (Associated Press) Vientiane  Wed, April 20, 2016

Laos, one of the world's last communist nations, elected its top government leaders Wednesday at a meeting of its newly seated National Assembly.

State-run news agency KPL reported that the 149-member assembly voted to endorse the selections made by the ruling Communist Party at its Congress in January, where then-Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit was selected as its new secretary general.

The 78-year-old Bounnhang was elected president of the single-party state, while 70-year-old former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith was made prime minister. Thongloun also appointed 18 Cabinet ministers.

Elections are held every five years.

Laos, a poor, landlocked country with a population of just 7 million, will have a higher-than-usual profile this year as it has its turn holding the annual chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as the organization grapples with territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. The US State Department and independent agencies criticize the secretive regime for its poor human rights record.

"The most significant human rights problem continued to be that the government denied citizens the ability to choose their government," said the State Department's recently released annual report on human rights practices.

"Other human rights problems continued to include: abusive prison conditions; lack of due process, including arbitrary arrest and detention; government infringements on freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and association, as well as on the right to privacy; government restrictions on academic freedom; local restrictions on religious freedom; trafficking in persons; societal discrimination based on sexual orientation and against persons with HIV/AIDS; and restrictions on workers' rights."
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Linkedin (Vientieane Times/ANN)  Wed, April 20, 2016

The governments of Laos and the Philippines have agreed to explore ways to deepen their ties and expand economic cooperation during a visit by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras to Laos this week.

Almendras's three-day official visit from April 18-20 is in response to an invitation from his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

At their talks Tuesday, the two ministers agreed to seek ways to promote greater cooperation in trade, investment, education and air transport, as well as cooperation in small and medium-size businesses between the two ASEAN countries.

They also discussed how they could work together to remove duplicated customs duties charged on exported goods, the Lao ministry said.

With Laos taking the chair of ASEAN this year, the regional 10-member bloc of which the two countries are members, the ministers agreed it was necessary for both sides to work together closely to contribute to the realization of the three-pillar ASEAN community following the establishment of the community at the end of last year.

The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two ministers said they highly valued the growing bilateral relations and cooperation between their two countries, noting that delegations at all levels have maintained regular contacts and visits. Laos and the Philippines have enjoyed mutual support in the regional and international arenas.

The ministers briefed each other on the socio-economic development progress made in their respective countries.

Wednesday's meeting also reviewed the successful outcomes of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat) which took place in February this year in Vientiane as well as the outcomes of the US-ASEAN Special Summit held in the same month in California, the United States.

During his visit the Philippine foreign secretary also called on Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and visited some historical landmarks in Vientiane.
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Linkedin Julie Jackson (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network) San Sebastian, Spain  Wed, April 20, 2016

Located a mere stones throw away from the Spain-France border in the Northern Basque country hugging the Bay of Biscay is the quaint, gastronomy mecca coastal city of San Sebastian, Spain.

Well on its way to becoming one of the hottest European vacation-spot destinations of the year, San Sebastian -- or Donostia in the Basque language -- in the Gipusoka province of Spain was named the European Capital of Culture for 2016, along with Wroclaw, Poland.

A well-deserved title, the city is oftentimes upstaged by its fellow northern coastal paradise of Barcelona to its east, however, the countryside splendors of Donostia are more than enough to stand on its own as a must-visit Spanish town for some much needed R&R and heavenly culinary escape for your palate.

While the tourist hot spot of Barcelona is best known for its crisp blue beaches and its salute to the rainbow-colored mosaic works of Antonio Gaudi, the mountainous region of San Sebastian offers fewer crowds, world-class gastronomy indulgences that are simply life altering and stunning gothic architecture. Coupled with its London-fog-like, darkened cloudy skies, the classic European-style building designs and narrow alleyways of the city made me feel as though I was taking a stroll through scenes straight out of a Sherlock Holmes novel.

In the city center, travelers can immerse themselves in a plethora of fun and leisurely activities -- whether its dining, shopping or simply enjoying a brisk walk or bike ride through the quiet and virtually traffic-free streets.

For shopping-lovers looking to burn up some plastic, the city is filled with both bargain and high-end designer shops, including some of Spains most hallmarked stores: Loewe, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Zara and Mango. Shoppers should keep in mind that in true European siesta style, many establishments in Donostia open late and close early, and may have midday break periods. This is especially true with dining establishments, so travelers are best to rely on their hotel for breakfast or midday snacks.

The colorful streets of Hondarribias Walled City west of San Sebastian in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, Spain. (The Korea Herald/Julie Jackson)

If youre looking for something a little more adventurous than a laidback stroll and racking up your Visa balance, fret not because despite its seemingly calm coasts, San Sebastian is actually known for its great surfing conditions.

Come blue skies or gloomy downpours, youd be hard-pressed to ever find Zurriola Beach void of surfers. Located on the eastern of the Beach of La Concha, this surfing hot spot offers some of the regions best white cap swells.

And if youre looking to tackle a more touristy itinerary, a trip up Monte Igueldo is a must for a stunning birds-eye view of the citys long-stretch of coast. The historic funicular de Igueldo is the most popular option up Monte Igueldo, which boasts some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay of Biscay the region has to offer.

For quick day trip ideas venturing around the outskirts of the bayside city, the colorful streets of Hondarribias Walled City was at the top of my list. Just east of San Sebastian, about a half hour drive away, Hondarribia is the only Gipusoka town that still retains its Renaissance walls. The area is said to date back to the Paleolithic Age, roughly 2.6 million years ago.

Along with its historic walled city, Hondarribia next biggest perk is its strategic location right on the coastal border, making it a mere 10-minute boat ride to reach the south of France.

With its serene atmosphere and picturesque cobblestone streets, the suburb village of Tolosa in the southern hemisphere of the Basque region is also an ideal hassle-free trip to experience Northern Spains countryside village splendors.

Gastronomic Wonders

In a city that knows how and loves to indulge, good food and good wine is a religion of its own in Donostia.

While the coastal region does offer more than its fair share of touristic activities and adventures to fill a travelers appetite, there is no denying the greatest highlight of this years European capital of culture -- the gastronomy.

This coastal town with a population of only 186,000 is home to more Michelin stars per square meter than glitzy fine-dining hub Paris.

When it comes to San Sebastian eats, the locals have impeccably high standards, akin to any of the worlds famous culinary cities, guaranteeing you will stimulate your taste buds like never before on a European vacation that will act as a celestial indulgence for your mouth and stomach.

A panoramic view of the Bay of Biscay from atop Monte Igueldo in Spain. (The Korea Herald/Julie Jackson)

Us locals have this running joke that we have the highest number of Michelin star restaurants to population ratio in the world, said local tour guide Lourdes Gorrino Arrieta.

For us, food is one of the most important parts of our culture and everyday life so this is why even in this small region, you will find some of the worlds finest restaurants, she added.

However, you dont need to break your wallet and dine at a Michelin star establishment to enjoy mouthwatering dishes. San Sebastians pintxos -- more commonly known as tapas -- culture is hailed as some of the best in all of Spain.

Paying homage to the citys love of fine dining and fine wine, San Sebastian-native and local guide Eskerne Falcon of Discover San Sebastian offers the most vivaciously entertaining and scrumptious pintoxs tour that was without a shred of a doubt the biggest highlight of my Donostia experience.

Only the locals know that you are not supposed to get all your pintoxs at one bar, said Falcon, who ensured the night of pintoxs indulgences featured the freshest and off-menu bite-sized delights.

If you want to do like the locals, you should only have one or two pintoxs at one place with a drink and then off to another bar, she said. That is all part of the fun, enjoying good company, good drinks and constantly moving around to your favorite pintoxs bars.

Now when it comes to wine, while many parts of country are known for being the land of fruity sangria, in the north, the locals are all about one drink -- txakoli.

Txakoli is a white wine that contains natural CO2, giving off a delectable hint of fizz landing it in the category of a wonderful wine-champagne hybrid, and pairs beautifully with almost any serving of pintxos. This is yet another must among the handful of cultural delights to experience when making your memorable visit to the charming and visually stimulating Basque region of Spain.

Recommended stay:

* Hotel Zenit San Sebastian, San Sebastian

Address: Antonio Maria Labaien 1, 20009 Donosti, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain

Website: sansebastian.zenithoteles.com/en

Recommended local guide:

* Eskerne Falcon (Discover San Sebastian)

Phone: +34 635 759 961

E-mail: eskerne@discoversansebastian.com

Website: www.discoversansebastian.com
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Linkedin (Associated Press) London  Wed, April 20, 2016

Britain's Prince George gets a boost in a photo for a new British stamp set  thanks to some foam blocks and duct tape.

The toddler prince is pictured alongside his father Prince William, grandfather Prince Charles and great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in stamps issued to mark the queen's 90th birthday on Thursday.

The adults are seated, but a smiling George stands atop four foam blocks secured with tape so that his head is at roughly the same height as the others. The blocks can't be seen on the stamp, but a full-length version of the image by photographer Ranald Mackechnie was released by the Royal Mail on Wednesday.

The group photograph has been issued as a sheet that divides into four stamps, one for each of the royals.
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U.S. presidential primary vote in New York overshadowed by irregularities

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, April 20 -- With the news of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton winning their respective nominating contests in New York state on Tuesday, voting irregularities soon sprung up.

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer late Tuesday ordered an audit of the city's Board of Elections after it confirmed more than 125,000 people's names had been removed from voter rolls.

Hundreds of voters have complained to New York's attorney general about problems at polling places during the state's presidential primary.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's voter hotline received 562 phone calls and 140 emails by late afternoon Tuesday, a sharp increase from the 2012 general election when 150 complaints were received.

A Schneiderman spokesman said this year's total number of election complaints is "by far" the most it has handled since Schneiderman took office in 2011.

The complaints include registration problems, a lack of privacy at the voting booth, late-opening polls and poor instructions from poll workers.

Schneiderman's office said it received many complaints from people who said they were not allowed to cast a primary ballot because they had not registered with a political party.

"The people of New York City have lost confidence that the Board of Elections can effectively administer elections and we intend to find out why the Board of Elections is so consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient," Stringer said in a statement.

According to opinion polls, Clinton was projected to win handily in the Democratic primary in New York, holding off an unexpectedly fierce challenge from Bernie Sanders for the Democratic party's nomination.

Early results with 55 percent of all votes counted showed Clinton led Sanders by about 20 percent.

With her win in New York, Clinton would take a majority of New York's 247 pledged delegates, further widening her delegate lead over Sanders.

Like all other Democratic primaries and caucuses, the contest in New York allots pledged delegates proportionally.

Clinton entered the contest on Tuesday with a substantial edge over Sanders in terms of pledged delegates, with 1,411 to 1,179, according to the latest New York Times delegate count.

To win the party's nomination, a Democratic candidate needs to win over 2,383 delegates, including unpledged delegates, who at the moment overwhelmingly support Clinton.

Clinton's win in New York also ended a two-week back-and-forth attack between her and Sanders, with the latter constantly questioning the former secretary of state's judgement and accusing her of not releasing the transcripts of her paid speeches to big banks.

In a bid to derail Sanders, who with a winning streak had defeated her six times in the past seven Democratic contests before Tuesday's contest, Clinton slammed Sanders for his voting records on abortion and gun control.

On the Republican side, New York billionaire developer Trump overwhelmingly won his primary.

Trump was declared the winner by major U.S. media when all polls closed at 9 p.m. local time (0100 GMT). Early results with 40 percent of all votes counted show Trump won more than 60 percent of the vote.

Trump's handy victory in his home state came well within expectation as surveys over the past few weeks all showed that the current GOP front-runner led the Republican field by a large margin.

However, with results still coming in, it remained to be seen whether Trump would garner all or at least close to all the 95 delegates up for grabs in New York.

If voting for Trump tops the 50 percent mark statewide, Trump would take all 14 at-large delegates. The remaining 81 delegates would be allocated based on the share of votes in all of New York's 27 congressional districts.

A clean sweep of all 95 New York delegates would be crucial for Trump in his bid to garner 1,237 delegates before the contested party convention in July.

Trump entered the contest on Tuesday with 755 delegates, 212 more than his major rival Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Anti-Trump Republicans have long suggested that if Trump falls short of the 1,237 delegates, he might be stopped at the first ballot at the nominating convention in July, giving Cruz a chance to snatch the nomination from the New York billionaire developer.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday inspected the Central Military Commission (CMC) joint battle command center, calling for building a joint battle command system with Chinese characteristics. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

BEIJING, April 20 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday inspected the Central Military Commission (CMC) joint battle command center, calling for building a joint battle command system with Chinese characteristics.

Xi on Wednesday morning visited the center, where he serves as the Commander in Chief, calling for implementing the military strategies under the new situations and focusing on the key functions of studying on fighting wars and commanding battles.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and CMC chairman, also asked officers to change their ideas, innovate and tackle difficulties, in a bid to build a joint battle command system that was "absolutely loyal, resourceful in fighting, efficient in commanding and courageous and capable of winning wars."

The strategic and operational command system should be efficient and active in both peace and war, Xi added.
BEIJING, April 20 -- Before high-level government officials from nearly 30 countries and international associations of the steel industry gathered in Brussels for a three-day meeting on Monday, China was set to be blamed for the sector's grave ills.

Last week saw tens of thousands of German steel workers go on strike over steel products from China, and Indian giant Tata's closing of mills in Britain also drew a media flurry against so-called dumping from China.

Analysts said it's convenient for the West to point the finger at China and indulge in domestic populism for its own good. But such a poorly thought out strategy won't help lift the world out of its steel woes and serve instead to strengthen the protectionist bent of some developed economies.

CHINA: CULPRIT OR SCAPEGOAT?

The fact that China is the world's largest steel producer and consumer has made it vulnerable to Western critics. But Zhang Ji, assistant minister of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC), blamed "the slow recovery of the world economy" and "sluggish demand" for the current steel glut.

"In recent years, 85-95 percent of steel produced by China has been for domestic consumption. China's annual steel consumption accounts for 45 percent of the global in total," he said Monday in an interview with Xinhua.

In order to rein in production, China has stopped issuing new licenses for steel projects and begun shutting down outdated facilities.

China also announced earlier this year that it will continue to reduce crude steel capacity by 100 million to 150 million tons in the next five years. Doing so would cost China 100 billion RMB in re-employing over 500,000 laid-off steel workers.

"None of the money will subsidize steel exports," said Zhang. "China has no subsidy policies to stimulate steel exports; instead, it has leveraged export tariffs on some steel products ... The export tariff for billet is 20 percent and for hot-rolled wire rod 15 percent."

In this context, China's crude steel production in 2015 has decreased 1.92 percent year on year, the first annual decline since 1981, with the capacity utilization rate souring to 71.2 percent, higher than the global average of 69.7 percent.

To boost domestic demand, Zhang revealed that China has began large-scale infrastructure projects like the rebuilding of dilapidated houses. The automobile, machinery equipment, power and shipping sectors will see their consumption of steel rise as well. Expect demand for steel to soar to ensure China's Belt and Road initiative becomes a reality.

WESTERN SOLUTION: PROTECTIONISM, PERIOD

Analysts said the West's solution to the current steel issue is riddled in protectionism and China bashing.

At the Brussels gathering, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Trade Representative Michael Froman attributed the "fundamental structural problems" in the global steel industry to China, threatening "trade action" by "affected governments including the United States," if Beijing does not take actions "timely and concrete" enough to satisfy Washington's demands.

The situation on the other side of the Atlantic hasn't been much better. The European Commission issued a policy paper in March, vowing to implement trade remedies and proactive regulation regarding steel imports.

In an overt gesture to single out China, the agency has 16 protective measures aimed directly at China; six of ten steel products under its investigation are related to China; the organization is investigating three Chinese mills and inflicting punitive tariffs on two steel imports.

Moreover, China's exports to European nations, such as Britain and Germany, account for a small fraction of their imports both in volume and sales, not to mention that its exports are mostly of the low value-added variety, such as ordinary steel rods and plates, which many European countries no longer make and have to import anyway.

Furthermore, Europe's accusations are ignorant of the fact that the fundamental reason for its undynamic steel companies and low profits lies in high costs including labor.

Experts say that the United States and Europe should be more constructive in solving the industry's problems rather than engaging in a war of words with China.

Excess capacity is a "shared problem" that "needs to be tackled through joint efforts," said a position paper disseminated by the Chinese delegation during the Brussels meeting.

"Frequent use of trade remedy measures and other import-restrictive measures does not address the root cause of global steel overcapacity, and is detrimental to the division of labor and cooperation," noted the paper, adding that China champions free and open international trade for the steel industry.
BEIJING, April 20, 2016 -- Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2016 shows a portrait of the leading role Edgar Parks Snow in a television series "Red Star Over China". "Red Star Over China" is a Chinese television series based on American journalist Edgar Parks Snow (July.17, 1905-Feb. 15, 1972) who witnessed great changes of China during his stay in China from 1928 to 1941. Edgar Snow was the first Western journalist giving a full account of the history of the Communist Party of China following the Long March, and interviewing many of its leaders, including Mao Zedong. He was best known for his book "Red Star Over China", on the basis of what he saw and heard while reporting the Chinese revolution from the northwest China revolutionary base area with Yan'an as the heart in the 1930s. The book was first published in England in 1937. In the show, Edgar Snow is portrayed by George Christopher Tronsrue (U.S.), his wife Helen Foster Snow by Elyse Ribbons (U.S.), Mao Zedong by Huang Haibing (China) and Soong Ching-ling by Deng Ying (China). The show started filming on Jan. 17, 2016 and is expected to be aired on CCTV (China Central Television) channel 1 in October, to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Long March. (Xinhua)
From skydiving in East Africa to visiting remote Amazonian tribes, volunteering abroad has always been known to offer a wealth of excitement and culture  but have you considered the long-term impact that your summer or gap year travels could have on your life?

The benefits of volunteering abroad dont have to end on the plane home or with a nearly forgotten entry halfway down your CV. In fact, if you play your cards right, the great feeling you get once your project is completed could end up paying off for years. The benefits of volunteering abroad dont have to end on the plane home or with a nearly forgotten entry halfway down your CV. In fact, if you play your cards right, the great feeling you get once your project is completed could end up paying off for years.

Thats why its so important to plan your volunteering trip with a company that knows the area youre travelling to and is aware of their responsibility towards it. Voluntourism might sound like a buzzword, but its a real thing and its harmful  exactly the opposite of what you want from your experience.

Choosing an education-based trip means that, as well as gaining valuable insights yourself, youll develop practical experience in worldwide issues, enhance your skills as a global individual, and become a more outward-thinking person overall.

Aside from the benefits to yourself, the wider world and your impact on it  whether its in terms of climate change or the individual needs of the children at the orphanage youve just finished building - needs to be considered. Income generated by tourism  when channelled in the right way, and into long-term projects  helps build sustainable communities in the areas visited. That, more than elephant rides, is what you want.

Remember what Nelson Mandela said  its probably something we should all bear in mind when were looking into volunteering abroad: Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.

We agree, so ahead of Earth Month on Friday 22nd April weve put together a few ways that the right kind of volunteering can have a real impact  both for yourself and for the planet.

Providing you with increased environmental awareness

Did you know that Malawi suffers the highest rate of deforestation in southern Africa (2.8% annually), exacerbating food and water insecurity? Or that over 80% or the countrys farmers are surviving with 0.23 hectares of land, compared to the sub-Saharan average of 0.4? Or that it only has one remaining rainforest?

Its in-depth local knowledge from statistics like these (taken from the World Food Programme, 2015) that lead the projects that are run by certain travel companies to create a real impact. The Responsible Safari Company, for example, educates those taking part in its environmental workshops about irrigation systems, soil erosion, agricultural land use and conservation. This allows them to track the problems faced by farmers, leading to greater likelihood of a solution being found.

Climate change and environmental volunteering can have a genuine impact, and you can make yourself part of it. Is there any better legacy to take away from your volunteering than that?

Teaching you about how businesses work across the world

From learning how local farmers keep their livelihoods afloat in harsh conditions to investigating sustainable use of forest resources with a local organisation to visiting social enterprises to discuss nutrition and natural remedies, trips like this can offer a whole new perspective on how we in the western world think of business.

Whilst we might think of the concept in terms of start-ups, large office blocks or even entrepreneurial or creative spaces, seeing a different perspective first hand can remind us that this is not all that business means. Sometimes, those leading small businesses are doing so purely to survive. This global perspective can only give us a wider and more thoughtful perspective on work, when we set out in our careers.

Providing practical knowledge for your degree

If your degree is in any area that relates to the environment  geography, geology, natural, environmental or earth sciences, biology  seeing the practical effects of the work that youve been undertaking at university can only aid your understanding of your subject. What is going to aid your degree more than witnessing, discussing and attempting to develop solutions for deforestation, environmental sustainability, lack of clean water or over-fishing? The value you hold for your subject  not to mention your results  will thank you.

There are a number of benefits to travelling and volunteering sustainably, far beyond those mentioned above. As well as enhancing your soft skills, providing genuine accomplishments that you can add to your CV and increasing the value and your understanding of your degree, the skills you can gain are likely to make you a better employee in the future. Because what employer doesnt want someone with global understanding and experience, strong practical skills and cultural sensitivity as part of their team?
Thinking about what's next for you? No doubt your Instagram feeds are filled with pictures of friends off travelling on their gap years.

But maybe you are looking for something different?

Volunteering with Restless Development on the International Citizen Service (ICS) isnt a gap year experience.

ICS is an opportunity to get involved in international development and work with other passionate young people who are bringing about change in communities around the world.

1. ICS is a once-in-a-lifetime volunteering opportunity open to all 18 - 25 year olds. If youre over 23 years old, you can apply to be a Team Leader.

Suzi, a Team Leader in South Africa, supported volunteers to run their local health campaigns raising awareness about the spread of HIV and AIDS and substance abuse.

2. ICS is the chance to work for 10 - 12 weeks in communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. #ICS4Change

Its changed me as a person - my values and my attitude has changed. Its open to anyone; youre not restricted because of where you are or who you are, where youve come from. I 100% would recommend it. Megan, on placement in South Africa

3. ICS is working in partnership with local volunteers to make sure you become an integral part of the community.

photo blog to see what else they got up to. Remi took this photo of fellow volunteer, Ntende, on placement in Uganda and is making a short film about his ICS experience. Check out histo see what else they got up to.





4. ICS is a chance to build your CV, and gain leadership and teamwork skills. You dont need previous qualifications. But you will get lots of new ones.

98% of ICS volunteers would recommend ICS as a way to develop skills for employment.

5. ICS is THE UK Government international volunteering programming for young people. Youre supported all the way and you dont have to spend a penny.

Aleks Campaign Day in Zambia raised awareness of sexual harassment and teenage pregnancy. Now shes back in the UK shes pursuing a career in womens rights.

6. ICS is the chance to challenge yourself to change your world, to experience a new culture, to gain a new perspective and be part of sustainable development projects solving some of the world's toughest problems.

here Becky and her team captured this moment on placement in Tanzania. Her and her team organised a careers fair where they helped young people write their CVs, invited local businesses to give talks, and provided a networking space. You can see photos from the event

7. ICS is where thousands of young people are already active citizens, working in the UK and in countries to bring about positive change. #WeAreRestless

We only work with projects that have specifically asked for our help  and where our volunteers can use their energy and skills to make a direct impact on reducing poverty.

8. ICS is creating leaders of tomorrow. Leaders like you.

Ali, volunteering in South Africa, worked with a group of boys from the local school on sexual and reproductive health. Together they rehearsed a skit on healthy relationships which the students performed in front of 200 people at a Community Action Day.

9. ICS doesn't end when your overseas placement is over. Youll be part of a movement of young active citizens, who are contributing to their communities, committed to fighting poverty, and campaigning for global justice.

Find out more:
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Consortium led by China's Apex Technology to Acquire Lexmark for $3.6 billion

A consortium led by China's Apex Technology has reached deal to buy Lexmark International for about $3.6 billion, the printer giant announced on Wednesday.

The consortium, led by Guangdong-based Apex Technology and PAG Asia Capital, together with Legend Capital, will acquire Lexmark for $3.6 billion or $40.50 per share in an all-cash transaction.

Lexmarks shares gained 12 per cent couple hours after the news was released.

The deal will help Lexmark broaden its access to the vast market opportunities in Asia, said the company in a statement.
To celebrate the upcoming World Earth Day, 600 primary school students form a big pattern of the earth with diameter of 10 meters in Hengyang, central China's Hunan province on April 19 2016. (Photo/CNS)
Phuket beach clearing: Next we take Laypang, Layan

PHUKET: Leypang and Layan beaches on Phukets west coast are next on the officials list for clearing following the demolition of beachfront buildings at Surin this morning (Apr 20).

landpropertycrimecorruptioneconomicstourismconstructionenvironmentnatural-resourcespolicemilitary

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

Wednesday 20 April 2016, 07:20PM

A man carries a child past the remains of one of the demolished buildings at Surin Beach this morning (Apr 20). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

Navy personnel stand guard to ensure no interruptions to the demolition work. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

Navy personnel co-ordinate with the demolition crew which buildings are next to go. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

A backhoe demolishes one of the buildings at Surin Beach this morning (Apr 20). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

A backhoe demolishes one of the buildings at Surin Beach this morning (Apr 20). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

Surin Beach is only a part of the whole beach project, Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat told The Phuket News today.

Next will be demolitions at Leypang and Layan beaches on April 27, he said.

The Phuket Governor and I well know what exactly happened here. We just wanted to get it done. After the demolition is finished, work will begin on the photography museum to honour HM The King and Queen, he added.

V/Gov Chokdee said it was important foreigners to understand what was happening at Surin Beach.

We are not destroying Phuket. We are doing the right things as decided must be done in 2014, he said.

Two large backhoes brought to the beach began razing the buildings on the stroke of 9am, under the protection of Navy personnel led by Lt Sompop Kamkana of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command along with scores of police.

Among the officials present were Cherng Talay Tambon Administration (OrBorTor) chief MaAnn Samran and Thalang District Chief Wikrom Jaakthi.

Watching from a distance were more than 100 people who massed at the entrance to the beach, as military personnel denied them access to the site while the demolition continued.

Some of those among the crowd voiced their support for the demolitions.

For long time, ordinary people could not get in or hang around here (along the beachfront). Now that the businesses have gone, we can come here and sit down and have a picnic, said one onlooker, who asked not to be named.
Longduan Festival is a traditional festival of Zhuang people (an ethnic minority of China) in Funing county of southwest China's Yunnan province. A grand celebration was held at the bank of the Tuoniang River in Funing county on April 18, 2016. Over ten thousands of Zhuang people got together to celebrate the festival.

Longduan Festival is an important traditional festival of the Zhuang people in Funing county. The festival, with a history of nearly a thousand years, commemorates a hero of Zhuang people.

A series of celebration activities, such as singing contest, Zhuang drama performance, dragon-boat racing were held on April 18 and April 19.
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A female member of the special assault team eats live yellow mealworm. (Photo/www.81.cn)

A female member of the special assault team takes a gun out of a snake-filled box. (Photo/www.81.cn)

Female members of the special assault team in the midst of intensive training. (Photo/www.81.cn)

Twenty-two female soldiers from a brigade of the PLA No. 14 army group form a special assault team. When they train alongside male soldiers, every one of the women proves herself just as competent as any other soldier.

According to Yang Yuchang, the political commissar of the brigade, these 22 soldiers are the first batch of female members of the special assault team. All were selected on the basis of their physical ability, shooting skills, a psychological assessment and other evaluations. "Female soldiers have delicate minds and quick responses. Their special qualities help them complete some tasks better than male soldiers," Yang said.

After two years of training, these female soldiers have now mastered all the basic skills such as wrestling, shooting and other combat moves.

When they attended field training last year, the female soldiers ate wild herbs, drank spring water and lived in camps just like the male soldiers. They have fully proved their readiness for a battle station.
A 26-year-old woman in China's Henan province has donated hematopoietic stem cells to an 8-year-old boy in Argentina, Chinanews.com reported on Monday. She is the first Chinese person to voluntarily donate stem cells to an Argentinean citizen.

The woman, Wu Jia, is from the city of Kaifeng. She joined the China Marrow Donor Program in 2013 during a blood drive, and was informed last November that she had been successfully matched with a patient in need.

Knowing how difficult it is to find a match, Wu said she feels very lucky to have been matched with the child in South America. It's lucky for me to be the first Chinese donor to donate hematopoietic stem cells to a patient from Argentina, she added. She also wished the boy a speedy recovery.

The volunteer who came to China in order to fetch Wus stem cells praised what she had done, saying that she is a kind and brave girl who will save a life with her generosity.

The Red Cross Society of Henan started the donation of hematopoietic stem cells in 2003; now, nearly 107,000 donors have participated in the donation program, and 543 successful donations have been made. Henan is the province with the most donors in China.

Wu is the 17th donor in Henan to donate hematopoietic stem cells to a foreigner.
How to watch and what to know about South Dakota State at North Dakota
Theres a compelling bit of symmetry between the plan by General Motors of Canada Ltd. to create a Toronto GM Mobility Campus and the role the company played in this citys early automobile days.

In the first instance, if the auto giant gets it right, the planned campus announced Monday could claim an advantage in the growing world of electromobility.

GMs Chevy Bolt EV, which promises a 320-kilometre range, went into pre-production last month and will be marketed as the first mass-produced and affordable all-electric car. Beyond the Bolt, the just-acquired site on Eastern Ave., south of the jewelbox BMW dealership that glitters above the Don Valley Parkway, is planned as an innovation hub with a distinct e-focus.

The caveat: GMs mainstay non-electric lineup will be sold at the sites dealership.

Still, one can imagine a vast campus of young unplug-and-go engineers tooting to work by e-bike or Twizy. (A Twizy is a car. It is an adorably small urban runabout. It is all electric. It is made by Renault.) There will be a cafeteria not called a cafeteria. It will sell artisanal foodie creations. (I made that up.)

The next step, naturally, is the inevitable end of gas- and diesel-powered vehicles.

Well, that will take more big thinking. Like Sam McLaughlin big thinking.

McLaughlins name will conjure for some his landmark auto dealership south of Wellesley St. on Bay St., a handsome, neo-Gothic building with cut limestone trim.

To those unfamiliar with the McLaughlin name, it was Sam who took his dads carriage and sleigh business and refashioned it into a car manufacturer. Just as the end of the gas-guzzling era gathers strength in our day, the end of horse-drawn vehicles was the reality of Sams. Yes, Canada was a player in the business of car manufacture.

The McLaughlin Buick, made in Canada in 1908 with GM-supplied engines, was a hit. A decade later, the McLaughlin Motor Co. was taken over by GM. General Motors of Canada was formed and McLaughlin named president. The year was 1918.

The handsome dealership on Bay was Sam McLaughlins. Built in 1925, it is most commonly remembered now as Addisons, after Harry Addison, who took over in the mid-50s.

The dealership is gone now, though the building remains, a memory of a time when GM commanded a downtown profile tailored to the Cadillac-loving Bay St. crowd. (The white convertible DeVille with cherry red interior was nice.)

Can GM win over a new generation of, er, mobility seekers with its Silicon Valley cool campus plan?

Sales of e-vehicles and hybrid plug-ins are climbing. U.S. sales in March nudged 14,000, a 33 per cent increase over the previous year, according to tracking outfit InsideEVs. The Tesla phenomenon is evidenced by the top sales ranking in the U.S. of the Model S.

Plug-in sales across all marques in Europe more than doubled in the final quarter of 2015. Electric car champions point to the Netherlands as a jurisdiction with particular promise: the lower house in the Dutch parliament recently voted to ban the sale of new gas and diesel fuelled cars after 2025. The motion would have to pass the upper house to be enacted into law, but still, proponents crow that getting this far is a major victory.

The Netherlands, by the way, registered 25,000 plug-in vehicle sales in the final quarter of last year.

Newer players include Indian car company Mahindra & Mahindra, which has just launched its e2o all-electric car in the U.K. The company pitches the little car as one driven by goodness allowing drivers to nip around the city for less that 10 per month.

And in Canada? Plug-in sales last year reached a modest 7,000. But heres a point of note: the Tesla Model S was in the Number 1 sales slot with roughly 2,000 vehicles. The Model S runs at $90,000 after incentives. The Chevy Bolt is priced at roughly half that. So the opportunity for the new entrant to grow the e-vehicle market is considerable.

Can GM meet its promise of making the Bolt a primary vehicle of choice?

Can the old-school automaker refashion itself as a hipster think tank?

Can GM command a presence in downtown Toronto? As the car makers history can attest, its happened before.

jenwells@thestar.ca

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Engineers from China recently visited the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario to assess the potential of building a $2-billion railway line, a proponent behind developing minerals in the area said Tuesday.

Frank Smeenk, CEO of Toronto-based mineral exploration company KWG Resources, said the rail line is crucial for the extraction of nickel, chromite, copper and platinum from the massive deposits.

He said a team of engineers from a subsidiary of the state-owned China Railway Construction Corp. surveyed a proposed 328-kilometre route last week as part of detailed engineering work before they advance toward a final investment decision.

They had to visit the route, to see it with their own eyes, said Smeenk.

Smeenk said roads would also have to be built to construct the mine and railway.

Those roads would also link several remote northern communities, and they should be built, regardless of whether the mine proceeds, he said.

I think we have an obligation to look after the First Nations, and if in doing that we can make the mineral deposit more accessible, then I think thats a bonus, but we shouldnt make one the hostage of the other, said Smeenk.

Anticipation on development around the Ring of Fire, which was discovered in 2007 and sits about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont., has led to disappointment in the past.

U.S.-based Cliffs Natural Resources spent $550 million buying land in the area and proposed to spend $3.3 billion to develop the deposits plus $1.8 billion to build a chromite processing facility in Capreol, near Sudbury, Ont.

But as commodity prices worsened, Cliffs pulled out of the project, selling off its Ring of Fire property for $20 million (U.S.) in 2014.

Smeenk said the Cliffs exit has calmed down expectations and the pace of development, and the Ring of Fire is now moving ahead more sensibly.

Things got less silly quite honestly after Cliffs threw in the towel, said Smeenk.

He said the Ring of Fires deposit of chromite is particularly attractive for China, whose vast steelmaking industry requires the mineral.

The Chinese dont have chromite and they produce 60 per cent of the worlds stainless steel, so its inevitable that were going to try and do business together. said Smeenk.

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Childrens names will follow them for the rest of their lives, and thats stressful enough to send some parents into the arms of professionals.

Polly is not a heavyweight name, said Albert Mehrabian, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Polly gets a very high score, 98 per cent, on ethical-caring, 87 per cent for popular-fun, which makes sense, its a joyful name. But it gets a 12 per cent in success.

People named Elizabeth, James, and Steven achieve a perfect score and are predisposed to a life far more successful than mine.

Depending on which expert you ask, a childs name can determine everything from his or her future career success to popularity and spiritual connection. Mehrabian wrote The Baby Name Report Card: Beneficial and Harmful Baby Names in 2002, based on a system he developed that weighs a name according to four categories: ethical-caring, popular-fun, success, and masculine or feminine.

Professional services have popped up in the U.S. and Europe to aid parents with naming their children for a fee.

Last year, Marc Hauser, who runs the Switzerland-based naming agency Erfolgswelle, went from solely serving brands to also branding children. His firm charges more than $29,000 for every baby it names, devoting two to three weeks and around 100 hours of work to the process.

Have Your Say

Though Hauser thinks that approaches rating baby names strictly by data (and not emotion) are overrated, his firm does check to ensure that a baby name has not already been trademarked.

Even when its a little close to an existing brand name, it will not survive, he said.

Historians also vet the name to ensure it does not have an aggravating past. Hauser admits that his own first name, Marc, would never make the cut at his firm because its connected to the name of an ancient Roman god of war.

Sherri Suzanne, who runs My Name for Life in New York, said her services begin at several hundred dollars. She spends around 30 hours on a single name report.

While some criteria, like name popularity, can be measured and ranked objectively, I find that other qualities, like morality of a name or likelihood for success, are very subjective and vary from person to person, community to community and particularly generation to generation, said Suzanne. She often works with cultural experts to ensure that a proposed name suits the familys background.

Hiring a professional baby namer is not for the disconnected parent. Hauser and Suzanne said parents tend to be extremely involved, and their feedback shapes the kind of names they receive.

Parents find themselves hiring a consultant because they cant agree with one another, are feeling overwhelmed, or have to navigate a careful cultural bridge such as picking an American name that will be easy for relatives abroad to pronounce, said both experts.

Baby-naming experts have been around since long before Western specialists started marketing the service to nervous parents with high disposable incomes.

In South Korea and India, for example, spiritual leaders can offer advice on what to name a child by reviewing scripture, astrology and local culture. Just as with a wedding, a donation is offered to the spiritual leader in exchange for the service.

In some cases, the baby is not named until after it has been born. A shaman came over to our place and did a ceremony when I was a couple of weeks old, said Seung Lee, a 23-year old San Francisco resident who was named through this process in South Korea. The shaman gave a couple of names for us to mull over.

While the practice is not entirely common, its important to those who participate, said Lee.

Some experts recommend a more data-driven route. Ive seen parents do just incredible things with their poor childrens names because they were creative and thought they were going to be unique, Mehrabian said.

If you are getting somebody who really knows the evidence, then Ill say its worth every penny, whether its $500 or $5,000. Believe me, you dont want to name a child with an unattractive name and have them go through life and suffer the consequences.

Whats in a name?

In a 2001 publication, Albert Mehrabian set out four factors that contribute to the attractiveness of a name: its sense of ethics and caring; its sense of popularity and fun; its sense of success; and its sense of masculinity (for men) and femininity (for women). Some of his examples:

Ethical caring

High: Moses, Emily

Low: Adolph, Brandy

Popular fun

High: Keith, Tiffany

Low: Orville, Abigail

Success

High: Charles, Margaret

Low: Elmo, Bonnie

Masculinity

High: Kyle

Low: Angel

Femininity

High: Sally

Low: Olga

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Canadian Pacific Railway CEO Hunter Harrison has had to abandon his latest attempt at a big railway merger with Norfolk Southern Corp., but he remains convinced it will happen someday.

Though, he may not be the one leading the change as the longtime railway executive is slated to retire in 2017, having already extended his contract at CP by an extra year.

Its with mixed emotions that I am looking at the twilight of my career, Harrison said, sounding a little wistful, during the end of a conference call with analysts on Wednesday.

He said the organization has exciting challenges ahead, vowing that it will establish itself as the number one railroad in North America.

This group is extremely bullish on the future, rightfully so, Harrison said. I just wish I had a few more years ahead of me to be a part of it  but Im excited to watch from the sidelines.

Harrison is credited with the turnaround at CP, which was consistently an industry laggard.

He previously led Canadian National Railway and Illinois Central Railroad, but came out of retirement in 2012, tapped by Bill Ackman of hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management, which won a bitter proxy fight at CP.

The company has slashed jobs, cut costs and improved its bottom line performance under Harrisons leadership.

For the first quarter, CP says it earned $540 million or $3.51 per diluted share, up from a profit of $320 million or $1.92 per diluted share a year ago.

Revenue slipped to $1.59 billion compared with $1.67 billion in the first three months of 2015, blamed on a weak economy.

CP also reported that its operating ratio, which is a measure of efficiency, was 58.9 per cent in the first quarter, better than 63.2 per cent a year ago. Officials are hoping to get to the mid-50s in the coming years.

The company is planning a share buyback of up to 6.91 million common shares, representing 5 per cent of the company. As well, it is hiking the quarterly dividend 43 per cent from 35 cents to 50 cents, beginning in July.

Harrison has repeatedly stated that railway mergers are inevitable, but earlier this month, CP abandoned efforts to take over Norfolk Southern, the second-largest railroad in the east, amid opposition from shippers, other railways and the U.S. Justice Department.

It also tried to acquire Florida-based CSX railroad in 2014, but that bid was also rejected.

We are continually looking for opportunities, strategically, for this organization to grow and take advantage of our strengths, Harrison said.

While the merger with Norfolk Southern was abandoned after sweetening the offers, and months of trying, he insisted its not the end of the world.

However, later on the conference call, Harrison suggested that the process to review potential railway mergers in United States quickly turns political.

If Congress does not want mergers, then why dont they create a law that says you cant have a merger, he said.

He defended CPs proposal, calling it pro-competitive, insisting it opened up competition as well as shareholder value.

Im not worried about my legacy about creating some lasting merger. Thats not what Im about, he said. Im about shareholder value.

Its frustrating, but I would predict post-Harrison, it will happen, he said. People will come to their senses.

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Heineken NV reported beer shipments that rose at more than double the rate analysts expected thanks to growth across Asia and Latin America, heaping pressure on the Dutch brewers global peers who are next in line to report.

Beer volume rose 7 percent, the worlds third-biggest brewer said Wednesday in a statement. Analysts expected 2.4 percent growth. The figure excludes the impact of acquisitions, disposals and currency swings. The shares were up 0.8 percent as of 11:24 a.m. in Amsterdam, paring gains after surging 4.6 percent to a record 86.95 euros.

Its a blowout performance, wrote Jonathan Fyfe, an analyst at Mirabaud. The quarter is an advert for Heinekens favourable market positioning across the Americas region.

The surprise is a large one for Heineken and raises expectations for European rivals SABMiller Plc, Anheuser-Busch InBev NV and Carlsberg. Heinekens beer volume in Asia Pacific rose 23 per cent, boosted by Vietnamese and Chinese new year celebrations. Growth in the region was almost five times faster than the 4.5 per cent median analyst estimate.

The brewer didnt quantify the impact of the new-year parties and the earlier timing of Easter this year. Excluding the boost from Vietnam, beer volume growth was probably mid-single digit, Komal Dhillon, an analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co., wrote.

Heineken, which gets about two-thirds of profit from emerging markets, reiterated that it anticipates stronger sales and profit in 2016 led by Asia, despite a slowdown in some markets such as Russia. First-quarter profit fell 54 per cent to 265 million euros ($382 million Cdn.) due to a 379 million-euro capital gain last year from the sale of a Mexican packaging unit.

Can we analysts be quite that badly wrong?, Andrew Holland, an analyst at Societe Generale, said by phone. Well, yes we can, but the company did also flag the timing of New Year celebrations in China and Vietnam and other one-offs.

The brewer is trying to keep a lid on expectations by leaving the guidance unchanged, he said.

The beer market in Asia has not been favourable to all brewers, with China Resources Beer and Tsingtao reporting profit declines last month as consumers shifted to other drinks.

Heineken outperformed the sluggish U.S. market and beat estimates in Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe. Volume growth was led by Ethiopia and Nigeria, where the company has forecast that conditions will remain challenging and the consumer environment weak due to the low global oil price. Heineken also had double-digit growth in Brazil, a market dominated by AB InBev.

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One of our great national delusions is the belief that we live in a country where all medical services are free.

Its true that we get very good acute-care coverage. A visit to a doctors office is free; if you need surgery and recuperation in a hospital, the bed is there for as long as you need it.

But the system doesnt cover things that many Canadians think it does, such as glasses, hearing aids and physiotherapy. An annual SunLife study finds  again  that the misconception gap is wide.

So for many heading into retirement, its a shock to discover theyll have to pay for many things they need. What to do is a recurring question.

Toronto reader Mary B. summed it up in a recent email. She is single, in good health and will loses her workplace benefit when she retires this fall. I always assumed I would have to get private coverage, she says. But then it occurred to me that virtually all of our medical needs are covered by the Government of Ontario.

I know there is a government drug plan for people over the age of 65. And I thought that perhaps I do not need to take out any private coverage. What are the pros and cons?

Mary is right to think that her basic needs will be met, but may be over estimating what public coverage includes. For glasses, dental care, hearing aids and long-term care, shes on her own. Since shes 67, her medications will be covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program, which includes 4,300 prescription drugs.

But if Mary heads south for a holiday, drugs purchased outside the province are not covered. Nor are such things as syringes and diabetic supplies.

If she ends up in an American hospital and doesnt have travel insurance, Ontario would pick up the amount it would charge here for a hospital stay, not the American amount.

If Mary buys travel insurance and has a pre-existing condition not considered stable, the policy would likely exclude coverage for that. An extended health care package would cover it.

Related: First job, no coverage. What to do?

In the end, her decision will come down to her risk tolerance, says Paul Sywulych, a vice-president at Toronto human resource consultant Morneau Shepell. If shes healthy and doesnt worry about out-of-pocket costs, she shouldnt buy the insurance. But she should be aware that her health now is not what it will be in 15 or 20 years.

Have your say

The purpose of insurance is to cover against expensive, unforeseen events, so Sywulych agrees that dental coverage isnt a good idea; thats really a budget item with more or less predictable costs. One option is to ask your dentist about average annual spending and set that sum aside.

Round-the-clock home care and nursing homes are much more expensive, and are not covered by the province, so this is where people tend to worry, Sywulych says.

If you want to explore the insurance option, here are the basic choices:

A conversion plan: Your employer may let you continue your workplace coverage if you pay. Sywulych says this can be pricey, with a relatively low level of coverage.

Group plans: As with car and household insurance, your college, university, union or professional association may have an affinity plan.

Brokers: They will shop for you and let you compare packages. Ask friends what they do.

Other resources: The OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance web site lists companies offering those services. The Canadian Life Health Insurance Association has a good consumer guide. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care site has details on what it covers.

Whichever way you go, the costs of healthcare in retirement should be part of your financial plan. Its one of those things where a little thought now saves a lot of stress later.

More columns by Adam Mayers

Adam Mayers writes about investing and personal finance on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach him at amayers@thestar.ca

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Australian composer and lyricist Tim Minchin grew up in Perth, Australia, with his nose buried deep in the pages of Roald Dahls books.

I was marinated in Dahl, he says.

The lyrics in the musical Matilda, opening July 5 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre with an all-Canadian principal cast, are a tribute to his poems, Minchin said in an interview in Toronto.

The most obvious example is the song Revolting Children (We are revolting children living in revolting times), which ends the show. It is a direct reference to Dahls book Revolting Rhymes, says Minchin.

Revolting children is a classic pun where Im channelling my love for Dahl.

Minchin says Matilda rests on the shoulders of whoever plays the title character.

In Toronto, Hannah Levinson, 10, and Jenna Weir, 9, both from Toronto, and Jaime MacLean, 10, from Vancouver will share the role of Matilda.

Paula Brancati of Degrassi: The Next Generation is the beloved Miss Honey while Dan Chameroy of Drowsy Chaperone and Ross Petty panto fame will portray the evil Miss Trunchbull. Brandon McGibbon, who shared the Dora Award for Best Ensemble for Once, is Mr. Wormwood, Matildas horrible father, while Mrs. Wormwood will be played by Darcy Stewart, a recent graduate of the Randolph School of the Arts.

Matilda continues to run in England where it opened in 2010 and has been on Broadway since 2013. In 2015, companies began touring in North America and Australia so that more than five million people have seen the musical.

The poorly parented Matildas story is Pre-Harry Potter. Shes even locked under the stairs. Instead of a wand, she has a wonderful mind, Minchin says.

The father of two is raising his kids to be Dahl fans and named his 9-year-old daughter Violet, although the Violet in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is awful.

In spite of the fairly dark things that happen to Matilda, shes no victim, says Minchin: she plays pranks such as gluing her fathers hat to his head and turning his hair green to get even. When there are bigger threats, she turns to other children for a united front.

Kids dont need to be more than kids to vanquish despotic adults, he says. The stories arent maudlin as Dahl never let anyone wallow.

Audiences have crossed all age groups and countries. Its for grown-ups and children; the 65-tear-old male truck driver from Wales and the 6-year-old from New York.

The storytelling captures the childlike joy of simple things like climbing a tree and the belief in justice, says Minchin, adding thats what moves the audience to tears.

People are crying for their lost self, before they got cynical, old and greedy.

The producers are the Royal Shakespeare Company and Dodger Theatricals. Its being presented by Mirvish Productions as part of the 2015/16 subscription season.

A comic who has appeared in Toronto twice with the Just for Laughs Festival, Minchin was floored when asked by the Shakespearean company to write songs for Matilda. Hed asked the estate of Dahl in 2001 for the rights to produce a show in his hometown and they asked for a score.

The self-taught Minchin, who says his dream as a young man was to play piano in a bar in north Perth, didnt know what a score was. Throughout his entire career hed been expecting proper composers to take the jobs hes been offered.

When asked about what he shares with Matilda, he drew laughter from the audience at a media preview, saying, We both have unkempt hair: me from ostentation, her from neglect.

And they both love reading and the power of words.

Thousands of children see Matilda every day and Minchin says his dream is for them to leave the theatre saying, Yes, I will read a lot of books and vanquish the bullies.

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Theyre big, theyre beautiful and theyre a pain to prepare. Why bother? Because artichokes are a rite of spring, and because the meaty, mineral-rich heart hidden deep within their armoured leaves make it (almost) worth the effort.

Of course, as soon as I decided to write about this edible thistle I couldnt find any medium-sized chokes to cook. I did find huge green globes, the type you cook and eat by dipping the end of each leaf in sauce then scraping it between your teeth to extract the bump of tender, nutty-tasting pulp.

Puzzled, I called Ocean Mist in Castroville, Calif., artichoke capital of the world. Senior sales manager Bob Polovneff confirmed that, yes, tis peak season for artichokes, but said the crop was delayed until the end of March and it was so hot the unruly perennials sent up more jumbo chokes than usual.

The good news, he says, is that trucks loaded with medium-sized chokes have just arrived in Toronto and we should see more of all sizes over the next month, maybe even a few no-fuss baby chokes to shave into salad.

Polovneff recommends cooking a few artichokes at a time and storing in a plastic bag in the fridge, ready to reheat for a minute in the microwave. Serve large ones with your choice of dip, from salsa to olive-oil balsamic.

Enjoy fresh, healthy California artichokes now, then wait for the fall crop of Ontario babies.

Buy and Store

Choose firm, heavy artichokes with compact leaves.

Store loosely covered in the crisper for several days.

Store cooked artichokes in a plastic bag for up to a week.

Frozen baby artichokes are a great alternative

Prep:

Large artichokes:

Rinse under running water.

If leaves are thorny, cut off tips horizontally with scissors.

Remove stem so it stands up.

Bake, steam, boil or microwave until base is tender when pierced with a knife.

Serve whole, letting guests pluck and dip their own leaves, or remove large leaves and pile around a dish of dip. Draw a leaf through your teeth to eat the nubble of pulp.

When you reach the choke, remove the pale, spiky leaves tinged with violet and scrape off the layer of silk beneath to reveal your prize  the grey-green heart. Cut into pieces and dip.

Medium artichokes:

Snap off squeaky, leathery green outer leaves into a big bowl (discard) until you reach the thin, green-yellow inner leaves.

Discard brown end of stem and peel the rest  its a delicious extension of the heart.

Rub with half a lemon as you work to prevent browning.

With serrated knife, cut off top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of cone.

Cut around the cream-coloured base with paring knife to remove all dark green bits. Cut artichoke in half lengthwise. Remove layer of fluff where it meets the heart and pull out tough inner leaves.

Cook, then use in pasta, salads and pizza, grilled vegetable kebabs, etc.

Steam: Bring 2 inches (5 cm) water to a simmer in large pot. Fit with steamer basket, place trimmed artichokes inside. Cover and steam until hearts are tender when pierced with a knife or leaves pull out easily, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Microwave: Remove stem from 2 large artichokes and place stem-up in baking dish with 1/4 cup (60 mL) water. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and cook on High about 10 minutes or until cake tester goes through base easily without resistance. Let rest 4 minutes. Smaller chokes will take less time. Do not overcook.

For recipes and videos, visit oceanmist.com/artichokes .

Braised artichokes in tomato sauce

Adapted from Bon Appetit, this delicious dish is great as an appetizer or tossed with pasta.

4 anchovies in oil, drained

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup (125 mL) lightly packed mint leaves

2 tbsp (30 mL) + 1/4 cup (60 mL) olive oil

14-oz (398 mL) can plain diced tomatoes

3/4 cup (180 mL) dry white wine

1/4 cup (60 mL) olive oil

1 tsp (5 mL) salt

1/4 tsp (1 mL) crushed red pepper flakes

4 or 5 medium artichokes, rinsed

1 lemon, halved

For pesto, pulse anchovies and garlic in mini food chopper until finely chopped. Add mint and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 2 tbsp (30 mL) oil and process to a coarse paste. Set aside.

In a Dutch oven, place tomatoes, wine, 1 1/2 cups (275 mL) water, remaining 1/4 cup (60 mL) oil, salt and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil over high heat then lower heat to a simmer.

To prepare artichokes, snap off dark green outer leaves until you reach the tender green-yellow leaves. With serrated knife, cut off top inch (2.5 cm) of cone and remove brown part of stem. As you work, rub cut ends with lemon to prevent browning.

Cut around base with paring knife to remove all dark green bits; peel stem. Cut artichoke in half lengthwise. Cut out fluffy layer where it meets the heart and pull out spiky inner leaves. Rub pesto all over artichoke halves and place in a single layer in tomato mixture.

To maintain colour and keep submerged, cover with a plate slightly smaller than the pot.

Simmer 1 hour, turning once, until hearts are fork-tender and sauce is thick. Transfer to a serving dish, spooning sauce over top.

Makes four servings.

Cynthia David is a Toronto-based food and travel writer who blogs at cynthia-david.com

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Dragon confit and deer testicles. Yum yum.

The Star asked five Toronto-area chefs to cook for their favourite Game of Thrones characters. The HBO series returns Sunday with Season 6, the first to go beyond George R.R. Martins source books.

Using ingredients both real and imagined  if show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss can make it up, why not us?  the chefs rose to the challenge as valiantly as Brienne of Tarth in the bear pit.

Some menus were serious, others less so. The one common element? All the food stayed on paper only. After all, baby dragons are hard to come by.

MENU 1

Pedro Pereira, chef/owner of Fishbone Restaurants, kept Daenerys Targaryens wedding night in mind.

Appetizer: Open fire, slow-roasted mutton ribs, pomegranate BBQ sauce, mint yogurt

Main: Dragon flame-torched Narrow Sea trout, hemp butter almandine, honey roasted grapes

Dessert: Fermented mares milk panna cotta with 269 AL* Vintage port-poached figs, cinnamon honeyfingers

* After Lannister

MENU 2

Martin Kouprie, lately of Pangaea, includes Westeros wine pairings for Tyrion Lannister.

Appetizer: Hard cheese with honey, figs, grapes and black bread

Arbor Blanc du Mouton Noir (Terroir Reserve)

Main: Deer testicles stewed in beef broth with root vegetables, chopped almonds and pomegranate molasses

Arbor Red (Lannister Legacy Collection)

Dessert: Date & preserved lemon cakes with cardamom, pepper and rose syrup with sweetened kataifi crown

Dornish Gold Late Harvest

MENU 3

Jay Scaife, lately of Cafe Bar Pasta, says Tyrion Lannister would make the ideal dinner guest given his appreciation for good food as well as wine.

1st Course: Butter-basted quail breast with salad of toasted almonds, apple, fig and honeycomb with mead vinaigrette

2nd Course: Whole roast pigeon stuffed with bacon, black bread and onion, pomegranate red wine glaze

3rd Course: Baby dragon two ways  brandy-poached tongue with puffed dragon scale chips + ginger-fried sweetbreads and sour cherry syrup; braised leg, leek and chili stew encased in flame-toasted dragon egg hollandaise

MENU 4

Windup Restaurant chef Bryan Birch and manager Whitney Knowles set their elaborate dinner in Sunspear to honour the late Oberyn Martell and his flair for the dramatic. Here are a few courses.

Appetizer: Preserved lemon-marinated spike fish (similar to our swordfish)

Main: Dragon Three Ways  confited legs, curried shoulder and roast breast with lily rice and boiled black stones (a naturally black potato)

Dessert: Dornish plum tart tatin

Black Tar rum, persimmon wine from Slavers Bay and Dornish sour red wine

MENU 5

This is what the Deli King, aka Zane Caplansky of Caplanskys Deli, would cook for the Dragon Queen.

Appetizer: Brimstone eggs, pickled in the tears of a thousand lamenting Baratheon widows crying for the loss of their ill-gotten homesteads.

Main: Dragonfire brisket, slow-cooked in the green flames of wildfire, as the seas burn with the wraith of the returning Targaryen dragons.

Dessert: Blintzes

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Barnsteiners

Address: 1 Balmoral Ave. (at Yonge St.), 416-515-0551, barnsteiners. com

Chef: Herbert Barnsteiner

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m.

Reservations: Recommended

Wheelchair access: Yes

Price: Dinner for two with wine, tax and tip: $120

Good reputation

Michelle and Herbert Barnsteiner have certainly cornered the midtown dining market.

Nearly two years after selling the popular Corner House on Davenport Rd., the married couple opened Barnsteiners last December at the corner (where else?) of Balmoral Ave. and Yonge St.

By staying in their catchment area, they report 90 per cent of their original customers have found them  a retention rate the technology industry would envy.

Its a loyalty born from 15 years of unpretentious hospitality and good value at the Corner House, plus a clear sense of identity and purpose.

Were not the latest hot, trendy restaurant out there. Were a neighbourhood restaurant, says Michelle Barnsteiner.

The vibe

Despite culinary throwbacks like roasted red pepper hummus in the breadbasket, Barnsteiners is a thoroughly contemporary room.

Moncur designers completely overhauled the former Terroni space, installing Mexican tiled floors, stencilled walls and funky black lights. In the open kitchen, half a dozen cooks work at full speed, triple the number that once fit in the tiny kitchen at the Corner House. (Another plus, say the owners: This restaurant is all on one floor.)

It can get so busy on a Wednesday night, even local media personality Stephen LeDrew has nowhere to sit but the bar. As the evening progresses, the noise rises to 85 decibels, approaching snowblower levels.

Das Schmeckt

Herbert Barnsteiners food is simpler now, freed from the expectations of special-occasion diners. He draws more on his Bavarian background, having taken a European sabbatical with his family last year.

This translates into truly excellent veal schnitzel ($23), all the better for being pan-seared instead of deep fried. Its so straightforward it takes longer to describe than to make. With it comes a tart potato-cucumber hybrid salad.

Spaetzle ($19) are richly comforting, the crevassed noodles ideal for collecting the darkly caramelized onions and melted gruyere and butter. St. Bernards should carry it in their barrels when rescuing mountaineers.

Wrong Footsteps

More of that spaetzle comes with venison stew ($26) long on root vegetables but short on meat. Proportions arent the only problem; the red-wine sauce could benefit from a lemony kick in the pants.

Flawed fish and chips ($19) bring to mind previous tenant John & Sons, a chippy that failed to impress. There are two pieces of beer-battered haddock in Barnsteiners version. One piece is rubbery, the other is not. Plus the fries are oversalted.

Old favourites, such as the astonishingly tender grilled calamari splashed with brown butter ($14), remain.

Tart Ending

Selling warm cookies and cold milk is a good thing. Corinna Mozo did it beautifully at Delux, all gooey chocolate chips. But when a restaurant like Barnsteiners sends forth room-temperature cookies ($7) that taste of sodium bicarbonate, its disappointing. So is the apple strudel ($10), warm on the outside and cold in the centre.

Better to conclude with the deconstructed lemon meringue pie ($9), a wallop of curd shot through with candied zest and partnered with shards of crust and toasted marshmallow rosettes.

Its the same dessert Barnsteiner popularized at the Corner House but with a fun new look. Like Barnsteiners, it is the once and future Corner House.

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PORT HOPE, ONT.Angie Collins opened her laptop one evening in June 2014 to a Facebook message she says made her heart sink like a lead ball into my stomach.

It was from a woman in the United States who had used the same sperm donor as she had to get pregnant. They knew each other from an online forum that connects donor-conceived families.

The woman wrote she had learned some unsettling information about their supposedly anonymous donor. He was not the healthy man advertised on his sperm-bank profile. She had discovered he has schizophrenia, a serious mental illness that, according to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, occurs in 10 per cent of people who have a parent with it.

Collins, mother of a then 6-year-old son, and other moms who used the donors sperm frantically took to the Internet in search of information they hoped would disprove the revelation.

Instead, it just kept getting worse and worse, she recounts in her first exclusive interview since her case made headlines around the world a year ago.

The donor was nothing like the perfectly healthy man  aside from some colour blindness on his dads side  touted on the sperm banks website. Nor was he working on a PhD in neuroscience engineering en route to becoming a professor of biomedical robotics at a medical school.

Instead, Chris Aggeles, a now 39-year-old man from Georgia, has struggled with serious mental illness for much of his adult life. In addition to schizophrenia, court documents show he has had diagnoses of bipolar and narcissistic personality disorders, and has described himself as having schizoaffective disorder.

He has a history of run-ins with the law, has done time in jail, dropped out of college and struggled in the past to hold down jobs.

His sperm has been used to create 36 children: 19 boys and 17 girls from 26 families, according to a 2014 email to Collins from Georgia-based sperm bank Xytex Corp.

And there may be more, says lawyer, Nancy Hersh, a San Francisco-based crusader on womens health issues who is representing many of the families. He sold his sperm to Xytex between 2000 and 2014, she says, adding that some was stored and made available for use after that time.

The international debacle has shaken confidence in the industry and fuelled a cross-border debate over the ethics of paying men for their sperm. In Canada, where it is illegal, there are calls to change the law to help address a shortage of sperm, and opposing arguments against its commercialization.

Aggeles, his lawyer and some family members declined to be interviewed by the Star for this story despite repeated requests.

Collins, a 45-year-old teacher from this quiet town east of Toronto, says she felt physically ill when she was hit with the realization her sons life could just turn on a dime in puberty.

It was like a dream turned nightmare in an instant, she says.

As early as this week, she and her partner, Beth Hanson, intend to file a lawsuit against Xytex from Toronto, Hersh says, noting they have retained local legal counsel. More Canadian families may join the legal action.

As well, Hersh says she intends to file additional lawsuits in the United States on behalf of affected American and British families within the next two months.

Allegations against Xytex, which include fraud and negligent misrepresentation, have not been proven in court and the company denies any wrongdoing.

In a recent email, Xytex lawyer Ted Lavender says the company has been in compliance with industry standards. Xytex will vigorously defend itself against any new lawsuits and seek to have them dismissed, he writes, adding that he has no further comment at this time.

This will mark Collins second attempt to get legal redress. She and Hanson tried to sue Xytex a year ago in Georgia.

But the case was dismissed because it was considered more of a wrongful birth claim, which is not recognized under Georgia law. (This is a legal cause of action in some jurisdictions in which parents claim they were not properly warned of risks of having children with serious health problems.) An appeal was dismissed because of procedural issues.

But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney pointed out that the law is behind the times when it comes to dealing with advances in reproductive technologies, and suggested there should be some way for plaintiffs to seek justice.

Science has once again  as it always does  outstripped the law, he wrote. Plaintiffs make a compelling argument that there should be a way for parties aggrieved as these Plaintiffs are to pursue negligence claims against a service provider in pre-conception services.

Emboldened by the judges words, Collins and Hersh are also turning to the court of public opinion to pressure the sperm-bank industry and government to make changes.

Given the current state of affairs in the sperm-bank industry, it is strictly a matter of luck if a sperm donor is an upstanding and healthy individual, not a matter of testing, screening, regulating or legislating, Collins charges.

Who would have thought that an industry that makes people would be like this?

She has spent much of the last 22 months calling and writing to sperm banks, distributors and bureaucrats, urging them to address the lack of industry oversight, insufficient screening of sperm donors and Canadas reliance on U.S. imports.

Hersh calls Collins a hero for her ongoing efforts and for going public with the battle.

She is the Erin Brockovich of the sperm-bank set, Hersh says. She is very brave and courageous to be doing all of this to prevent these problems from happening to other people.

Collins always wanted to have children, but being in a same-sex relationship presented a challenge. In need of sperm, she and Hanson spent about four months in 2006 researching their options.

I didnt have a friend in mind and my doctor was actually discouraging of using a known donor, she says.

A fertility specialist suggested using a sperm bank, explaining that finding a known donor could be difficult and raise custody issues.

She was given names of three sperm banks  one Canadian and two American. The Canadian bank, one of only three in the country that accepts altruistic donations of sperm from Canadian men  had comparatively few donors to choose from, she says.

Since the passage of the 2004 Assisted Human Reproduction Act, which made it illegal for men to get paid for donating sperm, there has been a shortage on this side of the border, local sperm banks report. Canadians seeking sperm are largely at the mercy of foreign markets, primarily the U.S., Health Canada confirms.

Collins says she chose Xytex because of its large, reportedly high-quality donor selection and claims of rigorous screening. You can rest easy knowing right up front (that) every Xytex donor ranks in the top 1% of the population in health and wellness, Xytexs website boasts.

Xytex tests donors and their sperm for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, according to the website. The company says it requires a physical exam, psychological exam, completion of an extensive questionnaire that delves into personal and family medical history, and genetic testing for a number of conditions, including cystic fibrosis.

Donors must update their medical history and undergo a physical examination every six months, the website says.

As well, Xytex is compliant with Health Canada regulations, which require additional testing for conditions such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

In 2006, Collins pored over Xytexs online catalogue in search of a donor. From hundreds of profiles, she zeroed in on donor 9623 because he was the male version of my partner, she says. Like Hanson, the man in the ad was blue eyed, intelligent, academically accomplished and musically gifted.

The donors full profile, an archived copy of which can still be found on Xytexs website, states he has an IQ of 160 (the same as Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking), bachelors and masters degrees in neuroscience and is pursuing a PhD.

He has received international acclaim for his talent as a drummer, it says.

Included in the profile is a six-page health questionnaire that asks whether he or any blood relative has any of 143 medical conditions. Donor 9623 answers no to all but one; his father is colour blind. Specifically asked if he has schizophrenia or manic depression (bipolar disorder), 9623 responds no.

For an extra fee, prospective families could download an audio interview of 9623, conducted by Xytex corporate donor counsellor Mary Hartley, who praises him as the perfect donor.

Obtained by the Star, the 2006 recording portrays an articulate and impressive-sounding young man who says he speaks five languages, is studying artificial intelligence and plans on becoming a professor of biomedical robotics at a medical school.

He says he reads four or five books a month (non-fiction mostly) and tells of once winning a pizza party at Pizza Hut because he read 300 books in a single month.

Commenting on his motivation to donate, 9623 says: Sure, at first the money is definitely an attraction. I would be lying if I said it wasnt, but what really has kept me coming is the fact that I know that I am helping  to give parents who are very eager to have a child one of the greatest gifts in the world, their child. I cant deny the power of that.

Hartley gushes over 9623, telling him she knew from the first time she met him five years earlier that he had an above-average IQ. She says she always knew he was motivated by more than money:

Gosh, you are lucky if you get a handful of men like you. I have been here two decades and Im telling you, its hard to get guys (like you). The monetary compensation is what gets peoples interests, but I could tell you were going to be someone who would stick with it  just because you had a lot of integrity and it means just more than the income.

Hartley tells 9623 that its difficult to get donors of his calibre and that its men like him who make sperm banks above average:

I just remember thinking, good gosh, what a mature young man you were and I could just tell from our first conversation that you were very special . . . I said, Oh my gosh, you are going to be the perfect donor.

The interview was not available when Collins chose 9623. The written profile was nevertheless enough to sell her on him.

She admits there was one sentence that gave her pause: The medical and social history was provided by the donor and cannot be verified for accuracy.

Collins says she was concerned enough to call Xytex and alleges that her misgivings were allayed when a company representative told her: We do all of our own internal testing to the degree that you will know more about your donor than your own partner.

A distributor imported the sperm to Canada. Collins was impregnated through artificial insemination at a Toronto fertility clinic. She gave birth to her son in July 2007.

The mothers who used 9623s sperm learned of his real identity when Xytex released it to some of them in a 2014 email, seemingly inadvertently and in a breach of confidentiality, Hersh says.

The curious moms naturally took to the Internet to learn what they could about James Christian Chris Aggeles.

A U.S. mom was the first to spot trouble when she stumbled across a YouTube video of a young woman describing her struggles with schizophrenia. In 2012, an individual by the name of Chris Aggeles added this comment to the video, which has since been taken down:

I have schizophrenia, and the hearing voices is kind of hard to explain, but here goes: so I will be thinking something like, what I am going to make for dinner, and its like my thought gets interrupted by a voice that tells me something that usually has nothing to do with what I was just thinking. Its usually mean, and will say things that are derogatory and demeaning to me.

Hersh says she interviewed Aggeles while preparing the first lawsuit against Xytex and that he acknowledged there were misrepresentations in his profile.

Through public record searches, the Star has verified Aggeles donor profile contained incorrect information and has discovered additional details about his mental health, criminal past, education and work history.

An Oct. 2005 forensic report, obtained from the Cobb County Superior Court in Georgia, shows he was charged with burglary seven months earlier, when he was 28. He allegedly broke into a house and stole a large number of musical instruments.

The report was prepared by a psychologist who assessed him and determined he was competent to stand trial despite being mentally ill.

There was some disagreement over Aggeles diagnosis with hospital records showing an earlier diagnosis of cannabis-induced psychotic disorder had been changed to schizophrenia.

The report also states Aggeles had experienced significant grandiose delusions and been diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder as well as bipolar disorder.

Aggeles told the psychologist he had a seven-year history of psychiatric problems and had been hospitalized numerous times.

The forensic report goes on to say that he had a history of arrests for trespassing, DUI and disorderly conduct. The Star was unable to confirm the outcome of those arrests.

The Star also obtained from the court a transcript from a Nov. 2005 hearing during which Aggeles pleaded guilty to the burglary charge. Aggeles is quoted as telling the court he has bipolar and schizoaffective disorders.

The transcript indicates he was not receiving proper medical treatment at the time of the break-in, but by his plea hearing, was on medication and regularly seeing a psychiatrist.

His stepfather testified that Aggeles had suffered a series of psychotic episodes since age 19. Prior to that, the young man was on a promising trajectory. Very bright, he graduated from high school as an honour student and began studying at the University of Georgia (UGA) on a full scholarship.

High stress situations and lack of medication cause him to have psychotic episodes . . . With supervision with medication, I think he is a productive citizen, the stepfather told the court.

Aggeles mother also testified her son committed the burglary because his medication had been changed and he was not mentally sane as a result and decided to take affairs into his own crazy head.

She explained he had a very sporadic work history and was not able to hold jobs for long. At the time, he had been working at the Outback Steakhouse for a month and prior to that at a pizza place for two months.

But things finally seemed to be turning around for Aggeles, his mother told the court, explaining that for the first time in 10 years, he was able to take care of his mental health, education and employment.

Facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail, Aggeles was sentenced instead as a first offender, a disposition that meant a felony conviction would not appear on his record so long as he obeyed numerous conditions, among them staying on medication and continuing medical treatment.

He was ordered incarcerated for eight months with the rest of a 10-year sentence to be served on probation, according to a copy of the disposition obtained by the Star.

Aggeles promised to return to Athens Technical College from where he had dropped out the previous year. He said he wanted to get his grade point average up, return to UGA and get his scholarship back.

Im very repentant and its the stupidest thing Ive ever done, Aggeles told the court. I will never, ever commit another crime.

In delivering her sentence, Justice Adele Grubbs said: Somehow hes got to learn that he is personally responsible for his actions, not anybody else.

Aggeles did manage to make it back to UGA, graduating just last year. Two decades after starting at the university, he graduated with a bachelors in cognitive science, minoring in computer science, according to the registrars office. He attended the university in 1995 and 1996, then again from 2012 to 2015. He has also attended Kennesaw State University.

Another inconsistency that jumped out at the families relates to photographs of Aggeles posted on his donor profile on the Xytex website. A childhood photo included in an early version of the profile showed a large mole on his cheek. But in a later version of the profile, a photo of the donor at a younger age curiously showed no mole.

Hersh alleges it was doctored.

Xytex denies this and says the donor provided signed photos of himself and that the company never altered them.

Aggeles appears to be doing well today. He is currently enrolled in a masters program in artificial intelligence and working at UGA as a research assistant.

Social media posts show that he got married last summer and that he plays drums in an indie-rock band.

Xytex maintains it has done nothing wrong.

In an open letter posted on the companys website last April, president Kevin OBrien indicated Xytex relies on the honour system when it comes to collecting medical and social histories of donors. Xytex has always been upfront about letting would-be parents know the company does not corroborate such information, he said.

He (Aggeles) reported a good health history and stated in his application that he had no physical or medical impairments. This information was passed on to the couple, who were clearly informed the representations were reported by the donor and were not verified by Xytex, OBrien wrote, referring to Collins and Hanson.

Collins and Hersh want sperm banks to do more rigorous vetting of donors, specifically by getting applicants to sign releases granting access to medical records. They also want sperm banks to do thorough criminal and education background checks.

Given that donors can make up to $150 per donation, there is an incentive for men who would not pass the screening process to lie to make money, Hersh argues. This may be particularly attractive to those who have trouble finding employment, for example, men who are seriously mentally ill and ex-cons, she says.

The pair wants Xytex to create a medical fund so that offspring created from Aggeles sperm can be monitored as they grow for early signs of mental illness. Disorders such a schizophrenia are usually not diagnosed until the late teens and 20s. The fund would also be used for early intervention and treatment so the children could live the best lives possible.

They also want Xytex to make good on a pledge on its website to inform parents of new information it learns about donors, which its medical director deems medically significant. Hersh says she is in contact with 16 families who have 23 children between them and none have been informed by Xytex about problems with donor 9623.

Collins wants the Canadian government to amend the 2004 Assisted Human Reproduction Act, which made it illegal to pay sperm donors, egg donors and surrogates anything but expenses.

She may have found a friend in Quebec Liberal MP Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal). A lawyer, he has been pushing for changes to the legislation since getting elected last October, prompted by friends who have hit him up for free legal advice after being stymied in their attempts to expand their families through assisted reproduction.

They have been forced to look abroad for sperm, eggs and surrogates because the legislation limits availability here, he says, explaining that demand for assisted human reproduction is growing because of the increase in same-sex unions, single parents and women conceiving later in life.

We need to have a Canadian solution, argues Housefather, adding that its ludicrous Canadian men cannot sell their sperm, but that Canada allows imports from countries where men can be paid.

Nobody is going to do this unless they are compensated, he argues, noting that prior to the legislation there were dozens of sperm banks in Canada where Canadian men could sell their sperm and now there are only three where men can donate without pay.

Housefather would also like to see regulations adopted requiring sperm banks to obtain medical records from donors and to do thorough background checks to confirm information provided by donors, for example criminal and education background checks.

But others, including academic Alana Cattapan, warn that allowing men to sell their sperm is a bad idea. The post-doctoral fellow studying assisted reproduction at Dalhousie University says one reason the Assisted Human Reproduction Act was introduced was to prevent commercialization of human tissues and fluids.

Though 22 years have elapsed since it came into force, the principle behind it remains important to Canadians, she contends.

Cattapan argues the focus should instead be on facilitating altruistic donation of sperm around the world, that is, sperm thats actually donated rather than sold.

She cautions against continuing down the slippery slope of reproductive capitalism, warning that its ethically fraught.

From all appearances, Collins son, now 8, is happy and healthy.

The sweet, blond boy does well in school and is musically gifted. Like his donor, he plays the drums.

But Collins cant help but worry for him.

The most important entity to me is potentially facing a very debilitating lifestyle, she says.

She says she feels cheated: I felt like I was duped by Xytex and I failed my son for having chosen Xytex. In hindsight, a hitchhiker on the side of the road would have been a far more responsible option for conceiving a child.

When Collins story hit the airwaves last April, she was forced to provide my lad, as she calls him, with age-appropriate information about the case.

I told him, The man who helped create you and all your half siblings has something wrong with his brain. He shouldnt have been donating and the company shouldnt have been promoting him. We want to make sure that all you kids are safe in the future so were suing.

He didnt ask at the time what was suing and we didnt have to explain that. But he did ask, So mommy, am I OK?

You are fine right now, I said. He was like OK and off he went.

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Three Ontario families have launched lawsuits against a U.S. sperm bank and its Ontario distributor, alleging they were misinformed about their sperm donor, who has turned out to have multiple diagnoses of mental illness and is a convicted felon.

The claims, filed Wednesday against Georgia-based Xytex Corp. and Aurora-based Outreach Health Services, allege the companies continued to promote and sell the donors sperm even after the sperm bank had been informed he was nothing like the man advertised on his online profile.

If proven, this takes this case from shocking to truly outrageous, charges the families Toronto lawyer, James Fireman.

Xytexs lawyer, Ted Lavender, said Wednesday night that he had not seen the lawsuits so could not comment. Representatives of Outreach could not immediately be reached for comment.

The donors sperm is alleged to have been used to create at least 36 children in Canada, the United States and Britain.

The lawsuits charge that Xytex fabricated the donors IQ, raising it to a genius level of 160 (the same as Einstein and Stephen Hawking) after he told them he thought it was more like 130.

The families are from Port Hope, Ottawa and Haileybury, north of North Bay. They each have one child created from the donors sperm, ages 8, 6 and 4, respectively.

They are seeking $15.4 million in damages.

The allegations, which include wrongful birth, failure to investigate and fraud, have not been proven in court.

A recent Star investigation confirmed the man who sold his sperm to Xytex was very different than the donor the company advertised.

The donor, known initially only as No. 9623, was touted as extremely healthy and working toward a PhD in neuroscience engineering.

Families learned his real identity  James Christian Chris Aggeles, now 39, of Georgia  in 2014, after Xytex, inadvertently and in a breach of confidentiality, included his email address in an email to them, said Nancy Hersh, a San Francisco lawyer who also represents some of them.

Parents took to the Internet to learn what they could about him and were stunned by what they were able to quickly discover. Subsequent public record searches raised more red flags. Among the allegations cited in the lawsuits:

Aggeles has received diagnoses of schizophrenia, narcissistic personality disorder, drug-induced psychotic disorder and significant grandiose delusions.

He committed a residential burglary in 2005 and spent eight months in jail. He has also had previous arrests.

He dropped out of university, and just last year graduated with a bachelors degree, 20 years after enrolling.

Aggeles applied to be a donor in October 2000 and was promptly accepted without even being asked to show a drivers licence to prove he was who he said he was, the lawsuits claim.

The families allege Xytex continued to sell his sperm until January of this year, even though they informed the company back in 2014 of the discrepancies. Outreach continued to sell it until January last year, they allege.

Angie Collins and Beth Hanson, of Port Hope, are the only plaintiffs allowing their names to be used.

Collins said she is angry at Xytex and Outreach, but has compassion for Aggeles: He should not have done what he did, but the big problem is not with him. Its with companies that allowed him to donate and sold his sperm.

Despite numerous requests, Aggeles, his lawyer and family members have refused to comment.

Hersh said there are plans to file more lawsuits related to the case on behalf of other families.

An earlier lawsuit launched by Collins and Hanson was dismissed by a Georgia court because it was interpreted to be a claim for wrongful birth, which is not recognized under that states law. An appeal was dismissed for procedural issues.

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A woman who now serves as vice-president of sperm bank Xytex Corp. encouraged a donor to lie about his IQ and then sold it to a California couple, describing him as ultra intelligent, alleges a new lawsuit against the U.S. company.

Filed Monday in a San Francisco court, the complaint for damages from the couple also alleges Xytex officials claimed ignorance about donor Chris Aggeles mental illness, even nine months after it was widely reported in the media.

This lawsuit is the fourth to be filed against the sperm bank in a week. The other three were filed by Ontario families, as the Star first reported, last Wednesday. All claim Xytex misinformed would-be parents about the donor.

There are more lawsuits to come, said San Francisco lawyer Nancy Hersh, noting the donors sperm has been used to create at least 36 children.

Xytex lawyer Ted Lavender said he expects the cases will be dismissed, like the one filed a year ago in a court in Georgia, where Xytex is based.

Pursuing claims in a court of law requires actual evidence and proof. Making unfounded allegations in the court of public opinion requires no actual proof at all, but merely the word of the very lawyers and litigants who already failed in a court of law, Lavender said.

Aggeles donor profile on Xytexs website showed him to have an IQ of 160, the same as Einsteins. It said he was healthy and without mental illness, had bachelors and masters degrees, and was working on a PhD in neuroscience engineering.

A recent Star investigation confirmed through court documents that Aggeles has had diagnoses of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and narcissistic personality disorder, and that he has acknowledged having schizoaffective disorder.

He did eight months in jail for burglary and has a history of previous arrests.

Calls placed to post-secondary institutions and to a company that tracks graduates confirmed he does not have a doctorate and that he only graduated with a bachelors degree last year.

The latest lawsuit charges that Xytex refused to concede the truth about Aggeles and continued to sell his sperm after his arrest history and mental health came to light.

The Xytex Corporation has recklessly pursued its commercial motives without any consideration for the safety of the plaintiffs or their children, it alleges.

Hersh said she had an opportunity to interview Aggeles last September and that he told her he fabricated his IQ at the urging of Mary Hartley, then a Xytex donor counsellor and now VP.

On his first visit, Mr. Aggeles told (her) that he thought his IQ was about 130, but she suggested to him he was a genius with an IQ of about 160, the complaint reads.

It goes on to allege Hartley also told him that more educated donors did well selling sperm, and that Xytex was accustomed to donors with higher education.

He was encouraged to tell lies, and bolster his intelligence and education levels by defendant Mary Hartley, the lawsuit alleges.

The new complainants, a same-sex couple from San Francisco now parents to a 9-year-old child, chose Xytex because it seemed to be the sperm bank with the most rigorous qualification standards, according to their complaint.

The mothers told Hartley they were in search of a donor with a particularly impressive health and education history, it says.

They chose Aggeles, then known only as Donor 9623, after Hartley told them he was ultra intelligent and was like a model, it continues.

After their child was conceived, they opted to store their leftover sperm in case they decided to have another child.

They were alarmed to hear in media reports in April last year that their donor was mentally ill. This past January, nine months later, they asked Xytex officials whether the reports were true.

Xytex employee Ronda Drake responded she was not aware of any reported medical issues, the lawsuit alleges.

Medical director Dr. Todd Spradlin said he had received no information to confirm that Donor 9623 has schizophrenia, it states. He said it would be irresponsible of Xytex to notify clients of unsubstantiated claims.

The company could easily verify the information if it wanted to, the complaint says.

It also says Spradlin told the California moms that a lawsuit containing such claims, filed a year ago by an Ontario couple, was dismissed.

But Hersh points out that the case was never even argued because a judge deemed it to be more a wrongful birth case, something not recognized under Georgia law.

California does recognize wrongful birth arguments.

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Chickpeas are quite the world travellers  theyre a staple of dishes all over Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Their cross-cultural appeal is precisely the reason chef-restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani, 41, has decided to turn them into an innovative small plates dish  think falafel ball but flat and made with the round, pale legumes and its flour  at his latest eatery, Thornhills The Fat Beet.

Just, dont call this melding of Indian, Persian and Middle Eastern foods fusion cuisine.

Fusion is passe, Bhagwani says. There is no fusion here. Its a crossover cuisine. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone myself and do something different.

That comfort zone is the straightforward Indian food hes been cooking since his first restaurant opened in Brampton, through the days when he owned Bayview Ave.s Kamasutra and then to the Amaya restaurants  there are 11 of those.

But The Fat Beet takes all those familiar Indian flavours  the pungent, forward curries and masalas  and marries them with the subtler, easier spices of Israeli and Persian cuisine.

Yotam Ottolenghi, the London chef who reintroduced Middle Eastern food to North Americans, and Eyal Shani, the Israeli chef reinvigorating it in his homeland, are definite influences, Bhagwani says.

In fact, he recently flew to Israel for a night  just to eat. We all feed from each other, he says, of how he and his fellow chefs draw inspiration from one another. I love creating.

The Fat Beet, at 7330 Yonge St., north of Steeles Ave., has been open less than a month. The trendy space  glossy wood floors, clean lines  has a touch of cheekiness to it. On the way in, a note on the window advises customers to toss a mint at the bartender if theyve been waiting in line too long. An asterisk below notes managements just kidding.

Already, the Chickpea Patties ($9.80) are dominating, Bhagwani says.

Typically in Indian cuisine, patties are fashioned with potatoes, Bhagwani says. And chickpeas are traditionally found softened in spicy sauce. Israeli cuisine has the falafel ball and the latke (a potato pancake), but the chickpea usually features in hummus.

The Fat Beets dish puts this established legume in a new role. Its paired with roasted cumin and coriander seeds, mung beans and chili flakes  and seated on a pillow of Greek yogurt and a thick lentil curry with coconut paste, turmeric, black mustard seeds and fresh curry leaves.

One bite of the meaty patty, swiped through the flagrant curry and cool yogurt, banishes all the talk of fusions and crossovers. The curry is delightful  full of spice and zip with mild heat. The patty is savoury and hearty.

Its a perfect marriage of two hot cultures that have quite a bit in common already. Simply, its a tasty dish that makes sense.

Not to be missed on a trip to The Fat Beet, Bhagwani says, is the Pico  a pita/taco hybrid. He fills it with everything from crispy shrimp to ice cream.

Got an idea for Sourced? Email mhenry@thestar.ca .

Watch chef Sudhan Natarajan fire up some chickpea patties and curry at thestar.ca.

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OTTAWACanadians donated $32 million for aid to Syria under a matching program launched last fall by the federal government  an amount that falls far short of the $100 million Ottawa had promised to match.

But the Liberals are going to make up the difference and allocate an additional $68 million for humanitarian relief in the region to bring the total to $100 million.

About $57 million is new money, and the rest coming from the humanitarian funding the Liberals announced in February when they rolled out the reframed version of the mission against Islamic militants in the Middle East.

The $32 million the Liberals are matching will go directly to UNICEF for education opportunities for Syrian children.

"We cannot afford to lose the potential of an entire generation of young Syrians through poverty and lack of opportunities because their right to pursue an education has been taken away from them by war," International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said in a statement.

Of the 4.8 million registered Syrian refugees from the war, the UN says half are children.

The rest of the money from Canada will be spread among other organizations active in the region.

The matching program was first announced by the previous Conservative government in September when the Syrian refugee crisis was dominating global headlines.

It had been set to expire at the end of 2015, but the Liberals decided to extend it to the end of February.

An additional $20 million was raised in those two months. In total, over 80 agencies reported receiving donations.

To date, the Canadian government has allocated $860 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and Iraq since the outbreak of conflicts there.

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OTTAWAThe Senate ethics watchdog is looking into allegations that Ontario Sen. Colin Kenny, an independent Liberal, used his office staff to organize his home renovations and help operate the tanning salon he used to own.

Radio-Canada, the French-language service of the CBC, obtained a number of emails dating to 2005 showing people who worked for Kenny in his Senate office were performing duties unrelated to parliamentary business.

We are looking into the concerns raised by this story, Louise Dalphy, a spokeswoman for Senate Ethics Officer Lyse Ricard, wrote Tuesday in an emailed response to the Star, later confirming no one had filed a an official complaint on the matter.

The rules governing the administration of the Senate are complex, but a general principle is that the resources of the Senate  taxpayers money  must be spent on Senate business.

The emails and memos cited by Radio-Canada, which the Star has not seen, appear to feature discussions between Kenny and his staff about personal tasks such as home renovations and the tanning salon businesses he used to own in Ottawa.

Mirrors are installed, said one email from an employee, according to Radio-Canada. Guest bathroom counter supposed to receive (sic) tomorrow. Phones are being done today.

Another email appears to show a discussion about running out of disinfectant for the beds and goggles at the tanning salon.

We obviously dont need an entire huge bottle of it for one month but I dont know if there are any alternatives. Not sure how youd like to proceed, Radio-Canada reports from a 2010 email.

This is not the first time allegations regarding Kenny, whose office said Tuesday he would not comment on the Radio-Canada story, have made their way to Ricards office.

Auditor General Michael Ferguson, in his explosive report on the Senate expenses scandal released last June, raised a question about whether staff in Kennys office were spending time working on duties related to his personal life, rather than parliamentary business.

These tasks included payments of personal invoices, maintenance of personal books and records, planning of various personal activities, and scheduling of personal appointments, he wrote in the report.

In his formal response to the audit, Kenny said having staff spend a minor amount of time on personal tasks that do not result in any direct costs to the Senate was allowed under the rules, adding that the staff member in question had devoted only an average of 12 minutes per day on these duties.

At that time, Liberal Senate leader James Cowan referred the matter to Ricard, and a Senate spokeswoman said they are still waiting for her report.

The Senate has not had an opportunity to independently verify the veracity of the specific allegations made in the media report you cite and as such, it would be irresponsible to comment at this time, Jacqui Delaney, a spokeswoman for Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos, who chairs the Senate standing committee on internal economy, budgets and administration, wrote in an email Tuesday.

On a week when the Senate is already anxiously anticipating the verdict in the Duffy trial, Ontario Sen. David Smith, a fellow member of the independent Liberal caucus, expressed his frustration about yet another negative headline.

Smith said Kenny is entitled to due process, but it doesnt sound good and hoped someone would file a complaint that would allow either Ricard or the internal economy to begin a formal investigative process.

Im sure theyll do the right thing, but its frustrating that this stuff continues to happen every now and then. There we are. I mean they are entitled to due process, but its still frustrating, Smith said Tuesday.

Ferguson had also flagged $35,549 in inappropriate travel expenses claimed by Kenny, which retired Supreme Court justice Ian Binnie, who oversaw the dispute resolution process the Senate set up to arbitrate appeals of Fergusons findings, reduced to $27,459, fully repaid.

Binnie, however, singled out the case of Kenny, as being especially troublesome.

Pointing out Kenny claimed expenses associated with 40 trips to Toronto and other places during the audit period to meet with journalists, police, military and others to help deepen his understanding of national security issues  including booking a breakfast on a Sunday morning and staying in a hotel the night before.

It was a matter of balancing the public cost and the public benefit . . . Its completely out of proportion, Binnie told reporters at a March 21 news conference in Ottawa.

BILLS COMING DUE

Senators whose expenses were flagged by Auditor General Michael Ferguson have until the end of day Thursday to repay any outstanding amounts. Some senators had those initial amounts reduced somewhat following a binding arbitration process overseen by retired Supreme Court justice Ian Binnie.

Eight senators, including independent Liberal Nick Sibbeston of the Northwest Territories, the only sitting senator among them, still owe a total of $554,712.74. The others are Sharon Carstairs, Marie-P. Charette-Poulin, Rose-Marie Losier-Cool, Don Oliver, Bill Rompkey, Gerry St. Germain and Rod Zimmer.

The Senate expects to begin recouping any outstanding amounts Friday morning, which in the case of a sitting senator would involve having the administration garnish wages until the balance is paid in full.

The Senate has been clear all along that it is willing to take legal action to recoup any money owing, said Jacqui Delaney, a spokeswoman for Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos, chair of the Senate standing committee on internal economy, budgets and administration.

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OTTAWACanada has yet to feel the full effects of mental-health issues gripping people across the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday as he pledged support to lower levels of government in combating the problem.

Whether were talking about its impact on young people, its impact on workplaces around the country, whether its impact on servicemen and women, we are only beginning to realize the scale, the scope of the problem, Trudeau said as he met members of the Canadian Teachers Federation.

The prime minister said his government would work with the provinces and territories to build the ranks of the counsellors, psychiatrists and psychologists who work with people facing mental-health struggles.

I wouldnt be my mothers son if I wasnt a strong advocate for mental-health and destigmatization of mental health, Trudeau said as he marked his six-month anniversary since being elected to power.

His mother, Margaret, underwent decades of treatment for bipolar disorder, recounting her personal struggles in her book, Changing My Mind.

The prime minister acknowledged there is no easy solution to mental-health problems, particularly in indigenous communities.

But he suggested the recent spate of suicides and attempted suicides by First Nations young people is linked to what he described as generational neglect of indigenous issues by successive past governments.

We know the challenges are massive, Trudeau said about correcting the disconnect between federal governments and First Nations.

But there are solutions out there, he said, referring to a study pointed out to him by former prime minister Paul Martin.

In indigenous communities where there has been the support and an ability to do language and cultural teaching to an extremely high level, suicide rates have plummeted, said Trudeau.

So much of it is about a sense of identity, of who they are, how they fit in.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett on Monday visited Attawapiskat, the remote northern Ontario community that declared a state of emergency last week over a youth suicide crisis.

Several young people expressed frustration to Bennett over the lack of basic support for the James Bay community.

New Democrat MP Charlie Angus, who travelled with Bennett, said he hoped meetings with the Attawapiskat Youth Council and supports pledged by the federal government, marked a turning point in the crisis.

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OTTAWACanadas electronic spies are working on ways to defend government systems from the impending threat of quantum computing, a document obtained by the Star shows.

The Communications Security Establishment warned chief Greta Bossenmaier that emerging quantum technology could easily break todays strongest methods of protecting electronic information.

A new class of technologies that operates at quantum speeds is beginning to move from the domain of academic curiosity into the world of commercial technological reality, the memo, heavily censored and stamped secret, reads.

Quantum computing poses an impending threat to widely-deployed public-key cryptography (PKC) and therefore has a significant impact on any information being protected with PKC.

Governments, journalists, activists and hackers have increasingly turned to public-key encryption to protect information. Journalists protect sources, activists and hackers protect themselves and the people they communicate with, and governments protect classified or sensitive information from theft or eavesdropping.

When implemented correctly, it is very difficult for malicious actors  even with serious resources and expertise  to crack the code.

But quantum technology greatly increases the power and speed of computer functions, allowing computers to break todays strongest encryption methods.

On the other, CSE notes that quantum technology can be used to create unbreakable encryption for communications  but that technology is extremely challenging to deploy and manage, especially on a large scale.

As a result, CSE has focused their efforts on developing a quantum resistant algorithm for Medium (Security) Assurance/Commercial information. The memo stated the algorithm aims to strengthen traditional encryption, but the agency says their efforts are still unfolding.

While the uncensored portion of the memo deals with defence against quantum attacks, the document does not make clear if CSE is exploring using quantum to break encryption, themselves. And while it has become a pressing topic in the United States, with the FBI trying to force Apple to unlock their customers phones, there has been relatively little debate about encryption in Canada.

The Star requested an interview with CSE to discuss the memo Monday afternoon. In a written statement Tuesday evening, CSE media relations said the agency is looking at quantum primarily from a defensive perspective.

We are focused on defensive use of quantum technology, wrote CSE spokesperson Ryan Foreman. Specifically, we are focusing our efforts in response to the threat of quantum to protecting and encrypting sensitive Government of Canada information.

Foreman added that CSE believes quantum will eventually be able to improve the agencys protection of sensitive information.

CSE is also clearly interested in partnering with academic institutions developing new quantum technology. According to the memo, CSE has a partnership with the University of Waterloos Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC).

IQC is a world-leading research outfit on quantum computing, and is affiliated with Waterloos Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics. The Perimeter Institute, founded by BlackBerry co-founder Mike Lazaridis, just received a $50 million, five-year grant from the federal government.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that funding on Friday, giving reporters a brief primer on quantum computing that drew a fair amount of attention. In their first public post on Twitter Tuesday, the CSE joked that they were into quantum computing before the Prime Minister made it cool. The document reviewed by the Star supports that assertion.

IQC executive director Raymond Laflamme said that CSE is very interested in the work the institute does. But he noted that the widespread use of quantum computing is still many years away.

IQC and MIT currently hold the world record for the most qubits  quantum bits  used in an experiment, with 12. Teams across the world are attempting to assemble a quantum computer with 100 qubits within five years. To break todays encryption, Laflamme said, you would need to work with thousands of qubits.

Were at 10, so youre still pretty safe, Laflamme said with a laugh.

Still, Laflamme said that since all information transmitted on the Internet is stored somewhere, it might be possible to go back and access encrypted files once quantum computing is a reality. That has national security agencies, including the NSA in the United States, trying to grapple with quantum encryption sooner rather than later.

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In the short term, the oil-price feud between Iran and Saudi Arabia delivers no joy to the Canadian economy.

But it does give Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government more leeway as it attempts to negotiate a climate change deal with Canadas provinces.

The central issue in both cases is the price of oil.

As long as oil prices are low, companies are reluctant to invest in the high-cost Alberta tarsands.

That reluctance has a ricochet effect throughout the entire country.

So when Saudi Arabia and other members of the OPEC cartel, as well as Russia, met in Qatar this past weekend to stabilize production, oil boosters were initially optimistic.

It seemed that the era of falling petroleum prices was finally coming to an end.

If implemented, the proposed production freeze would have reduced the amount of crude coming into world markets and eventually pushed up its price.

Yet according to Londons Financial Times, the tentative deal was scuppered at the 11th hour by Saudi Arabias deputy crown, prince Mohammed bin Salman, a powerful figure in the kingdom and an avowed enemy of Iran.

The prince, who is also masterminding Saudi Arabias war against Iranian-backed factions in Yemen, was particularly irked by Tehrans refusal to join fellow OPEC members in the production freeze.

Iran argued that it has a lot of catching up to do now that sanctions have been lifted against the country and that it must therefore expand, not curb, oil production.

The net result of the Saudi-Iranian standoff is that there is no deal. For the foreseeable future, this in turn means less upward pressure on the world price of oil.

Thats bad news for the oil-based part of Canadas economy. It is particularly bad news for Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The good news is that continued low oil prices make it politically easier for Canadian governments to impose so-called carbon pricing in order to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

To all intents and purposes, carbon pricing is a tax on fossil fuels. Sometimes, as in British Columbia it is a straightforward tax. Sometimes, as with Ontarios proposed cap and trade scheme, it is levied indirectly.

In both cases, it is an attempt to make consumers pay the entire cost of fossil fuels, including the social costs of events such as flooding and extreme weather that are caused by climate change.

Ontarios very modest carbon pricing regime, for instance, will raise gasoline prices by 4.3 cents a litre in 2017, according to Queens Park.

Politically, it is easier to raise energy prices when they are low. Drivers are more amenable to higher pump prices when the underlying per-litre cost of gasoline is 90 cents than they would be if it were, say, $1.90.

Which brings us to the Trudeau Liberals and their attempts to work out a national climate change strategy that will simultaneously accomplish two difficult aims.

The first is to meet the target, agreed to in Paris last year, of limiting global warming to at most 2 degrees centigrade over pre-industrial times. The second is to do so in a way that is acceptable to the provinces.

Current provincial measures are nowhere near strong enough. Ontarios proposed reforms are based on a carbon price of $18 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions. Albertas is based on a carbon price of $20 a tonne; B.C.s on $30 a tonne.

Yet to succeed in reducing emissions, all of these prices would have to increase dramatically. One recent report, co-authored by Chris Bataille of the Paris-based Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations, estimates that to meet international goals, and in concert with other measures to reduce energy consumption, Canada would have to impose a carbon price of $50 per tonne by 2020, rising to roughly $350 by 2050.

Could any government get away with what in effect would be a massive tax on the consumption of fossil fuels? I dont know.

But certainly the job would be easier if energy prices were already low. Thats why Canadians favouring action against global warming might want to quietly thank the feuding oil giants of the Middle East for their inability to act in concert.

Thomas Walkoms column appears Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

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OTTAWAWhen it comes to physician-assisted dying, should the beliefs of a health-care institution trump a charter right of a suffering patient?

It shouldnt, but we may ultimately get to that point.

That is only one result of the curiously timid legislation on assisted dying introduced last week by the Liberals.

It may forever be a mystery why a government that so loudly trumpeted respect for the Charter of Rights, a government very early in a muscular majority mandate with political capital bulging from their pockets moved so tentatively on assisted dying.

A government that went big on refugees, purports to go big on climate change with a prime minister given to big, sweeping pronouncements instead went small in physician-assisted dying.

It created a void that is rapidly being filled by progressives who are understandably upset that the rights of those suffering grievously from mental illness, mature minors, or those who wish to provide advance directives have not been respected in this legislation, providing two tiers of those who are eligible to die with dignity.

It also left enough holes in the legislation for conservative opponents, in this case, many of Canadas churches, to exploit concerns from their perspective.

They arrived on Parliament Hill on the eve of debate on Bill C-14, intent on exploiting a weakness in the legislation that gives them much room to manoeuvre on their flank.

Cardinal Thomas Collins, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto, argues that taxpayer-funded Catholic health institutions should maintain that public funding while refusing to follow the law of the land  assisting those who fit the restrictive criteria for such death.

In Collins view, it would appear that the religious beliefs of the institution should trump the charter rights of patients suffering intolerably with death reasonably foreseen.

Collins sees no conflict.

No hospital, chronic-care facility or hospice in this country is compelled to provide every medical procedure and service available in this country, he says.

He also rejects the notion that assisted dying now becomes a charter right. It is a legal right, Collins told me, but the charter right argument is a construct not supported by evidence, a notion put forward by a Commons-Senate committee that veered wildly in directions unpalatable to Canadians, at least in Collins view.

There could have been no assisted-dying legislation introduced by any government of any political stripe that would have been backed by the Catholic Church in this country.

That parliamentary committee that so alarmed the Catholic Church provided a bold, progressive view of what could have been in this legislation  which likely guaranteed much of it would be ignored, replaced by that most milquetoast of pledges to deliver a law that provides balance between competing views.

One should cringe when they hear about a law that claims to balance concerns on both sides. More often than not, it merely inflames both sides of the debate and satisfies no one.

That committee recommended that health-care practitioners freedom of conscience should be respected, but it would have compelled an objecting practitioner at a minimum to provide an effective referral for a patient. It also recommended that Ottawa work with the provinces and territories to ensure all publicly funded health-care institutions provide medial assistance in dying.

Physicians in faith-based care institutions maintain their charter rights would be violated if they were forced to even refer a patient to a consenting physician.

They put forward a proposal in which an independent assessment team would deal with a patient who may be choosing assisted death. If the patient wished to go that route, the faith-based doctor would pass over all files but make no referral themselves.

It may satisfy health-care practitioners but needlessly heaps more hurdles in front of those who are dying and wish to have their pain alleviated.

Collins said faith-based institutions receive public funding because they provide much-needed services, but such nursing homes, hospitals, hospices or other facilities should never be forced by government to provide services that are contrary to their roles as havens of hope in this country.

Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka of Ottawa went further, when he suggested demanding that doctors terminate life or be complicit in that act would make the physician complicit in murder.

The legislation, of course, clearly spells out the opposite.

The church and their health-care providers may see a way out. But they put institutions ahead of the rights of dying patients. The blame for that rests with a government that gives them the room to take that road.

Tim Harper is a national affairs writer. His column appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. tharper@thestar.ca Twitter:@nutgraf1

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An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Coroner has confirmed that the remains found in garbage bins behind a butcher shop in Riverdale are from a human female.

The human torso was discovered in an industrial garbage bag behind Charlies Meat and Seafood, on Broadview Ave. just north of Gerrard St. E. It was initially unclear to police whether the remains were from a human or a large mammal.

Jim Cheung, the butcher shop owner, says he was notified by one of his employees on Tuesday morning. When his staff handle the garbage bins in the morning, they are usually empty, he told the Star.

But this time, they werent.

I think I found part of a person, Cheung recalled his employee saying. He knows how to cut meat, so as soon as he dumped the bin he realized this isnt normal. The employee believed he was looking at human remains because he saw a buttocks, Cheung added.

During the phone call, Cheungs heart started racing, he said. I couldnt believe what he was telling me. When he called me, I could tell in his voice he was panicking. He wasnt his normal, calm self. I said, Im coming right now and I called 911.

The man, who has worked at Charlies for about 20 years, was given the day off. Police removed the yellow tape around the butcher shop after noon on Wednesday, allowing it to re-open.

The incident has shaken some of the shops neighbours. Justin Wilks, a 26 year old machine operator, lives with his girlfriend two doors down from the butcher shop, beside a vegetarian restaurant. He says they take out the trash in the same area as the butcher shops bins, where the remains were discovered. My girlfriend says shell never be able to go out there, Wilks said.

Toronto Police confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the remains were of a female. However, they wouldnt say how old the person was or exactly how they died.

Cheryl Mahyr, a spokesperson for the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service, said that getting further information on the remains will be difficult.

Obviously, there is a challenge here because we only have so much of (the) remains, she said.

Mahyr added that the remains will be examined not only for identification purposes, but for a whole host of information, such as how the body was dismembered and the cause of death. Its unknown when this information will be released.

Homicide Det-Sgt. Terry Browne told reporters at the scene on Wednesday afternoon that investigators are still trying to determine the age and ethnicity of the person.

The remains themselves, in my mind, appear to be somewhat fresh, he said. The body was found without clothes, police said.

Earlier, they said the remains appear to be of an adult female, light-skinned.

Employees of the butcher shop told police that they didnt see the bag when they arrived at work. This doesnt mean that it wasnt there earlier, Browne said, but he doesnt believe the bag was placed there on Monday night.

As soon as they saw what they saw, being in the meat business, it certainly appeared to them to be human in nature, Browne said.

He wouldnt say how much of the body was in the bag, but said officers will continue to search the area.

The fact that we only have a portion suggests the remaining parts could possibly be in the vicinity, he said.

While homicide detectives were called, theres no conclusive proof yet that a murder has been committed, he added.

We have the remains of an individual, so that could run the full gamut, he told reporters. Was it death by a criminal act? Was it a death by some other means, and now someone is trying to get rid of the remains? Ive got to keep my mind open to everything.

Brown said the fact that the remains were left at the back of the meat shop may suggest a familiarity with the industrys garbage and unloading schedules.

Thats something were definitely looking into, he said.

With files from Evelyn Kwong and Brennan Doherty

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Toronto police have charged a 36-year-old man with sexually assaulting four women on the subway over the past six months.

Police say that the alleged assaults took place between last October and this March, while the women were riding the Bloor-Danforth subway.

In each instance, the women were travelling alone. A man would sit next to them, then sexually assault them, police say.

Stephen Oberhammer, of Toronto, faces four counts of sexual assault. He was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning.

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Collateral damage following a building collapse near a future Crosstown LRT site in Forest Hill last Monday is behind a decision to demolish an old storefront east of the accident  immediately.

It has been determined that the building located at 870 Eglinton Avenue  is unstable as a result of yesterdays collapse and will need to be demolished this evening, Crosslinx Transit Solutions, the company behind the LRTs construction, in a release at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Ministry of Labour had finished its on-site investigation and returned control of the site to Crosslinx after the collapse on Monday. According to Kristin Jenkins, a spokesperson with Crosslinx, the ministry did not order the demolition of the building; a subcontracted engineer determined that it was unsafe.

A demolition plan had already been drawn up for the building, for which the city had already obtained a demolition order as part of the Crosstown LRTs construction plan.

Eglinton Ave. will be blocked off near Bathurst St. over the course of demolition and cleanup.

Its unclear when the road and sidewalk will be reopened.

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Lawyers, in their raptures of indignation and flourishes of mind-numbing legalese, can ask for the moon.

Thing is, when the clients a police officer, they usually get it. The moon and sixpence.

From juries, which are averse to convicting cops, and from judges, who are part of a shared law enforcement culture.

Fact: Of the 11 Ontario officers charged with murder or manslaughter since the inception of the Special Investigations Unit a quarter-century ago, not one has been convicted.

Youd have to be a really lousy lawyer or defending a particularly odious accused to lose a case in this province.

Peter Brauti is demonstrably not a lousy lawyer. And the cop he got off on second-degree murder  Const. James Forcillo  well, I cant say if hes odious or not. But a jury did find him guilty of attempted murder early this year in the shooting death of Sammy Yatim, the teenager who terrified passengers aboard a Toronto streetcar by brandishing a knife and exposing himself.

It was a highly unusual outcome, in all its angles, and logical only  logical perhaps only  when viewed through the prism of how the case was presented, as two separate actions: A first volley of three shots, including the fatal bullet, and a second volley of six shots when the 18-year-old was already down and in the process of dying. The initial shots were deemed justified, thus not-guilty of murder. The subsequent shots were determined by jurors to have been an excessive use of force, thus guilty.

In a way, Brauti got his hat handed to him by the prosecutions tactical decision to prosecute the charges in this clever manner. It could also be argued that the Crown fatally damaged its own case by giving the jurors a lesser option on which to convict.

Brautis dim view of the guilty verdict jumps off the page of written submissions filed with the court in advance of Forcillos sentencing hearing next month.

The logical and legal effect of the jurys verdict is that they accepted that it was reasonable and necessary to kill Mr. Yatim, and Officer Forcillo was acting lawfully when he did so. Having found the Applicant guilty of attempted murder in relation to the second volley of shots, the jury appears to have accepted that the Crown had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that one or more rounds from the superfluous second volley of shots were not legally justified and that the Applicant meant to cause death when he fired at him.

It is indeed difficult to wrap ones brain around the dueling verdicts, more so from the acquittal end than the conviction end, Id say. Forcillo killed Yatim and the jury accepted that this shooting was justifiable; Yatim would have died regardless of Shooting Part II, but those rounds were unjustifiable.

The unlawfulness of his conduct, according to the jury, arose at some point during the second volley when he used force that was not justified, under two sections of the Criminal Code, Brauti writes. He was nonetheless authorized by law throughout the entire transaction to confront Mr. Yatim. In fact, he had been justified in killing Mr. Yatim less than 6 seconds before.

Brauti seems intent on re-arguing his case in this document, perhaps as a dress rehearsal for the expected appeal. But the submissions are primarily jaw-dropping for the arguments put forth to secure Forcillo a grossly inadequate sentence on the attempted murder conviction: essentially two years less a day of house arrest.

No prison time. No minimum sentence as any other individual would face, though the maximum punishment for attempted murder is life in prison.

Why? Because Forcillo is a cop.

The crime was committed with a restricted weapon  Forcillos police-issued Glock. Brauti argues the mandatory minimum sentence with a restricted handgun is grossly disproportionate for an officer who used too much force to stop a threat, and the minimum sentence rule should be struck down as unconstitutional.

The gravity of this offence is as close to nil as one can imagine an attempted murder ever being.

Only blinkered cop-huggers would agree that attempted murder is an offence that lacks gravitas.

The Applicants act of firing at Mr. Yatim a second time had absolutely no causal effect vis-a-vis his death. It did not even rise to the level of amounting to a contributing cause of death for the purpose of criminal liability.

Yatim was already all-but-dead  Forcillos doing  but dont let that affect the sentence for firing six more times when the teen posed no reasonable threat to anybody. A misperception, Brauti describes it.

Oh no, Brauti isnt promoting special treatment for convicted cops. It is about ensuring that, when we ask men and women to arm themselves to protect the larger community, we treat them justly and fairly when they make mistakes concerning how they use force, because we placed upon them the responsibility of engaging in the conflict in the first place.

This is another way of saying that the law should be applied differently with a cop in the dock. Its only a mistake, if you, the jury, insist on convicting.

Mandatory minimums have indeed been knocked for a loop by the Supreme Court of Canada; just last week, the Supremes struck down a mandatory minimum penalty of a year in prison for low-level drug trafficking.

This is not that.

Brauti claims a reasonably informed member of the public would be shocked that Forcillo is facing the same sentencing guidelines as the bank robber who deliberately shoots at a teller intending to kill her; the husband who discharges a firearm intending to kill his wife, who miraculously survives her grievous wounds; or the hitman that shoots at the intended victim but misses.

Rather  and this is galling  Brauti likens Forcillo to a soldier asked to put his or her life on the line in incredibly dangerous and high stress circumstances but is then punished severely for a temporary lapse in judgment that had no consequences, since the killing itself is justified.

Even more egregiously, Brauti draws a correlation with the battered woman who is repeatedly subjected to domestic assault. Her partner threatens her with a knife and in self-defence, she runs and grabs her partners gun and shoots him, knocking him to the ground on the first shot. Medical evidence later establishes that it is this first shot that is fatal. However, terrified that he might get up and continue attacking her, she empties the rest of the clip at him.

A jury could reasonably conclude that her initial decision to shoot was justified in self-defence  but the continued shots subsequently were excessive and not justified  Despite her history with her abuser, and the fact that she legitimately feared him, she would also be liable to the mandatory minimum of five years.

The analogy is preposterous.

Rosie DiManno usually appears Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

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Today is the 20th day of the 4th month of the year.

In case youve forgotten  or never even knew  thats 4/20, the holiest of holy days for potheads, the stoners Oktoberfest.

Here are five things about April 20, which explain why you may see red-eyed folks at Dundas Square this afternoon:

The Waldos, part I

Its all a bit hazy, but the 4/20 association with marijuana seems to have started with a group of friends who hung around outside San Rafael High School in Marin County, California, near a statue of scientist Louis Pasteur.

Theyd meet at 4:20 p.m.

They called themselves The Waldos because they met by a wall.

Aside from smoking together, their mission was to discover a mythical lost pot crop somewhere northwest of San Francisco.

They never did find it.

Yonge-Dundas Square

This is the GTA version of The Waldos wall.

Its where annual gatherings of local pot enthusiasts take place each year on April 20 at 4:20 p.m.

Aside from puffing, they wave Canadian flags in which the maple leaves are replaced with marijuana plants, and listen to speakers.

Last year, City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam addressed the assembled multitude from a stage decorated with marijuana plants.

I am here to support you! Wong-Tam told them. I believe that the festival, 4/20, supports democratic principles, the politician said. Medical marijuana should be accessible to those who need it for pain control. Its about quality of life.

The Waldos, part II

A brother of one of The Waldos knew Phil Lesh, bassist for the pot-loving band The Grateful Dead.

Lesh liked 4/20 as shorthand for puffing marijuana and soon fans  or Deadheads - were hearing it, too.

Some Deadheads handed out flyers in Oakland, inviting people to smoke joints  which they called 4/20 on April 20 at 4:20 p.m.

This was picked up by High Times magazine, the Hansard of pot culture, and a stoners holiday was born.

Southern signs

If youre driving through Idaho, Washington State or Colorado, dont strain your eyes looking for a road sign with 420 on it.

Thats because those mile markers have been changed to 419.9 signs.

The old 420 signs had been lifted so often by pot enthusiasts that it became pointless to replace them.

What 4/20 isnt

Lets be blunt. There are plenty of unsupported myths wafting about regarding 4/20. Among them:

- The Grateful Dead didnt always stay in Room 420 when on tour.

- 420 is not police code for marijuana smoking in progress or the best date to plant marijuana.

- Its also not taken from the 1966 Bob Dylan song Rainy Day Women #12 & 35, even though 12 times 35 equals 420.

- Its certainly not about Adolf Hitlers birthday, even though he was born on April 20, 1889.

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A historic mansion on Mississaugas western lakefront, that has become a cherished property purchased and restored by the city after it fell into disrepair, will not be named after an Irish cement company.

The former Holcim Waterfront Estate will be renamed after its original owners, and not CRH (Cement Roadstone Holdings), a concrete company that had bought the next-door Mississauga operation, which helped restore some of the estate.

It will now be known as the Harding Waterfront Estate, to honour Kathleen Harding, who lived on the property, shortly after it was built, almost eighty years ago.

The Mansion itself will be named the Bell-Gairdner House, after the original owners.

It was Originally commissioned by Charles Powell Bell, Hardings husband. When he died right after it was completed in 1938, she was married to James Arthur Gairdner. The well known millionaire, who made his money as a financier and became one of Canadas most generous philanthropists, eventually let the house slip into disrepair.

Mississauga taxpayers paid more than $9 million for the purchase and restoration of the site, which was opened to the public in 2014, with the help of restoration work by neighbouring cement company, Holcim, for whom it was renamed under a sponsorship agreement. It has since become a popular venue for weddings and other events.

But when Holcim was recently bought by CRH, residents and councillors were aghast at the thought of it being renamed for an Irish cement company. Under the new naming agreement approved by council Wednesday, all signs on the estate will say, Proudly supported by CRH Canada.

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Premier Kathleen Wynne insists she is working towards how to make the information in the SIU report public as controversy swirls around the decision made after the death of Andrew Loku.

But Wynne does not want the release of the secret Special Investigations Unit (SIU) probe, which recommended that no charges be laid against the unnamed officer who shot Loku, to be a one-off.

Senior officials say the premier would like to see changes in how such reports are handled in future, while ensuring that the privacy of people involved is protected.

That doesnt mean the Loku report wont be released  nor does it mean it will be made public soon. Sources say justice officials are grappling with the issue of setting a new precedent about such reports, which have been kept secret for a quarter-century.

As revealed by the Star this week, Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur said Monday she had not yet read the secret SIU report recommending no charges be laid in the Loku shooting, despite receiving it a month earlier.

After every probe by the SIU  which investigates deaths, serious injuries and allegations of sexual assault involving Ontario police  the agencys director produces a report detailing the decision to lay a charge or clear an officer. That report goes directly to the attorney general and no one else.

The directors report is considered by the attorney general and the SIU to be confidential, with both claiming Ontarios privacy legislation prohibits the release of some details contained in it, including personal information of everyone involved in an investigation.

But Ontarios Information and Privacy Commissioner says there may be circumstances of significant public interest where the SIU may disclose the name or other information associated with completed investigations.

Wynne came under fire in the legislature from NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh (Bramalea-Gore-Malton) during Wednesdays Question Period.

For the sake of the publics confidence in Ontarios oversight of the police, its essential that the details around the SIUs investigation and their handling of the evidence be made public, said Singh.

The premier countered that she is well aware of the maelstrom surrounding the killing.

It was I and my ministers who went to the front lawn and had the conversation with the Black Lives Matter protesters. We had the conversation. I acknowledge that, in our society, we are still grappling with systemic racism, she said.

Wynne emphasized there will be public consultations about police oversight in Ontario, and those will include discussions about how the information in the SIU reports should be made public. The attorney general will appoint someone as soon as possible to conduct a review of the SIU and other police oversight agencies, the premier said.

Outside the legislature, Meilleur, who has now read the secret report, acknowledged that were listening to the public, who want more transparency and more accountability.

If you dont issue anything to the public, then theres questions (from) the public about whats there that they dont want us to see, said Meilleur. So Ive been listening, but like I have said, there has never been any (SIU) report that was released, so lets look for the future.

The revelation that Meilleur had not read the report despite weeks of heated protest surrounding Lokus death led to a call from the Black Action Defence Committee Tuesday for Wynne to fire Meilleur. The committee also wants the report on Lokus death released immediately.

Kiden Jonathan, a good friend of Loku who was with him in the hours before his death, told the Star on Wednesday that she is alarmed and saddened that more information has not been released to explain how her friend died, and why police were cleared.

They just said, Were not going to charge the officer, but what really happened? We dont really know yet, she said. If the information is released, then we can know, clearly, how things happened, and then there can be accountability as well.

Loku was killed by an unnamed Toronto police officer in July 2015. Last month, the SIU ruled the officer was justified in the killing, to prevent an imminent hammer attack.

That decision helped spark a two-week protest by Black Lives Matter outside Toronto police headquarters, which called for the release of the name of the officer who killed Loku and demanded an inquest.

Meilleur said she was hopeful some information could come out at the coroners inquest, which was called last week in part because of the public outcry over the SIUs decision.

I believe that they will have some of their answers there, Meilleur said.

No date has been set.

Wendy Gillis can be reached at wgillis@thestar.ca

More on thestar.com:

For Black Lives Matter, some long-sought victories

Ontarios police watchdog lags behind others in transparency

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Headlines:

Michelle Rempel, for writing a scathing op-ed that sheds light on the routine discrimination endured by women in politics.

An AP investigation found that the South Korean government covered up mass killings and rapes of children ahead of the 1988 Olympics.

Former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Omar Khadr, is getting married, to Muna Abougoush, who campaigned for Khadr's release long before she met him.

Weather and traffic:

Sunny, with clear skies and a high of 15 C. Itll be a little cooler closer to Lake Ontario (9 C) during the day. Tonight is expected to be clear and chilly, with a low of 4 C.

GO Transit and the TTC arent reporting any major delays.

Operations at Billy Bishop and Pearson International Airport are running smoothly this morning. Always be sure to check the status of your flight before departing for the airport.

How about that local sports team?

The Raptors defense is being overrun by Indiana Pacers forward Paul Georgebut theyre concentrating on blocking everyone else.

Whats going on in the entertainment world?

Netflix and Showcase are picking up Travellers, a new sci-fi show starring Toronto actor Eric McCormack (formerly of Will and Grace fame).

Today in history:

Columbine High School students Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris arrive at their school and shoot 13 people (12 students and a teacher) in what would be called the Columbine Massacreon this day in 1999.

Cuban president Fidel Castro allows any Cubans wishing to seek asylum in the U.S. to leave the island by boat. About 125,000 refugees take him up on the offeron this day in 1980.

Whats coming up?

Toronto Blue Jays will be going head-to-head with the Baltimore Orioles tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Oriole Park.

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MOSCOWA Russian court appeared Monday to lay the groundwork for a guilty verdict against a Ukrainian helicopter pilot nicknamed Ukraines Joan of Arc, Russian news agencies reported, wrapping up a trial over the 2014 deaths of two Russian journalists that has revived memories of Stalin-era show trials.

There was, however, initial confusion over the official court decision. Some Russian state-run outlets rushed to report that Lt. Nadiya Savchenko, 34, had been found guilty.

But state-run Rossiya 24 television later said the judge had merely announced he had heard enough evidence to convince him of her guilt before launching into an extended reading of the charges against her.

Such pro forma readings can sometimes last hours  or even days  and it was not immediately clear whether the judge would deliver the final ruling Monday. While the judges language during this review of the evidence may indicate whether or not the defendant will be pronounced guilty, the verdict and sentence are only officially delivered at the end of the session.

Savchenko had been accused of helping the Ukrainian army target the shelling that led to the June 2014 deaths of two Russian journalists in eastern Ukraine at the height of fighting there.

Little known before her capture, Savchenko has since become a national symbol of resistance in Ukraine and a target for Russians to focus their anger about the killing of eastern Ukrainian civilians. During Savchenkos long imprisonment, she was elected a member of the Ukrainian parliament in absentia. She has always denounced the legitimacy of the Russian court and says she was abducted and spirited into Russia unwillingly.

The court in Russias Rostov region, which borders eastern Ukraine, found Savchenko guilty of aiding and abetting two journalists who worked for Russian state-run television.

The court proceedings have been widely condemned by Western leaders, and last week Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced that he would try to get the European Union to issue sanctions against a roster of officials involved in her detention.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the trial ahead of the verdict, and it is possible that Savchenko will be on the agenda when he visits Moscow this week to discuss the ceasefire in Syria. The front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton, has also announced her concern for Savchenkos well-being.

Western officials and members of Savchenkos defence team have said they expect the guilty verdict may set the stage for a prisoner exchange, possibly for two alleged Russian servicemen on trial in Kyiv for fighting alongside separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Poroshenko, asked about a possible trade for Savchenko at a press conference earlier this month said: As the president of Ukraine, using my constitutional rights, yes, it is possible. I am ready to swap so Nadiya Savchenko can come home.

The Kremlin has denied that an exchange for Savchenko has been discussed with Kyiv, and a foreign ministry spokesman has said that any discussions of an exchange could not take place before a verdict was delivered in Savchenkos case.

Spy swaps are an established tradition in Russias relations with the West. In September, Russia exchanged an Estonian security official, Eston Kohver, a little over one month after he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for espionage charges.

But it is unclear that a similar agreement could be hammered out in the case of Savchenko, both because of the severity of the charges against her and the extremely tense relations between Moscow and Kyiv at the moment.

Ukraine has also demanded that Russia hand over several other Ukrainian nationals recently convicted of terrorism charges, including Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian filmmaker sentenced to 20 years in prison on terrorism charges. Amnesty International said the case was redolent of Stalinist-era show trials. Sentsov is still in prison in Russia.

The court proceedings were the highest-profile in Russia since the 2012 trial of Pussy Riot, the feminist punk bank that was convicted of hooliganism for a brief performance in a Moscow church where they insulted Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian court plans to announce the sentence Tuesday. Prosecutors have asked for a sentence of 23 years.

Savchenkos lawyers said Monday that she plans to resume a hunger strike and refuse liquids to protest of the verdict.

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MILANItalys interior minister says police have arrested on a European warrant an Iraqi identified by French and Belgian authorities as having contact with terrorists.

Angelino Alfano said the Iraqi was arrested Tuesday near Naples, but he did not elaborate on whether the connection was directly related to the attacks in Brussels, or the November attacks in Paris. He said investigators were working to determine more about the suspects terror contacts and activities in Italy.

Alfano told reporters after a meeting of security officials that he will sign in the coming hours additional expulsion orders for foreigners who demonstrated to not respect the rules of our country.

Since the beginning of 2015, he said Italy has expelled 74 people, including five imams, as part of terrorism prevention measures aimed against subjects who showed advanced signs of radicalization or for having given ideological support to Daesh. He said 396 people had been arrested since the beginning of 2015 as part of anti-terrorism investigations, which included searches against 2,249 people suspected of religious extremism.

Alfano added that intelligence officials are working 24 hours a day, but no country can be at zero risk and the tragic facts of these days unfortunately are evident demonstrations.

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Love it or list it. Or sue.

A North Carolina couple whose property was renovated on a fall 2015 episode of the hit Canadian home makeover show Love It or List It has gone with a third option, filing a suit against Big Coat TV Inc., the production company for the Toronto-produced program in North Carolina, and a contractor there.

In a statement of claim obtained by the Star, Deena Murphy and Timothy Sullivan of Chatham County, N.C., allege the floors at a Raleigh property they had been leasing out and had hoped to move into with future foster children were destroyed by Big Coats negligence, that the job they paid for was botched and the reality show is fiction.

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

The complaint does raise issues about what is real in a case like this, where this is a show that impacts peoples lives, the couples lawyer, James C. White, told the Star.

White, who has instructed his clients not to speak to the media during the ongoing lawsuit, called the popular home design shows business model bizarre for mixing construction and reality TV.

You dont leave the island and go home. This is the home you go to, he said.

In response to questions about the lawsuit, Maria Armstrong, the CEO and executive producer of Torontos Big Coat Productions, emailed a statement to the Star.

Love It or List It has been in production for over seven years, completing more than 250 renovations without any issues, it reads.

We believe that this claim is in no way supported by any of the facts of the case, and we will be defending ourselves vigorously in this matter.

The show airs on the W Network, as well as HGTV in the U.S. Its team renovates homes on the owners budget while also showing them other properties available in their price range.

Each 45-minute episode builds to a dramatic climax at the end where owners must choose between staying in their improved home or trading up.

The show has been a breakout hit for the Canadian company, inspiring a Vancouver edition and even attracting high praise from a certain presidential candidate. Hillary Clinton told the New York Times in November 2012 it was her favourite show and said she finds it very calming.

The lawsuit, filed April 1 in Durham County, N.C., alleges the homeowners paid $151,400 to Big Coat for the renovations, and the company acted as an unlicensed general contractor by hiring its own subcontractors, instead of using the agreed-upon local contractor.

It also alleges Big Coat makes decisions that favour the show, not the homeowners, and that leads to disasters such as theirs.

It alleges the plaintiffs were told the renovation has added $185,000 in value to the home, and that this statement was mere puffery, designed to make the episode more entertaining.

Love It or List It presents a dramatization of the home renovation process, allege the couple in the statement of claim.

The show is scripted with roles and reactions assigned to various performers and participants, including the homeowners.

The document alleges the hosts of the show, designer Hilary Farr and southern Ontario real estate agent David Visentin, are also playing roles on the show as opposed to really helping the participants renovate or find a home. The pair have also tackled many GTA homes during earlier seasons of the show.

The series offers a dramatization of what the house-hunting process looks like, with Mr. Visentin playing the role of realtor, it reads, adding Visentin is not a licensed realtor in the state of North Carolina.

The plaintiffs were never shown any homes that were on the market by any North Carolina licensed realtor who had the ability to broker the sale of those homes, it continued.

They were never shown any houses that it was possible to contract for, said the couples lawyer, White. They were filmed going into houses.

Visentin could not immediately be reached for comment. According to his Twitter profile, he is a real estate agent at Country Living Realty Ltd., based in Rosemont, Ont., north of Orangeville.

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HOUSTONFlood control has long been a challenging issue in Houston, dating back to the citys infancy on the banks of the Buffalo Bayou when its first flood was recorded more than 170 years ago.

Major reservoirs built in the 1940s helped alleviate some of problems, but a population explosion and urban sprawl since then enveloped the reservoirs. Experts said the citys efforts since then have fallen woefully short of the massive needs. And there is climate change, which has increased the frequency of large rainfalls that threaten coastal cities, climatologists said. The result this week was that sudden downpours overwhelmed infrastructure and inundated whole sections of the city, leaving at least seven people dead.

To throw up your hands and say were going to be vulnerable and have hundreds of millions of dollars of impact every year in Houston just because it rains a lot is not the attitude we need to take, said Sam Brody, a professor of regional planning at Texas A&M University at Galveston. We are not thinking about the big picture.

Thousands of people were routed from their homes and major highways when Houstons spaghetti-like web of bayous spilled over banks after rains that began Sunday night.

Then on Tuesday, creeks getting runoff from nearly 18 inches of rain in some spots in outlying northwestern Harris County rose quickly over their banks, prompting a new round of evacuations, including rescues of some residents in wheelchairs from an assisted living facility.

Prospects brightened for some as many roads reopened, although a flash flood watch was in effect through Wednesday.

Its going to have to trickle its way through the city of Houston and to Galveston Bay, Francisco Sanchez, a county emergency services spokesman, said of the waters progressing downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico.

Houston, with more than 2 million people including 90,000 arriving last year alone, is the nations fourth-largest city. And Harris County, which includes most of Houston, has seen a 30 per cent jump in population since 2000, with an accompanying 25 per cent increase in pavement.

The situation is exacerbated by a flat topography barely above sea level and the humid Gulf Coast climate prone to produce extreme rainfall.

These conditions have plagued Houston from the start, with its first flood recorded in 1843, seven years after the city was founded. There have been at least three dozen significant floods since then, including one in 1929 and another in 1935 that prompted construction of reservoirs in the western part of the county, Barker and Addicks, in the 1940s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

They were way out in the country, said Wayne Klotz, a former American Society of Civil Engineers president who has a Houston engineering firm. They were going to solve all the problems. The city continued to grow. And Barker and Addicks now are like in the middle of town.

Few notable flood-control efforts have been implemented since then, said Philip Bedient, a Rice University engineering professor who has been studying flood control in the area for more than three decades.

Houstons leaders sort of forgot about it for the next 20 years, and it was the wild west, he said. They built and built like there was no tomorrow.

It didnt have to be this way, he said.

Among Houstons recent efforts is a voter-approved program aimed at rebuilding its streets and drainage systems to better cope with floods. The city says it has collected and spent more than $1 billion since 2012, improving 900 miles of roadway.

Brody says more could be done, including an effort to buy out homeowners flood-prone areas and turn the land into open space. He also suggests upgrading building codes to mandate elevating structures in flood-prone areas, as some suburbs have done.

You need to think, he said. And were not.

The Harris County Flood Control District, the agency working in recent years with the Corps of Engineers on hundreds of millions of dollars in projects to ease the flooding impact, did not immediately return a phone message Tuesday seeking comment.

Tropical Storm Allison, with nearly 39 inches of rain in the hardest hit area, left $5 billion in damage in 2001. Hurricane Ike hit in 2008. Just last Memorial Day, hundreds of homes along Brays Bayou in Houston sustained severe damage after an 11-inch rainstorm.

From 1999 to 2009, the Houston area incurred over $3 billion in insured flood losses, Brody said.

Money is a considerable obstacle to improved flood control.

We know what it would take to eliminate flooding, Klotz said. The cost is in the billions. ... We live in times of constraint of public resources. Elected bodies have elected to choose to spend on different priorities.

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RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIAWith fresh friction wearing on an old alliance, President Barack Obama pressed Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf nations on Wednesday to step up efforts to defeat Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL, and help rebuild war-torn Iraq.

Obama huddled privately with Saudi King Salman at Erga Palace as Defence Secretary Ash Carter appealed to other Gulf nations for more economic and political support for Iraq, echoing themes Obama planned to emphasize personally in talks with Gulf leaders at a regional summit. In addition to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar are participating.

The presidents visit came at a difficult time for such requests. U.S. relations with Gulf allies, particularly Saudi Arabia, are under new strains due to differences over Iran, the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, and Obamas public complaints that allies are not carrying their weight.

Carter asked the Gulf countries to help with the reconstruction of the cities of Ramadi and Hit as well as Anbar province, areas that have been won back from Daesh militants but were left in near-shambles. He said helping the Iraqi people go home and rebuild their lives would lead to a more lasting victory and promote a more inclusive government.

What we would like, and what we discussed today, is to do more, Carter said at Diriyah Palace.

A senior defence official said the defence chiefs had a robust discussion, but came to no solid agreements on the increased aid. Still, the Gulf nations appear to be willing to consider doing more, said the official, who briefed reporters but was not authorized to be quoted by name.

Before ramping up assistance, Sunni leaders have been waiting to see more political improvements in Baghdad, where a political crisis has complicated efforts to focus on Daesh, and for greater participation and aid for the Sunni population.

The U.S. has been unsatisfied with what the Gulf nations have been willing to do in the fight, both with their military forces and financial contributions. In recent comments to The Atlantic magazine, Obama described Gulf countries, among others, as free riders that show an unwillingness to put any skin in the game regarding their own regional security.

The Saudis in particular have bristled at Obamas suggestion that they share the neighbourhood with Iran, which they see as their foe. A senior Obama administration official said the presidents views on Iran were the subject of extended conversation in the meeting, with the president reiterating that he believes its in the regions interests to lower tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The leaders also discussed human rights, the official said, in a meeting that lasted longer than the White House expected.

Still, there were signs of a less-than-enthusiastic welcome for Obama as he arrived in Saudi Arabia.

Stepping off of Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport, Obama was greeted not by King Salman but by a lower-ranking royal, Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, the governor of Riyadh. Ahead of Obamas arrival, Saudi state television showed the king personally greeting senior officials from other Gulf nations arriving at the King Salman Air Base.

Mustafa Alani, a security analyst at the Gulf Research Center, said the move was unusual and intended to send a clear message that they have little faith in him.

The Saudis had disagreements with previous presidents, Alani said. Here you have deep distrust that the president wont deliver anything.

Obama arrived a day after telling CBS News that his administration was reviewing the release of a 28-page section of the congressional report on the Sept. 11 attacks that some believe implicate Saudi Arabia in the planning, a charge the kingdom denies. The attention in the U.S. on the withheld pages comes as Congress debates legislation that would allow the families to sue Saudi Arabia. The Obama administration says it opposes the bill, and officials said the issue didnt come up in Obamas meeting with King Salman.

Obama ended his day with a late meeting with Abu Dhabis crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The White House said in a statement that the leaders discussed Daeshs campaign and the importance of stabilizing areas of Iraq liberated from ISIL.

Carter, addressing reporters in Riyadh, said Sunni support for a multi-sectarian government in Iraq will insure that Daesh stays defeated. Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Abdullatif al-Zayani said Carter had conveyed a U.S. commitment to stand with the Gulf nations against Iranian threats, including weapons smuggling into countries like Yemen.

In their meeting, the defence ministers also reaffirmed ways that their militaries can collaborate, including in training, exercises and missions with their special operations and naval forces. They also discussed ways to counter threats from Iran  a high priority for the Gulf countries dismayed with the U.S. move to reduce sanctions on Tehran as part of last years nuclear deal.

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On Monday, just two months after Iranian authorities shut down a smartphone app that tracked the location of the countrys so-called morality police, an additional 7,000 plain clothes officers were dispatched to comb the streets of Tehran looking for women whose hair wasnt completely covered or cars blaring music too loudly.

The morality police have long irked young Tehranis, who have just gained a new and powerful ally: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. In a thinly veiled message on Wednesday, Rouhani attacked the practice of disrespecting peoples dignity and hinted that he would work to send the police back to their barracks.

Our first duty is to respect peoples dignity and personality, Rouhani said. God has bestowed dignity to all human beings and this dignity precedes religion.

Iranian police are controlled by the countrys armed forces and answer to Irans hardline supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, but Rouhani has some sway in their policies through his control over Irans interior ministry.

Many young Iranians see the morality police as a nuisance and are waiting for Rouhani to make good on campaign promises to loosen the restrictions on what they can wear. Whether or not he carries through with that vow may affect his chances of winning the youth vote in next years presidential race. Older and poorer Iranians, on the other hand, are more likely to sympathize with the morality police as a safeguard against what they see as Western and un-Islamic influences.

Not long after his August 2013 inauguration, Rouhani tried to rein in the morality police by bringing what he called the modesty project under the authority of his cabinet. But as the announcement on Monday shows, Iranian conservatives have so far kept the police outside of Rouhanis purview, stymying his efforts to liberalize Irans social spaces.

According to Tehrans police chief, Hossein Sajedinia, the new morality police recruits will focus specifically on whether Tehranis are violating social codes in their private vehicles.

Confronting bad [head scarves] and removal of veils inside cars, driving recklessly, parading in the streets, harassing women, and stopping noise pollution are the priorities, Sajedinia said at a press conference on Monday.

And unlike the existing officers, who typically detain offenders first before letting them off with a warning or fine, these ones will report licence plate numbers to superiors, who will then summon the drivers at a later date for official warnings or fines.

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BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLICThe peacekeepers motioned to the teenage girl weaving through the sprawling camp in the baking afternoon sun selling bananas from a plate atop her head. Soon their real intentions were clear: They yanked her inside their tent and began unbuttoning their pants.

Just 16 years old, she cried and pleaded with them to let her go, telling them she was menstruating in hopes it would dissuade them. Then three men gang-raped her one by one. As she trembled on the ground afterward in fear, they laughed and ate the bananas on her plate. Then they shouted at her to leave.

The attack she recounts from that day did not kill her, but the torment and stigma that followed just might, she says. A few of her peers saw what happened and it wasnt long before the taunts began, unspeakably cruel even when coming from the mouths of children. They still call her Miss Sangaris, a reference to the name of the French peacekeeping mission that implies she is the soldiers girlfriend.

The girl, who is anonymous to protect her identity as a minor survivor of sexual abuse, has never reported to any authorities what happened to her that day. The very sight of another peacekeeper walking by sends her stomach into knots, she says.

I want to be anywhere but here, to go someplace where no one knows me and I can start over, she says softly, looking down at her folded hands.

As the UN and various countries come under growing criticism for sexual abuse by peacekeepers, the stories of survivors in the MPoko camp and elsewhere suggest the problem could be far larger than previously known.

The UN alone has already reported it is now investigating more than 100 cases here in Central African Republic, where violence exploded in late 2013. Peacekeepers from France, who are not part of the UN mission here, and other soldiers from a now repatriated European mission also are facing accusations of sexual misconduct.

The numbers are expected to grow. Two girls from MPoko who had never been interviewed talked to The Associated Press about their rapes, and several volunteers recounted the ordeals of seven other children. Similar allegations have emerged from other remote towns. Some are allegations of violent sexual assault while many others involve instances of sex in exchange for food and money in this desperately poor country.

The victims of sexual abuse have little recourse. Nearly all the survivors still live at the very site of their trauma: Few have received any ongoing medical care for post-traumatic stress or sexually transmitted infections. Most cannot identify their attackers, and even if they could, many of the men already have moved on to other assignments outside of Central African Republic.

In cases where girls and women became pregnant, paternity testing can help to identify an attacker. Otherwise the allegations are often coming months later, with few corroborating witnesses and no rape kits or physical evidence preserved.

The victim has very little support, very little access to trauma counselling and even less support in terms of access to justice, said Yasmin Sooka, a member of the independent review panel that has studied the UNs response to the allegations of sexual abuse in Central African Republic.

Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN and its entities are working to refer victims quickly to service providers and give them the assistance they need. He added that he hopes more victims are coming forward because they now feel safe in doing so.

We expect the number of potential victims in Kemo prefecture to fluctuate as the investigation process moves forward, testimonies are cross-checked and facts ascertained, he said.

France also has launched judicial investigations into the allegations against its troops.

We must investigate and if its proven, convict those who are responsible, said a French top diplomat who is not allowed to speak publicly on the issue and who spoke on condition of anonymity. Its very important because its the reputation of the French military  not only in CAR  that is at stake.

While the UN has identified cases of suspected abuse in many peacekeeping missions, the numbers are particularly alarming in Central African Republic. Some blame the speed with which existing regional peacekeepers were re-hatted into a UN mission without thorough vetting. Peacekeepers also have been living in too close contact with the people they are supposed to protect in a country where impunity has long reigned.

Parents at the MPoko airport camp struggle to eke out a living: Most lost everything when rebel fighters burned Christian homes to the ground. Youngsters often try to help their families by scrounging through trash for things to resell or reuse.

One 12-year-old girl recounts with little emotion the afternoon she and her younger brother went looking for things to sell in exchange for money to buy food. They beamed when a peacekeeper offered them a piece of bread. But then she says she was snatched and raped by another man inside the peacekeepers tent as her terrified brother stood outside.

She eventually was treated at a clinic in the camp, she says, where she was given antibiotics for syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease.

Now 14, the girl wearing a T-shirt decorated with a ballerina slipper is back in school and loves to study math. Her true passion though is her faith, and her greatest fear is that her rape may prevent her from becoming a nun.

I dont know if I can still become a sister now that Im no longer a virgin, she says.

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LONDONHow do you celebrate your 90th birthday when youve spent nearly two-thirds of those years as the queen?

If youre Elizabeth II, you do what youve always done: your royal duties, with a walkabout, lunch with the U.S. president and 1,000 bonfires thrown in for good measure.

Born April 21, 1926, Britains longest-reigning monarch will enter her 10th decade on Thursday.

To mark the occasion, she will meet and greet locals on a royal walkabout around Windsor, a charming city about 20 miles (32 kilometres) west of London and home to Windsor Castle, a royal residence.

The walkabout is an unmistakable message that the queen is still very much on the move. Indeed, as the Daily Telegraph noted, she carried out more engagements last year than William, Kate and Harry combined. The walkabout is also an example of the many ways the queen has put her own mark on the British monarchy. After she first tried it during a visit to Australia and New Zealand in 1970, walking among the crowds has become a fixture of royal events.

In the evening, the monarch will make another royal gesture and light a beacon. Hundreds of years ago, lighting beacons across the land was a way to communicate; today, the royals have adopted it as part of their panoply of traditions deployed on big occasions.

On Thursday evening, the queen will light the first of more than 1,000 torches or bonfires expected to be set ablaze across the U.K. and beyond. Beacons will be taken to the highest peaks in each of the four nations of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

During her birthday week, the queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will open a new bandstand near Windsor Castle and visit Windsors Royal Mail delivery office, where she will meet the Royal Mail choir (yes, there is such a thing).

On Friday, shell host a lunch for Barack and Michelle Obama, who famously caused a stir here in 2009 when she put her arm around the queen during a photocall.

The message Buckingham Palace is giving out is, she is still working on her 90th birthday, said Robert Lacey, a royal biographer.

But its not all work. Charles, the queens son and heir, is hosting a private dinner on her actual birthday, and Nadiya Hussain, winner of the popular TV program The Great British Bake Off, has said shes baking the queen an orange drizzle birthday cake.

Royal watchers say she will also likely go horse riding on the big day.

And there will be more celebrations to come. The queen celebrates two birthdays every year: her real birthday, on April 21, and an official one in June.

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STAVANGER, NORWAYNorwegian authorities have violated the human rights of mass killer Anders Behring Breivik by holding him in solitary confinement in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise, a court in Oslo ruled Wednesday.

In the surprise decision, the Oslo district court said the isolation that Breivik faces in prison for killing 77 people in a bomb-and-gun massacre in 2011 is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society, the court said. This applies no matter what  also in the treatment of terrorists and killers.

The court ordered the government to pay Breiviks legal costs of 331,000 kroner, about $41,000 (U.S.). However, it dismissed Breiviks claim that the government had also violated his right to respect for private and family life by denying him contact with other right-wing extremists.

Breivik, 37, had sued the government, saying his isolation from other prisoners, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed during the early part of his incarceration violated his human rights. During a four-day hearing at Skien prison in southern Norway where he is serving his sentence, he also complained about the quality of the prison food, having to eat with plastic utensils and not being able to communicate with sympathizers.

The government rejected his complaints, saying he was treated humanely despite the severity of his crimes and that he must be separated from other inmates for safety reasons.

We are surprised, government attorney Marius Emberland told The Associated Press after the verdict. We are not in agreement with the court.

He said his team would study the verdict carefully before deciding whether to appeal.

Breivik has been held in isolation since the July 22, 2011, attacks. The court said it couldnt see why he cant be allowed to meet other inmates in the high-security section under the supervision of prison guards and why he cannot see his lawyer without a glass wall separating them. The court noted that Breivik has behaved in a peaceful, courteous and accommodating manner, despite a 2013 letter in which he wrote he knew how to neutralize prison guards and how to make 10 to15 deadly weapons from materials in his cells.

It also said authorities hadnt given enough attention to his mental health when determining his conditions in prison.

After an overall assessment of the facts of the case, the court has reached the conclusion that the imprisonment regime represents an inhuman treatment of Breivik, the court said.

Breiviks lawyer, Oystein Storrvik, told the AP his client was satisfied with the ruling and that prison authorities must now lift some of his restrictions.

I expect them to do something about isolation and allow him to meet other people, Storrvik said. I am confident that he will not do any violence in the prison.

Bjoern Ihler, who survived Breiviks shooting massacre on Utoya island, said he respects the courts decision, though he thought other survivors might be angry and upset.

It is important that we stick to the principles of the Norwegian system, Ihler told the AP.

After months of meticulous preparations, Breivik set off a car bomb in 2011 outside the government headquarters in Oslo, killing eight people and wounding dozens. He then drove to Utoya, where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labor Partys youth wing. Sixty-nine people there were killed, most of them teenagers, before he surrendered to police.

International observers were stunned by how far Norwegian authorities went to accommodate him during his 2012 trial. He was even allowed to use the stand as a pulpit to profess his extremist views.

He was convicted of terrorism and mass murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison, Norways maximum sentence. However, the sentence can be extended for as long as hes considered a menace to society.

At the time of the attacks, Breivik claimed to be the commander of a secret Christian military order plotting an anti-Muslim revolution in Europe. Investigators found no trace of the group. He now describes himself as a traditional neo-Nazi who prays to the Viking god Odin, saying his earlier crusader image was just for show. He made a Nazi salute to journalists at the start of his human rights case in March.

Professor Kjetil Larsen of the Norwegian Institute of Human Rights said he expected the verdict to be met with considerable surprise both internationally and in Norway. Larsen said he thought it was clear from the start that Breiviks treatment doesnt violate his human rights.

I thought that what came out during the trial made that even clearer, he said.

Larsen said the government will probably appeal the ruling and that prison authorities wont be obliged to change Breiviks imprisonment conditions until theres a final judgment.

Only a handful of survivors and victims family members followed the proceedings. Others ignored the case, saying they didnt want to give Breivik any attention.

Breivik has three cells to himself in the high-security wing of Skien prison. The cells are equipped with video game consoles, a television, a DVD player, electronic typewriter, newspapers and exercise machines. He also has daily access to a larger exercise yard. He is allowed visits from family and friends, but hasnt received any except for his mother before she died.

The court that convicted him in 2012 found him criminally sane, rejecting the prosecutions view that he was psychotic. Breivik didnt appeal his sentence. He has been trying to start a fascist party in prison and reached out by mail to right-wing extremists in Europe and the United States. Prison officials seized many of those letters, fearing Breivik would inspire others to commit violent attacks.

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LONDONPrince William has rejected criticism that he doesnt put enough time into royal duties in interviews ahead of Queen Elizabeth IIs 90th birthday.

Dismissing the moniker of work-shy William, the second-in-line to the throne said in an interview broadcast Wednesday that hes balancing his royal duties with those of a husband, father and air ambulance pilot. William says when the queen is ready to hand over tasks, hell be the first person to accept them.

I think, in the queen I have an extraordinary example of somebody whos done an enormous amount of good and shes probably the best role model I could have in front of me, he told the BBC.

In another interview with Sky News, he offers tribute to the queen and credits her with helping him through the loss of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The interviews mark a moment of celebration for the family as the monarch celebrates a milestone, but also underscore that the young royals will carry on what is sometimes described as the Firm,  the family business. William was peppered with questions about what he would ultimately like his reign to be like and whether he plans to modernize the monarchy.

I think the royal family has to modernize and develop as it goes along and it has to stay relevant, William said. And thats the challenge for me ... I have no idea when thats going to be, and I certainly dont lie awake waiting or hoping for it, because it sadly means that my family have moved on and I dont want that.

William was asked if his son, George, has any sense yet that hes not part of an ordinary family  whether William and his wife, the former Kate Middleton, have begun to prepare him to accept the fact that hes in the line of succession.

Well, as far as were concerned, within our family unit we are a normal family, William said. I love my children the same way any father does, and I hope George loves me the same way any son does to his father, so we are very normal in that sense.

Therell be a time and a place to bring George up and understand how he fits in the world, but right now its just a case of keeping a secure, stable environment around him and showing him as much love as I can as a father.

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Just over a month ago, Queen Elizabeth II turned 86 and shes now spent six decades as Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries.

Shes a familiar face, the broad narrative of her life well-known  not least the more tumultuous episodes involving her offsprings marriages, indiscretions and divorces, the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

So, in this summer of royal tours and celebrations to mark the Queens Diamond Jubilee, how best to commemorate her long reign?

Herewith, an A-Z guide to some of the less familiar, though no less revealing, aspects of a royal life:

ALLAH  The nickname of Princess Elizabeths childhood nanny, based on a toddleresque pronunciation of Clara Cooper Knight. The future Queen, for her part, was dubbed Lilibet, a term of endearment normally deemed off limits to all but her closest family.

BURMESE  The Queens favourite parade horse, a black mare given her by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. She rode it from 1969 until the horse was retired in 1986, after which the Queen opted for a carriage instead of horseback during the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace.

CRAWFIE  The nickname of Princess Elizabeths longtime Scottish governess, Marion Crawford. In 1950, Crawford scandalized the family by publishing a memoir about Elizabeth and her sister Margaret as children, The Little Princesses, even though by later standards it was less tell-all than tell-only-the-nicest-bits.

DORGI  The Queens passion for corgis is well-known  she got her first corgi, Susan, as an 18th birthday present. But dorgis are a different breed  created when Princess Margarets dachshund, Pipkin, got overly fond of Princess Elizabeths corgis.

ELIZABETH I  From the outset, the Queen was bound to face challenging comparisons with her 16th-century namesake.

For her coronation in 1953 (a year after being named Queen on the death of her father, King George VI), Selfridges erected two giant banners at the front of its store on Oxford St. in London, with quotes from both Elizabeths, displaying very different tones in very different eras.

In 1558, the first Elizabeth was resolute in the face of any doubts about another female monarch, the previous one (Bloody Mary I) having terrorized and slaughtered so many Protestants:

this kingdom hath had many wise, noble and victorious princes  but in love, care, sincerity and justice, I will compare with any prince that you ever had or shall have.

Against this was the second Elizabeths own, more moderate pledge:

with a new faith in the old and splendid beliefs given us by our forefathers, and the strength to venture beyond the safeties of the past, I know we shall be worthy of our duty.

FIRST BUCKINGHAM PALACE GUIDE COMPANY  The Girl Guide troop created especially for a young Elizabeth. The other members were the daughters of aristocrats and palace staff.

GRANDPA ENGLAND  Hearkening back to Shakespearean usage, when King and England were interchangeable, this is how the young princesses sometimes referred to their grandfather, King George V.

HILLARY, EDMUND  The news that Hillary and Tenzing Norgay had reached the peak of Mount Everest arrived in London on the morning of the Queens coronation, and it was quickly thrown into the patriotic mix.

The Illustrated London News, in its coronation special, summed it all up with a nearly full-page portrait of the mountain and shots of the two mountaineers: A GREAT CORONATION GIFT FOR THE QUEEN: THE BRITISH CONQUEST OF THE UNCONQUERABLE EVEREST.

ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER SILVIO BERLUSCONI During the set-up for a photo shoot at the G20 meeting in 2009, the Italian leader inadvertently gave the Queen a chance to vent some condescendingly dry humour when he had thundered Mr. Obama, prompting the Queen to be overheard wondering: Why does he have to shout?

JUBILEE  Now celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, Elizabeth II isnt the only British monarch to have achieved that kind of longevity, but its a rare enough feat.

Queen Victoria marked hers in 1897 but, unlike the 86-year-old Elizabeth, she was by then in greatly failing health. A special service of thanksgiving that year had to be held outside St. Pauls Cathedral, Queen Victoria being too lame to mount the steps.

KING  Elizabeth only became heiress to the throne after her father had assumed the title of King George VI when his brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson.

The Queen has always spoken fondly of her childhood, made especially warm because her father was determined not to replicate the cold upbringing hed endured.

The King, who worked so hard to overcome his stuttering, also taught Elizabeth, through his own example, about her duty and place in the world, not least amid speculation that the two princesses would be sent to Canada for their own safety during World War II.

As Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, put it in 1940:

The children will not leave unless I do. I shall not leave unless their father does, and the King will not leave the country in any circumstances whatsoever.

LIBER REGALIS  Pomp and ceremony have attended English and British coronations for hundreds of years, all modelled on a medley of precedents, many of them documented. But the primary text consulted, an illuminated volume outlining the order of service, is the Liber Regalis, created around 1382 and one of the great treasures in the library of Westminster Abbey.

It has guided every coronation since then, including that of Elizabeth II, with one notable variation. When James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603 (after the death of Elizabeth I), the liturgy was translated from Latin to English.

MALTA  Not long after Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip of Greece in 1947, he was posted to Malta as second in command aboard HMS Chequers, a destroyer in the Royal Navys Mediterranean fleet.

NEW RENAISSANCE  In an issue of The Sphere marking the Queens coronation, Schweppes took out a full-page ad portraying a page from a future history book  specifically the opening page to a chapter XII, entitled The New Renaissance 1953-2003.

The subtitle ran: The reign of Elizabeth II  Britains recovery  attainment of world peace and security  material progress  the will to achieve  industrial relations  education  the liberal arts  the paramountcy of ideas.

All that optimism continued in the ensuing text, which must have seemed rather heady in a Britain still marked by official rationing. To wit:

Science, observes Lord Heriot, has laid the foundation of a new technology, to which, in its turn, we owe the enrichment of our lives.

OIL  When Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service near the end of hostilities with Germany, she not only drove trucks and ambulances, but was taught how to maintain a vehicle  from simple tasks like changing the oil to stripping an entire engine.

The princess became so enamoured of all things mechanical that her father couldnt help but tease her when she couldnt get one vehicle to start. This was largely because he had secretly removed the distributor cap.

POOR YOU  This was Princess Margarets reputed reply when her older sister had confirmed that she would one day be Queen.

QUEENS  Queens of England (and later the United Kingdom) are fairly thin on the ground, there having only been six since the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Before Elizabeth II, they were: Mary I (1553-1558), Elizabeth I (1558-1603), Mary II (1689-1694, jointly with husband William of Orange), Anne (1702-1714) and Victoria (1837-1901).

ROMAN EMPIRE  If the Queens coronation brought talk of a New Renaissance, her fathers assumption of the throne in 1936 brought different thoughts, and the gap between them speaks volumes about how Britain had changed in the interim.

The Illustrated London News had marked King George VIs 1937 coronation with an essay about Christianity, the British Empire, looming war, and the lessons imparted when Rome ruled the world:

The Roman Empire collapsed because it chose to conduct its affairs not by the moral stands of divine law, but by those of man, a self-seeking creature. It confused power with morality: attributed dignity to the supreme magistrate.

SECOND SUBALTERN  Princess Elizabeths rank (serial number 230873) when she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

THIRD COUSINS  The Queen and Prince Philip were this (via Queen Victoria) when they first got to know each other well as teenagers. November will mark the 65th anniversary of their marriage.

UNDERGROUND  As if anticipating a future monarchy with more common touch than regal remoteness, governess Mary Crawford took Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret on their first subway trip in 1939.

V.E. DAY  On May 8, 1945, Elizabeth and her sister begged their father to let them join the throng outside celebrating victory over the Nazis. He relented and, accompanied by a few guards, the sisters mingled with the crowd, danced The Lambeth Walk (inspired by the musical, Me and My Girl), and joined a conga line at the Ritz Hotel  all, apparently, without being recognized.

WINSTON CHURCHILL  The British prime minister was the first to greet Princess Elizabeth on her return to London in 1952 from Kenya, where shed learned of her fathers death. As Queen, she later broke with royal tradition by attending Churchills funeral.

EXHIBITION  A reference to the Great Exhibition of 1851 does stretch the ground rules for an A-Z, but it relates to another kind of extension. When Queen Victorias consort, Prince Albert, devised a new facade for Buckingham Palace, he included the now-famous balcony.

It was first used by Queen Victoria to greet crowds gathered for the exhibition. Unlike the recent balcony appearance of Prince William and Kate Middleton, there was no kissing in public.

Y BWYTHN BACH  The name of the miniature house given to Princess Elizabeth for her 6th birthday as a present from the people of Wales, and installed on the grounds of Royal Lodge, Windsor.

ZOO  During World War II, the Royal Family made a point of being seen in public as a boost to morale, which is how Princess Elizabeth came to be photographed feeding elephants at the London Zoo in 1940.

Although elephants never surpassed dogs and horses in the Queens affections, shed end up in the company of roughly 400 elephants as part of a tiger hunting expedition in Nepal in 1961.

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This past Saturday seemed like the first true day of spring in Toronto and gritty Parliament St. was alive with lots of people, including me, enjoying a walk, a coffee or brunch in the mid-day sun.

In the midst of this pleasant scene, my mind suddenly turned to the tragic fate of Sammy Yatim and questions about whether the knife-wielding 18-year-olds death at the hands of Toronto Police Const. James Forcillo while the troubled teen was behaving bizarrely on a streetcar just after midnight on July 27, 2013, could have been avoided.

Heres why those unsettling events came rushing back and why Im absolutely convinced that Yatims violent death wasnt even remotely inevitable if Const. Forcillo had responded the way his brothers in blue did on Saturday to another distressed kid armed with a knife.

After dropping off my daughter at the Toronto Dance Theatre on Winchester St. at noon, I retreated to a nearby deli for a quick bite. Done, I headed towards Carleton St. As I approached the corner, I noticed a young, dark-skinned man with curly black hair, wearing a long red T-shirt, and grey sweat pants. He looked about 17 or so. He was brandishing a chefs knife  a four-inch silver blade with a wooden handle.

He was agitated. As a couple walked by, he shouted: Bitch. There were several other people within earshot and a quick step away from being stabbed. We seemed frozen in time and space, unsure of what to do. Perhaps we were in a little shock. Meanwhile, the young man called out to a waitress through an open window, warning her he was going to use the knife. Dont you believe me? he said, cutting the air with his knife.

I crossed the street and called 911. I provided the operator with a description of the young man, his location and alarming temperament. Within seconds, I heard the first distant wail of sirens. Two police vehicles moved slowly north on Parliament with their sirens off. The young man kept walking on the west side of the street, shouting and threatening people along the way.

The police waited until he reached an alley adjacent to a Beer Store before swooping in. At that moment, I have to admit, part of me regretted calling the cops even though the young man was clearly a danger to passersby, the police and himself. In that instant, I thought of Yatim and, in my minds eye, I revisited the grainy video of Forcillo firing nine bullets at Yatim, paralyzing and killing him. I wondered: Will this kid be shot and killed, too?

By this time, a small crowd had gathered. Inevitably, some bystanders used their phones to record events. I wondered if everyone else was thinking what I was thinking. I wondered if the cops were also thinking of Sammy Yatim. Despite being a former reporter, I moved away not wanting to see or hear anyone being shot.

Still, I waited for the telltale pop, pop, pop. Nothing.

I circled back, and saw two police officers restraining the young man in the alley. One officer had his knee pressed on the kids back, who was now face-down, spread-eagled. A third officer was standing close by with what appeared to be a taser aimed at the kid, shouting that he would use it if he had to. I couldnt see the knife.

A few minutes later, an ambulance arrived. The young man was alive and unharmed. Thankfully, the officers who confronted him were safe, too.

The cops kept their cool, working together  as theyve no doubt been trained  to disarm a kid who was wielding a knife not that much different from the one Yatim was flashing on the streetcar on that fateful morning. They resolved the tense situation without firing a shot despite the fact that, arguably, this kid posed more of a danger to the police and public than Yatim did.

In the end, I cant help but think that if this group of police officers  who, like Forcillo, swore an oath to serve and protect the public, but, unlike Forcillo, responded so differently, wisely, calmly and professionally to another disturbed young man in distress  had been there when Sammy Yatim needed help, he might be alive today, getting the help he so desperately needed.

Andrew Mitrovica is a writer and journalism instructor.

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Imagine, for a minute, that youre a recent university graduate and you get a job as a bank teller in Toronto. Over the next 10 years, you work hard at the bank and earn local, provincial and even national recognition for your work. Customers love you, co-workers look up to you, and supervisors praise your contributions to the branch.

Then, for a variety of reasons, you move to Mississauga. You put in an application to the local bank but they tell you, sorry, provincial regulations state that all new bank tellers in the city must first apply and get on the bank teller supply list before they can apply to permanent jobs. So you interview, and luckily you are hired to the list. No surprise there, given your track record.

Then you are told that before you can apply for a permanent job, you must work 20 supply days for sick tellers. Once you do that, only then you can apply to get on the long-term occasional (LTO) supply list. Getting on that list means you can cover the jobs of bank tellers who go on long-term sick or administrative leaves. Even then, you still must somehow get an LTO job that lasts at least four consecutive months before you are eligible for permanent jobs.

So you work your 20 days, get on the LTO list, and luckily find a four-month LTO. Finally, you think, I can now apply for a full-time position! But no; you are told that although you can technically apply for full-time positions, the banks in Mississauga can only interview and choose from the top five candidates on the LTO list in terms of seniority. So it doesnt matter what school you graduated from, nor does it matter whether you had 10 years of bank teller experience or that you had tons of recognition for your work. You simply have to wait your turn.

Welcome to the crazy world of Regulation 274, a provincial set of rules governing how elementary and secondary teachers are hired in Ontario.

As we move into teacher hiring season over the next few months, its time for policymakers and citizens to take a hard look at Regulation 274.

In 2012, the Ontario government introduced this regulation to allegedly combat nepotism (such as hiring a friend or family member) and favoritism. However, instead of using a hammer to strike an errant nail, the government brought in a bulldozer.

In essence, Regulation 274 is built to protect the principle of seniority. Its why the teachers unions fervently love and protect it.

According to the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, the principle of seniority is at the core of ensuring fairness in unionized workplaces. Similarly, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation maintains that Regulation 274 largely achieves the goal of creating a fair and transparent hiring process.

But there is nothing fair or right about hiring on the basis of seniority. In fact, hiring based on seniority is just as discriminatory as hiring on the basis of race, creed or sex.

If the government of Ontario is serious about addressing nepotism and favouritism in a fair and transparent way, Regulation 274 is not the answer. Instead, the solution lies in changing the processes used to interview and make hiring decisions.

Instead of seniority, why not adopt processes with built-in checks and balances? For instance, different parts of the interview process could be divided between different hiring committees. Or hiring committees could include at least one individual who is external to the school where the position is to be located.

Seniority is a terrible principle for determining how teachers are hired in Canada. It is also discriminatory and unfair. At a minimum, the Ontario government should at least allow teachers to have their seniority recognized across school boards.

Better yet, it is time for the Ontario government to get rid of Regulation 274.

Christopher Alcantara is associate professor of political science at Western University. His wife is a secondary school teacher in Ontario.

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Most Canadians experience great joy when they start a family, but for many others, it is a time of fear. For infertile heterosexual couples, same-sex couples and singles who need a sperm donor, the fear of criminal sanctions becomes an undue infringement to their right to parent. Indeed, while Canadians views on parenthood and non-traditional families have evolved considerably in the last two decades, the obstacles imposed by current regulations continue to thwart and in some cases, crush the dreams of many who wish to have a family.

An eye-opening investigation by Star journalist Theresa Boyle exposed the alarming consequences of our current system. Boyle revealed that a Canadian woman conceived a child using sperm from an unscrupulous donor to a U.S. sperm bank. He hid a history of schizophrenia, a criminal background, and fabricated a slew of lofty academic achievements. Worryingly, he has fathered at least 36 children.

This fraud could have been avoided if the woman had used a Canadian clinic or agency, as we have strict regulations that ensure the health and safety of donors and recipients. It also costs far less to do it in Canada. So why then, did she go to an American sperm bank? Why are so many Canadians going south of the border to purchase gametes at far greater cost?

Because while our government has imposed regulations for health and safety, it has also imposed penal consequences on those who pay for gametes. The result of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act is that while two decades ago there were more than 40 sperm banks in Canada, there are now only three.

How did this happen? The act prohibits payment to all donors, so naturally few people are willing to donate. Accordingly, most sperm used in Canada is now imported from the U.S., where donors are paid by the clinics in ways that are currently illegal in Canada. Ironically, the evil the act means to keep at bay  commercial donation  is spreading rapidly as we force desperate Canadians to purchase donor gametes from American banks and agencies. Hypocritical, is it not?

We require serious commitments from sperm donors. In the real world, when serious commitments are requested, payment is typically a pre-requisite. Indeed, we currently pay more for American sperm than we would to Canadian donors, leading to a distorted market in which we are paying a premium for sperm that is not required.

Potential parents should not have to go abroad to conceive families in Canada, yet a lack of domestic options leaves them with few options. Having domestic sperm would allow us to not only apply our existing regulations but would ensure that whatever other health and safety practices we wanted to put in place could be applied.

Some argue that it is the Canadian health and safety regulations that limit domestic donors, as opposed to the inability to pay. However, despite similar health and safety regulations in some states, our American friends do not have to wait for sperm donors. There is an abundance of them.

Why? Because it is not illegal in many states to compensate a donor, which incentivizes men to donate sperm. In our view, it is highly likely that the right to pay would lead to a higher number of Canadian sperm donors regardless of the health and safety regulations in place.

It has been argued that only altruistic donors should be permitted because some people conceived using donor sperm are uncomfortable with the fact that products of the market could have played a role in their conception.

We doubt that very many people conceived using sperm donation care if their donor was paid or not. It is far more likely they would care that the donor provided accurate information about his lifestyle, medical history, and general health.

For decades we have agreed that the state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation. The people seeking gamete donation also deserve the same respect for their privacy. If we believe that having children is a laudable goal, we must repeal the sections of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act that sanction totally legitimate conduct.

Anthony Housefather is the Member of Parliament for Mount Royal and chairman of the House Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Cindy Wasser is the founding lawyer of Hope Springs Fertility Law in Toronto.

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Its an admission that speaks volumes about accountability at Queens Park and a cabinet ministers standards  and it reveals a troubling deficit on both counts.

Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur is the minister at fault. Simply put, she hasnt done her job.

A formal investigation into the death of Andrew Loku, a 45-year-old father of five from South Sudan shot by police last summer, was finished a month ago. But Meilleur told the Star on Monday that she still hadnt read the confidential report into this tragedy. Amid mounting criticism, including that this amounted to an abdication of duties, she said on Tuesday that she had finally read the document.

This is what passes for oversight of police in Premier Kathleen Wynnes Ontario.

Given the unexplained circumstances surrounding Lokus death, including whether his killing was even necessary, its hard to fathom Meilleurs lack of initiative. As the provincial cabinets chief law officer, she is one of the few people in Ontario authorized to read a secret report by the Special Investigations Unit into the tragedy. Yet Meilleur evidently found other things to do.

Meanwhile, Lokus distraught family pleaded for answers; Black Lives Matter protesters camped in front of a police station; people demonstrated outside Queens Park; and a host of voices, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, called for an inquest.

Despite all that concern, a key report on this issue sat unopened by the attorney general. Either Meilleur suffers from a profound lack of curiosity or she didnt want to read details behind the SIUs exoneration of officers involved in Lokus shooting. One way to avoid acting on a controversial file is to pretend it isnt there.

Whatever her motive, Meilleur has failed Ontario residents through her lamentable inaction. And shes continuing to let them down by spurning requests that she release the report now that she has read it.

Its vital that Ontarians see how the SIU came to decide that charges werent warranted in Lokus death. It concluded that the officer who pulled the trigger believed he had no reasonable choice but to open fire.

To ensure fairness and accountability, all SIU reports into police shootings deserve to be made public. But full and frank disclosure is especially important given the nagging questions still swirling around Lokus death.

It happened last July when police were summoned to an apartment building and found a man wielding a hammer. Officers said he ignored an order to drop the weapon and was advancing with the hammer raised when two shots were fired into his chest. But at least one eye-witness disagrees with that scenario, insisting that Loku didnt pose an imminent threat.

And there are troubling questions about the handling of a video that purportedly documented at least part of this incident. It remains unclear if police, or anyone else, had a chance to view or tamper with the footage before SIU investigators appeared.

For the sake of public confidence in Ontarios oversight of police, its essential to have details on how the SIU conducted this investigation, how it handled evidence, and relevant background information, such as officers service history. At this point, even the name of the constable who shot Loku is being kept secret. Does he have an unblemished record or has he been involved in other incidents? We dont know.

Opposition parties at Queens Park are pressing for the SIU report to be made public, and for good reason. NDP Deputy Leader Jagmeet Singh, a criminal defence lawyer, is right to say that the more public scrutiny, the better. Unfortunately, the government isnt getting the message.

Meilleur has balked at releasing the report, claiming she doesnt want to confuse the consultations before launching a broad review into changing police law in Ontario, including rules governing the SIU.

But theres no need for extensive consultation to know that the current system has failed. This is a transparent attempt to kick the issue down the road and hope the public tires of it.

If Meilleur wont answer to the people of Ontario, its essential that the premier do so. Wynne should direct her attorney general to release the report into Lokus killing and take immediate steps to introduce more openness into how the SIU does its work.

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Calls to have a non-partisan committee consider reform of political fundraising in Ontario have been spurned by Premier Kathleen Wynne, but for no good reason.

The existing system  which Wynne defended for years  is horribly flawed, with political parties selling access to leaders at exclusive dinners and routinely collecting donations far in excess of whats allowed in other jurisdictions.

Matters came to a head last month when the Stars Martin Regg Cohn revealed that Wynnes ministers were being assigned aggressive fundraising targets they met by wringing contributions from the very sectors they were supposed to be overseeing. Thats an obvious conflict of interest.

After attempting to excuse past excesses as the price to be paid for democracy, the premier abruptly switched direction, declared herself a reformer, and promised a number of welcome changes including a ban on corporate and union donations.

She seems determined to move quickly with reforms to be in place before the 2018 election. Wynnes sense of urgency is commendable but its important that this be done right, as well as fast.

A non-partisan approach would inspire far more confidence than changes rammed through by a majority government. Yet Wynne insists on doing this the traditional, partisan way  brushing aside opposition requests to have fundraising reforms considered by an independent panel.

In defending her stance, Wynne vowed to tolerate no delay in delivering reform. Im not willing to buy into the stalling tactics of the opposition parties, she told the legislature. But theres no indication that the opposition is intent on obfuscation.

In a rare display of solidarity, Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and the Greens Mike Schreiner came together on Tuesday to push for a special committee to draft reforms. It would have one representative from each party, another four drawn from business, labour, academia and non-government organizations, plus an impartial chair.

Opposition leaders stressed that this need not involve undue delay, and they should be taken at their word. If the committee descends into partisan wrangling and unprincipled self-interest, the opposition will be judged accordingly in the court of public opinion. On the other hand, theres reason to hope that this approach could generate solid recommendations improving on what Wynne has proposed. On balance, Ontario would be best served by appointing a non-partisan committee.

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Its no great surprise that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces a barrage of criticism over Bill C-14, the proposed legislation that makes Canada one of a handful of countries to legalize physician-assisted suicide, under strict conditions. Its a hugely divisive, emotional issue.

As Parliament prepares to debate the right-to-die bill on Friday, the government is even being faulted by some in the Liberal ranks who feel it doesnt go far enough in letting desperately suffering people seek help to end their lives. Independent Liberal senators James Cowan and Serge Joyal see it as minimalist and restrictive. Conservative Sen. Nancy Ruth calls it uncourageous.

This criticism is principled, to be sure. These senators worry that the bill doesnt fully reflect the Supreme Courts ruling that Canadians have a Charter right to seek medical help in dying, and might not survive a legal challenge. And they dont want to see anyone suffer needlessly.

Neither do most Canadians. Most believe that fully competent adults who are suffering terribly should be able to seek help exiting peacefully, within strict limits. But most also believe that the state has a duty to balance compassion for the desperately ill with the need to protect the vulnerable, that society shouldnt make it overly easy to choose a road of no return.

Polls confirm there is strong public opposition to giving children or people with psychiatric conditions or mental illness easy access to assisted dying. And the public largely recoils at forcing doctors and institutions to provide such services, over their moral or religious objections.

The government heard these concerns and rightly opted for a cautious approach, broadly aligned with public opinion and modelled on a Quebec law that has wide acceptance.

Bill C-14 gives effect to the courts fundamental ruling that medical help in dying should be available to clearly consenting adults with grievous and irremediable conditions who face physical or mental suffering that they find intolerable.

But the bill is restrictive insofar as it requires a person to be 18, fully competent, in an advanced stage of irreversible decline from a serious incurable disease, illness or disability, and in circumstances where natural death is reasonably foreseeable. At root, it is an end-of-life option for competent adults.

There will always be a minority who oppose physician-assisted suicide entirely on religious or ethical grounds, or out of concern for the vulnerable and disabled. Others, like the critical senators, will always want to push the envelope.

But the Canadian Medical Association regards Ottawas approach as thoughtful and comprehensive. Thats a fair appraisal.

The Trudeau government made a credible effort in a very short time to respect the Supreme Courts demands, with the appropriate caution, and to meet its June 6 deadline; to balance respect for civil rights against the need to protect the vulnerable; and to take into account sharply divided public opinion.

Given the challenges, the government deserves credit for getting the bill largely right. Certainly, its not up to the unelected Senate to rewrite it. Derailing the bill could leave Canada with no federal law, plunge physicians and patients into uncertainty and leave the vulnerable unprotected. That would be unconscionable. The bill deserves to be considered on its merits, not on whether it knocks down every last barrier to assisted suicide.

At the end of the day the Supreme Court may be called on to decide whether Ottawas various restrictions  involving mature minors, the non-terminally ill and advance directives  are reasonable and justifiable. If so, the high court should give full, deferential weight to Ottawas duty to protect the vulnerable. The governments intentions are decent, and it has agreed to study and revisit these matters once the new laws impact can be assessed.

That should be enough for Parliament, for now. Bill C-14 puts Canada in the vanguard on this fraught issue, as the Supreme Court required. Beyond that, theres virtue in caution.

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Re Forcillo asking court for house arrest, April 19

It is nauseating to hear Mr. Forcillos attorney pleading for leniency on the grounds that the second volley of bullets did not cause Sammy Yatim any pain. The gun lobby prefers to call bullets rounds, employing a military metaphor.

At the present time, the Canadian rule of law around guns is rotten to the core, which is why our first-responder police are over-armed with lively pistols that, in the space of five to 10 seconds, can deliver the equivalent of a firing squad. The transformation of American police into robocops has been written about eloquently by Radley Balko in his book Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of Americas Police Forces, and here in Canada, by John Lorinc in his Walrus article Armed and Dangerous.

Forcillo may be a hothead, he may be macho, but the bottom line is our police are over-armed yet cannot give up these dangerous weapons so long as Joe Blow Public has access to so many of them. Const. Forcillo had an accomplice, a Glock pistol whose deadliness at close range he underestimated, never having fired one before while in active service. That accomplice, as usual, got to walk.

Ron Charach, Toronto

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Re Worlds happiest nation gets tough with refugees, April 13, 2016

I would like to add my two cents, since our family were once refugees as well. It is a very difficult decision to make: to leave your country, your family and your friends.

We escaped a Communist regime several decades ago. Since leaving our country was an illegal act, we broke the law of that country. It was the first and last law we ever broke.

Lets have a look at the refugee crisis flooding Europe now. I do empathize with the refugees desire to leave the hell they have had to endure. Their first step is to find a refuge in a free or moderately run country.

You may do it legally by registering in a refugee camp; most of the poor souls do so. There you may wait until the war in your country comes to an end or apply for asylum in a country such as Canada, the U.S. or Australia.

This would be similar to our own familys situation. Our first free country was Italy. Then we politely asked the French authorities if we might enter France. If refused, we were prepared to go back to a refugee camp.

The other way is to do it illegally. And this is where the problem begins. Some refugees resort to human smugglers who, for considerable baksheesh, would deliver them to Europe.

Human smugglers are criminals and, according to the laws of any country, the refugees might now be considered criminals, too. However, this fact has been ignored for humanitarian reasons for the past two years.

Once in Europe you feel that it is your right to enter any country you like. Wrong! Not yet! You cannot cut in line again. All one can do is to wait to see which country is willing to take you in. Now all European countries are realizing that, including Merkels Germany. Time to apply existing laws.

By helping refugees, the poor old Danish lady now finds herself convicted for what would have been considered a good deed six months ago by the same government.

In Canada we have the advantage of choosing our own refugees. After all, we are not accepting the law breakers but the people who are patiently waiting in refugee camps. And rightfully so! Lets not forget it is still a long and painful process. A long process originally started, like it or not, by the Harper government.

Thomas Bruck, Mississauga

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Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicNicki Minaj's brother, Jelani Maraj, was back in court Tuesday, where he entered a plea of not guilty to charges of first-degree rape.

Cosmopolitan reports a clerk from the New York's Nassau County Court confirmed that the 37-year-old brother of the rap diva was indicted April 4th by a Nassau County Court grand jury on counts of felony predatory sexual assault against a child, felony sexual conduct against a child under the age of 13, and endangering the welfare of a child.

If convicted, Jelani could potentially end up with a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.

The indictment stems from a December arrest on allegations Maraj had been sexually assaulting a minor over the course of several months.

Maraj, who's the owner of Ozone Park Daycare in Queens, NY, is known to have a close relationship with Nicki. The artist acknowledged their close ties on her song "All Things Go," rhyming: "I know Jelani will always love me, and Ill always love him/And Im just his little sister not Nicki Minaj when Im around him."

Maraj is due back in court on May 26th. Minaj has yet to comment publicly on the case.

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia's King Salman walk together to a meeting at Erga Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The president begins a six day trip to strategize with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, England and Germany on a broad range of issues with efforts to rein in the Islamic State group being the common denominator in all three stops. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Hospital acquires new surgical robotics technology Burke Health announced the purchase of new robotics technology for use during spine surgical procedures last week. The Globus ExcelsiusGPS is a revolutionary robotic navigation platform system designed to be intuitive and streamline the surgical workflow. Real-time tracking of instruments and implants, along with audible, visual and tactile feedback, enables...

County center wins senior trike Local seniors now have access to an adult tricycle. Director Kimberly Mathis attended the Move Augusta Senior Expo and Bike Rodeo sponsored by Augusta Urban Ministries October 8. The event, held at The Salvation Army Kroc Center, was aimed at people over 50 years old, and included resources and health...

4-H Food Challenge Team takes State For the first time, Burke County 4-H decided to put together a junior food challenge team this summer. Teams are compromised of 2-4 students in the 6th-8th grades. This competition is very competitive and teams must advance to state after the district competition. Our team started practicing weekly in July...

County rehashes trash problem I am bringing up the trash again, Commissioner Evans Martin said during the October 11 meeting. We have to do something about the trash. Martin asked that the record show that he wants to do something about the countys dumpster sites. He made a suggestion that eliminating 10 sites would...
Republicans may be bracing for chaos in Cleveland, but theres one aspect of the partys quadrennial nominating convention that appears on track: fundraising.

GOP officials said the two committees charged with raising money for the festivities are already close to meeting their goals, with $67.8 million in contributions secured to date. The two Democratic committees, by comparison, have lined up $43.6 million so far.

Both totals include pledges, so it remains to be seen how much the final tallies will be in the end. But Republicans have had more early success tapping wealthy donors, who can now give $100,200 apiece every year to new convention accounts authorized by a budget bill passed in late 2014.

The expanded party fundraising was sought by both Republican and Democratic party leaders after federal funding for the conventions was eliminated by a bipartisan bill that redirected the money into pediatric cancer research. In 2012, the federal grant totaled about $18 million for each convention  money each party now needs to raise on its own to produce its official program.

So far, the Republican National Committee has collected nearly $12 million for its convention committee, while the Democratic National Committee has raised $3.6 million, according to officials.

Separately, the host committee putting on the festivities for the GOP gathering in Cleveland has secured $56 million in donations and pledges. Thats as much as the Tampa host committee raised in all for the 2012 Republican National Convention.

Emily Lauer, a spokeswoman for the Cleveland host committee, said officials are confident they will hit their goal of raising $64 million before July, thanks to support of local and national benefactors.

There is tremendous pride associated with hosting this historic event at a time that coincides with Clevelands continuing renaissance, she said.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia host committee producing the events for the Democratic National Convention has north of $40 million in donations and pledges, according to spokeswoman Anna Adams-Sarthou.

We are making great progress and we feel very good about where we are, she said.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post  Matea Gold
The Israeli cabinet on Sunday 9 Nissan held its weekly cabinet meeting in the Golan Heights, marking one year in office and sending a message to the international community that Israel never plans to leave the Golan. Syria was quick to respond by condemning the Israeli move, which it views as provocative, adding that one day it will return to the Golan no matter what it takes.

While the Syrian condemnation did not ruffle any feathers in Jerusalem, it does appear the decision to hold the meeting in the Golan brings additional political pressure on Israel at a time when Jerusalem is becoming increasingly isolated in the international community.

The United States and Germany both saw fit to condemn the cabinets move. The US State Department released a statement that the Golan Heights is not part of Israel and the status of those territories should be determined through negotiations. State Department spokesman John Kirby stated the US does not view the Golan as Israeli territory despite the fact that Israel annexed it in 1981.

This was followed by the German Foreign Ministry; No state can claim the right to annex another states territory just like that.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday, 11 Nissan rejected an insanity plea filed on behalf of Yosef Chaim Ben-David, the primary suspect in the murder of 16-year-old Jerusalem Arab resident Muhmad Abu-Khalid. Ben-Chaim was already convicted of the murder back in November 2016.

Muhmad Abu-Khalid was a 16-year-old Arab teen abducted from the Beit Haninah area of the capital, tortured and set ablaze while still alive.

The court on Tuesday would not hear any such plea, explaining it has already been determined that Ben-Chaim is mentally competent, was clearly aware of his actions on that day and has been convicted of the heinous hate crime. The conviction was deferred pending a psychiatric exam, with the court adding the prosecution has submitted sufficient evidence in the case so the conviction stands.

The two other defendants, minors, were sentenced to life imprisonment and 21 years imprisonment.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
YWN-ISRAEL recently reported the terrorist being charged in the murder of Kiryat Arba resident Avraham Hosno HYD was facing manslaughter and not murder charges. This led to a public outcry.

The military prosecutor on Tuesday, 11 Nissan, informed the members of his family that the indictment was being amended and the charge will be murder. Family attorney Ofir Sabag told the media that his widow and other family members were pleased to hear of the military prosecutors decision. Sabag thanked all those who worked on the familys behalf to have the indictment amended.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
President Barack Obamas decision to send still more American troops to Iraq, and to put military advisers closer to the front lines against the Islamic State, fits a pattern of ever-deepening involvement in a country whose war Obama exited with supposed finality in December 2011.

From the initial contingent of 170 U.S. soldiers who entered Baghdad as advisers in June 2014, after the Islamic State overran much of northern and western Iraq and seemed poised to threaten Baghdad, the troop total jumped to 1,550 six months later. It topped 3,000 in April 2015 and then edged higher. The latest increase announced Monday by Defense Secretary Ash Carter pushes the authorized total above 4,000. More increases seem likely.

What the Pentagon calls tightening the noose on the militants, critics call indecisive steps with limited chance to succeed.

One of the most vocal critics of Obamas Iraq policy, Republican Sen. John McCain, dismissed Carters announcement that the U.S. would send another 217 troops to Iraq in support of the Iraqi security forces preparation for an assault on the Islamic State stronghold of Mosul.

Grudging incrementalism, McCain called it.

Patrick Martin, an Iraq specialist at the Institute for the Study of War, is skeptical that the U.S. approach is sufficiently aggressive.

The addition of 217 advisers  is not going to be nearly enough to actually make a significant difference on the ground in the near future, he said in an interview. On the other hand, the U.S. offer to fly Apache attack helicopters in support of an Iraqi advance toward Mosul is a significant move, Martin said, noting that it would be the first time the Iraqis have accepted that kind of support since U.S. forces returned to Iraq in 2014.

Obamas approach in Iraq has been tempered not just by his pledge to end U.S. military involvement there after he took office in 2009 but also by the Iraqis own political failings, which even now cast doubt on the durability of any battlefield victories U.S. troops can help the Iraqis achieve. In 2007, at the peak of the Iraq war, the U.S. had about 170,000 troops there.

Rather than commit large ground combat units to Iraq or Syria, Obama in 2014 opted for providing a support role on the ground, backed by bombing from the air. Obama was on his way Tuesday to Saudi Arabia to encourage Gulf Arab countries to contribute more to the battle in Iraq.

Nearly two years later, the Islamic State has been weakened and squeezed but remains a credible threat. It not only holds territory in Iraq and Syria but also has spread to Libya and Afghanistan while launching deadly attacks in Paris and Brussels.

On a visit to Baghdad this week, Carter described the decision to deploy another 217 soldiers as more of the same, in the sense that it aligns with the U.S. strategy of providing more support to Iraqi forces as they gain momentum, while not doing the fighting for them.

Our strategic approach makes sure that the defeat of ISIL is lasting, he said, using a common acronym for the Islamic State. It is to enable capable and motivated local forces to sustain the defeat. We are committed, I am committed, to doing more to accelerate that defeat. We want to do it as fast as we possibly can.

It has taken this long to bring Mosul within the Iraqis gunsights because they have been slow to leverage U.S. training, partly because of sectarian conflict and political gridlock in Baghdad. Four months ago the Iraqis recovered Ramadi after collapsing there in May 2015, which prompted Carter to question their will to fight. They still lack essential ingredients for battlefield success such as close-air support for maneuvering ground forces, and its not clear they will retake Mosul before 2017, even with additional American support.

Most of the additional 217 troops would be Army special forces, who have been used throughout the anti-Islamic State campaign to advise and assist the Iraqis. For the first time, the advisers are authorized to assist the Iraqis at battalion level, meaning with smaller Iraq combat units likely to be closer to the front lines.

The extra U.S. troops also would include trainers, soldiers to provide security for the advisers, as well as maintenance teams and crews for the Apache attack helicopters that Carter said the Iraqi government has agreed would be needed to provide close-air support for ground forces in a Mosul assault. The U.S. also will provide additional sets of mobile artillery, known as HIMARS, to support Iraqi ground forces as they advance toward Mosul.

And those are unlikely to be the last additions to the U.S. military presence. Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, told reporters Monday that the focus for now is on getting the Iraqis to fully isolate Mosul and set the right conditions for recapturing it.

The next step of that obviously is to actually clear the city, MacFarland said. And when we get to that step, that will be another conversation that well have about U.S. support. For now, he said, Were going to employ these additional authorities and capabilities and see how far it takes us. And then if it doesnt take us all the way, well come back and have another discussion and ask for more if we need to.

Asked whether this was incrementalism, MacFarland said, I would prefer to call it a step-by-step approach. Were on the first step right now.

(AP)
U.S. Rep. Peter King says he will take cyanide if Ted Cruz wins the Republican presidential nomination.

The Republican congressman from New York made the comment Tuesday during an appearance on MSNBCs Morning Joe.

King is the former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

He told host Joe Scarborough: I hate Ted Cruz.

Cruzs campaign did not immediately respond to a comment request.

King previously said that any New Yorker who thinks of voting for Cruz should have their head examined.

King says he voted for John Kasich in the primary.

He has said many of his Long Island constituents support Donald Trump.

(AP)
Members of the Muslim community have praised a deal to prevent illegal surveillance by the New York Police Department.

Federal Judge Charles Haight (hayt) held a hearing Tuesday before he decides whether to approve the latest version of restrictions on surveillance.

New restrictions were announced in January after The Associated Press revealed that New York City police spied on Muslims, infiltrated student groups and sent informants to mosques.

Lawyers in legal actions in Brooklyn and Manhattan negotiated the deal to change rules first set after a 1971 lawsuit challenged surveillance of war protesters in the 1960s and 70s. A 1980s decree was relaxed after the Sept. 11 terror attacks to help police fight terrorism.

(AP)
President Barack Obama opened a brief trip to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday with a one-on-one meeting with King Salman in Riyadh. The visit for a Persian Gulf summit comes against the backdrop of increasingly strained U.S. relations with the Saudis, who remain deeply opposed to his outreach to Iran and skeptical of his approach to Syria.

Under crystal chandeliers, the Saudi monarch greeted Obama in a grand foyer at Erga Palace, where the two walked slowly to a reception room as the small of incense wafted. The two offered polite smiles as they sat down side by side for pictures at the start of their private meeting.

The American people send their greetings and we are very grateful for your hospitality, not just for this meeting but for hosting the GCC-U.S. summit thats taking place tomorrow, Obama said, referring to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council summit that starts Thursday.

King Salman, speaking thru a translator, offered similarly gracious words for the president, who is paying his fourth trip here for face-to-face meetings and photos with royal rulers since becoming president.

The feeling is mutual between us and the American people, the king said.

The president was slated to spend little more than 24 hours in the Saudi capital before heading on to visits to London and Hannover, Germany.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are participating in the regional summit, which the White House said would focus on regional stability, counterterrorism including the fight against the Islamic State and al-Qaida, and Iran. Talks are also expected to address the Saudi-led military campaign against Shiite rebels and their allies in neighboring Yemen.

Stepping off of Air Force One earlier at King Khalid International Airport, Obama was greeted on a red carpet not by King Salman but by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the governor of Riyadh. Before Obama landed, Saudi state television did not immediately air Obamas arrival, but showed the king greeting other senior officials from Gulf nations arriving for the summit.

U.S. officials have expressed hope the latest meeting will build on last years Camp David summit, though they acknowledge differences remain between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

The Sunni Muslim-ruled kingdom  the worlds biggest oil exporter and the largest buyer of American-made weapons  sees Shiite-led Iran as its main rival. Saudi leaders are concerned that concessions granted to Iran in last years nuclear deal will embolden it to pursue what the Saudis view as aggressive meddling throughout the region.

Salmans reign has overseen a more assertive foreign policy, with Saudis venturing into Yemen and pushing the U.S. to take more aggressive moves to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad. Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing sides in Syrias civil war and in the Yemen conflict, where the U.S. military is providing refueling and other logistical help to the Saudi-led war effort.

Obamas recent comment that the Saudis and Iranians should share the neighborhood roiled officials in Riyadh. Still, in a sign of the importance of the Saudi Arabia to the U.S. policy in the region, this is Obamas fourth trip here for face-to-face meetings and photos with royal rulers

Ahead of Obamas trip, a group of U.S. senators called on the president to press Saudi Arabia on human rights issues during the visit and raise the cases of two imprisoned advocates, blogger Raif Badawi and a man who defended him, rights activist Waleed Abu al-Khair. Also behind bars is Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh, who was sentenced to death for apostasy but later had his sentenced reduced on appeal to prison and lashes.

Saudi Arabia in early January carried out its largest mass execution in years, putting 47 people to death, including prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. That move trigged an angry reaction from Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabias Shiite rival Iran, where protesters set fire to two Saudi diplomatic missions inside Iran. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies responded by severing or downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran.

Maya Foa, death penalty director for the human rights group Reprieve, said Obamas visit comes amid a huge surge in repression in the kingdom. The London-based group is urging the president to raise the case of Al-Nimrs nephew, Ali al-Nimr, and two other men on death row who were arrested while under 18 during protests in the kingdoms oil-rich east.

The White House said concerns about inclusive government and improved rights were on his agenda to discuss with the Saudis and the other Gulf leaders.

Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the kingdoms defense minister, said ahead of Obamas visit that the Gulf and the U.S. must work together to confront challenges including terrorism, instability and what he described as Iranian interference into regional countries affairs.

(AP)
A spokesman for the Shai (Shomron-Yehuda) District of Israel Police on Wednesday morning 12 Nissan announced suspects who allegedly are part of a Jewish terror network in the area of Yishuv Nachliel in the Binyamin Regional Council of the Shomron have been taken into custody. The arrests were the result of a joint investigation between police and the ISA (Israel Security Agency  Shin Bet).

During the second half of 2015 there were a number of attacks against Palestinians in the Gush Talmonim area of the Binyamin Council, not far from Nachliel. Homes of the Palestinians were targeted in these attacks. Intelligence information police explain have led them to the discovery of a Jewish terror network based in that area, in the western district of the regional council.

The investigation was launched in the beginning of April. The spokesmans report states suspects admitted to extensive terrorist activities by the organization including arson and vandalizing Palestinian-owed vehicles. There were also rock-throwing attacks against Arab drivers.

The suspects have reconstructed the events in the field and have confessed to be a part of what is described as a radical and violent organization that systematically hurt Palestinians and their property with the full awareness of the possibility of harm to human life, even after the arson attack in Duma the police statement reads.

The main suspects in the case are:

 M.C., a minor born in 1999 and a resident of Nachliel

 B.S., a minor born in 2000 and a resident of Nachliel

 A 19-year-old soldier and Nachliel resident. (Release of his name banned by military court)

 Pinchas Sandorfi, 22, married and a resident of Kiryat Arba

 Itamar Ben-Aaron, 20, a resident of Nachliel

 Michael Kaplan, 20, a resident of Nachliel

The police report adds they executed the following attacks:

 November 30, 2015: Attacking an Arab farmer with clubs and pepper spray

 November 20, 2015: Hurling firebombs at a home in Zara Qabliya during the night while the family slept. Graffiti was written on the walls saying Revenge, Death to Arabs and Jews awaken.

 December 22, 2015: IDF gas grenades were fired at an occupied home in Bitilu to avenge the arrests of suspects in the Duma arson attack. The father awakened from the smoke and noise and got his wife and their infant child out. After that attack Revenge, regards from prisoners of Tzion graffiti was left near the home.

 October 2, 2015: Arson attack against an Arab vehicle in Bitilu.

 October 2014: Arson attack against a vehicle in Bitilu.

Police believe the members of this organization acted out of extreme ideological conviction and are willing to strike out at Palestinians, even to the point of murdering them. Police also cite a link between the organizations members and the Givonim (residents of Givon Shomron) activists, based on intelligence data gathered.

The Lod District Court has released two suspects to house arrest. Honenu attorney Adi Kedar states My clients do not have a criminal record. The alleged acts occurred years ago, prompting the question why the sudden major police interest in the incidents today.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
It appears that the person who was responsible for the dispatch center failure when Gilad Shaar HYD called for assistance in 2014 will be promoted, Walla News reports.

YWN-ISRAEL reported a year after the fatal kidnapping that despite the widespread condemnation regarding the mishandling of the call, nothing changed for the better in the police 100 dispatch center.

Despite the decision to remove the responsible person from his post based on the findings of the committee probing the failures, the officer is now being considered for a formidable promotion  to become a district chief. According to Walla, the promotion was discussed at a recent senior command meeting headed by Commissioner Rani Alsheich. Alsheich decided that Commander Shai Azoulai is the man for the vacant post.

Such an appointment will also have to be approved by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan. Walla adds that Azoulais attorney, Ohad Maguri has confirmed his client is being considered for the senior appointment. He declined to comment on Azoulai being ousted from his post as Operations Officer in the Shai District following the botched call.

After the abduction of the kedoshim HYD; Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach was probed, the decision was made to remove Azoulai from his post. That investigation was ordered by then Commissioner Yochanan Danino. Danino also promised to weigh his future in the force. It was also decided that Azoulai would not assume a new command for three years, which has not yet passed.

Walla states Azoulais attorneys have been fighting hard to have him reinstated in a senior command post.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
A prominent diamond dealer at the Israel Diamond exchange has rocked the Ramat Gan facility to its core in what is reported to be an embezzlement scheme that amounts to almost $65 million. Tel Aviv police are probing veteran dealer C.A. after a complaint was filed against him. A was arrested this week and arraigned by the Tel Aviv Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 12 Nissan. Authorities want him held without bail as the case moves ahead, fearing if released on bail he will interfere with investigators.

According to a Yisrael Hayom report, tens of complaints were filed with the exchange against C.A., leading officials to contact police. It is alleged that A defaulted on payments for diamonds supplied to him. He was summoned to an internal hearing before exchange officials but failed to appear.

One dealer in the know told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) that many smaller businesses may go under as a result of the loss, warning there could easily be a domino effect here.

Israeli Diamond Exchange Director Eli Avidar told Channel 2 News the exchange will not tolerate any illegal activities, adding officials will do everything possible to resolve the current situation by working with police and all agencies in every way possible.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Israeli EMTs, paramedics, doctors and logistics personnel from United Hatzalah traveled to Panama for a week in order to train their Panamanian counterparts in providing the proper response for a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). The training took place between April 12th and 18th and culminated with an MCI drill that saw thirty mock casualties with a variety of injuries receive treatment from twenty EMS personnel from United Hatzalah of Panama.

Ramon Gateno, the Director of United Hatzalah in Panama said that his team was working closely with the Israeli United Hatzalah team that arrived to train and assist the Panamanian team. It is due to the Israeli teams instruction and expertise that the Panamanian team knows how to deal with an MCI so well, said Gateno who was very pleased with the results of the final drill.

Dovy Maisel, Vice President of United Hatzalah and the Director of International Operations from the Israel office of United Hatzalah and who himself is a medic, was on hand during the drill. We put a lot of emphasis on dealing with a terror attack due to the current worldwide political situation, but we also drilled responses to natural disasters like the one that took place on Saturday in Ecuador.

Maisel too was very proud of the interaction between the Israeli team of medics and the local EMS team. He added that the Israeli team arrived in Panama specifically to train the Panamanian medics, who mainly work out of Panama City. The drill culminated a weeks worth of intense lessons and preparation and presented a mock terror attack that could take place in the heart of the Jewish community in Panama.

We drilled the Panama team using the experience and regulations that the Israeli teams have built up over the years in responding to countless attacks, continued Maisel.

According to Maisel the drill involved working with numerous vehicles in off-road conditions including ambulances and ambucycles as well as drones and other vehicles in an effort to decrease response and treatment time and allow for faster and better triage and treatment.

We are very thankful for the help that we are getting from the team in Israel, said treatment commander Dani Mizrachi for United Hatzalah Panama.

United Hatzalah is the national volunteer EMS service in Israel. Their model is now being developed and implemented in numerous other locations around the globe. The organization has international branches in Brazil and Panama and maintains sister organizations in Jersey City, Detroit, India and Bangladesh. The use of advanced communication technology, trained volunteer EMTs and paramedics located within the community and ambucycles that can cut through traffic has enabled United Hatzalah to cut down EMS response time to under three minutes across Israel. The precious minutes saved allow for a much higher chance of survival and recuperation and cut down the trauma suffered by injured persons. It is a model which has stood the test of time and one which is being copied over and over around the globe.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
IDF troops operated in Kalandia on Tuesday night the eve of 12 Nissan together with border police to destroy the home of the terrorist who murdered Shlumit Kriegman in Beit Choron. They were attacked with rocks, firebombs, cinderblocks, and a makeshift bomb was hurled at the force. Two soldiers were injured by the bomb.

Hadassah Hospital spokeswomen Hadar Elboim reports the soldiers, 19 and 20, are listed in light condition and they are conscious and alert.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
By Aryeh Gelfand

The US government is set to approve the sale of multi-billion dollar fighter jet packages to Qatar and Kuwait.

These two wealthy Sunni-Muslim gulf states have seen their weapons acquisition proposals stalled in Congress over the past two years. The Israeli government has used its influence to stall the sale of weapons to governments that are known state-sponsors of terrorism.

Israels complaints are not unfounded. In 2014 alone, Qatar pledged 400 million dollars to Hamas; a group that the United States has designated a terrorist organization.

The United States government has pledged to maintain Israels qualitative military edge in the region (QME). The sale of 36 F-15 fighters to Qatar and 24 F-18 Super Hornets to Kuwait, both of which are known state sponsors of terrorism, has Israel worried that the US will not uphold its commitments.

Israel is concerned about two aspects of the sale. One, is the danger that these pieces of advanced military equipment will fall into the wrong hands. This, in fact, occurred on the battlefields of Iraq. The US provided the Iraqi army with state-of-the art military equipment such as the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT). When ISIS swept across the deserts of Iraq, and forced the US backed Iraqi army into retreat, they captured large amounts of US-made military hardware. In Israels view there is an inherent danger in introducing advanced military equipment into volatile regions of the world.

The other danger lies in the Obama administrations change of strategy. The US government under Obama has aligned itself closer to the functioning state governments of the middle-east against extremism. This sale is part of that overall strategy. The US is seeking to shore up the Gulf States and normalize relations with Iran in an effort to counter ISIS and other extremist elements in the region. This strategy has Israel worried that the US is now less committed to maintaining Israels QME.

Israel is currently negotiating a ten-year aid package that will boost the $3 billion it receives annually by $1 to $2 billion. All of this is happening in the wake of the Iran deal; a deal that left many supporters of Israel disappointed. Many see the proposed rise in the aid package as a way for the US to make it up to Israel

The F-15 and F/A-18E Super Hornet are fourth generation fighters. These fighters, developed starting in the 1980s are now being superseded by fifth generation fighters such as the F-35 and F-22. These fighters are thought to be unmatched in the field of combat.

Israel has already purchased 34 of these fighters, and plans to purchase17 more. The jets feature unprecedented technological advances such as advanced stealth capabilities. The stealth features of these jets make them invisible to radar.

Although the $100 million price tag on each of these jets has made purchase of large numbers difficult, the Israeli Air force has staked its future on the supremacy of these jets. The US believes that the F-35 will allow Israel to retain its QME as the conditions in the region continue to develop.
Curious rumblings reach me from Singapore.

I am told several senior bankers have been expensively wined and dined in the last fortnight by a representative from Hakluyt, the shadowy corporate investigations agency founded by ex-SAS and MI6 operative Christopher James.

Hes an ex-army captain called Mark Hanson who heads up the Singapore bureau, and according to my source is fishing for any intel he can get his mitts on about British bank Standard Chartered.

Meanwhile, Standard currently seeks an Asian buyer for Tata Steels choking UK business. Might these two events be connected, or is something else afoot?

City betting whizz Stuart Wheeler, of IG Index fame, may be one of the richest men in the country with a fortune of 90million, but he has an endearing approach to technological matters.

Arch-Eurosceptic Wheeler, who played bridge with Lord Lucan two days before his notorious vanishing act, was in the audience yesterday morning for Michael Goves big EU speech.

In the middle of Goves oration, a high-pitched wheeeee was to be heard. It turned out to be Wheelers cruddy, old-fashioned tape recorder which was trying to tell him that it had reached the end of his tape.

Could moneybags Stewpot, 81, not afford to buy himself something a little more high-tech?

Happy-go-lucky peer Lord Brocket tells me hes still rueing two hapless business decisions: I sat next a chap at a dinner in Memphis in 1979 who wanted me to invest in a firm which he said would replace the US postal service, which I declined.

'It was Robert Smith who started Federal Express. A few years later Charles Dunstone asked me to invest 30,000 in a firm he was getting off the ground called Carphone Warehouse but I didnt think it would make money.

As my wife likes to remind me, both investments would be worth billions by now.

Instead, naughty Charlie, 64, decided to commit a 4.5million Ferrari fraud scam, landing him 30 months in pokey.

Organisers of todays Commercial Retail Estate Finance spring conference at Allen & Overys City offices, an annual snoozeathon for property investment types, have desperately tried to jazz up their dull-as-ditchwater schedule by naming each talk after David Bowie songs.

This mornings session includes Ch-ch-ch changes  What are the motivations behind capital flows and what it means for CRE investments and debt in the UK. Tragic, no?

Esteemed veteran City commentator and broadcaster Anthony Hilton found himself detained by aggressive US immigration officials for four hours this week, after he arrived at a junket in San Francisco bearing a Syrian stamp in his passport.
The telecoms regulator has revealed it suspects that for four years Vodafone sold to mobile phone customers pay-as-you-go credits that they could not use.

Ofcom says it has 'reasonable grounds' to believe Vodafone misled a group of customers between 2011 and 2015 who were unable to top up their phones properly and use the service they had paid for.

It has been investigating the telecoms giant since last summer and in an update today it said the provider sent out bills to customers which didn't 'represent the true extent of the service actually provided to them'.

Ofcom says it has 'reasonable grounds to believe' Vodafone broke its obligation to some customers

The investigation first started on 12 June 2015 and today's update states that Ofcom has 'reasonable grounds for believing that Vodafone contravened' two parts of its obligations as a mobile phone provider.

The first obligation is to do with metering and billing and looks at if the bills sent out to customers represent the service they have paid for.

The second obligation Ofcom believes it has broken deals with how it uses sales and marketing practices to sell its products. This obligation prohibits mobile providers from 'engaging in dishonest, misleading or deceptive conduct when selling or marketing such services'.

A confidential notification has now been sent to Vodafone detailing what Ofcom has found and it now has the opportunity to respond before a final decision is made.

It will then need to decide if Vodafone is guilty of failing to meet these obligations and it it rules that it is, a fine may be issued.

A Vodafone spokesperson said: 'We note Ofcom's statement on this investigation, with which we have been cooperating fully.

'We will be reviewing the Ofcom report in detail before deciding what representations to make.'

Ofcom is also running a separate ongoing investigation into how Vodafone deals with its complaints handling procedures.

This was launched on 11 June 2015 and is looking into if its procedures are accessible and effective for customers and if they are given easy access to alternative dispute resolutions when needed.

Telecoms trauma: A flurry of complaints were sent to Ofcom and our inbox last year about Vodafone

This news comes as last week it was named as one of the worst phone providers along with EE for value for money and 'access to technical help' in the UK.

Both providers scored 49 per cent in a Which? customer satisfaction, only beating international calls specialist Lebara, and Vodafone also came out on top as the worst pay-monthly phone provider.

It also suffered a major breakdown in customer service handling last year leading to a huge spike in complaints to Ofcom along with a big surge of complaints sent into the This is Money inbox.

For pay-monthly users, there were 32 complaints reported to Ofcom per 100,000 Vodafone customers in the last three months of 2015 more than double the figure in the first half of last year and more than the total for all of the other major mobile providers combined.
Avuncular ex-Aquascutum boss and British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman (why not Sir Harold?) tells pals that he has struck up a platonic friendship with fiery supermodel Naomi Campbell.

The always immaculately tailored Tillman, 70, who sold Jaeger to private equity shark Jon Moulton in 2012 for 20million, recently got chatting to Campbell, 45, at a cocktail party she held in London when he reminded her that they both grew up on the same street, Drewstead Road in Streatham.

How touching.

Wonder if jet-setting Naomi, 45, cared for being reminded of her umble Sarf London roots?

Should the Brexit campaign be weaponising Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone ahead of Junes referendum?

During a discussion with combative WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell, 71, organised by Advertising Week Europe, he described himself as a 100 per cent outer and said there was no economic benefit at all of remaining in Europe.

He then added alarmingly: Putin should be running Europe. We should get rid of Brussels and he should just be in charge.

'He does what he says hes going to do and gets the job done.

On second thoughts, it might be better to keep the irascible cockney hobbit, 85, bound and gagged until after polling day.

Time was when the Duke of York regularly rubbed shoulders with mega-rich plutocrats as Britains trade envoy.

His audience was much sought at the World Economic Conference in Davos. That was until the Government relinquished his globetrotting role, no doubt spooked by his links to US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

On Tuesday, Andrew was tasked with cutting the ribbon at the opening of accountancy firm KPMGs new regional offices in central Leeds. They are not long those days of wine and roses

The worlds biggest asset manager, Blackrock, is revealed to have spent 10million hiring political lobbyists to get its own way in Washington.

Thanks to its investment, senior executives are now said to be on a first-name basis with the US Treasury secretary.

Blackrocks London office has cheaper  and more direct  access to Britains financial levers of power.

Since last year, it employs Rupert Harrison, 37, ex-chief of staff to George Osborne, as a 150,000 a year strategist.

Cleverclogs Old Etonian Harrison (he was head boy), spent nine years as the Chancellors most trusted adviser. Hes known to Treasury wonks as Osbornes brain.

Most hideous use of financial jargon this week goes to US credit agency Moodys, which has published in-depth research on Transport for Londons revenues.
Western Gate, which has a 9.7% holding in Stock, wants shareholders to reject a raft of resolutions

Stock Spirits has urged investors to reject the plans of an activist who wants to shake up the company.

Just one day after the firms chief executive departed following a coup, the chairman of the spirits group hit back at a shareholder trying to force change.

Activist Western Gate, which has a 9.7 per cent holding in Stock, wants investors to reject a raft of resolutions proposed ahead of next months annual meeting.

But David Maloney has written to shareholders accusing Western of being disruptive, detrimental, and having a vested interest in forcing down prices.

Western is controlled by the private family office of Portuguese businessman Luis Amaral.

He also happens to be boss of Eurocash, Stocks biggest customer in Poland.

Maloney said: We believe this represents an overriding conflict of interest because as a customer Amaral would potentially benefit from changes to the companys pricing strategies.

Stock Spirits share price has fallen 32 per cent since it floated, and has seen its share of the drinks market in Poland  where it mainly operates  slump due to increased competition, weak demand and the devaluation of the Polish zloty.

Rivals have been cutting prices which Maloney says have fallen to pre-2013 levels.

Stock Spirits rose 0.65 per cent or 1p to 155p. Maloney added: We could increase our market share significantly by reducing prices across the range, but this would result in reduced profit for Stock Spirits with the economic benefit transferred across to our customers, including Luis Amarals Eurocash business.

We will not participate in an aggressive price war in order to recover market share at any cost.

Amaral dismissed Maloneys comments saying Stock makes up just 3 per cent of the revenues for Eurocash and has a negligible contribution to its profit.
British Gas lost almost 250,000 customers in the first three months of 2016

British Gas has said it plans to cull 684 office jobs and close its office in the Midlands after losing more than a quarter of a million customers this year.

The company, owned by FTSE 100-listed firm Centrica, said it needed to take the steps to 'consolidate the business' and 'remain competitive'. It will spend the next 45 days consulting with workers and unions to 'explore redeployment opportunities' for affected staff if the Oldbury closure is confirmed.

Today's news comes after it was reported this week that Centrica will slash a total of 3,000 jobs this year after British Gas lost almost 250,000 customers in the first three months of 2016 because of fierce competition in the energy market.

Jobs woe: British Gas is proposing a cull of 684 jobs and to scrap its Oldbury office as part of a group-wide program to consolidate the business and make it more competitive

Claire Miles, managing director of customer operations at British Gas, said: 'Since last summer British Gas has been implementing a strategy to improve service and reduce costs, to ensure we can price competitively.

'We must also respond to the changing needs of our customers, and they increasingly want to contact us online.

'For these reasons we are planning to consolidate our activity on fewer sites, and we have made the difficult decision to propose closing our Oldbury office and call centre.'

She added: 'I recognise that today's announcement represents difficult news for our employees who may be affected. Our priority now is to support all those potentially impacted, and to ensure a fair and transparent consultation process, working with our people and their representatives.'

In response Brian Strutton, national secretary of the GMB union, said: 'This announcement has come completely out of the blue and is further evidence of the way British Gas now sees staff as pawns to be sacrificed when it suits.

'The Oldbury office has been performing well, the staff there have been delivering everything asked of them and more, yet all the while the company's top brass on their multi-million pound pay packages have been harbouring secret plans to shut them down.'

Matt Lay, UNISON national energy officer, echoed this sentiment: 'This is terrible news for the company's Birmingham-based employees, who will be devastated at the prospect of losing their jobs.

'British Gas might be losing customers, but it's still a very profitable business.

'The scale of the cuts will make compulsory redundancies hard to avoid. We'll now be working closely with British Gas to make sure that all workers affected are given as much help as possible to find new jobs, either within the company or with other employers in the area.'

As one of the 'Big Six' energy players, British Gas is fighting off stiff competition from smaller rivals who have been slashing prices and putting the energy giants under pressure.

Consumer groups and customers have accused the big suppliers of not acting quickly enough to pass on falls in wholesale gas and electricity prices.

British Gas and the rest of the Big Six are under pressure to pass on full wholesale price falls to customers

Along with the other Big Six players, British Gas did cut gas bills earlier this year - by 5 per cent in March - but many said these cuts should have gone further given that wholesale prices have fallen by a third in the past year-and-a-half.

Critics have also pointed out that wholesale prices have now fallen to a 10-year low despite the Big Six only passing on reductions of around 5 per cent to customers.

Tom Lyon, energy expert at uSwitch.com said: 'The loss of customers from British Gas shows how rivals - big and small - are slowly eating away at their market share.

'British Gas is the only major supplier to have made three cuts to standard gas prices since the start of 2015, meaning its standard variable tariff is the lowest among the big six. However, its best deal is over 260 a year more expensive than the cheapest on the market, so British Gas customers looking to switch are likely to find better savings with a rival provider.

'In its trading update on Monday, British Gas said they are looking to launch new competitive tariffs in the future. It would be great to see them fighting back and attracting customers by launching better deals.'

The Big Six also stand accused by the Competitions and Markets Authority which said earlier this year that customers were being over charged by 1.7 billion a year.

It said these companies were taking customers for granted and that around 70 per cent were on their provider's standard tariff, paying around 300 too much every year.

The CMA's long-awaited report proposed a range of changes to the energy market, including a database of customers that hadn't switched in three or more years which would be made available to all suppliers, a cap on how much those with prepayment meters pay, and scrapping the four-tariff limit which it says hasn't made energy deals more competitive.

The final report and findings will be published in June.
The European Commission has launched a stinging attack on Google, accusing the internet giant of stifling competition across the Android and smartphone markets, while giving firms incentives if they promoted its products and devices.

In a statement of objections to the US tech firm, the Commission told Google it had breached EU competition law, adding that if found guilty the company faces a heavy fine and would be forced to clean up its act.

Allegedly, Google has abused its dominant position to make manufacturers pre-install Google Search and the Chrome browser, meaning consumers were prevented from 'having as wide a choice as possible'.

It also gave financial incentives to manufacturers and mobile network operators if they exclusively pre-installed Google Search on their devices, while blocking some manufacturers from selling smartphones which ran on 'competing operating systems based on the Android open source code'.

Damning verdict: European competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, told journalists she had reached a preliminary view that Google was in breach of EU law

The Commission believes these moves have stopped other mobile browsers from being able to compete with Google in the rapidly growing smartphone and Android markets.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, the European competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, told journalists she had reached a preliminary view that Google was in breach of EU law.

The California based firm now has 12 weeks to respond to the charges.

Vestager went onto detail specific problems in the Android market. Android was first unveiled by Google in 2007 and allows users to swipe, tap and pinch objects on their phones and tablets.

It is what techies call an 'open-source software' platform, meaning competing operating systems can be built using its source code.

But today the Commissioner alleged Google had barred manufacturers from selling devices using these operating systems.

Google has history in this department 2007 - US Federal Trade Commission investigates Google's acquisition of online advertising firm DoubleClick and rules it can go ahead. 2008 - US Justice Department blocks a deal to allow Yahoo to run Google search ads on Yahoo sites. 2009 - Rivals file complaints against Google to national regulators in Europe, citing competition concerns. 2010 - European Commission launches formal antitrust probe of Google's search business. This is still ongoing. 2013 - FTC drops its two-year investigation of Google, concluding it had not manipulated search results to damage rivals. 2014 - European politicians pass a non-binding resolution calling for the break-up of Google's search engine business from the rest of the company. 2015 - New EU antitrust commissioner Ms Vestager charges Google with distorting search results to favour its own shopping services over rivals and reveals that she is also investigating Google's Android business.

She said: 'Based on our investigation thus far, we believe that Google's behaviour denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players, in breach of EU anti-trust rules.'

She added that a 'competitive mobile internet sector' was becoming more important for consumers and businesses in Europe.

Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president and general counsel, responded: 'Android has helped foster a remarkable - and, importantly, sustainable - ecosystem, based on open-source software and open innovation.

'We look forward to working with the European Commission to demonstrate that Android is good for competition and good for consumers.'

According to the EU Commission, Google is a dominant force, holding more than 90 per cent of the market for general internet search, licensable smart mobile operating systems and app stores for the Android mobile operating system.

It added that about 80 per cent of smartphones across the world run on the Android operating systems developed by Google.

The rebuke from the commission comes after Google faced criticism earlier this year for the amount of tax it pays in the UK.

The company has agreed to pay the Treasury 130million in back taxes and interest dating back to the previous decade, but has been criticised over the amount.

Last week the European Union's digital chief warned that he wanted search engines - such as Google's and Microsoft's Bing - to be more transparent about advertising in web search results.

European Commission vice-president Andrus Ansip, said he was worried about how transparent some search engines are when displaying ads in search results.

The Commission is also looking into the transparency of paid-for reviews as well as the conditions of use of services such as Google Maps and Apple's IoS mobile operating system.
It was the venue where Hugh Grant's character first set eyes on Julia Robert's character in the hit romantic comedy Notting Hill.

The independent Travel Book Company on Portobello Road was owned by Hugh Grant's character Will Thacker and visited by Julia Robert's Hollywood superstar character Anna Scott.

In reality, the shop never existed, but the bookshop upon which it was based did - around the corner in Blenheim Crescent.

And now ardent film buffs can get their hands on a piece of cinematic history as a two bedroom flat above the Blenheim Crescent bookshop has come on the market for sale for 1,495,000.

The independent Travel Book Company on Portbello Road was owned by Hugh Grant's character Will Thacker.

Hugh Grant's and Julia Robert's characters meet and fall in love in the hit British romantic comedy Notting Hill.

House prices in Notting Hill soared in value following the release of the 1999 movie of the same name.

The upper floor maisonette comes with its own private entrance and a terrace with views across Notting Hill. It also boasts high ceilings, two bathrooms and a study.

Prices in Notting Hill soared in value following the release of the 1999 hit, which became the highest grossing British film of that year.

Typical house prices in the area currently stand at 1.6million, having risen more than 1.2million in the past 20 years, according to property website Zoopla.

Jonathan Harris, director of mortgage broker Anderson Harris, says: 'Notting Hill is a well-known, hip and highly-desirable prime area in which to live, and prices have risen accordingly.

'The price of a two-bed maisonette will seem eye watering to many, particularly those who don't live in London, but it is what you have to pay to live in such a fantastic location, even if it is above a shop.

'Mortgage lenders tend not to be so keen on properties above commercial premises but it shouldn't be a problem in this case because it is above a bookshop. It has been a bookshop for many years and is unlikely to become a restaurant or dry cleaners, which tend to be the types of commercial outlets that lenders don't like.'

Kensington Park Road is nearby, meaning there are plenty of boutique shops and restaurants on its doorstep.

Producers were said to be initially concerned about filming the Hollywood stars in such a public place.

The upper floor maisonette costs 1,495,000 and boasts two bedrooms and a study.

The flat is in the heart of London's fashionable Notting Hill and comes with two bathrooms.

The film's screenplay was by Richard Curtis, who also wrote the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. He reportedly chose Notting Hill as he lived there and knew the area, saying it was 'the perfect place to set a film'.

Producers were said to be initially concerned about filming Grant and Roberts in such a public and heavily populated place, so toyed with the idea of building a huge exterior set.

However, they finally decided to film in the streets - but only having written to thousands of people living in the local area, promising to donate to their favourite charity. The move resulted in 200 charities receiving money.

Buying agent Henry Pryor said: 'Two bedrooms for 1.5m looks like the seller is hoping for some wealthy film fan to pay a premium for the connection.
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By Suzanne Parker

When we heard Chef Rocco Sacramone, of Trattoria LIncontro, had partnered with Tommy Demaraso, owner of Cavo restaurant and lounge in Astoria, for a new venture in Long Island City, we were really excited.

Ask any hardcore Queens foodie where to find the best Italian fare in the borough, and there is a fair to middlin chance that the name Trattoria LIncontro will trip off her/his tongue.

The problem, for us, has always been that the Trattorias ambience did not live up to the high quality of the cuisine. The tables are close together, and the volume of ambient noise all but precludes earnest conversation. We were optimistic that this new endeavor would boast a dining room that was worthy of the prowess of the kitchen.

We drove to Long Island City, secure in the knowledge that Maiellas valet parking would relieve us of the burden of finding a spot in that congested vicinity. Buzz kill was finding out that the valet parking was $7, paid in advance. Is this a trend? Hope not.

Maiella occupies a 7,800-square-foot space with a 2,200-square-foot outdoor terrace on the ground floor of a spanking new luxury high rise.

The dining room overlooks the back of the landmarked Pepsi sign, superimposed on a panorama of Manhattan. It is light and airy, done up with just a touch of repurposed chic created by its reclaimed wood ceiling, as perhaps a nod to the nabes industrial roots.

Maiellas menu touches upon a broad swath of Italian cuisine. You can order a full traditional dinner with an antipasto, a pasta course, a main and dessert or opt instead for a platter of salumi and formaggi with some wine or zero in on pizza.

The menu does not demand obedience to a particular dining style or appetite level. Pack it away or nibbleyour choice. They even throw in an Italian preferiti category of favorites like chicken, eggplant or veal parmigiana for the intractably old school.

One of the hallmarks of Trattoria LIncontro is the way the wait staff always rattles off a mind-boggling recitation of specials. That tradition is preserved here. We have no idea how diners or servers can keep track, but we did manage to snag a terrific salad from the oration. The salad in question, Finocchioni and Fig, combined the flavors of Tuscan fennel infused finocchiona salami and grilled figs with arugula and baby spinach festooned with a strip of Parmesano.

We dug into Melanzane Ripene, blanketed in chunky tomato sauce. It was a cut above the typical eggplant rollatine with the addition of spinach to the mozzarella filling.

For our pasta course we chose Papardelle con Coniglio. At $29, it was a pricey bowl of noodles.

The papardelle were wonderful ribbons of chewiness. The rabbit ragu was lush and toothsome, but stingy with the bunny.

There was nary a misstep when it came to our entrees. Acting on a tip from our server, we order the Costola Corta (braised short ribs) over mushroom risotto instead of the polenta that was on the menu. The short ribs were satisfying, but the risotto was the star. The porcini mushrooms gave it its fragrance, but the combined mascarpone, fontina, parmigiano and gorgonzola gave it its decadent elastic cheesiness and flavor.

Anatra was the Italian answer to duck lorange. The rosy pan seared duck breast nestled sweetly over plump gooseberries in a moscato sauce. Sweet, but not cloying.

The Merluzzo al Pistacchio (pan seared cod with pistachio puree) was sweet fleshed and lush, but the flavor of the pistachio puree was not as pronounced as we had hoped, rendering the dish somewhat bland.

Desserts lingered in Italian crowd pleaser terrain. We sampled Maiellas Semifreddoalmond-flavored frozen custard topped with zambaglione. What could possibly be not to like?

The Bottom Line

The food at Maiella is excellent if a bit pricey for Queens. The ambiance is stylish with its Manhattan view. The downside is that although it is spacious and comfortable, due to its popularity, by the time we left it seemed as noisy as the old Trattoria L.

Suzanne Parker is the TimesLedgers restaurant critic and author of Eating Like Queens: A Guide to Ethnic Dining in Americas Melting Pot, Queens, N.Y. She can be reached by e-mail at qnsfo odie@ aol.com .

Maiella

46-10 Center Blvd.

Long Island City

(718) 606-1770

maiel lalic.com/ conta ct-pa ge

Price Range: Appetizers: $9-18; Entrees: $26- 44; Pizza: $13-19

Cuisine: Central Italian

Setting: Spacious stylish dining room with a view of Manhattan

Service: Professional

Hours: Tuesday  Saturday: 5pm-11pm Sunday 5pm  10pm

Reservations: Recommended. Phone or OpenTable

Alcohol: Full bar

Parking: Valet

Dress: Casual to dressy

Children: Welcome

Music: No

Takeout: Yes

Credit cards: All

Noise level: Noisy when busy

Handicap accessible: Yes

WIFI: No
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By Patrick Donachie

A group of about 40 people learned about self-defense tactics at an event held to help educate the community about the dangers of sexual assault. The evening was part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The event was organized and sponsored by state Sen. James Sanders (D-Rochdale Village) and took place April 5 at Praise Tabernacle Church in Jamaica. The evening included presentations by an officer from the NYPD Special Victims Division, a social worker from the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault and the president of Recoveries R Us, a program located in Inwood.

At the event, Sanders stressed that sexual assault incidents were both extraordinarily damaging and too frequent.

Sexual assault is a serious crime that affects the physical and emotional well-being of survivors long after the attack is over, Sanders said. We are here today to raise awareness of this type of violence and do our part to educate as many people as we can in an effort to prevent future incidents from occurring and to encourage those who have been victimized to seek help.

Avi Avramcheyiv, the founder of the NY Self-Defense Academy, previously worked as an instructor in hand-to-hand combat in the Israeli Defense Force. His experiential tutorial showed the audience that they might be able to fight off an attacker who is wielding a knife or a gun, even if they do not have a weapon themselves.

Its very simple to defend yourself, he said during the presentation. All you need are a pair of hands, a pair of legs, fingernails, teeth and youre fine.

Other speakers spoke about the medical and legal rights that individuals have if they are the victims of sexual assault.

Melissa Saravia, a registered physician assistant at Jamaica Hospital, told the audience that sexual assault victims would have private areas in the emergency room to ensure confidentiality and Kirlyn Joseph, an attorney at Queens Law Associates, said a public statement from a victim at a trial could have a seismic impact on the court proceedings.

Some of the most compelling words can come from the survivor if they are able to speak to the court and share with the court the trauma they have endured, and that will greatly affect the sentence, he said. Its even impactful in cases that end in a plea.

There are about 293,066 victims of rape or sexual assault each year in the country, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, and the organization asserts that approximately 68 percent of assaults are not reported to police.
The EU on Wednesday proposed offering visa-free travel in Europe to Ukrainians, delivering on a key pledge to the pro-Western government in Kiev.

"Today we follow up on our commitment to propose short-stay visa-free travel to the EU for Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports," EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos told a news briefing in Brussels.

"This is the result of the success of the Ukrainian government in achieving far-reaching and difficult reforms in the Justice and Home Affairs area and beyond," he added.

Avramopoulos said the European Commission, the EU\s executive arm, was formally making the proposal to EU member states who would vote on the issue.

Visa-free travel is a cornerstone of the so-called Eastern Partnership that is designed to attract eastern European nations into the EU\s sphere of influence.

Ukraine\s parliament last month approved a key anti-corruption bill that paved the way for a visa-free travel decision in Brussels.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday said it had been a "long and hard road" to get to this point but that he expected a deal on visa-free travel "within a few months".

Such an agreement may prove especially galling for Moscow whose own efforts to secure visa-free EU access, if only for business leaders, languished for years before falling victim to the Ukraine crisis.

The 28-nation European Union suspended visa liberalisation talks with Russia early last year as it ratcheted up punitive measures, later to include damaging economic sanctions, over its role in the deepening Ukraine crisis.

SOURCE: AFP
President Barack Obama opened a brief trip to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday with a one-on-one meeting with King Salman in Riyadh. The visit for a Persian Gulf summit comes against the backdrop of increasingly strained U.S. relations with the Saudis, who remain deeply opposed to his outreach to Iran and skeptical of his approach to Syria.

Under crystal chandeliers, the Saudi monarch greeted Obama in a grand foyer at Erga Palace, where the two walked slowly to a reception room as the small of incense wafted. The two offered polite smiles as they sat down side by side for pictures at the start of their two-hour private meeting.

"The American people send their greetings and we are very grateful for your hospitality, not just for this meeting but for hosting the GCC-U.S. summit that\s taking place tomorrow," Obama said, referring to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council summit.

King Salman offered similarly gracious words for the president, who is paying his fourth trip here for face-to-face meetings and photos with royal rulers since becoming president.

"The feeling is mutual between us and the American people," the king said through a translator.

The president was slated to spend little more than 24 hours in the Saudi capital before heading on to visits to London and Hannover, Germany.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are participating in the regional summit, which the White House said would focus on regional stability, counterterrorism including the fight against the Islamic State and al-Qaida, and Iran. Talks are also expected to address the Saudi-led military campaign against Shiite rebels and their allies in neighboring Yemen.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and CIA Director John Brennan were among the officials accompanying Obama. Carter, meeting with defense ministers from the Gulf nations Wednesday, pressed them to provide more economic and political support to Iraq in a preview of themes Obama was expected to emphasize.

Stepping off of Air Force One earlier at King Khalid International Airport, Obama was greeted not by King Salman but by a lower-ranking royal, Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, the governor of Riyadh. Ahead of Obama\s arrival, Saudi state television showed the king personally greeting senior officials from other Gulf nations arriving at the King Salman Air Base.

Mustafa Alani, a security analyst at the Gulf Research Center, said the Saudi decision not to dispatch a high-level delegation to greet the president was unusual and intended to send a clear message that they have little faith in him.

"He will find a leadership that\s not ready to believe him," Alani said. "The Saudis had disagreements with previous presidents. Here you have deep distrust that the president won\t deliver anything."

U.S. officials have expressed hope the latest meeting will build on last year\s Camp David summit, though they acknowledge differences remain between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

Obama\s recent comment that the Saudis and Iranians should "share the neighborhood" roiled officials in Riyadh.

The Sunni Muslim-ruled kingdom  the world\s biggest oil exporter and the largest buyer of American-made weapons  sees Shiite-led Iran as its main rival. Saudi leaders are concerned that concessions granted to Iran in last year\s nuclear deal will embolden it to pursue what the Saudis view as aggressive meddling throughout the region.

Salman\s reign has overseen a more assertive foreign policy, with Saudis venturing into Yemen and pushing the U.S. to take more aggressive moves to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad. Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing sides in Syria\s civil war and in the Yemen conflict, where the U.S. military is providing refueling and other logistical help to the Saudi-led war effort.

Ahead of Obama\s trip, a group of U.S. senators called on the president to press Saudi Arabia on human rights issues and raise the cases of two imprisoned advocates, blogger Raif Badawi and a man who defended him, rights activist Waleed Abu al-Khair. In early January, Saudi Arabia put 47 people to death including a prominent Shiite cleric in its largest mass execution in years, triggering an angry reaction in Iran.

Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom\s defense minister, said ahead of Obama\s visit that the Gulf and the U.S. must work together to confront challenges including terrorism, instability and what he described as Iranian interference into regional countries\ affairs.

Obama\s trip follows an unusually robust string of high-profile U.S. visits to the Gulf states. Vice President Joe Biden last month visited the United Arab Emirates, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry earlier this month was in nearby Bahrain.

Obama himself traveled to Saudi Arabia only last year shortly after the death of former King Abdullah, Salman\s predecessor and half-brother.
By Aleksandra Krstic

The recent all-shoot out in Azerbaijan between the ethnic Armenians and Azerbaijani forces brought yet another round of casualties, psychological traumas and property destructions. Sudden and severe as it was, the event sent its shock waves all over Caucasus and well beyond. Is Caucasus receiving the residual heat from the boiling MENA? Is this a next Syria? Is a grand accommodation pacific scenario possible? Or will it be more realistic that the South Caucasus ends up violently torn apart by the grand compensation that affects all from Afghanistan up to the EU-Turkey deal?

********

Most observes would fully agree that for such (frozen) conflicts like this between Azerbaijan and Armenia, mediation and dialogue across the conflict cycle have no alternative. Further on, most would agree that the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) with its Minsk Group remains both the best suited FORA as well as the only international body mandated for the resolution of the conflict.

However, one cannot escape the feeling that despite more than 20 years of negotiations, this conflict remains unresolved. What is the extent of the OSCE failure to effectively utilize existing conflict resolution and post-conflict rehabilitation tools?

The very mandate of the Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group is based on CSCE Budapest Summit document of 1994, which tasks them to conduct speedy negotiations for the conclusion of a political agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict, the implementation of which will eliminate major consequences of the conflict and permit the convening of the Minsk Conference. In Budapest, the participating States have reconfirmed their commitment to the relevant Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and underlined that the co-Chairmen should be guided in all their negotiating efforts by the OSCE principles and agreed mandate, and should be accountable to its Chairmanship and the Permanent Council (PC).

Nevertheless, as it emerged from this sudden eruption of violence in the region in late March/early April of 2016, the OSCE and its Minsk Group have been side-stepped from the settlement process. Why?

Over the years, the role of the OSCE and its participating States, including those that are members of the Minsk Group, has been limited to extending formal support to the activities of the Co-chairmen. It gradually led to change the conflict resolution process into conflict containment activities as reflected in artificial and out-of-mandate prioritization of tasks of the co-Chairmen to focus on prevention of escalation rather than lasting solution , and interference with the activities of other international organizations wishing to contribute to the true and comprehensive settlement of the conflict.

In parallel, one may observe rather selective approaches by some OSCE Member States and regional groupings to the principles with regard to the protracted conflicts in the OSCE area.

As an ending result, the Organization as such lost its control over the process. Such a lack of control over the activities led to negligence to inherent balance and inter-linkage between the principles of the most fundamental Security structure of Europe achieved ever  the Helsinki Final Act. It is rather dangerous and counterproductive to equalize the principles of non-use of force against the territorial integrity of political independence of the States, territorial integrity and equal rights and self-determination of peoples, which some publicly present as a basis for a settlement. Misinterpretation is evident even in naming of these principles.

These voices claim that there is no hierarchy among the above mentioned principles and that these elements should be observed and applied independently of each other. In fact, such a voluntary interpretation of the principles is in direct contradiction to the letter and very spirit of the Helsinki Decalogue and its Final Act, which in seven out of ten principles places strong emphasis on the necessity to fully respect internationally recognized borders of states and their territorial integrity against any attempt of forceful acquisition of territories or change of borders, and (one-sided) application of self-determination.

Such a deviation from the agreed character of the principles unfortunately provided Armenia with a card blanche to justify its territorial claims against Azerbaijan, consolidate the status-quo and made the process of settlement dependent on whims of the Armenian side.

Several FORAs (incl. the OSCE mechanisms) openly claim that they have no responsibility for the conflict resolution, and that the parties need to demonstrate political will and to make necessary compromises (no way to exert pressure on the sides and we can only be a communication channel between the two conflicting parties lines of usual rhetoric).

In the meantime, Armenia keeps holding a premium over the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, which it continues to occupy. Clearly, that process is far away from OSCE principles and commitments, and will dangerously backfire elsewhere in Europe.

Unless we want another Syria, and yet Europe entirely enveloped by the insecure neighbourhood all the way from Mediterranean to Caucasus, we need a tremendous progress in the settlement of the conflict. Over last years, most of conflict resolution-potent initiatives have been blocked in the OSCE. Discussion on the conflict has been turned into a taboo within the OSCE, even when the informal discussions are in question  and so, not only when Caucasus was in case.

If we want to revive this particular process and return it from a de facto conflict containment back on track to the conflict resolution process, the following steps for Caucasus are needed:

1. To unblock and fully revitalize the OSCE Minsk Group, and intensify the efforts towards earliest pacific solution of the conflict, especially by using the best services from the member countries willing to constructively solve the problem;

2. Serious attempt of the OSCE to re-establish the dialogue at the level of the communities affected by the conflict is more than essential stabilizer. It is an indispensable instrument for any confidence building measure. To it related as complementary is the exchange of data on the missing persons, a mechanism foreseen in a tripartite approach by the French, Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents late last year. It should be coupled and further enhanced by variety of the P2P programs that could bring Armenians and Azerbaijanis all profiles, ages and origins together;

3. Items above surely presuppose the relaxation of tensions and renunciation of usage of military effectives as a means of conflict resolution. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan (either at different occasions, also through their top diplomats at the OSCE Vienna, ambassador Arman Kirakossian and ambassador Galib Israfilov) signalled their wishes and efforts to move beyond this status quo. That is in line with all statements of the UN and OSCE in past 20 years. Surely, the best way to shake this status quo of containment back on track to the lasting solution, is to eliminate the military factor;

4. Regrettably, the only military factor remaining in the region in/around Nagorno Karabakh is the presence of the Armenian troops  something that surely does not service Armenian community there on a long run! (Min how much Serbs harmed their own community in Kosovo by their rigid military stance.) If, as currently as of now, Armenian Government is serious of the danger and incidents along the Line of Contact they should withdraw their troops. If so, people could at least feel safer in those territories, halt the massive migratory wave, and plan their own future viably;

5. And finally, a pacific, orderly and balanced re-integration of the currently occupied territories back into the Azerbaijani political, legal, social and economic system  that serves ethnic Armenians on a long run the most. It will shield them from an otherwise lost demographic battle.

This would be the best way to reinvigorate the OSCEs relevance in mediation efforts and create an environment in which the OSCE as an organization can play a meaningful role applying its existing tools  all for the lasting benefits of the peoples and nations of Caucasus. The OSCE area should be what is meant to be  the area of security and stability. Stubbornness and irrational pride should never be an obstacle to this higher end.

About the author :

Aleksandra Krstic, studied in Belgrade (Political Science) and in Moscow (Plekhanovs IBS). Currently, a post-doctoral researcher at the Kent University in Brussels (Intl. Relations). Specialist for the MENA-Balkans frozen and controlled conflicts.

The views expressed in this article are the author\s own and do not necessarily reflect The Times Of Earth\s editorial policy.
JASNA COSABIC, PHD

The right to privacy, or the right to respect for private life, as the European Convention on Human Rights guarantees it, has been affected by the IT growth era. Privacy has long been protected, but will face a new dimension of protection for the generations to come. The right to respect for private life is not an absolute one, and may have a different feature in different context.

By Niemitz v. Germany judgment (1992) the European Court on Human Rights (\the ECtHR\) included the right to connect with other individuals into the notion of private life, saying that it would be too restrictive to limit the notion of an \inner circle\ to personal life and exclude therefrom entirely the outside world not encompassed within that circle. The right to communicate was thus inscerted into the the privacy context.

But the extent of communication and technologies which enable it signifficantly changed since.

Few decades ago, it mainly consisted of personal communication, communication by conventional letters and phone communication. At the time the Convention was adopted in the mid last century, there was no internet, not even mobile/cell phones, nor personal computers. The feature of privacy protection was much more simple then today.

Now, when we approach the rule of IoT (internet of things) communication, not only do people communicate, but \things\ as well. The subject of that \non-human\ communication may also be private data of individuals. At the same time, the individual, human communication became more simple, available at any time, and versatile by its means.

New society digital evolution becomes a special challenge when speaking of the protection of privacy. Availability of every person not only in physical life but in cyber life as well, upgrades the privacy to a new sphere. If we do ourselves chose to use social networking, Skype, Instagram, Twitter, Yahoo Messenger, Linkedin, Facebook, the later being the most powerful database of persons ever on internet as rightfully noted by prof. Bajrektarevic, in his book Is there life after Facebook? as well as other internet features, we must be aware that our privacy may come into the open. If we add to that e-context a physical surrounding of a working place, under certain conditions, the feature of privacy changes, i.e. it becomes less protected then in the context of an earthbound private circle, the surrounding which was in mind of lawmakers when adopting for instance the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950.

Recently, at the table of the ECtHR was the case of Barbulescu v. Romania (judgment enacted in January 2016), where the question arose of whether an employer is entitled to look into his employers private messages at Yahoo Messenger. The messages were written by the employee during the working time, at the computer owned by the employer. The employer monitored and made transcript of messages made at the Yahoo Messenger account that was created at the employers request for the purposes of contacts with clients, but the transcript also contained five short messages that Mr. Barbulescu exchanged with his fiancee using a personal Yahoo Messenger account.

The ECtHR found no violation of the right to respect the private life by such actions of the employer.

The ECtHR noted that the employer did not warn the employee of the possibility of checks of the Yahoo Messenger. However, the company where Mr. Barbulescu worked did adopt internal rules according to which it was strictly forbidden to use computers, photocopiers, telephones, telex and fax machines for personal purposes. Can that be seen as a warning? Does it give an employer a right to monitor personal messages of an employee?

We may wonder if the ECtHR gave the advantage to a market economy and profit growth, versus privacy? Did it give to employer the right to control the employee even if that would mean invading his privacy? This, under certain conditions, like internal policy rules or warning, gives the employers the right to rule the employees space, of course, during work hours, and their right to monitor the job done by his employees may be stronger then their right to privacy.

However one should be careful in concluding that all employers may now freely snoop into their employees e-mails, tweets, messages etc.

The ECtHR took into consideration the expectation of privacy, which Mr. Barbulescu, the employee, had regarding his communications. The internal rules of the employer which strictly prohibited the use of computers for private purposes, made the decisive shift towards ruling in favor of non violation. He probably should not have expected to have his privacy respected in such circumstances. But in the absence of such rules and in the absence of warning, any such intruding into employees private communication would rise an issue of privacy protection.

With the fast development of society and technology, the privacy is much more vulnerable, and it apparently affects its legal protection.

Almost two decades ago in the case of Halford v. UK the same ECtHR decided that tapping of Ms. Halfords phone at the office did constitute a violation of her right to respect of her private life. Without being warned that one\s calls would be liable to monitoring the person would have reasonable expectation that his privacy is protected (Halford v. UK 1997). In Amann v. Switzerland ECtHR judgment (2000) telephone calls from business premises pursue to be clearly covered by \private life\ notion.

The ECtHR further spread the privacy protection to e-mails sent from work in the Copland v. United Kingdom judgment (2007). In this case it also decided that monitoring of telephone usage in the way of analysis of business telephone bills, telephone numbers called, the dates and times of the calls, duration and cost, constituted integral element of the communications made by telephone, and made an interference into the privacy. Moreover, the ECtHR was of the view that the storing of personal data relating to the private life of an individual also fell under the protection of the Article 8, being irrelevant whether it was or was not disclosed or used against the person. It further held that that \e-mails sent from work should be similarly protected under Article 8, as should information derived from the monitoring of personal Internet usage\ like analysing the websites visited.

In Halford and Copland case the personal use of an office telephone or e-mail or was either expressly or tacitly allowed by the employer. Accordingly the ECtHR found a violation of privacy when the employer intruded therein. In Barbulescu, on the other hand, due to the internal regulations that forbid the private use of computers, the ECtHR did not consider a monitoring by employer to be a violation of his privacy, although the intrudment happened in the form of making the transcript of employee\s messages and keeping that transcript. The ECtHR considered that broad reading of Article 8 does not mean, however, that it protects every activity a person might seek to engage in with other human beings in order to establish and develop such relationships\ (Barbulescu para 35)

We can see that the position of employer towards allowing or non allowing phone, e-mail, or internet usage, made a difference as to the employees expectation of privacy. But can we add to that the more open communication, as a reason of lowering the level of the expectation of privacy?

It still remains up to the individual how he/she shall expose his/her privacy. The means of multiple communication, are now in everyones pocket, and a person does not have to use a land phone line, in order to call home. By simple touching the screen he/she may communicate, share, like, tweet, comment. If it is done during working hours, it gives, under certain conditions, a possibility to employers to look into that share, like, tweet, comment and still not to invade anyones privacy.

The more open the conversation is, its protection gets more demanding and complicated. So the protection of privacy remains a big test for the future.

The European Commission has launched an EU Data Protection Reform in 2012, in order to \make the Europe fit for the digital age.\ Strenghtening citizens\ fundamental rights, Digital Single Market, are the areas that need special attention. Currently in force Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of the EU of 1995, provides that personal data is \any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person\.

Article 29 Data Protection Working Party (\DPWP\), in 2002 adopted a Working Document on the Surveillance and the Monitoring of Electronic Communications in the workplace. According to that Document the mere fact that monitoring serves an employer\s interest could not justify an intrusion into workers\ privacy. Monitoring, according to the DPWP, must pass four tests: transparency, necessity, fairness and proportionality.

\Workers do not abandon their right to privacy and data protection every morning at the doors of the workplace\ provides the Document, however, \this right must be balanced with other legitimate rights and interests of the employer, in particular the employer\s right to run his business efficiently to a certain extent\.

Under Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications) of 2002 \Member States shall ensure the confidentiality of communications and the related traffic data by means of a public communications network and publicly available electronic communications services, through national legislation.\ It provides for the prohibition of \listening, tapping, storage or other kinds of interception or surveillance of communications and the related traffic data by persons other then users without the consent of the users concerned\. Exceptions may be made, inter alia, for the interests of national security, prevention of criminal offences or of unauthorized use of the electronic communication system etc.

Data protection of citizens will be a big challenge in future. The judge Pinto de Albuquerque in his partly dissenting opinion in Barbulescu case has criticized the ECtHR\s majority in missing the chance to develop its case-law in the field of protection of privacy with regard to Internet communications and for overlooking, inter alia, some important features like sensitivity of the employee\s communication and non-existence of Internet surveillance policy duly followed by the employer (apart from the above mentioned internal regulations forbidding the use of computeres).

On one hand there is a request for privacy protection, while on the other hand, there is a request from the market economy/employers that the job be done. The interests of the two must always be fairly balanced, but with the speedy development of technology and the internet interaction, the danger of exposing private data rises. That is why the legal creators have a big responsibility to act ahead of time, which, in the IT context, is running at the light speed.

JASNA COSABIC, PHD : Professor of IT law and EU law at Banja Luka College, Bosnia and Herzegovina.




The UN refugee agency said on Wednesday it feared around 500 migrants from Africa had drowned in the Mediterranean, in what could be one of the worst tragedies since the start of the refugee crisis in Europe.

Survivors who were spotted drifting at sea before being picked up by a passing merchant ship on April 16 told the UNHCR many migrants drowned when human traffickers tried to transfer people on to another, already overcrowded vessel somewhere between Libya and Italy.

The latest reported deaths come as Europe struggles to find a way of stemming the flow of people fleeing war, poverty and persecution in what has become the continent\s worst migrant crisis since World War II.

"The survivors told us that they had been part of a group of between 100 and 200 people who departed last week from a locality near Tobruk in Libya on a 30-metre (100-foot) boat," the UNHCR said in a statement.

"After sailing for several hours, the smugglers in charge of the boat attempted to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions," it said, adding that the larger boat then capsized and sank.

The 41 survivors  37 men, three women and a three-year-old child  included migrants who were still on the smaller ship when the one they were being transferred to capsized as well as others who had already boarded the larger ship and managed to swim back when it sank.

They are believed to have drifted at sea for up to three days before being rescued by the Philippine-flagged cargo vessel and taken to Kalamata on the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece.

Of those rescued, 23 were Somali, 11 Ethiopian, six Egyptian and one from Sudan, the statement said.

One of the Ethiopians said he had lost his wife and child in the sinking, according to Zoe Sakouli of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The brother of another survivor told AFP in the Somali capital Mogadishu that the boat had left the Egyptian city of Alexandria on April 7.

"Three of my family members died at sea in this tragedy," the man said after speaking to his brother who survived by telephone.

In what is believed to be the deadliest incident involving migrants and refugees trying to reach Europe, at least 740 people were feared to have perished in April 2015 after a crammed fishing boat capsized in Libyan waters.

In another incident in September 2014, up to 500 migrants drowned off Malta after people smugglers rammed their boat in an attempt to force them onto a smaller vessel.

The rescued migrants in this week\s tragedy were due to arrive in Athens later Wednesday where they will be accommodated in two hotels following several days at a stadium in Kalamata.

The huge refugee influx on European Union shores has sparked fierce disagreements among the bloc\s 28 members and brought its system of open borders to the brink of collapse.

Under a new deal with Ankara to try to ease the burden, migrants who travel to the Greek islands  the main entry point for those seeking a new life in Europe  are being returned to Turkey in return for billions in EU aid.

The EU also promised to resettle one Syrian refugee for every Syrian taken back by Turkey, to grant visa-free travel to Turks within the border-free Schengen Zone and to reassess Turkey\s stalled EU membership bid.

Migrant arrivals in Greece have fallen sharply since the agreement took effect on March 20.

But about 50,000 people remain stranded in Greece since the closure of the migrant route through the Balkans in February.

Over 10,000 of them are stuck in a slum-like camp at Idomeni on the border with Macedonia.

More than one million people crossed clandestinely to Europe in 2015 while some 179,000 have made the trip since the start of this year, according to UNHCR figures.

More than 3,700 people died in 2015 trying the make the perilous crossing over the Mediterranean, with 761 recorded as dead or missing in 2016.

Authorities fear that calmer seas at the onset of spring will encourage greater numbers of migrants to attempt the perilous crossing to Italy after a winter lull.

On Saturday, Pope Francis again highlighted the humanitarian crisis by visiting the Greek island of Lesbos and returning to Rome with three refugee families who fled the conflict in Syria.

SOURCE: AFP
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.
TORIN HALSEY/TIMES RECORD NEWS Randal Robertson, a supervisor for Basic Energy Services, sets up the company's trade show booth Tuesday morning at the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers Expo & Annual Meeting at the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall.

SHARE TORIN HALSEY/TIMES RECORD NEWS Natalie Kinmonth, left, and Mindy Huffman of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association assembles parts of the trade show exhibit Tuesday afternoon. The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers Expo & Annual Meeting kicks off Wednesday morning at the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall.

By John Ingle of the Times Record News

The right indications are taking shape that the debilitating down turn in the oil industry since November 2014 could be in the early stages of reversing that trend.

Amarillo-based petroleum economist Karr Ingham said Tuesday afternoon at the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers Expo & Annual Meeting that the simplistic concept of supply and demand is finally correcting the U.S. market. He said he has finally seen two key indicators take place that tell him the worst might be over: Decline in crude oil production levels at a quicker pace, and a decrease in the amount of crude stored in holding tanks like those in Cushing, Oklahoma.

But, he said, it's still and wait-and-see approach as there have been false indicators in the past. He said the trend needs to be sustained an not the occasional change.

"We really haven't seen much of any of that yet, so that's kind of the caveat to maybe better prices, to some degree," Ingham said. "It still seems generally unthinkable to me that we could be looking at $60 crude oil in 2016. Anything's possible. Markets, sometimes, are irrational in the short term. They always get it right in the long term.

"We've seen these false positives along the way."

He said such an incident occurred in the second quarter of 2015 when the price per barrel of crude went from $40 to $58, which turned out not to be the expected turn in the industry. Ingham, who works off the posted price of oil at which it is actually sold, said the jump from a low of $22.75 in February to $38 could also be a false positive, but the production and storage factors are in play this time.

Ingham said the nondecision by Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, to place production caps shouldn't have an affect on the oil industry here. The main reason, he said, is because the United States is the only country in which the mineral rights for oil is not centrally managed by the government. The U.S. doesn't have a seat at the table because the nation's oil industry is made up of thousands of individual companies, not a high-ranking official.

What's more, he said, is the global market has had very little to do with the drop in prices in the United States. The U.S. relies on the markets and supply-and-demand economics to set the price of oil.

"I think they realize, and we should realize, that the United States was the chief offender in terms of raising global supply from levels where they generally used to be to where they were that caused prices to decline and decline to the extent that they have in the first place," Ingham said. "In large part, the U.S. is still going to have to be the solution to that problem."

Ingham recently estimated that at least 84,000 jobs have been lost in the oil industry in Texas because of the roughly 15-month decline, and the pain, unfortunately, might not be over. Based on lagging jobs statistics, he said 61,000 jobs were lost between December 2014 and September 2015, and it only stands to reason that more have been lost since then.

The economist said he would not be surprised if that number continued to grow, and it could be some time before those jobs return.

Ingham explained that overproduction and oversupply caused prices to decline, which has, in turn, resulted in layoffs as companies decline production levels. He said it will take an increase in the price of oil per barrel and an increase in exploration and production before the jobs return.

"At some point we'll be able to look back at this period in time and see where prices began to go up for good, and then the rig count would respond to that. Drilling permits would respond to that," he said. "In theory, whenever prices bottomed out for good and began to rise to an extent sufficient to arrest to the decline in rig count ... it would be six months or so after that before employment bottomed out and then began to go north again."
Nauseating rhetoric during political campaigns is like mashed potatoes and gravy. They naturally go together.

But its seems this group of grandstanding bureaucratic nomads vying for their respective party's nomination have upped it a notch, and not in a good way. Trump is a blowhard, Cruz likes green eggs and ham, and Hillary wouldn't know the truth if it came up and bit her on the  well, we'll just say the Lower 48. Then there is Bernie who wants to give everything away to everyone. Enter the typical millennial and habitual welfare safety net abusers, lining up to feel the "Bern."

It seems as though Ohio Gov. John Kasich is the only adult in the room who has real solutions to real problems this country faces. Real Clear Politics shows Kasich beating Hillary in poll averages by almost 8 percentage points. She shellacs the billionaire business mogul and the junior senator from Texas.

Crazy weird presidential primary cycle.

I will say this about the first four of the fearsome faction  they will say and/or do anything for a good sound bite or video. I don't really recall anything like it since Ross Perot made politics interesting in the early 1990s, at least for me, anyway.

Hillary recently pounced like a cat on a mouse after Bernie, the senator from Vermont, claimed during a meeting with The Daily News (New York) editorial board that gun manufacturers shouldn't be sued if someone uses their firearm while committing a crime. The transcript from the interview suggests he realized what he had said didn't jibe with left ideology, and swung back around: "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."

What? Define "wrong people," Bern.

I get the whole conversation and the gut-wrenching side of it. As a parent, I could never imagine what those families in Connecticut have been through and the struggles they still face. My heart does go out to them.

But suing a manufacturer for misuse of their product by an individual just doesn't pass the sniff test. If the product was defective and caused injury, then I can easily see that case justified. The Sandy Hook shooting happened because of a disturbed and mentally ill young man behind the product.

People who know me or read this column will know that I'm a gun advocate. Grew up around them and can even remember the smell of melted lead from my dad, a police officer at the time, making his own ammunition in our garage. I'm glad he taught me how to shoot well enough that I don't need a firearm that rattles off round after round. I don't have a need for an assault-style rifle, but I don't begrudge anyone who wants one.

Bushmaster Firearms, manufacturer of the AR-15 used in the horrific elementary school shooting, is no more liable for that tragedy than Ryder is for one of its rental trucks being used in the Oklahoma City bombing that happened 21 years ago or the manufacturer who built it. It just doesn't make sense to me.

All this and I didn't get to Trump's wall that he'll build and have Mexico pay for.

Keep it real, Wichita Falls.
WELCOME DAK: Cowboys get back to winning formula in second half in Prescott's return

The Dallas Cowboys went back to its winning formula of elite defense and a strong ground attack in the second half in a 24-6 win over Detroit.
AP file photo An aedes aegypti mosquito

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By Claire Kowalick of the Times Record News

A report Tuesday from health department administrator Lou Kriedler to the Wichita Falls City Council said the type of mosquitoes known to carry Zika are in the Wichita Falls area, but there are no local cases of the disease reported.

The aedes aegypti mosquitoes are very different than the more well-known variety of mosquito and different protective measures are suggested.

"These mosquitoes like to breed near homes. The most important thing you can do is clear brush away from the house and empty standing water," Kriedler said.

These mosquitoes are unique in that they can also live inside a home if there is standing water. Flower pots with draining dishes, plants in cups of water, cut flowers in vases can all can be prime breeding grounds for the pests.

In the yard, residents are urged to be vigilant about emptying standing water, even seemingly insignificant amounts.

"A pool of water the size of a Coke cap lid can be enough for the mosquitoes to breed," Kriedler said.

Unlike typical mosquitoes that tend to bite at dusk and dawn, these relentless creatures like to bite all day long.

"Normally we tell people to follow the four D's (stay inside dusk/dawn; drain standing water; dress in light-colored, long sleeves and pants; use DEET repellent), but people should use repellent with DEET all day now. These are daytime biters," she said.

The health department encourages people to wear long sleeves and pants when possible, use repellent with DEET anytime a person plans to be outside and use it often.

"Just like sunscreen, insect repellent can wear off, so people need to reapply it often any time they are outdoors," she said.

Kriedler said the department does not expect any significant changes this year, but they plan to add to the chemical and mosquito trapping budget for next year to adapt to this new critter.

The aedes aegypti does not react the same way to the normal mosquito traps the department uses for surveillance and they are in the process of purchasing different ones.

Likewise, the department will have to purchase a different type of chemical for spraying around the city because the aegypti mosquito does not react to the current chemicals.

Kriedler said the department is are currently working with its staff epidemiologist to grow aegypti from larvae in controlled settings to see when the creatures are most active. This will help them determine the best times to spray neighborhoods with the different chemical.

So far, Zika cases reported in the United States, except for one case in Dallas, were people who had recently traveled to Zika hot spots.

Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant are warned to be cautious when considering out-of-country travel.

Krielder said these mosquitoes rarely travel more than 200 feet so people are cautioned to control brush and standing water near their own home.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, Wednesday, April 6, 2016, in Bethpage, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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By Chicago Tribune

Between the loose cannon Donald Trump and the ultraconservative Ted Cruz, Republicans have been doing their best to give the presidential election away. But it's worse than that: They are doing their best to drive voters into the Democratic fold for years to come.

With their targeting of Muslims, hostility to immigration reform, rejection of climate-change science and opposition to same-sex marriage, the two threaten to sharply narrow the party's slice of the electorate.

The question is: Will the Democrats accept the favor? It's easy to overlook how they are putting their own political future in peril. Bernie Sanders is not likely to win the nomination, but his robust challenge to Hillary Clinton makes it plain that the Democratic Party has shifted leftward just as Republicans marched the opposite way.

Sanders, remember, is a self-styled democratic socialist who always ran as an independent because he considered the Democrats insufficiently progressive. At the outset, he was considered this year's Dennis Kucinich  a preachy gadfly with no chance of winning. Yet he has come out ahead in 17 state contests, including eight of the past nine. In the process, he has exposed major weaknesses in Hillary Clinton's appeal.

Though he is the older candidate, his support skews young. Sanders leads among men and whites, a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found, but his most notable feat is beating Clinton among Democratic voters younger than 50 by a 2-to-1 ratio. This is the party base of the future.

He also rouses more fervent ardor than she does. Even if Clinton wins this time, there is a leftward riptide that she will have trouble resisting, on the campaign trail or in office.

Not that she's trying very hard. Her husband recaptured the White House for the Democrats after three consecutive losses by candidates perceived as too liberal on big issues such as taxes, crime and Communism. Bill Clinton was a master of playing to the center, providing an attractive option to independents and "Reagan Democrats."

Al Gore won the popular vote in 2000 with a similar approach. Barack Obama followed suit in 2008, stressing his support for more troops in Afghanistan, the conservative pedigree of his health care reform and the sanctity of the Second Amendment.

But Hillary Clinton is doing something very different, in an obvious effort to appease the Occupy Wall Street faction. Eight years ago, she strongly identified with her husband's record. This year, she has said the 1994 crime bill he signed was too harsh, rejected a Pacific trade agreement she had previously lauded and endorsed a $15 minimum wage enacted in New York. She has also tried to sound like populist firebrand Elizabeth Warren on banking issues.

Maybe she can veer back toward the middle if and when she gets the nomination. But motivating Sanders' supporters to get to the polls will be crucial, and that need will put strong pressure on Clinton to stay in the left lane.

So it looks as though there will be a gaping hole in the middle of the political spectrum, with centrist voters forced to choose between an increasingly liberal Democratic Party on the one hand and, on the other, Trump or Cruz  who are anathema even to relatively moderate Republicans, much less independents.

The last Republican to win, George W. Bush, called himself a "compassionate conservative." George H.W. Bush emphasized his own "kinder and gentler" approach. Adjectives such as that have gone out of style in the GOP.

But the Democrats also have contributed to the polarization. Sanders has nothing good to say about capitalism. And it's hard to imagine Clinton echoing what President Clinton said in 1996: "The era of big government is over."

Looking at the two likely Republican nominees, centrist Americans ask: "What about us?" So far, the Democratic response is: "What about you?"
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EDUCATION

HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Ricky P. Thibodeau was appointed chairman of the Accounting, Entrepreneurship and Marketing Department. Thibodeau, who previously served as assistant dean at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lally School of Management and Technology, will also oversee the School of Business Advisement center for students.

UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY

Julia Singleton joined the Center for Technology in Government as a program assistant. Singleton provides support to teams conducting sponsored research and problem-solving projects.

MANUFACTURING

SI GROUP

Carrie Wolford was promoted to benefits administrator, North America. Wolford previously worked in payroll, talent acquisition and benefits.

Jody Wood joined as benefits manager, North America. Wood will provide human resources support at the global headquarters in Niskayuna.

Emma Teague joined as regional human resources generalist. Teague will oversee human resources at the Rotterdam Junction facility and provide employee relations support for all North American sites.

Brooke Manrique was appointed senior director, global talent development, brand and communications. Manrique will develop and lead global talent and leadership development strategy and succession planning initiatives.

Shawn Furner was appointed senior director, North America and global financial reporting. Furner is responsible for the North America finance organization and global financial reporting.

Bill Marine was appointed director of human resources for North America. Marine is responsible for ensuring compliance with employee regulations, maintaining local labor relations and managing recruitment and hiring.

Mike Linacre was appointed senior director, business performance management. Linacre will oversee global management reporting, margin management, costing and forecasting.

Ted Hicks joined as senior manager, global analytical and North America research and development. Hicks is responsible for leading research and development efforts and overseeing the standardization of global analytical technology.

Norma Jean Mitchell was appointed director, global compensation and performance management. Mitchell is responsible for aligning compensation philosophy, processes and practices across a global footprint.

Janice Butler was appointed director, global management reporting and forecasting. Butler is responsible for the development, coordination and communication of global reporting standards.

NONPROFITS

CENTER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

Andrew Kennedy was named president and CEO, effective July 1. Kennedy serves as deputy director of state operations for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES DISABILITIES SERVICES

Mecca Andrades joined the residential/clinical team.

Ashley Alba and Sarah Mantica joined as community support professionals.

Leigha Hall, Bridget Guzek and Samantha Andrews joined the residential department as direct support professionals.

REAL ESTATE

WEICHERT, REALTORS  FONTAINE & ASSOCIATES

Patricia Briscoli joined as a sales associate. Briscoli will assist homebuyers and sellers in the Capital Region.

SERVICES

CREIGHTON MANNING ENGINEERING LLP

Dawna Morrill joined as human resources manager. Morrill previously served as human resources manager at Albany Medical Center.

DWM FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

Kathy Boedecker was promoted to service manager. Boedecker has 30 years of retail experience and previously served as team lead.

James Powell was promoted to team lead. Powell previously served as customer service coordinator.

 Jennifer Patterson
"Ip Man 3": There are two elements of a martial arts movie necessary for it to be entertaining: strong fight scenes and an engaging star. "Ip Man 3" has both, plus an additional pleasant surprise. The latest film in the action series has Ip Man (Donnie Yen) pulled into a battle between a local school and a crooked property developer (Mike Tyson). It's a traditional story of greed vs. good. Yen has already shown in two previous films in the series, based on the true story of the Wing Chun Kung Fu master who mentored Bruce Lee, that the quiet power he brings to the role makes him engaging. Unlike Jackie Chan, who uses comedy and some martial arts gimmickry to make his films so popular, Yen is a peaceful presence on screen.

"Silicon Valley: The Complete Second Season": This examination of the heart of the high-tech world features the biting and offbeat humor of Mike Judge and Alec Berg. It manages to not only be funny but make the geek world of computers make sense. The second season picks up with the Pied Piper team  Erlich, Jared, Dinesh and Gilfoyle  thinking they have made it big. That success begins to wobble when the competition goes through some changes. It's about the high-tech world, but all who work in a white collar job can see a lot of their company in the stories. T.J. Miller and Martin Starr are the wiring that holds this comedy circuit board together.
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TROY, N.Y.  Students at the Troy campus of The Sage Colleges are planning to go topless Wednesday to protest what they believe was discriminatory police treatment of a student who identifies as androgynous.

The incident happened Sunday evening, when a school security officer approached Cedar Brock, who was sunbathing topless in a public park that fronts the campus and is across from the Troy Public Library.

"Are you a boy or a girl?" the officer asked.

"I'm neither," Brock said. "I'm androgynous."

What followed, according to Brock and others at the campus, was a Sage Park standoff that soon involved Troy police, who insisted that Brock put on a shirt and repeatedly told the student that city law forbids women from going topless in public.

"They told me, 'You're in public,'" Brock said Tuesday. "They said, 'This isn't what normal people do.'"

Troy police arrived shortly after the initial contact with the Sage officer. Brock initially refused to cover up, but eventually complied after about 10 minutes of back and forth.

"I felt forced to put a shirt back on," Brock said. "I was scared."

Brock's treatment has angered some students at the campus, who on social media are using the hashtag #IStandwithCedar to demonstrate their support. Students are planning to protest topless from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Sage Park on Wednesday.

"Nobody who was in the park was bothered (by the toplessness)," said Emily Taylor, a Sage student from Cohoes who believes the treatment of Brock was bigoted and harassment.

The incident  and the protest  come amidst a nationally contentious debate over the rights of transgender and others with non-traditional gender identities. In recent weeks, a new North Carolina law that bans transgender people from using public rest rooms that correspond to their gender identity has been controversial. "We have a rapidly changing culture," said Susan Scrimshaw, president of The Sage Colleges, who on Tuesday stressed that the school is strongly supportive of transgender and androgynous people.

"It's very important that our staff, including our security staff, understand the changing culture," Scrimshaw added. "They have to catch up. We have to make sure that we are a community of support and respect."

Scrimshaw said the school is investigating Sunday's incident, but also said it was inappropriate for the officer to ask for Brock's gender. "It isn't the first question that I would have asked," Scrimshaw said. "We have a little work to do with training."

Brock, 22, a junior who is studying theater arts and is from the small Rensselaer County town of Berlin, was sitting in the park with friends for a few hours while wearing a "binder" that restrained and hid Brock's breasts. "It was just so hot," Brock said. "I just thought, 'I'm going to take this off.'"

Scrimshaw said that contrary to what many on campus assumed, the school security officer did not notify Troy police. Instead, Troy police responded to complaints from the public, she said.

Sage Park is city-owned but maintained by the school. The park serves as a front lawn for the campus, but is also frequently used by Troy residents. Capt. Daniel DeWolf, a Troy police spokesman, said the department is aware of Sunday's incident and the scheduled protest. DeWolf said he was unsure whether city code forbids public toplessness.

Brock and other students insisted that state law allows public toplessness, regardless of gender. Indeed, state court rulings have made it legal to go topless, although state law still bars female toplessness in public for commercial purposes.

Brock, unlike transgender people who typically identify as male or female, identifies as neither and described being "flabbergasted" by the situation and the officer's initial question.

"You don't just go up and ask someone that," Brock said.

Brock described feeling buoyed by the support from fellow Sage students and reported satisfaction with the response from the school's administration. Still, Brock said the incident is a reminder of the barriers faced by those with non-traditional gender identities.

"It's not just my rights that were trampled on," Brock said. "It was everyone's rights that were trampled on."

Robert Grebert, director of the University Heights Association, a private organization that provides security for the Albany and Troy campuses of The Sage Colleges, described the incident as a "training issue" but declined to criticize the unnamed officer.

"There's a lack of understanding with the word androgynous," Grebert said. "Some students are concerned about a lack of sensitivity."

Paul Grondahl and Kenneth C. Crowe II contributed.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
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Albany

New York turned out to be the state where the presidential front-runners regained their mojo.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump  both globe-trotters who call New York home  were the clear winners in a state primary that for the first time in decades played a key role in the race for the White House.

In initial results Tuesday night, Clinton was beating her Democratic opponent, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, by 58 to 42 percent  a result that followed the most recent polls in the race. It was Clinton's first victory since March 22, when she staged a commanding win in Arizona's primary. Until Tuesday, Sanders had been on a roll, racking up seven wins in several western states as well as Wisconsin.

"Today, you proved once again there's no place like home," Clinton told the crowd at a celebratory rally at the Sheraton in Times Square. She was introduced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was by her side  and alongside her husband, former President Bill Clinton  during the final week of the New York campaign.

Clinton represented the state in the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2009, when she became secretary of state. Despite that home-state advantage, she faced a tough opponent in Sanders, a Brooklyn native who hammered her for what he described as unseemly ties to another New York institution, Wall Street.

The Democratic results map generally followed the outlines of the 2014 primary between Cuomo and author Zephyr Teachout, another grassroots progressive appeal. While Clinton locked up population centers, Sanders performed well in the more rural regions of upstate  and in the Capital Region.

Here's a look at the Democratic results by county:

Trump topped the two remaining Republican candidates with 60 percent of the vote, according to early results: Ohio Gov. John Kasich took 25 percent, while U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas  who made Empire State enemies for disparaging "New York values" in a January debate  pulled in just 15 percent, according to early returns. Just as Clinton's effort faced obstacles in recent weeks, the New York vote followed a frustrating period for Trump's campaign that saw the candidate regularly railing against what he described as a "rigged" delegate system that was siphoning support from his column.

Trump needs to secure 1,237 pledged GOP delegates to win the nomination and head off the possibility of a brokered convention in July. As of Tuesday, he had collected 756. Cruz had 559 and Kasich had 144.

Addressing supporters and the media at Trump Tower in Manhattan, the real estate mogul thanked "the people who know me best" before launching into a capsule version of his stump speech.

"We don't have much of a race any more," Trump said, referring to his Republican opponents. " ... It's impossible to catch us."

All five of the candidates visited the Capital Region in the two weeks preceding the vote; Kasich came twice. With 90 percent of the vote in the four-county region  Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga  counted by 11 p.m., Trump and Sanders were leading by comfortable margins.

The state primary was in reality a collection of 27 contests in each of the state's congressional districts. While 163 Democratic delegates will be awarded proportionally based on each candidate's vote tally. Trump's strong finish will give him a large chunk of the 81 Republican delegates handed out by Tuesday's voting, plus a separate 14 "at large" delegates for winning the statewide vote. Under Republican rules, any candidate finishing with a majority in any congressional district captures all three of the delegates from that district.

At 11 p.m. Tuesday, Trump was pulling in more than 50 percent in all but five of the state districts. Here's a county-by-county look at the results:

The primary was marred in Brooklyn by the apparently inadvertent purging of more than 100,000 voters from the city's rolls, although it was not immediately clear how many people had been unable to vote in the primary because of the glitch. City officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio, promised swift investigations.

In the Capital Region, the excitement surrounding the primary created some confusion at the polls, especially among those who showed up to vote only to discover they were not listed on either party's rolls.

Robert Lewis, an artist who is not enrolled in a party, showed up at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall in Albany just after the polls opened at noon. "I didn't realize I had to be in a party because I haven't voted in a primary in a few years," Lewis said. "You learn something new every day."

He was allowed to fill out a provisional or "affidavit" ballot, which was placed in an envelope that would be mailed to the Albany County Board of Elections after the polls closed at 9 p.m. The Board of Elections office off Central Avenue was busy for much of Tuesday afternoon. "The phones have been crazy," said Ellen Graziano, the county's GOP deputy election commissioner.

One Sanders supporter, Eric Carlson of Colonie, was turned away at his polling place. "They say that I'm not in the system and I've been purged because I moved," said Carlson, a psychology professor at Schenectady County Community College.

The records showed him living in Columbia County. He suspected his voter registration reflected that because he had once renewed his driver's license there.

Carlson was weighing whether he had time drive to Columbia County and return in time to teach an evening class.

"They told me I was in the Republican book," said Watervliet resident Heather Moffit. The 35-year-old switched from the GOP to the Democratic party because she wanted to support Sanders  but didn't do so until February, well past the Oct. 9 deadline to change parties.

Megan Parsons and John Darcy, both of Albany, had like Moffit used the state Department of Motor Vehicles website to switch registration, but they also did it too late. They said the site failed to make it clear that switching parties had to be done by last October.

Santosh Baraily, a 26-year-old refugee from Bhutan, had a broad smile and voiced no complaints after casting his ballot for Sanders at the Hibernian Hall.

Baraily, who came to Albany with his family in 2009 after they spent 19 years in a refugee camp in Nepal, said the 20-minute wait in line was well worth it.

"It is a great honor and a privilege," he said. "I feel a sense of being an American."

Rick Karlin and Paul Grondahl contributed.  cseiler@timesunion.com  518-454-5619  @CaseySeiler
CORINTH  A 36-year-old Corinth man assaulted a Saratoga County Sheriff's deputy Monday while he was being taken into custody for driving with a suspended license, police said.

Keith Brown was initially pulled over on Palmer Avenue for using a cell phone while driving. The deputy discovered Brown had a suspended license. While being taken into custody, Brown scuffled with officers.
Jennifer Nettles is an established country music star who counts her record sales in the multimillions, wins Grammys and, perhaps most tellingly, hosts the Country Music Association's network TV Christmas special. On Friday, Nettles will share the Palace Theatre stage with three women hoping for similar success, as she headlines the CMT "Next Women of Country Tour."

With Nettles will be Brandy Clark and special guests Lindsay Ell and Tara Thompson. Clark is a native of Washington state who moved to Nashville to study the music business at Belmont University. She apparently was quite a student: Upon graduation, she quickly became a hot songwriter, having a hand in hits for stars like Kacey Musgraves and the Band Perry. Her first album, "12 Stories" (2013) was acclaimed by critics, who were taken by her often-gritty, often-humorous stories of average people struggling with money, relationship and life issues. A good example is "Stripes," in which the narrator tells an unfaithful paramour that she gladly put a bullet in him, but she does not fancy how she would look in prison garb  "There's no crime of passion/worth a crime of fashion." Her next album, "Big Day in a Small Town," is due out in June. Ell is a native of Canada, which makes her ineligible for the U.S. presidency, but not for stardom in Music City U.S.A. She has already had two songs high on the country charts, 2013's "Trippin' on Us" and last year's "By the Way." As a kid, Ell was taking piano lessons until one of her dad's guitars caught her eye. She grabbed the ax and has not looked back, finding a mentor as a teen in Randy Bachman of Bachman Turner Overdrive, who helped her get her first album out. Her mad mix of guitar, vocal and songwriting skills has created a "next-big-thing" aura around Ell. Ditto for Thompson, a Tennessee native and cousin of Loretta Lynn, who made Rolling Stone's list of "10 new country artists you need to know" in February. The Stone writer especially liked the line "I'll have two Coronas/one for me/one for the hot girl I just turned into" from her single "Someone to Take Your Place."
Albany

Noted Irish historian Tim Pat Coogan worked up a head of righteous indignation as thick as foam atop pints of Guinness in the hands of his audience at the Hibernian Hall Monday night.

Coogan railed against revisionists who have sought to denigrate Irish patriots executed for leading an armed insurrection in Ireland against the oppression of British colonial rulers, known as the 1916 Easter Rising.

"One of the persistent myths is that the rising was a thing of blood lust, unsanctioned and undemocratic, and should never have happened," Coogan said in Albany, one of three cities he visited to promote his new book, "1916: The Mornings After."

"In no sense were they bloodthirsty," he said. "They were poets and educators and union leaders. They knew they would die, but something important would come out of their idealism."

Coogan invoked a stirring phrase of "Easter, 1916" by William Butler Yeats, one of the most powerful political poems of the 20th century: "A terrible beauty is born."

In April 1916, about 1,600 rebels seized prominent buildings in Dublin and clashed with British troops. The rebellion was suppressed within one week and the fighting left more than 2,000 people dead or injured. The leaders were executed and their martyrdom helped shift public opinion in support of the insurrection. In 1921, a treaty was signed that established an Irish Free State the following year. It eventually became the modern-day Republic of Ireland, but six counties in Northern Ireland remained under British rule.

Coogan's talk kicked off a series of events that will commemorate the centennial, including lectures, exhibit and movies at the Irish Heritage Museum in Albany. There also will be a dedication of a historic sign in Troy at the site where James Connolly lived at 447 10th St. He was a labor organizer who fought for better working conditions for women, many of them Irish immigrants, who toiled in Troy's turn-of-the-century shirt-collar factories. Connolly was a leader of the Starcher's Union strike in Troy and sold life insurance to make ends meet. He and his family lived in an enclave of Irish immigrants at 96 Ingalls Ave. in Troy's North Central neighborhood and later on 10th Street  although the building was torn down. There's a bronze bust of Connolly in Riverfront Park near the Uncle Sam statue.

He brought his labor activism back to Ireland when he returned in 1905 and later headed a group called the Irish Citizen Army, one of the militant factions of Irish nationalists that organized the 1916 rising. They seized several public buildings in Dublin and on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, Patrick Pearse read the Proclamation of the Republic from the steps of the General Post Office. The one-page manifesto announced the birth of a sovereign, self-determined Irish Republic based on the ideals of liberty and equality for all Irish people. It also strongly endorsed equal rights for women, four years before the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in the United States.

On May 12, 1916, Connolly, already badly wounded during the fighting, was tied to a chair at Kilmainham Jail and executed by a British firing squad. He and the other executed leaders were hailed as martyrs for Ireland.

Coogan's talk and an exhibit at the Irish Heritage Museum underscored the role women played in the 1916 uprising. Coogan focused on activist Kathleen Clarke, whose husband, Tom Clarke, and younger brother, Ned Daly, were executed for their participation in the uprising. She established the Irish National Aid Fund to assist families whose loved ones were killed or imprisoned in the uprising and she was elected an executive member of Sinn Fein, the political arm of the Irish Republican Army.

"She kept the revolution flame alive after the rising," said Coogan, who read excerpts from an interview he conducted with Clarke's widow.

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"Kathleen Clarke and many other women made great sacrifices that helped modern Ireland emerge," Cogan said. "They were patriots with a vision. It is important to honor them during this centennial year so that future generations will know what they did."

"It was one of the first great colonial rebellions that inspired others around the world," said Anthony McCann, a retired English teacher at Shenendehowa High School who grew up along the border with Northern Ireland. "They've been misrepresented by revisionist historians. They surrendered and their executions as POWs created a powerful independence movement."

"We prefer the true account that Coogan gives," said Dan Dennehy, a national officer with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and co-chair of the 1916 uprising centennial committee, who helped bring Coogan to Albany. "This 100th anniversary is generating a lot of interest in Irish history."

"This is a timeless story of oppressed people trying to assert their independence against a colonial power," said Ryan Mahoney, executive director of the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany. "As a country, Ireland is still working toward the promises laid out in the 1916 proclamation."

pgrondahl@timesunion.com  518-454-5623  @PaulGrondahl
It was the Tuesday of New York's primary, and here are a few things I had to do in order to prepare to vote in it that afternoon:

First, I had to arrange transportation. My daughter's car was in the shop, so we decided to do as we used to do when she was a small child and go to our polling place together. We figured we'd pop in first thing in the morning and catch a coffee afterward. Wrong!

The polling places most counties didn't open until noon.

Of course, that wasn't the case if you live in Westchester, New York, Putnam, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Nassau or Erie counties. There, the polling places opened at 6 a.m. All of these counties are overwhelmingly non-Hispanic white and, except for Erie County, which ranks 21st out of New York's 62, they are the wealthiest counties in the state.

So we determined that we could find a pocket of time late afternoon before she had to return to her job and before I had an evening commitment.

Then we double-checked our registration status. We didn't want to get there to discover that somehow our registration status as Democrats had been changed to independent, as happened in the Arizona primary. At least, we knew that our polling place hadn't been closed, as also happened in the Arizona primary, in which people in Phoenix waited hours in line, some until midnight, because the state had closed 140 polling places that had been open for the 2012 elections.

So, party affiliation status checked and schedules coordinated, it looked as though we were good to go out and vote. But not everybody was.

I have a friend whose schedule simply didn't admit any time between noon and 9 p.m. So no voting for him.

I have another friend, politically committed, but recently relocated from another state. No voting for him. The registration deadline to vote in the April primary was the end of October.

And apart from anecdotal evidence, the challenges to racial minority voters and millennials are real.

New York University School of Law's Brennan Center for Justice surveyed 1,006 people over the age of 18, and found that millennials face numerous obstacles to voting  and will continue to, unless there is significant reform. Some of these obstacles are related to the perhaps outmoded rules in some of the more significant primary states  New York and New Jersey among them  that do not allow independent voters a voice in the primary.

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The Brennan Center also found that, compared with whites, up to four times as many African-Americans and six times as many Latinos report waiting in line for 30 or more minutes. And Wendy Weiser, head of Brennan's Democracy Program, notes, "It's not just minority communities. It's also college communities."

She points out that younger people with less control over their work or study schedules may also be more inclined to register or vote at peak hours, while other groups, such as retirees and people with higher levels of professional autonomy, have more leeway in showing up when lines are shorter.

It continues to astonish how difficult we have always made such a basic right as voting in elections. From as long ago as 1776, when John Adams ridiculed his wife's hope of women's suffrage, to the 1965 Voting Rights Act prohibiting racial discrimination in voting, getting people into voting booths has been a genuine civil-rights struggle. And the Voting Rights Act has been challenged in the courts over and over, most recently in 2013, resulting in more restricted access to voting.

As my daughter and I set out to vote Tuesday, we did so with the knowledge that this is a right we deserve. Impediments to a voting citizenry defy and defame the values on which our country was founded.

Jo Page's email address is jopage34@yahoo.com. Her website is at >www.jo-page.com>.
A Polish investigative commission appears poised to charge Russia with the 2010 assassination of its president. Independent experts from the United States and its NATO allies could legitimize the politically charged investigation  and avert global conflict.

When a plane carrying Poland's then-President Lech Kaczynski and 94 other Polish officials crashed in April 2010 near the Russian city of Smolensk, the far-right Law & Justice party spun the tragedy for political gain. Playing on Poles' historic distrust of Russia, Law & Justice officials pinned responsibility jointly on Russia and their rival Donald Tusk, then Poland's prime minister.

Although previous investigations by both Poland and Russia found dense fog and pilot error caused the crash, the Law & Justice party wasted no time reopening an investigation after taking control of the parliament in October 2015.

As the investigation heats up, a murder charge against Russia is imminent. The investigative commission is composed exclusively of Law & Justice cronies, none of whom has expertise in air disasters. And the party's rhetoric is increasingly inflammatory: Minister of Defense Antoni Macierewicz last month declared the crash "an act of state terrorism."

But Macierewicz recently added that Poland would welcome independent experts to its investigative commission. NATO should take him up on the suggestion. A team of internationally recognized aircraft safety experts from NATO would elevate the investigation from farce to legitimate proceeding  and keep Poland from needlessly antagonizing Russia.

Without independent oversight, the investigation could have dire implications for global security.

First, Russian tanks in neighboring Ukraine serve as a reminder that the country does not shy away from military action in the region.

Second, Poland's NATO membership heightens the stakes of any formal charges against Russia  a reality not lost on those pushing the investigation. Law & Justice officials recently renewed requests for permanent NATO troop presence on Polish soil. The military presence would embolden those bent on provoking Russia. And a planned NATO summit in Warsaw in July could lend an imprimatur of NATO approval to the commission's findings, even without formal NATO involvement.

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Third, Poland occupies a crucial position between Europe's east and west. Its geopolitical importance was borne out by 20th-century conflicts. From the first shots of World War II to the first semi-free elections in the Soviet bloc, European peace and security rises and falls with Poland.

With NATO help, the investigation could be over before the July summit. Poles would have their closure. And an ever-shaky region would avoid plunging into war  and dragging the rest of us with it.

Krzysztof Szymborski of Saratoga Springs is a retired Skidmore College professor, and a dissident who did prison time in Communist Poland for his pro-democracy work. Kathrina Szymborski, his daughter, is an attorney in New York City, who previously worked as a journalist in Poland and Russia.
St. Annes Secondary School is delighted to be named as Anchor School for the 2016 Cycle Against Suicide.

The Cycle starts in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on Sunday, 24th April, and covers the entire island of Ireland for two weeks, before finishing in Dublin on Saturday, May 7th. St. Annes Secondary School will welcome around 1,000 cyclists on Tuesday 3rd May and Tipperary Town will host the overnight stop that evening. The next morning, Wednesday 4th May St. Annes Secondary School, together with Cycle Against Suicide, will organise a mental health event comprising of presentations, videos, music, celebrity speakers and an exhibition of local mental health services. The Cycle will then make its way to Cahir for the afternoon stop, before arriving in Clonmel that evening. Siobhan Ryan, the Link Teacher for St. Annes Secondary School said: Our school is delighted to host this important event and welcome the cyclists to Tipperary. The impact of this type of activity is powerful and far reaching, not just in our schools, but also in the community at large. It gets the conversation around mental health going, and highlights the support services that are available to those that need them.

Promoting positive mental health practices in our school, and the community, is an important task to St. Annes Secondary School. By becoming an Anchor School, and partnering with Cycle Against Suicide, we can continue to raise awareness of the issues around mental health and suicide. Its about encouraging people to know that its absolutely okay to ask for help. Cycle Against Suicide founder, Jim Breen said: This is the fourth year of the Cycle Against Suicide and were blown away with the phenomenal response from the schools involved in the Cycle. These schools are critical in helping us spread the message that Its OK not to feel OK; and its absolutely OK to ask for help. Each year over the two weeks of our annual Cycle, we give presentations in schools and communities all around the island of Ireland and we witness how hugely responsive students are to that message. We also see the value students place on their own mental wellbeing, and that of their friends and families.

Further information on Cycle Against Suicide, and how you can get involved, is available at: www.cycleagainstsuicide.com.
Bernie Sanders spent Tuesday afternoon at a rally in Erie, and then traveled to State College in the evening.
Merrill Corporation Announces Divestiture of Merrill Brink International

Merrill Corporation (www.merrillcorp.com), a global provider of secure content sharing, regulated communications and disclosure services, today announced it has entered into an agreement to sell Merrill Brink International, its language services division, to the United Language Group, Inc. (ULG). Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to be finalized by May 31, 2016. ULG is a language services company funded by private equity firm Northern Pacific Group.

The divestiture furthers Merrill's commitment to solving its clients' most complex content sharing, disclosure and regulated marketing challenges.







Merrill Corporation provides technology-enabled platforms for secure content sharing, regulated communications and disclosure services. Clients trust Merrill's innovative applications and deep subject expertise to successfully navigate the secure sharing of their most sensitive content, perfect and distribute critical financial and regulatory disclosures, and create customized communications across stakeholders. With more than 3,800 people in 41 locations worldwide, clients turn to Merrill when their need to manage complex content intersects with the need to collaborate securely around the globe.

United Language Group is a global organization headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota with offices in New York, Hong Kong, Galway (Ireland), and London. ULG is dedicated to building and managing a portfolio of high-performing and complementary language service providers. United Language Group adds value and leverages synergies for the collective benefit of its companies and customers.

Northern Pacific Group is a Minnesota-based growth equity investment firm focused on acquiring and investing in growing companies in the Midwest. Northern Pacific Group seeks to partner with ownership groups and management teams in order to add value beyond just providing capital. In 2015, Northern Pacific Group led the acquisition of Renters Warehouse.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005454/en/
[April 20, 2016] New Tiger Balm U.S. Ad Campaign Encourages Athletes to "Roar Back"

Tiger Balm U.S., a leader in the topical pain relief category, today unveiled a new national advertising campaign entitled "Roar Back." The campaign introduces new print, digital assets and a series of videos that encourage world-class athletes and weekend warriors alike to recover from pain faster by using Tiger Balm's pain-relieving ointments, patches, and rubs. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005398/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) "Professional athletes push their bodies to the limit in order to stay at the top of their game," said Kenneth Yeung, Founder and President of Prince of Peace Enterprises, Inc., the sole licensed United States distributor for all Tiger Balm products. "Just as Tiger Balm helps the professionals recover from their intense training sessions, it also helps the rest of us recover from the pains that come from occasional workouts and daily life." The campaign creative features three real world-class athletes who have reached the top of their respective fields: Olympic Triple-Jump Champion Christian Taylor . Christian won the Triple Jump World Championship in 2011, and repeated the feat last year when he produced the second-longest triple jump in history. As a 22-year old member of the United States Olympic team, he won the Gold Medal in the triple jump at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, becoming the youngest man in 100 years to win the sport's Olympic title. He is now training for the 2016 Ri Summer Olympics.

. Christian won the Triple Jump World Championship in 2011, and repeated the feat last year when he produced the second-longest triple jump in history. As a 22-year old member of the United States Olympic team, he won the Gold Medal in the triple jump at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, becoming the youngest man in 100 years to win the sport's Olympic title. He is now training for the 2016 Ri Summer Olympics. Professional Flatland BMX Rider Terry Adams . Terry has been competing professionally in flatland BMX rider contests since he was 16 years old, and has become one of the sport's most recognizable names. He has won dozens of championships during his 15-year career, including a gold medal from the X Games, and is a two-time winner of the sport's most prestigious honor - Ride BMX Magazine 's "Number One Rider" Award (NORA).

. Terry has been competing professionally in flatland BMX rider contests since he was 16 years old, and has become one of the sport's most recognizable names. He has won dozens of championships during his 15-year career, including a gold medal from the X Games, and is a two-time winner of the sport's most prestigious honor - 's "Number One Rider" Award (NORA). U.S.A. Gymnastics Hall of Fame Inductee Kristin Allen. In 2009, Kristin and her gymnastics partner won the United States' first World Games gold medal in mixed pair acrobatic gymnastics. In 2010, they took the gold medal at the World Championships. The duo also won national titles in 2008 and 2010. She also captured the silver medal at the 2008 World Championships.



AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer logo will be included in these ads to highlight 2016 as the fifth consecutive year that Tiger Balm U.S. has sponsored select Avon 39 events in major markets. The "Roar Back" campaign was created and developed by Inception Marketing, Inc. San Francisco, CA (News - Alert).

About Tiger Balm U.S. Prince of Peace Enterprises, Inc. introduced the world-famous Tiger Balm brand to the United States mainstream market in 1986 and has been the sole licensed U.S. distributor for all Tiger Balm products since. Trusted by millions for nearly 100 years, Tiger Balm's time-proven blend of herbal ingredients provides safe and effective relief for sore muscles, arthritis, neck and shoulder stiffness, and just about any other minor muscle or joint aches or pains that come along. Tiger Balm U.S. is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube. Prince of Peace is headquartered in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, CA with additional branch offices in New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, China, and Malaysia. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005398/en/

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[April 20, 2016] Wolters Kluwer Health Global Customer Support Teams Recognized for World-Class Customer Service

The Health division of Wolters Kluwer, a leading global provider of information and point of care solutions for the healthcare industry, announced today that the global customer support teams for UpToDate, Ovid and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) each received the NorthFace ScoreBoard Award? (NFSB) from Omega Management Group Corp. This marks the fifth consecutive year the teams have been recognized by Omega for excellence in customer service and support. The award is presented annually to companies that exceeded customer service expectations for the previous calendar year. Because of the unique "customer-only vote" criteria utilized by Omega, an expert in customer experience management strategy (CEM), the NorthFace ScoreBoard Award is considered the only objective benchmark for excellence in customer service. Customer satisfaction and loyalty levels are measured on a 5-point scale (or equivalent) four times during the year in such categories as technical support, field service, customer service and account management. Recipients are companies that achieve a 4.0 (or equivalent) or higher out of a possible 5.0, which puts them in what Omega has identified as he "Loyalty Zone" wherein they are successfully locking in profitable, long-term customer relationships. Wolters Kluwer's teams exceeded the average NFSB index of 4.5 points and tied the best-in-class rating of 4.8 points. Teams also achieved 100% satisfaction in the Customer Support (Ovid, LWW) and Phone (News - Alert) Support (UpToDate) categories.



"Wolters Kluwer takes great pride in providing customers with exceptional service and support throughout the relationship, as evidenced by our core value of 'Customer First'," said Diana Nole, CEO, Wolters Kluwer Health. "To be among just 37 organizations worldwide to be recognized by Omega for our world-class customer service, and to have done so for five consecutive years, is testament to the dedication of our customer support experts and their commitment to exceeding customer expectations at every touchpoint." About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2015 annual revenues of 4.2 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide. Wolters Kluwer shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. Wolters Kluwer has a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt program. The ADRs are traded on the over-the-counter market in the U.S. (WTKWY). Wolters Kluwer Health is a leading global provider of information and point of care solutions for the healthcare industry. For more information about our products and organization, visit http://www.wolterskluwer.com/, follow @WKHealth or @Wolters_Kluwer on Twitter (News - Alert), like us on Facebook, follow us on LinkedIn, or follow WoltersKluwerComms on YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005472/en/

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[April 19, 2016] Rise Broadband Opens Nominations for 2nd Annual Wounded Veterans Mountain Expedition

Rise Broadband, the nation's largest fixed wireless broadband provider of Internet and digital phone service, has opened the nomination process to send twelve military veterans on the No Barriers Warriors' Colorado Mountain Training Expedition. "We are very proud to again underwrite and actively help wounded veterans participate in this exceptional No Barriers Warriors' non-profit program," said Jack Koo, Rise Broadband's president and chief executive officer. With Rise's continued engagement, twelve nominees will be chosen for a fully paid Mountain Training Expedition in Rise's ome state of Colorado from September 10-17, 2016. The week-long Collegiate Range program includes off-site preparation, a 20-mile wilderness trek, ropes course and strenuous climb; all designed to push participants physically and mentally while providing a foundation for stretching goals, facing adversity and leading/serving others.



Nominations are now being accepted at www.NoBarriersUSA.org/Warriors/Nominate/ Nominees must be a veteran who demonstrates the desire to overcome his/her barriers and live a life of purpose.

Rise customers are encouraged to nominate their family members, relatives or friends. Self-nominations are acceptable.

Deadline for all nominations is Wednesday June 15, 2016.

Nominees must live in CO, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MO, MN, NE, NV, OK, SD, TX, UT, WI, or WY. No Barriers Warriors will review all nominations and participants will be announced by early August.

About Rise Broadband Rise Broadband is the nation's largest fixed wireless Internet service provider; offering affordable high-speed broadband (Internet and phone) services in 16 states with speeds ranging between 3 Mbps and 1 Gbps. Established in 2005 as JAB Wireless, Inc., Rise serves nearly 200,000 residential /commercial accounts in rural and suburban areas throughout the Midwest, Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions. The company also offers DISH TV service throughout its coverage area. Rise Broadband is headquartered in metro Denver. For more information, visit www.RiseBroadband.com. About No Barriers Warriors No Barriers Warriors is a non-profit organization empowering disabled veterans and transitioning service members as well as survivors of the fallen to break through barriers, find their inner purpose and contribute their best to the world. Learn more at NoBarriersWarriors.org. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160419005110/en/

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[April 19, 2016] MDA to provide critical component for the Japanese Experimental Module on the International Space Station

RICHMOND, BC, April 19, 2016 /CNW/ - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ("MDA" or the "Company") (TSX:MDA), a global communications and information company, today announced that it has signed a contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). MDA will provide additional grapple fixtures, which provide a critical interface between the JEM Robotic Manipulator System (JEMRMS) and mission support equipment of the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). JEM is a human-rated space facility designed and developed for conducting scientific research activities on the International Space Station (ISS), and uses the JEMRMS to support its experiments and maintenance tasks. The grapple fixtures are specially adapted to work with the JEMRMS and some of the payloads it handles, both mechanically and electrically. With Japan's commitment to extend its participation in the ISS program until 2024, these new grapple fixtures will support further JEM operations such as JAXA's innovative Small Satellite Orbital Deployer for launching cubesats from the ISS. About MDA MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to comercial and government organizations worldwide.



MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development. MDA's established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees operating from 11 locations in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDA." Related Websites

www.mdacorporation.com Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ("MDA" or the "Company") with respect to future events, financial performance and operational capabilities. The forward-looking statements in this regard include statements regarding the design and construction of technology for use in an extraterrestrial environment. Any such forward-looking statements are based on MDA's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. The factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this release include the contract not being terminated. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. MDA cautions readers that should certain risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. The risks that could cause actual results to differ from current expectations include, but are not limited to: changes in government or government agency priorities, mandates, policies, funding levels, contracts and regulations; failure of third parties and subcontractors; risks associated with the design, development and operation of technology for use in an extraterrestrial environment; failure of systems to meet performance requirements and technical standards; and failure to anticipate changes in technology. For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference should be made to the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.mdacorporation.com. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the form or content of this release. SOURCE MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.

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[April 19, 2016] JinkoSolar Supplies DST with 7 MW of PV Modules for Its First Project

SHANGHAI, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. ("JinkoSolar"), a global leader in the solar PV industry, today announced that it has supplied DST Enerji Elektrik Uretim A.S ("DST Enerji ") with 7 MW of PV solar modules in Turkey. After 19 years' working at power producer companies at top management level, Mr. Ali Can Takunyaci established his own company, DST Enerji, in April 2014. Following a solar power plant project development period, the first EPC project of the company became the Ortakonak-1 solar power plant with an installed capacity of 7 MW. This plant is located in the Konya province, which is at the central Anatolian region of Turkey, within a land area of 137.000 m2. The contract has been signed with the investor GNCR Holding in March 2015. Following design project approval and land development periods, DST Enerji started site work in September 2015. The company has chosen the JKM260PP poly crystalline modules from JinkoSolar for its important first project.



After an intensive site works period, the temporary acceptance with TEDAS (Turkish Electricity Distribution Company Inc.) was signed in early March 2016, and the plant got into commercial operation. "We have added our engineering during construction of this plant to minimize shadowing losses, cabling losses, transformer losses, and mismatch losses. String planning and seasonal tilt angle adjustment steel structure were also applied," Mr. Takunyaci explained and added. "The Energy yield results of the first month shows that Ortakonak-1 solar power plant will become one of the most efficient solar power plants in Turkey. I would like to thank my team, the investor and to our solution providers for their contributions to this wonderful project."

Arda Kristaporyan, Country Manager Turkey at JinkoSolar, commented, "We are very proud of becoming a partner of DST and developing such unique projects in terms of design, engineering and construction. Our flexibility, reliability and technical strength matched well with their requirements for a module supplier which enable us to have sustainable and exceptional partnership for the future. We are extremely pleased to see outstanding field performance of our partners using our PID Free modules which link us stronger with our partners and maintain our leading position in the market."

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[April 19, 2016] FICCI - MRSS Knowledge Report Released by Rajasthan Chief Minister

MUMBAI, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in partnership with the Government of Rajasthan organized the 9th edition of the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) to be held from April 17-19, 2016. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje who was the Chief Guest. While the inaugural session was held at Hotel Lalit on April 17, the pre-structured meetings and exhibition were held at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center (JECC) in Sitapura. The Minister of State for Tourism Rajasthan, Art and Culture, Krishnendra Kaur (Deepa) and the Tourism Secretary, Government of India, Vinod Zutshi were also present on the occasion. As many as 275 leading inbound foreign tour operators from 51 countries participated as foreign buyers along with 280 Indian sellers. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/10144352 )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130912/1005151-a )





The Immediate Past President of FICCI and Chairperson of the FICCI Tourism Committee, Dr. Jyotsna Suri said that a special feature of the GITB this year was released by FICCI - MRSS Knowledge Report on Inbound Tourism by the Chief Minister during the inaugural session.

This research helped establish the fact that the country needs the formation of India Tourism Board, to promote concept of sustainable tourism, strengthen the India Tourism offices overseas, create a central tourism repository, maintain co-ordination and align with the centrally-sponsored scheme, create a national emergency response system for the tourists basically and overall create experiences, not just tourist spots along with building infrastructure. "As knowledge partner MRSS has not only provided the data for the report but also has kept to the promise of 'actionable insights' by delivering a 14-point roadmap for tourism to be positively impacted. This strategic partnership between FICCI and MRSS is another significant step towards advancing opportunities in India," stated Raj Sharma, Chairman MRSSIndia.com. About MRSS INDIA Ltd. MRSS India relies exhaustively on usage of technology for data acquisition offering reliability, validity and faster turnaround times to its clients. The company has wide range of offerings such as eye tracking, mobile analytics, video analysis, facial recognition, digital tracking, online communities, neuroscience, emotional analysis, automated audience measurement, sensory sciences, etc. It is India's first and only listed market research company and also a member of MRSI and DIN (Digital Insight Network - Global). MRSS India is a subsidiary of Majestic Market Research Support Services Limited, one of Asia's largest full-service market research firm. MMRSS is a member of ESOMAR, QRCA, MRA, etc. with presence in 18 countries across Middle East and Asia Pacific region. Media Contact:

Shalu Mane

[email protected]

+91-9029678772

Corporate Communication Executive, MRSS India Ltd.





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[April 20, 2016] Astea International and Cumulocity Team Up to Provide Turnkey Internet-of-Things Solution Tailored for Global Service Organizations

Rapid Resolution, Increased Uptime and Improved Service Keep Customers Coming Back HORSHAM, Pennsylvania, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Astea International Inc., the leader in service management and mobile workforce solutions, and Cumulocity, the global leading provider of 'Internet-of-Things' (IoT) software and solutions, have teamed up to offer the most advanced and comprehensive end-to-end service management solution available today. The integration between Astea and Cumulocity will enable companies to offer new business models, shift from being reactive to proactive to predictive, increase revenues, and ultimately elevate customer satisfaction and retention levels. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160212/332698LOGO Whether on-premise or in the cloud, Astea is a leading global solution provider offering all cornerstones of service lifecycle management: customer management; service management; asset management; forward and reverse logistics management; third party vendor management; and mobile workforce management with enhanced workforce planning, scheduling and optimization. As service delivery grows more complex and competitive, companies committed to achieving service excellence require a comprehensive solution that delivers results. The availability of low-cost sensors, higher-bandwidth wireless networks, more robust batteries, cloud computing infrastructure, location-awareness technology, and analytics will move the traditional service delivery model beyond the simple alert-dispatch-repair applications to a more proactive, predictive outcomes-based service model. The connected, end-to-end solution will enable service organizations to immediately leverage the latest technology advancements to more accurately predict equipment failures, create usage-based maintenance schedules, reduce the number of truk rolls, improve inventory utilization, and meet greater service level agreement (SLA) commitments with fewer resources.



Rapid Results Specific benefits for customers include:

Significantly lower service costs . Field and call center technicians are armed with the information they need to rapidly identify and resolve problems on the first contact.

. Field and call center technicians are armed with the information they need to rapidly identify and resolve problems on the first contact. Greater customer satisfaction & retention. Proactive problem detection often resolves issues before they affect the customer, dramatically increasing product uptime.

Proactive problem detection often resolves issues before they affect the customer, dramatically increasing product uptime. Increased service revenue. Rapid resolution and superior on-demand customer service drive opportunities for increased revenue through new service offerings and business models. "Customers are demanding greater responsiveness, improved first-time fix rates, and guaranteed equipment uptime. These are areas where service organizations are competing to retain and grow business. The next generation of service delivery will be more proactive/predictive instead of primarily reactive," said Deb Geiger, VP Global Marketing, Astea International. "Simply adding more data is not necessarily beneficial and can be somewhat overwhelming for many organizations. In order to leverage IoT technology, service organizations must marry that connectivity with robust service solutions and analytics. The data has to be accessed and processed in a useful and meaningful way by leveraging solutions that can combine data from connected devices with other valuable data sources in order to provide a higher level of intelligent automation via filters, triggers, workflows, alerts, and insights." "We are excited to be working with Astea as their strategic partner for IoT. With this integration, enterprise service organizations will be able to take advantage of real-time information provided by their assets in the field in ways that will improve service, reduce costs, and create new service revenue opportunities and differentiated offerings," says Jari Salminen, Managing Director at Cumulocity. Astea will be holding a free webinar, featuring Cumulocity and demonstrating the powerful benefits that this joint solution can offer for service organizations interested in unlocking the potential of IoT. Be among the first to get an exclusive demonstration on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at 10:30am EST/4:30pm CEST to reserve your spot please visit: Simplifying The Internet of Things for Field Service. About Astea International

Astea International is a global provider of software solutions that offer all the cornerstones of service lifecycle management, including customer management, service management, asset management, forward and reverse logistics management and mobile workforce management and optimization. Astea's solutions link processes, people, parts, and data to empower companies and provide the agility they need to achieve sustainable value in less time, and successfully compete in a global economy. Since 1979, Astea has been helping more than 600 companies drive even higher levels of customer satisfaction with faster response times and proactive communication, creating a seamless, consistent and highly personalized experience at every customer relationship touch point. www.astea.com. Service Smart. Enterprise Proven. About Cumulocity Cumulocity is the leading independent Application Enablement and Device Management platform for the Internet-of-Things (IoT)  since 2010. Cumulocity is an open platform that provides a complete feature set for rapidly developing and deploying IoT solutions. The key features include Data collection and Storage, Real-Time Analytics, Real-Time Visualization and Device Management. Our open and publicly documented APIs and the open UI framework, enable our partners and customers to configure and extend the platform to their unique needs. Scalability, security and reliability are critical in IoT solutions - and our origins as part of Nokia Siemens Networks, the world's mobile broadband specialist, gives us the experience of securely managing millions of devices without service interruptions. And being available both as Cloud and On-Premise deployments, Cumulocity enables enterprises to start small and scale out to millions of devices with the deployment model fit for their business. For more information and to start your free trial visit www.cumulocity.com.  2016 Astea International Inc. Astea and Astea Alliance are trademarks of Astea International Inc. All other company and product names contained herein are trademarks of the respective holders.

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[April 20, 2016] TE Connectivity Posts Solid Fiscal 2016 Second Quarter Results

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- TE Connectivity Ltd. (NYSE: TEL) today reported results for the fiscal second quarter ended March 25, 2016. Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7815551-te-connectivity-q2-2016-earnings/ Second Quarter Highlights Net sales of $2.95 billion

Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS) were $0.90 , above the mid-point of guidance

Diluted Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations (GAAP EPS) were $1.06

Free cash flow was $165 million

Returned $1.2 billion to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends

Completed the acquisition of Creganna Medical Group (closed April 4, 2016 ), and the sale of the Circuit Protection business

Named a 2016 World's Most Ethical Company by Ethisphere Institute "I am pleased we exceeded the midpoint of our adjusted EPS guidance range. The company continues to execute well in a sluggish global economic environment," said TE Connectivity Chairman and CEO Tom Lynch. "Organic growth in our Transportation Solutions segment and SubCom business was offset by continued weakness in industrial-related markets. "We strengthened our harsh environment portfolio with the acquisition of Creganna and the sale of the Circuit Protection business. The Creganna acquisition doubles our medical business to about $500 million in revenue and establishes TE as a leader in the high-growth minimally invasive medical device market. "For the full year, we are reiterating our adjusted EPS guidance of $4.00 at the midpoint, an increase of 11 percent over the prior year. This outlook reflects a return to sales growth in the second half of the fiscal year and continued benefits from our strong operating model." FISCAL SECOND QUARTER RESULTS The company reported net sales of $2.95 billion, compared to prior year sales of $3.08 billion. Adjusted EPS were $0.90, compared to $0.91 in the prior year. GAAP EPS were $1.06, compared to $0.77 in the prior year. Free cash flow was $165 million for the quarter. GAAP EPS included $64 million of income from net restructuring and other charges (credits) partially offset by $6 million of expense from acquisition related charges and tax items. Total company orders were $2.7 billion, up 1 percent sequentially, excluding SubCom. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.00, excluding SubCom. OUTLOOK For the fiscal third quarter 2016, the company expects net sales of $3.0 billion to $3.2 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.00 to $1.06. GAAP EPS are expected to be $0.90 to $0.96, including acquisition related charges of $0.03, and restructuring and other charges of $0.07. For the full year, the company expects net sales of $12.1 billion to $12.5 billion and adjusted EPS of $3.90 to $4.10. GAAP EPS are expected to be $3.92 to $4.12, including acquisition related charges of $0.06, net restructuring and other credits of $0.01, and tax-related income of $0.07. The outlook includes the Creganna acquisition, reduced impact from foreign exchange headwinds and the impact of a 53rd week. The outlook assumes foreign exchange and commodity rates that are consistent with current levels. Information about TE Connectivity's use of non-GAAP financial measures is provided below. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures, see the attached tables. OTHER ITEMS Earlier today, the company announced the acquisition of Jaquet Technology Group AG (JAQUET), a sensor company with speed sensing products for the automotive and industrial markets. The transaction is subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and is expected to close later in the company's fiscal year. Learn more at http://www.te.com/usa-en/products/sensors.html CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST Internet users will be able to access the company's earnings webcast, including slide materials, at the Investors section of TE Connectivity's website: http://investors.te.com

The company will hold a conference call for investors today at 8:30 a.m. ET . For both listen-only participants and those participants who wish to take part in the question-and-answer portion of the call, the dial-in number in the United States is (800) 230-1074, and for international callers, the dial-in number is (612) 234-9960.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET on April 20, 2016 , and ending at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 27, 2016 . The dial-in number for participants in the United States is (800) 475-6701. For participants outside the United States , the dial-in number is (320) 365-3844. The replay access code for all callers is 390294. NON-GAAP MEASURES "Organic Sales Growth," "Adjusted Operating Income," "Adjusted Operating Margin," "Adjusted Other Income, Net," "Adjusted Income Tax Expense," "Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations," "Adjusted Earnings Per Share" and "Free Cash Flow" are non-GAAP measures and should not be considered replacements for results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies. The primary limitation of these measures is that they exclude the financial impact of items that would otherwise either increase or decrease our reported results. This limitation is best addressed by using these non-GAAP measures in combination with the most directly comparable GAAP measures in order to better understand the amounts, character and impact of any increase or decrease in reported amounts. The following provides additional information regarding these non-GAAP measures:



Organic Sales Growth  is a useful measure of our underlying results and trends in the business. It is also a significant component in our incentive compensation plans. The difference between reported net sales growth (the most comparable GAAP measure) and Organic Sales Growth consists of the impact from foreign currency exchange rates and acquisitions and divestitures, if any. Organic Sales Growth is a useful measure of our performance because it excludes items that: i) are not completely under management's control, such as the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates; or ii) do not reflect the underlying growth of the company, such as acquisition and divestiture activity.

Adjusted Operating Income  represents operating income (the most comparable GAAP measure) before special items including charges or income related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition related charges, impairment charges, and other income or charges, if any. We utilize Adjusted Operating Income to assess segment level core operating performance and to provide insight to management in evaluating segment operating plan execution and underlying market conditions. It also is a significant component in our incentive compensation plans. Adjusted Operating Income is a useful measure for investors because it provides insight into our underlying operating results, trends, and the comparability of these results between periods.

Adjusted Operating Margin  represents operating margin (the most comparable GAAP measure) before special items including charges or income related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition related charges, impairment charges, and other income or charges, if any. We present Adjusted Operating Margin before special items to give investors a perspective on the underlying business results. This measure should be considered in conjunction with operating margin calculated using our GAAP results in order to understand the amounts, character and impact of adjustments to operating margin.

Adjusted Other Income, Net  represents other income, net (the most comparable GAAP measure) before special items including tax sharing income related to certain proposed adjustments to prior period tax returns and other tax items, if any. We present Adjusted Other Income, Net as we believe that it is appropriate for investors to consider results excluding these items in addition to results in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted Income Tax Expense  represents income tax expense (the most comparable GAAP measure) after adjusting for the tax effect of special items including charges related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition related charges, impairment charges, other income or charges, and certain significant special tax items, if any. We present Adjusted Income Tax Expense to provide investors further information regarding the tax effects of adjustments used in determining the non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations (as defined below).

Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations  represents income from continuing operations (the most comparable GAAP measure) before special items including charges or income related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition related charges, impairment charges, tax sharing income related to certain proposed adjustments to prior period tax returns and other tax items, certain significant special tax items, other income or charges, if any, and, if applicable, the related tax effects. We present Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations as we believe that it is appropriate for investors to consider results excluding these items in addition to results in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations provides additional information regarding our underlying operating results, trends and the comparability of these results between periods.

Adjusted Earnings Per Share  represents diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (the most comparable GAAP measure) before special items, including charges or income related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition related charges, impairment charges, tax sharing income related to certain proposed adjustments to prior period tax returns and other tax items, certain significant special tax items, other income or charges, if any, and, if applicable, the related tax effects. We present Adjusted Earnings Per Share because we believe that it is appropriate for investors to consider results excluding these items in addition to results in accordance with GAAP. We believe such a measure provides insight into our underlying operating results, trends and the comparability of these results between periods since it excludes the impact of special items, which may recur, but tend to be irregular as to timing. It also is a significant component in our incentive compensation plans.

Free Cash Flow (FCF)  is a useful measure of our ability to generate cash. The difference between net cash provided by continuing operating activities (the most comparable GAAP measure) and Free Cash Flow consists mainly of significant cash outflows and inflows that we believe are useful to identify. We believe Free Cash Flow provides useful information to investors as it provides insight into the primary cash flow metric used by management to monitor and evaluate cash flows generated from our operations. Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by continuing operating activities excluding voluntary pension contributions and the cash impact of special items, if any, minus net capital expenditures. Net capital expenditures consist of capital expenditures less proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment. These items are subtracted because they represent long-term commitments. Voluntary pension contributions are excluded from the GAAP measure because this activity is driven by economic financing decisions rather than operating activity. Certain special items, including net payments related to pre-separation tax matters, are also considered by management in evaluating Free Cash Flow. Free Cash Flow subtracts certain cash items that are ultimately within management's and the Board of Directors' discretion to direct and may imply that there is less or more cash available for our programs than the most comparable GAAP measure indicates. It should not be inferred that the entire Free Cash Flow amount is available for future discretionary expenditures, as our definition of Free Cash Flow does not consider certain non-discretionary expenditures, such as debt payments. In addition, we may have other discretionary expenditures, such as discretionary dividends, share repurchases, and business acquisitions, that are not considered in the calculation of Free Cash Flow. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainty and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results, performance, financial condition or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, financial condition or achievements. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have no intention and are under no obligation to update or alter (and expressly disclaim any such intention or obligation to do so) our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. The forward-looking statements in this release include statements addressing our future financial condition and operating results. Examples of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include, among others, business, economic, competitive and regulatory risks, such as conditions affecting demand for products, particularly in the automotive and data and devices industries; competition and pricing pressure; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices; natural disasters and political, economic and military instability in countries in which we operate; developments in the credit markets; future goodwill impairment; compliance with current and future environmental and other laws and regulations; the possible effects on us of changes in tax laws, tax treaties and other legislation; the risk that the conditions precedent to our proposed tax litigation settlement with the IRS relating to our intercompany debt dispute are not met and the intercompany debt dispute is not settled; the risk that Creganna's operations will not be successfully integrated into ours; and the risk that revenue opportunities, cost savings and other anticipated synergies from the Creganna acquisition may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected. More detailed information about these and other factors is set forth in TE Connectivity Ltd.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Sept. 25, 2015 as well as in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports filed by us with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. ABOUT TE CONNECTIVITY TE Connectivity (NYSE: TEL) is a $12 billion global technology leader. Our connectivity and sensor solutions are essential in today's increasingly connected world. We collaborate with engineers to transform their concepts into creations  redefining what's possible using intelligent, efficient and high-performing TE products and solutions proven in harsh environments. Our 72,000 people, including over 7,000 engineers, partner with customers in close to 150 countries across a wide range of industries. We believe EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS  www.TE.com.



TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

































For the Quarters Ended

For the Six Months Ended

March 25,

March 27,

March 25,

March 27,

2016

2015

2016

2015

(in millions, except per share data) Net sales $ 2,952

$ 3,082

$ 5,785

$ 6,131 Cost of sales 1,990

2,031

3,878

4,060 Gross margin 962

1,051

1,907

2,071 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 367

391

707

777 Research, development, and engineering expenses 156

160

318

320 Acquisition and integration costs 3

14

8

38 Restructuring and other charges (credits), net (99)

38

(59)

63 Operating income 535

448

933

873 Interest income 4

4

10

9 Interest expense (32)

(37)

(62)

(71) Other income (expense), net 12

(5)

20

(75) Income from continuing operations before income taxes 519

410

901

736 Income tax (expense) benefit (130)

(94)

(188)

15 Income from continuing operations 389

316

713

751 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (9)

283

20

320 Net income $ 380

$ 599

$ 733

$ 1,071















Basic earnings per share:













Income from continuing operations $ 1.07

$ 0.78

$ 1.90

$ 1.85 Income (loss) from discontinued operations (0.02)

0.70

0.05

0.79 Net income 1.04

1.47

1.95

2.63















Diluted earnings per share:













Income from continuing operations $ 1.06

$ 0.77

$ 1.88

$ 1.82 Income (loss) from discontinued operations (0.02)

0.69

0.05

0.77 Net income 1.03

1.45

1.93

2.59















Dividends paid per common share $ 0.33

$ 0.29

$ 0.66

$ 0.58















Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:













Basic 364

407

375

407 Diluted 368

413

379

413 TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

















March 25,

September 25,

2016

2015

(in millions, except share data) Assets





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,150

$ 3,329 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $17 and $18, respectively 2,095

2,120 Inventories 1,635

1,615 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 534

476 Deferred income taxes -

345 Total current assets 5,414

7,885 Property, plant, and equipment, net 2,899

2,920 Goodwill 4,673

4,824 Intangible assets, net 1,435

1,555 Deferred income taxes 2,458

2,144 Receivable from Tyco International plc and Covidien plc 679

964 Other assets 283

297 Total Assets $ 17,841

$ 20,589







Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity





Current liabilities:





Current maturities of long-term debt $ 152

$ 498 Accounts payable 1,116

1,143 Accrued and other current liabilities 1,719

1,749 Deferred revenue 110

185 Total current liabilities 3,097

3,575 Long-term debt 3,732

3,386 Long-term pension and postretirement liabilities 1,315

1,327 Deferred income taxes 291

329 Income taxes 1,552

1,954 Other liabilities 448

433 Total Liabilities 10,435

11,004 Commitments and contingencies





Shareholders' Equity:





Common shares, 414,064,381 shares authorized and issued, CHF 0.57 par value 182

182 Contributed surplus 3,765

4,359 Accumulated earnings 7,406

6,673 Treasury shares, at cost, 56,563,475and 20,071,089 shares, respectively (3,498)

(1,256) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (449)

(373) Total Shareholders' Equity 7,406

9,585 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 17,841

$ 20,589 TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)











For the Quarters Ended

For the Six Months Ended

March 25,

March 27,

March 25,

March 27,

2016

2015

2016

2015

(in millions) Cash Flows From Operating Activities:













Net income $ 380

$ 599

$ 733

$ 1,071 (Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 9

(283)

(20)

(320) Income from continuing operations 389

316

713

751 Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash













provided by operating activities:













Depreciation and amortization 144

147

290

307 Non-cash restructuring charges 6

-

8

15 Deferred income taxes 6

25

(52)

(54) Provision for losses on accounts receivable and inventories 2

10

23

28 Tax sharing (income) expense (11)

5

(19)

74 Share-based compensation expense 21

21

43

44 Gain on divestiture (146)

-

(146)

- Other 39

16

54

46 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and divestitures:













Accounts receivable, net (228)

(53)

9

(19) Inventories 38

(19)

(61)

(180) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 286

8

302

11 Accounts payable 14

(19)

(41)

(11) Accrued and other current liabilities (8)

(39)

(138)

(241) Deferred revenue 1

(24)

(70)

(80) Income taxes (424)

(17)

(396)

(132) Other 26

(27)

3

(4) Net cash provided by continuing operating activities 155

350

522

555 Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operating activities (1)

48

(2)

138 Net cash provided by operating activities 154

398

520

693 Cash Flows From Investing Activities:













Capital expenditures (131)

(156)

(270)

(291) Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment -

1

1

6 Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (6)

(218)

(6)

(1,729) Proceeds from divestiture of business, net of cash retained by business sold 261

-

261

- Other 12

1

29

(2) Net cash provided by (used in) continuing investing activities 136

(372)

15

(2,016) Net cash used in discontinued investing activities -

(7)

-

(14) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 136

(379)

15

(2,030) Cash Flows From Financing Activities:













Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper 150

(362)

150

(92) Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 350

617

350

617 Repayment of long-term debt (500)

(250)

(500)

(473) Proceeds from exercise of share options 27

72

61

88 Repurchase of common shares (1,274)

(130)

(2,523)

(285) Payment of common share dividends to shareholders (118)

(118)

(245)

(236) Transfers (to) from discontinued operations (1)

41

(2)

124 Other (1)

(3)

(5)

(2) Net cash used in continuing financing activities (1,367)

(133)

(2,714)

(259) Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued financing activities 1

(41)

2

(124) Net cash used in financing activities (1,366)

(174)

(2,712)

(383) Effect of currency translation on cash 3

(16)

(2)

(40) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,073)

(171)

(2,179)

(1,760) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2,223

868

3,329

2,457 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,150

$ 697

$ 1,150

$ 697















Supplemental Cash Flow Information:













Interest paid $ 20

$ 18

$ 62

$ 64 Income taxes paid, net of refunds 547

85

635

170















Reconciliation to Free Cash Flow:













Net cash provided by continuing operating activities $ 155

$ 350

$ 522

$ 555 Capital expenditures, net (131)

(155)

(269)

(285) Payments related to pre-separation U.S. tax matters, net 139

22

140

26 Payments related to income taxes on the sale of the Broadband Network Solutions business 2

-

9

- Free cash flow (1) $ 165

$ 217

$ 402

$ 296















(1) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure. See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release. TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED)

















































































For the Quarters Ended

For the Six Months Ended

March 25,

March 27,

March 25,

March 27,

2016

2015

2016

2015

($ in millions)

Net Sales







Net Sales







Net Sales







Net Sales





Transportation Solutions $ 1,608







$ 1,610







$ 3,115







$ 3,222





Industrial Solutions 738







797







1,447







1,581





Communications Solutions 606







675







1,223







1,328





Total $ 2,952







$ 3,082







$ 5,785







$ 6,131























































































Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Income

Margin

Income

Margin

Income

Margin

Income

Margin Transportation Solutions $ 289

18.0 %

$ 323

20.1 %

$ 550

17.7 %

$ 618

19.2 % Industrial Solutions 63

8.5



84

10.5



129

8.9



170

10.8

Communications Solutions 183

30.2



41

6.1



254

20.8



85

6.4

Total $ 535

18.1 %

$ 448

14.5 %

$ 933

16.1 %

$ 873

14.2 %

















































































Adjusted

Adjusted

Adjusted

Adjusted

Adjusted

Adjusted

Adjusted

Adjusted

Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Operating

Income (1)

Margin (1)

Income (1)

Margin (1)

Income (1)

Margin (1)

Income (1)

Margin (1) Transportation Solutions $ 305

19.0 %

$ 333

20.7 %

$ 585

18.8 %

$ 670

20.8 % Industrial Solutions 84

11.4



112

14.1



162

11.2



210

13.3

Communications Solutions 51

8.4



61

9.0



137

11.2



127

9.6

Total $ 440

14.9 %

$ 506

16.4 %

$ 884

15.3 %

$ 1,007

16.4 %







































(1)Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin are non-GAAP measures. See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release. TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. RECONCILIATION OF NET SALES GROWTH (UNAUDITED)



































































































































Percentage of

Change in Net Sales for the Quarter Ended March 25, 2016

Segment's Total

versus Net Sales for the Quarter Ended March 27, 2015

Net Sales for the











Acquisitions











Quarter Ended

Organic (1)



Translation (2)

(Divestiture)

Total



March 25, 2016

($ in millions)





Transportation Solutions(3):































Automotive $ 47

3.9 % $ (43)

$ -

$ 4

0.3 % 76 % Commercial Transportation 1

0.7



(4)

-

(3)

(1.4)



13

Sensors 4

1.9



(7)

-

(3)

(1.6)



11

Total 52

3.2



(54)

-

(2)

(0.1)



100 % Industrial Solutions (3):































Industrial Equipment (26)

(7.9)



(4)

14

(16)

(4.9)



42

Aerospace, Defense, Oil, and Gas (29)

(9.6)



(3)

2

(30)

(9.9)



37

Energy (4)

(2.4)



(9)

-

(13)

(7.6)



21

Total (59)

(7.4)



(16)

16

(59)

(7.4)



100 % Communications Solutions (3):































Data and Devices (72)

(24.2)



(3)

(12)

(87)

(25.1)



43

Subsea Communications 30

17.6



-

-

30

17.6



33

Appliances (10)

(6.4)



(2)

-

(12)

(7.5)



24

Total (52)

(8.3)



(5)

(12)

(69)

(10.2)



100 % Total $ (59)

(2.0) %

$ (75)

$ 4

$ (130)

(4.2) %







































































































Percentage of

Change in Net Sales for the Six Months Ended March 25, 2016

Segment's Total

versus Net Sales for the Six Months Ended March 27, 2015

Net Sales for the











Acquisitions











Six Months Ended

Organic (1)



Translation (2)

(Divestiture)

Total



March 25, 2016

($ in millions)





Transportation Solutions(3):































Automotive $ 58

2.4 % $ (138)

$ -

$ (80)

(3.3) % 75 % Commercial Transportation (9)

(2.1)



(17)

-

(26)

(6.2)



13

Sensors 19

5.3



(20)

-

(1)

(0.3)



12

Total 68

2.1



(175)

-

(107)

(3.3)



100 % Industrial Solutions (3):































Industrial Equipment (49)

(7.6)



(19)

30

(38)

(6.0)



41

Aerospace, Defense, Oil, and Gas (62)

(10.3)



(15)

7

(70)

(11.8)



36

Energy 2

0.5



(28)

-

(26)

(7.4)



23

Total (109)

(6.9)



(62)

37

(134)

(8.5)



100 % Communications Solutions (3):































Data and Devices (142)

(23.8)



(11)

(31)

(184)

(26.0)



43

Subsea Communications 119

39.1



-

-

119

39.1



34

Appliances (31)

(9.8)



(9)

-

(40)

(12.6)



23

Total (54)

(4.4)



(20)

(31)

(105)

(7.9)



100 % Total $ (95)

(1.6) %

$ (257)

$ 6

$ (346)

(5.6) %







































(1) Represents the change in net sales resulting from volume and price changes, before consideration of acquisitions, divestitures, and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Organic net sales growth is a non-GAAP measure. See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release. (2) Represents the change in net sales resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. (3) Industry end market information is presented consistently with our internal management reporting and may be periodically revised as management deems necessary. TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES For the Quarter Ended March 25, 2016 (UNAUDITED)













































Adjustments













Restructuring













Acquisition

and Other













Related

Charges

Tax

Adjusted

U.S. GAAP

Charges (1)

(Credits), Net (1)(2)

Items

(Non-GAAP) (3)

($ in millions, except per share data) Operating Income:

















Transportation Solutions $ 289

$ 1

$ 15

$ -

$ 305 Industrial Solutions 63

3

18

-

84 Communications Solutions 183

-

(132)

-

51 Total $ 535

$ 4

$ (99)

$ -

$ 440



















Operating Margin 18.1%













14.9%



















Other Income, Net $ 12

$ -

$ -

$ -

$ 12



















Income Tax Expense $ (130)

$ (1)

$ 35

$ 3

$ (93)



















Income from Continuing Operations $ 389

$ 3

$ (64)

$ 3

$ 331



















Diluted Earnings per Share from

















Continuing Operations $ 1.06

$ 0.01

$ (0.17)

$ 0.01

$ 0.90



















(1) The tax effect of each non-GAAP adjustment is calculated based on the jurisdictions in which the expense (income) is incurred and the tax laws in effect for each such jurisdiction. (2) Includes the gain on the divestiture of our Circuit Protection Devices business. (3) See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release. TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES For the Quarter Ended March 27, 2015 (UNAUDITED)

































































Adjustments









Acquisition

Restructuring













Related

and Other

Tax

Adjusted

U.S. GAAP

Charges (1)(2)

Charges, Net (2)

Items(3)

(Non-GAAP) (4)

($ in millions, except per share data) Operating Income:

















Transportation Solutions $ 323

$ 10

$ -

$ -

$ 333 Industrial Solutions 84

12

16

-

112 Communications Solutions 41

-

20

-

61 Total $ 448

$ 22

$ 36

$ -

$ 506



















Operating Margin 14.5%













16.4%



















Other Income (Expense), Net $ (5)

$ -

$ -

$ 11

$ 6



















Income Tax Expense $ (94)

$ (4)

$ (10)

$ 5

$ (103)



















Income from Continuing Operations $ 316

$ 18

$ 26

$ 16

$ 376



















Diluted Earnings per Share from

















Continuing Operations $ 0.77

$ 0.04

$ 0.06

$ 0.04

$ 0.91



















(1) Includes $6 million of non-cash amortization associated with fair value adjustments related to acquired inventories and customer order backlog recorded in cost of sales, $14 million of acquisition and integration costs, and $2 million of restructuring costs. (2) The tax effect of each non-GAAP adjustment is calculated based on the jurisdictions in which the expense (income) is incurred and the tax laws in effect for each such jurisdiction. (3) Includes an income tax charge for the estimated tax impacts of certain intercompany dividends related to the restructuring and anticipated sale of the Broadband Network Solutions business. Also includes an income tax benefit associated with the settlement of audits of prior year income tax returns and the related impact to other expense pursuant to the tax sharing agreement with Tyco International and Covidien. (4) See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release. TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES For the Six Months Ended March 25, 2016 (UNAUDITED)













































Adjustments













Restructuring













Acquisition

and Other













Related

Charges

Tax

Adjusted

U.S. GAAP

Charges (1)

(Credits), Net (1)(2)

Items (3)

(Non-GAAP) (4)

($ in millions, except per share data) Operating Income:

















Transportation Solutions $ 550

$ 4

$ 31

$ -

$ 585 Industrial Solutions 129

6

27

-

162 Communications Solutions 254

-

(117)

-

137 Total $ 933

$ 10

$ (59)

$ -

$ 884



















Operating Margin 16.1%













15.3%



















Other Income, Net $ 20

$ -

$ -

$ -

$ 20



















Income Tax Expense $ (188)

$ (3)

$ 23

$ (25)

$ (193)



















Income from Continuing Operations $ 713

$ 7

$ (36)

$ (25)

$ 659



















Diluted Earnings per Share from

















Continuing Operations $ 1.88

$ 0.02

$ (0.09)

$ (0.07)

$ 1.74



















(1) The tax effect of each non-GAAP adjustment is calculated based on the jurisdictions in which the expense (income) is incurred and the tax laws in effect for each such jurisdiction. (2) Includes the gain on the divestiture of our Circuit Protection Devices business. (3) Includes income tax benefits related to deferred tax assets recognized in connection with the sale of the Circuit Protection Devices business. (4) See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release. TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES For the Six Months Ended March 27, 2015 (UNAUDITED)

































































Adjustments









Acquisition

Restructuring













Related

and Other

Tax

Adjusted

U.S. GAAP

Charges(1)(2)

Charges, Net(2)

Items(3)

(Non-GAAP)(4)

($ in millions, except per share data) Operating Income:

















Transportation Solutions $ 618

$ 51

$ 1

$ -

$ 670 Industrial Solutions 170

22

18

-

210 Communications Solutions 85

-

42

-

127 Total $ 873

$ 73

$ 61

$ -

$ 1,007



















Operating Margin 14.2%













16.4%



















Other Income (Expense), Net $ (75)

$ -

$ -

$ 94

$ 19



















Income Tax (Expense) Benefit $ 15

$ (18)

$ (11)

$ (206)

$ (220)



















Income from Continuing Operations $ 751

$ 55

$ 50

$ (112)

$ 744



















Diluted Earnings per Share from

















Continuing Operations $ 1.82

$ 0.13

$ 0.12

$ (0.27)

$ 1.80



















(1) Includes $33 million of non-cash amortization associated with fair value adjustments related to acquired inventories and customer order backlog recorded in cost of sales, $38 million of acquisition and integration costs, and $2 million of restructuring costs. (2) The tax effect of each non-GAAP adjustment is calculated based on the jurisdictions in which the expense (income) is incurred and the tax laws in effect for each such jurisdiction. (3) Includes $202 million of income tax benefits associated with the settlement of audits of prior year income tax returns as well as the related impact of $94 million to other expense pursuant to the tax sharing agreement with Tyco International and Covidien. Also includes income tax benefits related to the impacts of certain non-U.S. tax law changes and the associated reduction in the valuation allowance for tax loss carryforwards and an income tax charge for the estimated tax impacts of certain intercompany dividends related to the restructuring and anticipated sale of the Broadband Network Solutions business. (4) See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release. TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES For the Quarter Ended June 26, 2015 (UNAUDITED)

































































Adjustments









Acquisition

Restructuring













Related

and Other

Tax

Adjusted

U.S. GAAP

Charges (1)(2)

Charges, Net (2)

Items

(Non-GAAP) (3)

($ in millions, except per share data) Operating Income:

















Transportation Solutions $ 303

$ 5

$ 9

$ -

$ 317 Industrial Solutions 98

5

6

-

109 Communications Solutions 68

-

3

-

71 Total $ 469

$ 10

$ 18

$ -

$ 497



















Operating Margin 15.0%













15.9%



















Other Income, Net $ 11

$ -

$ -

$ (5)

$ 6



















Income Tax Expense $ (100)

$ (5)

$ (1)

$ 2

$ (104)



















Income from Continuing Operations $ 351

$ 5

$ 17

$ (3)

$ 370



















Diluted Earnings per Share from

















Continuing Operations $ 0.85

$ 0.01

$ 0.04

$ (0.01)

$ 0.90



















(1) Includes $8 million of acquisition and integration costs, $1 million of non-cash amortization associated with fair value adjustments related to acquired inventories and customer order backlog recorded in cost of sales, and $1 million of restructuring costs. (2) The tax effect of each non-GAAP adjustment is calculated based on the jurisdictions in which the expense (income) is incurred and the tax laws in effect for each such jurisdiction. (3) See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release. TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES For the Year Ended September 25, 2015 (UNAUDITED)

































































Adjustments









Acquisition

Restructuring













Related

and Other

Tax

Adjusted

U.S. GAAP

Charges (1)(2)

Charges, Net (2)

Items (3)

(Non-GAAP) (4)

($ in millions, except per share data) Operating Income:

















Transportation Solutions $ 1,193

$ 61

$ 39

$ -

$ 1,293 Industrial Solutions 352

33

44

-

429 Communications Solutions 204

-

66

-

270 Total $ 1,749

$ 94

$ 149

$ -

$ 1,992



















Operating Margin 14.3%













16.3%



















Other Income (Expense), Net $ (55)

$ -

$ -

$ 84

$ 29



















Income Tax Expense $ (337)

$ (22)

$ (29)

$ (36)

$ (424)



















Income from Continuing Operations $ 1,238

$ 72

$ 120

$ 48

$ 1,478



















Diluted Earnings per Share from

















Continuing Operations $ 3.01

$ 0.18

$ 0.29

$ 0.12

$ 3.60



















(1) Includes $55 million of acquisition and integration costs, $36 million of non-cash amortization associated with fair value adjustments related to acquired inventories and customer order backlog recorded in cost of sales, and $3 million of restructuring costs. (2) The tax effect of each non-GAAP adjustment is calculated based on the jurisdictions in which the expense (income) is incurred and the tax laws in effect for each such jurisdiction. (3) Includes $264 million of income tax benefits associated with the settlement of audits of prior year income tax returns as well as the related impact of $84 million to other expense pursuant to the tax sharing agreement with Tyco International and Covidien. Also includes $216 million of income tax charges associated with the tax impacts of certain intercompany legal entity restructurings made in connection with our integration of Measurement Specialties, Inc. and $29 million of income tax charges for the tax impacts of certain intercompany dividends related to the restructuring and sale of the Broadband Network Solutions business. (4) See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release. TE CONNECTIVITY LTD. RECONCILIATION OF FORWARD-LOOKING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO FORWARD-LOOKING GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES As of April 20, 2016 (UNAUDITED)









Outlook for





Quarter Ending





June 24,

Outlook for

2016

Fiscal 2016 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (GAAP) $0.90 - $0.96

$3.92 - $4.12 Restructuring and other charges (credits), net 0.07

(0.01) Acquisition related charges 0.03

0.06 Tax items -

(0.07) Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (non-GAAP) (1) $1.00 - $1.06

$3.90 - $4.10







Net sales growth (GAAP) (3) - 4%

(1) - 2% Translation 1

2 (Acquisitions) divestitures (1)

- Organic net sales growth (non-GAAP) (1) (3) - 4%

1 - 4%







(1) See description of non-GAAP measures contained in this release.





To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/te-connectivity-posts-solid-fiscal-2016-second-quarter-results-300254288.html SOURCE TE Connectivity Ltd.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[April 20, 2016] B2B Marketers Worldwide Can Now Access Top Customer Experience Knowledge Through 55 HD Advocamp Conference Videos

SAN FRANCISCO, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Influitive has announced the full release of all high definition videos from the 2016 Advocamp conference at advocamp.com/videos. In March, advocate marketing experts Influitive gathered 1,000 B2B marketing, customer success and executive leaders at the second annual Advocamp conference in San Francisco. Over 55 keynotes and TED-talk style AMP talks are available for viewing for free. For B2B marketers and executives seeking to improve customer experience, generate higher engagement and activate advocacy, the videos highlight some of the best strategies and stories from top leaders.



Jay Baer, founder and president of Convince and Convert and author of Hug Your Haters, remarked that "the Advocamp speaker lineup was amazing  ridiculous, even. I heard so many people talking about it, and asking the same question 'Are you going to be at Advocamp'? Advocamp is in the top three of all US marketing events, and is one of a few conferences I would pay to attend." Five suggested presentations to watch:

Daniel Pink : "Advocate Marketing and the Science of Motivation"

: "Advocate Marketing and the Science of Motivation" Jay Baer : "Hug Your Haters"

: "Hug Your Haters" Mark Organ : "How to Transform Your Life and Business Through Advocacy"

: "How to Transform Your Life and Business Through Advocacy" Maria Pergolino & Alan Manosca : "Create Advocates Through Surprise & Delight"

: "Create Advocates Through Surprise & Delight" Joe Chernov : "Scale B2B Word Of Mouth Marketing" Session slides from from the AMP Talks and keynotes can be viewed here. http://waypointgroup.org/ About Influitive

Influitive, the advocate marketing experts, is based in Toronto with offices in Palo Alto and Boston. Today's buyers are increasingly leveraging their peers' opinions and Influitive helps marketers tap into this force with its innovative AdvocateHub platform and Maven mobile app. By capturing the enthusiasm of their best customers, followers and evangelists, marketers gain direct support for their sales and marketing programs. From social media reviews and customer referrals to case studies and references, passionate advocates help support all stages of the buying cycle. Influitive's customers include some of the most successful and fastest-growing business-to-business software and technology firms in the world. To learn how to get your advocates working with you, please visit www.influitive.com. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160304/340532LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/b2b-marketers-worldwide-can-now-access-top-customer-experience-knowledge-through-55-hd-advocamp-conference-videos-300254341.html SOURCE Influitive

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[April 20, 2016]

EMC Announces First-Quarter 2016 Financial Results

HOPKINTON, Mass., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) today announced that its first-quarter 2016 financial results and news release are available on the EMC Newsroom (http://www.emc.com/q1-2016-earnings) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website (http://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0000790070&owner=exclude&count=40).

EMC will discuss its first-quarter 2016 financial results during a conference call and live webcast today at 8:30 a.m. ET. Webcast information and the related presentation are available on the EMC Investor Relations website at http://wwwemc.com/ir.







Connect With EMC

Connect with EMC on Twitter (@EMCCorp and @EMC_News), LinkedIn, Facebook and SocialSphere

About EMC

EMC Corporation is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service. Fundamental to this transformation is cloud computing. Through innovative products and services, EMC accelerates the journey to cloud computing, helping IT departments to store, manage, protect and analyze their most valuable asset  information  in a more agile, trusted and cost-efficient way. Additional information about EMC can be found at www.EMC.com.

EMC is a registered trademark or trademark of EMC Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks used are the property of their respective owners.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emc-announces-first-quarter-2016-financial-results-300254436.html

SOURCE EMC Corporation
[April 20, 2016] Managed Mobility Services Market Worth 19.40 Billion USD by 2021

PUNE, India, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report, "Managed Mobility Services Market by Function (Device Management, Application Management, Security Management, and Maintenance & Support), by Organization Size (SME and Enterprise), Industry Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Managed Mobility Services (MMS) market is expected to grow from USD 4.56 Billion in 2016 to USD 19.40 Billion by 2021, at a high Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 33.6%. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 68 market data Tables and 50 Figures spread through 154 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Managed Mobility Services Market" http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/managed-mobility-service-market-176912020.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report. The Managed Mobility Services Market growing and is expected to rise considerably due to the enhancement and innovation of technology in this sector. Moreover, the demand for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is increasing among workforce to access business information through personal devices, which is encouraging organizations to adopt MMS for managing enterprise mobility. There has been a rise in the demand of MMS solutions that can be optimized on real-time basis, so that the needed information can be accessed and completed without any delay. Therefore, MMS plays a significant part in mobility value chain and is being implemented by most of the organizations globally. "Device Management segment (Device and System Management, Mobile Service Management, and Sourcing and Logistics Management) is expected to gain market prominence during the next five years" The device management segment by function is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. More than half of the total Managed Mobility Services Market revenue is contributed by device management and the trend is expected to continue during the entire forecast period. This is mainly due to significant rise in the adoption of BYOD among organizations to gain competitive advantage. The mobile device management is expected to grow due to the extensive usage of mobile devices for accessing business content. The security management is also projected to show great growth opportunities with a high CAGR during the forecast period. Requesta sample copy: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=176912020



"The market in APAC is expected to be grow the fastest-" Considering the regional trends of the Managed Mobility Services Market, North America is projected to hold the largest market size. The market in APAC is the fastest growing regional MMS market. This is mainly attributed to the presence of many developing countries and infrastructure in this region. The Latin America and MEA regions also depict great potentials in terms of adoption of MMS security management services.

The major players offering MMS are AT&T, Fujitsu, IBM Corporation, Wipro, Orange S.A., Hewlett Packard, and others. Moreover, there are various key innovators in the market that provide innovative MMS. The market on the basis of function is segmented into Device and System Management, Mobile Service Management, and Sourcing and Logistics Management. On the basis of organization size, the market is classified into SME and Enterprise. Further, the MMS market is also segmented based on industrial verticals and regions. The scope of the report covers detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the Managed Mobility Services Market, such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been done to provide insights into their business overview, products and services, key strategies, and competitive landscape associated with the MMS market. Browse Related Reports Managed Security Services Market by Service Type, Organization Size (Small and Medium Enterprises, Large Enterprises), Deployment (Cloud Deployment and in-Premises Deployment), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/managed-security-services-market-5918403.html Healthcare Mobility Solutions Market by Products & Services (Mobile Devices, Mobile Apps, Enterprise Platforms), Application (Patient Care, Operations, Workforce Management), End User (Payers, Providers, Patients) - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-mobility-solutions-market-1295547.html Enterprise Mobility Management Market by Solution (Mobile Device Management, Mobile Content Management, Mobile Application Management), by Services (Maintenance & Support, Professional Services)- Global Forecast to 2019

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/enterprise-mobility-management-market-31847012.html About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the world's No. 2 firm in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact:

Mr. Rohan

Markets and Markets

UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ

Magarpatta city, Hadapsar

Pune, Maharashtra 411013, India

1-888-600-6441

Email: [email protected] Visit MarketsandMarkets Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/telecom-it

Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets





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[April 20, 2016] Jackson County 4-H Solar Robots Power Up With Green Power EMC

JEFFERSON, Ga., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Jackson County 4-H clubs' high school robotics team have taken their technology to a new level by using the sun's energy to power their robots against other machines in competitions around the state. The team's robots draw power from batteries charged by a mobile solar generator provided by Green Power EMC. The team rebranded itself from the "Chargers" to the "Solar Chargers" to reflect their solar focus. Green Power, a renewable energy cooperative owned by Georgia's EMCs, assisted the club as it has participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition, held at the district and state levels. Additionally, the Jackson EMC Foundation, established by Green Power EMC member Jackson EMC, awarded the team a $6,000 grant in January to assist them in the competition. FIRST is designed to encourage students in math, science and related fields by combining the excitement of competition with the rigors of science and technology. At the state competition recently in Athens, the team received the "Excellence in Engineering Award" for their innovative lift mechanism, one of the most critical tools that robots use to compete successfully. The competitive robots score points by breaching opponents' efenses and putting boulders through goals in the opposing tower.



Adding to their innovation, the Solar Chargers robots in 2016 have been fueled entirely by solar energy. This makes them the only renewable energy fueled competitor this year, or in any year, in Georgia, according to the team mentor, Harold Jarrett. "What a great way to use solar energy  to show the opportunities of generating renewable energy from photovoltaics and storing that energy with battery technology for use in the state robotics competition," Jarrett said. "We appreciate all the support that Green Power EMC has provided our team."

Green Power EMC President Jeff Pratt called the team's work with solar-powered robots a great learning experience. "Green Power EMC is keenly interested in projects that combine education with solar power," said Pratt. "The Jackson County 4-H robotics club efforts will no doubt encourage more interest in solar by using it in a non-traditional application  in this case, to power competitive robots." NOTE: For a photo to accompany this article, please go to the following Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xvwbz30311463aw/20160409_194149.jpg?dl=0 About Green Power EMC

Green Power EMC was the first green energy provider in the state. It was created by Georgia's EMCs in 2001 and has been selling green energy since 2003. In addition to solar power, Green Power EMC obtains green power from renewable facilities all over the state, including low-impact hydroelectric, biomass from wood waste, and landfill gas generation. EMCs that own Green Power EMC serve more than 4.2 million Georgia residents. For more information about renewable energy efforts in Georgia, visit www.greenpoweremc.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jackson-county-4-h-solar-robots-power-up-with-green-power-emc-300254641.html SOURCE Green Power EMC

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[April 20, 2016] Feeding America Receives Grant From Tableau Foundation

CHICAGO, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America today announced the receipt of a $1.9 million in-kind grant from Tableau Foundation, which will provide Tableau software licenses to all 200 food banks in the Feeding America network. Tableau's data analytics software lets anyone see, understand, and share their data. When using Tableau, food bankers can work with dashboards, data storyboards and maps, as well as interactive graphs and charts to help better manage their operations and ultimately close the meal gap in their community. "Tableau will help our food banks turn spreadsheets into interactive visualizations that answer questions and inform decisions. Everyone involved in supporting their local food bank  from staff to donors, volunteers and government leaders  will be able to see and understand the data," said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. "Tableau will convey data regarding food, funds and the people served by each individual food bank. As a result, Tableau will help food banks take a giant step forward to creating a culture of data-driven decision making throughout the network, so that they can better serve their communities." The impact of the Tableau visualizations has already been felt throughout the Feeding America network. One of the first visualizations created by analysts on staff at the national office of Feeding America is the "Performance Benchmarking Dashboard". Designed to assist food banks identify other food banks in the network that are excelling on certain key performance indicators, the Dashboard has facilitated the exchange of best practices and innovative thinking. Because Feeding America has set very aggressive goals for meal distribution in the next 10 years, such ideas are necessary to help food banks meet those goals. In addition to the software products, Tableau will support the implementation of the Feeding America Data Fellowship program, a group of 15 analysts from both Feeding America and the network. Data Fellows wll receive intensive training from Interworks, the Tableau training partner, over a twelve-month period. The Data Fellows in turn will provide training, User Group support, and capacity building services to other food banks using Tableau.



Feeding America has developed other visualizations designed for its members, which include a Retail Opportunity Map, a Distribution Compliance Planning Tool, and a Meal Gap Strategic Planning Tool. The Retail Opportunity Map helps members streamline the logistics of recovering food and grocery products from partner retail stores. The two planning tools help members target food distribution to those areas of the country where food insecurity is at high levels. One member, upon using the Meal Gap Strategic Planning tool said, "The visualization makes it easier to understand that we need very different strategies to meet the meal gap in different counties. We already knew that, but seeing the scale of difference has a bigger impact than just looking at the numbers." Not only will Feeding America continue to develop other visualizations for use by network food banks and the national management team, but they will also be facilitating the use of an internal secure website provided by Tableau where individual food banks can post and share their own visualizations both privately and network-wide.

"These secure websites can be used for donor and Board presentations, for example; whereas the network-wide website can be used to view and interact with "vizzes" prepared and published by Feeding America and other food banks in the network," Aviv said. "In this way, Tableau has enabled our food bank users to become exposed to data analyses in new and creative ways," Aviv continued. "We again thank the Tableau Foundation for this generous gift, which greatly will help us provide more food to more people in need," Aviv said. About Feeding America

Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through food pantries and meal programs in communities throughout America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica. About Tableau Foundation

The Tableau Foundation is an initiative led by the employees of Tableau Software (NYSE: DATA) that encourages the use of facts and analytical reasoning to solve the world's problems. Tableau Foundation grants combine Tableau's two most valuable resources  its people and its products  with financial support to nonprofits that are using data to reshape communities around the globe. Since 2014, the Tableau Foundation and Tableau employees have contributed 5,029 volunteer hours and $8.8m to 1,437 nonprofits worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.tableaufoundation.org. Contact:

Ross Fraser

Feeding America

312.641.6422 Steve Schwartz

Tableau Foundation

206.410.3003 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140711/126271 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/feeding-america-receives-grant-from-tableau-foundation-300254701.html SOURCE Feeding America

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[April 20, 2016] NASA Langley Marks a Decade of Atmospheric Science From CALIPSO

HAMPTON, Va., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It was supposed to be a three-year mission, but it turned into a few billion more measurements and seven extra years of science. On Thursday, April 21, NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and the French Space Agency Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the launch of CALIPSO, or the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation satellite mission at 2 p.m. in Langley's Reid Conference Center. Media who wish to attend should contact Chris Rink at 757-864-6786, or by email at [email protected], by noon on the day of the event for credentials and entry to Langley. The celebration will include remarks from the CALIPSO principal investigator, NASA Langley's David Winker; the CALIPSO co-principal investigator, Jacques Pelon from France's Institut Pierre Simon Laplace; Mike Gazarik, vice president of engineering for Ball Aerospace; Pierre Tabary, programme manager for Atmosphere, Meteorology, Climate at CNES; and a keyote address from Gale Allen, NASA's deputy chief scientist.



A pioneering research partnership between NASA Langley and CNES, CALIPSO launched on April 28, 2006 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, with the CloudSat satellite, another NASA Earth observing mission to study clouds and aerosols, tiny particles suspended in the air. For 10 years, CALIPSO has orbited the Earth and taken more than 5.7 billion lidar (light detection and ranging) measurements that probe the vertical structure and properties of clouds and aerosols such as dust, sea salt, ash and soot. CALIPSO is adding to scientists' understanding of how changes in clouds and atmospheric aerosols shape the Earth's weather, climate and air quality.

Ball Aerospace built the lidar, wide-field camera instrument, the communications equipment and integrated the payload on the spacecraft. The mission exceeded its planned lifetime as a three-year mission. CALIPSO and CloudSat continue to fly in formation with the Aqua, Aura, Global Change Observation Mission-Water (GCOM-W) and Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)-2, known as the A-Train satellite constellation. More than 1,500 scientific and technical reports and published research papers have used CALIPSO data. Many of those combine CALIPSO's lidar measurements with CloudSat's cloud profiling radar data, as well as that of other A-Train instruments. For more information about NASA Langley's CALIPSO mission, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/calipso/main/index.html NASA Langley press releases are available automatically by sending an e-mail message to [email protected] with the word Subscribe in the subject line. You will receive an e-mail asking you to visit a link to confirm the action. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail message to [email protected] with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-langley-marks-a-decade-of-atmospheric-science-from-calipso-300254815.html SOURCE NASA

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[April 20, 2016] Replicon Recognized Among Top 100 ICT Leaders by Branham300

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and CALGARY, Alberta, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Replicon, the leading provider of time asset management solutions, today announced that it has been acknowledged as one of the top 100 leaders in the Branham300. The Branham300 is the most comprehensive listing of the top public and private companies operating in the Canadian information and communications technology (ICT) industry, as ranked by revenue. Canada's Top 250 ICT companies delivered another banner year in 2015, generating a revenue total of CAD$96.1 billion, an increase of 5.7 percent compared to the year prior. That new record number was driven by the impressive performance of Canada's Top 250 tech companies: 75 percent of the Top 250 generated revenue growth, and 54 percent delivered double- and even triple-digit increases. "It is an honor to be recognized as one of the top ICT companies in Canada, which is a testament to every employee's contribution to our strategy and vision," said Raj Narayanaswamy, co-founder and co-CEO of Replicon. "Replicon has always strived to be at the forefront of developing innovations that improve ow we work. As businesses and technologies continue to evolve, we look forward to meeting the changing needs of our global customers in how they can better manage their workforce, increase productivity and improve profitability."



Now in its 23rd year, the Branham300 includes listings of the Top 250 Canadian ICT Companies, Top 25 ICT Multinational Companies operating in Canada and Top 25 Up and Coming ICT Companies. It also recognizes leaders within various industry sectors. More information about the listings can be found at http://www.branham300.com/index.php. About Replicon

Replicon is the leading provider of time asset management solutions. Our award-winning solutions help customers capture, manage and optimize their most important and underutilized asset  time.

Our diverse customer base  from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies  trusts Replicon to increase productivity, improve project profitability, eliminate revenue leakage and maintain labor compliance. Replicon has offices in the United States, Canada, India, the United Kingdom and Australia, serving thousands of customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.replicon.com. About the Branham300

The Branham300, now in its 23rd year, is the best-known and most widely referenced listing of Canada's top public and private ICT companies, ranked by revenue. The list also tracks the top ICT multinationals operating in Canada plus Up and Comers, those young Canadian companies Branham thinks will be big hits soon. For more information, visit www.branham300.com.

Press Contacts:

Lisette Paras

[email protected]

+1 (650) 276 4660 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150901/262909LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/replicon-recognized-among-top-100-ict-leaders-by-branham300-300253876.html SOURCE Replicon

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[April 20, 2016] Vectrus wins communications re-compete worth nearly $12 million

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Vectrus Systems Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectrus, Inc. (NYSE: VEC), has been awarded a telecommunications contract for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) worth nearly $12 million. The newly named Enterprise Legacy Voice and Information System (ELVIS) contract, a re-compete of the USAFE Communications Support Contract (UCSC), was awarded by the U.S. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency (AFICA), Ramstein AB, Germany, and includes base and option periods that will run from October 2016 through March 2021. "We are pleased to be selected as the ELVIS provider and look forward to continuing our nearly 20 year relationship with Air Force communications customers," said Ken Hunzeker, CEO of Vectrus. "Our customers at strategic locations in Europe and Asia rely on Vectrus not only for facilities and infrastructure support services, but IT and network solutions as well. We plan to leverage our existing geographic footprint in order to expand our IT and network services business while providing more value to our customers." The contract provides for integrated and reliable command and control, intelligence, and deployable communications support to manned and unmanned Air Force sites in Belgium, Germany, United Kingdom and Turkey. The work includes such tasks as operations and maintenance for secret and non-secure Internet protocol router networks (SIPRNet/NIPRNet), local area network and communications security administration, telephone maintenance, Armed Forces Network support, and command and control switching system services. "Winning th ELVIS re-compete is demonstrative of our ability to offer customers valuable IT and network solutions at a compelling price, and we look forward to building on this success," said Chico Moline, Vectrus vice president for IT and Network Communication Services. "We are looking forward to extending our great relationship with our USAFE customer by providing timely and affordable secure communications and IT support for their critical missions in the region."



About Vectrus

Vectrus is a leading, global government services company with a history in the services market that dates back more than 70 years. The company provides infrastructure asset management, information technology and network communication services, and logistics and supply chain management services to U.S. government customers around the world. Vectrus is differentiated by operational excellence, superior program performance, a history of long-term customer relationships, and a strong commitment to their mission success. Vectrus is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., and includes more than 6,000 employees spanning 132 locations in 18 countries. In 2015, Vectrus generated sales of $1.2 billion. For more information, visit our website at http://www.vectrus.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Contacts:

Media

George Rhynedance

(719) 637-4182

[email protected]

Investors

Mike Smith

(719) 637-5773

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vectrus-wins-communications-re-compete-worth-nearly-12-million-300254685.html SOURCE Vectrus

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[April 20, 2016] MDA's First Quarter 2016 results conference call alert and Annual General Meeting

RICHMOND, BC, April 20, 2016 /CNW/ - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ("MDA" or the "Company") (TSX: MDA), a global communications and information company, plans to release its First Quarter 2016 financial results at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, May 4, 2016. MDA President and CEO Daniel Friedmann, and Executive Vice President and CFO Anil Wirasekara, will host an earnings conference call the same day, reviewing the First Quarter results, followed by a question and answer session. The call is scheduled to begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. PT (5:30 p.m. ET). To participate in the conference call, please call the conference line approximately five minutes prior to the commencement of the call: MDA Conference Call Dial-In Numbers:

Toll Free North America: 1-888-390-0546

Toronto: 1-416-764-8688

Vancouver: 1-778-383-7413 Replay:

Toll Free North America: 1-888-390-0541

Toronto: 1-416-764-8677

Passcode: 087460 # Replay available:

From May 4, 2016, 4:30 p.m. PT (7:30 p.m. ET) to

May 18, 2016, 8:59 p.m. PT (11:59 p.m. ET). The conference call will also be Webcast live and then archived at:

http://www.mdacorporation.com/corporate/investor/events.cfm



MDA will also be holding its Annual General Meeting at 1:00 p.m. PT on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Westminster Room 3, 7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC, Canada V6X 1A3. About MDA:





MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide. MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development. MDA's established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees operating from 11 locations in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDA." Related Websites:

www.mdacorporation.com Forward-Looking Statements

The above referenced earnings release and the associated conference call and webcast, which will include a business update, first quarter 2016 results and a question and answer session, as well as the Annual General Meeting may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (the "Company" or "MDA") with respect to future events and financial performance. Any such forward-looking statements are based on MDA's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions made in light of its experience and perception of historical trends. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond MDA's control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict. MDA's actual results of operations could differ materially from historical results or current expectations. You are referred to the risk factors to be described in above referenced earning release and in MDA's most recent annual Management's Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form, which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR, www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.mdacorporation.com. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the form or content of this release. SOURCE MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.

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Worried that ransomware might infect your Mac? Then you might want to try famed Mac hacker Patrick Wardle's new RansomWhere tool, which will try to detect and stop encrypting ransomware dead in its tracks.

(Image credit: Dragon Image/Shutterstock)

"Unless you've been living under an infosec rock, you're likely aware that ransomware is somewhat of a problem  to put it mildly," Wardle, a researcher with Silicon Valley security firm Synack, wrote in a blog post. "There are already claims that '2016 is shaping up as the year of ransomware' and that 'this is basically becoming a national cyber emergency.'"

However, Wardle's own tool may have its limitations. Pedro Vilaca, a Portuguese Mac hacker, posted a video showing a quick and easy way around RansomWhere this morning (April 20), only a few hours after Wardle had unveiled his utility.

MORE: What Is Ransomware and How Can I Protect Myself?

Several strains of encrypting ransomware have been targeting Windows PCs and servers, and more recently Linux servers, all across North America. Hospitals, schools and municipal government agencies have had to pay thousands of dollars to free their files, and the average PC user often must pay a few hundred dollars to regain access to his or her documents.

Macs aren't immune to this threat. In March, we saw KeRanger, the first known piece of encrypting ransomware targeting Macs "in the wild." It didn't work entirely properly, but the next strain of Mac ransomware will be more effective.

So Wardle took a hint from security-software makers Malwarebytes (opens in new tab) and Bitdefender, which have released their own ransomware-detection tools for Windows, and created his own, free anti-ransomware tool for OS X.

RansomWhere? (the question mark is part of the name, but we'll not use it from now on) starts upon boot and runs in the background to keep an eye out for non-Apple-approved processes that start rapidly encrypting files in the user's Home directory.

"If we can monitor file I/O [input/output] events and detect the rapid creation of encrypted files by untrusted processes, then ransomware may be generically detected," Wardle figured.

If RansomWhere spots such a process, it will suspend the process and pop up an alert window to notify the user. The window will show the file path of the suspect process, and the file paths of those that have already been encrypted.

If the user recognizes the encryption process as legitimate, he or she can click Allow to let the process resume. If not, he or she can click Terminate to end the process.

(Image credit: Patrick Wardle)

Vilaca's video, however, showed that he had created a proof-of-concept piece of ransomware called RansomNowhere that encrypted files in Vilaca's own Home folder.

"RansomWhere is a cool attempt but it's very much flawed," Vilaca tweeted. "Look at it as a PoC [proof of concept] and that's it."

Wardle hadn't responded to Vilaca's demonstration by the time of this piece's publication, but he did warn in his blog posts that RansomWhere was just the beginning.

"Both this research and tool are version 1.0, meaning likely room for improvement," Wardle wrote.
Its been a little while since we last heard from local pop-rockers Tales In Space. The Sydney based project came to our attention with their LP Formula which could best be described as an explosive collage of electro-dynamo-pomo-disco rock.

Since the release of the LP the mastermind behind Tales in Space, Luke Bertoz has kept a low profile  but today hes back with the release of Stormy Eyes and its a stunning re-introduction to this incredible alt-pop talent.

Stormy Eyes comes as a result of Bertoz being deeply immersed in song writing at his Coogee studio, creating album number two, due for release later this year. In amongst producing his own music, hes been producing emerging and top Australian artists including the forthcoming Dappled Cities record.

Check out the killer new single below and if you like what youre hearing stay locked to Tales In Spaces Facebook page for more info.
In a shocking twist that threatens to shake the very foundations of all we know about life in the universe, a study by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics (BOCSAR) has found an increase in the number of assaults at Sydneys Star casino since the lockouts were introduced.

As the AAP reports, the Pyrmont venue, which is exempt from the lockout laws for very logical and transparent reasons, has become one of Sydneys violence hotspots in the wake of the states controversial laws.

In fact, Pyrmont is the only central city suburb to see an increase in assaults since the lockouts were introduced. According to BOCSAR statistics, non-domestic assaults in the Pyrmont area have increased to average almost 13 assaults per month since the lockouts.

Thats an increase of about two more assaults per month than before the lockouts. Considering the fact that previously published statistics indicated that assaults were on the decline in NSW prior to the lockouts, this is certainly curious.

BOCSAR found that almost half of the assaults in the area occurred near the casino (after all, people pretty much flock to the area just for the casino). 71 percent of victims were casino patrons and about 15 percent were taxi drivers.

You may be tempted to write off the increase as simply minor, but remember that BOCSAR did not find a similar increase in assaults in other popular lockout-free nightlife areas like Newtown, Bondi, or Double Bay.

[include_post id=477084]

This is the only one so far we can see an increase in, BOCSAR director Don Weatherburn told the AAP. However, the Star isnt worried about the increase, saying their own numbers show a reduction in assaults between 2014 and 2015.

BOCSARs report comes amid a government review of the lockouts, which will include a discussion over whether restrictions should be placed on venues like the Star casino. The review is expected to be published later this year.

You can read BOCSARs full report here.
BEHIND THE SCENES AIRPORT CONSULTANTS ARE PITCHING NEW LACTATION LUXURY LACTATION ROOMS FOR THE KANSAS CITY SINGLE-TERMINAL AIRPORT AS ONE OF MANY BENEFITS OF THE NEW FACILITY!!!

"Yeah, this was a funny aspect of the new pitch but I guess it's something we need to consider. At this point, (Mayor) Sly and his team are grasping at straws (and I guess boobs) in order to justify this expense."

Controversy over breast feeding raises the stakes of the debate over a new airport in Kansas City as developers talk public accommodation improvements instead of just tourist trap restaurants.To wit . . .The alternative to this pricey solution that could cost Kansas City travelersover the long run is simplythat's barely better than taking hungry children to restaurant stalls . . .A Kansas City insider told us this . . .Missouri's own Sen. McCaskill is pushing new legislation mandating better accommodations for nursing moms at airports across the nation.Like it or not and in fairness, while the existing terminals are convenient . . . Accommodations for nursing moms are few. Only 8 of 100 airports surveyed met the minimum standard and lactation rooms aren't featured in the new renovation model for the current airport.Now, the alternative perspective here is thatwhich would require a change conservative Midwestern values but might make air travel just a bit more convenient for families. Either way, women whipping them out in public could provide a welcomed distraction betwixt flightsa nice spot to freshen up airport coffee for ladies who don't mind sharing.You decide . . .
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Business France, the agency for the internationalisation of French business, is set to host key business meetings with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) to showcase the expertise of French companies in the nuclear sector and promote their know-how with the Emirati group.



The meetings, to be organised from April 26 to 28 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, will provide an opportunity to 16 French majors to meet Emirati firms and develop partnerships with them.



French Nuclear Industry Exporters' Association will be jointly hosting the meeting, which will allow participating companies to promote their know-how with Enec.



The meeting comes at a time when Enec is set to start work on the development of the second phase of its nuclear programme. The UAE nuclear major will launch a second call for tenders over the next few years.

This expansion of the nuclear market represents a tremendous opportunity for the French nuclear industry, which would be well-advised to develop business relations with Enec as a matter of urgency, said a senior official of Business France.



With its 19 power plants and 58 reactors (second only to the US), France has globally-recognised technological and operational know-how as a result of which it has access to real export opportunities, remarked Emmanuel Galland, the project manager.



"Although France launched its nuclear programme after other countries, it made up for lost time by building two to three reactors a year every year until the start of the 90s," stated Galland.



"The result is that, it has been able to maintain its know-how and has not suffered from any loss of knowledge transfer, contrary to other pioneering countries," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Construction work is due to start later this year on a major new copper tube mill worth $46 million at Omans Sohar Port and Freezone, following a land lease agreement signed with the freezone authority.



As per the agreement, the mill will be built over an area of 35,000 sq m with a further 30,000 sq m of land having been set aside to increase the plants capacity to 30,000 T in the future, reported the Oman Daily Observer.



The plant, with a capacity of 15,000 T of high technology copper tubing per annum, is due for start-up by mid-2018, with full production scheduled by October 2018, said the report.



An agreement to this effect was recently signed by Jamal T Aziz, chief executive of Sohar Freezone, and Marc Evertse, executive commercial manager, Sohar Port and Freezone in the presence of Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, chairman of Sohar Industrial Port Company at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, it added.



This latest addition to the burgeoning free zone metals cluster will produce mainly inner-grooved copper tubes, as well as plain copper tubes, both of which are widely used in the manufacturing of heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC) systems.



The plants technology is most commonly known as cast and roll and comprises of three distinct production stages.



The raw material (copper cathodes), which is then formed directly into mother tubes, will be sourced from Iran or the local market, said the report.



Investments in the plant, that total around $46 million, are to be split between four main shareholders: Middle East Investment Company, Mohsin Haider Darwish Invesco, Hussain bin Salman Ghulam al Lawati and Al Habib Holdings, it added.
Switzerland has become the first to officially signal its intent to participate in Expo 2020, to be held in Dubai, UAE.



Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee and chairman of Dubai Airports and Emirates airline, received a letter of intent on this following a meeting with Switzerlands Ambassador to the UAE Maya Tissafi.



Sheikh Ahmed said: Expo 2020 Dubai will be an international focal point where people and countries will come together to celebrate human ingenuity, and our shared ability to build a better future. We are delighted that the Swiss government has committed to participate, over four years ahead of the start of the Expo. The decision is an important reflection of the international role played by the UAE, and the significance of Expo 2020.



The Swiss Federal Council agreed to take part in Expo 2020 at a meeting held last week. That meeting also agreed a budget for the Swiss Pavilion  which will be built on the Expo site  of Dh57 million ($15.51 million).



The Federal Council said: Given the economic and political significance of the host country and the geopolitical weight of the Gulf region, the Federal Council decided that Switzerland would participate in Expo 2020 in Dubai. Switzerland's presence will be a unique opportunity to present the country and its research capacity and innovation in the fields of renewable energies, mobility and the environment to a wider public.



Tissafi was joined by Wolfgang Amadeus Brulhart, director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Switzerland is a founding member of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which has had the responsibility for organising World Expos since 1928.



Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai, said: I am delighted to welcome Switzerland as the first national participant. We look forward to Switzerlands participation in Expo 2020, as a partner in bringing people together from across the globe, to share their ideas and together create a common ambition for the next fifty years of human progress. We are working to deliver a World Expo that inspires millions of people around the world, and marks the progress that UAE has made in its first 50 years. We aspire to build a legacy that provides a firm foundation for the next stage of the UAEs progress and development.

Tissafi said: Switzerland and the UAE are both countries that thrive on connecting others, through travel and trade. Participating in Expo 2020 Dubai is also of great interest to Swiss companies and the tourism sector given the region's economic potential.



Between October 2020 and April 2021, Expo 2020 Dubai will welcome more than 180 nations and an international audience of 25 million visitors to witness the very latest in thinking and technology, people from around the world will be able to share an experience that has one aim: to contribute to building a better future.  TradeArabia News Service
Oman-based Ithraa, a leading inward investment export development agency, yesterday (April 20) organised a one-day trade and investment opportunities business forum in the US, aiming to attract more US investment.



The Trade and Investment Opportunities in Oman: A Cultural and International Business Forum was held at the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center in Washington DC, said a statement from Ithraa.



The forum will focus on priority sectors and look to boost Omans long-standing and highly successful economic relations with the US.



The speakers include: Kathleen Ridolfo, executive director, Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center; Shireen Said, commercial attache, Embassy of Oman; Naomi Wiegler, international trade specialist, US Department of Commerce; Lee Oppenheim, vice president, franchise development, Precision Tune Auto Care; and Ian Davis, vice president, Government Relations, Occidental Petroleum.



Sayyid Faisal Al Said, director general of investment promotion, Ithraa, said: Trade promotion and trade facilitation services form a central part of what Ithraa does and we are particularly proud of our track-record of helping international companies set-up and export from the sultanate.



In tandem with domestic and international partners we offer a range of services, advice and market intelligence that give our clients the edge they need to compete in todays highly competitive global market. Indeed, we understand that foreign investment is a key driver of jobs and growth for the Omani economy and that is why the Washington DC event is so important to us, he added.



The forum gives us an ideal opportunity to showcase the wide-ranging business opportunities on offer in Oman, as well as build on the success of the countrys  US free trade agreement. It also provides us the opportunity to meet the next generation of US companies looking to do business in the Gulf and Asia, he concluded.  TradeArabia News Service
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that almost $2 billion in frozen Iranian assets must be turned over to American families of people killed in the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.



The court's 6-2 ruling dealt a setback to Iran's central bank, finding that the US Congress did not usurp the authority of American courts by passing a 2012 law stating that the frozen funds should go toward satisfying a $2.65 billion judgment won by the families against Iran in U.S. federal court in 2007.



Bank Markazi had challenged a 2014 ruling by the New York-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals that the money, held in a Citibank trust account in New York, should be handed over to the American plaintiffs.



"We are extremely pleased with the Supreme Court's decision, which will bring long-overdue relief to more than 1,000 victims of Iranian terrorism and their families, many of whom have waited decades for redress," said Ted Olson, a lawyer for the victims.



Lawyers for the Iranian bank did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.



The lawsuit was brought by more than 1,000 Americans who have waged a long legal battle seeking compensation for attacks they say Iran orchestrated. Congress inserted itself into the dispute by passing the law to help the American plaintiffs obtain the Iranian funds.



The plaintiffs accused Iran of providing material support to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shi'ite Islamist political and military group responsible for the 1983 truck bomb attack at the Marine compound in Beirut that killed 241 US service members.



They also sought compensation related to other attacks including the 1996 Khobar Towers truck bombing in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 US service members.



The ruling, written by liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, said the US Congress did not violate the separation of powers principle enshrined in the U.S. Constitution that gives specific authority to the government's executive, legislative and judicial branches.



Ginsburg wrote that the law was "no threat to the independence of the judiciary" because it did not apply simply to one case, but rather "multiple civil actions" against Iran filed by numerous plaintiffs. The law simply set a new legal standard and left to the courts to determine how that standard should be implemented, Ginsburg said.



As such, the law "does not transgress constraints placed on Congress and the president by the Constitution," Ginsburg wrote.



She also noted that courts generally give Congress and the White House greater leeway when it comes to foreign affairs.



Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, criticized the ruling, saying he believes Congress was "commandeering the courts to make a political judgment look like a judicial one." Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined his dissent.



The Obama administration, the US Senate and a legal group representing leaders of the House of Representatives all filed court papers backing the families.



The lead plaintiff in the case is Deborah Peterson, whose brother, Marine Lance Corporal James Knipple, died in the Beirut bombing.



"The Supreme Court's decision upholds the decisions of both Congress and the executive branch to hold Iran accountable for its actions supporting and sponsoring terrorism, and we are gratified that the court agreed that the law Congress enacted to provide relief to victims of terrorism complies with the Constitution," added Olson, the lawyer for the victims.



The ruling came during a delicate period in US-Iranian relations, following the January implementation of a landmark accord reached last year by the United States and five other world powers to lift economic sanctions in exchange for Iran accepting limits on its nuclear program.-Reuters
Russia said on Wednesday it was prepared to push oil production to new historic highs, just days after a global deal to freeze output levels collapsed and Saudi Arabia threatened to flood markets with more crude.



Opec member Venezuela predicted oil prices could crash in the next few weeks if producers failed to resume dialogue as the spectre of oversupply loomed once more.



Venezuela and top non-Opec producer Russia had been the main proponents of the output freeze deal, in the making since February, until it collapsed on Sunday after Riyadh said it would not sign unless Iran took part.

The deal had been meant to help the market rebalance by removing a large chunk of oversupply and a stockpile glut.



But Saudi Arabia said it could jack up output instead - by as much as 2 million barrels per day (bpd) to over 12 million, which would allow it to overtake Russia as the world's largest producer.



"They (Saudis) have the ability to raise output significantly. But so do we," Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told journalists on the sidelines of an international energy conference in Moscow.



He said Russia was "in theory" able to raise production to 12 or even 13 million bpd from current record levels of close to 11 million bpd.



Russian oil output has repeatedly surprised on the upside over the past decade, rising from as low as 6 million bpd at the turn of the millennium. Oil experts have repeatedly predicted an unavoidable decline but it has yet to happen.



Oil prices crashed to below $30 per barrel in January from as high as $115 in mid-2014 after Saudi Arabia decided to raise output to drive higher-cost producers such as the US out of the market.



The kingdom, Opec's de facto leader and the world's top exporter, has been pumping unprecedented volumes above 10 million bpd for a year.



Saudi Arabia says it has enough spare capacity to push output to more than 12 million bpd. It has never tested such levels, however, hence the market has little insight about its ability to do so.



"Of course they (Saudis) can increase output. They have been steeply raising drilling volumes recently," said Lukoil chief executive Vagit Alekperov, whose firm has been drilling for gas in Saudi Arabia.



Adding to the glut, Iran said it was determined to raise output to regain market share after the lifting of Western sanctions on the Islamic Republic in January.



Alekperov said Russia's government needed to approve new legislation to ease the tax burden on mature fields in Western Siberia and encourage exploration of other regions, otherwise raising production would be impossible.



"Our industry is at a very mature stage of development. We haven't launched a single new oil province since the end of the Soviet Union except for Northern Caspian," Alekperov told a panel with Novak.



Saudi Arabia has one of the lowest costs of oil extraction and its oil minister, Ali Al Naimi, has long argued that Russian output would soon fall because of ageing fields.



Alekperov said he believed oil prices had bottomed and should hover at around $50 per barrel this year, rising from 2017, due to a looming deficit as investment in crude production had fallen too steeply and too fast.



But Venezuelan oil minister Eulogio Del Pino said he was not sure markets had bottomed.

"We are close to 90 per cent of inventory levels already ... We could see a steep fall in oil prices in the next few weeks," Del Pino told the same panel with Novak.



With global supply still exceeding demand by 1.5 to 2 million bpd, producers in and outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have no other option but to resume dialogue, he said.



Novak said he was unsure whether Opec could reach a consensus before its next meeting in about six weeks' time: "This is a hard task which the countries undertook - to agree by June".-Reuters
A new study has listed `factories automation as one of the top three emerging trends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the UAE in 2023. The other two upcoming trends for 2023 in the two GCC countries, according to the study by Poly, are smart liv
Beginning this May, Laura Giersdorf will relocate to the Hurtigruten Oslo offices in Norway as Group Sales Agent for the North America Market.



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - April 20th, 2016

Yesterday, Hurtigruten, Inc. (USA) announced that Laura Giersdorf had accepted the position of Group Sales Agent.

Laura will be joining her husband, Nick Giersdorf, on an exciting new chapter in their lives. Nick Giersdorf recently accepted the position of Digital Marketing Executive North America, and will also be based in the Oslo offices.

They plan to relocate from Seattle, Washington at the end of April.

Gordon Dirker (Hurtigruten Managing Director, North America), commented yesterday:

"On behalf of all of us I would like to take this opportunity to extend Laura a warm welcome to our team, as well as safe travels to the both of them."

###
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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 19

Nearly eight months after DSP RC Meenas services were placed under suspension and his headquarters were fixed at Chandigarh, the Punjab and Haryana has asked the Union Ministry of Home Affairs or competent authority to make necessary modification regarding headquarters of the petitioner while he is under suspension.

The direction was issued as Justice Tejinder Singh Dhindsa granted regular bail to Meena in a graft case. The court was earlier told that an order was passed on August 31, 2015, by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, whereby the petitioner was placed under suspension and his headquarters were fixed at Chandigarh.

Meena, through counsel JS Bedi and Diya Sodhi, was seeking regular bail in FIR dated August 13, 2015, under Sections 120-B of the IPC and the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The case was registered by the CBI on August 13, 2015, and four persons  two Chandigarh Police officers and two prominent city-based businessmen  were arrested on graft charges. According to the CBI case, all four were allegedly putting pressure on a Mohali-based family and had demanded bribe for not arresting their members in a criminal case.

During the course of arguments, the court was told that co-accused sub-inspector Surender Kumar, facing similar allegations, had been granted benefit of regular bail by the High Court. Another accused Aman Grover too was granted the benefit of bail by the High Court, while Sanjay Dahuja was admitted to bail in the light of order dated January 29 passed by the Supreme Court.

Justice Dhindsa asserted, Without making any observations on merits and on the ground of parity itself, present petitioner is held entitled to the benefit of bail during the pendency of trial on his furnishing bail/surety bonds to the satisfaction of Trial Court/Duty Magistrate concerned. The benefit of this order would ensure to the petitioner, subject to the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court in the case of co-accused Sanjay Dahuja.
New Delhi, April 19

With the arrest of eight men, the Delhi Police said it has recovered 448 stolen, snatched and robbed mobile phones, including 310 iphones, all valued at Rs 2.5 crore.

The accused have been identified as Vicky (36), Nitin Kumar (24), Pawan, alias Bijendra (29), Tarun Kumar (28), Rajeev Kumar (original name withheld), Mohit Batra, alias Monu (35), Rohan, alias Kannu, and Tarandeep Singh, alias Ricky.

"With the arrest of an interstate gang of eight persons comprising three snatchers and four receivers and one associate of the receivers, we have worked out various mobile snatching and robbery cases of Delhi and other states. As many as 448 mobile phones out of which 310 are iphones of total value of Rs 2.5 crore have been recovered," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North District) Madhur Verma.

Vicky was allegedly involved in snatching of mobile phones in Maurice Nagar, north Delhi and he was already on surveillance of the Maurice Nagar police station, said Verma. His routes and timing were analyzed and graphed.

On April 16, a policeman spotted the snatcher on bike and started following him and relayed the information to the police station staff. The snatcher was apprehended after a hot chase.  TNS
Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 20

The J&K Police today strongly refuted the allegations of the mother of a Handwara minor girl that her daughter had been in illegal custody.

A police report submitted to the J&K High Court said the girl was not molested by an Army man as alleged by some quarters. Instead she was molested by two local boys on April 12 afternoon, it claimed.

On April 12, around 3.15 pm, a schoolgirl (name withheld) approached the police station, Handwara, with a grievance that she was molested, dragged and slapped by two local boys while she was coming out of a public lavatory at Main Chowk, Handwara, and this act defied her modesty, the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, submitted in the status report filed through Senior Additional Advocate General NA Beigh today.

She further stated that while molesting her modesty, the boys were telling kya Kashmiri ladke mar gaye hai (have Kashmiri boys died). She identified one of the boys as Hilal Ahmad Banday of Handwara and with regard to the other boy, she said she did not know him. Accordingly, a case vide Fir No. 130/2016 under Sections 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 341 of the RPC (illegal confinement) was registered, the report states, adding that in the meanwhile some subversive elements raised a hue and cry in the town that an Army personnel had forcibly molested a minor schoolgirl in a public lavatory.

This incited/provoked the locals and the news spread like wildfire in the whole Handwara town. The situation took an ugly turn and a violent mob gathered at Main Chowk. To disperse the mob and to tackle the situation, Army personnel resorted to firing, resulting in death of two persons, besides inflicting injuries to some youths, the police reports states, while blaming the Army for the civilian killings at Handwara Chowk on April 12.
New Delhi, April 20

The Union Cabinet approved signing the Paris Agreement on climate change  an agreement adopted by 190 countries after the 21st Conference of Parties last year  on Wednesday.

India will sign the agreement on Friday in New York at a signatory ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will attend the event.

India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement addresses all the important "concerns and expectations" of India.

More than 150 countries are expected to sign the Paris Agreement in New York  a number hat a UN body has said would break the previous record of 119 signatures for on opening day signing of the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in 1994.

The Paris Agreement will come into force 30 days after at least 55 countries that account for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions deposit their instruments of ratification or acceptance with the Secretary-General.

"The Paris Agreement on climate change is a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention (UNFCCC) and recognises the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances," an official statement said.

The agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries and their right to development.

It also recognises the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead and notes the importance of "climate justice", which India raised, in its preamble.  PTI
New Delhi, April 19

Most of the hitches in the multi-billion Euro deal for 36 Rafale fighter planes have been addressed and the remaining ones will be cleared in the next meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh said today.

The meeting of DAC, the apex body of the Defence Ministry for procurement, is likely to take place on April 21, a day after Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar arrives here from his visit to China.

Hoping that the Rafale deal would be inked soon, Indian Air Force Chief Arup Raha said, "It is at a very advanced stage."

Singh told reporters here, "I can only tell you this that most of the hitches that were there, have been addressed. A few (remaining) issues will be addressed, when possibly the matter comes up before DAC. They shall be addressed in the next DAC. And thereafter I think the road shall be clear."

He was asked as to when the deal is likely to be signed.

When the same question was put to Air Chief Marshal Raha on the sidelines of an IAF seminar, he said, "We have seen so many years go past. How can I give an assurance? But it is in a very advanced stage."

The junior defence minister brushed aside a suggestion that at least six indigenously made Light Combat Aircraft Tejas can be bought for the price of one Rafale plane, saying both the aircraft were totally different in nature and that IAF needed both.

India and France could firm up the order for the purchase of 36 Rafale combat planes as both the countries have managed to narrow down their differences over pricing.

The development comes nearly four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande signed a memorandum of agreement to purchase 36 Rafale aircraft.

The Indian side has been negotiating hard to bring down the price with Parrikar refusing to buckle under pressure even as questions were raised about the delay in signing of the contract.

Sources said the price for 36 Rafales, as per the UPA government's tender, keeping the cost escalation and dollar rate in mind, comes to a little over Rs 65,000 crore.

This includes the cost involved in making changes India has sought in the aircraft, including Israeli helmet-mounted display and some specific weaponry.

"The effort is to bring down the price to less than Euros 8 billion (Rs 59,000 crore)," the sources said.

The final deal may be clinched by May-end. PTI
Islamabad, April 20

An armed Pakistani gang that held 24 policemen hostage on an Indus River island has surrendered, army spokesman said on Wednesday, ending a gripping two-week standoff that has embarrassed the country's police.

The operation with more than 2,000 personnel of the police and paramilitary forces stumbled early on after at least six police officials were killed and two dozen officers kidnapped in an initial bid to take back the island in the southern part of Punjab province.

The army took control of the fight against the so-called "Chotu Gang" on April 16 after a slew of embarrassing headlines for police in local newspapers.

"Chotu with his 13 gang members surrendered unconditionally," army spokesman General Asim Bajwa said on Twitter, referring to gang leader Ghulam Rasool, also known as Chotu.

Bajwa added that all 24 hostage policemen were rescued safely and families of the gunmen being held there were also freed. The presence of wives and children, who were used as human shields, complicated efforts to retake the island.

The battle to dislodge the gang was launched as part of a sweeping crackdown on lawlessness in Punjab after a Taliban suicide bombing killed 72 people in Lahore, the provincial capital, last month.

On Tuesday, the army deployed troops, artillery and helicopter gunships in an unprecedented use of force by the military in Punjab, the political power base of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Chotu gang is blamed for hundreds of cases of kidnapping for ransom, murder and robbery. For the standoff, it built bunkers on the 10-km long island near Rajanpur, one of the poorest districts in Punjab.

Local TV channels showed footage of helicopter gunships targeting the island late into Tuesday.

While Pakistan's attention has for years been focused on the Taliban and al Qaeda threat along the Afghan border in the northwest, militants and criminals have quietly expanded their influence and won recruits in the country's heartland of Punjab.

Previous military crackdowns have focused on the lawless tribal regions where the Taliban and other militants are based.

Paramilitary Rangers also launched a crackdown on criminals in the violent southern port city of Karachi in 2013.  Reuters
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More than ever, maintenance is as much about safety as anything else.

Proper vehicle maintenance is always factored into the safety equation by progressive fleets. But the twin forces of increasing safety regulation and a burgeoning driver shortage are compelling the modern maintenance manager to do nothing less than think, live, and breathe truck safety.

Just the need to rack up a positive score under the federal Carrier, Safety, Accountability safety-monitoring program is impacting how maintenance is managed. CSA measures safety performance by violations. Whether those are compiled by roadside inspections or crash data, the resulting scores are attached to motor carriers and their drivers alike.

Now that the program has been running for over five years, many fleet executives have come to realize they cannot get their best score without sharply reducing safety violations under CSAs Vehicle Maintenance BASIC category.

On top of that, with unrelentingly high levels of driver churn, no trucking company can afford to lose safety-conscious drivers. And its the safest driver who has the most reason to quit if he or she feels an employer is dinging their own safety standing by overlooking, ignoring or deferring safety-related maintenance.

The maintenance manager is not tackling the safety challenge alone. The pressure for fleets to be safer in the eyes of the law and their own drivers  not to mention the motoring public  is breaking the maintenance department out of its managerial silo.

Everyones problem

Our view is that safety has to be part of the culture for everyone here, says Phil Taylor, vice president of fleet and procurement for Central Oregon Trucking Co. Taylor, who started his career as a driver, is one of the founders of Redmond, Ore.-based COTC, a 100% flatbed hauler now owned by Daseke Inc. of Addison, Texas. Safety is everyones problem, from the very top right [down] to the drivers and the mechanics.

He notes that the nine Daseke carriers work together on best practices and he meets often with maintenance execs at the sister companies. Daseke also has a cross-company safety committee, chaired by Brad Aimone, COTCs director of driver safety and services. The way we look at it, says Aimone, safety requires the concerted efforts of the safety and maintenance departments and our drivers.

Taylor says when it comes to safety and preventive maintenance, we stress the most important piece is the inspection process. Thats a culture shift from 20 years ago when maintenance people just fixed trucks. Because we run very new equipment, some complacency set in with doing pre-trips and what they should be looking for specifically. We then trained not only our mechanics but [also] our safety team and drivers on what they should be looking at and why. Theres been a dramatic improvement in catching things since we did this.

Along the way the fleet identified brakes and tires as chinks in our armor, so now theyre big target areas for us, Taylor notes. Keeping on top of those is also very important for our drivers, who may be out for a couple of weeks or a couple of months at a time.

COTCs brand of reaching out to its well-traveled drivers includes a nifty concierge service theyve be running for about a year. A maintenance tech greets each driver as he enters the terminal  often with a cup of coffee  and then conducts a debriefing on how his trip went, inquiring if any issues had cropped up. Taylor says this shows the driver how important he is to COTC and it saves him for having to hunt someone down to report a problem.

You have those management silos in companies, adds Taylor. But the lines are starting to blur. Here, were all looking to run trucks that are as safe and compliant as possible for the driver and everyone else around them.

Central Oregon Trucking Co. maintenance concierge Mike Gillespie (left) greets a driver returning from a long trip to the flatbed carriers terminal. Photo: Central Oregon Trucking Co.

Breathing safety

Employee buy-in is important, says Rick Tapp, maintenance manager for Paccar Leasing (PacLease). No one wants to do a bad job, and theres a lot of satisfaction in doing a good job. You really have to have everyone breathing safety. We hold regular meetings with our staff where we keep them informed of the costs of accidents and the role proper maintenance plays to improve safety. Periodically, well have a group of mechanics run through a vehicle inspection to see who uncovers what. Making the push for safety competitive helps.

Tapp directly oversees the maintenance of trucks fielded by PacLeases company stores and along with his team provides the lessors franchised dealers with maintenance reviews and other support.

Our service advisors have regular contact with drivers, such as when they are coming in and out of the yard, he explains. Some of our locations have fuel islands. At those, our fuel techs will conduct a mini-inspection. Its another opportunity to check over the equipment. We also do a lot of courtesy inspections of trailers our customers own to help catch things that need attention.

In addition, the team will approach drivers individually to discuss any equipment issues they have spotted, and get driver managers involved if needed.

At each of our locations, we work closely with customers safety teams. Well get in front of the drivers at customers safety meetings when asked. We help with things like explaining what they need to know to actually check the brakes properly when inspecting their truck.

PacLease targets the same areas that CSA looks at during regular preventive maintenance inspections, Tapp says. Since most of our locations use VMRS coding, we can see where repairs are being made and that alerts us of any problem areas that should be getting more focus.

In 2006, PacLease partnered with a telematics provider, making the system standard on rental vehicles and optional on leased units. It has evolved to where alerts can be sent on excessive brake applications and sudden starts and stops. And we can identify high-idle and high-speed trucks that are costing more money to run.

Tapp is a proponent of remote diagnostics, too, which comes standard on the Kenworths and Peterbilts that PacLease specs with Paccar MX engines. Whether the system is turned on or not is up to our customers, but not using it makes no sense. He says it monitors some 1,250 different faults, which can be monitored online, and sends email alerts on 117 critical faults that could cause breakdowns. The driver gets an in-cab warning as well and we can contact him directly with a plan to handle the repair.

Eric Peterson, vice president of maintenance of Dillon Transport, says at the Burr Ridge, Ill.-based fuel and dry-bulk hauler, being forward-thinking on equipment has lessened the potential impact of CSA on the operation. Weve been on disc brakes now for close to four years, which has eliminated a lot of our CSA brake issues, as has running with LED lights.

Newer equipment always helps, too, he continues, noting that trucks have collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, traction control, plus roll stability on all trailers, and camera-based event recorders on many trucks.

Other safety-oriented specs at Dillon include extra oval stoplights on the rear of trailers, and because were a tanker company, weve started specing on all new trailers a 2 or 3 o clock walkway position that helps protect drivers from falling off the tank.

Central Oregon Trucking Co.s Phil Taylor (foreground) checks in with a mechanic handling a PM inspection. Photo: courtesy Central Oregon Trucking Co.

Brotherly love

I thought [early on] that CSA was only going to make everybody better at safety, says Terry Clouser, vice president of fleet service for Fleet Advantage. The longtime fleet maintenance exec now works for the Florida-based firm that provides equipment financing and cost management to large private fleets. By having someone else  big brother  watching over it, everybodys got to be more compliant and watch their CSA scores. Vehicle maintenance has a direct impact on your overall score and its one of the easy ones to regulate.

He says the first line of defense against CSA is preventive maintenance. Make sure [technicians] identify all the issues while its in the garage. They should test the truck to make sure there are no fault codes, no service engine lights. No indication of any problem. Then the truck should run error-free to the next PM.

Clouser contends that deferring maintenance is only asking for trouble. If you have it in the shop and you know somethings wrong, and you have the parts and the time and the labor available to fix it, thats the time to fix it. If the supervisor or manager sees a trend of Part X or Y starting to fail, they need to look upstream before the whole fleet fails.

Scott Webb, co-founder and principal data scientist at trucking consultancy Ten Four Analytics LLC, Las Cruces, N.M., who has a prior 20-year track record in fleet management, contends that if a carriers overall goal is to improve its CSA standing, then the drivers should be the eyes and ears of the shop. They can identify problems before they grow.

However, he continues, drivers wont assist with this if they feel they have to be the squeaky wheel to get the attention their trucks need. The driver has to believe the shop wants to fix the problem. If trust is developed between the driver and the shop, the result will be solving maintenance and safety problems quickly and efficiently.
OKLAHOMA CITY  The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow for the collection of DNA upon a felony arrest or violent misdemeanor.

House Bill 2275, by Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, and Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, passed by a vote of 32-15.

It heads to Gov. Mary Fallin for consideration.

Jolley said the sample would be destroyed if charges are not brought, if the charges are dismissed or if the defendant is found not guilty.

Jolley said there is a lot of angst about the bill on both the far right and far left, with some calling it an invasion of privacy. But he said collection of the DNA will help investigators prevent and solve crimes.

A court decision has upheld the taking of DNA upon a felony arrest, he said.

Jolley said he believed the procedure would save the state money in the long run.

Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton, asked how the state would proceed if a person refused a DNA sample.

It is just like a mug shot or finger print, Jolley said. It is a third method of identification. If a person will not submit to a mug shot, they still get a mug shot. If they will not submit to a fingerprint, they get fingerprinted.

DNA can be taken a number of ways, such as a swab of the cheek, from hair or blood, Jolley said.

Right now Oklahoma collects DNA upon conviction for felonies and certain misdemeanors, Jolley said. Were in the minority of state that dont do this upon arrest.

This is the fourth time Denney has carried the measure.

DNA, as Ive always said, will convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent, Denney said.
Updated:

https://twitter.com/tomsteinfort/status/722736664091570176

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Amount of compensation unknown. But Faulkner and #60 mins are to be freed under " reconciliation". CARI crew still face charges.  Jacquelin Magnay (@jacquelinmagnay) April 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/tomsteinfort/status/722715575399641088

60 Minutes crew members are free to leave Lebanon following a deal reached between Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner and estranged husband Ali Alamine in Lebanon in the 60 Minutes ordeal.

I release all the Australian crew on bail because Ali Elamein has dropped the charges, the judge said.

That is the personal charges that have been dropped. But criminal charges remain. They will have to return for them.

If the Channel Nine crew do not return, they will be dealt with in absentia

Nine must pay compensation for the crew to be released.

Kidnapping charges against the CARI detainees will proceed.

News Corp reports the deal has been reached giving him custody of the children, with Sally Faulkner likely to be released in coming days pending paperwork. The deal would separate Faulkner from the other detainees.

Lawyer for Brisbane mum Sally Faulkner, Ghassan Moghabghab, told the newspaper earlier a deal has been done but would not elaborate ahead of a court hearing due to start at 11am local time (6pm AEST).

He described the deal as very positive.

Somehow we reached a deal, he said.
Next month Showcase premieres offbeat noir US series Hap and Leonard.

Hap (James Purefoy) and Leonard (Michael Kenneth Williams) are two best friends bonded by a life lived knee-deep in the Texas mud. When Haps ex-flame Trudy (Christina Hendricks) promises the down-on-their-luck duo a cut of some legendary loot, chaos ensues.

Based on the novels by Joe R. Lansdale, the six part series premiered on SundanceTV last month.

Set in the late 1980s, Hap and Leonard is a darkly comic swamp noir story of two best friends, one femme fatale, a crew of washed-up revolutionaries, a pair of murderous psycho-killers, some lost loot, and the fuzz.

Based on the novels by Joe Lansdale, the six-hour series event follows Hap Collins (James Purefoy), an East Texas white boy with a weakness for Southern women, and Leonard Pine (Michael Kenneth Williams), a gay, black Vietnam vet with a hot temper.

When Haps seductive ex-wife Trudy (Christina Hendricks) resurfaces with a deal they cant refuse, a simple get-rich-quick scheme snowballs into bloody mayhem. Chock full of eccentric characters, Hap and Leonard provides a country twist on the classic mystery thriller.

8.30pm Thursdays from May 5 on Showcase.
This weeks apology by Johnny Depp & Amber Heard is all a bit too surreal.

Much of what unfolded had already played out in the 1995 Simpsons episode Bart vs Australia.

It began after Bart racked up a collect-call down under to enquire about the direction of flushing water. The $900 dollarydoos bill, which so happened to involve a neighbour of an Australian Member of Parliament, soon escalated to a higher authority. After letters went ignored, the Australian Government indicted Bart for fraud, but a US official pointed out an apology to the Aussies may settle the case.

Marge: No, no, no! Im not gonna have my son go to jail over some silly tiff with Australia. Youll just have to find some other country to have relations with.

US Official: There is one other option. Theyll drop the charges if Bart makes a public apology in Australia.

Marge: All Bart has to do is apologise and we get a free trip to Australia? I can handle that.

Upon arrival to Australia Bart and Lisa noticed a Customs sign warning not to bring in any flora or fauna. Bart ignored the sign and lets a pet frog go free.

Bart: What does that sign say? I thought they spoke English in this country.

Lisa: It says you cant bring in outside plants or animals. Any foreign creature you bring in could upset the environmental balance.

Bart: Sorry, girl, I dont want to get in any more trouble down here. Ill pick you up on the way home.

Later a Court ruled Bart must be subjected to the booting from the Prime Minister.

Bart: Im sorry. Im sorry for what I did to your country.

Andy: Well, youre free to go, Bart right after your additional punishment.

Homer: Punishment?

Andy: A mere apology would be a bit empty. Let the booting begin!

Homer: Booting?

Andy: Its just a little kick in the bum.

Homer: What kind of a sick country would kick someone with a giant boot?

Andy: Mr. Simpson, shush. Disparaging the boot is a bootable offense.

The way the apology played out with Depp & Heard -while Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce was also our acting Prime Minister- is only something that could happen in Springfield.

Or Queensland.
https://twitter.com/tomsteinfort/status/722783699389980674

With the good news that four 60 Minutes crew members are homeward-bound attention will now turn to Nine for answers.

Desperate Brisbane mum Sally Faulkner, who is expected to follow soon, appears to have paid a high-price for freedom after a child-rescue plan went wrong. The fate for those from the Child Abduction Recovery International (CARI), headed by Adam Whittington, is less clear.

Nine has paid compensation for the release of reporter Tara Brown, producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson and sound recordist David Ballment.

Until now it hasnt confirmed rumours it paid $115,000 to effectively finance the CARI operation. Nines official line is that it wouldnt comment while its crew were behind bars. It also claimed it does not comment on payment for stories.

But Nine has indeed commented in the past.

One of those was for a 60 Minutes story on Baby Gammy presented by Tara Brown in 2014:

60 Minutes executive producer Tom Malone said: We never comment on any commercial arrangements between 60 Minutes and our interview subjects but given the nature of this story, its important our viewers know that no money has been or will be paid to the parents.

However, 60 Minutes will be making a donation to the charity Hands Across the Water, which is raising money for Gammys ongoing treatment and care.

In 2012 Nine was criticised for alleged payments in an interview with the wife of killer Max Sica, after he was locked away for 35 years for murdering three children:

A Current Affair bureau chief Amanda Paterson said For the record, ACA has not paid Shiv Sica or the Sica family one cent.

She declined to comment on whether Brisbane public relations agent Lyall Mercer was paid for arranging the interview.

Also in 2012 60 Minutes interviewed the girlfriend of Kings Cross bash victim Thomas Kelly:

A Channel 9 spokeswoman said that the interviewees were not paid for their 60 Minutes appearance.

In 2009 ACA also interviewed family members at the centre of a Kyle & Jackie O radio prank involving a 14yo girl:

Nine advised there was no payment sought nor offered for this interview, after an approach was made by the family to Nine.

Meanwhile reports claim the Sally Faulkner story was offered to other media who rejected it, before it landed at 60 Minutes under former executive producer Tom Malone, and was inherited by current EP Kirsty Thomson.

TV Tonight understands both Inside Story and A Current Affair also rejected the story.

Attention must now turn to Nine management under CEO Hugh Marks to be frank with audiences about the mistakes and responsibilities therein.

Its something his predecessor was particularly good at doing whenever the network mucked up.

Viewers are also likely to take a dim view if the post-analysis with participants is played out for TV ratings. The audience has already ruled on the legality of 60 Minutes participation in the story. Many express concern for the children at the centre of the case. Nines brand has taken a battering.

Payment for media stories by TV networks is unlikely to cease and, as a recent case with Kerri-Anne Kennerley demonstrated- often benefits both sides of the table. But the 60 Minutes saga does give pause for thought: How far do we go in the pursuit of news? What are the risks? Is it legal? Is it safe for crew?

On that front Nine gets a fail. And its time it said so.
Perth news presenter Narelda Jacobs has signed a new two-year contract to continue with TEN Eyewitness News.

Currently reading with Sport Presenter Tim Gossage and Weather Presenter Michael Schultz, she will celebrate her 16th anniversary with TEN on May 2nd.

My career at TEN has given me the opportunity to meet inspirational West Aussies and to be involved in much needed charities and causes. Ive abseiled off the Bell Tower, trekked Kokoda, shaken charity tins and met hundreds of everyday West Australians who are making a difference, she said.

TEN is embedded in our community and Im looking forward to continuing this rewarding work.

TEN News Director, John Choueifate, said: I am absolutely thrilled with the re-signing of Narelda. She is a quality journalist and a true professional who is well respected by the community.

Every day at 5pm, we are honoured to be invited into lounge rooms across Western Australia.

TEN Eyewitness News First At Five dominates its timeslot in Perth, ranking number one this year in total people with a 34.3% commercial share, 25 to 54s (34%) and under 55s (29.5%).

So far in 2016, the Perth bulletin is up 4% in total people compared with the same point in 2015 and consistently draws a bigger audience than Nine Networks 6pm Perth bulletin (source: OzTAM).
1:26 p.m., April 20, 2016--The mission of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Delaware is to train and prepare undergraduate students for service as active duty officers in the United States Air Force.

Over spring break, UD cadets traveled to Goldsboro, North Carolina, to experience active duty military life on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is home to the Air Combat Commands 4th Fighter Wing. The base is one of the largest fighter wings in the Air Force, with over 6,000 airmen and civilian personnel.

During their trip, cadets shadowed officers of various career fields, including aviation (pilots and weapon system officers), intelligence, security forces, engineers, flight doctors and pharmacists, just to name a few.

Cadets also had the opportunity to experience an honor guard demonstration, tour the bases fire department, watch a promotion ceremony, and have two question-and-answer sessions with military members of various ranks and jobs.

The cadets were able to tour two types of aircraft during their visit. One was the F-15E Strike Eagle, a dual-role, all-weather fighter capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. F-15E pilots and weapon systems operators from the 334th Fighter Squadron discussed the aircraft capabilities and briefed the cadets about daily operations and training in the F-15E.

The second aircraft the cadets toured and were briefed on its mission, was the KC-135 refueling aircraft from the 916th Air Refueling Wing.

One of the highlights of the trip was Seymour Johnsons Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit. Cadets received an interactive tour that included state-of-the-art disarming robots, a bomb suit, tours of response vehicles, and a briefing on the EOD mission overseas.

On the last day of the trip, cadets had the privilege to meet the commander of the 4th Fighter Wing, Col. Mark H. Slocum. He spoke with cadets, providing mentorship as well as his own stories and experiences as a senior Air Force officer.

Commenting on the opportunity, freshman Cadet Danielle Callahan said, It was amazing that he stopped to talk to us. I dont think many others would have taken the time to do that, especially for us as cadets.

The base visit program is part of a larger detachment improvement initiative to leverage available resources for value added training opportunities. This includes interaction with current officers in Air Force job specialties the cadets want to enter upon graduation.

Air Force ROTC is seeking qualified cadets for its program. The 128th Cadet Wing is headquartered at 314 Wyoming Road. For those interested, the recruiting officer, Capt. Laura Covalesky, can be reached at lcovales@udel.edu or by calling 302-831-2863.
9:33 a.m., April 20, 2016--The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded the University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials (UD-CCM) a $14.9 million three-year cooperative agreement for the Tailorable Feedstock and Forming (TFF) Program.

The objective of this program is to develop a novel low-cost carbon-fiber composite feedstock and manufacturing process. The new material, called TuFF (tailorable universal feedstock for forming), may potentially revolutionize the use of composite materials world-wide, as a cost-effective replacement for small metal parts meeting aerospace performance requirements.

The feedstock will consist of carbon fiber in a thermoplastic matrix with improved microstructural design, creating thin ply sheets that optimize formability of single and doubly curved parts with aerospace grade mechanical properties and damage tolerance.

Under the leadership of director Jack Gillespie, UD-CCM seeks establish a semi-automated pilot plant to produce TuFF starting with carbon fiber precursors and ending with net-shape zero-waste formable feedstock blanks. The aim of the pilot plant is to demonstrate the feasibility and scale-up of novel technologies developed through this program with capacity to supply TuFF feedstock to designated industries for evaluation and prototype development.

The success of TuFF as a new material is expected to be transformative for complex curvature composite structures for aerospace and automotive applications in the defense and commercial sectors.

UD-CCM is excited to lead a team of composite experts from Clemson University, Drexel University and Virginia Tech to develop a new composite material and manufacturing process, said Rob Adkinson, TuFF program manager.

Bypassing all of the manufacturing problems associated with advanced composites, our approach will allow us for the first time to make composite parts having aerospace properties at automotive prices.
11:06 a.m., April 20, 2016--University of Delaware graduate Jenna Billings is putting her psychology and animal science education to good use, helping to get inside the minds of marine mammals at Floridas Dolphins Plus. There she is learning to train dolphins and inform the public about conservation issues, while also fulfilling her lifelong dream to work with dolphins.

Dolphins Plus is committed to the conservation and protection of marine mammals worldwide and is actively involved in research  constantly trying to learn and discover new things about the species  with extensive education and outreach programs. The organization is located in Key Largo, and has facilities on the Atlantic and on the Gulf of Mexico.

Billings is at the Bayside facility on the Gulf of Mexico, a job she started in February, where she works with 11 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins  two of which are eight months old  and two California sea lions, which have their own trainers.

The interactive facility is open to the public and offers programs such as a structured swim during which guests can get into the water with the dolphins to do various behaviors with them, and a shallow water encounter for guests who are younger or not comfortable in the water. Guests who still want to meet and interact with a dolphin without getting into the water can do so by signing up for a kiss with a dolphin or paint with a dolphin, several of which happen to be quite the artists.

We hope to inspire conservation and protection of marine mammals through our guest interactions. By our guests observing or being in the water, we hope that they will form a connection with these animals and be inspired to make a difference and help protect the dolphins and all of the other animals out in the wild, said Billings.

Billings said that one of her favorite parts of the job is seeing a guest interact with a dolphin for the first time.

Some of the guests whove never seen a dolphin before, or never been up close and personal with a dolphin, just think its the coolest thing ever. Its really great to see that we can instill that passion in others, said Billings.

Teaching dolphins

Billings also said she enjoys asking the dolphins for various behaviors.

Just like humans, dolphins learn differently. Seeing what they find reinforcing and seeing what works better for each individual dolphin is really neat. When you end up training a behavior, you can relate it to a school teacher explaining a new concept to her students. It's a really rewarding job," said Billings.

Billings is still in her three-month training period and because she is a new face to the dolphins, she is getting to know them and allowing them to get to know her in order to build relationships.

Ive been working with some of the dolphins more so than others and I can already see a relationship forming with some of them. They seem more comfortable around me and they get really excited around me. Just seeing that is rewarding. And knowing that you are helping provide amazing care to these animals, I absolutely love that aspect of the job, said Billings.

As a dolphin trainer, Billings will eventually get to do things like train new behaviors with the dolphins and swim and work with the dolphins more as her time with Dolphins Plus goes on.

Dolphin communication

Billings said the primary way trainers communicate is through whats known as a bridge.

If youve seen trainers with a whistle, thats an auditory bridge so we can use that to communicate with the dolphin when they do what we are looking for. That tells them, Yes, that was perfect. Great job. Once we blow the whistle, we start to pair that with what we call primary reinforcement, said Billings, adding that an example of primary reinforcement is fish.

"The more the dolphins associate hearing the whistle and the whistle being paired with something they find reinforcing, soon enough the whistle will become reinforcement on its own, and won't always have to be backed up. The dolphins come to learn that the whistle communicates to them yes, good job and to come back to the trainer," said Billings.

Billings said another way trainers communicate with the dolphins is through hand signals, almost like a sign language, in order to train behaviors.

It usually starts with whats called a hand target. Thats when you present your hand and the dolphins mouth  also known as their rostrum  will come into contact with that hand and soon theyll learn to follow that wherever it goes, said Billings.

That hand will get extended to whats called a target pole, which the dolphins learn to follow. Once they get the motion of the behavior, the trainers incorporate a hand signal so the dolphins will eventually be able to associate the behavior with the hand signal.

History with dolphins

With regard to her prior experience working with dolphins, Billings said that she interned at Dolphins Plus last summer for three months before interning at Dolphin Quest in Bermuda.

I learned a lot from those internships. Both were pretty hands-on and within my last month at Dolphin Quest, I got hired back here, said Billings.

Her love of dolphins began when she was young and would visit Sea World when taking trips to see her grandparents in Florida.

I was really young  about five years old  the first time I saw a dolphin. My grandparents live an hour away from Orlando so growing up, it was really nice. Over the summer, my family would come down and visit them, and we would do a lot of fun things. One of my favorites was visiting Sea World," said Billings.

She thought it was mind-blowing that the trainers could get in the water and interact with the dolphins.

I was intrigued and blown away and ever since that moment, I wanted to be a trainer, said Billings.

Billings said that her time at UD helped prepare her for her current job as some of the classes in her psychology major go hand-in-hand with what she is doing with the dolphins and her animal science minor allowed her hands-on experience with animals  especially in her senior year swine production capstone course.

Never in my life did I think that Id fall in love with pigs but I did, and it was really cool how hands-on that class was. The University of Delaware has an amazing animal science and agricultural program. For any students who are looking at places to go and looking for where they can get the experience that they need, I would definitely put UD out there. It was a great school for me. I absolutely loved it. The program is unbelievable and it helped me achieve my dream job, so thats really awesome, said Billings.

Article by Adam Thomas
1:28 p.m., April 20, 2016--Three members of Dawn Elliotts research group in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware recently won awards.

John DeLucca was selected as a Whitaker International Summer Fellow, Babak Safa was awarded an IBBM Summer Course Fellowship, and Amy Claeson received a travel award to attend an upcoming Gordon Research Conference.

DeLucca, a doctoral student in biomedical engineering, will spend eight weeks doing research in Australia this summer with the support of the Whittaker Program, which provides funding for U.S. bioengineers and biomedical engineers to continue their ongoing graduate work abroad.

DeLuccas research is aimed at identifying the mechanical consequences of intervertebral disc degeneration using finite element modeling, mechanical testing, and medical imaging techniques.

He will spend the summer using the state-of-the-art hexapod robot in the Biomechanics and Implants Laboratory at Flinders University, continuing a collaboration between Elliott and John Costi.

Safa, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering, will attend the Summer Course on Image-based Biomedical Modeling in Park City, Utah, from July 11-21. The course offers field-specific expertise and hands-on experience solving bioelectric or biomechanical problems that arise in current biomedical research and clinical practice.

His research focuses on establishing mechanisms of damage and failure in tendons using state-of-art mechanical testing, structural electron microscopy, and mathematical modeling.

Claeson, a postdoctoral fellow in biomedical engineering, will attend the Musculoskeletal Biology and Bioengineering Gordon Research Conference: Stepping Across Disciplines to Spur Innovation in Musculoskeletal Biology and Bioengineering in Andover, New Hampshire, from Aug. 7-12.

The aim of the program is to bring together thought leaders from across the field to discuss how their interdisciplinary approach has led to advances in musculoskeletal biology and bioengineering research.

Claesons work involves the use of noninvasive MRI and image registration techniques to quantify the changes in internal disc strain after partial nucleotomy, a surgical procedure to treat herniation.

These awards are a testament to the outstanding research trainees that we have in engineering at UD, says Elliott, who is professor and department chair. The new knowledge my students will both gain and share will significantly advance our research and that of others.

Article by Diane Kukich

Photo by Evan Krape
10:30 a.m., April 20, 2016--The University of Delaware chapter of Engineers Without Borders will honor Earth Day during its annual benefit dinner on Friday, April 22.

Guests will indulge in hors doeuvres, dinner, and a silent auction while networking with student representatives from the chapter. In addition, teams from the chapters Malawi and Philippines potable water projects will give exclusive updates on their current progress.

The Malawi Water Project, begun in 2014, will move to its first phase of implementation in summer 2016. The project seeks to install a well in the village of Mphero after two successful research phases.

The Philippines Water Project, begun a year later in 2015, completed its second exploratory trip in January of this year.

The benefit dinner is instrumental to EWB-UD's success, noted the chapter president, Kyle Lusignea. We use the evening to maintain relationships with many of our supporters, and enjoy forming entirely new contacts every year.

Several distinguished guests  UD Acting President Nancy Targett, Babatunde Ogunnaike, dean of the College of Engineering, and Allison Lee, foreign policy fellow in the office of U.S. Sen. Chris Coons -- will each give a special address.

The fundraiser is set to take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased online or at the door. A total of $25 of each ticket is tax deductible.

Funds raised at this years dinner will be used for operating costs of each of the chapters current projects. The support we receive from the community is invaluable, said Lusignea. Going to the event, speaking with the students, and listening to our updates helps move EWB-UD toward its goal to engineer solutions to pressing problems around the world.

Those who wish to donate directly to the Malawi well-building project are encouraged to visit the chapters crowd funding page. The students will initiate a crowdfunding campaign for their Philippines project in the fall.

On April 18, Lusignea, president-elect Sarah Hartman and chapter co-adviser Kim Bothi attended the Jefferson Foundation Awards Luncheon in which UDs chapter of EWB was recognized as a finalist for the Outstanding National or Global Service by Young Americans award. Bothi and two project managers, Megan Safranek and Natalie Muneses, also presented their international activities to the Newark Rotary Club that evening as part of the organizations community engagement efforts.

About UDs Engineers Without Borders

Engineers Without Borders-USA is a non-profit, humanitarian organization of dedicated and enthusiastic students and professionals who believe everyone should have access to adequate sanitation, safe drinking water and resources to meet their basic needs.

The University of Delaware chapter works closely with an international community and professional engineers to identify a local challenge, and then develop and implement a sustainable solution.

Since the organization started in 2006, UD teams have completed a potable water supply project in Cameroon and a bridge construction project in Guatemala. The chapters current community partnerships are in Malawi and the Philippines.

EWB-UD actively seeks students from all academic backgrounds for its projects. Students from any academic discipline who are interested in becoming a part of the chapter are encouraged to attend a weekly meeting, held Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in 217 Gore Hall.

For more details on the University of Delaware Engineers Without Borders Chapter or its current and past projects, visit the website or follow along on Twitter or Facebook.

Article by Nikki Laws

Photo by Kim Bothi
More than 100 scientists and engineers from academia, industry and government turned out for the eighth membrane protein symposium.

11:07 a.m., April 20, 2016--More than 100 scientists and engineers from academia, industry and government turned out for the eighth membrane protein symposium at the University of Delaware on Monday, April 18.

The event was sponsored by the COBRE on Membrane Production and Characterization, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and led by Abraham M. Lenhoff, Gore Professor of Chemical Engineering in UDs Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

Membrane proteins, which represent more than 30 percent of the human genome, are of great interest in understanding and treating disease. Despite recent advances in protein characterization, challenges remain in expressing membrane proteins in significant quantities, in isolating and purifying them, and in crystallizing them.

Eight experts, including keynote speaker Marius Lemberg, shared their latest research findings on the organization and behavior of membrane proteins.

Lemberg, a professor at the University of Heidelberg, discussed his work on intramembrane proteolysis, an important control mechanism in all kingdoms of life from bacteria to humans. Intramembrane proteases have also been linked to viral infections and to diseases such as Alzheimers.

Despite a few well-studied examples, very little is known about most of the 13 intramembrane proteases known in humans. Lembergs research focuses on elucidating the function of these proteases in physiological processes using approaches ranging from biochemistry and cell biology to bioinformatics.

In addition to technical talks, the program featured more than 30 posters by researchers from UD, the University of Maryland, Lehigh University, Johns Hopkins University, Temple University, NIH, and the NIST Center for Neutron Research.

The symposium was organized by Sharon Rozovsky, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Edward Lyman, assistant professor of physics and astronomy.

About COBRE

The Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) in Membrane Protein Production and Characterization at the University of Delaware was established in 2000 with generous support under the COBRE program within the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additional support was provided by the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI).

In its original form, the COBRE supported research covering a broad range of activities in structural and functional genomics, but the present focus on membrane protein production and characterization was adopted following renewal of the program in 2005.

The program was renewed again as a Phase III center in 2010; within this structure, it is primarily an infrastructure center that provides direct support for shared core facilities and pilot projects, but the participating investigators involved in the center have independent support for their membrane protein research that draws on center resources and contributes to the overall research progress in the center.

Article by Diane Kukich

Photos by Doug Baker
1:06 p.m., April 20, 2016--The University of Delaware dance minor invites members of the community to participate in its celebration of National Dance Week, April 22-May 1.

The dance minor program will host a full week of dance classes, workshops, performances and other activities, including an ice cream social, dance trivia night and dance movie night with pizza and popcorn.

Classes will be taught by dance faculty, renowned dancers in the Delaware area and student organizations.

T-shirts and raffle tickets will be on sale during the week with proceeds benefiting Dancers Responding to Aids, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.

The week will kick off at noon, Friday, April 22, with A Dancing Dialogue in which representatives of the program will discuss the unique contributions that dancers today are making on and beyond the stage.

Using video and roundtable discussion, they will examine dance's influence on cutting edge research in neuroscience, education, health care, and other fields. Those with interest are invited to attend, share their stories and hear from others about how dance studies prepare them for the future. Attendees are encouraged to bring a pack lunch.

A list of classes and activities can be found on the dance minor website or by following the program on Facebook (University of Delaware Dance Minor) and Twitter (@UDDanceMinor).

All classes, workshops and activities are free and open to the public. Organizers recommend reserving a spot in advance by submitting this Google form.

All events are held in the dance minor studios at 104 E. Main St. For more information and questions, contact Kim Schroeder, dance minor director, at kschroed@udel.edu.
The militants violated ceasefire in eastern Ukraine 23 times over the past day. Eleven attacks were launched using the weapons, banned under the Minsk Agreements.

This is reported by the ATO press center.

"The activity of the hybrid illegal formations was spotted in Donetsk and Mariupol directions. 120mm mortars were used by the militants to fire at the Ukrainian positions near Avdiyivka [18km north of Donetsk] and Butovka coal mine [11.4km north-west of Donetsk]. 82mm mortars were used to shell Leninske [22km east of Mariupol], Opytne [11.5km north-west of Donetsk], Shyrokyne [20km east of Mariupol], Mayorske [45km north of Donetsk] and Marinka [35 km south-west of Donetsk]," reads the report.

As noted, the largest number of the enemy attacks was launched in the direction of Marinka, where the Ukrainian servicemen came under fire from mortars, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and small arms.

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Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman says that Ukraine should continue its course towards the Euro-Atlantic integration.

The premier said this at a sitting of the National Council of Reforms on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Our longstanding priority is the European and the Euro-Atlantic integration, Groysman said.

The prime minister also stressed the importance of further cooperation with the International Monetary Fund.

We apprehend the importance of cooperation with the IMF not because weve signed an agreement, but because it is necessary for Ukraine and Ukrainians, he said.

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The new Cabinet of Ministers should within 30 days develop an action plan to reform the state.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said this at a meeting of the government on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

It is very important that we can jointly develop an action plan of reforms within 30 days. Today, we will submit the first solutions, weve worked out, to the current issues, Groysman said.

According to him, the government should draw up an action plan for each ministry as soon as possible. Today, ministers are studying the state of affairs at the ministries, Groysman stressed.

"Our priorities are absolutely the same: raising the quality of governance and the responsibility of authorities and officials; issues of ensuring macroeconomic stability; resumption of economic growth, the premier said.

Also, it is very important for the government to find ways to overcome corruption and to raise the living standards of every citizen of Ukraine, the prime minister added

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Ukraine is preparing to file a claim against the Russian Federation to the European Court of Human Rights.

Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Natalia Sevostianova said on the Fifth Channel.

Within the framework of the European Court of Human Rights, we have four major claims against the Russian Federation, and this week there will be another one, which we will report later about," Sevostianova said.

According to her, the Ukrainian side is transferring gigabytes of information to the server of the European Court.

The Russian side in every possible way is trying to halt the process, the deputy minister said.

Russia officially denies its participation in the conflict in Donbas, although it acknowledges the presence of Russian volunteers and the Russian armys servicemen on leave in eastern Ukraine, Sevostianova added.

Ukraine filed its first claim against Russia in March 2014. The claim concerned the annexation of Crimea.

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| By Karen Robinson

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) held a grand opening for its Community Engagement Center in West Baltimore at 1 N. Poppleton St. on Saturday, April 16, including a spring community festival to introduce the neighborhood to the center and its valuable services. Marylands First Lady Yumi Hogan was a guest at the grand opening, assisted with the ribbon-cutting, and spent the day with community members at the spring festival.

The center is designed to extend into its surrounding West Baltimore community the services and expertise available at UMB and its six professional schools and Graduate School. At the center, local residents have access to healthy living seminars, workforce services and a weekly organic market, as well as legal services such as guidance on expunging criminal records.

We see a great need in the community, particularly after the unrest that faced West Baltimore this time last year, said UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD. As an anchor institution in Baltimore, we have the resources and expertise to help our neighbors, and our sense of community obliges us to make that possible. This Community Engagement Center enhances our existing ties to the community by creating a new space right in their own neighborhood where residents can access services that can help to make them healthier, happier, and more successful. We have great hopes for this center and for this city, and were delighted to celebrate its grand opening with our wonderful neighbors.

Maryland's First Lady Yumi Hogan enlisted traditional Korean dancers to perform for the crowd at the spring festival.

The Community Engagement Center provides a physical space in which community members can interact with UMB faculty, staff, and students from the schools of dentistry, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work and the Graduate School. Its grand opening began at 9:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting featuring dignitaries including Mrs. Hogan, Congressman Elijah Cummings, JD, Southwest Partnership Executive Director Michael Seipp, Baltimore mayoral candidate Catherine Pugh, Maryland Delegate Antonio Hayes, and City Councilman Pete Welch. The community festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. offered legal and health services and advice as well as fun activities like food, games, and a clown with balloon animals and face-painting.

"West Baltimore is a growing community in which residents have made a commitment to make their community stronger every day," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, JD, like Cummings a UMB graduate. "Collaboration with anchor institutions like UMB empowers these residents to improve their neighborhood and the city as a whole. UMB has been a strong partner for the city of Baltimore and our residents, and we are thrilled to see it expand its community engagement efforts with this new center."

Many residents in West Baltimore neighborhoods face certain obstacles to health and success including higher rates of cancer, heart disease, and chronic conditions such as asthma, as well as poverty, crime, and violence. At the same time, motivated and involved members of the community have committed to improving their neighborhoods.

Poppleton resident Cassandra Fair said she sees the impact the University makes on the community. I really do think the University makes a difference, reaching out to people for different kinds of activities  job training, letting people come to learn about their credit, being informative about a lot of health issues, she said. Her mother, Ernestine Fair, is a longtime West Baltimore resident involved in the community through her leadership role with the Poppleton Community Development Corporation.

Cassandra Fair said she has visited the Community Engagement Center several times a week since it began offering services. I try to participate in everything they do over there, diabetes classes, the food market, aerobics, she said. There is no other place in her community to access such services, she adds. Her son graduates this month from a job training program through Baltimore Green Works, which he accessed through the University, that is preparing him for a more highly skilled, higher paying career, she added.

I hope once other residents start hearing about it and seeing people that actually did something in the Community Engagement Center  who have actually benefited from it  the community will get more involved, Fair said. I do my best to spread the word."

It is residents like Cassandra Fair and her neighbors who helped us open the center from the ground up, said Ashley Valis, MSW, UMBs executive director of strategic initiatives and community engagement. It was important for us that the community felt that they had a front door to the University and all of our resources. We listened to feedback and suggestions from community members when programming the activities the center offers today, and we are thrilled to have gotten such a positive response from our neighbors this early on."
Displaced Syrian tailor Mazen works on a sewing machine in the back of a van parked up in a Damascus street.  UNHCR/V.Tou'meh

DAMASCUS, Syria, April 20 (UNHCR) - Inside an orange van crammed with mounds of clothes, Syrian tailor Mazen sits at a sewing machine mending a shirt. The whirr of the motor mixes with music from the radio as he sips tea.

Forced out of his home and thriving tailor's business by fierce fighting, the 46-year-old has started over in the rented van parked up in a side street in the ancient Syrian capital, Damascus, in a determined effort to support his family.

"I am working to feed my three children," says Mazen, as he attends customers wanting repairs and alterations to their clothes. "Imagine your child asks you to buy him something and you are powerless to do anything about it."

The tailor from Al-Zablatani, a war-ravaged neghbourhood a few miles from Damascus, is among 6.6 million people who have been displaced within Syria during more than five years of conflict that has killed more than 250,000 people and created extreme hardship.

Before war broke out in 2011, his bustling workshop employed 25 people, running up linen shirts for both the local and export markets. But as the war closed in on his home a few months later, Mazen, his wife and three sons hastily packed their lives into a few bags and fled to Damascus.

"I left when I heard the first gunshot in our neighborhood. I thought it would be a few days and we would return home," he said. "We still don't know what happened to our house."

For the first few months he survived by cleaning staircases in an apartment building, and then began selling clothing on the streets of Damascus. But with the backing of his family, he was anxious to get back to the job he knew best: tailoring.

As commercial rents in the capital are high, a friend advised him to rent a van instead. He now works in the back of a Volkswagen Kombi, running two sewing machines from a car battery in a neighbourhood where power cuts are frequent.

"Sure I make money, but it is very difficult to work here, space is tight and business is slow, whatever I make is barely enough to make ends meet," said Mazen with a shadow of a smile on his tanned face.

The fact that he is offering quality tailoring, right on the street, is appreciated by his customers. One of them, who declined to give his name, said: "Mazen is a professional tailor and he can repair the clothes in the shortest time, at a reasonable cost."

Seeking to support Mazen in his efforts to start over, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, directed him to the Damascus-based Al Nada Association, a non-profit partner which offers startup grants of up to US$1,500 to small businesses.

The Association hopes to help more than 100 families in 2016 to find a source of income, and aims to be flexible in its approach. It works with families that have lost breadwinners and even supports business partnerships to help the displaced "open a carpentry shop, restaurant or grocery shop," said Nour Sultan, the small business grant manager at Al-Nada.

Mazen applied for a grant and this week received word that it had been approved. He now plans to rent a shop with an uninterrupted power supply, sufficient space to rebuild his tailoring business, and the peace to focus on work without the distractions of the street.

"I just wish that I could move from this van to a small space with a roof where nobody could bother or ask 'what are you doing here?'" he says.

By Vivian Toumen in Damascus, Syria
On Tuesday, a UNHCR team interviewed survivors of what could be one of the worst tragedies involving refugees and migrants in the last 12 months. If confirmed, as many as 500 people may have lost their lives when a large ship went down in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy. The 41 survivors (37 men, three women and a three-year-old child) were rescued by a merchant ship and taken to Kalamata, in the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece on 16 April. Those rescued include 23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, 6 Egyptians and a Sudanese.

The survivors told us that they had been part of a group of between 100 and 200 people who departed last week from a locality near Tobruk in Libya on a 30-metre-long boat.

After sailing for several hours, the smugglers on charge of the boat attempted to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions. At one point during the transfer, the larger boat capsized and sank.

The 41 survivors include people who had not yet boarded the larger vessel, as well as some who managed to swim back to the smaller boat. They drifted at sea possibly for three days before being spotted and rescued on 16 April.

UNHCR visited the survivors at the local stadium of Kalamata where they have been temporarily housed by the local authorities while they undergo police procedures.

UNHCR continues to call for increased regular pathways for the admission of refugees and asylum-seekers to Europe, including resettlement and humanitarian admission programmes, family reunification, private sponsorship and student and work visas for refugees. These will all serve to reduce the demand for people smuggling and dangerous irregular sea journeys.

News contacts:
A boat carrying refugees and migrants drifts on the Mediterranean Sea shortly before rescue by the Italian Navy in 2014.  Italian Navy/Massimo Sestini

GENEVA, April 20 (UNHCR) - A UN Refugee Agency team has interviewed survivors of an overcrowded boat that sank in the Mediterranean in what could be one of the worst tragedies involving refugees and migrants in the last 12 months.

If confirmed, as many as 500 people may have lost their lives when the large boat went down in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy. The 41 survivors - 37 men, three women and a three-year-old child - were rescued by a merchant ship and taken to Kalamata, in the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece on April 16. Those rescued include 23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, 6 Egyptians and a Sudanese.

The survivors told UNHCR staff that they had been part of a group of between 100 and 200 people who departed last week from a locality near Tobruk in Libya on a 30-metre-long boat.

"After several hours at sea, the smugglers in charge of the boat attempted to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions," UNHCR said in a statement. "At one point during the transfer, the larger boat capsized and sank."

The 41 survivors include people who had not yet boarded the larger vessel, as well as some who managed to swim back to the smaller boat. They drifted at sea possibly for three days before being spotted and rescued on April 16.

UNHCR visited the survivors at the local stadium of Kalamata where they have been temporarily housed by the local authorities while they undergo police procedures.

So far this year 179,552 refugees and migrants have reached Europe by sea across the Mediterranean and Aegean. At least 761 have died or gone missing attempting the journey.

UNHCR continues to call for increased regular pathways for the admission of refugees and asylum-seekers to Europe, including resettlement and humanitarian admission programmes, family reunification, private sponsorship and student and work visas for refugees. These will all serve to reduce the demand for people smuggling and dangerous irregular sea journeys.
Earthquake survivors shelter under a tent in Chamanga, Ecuador.  UNHCR photo

CHAMANGA, Ecuador, April 20 (UNHCR) - The UN Refugee Agency has distributed tents and plastic sheeting to people made homeless by the worst earthquake to strike Ecuador in decades, which killed hundreds of people, flattened buildings and knocked out power.

The 7.8-magnitude quake struck Ecuador's Pacific Coast on Saturday (April 16), killing at least 500 people and injuring more than 4,000.

Two UNHCR field teams reached the worst affected localities of Chamanga and Pedernales in Ecuador's northwest Esmeraldas province on Tuesday, at the vanguard of a major relief response lead by the Ecuadorian Government that will be ramped up with the arrival of an aid airlift later today (April 20).

Working with Ecuadorian authorities, UNHCR staff delivered 40 family igloo tents and plastic sheeting to Chamanga, where 570 homes were destroyed, leaving more than half of the population of some 5,000 people without shelter. UNHCHR teams then continued to the locality of Canoas to deliver 20 more tents and plastic sheeting.

"Two walls collapsed and the house was split," said Albeiro Sanchez,* a Colombian refugee in his 40s whose family with six children were made homeless by the powerful quake. "Now we are staying with a niece, but we have nowhere of our own, or anywhere to keep our belongings."

As aftershocks continue to rattle the area, residents' nerves remained on edge. Access to clean drinking water and a finding enough tents are of particular concern to authorities in the country, especially as the rainy season has begun.

"Even though circumstances are still critical, we are witnessing vast solidarity," said Andrea Ingham, the head of UNHCR's field office in Esmeraldas. "During our visit, a water truck came from the town of Atacames, thanks to the support of a local hotel. And many others arrived offering food and other items."

Following a request for help from the Government of Ecuador, an aircraft carrying vital relief aid left Copenhagen - UNHCR's global logistics hub - bound for Quito on Wednesday. Aid included 900 tents, plastic sheets, 15,000 sleeping mats, kitchen sets, jerry cans and - in view of the Zika virus risk and other mosquito-borne diseases - 18,000 much-needed repellent-impregnated mosquito nets.

The aim is to distribute, in coordination with National authorities, the supplies from Quito as quickly as feasible to support the neediest among 40,000 people - refugees, asylum seekers and locals alike - in the worst hit areas, and in accordance with priorities being determined locally. The focus will be in the western region, around Manabi, Santo Domingo, Esmeraldas and Guayaquil.

"With the continuous aftershocks in Ecuador, we must act quickly and effectively to ensure the welfare of the affected communities is addressed," said Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Ecuador. "The contents of the airlift will provide much needed relief and UNHCR remains committed to continue its work on the ground to support persons in need of international protection and the host community alike."

Ecuador has the largest refugee population in Latin America. Its people have generously welcomed over 200,000 Colombian refugees and others in need of international protection, many of whom had settled in the earthquake-affected areas, as well as many refugees of other nationalities. UNHCR is committed to helping Ecuador and its people with support for refugee and host community populations.

To help provide life-saving aid to families in Ecuador, please donate now.

*Name changed due to confidentiality reasons
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:

Italian companies are very interested in investing in Azerbaijan, says Giovanni Bella, vice president of the Italy-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, created by the former Italian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Margarita Costa, and head of the Bella Giovanni Shipping & Trading SRL.

Speaking to Trend Apr. 18, Bella said the Italian companies that show interest to work in the Azerbaijani market are engaged in such spheres as logistics, alternative energy, hardware, ecology, jewelry, construction, agriculture and agricultural complex, certification and food industry.

He believes that this interest of the Italian companies is a result of the visit paid by an Italian business delegation to Azerbaijan last week.

"Representatives of 20 companies held meetings at the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), where they met with the Azerbaijani Deputy Economy Minister Sevinj Hasanova, as well as at the State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources, Tamiz Shahar JSC, and at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources," said Bella.

Also, a number of meetings were held with various companies and good contacts have been established for future cooperation, he added.

Several more groups of the Italian businessmen will visit Azerbaijan in future to study the country's investment opportunities, according to Bella.

Meanwhile, work is underway to hold an art gallery at the Ferrari store during the 2016 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe in Baku, said Bella, adding that permissions have already been obtained from the embassies of Azerbaijan and Italy, as well as from Ferrari's head office.

"Azerbaijan has a very favorable investment climate and businessmen are convinced of this personally," Bella said further.

"The Bella Giovanni Shipping & Trading SRL, which is working with the Azerbaijani businessmen for 10 years already, has offered its services on execution of documents of Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR in Italy's territory," added Bella.

He also says that Azerbaijan can, in turn, offer Italy and other European countries its quality agriculture products.

"Azerbaijan can supply the Italian market with such products as pomegranates, nuts, and wood," he said. "For example, a glass of pomegranate juice in Italy costs five euros, it is an expensive product, and there are no such high-quality pomegranate sorts in the market as in Azerbaijan."

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan could supply nuts for a number of companies, as well as wood for the furniture makers, said Bella.

He added that the tourist trips to Azerbaijan for the purpose of hunting would also be interesting for Italians.

"Our main goal is to introduce Azerbaijan's products and opportunities in Italy at an appropriate level," noted Bella.

He added that Azerbaijan and Italy are to actively continue their joint work in the business sphere in the future.

Italy ranked first in the list of Azerbaijan's foreign trade partners in Q1 2016 with trade turnover of $462.44 million.

Edited by EA

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Follow the author on Twitter: @MaksimTsurkov
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Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

The fourth meeting of the Azerbaijan-Greece Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation will be held May 26-27 in Athens, Greece, the Greek media reported Apr. 20.

This issue was discussed during a meeting of the Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Dragasakis with Azerbaijan's Ambassador in Greece Rahman Mustafayev and the Head of the SOCAR Energy Greece S.A. Anar Mammadov on Apr. 19.

The parties mulled the progress in the implementation of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, as well as the expansion of cooperation between the two countries.

TAP project envisages transportation of gas from the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas and condensate field to the EU countries.

The 870-kilometer pipeline will be connected to the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy's south.

TAP's initial capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters of gas a year, expandable to 20 billion cubic meters.

Edited by EA

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_Mammadov
ANMs cater to populations of 3,000-5,000 people, and their work mainly involves providing primary healthcare services for maternal and child health, family planning, nutrition and immunization programmes.

Another extremely important part of the job is collecting healthcare data. ANMs capture around 200 key indicators related to health, nutrition and immunization of pregnant women, mothers and newborn children in their paper registers.

Like many other ANMs, Padmavati handles more than one village, and on an average day carries 12-15 separate registers to record key data indicators while on the go.

We have to carry many registers while working in the field and we end up doing double the work that is required once  the entry in registers and then finally, entry in the central server, says Padmavati.

The work of manually copying the data from one register to another also takes up a lot of time. The amount of time I spend in maintaining these registries could be used more judiciously, she adds, bringing to light some of the challenges of her work.

Manually updating the data carries the additional risk of information being entered incorrectly and getting corrupted.



Bringing ANMs online

In an effort to improve data collection and the overall standards of child and maternal health service provision in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with support from UNICEF, has introduced an android-based tablet application called ANMOL.

ANMOL or ANM Online is a solution that aims to bring better healthcare services to millions of pregnant women, mothers and newborns in India.

The application ends drudgery and repetitive processes for ANMs by making their work paperless. They are able to use the tablets to enter and update the service records of beneficiaries on real time basis, ensuring prompt data entry and updates. Since it is a completely digitalized process, the high quality of the data and accountability is maintained.
Mai Hajiani of Nabi Bakhsh Balooch village proudly holds six-day-old Darya Khan, her first baby boy after three girls.

The Lady Health Workers of Thatta

Two important guests at Mai Hajianis house today are the local Lady Health Worker (LHW), Lateefan Banu, and her daughter Saira. Lateefan is one of the 19 LHWs working in the Dhabeji Union Council (UC)  a local-level government unit in Pakistan that usually comprises a large village and surrounding areas. As a resident of UC Dhabeji, Lateefan serves 147 households comprising over 1,000 people. Apart from raising awareness on health, hygiene and immunization matters among pregnant and lactating mothers, one of her other important jobs is initiating the registration process for newborn and unregistered children.

Birth registration is an important and necessary step for all children in Pakistan. Without it, a child cannot obtain a birth certificate, which is required for the issuance of National Identity Cards (NIC), passports and school enrolment.

In the past, the birth registration process was notoriously cumbersome and time-consuming, so many parents opted to leave their children unregistered. Some parents were also unaware of the benefits of birth registration.

However this year, an innovative pilot project for birth registration through mobile phones, initiated by UNICEF in collaboration with local and provincial authorities, has made the entire process easy and efficient.

This is the ninth child I am registering in this village during the last six months, says Lateefan.

When I started working on birth registration, people were not interested and I did not get a good response even in this village. I then met Allahdad Balooch, the newly-elected councillor and explained the benefits of birth registration and the new process of birth registration through mobile phones. He understood and promised to talk to the residents. Thanks to him, now when a child is born in the village, they invite me for lunch and request to register the child. The mind set has changed.



A streamlined process

The initiative in Thatta District is part of larger effort to strengthen Pakistans birth registration system. To this end, UNICEF has been working with the Departments of Local Government and Health, the National Data Base Registration Authority (NADRA) and the mobile telecom network operator Telenor to register every child in the province of Sindh.

The new process is simple and streamlined. As soon as Lateefan finds out that a child has been born to one of her families, she visits their home and logs the details of the newborn into her phone.

Once I have fed the data, including the date and time of the childs birth, parents names, National Identity Card (NIC) numbers and their address into my smart phone, my daughter Saira helps in taking photographs of the parents NICs, she explains. When all this is done, I transfer the data online to the Dhabeji Union Council office for verification.

The data is delivered to a tablet belonging to the UC Secretary, Sadiq Shahani. Once his team verifies the data and approves the case, it is then uploaded into the UC office database issued a Civil Registration Management System (CRMS) number.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

Azerbaijan and Latvia signed a protocol on the basis of agreements reached during the meeting of Commission on international relations between the representatives of the two countries' transport ministries, said a message issued Apr. 20 by Azerbaijan's Transport Ministry.

The commission's meeting was held Apr. 20 in Riga, Latvia.

The parties discussed the current state of international road transportation, current problems and prospects of development during the meeting.

Meanwhile, the increase in freight traffic through the North-South international transportation corridor, determination of a contingent of permits for 2016-2017 and other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.

The North-South international transportation corridor is meant to connect the northern Europe with the south-eastern Asia. It will serve as a link between the railways of Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia.

At an initial stage, it is planned to transport 6 million tons of cargo via the North-South corridor a year, and 15 to 20 million tons of cargo in the future.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Latvia totaled $2.04 million in 1Q2016, which is by 5.9 percent more than in the same period of 2015, according to Azerbaijan's State Customs Committee.

Edited by SI

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_Mammadov
Astara, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for construction of a railroad bridge over the Astara River on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border, Trend's correspondent reported from the event.

The ceremony was attended by the co-chairs of the Azerbaijan-Iran Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Trade and Humanitarian Cooperation - Azerbaijan's Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi.

The heads of the two countries' railway authorities - Javid Gurbanov and Mohsen Pour Seyed Aghaei also took part in the event.

The railroad bridge over the Astara River is a strategically important facility that will connect the railways of Azerbaijan and Iran. The bridge's construction is planned to be completed by late 2016.

In accordance with an agreement signed by the Azerbaijani and Iranian sides, the border bridge will be built jointly.
Most of us sleep with clothes on; however, a new study shows that sleeping with underwear can be harmful. Wearing tight underwear can obstruct the nether regions and it is especially dangerous for men as it can affect their fertility.

Metro reports that wearing underwear in bed can chafe the genital region which could result in chafing. This could lead to skin infections which could affect fertility. Gynaecologist Dr. Alyssa Dweck often recommends her patients to sleep without underwear to let the genitals "breathe."

Dr. Dweck adds that if the nether regions are covered by cloth that's not absorbent, "moisture collects, creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria or yeast." Furthermore, women could get thrush and increase the chances getting infection from ingrown hairs.

Wearing underwear is something (most) people do. Watch #GMM to learn WEIRD underwear facts! https://t.co/HDKCtgIP9U pic.twitter.com/IEgUL84yxe  Rhett & Link (@rhettandlink) March 21, 2016

Dr. Brian Steixner of the Institute for Men's Health at Jersey Urology Group says that wearing tight underwear is especially dangerous for men. Mirror reports that men risk decreasing their fertility if they sleep in boxers or briefs. When men's genital areas are exposed to higher temperatures, the sperm quality could be affected.

"Your nether regions need to be just the right temperature in order to optimise sperm production," Dr. Steixner said. He adds that the possibility of bacteria penetrating any irritated skin in the nether areas is higher as well.

Both doctors highly recommend that people sleep without underwear. It lowers the body temperature, boosts fertility and helps lower blood pressure, according to Daily Mail. Parent Herald notes that for men uncomfortable sleeping without underwear, they can opt to wear cotton boxers. Women on the other hand, can wear loose granny panties to bed instead.

Do you think sleeping without underwear is beneficial for our genitals and overall health? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.
All dinosaurs including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops and Velociraptors were going instinct millions of years before the catastrophic asteroid wiped them off the face of the earth. Researchers were surprised by their findings especially after finding out that the dinosaurs were unable to evolve new species when old species were dying out fast.

The study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences observed dinosaurs and their lineage using fossil data and statistics with the help of a computer. While it was previously believed that the giant asteroid that hit the earth 66 million years ago made the dinosaurs go extinct, researchers say that they were in the process of dying out before then.

5 (sometimes weird) theories of what killed the #dinosaurs: https://t.co/vAYL72T3ku  National Geographic (@NatGeoMag) April 19, 2016

"While the asteroid impact is still the prime candidate for the dinosaurs' final disappearance, it is clear that they were already past their prime in an evolutionary sense," Paleontologist Dr. Manabu Sakamoto of University Reading said in a statement. Dr. Sakamoto adds that while the asteroid was the last straw in the extinction of dinosaurs, there were other factors that hindered the species from continually thriving.

Researchers don't know what caused dinosaurs to not evolve or decline in diversity. The Washington Post notes that it may be due to climate change where the cooling weather may have affected the dinosaurs. Co-author Mike Benton of University of Bristol adds that the cooling and changing ecosystem may have hindered the dinosaurs from recovering "from the environmental crisis caused by the impact," Yahoo reports. However, Stephen Brusatte from University of Edinburgh said that while the dinosaurs were going instinct, there was no way that they could have survived the asteroid impact, Atlantic notes.

How do you think dinosaurs went extinct? Share your theories in the comments below.
President Charles Storey of Harvard's exclusive Porcellian Club resigned from his position for making inappropriate campus sexual assault comments. Storey apologized for saying that admitting women in the club could "increase potential for sexual misconduct."

According to New York Daily News, the all-male exclusive Porcellian Club will continue to not let females join the club due to tradition upheld allegedly by Theodore Roosevelt and the Winklevoss twins. Additionally, admitting women in will reportedly make them susceptible to sexual assault.

Harvard's Porcellian Club spoke out after Harvard's Task Force on Sexual Assault Prevention released a report on the Harvard Crimson about the school's male-exclusive clubs. The task force called out the Ivy League's "final clubs" for their apparent sexist discrimination. The report also revealed that 47 percent of female college seniors who attend male final clubs' parties experience sexual contact without consent since they were university freshmen. To address sexual assault issues, the report recommends Harvard to ban gender exclusive memberships.

The Porcellian Grad president apologized for his remarks criticizing #Harvard's actions toward final clubs. https://t.co/qcZkdHzQWf  The Harvard Crimson (@thecrimson) April 17, 2016

In Harvard's school paper, Charles Storey released a statement questioning the university's administration on why male-exclusive clubs like the Porcellian Club needs to accept female members. "Forcing single gender organizations to accept members of the opposite sex could potentially increase, not decrease the potential for sexual misconduct," Storey wrote in an email to The Crimson. He adds that The Porcellian Club is being used as a "scapegoat" for the sexual assault issues in the campus.

However, Charles Storey has apologized and resigned his post as the president of the Porcellian Club. He is also the president of Harpoon Brewery in Boston. In the beer company's website, he posted his apology for the sexual assault comments. He wrote that he is taking responsibility for the comments he made and he is disappointed with himself. Storey announced in the "Letter to Employee Owners" his resignation and that he is a man who takes who takes sexual assault issues seriously.
Libya is taking Facebook to the next worrying level after the country's fighters were reportedly spending money to purchase weapons using social media platforms.

Small Arms Survey studied the arms trafficking and found that Libya is utilizing various apps to make the purchase, including Instagram, Whatsapp and Telegram.

Armament Research Services (ARES) found online active sales that recorded more than a thousand illicit trades within a year. Sadly, this was just a snapshot. The survey also managed to detail what the armed men were buying. Sales such as heavy machine guns and grenades were just among many other weaponry used in defense system. The trend in purchasing weapon online actually happens in conflict zones like Iraq and Syria as well.

According to the NYTimes, terrorists were apparently looking no further than social media like Facebook as the platform has become a 'bazaar station' offering rocket launchers and handguns. The evidence of selling military guns to Libyan fighters also mentioned about some of the items distributed in the Middle East - which were intended for security forces.

In Syria, the weapons that Syrian fighters use are identical to the ones that U.S. provided. It has been traded on messaging apps. A student and sniper in Syria was offering assault rifle Kalashnikov whom he said to have been obtained from the United States. Describing the rifle on Facebook, he wrote that the weapon was new and never been used.

The report that reached Facebook official's desk led to the banning of gun sales in January. It is hoped to reduce peer-to-peer trading that's been going privately so far. Telling CNN Money on the banning, Facebook confirmed to remove suspicious contents as soon as they were aware of it. The global social media platform also encourages users to report any site linked to firearms trades using their reporting button.

Facebook already updated its policy. After prohibiting marijuana and illicit drugs sales on its page, the platform is now aiming for unlicensed firearms to prevent black market from flourishing.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

Trend:

The units of Azerbaijani armed forces have implemented a forced landing of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a quadrocopter DJI Phantom belonging to Armenian armed forces, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Apr. 20.

The drone was seized while trying to fly over the Azerbaijani positions on the frontline zone, the ministry said.

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.
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Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

Trend:

President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Pedro Agramunt has met with chairs of the Azerbaijani and Armenian delegations in PACE, Samad Seyidov and Samvel Farmanyan.

"Met with Azerbaijani and Armenian chairs of delegations in PACE," Agramunt tweeted Apr. 20. "No conflict can be solved without dialogue."

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. 20

By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend:

Resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict primarily depends on Azerbaijan and Armenia, Bayram Balci, an analyst at the Center for International Studies and Research CERI, Sciences Po, France, said.

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.

Balci said that the will of the participating countries of the conflict is more important than the support of neighbors in the region.

"Countries of the region may have their own interests in solution or irresolution of the conflict, so it's not always right to involve them in the process," according to Balci.

He added that Russia can play a key role in resolving the conflict.

Regarding the OSCE Minsk Group format, the expert said that participation of Turkey and Iran in the process would become more efficient and more important than that of the US and France.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Anahanum
The Detroit Tigers have signed 36-year-old catcher Humberto Quintero to a minor league deal, the team announced. The Toronto Blue Jays released Quintero on Monday, as reported by the Buffalo Bisons.



Humberto Quintero #35 of the Seattle Mariners rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer. (Aug. 6, 2013 - Source: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images North America)

During 17 plate appearances for Triple-A Buffalo, the 5-foot-10, 207 pound right-hander hit .267/.353/.467 with three of his four hits going for two bases. During the five games, Quintero drew one walk and struck out four times.

Quintero has played 471 major league games, 964 games in the minor league and 89 games in the Venezuela winter league. Across all 1,524 games, he has hit .266 with 70 home runs and 550 RBI.

The native of Venezuela, who signed with the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent in 1997, has played with the San Diego Padres (2003-2004), Houston Astros (2005-2011), Kansas City Royals (2012), Philadelphia Phillies (2013) and Seattle Mariners (2013-2014) during his 12-year big league career. During all 471 games, Quintero has slashed .234/.267/.327 with 20 home runs, 127 RBI and 47 walks.

Since Quintero was automatically assigned to the minors, he will play for Triple-A Toledo. Quintero will join Miguel Gonzalez and Drew Longley until Bobby Wilson returns from his major league stint. Wilson will head back to the Mud Hens once James McCann returns to the Tigers from the 15-day disabled list. Eventually, it will be Wilson and Quintero behind the dish for Triple-A Toledo.

Quintero has 964 games of experience at the minor league level, which he has slashed .275/.316/.379 with 182 doubles, 16 triples, 44 home runs, 387 RBI, 51 stolen bases and 143 walks.

It is only a matter of time before Quintero figures out if he will start for Triple-A Toledo, or will have to play a bench role.
Star file photo

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By Tony Biasotti, Special to The Star

Teachers in Fillmore say they are at a labor impasse with the school district, after months of salary negotiations have left the two sides a percentage point apart on raises for the coming school year.

On Tuesday, dozens of teachers attended a Fillmore Unified School District board meeting to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the negotiations and their support for a raise that will bring them closer in pay to their counterparts in other districts in Ventura County.

The Fillmore Unified Teachers Association, the district's teachers union, studied salaries at 14 districts in the area and found that Fillmore was near the bottom in most measures of teacher salary.

The union is asking for a raise of 7 percent, Jennifer Beal, the union's president and a teacher at Fillmore Middle School, said in an interview before Tuesday's meeting. She said the administration has countered with an offer of 6 percent.

"We've moved twice, and they haven't budged," Beal said. "It's not a huge amount, but they're not budging, and that's what concerns us."

In addition to the raise, Beal said the union would like new policies governing teacher transfers. In the past, she said, teachers have often been transferred without warning, and the union wants a guarantee that transferred teachers will stay at their new school for at least two years before they can be transferred again.

Fillmore Unified Superintendent Adrian Palazuelos would not discuss the negotiations, except to say that the district is working to resolve the dispute. "We do value our employees, and we are going to continue to work to address this matter," he said.

The next step, now that the union has declared it is at an impasse, is to bring the matter to the California Public Employee Labor Relations Board. That board could assign a mediator to oversee another round of negotiations.

On Tuesday night, the Board of Trustees meeting room was filled beyond capacity, mostly with teachers. None of them addressed the board, except to read a prepared statement from Beal, who could not attend.

Earlier in the day, Beal said her concern is that "the best and the brightest teachers aren't staying in Fillmore" because the pay is lower than in other districts. According to salary schedules posted on the district's website, beginning teachers make $42,000 to $52,000 a year, depending on their education levels. After 20 years with the district, the pay range is $68,000 to $79,000.
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By Bartholomew Sullivan, bsullivan@gannett.com

WASHINGTON  Oxnard's outpatient clinic for veterans has significant backlogs with appointments for primary care, officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs acknowledged Tuesday at a congressional hearing.

Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Westlake Village, said data indicated Oxnard's record is one of the worst in the country for meeting the standard of seeing patients within 30 days. Only individual clinics in Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia have worse timeliness scores, records show.

The department has put a new manager in charge of the region to help address the issue, the VA undersecretary for health told a House committee at the hearing.

Under questioning by Brownley, Dr. David J. Shulkin, the VA health undersecretary, said problems with wait times for appointments differ across the country but acknowledged Oxnard's community-based outpatient clinic needs improvement.

"We have some VAs that actually don't have backlogs at all and others, like in your district, that have significant backlogs in primary care, and we are paying attention to that," Shulkin told the House Veterans Affairs Committee looking into delayed care.

Shulkin said the department is focused on the 10 to 15 percent "most distressed" facilities and said Brownley had correctly identified the cause in Oxnard when she referred to having interim directors and problems retaining staff members.

"You need permanent leadership in place; you need experienced leadership ... so we brought in an experienced leader there. I think you're seeing that makes a difference," Shulkin said.

Shulkin was referring to Ann R. Brown, named in late December as director of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System to oversee care for 90,000 vets in Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Brown has 19 years of experience and most recently ran the VA Chicago operations.

Brownley praised the job Brown has been doing but said she wanted to be assured that Washington leadership continues to track the pockets of the country that aren't meeting standards.

"It's a relatively new direction for us to focus on those areas that have been really struggling in the way yours is," Shulkin said.

VA records from April 1 show the 11 facilities within the Greater Los Angeles system met the 30-day appointment standard 85.6 percent of the time but that Oxnard's was the worst of them, meeting it only 70.3 percent of the time. That meant 2,316 of 3,295 patients had been seen within 30 days.

The issue of long wait times and falsified appointment records has rocked the VA bureaucracy since April 2014 with calls for reform.

Mike McManus, Ventura County's veterans affairs officer, said the wait times Brownley described are explained in part by the clinic's move in December to a new, larger but understaffed location four miles from the old one.

"You can give us a clinic that's twice the size, but if you have a quarter of the providers, that doesn't do us any good," McManus said. "They haven't really made that many strides toward improving it."
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I had been a Verizon Fios customer and cannot believe the incompetency of the Frontier Communications takeover since April 1. I am just as disappointed with Verizon's lack of informing its loyal customers of such.

My main issue is that I have paid for hundreds of digital media videos from Verizon, which are downloadable as purchased and owned digital media. However, since April 1, my entire library of previously purchased, billed for and paid digital videos is gone.

After several phone calls to Verizon, which by a recorded message directed me to call Frontier, and several phone calls to Frontier, my videos are still gone. If iTunes was taken over by IBM, and the digital media purchases of prior iTunes customers disappeared, it would be consider digital media theft.

To delineate my prior-purchased videos from my paperless bills through Verizon, I find that neither Verizon nor Frontier have those records. Both customer service and technical service at Frontier do not have an answer on where my purchased media is, and if they can provide customers with the interface on a computer or app to download purchased videos. At present, their app is nonfunctional.

Michelle Bennett, Oxnard


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Re: Terry Paulsons column April 18, Religious freedom is under attack:

Like many true believers, Terry Paulson imagines religious liberty to include the right to abridge the rights of those who do not share his theology.

America is not a theocracy, Terry. America does not support a "favored" religion, Terry. The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects people of all faiths, or no faith, equally.



Phillip Gold, Westlake Village




Last week the cast of the smash-hit musical, ROCK OF AGES, celebrated its second anniversary at The Venetian Las Vegas (Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net).

Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.

Following a full standing ovation from the crowded theatre during the shows finale, ROCK OF AGES raucous narrator Mark Shunock (Lonny) addressed the house, sharing words of gratitude for the audience and communitys ongoing support of the production.

Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.

At the conclusion of his speech, the company was presented with a commemorative 80s-themed cake, replicating the shows set and featuring members of the cast designed by Carlos Bakery, made famous by TLCs Cake Boss Buddy Valastro.

Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.

Since its debut at The Venetian Las Vegas, ROCK OF AGES has rocked out with more than 700 audiences and has received critical acclaim for being impossible to resist!

Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.

A fan and celebrity favorite, the Las Vegas production has welcomed several celebrity guests including Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider, Def Jam Co-Founder Russell Simmons, GLEE stars Dot-Marie Jones and Darren Criss, Poison drummer Rikki Rockett, American Idol contestant Adam Lambert and others.

Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.

Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.


Last night, Travis Scott made a surprise guest appearance alongside DJ Mustard at LIGHT Nightclub at the Mandalay Bay Las Vegas (Pictured: Travis Scott  Photo credit: Joe Janet / LIGHT Nightclub).

Photo credit: Joe Janet / LIGHT Nightclub.

Coming straight from a show in Houston, TX, Travis Scott surprised the already hyped crowd as he performed his newest single with DJ Mustard, Whole Lotta Lovin.

Photo credit: Joe Janet / LIGHT Nightclub.

Club-goers partied into the earlier hours as Travis performed hits such as Antidote, Mamacita, and 3500 while letting fans jump on stage with him.

Photo credit: Joe Janet / LIGHT Nightclub.

Earlier in the day, DJ Mustard announced that he was excited to be back at LIGHT Nightclub this year along with being excited for his new music to come in 2016.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

Trend:

Azerbaijan is keeping the criminal case against the Swiss citizen Vartan Sirmakes in the limelight, said Hikmet Hajiyev, spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, speaking to Trend Apr. 20.

The Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office has initiated a criminal case against Sirmakes over his illegal activities on the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia.

The Prosecutor General's Office has also sent requests to Switzerland over the criminal case, according to Hajiyev.

He noted that the report of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry on "Illegal economic and other activities in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan" contains sufficient information gathered from the Armenian sources about the illegal activities of Vartan Sirmakes and his company Franck Muller on Azerbaijan's occupied lands.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's Embassy in Switzerland has provided detailed information to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and other structures of that country about the latest escalation of situation on the line of contact as a result of the Armenian provocation and the atrocities committed by Armenians against Azerbaijani civilians.

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.


DAYLIGHT Beach Club is excited to announce its return of Sundown, a collection of the worlds best and hottest DJS, coinciding with natures most powerful and alluring time of daythe moment the sun sets and day gives way to night (Pictured Claude VonStroke).

World renowned DJ and producer, Claude VonStroke will be kicking off the hottest nighttime pool party on the strip on May 22, along with Disclosure headlining at DAYLIGHT prior to kicking off Sundown. DAYLIGHT is sure to bring the Sundown Party back for another epic Sunday!

Sundown Party tickets are available for pre-purchase on WantTickets. Be sure to follow DAYLIGHT Beach Club on Twitter at @DaylightVegas and like us on Facebook. More information on the roster and upcoming dates for Sundown will be coming soon.

Claude VonStroke will also be performing with Disclosure on April 22 at LIGHT Nightclub for Disclosures Wild Life series!
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend:

Turkey remains the closest country to Azerbaijan and can assist in resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, says a Turkish expert.

"Iran won't interfere in the process of resolving the conflict and tends to stay neutral in this issue," Yusuf Cinar, president of the Turkish International Research Center 'Strategic Outlook', told Trend Apr. 20.

He was commenting on the role of the region's countries in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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: @Anahanum
The breakdown of an Air France jet has stranded 165 passengers in Montreal, Canada. (AFP/Boris Horvat)

MONTREAL: The breakdown of an Air France jet has stranded 165 passengers in Montreal since Sunday and the airline says it needs another day to get them home.

The Airbus A340 jetliner was scheduled to fly from the Canadian city to Paris on Sunday but had to turn back to the terminal shortly after leaving the gate. Passengers were asked to wait for the aircraft to be repaired instead of being rescheduled on other flights.

"We've been waiting two days for a flight to Paris," passenger Didier Pasquet told AFP Monday evening. "Terrible experience and ruined vacation," Daniel Dahan said in a Twitter message.

An Air France spokesman told AFP most of the passengers would be transferred to two other Air France flights on Tuesday night. The rest would be reserved seats aboard competitors' flights, including KLM, Air Transat and Air Canada also on Tuesday.

All of the passengers would reach Paris no later than Wednesday, Air France pledged.
As publicised on Hoa Phat Groups website, the factory will be located at Pho Noi A industrial park in the northern province of Hung Yen.

The factory is expected to come into operation in early 2018, after 18 months of construction. Its products will include cold-rolled steel sheets, pre-painted galvanised steel sheets, cold galvanised steel sheets, and galvanised steel sheets, at a total capacity of 400,000 tonnes of products per year.

According to the group, the facility will be equipped with modern technology lines imported from Italy, Japan, and Germany.

The sizeable investment into a steel sheet factory aims to meet the increasing domestic demand for pre-painted galvanised steel sheets, while simultaneously reaching to supply galvanised steel sheet materials for Hoa Phats steel pipe manufacturing factory in Hung Yen.

The group was established in 1992, initially focusing on trading construction machinery. It currently has 16 subsidiaries operating in numerous sectors, including steel manufacturing, mining, real estate, furniture manufacturing, and animal feed production. Manufacturing steel and related products is a key business line, making up 80 per cent of the groups revenue.

In 2015, the group earned VND27.8 trillion ($1.25 billion) in revenue, with a profit of VND3.5 trillion ($157.3 million), exceeding by 24 and 8 per cent its targets for last year, respectively.

According to industry insiders, Vietnams steel sheet output is estimated at 3.2-3.5 million tonnes with domestic private steel maker Hoa Sen taking up about 40 per cent of the total.
Damage inflicted by the hailstorm which accompanied a cyclone that struck Ia Rsai Commune in Krong Pa District had been calculated, the Peoples Committee in the district confirmed on Monday afternoon.

A total of 50 homes were ravaged by the climatic event, of which 26 had their roofs blown off, with repair costs estimated at hundreds of millions of dong (VND100 million = US$4,484), said Hiao Buk, vice chairman of the Peoples Committee in Ia Rsai.

According to Ralan Nuon, a local resident, his entire house, which was only recently constructed, was moved from its original location by the cyclone.

Meanwhile, Hiao Thuyen, another resident of the commune, reported that the metal roof of his house was ripped off by the wind, resulting in several 10-meter-long pieces of metal hanging on nearby trees.

Hailstorms also hit many areas of the commune with pellets recorded at up to three centimeters in diameter, which pierced through the roofs of several homes, forcing residents to find shelter at their neighbors houses, whose structures were more stable.

Local authorities have supported each damaged residence with VND500,000 ($22.42) towards them temporarily repairing their homes.

Despite its destructive nature, the hailstorm, along with showers in several other districts of Gia Lai on Monday evening, has cooled off the region for the first time in nearly six months of scorching temperatures.
Mobilising sufficient capital resources for the 2020 socio-economic goal will be a tough task for the state-Photo: Le Toan

The 11th session, also the last of the 13th National Assembly, came to a close last week with the adoption of a resolution on the 20162020 socio-economic development plan.

The resolution set an ambitious target of 6.5-7 per cent in annual growth for Vietnam, which is higher than the annual growth rate of 5.9 per cent in the 2011-2015 period.

The government has estimated that by following the 2016-2020 growth target, the countrys total GDP for the entire period would be about $1.39- $1.43 trillion.

However, in order to realise 6.5-7 per cent in growth, many sources of capital must be mobilised. According to a government report on Vietnams 2016-2020 economic development, total development capital for these five years is estimated to be from $443-$485 billion, equivalent to 32-34 per cent of GDP.

Of these figures, capital from the state coffers (including government bond-based capital) will account for 19.7-21.6 per cent. Meanwhile, capital from the public and domestic private enterprises will occupy 45-47.4 per cent.

For the 2016-2020 period, total capital from foreign-invested projects (excluding locally-contributed capital) will be $65.5-72.8 billion, equal to 15.4-16.2 per cent of Vietnams total development capital.

Committed and disbursed capital from official development assistance (ODA) and concessional loans for the 2016-2020 period is expected to reach $20-25 billion.

However, experts have warned that the government may find it difficult to mobilise sufficient capital for social development over the next five years due to budgetary difficulties as well as a series of hurdles facing private firms.

Private firms are receiving unfair treatment from the government, in terms of tax, land, and other incentives, said Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Nguyen Ton Quyen, chairman of the Timber and Forest Product Association of Vietnam, claimed that thousands of local wood processors have been seriously hit by a lack of bank loans. If the state helps them, the local wood sector can grow 15-20 per cent per year, instead of just 5-7 per cent as is the case now.

According to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Vietnam will receive less concessional ODA due to its status upgrade as a middle-income nation. Also, the government is seeking short-term loans locally. This means bigger pressure in paying debts over the next five years, making it difficult for Vietnam to ensure sufficient development capital.

The ADB has stated that Vietnams plans for fiscal consolidation are at risk from shortfalls in revenue. Over the past five years, reductions in corporate income tax rates, and the removal of tariffs and taxes for favoured firms have eroded the tax base. Additionally, low oil prices are squeezing the life out of resource tax revenue, which comprises 10 per cent of the total.

To achieve higher growth, greater effort is needed to address Vietnams low productivity growth and to support domestic firms ability to integrate into global value chains, said Eric Sidgwick, ADB country director for Vietnam.

Central to this task will be speeding up and deepening the process of state-owned enterprise reform  beyond just equitisation  to remove the distorting impact which these firms have on the economy and its competitiveness, Sidgwick stressed.
The Ho Chi Minh City-based lender recently accepted the resignation of Cao Xuan Ninh, a member of Eximbanks Board of Directors (BOD). Ninh was elected as a board member last mid-December, at Eximbanks unusual general meeting. His tenure was supposed to end in 2020.

At the beginning of April, Eximbanks stock (EIB) received a warning from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange for misleading its investors. Not long afterwards, Eximbank appointed Le Van Quyet as the banks new general director, pending approval from the State Bank of Vietnam.

Prior to his appointment, Quyet had only been a member of Eximbanks BOD since December 15, 2015. He replaced Tran Tan Loc, who formerly served as the banks acting general director. Loc, meanwhile, has been assigned as Eximbanks standing deputy general director.

Eximbanks major shareholders include Japans Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Vietcombank, and VinaCapitals Vietnam Opportunity Fund, which hold 15.07, 8.24, and 4.99 per cent of the banks stakes, respectively. The remaining shares are held by private individuals.

In order to remove the warning that took effect on April 8, the bank has mapped out its business plan for 2016. Eximbank has set its pre-tax profit target at VND720 billion ($33.02 million) and its post-tax profit target at VND576 billion ($26.42 million). It also expects to recover a sum of VND298 billion ($13.66 million), as accounts receivable from a previous property sale.

Given the banks 2015 post-tax profit of VND576 billion ($26.2 million), factoring in the accounts receivable of VND298 billion ($13.54 million), and VND817.47 billion ($37.49 million) in accumulated losses, the bank will post an accumulated profit of VND57 billion ($2.61 million) for the year ending 2016, helping it to get from under its current injunction.

According to VinaCapital managing director Andy Ho, the bank will need some time to clear up its financial issues.

Our investment standpoint is from a US perspective, meaning that they should gather up all the issues, replace personnel, and kick-start it all over again, instead of fleeing from their troubles or leaving them unattended. This is consistent with the banks present situation, said Ho during an interview last week.
Vietnams economy has bright prospects relative to its regional peers-Photo: Le Toan

Last week, the World Bank issued its East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, in which it reduced its projection for Vietnams growth rate in 2016. The January estimate of 6.6 per cent was reduced to 6.2 per cent.

The moderate growth rate of 6.2 per cent is due to slower private consumption and investment growth, natural disasters, and slower exports, said Sudhir Shetty, chief economist of the World Banks East Asia and Pacific region.

Local consumption remains weak, while the government is tightening public spending, which is one of the keys to growth, he said. Notably, Vietnams agriculture has also been seriously affected, stunting growth.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development stated that about 10 per cent of 1.5 million hectares of rice planted in the winter-spring crop (February-June) in Mekong Delta was affected by drought. Meanwhile, saline intrusion has damaged about one million tonnes of rice.

According to the World Bank, Vietnams agricultural sector is expected to grow just 1 per cent this year, down from 2.4 per cent last year. The industrial sector is projected to climb 9 per cent this year, down from 9.6 per cent last year.

In addition, since early last year, Vietnams exports have been dropping in volume. Export growth moderated to 8 per cent in 2015, down from 13.8 per cent in 2014. In this years first quarter, the growth rate is 4.1 per cent, compared to a rise of 6.9 per cent for the same period last year.

Despite these tapering figures, the World Bank remains upbeat about Vietnams economic prospects, saying that the predicted 6.2 per cent would still be far higher than the average of 4.8 per cent in many developing nations in the East Asia and Pacific region.

Among the large developing Southeast Asian economies, the Philippines and Vietnam have the strongest growth prospects, Shetty said. Vietnam will see continued strong growth in domestic demand and manufacturing exports. The baseline outlook for 2016 is positive on balance.

Sandeep Mahajan, a lead economist from the World Bank in Vietnam, said that the free trade agreements  including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)  would bring about huge trade and investment opportunities for Vietnam and its partners.

The World Banks preliminary estimates suggest that the TPP could add about 8 per cent to Vietnams GDP, 17 per cent to its real exports, and 12 per cent to its capital stock, for the 2015-2035 period.

The estimates indicate that the largest area of benefit from the TPP in relation to GDP comes from the impact of tariff reductions (52 per cent in 2035), followed by the reform of non-tariff measure impacts (32 per cent), and finally, liberalisation of services restrictions (16 per cent). Manufacturing exports, comprising 58.1 per cent of Vietnams 2015 real exports, are expected to increase 30 per cent during 2015  2035.
Developers are being forced to quickly understand the markets quickly changing landscape

Vietnams real estate sector recently went through a very exciting cycle which reached its peak by the end of 2008 and entered a correction period.

Co-incidentally, or intentionally as some may argue, this was also the time the government introduced some significant changes to the tax regulations affecting developers and buyers. We have examined and commented on these fundamental changes as perceived by the market at the time (VIR December 8th-14th, 2008).

With over a year of practical application of the new tax regulations affecting the real estate sector, albeit with a lot less excitement due to the market cool-off, there are a number of issues being identified and looming for the attention of regulators and taxpayers.

Based on many recent positive signs we have seen with many reported real estate merger and acquisition projects, inactive licenced projects being revived and new projects explored, new players showing up in Vietnam, there is a perception that a market recovery may be around the corner. In light of this, we believe it is a good time to raise these identified problematic tax issues which may hinder the positive development of the market and hopefully with the appropriate corrections from the tax authorities the issues can be resolved and lending support to the development of a more healthy and strong real estate market. Due to the limitation of space in this article, we shall cover two issues here first.

Transfer of land use rights - Value Added Tax exemption

Under Circular 129/2008/TT-BTC dated December 26, 2008 effective from January 1, 2009 on Value Added Tax (VAT), the transfer of Land Use Right (LUR) is VAT exempt.

The circular further provides details that the revenue subject to VAT is the real estate transfer value minus the LUR value at the time of the transfer. For example, the transfer value of a property is VND8 billion, while the building value is determined at VND5 billion and the balance of VND3 billion is attributable to the value of the LUR. The revenue subject to VAT in this case is only VND5 billion.

The deduction of the LUR value from the revenue subject to VAT also applies in cases of instalment payment, from the first instalment payment. Under the above example provided in Circular 129, if the first instalment payment of the property is 30 per cent, then a deduction of 30 per cent of the LUR value (30 per cent x VND3 billion) can be deducted from the revenue subject to VAT. The LUR value is determined and fixed at the time of the first instalment payment.

The above taxation principle as set out by the regulations and demonstrated by these examples is simple, clear and straightforward. However, there are various implementation issues faced by the taxpayers in practice.

Firstly, how the LUR value at the transfer time may be determined and fixed for this VAT deduction purpose? Circular 129 provides that where the price of the land at the date of transfer declared by the taxpayer is not deemed to have sufficient basis in order to determine a reasonable VAT taxable price pursuant to law, the deductible price of the land shall be the price of the land (or the rent for the land) stipulated by a peoples committee under central authority at the date of transfer of real estate.

Under some official letters issued by Ministry of Finance (MoF) (i.e. Official Letter No. 10383/BTC-TCT dated July 22, 2009), it is confirmed that when determining the price of land at the date of transfer of real estate property, enterprises and their customers can make reference to the land price listed at Real Estate Transaction Centre or enter into a contract with price assessment agencies. This indicates that market price can be used. Can this market price for land be determined appropriately in a true and fair manner and can be acceptable by the tax office?

Secondly, for apartment sales, especially with the high-rise apartments, how the common owned LUR value (even if assuming can be determined correctly and appropriately) may be allocated to each apartment unit for VAT deduction purposes? The current tax circular does not specifically address this issue. Reference to the Land Law, Law on Housing, Law on Real-Estate Business and other relevant implementing regulations would be required here and this can be very legally complex. We have seen LUR ownership paperwork for a number of different high -rise apartments showing different ways of calculation and presentation of the allocated land here even within the same city.

Finally, having the LUR value deducted from the revenue subject to VAT effectively implies that the developer is in a partial VAT exemption position. Accordingly, the developer cannot claim all the input VAT incurred relating to the land and building development. In other words, the input VAT incurred relating to the LUR transfer revenue (e.g. land improvement expenses) which is VAT exempt, is not technically creditable. If the input VAT relating to the LUR transfer revenue cannot be clearly identified (i.e. the expenses and related VAT incurred may be related to both land and building development), then the input VAT must be claimed based on the ratio of the VATable revenue (the house/apartment transfer value) over the total revenue (the house/apartment transfer value plus the LUR transfer value). This would create certain VAT leakage to the developer.

The practice so far has indicated that in most cases in Hanoi, the developers issue invoices for VAT purpose on the full property transfer value without deduction of the LUR transfer value portion. On the other hand, we have seen that some developers in Ho Chi Minh City do try to work this out and exclude the VAT charge on the LUR transfer portion. For a healthy market development and to make it fair for individual property buyers (i.e. not having to pay VAT on the value of LUR of the property they purchase as clearly allowed under the VAT law), it is important that practical and easy to follow guidance from the tax authority would be required here on this subject for strict and consistent application of the tax regulations

Long-term lease upfront payment-Corporate Income Tax (CIT) implications

It is common to see industrial park developers around the country is to rent the land from the government, develop the infrastructure and then sub-lease the land to the tenants over a long period of time. Recently, qualified foreign buyers may buy only long-term leases for their properties say for 50 years as allowed under current regulations. In some projects located in central business districts of the cities or beachfront, properties may only be sold by the developer on a long-term lease basis even to Vietnamese national buyers.

Tenants/buyers in the above cases would typically be required to pay the full lease value upfront for many years to the developers. For accounting purposes, we understand that many developers do recognise the full lease upfront payment as their sale revenue in the year of receipt. However, for CIT purposes, under the previous CIT regulations (i.e. Circular 134/2007/TT-BTC applicable to December 31, 2008), developers may choose to recognise the above taxable sale revenue on the basis of an one-off full lease upfront payment or deferred basis with taxable revenue recognition annually over the lease period.

The current Circular 130/2008/TT-BTC dated December 26, 2008, replacing Circular 134 and effective from January 1, 2009, no longer allows the above two options. Taxable revenue must now be recognised on a deferred basis (i.e. option 2 above) only.

Circular 130 fails to provide any provisions for transitional cases i.e. can developers with projects already operational before January 1, 2009 be allowed to continue with what they may have in place for many years e.g. recognition of sales revenue for both accounting and tax purposes on an one-off full lease upfront payment basis or all have to change to the new rule from January 1, 2009.

The more serious related problem in connection with this new tax provision is how the difference between the tax and accounting profits may be addressed in terms of dividend payment. The current regulations on dividend payment require that dividends may only be declared and paid out after the company has fulfilled its Vietnamese tax obligations (i.e. only profits after tax can be paid out as dividends). Many developers would face the situation that they may have substantial accounting profits, but be unable to pay out full dividends for many years because full CIT cannot be declared and paid for these accounting profits recognised. For real estate developers who may constantly need quick cash turn, this can be another challenge that needs careful management and advance planning.

--------------------

Ninh Van Hien (ninhvanhien@kpmg.com.vn) and Do Thi Thu Ha (htdo@kpmg.com.vn) - tax partners leading the Real Estate Practice at KPMG Vietnam.

lThe views expressed by the authors here do not necessary represent the views and opinions of KPMG.
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde speaks at a press conference during the IMF, World Bank spring meetings in Washington, DC. (AFP/Mandel Ngan)

WASHINGTON: Four of the world's largest multilateral organisations joined hands on Tuesday in the fight to help developing countries fight tax evasion.

The International Monetary Fund, World Bank, United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), announced a joint platform for collaboration on tax issues, a beginning step to design and implement international standards.

The announcement came on the heels of the so-called "Panama Papers", a trove of documents leaked from a Panama law office that showed top international politicians among the owners of thousands of anonymous shell companies located in tax havens.

"This effort comes at a time of great momentum around international tax issues," the four organisations said in a statement. "Strengthening tax systems - policy and administration - has emerged as a key development priority."

The first task for the initiative will be to deliver "toolkits" to developing countries to help them act against corporations using accounting tactics like profit shifting and transfer pricing between countries to lower their tax bills.

According to the United Nations, billions of dollars are denied to developing country government coffers each year due to what is often called euphemistically "aggressive tax planning" by multinational companies.

Recent cases in Europe demonstrate how major companies shift income and assets to their offices in countries with the lowest tax rates.

Developing countries "are the ones who lose out to the creativity and inventiveness of the multinationals," IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in a discussion of the issue on Sunday.

In 2013 the OECD, which groups the world's leading economies, launched a programme to beginning reining in tax avoidance and to force companies to be more transparent about their finances in each country in which they operate.

The new joint platform aims at bringing developing countries into the effort.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

Trend:

Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has met with the OSCE Minsk Group's co-chairs and the personal representative of the OSCE chairperson-in-office Andrzej Kasprzyk in Vienna to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

During the meeting, it was noted that the ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and resumption of political negotiations remain indispensable, read a message posted on the German Foreign Ministry's website Apr. 20.

Steinmeier noted that the status quo does not provide any guarantees for the future and could again lead to an escalation of the situation.

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.

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.
A Toan Thang Steel JSC worker supervises steel billet production at the Song Cong I Industrial Zone in Thai Nguyen Province. - VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam

Dung made the statement in an article to the Vietnam News Agency that local producers must revamp their production technology to build a competitive industry.

Although trade defence instruments were essential to protect local production, the use of these instruments might result in inefficiency if it failed to balance the interests of the relevant parties, he added.

Dung said trade defence instruments might cause a conflict of interest which had been proved through the recent use of safeguard duties on imported steel products.

For example, producers who manufactured steel ingots might support the imposition of duties, while those importing cheap steel ingots for their production and consumers who pay higher prices, might oppose the policy.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade in early March announced a decision to issue temporary safeguard duties of 23.3 per cent on steel billets and 14.2 per cent on steel bars for a maximum of 200 days.

"In the short term, producers should share the benefits," Dung said.

In the long term, Dung said trade defence instruments were just passive protective measures, urging steel firms to renovate production technologies to be able to actively compete with low-priced imported steel, especially from China, the world's top steel producer, which was facing excess capacity and ramping up exports in recent years.

The aim was to develop a competitive industry through the application of modern production technologies, he wrote, and added that the in-force safeguard duties were offering opportunities for local producers to renovate their production and hasten restructuring to lower price and enhance quality.

The Viet Nam Competition Authority will host a public consultation meeting on May 5 on the duties imposed on imported steel.

After safeguard

The local steel industry must find ways to ensure development amid a global steel overcapacity crisis that China and other major steel producing countries were struggling to tackle.

According to Dung, after a decade of rapid development, Viet Nam currently ranked second by production capacity in the Southeast Asia, after Thailand, with a total annual production capacity of more than 20 million tonnes.

However, the association's statistics showed that the industry currently operated at only 55 per cent of capacity, due to declining demand, competition from cheap steel products imported from China, and trade frauds.

Regarding exports, Viet Nam steel producers often faced trade barriers set by importing countries, according to Dung, citing 12 trade defence-related lawsuits the industry faced in 2015 alone, while the use of trade defence instruments were still new to local producers.

Dung said local producers must join hands to stabilise the domestic market and be able to compete in the global market.

According to Nguyen Phuong Nam, deputy director of the Viet Nam Competition Authority, the co-ordination along with local producers from giants to small-scale firms and with the Government relevant agencies, was critical for the success of trade defence instruments.
The reconstructed cockpit of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 is seen after the presentation of the final report regarding its crash, in Gilze Rijen, the Netherlands, Oct 13, 2015. (Photo source: REUTERS/Michael Kooren /Files)

THE HAGUE: Dozens of families of those killed when a missile shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine two years ago are considering suing the carrier for compensation, their lawyer told AFP on Tuesday (Apr 19).

All 298 passengers and crew - the majority of them Dutch - died when the Boeing 777 was hit by a Russian-made BUK anti-aircraft missile over war-torn eastern Ukraine on Jul 17, 2014.

"We are still negotiating the case. But the offers that Malaysia Airlines are making are almost offensive for our clients," lawyer Veeru Mewa told AFP.

His office, Beer Advocaten, represents the families of 91 people killed in the disaster. But he is also leading a core group of Dutch lawyers, acting for the families of some 168 people who died on the ill-fated flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Under a 1999 international accord dubbed the Montreal Convention, the families have until the second anniversary of the disaster - Jul 17 - to decide if they want to press a lawsuit.

Mewa said the airlines' insurers were "taking advantage of Dutch law" under which if someone dies in an accident then you can only claim "compensation for the funeral costs."

"According to international standards that would mean a Dutch life is worth less than any other life," he said.

The lawsuit, if it is filed, would seek damages for the loss of earnings as well as compensation for the "psychological" trauma of those who lost loved ones.

The legal team was also thinking of holding Malaysia Airlines "liable for flying over Ukraine" which was in the middle of a conflict with government forces fighting pro-Russian rebels.

Many "families are struggling with real traumatic bereavement, real post-traumatic stress syndrome because of the images, seeing rebels walking on the gravesite, and not being able to go there, knowing that the Dutch government was not there to collect the bodies for quite a while," Mewa said.

They just want "a just" settlement, and the offer so far on the table did not give them "satisfaction," he added.

It remains to be decided if the suit would be filed in The Hague or in Malaysia, he said, adding that as well as Dutch clients the group including Swiss, Indonesian and Australian nationals.

"Malaysia Airlines, immediately after the crash said that they will take responsibility and take care of the families. And the offers they are making is not suggesting that."

Officials with the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) concluded last year as part of an international investigation that the Boeing 777 was hit by a BUK missile.

In February, a separate criminal investigation team said they hoped within months to pinpoint the exact spot from which the missile was fired.
Huynh Khanh Toan, vice chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee in Quang Nam, where the two mines are located, said in a monthly meeting that the province will consider its options. However, Besra is likely to have its exploration licence renewed in order to allow the company time to pay off its tax debts.

Aside from all of the workers concerned, the mine must have owners to protect it from illegal operations, added Toan.

The exploration licence on Vietnams first gold mine, Bong Mieu  one of two gold mines operated by Besra Group  will expire in 2016. Besras other gold mine, Phuoc Son, also faces the expiration of its exploration licence next year.

Besra Group has applied to renew the licences. However, its application is being opposed by the local province, as Besra has racked up a total tax arrears of about $18.35 million from the two mines.

In late March, the Quang Nam Tax Department issued Decision No. 1456/Q-CT on applying coercive measures for Bong Mieu by invalidating the mines invoices due to the owners failure to pay taxes. This decision will take effect in March 2017.

The Quang Nam Tax Departnemt has also previously been forced to pursue an aggressive policy, including freezing the companys bank accounts in an attempt to recover Besras mountain of tax debts.

Head of the Quang Nam Tax Department Nguyen Bon told VIR on a previous occasion that in September 2013 the Quang Nam Tax Department decided to collect the arrears, but the tax agency suspended its decision, allowing the firm more time to make the payments.

The Bong Mieu gold mine was commissioned in 2006, and is located in Phu Ninh district, while the Phuoc Son site, commissioned in 2011, and located in Phuoc Son district, is the largest gold mine in Vietnam.

Early last year, Quang Nam province also requested that the company immediately stop pumping untreated wastewater into the Bong Mieu River, and to take measures to properly collect and handle storm water run-off in its mining areas before discharging the water into the environment. Provincial authorities also asked Besra to submit a report on how it would resolve the environmental damage resulting from its operations to the Quang Nam Provincial Peoples Committee.
The Pho Hien relic complex lies in the villages of Dang Chau and Ne Chau. It contains countless pagodas and temples. The site was once a bustling commercial port on the Red River, reaching its heyday in the 17th - 18th century.



Pho Hien was second only to the Imperial capital city of Thang Long as a trading point in Vietnam. It was well-known among foreign traders, especially those from the Netherlands, Japan, Spain, Portugal and China.



Along with goods, foreign traders brought various architecture styles, customs and cultures, which were imprinted in architectural works such as the Xich Dang literature temple, Chuong pagoda, Hien communal house, Mau, May and Kim Dang temples.

Apart from buildings used for religious and spiritual reasons, there are also markets, wells and cemeteries.



The variety of historical relic sites contributed to forming a string of traditional festivals.



The Pho Hien Cultural Festival takes place in the Pho Hien relic complex in the third lunar month every year. It features traditional rituals, games and art performances, and culinary art, bringing alive the history, spirituality and culture of the land.



It allows tourists to get insight into the culture and history of the ancient river port.



The event also helps promote the localitys potential in tourism and service development and serves as an attractive spiritual and religious tourism destination.



Hung Yen boasts more than 1,200 relic sites and more than 400 local traditional festivals.



It is also the homeland of a number of national heroes and cultural celebrities, such as King Trieu Viet Vuong, who reigned from 548-571; Pham Ngu Lao, a general in the Tran dynasty in the 14th century; Hoang Hoa Tham, who led the Yen The rebellion against France in between 1884-1913; and late General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Van Linh, who initiated the nations successful reform period.
Jacques Fourvel, an advisor to Casino Groups president, last week was quoted by the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), saying that after the sale of Big Cs retail chain, we shall keep exporting an array of goods and stay in a close relationship with our Vietnamese suppliers.

He added that during its almost two decades trading in Vietnam, Casino has made an effort to develop a modern distribution system and has supported Vietnamese exports via its Big C outlets, especially agricultural products such as lychees, mangoes, and pineapples.

Casino, which is the majority shareholder in Big C supermarkets, now has 33 stores nationwide, making it one of the top retailers in the country. More than 90 per cent of items on its shelves are made in Vietnam.

Fourvel revealed that every year, Big C exports more than 1,100 containers of goods from 800 Vietnamese brands to 20 countries in its system to Asia, Europe and Latin America.

The race for the retail chain includes Koreas Lotte, Thailands Berli Jucker, as well as Central Group and Dairy Farm from Singapore. Vietnamese potential buyers Co.opmart and Masan Group are also in the running.

However, Jacques Fourvel has denied a report in the media that Japans Aeon was in the list of suitors.

Discussing the selection criteria, Fourvel said that the deal was not only dependant on price, the success of the deal would also depend on how effectively Big C could merge with the operations and financial capability of tenders.

For our part, we do not want to sell Big C to a partner who cant afford to move Big C Vietnam forward, said Fourvel.

First round bids for the Vietnam outfit were due on March 10. Final, fully financed offers are due around mid-April before a decision is made.
Huynh Kim Lap, the groups chairman, told VIR that After discussions, Thien Tan and Global Universal have agreed to establish a joint venture (JV). However, we have not yet reached any agreement on each others stake in the JV.

Thien Tan hopes that the two sides will reach a consensus on the issue at a meeting on April 27 or 28 to fast-track the project, which lies in the central economic hub, he disclosed, adding that The company has engaged a Japanese consultancy firm, which is also working on the Long Thanh international airport project, located in the southern province of Dong Nai. We plan to submit a report on the investment opportunities to the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the Airports Corporation of Vietnam for approval soon before making further steps on the project.

According to Lap, Global Universal is very interested in the Chu Lai airport expansion project.

To help speed up the project, Global Universal has approached Hong Kong-registered JK&D International Ltd to join the project as project manager and administrator. JK&D has financed and constructed many similar projects worldwide, including the $700 million Nikola Tesla airport expansion project in Belgrade and the $3.5 billion New Almaty airport in Kazakhstan (as well as renovations to the existing Almaty airport).

JK&D has already taken steps to have our Tier 1 lenders ready to issue the necessary Letters of Intent (LOIs) as soon as the JK&D assessment is complete, 45 days from our commencing activities. Our team is primed and ready to depart for Quang Ngai to start the JK&D process, Brian G. Dennard, managing director of JK&D International, told VIR.

The Tier 1 EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) team for Chu Lai consists of Yooshin Engineering, Heerim Architecture, and Saehan Engineering. This is the team that designed, engineered and constructed Incheon international airport, the number one airport in the world for the past 10 years. Tier 1 financial institution partners include Shinhan Investments Asia, Meritz Securities, CIMB, KDB Daewoo, Mirae Asset, Kookmin Bank, and KoFC, he disclosed.

Approved in January 2016 by the MoT, Chu Lai airport will be expanded towards the neighbouring province of Quang Ngai, with the estimated investment capital of $1 billion. The expansion is expected to help save costs and time for investors seeking to do business in the two localities.

Thien Tan earlier proposed upgrading and expanding the airport under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) format. Once finished, the facility will help boost investment in Dung Quat and Chu Lai economic zones as well as the development of tourism in Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces.

Covering a total area of over 3,400 hectares, Chu Lai airport currently handles 34 weekly flights with three airlines: national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Jetstar Pacific. In 2015, the airport served 154,550 passengers, up 284.5 per cent from 2014. The expanded airport is expected to become an air cargo transport hub, shifting five million tonnes of cargo per year.
Sandeep Mahajan, lead economist from the World Bank in Vietnam, said that Vietnam needed to quickly change the role of the state away from being a producer and owner, to being a facilitator, service provider, and regulator.

There has been strong engagement of the state in economic activities  directly through state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and indirectly through close links with an exclusive segment of the private sector. If the state continues its existing role, it will continue distorting the markets performance, Mahajan said last week in Hanoi at a conference on the states role in Vietnams market economy.

The conference gathered solutions from World Bank experts and local think-tanks to implement proposals in the Vietnam 2035 Report.

The landmark report, released in late February by the World Bank and the government, outlines a path for Vietnam to reach upper-middle-income status until 2035. To this end, one of the key solutions is reducing the state commercialisation through SOEs as soon as possible.

Now is the time for the government to take more action, Mahajan said.

Currently, SOEs participate in the full gamut of industries - from garment manufacturing, to mobile phone services, to banking - activities where private players could do a better job (see table for details).

Bui Duc Thu, a National Assembly member, told VIR that the state directly appointed SOEs general directors or chairpersons. In many cases, these enterprises were assigned by the state to devise policies that served themselves. Obviously these policies are not in favour of private enterprises. That has caused inequality between enterprises and has created an uneven playing field.

For example, over the past years, Electricity of Vietnam has made power-related policies in favour of itself, causing difficulties for private investors.

Nguyen Dinh Cung, head of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), also noted that Vietnam will not be able to achieve higher and sustainable growth if the government remains slack in reducing its commercial interest in SOEs. Private enterprises want to have a level playing field in the economy.

According to CIEM, the private sector is surging ahead, and is a central cog in Vietnams economic engine. It has sufficient capacity to engage in almost all industries controlled by the state.

It is important to change the role of the state in investment, from the direct investor in production and running businesses, to a supporter and regulator, Cung stressed. The state should substantially retreat from the economy as an investor and producer, and focus on overcoming/repairing market failures.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 21

Trend:

The Georgian authorities realize how important the maintenance of peace in Nagorno-Karabakh for the region, Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said, "Georgia Online" web site reported.

He expressed hope that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be normalized by peaceful way. The PM proposed Azerbaijan and Armenia to hold talks in Georgia.

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.

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.
Lieutenant General Hun Manet has defended his father Prime Minister Hun Sens record, saying people should remember the role Hun Sen played in bringing peace and national reconciliation to the country.

Peace and stability have brought Cambodia to where it is now, Manet, Hun Sens eldest son, told VOA Khmer in an exclusive interview. These are the basis for development and hope for the future of our people. These are two crucial foundations.

Rights groups have criticized Prime Minister Hun Sens 30-year rule for its harsh treatment of political opponents, rampant corruption, over-exploitation of natural resources, and a widening gap between rich and poor.

Despite offering a defense of Hun Sens record, Manet said it was up to the people to choose how to define the strongmans legacy.

For the general population, they should consider that in evaluating a persons legacy they must look at every aspect, he said. Even the opposition party or some individuals who say that there is no freedom or the government is a dictatorship, they are using the freedom [created by Hun Sen] to express their opinion to say that there is a dictatorship. They are using different means, like media, Facebook or whatever, that are in use or have been allowed.

Over one million Cambodian migrant workers are employed in Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, and other countries in the region. Critics say this labor exodus is evidence the government has failed to provide jobs at home.

However, Manet said there were also some positive aspects of Cambodias migrant worker issue.

Migration, which has seen our people working in Thailand, is not all negative, he said. There are positive aspects to it, too, if they go to work legally and we have measures to support the rights and benefits of our laborers overseas.

He added that migrant workers gain valuable skills which they can use to secure higher paying jobs or form businesses when they return, while the government is working to boost the local jobs market by providing more information to job-seekers, training the workforce, developing new industries and finding new markets for agricultural products.

Manet, who recently concluded a 10-day tour of the US that was marred by street protests, said he has been unfairly tarred with the same brush as his father and encouraged observers to focus on his personal contributions to the country.

If you accuse the father and that accusation spreads to his children, then would that also mean even my children and  [my father's] grandchildren are also involved?

If you dare to use your rights to accuse other people, you must dare to be accountable. You have an obligation to show whose land Hun Manet grabbed, who Hun Manet killed and where Hun Manet spread communist ideology. You have to prove these [accusations], not just say them. (additional reporting by Say Mony)
A direct phone call from Prime Minister Hun Sen alerted 36-year-old City Hall deputy chief of administration Long Dimanche to his new role as Cambodias envoy to South Korea.

Dimanche will replace Suth Dina, the disgraced former ambassador who was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit on April 4 on corruption charges and jailed in Phnom Penhs Prey Sar prison days later.

Speaking to VOA Khmer following his appointment, Dimanche said he had not expected to receive the call from Hun Sen.

I was a bit surprised when I received the call from the premier to serve in the new post, he said.

The eldest of two sons of Long Visalo, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and son-in-law to Nhim Vanda, vice president of the National Committee for Disaster Management, Dimanche studied international relations in France before getting a job as assistant to then-Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema in 2005.

Since then successive ruling Cambodian Peoples Party reshuffles have seen the young civil servant take on increasing responsibilities.

The most recent cabinet reshuffle saw his father, Visalo, the second-highest-ranking foreign ministry official, overlooked for the post of Foreign Minister to replace the outgoing Hor Namhong in favor of former Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Prak Sokhon.

Visalo, then an academic, was jailed by the Khmer Rouge after returning to the country in 1975. As the only Cambodian the regime could identify identify who had geographic information skills at the time, he was put to work to draw up a new administrative map of the country. After his work was done he was sent to the infamous Boeung Trabek prison.

Dimanche said that although his father had helped him pursue an education and find work, his appointment was not nepotistic.

The appointment is not based on blood lines as some people have suggested, he said, adding that he would strive to serve Cambodian migrant workers in South Korea as the new ambassador.

The corruption issue is an issue we have to solve, he said. Even when I worked in Phnom Penh Municipal Hall, I worked with transparency, collecting opinions from the public when there were allegations of irregularities.

When Visalo was serving as ambassador to Fidel Castros Cuba in 1982, Dimanche accompanied his father, going to elementary school in Havana for two years.

He returned to finish high school in Cambodia before attending Pariss Dauphine University and later the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Internationale, from 1997 to 2004.

Chum Sounry, spokesman for the foreign ministry, told VOA Khmer that Dimanches experience and academic background in international affairs made him the perfect candidate for the role.

The person who is going to serve in the role as ambassador needs to understand international relations, diplomatic relations, and have the ability to help Cambodian workers in South Korea, he said.

He added that the former deputy chief of administration had also gained useful experience in land dispute settlement during his time with City Hall.

But housing rights activists from the Boeung Kak and Borey Keila communities begged to differ.

Tep Vanny, a prominent Boeung Kak lake activist who has had many a run-in with city security forces, said Dimanche was not a suitable candidate for the ambassador job because he had been a dishonest spokesman for the municipality.

He is not sincere in his words to reporters and the people. He seems to not have the ability to tell the truth or the will to serve the people who are victims, such as the Beoung Kak residents, she said.

Dimanche countered that the controversies he found himself at the heart of during his City Hall tenure had taught him valuable lessons and that many of his critics were unaware of the behind-the-scenes work he had done with local communities.

While he would miss working in Phnom Penh, he said that his appointment was a childhood dream come true.

He went on to admit, however, that while he had studied international relations and was confident he could fulfill his duties, he had little practical experience.

I have learned the theories of international relations. But in reality I have no experience.
Lieutenant General Hun Manet, Prime Minister Hun Sens oldest son, wrapped up his 10-day US tour on Monday amid street protests from Cambodian Americans, leaving behind a community seemingly more divided than ever.

In Long Beach, CA, the annual New Year parade he initially planned to attend was met with lively demonstrations despite his withdrawal from the event.

Im protesting because Im not satisfied with Hun Sen and Hun Manet for abusing and killing Cambodian people, selling land to the Vietnamese, and selling their consciences, said Khim Any Yorn, a protester at the parade on Sunday. We are not happy to let him join the parade in the US because the US is the land of democracy and his hands are stained with Cambodian blood so we dont welcome him.

Other protesters shared Any Yorns sentiment.

I dont support the government [delegation] to attend our parade, said Kheng Song. Everybody knows the regime is a dictatorship.

Protesters held placards bearing anti-Hun Sen logos and messages against land-grabbing, corruption and deforestation.

In an exclusive interview with VOA Khmer, Gen. Manet, a senior military commander who heads the country's elite counter-terrorism unit, explained the reason for his withdrawal from the parade.

What benefit do I get if I attend? he said. Getting thrown at with eggs and stones is not important, but the most important thing is our whole nation. Tens of thousands of people will go to see the parade and there will be cameras there to take pictures of what is Khmer [culture]. Our people take that opportunity to showcase what Khmer [culture] is. If there is a protest, it will dominate what will be shown... Therefore, it brings shame to the whole nation.

When asked if he was angered by the protests, Manet said it was the peoples right to demonstrate within the legal framework, if it does not cause violence to any member of the delegation or any participant at the ceremony to welcome [Khmer] New Year. This is their right. Im not angry.

When asked if there will be a counter protest by CPP supporters in Cambodia, as was the case after Hun Sens trip to attend the UN General Assembly in 2015, Manet said he would not encourage pro-government supporters to take to the streets.

A day earlier over 200 people also staged a protest at La Lune restaurant in Long Beach, where a private reception was held to welcome Manet.

I want to tell Hun Manet that he does not need to unite Khmers in the US, Samuel Samrech, a protester from Fresno, told VOA Khmer.

Khmers in the US have enjoyed enough democracy. He needs to unite Khmers in the country first. Khmers have lost their land; got beaten up and imprisoned. They dont have food to eat. Therefore, Hun Manet must organize Khmers inside the country first before coming to the US. Khmers in the US do not need Hun Manet.

Astra Mam, another protester from Long Beach, also expressed his frustration.

In fact, he does not come to unite Khmers in the US, Mam said. He is here to split Khmers, politically. Before the elections he needs to conduct a campaign among overseas Khmers to garner support for him. We who live overseas understand the value and suffering of Cambodians living in the country very well. Its because of the Hun Sen government that our people live in misery, getting jailed and losing land.

In addition to protesting against Manets visit, protesters also demanded the release of jailed political activists.

If Hun Manet is truly a good guy, he should release those whom his father has thrown in jails, said Navan Cheth, another protester from Long Beach. Only doing so can Khmers overseas support him.

Among those whom protesters demanded be released was Meach Sovannara, a US citizen and former press officer for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in relation to a protest following disputed elections in 2013.

If he committed a criminal offense and is found guilty and was imprisoned, I dont mind, but his only crime was to promote democracy, to educate people to understand their freedom, said Sovannaras wife, Jamie Meach. Nowadays, Im by myself working to raise three kids, and sending money to take care of my husband in jail.

Dr. Sam Keo, a psychiatrist who attended the parade on Sunday, said the cultural memory of the Khmer Rouge atrocities were still prominent in the minds of Cambodian expatriates.

Psychologically, they still remember their hardship during the Khmer Rouge regime that killed their siblings and parents, and the current leader is one of those leaders, Dr Keo said. Therefore, they are against the leaders.

The parade in Long Beach went ahead without interruption.

Councilman Dee Andrews, who marched in the parade, said everyone should keep the spirit of the community and seek to understand Khmer culture. When asked about Gen. Manets presence and the protests, he said those wishing to partake in the parade should not be prevented by opposition supporters.

I want to let them know that this is Long Beach, not Cambodia, he said. And we want to let the people who fought so hard to get here ... they want to be able to enjoy it. They should never ever turn away from that. Dont let anyone take it from them. This is their parade.

Manet made four stops in the US: Long Beach, CA, Olympia, WA, Houston, TX, and Lowell, MA.

His last stop in Lowell was also met with a protest before he headed to Canada.

This is to show him that when he abuses people in the country, he does not have an easy time when he is abroad, said Vannak Men, one of the protest organizers in Lowell.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging the Security Council to restore the full peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, warning of full-scale war if the mandate is not renewed.

Ban said in a report to the council that "terrorists and radical elements" can be expected to exploit the situation after Morocco expelled 83 U.N. staffers from Western Sahara last month.

"The risk of a rupture of the cease-fire and resumption of hostilities, with its attendant danger of escalation into full-scale war, will grow significantly in the event that MINURSO [the U.N. peacekeeping mission] is forced to depart or find itself unable to execute the mandate that the Security Council has set," he said.

The Security Council plans to vote next month on a one-year extension of the mission that began in 1991 to monitor a cease-fire between Morocco and independence fighters from the Polisario Front.

Morocco annexed Western Sahara in 1975 and considers it part of its territory.

During a recent visit to a camp in Algeria for Western Saharan refugees, Ban infuriated Morocco by calling it an "occupation."

Morocco responded by expelling 83 U.N. staffers and shutting down a military liaison office, severely hobbling the mission.
What is life like for people who live in a region where water is not fit to drink? Pakistan's Tharparkar is one such place.



When Sind Bai heard about the construction of a reverse osmosis plant, designed to filter salts and minerals from brackish water, next to her village, she thought her water woes were over. All her life, she had been walking to nearby wells, a large clay pot on her head, to collect water that tasted like it came from the sea.



When she became too old to do so, she handed over the task to younger women in her family, like generations before her.



Bai is a resident of Tharparkar, a desert region spanning 22,000 kilometers in southeastern Pakistan. Its 1.5 million residents frequently face water scarcity and drought, often leading to malnutrition and sometimes famine. Rainfall is erratic, most of it limited to the monsoon season from July to September. The rest of the year, an underground aquifer, accessed through wells, is the primary source of water.



Research by the local NGO "AWARE" shows three people per household spend three to five hours every day to collect water.



However, the problems are not just access to water but also the quality of water. Extra salts and minerals in the ground make 80 percent of it unfit for human consumption according to standards set by the World Health Organization.

Drinking it leads to chronic diseases for the local population.



Women in Bais village complain that they have to go to one well to collect brackish water for drinking and regular household chores, and another well, much farther, to collect sweet water for their kids.



"We get sweet water for our kids because they get stomach problems," they said.



The reverse osmosis plant was going to solve that problem. They would not have to walk for miles in the blistering heat of the desert. Even adults would get sweet, clean drinking water.



Those hopes never came to fruition. The plant was constructed but never worked. A large padlock on its front door confirmed to any visitors that the building is deserted.



The government of Sindh province claims to have installed up to 600 hundred reverse osmosis plants in the region. Locals complain many of the plants either never worked or fell into disrepair soon after they started.



Abdul Qayyum Soomro, advisor to Sindhs chief minister, said his government was aware that one third of the water plants are non-functional and had sent teams to fix them. For Bai and many other Tharparkar residents, the wait for clean water continues.
Details added (first version posted on 20:53)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 19

Trend:

Armenian leadership continues its provocative actions and rhetoric of war instead of learning a lesson from its unsuccessful and irresponsible adventure on the contact line of troops in early April and taking constructive steps to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's Spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev said Apr. 19.

Hajiyev made the remarks commenting on the statements by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan during his visit to the Azerbaijan's occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Intensification of ceasefire violation by the Armenian side along the contact line is the result of the policy pursued by Armenian regime, said Hajiyev.

He noted that by visiting the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the Armenian leadership is interested in an escalation of tensions and there are no opinions about the region's future, normalization of Armenia's relations with neighboring countries and ensuring sustainable peace and security.

"Armenia is pushing the country's young people to ethnic hatred, war and massacre with its characteristic of military dictators' theses about artificial patriotism," Hajiyev said. "Armenian regime in this way tries to deceive the Armenian society, to divert attention from the military losses due to unsuccessful military adventure, to recover completely lost credibility and trust in society."

The statements of the military-political leadership of Armenia, personally participated in the perpetration of the Khojaly genocide and ethnic cleansing of more than one million Azerbaijanis, causes nothing but contempt, according to Hajiyev.

Azerbaijani armed forces adequately stopped the criminal actions of the Armenian leadership who targeted peaceful Azerbaijani population and tried to renew the conflict in early April, he said.

"On the background of changing status quo, the Armenian leadership, finally, must realize that the occupation of Azerbaijani territories will never give them the expected results," said Hajiyev. "In order to prevent re-escalation of tension and achieve conflict resolution and sustainable peace in the region, Armenia should withdraw all its troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council."

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.
Lieutenant General Hun Manet, eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, wrapped up his 10-day U.S. tour this week amid street protests by Cambodian Americans, leaving behind a community seemingly more divided than ever.



Gen. Manet was forced to withdraw from the annual New Year's parade in Long Beach at the beginning of his visit when he was met with lively demonstrations.



Im protesting because Im not satisfied with Hun Sen and Hun Manet for abusing and killing Cambodian people, selling land to the Vietnamese, and selling their consciences, said Khim Any Yorn, a protester at the parade April 10. We are not happy to let him join the parade in the U.S. because it's the land of democracy and his hands are stained with Cambodian blood, so we dont welcome him.



Other protesters shared Any Yorns sentiment.



I dont support the government [delegation] to attend our parade, said Kheng Song. Everybody knows the regime is a dictatorship.



Protesters held placards bearing anti-Hun Sen logos and messages against land-grabbing, corruption and deforestation.

Protests 'bring shame'



In an exclusive interview with VOA Khmer, Gen. Manet, a senior military commander who heads the country's elite counterterrorism unit, explained why he withdrew from the parade.



What benefit do I get if I attend? he said. Getting thrown at with eggs and stones is not important, but the most important thing is our whole nation. Tens of thousands of people will go to see the parade and there will be cameras there to take pictures of what is Khmer [culture]. Our people take that opportunity to showcase what Khmer [culture] is. If there is a protest, it will dominate what will be shown... Therefore, it brings shame to the whole nation.





When asked if he was angered by the protests, Manet said it was the peoples right to demonstrate within the legal framework, if it does not cause violence to any member of the delegation or any participant at the ceremony to welcome [Khmer] New Year. This is their right. Im not angry.



More than 200 people staged a protest at La Lune restaurant in Long Beach as a private reception was held to welcome Manet on April 9. Astra Mam, a protester from Long Beach, expressed his frustration.



In fact, he does not come to unite Khmers in the U.S., Mam said. He is here to split Khmers, politically. Before the elections he needs to conduct a campaign among overseas Khmers to garner support for him. We who live overseas understand the value and suffering of Cambodians living in the country very well. Its because of the Hun Sen government that our people live in misery, getting jailed and losing land.



Calls to release prisoners



Demonstrators also demanded the release of jailed political activists.

If Hun Manet is truly a good guy, he should release those whom his father has thrown in jails, said Navan Cheth, another protester from Long Beach. Only [if he does] so can Khmers overseas support him.



Among those whom protesters demanded be released was Meach Sovannara, a U.S. citizen and former press officer for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in relation to a protest following disputed elections in 2013.



If he committed a criminal offense and is found guilty and was imprisoned, I dont mind, but his only crime was to promote democracy, to educate people to understand their freedom, said Sovannaras wife, Jamie Meach. Nowadays, Im by myself working to raise three kids, and sending money to take care of my husband in jail.



Dr. Sam Keo, a psychiatrist who attended the parade on Sunday, said the cultural memory of the Khmer Rouge atrocities were still prominent in the minds of Cambodian expatriates.



Psychologically, they still remember their hardship during the Khmer Rouge regime that killed their siblings and parents, and the current leader is one of those leaders, Keo said. Therefore, they are against the leaders.



Defends fathers record



Throughout his U.S. tour, Manet defended his father's record, saying people should remember the role the sitting prime minister played in bringing peace and national reconciliation to the country.



His U.S. trip included stops in Olympia, Washington; Houston, Texas; and Lowell, Massachusetts.



His last stop in Lowell was also met with a protest before he headed to Canada.



This is to show him that when he abuses people in the country, he does not have an easy time when he is abroad, said Vannak Men, one of the protest organizers in Lowell.



This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Khmer Service.
A direct phone call from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen alerted Phnom Penh city hall deputy Long Dimanche to his new role as the countrys envoy to South Korea.

The 36-year-old Dimanche will replace Suth Dina, the disgraced former ambassador who was arrested by Cambodia's Anti-Corruption Unit on April 4 and jailed in Phnom Penhs Prey Sar prison days later.

I was a bit surprised when I received the call from the premier to serve in the new post, he hold VOA's Khmer Service following the Saturday morning phone call.

The eldest son of Long Visalo, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and son-in-law to Nhem Vanda, vice president of the National Committee for Disaster Management, Dimanche studied international relations in France before getting a job as assistant to then-Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema in 2005.

Since then, successive ruling Cambodian Peoples Party reshuffles have seen the young civil servant take on increasing responsibilities.

Dimanche said that although his father helped him pursue an education and find work, his appointment is not nepotistic.

The appointment is not based on blood lines as some people have suggested, he said, adding that he would strive to serve Cambodian migrant workers in South Korea as the new ambassador.

The corruption issue is an issue we have to solve, he said. Even when I worked in Phnom Penh Municipal Hall, I worked with transparency, collecting opinions from the public when there were allegations of irregularities.

Some critics, however, disagree. Tep Vanny, a prominent Boeung Kak lake activist who has had many a run-in with city security forces over environmental and land title issues, said Dimanche is not a suitable candidate for the ambassador job because he was a dishonest spokesman for the municipality.

He is not sincere in his words to reporters and the people," she said. "He seems to not have the ability to tell the truth or the will to serve the people who are victims, such as the Boeung Kak residents.

Dimanche countered that the controversies he encountered during his city hall tenure taught him valuable lessons and that many of his critics are unaware of the behind-the-scenes work he had done with local communities.

Since late March, Hun Sen has pushed ahead with his controversial reform agenda with a midterm cabinet reshuffle in which eight ministers faced the axe, despite resistance from a bureaucracy used to getting its way and practiced in shrugging off allegations of nepotism and corruption.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Khmer Service.
A Dutch court has overturned a ruling that Russia should pay the former shareholders of the Yukos oil company $50 billion in a dispute over the breakup of what was once Russia's largest oil producer.

The district court in The Hague ruled on Wednesday that the arbitration panel that set the award in 2014 did not have jurisdiction to rule in the case. It said the ruling was based on a treaty that Russia had not ratified.

The former Yukos shareholders, who received nothing when Yukos was dismantled, are suing for compensation. After Wednesday's ruling they vowed to appeal and continue to press for payment.

Frozen assets



Wednesday's ruling, a victory for the Russian government, may free up assets that were frozen in 2014 when the former shareholders attempted to collect the award. Russia's legal team is expected to file motions to release the assets in Belgium and in France.

Yukos was run by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an advocate of democratization and Russian reform, from the mid-1990s until he was arrested in 2003 and the company was forcibly dismantled by the state, allegedly for unpaid taxes.
When a boat stacked with gravel moors at a jetty in Yangon, 14-year-old Aung Htet Myat fills a basket he then carries on his back to trucks that whisk the load to construction sites springing up across Myanmar's booming biggest city.

For each basket a labor broker rewards the boy with a stick he puts in a plastic bottle tied to his belt. At the end of the shift, which at the busiest times can last up to 24 hours, he exchanges the sticks for cash - 100 baskets earns him about $2.50.

"I carry baskets with stones the whole day," said Aung Htet Myat, who has worked at the jetty for the last two years. "If there is no gravel boat to unload, I help bus drivers as an assistant."

One in five children in Myanmar aged 10-17 go to work instead of school, according to figures from a census report on employment published last month, and the opening up of the economy since 2011 has triggered a spike on demand for labor.

As the former Burma emerges from nearly 50 years of neglect under military rule, Yangon has been transformed into a vast construction site.

Than Than Win and her two teenage sons began working at the same jetty as Aung Htet Myat after her husband died. The family now rely on a labor broker who lends her money in return for on-demand, non-stop work when a boat arrives.

"He gives us a place to stay and we can also take money from him when we have no job," said Than Than Win, as nearby her sons carried another load of gravel on their backs. "We have no way to pay it back, so whenever he asks us to work we can't refuse."

Her story is common in Yangon's slums, filled with people who have flocked from the countryside as the economy has boomed, says Michael Slingsby, an urban poverty expert based in the city.

"People borrow money from lenders and in order to repay their debts children are being sent out to work," he said.

Watch related video report from VOA's Zlatica Hoke:

Laws Rarely Enforced

May Win Myint, a senior member of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) which took power this month, said tackling child labor was one of the party's goals.

"If we cannot solve this problem, there will not be any development in our country because they will be the people serving the country in the future," she said. "They need to be educated to do that."

To do that the first freely elected government since the early 1960s will need to address labor laws that experts say are fragmented and rarely enforced.

Myanmar law bars children under 13 from working in shops or factories, and says teenagers aged 13-15 should not work more than four hours a day, or at night.

"Nobody under 18 should be carrying heavy cargoes," said Vicky Bowman, a former British ambassador who now runs the Yangon-based Myanmar Center for Responsible Business.

Outside of construction, child labor is most visible in hospitality, with even small children serving food in Myanmar's ubiquitous tea shops. Many children also work in fish farming and processing.

At Yangon's San Pya fish market, the country's largest, over two days in February Reuters found girls and boys as young as nine cleaning and processing fish and unloading boats and trucks during 12-hour overnight shifts.

"I don't want my son to do this kind of hard labor," said Hla Myint, 56, whose 15-year-old son works in San Pya.

Speaking from their home in a dilapidated bamboo hut close to the river bank, Hla Myint did not share many of his fellow citizens' high hopes for Suu Kyi's government.

"Whatever they say they would do, or give us, it will never reach here," he said. "I don't believe in any change."
Egypt on Wednesday slammed the U.N. chief for calling for a fair trial for two prominent rights activists accused of illegally receiving foreign funds for their non-government organizations  the latest sign of Egypt's growing impatience with criticism of its human rights record.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement that comments by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon were an attempt to intimidate Egypt's judiciary and meddle in its affairs.

A spokesman for Ban said in a statement late Tuesday that he was "following closely" the government's legal case against NGOs over the foreign funds issue and that the two activists  Gamal Eid and Hossam Bahgat  should "benefit from all due process and fair trial standards."

Ban's comments, said Abu Zeid, are "attempts to intimidate the Egyptian judiciary and influence its work, which does not fall within the mandate or responsibilities of the entity from which they are issued, and does not conform to its consistent claims of respecting the rule of law and judicial independence."

Eid and Bahgat appeared Wednesday before a criminal court in Cairo that was to decide whether to freeze their assets. The court ruled to postpone the case until May 23.

Eid is the founder and director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information. Bahgat, founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, is now among Egypt's most prominent investigative journalists.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's government has placed restrictions on civil rights groups at a time when criticism is growing of the country's human rights record, particularly police abuse.

The case of an Italian doctoral student abducted, tortured and killed in the Egyptian capital earlier this year has fueled the criticism and poisoned Cairo's close ties with Rome. Italy has withdrawn its ambassador from Egypt in protest against what it says is the lack of full cooperation by Egyptian investigators in the case of the student, Giulio Regeni.

El-Sissi has denied any involvement in the case by Egypt's security forces.

The case against Eid and Bahgat is part of a wider legal drive by authorities against NGOs over the issue of foreign funding. The legal proceedings began in 2011, became dormant for a few years, but were recently revived.

Earlier this week, authorities decided to start separate legal proceedings to freeze the assets of four other rights activists in what appears to be an escalation in the face of the growing criticism from abroad. A first hearing in that case was held Wednesday, but was adjourned until May 23 after the prosecution requested time to study the case.

Egypt's human rights record figured prominently during a visit here this week by French President Francois Hollande, whose country is a key foreign backer of el-Sissi's government with multi-billion dollar investments and arms sales.

"Here, we are safeguarding 90 million people who must live," el-Sissi said in reply to a reporter's question during a joint news conference with Hollande.

Then, in a stern warning, he added: "You have no idea what will happen to the region and to Europe if this nation collapses. We do not ignore human rights, but you must know that there are evil powers that work toward giving a negative impression about what is going on in Egypt."
The U.N. refugee agency is confirming reports up to 500 people may have lost their lives when an overcrowded boat capsized and sank earlier this month in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Italy.

The incident reportedly happened April 8.

Monday, witnesses and survivors told VOA Somali a smuggler's vessel overturned while carrying as many as 500 people. They said an unknown number swam to boats nearby and were taken to Greece.

Citing survivor accounts, the UNHCR said Wednesday a boat attempting to transfer passengers to a larger ship capsized and sank. The UNHCR said that a merchant ship eventually rescued 41 survivors and dropped them off near the Cretan port of Kalamata on April 16.

UNHCR spokeswoman Ariadni Spanaki on Crete told journalists that many of the survivors were in shock, and that some were crying.

If the death toll is confirmed, this could be one of the worst tragedies since the start of the migrant crisis in Europe.

The United Nations says those rescued include 37 men, three women and a three-year-old child, all from African countries, with the majority from Somalia as well as Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt.

The Somali government said Monday that 200 of its nationals drowned in the tragedy. The vessels involved were reportedly also carrying migrants from Ethiopia, Sudan, Syria and Egypt. Survivors say the smaller boat, which remained afloat, began its journey from Tobruk, Libya, near the Egyptian border.

Close to 180,000 refugees and migrants have reached Europe by sea across the Mediterranean and Aegean this year escaping war and poverty in their home countries for a better life in prosperous northern Europe, with Germany as their most favored destination.

At least 760 people have died or gone missing attempting the journey this year.

Edward Yeranian contributed to this article from Cairo.
The sound of clinking glass fills the room as a monk inspects one of hundreds of beer bottles passing along the production line at Andechs monastery in Bavaria.

Benedictine monks have been making beer for hundreds of years here and following Germany's oldest and most revered brewing tradition - the 'Reinheitsgebot' purity law that says beer must be made with just a select few ingredients.

"Germany's purity laws say that in beer only three ingredients are allowed to be present -- hops, malt and water," Andechs monastery spokesman Martin Glaab said. "At that time, yeast wasn't yet known, but yeast of course also belongs there too."

This year marks 500 years since the Reinheitsgebot was decreed in the southern state of Bavaria. While no longer actual law, it is still regarded as an important tradition and for many brewers a guideline on how German beer ought to be made.

At Andechs, whose hilltop church draws pilgrims, more than 100,000 hectoliters of beer are produced each year. Tourists come from afar to taste such brews as the Doppelbock Dunkel and Weissbier Hell, which are also exported worldwide.

While Andechs takes pride in following tradition, some Germans brewers are critical of the Reinheitsgebot, saying it does not allow enough range to experiment with new recipes.

"We have different kinds of hops, different kinds of malt ... that we can combine with each other," Glaab said.

"Theoretically it is possible to brew more than one million different kinds of beer, if you really want to extend the purity law and that, until today, hasn't happened."

Beer fans across Germany will mark the 500th anniversary of the purity law with a variety of celebrations. In Bavaria, beer will flow from a fountain in the town of Ingolstadt and exhibitions and festivals are also planned.

Andechs monastery plans to mark the anniversary with the release of a celebratory beer next month.
World powers sought Tuesday to persuade Yemen's Houthis to send representatives to peace talks in Kuwait as a truce teetered near collapse, delegates said.

Houthi negotiators have stayed put in Sana'a, which their movement holds, demanding a cease-fire that began April 10 be fully observed before they travel for the talks. Plans had called for the sessions with representatives of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi's government to start Monday.

The Houthis have also rejected a proposed agenda that stipulates they hand over heavy weapons and withdraw from areas they control before a new government comprising all Yemeni forces is formed.

A failure of the talks is likely to stoke fighting between the Iran-allied Houthis and their ally, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, on the one side and Hadi supporters, backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition, on the other.

An adviser to the U.N. delegation in Kuwait said the Houthis had been "very positive" until two days ago and had agreed with envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on almost everything.

"They have since completely changed, and this has caused a shock," the aide, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.

The envoy was now working with the Houthis and the government to iron out the problems.

Appeal from Ban

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed to all Yemeni parties to engage with Ould Cheikh Ahmed "so that talks can start without further delay."

A Western diplomat said the Chinese ambassador to Yemen delivered a message from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council to the Houthis that urged them to attend the talks.

"We understand your concerns but you need to carry your worries to Kuwait and put them at the table," the diplomat said, quoting the message.

Hadi's government ordered its delegation to stay put in Kuwait while the United Nations sought to persuade the Houthis to join the talks.

Meanwhile, residents in Marib province, east of Sana'a, reported intensified fighting after troops loyal to Hadi arrived Monday, having trained in Saudi Arabia. Fighting was also taking place in Taiz in southwestern Yemen despite the presence of cease-fire monitors, while Saudi-led warplanes flew over Sana'a.

The Houthis have observed a period of calm along the border with Saudi Arabia and exchanged prisoners with Riyadh, paving the way for Ould Cheikh Ahmed to draft a broad outline for the talks.

Terrible toll

The United Nations says the Yemen war has killed more than 6,200 people and displaced millions in the poorest country in the Arabian Peninsula. Al-Qaida and Islamic State have also exploited the war to widen their influence and gain more supporters in a country next door to Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter.

The Houthis complain that Hadi's forces are trying to exploit the truce to try to make gains on the ground in several provinces, while warplanes from the Saudi-led alliance continued to fly over areas held by the group.

Teams of joint cease-fire monitors have been deployed in some areas, but the Houthis say they were still unable to curb continued violations of the truce.

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam said Monday that the movement had long been ready for a dialogue to bring peace to Yemen and stability to the entire region, but the violence had not stopped with the cease-fire.

Abdul-Salam said one of the committees set up to monitor the cease-fire in the northern al-Jawf province had had a lucky escape from an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition.

Abu Malek al-Feeshi, another prominent Houthi leader, criticized the U.N. envoy, accusing him of presenting contradictory drafts for peace talks. He said in a Facebook post that his group was ready for peace "at any venue and at any time" as soon as the fighting stopped.
The European Union and Google are engaged in another battle over allegations the technology giant broke Europe's antitrust laws.

EU antitrust Commissioner Margrethe Vestager says Google has unfairly made its Android operating system give preferential treatment to some of its own services. "Google has abused its dominant position," Vestager said Wednesday.

The Android operating system features many of Google's products and services that facilitate advertising, such as a search engine, maps, Gmail and YouTube.

The European Union is investigating complaints Google penalizes users who change Google's favored designs.

Google responded on its website it believes its business model keeps manufacturers' costs low and their flexibility high, while giving consumers unprecedented control of their mobile devices.

"Google's behavior denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation," Vestager says.

This is the latest in a series of investigations the 28-nation European Union has launched into Google's business practices. The largest involves allegations Google unfairly favors some of its search services over those developed by competitors.

Google has captured a dominant share of the mobile operating system market since it introduced Android eight years ago. Four out of every five smartphones are powered by Android.
Unknown gunmen riding motorcycles Wednesday ambushed and killed seven police officers who were guarding vaccinators during a polio immunization drive in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi.

Police officials told reporters the fatalities occurred in two separate attacks minutes apart, but no polio workers were hurt.

A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat ul Ahrar, issued a statement claiming responsibility for the violence in Karachi, saying it was part of the group's ongoing attacks on Pakistani police and security forces.

Attacks on anti-polio teams working to immunize children are not uncommon in Pakistan.

In January, at least 14 people, including vaccinators and police officers, were killed and 20 others wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up near a polio center in the southwestern city of Quetta.

The outlawed Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. The extremist group and others opposing the anti-polio efforts say they suspect the immunization drive is a cover for Western spies, or accuse the government of administering drugs to sterilize Muslim children.

Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr.20

By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend:

The European Union has welcomed Azerbaijan's decision to allow Leyla Yunusova and her husband Arif Yunusov to leave the country.

The decision of the Azerbaijani authorities to allow the Yunusovs to leave the country further contributes to the enhancement of relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan, Press Secretary of the European External Action Service Maja Kocijancic said in a statement on the arrival of Yunusovs to the Netherlands for treatment.

Earlier, the Baku Court for Grave Crimes sentenced Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov to 8 years and six months and 7 years in prison, respectively.

Leyla Yunusova was charged under the articles 274 (high treason), 178.3.2 (fraud by inflicting major damage), 192.2.2 (illegal entrepreneurship), 213.2.2 (evasion from a large amount of taxes), 320.1 (forging a certificate or another official document providing rights or exempting from duties, in order to use or sell that document, as well as making for the same purposes or selling the forged state awards of Azerbaijan, stamps, seals, and forms) and 320.2 (use of deliberately forged documents indicated in the article 320.1) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

Arif Yunusov was charged under the articles 274 (high treason) and 178.3.2 (fraud) of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code.

On Nov. 12, 2015, the Baku Court of Appeals changed the measure of restraint with regard to Arif Yunusov to the recognizance not to leave.

On Dec. 9, 2015, the Baku Appeals Court decided to conditionally release Leyla Yunusova.

She was released in the court room.
Indian government officials said Tuesday they will seek to retrieve a 105-carat diamond that was given as a gift to Queen Victoria in 1850, when India was a British colony.

The priceless Koh-i-Noor Diamond now sits on display as part of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. Ownership of the diamond is much disputed, and at least four countries, including India, have claimed the jewel in the past.

During a hearing in the Supreme Court Monday, Indias solicitor general surprised and outraged many Indians when he said the diamond belonged to Britain and should not be returned to India. He said the diamond was a gift, and not stolen like many Indians believe to be the case.

"It was given voluntarily by Ranjit Singh to the British as compensation for help in the Sikh Wars. The Koh-i-Noor is not a stolen object," Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar said.

In response, Indias Ministry of Culture released a statement late Tuesday indicating that Kumars comments didnt reflect the official stance of the government.

"The government of India wishes to put on record that certain news items appearing in the press regarding the Koh-i-Noor Diamond are not based on facts, the statement read. "[The government]... further reiterates its resolve to make all possible efforts to bring back the Koh-i-Noor Diamond in an amicable manner.

The government called the stone a valued piece of art with strong roots in our nations history and added that Prime Minister Narenda Modi has successfully recovered three other historical artifacts from Australia, Canada and Germany since he took office in 2014.

Prior to her death in 2002, the mother of Britain's Queen Elizabeth wore the diamond in her crown. The Duchess of Cambridge, wife of Prince William, will wear the same crown on official occasions when she becomes queen consort. Prince William is second in line to the British throne.
European counterterror chiefs warned at a London conference Tuesday that Islamic State militants are seeking to secure biological and nuclear materials to build rudimentary weapons of mass destruction.

They said IS might be splitting into two for operational purposes, with one wing focused on defending the terror groups self-styled caliphate straddling Syria and Iraq, and the other dedicated to carrying out terror attacks in the West.

Speaking at the Security and Counter Terror Expo in London, security officials said IS militants had shown interest in obtaining nuclear, biological and chemical material for terror attacks in the West.

We know terrorists are trying to acquire these substances, said Jamie Shea, deputy assistant secretary general for emerging security threats at NATO. Jorge Berto Silva, deputy head of counterterrorism for the European Commission, added that there was a justified concern."

Summer attacks

The warning came as German and Italian intelligence officials reported their fears that IS strategists are planning suicide summer attacks on Mediterranean resorts.

The German newspaper Bild said the plans involved the use of automatic weapons on crowded beaches, similar to the shooting last June in the Tunisian beach resort of Sousse that left 38 vacationers, mostly Britons, dead. Disguised as a tourist, the gunman at Sousse, Seifeddine Rezgui Yacoubi, pulled out an AK-47 assault rifle concealed in a beach umbrella.

An Italian security official told VOA the plans involve attacks on French, Spanish and Italian beaches. We think they are planning to pretend they are vendors, he said.

On Tuesday, Spanish police announced they had arrested a Moroccan on the island resort of Palma de Mallorca on suspicion of recruiting fighters for IS.

Many analysts argue the chances that IS will be able to secure nuclear material for even a rudimentary bomb are small  but not zero. Over the past five years, the FBI has assisted authorities in Moldova in disrupting four efforts by nuclear smugglers to sell radioactive material to Middle Eastern groups, including IS. The Associated Press reported last year that one IS-involved deal was focused on the attempted sale of a huge cache of deadly cesium.

British, Belgian warnings

British Prime Minister David Cameron said this month at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington that the danger of radioactive material ending up in the hands of militants was only too real. Belgian officials warned at the summit in Washington that jihadist suspects had been monitoring the movements of a nuclear scientist at one of the countrys three nuclear plants. Security officials in Brussels said that the el-Bakraoui brothers  suicide bombers at the Brussels airport and subway  filmed the scientist going to and from work.

And Belgium's interior minister said the country's nuclear plants were a target for the IS terror group.

Last month, Belgian investigators reported that during searches of the Brussels apartment of Salah Abdeslam, one of the Paris attackers, they found a stash of documents relating to the nuclear research center at Forschungszentrum Julich near the Belgian border in northwest Germany.

According to nuclear scientists, only 10 grams of radiological material would be required for a so-called dirty bomb"  a weapon that combines radioactive material and conventional explosives and is meant to contaminate the area around a blast.

Feeding anxiety

IS propagandists will most likely fuel the fear that the group is seeking to build a rudimentary weapon of mass destruction, if only to goad the West. IS militants have claimed that they seized radioactive material from Mosul University in Iraq; British IS fighters have said on social media sites that the group is researching ways to make a dirty bomb.

Kurdish authorities say IS has already launched two chemical attacks in Iraq  one alleged attack in February on Peshmerga forces and another last month on the mainly Shiite Iraqi town of Taza, killing one 3-year-old girl and injuring up to 600 people.

A report released by NATO last year said there was a very real but not yet fully identified risk of IS using chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear material in terror attacks against the West. Wolfgang Rudischhauser, director of NATOs Non-proliferation Center, said: While no full-scale plots have been unveiled so far, our governments need to be on alert.
Five years after the end of Ivory Coasts second civil war, the government has released a list of over 300,000 people it considers as entitled to compensation for crimes suffered during both wars and as a result of political crises stretching back to 1990.

CONARIV, the government agency responsible for compensating victims received 800,000 applications. All but about a third of them were rejected.

CONARIV commissioner, Francoise Kaudjhis-Offoumou, says the main challenge was the verification of all the applications. She says some people were listed twice, some applications were incomplete and there were also cases of fraud.



The agency put the claims in four categories: gender-based violence, serious injury, murder and forced disappearance, and damage to property. Eighty four percent of claims are in that fourth category - damage to property.



The final list of more than 300,000 names has been submitted to the presidency for approval.

For Idrissa Diaby, president of the CVCI, a victims association, the list has been long-awaited.

He says its a relief to see the list being handed to the government in order to execute programs in favor of the victims.

Last year, a partial list of 24,500 victims of the 2010-2011 post-election conflict was released. It led to payments of about $260 for people who were injured, plus coverage of their medical fees, and as much as $1,700 per family to relatives of those killed.

Diaby says compensation is an important symbolic act, but people orphaned, widowed or disabled by the war also need long-term assistance.



He says this kind of social reintegration is a strong way to prevent future violence.
Afghan officials said the death toll from Tuesdays Taliban suicide attack in Kabul has risen to at least 64, adding another 347 people were injured.

The latest casualty figures indicate the Tuesday attack was the deadliest insurgent strike in the Afghan capital since the Taliban was ousted from power in 2001.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told a news conference in Kabul Wednesday a high-powered investigation is still underway to determine the circumstances leading to the deadly assault in a high security zone.

The attack targeted an office of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency located in the middle of the city, not far from the presidential palace and the sprawling American embassy.

Officials said the ensuing intense gunfight between the assailants and Afghan security forces, which lasted for several hours, left all the attackers dead, with some blowing themselves up.

Sediqqi said investigations are under way to determine details about the number of attackers but admitted security lapses led to the deadly assault.

A Taliban spokesman swiftly claimed responsibility, saying three heavily armed suicide bombers conducted the raid, calling it one of the brutal and inhuman organs of the Kabul government.

Explosives-packed minibus

The spokesman said one of the bombers detonated his explosives-packed minibus in a parking lot outside NDS's VIP Protection Unit Department, making way for the other two to enter the building.

Sediqqi said initial investigations suggest the coordinated attack was jointly conducted by the Taliban and the militant Haqqani network.

The deadly attack is being widely condemned by Afghan and world leaders.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms," saying it "clearly shows the enemy's defeat in the face-to-face battle" with Afghan security forces.

During a White House briefing in Washington Tuesday, Press Secretary Josh Earnest called the suicide bombings a cowardly attack on Afghan forces and civilians. He said the United States remains committed to supporting the Afghan people and government.

The United Nations Security Council also condemned "in the strongest terms the terrorist attack" in Kabul, expressing in a written statement their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of Afghanistan.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice," the statement said.

It urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities.
A study claims dinosaurs were already on their way to becoming extinct millions of years before a meteor impact delivered what is regarded to be a final blow.

Previously, it had been thought the meteor, which hit the Earth 66 million years ago, was the main factor that drove the giant reptiles to extinction.

We were not expecting this result. While the asteroid impact is still the prime candidate for the dinosaurs final disappearance, it is clear that they were already past their prime in an evolutionary sense, according to Manabu Sakamoto of the University of Reading and the paleontologist who led the research.

Through statistical analysis of the fossil record, the researchers said that 50 million years before the meteor, there was a decline of all types of dinosaurs, but the long-necked sauropod dinosaurs were declining more rapidly. Dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus rex were seeing a slower decline in numbers.

Our work is groundbreaking in that, once again, it will change our understanding of the fate of these mighty creatures, said Sakamoto. While a sudden apocalypse may have been the final nail in the coffin, something else had already been preventing dinosaurs from evolving new species as fast as old species were dying out. This suggests that for tens of millions of years before their ultimate demise, dinosaurs were beginning to lose their edge as the dominant species on Earth.

Dinosaurs dominated the world for approximately 150 million years, but according to the studys co-author, Mike Benton of the University of Bristol, they lost their ability to speciate or evolve fast enough in response to factors such as the breakup of continental land masses, sustained volcanic activity and other ecological factors.

The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The failure of South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar to return Tuesday to Juba, the second delay this week, is putting a peace deal at risk, according to international monitors.

Machar was expected to arrive in the capital to form a transitional government with President Salva Kiir, following two and a half years of war. But last-minute disputes over the number of troops and weapons the rebels can bring into the capital delayed his return.



The government says it will allow Machars top general into Juba with 195 troops, a number the rebels accepted.

But the government says they can only bring rifles, while the rebels want to bring rocket-propelled grenade launchers and machine guns.



The international body overseeing the peace process has called an emergency meeting Thursday between government and rebel officials in hopes of resolving the situation.

US expresses disappointment



Coming out of a special U.N. Security Council session Tuesday, American Ambassador David Pressman said the U.S. is "extremely disappointed Machar did not fulfill his commitment to return to Juba."



Washington is a key supporter of the deal for Kiir and Machar to form a transitional government.



United Nations peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said Machar's failure to show up means "there is no confidence yet between the two parties."



Continued fighting



Kiir and Machar signed the peace deal in August under heavy international pressure, but fighting has continued.

The war has killed tens of thousands, many of them civilians, and has displaced more than 2.3 million people. Aid agencies have warned that the conflict and ongoing food shortages have the country at the edge of humanitarian catastrophe.
Myanmar officials are reviewing court cases against political prisoners and working to drop all remaining charges against them, according to a top official.

Zaw Htay, a spokesperson for the president's office, told VOA's Burmese Service that an estimated 200 political prisoners will be released after the New Year holiday, which ends April 20.

The cases they review [for release] should be cases of peaceful activities based on freedom of expression, but not about criminal activities and violent acts, he said. "Home Ministry [will] review those cases and submit the list [to the president's office].

In her first statement since assuming the role of state counselor, Aung San Suu Kyi vowed to push for the release of political prisoners and student activists.

President Htin Kyaw recently pardoned 196 political prisoners  113 on April 9 and 83 on April 17. Htin Kyaw's office announced the prospect of broader amnesty on Sunday, saying the president had signed the order with the goal of achieving "national reconciliation" as the Buddhist New Year begins.

According to the nonprofit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), nearly 300 political activists are still facing trials in various courts, and most of those are related to activism against land disputes and land grabbing.

AAPP data indicate more than 100 activists are currently imprisoned in Myanmar, which is also known as Burma.
A boat carrying more than 60 people capsized in rough waters off of Sittwe in Myanmar's Rakhine state on Tuesday, killing at least 21, including nine children, according to a U.N. official.

Janet Jackson, U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Myanmar, also known as Burma, issued a statement saying six survivors were being treated for injuries at local health facilities, and that other victims remain missing.

She also said the majority of the passengers on the boat were internally displaced people from Sin Tet Maw, a camp for the Rohingya Muslim minority, who were on an authorized day-trip to make purchases at market.

"This accident serves as a tragic reminder of the vulnerabilities that many communities and families face in this area of Rakhine, where their only option is to use this mode of travel in order to access markets, livelihoods and other basic services that are essential for a dignified life," Jackson said.

The Rohingya are unable to travel freely within the country and cannot marry or have children without official permission.

According to a report by Agence France Presse, witnesses blamed the tragedy on these transit restrictions, which force displaced persons to travel by sea.

The United Nations on April 4 gave Myanmar's incoming civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) 100 days to improve living conditions for the country's ethnic minority Rohingya community.
National Weed Day

What it is: The day -- April 20 -- when tens of thousands of people are expected to publicly enjoy marijuana while calling for increased legal access to it.

What does "420" have to do with it? According the Huffington Post, the term dates to the early 1970s, when a group of friends in San Rafael, California would agree to meet after school -- at 4:20 p.m. -- to smoke marijuana, also called pot. It has morphed into people gathering on April 20 to enjoy the substance -- especially at 4:20 p.m.

Where is it legal in U.S.: Four states permit the recreational use of marijuana: Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska, as well as the District of Columbia. Medical marijuana is legal in 23 other states. Federally, marijuana is illegal in the United States.

On the ballot in 2016: The issue is on ballot initiatives in Arizona, California, Massachusetts and Nevada in 2016.

UN action: The marijuana holiday comes a day after the U.N. General Assembly gathered -- for the first time in two decades -- to rethink global strategy in the war on narcotics. Activists, U.N. officials and world leaders cited an international trend toward more liberal drug laws. However, there is wide disagreement among the 193-member U.N. on how to achieve that.

What countries have legalized marijuana? Several countries have legalized medical marijuana, while only a few allow recreational use of the drug: Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Netherlands and Uruguay. France and Romania allow for products that contain cannabis compounds or derivatives.
The NATO-Russia Council met Wednesday for the first time since 2014, but the two sides failed to overcome their disagreements over key issues.

Ambassadors from the 28 NATO countries attended the meeting in Brussels, along with a Russian delegation.

The talks were "frank, serious and actually good," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters after the meeting.

Still, he said NATO and Russia "have profound and persistent disagreements"' and that Wednesday's meeting "did not change that."

Stoltenberg said the NATO members made clear during the meeting that "they stand firm in their support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity" and do not recognize Russias illegal annexation of Crimea."

He said they also stressed that the "increase in cease-fire violations in eastern Ukraine in recent days" and a recent incident targeting Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitors there were "deeply disturbing."

However, the NATO chief added that all 29 council members agreed "on the need for a full and rapid implementation of the Minsk agreements" signed in 2014 to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Earlier Wednesday, before the council met, Stoltenberg said the meeting would be especially important because of last week's incidents in which the United States accused Russian warplanes of flying extremely close to a U.S. Navy warship in the Baltic Sea.

Russia's ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko, who attended Wednesday's NATO-Russia Council meeting, said the Russian planes had buzzed the USS Donald Cook because it sailed near Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on northern Europe's Baltic Sea coast.

The ship's presence there, he said, was an "attempt to exert pressure on Russia," adding that Russia would "take all necessary precautionary measures in response to this attempted use of military force."

Relations between Russia and NATO members froze after Russia annexed part of eastern Ukraine and an armed conflict began between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russia separatists.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

Trend:

The body of Armenian serviceman, who died during the recent military operations on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops has been handed over to the Armenian side, Azerbaijan's State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing People told Trend Apr. 20.

The commission added that the body of the Armenian serviceman was located April 11.

The process of handing over the body took place without incidents and was carried out by the state commission and Azerbaijani Defense Ministry under the mediation of the ICRC and the OSCE.

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.



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.
A Norwiegian court has ruled mass murderer Anders Breivik's human rights have been violated during his imprisonment for terrorism and mass murder.

The Oslo District Court ruled Wednesday Breivik's five-year isolation violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

Judge Helen Sekulic said the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society.

The court dismissed claims the government had violated Breivik's right to a private and family life.

Breivik said his isolation from other prisoners and frequent strip searches violated his human rights. He also complained about the quality of prison food, saying the cold coffee and microwaved meals were worse than waterboarding.

The court ordered the government to pay Breivik's legal costs of $41,000.

Breivik is serving a maximum 21-year sentence, which can be extended if he is still considered dangerous for killing eight people in a bombing in Oslo and then shooting dead another 69, mostly teenagers, at a political youth camp on a nearby island in July 2011.

Breivik says he has pledged his allegiance to National Socialism, the ideology behind the German nationalist movement that created the Holocaust.

Prison officials say they have limited Breivik's access to mail and other prisoners in an attempt to keep him from building an extremist network while incarcerated.
The U.S. says it has opened a criminal investigation into the massive cache of information leaked from a Panamanian law firm revealing alleged tax avoidance schemes across the world.

A prominent U.S. prosecutor, Preet Bharara in New York, disclosed the investigation to a group of Washington-based investigative journalists who wrote stories earlier this month about the more than 11 million documents leaked from the Mossack Fonseca law firm that detailed the firm's creation of hundreds of offshore companies owned by the wealthy, powerful and famous.

Bharara said he wanted to meet with representatives of the journalists' group, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, about what it called the Panama Papers. The journalists' group confirmed that it had received Bharara's letter, but had no comment on it.

U.S. authorities say their first priority in the investigation is to look for wrongdoing by U.S. individuals and corporations. Investigations have been opened in other countries as well.

When the information about the offshore accounts was disclosed in early April, President Barack Obama described global tax avoidance as a "huge problem." He added that "the problem is that a lot of this stuff is legal, not illegal."

Obama said, "A lot of these loopholes come at the expense of middle class families, because that lost revenue has to be made up somewhere."
The American Lung Association says more than 160 million people in the United States live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution.

In a new report released Wednesday, the health group cited overall progress in reducing pollution through increased use of cleaner power plants and automobiles, but said short-term spikes in pollution -- many linked to drought and wildfires -- have gotten worse. It warned that global warming is likely to make those triggers happen more often.

The group said the bad air puts people at risk of premature death, lung cancer, asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage and reproductive problems.

The report focuses on ozone pollution and high levels of both short-term and long-term particle pollutants in the air.

Los Angeles ranked as one of the worst cities when it comes to air quality. It topped the list of those with the most ozone pollution and was in the top 10 for particle pollution. Still, the association said the air quality in Los Angeles was the best the city has had in at least 15 years.

Like Los Angeles, many of the poorest performing cities are located in California. The western state has been hit by major drought in the past few years, as well as its usual wildfires that burn large areas of forests and send smoke into the air.

On the opposite end of the spectrum from Los Angeles, the report listed only four cities that rank at the top of the list of cleanest cities in terms of ozone and particle pollution. Those include the northern California city of Salinas; Honolulu, Hawaii; Burlington, Vermont; and Elmira, New York.

Because of data issues, the report does not include any cities in Illinois, Florida or Tennessee, which the association said leaves out historically polluted Chicago and St. Louis.

It calls for a number of actions to improve air quality in the United States, such as further cutting carbon pollution from power plants and retro-fitting older diesel vehicles.

"The Lung Association calls on every state to adopt strong Clean Power Plans to reduce emissions from power plants that worsen climate change and immediately harm health," said the group's president and CEO Harold Wimmer. "The Supreme Court has put a temporary hold on EPA's enforcement of the federal Clean Power Plan, but states should not wait to clean up carbon pollution from their power plants."

U.S. President Barack Obama announced plans in August to reduce the amount of carbon emission from the nation's power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency set up guidelines that left it up to states to design their own roadmaps for achieving the cuts, and said that by 2030 overall emissions would be down by 32 percent from 2005 levels.

A group of 27 states balked at the plan and filed a lawsuit, saying it amounted to an overstep by the EPA and would unnecessarily hurt businesses and cost jobs. The Supreme Court suspended implementation of the plan for now while the case moves forward.

Even before the president issued the new regulations, power companies across the United States had already begun converting their energy generation away from coal to rely more on natural gas, solar and wind.

As a result, carbon emissions from coal-burning power plants fell by 13 percent nationwide between 2011 and 2013, according to government data.
There has been a "deep and disturbing decline" in respect for media freedom at levels both regional and global, the media rights group Reporters Without Borders said in its annual report.

The 2016 World Press Freedom Index, released by the group Wednesday, said the world is entering a "new era of propaganda" and a reluctance to engage in free debate.

The group said many world leaders have developed "paranoia" about journalists and are cracking down on the media, while privately owned media outlets are increasingly under pressure from corporate interests.

"The climate of fear results in a growing aversion to debate and pluralism,'' said Christophe Deloire, secretary-general of the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders.

"All of the indicators show a deterioration. Numerous authorities are trying to regain control of their countries, fearing overly open public debate," Deloire said.

He said new technologies allow leaders to appeal directly to the public, so there is a greater degree of violence against those who represent independent information.

"We are entering a new era of propaganda where new technologies allow the low-cost dissemination of their own communication, their information, as dictated. On the other side, journalists are the ones who get in the way, Deloire added.

Report findings:

 Reporters Without Borders said the situation is particularly grave in Latin America and cited institutional violence in Venezuela and Ecuador, organized crime in Honduras, impunity in Colombia, corruption in Brazil and media concentration in Argentina.

 Eritrea was ranked the worst worldwide  180th out of 180 -- in overall media freedom, falling below Syria, China and North Korea.

 Finland was ranked No. 1 -- for the sixth year in a row -- followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

 The U.S. ranked No. 41 in the report, with the report citing cybersurveillance as a major problem.

 Individual countries that rose most in the 2016 report include Tunisia -- to No. 30 from No. 96  due to a decline in violence and legal proceedings, and Ukraine  to No. 22 from No. 107 -- because the conflict in the east of the country has abated.

 Individual countries that fell the furthest include Poland, to No. 47 from No. 29; Tajikistan, to No. 150 from No. 116; Brunei, to No. 155 from No. 121; and Burundi, to No. 156 from No. 145.

 The report attributed the declines to a rise in the authoritarian nature of some governments, such as those in Tajikistan, Egypt and Turkey; security situations that have become more dangerous, such as in Libya, Yemen and Burundi; blasphemy laws, such as in Brunei, and tighter government control of state-owned media, such as Poland.

 By region, Europe still has the freest media, followed by Africa, the Americas, Asia and Eastern Europe/Central Asia. North Africa/Middle East is still the region where journalists are most subjected to constraints of every kind.

Self-censorship

The effect of these obstacles to press freedom is self-censorship, Reporters Without Borders said.

The group also noted that media freedom is damaged by governments that are quick to suspend Internet access to their citizens.

The report said every continent has seen a decline in media freedom over the past three years.

The index measures indicators such as media independence, self-censorship, the rule of law, transparency and the safety of journalists in 180 countries.

Information for the study is based on questionnaires in 20 languages filled out by experts around the world as well as on quantitative data on abuses and acts of violence perpetrated against reporters.
Singapore on Wednesday blasted widespread calls to make the worldwide fight against illicit drugs less punitive, using a major meeting at the United Nations to argue that a "soft approach" would cause a flood of narcotics to the island state.

Singapore is well-known for punishing drug-related offenses with harsh penalties including death. In contrast, European delegates railed against the idea of executing people for drug infractions.

"We believe that drugs will destroy our society," said Singapore Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam. "With 200 million people traveling through our borders every year, and given Singaporeans' purchasing power, a soft approach will mean our country will be washed over with drugs."

Shanmugam was addressing a special three-day session of the 193-nation General Assembly called by Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico to discuss the global war on drugs, which Latin American countries say has failed. It is the first major U.N. review of the issue since 1998.

No major decisions are expected this week. But many delegates hope to nudge the world a few steps closer to an anti-drug strategy that stresses human rights and public health rather than repression.

Latin American and European delegates said Singapore, China, Thailand, Iran and Russia were among the strongest opponents of the trend toward decriminalizing illegal substances like marijuana. One senior European diplomat said a shrinking minority of countries supported a continued hard line.

After Shanmugam left the U.N. podium, Danish Health Minister Sophie Lohde blasted the idea of executing people for drug offenses and complained that a declaration adopted by the assembly on Monday did not explicitly call for an end to capital punishment in such cases.

"The government of Denmark deeply regrets that the outcome document does not address the abolition of the death penalty for drug-related crimes," she said. "Denmark is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances."

Lohde's attack on capital punishment received a burst of applause and was echoed by other European delegates.

On Monday, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto told the U.N. gathering his country would soon legalize marijuana for medical purposes.

Shanmugam insisted that Singapore's tough approach has yielded positive results, and dismissed claims by Latin American and European delegates that scientific evidence showed the futility of harsh drug policies.

"Singapore is relatively drug-free, and the drug situation is under control," he said. "There are no drug havens, no no-go zones, no drug production centers, no needle exchange programs."

He added that in the 1990s Singapore arrested more than 6,000 drug users per year, a figure that has dropped to around 3,000 annually. Some 80 percent of Singapore's prisoners are incarcerated for drug-related offenses.
A school on the outskirts of Hargeisa has become a draw for high-achievers from around Somaliland as well as a launching pad, sending these students on to some of the most prestigious schools around the world.

Mustapha Mohamed Ibrahim, a recent graduate of the Abaarso School of Science and Technology outside Hargeisa, helps tutor younger classmates in math problems they might encounter on the ACT, an American college entrance exam.

"I love this place, I love the people, I love the students," Ibrahim said.

Abaarso is an elite school that teaches students from seventh through 12th grades.

The school is quite competitive -- prospective seventh-graders must take an entrance exam. Nearly 600 students competed for the 50 seats for the grade. This year, 1,000 are expected to take the test.

Curriculum

The school's rigorous curriculum focuses on math, science and technology, and helps the students become conversant in English. The school costs $1,800 a year for those with Somali and Somaliland passports; more for those with other citizenship.

School headmaster James Linville said 80 students are studying at or have been accepted to universities and secondary schools throughout the world, with nearly all of them on full scholarship.

"Its incredibly competitive to get scholarships as international students to these schools, and not only that, but its been a very long time since Somali-educated and Somali-raised students were able to get these scholarships," Linville said.

"So actually, when our first students got scholarships three years ago, they were the first in over a generation to be given scholarships to study in the U.S.," he added.

Currently there are 210 students at the school.

Educational opportunities were limited for Somalilanders caught up in civil war from 1988 to 1991, and then stymied by lack of funds and political turmoil.

Opportunities

Ibrahim, who was recently accepted to New Yorks University of Rochester with a full scholarship, said hes happy for opportunities that were beyond his parents reach.

For a kid whose parents never graduated from middle school, it is a very, very big deal for getting accepted into universities in the States," he said.

Forty Abaarso alumni are in the United States, studying at schools such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgetown University, Amherst College and Carnegie Mellon University.

Once abroad, the students are able to keep up with their international counterparts, Linville said.

Abaarso students have a grade point average of 3.2 in college and prep school, and have scored exceptionally high on the SAT, another American college entrance exam," he said, adding that is noteworthy.

"Especially considering that at the time they took the SAT, theyve been taking classes in English for three years. So, imagine sending an American kid to another country, asking them to take the national exam in three years and then scoring in the 80th or 90th percentile," he said.

School founder

The Abaarso school was started by Jonathan Starr, an American financier who took a trip to his uncles native Somaliland in 2008 and decided to open a school there, using $500,000 of his own money to do so.

Since Abaarso opened in 2009, there have been three graduating classes of about 35 students each.

The students say their hope is that they will bring their knowledge home to improve their country.
A Supreme Court case that could impact millions of people in the United States and set boundaries for presidential authority has rekindled debate on immigration reform in Congress.

On Monday, the high court heard arguments on whether President Barack Obama's executive order shielding millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation is permitted under the Constitution. Texas and more than 20 other Republican-led states argued against the order. The administration defended its action.

Across the street from the Supreme Court, debate has continued at the Capitol.

"The Supreme Court must do the right thing and recognize President Obama's authority," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat.

Republican Senator John Cornyn countered that Democrats are "telling the American people we have to choose between being a nation of immigrants or a nation of laws. And the fact is, we don't have to make that choice. We can be both."

After years of prodding Congress to enact immigration reform, Obama took matters into his own hands in 2014, issuing directives protecting two types of illegal immigrants: those brought to the United States as children and those who are parents to U.S.-born citizens.

"About 3.5 million people could claim the benefits of the president's unlawful executive action, receiving work permits, driver's licenses, Social Security numbers," Cornyn said. "That is not the kind of decision the Constitution gives to a single political actor, even if he is the president of the United States."

Democratic Senator Richard Durbin personalized the issue.

"I just wish some of the haters, some of the people who want to turn on these young people [protected from deportation], would meet them," he said. "They don't view themselves as Mexicans or Koreans; they view themselves as Americans.

"And the question is: How do we view them? Do we view them as an asset to America? Or do we view them as a problem? A problem that should be thrown away and deported."

Fix our system

People from both sides of Obama's immigration orders illustrated their arguments with examples from their home states.

Durbin paid tribute to a young musical prodigy who was brought illegally to the United States as a child. Republican Senator Joni Ernst mourned a recent college graduate killed by an undocumented immigrant who was driving drunk and without a license.

"This tragedy further underscores the administration's failed immigration enforcement priorities," Ernst said. "It is a privilege to live in this country, and anyone who comes here illegally and harms our citizens should, without question, constitute a priority for removal."

Democrats argue that there would be no need for executive orders if Congress passed a long-awaited overhaul of America's oft-lambasted immigration system.

"Instead of litigating the president's actions, Republicans should work to fix our immigration system here in Congress," Reid said. "By working with Democrats to pass immigration reform, they would render the president's executive actions unnecessary."

Republicans counter that legislative inaction does not constitute license for an executive power grab. Cornyn noted that Americans elected a Republican-led Congress knowing the party's disposition on myriad issues, including immigration.

"This president will not be stopped by the voters, Cornyn said.  [Obama] said, I don't care what the voters think. I don't care what the American people think. I don't care what the Constitution says. I don't care what Congress says. I'm going to do it the way I want to do it.

"This was a Constitutional scorched-earth tactic," the senator added.

Many court-watchers are predicting a 4-4 split decision vote by the Supreme Court on the immigration case, which would mean that an appellate decision against the administration would stand and the executive order would be voided.

The high court has been operating one justice short since the death of Antonin Scalia in February. Obama's nominee to fill the vacancy has been blocked by Senate Republicans, who say Obama's successor should make the selection in 2017.
Thousands of families trapped between Islamic State extremists and Iraqi forces in the city of Fallujah are being forced to eat rotten food and soup made of grass.



Reports from inside the city say children are starting to die as families run out of milk and milk powder and can only feed their infants water with sugar. Mothers are suffering from malnutrition. It is also being reported that even when food is available, one kilogram of rice now costs about $40 and a 50-kilo bag of flour costs $800.



Christoph Wilcke, Iraq researcher for Human Rights Watch, told VOA on Tuesday the situation is at an impasse.



The government of Iraq is not letting anything into the city of Fallujah, including food or medicine, and IS is not letting anybody out, he said.



Limited cash flow



Residents are running out of money. IS reportedly has stopped all cash transfers and threatened to kill anyone receiving external help.



Medicine for chronic illnesses is in short supply as well.



Emergency help is just outside the city.



Food, water, and female hygiene kits are on standby for delivery if and when the city becomes accessible, Dina El-Kassaby of the World Food Program told VOA.



El-Kassaby said an estimated 50,000 civilians are trapped in the city without access to basic services.

Food shortage



Data collected in March showed that shops and markets had exhausted all food supplies, including wheat, sugar, rice, vegetable oil and lentils, El-Kassaby added.



By then, people were reportedly surviving off potatoes, lettuce and eggplants.



UNHCR deplores tactics that put innocent civilians at risk of serious harm during conflict situations, Bruno Geddo, the UNHCR representative in Iraq, said Tuesday. These tactics, sadly, are not new and have been used, with devastating consequences, in Syria.



Siege warfare also has been used in Iraq, such as when Islamic State militants trapped thousands of civilians on Sinjar mountain in 2014.

Casualties



Dozens of civilians in Fallujah are reported to have been wounded or killed in airstrikes as well as in ongoing shelling between IS and Iraqi military personnel backed by Popular Mobilization Forces militia.



Once the roads to Fallujah are opened, humanitarian agencies are ready to move in and supply aid. For example, UNHCR - the U.N. refugee agency, has emergency stocks in Baghdad that it can quickly move the 58 kilometers to Fallujah.



Held by IS extremists since 2014, the traditionally tribal Sunni city of Fallujah has been completely surrounded by Iraqi security forces since February. The last major transport route to the city was closed on January 28, cutting off access to all basic needs.



In late March, the Iraqi government informed the U.N. that it intended to open safe corridors to let civilians leave the city.



If residents are able to leave via one of these routes, UNHCR is setting up internally displaced persons camps with capacity to shelter up to 1,000 families, Geddo said.



No way out



Reports from Fallujah say that since early April, no families have managed to escape using the government-designated safe corridors. There are reports that IS is using loudspeakers in mosques to tell residents that if they leave, they will be severely punished by Iraqi forces.



Some families have attempted to be smuggled out of the city using a river route at night  at the cost of $3,000 per person. Around 20 families are reported to have left via that route.
Kurdish and Syrian rebels launched an offensive in late March to take back a small border region between Turkey and Syria that has become a key foothold for Islamic State militants. After weeks of fighting, local commanders say the operation is now intensifying.

The 98-kilometer-long border area in northern Aleppo is the only patch of land connecting IS-controlled Syrian territory to Turkey. It has been a funnel to transport the fighters and arms supplies to and from the defacto IS capital of Raqqa, Syria.

In recent weeks, Syrian rebels coming from the west have seized more than a dozen villages from IS. And Kurds, who are battling from the east, announced the establishment of a military council to push against IS.

"We established this military council to free Manbij and its surrounding areas from Daesh [Arabic for IS]," Ebu Leyla, a commander of the council, told VOA, referring to a border town. "We won't stop until we clear out the entire area from Daesh thugs."

IS fighters use the territory to fire off rockets almost daily into Turkish territory, and Ankara says it may seek more help from the U.S.-led coalition to seal the border and rid the area of IS fighters. The U.S. has been in discussion with Kurdish and Turkish officials over how to uproot IS there, according to local commanders who spoke with VOA.

In a telephone call Monday with U.S. President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the closure of the border from where "fighters and arms supplies for the extremists make their way in," the Kremlin said in a written statement.

Turkey began tightening control over the border late last year, with the Western coalition's help. That has slowed the tide of refugees and the flow of IS militants and arms. Now there is a new push to crack down on the border, and Ankara says it wants the final say in what happens there.

"Only Turkey has the right to make decisions about its borders," Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday.

Future control of area

The Islamic State forces who hold the territory are battling Kurdish and Syrian rebel forces on two fronts. The Kurdish forces are opposed by Turkey but backed by the United States. On the other front, Syrian rebels  who are also backed by the U.S.  are fighting IS.

But this means that if IS is eventually ousted, the U.S.-backed operation could result in an extended dispute over who controls the area, experts say.

The advances are welcomed by the U.S., which has recently intensified its efforts to further isolate IS in Iraq and Syria. U.S. aerial support to both Syrian Kurds and the rebels has been critical in their advances, analysts say.

As they move toward closing the IS corridor to Turkey, the rebels and the Kurds are also fighting one another over control of that strategic border area known as "Manbij pocket."

"It is an absolute mess there," a U.S. official who wished to remain anonymous told VOA recently. There are so many competing parties. It's really difficult to tell you what the ground realty is."

Kurdish forces, Turkish threat

Turkey supports the advances of the Syrian rebels, but considers the movement of the Kurds toward the border a red line.

The dominant Kurdish force in the area is called People's Protection Units (YPG), which is seen by Turkey as a threat to its own national security because of its close ties to Turkey's separatist group, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

"YPG is following its own agenda in Syria and is blocking the political process. YPG also poses a direct threat to the border security of Turkey," a senior official at Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told VOA.

The U.S. does not share Turkey's position on the YPG, and considers the group its most effective ground force ally in fighting IS on the Syrian border.

"For the U.S., the priority is to seal that Turkish border stretch with IS no matter who does it," Aydin Selcen, the former Turkish consul general in northern Iraq, told VOA.

"For Turkey, the priority is to stop PKK-affiliated Kurds no matter what it takes," he said.

Selcen said the U.S. is trying to placate all parties so that Turkish concerns are addressed, and Kurdish and Syrian forces are supported in their advances against IS.

Pentagon officials would not comment on the situation.

"The U.S. must and will accommodate Ankara's wishes to be able to assert influence on Syria from the north, while entertaining communication with  and offering some sort of support to  YPG as they are the single [most] successful element  against IS," Selcen said.
The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, says the United States will provide nearly $40 million in new humanitarian assistance for nations in Africa's Lake Chad region, to provide aid to people whose lives have been affected by Boko Haram violence.

Power made the announcement Tuesday in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, after meetings with President Paul Biya, Prime Minister Philemon Yang, and Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo.

She said that during those meetings she told the officials that the United States is committed to partnering with Cameroon to defeat the Boko Haram militant group, which operates mainly in the Lake Chad Basin where the borders of Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, and Chad meet.

Power said defeat of Boko Haram must be accomplished on multiple fronts, and not by military means alone. she said she urged all the officials with whom she met to consider that the grievances of the population in Boko Haram areas must be addressed; inclusive governance needs must be promoted; and human rights must be protected and respected. She said it is very important that the fight against Boko Haram be carried out in a way that does not alienate local populations on whom long-term success depends.

Power also noted that she attended on Tuesday a ceremony for burning illegally trafficked ivory and congratulated Cameroon for taking a stance against the illegal ivory trade.

On a sadder note, Power expressed condolences for a traffic accident involving her convoy on Monday in which a young boy was killed. She said all the members of the U.S. delegation are "heartbroken by this tragedy."
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20

Trend:



April 19-22, 2016, 4th Students' Scientific and Technical Conference dedicated to 93rd Anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev is being held at BHOS.

The conference gathers BHOS management, professors, lecturers, vice-president of National Academy of Science of Azerbaijan Republic, chair of the science and education committee of the National Parliament Isa Habibbeyli and the representatives of SOCAR and international companies functioning in Azerbaijan.

Prior to the conference participants attended the ceremony of laying a wreath on the memorial of the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev at BHOS lobby.

During his speech which opened the first plenary meeting BHOS rector Elmar Gasimov stressed that dedication of the said conference to the 93rd Anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev was the manifestation of profound reverence to him. Stating ensuring of the unity of science and education at BHOS rector talked about measures always taken at the higher school in order to involve students in scientific activities.

Gasimov also underlined that the purpose of organization of scientific and technical conferences was to demonstrate the reverence to the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, who initiated oil strategy of our country successfully continued by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, ensuring students' involvement in scientific research, development of their skills concerning presenting research outcomes and providing information exchange between them.

Gasimov pointed out the fact that in order to involve students in scientific activities starting from 2016 BHOS organized the contest on 'Young researcher of the year'. He was convinced that the most active participants of the said contest would continue their education on Master and PhD level as researchers and then would join the professors' staff of BHOS.

Vice president of National Academy of Science of Azerbaijan Republic, chair of the science and education committee of the National Parliament Isa Habibbeyli congratulated BHOS management and staff members on organization of such event.

Habibbeyli underlined the importance of dedication of the technical and scientific conference to 93rd anniversary of outstanding person, National Leader Heydar Aliyev. He also said that the conference would contribute in students' growth as professionals.

Habibbeyli pointed out the high level of realization of the unity of science and statehood ideology while educating new generation specialists at BHOS. Pointing out the presence of the representatives of international companies Habibbeyli also said that the event in question would serve to establish relations between students and the companies, their future partners, and acquire professional skills. He also assured that National Academy of Science would be ready to collaborate with BHOS in terms of science development, carrying out joint activities in this direction.

Heads and representatives of companies attending the meeting thanked BHOS management for its organization. They positively evaluated the conference saying they would be pleased to contribute in training future specialists.

Seven selected lectures of students were presented during plenary meeting of the conference. In general, there will be 127 lectures.

During forthcoming days the work of the Conference will continue. Juries are going to listen and assess 30 lectures from petroleum engineering department, 42 lectures from chemical engineering department, 31 lectures on physics and math and 17 lectures from process automation engineering department.

Juries representing organization committee will define the participants with the most interesting lectures. During the final meeting of the Conference the winners will be granted certificates and presents, the other participants will be granted encouraging presents including the ones to be given by representatives of such companies as SOCAR, BP, Statoil, Total, Schneider Electric, Schlumberger, Emerson Process Management, ABB and Avandsis Group.
Delegate Count

Here is an estimated delegate count for each candidate:

Republicans

Donald Trump: 1,107

Ted Cruz: 564

John Kasich: 153

Democrats

Hillary Clinton: 2,239

Bernie Sanders: 1,469

Total delegates needed for party nomination:

Democrats: 2,383

Republicans: 1,237

* As of May 11, 2016
The United States has imposed sanctions on the head of Libya's Islamist government in Tripoli, after accusing him of attempts to undermine the new United Nations-brokered unity government seeking to gain a foothold in the war-ravaged country.

The sanctions target Khalifa Ghweil, head of the so-called National Salvation government, which the Obama administration has described as "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. security and diplomatic interests.

The U.S. Treasury Department penalties bar Americans from doing business with Ghweil and they freeze his holdings in U.S. jurisdictions.

The international community sees the new Government of National Accord, the GNA, and its presumptive leader, Fayez al-Sarraj, as Libya's best hope for stability in an otherwise chaotic country of 6.2 million residents.

Sarraj and other key members of the national unity government were smuggled by Western operatives into Libyan territory by sea earlier this year, with broad European and U.S. backing.

Diplomats had voiced hopes that Ghweil's Islamists would join with another government based in the coastal city of Tobruk to back the unity government in a fight against Islamic State extremists who control the central city of Sirte.

However, efforts to get the unity government up and running have not shown much progress. Ghweil's Islamists oppose it, and the rival governing body in Tobruk, which earlier promised to back the GNA, on Monday postponed a vote to do so.

The French news agency AFP quoted officials in Tobruk, who said the vote was postponed over "major differences." The report did not elaborate.

Libya has been mired in chaos and extended violence since the 2011 ouster and killing of former leader Moammar Gadhafi. Many diplomats and activists have described post-Gadhafi Libya as one of the most unstable countries in the world.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has called on Gulf Cooperation Council nations to engage more in the fight against Islamic State and continue to work with the U.S. to counter Iranian "malign and destabilizing" activities.

"We all do more, we can hasten the defeat of ISIL, which we all want," Carter told reporters at a joint news conference with GCC Secretary General Abdullatif al-Zayani in the Diriyah Palace, using an acronym for the Islamic State.

Carter praised the GCC military contributions to fight IS, especially from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, but said more also must be done politically and economically.

Sunni support will "be critical in ensuring ISIL stay's defeated," Carter said, adding that contributors could use the United Nations or non-profit aid organizations to channel assistance in coordination with the government of Iraq.

The GCC nations have been hesitant to directly help Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi due to concern about Iranian influence within his government, according to a senior defense official.

Our point to them has been, if you are concerned about outside influence in Iraq, the best way to counter that is to get in and engage yourself, the official said.

Leading by example

On Monday, the United States announced it was sending 217 additional troops, Apache attack helicopters and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Iraq, along with $415 million in aid for the Kurdish Peshmerga, whose government has struggled to pay its fighters due to a harsh drop in oil prices.

We are leading by example ahead of this summit with the announcement we made, a senior defense official said.

Carter said Monday during his visit to Baghdad that the additional troops, equipment and aid were to enable local forces in their fight to retake Mosul, Iraqs second largest city and the hub for Islamic State forces in the country.

The Kurds are the single best example we have out there of a force on the ground that is holding the line. They are taking back territory from ISIL, said the defense official.

Carter urged the group to ensure that "combined capabilities" to counter Islamic State and Iranian threats "match our combined commitments.

Michael Rubin, a Middle East expert with the American Enterprise Institute, told VOA he expected little more than polite declarations from the GCC meetings this week.

"When it comes to fighting the Islamic State, the clock is running out on the Obama Administration, Rubin said, "and I think many in the Gulf Cooperation Council are more likely to make their commitments with regard to whomever comes next in the White House."

Joint patrols

The U.S. and the GCC also pledged to carry out joint patrols to stop any Iranian arms shipments reaching "Yemen or other hot spots," Zayani said Wednesday.

Carter said the recent nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Iran does not restrict the U.S. from working to counter Iranian violations.

"The U.S. military remains committed and capable of responding to Iranian malign and destabilizing activities and deterring aggression against our regional friends and allies," he said.

'We're not abandoning them'

Rubin said the meetings Monday would be used to show the GCC that "we're not abandoning them and that we're not in effect prioritizing relations with Iran above and beyond our established relationships and alliances with them."

GCC states accuse Iran of smuggling weapons to Yemen, where they are helping battle against the Iranian-allied Houthi movement.

The GCC includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Zayani said the countries agreed on recommendations that were being referred to the GCC Leadership Summit with U.S. President Barack Obama tomorrow.
The United States welcomed on Tuesday a decision by Azerbaijan to allow human rights activist Leyla Yunus and her husband, Arif Yunus, a historian, to leave the country for urgent medical purposes.

"The United States welcomes as another positive step Azerbaijan's decision," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

"We encourage the government to take additional steps and unconditionally release all individuals who have been incarcerated for exercising their fundamental freedoms," he added.

Leyla Yunus, head of the Baku-based Institute for Peace and Democracy, had been held in detention since July 2014 before her release in December. She was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in jail last August.

Her husband, who was sentenced to seven years, was released from prison Nov. 12. They were convicted of treason, espionage and tax evasion in a case that human rights groups say was part of a campaign to muzzle dissent.
As President Obama begins talks in Saudi Arabia, U.S. lawmakers are questioning the expanded Saudi military role in the region as well as Washingtons longstanding alliance with Riyadh.

"I'm increasingly worried the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen is not supporting U.S. national security interests," said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), who has introduced a bill to halt munitions sales to Riyadh, believing the chaos in Yemen has made it easier for jihadists to operate.

Separately, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is pushing a bill that would allow families of 9/11 victims to sue foreign sponsors of terrorism in federal courts. Victims families also are demanding the release of 28 pages removed from a congressional report on 9/11 that some believe would reveal Saudi involvement in the attacks.

But are they misreading the Saudi position?

Triad of power

In the year since he assumed the throne, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz has instituted a series of economic and policy reforms designed to manage two threats:

One is the rise of Iran as a regional power, to prevent it from dominating the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East in general, said Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. And the second is to counter the regional and especially domestic internal threat coming from Salafist jihadist groups  ISIS and al-Qaida.

King Salman dismissed the former crown prince and replaced him with nephew Mohammed bin Nayef, the first of the younger generation of princes in line for the throne. Formerly chief of counterterrorism, Prince Mohammed successfully fought al-Qaida inside the kingdom and was viewed as well-placed to fight Islamic State.

The king also named his son Mohammed bin Salman as deputy crown prince and defense minister, giving him significant power over oil and military policies.

Together, the three have taken actions and initiatives widely perceived as aggressive:

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and regional allies launched military strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and began building a new naval base in Jazan near the Yemen border.

In October 2015, it announced a new defense policy to defend the homeland, protect Saudi citizens, secure national interests, bolster defense of partner states and strengthen inter-agency partnerships.

A month later, Saudi Arabia announced it had formed a 34-country (mainly Sunni) Islamic Military Alliance to coordinate efforts to fight and defeat terrorism.

In January, Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shiite cleric, and when protesting Shiites burned the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, Riyadh broke diplomatic relations with Iran.

Defensive, not offensive

Ibish doesnt view the Saudi actions as aggressive so much as pro-active in the face of rising Iranian and jihadist influence in the region.

I think the Saudis feel really exposed, Ibish said. They used to look across the Gulf and see this large Iraqi army as a buffer, but its not there anymore. They see Irans influence expanding into Yemen, into Bahrain and eastern Saudi Arabia, and they see the Syria crisis as basically an Iranian victory backed by the Russians.

At stake are Saudi Arabias political influence in the Middle East, control of shipping in the Gulf and enormous oil reserves.

He also says Saudi Arabia believes it can no longer count on its traditional ally, the U.S., to defend or arm it. This is due in part to the Obama administrations widely touted Asia pivot, shifting attention and resources to the Asia-Pacific.

The U.S. failed to act on the declared red line of chemical weapons use in Syria, which Saudis viewed as evidence it had turned its back on its Sunni allies.

And the Iran nuclear deal was the final straw for the Saudis, who feared the lifting of sanctions would strengthen Irans hand in the region.

Fahad Nazer, senior political analyst with JTG, Inc., said in an email that, While President Obama appears to believe that the national interest of the United States is best served by keeping some distance from the turmoil in the Middle East, the Saudis seem to have concluded that their national security interests are best served by assuming a leadership position in the region. This new approach is also not averse to the use of force when necessary."

Economic reform

But force costs money. Saudi Arabia spent $87 billion on its military last year, beating out Russia to become the worlds third biggest military spender. But thats money it can ill afford to spend, given plunging oil prices.

Now, the kingdom must find ways to make up a $98 billion budget shortfall and fund its military ventures.



In a recent interview, Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the kingdom will shortly launch a plan to move away from dependence on oil and encourage investment. He said it will involve selling shares in Aramco, the state-owned oil company, privatizing government services, beefing up tourism and imposing taxes.
Harriet Tubman

Born: In Maryland in 1822; was named Araminta Harriet Ross.

Marriage: In 1844, she married a free black man named John Tubman.

Escape: Accounts suggest at the age of 27, Tubman met an agent with the Underground Railroad, who helped her escape to freedom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1849.

Abolition: Tubman became an abolitionist, returning to the South to lead dozens of slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad.

Nickname: Earned the nickname Moses for leading so many slaves to freedom in the North.

Underground Railroad: A secret network of routes, private homes and other hiding places that helped fugitive slaves escape the South and flee to Northern states and Canada, where slavery was outlawed.

American Civil War: Tubman later worked as a nurse, scout and spy for the Union army during the Civil War.

Died: March 10, 1913, at age 91. She was buried with military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, New York.

Slavery: The U.S. abolished slavery in 1865.
Delegations from Yemen's Houthi rebels and their allies now say they will join U.N.-brokered peace talks in Kuwait, after staying home to protest alleged cease-fire violations by pro-government forces.

Representatives from both the Houthis and the party of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, which backs the Houthis, said they planned to arrive in Kuwait Wednesday or Thursday.

The United Nations tried to launch the negotiations on Monday, but officially postponed the talks when only the government delegation showed up.

After announcing the delay, U.N. envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed thanked the government "for its commitment" and said he hopes the Houthis do not miss the opportunity to put an end to the violence in Yemen.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all parties to negotiate in good faith and to begin the talks without delay.

"The Secretary-General is convinced that seizing this opportunity to move the process forward will help resolve outstanding issues and bring the end of this prolonged conflict closer," Ban's spokesman said in a statement. "The Yemeni people and the region deserve no less."

The Houthis seized Yemen's capital, Sana'a in September 2014, and in March of last year launched an offensive to the south that sent President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi fleeing to Saudi Arabia. The Saudis responded by launching airstrikes in defense of Hadi's government.

The conflict has killed more than 6,400 people and created a humanitarian disaster in Yemen.
4 Julia, an AIDS patient being treated at Kabinda Hospital Center, Kinshasa. The number of HIV-positive people in DRC is currently estimated at more than one million, 350,000 of whom could benefit from ARV treatment. However, only 44,000 are receiving treatment at this time. (MSF/Mario Travaini).
The United States on Friday unveiled an additional $20 million in funding for the World Food Programs humanitarian endeavors to ease hunger in Zimbabwe, where 4 million people are in dire need of aid.

Announcing the package, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) director in Harare, Stephanie Funk, pledged her countrys commitment to continue working with WFP to meet the immediate food needs of vulnerable Zimbabweans.

The contribution brought the U.S. total funding towards drought relief in Zimbabwe to $55 million since June 2015 and $2, 6 billion in the past 30 years, or so.

WFP Country Director, Eddie Rowe called the USAID overture generous, adding the money will allow the aid agency to continue food assistance for 450,000 people in 12 districts over the next six months.

Rowe's sentiments were echoed by UN Communications Specialist, Sirak Gebrehiwot.

Some 100,000 children under the age of 5 are acutely undernourished, and the number will likely increase, USAID said.

In Kariba, a UNICEF team came face-to-face with the horrors of hunger during a tour of clinics and hospitals to assess the level of malnutrition among children, a foreign correspondent embedded with the team told VOA.

"Malnourished children are stunted children, thats what it means, said humanitarian expert Everson Ndlovu. They grow up with health problems because their immune system is compromised.

Elsewhere, the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signed an agreement aimed at improving food and livelihoods security and resilience of smallholder livestock farmers in Zimbabwe.
The MDC formation led by Morgan Tsvangirai is expected to take Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere to court following his threats to remove elected councilors and replace them with state-appointed commissioners.

President Robert Mugabe has left Zimbabwe for a signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in New York, USA.

The United States Agency for International Development gives Zimbabwe $20 million in additional funding in response to food insecurity in the country.

We will be talking with Zimbabweans living in USA about various issues facing Zimbabwe.

Stay tuned for these stories and more coming up on Studio 7 at 7:30 pm on 9-0-9 Medium Wave and on the 4-9-3-0, 5-9-4-0 and 1-5-4-6-0 shortwave frequencies. We also broadcast on www.channelzim.net. Please check us out on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.

This evening on Livetalk our hosts will be talking with listeners and experts about attempts by Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere to install a commission to run Harare following accusations that some MDC-T councilors are allegedly corrupt. Participate by sending your messages on our WhatsApp number 001 202 465 0318. The number again 001 202 465 0318. Stay tuned!!!!!!
Attorneys from the United States Patent and Trademark Office provided a two-day interactive trademark examination workshop in Baku on April 18-19 for participants from the State Committee for Standardizations, Metrology and Patents. The workshop shared best practices for registering and protecting trademarks. Strengthening trademark protection is an important factor in encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment. The workshop is one example of how the United States supports Azerbaijan's efforts to create a favorable business and investment climate.
While thousands of Zimbabweans have settled outside the country, many continue to remain engaged and plugged into the developments in their nation.

A town hall discussion organized and hosted by VOAs Zimbabwe Service in Washington, titled, Zimbabwe @ 36: The Way Forward, revealed deep-seated concerns among those in the diaspora, about their countrys current state.

Many follow developments closely and want to see a better Zimbabwe for themselves and their families.

One of the panelists, educator and Baptist Minister, Rev. Isaac Mwase, who believes Zanu-PF and President Robert Mugabe should be engaged in all discussions on the countrys future, as the elected government, noted the diasporas keen interest in their country.

While there are a lot of challenges the country is facing, its exciting to see that people are concerned and that Zimbabweans outside the country, those that are here in America, are engaged fully, said Rev. Mwase.

Den Moyo, the North America representative for the Movement for Democratic Change led by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said for true democracy to take hold in Zimbabwe, nothing short of a total uproot or removal of Zanu-PF would do.

Moyo said Zanu-PF stifled democracy in the country. As long as theres no democracy, as long as theres that continuation of oppressing peoples view points, and not allowing them democratic space, as long as elections are not credible."

But Doug Coltart, a Zimbabwean lawyer-based in Washington, and the son of prominent Zimbabwean lawyer and former legislator of the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube, argued that the attainment of true democracy in Zimbabwe is bigger than a substitution of one party by another.

I dont think that will come simply by changing a Zanu-PF government with another party, just like that, said Coltart. I think there is a fundamental problem in Zimbabwe from the top to the bottom, where we dont have a democratic culture where we respect the views of all people.

Friends of Zimbabweans in attendance, too weighed in on the debate, with Obi Egbuna, the U.S. correspondent for Zimbabwes state-controlled Herald newspaper, challenging panelist staff director Chris Simpkins of the U.S. House of Representatives about alleged U.S. efforts to effect regime change in Zimbabwe, saying America should stay out of Zimbabwes affairs.

It is up to them (Zimbabweans), it is up to Africa to stand by them (U.S.) and all agents outside Zimbabwe, outside of Africa working for regime change should be met with the fullest resistance possible, said Egbuna.

But Simpkins rejected accusations that the U.S. is involved in changing Zimbabwes government. Simpkins, who recently visited Zimbabwe, said the U.S. is committed to helping Zimbabweans and wants to ensure that the government is accountable to the people.

There is a great deal of frustration among people in the diaspora, said Simpkins. They are not sure if the U.S. is helping or not, they want to know how we feel about the government. And the message that I would like to leave is that the United States government is not an enemy of Zimbabwe. But weve seen some things happen that are self-destructive, on the part of the government. And wed like to see that the government can make a change and allow people to elect leaders that they want. We dont have a vote in Zimbabwe.

Pan-African Poet, Tsitsi Madzongwe, who opened the town hall with a poem, backed by American-mbira player, Joy Schulman, said she was too impressed by the open discussion, but stressed the need for patience to let real change happen.

Change doesnt happen overnight, but it is our responsibility as people in the diaspora to work towards that change, said Madzongwe.

Despite their differences over how change can be effected in their country, the conversation on the way forward for Zimbabwe, is always a subject of discussion among those in the diaspora.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

Trend:

Chief Investment Officer of International Investment Bank (IIB) Marcus Scott has become a member of Azerbaijani Amrahbank's Supervisory Board.

He replaced the IIB head of Direct Investment and Business Development Narayanan Ganapathy, said Amrahbank's message issued Apr. 20.

IIB is Amrahbank's strategic partner and it owns 45.84-percent share of the bank.

Amrahbank began its activity on Dec. 28, 1993. As of Feb. 1, 2016, the bank's assets were 281 million Azerbaijani manats, deposit portfolio - 140 million manats. The bank's aggregate capital reached 57.8 million manats.
Nevados de Chillan volcano (Chile): new ash emissions

Wed, 20 Apr 2016, 17:05 17:05 PM | BY: T 17:05 PM | BY: T

Small ash emissions from Nevados de Chillan volcano yesterday (SERNAGEOMIN)

New ash emissions occurred yesterday morning, generating a small plume that rose approx. 500 m. According to Sernageomin, this activity is not caused directly by fresh magma, but related to disturbances of the shallow hydrothermal system which interacts with an underlying, probably only small body of magma.SERNAGEOMIN also reported a slight increase in earthquakes typical of internal fluid movements (LP- long period events) during the past weeks and that sporadic ash emissions are likely to continue.The volcano's alert level remains at "yellow" and it is recommended to stay outside a radius of 2 km around the active craters.
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First published January 15, 2015.

After the terrorist attacks, two million people, crossed Paris in a procession, making it (in the words of President Hollande) the worlds capital of freedom. Indeed, the prevailing sentiment that mobilized so many people of different nationalities was the need to vindicate our freedom from hatred, terroristic violence and war.

But at the head of the procession, there were actually some of the leaders responsible for policies that brought all this about :

 Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, a US-led alliance, that in the war against Libya in 2011 and the war currently being waged against Syria has armed and trained Islamic groups that were previously defined as terrorists.

 The Prime Minister of Turkey, the King of Jordan and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, countries that still today provide weapons to Isis, training, transit routes and financing to wage war in Syria and Iraq.

 The British Prime Minister Cameron and the former President Sarkozy, who have used special forces and secret services for terrorist operations in Libya, Syria and other countries.

 The Prime Minister Renzi, representing an Italy that, by participating in the demolition of the Libyan State, has contributed to inflaming North Africa and the Middle East.

 President Hollande, the promoter of the military operation by France in Mali and Niger (represented by their respective presidents at the Paris procession), officially to help them combat Islamic terrorists, but actually to exploit their rich raw materials (gold, coltan, uranium and others), the income from which ends up in the pockets of multinationals and local elites.

 The Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu who, exploiting our grief for four Jewish victims in one of the terrorist attacks at Paris, seeks to make us forget the thousands of Palestinian victims that include hundreds of children, in the operation Cast Lead and in the ensuing operations that he ordered against Gaza. The fact that in the Paris procession Abu Mazen was there in the second row, not as the Palestinian President but as the representative of Al Fatah, does not indicate that Israel has changed its policy. By participating at the head of the procession, Netanyahu also seeks to make us forget the support that Israel is providing to the terrorist operations of the Syrian rebels.

 The US Secretary of State John Kerry should have also been prominently placed at the head of the process. However he preferred to stay back in India to conclude functional Anti-Chinese and Anti-Russian agreements. The United States was represented at Paris by Eric Holder, the Attorney General, who participated at a meeting with the Ministers for Internal Affairs of 11 European states including Italy. Kerry will arrive in the French capital on 14 January, to prepare for Summit on Global Security which will take place on 18 February at Washington.

In the meantime, the [French] Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, announces France is at war against terrorism and is ready to adopt new measures. The West is thus in the process of closing ranks, under US leadership, under the official justification of tackling the threat of terrorism. That which the West itself has contributed to create and has fed in tragic social situations provoked by wars triggered in a period spanning more than twenty years. Of which the grass root militants play, almost always unknowingly, a role that is functional to the interests of the powers that they think they are fighting.

Thus they give a helping hand to those, at the head of the Wests procession, who try like the Pied Piper to enchant the West with their music, leading it on the path that finishes up in the inferno of war.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

Trend:

OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has welcomed Azerbaijan's decision to permit Leyla and Arif Yunusovs to leave the country, read a message posted on the OSCE website Apr. 20.

They were permitted to leave Azerbaijan for treatment in the Netherlands.

Earlier, the Baku Court for Grave Crimes sentenced Leyla Yunusova and Arif Yunusov to 8 years and six months and 7 years in prison, respectively.

Leyla Yunusova was charged under the articles 274 (high treason), 178.3.2 (fraud by inflicting major damage), 192.2.2 (illegal entrepreneurship), 213.2.2 (evasion from a large amount of taxes), 320.1 (forging a certificate or another official document providing rights or exempting from duties, in order to use or sell that document, as well as making for the same purposes or selling the forged state awards of Azerbaijan, stamps, seals, and forms) and 320.2 (use of deliberately forged documents indicated in the article 320.1) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

Arif Yunusov was charged under the articles 274 (high treason) and 178.3.2 (fraud) of Azerbaijan's Criminal Code.

On Nov. 12, 2015, the Baku Court of Appeals changed the measure of restraint with regard to Arif Yunusov to the recognizance not to leave.

On Dec. 9, 2015, the Baku Appeals Court decided to conditionally release Leyla Yunusova.

She was released in the court room.
First published July 29, 2015.

When Tsipras came to power in Greece, alarm bells sirened in Israel: Syriza, a supporter of the Palestine cause, asked to terminate Greeks military cooperation with Israel. Faced with brutal Israeli repression of Palestinians, Tsipras warned, We cannot remain passive, because what happens today on the other side of the Mediterranean, may happen on our side tomorrow.

Seven months later, the alarm was turned off: Panos Kammenos, Defense Minister for the Tsipras Government went on an official visit to Tel Aviv, where on 19 July, he signed an important military agreement with the Israeli Minister of Defense, Moshe Yaalon. Kammenos, founder of the new ring wing party Anel, chose to time this move when Greece was gripped by the debt issue. The Agreement on the Status of the Forces, communicates the Greek Minister of Defence, establishes a legal framework that permits military personnel from each of the two countries to go and reside in the other to participate in training and cooperation activities. Israel has only signed a similar agreement with the United States. In the agenda for the meetings, we also find co-operation in the field of military industry and maritime safety, notably of offshore-gas deposits that Israel, Greece and Cyprus consider their own exclusive economic zones, rejecting the claims of Turkey.

On the meeting table are issues on security in the Middle East and North Africa. Echoing Yaalon who denounced Iran as generating terrorism, whose hegemonic ambition threatens the stability of other States, Kammenos declared: Greece is also in the range of Iranian missiles; if a single one succeeds in reaching the Mediterranean, this could be the end of States in that region. Therefore he met the top brass of the Israeli armed forces to establish a closer coordination with the Greeks. At the same time, the head of the Greek military navy, the vice-admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, has signed with his Israeli counter party a cooperation agreement on non hydrographic services  no further details. The military agreement with Israel, concluded on behalf of the Tsipras government, is not only a personal success for Kammenos. This forms part of the US/NATO strategy that, in the offensive towards the East and the South, aims at an ever-closer integration of Greece not only in the Alliance but also in the broader coalition including countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and others.

Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, has declared that the EU bailout package for Greece is important for NATO as a whole, as Greece is a solid ally that spends more than 2% of its GDP on defense (level reached in Europe only by Great Britain and Estonia).

Particularly important for NATO are the air and sea base of Souda Bay at Crete, constantly used by the United States and other allies in recent years for the war against Libya and military operations in Syria. Usable now, thanks to the agreement with Greece, also by Israel notably for anti-Iran purposes.

In such a strategic context, are recreated the contrasting interests between Greece and Israel on the one hand, and Turkey on the other hand. Turkey, where NATO has more than 20 bases and the Commander of the Ground Forces, in the name of the fight against Isis bombs the Kurds of the PKK (genuine anti-Isis combatants). Also Turkey, together with the USA and the rebels, are preparing to occupy the Northern strip of Syrian territory. Invoking Art. 4 of the Atlantic Treaty, in as much as it considers that its own security and territorial integrity are threatened.
First published February 24, 2015

It is not true that the 2011 war caused the dissolution of the Libyan State. This is because, as the Emeritus President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano explained, intervening in the Senate: I consider that, in the modern meaning of the expression, a State has never existed in Libya. A few months ago, Libya had been defined as a Failed State (a category established by the Peace Foundation USA). But now it has to be reconsidered: that it is possible today to speak of a failed state, provokes in me perplexity: the exercise of autocratic and personal power by President Gaddafi on the basis of a system of balances with a multitude of tribes, was not a State.

Therefore on the south side of the Mediterranean, there was not a state. The Arab Republic of Libya, born in 1969 after more than 30 years of Italian colonial domination and almost 20 years of a monarchy dominated by Great Britain and the United States. A state that, after the monarchy had been abolished, had shut down in 1970 the US and British military bases and nationalized the property of British Petroleum. A state that - the World Bank documented in 2010  maintained high levels of economic growth, ensuring (despite the disparities) the highest level of life in Africa and providing work to around two million African immigrants; that recorded high indicators of human development among which are universal access to primary and secondary education and, for 46%, university level education. A State that, with its investments, had enabled the birth of institutions that could have brought about the financial independence of Africa: the African Bank for Investment (in Libya), the Central African Bank (in Nigeria) and the African Monetary Fund (in the Cameroons).

Rewriting history, all this is cancelled and Libya of 1969  2011 is represented as a non-State, a multitude of tribes (a definition of colonial stamp) held together by Gaddafis power. Power that undoubtedly existed, the fruit of the historic phases that Libya had undergone, but that was reduced and dissipated, opening the prospect of another evolution of Libyan society. Libya, after the United States and the EU had lifted the embargo in 2004, had rebuilt a space at the international level.

In April 2009, in Washington, the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton warmly shook the hand of one of Gaddafis sons, declaring her desire to deepen and to expand our cooperation. Not even two years after, this same Clinton launched an international campaign against Gaddafi, preparing for war.

But now, in the context of the presidential race, skeletons come out of the closet: documentary evidence (published by the Washington Times and subject to the scrutiny of a Congressional Committee on the Inquiry into the killing of the US ambassador at Benghazi in 2012) demonstrate that it was Clinton that urged the Obama Administration to enter into war against Libya under false pretences and ignoring the advice of military commanders. While Clinton accused Gaddafi of genocide, the US intelligence referred through its internal report that Gaddafi had given the order not to attack civilians but to concentrate on the rebel armies. Also another documented report emerges, sent in 2011 from the Libyan authorities to members of the US Congress on the provision of weapons to Libyan jihadists from Quatar with the permission of NATO.

At this time, President Napolitano declared that, not being able to remain indifferent to the bloody reaction of Gaddafi, Italy adheres to the plan for intervention of the coalition led by NATO.
First published January 20, 2015.

He signed the book of condolences for the victims of the terrorist attack on the editorial staff of Charlie Hebdo and, defining it as an outrageous attack on the freedom of press, he declared that terrorism in any form can never be tolerated or justified.

Just words that could, however, never be articulated by Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, a military organization that uses terrorist attack against radio-television offices as a systematic instrument of war. This was used against the Serbian radio television at Belgrade, struck by a Nato missile on 23 April 1999, caused the death of 16 journalists and technicians. Nato did the same thing in the war in Libya, bombing in 2011 the radio-television? of Tripoli. Ditto in the war in Syria, when in the summer of 2012 combatants trained and armed by the CIA (in the same camps from which it seems came the attackers of Paris) had attacked the television station at Aleppo and Damascus, killing ten journalists and technicians.

On these terrorist attacks that fell, Western media is almost completely silent. Virtually no one has ventured out on the street with the photos and names of the victims. On the other hand, the attack against Charlie Hebdo was given resounding media coverage across the world. And, by manipulating the natural feeling of condemnation for the attack and condolences for the victims, Charlie Hebdo has been erected by a vast political spectrum as a symbol of the fight for freedom. Leaving out of consideration the controversial role of this journal, with its sacriligeous comic strips, we would place it at the left of the left.

In 1999 the director of Charlie Hebdo, Philippe Val, supports with a series of editorials and cartoons the Nato war against Yugoslavia, comparing Milosevic to Hitler and accusing Serbs of carrying out in Kosovo pogroms similar to those the Nazis inflicted on the Jews. It continued in the same vein in 2011 when Charlie Hebdo (although with Philippe Val no longer at the helm) contributes to justifying the Nato war in Libya, depicting Gaddafi as a ferocious dictator that tramples his people with his boots and who bathes in a tank overflowing with blood. The same line in 2012 in relation to Syria, when Charlie Hebdo, representing President Assad as a cynical dictator that crushes women and children under the wheels of his tanks, contributes to justifying the USA/NATO military operation.

In this context, we add a series of cartoons, the magazines attempt to ridicule Mohammed. Even if the magazine satirizes other religions at the same time, the cartoons of Mohammed are tantamount to tanks of petrol thrown on a terrain already alight, of the Arab and Muslim world. And they appear even more despicable to the eyes of the vast majority of Muslims because they are Parisian intellectuals that are ridiculing their religion and their culture, having banished from their mind the fact that France subjugated entire peoples, not only exploiting and massacring them (in Algeria alone more than a million died) but imposing upon them their language and culture.

Paris pursues a neo-colonial variant of this policy even today. Therefore there is no reason to be stunned if, in the Arab and Muslim world, that had for the most part condemned the terrorist attacks in Paris, some protest against Charlie Hebdo. To those that in the West that wave the banner of freedom of the press, we ask: What should you do, if you find on the street pornographic pictures of your mother and father? Surely it is not wrong for you to be outraged? Should this not constitute an act designed to provoke you? Would you be wrong in thinking that lurking behind, is the hand of someone that seeks to declare war upon you?
First published October 29, 2014

Italy will send arms and soldiers to the region of Erbil in Iraq, in order to reinforce the Kurds capacity to defend themselves against the advance of Isis: so announces the Minister for Defense, Roberta Pinotti, to the Committees of Foreign Affairs and Defense in the House and the Senate.

It was no coincidence that the announcement is made two days after the Chief of Staff for Defense, Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli, represented Italy at a meeting held at Andrews military base, near Washington. This meeting was attended by the highest military experts of the 22 countries forming the coalition. The official mission of the coalition is to degrade and destroy Isis. At the meeting - chaired by General Martin Dempsey, the US Overall Chief of Staff  President Obama intervened. He emphasized that the United States will intensify actions against the objectives both in Syria and in Iraq, in the context of an international coalition. In addition to carrying out air attacks on both countries, the US allies provide weapons and assistance to the Iraqi forces and to the Syrian opposition (against Assad) and billions of dollars in aid, defined as humanitarian. In circles close to the White House, it is considered that, despite the official commitment by Obama not to use soldiers in combat missions in Iraq and Syria, the United States is preparing to send special forces (Green Berets, Delta Force, Navy Seals), in addition to the advisers and trainers  already on the ground, with the task of carrying out covert operations. At the same time, Washington turns up the heat so that its allies take on board more duties, including ground operations.

It was not made known what commitments the Chief of Staff has undertaken for Italy at Andrews. But this much may be deduced from Pinottis announcement. Italy will not only provide further stocks of ammunition of the former Soviet Model, derived from material confiscated in 1994, but also arms and anti-tank ammunition used by the Italian army, plus an airplane KC-767 for resupplying in flight the fighter bombers and two Predator airplanes with remote piloting, soon flanked by other piloted formations for air recognition. Italy will also send 280 soldiers to train and develop Kurdish forces and, a fact that is even more important, a cell of officials for planning activities. It is, in other words, an a priori command for further covert military operations carried out by Special Italian forces, today empowered by the birth of a new unified commander established at the barracks at Folgore, Pisa.

The Italian military intervention in Iraq forms part of the US strategy. The Kurds that Italy is going to support are those of the Autonomous region of Kurdistan. This is an oil rich centre in rapid growth and home to tens of US and western companies. President Masoud Barzani, the head of the Democratic Party of Kurdistan governs it and he is fiercely loyal to the United States. It is no coincidence that, while the US strikes the ISIS forces that threaten the region where Barzani holds sway, the US aviation and the allied forces shirk from action when it comes to striking ISIS militants that attack PKK areas. It is the PKK whose forces are genuinely fighting Isis on the Syrian border; yet they are increasingly bombarded by Turkish aviation. It is significant that at the meeting in Andrews, Turkeys Chief of Staff had participated; it is also significant that the White House had downplayed Turkish air attacks against the PKK Kurds, guaranteeing that they are in the course of discussions on additional commitments of Ankara. The same thing happens in Syria, where the US aero-naval attacks are demolishing not ISIS but Syrian oil producing installations in order to make the government of Damascus collapse.

After the meeting at Andrews, Obama remarked that destroying Isis remains a difficult mission and that we are barely at the inception of a long-term campaign. There is no doubt that Isis  constructed by Sunni countries in the Gulf from Saudi Arabia and by the front of the Friends of Syria, including the USA, Turkey, Great Britain  is functional for the US strategy, that, after having demolished Syria by war, aims at the balkanization of Iraq, cutting it up into three semi-autonomous regions (Kurds, Sunnis and Shi-ites) or in three distinct States. In this long and costly war Italy had been brought in. Funds are not lacking: in the Stability Law, funds for international peace missions (see missions of war) are defined as expenses that are urgent.
Photo: Robin Marchant/Getty Images

Catastrophe co-creator Sharon Horgan knew the very moment she wanted Carrie Fisher to play her co-star Rob Delaneys particularly heinous mother, Mia, on the show. You were giving an award at the Attitude Awards in London and you did this great speech, and Rob and I were in the audience, Horgan told Fisher at Tuesdays Tribeca Tune-In event for Catastrophe, moderated by Vultures own E. Alex Jung. I turned to Rob, and I went, Thats your awful mother!

According to Horgan, she and Rob took to Twitter to try and scout the Star Wars star, which is how the pair initially connected to make the show. Rob was like, I have a million followers, and you didnt respond. I was like, Ill try, Ive got not many. And you didnt respond, and then we were like, Why dont we go the traditional route and ask her fucking agent? Thankfully, it worked.

The part was something Fisher was actually interested in considering the lack of roles for older women. I did really want to play an awful person, Fisher said. There are not a lot of choices for women past 27. I dont wait by the phone. Ultimately, the pair was a match made in mother-in-law heaven. While Carrie Fisher confessed her love for the show and the writing (particularly the story line about cancer in the first season), Horgan swooned over Fisher: We still to this day cant believe that you said yes.
We often talk about faith as personal experience, an individuals relation to the world in the abstract. But people live in groups, and faith rarely appears with same intensity within those groups. True believers are rare. More common is the blend of jealousy, admiration, and terror that comes with witnessing true conviction.

This weeks episode of The Path introduces the idea of real miracles, or at least the possibility of their existence. Eddie, working through his 7R training, sees a vision of Sarah and Cal kissing. Sarah, trying to get Hawk to give up his high-school romance, tells a story about how his life was saved in the womb. The Hole leaves enough space for these to be coincidences, especially in Eddies case. Played with good-hearted gruffness by Aaron Paul, he is like a figure in a parable. He doesnt get caught up in mystical experiences, but the world keeps hounding him with them. This makes Cal jealous. He can memorize the rituals and lead others, but hes rarely inspired.

The true believer among them is Sarah, who dominates this episode with a cool and unnerving intensity. This pairs well with Michelle Monaghans strengths; she is often hard to read because her performance is so consistently poised. She makes you watch and wait for a crack in the armor. Sarah, we learn, lost her sister, Tessa, to the IS. She might lose her miracle son to them, too. But she doesnt break down. She doesnt fight harder, either. Monaghan draws power from Sarahs stillness. You are with her, or you are against her. She doesnt negotiate with nonbelievers.

Like previous episodes, The Hole draws out an excellent trio of lead performances, but stumbles as it tries threading them into a plot. After seeing his vision of Sarah and Cal kissing, Eddie becomes more guarded toward Cal, even as they work through 7R training together. When Cal learns that Sarah sent Freddie Ridge and his mother to Peru, hes furious. She simply absorbs his anger and insists that the treatment will work, while Eddie steps up to defend his wife.

Of course, Eddie does try to bury his vision  he tells Cal that he merely saw a premonition of Cal and Sarahs fight  but his frustration with Sarah makes it harder for them to figure out how to deal with their son. Hawk spent the night with Sarah, and though they didnt have sex, hes clearly fallen for the girl. The whole family waits for Cal back at Lanes house, cousins and grandparents included. Eddie just wants to reason with him. You dont know whats like to lose a child, Sarahs mother says. This is the first we hear of Tessa, who left the Meyerist movement when she was roughly Hawks age.

Its important that you know were not mad, Eddie tells Hawk, after the rest of the family has left. Im mad, Sarah says. Im furious. Ashley, she insists, will try to destroy everything good about him. Anyone who doesnt have their faith will corrupt it. When Sarah leaves, Eddie tries to be more reasonable once again. Is she bad? Hawk asks. She doesnt know what she is yet, he replies. In the process of doubting his faith, Eddie has grown more empathetic. Unlike Sarah, he understands how hard recovery can be when your belief is truly shaken.

While Eddie is awed by (and a little afraid of) Sarahs conviction, Cal is jealous of Eddies ability to make peace with doubt. Cals greatest fear, as he saw in a vision during his 7R training, is that I am no one, nothing. As we saw last week, his Messiah complex is built around a fear of failure. This anxiety feeds into his reverence for Sarah. Her faith makes his constructed self seem real. When he defends Sarah to John Ridge, late in the episode, moments before hes beaten to the floor by Ridges bodyguards, he announces, My colleague is a fucking angel.

In the background, Mary Cox is watching all of this. She tells Cal that she and Sean have just had sex, per his implied orders, but Cal is busy fighting with Sarah. Later, she sees him praying with Sarah, and seems to realize that shes never getting Cals full attention. Sean tries to stop her from leaving. He tells a story about the time his friends were gunned down in school. Its a poignant moment, but it doesnt quite land. Compared to the central trio, Mary is more of a side character, a shadow of their towering conflicts. And despite his trauma, Sean feels paper-thin. Hes a straw man for the Meyerist credo.

Speaking of peripheral characters, the good old FBI agent Abe notices evidence of what seems to be drug trafficking in their travel plans, checks in with Marys father, and meets with Alison Kemp, who insists her husband was involved in some sort of secret mission before he admitted his doubts about Meyerism and was killed. However, Abe still thinks her husband committed suicide. It sure seems like hes being won over by the Meyerist faith. I could do without the murder-mystery as a whole, and The Path struggles to make the stakes of this investigation clear. But Abe does slightly redeem himself by serving up a strong moment with Eddie. Under the guise of Meyerist recruit Sam, Abe goes into greater detail on his babys medical issues. He asks if the faith will help. Not knowing is fear, its an abyss, Eddie says. Getting on the Ladder might help, but its not going to change whether your kid is sick or not. Believing is tautological; it gives you belief. That can mean everything, or not much at all.

Hawk isnt quite ready to break up with Ashley, so Sarah delivers her gut-wrenching story about how she nearly lost him during her pregnancy. I wont lose you again, she says. But Ashley doesnt believe that Hawk wants to break up. A religion that tells you who you can and cant like is stupid, she says. Again, Im impressed by the naturalness of the scenes between the two teenagers, which inch just past sentimentality into something real. At the end of the episode, Sarah tells Eddie that Hawk has broken off the relationship. Then, we see him sneak out to spend time with Ashley. Hes betraying his mother, sure, but in her eyes, belief in anything else is also betrayal. For better or for worse, Hawk really does seem to believe in Ashley.

Other Notes and Observations:
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Apr. 20

By Demir Azizov- Trend:

The Russian oil company LUKOIL started the construction of Kandym Gas Processing Complex (KGPC) - a key production facility in development of the Kandym group of gas condensate fields located in the Bukhara Province in the south-west of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a representative of the Uzbekneftegaz National Holding Company told Trend.

The ceremony for laying the foundation stone was attended by Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of PJSC LUKOIL Vagit Alekperov and representatives of local authorities and contractors, according to the representative.

The first phase of the plant construction project envisages construction of a gas processing plant of Kandym group of fields with an annual production capacity of 7.819 billion cubic meters of marketable gas, 134,360 tons of stable gas condensate and 212,900 tons of elemental sulfur.

In addition, the project provides for development of 77 wells, construction of six plots, two collection points, pipelines to export gas, shift camp sites and external infrastructure.

The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in December 2018.

It was earlier reported that in 2014, Russian Lukoil and the contracting consortium led by Hyundai Engineering (South Korea) signed a contract for the supply of equipment and construction of the Kandym gas processing plant in Uzbekistan, the total cost of which amounts to $2,662 billion.

Total investment in the project is estimated at more than $3 billion.

Lukoil has implemented the Kandym project since 2004 together with the National Holding Company Uzbekneftegaz under the production sharing agreement (PSA) for the development of the Kandym-Hauzak-Shady-Kungrad fields. Kandym group includes six gas condensate fields - Kandym, Kuvachi-Alat, Akkum, Parsankul, Khoji and Western Khoji.

Commercial production at the Hauzak site started in autumn 2007.
Wacos Allergan plant, which makes pharmaceutical products for the eyes and skin, will host a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for an expansion and an announcement that will bring state and national elected officials to the site.

Allergan reportedly has chosen the Waco facility at 8301 Mars Drive for a multimillion-dollar upgrade and workforce expansion. But officials remain tight-lipped about the size of the project, the number of positions it may add and whether the plant will manufacture additional products.

The facility already employs 750 people who produce brands including Latisse for lash lengthening and Restasis for dry eyes.

The Waco facility expansion will add significant new manufacturing capacity and new jobs to the Waco and Central Texas economies, company spokesman Mark Marmur said in an email response to inquiries from the Tribune-Herald.

Allergan President and CEO Brent Saunders will release more details at the groundbreaking, Marmur said. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at noon Monday at the plant and will include a presentation by Baylor University economist Tom Kelly on Allergans economic reach.

Kelly, who oversees the Baylor Center for Business & Economic Research, prepared a report for Allergan titled The Economic Impact of Allergan on the Central Texas Economy, which he discussed when Saunders and other Allergan executives visited the Waco plant the last week of January to celebrate 27 years of doing business locally.

Kelly is preparing an update to his report that reportedly takes into account the planned expansion.

Saunders said in January the Waco plant was on a shortlist of plants for an expansion that would double its capacity and create the need for a few hundred more employees in the coming years.

Allergans local operations are in a 400,000-square-foot complex that runs 24 hours a day.

The company has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into area operations since it became part of the Waco manufacturing scene nearly 30 years ago. Between 2010 and 2015, it spent $234 million on machinery and equipment, site improvement and construction engineering.

Also between 2010 and 2015, the company saw employment increase 27.5 percent, from 588 to 750.

Kelly concluded in his report that the companys aggregate impact on total spending in Central Texas totaled $406 million last year.

Bobby Horner, inspection supervisor for the city of Waco, said Tuesday he does not have new construction plans on file for an expansion at Allergan.

But they nearly always have something under development at that facility, so its not always easy to locate something new, Horner said.

Failed merger

Allergan, which has operations in more than 100 countries, is based in Dublin, Ireland, with New Jersey serving as home base for North American operations.

A $160 billion deal to merge Allergan with Pfizer and create the largest pharmaceutical company in the world recently died. The action came in the wake of a new Treasury Department rule championed by President Barack Obama that limits corporate mergers that allow U.S. companies to relocate their headquarters out of the country for tax purposes.

The guest list for Mondays groundbreaking includes Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick; U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, whose district includes Waco; state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury; state Rep. Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco; Waco Mayor Malcolm Duncan Jr.; Tony Bennett, president of the Texas Association of Manufacturers; Matt Meadors, president of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce; and U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, whose district includes Denton and Tarrant counties.

Though his district does not include Waco, Burgess reportedly will speak at the groundbreaking. He is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; chairman of the subcommittee on commerce, manufacturing and trade; and a member of the health subcommittee and oversight and investigations subcommittee.

Kris Collins, senior vice president for economic development at the Waco chamber and its industry recruiter, said she will attend Mondays groundbreaking.

Collins said she is not at liberty to discuss any details of the announcement.
McLennan County will move a few offices out of the courthouse in order to keep its no weapons signs up at the building under a new agreement with the Texas Attorney Generals Office.

The district attorneys office pretrial services and hot check department will move to the administrative area of the old sheriffs office on Columbus Avenue and out of the courthouse annex. Those with a concealed carry license will be able to carry in the old sheriffs office building but not in the courthouse or annex.

County Judge Scott Felton said representatives from the AGs office visited the McLennan County Courthouse on April 13 to tour the building and the annex.

The visit came after the AGs office notified the county it needed to remove signs at the entrances of the courthouse and the annex or face penalties for prohibiting licensed handgun holders from entering an entire building simply because the courts or the offices of the courts are located in a portion of a multipurpose building.

County leaders have stood against allowing licensed handgun holders to enter the historic building with their weapons, citing security issues.

We knew it was important to us. Were glad it was important for them to come here and actually walk the facility, Felton said about the representatives.

Well save a lot of money on extra security we would have put into place if people were allowed to carry weapons within the common areas of the courthouse.

Felton said county staff informed the AGs office representatives during the visit to Waco that there is now a preliminary plan to relocate the district attorneys pre- trial services and hot check department out of the annex. The new offices will have a more accessible public entrance at Columbus Avenue.

The AGs office reported that those plans will allow the courthouse to retain its ban on weapons and that the office will not file suit or seek the collection of civil penalties.

Commissioner Ben Perry said after the AGs office originally told the county to remove its signs, county leaders chose to communicate first rather than jumping straight into litigation.

Perry said the AGs office was very receptive to hearing from the county and recommended the modifications.

Will (moving the offices) cost us money? Yes. There will be an expense to build out some office space, but it will be a minimal expense compared to litigation or compared to additional security at the courthouse, Perry said.

Perry said this is an example of good government at work.

The county received a violation letter March 30, alleging the courthouse and annex  which is accessed through the courthouse  were in violation for prohibiting licensed handgun holders from entering into an entire building with their weapons.

The violation letter was prompted by complaints from Open Carry Texas.

CJ Grisham, Open Carry Texas president and CEO, said the group is looking into civil disobedience to force the issue into a court case.

What the AG and the county is saying is that in order to exercise my First Amendment right, I have to surrender my Second Amendment right, Grisham said, noting the commissioners courtroom is still in the courthouse.

If they want to play this game where theyre going to suppress the rights of the citizenry, then were going to stand up and were going to challenge them.

Felton said there is plenty of room in the new space for the offices, and the building is already compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

We came out with a real amiable solution, he said.
Portals into fantasy lands will be dispensed freely in Waco on Saturday at a family book giveaway on South 19th Street.

The Texas American Federation of Teachers awarded its annual 40,000-book giveaway, which is intended to promote reading at home, to its Waco chapter this year.

The giveaway will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at a warehouse at 2025 S. 19th St.

The giveaway is limited to Waco Independent School District students, who each will receive five books and a T-shirt.

Educators from the Waco and La Vega districts, because of their Title I priority campuses, also are allowed up to 40 books. Title I districts are in the bottom 5 percent of districts statewide, based on standardized test performance.

The books are new, primarily hardback and range in reading level from pre-kindergarten through high school.

These are books children like to read, said Rosalinda Silva, secretary treasurer of Greater Waco American Federation of Teachers.

The Waco Transit System will provide free rides to the warehouse for any Waco ISD high school student with a student ID.

Waco teacher Gloria McCoy helped unload books Monday and said she is thrilled with the organizations generosity.

McCoy has been teaching in Waco since 1989, many of those years spent as a reading teacher. McCoy said many of her students had no books at home, preventing them from practicing their reading skills outside of class.

If you let them take the books home (from the library), they dont bring them back, and they cant check other books out if they havent returned the books, she said.

La Vega Independent School District teacher Yolanda Thompson said she plans to restock her classrooms minilibrary with the books from the giveaway.

Thompson said her students use her classrooms books heavily, and she is looking forward to expanding her stock.

I think its an awesome opportunity to get books for my classroom so that my students have books to read other than whats in the library, she said.

There are a few students already scouting what is available.

University High School senior Edith Rodriguez volunteered to help sort the books Monday with her classmates and plans to return for the giveaway Saturday.

Rodriguez said she is an avid reader and is eyeing a few of the selections.

Its like a sneak peek, she said.

-----

If you go

What: 40,000-book giveaway

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: 2025 S. 19th St. warehouse

More information: The giveaway is open to Waco ISD students and educators from Waco, La Vega and McGregor school districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20

By Azad Hasanli - Trend:

Azerbaijan reduced import of goods from Georgia by 3.6 times - up to $17.8 million in January-March 2016 compared to January-March 2015, said a report of Georgia's National Statistics Service.

Azerbaijan's specific weight in a total volume of products exported from Georgia is four percent, according to the report.

Azerbaijan has been among the leaders of import of goods from Georgia for a long time.

However, Azerbaijan ranked eighth by this index in January-March due to a temporary ban on imports of cattle from Georgia, as well as a sharp reduction in exports of cars and other products.

Azerbaijan imported goods worth $240.4 million from Georgia in 2015 and ranked first by this index. Azerbaijan imported Georgian goods worth $45.92 million in Jan.-Feb. 2015.

Georgia mainly exports pipes, cars and other iron alloys to Azerbaijan.

The trade turnover between Georgia and Azerbaijan was $160 million (a 25.3 percent decrease for the year) in January-March 2016, said the report.

The specific weight of Azerbaijan's trade turnover with Georgia is 7.5 percent of the total volume of this country's foreign trade operations.
Megyn Kelly is a star. The Fox News prime-time host runs a successful cable news show, has book publishers throwing millions of dollars her way, co-stars with Donald Trump in this seasons most compelling political soap opera and is even starting to consider what life might look like after Fox News.

Kelly deserves whatever success comes her way. Few anchors in cable news history have been able to grab the number of viewers that The Kelly Files has garnered in two short years. Besides, who could fault a parent for tiring of a schedule that rarely allows her to sit down for dinner with her children or tuck them into bed at night?

So if Kelly wants to leave Fox News for family reasons, good for her. But if Kelly is thinking of escaping Roger Ailes and Fox News because she thinks she has outgrown the man and his star-making machinery, I humbly offer a friendly suggestion: Call Glenn Beck.

From 2006 to 2008, Beck hosted a show on CNN Headline News. Few people watched the show, and it garnered even less buzz in the media world. Beck was making millions on his successful radio program, but few influencers in American politics knew or cared who he was. Then Ailes called.

Within months, Fox News introduced Beck to millions of TV viewers who started tuning in every day. Within a year, the new Fox News host was holding political rallies on the Mall in Washington and drawing half a million Fox News fans. Ailes wildly successful cable news platform even gave Beck the reach to launch a successful website called TheBlaze.

Beck began gracing the cover of magazines such as Time and Forbes. And soon enough, the man who saw himself as a latter-day version of Walt Disney was raking in tens of millions of dollars a year, was outpacing competitors on multiple media platforms and, most important for Beck, was controlling a central place in Americas political and cultural zeitgeist.

Beck began to believe he had outgrown Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. He was wrong.

After leaving Fox in 2011, Beck quickly expanded TheBlaze into a multimedia platform. By 2012, he had signed a deal with Dish TV and reached into more than 10 million homes. By 2013, he had expanded his operations in New York and bought a massive facility in Dallas. But the further he moved away from the shadow of the News Corp. empire, the less relevant he became.

Fast forward five years from his Fox News departure and ask yourself when the last time it was you saw a Glenn Beck show on TV, read about him in the newspaper or heard political commentators even discuss his name in a political debate. Other than a brief sighting in Iowa, Beck has been largely irrelevant to the 2016 campaign. That may be, in large part, because his business has fallen apart since Beck left Fox News.

As the mercurial TheBlaze founder told staff last year: We are $3 million in the hole! That means we are $3 million from profit. That means I have to take $3 million out of my wallet, and I have done this now for several years. I dont have money left. Im out. . . . I need $3 million by the end of the year. If we wait, its gonna be massive, bloody cuts. Those massive cuts came later in the year, and the media empire Beck imagined creating while sitting comfortably in his Fox News anchor chair never materialized.

Fox News rakes in more than $1 billion in profits a year as the channel grows in size and influence. Maybe the grass will be greener for Megyn Kelly than it was for Glenn Beck. But if history is any guide, Kellys smartest move may just be building on the remarkable platform already handed to her by Roger Ailes.

Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman from Florida, hosts the MSNBC show Morning Joe.
God & state

Weve all heard about the Big Lie. Its a lie thats told so often and disseminated so widely that people begin to believe it. And thats just what Gary Cosper is promoting in his March 11 letter to the editor, which maintains that the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence reference God of the Bible.

Cosper thinks that this country was founded by Christians for Christians and that we should just all accept this particular Big Lie. The Declaration of Independence mentions God one time and the Constitution not at all. The reason God is mentioned in the Declaration is to justify the idea that rights come not from kings or governments but belong to everyone.

There is nothing there to justify the idea that this God adheres to any one group of people. The Constitution mentions religion only to say that government should stay out of it. And thats pretty thin soup when it comes to the claim that this nation was founded by and for Christians. Gary Cosper, you are the one who needs to do a little more research.

Lee Van Wagner, Lorena

* * *

John Vickrey, in his April 5 letter, again puts forth misinformation from a group known as Freedom From Religion in arguing that our nation was not founded on Judeo-Christian values and its founders were not Christian. One of his statements is that many of this nations Founding Fathers were deists and hardly religious.

Fortunately for Vickrey, the Founding Fathers included the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which is based on these values. It states the government cannot pass laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion, thus protecting Vickreys right to have no religion or religious values whatsoever. Vickreys partial quote of this Establishment Clause in his letter is misleading as he implies it is against religions. But its real intent is to keep government regulations out of churches, not Judeo-Christian values out of the government.

Writers of the Constitution also included freedom of speech, which allows Vickery to take a great leap to spew forth information that is at best historically inaccurate and a clear attempt to rewrite history.

Don Hardcastle, Speegleville

EDITORS NOTE: While we regard claims of widespread Christian persecution in the United States as absurd, theres no doubt its occurring elsewhere. Baylor University President Ken Starr; former Congressman Frank Wolf; Pastor Jalil Dawood, founder of World Refugee Care; and Cole Richards of The Voice of the Martyrs will discuss Christian persecution globally at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Baylor Sciences Building, Room B-110, 101 Bagby Ave. The International Society for Human Rights, a secular observatory based in Frankfurt, recently reported research indicating 80 percent of all religious discrimination in the world today is directed at Christians.
WAHOO  Roads and bridges dominated much of open session conversation at the Saunders County Board of Supervisors on April 19.

Public Works Director Steve Mika informed the board that the project on the east side of the intersection of County Road J and High-way 77 would take four to six weeks to complete.

County Road J will remain closed to thru traffic until the projects completion.

Further discussion about the road included intersection safety. Mika said he was campaigning the state for a reduction in speed limit.

The construction project being done by both the county and the City of Wahoo will take 18 inches from a hill to improve sight distance. But its the Nebraska Department of Roads right-of-way and theyre calling the shots, said Mika.

Once the intersection is open and the nearby Sid Dillons new building open, there will be a lot of distractions, he added.

Mika said hes talked with NDOR about putting a hard surface in the median in the four-lane so the grass does not grow tall enough to block sight distance.

There will be a meeting on the one year anniversary of the Wahoo Expressways opening to discuss the entirety of the project with NDOR, said Mika.

The topic of conversation then moved north, as the board discussed progress on the collaboration with the City of Wahoo regarding the County Road L exit into Wa-hoo from the Expressway.

Were at a point where were ready to move for-ward, said Mika.

Once engineering is complete and the cost share is worked out with the city, bids can be let out. The county and city can still decline at that point, if the bids are too expensive, said Mika.

Supervisor Ed Rastovski said there have been some unofficial discussions be-tween the board and the city, but the plan is now for Supervisors David Lutton, Craig Breunig and Rastovski to work with the city on an agreement.

Its a major entrance to the city for people coming from the south and west, said Rastovski.

Preliminary costs for the 1,500 foot stretch of road are around $400,000, but the bridge is in good shape, said Mika.

Other progress for Mika includes letting bids for four concrete box culverts and asphalt overlay projects in Ashland, Memphis, Ceresco and Touhy.

The board went into closed session twice during Tuesdays meeting. Once for personnel matters and a labor negotiations status update, and again for litigation matters concerning the City of Wahoos appeal of notice of taxable status.

In other business, the board noted a purchase by the Saunders County Sheriffs office for an in-car cam-era system costing $4,895 in Aprils vendor claims.

Vendor claims for April were approved, but this purchase by the Sheriffs office was tabled, as the purchase did not go through the technology department and was listed as miscellaneous.
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 20

Trend:

Excelsior Hotel Baku will organize the training on establishing public relations for students of higher education institutions on May 12, 2016. The goal of the training is to inform students, interested in public relations and willing to get experience in this area.

Head of PR department in Veyseloglu company Ilham Mammadov will make presentation on "PR principles and goals", head of corporate communication department in Bakcell Suhaila Jafarova will make presentation on "Corporate social responsibility", head of the information, e-media department at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, editor of "Medeniyyet.az" journal Zohra Aliyeva will make presentation on "Journalistic ethics" and head of communication department in AtaHolding JSC Dilara Zamanova will make presentation on "Internal communication in companies."

Students interested in the event can send their CV and a brief motivation letter to the following address [email protected] Afterwards, participants will be selected.


Details added (first version posted on 19:59)



Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr.20

By Azad Hasanli - Trend:

Azerbaijani and Iranian companies will sign four memorandums of understanding on Apr.21 as part of implementation of joint projects for medicine and car production.

The announcement was made by Azerbaijan's Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev Apr.20 during a meeting with Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi in the Azerbaijani city of Astara.

Mustafayev noted that the documents will be signed between the Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park, Azerbaijan Investment Company, Azersun Holding and Iran's Darou Pakhsh and Iran Khodro companies.



The minister noted that Iran is one of the main trade partners of Azerbaijan. The trade turnover between the two countries has increased by 53 percent in the first quarter of 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015 and stood at $41.4 million.



During the meeting, it was noted that the two countries have signed 30 documents since April 2014.



Mustafayev said that currently, Azerbaijan and Iran are working on expanding the cooperation in the spheres of agriculture, tourism, pharmaceuticals, transportation, banking and so on.



The parties also discussed the prospects for expanding the economic relations and cooperation between the two countries and increasing the effectiveness of the North-South transportation corridor.



Earlier on Apr.20, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for construction of a railroad bridge over the Astara River on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border.
Tehran, Iran, April 20

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Swedish Energy minister Ibrahim Baylan is set to meet with Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh in a few days, Shana news agency reported April 20.

The two officials will discuss expansion of cooperation in the energy sector late this week.

Last year Zanganeh told Swedish Minister of Enterprise and Innovation Mikael Damberg that Iran would rely on the European country's knowhow and machinery in the oil industry.

Iran needs to quickly refurbish its oil industry after years of wearing out under harsh sanctions in order especially to compete with rival Arabs that share its oil and gas fields and are tapping them at much faster paces, Zanganeh said.

Sweden's revenues rely heavily on industrial export. Some 35 percent of the country's export is comprised of machinery.

Swedish companies have also cited interest in working in deep-water drilling.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Aygun Badalova - Trend:

OPEC has become much more political and the last three failed meetings highlight the cartel's inability to agree on much, says Ole Hansen, head of the Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank.

"Considering the market share that OPEC controls, a different organization, including other countries, would not have much success either," Hansen added speaking to Trend Apr. 20.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, shortly known as OPEC, is a permanent intergovernmental organization created in 1960 to coordinate and to unify oil prices among member countries with a view to secure fair and stable prices for oil producers.

The organization has 13 members, which control about 2/3 of the global oil reserves.

The cartel's total oil output was 32.25 million barrels a day in March 2016, which is by 15,000 barrels more than in February, according to OPEC's recent report. The official quota for the OPEC oil output is 30 million barrels per day.

The April 17 meeting of the OPEC and non-OPEC countries in Qatar's Doha, which were to agree on freezing the oil output with a view to stabilize the falling oil prices, ended without any agreement.

"OPEC is finished as a price setting mechanism," Sam Barden, the director of SBI Markets, an international commodity trading and advisory company, told Trend.

"Doha's meeting on the weekend confirmed this belief," he added.

However, Cyril Widdershoven, a Middle East geopolitical specialist and energy analyst, told Trend that the current situation is that OPEC is regaining its eminence in the market again.

"The growing cooperation between OPEC and Russia, and the fact that more former OPEC members again want to join the group only show that there is restructuring of the market," believes Widdershoven.

"OPEC is still on top. I can't see any other alternative for OPEC," he added.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @AygunBadalova
As we promised a few months ago, here is our report on the TBM gathering organized by Brad Deckert in Peru, Illinois this past week. The event was widely acclaimed as a roaring success, and we had our own Matthew McDaniel on the ground to report on the proceedings. We are also able to share some images from the event taken by the masterful photographer Greg Morehead and provided to WarbirdsNews compliments of the world-class Warbird Digest magazine. We greatly appreciate their support, and cant thank chief editor Greg Morehead enough for his generosity. Theres also a great video from AirshowStuff.com as well, and we must offer our thanks to their team for providing us with live coverage of the event on our Facebook feed as well. We hope you enjoy reading.

90 Tons of Turkeys Invade Illinois

by Matthew McDaniel

Twenty miles northeast of Illinois Valley Regional Airport, I selected the airports Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) and was immediately bombarded with a non-stop barrage of position reports by the dozens of airplanes descending upon Peru, IL. Several radio calls were between the TBM Avengers that were airborne south of KVYS and assembling into a 9-ship formation. About 10 miles out, the gaggle of TBMs came into view, appearing as a mighty Tour de Force on the horizon. Soon after Id landed, the Avengers made a series of fly overs before their recoveries onto Illinois Valleys Runway 18. In military parade fashion, each Avenger folded its wings exiting the taxiway and parked as a picturesque row of eight TBMs across the apron. A ninth TBM parked at a staging location for giving rides to lucky passengers, as a tenth Turkey underwent maintenance while roosting in a nearby hangar. Ten airworthy examples of Grummans giant torpedo bomber havent assembled in a single location since the type was still a staple of the air tanker fleet in the 1980s. However, the last time that so many flying, military-configured TBMs got together must have been around 1960!

Organized by TBM owner/pilot, Brad Deckert, the First Annual TBM Avenger Gathering was a success by any measure. In fact, it exceeded all expectations. Over the course of the three-day weekend in April, an estimated 10,000 spectators took in the sights and sounds of aviation history at VYS. Approximately 200 aircraft flew in to see or take part in the display as well. While many show planes (warbirds, antiques, classics, homebuilts, etc.) were in attendance, the undisputed stars were the ten massive machines designed by the famed Grumman Iron Works.

Imposing is an apt descriptor, even for a single Avenger. However, eight or nine Avengers parked side-by-side only magnifies that impression. Some variants weigh in with a max takeoff weight of nearly 18,000 lbs. thats nine tons! Grumman personnel referred to the plane as the Turkey during its development. That nickname and others were used by Avenger flight and ground crews, more to describe the planes ungainly appearance than its performance (which was quite good in nearly every respect, in spite of its size and bulky appearance). Nine tons of torpedo-toting Turkey cannot be ignored any more by airport crowds today than it could have been by axis seamen watching it bare down on them to drop a shallow-running Mk XIII torpedo meant to dispatch their vessel to the ocean floor.

Some may wonder why so many Avengers remain considering that there are no preserved examples of its predecessor, the Douglas TBD Devastator, and just a handful of its dive-bombing cousin, the SBD Dauntless, remain airworthy along with a single SB2C Helldiver. Avengers have survived in relatively large numbers because, unlike so many WWII designs, they were useful in post-war life, serving in both military and civilian roles.

Avengers served US Navy and Marine squadrons throughout WWII, making their combat debut, in June 1942, at the Battle of Midway. Allied nations also operated several variants of the Avenger throughout the war. Post-war, Avengers continued to sever in many military roles, most notably within the Royal Canadian Navy, who retained Avengers until July, 1960. Yet, the capability of the Avenger that helped ensure the survival of so many airframes today was almost exactly the opposite of what it was designed to do. As a torpedo bomber, the Avengers job was to rain hellfire upon enemy warships. Ironically, in civilian life, they were found to be equally adept at extinguishing fires, as water bombers. Thus, they flew extensively in both firefighting and aerial application missions. Amazingly, the last Avenger wasnt retired from such roughneck civilian duty until 2012 (71 years after the design first flew)!

Of the 9,800+ Avengers manufactured between 1941 and 1945, the vast majority were built under contract by General Motors Eastern Aircraft Division in order to meet critical wartime demand. Those Avengers carry the TBM designation (Torpedo Bomber, General Motors), versus the Grumman-built TBF designation. All ten Avengers present in Peru were late-production TBM-3s:

NL81865, Bu.85828, TBM-3E: Brad Deckert. Based: Illinois Valley Regional Airport (VYS), Peru, IL. Deckert organized the Avenger Gathering and housed up to five of them at a time in his large hangar on the field. Bristling with external weapons stores, a radar pod, and a replica torpedo in the internal bay, Deckerts TBM shows a real dedication to a militarily accurate restoration.

N85650, Bu.85650, TBM-3E: Heritage Flight Foundation / Mark Simmons. Based: Westerly State Airport (WST), Westerly, RI. This unique TBM was the only one present with the long greenhouse canopy configuration (without the rear turret). The extra long canopy allows seating for 4, in tandem.

NL293E, Bu.53829, TBM-3E: Mark & Allen Yaggie. Based: Hector Intl Airport (FAR), Fargo, ND.

NL9584Z, Bu.85822, TBM-3E: Michael Kopp. Based: Seattle, WA area. The gray over white paint scheme on this TBM was unique, with all other TBMs sporting some variation of Navy or Marine blue schemes.

NL683G, Bu.53768, TBM-3U: Tom Buck. Based: Joliet Regional Airport (JOT), Joliet, IL. Probably the most recognizable TBM on the airshow circuit due to its vibrant blue and white paint scheme, representing the TBM flown by Lt. J.G. George H.W. Bush in the Pacific Theater.

NL436GM, Bu.91436, TBM-3: Charlie Cartledge. Oshkosh Grand Champion winner. Based: Erie-Ottawa Intl Airport (PCW), Port Clinton, OH.

NL420GP, Bu.53420, TBM-3S: Tri-State Warbird Museum. Based: Clermont Co. Airport (I69), Batavia, OH.

N3967A, Bu.53835, TBM-3: Charles Lynch. Based: Westchester Co. Airport (HPN), White Plains, NY.

NL325GT, Bu.69325, TBM-3U: Darrell Berry. Based: Benton Co. Regional Airport (0M8), Camden, TN. Unfortunately, this striking TBM spent most of the event inside Deckerts hangar undergoing unscheduled maintenance.

N5264, Bu.53353, TBM-3E: Commemorative Air Force, Missouri Wing. Based: St. Charles Co. Airport, Portages des Sioux, MO. The CAFs Avenger spent the event giving rides and rarely sat still for long, giving nearly every spectator a chance to see an Avenger in flight, regardless of when or for how long they in attended.

Here is a beautiful video provided by AirshowStuff showing what it was like to ride aboard the sunset formation flight!

*******************************

About The Author: Matthew McDaniel is a Master & Gold Seal CFII, ATP, MEI, AGI, & IGI and Platinum CSIP. In 25 years of flying, he has logged 16,000 hours total, over 5,500 hours of instruction-given. Currently, he flies the Airbus A-320 series for an international airline, holds eight turbine aircraft type ratings, and has flown over 80 aircraft types. Matt is one of 25 instructors in the world to have earned the Master CFI designation for seven consecutive two-year terms. He has been a freelance aviation author since 2003. He can be reached at: matt@progaviation.com or +1-414-339-4990. OR www.progaviation.com/

Copyright 2016, Matthew McDaniel. First publication rights granted WarbirdsNews. All other rights reserved by copyright holder.

Subscribe to Warbird Digest. Warbird Digest is a bimonthly publication filled with news, articles and stunning photography on aviation from the World War Two era. Each issue highlights current restoration projects as well as in-depth articles related to the planes and the men and women who fly them. Click on the banner below for more information.
AptarGroup, Inc. provides a range of dispensing, sealing, and material science solutions primarily for the beauty, personal care, home care, prescription drug, consumer health care, injectable, and food and beverage markets. The company operates through three segments: Pharma, Beauty + Home, and Food + Beverage. The Pharma segment provides pumps for nasal allergy treatments; and metered dose inhaler valves for respiratory ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in pharmaceutical market; elastomer for injectable primary packaging components; and active material science solutions. The Beauty + Home segment primarily sells pumps, closures, aerosol valves, accessories, and sealing solutions to the personal care and home care markets; and pumps and decorative components to the beauty market. The Food + Beverage segment offers dispensing and non-dispensing closures, elastomeric flow control components, spray pumps, and aerosol valves to the food and beverage markets. It sells its products through own sales force, as well as independent representatives and distributors in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. The company has a strategic partnership with PureCycle Technologies LLC to develop ultra-pure recycled polypropylene into dispensing applications; and a collaboration with Sonmol for developing a digital therapies and services platform targeting respiratory and other diseases. AptarGroup, Inc. was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:

Kazakhstan's Kazgeology national geological exploration company signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the German DMT GmbH & Co. KG, Kazgeology company said Apr. 20.

DMT GmbH & Co. KG is an independent engineering and consulting company which specializes in the sectors of natural resources exploration, mining and coke making technology, construction and infrastructure, product testing and building safety, as well as industrial testing and measuring technology.

The memorandum's aim is the cooperation between the companies for creation of a commercial lab to study geochemical features of samples obtained during geological exploration, preparation of a training program on reporting on the resources of CRIRSCO (Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards) with participation of experts in accordance with international standards.

The memorandum was signed within the 7th Mining and Exploration Forum "MINEX Central Asia 2016", which will last until Apr. 21 in Astana.

Edited by SI

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
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The following companies are subsidiares of Tesco: Adminstore Limited, Adsega Limited, Alfred Preedy & Sons (Trustees) Limited, Alfred Preedy & Sons Limited, Anthony Heagney Limited, Arena (Jersey) Management Limited, Armitage Finance Unlimited, Armitage Luxembourg s.? r.l., BLT Holdings 2010 Limited, Bath Upper Bristol Road Management, Bedminster Estates Limited, Beehythe Estates limited, Berry Lane Management Company Limited, Blinkbox Books Limited, BlinxBox, Booker Group, Brian Fords Discount Store Limited, Broadfields Management Limited, Brookmaker (GP) Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 1 Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 2 Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 3 Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 4 Limited, Buckingham Road (Bletchley) Management Company Limited, Bugden Ltd, Buttoncable Limited, Buttoncase Limited, Canterbury Road Management Limited, Cardiff Cathays Terrace Management Company Limited, Careneed News Limited, Cheshunt Finance Unlimited, Cheshunt Holdings Guernsey Limited, Cheshunt Hungary Servicing Limited Liability Company, Cheshunt Luxembourg S.? r.l., Cheshunt Overseas LLP, China Property Holdings (HK) Limited, Chirac Limited, Cirrus Finance (2009) Limited, Cirrus Finance Limited, Cirrus Luxembourg s.? r.l., Clarepharm Limited, Clondalkin Properties Limited, Comar Limited, Commercial Investments Limited, Crazy Prices, Crest Ostrava a.s, Cullens Holdings Limited, Cullens Stores Limited, Daily Wrap Produce Limited, Day And Nite Stores Limited, Delamare Cards Holdco Limited, Delamare Cards MTN Issuer plc, Delamare Finance PLC, Delamare Group Holdings Limited, Delamare Holdings BV Netherlands, Delamare Luxembourg s.? r.l. Luxembourg, Delamare One Limited, Dunnhumby Ventures LLC, ELH Insurance Limited, Edinburgh Butterfly Farm Limited, Edson Investments Limited, Edson Properties Limited, Ek-Chai Distribution System Co. Ltd., Euphorium (London) Limited, Euphorium (North London) Limited, Euphorium Group Limited, Euphorium IP Limited, Europa Foods Limited, Faraday Properties Limited, Flitwick Pharmacies Limited, Food & Wine Lovers Limited, Forum Liberec s.r.o, Freds Food Construction Limited, Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund, Gain Land Limited, Genesis sp. z o.o., Gibbs News Limited, Gibbs Newsagents Limited, Gida Sanayi A.S., Giraffe, Giraffe Cafe Limited, Giraffe Concepts Limited, Golden Island Management Services Limited, HIT hypermarket Sp. z o. o., Halesworth SPV Limited, Harris and Hoole Holdings Limited, Harris and Hoole Limited, Harris and Hoole Nominees Limited, Homeplus, Hymall Co. Ltd., J E Properties Holdings Limited, Jasper Sp. z o. o. Poland, KSS Retail Limited, Kabaty Investments Tesco (Polska) Sp. z o. o. Sp.k, Kingsway Fresh Foods Ltd, Koxka Hungary Refrigeration LLC, Launchgrain Limited, Launchtable Limited, Laws Stores Limited, Lazada Group S.A., Lee (Southern) Limited, Lek?ren? Tesco Bansk? Bystrica k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Dunajsk? Streda k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Ko?ice k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Lama k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Nitra k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Petr?alka k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Pie?tany k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Pre?ov Vukov k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Senec k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Spi?sk? Nov? Ves k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Trenc??n s.r.o. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Zlat? Piesky k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Zvolen k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Linebush III Holdings Limited, Linebush III Limited, Linebush IV Limited, Linebush Limited, Linebush V Limited, London and Home Counties Superstores Limited, Lowfoods Limited, M & W Limited, Merrion Shopping Centre Ltd, Mills (East Midlands) Limited, Mills (West Midlands) Limited, Mills Group Holdings Limited, Mills Group Limited, Mobcast Services, Monread Developments Limited, Morgam Holdings Limited, Morgam News Limited, Motorcause Limited, NPL (Hardgate) Limited, Nabola Development Limited, NutriCentre Limited, OC FORUM Liberec Ltd., Oakwood Distribution Limited, Obchodn? dom Bratislava s.ro, Obchodn? dom Ko?ice s.ro., Obchodn? dom Nitra s.ro., Obchodn? dom Pre?ov s.ro., Old FEHC Inc., Old FEPC LLC, One Stop Community Stores Ltd, One Stop Convenience Stores Limited, One Stop Stores Limited, One Stop Stores Trustee Services Limited, Orpingford, Orpington (Station Road) Limited, Oxford Fox and Hounds Management Company Limited, PEJ Property Developments Limited, Paper Chain (East Anglia) Limited, Pharaway Properties Limited, Power Supermarkets Limited, Premier Garage (Worthing) Limited, Pulford Foods Limited, R.J.D. Holdings, Retail Property Co. Ltd, S Bottomley & Bros Limited, Sanders Supermarkets Limited, Sandtable Limited, Sarcon (No. 239) Limited, Seacroft Green Nominee 1 Limited, Seacroft Green Nominee 2 Limited, Shire Park Limited, Shuke Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Snowman Retail 1 Limited, Snowman Retail 2 Limited, Sociomantic AB, Sociomantic Labs B.V, Sociomantic Labs Inc, Sociomantic Labs Internet Hizmetleri Limited ?ireketi, Sociomantic Labs LLC, Sociomantic Labs Limited, Sociomantic Labs Private Limited, Sociomantic Labs Pte Ltd, Sociomantic Labs S.r.l, Sociomantic Labs SARL, Sociomantic Labs Servicos Web Ltda, Sociomantic Labs Sp.z.o.o., Sociomantic Labs s.r.o., Sociomantic S.L.U., Sociomantic labs GmbH, Spen Hill Developments (Holdings) Ltd, Spen Hill Developments (Portishead) Ltd, Spen Hill Developments (Tonbridge) Limited, Spen Hill Developments Limited, Spen Hill Management Limited, Spen Hill Properties (Holdings) plc, Spen Hill Properties (Southend) Limited, Spen Hill Regeneration Limited, Spen Hill Residential No 1 Limited, Spen Hill Residential No 2 Limited, Station House Welling Management Limited, Statusfloat Limited, Stewarts Supermarkets Limited, Streatham Management Company Limited, T & S Management Services Limited, T & S Properties Limited, T & S Stores Limited, TESCO (POLSKA) sp. z o.o., TESCO Akad?mia K?pz?si ?s Fejleszt?si Kor?tolt Felelss?g T?rsas?g, TESCO MOBILE POLSKA SP. Z O.O., TESCO STORES SR a.s., Tapesilver Limited, Teesport (GP) Limited, Teesport (Nominee) Limited, Telegraph Properties (Kirkby) Limited, Tesco (Foxtrot 1) Limited, Tesco (Foxtrot 2) Limited, Tesco (Fujian) Industry Limited, Tesco (Jersey) Limited, Tesco (Overseas) Ltd, Tesco (Yorkshire) Limited, Tesco Aqua (1LP) Limited, Tesco Aqua (3LP) Limited, Tesco Aqua (FinCo1) Limited, Tesco Aqua (FinCo2) Limited, Tesco Aqua (GP) Limited, Tesco Aqua (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Aqua (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Aqua (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Atrato (1LP) Limited, Tesco Atrato (GP) Limited, Tesco Barbers Wood Limited, Tesco Bengaluru Private Limited, Tesco Blue (1LP) Limited, Tesco Blue (FinCo2) Limited, Tesco Blue (GP) Limited, Tesco Blue (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Blue (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Blue (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Capital No. 1 Limited, Tesco Capital No. 2 Limited, Tesco Card Services Limited, Tesco Card Services Limited, Tesco Card Services Ltd., Tesco Chile Sourcing Limitada, Tesco Coral (GP) Limited, Tesco Corporate Treasury Services PLC, Tesco Depot Propco Limited, Tesco Distribution Holdings Limited, Tesco Distribution Limited, Tesco Dorney (1LP) Limited, Tesco Dorney (GP) Limited, Tesco Dystrybucja Sp. z.o.o., Tesco EU IT Services s.r.o., Tesco Employees Share Scheme Trustees Limited, Tesco Estates Limited, Tesco Europe B.V. Netherlands, Tesco Family Dining Limited, Tesco Food Sourcing Brazil Representa??o De Servi?os Ltda., Tesco Food Sourcing Limited, Tesco Foundation (Nadacia Tesco), Tesco Freetime Limited, Tesco Fuchsia (1LP) Limited, Tesco Fuel Limited, Tesco Global Employment Company Limited, Tesco Guangdong (HK) Co. Limited, Tesco High Beech Limited, Tesco Holdings BV, Tesco Holdings Limited, Tesco Home Shopping Limited, Tesco Hungary (Holdings) Limited, Tesco International Franchising s.r.o., Tesco International Internet Retailing Limited, Tesco International Services Limited, Tesco International Sourcing Limited, Tesco Ireland Holdings Limited, Tesco Ireland Limited, Tesco Ireland Pension Trustees Limited, Tesco Jade (GP) Limited, Tesco Joint Buying Service (Shanghai) Co Limited, Tesco Kipa Kitle Pazarlama Ticaret Lojistik ve, Tesco Kirkby (General Partner) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (LP) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder 1) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder2) Limited, Tesco Lagoon GP Limited, Tesco Licences Limited, Tesco Lotus Retail Growth, Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund, Tesco Maintenance Limited, Tesco Mauritius Holdings Limited, Tesco Mobile (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Tesco Mobile CR s.r.o., Tesco Mobile Communications Limited, Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited, Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited, Tesco Mobile Limited, Tesco Mobile Services Limited, Tesco Mobile Slovakia s.r.o, Tesco Mobile Slovakia s.r.o., Tesco Mobile CR, Tesco Nanjing Zhongshan, Tesco Nanjing Zhongshan (HK) Co. Limited, Tesco Navona (1LP) Limited, Tesco Navona (GP) Limited, Tesco Navona (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Navona (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Navona (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Navona PL Propco Limited, Tesco Opticians Limited, Tesco Overseas (Holdings) Limited, Tesco Overseas Investments Limited, Tesco Overseas ULC, Tesco Passaic (1LP) Limited, Tesco Passaic (GP) Limited, Tesco Passaic (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Passaic (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Passaic (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Passaic PL Propco Limited, Tesco Pension (Jade) Limited, Tesco Pension Investment Limited, Tesco Pension Trustees Limited, Tesco Personal Finance, Tesco Personal Finance Compare Limited, Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited, Tesco Property (No.1) Limited, Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.1) Limited, Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.2) Limited, Tesco Property (Nominees) Limited, Tesco Property A.S., Tesco Property Finance 1 Holdco Limited, Tesco Property Finance 1 PLC, Tesco Property Holdings (No. 2) Limited, Tesco Property Holdings Limited, Tesco Property Limited, Tesco Property Nominees (No.5) Limited, Tesco Property Nominees (No.6) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (GP No.2) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (GP) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (No.1) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (No.2) Limited, Tesco Red (1LP) Limited, Tesco Red (GP) Limited, Tesco Red (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Red (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Sarum (1LP) Limited, Tesco Sarum (GP) Limited, Tesco Seacroft Limited, Tesco Secretaries Limited, Tesco Services Limited, Tesco Sourcing India Private Limited, Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Tesco Stores (Thailand) Ltd, Tesco Stores CR a.s., Tesco Stores Limited, Tesco Technology Services HK Limited, Tesco Treasury Services PLC, Tesco Trustee Company of Ireland Limited, Tesco Underwriting Limited, Tesco Vin Plus SA, Tesco Worldwide Limited, Tesco for Thais Foundation, Tesco-Global Stores Privately Held Co. Ltd, Tesco.Com Limited, The Brookmaker Limited Partnership, The Teesport Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Aqua Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership, The Tesco Blue Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Coral Limited Partnership, The Tesco Dorney Limited Partnership, The Tesco Kirkby Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Navona Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Passaic Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Property (No.2) Limited Partnership, The Tesco Red Limited Partnership, The Tesco Sarum Limited Partnership, Trent Hypermarket Private Limited, Trigger Retail Ltd, Valiant Insurance Company DAC, Value House Properties Limited, Variable Preference, Ventnor High Street Management Company Limited, Verulam Properties (2001) Limited, Verulam Properties Limited, Victoria BB Sp z.o.o., WE7, WSC Properties Limited, Wanze Properties (Dundalk) Limited, Weymouth Avenue (Dorchester) Limited, Whitecastle Properties Limited, Wm. Low Supermarkets Limited, Woolwich Central Residents Management Company Limited, Worple Road Plc, Xiamen Firste Property Limited, Xiamen Firste Property Limited, aAcklam Management Company Limited, dunnhumby (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, dunnhumby (Thailand) Limited, dunnhumby Canada Limited, dunnhumby Consulting Services India Private Limited, dunnhumby Czech s.r.o., dunnhumby Employment Company Limited, dunnhumby Holding Limited, dunnhumby Hungary Kft, dunnhumby IT Services India Private Limited, dunnhumby Inc, dunnhumby International Limited, dunnhumby Ireland Limited, dunnhumby Italia Srl., dunnhumby Limited, dunnhumby Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., dunnhumby Netherlands B.V., dunnhumby Norge A.S., dunnhumby Overseas Limited, dunnhumby Poland Sp z.o.o, dunnhumby Slovakia s.r.o., dunnhumby South Africa (Pty) Ltd, dunnhumby Trustees Limited, and dunnuhumby.

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By Maksim Tsurkov, Emil Ilgar - Trend:

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By Fatih Karimov - Trend:

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20



By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:



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The WCO is a member of the OECD Task Force on Charting Illicit Trade (TF-CIT), established in the context of the High Level Risk Forum in 2013. The TF-CIT serves as a platform to co-ordinate international expertise in the area of countering illicit trade. By drawing attention to the scope of illicit activities and the interconnections between them, the High Level Risk Forum and the TF-CIT assist countries to focus and co-ordinate efforts to drive criminal entrepreneurs and illicit networks out of business.

Within the Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade, in partnership with the EU Intellectual Property Office (EU-IPO), the OECD Secretariat completed a major analysis to assess the scope and impact of trade in counterfeits and pirated goods. The public launch of the final report on Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Mapping the Economic Impact took place on 18 April within the framework of the Task Force meeting. The WCO contributed to this work by providing Customs expertise in the area of countering illicit trade in counterfeits, as well as significant data on Customs seizures which enabled the OECD and EU-IPO to conduct a global analysis of this phenomenon.

By uniting resources and expertise, the MOU will enable both organizations to provide policymakers with a set of strong, evidence based policy messages to fight against illicit trade, enhance Customs-Tax cooperation and act in other areas of common interest.
The Investment Planning Counsel (IPC), an independent dealer of financial services firm IGM Financial, has made a significant move after celebrating reaching $24.5 billion in assets.The 20-year-old company has announced that it is moving to a start-of-the-art LEED Gold building in Mississauga after growing its team to 250 people.Speaking exclusively to Wealth Professional, Chris Reynolds , co-founder, president and CEO of the IPC, believes the company needed a space that would accommodate its next era of growth.We wanted a space that would reflect how we worked with each other and how we worked with advisors, he said. The new space has given us an opportunity to re-think the way we align our people to optimize workflow and enhance the ease with which we interact within and between teams, and with our advisors. Finally, but no less important, the new space allows us to improve our environmental impact and attract great new talent to the firm.The timing was right from an economic point of view as well - over the past few years, weve seen IPC Private Wealth - our high net worth offering - grow from an idea to a strong viable offering for our advisors. Through Counsel Portfolio Services, our portfolio services arm, we have continued to innovate and add new solutions to meet the needs of Canadian investors. So, in part, moving to this new space is also an opportunity for us to enhance our brand presence in the independent dealer space.So what have been the key drivers in the companys rapid growth in recent years? According to Reynolds, two recent major acquisitions have been central in the companys success.Investment Planning Counsel has done two major acquisitions in the last five years which have contributed to our growth, he said. From an advisor recruitment perspective, we are constantly looking to bring on top quality advisors to IPC. And, were continuously working with advisors who are already with us to enhance their practice. We definitely see growth through our advisor network as a critical element of our future.On top of this, our IPC Private Wealth program continues to expand rapidly, and has gathered over $700 million in new assets in just three short years. Similarly, Counsel has enjoyed good growth over the years, and currently manages over $4 billion in assets. We see strong potential for growth in the mass affluent and high net worth market space in Canada. Investors, particularly those we refer to as the sudden money crowd are under-served and we are working with our advisors so they can take advantage of the growth opportunities in this space.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has criticized the Arab League for a recent declaration that called Hezbollah a terrorist organization.

"Hezbollah and its youth are shining as the Sun," Khamenei's official website quoted him as saying in Tehran at a gathering of students from across Iran, Apr. 20.

Aside from the Arab League, the United States, France, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Israel also list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

Questioning the Arab League's decision, the Iranian leader claimed that "corrupt" and "dependent" governments were behind the decision to issue that declaration.

Earlier in March, a week after a similar move by the Arab Gulf states, the Arab League said it listed Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Khamenei touched upon the domestic issues and said "a covert soft war is underway between Iran and the US."

"The US would like the Iranian youth to lack courage, motivation, hope, activeness, physical and mental capability," he claimed.

Khamenei also claimed that the US would like to convince the Iranian youth to be pessimistic about Iran's high-ranking officials and be optimistic about the "enemy".
A wealth management firm has been struck off by a regulator  all for failing to submit a regulatory form.



The story has unfolded in Stoke-on-Trent, in the United Kingdom, where the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has removed the investment permissions of M I Wealth Management. The issue is that, according to the regulator, the company did not file a Retail Mediation Activities Return (RMAR).



In the UK, regulated firms have to file the RMAR each year outlining client numbers, charging revenue and employee numbers. However, the FCA claims that M I Wealth Management did not make the filing despite repeated requests.



In a report at the CityWire website, the FCA commented: These failures, which are significant in the context of M I Wealths suitability, lead the authority to conclude that M I Wealth has failed to manage its business in such a way as to ensure that its affairs are conducted in a sound and prudent manner, that it is not a fit and proper person.



However, in response, Michael Cross, the director of M I Wealth Management, commented that he should not have been required to submit an RMAR for the period as he was a one man firm. He said that the final notice was the first communication he had received on the subject.



He told the UK website that we have not had a warning notice and that he has been talking to his compliance department who confirmed it was not necessary for him to submit. He is now attempting to resolve the situation, but the FCA states that it issued a warning notice in January.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Fatih Karimov - Trend:

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has reacted to Tehran police new plan on deploying undercover morality agents.

Human dignity is more important than religion, Rouhani said while responding to a question on the issue, Iran's ISNA news agency reported April 20.

The government's first duty is respecting the personality and dignity of the people, Rouhani said, adding the dignity of all people should be preserved.

He further said that his administration is not responsible for certain plans in the country which is implemented by other governmental bodies such as the Judiciary.

Police in Tehran has deployed 7,000 undercover morality agents to monitor the observance of the Islamic dress code.

Tehran's police chief General Hossein Sajedinia announced on April 18 that the new unit is tasked to report "abnormal moves" including removal of veils and playing loud music inside cars, driving recklessly and parading in the streets as well as harassing women.

Iran's police have a morality control department which implements enforcement against people who have been violating the Islamic rules including Islamic dress code in the country.

Every spring, as the temperature rises and with it the desire of people to go out, the authorities in Iran tighten their grip on social norms, increasing the number of the so-called morality police deployed in public places.

It is not the first time that Rouhani criticizes the measures taken by morality police. Earlier in 2015 he said that Police in Iran is not obliged to enforce Islamic rules, which was harshly criticized by hardliners.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Fatih Karimov - Trend:

Iranian Army Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi said that army has no responsibility in providing advisory supports to Syria, Fars news agency reported April 20.

There is an organization in Iran which manages the issue, he said, adding some volunteers from army have been dispatched to Syria under the responsibility of that organization.

"We are facing a large number of forces in the army which love to be sent to Syria frontline," Salehi said, adding army has never claimed that its elite forces namely the 65 Nohed Airborne Brigade is present there.

Earlier in April, Iranian media outlets quoted Brigadier-General Ali Arasteh, an Iranian Army commander, as saying that army has deployed a group of its commandos from the brigade in Syria to provide advisory support for President Bashar al-Assad's army in fight against terrorist groups.

Iranian media outlets reported Apr. 11 that Iran's Army for the first time lost its members in clashes in Syria.

A day later the Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces Ahmad Reza Pourdastan confirmed the causalities, saying a number of Iranian army ground force members from various units, including the Special Forces known as the 65th Brigade, are in Syria for advisory mission.

Meanwhile Salehi said that some members of the Brigade 65 "maybe" are among the volunteer forces, who have been sent to Syria.

Iranian officials have constantly confirmed that the IRGC provides the Syrian army with advisory support in fight against the terrorist groups.

The Islamic Republic views the Syrian regime as its main strategic ally in the region, as well as a part of the "axis of resistance" against Israel.

Tehran has always expressed support for the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20



By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend:

Iran's Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi has said in a Twitter post that her Facebook and Gmail accounts were hacked.

"Hello friends. Unfortunately my Facebook and Gmail accounts were hacked," she tweeted.

She further asked her online friends and followers to not respond to the messages sent by the hackers.

Over the past years Iran has banned several social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. However some Iranians have managed to log into their social media accounts through techniques to circumvent blocks, such as the proxy servers.

Despite the official ban, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who holds verified accounts on both Twitter and Facebook, as well as a number of Iranian ministers and ambassadors, have been seen to actively use Facebook to communicate with people.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 20, 2016 | 05:22 AM | PADUCAH, KY





The Paducah City Commission met Tuesday night and discussed the City Hall Project.Over the past several months, elected officials, city staff, RATIO Architects and the City Hall Schematic Design Advisory Group worked to complete an in-depth process of design for two options: rehabilitation of the existing City Hall and construction of a new building.Goals for either building were set as follows: 1) Improves the customer experience; 2) Improves city staff functionality; 3) Energizes the Civic Zone District of downtown; 4) Provides a modern, adaptable workplace for 50 years; 5) Contributes to Paducahs identity and culture.Rob Proctor and Brooke Funkhouser with RATIO Architects attended the meeting and provided an overview of the two schematic designs and the preliminary conceptual cost estimates. Regarding the dual pathway of design, Proctor says, Thats a very unique process, one that we embraced whole-heartedly. Funkhouser says, This needs to be a place that you remember. Its a government building. Its a civic building. Proctor adds, We are celebrating government through the vehicle of design.The rehabilitation option involves stabilizing the existing City Halls canopy, improving its seismic stability, and rehabilitating its mechanical elements. The Commission Chambers would be moved to the first floor. The rehabilitation also incorporates glass on the interior to improve departmental communication and functionality and to increase customer service and way-finding. The departmental configuration would be adjusted to look at shared spaces and increase the number of departments that could operate from the building. The preliminary cost estimate for the rehabilitation is $18 million. That number includes a cost to temporarily relocate the staff during construction.The new building option involves the construction of a four-story structure on the city-owned property on Clark Street that faces Dolly McNutt Memorial Plaza. Funkhouser says, We selected a site that basically completes the Civic Center Zone quad. The exterior design uses a variety of materials including metal panels, glass, and stone. The sun angles also were taken into consideration. Funkhouser says, We want to have this building stand on its own but be respectful of the Edward Durell Stone building. This design also places the Commission Chambers on the first floor with a pre-function space and gallery area. The preliminary cost estimate for the new construction is $18.5 million. That number includes an estimated cost of $590,000 to stabilize the current City Hall until a new owner or purpose could be determined.Commissioner Richard Abraham commented that the next step is to decide which option is the best for the City and how to fund it.Mayor Gayle Kaler agreed with the concern about funding, and said, I think we have to look at our budget. In my opinion phasing in is the way to go, but how do we plan that out, and will it increase costs over time? Kaler added, Whats critical to me right now is the stability [of the existing building] and the safety issues.Commissioner Sandra Wilson said, It would be hard to walk away from this building unless it had a new owner who had a grander vision.

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By Joe Jackson Apr. 20, 2016 | 11:03 AM | MAYFIELD, KY

Three people face drug and other charges in Graves County after their arrest early Wednesday morning.

According to the Mayfield Police Department, at approximately 4:00 am, an officer spotted two people walking between buildings on East Broadway. One of the individuals was Brett Eigenrauch, a wanted subject out of Graves County.

When the officer tried to take Eigenrauch into custody the two fled on foot. The officer later located the pair in a room at the Budget Inn. Eigenrauch was placed under arrest and the other subject was identified as Alicia Morrison, who was also wanted out of Graves County.

While inside the room, officers found crystal meth, prescription medication and drug paraphernalia. Police also found a backpack that Eigenrauch had attempted to discard as he was fleeing. Police said the backpack contained illegal drugs and items of drug paraphernalia.

Eigenrauch was arrested on an outstanding warrant and also on charges of fleeing and evading police, tampering with physical evidence. possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Morrison was arrested on two outstanding warrants. She was also charged with fleeing and evading police. A third person in the room, Lauren Anderson, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All three were lodged in the Graves County Jail.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 19, 2016 | 09:08 PM | HARDIN, KY

A Paducah man faces methamphetamine charges in Marshall County.

According to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, deputies on Monday received tips regarding the location of 30-year-old Jerry Purvis, of Paducah, who had an active bench warrant out of Marshall County. Deputies located Purvis in a truck on Hilldale Lane in Hardin. He was placed under arrest for the outstanding warrant.



The owner of the truck gave deputies permission to search and they found a small container in the bed of the truck. Inside the container were three hypodermic needles, a spoon and several Q-tips, some soaking in a small glass container. Police said they field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Purvis told deputies the items belonged to him and not the passenger. Purvis was then charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and giving an officer a false name or address.
By The Associated Press/West Kentucky Star Staff Apr. 20, 2016 | 11:21 AM | ANTIOCH, IL

Authorities say four sheriff's deputies have been placed on administrative leave after they fatally shot a Florida fugitive in northern Illinois.

Fifty-three-year-old Gerald Robert Boyes was wanted in Florida for a parole violation, as well as in Paducah in the double homicide of his father and his father's girlfriend. Police say the victims were bludgeoned to death.

The four sheriff's deputies from McHenry and Lake counties confronted and attempted to arrest Boyes early Saturday in the parking lot of a pizzeria in Antioch.

The Lake County Major Crime Task Force says Boyes brandished a handgun and the deputies opened fire. The task force says a gun was found in his possession after the shooting.

All four deputies are on leave while the shooting is investigated.
By The Associated Press Apr. 20, 2016 | 05:02 PM | FRANKFORT, KY

Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has restored some state funding to public colleges and universities.

Bevin had ordered spending cuts of 4.5 percent over the next three months for all state colleges and universities. He wants to spend the money on the state's public pension debt instead.

On Tuesday, Bevin revised those cuts to 2 percent for most institutions. He completely restored funding for Kentucky State University. He said he revised the cuts as part of an agreement reached with college and university presidents on April 8 during negotiations over the state budget.

Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear has sued Bevin over the cuts. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Beshear said Wednesday that Bevin's cuts are still illegal.

Bevin has asked a judge to dismiss the case.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Fatih Karimov - Trend:

Iran and Russia have no disagreement regarding the construction of new nuclear power plants in the southern city of Bushehr, Ali Larijani, the Iranian parliament speaker said.

Larijani, who is in Moscow to attend a summit of Eurasian parliament members, said that the agreement is definitive, the Iranian parliament's ICANA news agency reported April 20.

He further said that preliminary studies are carried out now regarding the project.

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.

Bushehr- Iran's only nuclear power plant, which was inaugurated in September of 2013, has a capacity of producing 1,000 megawatts of electricity.
Wilkes University invites students in grades seven through nine to participate in the free STEM Discovery Day on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the state-of-the-art laboratories in Stark Learning Center and Cohen Science Center on the Wilkes campus. Students will experience six different hands-on lab
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Fatih Karimov - Trend:

An Iranian child was killed in a landmine explosion near the city of Bostan in the country's south western province of Khuzestan, ISNA news agency reported April 20.

The 10-year old girl hit a landmine remaining from Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988) near the border of Iraq, yesterday, Ghasem Mousavi, governor of Bostan said.

She was transferred to a local hospital, where died due to severe injuries, Mousavi added.

The incident will be investigated in a special security committee on April 21, the official said, adding mine clearance forces will be dispatched to the region.

Iran is one of the countries in the world with the most unexploded landmines, which kill and injure dozens of people every year.

According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, there were 46 deaths and 76 injuries from landmines in Iran in 2012. Seven of the casualties were children.

Land areas in Iranian provinces of Ilam (1,700 hectares), Khuzestan (1.3 million hectares), Kermanshah (691,000 hectares), Western Azerbaijan (59,000 hectares) and Kurdistan (1,480 hectares) were mined during the war.

It was assumed that after the war around 16 million mines could still remain in these areas.
Protests will be held in Armenia against the visit of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the Armtoday website reported.

"On April 21-22, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will arrive in Armenia to discuss with the Armenian authorities the Kremlin's plan on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the protests' organizers said in a statement Apr. 20.

The demonstrators said they will march towards the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Armenia and Russia's Embassy in Yerevan with a claim "to voice demands" to the two countries' foreign ministers.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be discussed between the Russian and Armenian foreign ministers in Yerevan, Mariya Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, told Trend Apr. 19.

Earlier, speaking at a press center in Moscow, she said the work continues to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and talks are underway for finding compromises.

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.
US Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton have been projected as the winners of New York primaries, hoping to secure their party nomination.

The early results were announced after polls closed on Tuesday, with the billionaire real estate mogul leading the Republican Party with 68.6 percent ahead of rivals John Kasich at 18.5 percent and Ted Cruz obtaining 12.4 percent.

Trump's big victory in his home state gave him renewed momentum in the Republican race and pushed him closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination. US Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton also sought a big victory in New York, with 61 percent of the ballots blunting the momentum of rival Bernie Sanders at 39 percent and taking a big step toward wrapping up the nomination.

"We're going to end at a very high level and get a lot more delegates than anybody projected even in their wildest imaginations," Trump said in a victory speech from Trump Tower. "We're going to go into the convention I think as the winner."

According to an Associated Press count, Trump entered the New York contest with 756 delegates, while Cruz had 559 and Kasich had 144. If Trump does not secure enough delegates needed to win the Republican nomination outright at the party's July 18-21 convention in Cleveland, delegates would be allowed to switch to other candidates.
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Brian Bowman is leading a delegation of local business officials to promote the benefits of Winnipeg to the Montreal business community.

Well be out there selling Winnipeg to the world, Bowman told reporters Wednesday morning before leaving for the airport. We have a series of meetings over the next two days to promote investment and trade with Winnipeg businesses.

Joining Bowman are representatives from Economic Development Winnipeg, Yes! Winnipeg, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Winnipeg Airports Authority, Great-West Life, MTS, Sightline Innovation and Solara Data.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said the Fair Share, Fair Say campaign deliberately wasn't proscriptive.

Bowman said he and the business delegation will meet with Montreal mayor Denis Coderre and former Quebec premier Jean Charest, officials from the City of Mirabel and several businesses including CN Rail, Desjardins and Power Corp.

Bowman said the Montreal trip will be the first of many hell be taking with the citys business community to other cities in an attempt to lure new jobs and businesses here, spreading the message that Winnipeg is open for business.
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ST. JOHNS, N.L.  Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS) has signed a deal to help finance its blockbuster US$11.3 billion acquisition of U.S. electric transmission company ITC.

The utility company announced Wednesday it has an agreement that will see Singapores sovereign wealth fund take a minority stake in ITC Holdings Corp. for US$1.228 billion in cash.

Under the agreement, GIC Private Ltd. will acquire a 19.9 per cent equity interest in ITC Holdings Corp.

The ITC deal announced in February would expand Fortiss holdings in the U.S. and give it access to more than 25,000 kilometres of transmission lines.

The agreement requires the blessing of ITC and Fortis shareholders as well as regulatory and federal approvals and other closing conditions.

It is expected to be completed later this year.

An important milestone in the acquisition of ITC has been accomplished, Fortis chief executive Barry Perry said in a statement.

We are very pleased to be partnering with GIC in the future growth and development of ITC. GIC is astute and thoughtful, with a proven track record in North American infrastructure investing.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

Turkey will never recognize the events of 1915 as the so-called Armenian genocide, the Turkish presidential administration said in an exclusive interview with Trend April 20.

"Therefore, Ankara does not attach any importance to the European Parliament's appeal to recognize the events of 1915 as the so-called Armenian genocide," the administration said.

The administration said that the European Parliament's appeal to Turkey is provocative.

"Turkey has repeatedly stated that it is ready to establish a joint commission to investigate the events of 1915, but the Armenian side ignores this proposal," the administration said.

"This testifies to the fact that there is no evidence that the so-called genocide was carried out against the Armenians in 1915," the administration added.

On Apr. 14, the European Parliament called on Turkey to recognize the events of 1915 as the "Armenian genocide".

While commenting on the European Parliament's actions, Volkan Bozkir, Turkey's minister for European Union affairs, said that this demand is groundless.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey's predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, committed the so-called genocide against Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915.

While strengthening the propaganda of "genocide" in the world, Armenians achieved its recognition by parliaments of some countries.
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OTTAWA  Market conditions in the oil patch will largely determine whether Canadas emissions of greenhouse gases decline this year, says federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is poised to sign the Paris climate agreement later this week at the United Nations in New York, after making the fight against climate change a central theme of his new Liberal government.

But Trudeau carries with him to New York the latest official government inventory of Canadian carbon emissions, which shows a slow but steady increase from 2009 through 2014  with no specified end date in sight.

While Canada contributes only about 1.6 per cent of global emissions, according to Environment Canada, it is among the highest per capita emitters on the planet.

Youre absolutely right, emissions are going up and they need to go down, McKenna told reporters following a two-hour appearance Tuesday at the Commons environment committee.

She could provide no assurances that the trajectory will change in the Liberals first frenetic year in office.

A lot of that will depend actually this year on the market, said McKenna.

The McKenna-led Canadian delegation is widely credited with helping the international Paris conference find consensus last December on a goal to limit average global warming to less than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Shes now part of a government thats desperately trying to find a policy path to back up its aspirations.

Four federal-provincial working groups are examining policy areas and will report back next fall, after which provincial and territorial leaders will convene again with Trudeau to hammer out a pan-Canadian plan.

McKennas two-hour grilling by opposition MPs at committee Tuesday was heavily larded with references to consultations with the provinces and only a few specifics.

The minister cited the recent agreement between Canada and the United States to cut methane emissions by 40 to 45 per cent over the next decade as a big deal, the equivalent of taking all Ontario and Quebec cars off the road for a year.

On Thursday, the government will launch a new web portal where Canadians can make suggestions about how to combat climate change and McKenna is promising that all the responses will be viewable in full on the site.

That could turn the exercise into a national version of the vitriolic flame wars that typify the comment boards below stories on news sites.

McKenna may have received a taste of whats to come when Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu asked one of those pointed questions that are impossible to answer: What tangible temperature decrease do we expect to see from the billions of dollars being spent on climate change?

Conservative Ed Fast wanted McKenna to explain how the Liberals will protect Canadian businesses from unfair foreign competition under McKennas preferred option of carbon pricing.

New Democrat Nathan Cullen wanted to know why the first Liberal budget failed to address fossil fuel subsidies.

Its complicated and the governments looking at it, McKenna replied to both.

Outside the committee room, Cullen accused the Liberals of going to Paris and making commitments with no plan to back them up.

It was this hopeful thing that the world celebrated, that many Canadians celebrated, but behind it was nothing, said the northern B.C. New Democrat.

Canadas formal ratification of the Paris deal wont come until after the first ministers meet again next fall, McKenna said.

We want to go do the hard work to figure out how we can meet or exceed our current commitments and then well be in a position to ratify.

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CALGARY  RCMP are investigating an allegation that fake emails were distributed to reporters about a divorce case involving a former Alberta politician and his ex-wife.

Sgt. Blaine Mumford in Tofino, B.C. confirmed Wednesday that officers are investigating a complaint made by Breanna Palmer. He gave no other information and declined an interview.

Palmer has claimed she did not send two identical emails in March that retracted allegations former justice minister Jonathan Denis kneed her in the face, tampered with the brakes on her car, took drugs and threw temper tantrums.

I withdraw all allegations that I have made against Jonathan Denis about abuse or otherwise, said the emails, both of which had her email address on them.

I want to move on with my life and wish Jonathan Denis the best.

The two emails were released earlier this month along with a statement from Denis about his divorce being finalized. The statement said he was putting on the public record documents that would clear his name and reputation.

When contacted about the release, Palmer, a model and former beauty queen, said the emails had been fabricated.

Someone tried to take my voice away by circulating false statements within the national media, said an emailed statement from Palmer on Tuesday.

My phone and my computer have been made available to the RCMP to prove that email did not come from me.

In an affidavit, filed in B.C. April 1, Palmer said she has moved from Calgary based on advice from police and a womens shelter.

Denis did not immediately return requests for comment left at his office, with his lawyer or with the person who originally distributed his statement.

Denis resigned from cabinet last May, days before the provincial election, after his wife received an emergency protection order against him. Denis was never charged with a crime and a judge later lifted the protection order.

The Progressive Conservatives lost the election and Denis lost his seat in Calgary.
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VANCOUVER  Optimism mixed with thick clouds of pot smoke in downtown Vancouver last year as tens of thousands of people gathered for the annual 4-20 marijuana legalization rally under a massive banner featuring Justin Trudeaus face on a rolling paper.

But this year, the events chief organizer, Jodie Emery, says inaction by the newly elected federal Liberals makes the protest more necessary than ever.

Last summer I was joking Im going to be out of work as an activist because we dont have debates anymore, theres no one fighting to keep it illegal, said Emery, who is the wife of Prince of Pot Marc Emery. But fast forward to today and the mood is different.

A young man smokes a marijuana joint during a rally in downtown Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday April 20, 2011. Thousands are expected to attend the annual 4-20 marijuana protest at Vancouver's Sunset beach on Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trudeau has pledged to legalize pot and struck a task force to hammer out legislation, but Emery said change could be months or years away.

Vancouver, meanwhile, is preparing to shutter over 100 marijuana dispensaries by end of month as it regulates the sale of pot.

But while Emery worries about progress, other proponents of legalization argue Emery and her allies are sabotaging their cause.

Theyre doing themselves a disservice, said Dr. Patricia Daly, chief medical officer with Vancouver Coastal Health.

They are not just protesting in favour of legalization. They are actually selling the product in a very unregulated way and its exactly those activities that make us advocate for a strong regulatory approach.

Preparation was underway Tuesday on the eve of this years event, which has been moved to a beach after mostly being held outside Vancouvers art gallery since 1995.

More than 100 people  the youngest aged 15  went to hospital last year complaining of symptoms ranging from upset stomachs to acute anxiety and psychosis, Daly said. Sixty-three people were treated, and 75 per cent of them had consumed edible marijuana products, she said, noting pot in food presents the greatest risks.

The city issued a statement saying the protest is unsanctioned and unlicensed, but it recognizes the publics right to peaceful assembly and lawful protest.

More than $92,000 was spent by the city last year managing safety and cleanup, including $52,000 on additional police officers.

Organizers agreed this year to move about two kilometres away to the beach, where vendors will sell exotic strains of pot, paraphernalia and edible marijuana products.

City staff, police, fire and rescue, and the Park Board have worked with organizers on a public safety plan, and volunteers will distribute free 4-20 guidebooks, a new addition featuring a site map, health advice for safe marijuana use and political messages.

Emery said the grassroots event remains non-profit, but organizers have raised $100,000 this year to cover costs of fencing, portable toilets, first-aid booths, security staff, a stage, garbage bins and containers for used joints.

Organizers will also use radios to communicate with police, fire and rescue personnel, as well as the ambulance service, while reminding participants the event is alcohol-free, Emery said.

Vancouvers board of education distributed a fact sheet to parents recommending conversations with adolescents about the risks of marijuana. It suggests parents plan alternate activities that are super fun, such as taking teenagers bungee jumping.

Emery said she is frustrated the city has not sanctioned the event and will close public bathrooms around the beach.

A lot of people will attend to celebrate, because everyone does feel marijuana will be legal, she said. But we have to explain its not legal yet and we still need to push the government to stop arresting citizens.

Nearby St. Pauls Hospital is mobilizing extra emergency room staff, Daly said. Public health officers will advise vendors not to sell to minors.

There is no other mass gathering that results in dozens of people showing up at a hospital emergency department, she said. The only other event comparable was the Stanley Cup riot.

 Follow @TamsynBurgmann on Twitter
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/04/2016 (2377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pot advocates called for marijuana legalization at Wednesdays 4/20 festivities, but it could be the last time they have to.

A group of weed smokers clouded up downtown and gathered at the Manitoba legislature to celebrate the herb. The usual premise of 4/20 is to encourage politicians to look into either legalizing or decriminalizing the drug, but now that Justin Trudeau is prime minister, that could change.

Marijuana legalization and regulation was one of the Liberal governments big promises before the federal election last October. Wedensday, Health Minister Jane Philpott told the United Nations that legislation could be introduced as early as next spring in Canada.

photos by BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Eric Sorrie, with fellow marijuana advocates (top), lights up at the legislature Tuesday during 4/20 celebrations.

Steven Stairs, president of the Winnipeg 4/20 organizing committee, has been coming to 4/20 for around 15 years and has been an organizer of different festivities for the last five, which led to his position with the committee. He said hes a medical marijuana user and became an advocate when he was a student representative for students with disabilities at the University of Manitoba.

Im a disabled person, Im legally blind, so I thought why not combine the two, Stairs said. Im a marijuana user, Im a disabled rights advocate, lets become both. And now Im able to advocate for the access for sick people through the medical marijuana system which Im also a user of. Its almost a duty of mine.

Brendan Armitt was also at 4/20 and said hes been self-medicating with marijuana for years. He said he hopes around this time next year hell finally be able to do it legally.

I had a problem with sleeping, Armitt said. I went to the doctors and they said I had narcolepsy. My parents werent all for medicating me so I had to find ways to put myself to sleep. I started smoking pot and I realized that it helped and theres very little to no negative side effects and so I continued.

Wednesdays event featured local marijuana vendors set up along Broadway as well as an organized March through downtown Winnipeg.

Jason Oliveira had a table set up for an online medical marijuana dispensary called medicalcannab.is. He said once the Liberal government legalizes weed, it will make administration easier for a lot of marijuana businesses.

It just means that were going to have simple legalization, Oliveira said. Well be able to finally pay taxes without jumping through any hoops, and asking a whole lot of weird questions. Well be able to distribute to people recreationally.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Food carts are being setup as participants are starting to arrive Wednesday morning on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislative building for annual 4/20, the world-wide celebration of pot and a protest against anti-marijuana laws.

Stairs said he encourages any marijuana naysayers to come out to 4/20 in the future to experience it firsthand to dispel what he calls myths, stigmas and stereotypes about marijuana users and 4/20.

This isnt just some sort of niche anymore, Stairs said. This is your grandma, this is your uncle, this is your school teacher and your lawyer. Everybody in society uses marijuana for either recreation purpose or medical benefit and were just here to perpetuate the idea that were not criminals  were all here to have a good time and educate the public.

bailey.hildebrand@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/04/2016 (2377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The deck has been shuffled, each card marked with a number representing one of the more than 60 potential jurors packed into auditorium-style seats in the gallery of courtroom 210.

They watch in relative silence, this randomly selected panel of strangers legally bound to sit in this marble-columned courtroom together in the course of their civic duty, as the court clerk sets the deck back down and waits for the judge to take his seat. All waiting to learn whether theyll be chosen to serve, some have thick paperbacks spread across their laps, or backpacks balanced on their knees, or canes poised at their feet. Their ages vary, and the majority appear to be Caucasian. A handful are visible minorities.

As far as the justice system is concerned, the people on this jury panel are only numbers. They have no age, race or sex. Theyre brought together via a random selection of Manitoba health-card data. The court knows their addresses and professions, but those arent kept on file after the trial. No information about the demographics of jurors or those summoned as potential jurors is maintained by Manitobas justice department.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Larry Morrissette, executive director of Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin, says indigenous people seeking justice need to see greater representation of indigenous jurors in the box.

Justice is blind, as they say.

But in a province where roughly 17 per cent of the population is aboriginal and correctional institutions house a disproportionate number of indigenous inmates, some say indigenous people need to be more involved in the administration of justice, particularly when it comes to serving on juries, which requires no special training and is meant to give accused persons the chance to have their cases heard by their peers.

The lack of statistics on who is summoned and who ends up serving on juries in Manitoba means indigenous jurors (or lack thereof) have largely gone unnoticed in the province, said Bruce Bruyere, community justice development co-ordinator at the Southern Chiefs Organization, despite Manitobas Aboriginal Justice Inquiry report in 1991, which recommended making the jury-selection process fairer for indigenous people.

Its an area thats kind of slipped in between the cracks, and its kind of been left that way, Bruyere said.

Theres so many bread-and-butter issues that take priority right now, like education, child and family, housing, poor infrastructure, lack of clean water, those kinds of things, that these other secondary issues dont get the priority they deserve. But certainly a legal system is very important in any society, and it should represent everyone, he said.

Jody Ostapiw, president of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba, said she often has to explain to aboriginal clients set for jury trial their jury of peers is selected via a random lottery process and wont necessarily be composed of indigenous people. But she said the strategic decision to hold a jury trial shouldnt be based on who serves on the jury.

I certainly think it would make our aboriginal clients feel better or feel like the system is fairer if they could look over at that jury and feel like its a jury of their peers. That being said, the starting point to that would be the assumption that an aboriginal person is automatically more sympathetic to the defendant or the defence and there is no basis to think that. The very thought of that is racist. The suggestion that an aboriginal (juror) is going to identify more with the alleged criminal is false in my opinion.

But she said she doesnt believe lawyers use their allotted challenges  a process that allows for defence and Crown lawyers to prevent potential jurors from serving without giving a reason  to weed out indigenous jurors. The defence bar has never raised the issue, Ostapiw said.

Its true we dont see a lot of aboriginal potential jurors coming before us because of the way the lottery system works, but I dont think when its coming down to whether youre using your challenges, youre challenging or youre not challenging based on skin colour or cultural background. I dont think that happens, she said.

The Aboriginal Justice Inquiry recognized a long-standing exclusion of aboriginal jurors in the province, concluding Manitobas jury system  a cornerstone of our justice systemis failing aboriginal people. But its recommendations, including jurors be selected from within a 40-kilometre radius of the trial location or from communities demographically and culturally similar to where the alleged criminal offence happened, that translators be provided for jurors who speak only aboriginal languages and courts abolish the practice of lawyers peremptory challenges and stand-asides during jury selection, were never implemented. They were later echoed in retired Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobuccis 2013 examination of First Nations representation on Ontario juries, but court cases that challenged the scarcity of indigenous jurors havent prompted change. Last year, the Supreme Court upheld a manslaughter conviction for an aboriginal man from Ontario who had argued his constitutional rights had been violated because the Kenora jury that decided his fate didnt include any aboriginal jurors.

Few gains have been made in Manitoba toward involving more indigenous people in the administration of justice over the years, said Paul Chartrand, a former commissioner of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry implementation commission who is now senior counsel at Boudreau Law in Winnipeg.

Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press files Paul Chartrand says few gains have been made in Manitoba toward involving more indigenous people in the administration of justice.

There has not been any positive advance in getting representation, said Chartrand, adding many of the issues the AJI tried to address, including the overrepresentation of incarcerated indigenous people, have got worse over the years.

Chartrand said it wouldnt be difficult to recognize indigenous peoples special legal and constitutional status in Canada by implementing the recommendations, but the fact it hasnt happened is regrettable.

These attempts to try to deal with particular features of the criminal law system my observation is that these things, like high incarceration rates and so on, are results of factors that cannot be easily dealt with directly by policy changes in the state. The have to do with what some would call root causes: poverty and socio-economic marginalization, and you have to deal with that to really get at the problem and to make things better.

A greater push toward a restorative-justice system that embraces aboriginal culture is the next step, said Larry Morrissette, a social worker and executive director of the anti-gang organization Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin. But he said small changes, including pulling jury pools from band membership lists or indigenous-organization registries along with health-card data could go a long way toward ensuring jury trials dont overlook the impact of an aboriginal defendants cultural background, language and geographical upbringing.

At least youre ensured that that pool will have some indigenous representation. I dont believe that thats racist and I dont believe thats biased. What I believe it is, in my view, when youre seeking justice, you like to see and believe that everything is equal in your eyes. And if its all non-indigenous people, then its not equal if youre indigenous, Morrissette said.

The traditional justice system is often seen as one small part of a colonial structure, and aboriginal involvement is the key to change, he said.

The confidence has to be built back into those systems, and how do you do that? You simply follow what the truth and reconciliation (commission) is talking about, bringing society together, closer and closer. You bring us closer, we become closer and we feel more participatory in the process. I think its the right time, and its the right era for that process of change to occur.

katie.may@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @thatkatiemay
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 19/04/2016 (2378 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

wfpvideo:114761275:wfpvideo

There has never been a blue wave in Manitoba politics quite like this one.

After nearly 17 years on the sidelines, the Progressive Conservatives have returned to power with a knockout blow that left a trail of defeated New Democrat cabinet ministers and forced leader Greg Selinger to throw in the towel.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Brian Pallister takes the stage at PC headquarters as the Premier Elect.

At the same time, the Tories avoided a repeat of the Sharon Carstairs success in 1988 as the Liberal party was left licking its wounds and leader Rana Bokhari unsure of her political future.

CP Manitoba PC leader Brian Pallister and his wife Esther celebrate his party's election victory with candidates and supporters in Winnipeg, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Pallister's Progressive Conservatives routed Premier Greg Selinger and the NDP to put an end to 16 years of orange power. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods Im tremendously humbled by what has happened here, Tory Leader Brian Pallister told a jubilant crowd at the partys celebrations Tuesday night.

The man who will be the provinces 22nd premier said he wants to turn Manitoba into a have province.

Manitoba is not a have-not province, he said. Its a have province waiting to happen.

The scale of the victory the 61-year-old Tory led his party to is unheard of in Manitoba politics. Not only is it the largest seat count ever but possibly the highest share of the popular vote ever.

What a great night! he said at the PC headquarters, surrounded by many candidates and his wife, Esther, and their daughters Shawn and Quinn.

The PCs won 40 seats, the most since the legislature expanded to 57 seats in 1949.

Tory headquarters was rocking with excitement as the results rolled in. Whoops went up as NDP seats such as Kirkfield Park, Assiniboia and St. Norbert went Tory blue.

The PCs not only won back much of their traditional turf in south and west Winnipeg, but in bedrock NDP seats such as Transcona.

The Tories took every seat in southern Manitoba outside of Winnipeg and even made inroads in the north, knocking off longtime NDP heavyweight Steve Ashton, who wouldve been seen as rock-solid when the campaign started five weeks ago.

In sharp contrast to the jubilation surrounding Pallister was the growing despair surrounding what remained of the once-powerful NDP government.

Selinger resigns

Selinger told the crowd of NDP supporters he had offered his resignation to party president Ovide Mercredi and took full responsibility for their defeat.

I am completely accepting of the decision tonight by the people of Manitoba, Selinger told reporters. If there is one thing you got to believe in when youre in politics, you have to believe in democracy.

Selinger, who won his St. Boniface seat, said the party executive will take steps to name an interim leader shortly.

The bottom line from the ballot box had several NDP cabinet ministers losing their seats, including Health Minister Sharon Blady in Kirkfield Park and Finance Minister Greg Dewar in Selkirk. In total, at least 10 cabinet ministers were set to lose their seats.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Greg Selinger gives his his wife Claudette a kiss on the stage at the NDP post election gathering at the RBC Convention Centre.

It is a tremendous loss, and I do hope some of those folks are staying involved in the community and are making their way back into political life, Selinger said. It just kills me to see people that have worked their hearts out for the people of Manitoba and constituents to lose their seat.

However, fresh faces such as indigenous candidates Wab Kinew in Fort Rouge and Nahanni Fontaine in St. Johns were elected, bringing in a sense of renewal for the party.

Bokhari finished a distant third in her Fort Rouge riding  won by Kinew  but the party appears to have won three seats: veteran Jon Gerrard in River Heights, Cindy Lamoureux in Burrows, and in a huge upset, Judy Klassen in Kewatinook. She was on track to beat cabinet minister Eric Robinson.

Bokhari held only a brief scrum with reporters, in which she refused to discuss her leadership future.

Its not a conversation I want to have today, Bokhari said, before staff whisked her away.

The Liberals almost doubled their popular vote. It was their best public support in decades, Bokhari pointed out.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari did a quick scrum and then hugged her followers and fellow candidates. She praised her fantastic candidates but added it was a tough game. Were running with zero dollars. Resources are always a challenge.

Pallister paid tribute to Selinger, saying he had great respect for him for withstanding a challenge to his leadership last year.

Pallister told reporters afterwards that he plans to be at work early Wednesday to begin the process of forming government.

There will be a lot of transitional work that will have to get done very quickly. But Im excited to have that challenge. Its a project I have dreamed of and now I have the chance to undertake it, he said.

He did not indicate when he would name a cabinet, but said he will announce a timetable soon. He confirmed that he would call a spring session of the legislature.

Asked if there would be gender parity in his cabinet, Pallister said that was not possible yet since there were only two PC female caucus members returning from the last legislature.

I dont think it would be fair to put people who are brand new too rapidly into extremely demanding roles in cabinet, Pallister said.

He said the Tory victory was not just a repudiation of the NDP but a nod to the fact that the Progressive Conservatives offered Manitobans a good alternative.

We have run a very principled, very real campaignWe didnt try to buy votes.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Supporters watch results come in at the Progressive Conservative party at CanadInns Polo Park, Tuesday.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 20

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

A terrorist attack has been prevented in the south-eastern Turkish province of Van, the Turkish news agency IHA reported Apr. 20.

As part of the special operation, the police of the province have discovered a bomb in a car, parked near one of the main roads, the agency said.

The agency reported that the attack was planned by militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist group against a military convoy, which was to cross the main road, according to preliminary data.

Another terrorist attack was prevented in the same province March 29.

Earlier, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that over 5,359 PKK members have been eliminated as a result of the operations against this terrorist group since July of 2015. He added that 355 Turkish servicemen were killed during these operations, which will continue until the complete destruction of the PKK.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for over 25 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The UN and the European Union listed the PKK as a terrorist organization.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
A Brown County judge issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for a De Pere businessman whose green technology company owes the states job creation agency more than $1.2 million.

The arrest warrant for Ronald Van Den Heuvel is related to a lawsuit to which the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. is a party. It comes a day after Van Den Heuvel was indicted on unrelated federal bank fraud charges.

Last June, Brown County Judge John Zakowski placed the company, Green Box, in receivership so that creditors including WEDC could be repaid.

Zakowski issued the warrant after finding Van Den Heuvel in contempt of court for violating a provision in the receivership order that barred his company from transferring or disposing of any of its assets. Van Den Heuvel sold a piece of equipment to an Atlanta company that moved it to South Carolina, and was unable to retrieve the equipment or post $650,000 bond.

In a separate matter, Van Den Heuvel was charged Tuesday by a federal grand jury with 13 counts related to an alleged bank fraud scheme that resulted in a loss of more than $700,000 to Horicon Bank.

Van Den Heuvel has not returned calls for comment, though he told a Green Bay TV station Tuesday that he has done nothing wrong.

The indictment states that in March 2008, the bank turned down a request for a $7.1 million loan to one of Van Den Heuvels many companies because their attempts to investigate Ronald Van Den Heuvels financial record convinced them that Ronald Van Den Heuvel was not a good credit risk.

WEDC loaned $1.12 million to the company in October 2011 to help create 116 jobs as part of a more than $13 million project to turn fast-food wrappers and other waste paper into synthetic fuel and paper products while producing zero waste.

After the company defaulted, WEDC agreed to release collateral liens on some of the companys equipment in October 2013 to assist the company in raising additional capital for their projects given the agencys financial stake, a WEDC spokesman said last year. WEDC amended the contract again after the company defaulted a second time in May 2014 to help the company with cash flow. After a third default notice in March 2015, WEDC sued.

Van Den Heuvel, who at the time owed millions in legal judgments, did not mention previous legal issues in his May 2011 application and a staff review did not identify any weaknesses in the application other than that it was a startup company. WEDC has since made changes to improve its staff review process.

The Brown County Sheriffs Office has been investigating Van Den Heuvel since January 2015 for allegedly defrauding WEDC and other investors.

Brown County District Attorney David Lasee said Wednesday that investigation remains ongoing.
Bill Welshs efforts in working for the city of Portage for the past 40 years were described as a labor of love by Shawn Murphy, the city administrator who, with a laugh, freely admitted Welshs talents for technology still exceed his own.

Were replacing a system from the early 1990s thats, well, obsolete, updating it to be more compatible with todays technology, Murphy said of one of Welshs current undertakings as the citys cable coordinator, a position hes held since 1994. Thats something very daunting to me, but for somebody whos 90 years old to do it is nothing short of phenomenal.

Welsh  to his surprise  was honored prior to the citys annual business meeting Tuesday for work with the city dating back to serving as city alderman in the 5th ward from 1976 to 1994.

Welsh, who turns 90 later this month, celebrated Tuesdays recognition with family and friends invited to the ceremony.

If I didnt enjoy doing it, I wouldnt be here. But I do, Welsh said to the assembled group. I enjoy sitting here during the meetings, letting the people out there see what the city is doing.

I appreciate everyone here.

During his 40 years Welsh served on numerous boards and committees, including finance and business affairs, personnel, licensing and property, parks and recreation, health, employee relations, solid waste, airport commission, public works, industrial development, plan commission, union negotiating and electrical examiner, among others. Hed served as the council president for three separate terms.

Since that time hes been the citys cable coordinator, filming all city meetings for the public access channel provided by Charter cable.

For 40 consecutive years  four, zero  older than the ages of many of you here, hes served the city, former Mayor Bill Tierney said. I cant even think of any meetings hes missed.

When they say someone is difficult to replace, this is someone who epitomizes that right there. Bill, from all of us here, thanks a lot for your friendship. It means a lot.

Ive gotten to know him over years and think hes a wonderful person, Murphy said earlier Tuesday. He has a depth and knowledge about Portage: about what weve done and what we havent done over the years. And hes not afraid to express his opinion, which is great.

He puts a lot of behind-the-scenes coverage in as well: updating the billboards (a rotating electronic message system), doing the editing and getting material and documents up on the channel.

He enjoys it  and we benefit from it.
USDA announces $1 billion debt relief for 36,000 farmers

The USDA announced a program to provide $1.3B in debt relief for about 36,000 farmers who have fallen behind on loan payments or face foreclosure.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr.20

By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend:

Austria's President Heinz Fischer has said he doubts that the agreement between the European Union and Turkey on refugee flow regulation will bring visible results.

Addressing the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasburg, Fischer noted that the EU will follow the process of implementation of the agreement.

Under the EU-Turkish deal, which entered into force March 20, migrants arriving illegally in Greece are expected to be sent back to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or if their claim is rejected. In exchange, the EU agreed to resettle up to 72,000 Syrian refugees under the so-called "one-for-one plan" directly from Turkey and speed up financial aid to help Turkey care for the Syrian refugees it is hosting.

The first boats carrying migrants, mainly from Pakistan, were deported from Greece to Turkey on April 5. Turkey has agreed to accept up to 500 migrants per day.

Earlier, Turkey's Minister for the EU Affairs Volkan Bozkir said that Ankara can refuse to accept Syrian refugees from the EU, it the latter doesn't cancel the visa regime with Turkey.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Anahanum
Taiwan's deportation of the telecom fraud suspects was seen by mainland China as tolerance to crime. (Photo : Getty Images)

Taiwan and Chinas war of words continues to worsen after Taipei released 20 Taiwanese nationals accused of fraud, an action Beijing deemed as a show of the other countrys tolerance to crime.



According to Reuters, a group of Taiwanese suspects caught in Malaysia were deported back to their home country, a move that infuriated China as the people were allegedly involved in a telecom fraud linked to Beijing.



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While it may appear an insignificant squabble, Time revealed that the issue of deportation reignited China and Taiwan's long-running conflict on the matter of jurisdiction.



Grappling the Telecom Fraud Suspects



Last week, the Global Times, China's state-run news agency, reported on how Malaysia repatriated 20 suspects from Taiwan who are linked to a telecom scam in Beijing.



According to the Xinhua News Agency, the case began when Malaysia arrested 119 people involved in the telecom scam, more than 65 are from the mainland and the remaining 52 from Taiwan.



At the time, Malaysia and China worked together to probe the five transnational telecommunication scam cases which victimized mainland residents.



BBC News said that the mainland wanted the suspects to be transferred to China because they victimized citizens of the country, but Taiwan claims they should be sent home since they were Taiwanese nationals.



Eventually, Malaysia deported 20 suspects back to Taiwan where they were immediately released.



China condemned the act, calling the move as a part of "Taiwan's twisted politics."



"By releasing the suspects, Taiwan authorities disregarded many victims' interests and harmed them a second time. It also harmed the two sides' cooperation in jointly cracking down on crimes," State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson An Fengshan told the Xinhua News Agency.



According to him, Taiwan should "immediately rectify their mistakes, eliminate the adverse impact, seriously pursue these suspects' wrongdoings and give them the punishment they deserve."



A Matter of Sovereignty



The conflict between China and Taiwan rooted from the long-running claim of the mainland over their so-called "wayward province," per the Reuters report.



According to the Historical Dictionary of Taiwan, the leaf-shaped island was the biggest territory covered by the Republic of China.



However, residents of the island are constantly claiming independence from the mainland, something China called "hallucinations."



The statement from China emerged after Tsai Ing-wen became Taiwan's first female president, paving the way for her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to enter Taipei.



When she was declared the victor, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency immediately warned against pursuing independence from the mainland and called it a "poison" that would eventually cause the island to "perish," The Guardian reported.






China has laid off hundreds of workers and closed several companies due to overcapacity in the steel industry. (Photo : Getty Images)

China was enraged after the United States threatened possible trade sanctions after the Asian country failed to iron out its steel overcapacity problems.



According to Reuters, the U.S. warned China and other major steel-producing countries experiencing overcapacity to make concrete actions in solving the issue if they do not want to face trade actions.



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China's Reaction to Trade Sanctions Threat



A joint statement from U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker revealed that "unless China starts to take timely and concrete actions to reduce its excess production and capacity in industries including steel," they will be facing major trade consequences.



"The fundamental structural problems in the industry will remain and affected governments--including the United States--will have no alternatives other than trade action to avoid harm to their domestic industries and workers," the statement read.



This became the subject of an angry response from Chinese authorities who, together with more than 30 other countries, failed to come up with a solution even after convening in Belgium on Monday.



Apparently, Washington is pointing fingers on why the talks had failed, leaving Beijing at the receiving end of the criticism.



When asked about their next step on the steel overcapacity issue on Tuesday, China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shen Danyang told Reuters: "China has already done more than enough. What more do you want us to do?"



According to Shen, the problem is not with the overproduction of steel but the "poor appetite" of the consumers.



"Steel is the food of industry, the food of economic development. At present, the major problem is that countries that need food have a poor appetite so it looks like there's too much food," he explained.



Steel Overcapacity



While Chinese authorities may deny this, analysts still believe that steel overcapacity is the main problem.



A report from the South China Morning Post cited some of them who believe that reforms in the industry are necessary to solve the problem.



"Two mounting issues have kept the Politburo worried: employment and debt, which could undermine social/financial stability," analysts Howard Lau and Po Wei of the Jefferies' equities wrote in January. "Policy response now makes us believe closure will be slow and Chinese steel will continue to flood the international markets."



According to SCMP, the country's steel plant utilization remained at about 67 percent in 2015, a significant decrease from the 85 percent recorded when the industry was on the roll from 2000 to 2008.






China's economy showed positive signs of recovery in the first quarter of 2016. However, analysts are still cautious about whether it will continue for the rest of the year. (Photo : Twitter)

After experiencing a major slowdown in 2015, China's economy is reportedly starting to bounce back, with this year's first-quarter figures showing positive growth.



The latest economic data revealed that the country's gross domestic product registered a rise of 6.7 percent in the first three months of 2016. Analysts said that the figure is well within the 6.5-percent to 7-percent target the government set for 2016, Bloomberg reported.



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China's tertiary industry served as one of the biggest gainers in the first quarter, posting a 7.6-percent increase. Meanwhile, the country's industrial output rose by 5.8 percent coming from the 5.4-percent growth posted in the first two months of this year.



The nation's retail market also showed positive development, as sales growth increased to 10.5 percent, slightly higher than the expected value of 10.3 percent. Meanwhile, fixed asset investments rose to 10.7 percent.



Earlier, the International Monetary Fund also raised its outlook for the Chinese economy, predicting a 6.5-percent and 6.2-percent growth for 2016 and 2017, respectively.



However, economic analysts also cautioned that the current growth might not necessarily extend to the latter part of this year. Hong Kong-based Credit Issue Group AG analyst Dao Dong said that much of the growth can be largely attributed to government efforts to revitalize the economy. Dao also said that it is still unsure that the current momentum can be kept up.



The Chinese government has bolstered its efforts to prop up the economy, increasing its spending by 20.1 percent. However, the Ministry of Finance revealed that revenue only increased by 7.1 percent.



Meanwhile, JP Morgan Chase & Co. economist Zhu Haibin said that the strong credit growth being felt also results in debt increasing. Zhu added that the additional credit should be carefully used to support the current economy.



Critics also said that, despite the unemployment rate remaining low, there is still the problem of low wage growth, with many unemployed workers simply shifting to lower paying jobs, Reuters reported.


Celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare

{{youtube:medium:center|aGJ-C8ZGWkE, W&M professor's stunning connection to Shakespeare's final play}}



History doesnt tell us as much about Shakespeare as perhaps wed like.



That may be hard for some to fathom, but it's true.



We know that he died on April 23, 1616. Historians believe he was born on that same day, 53 years earlier, in 1564. There are no records of any significant postmortem tributes by his fellow actors and writers. No one knows how he died, only that it was in a far different manner than the way he lived  meaning quietly, at Stratford-upon-Avon.



Its not even known the exact number of works he penned, although the commonly accepted totals are 38 plays and 154 sonnets.



On Saturday, in honor of Shakespeares death  and birthday  the William & Mary Department of English, the Medieval & Renaissance Studies Program and the Virginia Shakespeare Festival are hosting a Shakespeare Sonnetathon from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Wren Buildings Grammar School Classroom.



All are invited to come and help read Shakespeares 154 sonnets. Refreshments will be served during the lunch break, including birthday cake.



Its hard to think of someone [else] whose works are going to live that long, said Christopher Owens, associate professor of theatre, chair of theatre, speech and dance and producing artistic director of the annual Virginia Shakespeare Festival. But the cliche phrase is Only time will tell.

What made Shakespeare . . . Shakespeare?

If Owens is correct, and no other writers efforts will endure for four centuries or more, what is it about Shakespeare that separates him? Was it his ability to connect with royalty and commoners? Or his introduction of romance into English society at a time when the Church of England was adamantly opposed to such themes?



A lot of Shakespeares plays deal with human suffering, said Suzanne Hagedorn, associate professor of English and director of medieval and renaissance studies. Think about King Lear. Thats one of the classic tragedies of Shakespeare. A lot of Shakespeares plays  maybe the comedies, the romances  all end with marriages and ultimately are about hope and going on.



After a long, illustrious career during which he was general manager of the Virginia Shakespeare Festival, taught a wide array of courses in theatre, , directed numerous plays and wrote four books, Professor of Theatre Richard Palmer is retiring from William & Mary.



In discussing The Tempest, Palmer refused to flatter himself by saying that he can relate to the author. Rather, it is one of the plays characters  the all-powerful magician Prospero  who agrees to relinquish some of his power in order to work out some problems he faces that strikes a chord with Palmer.



He has a couple of valedictory speeches, which scholars say is Shakespeare himself saying goodbye to the theatre, Palmer said. As I confront my own retirement, I can connect more with Prospero than Shakespeare.



Palmer estimated that there are now 260 Shakespeare festivals in the United States.



Part of it is a status thing, he said. It shows that were a cultured society. But a lot of it is its just good theatre. Im amazed at how children love Shakespeare. They may not understand all of it, but they love it.

What we dont know about The Bard

As the 400th anniversary of Shakespeares death approaches, the circumstances of his death remain a mystery.



s workJohn Ward, the vicar of Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried, wrote in his diary that, "Shakespeare, Drayton, and Ben Jonson had a merry meeting and it seems drank too hard, for Shakespeare died of a fever there contracted."



But Ward wrote the diary 50 years after Shakespeares death. C. Martin Mitchell, biographer of Shakespeares physician and son-in-law John Hall, hypothesized that it was more likely that Shakespeare died of something akin to a cerebral hemorrhage brought on by the prolonged physical and mental stress the actor-dramatist endured.



According to www.arogundade.com  The Culture of Shakespeare  there are many other theories: Tertiary syphilis, typhoid, influenza, alcohol abuse, even drug abuse (traces of cocaine found in clay pipes  not necessarily his  discovered on Shakespeare's property).



While the cause of his death intrigues us (200,000 annual Google searches), the work he composed continues to amaze and fascinate us. Shakespeare has never left the world stage.



Hagedorn sees a correlation between Saturdays celebration and a character in The Winters Tale.



Somebody [Queen Hermione] is presumed dead, and the fact that a statue [of her] comes alive, thats a great metaphor, she said. Shakespeares coming back to life, 400 years since he died. But the fact that a lot of us  I hope  are going to come and read Shakespeares sonnets at the Sonnetathon says that his language and his drama and his characters still speak to us, even in the 21st century.
Fan Yusu's essay was centered around the hardships Chinese migrant workers encounter. (Photo : Getty Images)

Chinas National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) vowed to address migrant workers current residential status by implementing the reform on the long-running hukou system faster.



Migrant workers and their families may soon have full urban residential status as the NDRC takes over the process of amending the household registration system, or the so-called hukou system, China Daily reported.



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According to the NDRC Chief Xu Shaoshi, they will be providing full urban registration to workers as part of their goals this year.



So far, some provinces and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development had already made their moves prior to the central government's plan to help 100 million rural migrants settle permanently into the urban areas where their jobs are located.



This "orderly" reform was announced in February by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang through a letter he wrote during a ceremony that honors 981 migrant laborers all over the country, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency.



"The government will improve the urban residence permit system to help the integration, ensure stable employment and safeguard the rights and interests of migrant workers," Li explained.



According to Xinhua, China had recorded a total of 273.95 million migrant workers, or 20 percent of the country's total population in 2014.



Because they live in rural areas, these workers faced difficulties fitting in and settling in the cities where their jobs are located.



This, says the state-run news agency, had become "a major barrier in China's human-centered urbanization," which is why the central government pegged it as a priority project.



In fact, the country's State Council has already announced plans to grant urban residency permits to up to 100 million permanent urban residents by the end of 2020.



The hukou system, which was established half a century ago, initially featured strict separation between citizens in urban and rural areas. Their classification not only affected their social status, but also their welfare entitlements and economic rights.






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More Than Just Pandas: Chengdu Becomes Breeding Ground for Startups

Beauty in the eye of the beholder: (Above) The different filters Camera360 offers. The startup behind this camera app is based in Chengdu and now also holds offices in Beijing and Tokyo. (Photo : Camera360/Google+)

A blog posted in June 2015 in Huffpost Travel of the Huffington Post enumerated the following 10 reasons why locals and foreigners alike should visit Chengdu: pandas, tradition, food, temples and historic sites, ancient history, riverside (Jin River), Mount Emei, the Leshan Giant Buddha, transit and value (in terms of available accommodations).



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This year, it is likely that the capital city of southwestern Chinas Sichuan Province attracts people for one more reason: startups.



More and more startups emerge in Chengdu as the city serves as an avenue for budding entrepreneurs to transform their innovative ideas into something tangible, reported Bloomberg.



From a startup that manufactures a device that alerts parents when the babys diaper needs to be changed to another venture that repairs peoples organs, Chengdu hosts a number of new businesses offering solutions to the varied needs of people.



Chengdus local government lends its support to these startups, particularly encouraging more business ventures to rise in the fields of biotechnology, telecommunications and health. It has allotted seven startup-focused funds amounting to 700 million yuan.



The citys science and technology bureau also sends people to assist banks when these financial institutions evaluate the value of the technology and patents startups present to them.



The Tianfu Software Park Lab located at the Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone accommodates 110 Internet startups, according to Financial Times. Some of the prominent tech companies operate in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone, such as Americas Dell and Intel and Taiwans Foxconn.



With peoples penchant for editing their photos to enhance their looks taking into consideration, it might not be difficult for image-enhancing apps to capture a huge market.



More than 200 million people in the world use Camera360, according to the products website. A Chengdu-based startup developed this camera app.



. . . Chengdu has so many good startup teams, each as good as the best Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have to offer, said Lanzhou-born Li Xin, CEO of Baotuan Tech Ventures, a venture capital company, according to The Telegraph.



Lonely Planet said that the weather in the second-tier city is grey and drizzly much of the year, but for young entrepreneurs, it seems that its one fine sunny day to brave the local startup scene in Chengdu.


Second Barakah unit takes shape

20 April 2016

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Construction of the containment building dome of unit 2 at the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates has been completed, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) announced yesterday.

Construction workers celebrate the completion of Barakah 2's dome (Image: Enec)

The dome is the final structural component of the reactor containment building which will house the nuclear reactor itself and is "a critical structure in the nuclear plant's defence-in-depth barriers", Enec said. It is designed to confine and contain radiation in the event of an accident.

The dome - which measures 51.4 metres in diameter, 24 metres in height and weighs some 9000 tonnes - was constructed in nine stages, Enec said. The next phase of work on the reactor containment building - which now measures more than 70 metres in height - will involve the installation of the containment post-tensioning system, which is used for pre-stressing the concrete structure. This will be followed by a three-month structural integrity test.

Enec CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi welcomed the milestone saying, "With the completion of the dome of unit 2, we are proud to have maintained our track record of safety and efficiency. The construction of nuclear energy plants is immensely complex and not only involves highly technical infrastructure but thousands of people working under the highest standards of safety, security and quality."

Construction of the first of four Korean-designed APR-1400 pressurized water reactors at Barakah, about 80 km west of the town of Ruwais, began in 2012. Barakah 1 is now over 87% complete, with a start-up target date of 2017. Construction began on unit 2 in 2013, and is now 68% complete, while work began on units 3 and 4 in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Overall, construction of the four units at the site is over 62% complete, Enec said. All four units should be in operation by 2020.

According to Enec, once completed, the four reactors will supply about one-quarter of the UAE's electricity and avoid up to 12 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

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Approvals in place for Ikata 3 restart

20 April 2016

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The operational safety programs for the Ikata nuclear power plant have been approved by Japan's nuclear regulator, moving unit 3 one step closer to restart pending final inspections. The regulator has also confirmed Takahama units 1 and 2 meet new safety standards.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority's (NRA's) approval of Shikoku Electric Power Company's operational safety programs means that it is satisfied with the utility's emergency response plans for the Ikata plant in Ehime prefecture. These plans include the event of fire, flooding or other natural disasters, or a serious accident.

Shikoku's Ikata plant (Image: NRA)

Under Japan's reactor restart process, plant operators are required to apply to the NRA for: permission to make changes to the reactor installation; approval of their construction plan to strengthen the plant; and, approval of the plant's operational safety programs. Operators are required to add certain safety-enhancing equipment within five years of receiving the NRA's approval of a reactor engineering work program.

Shikoku submitted its engineering work program for Ikata 3 - an 846 MWe pressurized water reactor - to the NRA in July 2013. This was approved by the NRA in July last year. That approval - which means the NRA considers the reactor, and the plant as a whole, to be safe for operation - represented by far the major part of the licensing process. Shikoku's 'construction plan' for Ikata 3 - what it plans to do to strengthen the unit - was approved on 23 March.

With Ikata 3 now receiving the third and final approval, Shikoku can request the NRA carry out final pre-operational safety inspections of the unit, which should clear the way for it to resume operation.

The unit is expected to become the fifth Japanese reactor to resume operation under new safety standards introduced following the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

Unit 1 of Kyushu Electric Power Company's Sendai plant in Kagoshima prefecture was the first to be restarted last August, followed by Sendai 2 in October. Unit 3 of Kansai Electric Power Company's Takahama nuclear power plant in Fukui prefecture resumed operation on 29 January. Takahama 4 was restarted on 26 February, but has remained offline since 29 February following an automatic shutdown of the reactor due to a "main transformer/generator internal failure". However, an injunction imposed by a district court on 9 March led to unit 3 being taken offline as well and both units have since remained idle.

Takahama units

The NRA has also confirmed that units 1 and 2 of Kansai Electric Power Company's Takahama nuclear power plant in Fukui prefecture meet new safety regulations.

Kansai requested in March 2015 that the NRA carry out inspections of the units - both 780 MWe (net) pressurized water reactors - to check their compatibility with the revised standards.

In February 2016, the NRA said that it had determined Takahama 1 and 2 meet the new regulations, but its decision needed confirmation from the Japan Atomic Energy Commission and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The NRA has now officially finalized the results of its examinations of the units, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) said today.

Takahama units 1 and 2 are the oldest of the seven reactors so far to be deemed to meet Japan's new safety standards. JAIF noted, "This is the first instance of 'ageing reactors' - in service for more than 40 years - being granted approval for their basic designs."

To extend the operating periods of Takahama 1 and 2, Kansai must receive NRA approval by July - the mandatory deadline - on three outstanding issues: safety measures, detailed designs and extension of operations. The company applied to the NRA in April 2015 to extend the operation of both reactors by 20 years each.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
Twitter Logo is Seen Behind Silhouettes of People Using Smartphones (Photo : Reuters)

Twitter's newly appointed managing director Kathy Chen has caused a stir in China after reports unearthing her resume had revealed previously held roles in the Chinese military and the Ministry of Public Security.



Chen's public record shows that she worked for the People's Liberation Army for seven years. She also became the CEO of a joint venture between China's Ministry of Public Security and California-based firm CA Technologies.



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Observers who raised their eyebrows over Chen's professional background were quick to say that something seemed odd behind the appointment.



Citing reactions from Chinese Twitter users, the USA Today said in a report that "the appointment of an executive who in the past had links to the country's military and its state security branch could imperil free expression on Twitter."



"It's not a place for CCP propaganda. Go away," said in a tweet quoted by the news website.



Some also postulate that Twitter users in China might now feel the need to be extra cautious when employing the social media platform.



"Netizens from China and Hong Kong may start to exercise self-censorship while they're posting tweets," Dr. Wai Ling Yeung, the former head of Chinese Studies at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, said in an interview with Quartz.



"Even more of them will probably choose to abandon this platform altogether in order to avoid surveillance," Yeung added.



The New York Times, meanwhile, called Chen's appointment a "contradiction."



Twitter, like Facebook and YouTube, is banned in China, but efforts from the group to woo the government are unnoticeable.



"Twitter has shown few indications that it was willing to submit to the restrictions that coming to China would require," the New York Times said.



Twitter spokesman Jim Prosser echoed the group's stance, saying that they have no intentions of becoming unblocked in China.



But despite being banned in the country, Twitter has been serious in selling ad spaces to Chinese firms, a task where Chen would fit in, according to the social media platform.



In addition to her responsibilities with advertisers, Chen will also be working alongside creators and developers, Twitter said.


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Existing, single-family home sales totaled 415,220 in March on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, up 5.5 percent from February and 5.7 percent above March 2015.

March's statewide median home price was $483,280, up 8.9 percent from February and up 4 percent from March 2015.

The median number of days it took to sell a single-family home declined in March to 29.9 days, compared with 41.4 days in February and 34.2 days in March 2015.

The number of active listings increased slightly for the third consecutive month after declining for five straight months, but was not enough to boost housing supplies. Active listings increased 3.9 percent from February on a statewide basis.

The increase in active listings was outpaced by the rate of home sales, causing C.A.R.'s Unsold Inventory Index to drop from 4.6 months in February to 3.6 months in March. The index stood at 3.8 months in March 2015. The index indicates the number of months needed to sell the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate. A six- to seven-month supply is considered typical in a normal market.

The median number of days it took to sell a single-family home declined in March to 29.9 days, compared with 41.4 days in February and 34.2 days in March 2015.

According to C.A.R.'s sales-to-list price ratio*, tight inventories also appear to be driving closed prices closer to listing prices as sales-to-list price ratio increased in 28 of 40 counties for which data is available. Sales prices rose to 98.8 percent of listing prices statewide in March from 98.2 percent in February.

The average price per square foot** for an existing, single-family home statewide was $227 in March 2016, up from $218 in February and unchanged from $227 in March 2015.

San Francisco continued to have the highest price per square foot in March at $879/sq. ft., followed by San Mateo ($763/sq. ft.), and Santa Clara ($625/sq. ft.). The three counties with the lowest price per square foot in March were Siskiyou ($102/sq. ft.), Madera ($119/sq. ft.), and Kings ($123/sq. ft.).

Mortgage rates were essentially flat in March, with the 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaging 3.69 percent, compared with 3.66 percent in February and 3.77 percent in March 2015, according to Freddie Mac. Adjustable-mortgage interest rates, however, edged up, averaging 2.90 percent in March, up from 2.83 percent in February and 2.74 percent in March 2015.





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According to the California Association of Realtors, California home sales in March 2016 rose from both the previous month and year to post the highest sales pace in six months, while strained housing supplies continued to push home prices higher.Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 415,220 units in March, according to C.A.R. The statewide sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2016 if sales maintained the March pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.The March 2016 figure was up 5.5 percent from the revised 393,430 level in February and up 5.7 percent compared with home sales in March 2015 of a revised 392,660. March's sales level rose above the 400,000 level for the first time in three months."California's housing market is moving in the right direction as we enter the spring home-buying season, but sales growth will likely be isolated in areas where inventory is more abundant and housing affordability is less of an issue," said C.A.R. President Pat "Ziggy" Zicarelli. "For example, in the Bay Area, where inventory is extremely tight, annual sales are down in the double-digits in seven of the region's nine counties. Solano and Sonoma, two counties where homes are relatively more affordable, were the exceptions. Home sales in these two counties grew from last year by nearly 11 percent and 5 percent, respectively."The median price of an existing, single-family detached California home rose 8.9 percent in March, reversing a two-month decline, to $483,280 from $443,950 in February. March's median price was 4 percent higher than the revised $464,640 recorded in March 2015. The median sales price is the point at which half of homes sold for more and half sold for less; it is influenced by the types of homes selling as well as a general change in values."The economic fundamentals continue to support overall home sales growth, but a lack of housing inventory also will fuel more market competition as housing demand remains on an upward trend," said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. "Thin housing supplies appear to be the driving force behind the increase in sales-to-list price ratios, with the ratio rising in 28 of 40 reporting counties. On average, homes in the Bay Area and Sacramento sold for more than the list price, while homes in Southern California and the Central Valley sold below list price."
Gianni Accamo

By: Tanya Malhotra

A thief was arrested on a charge of theft after allegedly buying $700,000 worth of jewelry using monopoly money, police in the United Kingdom said.

Bristol police said that they have arrested 44-year-old Gianni Accamo, after being accused of switching money bags with fake cash after buying high-end jewelry and diamonds.

Accamo has been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, making false representations and theft. The Bristol Crown Court heard that Accamo was behind three major jewelry heists, duping business people with fake cash.

The first heist unfolded after a group of thieves met with John Calleija, the owner of a high-end jewelry shop in London.

Calleija was told that an investor is looking to purchase five million euros in diamonds. Accamo then went to inspect the diamonds.

An agreement was reached at a hotel, where Calleija and a bodyguard use cash counting machines to authenticate the cash

When Calleija finished counting the notes, he turned around to put his machine away. That is when Accamo switched the money bags with monopoly cash.

Calleija only discovered that he was duped after Accamo left with the diamonds. Accamo managed to dupe two other diamond dealers with fake money.

In another incident, Accamo used real money to cover a stash of monopoly cash. The victim only realized that he was duped after Accamo left with the diamonds.
To make matters worse, the vaccine scandal has created an atmosphere of distrust toward Chinas medical system. (Photo : Getty Images)

China's immunization program is facing a widespread backlash across the country, according to an article by The New York Times. The vaccine scandal has been greatly exacerbated by complaints and the level of government secrecy that surrounds the whole dilemma.



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As a result, more parents are wary to get their children vaccinated.



"If he can avoid them in the future, we will not get them," said Song Zhendong, a businessman who refuses to have his 10-month-old son vaccinated, in an interview with The New York Times.



"Why didn't we learn about this sooner? If there's a problem with vaccines for our kids, we should be told as soon as the police knew. Aren't our children the future of the nation?" Song added.



Parents are particularly angered by the fact that it took almost a year for the public to hear of the illicit trade, when it has been uncovered by authorities much earlier.



"Withholding information doesn't maintain public credibility," said Li Shuqing, a lawyer in Jinan, Shandong Province. "In the end, it makes people more distrustful."



To make matters worse, the vaccine scandal has created an atmosphere of distrust toward China's medical system. For critics, it's just enough to topple President Xi Jinping's grip on the country.



Although it's not the first time a scandal has shaken China's food and medicine supplies, it's the first crisis to happen under President Xi, who promised to be different than his predecessors. He came sweeping to office, promising to "protect the people's right to health a priority."



"If our party can't even handle food safety properly while governing China, and this keeps up, some will wonder whether we're up to the job," President Xi said back in 2013 when he became president.



Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) assure the public, however, that the mishandled vaccines are more likely to be ineffective than harmful.



Investigators from the Chinese government also echoed the same sentiments, saying they've yet to uncover any adverse effects caused by ineffective vaccines.


Consultation Over Moving Town Centre Post Office To WH Smith Store

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Apr 20th, 2016

The much rumoured Post Office move from Henblas Street to WH Smith on Hope Street looks like it could finally happen.

This morning The Post Office nationally announced a ten year link up with WH Smith stores saying: The Post Office today announced a new 10-year agreement with WHSmith to relocate more Post Office branches into the UK retailers modernised stores, keeping services on high streets throughout the country and bringing further investment for customers.

Under the new agreement, subject to local consultations, up to another 61 Post Office branches will move into WHSmith stores over the next 12 months, with just over half expected to be concession agreements run directly by the Post Office.

Wrexhams Post Office, located on Henblas Street falls under the branches that are being considered for relocation  with a six week consultation underway before any final decision is made.

A statement released by the Post Office this afternoon states that: The existing Wrexham branch team will move to the new site and will continue to be employed by the Post Office, delivering high quality service to customers.

Roger Gale, General Manager of the Post Office Crown Network, said: We are committed to keeping our services on the high street which we know is hugely important to people. This proposal means we can continue to do that, into the future.

Our customers will be offered the same range of services. Our collaboration with WHSmith helps secure the long-term viability of services for local customers.

Top pic: The Post Office basking in the sun earlier today.
Universities Join Forces to Pioneer Optical Research From North Wales Technology Centre

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Apr 20th, 2016

Two universities have joined forces to pioneer world-leading optical research from a technology centre in North Wales.

Wrexham Glyndwr Universitys OpTIC Centre, based in St Asaph has this week signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Huddersfield.

The partnership will see the two institutions collaborate and develop each others capability in arenas of metrology and engineering  along with jointly bidding for grand funding and tendering for contracts.

Huddersfield follows other universities in basing themselves at the world-leading Denbighshire facility, including Swansea and Cranfield. These leading Universities are all working alongside the 18 innovative companies currently resident in the OpTIC facility, producing leading edge technology products.

The OpTIC centre is also the home of Glyndwr Innovations Ltd, offering business management support, incubation and conference facilities alongside their technical service commercial group who provide support and manufacturing including opto-mechanical engineering design, fabrication and test of large optical components and systems.

Caroline Gray, Director of the OpTIC Centre, said the alliance will serve both the University and the region in further enhancing its position in the sector.

We are delighted to have formalised this collaborative link with the University of Huddersfield, said Caroline.

Together we are working at the forefront of optical technology and coming together will strengthen our ability to garner funding for major projects and go on to achieve even more in terms of research and technological capabilities.

That in turn has a positive impact on the North Wales economy, and on the universities reputation in these fields.

Huddersfield has its own innovative Centre for Precision Technologies (CPT) for collaborative metrology research, solving real-world manufacturing problems through cutting edge metrology research in precision engineering.

Professor Liam Blunt, Director of CPT at the University of Huddersfield said: We are delighted to enter into this Memorandum of Understanding with Wrexham Glyndwr University.

CPT has its own state-of-the-art optical instrument and precision manufacturing laboratories and we have a number of researchers who specialise in optical instrumentation research for surface metrology and ultra precision manufacture. We see this as a great opportunity to develop not only our relationship with Wrexham Glyndwr but to also develop new areas of collaborative research where both partners can join forces.

Its an exciting time for the OpTIC Centre, with new businesses taking-up incubation units and having received a grant to attract businesses from the UKs 11.8billion space sector granted by UK Space Agency and its Innovation and Growth Strategy: Space Growth Action Plan.

Their proposal highlighted the need to grow space industries in UK regions by providing a supportive commercial environment to assist entrepreneurs to grow and develop small companies.

Caroline said: The vision is to ensure a high-quality, consistent supply chain for the sector. Glyndwr Innovations will maximise and expand current links to form a North Wales base of knowledge transfer, technological expertise and a programme of business and technical support in an environment which allows small companies to concentrate on growth and development without the constant pressure of everyday business concerns.

The OpTIC Centre celebrated 10 years in 2015, and in past months scientists at the facility completed a 5M project to produce prototype mirror segments and test facilities for what will be the worlds largest telescope, the 900m E-ELT project (European-Extremely Large Telescope) to be sited in Chile.

For more information on Glyndwr Innovations, visit http://www.glyndwrinnovations.co.uk
President Xi Jinping sent out a central task force on Monday, April 18, to expand the program on four other provincial-level areas: Chongqing, Guangdong, Beijing and Xinjiang. (Photo : Getty Images)

Families of senior officials will be put under a spotlight as the Communist Party expands a Shanghai pilot program to weed out more corruption among its ranks, according to an article by the South China Morning Post.



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The Shanghai program, implemented in the city since mid-2015, helps define and regulate the business engagements of officials' relatives.



President Xi Jinping sent out a central task force on Monday, April 18, to expand the program on four other provincial-level areas: Chongqing, Guangdong, Beijing and Xinjiang.



The decision to expand the Shanghai program was finalized at a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms.



The expansion comes as a result of the recently leaked Panama Papers, which uncovered the offshore accounts of prominent figures from all over the globe. The Panama Papers revealed that relatives of eight serving and retired Chinese leaders were once involved in offshore companies.



Through the expansion of the program, the party will be able to monitor the behavior of senior officials' relatives. For example, spouses of senior officials are not allowed to hold executive positions in private companies. They are also banned from holding senior jobs in foreign-invested firms.



Senior officials' children (as well as their children's spouses) are free to engage in business, just not in the administrative area where the senior official exerts considerable influence.



"We will work to strictly define such business activities, to make detailed rules and procedures for implementation," Xinhua reported.



A post-meeting statement added that such rules are being planned to be institutionalized across the country. One day, such provisions will be considered long-term, "normal" practices.



It is unclear, however, what will happen to those who fail to meet the conditions.



It has long been suspected by some that family members of senior officials use their relationships to gain leverage and improve their financial standing. Some families have also migrated to other countries while the officials work in China. This practice has resulted in the sacking of "naked officials."


In the latest example of the unbridled hypocrisy and prevarication that is the stock-in-trade of all parties in the Canadian parliament, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his minister of foreign affairs, Stephane Dion, have been caught out lying shamelessly about Canadas $15 billion arms deal with the brutal, US-backed Saudi monarchy.

For months, Dion claimed that the sale of General Dynamics-manufactured Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) was a done deal that the previous Conservative government had signed off on long ago. But it has now been revealed that the Harper Conservatives only signed permits to authorize providing the Saudi regime with technical details about the LAVsmachines billed by arms manufacturers as useful in quelling both domestic disturbances and, when mounted with heavy weaponry, generalized warfare.

If the deal is now proceeding, it is because earlier this month Dion surreptitiously signed permits saying that the sale conforms with Canadas arms control and human rights policies, and authorizing the delivery of the first $11 billion worth of LAVs to Saudi Arabia. As part of this process, Dion certified that there is no reasonable risk that the goods might be used against the civilian population.

In fact, it can be said with certainty that the LAVs will be used by the increasingly shaky Saudi regime against the civilian populationto intimidate it and, in all likelihood, bloodily suppress it. The LAVs are destined for the Saudi National Guard, which, as Wikipedia notes, differs from the Saudi army in being forged out of tribal elements loyal to the House of Saud and tasked with protecting the royal family from internal dangers such as a coup detat.

Much to Dion and the Liberals chagrin, their duplicitous attempt to evade responsibility for the arms deal was exposed, due to a document release the government was compelled to make in fighting a court suit filed by University of Montreal law professor Daniel Turp challenging the sale of weaponry to Saudi Arabia.

Moving into damage control, Trudeau attempted to shrug off his governments duplicity and even more importantly the exposure of its steadfast support for the Saudi regime. The fact is there are jobs in London (Ontario) relying on this, Trudeau told parliament. Commitments have been made to the world that we will honour our good name when we sign our contracts.

That the good name of a government can be salvaged by publicly defending the sale of weaponry to a semi-feudal kingdom currently engaged in the slaughter of thousands of civilians in Yemen, the backing of Jihadist forces in the rape of Syria as part of a US-led regime change operation, as well as systematic internal repression, torture and mass beheadings has met with no cogent response from the opposition parties in the House of Commons. Indeed, the reactions of the opposition Conservatives and New Democratic Party demonstrate that the ruling elite is overwhelmingly of the opinion that its imperialist interests in the region should trump any professed concern for human rights.

The all-party support for the Saudi arms deal exemplifies Canadas predatory foreign policy and close alliance with Washington, which has propped up and armed the Saudi regime for decades.

Prior to the LAV deal with Riyadh, the bulk of Canadian arms exports were to the United Statesa country that has pursued one war of aggression after another for the past 25 years and routinely violates international law to carry out summary executions via drone strikes, bombing campaigns, support terrorist groups and mount full-scale ground invasions.

The Memorandum of Action signed by Dion to consummate the sale of the fighting vehicles outlines the real reasons for all-party agreement on the matter and further exposes the lies of all those who have explained away their complicity with the claim that jobs and commercial credibility are at stake.

The memorandum explicitly justifies the shipment in terms of the geopolitical interests of Canadian imperialism. Riyadh is a key partner, and an important and stable ally in a region marred by instability, terrorism and conflict, declares the memorandum. Canada, it continues, appreciates Saudi Arabias role as a regional leader promoting regional security and stability, as well as countering the threat posed by Iranian regional expansionism and ISIS.

The memorandum goes on to state that there is a long-standing defence relationship with Riyadh and that Canadas military and weapons exports will benefit from the sale by producing economies of scale in Canadian arms manufacture.

The Trudeau government is currently pressing ahead with another multibillion-dollar Mideast arms deal, this time with the Kingdom of Kuwait.

The Liberal government has also tripled the deployment of Canadian Special Forces to Iraq, bringing the total number of Canadian troops deployed in support of the US-led Mideast war to 830, whilst quietly supporting Riyadhs continuing aggression in Yemen, its role in suppressing opposition to Bahrains autocratic government, and its arming of jihadist proxies in Syria.

Canadas Defence Minister, Harjit Sajjan, recently met with his counterpart in the blood-soaked Egyptian regime of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to discuss increased military-security collaboration.

The Liberals have also signalled to Washington that they are actively considering joining in another military incursion into Libya and Trudeau has vowed to continue Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harpers staunch support of Israel and its brutal treatment of the Palestinian population. Last month the Liberals adopted a Conservative-drafted, Israeli government-inspired parliamentary resolution denouncing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

The BDS movement is based on a politically bankrupt nationalist perspective that holds the Israeli working class equally responsible for the countrys brutal treatment of the Palestinian population and advocates a reactionary two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict within an imperialist-dominated Middle East. Nevertheless, the parliamentary resolution was an explicit attack from the right, aimed at rallying support for the Israeli state and casting the BDS as anti-Semitic, so as to provide a pretext for prescribing the BDS campaign on university campuses.

The efforts of the opposition parties to criticize the government for its role in the Saudi arms deal were no less disingenuous than the Liberals claims their hands were tied. Perhaps most stomach-turning was the performance of NDP leader Thomas Mulcair. Rising in parliament, he directly accused the Liberals of lying about who signed what and when in the Saudi arms deal. With quivering finger, he went on to excoriate the brutal practices of the Saudi regime.

Only last autumn, during the federal election campaign, Mulcair and his party had been caught with their own pants down over the very same issue.

During a French-language debate between party leaders, Mulcair briefly challenged Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper on his governments multibillion-dollar Saudi arms deal. Harper did not deign to address the matter directly whilst Trudeau studiously avoided all comment. However, Mulcairs tentative foray over the matter did draw the ire of Unifor official Fergo Berto, union area director for the General Dynamics Land Systems plant in London, Ontario, that is building the LAVs. Berto rebuked Mulcair for publicizing the matter. We asked the NDP to not make this an issue, that it be kept under wraps, he complained.

Berto went on to say that Unifor President Jerry Dias had himself called Mulcair to straighten the NDP leader out on the matter. The call apparently did its job. At the Munk Center Debate on foreign policy several days later, neither Mulcair, the debate adjudicators, nor the other party leaders raised the issue.

At a British Columbia town hall meeting in mid-October, Mulcair, duly chastised by Unifor, adopted the same argument now used by the Trudeau government. You dont cancel a commercial accord retroactively, he intoned. Its just not done.

During the election campaign the Conservative Harper and the Liberal Trudeau were no less duplicitous. Harper brushed off questions about supplying arms to the despotic Saudi regime by denying that the deal involved arms at all. The LAVs were simply transport vehicles. Trudeau concurred. These are not arms, these are jeeps, he said of armoured personnel carriers that are equipped with 25mm cannon and additional ports for anti-tank and anti-aircraft rocket launchers.

When reporters pointed out that he was mistaken, Trudeau then incorrectly opined that in any case, it was strictly a deal between a manufacturing company here in Canada and Saudi Arabia. As a matter of record, the arms contract was secured thanks only to strong support from Canadas government, including the largest ever loan guarantees from the federal government-owned Canadian Commercial Corporation.

For his own part, former Conservative Foreign Minister John Baird has said that he would sign the same deal again today. The fact that Trudeaus government has followed Harpers lead says all you need to say about the contract, claimed Baird. It obviously isnt that bad.
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee; screenplay by Bryan Sipe

Demolition is the new film from Canadian-born director Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild). The film tells the story of Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal), a New York investment banker working for a $6 billion firm who experiences an emotional unraveling after his wife dies in an automobile accident. While the film purports to give us an unvarnished look at the inner life of its protagonist, in truth Demolition is little more than a pastiche of cliches and easy outs, many of which serve to reinforce some of the most pernicious myths about American life.

After a brief scene between Davis and his wife that highlights the upper-class dullness and predictability of their marriage, Davis awakes in a hospital waiting room. He is told of his wifes death by his father-in-law Phil (Chris Cooper), who is also his boss at the investment firm. Davis reaction is an odd sort of numb indifference, bordering on nonchalance. Unable to mourn the death of a woman to whom he had never felt much of a connection, Davis unfeelingly goes through the motions of grief and funerary ritual, at one point even needing to practice crying before a mirror.

A malfunctioning vending machine in the hospital waiting area prompts Davis to write several letters of complaint to the vending machine company, wherein he improbably spills his guts about his loveless marriage, his unfulfilling bourgeois lifestyle, his disdain for his father-in-law, his petty grievances about modern life, etc. The letters attract the attention of Karen (Naomi Watts), a customer service representative stuck in her own unhappy relationship. Despite fears of making a dangerous personal connection, Karen secretly begins following Davis around the city.

Though he tries to maintain his daily routine, Davis begins to sense that something is deeply wrong at the center of his reality, and that his life must be taken apart piece by piece to find the source of his discontent. He externalizes this desire and begins obsessively disassembling appliances and electronics that have begun to malfunction, including his refrigerator, his work computer, a cappuccino machine... He begins working with a home demolition crew, finding destruction and physical exertion to be a form of therapy.

Davis forms a bond with Karens moody 15-year-old son Chris (Judah Lewis), and the two of them take a pair of sledgehammers to Davis expensively decorated, upper-class home. The demolition uncovers evidence of his wifes secret life, and Davis confronts his in-laws. The latter portion of the film proceeds exactly as one would expect.

Though Vallee showed promise with Dallas Buyers Club (2013), in which the AIDS epidemic was movingly and sensitively dramatized with powerful performances from Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, the director followed that up with the pedestrian Wild (2014) and now this tepid effort. It would seem that the social themes found in Dallas Buyers Club were only incidental to the directors real interest, which lies primarily in individuals forcing their way past their own emotional roadblocks, often undertaking an extreme physical effort to do so.

The notion of the cleansing power of individual suffering is quite inappropriate when coming from well-heeled Hollywood filmmakers, and it is here made even more so by the filmmakers choice of protagonist. A drama about wealthy investment banker would be very much in order if it provided some insight into such a personality and such a life. But Vallee never questions the fundamental legitimacy of this activity. We are merely expected to laugh at Davis self-consciously eccentric antics, to nod along with his fantasies of becoming an armed TSA guard, to sympathize with his eventual discovery of some feeling for his dead wife. Gyllenhaal does his best to wring emotion from the trite words the screenwriter has put into his mouth, but he is given precious little substance to work with.

The demolition metaphor is heavy-handed from the beginning, and only becomes more so as the film drags on. We endure numerous scenes of destruction and disassembly. In one particularly stupid scene, Chris shoots Davis in the chest with a handgun while the latter wears a bulletproof vest. The ensuing pain causes him to feel more alive.

But to what end? We are repeatedly told that Davis demolition will yield some sort of greater insight into his lifeand presumably our own. So what does Vallee find when he digs into his protagonist? Just dime-store pathos and a longing for connection. The filmmakers are perfectly content to leave it at that, in the end reassembling Davis into his well-groomed, wealthy former self, essentially unchanged save for a bit more emotional openness (and, of course, all the money necessary to replace everything he had broken in his tantrum of grief).

And then there is Demolitions fascination with honesty. Again and again, the characters remark that Davis is a brutally honest person, who tells the truth all the time (there is little evidence to back up these claims other than Davis tactless dialogue and proclivity for behaving foolishly in public). The filmmaking style itself, with its natural lighting, shaky-camera footage and clipped, staccato pacing, strives to convince the viewer that he or she is watching unfiltered truth unfold.

As noted, a brutally honest portrait of a banker would certainly be welcome. But what truths do the filmmakers believe they are uncovering? That bourgeois life is unfulfilling? That marriages among the rich sometimes take place for reasons other than love? That grief affects people in strange ways? Is there anyone to whom any of this would come as a shock?

In one telling scene, Chris promises to tell Davis the truth about American military presence in the Middle East. Again, such a truth would be greatly appreciated. But he then proceeds to act out a grisly and stupid story about an American soldier blown to smithereens while savage Afghans shout death to America in triumph. Yes, wonderful. A truth so searing it could be featured on CNN.

At no point does it seem to occur to the filmmakers that their characters difficulties could be rooted in anything other than individual psychological traumas and fears, that Davis personal malaise might have some connection to his place in a diseased social order, that exploiting his fellow humans as a profession might cause him to feel distant from them and render him emotionally insensitive. These are not the kinds of problems that can be solved by dancing in the subway, making shadow puppets and riding an old carousel, which Davis does to considerable personal relief.

Ultimately, the films demolition of its central character goes only skin deep. If contemporary culture is to progress beyond the threadbare banalities expressed here, much more foundational elements of society will have to be demolished, theoretically and practically, and reorganized.
French President Francois Hollandes visit to Cairo Sunday and Monday, offering support to Egyptian dictator Abdel Fattah el Sisi, exemplified the criminalization of European politics.

Even before Hollande left Paris, he faced rising criticism over his ties to the general who set out to crush the Egyptian revolution that began when the working class overthrew Hosni Mubarak in 2011. The methods Sisi has employed since his coup toppled Islamist president Mohamed Mursi are infamous. He massacred thousands of peaceful protesters in the streets in July and August 2013, jailed tens of thousands of political prisoners, and imposed mass death sentences against associates of Mursi in staged show trials.

Human Rights Watch criticized Frances deafening silence on Sisis crimes, noting the gravity of the repression of civil society, with a drastic increase in torture, abusive incarceration, forced disappearances and violencewithout precedent in recent Egyptian history.

Hollandes Socialist Party (PS), itself engaged in the brutal police repression of mass protests by high school and university students against its reactionary labor law reform, treated these criticisms with visible contempt. PS officials made clear that the issue of democratic rights would not interfere with the political and financial ties Hollande is developing with the Sisi junta. Sources at the Elysee presidential palace declared that human rights issues would be raised only in a discreet and efficient way.

As Hollande arrived in Cairo, however, a scandal was escalating over the grisly murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni. Rome has been compelled to withdraw its ambassador to Egypt, as it is increasingly clear that Regeni was brutally tortured and then murdered by the Egyptian security authorities, who confiscated his papers.

The issue of the juntas human rights violations came to dominate the sinister press conference held by Hollande and Sisi, leaving Sisi increasingly shaken and irritated. At one point, Sisi felt he had no option besides lying through his teeth, declaring, We respect the rule of law. We respect human rights, I want to stress this point.

At that point, the French president intervened to defend Sisi, taking the next question on democratic rights, which he insisted were not a barrier to aggressive police work.

The Rights of Man are not a constraint. They are also a way of fighting terrorism, Hollande said. As if informing the Egyptian dictator about how he would build a flourishing democracy, Hollande blandly added that democracy requires freedom of the press and freedom of expression and a judiciary that answers all questions that must be asked.

Hollande insisted that questions to Sisi on human rights should not be taken as a criticism of his bloody record. One should not see in the question of human rights an attack, but an expectation. It is because we are very attached to what Egypt represents that this question is legitimate, he said.

Throughout, Sisi defended his murderous policies without any meaningful protest from Hollande. The criteria in Europe, which are the height of progress and civilization, cannot be applied in the situation that our region is undergoing, and particularly in Egypt. We are facing diabolical forces that are trying to undermine Egypt, Sisi said, denouncing accusations aiming to weaken the police and the courts.

Afterwards, despite Egypts huge foreign currency shortage and budget deficit, Sisi signed billions of euros worth of contracts with dozens of French businessmen, who have become key suppliers particularly of weaponryincluding Rafale fighters, missiles, and warshipsfor the junta. At the same time, German economy minister Sigmar Gabriel was also visiting Cairo with an even larger delegation of German businessmen.

Hollandes provocative defense of Egypts Pinochet in the face of rising public horror at the crimes of the Cairo junta reflects the deepening crisis of bourgeois rule on both sides of the Mediterranean. The European bourgeoisie sees Sisis nationalist appeals and brutal police-state methods as critical to blocking a renewed eruption of the class struggle, and ensuring that Egypt remains a reliable base for reactionary NATO operations in the region, such as a new war in Libya.

At the same time, European and Egyptian capitalism are bound together by their fear of the working class. Far more than at the beginning of the Egyptian revolution in January 2011, the European bourgeoisie fears that social struggle in Egypt could trigger a revolutionary explosion at home. With the European Union (EU) discredited by five years of economically suicidal social austerity policies, most brutally in southern and eastern Europe, regimes across the continent are tottering.

In France, Hollande has become Frances most unpopular president since World War II. In the face of explosive social discontent, he has imposed a reactionary state of emergency after the November 13 terror attacks in Paris to stabilize his rule. He is relying entirely on the passive complicity of the union bureaucracy and pseudo-left parties like the Left Front and the New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA) to prevent a mobilization of workers to defend students protesting the PSs reactionary labor law against bloody police assaults.

Under these conditions, Hollande and the entire European bourgeoisie view the stabilization of the Sisi junta and the blocking of renewed revolutionary struggle by the working class in Egyptand anywhere else, for that matteras a life-and-death question.

There is a very direct and concrete link between the suppression of revolutionary struggles in Egypt and the French state of emergency. Hollande discussed his response to the November 13 attacks in Paris with the Egyptian dictator, whom Hollande has reportedly counted as a personal friend since 2014, before deciding to impose the state of emergency across France.

The day after the November 13 terror attack in Paris, RFI reported that Sisi had called Hollande to present his condolences and those of Egypt.  Relations between Presidents Sisi and Hollande go well beyond simple protocol. French sources said there is friendship between the two men. Official sources in Cairo said that the two presidents discussed reinforced cooperation in the anti-terror struggle, especially against the Islamic State.

The fact that Hollande apparently feels a deeper connection with Egypts blood-soaked strongman is, however, only the personal reflection of the crisis facing both their regimes. Definite parallels exist, despite the vast differences between Egypt and France, in the counterrevolutionary strategies the two men apparently discussed after the November 13 attacks.

Inciting hysteria over the threat posed by Islamismthe Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, or in France by terrorists trained in the NATO proxy war in Syriathey both incite nationalism to try to suppress the class struggle.

To the cult of the army and the leader in Sisis Egypt corresponds to Hollandes appeals to the far right: the imposition of a state of emergency first imposed during Frances war against Algerian war, and his proposal to resurrect the deprivation of nationality policy, used to launch the mass deportation of Jews from France to death camps across Europe during World War II. It is in this degraded political atmosphere that the French president could effortlessly associate himself with the Sisi junta on the issue of democratic rights.
Hundreds of people have been displaced and at least seven have been confirmed dead in Houston as a result of historic floods that submerged entire neighborhoods. The city received 17.6 inches of rain in less than 24 hours on Monday, a level of rainfall Houston has not seen since tropical storm Allison inundated the city in 2001, costing 23 people their lives.

Water levels of forty feet above average were reported in some parts of the city. Twelve hundred people were forced to evacuate. Over 140,000 residents lost power on Monday; 7,500 remained without power on Tuesday.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency on Monday evening, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner advised residents to await evacuation and remain in place.

Residents of North Houstons Greenspoint neighborhood, however, found it necessary to evacuate themselves as the water rose above the tops of cars. Families fearfully loaded their children onto inflatable beds and wading pools, and, in one case, a refrigerator, attempting to make it through the flooded streets to a community shopping center that residents had set up to host evacuees.

Many people from Greenspoint expressed indignation and frustration over the evacuation efforts. Using Twitter and Facebook, residents praised the cooperation of their neighbors while denouncing the citys response. Rescue teams arent available for the Greenspoint residents? one resident posted on Facebook. Houston response teams must do better. THIS is unacceptable!

Responses to her post echoed her dismay. Some questioned whether the city would have responded as lackadaisically had Greenspoint been a wealthier neighborhood. For many, the situation in Greenspoint harked back to the anemic rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina, when entire families in New Orleans sat stranded on bridges with no assistance.

The comparisons to Katrina could be found throughout social media. Cruel irony is that many people living in #greenspoint are Katrina survivors, a Twitter user noted. Another Twitter user lamented, I'm seeing a flashback of Hurricane Katrina in the Greenspoint area.

Mayor Turner disputed the criticisms at a press conference Monday evening, stating, No one has been ignored. This has been a dynamic situation across the city No area has been ignored. No area has been treated unduly, unfairlyFor anyone to suggest that a community isnt being attended to or we are not placing the proper resources there, that would be a serious misstatement.

He dismissed contentions that predominantly Hispanic, working class Greenspoint was given less consideration than wealthier areas of the city, saying, Its a situation where all throughout the city, and quite frankly all throughout our region, were dealing with high water.

The debate about the citys response to the crisis in Greenspoint highlights significant wealth disparities in Houston. While the Houston metropolitan area boasts the sixth-highest personal income rate among US cities, its median income is only $40,000.

In 2015, a report by Torontos Martin Prosperity Institute revealed that Houston ranked number four in a survey of Americas most economically segregated cities (Texas cities Austin and San Antonio made the top ten as well). The average household income in Houstons wealthiest neighborhood is over $300,000. It is just at $30,000 in its poorest neighborhood.

Greenspoints residents are primarily working class. Most of them are employed in the service industry. The neighborhood lies within a 100-year floodplain that has been incompletely delineated by the city.

Researchers at Houstons Rice University have been urging the city to address the floodplain for years. In 2013, Lester King, sustainability fellow at Rices Shell Center for Sustainability, reported that the city needed to map the floodplain completely and use the information to fund flood mitigation, drainage and home buyouts in the areas most likely to be affected by flooding. King reported that per-capita capital improvement spending ranged from $602 per person in Houstons poorest district in the floodplain to $1,359 per person in its wealthiest.

This discrepancy has not gone unnoticed by Greenspoints residents.

There is no relief in sight for Houstons flood-weary population. Several more inches of rain are predicted in the upcoming days. Furthermore, rain-swollen Cypress Creek, which flows through northwest Houston, has not yet crested. While some Houstonians wait out the flood, others are leaving their homes for higher ground, or await evacuation.

These residents nervously eye Cypress Creeks swelling while watching the weather forecasts. The worst is yet to come is a common refrain on social media, as people watch the waters rise in their neighborhoods ahead of more rain.
A forensic examination has produced clear evidence that the Indonesian National Polices notorious special counter-terrorism unit, Special Detachment 88 or Densus 88, killed an alleged terrorist suspect last month after torturing him.

Densus 88 was established, with US and Australian assistance, after the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people on the resort island. The unit works closely with, and receives training from, the American FBI and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Since its formation, there have been allegations of hundreds of extra judicial killings, deaths in custody, torture, unlawful arrests and detentions throughout Indonesia.

Now there is a well-documented case. Siyono, 34, a father of five, was reportedly killed on March 11, four days after he was arrestedwithout a warrantat Pogung village in Klaten, Central Java. Police asked his wife, Suratmi, to collect his body from Jakarta. Immediately suspicious, she reported the death, which became the 121st such case known to the Indonesian Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).

Since then, media reports and statements from Komnas HAM and the Asian Human Rights Commission have traced the unravelling of the initial police accounts of Siyonos death. The reports point to a blatant cover-up that has been exposed only because of the intransigence of family members.

Police claimed that Siyono was a leader of an offshoot of the nebulous Jamaah Islamiah terrorist group and knew the location of warehouses of weapons inherited from groups involved in the Bali bombing. According to the police, Siyonos death resulted from a head wound and brain haemorrhage that occurred during a fight with a police officer as Siyono was being transported to Yogyakarta.

On March 14, police Inspector General Anton Charliyan insisted that this account was confirmed by an autopsy conducted in Jakartas Kramat Hospital. But Suratmi saw that the condition of her husbands body that did not match the police accounts, because it displayed signs of further violence.

These suspicions were heightened when two female Densus 88 officers handed Suratmi and Siyonos brother 100 million rupiah ($US7,600) in cash. Despite threats and intimidation from local authorities, the family insisted on an autopsy, which was conducted by a team of doctors at the village grave site on April 3.

Released at a Jakarta press conference on April 11, the autopsy results repudiated the police accounts. It was clear that no previous autopsy had been conducted. Siyono died as the result of blows delivered by a blunt object that smashed six ribs, causing a bone to pierce his heart. There was bruising on his back but no signs of a defensive struggle. A head wound had been sustained but there was no sign of a brain haemorrhage and this wound was not the cause of death.

As a result, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) alleged that Siyono was tortured during interrogation. Authorities then admitted that no police autopsy had been conducted. Inspector General Anton claimed that the death was an unfortunate accident because it meant information about the alleged weapons caches was now lost.

The police internal affairs chief told the media on April 14 that an inquiry was underway. But Inspector General Tito Karnavian of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNTP), which reports directly to President Joko Widodo, effectively pre-empted any inquiry by declaring: Did the autopsy show evidence of torture? Dont jump to conclusions?

It is apparent that the security chiefs are confident that despite the exposures in the Siyono case, Densus 88 and other security operations will continue with impunity, just as they did during the US-backed military dictatorship of General Suharto from 1965 to 1998.

In effect, by embracing the US-led war on terror and working with the Western intelligence networks, the Indonesian police-military apparatus spawned under Suharto has remained intact and unaccountable. As well as providing a pretext for predatory invasions and interventions by the US and its allies in the Middle East, the war on terror has been a vehicle for massive expansions of police and spy agency powers internationally.

Densus 88 is funded by the US State Departments Diplomatic Security Service, despite previous US Congressional restrictions on aid to the Indonesian military (TNI). According to a 2007 study, CIA, FBI and Secret Service instructors have been involved with the units training. Most of the staff were ex-US Special Forces personnel. Australias AFP has also been involved, together with Australian Special Forces.

Both the US and Australian governments have provided Densus 88 with advanced electronic and communications surveillance technology. A report in the Strategist, published by the Australian Strategy Policy Institute, in January said the Australian security forces had developed particularly close collaboration with their Indonesian counterparts through the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation.

Since Widodo took office in October 2014, the Indonesian security apparatus has expanded. Last June, Widodos government approved the formation of the TNIs Joint Special Operations Command, tasked with carrying out anti-terrorist operations throughout the country. Political, Legal and Human Rights Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno announced that the organisation might also be used for other issues related to security, indicating plans to restore the sweeping powers exercised by the TNI under Suharto.

As a result of a terrorist attack by four men in Jakarta this January, a bill is now before parliament to greatly increase the powers available to Densus 88. These include preventive detention of suspects for up to six months and stripping convicted terrorists of citizenship and passports.
The Indian elite has warmly welcomed last weeks announcement that New Delhi has agreed in principle to allowing the US military to make routine use of Indian bases and ports for resupply, repair and rest.

The only significant dissent has come from the opposition Congress Party and the Stalinist Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM. They have made the obvious point that such an agreement is tantamount to making India a formal military ally of the US, which, they argue, jeopardizes the Indian bourgeoisies strategic autonomythat is, its freedom of action.

At a joint press conference April 12, the final day of US Defense Secretary Ashton Carters latest Indian visit, he and his Indian counterpart, Manohar Parrikar, announced that New Delhi and Washington have agreed in principle to finalize a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).

Such an agreement has been a major US objective for a decade or more. It is a major step toward making India a frontline state in US imperialisms drive to strategically isolate, encircle and if need be wage war against China.

Since coming to office in May, 2014, Indias Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has integrated India ever more completely into the USs anti-China Pivot to Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government have repeatedly parroted Washingtons aggressive line on the South China Sea dispute, painting China as a threat to maritime security and freedom of navigation and overflight in East Asia. The Modi government has also upgraded bilateral and trilateral military-security ties with the US and its major allies in the Asia-Pacific, Japan and Australia. This has included making Japan a partner in the annual Indo-US naval exercise, Malabar, and initiating an Indo-US maritime security dialogue. The BJP government has also eagerly taken up Washingtons offer to co-produce and co-develop weapons systems and to coordinate Indias Act East policy (its drive to develop economic and military-security ties with South-East Asia) with the USs Pivot or rebalance.

Indias corporate media and numerous military-strategic analysts have praised the Modi governments decision to conclude an LEMOA with the US, arguing that an enhanced military-strategic partnership with US imperialism can strengthen Indias hand against Pakistan and China and help New Delhi realize its great power ambitions in South Asia, the Indian Ocean and beyond. The few reservations they have voiced are not connected with the USs wanton disregard of international law in waging illegal wars in the Middle East and Africa or its reckless strategic offensives against nuclear-armed Russia and China. Rather they are concerned over the USs decades-long partnership with the Pakistani military and resentment over the fact that Washington will not give India a free hand in respect to Pakistan.

In an April 14 editorial, the Times of India lauded the Modi government for rightly deciding to shift gears and engage more closely with the US on strategic and military affairs. The editorials title, Balancing Act: Logistics pact with US enhances rather than impairs Indias strategic autonomy was an obvious rejoinder to the criticisms of the Stalinists and Congress Party.

Taking their lead from the government, the Times of India editorial board tried to downplay the significance and logic of the LEMOA. It repeated Ashton Carters claim that it does not entail stationing US troops on Indian soil, while omitting his admission that they could be deployed.

Significantly, the Times was more forthright in identifying China as the true target of the burgeoning Indo-US military-strategic alliance. Closer partnership with the US, it argued, is imperative for India at a time when China is already making moves to emerge as a maritime power in the Indian Ocean. It continued: Of Chinas overseas trade, 65 percent passes through the Indian Ocean and preserving Indian maritime dominance in this region, especially the Malacca Straits, is crucial for sustaining Indias strategic autonomy in the medium term.

The reference to the importance of the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Straits for Chinas foreign trade indicates the extent to which the Indian elite, entirely behind the backs of the Indian people, has fallen into line with Washingtons plans to impose an economic blockade on China, by seizing key Indian Ocean chokepoints such as the Malacca Straits, in the event of a war or war crisis with China.

Indian strategic analyst C. Raja Mohan, in a piece published in the Indian Express, praised the government led by the Hindu supremacist BJP for having the self-confidence to sign an apparently controversial agreement with the United States, while lamenting that it took India more than a decade to decide in principle on a fairly straightforward agreement with America.

Like the Times of India, Mohan drew attention to the importance of India establishing itself as an Indian Ocean poweran objective that Washington, under both George W. Bush and Obama, has repeatedly declared the US supports. The LEMOA, which provides reciprocal rights for Indian forces to use American bases, will, said Mohan help Indian armed forces, especially its navy, to operate far from subcontinental shores at a moment when New Delhi has to secure its widely dispersed interests in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Senior Congress Party leader A.K. Antony, the Defence Minister in the previous Congress-led government from 2006-2014, has termed the Modi governments decision to sign the LEMOA the beginning of the end of the independence of Indias foreign policy and strategic autonomy and a disastrous decision.

He has warned that this agreement will gradually result in India becoming incorporated into a US-led military bloc. During his long tenure as Defence Minister, Antony was involved in prolonged negotiations with the US on a Logistics Support Agreement and ultimately terminated them, because he and important sections of the military-security establishment came to the conclusion that it would harness India to Washingtons strategic agenda. Antony is thus intimately familiar with the implications of the LEMOA and of Washingtons plans to use it to pull India into a US-led military alliance against China.

The Stalinist CPM, in a Politburo statement issued April 13 said, The Modi government has taken the dangerous step of deepening military collaboration with the United States by agreeing to allow US armed forces to use base facilities in Indian naval and air force bases. It added, Unlike what the Defence Minister says, refuelling, maintenance and repair facilities for American ships and airplanes will require the stationing of US armed forces personnel on Indian soil on a regular basis.

Pointing to Indian Defence Minister Parrikars indication that two other agreements are on the anvil, Communication and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), the CPM continued: These will make the Indian armed forces command and control structure integrated with the US armed forces. In doing so, the BJP government has crossed a line which no other government has done since independence  converting India into a full-fledged military ally of the United States.

In opposing the LEMOA, the Congress and Stalinists are voicing the concerns of sections of the Indian elite who think that too close a strategic alliance with Washington will undermine the geostrategic interests of the Indian bourgeoisie.

Their opposition has nothing to do with genuine anti-imperialism. It revolves entirely around how best to advance the interests of the Indian bourgeoisie, including how to maintain political control over the working class and rural toilers among whom there is deep opposition to war and to the predatory actions of US imperialism.

While the Congress and Stalinists are now trumpeting their opposition to India becoming a full-fledged military ally of the US, they have both played a pivotal role in the development of ever-expanding military-security ties between New Delhi and Washington.

It was during the ten-year-long Congress-led UPA government that India consummated a global strategic partnership with US imperialism and the US became the most important recipient of new Indian armaments contracts. The Stalinist CPM and its Left Front helped form the UPA coalition in 2004 and provided the UPA with its parliamentary majority for a full four years. This was the very period during which the Congress negotiated the Indo-US civil nuclear accord, the agreement that cemented the emerging alliance between US imperialism and the Indian bourgeoisie.

Undoubtedly the Stalinists will now try to use the BJP governments turn to still closer military-strategic ties with Washington to justify their attempts to politically suppress the growing social opposition to the Modi government by channelling it behind the Congress Party, the Indian bourgeoisies traditional party of government.

Already the Stalinists have formed an electoral alliance with the Congress for the West Bengal state elections.

Significantly, the CPM Politburo statement opposing the LEMOA denounces it entirely from the standpoint of the national interests of the bourgeoisie, accusing the Modi government of compromising Indias national sovereignty and strategic autonomy, and on this basis seeks to rally support within the ruling class. All political parties and patriotic citizens, declare the Stalinists, should oppose this surrender to the USA.

In keeping with this reactionary stance, the Stalinists maintain a criminal silence on the war danger and the extent to which Indias support for Washington, including under the UPA whilst they were sustaining it in office, has encouraged US imperialist aggression. They do not expose how India is being integrated into the US strategic offensive and war planning against China, nor how the US provocations in the South China Sea and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific threaten to trigger a military conflict with incalculable consequences for the people of the region and the world.

Apart from the Congress and Stalinists, all other political parties in India at the national and state levels, like the AIADMK and DMK in Tamil Nadu, the TDP in Andhra Pradesh and Janata Dal (United), are silent about the BJP governments plans to signing the LEMOA. This points to the across-the-board ruling-class support for closer strategic ties with US imperialism and a more aggressive assertion of Indias own great power ambitions.
The brutal murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni in Cairo has resulted in an open diplomatic crisis between Egypt and Italy.

On April 8, the government in Rome recalled its ambassador to Egypt. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said that Italy had a duty to Regenis family but also to the dignity of us all to bring the genuine truth to light.

Italian student and journalist Giulio Regeni was tortured to death in Egypt in January in a bestial manner. On January 25, the fifth anniversary of the Egyptian revolution, he disappeared without a trace close to Tahrir Square. Then on February 3, his horrifically disfigured body was found in a ditch by a highway.

To date, Egyptian Interior Minister Magdi Abdel Ghaffar has avoided acknowledging any government involvement in Regenis murder, but the regime is notorious for torture and murder. Last year, Human Rights Watch wrote of the disappearance of 41,000 people in Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood alone stated that 29,000 of its members had been arrested.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the gravedigger of the Egyptian revolution, came to power in 2013 after a coup against his predecessor Mohamed Mursi. Since then, police have murdered thousands of regime opponents, thrown tens of thousands in jail, and condemned over a thousand political opponents to death, including the former Islamist president, Mohamed Mursi.

After Regenis death, Egyptian authorities presented six different explanations. He allegedly died first in a car accident, then of a rape committed by homosexuals, and then in something to do with the drug trade.

Shortly before Easter, Egyptian police suddenly presented Giulios passport, student cards and bank cards, together with other objects, which could not however be matched to Regeni. The latest explanation states that Egyptian authorities shot four mafia members dressed as policemen who kidnap foreigners to rob them. The objects had been secured in an apartment belonging to the sister of one of the victims.

This version is not credible, as it does not explain why Regeni was tortured or why the criminals threw his body in a ditch while retaining his passport and other personal belongings.

These grotesque proceedings were finally exposed to Italian newspaper La Reppublica via email by an anonymous, well-connected source. The author of the email described himself as a member of the Egyptian secret police and apparently has detailed knowledge of the case.

From a Yahoo account, he described the events in a mixture of English, Arabic and Italian: The order to arrest Regeni was given by General Khaled Shalabi, head of the criminal commissariat and the office of investigations in Cairo. He had been carrying out surveillance on Giulios apartment and ordered national security officers to search it. The General held Regeni for 24 hours after his arrest in the Gizeh barracks.

There, Regeni was asked about his network of contacts to Egyptian workers leaders, but he refused to make any statements without the presence of a interpreter or representative from the Italian embassy. He was subsequently brutally beaten. During the night of January 26 to 27, he was transferred at the orders of interior minister Magdi Abdel Ghaffarto an office of the national security in Nasr City. The chief of national security was ordered to make him talk.

In the following 48 hours, Giulio was tortured with increasing brutality. He was hit in the face, then beaten on the soles of his feet with a stick and hung from a door, he was subjected to electric shocks on sensitive parts of the body, and was given no water, no food, no sleep. They also placed [him] naked in a room overflowing with water, which [was] subjected to electric shocks lasting several seconds every 30 minutes.

The injuries resulting from such torture apparently match those found by the autopsy in Rome. This and several other details were known only to the torturers and Italian investigators, and had not been published anywhere. La Reppublica concluded that the author of the anonymous report was credible.

Further details confirm this credibility, such as when the author reports that the secret police in Nasr City subjected the victim to cuts with a kind of bayonet, which the autopsy also confirmed.

The transfer to the military intelligence service was decided upon jointly by the interior minister and presidential adviser Ahmad Jamal ad-Din. There, torturers pressed cigarette butts on his throat and ears, which would explain why the body was found with its earlobes cut off.

On the day when Italian minister Federica Guidi travelled to Cairo to investigate Regenis fate, consultations were held about what should be done with the body. The interior minister, along with Egyptian President Al-Sisi, was personally involved in these discussions. In the meeting it was decided to portray the incident as a kidnapping with a homosexual background and therefore to throw the body naked in a roadside ditch, according to the anonymous report.

On 11 April, La Reppublica wrote that Giulios death had to be finally described for what it is: a state murder.

Since February, protests against the cover-up of Regenis murder have grown. All of Italy watched as Regenis mother, Paola Regeni, reported in a March 29 press conference before the parliament building about the terrible state in which she found the body: I could only recognise Giulio by the tip of his nose. She demanded to know the truth and noted that Giulio was not an isolated case.

A petition demanding the uncovering of Giulios murder was signed by almost 5,000 academics internationally. Rallies are growing in Italy, blockades are being held in front of the Egyptian embassy, and the case is being discussed in detail online.

This has put the Italian authorities under pressure. In early April, the government felt compelled to demand rapid clarification from Egypt. Italian officials called for the publication of the mobile telephone records of the victim, surveillance video from metro stations and all forensic data and results. On 5 April, a delegation of high-ranking Egyptian jurists arrived in Rome, but without bringing the material which had been called for.

Three days later, Italian state prosecutor Giuseppe Pignatone stated that the talks with the Egyptians had collapsed without a result. On the same evening, foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni recalled ambassador Maurizio Massari from Cairo for consultations in Rome, as it was stated, to discuss the next steps.

Italy threatened to place Egypt on a list of dangerous countries for tourists, while the number of Italian tourists in Egypt has already dropped by one tenth. The British government has also demanded a full accounting from the Egyptian government, and the European Parliament discussed whether to halt weapons exports to Cairo.

Nonetheless, Italy does not want to risk its good relations with Egypt. It has steadily expanded economic and political cooperation with the al-Sisi regime. Italy is dependent on Egypts cooperation in particular in its preparations for a military intervention in Libya, and annual trade between Italy and Egypt amounts to 5 billion. On April 14, the Italian state prosecutor merely directed an official request for legal cooperation to Egypt.

In addition, Italian energy firm Eni discovered a huge gas field of over 100 square kilometres off the Egyptian coast. Renzi welcomed the find on Twitter with the hashtag, goodnews.
China Highly Unlikely to Be Hit by Earthquake, Says Expert

So far for 2016, China has experienced five magnitude-5+ quakes, which include the magnitude-6.7 earthquake that devastated Taiwan, leaving over 100 people dead. (Photo : Getty Images)

Following the series of earthquakes that shook Ecuador, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Japan in the past couple of days, Chinese citizens worry about China's safety, China Daily reported.



A magnitude-7.1 quake hit Afghanistan on April 10, while Myanmar and Japan both endured above magnitude-7 quakes on April 13 and April 16, respectively. The most recent earthquake happened on April 17--a magnitude-6.1 quake--in the island nation of Tonga.



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Chinese citizens have begun to worry whether China will be next, as the memories of the 1976 Tangshan mega-quake is still fresh in the citizens' minds.



Pan Huaiwen, director of the China Earthquake Networks Center, reassured the public in a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office on Monday, April 18, saying that it's highly unlikely China will be struck by any earthquake soon.



Pan added that there have been 37 serial quakes since 1900, and China has seen little seismic action, having only three quakes above magnitude-7 in three months.



"It doesn't demonstrate that an extremely active seismic period has come," Pan said in the news conference. "And less than 10 percent of those situations were followed by a massive earthquake in China. So statistically, the probability of China having a strong earthquake is not connected with recent frequent earthquakes."



Pan did say, however, that it's highly likely earthquakes will be more frequent this year, especially if it surpasses the average annual number of quakes (18) since 1900.



"The possibility of an earthquake depends on the situation of the tectonic plate on which China sits, but motions of the crustal structure around China could affect the strength of pressure on the Chinese mainland and have an impact on the country's earthquake situation," said Jiang Haikun, a senior researcher from the China Earthquake Networks Center.



"Earthquake prediction is still a global scientific challenge, but our center will keep a close eye on the crustal motion in China, especially the western regions, where more than 90 percent of China's massive earthquakes have occurred," Jiang added.



So far for 2016, China has experienced five magnitude-5+ quakes, which include the magnitude-6.7 earthquake that devastated Taiwan, leaving over 100 people dead.


New Zealands National Party government is finalising its 2016 Defence White Paper, which will outline spending and strategic priorities for the countrys military. The document was initially planned for release at the end of last year but has been delayed for months.

Australias Defence White Paper, released in February, announced a massive $A195 billion in spending over the next decade on military acquisitions alonenew submarines, warships, jet fighters and an array of other military hardware. The purpose is to further integrate Australia into the US pivot to Asiathe military encirclement and preparations for war against China, which the White Paper identified as a threat to Australian interests.

New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee told the New Zealand Herald his governments White Paper was being prepared in close consultation with Australia and will similarly reflect those shared values and security perspectives, including the importance of interoperability between our defence forces.

Like Australia, New Zealands political establishment supports the anti-China pivot and views its alliance with Washington as crucial to defending its own neo-colonial interests in the South Pacific. The Obama administration is demanding military interoperability with Australia and New Zealand, along with other US allies throughout the region, in order to build a fully-integrated force to confront China.

While seeking to preserve cordial relations with China, New Zealands second largest trading partner, Prime Minister John Keys government has committed to the US war drive. New Zealands air force is part of the Bersama Shield exercise currently underway in the South China Sea involving Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Britain. In March, New Zealand joined exercises with the US and South Korea.

Over the past year, the US has greatly heightened tensions in the South China Sea, condemning Chinas land reclamation and militarisation of reefs and atolls under its administration. The US navy has already mounted two freedom of navigation operations, directly challenging Chinas territorial claims by sending warships within the 12-nautical-mile limit around Chinese administered islets. Washington is pressing its allies to follow suit.

To strengthen interoperability with the US and Australia, New Zealand has already increased military spending and will undoubtedly outline more funding in the White Paper. Earlier this year, the Defence Ministry announced plans for an extra $11 billion worth of acquisitions over the next decade, including new air transport, surveillance aircraft and navy frigates. In February, the government announced a $440 million upgrade of weapons systems for two frigates. Eight new helicopters also have been purchased for the navy.

Last month the Defence Force reportedly requested multi-million dollar submarine-spotting equipment for its Orion aircraft. Robert Ayson, head of the Centre for Strategic Studies in Wellington, told Radio NZ, the South Pacific is not a heavy submarine area but New Zealand also operates further afield. China and other Southeast Asian nations were increasing their underwater capabilities, he said. In other words, the upgrade is not for defensive purposes but to assist the aggressive operations by the US near Chinese territory.

The Pentagon is placing a premium on naval forces as its plans for war with ChinaAirSea Battleenvisage massive air and missile attacks on the Chinese mainland from ships and submarines in nearby waters, as well as US military bases in Asia. American and allied forces would also be used to impose a naval blockade aimed at crippling the Chinese economy by cutting off vital imports of energy and raw materials.

A new $46 million Battle Training Facility for the elite Special Air Service (SAS) forces will play a key role in training New Zealand troops to fight in US and Australian-led operations. Key and Brownlee attended the official opening of the facility on April 8. According to Fairfax Media, special forces representatives from the USA and Australia, as well as other international military dignitaries were also present.

The facility will be used for joint exercises involving US and other foreign troops, as well as by other branches of the NZ Defence Force and the police. The New Zealand Herald reported that it would train soldiers for environments such as Iraq and Afghanistan and urban battlefields, including Auckland high rise buildings, a ship captured by pirates, hotels and shopping malls.

Defence Force Chief Lieutenant General Tim Keating said the SAS would be trained to respond to threats that can be from someone on your side, or some unsuspecting place.

During their rotations in Afghanistan, as part of the US-led occupation, the NZ SAS were implicated in war crimes against prisoners and Afghan civilians. Using the threat of terrorism as a pretext, these elite troops are to be prepared for operations within New Zealandpotentially to suppress protests against the governments deepening austerity measures and the march toward war.

The militarys spending spree comes amid ongoing attacks on working peoples living standards. In response to the economic crisis, the government has cut funding to healthcare and welfare, and is destroying thousands of jobs, including at the Inland Revenue Department, New Zealand Post and state-owned mining company Solid Energy.

Far from criticising the military spend-up, the opposition Labour Party and its ally, the right-wing populist New Zealand First Party, have attacked the government from the right, calling for even more spending and military recruitment. The last Labour government fully restored New Zealands alliance with the US by sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. The opposition parties have embraced New Zealands alignment with the US against China and have sought to whip up anti-Chinese xenophobia by scapegoating Chinese immigrants over the housing crisis and unemployment.

On April 14, NZ First defence spokesman Ron Mark released figures showing that the navy patrol vessels Pukaki and Taupo had not spent any time out of port since 2012 and 2013 respectively. He declared: Our Navy is frankly way too small and our seas are mostly unguarded. Mark said the navy should be equipped to patrol beyond New Zealands exclusive economic zone to cover a vast slice of the globe that extends from Antarctica to north of the equator and mid-Tasman to east of the Cook Islands.

Labours defence spokesman Phil Goff said the navy was crippled by staff shortages following a 23 percent reduction in staff in 2012. He denounced Defence Minister Brownlee for lacking commitment to our armed forces being able to carry out the roles the country needs it to.

NZ First spokesman Mark also lashed out at the National Party for reportedly preparing to close army training areas at Waiouru and Tekapo. He described the move as a betrayal and accused the government of being short-sighted with respect to what it takes to train and prepare for war, adding that internationally, we live in a time of unprecedented instability. To help prepare for war, NZ First recently proposed a scheme for unemployed youth as young as 15 to receive army training. The entire political establishment is committed to the militarisation of society and the integration of New Zealand into Washingtons reckless drive toward war with China.

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[24 November 2015]
The deaths of hundreds of refugees in the Mediterranean on Monday is not only a tragedy, it is a crime. Those responsible are the governments in Washington, Berlin, Athens, Rome and other European capitals, as well as the European Union Commission in Brussels.

They bear the guilt for these tragic deaths in two regards. The decades of imperialist oppression of the Middle East and Africa and the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria have created the conditions in which millions of people would rather risk their lives by fleeing than face the constant danger of death and ever-present reality of bitter poverty at home. And the sealing of Europes borders, together with naval patrols in the Mediterranean, force refugees to take ever more dangerous routes.

Thousands of deaths by drowning are accepted, if not welcomed, as collateral damage required by the campaign to keep desperate refugees out of Europe. Charles Heller, co-author of a study by Goldsmiths College (University of London) on the deadly consequences of EU policy in the Mediterranean, accuses those responsible of killing by omission.

When the European Union and Turkey concluded their dirty deal on halting the flow of refugees last month, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said, Even if we have to endure some hard images for a few weeks, our basic approach is right. As the lack of reporting on Mondays disaster shows, the Europen media have decided to spare the public the hard images.

When it became known on Monday that hundreds of people had drowned in a single incident, most newspapers and news media barely reported it. There were some brief reports in online editions, which soon disappeared. The lack of official confirmation was noted, as though this justified the paucity of reporting.

There was already ample evidence that somewhere between 200 and 500 refugees from Libya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan had lost their lives when the boat carrying them from North Africa to Italy capsized on the high seas in the middle of the night. Both Italian President Sergio Mattarella and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier reported the mass drownings. Somali government spokesman Abdisalan Aato said there were some 500 migrants on the boat. Lists of the passengers began circulating on social media.

The legal expert for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Beat Schuler, confirmed to Swiss TV, We know that there are 40 survivors and that possibly up to 460 people set sail in the boat from Egypt. In the Greek coastal town of Kalamata, the BBC interviewed survivors who described the disaster and spoke of some 500 victims. Nevertheless, silence prevailed in the media on Tuesday.

If the figures are confirmed, the lastest incident ranks as one of the worst, but remains just one of many similar catastrophes. According to statistics from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which collates all available data on refugees, on average ten refugees have died each day in the Mediterranean in the last two-and-a-half years.

In 2014, according to IOM figures, 3,279 people died attempting to cross the Mediterranean and Aegean. In 2015, it was 3,770, and by April 13 of this year, i.e., before the latest catastrophe, it was 732. This does not include an unknown number of cases that are never mentioned in reports or broadcasts.

The daily death toll in the Mediterranean is an indictment of the capitalist system, which has nothing to offer the vast majority of the worlds people other than worsening social inequality, repression and war. The brutality with which the refugees are turned away, mistreated and driven to their deaths anticipates what will be unleashed against the working class as a whole.

The savage treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, fleeing the destruction of their countries at the hands of American and European imperialism, is inseparably linked to the growth of militarism, nationalism and great power conflict, fuelled by the deepening economic breakdown of world capitalism. Just as in the 1930s, governments are promoting anti-immigrant racism and national chauvinism in an attempt to intimidate and disorient public opinion and overcome broad anti-war sentiment. The noxious poison of xenophobia is an essential part of the ideological and political preparation for a new world war.

A broad front of bourgeois parties, ranging from the conservatives to the Greens and Social Democrats to the supposed lefts, are stirring up hatred against refugees, preparing the ground for far-right and fascist organisations. The Greek government under the Coalition of the Radical Left (Syriza) is playing a special role. The Syriza government is deporting refugees on behalf of the European Union, even though this means trampling on their human rights, violating international legal protections for asylum seekers, and condemning the victims of this policy to imprisonment, torture and death.

The imperialist wars of the last fifteen years are the most important cause of the mass flight of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. Now, the US and its European allies are planning new imperialist wars under the pretext of fighting the causes of flight. The preparations for military intervention in Libya are far advanced, and in Syria too, the Western powers are intensifying their course of action against the Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian allies.

The root cause of the eruption of imperialist militarism is the systemic crisis of world capitalism, which has intensified since the financial crash of 2008. As in the first half of the twentieth century, the ruling elites are responding to the insoluble contradicitions of their system with social attacks on the working class, repression and war.

Under these conditions, support for refugees, the defence of democratic and social rights, opposition to war, and the fight against capitalism are inseparably linked. They require the development of a politically independent, revolutionary movement of the international working class.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire Donald Trump won the Democratic and Republican primaries in New York State Tuesday, cementing their positions as the frontrunners for the presidential nominations of the two big business parties.

Clinton defeated Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders by a margin of 57 percent to 43 percent, rolling up a total of nearly 1.1 million votes compared to some 800,000 for her opponent. Democratic turnout was up about 10 percent compared to the last contested primary, in 2008, when Clinton defeated Barack Obama by nearly the same percentage margin.

In terms of delegates for the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, which were divided proportionally, Clinton won 135 and Sanders 104, increasing Clintons lead among elected delegates by 31. Media tabulations have Clinton with 1,424 elected delegates to 1,149 for Sanders, a margin of 275. When unelected superdelegatesparty officials and officeholders, who overwhelmingly favor Clintonare included, Clintons lead more than doubles to 713, with 1,893 for Clinton compared to 1,180 for Sanders. A total of 2,382 are required to win the Democratic nomination.

Clinton rolled up her majority in New York City and its suburbs, sweeping all five boroughs of the city and the five suburban counties, Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island and Westchester, Rockland and Orange north of the city. Upstate, Clinton won narrowly in Erie County (Buffalo), Monroe County (Rochester) and Onondaga County (Syracuse). Sanders actually won 49 of New Yorks 62 counties, including the rural areas and the smaller manufacturing centers like Schenectady, Utica and Binghamton, as well as the state capital, Albany.

The Sanders campaign complained that Democratic Party rules making New York a closed primarylimited only to registered Democratsexcluded as many as 3 million voters registered as independents. Nearly all of the remaining primaries, with the exception of California, the most populous state, will be conducted under similar rules, increasing Clintons chances of winning most of those contests.

Sanderss victories in 15 primaries and caucuses have been largely due to a big turnout among independent voters, particularly young people. Exit polls suggest that he has won a majority among registered Democrats in only one primary, in his home state of Vermont.

The Sanders campaign outspent Clinton by two-to-one and mobilized large numbers of young people, but Clinton had the unstinting support of Democratic Party officeholders and the bulk of the trade union apparatus in the state.

In the Republican primary, Trump won 60 percent of the vote, while his two remaining opponents, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, divided up the remainder. Kasich won 25 percent of the vote and Cruz 15 percent. The total Republican vote was up more than 20 percent compared to 2008, but still far below the total in the Democratic contest. All three Republicans combined won fewer votes than Hillary Clinton in the heavily Democratic state.

Under Republican Party rules awarding delegates on a winner-take-all basis if a candidate wins 50 percent of the vote in a congressional district or statewide, Trump won at least 90 of the 95 delegates elected Tuesday, with Kasich taking the remainder. Cruz won zero delegates, finishing a poor third in all 27 congressional districts in the state.

Trump now leads the Republican contest with 849 delegates compared to 559 for Cruz, with 1,237 required for the nomination. The New York result does not clinch the nomination for Trump, but it makes it considerably more difficult to prevent him accumulating the needed delegates in the 15 states still to vote.

Kasichs five or so delegates were the first he has won since the March 15 primary in Ohio, his home state. He has only 148 delegates, fewer even than Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who suspended his campaign more than a month ago.

The result of the New York primary is that it appears more likely that the Democratic and Republican parties will nominate as their candidates the most widely despised figures in modern American political history. An opinion poll published last week found that Trump was viewed favorably by only 24 percent, compared to 65 percent disapproving, for a net negative standing of minus 41 percent, the worst figure ever recorded for a presidential frontrunner of a major capitalist party. Clintons numbers were the second worst ever recorded: 32 percent favorable compared to 56 percent unfavorable, for a net negative of minus 24 percent. Ted Cruz was little better, with a net negative rating of minus 23 percent.

These figures reveal not just the unpopularity of these individuals, but the widespread popular hostility to both political parties and the financial aristocracy they represent and serve.

In her victory speech in Manhattan Tuesday night, Clinton sought to identify herself with what she called a progressive tradition from Franklin Roosevelt to Barack Obama, espousing bold progressive goals backed up with real plans.

While listing a litany of unmet social needs, from rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure to education, health care, the environment, systemic racism and pay discrimination against women, she gave no hint as to why the Obama administration has so signally failed to improve conditions of life in any of these areas.

As has become the pattern throughout the campaign, Clinton made no reference to foreign policy or the looming threat of war, the day after the Obama administration approved the latest escalation of US military intervention in Iraq and Syria.

Proclaiming her own campaign to be the only campaign, Democratic or Republican, to win more than 10 million votes, counting all primaries and caucuses so far, she declared that the race is in the home stretch and victory is in sight, the first time she has made such a public claim.

Clinton appealed to Sanders and his supporters, saying that much more unites us than divides us, and made no explicit criticism of her Democratic rival, instead attacking Republicans Trump and Cruz.

Both Trump and Clinton are currently leading in the polls in all five of the states with primaries scheduled for next Tuesday, all on the East Coast: Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Victory in all five would likely secure the Democratic nomination for Clinton, but would not foreclose the possibility of a contested Republican convention.

Sanderss campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, appearing on MSNBC after the dimensions of Clintons victory in New York had become apparent, said that Sanders must win at least three of the five contests on April 26 to have a path to the nomination, indicating Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island as the most likely.

Sanders addressed a rally at State College, Pennsylvania before the polls closed in New York, and then flew home to Vermont without making any public statement other than a congratulatory phone call to Hillary Clinton.

Other results from exit polls of Democratic primary voters showed results quite similar to those in previous primary states, with Sanders winning by large margins among younger voters and running even with Clinton among minority voters under 45, while Clinton won by huge margins among African-American and Hispanic voters, including 77 percent of minority voters aged 45 and over.

On the Republican side, exit polls suggested a deepening split over the candidacy of Trump. A majority of those who voted for either Kasich or Cruz, some 55 percent, said they would not vote for Trump in November if he is the Republican nominee.
US President Barack Obama arrives in Saudi Arabia today for meetings with Saudi King Salaman and the other crowned heads of the Sunni Arab oil monarchies that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council. The trip comes amid rising tensions both within the Middle East and between Washington and the Saudi royal family, over issues ranging from the nuclear deal with Iran to US legislation that would allow American citizens to sue Saudi Arabia over the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

These frictions notwithstanding, the House of Saud, with its medieval mass beheadings and extreme sectarian Wahhabi ideology, has remained a linchpin of US imperialist policy in the Middle East and a bulwark of reaction and repression in the Arab world for seven decades.

The most immediate source of conflict between Washington and Riyadh is the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, a piece of legislation before the US Congress permitting lawsuits against foreign governments responsible for supporting terrorist attacks on American soil.

With bipartisan support, including from both Democratic presidential contenders, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, the legislation is clearly aimed at the Saudi regime. It has been triggered in large measure by renewed attention to the continued censorship of a 28-page chapter from the report of the joint congressional committee on 9/11 that details Saudi support and funding for the September 11 hijackers, 15 of whom were Saudi citizens.

In an interview broadcast by CBS on Tuesday, Obama made clear his intention to veto any such legislation, raising the danger that it could trigger actions against the US itself. If we open up the possibility that individuals in the United States can routinely start suing other governments, then we are also opening up the United States to being continually sued by individuals in other countries. This line of argumentation is unintentionally revealing, given US imperialisms role as the worlds main state sponsor of terrorism.

The Saudi regime has threatened punishing retaliation if the legislation is enacted. The Saudi foreign affairs minister, Adel al-Jubeir, reportedly personally informed the White House that Riyadh would retaliate with the wholesale sell-off of $750 billion in US assets.

Such a nuclear option would not only deal a blow to the US economy, but would drastically reduce the value of Saudi assets themselves, exacerbating an already deepening crisis over the fall of oil prices. Whether the monarchy would really carry out such a reckless action or not, the fact that it threatens to do so is indicative of the tensions in the US-Saudi alliance.

At the heart of the controversy over the 9/11 report is the fact that this alliance has, since the CIA-orchestrated war for regime change in Afghanistan in the 1980s, involved the use of the Saudi regime and prominent Saudi citizens, such as Osama bin Laden, to mobilize Islamist fighters as US proxies. This has continued through the 2011 war in Libya and the ongoing conflict in Syria, which will no doubt be one of the main topics of discussion at the meeting in Riyadh.

US officials recently revealed that Washington is preparing to implement its Plan B in Syria should the cessation of hostilities negotiated at the end of February collapse and the talks between the Syrian government and Western-backed rebels in Geneva break down. It would involve the pouring of new and more deadly weapons into the conflict, in particular, anti-aircraft weapons that could be used to bring down both Syrian government and Russian jets.

The unraveling of both the cease-fire and the talks now appears to be taking place. The Syrian Al Qaeda affiliate and its CIA-vetted allies launched an offensive in Aleppo province earlier this month, prompting a government counteroffensive.

The Saudi- and US-backed High Negotiations Committee representing the Islamist militias fighting the Syrian government announced Monday that it was suspending its participation in the UN-brokered talks, while the rebels chief negotiator, Mohammed Alloush, the leader of Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam), a rabidly sectarian militia fighting to impose an Islamic state in Syria, wrote on Twitter urging a new offensive. Strike them at their necks. Strike them everywhere, he said, quoting a passage from the Quran.

The Saudis have long urged the provision of more weaponry, including man pads, i.e., portable surface-to-air missiles capable of bringing down both military jets and passenger planes.

Other tensions have arisen in relation to an interview with Obama published in the April issue of the Atlantic magazine in which the US president described the Saudis as free riders who depended on the US for their defense while seeking to pull it into conflicts that did not serve Washingtons interests.

That the monarchy would take offense is entirely understandable. Far from riding free, Riyadh has paid some $95 billion in cash for US weapons systems under the Obama administration and negotiated deals worth over $100 billion more, making it by far the biggest customer of the US military-industrial complex.

A significant amount of new spending has gone into replacing bombs and missiles fired at civilian targets in Yemen, where over a year of a Saudi war has killed thousands and left half the population on the brink of starvation. The Pentagon has provided both intelligence and logistical support for this bloodbath.

Another not incidental consequence of the war has been the dramatic strengthening of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which has established a mini-state around the southeastern port city of Mukalla and amassed unprecedented financial resources and arms stockpiles.

As in its intervention in Syria, Saudi Arabia has waged the war in Yemen in the name of countering Iranian influence, though there is no evidence of major Iranian support for, much less control over, the Houthi rebels.

Among the statements made by Obama in the Atlantic interview that grated the most with the Saudi monarchy was his proposal that it find an effective way to share the neighborhood and institute some sort of cold peace with Iran. Riyadh bitterly opposed the nuclear deal with Tehran, fearing it could signal a rapprochement between Iran and the US that would diminish its own role as US imperialisms principal regional ally.

Despite the nuclear accord, Washington remains determined, including by military means, to prevent Iran from challenging its hegemony in the Middle East.

Growing strains within Saudi society itself resulting from falling oil prices and consequent reductions in spending that threaten to provoke social discontent are the backdrop to these geopolitical tensions. The stability of US imperialisms key Arab ally is being called increasingly into question.
Representatives of the worlds leading steel producing nations have failed to agree on any measures to tackle the crisis in the industry.

A meeting Monday in Brussels was billed as a High-Level Symposium on Excess Capacity and Structural Adjustment in the Steel Sector, organised by the Belgian government and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Instead of resolving tensions, it marked a further stepping up of an ongoing trade war.

Ministers and other high-level government officials in charge of steel-related industrial and trade policies from 34 countries attended, including the United States, China and India, which collectively produce 93 percent of global steel output. Alongside these were representatives from the European Union (EU), World Trade Organisation, the World Steel Association, and delegates from various private sector steel corporations.

The meeting was called in response to the massive global overcapacity in steel production. The OECD noted that global steelmaking capacity was 2.37 billion tonnes in 2015, but declining production meant only 67.5 percent of that was being useddown from 70.9 percent in 2014. New plants were set to add another 47 million metric tonnes by 2018.

China, which has gone from producing a few percent of the worlds steel a few decades ago, produced half of all steel worldwide in 2015. It now 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 some of its surplus has led to a collapse in steel prices of up to 40 percent. In March, China announced that 500,000 jobs would go in its steel industry, with capacity to be drastically reduced.

According to World Steel Association chairman Wolfgang Eder, The problem in Europe is that there is too much capacity and the industry would probably have to be reduced by half in the next 15 years to survive. Given that 330,000 workers are employed at more than 500 sites throughout Europe, the scale of job losses entailed would be staggering.

The overarching focus of the Brussels meeting was on promoting structural adjustment in the steel industry and reducing excess capacity by removing distortionary government policies and through industry restructuring. It aimed to agree on steps to reduce competition-distorting policies.

Behind such phrases, the real agenda of the meeting was for the major imperialist powers to confront China, not an OECD member, with threats of escalating sanctions.

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Kris Peeter, who chaired the meeting, acknowledged that very frank discussions took place. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said, Its now life or death for many companies as the massive surge in steel imports from China is hitting Europe very hard and the price of steel in Europe has dropped by 40 percent in the last years. Singling out China again, she said a crucial problem here is of course the involvement of states and support, and not market needs, and this has created incentives to overproduce.

Malmstrom warned that the EU has begun to impose a series of tariffs against China and was now examining a few other Chinese issues as well and we might bring them further later this year.

Following the meeting, US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Trade Representative Michael Froman released a belligerent statement, warning: Unless China starts to take timely and concrete actions to reduce its excess production and capacity in industries including steel ... the fundamental structural problems in the industry will remain and affected governmentsincluding the United Stateswill have no alternatives other than trade action to avoid harm to their domestic industries and workers.

Li Xinchuang, the vice secretary general of the China Iron and Steel Association, was belligerent in his response, stating, It is a totally pointless complaint from the US and its biased against China.

Speaking to Reuters, Li said, Chinas steel industry is market-based and Chinese steel products have good quality, low price and good service. The complaint on government subsidies is also crap.

Xinhua, Chinas official state news agency, declared that assigning blame to the Chinese steel industry was a lame and lazy excuse for protectionism.  Blaming other countries is always an easy, sure-fire way for politicians to whip up a storm over domestic economic woes, but finger-pointing and protectionism are counterproductive.

China's assistant commerce minister, Zhang Ji, told reporters that China had cut 90 million tonnes of capacity and would reduce it by a further 100-150 million tonnes. Asked what steps the government would take following the unsuccessful talks, Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang told reporters Tuesday, China has already done more than enough. What more do you want us to do?

Even though any decisions reached at the meeting were to be nonbinding, nothing whatsoever could be agreed other than a follow-up high-level discussion in September 2016.

For decades, the trade unions in every country have played a central role in dividing steel workers and sabotaging all struggles, as they facilitated the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs and attacks on wages, terms and conditions, and pension rights. Today they openly act as the nationalist cheerleaders for corporations and are the staunchest advocates of protectionism and trade war measures.

On February 15, Brussels witnessed the repulsive spectacle of steel unions and employers associations from 17 European countries holding a joint demonstration at the EU Commission to demand further trade war measures against China. Given their record it was fitting that trade union representatives were invited to speak at Mondays meeting. The union reps were asked to present reports in a session of the summit dealing with structural adjustment challenges in the steel sector. Their expertise was called on in a session aimed at Drawing on the experiences that economies have had in restructuring their steel industries in the past  and how these lessons could be applied to develop effective strategies for addressing the current crisis in the steel industry.

The official report of the meeting said the trade union speakers noted the importance of ensuring that all countries play by the same trade and social rules.

The pro-capitalist unions will stop at nothing in defending the corporations.

The same day as the Brussels summit, the United Steel Workers union (USW) filed a case with US regulators to demand four years of increased tariffs on a flood of foreign [aluminium] imports. The USW said, The majority of the aluminium currently flooding into the US market comes from Canada, the Middle East, Russia and Venezuela. USW International President Leo W. Gerard said, Aluminium is vital to our national and economic security, and this case will help us retain and begin to rebuild domestic production of primary unwrought aluminium.

Aluminium, he continued, is a vital product for our aircraft and weapon systems. Its used in construction, manufacturing and in electrical transmission.

China had to be confronted, insisted the USW, as the significant imbalance between supply and demand in primary unwrought aluminium was principally caused by massive capacity additions in China that exceed growth in demand.

Lining up with the Obama administrations war drive against China, the statement warned, Aluminium, steel, paper and many other USW-represented sectors have been the targets of unfair trade.  This vital case draws a line in the sand. We will not cede primary unwrought aluminium production.

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Combo of HTC 10 & Android N to Make Best Nexus Flagship Phone Ever (Photo : Image Credit: Reddit/Daman09)

Two things seem constant in the topic touching on Google Nexus 2016 release date plans. To be sure, Android N, scheduled for unveiling via the I/O event in May 18, is part of the deal while the manufacturing partner boils down to two players - either Huawei or HTC or both. Yet with the recent unpacking of the HTC 10, the vote somehow gravitates to the Taiwan-based device maker.



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And so impressed was Redditor Daman09 with what the HTC 10 has unpacked, he took the initiative of designing a concept of the next Nexus that is modeled, of course, after the latest flagship effort from HTC. The result is nothing short of awesome.



As noted by BGR, the phone render from Daman09 could prove as "the best Nexus phone of all time," if only Google would pick up the ideas put together by the concept designer. A close look will show that the render highlights the best parts about the HTC 10 - solid build and top-notch design that Google would be wise to borrow for its upcoming hero phone.



While evidently HTC 10-inspired, the new Nexus concept stay true with the design philosophy that Google has presented with the Nexus 5X and 6P last year, specifically on the rear panel. There, the signature rear camera is seated on the center of the device and right below it is the fingerprint reader.



The solid back plate also hosts the familiar vertical Nexus label with the HTC brand just above the bottom antenna band. And to make it HTC, Daman09 included the prominent-looking chamfered edge that encircles the device.



On front, it's nearly all-screen as the left and right panel margins are hardly noticeable while the top and bottom portions are broken by the front-blasting stereo speakers.



But that only is the hardware side of the next Nexus. Breathing the device into life is Android N that according to 9to5Google will introduce virtual reality. Also packed with the Android Marshmallow sequel is a Camera app with the ability to capture images while recording clips, and in version 3.2 will have a refreshed interface.



Phandroid reported too that the next Android will have its own 3D Touch version but Google has yet to label the feature pending the rollout of the final cut. Just to show how cool the feature is, the blog report shared a video of the Android N add-on in action (check below).



Now everything about the next Nexus and Android N is up for revelation come May 18 as this year's Google I/O gathering is believed to be immediately followed by the Nexus 2016 release date.






LIVE OAK, FL (WTXL) -- Another correctional officer has been arrested, this time from the Suwannee Correctional Institution.

Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Michael Dale Lindblade, 28, on charges of official misconduct, unlawful compensation and removal of contraband.

Agents began investigating Lindblade earlier this month. According to FDLE, Lindblade was purchasing cigarettes, K2, and cell phones and selling them to inmates.

Lindblade was booked into the Suwannee County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
MADISON, Fla. (WTXL)- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says investigators are following dozens of leads, hoping to track down the man who snatched a 7-year-old from his yard in Madison, Fl. on Saturday.

FDLE says Forensic evidence has been collected from Bryan Williamson's home, after he was abducted while playing in his yard.

Investigators are hoping to provide more details about the man who took him. They say the man was possibly driving a dark colored 4-door sedan.

Williamson was found safe Sunday, after he was dropped off at an abandoned fire station near Jacksonville.

Investigators say he crossed the street and asked someone in a nearby home to call his mother.
Apple says the government fails to prove that its request to open a meth dealer's iPhone is needed

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple special event at Apple headquarters on March 21, 2016 in Cupertino, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)

Apple denied last week the renewed demand of the Department of Justice to help investigators access a drug dealer's iPhone, arguing that its help is not a necessity as the government has not proven it. The iPhone maker claimed the government failed to prove its assistance is necessary to crack security.



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"The government has made no showing that it has exhausted alternative means for extracting data from the iPhone at issue here, either by making a serious attempt to obtain the passcode from the individual defendant who set it in the first place ... or by consulting other government agencies and third parties known to the government," a brief filed by Apple lawyers with a federal court in New York on April 15, Friday, stated.



Magistrate Judge James Orenstein issued a ruling in February, rejecting DOJ's command that Apple help unlock an iPhone that runs iOS 7. The government made an appeal of Orenstein's ruling and Apple's brief above was a response to that appeal, MacRumors reported.



The case is about an iPhone used by a dealer of methamphetamine who pleaded guilty to charges in 2015. DOJ pressed Apple for help, citing a court order that required it to help officials crack the security of the device. Apple contested the court order in October.



This year, the Cupertino tech titan again hesitated a court order to design an iOS mobile operating system to unlock a different Apple smartphone. Such phone had been used by the suspect in the December San Bernardino shooting in California, Syed Rizwan Farook. Farook's wife, Tafsheen Malik, was also a suspect in the shooting which killed 14.



The case over crafting a new iOS was dismissed after FBI announced that a third party can help them access Farook's phone without the help from Apple. The latter likewise mentioned it in its brief, and its lawyers said the government should offer evidence that it has made all the efforts to acquire the data it needs before asking Apple's assistance. The government failed to show such, hence, the application is denied. Like before, Apple objected that authorities are casting a precedent to future demands from the company.



While DOJ dismissed Apple's concerns, calling them a marketing stuff and arguing they risk lives by allowing the law enforcement to be blind, Orenstein said the All Writs Act, cannot be used to order a tech firm to manipulate its products, The Guardian reported. The All Writs Act is a federal law that judges use to request phone companies to help them operate and install call tracking devices. Such law does not work when there is an alternate solution.



Here is a news clip about Apple's user privacy battle with DOJ:






A number of activists are currently facing trial in other cases for receiving 'illegal foreign funding'

An Egyptian administrative court ruled on Tuesday that non-governmental organisations have the right to receive foreign funding, a verdict which could be important in other ongoing cases where activists are being prosecuted for receiving "illegal" foreign funds.

The verdict stipulated that foreign funding is permitted as long as the Ministry of Social Solidarity doesnt deem the NGO a harm to general peace and security" or to have "negatively affected public morality.

The court case was filed by Amal Abdel-Hady, chairwoman of the New Woman Foundation, against the ministry, after the ministry refused to allow the NGO to receive funding from the Rockefeller Foundation.

The courts verdict also said the ministry must respond to the NGO's request for the funds to be permitted as soon as possible, or else the ministry would be breaking the law.

In its reasoning, the court said that the ministry's power over NGOs is not a controlling power but more of an assessing power.

The reasoning also stated that the role of NGOs complements that of the state, and does not contradict it.

A number of Egyptian NGOs are currently being investigated for illegal foreign funding, among them Nazra for Feminist Studies, a rights group focused on women's issues.

Also being investigated in the case are Hossam Bahgat, an investigative journalist and founder in 2004 of the Egyptian Initiative for Personnel Rights (EIPR), and Gamal Eid, a lawyer and founder, also in 2004, of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI). A gag order was imposed on media in the case.

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Rami Younis, an Israeli-Arab activist, blogger, and screenwriter, can barely contain his enthusiasm when speaking of the local hip hop scene, not only because while hip hop has long been in decline in its native land, becoming almost passe, in the Levant it is booming.

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Booming in the right way. As in blossoming.

Its the most developed scene here and the biggest scene. In Palestinian Territories, its not in a renaissance, its never been dying. Its a growing scene. Here, protest art of all types will not die as long as there is discrimination and oppression and as long as the occupation exists, he said, speaking with The Media Line.

Palestinian hip hop group, Photo: DAM Facebook page

The granddaddy of Arabic-language hip hop in this region is DAM, a group formed by the brothers Tamer and Suhell Nafar and their friend Mahmoud Jreri, which burst onto the music scene in the mixed Jewish-Muslim Israeli city of Lod in 1999.

DAM, a full-fledged hybrid which raps in Arabic, Hebrew and English, has released over 100 singles and two albums. While their music is considered a vehicle of protest, their message is sophisticated and free and lacksabsolutelythe misogyny and ferocity of classic American hip hop. Their songs are as much about the Israeli military presence in the West Bank and anti-Arab racism as they are about the oppression of women in Arab society, and the financial corruption that crushes people wherever they may be.

They are all grown up now. Tamer Nafar is in New York putting the finishing touches on the soundtrack for a feature movie on Palestinian hip hop, due to be released next February. He says he hopes it will be their boldest step so far towards gaining a wider Western audience.

Mahmood Jreri is releasing his first solo album, The Rhythm of the Tribe, in two weeks. It is an Arabic-only production.

When we started DAM in 1999, I did a bit in Hebrew and Tamer also did some in English, but basically since 2006 Ive been singing only in Arabic, Jreri explained to The Media Line. This is for many reasons. My Arabic is stronger and I can express myself better in it, but also, in Hebrew I didnt feel that there is a Hebrew-language public who wants to hear what we say. They always put us on the news, but we are always presented in a political rather than in a musical framework, so I just do ArabicI feel there is more demand for hip hop in Arabic.

Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Jenin, Jordan and Egypt and even in the United States, everyone who speaks Arabic who comes from the Levant is a potential audience for us.

Both Nafar and Jreri express deep frustration with the media, local and international, that appears to be more interested in the politics surrounding DAM and the unique and successful niche inhabited by the local hip hop scene than in the music itself.

There is no Palestinian gangsta rap, Younis says. This is true also for the music coming out of Ramallah and Gaza. Yes, we talk about the occupation and in a way everything we do will be political because its a reflection of our daily lives, but for us art is a sort of escapism, so we do not feel the need to go on about violence.

Younis points out a distinguishing feature, that women-hating texts do not feature in Palestinian-Israeli rap. Who are the people here doing rap? he asks. They are all secular and progressive, opposed to the oppression of women which is a feature of our Arabic society.

But, he adds, even if you dont want to sing about bitches and hoes, there are very clear lines between us and the African-American experience.

Younis, Jreri and the Nafar brothers are from Lod, a gritty town in the vicinity of Tel Aviv. Sameh Zakout, aka SAZ, another rapper on the burgeoning Arab-Israeli scene who was highlighted in last weeks Forbes Under 30 Forum in Jerusalem - the first held outside of the United States - comes from a similar mixed urban environment. His hometown of Ramle is located just 2.5 miles from Lod.

SAZ also highlighted the West Bank and Gaza as hip hop meccas. Tupac and Biggie are famous in Palestine, he told a cosmopolitan, international audience at the Israel Museum where the Forbes Under 30 Forum was being held. Half the people dont understand English, but they understand the energy and vibes.

In what may appear a paradoxical stance, SAZ is a pro-peace hip hop musical activist, promoting dialogue and peace alongside the American artist Matisyahu, a Jew, and the Israeli hip hop sensation Shaanan Street. Were not brothers, he said in a cheerful aside to The Media Line, But were from the same mother.

On one of the Forums panels, SAZ recalled having been caught up in numerous altercations with Israeli police as a youth.

When I heard (American hip hop group) NWA say F*ck the police, I said, Thats me, he explained. I felt more in common with African Americans than Israelis who live two blocks away from me  for me, hip hop takes this rage and puts a positive spin on it. It changes my life.

Article written by Noga Tarnopolsky.
The Military Advocate General has decided to accept an appeal from the family of Avraham Hasano, who was run over outside Hebron in October, and indict the Palestinian driver who killed him with murder, after initially indicting him with manslaughter.

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In certain cases, families of victims have the right to appeal this kind of decision and request a secondary examination of the evidence material.

"After an additional thorough examination of the evidence and legal rulings, the Military Advocate General decided to accept the appeal and rectify the indictment, so Sahban Titi will be charged with murder," a statement by the Military Advocate General said.

Avraham Hasano (Photo: Kiryat Arba Spokesperson's Office)

Avraham Hasano was run over at al-Fawar junction in the southern Mt. Hebron area. Hasano was on his way to Kiryat Arba when several Palestinians began to throw stones at his car. He stopped the car and got out, and was hit by a truck.

The Palestinian driver, Sahban Titi, drove off, but later turned himself in to the Palestinian security forces, and was subsequently released. He was then detained by Israel and taken for further investigation.

Titi initially claimed he hit Hasano by accident, but the Hasano family was later recognized by the Defense Ministry as "terror victims."





The attack in which Hasano was killed (Photo: AP)

"Avraham's belief and the belief that we continue to have is to fight for justice until the very end," Avraham's widow Ruth said. "We believe that God is just and that the truth will come to light. This is how it's been since the attack, when we thought at first that this wasn't nationalistically motivated. We thank God that he enabled the IDF representatives to see the truth."
Tel Aviv sanitation workers declared a strike on Tuesday due to a labor dispute, and are refusing to collect garbage, just before the Passover holiday and Israelis are busy spring-cleaning.

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Tel Avivians are already beginning to notice the garbage piling as the stench takes over the streets. The areas primarily affected are in the center of the city, where many businesses operate. In the northern neighborhoods of the city, however, residents are reporting that the municipality workers are still collecting garbage, pointing to only a partial strike. It must be noted that if the dispute isn't resolved in two weeks - by May 1 - a full-blown strike will be launched.

"I didn't know there's a strike," said Ilana, who lives on Frug street in Tel Aviv. "I wanted to call the municipality because my street was still full of garbage and because someone had pruned branches and left all of the clippings on the sidewalk and in the driveway, and blocked people from passing."

She added that "when I see these garbage piles it really angers me. I'm not surprised that something like this happened right before the holiday. We alone are to blame as we don't do anything, we elect the same people and are left with the same thing. I don't think that they'll take the garbage, its something which won't be decided until the last minute.

Garabage piles up on Allenby Street (Photo: Moti Kimchi)

Avi from "Flowers on Allenby" has lived in Tel Aviv for 60 years. "They put the garbage in the city before the holiday, when we pay a lot in taxes. If this continues, it will create a huge stench," he complained. "I tried to turn to the municipality with the problem, but there are major slowdowns in service. The garbage is being felt on the street. All of the neighbors are complaining and are throwing their trash in front of the store."

Uriel Shlomi who works at a bakery chain called Ma'afiyat HaTabun across the street from the flower shop clarified that "we don't care about these internal conflicts. Right before the holiday they're making this huge mess. People are going to suffer because there will be a lot more rats. They are doing this right before the holiday, and we're beginning to feel the effects and smell the stench."

Pnina Shem Tov, who works at Habima Theater stated that "in a modern country it doesn't have to be like this  especially before the holiday. I took out a lot of garbage today and I felt bad and gross."

"If there are problems with the worker, they need to fix it with them," she continued. "We shouldn't suffer because we pay our taxes like we're supposed to. It's not healthy and it's uncivilized."

Full garbage cans on Shenkin Street (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Asaf, who lives on HaChashmal street said that "two days ago our neighbors from the building across from us took out all of the contents of their apartment and threw it all over the street. Homeless people and others immediately began to forage and spread everything all over the street. I called the municipality before they announced that they aren't collecting garbage, but they still haven't come. As a result, four parking spaces are full of furniture and garbage that no one is coming to collect. It's a serious hassle.

In a letter sent to the workers, Menachem Leiba, Tel Aviv Municipality Director General, blames the chairman of the Workers' Union Rami Ben Gal for the current situation.

Garbage piles on Allenby Street (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

"In the last several days, a very serious issue has arisen. The Chairman of the Workers' Union is working through illegitimate means and is hurting everything we've built with his unbridled frenzy and his threats to executives and employees."

"And the worst thing," the letter continued, "the thing that causes me the most heartache and embarrassment, is his "tour of intimidation," which the chairman is doing with 10 others in the Kindergartens Department. It's all being done in order to terrify the workers. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. All of this, and for what? Because the Chairman wants to have the exclusive ability to appoint a new director.

The Histadrut Labor Union responded, saying, "We regret the conduct of the municipality, which consciously decided to undermine the system of great relations which it had. The Labor Union in Tel Aviv has been a great example of transparent and honest work for many years. This work conflict was declared legally and lawfully, with the knowledge and authorization of the Chairman of the Histadrut."
Investigations indicate that the victim refused to serve a group of policemen tea for free

Egypts general prosecution ordered on Wednesday the detention of a policeman for four days pending investigations into the Tuesday murder of a street vendor.

According to investigations conducted by the prosecution, three low-ranking policemen  one who shot dead the street vendor, who has been arrested, and his two peers, who are still at large  were regular customers of the man, who sold refreshments near the upper middle class residential compound of Rehab on the outskirts of Cairo, and did not normally pay for their tea.

Investigations indicate that the victim refused to serve the policemen for free, causing a verbal dispute that led to one of the policemen  identified as El-Sayed Zeinhom Abdel-Razek  firing shots in the air.

According to the prosecution, the victim suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest.

The prosecution added that when friends of the victim attempted to take the policemans weapon, another shot was fired, injuring another man.

In February, another low-ranking policeman killed a driver in the working-class Cairo district of El-Darb El-Ahmar following a dispute over a fare. The policeman is currently being prosecuted for murder.

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Iran faces a struggle to increase oil exports because many of its tankers are tied up storing crude, some are not seaworthy, and foreign shipowners remain reluctant to carry its cargoes.

Tehran is seeking to make up for lost trade to Europe following the lifting of EU sanctions imposed in 2011 and 2012, which deprived it of a market that accounted for over a third of its exports and left it relying completely on Asian buyers.
Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton scored sweeping victories in nominating contests in their home state of New York, and immediately cited them in arguing they are all but unstoppable as their respective parties' presidential nominees.

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Trump's crushing defeat of Ted Cruz in Tuesday's primary election tilted the energy in the Republican race back to the front-runner, just as Republican National Committee members begin meeting in Florida on Wednesday to discuss their July convention, where the nominee will be chosen.

For the Democratic favorite, Clinton's more narrow victory over Bernie Sanders snapped a string of victories by the 74-year-old democratic socialist and gave her a much-needed lift with more tough fights ahead.

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump (Photo: AP)

The eventual victors of the Democratic and the Republican nominating campaigns will face each other in November's general election.

Trump's win, celebrated to the tune of Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" at Trump Tower in Manhattan, marked a rebound from his Wisconsin defeat two weeks ago. It set him up for another big night on April 26, when Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Maryland will hold primaries.

With a campaign staff reboot and a more focused performance, Trump has sought to improve in recent weeks as a candidate. The tone of his victory speech was in keeping with a more measured style the often-brash billionaire has adopted.

"We don't have much of a race anymore based on what Im seeing on television," Trump said as television networks projected a large margin of victory for him. "Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated."

Trump, 69, predicted some "amazing weeks" ahead for his campaign.

Still, he has a long way to go to seal the nomination and begin trying to heal the wounds in his bitterly divided party. Some fence-mending may happen when he sends campaign advisers to the RNC meeting starting in Hollywood, Florida, on Wednesday.

Trump's haul of most of New York's 95 delegates moved him closer to the 1,237 needed to win the nomination outright. Anything short of that will lead to a contested convention when Republicans hold their national conclave July 18-21 in Cleveland.

"There's only two issues left for Republicans: Will Trump get 50 percent of the delegates prior to Cleveland, and if not, how close will he be? New York gives him a nice boost, but it will take weeks before we know the answer," said Ari Fleischer, who was White House press secretary under President George W. Bush.

Cruz, a 45-year-old U.S. senator from Texas, came in third in New York and gave his primary night speech in Philadelphia, where he was already focused on running in Pennsylvania. He called on Republicans to unite around his candidacy.

Ohio Governor John Kasich, 63, a long-shot candidate, is seeking to use his second-place showing in New York as proof he is emerging as Trump's central challenger in the states that come up next on the calendar.

NO KNOCKOUT PUNCH FOR CLINTON

Clinton, a former U.S. senator from New York, former secretary of state and former first lady, got nowhere near the knockout punch she needed to finally put Sanders away.

Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton (Photo: Reuters)

But the broad smile on her face as she gave her victory speech spoke volumes about how important New York was to her bid to become the first female U.S. president.

"Today you proved once again there's no place like home," Clinton said. "This one was personal."

The race for the Democratic nomination, she said, is now in "the home stretch, and victory is in sight."

Clinton, 68, was to campaign in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Sanders flew home to Vermont to take a day off the campaign trail.

Clinton's win made it nearly impossible for Sanders to overtake her commanding lead in the number of delegates needed to win the nomination.

Dilawar Syed, a tech entrepreneur who is also the co-founder and vice chairman of the AAPI Victory Fund, a Super PAC focused on mobilizing Asian-American voters, said it looked like Clinton has the nomination.

Clearly Senator Sanders has a lot of supporters and enthusiasm there. He also has raised a lot of good resources," Syed said. "I think the primary will go on for some time. But just looking at the numbers, we know where this is going."

Nationally, the race for the nominations has tightened recently for both parties, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday.

Clinton and Sanders are tied among Democrats, with each drawing about 47 percent support in the national poll. At the beginning of the year, Clinton led Sanders by nearly a 2-to-1 margin; Sanders has closed that gap over the past few months.

Among Republicans, Trump leads with 44 percent support, compared with 33 percent for Cruz and 16 percent for Kasich.

The April 15-19 poll surveyed 719 Democrats and 593 Republicans. It has a credibility interval of 4.7 percentage points.
Two Israeli soldiers were wounded early Wednesday morning, when in the course of demolishing the home of Hussein Abu Ghosh, one of the terrorists responsible for killing Shlomit Krigman in January . While the demolition was in progress, a violent protest began.

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The remains of the terrorist's home in Qalandiya.

Protesters threw stones, Molotov cocktails, cinderblocks, and even an improvised explosive towards the Israeli forces. Two soldiers were lightly wounded, and were evacuated to a Jerusalem hospital. The forces responded with riot dispersal means, controlling the scene until the demolition was completed.

This is not the only recent incident in which IDF and Border Police forces have encountered violent protests during a home demolition. Earlier in April, the demolition of the Qabatiya homes of the two terrorists who killed Border Policewoman Hadar Cohen in February . A violent demonstration developed, with the Israeli forces using riot dispersal means to keep things under control then as well.
Al-Quds University (AQU) in Abu Dis, where some members of the next generation of Palestinian doctors and academics are studying, has become a terrorism nest during the latest wave of violence. Mohand Halabi, who killed Nahmia Lavi and Aaron Bennett in the current terror wave's first stabbing attack, was a law student at the university.

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Halabi has since become one of the current escalation's main symbols in the eyes of Palestinians. The first few months of the terror wave saw massive violent protests in AQU. Students attempted to break down the university-adjacent border fence and confronted Israeli Border Police on a nearly daily basis.

One of the protests at Al-Quds University.

Some of them have also been actively involved in terrorism. Several AQU students established an explosive lab in Abu Dis, intending to perpetrate suicide attacks as well as non-suicide bombings. The Shin Bet, along with the IDF and the Israel Police, has exposed the existence of a large Hamas terrorist presence in the town.

some of the materials used in the expolosives lab.

The student terrorist cell was exposed when Givati Brigade soldiers discovered an explosives lab in Abu Dis, as well as a store in Ramallah that was supplying it with chemicals. Duvdevan (an IDF special operation unit that operates undercover among the Palestinian population) and Yamam (Israel Police SWAT unit) forces later raided the homes of the cell's members and took them in for questioning. Their commander, Ahmed Gamal Moussa Azzam, had been communicating with his superiors in Gaza, from whom he also received training and instruction in the preparation of explosives.

The Al-Quds University said in response, "We vehemently deny and condemn this libel and incitement and strongly deny any involvement in violence of any kind. To this end we invite the authors of the piece Elior Levy and Roi Yanovsky and any other Israeli journalists to come visit our campus and engage in some honest journalistic reporting. We are a university and are only involved in educating students.

"The article itself is a 'red herring' that falsely concludes Al Quds Universitys involvement in affairs that have nothing in fact to do with the university. The laboratory mentioned in the article was not located in the university. Similarly, if one of Al Quds Universitys 13,000 students is diagnosed with schizophrenia, one cannot conclude that we are training students to be schizophrenics."
Isaac Herzog, Zionist Union chairman and opposition leader, caused a political storm Tuesday night after he told party members in Ashkelon that the general public views the Labor party as Arab lovers.

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Almost immediately after Herzogs statements, a torrent of criticisms were voiced by a number of his own party members, forcing him to clarify his remarks.

The comment was made in relation to the changing voting patterns in Israel and Herzogs observation that the Israeli public has shifted further to the right: We give off an impression and this is interpreted, when we meet the public, that we are Arab lovers, Herzog said.

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Photo: AFP)

Shortly after Herzogs statements were publicized, MK Shelly Yachimovich (Labor) tweeted a cynically: Is the response of the head of the opposition appropriate for an extreme right protest?, Yachimovich asked.

Furthermore, chairwoman of the left-wing social-democratic Meretz party, Zahava Galon, also joined the criticisms yesterday, saying that the first victim of this kind of doctrine is Zouheir Bahloul, an Arab MK also hailing from The Zionist Union camp.

Indeed, in a reference to PM Benjamin Netannyahu's controversial comments during the last elections in which he said that the Arabs are " going to the polls in droves ," Bahloul himself also expressed his own disapproval, stating that it would appear that Herzog, inspired by the Arabs flock to the polls statement, is also preparing his own juicy campaign.

He added that to renounce 20% of the population in such a scathing way, to masquerade as a soft right which winks to the frenzied crowds in the city squares and to feel pressured by every poll that comes out, is not the way to form an alternative government.

Bahloul went on to conclude that this is another incomprehensible moral descent of the culture of Yitzhak Rabins party. I condemn Herzogs comments and demand an apology in the name of all Israeli Arabs in Israel.

The debacle prompted Herzogs closest associates to responded claiming that his comment was misunderstood and that he was referring to the Palestinians.

Zionist Union MK Eitan Cabel, one of Herzogs inner circle, came to his defense last night: The chairman of the Zionist Union camp is correct that a significant number of Israelis claim that we support the stance of the Palestinians even more that we support the concerns and interests of Israelis. I share his opinion that it is important for us to strive to change this, Cabel declared.

In an effort to set the record straight, Herzog said that he was indeed referring to the Palestinians and that the Labor party were obliged to transform its public image among Israelis. We are not frightened to deal with problems that we discover when it comes to relations between the public and the Labor party and the Zionist Union camp. One of the problems is the misguided and dangerous notion that people are trying to associate with us that we consider the needs of the Palestinians before those of the State of Israel and its citizens, he said.
With a thick black marker pen in hand, Palestinian graffiti artist Belal Khaled carefully draws an intricate Arabic calligraphic design on a silver Skoda.

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The art work decorates the sides of the car, running along the windows and down its doors, the latest in the 24-year-old's mission to turn everyday objects into things of beauty. From cars, handbags, street walls as well as human bodies, Khaled is leaving his prints almost everywhere in the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Islamist Hamas movement and under blockade by neighboring Egypt and Israel.

Gaza, Photo: Roi Idan

"Some of the works you don't necessarily need to understand (what they mean), such as a specific sentence," he told Reuters. "But it carries and adds a certain beauty to the letters."

In his eclectic choice of objects and backgrounds, his calligraphic graffiti is brightening up the densely populated, impoverished Palestinian enclave of 1.95 million people. He also takes photos of both daily life and vestiges of the long conflict with Israel, with which Hamas fought a war in 2014 that shattered much of coastal Gaza. But he says his work is not meant to convey any political message, or to make money.

"It is not commercial for me, it is art. I want to spread art everywhere I can get to. Soon I will introduce it to the work of fashion and design of dresses," Khaled told Reuters.

Khaled, who also works as a photographer and sculptor, began creating his art pieces about a decade ago before turning his drawings to objects as well as human bodies.

"Arabic script is strong and I wanted to connect it to physical strength. I drew on chests and backs of body-builders," he said.

"Some people saw what I drew on body builders' skin as tattoos and having a tattoo is forbidden in Islam. This is not a tattoo, it is temporary writing and can be washed away."

Khaled's work is proving especially popular with retailers, namely those selling women's accessories such as handbags. He is now looking to branch out by decorating women's clothes.

"Many of the customers liked the bags and they constantly request it," he said. "They liked this work so this opened up other opportunities for me to expand on the products I work on."
Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid sent a letter sharply criticizing UNESCO's decision to completely disregard the Temple Mount's religious and historic significance for Jews on Saturday. Irina Bokova, current head of UNESCO and in the running to be the next UN secretary general, sent a letter to Lapid in response on Wednesday in which she distanced herself from the resolution.

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UNESCO claimed that "Israel attacks the Temple Mount" and completely ignored the fact that the area is sacred to Jews in addition to Muslims. The decision also claims that Israel is "planting fake graves in Muslim cemeteries" in item 14 under the section titled 'Al-Aqsa Mosqe/Al-Haram Al-Sharif.'

Foreign Ministry Director General Dore Gold sent a harsh letter in protest to all the countries who voted in favor of he UNESCO decision regarding Jerusalem. He spoke about the attempt to erase the Jewish connection to Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish people, and the connections to Jewish holy sites.

"While the UNESCO decision has no practical effect, we will not allow international bodies to blur the connection between the Jewish nation and its eternal capital.".

Bokova said in her letter that the decision to thus define the Temple Mount was a political decision and that Bokova herself was opposed to it.

"This decision was made by the economic council and the management council of UNESCO which are both management bodies, and was not made by me," she wrote.

Temple Mount (Photo: Reuters)

The letter continues, "I published a statement immediately after the council meeting ended where I said, 'Jerusalem is a Holy Land of the three monotheistic religions, a place of dialogue for all Jewish, Christian and Muslim people, nothing should be undertaken to alter its integrity and authenticity. It is a mosaic of cultures and peoples, whose history has shaped the history of all humanity. Only respect and dialogue can build the trust we need to move forward  this is the strength of UNESCO, for the benefit of all.'"

Bokova's letter then went on to state, "I've said several times in the past that it should be forbidden to politicize UNESCO. As the director general, I took a clear stance regarding circumstances which might have inflamed already heated issues in the Middle East, the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls, which are both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites."

According to Bokova, the organization promotes interests which are important to Israel.

"Perhaps you remember the special event UNESCO had in cooperation with the Wiesenthal Center called 'People, Book, Land,' an event which presented the 3,500 year connection of the Jewish Nation with the holy land, and which was held in the Knesset on November 30, 2015. I am determined to work towards the goal of strengthening and building trust between us based on respect and mutual understanding, which are two driving principals of UNESCO," the letter said.

The letter concluded by saying, "In closing, I want to promise you that my efforts to combat anti-Semitism and violence will continue."
JERUSALEM - Israel provides Jordan and Egypt with intelligence assistance in their fight against Islamic State, a senior Israeli military officer said on Wednesday, describing the US backed Arab neighbours as stable despite the insurgent threat.

Egypt made peace with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan in 1994. They are the only Arab countries to have treaties with Israel, a matter unpopular with many Egyptians and Jordanians and which generally keeps Amman and Cairo quiet about the ties.

Major-General Yair Golan, deputy commander of the Israeli armed forces, said in a briefing that the countries were working with Israel as they try to beat back Islamic State.
"Israel provides Jordan and Egypt with intelligence assistance in their fight against ISIS," the IDF deputy chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, said on Wednesday, describing the US backed Arab neighbours as stable despite the insurgent threat.

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Egypt made peace with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan in 1994. They are the only Arab countries to have treaties with Israel, a matter unpopular with many Egyptians and Jordanians and which generally keeps Amman and Cairo quiet about the ties.

Golan said in a briefing that the countries were working with Israel as they try to beat back ISIS.

"Egypt fights ISIS in the Sinai peninusula. Jordan is terrified by the presence of the ISIS in Jordan's cities and towns. And we try to work with them in order to contribute something to their security," he said.

Jordanian soliders (Photo:EPA)

The help came "mainly by providing our intelligence, and you do know that while fighting all sorts of insurgency, intelligence is the most important element in the whole system," Golan told the Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem.

Despite deeming this military cooperation as unprecedented, Golan cautioned, "I wouldn't describe that as some sort of reconciliation between the people. But it is a good starting point and I'm quite optimistic concerning that."

The general described Jordan as stable, though it has seen major refugee influxes from Syria and Iraq even as it watches those frontiers for Islamist militant infiltration.

Egypt's large population and economic struggles during recent political chaos present a greater challenge, he said.

'Hezbollah has 100,000 rockets

Golan further went on to send a stern warning to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, saying any future war between the two enemies will unleash "devastating" damage on Lebanon.
The Gaza tunnel: What is its meaning, and what do we do next? The IDF makes recommendations; the Shin Bet makes recommendations. Who examines alternatives to these? Ministers speak of the possibility of an unavoidable conflict with Gaza this summer. With whom does the prime minister clarify these issues before he takes a decision? It seems that we have a problem.

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In February, Netanyahu announced Brig. Gen. (res.) Avriel Bar-Yosef as his nominee to head the National Security Council (NSC) in February and that he would fill the post of national security advisor to the prime minister. However, since then, Bar-Yosef has figuratively disappeared.

His nomination never reached the government for approval. A temporary advisor has since filled the position vacated by Yossi Cohen, who was appointed to head the Mossad at the end of last year. The issue isn't pressing to anyone. Between us, does "Mr. Security" need a security advisor?

Eliezer Toledano, Benjamin Netanyahu and Moshe Ya'alon in Otniel (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO)

Aryeh Avineri, the chairman of Ometz (an organization that fights corruption), died on Tuesday. The final battle that he waged was scrutinizing Bar-Yosef's nomination. Last March, Avineri passed on information to the attorney general and the government secretariat which appeared to indicate that Bar-Yosef had been the recipient of favors and had engaged in matters which conflicted with his work as deputy head of the NSC. Today, these suspicions are part of a police inquiry, which is not yet an investigation.

A typical pattern is forming of Netanyahu's behavior when it comes to nominating security advisors around him. He wants them to remain anonymous and discreet and not distract him with advice that carries public ramifications and that could place him in a difficult situation. This is what happened, for example, when he approved Eliezer Toledano as his military secretary: a young brigadier general whose entire breadth of experience consists of service in the Paratroopers' Brigade.

Toledano is supposed to step into the shoes of a general who is supposed to provide the prime minister with a pillar of knowledge, especially when the NSC is weak.

Avriel Bar-Yosef

Toledano is an extremely courageous officer, but his experience in the field of national security is limited. At best, he should be an IDF liaison officer in the Prime Minister's Office.

This pattern repeated itself with Netanyahu's nomination of Bar-Yosef for the NSC chief, when the position has normally been filled by senior and reputable defense officials and generals.

What is being said here is: I don't really need a national security advisor. I need a dedicated civil servant who will do a little harmless administrative work or will do some representative missions around the world.

So who are we left with in the Prime Minister's Office? Who briefs him before he meets with security personnel, with the military, the Mossad or the Shin Bet? Every one of these organizations promotes independent policies in accordance with their particular interests. Who influences Netanyahu when he takes a decision, for example, to go to the Golan Heights and declare that we are bombing Syria? Did someone analyze the significance of this declaration?

Netanyahu does not have a "Septet Forum" which did good work during his last term (when Netanyahu established a seven-strong inner cabinet of ministers known as the Septet Forum ed.). The current cabinet comprises a number of people who, in his opinion, are simply waiting for him to fall. So correct, he does have conversations with the defense minister. However, even Ya'alon presents self-serving recommendations, which are only a part of the national picture.

The NSC, which was founded in 1999, is supposed to be the first body which recommends daily security arrangements to the cabinet and to the prime minister. It also is supposed to give a "second opinion" to recommendations made by different security officials. However, the implementation of this plan has faltered. After the Second Lebanon War, two committees recommended a law that would obligate the prime minister to consult with an administrative body entrusted with different authorities. The law was passed, the prime minister blithely disregarded it, and we got the terrible decision-making process that led to the Marmara raid.

Now, no one will be surprised if the next eruption in Gaza ends with another committee inquiry which will most certainly recommend to the government to establish a strong NSC and appoint at a professional advisor to the prime minister who possesses expertise in the field of national security.
Egypts interior ministry said it has partially withdrawn arms from many off-duty policemen, amid outcry after a policeman killed one and injured two after a street quarrel reportedly over the price of a cup of tea, on Tuesday.

The incident in the eastern Cairo suburb is the latest in a series of similar police killings that have sparked public anger.

Interior ministry media advisor Abu Bakr Abdel-Karim said on Tuesday that the ministry is in the process of withdrawing weapons from "many" low-ranking policemen, especially those proved to have misused" them.

He added in comments to a local TV programme that those who might be subjected to danger outside of their working hours will continue to keep their weapons.

Demands for disarming security sources during their non-working hours increased in recent months after a similar incident in February in which a policemen shot dead a driver in the street in an argument over a fare.

Abdel-Karim added that the ministry is continuously evaluating police performance and is taking measures against violations by security personnel. This includes suspension from work, end of service, or severe administrative sanctions.

Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar stressed earlier on Tuesday that no one is above the law, adding that the ministry is working towards purging itself of violators.

He added that the ministry aims at establishing a new policy of dealing with citizens which values [their] dignity and preserves their rights.

The interior ministry said in a statement that Tuesdays incident occurred after a policeman got into an argument with a street vendor over "the price of a drink" and shot him dead, injuring two others in the process.

The policeman has been ordered detained for four days pending investigations.

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RIYADH- Reassuring an anxious ally, President Barack Obama sat down Wednesday for a meeting with King Salman as he opened a trip to Saudi Arabia shadowed by the kingdom's deep opposition to his Iran nuclear deal and skepticism about his approach to Syria.

Obama, during a roughly 24-hour stay in the Saudi capital, planned to attend a Persian Gulf summit focused on regional stability, Iran and counterterrorism -- including the fight against the Islamic State and al-Qaida.

Under crystal chandeliers, King Salman greeted Obama in a grand foyer at Erga Palace, where the two walked slowly to a reception room as the small of incense wafted. The two offered polite smiles as they sat down side by side for pictures at the start of their two-hour private meeting.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to remove Education Minister Naftali Bennett from his ministerial post in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Netanyahu made the threat after Bennett asked why the issue of the IDF's presence in Area A was not on the cabinet meeting's agenda. Netanyahu reprimanded Bennett, saying, "You don't decide anything here."

When asked for comment following the meeting, Netanyahu said, "We don't comment on discussions in cabinet meetings."
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit released pictures and a video of the inside of the terror tunnel crossing from Gaza into Israel and its subsequent neutralization.

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The tunnel was neutralized in two stages. First, the tunnel was physically blocked in to keep Hamas militants from using it. Next, IDF army engineers filled the primary shaft with explosives and blew up it. The IDF announced that it will continue to investigate the tunnel to make sure that there are no secondary shafts leading into Israel.

IDF blows up terror tunnel (:  ")

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Officials in the defense establishment say the tunnel was likely meant to be used in a strategic attack against Israel, in which dozens of Hamas fighters from the elite "Nukhba" unit would participate.

GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen Eyal Zamir made it clear that the IDF is ready for any scenario Wednesday morning.

He said that "Hamas is preparing itself for war. They're building tunnels, not playgrounds."

Terror tunnel from Gaza to Israel goes up in smoke (Photo: IDF Spokespersons Unit)

"We are locating these tunnels through a systematic effort. Hamas's attempts are known to us. We have a process of obtaining important information and developing our capabilities."



The Maj. Gen. further went on to threaten that "If Hamas makes a mistake, it will pay a heavy price. Their tunnels will turn into deathtraps."

Terror tunnel between Gaza and Israel gets destroyed (Photo: IDF Spokespersons Unit)

Regarding possible solutions to the problem, Zamir said that "the overarching solution will be to create a barrier, and we are in the advanced stages of doing this."

At present, the solution to the tunnels is divided into two parts: the first is the discovery and identification of cross-border tunnels both during war and peacetime. Hamas plans to use these tunnels to send dozens of fighters into Israel with the aim of killing and kidnapping Israeli civilians.

The second part focuses on IDF soldiers' ability to fight inside the terror tunnels during the next war - either in Gaza or in southern Lebanon.
An unprecedented confrontation broke out in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning between the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the chairman of Bayit Yehudi, Education Minister Naftali Bennett.

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The Bayit Yehudi leader became angry at the fact that the issue of the IDF's deployment in Area A was not on the meeting's agenda, after he learned that the defense establishment is seeking to minimize or completely stop IDF presence in Palestinian cities in the West Bank in an effort to calm tensions on the ground.

He asked Netanyahu for clarification on this, and he claimed that it had been agreed that the issue would be discussed.

According to sources present at the meeting, the prime minister chided Bennett, telling him "Calm down, or I'll fire you."

Bennett retorted, "You can do whatever you want, I'll keep fighting for my security positions."

Bennett and Netanyahu (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky

On Sunday, the prime minister had promised Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Bennett and the military secretary that the meeting would include a discussion of the A Area subject. "Keep your promises," Bennett yelled at Netanyahu, who retorted, "You aren't running things here."

The other ministers tried to calm the Bayit Yehudi leader down, with Likud Minister Ze'ev Elkin telling him, "Naftali, come on, this is inappropriate. You were already told there will be a briefing by the IDF chief." Minister Aryeh Deri accused Bennett, "What you're saying now, is actually you not giving backing to the chief of staff and the IDF."

A new low

The clash signaled a new low in the tensed relations between the prime minister and the education minister. The two have clashed several times before, but senior political officials said this latest exchange was "unprecedented" and that the argument itself was very heated and personal.

"We've already seen rounds of fighting between Bennett and Netanyahu, but what happened at the cabinet (on Wednesday) is just a new low. We've yet to see such a clash. The tone and the content of what was said were unusually harsh. Netanyahu was yelling and raging," said the senior official.

Another political source added, "Netanyahu didn't like the style and content of what Bennett said and answered harshly - 'you are not running anything.' Despite that, he eventually placated him and raised the agenda item in question for discussion, and later a statement on the topic came out. After Netanyahu yelled, got up, and wanted to cut the meeting short, he regained his composure because everyone, Netanyahu included, understand the meaning of firing Bennett. That is probably why they both calmed down and let the discussion continue."

The statement issued after the meeting noted: "Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ya'alon and IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot made it clear that the IDF maintains  and will maintain  the possibility of entering Area A, and anywhere necessary, according to operational needs, and that there is no other agreement with the Palestinians."

A third official claimed that "it was clear Bennett was seeking this confrontation. He was speaking very bluntly."

In response to reports of the confrontation, Bennett's office stated, "We will not address the details of closed security debates. Cabinet leaks are a serious issue that endanger national security. I expect the prime minister to handle this."

The Prime Minister's Office replied, "We do not address cabinet discussions."

While the two's respective offices declined comment, many in the political system were quick to respond, with Bennett's party colleagues backing him.

"It is elementary for a minister and senior partner in the government to demand information and answers on matters of security, as terror rages in the streets," said MK Shuli Mualem. "If Netanyahu wants to break up the government over this, why not? Let him go and explain once again that Arabs are going to the polls in droves. Except that this time, the public will understand who cares about Israel's security more."

At mentioned, this isn't Bennett and Netanyahu's first clash. During a cabinet meeting three weeks ago, the Bayit Yehudi leader attacked those who condemned Sgt. Elor Azaria, who shot dead an already-neutralized terrorist in Hebron, hinting that the prime minister was among them.

Netanyahu reacted with anger, saying: "I led soldiers into battle, don't you preach me about morality."

But this did not appease Bennett, who responded: "Backing (the soldier) is done with actions, not with words. Why are you judging him before investigating?"

The two also went head-to-head in a cabinet meeting in January. After Foreign Ministry officials announced that they were boycotting the Bayit Yehudi leader, Netanyahu backed them up, leading Bennett to claim: "You're afraid to manage the people at the Foreign Ministry. This is a question of governance - whether the employees manage you, or you them."
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A nearly half-mile-long tunnel leading from Mexico to San Diego was discovered and more than a ton of cocaine and seven tons of marijuana was seized, the US attorney's office said Wednesday. Six people were arrested.

The tunnel extends 300 yards from a house in Tijuana, Mexico, to the border and then 500 yards on the U.S. side to a fenced lot in a San Diego industrial area.

The tunnel was equipped with a rail system, ventilation, lights and a large elevator, officials said. The exit on the US side is about 3 feet wide and was covered by a trash bin.

The six people arrested in San Diego on Friday were charged with crimes involving drugs and construction of the tunnel.

The discovery demonstrates the enduring appeal of tunnels to smugglers, despite the significant time and money required to build one. Dozens of tunnels have been found along the US-Mexico border in recent years, some equipped with hydraulic lifts and electric rail cars.
OSLO- Norway violated mass killer Anders Behring Breivik's human rights by keeping him in a "completely locked world" after being sentenced for killing 77 people in twin attacks in 2011, a court ruled on Wednesday.

The ruling, which took many by surprise, found that the killer had been subjected to strip searches, had been woken up hourly by guards for long periods and that the authorities had done little to alleviate the impact of his isolation.

A survivor of Breivik's shooting spree said the decision "feels a bit like being punched in the gut" and a newspaper editorial denounced the decision as "wrong". A law professor said it was likely to be appealed.
The terrorist who set off a bomb on the 12 line bus injuring 21 people, Abd al-Hamid Abu Srur, died of his wounds at Sha'are Tzedek Medical Center in Jerusalem Wednesday.

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Hamas claimed the terrorist, a 19 year old Palestinian from the Aida refugee camp next to Bethlehem, as one of their operatives.

Hamas made its announcement through its spokesman in Bethlehem. The operative's name is currently under gag order.

Due to the fact that the Palestinian man was injured along with others in the blast, he wasn't immediately recognized as the terrorist responsible for the attack. This led investigators to initially believe that the explosion was the work of a suicide bomber, as a body could not be found.

Hamas martyrdom poster for Abd al-Hamid Abu Srur, the terrorist responsible for J'lem bus attack

Over 100 members of the terrorist's family are handing out sweets and singing songs of praise in light of the fact that he became a martyr and because he carried out a successful attack against Israeli citizens.

Additionally, a cousin of the terrorist was killed in a riot attacking Israeli security forces three months ago.

Hamas martyrdom poster for Abd al-Hamid Abu Srur, the terrorist responsible for bus attack in J'lem
500 Startups recently announced they are launching a $30 million fund focused on Canadian early stage technology companies. While 500 Startups has already invested in over 30 Canadian startups through their Silicon Valley fund, this is their first dedicated fund in Canada.

Sanjay Singhal is the Canadian Venture Partner for 500 Startups. He is best known as the founder and CEO of Audiobooks.com and founding member of AngelOne.

Amrita Chandra spoke to Sanjay about his new role and 500 Canadas plans.

You are already a successful serial entrepreneur and angel investor. Why did you decide to take on this role bringing 500 Startups to Canada?

I was winding up my involvements in Audiobooks.com - Ive named a CEO so Im not involved anymore. I was ready for the next stage of my career and I would have just started another business but Id become an investor with 500 Startups in Silicon Valley a couple of years ago and I completely fell in love with the organization, with their strategic plan, the people. I thought Id love to be involved with these guys. So the opportunity came up to start a 500 Canada fund and I jumped on it. I see it as a once in a generation opportunity.

The official launch was last week. What has the response been so far?

Overall, the startup community is ecstatic. Ive gotten so many emails saying thank God 500 Startups has come to Canada, we need this early stage involvement. And Ive also been flooded by offers to help in one form or another.

And then the thing Ive been most pleased with is that the rest of the investment community from the early stage right up to Series A/B are all happy were here because we tend to be co-investors, we dont try and grab deals. So we are really going to help out the ecosystem. We are money that will come in alongside them in early deals and they get access to our global resources which I think everybody is happy about.

We are going to be able to impact the funding landscape for early stage companies.

How does your background as an entrepreneur help you now that you are on the other side of the table?

I can give you an answer that may be counterintuitive or it wouldnt be the first thing I thought of. Is it gives me credibility with the people I want to invest with. Obviously I can talk with them about operational aspects of running the business. But having been an entrepreneur, its just straight up credibility.

Any really good investment deal you are going to be battling other people to get into that company. In cases like that you want the entrepreneur to say I want Sanjays money not that persons money over there. Up until now my reputation as an angel has been building. Ive got 30 investments so far, many of them doing quite well. Ive been able to get in on deals just because of that reputation. And its probably the biggest thing you have to work on as a VC is making sure that reputation stays untainted.

Will 500 Canada be funding companies that may not fit the criteria of existing funds in Canada?

We are far more likely to fund at pre-seed than probably any other fund in Canada. There are a few funds, but certainly no national funds. Real Ventures is there and they do a lot of great work and well be working closely with them. Theres the IAF out of MaRS. They operate at the same stage but well be doing a lot more deals and well be working together wtih them on everything.

One thing that hasnt come up in the press to date is that you are one of the few POC to head up a Canadian investment fund. Do you think this will influence the diversity of entrepreneurs in your portfolio?

You are right than there arent many people of colour in Canadian VC. And interestingly so many successful tech entrepreneurs are Indian so there is not a lack of diversity from that group. 500 Startups as a global organization has an incredible commitment to diversity. 40% of our partners are female, 50% of all of our staff are female. Thats unheard of in venture. Within our organization there is a self-identified LGBT group. We have the first black partner. It certainly enhances our profile in those communities and will accelerate our investment in those communities.

What does the year ahead look like?

I have 2 more months of raising the money for the fund, to bring in individuals and both corporate and governmental institutions. The way it works is we do $15 milion up front and then we have another 6 months to a year to raise the other $15 million. Thats been going extremely well.

And then its going to be investing in what Dave McClure calls a shit ton of companies. So were going to be doing about 50 investments a year, which is close to the number that the rest of the country does all together. A lot of that will be co-investing but some companies will get funding who wouldnt have gotten funded otherwise.

We will also be expanding our profile. I have to build out an organization across the country which means Vancouver, Waterloo, Toronto, Montreal for sure but we are also going to put associates in smaller cities like Calgary and Fredericton to demonstrate the national commitment.

How competitive is it to get funded by 500 Canada?

Its pretty competitive. We do a lot of investments but that doesnt mean that we are not selective. We are probably going to look at 5,000 companies.

Ok now for some fun questions so we can get to know you better. What apps cant you live without?

Let me look at my home screen...Slack, which is amazing! My Tesla app, for controlling my car. I have a crossword app. I see lots of movies so I cant live without Flixter. Uber. And of course, the Audiobooks.com app!

What technology trend(s) are you excited about?

No question, its VR. But I dont think its happening soon. I think the current rush towards VR for investment is like cleantech 10-20 years ago. Its just too early. But were going to start seeing some interesting work being done on this front. We are at the Atari level of development in VR. It will be 10-15 years before we are at the PlayStation level.

Who is an entrepreneur that you admire?

The first names that come to mind are Elon Musk and of course Dave McClure.
Lynn E. Moore was born on Dec. 27, 1933 to Shelley T. Ted and Minnie Moore.

He passed away in a tragic motor vehicle accident on Friday, April 8, 2016, near Long Pine.

Lynn was the fourth of eight children born in Long Pine and walked several miles to country school south of Long Pine. He graduated from Long Pine High School in 1951.

Lynn met Lois Jean Doty at Camp Witness where he had also accepted Christ as his personal Savior in his youth. He and Lois were married on Oct. 25, 1953 in Spencer.

Lynn was drafted into the army and moved his family to San Bernardino, Calif. After his military service, he attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and received his Bachelor and Master of Science Degree in electrical engineering. He presented his Masters Thesis on nuclear energy, having done his research at the Cooper Station nuclear energy facility in Brownsville.

After graduation from college he was employed by Consumers Public Power and Nebraska Public Power District. During his career he resided in ONeill, Lincoln, Columbus and York, and was always active in community service and also within his church. During his career he was appointed by Governor Thone to the state electrical board.

After his retirement he and Lois returned to Long Pine to his beloved ranch. He served as County Commissioner for Brown County and after his wife Loiss death in 2010 he married his high school classmate and friend, Mary Lou Anderson Burns on Feb. 2, 2012. He also served on the Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company Board, as well as being instrumental in the development of Seven Springs Water, a spring water distribution plant, where he was the vice chairperson of the board at the time of his death.

Lynn also loved the outdoors. His pastimes included hunting, fishing and camping throughout his life. After his retirement at the ranch in Long Pine you could find him playing with his tractors, fixing and repairing whatever needed to be done to run the ranch as well as spending numerous hours cutting the noxious weed-eastern red cedar trees from his pasture.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois; and sisters, Alice and Ila.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; daughter, Betty (Dick) Thompson and sons, Jerry (Kim) and Myron Moore; grandchildren, Traci (Ryan) Swinton, Joel (Erin) Thompson, Jonathan (Jessica) Thompson and Tyler (Rachel) Moore; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sisters, Lois Wade, Clara Belle Roundtree, Carol Birkey and Ardath Sydor and brother, Harry (LaWanda) Moore; brother-in-law, Leland (Alice) Asa; and step-children, John (Nita) and Karl (Janelle) Burns.

Memorial services were held at the Evangelical Free Church in Ainsworth with Pastor Mick Thornton and Pastor Bruce Beebout officiating the service. Inurnment with military honors provided by members of the Long Pine American Legion and the VFW were held at the Grandview Cemetery in Long Pine. In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to Camp Witness or to the Evangelical Free Church.

Hoch Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.
YORK  The Nebraska Court of Appeals has upheld the judgment of the York County District Court regarding a juvenile who was prosecuted and sentenced in a strangulation case.

Because of the defendants age at the offense, his full name is not included in the court document from the higher court.

The teen was a resident of Epworth Village in York at the time of the offense. He was accused of threatening to kill a residential worker at Epworth and subsequently attacking her. The court documents said he placed his hands around (the workers) neck, strangling her and pinning her against the wall. (The worker) was unable to breathe or speak, other than to utter a nearby staff members name who responded and was able to free (the worker) who sought protection behind the locked door of her office. (The defendant) then banged on the office door window until staff members restrained him.

The 17-year-old was charged, on Oct. 24, 2014, with the Class 4 felony in district court. His attorney filed a motion to transfer the case to juvenile court, which the district court denied. Following a bench trial, the teenager was convicted of strangulation and sentenced to four years of probation.

The teenager, via his attorney, then filed an appeal, challenging the denial of the transfer to juvenile court.

The court of appeals judgment is lengthy, detailing the defendants criminal and behavioral history.

The court concluded that considering all of the evidence and relevant factors, the district court did not abuse its discretion when it denied (the defendants) motion to transfer his case to juvenile court. The key considerations supporting the courts decision were (his) age and the need for supervision for a period extending beyond his minority, his prior juvenile offenses and the violence involved in the present offense, and his continued behavioral issues despite his two years of involvement in the juvenile system, during which time he received treatment for his anger issues, among other issues.
The case begun in 2011 when the Ministry of Justice accused several NGOs of illegally receiving funds from foreign governments and institutions

The Egyptian prosecution has added more NGOs and individuals as defendants in the ongoing court case known as the illegal foreign funding case, judicial sources told Ahram Online.

The new NGOs and individuals include the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre and its manager Mostafa El-Hassan, the Cairo Centre for Human Rights and its founder Bahy El-Din Hassan, and the Right to Education Centre.

The case was opened in 2011 when the Egyptian Ministry of Justice accused several NGOs of illegally receiving funds from foreign governments and institutions. No defendants were referred to court at that stage.

However, the case has resurfaced in the past few weeks.

The NGO Nazra for Feminist Studies is being investigated in the case, with three staff being summoned for questioning by the prosecution, including founder Mozn Hassan.

Also being investigated in the case are renowned rights activists Hossam Bahgat, a journalist and founder in 2004 of the Egyptian Initiative for Personnel Rights (EIPR), and Gamal Eid, a lawyer and founder, also in 2004, of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI).

Both Bahgat and Eid have been banned from travel and their assets have been frozen, along with the assets of Eids wife and daughter, who is a minor.

A court is currently looking into the asset freeze decision against both Bahgat and Eid.

The prosecution imposed a gag order on the media regarding details of the cases investigations.

On Tuesday, an Egyptian administrative court ruled that non-governmental organisations have the right to receive foreign funding. The verdict can be used in ongoing cases as a legal precedent.



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OMAHA  York General Project SEARCH interns attended the Project SEARCH Metro Area Transition Job Fair on Monday, April 11, allowing them to use skills they have been working on and for many businesses to be exposed to young adults abilities, not focus on their disabilities.

Project SEARCH is a school-to-work transition program for young adults with disabilities in their last year of high school; the curriculum includes soft and competitive employability skills. There are over 400 programs in the United States and internationally. In York, Project SEARCH is a partnership between York General, ESU 6, Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Disabilities, Assistive Technology Partnership, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and area high schools.

This year, Centennial and York Public Schools have interns in Project SEARCH where they work on writing resumes, applying for jobs, interview skills, greeting people, keeping a job, what to do when leaving a job and much more. This event allowed them to use the skills they have been working on throughout the year.

The Transition Job Fair allowed the interns to experience many things beyond the job fair itself, including staying at Embassy Suites  La Vista Hotel independently and meeting people from across the state.

The Job Fair was arranged into the following components:

 Mini-sessions: how to dress for an interview, build a resume, interviewing skills and how to use social media to find a job.

 Skills assessment and feedback: York General interns chose cashier, mail sorting, materials management, housekeeping, banquet setting and sandwich wrapping from a wide variety of skills.

 Mock interview with written and verbal feedback.

 Vendors of Omaha area businesses that are hiring. While the interns do not plan to move, it gave them exposure to different jobs along with the opportunity to practice soft employability skills: talking to people that they dont know  shaking hands, making eye contact, introducing themselves, asking questions and answering questions.

 The first job fair was in 2014 and this second event grew in students attending from 150 to 232 and businesses from 20 to 34. Fifteen school districts and 11 Project SEARCH sites participated, including: Papillion-La Vista (Embassy Suites), Westside (Childrens Hospital & Medical Center), Omaha Public Schools (Embassy Suites  Downtown), Millard (Cabelas), Bellevue (Pay Pal), Lincoln Public Schools (Embassy Suites), ESU 6 (York General), Hastings (Mary Lanning), North Platte (Wal-Mart Distribution Center), Elkhorn (Valmont), and Waverly/Norris/Crete (St. Elizabeth).

Volunteers are essential to making the job fair a success. This year 100 people assisted.

More information about York General Project SEARCH can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/ProjectSearchYork
YORK  The York College English Department will host its annual Writers Workshop on Sunday, April 24.

The workshop will feature documentary filmmaker Barney McCoy, professor of communication at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This event will be open to the public and is free of charge; however, registration is required at www.york.edu/writersworkshop.

The event will begin with a reading and lecture from McCoy at 2 p.m.in the Mackey Center / Miller Room at York College. A reception will follow at 3 p.m. in the Cornerstone Room of the Mackey Center. The workshop component with McCoy will run from 4-5 p.m., also in the Cornerstone Room.

For more information, please contact Bev McNeese at (402) 363-5690.

About Barney McCoy

Barney McCoy teaches multimedia, broadcast news and in-depth reporting courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before arriving at UNL, McCoy was a full-time journalist and continues to contribute award-winning news and documentary projects to news organizations across the country. He has taught multimedia reporting courses at the Kosovo Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication in Pristina, Kosovo. He has produced and advised on four award-winning documentaries at UNL.

McCoy has worked as a documentary director and producer, television and print news reporter, photographer, news producer and anchor. He has been employed by WIBW-TV, Topeka, Kan., KCTV, Kansas City, Mo., WKBD-TV, Detroit, Mich., WILX-TV, Lansing, Mich., and WBNS-TV, Columbus, Ohio. He has also contributed his reporting to The Columbus Dispatch, Associated Press, CBS, CNN, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications and the Ohio News Network.

McCoy has been honored with six Emmy awards, Best of Competition awards by the Broadcast Education Association and several other citations for journalistic excellence.
Approximately 140 small-business owners and representatives attended a Federal Procurement Workshop held at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, April 18. The event was organized by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan and featured representatives from the Small Business Administration and Mahoning Valley Technical Assistance Center.





According to event invitations from Browns office, the workshop was intended as a forum where entrepreneurs would be able to learn from experts on the process, qualifications and opportunities to become a federal contractor. The workshop was open to representatives from small businesses, with a focus on those owned by veterans.





After introductory remarks from the event hosts, Stephen Coleman, a veteran and president of Northstar Contracting, Inc., shared his business story. Guests then participated in two expert panel forums, one for business financing and one for government contracting featuring representatives from the YARS contracting office.





Ryan, as an event coordinator, recognized the economic impact of YARS and expressed his desire to see local small businesses benefit through government contracts.





Youve got about 100 million dollars that comes through this air base in economic impact, said Ryan. And yeah, you think of Boeing and Lockheed Martin and the big industrial defense manufacturers, but they all have suppliers and we want to help our local companies be able to navigate that complexity.





The panels addressed several of the roadblocks that keep small businesses from pursuing government contracts, whether ignorance on where to find information on available contracts or how to become a pre-approved federal contractor.





Sometimes people get intimidated about doing business with the federal government or doing business with the department of defense, said Ryan. And while it can be intimidating, at the same time if you put a little bit of time in, it can yield some pretty good results.





As the fourth largest employer in the Valley, with nearly 1800 employees, operations at YARS require myriad services. Col. James Dignan, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing, has operational control of the installation.





The main thing for our small companies here (is) what we call base operating support, said Dignan. We have everything that a small town or city has. If they can compete and be ready to provide those kinds of servicesthose things that we need and we consume on a daily basis here, and those small businesses can get on the pre-approved list so that they can compete, thats a great way to start.

Installation modernization and advancement initiatives bring regular construction projects to the base. Funding was recently approved for a new state-of-the art firing range in order to meet the training requirements of Airmen assigned to YARS. Groundbreaking is expected sometime this summer, and Air Force Community Partnerships (AFCP) may allow off base law-enforcement agencies to use the range.





The local firms may or may not be able to compete for an entire project, said Dignan, but (they may be able to compete for portions of a project), say for the firing range. Maybe they have a roofing expert here in the valley that can do the type of roof they need. If they can get on the list as a pre-approved government contractor, then that opens up another opportunity for our local businesses.



According to YARS economic impact report, the installation spent more than $6 million on construction and more than $5 million on services in fiscal year 2015. The report estimates that nearly 500 local job were created as a result of the installations economic impact.
Taymour El-Sobki had claimed that 30 percent of Egyptian women have a 'readiness for immorality' and that Upper Egyptian wives are particularly prone to cheating

A Cairo misdemeanours court reduced on Wednesday a three-year jail sentence against Taymour El-Sobki to three months for "spreading false news that aims to disrupt general peace."

El-Sobki, who runs a comedic Facebook page called The Diary of a Suffering Man, which has garnered over one million likes, caused controversy when he appeared on the programme Momken (It is Possible) on CBC channel, opining about infidelity among married women.

"Thirty percent of women have a readiness for immorality... but cannot find someone to encourage them," he said.

El-Sobki claimed that wives in the Upper Egyptian governorates of Assiut, Minya, Sohag, Qena, Luxor and Aswan were particularly likely to be unfaithful because of arranged marriages and local men working abroad.

Although the episode aired in December, clips began circulating on social media in February, causing a public outcry. His comments were denounced by a number of MPs representing Upper Egyptian constituencies as an insult to local women.

He later apologised, and said his remarks were taken out of context.

Momken was suspended for 15 days in the wake of the controversy, and host Khairy Ramadan and CBC have apologised for El-Sobkis comments.

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The foreign ministry said it rejects any statements that aim to interfere with the work of the Egyptian judiciary

Egypt's foreign ministry rejected on Wednesday statements made by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a day earlier over Egypt's investigation into the alleged foreign funding of NGOs in the country.

Foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said Egypt rejected any statements that aim to interfere with the Egyptian judiciary, "especially with the statements being made hours before the court session."

On Tuesday, the UN issued a press release saying that Ban Ki-moon was following closely judicial proceedings in Egypt against a number of civil society organisations and human rights defenders.

"Defendants in the case must be able to benefit from all due process and fair trial standards," the statement said.

The UN leader stressed the "important role that civil society plays in ensuring that states meet developmental, social and civic objectives and obligations."

"[Ban Ki-moon] stresses the need for human rights defenders and civil society in general, as well as the media, to work without undue restrictions," the statement added.

A decision is expected to made today by an Egyptian court on human rights advocates and founders of NGOs Hossam Bahgat and Gamal Eid, who are currently being investigated for receiving illegal foreign funding.

On Tuesday, an administrative court ruled that NGOs have the right to receive foreign funding, a verdict that could impact other ongoing cases where activists are being prosecuted for allegedly receiving "illegal" foreign funds.

Bahgat is an investigative journalist and founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personnel Rights (EIPR), and Eid is a lawyer and founder of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI). A gag order has been imposed on media reporting in the case.

Abu Zeid alleged that statements like the one made by the UN head were an attempt to influence and intimidate the Egyptian judiciary. He added that such statements do not fall within the mandate or responsibilities of the UN, and do not conform to its consistent claims of respecting the rule of law and judicial independence.

This is not the first time that Egypt's foreign ministry has criticised "foreign interference" in the NGO case.

Last month, the ministry said statements made by UK Foreign Office Minister for North Africa Tobias Ellwood  where he expressed "deep concerns" over what he described as the growing restriction on civil society in Egypt  were characterised by "inconsistent generalisation and a lack of evidence to supports such allegations."

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US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Cairo for a brief visit on Wednesday to hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, state news agency MENA reported.

A press conference that was due to be held featuring both foreign ministers was cancelled due to "time constraints", the Egyptian presidency announced on Tuesday.

Kerry's visit will last for only a matter of hours. The officials will discuss bilateral ties and regional issues, the State Department said.

Kerry arrived in Cairo from New York where he held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad to discuss the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal as well as regional issues including ending Syria's civil war.

Kerry is due to fly to Riyadh on Thursday to join President Obama at the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.

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Osama Heikal, a leading member of the parliamentary bloc Support Egypt and chairman of the Egyptian Media Production City, told reporters Wednesday that MPs who wish to run for the leading posts in parliaments 25 committees will be allowed to register their names next Saturday.

The door will open next Saturday [for registry] followed by elections for the leading posts, which include one chairman, two deputies and one secretary-general for each committee, said Heikal.

Heikal indicated that the election of the 25 parliamentary committees comes after parliaments internal bylaws were signed into law by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

On Wednesday, parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Al disclosed that he has received a request from around 300 MPs asking for official recognition for the Support Egypt coalition.

Abdel-Al said the request will be revised by parliaments internal bureau in accordance with Article 99 of the internal bylaws.

The article stipulates that for a parliamentary coalition to be officially recognised, it must include no less than 25 percent of MPs, and that they come from at least 10 governorates.

Alaa Abdel-Moneim, the parliamentary spokesperson of the Support Egypt coalition, told reporters Wednesday that the coalition was able to meet the conditions required by Article 99 of the internal bylaws.

The coalition is composed of 300 MPs (or around 50 percent of parliament) and [its members] come from around 15 provincial governorates, said Abdel-Moneim.

The Support Egypt coalition, widely believed to be loyal to President El-Sisi, was founded by late MP Sameh Seif El-Yazal last November, and is now led by MP Saad El-Gammal, who was a member of former president Hosni Mubaraks now-defunct ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) and chairman of the 2005-2010 parliaments Arab Affairs Committee.

The official formation of Support Egypt will allow its MPs to gain control of parliaments 25 committees, whose elections will be held next week.

Two other coalitions are expected to be formed ahead of committee elections; one led by MPs affiliated with the Free Egyptians Party and a number of independents, and another led by the liberal Wafd Party.

A parliamentary group called the 25-30 group  named after the two revolutions of 25 January 2011 and 30 June 2013  also announced that they aim to form a leftist parliamentary coalition.

Egypts parliament is composed of 596 MPs, with around 40 percent affiliated with political parties and 60 percent independents.

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The court postponed issuing a ruling to 23 May on the freezing of assets of renowned human rights activists Gamal Eid and Hossam Bahgat, who are accused of receiving illegal funding for their NGOs

A Cairo criminal court postponed on Wednesday to 23 May a decision on whether to approve the freezing of assets of Egyptian human rights activists Gamal Eid and Hossam Bahgat, who are facing charges of receiving illegal foreign funding for their NGOs.

The case was opened in 2011 when the Ministry of Justice accused several NGOs of illegally receiving funds from foreign governments and institutions, though no defendants were referred to court at the time.

However, the case has resurfaced in the past few weeks.

In March, a judicial committee overseeing an investigation into the alleged illegal funding of NGOs issued a decision to freeze the assets of four Egyptian human rights activists and their families, including renowned activists Bahgat and Eid, who have been banned from travelling.

Bahgat's lawyer Taher Abul-Nasr previously told Ahram Online that the decision to freeze the assets had not been implemented as the court had not yet approved the committee's decision.

Also being investigated in the case are the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre and its manager Mostafa El-Hassan, the Cairo Centre for Human Rights and its founder Bahy El-Din Hassan, the Right to Education Centre, and Nazra for Feminist Studies.

An administrative court ruled on Tuesday that non-governmental organisations have the right to receive foreign funding. The verdict can be cited in ongoing cases as a legal precedent.

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An overwhelming majority of Egyptian parliamentarians voted on Wednesday in favour of giving confidence to Prime Minister Sherif Ismail's cabinet.

MP Haitham El-Hariri said on his official twitter account that 433 MPs voted in favour of Ismail's cabinet, while 38 voted against and five abstained.

Ismail presented in March the policy statement of his cabinet in a 205-page report.

Ismail said Egypt still faces great dangers that pose a threat to its national security, "coming not only from countries around us like Libya, Palestine, Sudan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, but also from within, in the form of terrorist attacks and extremist thoughts.

According to Article 146 of the constitution, the government's policy statement must gain a vote of confidence in parliament.

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As a homeowner, you probably already know that you should be working to maintain your home. But, chances are, you Read More
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with interior minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar and his aides on Wednesday after a low-ranking policeman shot dead a street vendor in a dispute in New Cairo on Tuesday.

According to presidency spokesman Alaa Youssef, El-Sisi stressed the importance of holding accountable those who commit wrongdoings, whether policemen or citizens, and prosecute them according to the law.

He stressed, however, that although some "irresponsible acts" are committed by members of the police force, which he described as a "patriotic institution," policeman have made many sacrifices in protecting the country and its citizens.

Youssef said that the meeting included discussions about proposed legal amendments to the police law, which are meant to affirm the importance of maintaining human rights standards and committing to fairness and transparency.

El-Sisi called for a prompt finalisation of the necessary legal procedures to approve the draft amendments and present them to parliament.

The president also stressed the importance of raising police awareness about the necessity of preserving security and safety, citizens' rights, and the proper treatment and service of citizens.

Youssef said that El-Sisi also affirmed the importance of being aware of attempts to undermine "national institutions" and disrupt the relationship between citizens and security apparatuses to cause strife and destabilise the country.

The spokesman said that El-Sisi asserted that Egypt and its people appreciate the sacrifices and efforts made by "honourable policemen" who work on achieving stability and security for the country and the nation and refuse any "individual violations" against citizens by police.

On Wednesday, Egypt's prosecution ordered the four-day detention for the policeman accused of killing a street vendor on Tuesday.

The policeman  identified as El-Sayed Zeinhom Abdel-Razek  shot three people in New Cairo following a street quarrel, killing one and injuring the other two.

According to investigations conducted by the prosecution, three low-ranking policemen  the shooter, who is currently in custody, and his two peers, who are still at large  were regular customers of the vendor, who sold refreshments near the upper-middle class residential compound of El-Rehab on the outskirts of Cairo.

Investigations indicate that the victim refused to serve the policemen for free, causing a verbal dispute that led to Abdel-Razek firing shots.

The victim suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest, the prosecution said.

Following the incident, interior minister Abdel-Ghaffar said in statements, according to the state-owned MENA agency, that any member of the police force who commits wrongdoings is referred directly to investigative bodies, stressing that any mistakes by individual policemen should not tarnish the efforts and sacrifices made by all policemen.

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Mansour asserted that Hollande's meeting with a number of Egyptian political figures was a violation of Egypt's sovereignty, possible only because the government is weak

Egypt's flamboyant lawyer and high-profile MP Mortada Mansour sharply attacked French President Francois Hollande's meeting with a number of Egyptian public figures Monday.

Mansour, in words delivered before parliament Wednesday, said "The meeting between President Francois Hollande and a number of figures, including one MP (Mohamed Anwar Al-Sadat), should be considered a violation of Egypt's sovereignty."

Mansour cried foul that "whenever a foreign president or king visits Egypt, he decides that he should meet with public figures."

"The group of figures who met with the French president were selected by the French ambassador and they are always the ones who meet with foreign presidents," said Mansour, adding: "I know no other country allowing such meetings to take place as this is a violation of the country's sovereignty."

Mansour wondered why the government allows such meetings to take place. "The answer is because this government is weak and its cabinet ministers are working in isolation from each other," said Mansour.

He further lamented that "Foreign countries are imposing their conditions on this government because it is weak."

Mansour urged the government of Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail to exercise "an iron fist" on "all those who obtain money from abroad to set up NGOs."

"While they allow some people to obtain money from abroad, we see that police officers are being killed in terrorist attacks everyday without receiving adequate compensation," said Mansour.

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The two also discussed bilateral relations and the recent developments in the civil conflicts in Libya and Syria

US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed Egypts security and economic challenges with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi early Wednesday in Cairo as part of a short visit to the country.

Presidency spokesperson Alaa Youssef said the two talked about how to increase bilateral cooperation between their countries, and discussed the latest developments in the civil conflicts in Libya and Syria.

Following the meeting, Kerry described the talks as "serious" and "constructive."

"I will come back with additional thoughts about ways in which we can work together to invigorate the economy, to attract investment, to create jobs, and also ways that we can work together in order to deal with Daesh [the Islamic State militant group], and to help Egypt in terms of the security concerns that it has today," Kerry said in a statement released Wednesday evening by the US State Department.

Kerry added that the United States understands Egypts importance in the region and is committed to supporting stability and helping the country overcome its challenges.

After spending several hours in Cairo, Kerry headed to Saudi Arabia to attend the US-Gulf States Summit attended by US President Barack Obama.

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Israeli forces destroyed the home of a Palestinian who stabbed a woman to death in January before being shot dead by a security guard, the army said on Wednesday.

It was the latest such demolition carried out by Israel as a deterrent, but which human rights groups say amounts to collective punishment.

The demolition occurred overnight at the apartment of Hussein Abu Ghosh in the Qalandia refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, with the walls inside destroyed.

Residents told an AFP journalist that Abu Ghosh's family left the apartment about a month ago.

The January 25 attack saw Abu Ghosh, 17, and another Palestinian, Ibrahim Allan, 23, stab two women in the occupied West Bank settlement of Beit Horon, northwest of Jerusalem.

One of the women, Shlomit Krigman, 24, later died from her wounds. Both of the assailants were killed by the security guard.

Krigman was stabbed near her home while the other woman was attacked outside a grocery store.

Israeli authorities also said at the time that they had found and defused three pipe bombs the two had thrown at the grocery store.

Since October, Israel killed about 201 Palestinians in a deadly use of force against their protests in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Also 28 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese were killed.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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Well, The Wall finally stood tall. And tall in a way that it thwarted any attempt of his critics to penetrate or demolish it.<br><br>A century at a time when the world would not be missing even ONE chance to criticize him. Believe me when I say that I had no doubts about it. It was just a matter of time before the Club 10000 member did what he does best- frustrate the opposition and score for the nation with grace and elegance. He has given us, at least me, and himself, a respite, a sense of liberation. He is one cricketer, who seamlessly blends an old-world class approach with new-age professionalism. <br><br> It was emotional, truly. A chill went down my spine and I stood up to clap and salute this unsung Master. Before that my heart was pounding. Will he, wont he? It was out of fear and not out of my trust in his capabilities. I feared his fading into history when he still has years of cricket in him. I have been an ardent fan of Dravid and his approach to his game for long now. For me it was special. It is not easy arguing with many and explaining to them that 10 years and 10000 runs in both formats cannot simply be fluke. When I find it difficult tackling his critics, imagine what he might be going through over the past months. I sighed as he played one off his pads to bring up the much, much needed century. <br><br> It wasnt as if it was his first or anything. He has done it before and he will continue to do so for long. But what was special about this innings was the spirit of this warrior - the never dying spirit, the I-can-do-it and I-will-do-it attitude. He is a man who has never shirked the enormous responsibility that he has always been loaded with. He has never moaned, he has not cried. Instead, he has carried the load of the expectations of over a billion people with a smile. <br><br> And even now, the man of few emotions said, Its during this time that you realise that so many people want you to do well. Some of the people didnt need to do that but still they supported me. I felt as if so many people have gone through the journey with me. Now that is a true gentleman. <br><br> To overcome the worst phase of ones career with a fighting century and displaying no emotions except raising his bat to applaud the salutation by the crowd and the dressing room, it can only be Dravid. He is not a player who would jump up in the air throwing his fist and smile as if advertising for a toothpaste brand. He knows how much he has contributed to his country, our country. He knew he could do it. It was just a matter of time. <br><br> But impressive as his statistics are, they can never represent the extent of his importance to India, or the beauty of his batsmanship.
The main Syrian opposition's decision not to attend formal peace talks is a "mistake" as a political settlement can only come through negotiations, but it does not signify a breakdown in the effort, a senior Russian envoy said on Tuesday.

Alexei Borodavkin, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, also told Reuters that the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) lacked a political vision for a transition period and seemed incapable of striking any deal.

"The announcement by the HNC of its decision to suspend their participation in proximity talks here on the Syrian settlement was a mistake," Borodavkin said in an interview at Russia's diplomatic mission.

"We are convinced that there is no alternative for a political settlement through negotiations. We also think that they should be transformed into direct negotiations among the Syrian parties concerned," he said.

The peace talks appeared doomed after air strikes killed about 40 people in a market in rebel territory on Tuesday, with the HNC saying a truce was finished and it would keep away from negotiations indefinitely.

"Our assessment is that the HNC suspended their participation in the talks not because of these reasons which are absolutely artificial and not true actually. But according to our information it is just because they do not have a clear political position. The only approach they have is 'Assad should resign'. Nothing but that. But this is not enough," Borodavkin said.

U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura has been conducting separate talks with the warring sides, following a truce that entered into force on Feb. 27.

"Staffan de Mistura is trying to focus them on the transitional period, the transitional institutions to be established and how they should work, what would be the composition. And there is nothing, there is nothing on the part of the HNC," Borodavkin said.

"They suspended participation not because they have real reasons in the humanitarian sphere or be it the cessation of hostilities, but as we see it they just do not have a position for the negotiations. They are not capable to discuss things and even less so make agreements."

The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which Russia has backed throughout the five-year conflict, "is ready to discuss the political transition", he said.

The Syrian government's chief negotiator Bashar Ja'afari said on Tuesday his team was pushing for an expanded government led by Assad at U.N.-led peace talks, and Assad's own future was not up for negotiation.

Borodavkin, asked about whether Assad's future was not on the table, replied: "We think it is for the Syrian people to elect its leader. Full stop, period."

"It's not for the opposition delegation or for the government delegation to try to make a decision on such important issues. It's for the Syrian people themselves. This should be decided not during the negotiations but at the polling stations."

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Vijayawada: At least eight people were killed and three others seriously injured in an explosion which rocked Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday.

As per initial reports, the blast took place at an illegal fire cracker manufacturing godown unit here.

The injured persons were rushed to a nearby hospital and primary medical aid was provided to them.

Further details are awaited.
Chapra: A woman was seriously injured after the bomb she was carrying with her, went off accidentally at civil court premises in Bihar's Saran district today, police said.

Khushbu Kumari had allegedly come with a bomb in the court premises with an intention to target a complainant in a case but it went off accidentally, injuring her seriously, Superintendent of Police Pankaj Kumar Raj told PTI.

The lady has been rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), the SP said, adding that two other women including a minor girl also suffered injuries in the incident.

Khushbu Kumari, who is accused in two other cases and is currently out on bail, had come to the court premises with an intention to target Shashi Bhushan and some other witnesses of a case, the SP said

Shashi Bhushan is a complainant in the murder case of three persons that occurred at ex MP late Umashankar Singh's Chapra residence in 2011.
Raipur: Three CRPF personnel were today injured in an IED blast during an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district.

Officials said the incident took place early today near the Chintagufa-Burkapal axis when troops of 74th battalion were sanitising a track.

There personnel, including an Inspector rank official, were injured in a blast from a hidden?improvised explosive device (IED).

They said the three personnel are being airlifted to nearby Jagdalpur for medical care and aid.

Sukma is one of the worst Maoist violence affected districts of the state in the Bastar region.

PTI
iStock Editorial/Thinkstock(DETROIT) -- A federal judge in Detroit has dismissed a $150 million class-action lawsuit filed by Flint residents and one Flint business, suggesting the plaintiffs refile in a Michigan state court due to lack of jurisdiction.



In a decision issued Tuesday, Judge John Corbett O'Meara said because the plaintiffs didn't file a claim under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the case should be tried in state court.



The case sought $150 million in damages for all Flint residents who paid water bills between April 2014 and November 2015. It also sought compensation to replace all waterlines damaged in every Flint home, according to a complaint filed on Jan. 31.



The lawsuit was filed against the city of Flint, the state of Michigan and several key players in the Flint water crisis, including former Mayor Dayne Walling, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, former Emergency Managers Darnell Earley and Gerald Ambrose, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.



This was a procedural dismissal by the judge, the plaintiffs lawyer, Valdemar L. Washington, told ABC News. We think hes wrong in his decision, obviously, because the Safe Drinking Water Act does not contain pre-emption language that would allow for damages to be awarded to those affected in the water crisis.



The reason why the plaintiffs didnt file under the Safe Drinking Water Act is because the only relief it provides is prospective injunctive relief, Washington said, which would mean the plaintiffs would only get an injunction to stop the city of Flint from supplying contaminated waster to its residents. You can not be awarded damages under the act.



The complaint alleged that the defendants deprived Flint residents of safe and potable water, failed to act for the welfare of the general public and acted in gross negligence by failing to address a dangerous environmental hazard -- the lead leaching from corroded pipes into the water supply.



In addition, the complaint said the city "actively" discriminated against ordinary citizens and showed "preferential treatment" toward certain state employees, "who were specifically aware of the degradation of water quality" and were provided with safe, potable drinking water alternatives "not available to the general public."



Complaints made by Flint residents regarding the health hazards in the water were ignored, according to the complaint, which also alleged the city of Flint misled residents on the dangers of the drinking water.



"Instead, citizens were simply expected to pay their monthly public utility water bills, while being delivered lead-poisoned and Legionella-[infected] water by the public officials and entities named on the caption above," the complaint stated.



The lead contamination started when Flint switched its water source from the Detroit River and began drawing its drinking water from the Flint River in April 2014.

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Belgium on Wednesday rejected a request by neighbouring Germany to shutter two ageing nuclear plants near their shared border, arguing the facilities met with the strictest safety standards.

German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks earlier on Wednesday requested that the 40-year-old Tihange 2 and Doel 3 reactors be turned off "until the resolution of outstanding security issues".

In response, Belgium's official nuclear safety agency (AFCN) said the two plants "respond to the strictest possible safety requirements."

The agency "is always willing to collaborate with their German counterparts... but only as long as a shared willingness to cooperate in a constructive fashion is demonstrated," it added in a terse statement.

The reactor at Tihange is located just 60 kilometres (40 miles) from the German border, while Doel is about 130 kilometres away, and close to Antwerp.

The reactor pressure vessels at both sites have shown signs of metal degradation, raising fears about their safety.

They were temporarily closed but resumed service last December.

"I believe it is right to temporarily take the plants off-line, at least until further investigations have been completed," minister Hendricks said in a statement.

Such a step would be "a strong precautionary measure" and "would show that Belgium takes the concerns of its German neighbours seriously," she said.

Belgium's creaking nuclear plants have been causing safety concerns for some time after a series of problems ranging from leaks to cracks and an unsolved sabotage incident.

The Doel and Tihange power stations have been in service since 1974-1975, and were scheduled to be shut down in 2015.

But the Belgian government in December decided to extend their lives to 2025.

Germany -- where the public mood swung against nuclear power following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster -- decided after Japan's Fukushima meltdown five years ago to phase out nuclear power by 2022.

Germany in early March also demanded that France close down its oldest nuclear plant, Fessenheim, located near the German and Swiss borders, over safety concerns.

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New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has expressed confidence that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will remain in power for the next 10-15 years as the people of the city-state are happy with the way the government is functioning.

Addressing bureaucrats on the Civil Services Day, Kejriwal said, People are very happy and if the government continues function in this manner then we are not going anywhere for 10-15 years. Some may like it, others may not. For those of you who are over the age of 45, there is no choice .

A report in The Indian Express adds that Kejriwal said that bureaucrats will have to follow AAP's mandate as people of Delhi had given a historic verdict in the party's favour.

The CM also said his government was the perfect opportunity for bureaucrats to fulfil their dreams, adding that babus who come with good ideas will be encouraged to implement them.

On the strike by by DANCIS, IPS officers last year, Kejirwal said that the strike was political in nature and that his government won't tolerate politics.

The IE quotes him: We can tolerate anything but we will not tolerate politics. If you are interested in politics, then resign, contest elections and confront us.
New Delhi: Expressing disappointment over BJP MP Vijay Goel's move to violate the Odd-Even scheme, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that one should not tamper with a move, which has received immense public support.

Kejriwal said the reports state that the people of Delhi are following the initiative very positively.

Responding to a poser about Goel being fined Rs. 3500 for violating the Odd-Even scheme, Kejriwal said "Vijay Goel ji was driving without license.This is a very dangerous thing."

He further congratulated the people of Delhi for the success of Odd-Even formula.

"The people have voluntarily come forward and are participating in the Odd-Even programme," he added.

Earlier in the day, Goel violated the Odd-Even scheme as a mark of protest following which he was penalised by the traffic police.

"I don't oppose the Odd-Even scheme rather I oppose the amount of public money being used by the Kejriwal government to advertise it. If they remove those advertisements, I won't protest with regard to this scheme," Goel told ANI.

Goel earlier met Transport Minister Gopal Rai during which the latter urged him to refrain from breaking the rule.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has assured the people of Delhi that his government would not allow taxi operators to resort to 'surge pricing' during the phase 2 of odd-even scheme in the national capital.

Kejriwal tweeted:

Surge pricing is daylight robbery. No responsible govt can allow that(1/2)  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 20, 2016

Some taxis saying they will not provide cab if they are not allowed to loot. This is open blackmailing n govt will not let that happen(2/2)  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 20, 2016

Earlier in the week, taxi aggregators Ola and Uber suspended surge pricing after Delhi government threatened to cancel permits for charging higher than prescribed fares.

The government took a strong stand on the issue after passengers complained of difficulties in booking cabs as these platforms showed fares to be as high as five times than the normal charge.

The firms faced flak on social media with many commuters severely criticising taxi aggregators surge pricing.

There is also a petition on Change.org, a website for activist groups, against the surge pricing, which is a technique used to raise fares to provide drivers the incentive of keeping their cab running while also making it available for the user irrespective of the demand.
Abidjan: Ivory Coast has deployed teams of rangers to protect the country's last surviving dwarf elephants from extinction, the head of the national park service.

The elephants live in the Mount Peko national park in the country's west, a 34,000 hectare (131 square mile) area threatened by rampant deforestation driven by the country's booming cocoa industry.

Up to 70 per cent of the park is occupied by cocoa farmers from neighbouring Burkina Faso, according to the head of the country's office for parks and reserves (OIPR) colonel Adama Tondossama, who accused them of destroying the area's flora and fauna to make way for their crops.

"These incursions for agricultural reasons have caused the forest canopy to almost disappear and have threatened endemic species like the dwarf elephant," said Tondossama.

The park, a rugged area with rich biodiversity is located alongside the Ivory Coast's cocoa producing region. The country is the world's largest cocoa exporter.

An armed group headed by Amade Oueremi occupied the Mount Peko forest for years and was arrested there in May 2013 by Ivorian authorities.

He is suspected of committing a range of crimes during the post-election violence that rocked the country in 2010-2011.

The OIPR has now begun a major operation to "liberate" the Mount Peko park, prohibiting any new clearings with dozens of forest rangers, trained in 2015, deployed to the region to enforce the ban.

"If the Mount Peko park disappears, agricultural production will fall in two years because the park creates a micro-climate that generates strong rainfall," said Tondossama.

The park is also significant for the Krahn people, a local tribe who use wood from the forest to make traditional masks.

Ivory Coast's west has seen sporadic fighting even since the end of the 2010-2011 conflict which claimed as many as 3,000 lives.
New Delhi: The Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) is expected to declare results of Inter 1st year examination on April 20.

Lakhs of students had appeared for the exams conducted from March 02 to March 19 this year.

According to the notification by the Board, the results were scheduled to be declared in the last week of April.

How to check results:

Students have to login into the Board's official website - http://bietelangana.cgg.gov.in/

Input user id and password.

Take a print out of the result

Today's results are likely to decide future of over four lakh students.
New York: The presence of certain bacteria in the mouth is likely to identify the risk for pancreatic cancer and enable earlier and precise treatment in patients, finds new research.

Pancreatic cancer patients are known to be vulnerable to gum disease, cavities, and poor oral health in general, said the team from New York University.

The findings showed that bacterial changes in the mouth could potentially show us who are at the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

"Our study offers the first direct evidence that specific changes in the microbial mix in the mouth represent a likely risk factor for pancreatic cancer along with older age, male gender, smoking and a family history of the disease," said one of the researchers Jiyoung Ahn, associate professor and epidemiologist.

Men and women whose oral microbiomes included Porphyromonas gingivalis - an anaerobic bacteria -- had an overall 59 percent greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer than those whose microbiomes did not contain the bacterium.

Similarly, people whose oral microbiomes contained Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans -- bacteria often found in association with periodontitis -- were at least 50 percent more likely overall to develop the disease.

Both types of bacteria have been tied to diseases such as periodontitis or inflammation of the gums.

According to previous research, cigarette smoking was also linked to changes in the amount and mix of bacteria in the oral microbiome.

For the study, the researchers compared bacterial contents in mouthwash samples from 361 men and women who developed pancreatic cancer with samples from 371 people of similar age who did not.

The team cautioned that further research is needed to determine if there is any cause-and-effect relationship.

The findings were recently presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research held in New Orleans, US.
Delhi: A global drive to help curb the HIV epidemic by 2020 will fail unless millions of people with the virus in West and Central Africa receive life-saving drugs, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on Wednesday.

The United Nations AIDS programme (UNAIDS) launched a five-year treatment programme in 2014 to ensure that by 2020 almost all people with HIV worldwide know their status and receive treatment.

The drugs used to treat HIV also help to curb the spread of the virus.

Only one in four adults and one in 10 children living with HIV in West and Central Africa have access to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, compared to almost half of HIV sufferers in Eastern and Southern Africa, MSF said.

HIV treatment is not considered a priority in West and Central Africa by donors or governments, as the region has a smaller percentage of people infected with HIV than Eastern and Southern Africa, said Mit Philips, health policy advisor at MSF.

"Donors focus mostly on high prevalence countries, like in Southern Africa, where everyone knows someone affected by HIV," Philips told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from Brussels.

Parts of Southern Africa have the world`s highest HIV rates, including Swaziland where 27 percent of people aged 15 to 49 have HIV, and South Africa which has a prevalence rate of nearly 20 percent.

"People with HIV in West and Central Africa are neglected ... the low prevalence rate is misleading but means there is a lack of interest and that the disease is less visible in society," Philips added.

Two percent of people in West and Central Africa have HIV, yet the region accounts for one in five new infections annually worldwide, one in four AIDS-related deaths and almost half of all children born with HIV, according to MSF.

While conflict across the region and epidemics of other diseases like Ebola have hindered HIV treatment, stigma, weak health systems and lack of political will have worsened the situation, MSF said in a report published on Wednesday.

"Many people face an obstacle course to obtain ARV drugs - they face stigma within society and even prejudice from health workers, struggle to pay transport or consultation fees, and often find there are low stocks of the drugs," Philips said.

Some 36.9 million people worldwide are living with HIV, which is spread through blood, semen and breast milk and causes AIDS, and more than half of them do not have access to treatment. Many do not know they have the virus.

UNAIDS said in November that its treatment programme, called 90-90-90, was starting to show results as the nearly 16 million people being treated by June 2015 was double the number in 2010.
New Delhi: Aiming a "world free of leprosy" by 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) today launched a global strategy to combat the disease, a move critical for India which is among the three countries that account for more than 80 per cent of newly diagnosed leprosy cases.

WHO called for stronger commitments and accelerated efforts to stop disease transmission and end associated discrimination and stigma to achieve a "world free of leprosy".

"The new global strategy is guided by the principles of initiating action, ensuring accountability and promoting inclusivity. These principles must be embedded in all aspects of leprosy control efforts.

"A strategy can only be as good as its implementation," Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, said at the launch of the global strategy for 'Accelerating Towards a Leprosy-free-world' here.

"The strategy aims to, by 2020, reduce to zero the number of children diagnosed with leprosy and related physical deformities, reduce the rate of newly diagnosed leprosy patients with visible deformities to less than one per million.

"...And ensure that all legislations that allow for discrimination on the basis of leprosy is overturned," the global health body said in a statement.

WHO said out of the 2,13,899 new leprosy cases in 2014, 94 per cent were reported from 13 countries - Bangladesh, Brazil, Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

"India, Brazil and Indonesia account for 81 per cent of the newly diagnosed and reported cases globally," WHO said.

It said several key interventions needed to achieve the target of detecting cases early before visible disabilities occur, with a special focus on children as a way to reduce disabilities and reduce transmission.

Interventions should also target detection among higher risk groups through campaigns in highly endemic areas or communities and improving health care coverage and access for marginalised population, it said.

WHO said leprosy was eliminated globally in 2000 with the disease prevalence rate dropping to below 1 per 10,000 population.

Though all countries have achieved this rate at the national level, at the sub-national level, it remains an unfinished agenda.

Leprosy continues to afflict the vulnerable, causing life-long disabilities in many patients, subjecting them to discrimination, stigma and a life marred with social and economic hardships, WHO said.

"Screening all close contacts of leprosy affected persons, promoting a shorter and uniform treatment regime and incorporating specific interventions against stigma and discrimination are the other strategic interventions that endemic countries need to include in their national plans to meet the new targets," it said.

Noting that the new strategy builds on the success of previous leprosy control strategies, WHO said it has been developed in consultation with national leprosy programmes, technical agencies and NGOs, as well as patients and communities affected by it.

"The strategy focuses on equity and universal health coverage which will contribute to reaching Sustainable Development Goal on health," it said.

Elaborating the challenges, the statement said the delay in detection of new patients and persisting discrimination against people affected by leprosy have ensured continued transmission of the disease.

"Several leprosy-affected countries still have legislation in place that allows discrimination against people suffering from leprosy. Social stigma impedes early detection of the disease, particularly in children, and increases disabilities.

"Stigma also facilitates transmission among vulnerable groups, including migrant populations, displaced communities, the ultra-poor and hard-to-reach population. Combating stigma and ensuring early diagnosis through active case-finding, which the new strategy emphasizes, is critical to making progress," it said.
New Delhi: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is the richest among all national parties, having clocked the highest income of Rs 970.43 crore in 2014-15, the year it came to power.

The Congress is the only national party not to have submitted its audit report for 2014-15 fiscal to the Election Commission, said the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Tuesday.

Notably, as per the Election Commission's letter dated November 19, 2014, it is mandatory for all political parties to submit the details of their audit reports. The due date for submission of the annual audited accounts for the parties was November 30, 2015.

Besides BJP, only three other national parties submitted the audit reports on time. These are Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Communist Party of India (CPI), and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

The BJP, Congress, CPI-M, CPI, BSP and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are the six national parties in the country.

The report said that the income of the national parties increased from Rs 920.44 crore during the 2013-14 fiscal to Rs 1,275.78 crore in 2014-15, an increase of 39 percent.

Political parties earn money through donations, sale of coupons and contributions etc.

The BJP recorded the highest income of Rs 970.43 crore among the national parties during 2014-15, accounting for 76.06 percent of their total income.

Between 2013-14 and 2014-15, the BJP's income increased by 44 percent or Rs 296.62 crore.

The BSP's income increased by 67.31 percent or Rs 45.04 crore.

The CPI declared the least income of Rs 1.84 crore, a mere 0.14 percent of the total income of the six national parties, during 2014-15.

The ADR report said among the national parties, the CPI is the only party whose income decreased by 24.28 percent or around Rs 59 lakh.

The report also shows that almost half of the total income of the political parties came from unknown sources.

As per the ADR report, income accruing from unmentioned sources during 2014-15 is Rs 685.36 crore, which is 54 percent of the total income of the political parties.

(With IANS inputs)
Beijing: India and China on Wednesday held the 19th round of talks to resolve the vexed border dispute amid a growing discord between the two nations over Beijing blocking India's bid to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held the annual talks with Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to discuss the road ahead to resolve the dispute which has bedevilled bilateral ties.

Besides the border issue, Doval and Yang, the designated Special Representatives, also have a larger mandate to discuss all contentious bilateral, regional and international issues.

Considering their mandate, the second attempt by Beijing in an year to block India's bids to get the Pakistan' terror group's leaders banned is expected to figure in the talks.

Last month, China had vetoed India's bid to get the Pathankot attack mastermind designated as terrorist by the UN Sanctions Committee, maintaining that the case "did not meet the requirements" of the Security Council.

The Chinese action evoked a strong reaction in India which said that it was "incomprehensible" that while Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM) was banned by the UN, its chief was not.

Indian officials say while Azhar's listing was cleared by the four other UN Security Council permanent members, China has put a "technical hold", like it did in the case of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi earlier.

Since China, the veto wielding UNSC member, put a technical hold on Azhar issue, India has voiced its protests.

While India's UN Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin spoke of "hidden veto" at a UNSC open debate on 'Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts' in New York on April 16, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called for a review of China's decision to strike a common stand against terrorism.

For its part, China continued to stick to its stand saying that its decision is based on facts and fairness.

Defending the stand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying yesterday said "we oppose double standard in counter terrorism campaign."

"We have been dealing with the listing (of terrorists by UN) matter in accordance with the facts and relevant resolutions. We are also in sound communication with all relevant parties including the Indian side," she said.

Considering the heat generated over it, the issue was expected to figure prominently between Doval and Yang.
Militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) wanted a return to talks with the Turkish government a few months ago amid the worst violence in decades but Ankara rejected the overture, an opposition party leader said on Wednesday.

A 2-1/2-year peace process between the outlawed PKK and the government broke down last July and fighting since then has claimed thousands of lives, including around 500 civilians.

Chairman Selahattin Demirtas said his Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which has Kurdish origins, had persuaded PKK leaders based in the Qandil mountains of northern Iraq to return to the negotiating table.

"A few months ago, we were in contact with Qandil in an effort to return to the negotiating table. The government knew that we were working for this, but the government rejected it," Demirtas told a news conference in Istanbul.

"Qandil said it was ready for talks, but Ankara said there would be absolutely no return to the table. As long as it says this, can there be a one-sided negotiating table?"

President Tayyip Erdogan, who spearheaded the historic peace process before it collapsed last year, has publicly ruled out a return to negotiations and has vowed to crush the PKK, which has been waging a fight for greater autonomy since 1984 in a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.

Erdogan accuses the HDP of being the political wing of the PKK, which Demirtas denies.

Broadcaster CNN Turk, quoting the armed forces, said on Wednesday Turkish warplanes had struck PKK targets in northern Iraq. The Turkish military frequently strikes camps in Qandil.

Separately, the military said it had concluded operations in the town of Yuksekova on Wednesday, killing 196 PKK members since mid-March. Turkey, along with the United States and the European Union, considers the PKK a terrorist group.

'Crimes'

Demirtas said the loss of civilian life and the brutality of security operations in southeast Turkey violated international conventions on war crimes, including collective punishment.

His party is collecting evidence it hopes one day can be used to prosecute Erdogan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and other officials, including the heads of the army and police.

The government denies any targeting of non-combatants and says the deaths of almost 400 soldiers and police since July are due in part to their efforts to minimise the loss of civilian life. It blames the deaths of civilians on the PKK for staging its fight in urban centres.

Demirtas cited eyewitness accounts including the killing of wounded civilians and destruction of homes. He said the HDP had been unable so far to find a prosecutor "brave enough" to investigate the allegations.

"Everyone responsible for this massacre will absolutely be tried one day. They need to know they cannot escape this. The president continues to give the same orders (such as) shelling civilian areas by the armed forces, which is a direct violation of the Geneva convention and a crime against humanity."

A senior government official told Reuters the charges were "groundless" and said such assertions from the HDP have little value because of its "support for a terrorist organisation that has caused civilian deaths".

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New Delhi: The Central government on Wednesday refuted media reports that it has rejected a proposal by the Tamil Nadu government to free seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

CNN-IBN quoted Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials as saying that no decision has been taken yet on the proposal and consultations with the Union Law Ministry were still underway.

The Hindu newspaper had this morning reported that the Central government has turned down the Tamil Nadu government's proposal to free the seven convicts, namely V Sriharan alias Murugan, AG Perarivalan, T Suthendraraja alias Santhan, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, Ravichandran and Nalini.

As per the newspaper, the MHA had told the Tamil Nadu government that since the matter is sub judice in (the) Supreme Court, it has no authority to release the prisoners.

It is not the first time that the state government has approached the Centre seeking its views on its decision to remit the sentences of the convicts.

The Jayalalithaa government had first written to the erstwhile UPA government in February 2014.

The daily had quoted an MHA official as saying that the government rejected the proposal after taking into consideration the opinion of the Law Ministry.

In its letter to the Centre, the state government had said, The Government of Tamil Nadu has now received petitions from the convicts with requests to release them since they have spent more than 20 years in prison  the Government, after taking into consideration the petitions of the seven convicts, has decided to remit the sentences of life imprisonment as they have already served imprisonment for 24 years.
New Delhi: The Chandigarh administration has curtailed the timings of pubs and bars in the city from 2 am earlier to midnight.

According to a report in the Times of India, the new policy of "Controlling of Places of Public Amusement, 2016," which came into effect from April 01, a nodal committee with deputy commissioner as chairman and municipal corporation (MC) commissioner, Chandigarh police SSP, director, health services and excise and taxation commissioner as members, have the power to refuse renewal of permission for business operation.

In a move to prevent 'indecency', the new policy also bans 'scantily dressed women' at such places.

According to the new policy, the city administration has right to ban such places which indulge in 'exhibition or advertisement of 'scantily dressed women' and 'indecency' or are seditious. However, the policy does not clarify the 'scantily dressed women'.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had asked Chandigarh administration to formulate a policy for regulating the city bars, restaurants and discotheques after several cases of violence and brawls bu guests outside such places.
New Delhi: A tunnel boring machine that is so huge that it can cover more than 12 kilometers at a time is manufactured by China, its biggest ever such project, to be exported to India.

And it reportedly took more than one year to build the machine.

It was built for the express purpose of completing a one-time 12.5-kilometer boring task in India, China's state-run People's Daily reported.

China's largest ever double-shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) rolled off the assembly line in Wuhan on April 13, and will soon be exported to India, the report said.

The TBM, at 9.86 meters in diameter and 150 meters in length, is made by China Railway Science & Industry Group Co.

The machine weighs 2,500 tonnes, and its maximum driving power is 4,200 kilowatts.
New Delhi: Amid demands from various quarters to get the Kohinoor diamond back from the British, the Congress on Wednesday said that it was keen on getting Indian artefacts lying abroad to be brought back to the country.

"All heritage belongings of India that can be brought back should be brought back," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told IANS.

On Tuesday, the central government retracted from its earlier position and said it would make all possible efforts to bring back the Kohinoor diamond in an amicable manner.

The government's reaction came a day after Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar conveyed to the Supreme Court that the British East India Company did not take away the Kohinoor but it was gifted to Britain by late Sikh sovereign Maharaja Ranjit Singh's son Maharaja Duleep Singh.

Reacting sharply to the BJP government's U-turn, the Congress on Wednesday said: "It reflects the immaturity and inconsistency in the decision-making process and lack of a policy direction both at the level of the prime minister's office and in the government."

According to a culture ministry statement on Wednesday, independent India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956 went on record to say that there was no ground to claim the Kohinoor from Britain.

He was also of the opinion that efforts to get the diamond back would lead to difficulties.

"To exploit our good relations with some country to obtain free gifts from it of valuable articles does not seem to be desirable. On the other hand, it does seem to be desirable that foreign museums should have Indian objects of art," Nehru was quoted as saying in the statement.

Through a culture ministry statement, the government on Tuesday clarified that it wished to put on record that certain news items regarding the Kohinoor are not based on facts.

"The government of India further reiterates its resolve to make all possible efforts to bring back the Kohinoor diamond in an amicable manner. The factual position is that the matter is sub judice at present. A public interest litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court, which is yet to be admitted," read the statement.

"with regard to the Kohinoor too, the government of India remains hopeful for an amicable outcome whereby India gets back a valued piece of art with strong roots in our nations history," it further said.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee too on Tuesday demanded that the diamond be handed over to the Sikh community, maintaining that it was taken away through "deceitful means" by the British.

The 108-carat diamond was presented to the then British monarch, Queen Victoria, in 1850 after the Anglo-Sikh wars, in which the Britain gained control over the Sikh empire in the then undivided Punjab.

The Kohinoor diamond, kept under tight security at the Tower of London, is claimed by India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.


New Delhi: Three traffic cops were arrested for physically assaulting a man after he refused to pay the bribe to them at a traffic police station in north Delhi's Sabzi Mandi area.

The accused has also alleged that the cops tried to sexually assault him in the custody.

The arrested personnel have been identified as assistant sub-inspector Balwant and constables Raju Kumar and Bharat.

At least three other accused personnel involved in the case are absconding, a police official said.

A case under Sections 323 (causing hurt), 343 (wrongful confinement for three or more days), 365 (abduction with intent secret or wrongful confinement) and 377/511 (attempt to commit unnatural sex) of IPC has been registered in connection with the matter, the official said today.

"While the constables were sent to 14 days judicial custody by a court, the ASI was granted bail," DCP (North) Madhur Verma said.

According to police, a group of traffic officials stopped the complainant, a delivery van driver, for entering into a no-entry zone in north Delhi's Pulbangash area on April 16 evening, following which they entered into a heated argument.

The complainant claimed that the traffic personnel demanded bribe of Rs 1,000 but he called up his employer who instructed him to pay the penalty amount instead.

An argument broke out after the man started recording a mobile video protesting against the officials being lenient to other motorists for the same offence.

A scuffle ensued and the complainant allegedly broke their challan machine. The infuriated policemen then overpowered the man and took him to the traffic police station adjacent to the Sabzi Mandi Police Station.

There they allegedly took off his clothes and thrashed him for hours. The incident came to light yesterday when the complainant's family members finally tracked him and found him lying at the traffic police station in a half-naked state.

The complainant also alleged that the officials tried to sexually assault him by asking him to perform sexual acts on one of their colleagues. The allegations are being verified, an official said.

Police was informed and a case was registered on the basis of the victim's complaint. The traffic personnel were arrested immediately, he added. (With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Amid thaw in Indo-Pak relations, Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the government was hopeful a team of National Investigation Agency will soon visit the neighbouring country to gather evidence in connection with the Pathankot terror attack.

"We are hopeful that a team of NIA will visit Pakistan soon," the Minister of State for Home told reporters here.

Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit had indicated last fortnight that Indian investigators may not be allowed to visit Pakistan to pursue the probe in connection with the Pathankot attack.

However, India countered it by saying that before the visit of a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team here last month, both sides had agreed that it would be on the basis of reciprocity.

Official sources said Pakistan has backtracked from its promise to allow the Indian team's visit there to probe the January 2 Pathankot terror attack case apparently after finding that NIA has enough evidence to nail ISI's links with terrorists involved in it.

Basit had also said that at present the peace process between India and Pakistan is "suspended".
Delhi: India is keen on manufacturing a second line of fighters besides Tejas, as per a media report.

NDTV quoted sources as saying that within six months process of deciding which foreign manufacturer will make the jets in India will begin.

The reports added that the Ministry of Defence has already had several rounds of discussions on the matter.

The website further quoted sources as saying the second line of fighters will be in the category of the medium multi-role combat aircraft, or MMRCA.

Besides meeting requirements of the Indian Air Force, The second line of fighters can also be exported, as per the report.

Tejas is a Light Combat Aircraft.

Meanwhile, as per a report on April 16, negotiations over the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets have entered the "final stages" as both India and France have managed to narrow down their differences over the pricing.

Government sources have said that the deal has not been concluded yet but it is in "final stages", as per PTI.

The development came nearly four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) to purchase 36 Rafale combat jets.

(With Agency inputs)
Amritsar: Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under suspicious circumstances in a Lahore jail last week, was cremated at his native village in Gurdaspur district on Wednesday.

Kirpal Singh's body was handed over to the Border Security Force at the Attari-Wagah joint check post on Tuesday. Albeit his family members alleged that his body bore injury marks and foul play led to his death, but doctors who conducted an autopsy denied this.

Gurdaspur is about 220 km from Chandigarh.

Alleging foul play in his death, Kirpal's family members said the body bore injury and blood marks.

Contrary to the claims, the medical board which conducted the post-mortem examination here after his body was brought back to India on Tuesday, said there were no external or internal injury marks on the body.

Ashok Sharma, head of the three-member medical board, however, told the media after the post-mortem examination that the cause of death has not been established yet.

The doctor said some organs from his body were missing, as an autopsy has already been done (in Pakistan).

"In the post-mortem examination, it was found that there was no external or internal injury on the body. Post-mortem of this body has already been done (in Pakistan) because stitches were present on the body and the head.

"When we opened the body, we found that some of the organs were missing because when post-mortem is done, some organs are taken to test to find out whether there is any disease or not," Sharma said.

"... rest of the organs which were present, we took out portions of those organs and we sent them for testing (to know) about diseases as well as poisoning. I can say with 100 percent accuracy that the wound marks which are inflicted during life, they cannot be removed. The cause of death has not been established yet," the doctor added.

Pakistani authorities have attributed his death to heart attack, but his family has alleged he was murdered in prison.

Kirpal Singh, the family has maintained, had inadvertently crossed into Pakistan and was arrested and charged with spying by Pakistani authorities.

Kirpal Singh, a former serviceman, was lodged in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat prison since 1992. He died on April 11.

Pakistani authorities had labelled him a spy and got him convicted for terror attacks inside Pakistan. He was initially sentenced to death which was later converted to 20 years' imprisonment.

(With IANS inputs)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met veteran BJP leader L K Advani and offered his condolences over the demise of his wife Kamla Advani.

Modi, who could not attend the prayer meeting in memory of Advani's wife last Sunday, drove down to Advani's Prithviraj Road residence and spent around 25 minutes with the senior BJP leader.

Kamla Advani, who remained out of politics but was often seen with her husband in public during his long political journey, died on April 6 following cardiac arrest. She was suffering from age-related problems for some time.

Modi was recently in West Bengal where he addressed a few poll meetings while campaigning for the BJP in the assembly polls.
Chandigarh: The International Day of Yoga, which is celebrated every year on June 21, would be held in Chandigarh this year, said reports on Wednesday.

According to aajtak.in, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may attend the event.

Last year, Modi had joined yoga enthusiasts at Rajpath in New Delhi, performing different asanas for a good 35 minutes. This time the event is most likely to be held in Chandigarh.

The Centre has reportedly sent formal directions to the UT administration to hold the event and the Union Ministry of Ayush is likely to oversee preparations for it.

However, no conformation has come from the central government and the UT administration in this regard.
At least two people have been burned to death in Zambia during riots targeting Rwandan-owned shops over allegations that foreigners were behind a string of ritual killings, police said Wednesday.

The violence erupted earlier this week in slum areas of the capital Lusaka after the recent murders of at least seven people, whose body parts such as ears, hearts and penises had been removed.

Hundreds of residents stoned houses and shops owned by foreign nationals, with some foreigners seeking refuge at police stations as looters took food, drinks, refrigerators and other electrical appliances.

"The official number of people who have died from the time the looting started is two. These are the ones who were burned to death on 18 April 2016 in Kanyama," police spokeswoman Charity Chanda said in a statement.

Police said 62 shops had been looted, but they were unable to confirm the nationality of Monday's victims, who were burned with firewood and vehicle tyres.

Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila has blamed the riots on false allegations that a suspected ritual killer of foreign nationality had been released from police custody.

He said that more than 200 people had been arrested.

"Elements in Lusaka with criminal intent took advantage of the pain and grief we all felt over the suspected ritual killings," Mwila said in a television address on Monday evening.

Several thousand refugees from Rwanda, which was embroiled in genocide in 1994, live in Lusaka.

They run many of the shops in the affected parts of the city, and residents have accused them of using the body parts for witchcraft.

No rioting was reported overnight or on Wednesday morning, with police reinforcements on street patrol in trouble-hit areas.

In South Africa last year, mobs in Johannesburg and in the port city of Durban targeted migrants, ransacking their homes and burning shops.

At least seven people died and thousands were displaced, with citizens from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique among those affected.

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New Delhi: Narendra Modi wants the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to carry forward India's growth story, but outstation students at the National Institute of Technology Srinagar want the Prime Minister to hoist the Tricolour at their campus.

Following the recent unrest in NIT Srinagar, outstation students of the institute on Tuesday made an appeal to the Prime Minister and Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani to hoist the national flag at their campus to instil a sense of security.

A delegation of students met HRD officials yesterday with 19 demands which included permanent deployment of CRPF on the campus, reshuffle of college administration, celebration of national festivals at the institute, reported The Times of India.

"We request either the Hon'ble minister of HRD or the Prime Minister to come with students to NIT Srinagar and hoist full size Tiranga in the campus at its highest mast. This will end the leave taken by students and also give them a sense of security," it said.

"This will reiterate the message that Kashmir is an integral part of India and students will have a psychological win over the anti-national elements on the campus as well as outside," the students said.

The NIT trouble, which began as locals versus outsiders over the nationalism debate, has pitted Jammu against the Kashmir Valley.
Chennai: The Central government has turned down a proposal of the Tamil Nadu government to free seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

The Hindu reported on Wednesday that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told the Tamil Nadu government that since the matter is sub judice in (the) Supreme Court, it has no authority to release the prisoners.

It is not the first time that the state government had approached the Centre seeking its views on its decision to remit the sentences of the convicts.

The Jayalalithaa government had first written to the erstwhile UPA government in February 2014.

An MHA official told the newspaper that they rejected the proposal after taking into consideration the opinion of the Law Ministry.

In its letter to the Centre, the state government had said, The Government of Tamil Nadu has now received petitions from the convicts with requests to release them since they have spent more than 20 years in prison  the Government, after taking into consideration the petitions of the seven convicts, has decided to remit the sentences of life imprisonment as they have already served imprisonment for 24 years.

The seven convicts are V Sriharan alias Murugan, AG Perarivalan, T Suthendraraja alias Santhan, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, Ravichandran and Nalini.
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has readied fresh Letters Rogatory (LRs) to be sent to Pakistan containing the addresses of four Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists who attacked the strategic Indian Air Force Base in Pathankot in January.

The LRs are being dispatched notwithstanding indications from the Pakistani side that it was not yet ready to receive Indian investigators to carry forward the probe in the January two attack that left seven security personnel dead.

Four JeM terrorists were also killed in the 80-hour gunbattle by the security forces .

The NIA had also put the pictures of the four dead terrorists on its official website and asked general public for help in identifying them.

According to official sources, the central probe agency, set up in the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was flooded with many emails, some of which originated from Pakistan also, giving information about the terrorists.

NIA, during its interaction with the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of Pakistan, had sought details about the place of residence of the terrorists whose names had been shared with the visiting probe team. However, there was no response from Pakistan on the Indias request.

The five-member JIT also comprising an ISI officer had visited India from March 27 to April one during which they visited the air base and recorded statements of 16 witnesses.

During the exercise of verification of the information gathered through emails, the NIA showed the pictures and addresses to some of the jailed terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group lodged in jails here and got important inputs from them.

The address of Nasir Hussain, one of the terrorists, was located at Vehari, a town 100 kms from Multan in Punjab province of Pakistan. He is the son of Mohd Mansa and stays at House number WB-89, Mohalla Chak in the town.

Hussain was the Jaish terrorist who had called his mother Khayyam Babbar minutes before the terror group launched a suicide attack inside the IAF base on the intervening night of January one and two.

The other terrorist was identified as Hafiz Abu Bakar, son of Mohammed Fazil and resident of Gujranwala in Pakistan.

While Umer Farooq was stated to be son of Abdul Samad who stays in Madni Road, Mohalla Madisah, Shahdadpur in Sindh province of Pakistan, the fourth terrorist Abdul Qayum was the son of Mohamed Amin, resident of Chachar, Tehsil Pano Akil in district Sukkur of the Sindh province of Pakistan.

With PTI inputs
Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the US in June, a bipartisan group of top American lawmakers have said while calling on the House of Representatives Speaker to invite him to address a joint session of the Congress during his fourth trip here in two years.

"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Washington on June 7 and 8 of this year," Congressmen Ed Royce, Eliot Engel, George Holding and Ami Bera said in a letter to House of Representatives Paul Ryan.

Royce is the Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee and Engel is its Ranking Member. Holding and Bera are Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

"Given the depth of our relationship with India across a range of areas -- defence, humanitarian and disaster relief, space cooperation, conservation, and innovation, -- we believe this is an ideal opportunity for the Congress to hear directly from the Prime Minister," they said in the letter.

"Therefore, we ask that you invite Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Meeting of Congress. It is our understanding that if invited, the Prime Minister would accept," the four lawmakers said in their letter dated April 19.

There has been no official announcement of the visit from either the White House or the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi.

The bipartisan group of Congressmen said the US partnership with India is based on a foundation of shared values, including the rule of law, electoral democracy, and religious pluralism.

"This renewed partnership has found champions in the leadership of both parties, including both President Clinton and President George W Bush, and has been further emboldened in the United States by a strong, proud, and growing Indian-American diaspora," the letter said.

Observing that US-India relationship has seen significant growth, the Congressmen said President Obama has visited India twice and Prime Minister Modi reciprocated with two trips of his own to the United States.

Modi also visited the US earlier this month for the Nuclear Security Summit.

"Our two countries have signed a defence framework agreement to increase military cooperation and the civilian nuclear agreement, signed in 2008, will result in the construction of nuclear power plants in India," the letter said.

"Additionally, the United States and India are forging closer ties to address humanitarian crises, such as the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal, in the renewable energies sector and in space exploration. It is no wonder that the partnership has been characterised as the defining partnership of the 21st century," it said.
New Delhi: The India-US ties are set to deepen further as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the United States in June.

While Modi has visited the country thrice in the last two years, the upcoming tour will be special as it will be a state visit, the highest expression of the friendly bilateral relationship between two countries.

Interestingly, the Obama White House's first state visit was that of then PM Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi's state visit may well be the last before Obama demits office in January.

Also, of the 10 state visits hosted by Obama only China has been given the honour twice, and with the Modi state visit, the US is indicating the importance it accords to its ties with our nation.

As per a report in The Times of India, Obama had taken the initiative to invite Modi to the White House.

The report added that the visit is likely to be scheduled for the second week of June.
New Delhi: Reacting to police horse Shaktiman's death, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on Wednesday said that the culprits should be arrested for killing a police officer.

Expressing anger over the horse's death, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader told news agency ANI, Shaktimaan was a police officer on duty and went through so much pain which ultimately killed him.

She opined that horses should no longer be part of police systems.

They (Horses) serve no purpose. In every crowd engagement they are at mercy of any vicious person who is too cowardly to do anything but injure a defenceless animal, the Union Minister asserted.

The horse 'Shaktiman', which suffered multiple fractures on its hind leg during a BJP protest in Dehradun last month died today.

The horse had lost its leg after it was brutally beaten during clashes between BJP protesters and the police on March 14.

BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi, the legislator from Mussoorie, accused of assaulting Shaktiman, was arrested after national outrage over the incident.

Joshi was seen trying to hit the horse with a stick and was also accused of breaking its leg. He has, however, maintained his innocence claiming he was just trying to scare the animal.

Animal rights activists reacted sharply and asked the government to take action against the accused BJP leader, Ganesh Joshi.
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday greeted Queen Elizabeth II of Britain on her 90th birthday which falls on Thursday.

"India attaches high importance to her rich and multifaceted strategic partnership with the United Kingdom," the president said in a message.

"Regular engagement at the highest level has strengthened and expanded the enduring friendship and mutual understanding between our two great nations."

Stating that the Queen's personal "commitment to the relationship and your leadership in promoting the development of ties between our peoples has been unique", Mukherjee wished the Queen good health.


Washington: The leaders of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee called on Tuesday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress during a visit to Washington in June.

"Given the depth of our relationship with India across a range of areas - defence, humanitarian and disaster relief, space cooperation, conservation and innovation - we believe this is an ideal opportunity for the Congress to hear directly from the prime minister," Representatives Ed Royce, the Republican committee chairman, and Eliot Engel, the panel`s ranking Democrat, wrote to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

The invitation would be a sharp turnaround for a leader who was once barred from the United States over massacres of Muslims.

A spokeswoman for Ryan said she had no announcement at this time about whether Ryan would extend the invitation.

Invitations to address the Senate and House are considered a great honour. There have been only two in the past year: Pope Francis, on September 24, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on April 29, 2015.

When Modi`s Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies swept India`s elections in 2014, there initially were questions about whether he would qualify for a visa. President Barack Obama quickly dismissed the issue by inviting him to the White House when he called to congratulate him on his victory.

In 2002, when Modi had just become Gujarat`s chief minister, more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in sectarian riots in the state.

The administration of President George W. Bush denied Modi a visa in 2005 under a 1998 U.S. law barring entry to foreigners who have committed "particularly severe violations of religious freedom."

Modi denied any wrongdoing. India`s Supreme Court ruled in 2010 he had no case to answer.

Washington sees its relationship with India as critical, partly to counterbalance China`s rising power. Obama has called it "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century."

The letter to Ryan was also signed by Republican Representative George Holding and Democrat Ami Bera, the co-chairmen of the Congress Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
Buenos Aires: Severe storms and flooding across South America`s "southern cone" have killed at least 12 people and forced thousands to evacuate, with more bad weather on the way.

Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have all been hit by the deluge, which has inundated towns, taken out bridges, blocked roads and cut off water supplies in recent days.

In Uruguay, the bad weather culminated Friday in a tornado that killed five people in the western town of Dolores.

Four others were killed when they were swept away by floodwaters, officials said Wednesday, updating an earlier death toll after a man`s body was found on the banks of the San Jose river.

More than 10,000 people have been evacuated in Uruguay, which typically has a mild climate.

In Chile, three people were killed and nine are missing after heavy rains swept the country at the weekend.

The storms poured nearly five times more precipitation on the central Andes mountains than they typically get in the entire month of April.

Flooding interrupted the supply of potable water to nearly 4.5 million people in Santiago.

Chilean officials said water supplies had been restored as life slowly returned to normal in the capital.

Flooding also forced the closure of the world`s largest underground copper mine, El Teniente, until Thursday.

In Argentina, 12,000 people were forced to evacuate, mainly in Entre Rios province, which sits between the swollen Parana and Uruguay rivers.

More rain was forecast for later in the week.
New Delhi: The Indian Army is conducting a major exercise in the Rajasthan desert to test its capability of striking deep into enemy territory in an integrated air-land battle mode.

About 30,000 soldiers are participating in exercise Shatrujeet near Pokharan city, a Defence Ministry statement said.

The ministry took to Twitter to share some of the pictures of the ongoing exercise, which will be reviewed by Army Chief DS Suhag on April 22.

Here are the pics:

Exercise Shatrujeet of the Indian @adgpi - water obstacle crossing. pic.twitter.com/ZxV5lagwwW  DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) April 20, 2016

Indian Army's Exercise Shatrujeet in the deserts of Rajasthan - Para SF Commando in a freefall in enemy territory. pic.twitter.com/ILK7i9kXX2  DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) April 20, 2016

One more photo from Ex-Shatrujeet - Gunners at best providing intimate support to strike. pic.twitter.com/1mzqt4QmCo  DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) April 20, 2016

Another photo from Ex Shatrujeet - Crossing of tanks over PMS bridge. pic.twitter.com/JrwhBwKfXR  DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) April 20, 2016
Austria will reintroduce controls along its border with Italy unless the migrant flow through the area is drastically reduced, Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz warned in an interview published Wednesday, as neighbouring Switzerland also voiced concern.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi last week insisted Italy was not facing an "invasion" after a spike in migrant boat crossings from Libya exacerbated fears it could become the main entry point into Europe.

But Kurz said Austria was still very concerned as Europe struggles to contain the worst migrant crisis the continent has known since World War II.

"Look at the figures. Austria received 90,000 migrants last year, close on one percent of the population -- in terms of Italy's population that would amount to more than 600,000 people," Kurz told Italian daily Il Messaggero.

He noted that 154,000 migrants had arrived in Italy in 2015 but that only 83,000 had filed asylum claims -- a discrepancy of 71,000.

Austria, seeking to cut this year's arrivals to 37,500, sparked consternation in Rome last week over preliminary construction work at Brenner Pass in the Alps to prepare for a possible new influx of migrants coming north from Italy.

The Brenner Pass is one of the main transport corridors between northern and southern Europe.

The European Union also last week echoed Italy's concern, with European Commission spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud saying the issue would need to be discussed with Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner given the Pass is "essential for freedom of movement within the European Union."

Vienna worries that the closure earlier this year of the Balkan trail from Greece towards Austria means a new route across the sea from Libya to Italy and then northwards will open up.

Switzerland revealed its own concern at the crisis, saying it was ready to mobilise up to 2,000 soldiers should migrants continue to arrive.

Swiss federal authorities said they have drawn up separate scenarios ranging from 10,000 arrivals inside a month to a worst case of 30,000 inside a few days.

The latter "would necessitate army intervention," the government said.

In a statement the government said it had tasked the defence ministry with putting 2,000 troops on standby for such an eventuality.

The ministry last week said that given the current shifting state of migratory routes "Switzerland could be faced in the coming weeks or months by an influx of people seeking protection."

Earlier this week, Italy's Coldiretti agricultural union said the reintroduction of border controls would threaten the movement of 10 billion euros ($11.3 billion) worth of Italian foodstuffs annually.

"We are aware of the historic and logistical importance of this border and we ourselves do not wish to see controls," Kurz said.

"But if we find the number of clandestine migrants arriving via the Mediterranean does not drop considerably then we would be forced to introduce controls at Brenner," he warned.

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New Delhi: A three-day Naval Commanders` Conference will be held here from Thursday. The conference is being held following a very successful International Fleet Review (IFR) organized by the Navy in Visakhapatnam in February.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan will chair the conference, which will review operations, acquisition of assets, personnel and logistic issues.

The conference will primarily focus on reviewing combat readiness and operational preparedness of the Navy, including coastal security, to address the dynamic security challenges in the Indian Ocean region.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will address and interact with Naval Commanders on the opening day of the conference.

The conference will also provide an opportunity to naval commanders` to interact with Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials. Relevant issues regarding civil military synergy will also be discussed.
Mumbai: Three naval sailors were injured, including one who lost a leg, when a bailout bottle exploded aboard diving support ship INS Nireekshak, a navy official said here on Wednesday.

The mishap occurred around 40 nautical miles from Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, while the ship was on way from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to Mumbai on April 16.

The diving bailout bottle is a small 12-inch oxygen bottle carried by divers in their diving helmets for use if the primary oxygen supply fails. The blast occurred during the refilling of the bottle.

One of the three sailors working on the ship's deck sustained serious injuries, following which his right leg had to be amputated above the knee.

The two others suffered splinter injuries in legs and stomach, the official said.

The sailors were admitted to the military hospital in Thiruvanthapuram but later shifted to Mumbai. Their condition was said to be stable.

An inquiry was ordered to find the cause of explosion, a first of its kind accident in the navy.


Nashik: Refusing to bend before the religious bigotry, Bhumata Brigade president Trupti Desai on Wednesday said the women devotees will once again try to enter the inner sanctum of Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik on Thursday.

Triputi, who had earlier tried to enter the sanctum, was detained at a place called Nandur Shingote near Pune-Nashik border in Maharashtra.

The Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust in Maharashtra has maintained that the women devotees can be allowed into the famous Lord Shiva temple's sanctum sanctorum for an hour everyday, but with a rider that they must wear wet cotton or silk clothes while offering prayers in the core area.

There is no discrimination between men and women, we allow entry inside inner sanctum for 1 hour, fromm 6am to 7am. We allow entry of women only if they wear wet cotton or silk clothes, Temple trustee Lalita Shinde had told ANI.

(With ANI inputs)
New Delhi: Twitter on Monday witnessed a huge buzz over a picture of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her visit to Iran. The bone of contention here was her attire, especially cover in head.

With HE President Hassan Rouhani. pic.twitter.com/Rhbk0iqLgK  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 17, 2016

Soon after the picture was posted on Twitter, some of the users reacted with to it giving different angles to the story. Here are some of the viral tweets:-

As Iran rejoins world economy it must give up making our dignitaries dress like them. Why do we agree too? pic.twitter.com/929dOkVhjp  Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) April 18, 2016

This is embarrassing @SushmaSwaraj. You could've worn a Sari and pulled the Pallu over yr head. https://t.co/GmItzaQYRs  Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) April 17, 2016

@SushmaSwaraj when Iranis or Saudi Arabia diplomats make sure they have a tilak on forhead as per Hindu custom.  ANAND GOPALAPPA (@anandgopalappa) April 17, 2016

Good to see Sushma Swaraj didn't have to change anything about herself in Iran. pic.twitter.com/SBGYXk8poQ  Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) April 17, 2016

@spexmp @SushmaSwaraj sir, this is not religious place,they are on a ministerial discussion. We should respect others religion.   (@BundeliPandit) April 17, 2016

@suhasinih I recall Indira Gandhi in similar dress on a visit to Saudi Arabia..Dress code is matter of independent choice.wrong if imposed  rasheed kidwai (@rasheedkidwai) April 18, 2016

@SushmaSwaraj Happy she is 'ba parda'. Like politics, diplomacy is the art of the possible. And then 'when in Rome (do as the Romans do)  YusufJameel  (@jameelyusuf) April 17, 2016
Kolkata: The Election Commission on Wednesday issued show-cause notice to Trinamool Congress candidate Abdur Rezzak Mollah over his "objectionable" remarks against the BJP's actress-turned poll contestant Roopa Ganguly, an official said.

"Such comments should not have been made. The Commission has issued a show-cause notice to Mollah," an EC official said.

Terming it "objectionable", the BJP on Wednesday urged the poll watchdog to take action against Mollah, who was expelled from the CPI-M in 2014 for "anti-party activities".

"Before joining the Trinamool, he had made offensive remarks against the chief minister (Mamata Banerjee) as well," said BJP leader Jay Prakash Majumdar.

Mollah had been censured and show-caused earlier by the poll panel for some of his utterances.

On Wednesday, Mollah stoked another controversy when he cast aspersions on actress-turned-BJP leader Roopa Ganguly's character and expressed doubts on her artistic abilities.

His comments drew the ire of the opposition parties.

In sharp criticism of the "unparliamentary" remark, Congress leader Deepa Das Munshi said the Trinamool encourages such comments.

"There is line which should be drawn in politics. I strongly condemn it," she said.
Ujjjain: A group of saints who belong to Nirmohi Akhara allegedly ransacked Asaram's ashram on Wednesday.

The group attacked Asaram's ashram in Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh.

Earlier, police, on April 7, had arrested a man who allegedly financed an attack in 2009 on one of the witnesses who gave statements against Asaram in a case of death of two children near the self-styled godmans ashram.

KD Patel, follower of Asaram who lived in his ashram at Motera in Ahmedabad, surrendered before the metropolitan magistrate after the court rejected his anticipatory bail application on March 30.

Patel, a doctor by profession, is accused of financing attack in 2009 on Raju Chandak, who has deposed against Asaram before the Justice D K Trivedi Commission which probed the deaths of two children near the ashram some years ago.

Patels name was revealed by alleged sharp-shooter Kartik Haldar who was arrested in Raipur on March 13 by Ahmedabad police in connection with murder of three witnesses in an alleged sexual assault case against Asaram.

Haldar, who also attempted to kill four other witnesses in alleged rape cases lodged against Asaram in Jodhpur and Ahmedabad, told police some sadhaks (of Asaram) had asked him to bump off the witnesses to weaken the cases.

Asaram is lodged in Jodhpur jail since 2014 in alleged rape case.

A court in Gandhinagar this week framed charges against him in another rape case, filed by a Surat-based woman.
Jammu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday to formally inaugurate the 230-bed Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super Speciality Hospital, officials said on Monday.

The facility has been set up by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at a cost of Rs.300 crore near Katra in Reasi district, an official said.

Free of cost OPD services and diagnostic tests started at the hospital from March 15. The hospital became fully functional from April 8.

"The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art computerized equipment to provide best possible diagnostic and treatment facilities to the patients," the official said.
Bengaluru: In the wake of violent protests by garment workers, the Karnataka Police on Tuesday night issued prohibitory orders prohibiting assembly of over 10 people across Bengaluru for three days from Wednesday.

The prohibitory order in this regard came into force from midnight in the entire city to maintain peace and to prevent any untoward incident.

Thousands of garment workers, mostly women, staged protests against curbs on withdrawal of provident fund (PF) before attaining the age of 58 years, especially the amount contributed by the employer with government interest.

"We have taken about 120 people into custody for indulging in arson and violence, attacking our personnel deployed for protection of agitators and damaging public property, including state-run buses and our vehicles," city police commissioner NS Megharikh told reporters here.

According to police estimates, a record one lakh workforce from other factories and firms across the city assembled at Bommanahalli industrial area in the south and Peenya industrial area in the north to demonstrate against the PF withdrawal norms.

Notably, under fire from political opponents and bowing to pressure from trade unions, including from RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the government on Tuesday withdrew its new rules of provident fund withdrawal.

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya on Tuesday said the employees, whenever they want, can withdraw employer's contribution of 12 percent.

(With Agency inputs)
Thiruvananthapuram: A sessions court here on Monday sentenced Nino Mathew to death and his illicit lover Anu Santhi to life imprisonment in the Attingal double murder case.

Mathew was given capital punishment for killing Santhi's daughter and mother-in-law. Santhi was spared the noose as, among other reasons, she was not present on the scene of the crime.

The court had last week found the duo guilty of criminal trespass, conspiracy, attempt to destroy evidence, murder, attempt to murder, theft, transmitting obscene material.

The prosecution examined 64 witnesses, produced 66 exhibits and 42 material objects during the trial.

Colleagues in a Technopark company, Nino and Anu had colluded and murdered three-year-old Swastika, and Omana at Alamcode near Attingal on April 16, 2014 as they wanted to continue their illicit relationship without any hindrance.

They had also attempted to murder Anus husband Lijeesh.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Oommen Chandy-led United Democratic Front came out with its manifesto for the Kerala assembly elections, with the motto "house, health and food for all".

The manifesto was released by Chief Minister Chandy in the presence of all the allies of the Congress-led UDF at the state Congress headquarters, a day after the Left opposition brought out its manifesto.

Kerala will elect 140 members to the legislative assembly on May 16.

Chandy said his government, which is completing five years in office, has seen revolutionary achievements in all sectors and was thus facing the upcoming polls with confidence.

The UDF's most prominent poll promise is housing for all, health for all and food for all.

The manifesto lays stress on agriculture and promises interest-free loan to farmers who promptly repay previous farm loans.

It also promises to formulate an agricultural fund through 'farm bumper lottery' to give relief to farmers.

Special sops will be provided to rubber and cardamom farmers.

It promised an investment of Rs.1,000 crore to increase the present benchmark price of rubber of Rs.150 a kg and also to set up rubber-based industries in the public sector.

The UDF also promised that in every gram panchayat, the government will start 100 goat farms, 100 dairy farms, 100 pig farms and 100 poultry farms, which will create employment opportunities for one lakh rural youth and increase production of milk and meat.

The manifesto promises free tax holidays for promotion of family enterprises and self employment enterprises for five years.

It said it will set up start-up villages in each district for youth entrepreneurs and provide training for Class 10-pass students in mobile phone services.

To appease the large diaspora-supported population in the state, the manifesto promises employment opportunities like starting new enterprises for the diaspora who return from the Middle East.

A new health insurance scheme was also proposed for the diaspora who return on account of health issues. A monthly pension of Rs.1,000 will be provided to expatriates who suffer from serious ailments.

In the IT sector, the UDF proposes to increase IT exports from Kerala to Rs.1 lakh crore in five years besides providing interest free loans to youth entrepreneurs up to Rs.20 lakh.

In the education sector, special emphasis will be given to promote French, German, Persian and Arabic languages in higher education.

In the health sector, the UDF promised to provide free medicines to cancer and diabetic patients.


A federal judge on Tuesday approved an agreement between the US Justice Department and Ferguson, Missouri, to reform the city's police department, a pact prompted by the 2014 shooting of an unarmed black teenager that sparked violent protests.

US District Judge Catherine Perry of Missouri's Eastern District approved the 129-page accord, which also outlines the revamping of the St. Louis suburb's municipal law code.

The Justice Department and Ferguson recognize "that the ability of a police department to protect the community it serves is only as strong as the relationship it has with that community," the consent decree signed by Perry said.

The agreement requires Ferguson police officers to undergo bias-awareness training and the department must implement an accountability system.

The city also agreed that police must ensure that stop, search and arrest practices do not discriminate on the basis of race or other factors protected under law.

The largely black community of Ferguson erupted into violent protests in 2014 after a grand jury chose not to indict white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of unarmed 18-year-old African-American Michael Brown.

The city council in Ferguson approved the agreement in March after receiving assurances from the Justice Department that it would work with Ferguson to ensure it would not cripple city finances.

A number of US cities have entered into police reform pacts, including Seattle, Washington and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The decree came the day that a white St. Louis police officer shot and killed a black carjacking suspect about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Ferguson.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Sam Dotson told reporters the suspect pointed a gun at officers and one opened fire. No officers were injured and there was no dash camera in the police cruiser, he said.A federal judge on Tuesday approved an agreement between the US Justice Department and Ferguson, Missouri, to reform the city's police department, a pact prompted by the 2014 shooting of an unarmed black teenager that sparked violent protests.

US District Judge Catherine Perry of Missouri's Eastern District approved the 129-page accord, which also outlines the revamping of the St. Louis suburb's municipal law code.

The Justice Department and Ferguson recognize "that the ability of a police department to protect the community it serves is only as strong as the relationship it has with that community," the consent decree signed by Perry said.

The agreement requires Ferguson police officers to undergo bias-awareness training and the department must implement an accountability system.

The city also agreed that police must ensure that stop, search and arrest practices do not discriminate on the basis of race or other factors protected under law.

The largely black community of Ferguson erupted into violent protests in 2014 after a grand jury chose not to indict white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of unarmed 18-year-old African-American Michael Brown.

The city council in Ferguson approved the agreement in March after receiving assurances from the Justice Department that it would work with Ferguson to ensure it would not cripple city finances.

A number of US cities have entered into police reform pacts, including Seattle, Washington and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The decree came the day that a white St. Louis police officer shot and killed a black carjacking suspect about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Ferguson.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Sam Dotson told reporters the suspect pointed a gun at officers and one opened fire. No officers were injured and there was no dash camera in the police cruiser, he said.

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Mumbai/Latur: Another train carrying 25 lakh litres of water reached the parched Latur district in Maharashtra on Wednesday morning.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu took to Twitter to make the announcement and vow to continue the relief work as a mission.

First full 50 tank wagons carrying about 25 lakh ltrs of water reached #Latur at 7.55 hrs.

Shall continue this operation as mission  Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) April 20, 2016

According to official estimates, some of the worst-hit villages in Latur require over two crore litres of water since the monsoon is still two months away.

The water train initiative was taken by Prabhu a few days ago as many parts of his home state reeled under severe water crises, especially villages in Latur district, which has a population of around 2.45 crore.

The railways is planning a few more similar train trips to help quench the thirst of Latur villagers.

Currently, around 15,000 Maharashtra villages, a majority of them in Latur, Beed and Osmanabad districts, are in the grip of acute water shortage.

Villagers in some areas trek more than two km daily to fetch potable water and keep water stock under lock and key.

Schools in affected areas have been shut, with marriages and other social events cancelled or postponed. Agricultural activities too have come to a standstill.

Police have imposed prohibitory orders till May 3 in many areas to prevent violence over water distribution. Besides, armed guards have been posted at public water tanks and reservoirs.
Trivandrum: A cylinder explosion was reported in a Naval ship off Trivandrum coast early on Wednesday.

The cylinder explosion took place in INS Nireekshak in which at least three sailors were injured. The incident occurred after a bailout bottle (cylinder used by divers) exploded on INS Nireekshak, ANI reported.

Those injured have been hospitalised in a military hospital here for treatment.

According to latest reports, the right leg of POCD Pradeep Kumar, who is one one of the three injured in the incident, has been amputated by the doctors.

Meanwhile, a probe has also been ordered.
Mumbai: Days after BJP was trounced in the crucial Nagar Panchayat and Zilla Parishad polls, Shiv Sena on Wednesday took potshots at its ruling ally in Maharashtra saying the party's fight for existence in these bodies indicated that people were not benefiting from their governance.

"Expecting that people's sentiments can be bought with power and money, is wrong. BJP's defeat is painful for us as it is an old ally of ours. We never expected that the winds of change would start blowing so soon," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana.'

It said BJP ministers were in the habit of making new announcements everyday which have no substance in them.

It is surprising that Congress which has no leadership in the state, and the NCP--riddled with corruption charges--could manage to secure decent gains in the recently held polls, the editorial read.

"Now there will be clarifications (from BJP) that the results of local polls do not reflect the sentiments of people in the state. But there is no point in playing hide and seek now. Since the party has come to power at the Centre, it is expected that right from Gram Panchayat to Lok Sabha, people are in favour of BJP," it said.

It further said that rising waves eventually settle down and the force of blowing air decreases with time. The dust too settles down eventually, Sena mocked.

"If the BJP has to fight for its survival, it should take into account the fact that the fruits of governance are not reaching the people and that loot is happening," the party stated.

BJP won five seats while Congress got 21 seats and the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) bagged 20 seats each in the election to the six nagar panchayats in Maharashtra.

This was the second phase of election for 102 seats after the first round of 345 seats in 19 nagar panchayats in January this year.

The state government had formed 138 new nagar panchayats in 2014 by bifurcating urban areas at taluka headquarters.
Mumbai: Protesting against the demand for separate Vidarbha state, Shiv Sena workers on Wednesday were lathicharged by police in Akola, Maharashtra.

The Shiv Sena has moved the resolution in support of a united Maharashtra in the Legislative Council.

The party has also got support from Opposition over the issue.

Though the BJP has supported separate Vidarbha state, it will be difficult for its government to vote against the motion as all its ministers, including the CM took an oath as Maharashtra ministers.
Mumbai: Amid an ongoing debate on the gender equality, women activists belonging to the Pune-based Swarajya Sanghatana were again stopped from entering the Trimbakeshwar temple in Maharashtra on Wednesday.

Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust had yesterday announced a dress code for women, saying it will allow women into the famous Lord Shiva temple's sanctum for an hour every day provided that they must wear 'wet cotton or silk clothes' while offering prayers in the core area.

The women activists had categorically refused to abide by the condition.

They had also lodged a complaint with police against the trust members and local people for obstructing their entry into the temple.

The trust took the decision at a meeting on Wednesday to allow women into the temple's 'garbha griha' sanctum sanctorum from 6 to 7 am and with the rules attached to it, Lalita Shinde, one of the temple trustees, was quoted as saying.

The decision was taken following an agitation by Pune-based Swarajya Sanghatana, headed by Vanita Gutte.
Bhatinda (Punjab): In a bid to take revenge for the rape of his eight-month-old daughter, the father of the victim on Tuesday chopped off both the hands of the 17-year-old accused in Punjabs Bhatinda district.

The rape incident had taken place in April 2014.

Both accused and the victims father, who hail from Kotli Ablu village, were returning from the Bhatinda District Court after the hearing when the latter asked the 17-year-old to accompany him on his motorcycle to the village, while they discussed about a compromise in the case.

When they were near Jhumba village, the victims father allegedly tied the youth to a tree and chopped off his hands below wrist with a sharp-edged weapon. He also inflicted other injuries on the youths body, besides cutting off his hands.

Reports say that the youth was rushed to a Bhatinda hospital while cops brought his limbs to the doctors later.

A case of attempt to murder has been registered against the infants father.

(With ANI inputs)
Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to file a caveat in the Supreme Court so that the committee could be heard before the court gives a judgment on the return of the Kohinoor diamond to India.

"The SGPC would represent the Sikh community in the PIL and demand that the diamond, which is presently a part of the crown jewels of the Queen of England, be returned to the religious body," Jangveer Singh, media adviser to Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Badal, said here.

"This assertion was being made on the basis that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the head of a Khalsa Raj. In the absence of any such system now, the SGPC is the representative of the Sikh community to which the diamond rightfully belongs," he said.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar had on Tuesday demanded that the Kohinoor be returned to the Sikh community as it was part of the Sikh kingdom in the 19th century.

In another decision on this issue, the ruling Akali Dal decided that a deputation of party leaders will meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to make a representation on behalf of the Sikh community to highlight the wrong version given to the court by the union culture ministry earlier this week on the Kohinoor.

"The Akali Dal delegation will impress upon Sushma Swaraj that Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh sovereign ruler of Punjab, was robbed of the Kohinoor," a party statement said.

"The Akali Dal feels this aspect has not been appropriately put before the apex court. The party will present the facts of the case to the external affairs ministry detailing how the Maharaja was forced to present the Kohinoor to Queen Victoria after being christened and that he had no option in the matter.

"It cannot be regarded has being given as compensation or as a gift in any manner," the party said.

"The party is confident that the Centre will rethink its stand on the issue as there was no doubt that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the absolute owner of the Kohinoor and that after its death it was taken away by the British in a deceitful manner.

"It feels this wrong can only be righted by the return of the diamond to the Sikh community," the statement said.

"To say that the Kohinoor was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away by the British but was given as a present by Maharaja Duleep Singh to the East India Company is a gross misrepresentation of historical facts. This stand seems to support the deceitful ways and means of the British," Makkar said in a statement.

The 108-carat diamond was presented to the then British monarch, Queen Victoria, after the Anglo-Sikh wars, in which Britain gained control over the Sikh empire in the then undivided Punjab.

The Kohinoor diamond, kept under tight security at the Tower of London, is claimed by India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.


London: A new study has revealed that human limbs may have evolved from the gills of fishes such as sharks and skates.

The new genetic results support the century-old but widely discounted theory on the origin of limbs.

Unlike other fishes, cartilaginous fishes such as sharks, skates and rays have a series of skin flaps that protect their gills. These flaps are supported by arches of cartilage, with finger-like appendages called branchial rays attached.

In 1878, German anatomist Karl Gegenbaur proposed that paired fins and limbs evolved from a structure resembling the gill arch of cartilaginous fishes. However, no fossil record has ever been discovered to support this.

Now, researchers at the University of Cambridge have reinvestigated Gegenbaur's ideas using the latest genetic techniques on embryos of the little skate and found striking similarities between the genetic mechanism used in the development of its gill arches and those in human limbs.

Scientists said it comes down to a critical gene in limb development called 'Sonic hedgehog', named for the videogame character.

The new research shows that the functions of the Sonic hedgehog gene in human limb development, dictating the identity of each finger and maintaining growth of the limb skeleton, are mirrored in the development of the branchial rays in skate embryos.

It shows aspects of Gegenbaur's theory may in fact be correct, and provides greater understanding of the origin of jawed vertebrates - the group of animals that includes humans, said Andrew Gillis, from the University of Cambridge.

"Gegenbaur looked at the way that these branchial rays connect to the gill arches and noticed that it looks very similar to the way that the fin and limb skeleton articulates with the shoulder," said Gillis.

In mammal embryos, the Sonic hedgehog gene sets up the axis of the limb in the early stages of development.

"In a hand, for instance, Sonic hedgehog tells the limb which side will be the thumb and which side will be the pinky finger," said Gillis.

In the later stages of development, Sonic hedgehog maintains outgrowth so that the limb grows to its full size.

To test whether the gene functions in the same way in skate embryos, researchers inhibited Sonic hedgehog at different points during their development.

They found that if Sonic hedgehog was interrupted early in development, the branchial rays formed on the wrong side of the gill arch.

If Sonic hedgehog was interrupted later in development, then fewer branchial rays formed but the ones that did grow, grew on the correct side of the gill arch - showing that the gene works in a remarkably similar way here as in the development of limbs.

The research was published this week in the journal Development.

(With PTI inputs)
Dhaka: At least 12 people were killed, mostly on the spot, and over 50 others injured today in a major head-on collision between two passenger buses in Bangladesh's Rangpur district.

The accident took place around 11 am (local time) on the Rangpur-Dinajpur Highway in Taraganj Upazila, police said.

Taraganj police officer Abdul Latif and Rangpur Fire Service's Rescue Officer Abdul Aziz confirmed 12 people dead in the crash.

"The crash left 10 people dead on the spot," Latif told bdnews24.Com.

He said a Rangpur-bound bus from Dinajpur crashed into another bus, which was heading to Dinajpur from Sylhet.

Two others died after being taken to the Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said the hospital's Director ASM Barkat Ullah.

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained and the death toll is likely to go up in a major head-on collision between two passenger buses in northern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world, with more than 85 deaths for every 10,000 registered motor vehicles. More than 4,000 people die on Bangladesh's roads every year.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic injuries cause a loss of about 2 per cent of GDP in Bangladesh, or about 1.2 billion pounds annually.
Hyderabad: Telangana's capital Hyderabad is in the midst of a major water crisis.

For the first time in three decades, four major reservoirs that supply drinking water to Hyderabad have gone completely dry, NDTV reported.

The reservoirs in question are Singur, Manjeera, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar.

Such a situation has emerged for the first time in 30 years, state minister for municipal administration KT Rama Rao told the channel.

The gap between demand and supply of water in the capital city has now touched an alarming level of 47 percent, he added.

A deadly heat wave and third consecutive drought are to be blamed for the situation.

Municipal authorities have already implemented water rationing and water is being supplied only on alternate days to many areas.

Currently, the city has been receiving supply from Godavari and Krishna rivers, some 200 kilometres away.

The Centre recently stated that 11 states are currently reeling under drought, including Telangana.
Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon on Wednesday denied stigmatising the Muslim population after he said many of them danced in celebration after the Brussels terror attacks.

"Everyone knows that these things happened. Do we have to wait for an official police report to confirm the existence of these facts," Jambon told parliament under tough questioning from the opposition.

Jambon, the top member in government of the country's main Flemish nationalist party NV-A, denied that he was stoking tensions with Belgium's Muslim community, which numbers around 600,000 out of a population of 11 million.

"I don't have the police report. There was (dancing), but not much... several services have confirmed to me that these weren't rumours and that they saw this on the ground," he said.

"What do you think, that I am going to stigmatise them by naming streets and districts?"

Jambon made the initial comments in an interview with the Flemish-language De Standaard newspaper published Saturday.

"A significant section of the Muslim community danced when attacks took place," Jambon told the paper, following the deadly airport and subway suicide bombings in which 32 people were killed.

He also accused Muslim residents of Brussels' largely immigrant Molenbeek neighbourhood of attacking police during an operation last month to arrest a suspect in connection with the deadly attacks in Paris last November.

The Islamic State group claimed both the Brussels and Paris attacks.

Jambon's comments echoed those by US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump who claimed that Muslims celebrated the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.

"I am not going to turn away, to bury my head in the sand. My duty is to identify problems, to name things and to take actions," said Jambon, whose party has accused previous governments of failing to tackle radicalisation.

"We cannot stigmatise a whole community. I have said hundreds of times that we have to work with the Muslim community, to win back their hearts, some of which are turning against our society, even if it is just three people," he said.

Belgian police have identified three suicide bombers -- all young Muslim men -- as having carried out the attacks.

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Chandigarh: In a bizarre way to stop 'anti-national' elements, the Chandigarh administration has decided to ban short skirts in discotheques.

A policy called the "Controlling of Places of Public Amusement, 2016" came into effect on April 01, which directs bars in Chandigarh to shut by midnight instead of 2 am.

The policy also states that "scantily dressed women" or any "indecency" could lead to closure of discos.

The decision has evoked sharp reactions on social media.

Here is how Twitteratis reacted to the news:

Is the ruling just for women? If yes, the best way to protest is to send hairy men in skirts to the Chandigarh assembly. #Chandigarh  L'introverso (@Introverso90) April 20, 2016

Short-skirts are attracting anti-national elements in #Chandigarh

Apparently some guys were heard singing, "Bomb lagdi mainu..." in discos.  Socrateats (@Varishaaaa) April 20, 2016

Girls partying in Chandigarh Pubs after ban on short skirts. #SanskaariChandigarh pic.twitter.com/bu0BqHiju9  Chandan Sadhu (@chandansadhu) April 20, 2016

After banning skirts in clubs, Chandigarh administration asks bars to serve only Milk https://t.co/Zl0neFDMyq  Nitin Kumar (@nitin1730) April 20, 2016

Why only ban short skirts, ban girls #chandigarh #shortskirts  Nandita Jha (@nanditajha5) April 20, 2016

Chandigarh bans skirts.

And we thought Swach Bharat was for cleaning roads. Lil did we know its for cleaning our westernized mindsets.  Vishal (@Vishj05) April 20, 2016

@asliyoyo will now have to take sanyaas. Gurgaon changed to gurugram. Short skirts banned in discotheques in chandigarh.  Ketan Malhotra (@k10malhotra) April 20, 2016
Bijnore: The Uttar Pradesh Police, investigating the murder of the National Investigating Agency (NIA) officer Tanzil Ahmed, has obtained a non-bailable warrant from a local court here against main accused Muneer who has been absconding.

The UP Police had earlier announced a reward of Rs 50,000 to those providing information leading to the arrest of Muneer.

This was earlier announced by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljeet Singh Chaudhary, as per PTI.

Over a hundred people have been questioned following raids at several places in connection with the killing of NIA officer Tanzil Ahmed;

The state police had last week arrested two persons in connection with the NIA officer's murder.

The duo, according o police , was part of a three member team involved in the murder of officer Tanzil Ahmed.

The main accused and alleged mastermind of the crime, Muneer, is still on the run and efforts are on to nab him.

According to Uttar Pradesh Police, the murder was committed out of domestic dispute, family matters and share in a property deal.

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.
Nainital: The Uttarakhand High Court came down heavily on the Centre following its submission on Wednesday that courts can't have jurisdiction over President's assent while hearing a matter related to imposition of President's Rule in the Congress-ruled state.

The Uttarakhand High Court, while responding to Centre's submission, said, ''There is no decision like that of king which can't be subject to judicial review. That's essence of Constitution.''

''We are not doubting wisdom of the President, even he can go wrong. Everything is subject to judicial review, you should rejoice at evolution we've had,'' the high court said.

The observation was made by a bench of Chief Justice KM Joseph and Justice VK Bist further hearing the matter.

The High court had earlier rapped the Centre for its alleged interference in the affairs of the state.

During a hearing on Monday, the High Court had asked the Centre whether it was not "totally extraneous" for the Union Government to be concerned over the disqualification of nine rebel MLAs and to "interfere" in the affairs of the state which has to be done only in "extraordinary instances".

The bench made these observations while hearing a writ petition of the ousted Chief Minister Harish Rawat's plea challenging imposition of President's Rule on March 26.

In a related development, the Supreme Court had on Monday dismissed a PIL challenging the Centre's decision to impose President's Rule in Congress-ruled Uttarakhand.

According to ANI, the apex court also rejected demands for CBI probe into alleged horse trading of MLAs in the state.
Dehradun: Shaktiman  the horse of Uttarakhand Police that had a leg amputated after being allegedly assaulted by a politician  died on Wednesday.

It was injured during a BJP protest in Dehradun.

A couple of days ago, reports had stated that Shaktiman was recovering well and had started walking after a prosthetic leg was arranged for and fixed by Jamie Vaughan, an American animal lover who lives in Paro, Bhutan and runs an animal shelter there.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat expressed condolence over Shaktiman's death and said, "I am shocked, can't express my feeling in words, we all thought Shaktimaan was recovering well."

Meanwhile, blaming the Congress government in the state, BJP leader Ajay Bhatt said, "An innocent animal died because of the state govts mistake and no proper treatment was given to it."

Contradicting Bhatt's claims, doctor who was attending Shaktiman said, "We are very sad. Everybody did everything possible, what happened today is sad."

"It was unexpected as Shaktimaan was recovering well. A brave horse has died and we must respect it," said Dr Khambatta.

Demanding strict action against those responsible for Shaktiman's death, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi said, "Shaktimaan was a police officer on duty and went through so much pain which ultimately killed him. The culprits should be arrested for killing a police officer."

Shaktiman was part of the Uttarakhand Mounted Police. It had fallen down during the protest after BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi allegedly tried to pull it down.

Joshi was seen trying to hit the horse with a stick and was also accused of breaking its leg. He has, however, maintained his innocence claiming he was just trying to scare the animal.

Joshi, who was arrested on charges of attacking Shaktiman, was later granted bail on March 22 by a local court here.

District and Sessions Judge Ramdutt Paliwal had granted bail to Joshi on furnishing two bail bonds of Rs 25,000 each, his lawyer R S Raghav had said.

He was sent to 14 days judicial custody in the case on March 18. His bail petition had been rejected just a day later by the court of Judicial Magistrate Akram Ali.

Non-bailable offences under which Joshi was charged include stopping government officials from discharging their duties.

(With Agency inputs)
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday demanded an investigation into the opposition parties' assets, alleging that the lion's share of the income of the Congress, BJP and CPI-M were from unknown sources.

"The sources of 82.5 percent of the Congress's income, 73 percent of the BJP's income and 53 percent of the CPI-M's income are unknown. It should be investigated. From where is this money coming in," Banerjee said at an election rally in Dum Dum of North 24 Parganas district.

The Trinamool Congress supremo attacked the opposition for its continued slander campaign and mocked the "unholy nexus" of the CPI-M and the Congress.

On Tuesday too, at an election meeting in Jagatballabhpur of Howrah district, Banerjee had spoken about the "unknown sources" of income, and said the opposition should not "dare to point fingers at Trinamool".

She had said the opposition's only agenda was to "abuse" her and "insult" Bengal.
Kolkata: While campaigning for ongoing West Bengal Assembly Election 2016, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Saturday, appealed to the electorates to give lollipops to the CPI(M).

Addressing a rally in Bengal's Basirhat area, the Trinamool Congress supremo said, Give lollipops not votes to CPI (M) as they have done nothing for the people.

The TMC chief charged the Left of not fulfilling the demands of Bengal people for 34 years.

She alleged that CPI(M) members chopped off hands of people in Amta for not voting for the Left in the ongoing polls.

Banerjee challenged the Opposition saying, Catch me if you can on the plank of development.

The TMC leader urged the voters to defeat the arrogance of CPI(M), Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and ABP by voting for her party.

Trinamool is the party of the people, I always fulfil the promises I make, Banerjee exhorted.

The Trinamool chief said, I will never commit any action that will betray the trust of the people, adding that, I will lay down my life but never allow riots in Bengal.

We increased our revenues but the Centre took away our money to pay off CPI(M)'s debts, she said.
Kolkata: The Election Commission will file a police case against actor-turned-BJP leader Locket Chatterjee for threatening the presiding officer of a booth in West Bengal's Birbhum district.

"A case is being initiated against her (Chatterjee) for being discourteous to a public servant and obstructing him from discharging his duty," Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar said.

The case will be filed based on the complaint by the presiding officer, he added.

Chatterjee threatened the presiding officer of a booth in her constituency Mayureswar, which went to the polls in the second phase on April 17 and alleged that he had allowed rigging.

She had asked her party workers to record the confrontation on their mobile phones.

Yesterday the poll panel had also ordered filing of two FIRs against Trinamool strongman Anubrata Mondal in Birbhum district for venturing out of his constituency despite warning and for going to cast his vote sporting TMC's election symbol on his kurta.
Kalyani: The house of a CPI(M) leader was attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers here in Nadia district on Wednesday.

The house of local CPI(M) leader Babu Bose was attacked by some armed men at about 1.30 AM. As they could not break open the door, they smashed window panes and damaged doors, a police official said.

Effort was being made to arrest the culprits, he said.

Bose alleged that five more houses were also damaged and the attackers belonged to the Trinamool Congress.

Local TMC leaders denied any involvement of their workers in the incident.

Nadia district goes to poll tomorrow in the third phase of Assembly elections in the state.
New York: Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton scored sweeping victories in nominating contests in their home state of New York, and immediately cited them in arguing they are all but unstoppable as their respective parties` presidential nominees.

Trump`s crushing defeat of Ted Cruz in Tuesday`s primary election tilted the energy in the Republican race back to the front-runner, just as Republican National Committee members begin meeting in Florida on Wednesday to discuss their July convention, where the nominee will be chosen.

For the Democratic favorite, Clinton`s more narrow victory over Bernie Sanders snapped a string of victories by the 74-year-old democratic socialist and gave her a much-needed lift with more tough fights ahead.

The eventual victors of the Democratic and the Republican nominating campaigns will face each other in November`s general election.

Trump`s win, celebrated to the tune of Frank Sinatra`s "New York, New York" at Trump Tower in Manhattan, marked a rebound from his Wisconsin defeat two weeks ago. It set him up for another big night on April 26, when Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Maryland will hold primaries.

With a campaign staff reboot and a more focused performance, Trump has sought to improve in recent weeks as a candidate. The tone of his victory speech was in keeping with a more measured style the often-brash billionaire has adopted.

"We don`t have much of a race anymore based on what Im seeing on television," Trump said as television networks projected a large margin of victory for him. "Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated."

Trump, 69, predicted some "amazing weeks" ahead for his campaign.

Still, he has a long way to go to seal the nomination and begin trying to heal the wounds in his bitterly divided party. Some fence-mending may happen when he sends campaign advisers to the RNC meeting starting in Hollywood, Florida, on Wednesday.

Trump`s haul of most of New York`s 95 delegates moved him closer to the 1,237 needed to win the nomination outright. Anything short of that will lead to a contested convention when Republicans hold their national conclave July 18-21 in Cleveland.

"There`s only two issues left for Republicans: Will Trump get 50 percent of the delegates prior to Cleveland, and if not, how close will he be? New York gives him a nice boost, but it will take weeks before we know the answer," said Ari Fleischer, who was White House press secretary under President George W. Bush.

Cruz, a 45-year-old U.S. senator from Texas, came in third in New York and gave his primary night speech in Philadelphia, where he was already focused on running in Pennsylvania. He called on Republicans to unite around his candidacy.

Ohio Governor John Kasich, 63, a long-shot candidate, is seeking to use his second-place showing in New York as proof he is emerging as Trump`s central challenger in the states that come up next on the calendar.

NO KNOCKOUT PUNCH FOR CLINTON

Clinton, a former U.S. senator from New York, former secretary of state and former first lady, got nowhere near the knockout punch she needed to finally put Sanders away.

But the broad smile on her face as she gave her victory speech spoke volumes about how important New York was to her bid to become the first female U.S. president.

"Today you proved once again there`s no place like home," Clinton said. "This one was personal."

The race for the Democratic nomination, she said, is now in "the home stretch, and victory is in sight."

Clinton, 68, was to campaign in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Sanders flew home to Vermont to take a day off the campaign trail.

Clinton`s win made it nearly impossible for Sanders to overtake her commanding lead in the number of delegates needed to win the nomination.

Dilawar Syed, a tech entrepreneur who is also the co-founder and vice chairman of the AAPI Victory Fund, a Super PAC focused on mobilizing Asian-American voters, said it looked like Clinton has the nomination.

Clearly Senator Sanders has a lot of supporters and enthusiasm there. He also has raised a lot of good resources," Syed said. "I think the primary will go on for some time. But just looking at the numbers, we know where this is going."

Nationally, the race for the nominations has tightened recently for both parties, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday.

Clinton and Sanders are tied among Democrats, with each drawing about 47 percent support in the national poll. At the beginning of the year, Clinton led Sanders by nearly a 2-to-1 margin; Sanders has closed that gap over the past few months.

Among Republicans, Trump leads with 44 percent support, compared with 33 percent for Cruz and 16 percent for Kasich.

The April 15-19 poll surveyed 719 Democrats and 593 Republicans. It has a credibility interval of 4.7 percentage points.
Maiduguri: Boko Haram fighters on Monday attacked Nigerian soldiers in the northeast of the country, where the jihadists have been waging a seven-year insurgency, the army said.

"Boko Haram terrorists attack troops of 113 Battalion," army spokesman Sani Usman said in a brief statement. "The troops have been battling the insurgents since (the) early hours of today."

No further details were immediately available from the remote area in Kareto where the clashes occurred.
Many of Hikmat's sculptures were inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights and have become Baghdad landmarks

Googles famous doodle on Wednesday celebrates Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, a famed Iraqi sculptor who was born in 1929 and passed away on 12 September 2011.

Hikmat was regarded as one of the most important Iraqi artists in modern history and many of his sculptures have become landmarks of Baghdad.

Hikmat often drew inspiration from the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, creating works such as a sculpture of Queen Scheherazade and King Shahrayar (1971), which is located in Baghdad's Aby Nuwas Street and often described as the city's showpiece.

Other sculptures by him such as the Fountain of Kahramana, and Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves (1969) have also become iconic symbols of Baghdad.

"Ghanis creative hands have adorned his beloved city with the romantic spirit and the mood of One Thousand and One Nights, subtly reminding her inhabitants lest they forget her glorious past in the midst of her modern urban development. To Ghani, Baghdad is a beautiful and sensuous woman and he was gravely saddened and offended by her destruction and the worlds disrespect of her status," writes Nada Shabout in her obituary following Hikmat's passing in 2011, published on Jadaliyya.

Hikmat also reacted to the destruction and looting of the Iraqi Museum of Modern Art in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the fall of Saddam Hussein.

"He organised a campaign of searching for and buying back stolen works. He formed and headed a Committee for Recovering Iraqs Culture and was able to recover about 100 important works by renowned artists, starting with Jewad Selims wooden statue of Motherhood," wrote Shabout.

The Google Doodle commemorating Hikmat can be viewed in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, UAE Oman, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Egypt.



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

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Brussel: One of the jihadists who blew themselves up at Brussels airport last month had in fact worked at the site for five years until 2012, Belgium`s VTM television reported Wednesday.

It had already emerged earlier that Najim Laachraoui also briefly worked as a cleaner at the European Parliament several years ago.

He was one of two suicide bombers at Brussels airport on March 22 in coordinated attacks that also struck a metro station in the city, killing 32 people overall.

For five years until 2012, Laachraoui "worked... at Brussels airport", Flemish-language VTM reported, adding that he had been recruited by a temp agency.

It did not provide details about the kind of work Laachraoui was to have carried out there, but said that airport staff are usually subject to a security check before being given access badges.

There has been no official confirmation of the report.

Traces of Laachraoui`s DNA have been found at a Brussels apartment where the suicide belts for the Brussels attacks were made.

The 24-year-old one-time electrical engineering student is also suspected of being the bomb-maker for last November`s Paris attacks that left 130 people dead.

Both attacks have been claimed by the Islamic State group.

On April 6, the European Parliament said one of the bombers had held a summer cleaning job at its Brussels headquarters in 2009 and 2010. Speaking to AFP, a source close to the inquiry named that person as Laachraoui.

Belgian prosecutors believe Laachraoui went to Syria in February 2013 where he joined IS. He resurfaced last September, two months before the Paris carnage, when he was stopped by police on the Austria-Hungary border.

He was using the false identity of Soufiane Kayal and was travelling with Salah Abdeslam, the sole surviving Paris attacks suspect.

The Brussels bombings were carried out just four days after Abdeslam was arrested in the Belgian capital after a massive manhunt.

Also on Wednesday, VTM reported that a hidden prayer room had been discovered at Brussels airport shortly before the attacks, "where radicalised staff would meet to pray in secret".

The airport shut the prayer room down at the request of police, VTM reported, adding that investigators have since drawn up a list of "at least 50 radicalised airport employees".
Brussels: The EU today proposed offering visa-free travel in Europe to Ukrainians, delivering on a key pledge to the pro-Western government in Kiev.

"Today we follow up on our commitment to propose short-stay visa-free travel to the EU for Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports," EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos told a news briefing in Brussels.

"This is the result of the success of the Ukrainian government in achieving far-reaching and difficult reforms in the Justice and Home Affairs area and beyond," he added.

Avramopoulos said the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, was formally making the proposal to EU member states who would vote on the issue.

Visa-free travel is a cornerstone of the so-called Eastern Partnership that is designed to attract eastern European nations into the EU's sphere of influence.

Ukraine's parliament last month approved a key anti-corruption bill that paved the way for a visa-free travel decision in Brussels.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today said it had been a "long and hard road" to get to this point but that he expected a deal on visa-free travel "within a few months".

Such an agreement may prove especially galling for Moscow whose own efforts to secure visa-free EU access, if only for business leaders, languished for years before falling victim to the Ukraine crisis.

The 28-nation European Union suspended visa liberalisation talks with Russia early last year as it ratcheted up punitive measures, later to include damaging economic sanctions, over its role in the deepening Ukraine crisis.
Rome: Several hundred people appear to have died in a new migrant tragedy in the Mediterranean, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on Monday.

Unconfirmed media reports earlier on Monday spoke of up to 400 victims from boats which capsized near the Egyptian coast as they attempted to sail to Europe.

Mattarella, speaking at a prize giving ceremony in Rome, said Europe needed to reflect in the face of "yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean in which, it seems, several hundred people have died."

He did not give any further details.

The Italian coastguard said earlier on Monday they knew nothing about the reported disaster.
London: Islamic State militants disguised as beach vendors selling ice creams or T-shirts may attack holiday resorts of Mediterranean coast in Europe this summer, according to a German media report.

German security sources said 'Bild' newspaper that they fear Islamic state terrorists disguised as beach vendors selling ice cream or T-shirts could bury bombs in the sand under sunloungers.

According to the 'Daily Mirror', Britain's Special Air Service (SAS) troops could be drafted in to protect British tourists at holiday hotspots abroad.

One intelligence source told the newspaper: "It could be a whole new dimension of terror. Holiday beaches cannot be protected. Targets are said to include resorts in southern France, Spain's Costa del Sol and both east and west coasts in Italy."

Security officials are also investigating links between terrorists in Britain and those in Belgium and France that go back more than 15 years.

These include some with ties to Molenbeek, the Brussels suburb which has been at the heart of the recent bombings and shootings in Europe.

Western European intelligence officers believe that the links set up a decade and half ago between extremists in the UK and those on the wider European continent have been maintained and have become more active since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
Kabul: The death toll from a lethal Taliban attack in Kabul has more than doubled to 64, the interior ministry said Wednesday.

"It is with regret that I announce that 64 people were killed and 347 others wounded in yesterday`s Kabul attack. Most of them are civilians," ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told reporters.
Yangon: Witnesses to a boat capsize that left some 20 people dead, including children, say the victims were from the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority and blamed the tragedy on restrictions that forced them to journey by sea.

At least 21 people, including nine children, died after a packed boat capsized in choppy waters on Tuesday as it approached the Rakhine state capital of Sittwe, according to the United Nations.

Most of the passengers were inhabitants of Sin Tet Maw, in Paukaw township, a camp for Rohingya Muslim minority members forced from their homes by bouts of communal violence.

"It (the boat accident) happened because of unsafe transport... we can not use direct transport (overland) to Sittwe to buy goods or medicine," Rohingya activist, Kyaw Hla Aung, told AFP from Sittwe.

The boat`s passengers had received special permission to travel by boat to the market in Sittwe from Paukaw -- a journey through the mouth of a wide river that then skirts several kilometres around the coast to the capital.

The Rohingya have been forced to live in apartheid-like conditions ever since unrest between Buddhists and Muslims left hundreds dead in 2012.

Their movement and access to services, including health care, is severely restricted by authorities in the Buddhist-majority country.

The activist said he had counted 22 bodies in Sittwe and they all were Rohingya.

Another Rohingya man, Tin Hla, who also lives in the camp of 1500 people, said his son was unaccounted for among the boat passengers.

"When we need to go to Sittwe, we have to go there in an unsafe way (by sea)," he said, adding that he fears the worst for his son and had travelled to Sittwe to find his body.

Myanmar does not formally recognise the Rohingya as one of the country`s patchwork of ethnic minorities.

A rising tide of Buddhist nationalism has in recent years deepened hostility towards the group -- most of whom are rendered stateless by a web of citizenship laws.

Many Rohingya trace their roots in the country back for generations.

But officials rotuinely refer to them as "Bengalis" -- a pejorative term identifying them as outsiders from neighbouring Bangladesh.

Violence and deprivation has led thousands of the minority group to take to the sea in crammed boats, seeking sanctuary in Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia.

They were among the victims of last year`s Southeast Asian migrant crisis which saw trafficking networks suddenly unravel, leaving thousands of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants stranded without food at sea.

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has come under pressure for failing to speak up for the rights of the much-maligned Rohingya.

She has however vowed to press for greater autonomy for other ethnic minorities.

Reacting to the accident the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Yanghee Lee tweeted her "sorrow" at the deaths of "Rohingyas, including children", adding "Must find solution".
Brussels: NATO and Russia held their highest level talks for nearly two years on Wednesday, in a bid to ease military tensions over the Baltic Sea and the simmering violence still gripping eastern Ukraine.

The meeting of the NATO-Russia Council will be the first since the alliance cut off all practical ties with Moscow to protest the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in early 2014.

Relations have worsened over Moscow`s air campaign in Syria and tensions have flared in the past week after two incidents involving the US military and Russian planes in the Baltic Sea.

NATO`s press office confirmed that ambassadors from the 28 countries that make up NATO had begun their meeting with Russian officials at the alliance`s headquarters in Brussels.

"We are not afraid of dialogue," said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday, adding that they would discuss Ukraine, improving military cooperation and the war in Afghanistan.

"Actually we think dialogue is more important when times are difficult and tensions are high," he added.

Stoltenberg will hold a press conference at 1000 GMT.

High on the agenda will be an incident this month when Russian warplanes flew within metres of an American missile destroyer in the Baltic Sea in what the US called a "simulated attack".

Two days later, a US air force plane was intercepted by a Russian fighter, prompting Stoltenberg to accuse Russia`s military of "unprofessional and unsafe behaviour".

He said the incident "just underlines the importance of open military lines of communications, of predictability and risk reduction. These are among the issues we will discuss tomorrow with Russia at the NRC."Fears the two sides could become embroiled in violence have grown since Russia started a bombing campaign in Syria, particularly after alliance member Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet on its border in November.

Russia blames NATO for increasing the risk of conflict by building up its troops in Eastern European countries, many of which have been lobbying for more Western support.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed out that it was NATO that had frozen relations and said that the alliance had "judged it necessary to contact us again."

"But, and we have made them understand this clearly, we cannot act as if it is `business as usual," Lavrov said after talks with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault in Moscow.

Ayrault said the talks would "advance the sense of a common interest, which is peace and security."

Russia`s representative at the talks, Alexander Grushko, has said he will use the meeting to protest NATO`s activities close to its western borders.

"Today we are having a military build-up in the Baltic area, which from our point of view is absolutely unjustified," he said last week. "The shape of NATO-Russia relations is very bad."

The talks will also focus on implementing the Minsk ceasefire accords in Ukraine, which were supposed to herald a broader settlement and return control of the eastern border with Russia to Kiev.

The deal has produced a tenuous calm in eastern Ukraine, parts of which are controlled by Moscow-backed rebels, but the truce has been threatened by a recent upsurge in clashes.

Crimea`s future remains highly uncertain with Russian President Vladimir Putin insisting it will never be given up and NATO equally insistent it will never recognise its annexation.
Washington: The NATO-Russia Council has convened for the first time since 2014, with recent tensions between Russia and the US high on the agenda.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday's meeting was especially important because of last week's incidents, when the US accused Russian warplanes of flying within a few meters of a US Navy war ship in the Baltic Sea, Voice of America reported.

Stoltenberg said: "We think dialogue is more important when times are difficult and tensions are high."

Ambassadors from the 28 NATO countries are attending the meeting, along with a Russian delegation.

Russia's bombing campaign in Syria and the annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula are also expected to be on the agenda.

The last NATO-Russia Council meeting was in 2014.

Russian officials have blamed NATO members for the "lack of trust" that resulted in the lapse between meetings.

Relations between Russia and NATO members froze after Russia annexed part of eastern Ukraine and an armed conflict began between Ukrainian loyalists and pro-Russia separatists.
London: US President Barack Obama will be thrust into the eye of a boisterous British debate over European Union membership when he touches down in London on Thursday for a royal-filled visit.

The US president`s four-day trip -- perhaps his last to Britain before leaving office next year -- comes ahead of a June 23 referendum when Britons will be asked if they want to remain in the 28-member EU.

Obama is sure to be asked to weigh in on the issue during a joint press conference on Friday after talks with Prime Minister David Cameron or at a town hall-style meeting with British youngsters on Saturday.

It may even come up at a lunch with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on Friday -- a day after the monarch`s 90th birthday, when the two heads of state will be joined by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Britain`s departure from the EU -- so-called Brexit -- could have deep ramifications for Washington`s "special relationship" with Britain, and on the stability of the European Union itself.Obama has consistently said he favours a strong Britain in a strong EU.

Aides say he is likely to reinforce that message.

"I think his approach will be that if he`s asked his view as a friend, he will offer it," said Ben Rhodes, one of Obama`s closest foreign policy advisers.

"But he`ll make very clear that this is a matter that the British people themselves will decide when they head to the polls in June."

Privately, US officials are less reticent in their opinions as Britain`s departure would deprive the United States of a key conduit for relations with Europe.

Seen from Washington, Cameron`s decision to call a referendum was a bold -- if not downright risky -- gamble that could leave Britain and the EU badly weakened.

Polls put the pro-EU and Brexit camps neck-and-neck among those who express a preference to vote, although there is a large pool of people who remain undecided.

Cameron, the pro-EU campaign`s figurehead, has been seriously embarrassed by revelations that he benefited from an offshore tax dodge.

His standing also took a blow when Obama suggested the prime minister had been too "distracted" to deal with the aftermath of the intervention in Libya.

Despite that apparent put-down, officials insist the two men enjoy a familiar and constructive working relationship.

In public Obama has referred to the British PM as "bro," in stark contrast to more formal and standoffish relationship he has with many world leaders.

With Cameron facing a rebellion from within his own party over Europe, the prime minister will welcome any backing he can get.

But for Obama, wading in is not without risk.

Pro-Brexit supporters include popular London mayor Boris Johnson who has accused Obama of "outrageous and exorbitant hypocrisy" for his comments in favour of staying in the EU.

"I just think it`s paradoxical that the United States, which wouldn`t dream of allowing the slightest infringement on its own sovereignty, should be lecturing other countries," Johnson said on Tuesday.

Over 100 members of Britain`s parliament have reportedly written to the American ambassador in London to make their displeasure known.Even before Obama touches down, Britain`s anti-EU crowd is clamouring to cast him as a meddling outsider.

That could be a potent argument in a country that shares cultural affinities with the United States, but which is deeply wary of being treated as America`s lapdog.

The US president will thus have to tread a fine line as he seeks to amplify Cameron`s argument in favour of EU membership.

Obama will likely stick to the big picture, said Jonathan Story, a professor at the INSEAD business school.

"What he will point out is that, after two US military interventions in Europe`s wars, the US has a vital interest in the European project, just as it does in Japan`s future, and the prosperity of Southeast Asia."

"A rising China and an unpredictable Russia are challenges enough... without the UK contributing to further disunion in Europe."

During Obama`s visit he and the first lady will also have dinner on Friday with the Prince William, his wife Kate and brother Prince Harry.

From Britain he will travel to Germany for a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Washington: US President Barack Obama has nominated Indian-American Geeta Pasi, a career foreign service officer, as the country's next envoy to Chad.

Pasi, who served as US Ambassador to Djibouti from 2011 to 2014, is a career member of the Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counsellor. She is at present the Director of the Office of Career Development and Assignments in the Bureau of Human Resources at the Department of State.

Announcement for Pasi's nomination as the next US envoy to the central African nation of Chad came along with several other appointments to key administration post.

"I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have decided to serve our country. I look forward to working with them," Obama said in a statement issued by the White House yesterday.

Pasi was also the Director of the Office of East African Affairs in the Bureau of African Affairs from 2009 to 2011, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Dhaka, from 2006 to 2009, and Deputy Principal Officer at the US Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany from 2003 to 2006.

Since joining the Foreign Service in 1988, Pasi has also served at posts in Cameroon, Ghana, India and Romania.

Pasi received her BA from Duke University and a MA in French Studies from New York University.
In it's second edition, Alexandria International Festival for Contemporary Theatre continues to offer a platform for Egyptian audiences to explore international contemporary art

Alexandria's International Festival for Contemporary Theatre was held between 5 and 10 April at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina with a few plays staged at the Jesuit Culture Centre. The festival brought to the coastal city plays from eight countries as well as shows from Egypt.

The diverse programme of theatre, dance and puppetry included shows from Cameroon, Poland, Sweden, India, Columbia, Moldova, Germany, Tunis and Algeria.

Some of the festival's highlights included the Egyptian play Shakespeare's Women, performed 8 April at the Bibliotheca's Great Hall, the Indian play O! Frida, performed Thursday, 7 April at the Jesuit Culture Centre, and the German dance performance Hither and Thither, which was performed in the Bibliotheca's Great Hall on Saturday, 9 April.

Shakespeares Women

The Arabic spoken play was one of three to have won a production grant from the Bibliotheca Alexandrina last year.

A comedy directed by Mohamed El-Tayee and written by Sameh Othman, Shakespeares Women offers audiences an alternative reading of Shakespeares plays, through the perspective of his heroines.

Opening with the iconic playwright William Shakespeare on a chair chasing inspiration, his muse and lover Elena leads him into the hands of women from his most famous works: Verona from Hamlet, Lady Macbeth from Macbeth, Titania from A Midsummer Nights Dream, Juliet from Romeo and Juliet, Cleopatra from Julius Caesar, and Desdemona from Othello.

The set is simple with only moveable wooden chairs and six vertical banners on both sides of the stage, each depicting a representation for the hometown of the six heroines.

The six heroines hold Shakespeare responsible for their sufferings and accuse him of being a heartless sexist who knows nothing about love or women.

In Elenas words, he is on trial, as the women attack his judgment and motives, and he tries to defend himself and explain his literary choices.

The actors perform scenes from each of the six plays as evidence of Shakespeares alleged sexism and disregard for womens rights and emotions, letting them suffer and then killing them off.

All the women are donned in white dresses, each adorned with customised details that identify her. Most evident are Cleopatra, whose dress bears distinct ancient Egyptian prints, and Titania, whose short frilly dress and magic wand identify her as the fairy she is.

The costumes served to both unite them yet maintain the individuality of each character.

Titania, the queen of the fairies, exudes the air of a strong and sassy woman not to be messed with. She is also the comic relief of the play. Many of her lines evoke laughter from the audience.

Cleopatra and Lady Macbeth are both depicted as strong women, but in different ways, the former with an authoritative confidence, and the latter with a manipulative thirst for power.

Juliet, on the other hand, in contrast is depicted as a naive and delicate woman.

The play also involved dance performances, which revealed the womens emotions through movement in parallel to the scenario.

The contemporary dances, choreographed by El-Monadel Antar, assert the womens power over Shakespeare. With most of the dance synchronised, they act as one unit throwing him around, strangling him, and cornering him, and then take turns to individually have their way with him.

As the play progressed, the choreography seemed a little redundant. All the dances expressed the same emotions of anger and dominance with the same degree of intensity, leaving them lacking in a sense of development or escalation.

The stage was also animated, literally with digital animation clips that were projected onto the set playing at certain parts of the performance, meaning to act as visual aids and layers to the story.

Some of the animations were fitting, such as paper flying around when Shakespeare is writing. Others were less so, such as the clip of a woman resembling Japanese anime characters, which seemed out of touch with the visual language of the plays production.

For Shakespeare fans and those who arent familiar with his works alike, the play is an enjoyable, insightful piece if some technical deficiencies are pardoned.

It brings up important, analytical readings of Shakespeares plays and the role of women in his works at large, yet leaves the conclusion open ended, with no real verdict to the trial.

The plot and script are the strongest aspects of this play, for extending an invitation to contemplate these classic works with fresh eyes and a new perspective.

A solo act play from India, O! Frida was written by Abhishek Deshmukh and performed by Krutika Deo.

The play imagines the journey of artist Frida Kahlo, born Magdalena Carmen Frieda, the revolutionary Mexican artist, whose life and art stand out and continue to inspire today.

Breaking the fourth wall at the beginning of the play, Frida explains to us that part of her still has something to express, although it has been years since I have left this vault. And by vault I mean body.

O! Frida takes us through episodes from the artists childhood, her passion for painting, her love and marriage to Digeo Rivera, her political interest, and her physical struggles with illness and an accident.

The episodes are divided by lighting black-outs, after which Deo appears in a different part of the stage that represents a different place in Fridas life. A bed on the left forms a bedroom, a painting studio in the centre has an easel, and a street on the right hosts a large communist statue in the background.

The solo actress revisits these places according to the scene, and the overall effect is dream-like, filled with short, intense glimpses of Fridas most significant moments.

Deo interprets Frida with a childlike passion and energy. She goes from being excited to depressed, from sensitive to demanding, as she bounces lithely through the scenes.

A braided up-do and a wardrobe of colourful costumes effectively support her portrayal, capturing the style that is distinctly Fridas.

One of the challenges for an Egyptian audience was the language, seeing as the play is performed partly in Spanish, English and Marathi (an Indian dialect). Though Deos English-Indian accent was charming and even made it close to a Mexican accent that Frida herself could have spoken, it was sometimes difficult to hear and understand.

Nevertheless, the story was communicated, even as she spoke Spanish, through Deos body language and English words hinting in-between at the meaning.

In an especially magical part of the play Frida is painting the air, waving an arm and calling out colours whose names change the ambient light around her.





Hither and Thither

Hither and Thither is a contemporary dance piece by German choreographer Julia Koch, with the performance by six Berlin-based dancers.

The piece is comprised of a prelude followed by two acts echoing the structure of romantic ballets, which dedicate the first act to life and the second to fantasy, or the "other side."

After the prelude offers a preview of the acts to come, the first act sees the dancers recount their stories, with each character functioning as part of the group but also holding their own, to express individuality. The second act is more mysterious, with the group functioning as a unit and their individuality dissolving.

Though the skeleton of the dance piece is classical, Hither and Thither reinterprets these elements in a contemporary discourse.

During the first act there also are some movements on tip-toe borrowed from ballet, but as the dance progresses these moves are less and less frequent, giving way to more contemporary dance movements.

We see modernity also in the costumes of the dancers. All clad in black, the three women are dressed in leather capris and sleeveless tops, while the men are dressed in knee-length skirts and sleeveless tops also, resulting in an urban look.

In the first act the individuality of the characters is echoed in customised differences in their outfits, something that is abolished in the second act when they are all dressed similarly in black capris and tops smeared with the same black paint on their arms and faces, resulting in a muddy, organic appearance.

The choice of clothing in the first act is perhaps a suggestion of gender fluidity, although the dance itself upholds classical ballet gender roles (i.e., the male lifting the female).

According to Kochs website, the piece expresses timeless themes such as human relationships, power, love, guilt and formative events that affect our life path.

Fluid and emotionally charged, but not without structure, the piece flows sometimes like a conversation between two partners or more, and other times as a monologue through a solo performance.

There are segments in unison, all six dancers perfectly synced. At other times one splits from the group for an individual dance, and is then judged by the group.

The stories express a spectrum of emotions, including desperation, liberation, frustration and celebration.

Music composed by Hoerdur Mar Bjarnason, often accompanied by a poetic voiceover, was as dynamic and strong as the characters in the piece. His nu-electronic music fused with Arabic influences, Eastern European, as well as tribal beats are what established the ethereal atmosphere.

The music and dance together resulted is a powerful, evocative, mesmerising experience.

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

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A 12-year-old Israeli girl has shot into the limelight after she discovered a 3,200 years old amulet bearing the name of the Egyptian ruler Thutmose III.

Neshama Spielman made the amazing discovery when she came with her family to participate in the Temple Mount Sifting Project, an initiative to sort through earth discarded from the Temple Mount in Jersusalem.

While I was sifting, I came across a piece of pottery that was different from others I had seen, and I immediately thought that maybe I had found something special, its amazing to find something thousands of years old from ancient Egypt all the way here in Jerusalem. Celebrating Passover this year is going to be extra meaningful to me, Speilman said.

The Passover festival commemorates the exodus of ancient Israelites from Egypt.

Thutmose III reigned from 1479  1425 BCE in Egypt. Considered to be one of the most important pharaohs, Thutmose III is credited with establishing Egyptian rule in Canaan.
Ankara: Turkey's state-run news agency says police have detained 101 people suspected of having financial links to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of attempting to overthrow the government.

The Anadolu Agency said police had arrest warrants for of 140 people, including businessmen and former employees of the Gulen-linked Bank Asya, which was seized by the government last year.

Today, 101 people were taken into custody in Istanbul and eight other cities.

The government has declared Gulen's moderate Islamic movement a "terrorist" organization and has clamped down his supporters, seizing newspapers, television stations and other businesses associated with the cleric.

Anadolu says those detained Monday are suspected of being members of a "terror group" and of providing funds and making propaganda for the Gulen movement.
Kiev: Ukraine`s defence minister warned Wednesday it may take years to settle the ex-Soviet republic`s pro-Russian separatist conflict that has killed nearly 9,200 people and plunged Moscow`s relations with the West to a post-Cold War low.

Stepan Poltorak also accused Russia of keeping several thousand troops in the war-torn eastern region and said his impoverished country was in dire need of Western weapons to help quash the two-year revolt.

"In my opinion, it will take years," Poltorak told a small group of reporters when asked how long it may take to resolve the war.

"As for the need for lethal weapons, of course they are always needed," he added.

"But it is very difficult to tell whether their delivery is possible. I think that, at this stage, it is practically impossible."

The call for arms is justified by "the human loss, the misery and the serious damage done to the economy," said Poltorak, adding that the war had so far cost 9,200 lives and left another 1.5 million people displaced.

The United States and the European Union back Kiev`s claims that Russia has been playing an active part in a war that began two months after the February 2014 ouster of Ukraine`s Moscow-backed president.

The White House refers to the presence of "combined Russian-separatist forces" in Ukraine`s eastern industrial regions of Lugansk and Donetsk.

The European Union has sanctioned Moscow military officials whom it accused of "being involved in supporting the deployment of Russian troops in Ukraine."But Washington and EU nations have only provided Ukraine with support equipment such as advanced radar technology out of apparent fear that arming its forces may only provoke Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin denies backing the militias and calls Russians caught or spotted in the war zone vacationing or off-duty troops.

Poltorak estimated the number of combined rebel and Russian soldiers fighting government forces at more than 40,000.

"There are slightly over 7,000 Russian troops. They are being rotated all the time."

He said the insurgents would continue to stage attacks aimed at provoking retaliatory strikes that would make Kiev look like "the side that is initiating violations of the Minsk (peace) agreements" signed in February 2015.

That deal helped stem the worst of the violence but failed to find a workable solution that would settle the separatist regions` status.

Despite the relative calm since another ceasefire deal in September, the risk of a renewal of hostilities cannot be ignored, Poltorak warned.

The rebels "are preparing offensives" while at the same time "improving their defence systems, fearing an attack from us," he said.

But Poltorak added that the insurgents` ability to unfurl a wide-scale offensive was "limited" at this stage.

Nevertheless the ongoing conflict is "a wound" that is preventing Ukraine from joining the EU and NATO, the minister said.

Ukraine believes Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014 and plotted the eastern conflict in order to keep its western neighbour Ukraine in its sphere of influence and keep it from seeking membership in the European Union and the NATO military alliance.
Zabadani: The UN began evacuating hundreds of wounded people from besieged Syrian towns today in a rare sign of humanitarian progress amid faltered peace talks and a fraying ceasefire.

In Geneva, the Syrian government said it was pushing on with indirect negotiations, calling the opposition's freeze on its participation "absurd theatre".

The anti-government High Negotiations Committee this week suspended its participation in the UN-brokered talks until it could see progress on political transition and humanitarian issues.

Today, the UN secured the evacuation of dozens of people needing medical attention from four besieged towns as part of a complex humanitarian mission.

"Plans are underway to evacuate some 500 people including the sick, wounded and their family members" from four besieged Towns "in urgent need of life-saving medical attention," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

On the outskirts of the rebel-held town of Madaya, seven large white buses carrying evacuated residents stopped along a route lined by shrubbery.

Dozens of men, women and children got out of the bus and were checked by security officials before boarding once more, an AFP journalist said.

A similar operation had occurred earlier outside nearby Zabadani, where 25 men were transported out of the town, the journalist said.

The simultaneous evacuations were taking place Wednesday from rebel-held Zabadani and Madaya near Damascus, and the government-held towns of Fuaa and Kafraya in northwest Idlib province.

Madaya shot to infamy in December 2015 when dozens of residents starved to death.

Aid deliveries to the four localities always occur simultaneously and in equal amounts, and a similar stipulation applied on Wednesday for those being evacuated.

More than four million in Syria live in besieged or hard-to-reach areas, with limited or no access to food or medical supplies.

The UN has long pressed Damascus to grant unrestricted access to these areas, and has asked all sides to end besiegement.

Despite fierce criticism, the regime frequently denies passage to aid convoys or limits what kind of assistance can enter.

The dire humanitarian situation has played a major role in the opposition walking away from the troubled peace talks in Geneva.
Columbia: A US Army captain in Iraq helped crack a plot to bomb a Danish school after gleaning crucial details from documents recovered from extremists, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Army Captain Bradley Grimm, who is based at Al-Asad airbase in Iraq`s Anbar province, had "helped develop a system to speed the flow of intelligence from here on the ground to various national capitals," Baghdad-based spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said.

Grimm gleaned "actionable intelligence" from "captured documents" belonging to foreign fighters with ties to Denmark, Warren said.

"Brad`s work likely saved the lives of Danish citizens," Warren said, without providing additional details of the plot itself.

For his work, Denmark awarded Grimm the Danish Defense Medal for Special Meritorious Effort.

The intelligence-sharing system he helped develop contributed to the arrest of a suspect in the school plot and the confiscation of some homemade explosives.

Denmark is an active member of the approximately 65-nation coalition conducting operations against Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Danish lawmakers on Tuesday approved a plan to commit several F-16 warplanes, a transport aircraft and 400 military personnel to expand the country`s fight.
Washington: The United States provided assistance to Bangladesh in its investigation that unearthed the plot to abduct and kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son in the US, a senior American official has said, a day after the police claimed to have uncovered the conspiracy.

"The United States Department of Justice responded to the Government of Bangladesh's request for legal assistance related to this case," the official told PTI.

The remark was made in response to a query about reports that the Justice Department and the FBI provided evidence of links of opposition BNP mouthpiece Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman to the plot to kill Hasina's son Sajib Wajed Joy, 44.

The official, however, refused to give further details of the nature of the assistance provided to Bangladesh.

"As a general matter, when the US government shares law enforcement information as part of a request for legal assistance, we do not comment on it," the official said.

"For questions about the Government of Bangladesh's investigation, I'd refer you to the Bangladeshi authorities," the official said.

Bangladesh police yesterday claimed to have found evidence about links of two detained pro-opposition senior journalists to abduction and murder plot of Hasina's son in the US.

Journalist Shafik Rehman, 81, an editor and an adviser to ex-premier Khaleda Zia, has been detained over the plot and is being quizzed by the police.

For 62-year-old Mahmudur, in jail since 2013 under several other charges, legal procedure is underway to secure a court order for his remand for interrogation, police has said.

In 2015, a New York court convicted US-based BNP leader Mahmud Ullah Mamun's son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar for bribing former FBI agent Robert Lustyik to get information about Joy's activities in the US.

According to media reports, middleman Johannes Thaler and the FBI agent were convicted by the US court after Caesar admitted that he intended to 'scare,' 'kidnap' and 'hurt' Joy.

There are also allegations that some top leaders of the BNP and its allies met in the UK, the US and in the capital's Paltan and other parts of the country before September 2012 and conspired to abduct and kill Joy.
Washington: The ties between the US and Saudi Arabia is characterised by extensive counter-terrorism cooperation, the White House has said, moments before President Barack Obama left for the Kingdom as part of his three-nation six-day tour to Saudi Arabia, the UK and Germany.

"It is a relationship that is characterised by extensive counter-terrorism cooperation. That cooperation enhances our national security and makes the American people safer. The Saudi government happens to think that it enhances the national security of their country as well and makes the Saudi people safer as well. That is why we are able to cooperate," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday.

Obama yesterday along with his top officials left White House for the Andrews Airforce Base for his six-day three nation tour starting with Saudi Arabia. The UK and Germany are the other two countries where he will visit.

"It does not mean that there are not differences between our two countries. There are substantial differences between our two countries. And the President does not hesitate to raise his concerns about those differences as well.

"I am confident he will do that in the context of the meetings that he is preparing for later this week. I think that is the point. That is the essence of our concern and that is the essence of our proposal for how these kinds of situations can be resolved moving forward," Earnest said.

He said Speaker of House of Representatives Paul Ryan indicated that he at least had some more concerns with the way that this bill is structured because of the consequences it could have for the US relationship not just with Saudi Arabia but with countries around the world.

Earnest was responding to a question on the opposition of the White House to a legislation tabled in the Senate which if passed would allow victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack to sue Saudi Arabia. US media has reported that Saudi Arabia has threatened to withdraw its USD 750 billion investment in the US if such a legislation is passed. The White House has indicated that Obama will veto such a bill.

"I think that taking a step like this would significantly enhance the risk to the US not in the context of our relationship with Saudi Arabia necessarily, but the concern that we have is much broader than that.

"Our concern is with our ability to do business in countries around the world. And sometimes it is not just related to economic business, but actually to the business of our national security, to the business of the functioning of the state - whether that relates to national security operations, or in some cases, even humanitarian operations," Earnest added.
(Beijing)  Vale SA, the world's largest producer of iron ore and nickel, wants to play a bigger role in China's efforts to reduce emissions by supplying it with more high-quality iron ore, CEO Murilo Ferreira says.

In a recent interview with Caixin, Ferreira also talked about his company's strategies, new projects and cost cutting efforts amid increasing market volatility and political instability.

"I think that politicians should consider working hard in order to be more focused in bringing prosperity than going into some disputes," he said.

Ferreira also discussed the Chinese government's plans for the country's steel mills, saying change is necessary. "Some plants that are facing problems in terms of credit could use some consolidation, some modernization, using new technologies, but it will take some time," he said.

The following are edited excerpts of Caixin's interview with Ferreira.

Caixin: Commodity prices including those for iron ore have rebounded sharply in recent months. Why?

Murilo Ferreira: I think that we have just one reason: because of credit easing. I think that this year, we have noticed a big improvement in credit in China. In the property market, some measures were taken to give people access to new houses. Then the number of new properties started to increase substantially. This was the main reason.

So credit easing has played a part? Are the fundamentals of industries also changing?

Yes, I think so. I think that conditions are improving in steel mills. In the past two years, they improved efficiency. We will not see a gorgeous market, as it was in 2011, 2012, but much better than it was in 2015.

Has demand from China for iron ore been picking up recently?

I think that it's good in China. What's happened? The quality of iron ore in China is not so good. It has 25 percent iron content with so many impurities. Our iron ore in Brazil, with the new mining, is in the range of 67 percent in terms of iron content. It has very low levels of impurities. If you are talking about the environment, for instance, emissions, it's much better to use high-quality iron ore.

But do you expect a serious reduction in overcapacity in China's steel industry?

That's a very good question. I think that must be done. Some plants that are facing problems in terms of credit could use some consolidation, some modernization, using new technologies, but it will take some time.

But this reduction, what impact will it have on your business?

Each year we have a depletion of roughly 40 million tons of iron ore. Then the impact can be reduced because of the problems we'll face in all the mining industry, depletion.

But for you specifically?

We have depletion as well in Brazil. We must replace existing mines. This is the reason that we are investing so heavily in our new projects. In our new projects, the original budget was US$ 19.5 billion. Then in the end the cost will be around US$ 14 billion. We had some merit regarding the exchange rate and we had some efficiency. The purpose is to replace old mines at low costs and to increase quality.

You have just signed a deal with China COSCO. Put this in the big picture, what's your China strategy?

Our strategy is to be the largest supplier in China. Now, we are not in this position. We are in the range of 180 million tons. But with the new project, we intend to reach 250 million tons.

You surprised the industry recently with an agreement with Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. Why cooperate with FMG at this time? What do you want to get from this cooperation in the short and even in the longer term?

It's a memorandum of understanding that we need to analyze some alternatives. The main purpose is to blend material at port facilities in China. You know that we have high-quality iron ore. FMG does not have the same quality. And I think that we can provide a new product to our customer. But at this point in time, we don't have any contract.

Your credit rating has just been downgraded. The market perception is that your company is not perfect. But so far, you have not been very aggressive in debt reduction or in divestment. Why?

We are very aggressive. A few years ago, the cost of iron ore delivered in China was US$ 90. In our last statement, it was US$ 32 and we intend in the first quarter of this year to be below US$30. We have been very aggressive in terms of reduction. We continue as an investment grade in S&P, in Fitch, but we had some problems with Moody's. Moody's is considering a long-term view of iron ore at US$ 35. In this regard, they consider that Vale must do some adjusting. We did a big divestment program in non-core business. It was roughly US$ 12 billion. And we will announce shortly a transaction in order to give comfort to our creditors.

So would you challenge Moody's assumption on you long-term ire ore plan?

As you know, they tend to impose their philosophy on us. I fully disagree. And what we have to do is to work hard, to demonstrate that they are wrong.

What's your prediction for the long-term price of iron ore?

I believe that long term we will be in the range of US$ 65 to US$ 80.

Brazil is having some trouble with political instability and an economic recession. As a national champion of your country, what kind of impact do you feel and how are you dealing with it?

For sure it's not good to see some instability. I believe that we have the country split into different parties. I think that politicians should consider working hard in order to be more focused on bringing prosperity rather than going into some dispute.

Vale is also a major producer of nickel, copper, fertilizer and coal. On these fronts, what are your goals and plans?

We are the largest producer of nickel in the world. I strongly believe that we have a great future, mainly with electric cars, with the aerospace and high-technology industries. We have a very good product in Canada, with a high level of purity. That can be used for some specialty products. And I'm very positive about the future of nickel. In copper, we are one of the top 10. We are ready to start up our production of metallurgical coal in Mozambique, including a railway and a port facility in deep water. And in fertilizer, we are happy with our investment. We believe that Brazil will be the largest producer of grains shortly. Now we are No. 3. But in a short time, we will be No. 1. Just 8 percent of the land is used to produce grain.

Because the mining industry is cyclical, you have to manage cycles to survive or prosper. But the monetary policies of major central banks around the world are out of tune with each other. The economic growth of China, Japan, the EU and America are all at different stages. So how do you manage this complicated situation?

We must consider a long-term plan because it usually takes eight to 10 years to have a project in operation from when we start looking for new material. We cannot just consider some problems we are facing right now. But my main concern worldwide is politics. You can see a big dispute in the United States. If we consider Europe, with this new process in which Britain is considering leaving the EU, Europe will have high turbulence. It's a challenging moment mainly in the political context.
Do Australian attitudes towards Chinese investment reflect racism? Its a question Ive often been asked but its a tough one to answer.

According to the 2014 Lowy Poll 56% of Australians think that the government is allowing too much investment from China.

Yet Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that in 2014 China only accounted for 4.4% of the total stock of foreign direct investment in Australia. The US share was more than five times that of China.

When it comes to particular sectors of the economy such as real estate, the percentage of Australians who take the view that the government is allowing too much investment from China rises to 70%. The first year that Chinese investment in the sector began to outpace that from other countries was 2013-14 according to data from the Foreign Investment Review Board, which screens foreign real estate purchases.

One explanation for the attitudes of Australians to Chinese investment is racism but its not that simple.

Polls like the one from Lowy in 2014 ask questions like Do you think the Australian government is allowing too much investment from China? which really doesnt tell us much, about racism or anything else.

It could be that Australians arent fond of foreign ownership regardless of where the money comes from. Or even if they do care about where it comes from, maybe they are more worried about other attributes of foreign investment.

For example, the public might not really mind a local company being acquired by a Chinese investor as long as Australians are left to manage the day-to-day operations. Indeed, research by KPMG and Sydney University found evidence that more and more Chinese investors are now adopting such localisation strategies.

The 2014 Lowy Poll found that Australians hold a particular sensitivity towards foreign investment in certain assets. Only 37% of Australians are in favour of foreign investment in ports and airports, compared with 58% in manufacturing.

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In recent years foreign investors have acquired all or part of the lease to operate a number of Australian ports including Brisbane (2010), Newcastle (2014) and Darwin (2015). The lease to Australias busiest port, the Port of Melbourne, is expected to be sold later this year.

A new study I was involved in may shed some light on the issue. The specific question the research was trying to answer was what determined public preferences on foreign investment in critical Australian infrastructure assets such as maritime ports?

We asked a representative sample of 1,000 Australians to review hypothetical foreign investment scenarios and choose those they preferred the most and the least. These investment scenarios included eight different investment attributes ranging from the share of foreign ownership an investment would bring, to which country the investment was from, to whether the foreign company making the investment was government or privately-owned, and so on.

By varying the levels of attributes in each investment scenario  one might feature an investment from China while another might feature an investment from the US  we could estimate what preferences were at play.

The greatest concerns were found to be around foreign ownership and control, not country-of-origin. Thats good news: if racism was the driver wed expect to see country-of-origin dominate.

What bothered Australians the most was the foreign ownership share that an investment would bring. A lower share was preferred to a higher one. Next was the length of the lease that a foreign investor would hold. Shorter leases were preferred to longer ones.

That said, consideration of country-of-origin did rank third in participants preferences. Five countries were considered: China, India, Japan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the US. Investment from the US was most preferred while investment from China was the least preferred.

But before interpreting that as evidence of racism still being a factor, keep three things in mind.

First, Japanese investment was also statistically preferred to Chinese investment, while Indian investment was not. What links US and Japanese investment on the one hand and Chinese and Indian investment on the other is plainly not race.

Rather, what China and India have in common is that they are both relative newcomers to Australia as sources of foreign investment. In that sense, what we are seeing now with respect to Chinese investment may not be so different to public opposition to US investment in the 1960s and Japanese investment in the 1980s.

Second, the research suggests that Australians are more concerned with the size of the share of foreign ownership rather than the country-of-origin. Modelling showed, if all other attributes such as the lease length and so on were the same, the public would actually prefer a Chinese investment with an ownership share of 64% to one from the US that led to 100% foreign ownership.

Finally, even to the extent that the public do prefer investment from China less than from other countries, race is only one factor that might be at play. For example, the Australian public may have greater reservations about Chinese investment if they believe that the Chinese Communist Party holds undue influence over Chinese companies.

In other words, the objection to investment from China could be political rather than racial. More research is needed to discern the relative importance of the various factors that might lead to investment from China being less preferred.

Still, the next time Im asked whether Australians are racist in their attitudes towards Chinese investment, Ill more confidently answer that race is not their main concern.

The Conversation

James Laurenceson, Deputy Director and Professor, Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI), University of Technology Sydney

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Until recently, Chinese officials could rest assured that their path on the bureaucratic ladder went only upward, unless they were punished for some reason, usually corruption.

No more. A policy passed in June 2015 by the Communist Party's second-highest decision-making body, the 25-member Politburo, stipulated that officials should be demoted for failing to meet the requirements of their post.

Six months later, 584 officials at and above the county level in the mainland's 31 provinces and regions have been removed on account of poor performance, data from the party's personnel department show. The positions were filled by, hopefully, more capable successors.

Last week, the government of the central province of Hubei said it demoted 28 officials, who were "not suited" for their jobs. More of the same can be expected elsewhere, as local governments implement the party's new approach.

It is no coincidence that the changes came shortly before official data showed that services and emerging industries had grown, helping to offset a decline in traditional manufacturing sectors, which have lost their ability to fuel GDP expansion. This would not have happened unless the right officials were in place to make sure the central government's policies were being implemented.

As China seeks a more balanced and sustainable model of growth, creating a flexible, merit-based bureaucracy that rewards the ambitious and punishes the lazy is essential to making progress because the new model requires high-quality human capital and technologies more than ever.

The New Economy Index (NEI), recently launched by the Caixin Insight Group and BBD, a big data firm, shows that the output of the new economy, encompassing 111 items across nine industries, accounted for nearly one-third of all economic activity in March. The future of China depends on the new economy getting stronger.

This will not happen unless the government relaxes rules that hinder the sector's growth. Emerging new industries should be governed by a "negative list" approach, and the whole idea of officials making decisions on whether an investment is worthwhile or not should be abandoned.

Efforts have been made over the past two years to reform the functions of government and reduce the intervention of officials in the market, but there is still a long way to go.

Pushing forward with supply-side reforms should be a priority. Local officials should be evaluated less on GDP growth rates and more on their ability to provide public goods and services, budget wisely and govern democratically and with accountability. This means raising the bar for officials. Growing differences in regional economic performances indicate that some are living up to the challenges while others have struggled.

The inaction of officialdom has become common, replacing graft as the most severe problem hindering economic growth in some places. The central government has repeatedly warned officials against muddling along. The Politburo listed lacking initiative, perfunctory performance and failing to fulfill one's duties as among the behaviors cadres must not exhibit, just as they should not accept a bribe.

Creating a mechanism that allows for unsuitable officials to be replaced by able ones is essential. It should be institutionalized and come with necessary guidelines and operating rules, lest some officials set about firing people just to show they can.

Assessments will be pivotal. Such a mechanism will require that officials be properly evaluated, and that cannot happen without clear rules and transparent procedures. The standards of assessments should be practical, measurable and suited to different jobs at different bureaucratic levels. Outside opinions, especially the public's views, should be incorporated into assessments. Meanwhile, it is also important to reward officials who handle pressure and excel.

Who gets promoted is often a sign of where policies are headed. A renewed emphasis on promoting reform-minded officials, as recent actions by top decision-makers have indicated, can and will have a significant impact on the economy. Only by relying on people who are willing to take risks and responsibility can we truly bring reform to life, encourage innovation and build the new economy.
Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gay told a news conference that investors bought Argentine sovereign bonds worth $16.5 billion in the country's first debt auction since the default in 2001

Argentina borrowed $16.5 billion on Tuesday in its triumphant return to international credit markets 15 years after a disastrous default, the government said.

Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gay said Argentina raised billions more in sovereign bonds than it had planned in the country's first debt auction since the default in 2001.

"The 2001 default phase is now definitively closed," Prat-Gay told a news conference.

He said investors accepted an average rate of return of 7.2 percent on the bonds, which have maturities ranging from three to 30 years.

That was a higher rate than on much South American sovereign debt, reflecting lingering uncertainty about Argentina's financial fortunes following a lengthy absence from the markets.

Prat-Gay earlier said the government received demand for $60 billion in bonds, several times bigger than the supply in the auction, which was initially forecast to raise between $12.5 billion and $15.0 billion.

That was "the highest demand in history in an emerging economy and among the 20 biggest debt issues in history," he told a news conference.

"We are very happy to have come so quickly out of the darkness to be able to reconnect with the world."

He said two thirds of the new investors were from the United States, a quarter from Europe and about five percent each from the Middle East and Latin America.

Argentina will use part of the borrowed money to settle a 15-year lawsuit by US investment funds known as "holdouts" who demanded full repayment of debts dating to the default.

"On Friday, when the funds (from the bonds) are credited to our account, we will pay $9.3 billion" to those creditors, the minister said.

"We have reached 220 agreements with holdout investors of various sizes."

Argentina's leftist ex-president Cristina Kirchner branded the holdouts "vultures" and refused to negotiate with the holdouts, leading Argentina to be seen as a pariah on financial markets.

Her successor, conservative President Mauricio Macri, has claimed the return to the international financial fold as a victory.

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Since taking power in December, he has been trying to boost Argentina's flagging economy by scrapping Kirchner's protectionist policies.

- Social cost of debt -

Macri's opponents said poor families would bear the cost of his borrowing since public spending cuts would be imposed to pay off the debts eventually.

He has removed currency controls and raised utility prices, triggering angry protests from Argentines who say their spending power is declining.

The bond sale "is a major step forward," Agustin Carstens, head of the IMF's Monetary and Financial Committee, said Saturday.

"It is very good to have a country as important as Argentina putting the house in order."

He warned, however, that Argentines would have to endure tough economic cutbacks to stabilize the economy and public finances.

"Needless to say, in the short term, some measures may be difficult to digest," Carstens said in Washington.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts that Argentina's economy will contract by one percent this year and grow 2.8 percent in 2017.

Prat-Gay has given a stronger forecast of around zero growth this year and growth of up to four percent next year.

After the 2001 crisis, some Argentines object to taking on new debt -- not least Kirchner and her allies. Her side was only narrowly beaten by Macri in last year's election.

"Once again, history is repeating itself and catching the Argentines out. Debt, devaluation, layoffs, political persecution, price rises," Kirchner said in a speech last week.

Macri has announced a series of social welfare measures that he said would help the poor cope with the cuts.

Credit rater Moody's raised Argentina's sovereign rating ahead of the bond sale.

It still ranks as a speculative investment with a "high credit risk," but less high-risk than before.
Onto the next! The New York primary is in the rear-view mirror, but the scramble for Republican delegates is far from over. Next Tuesday, April 26, GOP primaries will take place in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Rhode Island, with a total of 172 delegates up for grabs. Polls show Donald Trump leading by a wide margin in those states; he will likely have considerable momentum heading into Indiana on May 3. But wait -- John Kasich has already claimed victory in Indiana.

An analysis by The New York Times of the remaining races suggests that winner-take-all Indiana could be pivotal. If Trump does not win the state, he might not secure the nomination outright before he reaches Cleveland. That makes the May 3 vote important. But, in Indiana and other states, it is becoming equally important to nail down delegates who will be released after the first ballot. That is what Kasich has done in Indiana, where he has evidently secured the second-round support of most of the states 57 delegates.

Related: Only the Best? Why Trump Is Shaking Up His Campaign

How can Indianas delegates commit to supporting Governor Kasich before a single vote has been cast in their state? Since there has been zero polling done in Indiana, delegates dont even know who voters would like to nominate. Count this yet another primary season mystery. And, another reason for The Donald to cry foul.

New York Republican Primary Results | InsideGov

If front-runner Trump does not arrive in Cleveland with 1,237 delegates in hand  the requisite majority needed to become the nominee  the convention will vote, and then vote again until one candidate reaches that magic number. After the first round, in which 5 percent of the delegates are unbound, 59 percent of the delegates are free to change their affiliation; after the second ballot, 80 percent can do so.

Voters should ask: how do you court a delegate? What can Ted Cruz, or any of the candidates, offer these men and women to secure their second-ballot votes?

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For starters, he can pitch his policies, or the effort he will make on behalf of a delegates home-state candidates. He can argue that he has the best shot at beating Hillary Clinton, or that his polling in the candidates state looks great for the down-ballot crowd.

He might also offer to include a delegate in some policy-making committee, allow them to act as a campaign surrogate, or suggest that a person could fill a slot in the transition team.

Related: Romney -- 'With Three Candidates I Think Trump Gets It on the First Ballot'



Delegates can also be offered the all-important personal touch. Just sitting down to dinner with Ted Cruz or Donald Trump could dazzle some of the people headed to the convention. The Washington Post reported that during the 1976 election, President Ford wooed delegates via invitations to dine at the White House and at a July 4 party held on the deck of the USS Forrestal. That trumped Ronald Reagans counter-attack, which involved inviting delegates to meet Hollywood pals like John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart.

Will all of the above be enough? Maybe, but as the race tightens the candidates may have to throw a little more sauce on the steak.

In an obvious violation of ethical standards, it seems a candidates surrogates can also offer money or gifts to curry a delegates favor. For example, a candidates wealthy backer could offer to reimburse a delegate for his or her travel to the convention, and for their hotel stay in Cleveland. According to some sources, a person might even be treated to a jolly weekend ahead of the convention, in Mar-a-Lago for instance, to talk politics and strategy.

There are apparently no rules governing such outlays where ordinary citizens are concerned. There are laws that generally prohibit the buying of votes, but their application to the delegate selection process is unclear. If a delegate is a government official, there are anti-bribery statutes that apply. Also, there are laws that make gifts from corporations, labor organizations, foreign nationals or government contractors illegal. Some states have their own rules. For instance, in Ohio it is against the law to promise or give money, office, position, place or employment, influence, or any other valuable consideration to delegates at a convention.

Related: How Trump and Cruz Could Be Big Money-Makers for House Democrats

Though the giving of perks and goodies might be protested, and lawsuits filed, the candidates know that the wheels of justice turn slowly. The convention will have come and gone by the time Trump vs. Cruz Supporter is actually heard in a court of law. Hence, there may not be legal recourse to thwart hanky-panky.

It is also true that no one will be the wiser. If a rich individual pays for a sight-seeing outing for a delegate en route to Cleveland, there is no requirement that such expenses be logged with the Federal Elections Commission or reported to the RNC. Its just a gift from one person to another.

It should be noted that Trumps campaign has sworn off doing anything immoral, illegal or unethical," according to senior advisor Barry Bennett. While making The Donald available is certainly on the table, "We're not offering seats on the Trump airplane or anything like that," he claimed. Hopefully all the campaigns follow suit, but theres no way we will know.

Because this years nominating contest is so close, voters are much more attentive than usual to the process. From the ridiculously arcane rules governing the caucuses to Colorado where voters were left behind, Republicans can be forgiven if they are losing faith in the system and in the party. The last thing the GOP needs is a scandal about candidates buying delegates.

While the RNC rules committee meets this week in Florida, it is not too late to lay down some common-sense guidelines preventing such behavior. Given the passions and zeal of this years contests, getting ahead of this problem could be crucial.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
(Beijing)  The collapse of abandoned coal pits triggered a minor earthquake in southwestern Beijing, raising the alarm about other mines in the capital.

A magnitude 2.7 earthquake struck Beijing's Da'anshan Township, in the Fangshan District, about 1:10 a.m. on April 19, the China Earthquake Administration's monitoring website said.

No casualties or damage were reported.

The quake was caused by collapse of abandoned coal pits, state broadcaster CCTV said. The tremors could be felt in Xiyuan Village, about 4 kilometers away from the pits, locals told Caixin.

Da'anshan Township, a mountainous area on Beijing's outskirts, has abundant reserves of coal, which has been mined in the area since the 11th century. Xiyuan Village had dozens of coal pits operating in the 1990s, villagers said.

The Da'anshan mines are owned by Beijing Haohua Energy Resource Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of state-owned Beijing Energy Investment Holding Co. Ltd, state media reported. Empty pits have been left unattended in recent years after going out of use.

"This is not the first time that such quakes occurred," said 64-year-old Yang Wenrong, who said he worked in a mine in Da'anshan mine for 28 years. "There were more serious ones before in which my closet moved and my floor cracked."

A former employee of Beijing Haohua Energy Resource's topographic survey team and a resident of Xiyuan Village who asked that his name not be used, said he was worried a more severe earthquake could send a landslide toward villages near the foot of mountains.

In 2013, the walls of dozens of homes in Xiyuan Village suffered cracking after days of rain, the website of Da'anshan Township says. Experts said this was because empty coal pits sat under homes.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported in 2011 that government of the capital announced a plan to relocate 45,000 residents of Fangshan  almost half of the people in the district  to public housing over three years.

Only around 1,803 people moved out by the end of 2012, the website of the Fangshan District government said.

Few villagers in Xiyuan said they had heard of the relocation.

A Da'anshan official said in a text message to a Caixin reporter that the government "is advancing the process steadily."

A Caixin reporter later visited the government office in Xiyuan Village, but a person working there would not answer any questions.

(Rewritten by Chen Na)
Bernie Sanders wasted little time signaling that he would stay in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination to the end and beyond  after losing big to Hillary Clinton in Tuesdays New York Democratic primary.

Senator Sanders, the democratic socialist from Vermont, is just coming down from a month-long high of primary and caucus victories over Clinton and a brief handshake with Pope Francis in a Vatican hotel lobby last weekend. He says his attacks on income inequality, Wall Street excesses and a corrupt campaign finance system are resonating with Democrats and independents.

Despite his 58 percent to 42 percent loss to Clinton on Tuesday, Sanders believes momentum is still on his side and that the party will come around to viewing him as the superior candidate. The voter gap might have been closer if independents were allowed to vote for Democrats or Republicansa rule few states other than New York require.

Trump and Clinton Sweep New York and Score Big Delegates

Today we took Secretary Clinton on in her own state of New York and we lost, Sanders told reporters late yesterday after returning home to Burlington, Vermont. There are five primaries next week. We think were going to do well.

Even if Sanders falters again next week in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland and Delaware, his campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, told MSNBC that Sanders has no plans to abandon the race. The Sanders camp hopes to cut into Clintons lead -- or even winning -- in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island next week, with upsets possible in some of the other states.

And he is setting his sights on Indiana and Oregon down the road, before the high-stakes primary season finale in delegate-rich California June 7.

Votes for Bernie Sanders in Primaries by State | InsideGov

Sanders has been increasingly combative with Clinton and the Democratic Party establishment, and has raised concerns yesterday about reports that more than 100,000 voters in Brooklyn who were unable to cast ballots, for a variety of reasons. While I congratulate Secretary Clinton, I must say I am really concerned about the conduct of the voting process in New York today," he said.

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Related: Clinton Can Start Writing Her Nomination Acceptance Speech After NY Win

Clinton is already about 80 percent of the way to garnering the 2,383 pledged and super delegates needed to win the nomination. She will probably be much closer to that number by next Tuesday night, when the votes from the five Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states are finally tallied and 384 delegates are apportioned.

With a huge campaign war chest, a big TV ad budget and a highly motivated liberal base of support, Sanders is well positioned to carry his campaign against Clinton all the way to the July Democratic convention in Philadelphia. After months of relatively placid exchanges between Sanders and Clinton, the tone turned decidedly negative after Sanders last big victory in Wisconsin April 5, and the two rivals finally took off their gloves.

Once the campaign shifted to New York, Sanders portrayed Clinton as the queen of the political establishment and himself as a revolutionary who would transform politics and a corrupt campaign finance system, while showering the middle class with free national health care, free college tuition and a raft of other costly programs that would be paid for with huge tax increases.

The Democrats once high-minded debates over domestic and foreign policy that seemed tame compared to the GOP exchanges abruptly shifted to a flurry of personal attacks. Sanders began to argue that Clinton had disqualified herself to be president by accepting $675,000 in speaking fees from Goldman Sachs and for having voted in the Senate in 2002 in favor of the U.S. invading Iraq. He argued that regardless of her experience as a senator and the nations chief diplomat, Clinton routinely made bad choices on national security and foreign policy.

Related: Clinton vs. Trump: Get Ready for the Nastiest General Election in Memory



Clinton refused to back down, and she repeatedly blasted Sanders as a political dreamer, offering up pie-in-the-sky promises to his supporters and advocating wholesale change in government programs and banking policies  including the breakup of banks deemed too big to fail  without fully understanding is own proposals.

With no winner take all primaries ahead, Sanders would have to score impossibly high victories of 60 percent to 70 percent to catch up with Clinton. And even if he closes the gap on the first ballot, Clinton would hammer him with her support among super delegates. Currently, she leads Sanders in super delegates 502 to 38, and the disparity is almost certain to grow in the coming weeks.

In reality, the 74-year-old Sanders who is running the political campaign of a lifetime may soon have to face up to a painful choice: either become a statesman and rally to Clintons side to prevent Donald Trump or Ted Cruz from winning the White House, or continue indefinitely as a spoiler who is prepared to do almost anything to keep his campaign and message alive.

A new survey by the Wall Street Journal/NBC News hinted at some highly troubling news for Clinton: Sanders increasingly nasty and sarcastic attacks on her -- for accepting millions in speaking fees and contributions from Wall Street and her support for the U.S. invasion of Iraq and a raft of international trade agreements that hurt average workers -- have cut deeply into her overall approval rating.

Related: Sanders Attacks Are Taking a Serious Toll on Clinton

Some senior members of the Clinton campaign have begun comparing Sanders to consumer advocate Ralph Nader, whose third party campaign for president in 2000 garnered 97,421 votes in Florida, and may have contributed to Democrat Al Gores historic loss to Republican George W. Bush in that state by roughly 500 votes.

Joel Berenson, a senior campaign strategist for Clinton, told CNN on Tuesday that the Sanders campaign is increasingly assailing the character of any Democrats who dont agree with them, and I think thats unproductive.

Tad Devine, senior media adviser was adamant that Sanders would back Clinton if she wins their partys nomination, but voiced little enthusiasm about that prospect and chided Clinton for making it hard for Sanders supporters to consider getting behind her in the general election.

You know it would be great if the Clinton campaign would be a little more welcoming to people like Bernie Sanders who decides to come into our party and participate and not try to run him out of it. Devine said.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
In an era of heightened global security and social unrest, Australian cities have been rated as some of the safest in the world.



Sydney held onto its position in the top 12 cities in the world with the highest quality of living, while other Australian cities followed in overall rankings, according to a recent report by Mercer.



Melbourne came in 15th place in the full list of 230 cities worldwide, followed by Perth (21), Adelaide (27), Canberra (28), and Brisbane (36).



Also read: Blip or crisis? What 2016's horror start really means

The survey includes a personal safety ranking based on internal stability, crime levels, performance of local law enforcement, and the home countrys relationship with other countries.



Safety, in particular, is a key consideration for multinational companies when sending expatriate workers abroad, both because it raises concerns about the personal safety of the expat and their family and because it has a significant impact on the cost of global compensation programmes.



Heightened domestic and global security threats, population displacement resulting from violence, and social unrest in key business centres around the world are key issues for multinational companies with expatriate workforces.



Lorraine Jennings, Mercers global mobility practice leader in Australia and New Zealand, said: Australian cities illustrate a stable infrastructure, increased availability of housing on the city fringe and life-style choices that are particularly appealing to the younger generation and this is all good news in terms of Australian based companies attracting international talent.



Also read: What surging commodity prices mean for the Aussie economy

To remain competitive multinational companies should adopt a holistic approach to international assignments, she added.



For example, when it comes to an employees health they could incorporate a quality of living allowance that remunerates for poor medical and health conditions, a health and well-being policy that mitigates risks through adequate health checks, an assessment of pollution levels, and availability of medical facilities, Jennings said.
Two events this month focused attention on the long-term future of Albertas troubled, energy-dependent economy; last weeks provincial budget and the federal NDPs decision to consider the contentious Leap Manifesto.

The New Democrats voted at their convention in Edmonton to debate the Leap document, a call to action on climate change whose central plank is a demand to end investment in fossil-fuel projects, including a halt to new pipeline construction to bring existing oil sands production to market.

Instead, money would be put into development of sustainable and renewable energy projects and retraining oil and gas workers.

The manifesto was quickly rejected by Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. Her NDP governments first budget since taking office last year nonetheless calls for spending more on renewable energy development.

If Notley and the manifestos authors have anything in common its the view that the world is trying to move away from fossil fuels, which in the long term could make Albertas oil and gas sector a sunset industry. Its the timetable thats in dispute.

In Alberta theres always been an understanding that it should not expect to depend on oil and gas revenues indefinitely. Starting with then-premier Peter Lougheed in 1973, the Progressive Conservatives, who governed the province for more than four decades, intervened heavily to try to develop alternative industries.

ALSO READ: A few facts about the Leap Manifesto

Youre not hearing anything about that today in part because much of the effort was embarrassingly wrong-headed. An article last year for the University of Calgarys School of Public Policy co-authored by former PC finance minister Ted Morton details the strategys many failures.

The government put money into a variety of underperforming ventures, from a cellphone manufacturing plant to a hazardous-waste treatment facility, a northern B.C. grain-handling terminal, a startup pharmaceutical producer, a laser technology developer and even a bank. All either went bankrupt  spectacularly in the case of Canadian Commercial Bank  or the government sold its stake at a loss, Morton pointed out.

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There were success stories, he wrote, but most related to Albertas traditional resource-extraction sectors; the pioneering Syncrude oil sands development, Luscar Ltd. coal mines, ethane-based petrochemical production. The province also successfully launched the Bank of Alberta, now Canadian Western Bank, and profited from its stake in Pacific Western Airlines.

Diversification strategy seen as major failure

But on balance, Morton and co-author Meredith McDonald argue, the strategy was a major failure.

Between 1973 and 1993 [when Ralph Klein became premier], the Lougheed-[Don]Getty forced-growth economic diversification projects are conservatively estimated to have cost Albertans $2.2 billion, they write.

Much of the money came from the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, originally intended by Lougheed as a place to bank some of the provinces growing energy royalties for a rainy day. Many, including Morton, say it evolved into a political slush fund to finance often half-baked ventures.

Theres no evidence the NDP, who philosophically should not be averse to intervention, is interested in reviving the Lougheed-era strategy. The incentives offered in last weeks budget for things such as diversifying Albertas petrochemical sector are fairly small, says Trevor Tombe, a University of Calgary economist.

Theyre not going big down the road of subsidizing pet projects like Peter Lougheed and Don Getty did, and thankfully so, he said in an interview with Yahoo Canada Finance.

Tombe argued that the decades-long obsession with forced-growth diversification stems partly from having framed the problem incorrectly.

ALSO READ: Alberta budget shows province must cut oil dependency

The question is not how do you diversify away from the economys reliance on the fossil-fuel sector, but how do you diversify the governments sources of revenue? The reason people have avoided that question is because one unavoidable answer is political dynamite  a provincial sales tax.

Tombe noted direct and indirect employment in oil and gas and related activities account for only 14 per cent of jobs in Alberta.

When you do that systematically across all the sectors and compare it to other provinces, our employment is no less diverse than Ontario, he said.

But by what metric do we decide whether or not an economy is over-reliant on this sector or that sector? Is Ontario over-reliant on finance and manufacturing? Thats not a conversation we often hear.

When it comes to economic volatility, Alberta is little different from other provinces, said Tombe.

But the Alberta government is heavily dependent on resource royalties and taxes to fund public services. When those revenues sink, the only alternatives are deficit financing, which Getty used, or Kleins program of drastic cuts.

A 2013 paper also published by the School of Public Policy noted 21.64 per cent of the Alberta governments revenues in the previous two fiscal years came from non-renewable resources. That creates income volatility for the government that the Heritage Fund was initially set up to address but rarely did.

We have a very strong economy even today, Tombe contended. The problem is the governments budget and thats completely separate from the economy.

Save oil and gas revenues for hedge against decline, says economist

The government needs to be more disciplined about socking away oil and gas royalties, as Norway has done with its trust fund, which is not used for domestic economic development but invested prudently offshore. Its now worth close to a trillion dollars.

Those savings provide a hedge for the day the world weans itself off fossil fuels, Tombe explained.

If oil and gas is on the way out in the longer term then that asset will not be all that valuable in a generation or two from now, he said. But if we convert it into a financial asset through saving, those financial assets will still have value in the future.

Tombe also pointed to the 2013 paper that recommended Alberta finally create a harmonized federal-provincial sales tax comparable to its western neighbours, suggesting an eight per cent provincial component on top of the five per cent federal GST.

An Alberta HST wouldnt necessarily bring in more money because it could be offset by corporate and income tax reductions to help maintain the provinces economic competitiveness, the authors suggested. But it would be a more stable revenue source than personal and business income taxes, the authors argued.



By reducing reliance on personal and corporate income taxes, and introducing consumption taxes, the province can shift its tax mix toward less volatile, more efficient sources of revenue, the paper concluded.

ALSO READ: Alberta should not use savings fund to balance books: premier

But even though Albertans have been paying GST for 25 years, the absence of a provincial tax is a sacred cow. All parties know introducing one is flirting with political suicide.

Notley and Finance Minister Minister Joe Ceci ruled it out this week but its a measure of the governments financial straits that they wont commit to that beyond 2019.

With little sign energy prices will rebound to former heights, Tombe said the government will be pulled between finding new revenue sources or making painful spending reductions.

So it is a difficult choice even though the accounting and the economics are very simple, he said.
[An extra-large coffee from Tim Hortons costs more than what each Canadian pays annually to support Canada's role in the Commonwealth. / Yahoo Canada Finance/Reuters]

When David E. Smith, author of The Invisible Crown: The First Principle of Canadian Government, is called on to describe how the monarchy works in Canada, he loves invoking Danish physicist Niels Bohr, one of the fathers of the mind-boggling theory behind quantum mechanics.

I was reading something about him and at one point Bohr says to somebody if youre not puzzled by quantum mechanics you will never understand it, says Smith, an Officer of the Order of Canada and political scientist. This is true of constitutional monarchy  if youre not puzzled by it you cannot understand it.

He laughs, but as Queen Elizabeth II turns 90 this week, talk inevitably turns to the relevance of the aging monarchy and how much it costs Canadians.

A recent survey by Angus Reid found that 64 per cent of Canadians support continuing to recognize the queen, while only 46 per cent support recognizing her son Prince Charles as king.

The queen is the personification of the state; our whole parliamentary democracy is fused onto this idea of us as a constitutional monarchy, says Nathan Tidridge, a high school teacher awarded the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal for his ten years spent educating Canadians on the role of the Crown.

Everything from the relationship between the provinces to the federal government to how laws are made to our court system and  something thats really coming to the forefront  our treaty relationships with first nations are all attached to the Crown, he says. Its really fundamental to the whole Canadian state.

And all this for the cost of a Tim Hortons coffee: according to The Monarchist League of Canadas most recent study for the 2011 to 2012 year, pegging the routine price at $1.63 per Canadian. (The league didnt respond to requests for an update.)

On a macro scale it costs Canadians $56,878,538.

The Governor General and the Lieutenant Governors and their households are paid for out of government coffers to perform their roles, says Tidridge.

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According to the financial summary of the Governor Generals office for 2014 to 2015, supporting the appointed body and associated internal services and expenditures cost $20.86 million. There was also $22.06 million in additional support from organizations like the Department of National Defence, the RCMP, the National Capital Commission  which focuses on preserving official residences  as well as Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada among other federal departments.

That doesnt include one-off costs like hosting the Queen and the Royal Family, minting special coins in honour of the Queen or printing special edition stamps.

Case in point, the historic Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Canada cost about $7.5 million and the royal homecoming visit from Prince William and the Duchess of Cornwall Kate Middleton cost taxpayers just over $649,000.

If you compared the presidency of the United States with how the Crown costs Canadians, the presidency is far more expensive in maintaining things like the White House and helicopters and all those sorts of things, says Tidridge. Theyre all necessary tools of state in a constitutional monarchy.

Smith agrees, pointing out that Canadians have a tendency to overlook the pervasive role the monarchy has in Canada.

It normally works well and we dont pay much attention, he says. That is, until something like former Prime Minister Stephen Harpers appeal to former Governor General Michaelle Jean to prorogue and dissolve parliament after the opposition Liberal and New Democratic parties formed a coalition with the support of the Bloc Quebecois party and threatened to vote non-confidence in the sitting minority government.

Thats another level which doesnt have much visibility but comes up periodically in a rather dramatic way, he adds. If you start saying we want to change things then youve really got to understand what the status quo is  governments are appointed by the Crown, theyre not elected.


A Nova Scotia couple planning a destination wedding is forgoing wedding gifts and asking guests to bring donations of books, colouring supplies and candy for students at a small school in Jamaica.

Shayla Loppie and Nathan Simon said they want to give back to a country they lovethey've visited Jamaica three times alreadyand to teach their five-year-old son how blessed they are to live in Canada.

"We have good healthcare, free education and our kids can play sports. There is just so many things we are blessed with," says Loppie, who lives in Dartmouth.

They brought up the idea with Sharon Loppie, Shayla's mother, who helped them to find a school, which wasn't easy.

"It was time-consuming," Sharon said.

She contacted the travel company planning the trip's excursions, Real Tours Jamaica. The office then contacted Jamaica's ministry of education which suggested Prickley Pole Primary School on Jamaica's north coast.



Sharon then got in touch with the school's principal to learn about how to help. She learned that the school is in need of stationery, toiletries and eating utensils, so the Canadian couple decided to raise money via Go Fund Me.

'Some smiling faces'

They have already raised $2,000 in 10 days, but they are hoping to raise another $1,000 before their May wedding. Sharon's company, Time 2 Travel with Travelonly, has also donated to the campaign.

Sharon says they are thrilled with the results so far. They plan to deliver the donations personally to the school two days before the wedding ceremony.



"The 106 students and six teachers are looking forwards to meeting us," Sharon said.

The future bride and groom plan to bring their whole wedding group of 60 people to the school to meet the students.

"As a mom, to see other kids not having flip flops, a school bag or [they] can't go to school because their parents can't afford it, just breaks my heart," says Shayla.

"I just want to see some smiling faces," says Simon.
By Kelsey Cheng TORONTO (Reuters) - Former Guantanamo Bay inmate Omar Khadr, who was once the youngest prisoner in the U.S. military jail, is engaged to be married to a human rights activist, a friend of the couple confirmed on Tuesday. Khadr, 29, was returned to Canada in 2012 to serve the rest of his sentence for killing a U.S. soldier. A Canadian court later ruled that he could be released on bail and he left jail last year. Khadr is now engaged to Edmonton, Alberta-based Muna Abougoush, according to the couple's friend Kathleen Copps. Nathan Whitling, a lawyer who worked on Khadr's case, said the engagement is "a happy thing." Abougoush was a founder of the online campaign "Free Omar Khadr Now" and also wrote to and paid many visits to Khadr while he was in prison in the Canadian province of Alberta, according to local media reports. Khadr's case has divided Canadians. The former Conservative government opposed his release. But the recently elected Liberal government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dropped a bid to return him to jail, and said the Canadian citizen should remain free while he appealed his murder conviction by a U.S. military tribunal. Khadr had pleaded guilty to charges that included murdering a U.S. Army medic in a firefight in Afghanistan in 2002, when Khadr was 15. He later recanted, saying he pleaded guilty to get out of the Guantanamo base in Cuba. Khadr was taken to Afghanistan by his father, a senior al Qaeda member who apprenticed the boy to a group of bomb makers who opened fire when U.S. troops came to their compound. Khadr was captured in the firefight, during which he was blinded in one eye and shot twice in the back. (Editing by Chris Reese)
Amid the continuing escalation in housing prices in the Vancouver and Toronto areas, there are some places in Canada where home affordability is improving, National Bank said Wednesday in a new report.

Six of 10 markets surveyed showed improvement in affordability, the bank said, with the biggest improvements seen in Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa-Gatineau.

Pockets of affordability emerge

The bank's gauge of affordability is the percentage of income required for a monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home, assuming a 25-year amortization and a five-year term.

In Calgary, which has been hit hard by the dramatic drop in oil prices, the the mortgage payment stood at 28.2 per cent of income for the first quarter of this year. That was off by 0.7 percentage points from the last quarter of 2015, and down by 2.2 percentage points from the first three months of last year, the bank said.

In Montreal, the first quarter drop was 0.5 percentage points from the end of last year, the same decline seen in the Ottawa-Gatineau area.

"Montreal homes have become the most affordable in a decade," National Bank economists Matthieu Arseneau and Kyle Dahms said in their report.

They also said Calgary's percentage of income needed for a monthly payment is now at a record low.

In an interview with Dianne Buckner on CBC News Network's The Exchange, Arseneau said the reasons for the improved affordability in Montreal and Calgary differ.

Montreal home prices have not gone up much since 2013, while incomes have increased and interest rates are relatively low, he said.

Meanwhile, Calgary is seeing prices decline right now, he said.

Nationally, the portion of income increased by 0.1 percentage points to 31 per cent in the first three months of the year, the bank said. That followed a increase of 0.8 percentage points in the last three months of 2015.

Vancouver and Toronto continue to see soaring prices, and eroding affordability, the bank said.

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In Vancouver, the percentage of income required is very close to the top of range in recent years, while in Toronto that percentage is now at a 20-year high.

National also said that affordability of homes in Vancouver and Toronto has taken a further hit from the new measure requiring a minimum down payment of 10 per cent for the portion of the purchase price between $500,000 and $1 million.

"As a result, the time required to accumulate a minimum down payment for the representative home increased in [the first quarter of this year] by 11 months in Toronto and by 34 months in Vancouver," the bank said.
A screenshot of a video that analyst Liao Lei of Founder Securities made to tout a stock

(Beijing)  China's financial and investment circles are buzzing over amateur videos some securities analysts are making in a bid to get the attention of investors.

The most recent examples involved amateur videos posted on websites or mobile apps that showed analysts recommending investors buy certain stocks, citing their firm's research.

One clip, which appeared online on April 7, shows a young woman dressed in traditional Chinese clothing talking to the camera about why investors should buy shares in Shenzhen-listed ZTE Corp., a telecoms equipment and services provider.

Liao Lei, a stock analyst with Founder Securities, says in the two-minute video that ZTE was worth an investment because research shows its income is stronger than ever and its management team was young, ambitious and capable.

The video appeared to be filmed in a kitchen or a living room.

The clip was widely shared on social media among financial workers. It was apparently popular because viewers liked the informal presentation of the analyst, whose industry is generally marked by people who shun the spotlight or ape the serious tone of news commentators.

Several similar clips have been posted on streaming websites, with analysts from brokerage firms including Essences Securities and Haitong Securities recommending stocks.

However, some critics said the clips are just a gimmick.

"I did not pay attention to any words they were saying," a public fund manager who has watched them said. "Everyone is doing it for fun. The quality of the analysis does not matter."

One researcher at a securities firm said competition had grown fierce in recent years, so analysts had to find new ways to "catch the eyeballs" of investors.

Some critics of the videos cited an article by Essence Securities' chief economist Gao Shanwen a few years ago that argued a decline in the quality of securities firms' research had been paralleled by a surge in marketing tricks.

A macroeconomic analyst at a brokerage firm who declined to be named said some of his colleagues had turned to streaming websites to promote their analyses. The most popular videos featured attractive women, he said.

The discussion comes as the securities regulator is asking brokerage firms to tighten their supervision and management over how employees advertise corporate research reports, especially through social media.

A notice issued recently by the Shanghai branch of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) told brokerages that it is concerned because "some securities firms' research reports had drawn attention and made the media and the public question the professionalism and ethics of securities firm's researchers and analysts."

The regulator's note, which Caixin has viewed, did not name the reports or the firms that published them. The regulator's Beijing office has also issued a similar notice, employees of securities firms said.

The CSRC's branch in the central province of Hubei criticized Changjiang Securities in January over a report that it said had a poor title, but it did not elaborate.

In December, Minsheng Securities bowed to pressure from regulators and censured the authors of two widely circulated research reports who used slang in their writing. It said the researchers used "an inappropriate writing style and caused a bad social influence."
By Eric Auchard FRANKFURT (Reuters) - For more than a decade, Internet search and advertising giant Google, now a unit of holding company Alphabet Inc, has sparred with competitors in an expanding range of industries from Internet to media to telecoms to automobiles. It has also battled with judges and regulators. After fending off charges of anti-competitive behaviour for many years, the Silicon Valley company has, since 2014, seen the tide swing against it in several antitrust cases worldwide. On Tuesday, Canada's Competition Commission closed an inquiry into Google's search and advertising practices dating from 2013. The European Competition Commission is expected on Wednesday to charge Google with anti-competitive charges concerning its Android mobile phone operating system, two people familiar with the matter said. A timeline of Google competition cases follows: 2007  USA - Competitors and consumer groups push U.S. Federal Trade Commission to investigate Googles acquisition of online display advertising firm DoubleClick. FTC signs off on deal but warns it will monitor Google closely for anticompetitive practices. http://reut.rs/1SpRyoH 2008 - USA - Google and Yahoo abandon pact to run Google search ads on Yahoo sites after U.S. Justice Department moved to block deal saying the two competitors would dominate online ad market. 2009-2010  EUROPE - Rivals and industry trade groups file complaints against Google to a variety of national regulators in Europe, citing competition concerns. 2010  EUROPE - European Commission launches formal antitrust probe of Google search business, which continues. http://reut.rs/1Nz2yvq 2013 - USA - The FTC drops a two-year antitrust probe of Google, concluding it has not manipulated search results to hurt rivals. Google had to agree to certain changes in search business practices in local search, advertising and with regard to licensing patent portfolio to mobile phone makers. http://reut.rs/23VVYsx 2013 - SOUTH KOREA - Korean Fair Trade Commission clears Google after two-year antitrust inquiry brought by local search rivals NHN (now Naver) and Daum (now Kakao), which dominate the countrys search market. The FTC finds the rival companies market share changed little despite Googles pre-loading requirements for its apps on Android phones. Smartphone makers defend Googles role in Android as saving them time and money. 2013  BRAZIL - Brazilian antitrust watchdog CADE investigates whether Google unfairly scrapes the content from rival websites, discourages their advertisers and favours its own product listings in search results. http://reut.rs/1Vzfhqp 2013-2014 - EUROPE - Back and forth ensues between Google and EU over terms of a potential settlement that would have ended European Commission antitrust probe. Competitors complain Commission is letting off Google too easily. EU antitrust chief Joaquin Alumnia eventually admits resolution of Google search case unlikely before his term expires later in 2014. http://reut.rs/1NyZGyM 2014  EUROPE - Mounting anti-Google feeling among European politicians is reflected in the passage of a symbolic, non-binding resolution calling for the break-up of Googles search engine business from the rest of the company. The motion, which does not mention Google explicitly by name, passes with 384 in favour to 174 votes against. http://bit.ly/22Kpkrs 2015  EUROPE - New EU Antitrust Chief Margrethe Vestager charges Google with distorting its search results to favour its own shopping service over rivals. European Commission also says it is investigating Googles Android business, scraping on rivals Web content and various advertising issues. http://reut.rs/1qVY5ya 2015  INDIA - Competition Commission of India (CCI) concludes a three-year enquiry into Googles paid search results. It accuses Google of abusing its dominant position in search in a report which has yet to be publicly released. CCI has received Googles response but sets no timeline for a final decision. http://reut.rs/1NkjmLY 2015  USA - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission opens a preliminary investigation into whether Google uses its Android operating system to dominate competitors as more consumers go mobile, sources told Reuters. 2015 - EUROPE - Russias anti-monopoly agency finds Google guilty of abusing its market position in the country by favouring its own apps on Android and requiring it to amend its contracts with smartphone makers. Google files a court appeal, which is rejected in March 2016. http://reut.rs/1RJLcxg 2016 - CANADA - The Competition Bureau closes a three-year long investigation into Google's online search business, saying it will take no action against the company. The Canadian watchdog says it found evidence to support one allegation that Google had made it hard for advertisers to compare Google ad rates to rivals, but says the company has already remedied the practice. http://reut.rs/1S8BkBr 2016  EUROPE - European Competition Commission is expected on Wednesday to charge Google with favouring its own apps on Android phones, sources tell Reuters. http://reut.rs/1VxTAad http://reut.rs/23InDjY (Sources: Reuters, European Commission, U.S. Federal Trade Commission, FairSearch lobbying group) (Additional reporting by Diane Bartz in Washington D.C., Yun-chee Foo in Brussels, Vincent Lee in Seoul, Byron Kaye in Sydney and Himank Sharma in Mumbai; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Canada's Competition Bureau has finished a three-year investigation into Google and cleared the search giant of accusations it engages in anticompetitive behaviour, now that it has stopped including a certain clause in its contracts with advertisers.

The competition regulator said it had been investigating whether Google uses its dominance in search advertising unfairly by imposing conditions and demands on its customers that make it impossible for its rivals to compete with them for business.

The bureau found that, in fact, the search giant used to include a clause with advertisers that made it difficult for anyone advertising with Google to obtain a similar service from someone else. "These AdWords API restrictions allegedly were making it more difficult for companies to advertise on multiple platforms," the bureau said, describing a practice known as "multi-homing," which allows advertisers to buy up the rights to be prominently displayed on the screens of people who search for a particular set of words.

But the company had stopped including the problematic clause in its terms and conditions since 2013 in the U.S. and Canada, following a competition probe by U.S. business regulator, the Federal Trade Commission.

The Canadian regulator looked into allegations that Google had unfair syndication agreements, distribution agreements and that it favoured its own services, and found all of those claims without merit.

Now that the problematic clause in ad contracts is gone, the bureau says it has no problems with the way Google does business in Canada.

Google said it was pleased that the bureau had decided to end its inquiry.

"We work hard in a competitive landscape to create a great experience for our users and help them quickly and easily find what they need from Google," said Kent Walker, senior vice-president and general counsel at Google.

Meanwhile, the bureau said it will continue to follow developments with respect to Google's ongoing conduct, including the results from other investigations around the world.

"We will continue to monitor firms in the digital economy to ensure they do not engage in anti-competitive conduct," Competition Commission John Pecman said in a statement.

"Should new evidence come to light of anti-competitive conduct that may affect the Canadian marketplace, by Google or any other market participant, I won't hesitate to take appropriate action."
Premier Brian Gallant has announced changes to senior government management, a decrease in the number of departments, and the creation of five so-called priority units.

The changes, which take effect next week, will bring a renewed focus on the provincial government's priorities of job creation, education and better services for families, he said in a statement.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Energy and Mines will be merged into one  the Department of Energy and Resource Development.

This is similar to how the provincial government was structured prior to 2006, the statement said.

It's unclear what the merger means for Denis Landry, who is currently the minister of Natural Resources, and Donald Arseneault, who is currently the minister of Energy and Mines. Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Department of Justice and the Department of Public Safety will also be merged into a single Department of Justice and Public Safety.

The Department of Human Resources and parts of the Department of Finance, the Executive Council Office and Service New Brunswick with responsibility for human resources, expenditure management and fiscal oversight, and information management, will be merged into a new Treasury Board.

Responsibilities for financial consumer services will be moved to the Department of Finance.

5 priority units

Priority units on jobs, education, families, federal-provincial relations, as well as fiscal responsibility and strategic program review will be established and led by deputy ministers.

Their mandates will be to "oversee cross-departmental initiatives to significantly reduce silo thinking so it does not interfere with results for New Brunswickers," the statement said.

Judy Wagner, who will become clerk of the Executive Council and head of the public service, will oversee the development and expansion of this new management style across the new priority units, it said.

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A deputy minister responsible for intergovernmental affairs will be appointed distinct from the deputy minister of the Executive Council Office to allow for greater focus on opportunities for New Brunswick in federal-provincial relations, according to the statement.

- Jobs Priority Unit, to be led by Jacques Pinet, CEO of the Jobs Board Secretariat.

- Education Priority Unit, to be led by Jean-Marc Dupuis, deputy minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

- Families Priority Unit, to be led by Craig Dalton, deputy minister of Social Development.

- Federal-Provincial Relations Priority Unit, to be led by Bill Levesque, deputy minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and president of the Regional Development Corporation.

- Fiscal Responsibility and Strategic Program Review Priority Unit, to be led by Gordon Gilman, deputy minister and secretary to the Treasury Board.

A permanent CEO of the new Service New Brunswick will be recruited through a merit-based process led by a private-sector firm.

The positions of deputy attorney general, deputy minister of Finance and deputy minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture will also be filled following a merit-based process.

The government will "seek to fill a majority of these jobs with female candidates," according to the statement.
By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - The leader of Canada's left-leaning New Democrats (NDP), who is set to lose his job after a poor showing in last year's election, on Tuesday urged the party to remain united amid signs of a split that could benefit Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The NDP, which has never held power federally, started last year's campaign in the lead, but ended in third place after a series of missteps. Members voted on Sunday to replace leader Thomas Mulcair at a convention marked by open divisions over policy. "This weekend's vote must not divide us. Instead, let's work together to choose the best person to take our project forward," Mulcair said in a statement on Twitter. The comments were his first since the convention ended. The NDP compete with the ruling Liberals for much of the center-left segment of the electorate. Extended NDP infighting may boost the prospects of Trudeau's Liberals in the next federal election, scheduled for 2019. "The most sure-fire way not to win an election is to make your party look divided ... unless they can rally around a common sense of purpose, they could realistically be in the political wilderness," said Nanos Research pollster Nik Nanos. Mulcair will stay on until a new leader can be chosen, which could take as long as two years. "They are in political trouble," said University of Manitoba political science professor Paul Thomas, noting there were few potential leadership candidates who could compete with Trudeau. The 44-year-old prime minister's popularity has remained high since the election. The party is riven by strains between more centrist members, including some unions and politicians who hold power at the provincial level, as well as activists who produced a manifesto calling for strict energy industry curbs. Party members voted to study the manifesto. The convention was held in Alberta, the heart of Canada's struggling energy industry and a province that elected its first ever NDP government last year. Alberta premier Rachel Notley on Monday said the manifesto's proposals to keep oil in the ground and slap a moratorium on new pipelines were naive, ill-informed and tone deaf. But federal NDP legislator Peter Julian, tipped as a potential leadership candidate, noted the party had years to rebuild and laughed off suggestions it was doomed. "I've never seen a year ... where people have not been saying that the NDP is on the verge of a crisis," he said. (Reporting by David Ljunggren, editing by G Crosse)
Manitobans have elected their first provincial Progressive Conservative government since 1999, making leader Brian Pallister the next premier. Once sworn in, he will be the first Tory premier in Manitoba in nearly 17 years.

PC candidate Myrna Driedger, re-elected in Charleswood, was overjoyed. She said the PC surge "honestly feels very surreal."

"I can't believe it's all really happening ... We worked really hard, I have an unbelievable team behind me," said Driedger.

Former Winnipeg city councillor Scott Fielding was elected to the constituency of Kirkfield Park.

"I'm really excited to be part of this Progressive Conservative government," Fielding said.

The Tories last formed the government in Manitoba under Gary Filmon, who lost to the NDP and Gary Doer 17 years ago.

From the earliest days in the campaign, polls suggested the PCs held a strong lead over the NDP. For the last couple of years, Greg Selinger had some of the lowest approval ratings of all premiers in Canada.

In March, a Forum poll suggested Selinger's approval rating was at 19 per cent, compared to Pallister's 35 per cent approval and Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari's 21 per cent.

Pallister seized on the momentum, targeting attacks on the NDP's fiscal record and questioning Selinger's fitness to lead.

'Broken promises, broken government'

"Broken promises, broken government" was a key message used in Tory advertisements and statements by PC Leader Brian Pallister and his candidates to attack the governing NDP.

The biggest broken promise, the PCs said, was Selinger's decision to raise the PST from seven to eight per cent in 2013 despite Selinger's pledge not to in 2011.

The PCs' lower tax message seemed to have traction with Manitobans. According to Vote Compass data analyzed for CBC, the majority of Manitobans believe the PST should be lower, and polling data consistently showed the PCs ahead of the Manitoba Liberals and the New Democrats.

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The PCs also attacked the Selinger government for government waste, running a deficit and seeing Manitoba's debt rating downgraded after it failed to meet balanced-budget targets.

PC election promises

A key promise put forward by the Progressive Conservatives on the campaign trail was to reverse Selinger's controversial PST hike, returning the rate to seven per cent.

Pallister pledged improve economic ties between Manitoba and western provinces by joining the New West Partnership Trade Agreement with Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

The PC leader promised not to privatize Manitoba Hydro but said he would not rule out privatizing aspects of health care in the province.

Other key PC election promises:

- Spend at least $1 billion a year on infrastructure, increase tourism promotion and create a special business plan for the north.

- Cut ambulance fees in half, set up a task force to find ways to cut health-care wait times and fast-track construction of 1,200 new personal care home beds.

- Increase operating funds for licensed family child-care spaces, make up to $20 million available for scholarships and bursaries with the private sector, develop a program that focuses on literacy in elementary schools.

- Announce a target date for ending deficits once the party has updated budget figures.

Pallister defends Costa Rica travel

Pallister was put on the defensive in the final weeks of the election campaign.

On April 14 CBC reported the PC leader had spent 240 days in or travelling to Costa Rica, where he owns a vacation home, since being elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 2012. Then on April 17, a PC spokesperson confirmed Pallister owns two companies in the Central American country that he had not previously disclosed.

Pallister defended his decision to keep his 15 trips to Costa Rica private to protect his family, while the PCs said it is common for foreigners in Costa Rica to own property through private companies.

Pallister also said he frequently worked while on vacation in Costa Rica.
Greg Selinger has resigned as leader of the NDP, as the party's nearly 17-year stretch in government came to an end Tuesday night.

"In a democracy, friends, the people are always right, the collective wisdom of Manitobans has to be respected," he told a crowd of supporters at the RBC Convention Centre. "Tonight as we examine the results ... I have offered my resignation."

Selinger said his resignation takes effect immediately and he has asked the party to appoint an interim leader. The party lost on the night, but Selinger was re-elected as MLA for St. Boniface  a position he has held since 1999.

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LIVE ELECTION RESULTS: PC majority government in Manitoba, CBC News projects

The New Democrats' attempt to secure an unprecedented fifth term in government was foiled by Brian Pallister and the PCs, whose months-long surge in opinion polls foreshadowed the results on election day.

Greg Selinger came away with another win in his constituency of St. Boniface, with more than 1,000 votes (over 41 per cent of the vote) between him and his next closest competitor in PC candidate Mamadou Ka. Selinger has held the seat since 1999.

Early on, the PC campaign targeted Selinger as an untrustworthy leader with a record of "broken promises," referring to the provincial sales tax hike in 2013. Selinger increased the PST from seven to eight per cent that year after publicly stating in 2011 that he wouldn't.

- ANALYSIS | How Manitoba's governing NDP split open and where it goes from here

"On the eve of the [2011] election, [Selinger] was at 52 per cent approval rating," political scientist Paul Thomas said the day before results were in. "Now he's in the low teens."

Pallister pointed at turmoil within the NDP in the aftermath of the tax hike, including the party's 2015 leadership race, as indicators the NDP is divided and unfit to govern under Selinger.

-

Manitoba revolt: 5 ministers resign from Premier Greg Selinger's cabinet

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Struggled in polls

The NDP struggled to stem the PCs' commanding lead in the polls, trailing by 20 points or more in recent months. They used tactics in the final weeks that the Tories repeatedly characterized as desperate "American-style politics."

- Poll Tracker: 2016 Manitoba provincial election

Selinger frequently portrayed Pallister as a socially conservative ideologue, saying the PC leader` had plans to privatize Manitoba Hydro and parts of the health-care system, cut budgets and introduce austerity measures that would leave Manitobans "out in the cold."

In the two weeks before election day, Selinger called Pallister homophobic, accused him of misleading Manitobans about his personal finances and assets abroad, and suggested the PC leader's failure to rule out privatization indicated he would bring in a two-tiered health-care system in Manitoba.

The NDP's final privatization accusation came four days before the election, when Selinger suggested a Pallister-led government would start charging Manitobans for cancer-fighting drugs  a move PC candidate Heather Stefanson shot down, describing it as a disgusting example of political theatre designed to scare people with cancer into voting NDP.

On April 10, Selinger showed reporters details from his 2014 tax return while sitting at his kitchen table, saying as a politician and leader who values transparency, the Panama Papers scandal motivated him to be open about his finances. He challenged the opposition to do the same. Bokhari complied in part, showing some of her 2013 return; Pallister refused, calling it a desperate "last-minute election stunt," but disclosed he owns a vacation home in Costa Rica and a bank account.

Pallister was questioned over how much time he spends at his vacation property in Costa Rica (240 days since being elected leader of the PCs in 2012).

Despite the pro-PC figures reflected in the polls, political scientist Royce Koop told the Canadian Press over the weekend Selinger's "unpopularity" would be "far more important to understanding the outcome than Mr. Pallister's popularity."

The long road to becoming premier

Greg Selinger was born in Regina in 1951. When he was five, he, his brother and their single mother moved to St. James in Winnipeg after his parents' marriage ended.

Selinger worked a series of odd jobs during his youth before heading to the University of Manitoba, where he completed a degree in social work. He graduated with a master's in public administration from Queen's University and a PhD in social policy from the London School of Economics, before returning to the U of M as an associate professor in the faculty of social work.

Selinger's first foray into politics was at the municipal level in Winnipeg. Selinger was elected in 1989 to represent St. Boniface on city council, and in 1992 he lost a mayoral bid to Susan Thompson.

He entered the provincial arena in 1999, when he was elected MLA for St. Boniface  a position he has held since  and named minister of finance under Gary Doer. He was appointed to several other files over the years, and in 2009, he ran a successful bid to become leader of the NDP. He became Manitoba's 21st premier in October 2009.

Selinger is married, has two sons and lives in Old St. Boniface.

For CBC's full coverage of the provincial election, see Manitoba Votes 2016.
Britain has no plans to send combat troops to Libya, the Foreign Secretary has said.

Philip Hammond made the comments to the House of Commons following media speculation that British special forces were already operating in the country.

"I am clear that there is no appetite in Libya for foreign combat troops on the ground," said Mr Hammond, who has just returned from a visit to the country.

A newly established Government of National Accord (GNA) is now in power in Tripoli.

"We do not anticipate any requests from the GNA for ground combat forces to take on Daesh (Islamic State) or any other armed groups and we have no plans to deploy troops in such a role," Mr Hammond added.

"I will of course keep the House informed of any plans we develop in the future in response to requests from the Libyan government.

"But the type of mission that we currently envisage would be focused on providing training and technical support away from any frontline operations."

Mr Hammond's visit to Libya was a show of support for prime minister-designate Fayez Sarraj and his new administration.

Speculation has been growing that as many as 1,000 British troops may be asked to take part in an international force in the country.

The shadow foreign secretary, Hilary Benn, said Labour backed a UN resolution which recognises that member states should provide support to the new Libyan administration as requested.

He said he welcomed the establishment of the Libyan Government of National Accord.

"As the Foreign Secretary says, it faces a formidable task in ensuring security, restoring public services, building up the economy and tackling the threat from Daesh," Mr Benn said.
Construction industry unions, the lobby group for big landlords, and the association of insurance companies are the top donors to Ontario's political parties, according to research by CBC News.

With Premier Kathleen Wynne vowing to ban corporate and union donations starting next January, CBC News compiled data from Elections Ontario showing donations to the Liberal, Progressive Conservative and New Democratic parties since 2013.

- Wynne aims to ban corporate, union donations in 2017

This is the first time any media outlet has crunched the numbers to reveal a full list of who's pumping the most money into Ontario's political system.

1. United Assoc. of Plumbers & Pipefitters: $491,723

Topping the list is the United Association, the union that represents plumbers, pipefitters and related workers in the construction industry. Individual locals of this union, as well as its provincial council and political action funds donated nearly half a million dollars since 2013, split roughly 70/30 between the Liberals and the NDP.

2. United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners: $484,265

Another union representing construction industry workers comes in second on the list. The Carpenters Union and its provincial district council were the biggest single donor to the Ontario Liberal Party, giving $413,690 to the governing party, nearly eight times the amount given to the PCs.

3. Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario: $327,665

The association represents the owners and managers of residential rental accommodation. It's been the biggest single donor to the PCs over the past three years, giving $153,392, and nearly as much to the Liberals ($145,550). The bulk of the landlord group's donations went to PC and Liberal leadership candidates.

4. Insurance Bureau of Canada: $315,310

The lobby group for insurance companies split its donations primarily between the Liberals ($152,325) and the PCs ($143,035).

5. GreenField Specialty Alcohols Inc.: $266,640

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The ethanol producer and its subsidiaries gave more than 90 per cent of its donations to the Liberals ($249,350), making it the biggest corporate donor to the party and the Liberals' third-largest donor overall.

Rounding out the top 10

Ranked number 6 overall is the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF). It's the biggest donor among the public-sector unions and the biggest single donor to the NDP ($241,065). In seventh spot, nuclear power generator Bruce Power, spreading its $256,991 in donations among all three parties. And rounding out the top 10 are three more unions, Labourers International Union of North America (LIUNA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association.

Most unions in the top rank donated to both the Liberals and the New Democrats, but a few gave exclusively to the NDP: including the United Steelworkers, the Amalgamated Transit Union, and CUPE. Several other unions pointedly gave no money to the PCs, including OSSTF, SEIU and the Fire Fighters Association and its affilliates.

The NDP got nothing from several corporations, including GreenField Specialty Alcohols, TD Bank, Aecon Group, Morguard Corp. and EllisDon.

Reaction to CBC's analysis

At Queen's Park on Tuesday, Deputy Premier Deb Matthews touted what she described as her government's efforts to be more transparent about political donations.

"Giving people access to those donor lists in real time is an important part of our democracy, but we also think that going forward we need to ban corporate donations and union donations," said Matthews.

Asked about corporate and union donations to his party, Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown focused on the different amounts of money donated to different parties.

"I think what your article does show very effectively is that the amounts are disproportionate," said Brown. "I appreciate you highlighting that, that there's such a significant difference in donations to the Liberal party by those that are doing business with the government. And the question is, why that difference?"

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath also reacted to the list.

"I think that Ontarians would look at that information and be quite disturbed, frankly, by the list, and that's why I think we're having this discussion," said Horwath. "There's no doubt that we have to get the big money out of Ontario politics, the issue becomes, how do we do that?"

How we analyzed the data

Finding the biggest political donors in Ontario is not a simple task. Elections Ontario catalogues every donation separately and does not tally multiple contributions into annual totals for a donor. So the only way to compile total contributions by donors is to plug each individual donation into a spreadsheet, and repeat the process for every major donor.

The analysis by CBC News combines donations made by a given corporation and its subsidiaries into an overall total for the corporation. Similarly, donations from a union's locals and its umbrella groupings of affiliated locals were combined into one overall total for the union.

For instance, the total for the Labourers International Union of North America (LIUNA) includes donations from its locals, its provincial council and its Canadian umbrella agency, the LIUNA Tri-Fund. On the corporate side, the $266,640 total for GreenField Specialty Alcohols Inc. includes donations made in the name of GreenField Ethanol Inc., GreenField Hensall Inc. and GreenField Johnstown Inc.

The analysis includes all donations to the central parties since January 2013, whether for the annual period, byelections or the 2014 election, as well as donations to the candidates in the Liberal leadership race of 2013 and the PC leadership race in 2015. The data do not include donations given to party constituency associations or individual election candidates.

The leadership races account for significant proportions of the top donors' totals, as there are no limits to how much any corporation or union can make to a leadership candidate. For instance, the Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario gave $100,000 split evenly between five Liberal leadership candidates: Eric Hoskins, Glen Murray, Sandra Pupatello, Charles Sousa and the eventual winner, Kathleen Wynne. The landlord group also gave $20,000 each to PC leadership candidates Patrick Brown, Lisa MacLeod and Vic Fedeli, plus $25,000 to Christine Elliott.
Some of the world's biggest buyout firms are queuing up to buy a string of offshore trust administrators despite the escalating global furore about the leaked Panama Papers.

Sky News understands that Permira and TPG (Taiwan OTC: 6521.TWO - news) are among the private equity outfits which have expressed an interest in a takeover of TMF Group, which has been owned by rival Doughty Hanson since 2008.

The auction of TMF is being overseen by Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS-PB - news) and is expected to command a price-tag of roughly 800m, according to bankers.

TMF is described by Doughty as "the worlds leading independent provider of corporate compliance outsourcing solutions".

The company merged in 2011 with Equity Trust, which offers "non-advisory trust and fiduciary services to multinational corporate clients, financial institutions, high net worth individuals and intermediaries".

The sale process is progressing despite the scandal surrounding Mossack Fonseca, the Panama-based law firm which was revealed to have helped to establish thousands of offshore companies for clients around the world.

Roughly 20 banks and asset managers have been asked by the Financial Conduct Authority, the City regulator, to provide details of their dealings with Mossack Fonseca.

The law firm, which has denied any wrongdoing, has insisted that the companies it helped to incorporate were legitimate entities for multinational and individual clients.

Nevertheless, the Panama Papers affair has shone a renewed spotlight on the legal activities undertaken by offshore administration firms in tax havens and elsewhere.

The services offered by firms such as TMF are highly lucrative and are drawing growing attention given the increased political backlash against tax avoidance by multinationals.

Sources said that TMF was a logical candidate to merge with Tricor Holdings, which is owned by Bank of East Asia and which has also engaged Goldman to explore a sale process.

Other trust administration services providers which are preparing to change owners include First Names Group, which has engaged Lazard to run an auction.

Permira and TPG declined to comment.
WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's defense minister has said Russia continued to pose a serious threat to NATO and that Moscow was systematically preparing for aggression against the alliance. Poland, a former Soviet satellite state, fears Russia is seeking to extend its influence beyond its borders after Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014 and continues to support for armed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Earlier this month, two Russian warplanes flew simulated attack passes near a U.S. guided missile destroyer which had just left the Polish port of Gdynia. A U.S. official said this was one of the most aggressive interactions between the two sides in recent memory. "So far, all Russian behavior attests to systematic preparation for aggressive action," Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz told the Rzeczpospolita daily in an interview published on Tuesday. "And it's time to talk about it openly." Warsaw will host a NATO heads of state summit in July, where it will push for an increased military presence on the alliance's eastern flank. In 2014, NATO suspended cooperation with Russia over its role the conflict in Ukraine. Russia says deployment of significant NATO forces close to its borders would violate the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act. (Reporting by Wiktor Szary; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
Quebec's main political parties are inviting the province's director general of elections to look at their financial records for the last two decades.

It's the first time the parties have all extended an invitation to Quebec's chief electoral officer to scrutinize their books.

It comes in the wake of an Enquete investigation of fundraising targets set for senior cabinet ministers under the Charest administration.

Couillard downplayed his party's newfound openness Wednesday.

"The director general of elections always has the powers to intervene and visit any of the political parties, from any time period, that he believes necessary," said Premier Philippe Couillard. "It's already there, and we will always be available for that."

The other three parties in the National Assembly  the Parti Quebecois, Coalition Avenir Quebec and Quebec Solidaire  are also willing to open their books.

However, PQ leader Pierre Karl Peladeau is calling on the Quebec Liberals to provide detailed information, including fundraising documents from each riding, such as those revealed by Radio-Canada's Enquete on April 6.

"The Liberal party and the leader of the Liberal party have the responsibility to restore the confidence between people that have been elected and the population," Peladeau said.

5-year statute of limitations

It is not clear whether such an investigation would provide a full portrait of political party financing.

The parties, for example, may not have kept documentation like receipts or copies of cheques going back 20 years. Under the law, they only need to archive supporting documents for five years.

The DGEQ can only lay criminal charges going back five years.

Both the DGEQ and the Charbonneau commission, which investigated corruption and collusion in public contracts awarded in construction industry, recommended prolonging the statute of limitations to seven years.

Opposition parties have called for it to be extended it even further.

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Changing the DGEQ's statute of limitations would require passing new legislation.

Radio-Canada posted this internal Liberal party document showing a breakdown of expenses and fundraising goals in each riding for 2008 and 2009:

See a full-screen version of the document here.
By John Irish, Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Perry GENEVA/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria's fragile peace talks might not resume for at least a year if they are abandoned now, a senior Western diplomat warned on Wednesday, as the opposition urged more military support for rebels after declaring a truce was over. Intense fighting has left Syria's partial ceasefire in tatters. The truce was brokered by the United States and Russia to pave the way for the first peace talks attended by rebel factions since the crisis began five years ago. Those talks, taking place under U.N. auspices in Geneva, also appear to have collapsed this week. The opposition says it has called a "pause" to negotiations, although it is reluctant to accept blame for the collapse by walking out altogether. "If this ends now, it will be over for at least a year ... The Russians will steamroll -- taking advantage of a U.S. vacuum," the Western diplomat said, referring to fears Washington will be preoccupied by November's U.S. presidential election. "There will be three million more refugees and thousands more dead," said the diplomat, who declined to be identified while describing a scenario world powers still hope to avoid. "If we all leave Geneva, I dont see the process continuing. Damascus negotiators say the presidency of Bashar al-Assad is non-negotiable while the opposition sees removal of the president as a prerequisite and complains of no progress on an end to violence, humanitarian access and political detainees. The Geneva talks aim to end a war that has killed more than 250,000 people, created the world's worst refugee crisis, allowed for the rise of the Islamic State group and drawn in regional and major powers. Russia's intervention in the conflict beginning late last year has swayed the war in Assad's favor. The already widely violated truce began fraying more quickly some two weeks ago near Aleppo, where the Syrian army accused rebel groups of taking part in assaults by Islamists who are not covered by the ceasefire. Rebels say they were defending themselves from attacks by the army and its Shi'ite militia allies. A total collapse of the Geneva talks would leave a diplomatic vacuum that could allow a further escalation of the war that is being fueled by rivalries between foreign powers including oil producers Iran and Saudi Arabia. Seeking to ease that rivalry, U.S. President Barack Obama met Saudi Arabia's King Salman on a visit to Riyadh on Wednesday and discussed the need to reinforce the partial truce in Syria and support a transition from Assad's rule. France said it would consider with other European powers and the United States on Monday the idea of convening a ministerial meeting of major powers in the next two weeks to work out the next steps for Syria. GIRDING FOR MORE BATTLE As fighting raged and air strikes on rebel-held areas intensified, the opposition urged foreign states to supply them with the means to defend themselves, a thinly veiled reference to the anti-aircraft weapons long sought by insurgents. Air strikes killed around 40 people in a crowded market on Tuesday in what may have been the worst incident of its kind since the cessation of hostilities took effect in February. France said the government was rushing "headlong" into violence and showing its refusal to negotiate a political solution. Syrian state TV cited a military source denying any air force raids on residential areas. Anas Al Abde, president of the Turkey-based opposition Syrian National Coalition, said the Geneva talks were "futile" and there was no hope in discussing political transition. Speaking in Istanbul, he urged "qualitative support" for rebel groups, and said the solution must be a "political-military" one. U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura has come closer than any mediator so far in bringing the warring sides to peace talks which began last month, after the implementation of the partial truce brokered by the Washington and Moscow. But the sides have yet to narrow their differences on issues like the fate of Assad, and it will be difficult to lure the opposition back to the table if fighting resumes unchecked, with the government taking advantage of Russia's firepower. On Wednesday experts were meeting in Geneva but the opposition's Riad Hijab, chief coordinator of the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC), had quit the talks with senior delegates while de Mistura had left for personal reasons. About half of the HNC delegation remained. The Syrian government negotiator Bashar Ja'afari poured contempt on the opposition for its partial walkout, accusing it of sulking and political immaturity. "By leaving they may be taking away a major obstacle that will allow us to reach a solution," he told reporters. The U.S. State department rejected that view. "We do not believe that the way forward is any removal by the opposition from these talks. In fact, quite the opposite," spokesman John Kirby said in Washington. Russia said the opposition was incapable of reaching a deal. "By issuing ultimatums, the Riyadh group, it seems, is trying to mask the fact it has no concrete and realistic proposals," the foreign ministry said. Kirby called on the government delegation to explain what it meant by its proposed broad-based government of national unity. Randa Kassis, who heads up a Moscow-backed opposition group, said both sides wanted to impose their view. "The solution will have to come from outside: Russia, the U.S. and the Security Council," she said. "It will take a lot more time." Western-backed rebel armed groups appear to be girding for more war. Fares al-Bayoush, a colonel who heads the Northern Division told Reuters: "Our situation on the frontlines is acceptable, but we await the increase of the support, or as the states promised ... so we can force it (the regime) to resort to the political solution." He said there would be no return to negotiations "soon". States opposed to Assad have been channeling military support to vetted rebel groups via both Turkey and Jordan, in a program that has included military training overseen by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. GRAVE CONCERNS AT NEW REFUGEE EXODUS The United Nations expressed deep concern on Wednesday over the fate of Syrians who have fled fighting near the northern city of Aleppo. More than 40,000 people in camps, residential areas and settlements have been displaced due to fighting in recent days, mostly pushed eastwards towards the strategically vital border town of Azaz, as well as the Bab al-Salam and Sijjou camps for internally-displaced, the United Nations said. "Taking into account the previous influx of over 75,000 internally displaced people into the Azaz sub-district in January and February, humanitarian needs are expected to rise exponentially," the U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an overnight update. Previous rebel losses in the area near the Turkish border have made it difficult for international aid agencies to reach civilians, making it one of the areas of greatest concern for those trying to protect Syria's civilians from harm. The opposition accuses the government of violating the cessation of hostilities to capture Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before the war, which has been divided between government-controlled and rebel-held zones for years. The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontiers said there were now more than 100,000 people trapped on the Syrian side of the Turkish border, with 35,000 having fled in the past week from camps that had been taken over by Islamic State fighters or had become too close to the front line. (Additional reporting by Lisa Barrington; writing by Peter Millership; editing by Peter Graff and Philippa Fletcher)
By Denis Dumo JUBA (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the leaders of war-torn South Sudan to form a transitional government quickly and roll out other parts of a fragile peace deal aimed at ending more than two years of conflict. Ban made the comments in telephone calls on Sunday with President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar, who is due to return to Juba this week to take up his former post as deputy to the president. Thousands have been killed and more than two million people in a nation of 11 million have been driven from their homes by more than two years of fighting that erupted at the end of 2013, barely two years after South Sudan's independence. Kiir's decision to sack Machar as his deputy in 2013 precipitated the crisis that erupted into conflict in December that year. Fighting has often run along ethnic lines, pitting Kiir's dominant Dinka ethnic group against Machar's Nuer. After protracted talks, Machar and Kiir signed a peace deal in August that called for a transitional national government and other security arrangements to end the fighting. But clashes have frequently flared outside the capital since then and Machar has repeatedly delayed his return. Machar, due to be sworn in on the day he returns as First Vice President, had been scheduled to arrive in Juba on Monday. But a spokesman for his opposition group told Reuters his return had been postponed till Tuesday, citing logistical issues. In his call with Kiir, Ban praised the decision to welcome Machar back and "called for the expeditious implementation of the security arrangements" including withdrawing Kiir's SPLA troops from Juba. Ban welcomed Machar's decision to return and "urged him to work with President Kiir to prevent any further violence." He urged both "to quickly form the Transitional Government of National Unity, as a crucial next step in the peace process." The conflict has hammered the economy of what was already one of Africa's poorest nations. Oil exports - the government's main source of revenues that are suffering from weak global prices - have tumbled and the currency has plummeted in value. Swathes of the country are struggling to find enough to eat. (Writing by George Obulutsa and Edmund Blair; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Tuesday he and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had agreed a framework for a deal to secure the release of Ukrainian pilot Nadezhda Savchenko from a 22-year jail sentence in Russia. The sentencing of two captured Russian servicemen in Ukraine on Monday fueled speculation that they might be swapped for Savchenko, 34, who was found guilty of involvement in the killing of two Russian journalists in 2014 during Ukraine's separatist conflict. She has denied any involvement. "Yesterday I initiated a conversation with Putin and based on preliminary preparations it seems to me we have managed to agree on a certain algorithm to free Nadezhda," Poroshenko told journalists. The sentencing of the Russian soldiers "opens certain possibilities of initiating a swap. But I strongly urge no speculation about a timeframe for (her) return or future steps." In her homeland, Savchenko is a regarded as a national hero and symbol of resistance to Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in March 2014 after a Moscow-backed president was toppled during street protests in Kiev. Russia has also backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. But many in Russia see her as a Ukrainian nationalist with the blood of civilians on her hands. She was captured by pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine in June 2014 at the height of fighting there between the Kiev government's forces and Russian-backed separatists. At her trial in Donetsk in Russia earlier this year she was accused of directing artillery fire that killed two Russian television journalists. Poroshenko said he had spoken to Savchenko by telephone and that she had agreed to end a hunger strike she has been observing on-and-off since late last year. Speculation that a deal might be afoot increased with the sentencing of two Russian soldiers, Alexander Alexandrov and his commander, Captain Yevgeny Yerofeyev, to 14 years in jail. The pair were captured almost a year ago in eastern Ukraine and subsequently charged with preparing "an act of terror". Russia denies sending members of its military to help the rebels and says Alexandrov and Yerofeyev had quit their special forces unit to take part in Ukraine's conflict on their own initiative. Last week Putin said he was in touch with Ukraine's leaders regarding the Savchenko case, but that "it's better not to get ahead of ourselves." On Monday Poroshenko said Putin had agreed to grant Ukraine's Consul General in Rostov-on-Don access to Savchenko. One of her lawyers said the diplomat had visited the prisoner on Tuesday. (Reporting by Natalia Zinets and; Alexei Kalmykov; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
German English

Basel, Switzerland, April 20, 2016 - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) announced today that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, has entered into a contract with Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. ("Basilea") for the clinical phase 3 development aiming at regulatory approval of Basilea's broad-spectrum antibiotic ceftobiprole in the United States.

Under the terms of the contract, BARDA will provide funding of approximately USD 20 million over an initial period of 18 months. During this initial period, Basilea will work towards gaining agreement on the development program from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and obtaining first health authority approvals for the initiation of clinical phase 3 studies, which are targeted to be started towards the end of this year or the beginning of next year. During the term of the agreement BARDA may exercise further options, which would bring the total value of the contract up to USD 100 million over a period of 4.5 years, upon successful completion of pre-defined milestones including pre-clinical, clinical, manufacturing and associated regulatory activities.

Ronald Scott, Basilea's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Resistance against currently available antibiotics is a global healthcare risk. Our agreement with BARDA demonstrates the potential value of ceftobiprole to treat life-threatening infections and will enable us to start a phase 3 program, initially in bacteremia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, with the goal of achieving U.S. regulatory approval and to expand ceftobiprole's label in other territories."

Basilea is preparing protocols for three phase 3 studies with ceftobiprole to support the potential submission of New Drug Applications (NDAs) for the treatment of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB), acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). Basilea intends to submit these protocols to the FDA, seeking the agency's agreement on Special Protocol Assessments (SPAs). An SPA provides written guidance by the FDA and documents agreement between the study sponsor and the agency that a clinical study is adequately designed so that it would support a regulatory submission for drug approval, should the study meet its objectives.

Prof. Achim Kaufhold, Basilea's Chief Medical Officer, commented: "Based on recent FDA feedback we understand that any two adequate and well-controlled studies in either SAB, ABSSSI or CABP, demonstrating safety and efficacy in each of those studies, would be sufficient to support regulatory approval of ceftobiprole in the United States. We believe that within the three indications under consideration the highest medical need is in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia where new antibiotics with bactericidal activity against both methicillin-susceptible and resistant strains are urgently needed. Ceftobiprole offers a potential treatment option for this area of high medical need."

The project will be funded in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under Contract No. HHSO100201600002C.

About ceftobiprole

Ceftobiprole (ceftobiprole medocaril) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic for intravenous administration with bactericidal activity against certain Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and susceptible Pseudomonas spp.1

Ceftobiprole is approved for sale in 13 European countries and Canada for the treatment of adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia (excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia) and has been launched in Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Austria.1 Ceftobiprole received Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the potential treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Ceftobiprole is not approved in the United States.

About Basilea

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is a biopharmaceutical company developing products that address increasing resistance and non-response to current treatment options in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and cancer. The company uses the integrated research, development and commercial operations of its subsidiary Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd. to discover, develop and commercialize innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: BSLN). Additional information can be found at Basilea's website www.basilea.com.

Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Peer Nils Schroder, PhD

Head Public Relations & Corporate Communications

+41 61 606 1102

media_relations@basilea.com

investor_relations@basilea.com

This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com.

References

1 UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC): http://www.mhra.gov.uk/

[Accessed: April 19, 2016]
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Mariehamn, 2016-04-20 13:30 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Viking Line Abp DECISIONS OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 20.4.2016, 2.30 PM

Decisions of Viking Lines Annual General Meeting 2016.

The Annual General Meeting of Viking Line Abp was held at 12 noon today, April 20, 2016 in Mariehamn, Aland, Finland. The Meeting adopted the parent company financial statements and the consolidated financial statements and approved the proposal of the Board of Directors that a dividend of  0.95 per share be paid for the financial year January 1  December 31, 2015. The record date for dividend payment is Friday, April 22, 2016 and the payment date is Friday, April 29, 2016. The Meeting discharged the Board of Directors and the President from liability for the financial year.

The Company's current Board of Directors was re-elected, and until the end of the next Annual General Meeting it thus has the following composition: Ben Lundqvist (Chairman), Nils-Erik Eklund, Trygve Eriksson, Erik Gronberg, Agneta Karlsson, Dick Lundqvist och Lars G Nordstrom plus deputy members Ulrica Danielsson, Stefan Lundqvist and Johnny Rosenholm.

Ylva Eriksson, Authorized Public Accountant (CGR) was re-elected and Petter Lindeman, Authorized Public Accountant (CGR) was new-elected as auditors, and PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy, Authorized Public Accountants, was re-elected as deputy auditor.

Mariehamn, April 20, 2016

VIKING LINE ABP

Jan Hanses

President and CEO
MEXICO CITY, April 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the heels of last weeks official announcement by General Motors that they would continue to manufacture automobiles without airbags until 2019, Consejo de Latinos Unidos (CDLU), a Hispanic consumer advocacy group and public charity based in the United States, denounced General Motors for engaging in blatant economic racism in Mexico.



General Motors believes Mexican lives do not matter, said K.B. Forbes, the Executive Director of the CDLU, Mexicans should not have to wait three more years for General Motors to stop selling a Chariot of Death an unsafe, zero-star rated automobile that does not even meet United States or European minimum safety standards.

The best-selling car in Mexico is GMs Chevrolet Aveo, whose model without airbags earned a zero-star safety rating last November by the Latin America New Car Assessment Program (Latin NCAP).

Forbes added, Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, continues to let General Motors engage in blatant economic racism. She should immediately ground the production of any automobile without airbags now, today, this very moment.

Barra testified before the U.S. Congress in 2014 telling U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, If there is a safety issue on the vehicleand we made sure on these vehicles that they are grounded.

To add insult to injury, Forbes discovered that General Motors recently dropped the price of their most unsafe car by 5 percent in the Mexican market. In a sign of sheer corporate stupidity and economic racism, General Motors has dropped the price of their most unsafe car without airbags by 5 percent while increasing the price of the same model with airbags. Does Mary Barra have a brain or heart? Forbes asked.

Stephan Brodziak, Vehicle Safety Coordinator at El Poder del Consumidor (EPC), a consumer advocacy group based in Mexico City, added, What is most troubling is that there is no commitment to change production as soon as possible, since the Aveo year after year has broken sales records. GM continues to take advantage the lack of information available to Mexican and Latin American consumers. A National Survey of Vehicle Safety conducted by EPC showed that 96 percent of Aveo owners think they have a safe or very safe car.

Mary Barra ought to be ashamed of her conduct and we will hold her and GM accountable, Forbes vowed, whose group launched the website vidasmexicanasimportan.mx (Mexican Lives Matter) today in Mexico.

Brodziak commented, In Mexico we have an atmosphere of complicity between the automotive industry and the government, which has allowed the industry to abuse and take advantage of some of the most vulnerable sectors of the population. These are low-income families who worked hard to raise enough money to buy an affordable cara car that will put their lives and family in great jeopardy.

More than 80 percent of the cars GM produces in Mexico meet the safety standards recommended by the United Nations. However, these cars go to the United States and Europe, while in Mexico highly unsafe vehicles are sold.

In March, the CDLU released a 16-page investigative report showing that General Motors is the only U.S. auto maker selling passenger vehicles without airbags in Mexico. The report also strongly debunked comments by Barra, who stated that airbags make automobiles unaffordable in emerging markets like Mexico.

The report took a look at 297 versions of 96 light commercial and passenger vehicles sold by the three U.S. automakers in Mexico, and found that nine passenger vehicles do not have airbags and are exclusively sold by GM.

All nine versions are of the top three best-selling U.S. models in Mexico for 2015, a whopping 11.2 percent of market share. Industry insiders note that at most the front driver and passenger airbags cost $100.00 to install.
The John le Carre adaptation "The Night Manager" is seeing global success, following its US debut on Tuesday on AMC, reports Deadline.

The Youku Tudou streaming platform has won the rights to show the drama in China, while FranceTV will broadcast it in France. It has now been sold to networks spanning more than 188 countries.

The drama, starring Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie, has been a particular success in the UK, where it averaged 6.3 million viewers on the BBC during its six-week run.

The miniseries, directed by Susanne Bier, was the first television adaptation of a le Carre novel in over two decades.
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China will widen a pilot program aimed at fighting corruption to four new cities outside the financial hub of Shanghai as it seeks to reign in the business activities of government officials' spouses and children.

The rules, put in place last year, bar spouses and children of senior officials from serving as managers, registering individual businesses or holding partnerships in the areas where a family member holds office.

The program, which initially began in the financial hub of Shanghai, will now be extended to Guangdong province, Chongqing and the northwestern region of Xinjiang.
A long rumored "soldier swap" between Moscow and Kyiv seemed to gain new traction Tuesday, with Ukraine leader Petro Poroshenko claiming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin had produced an "algorithm for freeing" an imprisoned Ukrainian pilot turned national cause celebre, Nadezhda Savchenko.

The rumors came just one day after a Ukrainian court convicted two Russian soldiers on charges of terrorism and conducting war on Ukrainian soil, prompting new speculation over a deal.

The Kremlin confirmed President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko had touched on the issue of the prisoners during a phone call late Monday -- just hours after the two Russian soldiers, Sergeant Aleksander Aleksandrov and Captain Yevgeny Yerofeyev, were sentenced to 14 years in jail.

Tuesday, in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko elaborated on his talks with the Russian leader.

"Yesterday's phone conversation was my idea, and judging by the preparation work, I think we have agreed on a certain algorithm that would allow Nadezhda's release," Poroshenko said.The Ukrainian leader insisted he was ready to send a presidential envoy to Moscow immediately to secure the pilot's release.

Last month, a Russian court convicted Nadezhda Savchenko for complicity in the deaths of two Russian journalists killed while covering the war between Ukraine forces and pro-Russian rebels in east Ukraine, and sentenced her to 22 years imprisonment.The Ukrainian pilot, who maintains she was captured by Russian forces before the incident occurred, has refused to appeal the decision, instead going on a dry hunger strike, refusing to consume both food and water, as part of a high stakes bid to gain her release.

But, as Savchenko's trial ground toward its finale, so too did rumors the pilot's fate was tied to that of two Russian soldiers captured by the Ukrainian army amid fighting in the Donbas region.

The two Russians initially admitted to being active duty officers at the time of their capture, but later went back on their testimony.

In Kyiv, the Russians' Ukrainian lawyer, Oksana Sokolovskaya, announced that her clients, too, would not appeal the Ukrainian court's decision, seemingly leaving a negotiated swap as their only path for release.
Belgian authorities say they have evidence to suggest more Islamic State recruits are looking to return to Europe.

The head of the government crisis center, Paul Van Tigchelt, told RTFB television, intelligence indicates foreign terrorist fighters in Syria want to return, "not just to Belgium, but to Europe to carry out an attack."

Belgium maintains its terror alert at the second highest level a month after suicide bombings killed 32 people in Brussels. Tigchelt said the terrorist threat to the country is "still considered serious, grave, and likely."
California-based Uber, which has run into fierce opposition from established taxi services since it launched in Europe five years ago, has filed a complaint with the European Commission against the French law, arguing it favored regular taxis over Uber's internet-managed ride-sharing service and that France should have notified Brussels of the new measure.

France's Thevenoud law, introduced in October 2014, requires chauffeured cars to return to a base between fares, restricts their use of software to find customers in the street and banned unlicensed services, among other measures.

The European Commission is preparing to challenge a French law on taxi services and chauffeured cars, two people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday, following a complaint from online ride-hailing service operator Uber Technologies.

The Commission is preparing to issue a so-called letter of formal notice, the people said, which represents the first stage of an infringement procedure where Brussels suspects that a national measure breaches the EU treaties.

Uber allows would-be passengers to summon rides via a smartphone app and has seen exponential growth in Europe as well as numerous court challenges which have resulted in the banning of its unlicensed taxi service, UberPOP.

Ultimately the Commission could take France to court if the two do not come to an agreement. The challenge could come in late May, the people said, although no final decision has been taken yet.

A spokesman for the Commission said it was looking at how it could "encourage the development of new and innovative services and the temporary use of assets, without favoring one business model over another."

"In mid-2016 we will provide guidance on how existing EU law applies to the collaborative economy," Jakub Adamowicz said.

Last month a French court ruled that banning chauffeured cars' use of geolocational technology to help passengers find available cars was illegal and said France should have notified the measure to Brussels.

The Commission is adjusting its challenge to take the French ruling into account, the people said, which goes some way towards alleviating its concerns with the law.

However other substantive problems with the law remain, including the requirement that chauffeured cars return to a base between fares.
Saenuri Party interim leader Won Yoo-chul and lawmakers from the main opposition Minjoo Party commemorated a 1960 uprising against Korea's first President Syngman Rhee on Tuesday.

They attended a ceremony at the National Cemetery in Seoul, while People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo paid separate tribute at a memorial park in the southern port city of Busan.

The day marks the uprising of tens of thousands of people, mostly college students, against election fraud and corruption by the Rhee administration.

Some 180 people died and thousands were injured in clashes with police, but the regime collapsed a week later and Rhee fled to Hawaii. The short-lived parliamentary government that followed him was promptly overthrown in a coup by Park Chung-hee.
Hyundai Motor will join hands with global IT company Cisco to develop a self-driving car.

Hyundai vice chairman Chung Eui-sun and Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins reached a deal at the automaker's headquarters in Seoul on Tuesday.

Conventional cars do not need sophisticated networking technology due to a low amount of digital data, but the newly envisioned cars of the future will need to be equipped with a high-speed network system.

Earlier this month, Hyundai announced a plan to develop a car that uses the Internet and artificial intelligence to drive itself.
A massive Workers Party Congress slated for early May, the first in 36 years, is likely to highlight above all North Korea's international isolation.

No leaders from foreign countries are expected to attend the congress, while ordinary people are being squeezed by rising market prices in the wake of international sanctions.

The regime is doing everything to spruce up Pyongyang for the congress, forcing people into labor gangs, but resources are sparse since most of the money has been squandered on weapons development.

A delegation led by Kim Yong-chol, the party secretary in charge of South Korean affairs, visited the tiny communist country of Laos in February, but even there his invitation seems to have fallen on deaf ears, a source said Tuesday.

The last party congress in 1980 saw 177 delegations from 118 countries. Foreign leaders included China's then vice-premier Li Xiannian, Soviet Politburo member Viktor Grishin, Guinean President Sekou Toure and Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.

But this year's congress is likely to go ahead without even a rogues' gallery of that caliber.
South Korea, the U.S. and Japan on Tuesday warned North Korea of stronger sanctions as signs emerge of an impending nuclear test.

Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki.

At a joint press conference Lim said the three countries will not accept additional provocations by Pyongyang, which would find itself in "deeper isolation" should it conduct another nuclear test.


Thanks so much for your kind words - I'm so glad you're enjoying my work.

Sometimes the texture of the cookie is in the recipe's DNA; sometimes it's in the baking.

It's easy to underestimate how much a cookie will continue to bake outside of the oven. I've never thought about whether a cookie continues to caramelize once out of the oven, but my feeling is that the coloring would be negligible. Not so for the innards.

For chocolate-chip type cookies, I usually give my cookies a gentle poke in the belly to see if they're done - if the cookie has begun to firm around the edges, but still has some give in the center, I call them done and pull them out.

I've never tried this, but I'm thinking that if your cookies have baking soda in them, you might be able to reduce the amount. Baking soda helps a cookie to spread. Perhaps with less spread, your cookies might be higher and therefore softer in the center.

Also, perhaps you could play a bit with the ratio of brown to white sugar, going higher on brown which contributes to a chewier cookie.

As always, if someone's got a thought, we want to hear it.
There were 5.06 million one-person households in Korea last year, up around eightfold compared to 30 years ago.

According to online shopping site 11st, sales of cactuses rose 17 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period of 2015. Sales of hydroponic plants grew 22 percent.

A growing number of singles have only their houseplants for company because they cost less and require less attention than cats or dogs.

Park Seul-lok (23), an office worker, began collecting succulents a while ago and now has more than a dozen varieties. "I make pots for them using rain boots for kids or coffee cups," Park said.

Succulent topiaries have become one of the most parodied cliches on Instagram and interior design websites.

Flower shops are adopting to the changing tastes. One flower shop in southern Seoul used to sell mainly flowers but now has a range of cacti and other succulents as a growing number of students living in the area started looking for them.

Another shop in Samcheong-dong near downtown Seoul offers advice to customers on what types of plants to raise according to their personalities and living patterns. "We get around 300 customers on weekends and most of them are in their 20s and 30s who want to feel a sense of tranquility by raising plants," the owner said.

But it is not just young people who seek affection from plants. A community service center in Sadang-dong in southern Seoul distributed plants last year to 160 senior citizens who are living alone.

Cho Jae-yong at the center, said, "A lot of the elderly invited us to come and see the plants after they tended them for a year. They serve as emotional companions for them."
IS Promotes Attacks in Philippines, Claims 68 Enemy Aircraft Destroyed and Damaged in 6-Month Period in al-Naba
This article was originally on GET.com at: 7 Things You Didn't Know About Singapore Coins

Did you know that it is illegal to turn Singapore coins into jewellery regardless of how quirky and unique it may be? Just to put the point across more concretely, under Singapores Currency Act, it is not legal to mutilate, destroy or deface any form of Singapore currency.

We at GET.com have naturally gotten our interest in Singapores coins piqued after reading this fresh news report where the Monetary Authority of Singapore lodged a police report just last week after it found out that people had been transforming our coins into jewellery like lockets, rings, trinkets and earrings, and selling them for quite a fair bit of money (sometimes, even fetching thousands of dollars). Sure, many of us barely use coins these days, relying on credit cards or bills to make our regular purchases, but some of these things are still very interesting and intriguing. So, here are 7 things you probably didnt know about Singapore coins. No judging here, of course.

7 Things You Didn't Know About Singapore Coins

1. If all of Singapores coins in circulation are stacked one on top of another, they would be 710 times higher than Mount Everest.

2. The largest Singapore coin weighs a whopping 1 kg. This hefty coin is the 999 fine Silver Proof-like coin that has a face value of $80. It measures 100.00mm in diameter, and was first issued in 2012 as part of the 2012 Year of the Dragon coin collection.

3. Not all of our coins are round in shape. Singapores first rectangular coin - the $5 Silver Proof Colour Coin - was issued in 2010 to commemorate Singapores 45 years of independence.

4. Singapores First Series of coins in circulation was issued way back on 20 November 1967. These coins display various designs and visually represented a marked break from Singapore's past as a British colony. Far from being tacky, with imprints of a swordfish, a seahorse and a lionfish, these coins symbolised Singapores new status as an independent republic.

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5. The Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS) stopped minting Singapores copper-hued 1-cent coins back in 2002. Nevertheless, these coins remain legal tender.

6. Each denomination in the Third Series coins has a distinct edge pattern to help the visually impaired differentiate them more easily.

7. In order to stay ahead of abominable counterfeiters as well as maintain confidence in the use of Singapores currency, new security features were imbued into the Third Series coins in circulation. A customised electromagnetic signature is available for each denomination while the $1 boasts a bi-metallic composition coupled with a laser mark micro-engraving of the national flower of Singapore, Vanda Miss Joaquim.

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Australian real estate developer Crown Group Holdings plans to have dual listings in Australia and either Singapore, Hong Kong or Shanghai by 2018. This was announced by CEO Iwan Sunito, who was in Singapore on April 12 to meet officials from the Singapore Exchange, to better understand the requirements needed to list on the SGX Mainboard. He also met with potential bankers and underwriters on the proposed dual listing.

Sunito: Our plan is to expand our Singapore operations and

grow sales revenue to between A$50 million and A$60 million

a year, from the current A$20 million to A$30 million

Source: Crown Group

Sunito hopes to raise A$1 billion ($1.03 billion) from the listing, with the proceeds going towards growing the business and tapping land banking opportunities. Crown Group intends to increase its pipeline of development projects in Australia from A$5 billion currently to A$7 billion by 2018.

While Sunito is also exploring the exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai for a secondary listing, his preference is Singapore, given its closer proximity to Australia and Indonesia, where he is currently in discussion with potential joint venture partners to develop projects there. Negotiations are underway for the development of three high-end projects in Jakarta offering 23,000 residential units, with three Indonesian groups. The total value of the projects is said to be worth A$3 billion, he adds.

Crown set up an office in Singapore two years ago and, to date, it has generated A$20 million to A$30 million in sales of its properties in Sydney since. Sunito attributes the strong buying interest from Singapore buyers to the property cooling measures that have diverted interest to overseas projects. Likewise, Crowns Jakarta office registered strong sales of A$100 million.

Our plan is to expand our Singapore operations and grow its sales revenue contribution to between $50 million and $60 million per annum, says Sunito. About 70% of Crowns clients are Australians, while the rest are foreigners primarily from mainland China, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

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Besides building its development pipeline, Crown wants to increase its portfolio of investment properties for recurring income. Examples include its retail components as well as its own hotels and serviced apartments branded under Skye Hotels and Suites that are under development as part of its mixed-use schemes in Sydney.

Sunitos plan is to have development projects making up 80% of the groups portfolio, and the remaining 20% as investment properties for recurring income.

This article appeared in the City & Country, Issue 724 (April 18, 2016) of The Edge Singapore.

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And NODX in Singapore plunged to lowest level in 3 years.

Some members from Johor's opposition party have raised doubts about the feasibility of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High Speed Rail (HSR) project, due to its relatively lower Passenger Flow Volume (PFV), reported The Sun Daily. According to Andrew Chen Kah Eng, State Assemblyman for Stulang, Johor, the HSRs forecasted annual number of commuters stands at 18 million, based on data cited by the Prime Ministers Department. Read more here.

Singapore, Southeast Asias most advanced economy, is falling behind its less developed peers when it comes to women breaking the glass ceiling at companies. The island nation is ranked near the bottom on female representation on company boards in the Asia-Pacific region, behind only South Korea and Japan, according to a Korn Ferry study of 2014 annual reports in 10 economies. Find out more here.

Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) numbers in Singapore have plunged to their lowest in 3 years. The 15.6% fall last month was worse than the market forecast of a 12.3% drop. The low export numbers could result in a downward revision to the first quarter manufacturing output and GDP (gross domestic product) growth figures. Read more here.





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Singapore has the second most number of new entrants of cafes and restaurants in Asia Pacific last year, making up 23 of the 63 new entrants in the region, a CBRE report released on Tuesday (19 April) revealed.

New entrants are defined by CBRE as cross-border retailers which opened their fist standalone store for trading during the year.

According to CBRE, strong consumer demand for retail-tainment continued to support the growth in the number of new F&B entries across Asia Pacific.

In Singapore, the proportion of F&B businesses in retail malls has increased from an average of 25 percent to 30 percent, said Letty Lee, director for Retail Services at CBRE said.

There is no denying that for every F&B operator that signs a lease, there are a few who exit. But what is important is that Singapore continues to attract a steady stream of F&B operators in keeping with the citys discerning palate, Lee added.

Meanwhile, despite market headwinds, CBRE said international retailers find opportunities here as rents decline.

In Q1 2016, rents for Singapores prime Orchard Road and the suburbs declined, albeit at a more controlled pace due to limited prime space. Meanwhile, prime Orchard Road rents fell 0.6 percent from last quarter to S$42.85 per sq ft per month in the first quarter of 2016, while prime surburban rents inched downwards by 0.8 percent to S$29.65.

Desmond Sim, Head, CBRE Research, Singapore & South East Asia said The tough leasing climate has prompted some landlords to further adjust rental expectations, especially in areas where competition is stiff and foot traffic relatively poor. To save costs, more established retailers have opted to relocate out of prime corridors to secondary corridors, especially in the Orchard Road sub-market.

Sim added that this also encouraged by landlords as part of their tenant re-positioning exercise. Freeing up prime space has allowed landlords to pursue retailers seeking flagship space. Brands, including F&B retailers are still looking to introduce experiential or retail-tainment concepts and are seeking larger floor plates. Nikki Diane De Guzman, Editor at CommercialGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email nikki@propertyguru.com.sg

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By Anthony Boadle and Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff vowed on Monday to fight impeachment tooth-and-nail in the Senate after a heavy defeat in the lower house of Congress raised the likelihood of an end to 13 years of leftist rule in Latin America's largest economy. In a raucous vote late on Sunday that sparked jubilation among Rousseff's foes, the opposition comfortably surpassed the two-thirds majority needed to send Brazil's first female president for trial in the Senate on charges she manipulated budget accounts. If the Senate votes by a simple majority to accept the case next month, as is expected, Rousseff would become the first Brazilian leader to be impeached for more than 20 years. The crisis has paralysed the government as it struggles to revive the economy from its worst recession in decades. It has also sparked a bitter struggle between Rousseff, a 68-year-old former Communist guerrilla, and her Vice President Michel Temer, 75, who would take power if she is impeached. Addressing the nation on television, a combative Rousseff insisted that she had committed no impeachable crime and accused Temer of openly conspiring to topple her government in what she described as a 'coup'. "While I am very saddened by this, I have the force, the spirit and the courage to fight this whole process to the end," Rousseff told the televised news conference. "This is just the beginning of the battle, which will be long and drawn out." Rousseff stands accused of a budgetary sleight of hand employed by many elected officials in Brazil: delaying payments to state lenders in order to artificially lower the budget deficit to boost her reelection bid in 2014. Nevertheless, opinion polls show more than 60 percent of Brazilians support impeaching Rousseff, less than two years after the leftist leader narrowly won reelection. Her popularity has been crushed by the recession and a vast graft scandal at state oil company Petrobras . A Rousseff aide said the government would focus on clawing back support in the 81-seat Senate, where it lacks the simple majority needed to prevent the case being accepted for trial. Given that it currently has the support of only 31 senators, the aide said the situation looked "very difficult." The government has been looking to Senate Speaker Renan Calheiros, a crucial but fickle ally of Rousseff's, to delay the Senate vote as long as possible to give it time to negotiate. [L5N17K11H] However, Calheiros said on Monday he would remain neutral and would meet with party leaders in the Senate on Tuesday to define the calendar for the process. PARALYSED GOVERNMENT Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators from both sides of the impeachment battle took to the streets across Brazil on Sunday in peaceful protests. Millions watched the vote live on television. The heavy margin of defeat in Sunday's vote shocked many Workers Party insiders, who blamed treachery by allied parties. The final tally was 367 votes cast in favour of impeachment, versus 137 against, and seven abstentions. Two lawmakers did not show up to vote. More than half the lawmakers who decided her fate on Sunday are themselves under investigation for graft, fraud or electoral crimes, according to Congresso em Foco, a prominent watchdog in Brasilia. Claudio Couto, professor of political science at Fundacao Getulio Vargas, said that Sunday's loss dramatically weakened Rousseff's ability to strike political bargains and shore up support for her government. "It is almost impossible the Senate will not take up the impeachment. And with her removal for up to six months, the government's power of persuasion will be dramatically diminished," he said. Senior Workers Party figures have pledged, if necessary, to take their struggle onto the streets, raising concerns that it could seek to destabilise a future Temer government. Despite anger at rising unemployment, the party can still rely on support among millions of working-class Brazilians, who credit its welfare programs with pulling their families out of poverty during the past decade. The U.S. State Department voiced confidence on Monday that Brazil would navigate the political crisis democratically in accordance with the constitution. Brazilian financial markets have rallied strongly this year after a disastrous 2015 on the prospect of a more business-friendly Temer administration. Brazil's Bovespa stock index <.BVSP> shed 0.75 percent on Monday, with traders citing profit taking after it gained more than 20 percent so far in 2016. The real also weakened more than 2 percent to 3.60 per dollar after the central bank intervened to prevent a sharp rise in the currency. Once regarded as an emerging markets powerhouse, Brazil has been hit by the end of a long commodities boom as well as political instability. It lost its coveted investment grade credit rating in December. Fitch, which has a negative outlook on Brazil's 'BB+' sovereign rating, said it would focus on a new leader's attitude to the corruption probe and efforts to stem the steep rise in government debt. (Additional reporting by Alonso Soto, Stephen Eisenhammer and Maaria CarolinLisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia, Guillermo Parra-Bernal in Sao Paulo and Jeb Blount in Rio de Janeiro; Writing by Daniel Flynn, Stephen Eisenhammer and Anthony Boadle; Editing by Kieran Murray, Frances Kerry and Andrew Hay)
AFP News

Ukraine on Sunday denounced as dangerous lies suggestions from Russia that it was preparing to use a "dirty bomb". Its western allies also dismissed the allegations from Moscow, just hours after Russia went public with the claims. In conversations with his British, French and Turkish counterparts, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu conveyed "concerns about possible provocations by Ukraine with the use of a 'dirty bomb'", Moscow said. Russia did not mention the alleged "dirty bomb" allegation in its statement following Shoigu's call with Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin. "If Russia calls and says that Ukraine is allegedly preparing something, it means one thing: Russia has already prepared all this," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address on social media. "I believe that now the world should react as harshly as possible." Earlier Sunday, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba denounced Moscow's claims as "absurd" and "dangerous". "Russians often accuse others of what they plan themselves," he added. A British defence ministry statement said Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had "refuted these claims and cautioned that such allegations should not be used as a pretext for greater escalation". And in Washington, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson dismissed Moscow's "transparently false" claim. "The world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation," she added. - 'Vile strikes' - Russia also announced Sunday that it had destroyed a depot in central Ukraine storing over 100,000 tonnes of aviation fuel. Kyiv's energy operator meanwhile said scheduled power cuts had been introduced in the Ukrainian capital due to Russia's repeated strikes on the nation's power network. The blackouts started from 11:13 am (0813 GMT) with consumers in Kyiv divided into three groups "disconnected for a certain period of time", energy company DTEK said. DTEK reiterated calls for residents to use electricity "sparingly" and for businesses to limit their use of external lighting. More than one million Ukrainian households have lost electricity following recent Russian strikes, according to the Ukrainian presidency, at least a third of the country's power stations having been destroyed ahead of winter. Zelensky condemned the "vile strikes" in comments late Saturday, after Russian attacks caused power cuts across the country. - 'Save your strength' - In the southern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rig, deputy mayor Sergiy Miliutin was dealing with emergencies and power outages from his underground bunker, used as a venue for a children's martial arts competition. "I've reached a point where I just survive on my drive. You have to stay level-headed and save your strength. No one knows how long this will all last," he told AFP. The intensification of Russian strikes on Ukraine, particularly energy facilities, came after the bridge linking the annexed Crimea peninsula to mainland Russia was partially destroyed by an explosion earlier this month. It was another major setback for Moscow's forces, battling to contain a Ukrainian counter-offensive in the south and east of the country. French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that it was for Ukrainians to decide when "peace is possible", in comments made in Rome at the start of a peace summit. Ukraine reported three deaths in an overnight Russian artillery strike in the Toretsk area, a governor of the eastern Donetsk region said. Inside Russia, two lines of defence have been built in the border region of Kursk to deal with any possible attack, a local governor said on Sunday. On Saturday Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor in the neighbouring Russian border region of Belgorod, said the construction of defence structures had begun. Gladkov said two civilians had been killed in strikes there Saturday, and that 15,000 people had been left without electricity. - Kherson evacuations - Meanwhile Ukraine's SBU intelligence service said it had detained two officials of Ukrainian aircraft engine maker Motor Sich on suspicion of working with Russia. The SBU said management at the company's plant in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region -- partly controlled by Russian forces -- had colluded with Russian state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec. The suspects had supplied Russia with Ukrainian aircraft engines that were used to make and repair attack helicopters, the SBU said. In the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, which Russia claims to have annexed, pro-Moscow officials on Saturday urged residents to leave "immediately" amid a "tense situation" at the front. Kherson, the region's main city, was the first to fall to Moscow's troops and retaking it would be a major prize in Ukraine's counter-offensive. A Moscow-installed official in Kherson, Kirill Stremousov, told Russian news agency Interfax on Saturday that around 25,000 people had left Kherson city to the left bank of the Dnipro River. Ukraine has denounced the removal of residents from Kherson, describing them as "deportations". bur-imm/raz/jj/lcm
By Kaori Kaneko and Thomas Wilson TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese rescue teams on Sunday scoured the splintered remains of buildings destroyed by a series of deadly earthquakes in southern Japan as time ran out for finding survivors and as major Japanese manufacturers face production losses from supply chain disruptions. A 7.3 magnitude tremor struck early on Saturday, killing at least 32 people, injuring about a thousand and causing widespread damage to houses, roads and bridges, with at least one mountain highway severed in two, concrete tumbling into the valley below. In the village of Minamiaso, 11 people were "out of contact", said public broadcaster NHK. Rescuers pulled 10 students out of a collapsed university apartment in the same settlement on Saturday. "In Minamiaso, where the damage is concentrated, there may still be people trapped under collapsed buildings, so we are focusing our attention and rescue and search efforts in this area," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters. It was the second major quake to hit Kumamoto province on the island of Kyushu in just over 24 hours. The first, late on Thursday, killed nine people. Of more than 470 quakes hitting Kyushu since Thursday, 78 have been at least a four on Japan's intensity scale, strong enough to shake buildings. Quakes are common in Japan, part of the seismically active "Ring of Fire" which sweeps from the South Pacific islands, up through Indonesia, Japan, across to Alaska and down the west coast of the United States and Central and South America. At the other end of the ring this weekend, Ecuador's biggest earthquake in decades killed at least 77 people, caused devastation in coastal towns and left an unknown number trapped in ruins. A 6.1 magnitude quake also struck southeast of the Pacific island nation of Tonga, with no immediate reports of damage. Three nuclear plants in the southern Japanese region were unaffected by the second quake, but the Nuclear Regulation Authority said it will hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday to discuss the disaster. A massive 9 magnitude quake and tsunami in northern Japan in March 2011 caused the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986, shutting down the nuclear industry for safety checks and sending radiation spewing across the countryside. The first reactor to restart was Kyushu Electric's Sendai No. 1, which is at one of the plants in the region hit on Saturday. Nearly 20,000 people were killed in the 2011 tsunami. The Kumamoto region is an important manufacturing hub. Toyota Motor Corp said it would suspend production at plants across Japan after the quakes disrupted its supply chain. Electronics giant Sony Corp said its Kumamoto image sensors plant would remain suspended. One of the company's major customers for the sensors is Apple. Meanwhile, Honda Motor Co. said production at its motorcycle plant in southern Japan would remain suspended through Friday. Suga said the government may seek a supplementary budget to cover the cost of the quakes. "We will do all that we can," Kyodo News quoted Suga as telling a press briefing. DIGGING WITH BARE HANDS All commercial flights to the damaged Kumamoto airport were cancelled and Japan's bullet train to the region suspended. Expressways are closed in wide areas because of landslides and cracks in road surfaces, hindering efforts to get supplies of water and food to survivors. Overnight, rescuers digging with their bare hands dragged some elderly survivors, still in their pyjamas, out of the rubble and onto makeshift stretchers made of tatami mats. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would boost the number of troops helping to 25,000 and had accepted a U.S offer of help with air transportation. Heavy rains fuelled worries of more landslides and with hundreds of aftershocks and fears of more quakes, thousands spent the night in evacuation centres. "It's full in there. There's not a inch to sleep or even walk about in there. It's impossible in there," a resident of Mashiki town said outside an evacuation centre. Firefighters handed out tarpaulins to residents so they could cover damaged roofs, but many homes were simply deserted. Around 62,700 households were without electricity, water supplies had been disrupted to more than 300,000 homes and some areas had lost their gas supply, said NHK. More than 110,000 people have been evacuated from the Kumamoto area, said Kyodo. Troops set up tents for evacuees and water trucks were being sent to the area while television footage showed people stranded after the fall of a bridge being rescued by helicopters. Police said 32 people had been confirmed dead in Saturday's quake. The government said about 190 of the injured were in a serious condition. The epicentre of Saturday's quake was near the city of Kumamoto and measured at a shallow depth of 10 km (six miles), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The shallower a quake, the more likely it is to cause damage. The city's 400-year-old Kumamoto Castle was badly damaged, with its walls breached after having withstood bombardment and fire in its four centuries of existence. The USGS, a science organisation that provides information on ecosystems and the environment, estimated there was a 72 percent likelihood of economic damage exceeding $10 billion, adding that it was too early to be specific. Major insurers are yet to release estimates. (Additional reporting by Linda Sieg, Elaine Lies, William Mallard, Shinichi Soashiro, Chris Gallagher, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Miniami Funakoshi and Tim Kelly; Writing by Michael Perry and Nick Macfie; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Martin Howell)
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi, John Irish and Tom Miles BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) - Syrian peace talks came close to collapse on Monday, with the mainstream opposition announcing a pause in talks at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, although it agreed to keep its negotiating team in the city. The Western-backed opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) said in a letter to rebel fighters that government military advances meant a ceasefire was effectively over and it was calling a postponement in the talks. Rebels, who accuse the government of breaking the ceasefire to try to recapture the northern city of Aleppo, announced an offensive of their own, launching an assault against government forces in Latakia province on the Mediterranean coast. Opposition fighters made separate advances further east in Hama, while heavy government air strikes took place in Homs province to the south. There was "no way" the opposition could resume formal talks amid a military escalation and a worsening humanitarian situation, senior opposition negotiator Mohammad Alloush told Reuters. "We want real negotiations, not farcical ones, he said, adding that the opposition had not decided whether it would continue to meet U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura. "When there are 70 airstrikes, and when there is mobilising of troops, when Iran sends further armed men and Russia sends a large group of rockets and unmanned planes, all this tells us that there is no real will for a political solution that ensures the safety and stability in the country," he said, naming countries that back Assad. Nevertheless, de Mistura played down the decision by the opposition delegation to stay away from his headquarters, saying his team would continue to meet the delegates elsewhere as long as they were still in town. He acknowledged that violence had become "worrisome", particularly around Aleppo, and said he would call on Moscow and Washington to meet urgently if the situation did not improve. The United States also urged Russia to use its influence to make the government stop its attacks immediately. These threatened not only the partial ceasefire but also the talks in Geneva, a U.S. State Department official said. Last month de Mistura convened the first peace talks attended by the warring parties since the conflict began five years ago. He has come further than any envoy so far in getting President Bashar al-Assad's government and its opponents to negotiate, with the United States and Russia sponsoring a partial ceasefire since Feb. 27 to allow the talks to take place. So far all sides have committed to some kind of political transition that would follow the war. But they still differ fundamentally on what that means, including whether it would require Assad to leave power. Assad's opponents say they cannot participate in talks as long as fighting goes on. But they are also under strong pressure not to quit altogether. "If they walk away, they will be held responsible and it will be difficult to return soon," a Western diplomat said. De Mistura said the opposition delegation had told him it would "postpone" its "formal participation" in negotiations at the U.N.'s headquarters, known as the Palais. "It is one way for them to display their displeasure and concern for what they perceive to be a substantial deterioration of the humanitarian situation and a deterioration of the security environment, particularly in Aleppo," he said. "They told us however their intention to remain in Geneva, in their hotel, and possibly at my own suggestion, to pursue technical discussions with myself and my team." His team would continue to meet all sides "in the Palais or anywhere else", he added, describing the format of proximity talks, in which the sides negotiate in separate rooms, as "very flexible". Both sides were "not yielding a comma" on their political demands, he acknowledged, but said that was normal in a negotiation. He would take stock of progress on Friday. HALF-SOLUTIONS Russia has been backing Syrian government operations around Aleppo under the pretext that it is only targeting Islamic State and the Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of al Qaeda, said a U.S. intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity. The official cited "credible reports" that Russia has been employing air strikes and long-range artillery. "Despite holding back initially, Russian forces now seem to be directly engaging to support Assads violations," said the U.S. intelligence official. The opposition considers government attempts to recapture Aleppo as a violation of the ceasefire. The government says it is trying to capture areas held by Islamist militants who are not covered by the truce. A letter signed by unspecified "armed revolutionary factions" expressed dissatisfaction within the opposition ranks, including towards de Mistura himself: "We follow with great concern and outright rejection the moves of de Mistura, some of which show a total bias towards ... the demands of the regime and its allies." The opposition's coordinator at the Geneva talks, Riad Hijab, also said it was unacceptable for talks to go on if the government and its allies pushed on with sieges and bombing civilian areas. Only three delegates met de Mistura for talks on Monday, instead of the usual 15. One senior Western diplomat said de Mistura needed to reassure the opposition by criticising the government for violating the truce. "He needs to make a public statement putting pressure on the government. Its in his interest to keep the talks alive. He needs to say that the regime isn't listening." NEW BATTLE The Latakia and Hama assaults appeared to be part of a new battle announced by rebel groups early in the day, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said. A Syrian military source confirmed intense fighting in the area. "Today they attacked in the northern Latakia countryside in several areas, in violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement, and also in the northwestern Hama countryside," the military source said. The Observatory reported that in northern Homs province heavy government air strikes killed four people, and said the death toll was expected to rise, with more people wounded. Mohamad al-Shamsi, a doctor in the Homs area, told Reuters there had been at least 10 air raids from early morning on Rastan and nearby Deir Foul and al-Houla. Schools had been evacuated and hospitals shut. Groups including factions fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army and powerful Islamist group Ahrar al-Sham said in their battle announcement they would respond "with force" against any government forces that fired on civilians. They announced the "formation of a joint operations room to begin the battle ... in response to violations by the army". The Geneva talks aim to end a war that has killed more than 250,000 people, created the world's worst refugee crisis, allowed for the rise of the Islamic State group and drawn in regional powers. Russia's intervention in the conflict swayed the war in Assad's favour. (Additional reporting by Tom Perry and John Davison in Beirut, Tom Miles, Marina Depetris, Cecile Mantovani and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Jonathan Landay in Washington; Writing by Philippa Fletcher and Peter Graff; Editing by Angus MacSwan and James Dalgleish)
The human gut is a complex and amazing system, and the more we learn about it, the more amazed we are. It turns out
Smart Classroom

Allowing Technology To Amplify Quality Teaching

In 1913 Thomas Edison declared that motion pictures were going to revolutionize education, estimating that individuals only absorb two percent of the material they read but 100 percent of what they see on film. When television came along in the 1950s many thought it was going to revolutionize education. President Kennedy was so sure about television's power he convinced Congress to authorize $32 million for classroom television programs.

Today school districts are looking to mobile devices and laptops to revolutionize education. Without question these devices have the potential to be effective tools. However, without quality adult supervision they are merely cognitive candy, warns Kentaro Toyama, W.K. Kellogg Associate Professor of Community Information at the University Of Michigan's School of Information. Toyama spent a decade designing technologies for education and witnessed technology implementation strategies that worked and ones that failed. Over the years he's developed the "Law of Amplification," which districts and teachers can follow to ensure their technology works harder and smarter.

Toyama's Law of Amplification states that teachers who are motivated and committed to education and have sufficient time to learn about technology and integrate it into their lessons will positively exploit technology. The technology amplifies their positive pedagogical qualities. On the other hand, teachers who are unmotivated or those who are motivated but are not trained on the integration of technology or not supported by their administration will have little success using technology in their classrooms.

"The defining factor about whether technology is used well in the classroom or not is the degree to which the teachers are committed and prepared to use the technology," said Toyama, who details his law in Geek Heresy: Rescuing Social Change from the Cult of Technology (PublicAffairs).

Beware Those Blingy Rewards

Providing mobile devices to students without quality adult supervision is like giving dessert to children before they have had their dinner, said Toyama. The cognitive candy effectively kills the students' appetite for truly nutritious education. To prevent this from happening school districts must be careful and vigilant with their spectra and use of technology in the classroom.

As technology advances students expect just the blingy rewards without putting forth the cognitive work, said Toyama. This is exactly the opposite of what districts and their educators should be doing. Instead teachers should be offering the blingy rewards sparingly to develop an intrinsic motivation to learn rather than motivating students extrinsically.

Toyama is not the only technology "heretic" out there. In fact, while many poor school districts are doing everything possible to get more technology into their schools, wealthy, well-educated parents are asking the districts that educate their children to pare down the technology and provide more adult guidance. Lakeside School, a private high school in Seattle whose students are the scions of the Pacific Northwest elite and that boasts Bill Gates among its alumni, has no dearth of technology. But what the parents of Lakeside students are really paying for is the extra adult guidance that is so important in a student's education. Lakeside has a 9:1 student to teacher ratio.

Similarly many tech company executives in Silicon Valley send their children to Waldorf Schools, where technology is banned up to the eighth grade. "What this tells you is that the people who are at the center of the technology industry and who have had incredible educations themselves and have high hopes for their children and have the wealth to afford whatever educational system they prefer, are asking for less technology in their children's lives," said Toyama.

Toyama and his ilk are not railing against technology and they're certainly not encouraging districts to ban it. What they're saying is that the success of a district's technology implementation plan is heavily dependent on the adults in charge not the amount of devices in the district. It's quality versus quantity.

Deploying Technology with Positive Results

To assist districts in successfully deploying technology, Toyama has identified three forces that must be present for technology to positively affect education: intention, judgment and self-control. When teachers use technology properly it amplifies these qualities allowing both the qualities and the technology to shine at their brightest, said Toyama. If any of these elements is missing technology is misused and becomes a distraction rather than a positive tool.

Good intention, which is typically apparent in an educational context, provides that both the teacher and the student are focused on learning specifically for the child's benefit. Good judgment, however, is a quality that is far more difficult to measure or breakdown.

"It often means that in the case of teachers they are making both short-term, moment-by-moment decisions and longer-term decisions about how to structure a curriculum that is in the best interest of the students they are teaching," said Toyama.

Sometimes good judgment means not using technology even when the lesson is about technology. "In many circumstances in which I have taught computer literacy skills to very young children, I found that having them close the laptops at their desk is an essential part of teaching them about the laptops themselves," said Toyama.

Self-control, the third force, is the ability for a teacher to follow through on intentions. Teachers may place a limit on computer time in the classroom, for example, but drift over that limit for any number of reasons. Technology will only be effective in the classroom if the teacher has the discipline and self-control to make a concerted effort to shut down the mobile device. "All three of these components are necessary not just at the (teacher level) but at the school level," said Toyama.

The Three Habits of Highly Effective Technology

The best use of technology solutions in education is selective and targeted, according to Toyama. To ensure districts get the most out of their technology dollars, he created three rules that guarantee that a district's technology amplifies the positive qualities of the teacher using the technology.

The first rule states that since technology amplifies underlying human forces, it is important that the stakeholders identify those positive human forces. These forces include the schools that are excelling and the teachers within those schools who are the best at what they do. Once identified these star teachers should be supplied with an abundance of the latest technology. "These are the candidates where the addition of technology is likely to help," said Toyama. Money spent on technology for ineffective teachers is merely wasted.
By Philip Blenkinsop and Sue-Lin Wong

BRUSSELS/BEIJING (Reuters) - Under pressure to curb steel output and relieve a global glut, China said on Tuesday its production actually hit a record high last month as rising prices, and profits, encouraged mills that had been shut or suspended to resume production.

The China Iron & Steel Association (CISA) said March steel production hit 70.65 million tonnes, amounting to 834 million tonnes on an annualised basis. Traders and analysts predicted more increases in April and May.

The data comes as major steel producing countries failed to agree measures to tackle an industry crisis, with differing views over the causes of overcapacity. A meeting of ministers and trade officials from over 30 countries, hosted by Belgium and the OECD on Monday, concluded only that overcapacity had to be dealt with in a swift and structural way.

Washington pointed the finger at China, saying Beijing needed to cut overcapacity or face possible trade action from other countries.

"Unless China starts to take timely and concrete actions to reduce its excess production and capacity ... the fundamental structural problems in the industry will remain and affected governments - including the United States - will have no alternatives other than trade action to avoid harm to their domestic industries and workers," U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in a statement.

Asked what steps the Chinese government would take following the unsuccessful talks, Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang told reporters on Tuesday: "China has already done more than enough. What more do you want us to do?"

"Steel is the food of industry, the food of economic development. At present, the major problem is that countries that need food have a poor appetite so it looks like there's too much food."

In a monthly report, the CISA said a recent rally in steel prices in China - up 42 percent so far this year - was unsustainable given the rising production, and it warned that increased protectionism in Southeast Asia and Europe would make steel exports more difficult.

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"The big rise in steel prices has led to a rapid reopening of capacity that had been shut or suspended ... a large rise in output will not be good for the gap between market demand and supply," the CISA said.

The OECD says global steelmaking capacity was 2.37 billion tonnes in 2015, but declining production meant only 67.5 percent of that was being used, down from 70.9 percent in 2014.

Britain in particular has felt the squeeze as its largest producer Tata Steel (TISC.NS) has announced plans to pull out of the country, threatening 15,000 jobs. Last week, more than 40,000 German steel workers took to the streets to protest against dumping from China.

China, the world's top steel producer, has ramped up exports of steel in recent years, as it steers its economy into services-led growth and away from traditional manufacturing, while avoiding mass job losses. China's steel exports jumped 30 percent to 9.98 million tonnes in March from a year ago despite a slew of anti-dumping measures globally.

Blaming China for the global steel industry crisis is simply a lazy excuse for protectionism and will be counter-productive, China's official Xinhua news agency said.

"It's more been their competitive advantage into Asian countries which has really driven that rise in exports," said Daniel Hynes, commodity strategist at ANZ Bank. "I think that will continue and will keep those export levels relatively high despite the pressures we're seeing now."

DEEP DIVISIONS

The deep divisions between China and rival producers were clear at a news conference following Monday's meeting.

Cecelia Malmstrom, the EU's trade commissioner, insisted governments should not grant subsidies that keep unviable plants running and should subject state-controlled firms to the same rules as the private sector.

China's assistant commerce minister, Zhang Ji, said China had cut 90 million tonnes of capacity, with plans to reduce it by a further 100-150 million tonnes. "That is only 10 million tonnes less than the capacity in Europe," he said, although critics say China would still have a capacity of around 1 billion tonnes, far in excess of its needs.

The CISA has previously acknowledged that the flood of Chinese steel product exports is damaging to Beijing's to gain market economy status from the European Union - an important goal as its domestic economy slows.

Tensions have erupted between other producers, too, with Japan leading criticism of Indian minimum prices for imported steel at a recent World Trade Organisation meeting. Japan and South Korea have also come under fire for exporting steel products cheaper than they sell them at home.

In a step to reduce trade frictions with Washington, Beijing agreed to scrap some export subsidies on products including steel, the United States said last week.

On Monday, the United Steelworkers union (USW) said it filed a case with U.S. regulators seeking to stem a "flood" of aluminum imports which it says damage U.S. producers and threatens jobs.

The case is the latest move by the U.S. aluminum industry to prod the authorities to investigate the impact of rising imports, particularly from China.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Sue-Lin Wong, with additional reporting by Eric Beech in WASHINGTON, Melanie Burton in MELBOURNE, Ruby Lian and David Stanway in SHANGHAI, Manolo Serapio Jr in MANILA and Meng Meng in BEIJING; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Ian Geoghegan)
Punch Tavern

Tony Hisgett/Wikipedia

Pub and bar operator Punch Taverns reported a massive drop in profits for the 28 weeks up to 5 March on Wednesday.

First-half profit before tax plunged to 54.7 million ($79 million) from last year's 348.5 million.

Meanwhile revenue for the same period fell from 221.7 million to 212.9 million.

The comparative decline in profits is the result of a significant restructuring of our balance sheet in the previous financial year, as well as the continuing programme of pub sales," said Steve Dando, Chief Financial Officer of Punch.

"But the underlying performance of the business has been positive after robust like-for-like growth in our core estate

Punch Taverns began selling off 158 "non-core" locations last year in order to reduce its net debt, which is now 1.37 billion.

It seems to be having some effect, as average profit per pub grew 3%.

Like-for-like net income from the "core estate" set of pubs grew by 1.6%.

Duncan Garrood, Punch Taverns CEO, defended the figures, saying the profit drops were part of an ongoing strategy to focus on its core venues:

We are already making good progress delivering on the strategy we set out in November 2015. We have launched new operating models, renewed our focus on customer service and delivered improved support to our publicans.

The roll-out of our new Retail contract is progressing well with underlying profit and sales post conversion being ahead of our initial expectations. The combination of our growing cash balances, strong cash flow and limited scheduled amortisation over the next five years puts the Group in a stronger financial position going forward.

Investors didn't seem to mind the news, as the share price rose this morning before settling at 10.07 as of 9:50 am GMT:

Punch Taverns arrow

Tony Hisgett/Wikipedia

Punch Taverns was formed in 1997 and has a nationwide portfolio of around 3,300 pubs according to its website.

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(L-R) Venezuela's Oil Minister and President of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA Eulogio del Pino, Lukoil Chief Executive Officer Vagit Alekperov, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, Head of Russian Union of Industrialists and Enterpreneurs Alexander Shokhin and Bashneft Executive Director Alexander Korsik attend a plenary session of the National Oil and Gas Forum in Moscow, Russia, April 20, 2016. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

By Olesya Astakhova, Denis Pinchuk and Dmitry Zhdannikov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday it was prepared to push oil production to historic highs, just days after a global deal to freeze output levels collapsed and Saudi Arabia threatened to flood markets with more crude.

Venezuela predicted prices could crash in the next few weeks if producers failed to resume dialogue and urged that non-OPEC participants be observers at a June OPEC meeting, as the specter of oversupply loomed once more.

OPEC member Venezuela and top non-OPEC producer Russia had been the main proponents of the output freeze deal, in the making since February, until it collapsed on Sunday in Doha after Riyadh said it would not sign unless Iran took part.

The deal had been meant to help the market rebalance by removing a large chunk of oversupply and a stockpile glut.

But Saudi Arabia said it could jack up output instead - by as much as 2 million barrels a day to over 12 million, which would allow it to overtake Russia as the world's largest producer.

"They (Saudis) have the ability to raise output significantly. But so do we," Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told journalists on the sidelines of an international energy conference in Moscow.

He said Russia was "in theory" able to raise production to 12 million or even 13 million bpd from current record levels of close to 11 million bpd.

Russian oil output has repeatedly surprised on the upside over the past decade, rising from as low as 6 million bpd at the turn of the millennium. Oil experts have repeatedly predicted an unavoidable decline but it has yet to happen.

Oil prices crashed to below $30 per barrel in January from as high as $115 in mid-2014 after Saudi Arabia decided to raise output to drive higher-cost producers such as the United States out of the market.

The kingdom, OPEC's de facto leader and the world's top exporter, has been pumping unprecedented volumes above 10 million bpd for a year.

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Saudi Arabia says it has enough spare capacity to push output to more than 12 million bpd. It has never tested such levels, however, hence the market has little insight about its ability to do so.

"Of course they (Saudis) can increase output. They have been steeply raising drilling volumes recently," said Lukoil Chief Executive Vagit Alekperov, whose firm has been drilling for gas in Saudi Arabia.

Adding to the glut, Iran said it was determined to raise output to regain market share after the lifting of Western sanctions on the Islamic Republic in January.

NEW PRICE CRASH

Alekperov said Russia's government needed to approve new legislation to ease the tax burden on mature fields in Western Siberia and encourage exploration of other regions, otherwise raising production would be impossible.

"Our industry is at a very mature stage of development. We haven't launched a single new oil province since the end of the Soviet Union except for Northern Caspian," Alekperov told a panel with Novak.

Saudi Arabia has one of the lowest costs of oil extraction and its oil minister, Ali al-Naimi, has long argued that Russian output would soon fall because of ageing fields.

Alekperov said he believed oil prices had bottomed and should hover at around $50 a barrel this year, rising from 2017, because of a looming deficit as investment in crude production had fallen too steeply and too fast.

But Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino said prices could crash and that discussions needed to restart.

The country's proposal "for now" is that non-OPEC producers who participated in the Doha meeting attend a June OPEC meeting as observers.

"And we can renew discussions," Del Pino told Reuters. "I anticipate that, without a deal, prices from now to OPEC will drop and it's not the same to sit down at the table with Brent at $43 per barrel as it is when it's below $30.

"We are close to 90 percent of inventory levels already. ... We could see a steep fall in oil prices in the next few weeks," Del Pino told the same panel with Novak.

With global supply still exceeding demand by 1.5 million to 2 million bpd, producers in and outside the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have no other option but to resume dialogue, Del Pino said.

Novak said he was unsure whether OPEC could reach a consensus before its next meeting in about six weeks' time. "This is a hard task which the countries undertook - to agree by June".

(Additional reporting by Alexandra Ulmer in Caracas; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson and Peter Cooney)
* Statoil (LSE: 0M2Z.L - news) sees tickup in Norwegian exploration

* Exploration activity dropped this year due oil price slump

* Says new acreage in the Arctic will drive the increase

By Stine Jacobsen

HAMMERFEST, Norway, April 20 (Reuters) - Oil firm Statoil (Hamburg: 1245893.HM - news) is looking to a rebound in exploration activity offshore Norway in the next few years with a focus on the Arctic, having curbed activity due to the oil price slump, the firm's exploration chief for Norway told Reuters.

Exploration activity in the coming years is crucial to secure Statoil's future production in its home base, which faces a decline from current levels after 2025 if mature fields are not replaced by new resources. It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) can take up to 15 years from discovery to a field to come on stream.

Asked whether a drop in exploration levels in Norway this year would be permanent, Jez Averty, Statoil's head of exploration for Britain and Norway said: "We believe that it is lower (this year) than in the years to come."

"We're looking to the 23rd round to trigger an uptick in activity for us," he said on the sidelines of an oil conference.

The so-called 23rd round is an Arctic-focused oil licensing round, set to open unexplored acreage in the Barents Sea in the Arctic, closer to the country's border with Russia. The awards are expected to be announced before July.

"This gives us the opportunity to chase larger discoveries, all be it at a higher geological risk," Averty said, adding that such discoveries were absolutely necessary if Statoil is to preserve production at today's levels until 2030.

Around half of the undiscovered resources offshore Norway lie in the Barents Sea. But a 62 percent drop in crude prices since mid-2014 has put a break on activities in the Arctic, where it is more costly to develop projects, mainly due to the lack of infrastructure.

"We have struggled to commercialize the discoveries that have been made (in the Barents Sea)," Averty said.

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On Tuesday Statoil presented a new set of technologies tailored for the Barents Sea, known as Cap-X, designed to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of subsea developments.

"One of the accusations that has been used against opening up the Barents recently is that it will never be economic. This (Cap-X) is very important in ensuring that it can be economic," Averty said.

However, not everyone sees the same possibilities as Statoil. Shell (LSE: RDSB.L - news) withdrew its application from the 23rd licensing round earlier this month, while other majors such as ExxonMobil, Eni (LSE: 0N9S.L - news) and Total (Euronext: FP.NX - news) did not apply, partly because they are searching for larger discoveries in other parts of the world.

"We have to bet on the business opportunities which give quicker revenues than a discovery in the Barents Sea," Shell's head of activities in Norway told the conference on Tuesday. . (Editing by David Evans)
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz delivered a complete drubbing to frontrunner Donald J. Trump in the Republican primary election in Wisconsin last night. With 99 percent of the vote counted, Cruz beat Trump 48 to 35, with Ohio Gov. John Kasich taking just 14 percent.

The result means that Cruz will come away with at least 36 delegates, and Trump with as few as three. (One Congressional districts three delegates are still in play.) Trump reacted to the loss like a preschooler unhappy about losing a game of Chutes and Ladders.

Related: Heres the Problem with Trumps Plan to Pay for the Border Wall

Rather than address his supporters, as candidates traditionally do after an election  even a losing one  Trump, through his campaign, issued a petulant statement accusing Cruz of violating election law, and serving as a puppet for the Republican establishment (despite the well-documented fact that Cruz is about the only person members of the Republican establishment actually dislike more than Donald Trump).

The Trump statement was delivered in a single, long paragraph, complete with dubious grammar and punctuation, as though dictated by an angry billionaire anxious to board his private jet and finally escape the Midwest for the friendlier confines of the East Coast:

Donald J. Trump withstood the onslaught of the establishment yet again. Lyin Ted Cruz had the Governor of Wisconsin, many conservative talk radio show hosts, and the entire party apparatus behind him. Not only was he propelled by the anti-trump Super PACs spending countless millions of dollars on false advertising against Mr. Trump, but he was coordinating with his own Super PACs (which is illegal) who totally control him. Ted Cruz is worse than a puppet--- he is a Trojan horse being used by the party bosses attempting to steal the nomination from Mr. Trump. We have total confidence that Mr. Trump will go on to win in New York, where he holds a substantial lead in all the polls, and beyond. Mr. Trump is the only candidate who can secure the delegates needed to win the Republican nomination and ultimately defeat Hillary Clinton or whomever is the Democratic nominee, in order to Make America Great Again.

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Related: Would Trump Put the Deep South in Play? A New Poll Suggests Yes

To be clear, there is no evidence that Cruz violated the law in any way. But there is solid evidence to suggest that this will be Trumps modus operandi going forward whenever he hits a speed bump on the way to the Republican nominating convention in July.

While the results in the Badger state dont change the fact that Trump remains the frontrunner and the most likely nominee, his failure in Wisconsin makes it very difficult for him to cement that status on the basis of primary voting alone. He will almost certainly come into the convention in Cleveland with the most votes of any of the three remaining candidates, but it now looks doubtful that he will secure the 1,237 he would need for a first-ballot nomination.

Related: GOP Accused of Stealing Delegates to Dump Trump

A contested convention is the nightmare scenario for Trump, where his small and loosely organized campaign will run up against a well-oiled Cruz operation that is already peeling delegates away from the billionaire in backroom wrangling.

The Donald has spent the last eight months preparing his defense against Cruz in a convention battle by cultivating a sense of victimhood in his supporters, alleging the existence of a conspiracy of the Republican establishment to snatch the nomination away through trickery.

With Trump himself predicting riots if he is not nominated in July, and a prominent Trump surrogate actively inciting them, his decision to amplify that message in his statement last night is a clear signal of where this contest is heading.

Trump has long since decided that he is entitled to the GOP nomination and will go straight to scorched earth tactics if it looks as though hell be deprived of it. Baseless claims of election law violations are just the start.

This article was updated on April 6, 2016 at 8:15 am.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
By Emily Flitter and Luciana Lopez NEW YORK (Reuters) - Front-runner Donald Trump showed signs of tightening his grip on the Republican U.S. presidential nomination on Wednesday when chief rival Ted Cruz acknowledged his own only hope of wresting control is a contested convention. Trump delivered a crushing defeat of Cruz in Tuesday's New York Republican nominating contest while Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton broke rival Bernie Sanders' string of state victories with a definitive win of her own. Rebounding from a defeat in Wisconsin two weeks ago, Trump set himself up for another big night on April 26, when the Northeast U.S. states of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Maryland hold primaries. "Ted Cruz is mathematically out of winning the race," Trump tweeted on Wednesday. "Now all he can do is be a spoiler, never a nice thing to do. I will beat Hillary!" Trump, 69, predicted some "amazing weeks" ahead for his campaign. Cruz, at a news conference on the sidelines of a Republican National Committee meeting in Hollywood, Florida, said neither he nor Trump will amass the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination without a contested convention in Cleveland starting on July 18. What is clear today is that we are headed towards a contested convention. Nobody is able to reach 1,237. Im not going to reach 1,237, and Donald Trump is not going to reach 1,237, said Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas. New York boosted Trump's delegate tally to 845, while Cruz has 559 and Kasich 147, according to the Associated Press. Next Tuesday's contests offer 172 delegates for Republicans. CLINTON LEADS TRUMP -POLL If Trump, a New York billionaire, and Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state, go on to secure their respective parties' nominations, a Reuters/Ipsos national opinion poll shows Clinton with a sizeable lead if the Nov. 8 election were held today. In the latest poll of likely general election voters, 45 percent said they would support Clinton while 35 percent would support Trump if the two were running against each other. The April 15-19 poll surveyed 1,334 people and had a credibility interval of 3.1 percentage points. A former reality TV star, Trump has adopted a more measured tone in recent days and appears to be trying to heal wounds inflicted by a campaign that has alarmed many in the Republican establishment. He sent campaign advisers to the party meeting in Florida that began on Wednesday. "There's only two issues left for Republicans: Will Trump get 50 percent of the delegates prior to Cleveland, and if not, how close will he be? New York gives him a nice boost, but it will take weeks before we know the answer," said Ari Fleischer, who was White House spokesman under President George W. Bush. Cruz, 45, came in third in New York. Ohio Governor John Kasich, 63, a long-shot candidate, sought to use his second-place showing in New York as proof he is emerging as Trump's central challenger. Trump won at least 89 delegates in New York, while Kasich got at least three, according to the AP. Cruz did not win any, prompting Trump adviser Sarah Huckabee Sanders to urge him on CNN on Wednesday to "get out of the way" once the math of delegate counts makes it impossible for him to prevail. CLINTON BEATS SANDERS The win by Clinton, 68, makes it nearly impossible for Sanders, 74, to overtake her commanding lead in delegates needed to secure the nomination. Clinton clinched at least 175 out of 291 New York delegates, while Sanders won at least 106, according to the AP. A U.S. senator from Vermont, Sanders has vowed to fight until the Democrats nominating convention in Philadelphia starting on July 25. Democratic strategist Jim Manley said Clinton has the delicate task of trying to attract Sanders supporters drawn to his leftist campaign promises, while switching focus to the task of beating the eventual Republican nominee. She runs a risk. If she goes too far to the left shes going to upset independents and others that shes going to need in the general, Manley said. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Hollywood, Florida and Alana Wise, Megan Casella, Doina Chiacu in Washington; Chris Kahn and Jonathan Allen in New York and Emily Stephenson in Philadelphia; Writing by Doina Chiacu and Jeff Mason; Editing by Frances Kerry and Howard Goller)
By Anthony Boadle and Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff vowed on Monday to fight impeachment tooth-and-nail in the Senate after a heavy defeat in the lower house of Congress raised the likelihood of an end to 13 years of leftist rule in Latin America's largest economy. In a raucous vote late on Sunday that sparked jubilation among Rousseff's foes, the opposition comfortably surpassed the two-thirds majority needed to send Brazil's first female president for trial in the Senate on charges she manipulated budget accounts. If the Senate votes by a simple majority to accept the case next month, as is expected, Rousseff would become the first Brazilian leader to be impeached for more than 20 years. The crisis has paralysed the government as it struggles to revive the economy from its worst recession in decades. It has also sparked a bitter struggle between Rousseff, a 68-year-old former Communist guerrilla, and her Vice President Michel Temer, 75, who would take power if she is impeached. Addressing the nation on television, a combative Rousseff insisted that she had committed no impeachable crime and accused Temer of openly conspiring to topple her government in what she described as a 'coup'. "While I am very saddened by this, I have the force, the spirit and the courage to fight this whole process to the end," Rousseff told the televised news conference. "This is just the beginning of the battle, which will be long and drawn out." Rousseff stands accused of a budgetary sleight of hand employed by many elected officials in Brazil: delaying payments to state lenders in order to artificially lower the budget deficit to boost her reelection bid in 2014. Nevertheless, opinion polls show more than 60 percent of Brazilians support impeaching Rousseff, less than two years after the leftist leader narrowly won reelection. Her popularity has been crushed by the recession and a vast graft scandal at state oil company Petrobras . A Rousseff aide said the government would focus on clawing back support in the 81-seat Senate, where it lacks the simple majority needed to prevent the case being accepted for trial. Given that it currently has the support of only 31 senators, the aide said the situation looked "very difficult." The government has been looking to Senate Speaker Renan Calheiros, a crucial but fickle ally of Rousseff's, to delay the Senate vote as long as possible to give it time to negotiate. However, Calheiros said on Monday he would remain neutral and would meet with party leaders in the Senate on Tuesday to define the calendar for the process. PARALYSED GOVERNMENT Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators from both sides of the impeachment battle took to the streets across Brazil on Sunday in peaceful protests. Millions watched the vote live on television. The heavy margin of defeat in Sunday's vote shocked many Workers Party insiders, who blamed treachery by allied parties. The final tally was 367 votes cast in favour of impeachment, versus 137 against, and seven abstentions. Two lawmakers did not show up to vote. More than half the lawmakers who decided her fate on Sunday are themselves under investigation for graft, fraud or electoral crimes, according to Congresso em Foco, a prominent watchdog in Brasilia. Claudio Couto, professor of political science at Fundacao Getulio Vargas, said that Sunday's loss dramatically weakened Rousseff's ability to strike political bargains and shore up support for her government. "It is almost impossible the Senate will not take up the impeachment. And with her removal for up to six months, the government's power of persuasion will be dramatically diminished," he said. Senior Workers Party figures have pledged, if necessary, to take their struggle onto the streets, raising concerns that it could seek to destabilise a future Temer government. Despite anger at rising unemployment, the party can still rely on support among millions of working-class Brazilians, who credit its welfare programs with pulling their families out of poverty during the past decade. The U.S. State Department voiced confidence on Monday that Brazil would navigate the political crisis democratically in accordance with the constitution. Brazilian financial markets have rallied strongly this year after a disastrous 2015 on the prospect of a more business-friendly Temer administration. Brazil's Bovespa stock index <.BVSP> shed 0.75 percent on Monday, with traders citing profit taking after it gained more than 20 percent so far in 2016. The real also weakened more than 2 percent to 3.60 per dollar after the central bank intervened to prevent a sharp rise in the currency. Once regarded as an emerging markets powerhouse, Brazil has been hit by the end of a long commodities boom as well as political instability. It lost its coveted investment grade credit rating in December. Fitch, which has a negative outlook on Brazil's 'BB+' sovereign rating, said it would focus on a new leader's attitude to the corruption probe and efforts to stem the steep rise in government debt. (Additional reporting by Alonso Soto, Stephen Eisenhammer and Maaria CarolinLisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia, Guillermo Parra-Bernal in Sao Paulo and Jeb Blount in Rio de Janeiro; Writing by Daniel Flynn, Stephen Eisenhammer and Anthony Boadle; Editing by Kieran Murray, Frances Kerry and Andrew Hay)
At least 28 people have been killed and more than 300 wounded in a Taliban suicide attack on a government security building in Kabul, the Afghan capital's police chief has said.

Heavy gunfire followed the explosion, during rush hour in a residential neighbourhood close to the ministry of defence and military compounds.

A Taliban spokesman said the group carried out the attack, a week after it said it was launching its "spring offensive".

It had warned of "large-scale attacks".

In a statement, President Ashraf Ghani said: "We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Puli Mahmood Khan neighbourhood of Kabul, as a result of which many of our countrymen were martyred and wounded."

The blast sent clouds of acrid smoke billowing into the sky and rattled windows several miles away.

"The first blast was carried out by a suicide bomber in a car and possibly one or two bombers are still resisting," interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said.

"The scene of the attack has been completely cordoned off by Afghan security forces."

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed their fighters had managed to enter the office of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the main Afghan spy agency.

Afghan officials did not confirm that claim but intense gun battles could be heard near the NDS compound.

The Taliban warned it would "employ large-scale attacks on enemy positions across the country" during the offensive dubbed Operation Omari in honour of the movement's late founder Mullah Omar, whose death was announced last year.

The Taliban's resurgence has raised serious questions about whether Afghan forces could hold their own, with an estimated 5,500 troops killed last year, the worst ever toll.

A four-country group comprising Afghanistan, the United States, China and Pakistan has been holding meetings since January aimed at trying to start peace talks, but their efforts have so far been in vain.

On Sunday, the United Nations reported an "appalling" rise in the number of children killed in fighting in Afghanistan.

Between January and March, 161 children were killed and 449 others injured, the UN's mission in Afghanistan said in a new report.
NIAMEY (Reuters) - Authorities in Niger have jailed eight senior civil servants for corruption and fraud after over 1,800 workers in the health sector were hired without proper qualifications, a state prosecutor has said. The arrests appear to signal a heightened campaign by the government of President Mahamadou Issoufou, who said at his inauguration to a second term on April 2 that his main priority was to step the fight against corruption. "Eight officers in the public service and health ministries were charged and jailed for acts of corruption, examination fraud and criminal association," said prosecutor Samna Chaibou, adding that the results of the exams had been annulled. "The facts are extremely serious especially because they concern the health sector. Imagine 1,831 people entering the sector who have zero qualifications," Chaibou said on Tuesday, adding that 14,000 people had applied for the jobs. Civil service jobs are seen as relatively lucrative and stable in Africa, where many people lack formal employment. As a result, competition for entry into government bureaucracy can be intense, which can lead to corruption. Transparency International ranked Niger in 99th place in 2015 in its annual listing of countries according to perceptions of corruption, up from 134th place in 2010. (Reporting by Abdoulaye Massalaki; Writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
By Mohammed Ghobari KUWAIT (Reuters) - Negotiators from Yemen's Houthi group and their allies left the capital Sanaa on Wednesday for delayed U.N-backed peace talks in Kuwait with the Yemeni government after a dispute over a shaky ceasefire was resolved. The talks to end the year-long war were meant to start on Monday but representatives of the Iran-allied Houthi group and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh did not turn up. They accused the Yemeni government and its military allies led by Saudi Arabia of violating a temporary ceasefire, including with air strikes that had killed at least two civilians. They also said the agenda of the Kuwait meeting had been altered without consulting them. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed the talks would begin on Thursday. Talks to end the war that has killed at least 6,200 people and caused a humanitarian crisis, are expected to focus on creating a more inclusive government and restoring state authority over the country, which is now divided between the Houthis and President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's administration. Yemen's government has also accused the Houthis of violating the truce and said on Wednesday it was running out of patience with the other side. "If the session does not begin tomorrow...the delegation would be compelled to leave," it said in a statement published on Yemen's Sabanew agency. The government had given the Houthis "full opportunity" to negotiate and had been patient enough despite continued ceasefire violations and attacks in Yemen, it said. Mahdi al-Mashat, a senior Houthi official, said on Tuesday his group had received assurances that the ceasefire would be upheld and the peace talks agenda would "reflect the issues that are likely to lead to peaceful solutions to end the status quo". The talks' delay prompted U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the five permanent Security Council members to intervene. Sources at Sanaa airport said 14 delegates representing the Houthi's Ansarullah group and Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC), were seen boarding an Omani plane. They were expected to change planes in Muscat before continuing on to Kuwait, where delegates from Hadi's government have been waiting since earlier this week for the talks to start. "We confirm that we will leave for Kuwait, carrying all the worries, wounds, aspirations and hopes of the great Yemeni people," Yahya Duwaid, a representative of Saleh's GPC party, said on the group's website. An official spokesman for the Houthis confirmed on Facebook that representatives for the group were on their way to Kuwait. (Additonal reporting by Louis Charbonneau at the United Nations and Omar Fahmy in Cairo, Writing by Sami Aboudi and Sylvia Westall; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India should relinquish its claim to a huge diamond it has fought for decades to get back from the British, the government told the Supreme Court on Monday, because the stone was given to its former colonial ruler rather than stolen. One of the world's largest diamonds, the 105-carat Koh-i-Noor has been part of the British crown jewels for 150 years and today forms part of the crown worn by the late mother of Queen Elizabeth. The stone has been at the centre of a long-running diplomatic row, with many Indians demanding Britain return the diamond to atone for its colonial past. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Monday told India's Supreme Court that it should forgo its claims to the jewel because it was in fact given to the British as a gift by an Indian King, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in 1851. "It was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away," solicitor general Ranjit Kumar told the Supreme Court during the hearing of a case calling for the stone's return. The Koh-i-Noor, on display in the Tower of London, is set in the crown worn by Queen Elizabeth, the mother of the reigning monarch, at the coronation of her husband George VI in 1937, and placed on her coffin at her funeral in 2002. The Duchess of Cambridge, who last week visited India with her husband, Prince William, will wear the crown on official occasions when she becomes queen consort. William is second in line to the British throne. During a visit to India in 2010, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the diamond would stay in London. "What tends to happen with these questions is that if you say yes to one, then you would suddenly find the British Museum empty," he said. Indian campaigners believe the diamond is one of many artefacts taken from India by the British during colonial rule. "The British rulers looted India and the government is making a mistake by not supporting our claims," said Nafis Ahmad Siddiqui, who petitioned the Supreme Court for the stone's return. (This version of the story corrects crown in which the Koh-i-Noor diamond is set) (Reporting by Suchitra Mohanty, Rupam Jain, Writing by Rupam Jain, Editing by Tommy Wilkes and Nick Macfie)
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's army chief said on Wednesday the forces it had deployed in Syria in the first such operation abroad since the 1979 revolution were volunteers working under Revolutionary Guards supervision, and the regular army was not directly involved. The Islamic Republic announced this month that it had sent commandos from the army's Brigade 65 to Syria as advisers, suggesting it was using its regular army as well as forces from the elite Revolutionary Guards to help President Bashar al-Assad's forces in the country's civil war. Iran is Assad's main regional ally and has provided military and economic support for his conflict with rebel groups and Islamic State militants. "Some volunteers have been sent to Syria, under the supervision of the related organisation, and among them there might be some of the Brigade 65 forces," armed forces chief Ataollah Salehi was quoted by the Tasnim news agency as saying. "The army has no responsibility in the military advice given to Syria," Salehi added. Tasnim reported on April 11, shortly after the announcement of the Brigade 65's deployment, that four Iranian combatants had been killed in Syria. Iran has two armed forces - a regular army serving as a national defence force, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that was created after the revolution to protect the Islamic Republic against both internal and external adversaries. Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Guards' foreign operations, went to Moscow in July last year to help Russia plan its military intervention in Syria and forge an Iranian-Russian alliance to support Assad. Soleimani was in Moscow again last week to further cooperation on Syria, security sources said. Several said Soleimani also wanted to talk about how Russia and Iran could help Damascus take back full control of the city of Aleppo. Iranian personnel sent to help prop up the Syrian army have at times sustained serious losses and Soleimani has been reported to be spending time in Syria to help coordinate operations. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
By Gwladys Fouche and Alister Doyle OSLO (Reuters) - Norway violated mass killer Anders Behring Breivik's human rights by keeping him in a "completely locked world" after being sentenced for killing 77 people in twin attacks in 2011, a court ruled on Wednesday. The ruling, which took many by surprise, found that the killer had been subjected to strip searches, had been woken up hourly by guards for long periods and that the authorities had done little to alleviate the impact of his isolation. A survivor of Breivik's shooting spree said the decision "feels a bit like being punched in the gut" and a newspaper editorial denounced the decision as "wrong". A law professor said it was likely to be appealed. Breivik killed eight people in a bomb attack in Oslo in July 2011 before attacking a youth meeting of the Labour Party on an island to the northwest of the capital, killing 69 people. He took Norwegian authorities to court in March, accusing them of exposing him to inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. Breivik protested his isolation from other inmates and from outsiders who are not professionals. "The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society. This applies no matter what - also in the treatment of terrorists and killers," judge Helen Andenaes Sekulic said in her ruling. The verdict said the Norwegian state had broken Article 3 of the convention, pointing to the fact that Breivik is spending 22 to 23 hours a day alone in his cell. "It's a completely locked world with very little human contact," it said, adding there had been no attempt to ease the security "even though Breivik has behaved in an exemplary manner during his time in prison". His isolation is "an inhuman treatment" in the meaning of the European convention, it said, noting that all his visits, except for his mother who died in 2013, are from professionals, and only through a glass wall. The wall must be seen as a "completely exaggerated security measure," said the verdict. The ruling, however, said the Norwegian state had not violated Breivik's right to a private and family life. It said strict censorship of his letters was "in line with the law". In March, the case raised dismay, and some laughter, among Norwegians taken aback by Breivik's complaints of cold coffee and microwaved meals he said were "worse than waterboarding". Breivik's lawyer said prison authorities must ease the isolation of his client. "He must first and foremost be allowed to be in contact with other people," Oeystein Storrvik told reporters after the verdict. He declined to say what Breivik's reaction was to the ruling. SURPRISE VERDICT Lawyers representing the state said they would consider whether to appeal. "We are surprised by the verdict," said Marius Emberland, one of the two lawyers representing the state. The justice minister, Anders Anundsen, whose ministry was being sued by Breivik, did not say whether the verdict would be appealed. A survivor of the shooting at Utoeya island said the decision was shocking. "I was surprised, and then angry and upset. To be honest, it was like being punched in the gut that the perpetrator won such a public victory," Eskil Pedersen told state broadcaster NRK. The tabloid VG said in an editorial published online on Wednesday the decision was "wrong" as it trivialised the problem of torture in prison. Kjetil Larsen, a professor of law at Oslo University, said the verdict was surprising and likely to be challenged. He said the court felt the security considerations seem to have taken too much over. "I think it is very probably that they (lawyers for the state) will appeal. I think it's unlikely that they will simply accept this," he told Reuters. "I don't think personally the prison conditions (are too strict) in relation to what he did. He killed 77 people," Lisbeth Kristine Roeyneland, head of the support group for the victims of the attacks and their relatives, told NRK. She added she was "surprised" and "a little disappointed" the state had not won on all points. "But I am very happy that the state has won on Article 8 and that he cannot contact other far-right extremists and spread his message." She was referring to the article in the convention about prisoners having the right to a private life, a family life and correspondence. Breivik wants to exchange letters with outsiders, including several far-right extremists. Another Utoeya shooting survivor said the verdict was a sign that Norway has a working court system, respecting human rights even under extreme conditions. "It also means we have to take the ruling seriously and evaluate how we treat prisoners, what abuses they may suffer, and how we avoid abuse," survivor Bjoern Ihler said on Twitter. The state must pay Breivik's legal fees of some 331,000 Norwegian crowns ($40,732.45), the judge ruled. Ahead of the verdict, lawyers for both parties said they would appeal if it did no go in their favour. Breivik's lawyer said his client would not appeal the part of the verdict that ruled against him. (Additional reporting by Ole Petter Skonnord, Terje Solsvik and Stine Jacobsen Editing by Tom Heneghan)
DAKAR (Reuters) - Nearly 40 people were charged in Gambia on Wednesday for arranging a small protest last week that called for free speech and electoral reform, the High Court in the capital Banjul said. At least 50 people were arrested after the demonstration on Thursday in the tiny West African country, according to the United Democratic Party (UDP), the country's main opposition party, in a crackdown that was condemned by the international community. Among those arrested were high-level members of the UDP including party leader Ousainu Darboe. Three people, including a high-level party official named Solo Sandeng, are feared dead, the opposition has said. Fifteen were released on Tuesday, but the rest remain in custody, UDP sources said on Wednesday. The High Court said on Wednesday it had charged 37 people, 18 of whom were accused on five counts: unlawful assembly, rioting, incitement of violence, interfering with vehicles and holding a procession without a permit. Sandeng's name did not appear on the court list. The cases have been adjourned until April 27 and lawyers for the defendants are expected to file for bail on Thursday. The Gambian government has not commented on the arrests. It has also not confirmed the release of any protesters or the reported deaths. Gambian police sources last week confirmed there had been some arrests but gave no number. The demonstrations were a rare act of defiance in Gambia and occurred while President Yahya Jammeh was in Turkey attending a summit of Islamic countries. Jammeh, who seized power in a 1994 coup, is regularly denounced by rights groups and foreign governments for ruthlessly stamping out political dissent in the nation of 2 million people. The former military man, who scrapped term limits from the constitution, is expected to extend his rule in elections due in December. (Reporting by Edward McAllister; Editing by Gareth Jones and Matthew Lewis)
By Robin Emmott BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russia accused the United States on Wednesday of intimidation by sailing a U.S. naval destroyer close to Russia's border in the Baltics and warned that the Russian military would respond with "all necessary measures" to any future incidents. Speaking after a meeting between NATO envoys and Russia, their first in almost two years, Moscow's ambassador to NATO said the April 11 maritime incident showed there could be no improvement in ties until the U.S.-led alliance withdrew from Russia's borders. "This is about attempts to exercise military pressure on Russia," the envoy, Alexander Grushko, said. "We will take all necessary measures, precautions, to compensate for these attempts to use military force," he told reporters. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute pressed Russia about the incident, warning it had been dangerous. The United States has said the guided missile destroyer USS Cook was on routine business near Poland when it was harassed by Russian jets. "We were in international waters," a NATO diplomat reported Lute as telling Grushko during the NATO-Russia council meeting. Despite what officials said was a calm and professional meeting, the public comments highlighted the state of tension that persists between the sides since Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 and its support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the NATO member states had, during the meeting, rejected Grushko's account of the crisis in eastern Ukraine, where 9,000 people have died since April 2014. Stoltenberg said while there were "profound disagreements" over how to handle Europe's security, each side urgently needed to talk more and to use existing rules to reduce military risk. Stoltenberg suggested revamping a Cold War-era treaty known as the Vienna document, which sets out the rules for large-scale exercises and other military activity, as well as telephone hotlines and other military communication channels. "We have to use our lines of communication," he said. Russia's chief concern is NATO's biggest modernisation since the Cold War, which is likely to include a military build-up in eastern Europe with a rotating, multinational force in Poland and the Baltics. NATO says the plans are a proportionate response to Russian aggression following Moscow's annexation of Crimea, and the alliance had no forces in eastern Europe before the Ukraine crisis. Poland and other NATO members in the Baltics worry about an increase in the Russian military presence in its Kaliningrad enclave, where Russia is positioning longer-range surface-to-air missiles. NO AGREEMENT ON UKRAINE The session of the NATO-Russia Council, which last met in June 2014, had been called in part to assuage Russia's concerns that it feels threatened by NATO. But core differences clearly remained afterwards. NATO envoys had expressed concern about Russia's so-called snap exercises, where thousands of Russian troops carry out war games without any prior warning. "That is clearly destabilising," a NATO diplomat said. Stoltenberg said NATO members had rejected Grushko's description of the crisis in eastern Ukraine as a civil war. "In the meeting, it was re-confirmed that we disagree on the facts, on the narrative and the responsibilities in and around Ukraine," Stoltenberg said after the meeting. "Many allies disagree when Russia tries to portray this as a civil war. This is Russia destabilising eastern Ukraine, providing support for the separatists, munitions, funding, equipment and also command and control," he said. "So there were profound disagreements," he said. Russia denies any direct involvement in eastern Ukraine. (Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
MANAGUA (Reuters) - Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is favourite to win a third consecutive term in November elections, which could put him in office until 2020, according to a poll published on Wednesday. Ortega's leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) was more than 40 points ahead of its rivals with 50.2 percent of votes, compared to just 5.9 percent for the entire opposition, according to the survey by M&R Consultores. The remaining 43.9 percent of Nicaraguans polled said they were independent, undecided or chose not to respond. The poll of 1,700 people was conducted between March 30 and April 11 and had a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points. Divisions among the opposition and their attacks on each other have contributed to voters' disenchantment with alternatives to the ruling party, Raul Obregon, head of the polling firm, told a news conference. The parties opposing Ortega come mostly from the right, such as the Constitutionalist Liberal Party (PLC) and the Independent Liberal Party (PLI). Neither has yet announced its candidate. Ortega, a 70-year-old former guerrilla leader, first ruled the country in the 1980s and returned to power in 2006 after a fracture in Nicaragua's right-wing parties. (Reporting by Ivan Castro; Writing by Christine Murray and Anna Yukhananov; Editing by Sandra Maler)
By Emily Flitter and Daniel Trotta NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republican front-runner Donald Trump on Thursday talked up "New York values" and urged his home state voters to give him a big win next week, but his rivals warned nominating Trump could lead to disastrous losses to the Democrats in the Nov. 8 election. The New York billionaire is in danger of being forced to try to capture the Republican presidential nomination through a contested convention because opposition from rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich is chipping away at his lead. As protesters chanted outside and waved signs against Trump, Trump told the New York state Republican Party's gala that he needs the momentum that a victory in the state's primary would bring next Tuesday. "New York is so important," Trump said, trying to regain the momentum he lost after Cruz defeated him in Wisconsin last week and captured all of Colorado's delegates. Trump identified himself with "New York values" of hard work and compassion after Cruz charged Trump's version of these values are basically Democratic positions. Whether Trump can win the 1,237 delegates he needs for the nomination is an open question as both Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas, and Ohio Governor Kasich, try to block him from getting enough delegates. They want to extend the fight to a contested convention in Cleveland when Republicans gather to formally choose their nominee in July. In his speech to the group, Kasich tried to raise questions about Trump without mentioning his name. He said Republican candidates across the country would be at risk with a candidate with a negative message at the top of the ballot. Trump has drawn many protests for policy positions that include building a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico, deporting 11 million illegal immigrants and banning Muslims temporarily from entering the United States. "We risk losing everything from the White House to the courthouse to the state house if we don't advance a positive, uplifting, unifying message to this country. That is what we need to do," said Kasich, who spoke after Trump. Cruz, speaking after Kasich, continued the theme, pointing to polls showing Trump losing badly to Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and getting far less support from women and minority voters. Cruz presented himself as a unity candidate who can bring the various wings of the party together. "If we nominate a candidate who loses to Hillary Clinton by double digits, who loses to women by 20 points, who loses Hispanics by 40 points, who loses young people, we cannot win in the general (election)," said Cruz. Before the event started in the Grand Hyatt hotel near Grand Central Station, a group of protesters stormed the hotel mezzanine with a banner that read: NYC Rejects the Party of Hate. Eleven of them were reported arrested. Outside the hotel, many anti-Trump demonstrators called the New York billionaire businessman a fascist or white supremacist. They even teased him about his signature hairdo. "We Shall Over Comb," read one sign. Others said: "Deport Trump," "No allegiance for Trump," and "Black lives matter." A series of speakers addressed the protest crowd with a loudspeaker. Police set up portable barriers to keep protesters separated from traffic and allow pedestrians to pass on busy 42nd Street. "Although Trump is from here, there is no place for him here," said one of the speakers, Nabil Hassein, 27, of the group Millions March NYC. Kasich scored a victory with the endorsement of former New York Governor George Pataki, an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for the Nov. 8 election.The Trump campaign got some good news when a Florida prosecutor announced that Trump's campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, would not be prosecuted on a misdemeanor battery charge involving a reporter he was accused of grabbing at an event last month. (Additional reporting by Susan Cornwell in Washington; Writing by Steve Holland; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Peter Cooney)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia needs economic reforms but should not rush them through, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday, balancing reassuring words for business with promises to ease the economic pain for ordinary people. Many economists and investors argue that Russia's economy, now in its second year of recession, badly needs reforms to improve its business climate, reduce its dependence on volatile commodity prices and improve over-stretched government finances. That may require potentially unpopular measures, such as cutbacks in spending on pensions and the defence industry, which the Kremlin has been reluctant to implement. In an annual address to parliament summing up the work of the government, Medvedev repeated previous promises to pursue reforms. But in a sign of the political difficulty of implementing painful changes, he said they should not be too fast. "Yes, the country needs deep structural reforms. The government understands this well," he said. "But it also understands how this is now being reflected in the social sphere. Any forced transformations would strengthen and lengthen the crisis phenomena for several years." "We will not conduct reforms at the expense of people," Dmitry Medvedev said to rapturous applause. His caution highlights the government's worries about the political consequences of widespread economic hardships, a few months before parliamentary elections in September that will test the popularity of the pro-government United Russia party. Although still the most popular party - helped by still high support for President Vladimir Putin - United Russia's support is declining and has fallen below 50 percent, according to weekly polls by the Public Opinion Foundation polling centre. In another sign of the government's nervousness ahead of the election, Medvedev said there were no plans to revise this year's budget in the spring. Government officials have previously said the budget would need to be revised to reflect lower-than-expected oil prices. Russian media have reported that the amendments will be delayed until after the elections. Medvedev also emphasised Russia's economic resilience in the face of tough conditions including low international oil prices, Western sanctions and unstable global markets, as well as structural economic problems at home. "Our economy is adapting to new conditions," Medevdev said. "Two years ago it was fundamentally different, both in terms of structure and costs. Diversification of the economy is happening." "We have in effect begun the creation of the prototype of the Russian economy of the next decade." (Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya and Yelena Fabrichnaya; Writing by Jason Bush; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Singapore on Wednesday blasted widespread calls to make the worldwide fight against illicit drugs less punitive, using a major meeting at the United Nations to argue that a "soft approach" would cause a flood of narcotics to the island state. Singapore is well-known for punishing drug-related offences with harsh penalties including death. In contrast, European delegates railed against the idea of executing people for drug infractions. "We believe that drugs will destroy our society," said Singapore Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam. "With 200 million people travelling through our borders every year, and given Singaporeans' purchasing power, a soft approach will mean our country will be washed over with drugs." Shanmugam was addressing a special three-day session of the 193-nation General Assembly called by Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico to discuss the global war on drugs, which Latin American countries say has failed. It is the first major U.N. review of the issue since 1998. No major decisions are expected this week. But many delegates hope to nudge the world a few steps closer to an anti-drug strategy that stresses human rights and public health rather than repression. Latin American and European delegates said Singapore, China, Thailand, Iran and Russia were among the strongest opponents of the trend towards decriminalizing illegal substances like marijuana. One senior European diplomat said a shrinking minority of countries supported a continued hard line. After Shanmugam left the U.N. podium, Danish Health Minister Sophie Lohde blasted the idea of executing people for drug offences and complained that a declaration adopted by the assembly on Monday did not explicitly call for an end to capital punishment in such cases. "The government of Denmark deeply regrets that the outcome document does not address the abolition of the death penalty for drug-related crimes," she said. "Denmark is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances." Lohde's attack on capital punishment received a burst of applause and was echoed by other European delegates. On Monday, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto told the U.N. gathering his country would soon legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Shanmugam insisted that Singapore's tough approach has yielded positive results, and dismissed claims by Latin American and European delegates that scientific evidence showed the futility of harsh drug policies. "Singapore is relatively drug-free, and the drug situation is under control," he said. "There are no drug havens, no no-go zones, no drug production centres, no needle exchange programs." He added that in the 1990s Singapore arrested more than 6,000 drug users per year, a figure that has dropped to around 3,000 annually. Some 80 percent of Singapore's prisoners are incarcerated for drug-related offences. (Reporting by Louis Charbonneau; Editing by David Gregorio)
By Sarah White MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's caretaker government on Tuesday said it aimed to cut the public deficit this year and next at a slower pace than originally agreed with Brussels, after a wide miss on 2015 targets left it scrambling to plug a budget gap. Madrid wants to whittle down the deficit to 3.6 percent of economic output in 2016 from a previous target of 2.8 percent, which would have met the 3 percent threshold recommended by the European Commission. It projects that goal will now only be reached in 2017, with a deficit at 2.9 percent of gross domestic product instead of the 1.4 percent previously forecast. The acting centre-right government - in place since an inconclusive national election in December left parties short of a majority and unable to agree on a coalition - said sticking to the original targets could hurt an economic recovery. "It would have required a very significant budget adjustment," acting Economy Minister Luis de Guindos told parliament. He confirmed Spain was lowering its annual growth forecasts for 2016 to 2.7 percent from 3 percent previously, and citing a slowdown in the world economy. "The new budget plan is in line with the situation we had at the end of 2015 and will allow us to reduce the deficit without putting the pace of growth at risk," he said. In spite of spending cuts by the previous People's Party (PP) administration and a rebound over the past two years after a prolonged recession, Spain has struggled to bring its public deficit in line with Brussels' demands. Tax cuts brought in months before the December election partly contributed to a wide deficit miss last year. Spanish regions, which manage their own budgets in areas such as education and healthcare, also overspent, driving the deficit to 5 percent of gross domestic product rather than the 4.2 percent target agreed with the European Commission. In a joint statement with the European Central Bank, the Commission warned on Tuesday that Spain's efforts to cut the deficit, one of the highest in the euro zone, had dwindled. "The needed progress on fiscal consolidation has come to a halt, with part of the structural adjustment implemented in earlier years being reversed," they said. Further reforms were needed to rebalance the economy, they added, in a country still suffering from one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, at 20 percent of the workforce. The political stalemate has stifled momentum for further structural changes this year, however, and the prospect of fresh elections at the end of June if parties cannot agree on a government this month would suppose more delays. Brussels has yet to formally sign off on the new deficit goals envisaged by Madrid. Spain's acting government has also tweaked forecasts for its public debt to GDP ratios, elevating the 2016 target to 99.1 percent of output from 98.5 percent previously, and the 2017 goal to 99.0 percent from 96.5 percent. (Addtional reporting by Paul Day and Robert Hetz in Madrid and John O'Donnell in Frankfurt; Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
By Orhan Coskun and Tulay Karadeniz ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey may call on the U.S.-led coalition to take stronger action in its fight against Islamic State along its border with Syria, Turkish officials said on Tuesday, as the border town of Kilis came under rocket fire for a second straight day. Turkish forces returned fire into an Islamic State-controlled region of Syria after three rockets hit Kilis, a security official said. No one was killed. Mayor Hasan Kara told Reuters that three people were lightly wounded in the attack, one of them a Syrian national. On Monday four people were killed when five rockets landed in the town, including one that hit a teachers' dormitory. As part of the U.S.-led coalition, NATO member Turkey is fighting Islamic State in both Syria and Iraq. Separately on Tuesday, Turkish armed forces retaliated after a Turkish tank was hit by an Islamic State missile at the Bashiqa military camp in northern Iraq, where Turkish soldiers are training local forces to fight the insurgents. CNN Turk said 32 Islamic State militants were killed. Kilis has been hit by repeated rocket fire in recent weeks. The army has usually responded with artillery fire into Syria. Last week more than 20 people were wounded in three straight days of rocket salvoes towards the town, where an estimated 110,000 Syrian refugees are housed. "The terrorists, who staged the attacks, are mobile. They come to the border with motorcycles and fire rockets from there. It is not easy to hit moving targets," one senior security official said. "The coalition is called in and they hit those targets from time to time. From now on, the coalition could be asked to hit those moving targets preemptively, this is something we are thinking about." Part of the problem for Turkey is the sheer difficulty of using artillery against mobile opponents, an army official said. "It is extremely hard to hit moving targets with a howitzer," the official said. Since January, the military has hit 146 Islamic State targets across the border from Kilis, the Turkish defence minister said last week, with an estimated 362 militants killed and 123 wounded. "From now on, we want to destroy them preemptively, without waiting for the rules of engagement," a senior government official said. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, together with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Donald Tusk, is expected to visit the southeastern Turkish province of Gaziantep this weekend, which is also near the Syrian border. They are not expected to visit Kilis, the senior government official said. (Additional reporting by Seyhmus Cakan in Diyarbakir and Akin Aytekin in Istanbul; Writing by David Dolan and Seda Sezer; Editing by Nick Tattersall and Raissa Kasolowsky)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and seven other countries called on Tuesday for urgent action to address global steel overcapacity, a day after China and other major steel producing countries failed to agree on measures to tackle an industry crisis.

Representatives of the United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Switzerland and Turkey agreed that urgent steel industry restructuring was imperative, and must be market driven, according to a joint statement released by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

They also agreed that their governments should not provide subsidies or other support that sustain loss-making steel plants or encourage additional capacity.

In a separate statement, U.S. officials said they would continue to lobby for action on steel with trade partners.

"It is our shared goal that other economies, including China, will come to recognize the value of these actions and will join our collective effort to address the causes of the current excess capacity problem," Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in a separate statement.

"The United States will continue to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with trading partners, including China, to take meaningful action to meet that goal."

A meeting of ministers and trade officials from over 30 countries, hosted by Belgium and the OECD on Monday, concluded only that overcapacity had to be dealt with in a swift and structural way.

Washington pointed the finger at China for the talks failure, saying Beijing needed to cut overcapacity or face possible trade action from other countries.

But Chinese officials said it was already taking sufficient steps to curb capacity, while state news said blaming China for the global steel industry crisis was a lazy excuse for protectionism that would be counter-productive.

"It is the slow recovery of the world economy that causes sluggish demand for steel products, which further leads to the overcapacity issue in the steel sector," Zhang Ji, assistant minister at China's Ministry of Commerce, told state-run Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday.

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The Chinese government has taken the most concrete measures and is paying enormous price to cut overcapacity, said Zhang.

Beijing is also aiming to boost domestic steel demand from major consumers including the automobile and machinery sectors and drive the use of high-value added steel structures in infrastructure, Zhang said.

China, the world's top steel producer and exporter, is also the fifth-largest importer of steel, buying an equivalent of 13.57 million tonnes of crude steel last year.

China's steel production hit a record high last month as rising prices, and profits, encouraged mills that had been shut or suspended to resume production.

The OECD says global steelmaking capacity was 2.37 billion tonnes in 2015, but declining production meant only 67.5 percent of that was being used, down from 70.9 percent in 2014.

Britain in particular has felt the squeeze as its largest producer Tata Steel has announced plans to pull out of the country, threatening 15,000 jobs. Last week, more than 40,000 German steel workers took to the streets to protest against dumping from China.

(Reporting by Eric Beech; Additional reporting Melanie Burton in MELBOURNE and Ruby Lian in SHANGHAI; Editing by Eric Walsh and Lincoln Feast)
By Marton Dunai BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Miklos Heisler was 17 when the Arrow Cross Party took power in Hungary in the final years of World War Two and began a short reign of terror in which thousands of Jews, previously spared from deportation, were killed in Budapest. But Heisler was young and careless, and Arrow Cross paramilitary members caught him twice. The first time around, he was spared by an intervention from Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who saved scores of Jews. The second time, he and two friends were herded to the banks of the Danube, and like thousands of other Jews during those months, were shot in the head and left to die there. Heisler's nephew Andras is now chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary (Mazsihisz). He recounted that story this week ahead of the burial on Friday of dozens of people whose remains were found in 2011 under a Budapest bridge. The fate of the remains, which are almost certainly those of wartime Jews, illustrates the difficulty Hungarians still have in facing that past, including the fact that the descendants of victims and perpetrators still live together in Budapest. "We try to do the burial so it sends a message to society," Heisler said. "When these bones were found nobody could be sure they were all Jewish; probably some are not ... If remains of Jews and Goyim (non-Jews) are found together they must be put to rest together." Hungary's government, then and now dominated by the populist centre-right Fidesz party, has been criticised for paying lip service to combating anti-Semitism but white-washing the past when political interests dictated so. At the burial, Minister for Human Resources Zoltan Balog said Hungary faced a long road. "The loss of those people, ejected from the nation, robbed and bestially murdered, is our shared loss," Balog said. "A long road leads to honourable remembrance. Let us thank everyone who did not stop or turn back on that road." GRAPPLING WITH THE PAST Such rhetoric does little to allay the fears of many Jews of anti-Semitism. They point to attempts to erect statues of wartime anti-Semites. "The (government's) rhetoric is good; the statues are mistakes," Heisler told Reuters earlier this week. But Hungary is "passing the test today", he said at the graveside on Friday. The central European nation still grapples with its past, including its active role in deporting half a million Jews. The remains were unearthed five years ago by construction teams renovating a Budapest bridge. Clothing placed them in the 1940s, and bullet marks and a subsequent DNA analysis established that they were almost certainly Jews. It was no real surprise. In the final months of the war, Hungarian fascists executed thousands of Jews on the riverbank. Lined up in groups of 20 to 30, they were shot and forced into the icy waters. Miklos Heisler was lucky. One bullet bounced off his skull and another pierced his neck but left all vital tissue unharmed. He fainted. His two friends were shot and killed. Their bodies covered him. When he came to, he crawled to a safe house. "To this day his head bears the mark," Andras Heisler said. "He ... lives in good health in Israel." When the remains were found they were examined by experts but were not given the thorough DNA treatment that could have established their ancestry. After that there was nearly total silence, which surprised some outside observers. "The problem in Hungary, I realised, wasn't just the rise of anti-Semitic, neo-fascist voices and acts," former U.S. Ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis wrote in her 2013 book about her time in Hungary. "Hungarian society at large was responding to those radical voices with disproportionate silence and apathy. In the case of the skeletons under the bridge, it seemed that most people preferred to keep old memories submerged in the cold waters of the Danube." To Vera Varsa Szekeres, a survivor of the Arrow Cross terror, anti-Semitic voices are a warning sign. "We were marked," she told Reuters by the Danube, holding the yellow star her mother once sewed on her coat. "I must be reminded of what happened until I breathe my last. As does my family ... this star is their heritage too." "We must process this, face it and counter it ... We resist at the first strange word." (Reporting by Marton Dunai, editing by Peter Millership)
We can help you make sense of the agribusiness industry, extending from chemicals and fertilizers used as inputs into agriculture, to the commodities, food and by-products that are an output to farming, with policy and regulation applied at every step of the value chain.
KKR has agreed to buy into seeds provider Advanta Enterprises in a deal which values the business at about $2.25bn.
Campus News

Acclaimed scholar to discuss immigration fears in U.S., Europe

Hunter College sociologist Nancy Foner will talk about why tensions about immigrant populations and their incorporation have taken different forms on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

By BERT GAMBINI

Why is that happening in America? Why do people who are immigrants or come from an immigrant background themselves turn around and become anti-immigration? 

Nancy Foner, a Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Hunter College and a pre-eminent scholar in the field of comparative immigration studies, will deliver UBs inaugural Jean Monnet Distinguished Lecture.

Foner will discuss why tensions about immigrant populations and their incorporation have taken different forms on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean as part of her talk, Fear, Anxiety and Immigration: Barriers and Belonging in the United States and Western Europe.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 3 p.m. April 26 at the Baldy Center for Law & Social Policy, 509 OBrian Hall, North Campus.

One of the reasons I wanted to invite Nancy as the first speaker in this series is because of her expertise on comparative perspectives, says Deborah Reed-Danahay, a professor in the Department of Anthropology, who was one of only 40 university professors worldwide last year to receive a Jean Monnet Chair, a highly competitive, three-year teaching and research post awarded by the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union.

She conceptualizes things at broad levels based on work that tries to understand the differences in reception of immigrants and the ways different immigrant populations perceive their experience.

This visit is the first of what will be a three-lecture series over the next three years in connection with the personally chosen theme of Reed-Danahays Jean Monnet Chair: Cultural anthropology: citizenship, mobility and belonging in the European Union.

Foner is the author of numerous articles and 18 books on immigration, including her most recent, co-authored with Richard Alba, Strangers No More: The Challenges of Integration in North America and Western Europe.

She also wrote the afterward to Reed-Danahays book co-edited with Caroline Brettell, Citizenship, Political Engagement and Belonging: Immigrants in Europe and the United States.

We tend to focus in the U.S. on our own issues of immigration, says Reed-Danahay. But we can learn by looking globally at how other places in the world have been handling some of the issues were facing  both their mistakes and successful strategies.

Since being named a Jean Monnet Chair in September 2015, Reed-Danahay says immigration has become an even larger issue.

It has emerged as a contentious topic in the U.S. presidential campaign. More than half of the nations governors, meanwhile, have expressed their opposition to letting Syrian refugees into their states. In Europe, touchpoints include refugees fleeing to Greece from Turkey and the migrant camps in Calais, France.

The fundamental issue is immigration, but Foners lecture will present the argument that anti-immigrant sentiment within the general populations splits along mostly racial lines in America and along cultural and religious lines in Europe.

Furthermore, as a population that sees itself as a nation of immigrants, there remains much anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S.

Why is that happening in America? Reed-Danahay asks. Why do people who are immigrants or come from an immigrant background themselves turn around and become anti-immigration?

Reed-Danahay also says the significance of having a scholar of Foners stature discuss immigration in Buffalo shouldnt be lost.

Buffalo is a city of migration with a population built from Europe and elsewhere. It is also a place that accepts a lot of immigrants, Reed-Danahay notes.

The issue is timely, the place is important and our speaker is a leading authority on the topic, she says. The talk will be extremely informative and will appeal to a broad audience of people.
Modified On Apr 20, 2016 02:49 PM By Akshit

A severe earthquake struck southern Japan this weekend, killing and injuring hundreds. The calamity has also affected the economic activity in the region which hosts a number of manufacturers, including several automobile players.

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have reportedly suspended production at their plants in the country. Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), the world's largest-selling automaker, said it would stop production in most of its plants across Japan this week due to the shortage of parts.

We are unable to source parts from some of our suppliers, said TMC. One of its key suppliers, Aisin Seiki, has been affected badly by the earthquake that occurred on Saturday. The company has stopped producing doors, engines and other parts at its facility in the Kumamoto prefecture, as the area is still experiencing aftershocks. Also, it is now planning to shift production temporarily to other facilities at home and abroad.

Honda Motor Co. also issued a statement to report the production seize at its motorcycle facility near the quake-hit city of Kumamoto in the southern part of the country. Nissan, on the other hand, said it would resume operations at its plants north of the epicentre from Monday onwards.

Now, the way these companies recover from the latest quakes will likely show how robust efforts were made during the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which killed thousands and dented their output severely.
Daimler AG, parent company of Mercedes Benz, is putting its diesel emissions cheating allegations behind it with a $1.5 billion settlement with the U.S. government and the state of California.

Two federal agencies and the California attorney generals office charged the German automaker with using a defeat device to make it appear that its diesel engines were in compliance with emissions standards when they were not.

Another German carmaker, Volkswagen, was the first to face these charges when it was revealed the car employed software that reduced emissions only when the vehicle was being tested. As it turned out, the engines could not meet emissions requirements and deliver the promised fuel economy.

In early 2017, Volkswagen agreed to pay $4.3 billion in penalties to the U.S. government and spent billions more buying back affected vehicles from consumers.

According to the Daimler settlement, the company sold close to 250,000 diesel-powered vehicles in the United States with engines that failed to comply with state and federal laws.

Officials say the settlement, which includes civil penalties, will also require the automaker to modify vehicles so that they meet emissions requirements.

Payment to California

The agreement will pay around $700 million to settle numerous lawsuits filed by consumers. It will also compensate the state of California with a $300 million payment that includes $17.5 million to the California Department of Justice for future environmental enforcement, monitoring, and investigation.

Longterm, if you cheat, you're going to get caught, said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Daimler is finding that out today. But theyre not the first  nor likely the last  to try.

In a statement issued to news outlets, Daimler said it disputes allegations that it cheated and said the settlement does not reflect any admission of guilt on its part. It said the settlement resolves the civil proceedings without making any determination that Daimler vehicles used cheat devices.

By resolving these proceedings, Daimler avoids lengthy court actions with respective legal and financial risks, the company said in its statement.
Death Row calling...4-19-16 Mouse Report by DJ Mouse

Weolcome to 1984...(yeah, I know that was what they called it 32 years ago...but here it comes again)...and your mission, Winston, is to...you know...divide and conquer...blame the victim...play dumb...

Listen now: Copy the code below to embed this audio into a web page: <audio preload="none" src="https://www.indybay.org/uploads/2016/04/19/1984clinton.mp3" controls="controls"></audio>

The MSM mission; To accuse the Saudis while simultaneously covering-up evidence that western corporations and western government leaders were really behind many of the Saudi links.

"Here are a few of the surprising connections between Saudi Arabia and westerners who were in one way or another related to the 9/11 attacks.

 Bernard Kerik, the New York City police commissioner and 9/11 hero, spent three years working in Saudi Arabia in the 1970s for a company that occupied one of the WTC towers at the time of the attacks. He then spent another three years in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s as the chief investigator for the royal family. It was Kerik who first told the public that explosives were not used at the WTC, and it was his police department that was said to have discovered the magic passport which fell from one of the towers to conveniently provide evidence identifying one of the alleged hijackers.

 One of two primary companies to manage the clean-up of Ground Zero, Bovis Lend Lease, had previously built the Riyadh Olympic stadium in Saudi Arabia.

 The other primary clean-up company at Ground Zero, AMEC, had just completed a $258 million refurbishment of Wedge 1 of the Pentagon, which is exactly where Flight 77 impacted that building. AMEC is a major international player in the oil and gas industry, as well as in other natural resource industries. AMEC had a significant presence in Saudi Arabia dating back to the late 1970s, providing support to the national oil company Saudi Aramco.

 The company that designed the security systems for the WTC complex, Kroll Associates, had strong connections to Saudi Arabia. For example, Kroll board member Raymond Mabus was the US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in the mid 1990s.

 All four of the primary contractors that were involved in rebuilding the security systems for the WTC had done significant business with the Saudis. Electronic Systems Associates' parent, S&H, designed King Saud University, and E.J. Electric worked for Saudi Arabian Airlines. Ensec was owned by a former arms dealer to the Saudis. Stratesec, which had contracts not only for the WTC but also for Dulles airport, where Flight 77 took off, and United Airlines which owned two of the three other planes, worked under "a joint venture agreement with Ahmad N. AlBinali & Sons Co., a large Saudi Arabian engineering and construction company, to develop and conduct business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

 The Bush and Bin Laden-financed Carlyle Group owned, through BDM International, the Vinnell Corporation, a mercenary operation that had extensive contracts in the Middle East since 1975 and trained the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Several of Stratesecs key employees, including COO Barry McDaniel, came from BDM. In 1995, BDMs Vinnell was one of the first targets of al Qaeda, in Saudi Arabia.

 In the 1990s, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), run by Dick Cheney protege, Duane Andrews, trained the Saudi Navy and brought Saudi military personnel to company headquarters in San Diego for further study. SAIC played a large part in the NIST WTC investigation after 9/11, but was also involved in the investigation of the 1993 WTC bombing, boasting that -- "After the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, our blast analyses produced tangible results that helped identify those responsible." SAIC was paid huge sums to rebuild the NSA and FBI systems that supposedly failed before 9/11.

 While SAIC was training the Saudi Navy, the Carlyle/BDM subsidiary Vinnell Corp was training the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Simultaneously, Booz Allen Hamilton was managing the Saudi Marine Corps and running the Saudi Armed Forces Staff College.

 Former FBI director Louis Freeh, whose agency investigated al Qaeda-attributed terrorism from 1993 to 2001, is now the personal attorney for Saudi ambassador "Bandar Bush."

 Salomon Smith Barney, the company that occupied all but 10 floors of WTC building 7, was taken over by Citigroup in 1998. Citigroup had recently been saved from bankruptcy by Prince Alwaleed of Saudi Arabia, in a deal brokered by The Carlyle Group. It is believed that the money, and more, came from the terrorist financing network, BCCI, as it was dissolving. Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney joined the advisory board at Solomon Smith Barney at that time and were on the board until they resigned to join the Bush Administration in January, 2001.

 The Saudi government was sued by thousands of 9/11 victim's family members due to the suspicion that Saudi Arabia helped to finance al Qaeda. The Saudis hired the law firm of Bush Administration insider, James Baker, to defend them in that lawsuit.

Summers and Swann seem to have missed these interesting connections between US government officials and corporations, and Saudi Arabia. That seems odd for a book that pretends to be the definitive work to date. Despite this inconsistency, it is doubtful that Richard Clarke, 9/11 Commission staffer Miles Kara, NPRs Alex Kingsbury, or any other supporter of the governments reports, will say anything about it." ...from Kevin Ryan, co-editor of the Journal of 9/11 Studies.
When it's so dirty itself? Tedr77 [at] aol.com) by Ted Rudow III, MA

So is it any wonder that the Arabs and Muslims of the world see the U.S. itself as one of the biggest terrorists of all?--And that many other honest-minded individuals and governments around the world agree with them? Who are the terrorists?

How can the pot call the kettle black when it's so dirty itself? According to a new poll released earlier this month, 82 percent of Yemenis between the ages of 18 and 24 now view the United States as an enemy.



In the 2002 speech against the Iraq War that helped propel him to the presidency, then-state Sen. Barack Obama denounced not just the looming invasion of Iraq, but also human rights abuses by our so-called allies in Saudi Arabia. He spoke out against the U.S. role as weapons supplier to the world.



Since the Saudi coalition began its campaign last March, it has relied on U.S.-produced aircraft, smart bombs, guided missiles, and internationally banned cluster bombs. The Saudis have been major clients. During the first six years of the Obama administration, the United States entered into agreements to sell over $190 billion in weapons and training to Saudi Arabia. And in 2015, the administration announced its intention to sell another $22 billion to the kingdom, parts of which have yet to be embedded in formal agreements.



Ted Rudow III, MA


Todays vote was about choice," said Assemblymember Eggman. "AB 1713 will shed some light on a project with huge implications and its passage is a huge win not only for the San Joaquin Delta, but also for the people of California."

Bill Forcing Public Vote on Delta Tunnels Passes Key Committeeby Dan BacherA bill prohibiting the building of Governor Jerry Brown's Delta Tunnels unless the project is approved by California voters passed out of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife on April 19 by a vote of 8 to 4.Assembly Bill 1713, authored by Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), targets the California Water Fix plan, Governor Brown's name for the massive Delta Tunnels. This project would divert water from the Sacramento River to supply corporate agribusiness interests, Southern California water agencies and oil companies conducting fracking and extreme oil extraction methods in Kern County.After the bill passed committee, Assemblymember Eggman said, Todays vote was about choice. AB 1713 will shed some light on a project with huge implications and its passage is a huge win not only for the San Joaquin Delta, but also for the people of California.""The Governors proposal is financially questionable, potentially environmentally detrimental, and based on an outdated and outmoded plan from over 50 years ago. The people of California have consistently weighed in on important infrastructure projects since the early 20th century and this initiative should be no different," she explained."Building tunnels wont solve Californias water crisis, but investing and developing new technologies and tools may be the best and only way to create a sustainable and long term solution for our water needs," Eggman concluded.AB 1713 will require approval via ballot initiative on or after January 1, 2017 for any infrastructure project that conveys water directly from a diversion point in the Sacramento River to pumping facilities of the State Water Project or the federal Central Valley Project south of the Delta.The also would require the Legislative Analysts Office to complete an economic feasibility analysis prior to a vote authorizing the construction of a peripheral canal.AB 1713 is now headed to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.California voters overwhelming rejected the peripheral canal at the ballot box in November 1982  and it is expected that they would reject the newest incarnation of the canal, the California Water Fix, in a future vote. However, it is likely that Governor Jerry Brown, who views the tunnels plan as his legacy project, would veto AB 1713 if if passes through the Legislature.The bill enjoys support from a wide array of organizations including Restore the Delta, Planning and Conservation League, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, County of Sacramento, Delta Counties Coalition and San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors also back the legislation.Opponents of the legislation feature a large number of state and federal water contractors including the Association of California Water Agencies, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Kern County Water Agency and Westlands Water District.The opponents claim this bill "will cause unnecessary delays and bureaucracy, jeopardizing the only viable solution available to secure water supplies for 2/3 of the state while improving the health of the Delta," according to the legislative analysis.Opponents also claim, "Fundamentally, the state should not ask voters to approve the construction of infrastructure projects, particularly those that are not funded by taxpayers."On April 13, fourteen fishery conservation and environmental groups sent a letter to Assemblymen Eggman in support of her bill."Our concern goes beyond whether the Delta tunnels will be built or not," the letter states. "There is a clear and undeniable connection between the tunnels and proposed upstream surface storage projects."The letter also says, "As a controversial multi-billion dollar infrastructure project, the permitting process for the twin tunnels should be transparent. Accordingly, ultimate approval should rest with the ratepayers and taxpayers who may be required to pay for the project. In particular, the people most impacted by the twin tunnels project deserve the right to vote to approve or disapprove this project, which will do irreparable harm to the Delta and upstream tributaries to benefit one part of the state at the expense of another."Those signing the letter include Eric Wesselman, Friends of the River; Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Restore the Delta; Bill Jennings, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance; Jennifer Clary, Clean Water Action; Cecily Smith, Foothill Conservancy; Lowell Ashbaugh, Northern California Council of the International Federation of Fly Fishers; Carolee Krieger, California Water Impact Network (C-WIN); Lucas Ray RossMerz, Sacramento River Preservation Trust; Amber Shelton, Environmental Protection Information Center; Lloyd Carter, CA Save Our Streams Council; Jonas Minton, Planning and Conservation League; Konrad Fisher, Klamath Riverkeeper; Dan Bacher, Fish Sniffer magazine; and Adam Scow, Food & Water Watch.To read the complete letter, go to: https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/04/19/18785366.php At this time, no fishing groups, Indian Tribes or environmental groups, with the exception of Jerry Merals Natural Heritage Institute, back the tunnels.The Delta Tunnels would hasten the extinction of Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead, Delta and longfin smelt, green sturgeon and other fish species, as well imperil the steelhead and salmon populations on the Trinity and Klamath rivers.
In a vote of 7 to 1, the council passed a motion that allows $2.4 million from the affordable housing trust fund to be divided into four different pots of money. The money may be used differently from the original intended use of building so-called affordable housing units for low-income, and very low-income renters!

Oakland double-crosses tenant and affordable housing activistsBy Lynda Carson - April 20, 2016Oakland - On Tuesday April 19, the City Council double-crossed the low-income renters of Oakland by allowing funding from the affordable housing trust fund to be used by middle class income earners making around $110,000 per year to assist them in buying their housing. The affordable housing funds being grabbed from the poor can be used by middle class home buyers who do not even reside in Oakland.In a vote of 7 to 1, the council passed a motion that allows $2.4 million from the affordable housing trust fund to be divided into four different pots of money. The money may be used differently from the original intended use of building so-called affordable housing units for low-income, and very low-income renters.The motion that passed was proposed by Councilmember Larry Reid who spoke out viciously against the activists who opposed the plan to grab $2.4 million from the affordable housing trust fund.Around 56 speakers opposed the councils actions, and they left the council meeting in protest. We walked out in protest of the councils actions, said James Vann of the Oakland Tenants Union. This just shows that it was the people who recently pushed the council into passing a 90 day moratorium on rent increases, but when it comes down to it the council and city leaders do not care about the renters who are being pushed out of Oakland by the thousands. City officials are very supportive of the wealthy developers driving the poor out of Oakland with high rents, and market rate housing most people in the city cannot afford.The council also voted on impact fees for market rate housing developments that will be phased in, in three different areas of town. Activists believed that the impact fees were not high enough to make a dent in the housing crisis that is forcing thousands out of town.The struggle of the rich versus the poor, was apparent at Tuesdays April 19th, City Council meeting. The wealthy realtors, housing developers, and speculators spoke out against any impact fee proposals for their market rate housing projects being developed.In contrast, the supporters of affordable housing pushed for higher impact fees on market rate housing developments as a way to raise funding for more affordable housing. Additionally, they also spoke out against any proposals to use the funds from the affordable housing trust fund for purposes other than building more so-called affordable housing projects.Supporters of impact fees, who also denounced the proposals to grab the affordable housing funds included former Mayor Jean Quan, James Vann, Gloria Bruce, Pamela Drake, Jeffry Levin, and many others. As a compromise, Levin even suggested that there should be a cap on how much in affordable housing funds could be used for so-called moderate housing, if the council voted to allow affordable housing funds to be used by those earning 120 percent of AMI.Some of the tenant and low-income housing activists speaking out against the councils actions were part of Mayor Schaafs Housing Task Force, and felt betrayed by the proposal to grab $2.4 million from the affordable housing trust fund.Greg McConnell of Danville, a lobbyist for the market rate housing industry and real estate industry, joined the wealthy developers in threatening the council by claiming that market rate housing projects will not be built if Oakland adopts the proposed impact fees being proposed. McConnell also claimed that Oakland has 1,800 market rate housing units in the pipeline because of the lack of developers impact fees.The struggle over affordable housing projects for the poor has increased through the years. Subsidies for affordable housing programs from the federal government have diminished. The so-called affordable housing industry in California also lost around a billion dollars in subsidies a year when Governor Jerry Brown shut down the redevelopment agencies across the state.This was after former Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown exploited the Oakland Redevelopment Agency and used over $60,000,000 in affordable housing funds to finance some billionaires involved in the upscale Uptown Project and his 10 K plan, to bring in wealthy renters to the downtown area.The privatization of public housing has also added to the housing crisis in the Bay Area.Additionally, the use of low-income housing tax credits for so-called affordable housing projects has resulted mostly in housing projects that exclude the poor, who have an income below 30 percent of AMI The average monthly Social Security retirement benefit for January 2016 is only $1,341 per month , and for the disabled on SSI their income is only $889 a month.Eviction stories are all over the news wires lately, revealing that the majority of people being evicted from their housing all across the nation are women with children . According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, there is a shortage of 7.2 million affordable housing units across the nation. With sequestration budget cuts devastating the nations subsidized housing programs while executives in the so-called affordable housing sector continue to receive hefty pay increases , the homeless shelters remain filled with the poor because millions of dollars are being diverted from the section 8 program, to pay the exorbitant salaries of the executives in the so-called affordable housing industry.Oaklands choice to grab $2.4 million from the affordable housing trust fund is a blow against the poor and those who oppose the economic cleansing going on in this town.Presently activists are trying to pass renter protections in Richmond, Alameda, and Oakland, and volunteers are free to assist by contacting the people listed below.RichmondContact: 510-621-7566, Fair & Affordable Richmond CoalitionSaturdays 10am-2pmSundays 12pm-4pm1021 MacDonald Ave., RichmondAlamedaContact: Brad Hirn - brad.hirn [at] gmail.com , Alameda Renters CoalitionSaturdays, 9a-5pSouth Shore shopping center in Alameda all day, typically near the Safeway and Trader Joe's.Sundays, 9a-1pSouth Shore shopping center, AlamedaSunday, 1p-5pWalgreens and Starbucks on Webster St. AlamedaOaklandContact: Becki - becki [at] cjjc.org , Causa Justa Just CauseLynda Carson may be reached at tenantsrule [at] yahoo.com >>>>
Today the No Borders Camp on the island of Lesvos, with a population of 300-400 people, was forcefully evicted. Around 6 oclock in the morning the people in camp were brought to the detention center Moria in overcrowded buses. This camp is known for deporting the people seeking asylum back to Turkey without a fair examination of their application.

Eviction of the No Border CampWednesday, 20. April 2016Eviction of the No Border Camp on LesvosToday the No Borders Camp on the island of Lesvos, with a population of 300-400 people, was forcefully evicted. Around 6 oclock in the morning the people in camp were brought to the detention center Moria in overcrowded buses. This camp is known for deporting the people seeking asylum back to Turkey without a fair examination of their application.Volunteers from the No-Border Kitchen were detained on the grounds of collaborating with illegalized Refugees. According to our latest update, five members of the No Borders Kitchen are still being held in custody.The No-Border Kitchen that has been active on the Island since last year and has been a sanctuary for many people fleeing the otherwise inhumane camps provided by the governement. This decision made by many refugees of remaining in the No-Borders Camp was in fact a form of protest against the precarious and intransparent situation in the other hotspots and camps.Todays repercussions of this increasingly tense situation in Lesvos, is something we are all facing in one form or another. The lack of transparency perpetuated by media and government is intentional and something we can only fight if we keep up a solidary exchange of support and information.FIGHT FORTRESS EUROPE! NO BORDER, NO NATION!FOR THE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR EVERYBODY AND EVERYWHERE!-The Shorba-Crew IdomeniBACKGROUND INFORMATION from the No Border Kitchen:Forwarded call for urgent support for the No-Border-Kitchen on Lesvos! (German)The dirty deal between the EU and Turkey did not lead to a situation where people dont dare to cross the mediterranean sea to Europe anymore. Of course not. It just increased the repression refugees have to face once they enter the EU. It facilitated the possibilities of deportation into Turkey, a state at war with its own Population. It supports the European Union in its own interest to further divide between people that are allowed to enter and people that get rejected. There should be no hope for anyone not fleeing from Syria to enter Europe. On Lesvos the impact of these decisions are more evident then ever. The so called Hot-Spot in Moria has factually become a prison incarcerating over 3000 refugees, on very limited space. The first deportations to Turkey have begun without giving the people the possibility to apply for asylum in Greece.Since a long time now the Authorities on the Island are trying to get rid of the people supporting refugees. Registration as volunteer is mandatory, and even supported by some of the NGOs, yet not all. Especially the autonomous and anarchist activists are a thorn in the side of the local administration. The illegal camps are constantly under threat of eviction. Forms of resistance are targeted even under Syrizas rule. The No Border Kitchen that has been active on the Island since last year, has received multiple notes of eviction by now.The camp of the kitchen provides shelter for numerous activists and refugees. At the moment they are cooking for over 500 people every day. It still serves as a last resort to arrive at the Island, to escape from the inhuman situation at Moria, and proves to be a point of resistance against the greek and european border- and migration-regiment.The No-Border-Kitchen desperately needs your help ! If you have the chance, go there to help out and forward this to people who might be able to provide support !NO BORDER KITCHEN LESBOStwitter: @noborderkitchene-mail: noborderkitchen [at] riseup.net Infotel. (Greek): 0030 698 340 69 78Infotel. (Ger.) : 0049 160 95 10 27 51We are a non-hierarchical/horizontal self-organized group of cooking activists from all over the world that share the aim of supporting people on their journey to Europe. No Border Kitchen [NBK] started in September 2015 on 'the Balkan route' with few activists. We cooked at different spots along the Balkan route, as an independent and self-organized collective, during the long summer of migration. But since the Balkan route turned into a governmental controlled Balkan-corridor the repression towards people seeking refuge and those supporting them along the way grew. The EU government tries to divide people by letting some pass, some only register while leaving others totally stranded. People are stuck on the Greek islands, in the no-mans lands of borders, in prisons and detention centers or being forced further into even riskier methods of travel, living a marginalized life in constant fear of arrest and deportation. Governments are also trying with repressive mechanisms  ID-controls, registration procedures, accusations, and prisons  to control access of independent activists and finally destroy the solidarity structures. We stand against this controlling system and refuse to be part of the inhuman policies.That was when we decided to go to the island of Lesbos, Greece, which is a place of transit for the majority of the people overcoming the European border regime. Since 14th November we are cooking at Tsamakia beach, which is close to the port of Mytilene. It was squatted by the people seeking refuge as a place to shelter for a few nights and supported by the No Border Kitchen in terms of food and infrastructure. This is how NBK evolved into a self-organized camp where we support people seeking refuge, irrespective of their backgrounds and adapting to the current situations.The NBK crew is an open structure: anyone is welcome to join as long as they agree to our basic anti-authoritarian positions and non-hierarchical form of organization. We as individuals of different backgrounds refer to the broad terms of antifascism, antiracism and antisexism. We are a vegan kitchen, acknowledging the connection of exploitation and oppression of all living beings in the logic of capitalistic system. We create this space together and invite all people present to create it with us. We are individuals and affinity groups who use private donations to support each other. There is no organization behind us. Our resources are limited, but we try our best to support the different needs we have.NBK is not only about providing food for the people seeking refuge, but crucially also about respecting each other as individuals. Each traveller has their own unique aspirations, desires and sets of circumstances that brought them to undertake their journey. In our self-organized camp all people regardless of gender, nation and religion are welcome. We hold regular general assemblies, translated into different languages, in which we explain the general idea of No Border Kitchen and how the space works, and also spread independent travel and border information to help people on their journeys. We hope that through the relations formed here we can offer each other the mental strength to ride the storms and challenges of what is fast emerging as a distinctly brutal historical era, with dignity and courage. We believe in our capacity to resist the regime of devastation that is undermining precisely those aspects of our lives that we cherish the most: freedom to move, to share and to create relations of respect and curiosity.NBK is a political project that rejects the border regime enforced by the governments of the European Union. We are in Lesbos because we believe that Fortress Europe and its borders must be destroyed. We are not here to assist the governments of Europe in management of 'refugee flow' and this is why we do not work officially together with non-governmental and humanitarian organizations and we are not officially registered as one with the authorities. We do cooperate on an informal level with some NGOs on the island when it comes to safety of boat arrivals or medical needs. Anyone may join in the activities of the No Border Kitchen, with the proviso that you do so as an individual, not as a representative of an NGO or other organization. We reject the ongoing mobilization of massive resources for the purpose of controlling and restricting the way in which people are seeking refuge, the increasing militarization of our societies, the erection of new walls, the continuation of war and the political and economic system that needs war in order to reproduce itself. We want to fight the distinctions the state and media make between good and bad migrants based on whether they are refugees or economic migrants, innocent victims or criminals.We are not here as volunteers to fulfil a role of humanitarian charity, nor to look after someone in a paternalistic manner supposedly passive refugees. The people we meet at the camp and along the way are able to take care of themselves, and have their own structures of solidarity and mutual aid, and capacities to endure through the direst of circumstances which we can only learn from and be inspired by. We feel it is a gift to us to be able to share and create social space with them, hear their stories and learn about the experiences and perspectives of those whose structural oppression in this world is far greater than our own.We are aware that many people of us that are in solidarity have a safe status and don t have the same experiences of racism and illegalization as the people we meet, nor do we know what it is like to be forced to live lives where you are constantly playing with death (the words of one Afghani teenager we met), but we believe that we share some common desires: freedom of movement for all and an end to the European border regime of death. Our struggle aims to fight the institutions which keep up the current order: the European states with their repression apparatus.We, the No Border Kitchen crew understand that what we are doing is a small attempt in the face of the enormity of destructive forces at work in the world today. But it is a real commitment of real individuals, it is one concrete effort among many, it is one piece of the puzzle of another possible world. We believe that all these efforts do make a difference and that they should be developed and expanded further.Our broader desire is to build relationships of solidarity and form new collectivities in struggle. Therefore we also connect with the local activist structures, with whom we share common struggles and hopes and whom we support. We believe that by establishing networks in our common struggle, we can fight powerfully as a united movement and rise together against fortress Europe.United we stand, divided we fall.FIGHT FORTRESS EUROPE! NO BORDER, NO NATION!FOR THE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR EVERYBODY AND EVERYWHERE
Palestinian Cultural Day

Date:

Friday, May 13, 2016

Time:

3:45 PM - 5:15 PM

Event Type:

Other

Organizer/Author:

Palestinian Heritage Committee

Location Details:

Santa Clara County Government Center

70 West Hedding Street

San Jose, CA 95110

15th Annual County of Santa Clara Palestinian Cultural Day



Join us in this community Cultural and Flag Raising Ceremony. This community celebration honors the local Palestinian community and its contributions to the County's civic life, as well as the historical and cultural contributions of Palestinians.



The event begins with raising the Palestinian and American flags, followed by remarks from guests and elected officials, and a celebration with refreshments on the patio.



Guest speaker: Lina Karamali

"Santa Clara County to Palestine: Arts for Humanity"



This event is Free and Open to the Public



Please carpool or use public transportation. VTA routes: 12, 61, 62, 66, 181, LRT. On-street metered parking is available on Hedding Street and San Pedro Street. Additional parking at the Civic Center Parking Garage.



Sponsored by Supervisor Dave Cortese and the Palestinian Heritage Committee



Co-sponsored by the Arab American Cultural Center of the Silicon Valley, Arab Cultural and Community Center, Blossom Valley Muslim Community Center, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Muslim Community Association, South Bay Islamic Association, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the San Jose Peace and Justice Center
Thinking is the best way to travel - as we transition to a post-materialist, post-fossil and post-autistic economy.

As we stare down the barrel of a world totally transformed (read: destroyed) by climate change in the not-so-distant future, a lot of the brightest minds around the world are spending a good deal of time trying to figure out how to mitigate its effects. Considering that fossil fuel use is the primary driver of climate change, it makes sense that a lot of the proposed climate change solutions involve phasing out fossil fuels entirely. While some have derided this fossil fuel divestment plan as unattainable, others think its entirely possibleso long as we have 20 to 80 years to make it happen.Unfortunately, ridding ourselves of fossil fuels by 2100 (a plan the G7 leaders were all too happy to pat themselves on the back about last year) will be too little, too late. If we keep burning fossil fuels at the current rate, some have predicted that we will cross a threshold into environmental ruin as early as 2036but it doesnt have to be this way.In fact, according to a new study released last week by a major energy think tank in the UK, we could completely phase out fossil fuels within a decade...if we really wanted to.Published in Energy Research and Social Science, the study was led by Benjamin Sovacool, the director of the Sussex Energy Group at the University of Sussex. As Sovacool notes in the introduction to his study, transitioning away from our current global energy system is of paramount importance and the speed at which a transition can take placeits timing, or temporal dynamicsis a vital element of consideration.The reason why Sovacool is so concerned about how fast we can move away from our current energy paradigm is due to something that has been called the climate paradox, or the idea that by the time humans realize they need to divest their economies of fossil fuels, they will have passed the point of no return for climate catastrophe.As detailed in the report, it took Europe between 96 to 160 years to transition from wood to coal. Yet for electricity to move from a fringe experiment to widespread usage only took between 47 to 69 years. According to Sovacool, an energy transition could happen even faster today, thanks to the threat of climate induced disasters coupled with an unprecedented technological innovation.Sovacool highlights a number of modern energy transition success stories to drive his point home: Ontario completely divested from coal as an energy source within 11 years (it had previously accounted for 25 percent of the provinces energy); Indonesia moved two-thirds of its population from kerosene to LPG stoves in just three years; within six years of implementing the Proalcool program, 90 percent of Brazilian cars could run on ethanol.These are just three of the ten examples cited by Sovacool in his study, but according to him, each success story has a few features in common: Where energy transitions have been quick and effective, there has generally been strong government intervention coupled with shifts in the consumer behavior, which are themselves generally driven by government provided incentives.
May Art Exhibits Feature Works by Emmerson, Hull

"Ton" by Richard Hull Etching, acquatint, and burnishing on paper Image courtesy of Manneken Press, Bloomington

April 20, 2016

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Illinois Wesleyan Universitys Merwin and Wakeley galleries will feature the work of celebrated Chicago artist Richard Hull and Bloomington painter and mixed-media artist Susan Emmerson in May. Emmerson will discuss her work on May 5 at 5 p.m. in the galleries.

Hulls work will be seen in a self-titled exhibit in the Merwin Gallery of the Joyce G. Eichhorn Ames School of Art Building, 6 Ames Plaza West, Bloomington. Hull joined the Phyllis Kind Gallery before his graduation from the School of the Art Institute Chicago. An architecturally inspired artist, Hull calls his recent paintings and drawings of the past four years stolen portraits. His crayon drawings, in particular, are portraits in the form of hairdos, each one expressing a distinct visual personality rather than a representation of a particular individual. He has also been influenced by the concept of a Klein bottle, a non-orientable surface with no identifiable inner and outer side. In Hulls 'stolen portraits,' horsetails now resemble looping flower petal forms  building blocks for portrait-like structures. The bulbous loops are accentuated by minute, repetitive, often concentric actions within the large masses.

Hulls paintings, drawings and prints are in the collections of several museums including the Art Institute of Chicago; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C.; Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Smart Museum, Chicago. He has exhibited his work at the Art Institute of Chicago; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kansas City; the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, Conn.; Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati; Portland Art Museum; the Cleveland Institute of Art; Herron Gallery of Art, Indianapolis; Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Evanston, Ill.; and the Painting Center in New York.

"Flesh and Bone" by Susan Emmerson Mixed media drawing

Emmerson is inspired by the human body, but in her case, the former ear, nose and throat surgeon is fascinated with the hidden biological systems inside of us, including nerves, veins, and cells. Translating biology into laymans language for others has always been a part of my life and has become the impetus behind my recent art, she said. In her forties, Emmerson took early retirement to pursue an art career, obtaining a bachelor of fine arts degree from Illinois State University and a master of fine arts degree from the Art Institute of Boston (now Lesley University College of Art and Design). She has exhibited in galleries in both Boston and Chicago as well as throughout Illinois. She is a member of the Kingston Gallery in Boston.

Whether through large drawings, paintings, or cut paper and Tyvek, the abstract forms Emmerson creates share many qualities with live organisms: flowing, expanding, growing, repeating and proliferating, and remind viewers that the interconnections of biologic systems reflect the interconnections between people, groups and communities. She will present a Gallery Walk of her exhibit Tolerance of the Unexpected from 5 to 5:30 p.m. on May 5 in the Wakeley Gallery.

Ian Carey, director of the Merwin and Wakeley Galleries, said he is grateful to Chicagoan Kaylee Wyatt who served as guest curator for Hulls exhibition. Carey also noted the generous contributions of Bloomington-based Manneken Press and Chicagos Western Exhibitions gallery to make the Hull exhibition possible.

Both shows remain on exhibit through May 27. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 12 to 4 p.m., Tuesday evenings 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

By Emily Phelps 19
Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

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The development of European shopping centres is predicted to accelerate, with 9.1 million square metres due to be delivered over 2016 and 2017, according to a research report published today by Cushman & Wakefield. The European Shopping Centre Development Report showed that 2015 delivered one of the lowest annual

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Berlins Europacity has awoken from a deep sleep. With a total floor space of approximately 40 hectares, empty spaces can no longer be used to characterise the image of the largest future project of the federal capital. Following the issuance of planning permission for the development on 20 ha of

Photos: CA Immo



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The Office Agency team at JLL, secured a new lease agreement for Pivovary Topvar/ SAB Miller in the refurbished Polus Tower I building in total size of approximately 1,000 sqm. The Polus Towers office complex announced the official completion of its office remodelling and modernisation work at the end of

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Yang Xiong meets visiting Nigerian president

 

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-04-20 11:51

SHANGHAI Mayor Yang Xiong met Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and his delegation last week.

Yang said Shanghai has long-term exchanges and cooperation with African countries. In 2010, it helped many African countries to participate in the World Expo the city was hosting.

He spoke highly of Nigerian presidents emphasis on infrastructure development, which is important for the prosperity of a country. The mayor said Shanghai is carrying out many infrastructure projects and is improving business environment for Chinese and foreign investors.

He said Shanghai is happy to share its development experiences with Nigeria and will encourage more local Chinese enterprises to go to Nigeria for trade and investment. The presidents visit will help promote Sino-Nigerian exchanges and cooperation in all fields.

Buhari thanked China for giving long-term support to Nigeria in infrastructure construction and economic development.

He said he witnessed Shanghai's development on this trip and hoped Nigeria can strengthen cooperation with Shanghai in infrastructure construction which is essential for sustainable economic growth.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Gu Xiaojie and Nigerian interim ambassador to China were present at the meeting.
According to the 2016 High Street Retail in Prague, the latest report by JLL, Prague has been the most interesting retail market in the CEE region. According to a similar study by JLL called Destination Europe 2015, Prague has been ranked as the 14th most attractive market in EMEA for

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The Rezidor Hotel Group reports a strong first quarter for business development: in Q1 2016, the Group entered the economy segmend through the acquisition of a 49% stake of prizeotel, and further accelerated the momentum for signings and openings. Rezidor signed 13 projects with 2,000 rooms and opened 7 hotels

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Ford Figo BS6 comes in both petrol and diesel formats across four variants: Ambiente, Trend, Titanium and Titanium Blu.

The updated Ford Figo BS6 has been launched at a starting price of Rs 5.39 lakh, with the top-end variant hitting Rs 7.85 lakh ex-showroom. Compared to the last iteration of the BS4 model, there are no significant improvements, but a few cut-downs on the list of features. For instance, the BS6 model misses out on SYNC3 infotainment system and makes-do with a 7.0-inch capacitive touchscreen (available only on the top trim).

The new Ford Figo BS6 is available in both petrol and diesel formats. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is good for 95bhp and 119Nm while the figures rise to 99bhp and 215Nm of torque in the 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel mill. There is no automatic variant and both engines come mated to a 5-speed manual.

FORD FIGO  1.2l Ti-VCT PETROL BS6 Prices BS4 Prices Diff Ambiente INR 539,000 INR 523,000 INR -16,000 Trend (New Variant) INR 599,000 NA NA Titanium INR 635,000 INR 599,900 INR 35,100 Titanium Blu INR 695,000 INR 664,900 INR 30100 FORD FIGO  1.5l TDCi DIESEL Trend (New Variant) INR 686,000 NA NA Titanium INR 725,000 INR 689,900 INR 35,100 Titanium Blu INR 785,000 INR 754,900 INR 30,100

The hatchback is available in four variants: Ambiente, Trend, Titanium and Titanium Blu. Here are the features and equipment coming under each variant:

Ambiente (comes in petrol format only)

175/65 R14 tyres on steel wheels

Rear fog lamps

Adjustable front headrests

12V power outlet

FordPass smartphone connectivity

Welcome lamps

Tilt steering

Distance-to-empty reading

Door-ajar warning

Front power windows (with one-touch up/down for driver)

Day/night IRVM

Auto door lock (at 15km/h)

Electric boot release

Gear-shift indicator

Dual airbags

Seat-belt reminder

Rear parking sensors

ABS+EBD

High-speed alert

Trend (in addition/replacement to the features on Ambiente)

Silver grille with chrome surround

Blacked-out B-pillar

Passenger vanity mirror

Rear parcel tray

Driver-seat height adjustment

Rear power windows

Four-speaker Bluetooth stereo

Device dock (instead of the touchscreen)

Boot lamp

Steering-mounted audio controls

Powered ORVMs (in body colour) with turn signals

Remote keyless entry

Perimeter/intrusion alarm

Titanium (in addition/replacement to the features on Trend)

195/55 R15 tyres on 6-spoke alloy wheels

Chrome fog lamp bezel

Adjustable rear headrests

Push-button start

Titanium Blu (get all the above features, plus blue accents against Absolute Black theme)

15-inch four-spoke (multi-strand) gloss-black alloy wheels

Blu exteriors and interiors

Front fog lamps

Rear wiper/washer/defogger

Gloss-black roof

7.0-inch touchscreen (capacitive) with navigation

Electrochromic IRVM

Automatic climate control

Power-fold ORVMs

Automatic headlamps

Rain-sensing wipers

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Rear parking camera

Six airbags

The BS6 Ford Figo comes in five colours: Ruby Red, Moondust Silver, Smoke Grey, White Gold and Oxford White. Out of this, the top-end Titanium Blu is available only in Oxford White, Moondust Silver and Smoke Grey shades, with chrome-delete and some extra strokes of blue.
Along with rising sales of passenger cars in the country, all leading two wheeler manufacturers in India with the exception of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India have reported a notable increase in sales during March 2016.

Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp reported sales to the extent of 606,542 units in March 2016 as against sales of 531,750 in March 2015. Consistent sales of Splendor, Passion and HF Delux brands were noted while the company also saw increased sales in the 125cc segment.

It was also in the scooter segment that significant sales were noted with the company recording an increase in market share from 14 percent to close to 21 percent. This growth could be attributed to the recently launched Duet and Maestro Edge. March 2016 was also the third month of total sales scaling over the 600,000 mark. It was in September and October 2015 that a similar record was achieved.

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India

While all two wheeler companies reported increased sales during March 2016, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) reported a 4.4 percent decline in total sales. Sales during the month stood at 381,521 units while the company sold 399,173 units in March 2015.

In domestic markets sales stood at 365,526 units in March 2016 as compared to 384,422 units sold in March 2015. Exports of the company however, saw an 8.4 percent increase to 15,995 units in March 2016 as against 14,751 units exported in March 2015.

Bajaj Auto

Bajaj Auto Limited sales during March 2016 reached a total of 264,249 units. The company reported a 25.87 percent growth year on year as against 209,937 units sold in March 2015. Domestic sales during the past month were at 166,560 units while exports are at 98,000 units. Total sales during FY 2015-16 are at 33,58,252 units as against 32,92,084 units in FY 2014-15. Several new products are being planned by the company thus ensuring added growth during the current financial year as well.

TVS Motor Company

TVS Motor Company domestic sales in March 2016 totalled 200,200 units thus resulting in growth of 19.61 percent over 167,383 unit sales in March 2015. Significant growth was noted in the scooter segment where the Jupiter, Wego and Zest were concerned while the recently re-launched and significantly upgraded Victor 110cc also received good response. The companys total exports dipped during the past month and stood at 31,121 units in March 2016 as compared to 42,565 units in March 2015 while two wheeler exports stood at 26,453 units in March 2016 as against 32,738 units in March 2015.

Royal Enfield

Domestic sales reported by Royal Enfield in March 2016 stood at 50,059 units as compared to 32,854 units reported in March 2015. This resulted in year on year growth of 52.37 percent in domestic markets. Royal Enfield also noted increased exports during the past month when a total of 1,261 units were exported as against 825 units exported in March 2015. Total sales thus stood at 51,321 units in March 2016, the highest ever monthly sales recorded by Royal Enfield.

Yamaha

India Yamaha Motors Pvt. Ltd sold 60,032 units in March 2016 as compared to 41,640 units sold in March 2015 resulting in a 44 percent growth in domestic sales. Special emphasis is being paid to Tier II and Tier III cities while the company has also added the Fascino and FZ Series to its product lineup contributing to numbers. Besides the recently launched YZF-R3, the company now gears up for launch of the Cygnus Ray-ZR on April 14.

P.S.  Sales of Mahindra Two Wheelers and Suzuki Motorcycle India have not been shared yet. The post will be updated if the reports are made public by the manufacturer.
While sales in every other segment suffered de-growth, sales of MUVs increased by 1 percent in the past financial year

MUV / MPV sales for the FY2020 percent saw a very marginal increase but an increase none the less. This was definitely something to be noted as every other segment suffered de-growth. Multi Utility Vehicle sales in FY2020 stood at 2,83,583 units, up 1 percent as against 2,81,594 units sold in the same period of the previous year.

It may be seen from the attached list, that it was the Maruti Ertiga that was the highest selling MPV / MUV in the country. There were a total of 90,547 units sold during the period April 2019 and March 2020 as compared to 65,263 units sold in the same period of FY 2019, relating to an increase of 39 percent. This second generation Ertiga was launched in 2018 and came in with new exterior, updated interior design elements and a new lightweight Heartect platform.

The Ertiga was the only 7 seater that saw some positive growth which brought up sales in this segment while every other MPV / MUV noted lower sales. Mahindra Bolero, in a second spot, noted sales of 59,045 units, down 30 percent as against 84,144 units sold in FY2019. Most buyers for the Mahindra Bolero were from the rural sector.

Top MPVs / MUVs FY 2020

No MUV FY 2020 FY 2019 Diff % 1 Maruti Ertiga 90,547 65,263 25,284 38.74 2 Mahindra Bolero 59,045 84,144 -25,099 -29.83 3 Toyota Innova 53,686 77,924 -24,238 -31.10 4 Renault Triber 33,860 0 33,860  5 Maruti XL6 22,117 0 22,117  6 Mahindra Marazzo 12,693 24,130 -11,437 -47.40 7 Kia Carnival 3,187 0 3,187  8 Tata Hexa 2,160 7,547 -5,387 -71.38 9 Mahindra Xylo 2,072 5,251 -3,179 -60.54 10 Honda BRV 1,959 5,213 -3,254 -62.42 11 Datsun Go+ 1,737 5,068 -3,331 -65.73 12 Renault Lodgy 352 880 -528 -60.00 13 Toyota Vellfire 168 0 168  No Total 2,83,583 2,75,420 8,163 2.96

Closely following in third spot was the Toyota Innova Crysta with sales of 53,686 units, down 31 percent as compared to 77,924 units sold in FY2019. The company has discontinued models such as the Etios, Liva and Corolla Altis and the Innova Crysta is the most vital for the automakers success in Indian markets.

Renault Triber was a strong contributor to companys profits in FY2020. It stood fourth with 33, 860 units sold. Renault Triber received a BS6 update for its 1.0 liter, 3 cylinder petrol engine which now offers 72 bhp power and 96 Nm torque mated to a 5 speed manual transmission.

Maruti XL6 sold via Nexa outlets saw total sales of 22,117 units in FY2020 and was followed by the Mahindra Marazzo with total sales of 12,693 units, down 47 percent as against 24,130 units sold in FY2019.

A new entrant, the Kia Carnival, carved a niche for itself in the MUV segment with a 7th position and total sales of 3,187 units. The Kia Carnival sales are worth noting as this figure was achieved in just 3 months of launch. This MPV can be had with either a 7 seat, 8 seat or a 9 seat configuration and is priced from Rs.24.95-33.95 lakhs.
The new family of Mahindra electric vehicles are based on a modular architecture and is estimated to have a driving range of over 400 kms
RMIT University researchers have trialled a quantum processor capable of routing quantum information from different locations in a critical breakthrough for quantum computing.

The work opens a pathway towards the "quantum data bus," a vital component of future quantum technologies.

The research team from the Quantum Photonics Laboratory at RMIT in Melbourne, Australia, the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies of the CNR in Italy and the South University of Science and Technology of China, have demonstrated for the first time the perfect state transfer of an entangled quantum bit (qubit) on an integrated photonic device.

Quantum Photonics Laboratory Director Dr Alberto Peruzzo said after more than a decade of global research in the specialised area, the RMIT results were highly anticipated.

"The perfect state transfer has emerged as a promising technique for data routing in large-scale quantum computers," Peruzzo said.

"The last 10 years has seen a wealth of theoretical proposals but until now it has never been experimentally realised.

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"Our device uses highly optimised quantum tunnelling to relocate qubits between distant sites.

"It's a breakthrough that has the potential to open up quantum computing in the near future."

The difference between standard computing and quantum computing is comparable to solving problems over an eternity compared to a short time.

"Quantum computers promise to solve vital tasks that are currently unmanageable on today's standard computers and the need to delve deeper in this area has motivated a worldwide scientific and engineering effort to develop quantum technologies," Peruzzo said.

"It could make the critical difference for discovering new drugs, developing a perfectly secure quantum Internet and even improving facial recognition.''

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Peruzzo said a key requirement for any information technology, along with processors and memories, is the ability to relocate data between locations.

Full scale quantum computers will contain millions, if not billions, of quantum bits (qubits) all interconnected, to achieve computational power undreamed of today.

While today's microprocessors use data buses that route single bits of information, transferring quantum information is a far greater challenge due to the intrinsic fragility of quantum states.

"Great progress has been made in the past decade, increasing the power and complexity of quantum processors," Peruzzo said.

Robert Chapman, an RMIT PhD student working on the experiment, said the protocol they developed could be implemented in large scale quantum computing architectures, where interconnection between qubits will be essential.

"We experimentally relocate qubits, encoded in single particles of light, between distant locations," Chapman said.

"During the protocol, the fragile quantum state is maintained and, critically, entanglement is preserved, which is key for quantum computing."

The research, Experimental Perfect State Transfer of an Entangled Photonic Qubit, will be published in Nature Communications on April 18.
A team of researchers led by Ludwig Cancer Research scientist Stephen Hodi reported today the results of the longest follow-up survival study conducted to date on patients with advanced melanoma who were treated with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab. Hodi and his colleagues announced at a press event during the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in New Orleans that 34 percent of the patients treated with this immunotherapy alone in a previous Phase 1 trial were still alive five years later.

"Our results show that a subset of heavily-treated patients with advanced melanoma derive a significant long-term clinical benefit from treatment with nivolumab," said Hodi, investigator at the Ludwig Center at Harvard. "These results give us an additional paradigm shift for how we treat patients with this cancer, and we are hopeful that these findings will hold true for other cancers as well."

A malignancy that originates in the pigment-producing cells of the skin, melanoma is cured 98 percent of the time by simple surgery when it is caught early. But once it has spread, it is aggressive and can be highly resistant to therapy. The median survival time of patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma has historically been about 11 months.

The therapy evaluated in this study, nivolumab, is an antibody made by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) against a protein expressed on the surface of killer T cells, which target diseased and cancerous cells. PD-1's engagement by proteins named PD-L1 and PD-L2 found on the surface of other cells suppresses the T cell response. Many types of cancer cells have adapted to express those proteins at high levels to protect themselves from immune attack. Nivolumab binds PD-1 and disrupts its interaction with the PD-L proteins, and is known in industry parlance as a checkpoint inhibitor.

In the current study, 107 patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma who had received one to five prior systemic therapies for their cancer were treated with nivolumab at different doses (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg) every two weeks for a maximum of 96 weeks beginning in October 2008. Researchers continued to track their survival after treatment had ceased. They found that the median overall survival for patients receiving 3mgs/Kg of nivolumab was about 20.3 months. For all patients at all doses, it was found to be 17.3 months.

The proportion of surviving patients declined steadily from 63 percent after the first year to 42 percent by the third. At around four years, however, the survival rate appeared to level off around 34 percent. In a previous study, patients treated with another checkpoint inhibitor named ipilimumab -- which targets another T cell protein named CTLA-4 -- were found in an analysis conducted by Ludwig scientist Jedd Wolchok and his colleagues to have a long term survival of about 21 percent at three years. In that case too, survival appeared to level off, though it did so after about three years.

Nivolumab and ipilimumab have been tested in combination for melanoma in a Phase 3 trial led by Wolchok and Hodi. That study, reported at last year's AACR Annual Meeting, led to the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of the combination therapy for treating advanced, inoperable melanoma. Overall survival data for this combination therapy continues to be collected by Hodi, Wolchok and other researchers involved in that trial.
Precision medicine's public face is that of disease -- and better treatments for that disease through targeted therapies.

But precision medicine has an unsung partner that could affect the lives of many more people: Precision prevention -- a reflection of the growing realization that preventing cancer and other diseases may not be one-size-fits-all.

"Precision medicine has been kind of a buzzword recently, but often when people think about precision medicine, they think about treatment," said Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center biostatistician Dr. Li Hsu, who focuses on precision prevention for colorectal cancer. "I think it's just as important if not more important to prevent disease."

In work presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting in New Orleans, Hsu and other researchers from Fred Hutch, the University of Michigan and other research groups debuted their latest progress in precision prevention -- an in-the-works method to predict risk of colorectal cancer that integrates genetic, lifestyle and environmental risk factors.

This research is not yet ready to move into clinical practice, said Fred Hutch epidemiologist Dr. Ulrike "Riki" Peters, one of the study authors. But it's the first attempt at combining so many different areas of colorectal cancer risk into one convenient risk predictor.

Current risk stratification methods for colorectal cancer screening recommendations are relatively crude, based on age and family history alone. No family history of the disease? Start colonoscopies at age 50. Have an immediate relative who had colorectal cancer? Screen at age 40.

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But these methods are likely missing many at risk, Peters said. Eighty percent of those with colorectal cancer have no known family history. And, unlike some, it's a cancer where screening and prevention are tightly linked -- colonoscopies can catch premalignant lesions and if those lesions are removed, the patient is spared from ever developing cancer.

"That is a very unique aspect of colorectal cancer," Peters said.

Even though the disease is highly preventable if caught in the precancerous stages, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths (for men and women combined) in the U.S., topped only by lung cancer. So along with encouraging people to get the recommended colonoscopies, a better sieve to catch those at higher risk of the disease could have an impact both on cancer prevention and on sparing those at low risk of the disease unnecessary procedures.

"At the end, what we want to do is prevent disease given limited resources," said Dr. Jihyoun Jeon, a biostatistician at the University of Michigan who presented the risk prediction model in a poster at the AACR meeting. "We want to save resources but also prevent as much [disease] as possible."

The improved risk prediction method was developed using data from more than 18,000 people, approximately 8,400 of whom had colorectal cancer. These data come from two large colorectal cancer studies that Peters leads, known as the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO) and the Colorectal Transdisciplinary study (CORECT).

The model incorporates 19 known environmental and lifestyle risk factors for the disease, as well as 64 common genetic risk factors.

Peters and her colleagues have been working for years to identify the genetics behind colorectal cancer. It was always her goal to use that information to improve risk predictions, she said, but it's only recently that the team has amassed enough links between genes and disease to be able to work on the precision prevention piece of the puzzle.
UAE non-oil foreign trade rises 17 pct in 2015

2016-04-20 09:09

ABU DHABI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The federal customs authority(FCA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said here Tuesday the Gulfstate posted in 2015 a non-oil total foreign trade volume ofapproximately 1.56 trillion dirham (425.1 billion U.S. dollars),state news agency WAM reported.

The UAE is home to over 37 industrial free zones which guaranteelicensed firms 100 percent tax freedom for 50 years, free capitalrepatriation and 100 percent foreign ownership.

Commissioner Ali Al-Kaabi, Head of the Federal CustomsAuthority, FCA, said in a press statement, that the total non-oiltrade of the state in the past year has seen a "remarkablestability" due to the economic diversification and declining oilsector's contribution to gross domestic product in favor of theproductive and service sectors.

He also confirmed that the statistics of the foreign non-oiltrade of the state reflects the confidence of traders in the globalmarkets and trading partners in the economic climate.

The FCA data indicated that the share of imports of the UAEtotal foreign trade amounted to 952.3 billion dirham (259.50billion dollars) during 2015.

The native gold and semi-processed gold come on top of theimported goods during the previous year with a share value of 10percent of the total imports.

Al-Kaabi pointed that the data for the non-oil trade of thestate revealed a significant increase in terms of exports to theoutside world.

Mobile phones came in the second place on the list of importswith a share of 9.8 percent. Vehicles posted a six percent.

The FCA noted that UAE exports reached 185.4 billion dirham(50.51 billion U. S. dollars) with the yellow precious metalrepresenting 30 percent of the total non-oil exports. Enditem
Latest analysis shows that human limbs share a genetic programme with the gills of cartilaginous fishes such as sharks and skates, providing evidence to support a century-old theory on the origin of limbs that had been widely discounted.

An idea first proposed 138 years ago that limbs evolved from gills, which has been widely discredited due to lack of supporting fossil evidence, may prove correct after all -- and the clue is in a gene named for everyone's favourite blue hedgehog.

Unlike other fishes, cartilaginous fishes such as sharks, skates and rays have a series of skin flaps that protect their gills. These flaps are supported by arches of cartilage, with finger-like appendages called branchial rays attached.

In 1878, influential German anatomist Karl Gegenbaur presented the theory that paired fins and eventually limbs evolved from a structure resembling the gill arch of cartilaginous fishes. However, nothing in the fossil record has ever been discovered to support this.

Now, researchers have reinvestigated Gegenbaur's ideas using the latest genetic techniques on embryos of the little skate -- a fish from the very group that first inspired the controversial theory over a century ago -- and found striking similarities between the genetic mechanism used in the development of its gill arches and those in human limbs.

Scientists say it comes down to a critical gene in limb development called 'Sonic hedgehog', named for the videogame character by a research team at Harvard Medical School.

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The new research shows that the functions of the Sonic hedgehog gene in human limb development, dictating the identity of each finger and maintaining growth of the limb skeleton, are mirrored in the development of the branchial rays in skate embryos. The findings are published today in the journal Development.

Dr Andrew Gillis, from the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology and the Marine Biological Laboratory, who led the research, says that it shows aspects of Gegenbaur's theory may in fact be correct, and provides greater understanding of the origin of jawed vertebrates -- the group of animals that includes humans.

"Gegenbaur looked at the way that these branchial rays connect to the gill arches and noticed that it looks very similar to the way that the fin and limb skeleton articulates with the shoulder," says Gillis. "The branchial rays extend like a series of fingers down the side of a shark gill arch."

"The fact that the Sonic hedgehog gene performs the same two functions in the development of gill arches and branchial rays in skate embryos as it does in the development of limbs in mammal embryos may help explain how Gegenbaur arrived at his controversial theory on the origin of fins and limbs."

In mammal embryos, the Sonic hedgehog gene sets up the axis of the limb in the early stages of development. "In a hand, for instance, Sonic hedgehog tells the limb which side will be the thumb and which side will be the pinky finger," explains Gillis. In the later stages of development, Sonic hedgehog maintains outgrowth so that the limb grows to its full size.

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To test whether the gene functions in the same way in skate embryos, Gillis and his colleagues inhibited Sonic hedgehog at different points during their development.

They found that if Sonic hedgehog was interrupted early in development, the branchial rays formed on the wrong side of the gill arch. If Sonic hedgehog was interrupted later in development, then fewer branchial rays formed but the ones that did grow, grew on the correct side of the gill arch -- showing that the gene works in a remarkably similar way here as in the development of limbs.

"Taken to the extreme, these experiments could be interpreted as evidence that limbs share a genetic programme with gill arches because fins and limbs evolved by transformation of a gill arch in an ancestral vertebrate, as proposed by Gegenbaur," says Gillis. "However, it could also be that these structures evolved separately, but re-used the same pre-existing genetic programme. Without fossil evidence this remains a bit of a mystery -- there is a gap in the fossil record between species with no fins and then suddenly species with paired fins -- so we can't really be sure yet how paired appendages evolved."

"Either way this is a fascinating discovery, because it provides evidence for a fundamental evolutionary link between branchial rays and limbs," says Gillis. "While palaeontologists look for fossils to try to reconstruct the evolutionary history of anatomy, we are effectively trying to reconstruct the evolutionary history of genetic programmes that control the development of anatomy."

Paired appendages, such as arms and hands in humans, are one of the key anatomical features that distinguish jawed vertebrates from other groups. "There is a lot of interest in trying to understand the origins of jawed vertebrates, and the origins of novel features like fins and limbs," says Gillis.

"What we are learning is that many novel features may not have arisen suddenly from scratch, but rather by tweaking and re-using a relatively small number of ancient developmental programmes."

Gillis and his colleagues are further testing Gegenbaur's theory by comparing the function of more genes involved the development of skates' unusual gills and mammalian limbs.

"Previous studies haven't found compelling developmental genetic similarities between gill arch derivatives and paired appendages -- but these studies were done in animals like mice and zebrafish, which don't have branchial rays," says Gillis.

"It is useful to study cartilaginous fishes, not only because they were the group that first inspired Gegenbaur's theory, but also because they have a lot of unique features that other fishes don't -- and we are finding that we can learn a lot about evolution from these unique features."

"Many researchers look at mutant mice or fruit flies to understand the genetic control of anatomy. Our approach is to study and compare the diverse anatomical forms that can be found in nature, in order to gain insight into the evolution of the vertebrate body."

This research was funded by the Royal Society, the Isaac Newton Trust and a research award from the Marine Biological Laboratory.
Researchers are developing a new drug to treat life-threatening lung damage and breathing problems in people with severe infections like pneumonia, those undergoing certain cancer treatments and premature infants with underdeveloped, injury prone lungs.

Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center report April 19, 2016 in Science Signaling that a transcription factor called FOXF1 activates several biological processes that promote recovery from acute lung injury. Two laboratories at Cincinnati Children's are developing a pharmacologic compound that in mouse models stimulates FOXF1 and promotes repair after lung injury.

"Besides toxic insults from some cancer treatments, acute lung injury can be a major medical problem for people who get infectious diseases like flu, pneumonia or Ebola because of pathogens that target the lung," said Vladimir Kalinichenko, MD, PhD, co-senior author and a physician and researcher in the Divisions of Pulmonary Biology and Developmental Biology at Cincinnati Children's. "A small molecule compound we developed efficiently stabilizes the FOXF1 protein in cell cultures and mouse lungs, and it shows promise in inhibiting lung inflammation and protecting experimental mice from lung injury."

Along with co-senior author Tanya Kalin, MD, PhD, in the Cincinnati Children's Perinatal Institute, the research team learned that loss of FOXF1 in lung endothelial cells of mice caused them to die from respiratory problems, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) and lung inflammation. This happens when endothelial cells that line blood vessels in the lung can no longer provide a protective barrier between the external environment and the body's circulatory system.

Mutations in FOXF1 gene cause alveolar capillary dysplasia, a rare and universally fatal congenital lung disorder of newborns and infants that researchers said underscores the importance of the FOXF1 in the respiratory system. Alveolar are tiny air sacs in the lung.

The authors propose that stabilizing or restoring FOXF1 will promote the formation of blood vessels in lungs, promote healing and decrease breathing complications in children and adults.

Researchers are following up their current study with further development of the targeted small molecule they recently discovered. Specifically, they are determining efficacy and safety of the FOXF1-targeting compound in mouse models of lung injury and repair. The authors emphasize that additional time and research are needed before the compound can be tested in human patients.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening complication of acute lung injury with a mortality rate of more than 35 percent. It accounts for about 75,000 deaths and 3.5 million hospital days per year in the United States, according to the authors. Given the lack of major improvements in the clinical management of acute lung injury and respiratory distress, the current study is designed to address a compelling need for innovative molecular approaches that complement existing therapies, according to the researchers.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) have developed one of the first mouse models for the study of Zika virus. The model will allow researchers to better understand how the virus causes disease and aid in the development of antiviral compounds and vaccines.

"The tools have not been available to people who want to be able to test vaccines and antivirals against Zika virus," says Matthew Aliota, assistant SVM scientist and lead author of the study that describes the model, published April 19 in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. "The caveat is that it's a mouse model, but it does allow us to test vaccines, and the pathology caused by the virus in the mouse brain could be used to understand the pathology in the brains of humans, especially fetuses."

Zika virus was first described in Uganda in 1947. Before last year, it had circulated in people in Africa, southeast Asia and in the Pacific Islands and only sporadically caused disease. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and typically causes mild, flu-like symptoms, when it causes symptoms at all.

However, in 2015 the virus began infecting unprecedented numbers of people in Brazil and then spread throughout the Americas. Public health officials in the United States expect it to spread to the southern U.S. as the weather warms and activity of the Aedes aegypti mosquito -- the species that harbors the virus -- subsequently increases.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Zika virus is responsible for a large rise in brain defects in developing fetuses, including microcephaly. In fact, cases of microcephaly -- marked by a small head, reduced brain size and cognitive impairments -- were 20 times higher than usual in parts of Brazil last year. There has been some evidence of neurological effects in adults as well.

Researchers now also know the disease can spread through sexual contact.

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"It's scary to know so little about something that can be so devastating," says Katrina Larkin, a UW-Madison undergraduate student and a study co-author. "Learning how instrumental animal models can be to combating diseases makes this work even more urgent."

Mouse models allow researchers to conduct larger-scale studies than animal models like nonhuman primates, and to perform experiments that are not possible to conduct in human beings.

The mouse model described by Aliota and the rest of the research team, including Jorge Osorio, professor of pathobiological sciences at SVM, is an immunocompromised mouse the laboratory already possessed for research on viruses similar to Zika, like dengue virus. The team learned they could inject Zika virus into the foot pads of the mice, and under their skin, and the virus would then spread throughout the body, including the brain. Other mouse strains are resistant to infection with Zika virus.

"Similar models have been revealed in the last two weeks, but there are also differences between those and ours," says Aliota, who was part of the team that first found Zika virus in Colombia. The differences in their model will allow the researchers to test how exposure to other viruses, like dengue, may influence how the body responds to Zika infection.

The team's mouse model lacks three types of interferons -- known as alpha, beta and gamma -- which are among the immune system's first lines of defense against some types of viral infections. Mice with normal interferons are resistant to Zika virus infection but those lacking them get sick. Humans also have interferons but they are less effective at blunting Zika virus infection.

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In the study, once the mice were infected with a range of doses of Zika virus -- including doses similar to human exposure following a bite from an infected mosquito -- they rapidly became ill. The virus was 100 percent fatal in mice at all doses, which is an effect not seen in humans.

The mice were euthanized within one week of infection and, unlike in the other recent mouse model studies, the researchers examined the effects of the virus in various organs of the body, including the liver, spleen, brain, kidney, intestine, heart, lungs and skeletal muscles.

The virus had spread throughout the body but Aliota says they were surprised to find it caused pathology only in the brain and skeletal muscle.

"It looks really bad for the brain," he says, noting they saw evidence of meningitis, cell infiltration and necrosis (abnormal cellular death).

In addition to providing an opportunity for researchers to study vaccines and antivirals, the model also affords scientists the ability to study how the virus works, including whether it can replicate, or make copies of itself, and spread within brain tissue.

"It's pretty easy for people to see on the news that there's this illness affecting lots of people and wonder why no one has come up with a vaccine yet," says Emma Walker, another undergraduate researcher and study co-author, "but for Zika, which hasn't really been researched before, there's a lot of pressure just to find out more basic things -- like how the virus works -- before you can try to tackle 'curing' the illness."

Aliota calls the students who worked on the study, including Ph.D. student Liz Caine, "outstanding," and says it would not have been possible so quickly without their dedication and long hours in the lab. Zika findings from labs across the country have published at breakneck speed as researchers focus their efforts on combating the disease. In fact, Aliota and colleagues at UW-Madison have made other aspects of their collaborative research available to other scientists and the public in real time.

"I have been amazed with the amount of information that has been generated about Zika virus in such a short amount of time," says Caine.

Aliota also credits the resources available at UW-Madison for the pace of Zika study progress here.

"UW has become a center of Zika virus research. There are a lot of people with diverse expertise to take on this problem," he says. "That's the advantage of having a medical school, a veterinary school and a primate center; it's possible to do things here that only a few institutions around the globe can accomplish."

For Aliota, who has long studied infectious diseases like Zika, the fact that his work and that of his team has had such profound impact in the response to a significant public health issue is vastly rewarding.

"It's scary for the people living with it," Aliota says. "Our goal is to translate what we find to the field. To see such immediate impact, that doesn't happen often."
The origin of Yiddish, the millennium old language of Ashkenazic Jews, is something which linguists have questioned for decades.

Now, a pioneering tool -- the Geographic Population Structure (GPS) -- which converts DNA data into its ancestral coordinates, has helped scientists pinpoint that the DNA of Yiddish speakers could have originated from four ancient villages in north-eastern Turkey.

The research, led by Dr Eran Elhaik from the University of Sheffield, suggests the Yiddish language was invented by Iranian and Ashkenazic Jews as they traded on the Silk Road.

The ancient villages, identified by the GPS tool, are clustered close to the crossroads of the Silk Roads and are named Iskenaz, Eskenaz, Ashanaz, and Ashkuz -- names which may derive from the word "Ashkenaz."

"Language, geography and genetics are all connected," said Dr Eran Elhaik from the University's Department of Animal and Plant Sciences.

"Using the GPS tool to analyse the DNA of sole Yiddish and non-Yiddish speakers, we were able to predict the possible ancestral location where Yiddish originated over 1,000 years ago -- a question which linguists have debated over for many years."

He added: "North east Turkey is the only place in the world where these place names exist -- which strongly implies that Yiddish was established around the first millennium at a time when Jewish traders who were plying the Silk Road moved goods from Asia to Europe wanted to keep their monopoly on trade.

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"They did this by inventing Yiddish -- a secret language that very few can speak or understand other than Jews. Our findings are in agreement with an alternative theory that suggests Yiddish has Iranian, Turkish, and Slavic origins and explains why Yiddish contains 251 words for the terms 'buy' and 'sell'. This is what we can expect from a language of experienced merchants."

Yiddish, which incorporates German, Slavic and Hebrew, and is written in Aramaic letters, is commonly thought to be an old German dialect.

However, an alternative theory proposed by Professor Paul Wexler from the University of Tel Aviv and also an author on the study, suggests that Yiddish is a Slavic language that used to have both Slavic grammar and words but in time shed its Slavic lexicon and replaced it with common and unfamiliar German words.

The findings of the study, published today (Wednesday 20 April 2016) in Genome Biology and Evolution, led researchers to believe that towards the end of the first millennium, Ashkenazic Jews may have relocated to Khazaria before moving into Europe half a millennium later after the fall of the Khazarian Empire, and during a time when the international trading networks collapsed.

As Yiddish became the primary language of Ashkenazic Jews, the language began to acquire new words from other cultures while retaining its Slavic grammar.

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Dr Elhaik said: "Yiddish is such a wonderful and complex language, which was inappropriately called "bad German" by both its native and non-native speakers because the language consists of made-up German words and a non-German grammar.

"Yiddish is truly a combination of familiar and adapted German words using Slavic grammar. In a sense the language uses the same premise as Yoda from the Star Wars movies. For example, Yoda's language consists of common and made-up English words like 'Wookie' or 'Jedi' but the grammar is different -- the words are used in a different order to what we are familiar with."

He added: "Utilizing the GPS ancestry technology and applying it to the DNA of sole Yiddish speakers and non-Yiddish speakers allowed us to find the ancestral origins of their DNA. The GPS tool indicates where ancient Ashkenaz could have existed over 1,500 years ago."

Professor Paul Wexler, from the University of Tel Aviv, said: "The linguistic data used are from Yiddish, which we assume was invented in Western Asia as a Slavic language with a largely German-like lexicon and a significant Iranian component on all levels of the language.

"The genetic data presented here appear to corroborate the linguistic hypothesis."
The 13-million-year-old fossils of an extinct crocodylian, named 'the storyteller,' suggest that South American and Indian species evolved separately to acquire protruding, 'telescoped' eyes for river-dwelling, according to a study published April 20, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi from the University de Montpellier, France, and colleagues.

The gavialoids are a diversified group of mostly extinct long-snouted crocodylian species. Many of the evolutionary relationships between these species remain unclear; fossils of extinct gavialoids from South America and the extant Indian gharial gavialoid have similar telescoped eyes, but it was not known how these features evolved.

The authors of the present study examined Peruvian fossils from a 13-million-year-old South American species, the oldest known gavialoid crocodylian from the Amazon, which they named Gryposuchus pachakamue after Pachakamue, a pre-Hispanic South American 'storyteller' god thought to have knowledge about the origins of South American life. The fossils were dated as Middle Miocene and came from the Pebas Formation, which was likely made up of swampy waterways, suggesting that the crocodylian had a river-dwelling lifestyle. It had only slightly telescoped eyes. The researchers conducted phylogenetic and morphometric analysis to assess the likely evolutionary development of the protruding telescoped eyes of Indian and South American species.

Their analysis suggested that the 'storyteller' crocodylian with slightly telescoped eyes represents the ancestral condition from which the South American lineage evolved telescoped eyes. The eyes therefore evolved in parallel in South American and Indian lineages, at first showing partial telescoping as in the 'storyteller' crocodylian, and eventually becoming fully telescoped as seen in later-evolving species. Both South American and Indian species adopted a river-dwelling lifestyle, and it is likely that telescoped eyes were adaptive, helping them to catch fish in these habitats.

Although further research is needed, thibs study may further our understanding of both the 'storyteller' crocodylian and the evolution of all gavialoid crocodylians.
Seven fossil teeth exposed by the Panama Canal expansion project are the first evidence of a monkey on the North American continent before the Isthmus of Panama connected it to South America 3.5 million years ago. A team including Carlos Jaramillo, staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), published this discovery online in the journal, Nature today. They named the new monkey species Panamacebus transitus in honor of Panama and the monkey's movement across the ancient seaway that divided North and South America.

The 21 million-year-old teeth were found in the Las Cascadas Formation during a five-year intensive fossil salvage project by field crews from STRI, the University of Florida and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Most of the mammal groups represented in the Las Cascadas formation have North American origins, despite the fact that South America is much closer, supporting the idea that Central America and western Panama represented a long peninsula extending south from North America.

During the salvage project, researchers rushed in behind engineers as they dynamited the steep canal banks. The researchers collected exposed fossils and described each location before heavy rains and fast-growing vegetation obscured evidence of the dramatic tectonic events that lifted the land bridge out of the sea to connect North and South America.

"I asked my boss for a million dollars to dig a hole in the ground," said Jaramillo. "Then the Panamanian people voted for the Panama Canal Authority to spend $5.6 billion dollars to expand the Canal and unlocked a treasure trove for us, containing this new monkey species and many other fossils."

"We suggest that Panamacebus was related to the capuchin (also known as "organ-grinder" monkeys) and squirrel monkeys that are found in Central and South America today," said Jonathan Bloch, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the University of Florida campus and lead author on the study. "Prior to this discovery, New World monkeys were thought to have evolved in isolation on South America, cut-off from North America by a wide seaway."

Before the monkey teeth were discovered, the oldest evidence of movement of a mammal from South to North America are 8.5--9 million-year-old fossil remains of giant sloths. The authors of this report suggest two explanations: 1) that mammals from South America were more adapted to life in the South American derived forests still found in Panama and Costa Rica than to other forest types characteristic of Northern Central America or 2) that the lack of exposed fossil deposits throughout Central America means that evidence of these dispersals has yet to be revealed.
The country of Cameroon just showed the world exactly how it feels about the ivory trade.

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On Tuesday, Cameroon officials, wildlife activists and more gathered 2,000 elephant tusks and 1,753 other ivory products into a massive pile ... then set it all on fire.

In what is being called one of the largest burnings of poached ivory in African history, Cameroon now joins a group of countries including Mozambique, Ethiopia, Malawi, Gabon and Chad to send a clear message about the practice. Thousands of endangered African elephants die every year because of poachers going after their ivory tusks. It's an ongoing crisis despite a ban on the international ivory trade.

"Destroying this illegal ivory sends a clear signal to poachers and traffickers that Cameroon is increasingly serious about cracking down on the illegal ivory trade," said Dr. Hanson Njiforti, the national director for World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Cameroon, in a press release. "But this important symbolic act needs to be followed up swiftly by concrete efforts to catch wildlife criminals and ensure they are prosecuted."
Imagine the stories that animals would tell us if only we could understand them. That's the situation the team at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (TCS) is facing as it cares for two rescued chimps - the very talkative Tigo and his sister, Linda.

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For years, a family in Sierra Leone kept Linda and Tigo chained up in small bamboo cages. Unfortunately, such conditions are typical for animals kept as exotic pets.

Earlier this year, Sierra Leone's National Protected Area Authority confiscated the two chimps and transferred them to TCS, which provides a home for chimps who can't survive in the wild. Since then, the siblings have gotten the chance to blossom. "They both have very big personalities that really have started coming out," TCS wrote in a Facebook post last month. "Linda is very playful and spends the whole day swinging in the ropes in her enclosure or building nests."

"Tigo is a very vocal chimpanzee and tells us many stories every day," the group added. "We just wish we were more fluent in 'chimpanzee' so we would know what they were all about." Now, a month later, the two are continuing to make progress, passing their second health check and remaining playful in their new setting.

Here they are after waking up from their latest health check.

Since the chimps arrived at TCS, the staff has kept them quarantined off from the other chimps at the sanctuary until it's certain they won't bring any diseases to the group. If they continue to be in good health, they will have even more exciting days ahead when they meet their new family at the sanctuary. Here are a few of the happy faces they'll hopefully get to meet.
A baby raccoon, made of just skin, bones and patches of fur, lay on the side of a road in Kansas during the summer of 2012. That day in particular was unbearably hot. He was dehydrated and his mother was nowhere to be found. Haley Williams, a 20-year-old veterinary school student, was driving into town when she came across him.

Haley Williams

"I kind of panicked knowing he needed help right away," Williams told The Dodo. "So I grabbed an extra pair of brand new shorts in the back of my car and wrapped him up in them so he couldn't bite me, and [then] drove him into town on my lap." What Williams didn't expect was that she'd run into trouble while trying to do the right thing - that is, getting professional help for the injured animal.

Haley Williams

"I called the veterinary clinic to see if I could take him in, but they said they do not take in raccoons," Williams said. "I called the police station to get the number for any kind of wildlife services, but there are none around here that would be willing to take in a raccoon." Williams had no other choice but to take the raccoon in herself in order to save his life. She named him Winston.

Williams and a young Winston. | Haley Williams

"I already had animal bottles at home because I have raised many orphaned kittens over the years, so I took Winston home and gave him kitten formula," Williams said.

Haley Williams

"He took to the bottle almost immediately. Even though he was scared of me when I first picked him up, as soon as I gave him his first bottle, he bonded to me right away and would not let me out of his sight."

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Haley Williams

Extremely weak, Winston became highly dependent on his surrogate mother, and purred whenever she was near. He made a high-pitched screech, similar to crying, whenever Williams would put him down in a bed to rest. As a result, Williams had to make a sling that allowed her to carry Winston around.

Haley Williams

"It was like having a newborn in the house," Williams said. "I'd have to wake up every couple of hours to feed him. My sister was a huge help and he thought of her as just another mother to him. Soon, he was at a normal weight again and his hair was growing back nicely. His tail was actually starting to look fluffy instead of like a rat's tail."

Haley Williams

As Winston got older and gained his strength back, Williams was faced with a new challenge - being a surrogate mother to a healthy, hyperactive wild raccoon.

Haley Williams

Williams often took him down to the lake near her family's property to play around and said Winston had a penchant for collecting strangely shaped rocks to give her as gifts.

Haley Williams

Despite raising Winston, she was never under the impression that he would ever be a household pet.

Haley Williams

This only became more clear to her when Winston started to hang out with her cat Zizi, who made her home in Williams' barn. "The more I introduced him to the outside world, the more he wanted to be out exploring," Williams said.

Zizi and Winston | Haley Williams

Zizi became not only Winston's friend, but also his guide to exploring the world. Zizi gave Winston the courage to become comfortable with drifting farther and farther away from the home he grew up in.

Haley Williams

"If Winston wasn't with me, he was always with Zizi," Williams said.

Haley Williams

"Once Zizi passed away, Winston was a full-grown male ready to start doing male raccoon things," she said. Winston started leaving home for days, then weeks and then months, especially during mating season. Today, Winston is 5 years old and no longer lives with Williams, though he knows Williams' home is a place to return to whenever he needs some extra help.

Haley Williams

"I see him more during harsh weather months when food is scarce," Williams said. "He knows his mom will feed him. He also always comes home if he has suffered any kind of wound and will let me tend to it."

Haley Williams

Winston is also pretty good at breaking in all on his own whenever no one is home.

Haley Williams

A few years ago, Winston weaseled into Williams' home and managed to make a mess of a dozen cupcakes and an entire box of pancake mix. One point about Winston that Williams can't stress enough is that raccoon aren't meant to be household pets. "I've had people saying they've been looking for raccoon pets after they learn about Winston and I can't stress enough that they're wild," she said.

Haley Williams

She emphasized that Winston can still be skittish, even around her, and has bitten her on a few occasions when she failed to properly read his body language. "While I have greatly enjoyed the experience I've had raising him and learning about him, I still wish he would have had his real mother to teach him," she said.

Haley Williams

But it seems Winston will never forget the "mom" who gave him the chance to live and grow up into a fully fledged wild animal. "Sometimes he shows up late at night and we'll just cuddle and nap on the porch together until he decides he's had enough and will leave again," Williams said. "He will sometimes cuddle up close and groom my newest cat. Perhaps he remembers Zizi in those instances."

Williams, Zizi and Winston | Haley Williams
Rainstorm kills 6 in central China

2016-04-20 09:10

CHANGSHA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and 734,000 people have been affected by a rainstorm in central China's Hunan Province during the last few days, local authorities said on Monday.

According to local meteorological authority, heavy rain has hit most parts of Hunan Province since mid-April and has destroyed roads, damaged houses and flooded crops.

A total of 11,000 local residents have been relocated, but 7,400 still need aid.

Local meteorological authorities said heavy rains will continue this week. The hydrographic office issued a yellow alert for floods early Monday morning.

Meanwhile, in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, more than 70,000 people have been affected by rainstorm, the regional civil affairs department said on Monday.
Little Juwa lost his mother. Then his life got even worse. The baby chimp was captured by soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo several months ago - while it's unclear what happened to his mother, parents are often killed when babies are captured. The military members kept him for several months, attempting to sell him off for several thousand dollars. Fortunately, a development worker heard about the baby chimp and convinced the colonel who was in charge to turn him over to wildlife management officials. When officials turned up the next day to confiscate the chimp, they found a startling scene.

Lwiro Primates

Juwa had been tied up in a small dark room, where he had lived for at least four months while the military was looking for a buyer. He was starving and dehydrated, and completely lacking in comfort or care. The tether around his little body had cut right through his skin. "He was ... attached to a rope, which was incrusted in his waist creating deep wounds and pain," Itsaso, a worker with the Centre de Rehabilitation des Primates de Lwiro (Lwiro Primates), told The Dodo. The baby had also gone mad from the stress and begun to pull all the hair off his arms - which were almost white from the lack of sun. Itsaso described the scene as a "horrible situation."

Dodo Shows Foster Diaries Scared Pittie Gets So Happy When He Meets This Guy And His Pack Of Dogs

Lwiro Primates

"When they arrived to the meeting point to deliver me the baby I was in shock," Itsaso said. "I immediately hugged him, he was very scared ... [and covered in] faeces and urine." But after such a rough start in life, Juwa's pain was almost over.

Lwiro Primates

He was transferred to Lwiro Primates, where blood tests showed he was suffering from parasites and infection, but he's finally getting the medical attention - and maternal care - he's been deprived of for so long.

Lwiro Primates

He's currently cared for by a primatologist "surrogate mom" until he can be introduced to the center's other youngsters. "Now he is safe," Itsaso said, adding that the team hopes he will recover soon so he can meet the other orphans. "He will be able to be a chimp again!"

Lwiro Primates

Juwa also received his name, which, fittingly, is Swahili for "sun." And after spending so long without sunshine, his keepers are hoping his future life will be filled with it.

Lwiro Primates
An official website of the United States Government
The Yahoo headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif. Over the years, the company saw its best software engineers leave for other tech firms, hobbling its ability to adapt to trends and create products that would keep up with consumers tastes. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

Yahoo strove for the past two decades to build one of the most visited sites in the country and a robust online display advertising business.

It succeeded at both.

But its status as the third-most-visited website has translated into little more than a dimming outlook for the company that defined innovation in the early years of the Internet. Today, all those pairs of eyeballs  more than 200 million of them look at the site every month in the United States  have only made it a more attractive prospect for financial firms that want to break it up. Investors have little confidence that Yahoo can stand on its own.

On Tuesday, executives said they would continue to explore a sale of the company and expand mobile and video advertising, even as Yahoo reported that revenue had fallen by 11 percent over the past year.

So what went wrong?

Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer says that her efforts have forged a Yahoo that is stronger and more modern than before. (Eric Risberg/AP)

Some in the tech industry say the roots of Yahoos problems were seeded long ago. As Google and Facebook were winning the war for advertising dollars, Yahoo saw a steady stream of its best software engineers leave for brighter prospects in Silicon Valley. Without that talent, the company struggled to build viral products that kept up with consumer trends.

In the end, Yahoo was able to bring in massive numbers of viewers to look at interesting content and use its popular email service. But it hasnt been able to make enough money off of them to satisfy Wall Street.

They have a lot of traffic, but theyve gotten to the point where many people have just lost their patience. They are a shadow of their former selves, said Rob Leathern, chief executive of Optimal, a digital ad company.

Other analysts add that the company failed to adapt quickly enough to the two major trends of the consumer Internet: the rise of social networks and the exploding popularity of mobile devices. The latter was perhaps the most brutal for Yahoo. Display ads do not translate well on small screens, and consumers spend much more time on apps than they do surfing the mobile Web. Yet, with the exception of Yahoo Mail, Yahoos mobile apps never became big hits for iPhone or Android users.

Today, despite substantial investments in mobile products by Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer, the companys apps do not rank among the top 50 in Apples app store in the United States, according to analytics company App Annie. By comparison, Google and Facebook together own eight of the top apps in the United States, according to Nielsen. In addition, mobile advertising generated just $250 million in revenue for Yahoo in the past quarter. Facebook made $4.5 billion from mobile ads in the last three months of 2015.

On Tuesday, Mayer laid out her latest attempt to save Yahoo. On an earnings call, she said she would continue to focus on mobile advertising, which has grown 11 percent since last year, adding more video ads and providing more sophisticated data to advertisers. She added that the company would shed real estate in places including Burbank and Santa Clara, Calif., Milan and Dubai, sell off patents it no longer needs, and close seven digital magazines in travel, food and parenting.

The company reported a net loss of $99 million, compared with a profit of $21 million for the same quarter last year. The results were slightly better than Wall Street expectations. The stock rose about 1 percent in after-hours trading.

Mayer said that her efforts, which included growing a mobile audience to 600 million monthly users around the world from scratch, had forged a Yahoo that is stronger and more modern than before.

But investors in the company still expect the core business to be sold. In a CNBC interview Tuesday, Jeffrey Smith, chief executive of the Starboard Value hedge fund, said he would continue to pressure Yahoo to sell its core business. His firm has proposed replacing Yahoos entire board at the companys next shareholder meeting this summer.

Several suitors have expressed interest. Acquiring Yahoo could instantly turn a relatively small media company  or even a medium-size one  into one of the biggest sites in the world. Only Google and Facebook command bigger audiences than Yahoo.

Verizon has expressed interest in Yahoo and is frequently mentioned by analysts as a leading prospective bidder. Verizon, better known as a phone company, is aggressively aiming to become an Internet business in its own right. Last year, it bought AOL for $4 billion and is using its technology to improve how the company places ads on online video and other digital content. AOL counted 174 million unique visitors in November, according to ComScore.

But a sale of Yahoo would be a dramatic letdown for company executives. Just four years ago, they laid out a purple carpet for Mayer on her first day as chief executive. The press fawned over the new rock-star CEO, and the companys stock rose steadily for two years  propped up by Yahoos multibillion-dollar stake in Chinese e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba and optimism that the Geek Goddess could restore the floundering firms greatness in the smartphone era.

That warm reception is long over. Today, Yahoo is likely to fetch a price lower than all the money Mayer spent trying to transform it.

Initially, Mayer tried to put down a stake in social, buying microblogging platform Tumblr for $1.1 billion in 2013. It looked like a promising bet. Announcing the acquisition, Mayer estimated that the addition of Tumblr could grow Yahoos audience by 50 percent. Tumblrs audience numbers have ticked upward, and Mayer has put ads on the formerly ad-free platform. But the acquisition has been a negligible revenue generator for the company. Recently, Yahoo disclosed in a regulatory filing that it may write down all of Tumblrs value.

Mayer also plowed ahead with the goal of capturing eyeballs and revenue on mobile devices. When she took the job, Yahoo reportedly had fewer than 100 engineers working on mobile products  compared with thousands at Facebook  and had yet to build a mobile version of its email product, which processed 30 billion emails a day. Mayer dove into improving those products, but, aside from Yahoo Mail, the results havent gotten significant traction among consumers.

Another high-profile attempt to attract audiences didnt work as planned. In 2013, Mayer hired network news star Katie Couric as Yahoos first global news anchor, paying her $10 million a year. The move was part of a broad strategy to bring on high-wattage talent from the news industry. But the audiences didnt come in large numbers, effectively depressing Mayers strategy to sell higher-priced video ads.

Today, Courics videos are not commonplace on smartphones and other mobile devices.

It was a tough hand, said Jason Kint, chief executive of Digital Content Next, a trade group representing publishers including Conde Nast, ESPN and NBCUniversal. They werent born with great content, and they were trying to compete with Facebook and Google.

Brian Fung and Hayley Tsukayama contributed to this report.
Xi hails "unprecedented" China-NZ cooperation

2016-04-20 12:31

BEIJING, April 19, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key here on Tuesday, hailing "unprecedented" cooperation between the two nations.

Reviewing the great progress of bilateral relationship over the past 44 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi said China stands ready to work with New Zealand to seek further development of their comprehensive strategic partnership on the basis of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity.

Xi proposed the two sides enhance mutual trust, boost economic cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges, elevate law-enforcement cooperation and increase military-to-military interactions.

According to Xi, China hopes to build a long-term agricultural partnership with New Zealand and Chinese companies look forward to participating in New Zealand's infrastructure construction.

"The two sides can join our development strategies and work together cultivate new growth points of cooperation in bio-medicine, energy-saving, environment protection and innovative industry," said the president.

Xi also looked forward to closer cooperation with New Zealand in the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank and other multilateral mechanisms.

Echoing the president, Key said there is great opportunity for the development of the bilateral relationship.

The prime minister said New Zealand hopes to make joint efforts with China to speed up the negotiations to upgrade the free trade agreement between the two countries and deepen reciprocal cooperation in agriculture, tourism, education, law-enforcement and other sectors.

As the first Western country that has joined the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, New Zealand is willing to cooperate with China on regional economic integration, Key told the Chinese president.

The prime minister also voiced New Zealand's willingness to increase communication with China in international and regional affairs.

Related:

Spotlight: New Zealand PM optimistic about China's economic transition

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Monday expressed optimism about China's economic transition, saying the growth of the Chinese economy is still very considerable.

The Chinese leadership has many options to guide the world's second largest economy through its transition. said Key, who is on an official visit to China. Full Story

China, New Zealand pledge to promote FTA upgrades

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- China and New Zealand pledged to further expand the bilateral trade and promote the negotiation on upgrading their free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday.

The pledge came out of the meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his New Zealand counterpart John Key, who is on his sixth China visit from April 17-22. Full Story
Following the success of NOS4A2 (2013) and Heart-Shaped Box (2007) Joe Hill returns with The Fireman (Morrow, $28.99), a splendid, fast-paced apocalyptic tale  already optioned for film. In the near future, people become infected with Dragonscale, a strange, contagious spore that creates arabesque designs on the body before the victim bursts into flames. After treating hundreds of the afflicted, school nurse Harper Grayson makes two discoveries: not everyone self-incinerates, and some people find an almost spiritual, liminal state called the Bright, where the flames are controlled by singing and joy. Grayson, who is pregnant, then comes down with the ailment, and is determined to live long enough to deliver her child. Her husband abandons her to become part of the Cremation Crew, a group out to destroy carriers. From this seemingly impossible bind, Grayson finds help in a mysterious man called the Fireman, who, as his name suggests, has figured out a way to contain the flames. Hills witty sense of fun permeates the novels larger themes of prejudice and redemption, making the books 700-plus pages a surprisingly quick read.

[Best science fiction books to read]

Joan Aiken (1924-2004) wrote more than 100 books, from gothic fantasy to literary fairy tales. A new collection of Aikens work, The People in the Castle (Small Beer, $24) is a lovely introduction to those who dont know her work and a beautiful tribute for those who are already fans. Whimsical stories with a slightly dark undertone such as A Room Full of Leaves or Humblepuppy remind readers of adventures in Narnia or James and the Giant Peach. Ghosts abound in many of the stories, but they are neither bitter nor seeking revenge, and in an age of dark fairy tales and fantasy, it is lovely to encounter the strange without the gut-wrenching punch that often follows. The title story, for example, plays off an old fairy tale: A young doctor is warned to be kind to his new wife, a princess. One day he forgets this command and speaks harshly to her. She vanishes, and the doctor withdraws, refusing to see patients face to face, but curing them nonetheless. Twenty years pass. Then a woman knocks on his door, and this time the doctor steps out into the world. Through a cry of thank-yous from people he has healed, he finds himself in a cinema, where he is reunited with his love again: A feeling of inexpressible happiness came over him. But is this reunion real? As with many Aiken tales, this one ends with uncertainty, in a limbo where magic and reality mingle.

Hystopia (FSG, $26) by David Means is a fascinating novel within a novel. In an alternate universe, John F. Kennedy has survived multiple assassination attempts, and the Vietnam War has dragged on for years, leaving thousands of traumatized veterans. Detroit and parts of Flint have been destroyed by riot fires. A special Grid, or safe zone, is established for soldiers whose traumatic memories have been erased by a government organization called the Psych Corps. This twisted version of American history is the vision of Eugene Allen, who has returned from Vietnam to write a fictional tale at the center of Hystopia. In Allens interpretation, another vet named Rake goes on a killing spree and ends up kidnapping Meg (the real name of Allens sister). The narrative is told from many points of view  from that of the Psych Corp agents who are pursuing Rake and Meg, the other vets who help them, and then the editors, friends and family of Allen himself. Complex without being confusing, the novel weaves Eugenes own battle with mental illness and his sisters disappearance into a beautiful, haunting tale of loss.

Nancy Hightower, who reviews science fiction and fantasy every month for The Washington Post, is the author of The Acolyte.


Jeff Still (Howard), Shayna Blass (Charlotte), Xavier Scott Evans (Jonny) and Emily Townley (Lucinda) in The Mystery of Love & Sex. (Margot Schulman)

Black/white, Jewish/Christian, gay/straight  which are the markers that matter? The identity minefield is intensely charted territory, but playwright Bathsheba Doran navigates it with unusual grace in the entirely enjoyable play The Mystery of Love & Sex.

Dorans writing credits include TVs Masters of Sex and Boardwalk Empire, yet Mystery actually feels a little more like a novel as it sweeps across five years, watching a 21-year-old ponder what on earth it might mean to be a whole person. The scenes are detailed and unhurried, and in the smartly cast Signature Theatre production, you come to know each of the sagas four characters well.

Charlotte, the white 21-year-old, seems to be attracted to Jonny, a black friend shes had since they were 9. So, her parents wonder during a comical dinner in her cramped dorm room: Is this serious? After the adults leave, Charlotte soberly asks more or less the same thing, while adding a wrinkle. She confides to Jonny that, um, maybe shes gay.

Jonnys a Baptist and a virgin, despite the naked suggestion by Charlotte, who is Jewish (the brief nudity here is touching and amusing). The domestic confusion escalates as we learn about Charlottes parents: Howard is a Jewish author of detective fiction, and Lucinda is a Southern belle and lapsed Catholic whos trying to quit smoking. The plot thickens even more as Doran contemplates Jonnys longtime role around this family.

The acting in Stella Powell-Joness production is earthy and entertaining  its a funny show, yet it always feels honest enough that you cant be sure how tragically things might turn out. Shayna Blass, an actress who is proving to be among the citys most reliable performers, is wonderfully nuanced as Charlotte, whose impulses are all over the place. Blass makes this feel natural, even when the prickly Charlotte tries to unwind and dance, one of Blasss many endearing moments. Its easy to believe what a mess this kid is, and Blass thoughtfully never pushes our affections away from Charlotte.



Shayna Blass (Charlotte), Jeff Still (Howard) and Emily Townley (Lucinda) in The Mystery of Love & Sex at Signature Theatre. (Margot Schulman)

As Jonny, Xavier Scott Evans is tense in an entirely different way. Evans is excellent with Jonnys tight, earnest talk, whether arguing with a demanding Charlotte or nervously squaring off with Howard. The parents gradually emerge in full color after starting out in sitcom style. Jeff Still crackles with spontaneity as Howard, bubbling with anxious support for Charlotte and counterpunching in self-defense about his writing. As Lucinda, Emily Townley is perfection: Doran arms Lucinda with most of the one-liners, and Townleys comic timing is as good as it gets. Lucinda also articulates Dorans cosmic views on lifes big mysteries, and Townley  especially in a sweet but difficult scene with Blass  lifts the show into its most expansive realm.

Doran, who was born in England and lives in Brooklyn, has received mixed reviews for her script in Los Angeles (soap opera) and at New Yorks Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (tender and funny), where Tony Shalhoub and Diane Lane played the parents and apparently he was the funny one. This production is comfortable, with understated costumes from Asta Bennie Hostetter and a spare design from James Kronzer  whose movie house set for The Flick next door in Signatures Ark theater, by the way, is wildly good  that efficiently creates a lonely, upscale world. The actors, in particular, may have captured the most convincing tone of Mystery.

The Mystery of Love & Sex by Bathsheba Doran. Directed by Stella Powell-Jones. With David A. Schmidt. Lights, Jesse Belsky; sound design and music remix, James Bigbee Garver. About 2 hours and 15 minutes. Through May 8 at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington. Tickets $40-$89, subject to change. Call 703-820-9771 or visit www.sigtheatre.org
Brothers Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), left, and Rollo (Clive Standen) face off in the midseason finale of "Vikings" on the History Channel. (Jonathan Hession/History)

(All times Eastern).

The gang is forced to choose sides when a tiff between Leonard and Sheldon escalates into a major argument on The Big Bang Theory (CBS at 8 p.m.).

On Greys Anatomy (ABC at 8), the doctors work to save a boy who was accidentally shot by his playmate. Meanwhile, Arizona confronts Callie about her efforts to make a big decision for their daughter without consulting Arizona.

Brennan clashes with the co-founder of a mens rights organization during the teams latest investigation on Bones (Fox at 8).

Rips backstory is revealed on DCs Legends of Tomorrow (CW at 8), when a deadly assassin known as the Pilgrim threatens to kill the younger, non-superhero versions of the Legends.

Olivia deals with the repercussions of her shocking actions on Scandal (ABC at 9), and discovers what Jake and her father have been planning.

A mysterious stranger enlists Archer (FX at 10) for help in finding his birth mother.

In the midseason finale of Vikings (History at 10), Ragnar and Rollo prepare for an epic showdown as the battle between the vikings and the French intensifies.

After a breakout year, Amy Schumer returns for another round of her brilliant sketch comedy show Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central at 10). The fourth season will feature a host of celebrity guest appearances, including Selena Gomez, Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Former Vermont governor Howard Dean stops by The Daily Show (Comedy Central at 11).

Actors Tom Hanks and Leslie Odom Jr. will be on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS at 11:35), which will feature a performance by the Strumbellas. Roy Haynes sits in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

Comedians Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key are on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC at 11:35), along with actor Glen Powell and musical guest M83.
Here are two words to strike fear in an intrepid film critic: Rose Byrne.

Well, not any intrepid film critic. This intrepid film critic. Because Ive never gotten Rose Byrne. While her career has steadily ascended, with the pretty Australian actress snagging bigger and bigger roles, Ive remained as curiously unmoved as I was when I first saw her  in the uneven, strenuously striving-to-charm I Capture the Castle.

Since then, Byrne has become a go-to actress when a role demands a game, deadpan sense of mischief. Admittedly, she made the most of that quality in Bridesmaids, in which she played a superficial, slightly snobby character; I found her Slavic-accented froideur opposite Melissa McCarthy in Spy similarly amusing and deceivingly well calibrated. In her new movie, The Meddler, she does a perfectly respectable job as the daughter of a boundary-challenged mom; late in the film, she even laughs and cries simultaneously, no mean technical feat.

But even while finding things to admire in her performances, I have yet to feel the Byrne. Which underscores an occupational hazard for film critics who are routinely asked to appraise the work of actors who, through no lack of talent or fault of their own, just happen to leave the reviewer cold. For whatever reason  the unconscious associations they dredge up, the vaguely repellent echoes or off-putting synapses they fire  they inspire aversion rather than interest and sympathy. Should the ethical critic come clean about her biases? Cowboy up and hope that this time they surprise us? Focus on the cinematography and think of England?

A new study by the data journalism website Polygraph shows that the status of women in Hollywood is bleak. Even 25 years after the trailblazing movie "Thelma & Louise," men still hold the majority of dialogue in most movies. (Nicki DeMarco,Julio Negron/The Washington Post)

More to the point, why do we unquestioningly love certain actors and instinctively, almost reflexively, hate others? In the vortex of 24/7 celebrity infotainment, its now impossible to watch performers on screen without being aware of their off-screen lives. Although I approached The Meddler with hesitation because of Byrne, others might avoid it because they cant stand the politics of her co-star, Susan Sarandon. After seeing Alex Gibneys devastating indictment of Scientology, Going Clear, last year, I wasnt sure I could still be objective about Tom Cruise. Then came the latest Mission: Impossible, and  probably because hes still an outstanding actor  Cruises dubious off-screen associations were completely banished.

But what of the actors who bug us no matter what they do in their off hours? What if its their face, their body, their very being that, inexplicably and unquantifiably, offends? We all have our private lists: For some people, any movie featuring Ben Affleck is a non-starter. For some, its Matthew McConaughey. The mere mention of indie It Girl Greta Gerwig is enough to send some filmgoers into a slowly-I-turn rage. For others, its Anne Hathaway. And we havent even gotten to Nicolas Cage, Adam Sandler and Shia LaBeouf, the holy trinity of actors-we-hate.

Let the record reflect that I dont happen to be part of that we: Ive witnessed each of those actors deliver at least one or two honest, accomplished performances in the course of his career. But, if Im honest, there are stars I tend to approach with my arms crossed: I never found Kevin Costner to be a particularly interesting screen presence; he was often called the Gary Cooper of his generation, but by my lights thats because they were equally monotonous and inert. Sam Rockwell always exuded a smarmy sarcasm that left me utterly cold. Ive never understood the appeal of Martin Lawrence, whom I find strident and one-note. For reasons far beyond my powers of explanation, whether it was The 40-Year-Old Virgin or Pitch Perfect, Elizabeth Banks never once made me laugh; to me, she was cut from the same kind of blandly generic cloth as Kate Bosworth and January Jones  the female versions of such interchangeably attractive and preternaturally dull actors as Ryan Phillippe, Hayden Christensen and Sam Worthington.

At this juncture, its important to note that none of this is personal. I bear no hard-working creative artists ill will. When the lights go down, only the most uncharitable churl would be rooting for them to fail. I appreciate the sheer courage it takes to put oneself out there in any form  actors who dare to put their entire inner and outer lives on display for our derision or delectation can only be admired.

And yet, evaluating actors and their performances is deeply personal, because thats the only thing they bring to their work: their selves. Understanding what we irrationally like and dislike about certain actors helps get to the essence of what they do, which is to be an interpretive instrument through which the audience can understand a storys meaning and emotion. The only tools actors have for this job are their physical beings  their faces, bodies and voices  and their psychic beings, in the form of marshalling research, analysis and imagination to bring their characters to credible, emotionally affecting life.

When assessing a performance, its incumbent on the audience to discern what actors can control from what they cant. Every choice an actor makes  from how to walk and facial expression to line readings and spontaneous gestures  allows the viewer to become either more immersed in the reality on screen, or alienated from it. This is why such actors as Cage and Sandler can be so polarizing with viewers: They tend to bring the same mannerisms, tics and tricks to every role they play, forgoing the subtleties of characterization in favor of pandering to audience expectations. But before dismissing them as hacks, consider how Jack Nicholson, Bill Murray and Kristen Wiig have built careers doing essentially the same thing, without facing nearly as much hostility.

Theres no right or wrong answer when it comes to the actors we instinctively dislike: Whether youre looking at someone from across a table or a 30-foot screen, it all comes down to chemistry. Love cant be forced. But it can grow: Costner has become exponentially more layered and expressive as hes aged. Rockwell did a magnificent job projecting both pathos and swagger as an astronaut falling apart and finding himself in Moon and made a downright sexy leading man in the little rom-com Laggies. And Banks  that generic blonde I had once so short-sightedly written off  delivered an exceptionally sensitive, nuanced and moving performances last year in Love & Mercy, all the more remarkable for the fact that she spent most of the movie simply listening.

Of course, thats what acting is, at its best. And when actors manage to tune us in completely to what theyre hearing, everything else falls away, including our own pet peeves and preconceptions. Theyre no longer who we thought they were. And, for a few hours, they invite us to become someone else, too.
Anne Arundel County

The following were among incidents reported by the Anne Arundel County police. For information, call 410-222-8050.

ODENTON AREA

ROBBERIES

Annapolis Rd., 1600 block, 1:22 a.m. April 14. Two armed men assaulted a man walking out of a bar, stole cash and credit cards, and fled in a vehicle driven by a woman.

Annapolis

These were among incidents reported by the Annapolis Police Department. For information, call 410-268-9000.

ROBBERIES

Melrob Ct., 7 p.m. April 8. A man with a knife went up to a vehicle and demanded cash. The driver, with the knife at his neck, handed over his wallet. The assailant fled.

ASSAULTS

Marcs Ct., 10:25 p.m. April 9. During a domestic assault, a man stabbed a woman in the upper chest. An Annapolis man, 50, was charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, three counts of second-degree assault, two counts of reckless endangerment and concealing a dangerous weapon.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Bayridge Ave., 800 block, 7 p.m. April 6 to 8:30 a.m. April 7. Cash was stolen from a vehicle.

West St., 1800 block, 9 p.m. April 4. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Howard County

These were among incidents reported by the Howard County Police Department. For information, call 410-313-2236.

CLARKSVILLE AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Lime Kiln Rd., 12600 block, 6:28 p.m. April 13. A laptop computer and jewelry were stolen from a home.

Montell Dr., 6700 block, 3:28 p.m. April 11. A welder and tools were stolen from a garage.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

Ten Oaks and Highland Rd., 3:19 p.m. April 6. A 1997 green Chevrolet Camaro was stolen.

COLUMBIA AREA

ROBBERIES

Cloudleap Ct., 8700 block, 12:14 a.m. April 8. A man tried to rob a man of his wallet, but fled when the intended victim yelled.

ASSAULTS

Cedar Lane, 5700 block, 4:08 p.m. April 13. Officers responded to a hospital to investigate a report of a male with a stab wound. No further information was provided.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Blevins Dr., 11000 block, 2:30 p.m. April 9 to 6:50 a.m. April 11. A mini-excavator was stolen from a house under construction.

Harmel Dr., 10900 block, 10:30 a.m. April 9. A camera was stolen from a vehicle.

Llanfair Dr., 6100 block, 10:46 p.m. April 6. A basement window was broken at a home; nothing was reported stolen.

Shepherd Sq., 6000 block, 11:54 a.m. April 8. A man who was seen standing in the hallway of a house fled the home when he was spotted by a resident. Nothing was reported stolen.

Willow Bottom Dr., 11200 block, 10-10:15 a.m. April 13. A door was found ajar at a residence; nothing was stolen.

ELKRIDGE AREA

ROBBERIES

Washington Blvd., 9900 block, 1:52 p.m. April 7. A male assaulted an acquaintance and stole his wallet and phone.

Washington Blvd., 7800 block, 1:03 p.m. April 9. Three masked, armed men assaulted a woman, stole her purse and fled.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Montevideo Rd., 7200 block, 6 p.m. April 5 to 6 a.m. April 6. Dirt bikes, four-wheelers, solar panels and solar panel optimizers were stolen from a business.

Riker Rd., 8000 block, 2:29 a.m. April 9. A man pushed his way into a residence but fled when the homeowner called for help. A Glen Burnie man, 24, was charged with fourth-degree burglary and second-degree assault.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

Washington Blvd., 7200 block, 8:01 p.m. April 10. A gray Toyota Camry was stolen.

ELLICOTT CITY AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Court Ave., 8300 block, 8:09 p.m. April 12. Someone saw a group of people trying to enter a vacant house.

Oak Run Way, 8400 block, 3:30-4:10 p.m. April 11. A garage door was found open and a home was ransacked; nothing was reported stolen.

Wheaton Way, 3100 block, 7:56 p.m. April 8. A man was seen entering an apartment through a sliding-glass door, but he fled. Later that day, the sliding-glass door was shot with a BB pellet.

Wheaton Way, 3200 block, 2:37 p.m. April 10. A man fled after being found inside a vacant apartment.

HANOVER AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Old Washington Rd., 6100 block, 9:11 p.m. April 8. A man was seen leaving a residence through a living room window. Nothing was reported stolen.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

Washington Blvd., 6100 block, 11:09 a.m. April 7. A 2002 Honda Civic was stolen.

JESSUP AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Assateague Dr., 7300 block, 1:10 a.m. April 9. Cash was stolen from a business.

Mission Rd., 8700 block, 2:42 p.m. April 12. Tools and a ring were stolen from a home.

Washington Blvd., 8600 block, 10:30 p.m. April 7 to 4:30 a.m. April 8. A rear door was pried open and an interior door was kicked in at a business. Nothing was reported stolen.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

Bristol Ct., 8300 block, 3:09 p.m. April 7. A white Ford Econoline E-250 was stolen.

LAUREL AREA

ROBBERIES

North Laurel Rd., 9000 block, 6:35 p.. April 9. A man grabbed a cellphone from another man and fled. The two had arranged a meeting for one of the men to buy the cellphone.

Washington Blvd., 9800 block, 9:13 p.m. April 10. A masked man jumped over a counter at a business, stole cash and fled.

INDECENT EXPOSURE

Steeple Ct., 9400 block, 1:16 p.m. April 10. A man exposed himself to a woman after he called her over to his vehicle.
In a 1916 Flag Day parade, Uncle Sam was present, and nearby, a 38-by-60-foot Stars and Stripes flew atop the Washington Monument. (Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division)

I ran it up the flag pole to see whether people would salute it. They did. You know that salute people give you when you cut them off in traffic? Thats what I got.

I thought the idea had merit. As I wrote in a column earlier this month, how about if on June 14, 2016, we raise a massive American flag to the top of the Washington Monument and let it fly there for the day?

No, said many readers.

[Oh say, wouldnt you like to see a huge flag fly from the Washington Monument?]

Please dont destroy the Washington Monuments elegant lines with a flag, one commenter wrote. Its surrounded by flags at the base. Isnt that enough?

Saddam Hussein would create a spectacle like that, wrote another.

A retired veteran said, This turns the flag into a novelty item, sort of like those huge flags some car dealers fly.

I heard from a few supporters  DO THIS! wrote one  but most readers were lukewarm or downright hostile.

I found this interesting, given that Washingtonians already did it once, 100 years ago. In 1916, sailors hoisted a 38-by-60-foot Stars and Stripes to the top of the monument. It was the centerpiece of a Flag Day parade in which more than 35,000 people marched down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Why is something that was seen as impressive and desirable in 1916 considered tacky by many people in 2016?

Alan Kraut, a professor of history at American University, said we should consider the circumstances of the 1916 display. War was raging in Europe and Americans were wondering whether they would be drawn into it.

In the best of times, some gestures seem corny, he said. But there are moments when something happens and everyone is invested in it and it no longer seems so corny.

The obvious example is 9/11. American flags bloomed across the landscape. Its the rare U.S. politician today who doesnt sport a flag pin on the lapel.

So, in 1916, there was a war on  or soon would be. (The United States entered the Great War in April 1917.)

But arent we sort of at war now?

Were sort of at war, but are we really, when most Americans in their lives notice no difference and are asked to make no sacrifice? Kraut said.

Michael Kazin, a history professor at Georgetown University, will soon publish a book on opposition to U.S. involvement in World War I. He pointed out the unique details of that 1916 parade and flag-raising, with Woodrow Wilson marching with a flag himself and delivering a speech criticizing hyphenated Americans  German-Americans, Jewish-Americans, etc.  whose loyalty might be suspect.

Unlike in 1915, now we think about flag-waving as very connected to the military and sacrifice and all that, Kazin said. Whereas in 1915 the United States had not been in a major war overseas ever, and not in a major war since the Civil War  and the American flag was only one sides flag.

So, the flag may have had a different meaning to Americans then. Over the ensuing decades, the United States fought in more overseas wars and more Americans served in uniform.

But there was something else, too. People seemed to have a different mind-set then, not just about the flag but about communal displays. Id love to chat with participants in the 1916 event. Id have to be careful not to insult them, though. The people back then can seem kind of overly sentimental, non-questioning, accepting. Just watch an old newsreel: Theres that jaunty, almost naive confidence. Its refreshingly non-snarky, but also kind of hokey.

I think part of what youre talking about is simply a difference in rhetorical style, Kraut said.

When Kraut teaches 20th-century history, he plays students a 1936 fireside chat from Franklin Roosevelt. Its a beautiful piece of mid-20th-century political rhetoric, he said. No president would address the American public quite that way today.

The language strikes us now as corny, but certainly to those who listened to Roosevelt on their radio in 1936 it may have been comforting, Kraut said.

Craig Harmon, the local history buff who has been trying to convince the powers that be that they should do this, hasnt let the critics get him down. He said he has found a company in Texas that can make a big flag and a wind tunnel in College Park, Md., willing to test the concept.

Im trying to eliminate all the hurdles, ease peoples concerns about what might happen if you raise it up, he told me.

But Craig, I said, it seems that most Americans just dont think that way anymore.

Thats the whole reason to do it, because there has been this lack of patriotism, he said. The flag is the umbrella under which everything operates. If you cant celebrate that, whats the point?

I just think it would be cool.

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
Premier Li expects China, India to jointly maintain border peace

2016-04-20 12:31

BEIJING, April 19, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday expressed the hope that defense departments and armed forces of China and India strengthen exchanges, dialogue and communication to jointly maintain peace and stability in their border areas and create a good condition for the development of bilateral ties.

Li made the remarks while meeting Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, who held talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan on Monday.

The two countries are going to hold the 19th round of talks between special representatives on boundary issues in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday. India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will come and co-chair the talks with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

Li said China and India are important neighboring countries, whose peaceful co-existence and cooperation are conducive to both sides and the world.

China attaches high importance to the relations with India, and is willing to keep close bilateral exchanges, strengthen strategic mutual trust, expand common interests, and properly handle disputes, so as to promote a sound and stable development of the China-India relations, Li said.

Facing the sluggish world economy and unceasing regional conflicts, the cooperation and common development between the two countries will be a great engine for Asia's development and send a positive signal for world peace, Li noted.

Speaking positively of the development of India-China relations in recent years, Parrikar said he hoped the two sides could make joint efforts to properly handle relevant issues and maintain the cooperation momentum in all areas.

He said a further progress of bilateral defense relations would also push forward the two countries' economic and trade cooperation. He hoped the two countries could strengthen cooperation and friendship.

Related:

More cooperation among China, Russia, India for bigger role in global affairs: Chinese FM

MOSCOW, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday suggested that China, Russia and India expand cooperation so that the three-party mechanism will play a bigger role in global affairs.

Wang, who is visiting Moscow attending the 14th trilateral meeting of foreign ministers, made the remarks when he had a meeting with his Russian and Indian counterparts Monday. Full Story

China-India cooperation to have profound significance: Chinese FM

MOSCOW, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Closer partnership between China and India will have positive and profound significance for the world, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday after meeting with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj.

As two of the world's major developing countries and emerging markets, China and India should work together through the alignment of each other's development strategies, in order to facilitate the earlier realization of the Asian century, said Wang, who is here attending the three-party talks with foreign ministers of Russia and India. Full Story

1 2 >> 1 2 >>
These cases were handled by the Washington Humane Society, which operates its shelter at 7319 Georgia Ave. NW, and the Districts, at 1201 New York Ave. NE. For information or assistance, call 202-723-5730 or go to washhumane.org.

Cats tree house: Military Rd. NW, 3600 block, March 27. An officer was able to capture a cat that was in a tree for three days. The cat was returned to its owners.

High-wire experience: Congress St. SE, 1300 block, March 28. An officer, assisted by an electrical utility company, captured a feral cat near utility wires. The animal was taken to the clinic for sterilization and later returned to its community.

Reunion: Mintwood St. NW, 1800 block, March 29. A Maine coon cat, which had been reported missing, was captured by its owner.

Dead dog leads to probe: Staples St. NE, 1400 block, April 9. Visiting a residence after a tenant had moved out, Humane Society officers found the body of a dog in a wire cage.

Pigeon is abandoned : Fifth St. NE, 5700 block, April 7. An officer found a domesticated pigeon in a residence without food or water and took it to a veterinarian. The case was pending further investigation.

Adoptable pet: New York Ave. NE, 1200 block, March 1. A stray 6-month-old puppy was taken to the shelter.
Presidential candidate Donald Trump heads to Maryland Wednesday, with plans to speak to supporters at a high school in Berlin, outside of Ocean City.

But as word spread about the rally, the state teachers union in Maryland called on the school board in Worcester County to reverse its decision to allow the Republican front-runner to campaign on school grounds.

Donald Trump and his divisive, fear-mongering rhetoric have no place in the halls of Marylands public schools, said Betty Weller, president of the Maryland State Education Association, in a statement. Trumps eagerness to bully minorities would be unacceptable if it came from any of our students.

A spokesman for the Trump campaign said late Tuesday that she had not heard of the teachers union statement. The rally is noted prominently on Trumps website.

Worcester County school officials said by email late Tuesday that they acknowledged concerns by advocacy groups but that the rental of school facilities to any organization does not imply an endorsement of the event or candidate.

The school systems facility policy does not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, and does not exclude a political candidate from renting facilities because of the views he or she conveys, the email said.

The Trump event is scheduled for the gymnasium of Stephen Decatur High School, which tweeted about the event being a historic moment in our school history.

Many who responded to the tweet did not see it the same way.

I thought our school was more progressive than this, one posted.

Disappointed is all I can say, posted another.

The president of the teachers union said that allowing Trump to speak in a public school normalizes and condones bullying attitudes and behavior that go against the tolerance and acceptance that educators strive to teach our students every day. The union represents 71,000 teachers and other school employees in Maryland.

It cited a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center that said the presidential campaign is stirring fear and anxiety among children of color in the nations schools and said that many students worry about being deported.
Gavin Grimm, a transgender teen, on the front porch of his home in last year. Grimm sued the Gloucester County School Board after it banned him from the boys bathroom. (Steve Helber/AP)

When Gavin Grimm, a transgender high school student who was born female, began using the boys bathroom at his Virginia school, he expected some difficulties. Maybe hed receive a snide comment, or a sidelong glance, or a double-take.

What he could not anticipate was being at the center of a high-profile court fight that could have implications reverberating far beyond the hallways of Gloucester High School. Grimm, 16, sued the Gloucester County School Board after it created a policy that required students to use bathrooms according to their biological sex instead of gender identity. The case has drawn national attention to the issue of who can use which public bathroom and has put Grimm in the middle of an emotional fight over LGBT rights.

The high school junior said the School Boards policy has made him avoid the bathroom at school if he can and has pushed him to use the nurses bathroom when he absolutely has to, elevating the most mundane of human functions into a daily minefield. Grimm said the restrictions have had psychological effects at a time of adolescence that is usually challenging in and of itself.

Its very unfortunate that I have to go to bat to use the bathroom, Grimm said. Its sort of absurd to think about.

Tuesday marked a major moment in Grimms bathroom fight, with a federal appeals court in Richmond saying he could continue his discrimination lawsuit against the School Board. The judges also ruled that a lower court should reconsider Grimms request for a court order that would allow him to use the boys bathroom while the lawsuit is pending.

Protesters showed up at Santee Education Complex in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 20, to make a stance again gender neutral bathrooms. (Facebook.com/ Christina Jimenez)

[Federal appeals court sides with transgender teen, says bathroom case can go forward]

The Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit deferred to the Obama administrations position that requiring transgender students to use a bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex amounts to a violation of Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination at schools that receive federal funding.

Grimm was at home Wednesday processing the latest development in his sometimes surreal, months-long fight to use the boys bathroom, and he said he feels affirmed by the ruling, even though his case is far from settled.

It was just an immediate moment of catharsis, and it was just very, very relieving, Grimm said.

Grimms case has been part of a national debate over LGBT rights that has increasingly focused on which bathrooms transgender people should use. Lawmakers in several states have weighed bills that would require transgender people to use bathrooms according to the sex on their birth certificate rather than their gender identity, arguing that the requirements are important to safeguard privacy and traditional values.

North Carolina was the first state to require people to use bathrooms according to the sex on their birth certificate, and the issue has proved deeply polarizing.

North Carolinas law has inspired student protests and moved businesses and entertainers to boycott the state. Protesters in Los Angeles who showed up at the Santee Education Complex on Tuesday to speak out against a gender-neutral bathroom ended up brawling with high schoolers outside the school, according to NBC4 Southern California.

Francisco Negron, general counsel for the National School Boards Association, said school officials are often anxious and confused about their obligations when it comes to accommodating transgender students because the law is unsettled. The ruling puts schools in North Carolina in a bind, with state law conflicting with federal regulations, Negron said.

What is a school district to do in those areas? Negron said Wednesday. Its really kind of an untenable situation, where a state law is running up against a federal regulation.

[What a federal appeals courts ruling could mean for North Carolinas bathroom law]

The courts ruling marked a high point for Grimm, who was put into the middle of the turmoil last year when Gloucester parents expressed concern over his using the boys bathroom. They hurled insults at School Board meetings, and they talked about him as if he werent a person.

Even Wednesday, while he was elated over the courts decision, he called his fight to use the boys bathroom long and grueling and unfortunate.

Grimm said he hopes that his fight will pave the way for other transgender youth to use the school bathrooms of their choice. He and experts have said that using the bathroom that corresponds with his gender identity is important for his mental health.

Knowing how awful and terrible the situation has been for me, Im just so glad less people are going to have to go through this in the future, Grimm said. Its just important to know that were people and we have the same sorts of hopes and dreams and aspirations as anybody else on this planet. . . . Were human beings.
Democratic congressional candidate Tony Puca is seeking to represent Marylands 6th District in the U.S. House. (Bill Turque/The Washington Post)

Democratic congressional candidate Tony Puca says that one of the many reasons to vote for him in Marylands 6th District primary next week is that he doesnt have his eye on the next job.

Im 68. Im not running for governor, like my opponent, said the Brooklyn-born Puca, a mortgage loan officer and longtime party activist.

He was referring to two-term Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.), widely thought to be interested in unseating Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in 2018.

Delaney, 53, said hes fully focused on the 6th, although its difficult to see the mobile billboard he sent circling the State House last month  calling on Hogan to denounce fellow Republican Donald Trump  as anything other than an early shot across the bow.

Tony has no idea what I want to do, Delaney said in a recent interview. He has no basis for saying anything about what my motivations are, because he doesnt know me, and I dont know him at all.





[Maryland Republicans still eyeing Delaneys seat]

Puca is challenging Delaney from the left, contending that the moderate business-minded Democrat takes too much money from the corporate sector hes supposed to be overseeing as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services.

John isnt a Democrat, Puca said. He doesnt even belong in office.

Delaneys spokesman, Will McDonald, called Puca misinformed and said that the congressman has consistently supported protections for consumers and investors, including tougher regulations on brokers who offer financial advice to retirees.

Puca is critical of Delaneys vote in November to join House Republicans in passing the American Safe Act, which Puca described as a measure to refuse to accept Syrian and other displaced Muslim refugees into our country.

The bill called for expanding background checks for Syrian and Iraqi refugees and requiring the administration to certify that the refugees were properly vetted before allowing them to enter the country.

Delaney said that the bill, which died in the Senate, was grossly politicized by both parties.

Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) meets with members of his staff last year in his office on Capitol Hill. (Andrew Harnik/For The Washington Post)

People on both sides of the aisle had a desire to represent that legislation as something it wasnt, Delaney said.

Puca said that if elected, he would push the government to prosecute bankers involved in the financial meltdown. He supports single-payer health care and free college education.

He is also the longest of long-shots in the 6th, a gerrymandered marvel that starts in Potomac and stretches nearly 200 miles north through a portion of Frederick County, then west across economically struggling Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties in the Maryland panhandle.

A five-time candidate for Congress and state office, Puca has raised just $2,500 to challenge Delaney, a former health-care financier ranked by Roll Call as the third-wealthiest member of Congress having a minimum net worth of $91.8 million. His latest campaign finance report shows $273,000 cash on hand as of April 6  bus fare for a candidate who spent $4 million of his own money on his first two races.

Delaney, not surprisingly, has his eye on November. When a reporter mentioned that hed seen his opponent earlier that day, Delaney asked: Which one? I have eight of them.

[Delaney makes transition from financier to congressman]

He was referring to the GOP primary candidates, one of whom he will meet in the fall: Washington County Commissioner Terry Baker; Montgomery Village bioscientist Scott Cheng; lawyer and ballot-measure activist Robin Ficker; defense consultant and former Army deputy undersecretary Amie Hoeber; businessman Frank Howard; former Marine Christopher Mason; Gaithersburg accountant Harold Painter; and Del. David Vogt (R-Frederick).

If Delaney wants to be governor, hell need a strong performance in the general election to show that his 2014 near-death experience  when he held off Republican Dan Bongino by just 2,700 votes  stemmed from a weak gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, at the top of the Democratic ticket.

It was a steep drop from the 2012 campaign, when he upended the Democratic establishment favorite, State Sen. Rob Garagiola, in the primary. With boundaries gerrymandered by state Democrats, Delaney handily unseated longtime Republican incumbent Roscoe Bartlett.

So in 2012, I learned about a big victory, and in 2014, I learned that every vote counts, said Delaney, who is taking no chances this time. In 2014, it was mid-July when he opened reelection offices. This year, his Gaithersburg and Hagerstown offices are already on line.

Delaney is running on a legislative record that is more aspirational than concrete. Hes still pursuing the signature proposal he introduced three years ago: allowing corporations to repatriate a portion of their overseas earnings tax-free in exchange for the purchase of bonds to pay for renewing the nations infrastructure.

The measure is co-sponsored by 22 Democrats and 19 Republicans. Delaney said he is optimistic about its chances in the next Congress.

He is also hopeful about prospects for his market-based plan to address climate change. The Tax Pollution, Not Profits Act would tax greenhouse gas emissions, using the revenue to lower the corporate tax rate and fund other important needs.

I think its going to become pretty clear, even to the Republican leadership, that they have to do something about climate change, Delaney said. The pressure is going to mount, and the facts are going to continue to scream for action.

Delaney said nothing big comes easily in Congress and that change requires time and patience.

It takes years of cultivating the soil, he said. Only the voters will determine if Delaney will be around for the harvest.
A makeshift memorial appeared at the scene of a crash that killed Alex Murk and Calvin Li, both 18, last June in Montgomery County. (Donna St. George /The Washington Post)

Never before had Sen. Robert A. Zirkin, chairman of the Maryland Senates Judicial Proceedings Committee, stopped in the middle of a hearing to take a vote on a bill.

But after listening to emotional testimony from two fathers whose teenage sons were killed by an underage drunk driver, Zirkin (D-Baltimore County) accepted a motion to approve a bill that would stiffen the penalties for adults who provide alcohol to people younger than 21  including a provision that would send such adults to jail.

The vote, taken in February, was unanimous. Some onlookers in the hearing room cried. Others applauded.

[Md. panel votes to stiffen penalties for underage drinking parties]

The bill named for slain 18-year-olds Alex Murk and Calvin Li seemed destined that evening to sail through the legislature. But it was dramatically weakened just days before the General Assembly adjourned this month.

Under an amendment pushed by Zirkin and approved by the Judicial Proceedings Committee, the bill would impose jail time and higher fines only if the adult in question knew or should have known an underage drinker would drive, and if that drunk driver causes serious injury or death to the individual or another.

Zirkin and other lawmakers said they realized after their committee vote that the bill could have meant jail time for college students who are 21 or older and provide beer to friends who are underage.

But others say the amended legislation, which awaits approval by Gov. Larry Hogan (R), no longer does what it was originally intended to do: discourage parents from hosting parties for teenagers where alcohol is provided.

The amendment took a very strong, preventative-minded bill and turned it into a weak, punitive bill, said Montgomery County Police Capt. Tom Didone, head of the departments traffic division and an expert in teen-drinking abuses. The bill severely upends our ability to leverage parents to do the right thing.

Finding the right target

David Murk and Paul Li began their quest for tougher penalties after learning that Kenneth Saltzman, whose house was the site of the party their sons attended, had been issued two criminal citations for allowing underage drinking at his home.

Saltzman, who was aware of the drinking, was fined $2,500 for each citation, the maximum allowed under the law. The teenage driver in the crash recently pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular manslaughter.

[Teen driver in deadly North Potomac crash pleads guilty]

Under the original version of Alex and Calvins Bill, a person who provided alcohol to someone younger than 21 could have received a jail term of up to one year and/or a fine of up to $5,000 for first offense. They could have received two years of incarceration and/or a $7,500 fine for a second or subsequent offense.

Twenty-six other states include the possibility of jail time for adults convicted of providing alcohol to people younger than 21 at parties.

Didone told the legislative panels this year that Montgomery County police had cracked down on 30 parties involving underage drinkers from June, when Murk and Li died, until February. A third of those parties were hosted by adults. He asked lawmakers to give the police the tool they needed to end the illegal activity.

Kurt Erickson, president of the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, said it is easy to blame a faceless, impersonal entity for providing alcohol to those who are underage. But a 2013 survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that parents, guardians, or other adult family members were the second leading source of alcohol for underage drinkers.

Alex and Calvins bill first ran into trouble in the House Judiciary Committee, where Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery) raised concerns that bill could be applied to people other than parents who host underage drinking parties.

Moons questions opened a discussion about whether a 21-year-old college student who gave a beer to a 20-year-old would be subject to going to jail.

Moon said he talked to Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo (D-Montgomery), the House bills sponsor, and to Montgomery County police. The House committee settled on an amendment to the bill that specified that the jail time and $5,000 fine would apply only to adults who host parties where alcohol is provided.

We were getting push back on the jail college kids problem, Moon said. So we put jail on parents hosting house parties.

Running out of time

When the amended bill went back to the Senate, Zirkin had new concerns. Even with the amendment, he said, he thought the bill could be applied far more broadly than intended  to college students, rather than to parents of teens.

We wanted to make sure we passed a bill that dealt with the issue that was before us, Zirkin said. We wanted to be more specific on who we were trying to put a jail sentence on. . . . I dont want to see police officers showing up with [patrol wagons] at Morgan State University, Coppin State or the University of Maryland. I dont think anyone wants to see that. 

Fraser-Hidalgo said that given the link between drinking and sexual assaults on college campuses, he did not understand why were so worried about defending 21- and 22-year-olds.

He called the changes to the bill disheartening for everyone.

The House of Delegates agreed to accept the Senate committees amendments on April 11, the final day of session. Sen. Brian J. Feldman (D-Montgomery), who sponsored the legislation in the Senate, said time was running out, and lawmakers thought they had little choice.

It was either going to be that language or no bill, Feldman said. We felt it was important to get a bill passed. . . . We were running up against midnight.

Hogan was not aware of the changes made to the legislation. He said the concept of Alex and Calvins bill was good, but he has not seen the bills final wording.

[Md. lawmaker: Slain officer Noah Leotta is still on the job]

Just after the final votes on the bill took place, lawmakers gave full passage to Noahs Law, another high-profile measure that addresses drunken driving by expanding the use of ignition locks. That bill is named for a Montgomery County police officer who was killed by a drunk driver several months after the deaths of Alex Murk and Calvin Li.

Fraser-Hidalgo noted that lawmakers fought for seven years to pass the ignition-lock bill.

He said he will continue his fight against underage drinking next year, and will sponsor new legislation to improve Alex and Calvins law.

To pass that bill, he will have to persuade the same lawmakers in the House Judiciary and Senate Judicial Proceedings committees who amended the legislation this year.
U.S. Rep. Donna F. Edwards talks to voter Tariq Tucker during early voting this month. Edwards is facing Rep. Chris Van Hollen in the Maryland Democratic primary. They are running to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (Astrid Riecken/For The Washington Post)

Rep. Donna F. Edwards was beaming as she greeted supporters outside a Prince Georges County firehouse on a recent Friday, ready to regale another debate audience with her history as a single mother and her quest to diversify the U.S. Senate.

Let me give you a hug! Edwards gushed, wrapping her arms around a friend.

A few feet away, Edwards saw another familiar face: Dave Chapman, a neighborhood activist from her district. But Chapman, 74, was holding up a sign for Rep. Chris Van Hollen, her opponent in the bruising race to succeed Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski in Tuesdays Democratic primary.

Youre never on my team, no matter what I do for you! Edwards told Chapman, who reminded her that he had been among her first supporters when she won her House seat.

But you never returned my calls, Chapman said.

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), talks with diners at a Denny's restaurant in Easton, Md. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Edwards turned and kept walking, her smile locked in place.

As she seeks to become Marylands first African American senator, Edwards, 57, casts herself as an uncompromising progressive whose perspective as a black woman is needed in a Senate long dominated by white men. From womens issues to income inequality, her impassioned oratory has endeared her to national progressive groups that have poured money into her campaign, narrowing Van Hollens early fundraising advantage.

More than 600,000 online viewers have watched her appearance last month on Bill Mahers Real Time, in which her biting defense of President Obamas right to choose a new Supreme Court justice prompted comedian Sarah Silverman to shout, Put this middle-aged black woman in the Senate right now!

Yet for all her telegenic swagger, Edwards has roiled her Democratic colleagues, who chafe at what they describe as her brusque manner, sharp-elbowed tactics and poor management of her congressional office. In particular, they cite what they say is her failure to cater to the needs of her constituents.

Shes focused on Washington, D.C., and Congress  and not on the areas she represents, said Doyle Niemann, a former Maryland state delegate and Edwards supporter who is backing Van Hollen. Ive tried to get hold of her on different issues, and rarely do I get a real response.

Edwards, in an interview, dismisses such criticism as manufactured by a political establishment that is largely aligned with Van Hollen and reflective of the outsider status she has cultivated during her Senate campaign.

The way I came into politics is very different than the way they came into politics, Edwards said. Politics can be a little clubby. And I wasnt part of the club.

Race does matter

Although Marylands Democratic establishment has anointed Van Hollen as Mikulskis successor, Edwards has her own supporters, a bandwagon that includes such national groups as Emilys List and Democracy for America, which view her as an unyielding ally in their efforts to protect Social Security benefits and change campaign-finance laws.

Progressives first noticed Edwards in 2006 when, with little money, she nearly defeated then-Rep. Albert Wynn, a Prince Georges power broker whom she defined as a tool of corporate interests and criticized for voting to authorize the Iraq War.

Edwards defeated Wynn in a Democratic primary rematch two years later.

It showed her determination and perseverance, said Karren Pope-Onwukwe, a longtime ally. She became entrenched in the community, and thats what made the difference.

Although she emphasized her experience as an activist during those campaigns, Edwards, who is divorced, now stresses her history as a single black mother, a strategy that her allies hope will draw African American voters in key areas including Baltimore and Prince Georges.

Race does matter, Edwards said during a recent debate. Its time that we had the ability to speak for ourselves.

Her message seems to resonate with women such as Sherry James, a black nurse from Landover who nodded at the Prince Georges firehouse event when Edwards described her past struggles paying bills.

Go ahead! Uh-huh, James said as Edwards spoke. Shes talking about my life! Shes real.

Yet Edwardss focus on race and gender also prompts criticism that she is pandering to black voters.

Artis Hampshire-Cowan, a black civic leader in Prince Georges who is a vice president at Howard University, said that Edwardss candidacy has pained me personally, especially because her message sounds so different from when she ran against Wynn, who is also black.

Now that shes running for the Senate against a Caucasian, shes wrapping herself in the sisterhood cloth, said Hampshire-Cowan, a Van Hollen supporter. Its just race and gender, and I think were beyond it.

State Del. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore), who is backing Edwards, said the focus on the congresswomans racial identity draws attention away from her more noteworthy attributes, including her career as an advocate for victims of domestic violence.

Whats more interesting is her brilliance, Carter said. Its her independent voice.

A river view

On a recent Thursday, Edwards went table to table at a Kent County Democratic Party dinner on the Eastern Shore, posing for photos, commiserating about the tempestuous weather and dropping personal tidbits here and there.

My mother says, Donna  Everything you think, you wear on your face,  Edwards told one woman. I cant help it.

On another day, another audience learned that she loves shopping for vintage clothing (Sometimes late at night on HGTV, I watch flea markets) and of her interest in traveling to Mars (If they just take me, that would be great).

Mainly, though, Edwards sticks to her biographical narrative: the daughter of an Air Force officer who moved Edwards and her five siblings from base to base, including one in New Mexico, where her 11th-grade yearbook quoted her hope to go into law and possibly politics.

Her immediate ambition was to join the Air Force, she says, but they wouldnt let me fly. Instead, she attended Wake Forest University and got her law degree at the University of New Hampshire.

Edwards was married in 1983 to Derek Lane Coleman, whom she met in college. They had their son, Jared, five years later.

The couple soon separated, and, for a time, Edwardss financial struggles  she had accumulated massive student debt  forced her to move with her son to her mothers house, live without health insurance or a car and get help from food pantries. Her failure to pay taxes over several years resulted in more than $9,000 in state and federal liens, all of which were later released.

Although she often alludes to her hardships in campaign appearances, Edwards said she has never liked discussing the period in detail. It was a very emotionally debilitating thing, she said. I was totally embarrassed by it.

At the time, she was building her career as a public-interest lawyer, co-founding the National Network to End Domestic Violence before becoming executive director of a foundation that handed out grants to progressive causes.

She first delved into Prince Georges politics  and bucked the countys Democratic establishment  in the early 2000s, when she opposed the National Harbor project in southern Prince Georges.

Milton Peterson, the projects developer, referred to Edwards and her fellow activists at the time as hornets after they filed a lawsuit against the project. They dropped the suit when Peterson agreed to add residential units and a biking and hiking trail along the Potomac River.

Six years later, as a new member of Congress, Edwards bought a $539,000 condominium at National Harbor, which delighted such detractors as former state senator Gloria Lawlah, a project proponent.

Its an acknowledgment that we were right and she was dead wrong, Lawlah said, chuckling.

Edwards countered that the communitys opposition forced Peterson to turn National Harbor into a place she wanted to live.

I love it, she said of her home and its river view. I feel really proud of what we did.

Constituents and criticism

Edwards found that her power to force change was far more limited as a member of the minority party in Congress. As an example of her legislative accomplishments, she often cites a measure to add Maryland to the states that serve after-school supper to students.

At the Capitol, the congresswoman is mainly known as a partisan Democrat advocating a broad populist and progressive framework, said Norman Ornstein of the nonpartisan American Enterprise Institute. But shes not known as one of those who focuses on the details of policy.

What she is notorious for is roiling Democratic colleagues.

In 2011, she opposed the redistricting plan by then-Gov. Martin OMalley (D), which stripped her of the part of her district that included Montgomery County and gave her Anne Arundel County.

Although her detractors have accused her of acting out of self-interest, Edwards insisted that OMalleys plan harmed black voters because it concentrated their power in just a few districts.

Give her credit for speaking out against a gerrymandering plan that hurt minorities, said Doug Duncan, the former Montgomery county executive, who is backing Edwards. She impressed me as someone who speaks her mind and doesnt worry about the consequences.

Even as she emphasizes her racial identity, the political action committee behind the Congressional Black Caucus declined to endorse Edwards. The PACs board tabled a vote on the endorsement after learning that two prominent black leaders  Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III and Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett  were supporting Van Hollen (Albert Wynn is among the boards 21 voting members).

Joanne C. Benson, a Prince Georges state senator who backed Edwards over Wynn, said her relationship with Edwards died after the congresswoman summoned her to a meeting and wanted to berate me for not opposing OMalleys redistricting plan.

Ive been in politics since 1965 and never been so disrespected, Benson said.

Edwards described Bensons account as absolutely a fiction.

I have not berated anybody, she said.

Others have wanted Edwards to pay closer attention to their interests.

The Maryland affiliates of the Service Employees International Union dropped Edwards after supporting her in other races because members were reaching out to her office and werent getting any responses, said Pat Lippold, political director for the states health-care union. And the union representing 8,000 NASA workers has criticized Edwards for not responding sufficiently when it complained about racial disparities at the agency.

When Van Hollen mentions the criticism, Edwards cites her endorsements from unions such as those representing bricklayers, nurses and transit workers. She has denied the NASA unions claim.

Chapman, the neighborhood activist from Prince Georges who is backing Van Hollen, said he abandoned Edwards after she ignored his repeated requests for assistance on behalf of people he knew, including an unemployed veteran trying to navigate the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The only time Id see her was around election time, he said.

Edwards insists that her staff provides really good constituent service, assisting residents in foreclosure cases and organizing such events as an annual college fair.

Asked about her often-contentious relationships with Democratic colleagues, Edwards pointed out that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has put her on her leadership team and that she has headed groups including the House Democratic Womens Caucus.

Somebodys got to like me, Edwards said.

For better or worse, the congresswoman acknowledged, her style is not to sugarcoat things.

Im very direct. Im very precise, she said. I get to the heart of the matter.
Candidates vying to be Marylands first Republican senator in nearly three decades are trying to piggyback off the popularity of Gov. Larry Hogan.

House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga (Baltimore County) boasts about working with Hogan to cut taxes in Annapolis and often says shell change Washington  an homage to the Republican governors Change Maryland slogan.

Chrysovalantis Kefalas, an executive with the National Association of Manufacturers, calls himself a Hogan Republican, noting that they served together in the administration of former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R).

Tire company owner Joseph Hooe fondly recalls campaigning for Hogans 2014 election.

And former Pentagon official Richard Douglas mentions that Hogan appointed him to the state ethics commission.

[Hogan is Marylands most popular governor since 1998]

Although Hogan isnt endorsing in the race, the candidates are painting themselves in his mold as effective business people who steer clear of thorny social issues that could alienate more-moderate primary voters.

You are not going to run in Maryland as a Ted Cruz Republican . . . so you look to the most recent Republican who has been successful in this state, said Todd Eberly, a political science professor at St. Marys College. And thats Larry Hogan.

Szeliga, Kefalas, Hooe and Douglas are the only candidates in a 14-person GOP primary field to have raised significant money and maintained a robust presence on the campaign trail.

But their fundraising, and the attention they have received, pales in comparison to the nationally watched Democratic matchup between U.S. Reps. Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen.

[Democratic candidates raise millions in Maryland Senate primary]

A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll released early this month found that nearly 6 in 10 likely Republican voters in Maryland had no preference in the GOP Senate primary. Among those who were backing a candidate, Szeliga and Kefalas led the pack.

In Democratic-leaning Maryland, whoever wins the April 26 Republican primary will be considered an underdog compared to the Democratic nominee.



House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga, a delegate from Baltimore County. (Brian Witte/AP)

Szeliga, 54, has the most cash and endorsements and could get an added boost with a campaign commercial and radio spot that the advocacy group Citizens United is airing on her behalf through the primary.

[Szeliga has financial edge in Senate race]

The ads portray Szeliga as a businesswoman  she owns a construction company with her husband  who is outside the political establishment, even though she is the only GOP Senate candidate who is an officeholder. She also served as an aide to state lawmakers before she was elected.

Im a proven leader thats working with Larry Hogan in Annapolis, and we are doing wonderful things to change Maryland, Szeliga says.

In Washington, she says her priorities would be rolling back the Iran nuclear deal and protecting Marylands military bases. She would also oppose any attempt to shut down the government because such closures hurt federal subcontractors in Maryland, she said.



Maryland Senate candidate Chrys Kefalas (Courtesy of the Chrys Kefalas campaign)

Kefalas, a lawyer who in addition to working for Ehrlich worked for the Department of Justice under the Obama administration, questions Szeligas attempt to claim to outsider mantle in the race.

Like Larry Hogan, I dont have a legislative record. I wasnt a part-time legislator really engrained in the system, said Kefalas, 36, who moved from the District to his native Baltimore to run for the Senate seat.

Kefalas, who would be the first openly gay Republican senator, says hes the only candidate capable of appealing to enough Democrats and independents to win the general election.

[Openly gay Kefalas mulls bid for U.S. Senate]

He says his support for marriage equality in 2012 would help him made inroads in such liberal bastions as Montgomery County, while his work on criminal justice reform in the Ehrlich administration would improve his credibility among African Americans.

In the U.S. Senate, he says, hed be a moderate voice and advocate for returning manufacturing jobs to Marylands economically stressed communities.



Richard Douglas is a candidate in the GOP primary for Maryland's open U.S. Senate seat. (Douglas campaign)

Douglas, the 59-year-old runner-up in the 2012 Senate primary, worked as a lawyer for the U.S. Senate committees on foreign affairs and intelligence in the early 2000s, experience that he says sets him apart from the rest of the field.

[Douglas: I have a lesbian daughter, but I oppose same-sex marriage]

He boasts additional national security chops as a former foreign service officer in the 1980s and Pentagon official managing counter-narcotic and anti-proliferation efforts in the last three years of George W. Bushs administration.

He served in the Navy during the Cold War and was recalled from the reserves in the second half of 2006 during his Pentagon service to advise Iraqi forces. He is also endorsed by former U.N. ambassador John Bolton.

When you have no federal experience at all, the administration, whether its Republican or Democrat, runs circles around you, said Douglas, who says that revitalizing the Port of Baltimore and improving infrastructure would be among his top local priorities. Congress is our last line of defense.



Joe Hooe is a candidate in the GOP primary for Maryland's open U.S. Senate seat. (Hooe campaign)

Hooe, who has made two unsuccessful bids to represent Baltimore County in the House of Delegates, says hes seeking the Senate seat to promote his immigration plan, which would allow workers living in the country illegally to remain if they and their employers pay $1,000 annual fees and meet other conditions.

Im conservative, but I care about people and care about finding real-world solutions to our most pressing problems, said Hooe, 47.

None of the Senate candidates revealed whom they plan to back for president. All four professed independence from the top of their partys ticket.
When her daughter was in preschool, Michelle Simon would walk down the hall assuring other parents that the curly-haired child was not contagious despite her red, puffy eyes. This week, when the now 6-year-old looked up at her through swollen slits, Simon kept the child home from school and called for a next-day appointment at the same place many in the region are desperately turning to for help this month: the allergist.

If florists can count on Valentines Day for business, and shop owners on Christmas Eve customers, allergists have April. And this April appears especially busy.

Im like an accountant, said Rachel Schreiber, an allergist who has a practice in Rockville, Md. When April 15 comes, thats it. Im not going anywhere.

Schreiber sat across from Simon and her daughter, Dylan Neustadt, on Tuesday in an examining room with ice cream cones painted on the wall. Dylan looked down at pink socks with the words Taco Tuesday and listened as Schreiber ticked off the types of pollen the girl is allergic to: tree, grass, weed. She and Simon then discussed the medications Dylan uses daily to manage her symptoms. Four total, including Zyrtec and Allegra.

Every year, she struggles, said Simon, who lives in Rockville. This time of year we play inside. We play in a bubble.

An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. Here's what happens when things like grass, pollen, trees and molds affect your body. (Jhaan Elker,Osman Malik and Jorge Ribas/The Washington Post)

Thats why Im here, Schreiber said.

Misery can be measured in many ways  waiting rooms or pollen tallies  but by all accounts the allergy-afflicted in the Washington area are hurting badly this spring.

In an annual report by the Landover, Md.-based Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America that ranks the 100 most challenging places in the United States for spring allergies  based on pollen counts, money spent on medication and the number of board-certified allergists  Washington came in at 84. (Richmond was 14th on the list.) On Tuesday, a ranking of the latest pollen hot spots on Weather.com listed Washington as seventh and Baltimore as third.

Then there is the microscopic view of discomfort. On the rooftop of a 2 1 / 2 -story building in Silver Spring, a spinning box collects pollen that microbiologists will measure down to grains per cubic meter.

Susan Kosisky, the chief microbiologist in charge of that task for the U.S. Army Centralized Allergen Extract Laboratory, said the area produces samples from more than 20 types of trees and about 15 kinds of weeds.

Weve got something for everybody here, Kosisky said. They say if you come to the Washington, D.C., region without an allergy, there is a chance you will leave with one.

Maryland allergist Jacqueline Eghrari-Sabet said it takes about three years to develop allergies in a new place, and that every year she sees patients who say, How is this happening to me? Ive never had this.

Dr. Schreiber examines Dylan Neustadt, 6, as Dylan's mother, Michelle Simon, left, says ah too. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Trying to gauge whether one allergy season is worse than another is difficult because suffering often comes down to individual factors, she said. Many of the patients she is seeing in her Gaithersburg office have been exposed to winter allergens such as mold or dust mites and are now being hit by springtime ones.

[2015: Tree pollen spiked to a very high level, may have peaked]

Is this one of those blockbuster catchphrase pollen seasons? Eghrari-Sabet said, referring to years past when terms such as pollen vortex and pollen tsunami were coined. We havent come up with one for this one. But there are plenty of people who are individually hosting their own misery party. Thats what matters.

Just as a florist hires extra help for Valentines Day, she said, she has made preparations to handle the influx of patients. Her office has extended its hours, and the staff aims to handle patients with allergies to food and other non-seasonal sensitivities at different times of the year.

In Schreibers office, the doctor stepped into the hallway just after 10:30 a.m. and declared, Its a madhouse. Every exam room was full, and in the waiting room, three women sat, listening for their names to be called. They compared symptoms and joked about how only on television, where everyone is slim and has flawless skin, do allergy medications work.

In one of the exam rooms, a 2-year-old suffered from hives, but his father was the one sitting on the table answering Schreibers questions. His allergies hit him two or three years after he moved to the area from Hong Kong, and now his nose bleeds. Schreiber explained that allergies can cause tissues in the nose to swell, and stretched blood vessels break more easily.

From there, the day would only get busier. Starting at 2 p.m., the after-school crowd would start showing up and the phones would not stop ringing. All the while, Schreiber would make her way from one exam room to another, knowing something her patients might not want to hear.

We have not hit the peak yet, she said. Our tree pollen is in the high levels. But the tree pollen will go into the very high levels. It could be this week. It could be next week.

The good news, she said, is that tree pollen season typically improves in May. The bad: Next come grass and weed pollen.
Law enforcement officials will review several cellphone files downloaded by a missing Fairfax County firefighter shortly before she disappeared, according to a Facebook page set up by friends and family.

Her family believes the files could provide crucial tips in locating Nicole K. Mittendorff.

Mittendorff's family had put out a call for urgent help from an attorney late Tuesday night, saying the wireless carrier was refusing to release the files for legal reasons, according to the Facebook page. But in a Wednesday morning update, the family said the files would be transferred to law enforcement. It was unclear exactly what was in the files.

Are they maps? We dont know, the family wrote on Tuesday night.

[Officials plead for publics help in search for missing Fairfax County firefighter]

Steve Mittendorff, Nicole Mittendorffs husband, reads a statement at a Tuesday news conference. Nicole Mittendorff's sister, Jennifer Clardy Chalmers, stands next to him. (Justin Jouvenal/The Washington Post)

Mittendorff, 31, of Woodbridge last had contact with her family one week ago, and her car was found abandoned in Shenandoah National Park on Saturday night, state police said. Rescue teams were scheduled to resume searching trails and wooded areas near her car on Wednesday morning, as they have done for the past four days. State police said they did not have any evidence of foul play in Mittendorff's case.

On Tuesday, Mittendorffs family and colleagues, at a Fairfax County fire station, held an emotional news conference, asking for the publics help in locating her.

Sweetheart, I love you, said her husband, Steve Mittendorff. I am praying for you. Im not sure where you are but know that we are all looking for you. And I look forward to your safe return.

Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard R. Bowers said Wednesday that he believed Mittendorff called in sick for work on April 13, the same day her family said they received a final text message from her around 10:50 a.m.

Rescue teams have been scouring Shenandoah National Park days after Nicole Mittendorff, 31, was reported missing. Her fire station in Fairfax County, Va., held a prayer vigil as family and friends hold out hope for her safe return. (WUSA9)

A vigil for her is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Station 32, on Burke Center Parkway in Fairfax County.
Four days after Prince George's County firefighter John E. Ulmschneider was fatally shot while responding to a 911 call, thousands of emergency personnel came to a church in St. Marys County, Md., to pay their final respects. (WUSA9)

Four days after Prince George's County firefighter John E. Ulmschneider was fatally shot while responding to a 911 call, thousands of emergency personnel came to a church in St. Marys County, Md., to pay their final respects. (WUSA9)

Bagpipes droned and drums thumped as a sea of blue encircled the white church.

In white gloves, hats and dark uniforms, firefighters gathered to honor a colleague who died doing what friends and family say he loved: answering someones call for help.

Four days after John E. Ulmschneider was fatally shot while responding to a 911 call, thousands of emergency personnel from around the region streamed from buses, ambulances and hulking firetrucks Wednesday and lined up at a church in St. Marys County to pay their final respects.

It was at least the sixth time first responders in the region came together for a line of duty death and the second for Prince Georges County, where Ulmschneider worked, in recent weeks.

Banding together to rise above such tragedy is something we have had to do far too often, said Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III.

Comrades line St. John's Road as a fire truck carryies the body of fallen firefighter and paramedic John E. Ulmscheinder's from St. John's Parish in Hollwood, Md., on April 20, 2016. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

They answer the call, never knowing what could happen, Baker said. They just do their job and answer the call. Thats what John did last Friday. He answered the call and lost his life doing what he loved to do.

Ulmschneider, 37, and fellow firefighter Kevin Swain, 19, were shot Friday while answering a call in the Temple Hills-Camp Springs area. A man called 911 to ask for a welfare check on his brothers home after he grew worried that his diabetic brother had suffered a blackout or a seizure, county officials said. Fearing that the 61-year-old man inside was having a medical emergency, firefighters tried to break down the door to the home after knocking several times and announcing themselves as rescuers but getting no response, fire department officials said.

As the firefighters entered the home, the man inside fired, hitting Ulmschneider, Swain and the brother who had called 911, authorities said. Swain and the brother were injured but survived.

[Firefighter shot fatally, second wounded in Prince Georges]

He was doing what all of us do every day, said Prince Georges Assistant Fire Chief Alan Doubleday, a longtime friend and colleague of Ulmschneiders.

A hearse carrying Ulmschneiders body arrived at St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Hollywood, Md., on Tuesday afternoon and was under constant vigil by members of the Prince Georges County Fire and EMS Department.

Local firefighters and some from as far away as Canada, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia stood in a somber salute as police escorted his family to Wednesdays funeral service.

Teresa Crisman recalled Ulmschneider as a particularly caring firefighter. At calls during which people were panicking or suffering from low blood sugar, hed often make peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches for them in their kitchens, sit with them and calm them .

By the time they finished the sandwich, they were doing better, said Crisman, who does community outreach for the Prince Georges fire department. He was that guy that went the extra mile.

During the two-hour service, other friends and colleagues remembered the man affectionately nicknamed Skillet as someone who was farm-boy strong, had the heart of a giant and was a gallon of a man squeezed into a one-pint bottle with equal parts heart, muscle, determination and silly.

Skillet had two speeds, said Andrew K. Pantelis, head of the Prince Georges fire and paramedics union. Fast and faster.

Ulmschneiders friend and partner on the fire department, Jimmy Clem, said Skillet loved to tinker with tools and fix things and adored his wife and 2-year-old.

Running calls will never be the same, Clem said.

Swain, who is recovering from the shooting, watched the services from his hospital room through a live stream while his family attended Ulmschneiders funeral.

The Rev. Raymond Schmidt, who has known Ulmschneider since he was 7 and baptized the firefighters daughter, said in cases such as these, people tend to ask, Why?

But people like Skillet dont ask why, Schmidt said. They ask whats the next step? How do I respond?

Schmidt said the people in the church who regularly burst through doors may not look at locked doors the same way again, but he encouraged them to remember Ulmschneiders sacrifice and to keep serving and responding.



That call to service is what many said they had vow to honor.

[Authorities will not rule out charges in death of firefighter answering 911 call]

During his eulogy, Prince Georges County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor said he was asked Tuesday by someone aspiring to be a firefighter why bad things happen to good people.

Sometimes bad things just happen, Bashoor said. Its our job to rise above the chaos and make a difference.

Under a cloudless blue sky, mourners poured out of the church before Ulmschneiders flag-draped coffin was slowly placed in to the back of a red-and-white firetruck.

With a vehicle carrying his wife and daughter following, the truck rumbled as it prepared to head to a cemetery.

Firefighters and paramedics lined the narrow road leading away from the church in a final farewell.
Authorities have charged a 19-year-old Springfield man with murder in connection with a March stabbing death, Fairfax County police said Tuesday.

Police said in a department press release that on March 25 around 8 p.m., officers found a man identified as William G. Martines-Palma, 29, lying on the ground in the 5100 block Celtic Drive. Palma was stabbed in the leg and later died of his injuries.

[Fairfax County man found with stab wound dies]

The murder suspect, John Martin Mercado, was also charged with malicious wounding in connection with a March 27 stabbing. In that incident, police said a 26-year-old man realized he had been stabbed in a lower extremity and went to a hospital to be treated shortly.

Authorities said the 26-year-olds injuries were not life threatening. Detectives believe the stabbing happened after a group of people, who investigators said knew each other, got into an argument that escalated into a physical fight.

Investigators are looking at both cases and are trying to determine how they are related, the release said.

Police ask that anyone with information contact Crime Solvers electronically by visiting fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, texting TIP187 plus your message to CRIMES(274637) or calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477). Authorities said tipster may also contact Fairfax County Police Department at (703) 691-2131.
A 17-year-old District youth charged in the fatal shooting of another teen at the Deanwood Metro station in March is also a suspect in an unrelated killing that occurred late last year, according to court documents.

The new allegations against Maurice Bellamy are laid out in charging documents for a man who was arrested Tuesday in the slaying of Arthur Baldwin Jr., a Secret Service officer who was shot waiting for a friend. Bellamy is not charged in Baldwins killing, but the documents state that he and the other man shot Baldwin during a Dec. 15 robbery in Southwest Washington.

Bellamy has been held in the D.C. jail since his arrest in the March 25 fatal shooting of 15-year-old Davonte Washington. Authorities said Washington, who was on his way to get a haircut for Easter, was targeted simply because he or a sibling looked at the shooter the wrong way.

Bellamy, who was charged as an adult with second-degree murder in Washingtons death, is scheduled to appear Friday in D.C. Superior Court. Calls to Bellamys D.C. public defender were not returned Tuesday.

[Suspect charged in fatal shooting of 15-year-old at Deanwood Metro]

Court documents filed in connection with the Metro shooting say that Bellamy lived in a group home in Northwest Washington and grew up in Prince Georges County. Police said they traced him to a Facebook page with pictures of him labeled, SHOOTA MOE, AKA MOE CITY.

Washingtons killing sparked outrage in the city, with authorities saying there was no motive, apart from a glance. The victim and alleged shooter did not know each other, police said.

Just months before Washington was killed, officers found Baldwin lying in the 4700 block of First Street SW, according to court papers. He had been shot five times.

[Secret Service officer on leave in domestic incident fatally shot]

One witness told police that the victim was in a car when three men approached and opened the doors and trunk, according to court papers. Shots were fired, and the man in the car ran and collapsed.

Other witnesses identified the shooters as Bellamy and Charles Sims, 29, who has been charged with murder. According to the court papers, a witness told police that Bellamy shot first, as Baldwin tried to wrestle his gun away. Sims then fired. Baldwins iPad and wallet were taken, but there was no cash in the wallet.

At the time of his death, Baldwin, 30, had been suspended from the Secret Service after a domestic incident with his former girlfriend.

Ming Cardwell, one of Baldwins sisters, said the arrest is like a weight lifted because we didnt want these people to walk free to hurt someone else.
Calvert County

These were among reports received by the Calvert County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 410-535-2800 or 301-855-1194, the Crime Solvers line at 410-535-2880, or the state police Prince Frederick Barrack at 410-535-1400.

CHESAPEAKE BEACH AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

26th St., March 27 to April 8. A tankless water heater was stolen from a home.

DUNKIRK AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Lacrosse Ct., April 7. A security surveillance system, a Chinese vase, camera, three bottles of wine and two bottles of prescription medication were stolen from a home. On April 8, at the same home, tools were stolen.

HUNTINGTOWN AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Fairwood Dr., April 7. An air handler was stolen from a home under construction.

LUSBY AREA

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

H.G. Trueman Rd., April 8. During a traffic stop of a possible stolen vehicle from Anne Arundel County, a male driver fled, and a chase ensued. At a turn, the vehicle left the road and went down an embankment. The driver fled on foot but was apprehended. A Clinton man, 18, was charged with possession of stolen property worth more than $1,000, driving without a license and fleeing on foot and in a vehicle from a uniformed officer and a marked patrol vehicle.

VANDALISM

Cove Point Rd., April 4. From March 20 to March 23, a barrier fence and seawall at a lighthouse were damaged.

PORT REPUBLIC AREA

VANDALISM

Parkers Creek Rd., 6:45 a.m. April 8. One of a vehicles tires was punctured and a side and rear window were shattered.

Charles County

These were among reports received by the Charles County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. For information, call 301-932-2222 or 301-870-3232. The sheriffs website, ccso.us, has news reports, local crime statistics and information on crime prevention programs.

REWARDS FOR INFORMATION

Crime Solvers will pay a reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment. The 24-hour hotline is 866-411-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.

WALDORF AREA

ASSAULTS

Nantucket Dr., 2000 block, 4:11 p.m. April 9. During a baby shower at a recreation center, two men were involved in an argument. One left the facility and was reported to be walking with a gun in the parking lot. When officers arrived, he was holding a knife, and a loaded AR-15 was found. A North Carolina man, 21, was charged with multiple counts of first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Grantham Ct., April 7 to April 8. Items were stolen from vehicles during the night.

Heron Pl., April 7 to April 8. Items were stolen from vehicles during the night.

Kenbrooke Ct., April 7 to April 8. Items were stolen from vehicles during the night.

Lewisham Pl., April 10. During the night, vehicle tires were stolen.

Mattawoman Beantown Rd., 7:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. April 6. Tires were stolen from a vehicle at a Park & Ride lot, and a window on another vehicle was broken.

Mourning Dove Pl., April 7 to April 8. Items were stolen from vehicles during the night.

St. Marys County

These w ere among reports received by the St. Marys County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police. For information, call 301-475-8008. To submit a tip, call Crime Solvers at 301-475-3333. The Leonardtown Barrack of the state police has an anonymous tip line at 301-475-2936.

GREAT MILLS AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Great Mills Rd., April 15. Property was stolen from a home.

LEONARDTOWN AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Point Lookout Rd., April 15. Property was stolen from a shed.

LEXINGTON PARK AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

N. Essex Dr., April 12. Property was stolen from a home.

Winward Cir., April 15. Property was stolen from a home.

LOVEVILLE AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Point Lookout Rd., 2:40 a.m. April 1. Surveillance footage showed that a light-colored vehicle backed up to a gun and ammunition business. Entry was forced into the store; nothing was reported stolen.

MECHANICSVILLE AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

N. Sandgates Rd., April 15. A home was entered; nothing was stolen.

Persimmon Creed Rd., April 15. A vehicle was broken into.
Steadily rising home values in Arlington allowed the County Board to slightly cut its tax rate as it adopted a $1.2 billion general-fund budget, with enough revenue to increase school funding by 3.3 percent.

The board unanimously passed a budget Tuesday night that will increase the school budget to $466.9 million and add another $2.5 million in one-time funds. The board also added millions to economic-development efforts, affordable-housing loans and to create 58 new positions, including almost two dozen police, sheriffs deputies and firefighters.

The owner of an average Arlington home will see property taxes and fees rise 2.5 percent to $7,829 from $7,640. The tax rate was cut half a cent to 97.8 cents on $100 of assessed value, while yard-waste collection fees increased by $36.76 annually.

Other changes will boost the ambulance fee by $100 to $150 to match those charged in Fairfax County, set uniform library fees of 30 cents per day, and change certain parks and recreation fees.

Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey (D) called it a good budget and praised the months-long process of putting it together.

[Manager proposes half-cent tax rate cut]

County Manager Mark Schwartz said the county School Board asked for $3.4 million more than the school superintendent requested. The County Board added a half-million over what he recommended. One-time funds, with no guarantee that they will be available the following year, were also provided. Arlington schools will get 46.6 percent of the countys general fund.

If anyone is keeping score at home, the School Board ended up $350,000 short on the ongoing funding side from what their dream request was, Schwartz said to the community television cameras that broadcast the meetings. Schwartz later called it an estimate.

In addition to school funding, the County Board added $1.5 million to economic development targeted at lowering the countys commercial vacancy rate, which has been hovering around 20 percent.

The county also will devote $13.6 million to its revolving affordable-housing loan fund, which helps nonprofit organizations build or renovate apartments for families that earn less than the areas median income. A separate housing-grants program will be budgeted at $9.7 million.

Police will get six new patrol officers. The sheriffs department will get five new deputy positions to improve safety at the Courthouse and Detention Center and a uniformed coordinator to address needs under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Eight new firefighters will help the countys fire department provide four-person staffing on all engines, and four additional firefighters will be added for peak-time medical transport needs.

The County Board also approved merit pay increases for employees and increased the countys living wage to $14.50 per hour.

[Arlington allowed to raise tax on hotel users after years of tension]

Board members also directed Schwartz and his staff to analyze the countys various budget reserves and why they are held separately  a pet peeve of Garveys over the past four years. The board also asked for a plan to sell advertising on county buses and bicycles within six months and on bus shelters and bike racks by July 2017.

Although all the votes for the budget and tax rates were unanimous, board member John Vihstadt (I) said he continues to believe were spending too much, although the half-cent tax cut was a concrete step in the right direction.

Jay Fisette (D), the longest-serving board member, had previously noted that during his tenure, the board has raised the tax rate five times, reduced it six times and held it steady four times before the latest cut. He said the budget reflected the countys values.

Board member Katie Cristol (D) seemed to concur.

Its very easy to call for cuts without looking at the details of line items, she said, adding later that it has become clear to her in her first four months on the board that waste, fraud, abuse and fat has already been cut in the leaner years of the budget.
Virginias House and Senate on Wednesday accepted Gov. Terry McAuliffes plan to hire pharmacies to secretly supply the state with execution drugs, acting one day after the states attorney general signed off on the idea.

Virginia joins Arkansas, Missouri and Ohio as states that have placed similar shields over the pharmacies that produce lethal drugs and have faced lengthy legal challenges in state and federal courts. In Arkansas, which hoped to resume executions after a decade-long break, the legal challenge has delayed several lethal injections scheduled to take place last fall and winter.

The night before the General Assemblys one-day veto session, Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D) issued a legal opinion saying that the plan would not violate state or federal laws governing controlled substances or the practice of medicine and pharmacy.

McAuliffe (D), who opposes capital punishment but has vowed to support it as a matter of Virginia law, has said the state would not be able to carry out the death penalty if it does not come up with a way to obtain increasingly scarce execution drugs.

The Senate voted, 22 to 16, to back the governors plan, with Sen. Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) arguing that complaints about secrecy had been overblown. Had the federal government decided to put Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh to death the same way he killed his victims, do you honestly think any of your constituents would care where we bought the dynamite? Saslaw said.

The Houses approval came with dramatic flip-flops. Conservative skeptics of government secrecy initially teamed with House Democrats to reject the governors amendments by a vote of 51 to 47. But after a few minutes of arm-twisting by Republican leaders, and the abrupt exit of one GOP delegate, the House reconsidered the vote. The second time, the measure passed, 59 to 40.

It was important to preserve capital punishment, said Matthew Moran, spokesman for House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), one of 13 Republicans who changed their votes to yes.

Del. Marcus B. Simon (D-Fairfax), who attempted arcane parliamentary maneuvers to derail the plan, later complained that Republican leaders had whipped members into line on a matter that he said should be left to personal conscience.

The governor didnt whip a single vote on this, unlike what I just saw across the aisle, said Simon, who also questioned the notion that the state could not execute prisoners without the measure. Nothings stopping the Department of Corrections from investigating new drug protocols. They just cant do it in secret.

Herrings legal opinion came a little more than a week after McAuliffe drastically amended a Republican bill intended to let the state use the electric chair when it cannot obtain lethal-injection drugs. The drugs have become hard to obtain amid a European export ban and public pressure on U.S. pharmaceutical companies not to supply them.

McAuliffes amendment will scrap that approach and instead allow the state to specially order the drugs from compounding pharmacies, whose identities would be kept secret to shield them from political pressure.

[McAuliffe guts Virginias electric-chair bill]

The plan has been controversial not only among opponents of the death penalty, but also among conservative and liberal critics of government secrecy.

The governors amendments will keep secret the manufacturers of drugs used to kill Virginias death-row inmates by lethal injection, as well as the chemical nature of those drugs, said Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. Injecting secrecy into the process will authorize Virginia to use new, untested, unregulated, undisclosed drugs on human beings against their will.

McAuliffe has said the state would not have a way to execute death-row inmates without the pharmacy plan and its secrecy provisions.

Virginia inmates facing the death penalty can choose between the electric chair and lethal injection. Del. Jackson H. Miller (R-Manassas) sponsored a bill this year to make the electric chair the default method of execution when the state cannot obtain lethal-injection drugs.

In amending Millers bill, McAuliffe said he was trying to find a way to avoid the use of the electric chair, which he called a reprehensible method of execution.

Herring, who is running for reelection in 2017, passed judgment on the legality of the plan but did not weigh in on its merits.

His opinion disappointed some Democrats opposed to capital punishment. But it pleased some Republicans, who are split over the secrecy provisions but eager to get the attorney general to weigh in on an issue unlikely to be popular with the liberal Democratic base. Herring supports capital punishment but is better known for advancing liberal causes such as gay rights, abortion access and immigration.

The opinion is a strong legal endorsement of capital punishment in Virginia, Moran said in an email. The attorney generals opinion will be helpful as the House considers the governors amendment Wednesday.

Two opponents of the death penalty, Simon and state Sen. Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax), also jointly sought Herrings opinion last week. Miller also separately asked for Herrings view last week, although he said he was inclined to support McAuliffes amendment. Miller had asked Herring to address questions that the states pharmacy chief had privately raised in emails in 2014.

[Virginias pharmacy chief questioned legality of special-ordering execution drugs]

Caroline D. Juran, executive director of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, had wondered whether such a plan might violate laws requiring that drugs be dispensed only with a valid prescription and only for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. She also questioned whether the secrecy provisions could prevent authorities from investigating a pharmacy in the event of a botched execution.

Herring said that the federal Food and Drug Administration has concluded that it lacks clear regulatory authority over the use of drugs for purposes of conducting executions, and courts will likely be constrained to defer to the FDAs reasonable construction. He also said that ordinary prescription requirements would not apply to drugs obtained for executions.

Surovell and Simon raised some of the same issues, and they also questioned whether the secrecy surrounding the drugs would violate the constitutional right of death-row inmates to gather information about their pending executions.

Upon a showing of good cause, a judge presiding over either civil proceeding has the authority and discretion to fashion appropriate safeguards to allow for access to relevant information by party litigants, Herring wrote.

Surovell and Simon were not swayed by Herrings opinion.

The attorney generals office has been guiding the Department of Corrections conduct for decades and if he had opined differently, he would expose the state and multiple employees to significant criminal and civil liability, Surovell said.
RICHMOND  Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring signed off late Tuesday on the legality of Gov. Terry McAuliffes plan to hire pharmacies to secretly supply the state with execution drugs.

Herring (D) issued his legal opinion the night before the General Assembly was scheduled to take up the proposal, along with other matters, during its annual veto session Wednesday in Richmond.

It came a little more than a week after McAuliffe (D) drastically amended a Republican bill intended to let the state use the electric chair when it cannot obtain lethal-injection drugs, which have become scarce amid a European export ban and public pressure on American pharmaceutical companies not to supply them.

McAuliffes amendment would scrap that approach and instead allow the state to specially order the drugs from compounding pharmacies, whose identities would be kept secret to shield them from political pressure.

[McAuliffe guts Virginias electric-chair bill]

The plan has been controversial not only among opponents of the death penalty, but among conservative and liberal critics of government secrecy. McAuliffe has said that without a source for the drugs, the state will not have a way to carry out the death penalty, and without the secrecy, no pharmacy will provide them.

The attorney general, who is running for re-election in 2017, passed judgment on the legality of the plan but did not weigh in on its merits.

In an effort to help inform your deliberations ..., I am providing this opinion as an explanation of the current state of the law related to procurement of drugs for use in carrying out a court-imposed sentence of death by lethal injection, he wrote to legislators who had requested his opinion. I trust this information will be of use as you and your colleagues in the General Assembly carefully weigh the wisdom and merits of any policy in this area.

The opinion disappointed some anti-death penalty Democrats. But it pleased some Republicans, who are split over the secrecy provisions but eager to get the attorney general to weigh in on an issue unlikely to be popular with the liberal Democratic base. Herring, who is running for re-election in 2017, supports capital punishment but is better known for advancing liberal causes such as gay rights, abortion access and immigration.

The opinion is a strong legal endorsement of capital punishment in Virginia, Matthew Moran, spokesman for House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), said in an email. The Attorney Generals opinion will be helpful as the House considers the Governors amendment Wednesday.

Currently in Virginia, inmates facing the death penalty can choose between the electric chair and lethal injection. Del. Jackson H. Miller (R-Manassas) sponsored a bill this year to make the chair the default method of execution when the state cannot obtain lethal-injection drugs.

Miller said he was inclined to support McAuliffes amendment as he sought Herrings opinion last week. Two death penalty opponents, Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) and Del. Marcus Simon (D-Fairfax), also jointly asked for Herrings take.

Miller had asked Herring to address questions that the states pharmacy chief had privately raised in emails in 2014.

[Virginias pharmacy chief questioned legality of special-ordering execution drugs]

Caroline D. Juran, executive director of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy, had wondered if such a plan might violate laws requiring that drugs only be dispensed with a valid prescription and only for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. She also questioned whether the secrecy provisions could prevent authorities from investigating a pharmacy in the event of a botched execution.

Herring said that the Federal Food and Drug Administration has concluded that it lacks clear regulatory authority over the use of drugs for purposes of conducting executions, and courts will likely be constrained to defer to the FDAs reasonable construction.

He also said that ordinary prescription requirements would not apply to drugs obtained for executions.

Surovell and Simon raised some of the same issues, and also questioned whether the secrecy surrounding the drugs would violate the constitutional right of death-row inmates to gather information about their pending executions.

Upon a showing of good cause, a judge presiding over either civil proceeding has the authority and discretion to fashion appropriate safeguards to allow for access to relevant information by party litigants, Herring wrote.

Surovell and Simon were not swayed by Herrings opinion.

The Attorney Generals Office has been guiding the Department of Corrections conduct for decades and if he had opined differently, he would expose the state and multiple employees to significant criminal and civil liability, Surovell said.

Simon said: The Department of Corrections can continue to carry out executions without the language in the substitute. It can study alternative drug protocols and other methods of lawfully carrying out lethal injections without resorting to the sort of secret regime that the substitute proposes. It can change drug protocols on its own, as it has done in the past.
A conservative Republican lawmaker from northern Virginia is suing Attorney General Mark Herring (D) to try to force him to fulfill his request for an opinion related to the volatile issue of transgender rights.

Del. David A. LaRock (Loudoun) strongly criticized Herring on Wednesday for failing to provide legal guidance seven months after he was asked for clarity on how state law relates to individuals who identify with a sex that does not match their biological sex.

The call comes the day after a federal appeals court deferred to the U.S. Department of Educations position that transgender students should have access to the bathrooms of the gender with which they identify.

Herring has built a national profile on left-leaning causes, from gay marriage and immigration to environmental policy and gun control. His office recently turned around a legal opinion on the death penalty in less than a week.

LaRock said Herrings pattern of advocacy infuriates him.

All this while he waltzes around the country making headlines and promoting things that have nothing to do with what the taxpayers of Virginia hired him do to, he said at a news conference. Im just about fed up trying to get the attorney general to just do his job.

Herrings spokesman, Michael Kelly, said attorneys are researching LaRocks request and a response will be provided in due course.

Turnaround time on opinions depends on numerous factors and our first priority is always to provide strong, accurate legal advice, Kelly said in a statement. As evidenced by yesterdays Fourth Circuit ruling, the law in this area is developing very rapidly in very significant ways.

LaRock was joined by eight Republican lawmakers in his call for an advisory opinion on the definition of the terms sexual orientation and gender identity as they relate to the states laws prohibiting sex discrimination.

[What a federal appeals courts ruling could mean for North Carolinas bathroom law]

During the recent legislative session, LaRock filed two bills that the LGBT rights advocates said would have discriminated against transgender adults and children.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia put the bills in a category of ineffective, mean-spirited efforts to deny LGBT people, and, particularly, transgender Virginians, their constitutional and human rights.

One bill was intended to overturn a Fairfax School Board policy that includes transgender students and staff in the school systems non-discrimination policy, the ACLU said.

LaRock hired a Richmond-based firm to file a petition in Richmond Circuit Court against Herring and is funding the effort himself, despite support from House Majority Leader M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights), who attended the news conference, and Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford).
NEW YORK

Officer gets probation in fatal shooting

A New York judge ruled Tuesday afternoon that Peter Liang, the rookie NYPD officer who shot and killed Akai Gurley in the stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project, will not serve jail time.

Although Liang was convicted of manslaughter in February, state Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun said at a hearing Tuesday that he was reducing that conviction to criminally negligent homicide and sentencing the officer to five years probation and 800 hours of community service.

Gurley was killed in November 2014 as he and his girlfriend opened a door to enter a stairwell in their building. Liang was patrolling the building with his gun drawn and fired a shot that ricocheted off a wall and struck Gurley in the chest. The officer testified during the trial that he inadvertently fired his gun when he was startled by a noise. Prosecutors contended, however, that Liang fired his gun recklessly and did not provide appropriate medical aid to Gurley.

 Wesley Lowery

MISSOURI

Justice Dept. pact with Ferguson is approved

A federal judge approved an agreement Tuesday between the city of Ferguson and the U.S. Justice Department that calls for sweeping changes in Ferguson, where 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry issued her ruling after a public hearing of several hours in St. Louis, where more than two dozen people spoke. Many others had submitted written comments. Perry said the settlement is a reasonable resolution that avoids years of an extensive court battle.

The settlement calls for the hiring of a monitor; diversity training for police; purchase of software and hiring of staff to analyze records on arrests, use of force and other police matters; and outfitting all officers and jail workers with body cameras.

Ferguson has been under scrutiny since Brown, who was black and unarmed, was fatally shot by white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in 2014.

Ferguson leaders and Justice Department officials spent months negotiating the settlement. But in February, after a series of public hearings, the City Council rejected it, mostly over concerns that the cost could bankrupt the city. The Justice Department sued the next day. In March, after receiving some assurance that the cost would not be as high as feared, the City Council approved the deal, which is expected to cost about $2.3 million over three years.

 Associated Press

Judge rejects Flint class-action lawsuit: A class-action lawsuit over contaminated water in Flint, Mich., was dismissed Tuesday, with the judge saying that constitutional claims by residents are barred by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. U.S. District Judge John Corbett OMeara said he was not making a decision on the merits of the lawsuit, which is one of dozens filed over lead in Flints drinking water. But he said that because of federal law and rulings by higher courts, residents cannot pursue a remedy for civil rights violations in the matter. Residents accused Flint and state officials of violating their rights by providing contaminated water and requiring payment for it. The city switched from using Detroits water source to the Flint River but did not add corrosion controls, causing lead to leach from old plumbing.

 Associated Press
Fishermen prepare dinner before casting their nets in the Brahmaputra River in Gauhati, in Indias Assam state.The Brahmaputra is one of Asia's largest rivers,passing through China's Tibet region, India and Bangladesh on its way to the Bay of Bengal. (Anupam Nath/AP)

NORWAY

Court: Mass killers rights were violated

Norwegian authorities have violated the human rights of mass killer Anders Behring Breivik by holding him in solitary confinement in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise, a court in Oslo ruled Wednesday.

In the surprise decision, the court said the isolation that Breivik faces in prison for killing 77 people in a bomb-and-gun massacre in 2011 is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society, the court said. This applies no matter what  also in the treatment of terrorists and killers.

The court ordered the government to pay Breiviks legal costs of 331,000 kroner, about $41,000. However, it dismissed his claim that his right to respect for private and family life was violated by limits on contacts.

Breivik, 37, had sued the government, saying his isolation, frequent strip searches and handcuffing during the early part of his incarceration violated his human rights. He also complained about the quality of the prison food, having to eat with plastic utensils and not being able to communicate with sympathizers.

The government rejected his complaints, saying that he was treated humanely and that he must be separated from other inmates for safety reasons.

Breivik was convicted of terrorism and mass murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison, Norways maximum sentence.

At the time of the 2011 attacks, Breivik claimed to be the commander of a secret Christian military order plotting an anti-Muslim revolution in Europe, but he now calls himself a neo-Nazi.

 Associated Press

YEMEN

Rebels reverse course, head to peace talks

Yemens Shiite rebels have reversed an earlier decision to boycott U.N.-sponsored peace talks, and their delegation was on its way Wednesday to the negotiations.

The talks will begin Thursday in Kuwait, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, told reporters.

Representatives of the rebels, known as Houthis, and their allies left the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, for neighboring Oman en route to Kuwait.

In a statement issued late Tuesday, senior Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat said his side has received assurances from Kuwait and Oman that there will be no more violations of a week-long cease-fire by a Saudi-led coalition carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis.

The talks, originally set for Monday, are intended to find ways to resolve the year-long conflict between Yemens internationally recognized government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the Houthis and their allies.

The U.N.-brokered cease-fire announced this month has sought to facilitate the Kuwait talks, although both sides have repeatedly breached it.

Officials said Wednesday that coalition warplanes bombed Houthi positions in Taiz and the province of Marib on Wednesday.

 Associated Press

Ecuador toll up; new jolt causes jitters: A magnitude-6.1 tremor rattled Ecuador just days after a magnitude-7.8 quake destroyed or damaged about 1,500 buildings, triggered mudslides and left 23,000 people homeless. The government put the death toll from the Saturday temblor at 553, but officials expect more bodies to be found. At least 100 people are missing and 4,600 are injured. At least 11 foreigners were among the dead, including two Canadians.

Israel arrests settlers over attacks on Palestinians: Israeli security officials said authorities have arrested six young Israeli settlers from what they called a Jewish terror group suspected of carrying out attacks against Palestinians and their property last year. The Shin Bet security agency said the suspects  including two minors  acted with intent to harm and kill Palestinians.

Police officers killed during polio drive in Pakistan: Gunmen killed seven police officers involved in a polio vaccination campaign in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, police said. A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban asserted responsibility for the shootings, saying they were part of the groups campaign against security forces. However, militants have in the past targeted vaccination efforts on suspicion that they are a cover for a Western-led sterilization drive. The officers had been deployed to protect health workers administering vaccinations.

 From news services
As President Obama travels this week to Saudi Arabia, heres a surprising snapshot of what young Arabs think: Theyre scared about the Islamic State and terrorism; they yearn for more freedom and gender equality; they fear that the Arab Spring has made life worse; and theyre increasingly skeptical about the role of traditional religious values.

If these Arab reactions seem similar to what people would say in the West, maybe thats the real takeaway. Despite all the violence and extremism that plague the region, most young Arabs have sensible modern reactions. This isnt a world apart: Arab youths hate the turmoil thats wrecking their countries and want a better, more stable life.

This portrait of the Arab world emerges in a remarkable survey by the public relations company ASDAA Burson-Marsteller and the polling firm Penn Schoen Berland. Its actually a time-lapse photo, because this Arab Youth Survey has been conducted annually for the past eight years. By reading the back issues, you can see hopes rising with the Arab Spring in 2011, and then crashing against the reality of violence and disarray.

Lets start with this years headlines: In face-to-face interviews with 3,500 young people ages 18 to 24 in 16 countries, 77 percent of participants said they were concerned about the rise of the Islamic State and 76 percent said the group would fail in its ultimate goal of establishing a caliphate. Asked to explain why young people were attracted to the group, 24 percent cited lack of jobs, but a larger 25 percent chose the answer: I cant explain it  I dont understand why anybody would want to join.

One intriguing finding of this study is that Arab youths are increasingly dubious about the role of religion and traditional values. Asked if they agreed with the statement Religion plays too big of a role in the Middle East, 52 percent said yes this year, with 61 percent of those in Arab Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, sharing that view.

Womens rights also get strong support: 67 percent of young Arabs said their leaders should improve the personal freedom and human rights of women. This progressive view had roughly equal support from young Arab men (66 percent) as women (68 percent). By the way, an even number of men and women were surveyed.

What kind of country do these young Arabs want to live in? The overwhelming answer in 2016, for the fifth year running, was the United Arab Emirates  a Muslim country that is increasingly open, tolerant, prosperous and adapting to the modern world.

The previous installments show how far the region has traveled over the past decade. In the 2009 and 2010 surveys, there was a yearning for democracy, with at least 90 percent of the respondents in most countries saying that living in a democratic country was important to them. But they still embraced a traditional world: 68 percent said their religion defined them as a person in 2010, and men were far less likely than women to support equal opportunity in the workplace. This Arab conservatism had eroded by 2014, when the percentage who agreed that traditional values mean a lot to me had fallen to just 54 percent from 83 percent in 2011.

The hurricane of the Tahrir Square uprising that toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011 was vividly captured by the survey. In January that year, 82 percent of Arab youth supported traditional values. A month later, that number had fallen 11 points. Those describing their political views as liberal jumped from 20 percent in January to 51 percent the next month. Young people overwhelmingly supported the overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt and the autocratic rulers of Libya and Yemen.

The optimism and idealism of the Arab Spring were real. But so was the disillusionment that followed. The share who agreed that Following the Arab Spring, I feel the Arab world is better off collapsed from 72 percent in 2012 to just 36 percent in 2016. Egyptians bucked that pessimistic trend, with 61 percent still positive this year about their revolution.

Heres what I draw from this survey: Young Arabs are sadder but wiser; they want a freer, more modern life; and theyre skeptical about easy answers from religion or democratic elections. They know theyre in a long transition, and theyve become more pessimistic, but they still affirm in each survey, Our best days are ahead of us.

A simple summary: Dont give up on the Arabs. Theyre living through hell, but they want the same modern, secure world that most people do.

Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
As Archie Bunker might say, the world is going down the terlet.

And how.

Who could have predicted that politics would require serious discussion of who uses what restroom? Or, personally speaking, a second column?

Alas, it seems that yet greater clarity is needed regarding this terribly serious, faux dilemma of proper bathroom usage in North Carolina.

As you likely know, the state recently passed a hastily written bill, signed by Gov. Pat McCrory (R), to preempt a Charlotte ordinance that would have allowed transgender folks to visit the facility corresponding to their gender identity.

A transgender woman gathers likeminded North Carolinians in Charlotte to protest the state's controversial new law that restricts transgender people from using the bathroom that corresponds with their chosen gender. (Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post)

Tar Heel lawmakers, ever alert to the presumably rampant problem of gender fakery, so ordered: Men and women must use the restroom that corresponds to their sex as indicated on their birth certificate.

It is actually not insane to insist that men use the mens room and women use the womens. Most people reckon this system has worked fine for as long as anyone can remember and see no reason to make accommodations for the roughly 700,000 Americans who are transgender. What has become clear, however, is that North Carolinians and others arent worried about transgender people; theyre worried primarily about heterosexual men who pretend theyre transgender in order to gain access to womens quarters.

For what purpose would a man do this? I can imagine a fraternity initiation prank or a punk on a dare using the womens facility as a foil. Oh, what fun to hear the ladies shrieking. Or, perhaps, not. Maybe the women tackle the idiot and toss him out the door. Thats where Id put my money.

As to the would-be rapist/fondler/exhibitionist, why would anyone imagine that a law forbidding transgender people from entering the womens room would stop him from walking through an unlocked door?

The backlash to the new law has been harsh. In the latest squeeze, Pearl Jam canceled a concert in Raleigh, following Bruce Springsteens example. Several cities and states, including Boston and Connecticut, have cut government-subsidized travel to North Carolina. And Monday, Duke University President Richard Brodhead said that the law has damaged the states reputation and is having both financial and material impacts on its colleges and universities.

In response to these concerns and other financial losses stemming from the law, McCrory last week issued an executive order almost as abruptly as he signed the original bill. He has said hell urge the legislature to amend the law to reinstate state employees right to seek legal recourse in cases of discrimination for sexual orientation or gender identity. The bathroom part of the bill would remain, as would the laws mandate that cities and municipalities may not pass their own nondiscrimination laws. For McCrory, who is up for reelection, the issue comes down to conservative principles of limited government.

On Sundays Meet the Press, he told host Chuck Todd that he will always call out government overreach. This might be a good campaign motto, but isnt the state overreaching by telling the residents of towns and cities that they cant pass their own laws and ordinances? In effect, this means that a business in, say, Hamlet, N.C., where McCrory recently visited what he termed an African American buffet restaurant, could deny service to my delightful gay married neighbors.

As luck would have it, McCrorys appearance on the NBC program coincided with my own, exactly one day after The Posts online publication of a letter from McCrory excoriating me and my earlier column. What fun! Before the show, we found ourselves seated just inches apart in makeup. Nothing quite neutralizes tensions like comparing foundation notes. Miraculously, I was able to suppress the transgender quip that was performing cartwheels on the tip of my tongue.

We chatted in that Southern way  with Dentyne smiles and lizard eyes. Bless his heart.

While it is certainly understandable that some people would be uncomfortable with the idea of faux transgender males ogling their daughters, Id be far more concerned about sending a boy into the mens room where even pedophiles are allowed to relieve themselves. Imagine what would happen to Caitlyn Jenner if she were forced to use the mens room. Or, what about a transgender man, who, though hes bald, bearded, muscled and rough, is forced to use the womens room?

But, of course, she and he wont. Because this bathroom law is utterly unenforceable and therefore unnecessary. What we have is a non-solution to a non-problem.

And my guess is McCrory knows it. He should flush HB2 down the terlet.

Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook.
Marsha Blackburn isnt one to worry about appearances.

The Tennessee Republican didnt make any pretense this week of being impartial with the committee she chairs, the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives, commonly known as the Planned Parenthood committee.

On the eve of her panels Wednesdays hearing, Blackburn went over to Georgetown University to participate in a protest against Planned Parenthood, the very entity she is supposed to be investigating. According to the Right to Life organization, she gave a speech at a gathering called Life-Affirming Alternatives to Planned Parenthood, part of a series of events in opposition to Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richardss speech at Georgetown on Wednesday.

Then Blackburn showed up at her committee hearing the next morning and proclaimed, My hope is that both parties can work together.

That was probably never going to happen  and it certainly isnt now that the secret videos that justified the panels creation have been discredited as doctored.

Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards appeared before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to defend the organization against allegations of illegally selling fetus tissues for profit. Things quickly became heated between Richards and several lawmakers. (Alice Li/The Washington Post)

House GOP leaders created the panel last year in response to the Planned Parenthood videos that suggested the organization was illegally selling tissue from aborted fetuses to researchers for a profit. But investigations in a dozen states looking into the allegations came up empty. In Houston, a grand jury convened by the county attorney, a Republican, not only cleared Planned Parenthood but indicted the video makers on charges of tampering with a government record.

GOP leaders, in naming Blackburn to lead the Planned Parenthood panel, had hopes of defusing the Democrats complaint that the probe was another offensive in the Republicans war on women. That charge has been easier to make with Donald Trump leading the Republican presidential race  and with several House Republicans on Monday making the extraordinary gesture of voting against a ceremonial bill honoring the first woman to be elected to Congress.

But whatever legitimacy the select panel had left after the videos were discredited has been undermined by Blackburn.

She scheduled the committees first hearing for the very day the Supreme Court was holding arguments on the most important abortion case in 24 years. At that hearing, one of Blackburns witnesses likened fetal tissue research  a legal practice in the United States  to the experiments of Nazi scientist Josef Mengele, saying the two are maybe equivalent. Blackburn, in her opening statement, drew the same comparison and invoked the Nuremberg Code.

Then came Wednesdays hearing, the panels second. Blackburn gave an opening statement mentioning the buying and selling of baby body parts no fewer than seven times.

And the evidence that abortion clinics profit from the sale of these body parts? That would be in Exhibit G, handed out by Blackburns staff. The AC [abortion clinic] has no costs so the payments from the PB [procurement business] to the AC are pure profit, it said.

But this incendiary exhibit  asserting that any abortion clinic that receives any payment for fetal tissue is breaking the law  turned out to be not evidence but an undocumented claim by the Republican staff.

I think that these exhibits were created from whole cloth, said Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) a member of the panel. She objected to the use of the exhibits, claiming they violated House rules. Republicans moved to table her objection and prevailed on a party-line vote.

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) tried again. He raised a parliamentary inquiry about how the pure profit conclusion was reached  particularly because it was contradicted by three other exhibits that appeared to document activities performed by abortion clinics in the tissue sales that have associated costs.

Blackburn declared that there was no discrepancy and that the documents come from the investigative work of staffers.

The doubts about the videos and the unsupported exhibit did not stop the majority on the panel and their witnesses from relying on both. Gruesome revelations came from a series of videos, declared Michael Norton, one of the witnesses. It was clear from the videos that Planned Parenthood had been actively engaged in harvesting and trafficking, for profit, body parts of babies whose lives Planned Parenthood had ended.

Another majority witness, Catherine Glenn Foster, cited the undercover videos and the evidence presented by this panel.

Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) spoke about how the select panel investigation reveals that abortion clinics are incurring no costs  and therefore reaping profits from fetal tissue.

And Kenneth Sukhia, yet another witness for the majority, said the discredited videos provide corroborative evidence that Planned Parenthood broke the law, saying it doesnt matter that statements in the video were selectively edited.

It doesnt matter?

After doctored videos, unsubstantiated exhibits and political moonlighting by Blackburn, those assessing the panels relevance will conclude just that.

Twitter: @Milbank

Read more from Dana Milbanks archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
The writer is the foreign minister of Iran.

Nearly three years ago, the newly elected Iranian president called for constructive engagement on a momentous undertaking: resolving the nuclear crisis dividing Iran and the West. The fruit of 22 months of unprecedented diplomacy  the historic Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)  was formally implemented in January. Yet despite this important achievement, the worrying reality is that we now face a far greater challenge.

Those who once hid behind the smokescreen of the artificial crisis over my countrys peaceful nuclear program have stepped up their damaging adventurism. Driven by desperation, they have resorted to measures that all of us will have to live with over the coming years and, possibly, decades. Allow me to explain.

Some of those who agitated against the JCPOA were blatant in their efforts to drag the region into yet another disastrous war. They did  and continue to do  their utmost to convince their Western allies to return to the broken taboo against engaging with Iran. They have repeatedly resorted publicly to raising the specter of military  even nuclear  attack on my country, in blatant disregard for international law.

Others have been less blatant. Amid their backroom efforts to thwart the constructive engagement between Iran and six world powers, they resorted to a rapid build-up of their already excessive military hardware. Alarmingly, some also boosted their support for militant extremism, in the belief that it could serve as a tool to achieve short-term political aims. The disastrous outcomes of these efforts are clear for all to see.

Having spent a staggering amount of their peoples petrodollars on weapons-hoarding, these actors are now seeing their literal, and political, fortunes plummet in step with oil prices. Meanwhile, the extremist lost souls they have empowered are no longer terrorizing only others in the region and the wider world but are also biting the very hands that feed them.

Perplexingly, amid these disturbing developments  including the recent tragedies in Paris and Brussels  the West does not appear to be focused on joining hands to eradicate militant extremism. Neither is there much discussion of how a country such as Saudi Arabia has become the worlds third-biggest military spender, overtaking Russia. And rather than focusing on how Yemen was bombed to rubble for 12 relentless months  and thus turned into a tinderbox of famine and poverty and a breeding ground for al-Qaeda  scare-mongering about Iran and its defensive capabilities is back in full swing.

During the intensive negotiations over complex issues surrounding Irans nuclear energy program, my country insisted at every turn that our defenses were not on the table. But our argument was not centered on sovereignty, nor on the fact that our military is vastly outspent by those of many of our Western-allied neighbors. We simply made reference to the recent past.

In 1980, in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution, Iraqs Saddam Hussein launched a war against Iran fully supported financially and militarily by almost all of our Arab neighbors and by the West. Unable to secure a quick victory, Hussein used chemical weapons against our soldiers and civilians. The West not only did nothing to prevent this, but it also armed Hussein with sophisticated weapons, while actively preventing Iran from getting access to the most rudimentary defensive necessities. And during the eight long years that this war continued, the U.N. Security Council did not issue a single condemnation of the aggression, the deliberate targeting of civilians or the use of chemical weapons.

This may have been forgotten by most in the West, but it is not forgotten by our people. They remember the missiles raining down, the horrific images of men, women and children murdered with chemical weapons and, above all, the lack of a modern means of defense.

On top of this, having listened to the outdated U.S. mantra of all options are on the table for 37 years, our people understand that we need to be prepared to prevent that illegal and absurd threat from ever becoming a reality.

The words never again resonate with Iranians, too.

It is against this backdrop that we develop and test our indigenous defensive capabilities. We have no other choice, as we continue to face major hurdles in fulfilling our military hardware needs from abroad, even as our neighbors procure such hardware in mind-boggling quantities. Indeed, our military budget, for all the alarm raised by the West whenever we test a new system, is a small fraction of what is spent by our neighbors, which have a fraction of our territory or population to defend.

Iran is blessed. At a time when bombs go off in public places throughout the Middle East and war is at our doorstep, we have a stable, safe and healthy environment for our citizens and for those visiting and doing business with us. This is due to both the vigilance of our government and the character of our people. We take pride in using our resources for universal health care and education and advanced science and technology rather than wasteful military spending. Our people want nothing more than peace and cooperation with our neighbors and the world at large. We have not launched a war in more than two centuries and continue to make an unequivocal commitment of never commencing such foolishness. We challenge all our detractors  large and small  to commit likewise.

I urge my counterparts around the world to reflect on what has been achieved through diplomacy rather than threats, sanctions and demonization. Today, Iran, for millennia a vital bridge between East and West, remains the most stable, safe and inviting stop along our stretch of the Silk Road. My government remains committed to constructive engagement and my initiative for a regional dialogue forum. A window has opened, and we hope our counterparts will seize on the opportunity it brings so that we may all return our focus to shared objectives and challenges.
Hillary Clintons victory in the New York primary Tuesday has brought Sen. Bernie Sanders one step closer to a series of difficult decisions that can be summed up in one simple question: What does Bernie want?

How he answers that question will have a direct bearing on how united Democrats will be heading into the fall campaign  and whether Sanders will be able to leverage his success this year into lasting power and influence.

His campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination has been more successful than almost anyone had predicted. He has generated a sizable and enthusiastic following, including an outpouring among young people and a gusher of small donations that more than matched the mighty Clinton financial network. His bold agenda has pushed Clinton to the left, a testament to the strength of the partys grass-roots progressive wing, which has made him its hero.

But as Clinton extends her lead in pledged delegates, Sanders must now confront the reality that he has almost no chance of becoming the Democratic nominee. Instead he must decide what he will do with what he has built  starting with how he conducts his campaign over the next two months, how he navigates the partys national convention in July, what role he plays in the general election and, perhaps most important, what happens after the November results have been tallied.

At the heart of many of these questions is another one: Will the self-described democratic socialist, who has run all his past campaigns as an independent, continue calling himself a Democrat after his presidential bid ends? (After this article was published online Wednesday, Sanderss campaign manager said he expects the senator to be a member of the party for life.)

Sanders advisers insist that, with the candidate focused on carrying on his campaign through the last of the primaries in June and on to the Philadelphia convention, there have been few discussions about such questions. But his wife, Jane, offered a preview of the candidates thinking in an interview with The Washington Post just before New Yorkers went to the polls.

If hes president, he wants to keep this movement going, she said. If hes not president, hell have to keep this movement going for a lot more reasons, because nobody else wants to accomplish what has ignited the interest of the voters.

Asked what that might look like, she said: Well figure that out, if and when. . . . Honestly, we will continue no matter what. Theres enough people that will continue it. Well keep that vision out there. I mean, he will not sit idly by. Theres no doubt about that.

Neil Sroka, communications director of the progressive advocacy group Democracy for America, or DFA  which was founded by former Vermont governor Howard Dean after his 2004 presidential campaign and which has endorsed Sanders  said Sanders has several options.

One would be something like DFA. Another would be a more traditional leadership PAC, while a third would be what Sroka called a let a thousand flowers bloom approach  working with a variety of existing organizations to further his progressive agenda.

Whatever route he chooses, Sanders has pole-vaulted himself into a real leadership position in the progressive movement, Sroka said. This movement now not only has Elizabeth Warren but Bernie Sanders. Hes going to be a powerful voice in either the White House or the Senate.

What Sanders decides about the future course of his campaign could be crucial to how quickly the party comes together after what has become an increasingly fractious nominating battle, something the Clinton forces are keenly aware of. Sanderss recent attacks on Clinton have alarmed her supporters. They are now listening closely for a change in his rhetoric  as there was in Clintons at roughly the same point in 2008 in her contest against then-Sen. Barack Obama.

[Hillary Clinton won New York, but her image is underwater]

In 2008 after Hillary lost North Carolina, she made it clear that our days of attacking Obama were behind us and that we were not to do anything that would make it more difficult for Obama to win a general election, said Democratic pollster Geoff Garin, who was then a member of Clintons campaign team and now serves as an adviser to Priorities USA, the pro-Clinton super PAC. She saw the thing through but refrained from criticisms of Obama that would leave a lasting mark. Thats really the conversation that should be going on in the Sanders campaign.

But his campaign showed no immediate signs of relenting in its improbable bid to catch her in the chase for delegates.

After the results from New York were in Tuesday night, Sanderss campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, appeared on MSNBC in front of a map of remaining states and outlined how he thinks the campaign could still close the delegate gap. He also said that if Sanders gets close, he will start actively trying to flip the allegiances of superdelegates, the elected officials and other party insiders who also get to weigh in on the nomination. So far, they have sided overwhelmingly with Clinton.

Given that delegates are awarded proportionately in the Democratic contests, Sanders would need to not only win most of the remaining primaries and caucuses but win them by very lopsided margins to catch Clinton. Many of the upcoming contests are also closed to independents, who have bolstered Sanderss numbers in states where he has prevailed.

[Can Clinton and Trump ride to big victories in next weeks Acela primary?]

The New York primary made it clear that while Sanders may not have the backing of a majority of Democrats, the affection of his supporters runs deep. In the closing days of the race, he turned out three of the largest crowds of his entire campaign, including an estimated 28,000-plus at a park Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn, where he grew up.

He was treated like a rock star as he walked the streets of New York with an entourage of aides, Secret Service agents and the press in tow, including on Monday during a 15-block stroll near the hotel where he stayed near Times Square.

Oh, my God, a young woman exclaimed upon seeing him. Others could be heard calling friends on their cellphones to say they had run into Sanders. People requested selfies by the dozen. And there were near-constant calls of Feel the Bern and Love you, Bernie as he passed by, along with honks of approval from cars on the street.

That kind of enthusiasm is infectious and can make it all the more difficult for a candidate to pivot to a different phase of the campaign. Former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell (D), a Clinton supporter, praised Sanders for what he has accomplished, calling it an incredible feat  but he said the time is coming when Sanders will have to tone done his attacks on Clinton for the good of the party. But Rendell also said he understands how hard that can be.

He has candidate-itis, which we all who have run for office have had at one time or another, Rendell said. You look at the crowds, you think: They love me. Im going to win. You get the feedback from the crowds and you really think youre going to win.

When Democrats get to Philadelphia in late July, it is assumed that Sanders has more than earned a prime-time speaking slot. Beyond that, he has also made clear he will seek to influence the shape of the party platform. Aides say the more delegates he takes into the convention, the more leverage he should have to do that.

Party leaders want no repeat of the 1980 Democratic convention, when President Jimmy Carter faced a rebellion from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. Kennedy engineered a floor fight over the rules and denied Carter a final-night photograph of unity. In contrast, eight years ago, Clinton went to the floor of the convention during the nominating roll call and moved that Obama be nominated by acclamation.

Recalling that moment, David Axelrod, who was chief strategist for Obamas campaigns, said of Sanders: The question is, will he do the same? Will he, once the result is clear, even if he goes to the convention, will he rally behind the nominee or will he strike a discordant note?

Earlier this month, during an appearance on CBSs Face the Nation, Sanders was asked by host John Dickerson whether his aim was similar to Kennedys.

Sanders ticked off a series of issues important to him, including making corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, combating poverty, fighting climate change, and rebuilding the nations crumbling infrastructure.

Those are the issues that we will fight for to get on the platform, whether I am the nominee or whether Secretary Clinton is the nominee, Sanders said.

Aides have also suggested Sanderss call for a single-payer Medicare for all health-care system is something he will push at the convention.

He could also try to make an issue of voting rights. During the New York primary, Sanders was outspoken about the states rule that bars independents from participating in Democratic and Republican primaries. Prior to leaving the state on Tuesday, he called that a very unfortunate thing and said it was something he wants to work to change. Whether he will go after the power of the superdelegates is another question.

Sanders has said repeatedly that he plans to support the Democratic nominee and that a Donald Trump presidency would be a disaster for the country. Less clear is how hard Sanders will work to support Clinton if she becomes the nominee or how much he will do  and how much he can do  to bring his supporters on board. Many are new to the political process, including younger voters, and few express enthusiasm about Clinton.

As the tone of the primary has become nastier, Sanders has routinely ticked off differences he has with Clinton on policy issues and mocked her refusal to release transcripts of paid speeches she delivered on Wall Street. His supporters routinely boo at the mention of her name, and in a change from earlier in the campaign, Sanders does nothing to discourage them.

Clinton allies fear the toll all this is taking. I think its clear that the Clinton campaign has work to do in terms of strengthening her image heading into a general election, Garin said. And having Bernie attacking her and fighting to the bitter end will make that process more difficult.

In the Post interview, Jane Sanders made it clear that her husbands supporters wont simply fall in line with the Clinton campaign.

If they have any hope of getting any of Bernies supporters, it cannot be Okay, we got through the primary, now I move to the center,  she said. That is the history of the Democratic and Republican party. The Republicans go right-wing, then they go more to the center. The Democrats go more liberal, and then they go to the center. So we will keep people, whether Bernies the nominee or Hillarys the nominee, we will keep people focused on issues that are important.

Other Sanders supporters have sounded even more skeptical notes about the willingness of his backers to rally behind a Clinton nomination, regardless of whether Sanders says he is on board.

A Democrat other than Bernie is going to have an extremely difficult time winning the general election, because people dont want the status quo, said RoseAnn DeMoro, director of National Nurses United, the first national labor union to back Sanders.

Theres Bernie and theres his movement, DeMoro said. He amplifies the movement, but hes not the movement.

Just who can help broker this is a question Democrats are beginning to ask. One possibility is Warren, the senator from Massachusetts, who until Sanders decided to run was the acknowledged leader of the partys progressive wing. She has refrained from endorsing Clinton or Sanders and as a result could have credibility both with the Clinton team and Sanderss followers.

Warren has had occasional conversations with both candidates and recently met with Clintons campaign chairman, John Podesta, according to a knowledgeable source.

Sanders, 74, almost certainly will not run for president again. While he is in generally good health and has shown remarkable stamina on the campaign trail, those around him acknowledge that a White House bid at age 78 seems improbable. Already, he would be the oldest person to enter the Oval Office in U.S. history.

Associates say he is likely to run for reelection as a senator in two years when his term expires.

His job in the Senate offers Sanders a platform to continue speaking out about issues he cares about, and he remains very popular in his home state of Vermont. That was evidenced by his showing in the states Democratic presidential primary in March, when he won 86 percent of the vote against Clinton.

Sanderss trip to the Vatican, just days before the primary, was questionable for its political value, but it gave him an opportunity to talk about income inequality on a global scale.

Upon his return to New York, television cameras followed him to multiple stops at public housing projects in the Bronx, where he highlighted run-down conditions, including out-of-service elevators in high-rises that forced elderly residents to climb the stairs and a shuttered playground that he said robbed children of a place to play and stay out of trouble.

As the campaign unfolded, Sanders also became a regular on the late-night talk-show circuit and made more appearances than any other candidate this cycle on the Sunday-morning talk shows. Both afforded opportunities to spread his brand of democratic socialism to wider audiences.

Sanders has served in the House and Senate as an independent, though he has caucused with the Democrats. Given what he has created this year, party leaders see him as a potentially invaluable asset to help other Democratic candidates raise money and rally young voters.

So far, Sanders has shown little inclination to play a big role on that front. But Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), noting the size of Sanderss following, said, Let me tell you, hes got a heck of an email list, and if he decides to use it to help the Democrats take control of the Senate, that creates a better opportunity for his ideas to see the light of day.

Besides the fundraising operation Sanders has built online, his campaign has also used social media to build a nationwide community of followers that could endure long after the campaign. He now has more than 2 million followers on Twitter, as well as legions of fans on Facebook and other platforms, including Reddit, a favorite of the younger generation.

That gives Sanders the opportunity to become the leader of the progressive movement and, with others such as Warren, to keep the pressure on Clinton as both nominee and president, if both were to happen. Still, harnessing all those resources into an effective organization is challenging, as Obama found with the organization he built in 2008 and expanded in 2012.

His movement, now called Organizing for America, has had limited success generating support for the presidents legislative goals. But Sanderss success in pushing Clinton to the left during their nomination contest suggests the kind of influence that Sanders and the progressives in the party could wield in the future.

Balz reported from Washington. Anne Gearan and Mike DeBonis in Washington contributed to this report.
Both Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump expressed love for the Empire State after they won their respective New York primary elections April 19. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

Both Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump expressed love for the Empire State after they won their respective New York primary elections April 19. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

Emboldened by dominant victories in New York, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump plunged swiftly Wednesday into the next batch of primaries in five states along the Northeast Corridor, where they hope to bury or break their challengers for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations.

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island will vote Tuesday in what many are dubbing the Acela primary, putting Clinton and Trump on terrain well tailored to their campaigns.

For Clinton, its a chance to effectively end the long-shot hopes of Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) in the Democratic race.

For Trump, the contests are an opportunity to pad his delegate lead over Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) and send him tumbling into the final six weeks of the campaign.

That crucial period will determine whether the mogul will clinch the GOP nomination outright or if the race will head to a contested convention. In a new internal memo, the Trump campaign projected that he will accumulate 1,400 delegates to win the partys nod on the first ballot.

Trump faces a key test here in Pennsylvania, Tuesdays biggest prize. Cruz is making an aggressive push to influence who will become delegates from the Keystone State, which will send most of its slate to the Republican National Convention officially unbound to any candidate. Even a statewide win by Trump could be undercut if he does not derail Cruzs plan.

After defeating Sanders handily in New York on Tuesday, Clinton planned to talk about gun violence at a predominantly African American church here in Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon and hold an organizing event in the evening. Clinton is looking to maintain her strong support among black voters next Tuesday. Large urban areas with sizable black populations will be voting.

Trump, who trounced Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich in his home state of New York, held an evening rally in Berlin, Md., near the border with Delaware. Trump has performed very well in Northeast primaries.

Anticipating defeat in New York, Cruz, Kasich and Sanders jumped ahead to campaign in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. The senator from Texas even gave a prime-time speech in Philadelphia, looking past the New York results. Cruz campaigned in Pennsylvania Wednesday, and Kasich planned to do the same.

In the Democratic primary, Clinton is favored to claim Tuesdays top two trophies: Pennsylvania and Maryland. She has personal ties to the former and frequently talks about her grandfather, who worked in a lace mill in Scranton, Pa.

Clinton talked up her links to Pennsylvania on Wednesday, telling a crowd of about 2,000 in Philadelphia that she was baptized in her fathers home town of Scranton and spent summers there.

My dad went to Penn State, my brother went to Penn State, and her son-in-law is from Philadelphia, she said to cheers.

Hillary Clinton won the April 19 New York Democratic primary. Here's how. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

The applause grew louder when she noted that the Democratic convention will be held in Philadelphia in July and that she hopes to be the nominee.

Clinton was briefly heckled by Black Lives Matter activists, some of whom held up signs as she spoke that read Hillary Is Killing.

That was a reference to the omnibus crime bill passed under her husbands presidency in 1994. The activists claim that the bill has devastated African American communities.

She did not engage the demonstrators, who chanted dont vote for Hillary as they were escorted from the event hall.

Earlier Wednesday, Clinton held a discussion with former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. and African American mothers who lost children to shootings. Ahead of the session at a downtown Philadelphia church, protesters shouted outside, demanding that Clinton pardon victims of the 1994 crime bill.

Together with New York, the states voting in next weeks Acela primary  named after the high-speed Amtrak train that travels through them  should effectively put the nomination out of reach for Sanders, said former Pennsylvania governor Edward Rendell, a Clinton backer.

The math will be too hard, Rendell said. My guess is she will be up by 300 delegates, and after the Acela primary there are only six, seven, eight opportunities left, and the only really big one is California. Thats not enough.

But even lopsided victories for Clinton in Pennsylvania, with 189 delegates at stake, and Maryland, with 95, would probably not end Sanderss candidacy. His aides have continued to argue that there is a path to catching Clinton in the number of delegates awarded in primaries and caucuses  a scenario that would require a series of resounding wins in May and a huge victory in California in June.

[Donald Trump displays his best behavior at New York victory party]

Adding to Sanderss challenge next week are the rules governing the contests. Four of the five states  Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut and Rhode Island  are closed to independents, as New York was. Sanders has done better in states where unaffiliated voters can support him in the nominating contest.

Sanders has said he thinks he will win the Pennsylvania primary. His spokesman, Michael Briggs, said Sanders should also perform well in Connecticut, citing wins in other New England states. He will take a day off the campaign trail on Wednesday before returning in Pennsylvania on Thursday.

On the Republican side, 172 delegates are at stake in the five states voting Tuesday, including 71 from Pennsylvania. Recent polls show Trump leading Cruz in the state.

I think Mr. Trumps going to do very well in the state of Pennsylvania, campaign manager Corey Lewandowski predicted.

In each of the states 18 congressional districts, Republican voters will select not just a presidential candidate, but also a slate of three delegates who will go to the Cleveland convention unbound. The statewide Republican winner will get a separate prize of 17 delegates pledged to him on the first ballot at the convention.

Cruzs campaign plans to persuade voters to elect his preferred delegates in each district.

Were going to voters saying: When you go into the polls on Election Day, vote four times for Ted Cruz. Vote for Ted Cruz and vote for each of his three congressional district delegates, said Lowman Henry, Cruzs Pennsylvania state chairman.

Henry said the Cruz campaign is going to make that plain in a variety of ways through really 18 different congressional district campaigns were going to be running over the next week. He declined to lay out the specific strategy for doing so. But there is no guarantee it will work. And if it doesnt, Pennsylvania could quickly become Trump territory. A recent Pittsburgh Tribune-Review survey of the people running for delegate in their district showed many would support the statewide or districtwide winner on the first ballot in Cleveland.

[The Take: Clinton got what she needed in N.Y., but her image is underwater]

Trump convention manager Paul Manafort said Pennsylvania will be different from previous states where Cruz sailed through the delegate-selection process.

We were involved in the filing, and were going to run a very competitive race, he said.

Cruz strategists think they can win enough support in the remaining contests to keep Trump from getting to 1,237 delegates, the number needed to clinch the nomination. Trumps team, meanwhile, has said it is hopeful that he will eclipse that threshold by the time primary season ends in June. After New York, Trump led Cruz 845 delegates to 559, according to the Associated Presss latest tally Wednesday morning.

But Kasich is a wild card for Trump and Cruz. The Ohio governors centrist pitch could win him some support Tuesdays contests, where many Republicans are moderates. Kasich planned to campaign in at least three of the five states between Wednesday and Saturday. In a memo released Tuesday night, chief strategist John Weaver argued that Kasich was best positioned against Trump on Tuesday.

The extended race is straining Cruzs financial capabilities. Newly released Federal Election Commission filings showed Wednesday that his campaign spent 94 percent of what it raised in March, a high burn rate that comes at a time when many Republican donors have not warmed to Cruzs campaign.

Both Trump and Cruz have started looking ahead to the May 3 battleground of Indiana, where Cruzs campaign feels it could end a potential two-week losing streak in the Northeast. Trumps first scheduled campaign stop Wednesday was a rally in Indianapolis. Cruz was expected to campaign there on Thursday.

Along with Pennsylvania, Cruzs strategists see Maryland as another state where he could make some headway, but no one is predicting big victories. If anything, they are bracing for another impressive showing by Trump.

I think once we get by the 26th and we start heading west again, youre going to particularly there see Senator Cruz start to rack up delegates, Henry said.

Gearan reported from Washington. John Wagner in State College, Pa., Jenna Johnson in New York and Philip Rucker in Hollywood, Fla., contributed to this report.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled 6-2 in favor of relatives of the 241 Marines who died in a 1983 terrorist attack in Beirut and other attacks that courts have linked to Iran. (Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images (Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday cleared the way for American victims of terrorism to collect nearly $2 billion in seized Iranian assets, but not without a warning from Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. that the court was undermining its authority.

The justices ruled 6 to 2 that Congress had not violated the separation of powers when it passed a bill making it easier for about 1,300 people to collect money on behalf of those killed or injured in the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.

[Roberts worried statute that helps terrorism victims violates separation of powers]

The ruling upheld a 2014 appeals court decision awarding the money to the families.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, writing for the majority, said Congress had the power to pass such a law even if its intention was to influence the resolution of decades-long litigation in which the families sought compensation from Iran.

Congress, our decisions make clear, may amend the law and make the change applicable to pending cases, even when the amendment is outcome determinative, Ginsburg wrote, adding that presented no threat to the independence of the judiciary.

Those who favor the ability of victims of state-sponsored terrorism to use the court for redress said the decision was an important one.

University of Notre Dame law professor Jimmy Gurule, a former prosecutor who filed an amicus brief on behalf of the families, said the decision sends a powerful message to rogue states and state sponsors of terrorism that if you, directly or indirectly, provide material support for terrorism, you will be held accountable.

The ruling capped a legal battle that began in 2003 when a coalition of families sued the government of Iran. Among the plaintiffs was Deborah Peterson of Fairfax, Va., who was seeking to avenge the killing of her brother, 20-year-old Marine Cpl. James Knipple. Knipple was at the barracks on the day of the attack as part of an American peacekeeping mission.

On Wednesday  after spending more than 30 years dedicating efforts to her brothers memory, and about half that time fighting this battle in the courts  Peterson said she hadnt quite internalized the Supreme Courts decision.

I dont think you ever really have closure, Peterson said. Ill always be sad that Jim didnt have a whole life, a full life.

Still, there is some solace to be found, she said, that in the eyes of the law, we know who is responsible, and those who are responsible have been brought to the justice that we are capable of bringing them to here on earth.

Matthew D. McGill, one of the lawyers who represented the families at the Supreme Court, said the decision removes the last remaining legal impediment to the distribution of these funds to the victims of Irans acts of terrorism.

We will promptly ask the district court supervising the funds to carry out the Supreme Courts decision and authorize distribution of the funds to the victims, some of whom have waited almost 33 years for justice.

[Not all victims represented in Supreme Court Iran terrorism case]

Citizens are generally barred from suing foreign governments in U.S. courts, but there is an exception for terrorist acts. Family members of the deceased and those injured went to court and showed, for instance, that the October 1983 bombing that killed 241 sleeping service members in a Beirut barracks was conducted by the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.

Iran never responded to the suit.

Survivors of 173 of those killed in the Beirut attack and other acts of terrorism secured judgments against Iran, and courts ruled they were entitled to more than $10 billion in compensation. After President Obama froze Iranian assets in the United States in 2012, the plaintiffs targeted nearly $2 billion in Iranian-owned bonds held in a New York bank.

Meanwhile, the families lobbied Congress to pass a law saying, essentially, that the victims were entitled to the funds. Bank Markazi, Irans central bank, challenged the law, as well as a 2014 ruling by the New York-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit that the money should be awarded to the victims.

Bank Markazi said legislation that directs the winner of a lawsuit violates the separation of powers and usurps judicial authority.

But Ginsburg, joined by Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Stephen G. Breyer, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Elena Kagan, disagreed.

A statute does not impinge on judicial power when it directs courts to apply a new legal standard to undisputed facts, Ginsburg wrote, saying Congress has passed such specific legislation in the past.

She said the subject matter was important, as well. The law is an exercise of congressional authority regarding foreign affairs, a domain in which the controlling role of the political branches is both necessary and proper, Ginsburg wrote.

Congress acted comfortably within its authority over foreign sovereign immunity and foreign-state assets, she wrote.

Roberts strenuously objected, however, and was joined in his dissent by liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Article III of the Constitution commits the power to decide cases to the judiciary alone, Roberts wrote. Yet in this case, Congress arrogated that power to itself.

At issue, the chief justice said, is a basic principle, not a technical rule. An act of Congress had decided the case no less certainly than if Congress had directed entry of judgment for respondents, he wrote.

Hereafter, with this courts approval, Congress can unabashedly pick the winners and losers in particular pending cases. Todays decision will indeed become a blueprint for extensive expansion of the legislative power at the judiciarys expense, Roberts wrote.

The case is Bank Markazi v. Peterson.

Karoun Demirjian contributed to this report.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling Wednesday, said any flaws in the Arizona redistricting plan probably resulted from a well-intentioned attempt to comply with the Voting Rights Act. (Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Wednesday that an independent redistricting commission in Arizona did not improperly favor Democrats when drawing the states legislative districts.

The justices said variances in the populations of the districts, drawn after the 2010 Census, were not so great as to violate the Constitutions rule of one person, one vote.

The court added that any flaws in the redistricting plan are more likely to have resulted from a well-intentioned attempt to comply with the Voting Rights Act rather than to favor one party over another.

We have made clear that the Constitution, while insisting upon compliance with the principle of one-person, one-vote, does not demand mathematical perfection, Justice Stephen G. Breyer said in announcing the decision.

We have said that minor deviations from mathematical equality do not by themselves make out a prima facie [at first look] case of invidious discrimination.

[Supreme Court rejects conservative challenge on one person, one vote ]

It was the courts second ruling in recent weeks on the subject of one person, one vote. It previously decided in a case from Texas that states may comply with the Constitution by counting all residents of a place  rather than just the voting-age population  when drawing electoral districts.

And last term, the court upheld the decision of Arizona voters to put redistricting decisions in the hands of the independent commission rather than the legislature.

[Justices rule 5 to 4 that independent commissions may control redistricting]

Wednesdays decision was a slim one, and its unanimity suggested it was more a restatement of the courts precedents than a ruling breaking new ground.

Arizona Republicans brought the challenge. They said that the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission had underpopulated some districts and overpopulated others in a way that packed white Republicans into fewer districts and minimized their impact.

The difference between the least-populous district and the largest was a little more than 8 percent. But Breyer explained that the Supreme Court has previously held that legislative districts may vary by as much as 10 percent before they are thought to violate the one-person, one-vote principle.

We believe that attacks on deviations under 10% will succeed only rarely, in unusual cases, Breyer wrote.

The ruling upheld a decision by a three-judge panel in Arizona that the population deviations were primarily a result of good-faith efforts to comply with the Voting Rights Act [VRA] . . . even though partisanship played some role.

Breyer said the commission  composed of two Republicans, two Democrats and one independent  was trying to fulfill a provision of the VRA that does not allow diminishing the number of districts in which minority groups can elect their preferred candidate of choice.

Over the objections of the Republican members, the other commissioners moved some white voters out of two districts to increase the percentage of Hispanic voters in each.

It probably is true that Democratic-leaning districts are underpopulated and Republican ones are overpopulated, Breyer wrote. But that fact may well reflect the tendency of minority populations in Arizona in 2010 to vote disproportionately for Democrats. If so, the variations are explained by the commissions efforts to maintain at least 10 districts where minorities could elect candidates of their choice, he added.

And Breyer pointed out that at the time, Arizona was among the states  the rest of them mostly in the South  that were under special scrutiny and required to have their redistricting plans approved in advance by Justice Department officials or judges in Washington.

In a divisive decision in 2013, the Supreme Court excised the list of states covered by the requirement. Congress has not attempted to come up with a new one, a matter of contention between Democrats and Republicans.

Wednesdays decision came in Harris v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.
Hillary Clinton got what she needed in New York, a solid victory that stopped Bernie Sanderss weeks-long winning streak. But any cause for celebration among her supporters probably will be tempered by the reality that her unexpectedly difficult nomination battle has taken a significant toll on her candidacy.

By the end of next weeks contests in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware, her lead in pledged delegates in all likelihood will be insurmountable. For Sanders, there seemingly will be no path to the nomination other than the unlikely strategy of trying to persuade superdelegates to go against the will of Democratic voters.

By the beginning of May, Clinton will be at liberty to turn her attention to the general election. At that point, turning around public perceptions will be crucial if she hopes not just to win the presidency but to be able to rally the country behind her agenda.

The good news for Clinton  and Democrats will seize on this  is that, against either Donald Trump or Ted Cruz in a possible general election matchup, she looks strong. Thats especially the case against Trump, who continues to run up negative numbers unheard of for a potential major-party nominee. But Trumps problems do not diminish the fact that, standing alone, Clinton looks much weaker than recent nominees.

Republicans must be gnashing their teeth over the fact that their two leading candidates are unpopular while the candidates with the third- and fourth-most delegates  Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, who suspended his campaign in March, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who hopes for a miracle at the GOP convention  would be far stronger against Clinton.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

The damage to Clinton from her battle with Sanders is borne out in the latest NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll. The longer this race has gone on, the more she has shown vulnerabilities. The top-line number that caught the eyes of so many analysts shows her now in a dead heat with Sanders nationally  ahead of him by just two percentage points, 50 to 48 percent.

Those numbers have no influence on the state-by-state results but offer a window into both the success of Sanders in generating enthusiasm and Clintons inability to capitalize on all her political advantages. Since October, when her candidacy began rising again after several months of controversy about her use of a private email server, she has been on a downward slide. Her lead over the senator from Vermont has dropped from what was then a 31-point advantage to the current two points.

Meanwhile, her negative ratings have been rising and now outweigh her positives by 24 points, according to the NBC-Wall Street Journal poll. That makes her seen no more favorably than Cruz is. Her only salvation is that Trumps net negative is minus 41. Sanders, meanwhile, has a net positive of nine points  although its fair to say that one reason for that is that he has received far less in the way of attacks from Republicans or scrutiny from the media than Clinton has.

Clintons image is at or near record lows among major demographic groups. Among men, she is at minus 40. Among women, she is at minus nine. Among whites, she is at minus 39. Among white women, she is at minus 25. Among white men, she is 17 positive, 72 negative. Her favorability among whites at this point in the election cycle is worse than President Obamas ever has been, according to Bill McInturff, a Republican pollster who conducted the NBC-Wall Street Journal poll with Democratic pollster Peter Hart.

Minority voters have been the linchpin of Clintons nomination strategy and were a key to her success in New York. Among African Americans nationally, the NBC-Wall Street Journal poll shows her with a net positive of 51 points. But thats down 13 points from her first-quarter average and is about at her lowest ever. Among Latinos, her net positive is just two points, down from plus 21 points during the first quarter.

Voters perceptions of her having the knowledge and experience to be president remain strongly positive and unchanged since last fall. On other measures, such as whether she is easygoing and likable, or shares your position on issues, or is able to bring real change to the country, or is honest and straightforward, she has seen her standing erode since last fall and even more when compared with her first presidential campaign, in 2008.

By any conventional standard, this is a candidate whos been disqualified to be president [by the voters], McInturff said. Her terrible numbers for months have been masked because we have the one candidate in modern history who has worse numbers. The spectacle of Donald Trump has gotten so much attention that shes slipped under the radar for what ought to be a real story. . . . Her numbers have gone from terrible to historic and disqualifying.

1 of 33 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  What it looks like on the ground in New York for the primary election View Photos New York voters head to the polls for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. Caption New York voters headed to the polls Tuesday for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. April 19, 2016 After winning the New York primary, Hillary Clinton speaks to a packed room of supporters during the victory party at the Sheraton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Democrats see Sanders as an agent in Clintons decline, arguing that in recent weeks his attacks have been aimed less at policy differences and more at questions about her character. Sanders has attacked Clinton as being too cozy with Wall Street, too dependent on big money and for not releasing transcripts of her paid speeches to Goldman Sachs.

Its hard to dispute the rising negatives, said Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg. I was actually surprised when Sanders began not just to make that personal but appeared to be producing enduring damage.

Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster who is working with Priorities USA, a pro-Clinton super PAC, said the primaries have reinforced perceptions of the former secretary of state as strong, smart and resilient and as a candidate with a policy agenda far more in tune with the electorate than what Republicans are offering. But he also said that Sanderss attacks have reinforced stereotypes that are untrue but challenging nonetheless for Clinton.

Other candidates have come out of tough nominating contests badly bruised, including Clintons husband, former president Bill Clinton, in 1992. He was successful, through a major effort by his campaign, in turning around his image in the time between the end of the primaries in early June of that year and the end of his convention later in the summer.

Republicans believe that Clinton is so well known that she will have difficulty changing minds. She is substantially weaker as a candidate than I expected and substantially less able to create a compelling persona on the stump, said Whit Ayres, who was Rubios campaign pollster.

Greenberg said there certainly was more room for Bill Clinton to get a second look from voters because he was newer to the national stage. But Greenberg noted that Hillary Clinton has been able to rebound in the past and said she can do so again. I dont think theres the same degree of freedom [as her husband had], but theres room to improve, he said. And I wouldnt overlook this broad base [of voters] that wants to vote for a Democrat and doesnt want to vote for a Trump or Cruz.

Garin added, I think people are making a mistake if they believe that the numbers you see today inevitably are going to define her standing two or three months from now. Things are not nearly as etched in stone as one would think.

It is doubtful Clinton imagined a year ago, as she was making early trips to Iowa and New Hampshire, that the nominating contest would be as competitive and bruising as it has turned out to be. She may be lucky in her potential general election opponent, but she has work to do to get ready for what lies ahead.
Republican front-runner Donald Trump told supporters at Trump Tower in Manhattan that his campaign is "really, really rocking," after coming out ahead in New York's primary April 19. Rival Ted Cruz appeared to still be hopeful, telling Pennsylvania voters, "This is the year of the outsider. I'm an outsider." (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

Republican front-runner Donald Trump told supporters at Trump Tower in Manhattan that his campaign is "really, really rocking," after coming out ahead in New York's primary April 19. Rival Ted Cruz appeared to still be hopeful, telling Pennsylvania voters, "This is the year of the outsider. I'm an outsider." (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

Donald Trump easily trounced his opponents in Tuesdays Republican presidential primary in his home state of New York, notching his biggest win yet and pulling further ahead of Ted Cruz and John Kasich in the delegate count.

Trumps blowout victory  which was propelled by voters overwhelming desire to elect a political outsider who could bring change  positions the billionaire mogul for a hot streak in five East Coast primaries next week and brings him closer to securing the nomination with an outright majority of pledged delegates.

Near complete returns showed Trump with just over 60 percent of the vote statewide, putting him on the path to win most of New Yorks 95 delegates.

The victory comes at a critical time for Trump, who is trying to mature as a candidate, professionalize his campaign team and reassert his dominance in the prolonged nominating contest after a troublesome month in which Cruz and Kasich have taken surgical steps to force a contested convention.

Stepping out with his family to the brassy strains of Frank Sinatras New York, New York, Trump sounded like a more disciplined candidate as he claimed victory in a short statement at his Midtown Manhattan skyscraper, Trump Tower.

Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) speaks at a Pennsylvania campaign kickoff event in Philadelphia on Tuesday. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

Gone were Trumps signature personal insults; he referred to Senator Cruz, not Lyin Ted. Instead, he focused on the economic angst that has helped fuel his candidacy and that his advisers think could be a potent general election theme.

Our jobs are being sucked out of our states, theyre being taken out of our country, and were not going to let it happen anymore. Were going to stop it, Trump said, singling out some of the business titans who were mingling with him in the buildings pink-marbled lobby.

Boasting about the size of his win in New York, Trump added: We dont have much of a race anymore, based on what I see on television. Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated. . . . Were really, really rocking.

Trumps win in the state has long been anticipated. He enjoys celebrity status as a real estate developer and reality television star and thrives in New Yorks media culture; the tabloid newspapers have chronicled his exploits for decades.

Trump has cultivated a tell-it-like-it-is persona that resonates with many New Yorkers, particularly the disaffected blue-collar whites he courted at his campaign rallies, which helped drive up his win margins in places like Staten Island and Buffalo. And unlike in most other states, Trump built a web of political allies at the local level here well before entering the presidential race last June.

[Aboard the Staten Island ferry, a snapshot of Donald Trumps New York]

Despite a recent winning streak in the Wisconsin primary and several state conventions, Cruz found no momentum in New York and struggled to find much support at all. The Texas senators attack against Trump in Iowa for having New York values boomeranged on him here.

1 of 33 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  What it looks like on the ground in New York for the primary election View Photos New York voters head to the polls for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. Caption New York voters headed to the polls Tuesday for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. April 19, 2016 After winning the New York primary, Hillary Clinton speaks to a packed room of supporters during the victory party at the Sheraton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Melina Mara/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Cruz tried to court voters in more Republican areas upstate as well as in Democratic strongholds such as New York City, where he met with black ministers in the Bronx and wooed Hasidic Jews at a matzoh bakery in Brooklyn.

Still, Cruz placed a distant third behind Kasich, who was expected to pick up three delegates. Cruz held no election night party and instead sought to turn the page. Campaigning in Philadelphia, he declared that America is at a point of choosing.

Join me on this journey of less talk and more action because I know you may have been knocked down, but America has always been best when she is lying down with her back on the mat and the crowd has given the final count, Cruz said. It is time for us to get up, shake it off and be who we were destined to be.

Kasich tried to appeal to the states more moderate voters by noting he is the only Republican who polls show would defeat the Democratic candidates  former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.)  and arguing that he alone has the experience to create a governing consensus in Washington.

This is a point the Ohio governor hopes to carry into next Tuesdays primaries in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island  which is perhaps his most favorable turf since his home-state primary on March 15, his only win so far.

[Republicans go hunting for votes in the most Democratic place in America]

Kasich, who also held no event to react to the results, jabbed his Republican rivals for their low favorability ratings at a town-hall meeting in Annapolis on Tuesday afternoon.

When you have these sky-high negatives, nobodys voting for you, Kasich said. Looking toward a contested convention, he added: Its interesting because my positives are the highest in the field. The delegates are going to look and say, If we nominate someone whos going to get crushed, we lose the Supreme Court, we lose the United States Senate, we lose the majorities in the statehouses  itll be a wipeout. 

For Trump, the challenge in New York had been winning big league, as he likes to say. Delegates in New York are awarded proportionally by congressional district; only if a candidate carries a district by 50 percent or more does he win all of the delegates.

Throughout the race, Trump has appealed to independent voters and disaffected Democrats, in addition to Republicans. New Yorks relatively restrictive voting laws posed a threat. The primary was open only to registered Republicans, and voters hoping to change their political affiliation were required to do so more than six months before Tuesdays election  a deadline missed by two of Trumps children, Ivanka and Eric.

But Trump was buoyed by a primary electorate here that was less conservative and more supportive of a political outsider than in previous states, according to early exit-poll results reported by CNN.

More than half of New York Republican voters consider themselves somewhat conservative, which if it stands would be the highest of any contest so far this year. Only 1 in 5 Republican voters identified as very conservative, which would be less than in other states, the exit polls show.

White evangelical voters  one of Cruzs core blocs  made up only about a quarter of the Republican primary electorate, fewer than in any state but Massachusetts and New Hampshire, according to the poll results.

Meanwhile, more than 60 percent of GOP primary voters said they want the next president to hail from outside the political establishment. If that figure holds, it would mark the highest level of support for an outsider this year, according to CNN.

[On his home turf, Donald Trump again defends New York values]

Trump spent little time campaigning in Manhattan, where he has lived for decades and his name adorns several tall buildings.

Instead, he barnstormed parts of the state that are struggling. At rallies on Long Island and in cities like Albany, Buffalo, Plattsburgh and Syracuse, Trump rattled off statistics illustrating peoples plight: lost jobs, companies shuttered and stagnant incomes. At each turn, Trump pledged to reinvigorate industry, grow employment prospects and improve the quality of life.

Trump also repeatedly reminded voters in his state that his definition of New York values is decidedly different than that of Cruz, who used the label as a slur for Trumps past support for Democrats and liberal positions on issues like abortion.

Trump often reflected on the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to illustrate New Yorkers bravery. And at the New York State Republican Gala last week, where all three candidates spoke, Trump got the warmest reception as he extolled the values of hard work, devotion to family, high energy and courage.

New York values were on display for all to see in the aftermath of 9/11, a strike at the heart of the city and our nation, he said.

Rucker reported from Washington. Sean Sullivan in Philadelphia, Josh Hicks in Annapolis, and David Weigel, Scott Clement and Ed OKeefe in Washington contributed to this report.
President Obama has visited Saudi Arabia more often than any of his predecessors, but his fourth trip to the kingdom on Wednesday seemed less a sign of the strength of the relationship than of its fraught nature.

Obama met first with Saudi King Salman, and on Thursday he will take part in a regional meeting with the United States Arab allies in the Persian Gulf. But the backdrop to the visit is a broad recognition that the U.S.-Saudi alliance, long built around oil and security, appears to be in flux and that neither side seems certain what they want out of it.

Obama and the Saudi leaders have diverged sharply at times over how to calm the sectarian tensions roiling the region, how to resolve civil wars in Yemen and Syria, and how to deal with Irans influence.

[Saudi Arabia: No evidence to support claims by 9/11 families]

Adding to those tensions is the recently resurrected specter of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and long-classified documents from a congressional report suggesting that the Saudis may have played a role in the attacks.

Renewed scrutiny in allegations that Saudi officials in some way supported the 9/11 terrorist attacks fifteen years ago could make Obamas trip a complicated one. (Adam Taylor,Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

A bill that could make Saudi Arabia liable for any role in the terrorist attacks is drawing support from both Republicans and Democrats, even as the Obama administration has lobbied against it. In Saudi Arabia, senior officials are furious about the possible revival of a matter they thought had been settled long ago.

The controversial legislation wasnt a subject of the two-hour discussion between Obama and the king, which aides described as the longest meeting Obama has had with the Saudi monarch. Instead, the two talked more broadly about the friction in the relationship on issues such as the presidents outreach to Iran and the Saudi insistence that the United States should act to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power, administration officials said.

Obama, meanwhile, urged the Saudis to seek some kind of accommodation with Iran that would help to defuse the sectarian strife and proxy wars that have led to humanitarian disasters and failed states in the Middle East.

[U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia under scrutiny]

The unusually long meeting between the two leaders reflected a broad and shared uncertainty about where an alliance previously built around Saudi oil and American arms is headed.

For many years, the basic interest at the root of the U.S.-Saudi relationship was that they provided the oil that sustained the global economy and we provided essential security for the Saudi state, and we really didnt think of any other aspect of it at great length, Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser, said in a podcast interview with former top Obama aide David Axelrod. We just kind of thought about security and oil, and we didnt go that other layer down.

For Obama, the next two days here will be part of an ongoing effort to set the relationship with the Saudis on more solid ground and emphasize the two nations common interests.

President Barack Obama is escorted to Marine One as he arrives at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

[White House keeps distance from Saudi-Iran tensions]

The Obama administration has sold the Saudis more than $95 billion in military hardware over the past several years, and Saudi intelligence has been essential to the counterterrorism fight against al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, officials said.

Obama said in an interview with CBS News this week that he expects that Iraqi forces, backed by American advisers and air power, will push the Islamic State out of Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq, by the end of the year.

Saudi money and relationships with the Sunni tribes in northern and western Iraq will be essential to rebuilding the city and forging a peace in northern Iraq. White House officials said Obama urged the Saudis to help persuade their Sunni brethren to support the embattled government of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and to help fund the reconstruction of areas freed from the Islamic State,

Obama insisted to the Saudis, who have bristled at his public criticisms of the kingdom, that his repeat visits were evidence of the importance he placed on the U.S.-Saudi relationship.

Saudi Arabia and America are not getting divorced, said Bruce Riedel, a former foreign policy adviser to Obama and a senior analyst at the Brookings Institution. We still need each other.

Both sides, though, seem to want to move forward on different terms.

Obama has said he wants the Saudis and the gulf allies play a greater role in maintaining their own security and the security of the region.

[Saudi Arabia now worlds No. 3 military spender]

The Saudis have suggested publicly that they have become too dependent on American firepower, and both King Salman and his son, Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman, 30, have vowed to take a bolder approach to the region.

The problem has been one of execution.

The Saudi air campaign in neighboring Yemen has led to hundreds of civilian casualties, shifted attention from the fight against the local al-Qaeda affiliate and failed to dislodge rebels from the capital, Sanaa. Saudi Arabia and its allies seek to restore the government ousted in early 2015 by the Houthi rebel fighters, who Saudi leaders say are backed by Iran.

The execution of dozens of terrorism suspects, including a leading Shiite cleric earlier this year, has further inflamed sectarian tensions at a moment when the region can ill afford it. Aides said that Obama and the king had a longer-than-anticipated discussion on Saudi Arabias human rights record.

We want the gulf to be more responsible for their own security affairs, but weve seen instead this . . . very worrisome power projection from Saudi Arabia that is inflaming sectarianism, said Frederic Wehrey, a senior associate in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Its sort of like this Catch-22, where we want them to do it. But then, when they do it, they do it in ways that is both militarily ineffective and also regionally destabilizing. Its a conundrum.

The disagreement between the two nations extends to Obamas historic accord with Iran to curb its nuclear program, which the president has said will keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and prevent another American war in the Middle East.

We would argue that the removal of the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran is good for the United States and the [gulf allies], Rhodes said.

In Saudi Arabia, the deal is considered part of a broader American pivot toward Iran  a point of view that even billions more in American arms sales, designed to protect Saudi Arabia from Iran, will not completely erase.
After winning the New York primary, Hillary Clinton speaks to a packed room of supporters during the victory party at the Sheraton Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

April 19, 2016 After winning the New York primary, Hillary Clinton speaks to a packed room of supporters during the victory party at the Sheraton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Melina Mara/The Washington Post

New York voters headed to the polls Tuesday for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.

New York voters head to the polls for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.

New York voters head to the polls for the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.

What it looks like on the ground in New York for the primary election

What it looks like on the ground in New York for the primary election

Hillary Clinton soundly defeated Sen. Bernie Sanders in her adopted home state of New York on Tuesday, placing the Democratic nomination nearly within her grasp after a fiercely fought primary season that has turned increasingly nasty.

With 98.5 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton led Sanders by 57.9 percent to 42.1 percent, allowing her to claim a lopsided share of the states delegates and strengthening her argument that there is no plausible way for him to erase her commanding lead.

Theres no place like home, a grinning Clinton told supporters in Manhattan.

The race for the Democratic nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sight, she said to thunderous applause. And then she addressed Sanders supporters directly: I believe that there is much more that unites us than divides us, she said.

Both Clinton and Sanders have called New York a likely watershed in the unexpectedly long campaign, a crucial test of strength for both candidates offering a treasure trove of 247 delegates.

For Clinton, winning the large, diverse state buoys her campaign after a string of losses to her underdog rival. A Sanders victory here would have badly embarrassed her in the state she represented as senator for eight years  and would have lent credence to his now-fading argument that he can still catch up.

Clintons decisive victory is certain to increase questions about whether Sanders risks damaging the partys chances in November if he continues to campaign as aggressively against Clinton.

Sanders has vowed to stay in the race through the July convention, and his ability to raise money online from his legions of loyal supporters should enable him to do that.

Before the New York results were announced, Sanders flew to his home town of Burlington, Vt., without the traveling press corps that usually accompanies him.

Today we took Secretary Clinton on in her own state of New York and we lost, Sanders told reporters in Vermont after landing. There are five primaries next week. We think were going to do well.

Sanders claimed to still have the momentum in the race and said, We think we have a message that is resonating.

Campaigning earlier at Pennsylvania State University, Sanders complained about New Yorks closed primary system, in which only registered Democrats can participate in the Democratic vote. According to exit polling reported by CNN, that requirement played strongly to Clintons benefit. Fully 83 percent of Democratic primary voters said they typically consider themselves Democrats, 10 points higher than the average so far this year and trailing only Mississippi. Clinton won self-identified Democrats by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent. Sanders won nearly three-quarters of self-identified independents, but they accounted for only 14 percent of the electorate, similar to 12 percent in 2008.

Sanders has won independents by 62 percent to 36 percent across previous contests this year in which exit polls were conducted, while Clinton has won self-identified Democrats by 64 percent to 35 percent.

Those victories  coupled with Sanderss continued success in drawing large, enthusiastic crowds, as well as his extraordinary fundraising success  have sustained his long-shot candidacy and complicated Clintons argument that she is the better candidate to face the Republicans this fall.

Clinton is attempting to turn her attention toward a general-election contest against either Donald Trump, who won New Yorks Republican primary Tuesday, or Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.). She is the foil for both Republicans, with each arguing that he is the better candidate to defeat her in November.

Earlier Tuesday, Clinton sought to turn the comparison with Sanders to international affairs and national security, areas in which she says his credentials are thin and hers robust.

And at a time when terrorists are plotting new attacks and countries like Russia, China and Iran are making aggressive moves, protecting Americas national security cannot be an afterthought, she said.

Our next president has to be just as passionate about defending our country as she is about fixing our economy.

Preliminary exit-poll data suggested a large nonwhite turnout. Roughly 4 in 10 Democratic primary voters were nonwhite, up slightly from 30 percent in the states 2008 primary. Exit polling showed Clinton winning nonwhite voters by a 67 percent to 33 percent margin, just shy of her 70 percent to 29 percent edge across previous contests.

Clinton performs best with defenders of Wall Street. More than 6 in 10 New York Democratic voters said that Wall Street does more to hurt the economy than help, according to preliminary exit polling reported by CNN, and these voters favored Sanders over Clinton by a 12-point margin. Clinton won by more than 50 points among the roughly 3 in 10 voters who said Wall Street does more to help the economy.

Hundreds of upbeat Clinton supporters gathered in a ballroom in Midtown Manhattan for her victory party Tuesday. They danced to a live band and DJ as they waited for results to roll in. The band struck up the Queen rock classic Another One Bites the Dust as the networks called the state for Clinton.

Aaron Leth, 30, has been a Clinton fan since he was a 6-year-old in Nebraska sending letters to the then-first lady when her husband, former president Bill Clinton, was in office.

Shes going to win. Its her home territory; she knows it, Leth said.

Leth said he expects the Democratic primary season to continue into June, and he said Sanders has every right to remain in the race: The people are speaking.

The run-up to the New York primary included some of the most ornery exchanges between Clinton and Sanders, with the two questioning each others judgment, preparation and qualifications for the presidency.

During a debate in Brooklyn, they repeatedly talked over each other, unable to mask their frustration with the others attacks and counterattacks.

One the eve of the primary, Sanderss campaign accused Clinton of having violated election laws through the use of a joint fundraising committee with the Democratic National Committee  a charge Clintons campaign dismissed as shameful.

The next round of primaries is also likely to be challenging for Sanders: Four of the five states with contests scheduled for next Tuesday  Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut and Delaware  are closed to independents as well. Of the April 26 states, only Rhode Island allows unaffiliated voters to participate.

Sanders drew some flak in New York for leaving the state just days before the primary to participate in a conference on income inequality at the Vatican.

Sanders said he would never have forgiven himself had he forgone the trip, which included a brief meeting with Pope Francis. Aides also noted that Sanders was absent from the state for less time than Clinton spent away from the state fundraising in California over the weekend.

In the days before and after the trip, Sanders drew large crowds to rallies in Manhattan, Queens and his native Brooklyn.

Throughout the New York campaign, Sanders played up his roots. He spoke in unusually personal terms about growing up in a family with financial struggles in a rent-controlled apartment.

In the closing days of the race, his campaign aired an ad comparing Sanders to Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Even when the deck is stacked, a New Yorker will find a way to break up big banks, create millions of jobs and rebuild America, the narrator said over archival footage of the former president. Some say it cant be done again. But another native son of New York is ready: Bernie.

Wagner reported from State College, Pa.; Gearan, from Washington. Scott Clement in Washington contributed to this report.
An Afghan man carries a girl who was injured in a huge explosion that targeted the Ministry of Defense, in Kabul.

April 19, 2016 An Afghan man carries a girl who was injured in a huge explosion that targeted the Ministry of Defense, in Kabul. Hedayatullah Amid/European Pressphoto Agency

The suicide bomb and gunfire used by militants on a government security agency wounded more than 320 people and marked one of the largest attacks to rock the Afghan capital in years.

The suicide bomb and gunfire used by militants on a government security agency wounded more than 320 people and marked one of the largest attacks to rock the Afghan capital in years.

The suicide bomb and gunfire used by militants on a government security agency wounded more than 320 people and marked one of the largest attacks to rock the Afghan capital in years.

Afghan security officials said Wednesday that the death toll from a Taliban attack in Kabul a day earlier had jumped to 64, with an additional 347 people injured, amid signs that militants could be acquiring more powerful explosives.

The attack Tuesday on an Afghan intelligence training compound now ranks as one of the deadliest strikes on Kabul since the Taliban insurgency began in 2001.

The scale of the carnage also raised concerns that the Taliban is now turning to the military-grade explosives used by Iraqi insurgents against U.S. forces a decade ago  capable of toppling buildings and killing hundreds of people at a time.

[No doubt there was a security vacuum]

As Afghan security officials continue to investigate the incident, what is known so far points to a powerful and coordinated strike just a week after the Taliban announced plans to step up attacks during a spring offensive.

The attack began when a truck packed with explosives detonated next to a compound used to train security guards for government leaders. The force of the explosion leveled part of the compound, creating a shock wave that shattered windows and cracked building facades up to two miles away.

One thing is clear, that the amount of explosives in this attack seems to have been hundreds of [pounds] given the destruction it caused, said Fauzia Zaki, a former general and member of the Afghan parliament.

[Taliban warns of bloody months ahead]

For much of the insurgency, the Taliban generally relied on relatively low-yield explosive devices, often delivered by suicide bombers or in vehicles. While such strikes have killed thousands of people in Afghanistan over the past 14 years, the impact of each attack was usually confined to a relatively small area.

But over the past six months, security officials in Kabul have witnessed a disturbing new trend. Increasingly, they say, the Taliban is packing explosives into massive truck bombs capable of delivering a far deadlier punch.

Last August , a massive truck bomb detonated in eastern Kabul, crumbling several residential buildings and killing 15 people.

Then, in January, in an attack described as one of the largest bombs ever to be detonated in Afghanistan, a huge explosion tore through two compounds that housed U.S. embassy contractors and U.N. personnel, killing one person.





[Internal rifts tear at Taliban]

When the bomb detonated Tuesday in Kabul, the force of the explosion caused a ceiling to collapse in a classroom where elite intelligence officers were being trained. One security official, who asked not to be identified because of the ongoing investigation, said members of that unit accounted for about half of the people killed.

The Afghan Interior Ministry, however, said civilians made up the bulk of the fatalities.

On the floor of the Afghan parliament on Wednesday, several lawmakers blasted President Ashraf Ghani for failing to keep the public safe.

[Afghanistans elusive goal: peace talks]

The magnitude of the explosion is also raising questions about where the Taliban is acquiring materials to make such destructive devices. Many Afghans blame Pakistan, which is likely to further complicate Ghanis efforts to work with Pakistani leaders to try to bring the Taliban into peace talks.

Read more:

Unraveling the Talibans new leader

Boy hero targeted by Taliban

U.S. general: resume strikes against Taliban

Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world
In this photo taken on Sunday, April 17, 2016, migrants ask for help from a dinghy as they are approached by the SOS Mediterranee's ship Aquarius, background, off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa. (Patrick Bar/SOS Mediterranee via AP)

As many as 500 migrants seeking a better future in Europe may have drowned last week in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Italy, U.N. refugee officials said Wednesday.

If confirmed, the toll would make the incident one of the worst tragedies involving refugees and migrants in the past year.

On Tuesday, a team from the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spoke with some of the 41 survivors of the alleged accident who had arrived at Kalamata, a town on Greeces Peloponnese peninsula, the U.N. agency said in a statement.

If confirmed, as many as 500 people may have lost their lives when a large ship went down in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy, the agency said.

One of the survivors, an Ethiopian man named Mohamed who was traveling with his family, told the International Organization for Migration (IOM): I saw my wife and my 2-month-old child die at sea, together with my brother-in-law. . . . The boat was going down . . . down. . . . All the people died in a matter of minutes.

The survivors drifted at sea for a few days without food, without anything, Mohamed said, adding that he thought I was going to die. He said the travelers had intended to go to Italy, not Greece.

The testimonies we gathered are heartbreaking, IOM Athens Chief of Mission Daniel Esdras said in a statement. We await further investigations by authorities to better understand what actually happened and find hopefully evidence against criminal smugglers.

[Europe begins sending back migrants]

With summer approaching and the seas becoming calmer, this tragedy may be a harbinger of a deeper emerging crisis. So far this year, about 25,000 migrants and refugees have reached the shores of Italy from North Africa, according to Italian authorities. Although those numbers are slightly more than the 24,000 who arrived during the same period last year, the United Nations and other refugee organizations are expecting more people to take rickety boats plying the risky routes across the Mediterranean to Italy.

According to the IOM, this latest tragedy would raise the number of migrants who have perished on the Mediterranean Seas central route between North Africa and Europe to nearly 800 this year.

In addition, about 380 migrants reportedly have died in 2016 on the eastern Mediterranean route between Turkey and Greece, and about five migrants on the western route linking Morocco and Spain, the IOM reported. The groups Missing Migrants project counts about 1,200 migrants killed this year on all Mediterranean routes. Last year, through the entire month of April, the IOM reported that more than 1,730 migrants died or disappeared.

A controversial agreement between the European Union and Turkey has dramatically reduced the number of refugees reaching the Greek islands. Balkan nations are closing their borders as well, preventing travel from Greece to Germany and beyond. That has triggered fears that more refugees and migrants could attempt to enter Europe from Egypt or Libya.

In this Sept 2, 2015 file photo, migrants crowd the bridge of the Norwegian ship Siem Pilot sailing along the Mediterranean sea. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Last year, more than 1 million migrants and refugees crossed the Mediterranean. They were mostly fleeing the wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, using Turkey as a launching pad to Greece and then deeper into Europe. But the crossing from North Africa to Italy has historically been more perilous than the one from Turkey to Greece.

The survivors in Kalamata included 37 men, three women and a 3-year-old child. They were from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan. All were rescued by a merchant ship that then took them to Greece.

The survivors told us that they had been part of a group of between 100 and 200 people who departed last week from a locality near Tobruk in Libya on a 30-meter-long [90-foot] boat, the UNHCR said.

After sailing for several hours, the smugglers tried to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions, the U.N. agency said.

At one point during the transfer, the larger boat capsized and sank, it added.

[How Europe is punishing migrants]

The 41 survivors included people who had not yet boarded the bigger ship and some who managed to swim back to the smaller boat, the UNHCR said.

The survivors then drifted at sea for about three days before they were rescued by the merchant ship on Saturday.

The survivors are being housed by local authorities at a stadium in Kalamata.

Almost exactly a year ago, as many as 700 migrants and refugees were believed to have died when their boat capsized north of Libya. It was the deadliest known sea disaster involving people crossing the Mediterranean in efforts to escape conflict or poverty.

On Wednesday, the UNHCR again stressed its call for more regular pathways to Europe for refugees and asylum seekers, including resettlement and humanitarian admission programs, family reunification, private sponsorship and student and work visas for refugees.

These will all serve to reduce the demand for people smuggling and dangerous irregular sea journeys, the agency said.

Read more

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As the route to Europe closes, migrants journey through grief

Europes harsh new message for migrants: Do not come

Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro delivered a valedictory speech Tuesday to the Communist Party he put in power a half-century ago, telling party members that he would soon die and exhorting them to help his ideas survive.

Ill be 90 years old soon, Castro said in his most extensive public appearance in years. Soon Ill be like all the others. The time will come for all of us, but the ideas of the Cuban Communists will remain as proof on this planet that if they are worked at with fervor and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need, and we need to fight without truce to obtain them.

Castro spoke as the government announced that his brother Raul will retain the Cuban Communist Partys highest post alongside his hard-line second-in-command.

That announcement and Fidel Castros speech together delivered a resounding message that the islands revolutionary generation will remain in control even as its members age and die, relations with the United States are normalized, and popular dissatisfaction grows over the countrys economic performance.

Government news sites said Raul Castro, 84, would remain the partys first secretary and Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, 85, would hold the post of second secretary for at least part of a second five-year term. Raul Castro is both president and first secretary. The decision means he could hold a Communist Party position at least as powerful as the presidency even after stepping down from the government post in 2018.

Fidel Castro made his appearance at the party congress to rousing shouts of Fidel! according to state media, which showed a delayed, edited broadcast of the days events.

Government-run television showed images of the 89-year-old in Havanas Convention Palace, speaking to the crowd in a strong if occasionally trembling voice, pausing occasionally to consult a written version of his speech.

Raul Castros decision to remain in power alongside a deputy even he has criticized for rigidity capped a four-day meeting of the Communist Party that was notable for its secrecy and apparent lack of discussion about substantive new reforms to Cubas stagnant economy. Even high-ranking government officials had speculated ahead of the meeting that Machado Ventra could be replaced by a younger face associated with free-market reforms started by Raul Castro himself.

The party congress also chose the powerful 15-member Political Bureau, mostly devoid of fresh faces.
Flames rise at the scene where an explosion tore through a bus in Jerusalem on Monday, setting a second bus on fire. (Reuters)

The Islamist militant movement Hamas claimed Wednesday that one of its affiliates was responsible for detonating a bomb that exploded on an Israeli public bus earlier this week and injured more than 20 people in Jerusalem.

Hamas said 19-year-old Abdel Hamid Abu Srour carried out the bombing, which has raised fears that a new round of violence could include suicide attacks and bus bombings  hallmarks of the violent Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in the early 2000s.

A Hamas poster praised Abu Srours death and declared him a martyr for jihad. Hamas media reported the announcement, and pro-Hamas media sites identified Abu Srour as a member of the Hamas armed military brigades. But top Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip did not issue a statement, leading to questions about whether Hamas sponsored the attack or was just claiming Abu Srour as an operative.

Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and has fought three wars with Israel, which alongside the United States, considers the resistance group a terror organization.

Abu Srour was initially believed to be one of the victims of the bombing, but suspicions were raised when hospital workers did not find identification and no relatives came forward. Israel media reported that his father was arrested by the military on Wednesday.

A spokesman at Shaare Zedek hospital in Jerusalem said the 19-year-old lost both legs in the explosion and succumbed to his wounds on Wednesday, according to the Palestinian news agency Maan.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced his death and said that Abu Srour was from the Aida refugee camp on the edge of Bethlehem.

Israeli authorities have issued a gag order on the case and did not confirm links between Abu Srour and Hamas.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday condemned the bus bombing during a visit to Germany to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

We are against all forms of terrorist activity that affect Israeli and Palestinian civilians, Abbas said, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Immediately after the bus bombing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to find the culprit and those who sent him.

Hazem Balousha in Gaza City contributed to this report.

Read more:

After six months of violence, Palestinians wonder: What was gained?

A bomb blows up two buses in Jerusalem, stirring dark memories

Israels president is known as a voice of reason, but can he unite the country?

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Palestinian women passing Israeli police in the Old City of Jerusalem in October, just as the wave of violence was beginning. (Atef Safadi/EPA)

After six months of attacks by Palestinian youths against Israeli soldiers and civilians, authorities have begun to hope the wave of violence is subsiding.

What did the Palestinians gain?

Funerals, many say.

No village in the West Bank generated more attackers per capita than Saer, a farm town of 20,000 people famous for its quarries and grapes in the hills east of Hebron, where everyone knows each other.

Some Palestinians began calling Saer the capital of martyrs. Israeli intelligence officials branded it a hotbed of a new kind of terror, pursued not by armed organized militants but by frustrated young lone wolves, goaded by official incitement and social media, and motivated by revenge, nationalism  and personal problems.

Over a three-month period, 11 teens and young men from Saer left home to try to attack Israelis, according to military officials. They were killed by security forces during the attempts. One extended family buried five people. In addition, a young man from Saer was killed during an undercover raid at a hospital by Israeli special forces disguised as women and patients.

None of the attacks launched by the men in Saer achieved their presumed goal  the death of an Israeli soldier or Jewish settler.

Weve lost enough sons, said Awni al-Jabbarin, the father of 20-year-old Muayyad, who was fatally shot by Israeli soldiers after he lunged at them with a knife at a highway junction.

Asked what the death of his child meant, the father stared off into the distance. It achieved nothing, he said.

He added, I pray to God he is the last son of Saer to die.

More than 180 Palestinians have been killed in the past six months  130 in attacks or attempted assaults against Israelis and 50 during riots and clashes, with increased use of live fire by Israeli forces presiding over a 49-year military occupation.

In the same wave, Palestinians killed 29 Israelis, along with four foreign nationals, including two visiting Americans.

An Israeli firefighter walks next to what remains of a bus that exploded in Jerusalem on April 18. More than a dozen people were wounded in the attack, which raised fears of a return to the Palestinian suicide attacks that ravaged Israeli cities a decade ago. (Oded Balilty/AP)

Israeli officials say it is too soon to declare an end to the six-month surge in violence. A bus bomb exploded in Jerusalem on Monday, injuring 21 people, two seriously. Authorities branded it a terrorist attack; investigators are searching for clues about who planted the device and why. The Passover celebrations are approaching, when tensions often spike, especially around access to a holy site in Jerusalems Old City that is sacred to Muslims and Jews.

Still, the trend suggests the flames may be burning down to embers.

According to Shin Bet, Israels domestic security agency, there were 20 significant attacks in March compared with 78 in October. This month, there have been four.

The most recent deadly Palestinian attack occurred during Vice President Bidens trip to Israel last month, when an American combat veteran, Taylor Force, 28, was stabbed to death as he strolled the seaside promenade in Jaffa while visiting Israel on a school trip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a strong, responsible and methodical policy has led to the decline.

Israels domestic intelligence service credited counterterrorism operations, including pressure on the militant group Hamas, widespread arrests and selective punishment of restive villages such as Saer, whose main entrance was closed to traffic.

The agency chiefs also said that Israels military sought not to disrupt everyday life for the mass of ordinary Palestinians  and so they allowed Palestinians with work permits to continue to commute from the West Bank to their jobs in Israel.

In the early months of the violence, there were especially large crowds at funerals and at Friday clashes with Israeli soldiers. But the numbers have steadily dropped.

The atmosphere has changed. The people are tired, said a senior Israeli commander in the West Bank who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Palestinians are understanding there is no efficiency in these terror attacks, he said. Most of the attacks do not succeed, and most of the time the Palestinian is arrested, wounded or killed, and no Israeli is hurt.

The domestic security agency and the military say that Palestinian security forces helped reduce the attacks, although Israeli politicians tend to play that down.

The Palestinian intelligence chief, Majid Faraj, told Defense News in January that his security forces had foiled 200 attacks against Israelis over a three-month period.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in an interview on Israels Channel 2, said his police were entering classrooms and searching for weapons.

In one school, we found 70 students with knives, and we told them that this was wrong, Abbas said. I told them: I do not want you to kill someone and die. I want you to live and for others to live, too. 

Israeli leaders, though, have complained that Abbas, alongside official Palestinian media and schools, stokes hatred of Israelis and encourages the attackers by celebrating them as martyrs.

I admit that we have incitement, Abbas told Israeli TV viewers, but you also have incitement.

Abbas and other Palestinian leaders have walked a fine line, neither condemning the attacks nor generally encouraging them.

The assaults against Israelis were popular in the early months. But they are less so now.

Khalil Shikaki of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research reported that his latest polling in March found a significant drop in the support for lone-wolf stabbing attacks compared with his December survey. Now, a majority is opposed to such assaults, even as a growing number support organized armed attacks by militias to gain national rights.

What motivated the young men of Saer to stalk Israelis remains a subject of debate.

Some Israeli politicians say that the Palestinians are driven by bloodlust and want to kill Jews.

But the Israeli military found that most of the attacks were directed at soldiers and police  at symbols of the occupation  and not at civilians. That does not change the fact that most of the Israelis killed in the knife, gun and vehicular attacks were civilians, , including old men and a mother stabbed to death in her kitchen.

In a recent summary, Shin Bet concluded that although some of the attacks were inspired by nationalistic motives, most were carried out for personal reasons, driven by economic or personal hardships.

Funerals beget funerals, the Palestinians say, and among the dead in Saer were five from the extended Kuwasbeh family, three from the Shaladeh family and two from the Jaradet family. So it is likely that revenge also motivated some.

But there may be other reasons, too.

People in the town say that some of the young men had money problems, marriage woes or felt abandoned by their families. In Islam, suicide is a grave sin, but to die in an attack against the Israelis creates a martyr who is honored by mass funerals, murals and payments to the surviving families.

The family of Muayyad Jabbarin found a letter he left behind, according to the Maan news agency.

It read: Please forgive me mom and dad. I will kill two Israeli soldiers and take revenge for all the Palestinians they killed. Mom! Do not be sad! Your son died a hero.

The village just wants quiet now, said Hassan Froukh, whose son Fadi, 27, was killed in a stabbing attempt, just a few weeks after the birth of his first daughter.

Enough is enough, he said.

Hazem Balousha in Saer and Ruth Eglash in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

Read more:

Israels president is known as a voice of reason, but can he unite the country?

An Israeli soldier is accused of killing a disarmed Palestinian. But many think hes a hero.

Airbnb slammed for offering rooms with a view in Jewish settlements

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A public advocate appointed by the nations secretive surveillance court last year argued that a little-known provision of the PRISM program, which enables the FBI to query foreign intelligence information for evidence of domestic crime, violated the Constitution.

But the court disagreed with her.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court asked Amy Jeffress, the advocate, in August to assess the provision, according to a court opinion filed in November but released by the intelligence community only on Tuesday.

The court, which weighs government applications for surveillance, traditionally hears arguments only from the government in closed sessions. Its opinions generally are classified.

[Read the courts memo detailing the argument against the advocate]

Jeffress, a former federal prosecutor and Justice Department official now in private practice, was the first public advocate or amicus curiae appointed under the USA Freedom Act, a law enacted in June to impose new limits and greater transparency on government surveillance.

PRISM is an intelligence-gathering program whose name and scope were disclosed in June 2013 through leaks of documents by Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor.

It involves the collection of email, instant-message chats and videos from major tech companies including Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Facebook and Apple for foreign intelligence purposes. The targets are foreigners overseas, although they can be in communication with Americans. The material is gathered by the NSA, but is shared with other agencies, such as the CIA and the FBI.

Jeffress raised concerns about the way the programs rules allowed the FBI to query that data using email addresses and other selectors of U.S. people for purposes of any criminal investigation  that is, for purposes not related to foreign intelligence.

There is no requirement that the matter be a serious one, nor that it have any relation to national security, she said in a brief, according to the opinion by Judge Thomas F. Hogan of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

These practices do not comply with . . . the Fourth Amendment, she wrote, according to Hogans redacted opinion. They go far beyond the purpose for which the data is gathered, she said.

Jeffress urged the court to strengthen the procedures to require a written justification for each U.S. person query of the database that explains why the query is relevant to foreign intelligence information or is otherwise justified, the opinion said.

Hogan, however, did not agree with Jeffress, a partner at Arnold & Porter who had served as chief of the national security section in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia.

The judge noted that there was no statutory requirement that all activities involving PRISM data serve solely a foreign intelligence requirement. He said that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which covers PRISM, expressly requires that the government permit the retention of data that is evidence of a crime regardless of whether it relates to foreign intelligence or national security.

It would be a strained reading of the rules to allow the FBI to retain PRISM information constituting evidence of a crime by a U.S. person, but to bar the bureau from querying the data to find such evidence, Hogan wrote.

Under the USA Freedom Act, which established the public advocate program, the advocate may not appeal the judges ruling. The law permits a judge to ask for an advocates opinion on significant matters, especially those that may have an effect on privacy and civil liberties.

A July 2014 report by the Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board, an independent executive branch watchdog, also found fault with the FBI practice. The board said the public should know that not only are bureau personnel permitted to query the data for criminal purposes, but that many do conduct such queries. It also said there should be greater limits on the queries.

Two members, including Chairman David Medine and Patricia Wald, recommended that a surveillance court judge approve every kind of search involving a U.S. person as being likely to return information relevant to an investigation of a crime.

Members Rachel Brand and Elisebeth Collins Cook instead recommended that analysts obtain a supervisors approval before looking at any information about the U.S. person who was queried.

Jeffresss briefs, which lay out her full arguments, have not been made public. Hogans opinion was released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

PRISM was authorized under Section 702 of the FISA Amendments Act, a 2008 law passed in the wake of the controversy over warrantless wiretapping by the NSA, which began under the George W. Bush administration. It will be up for reauthorization next year.

Read more:
A federal prosecutor in New York has opened a criminal investigation involving the Panama Papers  a trove of materials from a Panamanian law firm that show a massive, secretive world of offshore industry.

In a letter to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara wrote that his office had opened a criminal investigation regarding matters to which the Panama Papers are relevant, and he asked to speak with someone who had worked on the project. The Guardian newspaper, which was among those to analyze the materials, posted a copy of the letter on its website.

[What you need to know about the Panama Papers]

While virtually all of the details of the investigation remain unclear, the letter suggests that the Justice Department has stepped up its efforts to look into possible wrongdoing the Panama Papers might show. Earlier this month, Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell, who heads the departments criminal division, would say only that U.S. officials were reviewing the reports that we saw.

A spokeswoman for Bhararas office declined to comment for this story.

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)

The leak of materials from Mossack Fonseca & Co., and the reporting from the ICIJ and cooperating outlets, has already had major effects globally. The prime minister of Iceland, faced with protests over his offshore holdings, offered to resign, and British Prime Minister David Cameron was forced to acknowledge that he had profited from shares in an offshore trust set up by his father. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged recently that one of his oldest friends was among the prominent Russians mentioned in the materials, but he suggested the leak was part of a campaign to smear his reputation.

By comparison, reaction in the United States has been muted. One of the founders of Mossack Fonseca said he focused mostly on European and Latin American markets, and according to experts, Americans generally prefer more stable places than Panama to put their money, including the Isle of Man, the Cayman Islands and Switzerland. Mossack Fonseca, which has previously denied wrongdoing, did not return an email requesting comment for this article

The U.S. government has made efforts to stop its citizens from using offshore holdings to avoid taxes. Congress passed legislation to encourage whistleblowers to disclose tax-haven holdings by U.S. citizens in exchange for a reward, and the Internal Revenue Service has offered amnesty to U.S. citizens who come forward on their own. President Obama has noted, too, that those who want to find loopholes in U.S. tax laws generally have not had a problem doing so.

[What the Panama Papers dont say about global finance is just as troubling]

Its not that theyre breaking the laws, its that the laws are so poorly designed that they allow people, if theyve got enough lawyers and enough accountants, to wiggle out of responsibilities that ordinary citizens are having to abide by, Obama said.

Whether Bhararas office is interested in a particular case, or whether it simply wants to assess the Panama Papers broadly, is unclear. It is also unclear whether the ICIJ will help him. It has not posted all of the documents it obtained, and it said its policy was not to turn over such material to governments that wanted it.

Read more:

The United States is now becoming one of the worlds largest tax and secrecy havens. Here's why. (Daron Taylor/The Washington Post)

In foreign bribery cases, leniency offered to companies that turn over employees

The mysterious message that launched the Panama Papers
Activist Ray Turmel holds a bag of medical marijuana while he smokes a joint at an event in Toronto in September 2015 at which he called for the total legalization of marijuana. (Mark Blinch/Reuters)

The Canadian government announced Wednesday that it will introduce legislation next year to decriminalize and legalize the sale of marijuana, making Canada the first G7 country to permit widespread use of the substance.

The announcement was made by Canadas health minister, Jane Philpott, at a U.N. drug conference in New York. It follows through on a promise made during Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus successful election campaign last fall.

Philpott said details of the legislation are being worked out, but she vowed that the government will keep marijuana out of the hands of children and profits out of the hands of criminals.

With the Liberals holding a majority in the House of Commons, the marijuana legislation is likely to pass. The path toward the legalization of marijuana is the latest in a string of policy announcements from the 44-year-old Trudeau that have moved Canada to the left after a decade of Conservative Party rule, including last weeks unveiling of legislation to permit assisted suicide.

Trudeau, whose new government remains extremely popular, has long been associated with the marijuana legalization issue. While an opposition party member in Parliament, Trudeau admitted to occasional use of marijuana. I think its five or six times that Ive taken a puff. Its not my thing, he told reporters at the time.

People smoke marijuana during the "420 Toronto" rally in Toronto. Cannabis possession is illegal in most countries under a 1925 treaty called the International Opium Convention. But just like the U.S., some nations either flout the treaty or don't enforce it. (Mark Blinch/AP)

The Conservative Party attempted to use that statement as proof that Trudeau was a political lightweight and a pothead. In the 2015 election, the Conservatives ran ads in ethnic newspapers falsely alleging that Trudeau backed the sale of marijuana to children.

The attack ads failed, in part because most Canadians no longer see the legalization of marijuana as a problem. A recent survey by Nanos Research, an Ottawa public opinion firm, showed that 68 percent of Canadians support or somewhat support legalizing marijuana and only 30 percent are opposed.

The population is more divided when it comes to allowing Canadians to grow marijuana at home, and about 50 percent of respondents said that they expect legalization to lead to more usage by those younger than 21.

Unlike in the United States, where marijuana regulation is shared by the states and the federal government, in Canada the issue falls almost solely under federal jurisdiction. Marijuana use has been expanding since a court ruling in 2000 allowed Canadians to possess and grow small amounts for medicinal reasons.

Full legalization will make pot available in a way similar to alcohol. That could encourage Americans, particularly those in border areas, to pop over for a puff or two.

Already, Ontarios provincial premier, Kathleen Wynne, has volunteered that the provincially owned liquor monopoly would be happy to sell the drug. Canadas major drugstore chains have said that they would like to get in on the business, too.

After several court rulings, commercial marijuana operations have sprouted across the country. Although currently limited to medicinal sales, the companies have been keenly anticipating legalization allowing for widespread use.

A woman exhales while smoking marijuana during the annual 420 marijuana rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, Wednesday. (Justin Tang/AP)

One study by a leading Canadian bank estimated that legalization could spark development of an annual marijuana trade worth about $10 billion Canadian (about $8 billion U.S.).

Brendan Kennedy, president of Privateer Holdings of Seattle, welcomed the Canadian announcement. His company owns Tilray, a medicinal marijuana facility in British Columbia, and he is looking to build a facility that would supply the market for recreational marijuana in Canada.

The eyes of the world are on Canada as the medical marijuana program matures and the recreational program is being implemented, he said in an interview. Canada will be the first G7 country to have a national recreational program different from Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, where state laws allowing marijuana use still bump up against U.S. federal prohibition.

There is still a series of negotiations required between the national government and the provinces to figure out regulation, taxation and distribution. Trudeaus point man on the issue is Bill Blair, a former Toronto police chief.

Blair said marijuana should be treated like such intoxicants as alcohol. We control who its sold to, when its sold and how its used. And organized crime doesnt have the opportunity to profit from it.

Read more

Canadas next move? It may be legalizing pot.

Legal marijuana is finally doing what the drug war couldnt

Quiz: What do you actually know about Canada?

Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Photo: Gallery Stock

Thanks to ever-shifting marijuana laws, mainstream America is learning, bit by bit, what pot aficionados have long known: that THC works in beautifully mysterious ways, whether you smoke it, vape it, eat it  or, apparently, rub it all over your skin.

People have been using cannabis as a topical for many years  in Mexico, in India  so its not necessarily anything new, its now just happening all of a sudden, James Kennedy, founder of Apothecanna, an L.A.-based line of cannabis-infused skincare lotions, tells Yahoo Beauty. He credits the rising media hype not only to popularity of 420 today, but to Whoopi Goldberg and her recent entree into the marijuana-beauty world with a new line of THC-infused products called Whoopi & Maya, including a soak and a rub (available only in California to those with medical marijuana cards) that purportedly can wipe out menstrual pain.

Related: Dabbing, Vaping, and Edibles: Is There a Healthy Way to Get High From Marijuana?

I call it the Whoopi effect, Ah Warner, a longtime cannabis activist and founder of the Seattle-based beauty and wellness line Cannabis Basics, tells Yahoo Beauty.

New Whoopi & Maya products include a THC-infused rub, soak, and tincture, available only in California. (Photo: Timothy White Copyright 2016)

Warner entered the world of hemp-infused body care during the hemp-product explosion of the 1990s, which petered out when the hemp  low-THC content cannabis grown for producing fiber and seed oil  which was illegal to grow in the U.S. until 2014, became too difficult to source. Warner, who imported her hemp seed oil from Mongolia, eventually shut down her business. But she started it up again a few years ago after helping a friend open a medical marijuana dispensary in Washington, where weed has been decriminalized, and learning about the many cannabinoids  the compounds of cannabis, including THC and cannabidiol (CBD)  that activate our bodies cannabinoid receptors for a breadth of incredibly healing results.

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Related: Theres a Big, Surprising Benefit to Eating Weed Rather Than Smoking It

I thought, I need to take all this bounty and add to my hemp products, Warner says. And while I dont make curative claims [because of FTC laws], I can say my customers say the products have been life altering for them, and that theyre off steroid creams.

Apothecanna lotions are used to ease pain and generally soothe what ails you. (Photo: Apothecanna)

So what do all these MJ-rich lotions and products do, anyway? Because cannabinoids can be absorbed through the skin, so can their many anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which have been shown to relieve eczema, psoriasis, blemishes, acne, rashes, burns, tattoos, and deep pain caused by anything, from overworked muscles to arthritis.

Warner says she hears stories of effectiveness all the time, but the anecdotes never get old  including the one from her friends dad, who had been living with a mysterious rash ever since returning from the Korean War decades ago. He tried every steroid cream, and nothing, Warner says. In three days of using one of my products, it was gone.

Cannabis Basics makes two versions of the Remedy Pain Stick  one, left, is from hemp oil only and can be shipped anywhere. The one containing CBD and THC is available only in Washington. (Photo: Cannabis Basics)

Cannabis Basics products are split into two categories  those made with hemp seed oil only, which can be sold and shipped legally all over the country, and those enriched with the THC-containing cannabis flower (available only in Washington, where a new law that Warner co-wrote allows topical cannabis health and beauty products containing less than .3 percent of THC to be sold by any mainstream retailer in the state ). Legal-everywhere items include Hemp Eucalyptus Mineral Bath ($12) and Lemon Dream Sugar Scrub ($16), while THC-rich options range from Ink 20/20 (for soothing new tattoos) to the best-selling Remedy Pain Stick (also available in a THC-free version, $16).

The Apothecanna line  sold through dispensaries in California, Colorado, and Oregon  offers lotions (starting at $40 for 8 oz.) that calm nerves, stimulate blood flow, and ease pain (the extra-strength pain reliever is the biggest seller). Each product is built around specific symptoms, Kennedy, who comes from a skincare background and worked for Aveda, explains. Were combining plant ingredients to strike the right balance or synergy, and thats where the cannabis comes into play. It is the most effective base ingredient over any plant ingredient Ive ever worked with.

Cannabis Beauty Defined is the everyday skincare line from Kannaway. (Photo: Kannaway)

The cannabis, he adds, supercharges other elements, such as arnica, juniper, and lavender. And while Kennedy, too, offers hemp-only products that ship anywhere and which are quite effective, he says, that 1:1 ration of THC and CBD is perfection (and eased the pain of his fathers shingles better than any medical prescription). And while he welcomes the recent surge in attention, he also worries about quality control, noting, My fear is that every celebrity suddenly has a cannabis line  but not a really good product.

Kush Creams, based in Washington, sells and ships hemp-only versions of its products  all-purpose healing creams, aloe-based face and eye creams, shampoos, and tinctures  anywhere. Customer reviews are glowing and credit the THC-infused Organic Permafrost cream ($30 per oz. for the hemp-only version), for example, for easing pains caused by arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia, menstrual cramps, and a broken shoulder.

Kannaway  a holding of Medical Marijuana Inc., the first publicly held company vested in the legal cannabis and hemp markets  meanwhile uses European hemp-derived CBD oil. Its aiming to make its cannabis product lines  including Cannabis Beauty Defined (cleanser, exfoliant, and toner are $50 each) for daily care and Kannactiv (with a three-part kit for $100) for acne  as slick and standard as drugstore lotions. Beauty Defined is for everybody, every day, Kannaway CEO Blake Schroeder tells Yahoo Beauty. Were trying to market it to the world as not weird and not strange.

That pretty much matches the goal of Warner, who recently faced some blowback within the cannabis world for demonstrating in an online video how she makes her Remedy Pain Stick. I love the idea of showing people how its done, she says. My No. 1 goal is to get these products into the hands of the masses.

Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.


Photo: BFA/Rex/Shutterstock.

Face creams, haircuts, shampoo, mascara, waxings  our beauty routines do not come cheap. Though wed like to think we do pretty well for ourselves when it comes to our regular maintenance, lets just imagine for a moment that money was not a factor. Wed surely upgrade a few things here and there. Okay, wed upgrade A LOT of things  and book a spa getaway to the Maldives, stat.

Related: Heres Everything You Need to Know About Lip Injections



Its true that money cant buy you happiness, but it can buy you a Kylie Jenner wig and a fancy facial  or better yet, your own personal facialist to accompany you on that tropical vacay. Life in the top tax bracket is full of primping, pampering, and procedures. Of course, we dont think all of it is totally necessary, but its still fun to daydream about a world where money is no object and the La Mer flows like wine.

Related: Fans Are NOT Happy With J.Biebs Newest Hairstyle



Ahead, we break down 15 guidelines for living the beauty high life, courtesy of our favorite celebs.

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.

Change Your Hair 50 Times A Year

We feel really (and we mean really) on top of our game if we hit the salon every few months  and usually thats just for a trim or a color touch-up, not a whole beauty overhaul. But if youre Kylie Jenner, visiting your hairstylist  or, rather, having your hairstylist visit you  seems to happen as often as we go out to brunch.

Related: Glow International With These Asian Beauty Products



Harpers Bazaar calculated that Kylie switched her look 51 times over the course of 2015. The mag also brings up the possibility that more transformations have gone undocumented  though we somehow doubt that, considering that fams selfie obsession.

Photo: BFA/Rex/Shutterstock.



Take Time (A Lot Of Time) For Manicures

But Kylies hair isnt the only thing shes constantly switching up. Kris Jenner urged her daughter to always have a fresh manicure  and she takes her advice very seriously.

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Related: Fake a Facelift With These Dos



My mom always drilled it in my head to have nice, pretty nails Kylie Jenner told People. I get my nails done every week. Ive sat literally for four to five hours doing them. I used to spend so much time doing the craziest artwork.



Though, were sure she allowed herself a few Snapchat breaks.

Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty.

Have A Standing Monthly Appointment With A Facialist

If you want to live like an angel (looking like one probably has a much heftier price tag) or at least have skin like one, you need to up your facial game. Blonde bombshell Candice Swanepoel told Harpers Bazaar that she religiously gets a facial with extractions once a month.

Related: Luxe Lashes are ONE Click Away

Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Filmmagic

Or Perhaps, A Weekly One

Once you enter the Gwyneth Paltrow beauty-sphere, facials every seven days are in order. The Daily Mail reported that out of Miss Goops $21,000 monthly (!) beauty budget, a large portion goes to weekly facials and skin treatments. Her top picks: $2,250 microdermabrasion, electronic muscle stimulation, an oxygen-mist treatment at Tracie Martyn in New York, and an $450 apple stem cell facial at Sonya Dakar in L.A.

Related: Fall Head-Over-Heels for These Leggy Looks



But shell really try anything when it comes to beauty  her words, not ours. Im open to anything, she told The New York Times. Ive been stung by bees. Its a thousands-of-years-old treatment called apitherapy. People use it to get rid of inflammation and scarring. Its actually pretty incredible if you research it. But, man, its painful. I havent done cryotherapy yet, but I do want to try that.

Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty.

Slather La Mer  Everywhere

Chrissy Teigen is undoubtedly one of the most down-to-earth celebs  but that doesnt stop her from going over-the-top when it comes to her beauty routine. In a recent interview withAllure, the mom-to-be admitted to rubbing La Mer The Concentrate (a serum that costs $440 a pop) all over her pregnant belly to prevent stretch marks  something she and her fam are prone to, but that she says hubs John Legend could care less about. She also admitted that she is 25 minutes late to everything because my lotion regimen is that long. I put it everywhere.





For more over-the-top celeb beauty rituals, visit Refinery29.

By: Megan Cahn
The husband of a Texas fitness instructor and mother of three killed Monday morning inside a Midlothian church, possibly by a man outfitted in tactical gear, spoke out about his wife's slaying.



During a press conference Tuesday morning, Brandon Bevers called his late wife, 45-year-old Terri Bevers, a "Godly woman" who was "very passionate about changing people's lives with fitness and changing their mental attitude towards their bodies and their abilities in life."



Bevers told reporters his wife had a "substantial impact" on the lives of many of her students and her as "a great woman, a great wife, a great mother, and a great friend" who "will be missed by many people."



Bevers added: "We are very proud of all the passion and effort she has put into so many people's lives."



Contacted by phone, the mourning husband tells PEOPLE he wants people to remember who his wife was and "what she represented."





Alleged Killer Had 'Intent to Look Like a Police Officer'

Terri Bevers was unresponsive when she was found by one of her students inside Creekside Church of Christ in Midlothian at around 5 a.m. on Monday morning, just before she was scheduled to teach a class.



Police have released video footage of the suspect, who was dressed in SWAT gear and was seen on surveillance cameras at the church at about 3:50 a.m.







A police spokesman says officers arrived at the church to find broken glass and other signs of a struggle between Bevers and her alleged assailant.



In a press conference Monday, Midlothian Police Chief Carl Smith told reporters the suspect triggered the church's motion-activated cameras, and can be seen in the footage wearing a helmet, shin guards, gloves, a tactical vest and a shirt with the word "POLICE" emblazoned across the chest.



 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.



Smith said during Monday's press conference that the suspect "is designed to look like a police officer. His intent was to look like a police officer."



In the video footage, the man can be seen carrying some sort of tool that police believe he may have used to gain access to the church. Nothing was reported missing from the church. Police have yet to rule out the possibility Bevers was specifically targeted by her killer.



The cameras failed to record any interaction between Bevers and her suspected murderer, police say.



Bevers told reporters Tuesday he does not believe his wife was targeted by her killer and asked that everyone watch the surveillance footage released by detectives.



"The person in the video has a very distinct walk," Bevers explained. "There's just a very distinct mannerism about this person that should be very apparent to somebody. I am just hoping someone either saw something or someone can recognize the mannerisms of the person in this video. It is important to us to get some closure with that."



A $10,000 reward is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest in this case.



Anyone with any information on the man's possible identity is encouraged to call the Midlothian Police Department at (972) 775-3333.
The New York Post, which recently endorsed Donald Trump, hailed the GOP frontrunner as king the morning after he dominated competitors in the states primary.

King Don! Wednesdays cover reads, along with the image of the billionaire politician giving his trademark thumbs up atop the Empire State Building.

The subhead reads, Trump towers in Empire primary.

Also Read: Longtime New York Post Editor-In-Chief Retiring

Trump dominated the New York primary on Tuesday, winning 60 percent of the vote compared to 25 percent for John Kasich. Ted Cruz came in third with roughly 15 percent of the vote.

The tabloid recently noted it expects Trump to pivot not just on the issues, but in his manner, and admits hes making rookie mistakes and needs to act more presidential. The Post went on to say, The post-pivot Trump needs to be more presidential: better informed on policy, more self-disciplined and less thin-skinned.

Perhaps the paper was right, as many political pundits are noting that Trump appeared to be toned down during last nights speech. A New York native, clinched a decisive victory with networks projecting his win within seconds of polls closing.

As soon as Trump was declared the winner, the citys iconic Empire State building turned red in his honor. (The landmark lit up in dark blue when Clinton was declared the winner on the Democratic side.)

Also Read: How Donald Trump Proves the Equal Time Rule Is a Joke

As Frank Sinatras New York, New York played in the background, Trump took to the stage at his Trump Tower in Manhattan and told supporters, We dont have much of a race anymore, based on what Im seeing on television. Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated.

The Manhattan real estate developer  whos been struggling to reshape his staff amid recent delegate losses in Wyoming, Colorado, Georgia, Virginia and South Carolina  could claim a majority of the 95 delegates if he captures more than 50 percent of the vote in each of the states 27 congressional districts.

Story continues

Related stories from TheWrap:

Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump Take Yuge Bite Out of Big Apple With New York Primary Win

MSNBC's Chris Hayes: Trump Presidency Would Be 'Fundamentally Dangerous to the Republic' (Video)

'MediaBuzz' Host Howard Kurtz: Even Negative Attention Helps Donald Trump
After initially describing the SWAT-gear clad suspect in the homicide of a Texas fitness instructor as a man, police now say the suspect might be a woman.



Police said Terri Bevers, a 45-year-old mother of three, arrived at the Creekside Church of Christ in Midlothian at 5 a.m. to teach an exercise class  about an hour after the suspect was seen on camera roaming the church's halls.





In a news release posted to Facebook on Tuesday, Midlothian police said that contrary to earlier statements referring to the suspect as a man, the gender of the suspect has not been determined.



"To clarify, at this point there are insufficient facts to justify referring to the suspect as either a male or female, as we acknowledge either is possible," police said in the release.



"The department's desire is for the public to analyze the video to see if the walk and stature of the suspect is recognizable."



Police added that they are not speculating on the suspect's motive.

Suspect Seen in SWAT Gear Before Killing of Texas Fitness Instructor Could Be a Woman, Police Say| Crime & Courts, Death, Murder, True Crime, True Crime

One of Bevers's students showed up to class to find Bevers unresponsive and called 911. Police said officers arrived to find broken glass and other signs of a struggle between Bevers and the alleged assailant.



 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.



Midlothian Police Chief Carl Smith told reporters at a Monday press conference that the suspect's outfit was "designed to look like a police officer"  the suspect was seen in the footage wearing a helmet, shin guards, gloves, a tactical vest and a shirt with the word "POLICE" across the chest.



During a Tuesday press conference, Bevers's husband, Brandon, described his wife as a "Godly woman" who "will be missed by many people."



"We are very proud of all the passion and effort she has put into so many people's lives."
Ultra Korea 2016 has announced its Phase 2 lineup, which features headliners deadmau5, Knife Party, Chase & Status and Rabbit in the Moon. The fifth annual festival will be held from June 10 to 12, in Seoul, South Korea.

Watch Kaskade, The Chainsmokers, Carnage & More Play at Ultra Music Festival 2016

This will mark the first time deadmau5 has taken the Ultra Korea main stage and the second time in a row for Knife Party. The additional headliners will join the festival's Phase 1 lineup, which includes Afrojack, Avicii, Axwell ^ Ingrosso and Martin Garrix.

Phase 2 also welcomes international supporting acts Fedde Le Grand, Jauz, Netsky and Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, along with regional support from up-and-coming acts Justin Oh, Ksuke and Raiden.

Ultra Worldwide Targets Hong Kong in 2016 Expansion

Ultra Korea is expected to host over 100,000 festivalgoers, and so far early-bird and advance tickets are sold out. Fans can still get three-day and two-day general admission tickets.

More artists will be announced in the forthcoming Phase 3 reveal, along with set times and other surprises.

Ultra Korea tickets can be purchased here. Check out the Phase 2 lineup below.

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Donald Trump annihilated his foes in Tuesday's Republican presidential primary, romping to a decisive win in his home state and racking up more delegates in his quest for the nomination.

The Associated Press called the race for The Donald at 9:00 p.m. Eastern when polls closed:

BREAKING: Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential primary in New York. @AP race call at 9 p.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall

Trump's Empire State victory was a foregone conclusion.

Ahead of the contest, RealClearPolitics polling averages showed him with more than 53% support, followed by John Kasich at just under 23% and Ted Cruz trailing at about 18%.

He held his victory party at  where else?  glittering Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan.

Source: John Minchillo/AP

"We are going to be legitimately so great again, and I just can't wait," Trump said.

"We don't have much of a race anymore. Based on what I'm seeing on television, Sen. Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated" from a viable path to the nomination, he continued.

Doing the math: Coming into Tuesday's vote, Trump had won 756 delegates of the 1,237 needed to score the GOP nomination, per an RCP tally. Cruz had 559 and Kasich had 144.

New York has 95 delegates to award. It's not a winner-take-all state; in fact, the rules are kind of complicated.

There are 27 Congressional districts in the state, each with three delegates. If a primary candidate wins more than 50% of the vote in the district, he snaps up all three  but if he falls short, the runner-up can grab one.

The remaining 14 "at large" delegates are awarded based on statewide performance.

New York values: While Cruz is running a reasonably close second to Trump nationally, he found New York, as the song goes, a hell of a town.

Source: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

The Texas conservative did hit the stump in the state, with more success at some trail stops than others  perhaps in part thanks to an early cycle slam on "New York values" that was meant to drag frontrunner Trump down in more conservative states, but didn't play well in the Apple.

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Cruz got burned in the Bronx  twice.

Hecklers called Cruz out as a "bigot" during a restaurant stop. He scratched a planned school visit after students threatened a walkout in protest of his hardline stance on immigration.

He enjoyed a warmer reception in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, where Orthodox Jews, some wearing red Cruz 2016 yarmulkes, cheered him after he visited a pre-school where children were making matzoh in advance of Passover.

Silver medalist? Kasich also tipped his hat to the Orthodox community with a visit of his own to a matzoh bakery and a school in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

Source: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

The Ohio governor trekked to the outer boroughs after delivering a warning-filled Manhattan speech urging voters to spurn the "dark" side of the bitter GOP contest and join him in treading a more hopeful path.

The candidates made campaign sweeps upstate and in the Westchester and Long Island suburbs, where Republican voters are easier to find in large numbers than in the five boroughs.

All three hopefuls returned to Manhattan to make their pitches to potential supporters at the April 14 state GOP gala, with Kasich just having scored the endorsement of New York's last Republican governor, former presidential hopeful and continuing Trump critic George Pataki.

Outside the Grand Hyatt  and briefly, within  throngs of demonstrators took to 42nd Street in protest of what they called Trump's hateful rhetoric.

Anti-#Trump signs going up across from GCTpic.twitter.com/8Ib0YMWtGW https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgCCfiWXIAA7xfR.jpg:large

The next major Republican primaries come April 26.

Five states vote that day, with the big prize being Pennsylvania and its 71 delegates.
Discover the world's vanishing natural treasures.

With the increasing threat of climate change, it's no secret that many of the Earth's most prized and endangered natural places are at risk of vanishing before the end of your lifetime. And while there are simple ways to become a more globally aware and responsible traveler, it's hard to deny the appeal of visiting awe-inspiring destinations and championing their preservation on-site. So, to celebrate Earth Month, start planning your trip to these five spectacular places and help preserve and support them -- before they're gone forever.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef occupies more than 1,200 miles and is renowned for its magnificent corals and diverse species of fish, whales, marine turtles and other ocean life. But in recent years, the beautiful corals have become bleached due to the effects of above-average temperatures. Heightened temperatures, coupled with warming effects from El Nino, the powerful and irregular weather condition that causes Pacific trade winds to blow in the opposite direction and sea surface temperatures to rise, could potentially damage the 2,900 specific reefs dotting the continent's northeast coast and impact the ecosystem in the region. In fact, a study conducted in 2004 for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council by a professor and economist at University of Queensland's Center for Marine Studies suggest that if sea temperatures continue to rise at this pace, parts of the reef could disappear by the 2050s.

Maldives

With rapidly climbing sea levels, the Maldives -- and its chain of 1,190 islands and atolls -- are sinking quickly. The islands are low-lying at around 5 feet above sea level, and scientists estimate that the island nation's capital, Male, which is surrounded by densely built structures and seawalls, is one of the areas at the highest risk. So, if you want to explore the Maldives' majestic coral reefs, private stilted villas and unspoiled beaches, now is the time to plan your trip. And if you're looking to plan a low-impact getaway, there are plenty of eco-friendly retreats, including the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, which features its own Marine Discovery Center that teaches guests about the area's marine ecosystem and offers guests the chance to join conservation efforts to support and protect endangered sea turtles.

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Seychelles

Best known for its secluded sands, massive boulders and giant tortoises, Seychelles is a beach lover's paradise. But its string of 115 islands scattering the Indian Ocean are facing drastic and rapid erosion. In fact, climate change has already severely affected the coral reefs surrounding the archipelago, and the island's postcard-worthy beaches are quickly eroding. Experts believe that Seychelles, like the Maldives, may be in danger of sinking entirely in the next 50 to 100 years. Even worse, in addition to Seychelles' jaw-dropping scenery, its biological wonders and roughly 93,000 human population are at risk of being displaced, too. Happily, there is a silver lining: The government, in coordination with partners, is aiming to conserve and protect its marine biodiversity and help restore parts by prohibiting fishing from certain areas and eliminating invasive species.

Venice, Italy

It's hard to imagine this enchanting Italian city without its romantic canals. But a 2012 study conducted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California--San Diego, suggests that with waters steadily increasing in the Adriatic Sea at the same pace (at about 2 millimeters, or .08 inches every year), Venice could sink by more than 7 inches each 100 years. Back in the 1920s, there were fewer cases of high tides, but with increasing tourism and sea levels, some suggest Venice could start to vanish before 2100.

The Dead Sea

Iconic for its warm, saline-infused waters, the Dead Sea is a must-visit for any trip to Jordan and Israel. A prime place for fascinating plants and species and the lowest land-based place on the planet, the Dead Sea was retaining its water supply until the '60s, when its surrounding countries began funneling water away from the sea's supply. Since the 1960s, more than 30 percent of the Dead Sea's surface area has vanished (an 80-foot water reduction).

Liz Weiss is the Travel editor for Consumer Advice at U.S. News & World Report. You can follow her on Twitter, connect with her on LinkedIn, circle her on Google+ or email her at eweiss@usnews.com.
ROME (Reuters) - Up to 500 migrants might have drowned in the Mediterranean last week when human traffickers crammed people onto an already overcrowded ship, causing it to sink, the U.N. refugee agency said on Wednesday. Somalia's government said on Monday about 200 or more Somalis may have died in the tragedy while trying to cross illegally to Europe. After talking to survivors, the UNHCR agency said the overall death toll might have been much higher. "If confirmed, as many as 500 people may have lost their lives when a large ship went down in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy," the UNHCR said. The agency said the survivors - 37 men, three women and a three-year-old child - were rescued by a merchant ship and taken to Greece on April 16. They recounted that they had been among 100 to 200 people who set sail from Libya last week headed for Italy. After several hours at sea, the traffickers tried to move them onto a bigger ship that was already packed with migrants. This ship sank before the survivors could board it. They then drifted at sea for up to three days before being saved. The group was made up of 23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, six Egyptians and one Sudanese national. The Somali government said on Monday that the capsized boat had set sail from Egypt. News of the disaster emerged on the first anniversary of one of the worst disasters in the Mediterranean in recent times, when an estimated 800 migrants drowned off the Libyan coast after the fishing boat they were sailing in collided with a mercantile vessel that had been attempting to rescue them. Some 150,000 migrants reached Italy by boat in 2015, the vast majority sailing from Libya. So far this year, about 25,000 migrants have arrived, an increase of 4.7 percent over the same period last year, according to Interior Ministry data. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
If you're committed to living a greener lifestyle and want to save money on energy costs, consider the benefits of installing solar panels to generate energy through a renewable resource.

Before going all out, here are six things you need to consider before you get solar panels for your home or other property.

Examine Your Property

You will need a property assessment by a construction professional before moving forward with any type of roof modifications or major installation projects. If you own an older property, you may need roof repairs or even an entire roof replacement before solar panels can be installed safely. If the property has any construction flaws or other structural issues, installing solar panels may pose a risk and end up being more expensive to maintain or repair than you anticipated. Take the condition of your property and your roof into consideration so you can make any major repairs before installation begins.

[See: 11 Ways to Save Time and Money.]

Explore the Types of Solar Panels

There are now dozens of solar panel manufactures out there offering everything from frameless solar panels to high-performance models that can withstand high wind loads. Take some time to compare different types of solar panels and brands to determine the perfect fit for your home or property. Shop wholesaler websites to access a large inventory of solar panels and request a quote for your purchase. You can then factor in shipping and installation costs to get your bottom-line price for a specific model.

Assess Installation Costs

Outside of the cost of the solar panels, the cost of installation may be your biggest expense when converting to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. You'll need to find a reputable installer with a strong track record of good online reviews. Do your homework to find someone who has a long list of happy clients. While solar panels are durable and will rarely need to be replaced, you may need maintenance and repair services at some point. Find out if your installer provides these services for a discounted to existing customers so you can save on costs in the long term.

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[See: 8 Home Remodeling Projects That Are Worth the Money.]

Factor In Solar Permit Costs

Depending where you live, you may need to get a permit from the city for approval. This ensures your solar panel installation complies with all city codes and zoning laws. You will need to provide detailed plans about your installation, contractor information and may have to wait several weeks to get approved. Consider turning to companies that offer solar design and permit services for a flat fee. These services take the guesswork out of the whole process and can make it easier to draft official forms for the city to approve without revisions. You will need to budget for both the cost of services and any permit costs charged by the city.

Consider Financing or Upfront Payments for Purchase

Buying and installing solar panels can save you money in the long term but may be an upfront expense that stretches your budget. Consider financing the purchase with a company that offers low-interest financing or promotional offers on certain purchases so you can pay back the total cost with an installment plan. If you decide to resort to a personal loan, make sure to shop around for the best rates so you are paying less in interest charges than any financing plans offered by solar panel sellers.

[See: 11 Expenses Destroying Your Budget.]

Don't Forget About Tax Incentives and Rebates

The federal government offers tax credits for solar panels for up to 30 percent of the cost of purchase and installation. Consider how much you will save from this tax credit by installing solar panels this year. It's also a good idea to keep your eyes open for any state or county rebates offered to local residents who are making the extra effort to save the planet.

Sabah Karimi is a columnist for the blog Wise Bread, where you can find consumer tips like how to select the best balance transfer credit cards.
The minister said the order was an attempt to create stagnation in the higher education sector and that it was definitely a setback for the sector's progress.
By Axel Bugge and Sergio Goncalves LISBON (Reuters) - The daughter of Angola's president accused Portugal's government on Tuesday of making an "unprecedented and clearly partial" decision in changing a law on shareholder voting rights that helped Spain's Caixabank make a bid for Banco BPI this week. Angolan investor Isabel dos Santos has systematically opposed attempts by BPI's largest shareholder Caixabank to take control of the bank and thereby reduce her influence at Portugal's second largest listed bank. One analyst said the statement may suggest dos Santos is preparing to challenge the change in the law in court, potentially derailing Caixabank's takeover offer for the 56 percent of BPI it does not already own. "The risk of a legal battle exists, but we have to wait for what Isabel dos Santos will do," said Albino Oliveira, analyst at brokerage Patris. The decision by Portugal's government to eliminate shareholder voting right limits was announced on Sunday, a few hours after negotiations between Caixabank and dos Santos collapsed. On Monday morning Caixabank launched a bid for BPI. The decision "was historically unprecedented and clearly partial ... it favoured one of the parties at a time when they were in the middle of negotiations," dos Santos' holding company Santoro Finance said in a statement. The government was not immediately available to comment. A change in the law directed just at BPI could face legal hurdles under Portugal's constitution. Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Monday the change applied to eight Portuguese banks. Angola, a former Portuguese colony, has made several large investments in Portugal in recent years, especially during Lisbon's debt crisis. Dos Santos, who is Africa's richest woman, also shares control of Portugal's second largest phone company, NOS. Caixabank and dos Santos started talks several weeks ago to try to reach agreement on their holdings in BPI, including the sale of BPI's 50.1 percent stake in Angolan bank BFA to dos Santos. But the talks collapsed and BPI said dos Santos had disrespected the agreement. Santoro said in the statement the agreement with Caixabank was never finalised. "And, as it was never finalised, it is false that Santoro broke any agreement," it said. Costa said on Monday he hoped the conditions were now in place for the European Central Bank to accept that BPI was working to reduce its stake in BFA. Caixabank has been prevented from exercising its full 44 percent holding in BPI under the previous shareholder law, which limited it to only 20 percent, virtually the same as dos Santos' stake in BPI of 18.6 percent. That has allowed her to oppose previous takeover bids. BPI is also facing troubles due to its business in Angola because of a change in European rules on exposure to the African country. BPI said on Tuesday it was in contact with the European Central Bank about the exposure, which could lead to daily fines of up to 162,000 euros. An agreement between Caixabank and dos Santos would have resolved the Angola issue if Unitel, an Angolan telecom jointly controlled by her and state oil company Sonangol, would have bought BPI's stake in BFA. Unitel owns the other 49.9 percent stake in BFA. Shares in BPI closed 7.6 percent lower on Tuesday while Caixabank was virtually flat. (Reporting By Axel Bugge, editing by David Evans)
By Dustin Volz

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Apple Inc <AAPL.O> has been asked by Chinese authorities within the last two years to hand over its source code but refused, the company's top lawyer told lawmakers on Tuesday in response to U.S. law enforcement criticism of its stance on technology security.

The congressional testimony highlighted an issue at the heart of a heated disagreement between Apple and the FBI over unlocking encrypted data from an iPhone linked to last December's San Bernardino, California shootings - how much private technology companies should cooperate with governments.

Law enforcement officials have attempted to portray Apple as possibly complicit in handing over information to China's government for business reasons while refusing to cooperate with U.S. requests for access to private data in criminal cases.

"I want to be very clear on this," Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell told Tuesday's hearing under oath. "We have not provided source code to the Chinese government."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, asked about the comments, said she did "not understand" details of the situation. She did not elaborate.

China's Public Security Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Apple has previously denied the accusation as a "smear" originating from the U.S. Department of Justice's effort to force Apple to help unlock the iPhone 5c used by one of the two San Bernardino killers, who were inspired by Islamist militants.

The claim resurfaced in the hearing called by a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee to examine potential common ground between law enforcement and the technology sector in the encryption debate, though more than three hours of testimony yielded little clear agreement.

Captain Charles Cohen, commander in the Indiana State Police, repeated the suggestion that Apple has quietly cooperated with Beijing, which strictly regulates technology in exchange for access to its market.

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But when pressed by Representative Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat, for the source of that claim, Cohen only cited news reports.

"That takes my breath away," a visibly frustrated Eshoo said. "That is a huge allegation."

The Justice Department had argued in the San Bernardino case that it would be willing to demand Apple turn over source code that underlies its products, though at the time it only sought the company's cooperation in writing new software that would disable the passcode protections on the phone.

Technology and security experts have said that if the U.S. government was able to obtain Apple's source code with a conventional court order, other governments would demand equal rights to do the same thing.

After winning a court order in February, the Federal Bureau of Investigation dropped its case against Apple last month when it said it had found a third party entity to help investigators hack into the iPhone used by gunman Rizwan Farook.

On Tuesday, Apple and the FBI were making a second appearance in Congress since March to testify over law enforcement access to encrypted devices, a decades-old dispute between Silicon Valley and Washington that gained renewed life from the San Bernardino case.

While that standoff underscored national security concerns posed by advances in technology security, the growing use of strong default encryption on mobile devices and communications by criminal suspects is handicapping investigators' ability to pursue routine cases, law enforcement officials told the hearing. Apple and other companies defend the technology as integral to protecting consumers.

The FBI relies heavily on the "services and specialized skills that we can only get through the private industry, and that partnership is critical to our success," testified FBI technology official Amy Hess.

Separately, the tech advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation sued the Justice Department in San Francisco federal court on Tuesday, seeking to force the disclosure of any secret orders from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court that may have forced companies such as Apple or Google to decrypt communications.

Thomas Galati, chief of intelligence at the New York Police Department, said his investigators had been unable to open 67 Apple devices from October 2015 to March 2016. Those phones were implicated in 44 violent crimes 23 felonies, including 10 homicides, two rapes, and the shooting of an officer, Galati said.

The government has redoubled its efforts to use the courts to force Apple's cooperation in cracking encrypted iPhones by announcing plans to continue with an appeal in a New York drug case.

The secrecy surrounding the method used on the San Bernardino phone has prompted criticism from security researchers who said Apple and others should be made aware of the flaw, in accordance with a White House vulnerabilities review process that favors disclosure.

But Obama administration sources have told Reuters the group that helped unlock the device has sole ownership of the method, making it highly unlikely the technique would be disclosed by the government to Apple or anyone else.

"I don't think relying on a third party is a good model," Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado, the committee's top Democrat, said at the hearing.

(Additional reporting by Dan Levine in San Francisco and Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Grant McCool)
By David Schwartz

PHOENIX (Reuters) - A man accused in a string of freeway shootings that terrorized the Phoenix area last year was released from custody after defense lawyers on Tuesday called the ballistics evidence into question.

Judge Warren Granville reduced the bail for Leslie Allen Merritt Jr., 21, to nothing from $150,000 after Merritt's attorneys told an emergency hearing in Maricopa County Superior Court that an expert prosecution witness now said the reported ballistics match "does not exist."

"There's no evidence against him that he's responsible for this," defense attorney Jason Lamm told the court. "He is no more the I-10 freeway shooter than, respectfully, you are your honor."

Granville ordered that Merritt wear an electronic monitoring device and report back to court on May 18.

A spokesman for the Maricopa County attorney's office declined comment, citing a gag order in the case.

Merritt, a landscaper from the Phoenix area, had been held for about seven months on 15 criminal counts including drive-by-shooting and aggravated assault, for the first of four shootings along a 10-mile (16-km) stretch of Interstate 10 that passes through Phoenix.

Merritt told a judge at his initial court appearance last September that authorities had "the wrong guy," and he has maintained his innocence in the case.

"I told you guys when I first got arrested I didn't do it," Merritt told reporters moments after his release from county jail around 6 p.m. local time. "Right now I just want to go home and be with my kids."

Merritt's bail originally had been set at $1 million but later was lowered to $150,000.

Merritt was the lone suspect tied to a spree of 11 shootings along the busy thoroughfare that left drivers fearful and unsettled throughout the area.

Only one person suffered a minor injury during the shootings before Governor Doug Ducey announced Merritt's Sept. 18 arrest with an emphatic "We got him!" message on Twitter.

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Police said they were able to "forensically link" four of the shootings to Merritt's handgun, which was found later by investigators at a local pawn store.

A state police spokesman had said that bullets from the handgun discovered at the store were then matched to fragments found at some of the shooting scenes.

State police initially branded the case an act of "domestic terrorism," but no such charges were brought by prosecutors. Authorities have not made public what they believe the motive was for the shootings.

(Reporting by David Schwartz in Phoenix; Editing by Dan Whitcomb, Curtis Skinner, Peter Cooney and Leslie Adler)
An Australian woman and four journalists accused of kidnapping her children from their Lebanese father in Beirut were released on bail Wednesday after he dropped the charges against them.

Sally Faulkner and the Australian television crew were charged last week for reportedly abducting Faulkner's two young children from their father, Ali al-Amin, in the Lebanese capital.

"I have agreed to release the Australian crew and the mother on bail after the children's father and grandmother dropped the personal charges against all five of them," judge Ramy Abdallah told a packed courtroom.

Faulkner and the crew from Channel Nine's "60 Minutes" programme were seen being released late Wednesday afternoon.

Faulkner and reporter Tara Brown looked relieved as they walked out of Lebanon's women-only jail northeast of the capital into a nearby van.

Her producer, cameraman and sound recordist were released from the courthouse in Beirut.

According to Channel Nine's chief correspondent Tom Steinfort in Beirut, the crew "is in a van headed for Beirut airport".

The crew and Faulkner still face charges by Lebanon's public prosecutor, but they can be sentenced in absentia.

Speaking to journalists after the hearing adjourned, Amin said Faulkner would be able to see the children, but said that he had full custody.

"I told her, you're their mother and you'll stay their mother. This is their country just like Australia is their country," said Amin.

- Faulkner 'regrets' operation -

He said he had not told his children that their mother was in jail, but that she was travelling.

Asked whether he was angry with the Channel Nine crew, Amin said: "They're people, just like everyone. They were probably just doing their job, they probably didn't expect it to go that way."

His lawyer Hussein Berjawi said Faulkner's bail had been set at one million Lebanese pounds (about $660).

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Amin has not dropped his charges against two Britons and two Lebanese who allegedly helped in the abduction, Berjawi told AFP.

Faulkner's lawyer Ghassan Mughabghab told journalists his client had struck a deal with Amin granting him full custody of the children in line with Lebanese law.

His client "regrets" what she did, Mughabghab said.

Faulkner has said that Amin, from whom she is divorced, took them for a holiday to Beirut and then allegedly refused to return them to Australia.

She had been reportedly working with a child recovery agency to bring back the children, and the TV crew was recording the operation.

A grainy video of the April 6 incident released by Lebanon's Al-Jadeed television showed the children walking with an elderly person said to be their grandmother.

Several figures jump out of a nearby car and snatch and carry the children into the vehicle, which then speeds off.

The television crew was arrested the following day and Faulkner was later found with the two children at a home in Beirut.

Both children, who Australian media said are a six-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy, are now with their father in a southern Beirut suburb.
Jerusalem (AFP) - When word spread that the Ahava cosmetics firm would move its factory from the occupied West Bank, it set off alarm bells among Israelis for reasons nothing to do with its products.

There were suspicions that Ahava, which sells Dead Sea minerals and mud around the world, had made the decision because of mounting pressure to shift its operations from the Palestinian territory.

The beauty products company said in a statement that it would "establish an additional plant" inside Israel, but has yet to explicitly confirm the West Bank factory will close.

Yet activists are seeing it as a victory for their campaign known by the initials BDS -- or Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions -- that calls for a boycott of Israel until it withdraws from the occupied territories.

The campaign is a decade old, but recent moves like Ahava's have raised the question of whether it has now gained steady momentum.

It has become an increasingly global fight, with skirmishes taking place not only in the West Bank but in courtrooms, parliaments and university campuses in New York, Paris and London.

Supporters of the campaign point to past moves by companies like SodaStream, which pulled out of the West Bank in September 2015, and British-Danish security giant G4S, which will leave Israel altogether.

But at the same time, some companies in the West Bank are proudly expanding, defying pressure not only from BDS but also the European Union, which recently began requiring products from Israeli-occupied territory to be labelled.

Israel is not taking BDS lightly, with officials calling it a "strategic threat" and budgeting 118 million shekels ($31 million) to fight it this year.

Both sides recently held strategy conferences and, perhaps unsurprisingly, both claim to be winning.

Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan told the pro-Israeli conference his government was seeking to "be able to thwart (criticism) in real time and even be one step ahead of BDS."

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- 'Never leave this place' -

BDS has sought to use the anti-apartheid campaign in South Africa in the 1980s as an example.

Israelis and others however accuse it of going beyond legitimate criticism into anti-Semitism, claims campaigners deny.

"They can't respond in the traditional way... to accuse of being terrorists or funded by terrorists. It is easy for the world to see this is not true," Jamal Juma, a member of the BDS executive committee in Ramallah, told AFP.

"(So) they are trying internationally to criminalise the movement."

Even the Palestinian government does not support a total boycott of Israel, though it does urge bans on products made in settlements on occupied land.

Some 2.8 million Palestinians live in the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem in near constant tension with more than 500,000 Israeli settlers.

Israeli settlements and industrial zones in the Palestinian territory, which receive significant government subsidies, are considered illegal under international law.

The anti-occupation NGO Gush Shalom estimates a glut of companies have left the West Bank in recent years, and even smaller firms face pressure to depart.

The Psagot winery now produces 250,000 bottles a year, but founder Yaakov Berg says he turned down a multi-million-dollar investment in the firm as the investors wanted him to relocate to inside Israel.

"I would never leave this place," he said.

The wider impact on Israel's economy so far seems limited.

Settlements represent only two-to-three percent of Israel's trade and the Yesha Council, which represents Israeli settlements, said the number of factories in settlements grew from 680 in 2011 to 890 in 2015.

But while smaller, ideologically motivated firms such as Psagot are unlikely to change course, some analysts say larger ones are feeling the pressure.

Ofer Zalsberg of the International Crisis Group think-tank said major firms that would have happily invested in the West Bank five years ago are now wary of doing so.

- Moving the goalposts? -

Israeli officials fear BDS's influence is slowly moving the goalposts.

In October, the European Union introduced labelling on products from the West Bank, while the US ambassador has been unusually outspoken in his criticism of Israel's West Bank policies.

Zalsberg said the Israeli government fears becoming delegitimised, as well as further measures such as excluding West Bank settlers from the automatic visas to European countries granted to Israelis.

Ben-Dror Yemeni, an Israeli journalist who campaigns against BDS, admitted they may never win the battle for public support in some countries.

"Right now the battlefield is public opinion in the West and I think they might prevail -- the BDS supporters," he said.

"It is so easy to sell this anti-Israel propaganda."

Israel has instead increasingly focused on measures limiting BDS legally.

Ron Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, said they first brought together 40 Jewish lawyers two years ago to develop a legal strategy.

"On the legal front, we are winning," Lauder recently told Israel's largest ever anti-BDS conference.

Events of recent months appear to bear out his claims.

In France, in October the high court effectively banned BDS in a ruling that has had a devastating impact.

In the United States, so far seven states have adopted resolutions condemning BDS, organised largely by evangelical Christian groups.

In Britain, the government has introduced new measures to prevent local government boycotts, while the Canadian parliament recently condemned BDS.

However, boycott movements on university campuses, have sought to keep up the pressure on Israel.
By Anthony Boadle and Alonso Soto BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's ruling Workers Party, reeling from a humiliating defeat in an impeachment vote in Congress, is threatening to bring the country to a standstill with mass protests against what it calls a 'coup' to topple President Dilma Rousseff. Party leaders' pledges to take their fight to the streets, after the lower house on Sunday backed a motion to impeach Rousseff, have raised fears they will attempt to destabilize a transitional government in Latin America's largest economy. But the party's popularity has been shattered by a deep recession and a succession of graft scandals during its 13-year rule. It is a shadow of the organization that once commanded near fanatical support among Brazil's poor, and will struggle to sustain its fight against impeachment, analysts say. Protests are part of the Workers Party (PT) DNA. Born in the grim industrial belt that rings Sao Paulo, it emerged from a union-led pro-democracy movement in the twilight of Brazil's military dictatorship in the 1980s. It slowly developed into a formidable political machine. Brazil's first working class national party has won four straight presidential elections since Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's breakthrough in 2002. Yet formerly-loyal labor unions and leftist social movements have distanced themselves from the unpopular Rousseff because of belt-tightening moves adopted last year in a failed bid to curb Brazil's runaway budget deficit. Abandoned by many of its allies within Congress as the political crisis has deepened, the party's national decline could accelerate once it loses its grasp on power and control over government resources and jobs, analysts say. It would automatically relinquish the presidency if, as expected, Rousseff is put on trial in the Senate next month for breaking budget rules. The reins of power would pass to Vice President Michel Temer, denounced as a 'traitor' by Workers Party leaders, who would see out her term until 2018 if Rousseff is found guilty. Party insiders and other political sources in Brasilia say the PT would not be able to keep up protests for long. "Support for the PT has deteriorated, the party is weak," said Marco Antonio Baratto, the bearded leader of the Landless Workers' Movement (MST), a long-time ally of the PT frustrated by its lack of leftist reforms while in government. "If you go to the slums today to defend the government or Dilma, they chase you away." Speaking at a rally in Brasilia on Saturday against impeachment, he made plain the PT could not rely on automatic support from his movement: "If the government does not represent the interests of the workers, it will have a problem with us." RIGHT-WING CONSPIRACY Workers Party leader Rui Falcao on Tuesday repeated calls for members to take to the streets to oppose what he called a right-wing conspiracy to roll back social benefits won by Brazil's poor since Lula took office in 2003. "The PT will not give a possible Temer government any peace," he said at a news conference in Sao Paulo, with party founder Lula at his side. "Our opposition will go far beyond Congress. We are telling society that an illegitimate government will have no peace, there will be a fight." The rhetoric of class-struggle has resonated with some grass-roots supporters. "We'll go to the streets, we'll fight, because it's the only weapon we've got," said Jose Lacerda, 50, holding a red cap in his hands, standing outside Brazil's Congress building after Sunday's vote. But many Brazilians blame the Workers Party's economic stewardship for worsening the deepest recession since the 1930s, which has thrown millions out of work and pushed unemployment to more than 10 percent of the workforce. That in turn has reduced the clout of the unions and the PT's sway among organized labor. When Lula swept to power as Brazil's first working class president, voters celebrated his pledges to clean up Brazil's corrupt and fragmented political system. But PT involvement at the heart of a massive graft scheme designed to systematically milk political kickbacks from suppliers to state controlled Petroleo Brasileiro has shocked Brazilians used to decades of corruption scandals. Leading figures from the PT have been jailed, including former party Treasurer Joao Vaccari Neto, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in September. Lula himself is being investigated for allegedly receiving a luxury seaside penthouse and a country estate from companies implicated in the graft investigation. While he remains Brazil's most influential politician, Lula's prestige and influence has been badly dented by the scandal. Weariness with the PT has grown even among working class Brazilians, who have little appetite for a fight amid the dire economic situation. "Lula will not be able to maintain pressure from the streets for very long because he is losing face with Brazilians, and the protests would further damage his credibility," said Thiago de Aragao at Brasilia-based consultancy Arko Advice. As Sunday's impeachment vote ended in Rousseff's defeat, hundreds of PT supporters sat downcast on red flags and banners. "The party won't recover from this loss," said Renato Bonetti, a social activist who traveled for 30 hours from the state of Parana in Brazil's south to march against impeachment. "I'm not even sure I'll vote for them next election." (Reporting by Alonso Soto and Stephen Eisenhammer; Writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Andrew Hay)
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - An explosion rocked a major petrochemical facility of Mexican national oil company Pemex in the Gulf state of Veracruz on Wednesday, and the state governor said he was told that three people had been killed. The blast injured as many as 40 people, although oil exports were not affected, officials said. The governor of Veracruz state, Javier Duarte, told local television he was informed that three workers had died in the explosion. Pemex said the explosion, which sent a huge, dark plume of smoke billowing into the sky, occurred at the facility's chlorinate 3 plant near the port of Coatzacoalcos, one of the company's top oil export hubs. The cause was unclear. Arturo Bermudez, head of public security in Veracruz, told local television that at least 40 people were injured in the explosion. Pemex put the current toll of injured at 30. Local emergency officials said hundreds of people had been evacuated from the site. Television footage showed an initial burst of flames followed by a tower of thick smoke. A Pemex official said local oil exports were not affected by the blast. The incident took place at Petroquimica Mexicana de Vinilo, or PMV, a vinyl petrochemical plant that is a joint venture between Pemex's petrochemical unit and Mexican plastic pipe maker Mexichem. The plant, operated by Mexichem, is located within Pemex's larger Pajaritos petrochemical complex. Mexichem said in a brief statement that the explosion occurred in an ethylene unit at the plant. The company could not be immediately reached for further comment. In February, a worker was killed in a fire at the PMV plant, which produces vinyl chloride monomer, also known as chloroethene, an industrial chemical used to produce plastic piping. The incident occurred just weeks after three workers were killed and at least seven injured when a fire broke out on a Pemex oil-processing platform in the Gulf of Mexico. It also came as Pemex fights to stem a slide in output that has hammered the company, and to implement deep cost cuts to cope with a sharp drop in oil prices. Mexico is trying to lure private investors to revive its oil industry. Pemex, which enjoyed a decades-long monopoly over Mexico's oil and gas sector until an energy reform opened up the sector in 2014, has experienced a series of high-profile accidents. In 2013, at least 37 people were killed by a blast at Pemex's Mexico City headquarters, and 26 people died in a fire at a Pemex natural gas facility in northern Mexico in September 2012. A 2015 fire at its Abkatun Permanente platform in the oil-rich Bay of Campeche affected oil output and cost the company up to $780 million. Pemex said last year it had reduced its annual accident rate in 2014 by more than 33 percent. But a Reuters investigation found that Pemex was reducing its accident rate by including hours worked by office staff in its calculations. (Reporting by David Alire Garcia, Gabriel Stargardter, Liz Diaz, Dave Graham and Anna Yukhananov; Editing by Simon Gardner and Peter Cooney)
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian Mines and Energy Minister Eduardo Braga said on Wednesday he is leaving the post to retake his seat in the Senate as the upper chamber of Congress prepares to vote on the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff next month. Braga, who is from the PMDB major opposition party, said however that he will take a break for medical tests and might not be present when the vote takes place. He declined to say if he is in favor or against the removal of Rousseff on charges of breaking budget laws. (Reporting by Leonardo Goy; Writing by Marcelo Teixeira; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
Brasilia (AFP) - Brazilians clamoring for President Dilma Rousseff's ouster like to refer to the scandal-tainted politician who launched the impeachment drive in Congress as their "favorite villain."

They're not really fans of House Speaker Eduardo Cunha, or even the man in line to succeed Rousseff if she's impeached, Vice President Michel Temer.

In fact, they see them, along with fellow centrist PMDB party member and Senate president Renan Calheiros, as part of a widely corrupt political class that needs to be purged.

Still, among the pro-impeachment camp, this cast of characters is the lesser of two evils compared to the leftist president, her predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and their scandal-plagued Workers Party (PT).

"It is not the best option. But at the moment anything else is better than the PT," said Lidice Teixeira do Nascimento, a 43-year-old owner of a women's fashion company from Sao Paulo state.

Teixeira was among a group of impeachment supporters who camped out in Brasilia over the weekend, joining tens of thousands of people outside Congress as the lower house voted in favor of impeachment.

She knows Cunha is among several politicians implicated in a massive corruption case at state oil giant Petrobras.

But like many others, she calls him "my favorite villain" -- the Portuguese title of the animated movie "Despicable Me" about a loveable bad guy with an army of yellow minions.

"He's the one who opened the impeachment process," Teixeira said, sitting next to a tent as she broke into a song about Rousseff's ouster with the refrain "ciao dear."

A survey by the daily Folha de S.Paulo at a pro-impeachment protest in Sao Paulo last Sunday found that 87 percent of people were for Cunha's ouster.

As for Temer, 54 percent want him to be impeached. As vice president, he could face the same charges confronting Rousseff, of using creative accounting to mask budget deficits.

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- 'One of biggest thieves' -

Rousseff's impeachment case is now in the hands of the Senate, which will vote by mid-May whether to suspend her and put her on trial.

Although she has never been charged with graft, anti-Rousseff protests focus on the massive corruption scandal at Petrobras, allegations against Lula and the country's massive recession.

Few protesters ever mention the impeachment allegations against her, which have nothing to do with the misdeeds at the oil company.

For his part, Calheiros -- who presides over the upper chamber -- faces allegations of taking bribes in the Petrobras case.

"Calheiros is one of the biggest bandits that Brazilian politics have produced," said Celso Anaruma, a 56-year-old truck driver from Sao Paulo state, as he packed up his tent at the Brasilia camp site.

"Cunha is not a saint, but he's not the worst thing," he added. "The worst thing is the PT. Even an idiot is better than Dilma."

As for Temer, many point out that while his name came up in an alleged illegal ethanol deal in the Petrobras case, he has not been charged with any crime.

"I think he's a little better than (Rousseff)," said Charlo Ferreson, a 43-year-old hairdresser from Rio de Janeiro sitting on a lawn chair and wearing a T-shirt reading "Move forward Brazil."

The right thing to do, she said, would be to hold new elections.

"The problem is that Brazil doesn't have any good options" for president, she said.

At another tent under the shade of trees, Andrea Basilio said Temer should also go.

"We need to impeach all of them and have new elections," said Basilio, 51, an operating room technician from Sao Paulo with a tattoo on her arm. "It's the biggest corruption in the world."

Still, she also called Cunha her "favorite villain," saying that compared to the crimes of other politicians, his transgressions made him merely a "chicken thief."

- Military option -

More than 58 percent of the lower house's 513 deputies face or have faced criminal charges that include corruption, murder and rape, according to the anti-corruption watchdog Transparencia Brasil.

In the Senate, 60 percent have been convicted or probed in crimes, the NGO says.

A small minority of Brazilians are so fed up with politicians that they want the military to grab power, as it did between 1964 and 1985.

"People want a total cleanup," said Rita de Cassia, 49, a retired teacher from Campinas, Sao Paulo state, wearing a shirt in the olive green colors of military fatigues.

"We have to get rid of all of them and start over.
Brasilia (AFP) - Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff will travel to New York on Thursday to sign a global climate change pact -- while she confronts a bruising impeachment fight back home.

Rousseff's trip will mean that Vice President Michel Temer, whom she accuses of conspiring to oust her, will be in charge of the country until her return.

An aide in her office told AFP that the 68-year-old leftist leader would be back in Brasilia late Friday or early Saturday.

More than 160 nations will gather at the headquarters of the United Nations on Friday to sight the climate pact that was agreed in Paris in December.

Rousseff could use the international stage to denounce her possible impeachment, which she has decried as a "coup" bid by Temer and other members of the centrist PMDB party, her former coalition partner.

The lower house of Congress overwhelmingly voted on Sunday to send impeachment proceedings to the Senate, which is expected to vote in mid-May on whether to put Rousseff on trial.

If a simple majority approves the trial, Rousseff would be suspended for up to 180 days and Temer would replace her during that time.

A two-thirds majority would then be needed in the Senate to permanently remove her from office, leaving Temer at the helm until her term ends in late 2018.
Brasilia (AFP) - Brazil's Supreme Court will rule Wednesday on whether former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva can join the government of his protegee, President Dilma Rousseff, whose own job hangs by a thread.

The justices will decide the fate of Lula's bid to become chief of staff three days after the lower house of Congress voted to send impeachment proceedings against Rousseff to the Senate.

Rousseff had given Lula, her predecessor and mentor, the ministerial job on March 16, betting on his political prowess to save her from impeachment.

But a Supreme Court judge temporarily blocked the appointment, citing suspicions that it was a bid to shield Lula from lower level courts in connection with a massive corruption case at state oil giant Petrobras.

In Brazil, lawmakers and ministers can only be tried by the Supreme Court.

Lula, a left-wing icon and founder of the ruling Workers' Party, is accused of accepting a seaside apartment and a country home as bribes from construction companies caught up in the multibillion-dollar graft scandal that has upended Brazilian politics.

Rousseff had enlisted the charismatic leader to spearhead an intense lobbying campaign for votes in the lower house ahead of its impeachment vote. Blocked from government, Lula pressed her case anyway, setting himself up in a Brasilia hotel -- but without success.

- Power duo in trouble -

For Lula, the court decision will be more symbolic than practical, since the initial injunction against him has already done its damage in the run-up to the impeachment vote.

"I think that at this stage, whether or not Lula enters the government won't make a big difference," said political analyst Sergio Praca.

"A lot of things have happened these past few weeks and the fact that he was not authorized to take up his post caused a shock, a surprise, that had giant consequences" for Rousseff's government, he added.

Now for Lula, the bigger issue will be whether his political career can survive to elections in 2018, when he hopes to return to the presidency.

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Lula made three unsuccessful presidential bids from 1989 to 1998, each time chipping away at the establishment parties and the idea that a poor, uneducated labor leader could never be president of Brazil.

The fourth time, in 2002, he succeeded, taking office on January 1, 2003. He was reelected and left office in 2010.

Lula's popularity and the success of the economy during a period of high commodity prices helped him ride out numerous corruption scandals plaguing the Workers' Party.

When he stepped down after two terms, he basked in 80 percent popularity ratings and helped Rousseff, his hand-picked successor, to take his place.

Now, even if the court does allow him to enter her governmnet, his stint may last barely weeks.

The Senate is to decide on opening a trial in mid-May at which point Rousseff -- charged with illegal accounting tricks used to mask budget deficits -- would have to step aside for 180 days, replaced by her vice president Michel Temer.

After that, a two-thirds majority vote would be enough to oust her permanently.

Already, Temer, who turned on Rousseff to support impeachment, is assembling a future cabinet of his own -- and Lula would clearly not be welcome.

- 'The snake is alive' -

But Lula remains a formidable force in Brazilian politics.

"The snake is still alive," the former president said recently.

Despite his legal troubles, a survey by polling firm Datafolha on April 10 found that 21 percent of Brazilians would vote for him in the first round of the 2018 presidential election, making him the frontrunner.

Marina Silva, an environmentalist who finished third in the 2014 election, came a close second in the poll with 19 percent followed by center-right opposition leader Aecio Neves with 17 percent.

Temer, of the centrist PMDB party, is far behind with between one and two percent of vote intentions.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A main suspect in the investigation into the Brussels bombings has also been charged with participation in the Paris attacks four months earlier, Belgian federal prosecutors said on Wednesday. Osama Krayem, who was arrested in Brussels earlier this month, might have been present in different safehouses used by the militant attackers, such as a suspected bomb factory raided in December, prosecutors said. "He has been charged with terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group," prosecutors said in a statement. The Brussels bombings claimed the lives of 32 victims in March, while 130 died in November's attacks in Paris. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by Philip Blenkinsop)
By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's government on Wednesday sought to deflect criticism that it had condemned the country to years of budget deficits, saying it could balance the books within five years if efforts to boost the economy succeed. The ruling Liberals on Tuesday projected a C$29.4 billion ($22.3 billion) deficit for fiscal 2016-17, nearly three times larger than what they promised during last year's election campaign. The Liberals, who say the spending will help boost growth, gave no target date for returning to balance, with the budget still expected to show a deficit of C$14.3 billion in 2020-21. Opposition politicians and influential media commentators said they feared Canada would face a long string of shortfalls of the kind it has not seen in two decades. This could cause problems for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "We're hoping to increase the growth rates," Trudeau told CBC Radio on Wednesday. If the government can stimulate the economy, "we get to balance in the coming five years," he said. "There is a track to that if we increase the growth in the economy." Trudeau faces no immediate political threat, since he only took power last November and is sitting high in the polls. But the longer the deficits last, the greater the potential political risk. "The general public has never really been through a situation in which a deficit has been a good thing so he's got some convincing to do on this," said Ipsos Public Affairs Chief Executive Officer Darrell Bricker. Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pressed repeatedly about the deficit, said last year's election showed Canadians backed the idea of investing in the economy. "Our goal is to get to a balanced budget over approximately the five-year time period, recognizing our priority right now is to make those investments," he told reporters. Asked whether Ottawa might reconsider its stance if the economy underperformed, he replied: "We'll worry about Budget 2017 in 2017." Trudeau came to power by defeating the right-of-center Conservatives, who stressed the importance of balancing the books. "The prevailing wisdom among Canadians is that running deficits is not a sustainable political strategy," said pollster Nik Nanos of Nanos Research. "The Trudeau government has some political slack right now, but it's not a bottomless well." (Additional reporting by Leah Schnurr in Ottawa; Editing by W Simon and Lisa Von Ahn)
At nighttime, ominous lightning flashes above erupting volcanoes light up the sky like a living nightmare. Now, scientists are closer to understanding volcanic lightning, which stems from both ash and ice, two new studies reveal.

Unraveling the origin of volcanic lightning has been difficult. In thunderstorms, the culprits are colliding ice crystals, which generate enough of an electric charge to trigger lightning. But ash clouds are less predictable and harder to study than supercells (thunderstorms), so scientists are still trying to figure out what sets off volcanic lightning. For instance, it seems absurd to blame ice for lightning in a volcanic inferno.

Two new studies reveal different reasons for lightning above erupting volcanoes. One cause is static electricity, from particles rubbing together in dense ash clouds near the ground. The other source of lightning happens near the stratosphere, high above the Earth's surface, where jockeying ice crystals unleash powerful jolts. [Images: Grimsvotn Volcano Puts on Lightning Show]

At Sakurajima volcano in Japan, ash particles are responsible for lightning that strikes near the ground, researchers led by Corrado Cimarelli, a volcanologist at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany, reported Feb. 23 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. For that study, the scientists recorded video of volcanic lightning at Sakurajima, one of the world's most active volcanoes. By comparing the video to infrasound and electromagnetic data, the researchers discovered thick clouds of ash give rise to static electricity. The particles rub together and the resulting charge buildup generates lightning strikes. (This is called triboelectricity.)

Ice also plays a role in volcanic lightning, a separate study found. Researchers tracked the location of lightning strikes during an April 2015 eruption of Calbuco volcano in Chile. In this case, the bolts were breaking some 60 miles (about 100 kilometers) from the eruption, and at near-stratospheric heights of about 12 miles (20 km) above Earth's surface. The scientists think ice formed in the top of the thinning ash cloud  which was also carrying water vapor  producing lightning like a thundercloud does. The study was published April 12 in Geophysical Research Letters.

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These discoveries could have important implications for volcano monitoring. Because larger eruptions trigger more lightning, "simply seeing that lightning is associated with an eruption tells you that there are potential aviation issues," said Alexa Van Eaton, lead author of the Calbuco study and a volcanologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington.

During the March eruption of Alaska's Pavlof volcano, Van Eaton and her colleagues used the World Wide Lightning Location network to monitor the volcano's ash cloud, she said. The ash from Pavlof and other southwest Alaska volcanoes can drift into international and local flight paths.

Van Eaton ultimately hopes to use lightning flashes to gauge the power of volcanic eruptions remotely. "Lightning is telling us things that other geophysical monitoring techniques can't see," van Eaton told Live Science. Bigger eruptions trigger more lightning, van Eaton said. "Simply seeing that lightning is associated with an eruption tells you that there are potential aviation issues, and it informs the way you respond to a volcano," she said.

Both studies also bring scientists closer solving the mystery of volcanic lighting. "It's surprising that there are really different processes inside a volcanic eruption plume system that generate electrification," van Eaton said. "It opens a world of questions that we didn't even know existed."

Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science.

Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
LONDON (Reuters) - Utility group Centrica's British Gas, the country's largest energy supplier, said on Wednesday it was proposing to cut 684 jobs at its British Gas Services by closing its Oldbury office near Birmingham. Centrica, which has been hit hard by weak energy prices and fiercer competition, announced last year it would cut 6,000 jobs as part of a cost-saving drive. Of these job cuts, 3,000 are expected this year and 800 took place in the first quarter, Centrica said earlier this week. In February British Gas announced 500 job losses in its insulation business. "We must also respond to the changing needs of our customers, and they increasingly want to contact us online," said Claire Miles, British Gas's managing director of customer operations. Oldbury employees will now discuss the proposal under a 45-day consultation process, British Gas said. If the site is closed it will try to redeploy staff in other offices, it added. "We will make sure that a taskforce of ministers is available to talk to the company, to talk to the local community, to provide all the assistance in terms of retraining and other things that can be done to help," said Prime Minister David Cameron in answer to questions in Parliament on Wednesday. Labour union GMB, who said most of British Gas's Oldbury staff were members of its union, vowed to fight to protect every job. (Reporting by Karolin Schaps; Additional reporting by William James; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
China is looking to exploit the Northwest Passage, the fabled short-cut from the Pacific to the Atlantic, state-run media said Wednesday, with the world's biggest trader in goods publishing a shipping guide to the route.

The seaway north of Canada, which could offer a quicker journey from China to the US East Coast than via the Panama Canal or Cape Horn, was sought by European explorers for centuries, including by the doomed Franklin expedition of 1845.

Even now it remains ice-bound for much of the year, but global warming and the retreat of Arctic sea ice are making it more accessible, and Beijing sees it as an opportunity to reshape global trade flows.

China's Maritime Safety Administration earlier this month published a 356-page, Chinese language guide including nautical charts and descriptions of ice conditions for the Northwest Passage, said the China Daily newspaper, which is published by the government.

"There will be ships with Chinese flags sailing through this route in the future," it quoted administration spokesman Liu Pengfei as saying.

"Once this route is commonly used, it will directly change global maritime transportation and have a profound influence on international trade, the world economy, capital flows and resources exploitation," he added.

Canada regards the Northwest Passage as part of its internal waters, while some other countries consider it an international strait.

Beijing -- which is embroiled in territorial disputes of its own in the South and East China Seas -- on Wednesday declined to say where it stood on the issue.

"The Chinese side will make a suitable decision according to various factors," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular briefing in Beijing.

Last year, Chinese shipping company COSCO said it plans to launch regular services through the Arctic Ocean to Europe by way of the "Northeast Passage", another Arctic shipping route north of Russia.

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COSCO ships travelled that route in 2013 and 2015. State-owned COSCO has since merged with another company, China Shipping Group.

"Many countries have noticed the financial and strategic value of Arctic Ocean passages. China has also paid much attention," Wu Yuxiao, one of the co-authors of the new guide, was quoted by China Daily as saying.

China does not border the Arctic and has no territorial claim to any of it, but joined the Arctic Council as an observer two years ago.

Observers say Beijing recognises the area's potential for scientific research and its strategic value.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China will encourage ships flying its flag to take the Northwest Passage via the Arctic Ocean, a route opened up by global warming, to cut travel times between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, a state-run newspaper said on Wednesday. China is increasingly active in the polar region, becoming one of the biggest mining investors in Greenland and agreeing to a free trade deal with Iceland. Shorter shipping routes across the Arctic Ocean would save Chinese companies time and money. For example, the journey from Shanghai to Hamburg via the Arctic route is 2,800 nautical miles shorter than going by the Suez Canal. China's Maritime Safety Administration this month released a guide offering detailed route guidance from the northern coast of North America to the northern Pacific, the China Daily said. "Once this route is commonly used, it will directly change global maritime transport and have a profound influence on international trade, the world economy, capital flow and resource exploitation," ministry spokesman Liu Pengfei was quoted as saying. Chinese ships will sail through the Northwest Passage "in the future", Liu added, without giving a time frame. Most of the Northwest Passage lies in waters that Canada claims as its own. Asked if China considered the passage an international waterway or Canadian waters, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China noted Canada considered that the route crosses its waters, although some countries believed it was open to international navigation. In Ottawa, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Stephane Dion said no automatic right of transit passage existed in the waterways of the Northwest Passage. "We welcome navigation that complies with our rules and regulations. Canada has an unfettered right to regulate internal waters," Joseph Pickerill said by email. Maritime experts say shipping companies would most likely be deterred by the unpredictable nature of Arctic ice, the total absence of infrastructure in the region, relatively shallow waters, a lack of modern mapping and increased insurance costs. The route would also be strategically important to China, another maritime official, Wu Yuxiao, told the China Daily. Melting sea ice has spurred more commercial traffic, and China wants to become more active in the Arctic, where it says it has important interests. Chinese ships, even merchant vessels, using the Northwest Passage could raise eyebrows in Washington. In September, five Chinese Navy ships sailed in international waters in the Bering Sea off Alaska, in an apparent first for China's military. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Jonathan Oatis)
Just when it looked as if Hillary Clintons presidential campaign might start coming unglued, her adopted state of New York gave her a decisive victory Tuesday night that moved her much closer in the delegate count she needs to sew up the Democratic nomination.

After fending off weeks of verbal attacks from Democratic rival Sen. Bernie Sanders for her coziness with Wall Street and questionable judgment on Iraq and other foreign policy and trade issues, Clinton last night savored an impressive 16-point win that stemmed her slide and broke Sanderss recent string of victories.

Related: After big New York wins, Trump and Clinton cast themselves as inevitable

Sanders had hoped to humiliate Clinton, a former two-term New York senator, with an aggressive performance at last weeks Democratic presidential debate in Brooklyn -- where he repeatedly questioned her qualifications to be commander in chief -- and a series of rallies in New York that drew tens of thousands of supporters, many of them students and young voters new to the political process.

But it was Clinton who pulled off a big surprise, outperforming polls showing the race narrowing, and dominating the contest throughout New York State. She garnered overwhelming support from her now-reliable base of blacks, Hispanics, women and older Democrats. Network exit polls showed that she won the African-American vote by 3 to 1, Hispanics by nearly 2 to 1, women by a 20-point margin and voters 45 and older by more than six in 10.

New York Democratic Primary Results | InsideGov

Clinton was clearly helped by a New York Democratic rule that kept independent voters out of the primary, denying Sanders an important source of support that helped him pull out important upsets in Michigan, Wisconsin and a batch of western states. But Sanders has done little in recent months to expand his base beyond liberal white voters and younger people, while Clinton continues to show far more firepower in large, racially diverse states throughout the South, Midwest and Northeast.

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While Clinton continues to be dogged by voter concerns about her honesty and integrity, New Yorkers concluded that their former senator has far more experience than Sanders and would be more electable in a general election showdown this fall with Republican frontrunner Donald Trump or Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

Related: Only the Best? Why Trump Is Shaking Up His Campaign

During a jubilant speech before a packed crowd at a midtown Manhattan hotel last night, Clinton declared that her nearly yearlong quest for the 2016 Democratic presidential campaign is in the home stretch and that victory is in sight.

In a lengthy victory speech that showed off a far more relaxed, playful and exuberant political warrior, Clinton extended an olive branch to Sanders supporters, saying, I believe theres much more that unites us than divides us.

But her tone turned serious on the topic of Trump and Cruz. She predicted that her likely battle this fall with either the billionaire Trump or the arch-conservative Cruz would prove to be one of the most consequential elections of our time.

Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are pushing a vision for America that is frankly dangerous, she said. Returning to trickle-down economics, opposing any increase in the minimum wage, restricting a womans right to make her own health care decisions, promising to round up millions of immigrants, to ban all Muslims from entering the country, planning to treat American Muslims like criminals.

Related: Clinton vs. Trump: Get Ready for the Nastiest General Election in Memory

These things go against everything America stands for, she declared, less than an hour after Trump delivered his own victory speech across town.

After a recent series of setbacks or middling wins, Clinton finally enjoyed the major blowout she was hoping for last night, when she captured 57.9 percent of the Democratic vote to 42.1 percent for Sanders, the Vermont senator. Clinton picked up 139 of the 247 delegates that were up for grabs yesterday, to just 106 for Sanders.

That net pickup of 33 delegates increased her overall delegate lead to 1,930, to 1,189 for Sanders, according to a New York Times tally. Clinton now holds roughly 80 percent of the 2,383 pledged and super delegates she needs for her partys nomination this summer.

While not quite a sure thing yet, Clintons path to the nomination appears fairly clear. Next Tuesday, Clinton and Sanders renew their battle in five Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states that are relatively friendly terrain for Clinton and offer her another important opportunity to pad her delegate lead. She holds substantial leads over Sanders in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware and Rhode Island, according to polls and analysis. And if she repeats her strong New York showing in most of those states, she stands to pick up the lions share of 384 delegates on the line.

But all is not rosy for Clinton, and she remains a highly flawed candidate despite her strong showing last night.

While she appears on track to grind out a victory over Sanders before the California primary in early June, Clintons campaign has been severely damaged by attacks from both Sanders and Trump about her honesty and judgment to lead the country. With an ongoing FBI investigation of her mishandling of government email, Trump has begun referring to her as Crooked Hillary.

She has regularly scored poorly in polling gauging the publics attitude about her honesty and integrity, especially in light of Sanders repeated complaint that she has accepted millions of dollars in speaking fees and contributions from Wall Street and other special interest groups, and therefore cant be counted on to look out for the publics interest.

Related: Sanders Attacks Are Taking a Serious Toll on Clinton

Her negative ratings eclipse her positive ratings by 24 percentage points, according to a recent Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll, while other surveys indicate that Sanders would be a more effective candidate than Clinton would be in a general election campaign against Trump or Cruz. Among virtually every key demographic  including both men and women  Clinton suffers from high negatives among Democratic and Republican voters nationwide. Fifty-six percent of Americans have negative views of her and only 32 percent have positive things to say.

Bill McInturff, a Republican pollster who helped conduct the Wall Street Journal-NBC news poll, told The Washington Post that as bad as her negative ratings are, theyre a lot better than Trumps at 65 percent.

By any conventional standard, this is a candidate whos been disqualified to be president by the voters, McInturff said of Clinton. Her terrible numbers for months have been masked because we have the one candidate in modern history who has worse numbers. The spectacle of Donald Trump has gotten so much attention that shes slipped under the radar.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
New York (AFP) - Coca-Cola reported a dip in first-quarter profits Wednesday as the strong dollar weighed on results in some of its overseas markets.

Net income for the quarter ending April 1 was $1.5 billion, down 4.8 percent from the year-ago period.

Revenues fell 4.0 percent to $10.3 billion.

Revenues rose in North America, helping to offset steep declines in Latin American and Eurasia and Africa, where the strong dollar dented sales most heavily.

Volumes of Coke and other sparkling drinks were flat compared with the year-ago period, while volumes of still beverages such as bottled water jumped seven percent. Coca-Cola has relied more on bottled water and juices as worries about obesity and other health effects from soda have risen.

Chief executive Muhtar Kent said the company was well positioned to face a "challenging global macro environment."

Coca-Cola projected full-year earnings per share growth of four to six percent, excluding currency effects.

Earnings for the quarter translated into 45 cents per share, a penny above analyst expectations.

Shares were down 1.3 percent to $46.00 in pre-market trade.
By Juarawee Kittisilpa BANGKOK (Reuters) - Laos's National Assembly on Wednesday appointed Communist Party chief Bounnhang Vorachit as the country's new president and named foreign minister Thongloun Sisoulith as prime minister. The picks are seen by many analysts as a continuation of the status quo in secretive Laos, where the communists have ruled since the end of the Vietnam War. State television broadcast a meeting of the single-chamber National Assembly, at which lawmakers listed the virtues of Bounnhang, who was appointed Communist Party leader in January. "The National Assembly has approved Bounnhang Vorachit as president, with more than two-thirds of the votes," said assembly chairwoman Pany Yathotou. The 149-member assembly completed the process of nomination and voting for both candidates in around an hour. In his acceptance speech, Bounnhang said he would strive for "peaceful international policies, unity, friendship and cooperation". One of the fastest-growing economies in East Asia, landlocked Laos has averaged GDP growth of 7 percent over the past decade, with increasing use of natural resources contributing a third of output growth, the World Bank says. This has boosted incomes and access to electricity, telecoms and healthcare for its mostly rural population of 6.7 million. Laos has close political ties to communist Vietnam and mirrors its political system. Communist neighbor China has been vying aggressively for influence in Laos, however, providing loans, aid and infrastructure investment. Laos is still struggling to rid itself of the painful legacy of the Vietnam War, when it became the most heavily bombed country in history after the U.S. and its allies dropped about two million tons of ordnance from 1964 to 1973. More than four decades on, the country grapples with millions of cluster munitions and other unexploded ordnance devices that kill and maim dozens each year. (Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Sydney (AFP) - Australia's Great Barrier Reef is suffering its worst coral bleaching in recorded history with 93 percent of the World Heritage site affected, scientists said Wednesday, as they revealed the phenomenon is also hitting the other side of the country.

After extensive aerial and underwater surveys, researchers at James Cook University said only seven percent of the huge reef had escaped the whitening triggered by warmer water temperatures.

"We've never seen anything like this scale of bleaching before," said Terry Hughes, convenor of the National Coral Bleaching Taskforce.

The damage ranges from minor in the southern areas -- which are expected to recover soon -- to very severe in the northern and most pristine reaches of the 2,300 kilometre (1,430 miles) site off the east coast.

Hughes said of the 911 individual reefs surveyed, only 68 (or seven percent) had escaped the massive bleaching event which has also spread south to Sydney Harbour for the first time and across to the west.

Researcher Verena Schoepf, from the University of Western Australia, said coral was already dying at a site she had recently visited off the state's far north coast.

"Some of the sites that I work at had really very severe bleaching, up to 80 to 90 percent of the coral bleached," she told AFP. "So it's pretty bad out there."

- Severe throughout the Pacific -

Australia's Environment Minister Greg Hunt said it was "absolutely clear that there is a severe coral bleaching event occurring not just in the Great Barrier Reef but throughout many parts of the Pacific".

Hughes said the bleaching began in Hawaii late last year and had already affected several Pacific islands.

"Right now, New Caledonia, the Coral Sea, the northern half of the Barrier Reef and New South Wales are bleaching severely, and western Australia is quickly catching up," he told AFP.

Bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour.

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Corals can recover if the water temperature drops and the algae are able to recolonise them, but scientists warned last year that the warming effects of a El Nino weather pattern could result in a mass global bleaching event.

Hughes said while bleaching had been linked to El Ninos, which generally occur every four to six years, "it wasn't until 1998 that one finally caused a bleaching event to happen" on the Great Barrier Reef.

"So the issue is global warming," Hughes told AFP, saying the link between water temperature and the severity of the bleaching was clear.

Hughes said the impact on the Great Barrier Reef would have been even worse had not a tropical cyclone which smashed into the Pacific island of Fiji in February brought rain and cooler weather to parts of Queensland.

"If you think about it, being rescued by the vagaries of a cyclone is a fairly precarious place to be," he added.

Andrew Baird, from James Cook University's centre for coral reef studies, said he had been surprised by the scale and severity of the event on the major tourist drawcard which is teeming with marine life.

"We've been expecting a really big event for a while I suppose and here it is," he told AFP.

Baird said because the bleaching was far less serious in the southern reaches "lots of the reef will still be in good shape".

"But the reef that's been badly affected -- which is a third to a half of it -- is going to take a while to recover," he told AFP.

"And again the big question is how many of these events can it handle? And I think the answer is not many more."
By Rina Chandran MUMBAI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A court in the Indian state of Rajasthan refused on Wednesday to hear a petition against a state government order that could deny tens of thousands of children their right to free education, dealing a blow to activists' efforts to reverse the order. Rajasthan state issued an order last month that only children from families classified as Below the Poverty Line, and those belonging to backward castes and tribes, could apply to study in a private school under the Right to Education Act. The order would deny more than 300,000 children the right to free private-school education in the state, activists say. The high court said on Wednesday there was "no urgency to hear the petition" against the state, reversing an April 18 decision. A judge said then that the order appeared inconsistent with the intent and spirit of the RTE Act, and fixed a hearing for Wednesday. The court will next hold a hearing on the issue on May 2, according to Pranjal Singh, founder of non-profit Abhyuthanam Society in Jaipur, which filed the petition. "The court's decision is very disappointing, it is a huge blow for the state's children who are poor," Singh told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "We will now try to take up the matter with the Supreme Court," he added. India enacted the landmark Right to Education Act in 2009, giving children from poor and other disadvantaged backgrounds the right to free and compulsory education to the age of 14. Such children can also seek admission to privately funded schools, with the government footing the bill. The RTE Act has the potential to benefit 16 million such children over the next eight years, according to RTE Resource Centre at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad. Activists say Rajasthan has had high enrolment rates under the RTE Act because its cap on annual household income that qualifies children for RTE is higher than in many other states, leading to exploitation of the mandate. Rajasthan government officials have said the new order will benefit the very poor people in the state. "The number of applications under the RTE was becoming huge and BPL people were being left out," Rajendra Singh Rathore, a spokesman for the state government, told the NDTV news channel. More than 300 million Indians are estimated to live below the poverty line, which is based on various metrics including land ownership and access to sanitation. But many of Rajasthan's poor do not have a BPL card, Singh said. "It is absolutely the wrong criterion for RTE," Singh said. "The government's failure to put a proper system in place will now deprive many poor kids of the right to education." ($1 = 66.19 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Rina Chandran, editing by Tim Pearce. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org to see more stories.)
(Reuters) - Michigans attorney general will announce criminal charges on Wednesday connected to his investigation into dangerous levels of lead in Flints drinking water, the Detroit Free Press reported on Tuesday.

The newspaper said that among those who will be charged by Attorney General Bill Schuette is a Flint city official who signed a document saying the homes Flint used to test tap water under federal guidelines all had lead service lines. Investigators allege the statement was false.

The newspaper cited three sources familiar with the investigation for its story.

Flint, a city of about 100,000 people, was under control of a state-appointed emergency manager in 2014 when it switched its source of water from Detroits municipal system to the Flint River to save money.

The river water was more corrosive than the Detroit supply and caused more lead to leach from its aging pipes. Lead can be toxic and children are especially vulnerable.

SLIDESHOW  Water crisis in Flint, Michigan >>>

Flint Water Plant water tower in Flint, Mich., on March 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The move has provoked a national controversy and prompted lawsuits by parents who say their children are showing dangerously high blood levels of lead.

The Free Press quoted two other sources familiar with the probe as saying Schuette would announce felony and misdemeanor charges against two to four people.

The investigation is continuing and more charges are expected, sources told the newspaper. The charges will be brought against people connected with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the city of Flint.

Schuette, a Republican who is widely expected to run for governor in 2018, opened an investigation in January. A spokesman for Schuette could not be immediately reached for comment.

The Free Press reported that a person familiar with the matter said that other parts of Michigan state and Flint city government remained under investigation.

Flint went back to Detroit water in October.

(Reporting by Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Washington (AFP) - Michigan filed the first criminal charges Wednesday in the scandal over lead contamination of Flint's water supply, accusing a city official and two state regulators of falsifying tests and tampering with evidence.

State attorney general Bill Schuette said the three knowingly misled local, state and federal officials about lead levels in the water supply of Flint, an economically depressed majority black city of 100,000 where people have resorted to using bottled water.

More than 8,000 children are believed to have drunk the tainted city water -- which unbeknownst to the public had soaring lead levels for months before it was discovered -- triggering fears about a sickened generation in Flint.

"So many things went so terribly wrong and tragically wrong in Flint," Schuette said in announcing felony and misdemeanor charges against state regulators Stephen Busch and Michael Prysby and Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow.

The charges, which carry up to five years in prison, were the first produced by the state and federal probes launched after the high lead levels were disclosed by citizen activists in October.

The tainted water stemmed from a decision to shift Flint's water source from the Detroit River to the Flint River as part of cost-cutting measures ordered by state Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican who has consistently resisted calls to quit.

Experts believe the chemical-laced Flint River water corroded lead pipes, allowing large amounts of the chemical element to leach into the city's water.

Todd Flood, the special assistant attorney general who is investigating, warned that more charges were likely.

"We will turn over every stone. We'll go down every rabbit hole. This is just the first wave," he said.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said it was time "to stop the finger-pointing between the state and federal government" and get the city help.

"We haven't been able to drink our water. We haven't been able to cook with it and bathe with it," she said.

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"You start thinking: are we not American citizens? Aren't we worth this?"

- 'Altered test results' -

Experts say it will take years to replace the corroded water pipes in Flint, which has been blighted by high crime and a dwindling population since its auto industry collapsed from the late 1980s onwards -- a far cry from its heyday as the home of General Motors.

Snyder said "people deserved the truth," but denied wrongdoing.

"I have not been questioned or been interviewed at this point in time," he told a press conference. "People deserve the answers. They want accountable government and they should get it."

"If these accusations (against the three) are correct, this will take it to a whole new level," he added.

Schuette accused the two state regulators of "intentionally tampering with evidence of lead levels on certain water samples in homes of residents of Flint."

"We allege and we'll prove that Mr Busch and Mr Prysby altered test results, which endangered the health of families and citizens of flint," he said.

Prysby received an additional felony charge of authorizing the operation of the Flint water treatment center "knowing that the plant would fail to provide clean and safe drinking water to families of Flint."

"They had a duty to protect the health of families and citizens of Flint. They failed, they failed to discharge their duties," he said.

Glasgow, a supervisor at the Flint water treatment plant, was charged with "felony tampering with evidence by falsifying and altering reports" to the state's Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

He also received a misdemeanor charge of "willful neglect of duty."
In this occasional series, OZY takes to streets and neighborhoods across the globe to ask a simple question: How was your day?

Tikam Chand

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Its Monday and only 3 oclock, but already weve made photos for Australians, a couple from Bangalore, a family from Chennai, another from Bombay, plus a few British people. Theres no need for advertising! We  me and my brother Surendar  stand here on the street and people come to us to have their pictures taken. Just one minute, please, some are coming now. See, old camera!

Its also a darkroom  and my temple. And my money box!

Look here: This is a good time of day, the morning, when the light hits right. This is a camera from the 1860s, and Im the third generation to use it. My grandfather used it, then my father. This lens, see? Its German. This is called a box camera. All it takes is eight minutes to expose the image. Inside the box, we can take the picture, and its also a darkroom  and my temple. And my money box!

We make around 3,000 or 4,000 rupees ($45$60) a day, but it depends. Each small photo is 200 rupees and each larger one is 300 rupees. We have to work harder during the summer, because no one wants to visit Jaipur. Its too hot  this is the desert. Now is a good time for tourists to come because its winter. It even gets a little cold.

I wake up around 5:30 in the morning and come seven kilometers from Shastri Nagar on my cycle. I stand outside the Hawa Mahal, the palace from so many years ago. My wife is a private teacher  shed like to work for the government, but what will they pay? Nothing. We have children, and they study in college. You know, its good. But this camera has been with us for three generations. The fourth generation, theyre just not so interested.

OK, now you sit on that chair there. You know, this chair is also 90 years old. Look off to the side. Up in the corner. Look at Surendar. One-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight, OK, done.

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Come see. Now we have the negative and we can put it in the water to wash it off. Well wait a few minutes, then well put it up on the wooden stage in front of the camera lens, and that exposes it. This one is underexposed, so we have to put some chemicals on it to take care of that.

Hang on  some people are coming: See old camera! Old camera! Woo-hoo, woo-hoo, over here! Bah. OK, not today. Anyway, we are a big deal: You know whos coming next? Bollywood! Theyre coming to film. Vinod Khanna and Salman Khan, maybe. I dont know exactly, but there will be some big stars. Some documentarians from Ukraine and Brazil are also interested in seeing this. People very much like the old ways.

As told to Sanjena Sathian and translated from Hinglish.

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Six years ago today, on April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and spewing 205 million gallons of crude oil for 87 days, devastating wildlife and coastal communities.

Now it appears that it will likely take 40 to 50 years for the hardest-hit populations of common bottlenose dolphins to recover from the disaster on their own, according to a new study led by Kathleen Colegrove, a veterinarian pathologist for on ateam of nearly 20 researchers examining dolphin deaths in the oil spill zone.

That recovery may seem long, but because of the effects she has seen in adult dolphin females and stillborn or newborn dolphins, Colegrove thinks that the estimates are accurate. Reproductive effects have long-standing consequences, she said.

Six years after the disaster, researchers are finding long-term damage in a broad group of marine creatures.

In a research summary, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration didnt pull any punches. Current evidence suggests that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is a contributor to the largest and longest-lasting die-off in the Gulf of Mexico, scientists wrote. They summarized the body of work about dolphins as a picture of chronic poor health, failed pregnancies, and increased mortality of coastal bottlenose dolphins in the aftermath and footprint of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

A government document called the Programmatic Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan carefully outlines the injuries that the spill caused as it released an average of more than 1.5 million gallons of oil into the Gulf every day, creating a detectable oil slick the size of Virginia that was visible along the coastline and in the water long after the well was capped.

Earlier in April, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier approved an $8.8 billion settlement with oil giant BP, the party that he ruled was primarily responsible for the spill. The U.S. Department of the Interior will use that money to implement the restoration plan.

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Colegroves work builds on a large body of research showing how the enormous spill affected dolphins. To date, the data show that Louisianas estuary dolphins, which live closest to the shore, were killed by the oil at high rates and are struggling to carry their babies to term.

RELATED: The Battle to Control the Storyand Scienceof the Deepwater Horizon Catastrophe

The oil particularly devastated the pods of bottlenose dolphins that live in Barataria Bay, just off the southeastern coast of Louisiana, which died at a 35 percent higher rate and saw nearly a 50 percent drop in reproductive success, according to research published last year. Those numbers wont rebound anytime soon because dolphins are slow to mature and have 380-day pregnancies.

People may grieve dolphin mortalities more than those of other creatures. I think people feel a kinship with dolphins because of their intelligence and their charismatic personalities, Colegrove said. But the overall findingsthat the oil spill depleted key populationsare echoed in hundreds of other species, even the horsefly that two Louisiana State University Agricultural Center researchers have been studying.

Claudia Husseneder and Lane Foil have found that in oiled wetlands, the population of the greenhead horsefly crashed and few of its larvae grew. While nobody cares much about this bloodsucking nemesis, this species is a bioindicator of the food web in marshes, Husseneder said.

The damage assessments list of injuries is long: damaged gills and livers in the southern flounder; adverse effects at all oyster life stages; DNA damage in freshwater turtles; anemia, liver dysfunction, and alterations in heart function in birds; and growth and reproductive issues in fish, such as the juvenile red drum, Pacific white shrimp, Gulf killifish].

Not all of the Gulfs 22 species of marine mammals are as easy to find as its bottlenose dolphins. The others were tracked through audio recorders and catalogs of visual sightings. Researchers have determined that the endangered sperm whale, though it lives farther from shore, lost 7 percent of its population and will take an estimated 21 years to recover. Brydes whales, a large, filter-feeding baleen, lost 22 percent of its population and will take 69 years to recover, the plan estimates.

BP has consistently denied any culpability for animal die-offs. In the case of dolphins, BP spokesperson Geoff Morrell has said that nothing definitively links sickness and death in the Gulfs dolphins to exposure from the well.

Sometimes it is tough to refute Morrells statements, because while the massive amounts of data collected by researchers have long been available online, some researchers who worked on the damage assessment have been barred from speaking with reporters about their research until the long-running litigation over the spill concludes.

Demetri Spryopoulos, Alexis Temkin, and other scientists from the University of South Carolina are using stem cells from sentinel animalsdolphins, whales, American alligators, and humansto test reactions to dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, or DOSS, an ingredient in Corexit, a dispersant used to clean up the spill. The South Carolina team has identified the compound as a likely obesogen, an endocrine disruptor that has the potential to alter a fetus stem cells, making them more likely to become fat cells. What doesnt kill you makes you fatter, team members sometimes quip.

Such effects could be generational in oil-exposed people, leading to more newborns that are predisposed to obesity, they said.

Colegroves team also is looking at the long-term effects both of dolphin fetuses exposed to oil and of adult dolphins chronically sickened by oilmost often through damage to lung and adrenal glandsto the point where the mammals struggle to reproduce. Her team found that 22 percent of dolphins from the oil-spill zone had bacterial pneumonia, compared with 2 percent outside the zone. While 15 percent of stillborn and juvenile dolphins found outside the spill zone had abnormal lungs, 88 percent in the zone had such abnormalities, including partially or completely collapsed lungs.

We found fetal distress and infections in wombs that led to failures, said Colegrove, who added that she encountered some of the worse lung lesions shed ever seen. And that was consistent with what wed seen in previous studies. Its the downstream effects of having a sick mom.

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Original article from TakePart
Half a billion. Minimum. Thats how much funding Donald Trump is likely to need if he becomes the GOP presidential nominee and runs against Hillary Clinton in the fall.

The estimate comes from Anthony Scaramucci, founder of the hedge fund Skybridge Capital, whos a prominent Republican donor. If you do the math, hell need 15,000 $33,000 checks, Scaramucci tells me in the video above. Thats $495 million. Hes late to the party on that. If hes going to be the nominee, he needs to start organizing that now.

Scaramucci is referring to the maximum amount individual donors can give each year to the Republican and Democratic National Committees, which is $33,400. The party committees play a large role in funding the presidential campaigns, and the donation limit is the highest for any committee thats allowed to be directly involved with a campaign. Super PACs have no limit on donations, but theyre not supposed to coordinate (wink, wink) with the candidates campaign committees.

So far, Trump has loaned his committee about $25 million of his own money, and drawn another $10 million in donations from supporters. And hes pledged to spend as much as $100 million of Trumpbucks on the race. But even if he did, hed fall way short of the scratch typically spent on a presidential race. In 2012, for instance each side spent roughly $1 billion.

That means Trump, if hes the nominee, will need help raising money from the Republican establishment hes been feuding with. Trump, for instance, has called the RNCs rules for selecting a candidate rigged. He has also mocked many of the partys big donors, who have so far blown more than $200 million on super PACs supporting failed candidates long gone from the race.

Some big donors seem to feel burned by the millions theyve donated to losing candidates, and reluctant to keep spending so lavishly. Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, for instance, spent about $100 million supporting super PACs affiliated with Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney in 2012. So far, he has sat out the 2016 election, giving to nobody. But Scaramucci (who previously backed Scott Walker and Jeb Bush in the 2016 race and admits hes 0 for 2) thinks wealthy donors will back Trump, as he long as he asks for their help. There will be plenty of money for these candidates, including candidate Trump, he says.

Story continues

Assuming Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, shell need to raise just as much money as her Republican opponent, if not more. But Clinton would start out with the full support of the Democratic National Committee and a large, well-oiled network of donors. Shes also got a huge head-start on super PAC funding, since the main Democratic group supporting her has about $45 million in the bankand a lot more where that came from.

Trump may need to renege on his earlier pledge to forego super PAC support, and enlist megadonors to help fund turnout efforts, attack ads aimed at Clinton, and other types of politicking super PACs typically do. But Trump's deft exploitation of media coverage -- which earns him far more airtime than other candidates -- effectively counts as free publicity. And Scaramucci says Trump's fame as the star of the reality show "The Apprentice" since 2004 could compensate for the absence of a super PAC, if Trump goes without. He built his presence ... with 15 million national viewers and a brand that stretches across the globe, Scaramucci says. Its a brilliant strategy. It might also save Republican donors some money this fall.

Rick Newmans latest book is Liberty for All: A Manifesto for Reclaiming Financial and Political Freedom. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman.
Berlin (AFP) - Borussia Dortmund will face Bayern Munich in the German Cup final on May 21 after their comprehensive 3-0 semi-final win at Hertha Berlin on Wednesday.

A first-half goal by Gonzalo Castro, plus late second-half strikes from wingers Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan sealed Dortmund's deserved win at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

The victory sends Thomas Tuchel's Dortmund team back to the same Cup final venue in a month's time.

"I am very happy with the manner and vein of the victory," said Tuchel as his side exorcised the bitter disappointment of last Thursday's 4-3 Europa League defeat at Liverpool.

"I need to pay the team a really fat compliment. We deserved the win."

Munich's 2-0 win over Werder Bremen on Tuesday means that Germany's top two teams will meet again when Dortmund play Bayern in a repeat of the 2012 and 2014 Cup finals.

"The joy at reaching the final is huge. That will again be an interesting game," said Dortmund's goal-scorer Reus ahead of their showdown with Bayern.

Dortmund were dealt a blow before kick-off as top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dropped out with a foot injury.

Tuchel had said the Gabon international, who has scored 37 goals in all competitions, had the all clear to play despite breaking off the last five minutes of Monday's training session.

But the knock flared up an old injury Aubameyang picked up in their quarter-final win over Stuttgart in February.

His place against Hertha went to Colombia striker Adrian Ramos, who scored twice in Sunday's 3-0 league win over Hamburg.

Aubameyang had netted in each of Dortmund's last seven German Cup games dating back to the start of last season.

Dortmund took the lead when Mkhitaryan won the ball on the right, Shinji Kagawa fired in the cross and Castro was unmarked on the edge of the area to blast home on 21 minutes.

It was a weak start from Hertha who seemed overawed by the occasion at their sold out 76,233 stadium as Dortmund dominated the early stages.

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Borussia then scored two goals in the final 15 minutes to deny Hertha their dream of a first Cup final appearance at their own ground since 1993.

Nearly 23 years ago, their reserve team made a shock run to the final when they lost to Bayer Leverkusen.

It remains the only time a reserve team has managed the feat in Germany and it is 37 since year since Hertha's first team last reached the final.

"We had a chance today and my team played to their limits," said Hertha coach Pal Dardai.

"At the end of the day, you have to say Dortmund were too quick for us, you could feel something was missing."

A slip by Hertha's US defender John Anthony Brooks on 75 minutes allowed Reus the space in the area to fire home Kagawa's final pass.

Dortmund then completed the rout when Mkhitaryan finished off a good counter-attack with Reus again popping up to provide the final pass with the Hertha defence in tatters.

Dortmund will hope for a repeat of their impressive 5-2 win over Bayern in the 2012 final when striker Robert Lewandowski netted a hat-trick against his future employers.

Munich then claimed revenge two years ago with a 2-0 extra-time win in the 2014 final.
A year ago, Russia and Turkey were preparing a "strategic partnership" cemented by energy. Now, after Russian military strikes in Syria and violations of Turkish airspace, the relationship is getting a whole lot chillier.

A Dutch court threw Russia an unexpected lifeline Wednesday in a $50 billion arbitration case, pushing a decade-long legal saga into further appeals that could drag on for years.

The dispute  the biggest arbitration case in history  deals with the fate of now-defunct Yukos, once Russias biggest oil company. Moscow seized the firm in 2003, allegedly for tax fraud, and threw Yukos boss and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky into prison in Siberia.

Shareholders of Yukos took the case to international arbitration in the Hague and won a landmark ruling in the summer of 2014 that found that Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin had gobbled up Yukos for political reasons. Under that ruling, former Yukos shareholders can grab Russian assets anywhere in the world to the tune of $50 billion as compensation for Russias seizure of Yukos.

But on Wednesday, the District Court of the Hague essentially questioned the 2014 ruling. Under the terms of the Energy Charter Treaty, which Russia signed but never ratified, foreign investors can seek legal protection if they feel theyve been wronged. The court ruled that the treaty did not apply to Russia, meaning that Yukos shareholders cant seek legal redress internationally.

The district court ruling is a small setback, not a defeat, for Yukos shareholders. The broader 2014 ruling still stands while the case is being appealed. This means that Yukos shareholders can still continue to pursue Russian assets abroad, unless and until some local court says they cant, and have already targeted some Russian assets in Belgium and France. Shareholders are also seeking to get the 2014 ruling enforced in other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, which could open the door to more asset seizures.

Tim Osborne, director of GML, the company that held the bulk of Yukos shares, said in a statement: We will appeal this surprise decision by the Hague Court and have full faith that the rule of law and justice will ultimately prevail.

Story continues

The case has had both financial and political repercussions. Russia reacted angrily to the 2014 ruling and threatened countries that sought to comply with it. Russia also drafted its own legislation last year that allows it to grab any assets belonging to foreign companies, an eye-for-an-eye response to the Hagues ruling.

Despite the small victory Russia won on Wednesday, its reputation is already sullied among foreign investors; kicking the resolution of the Yukos case further down the road probably wont change that.

Whether or not the Russian state will be held liable is increasingly becoming a moot point, said Sijbren de Jong, an analyst at the Hague Center for Strategic Studies. The whole Yukos ordeal, coupled with the Kremlins adventurous foreign policy and the international sanctions that came in response, have already done tremendous damage to the countrys investment profile abroad.

The District Court ruled on a seemingly arcane point that Russia, which is no longer part of the Energy Charter Treaty, is not bound by its provisions, even though it was a signatory to the treaty when it snatched up Yukos. Lawyers for GML noted that the original arbitration panel already considered that question and found that Russia was bound by its provisions.

Wednesdays ruling seems to contradict the treaty, which explicitly ensures protection for investors for a period of up to 20 years  even before a country ratifies the treaty, and even if a country later abandons it. Russia ditched the Energy Charter Treaty in 2009.

The courts reading is strange, de Jong said. Russia provisionally applied the provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty for years, right up to August 2009, when it abandoned the treaty altogether, he said. How can you formally terminate something you claim you are not bound by?

Photo credit: IVAN SEKRETAREV/AFP/Getty
Today in One Paragraph

Voters in New York head to the polls for the states primary. UnitedHealth, the largest health insurer in the United States, announced it will exit some Obamacare markets by 2017. Former New York Police Department officer Peter Liang wont serve jail time in the shooting death of Akai Gurley. The Senate has taken up energy reform legislation, which, if passed, would be the first of its kind in nearly a decade. And dozens were killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistans capital.

Top News

Primary in the Empire State. New Yorkers from both parties will cast their ballots in the states closed primary. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, who have both experienced stiff competition in the past few weeks, are expected to do well in the state, which could help them get their grooves back. Polls close at 9 p.m. ET. Join us here as we follow it live. (The Atlantic)

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UnitedHealth to Withdraw from Most States. The nations largest health insurer plans to pull out of most of the 34 states where it currently offers health-care plans under the Affordable Care Act by 2017. The company has reported financial losses from the exchanges and expects to lose some $650 million this year. ( Carolyn Y. Johnson, The Washington Post)

Peter Liang Sentenced. A judge ruled that Peter Liang, the former New York Police Department officer convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting 28-year-old Akai Gurley in the stairwell of a housing project in 2014, will not be serving jail time. Liang will serve five years of probation and 800 hours of community service after Judge Danny Chun reduced Liangs second-degree manslaughter charge to criminally negligent homicide. (Chris Fuchs, NBC News)

Bipartisan Energy Bill. The Senate revived a comprehensive energy reform bill that, if passed later this week, will be the first of its kind in nearly a decade. The bipartisan measure aims to upgrade the nations aging infrastructure and increase energy efficiency in federal buildings, among other things. (Catherine Traywick, Bloomberg)

Story continues

Taliban Militants Strike Kabul. At least 28 people were killed and more than 300 were wounded in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan's capital, authorities said. The attack targeted the headquarters of an elite military unit, according to an Afghan interior ministry spokesman. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. (The Guardian)

Recommended: How Sanders Could Hurt His Credibility by Staying in the U.S. Presidential Race

Tomorrow in One Paragraph. Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz will be campaigning in Pennsylvania, and Donald Trump will be in Maryland and Indiana. President Obama will arrive in Saudi Arabia to meet with King Salman and other policy makers.

Follow stories throughout the day with our new Politics & Policy page. And keep on top of the campaign with our 2016 Distilled election dashboard.

Top Read

According to interviews with more than a dozen operativesincluding several who oppose Trump, some who support him and the leaders of some prominent D.C. political shopssome of those who go to work for Trump face an implicit, and occasionally overt, threat: Help Trump, and youll never work in this town again. Politicos Kenneth P. Vogel and Shane Goldmacher on why some political operatives are distancing themselves from the Republican front-runner.

Top Lines

What If Jail Ran Like a Business? Heres how a Bexar County Sheriff is trying to make one San Antonio jail function more like a corporationa strategy that tests whether jails can be viewed as providing a service to a population, rather than simply doling out punishment. (Juleyka Lantigua-Williams, The Atlantic)

The Trump Shake-Up. To maintain his lead, Donald Trump is revamping his campaign strategy in two ways: transferring power among his campaign managers and aiming to woo as many delegates as possible before the Republican convention. (Tina Ngyuen, Vanity Fair)

Top Views

Who Would Liz Lemon Vote For? Check out this list of famous fictional New Yorkers to see who theyd likely support in the states presidential primary. (Nate Jones, Vulture)

We want to hear from you! Were reimagining what The Edge can be, and would love to receive your complaints, compliments, and suggestions. Tell us what youd like to find in your inbox by sending a message to newsletters@theatlantic.com.

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San Salvador (AFP) - El Salvador on Wednesday deployed a new, heavily armed elite force of soldiers and police to hunt down gangs that have turned the country into one of the world's deadliest.

The unit, made up of 600 army commandos and 400 police officers with assault rifles, helicopters and armored trucks with guns, is the sharp edge of a strong-arm campaign by the government to curb the gangs.

"We are going to go after them in the countryside and in the city," Vice President Oscar Ortiz said.

"We are going to hit those who try to create disorder."

Fed with intelligence, the force's mission is to "detect the 100 main bosses who are not yet detained with the aim of detaining them and neutralizing their activity of leading their criminal organizations," police chief Howard Cotto told a news conference.

The Central American country is ranked as the most dangerous nation not at war because of a murder rate of 104 per 100,000 inhabitants. There are around 22 murders a day.

Most of the bloodshed is blamed on the vicious gangs, which were imported into the country by Salvadoran members deported from the United States in the 1990s.

El Salvador has in recent weeks stepped up its fight against the gangs. Three weeks ago it introduced a new law isolating jailed crime bosses by limiting their movements and family visits, and blocking cellphone signals from their prisons.

Several of the main gangs declared a halt to murders in a bid to blunt the authorities' campaign against them, but the government has ignored that.

"We cannot yield to those who scorn life. We cannot yield to those who scorn the law and who, irrationally, every day, take the lives of children, of youths, of families," Ortiz said.

The United States is working to give El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala -- collectively known as the "Northern Triangle" -- $750 million in aid to help prevent many there fleeing violence and poverty and trying to reach America.

Story continues

El Salvador's new Special Reaction Force is based in barracks in northeastern San Salvador, a facility that housed the notorious -- and later banned -- National Guard during the country's 1980-1992 civil war.

It will in particular go after gang members trying to take refuge in remote rural areas or in mountains, officials said.

But it will also be available for urban operations.

There are an estimated 70,000 gang members in El Salvador, around 20 percent of whom are behind bars.
When there's smoke, there's usually fire. And when it comes to Apple's long-rumored car project, there's a whole a lot of smoke. Just yesterday, word broke that Apple has a top-secret design lab in Berlin, Germany where a team of 15-20 engineers with deep experience in the auto industry are busy working on projects relating to Apple's electric car initiative. And earlier today, a new report from Electrek relays that Apple just poached an extremely senior Tesla engineer named Chris Porritt.

DON'T MISS: 5 hidden Galaxy S7 features I wish my iPhone had

During his stint at Tesla, Porritt served as the company's VP of Vehicle Engineering where his work centered on the Model S and the Model X. Before that, Porritt was the chief engineer over at Aston Martin, a position that followed a 10 year stint as a principal engineer at Land Rover.

So while Elon Musk previously quipped that the only engineers that go to Apple are the ones who can't make it at Tesla, Porrit's experience and position at Tesla certainly indicates otherwise. In fact, Porritt revealed in a 2015 interview that he typically meets with Musk "three or four times a week", while also adding that the two are "absolutely on the same page."

Coincidentally (or not), a recent report claimed that Steve Zadesky, the Apple executive believed to be leading Project Titan, left the company earlier this year. If Zadesky indeed left the company, it would make newly hired Porritt Apples most senior car guy and a likely candidate to lead the Cupertino companys electric car initiative. While his expertise could be useful in plenty of hardware engineering roles, he had a focus on vehicle dynamics, vehicle architecture and vehicle packaging throughout his long career.

As for when we might see a legit Apple Car hit the road, some of the more optimistic reports we've seen have pointed to a 2019 release. When asked about Apple's car plans during a shareholders meeting earlier this year, Tim Cook hinted that we probably shouldn't expect any announcements any time soon.

Story continues

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook employed a bit of wit when an investor asked him today about the long-rumored Apple Car at todays annual shareholders meeting in Cupertino.

Do you remember when you were a kid and Christmas Eve was so exciting?" Cook asked rhetorically. "You werent sure what was going on downstairs? Well, its going to be Christmas Eve for a while.

Meanwhile, you might recall that Elon Musk, despite the aforementioned swipe at Apple engineers, welcomes Apple's foray into the EV world.

"I encourage more participation by whoever it is to create electric vehicles, Musk said in an interview earlier this year. Its quite hard to do, but I think companies like Apple will probably make a compelling electric car. It seems like the obvious thing to do.

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Addis Ababa (AFP) - Ethiopian troops have crossed into South Sudan in search of children abducted by armed men from across the border last week, a government spokesman said Wednesday.

"The army has been conducting reconnaissance missions in South Sudan and they have a clear idea of where the children are," Ethiopia's Communications Minister Getachew Reda told AFP.

"We have sought approval of the government of South Sudan to conduct these operations, he added.

More than 200 people were killed and 102 children abducted by armed men from South Sudan in a cross-border raid into Ethiopia on April 15.

The assailants, armed with Kalashnikov rifles killed anyone who opposed them, according to witnesses. They also stole over 2,000 livestock.

Ethiopian officials blame Murle tribesmen from South Sudan for a series of deadly attacks on Ethiopian villages in the western Gambella region.

The Murle, a tribe from South Sudan based in the eastern Jonglei region close to the Ethiopian border, often stage raids to steal cattle and abduct children but rarely on such a large or deadly scale.

The Addis Ababa government had already said that its army was in pursuit of the attackers, but had not previously revealed that its troops crossed the border to hunt for them.

According to Ethiopia's Fana radio, the army has already encircled the area where the abducted children are being detained and begun operations to rescue them.

Reda didn't confirm these reports however.

Last week's deadly raid has unleashed a wave of anger and boosted fears that the civil war raging in South Sudan could spill over the border.

Ethiopia has been heavily involved in the South Sudan peace process, partly because of the risk that the conflict could destabilise Gambella, 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the frontier.

After winning independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan descended into war two years later, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that have split the poverty-stricken country along ethnic lines.

Tens of thousands have been killed and over two million people forced to flee their homes.

Both the government and rebel sides have been accused of perpetrating ethnic massacres, recruiting and killing children and carrying out widespread rape, torture and forced displacement of populations to "cleanse" areas of their opponents.
The European Commission on Wednesday formally accused Google of antitrust violations, saying in a so-called statement of objections that the online giant has been abusing the dominance of its Android mobile operating system.

Specifically, the Commission claimed Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc., were stifling competition by their business practices, including requiring phone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Google's Chrome browser on their devices and requiring them to set Google Search as their default search service as a condition to license certain Google proprietary apps and preventing manufacturers from selling smart mobile devices running on competing operating systems based on the Android open source code. Because Google has a near-monopoly on the markets for general Internet search services, licensable smart mobile operating systems and app stores for the Android mobile operating system, with a more than 90 percent share of each in Europe, the Commission says Google's activities violate European anti-trust law.

"A competitive mobile internet sector is increasingly important for consumers and businesses in Europe," said EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, in a statement. "Based on our investigation thus far, we believe that Google's behavior denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players, in breach of EU antitrust rules. These rules apply to all companies active in Europe. Google now has the opportunity to reply to the Commission's concerns."

In a blog post in response to Wednesday's announcement, Kent Walker, Senior Vice President & General Counsel at Google, said the company takes the Commission's objections "seriously, but we also believe that our business model keeps manufacturers' costs low and their flexibility high, while giving consumers unprecedented control of their mobile devices.". Walker said Google was looking forward to working with the European Commission "to demonstrate the careful way we've designed the Android model in a way that's good for competition and for consumers."

The statement of objections is the latest step in a formal investigation by the EU into Google's alleged anti-trust violations. Google now has the opportunity to reply to the allegations in writing and to request a hearing to present their comments on the case. Today's announcement does not mean the Commission will proceed with formal charges against Google or Alphabet.

The EU Commission is also carrying out separate investigations into Google practices in other areas, including Google allegedly giving favorable treatment to its own specialized services in Google Search, and concerns regarding use of rival's web content.

A year ago, the Commission, the EU's body dealing with antitrust issues, had said that Google has been using its position in internet search to favor its own services and unveiled the probe into Android. It is concerned that the online giant has been using its market position to give unfair prominence to its search, maps and other apps in software licensing deals with mobile phone companies that use the Android system. The Commission highlighted that those deals require companies to offer Google apps in addition to others they choose to provide.

The news, announced by EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager in Brussels, comes after a nearly six-year investigation and various antitrust complaints in Europe against the company.

The Commission usually gives companies accused of antitrust violations 10 weeks or more to respond to charges and gives them a chance to request a hearing. Google could also appeal a final decision, meaning the overall process could take years, said one analyst.

Android has become the dominant mobile software in recent years. Android accounts for 71 percent of operating systems used on mobile phones in Western Europe, above the 59 percent figure for the U.S., according to data from research firm IDC.

If the EU ends up finding Google guilty of antitrust violations, it could force it to change the way it does business and fine it. Fines can go to up to 10 percent of a company's total revenue. Based on 2015 revenue, that could bring a Google fine to $7.4 billion.

The Google investigations have been the largest antitrust case in Europe since regulators levied nearly $2 billion in fines against Microsoft over a decade ago.

EU regulators have been targeting U.S. technology giants and what they perceive as their dominance that affects access to digital services in the 28 EU member countries. Among others, Facebook has faced privacy complaints, while Apple and Amazon have been criticized for favorable tax deals in Europe.

Read More: EU Accuses Google of Antitrust Violations, Opens Android Probe
The Daily Beast

Emily Elconin/GettyThe far-right ReAwaken America gathering in Manheim, Pennsylvania, this weekend wasnt your typical pro-Trump rally.It was a whole different level of crazy.The QAnon-peppered programming frequently flew off the rails Saturday, as speakers took severe issue with everything from McDonalds being part of the deep state to demonic satellites controlling the voting system in the United States.The days activities kicked off with a prayer asking for Trumps eyes to be opened s
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said he hoped that visa requirements for Ukrainians could be lifted "very, very soon" following Wednesday's legislative proposal by the EU executive. The proposal to allow short-term tourist and business travel for Ukrainians holding biometric passports had been expected and now requires endorsement by EU member states and the European Parliament. In the face of concerns about migration, the Commission stressed that the measure did not give Ukrainians the right to live or work in the bloc. (Reporting by Alastair Macdonald; editing by Philip Blenkinsop)
Brussels (AFP) - EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini stressed that the European Union does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the annexed territory would "forever" remain in his country's hands.

"The EU recognises Israel within its pre-1967 borders, whatever the government's claims on other areas, until a final settlement is concluded," Mogherini said.

"And this is a common consolidated position of the European Union and its member states," she added ahead of a meeting in Brussels for international donors supporting the Palestinian economy.

Netanyahu's cabinet on Sunday held its first meeting in the Golan Heights, territory seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.

"The Golan Heights will remain in the hands of Israel forever," Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting, in comments broadcast on public radio.

Bashar al-Jaafari, Syria's envoy to the United Nations, denounced the meeting as an "irresponsible provocation", while Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi called it an "escalation".

Israel seized 1,200 square kilometres (460 square miles) of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War and later annexed it, a move never recognised by the international community.
By Francesco Guarascio and Renee Maltezou BRUSSELS/ATHENS (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers are ready to hold an extraordinary meeting next week if negotiations on the review of the Greek reform program are concluded, a senior EU official said on Wednesday, commenting that talks remained difficult. Discussions between Greek authorities and international lenders have resumed this week in Athens with the aim to conclude a reform review which is a condition to release more bailout money to Greece. "If there is so much progress that a conclusion of the negotiation can be rationally expected, then I would expect there to be a Eurogroup sometime next week," the senior official said. Negotiations in Athens are however not smooth, EU and Greek officials said. "I have hopes but no expectations that they would wrap up everything before the Eurogroup on Friday," the source said referring to the regular meeting of euro zone finance ministers to be held in Amsterdam on April 22. An option is that negotiations would resume in Athens after the Eurogroup this week, to reach a technical deal that would then be finalised by a new extraordinary meeting of euro zone finance ministers next week, the official said. The main sticking point in the talks in Athens concerns fiscal issues, as euro zone lenders and the International Monetary Fund continue to battle on Greece's primary surplus, with the IMF considering EU figures too optimistic. A Greek government official said on Wednesday that the left-led government and its lenders had agreed to raise value added tax to 24 percent from 23 percent as part of tax reforms aimed at saving 1 percent of gross domestic product. The participants still disagreed on whether the tax-free threshold should be decreased to about 8,000 euros from 9,545 euros, as demanded by its lenders. Athens has suggested a reduction to about 9,000 euros. Other open issues remained the management of bad loans and pension reforms, from which Athens plans to save another one percent of GDP. DEBT HURDLE Talks are complicated by the need to find a deal on how and when to reduce Greece's huge public debt. The IMF wants a compromise on this issue before concluding the review, while euro zone countries, and in particular Germany, want to first end the review and then start talking about a possible debt relief for Athens. "There are huge differences in attitudes towards debt-related measures between institutions, member states and the like, and the range is quite significant," the senior EU official said. Echoing German positions, Finland's Finance Minister Alexander Stuff said on Wednesday that there is very little room to maneuver on Greece's debt relief. "We will overcome this difficult turning point and a very crucial discussion for the debt relief will start," Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told Greek lawmakers on Wednesday. (Additional reporting Jan Strupczewski in Brussels and Tuomas Forsell in Helsinki; editing by Ralph Boulton)
(Reuters) - Five ex-New Orleans police officers pleaded guilty on Wednesday to various charges in connection with the killings of two unarmed people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a federal prosecutor said.

The former officers were convicted in 2011 over an incident in which police fired on unarmed people walking over the city's Danziger Bridge in September 2005. A retrial was later ordered due to prosecutorial misconduct.

They were responding to a report of gunfire after the devastating hurricane flooded the city and triggered looting and other mayhem. In addition to the two people killed, four others were also seriously injured.

Under the plea deal, the four men involved in the shootings - Kenneth Bowen, Robert Faulcon, Robert Gisevius and Anthony Villavaso - pleaded guilty to depriving the victims of their civil rights, obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice, according to Kenneth Polite, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven to 12 years, a significant reduction from the initial terms which would have kept them incarcerated for decades.

"While this is certainly an imperfect resolution, today's proceeding ensures that these five defendants will be held accountable for their criminal actions," Polite told a news conference.

A fifth former officer, Arthur Kaufman, who was involved in covering up the crimes, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice and a related count of falsifying evidence, Polite said.

The mother of a 17-year-old who was killed, James Brissette, told reporters that the guilty pleas would bring her closure.

"I finally got what I wanted: someone to confess, 'I did it,'" said Sherrel Johnson. "That did my heart all the good in the world."

The case against a sixth former officer involved in the incident remains pending, Polite said.

The former officers were credited for time already served, according to the Times-Picayune/Nola.com. The four involved in the shooting have been jailed for nearly six years, the local news outlet reported.

(Reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa, Florida; editing by Paul Simao, Bernard Orr)
By Pamela Barbaglia, Julien Toyer and Andres Gonzalez LONDON/MADRID (Reuters) - Ck Hutchison Holdings <0001.HK> will not offer EU regulators further concessions to secure a takeover of Telefonica's O2 and is ready to challenge a rejection of its bid, sources familiar with the matter said. The Hong-Kong-based group still hopes to persuade the European Commission to allow its 10.3 billion pound ($15 billion) bid to become Britain's biggest mobile operator, which will cut the number of players from four to three. But although talks with Brussels are still going on, Hutchison, controlled by Asia's richest man, Li Ka-shing, will not offer any more concessions, two sources told Reuters. "Hutchison has gone out of its way to offer substantial remedies for the O2 deal. It will fight in court if EU regulators want to block the deal," one of the sources said. The proposed combination could pave the way for consolidation in other European markets, including Italy where Hutchison and Vimpelcom agreed last year to merge their mobile units. However, Britain's competition watchdog and telecoms regulator both oppose the deal, and their views may carry extra weight when a debate is raging in the country about the power wielded by Brussels ahead of a vote on EU membership in June. The EU antitrust watchdog is likely to decide on the deal in the coming weeks, with a formal decision expected by May 19. O2's owner Telefonica is increasingly worried it will have to abandon the deal, which values Britain's second largest mobile firm at about 7.5 times earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). That is a price that private equity firms would not be able to afford, sources familiar with the matter said. Hutchison and Telefonica both declined to comment on Wednesday, while a European Commission spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment TELEFONICA'S PLAN B Telefonica, which bought O2's assets in Britain, Germany and Ireland in 2005, is working on a contingency plan to cut debt and appease ratings agencies in case the deal with Hutchison falls through, one of the sources said. The source said a wide range of options were being looked at, but a fire sale of O2 or a dividend cut were off the table, although Telefonica would stick to a complementary dividend paid in shares and would not start paying it in cash as flagged. The contingency plan is designed to provide enough breathing space for Telefonica to review other strategic options for O2, which as well as a sale could also include merging it with another UK player such as Sky or TalkTalk . The proposed deal between Hutchison and Telefonica has led British regulators to voice concerns with the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and a call for the European Commission to prevent "long-term damage" to the UK mobile telecoms market. The CMA Chief Executive Alex Chisholm said last week that a merger was likely to lead to increased prices and/or a reduction in quality for UK consumers. But for Hutchison, it offers a unique opportunity to expand its European footprint and gain access to O2's 22 million subscribers, after consolidating the German and Irish markets. Hutchison is prepared to challenge any EU veto in court, one of the sources said, and a block to the deal could even prompt the diversified conglomerate to get out of British telecoms, where it already owns the Three network. An EU veto was also likely to color Hutchison's future negotiations with European regulators, making it reluctant to negotiate remedies for a long-awaited mobile deal in Italy, one of the sources said. Opposition to a planned merger in Denmark between TeliaSonera and Telenor led them to abandon their plans last year, raising concerns that larger mobile telecom deals might also run into trouble. Another rejection would signal that EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager is taking a harder line than predecessor Joaquin Almunia, who had approved similar mobile consolidation deals in Austria, Ireland and Germany. ($1 = 0.6952 pounds) (Additional reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Paris (AFP) - Medical experts said Tuesday that the death of a man in a French drug trial was likely caused by the compound itself, saying it was probably toxic.

Publishing their final report into January's drug trial in the western French city of Rennes, experts said the accident was "clearly linked to the compound tested."

Six volunteers were hospitalised after taking part in the trial, one of them was killed and four suffered brain damage.

"The most credible hypothesis is that the molecule itself was toxic," said the report ordered by French medical agency ANSM.

Lead author Bernard Begaud said the rules "generally seem to have been respected" in the trial run by Portuguese pharmaceutical firm Bial, even if "common sense" appeared to have been neglected.

The trial was testing a compound less efficient than another already on the market, and "no more effective than several others from the same family that had already been abandoned because they were ineffective," Begaud told AFP.

"The first recommendation is that at a minimum, it should be ensured that the medication has the chance of serving some purpose."

Bial welcomed the report, noting that it had "identified no failure to comply with current rules and guidelines."

The compound, BIA 10-2474, is part of a family of FAAH-enzyme inhibitors that can have an impact on pain and anxiety by boosting the endocannabinoid system involved in appetite control, pain sensation, mood and memory.

The experts said the problem with the drug was likely its poor ability to bind to its target, the FAAH enzyme.

Their report added that "a likely gradual accumulation in the brain" would explain "why the accident only occurred on the fifth day of the administration of a dose of 50 milligrammes and not in the volunteers who had received a single dose that was twice as strong."

They urged a tougher selection process for volunteers when testing drugs on humans for the first time.

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The dead man had previously suffered a head injury and another of the victims had hypertension, ailments that should have ruled them out, the report said.

"The seriousness of the accident at Rennes justifies changes to the regulations and international best practice," it said.

A total of 108 volunteers took part in the study. Ninety received the drug at varying doses, and the rest were given a placebo. Those hospitalised had received the highest dose.
Washington (AFP) - The family of US journalist Steven Sotloff, who was beheaded by the Islamic State group, has sued Syria on grounds it provided material support to the jihadist organization.

In a suit filed Monday in US District Court in Washington, Sotloff's parents and sister seek $90 million in damages from the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

It is not clear how the plaintiffs would collect the money if they win the case.

Sotloff entered Syria in August 2013 from Turkey and was abducted while traveling to the northern city of Aleppo. About a year later, he was beheaded and a video of the atrocity was released by the Islamic State group.

A few weeks earlier another American journalist, James Foley, was also beheaded by the Islamic State group.

The Sotloff lawsuit argues that Syria helped create and later assisted the Islamic State group as a "sham opponent" in the Syrian civil war, so as to bolster Assad's negotiating power with Western powers that wanted him to resign.

The murder of journalists such as Sotloff helped Assad because it shifted Western attention away from getting rid of Assad to defeating the Islamic State group, with Assad as "a necessary ally," the lawsuit states.

"Syria's material support for Daesh caused the abduction and murder of Steven Sotloff," the lawsuit says, using an acronym for the group that comes from its name in Arabic.

The suit says Syria has provided the jihadist group with financial support, materiel, and military air support, and with direct instructions through embedded intelligence officers.

The suit includes as footnotes quotes from US and British officials asserting that Assad and the Islamic State group are in fact in collusion financially, even as they ostensibly fight each other. Assad buys stolen oil from IS militants, and this exchange of cash for crude suits each side, this argument goes.

The lawsuit asserts that Syria can be sued in US federal court.

It also notes that Syria is on the US list of countries deemed as state sponsors of terrorism.
By Jim Finkle and Dustin Volz (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said on Wednesday it is studying mobile carriers' use of decades-old communications technology with known security bugs after "60 Minutes" reported it could be remotely exploited to spy on callers. The CBS news program "60 Minutes" on Sunday showed German computer scientist Karsten Nohl remotely spy on a mobile phone used by U.S. Representative Ted Lieu. The attack leveraged security bugs in a global telecommunications network known as Signaling System No. 7 or SS7, which is used to connect carriers to facilitate roaming, texting and other communications. David Simpson, head of the FCC's Public Safety Bureau, said in a statement that he had asked staff to review SS7, which he said had reached the end of its life, and the transition to more modern technologies. "The '60 Minutes' report highlights the inherent risk encountered when an end-of-life technology is incrementally replaced by a new one," he said. Nohl said he expects SS7 will be used for another 10 to 15 years and that its replacement, Diameter, is vulnerable to similar attacks. The bugs in both technologies can be mitigated with filters, firewalls and other security techniques, he said. Lieu, a Silicon Valley Democrat, this week called for the House Oversight Committee to investigate the flaw. A committee spokesman said it is reviewing Lieus request. Lieu said that U.S. intelligence agencies such as the National Security Agency may be exploiting the flaw for spying. Nohl said he eavesdropped on Lieu's device by sending SS7 messages prompting the carrier to grant him access to Lieu's devices. John Marinho, vice president with the Washington-based mobile industry group CTIA, said that Nohl was given "extraordinary access" to a German carrier's network. "That is the equivalent of giving a thief the keys to your house," she said. "That is not representative of how U.S. wireless operators secure and protect their networks." Nohl said malicious attackers could obtain similar results by hacking into a carrier's network, or paying somebody to do so. "Somebody gave me the keys to their house in Germany. From there, I could take a taxi, a flight, another taxi, and find that the door at AT&Ts headquarter is wide open," he said. The London-based GSMA, whose members include over 800 global carriers, said it has issued multiple alerts on SS7 vulnerabilities and ways to fix them since late 2014, when Nohl first publicized the vulnerability. (Corrects third paragraph to show that SS7 is a telecommunications network, not a mobile network.) (Reporting by Dustin Volz; Editing by Alan Crosby)
SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A uniformed policeman celebrated his gay civil union in Chile's capital, Santiago, on Wednesday, the first time a member of the force has taken advantage of a new law allowing civil partnerships in the conservative South American nation. Civil unions were approved by Chile's Congress last year after four years of legislative wrangling. The law, which took effect in October is seen as a big step forward for gay rights in conservative Chile. "To let everyone know that you're gay isn't easy, but if you have the support of friends, family, and the people that you know, there's no problem," said Hugo Alcalde, after celebrating his civil union with Jose Luis Valdes. "It's a weight off your shoulders." According to Rolando Jimenez, leader of the Chilean gay rights group, Movilh, the move represents a broader trend of police and military beginning to knock down barriers to inclusion. "So, this is an historic milestone, and we thank and value the bravery of this first officer to publicly take this step," he said. (Reporting by Reuters TV; Writing by Gram Slattery; Editing by Peter Cooney and Sandra Maler)
Washington (AFP) - There is an "emerging consensus worldwide" that the LGBT community should enjoy the same rights as everyone else, Washington's first envoy for gay rights said Wednesday, but warned transgender people are still too often victims of violence.

Openly gay Randy Berry made the remarks after spending an "extraordinary" year traveling around the globe to gauge the experiences of gays and transgender people in different countries.

"There at once is an emerging consensus worldwide that LGBTI persons should enjoy the same human rights as everyone else. And yet, there remain persistent levels of violence and discrimination, particularly targeting transgender individuals," he said.

Berry notably welcomed advances in Vietnam, Nepal, Mozambique and Botswana.

But he also singed out Russia and Nigeria as examples where "many governments use LGBTI issues as a political wedge to bolster their own positions."

And he added: "In sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, lesbians and transgender persons face incredibly high rates of violence and rape."

Members of the LGBT community continue to flee their homes or even their countries in some instances, sometimes in fear of their lives, said Berry, as is the case in parts of Syria and Iraq under the control of the Islamic State extremist group.

Berry is tasked with helping countries coordinate US strategy on rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, as well as to highlight such issues around the world.
Part of a weeklong series on poems and poets, sounds and sense.

Discovering a favorite poet is rare. It happens to me once every couple years. This despite the fact that I receive a poem in my inbox every day. I read attentively, but I am impatient. If something does not immediately fit itself into my lazy mental grooves, I am apt to move on. Its not fair, but there you have it.

Alvin Pang, however, would not let me move on. Each poem of his that I encountered caused me to read and reread, and I could not abandon his work on a screen or on the page. Ive found myself living with more than a few of his poems for weeks since first reading them. Singaporean Pang has shit to say, plain and simple  about modern identity in his country and worldwide, about what it takes to be a poet in a tiny country. And he wont waste your time with elegy or prettiness for its own sake.

alvin pang

Source: Alvin Pang

Pang shared some of that shit with me in person. He is lively and far from dreamy eyed: He answers emails faster than some startup founders and is on Twitter, and he keeps a day job as an editor of a public policy journal, rather than following the well-trod American path of teaching in a creative writing program while penning verse. This, he tells me, is probably better for his work, keeping him out of the vortex of artistic angst. Pang muses on the scholar-poet-administrator tradition of Tang China  these were people who had other things to do, which gives a kind of groundedness to his work. That sense of relevancy has paid off; Pang was published in the United Kingdom in 2012, an (unfortunately) huge and rare achievement for a poet from a small Asian nation, which was a kind of vindication after more than a decade of writing.

What else gives Pangs work a sense of the now? Perhaps the ethnic melange of Singapore, its ancestry as a British port city. Pang grew up around Malaysians, Indians and Chinese, and he takes me through a sophisticated history of the country, its traumatic divorce with Malaysia, its odd utopian obsession with racial harmony that requires every student to learn their ethnic mother tongue, but which oddly has someone like Pang  whose family spoke Cantonese  learning Mandarin, or north Indians learning Tamil. The country, he says, is very stage managed.

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But Pang can do himself justice, so well yield the floor to him. He reads five of his poems exclusively for OZY  five portals for you to enter his world, which feels a bit like sitting across from your most insightful friend at a cafe.

Success  This is the poem to give anyone stuck on the question, What do I do with my life? Its from Pangs collection What Gives Us Our Names, which is 42 pages long and turns abstract qualities such as passion and complacency into characters.

Alvin Pang reads

Race  A self-explanatory title, from the same collection as Success. Hand this poem to anyone who isnt sure what its like to feel other.

Alvin Pang reads

Candles  Pang writes this poem in Singlish, Singaporean English, a much-maligned local slang.

Alvin Pang reads

Other Things  This is one of Pangs most popular poems; people from India to the U.K. love it at readings. He tells me he doesnt know why exactly, but perhaps its because it combines beauty and relatability so easily. And yet, its not a simple poem.

Alvin Pang reads Other Things

So Many Ways Our Fathers Mark Us  Ah, yet another poem with a title that tells you why you should read it. Pang thinks about fathers often in his work.

Alvin Pang reads

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Washington (AFP) - The one-time slave turned abolitionist Harriet Tubman was named Wednesday as the new face of the $20 banknote, the first time an African American has featured on US currency.

A sweeping redesign of the US bills to be unveiled in four years will also protect Alexander Hamilton's central place on the $10 note, once thought threatened until Broadway's hit hip-hop musical "Hamilton" made the 18th century US finance chief a modern-day star.

Hamilton's latter-day successor, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, announced the changes slated for the $5, $10, and $20 notes after more than a year of lobbying and polling, with heavy pressure for a female figure to take place on a US banknote.

An open poll of more than 600,000 people had strongly favored Tubman, a hero to African Americans for her escape from slavery in Maryland in 1849 to help run the legendary Underground Railroad that helped thousands of slaves flee to freedom in the 19th century.

The announcement brought widespread cheers.

"A woman, a leader, and a freedom fighter. I can't think of a better choice for the $20 bill than Harriet Tubman," tweeted Hillary Clinton, the Democrat seeking to become the country's first female president.

Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, Bernie Sanders, echoed: "I cannot think of an American hero more deserving of this honor than Harriet Tubman."

- 'Role model' -

The plan originally was to revamp the $10 note in 2020, possibly having a woman share it with Hamilton, while the $20 bill, one of the world's most circulated banknotes, would wait another decade for redesign.

But the grassroots group Women On 20s launched a powerful campaign to get the $20 note revamp sped up, with a woman featured, in time for 2020, the 100th anniversary of American women receiving the right to vote.

"The decision to put Harriet Tubman on the new $20 was driven by thousands of responses we received from Americans young and old," Lew said.

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"I have been particularly struck by the many comments and reactions from children for whom Harriet Tubman is not just a historical figure, but a role model for leadership and participation in our democracy."

Lew also came under pressure over the talk of changing the $10. Hamilton is a hero in the Treasury as the architect of the US financial system.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of "Hamilton", lobbied Lew when the official attended the musical in New York. Miranda later said Lew had assured him his fans would be happy with the decision.

Women and African Americans will feature more broadly in the remakes of all three bills. US currency traditionally has featured a president or one of the founding fathers like Hamilton on the front and a monument on the back.

Women have only featured twice before: first president George Washington's wife, in 1886, and the native American folklore heroine Pocahontas in 1875.

The new $10 note will depict a historic 1913 protest for women's suffrage at the Treasury and several women, black and white, involved in that campaign.

The backside of the new $5 bill -- which features president Abraham Lincoln on one side -- will depict a number of historic events at his memorial in Washington, including Martin Luther King's 1963 "I have a Dream" speech for racial equality.

The choice of Tubman pushed Andrew Jackson, a southern slave owner and general who was US president from 1829 to 1837, to the backside of the $20 note.

Lew said the target for the redesigns, which are complicated by the need to employ the most modern anti-counterfeiting technology, was 2020.
London (AFP) - Eight former US Treasury secretaries urged Britain on Wednesday to stay in the European Union in a June referendum, the day before President Barack Obama visits with a similar message.

The open letter signed by Democratic and Republican former secretaries echoed warnings by British Prime Minister David Cameron that leaving would be a "risky bet on the country's economic future".

"A strong Britain, inside the European Union, remains the best hope in our view for securing Britain's future, creating a more prosperous Europe and protecting a healthy and resilient global economy," they said.

The letter, published in The Times newspaper, was signed by Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson, John Snow, Paul O'Neill, Larry Summers, Robert Rubin, Michael Blumenthal and George Shultz.

It was published the day before Obama arrives in Britain for a four-day visit, in which he is expected to make the case to stay in the EU in the vote on June 23.

London mayor Boris Johnson, a leading campaigner for a so-called Brexit, has accused Obama of "outrageous and exorbitant hypocrisy", saying Americans would never accept the kind of control Brussels exerts over the EU.

A spokesman for the Vote Leave campaign told the BBC regarding the Treasury secretaries' letter: "Not content with doing down Britain's economy, No 10 (Cameron's office) are now soliciting help from across the pond."

The letter warned that a Brexit "could call into question London's role as a global financial centre".

Leaving the EU would also "likely disrupt and reduce trade flows" and while Britain would "no doubt" be able to forge new trade deals, this would not be easy, they said.

They repeated warnings by the IMF that uncertainty over Brexit was already affecting the economy in Britain, "and a vote to leave could introduce an extended period of uncertainty that could hinder growth even further".

They added that the world was facing major transnational issues such as financial crises, nuclear proliferation, pandemics and climate change that "no country, however powerful, can effectively address alone".

"A strong and resilient Europe, with Britain at the core, in our view would be an important force in addressing these challenges together," they said.
- Women drivers are not strong enough to compete with the men in Formula One, the sport's supremo Bernie Ecclestone suggested at a conference in London. "I don't know whether a woman would physically be able to drive an F1 car quickly and they wouldn't be taken seriously," the 85-year-old told an audience at Advertising Week Europe. But he predicted a rise in female chief executives, saying: "Women are more competent and they don't have massive egos." In a wide-ranging interview, the outspoken Ecclestone also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin "should be running Europe". He added that comments he had made praising Adolf Hitler's leadership methods in 2009 were taken out of context, but reiterated that the Nazi leader "got the job done".

AFP
This story first appeared in the May 6 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Pearl Jam may have canceled performances in North Carolina to protest new anti-LGBT legislation, but it appears to be business as usual for most Hollywood studios that film in the state and others in the South that have pushed through (or are considering) similar legislation.

Among the projects that quietly are proceeding in North Carolina: TNT's Michelle Dockery drama Good Behavior, History's military drama Six, Lionsgate's TV remake of Dirty Dancing and Fox's police-shooting drama Shots Fired. And in Mississippi, which passed a "religious freedom" law April 5 allowing businesses to deny services to members of the LGBT community, filming will go on for programs like HGTV's renovation show Home Town and Lifetime's dance-competition docuseries Bring It!

Read More: Tracy Morgan Cancels Mississippi Performance Over Anti-LGBT Law

Though Hollywood executives privately have expressed shock about the wave of new laws, studios have not come forward with the same public gravitas as when Disney, Lionsgate and others helped convince Georgia to back off an anti-LGBT bill in early April (Gov. Nathan Deal likely was nervous its film industry, which has a $6 billion impact in the state, would be in jeopardy). The lack of industry response to Mississippi and North Carolina - whose film businesses don't match Georgia's but together produced $965 million in economic impact in 2015 thanks in part to state incentives - was troubling enough to CAA partner Bryan Lourd that he summoned some of Hollywood's most influential figures to an April 20 meeting at his home to determine, in his words, how to "help push those states that are openly discriminating against LGBT people."

To be sure, the laws (and the potential for one in Tennessee) have caused outrage among talent. "I'm choosing not to work in any state that is intolerant of its fellow man," Sharon Stone tells THR, noting that she and director James Cromwell are relocating their anti-bullying short The Principle out of Mississippi. "We have leaders  who are running campaigns based on fear, and that's a contagion." Tracy Morgan canceled an April 29 comedy show in Robinsonville, Miss., and Ellen DeGeneres blasted the state for being "the definition of discrimination."

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Read More: Pearl Jam to "Take a Stand Against Prejudice" by Canceling North Carolina Concert

Some filmmakers might denounce the legislation, but they aren't exactly ready to back a boycott. Openly gay Mississippi native Tate Taylor, who shot The Help and Get On Up in the state, calls the law "ludicrous Saturday Night Live fodder" but still intends to make his next four films there. "Whether financiers will agree to it based on what's happening, I don't know. It's going to be my job - and I anticipate it being a struggle - to convince them about the real hearts and souls of Mississippians," says the director, who insists the local film community, not the state legislature, would suffer most from a boycott. But should Taylor's stars feel uncomfortable shooting in the state, he'll likely make accommodations. "Funny enough," he adds, "my home is 6 miles from the Louisiana border. Don't think I haven't thought about that."

Another Mississippi native, Mississippi Grind producer Tom Rice, shot John Krasinski's The Hollars in his home state. He says the bill is "heartbreaking" and doesn't reflect the Mississippi people. "Every crewmember I know is adamantly posting [online] against this bill," he says. As far as future films go, Rice acknowledges the challenge of staying in business there: "I'm not going to come out and say I'm going to boycott it, but I'm not anxiously looking to go back there."
It's only April and already it's been quite a year of designer musical chairs. The next major change? Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli are leaving their posts as women's creative director and men's creative director, respectively, of Calvin Klein.

Business of Fashion reports that the fashion house is combining the Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision as part of its global strategy.

CEO Steve Shiffman issued the following statement to BoF: "This creative strategy marks the beginning of another significant chapter in Calvin Klein's brand legacy since Mr. Klein's retirement. I would like to thank Francisco and Italo for their unwavering commitment to the Calvin Klein brand and their accomplishments over the past decade. They have both contributed immensely to making Calvin Klein a global leader in the fashion industry, and they have done so with dedication, focus and creativity."

Costa, whose designs have been seen on the likes of Lupita Nyong'o (who could forget that pearl-embellished gown at the Oscars?), Zoe Saldana and Emma Stone, joined 2003 and was promoted to creative director a year later. Zucchelli's creations also were favored by those in Hollywood, especially among the music set, including Sam Smith and Drake.

The company has yet to announce its next leader, but stated, "An announcement will be made in due course." However, the industry has already started speculating that Raf Simons, who left Dior in October 2015, is rumored to take the top post.
PARIS (Reuters) - France's far-right party leader Marine Le Pen is planning to travel to Britain to campaign for the country to leave the European Union, a party official said on Wednesday. Le Pen has said she would organise a referendum on leaving the EU in France if she were to come to power. Her party has been monitoring the British referendum closely, hoping for a Brexit vote that would boost its agenda at home. "Marine Le Pen is bound to go. The date has not been set, it would be at the end of May or early June," National Front (FN) spokesman Alain Vizier said. "She would go for a day or half a day," Vizier said, adding that no details had been set yet except that "she will campaign for Brexit." One possibility would be for her to campaign with Janice Atkinson, a former UKIP EU lawmaker who is part of Le Pen's Europe of Nations and Freedom Group in the European Parliament. "Every nation in Europe has the right to be asked that question, do you want to stay in this structure... or not," Le Pen told Radio Classique in an interview on Monday, referring to the EU. "The first step was organised by Mr (David) Cameron." Opinion polls show Le Pen topping the first round of presidential elections next year unless the centre-right Les Republicains party nominates former prime minister Alain Juppe. She is seen losing the second round. (Reporting by Ingrid Melander Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
Getty Images file photo



See Chee Keong was a secret society member who had committed culpable homicide and drug trafficking in two countries.

He was involved in a fatal assault that left one man dead in Singapore on 17 May 2000 but ran away to Thailand a day after committing the offence. He continued to run foul of the law, and was arrested in Cambodia for drug trafficking on 3 December 2000 and sentenced to 18 years in jail.

See served 13 years after receiving a royal pardon but he did not walk free upon his release in Cambodia. Instead, he was extradited back to Singapore in November 2013 to face the law for his part in the assault.

On Wednesday (20 April), See, 50, was sentenced to 10 years in jail in the High Court for killing Leong Fook Weng, at a vacant plot along Kheam Hock Road. The balding and bespectacled man pleaded guilty to one count of culpable homicide not amounting to murder before Justice Chan Seng Onn.

Court papers revealed that See, along with four other secret society members, Tay Teik Chai Robson, Lim Hin Teck, Ong Chin Hock, and William Ho Kah Wei, were having supper at River Valley Road at about 4.30 am on 17 May 2000. Tay was affiliated to the Lo Kuan secret society while See, Lim, Ong, and Ho were part of the Sio Ang Kun secret society.

During the supper, Lim revealed that Leong had insulted him because of a loan owed to him by the victim. Lim said that he wanted to engage in a fight with Leong.

Stabbed in the neck and chest

See contacted Leong and found out that he was at a wake at Boon Keng Road. He later drove Tay, Lim, Ong and Ho in his car to the wake.

When they arrived at the wake, See and Tay assaulted Leong. The victim claimed that he was a member of Lo Kuan and called the head of the secret society, Tay Kim Guan, who agreed to meet the group at a petrol station at Swanage Road.

Upon reaching the petrol station, Kim Guan said that Leong was not a member of his gang. Leong tried to leave by hailing a taxi but was stopped and dragged into Sees car where he was assaulted again in the back seat.

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See then drove his car to Kheam Hock Road where he, Tay, Lim, Ong and Ho alighted and they continued to assault Leong. Using a blade concealed in a lighter, See stabbed Leong in the neck and chest.

The five men then stripped Leong, took his wallet and left the scene. Leongs body was discovered at around 11 am and he was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.

In 2003, Tay was jailed for nine years and received 12 strokes of the cane, and Ho was sentenced to six months imprisonment. Lim and Ong are currently still at large.

Family support for See

In mitigation, Sees lawyer, James Masih said that his client had spent his days in the Cambodian jail regretting his actions. See had also consumed drugs before committing the offence in Singapore and that could have affected his actions, Masih said.

The lawyer also produced two letters in court from Sees eldest daughter and ex-wife who both pleaded for leniency. Sees daughter stated in her letter that she is willing to look after him after his release from jail, and added that he was a loving father to her and her two younger siblings.

In his judgment, Justice Chan said that See was the only one who was armed during the assault and had inflicted the fatal wound on his victim. You are fortunate that one of your children is willing to let you live with her upon your release and I hope that you have learnt your lesson, he said.
The Pakistani military on Wednesday rescued 24 policemen who had been held hostage by a gang of heavily armed criminals on an island stronghold.

The ringleader and 13 other gang members surrendered unconditionally following a raid, military spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said on his official Twitter account.

Police in Pakistan's Rajanpur district began an anti-criminal operation against the group on April 1, officials said, with police confining the gang members to an area of the island in southern Punjab province.

The hunt to find the remaining criminals is continuing, with more than 100 still at large.

The operation involved about 1,500 officers attempting to raid the gang's base and the 24 policemen were taken hostage on April 14 while the mission was still ongoing.

Gangsters killed six policemen the following day as they tried to reach the island on boats to help their colleagues.

That same day the Pakistani army deployed 150 soldiers to help with the rescue effort.

Bajwa said family members of the gangsters were recovered safely from the island including 24 women and 44 children.

"Combing op will be carried out to cleanse area. Chotu (the gang's ringleader) will be transported & interrogated. No go areas will be eliminated from across country," he said on Twitter.
(Reuters) - A Georgia kayaker reported missing was found in Oklahoma on Wednesday after apparently faking his disappearance to avoid facing charges he tried to have sex with a child, authorities said.

Cody Magee, 38, of Savannah, Georgia was reported missing on Sunday after he went kayaking near his home, according to a statement from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police.

His 12-foot kayak was found on a nearby beach the next day, police said.

Magee was found during a traffic stop in Oklahoma City, some 1,100 miles away from his home. Police said he was being held pending extradition to Georgia on charges of computer pornography, criminal attempt to commit a felony (child molestation) and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

It was not immediately clear if Magree had contacted a lawyer. A warrant was issued on Monday after he missed a court appearance on the charges, which stem from an online pornography bust a year ago.

Police believe Magee staged his disappearance to avoid the court hearing, according to the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police statement.

Magee's disappearance on Sunday triggered a two-day search that involved police, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard.

(Reporting by Karen Brooks in Fort Worth, Texas; Editing by Tom Brown)
ANDECHS, Germany (Reuters) - The sound of clinking glass fills the room as a monk inspects one of hundreds of beer bottles passing along the production line at Andechs monastery in Bavaria. Benedictine monks have been making beer for hundreds of years here and following Germany's oldest and most revered brewing tradition -- the 'Reinheitsgebot' purity law that says beer must be made with just a select few ingredients. "Germany's purity laws say that in beer only three ingredients are allowed to be present -- hops, malt and water," Andechs monastery spokesman Martin Glaab said. "At that time, yeast wasn't yet known, but yeast of course also belongs there too." This year marks 500 years since the Reinheitsgebot was decreed in the southern state of Bavaria. While no longer actual law, it is still regarded as an important tradition and for many brewers a guideline on how German beer ought to be made. At Andechs, whose hilltop church draws pilgrims, more than 100,000 hectoliters of beer are produced each year. Tourists come from afar to taste such brews as the Doppelbock Dunkel and Weissbier Hell, which are also exported worldwide. While Andechs takes pride in following tradition, some Germans brewers are critical of the Reinheitsgebot, saying it does not allow enough range to experiment with new recipes. "We have different kinds of hops, different kinds of malt ... that we can combine with each other," Glaab said. "Theoretically it is possible to brew more than one million different kinds of beer, if you really want to extend the purity law and that, until today, hasn't happened." Beer fans across Germany will mark the 500th anniversary of the purity law with a variety of celebrations. In Bavaria, beer will flow from a fountain in the town of Ingolstadt and exhibitions and festivals are also planned. Andechs monastery plans to mark the anniversary with the release of a celebratory beer next month. (Reporting By Ralph Brock; Writing by Barbara Woolsey; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Riyadh (AFP) - Gulf monarchies on Wednesday voiced support for Morocco's claim over Western Sahara during a joint summit in Riyadh, where Moroccan King Mohammed VI spoke of a "dangerous" situation.

"We stress our support to all political and security causes that are important for your brotherly country, mainly the Western Sahara," Saudi King Salman said at the opening of the summit of leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the North African nation.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

King Salman stressed the GCC's "categorical rejection of any harm to the interests of Morocco" over the disputed territory, where the Algiers-backed Polisario Front demands independence.

Morocco's monarch urged Gulf monarchies to stand by his country to protect it from "plots against its territorial integrity," adding that the UN Security Council's annual Western Sahara discussions in April were being used "to blackmail Morocco".

He accused UN chief Ban Ki-moon of being used in a "war by proxy" against Morocco through his "biased statements".

"The situation is dangerous this time. It is unprecedented in the dispute" over the desert territory, he said.

Morocco was infuriated when Ban last month referred to the "occupation" of Western Sahara during a visit to a Sahrawi refugee camp in Algeria.

Morocco rejected an explanation from Ban's office that his remarks were not deliberate and that he regretted the "misunderstandings."

The United Nations has been trying to broker a Western Sahara settlement since 1991 after a ceasefire was reached to end a war that broke out when Morocco deployed its military in the former Spanish territory in 1975.

Local Sahrawi people are campaigning for the right to self-determination, but Morocco considers the territory as part of the kingdom and insists its sovereignty cannot be challenged.

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Morocco is a close ally of Saudi Arabia.

In 2011, the GCC had proposed that Morocco and Jordan, both fellow monarchies, join the bloc. The project failed but the organisation set up a $5-billion fund for the two countries.

Morocco is a member of the Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Iran-backed Shiite rebels in Yemen, where it lost an F16 warplane in March 2015.
Motorcycle gunmen on Wednesday shot dead seven policemen guarding a polio vaccination team in Pakistan's southern port city Karachi, officials said, a brazen attack in the country's economic hub.

Feroz Shah, a senior police official, told AFP that eight gunmen carried out the killings in two separate attacks in the city's western Orangi Town neighbourhood.

"The gunmen first opened fire on three policemen in the streets of Orangi Town, killing them all," he said, adding: "Later they shot dead four policemen, who were sitting in a police mobile van" a few streets away.

Abdul Kareem, an official in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where the bodies were taken, also confirmed the casualties.

The polio workers, who were unharmed in the attack, were on the third day of an immunisation drive.

Provincial home minister Sohail Anwar Siyal told the private Dunya TV channel: "The policemen sacrificed their lives to protect the polio workers."

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar late Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack.

"We claim responsibility for this attack on police in Karachi, this was a part of ongoing attacks on police and law enforcement agencies," said group spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan in a statement sent to AFP by email.

Islamist outfits including the Pakistani Taliban say the polio vaccination drive is a front for espionage or a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.

Police and rangers later cordoned off the areas where their colleagues had been killed.

The interior of the police van was heavily soaked with blood, with an officer's cap lying on the front seat.

Speaking to the media, provincial police chief Allah Dino Khawaja announced a $50,000 reward for the arrest of the gunmen, as well as $20,000 compensation to each of the victims' families.

- Frequent target -

Pakistan is one of only two countries in the world where polio, a crippling childhood disease, remains endemic.

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Attempts to eradicate it have been badly hit by militant attacks on immunisation teams that have claimed more than 100 lives since December 2012.

In 2014 the number of polio cases recorded in Pakistan soared to 306, the highest in 14 years, before falling to 54 in 2015.

The most recent attack came in January, when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a polio vaccination centre in the southwestern city of Quetta, killing 15 people -- two civilians and 13 security officials.

Authorities want to vaccinate 35 million children under the age of five, wiping out the disease by the end of 2016.

In Karachi, a heaving metropolis of around 20 million, authorities have enlisted 2,500 female "neighbourhood vaccinators" drawn from local communities to support the programme.

Islamist opposition to all forms of innoculation grew after the CIA organised a fake vaccination drive to help track down Al-Qaeda's former leader Osama Bin Laden in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad.

The terror chief was killed during a US special forces raid in 2011.
Of the 20 directors picked for this year's Official Selection of In Competition movies at the Cannes Film Festival, 15 are previous Cannes prize winners and three have already bagged one, if not two, Palme d'Or awards. With such a high-flying lineup, this year's jury -- presided by director George Miller -- will certainly have its work cut out.

The 69th Cannes Film Festival, running May 11-22, is set to bring a host of movie-industry heavyweights to the French Riviera, starting with the Dardenne brothers, who join the handful filmmakers with two Palme d'Or awards to their name. When Belgian brothers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne land in the south of France, it's clearly not to play a bit part in festivities. As well as Palme d'Or wins in 1999 and 2005 with "Rosetta" and "The Child," the pair's list of Cannes accolades includes a Grand Prix in 2011 for "The Kid with a Bike," a Best Screenplay Award in 2008 for "Lorna's Silence" and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury in 2014 for "Two Days, One Night." Basically, since 1999, every one of the Dardenne brothers' films has been shown at Cannes, making a total of seven selections with their latest film, "The Unknown Girl."

Another festival record-holder is Ken Loach, who bags his 13th movie selection with "I, Daniel Blake." After winning his first Cannes prize in 1990, the English director took the Palme d'Or in 2006 ("The Wind That Shakes The Barley"), and has won three Jury Prizes ("Hidden Agenda," "Raining Stones" and "The Angels' Share") and a Best Screenplay Award ("Sweet Sixteen"). Romanian director Cristian Mungiu, the 2007 Palme d'Or winner with "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," will also be back at Cannes this year with "Bacalaureat."

A first Palme d'Or for Almodovar?

Despite seeing four movies picked for Cannes, the Spanish director has always missed out on the top prize. In 1999, "All About My Mother" lost to the Dardenne brothers' "Rosetta," although it did take the Best Screenplay Award. Then, in 2006, "Volver" lost out to Ken Loach's "The Wind That Shakes The Barley." In 2009 and 2011, "Broken Embraces" and "The Skin I Live In" both left empty-handed.

The former jury member (in 1992) could make up for lost time this year with a first Palme d'Or win with "Julieta." It would also be the second win for his country of origin, Spain, which hasn't taken the top spot at Cannes since Luis Bunuel's 1961 Palme d'Or triumph with "Viridiana."

The next step for Dolan?

However, Almodovar isn't the only filmmaker with several previous Cannes awards to be waiting in the wings for their moment of glory. The youngest director to make this year's selection, 27-year-old Xavier Dolan, is another festival regular. In fact, all of his films have been shown on the Croisette, either as part of the festival's Official Selection or in Parallel Sections. "Mommy" even won the Jury Prize in 2014. His latest feature film, "It's Only the End of the World," could be the one that takes Dolan to the next level, with a Palme d'Or at the 69th Cannes Film Festival.

Other hopefuls looking to add to their list of Cannes accolades include Sean Penn, who has been crowned as an actor but never as a director; South Korean director Park Chan-Wook, who took home awards in 2004 with "Old Boy" then in 2009 with "Thirst"; British director Andrea Arnold ("Red Road," "Fish Tank"); American director Jim Jarmusch ("Broken Flowers"); Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn ("Drive"); French director Bruno Dumont ("Humanite, "Flanders"); and Philippine director Brillante Mendoza ("Kinatay").
For many borrowers, the idea of student loan forgiveness is too good to be true. And that's because it often is.

Borrowers need to be on high alert for debt-relief companies that make repayment promises they can't keep -- like being able to get rid of your loans for you. Just pay a fee, and they'll qualify you for the "Obama Loan Forgiveness Program."

Unfortunately, that program doesn't exist. However, the president did outline steps in his Student Aid Bill of Rights to make it easier for borrowers to understand how to manage their loans or when they may be eligible for discharge -- and one of them was implemented just last week.

[Learn about other changes that will help student loan borrowers.]

Proactive Help for Disabled Borrowers

On April 18, the U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to approximately 387,000 federal student loan borrowers letting them know they may be eligible for what's known as the total and permanent disability discharge. The department estimates approximately 179,000 of these borrowers are in default, and that's an important point for this population.

Defaulted loans come with serious consequences, including the potential loss of certain government payments. This can have a dramatic effect on those with disabilities, especially if it causes them to have a portion of their Social Security disability payments seized.

This new initiative aims to help these borrowers keep those benefits and inform them of the discharge they're entitled to. "Americans with disabilities have a right to student loan relief," said U.S. Education Undersecretary Ted Mitchell in a release. "And we need to make it easier, not harder, for them to receive the benefits they are due."

To fulfill that desire to make things easier, the department has taken certain steps to change the process.

[Learn three tips for securing student loan forgiveness.]

To find eligible borrowers, the department worked with the Social Security Administration. They identified borrowers who not only receive Social Security disability payments -- which alone does not qualify someone for this discharge -- and who also have the designation "Medical Improvement Not Expected."

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Because the department certified these borrowers' disability status with the Social Security Administration, they get to bypass the documentation typically needed to prove their eligibility. Instead, they simply sign and return their application to receive this discharge -- that's it.

If a borrower does not send a completed application after 120 days, the department will reach out to them again to let them know they qualify. This is an important step since borrowers often ignore their student loan-related communications, especially if they're in default.

Borrowers who are approved for discharge will be monitored for three years, when they may be required to submit income or other documentation to verify they remain eligible for the discharge status. It's important that these borrowers or their representatives respond to each one of these notices, or run the risk of having the loans reinstated.

The government will continue to identify eligible borrowers on a quarterly basis. So, if you or a family member suffers from a disability, pay extra attention to any communications from the department. You can also visit DisabilityDischarge.com to learn more about a total disability discharge.

[Find out about three student loan discharges you should never have to use.]

Potential Drawbacks

While getting rid of a loan can be a great relief for many borrowers, it may not make sense in every situation. That's because when a loan is discharged, the department reports any balance of more than $600 to the IRS.

That amount may be considered taxable income, depending on the borrower's situation, which means you may simply replace a student loan bill with a tax bill. Before applying for this discharge, you may want to consult a tax professional to understand how it will affect your financial situation.

Even with this consideration, this is another recent instance of the department looking out for borrowers. That's something all borrowers should be happy about, even if they don't qualify for loan forgiveness or discharge.

Ryan Lane is the senior editor for American Student Assistance, where he oversees the financial website saltmoney.org and serves as the editor of the SALT Blog. He graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in journalism.
Paris (AFP) - Leaders and envoys from more than 160 countries will sign on Friday the climate-change pact the world adopted in principle in Paris last December.

These are the key points in the Paris Agreement:

- The goal -

The purpose is to hold global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial Revolution levels, and to strive for 1.5 C (2.7 ) if possible.

The lower goal was a demand of poor countries and island states at high risk of climate change effects such as sea-level rise and drought.

But many experts say that even 2 C will be a tough ask. Scientists warn that on current greenhouse-gas emission rates, we are headed for a 4 C warmer world, or 3 C if countries meet their self-determined targets for curbing carbon.

- Getting there -

The world will aim for climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions to peak "as soon as possible", with "rapid reductions" thereafter.

There are no binding deadlines or goals for countries as there were in the Kyoto Protocol, whose constraints applied only to wealthy economies.

By the second half of this century, says the Paris pact, there must be a balance between emissions from human activities such as energy production and farming, and the amount that can be captured by carbon-absorbing "sinks" such as forests or carbon storage technology.

- Burden-sharing -

Developed countries, which have polluted for longer, should take "the lead" with absolute emissions cuts. Developing nations which still need to burn coal and oil to power growing populations and economies are encouraged to enhance their efforts and "move over time" to cuts.

Rich countries are required to provide support for developing nations' shift to renewable energy.

- Tracking progress -

In 2018, and every five years thereafter, countries will take stock of the overall impact of what they are doing to rein in global warming, according to the text.

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In 2020, they will revisit their non-binding carbon-curbing pledges -- submitted last year to bolster the core agreement.

Some countries had set targets for 2025, and others for 2030, which will be updated five-yearly.

- Finance -

Developed countries "shall provide" funding to help developing countries make the costly shift to green energy and shore up defences against climate change impacts.

Rich nations must report every two years on their finance levels -- current and intended.

Not included in the agreement itself, but in a non-binding "decision" that accompanies it, reference is made to the $100 billion (88 billion euros) a year that rich countries had pledged in 2009 to muster by 2020 as a "floor", which means it can only go up. The amount must be updated by 2025.

- Climate damage -

Rich nations blamed for their historic contribution to carbon pollution balked at the idea of any kind of financial compensation for countries now hit by climate impacts.

But the agreement does recognise the need for "averting, minimising and addressing" losses suffered.
Paris (AFP) - Students at an elite Paris university sparked fierce debate Wednesday by inviting classmates to wear the Muslim veil for a day in a bid to "demystify" a practice that is highly divisive in France.

Students at Sciences Po urged women to take part in Hijab Day "if you too think all women should have the right to dress as they wish and have their choice respected".

France is grappling with rising Islamophobia after a wave of terror attacks by jihadists, and the students' Facebook page said that those agreeing to put on the veil would "experience the stigmatisation experienced by veiled women in France".

A dozen students handed out flyers at the university by a table covered in colourful headscarves with a sign reading: "France got 99 problems but Hijab ain't one", adapted from a hit by US rapper Jay Z.

"It is to raise awareness, open the debate and give the floor to women who are often debated on in public but rarely heard," said Laetitia, one of the organisers.

Another student, Imen, said she wore a veil for the first time Wednesday morning on the metro and felt "stares" in her direction.

The organisers' Facebook page lashed out at Prime Minister Manuel Valls who earlier this month said the veil was being used as a political symbol for the "enslavement of women".

France has banned the full-face veil in public places, and Valls said the headscarf was being used by some as a challenge to the country's prized secular society.

His comments came after the minister for women's rights sparked a furore last month when she compared veiled women to "negroes who accepted slavery".

- 'A sharia day next?' -

The Sciences Po initiative, which trended at the top of French Twitter under the hashtag #HijabDay, drew a mixture of praise and anger.

Former agriculture minister Bruno le Maire, who teaches at Sciences Po and is also angling for the right-wing Republicans party's presidential nomination, expressed his "disapproval" on Twitter.

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"In France women are visible. No to proselytising," he wrote.

Writing on its Facebook page, the student wing of the far-right National Front (FN) criticised an initiative coming from a "Parisian middle class disconnected from social reality".

"This initiative is particularly nauseating when women all over the world are fighting to throw off their shackles. In Iran, for example, women have acid thrown in their faces if they don't wear the veil," it said.

Philosopher and author Bernard-Henri Levy tweeted: "Hijab Day at Sc Po. When will there be a sharia day? Stoning? Slavery?"

But a feminist group on campus, Politique'elles, threw its support behind the move.

"Whatever they wear, whether a miniskirt or a veil, (women) are criticised," a group statement said. "Feminism must remain universal to defend all women, independent of their religion, origin or social class."

The university distanced itself from the initiative in a statement on Twitter, saying the fact it was taking place on the campus "should not be interpreted as support."
Idris Elba is teaming up with John Ridley for a 1970s civil rights drama.

The six-episode series called "Guerilla" will air on Showtime and Sky Atlantic and is described as a love story set in the UK, during one of the most politically explosive periods in British history.

The couple is tested when they help liberate a political prisoner and form an underground cell in 1970s London in the aim of bringing down a true-life counter-intelligence unit that was dedicated to crushing all forms of black activism.

Ridley will write the majority of the episodes and direct the first two instalments. Elba, whose role has not yet been revealed, will also executive produce.

Production begins in London this summer. The drama will air on Showtime and Sky Atlantic in the UK.
Tragic Ted McGee (Facebook)

Ikea has issued a warning to customers about a range of its furniture after a third child was crushed by a free-standing drawer.

The warning comes after 22-month-old Ted McGee died when the chest, from the companys Malm range, tipped over and fell on him.

Teds parents did not hear the drawer fall over and merely thought the toddler was napping.

He died in February.

The youngster - from Apple Valley, Minnesota, in the United States - is the third child to die in similar circumstances.

In 2014, two-year-old Curren Collas, from Pennsylvania died after a six-drawer chest fell oh him, pinning the youngster to his bed.

Also in 2014, a 23-month-old from Washington state was crushed by a drawer.

In response to the latest tragedy, the furniture giant said: We at IKEA offer our deepest condolences to the McGee family.

At IKEA, we believe children are the most important people in the world and the safety of our products is our highest priority.

Upon being informed of this incident IKEA US immediately reported it to the authorities and an investigation is taking place.

IKEA U.S. has been advised that the product was not attached to the wall, which is an integral part of the products assembly instructions.

A previous victim was Curren Collas (Rex Features)

The furniture costs up to 99.
Washington (AFP) - The massive shakeup announced by Intel reflects the rapid changes in the tech sector and aims to position the Silicon Valley titan for a post-PC world.

The chip-making giant on Tuesday said it was cutting up to 11 percent of its global workforce, or some 12,000 positions, to adapt to a slumping market for personal computers and rapid growth in emerging technologies.

Intel said the move aims to "accelerate evolution from a PC company to one that powers the cloud and billions of smart, connected computing devices."

The move represents a new direction for one of the pillars of Silicon Valley, which for years dominated the PC sector as a key partner with Microsoft.

But both firms are now scrambling to adapt to a new reality "where refrigerators and cars and your whole house and highways and traffic lights are talking to the Internet," said Roger Kay, analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates.

Intel "got fat, dumb and happy like everyone else in the PC industry," Kay said, before recognizing the shift to mobile and the "Internet of Things."

Yet Kay said Intel's move is a gamble because "their processors have to go into things that may not be invented."

"Your strength is your weakness and your weakness is your strength -- when you're making money on PCs, it's hard to go into a new area you don't know," Kay added.

Patrick Moorhead, analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy noted that Intel's moves "are very reflective of what's happening overall in the technology space -- the PC-Internet model gave way to the smartphone-app model which is shifting to the IoT-cloud model."

"Intel recognizes they need to move more quickly," Moorhead said.

"Other companies like Microsoft have been moving in this same direction the past few years."

- The PC train wreck -

Intel's cuts were announced after surveys showed the deep slump for the personal computer market.

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Surveys last week said PC sales fell for a sixth consecutive quarter, to levels not seen since 2007.

Gartner's survey showed a 9.6 percent in global PC sales in the first quarter, while another report by IDC showed an 11.5 percent decline.

"This is a very aggressive course correction for Intel," said Bob O'Donnell of Technalysis Research.

"There was some hope they would see a turnaround in PCs and now there is a recognition it's not going to happen."

Analysts say Intel is still delivering healthy profits, with strength in areas such as data centers, and that the latest change is aimed at keeping a leadership role in the sector.

In the past quarter, Intel reported a modest three percent rise in first-quarter profit to $2.0 billion, with revenues growing seven percent to $13.7 billion

"Intel is adjusting to what they expect the future to be," said O'Donnell.

"Regardless of the PC market, people are going to need chips for a long time and Intel is extremely good at doing that. But they need to focus on different kinds of chips."

Joseph Moore, a Morgan Stanley analyst, offered a cautious outlook.

He said that 75 percent of Intel's revenues still come from PCs and enterprise servers and "is in mild secular decline."

Just nine percent is from the cloud, but is "lumpy" and "somewhat unpredictable."

Kay said that inside the company, "it probably feels like a crisis," but that these steps are needed to keep Intel competitive with rivals.

"They are taking prudent steps to ensure the business is viable long-term, but right now it looks pretty ugly," Kay said.
By By Ayman al-Warfalli BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters retreated from long-held positions around the port city of Derna on Wednesday, military forces in eastern Libya said, as troops loyal to the government in the region pressed on with an offensive in Benghazi. If the retreat around Derna is confirmed, it could mark a significant shift in the alignment of forces in the area. Islamic State gained territory in Libya as two rival governments and a range of armed factions battled to control the country in the past two years. But it has also faced resistance from other local armed groups on the ground. Derna has a history of Islamism and was an early bastion for Islamic State. The militant group lost control of the city last June to rival armed Islamists grouped under the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council, but retained positions around the outskirts. Derna and its suburbs had been "completely liberated from the apostates", the council said in a statement. Eastern security forces, which are allied to a government based in the east, have carried out occasional strikes against Islamist rivals around Derna in recent months. Military spokesman Abdulkarim Sabra said Islamic State had retreated from Derna's 400 neighborhood and al-Fatayeh, 20 km (12 miles) south of the city, and its forces were trying to head towards the militant group's Libyan stronghold of Sirte when they were intercepted. The military was providing air support for troops, he said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Pictures circulating on social media showed some Derna residents celebrating and waving Libyan flags on the streets. Eastern military forces have also been involved in heavy fighting around 250 km (155 miles) to the west in Benghazi, where they have taken several neighborhoods from fighters loyal to Islamic State and other groups. Clashes continued there on Wednesday, and the military said it had nearly full control of the southern district of Guwarsha. It said one commander had been killed in the fighting and four soldiers were wounded. The eastern government was set up after armed opponents took control of the capital, Tripoli, in 2014, and installed a rival administration. Both are backed by alliances of former rebels who once fought together to oust Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but have slowly turned against each other. Last month, a U.N.-backed unity government arrived in Tripoli, where it has been trying to establish its authority. The West sees the new government as the best chance of ending Libya's political divisions and uniting its armed factions to take on Islamic State. But the government has yet to win approval from Libya's eastern parliament, which received international recognition and has repeatedly failed to hold a vote on the issue. Lawmakers in the east who support the new government say they have been threatened and physically impeded from holding a vote, including when they tried to convene on Monday. They have been opposed by allies of eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar, who are concerned about losing control of military appointments if the unity government takes full power. In an apparent attempt to break the ice with the eastern military, the unity government's leadership released a statement on Wednesday congratulating it on its advances in Benghazi. The Presidential Council said it would "provide all necessary support to Benghazi and other affected cities for reconstruction," and that it was committed to "supporting the institution of the army". It also congratulated the "people of Derna and all Libyans" on the "liberation" of the areas around where Islamic State retreated. (Additional reporting by Ahmed Elumami in Tripoli; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by John Stonestreet and Peter Cooney)
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel has arrested six Jewish settlers who allegedly carried out attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, police said on Wednesday.

Two teenagers and a soldier are among the six-member "extremist and violent" cell suspected of attacking Palestinian homes in the northern West Bank with Molotov cocktails and tear gas, a statement said.

The attacks took place in the second half of 2015 and also included the torching of Palestinian vehicles and throwing stones at them, it said.

Police described the suspects as members of an "extremist and violent organisation that systematically attacked Palestinians and their property in full awareness that this could endanger their lives."

The statement said the suspects admitted carrying out the attacks during questioning by the Shin Bet internal security agency and the police department dedicated to nationalist crimes.

Details of the case were released after authorities lifted a gag order that was imposed earlier this month following the arrests of the cell members, most of whom come from the Nahliel settlement northwest of the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The six, who are to be charged in the coming days, allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at a Palestinian home in the village of Mazraa al-Qibliya last November while family members slept.

"A disaster was avoided by a miracle" when one Molotov cocktail rebounded off a window, the police statement said.

And in December the suspects threw a tear gas grenade at another Palestinian home overnight in the village of Beitillou.

"The father was awakened by the noise, felt difficulty breathing... and immediately took his wife and baby out the house," the police statement said.

In both cases anti-Arab slogans were scrawled on the walls of the houses.

There were no reports of casualties in the Beitillou and Mazraa al-Qibliya attacks.

But they are a stark reminder of the July 2015 arson attack in the West Bank village of Duma where an 18-month old baby was killed when his family home was firebombed by Jewish extremists.

Two Israelis were charged in January over those attacks.
Qalandia (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Israeli forces destroyed the home of a Palestinian assailant who stabbed a woman to death in January before being shot dead by a security guard, the army said on Wednesday.

The demolition provoked clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians at the Qalandia refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian media reported.

Israeli media reported two soldiers lightly wounded. Israel's military had not responded to requests for information on the reported clashes.

It was the latest such demolition carried out by Israel as a deterrent, but which human rights groups say amounts to collective punishment.

The demolition occurred overnight at the apartment of Hussein Abu Ghosh in Qalandia, near Ramallah, with the walls inside destroyed.

Residents told an AFP journalist that Abu Ghosh's family left the apartment about a month ago.

The January 25 attack saw Abu Ghosh, 17, and another Palestinian, Ibrahim Allan, 23, stab two women in the West Bank settlement of Beit Horon, northwest of Jerusalem.

One of the women, Shlomit Krigman, 24, later died from her wounds. Both of the assailants were killed by the security guard.

Krigman was stabbed near her home while the other woman was attacked outside a grocery store.

Israeli authorities also said at the time that they had found and defused three pipe bombs the two had thrown at the grocery store.

The attack was part of a wave of violence that erupted in October and which has killed 201 Palestinians and 28 Israelis.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ramped up demolitions of attackers' homes in a bid to halt the unrest.

The level of violence has steadily declined in recent weeks, though a bomb explosion on a Jerusalem bus on Monday raised fears of another surge ahead of the Jewish Passover holiday, which begins on Friday evening.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel has seen "unprecedented" intelligence cooperation with Egypt and Jordan as the fight against the Islamic State group nudges them to work together more closely, a military chief said Wednesday.

Major General Yair Golan said "there is a strong feeling in the region... that we have to put aside past animosities and concentrate on mutual interests and working together" to deal with the jihadist threat.

The Israeli military's deputy chief of staff spoke of an "unprecedented level of cooperation" mainly regarding intelligence.

"But that's between defence establishments, and I wouldn't describe that as some sort of reconciliation between the people," Golan said at a news conference for foreign journalists.

"But it is a good starting point, and I'm quite optimistic concerning that."

Egypt and Jordan are the only Arab countries that have signed peace treaties with Israel, but relations between them remain delicate, particularly over their support for the Palestinian cause.

Jihadists in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula pledged allegiance in November 2014 to IS, which controls parts of Iraq and Syria and also has a presence in conflict-ridden Libya.

Jihadist fighters have long used Sinai as a base and launched an insurgency after the military overthrew Egypt's Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Jordan, which borders Iraq and Syria, has for years struggled with homegrown extremists and is part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS.

In a sign of the sensitivity in Egypt-Israeli relations, Egypt's parliament in March dismissed a deputy after he held talks with Israel's envoy to Cairo during a dinner at his home.

Tewfiq Okasha's hosting of Israeli ambassador Haim Koren sparked outrage in parliament, where one lawmaker hit him with a shoe.

- Risk of 'full-scale war' -

Golan also spoke of the threat Israel says Iran poses in the region, saying it is determined to spread its influence through the Middle East.

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Israel will closely monitor whether Iran complies with the nuclear deal it struck with world powers last year, which the Israeli government strongly opposed, he said.

"Look at their involvement in Iraq, their involvement in Syria, in Lebanon, in Yemen, in Sudan and other places," Golan said.

"Just unbelievable. You can find Iran today everywhere."

Iran has backed Israeli enemy Hezbollah, and Golan said the Lebanese Shiite militia's improving capabilities deeply concerned Israel.

He said that could result in "full-scale war", including a harsh response from the Israeli military.

"Comparing that to anything we've experienced before, no doubt, this is the most severe threat we've ever experienced before," Golan said.

Of a possible future crisis, he said "we're not going to see small war in Lebanon. It's going to be decisive. It's going to be full-scale war ..."

He said that because of the presence of Hezbollah fighters in civilian areas, "there is no other way to take out this threat without really creating large damage to the Lebanese infrastructure, to Lebanese houses and other civilian facilities."

In the summer of 2006, Israel and Hezbollah fought a devastating war in Lebanon that killed nearly 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and about 160 Israelis, mostly troops.

Hezbollah has however deployed thousands of fighters into Syria's civil war, and some analysts say that has limited its ability to carry out an attack against Israel.
Abidjan (AFP) - Ivory Coast has deployed teams of rangers to protect the country's last surviving dwarf elephants from extinction, the head of the national park service told AFP Tuesday.

The elephants live in the Mount Peko national park in the country's west, a 34,000 hectare (131 square mile) area threatened by rampant deforestation driven by the country's booming cocoa industry.

Up to 70 percent of the park is occupied by cocoa farmers from neighbouring Burkina Faso, according to the head of the country's office for parks and reserves (OIPR) colonel Adama Tondossama, who accused them of destroying the area's flora and fauna to make way for their crops.

"These incursions for agricultural reasons have caused the forest canopy to almost disappear and have threatened endemic species like the dwarf elephant," said Tondossama.

The park, a rugged area with rich biodiversity is located alongside the Ivory Coast's cocoa producing region. The country is the world's largest cocoa exporter.

An armed group headed by Amade Oueremi occupied the Mount Peko forest for years and was arrested there in May 2013 by Ivorian authorities.

He is suspected of committing a range of crimes during the post-election violence that rocked the country in 2010-2011.

The OIPR has now begun a major operation to "liberate" the Mount Peko park, prohibiting any new clearings with dozens of forest rangers, trained in 2015, deployed to the region to enforce the ban.

"If the Mount Peko park disappears, agricultural production will fall in two years because the park creates a micro-climate that generates strong rainfall," said Tondossama.

The park is also significant for the Krahn people, a local tribe who use wood from the forest to make traditional masks.

Ivory Coast's west has seen sporadic fighting even since the end of the 2010-2011 conflict which claimed as many as 3,000 lives.
Japan on Wednesday agreed to finance a $2.6 billion monorail Panama intends to have built by 2022 as an extension of its young metro system, the Panamanian government said.

"This financing Japan is giving us today is recognition of the solidity and credibility of Panama," a statement quoted President Juan Carlos Varela saying during a visit to Tokyo.

Varela's government is fighting to save Panama's image as a budding global business hub after the so-called Panama Papers revelations that exposed how politicians, the wealthy and some criminals used its offshore expertise.

The Japanese credit for the monorail is a 20-year deal extended through the government-backed Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

A memorandum of understanding was signed in January and Varela's trip to Tokyo sealed the agreement with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The cost of the monorail project makes it the biggest in Panama after a massive expansion of its century-old canal, which is to be inaugurated in June after an investment of over $5 billion.

The monorail will constitute a line three to Panama's new metro network, opening up a 26-kilometer (16-mile) run between the capital and Arraijan, a town in the west.

While Japan will stump up for the project, a public tender will go out to select the company or consortium to build the line.

"Our economy is based on solid fundamentals and we are showing that today," Varela was quoted as saying.
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's top government spokesman said on Wednesday he did not think Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would call a snap election although it was up to him to decide. Speculation has simmered that Abe might dissolve parliament's lower house and call an election on the same day as an upper house poll is due in July. But the Sankei newspaper reported on Wednesday that Abe was unlikely to do so after earthquakes in the south last week killed nearly 50 people and caused considerable damage. "The premier has been saying he was not thinking at all of dissolving (the lower house), so I don't think he will," Suga told a news conference when asked about the report. "But it is the prime minister's jurisdiction and it is up to him to decide." The Sankei said a double election would put a burden on the quake-hit area as it seeks to reconstruct its economy and help survivors return to normal life. More than 100,000 people on Kyushu island remain in evacuation centers after the series of quakes measuring up to 7.3 hit late last week. Suga repeated that the government would increase a sales tax as planned next April, barring a major financial crisis or natural disaster on the scale of an earthquakes and tsunamis in 2011, which killed about 20,000 people. Asked if the quakes in the southern island qualified as such as disaster, Suga said that was not the case at present. "There is no change at all at the moment," he said, referring to the plan to increase the levy to 10 percent from 8 percent. Suga also said the government had never considered raising the tax in stages starting with one percentage point, after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's policy chief said in an interview with the Nikkei business daily that such a move was possible if the economy was weak. "It is the policy chief's thinking. I don't think there is any change in the environment basically," regarding the tax increase, he said. Abe is expected to announce a final decision on the tax increase at around the time of a May 26-27 Group of Seven summit that he will host. The premier had been expected to delay the tax increase, even before the latest earthquakes. Some private economists said a postponement was even more likely. The ruling coalition was also expected to postpone ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement until the next session of parliament, the Sankei and other media have said. (Reporting by Kaori Kaneko and Linda Sieg; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel)
Julia Stiles has set her luxurious sights on the south of France by joining Riviera, the upcoming sun-tinged crime series from Oscar winner Neil Jordan (The Borgias, The Crying Game).

The 10-part drama, details of which British pay TV giant Sky unveiled Wednesday for its Sky Atlantic network, was created by Jordan and co-writer (and Booker Prize-winning author) John Banville. The project is being developed and produced by Archery Pictures - set up in 2014 by former Scott Free head Liza Marshall and U.K. producer Kris Thykier - alongside Primo Productions.

Based on an idea by former U2 manager Paul McGuinness, Riviera centers on a young, recently married woman (Stiles) whose blissful life of Mediterranean luxury is torn apart when her billionaire husband is murdered in a yacht explosion. She soon discovers that the fortune used to maintain his immaculate, gilt-edged lifestyle was tainted with dishonesty, double-dealing, crime and ultimately murder, and finds herself dragged into a world of crime as enemies close in.

"What attracted me to Riviera is the setting, a romantic and glamorous world where not everything is as it seems, and the opportunity to explore a character who is also not as she appears," Stiles said in a statement. "Georgina is the classic anti-hero, ultimately a good person, but compromised by the corruption around her."

Read More: 'Fortitude' Renewed for Second Season at Pivot, Sky Atlantic

Added Anne Mensah, Sky's head of drama: "Neil Jordan has created the most audacious show in the most exquisite and luxurious of settings. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect actress for the role of Georgina than Julia Stiles. Quite simply, you won't have seen anything like it on television before."

Commissioned for Sky by Mensah, commissioning editor Cameron Roach and Sky Atlantic director Zai Bennett, Riviera is being executive produced for Archery Picture by Jordan, Marshall (Red Riding Trilogy, Taboo), Thykier (Kickass, Woman in Gold) and McGuinness.

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Sky's international division Sky Vision is handling worldwide sales.

Riviera joins an aggressive rollout of new programming by Sky, the pan-European giant part-owned by 21st Century Fox, which has bolstered its upcoming slate with six major new productions as it positions itself as the U.K.'s biggest investor in original British content, which topped $850 million in 2014.

Also confirmed Wednesday was the Idris Elba-starring civil rights drama Guerrilla from Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave writer John Ridley, which also is heading to Showtime in the U.S.

Christina Hendricks and Tim Roth also have been confirmed for Roland Joffe's contemporary Western Tin Star, from British banner Kudos (Humans, Broadchurch). The 10-part series is set in the Rocky Mountains and follows a former British policeman who becomes embroiled in a tale of drugs, prostitution and organized crime stemming from a new oil refinery.

Other shows unveiled by Sky include Delicious, starring comedian Dawn French; 17th century settler drama Jamestown, from Downton Abbey creator Carnival Films; and The Last Dragonslayer, based on Jasper Fforde's novel.

Read More: Idris Elba, John Ridley Team for 1970s Civil Rights Drama at Showtime
The death toll from a Taliban attack in Kabul has more than doubled to 64, officials said Wednesday, in what appeared to be the deadliest assault on the Afghan capital since the Islamists were toppled from power in 2001.

The brazen attack on Tuesday on a security services office in the heart of Kabul is seen as the opening salvo in this year's Taliban spring offensive, launched last week.

A powerful Taliban truck bomb tore through central Kabul and a fierce firefight broke out, sending clouds of smoke billowing into the sky and rattling windows several kilometres away.

"It is with regret that I announce that 64 people were killed and 347 others wounded in yesterday's Kabul attack," interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told reporters. "Most of them are civilians."

The ministry had earlier put the death toll at 30.

The Taliban claimed three "martyrdom seekers" carried out an attack on the National Directorate of Security, the main spy agency. One of them, it said, managed to slip away alive.

Afghan authorities insisted the building, used by NDS in the past, only housed an elite security agency charged with protecting top government officials.

"The victims of (the) terrorist attack are all fathers, brothers or children of people," Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Twitter.

"We will avenge every drop of Afghan blood."

Mourners in Kabul held emotionally charged funerals on Wednesday for the dead, many of whom local media said were employees of the targeted security agency.

"The government is unable to stop these attacks on the people," said Abdul Basir Mobasher, a relative of a security official killed in the attack.

"The people will be forced to rise up in revolt if these attacks don't stop."

- 'War crime' -

The attack underscores concerns raised in a new United Nations report, that reported a spike in civilian casualties during the first three months of 2016 due to growing attacks in urban centres.

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"The Taliban exposed the hollowness of their recent vow to 'safeguard and protect the lives... of civilians', by launching a massive suicide attack in central Kabul," Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

"Those responsible for deliberately carrying out such an attack committed a war crime."

The Taliban last week announced the start of their spring offensive, even as the government tries to bring them back to the negotiating table to end the drawn-out conflict.

The insurgents warned they would employ "large-scale attacks" across Afghanistan during the offensive -- dubbed Operation Omari in honour of the movement's late founder Mullah Omar, whose death was announced last year.

"The Taliban, once a rural-based insurgency, manage to make headlines, create fear and recruit more followers with large urban attacks," Kabul-based military analyst Jawed Kohistani told AFP.

"They will undoubtedly plan more such spectacular attacks in big cities."

Another large-scale assault occurred in 2011, when dozens of worshippers were killed in a suicide attack in Kabul during the Shiite holy day of Ashura.

The Afghan government at the time said 80 people died in the attack. But the UN, which is well known for their meticulous civilian casualty figures, subsequently reported a toll of 56.

In 2008 a car bomb at the Indian embassy in Kabul killed 60 people.

The Taliban's resurgence has raised serious questions about the ability of Afghan forces to hold their own and prompted calls for the US to reconsider its troop withdrawal schedule.

There are currently 9,800 American troops in the country, set to fall to 5,500 by 2017.

Peace talks, which began last summer, were abruptly halted after it was revealed that Mullah Omar had been dead for two years, a disclosure which sparked infighting within insurgent ranks.

A four-country group comprising Afghanistan, the United States, China and Pakistan has been holding meetings since January aimed at jump-starting negotiations, though their efforts have so far been in vain.
Paris (AFP) - The work of saving Earth's climate does not end with the pact to curb carbon emissions which countries adopted in Paris in December and will sign in New York on Friday.

Here are key dates in 2016 towards the Paris agreement's ratification and implementation.

- May 2: The secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) updates its report on the aggregate effect of emissions-curbing pledges, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), submitted by 187 countries. The last report, in October 2015, was based on 146 NDCs.

- May 5-6: Climate Action 2016, a brainstorming gathering of senior government, business and financial sector representatives, academics, philanthropists and civil society groupings in Washington.

- May 16-26: Climate negotiators gather in Bonn, Germany, for the first meeting of what is now know as the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA), to start laying the groundwork for execution of the pact.

- May 26-27: A summit of the G7 group of rich nations in Ise-Shima, Japan, to consider "how to lead the overall efforts of the international community" in addressing climate change.

- June 1-2: Energy ministers meet in San Francisco for an annual discussion on clean energy solutions.

- June 28-30: Green Climate Fund board meeting in Songdo, South Korea.

- June 29-30: Energy ministers of the G20 top economies meet in Beijing, China.

- July 3-5: Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin -- traditionally when the presidency of the Conference of Parties (COP) is handed over from the last host (France - COP21) to the next one (Morocco - COP22).

- July 6: The executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Christiana Figueres, steps down at the end of a six-year term during which she oversaw the adoption of the Paris Agreement.

- September 4-5: G20 summit in Hangzhou, China.

- September 19-26: Climate Week NYC, a civil society mobilisation for climate action.

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- September 26-28: "Climate Chance" gathering in Nantes, France, for NGOs, trade unions, scientists, and citizens to consider the "state of action" worldwide and plot a course for the future.

- October 7-9: Annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, Washington.

- October 18-20: Green Climate Fund board meeting (TBC)

- November 7-18: COP 22 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

- December 12: First anniversary of the Paris agreement.
By John Irish GENEVA (Reuters) - Kurdish officials in the main Syrian opposition bloc at peace talks in Geneva said on Wednesday they backed the idea of an autonomous political federation in northern Syria, but dismissed as illegal PYD Kurds moves to seek autonomy. The PYD and its powerful YPG military wing control three provinces in the north of the country and have declared they would push for a vote to unite the areas in a federal system that appears aimed at creating a self-run entity within Syria. That initiative drew rebukes from the Damascus government, neighboring power Turkey and Washington. It could also further complicate U.N.-backed peace talks where the PYD have not been invited. Abdul Hakim Bachar, a Kurdish representative of the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), which includes three Kurdish negotiators, told reporters that Syria would need federalism in the future. "I believe federalism will be best solution for Syria because of the disputes the regime has created between the Syrian people," he said. "I think it's the best solution." However, he said it had to be decided only once President Bashar al-Assad had stepped aside and that the Syrian people as a whole had been consulted. "We would pressure to have a federal state at that time, but the federal area announced now (by the PYD) is not agreed among the people," Bachar said. "It will make public opinion work against the Kurds, because we have always been seen as separatists and this decision will reinforce this vision." While talks to end the five-year conflict in Syria struggle, the plans are taking shape independently of U.N.-led diplomacy and creating facts on the ground in an area of the country known in Kurdish as Rojava. The PYD says the Kurdish officials within the HNC do not represent the Kurdish people on the ground and that instead they should be negotiating in Geneva on behalf of the Kurds. "If representation comes at gunpoint then of course the PYD is representative of the Kurds, but ... I am sure we represent 70 to 80 percent of Kurdish people," Bachar said. "If representation is determined by gunpoint then we could also say Islamic State represents half of Syria." Turkey, which has blocked the PYD's participation in the talks, fears growing Kurdish sway in Syria is fuelling separatism among its own minority Kurds. It considers the PYD's military wing to be an ally of the PKK, which has fought an insurgency for Kurdish autonomy in southeast Turkey. The HNC and its Kurdish partners say the PYD is colluding with the Syrian government and must make it categorically clear that it has no ties to Damascus and wants a political transition without Assad. (Reporting By John Irish; Editing by Jon Boyle)
Qamishli (Syria) (AFP) - Deadly clashes between Syrian pro-government fighters and Kurdish forces raged on Wednesday in the northeastern city of Qamishli, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

Loud blasts from rocket fire and heavy machineguns could be heard throughout the city into the evening as warplanes screeched above, the reporter said.

Qamishli is under the shared control of the Syrian regime and Kurdish authorities, who have declared zones of "autonomous administration" across parts of north and northeast Syria.

The clashes broke out between government forces and the local Kurdish police force, known as the Asayish, at a checkpoint earlier on Wednesday, a Kurdish security source told AFP.

"Then, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) joined on behalf of the Asayish and the pro-government National Defence Forces joined on the side of the regime," the source said.

He said "a number of our comrades" had died but would not give a specific number.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four NDF fighters were killed and another 20 were arrested by Kurdish forces.

The Britain-based monitor said three Asayish members were also killed in the fighting and several others were wounded.

Syrian troops and seasoned Kurdish fighters have coordinated on security in Hasakeh province where Islamic State group jihadists have tried to advance.

But tensions have built up between the sometimes-rival authorities, often over their individual military conscription services.

Two NDF militiamen were killed in similar clashes in December.
Kuwait City (AFP) - Kuwait's state oil firm said Wednesday it expects to restore full production within three days after workers ended a strike in a surprise about-turn that triggered a renewed slide in world prices.

The walkout by thousands of staff of Kuwait Petroleum Corp. (KPC) and its subsidiaries on Sunday in a dispute over planned pay cuts had slashed the emirate's output from 3.0 million barrels per day to 1.5 million and prompted a brief rally in world prices.

But early on Wednesday the Kuwait Oil Workers Union announced its members were returning to work after what it called an "extremely successful" strike that had made the government pay attention to their concerns.

Staff were already returning to work in response to the union's call, KPC said, adding that operations at its installations were resuming.

Company spokesman Sheikh Talal Khaled al-Sabah said a gradual return to normal production of 3.0 million bpd "would take around three days".

The union's surprise announcement, which came just hours after its leaders had vowed to continue the strike until all their demands were met, quashed hopes the disruption could help ease a persistent supply glut and saw oil shed nearly a dollar on world markets.

Around 1100 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in May was down 91 cents at $40.17 a barrel, and Brent North Sea crude for June delivery fell 70 cents to $43.32.

Prices "are coming under pressure again... after oil workers in Kuwait agreed to end their strike against wage and job cuts and work to return output to pre-strike levels", said analyst Craig Erlam at trading firm Oanda.

The climbdown by the union came after an appeal by acting oil minister Anas al-Saleh on Tuesday night for staff to return to work so that negotiations could be held on their demands.

"We cannot sit at the negotiating table while the strike is still going on. Return to work and come and negotiate," he told the private Al-Rai satellite television.

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Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah met on Wednesday with the union's leaders after they called off the strike.

They discussed "the negative impact of the strike and halting production at the vital oil facilities in addition to losses" caused by the industrial action, said an official statement.

The premier said the government would fully respect any right for employees under the law but it was not possible to "respond to any demands under the pressure of work stoppage and disruption to vital interests," said the statement quoted by the official KUNA news agency.

- Union demands -

The union has yet to comment on the talks.

The workers' demands include dropping plans to cut some benefits in the face of falling oil prices and excluding the sector from a new payroll scheme for public employees.

Saleh, who is also finance minister, said the government had not yet implemented any decision regarding oil workers' pay.

The prime minister said KPC did not plan to cut its workers' wages or their end of service indemnities.

But he added that the company had decided to reduce future pay rises in line with spending cuts adopted in other state organisations.

He said that average monthly pay for oil sector staff in Kuwait was around $22,000, compared with about $4,200 for civil servants.

Saleh said that KPC planned to cut the annual pay rise received by its staff from 7.5 percent of their basic salary to 5.0 percent.

Kuwait posted budget windfalls for 16 consecutive fiscal years due to high oil prices but posted a budget deficit in the 2015/2016 year which ended March 31.

For the 2016-17 fiscal year, it projects a record deficit of $38 billion, equivalent to 30 percent of gross domestic product.

Kuwait has liberalised the price of diesel and kerosene and is considering cutting subsidies on other services.

But it is facing difficulties in cutting spending which has increased more than fourfold since 2006, mostly on wages and subsidies.
KUWAIT (Reuters) - Kuwait's crude oil production may return to normal within three days, after a strike by local oil and gas workers ended, state news agency KUNA quoted the oil sector's official spokesman Sheikh Talal al-Khaled al-Sabah as saying on Wednesday.

Thousands of Kuwaiti workers agreed to return to work from Wednesday morning after staying away for three days to protest against a planned overhaul of the public sector payroll system, which they fear could lead to lower salaries and benefits as well as staff layoffs.

The government said during the strike that it would not negotiate, and late on Tuesday, the sector's union announced it was calling off the action "in honor of his highness the Emir". Global oil prices fell slightly in response.

The union did not elaborate on why it decided to return to work. It was not immediately clear if there would now be talks with the government on the dispute.

The strike may presage more discontent in Kuwait this year as the government, running a budget deficit because of low oil prices, seeks to rein in lavish spending on wages, social welfare and food and energy subsidies for its citizens.

The cabinet has been considering measures since last year, including hikes in prices of gasoline, other fuels and utilities, but has acted more slowly than other Gulf states in implementing such reforms because they could be opposed in parliament.

Oil production fell as low as 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) during the strike, which was not joined by non-Kuwaiti workers in the industry. Previously, Kuwait's output was about 3 million bpd.

Output recovered to 1.6 million bpd on Wednesday from 1.5 million bpd on Tuesday, a Kuwaiti industry source told Reuters.

Six supertankers lined up at Kuwait's crude export terminal to load oil on Wednesday in anticipation of a return to normal, shipping data on Thomson Reuters Eikon showed.

State refiner Kuwait National Petroleum Co (KNPC) will resume its maximum production capacity in under three days, its spokesman Khaled al-Asousi told Reuters. KNPC is currently refining 530,000 bpd; before the strike, its output was 930,000 bpd.

(Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy; Writing by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Andrew Torchia and Mark Potter)
Laos' new leaders took office Tuesday, according to state media, as the secretive communist nation prepares for a period of unusually frenetic diplomacy culminating in a landmark visit by a US President.

One of Asia's least developed nations, Laos has been tightly ruled by its communist leaders since the 1975 end of the Vietnam War, which saw it blanketed by bombs in secret missions led by the CIA.

Leadership reshuffles take place every five years in carefully choreographed gatherings by the country's politburo and rubber stamp National Assembly.

In late January, vice president Bounnhang Vorachith was elected to the presidency and party secretary general, replacing 79-year-old Choummaly Sayasone.

Thongloun Sisoulith, a Soviet Union-educated politburo member and former foreign minister, was elected Prime Minister.

Both apparatchiks were officially appointed to their positions on Tuesday at a ceremony in Vientiane, the state-run Lao News Agency reported.

The internal operations of the powerful party are largely kept secret under a regime that bars a free press, rarely grants access to international media and severely restricts freedom of expression.

But analysts predict the current politburo is unlikely to loosen the government's repressive grip or open its economy.

A foreign diplomat in Vientiane told AFP they expected "no major changes".

"The speeches from Bounnhang and Thongloun promised the same policies. Thongloun appears to be a good choice in terms of Laos balancing its foreign relations," the diplomat said, requesting anonymity.

Laos is currently chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, hosting a slew of diplomatic meetings that could open the hermetic nation up to greater scrutiny.

Barack Obama will also be the first US president to visit Laos when he attends an ASEAN summit in the capital this summer, an arrival tinged with historical significance given the CIA's secret carpet bombing of the landlocked nation.

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Leaders from China and Japan are also expected to attend.

Though for many years neighbouring Vietnam was the most powerful foreign player in Laos, China has poured money into the country recently, becoming its largest foreign investor in 2014.

But Washington is also increasingly courting the isolated state as part of President Barack Obama's so-called "pivot" to Asia.

Rights groups have urged ASEAN and the US to pressure Laos this year over its poor human rights record.

On Tuesday, Reporters Without Borders released its annual report, ranking Laos one of the worst countries in the world for press freedom at 173 out of 180.
Managua (AFP) - A grouping of leftwing Latin America political parties on Wednesday rejected the impeachment process against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, calling it an "institutional coup."

The Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America (COPPAL) issued a statement in which it "rejected any destabilizing intent to undermine democracy in Brazil."

The text was read in Nicaragua's capital Managua by COPPAL's vice president, Francisco Rosales.

The organization, which groups 60 leftist parties including Rousseff's Workers Party, warned that the impeachment process -- the "institutional coup" -- "is something that affects the whole region."

It drew parallels with a 2009 coup in Honduras that ousted president Manuel Zelaya and a 2012 impeachment in Paraguay of its president, Fernando Lugo.

Brazil's Congress over the weekend voted overwhelmingly in favor of impeaching Rousseff on the grounds she improperly used loans from state banks to paper over a budget gap, something she denies is grounds for impeachment.

The process has now moved to Brazil's senate, which is likely to hold a vote by mid-May on whether or not it approves impeachment.

Rousseff and her predecessor and mentor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have repeatedly called the push for impeachment a "coup," claiming opponents and former allies were seizing on accusations not serious enough to warrant ousting an elected leader.

If impeachment succeeds, it would further roll back a "pink tide" of leftist leaders across Latin America who had taken power in the last decade or so only to lose it in recent years.

Argentina, Paraguay, Guatemala and Honduras have all swung to the right in the last few years in presidential elections.
In 2014, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague said Yukos Oil was the object of a series of politically-motivated attacks by the Russian authorities that eventually led to its destruction. But in overturning what was one of the biggest-ever compensation awards in an arbitration case, the Hague District Court ruled Wednesday that the PCA had no jurisdiction in the case.

Heres the background to the story: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the Russian oligarch, and former Kremlin ally fell afoul of Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, and was arrested in 2003. He was convicted of tax evasion in 2005, found guilty of embezzlement in 2010, and spent a decade in prison until he was pardoned in 2013 by Putin. (He now lives in Switzerland.) The case against Russia at the PCA was brought by subsidiaries of GML Ltd., the former Menatep, through which Khodorkovsky and his partners controlled Yukos. They sought $100 billion from the Russian government, but were at first awarded $50 billion.

On Wednesday that decision was overturned. Russia welcomed the verdict by the Hague district court; GML said it would appeal.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Vienna (AFP) - Ukraine next week marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, when human error and flawed Soviet reactor technology led to the world's worst nuclear accident.

Ahead of the April 26 anniversary, AFP looks at the steps taken since 1986 to improve nuclear safety around the world and -- as Fukushima showed in 2011 -- the challenges that remain.

- Only in the USSR? -

Experts say a big factor behind the disaster was the unusual and poor design of the reactor, known as RMBK, particularly its propensity to sudden power surges -- as happened at Chernobyl.

In addition, and unlike elsewhere outside the Soviet Union, there was no containment structure shielding the reactor to stop radioactivity escaping.

But there was also human error. According to the World Nuclear Association, the accident was also due to "the violation of operating procedures and the absence of a safety culture".

The aftermath was also poorly handled, with officials slow to evacuate locals and Moscow sending 600,000 "liquidators" with little or no protective gear to put out a fire that raged for 10 days.

The first alarm was raised on April 28, 1986, not by Russia but by Sweden after it detected an unexplained rise in radiation levels. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev did not admit the disaster had occurred until May 14.

- The response -

With enormous public outrage around the world Chernobyl, suddenly a household name, spurred an international push -- even overcoming Cold War divisions -- to improve atomic safety and reassure the public.

One of the most important steps was the 1989 creation of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), which carries out "peer reviews" of 430 reactors around the world to detect problems.

"The industry has undoubtedly learned the lesson that we are stronger together," WANO chief executive Peter Prozesky told AFP.

The demise of the Soviet Union and the end of its Cold War isolation has also removed barriers to international cooperation.

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Ex-communist eastern European countries, many now EU members, have also been helped to adapt their Soviet-built plants. Of the 17 RMBK reactors in operation in 1986, six have been permanently shut down.

In addition the role of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency was beefed up. It expanded and revised safety standards and member states were required to report swiftly any incidents with potential cross-border effects.

A number of international agreements were signed, the most important being the IAEA Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS). Others covered nuclear waste and early warning systems for accidents.

- What about Fukushima? -

But any belief that enough had been done was swamped by the tsunami that knocked out the power supply and cooling systems of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on March 11, 2011.

"It was the belief in Japan at that time that this facility was robust... and even that it was not a good idea to conduct upgrades or changes to the facility because this could demonstrate in terms of public communication some weaknesses," Juan Carlos Lentijo, head of nuclear safety at the IAEA, told AFP.

"This was an acute error, a huge mistake."

This, the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl, also caused an outcry, further international cooperation and agreements, and an even bigger role for WANO and the IAEA.

Nuclear plant operators again say that they have made more technical improvements, including through better shielding of the nuclear material and more reliable "passive" safety systems in newer reactors.

- Human error -

But for critics, dangerous risks remain, not least because no matter how many technical and regulatory improvements are made, the risk of human error -- the common factor at Chernobyl and Fukushima -- remains.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, there were 10 "near misses" at US reactors in 2015, events that potentially increase the risk of a meltdown by at least 10 times, most due to human error.

For Shawn-Patrick Stensil, a nuclear expert at Greenpeace, the biggest risk is that most reactors, particularly in the West, are decades old, their designs dating back to the 1960s and 70s.

"We are now in the wear-out stage for the majority of the reactors in the world," Stensil told AFP.

In addition, these reactors were all built before another risk that has reared its head in recent years -- nuclear terrorism -- "was even thought about," Stensil said.

There are also lingering concerns about Russia -- there are still 11 RMBK reactors, albeit with new safety features -- particularly with Russia being a big exporter of reactors to the developing world.

But Lentijo of the IAEA, whose raison d'etre is to promote nuclear technology, is more positive.

"Safety has been improved, and I would say that the level is appropriate in general terms," he said.
Its common sense that if youre buying a pair of trendy $9 jeans at the mall, theres a good chance they were made in an overseas sweatshop by poorly paid women or children. Yet a new survey reveals that saving a buck is whats foremost in Americans minds.

An Associated PressGFK poll released late last week found that when it comes to purchasing clothes, the majority of Americans prefer cheap prices over a Made in the USA label. The poll, inspired by campaign trail promises by presidential candidates to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., asked respondents to choose between two pairs of pants made with the exact same fabric and design. The pair manufactured in the United States would set the shopper back $85, while the one sewn overseas would cost $50. A full 67 percent of respondents, regardless of household income, said theyd choose the cheaper pair of pants.

RELATED: John Oliver Turns a Spotlight on the High Cost of Fashion's Low Prices

American Apparels sweatshop-free premise aside, garments made in the USA arent always ethically sewn. But inexpensive clothing produced in overseas sweatshops has long been a cornerstone of the fast-fashion industryand as the poll shows, Americans are in love with low prices.

Buying cheaply is a cultural deficiency that we can address with a common goal toward more sustainable practices, Orsola de Castro, the U.K.-based cofounder and director of Fashion Revolution, wrote in an email to TakePart.

De Castro launched Fashion Revolution after the fatal 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. The horrific (and preventable) accident killed more than 1,000 people and injured around 2,500 more. The organization works to turn the spotlight on child labor and sweatshop abuses and spearheads Fashion Revolution Week, an 86-nation awareness campaign taking place April 1824.

Given the penchant for low prices, Fashion Revolutions fight to get people to ask brands Who made my clothes? might seem like an uphill battle. It also doesnt help that studies show consumers often dont want to know if their clothing was produced ethicallyand theyll ridicule people who do.

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But de Castro believes the narrative of fashion is changing, and the public is beginning to understand that a fairer fashion industry can only be a change for the better, and small changes in our buying habits can have resonant, positive effects.

Despite politicians promises about a return to a Made in the USA heydaywhich, given how cheap it is to make clothing around the world, is not likely to happende Castro believes that the solution is to ensure that the people working in places like Bangladesh are granted basic workers rights.

It is absolutely about basic human rights wherever there is a fashion production. The fashion industry creates millions of jobs, everywhere, wrote de Castro. It is about ensuring integrity: encouraging an industry that, wherever it decides to produce, treats its workers fairly, pays a living wage, ensures safety and dignity. Quality products made by people with a good quality of life.

San Franciscobased Starre Vartan, the creator of the sustainable fashion website Eco-Chick.com and a founding member of Fashion Revolution Day USA, thinks there are plenty of things people should care about more than low prices.

RELATED: See How Much Sweatshop-Made Clothing Gets Trashed Every Two Minutes

If the people reading support womens empowerment, they will support fair fashion, she wrote in an email. The vast majority of garment workers in the world (60 million) are women (80 percent), and most clothing is consumed by women. Are you willing to throw another woman under the bus for a cheaper shirt? Considering how responsive the younger generation is on gender issues in the U.S., it doesnt make sense to dismiss issues of who makes your clothes.

The role of kids in producing fast fashion also cant be ignored, wrote Vartan. A video released last week by Fashion Revolution featured children in Germany trying to get jobs at clothing stores and companies. The stunt was designed to get viewers to question why people regularly buy clothing made by kids in developing countries while being simultaneously outraged over the prospect of employing children to work in the Western fashion industry.

Approximately 168 million children around the world are forced to work, according to the International Labour Organization. Children are still used in many factories for piecework, cleanup, and other tasks, rather than going to school so they can earn a few pennies for their families. Children should obviously not be working instead of going to school, wrote Vartan.

Daniela Degrassi, an Italian-born designer working with Fashion Revolution West Coast USA, says she ethically produces everything in her line, Annaborgia Vegan Couture. Her items arent as inexpensive as what can be found in a trendy story at the mall, but on her companys website, Degrassi regularly blogs about sustainable brands, particularly from nations such as Bangladesh that have problems with sweatshops. People who care only about high prices may simply not be exposed to the information, she wrote.

Both Degrassi and Vartan recommended The True Cost, a 2015 documentary revealing the often inhumane experiences of people around the globe who work in the garment industry. People who see The True Cost find themselves unable to participate in fast fashionor [they] seriously question and redefine their shopping habits, wrote Vartan.

RELATED: The True Cost Director Andrew Morgan Urges Consumer Activism

Along with educating the public and demanding transparency from brands, de Castro believes government intervention and pressure on companies is sparking change.

We are actually seeing a genuine and spontaneous outreach to review the fashion situation and address pressing the issues that affect its supply chain, she wrote. She added that government actions such as the 2015 Modern Day Slavery Act in the U.K.which tackles slavery and corporate supply chains tied to itas well as celebrities becoming involved in the conversation are making a difference.

As for the average shopper faced with the decision to buy some inexpensive jeans thatll wear out in a few washes, de Castro offers some sound advice. We encourage vigilance and participation: be curious, find out, do something, she wrote.

Take the Pledge: Help Reduce the True Cost of Fast Fashion: Become a Responsible Clothing Consumer

Related stories on TakePart:





 Provocative Labels Expose Sweatshop Horrors to Shoppers

 Want an Outfit That's 100 Percent Sweatshop-Free? Just Press 'Print'

 You Wont Believe How Much Clothing the U.S. Throws Away in a Year

Original article from TakePart
China on Tuesday launched a yuan-denominated gold price fix in its bid to become a price maker in a market dominated by London and New York.

Listed on the Shanghai Gold Exchange, the benchmark price is derived from a 1 kg-contract and was set at 256.92 yuan ($39.70) a gram on Tuesday, Reuters reported. The price will be set twice a day.

China is the world's largest gold producer and jostles with India for the tag of the biggest consumer of the precious metal globally.

Eighteen institutions including top Chinese banks such as Bank of China and ICBC, as well as Standard Chartered and ANZ will join the benchmark fixing.

The yuan gold fix will come up against the London Bullion Market Association's spot benchmark set twice a day with 12 participants.

Swiss trading house MKS' chairman Marwan Shakarchi said China's growing consumption of gold supports the set-up of the fix.



"To have a benchmark price in renminbi ... will help both consumers and producers in this part of the world," said Shakarchi. MKS is one of the 18 trading members of the yuan gold benchmark.

Although the impact of China's gold fix will likely be limited now in a closed monetary system, there is potential for opportunities in the future when the currency achieves full convertibility, Shakarchi indicated.



"Ultimately...I see them uniting the (offshore yuan) CNH and CNY (onshore yuan). (The currency) will be fully convertible and it will be easier to import gold into China," added Shakarchi.

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Skopje (AFP) - Macedonia's opposition said Wednesday it would only join EU talks on resolving the country's political crisis if the government revoked an amnesty for politicians embroiled in a wire-tapping scandal and postpone June 5 elections.

President Gjorge "Ivanov has to withdraw the shameful decision on amnesty... (which is) contrary to the constitution," Zoran Zaev, leader of the main opposition Social Democrats (SDSM), told reporters.

"The parliament has to annul the June 5 date for elections," he insisted, saying the ballot should be postponed "until conditions for a democratic, fair and credible vote are met".

"Otherwise, SDSM will not participate at the (Friday) meeting in Vienna," he added.

The ruling VMRO-DPMNE conservative party has already accepted the European Union's invitation to crisis talks in Vienna.

Last week, Macedonia announced snap elections on June 5, but the opposition said it would boycott the ballot on grounds that conditions for free and fair polls had not been met -- a contention backed by the EU and the US.

Zaev has accused the ruling conservatives of corruption, massive electoral fraud and clamping down the media.

On Wednesday, he said the party had "buried the agreement" reached under EU auspices last year which was aimed at resolving the two-year political crisis in the Balkans country.

The crisis ratcheted up a gear earlier this month, when Ivanov halted a probe into more than 50 public figures suspected of involvement in corruption and a wire-tapping scandal.

The move has triggered daily street protests against Ivanov and the ruling party's leader, Nikola Gruevski.

Late Wednesday thousands of people took to the streets of Skopje and other Macedonian towns once again to show their support for the opposition. There were no reports of serious incidents.

More protests are planned for Thursday when ruling party supporters are also set to make their feeling felt on the capital's streets after a pause of several days.

Ivanov's decision to end the wiretapping probe was also condemned by Brussels and Washington. Observers said it raised questions about the rule of law in Macedonia and damaged the country's ambitions to draw closer to the EU and the US.

The former Yugoslav republic has been a candidate for EU membership since 2005, but has yet to open accession talks. It is also a candidate to join NATO since 2009.
Athens (AFP) - Five mayors of Athens' coastal suburbs warned Wednesday of the "enormous" health risks posed by a nearby camp housing over 4,000 migrants and refugees.

"The conditions are out of control and present enormous risks to the public health," the mayors complained in a letter to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in reference to the camp at Hellinikon, the site of Athens' old airport.

A total of 4,153 people, including many families, have been held there for the last month in miserable conditions.

"The number of people is much higher than the capacity of the place and there are serious hygiene problems," local mayor Dionyssis Hatzidakis told AFP.

He and his four fellow mayors from the area cited a document from Greece's disease prevention centre KEELPNO warning of the "the danger of disease contagion due to unacceptable housing conditions" at the site which they say has no more than 40 chemical toilets.

Since the migrants' favoured route through the Balkans to the rest of Europe was shut down in February, numbers have been building up in Greece, with 46,000 Syrians and other nationalities now stuck in the country.

Thousands of these have been transferred from the islands they arrived at to temporary centres such as the one at Hellinikon, until more suitable reception centres can be set up.

The five mayors also voiced their disquiet at the "tensions and daily violent incidents between the refugees or migrants," calling on the interior minister to boost police numbers in the area.

"We are launching an appeal for help to protect the public health and security of both the refugees and the local population," they said in their letter.

Their intervention came the day after 17-year-old Afghan woman living in Hellinikon with her parents died after six days in an Athens hospital.

Her death was linked to a pre-existing heart condition exacerbated by the difficult journey to Greece, the doctor who treated her was quoted as saying in the Ethnos daily.

Greek island officials on Tuesday began letting migrants leave detention centres where they have been held, as Human Rights Watch heaped criticism on a wave of EU-sanctioned expulsions to ease the crisis.
- Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor stunned the sport on Tuesday after appearing to announce his retirement at the age of 27. The UFC featherweight icon -- one of the most high-profile stars of the combat sport -- had been scheduled to face Nate Diaz in a rematch in Las Vegas on July 9. Diaz demolished the outspoken Irishman when the two met earlier this year. However, in a post on Twitter that was widely interpreted as a retirement announcement, McGregor signaled he was quitting. "I have decided to retire young. Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya's later," McGregor wrote. UFC president Dana White later confirmed McGregor would no longer be feature on the card for UFC 200 in July.

AFP
Mark Robinson is a professor in ASUs School of Earth and Space Exploration, LROC principal investigator, and a science team member on a number of missions including NEAR, CONTOUR, MESSENGER and Mars 2020. Robinson contributed this article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) was conceived and designed a decade ago to support a human return to the moon. That lofty goal required that the spacecraft produce a diverse set of measurements to provide high-resolution maps of potential landing sites, an assessment of potentially valuable lunar resources like water, and a deeper understanding of radiation hazards future astronauts will face.

At that time, NASA requested proposals for instruments that could fill in existing knowledge gaps. In late 2004 after a competitive process, NASA selected seven science instruments for the LRO, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, commonly known as LROC (pronounced EL-rock). (See a gallery of the images at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's LROC exhibition in Washington, D.C.)

LROC is actually composed of three cameras: two identical Narrow Angle Cameras (NAC), and one Wide Angle Camera (WAC). The three cameras are controlled with a small electronics assembly known as the Sequence and Compressor System (SCS). The LROC hardware was all designed and built by Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS), located in San Diego.

The original goals of the WAC were to map lighting conditions at the poles over a year and provide an accurate, global, lunar cartographic baseline. It also was to map out color differences due to compositional variation across the lunar globe, at moderate resolution.

The original goals of the NAC were to investigate potential landing sites  both in terms of science return and engineering constraints  and to identify new impacts with before/after imaging (temporal imaging). Unraveling lunar science and resource questions and understanding where it is safe to land demand very high resolution  we chose 50 centimeter pixel scales. [Mapping the Moon ]

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A new lunar map  every month

The WAC acquires images in two ultraviolet colors (321 and 360 nanometers) and five visible colors (415 nm corresponding to violet-blue, 566 nm to green-yellow, 604 nm to orange, and 643 nm and 689 nm at the red end of the spectrum). The resolution is moderate, at 1,312 feet (400 meter) per pixel scale in the ultraviolet and 100 meter per pixel scale in the visible, from an altitude of 31 miles (50 kilometer). This softball-size camera maps the whole moon every month, in stereo.



These observations are the foundation for extremely accurate new global maps , a necessary tool for future explorers. These maps include monochrome versions at high sun and low sun, and 7-color renderings.

Each global map requires mosaicking together more than 10,000 individual WAC images, a complex task undertaken by the LROC team at the ASU Science Operations Center. Since the WAC field-of-view is 90 degrees, there is quite a bit of distortion, especially at the edges of the images  a meticulous inflight characterization of the camera distortion from thousands of images near the poles (looking at areas of overlap) allowed for a geometric correction precise to one-tenth of a pixel (or better). The geometric correction and very accurate spacecraft tracking results in maps that are accurate to better than a half pixel (164 feet, or 50 meters).

A global WAC mosaic every month may seem repetitive or excessive. However, the data are not redundant  each month the lighting is different, so the WAC is building up the most comprehensive record of how varying light affects surface brightness ever acquired for any body in the solar system (outside of the Earth). We all have experienced how light varying over the course of a day drastically changes the look and feel of any scene. Many artists have taken advantage of this effect: think of Monet's Rouen Cathedral and water lilies series of paintings. In the case of the WAC, the lighting series has a more practical application: scientists can understand aspects of surface roughness and composition by documenting how the reflectance changes from sunrise to sunset. This translates not only to a better understanding of the lunar surface, but also to airless rocky bodies anywhere.

Both lighting extremes are potentially valuable to future explorers. Permanent shadows are extremely cold (less than 40 kelvins; minus 388 degrees Fahrenheit) and likely harbor deposits of ice, which can provide water for future settlements. Areas in near-permanent illumination have stable temperatures and ready access to solar power.

The repeat observations are more frequent near the poles, since LRO is in a low polar orbit it passes over each pole every 2 hours. From those passes, the LROC team created a time-lapse sequence showing regions that are in permanent shadow and other regions that are illuminated for extreme periods of time (such as mountain peaks near the poles).

Finally, this small camera enabled a near global topographic map of the moon  with the exception of shadowed areas very near the poles  at a scale of 100 meters. The fine pixel scale is possible because the topography is measured many times at each pixel. Since the uncertainties in the measurements are mostly random we can take the average of many estimates (on average more than 80) at that one pixel and derive a precise estimate of the elevation.

Despite its diminutive size, the WAC can certainly be considered the little camera that could!

Getting the big picture

The heart of each NAC is a single row, or line array, of 4,996 imaging pixels. That's it, just one row of pixels. The NACs build up a complete 2D image by taking advantage of the 1,600 meter-per-second (50 cm per 0.34 millisecond) orbital velocity of the spacecraft. That single row of pixels is read out every 0.34 milliseconds 52,224 times (taking a total of about 18 seconds) to form a 4,996 by 52,224 pixel image. Each "readout" results in one line of the image. That works out to an impressive 249-megapixel image. This type of imaging scheme is sometimes called "push-broom." Since the NACs almost always image simultaneously and their fields-of-view overlap about 100 pixels, we actually obtain a 9,900 by 52,224 pixel image mosaic (498-megapixel image). Having two cameras also provides redundancy; if one failed we could still meet our requirements.

The NAC images reveal startling detail; hardware and astronaut tracks are discernible at all six Apollo landing sites. Due to variations in spacecraft altitude (25 km to 220 km), the nadir- observing (looking straight down) NAC images have pixel scales ranging from 0.25 meters to 2.20 meters.

In addition to the small pixel footprint, the NACs have an extended gray-scale dynamic range. Most digital cameras typically record only 256 shades of gray. The NAC records more than 3,200 shades of gray for each pixel, so it can fully capture subtle changes in bright and dark areas within the same image; a critical consideration because the lunar surface has very high contrast in many areas.

The combination of small pixel scale and extended dynamic range of the NACs results in the beautiful images on display at the National Air and Space Museum and the LROC website (and more than a million other NAC images currently in the LROC archive).

The view from above

The LROC experiment is an overwhelming success. Its three cameras accomplished much more than the original objectives, and are still enabling groundbreaking science as it continues mapping the moon.

A short list of technical accomplishments includes: global maps at varying illumination,

a map of permanently shadowed regions, global topography, the first detailed ultraviolet map of the moon, and high-resolution maps and topography with startling ground coordinate accuracy.

Scientific discoveries from the LROC images include new insights into the physics of impact- crater formation, discovery of very young volcanic features, confirmation that the moon is shrinking, discovery of silicic volcanoes, a new understanding of how light interacts with the surface and much more.

However, the technical and scientific discoveries of LROC are not the subject of the National Air and Space Museum show. Rather, it is the revelation of the moon as a beautiful and engaging world in its own right that is the theme of this small collection of images. The lunar landscape can be dramatic, engaging, mysterious, wondrous, and at times, confusing. The whole character of a single landscape can appear foreboding, friendly or inspiring as the light changes through a lunar day. But in every case, the moon is seen as an alluring destination, somewhere I want to go and explore.

It is my hope that the LROC images will reveal a moon that you never knew existed. There is no doubt in my mind that humans will someday return to the moon, and then move outward to Mars and beyond. The big questions are  by whom and when?

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.

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Riyadh (AFP) - US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter pleaded Wednesday for greater Gulf financial and political involvement in Iraq, which is battling both Islamic State jihadists and an economic crisis.

Carter made the comments after meeting in Riyadh with his counterparts from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.

"I encourage our GCC partners to do more, not only militarily as the Saudis, as the UAE have been doing -- and I really appreciate that -- but also politically and economically," Carter told reporters after the talks.

He said Sunni support for "multisectarian governance and reconstruction" will be critical to ensuring the defeat of IS, the Sunni extremist group which has seized large parts of Shiite-majority Iraq, and Syria.

Shiite paramilitary forces dominated by Iran-backed militias have helped push back the jihadists.

Iraqi Kurds, mostly Sunnis who have an autonomous region in the country's north, have received training to fight IS from a US-led coalition whose warplanes are bombing the jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations are part of that coalition but Carter called on them to exert diplomatic support as well, by re-opening embassies in Baghdad.

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Iraq presented his credentials in January, re-establishing relations a quarter-century after they were cut following ex-president Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait.

The United States would like the oil-rich Gulf monarchies -- although they themselves are facing falling revenues from collapsed crude prices -- to help in Iraq's reconstruction.

This could be through contributions to the United Nations or even non-profit organisations, he said.

The question of support for Iraq is expected to be on the agenda Thursday when Carter joins President Barack Obama at a GCC summit in Riyadh.

They will gather in an atmosphere of tension with Gulf leaders offended by Obama's perceived reluctance to get involved in the region's problems, and in particular his tilt towards Iran, their Shiite-dominated regional rival.

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The Sunni Gulf monarchies are worried after the lifting this year of international sanctions against Tehran under an agreement with major powers to curb Iran's nuclear programme.

Riyadh and its neighbours fear the US-supported deal will only embolden Iran which they accuse of interference throughout the Middle East.

From the US perspective, greater Gulf involvement with Baghdad will counter Iranian influence.

"We say: 'Do more to help the politics work out'", a senior American defence official said.

Before the Gulf states assist Baghdad they want guarantees over minority Sunni representation in parliament and their access to national financial resources, he said.

Iraq is confronting a serious economic crisis caused by low global oil prices and years of mismanagement and corruption.

Both the US and the United Nations have warned that the crisis could distract from efforts to combat IS.
London (AFP) - British lawmakers voted Wednesday to urge the government to recognise the Islamic State jihadist group's attacks on minorities in Iraq and Syria as genocide.

Members of parliament unanimously approved the motion -- which is not binding on the government -- by 278 votes to zero.

The vote in the 650-seat lower House of Commons calls on ministers to accept formally that IS actions against Christian, Yazidi and other religious and ethnic minorities in Syria and Iraq constitute genocide.

But Foreign Office junior minister Tobias Ellwood, who has specific responsibility for the Middle East, said it was up to the courts rather than the government to make such a judgement.

"I believe genocide has taken place, but as the prime minister (David Cameron) has said, genocide is a matter of legal rather than political opinion," Ellwood said.

MPs from all parties urged Britain to use its position as one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to get the situation referred to the International Criminal Court.

Ellwood said any referral to the ICC by the UNSC "will only be possible with a united council and ideally with the cooperation of countries in which alleged crimes have been committed.

"But I draw the house's attention when efforts were made to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC in 2014 it was vetoed by Russia and China and we expect any Security Council resolution seeking to refer the situations in Iraq or Syria to the ICC against these countries could very well be blocked again.

"But further discussions are taking place. We are now in a different place than in 2014."

He added: "It is not for governments to be the prosecutor, the judge or indeed the jury."

The United States declared last month that Islamic State's slaughter of Christians, Yazidis and Shiites in Iraq and Syria amounts to a genocide and vowed to halt it.

Secretary of State John Kerry's "moral statement" did not place the United States under any new legal obligations, but the White House said it could back an international investigation by the ICC -- which the United States is not party to -- into alleged genocide.

The Islamic State group recruits Sunni extremists and has regularly carried out mass killings of Shiite Muslim, Christian and Yazidi prisoners.
Naomi Campbell is back in the spotlight following the promotional tour of her new coffee table book, "Naomi".

The UK supermodel has joined forces with the publisher Taschen on a signed, limited edition collector's item that charts the meteoric success of her 30-year career at the top of the fashion food chain. She has described it as "the culmination of my life's work."

The two-volume work, which will be released on May 1, incorporates a photographic portfolio and an autobiographical text. Volume 1 showcases the star as styled and shot by famous photographers including Patrick Demarchelier, Jean-Paul Goude, Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel, Helmut Newton, Mario Testino, Ellen von Unwerth, and Bruce Weber. Volume 2 pairs the model's own anecdotes with family snapshots, personal notes, and photographs of friends and collaborators from her own archives. The book's casing features contoured artwork by Pop Art legend Allen Jones.

Attending a launch for the book at Burberry's London cafe Thomas's this week, Campbell, who has a long history of working with the British heritage brand, said: "To be able to celebrate with my family and friends like Christopher Bailey and Benedikt Taschen, and so many people from my industry that have surrounded me for over 30 years was a great honor."

Only 1,000 copies of the book, which can be pre-ordered from taschen.com for $1,750 until May 1, when it will retail for $2,500, have been printed, and according to the publisher they are selling fast. Taschen is also releasing 200 art edition copies, currently available for pre-order for $3,500 until May 1, when the price will rise to $5,000.

Campbell isn't the first fashion icon to mark her impressive career with a coffee table book -- Gisele Bundchen also teamed up with Taschen at the end of last year to honor her 20 years in the industry with a similar photo book venture. The 1,000 copy run of the $700 publication sold out before hitting the shelves, thanks to the pre-order system. Fellow supermodel Kate Moss arguably started the trend back in 2012 when she released "Kate: The Kate Moss Book", a retrospective of her 25-year career.
Brussels (AFP) - NATO and Russia ran up against "profound disagreements" over Ukraine and other issues as their ambassadors met on Wednesday for the first time since 2014, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said.

The two sides agreed to keep communicating following the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, which has been on ice since the alliance cut practical ties with Moscow to protest the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in early 2014.

"I think we had a very frank, serious and actually good meeting," Stoltenberg told a news conference after the talks, adding that both sides had "listened to what each other has to say."

But former Norwegian prime minister Stoltenberg stressed that "NATO and Russia have profound and persistent disagreements".

He admitted they were far from any breakthrough on easing tensions over the simmering violence still gripping eastern Ukraine.

"There were profound disagreements related to the crisis with Ukraine," he said. "During the meeting it was reconfirmed we disagree on the facts, the narrative and the responsibilties for the crisis in and around Ukraine."

- 'Pressure on Russia' -

Relations have also worsened in recent months over Moscow's air campaign in Syria and tensions have flared in the past week after two incidents involving the US military and Russian planes in the Baltic Sea.

Russia's ambassador to NATO, Alexander Grushko, insisted after the meeting with the 28 NATO ambassadors that it was the US-led alliance that was to blame for increasing military activities on Russia's flank.

"For us it is absolutely clear that without real steps on NATO's side to downgrade the military activity in areas adjacent to the Russian Federation, it will not be possible to engage in any meaningful dialogue on confidence building measures," he told reporters.

Grushko also said Russian planes had buzzed the American missile destroyer USS Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea last week because it had sailed near Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave in northern Europe.

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"This is about not the military activity but attempts to exercise military pressure on Russia," he said, comparing it to a hostile ship sailing close to the US coast or in the Gulf of Mexico.

The United States called the incident a "simulated attack" on the ship.

- 'Not business as usual' -

Stoltenberg said it was important to "keep channels of communication open" in both military and political terms, adding that it was necessary for "risk reduction".

"We all agree that it is in all our interest to keep channels for political dialogue open. It is both necessary and useful, especially in times of tensions as we experience now," the NATO chief added.

"However, this does not mean that we are back to business as usual."

Fears the two sides could become embroiled in violence have grown since Russia started a bombing campaign in Syria, particularly after alliance member Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet on its border in November.

Russia blames NATO for increasing the risk of conflict by building up its troops in eastern European countries, many of which have been lobbying for more Western support.

Ahead of the talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was NATO that had frozen relations and that the alliance had "judged it necessary to contact us again".

"But, and we have made them understand this clearly, we cannot act as if it is 'business as usual," Lavrov said after talks with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault in Moscow on Tuesday.

Ayrault said the talks would "advance the sense of a common interest, which is peace and security".

Stoltenberg said that both NATO and Russia had at least agreed on the importance of the Minsk peace agreements, which were supposed to herald a broader settlement in Ukraine and return control of the eastern border with Russia to Kiev.

The deal has produced a tenuous calm in eastern Ukraine, parts of which are controlled by Moscow-backed rebels, but the truce has been threatened by a recent upsurge in clashes.

Crimea's future remains highly uncertain with Russian President Vladimir Putin insisting it will never be given up and NATO equally insistent it will never recognise its annexation.
NYU's Black List-inspired annual selection of the best production-ready screenplays from the university's Tisch School of the Arts graduate film students and recent alumni, known as the Purple List, has revealed its 2016 picks.

The three screenplays, two of which are by women, are all ethnically diverse at a time in which there's been a strong push for more inclusive movies in Hollywood in the wake of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.

The 2016 Purple List winners are Broker, Chickenshit and Noah Tree. The first screenplay, by African-American writer-director-producer Kiara C. Jones, follows an African-American Wall Street financier risking everything to lift his family out of poverty.

Jones, who won a DGA grand jury award and received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for producing and was selected for Sony Pictures Television's directing program, said Wednesday in a statement: "We are seriously lacking the privilege of perspective in black cinema. We have been severely limited in opportunities to tell our stories. This has created a biased and unjust view of blacks in the world media."

Read More: NYU's Black List-Inspired Purple List Announces 2015 Winners

Chickenshit, by Filipino-American writer-director Jess dela Merced, follows a young African-American girl who joins forces with a group of boys to thwart arsonists in Detroit. Dela Merced - a Spike Lee fellow, IFP emerging storyteller and Lorraine Hansberry Media Award winner - said of her film, "The kids I've met working in Detroit are much savvier than I was, more in tune with their environment. They have to navigate a darker, more morally ambiguous world. This frightening realization that the world is not simply black and white is what I am most interested in exploring." Her movie has won support from NYU's production lab and NYU graduate film program creative director Spike Lee.

In his own statement about the Purple List winners, Lee said, "You can tell what a school does by its students. These three exciting screenplays are a representation of what we do here."

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Noah Tree, by Turkish writer-director Cenk Erturk, follows a son trying to fulfill his dying father's dangerously contentious wish to be buried on what may be sacred land, exploring the interactions between Islam and Turkish society. The film was partly financed with a grant from the Turkish Ministry of Culture. Erturk, the festival director of the L.A. Turkish Film Festival, said in a statement, "Ninety-five percent of Turks are Muslims but the vast majority do not actually practice the religion, and yet 95 percent of these non-practicing Muslims say they would fight for their religion. 'Islam' means peace in the original Arabic."

All three films are accessible on the Black List's script database.

Read More: The Black List Partners With NYU's Purple List

With its 2016 selections, the Purple List founders also shared statistics from its five editions, revealing that the screenplays chosen have been particularly diverse. Looking at the 25 Purple List selections since 2012, 19 of the winning screenwriters are women, 15 are ethnically diverse and two identify as LGBT.

The Purple List winners are chosen by a panel of industry professionals. This year's judges include actress Jennifer Beals, writer-director Karyn Kusama, Beasts of the Southern Wild producers Josh Penn and Michael Gottwald, WME's Craig Kestel, UTA's Jacob Epstein and Sundance Lab's Rachel Chanoff.

Twelve Purple List screenplays have gone into production, including the following titles, which were released theatrically: The Adderall Diaries, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, Appropriate Behavior, Manos Sucias, Those People, Yosemite and Newlyweeds.

"Diversity on the Purple List isn't manufactured, it arises organically from the blind read process - it shows what's possible when the playing field is leveled." grad film student and Purple List co-founder Shandor Garrison said in a statement.

Fellow grad film student and Purple List co-founder Ash Bhalla added: "Judges don't know the screenwriter's name or have any accompanying information about the screenplay - decisions are based on the writing alone. The Purple List shows that not only are diverse filmmakers out there, they're out there telling untold stories and making excellent films."

Read More: Tribeca 2015: James Franco on How His NYU Grad-School Pal Ended Up Directing 'The Adderall Diaries'

Barbara Schock, NYU grad film program chair, said, "The impressive and important diversity voices found in the Purple List doesn't come as a surprise to me, as it simply reflects the NYU graduate film community, our values, and the mandate we honor to find and give voice to stories from all across our culture. We admit applicants on the basis of who they are as people and what kinds of stories they have to tell, and are especially attracted to those stories that don't easily find a place in the film industry. The fact that the Purple List so fully embodies this animating spirit of our program is a source of great pride for all our faculty, our staff and, most importantly, our students."

Purple List faculty advisor John Tintori added: "NYU grad film celebrates and cultivates diversity in every sense of the word. Students from around the world learn how to make films that matter to them, and make them well. The Purple List is a perfect embodiment of the training. These are well crafted screenplays, and stories that you haven't heard before."
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Workers at Oakbay Investments appealed on Wednesday to South African banks to restore relations with their company, saying their livelihoods were at stake. Oakbay is scrambling to restore banking relationships after all four major South African banks cut ties following allegations that its owners, the Gupta family, have undue political influence with President Jacob Zuma. "If by the end of May the accounts remain closed, Oakbay's businesses will close. That means that thousands of us will be without a job," their representatives said in an open letter banks. Oakbay has said it employs 7,500 employees. At least one of the four banks that have ostracised Oakbay, which houses the Gupta family's businesses, has refused entertain the company's attempt to patch up relations. Barclays Africa's Absa, First National Bank (FNB), part of FirstRand, Standard Bank, Nedbank, investment bank Sasfin and the local unit of global auditors KPMG cut their business ties earlier this month. Zuma has acknowledged the Guptas are his friends but denies anything improper. The Guptas, whose wide range of business interests include media and mining, have denied the allegations and say they are pawns in a plot to oust Zuma. (Reporting by Tiisetso Motsoeneng; Editing by James Macharia)
Riyadh (AFP) - President Barack Obama held talks with Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Wednesday as he began a two-day visit hoping to ease tensions with the historic US ally.

Riyadh and its Sunni Arab Gulf neighbours have bristled at what they see as Washington's tilt towards their regional rival Shiite Iran after Tehran's landmark nuclear deal with world powers.

Obama, making probably his last visit to Riyadh as president, attends a summit of Gulf leaders on Thursday hoping to focus on intensifying the fight against the Islamic State group and resolving the wars in Syria and Yemen.

King Salman, 80, greeted the arriving Gulf leaders at a central Riyadh airbase but was not present when Obama landed at King Khalid International Airport in the city's north.

It was a more low-key reception than for Obama's previous trip to the kingdom, after the death of King Abdullah in January 2015.

Then, Salman along with his crown prince and deputy crown prince greeted Obama as a military band played.

After waving and walking down a red carpet on the stairs from Air Force One, he was greeted this time by Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the governor of Riyadh, and Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

Saudi state news channel Al-Ekhbaria did not broadcast Obama's arrival although it did have live coverage of the Gulf leaders' landing.

"I and the Saudi people are very pleased that you Mr President are visiting us," Salman said at his Erga Palace before a two-hour meeting with Obama, who responded that the United States was "very grateful for your hospitality."

The kingdom's official Saudi Press Agency gave no detail of the talks but said they included "combating terrorism".

Obama was to meet later with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to see how to "reinforce cooperation to defeat the Islamic State group", the White House said.

Tensions between Riyadh and Washington have increased sharply due to what Saudi Arabia sees as Obama's disengagement from traditional US allies in the region and opening towards Iran.

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- 'Alliance-building' effort -

Though the visit is being touted as an "alliance-building" effort, "it will just as likely highlight how far Washington and Riyadh have drifted apart in the past eight years," Simon Henderson, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, wrote in Foreign Policy magazine.

"For Obama, the key issue in the Middle East is the fight against the Islamic State... For the House of Saud, the issue is Iran."

Iran's emergence from international isolation after the nuclear deal has raised deep concerns among Gulf Arab states, who oppose Tehran indirectly in a range of Middle East conflicts.

The weeks before the visit were marked by Saudi outrage over Obama's comments published in the April edition of US magazine The Atlantic.

He said the Saudis needed to "share" the Middle East with their Iranian rivals, because competition between Riyadh and Tehran has helped to feed proxy wars and chaos in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Arab News columnist Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi on Wednesday became the latest Saudi commentator to lament "the United States' disengagement from assisting in resolving the region's problems".

Also clouding the visit is congressional draft legislation that would potentially allow the Saudi government to be sued in US courts over the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, in which nearly 3,000 people were killed.

- Cloud cast by 9/11 bill -

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in the attacks claimed by Al-Qaeda were Saudi citizens. No Saudi complicity has been proven and the kingdom has never been formally implicated.

Obama, making his fourth trip to the kingdom, has stated his opposition to the draft legislation.

Ahead of the visit the White House emphasised the strength of an alliance that has endured more than 70 years.

Despite worries in the Gulf, Washington remains a major weapons supplier and has bases in the region.

Obama will be joined at Thursday's summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council by Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and Secretary of State John Kerry.

The Pentagon chief in Riyadh on Wednesday pleaded with his Gulf counterparts for greater economic and political involvement in Iraq, which is battling both IS jihadists and an economic crisis.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations are part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq, where the Sunni extremists seized swathes of territory.

"I encourage our GCC partners to do more, not only militarily", Carter said after the talks.
Hillary Clinton is not the only Democrat Feeling the Bern. Our thin-skinned president is visibly annoyed by Bernie Sanders, whose unlikely success is fueled by angry liberalsmany of whom are under 30. How dare they rail about his trade policies, criticize Obamacare or condemn the widening of income inequality under his watch? After eight years in which Obama has steadfastly worked to fulfill his campaign pledge to transform America, how can so many Democrats spurn his accomplishments?

Republican contender Donald Trump has piled on, critical of trade deals and stupid policies that he blames for jobs lost to China and Mexico.

A frustrated Obama is playing defense by bashing Big Business. For years he has walked a fine line, cautiously imposing his agenda on industry while worried that his policies would be blamed for the disappointing rate of economic recovery. That is no longer the case.

Related: Will Clinton Follow Obamas Legacy in Taking On Big Business?

The Obama administration is ramping up a flurry of new rules governing everything from food labeling to pay for white-collar workers and how financial advisors must operate, while also rejecting the living wills of big banks, and threatening to sue fossil fuel companies for questioning climate change.

More significantly, the Obama White House recently blocked a tax inversion deal involving Pfizer and Allergan, an outcome described in the Financial Times as a watershed victory for an interventionist Washington. It was a shocking measure from the Treasury, changing the rules to single out a specific deal. The ramifications, according to tax lawyers, ignore commercial considerations and will go way beyond the deal under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department recently filed suit to stop a merger between oilfield giants Halliburton and Baker Hughes. Though this administration has blocked a number of high-profile mergers such as the proposed purchase of Time Warner Cable by Comcast last year, the noted concern for customers being hurt by increased concentration is laughable. Halliburton and Baker Hughes sell to oil and gas companies; maybe the energy industry should celebrate the move as the first-ever measure from the Obama White House supportive of fossil fuel producers.

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Because of these two interventions, the value of abandoned deals this year is now the highest since 2007, on the cusp of the financial crisis. The Obama White House has killed more deals than the Clinton and G.W. Bush presidencies combined. (FT April 8 US Companies ditch $370 billion of deals during Obama tenure).

Related: Tale of the Red Tape: $22 Billion in Savings from Cutting Ridiculous Regulations

Americans most likely support the efforts to stop inversions, like the Pfizer deal, in which U.S. companies try to lower their tax bills by moving overseas. Many cheer the notion of restricting corporations from exporting manufacturing operations to lower-wage locales like Mexico. But, they should not penalize companies operating within the rules set out by government. Rather, they should blame the legislators who have driven companies out of the country.

If the United States cannot compete effectively with other nations, in spite of our enormous advantages, something is wrong. Yes, our labor rates are multiples of those in China or Mexico, but we also have cheap energy, the best universities in the world, English is our spoken language, financial backing is plentiful and we are at the doorstep of the worlds largest consumer market.

Moreover, we have a rule of law and low crime rates. Those are significant advantages  which our government should be building on, as opposed to undermining. Most executives, given a choice, would rather do business in the U.S. than elsewhere.

Related: Obama Says Both Left and Right Are Wrong on Wall Street Rules

Most critically, it is our tax code that is the outlier, with its uniquely high corporate rate and one-of-a-kind taxation of profits earned overseas. This double whammy has no fans; nearly everyone in Congress agrees that tax reform, and especially the treatment of corporate taxes, is way overdue. Why hasnt it happened? Perhaps because any accomplishments from Congress undermines President Obamas favorite excuse for inaction  the obstructionist Republicans.

One of our countrys most convincing measures of success is that, unlike in Cuba or North Korea, people are free to leave the United States, but few choose to do so. Freedom of movement is a potent test. The same holds for businesses. If the U.S. has to conjure up rules to prevent companies from fleeing something is desperately wrong. The Obama team would argue that it is protecting the tax base and jobs. But faced with a harmful tax code and capricious government, what entrepreneur would choose to start a business in the U.S.?

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
RIYADH (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will meet with Abu Dhabis crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan on Wednesday at his Riyadh hotel ahead of a summit with Gulf leaders on Thursday, the White House said. The two leaders are set to discuss ways to "deepen cooperation" in the fight against Islamic State militants, as well as ways to "resolve regional conflicts," the White House said. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Toby Chopra)
London (AFP) - US President Barack Obama will be thrust into the eye of a boisterous British debate over European Union membership when he touches down in London on Thursday for a royal-filled visit.

The US president's four-day trip -- perhaps his last to Britain before leaving office next year -- comes ahead of a June 23 referendum when Britons will be asked if they want to remain in the 28-member EU.

Obama is sure to be asked to weigh in on the issue during a joint press conference on Friday after talks with Prime Minister David Cameron or at a town hall-style meeting with British youngsters on Saturday.

It may even come up at a lunch with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on Friday -- a day after the monarch's 90th birthday, when the two heads of state will be joined by First Lady Michelle Obama.

Britain's departure from the EU -- so-called Brexit -- could have deep ramifications for Washington's "special relationship" with Britain, and on the stability of the European Union itself.

- 'Exorbitant hypocrisy' -

Obama has consistently said he favours a strong Britain in a strong EU.

Aides say he is likely to reinforce that message.

"I think his approach will be that if he's asked his view as a friend, he will offer it," said Ben Rhodes, one of Obama's closest foreign policy advisers.

"But he'll make very clear that this is a matter that the British people themselves will decide when they head to the polls in June."

Privately, US officials are less reticent in their opinions as Britain's departure would deprive the United States of a key conduit for relations with Europe.

Seen from Washington, Cameron's decision to call a referendum was a bold -- if not downright risky -- gamble that could leave Britain and the EU badly weakened.

Eight former US Treasury secretaries warned as much in a joint letter to The Times newspaper Wednesday.

Polls put the pro-EU and Brexit camps neck-and-neck among those who express a preference to vote, although there is a large pool of people who remain undecided.

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Cameron, the pro-EU campaign's figurehead, has been seriously embarrassed by revelations that he benefited from an offshore tax dodge.

His standing also took a blow when Obama suggested the prime minister had been too "distracted" to deal with the aftermath of the intervention in Libya.

Despite that apparent put-down, officials insist the two men enjoy a familiar and constructive working relationship.

In public Obama has referred to the British PM as "bro," in stark contrast to a more formal and standoffish relationship he has with many world leaders.

With Cameron facing a rebellion from within his own party over Europe, the prime minister will welcome any backing he can get.

But for Obama, wading in is not without risk.

Pro-Brexit supporters include popular London mayor Boris Johnson, who has accused Obama of "outrageous and exorbitant hypocrisy" for his comments in favour of staying in the EU.

"I just think it's paradoxical that the United States, which wouldn't dream of allowing the slightest infringement on its own sovereignty, should be lecturing other countries," Johnson said on Tuesday.

Over 100 members of Britain's parliament have reportedly written to the American ambassador in London to make their displeasure known.

- Obama critics -

Even before Obama touches down, Britain's anti-EU crowd is clamouring to cast him as a meddling outsider.

That could be a potent argument in a country that shares cultural affinities with the United States, but which is deeply wary of being treated as America's lapdog.

The US president will thus have to tread a fine line as he seeks to amplify Cameron's argument in favour of EU membership.

Obama will likely stick to the big picture, said Jonathan Story, a professor at the INSEAD business school.

"What he will point out is that, after two US military interventions in Europe's wars, the US has a vital interest in the European project, just as it does in Japan's future, and the prosperity of Southeast Asia."

"A rising China and an unpredictable Russia are challenges enough... without the UK contributing to further disunion in Europe."

During Obama's visit he and the first lady will also have dinner on Friday with Prince William, his wife Kate and brother Prince Harry.

From Britain he will travel to Germany for a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Stocks (^DJI, ^GSPC, ^IXIC, ^RUT) are trading sideways midday on very low volume with financials leading and consumer staples lagging. Stephen Guilfoyle joins us live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to discuss the markets.

Joining Yahoo Finance's Alexis Christoforous to discuss some of the other big stories of the day are Yahoo Finance editor-in-chief Andy Serwer and John Burke, CEO at Burke Financial Strategies.

Obama's historic visit to Saudi Arabia

Obama might be a lame duck, but hes closing his presidency with one more visit to the Middle East. Today, he meets with King Salman to reassure Americas Gulf allies of their strategic relationship and establish his foreign policy legacy. The visit comes as many Middle Eastern nations are struggling financially due to the low price of oil. According to Bloomberg, the Saudis just sealed their first loan in 15 years to fill a $100 billion budget hole. How important are the Middle East allies to the U.S. now that they're struggling financially?

Which companies are paying the most?

Physicians and lawyers may have the highest paying jobs in America, but which companies in the U.S. actually pay the most? Many tech companies (XLK) come out on top, according to a Glassdoor survey. Google (GOOGL), Facebook (FB) and Twitter (TWTR) round out the top 25.

Google takes on advertising's Goliath

Google has dominated online advertising, but now it's now going after the big dog: TV. In a study published today, Google says YouTube ads are 80% more effective than traditional TV ads. But can we trust the findings given the source of the research?
Kyle Johnson is pictured in this undated handout photo. Johnson, is accused of kidnapping his former girlfriend, driving into Pennsylvania and committing a home invasion that left another woman critically injured, police said on April 20, 2016. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles/Oakwood Village Police Department/Handout via Reuters

By David DeKok

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Reuters) - An Ohio man was accused of kidnapping his former girlfriend, driving into Pennsylvania and committing a home invasion that left another woman critically injured, police said on Wednesday.

Kyle Micah Johnson, 25, of Cleveland was apprehended on Tuesday after he was shot by a neighbor who heard the homeowner's screams.

He will face charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and home invasion at a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 28 in Pennsylvania. He also faces arson and kidnapping charges in Ohio, said Oakwood Village Police Chief Mark Garratt.

Police said Johnson kidnapped Brandi Shakir, 23, on Monday from her mothers home in Oakwood Village, southeast of Cleveland, and forced her into the trunk of his car. They said she had an order of protection against him.

Police said he then torched the house.

On Tuesday morning, a home invasion was reported in Erie's affluent Frontier neighborhood near Lake Erie, said Erie Deputy Police Chief Donald Dacus. He said Johnson randomly picked the residence of Gary and Kum Miller, and pried open the back door.

Dacus said Johnson confronted Kum Miller, who was alone, and beat her in the head with a blunt instrument, then dragged Shakir from the car and into the house where he beat her.

About an hour later, Gary Miller returned home and got into a fight inside and outside the house, where he yelled for help.

Two neighbors responded, one with a handgun, and when Johnson tried to flee he was shot in the back and leg. Police arrested him near the Erie Yacht Club.

Kum Miller was hospitalized in critical condition on Wednesday; Shakir was in stable condition.

Johnson was being held in Erie County Prison in lieu of $500,000 cash bail.

(Editing by Barbara Goldberg)
By Jon Herskovitz (Reuters) - Victim advocates and former prosecutors used the anniversary of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing on Tuesday to lobby the U.S. Senate on behalf of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, who oversaw the prosecution of bomber Timothy McVeigh. The group, which also includes law enforcement officials, said in a letter to Senate leaders that Garland, a federal appeals court judge picked by President Barack Obama for the Supreme Court, is a man of "integrity and brilliance" who proved his mettle in obtaining the conviction of McVeigh. "Twenty years ago, the nation could not find a better lawyer to manage the investigation and prosecution of what was then the worst crime ever committed on American soil. Today, our nation could not find a better judge, nor a more honorable man, to join its highest court," the group of 15 connected to Garland through the case said in the letter. It was the latest effort by Garland supporters to put pressure on the Republican-led Senate to act on his nomination to fill a vacancy created by the Feb. 13 death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. Republicans who control the Senate are refusing to advance the nomination, prompting Democrats to accuse them of obstructionism and of ignoring their constitutional obligations. Republicans insist the next president, to be elected on Nov. 8 and take office Jan. 20, fill the vacancy, hoping a Republican will win the White House and choose a conservative rather than the centrist Garland. McVeigh used a fuel and fertilizer bomb to turn Oklahoma City's Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building into a tomb of rubble on April 19, 1995, killing 168 people. More than 680 people were injured in the attack. McVeigh was later executed. In the letter that included former Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick, Garland's boss at the time of the McVeigh trial, the group credited him with running an intricate and complex operation to secure a conviction that would stand up to any sort of appeal. "The pressure to get it right was unyielding  and Judge Garland's support was critical. He was not just a supervisor; he was a mentor, a counselor, and a friend," the letter said. In Oklahoma City on Tuesday, the remembrance ceremony was held in a church near the blast site and marked with prayers and 168 seconds of silence for the victims. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas; Additional reporting by Heide Brandes in Oklahoma City; Editing by Peter Cooney)
By Lenzy Krehbiel-Buston

TULSA, Okla. (Reuters) - The reserve deputy who fatally shot an unarmed man was justified in his intended use of force, a defense attorney said in opening statements in his trial on Wednesday, as prosecutors said his actions warranted a conviction on manslaughter charges.

Robert Bates, 74, a white insurance executive who volunteered as a reserve deputy, is charged with second-degree manslaughter in the killing an unarmed man, Eric Harris. Harris, 44, was fleeing from deputies last April in Tulsa during a sting targeting illegal gun sales. If convicted, Bates faces up to four years in prison.

Bates mistakenly thought he had a Taser in hand instead of a gun when he shot Harris, investigators have said.

Bates is white and Harris was African-American. The shooting, captured on video, was one in a series that raised questions of racial bias in U.S. policing

"This was a proper use of force," defense attorney Clark Brewster told jurors. "He was justified using a Taser. There was no question he thought he had a Taser."

He also said sheriff's deputies who were with Bates bore some responsibility for the deadly incident.

Prosecutors said Bates' actions were tantamount to professional negligence and led to an unarmed man being killed. The trial is expected to take about two weeks, the trial lawyers have said.

In the video played in the media and in court on Wednesday, as a Tulsa County deputy subdues Harris, a voice identified as Bates' says, "Taser, Taser." A gunshot is then heard.

A man Oklahoma authorities identified as Bates is heard saying "Oh, I shot him. I'm sorry."

Harris is heard screaming, "He shot me. Oh my God."

A deputy replies, telling Harris to "shut up," and shouts a profanity at him.

Harris, who said in the video he was having trouble breathing, later died at a Tulsa hospital.

The incident prompted the suspension of the reserve deputy program, a grand jury investigation of the sheriff's department and the Nov. 1 resignation of Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz.

(Reporting by Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by David Gregorio)
Never lie while wearing a Fitbit.

That's one of several takeaways from a recent case in which a woman who claimed to have been pulled out of her bed and sexually assaulted was put on probation after her fitness tracker proved that she was awake and active at the time.

READ MORE: The iPhone 7 isnt even out and rivals are already copying a rumored signature feature

In a recent report on Today, authorities confirmed that the Fitbit was a key piece of evidence in figuring out exactly what happened when a Pennsylvania woman issued a report claiming that she had been sexually assaulted.

"The Fitbit made all the difference," said Pennsylvania district attorney Craig Stedman. It wasn't the only piece of evidence that the authorities were examining, but it ended up being the deciding factor in the case.

In order to see exactly how much police might be able to learn from just having access to fitness tracker information, Today's national investigative correspondent Jeff Rossen bought a Fitbit Surge and worse it for 24 hours. He then handed it over to a detective, and in less than a minute, Rossen's entire day, down to the minute, was mapped out on the screen in front of him.

This case obviously brings up some very serious concerns about privacy vs. security, a battle that was just waged on a national stage when the FBI attempted to force Apple to crack into an iPhone, but this is one case where you can see how serious the consequences might have been for the supposed perpetrator if the truth hadn't come to light.

Related stories

Hackers can invade a PC with a 10-second attack on a Fitbit

Big Amazon sale offers 60% or more off 58 different activity trackers

Microsoft heads in an interesting new direction with today's '12 Days of Deals' sale

More from BGR: Huge sale drops price of Google Nexus 6P to under $400

This article was originally published on BGR.com
Ever since it began to look as though Donald Trump might have an actual prayer of becoming president, there has been a steady stream of stories about foreign diplomats and other officials contacting their US counterparts to express their discomfort at the prospect of The Donald wielding the power of the White House.

However, a new survey by YouGov, working for the German business publisher Handelsblatt, found that there is at least one country in the G20 where Trump is the preferred candidate in a matchup between the billionaire, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

That country, it will come as little surprise to anyone who has followed the long-distance flirtation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, is Russia.

Related: Only the Best? Why Trump Is Shaking Up His Campaign

In fact, it wasnt even close. The Russian people surveyed by YouGov supported Trump over Clinton by a margin of 21 percent. For reference, Trumps next-best showing in the poll was in China, where he lost to Clinton by 12 points -- a 33-percentage point swing.

Mexico, unsurprisingly given Trumps antagonistic stance toward the USs southern neighbor, was the most likely to prefer Clinton to Trump, with a margin of 54 percent. However, north of the border Clinton didnt do nearly as well. Canadians gave her the nod over the former reality television star by only 17 points.

Related: Let the Games Begin -- Republicans Begin Fight Over Convention Rules

That Trump should do well in Russia is no doubt due in part to Putins favorable public remarks about him. The Russian president has praised Trumps business acumen and touted him as the clear leader in the race to be the next president.

Trump, for his part, ate it up, and has frequently noted that Putin referred to him as brilliant last year. He also appeared to defend the Russian strongman against allegations that a suspicious number of journalists have turned up dead in Russia during Putins rule.

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Trump insists that as president, he would form a strong bond with Putin, and uses the Russian leaders comments as proof. However, theres a fairly persuasive argument that in talking up a brash billionaire, Putin is just returning to his KGB roots with a little light trolling of the US establishment.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Thats one way to look at this colorfully distorted image of NATOs Joint Force headquarters in Brunssum, Netherlands:

A photo posted by Anthony Quigley  (@anthonyquigley) on Apr 11, 2016 at 12:49am PDT

Speaking of trippy views, 73 years ago today, the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann took LSD for the first time on purpose, having discovered its psychedelic properties by accident three days earlier. (For some Atlantic reading on the subject, check out John N. Bleibtreus LSD and the Third Eye in our September 1966 issue.)

But Anthony Quigley explains whats really going on in this satellite view:

When Google Maps and Google Earth came onto the scene, some countries and institutions wanted to block Google from displaying certain places. (These were possibly the same people who thought [the Internet] was a fad!). There are various places around the world that tried this. One such place was The Netherlands, who asked Google to blur the images. Todays phototaken a few years agois a great example of this idiocy at play.

Theres even a whole Wikipedia page for Satellite map images with missing or unclear data, as is wont.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Italy's e-commerce site OVS has released a limited edition fashion capsule called "Arts of Italy," reports Women's Wear Daily.

The collection, which was presented on Wednesday at Milan's 18-century Biblioteca Braidense, will celebrate several of the country's cultural treasures. Clothing will feature prints of such masterpieces as the mosaics of the Cathedral in Salerno and the cupola of Rome's Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza church.

A portion of sales from the new capsule collection will go towards restoring the cultural artifacts it celebrates.

The line, available for both men and women, will be available on May 19 on the OVS website before heading to select OVS stores across Italy the following day.
Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela on Wednesday pledged that his country will stand at the forefront of a global push for greater financial transparency in the wake of the "Panama Papers" scandal.

Panama is scrambling to avert redesignation as a tax haven that assists money laundering after the disclosure of the offshore dealings of many of the world's wealthy, famous and infamous.

They came to light when millions of documents -- the so-called Panama Papers -- covering nearly 40 years of business were leaked from the archives of the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

The revelations have had far-reaching political consequences, already bringing down the Icelandic prime minister and Spain's industry minister, while forcing others to explain their financial dealings.

"Our goal is to cooperate actively and to lead the efforts of the international community on the topic of the global problem," Varela said during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Varela, who arrived in Japan on Sunday, also said that Panama has agreed "to advance discussions for negotiating a bilateral taxation scheme with the Japanese government" under Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development standards.

At an investment seminar on Tuesday, he said that Panama is willing to cooperate with an OECD initiative to share tax information.

Varela also defended his country while in Japan, saying in an interview with Jiji Press on Tuesday that Panama has been "wrongly" labelled a tax haven.

"Panama is a country respectful of laws," he said.

Varela also told Jiji that Panama will establish a high-level commission, to be composed of six to eight internal and external members, within six months in order to improve transparency of its financial system.

The members are slated to include Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, Jiji reported.

The Panamanian president's visit to Japan comes after the world's leading economies took a step last week toward denying tax evaders and money launderers the ability to hide behind anonymous shell companies.

Acting in the wake of the scandal, finance chiefs of the Group of 20 meeting in Washington on Friday supported proposals requiring authorities to share the identities of shell companies' real owners.

They also backed creating a blacklist of international tax havens that do not cooperate with information-sharing programmes.
Paris (AFP) - Four months after settling on a plan to stave off calamitous global warming, more than 160 nations gather in New York Friday to ink the pact whose execution demands a radical overhaul of the global economy.

After the Champagne moment when the world community sealed the hard-fought agreement in Paris on December 12, signing the document is an important step.

The next, and final, procedural phase will be ratification by individual governments. Only when 55 countries responsible for 55 percent of global greenhouse gases have done so can the agreement enter into force.

"First and foremost, it (Friday's signing) will serve a strong symbolic function," said Pascal Canfin, with green group WWF.

"But it also creates the political space to accelerate action and build on the dynamism" of the Paris conference, which concluded years of tough and complicated negotiations.

A total of 163 countries have said they will attend the high-level signing ceremony hosted by UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

About 60 heads of state and government will put pen to paper -- including France's Francois Hollande and Canada's Justin Trudeau.

The United States and China -- jointly responsible for 40 percent of greenhouse gases -- will not be represented at the highest level, but are sending Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.

With so many countries present, "we should set a record for the signing of an international accord," French Environment Minister Segolene Royal, who presides over the climate forum, predicted before departing for New York.

"It is clear that decision-makers have taken the urgency of the climate threat to heart. It is a very good sign."

Countries which do not sign the document on Friday can do so in the year that follows.

- Far from the goal -

The agreement sets out broad lines of attack against climate change.

It defines the goal of limiting global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) -- 1.5 C if possible.

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It does not prescribe deadlines or targets for curbing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions: these are described in further detail in non-binding pledges countries filed to shore up the pact.

"We are far from the 2 C goal," said France's top climate negotiator Laurence Tubiana, reiterating the need to "accelerate reform towards a low-carbon economy."

On current trends, scientists say, the world will warm by 4 C over benchmark pre-Industrial Revolution levels -- or 3 C if countries live up to their pledges.

There have been some hopeful signs since Paris.

According to the World Resources Institute (WRI) thinktank, global investment in renewable energy hit a record of $286 billion (252 billion euros) last year -- more than double the sum committed to fossil fuel power plants.

Energy-related carbon emissions stalled for the second year in a row, while renewable energy capacity grew a record 8.3 percent, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Peabody Energy, the largest US coal miner, filed for bankruptcy last week in the latest defeat for a sector battered by competition from cheap natural gas and a push for cleaner energy.

Number one carbon polluter China reported two consecutive years of falling coal consumption and invested a record $111 billion in clean energy in 2015, said the WRI.

Companies, investors, universities, governments, insurers, banks, even churches have been withdrawing investments in fossil-fuel projects.

- No magic wand -

Even so, the reality is that developing countries will continue to rely on cheap and abundant fossil fuels like coal and oil to power their fast-growing economies and populations in the years go come.

The Paris Agreement places an onus on rich nations to help poorer ones make the transition to a low-carbon economy.

"Paris created momentum to start to grapple with some of these issues, but it doesn't mean they are solved yet," said Union of Concerned Scientists climate analyst Alden Meyer.

"There is a lot of work to be done yet to adjust to the post-Paris reality" and draw up a workable plan of action.

Added Celia Gautier of the Climate Action Network NGO grouping: "We knew that the Paris agreement wouldn't be a magic wand that would make all the bad disappear. We must keep pushing governments to take action".

This could be through a tax or price on carbon emissions, pulling out of fossil fuel investments, imposing emissions standards for industry, subsidising renewable energy and protecting CO2-absorbing forests.

On Tuesday, global financial firms responsible for tens of trillions of dollars in investments urged the world's leading economies to sign the pact in New York.
The April 26 Republican primaries in five states might go a long way toward deciding the GOP nominee in Cleveland. But how could Pennsylvania be the ultimate party pooper for favorite Donald Trump?

The New York billionaire businessman had been expected to do well in Tuesdays New York primary. But even a clean sweep of delegates from the Empire State wont get Trump to the magical delegate number of 1,237 in Cleveland, which guarantees a first ballot Trump nomination. Instead, it could be a slate of 54 Pennsylvania delegates that makes the difference between a quick Trump win, or a contested convention.

In the current rules for Republican delegate selection, the state party leaders determine in advance how delegates are selected. The Pennsylvania primary for the GOP is an oddity. Of the states 71 delegates, just 17 delegates go to the candidate with the most votes in the state. The remainder, 54 delegates, are party leaders or others on the primary ballot using their own names. For example, if John Doe runs as a delegate in the 1st Congressional District, there is no indication on the ballot if Doe is a surrogate for Trump, Ted Cruz or John Kasich. Each of 18 districts selects three delegates, who are free to vote at the convention for the eligible candidate of their choice. (This is what is known as a Loophole Primary.)

On the surface, that doesnt seem like a big deal. There are 2,472 delegates at the convention, and the number of 54 unpledged Pennsylvania delegates comes to about 2 percent of that total. Except in 2016, the delegate count for Trump is projected to be very close to the magical nomination number of 1,237 delegates.

For example, Nate Silvers FiveThirtyEight.com in recent weeks has estimated Trumps delegate count before Cleveland at between 1,175 and 1,208 delegates, based on surveys of experts. That puts Trump between 29 and 62 delegates short before figuring in the unpledged delegates.

In all, The Green Papers website lists a total of 108 uncommitted or unpledged delegates in play, from Pennsylvania and five other states/territories (North Dakota, Colorado, America Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands). Of North Dakotas 25 unpledged delegates, Politico reported that 18 of 25 of these delegates already have committed to Ted Cruz and one delegate is committed to Trump. That leaves Pennsylvania as the free agent prize among the undeclared delegates.

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Silver believed that Trump could benefit from some support among the undeclared in Pennsylvania. Theyll potentially be more amenable to Trump and are an underrated means by which he might get to 1,237 delegates if he pulls up a bit short after California, he said in an analysis from April 13  citing a Pittsburgh newspaper poll showing half of the delegates running would support the statewide winner.

In our own projections of Trumps possible delegate numbers, we did some back-of-the-envelope math using data from The Green Papers website, which has extensive delegate information. Assuming that Trump takes almost of New Yorks delegates, the at-large delegates in winner-take-all or winner-take-most primaries, and about 60 percent of delegates in California and six other states, our projected number for Trump is 1,194 delegates, which is in the middle of Silvers last two estimates.

But not all estimates discount Trumps chances for a clean first ballot win. Richard E. Berg-Andersson from The Green Papers believes if Trump can reach 925 delegates after the April 26 primaries, his campaign is in pretty good shape heading toward the convention. To hit that mark, Trump would need a near-sweep in New York, all the at-large delegates in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and 40 percent of the allocated delegates in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maryland. (And that doesnt include Pennsylvanias unpledged delegates.)

In that scenario, Trump could easily gain momentum from his win in New York and a likely strong showing in the other April 26th states (Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island) to move past the 1,237 threshold without needing unpledged delegates.

To be sure, California also will play a big role in determining the GOP winner with its 172 delegates in play on June 7th. And the May 3rd Indiana primary could be a critical test, if Trump can remain competitive in the Hoosier state.

But if Trump is short but within striking distance after California, the Pennsylvania block of 54 unpledged delegates could be a critical factor. The remaining candidates also could be hunting for at least 31 delegates formerly pledged to Marco Rubio. And there are some delegations, like America Samoa, Guam, Louisiana and Wyoming, sending uncommitted party leaders to Cleveland as delegates.

Within Pennsylvania, there isnt a lot of talk, at least publicly, from the 162 candidates for the delegate slots about their preferences for a GOP nominee. The website Newsworks.org contacted many of the delegate candidates; of those who responded, about 40 percent said they would probably vote to reflect the presidential nominee candidate who gets the most votes in their district.

Scott Bomboy is the editor in chief of the National Constitution Center.

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Washington (AFP) - The US Air Force for the first time deployed a B-52 bomber against the Islamic State, the Pentagon said Wednesday as it ramps up a 20-month campaign to smash the jihadists.

The bombing mission, in which a hulking B-52 destroyed a weapons storage facility south of Mosul, comes the same week that Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited Baghdad and announced extra US troops, cash and equipment for the anti-IS campaign in Iraq.

In other signs of an increasing tempo, US commandos working with Kurdish troops conducted a raid targeting a senior IS group figure and the Pentagon said it has changed how air strikes risking civilian deaths are approved.

Under the new rules, authority now comes from the commanding three-star US general in Baghdad, instead of going through a four-star at the US Central Command's headquarters in Florida.

Baghdad-based military spokesman Colonel Steve Warren insisted the changes do not lessen oversight standards in determining when civilian losses are an acceptable risk.

"This does not translate to more civilian casualties, this translates to a more rapid execution of strikes," Warren said.

The Pentagon has acknowledged 26 civilian deaths due to US-led coalition strikes since the campaign began in August 2014 in Iraq, and credits the use of guided missiles in keeping the number relatively low -- though independent observers say the figure is far higher.

- More US troops -

Carter this week announced an additional 217 US forces would be deployed to Iraq as advisors, pushing the official count there past 4,000.

The Pentagon has also offered Apache attack helicopters for use in an eventual push on Mosul, Iraq's second city and which is under control of the IS group.

Separately, Danish lawmakers have approved a plan to commit seven F-16 warplanes, a transport aircraft and 400 military personnel to expand its fight against the extremists.

Monday's strike by a B-52 Stratofortress blew up an IS weapons storage facility in the town of Qayyarah, about 35 miles (60 kilometers) south of Mosul.

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The enormous planes, originally designed in the 1950s, became a symbol of US might during the Cold War and the aircraft was used to conduct carpet bombing in Vietnam.

Warren said the B-52s are only being armed with guided bombs.

"There are memories in the collective unconscious of B-52s, decades ago, doing... arguably indiscriminate bombing," Warren said.

"Those days are long gone. The B-52 is a precision-strike weapons platform and it will conduct the same type of precision strikes that we have seen for the last 20 months."

Several B-52s arrived in Qatar earlier this month to replace a contingent of newer B-1 bombers that had been working in Iraq and Syria for about a year.

Warren also announced that US commandos in northern Iraq had targeted Suleiman Abd Shabib al-Jabouri, "one of ISIL's military emirs and an ISIL war council member."

The Kurdish regional security council said Jabouri was killed in the raid, conducted jointly with Kurdish fighters.

- 'Shoving match' -

The US military has since 2014 led an international coalition against the IS group in Iraq and Syria after the jihadists captured vast areas of territory across the two countries.

Despite major gains, including the recapture of the Iraqi city of Ramadi, the coalition has still not chased IS fighters from Raqa in Syria or Mosul, as well as several other important towns.

In Syria, vetted Syrian opposition fighters are clashing with IS fighters in the north, especially around the Manbij region, but have recently lost some ground to the jihadists.

It "has developed into a shoving match," Warren said. "We will continue to pressure ISIL but we expect them to fight hard to hold their ground."

Additionally, the IS group has tightened the noose on a regime-held enclave in eastern Syria, overrunning part of the city of Deir Ezzor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Elsewhere in Syria, a Russian- and US-brokered ceasefire grew ever more fragile as violence continued to flare up around Aleppo. IS and other jihadist groups are not party to the February "cessation of hostilities."
By Chris Arsenault RIO DE JANEIRO (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A Peruvian potato farmer who was beaten and jailed after protesting against the loss of her land and home to a mining firm is among six winners of the Goldman Prize, one of the world's richest awards for environmental activists. The winners, including a Tanzanian land rights campaigner, a Slovakian public interest lawyer and a Puerto Rican nature reserve developer, will be honoured at a ceremony in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Each winner will receive $175,000 to support their environmental activism and continuing local campaigns. "People all over the world are fighting to protect their land and water," said Maxima Acuna, a Peruvian farmer, mother of four and grandmother, who won the prize for Latin America. Her campaigning over more than five years eventually led to the suspension of the $4.8 billion Conga gold and copper mine project in the Peruvian highlands. Environmentalists feared the mine would have poisoned local water sources and displaced communities and individuals living and farming there. Acuna's home in a remote area four hours drive from Cajarmarca, the capital of the mountainous region, was destroyed as part of the mine project and the family's attempts to rebuild have been blocked several times since 2011. Security forces backing the mining company's claim to the family's land have been accused of beating Acuna's elder daughter because of her activism, the 47-year-old farmer said. "I stayed on my land and wouldn't leave," Acuna told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a conference call. "Harassment from the mine and security guards is still heavy." Mining companies at the center of the dispute have criticized the decision to award Acuna the prize, saying the committee did not have "balanced or complete information about the land dispute or the events surrounding it". SLOVAKIAN WASTE DUMP Other winners included Slovakian lawyer Zuzana Caputova, who led successful efforts to prevent a waste dump from being built in her home town of Pesinok. Protests against the proposed dump were the largest mobilization of citizens in the region since the 1989 Velvet Revolution which helped end communism in eastern Europe, the Goldman Prize committee said. Edward Loure, a leader of Tanzania's indigenous Masaai, won the Africa prize for protecting more than 200,000 acres of communal land from investors. Baltimore student Destiny Watford won the North American prize for launching protests which stopped an incinerator from being built less than a mile from her high school. Luis Herrera won the prize for Island Nations after successfully establishing a nature reserve in Puerto Rico, protecting an important nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. Cambodian forestry campaigner Leng Ouch won the Asian prize for exposing corruption in land deals, causing the government to cancel some large concessions. Last year's winner of the Goldman Prize for Latin America, Honduran land rights campaigner Berta Caceres, was murdered in March, a crime condemned by environmentalists worldwide. (Reporting By Chris Arsenault. Editing by Paola Totaro. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit www.trust.org)
Madrid (AFP) - Four lawmakers from Spain's far-left party Podemos and its allies said Wednesday they are on a week-long hunger strike to try to rally public support of refugees.

The lawmakers began their hunger strike on Saturday and are calling on people to occupy public squares for 24 hours on Friday, the day they plan to end their action , in a gesture of support for those people at the centre of Europe's biggest migrant crisis since World War II.

The idea stems "from the shame we felt over the agreement between the European Union and Turkey, seeing how Europe violates internation law," Podemos lawmaker Pedro Arrojo told AFP.

Under a controversial deal reached in March Turkey agreed to take back all migrants arriving at the Greek islands, in an effort to relieve the pressure on the European Union which has seen over a million migrant arrivals since early 2015.

In return the EU promised to resettle one Syrian refugee for every Syrian taken back by Turkey, capped at 72,000.

Visa-free travel will also be granted to Turks within the border-free Schengen Zone under the deal and Turkey's stalled EU membership bid will be reassessed.

But the EU-sanctioned deportations have drawn sharp criticism, with Human Rights Watch describing them as "abusive" and expressing concern about the fate of the deportees.

- 'Simply atrocious' -

Arrojo, who has consumed only water with salt and sugar since Saturday, said he hoped to transform public indignation over the plight of migrants "into action".

"We have seen that initiatives are starting to bloom. There is a parish that is collecting shoes for refugees," said Arrojo who represents to northeastern city of Zaragoza for Podemos.

Twenty-four hour assemblies are planned for a dozens cities on Friday, including Madrid, he added.

Podemos was born out of the "Indignado" protest moment against corruption and economic inequality that filled Spanish squares in 2011.

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Miguel Anxo Fernan Vello, a lawmaker with regional Galician party En Marea which is allied to Podemos, said he was taking part in the hunger strike because he was angered that Spain has welcomed only a handful of refugees since the migrant crisis started.

Spain's conservative government agreed last year to accept around 16,000 refugees from Greece and Italy but so far only 18 have arrived.

"This is not a failure, this is simply atrocious," he told AFP.

Over 178,000 people have risked their lives crossing the Mediterranean so far this year, and 737 have died or gone missing while making the perilous journey to Europe, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The UN refugee agency said on Wednesday it feared around 500 migrants from Africa had drowned in the Mediterranean, in what could be one of the worst tragedies since the start of the migrant crisis.
(credit: Penn State)

(credit: Penn State)

This morning, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Birchfield v. North Dakota, a case consolidated with two others to address the following issue: in the absence of a warrant, can a state make it a crime for a person to refuse to take a chemical test to detect the presence of alcohol in the persons blood?

In North Dakota, for instance, any individual who operates a motor vehicle on any public or private road in the state is deemed to have consented to a chemical test of his or her blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining any intoxication levels. In 2013, the state amended this statute to make refusal to take the test directed by a police officer a crime punishable in the same manner as driving under the influence (DUI). Minnesota, the other respondent state in the case, has a similar law that makes it a criminal offense for a driver who has been arrested on probable cause for driving while impaired to refuse a chemical test. The United States, which has written an amicus brief on behalf of the states, makes it a misdemeanor for anyone driving in the National Parks to refuse a chemical test requested by an officer with probable cause to believe that a driver is impaired.

North Dakotas brief emphasizes the severe problem of drunk driving in the United States: Between 2005 and 2014, 112,998 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. In 2012, North Dakota had the highest drunk-driving death rate in the country, with 11.3 deaths per 100,000 people. The state also explains that early laws criminalizing drunk driving were difficult to enforce because of the evidentiary problem of proving that drivers were intoxicated. But with the advent of new testing procedures, new laws were passed that permitted the use of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as evidence of intoxication. Under these laws, prosecutors no longer had to prove actual impairment; a BAC above a certain level was generally enough to secure a DUI conviction. To aid these efforts, North Dakota imposed penaltieslike revoking a drivers licenseon suspected drunken drivers who refused to submit to chemical tests.

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Yet legislators were still concerned with the numbers of impaired drivers who escaped punishment by refusing chemical tests for alcohol and drugs. In 2011, 18.8 percent of those arrested for driving under the influence (over 1,000 people) refused to take a chemical test. These people were more difficult to prosecute criminally because of the lack of concrete evidence to convict them. And the primary administrative punishment for refusal (i.e., revoking their licenses) had little deterrent effect because offenders would simply continue to drive without a license. Thus, the state decided to impose criminal penalties on refusal to submit to a test. Minnesotas brief explains that its law was also enacted for similar reasons, to help combat the terrible toll drunk drivers exact on society.

Danny Birchfield, the petitioner in the first case, drove his car off of the road in North Dakota, and failed a field sobriety test administered by a highway patrol officer. A preliminary breath test suggested that he was intoxicated; the officer placed him under arrest and read him the states mandatory implied consent advisory, which informed him that the law required him to submit to a chemical test, including a blood test, and that failure to do so was a crime. Birchfield nonetheless refused to submit, and was charged accordingly. He moved to dismiss the charge, arguing that it was unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment for a state to criminalize refusal to submit to a chemical test of a drivers blood. A court denied his motion to dismiss. That decision was upheld by the North Dakota Supreme Court, which ultimately found that the law was constitutional.

But Birchfield disagrees. He argues that the criminal penalty imposed by North Dakota punishes a persons refusal to surrender their right under the Fourth Amendment to resist an unwarranted search. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Missouri v. McNeely (2013), held that in drunk-driving investigations, the natural dissipation of alcohol in the bloodstream does not constitute an exigency in every case sufficient to justify conducting a blood test without a warrant. Thus, as the Birchfield brief states, we assume all agree that a State may not subject people to criminal sanctions for exercising rights granted them by the Constitutionwhich means, in the context here, that a person may not face criminal penalties for refusing to submit to a search that is not authorized by a warrant or permissible under an exception to the warrant requirement. But that is what North Dakota and other states have done: made it a crime for persons suspected of DUI to decline to submit to warrantless chemical tests, which cannot be squared with McNeely. Birchfield states that these criminal test-refusal penalties are unreasonable because they apply even when the person prosecuted for refusal to submit to a warrantless search was not charged withor, indeed, was acquitted ofdriving while impaired.

The American Civil Liberties Unionwhich was counsel of record in McNeelyfiled an amicus brief supporting Birchfield. The ACLU concedes that drunk driving is a serious threat to public safety. But the disputed statutes in this case do not criminalize drunk driving. They criminalize the assertion of a constitutional right. And that is something the government cannot do. Since these chemical tests are searches under the Fourth Amendment, declining to submit to a warrantless search falls squarely within the ambit of that constitutional provision. An individual has a constitutional right to refuse to consent to such a search and insist that the police obtain a warrant. Therefore, the ACLU argues, the government cannot criminalize that conduct.

But North Dakota insists that, by definition, the Fourth Amendment is not implicated unless there is a search; because Birchfield never took a test, the state says, he was never actually searched. In the companion case Bernard v. Minnesota (in which the petitioner Bernard did consent to a breath test but only after being told of the criminal penalties for refusal) Minnesota also argues that, per the Courts decision in United States v. Robinson (1973), there is a bright-line rule that police officers may, without a warrant, always conduct a full search of a person who has been lawfully arrested. In Bernard, the Minnesota Supreme Court relied on the rule from Robinson to hold that a warrantless breath test of a suspect lawfully arrested for driving while impaired does not violate the Fourth Amendment because it is a search incident to lawful arrest. So, because a police officer can compel a suspect to submit to a breath test, it does not violate the Fourth Amendment to criminally charge the suspect for refusing to take the test.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) filed a brief on behalf of the respondent states, citing its support for enforcement efforts aimed to end drunk driving, like the laws at issue here. MADD argues that nothing in the Constitution or in the Courts jurisprudence requires a per se ban on all criminal penalties in this area. Since the Supreme Court has upheld the right of states to impose administrative penaltieslike license revocation, in South Dakota v. Neville (1983)for refusing to submit to a test, in this case the critical question is not whether a state may penalize an arrested drivers refusal to consent to a warrantless BAC test, but rather what penalty or significant consequences a state may choose in order to further its compelling interest in trying to reduce the damage caused by drunk driving. And Fourth Amendment cases often reject categorical rules in favor of a case-by-case analysis based on the totality of circumstances. MADD therefore argues that the Court should continue to permit state legislatures in the federalism laboratory to experiment with the most effective mix of incentives to reduce and ultimately end the undisputed scourge of drunk driving.

The states also build upon this point: even if the law does intrude upon the Fourth Amendment, the intrusion is justified due to the states compelling interest in protecting public roadways. Meanwhile, a breath test, for instance, is only minimally intrusive. And as Minnesota argues, its law is carefully tailored to meet the governments interest in combating drunk driving; an officer can only request a breath test from a suspect after the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect is driving while impaired. Therefore, the law really only comes into play against a subset of people that the government has a great interest in obtaining a breath test from, because it already has good reason to believe they are driving drunk.

Finally, as the United States brief reiterates, the states are not actually forcing a person to submit to a test, but are just conditioning permission to drive on consent to testing. No blanket ban exists on conditioning government benefits on search requirements, the United States asserts. Birchfield and the ACLU have argued that driving is so necessary (especially in rural states like North Dakota) that it is impermissibly coercive for a State to attach test conditions to it, but the government responds that the Supreme Court has treated the right to drive as a paradigmatic privilege to which states may attach conditions: The relevant condition here is that, in exchange for the privilege of driving, the driver relinquishes any right to refuse a chemical test under certain limited conditions. Given the validity of that condition, the use of traditional state enforcement mechanisms to secure compliance cannot be considered disproportionate. And criminal enforcement is a better alternative to nonconsensual, or forcible, chemical testing, which could result in violent confrontations.

The Supreme Court first examined the issue of forcible bodily testing in Rochin v. California (1952), where the Court held that forcibly pumping the stomach of a criminal suspect in order to extract evidencetwo capsules of drugs which the person had swallowedconstituted a violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment (this was pre-Mapp v. Ohio (1961), in which the Court incorporated the Fourth Amendment against the states). Such conduct shocks the conscience, the Court said, and constituted methods too close to the rack and the screw to permit of constitutional differentiation. Several years later, in Breithaupt v. Abram (1957), the Court distinguished Rochin, and found that a forcible blood test of a DUI suspect taken by a skilled technician [does] not . . . shock[] the conscience.

In 1966, the Court decided Schmerber v. California, in which it examined the chemical test issue under the Fourth Amendment for the first time. While Schmerber was hospitalized after an accident, his BAC was tested, and he was convicted of DUI based on the test. The Court ruled that the test did constitute a search or seizure under the Fourth Amendment, but that it was reasonable under an exigency exception: because of the natural metabolization of alcohol in the bloodstream, an immediate test was needed to preserve the evidence, and was allowable. The Court, citing Breithaupt, also emphasized the reasonableness and ordinariness of a blood test conducted in a hospital setting.

In 2013, however, Justice Sonya Sotomayor wrote the Courts 5-4 plurality decision in McNeely, which distinguished its decision in Schmerber. In McNeely, the defendant had been arrested for DUI after failing field sobriety tests, but he refused to take a breath test; the arresting officer then transported him to a hospital where his blood was forcibly withdrawn. McNeely moved to suppress the blood test as being unconstitutionally obtained without a warrant. Missouri tried to argue that, based on Schmerber, drawing McNeelys blood was per se constitutional without a warrant under the exigency exception.

But Sotomayors opinion emphasized that a blood draw constitutes an invasion of bodily integrity that implicates an individuals most personal and deep rooted expectations of privacy. And as opposed to Schmerber, which was decided in 1966, getting a warrant isnt as difficult today; the states position in McNeely failed to account for advances in the 47 years since Schmerber was decided that allow for the more expeditious processing of warrant applications, particularly in contexts like drunk-driving investigations where the evidence offered to establish probable cause is simple. Despite this, the Court did rule, however, that certain exigent circumstances could allow for a warrantless BAC test, but this should be examined on a case-by-case basis. And the Court noted that the opinion did not undermine the governmental interest in preventing and prosecuting drunk-driving offenses, maintaining that states have a broad range of legal tools to enforce their drunk-driving laws and to secure BAC evidence without undertaking warrantless nonconsensual blood draws.

In Birchfield, the Court will have to decide whether implied consent to chemical testing laws with criminal sanctions for refusal are one of these constitutional tools.

Lana Ulrich is associate in-house counsel at the National Constitution Center.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee called on Wednesday for the release of part of a government report on the Sept. 11 attacks, saying this would diminish speculation that the 28 pages contained proof of Saudi involvement. "The release of these pages will not end debate over the issue, but it will quiet rumors over their contents," Representative Adam Schiff, the intelligence panel's ranking Democrat, said in a statement. "As is often the case, the reality is less damaging than the uncertainty." The still-classified section of the official report on the 2001 attacks is central to a dispute over whether Americans should be able to sue the Saudi Arabian government for damages. The Office of the U.S. Director of National Intelligence is reviewing the material to see whether it can be declassified. Congressional aides said members of the House intelligence committee had seen the report. President Barack Obama, who was visiting Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, said he would not sign legislation making its way through Congress that would allow such lawsuits, if the Saudis were found to have any responsibility. Schiff has repeatedly called for the declassification of the 28-page report section. In his statement on Wednesday, he suggested the release of a redacted version to help address speculation that they contained proof of official Saudi government or senior Saudi officials' involvement in the attacks. The 9/11 commission investigated those claims and never found sufficient evidence to support them, Schiff said. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
RIYADH (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama aired his human rights concerns with Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Wednesday, but his talking points on that subject are expected to be get less attention when he meets Gulf Arab monarchs on Thursday. Activists have urged the American leader to push Saudi Arabia over its human rights record, but the region's many geopolitical crises are likely to dominate a summit already overshadowed by strained ties between Washington and the Gulf. The president, who arrived on Wednesday, hopes to allay Gulf countries' fears over Iranian influence and encourage them to try to douse sectarian tensions in the region in an effort to confront the threat posed by Islamic State. Most of the Gulf Arab monarchies have in private been sorely disappointed by Obama's presidency, regarding it as a period in which the United States has pulled back from the region, leaving space for their archrival Iran to expand its influence. Human rights have not figured high on the list of issues straining the relationship. But Saudi Arabia has increasingly chafed at what it sees as a campaign of vilification by Western media, think tanks and rights groups. Rob Malley, Obama's adviser on the Middle East, said rights issues would be raised, and deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes met human rights advocates at the White House just before the Riyadh visit to hear their concerns. During a two-hour meeting on Wednesday with the Saudi king and a group of top princes, Obama expressed his broad concerns about human rights issues, the White House said, without listing specific cases. But early signs were that disagreements over human rights would be relegated to the margins of Thursday's talks. Obama has spoken of his desire to persuade Gulf states to arrive at a "cold peace" with Iran to ease sectarian tensions and allow all sides to focus on what he sees as a greater threat emanating from Islamic State. IRAN SEEN AS THREAT On Thursday, he will attend a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which groups the monarchical states of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Apart from Oman, they are ruled by Sunni Muslim dynasties that see revolutionary, Shi'ite Iran as a threat to their security and say its involvement in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen has fueled conflict and deepened sectarian divisions. The White House shares the view of Gulf Arab states that Tehran plays a destabilizing role. But its willingness to enter a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers last year caused fears in Riyadh that Washington was not listening to Gulf Arab concerns. Riyadh has come under fire in Western countries for its restrictions on women, suppression of freedom of expression, strict blasphemy rules and a judicial system that applies Islamic law and frequently beheads convicts. Rights groups are also pushing for Obama to press Saudi Arabia to end the war in Yemen, for which peace talks are due to take place in Kuwait this week, and where air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition have killed many civilians. "I urge you to take this final opportunity to speak out publicly on human rights issues inside the (Saudi) Kingdom," Elisa Massimino, president of Human Rights First, a U.S. monitoring and activist group, wrote in an open letter. Saudi Arabia has said other countries should not interfere in its domestic affairs by criticizing its human rights record. It insists its Islamic legal system is its own business and that its courts are fair and independent. It says the war in Yemen was in support of its internationally recognized government and aimed at restoring stability. It says it has taken great care to avoid civilian casualties. (Reporting by Angus McDowall and Roberta Rampton; Editing by Andrew Roche and Peter Cooney)
Washington (AFP) - Republicans lost a battle Wednesday at the US Supreme Court, which rejected their claims that a new voting map for the southwestern state of Arizona illegally favored Democrats.

A ruling in favor of the challengers could have impacted redistricting efforts that affect elections around the country.

But in a unanimous decision, the eight justices upheld a federal court decision upholding Arizona legislative districts drawn by the state's Independent Redistricting Commission following the 2010 US Census.

The commission was created years earlier by a 2000 voter initiative, and it led to overpopulated Republican-leaning districts and underpopulated Democratic ones.

Citing the one person, one vote doctrine, the challengers had claimed that the end result was diluted Republican votes in the overpopulated Republican districts.

The state legislature is controlled by Republicans in both houses.

In delivering the court's opinion, Justice Stephen Breyer stressed that the US Constitution "does not demand mathematical precision" when it comes to delimiting legislative districts, which must be of nearly equal population.

The ruling rejected Republicans' claim that the plan would favor Democrats.

"We believe that appellants failed to prove this claim because, as the district court concluded, the deviations predominantly reflected Commission efforts to achieve compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act, not to secure political advantage for one party," Breyer wrote.

He cited Supreme Court precedent that allows population deviations below 10 percent. The redistricting commission's plan called for an 8.8 percent deviation.
By Nathan Layne

(Reuters) - Target Corp said on Tuesday that transgender employees and customers could use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity, becoming the first big retailer to weigh in on an issue at the center of a heated national debate.

The move came after North Carolina last month became the first U.S. state to require transgender people to use restrooms and changing rooms in schools and other public facilities that match their sex at birth rather than their gender identity. Lawmakers in some other states have also floated similar laws.

The law in North Carolina does not affect private-sector businesses, which are free to set their own policies, Governor Pat McCrory said in issuing an executive order related to the measure earlier this month.

Backers of the legislation in the Republican-controlled North Carolina legislature say it is meant to protect privacy rights and keep children and women safe from sexual predators.

PayPal Holdings and Deutsche Bank are among the companies that halted projects in North Carolina following the bill's passage. A number of entertainers, including Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr, also canceled engagements in the state in protest at the law.

"In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways," Target, which has 49 stores in North Carolina, said in a statement on its website. "Most relevant for the conversations currently under way, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity."

Earlier on Tuesday, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, a leading group of North Carolina business leaders, called for the state law to be repealed because of mounting economic losses..

Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said the retailer had already adopted an inclusive stance toward transgender people, but that given the questions it had received on the issue, "we felt it was important to state our position."

In September, Target threw its support behind the Equality Act, a bill introduced in the U.S. Congress last year that would amend existing civil rights law to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne in Chicago; Editing by Chris Reese and Peter Cooney)
New York (AFP) - An exceptionally rare Rodin marble sculpture of embracing lovers goes on offer in New York next month valued at $8 to $12 million, a highlight in Sotheby's impressionist and modern art spring sale.

The auction house said it was the first time that a sculpture in this medium and of this subject -- for which the French artist is perhaps most famous -- comes under the hammer in more than two decades.

Conceived in 1884 and carved in 1901-02 from one block, Sotheby's said it expected "Eternel Printemps" to set a new record for a Rodin sculpture in marble.

"This is the highest quality marble sculpture by Rodin ever to appear at auction certainly in recent years," said Jeremiah Evarts, head of evening sales for the impressionist and modern art at Sotheby's.

Other marbles from this series are in institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The sculpture is 31.5 inches (80 centimeters) long, 17 inches wide and 26 inches tall, and weighs 339 pounds (154 kilograms).

It was commissioned by German diplomat Hellmuth Baron Lucius von Stoedten who was a close friend of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who played a role in the commission of the piece from Auguste Rodin.

Rodin said later that he was listening to Beethoven's 2nd Symphony when he first conceived of "Eternel Printemps."

Evarts told AFP that he thought the sculpture might reflect the passion and love Rodin felt for Camille Claudel, one of his great loves and apprentices whom he met in the mid-1880s.

The marble is one of a limited edition of 10, each unique. Evarts said this one was distinguished by the quality of the carving of the hands, feet, faces and the tension between the supple female and more robust male figure.

Sotheby's said the price estimate of $8 to $12 million was based on demand for the artist's work. The sculpture will be sold on May 9, as part of the spring art season sales, and goes on public display in New York on April 29.

"Rodin one of most important sculptors of the 19th century," Evarts said. The sensuality of this particular piece will attract modern and contemporary collectors as well, he added.

Sotheby's sold a Rodin cast, "Iris, Messagere des dieux" once owned by Hollywood actor Sylvester Stallone, for $16.7 million in London in February.
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's president criticized the use of thousands of undercover morality police in Tehran to report on young women who are not wearing a full Islamic hijab or those who play loud music in their cars. Some 7,000 men and women officers began reporting such violations in Tehran, Iran's capital, on Monday. The head of police said the officers were not authorized to arrest anyone; they can only send reports of violations by text messages to police headquarters. Asked about the undercover morality police, President Hassan Rouhani said such decisions should not be made by the government and he would keep his promise to preserve citizens' freedom. "Our first duty is to respect people's dignity and personality. God has bestowed dignity to all human beings and this dignity precedes religion," Rouhani was quoted as saying by the news agency ISNA on Wednesday. Iranian police are part of the armed forces and supervised by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the government has a say in their policies through the Interior Ministry. The morality police in Iran usually detain women on the street for wearing bright clothes, a loose hijab or make-up, and men for "unacceptable" hair and clothing styles. They have sealed off barber shops for giving Western haircuts and cafes in which boys and girls were not observing Islamic law. Rouhani came to office in 2013 mainly on the votes of young people, and he has disagreed with strict Islamic rules. Many young Iranians hoped that his presidency would be accompanied by an easing of cultural restrictions. But hardliners have moved to block any relaxation of the Islamic Republic's social rules, warning of the "infiltration" of Western culture. They harshly criticized Rouhani last year for saying the police should enforce the law rather than Islam. In 2014, he said "you can't send people to heaven by the whip," a comment that brought a reaction from the Supreme Leader. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, editing by Larry King)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Wednesday accused the Saudi-backed Syrian opposition of employing blackmail by suspending its participation in peace talks in Geneva. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the tactics deployed by the High Negotiations Committee showed it was not capable of reaching a deal and could not be the sole representative for the opposition at the talks. "The Geneva forum should be a 'workshop' for agreeing on the outlines of Syria's future secular statehood and for determining the ways of reaching that, but not an 'eastern bazaar' with elements of crude blackmail in respect of the international community," the ministry said in a statement. "By issuing ultimatums, the Riyadh group, it seems, is trying to mask the fact it has no concrete and realistic proposals." Russia spoke out after a Western diplomat warned the fragile peace talks might not resume for at least a year if they were abandoned now and as the opposition urged more military support for rebels after declaring a truce was over. The Russian statement described as groundless opposition allegations that forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were violating an agreement on a cessation of hostilities and on granting access for humanitarian supplies. "It turns out that certain opposition forces and those external forces which are their patrons are continuing to rely exclusively on achieving their own plans and clearly inflated ambitions, acting on the principle 'all or nothing'," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The actions of the Saudi-backed opposition underlined the importance of having other moderate opposition groups participate in the talks, it said. The ministry said it supported the decision of Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations envoy to the talks, to carry on with the negotiations despite the decision of the High Negotiations Committee to suspend its participation. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Russia both have the capacity to steeply increase oil production, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, and he said he was not confident exporters would be able to agree on freezing their output by June.

A deal to freeze oil output by OPEC and non-OPEC producers fell apart in the Qatari capital of Doha on Sunday after Saudi Arabia demanded that Iran join in the freeze.

The failure of the Doha talks raised the prospect of a pump war between Russia and Saudi Arabia, with each country ramping up production to try to take market share from the other.

"They (Saudis) have the ability to raise output significantly. But so do we," Novak told journalists on the sidelines of an international energy conference in Moscow.

He said that Russia's oil production could exceed 540 million tonnes this year (10.8 million barrels per day).

OPEC is to hold its next scheduled meeting in the Austrian capital, Vienna, on June 2.

"We are not sure that they will be able to agree (on an output freeze) within OPEC," Novak told journalists. "This is a hard task which the countries undertook - to agree by June," he said.

Novak said that half an hour before the Doha meeting, Russia was still confident that a draft decision on an oil output freeze agreed in February would be passed.

The sudden change of mind by the Saudi delegation in Doha came as a "surprise", he said, but stressed that this would not have an impact on Russia's relations with Saudi Arabia.

Novak said it was possible that by June no freeze deal will be needed, because "market tools will start working".

Novak, in remarks at the energy conference earlier on Wednesday, criticized OPEC for what he said was its prolonged inaction in regulating global oil prices.

"They haven't changed (oil production) quotas irrespective of whether the price was falling or rising" since 2008, Novak said.

(Reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov, Olesya Astakhova and Denis Pinchuk; Writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Dmitry Solovyov and Christian Lowe)
STATE COLLEGE, Penn.Bernie Sanders told thousands of his supporters Tuesday evening that the believed New Yorks closed primary system is wrong. He also predicted he will perform better than expected in the state.

Sanders tried to play down Clintons likely victory in New York Tuesday to the packed crowd on Penn States campus. (Polls close in New York at 9 p.m.) He railed against New Yorks closed primary system, where only registered Democrats can vote for the partys nominee. Sanders has done better in open primary states.

Today in New York State if you can believe this, about 27 percent of the eligible voters in that state are unable to participate in the Democratic or Republican primaries because they have chosen to list themselves as independents, he said. Thats wrong. Almost 3 million people in that state cannot vote today. And that has got to change in future elections.

Slideshow: The battle for New York >>>

In New York, residents had to register as either Democrat or Republican by last October to vote in Tuesdays primary. There were also reports of voting problems Tuesday. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that some Democratic voters had been improperly removed from the rolls in Brooklyn, and called for the Board of Elections to be reformed.

Sanders said despite New Yorks establishment backing Clinton, he thinks he will perform well in the state. You know what? Were going to do just fine tonight in New York.

Clintons team has argued that the senator has no path to the nomination at this point and should bow out, but the senator made a passionate case for why he is the better choice.

I dont want you to tell anybody about this, but Secretary Clinton is getting a little bit nervous, he said, to cheers from the crowd. This is the campaign that has the energy, that has the enthusiasm and that in November will create the kind of voter turnout that will not only allow us to retain the White House but will regain the U.S. Senate.

Story continues

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign rally at Hunters Point park, in the Queens borough of New York. (Photo: Mary Altaffer/AP)

Slideshow: Primary day in New York >>>

The Vermont senator, who trails Clinton in pledged and unpledged delegates, touted his wins in eight of nine previous contests and national polls that show Clinton and Sanders support tightening.

Sanders, who appeared to be in an especially feisty mood, took several more shots at Clinton, poking fun of her paid speeches for several minutes and drawing boos from the crowd when he spoke about her SuperPAC. Pennsylvanias Democrats vote next Tuesday.


NEW YORK  Sen. Bernie Sanders fell short in New Yorks Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday as he was defeated by his rival, Hillary Clinton.



With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton won by over 15 percent, a clearly decisive margin. Even a narrow win for the former secretary of state in the delegate-rich state would have gone a long way toward blocking Sanders path to the Democratic nomination.

Clinton spoke to supporters at a hotel in Times Square shortly after the results were announced. She thanked the voters in New York, where she lives and served as a senator from 2001 until 2009.

Today, you proved once again theres no place like home! she said.

Hillary Clinton celebrates her victory in the New York presidential primary at a rally in Manhattan. (Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters)



Clinton also took a shot at earlier attacks from the Sanders campaign that attributed her success solely to her victories in Southern states.

You know, in this campaign, weve won in every region of the country, from the North, to the South, to the East, to the West, said Clinton, adding, But this ones personal.

Slideshow: Primary day in New York >>>



Sanders won eight of the last nine contests leading up to the New York primary, but Clintons earlier wins ensured that he needed to defeat her in the state  and every other one on the remaining primary calendar  by at least 12 points. With a win in New York, Clinton has raised the bar for Sanders even higher in the states to come.

Sanders addressed nearly 7,000 of his supporters in a field house at Penn State University several hours before the polls closed in New York and results were announced. He pointed to his recent momentum to argue Clinton was getting a little bit nervous.

This is the campaign that has the energy, that has the enthusiasm and that in November will create the kind of voter turnout that will not only allow us to retain the White House, but will regain the U.S. Senate, he said.

Story continues

Theres no question Sanders has gained steam in the last few weeks. In addition to his recent streak, polls showed Clintons lead heading into New York diminish by about 20 points in the past month. At the debate last Thursday, Sanders senior adviser, Tad Devine, said this momentum would be a key part of the campaigns strategy going forward. Devine argued that Sanders did not need New York to secure the nomination. He suggested that recent polls showing that Sanders is a stronger general election candidate than Clinton would convince voters and the partys superdelegates to back his candidacy.

I think the Democratic Party is going to look at two candidate and realize that Bernie Sanders, by far, is the strongest candidate for our party, Devine said.

The Sanders campaign has also pointed to alleged voting irregularities in the New York race. Multiple local officials have identified issues at the polls, and on Monday, the state Board of Elections revealed that approximately 126,000 Democrats had been removed from the states voter rolls. New York election law does not permit voters who are not registered members of the party to participate in the primary. Sanders spokeswoman Erika Andiola released a statement on Tuesday saying that the campaign was deeply disturbed by what were hearing from polling places across the state.

Sen. Bernie Sanders greets community members during a walk on East Fordham Road in the Bronx, N.Y., on Monday. (Photo: Mary Altaffer/AP)

Slideshow: The battle for New York >>>

From long lines and dramatic understaffing to longtime voters being forced to cast affidavit ballots and thousands of registered New Yorkers being dropped from the rolls, whats happening today is a disgrace, Andiola said. We need to be making it easier for people to vote, not inventing arbitrary obstacles  and todays shameful demonstration must underline the urgent importance of fixing voting laws across the country.

The Clinton campaign did not respond to a request for comment about the alleged irregularities.

Sanders also addressed New Yorks election laws in his Pennsylvania speech.

Today in New York state  if you can believe this  about 27 percent of the eligible voters in that state are unable to participate in the Democratic or Republican primaries because they have chosen to list themselves as independents, he said, as his supporters booed. Thats wrong. Almost 3 million people in that state cannot vote today. And that has got to change in future elections.

On Tuesday afternoon, as people voted in the primary, a group called Election Justice USA filed a suit in federal court arguing that the registration of over 200 voters had been switched without their input, preventing them from participating. Election Justice USAs website describes the group as a a national voting rights organization, and a spokesperson has described the group as nonpartisan. However, the site was only created on April 11, and all seven of the people listed as members of the Election Justice USA team have made online posts expressing support for Sanders. In Facebook posts on April 12, two members of the group, Michael Rayer-Tighe and Stewart McCauley, described the lawsuit as an effort to help Sanders.

There are potentially thousands of Bernie supporters who registered as Dem before the deadline but wont be allowed to vote next week, the posts said. We at Election Justice USA are filing an emergency injunction to address this issue.

The posts by the Election Justice USA team members also encouraged people to Help Bernie by checking their registration and contacting the group and the campaign about any potential issues.

When asked about Election Justice USA by Yahoo News, a Sanders campaign spokesman, Karthik Ganapathy, described the group as an organization of volunteers operating entirely independently from the campaign.

In addition to her lead in the polls, Clinton had the backing of much of the states political establishment, including the entire congressional delegation, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Even if he had had ideal circumstances, Sanders was facing an uphill battle in New York, and after tonight, his path through the remaining states is even steeper.

Hillary Clinton arrives with her daughter, Chelsea, right, to celebrate her victory at her New York presidential primary night rally. (Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters)

Although Clinton pointed to upcoming states on the primary calendar and indicated she plans to stay on the campaign trail, she also seemed to be pivoting toward the general election, attacking the Republican frontrunners, Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz. The Democratic primary has been divisive at times, with Sanders attacking Clinton from the left and attempting to paint her as a tool of the moneyed establishment. In her speech Tuesday, Clinton repeatedly described her campaign and platform as progressive" and urged Sanders backers to unite behind her.

To all the people who supported Sen. Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us, Clinton said.

Additional reporting from Liz Goodwin in State College, Pa.





_____

(Cover thumbnail photo: Kathy Willens/AP)
Massoumeh Ebtekar and Hossein Sheikholeslam both were radical Islamist students who took part in the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Over three decades later, theyre political rivals battling to define the future of the Islamic Republic.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become the new favored pinata by the chattering classes in Washington. Theyre worse than Iran! is the refrain, echoed by those who defend Tehrans unceasing provocations, even following the nuclear deal.

The House of Saud has been on the receiving end of a particularly aggressive string of attacks as of late. Partly spurred on by former Sen. Bob Grahams one-man campaign, outlets as diverse as Fox News, CBS, and PBS have recently pushed the narrative that the kingdom abets terrorism and fuels Islamist extremists globally. This chorus was recently echoed by Sen. Christopher Murphys attempt to severely restrict U.S. weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

The anti-Saudi campaign picked up steam following the conclusion of the nuclear deal with Iran, as many Washington analysts began to advocate for normalization of relations with Tehran to counterbalance Riyadh. These critics warn that Saudi Arabia should no longer be viewed as a staunch ally and that the United States ought to disavow the kingdom as a mainstay of stability in a volatile Middle East.

On face value, it is easy to jump to the conclusion that Saudi Arabia  the birthplace of Osama bin Laden, Wahhabism, and an absolute monarchy that adheres to Islamic law  is an engine of global Islamist extremism. But the fact is that Washington needs Saudi Arabia today more than ever if it is to defeat the so-called Islamic State, al Qaeda, and their global offshoots.

Beltway pundits have recently latched on to a thinly sourced 60 Minutes segment accusing the Saudi government, and by extension the royal family, of involvement in the 9/11 attacks. They claim that the redacted 28 pages from the 9/11 Commission report could offer explosive new revelations about Saudi complicity in the attacks.

Sorry, but the facts suggest that the exact opposite is true.

Saudi Arabia has long been at war with al Qaeda and its extremist affiliates. In August 1996, bin Laden called for jihad against both the United States and Saudi Arabia with the publication of his first fatwa. The 30-page Declaration of War Against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Sanctuaries prompted the kingdom to revoke the al Qaeda leaders Saudi citizenship and to divest him of his family fortune.

Story continues

The kingdoms conflict has continued in more recent years. In December, the Saudi defense minister established a coalition of 39 Muslim-majority countries with a specific mandate to combat al Qaeda, the Islamic State, and the Shiite terror group Hezbollah. Saudi counterterrorism security forces are on the front lines every day taking the fight to al Qaeda; hundreds of Saudi security officers have been killed in the line of duty at home, fighting Islamist militants. As recently as April 5, militants attacked and killed a senior Saudi security officer outside Riyadh.

U.S. intelligence and security officials have been particularly effusive in describing the important role Saudi Arabia has played in cutting off the sophisticated global network of illicit finance used by terrorists. According to the State Department, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsulas lack of success in Saudi Arabia can be attributed to the Saudi governments continued domestic and bilateral efforts to  counter terrorism and violent extremist ideologies.

The truth is plain: Americans are safer today because the kingdom has foiled numerous al Qaeda terrorist plots targeting the U.S. homeland. Adam J. Szubin, Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, recently praised the kingdoms aggressive stance against terrorism as reflecting the strength of U.S. and Saudi cooperation on countering the financing of terrorism.

As for the redacted 28 pages from the 9/11 Commission report? Well, the commission put to rest accusations of complicity, confirming in their report that there is no evidence that the Saudi government supported or funded al Qaeda. According to the report, the commission found no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded the organization. In federal court, on three occasions  2006, 2008, and 2015  lawsuits accusing the kingdom of terror sponsorship were dismissed. Further illustrating the absurdity of the notion that the Saudis have something to hide is the fact that the Saudi government itself, since 2003, has called for the declassification of the 28 pages.

President Barack Obama, however, has labeled the Saudis free-riders, criticized their ideology and treatment of women, and recommended they share the Middle East and North Africa with Iran. Obamas deputy national security advisor, Ben Rhodes, has gone further  accusing the Saudis of not doing enough to prevent rogue wealthy royals from funding extremists. Its not that it was Saudi government policy to support al Qaeda, but there were a number of very wealthy individuals in Saudi Arabia who would contribute, he said. [T]here was, at certainly, at least kind of an insufficient attention to where all this money was going over many years from the government apparatus.

But Saudi Arabia doesnt sponsor terrorism  in fact, its been an ally in the fight against al Qaeda and is key to destroying the Islamic State. Thats an inconvenient fact for those trying to establish a moral equivalence between Iran and Saudi Arabia. In fact, its Tehran that continues to sabotage U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

How many terror plots has Iran helped the U.S. thwart? None. Did Iran stop Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad from facilitating the flow of al Qaeda fighters into Iraq to kill American soldiers there? Of course not. Instead, Irans leaders continue to direct attacks against U.S. interests, resulting in the deaths and maiming of American soldiers. It is a bitter pill to swallow that our country should be seeking to normalize relations with those behind the 2007 joint Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Lebanese Hezbollah attack that resulted in the kidnapping and execution of American servicemen.

Irans actions are bad enough, but the web of jihadist proxies its sponsors around the Middle East is even worse. Saudi Arabia, unlike Iran, has declared Hezbollah a terrorist organization. And make no mistake about it, Hezbollah still has the United States and Israel in its crosshairs.

For nearly 70 years, Washington has had a reliable partner in Riyadh. Meanwhile, since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the United States has faced nothing short of outright hostilities from a state bound by its constitution to export its brand of Shiite extremist Islam throughout the Middle East.

Iran and its surrogates are happy to create the conditions conducive for terror to thrive, while offering Janus-faced support to mask its hegemonic aspirations only believed by the Obama administration. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has not changed his anti-American tone following the nuclear deal: He recently accused the United States of supporting the Islamic State, and has struck a militaristic stance toward the West. Those who say the future is in negotiations, not in missiles, are either ignorant or traitors, he said last month.

The notion that Saudi Arabia must somehow share the region with Iran, as Obama declared in his recent interview with the Atlantic, implies that security and stability in the Middle East can be best maintained by acknowledging the legitimacy of Irans suzerainty.

But there are real security consequences to allowing Iran gain the upper hand over Saudi Arabia. For example, if Iran  through its Shiite Houthi militia proxies  were to gain control of the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait in Yemen, it would significantly increase its capacity to funnel weapons and rockets to Palestinian and Hezbollah militants, further destabilizing the Levant. Meanwhile, Irans increased support to Assad following the nuclear deal has shifted the balance of power toward the Syrian regime, and further alienated the very Sunnis the United States needs to fight the Islamic State.

Yet Iran continues to press its case as a responsible partner with the international community against Sunni extremism. Earlier this year, its foreign minister argued in a New York Times op-ed that Saudi Arabia was the root of instability in the region and that only by partnering with a strong Iran could the West hope to eradicate terrorism.

However, recently declassified documents and multiple U.S. Treasury Department designations strongly suggest a much cozier covert relationship between al Qaedas henchmen and Iran than many would suspect. The Treasury Department sanctions describe the actions of senior al Qaeda weapons and logistical facilitators who were, at various times since 2006, active in Tehran.

Its become fashionable to bash Saudi Arabia today. But to look to Iran as an antidote to global Islamist extremism and ignore Saudis real, tangible, counterterror accomplishments would be dangerous folly. Now more than ever, we must work with our Sunni allies to curb Irans influence, keep it from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and prevent it from further destabilizing the Middle East.

Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images
Three archaeological sites that may have been used by Vikings around 1,000 years ago were excavated recently in Canada.

If confirmed, the discoveries would add to the single known Viking settlement in the New World, located at L'Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of Newfoundland. Excavated in the 1960s, that Viking outpost was used for a short period of time around 1,000 years agoas well.

Sagas from the time of the Vikings tell tales of their journeys into the New World, mentioning places named "Helluland" (widely believed to be modern-day Baffin Island), "Markland" (widely believed to be Labrador) and "Vinland," which is a more mysterious location that some archaeologists have argued could be Newfoundland. [See Photos of the Newfound Viking Sites]

Even so, pinpointing actual Viking remains or other clues of Viking settlements has been difficult, making the three sites  two in Newfoundland and the other in the Arctic  intriguing to archaeologists.

Point Rosee

Sarah Parcak, a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her colleagues spotted the so-called Point Rosee site in southern Newfoundland while scanning satellite imagery, and announced their discovery a few weeks ago.

The team found what may be a hearth used to roast bog iron, as well as a structure, of some type, made with turf. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the site was used sometime between the ninth and 13th centuries.

These finds, the researchers say, suggest that Vikings may have used the site, though more dating information and excavation are needed to confirm that idea, they said. Additionally, even if it is a Viking site, it's uncertain how long the Vikings lived there.

"I think that all of us would be in agreement in urging you to relay the preliminary nature of the findings  the unconfirmed cultural and period affiliations," said team co-director Gregory Mumford, who is also a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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Sop's Arm

Another possible Viking site turned up after archaeologists investigated a series of peculiar holes in a small town called Sop's Arm near White Bay, about 120 miles (200 kilometers) south of L'Anse aux Meadows. Archaeologists say that these "pitfalls," which have been known to exist near the town, would have been used to trap large animals, such as caribou. [Fierce Fighters: 7 Secrets of Viking Seamen]

In 1961, Helge Ingstad, the archaeologist who would excavate L'Anse aux Meadows, was guided to the pitfalls by a local man named Watson Budden. Ingstad thought it was likely that the Vikings had constructed the holes, but he didn't excavate them.

In 2010, archaeologists surveyed and excavated the pitfalls. They found that the pitfalls form a 269-foot-long (82 meters) system that lies in an almost straight line, the team wrote in an article published in the journal Acta Archaeologica in 2012. Each of the pits is about 23 to 33 feet (7 to 10 m) long and about 5 to 7.5 feet (1.5 to 2.3 m) deep.

Perhaps the Vikings drove animals toward the pits, where they would have fallen in and been killed, said Kevin Mcaleese, a curator of archaeology and ethnology at the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador. The team did find stones inside the pitfalls that could have injured animals that had fallen inside. However, the archaeologists didn't find any artifacts and were unable to obtain clear radiocarbon dates for the pits.

"No Newfoundland and Labrador aboriginal group or archaeological culture is known in historic times or in ancient times to have regularly trapped animals with pitfalls," Mcaleese said. "I am developing a research plan for the site and area, but have not yet secured funds."

Kent Budden, nephew of Watson Budden, collected a number of what he suspects are Norse artifacts from the Sop's Arm area, including an iron ax and other iron artifacts, as well as a stone that has what could be a serpent carved into it.

Kent Budden died in 2008, and his brother Owen Budden showed photographs of the artifacts to Live Science. (Before he died, Kent Budden also gave a presentation of the collection, which can now be seen on YouTube.)

Mcaleese said he is not very familiar with the collection. "What I have seen does not appear to be Norse, and my colleagues think similarly," he said.

Nanook

The Vikings also may have settled, at least for a bit, in Nanook on Baffin Island. Researchers recently discovered the remains of a building that may have been constructed by the Vikings and artifacts that may have been used in metalworking. Among the artifacts was a stone crucible that may "represent the earliest evidence of high-temperature nonferrous metalworking in the New World north of Mesoamerica," wrote a team of archaeologists in a paper published in 2014 in the journal Geoarchaeology.

A structure that may have been used by the Vikings was in the process of being excavated in 2012, when lead archaeologist Patricia Sutherland was abruptly fired from the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now called the Canadian Museum of History) and the excavations were terminated.

Many Canadian archaeologists condemned Sutherland's abrupt termination and the decision to end the project. They noted that the Canadian government, which owned the museum and funded her project, proceeded to pour millions of dollars into locating and excavating a ship destroyed in 1847 during the ill-fated Franklin expedition. This expedition, led by Sir John Franklin, aimed to find a sea route through the Canadian Arctic between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The expedition ended with the death of Franklin and his crew.

This funding decision led to accusations that the federal government favored research into British remains over those of the Vikings. In 2015, a new federal government was elected, but it remains unknown whether it will fund new research at the Nanook site.

Where is Vinland?

One of the mysteries that researchers have been trying to solve is the location of a place that the Viking sagas call "Vinland" (wine land). Historical texts describe a place where grapes and timber could be found. [In Photos: Viking Voyage Discovered]

Famed Viking explorer Leif Ericson is said to have led an expedition to Vinland. The sagas say that Ericson was so impressed by what he found that he told his crew that, "from now on, we have two jobs on our hands: On one day, we shall gather grapes, and on the next, we shall cut grapevines and chop down the trees to make a cargo for my ship." The stories, as translated by Einar Haugen in the 1942 book "Voyages to Vinland: The First American Saga," go on to say that "Leif gave this country a name to suit its resources: He called it Vinland."

Grapes don't grow as far north as Newfoundland, leaving some researchers to speculate that Vinland is located farther south, possibly around New Brunswick, Nova Scotia or Maine. Others think that Newfoundland is Vinland and that the "grapes" could refer to wild berries, which are found in abundance in Newfoundland.

So far, no potential Viking sites have been discovered south of Newfoundland, although a coin, minted in Norway between A.D. 1065 and 1080, was discovered in Maine in 1957 by an amateur archaeologist at a Native American site. How the coin arrived at that site is a mystery.

Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science.

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By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate passed the first broad energy bill in nine years on Wednesday, legislation containing modest measures popular with both Republicans and Democrats to modernize the power grid and speed the permitting process for liquefied natural gas exports. The bill, which passed 85-12, attempts to protect the power grid from extreme weather events such as ice storms and hurricanes, and from cyber attacks. It also aims to spur innovations in storage of power from wind and solar energy. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill last year. The Energy Policy and Modernization Act would increase U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), eventually helping to give European consumers alternatives to relying mainly on Russia for gas. After disagreements held the bill up for months, senators last week dropped measures from the bill to aid Flint, Michigan overcome a drinking water crisis, in which children have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead, and on offshore drilling. Lawmakers from both the House and Senate will next iron out differences over the bill. The Senate bill, for instance, requires the Department of Energy to issue a decision on LNG projects within 45 days of an environmental assessment, while the House bill directs the DOE to make the decision on permits after 30 days. Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington state who co-sponsored the bill, said shortly before it passed that she hoped the chambers would move quickly "so that we can realize the opportunity to help our businesses and consumers plan for the energy future." The White House has signaled that President Barack Obama would sign the Senate bill. Energy policy analyst Kevin Book of ClearView Energy Partners said the chances the bill would be signed into law this year were about 65 percent, because the White House has had some differences with the House bill. Charlie Riedl, the head of industry group the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, said the vote was a "big step forward" and that certainty about the regulatory process is "crucial" for projects that cost billions of dollars to build. Rob Cowin, director of government affairs at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit group, said the bill falls "far short" of what is needed to promote wind and solar power, but is "better than doing nothing." The Senate on Tuesday passed several amendments to the bill, including restricting most sales from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve when oil prices are low. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Richard Cowan; editing by Grant McCool)
A rare compilation of Shakespeare's complete works was shown off before sale by Christie's auction house on Tuesday in the week that Britain celebrates the 400th anniversary of the legendary playwright's death.

The "First Folio" was published in 1623 -- just seven years after Shakespeare's death -- preserving "Macbeth" and 17 other works that were never published in the Bard's lifetime and would otherwise have been lost.

Around 750 "First Folios" were published and only around a third of them have been preserved.

Academics earlier this month hailed the discovery of one edition on the Scottish island of Bute.

Christie's has put the estimated price tag of its compilation at at least 800,000 (1.0 million euros, $1.2 million).

The auction house will also be selling three other editions of the full works published in 1632, 1664 and 1685.

"It's very unusual" for the collected works of an author to be published so soon after their death, said Margaret Ford, the international head of books and manuscripts department at Christie's.

"It is deeply moving to handle the first printed record of his collected plays and to be reminded of their tremendous impact."

The work will go on display in New York and London ahead of the sale in the British capital on May 25.

The anthology contains 36 works including 18 that were published for the first time in the book and would probably have disappeared including "Macbeth", "The Tempest", "The Taming of the Shrew", "All's Well that Ends Well" and "A Winter's Tale".

The University of Oxford this month announced that a new First Folio had been found at the Mount Stuart stately home on the island of Bute, where it will be on display to the public until October.

"In terms of literary discoveries, they do not come much bigger than a new First Folio, and we are really excited that this has happened on Bute," said Alice Martin, head of collections at Mount Stuart, at the time.

The anniversary of Shakespeare's death on Saturday is being marked with a series of performances and exhibitions, as well as a candlelit vigil by his tomb in his hometown of Stratford-upon Avon.
This story first appeared in the May 6 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

What, if anything, does Shari Redstone plan to do next in her battle with Viacom chairman Philippe Dauman? It's an important question because if she has the stomach for battle, she potentially could do a lot.

If the grim, "living ghost" picture of 92-year-old Sumner Redstone's condition painted by his ex-companion Manuela Herzer is even half true, Shari, 62, potentially could seize control of her father's media empire by challenging his competence to fulfill any corporate role. In fact, several legal experts agree Shari could launch that challenge and still contend, as she has in litigation initiated by Herzer, that her father is perfectly competent to make personal decisions, such as dropping Herzer as his health-care proxy and excluding her from his will, as he did in 2015. "You can be competent over many transactions but be incompetent to manage complicated things," says USC law professor Elyn Saks.

If Sumner were to be declared incompetent, a seven-member trust would take control of Viacom and CBS. And if Shari has a majority of votes on the trust, as has been speculated, she could replace the Viacom board and rid herself of Dauman, 62. Some insiders think Shari, who has avoided the spotlight, never would try to wrest control of her father's properties until nature has taken its course. "It would not be characteristic behavior for her," says an executive high in Sumner's empire. But if anything could provoke her, it might be Dauman's announced plan to fast-track the sale of a stake in Paramount.

Read More: Sumner Redstone's Granddaughter Claims He Lives In Prison-Like Condition

The battle over the future of Viacom has taken weird twists with the late 2015 ejection of Herzer and Sumner's former girlfriend, Sydney Holland, from his life and Herzer's subsequent legal fight to be reinstated as his health-care rep. (On April 19, Keryn Redstone, Sumner's estranged granddaughter, even attempted to add herself as a plaintiff in the case.) But one of the odder developments involves conflicting accounts of Sumner's position on the planned sale. Dauman has told his board that he "thought" he heard Redstone approve the idea during a visit to his Beverly Park mansion in mid-February and that a nurse had witnessed the exchange. That seems a strange note to pass along to Viacom directors unless he expected to be challenged, which is exactly what happened - though not in an especially direct way.

Story continues

Just days after his encounter with Dauman, Sumner met with Paramount CEO Brad Grey and declared himself to be, in fact, vehemently opposed to a sale. This time, Shari was present during the conversation. As Sumner long regarded Paramount as the jewel in the Viacom crown, it's easy to imagine he might not be pleased to see even a part of it auctioned off.

Shari has not taken a public position on the Paramount sale, but media reports that her father objects to the plan read like a shot across Dauman's bow from her camp. How credible was Dauman's account that Sumner had endorsed the sale? Herzer already has publicly challenged the veracity of Dauman's descriptions of earlier meetings with Sumner and has alleged Sumner would not have been capable of expressing the full-throated support for Dauman the Viacom chairman has attributed to him. (In November, the New York Post ran a caricature depicting Dauman as a lying Pinocchio.)

Perhaps it's fair to question both sides. Is Sumner really capable of taking a position on the sale of Paramount? An April 9, 2015, email - which recently surfaced thanks to Herzer's court case - suggests there were big doubts a year ago among several parties in Sumner's life about his capacity to make decisions regarding his media empire. In that email, attorney Adam Streisand dispensed advice to prospective clients Herzer and Holland. Sources say this email was written as the two women - then still very much holding sway over his household - were pushing him to make a strong public statement regarding his estrangement from Shari. Perhaps Herzer and Holland foresaw Shari would challenge their influence over her father; certainly Herzer has made much of that estrangement in her fight to be reinstated in Sumner's life.

Read More: Sumner Redstone Might Not Want to Sell Paramount After All

According to Streisand's email, both Viacom and Sumner's estate lawyer, Leah Bishop, warned that if Sumner embarrassed his daughter by making such a statement, she could seek to take control of his affairs. At that point, wrote Streisand, Sumner's "current condition will become public and Viacom will have to remove Sumner as an officer/director and stop paying him compensation." Alluding to both Viacom and Bishop, Streisand wrote, "They don't want to poke the bear right now."

The obvious implication is that if Shari was to take charge of her father's affairs, those who enjoyed a remunerative place in his world would be at risk. Including Dauman. Bishop, who continues to represent Sumner, declined to comment on Streisand's account, as did Viacom. Sumner never issued any statement recriminating Shari. And it is unclear whether Streisand was retained by Herzer or Holland; he did not respond to a request for clarification. (He is not representing Herzer in her current court fight.)

Despite the apparent uncertainty about Sumner's wishes, a Viacom insider says Dauman, under pressure because of the company's weak cable networks and prolonged stock slide, still intends to sell the stake in Paramount by the end of June. So far, however, it doesn't appear that there have been any briefings of possible suitors, making it hard to say just how fast-tracked the transaction might be.

And even if Shari stands by as part of her father's empire is sold, the day will come when the trust will control whatever remains of Viacom. If Shari has four votes, it appears she will have the power to fire Dauman and any other board member she chooses. Company rules state board members can be removed "at any time  with or without cause." USC law professor Michael Chasalow even sees the possibility of Shari attempting to dismiss Dauman for cause, if she can make the case he misled the Viacom board and investors about Sumner's condition and the various instructions attributed to him. But according to a securities filing, Dauman's contract allows him to quit for "good reason" if Viacom were to "change the parties to whom he reports." He would receive an exit package worth as much as $75 million if that happens, a scenario that seems to provide abundant fodder for legal jockeying.

Even the insider who thinks that it's not in Shari's nature to seek control while her father is alive still believes it's only a matter of time before the battle for Viacom is underway. "She's keeping her powder dry," says this person. "But she's not done."

Read More: Sumner Redstone Healthcare Fight Is Settled
By Tom Esslemont LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Sierra Leone's government helped British private security service firms recruit former child soldiers to work as guards in Iraq from 2009, said a Danish academic who has spent years investigating the issue. Thousands of children were forced to fight in Sierra Leone's 11-year civil war, which ended in 2002. More than 50,000 people were killed in the fighting and many tens of thousands more mutilated or raped by rebels. By 2009, with Iraq in chaos, impoverished Sierra Leone was looking for a way to engage its workforce, said Maya Mynster Christensen, a researcher at the Danish Institute Against Torture who made repeated trips to the West African country. "From a Sierra Leone government perspective the recruitment was supposedly quite a good deal because it could take the local troublemakers and send them to Iraq for a couple of years," the anthropologist told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "The government returned the men, many of them now in their late twenties and thirties, with money earned on their overseas deployment," she said. But Christensen said this ran counter to Sierra Leone's stated policy of demobilisation following the civil war. Of the 72,500 combatants demobilised by January 2002, nearly 10 percent were children, according to the U.N. children's agency, UNICEF. A spokesman for Sierra Leone's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "SLAVERY" Christensen's allegations appear in a new Danish-made documentary, "The Child Soldier's New Job", which reveals that thousands of ex-soldiers were re-assigned to private security contractors in Iraq after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. The Thomson Reuters Foundation cannot verify how many of those recruited to Iraq were once child combatants, but in the documentary those who were deployed described feeling awe-struck on arrival in the war-torn country. In filmed interviews, one former child soldier, who had only received training in light weapons in Sierra Leone, said he heard mortar shells every day in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. "For many of the ex-soldiers, Iraq reactivated memories of the civil war. It was traumatic," said Christensen, who also works for the Royal Danish Defence College. British contractors operating on behalf of U.S. security companies recruited up to 10,000 former Sierra Leonean militia fighters from 2009 onwards, said Christensen. She said two UK-based contracting companies were operating in Sierra Leone over a three year period - Sabre International ran a training camp in Sierra Leone in 2009, while Aegis Defence Services Ltd was recruiting men when she visited in 2012. Of those recruited, around 3,000 were actually deployed, usually to guard U.S. military bases in Iraq, Christensen said. "Some of the recruits found out subsequently they would only get paid $200 per month once they got to Iraq, but a number of them went on strike when they arrived," she said. "The recruits frequently likened the experience to slavery." Sabre International and Aegis Defence Services did not respond to requests for comment. Britain's Guardian newspaper earlier this week quoted a former Aegis senior director saying the firm employed mercenaries from Sierra Leone to work in Iraq because they were cheaper than Europeans, and did not check if they were former child soldiers. James Ellery, a director of Aegis Defence Services between 2005 and 2015, said it helped reduce costs for the U.S. presence in Iraq and contractors had a "duty" to recruit from countries like Sierra Leone. Aegis was taken over last year by GardaWorld, a Canadian security company. Child rights groups were alarmed that ex-child combatants appeared to have been recruited to protect U.S. assets in Iraq. "It is surprising that a defence contractor, in its quest to find lower cost labour, should conclude that former child soldiers form a good recruiting pool," said Dan Collison, director of programmes at War Child UK, a charity helping former child combatants. "The risks of re-exposing former child soldiers to the trauma of conflict seem not to have been considered." (Reporting By Tom Esslemont, additional reporting by Kieran Guilbert. Editing by Belinda Goldsmith and Katie Nguyen; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, womens rights, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org)
Photo: Reuters

Singapore has once again performed dismally in a global benchmark of press freedom, finishing 154th in the World Press Freedom Index.

It was the fourth consecutive year that Singapore has fallen in the rankings, ever since it finished 135th in 2012.

The Republic finished below countries such as Myanmar (143rd), Philippines (138th), India (133rd), Bangladesh (144th), and Malaysia (146th), in what was a poor year for media freedom in the Asia-Pacific region, said Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

The Index, which ranks 180 countries in order of the freedom allowed to journalists measures pluralism, media independence, the quality of legal framework and safety of journalists.

Countries like Japan, which was previously regarded as a regional model for press freedom, fell 11 places to 72nd.

RSF noted that in the year since the law on the protection of specially designated secrets took effect in Japan, many media outlets, including state-owned ones, succumbed to self-censorship, especially vis-a-vis the prime minister, and surrendered their independence.

South Korea also fell 10 places to 70th, as relations between the media and government have worsened under President Park Geun-hye.

RSF had scathing words for China, ranked 176th, where the Communist Party took repression to new heights. It added that journalists were spared nothing, not even abductions, televised forced confessions and threats to relatives. This was fuelled by Chinese President Xi Jinpings totalitarian view of the medias role.

It is unfortunately clear that many of the worlds leaders are developing a form of paranoia about legitimate journalism, said RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloir.

The climate of fear results in a growing aversion to debate and pluralism, a clampdown on the media by ever more authoritarian and oppressive governments, and reporting in the privately-owned media that is increasingly shaped by personal interests.

Dominating the top four in the Index are once again, Scandinavian countries. Finland topped the list, followed by Netherlands, Norway and Denmark.
By Mfuneko Toyana KWAZAKHELE, South Africa (Reuters) - Unemployed South African labourer Xolisa Sacu has given up waiting for the housing, services and jobs that the African National Congress has been promising his rubbish-strewn township since the end of apartheid 22 years ago. Zakhele township is like many rundown areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality where the ANC is at risk of losing a local election in August, almost unthinkable two decades ago when the area was at the heart of the anti-apartheid struggle. Acknowledging the electoral significance of this coastal region in the Eastern Cape, President Jacob Zuma chose to launch the ANC's manifesto in its biggest city, Port Elizabeth, on Saturday. Less than half the expected 100,000 people turned out to hear Zuma's promises of jobs and better public services for the poor, a sign that many South Africans are losing patience with a party that swept to power on a wave of optimism in 1994. "The things they promised haven't happened," father of four Sacu, 46, told Reuters in a narrow alleyway in Zakhele where hawkers sell everything from car exhaust pipes to mangoes from sparse streetside stalls. "There is rubbish everywhere and there are no jobs for our children," said Sacu, who was a youth member of the ANC during apartheid but does not intend to vote for them again. In Nelson Mandela Bay, the ANC's share of votes slipped from 70 percent in 2004 to just over 50 percent at local polls in 2014. An Ipsos poll late last year suggested a very tight race this year, with the ANC winning only 43 percent of the vote against 42 percent for the combined opposition parties and 15 percent of undecided voters. Losing power in Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, a stronghold of the ANC's during the fight against apartheid and named after its liberation hero, would be a symbolic blow for Zuma and his party nationally. "Port Elizabeth is becoming a highly contested area and the ANC is being met with greater deal of suspicion," political analyst Ralph Mathekga said. "You can't keep on filling stadiums if there is a growing notion that you are not doing the right thing." Slow economic progress in the Eastern Cape, home to South Africa's car manufacturing plants, has led to frequent, often violent protests over a lack of housing and employment. The province is beset by housing shortages and crime and has the second highest unemployment rate in the country. Many South Africans blame corruption within the ANC. "There's no jobs in Port Elizabeth," a local taxi driver, Keith Caesar, told Reuters. "You even see how the ANC municipality wastes money. That's why I'm not interested in voting anymore." The ANC has also been damaged by a series of scandals in recent months, most notably circling Zuma. Zuma is facing calls to resign from within the ANC since a court in March found he breached the constitution by ignoring an order to repay some of the $16 million in state funds spent renovating his private home. "The way money is being handled by the ANC, we don't like it. We want change," Sacu said. (Editing by Joe Brock and Robin Pomeroy)
Buenos Aires (AFP) - Severe storms and flooding across South America's "southern cone" have killed at least 12 people and forced thousands to evacuate, with more bad weather on the way.

Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have all been hit by the deluge, which has inundated towns, taken out bridges, blocked roads and cut off water supplies in recent days.

In Uruguay, the bad weather culminated Friday in a tornado that killed five people in the western town of Dolores.

Four others were killed when they were swept away by floodwaters, officials said Wednesday, updating an earlier death toll after a man's body was found on the banks of the San Jose river.

More than 10,000 people have been evacuated in Uruguay, which typically has a mild climate.

In Chile, three people were killed and nine are missing after heavy rains swept the country at the weekend.

The storms poured nearly five times more precipitation on the central Andes mountains than they typically get in the entire month of April.

Flooding interrupted the supply of potable water to nearly 4.5 million people in Santiago.

Chilean officials said water supplies had been restored as life slowly returned to normal in the capital.

Flooding also forced the closure of the world's largest underground copper mine, El Teniente, until Thursday.

In Argentina, 12,000 people were forced to evacuate, mainly in Entre Rios province, which sits between the swollen Parana and Uruguay rivers.

More rain was forecast for later in the week.
By Denis Dumo JUBA (Reuters) - South Sudan's government and rebels said on Wednesday a deal had been reached to let rebel leader Riek Machar return to the capital to form a unity government, resolving differences that led to a delay this week that had worried peace monitors. Rebel spokesman James Gatdet Dak told Reuters by telephone from Nairobi that Machar, who had been due to return early this week before the latest in a series of delays since last year's peace deal, was now expected to fly into Juba on Thursday. Machar and his rival, President Salva Kiir, signed an agreement in August to end a two-year conflict in which thousands of people have been killed and more than two million forced to flee their homes. But clashes have flared since then. The United States and the U.N. Security Council have both voiced concern over the latest delay to the return of Machar, who is due to take up the post of First Vice President next to Kiir as part of a power sharing deal. The body monitoring the peace deal, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), which includes Western powers, African representatives and others, also said it was worried. "I'm happy to announce to you that we as a government have accepted that Riek should come with 195 (members of his) forces accompanying him and his chief of staff," Peter Bashir Gbandi, acting foreign minister, told a news conference in Juba. A government official earlier said Machar was held up because he had wanted to bring equipment and troops into Juba in excess of what was agreed with Kiir's camp. Machar told Al Jazeera television the government was creating "obstacles". "We have given him clearance also for all the three planes that are coming with him," Gbandi said, without giving a timing. Kiir's sacking of Machar as his deputy in 2013 precipitated the crisis that led to a conflict in December 2013. Fighting has often run along ethnic lines, pitting Kiir's dominant Dinka ethnic group against Machar's Nuer. The conflict, which erupted barely two years after South Sudan's independence in 2011, has hammered the economy and left swathes of the 11 million population without enough food. Oil production, South Sudan's main source of revenue, has tumbled as oil fields have been cut off and global prices have dropped. (Writing by George Obulutsa and Edmund Blair; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
Juba (AFP) - Fragile hopes for an end to South Sudan's civil war are being tested by the rebel leader's failure to return to the capital to form a unity government.

International pressure is growing after Riek Machar, a former rebel leader turned deputy president who was fired, became a rebel leader again and has now fought his way back to the vice presidency, failed to appear in Juba as expected on Monday or Tuesday.

"The agreement is at risk," said Festus Mogae, head of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) established to supervise an August 2015 peace deal that calls for the forming of a so-called unity government led by President Salva Kiir, with Machar as first vice president.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening Mogae urged both sides to "urgently demonstrate flexibility."

The UN and US also weighed in.

The UN Security Council expressed "serious concern", with its members calling for "all parties to quickly form the transitional government and fully implement the peace agreement," said Chinese Deputy Ambassador Wu Haitao, whose country holds the council presidency.

"The United States is extremely disappointed that Riek Machar has not fulfilled his commitments under the peace agreement and returned to Juba as he stated publicly he would," said US Deputy Ambassador David Pressman late Tuesday.

The latest sticking point appears to be Machar's desire to return to Juba with a large armed entourage which the government said contravenes the peace deal.

Under that agreement, Machar is to join Kiir in a new 30-month transitional government leading to elections. The deal specifies that only 1,370 armed rebels and 3,420 government troops will be permitted within 25 kilometres (15 miles) of the capital.

Tens of thousands of people have died in the fighting since December 2013 and more than two million have been driven from their homes in a conflict characterised by extreme brutality and human rights violations that has split the country along old ethnic fissures.

Story continues

Fighting has continued despite the signing of the peace agreement which remains largely unimplemented. Machar's homecoming is seen by many as an important step towards shoring up the fumbling deal.

South Sudan's information minister Michael Makuei said Tuesday that the government had blocked Machar's flight because he wanted to bring "machine guns and laser-guided missiles" as well as additional troops.

"This is a stalemate," Makuei said.

On Wednesday Machar in turn blamed the government for the delays saying his 260 additional security personnel are only carrying "light weapons, personal weapons and light machine guns".

"I want to go to Juba," Machar told Al Jazeera. "They are obstructing us."

Mogae, a former Botswanan president who heads the internationally-backed JMEC body said he hoped Machar's return, "could be rescheduled within days, without further conditions."
By Angus McDowall , Phil Stewart and David Rohde RIYADH/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Six years ago, Saudi and American officials agreed on a record $60 billion arms deal. The United States would sell scores of F-15 fighters, Apache attack helicopters and other advanced weaponry to the oil-rich kingdom. The arms, both sides hoped, would fortify the Saudis against their aggressive arch-rival in the region, Iran. But as President Barack Obama makes his final visit to Riyadh this week, Saudi Arabia's military capabilities remain a work in progress  and the gap in perceptions between Washington and Riyadh has widened dramatically. The biggest stumble has come in Yemen. Frustrated by Obama's nuclear deal with Iran and the U.S. pullback from the region, Riyadh launched an Arab military intervention last year to confront perceived Iranian expansionism in its southern neighbor. The conflict pits a coalition of Arab and Muslim nations led by the Saudis against Houthi rebels allied to Iran and forces loyal to a former Yemeni president. A tentative ceasefire is holding as the United Nations prepares for peace talks in Kuwait, proof, the Saudis say, of the intervention's success. But while Saudi Arabia has the third-largest defense budget in the world behind the United States and China, its military performance in Yemen has been mixed, current and former U.S. officials said. The kingdom's armed forces have often appeared unprepared and prone to mistakes. U.N. investigators say that air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition are responsible for two thirds of the 3,200 civilians who have died in Yemen, or approximately 2,000 deaths. They said that Saudi forces have killed twice as many civilians as other forces in Yemen. On the ground, Saudi-led forces have often struggled to achieve their goals, making slow headway in areas where support for Iran-allied Houthi rebels runs strong. And along the Saudi border, the Houthis and allied forces loyal to former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh have attacked almost daily since July, killing hundreds of Saudi troops. Instead of being the centrepiece of a more assertive Saudi regional strategy, the Yemen intervention has called into question Riyadh's military influence, said one former senior Obama administration official. "There's a long way to go. Efforts to create an effective pan-Arab military force have been disappointing." Behind the scenes, the West has been enmeshed in the conflict. Between 50 and 60 U.S. military personnel have provided coordination and support to the Saudi-led coalition, a U.S. official told Reuters. And six to 10 Americans have worked directly inside the Saudi air operations center in Riyadh. Britain and France, Riyadh's other main defense suppliers, have also provided military assistance. Last year, the Obama administration had the U.S. military send precision-guided munitions from its own stocks to replenish dwindling Saudi-led coalition supplies, a source close to the Saudi government said. Administration officials argued that even more Yemeni civilians would die if the Saudis had to use bombs with less precise guidance systems. Saudi officials see the intervention as a qualified success, halting Iranian expansionism in Yemen and bringing their opponents to the negotiating table. They compare it to the 1991 Gulf War when a military threat was addressed overwhelmingly by military power. They said Saudi-led forces have stabilized large parts of the country and allowed its government under President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to remain viable. They also dispute the number of civilian deaths and have announced investigations into the strikes. Among many of their fellow Gulf Arabs, who believe they face a broader struggle against Iran, the war continues to be popular. At a forum in Riyadh this week the mostly young audience started to cheer when speakers said the campaign had demonstrated a new self reliance. Spokesman for the Saudi-led Arab coalition, Brigadier General Ahmed al-Asseri, said the main goal of degrading Houthi capabilities had been achieved. Coalition-backed Yemeni forces had paused after taking ground north of Sanaa at the request of the U.N. and to encourage talks, he said. Prince Sultan bin Khaled al Faisal, a former Saudi special forces officer and now a senior fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh, said the intervention had succeeded. "You cannot say there is no progress," he said. "The enemy is on the back foot. They are surrounded in every single city that they are in  and they are blockaded from the sea." SELLING STUFF The United States has been helping equip and train Saudi armed forces since U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and Saudi King Abdulaziz Al Saud struck an oil-for-security alliance in 1945. "Our tanks are American. Our infantry vehicles are American. Our jet fighters are American," said Asseri, the Saudi general. "Our command and control system is American so having these people working with us is normal." Some of the largest beneficiaries of the alliance have been U.S. defense contractors. Vinnell Arabia, now a Northrop Grumman subsidiary, has received multimillion-dollar contracts to train Saudi Arabia's National Guard since 1975, for instance, including a five-year contract worth up to $550 million in 2010. In an effort to counter Iran, U.S. arms sales grew under President George W. Bush administration and even more under the Obama White House. The primary goal of the huge 2010 sale was to defend against Iran, according to both American and Saudi officials. The Obama administration also saw a chance to turn Saudi Arabia into a regional military power that could act as a stabilizing influence in the Middle East. Saudis emphasize their own interests rather than those of the United States. "Saudi Arabia chooses and buys its weapons according to its own strategic planning, needs and interests, not those of anyone else," said Prince Sultan. "The whole premise that we bought weapons to play a role for someone else is false." Whatever the motivation, between 2009 and 2015, IHS Jane's estimates that General Dynamics delivered $5 billion worth of weaponry to Saudi Arabia, Boeing $2.9 billion and Raytheon $2.5 billion. European defense contractors profited, as well with Eurofighter, a European consortium, delivering $5.6 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia and U.K.-based BAE Systems delivering $2.9 billion during the same period, according to Jane's estimates. Current and former U.S. officials said one of the reasons arms sales to Saudi Arabia had faced little opposition in Washington was the deal's failure might have resulted in Saudi Arabia buying arms from Russia or China. They also said the sales boosted U.S. defense contractors as the Obama administration cut military spending in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We sold them that stuff," said one U.S. official, "because that's what creates jobs in America." ADVANCING STEP BY STEP? Even with more weaponry, the Saudi-led coalition has struggled in Yemen. That's been apparent in its bombing campaign from the start. "Initially there was far too much reliance on the (Riyadh-backed) Yemeni government for intelligence and far too little effort to confirm it," said a Saudi with knowledge of the campaign. He said targeting rules had improved in the second half of last year. But Brigadier General Samir Haj, a Yemeni and the official spokesman for the government's military forces, told Reuters that the coalition has "joint military operations rooms in Aden and Riyadh which work together with the coalition countries to coordinate targets for both air strikes and battle operations on the ground." Problems with targeting are particularly embarrassing because they were also issues during the border war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in 2009-2010, U.S. embassy cables released by WikiLeaks show. A cable dated Feb. 7, 2010 noted one instance in which Saudi jets aborted an air strike on a target supplied by the Yemeni government because it turned out to be the headquarters of a senior general and rival of then president Saleh. Six years on, errors are still occurring. Just last month, two American-made laser-guided bombs struck a market and killed at least 97 civilians, 25 of them children, along with 10 Houthi fighters, according to Human Rights Watch investigators who reached the site of the bombing. U.N. investigators who reached the site reported 96 civilian dead, including 24 children. Asseri said the coordinates had been provided by coalition-backed Yemeni forces fighting in that area, and the bombs had struck a gathering of Houthis, not civilians. U.S. officials said the United States does not provide detailed targeting information to the Saudis in Yemen. "We're giving them broad intelligence of the area," said a third U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. American officials said they have repeatedly tried to find ways to improve Saudi targeting. As well as the extra precision-guided bombs, the Pentagon sent U.S. military lawyers to train their Saudi counterparts on how to ensure the legality of coalition strikes. They say the Saudis have American software designed to help them determine whether certain munitions might cause destruction beyond the target. Matthew Spence, who served as the Obama administration's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Middle East from 2012 to 2015, said it takes time for any country to learn how to use advanced weapons systems. "It's going to be an imperfect process that advances step by step," Spence said. Michael Knights, an expert on the conflict in Yemen at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the fact that the Saudi military had been able to maintain a year-long intervention in a country as complex as Yemen has surprised some observers. "They're able to maintain operational tempo for a year," Knights said. "These are things that if you'd asked somebody about this two years ago, they would say there's no way Saudi can do that." But investigations by the U.N., Human Rights Watch exposed scores of Saudi missteps. A January report by a U.N. Security Council panel of experts found that the Saudi-led coalition had carried out attacks that appeared to violate international humanitarian law 152 times, including 41 strikes on residential neighborhoods, 22 on medical facilities and 10 on marketplaces. U.N. investigators also found at least 38 violations by Houthi and Saleh forces. The Saudis "are dropping bombs with a large payload on a house in the middle of a residential neighborhood," said Belkis Wille, Human Rights Watch's Yemen researcher, who just spent three weeks in the country investigating civilian deaths. "If you do that, you are bound to cause collateral damage. Using these kinds of bombs in this context is indiscriminate." Asseri, the Saudi-led coalition spokesman, has repeatedly questioned such investigations, saying they are often carried out remotely or with guidance from locals employed by the Houthis, and that they have made little effort to engage with the coalition or Yemen's government. U.N. officials said they have a team of 19 investigators stationed inside Yemen who visit the sites of attacks on their own. They said the team members, both foreigners and Yemeni nationals, follow a thorough methodology that U.N. human rights investigators use worldwide and are not taken to sites by Houthis. "We collect our information direct from the scene of incidents and from witnesses and victims," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. "We are careful to avoid manipulation by any of the warring parties." Asseri said the Saudi air force uses the same procedures as those of the U.S. air force to assess targets, and checks information against images from drones and a no-hit list. He said munitions were selected to avoid causing harm beyond the selected target. U.S. officials said they have urged the Saudi-led coalition to better distinguish between military targets and civilians. Asseri said a Saudi colonel with a doctorate in law has been appointed to run an investigative commission into civilian deaths and is now selecting members. BORDER PROBLEMS One of the stated goals of the Saudi-led campaign was to protect the kingdom's borders. In many ways, though, the war has made them less secure. The mountainous western stretch of the Yemeni border, which runs from the Red Sea to the Empty Quarter desert, is rife with smuggling and illicit crossings. The Houthis had not attacked Saudi Arabia along the frontier since 2010. Beginning in July 2015, though, when the coalition regained complete control of Aden after three months of brutal street fighting and airstrikes, the Houthis and Saleh's forces began to launch near daily attacks across the border. The assaults have killed and injured around 400 civilians inside Saudi Arabia, the coalition said. Diplomats say around 400 Saudi soldiers and border guards have died. The coalition said it will not release figures on the number of military casualties until after the campaign, though Asseri did not dispute the broad number. The rugged border areas held by the Houthis  steep mountains scattered with boulders and pitted by gullies and deep, scrubby valleys  are ideal for guerrilla warfare. Saudi officials said they had been hampered by the decision not to take territory inside Yemen, which they feared would feed Houthi propaganda that Riyadh's war goals were territorial. "It is the most difficult thing to conduct a static defense," said Asseri. Between July 2015 and the beginning of the tentative truce last month, an average of 130 mortars, shells and rockets were fired at Saudi Arabia's frontier every day, the coalition said. The Houthis and their allies also staged frequent incursions, overrunning villages, pushing several kilometers into Saudi territory and laying large numbers of explosive devices, according to both Western and Saudi officials. Houthi-aligned media have posted dozens of video clips showing Yemeni fighters in Saudi territory or attacking Saudi targets. In February, the Houthi-aligned al-Masirah television station, which broadcasts from Lebanon, reported on daily attacks along the border, often accompanied by video or photographs. It listed sniper killings of Saudi soldiers, mortar and anti-tank rocket attacks on Saudi border posts and military vehicles, ambushes, infiltrations and guerrilla raids. The Saudis have evacuated around a dozen villages, shuttered hundreds of schools in the region and closed the airport of Najran, a provincial capital that lies a few kilometers from the border. Riyadh concedes it underestimated the number of Houthi ballistic missiles. Days into the conflict, Asseri said the Houthis' ability to fire rockets at Saudi Arabia had been neutralized. But the Houthis continued to fire Scuds at the kingdom until well into 2016. Asseri said the Houthis hid weapons in schools and evacuated embassies. Riyadh believes Iran sent weapons to Yemen by plane before the war and by ship afterwards, he said. Houthis have denied that. Riyadh used to enjoy an extensive network of patronage and influence in Yemen that gave it an unrivalled understanding of the workings of its complex neighbor. But those networks were run by the late Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, a veteran defense minister, and deteriorated as his own health began to fail just over a decade ago. The Saudi with knowledge of the campaign said the performance of the army had been patchy and varied greatly from one unit to another. He and other Saudi and Western officials said the kingdom's forces on the border have been hampered by their lack of battlefield surveillance technology, which meant they were often unable to watch threats emerge in real time. Riyadh has partly addressed that by buying drones from China, Western and Saudi officials said. As well, the Royal Saudi Land Forces, which were trained for desert warfare, are beefing up their mountain training, first started after the 2009-10 war. EXPEDITIONARY FORCE A few days before operations began in Yemen last year, Riyadh tried to bring together a broad Muslim military alliance. But none of its most powerful Muslim allies  Egypt, Pakistan or Turkey  ended up taking leading roles. Asseri said Riyadh never requested big numbers of ground troops from them, believing that a large-scale land operation would be counterproductive. Turkey chose not to participate from the start. Pakistan's parliament voted to remain neutral, but only after its flag had been displayed alongside those of other coalition countries. It later committed a ship to help enforce a partial blockade, Asseri said. And Egypt eventually committed a naval expedition to the coalition. That left Saudi Arabia itself to produce ground forces along with several thousand troops from other Gulf neighbors, principally the United Arab Emirates. Morocco carried out airstrikes and Sudan committed two companies of troops late in the war. Saudi Arabia decided to entrust ground operations inside Yemen to local fighters backed by Gulf Special Forces and air strikes. But many of these fighters were untrained and disorganized. Asseri said that as the war has progressed they have been organized into a more coherent army. The lack of a professional ground operation hurt, say military experts. Asseri said using a large foreign army would have created the impression of an invading force and encouraged militant attacks. He pointed to the recapture of Aden in July as evidence that only small numbers of foreign troops were needed for specific operations. But the inexperience has shown in incidents such as a Houthi rocket strike in September in Marib. A senior Saudi officer told Reuters forces in Marib had been positioned too close together and near a munitions store, causing a high number of deaths. Asseri acknowledged that procedures had not been followed in Marib. "This is their first fight," he said. "You learn the hard way." (Additional reporting by William Maclean in Dubai, Warren Strobel in Washington and Mimi Dwyer in New York; Edited by Simon Robinson)
We're closing in on all-time highs for the Dow and S&P 500. Will huge earnings reports coming up push us over the hump? Catch The Final Round with Yahoo Finance editor-in-chief Andy Serwer and Jen Rogers.

Sheila Bair on student loan debt and the banks

Outstanding student loan debt is well over $1.3 trillion nationwide, and it keeps climbing. Sheila Bair, the former FDIC chairperson and now president of Washington College, recently launched a program to reduce the debt of graduating seniors at her school by hundreds of thousands of dollars. She spoke to The Final Round about student-loan debt and breaking up the banks.

Winners and losers

Here's a look at stocks getting hit today:

 For-profit education company DeVry on a BofA/Merrill Lynch downgrade

 Tupperware, getting sliced after issuing weaker-than-expected current quarter guidance

 Coca Cola, fizzing after quarterly revenue missed estimates and worldwide volumes that were below forecast



And here some stocks swinging higher today:

 Yahoo, our parent company, as investors stay focused on the ongoing sales process that reportedly has Verizon in the driver's seat

 Virtualization firm VMWare, on a stock buyback and strong current quarter revenue guidance

 Angie's List, getting positive reviews from investors after reporting traffic growth as it switches from a paid to 'freemium' model

Looking ahead
By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously upheld the state legislative districts in Arizona drawn by an independent commission, rebuffing complaints that the electoral maps diminished the clout of Republican voters. The court, in its 8-0 ruling, said the commission that draws legislative boundaries did not violate the U.S. Constitution's principle of "one person, one vote." The case focused on state legislative districts drawn for the 2012 election based on 2010 census numbers. The challengers said the new districts favored Democrats over Republicans by packing Republican voters into certain districts in a way that would minimize their influence in neighboring districts while enhancing the sway of Democratic voters. In mapping out the state legislative districts, Arizona's independent commission carries out a function that in most other states is handled by state legislators. Writing for the court, liberal Justice Stephen Breyer said the deviations in numbers between district populations was not significant enough to be legally troubling, particularly as the state's redistricting commission was trying to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act, which protects minority voters. The challengers "have not shown that it is more probable than not that illegitimate considerations were the predominant motivation behind the plan's deviations from mathematically equal district populations," Breyer wrote. A federal court in Arizona upheld the districts in a 2014 ruling, saying the commission had made a "good faith attempt" to comply with the Voting Rights Act. The group of Republican voters who brought the case then appealed the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case was the second in as many years concerning Arizona's independent commission. In June 2015, the court rejected another challenge to the commission's role in drawing congressional districts. In that decision, the court found that the ballot initiative that set up the commission did not violate the U.S. Constitution's requirement that state legislatures set U.S. House of Representatives district boundaries. Wednesday's ruling was the second by the court this month touching upon the issue of "one person, one vote." On April 4, the justices also ruled unanimously in a Texas case to uphold the method all 50 states use in drawing legislative districts by counting every resident and not just eligible voters. In that case, the justices rejected a conservative challenge that could have diminished the influence of urban Hispanics. The case is Harris v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, U.S. Supreme Court, No. 14-232. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham)
Geneva (AFP) - Syrian opposition leaders started leaving Geneva after air strikes on markets in the northwest killed at least 44 people, saying they could not take part in peace talks while civilians were dying daily.

In some of the deadliest violence since a ceasefire took effect in February, a suspected regime bombing raid on Tuesday hit a market in the city of Maaret al-Numan, killing at least 37 civilians, a monitor said.

Footage showed bloodied bodies scattered among twisted metal stalls in a street strewn with fruit and vegetables.

Another strike on a fish market in the nearby town of Kafranbel killed seven civilians, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group.

The strikes were in Idlib province, which is under the control of Al-Qaeda's Syrian offshoot Al-Nusra Front.

Like the Islamic State group, Al-Nusra is excluded from the ceasefire and regime forces have continued offensives in areas under its control.

The main opposition High Negotiations Committee condemned the strike on Maaret al-Numan as a "massacre" and clear violation of the truce.

"It is a dangerous escalation of an already fragile situation, showing contempt for the whole international community at a time when there is supposed to be a cessation of hostilities," said spokesman Salem al-Meslet.

The raid was "Assad's response" to the HNC's decision to suspend its formal participation in negotiations.

"Our decision to postpone our participation in the Geneva talks was taken to highlight the cynicism of the regime in pretending to negotiate while escalating the violence... The world must not ignore this challenge," said Meslet.

- UN insists talks go on -

The troubled talks -- the latest in a long series of efforts to end Syria's five-year conflict -- failed to get off the ground this week despite hopes brought on by the ceasefire.

The partial truce, brokered by the United States and Russia, led to a dramatic drop in violence across Syria but a recent surge in fighting, especially around second city Aleppo, has raised fears of its total collapse.

Story continues

The opposition announced Monday it was putting its participation on hold to protest escalating violence and restrictions on humanitarian access.

HNC coordinator Riyad Hijab said Tuesday that he and other delegates were beginning to leave Geneva.

"I will be travelling today along with some of my colleagues from the HNC. Some people left yesterday and today and they will keep leaving gradually until Friday," he said.

"It is not suitable, neither morally nor on the humanitarian side, to be part of negotiations when Syrians are dying daily from sieges, hunger, bombings, poisonous gases and barrel bombs."

The UN has insisted the talks have not collapsed, with its envoy Staffan de Mistura saying they would continue through the week.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also insisted the talks were "not frozen" while US State Department spokesman John Kirby said "we continue to believe in the political process, in the importance of these talks".

- 'Price of time is blood' -

This week's negotiations were meant to focus on Syria's political future, as the UN pushes a plan involving a transitional authority, a new constitution and eventual elections.

But Assad's fate has been the key sticking point, with the opposition insisting he must go and the regime refusing.

Speaking in Moscow, Lavrov said: "No one can win the war. All experts recognise this.

"There are some external players who dream about deposing the regime by force and try to do everything including disrupting the talks in Geneva."

The regime's lead negotiator reiterated Tuesday that Assad's fate remained off-limits but said Damascus was prepared to discuss the creation of a new unity government.

"A broader unity government is the only topic of discussion here," said Bashar al-Jafaari, Syria's ambassador to the UN.

World powers have backed the ceasefire and talks as the best hope yet to end a conflict that has devastated Syria, killed more than 270,000 people and forced millions from their homes.

But the rising violence in recent weeks has lowered expectations of a breakthrough.

Hijab called for international observers to be sent in and for ceasefire violators to be held to account.

He warned against wasting time, saying: "For Syrians the price of time is blood."

Danish lawmakers, meanwhile, approved a plan to commit F-16 warplanes and 400 military personnel, including special forces, to expand the country's fight against IS from "mid-2016".

Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the jihadist group "should meet a powerful response from the outside world".
In this century, the four biggest Hollywood talent agencies have undoubtedly grown bigger and more powerful, but a boutique firm that aimed to make a federal antitrust issue of the way that scripted television is allegedly ruled by a cartel has earned a firm rejection from a judge.

The lawsuit came in February 2015 by Lenhoff & Lenhoff, fresh off of having a couple of its prized clients poached. The complaint alleged tortious interference against United Talent Agency and International Creative Management Partners, but what made the dispute worth watching were the added injury-to-competition claims discussing how both defendants, along with WME and CAA, caused the demise of Rule 16(g) of the franchise agreement between the Screen Actors Guild and the Association of Talent Agents. That rule required agents "to be independent" and not "possess any financial interest in a production or distribution company or vice versa," and once it was gone, private equity money flowed into the growing agencies, which moved away from a flat commission model to one favoring packaging fees. Doing the latter, the agencies lined up talent for TV projects and participated in the lucrative revenue generated by TV shows throughout their runs.

Lenhoff claimed that the four "Uber Agencies" now control 94 percent of the scripted television market and have excluded other agencies from participating in the packaging agreements, even by coercing studios, networks and producers from doing deals with the boutiques. As for harm, the lack of diversity on television was one thing that Lenhoff was blaming on the alleged restraint of trade.

Throughout the case, U.S. District Judge Beverly Reid O'Connell was skeptical, but she also was lenient enough to allow three amended complaints. As such, the lawsuit kept getting bulkier, with everything from a statistical analysis added to new allegations like one that proposed that UTA had coerced AMC to renew Halt and Catch Fire in order to get Better Call Saul.

The problem for Lenhoff was the predicate.

Judge O'Connell isn't convinced that there were enough factual details to support conclusions of conspiracy and price-fixing.

In her rule of reason analysis, for example, she addresses the plaintiff's allegation that the ATA's Strategic Planning Committee was formed by the heads of UTA, ICM, WME and CAA with the specific goal of eliminating Rule 16(g).

But merely participating in trade-organization meetings doesn't add up to an illegal agreement and Lenhoff's lawsuit fails to do enough to show conspiracy. "Adding dates of committee meetings and communications likewise does not cure this defect," she adds. "Further ... the decision to permit Rule 16(g) to expire is as much evidence of a conspiracy as it is evidence that each individual agency acted for its own independent benefit. In sum, that the expiration of Rule 16(g) would ultimately benefit Big 4 Agencies does not demonstrate that Defendants conspired to bring about its demise, especially in light of the fact that SAG, not the ATA, rejected a new version of Rule 16(g)."

The judge also is not impressed with inconsistent data - some of which showed that smaller agencies participated in co-packaging arrangements on 12 occasions - nor with a lack of detail (names, dates, etc.) on how buyers were supposedly coerced. What's more, O'Connell notes that the biggest agencies represent the biggest talent in the industry. The judge writes, "It is reasonable to infer that studios, networks, and producers would be drawn to work with Big 4 Agencies; no threats would be necessary."

These deficiencies killed the restraint of trade claims, while a lack of pled harm dooms ones focused on tying arrangements (the Halt and Catch Fire example above, as well as ICM supposedly cajoling ABC to renew Private Practice in order to keep Grey's Anatomy). And this time, the claims are dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can't be amended.

Lenhoff can now either appeal the result or focus on the poaching. The judge rejects the tortious interference claim, too, but without prejudice. But that's a claim under state law, so if Lenhoff wants to go down that route by bringing the case back to its origins, it won't be before Judge O'Connell, who says she will decline jurisdiction over it. Here's the full opinion.

The defendants were represented by Steven Marenberg at Irell & Manella, Bryan Freedman at Freedman + Taitelman, and Michael Garfinkel and Chuck Samel of Perkins Coie.
By Kate Holton (Reuters) - Senior staff at Port Talbot, Britain's biggest steel works, are seeking to launch a management buyout plan with the support of staff, investors and the government to save the loss-making plant put up for sale by Tata Steel. The Indian group announced plans to exit its entire British steel operation last month, leaving the government battling to save a once mighty industry that has been hammered by a surge in cheap Chinese imports, soaring costs and weak demand. On Wednesday the managing director of Tata UK's strip products unit, Stuart Wilkie, said he was working to develop a plan, but analysts were sceptical that a solution could be found for a business losing 1 million pounds a day. "There is confidence in the future of primary steel making in Port Talbot and across Wales," Wilkie said in a statement posted on Wales online (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/). "We are now working with partners to fully develop proposals which we believe offer very real prospects of sustainable future success." Once the birthplace of the modern steel industry, Britain has shed thousands of jobs in the sector in recent years due to high costs and historically low steel prices which have been dragged down by oversupply and cheap Chinese imports. The only other public expression of interest for Tata Steel UK has come from commodities company Liberty Group, which is considering a bid if the government guarantees lower power prices. It would also plan to change the raw material for the steel plants to locally available scrap from imported iron ore. According to local media reports, Wilkie's plan is based on a turnaround proposal submitted to Tata earlier this year which was rejected in favour of a sale. The plan, which envisaged Port Talbot keeping its blast furnaces and not adopting new methods of producing steel, required a cash injection of 100 million pounds, prompting speculation that staff could need to contribute up to 10,000 pounds each to keep the plant afloat. Wiktor Bielski, head of commodities research at VTB Capital, said any management buyout would need to clear a lot of hurdles. "You would have to see how much of the debt they would have to take (on) or how much Tata would be left with, or how much the government would be prepared to absorb," Bielski said. "An MBO (management buyout) can only work with the help of the government ... given how tight the governments budget is at the moment, (you can speculate) that they would look to provide the absolute minimum help because they cant afford to do anything else." Tata Steel said its advisers had already approached 190 potential financial and industrial investors worldwide. "All expressions of interest, including any management buyout proposals, will be considered when received," it said in a statement. Prime Minister David Cameron's government has come under pressure to prevent the loss of thousands of jobs just before the country's referendum on European Union membership on June 23. While it has refused to nationalise the plant it has said it could offer state loans to tempt a bid. Stephen Kinnock, the local lawmaker for the plant in Wales, said he believed a management buyout was the right way to proceed and urged Tata and the government to give enough time for the funds to be raised. "I know that the workforce stands ready to work with all potential investors, and I would urge government to stand ready to provide the necessary support," he said in a statement. (Additional reporting by Clara Denina and William James in London and Sangameswaran S in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler and Susan Thomas)
By Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Technology companies Google, Apple, Microsoft and Amazon on Friday declared support for the Obama administration in a lawsuit facing its central plan to combat climate change, saying the rule is needed to drive a transition to cleaner energy. As large energy users, the companies filed a joint amicus brief to the federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to support the Environmental Protection Agency as it defends its signature Clean Power Plan against a challenge by industry groups and more than half of U.S. states. "The Clean Power Plan reflects reasonable and attainable assumptions about the increasing availability of renewable generation in the nations power sector," the companies wrote in the filing they submitted to the federal court. The regulation is designed to lower carbon emissions from the U.S. power sector by 2030 to 32 percent below 2005 levels, encouraging each state to replace dirtier fossil fuels with cleaner energy sources. The rule is the United States' main tool to meet the emissions reduction target pledge it made at December's U.N. climate talks in Paris, but it was challenged by 27 states, along with business and industry groups in the D.C. Circuit court. In February, the rule faced a major blow when the Supreme Court put it on hold pending the outcome of the litigation in the lower court. But the death of Justice Antonin Scalia a few days later renewed hopes for its survival. A three-judge panel of D.C. Circuit court had unanimously rejected the same request for a stay that the Supreme Court accepted. The panel is viewed by lawyers on both sides as relatively favorable for the administration. The technology companies, which all rely largely on renewable energy through power-purchase deals or their own facilities to power their energy-intensive data centers, said the EPA rule would help all businesses "invest and benefit from clean energy." Earlier this week, the EPA filed a 200-page brief defending its rule, which said carbon emissions pose a "monumental threat" to the health and welfare of Americans. On Friday, 44 current and former senators, as well as 164 current and former House members from 38 states also filed supportive briefs. The D.C. Circuit panel will hear oral arguments on the merits of the case on June 2. (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Dan Grebler)
Ted Cruz has a problem. Since he launched his campaign for president at Liberty University more than a year ago, he has aimed to consolidate the right. He has largely succeeded. He has vanquished Scott Walker, Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, and Carly Fiorina, and now he enjoys the overwhelming support of movement conservatives. His problem is that he trails Donald Trump anyway. And in its final months, the 2016 campaign is moving to a series of statesNew Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, California, Washington, Oregonwhere movement conservatives arent so numerous.

In primary states with more moderate Republican electorates, Cruz has gotten crushed. He won less than 10 percent of the vote in Massachusetts and Vermont. He won less than 15 percent in New York. So last night, Cruz changed his message. Hes no longer running as Mr. Conservative. Hes running as an outsider, a healer, and the voice of generational change. Judging by his speech last night, it wont be easy.

Cruz began the speech by talking about towns and faces that have been weathered with trouble, joblessness, and fear and factories that are closing. The people suffering this economic distress, Cruz explained, have made it clear. They cry out for a new path. This is the year of the outsider. Im an outsider. Bernie Sanders is an outsider. Both with the same diagnosis. But both with very different paths to healing.

This borders on gibberish. First, Cruz is declaring himself an outsider at the very moment he has stopped being one. In state after state, the Republican establishment is rallying around him in an effort to stop Trump. Thats why Cruz is destroying Trump in the insiders game of selecting delegates.

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Second, Cruz and Sanders most definitely do not share the same diagnosis of what ails the American economy. Sanders thinks the problem is too little government. Cruz thinks problem is too much government. The reason many voters angered by joblessness and factory closings are choosing Sanders is because he promises to use government to save their jobsfree markets be damned. Hell end the trade deals they hate and disempower the billionaires who promote them. Trump promises aggressive government action, too: Hell renegotiate trade deals and seal the border. Cruz, by contrast, has tailored his economic message to the hedge-fund managers and energy tycoons who fund his campaign.

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Finally, the idea that Cruz and Sanders offer paths to healing is bizarre. Cruzs ultra-partisanship repeatedly brought the federal government to the brink of shutdown. Sanders promises a political revolution. Thats not healing. Its ideological total war.

After comparing himself to Sanders, Cruz then compared himself to Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy. Ronald Reagan and Jack Kennedy were outsiders, he declared. They both represented a whole new vision and vibrancy, a new generation of ideas. Jack Kennedy looked forward instead of back to the first half-century of World War. He knew that America could dream and build if we were set freenot tanks for war, but rockets for exploration. Reagan looked out to us, the most powerful force for innovation that the world has ever known. There we found new tech pioneers like Bill Gates and a young Steve Jobs.

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More gibberish. Except for his Catholicism, Kennedy was hardly an outsider. When he ran for president, he had already served 14 years in Congress. His father had been Franklin Roosevelts ambassador to the United Kingdom. As for the idea that he promised, not tanks for war, but rockets for exploration, thats wrong, too. Kennedy didnt campaign on sending a man to the moon in 1960. He mostly promised rockets for war. One of his key pledges was to erase the missile gap that he falsely claimed existed between the United States and the Soviet Union.

And the line about Reagan, Gates, and Jobs? Its word salad. Cruz doesnt say Reagan actually did anything to enable the innovations of Microsoft or Apple. How could he have? Both companies were founded during the Ford presidency. Cruz merely says that Reagan looked out to us, and there we found Gates and Jobs. In other words, Reagan was conscious that he governed a lot of people, and during his presidency, many of those people began buying the products that Gates and Jobs sold. Inspiring.

Now its our turn, Cruz continued, in full JFK-mode. This generation must first to look inward, to see who we really are. After years of being beaten down, years of being told we couldnt, shouldnt, or wouldnt, this generation needs to answer a new set of questions: Can We? Should We? Will We? OK, but can we, should we, will we  what? The new, post-ideological Cruz doesnt say. When he ran as a conservative, the Texas senator brimmed with edgy policy proposals: repeal Obamacare, repeal gay marriage, repeal the Iran nuclear deal, ban abortion, deny citizenship to undocumented immigrants.

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All thats gone now, replaced by pure wind. His generation of Americans, Cruz informed us last night, will restore our spirit  free our minds and our imagination  create a new and better world  bring back jobs and freedom and security  live as neighbors, friends, and family, in peace, once again  restore our rightful place in the world  change the world through the hope of freedoms enduring promise and our unrelenting spirit, whatever that means

The Pope took refugee families to live with him at the Vatican. Cruz proposed banning Muslim refugees from entering the United States.

Then, near the speechs end, came the strangest analogy of all: Cruz not as Sanders, Reagan, or Kennedybut as Pope Francis. We have so much that binds us together: our families, our work ethic, our ability to dream and build unlike any people in history, Cruz declared. But most of all our charity, our love for our fellow men and women, and our willingness to sacrifice for those in need  We will heal the sick, feed the poor, and defend the defenseless. Huh? The Pope just took several refugee families to live with him at the Vatican. For his part, Cruz proposed banning Syrian Muslim refugees from entering the United States and deporting those America had already let in. The Pope has called inequality, the root of social evil. According to an analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, Cruzs tax plan would cut taxes dramatically for the richest 1 percent of Americans while raising them for the poorest 20 percent.

Its hard to see all this working. Cruz is not a healer. Hes not a champion of the poor. He doesnt even come across as particularly youthful. (The New York Times noted last year that, Cruz is just a few months older than [Marco] Rubio, but no readers or political commentators that we could find have made an issue of his age.) Hes an articulate, ambitious, uncompromising, life-long conservative. He has been giving speeches on Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek since high school.

Take the conservatism out of Ted Cruz and youre left with what he delivered in his speech last night: nonsensical mush.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Paris (AFP) - What poses a greater risk to French school children: a potential terror attack, or smoking cigarettes?

This is the unusual question gripping France as a result of the jihadist attacks on Paris last November -- and a court ruling later this week may point to the answer.

Many high schools began letting pupils smoke on school premises as part of security measures introduced after the gun-and-bomb assaults which killed 130 people and left 350 injured.

To education officials, having dozens of teenagers crowd the pavement outside their schools to grab a quick smoke during breaks was simply too much of a risk.

"But this doesn't mean you have to let them smoke inside," complains Corinne Depagne, the mother of a 16-year-old boy, who has filed a criminal complaint against his school in the southeastern city of Lyon.

An administrative court outside Paris is set to rule by the end of this week in a separate complaint against a school in Courbevoie, a northwestern suburb of the capital.

Depagne, a pneumologist, told AFP she was "stupefied" that teens at her son's school were being allowed to smoke in the courtyard between classes.

The official rules are clouded by confusion, and parents, activists and teachers are split between those who think tobacco is the lesser evil, and those who wonder why pupils are allowed to smoke during school hours at all.

Shortly after the November 13 attacks on Paris nightspots and the national stadium, the Islamic State group issued threats against French schools.

Under the state of emergency imposed after the attacks, a circular signed by both the education ministry and interior ministry was sent to schools urging them to avoid having pupils gather outside their premises.

Some schools then sent out letters to parents about new dedicated smoking areas, even specifying that ashtrays would be provided.

- Smoking 'normal' again -

The move outraged anti-tobacco activists such as the group Non-Smokers' Rights (DNF) which argues it is a massive step backwards a decade after smoking was banned in public spaces under the "Evin law," a hard-won piece of legislation named after a former minister of health.

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"It is disastrous for public health because we are exposing very young people to tobacco. Many of these establishments are both high schools and secondary schools, with children as young as 11," said Stephen Lequet of the DNF.

"Above all we are making the act of smoking seem normal again."

A study in June 2015 showed that one in three 17-year-olds smoke daily in France.

Lequet said the argument put forward by those in favour of the move -- that it keeps children safe and out of harm's way -- was "false".

"The virtual terrorist risk exists, but luckily it will never leave as many people dead as tobacco," he said.

He pointed out that in other parts of the world, smoking during school hours is completely forbidden, and that as it is even illegal in France to buy cigarettes if you are under 18, the entire situation was "completely absurd".

Lequet said the DNF and other anti-tobacco groups decided to file administrative complaints against three schools in and around Paris, to force them to stop pupils smoking on their premises.

- 'We must remain pragmatic' -

Five months after the circular was issued, the education ministry appears to be struggling to formulate a coherent response to the debate.

Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem sowed further confusion last week when she said that "during this period of heightened security, high school students must simply be asked not to smoke".

Asked to elaborate on the minister's words, her ministry veered between insisting the measure was "exceptional" but at the same time saying "the ban on smoking must remain the rule."

"According to the minister it is a difficult balance and we must remain pragmatic," a spokeswoman at the education ministry told AFP.

Vallaud-Belkacem's comments outraged the main school principals' union SNPDEN, which said it felt "abandoned" by the education ministry.

"In any case, it is unrealistic," said SNPDEN national secretary Joel Lamois.

"The terrorist risk is much greater right now than the health risk. Between two diseases we are trying to deal with the worst."

- 'Kill themselves smoking' -

But for Depagne that is an outrageous view in a country where 200 people die a day from smoking-related disorders.

"Other parents tell me: 'Why are you pursuing this, Corinne? I don't want them to get killed in front of the school.' I say, 'How can you let them smoke and kill themselves that way?'"

Depagne said the fact that no-one blinks an eye at high school students puffing away outside schools in normal times was a sign of "laxism".

"I think in France addiction is really under-estimated, whether to tobacco or alcohol. It is so normal to smoke that even when children smoke, it doesn't bother anyone."
Once Tesla introduced its Autopilot software in late 2015, it instantly became clear that the reality of autonomous driving was going to come a lot sooner than perhaps most people expected. Naturally, the rollout of Autopilot also resulted in a number of thrill-seeking drivers pushing the software to dangerous extremes. For instance, you might remember one guy who put his Model S into Autopilot mode and then decided to just chill in the backseat.

But don't let such ridiculous use-cases fool you; Tesla's suite of Autopilot features is extremely advanced, powerful, convenient, and more than anything, can prevent accidents in everyday driving situations. In short, it provides us with a glimpse into what the future of driving will likely be like.

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Bolstered by an elaborate and advanced system of cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors, Tesla's current incarnation of Autopilot can automatically steer a car down the highway and adjust speed in response to the flow of traffic. What's more, a Tesla with Autopilot enabled can change lanes automatically, parallel park on its own, and even alert the driver when other cars or objects veer too close to the side.

Of course, Autopilot software today is still relatively new. Which is to say that the software is geared more towards assisting drivers than replacing them. That being the case, it's only natural to wonder what type of improvements Tesla has planned for future versions of Autopilot.

To help answer that question, a recent article from Globes relays that Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently traveled to Israel for a not-so-secret visit with Mobileye, the company responsible for Tesla's autonomous driving software. According to the report, Musk was there to take a look at some new autonomous driving features Mobileye has been working on.

The system Mobileye is developing for Tesla is the first of its kind in the world, and it combines several advanced technologies that enable the vehicle to identify its environment, avoid obstacles, and move without driver intervention. Among the technologies are a system called DNN (digital neural network), which enables the vehicle to "learn" by gathering data on the move, and even to identify different kinds of road surface; free-space, which enables the automatic vehicle's systems to identify areas without defined objects such as hard shoulders of roads, sidewalks, and so on, and avoid collisions and deviations from the road; a "holistic path prediction", which enables a vehicle to select the correct path - on an open road, for example  even when there are no visual hints in the environment; and a sign identification system that can identify over 1,000 signs and road markings in use around the world.

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Tesla's deep interest in autonomous driving should, of course, not come as much of a surprise. Earlier this year, Elon Musk intimated that Tesla vehicles in about two years time will have advanced technology that will make it possible for a car to drive itself from New York to Los Angeles.

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Mexican authorities issued arrest warrants Tuesday for two army soldiers and three members of the federal police force, after a video emerged that appeared to show a woman in custody being tortured. The video seems to show several people dressed in the army and police uniforms press a gun to the bound womans head, then tightly wrap a plastic bag around her face as she screams.

The Mexican magazine Proceso reported the woman in the video is Elvira Santibanez, who was arrested in February 2015, and is believed to be part of a drug cartel. She was held in Ajuchitlan del Progreso, a small town in in the poppy-field mountains of Guerrero, a state overrun by cartels.

The Associated Press reported that over the weekend Mexicos defense secretary apologized to the public over the video.

Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda addressed a sea of green-uniformed soldiers in a televised address that illustrated just how damaging the graphic torture video has been for the institution. "In the name of all who make up this great institution, I offer a sincere apology to all of society offended by this unacceptable event," Cienfuegos said. He urged soldiers and citizens to come forward to report other abuses.

Two of the police officers in the video have been arrestedthe third has not. Both soldiers seen in it were were being held at a military prison, the AP reported.

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Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has tried to clean up the countrys image as a hotbed of political and police corruptionbut his results have been mixed, at best. Last week, Mexicos Comision de lost Derechos Humanos confirmed that two Mexican federal police were involved in the disappearance of 43 Ayotzinapa students in 2014. And in its 2015 Human Rights Practices report on Mexico, the U.S. Department of State said police and the military intimidate, kill, and torture not just suspected criminals, but migrants, journalists, and those who try to defend human rights in the country.

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A little less than a year ago, Manhattan's SVA Theatre was the site of a star-studded screening for Avengers: Age of Ultron. While a number of the Avengers actors were on hand for the event, including Mark Ruffalo, writer-director Joss Whedon wasn't. But on Monday night, in front of the same screen where Ruffalo's The Hulk, Black Widow, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and other Marvel superheroes battled Ultron, Whedon revealed he's still wrestling with the ways in which the film didn't live up to his expectations.

During the Ultron press tour, the filmmaker indicated repeatedly that he'd fought with Marvel about various elements of the pic. But, he insisted during Monday's Tribeca Film Festival talk with Ruffalo, he's "very proud" of Ultron, and most of what he sees as flaws in the film are things he thinks he could have done better.

"There are things that did not meet my expectations of myself, and I was so beaten down by the process. Some of that was conflicting with Marvel, which is inevitable, but a lot of it was about my own work," said Whedon. "And I was also exhausted, and then we went right away and did publicity, and I sort of created the narrative, wherein I'm not quite accomplished, and people just ran with that: 'Well, it's okay, it could be better, but it's not Joss' fault.' And I think that did a disservice to the movie and to the studio and to myself. Ultimately, it was not the right way to be, because I am very proud of it.

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"The things about it that are wrong frustrate me enormously, and I probably had more of those than I had on other movies I made," he continued. "But I also got to make, for the second time, an absurdly personal movie where I got to talk about how I felt about humanity and what it means in very esoteric and bizarre ways for hundreds of millions of dollars. The fact that Marvel gave me that opportunity twice is so bonkers and so beautiful, and the fact that I come off of it feeling like a miserable failure is also bonkers, but not in a cute way."

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Ruffalo also told the audience that he begged Whedon to direct the next two Avengers films as well as the third Hulk and Thor films, "and he said, 'I'll never do it again.'"

But he is working on other projects.

At last year's Comic-Con, Whedon revealed that he was working on a new six-issue comic book series called Twist, saying, "It basically deals with the most important question there is, which is why isn't there a Victorian female Batman?"

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On Monday night, Whedon also teased another project he's writing. While he wouldn't reveal specifics, he indicated it's a movie, which he said is both "super good" and "definitely a departure  from the kind of storytelling I've done."

And it made him cry while he was writing it.

"I wrote all the way through to the end of the movie and was crying so hard in public that the restaurant closed, [and] the valet guy came to me and then just turned around and went away," said Whedon. "And I don't like to make a spectacle of myself, but I had to take off my shirt and blow my nose into it because they had taken away all the napkins. I couldn't stand up. I couldn't stop writing. ... and then I got in a car - luckily somebody else was driving - and kept crying for about 20 more minutes. I'm like, 'Oh, I just wrote the end of the movie and I'm pretty sure it works.'"

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During the audience Q&A, a fan asked the filmmaker if he would ever do a stage musical. While Whedon admitted he was working on one, he first decided to put it on the back burner, because "after Ultron there were too many moving parts and I [felt like] I need to write something that I completely understand," he said. There also was something else that happened that intimidated him off of the project: Hamilton.

"It was only after the album came out and I was listening to it 24/7 that I was like, I can't hear myself," Whedon said. "I can only hear him."

He said he'll get back to working on his own musical when he stops listening to the Hamilton cast album, "in 2021."
By James Oliphant WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hes a successful businessman making his first foray into politics. He wants to secure the southern border with Mexico and dump global trade deals. And like Donald Trump, he wants to be the Republican establishment's worst nightmare. Hes Paul Nehlen, who has emerged as a Republican rival to Paul Ryan, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, in his home district in Wisconsin. Ryan, the most powerful elected Republican in the country, is the epitome of that establishment. While many Republican operatives fear Trumps tumultuous presidential bid will hurt House and Senate races this year, a handful of candidates like Nehlen are embracing Trumps message, although not always the man himself. A loss by Ryan or another high-profile incumbent would send shockwaves through the party and could prompt fellow establishment Republicans to rethink positions on advocacy of free trade and support for immigration reform. In New Hampshire, where Trump won the nominating contest, or primary, by 20 points, Jim Rubens, a former Republican state senator who has endorsed the billionaire businessman, is attempting to unseat incumbent Senator Kelly Ayotte. In Arizona, another state Trump won, state senator Kelli Ward is challenging veteran Senator John McCain by talking up securing the border and courting voters at Trump rallies, although she has not endorsed the presidential candidate. The dynamic of outsiders challenging establishment candidates is one that has been taking place within the Republican Party for several election cycles, but in Trump, the insurgency has a new, more popular face. Beyond the races in Wisconsin, Arizona and New Hampshire, it has played out in states like Alabama, where Jonathan McConnell greeted voters outside a Trump rally in Huntsville in a bid to unseat veteran Senator Richard Shelby, and North Carolina, where Rep. Renee Elmers, facing a challenge to her seat, said she had voted for Trump in that states presidential primary. But, unlike the anti-establishment wave that swept Tea Party-aligned lawmakers into Congress in 2010, these candidates do not appear to represent a new anti-Washington groundswell, suggesting there are limits to Trumps brand of politics, which at times runs deep against Republican orthodoxy on issues such as trade and taxes. I been surprised that there havent been any Senate or House incumbents that have lost primaries as a result of a groundswell of support for Donald Trump or Ted Cruz, said Nathan Gonzales, an independent analyst on congressional races in Washington. Shelby, for example, soundly defeated challenger McConnell in Alabama's Republican primary race in March. Other candidates could try to replicate his message, but no one can replicate Donald Trump, Gonzales said. Still, many analysts and political operatives believe Republicans unhappy with Trump as the nominee won't vote in the general election, potentially causing Republicans to lose their congressional seats to Democratic contenders. TOP TARGET It would be easy, to dismiss Nehlens challenge to Ryan, who is popular among Republicans inside and outside of Wisconsin and has a large campaign warchest. A poll last month by Marquette University Law School showed him with more than an 80 percent approval rating among Wisconsin Republicans. But less than two years ago, Eric Cantor, then the No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives, was also considered a rising Republican star. He suffered a shock defeat in the 2014 congressional elections in Virginia to an obscure conservative college professor, David Brat. Cantor, too, had looked unbeatable. That race is what reinforced in my mind this is possible, Nehlen said in an interview. Trump has frequently criticized Ryan for the $1.1 billion budget deal struck with Democratic President Barack Obama last December. And Ryans support of trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and comprehensive immigration reform is squarely at odds with Trumps positions. Nehlen said those two issues motivated him to mount his challenge to Ryan, although he stopped short of saying he embraced Trump's candidacy. Rubens, who is challenging Ayotte in New Hampshire, isnt as restrained. I admire his independence, Rubens told Reuters. Rubens, like Trump, calls for a fence along the southern border and for doing away with so-called birthright citizenship, a policy that grants anyone born on U.S. soil a citizen. Ayotte, a first-term senator, was praised by conservatives when she ran in 2010 and was endorsed by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin at the height of Palins popularity. But she earned their wrath when she backed immigration reform. She also frustrated moderates by voting against a bill that would block suspected terrorists from buying guns. Ayotte, Gonzales said, "is an example of someone who cant come out guns blazing against Donald Trump. She needs every Republican possible in the state. In Arizona, Ward is challenging McCain, the moderate who was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, in a state where rancor over immigration issues runs high. Ward has said she supports Trump's claim that Mexico was sending criminals to the United States. Mexico has ridiculed the allegation. Ward has an opportunity. A poll released last month by the firm Public Policy Polling showed McCain with a 33 percent approval rating among Republicans in Arizona. (Additional reporting by Susan Cornwell and David Morgan, editing by Caren Bohan and Ross Colvin)
New York (AFP) - Fresh from resounding wins in New York's primaries, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump declared they were on the way to locking up their parties' nominations, and turned Wednesday to the next critical round of presidential campaign contests.

Tuesday's election routs on their home turf re-set the presidential race, as Clinton halted rival Bernie Sanders' multi-state winning streak.

Trump also righted his ship, after a series of losses to Ted Cruz that have raised the specter of a bruising nomination endgame playing out at the Republican convention in July.

"The race for the Democratic nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sight," Clinton told jubilant supporters late Tuesday in Manhattan.

The former secretary of state, first lady and senator from New York, who campaigned in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, widened her already substantial delegate lead by securing 57.9 percent of the vote.

Vermont Senator Sanders received 42.1 percent -- clearly a letdown for a campaign which had predicted a strong showing.

In her victory speech, the 68-year-old Clinton shifted her focus to the general election match-up with Republicans, extending an olive branch to Sanders supporters after a tense New York primary.

"To all the people that supported Senator Sanders, I believe there's much more that unites us than divides us," said Clinton.

Sanders, for his part, insisted that he would rebound in the upcoming primaries.

"We think we have a path to victory," the 74-year old Sanders told reporters.

The self-declared democratic socialist planned to return to campaign trail Thursday, with stops in Pennsylvania, which plans to hold its vote on April 26 -- the same date as elections in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Rhode Island.

- US 'going to hell' -

Trump scored a blowout victory Tuesday with 60.5 percent of the vote -- more than the combined vote percentages of Ohio Governor John Kasich and Cruz, an arch-conservative senator from Texas who was thumped by voters after daring to criticize "New York values."

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"Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated" from the nominations race, a confident Trump said, noting his own campaign is nearly 300 delegates ahead after securing at least 89 of the 95 New York delegates at stake.

Trump's provocative candidacy has appalled establishment Republicans, many of whom have joined an effort to block him from winning the nomination.

While Trump, 69, had toned down his divisive rhetoric in recent days, he returned to his fiery bravado and harsh name-calling Wednesday at a rowdy rally in Indiana, which votes early next month.

"I'm millions of votes ahead of lyin' Ted Cruz," he boomed, before taking aim at "crooked Hillary."

And the political outsider doubled down on his claim that the system for picking delegates who ultimately will choose the Republican nominee is fixed.

"It's a rigged, crooked system that's designed so that the bosses can pick whoever they want," he said.

Trump also attacked the country's "stupid" leaders, and their inability to secure strong trade deals, negotiate successfully with China, or defeat what he described as radical Islamic terrorism.

"Our country is going to hell," Trump said.

The rally was interrupted several times by protesters, with Trump repeatedly yelling: "Get 'em outta here!"

Even with his New York victory, Trump is hardly assured of reaching the 1,237 delegates needed to win the Republican nomination outright before the convention in Cleveland.

He has now won 846 delegates, according to CNN's tally, with some 670 delegates at stake in the remaining 15 Republican primaries. Cruz so far has 563, while Kasich has 147.

- 'Nobody' getting to 1,237 -

Even though he trails Trump, Cruz's campaign has shown more savvy in working the complex delegate system.

Cruz, angling for a contested convention, downplayed Trump's New York performance and insisted that no one has a path to outright victory.

"Nobody is getting to 1,237," Cruz told reporters in Hershey, Pennsylvania, adding that the race is "headed to a contested convention."

But Trump's campaign sees it differently, according to an internal memo distributed late Tuesday of talking points for Trump surrogates to use in media appearances.

"Our projections call for us to accumulate over 1,400 delegates and thus a first ballot nomination win in Cleveland," read the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post.
NEW YORKDonald Trump on Tuesday night returned to the same ornate, Trump Tower lobby where 10 months ago, he launched his improbable bid for the presidency.

It didnt take long to see how much had changed.

Last June, Trump was declaring a candidacy that few in the political world believed would last through the fall, let alone propel him to the front of a record Republican field. On Tuesday night, he claimed a landslide victory in his home state, one that keeps alive his bid to capture the GOP nomination on the first ballot this summer in Cleveland.

Ten months ago, the reporters who gathered to hear Trump rail against illegal immigrants and American decline were paraded in front of a couple hundred supporters who were supposedly paid to stand and demonstrate that there were people who wanted this billionaire real estate tycoon to lead them. On Tuesday night, a media contingent numbering in the hundreds were barred from speaking to any supporters at all. Penned in by velvet ropes and the Secret Service, they could only watch as Trumps well-dressed guestssome of whom, like Trump, lived upstairsmingled in the lobby and waited for The Donald to come down and claim his win.

Recommended: Why Americans Are So Sensitive to Harm

Sinatras New York, New York blared as Trump made his way to the podiumhe took the elevator this time, not the escalator. He said he was proud to win such an enormous endorsement from the people who know me best, and then he declared the Republican campaign essentially over. We dont have much of a race anymore, based on what Im seeing on TV, Trump said. He added that his main rival, Senator Ted Cruz, was more or less mathematically eliminated.

This isnt true; Trump still has to dominate in the remaining states in the east, win Indiana, and do well in California to capture the 1,237 delegates he needs to win the nomination outright. But after winning 60 percent of the vote in the nations third-largest state, he didnt seem to care.

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Trumps campaign has undergone a significant staff shakeup in the last week, as he reportedly demoted his campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, while elevating more seasoned political operatives. Its actually a team of unityits evolving, he said in a glancing reference to the internal strife.

But the changes were most apparent in Trumps victory speech itself, which was uncharacteristically succinct, on-message, and free of controversy. Unlike previous election-night press conferences, he took no questions from reporters, and the loud repeat Sinatra serenade as Trump finished his remarks ensured that he couldnt change his mind.

The Trump who won New York was an ever-so-slightly more polished candidate. He began here last summer as a long shot and a laughing stock. He returned on Tuesday as a frontrunner, and for one more election night, a big winner.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
NEW YORK  Donald Trump easily won New Yorks Republican presidential primary Tuesday, a significant home state victory that is likely to give new momentum to the GOP frontrunners campaign after weeks of turmoil.

Its just incredible, Trump declared, as he spoke inside the atrium of Trump Tower in Manhattan surrounded by his family and at least 100 cheering friends and supporters. Were gonna end at a very high level, and get a lot more delegates than anybody projected, even in their wildest imagination.

Though the results were still being tallied, Trump appeared to be in a strong position to win close to the 95 delegates at stake Tuesday, expanding the real estate moguls already sizable delegate lead over his closest rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. But it was unclear if Trumps home state win will be enough to stave off a contested Republican convention this summer.

While Trump has won the majority of votes in the GOP race so far, his campaign was slow to get a handle on the delegate race and has been outmaneuvered in several states, including Louisiana, Colorado and Wyoming, by the Cruz campaign in recent weeks. But Cruz, who has positioned himself as the chief alternative to Trump, suffered a significant setback on Tuesday, placing a distant third in the primary behind Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Though Cruz did not expect to win New York, his poor showing put him at risk of emerging Tuesday with no delegates at all.

Donald Trump speaks to reporters at a primary-night event at Trump Tower in New York City on Tuesday. (Photo: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)



Speaking to reporters about Cruzs fortunes on Tuesday night, Trump declared, We dont have much of a race anymore based on what I am seeing.  Its impossible to catch us.

Slideshow: Primary day in New York >>>



For Trump, the win in New York was a psychological boost for his campaign, which has been under pressure amid delegate intrigue and Cruzs victory in Wisconsin two weeks ago. And it came at a crucial time, giving Trump momentum heading into a slate of Northeastern states believed to be favorable to his campaign, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Rhode Island, which hold GOP primaries on April 26.

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But Tuesdays victory also came amid rumors of staff turmoil as Trump has sought to reshuffle and expand his campaign infrastructure in the face of a delegate race that could make or break his insurgent White House bid. After his loss in Wisconsin, Trump gave new power to Paul Manafort, a longtime GOP hand whom he tapped as his convention manager.

That has raised questions about the future and influence of Corey Lewandowski, Trumps campaign manager, who has been embroiled in scandal in recent weeks after tangling with a female reporter at a Trump event last month. Initially charged with simple battery in the case, he was cleared last week. But rumors have persisted that Manafort is essentially taking over Lewandowskis portfolio, as Trump has granted him new powers to hire and fire staff and build a ground operation heading into crucial upcoming primaries like Californias.

Corey Lewandowski, Trumps campaign manager, talks to the media before the candidates primary-night rally in Manhattan. (Photo: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Slideshow: The battle for New York >>>



On Monday, Stuart Jolly, a close ally of Lewandowski, abruptly resigned as Trumps campaign field director. The move came just days after Trump, at Manaforts suggestion, hired Rick Wiley, a longtime GOP operative who previously ran Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers failed presidential bid, to be his new political director.

But even as Manafort appears to be expanding his power within the campaign, Lewandowski has pushed back against claims of his waning influence. On Tuesday night, the longtime Trump aide positioned himself front and center during his bosss campaign event, making himself available to reporters at least twice. And when Trump sauntered to the podium to the strains of Frank Sinatras New York, New York, Lewandowski stood at his bosss right elbow, along with the Trump family.

Trump thanked his staff and denied rumors of campaign infighting. My team has been amazing. And you know, its actually a team of unity, he insisted.

And he criticized the media for focusing on his staff squabbling, insisting it was making a story where there is none. Its evolving, Trump said of his campaign team. People dont understand that. The press does understand it. They just dont want to talk about it.

But even as Trump touted the unity of his team, there were hints of Manaforts influence in his remarks Tuesday. He took a decidedly more sober tone, referring to his chief rival as Senator Cruz, rather than Lyin Ted, as had become one of his election night trademarks. And it had been expected that Trump would take questions from the assembled press corps, but instead he spoke for less than 10 minutes and then stepped away from the podium, a rarity for a candidate known for his rambling press conferences.

Before he walked away, Trump thanked the voters of his home state. I can think of nowhere that I would rather have this victory, he said. We love New York.



(Cover thumbnail photo: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)
By Emily Flitter and Luciana Lopez

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton scored sweeping victories in nominating contests in their home state of New York, and immediately cited those wins to argue that they are all but unstoppable as their respective parties presidential nominees.

Trumps crushing defeat of Ted Cruz in Tuesdays primary election tilted the energy in the Republican race back to the front-runner, just as Republican National Committee members begin meeting in Florida on Wednesday to discuss their July convention, where the nominee will be chosen.

For the Democratic favorite, Clintons more narrow victory over Bernie Sanders snapped a string of victories by the 74-year-old democratic socialist and gave her a much-needed lift with more tough fights ahead.

The eventual victors of the Democratic and the Republican nominating campaigns will face each other in Novembers general election.

Trumps win, celebrated to the tune of Frank Sinatras New York, New York at Trump Tower in Manhattan, marked a rebound from his Wisconsin defeat two weeks ago. It set him up for another big night on April 26, when Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Maryland will hold primaries.

With a campaign staff reboot and a more focused performance, Trump has sought to improve in recent weeks as a candidate. The tone of his victory speech was in keeping with a more measured style the often-brash billionaire has adopted.

We dont have much of a race anymore based on what Im seeing on television, Trump said as television networks projected a large margin of victory for him. Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated.

Trump, 69, predicted some amazing weeks ahead for his campaign.

Still, he has a long way to go to seal the nomination and begin trying to heal the wounds in his bitterly divided party. Some fence-mending may happen when he sends campaign advisers to the RNC meeting starting in Hollywood, Florida, on Wednesday.

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Trumps haul of most of New Yorks 95 delegates moved him closer to the 1,237 needed to win the nomination outright. Anything short of that will lead to a contested convention when Republicans hold their national conclave July 18-21 in Cleveland.

Theres only two issues left for Republicans: Will Trump get 50 percent of the delegates prior to Cleveland, and if not, how close will he be? New York gives him a nice boost, but it will take weeks before we know the answer, said Ari Fleischer, who was White House press secretary under President George W. Bush.

Cruz, a 45-year-old U.S. senator from Texas, came in third in New York and gave his primary night speech in Philadelphia, where he was already focused on running in Pennsylvania. He called on Republicans to unite around his candidacy.

Ohio Governor John Kasich, 63, a long-shot candidate, is seeking to use his second-place showing in New York as proof he is emerging as Trumps central challenger in the states that come up next on the calendar.

NO KNOCKOUT PUNCH FOR CLINTON

Clinton, a former U.S. senator from New York, former secretary of state and former first lady, got nowhere near the knockout punch she needed to finally put Sanders away.

But the broad smile on her face as she gave her victory speech spoke volumes about how important New York was to her bid to become the first female U.S. president.

Today you proved once again theres no place like home, Clinton said. This one was personal.

The race for the Democratic nomination, she said, is now in the home stretch, and victory is in sight.

Clinton, 68, was to campaign in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Sanders flew home to Vermont to take a day off the campaign trail.

Clintons win made it nearly impossible for Sanders to overtake her commanding lead in delegates needed to win the nomination.

Dilawar Syed, a tech entrepreneur who is also the co-founder and vice chairman of the AAPI Victory Fund, a Super PAC focused on mobilizing Asian-American voters, said it looked like Clinton has the nomination.

Clearly Senator Sanders has a lot of supporters and enthusiasm there. He also has raised a lot of good resources, Syed said. "I think the primary will go on for some time. But just looking at the numbers, we know where this is going.

Sanders campaign vowed to fight on until the Democrats nominating convention in Philadelphia July 25-28.

Look, were going to go to the convention, Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver told MSNBC. He said it was extremely unlikely that either candidate would have the delegates needed to win the nomination outright.

Democratic strategist Jim Manley said Clinton has a delicate balancing act in trying to draw in Sanders supporters while pivoting to a general election matchup against the Republican nominee.

She runs a risk. If she goes too far to the left (to draw in Sanders supporters), shes going to upset independents and others that shes going to need in the general, Manley said.

Nationally, the race for the nominations has tightened recently for both parties, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday.

Clinton and Sanders are tied among Democrats, with each drawing about 47 percent support in the national poll. At the beginning of the year, Clinton led Sanders by nearly a 2-to-1 margin; Sanders has closed that gap over the past few months.

Among Republicans, Trump leads with 44 percent support, compared with 33 percent for Cruz and 16 percent for Kasich.

The April 15-19 poll surveyed 719 Democrats and 593 Republicans. It has a credibility interval of 4.7 percentage points.

(Additional reporting by Alana Wise and Megan Casella in Washington, Jonathan Allen in New York and Emily Stephenson in Philadelphia; Writing by Steve Holland; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
By Ayla Jean Yackley ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) wanted a return to talks with the Turkish government a few months ago amid the worst violence in decades but Ankara rejected the overture, an opposition party leader said on Wednesday. A 2-1/2-year peace process between the outlawed PKK and the government broke down last July and fighting since then has claimed thousands of lives, including around 500 civilians. Chairman Selahattin Demirtas said his Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which has Kurdish origins, had persuaded PKK leaders based in the Qandil mountains of northern Iraq to return to the negotiating table. "A few months ago, we were in contact with Qandil in an effort to return to the negotiating table. The government knew that we were working for this, but the government rejected it," Demirtas told a news conference in Istanbul. "Qandil said it was ready for talks, but Ankara said there would be absolutely no return to the table. As long as it says this, can there be a one-sided negotiating table?" President Tayyip Erdogan, who spearheaded the historic peace process before it collapsed last year, has publicly ruled out a return to negotiations and has vowed to crush the PKK, which has been waging a fight for greater autonomy since 1984 in a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people. Erdogan accuses the HDP of being the political wing of the PKK, which Demirtas denies. Broadcaster CNN Turk, quoting the armed forces, said on Wednesday Turkish warplanes had struck PKK targets in northern Iraq. The Turkish military frequently strikes camps in Qandil. Separately, the military said it had concluded operations in the town of Yuksekova on Wednesday, killing 196 PKK members since mid-March. Turkey, along with the United States and the European Union, considers the PKK a terrorist group. 'CRIMES' Demirtas said the loss of civilian life and the brutality of security operations in southeast Turkey violated international conventions on war crimes, including collective punishment. His party is collecting evidence it hopes one day can be used to prosecute Erdogan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and other officials, including the heads of the army and police. The government denies any targeting of non-combatants and says the deaths of almost 400 soldiers and police since July are due in part to their efforts to minimize the loss of civilian life. It blames the deaths of civilians on the PKK for staging its fight in urban centers. Demirtas cited eyewitness accounts including the killing of wounded civilians and destruction of homes. He said the HDP had been unable so far to find a prosecutor "brave enough" to investigate the allegations. "Everyone responsible for this massacre will absolutely be tried one day. They need to know they cannot escape this. The president continues to give the same orders (such as) shelling civilian areas by the armed forces, which is a direct violation of the Geneva convention and a crime against humanity." A senior government official told Reuters the charges were "groundless" and said such assertions from the HDP have little value because of its "support for a terrorist organization that has caused civilian deaths". (Additional reporting by Orhan Coskun; Writing by David Dolan and Ayla Jean Yackley; Editing by Nick Tattersall and Gareth Jones)
Lusaka (AFP) - Two local people were burned to death in Zambia during riots that targeted Rwandan-owned shops following allegations that foreigners were behind a string of ritual killings, police said Wednesday.

The violence erupted earlier this week in slum areas of the capital Lusaka after the recent murders of at least seven people, whose body parts such as ears, hearts and penises had been removed.

Hundreds of residents stoned houses and shops owned by foreign nationals, with some foreigners seeking refuge at police stations as looters took food, drinks, refrigerators and other electrical appliances.

"The official number of people who have died from the time the looting started is two. These are the ones who were burned to death on 18 April 2016 in Kanyama," police spokeswoman Charity Chanda said in a statement, adding that 62 shops had been looted.

Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila told parliament that the victims had been identified as Zambians who died "in the confusion" as riots tore through the shantytowns.

The victims were burned with firewood and vehicle tyres, according to police.

Mwila has blamed the riots on false allegations that a suspected ritual killer of foreign nationality had been released from police custody.

He said that more than 200 people had been arrested.

"Elements in Lusaka with criminal intent took advantage of the pain and grief we all felt over the suspected ritual killings," Mwila said in a television address on Monday evening.

Several thousand refugees from Rwanda, which was embroiled in genocide in 1994, live in Lusaka.

They run many of the shops in the affected parts of the city, and residents have accused them of using the body parts for witchcraft.

No rioting was reported overnight or on Wednesday morning, with police reinforcements on street patrol in trouble-hit areas.

In South Africa last year, mobs in Johannesburg and in the port city of Durban targeted migrants, ransacking their homes and burning shops.

At least seven people died and thousands were displaced, with citizens from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique among those affected.
(Reuters) - Two Kansas State University students filed federal lawsuits against the school on Wednesday, saying it failed to investigate their allegations that they were raped at off-campus fraternities.

The lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas contend that the university violated the women's rights under Title IX, the federal law that bars sexual discrimination in education.

Kansas State did not investigate their reports of being raped because the fraternities were off campus, the lawsuits allege.

In a statement, Kansas State said it would not comment on litigation or individual reports of discrimination, including sexual violence.

"The university has a strong policy prohibiting discrimination, including sexual violence, and provides a multitude of resources and assistance to students and employees," it said.

One woman contended that she was raped by two Kansas State students in April 2014 during a fraternity event and again later at a fraternity house.

About 15 students witnessed one of the attacks. Some of them posted a video and photos of it on social media, the lawsuits said.

The second woman alleged she was raped in March 2015 at a fraternity house. Both the purported incidents occurred after the women had passed out from drinking.

The fraternity or fraternities were not named. Reuters' policy is not to name the victims of sexual crimes.

Kansas State is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education over its refusal to investigate the alleged attacks on the two women and on other fraternity rape victims, the lawsuits said.

The lawsuits were filed by Washington attorney Cari Simon of the Fierberg National Law Group and seek compensatory damages. They also ask for a Kansas State investigation into the allegations and a court order that the school revise its policies to comply with Title IX.

(Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Bernard Orr)
By Dustin Volz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top judge on the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ruled last year against a constitutional challenge to U.S. surveillance rules permitting the FBI to access foreign intelligence data for use in domestic criminal investigations, according to a newly declassified court opinion. Judge Thomas Hogan said there was no requirement that access to email and other forms of Internet communications under a controversial surveillance program be restricted only to foreign intelligence uses, he wrote in a November opinion released this week in partially redacted form. Hogans ruling dismissed a legal challenge submitted by Amy Jeffress, a former federal prosecutor, who was appointed to serve as a friend of the court to advocate privacy considerations before the court. Jeffress said current rules allowed the Federal Bureau of Investigation to query databases in search of a U.S. person for purposes of any criminal investigation or even an assessment and that these practices do not comply with the U.S. Constitutions Fourth Amendment privacy protections. But Hogan rejected the complaint, noting that a search of data for domestic criminal evidence could glean insights about a national security investigation. The law supporting the Internet data surveillance program, known as Prism and exposed in 2013 by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, is set to expire at the end of 2017. The program gathers messaging data from Alphabet's Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple and other major tech companies that is sent to and from a foreign target. The U.S. House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly since the Snowden disclosures to require U.S. agencies obtain a warrant before searching through collected foreign intelligence for Internet data belonging to an American, but those proposals never gained traction in the Senate. Intelligence officials say data about an American is incidentally collected when he or she communicates with a target reasonably believed to be living overseas. Jeffress additionally asked the court to require written justification for each time collected data was queried for a U.S. person to explain how the search is relevant to foreign intelligence information or is otherwise justified. The opinion was the first to include a public advocate like Jeffress, a position created under a law enacted last year that sought to reform some U.S. surveillance programs and provide more transparency. The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, a presidential advisory panel, previously raised concerns about the FBIs access to foreign intelligence in a 2014 report. (Reporting by Dustin Volz; Editing by Tom Brown)
By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council expressed serious concern on Tuesday over the failure of South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar to return to Juba to take up his old post as deputy to President Salva Kiir as part of a peace deal. U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous briefed the 15-member council on South Sudan at the request of the United States. Machar had been due to return to Juba on Monday, but a spokesman for his group said logistical reasons had delayed his travel. Thousands have been killed and more than 2 million people in a country of 11 million have been driven from their homes by more than two years of fighting that erupted at the end of 2013, barely two years after South Sudan's independence. Kiir's decision to sack Machar as his deputy in 2013 precipitated the crisis that erupted into conflict in December that year. Fighting has often run along ethnic lines, pitting Kiir's dominant Dinka ethnic group against Machar's Nuer. Machar and Kiir signed a peace deal in August that called for a transitional government and other security arrangements to end the fighting. But clashes have flared outside the capital and Machar has repeatedly delayed his return. "The members of the Security Council ... reiterated that they are ready to address any obstruction of implementation of the agreement," China's deputy U.N. ambassador, Wu Haitao, told reporters. China is president of the council for April. Russian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Petr Iliichev said Ladsous told the council there was a huge lack of confidence between the parties but that the U.N. peacekeeping chief was hopeful that Machar might return to Juba on Wednesday. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke to both Kiir and Machar by phone on Sunday and urged them to form a transitional government quickly and roll out other parts of the fragile peace deal. The United States voiced dismay on Tuesday at Machar's failure to return to Juba. "The United States is extremely disappointed that Riek Machar has not fulfilled his commitments under the peace agreement and returned to Juba as he stated publicly he would," U.S. Deputy U.N. Ambassador David Pressman said. "So many international partners - including the U.N. and multiple member states - have undertaken significant political and logistical efforts to facilitate his return," he said. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Peter Cooney)
By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - There are concerns at the United Nations about apparent attempts inside the United States to "sabotage" President Barack Obama's commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the head of the U.N. General Assembly said on Wednesday. Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark, current president of the 193-nation General Assembly, issued the warning in an interview with Reuters ahead of Friday's U.N. signing ceremony for the Paris agreement aimed at slowing climate change. Both China and the United States, the world's top emitters accounting together for 38 percent of emissions, have promised to sign then. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to attend. With a U.S. presidential election just months away, Lykketoft warned that there appear to be forces at work in the world's biggest economy aimed at undermining the historic climate deal. "What scares us a little ... is there is all this sabotage inside the United States against this commitment for climate change, including (with) the Supreme Court," he said. Lykketoft was referring Obama's difficulties in replacing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died earlier this year. Obama has nominated centrist appellate Judge Merrick Garland to replace Scalia. But the seat may remain empty for around a year as Senate Republican leaders insist that Obama's successor, who will take office next January after the Nov. 8 presidential election, fill the vacancy. "Seen from a climate (agreement) implementation point-of-view, it's very important how it plays out in the elections in the United States, including the selection of the missing member of the Supreme Court," Lykketoft said. He said he was not taking a partisan position in the election, but added that the next U.S. leader should not be someone intent on backtracking on the Obama administration's commitments. "If the United States of America is not playing a constructive role here, we will almost certainly not reach the goals, because it's such a huge economy," he said, adding that it was "crucial that there is non-denier on climate (change) as the American president." Any Republican president might seek to undo Obama's domestic plans to cut emissions by 26-28 percent by 2025 below 2005 levels, he said. And plans by Obama, a Democrat, to cut emissions from power plants could also face legal challenges that end up being decided by the Supreme Court. More than 130 nations with 60 leaders including French President Francois Hollande are due to sign the Paris deal on Friday, the most ever for a U.N. agreement on an opening day. (Reporting by Louis Charbonneau; Editing by Tom Brown)
By Julia Fioretti

BRUSSELS - The United States does not want to change the substance of a data transfer pact agreed in February with the European Commission, a senior official said, after EU privacy watchdogs voiced concerns over elements of the deal.

Stefan Selig, U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade, said the United States would evaluate the EU regulators' opinion - published last week - very carefully, but would be wary of reopening the agreement.

The EU-U.S. Privacy Shield was agreed in February after two years of talks and will help companies move Europeans' data to the United States without setting up complex legal contracts to comply with strict EU data transfer rules.

Transatlantic trade in digital services is estimated to be worth over $250 billion a year and cross-border data transfers are used for everything from completing credit card transactions to targeting advertising based on consumer preferences.

Calling the EU data protection authorities' opinion on the Privacy Shield an "important milestone", Selig said the United States would take it into consideration.

But "we are also very cautious about not upsetting what was a delicate balance that was achieved when we negotiated the original text, so would be chary about doing anything that would do just that."

Last week, the EU's 28 data protection authorities - known as the Article 29 Working Party - published a non-binding opinion on the framework which called for more reassurances over U.S. surveillance practices and the independence of a new U.S. privacy ombudsman.

Leaving some of the regulators' concerns unaddressed could increase the chances of the Privacy Shield being challenged in court by privacy advocates, much as its predecessor was.

"By doing so, it (the Privacy Shield) will be open to significant attacks by the public, and a court challenge is all but guaranteed," said Aaron Tantleff, partner at law firm Foley & Lardner LLP.

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The previous data transfer framework, Safe Harbour, was struck down in October by a top EU court on concerns about U.S. mass surveillance practices.

These rose to the fore after former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden leaked details about the U.S. government's Internet spying programs.

While the regulators' opinion is non-binding it is important because they can suspend specific data transfers and enforce data protection law across the EU.

The Privacy Shield needs to be approved by EU member state representatives before it can enter into force, something the European Commission and Washington hope can be done by June.

(Reporting by Julia Fioretti; Editing by Mark Potter)
By Lawrence Hurley

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that almost $2 billion in frozen Iranian assets must be turned over to American families of people killed in the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.

The court's 6-2 ruling dealt a setback to Iran's central bank, finding that the U.S. Congress did not usurp the authority of American courts by passing a 2012 law stating that the frozen funds should go toward satisfying a $2.65 billion judgment won by the families against Iran in U.S. federal court in 2007.

Bank Markazi had challenged a 2014 ruling by the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the assets, bonds held in a trust account overseen by former federal judge Stanley Sporkin, should be handed over to the more than 1,000 American plaintiffs.

With the legal questions resolved, lawyers for the plaintiffs said all that is left is for a federal judge to allow Sporkin to distribute the funds.

The lead plaintiff was Deborah Peterson, whose brother, Marine Lance Corporal James Knipple, died in the Beirut bombing. Peterson said for her the legal fight has never been about the just money.

"The mission was for those responsible for the bombing to be held accountable and for the world to understand what happened in Beirut," Peterson said.

Ted Olson, the lawyer for the victims who argued the case before the Supreme Court, said the ruling brings "long-overdue relief to more than 1,000 victims of Iranian terrorism and their families, many of whom have waited decades for redress."

Jeffrey Lamken, the Iranian bank's attorney, declined to comment.

The plaintiffs have waged a long legal battle seeking compensation for attacks they say Iran orchestrated. Congress inserted itself into the dispute by passing the law to help the plaintiffs obtain the Iranian funds.

The plaintiffs accused Iran of providing material support to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shi'ite Islamist political and military group responsible for the 1983 truck bomb attack at the Marine compound in Beirut that killed 241 U.S. service members.

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They also sought compensation related to other attacks including the 1996 Khobar Towers truck bombing in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 U.S. service members.

Caragh Fay, a lawyer representing the victims of the Beirut attack, said it could take from three months to a year for the funds to be dispersed to plaintiffs, depending in part on recommendations Sporkin first has to make to the judge.

Money will go to the estates of service members who died in the attack, their families and to those who survived the attacks. Payouts will range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, Fay said.

GINSBURG AUTHORED RULING

The ruling, written by liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, said the U.S. Congress did not violate the separation of powers principle enshrined in the U.S. Constitution giving specific authority to the government's executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Ginsburg said the 2012 law was "no threat to the independence of the judiciary" because it did not apply simply to one case, but rather "multiple civil actions" against Iran by numerous plaintiffs.

The law simply set a new legal standard and left it to the courts to determine how that standard should be implemented, Ginsburg said. She also noted that courts generally give Congress and the White House greater leeway in foreign affairs.

Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, criticized the ruling, saying Congress was "commandeering the courts to make a political judgment look like a judicial one." Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined his dissent.

The ruling came during a delicate period in U.S.-Iranian relations, following January's implementation of a landmark accord reached last year by the United States and five other world powers to lift economic sanctions in exchange for Iran accepting limits on its nuclear program.

Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, who authored the 2012 legislation in question, called the ruling "a long-awaited victory for justice."

"So long as Iran continues its support for terrorism, its regime will be held liable for its actions," Menendez said.

The Obama administration filed court papers backing the families.

The assets held in New York were part of the Iranian bank's foreign currency reserves. They were traced to a Citibank account in New York held by Luxemburg-based Clearstream Banking, which acted as a intermediary for Banca UBAE, an Italian bank of which Bank Markazi is a customer.

(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Will Dunham)
By Alex Whiting LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - British MPs voted unanimously on Wednesday for a motion declaring that Islamic State violence against ethnic and religious minorities in Syria and Iraq was genocide, and urging the government to do more to bring IS fighters to justice. The government has held back from describing the violence carried out by the Sunni militant group against Yazidis, Christians and Shi'ite Muslims in the Middle East as genocide, saying this was a question for an international court. But the International Criminal Court (ICC) cannot make a judgment on whether violence amounts to genocide unless it is asked to do so, said MP Fiona Bruce, who proposed the motion. "That is why supporting this motion is so important," she told parliament. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the U.S. House of Representatives, the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have all described the Islamist militant group's actions as genocide. The parliamentary motion also called on the British government to ask the U.N. Security Council immediately to give the International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction over the issue "so that perpetrators can be brought to justice". "It is about doing justice and about seeing justice being done," Bruce said. Recognition of genocide brings with it obligations on behalf of the international community to prevent, punish and protect people, she said. "Recognition of genocide ... is a crucial step." The motion was passed unanimously, by 278 votes to zero. Islamic State has openly said it wants to eliminate the Yazidi religion, and has killed, raped and enslaved thousands of people from this and other minority groups. The Sunni militants consider the Yazidis to be devil worshippers. The ancient Yazidi faith blends elements of Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Islam. Islamic State enslaved an estimated 7,000 women and girls in 2014, mainly Yazidi women and children, and is still holding 3,500 as slaves, according to the United Nations. The group has also attacked Christians and Shi'ite Muslims in the region. UK rights activists welcomed the parliamentary vote. "It's hugely significant because the UK thus far has been unwilling to use the term genocide ... and it's starting to be a very lonely place being a country that's unwilling to use that term," Robert Clarke, legal counsel at religious rights group ADF International, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "The UK should be taking a leading role in recognizing the ongoing genocide in the Middle East in order to ultimately bring it to an end," Clarke added in a statement. "We have an obligation to prevent and punish this 'crime above all crimes' under the 1948 Convention on Genocide. We cannot remain silent," he said. Clarke said using the term genocide could deter young Europeans and Americans who are considering joining Islamic State. If the group is condemned universally as genocidal, and the international community is committed to justice for the victims and accountability for the offenders, "then we might be able to say we are doing all that we can to stem the flow of Brits and others to Iraq, to Syria," he said in an interview. "What's going on here isn't just rape, or murder or kidnapping, or sexual slavery or forced sterilization, as serious as all those things are," Clarke said. "But it is those serious crimes being committed with an intention to eradicate a people based on their religion, their ethnicity. That's what makes it so serious," he added. (Reporting by Alex Whiting, editing by Tim Pearce.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org)
London (AFP) - Prime Minister David Cameron accused the opposition Labour party's candidate for London mayor of associating with an alleged Islamic State group supporter Wednesday, spotlighting the dirty race to run Britain's capital.

Cameron's comments were aimed at Sadiq Khan, a Muslim former government minister and human rights lawyer who is favourite to win the May 5 mayoral election.

Khan, the son of a bus driver and a seamstress who moved to Britain from Pakistan, is up against Zac Goldsmith of Cameron's Conservatives, whose father was a billionaire financier.

During Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Cameron accused Khan of appearing at events nine times alongside Sulaiman Ghani, a little-known imam based in the same part of south London as the Labour politician.

"If we are going to condemn not just violent extremism but also the extremism that seeks to justify violence in any way, it is very important that we do not back these people and we do not appear on platforms with them," Cameron said.

The prime minister added he was "concerned" about Khan and said of Ghani: "This man supports IS."

Labour MPs shouted "racist" at Cameron, party leader Jeremy Corbyn called the comments "disgraceful" and a Labour source speaking anonymously said it "demeans the office of prime minister" to repeat such allegations.

Khan himself accused Cameron's Conservatives of running a "nasty, dog-whistling campaign that is designed to divide London's communities".

An unverified Twitter account in Ghani's name widely quoted by British media carried an update urging Cameron to "retract his comments", adding: "This is defamation at its highest level."

Cameron cannot be sued for defamation because his comments are protected by parliamentary privilege.

The controversy brought the simmering tensions in the race to succeed Boris Johnson as the mayor of one of Europe's most ethnically diverse cities right to the heart of British politics.

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- 'Abhorrent' views -

Khan is tipped to win next month's election, in which the main issue is the soaring cost of housing.

An Opinium poll for the London Evening Standard newspaper this month gave Khan a clear lead with 35 percent of first preference votes compared to 27 percent for Goldsmith.

He admitted on BBC television this week that his work as a human rights lawyer and chairman of one of Britain's leading civil liberties groups had brought him into contact with some extremists.

"I regret giving the impression I subscribe to their views. I have been quite clear that I find their views abhorrent," Khan said.

Goldsmith's campaign, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, has repeatedly sought to raise questions about his judgement.

Last month, it said in a campaign leaflet targeted at British Indians that Khan did not attend a rally for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in London last year and that Labour supported a tax on family jewellery.

It has sought to tie him to Corbyn, Labour's socialist leader who swept to victory in a leadership contest last year on grassroots support but who is unpopular with centrist party figures.

Corbyn is a long-standing supporter of the Palestinian cause and has met representatives of Islamist groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

Labour has separately faced allegations that it has failed to do enough about instances of anti-Semitism in the party.

Khan has told the Evening Standard that he is "embarrassed and sorrowful" about the issue.

The strategy of targeting Khan's judgement is risky, analysts say.

Professor Tony Travers, a politics expert at the London School of Economics (LSE), said that he was "clearly a modern, progressive Muslim" and that opponents risked a "backlash" by raising issues which touched on his religion.
Beirut (AFP) - Aid groups launched their largest humanitarian delivery yet in war-torn Syria on Thursday after the UN evacuated hundreds of besieged residents, intensifying relief efforts even as peace talks falter.

The two operations were a rare sign of humanitarian progress in Syria, where the brutal five-year war has left 270,000 dead as a partial ceasefire hangs by a thread.

The dire humanitarian situation had even stalled UN-backed peace talks in Geneva, with the opposition walking away in frustration at sieges and attacks on civilians.

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura told reporters in Geneva that Thursday's developments showed "modest but real progress".

"If humanitarian aid increases, as there should be, and the cessation of hostilities goes back into what we consider a hopeful mood, that would certainly help the political discussions," he said.

Aid groups began delivering medical and food aid to 120,000 people in and near the besieged rebel-held town of Rastan.

"The people have suffered terribly," said Majda Flihi, who led a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross into the area.

"Peoples' livelihoods, especially farming and raising livestock, have been severely affected. Damage to the town's irrigation infrastructure has made the situation even worse," she said.

The ICRC said items for the provision of clean water were also part of the aid delivered in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the United Nations.

"More aid should be delivered in the coming days," it said.

ICRC spokesman Pawel Krzysiek said it was "the largest joint humanitarian convoy we have done in Syria so far".

The last ICRC delivery was in 2012, the same year rebels seized the town in central Homs province.

- Major medical evacuation -

Both the rebels and regime have used besiegement as a weapon of war in Syria, and more than four million people live under siege or in hard-to-reach areas.

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On Thursday, the UN completed a major evacuation of hundreds "in urgent need of life-saving medical attention" and their families, from four other besieged towns.

The carefully synchronised operation began late Wednesday and lasted throughout the night.

It saw 250 evacuees brought out of the rebel-held towns of Madaya and Zabadani near Damascus and then transported to Idlib city.

The same number left Fuaa and Kafraya, pro-government towns under siege by Islamists, and travelled to the regime's coastal bastion in Latakia.

Jihadist factions like the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda are not party to an increasingly strained truce between the government and non-jihadists rebels.

The "cessation of hostilities" came into force on February 27 and initially saw a significant reduction in bloodshed.

Although none of its signatories have officially declared the truce dead, violence has surged in recent weeks, particularly in Idlib province and the battleground northern city of Aleppo.

On Tuesday, suspected government strikes on the Idlib province towns of Maaret al-Numan and Kafranbel hit two markets, killing at least 44 civilians, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The strikes drew a furious reaction from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) which said they vindicated its decision to suspend its participation in the Geneva talks.

- 'Shred of humanity' -

The Britain-based Observatory reported new air strikes on Thursday -- some involving barrel bombs infamous for their indiscriminate nature -- against rebel-held towns in Homs province that are covered by the truce.

The UN as well as Russia and the United States -- which brokered the truce -- are desperate to see it hold long enough to secure a negotiated settlement of the five-year conflict.

But the HNC walkout has left a political solution increasingly distant, and has emboldened the government delegation to take a tougher line.

The HNC's members were set to all leave Geneva by Friday, an opposition official told AFP.

HNC chief negotiator Mohammed Alloush said the regime would have to "stop its massacres and release thousands of detainees so that it could have a shred of nationalism and humanity."

"Then, the talks can start again," he told journalists as he left his hotel in Switzerland.

The government's chief representative in Geneva, Bashar al-Jaafari, said his delegation would stay the course but that only opposition members "who reject terrorism (and) who do not work for the sake of a foreign agenda" would be permitted to join a "broad-based unity government".

That would appear to rule out the HNC, which he described as a group of "extremists, terrorists and mercenaries" working for Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the opposition's main backers.
By Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal (Reuters) - The Maldives government said on Wednesday it would allow jailed leaders of rival parties to take part in talks on resolving the country's political crisis. Best known as an exotic tourist destination, the Indian Ocean island nation has been mired in political unrest since its first democratically elected leader, Mohamed Nasheed, was ousted in February 2012. The concession was announced four days after President Abdulla Yameen's administration started talks with a U.N. delegation amid international pressure for reform. The administration has have jailed opposition leaders including Nasheed and members of Yameen's party, including the vice president, on various charges. Opposition parties have demanded the release of all political detainees and allow party choice of representative at the talks. "Those serving sentences won't be released. Arrangements will be made so that they can actively contribute to the party talks," government spokesman Ibrahim Hussain Shihab said He gave no date for the talks but said the government was committed to holding them. Nasheed was arrested and sentenced in March last year to 13 years in jail on terrorism charges for ordering the abduction of a judge, following a rapid trial that drew international condemnation. He is now in London for medical treatment. Officials from Nasheed's party were not immediately available for comments. Yameen's government is also criticized for detaining 18 journalists who earlier this month protested against a proposed defamation bill citing it aimed at suppressing freedom of expression and speech of the general public. (Reporting by Shihar Aneez; editing by John Stonestreet)
Washington (AFP) - A US Army captain in Iraq helped crack a plot to bomb a Danish school after gleaning crucial details from documents recovered from extremists, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Army Captain Bradley Grimm, who is based at Al-Asad airbase in Iraq's Anbar province, had "helped develop a system to speed the flow of intelligence from here on the ground to various national capitals," Baghdad-based spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said.

Grimm gleaned "actionable intelligence" from "captured documents" belonging to foreign fighters with ties to Denmark, Warren said.

"Brad's work likely saved the lives of Danish citizens," Warren said, without providing additional details of the plot itself.

For his work, Denmark awarded Grimm the Danish Defense Medal for Special Meritorious Effort.

The intelligence-sharing system he helped develop contributed to the arrest of a suspect in the school plot and the confiscation of some homemade explosives.

Denmark is an active member of the approximately 65-nation coalition conducting operations against Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Danish lawmakers on Tuesday approved a plan to commit several F-16 warplanes, a transport aircraft and 400 military personnel to expand the country's fight.
Washington (AFP) - A senior Islamic State figure in Iraq has been targeted in a US-led commando raid, the Pentagon said Wednesday, as Kurdish officials claimed he had been killed.

The assault late Sunday, the latest raid by US special operators on a mission to kill or capture IS leaders, occurred at an undisclosed location in northern Iraq and targeted Suleiman Abd Shabib al-Jabouri, Baghdad-based US military spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said.

He worked as "one of ISIL's military emirs and an ISIL war council member," Warren told Pentagon reporters in a phone call, using an acronym for the IS group.

"Al-Jabouri's removal will degrade ISIL's leadership network and impact their ability to coordinate attacks and defend ISIL strongholds," he added.

Warren declined to comment on whether Jabouri was killed, but in a statement to AFP on Wednesday the Kurdish regional security council said he died.

"Al-Jabouri, also known as Abu Saif, was a member ISIL's military council, supervising the group's activities in South Mosul and Makhmour. In the joint operation, two of his aides were also killed," the statement read.

The raid was conducted by Kurdish fighters and elite US special operations troops deployed to Iraq as an "Expeditionary Targeting Force," or ETF.

Military officials keep the ETF's whereabouts secret, saying that discussing missions puts the elite fighters at risk.

The group works extensively alongside local Kurdish fighters.

Last month, Pentagon officials announced the ETF had captured a "significant" IS operative whose detention was expected to yield intelligence leading to the apprehension of other IS targets.

The United States has for the past 20 months led an international coalition against IS fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Monday announced several measures to help Iraqi security forces as they try to retake territory from the jihadists, including extra cash for the Kurds, additional US advisors and attack helicopters that could be used in an eventual battle for Mosul.
Washington (AFP) - The US Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation involving the leaked Panama Papers on offshore shell companies, according to an official letter to the group that brought the records to light.

The letter from the office of Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara, obtained by AFP Wednesday, asks to discuss the investigation with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which worked with media outlets to reveal the documents.

The letter, dated April 3 and obtained from the ICIJ, said Bharara's office "has opened a criminal investigation regarding matters to which the Panama Papers are relevant."

His office said it "would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak as soon as possible" with someone from ICIJ on the matter.

The letter gave no information on the subject of the investigation, and was not a subpoena that would force the ICIJ to turn over any of the 11.5 million confidential documents leaked from Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca.

Access to the documents remains limited to a handful of international media organizations.

Reports from the ICIJ and the media groups based on the Panama Papers link a number of international leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and leaders and top officials in Ukraine, China and Argentina, to offshore shell companies that can be used to hide wealth and launder money.

Iceland's Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was also forced to resign after the documents showed he and his wife made use of an offshore company.
Washington (AFP) - The US Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Iran must hand over nearly $2 billion in frozen assets to survivors and relatives of those killed in attacks blamed on the Islamic republic.

In a 6-2 decision, the court upheld rulings in favor of victims and relatives of the 241 US service members killed in the 1983 bombing of US Marine barracks in Beirut, the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing that killed 19 Americans in Saudi Arabia, and other attacks blamed on Iran.

More than 1,000 Americans are affected by the decision.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the court's opinion rejecting the Iranian central bank's efforts to block payments to victims and relatives.

"We are extremely pleased with the Supreme Court's decision, which will bring long-overdue relief to more than 1,000 victims of Iranian terrorism and their families, many of whom have waited decades for redress," said Theodore Olson, a former US solicitor general who represented the relatives of the victims.

Matthew McGill, a partner at Olson's firm, said his legal team will "promptly" ask the lower court supervising the funds to carry out the Supreme Court ruling and distribute the award.

It was also a win for President Barack Obama's administration and for Congress, which passed a 2012 law ordering Iran's Bank Markazi to turn over frozen bond assets it held in a New York account at Citibank.

"Today's decision is a long-awaited victory for justice and in recognizing that the survivors are entitled to this compensation," Senator Robert Menendez, who helped author the legislation, said in a statement.

Iran argued the law was unconstitutional as it violated separation of powers, with US lawmakers ordering a particular result in a legal case, but federal courts rejected that claim and backed the law.

The lower courts also denied the central bank's request for legal immunity.

The Supreme Court agreed.

The 2012 law "does not transgress constraints the Constitution places on Congress and the president," Ginsburg wrote in the majority opinion.

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"We perceive in (the statute) no violation of separation-of-powers principles, and no threat to the independence of the judiciary."

Instead, she said, the law "directs courts to apply a new legal standard to undisputed facts."

- Constitutional dilemma -

Chief Justice John Roberts filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined.

"Contrary to the majority, I would hold that (the law) violates the separation of powers" between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, Roberts wrote.

"The authority of the political branches is sufficient; they have no need to seize ours."

He added: "No less than if it had passed a law saying 'respondents win,' Congress has decided this case by enacting a bespoke statute tailored to this case that resolves the parties' specific legal disputes to guarantee respondents victory."

- 'Deceptive practices' -

Several months before signing the 2012 bill into law, Obama signed an executive order freezing all Iranian assets, potentially freeing them up for seizure.

At the time, he pointed to the "deceptive practices of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks."

The case before the court had marked a rare alliance between Obama and both houses of Congress, which are controlled by his Republican foes.

"We continue to condemn Iran's past and continued support for international terrorism," State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

"We don't turn a blind eye to their continued willingness to do exactly that."

The court's decision comes at a time of hopes for better ties between longtime foes Tehran and Washington, following a nuclear agreement last year between Iran, the United States and five other major powers.

It also coincides with growing controversy over a draft bill in Congress that could allow families of the September 11 attacks to sue the Saudi government in US courts. Nearly 3,000 people died in the 2001 attacks.

There are only eight justices currently sitting on the court following the death in February of Justice Antonin Scalia. So far, Senate Republicans have refused to schedule hearings on Obama's nominee to fill the ninth seat.

That leaves the court short-handed and evenly split between justices who lean conservative and those who tend to back liberal positions.

Since Scalia's death, the top court has already deadlocked in three decisions, meaning their rulings set no new national precedents and leave lower court rulings intact.
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Donald Trump still has a chance to capture the Republican presidential nomination on the first ballot at the partys national convention this summer, thanks in part to his commanding victory in New York on Tuesday.

Unlike past GOP nominees, however, he might not have carte blanche to pick his running mate.

Delegates at the convention in Cleveland will vote separately on the nominations for president and vice president, and there is a key difference in the rules governing each vote: Although most of the delegates will be bound by their states to vote for a certain presidential candidate on the first ballot, none of them are required to vote for any candidate for vice president.

That distinction opens up a Pandoras Box for Republicans, as they decide how to fill out their national ticket in November. Its possible, and even likely, that Trump will announce an agreeable, consensus pick for vice president, and in a vote for party unity, the delegates will ratify that choice.

But heres another possibility: Trump heads into Cleveland having just barely secured the 1,237 pledged delegates needed to win the nomination on the first ballot. In a last minute bid to flip delegates and stop Trump, Ted Cruz persuades Marco Rubio to be his running mate and secures the support of most of his delegates. Because of Cruzs success in packing delegate slates at the state level, a majority of the convention delegates actually support him, even though 1,237 are required by party rules on vote for Trump on the first ballot. Who, then, do they vote for on the vice presidential ballotTrumps choice, or Cruzs?

Anyone who really thinks they can give you a straight answer doesnt understand how crazy the situation really is.

This is such a crazy election cycle, I wouldnt even venture a guess, replied a chuckling John Sununu, the former New Hampshire governor and noted Trump antagonist, when I posed this question to him. This is so unique, different, and unusual that anyone who really thinks they can give you a straight answer doesnt understand how crazy the situation really is.

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In an ordinary election year, both parties would have clear leaders by nowif not presumptive nomineesand vice-presidential speculation would be ramping up, along with the private vetting of potential running mates. But on the Republican side, all three remaining contenders have turned their attention to delegate-wrangling, and there has been little talk of vice-presidential nominees. The situation is raising concerns among party insiders who fear that the eventual nominee wont have time to properly vet their running matea process that has taken months in recent elections. Reince Priebus, the party chairman, has said the Republican National Committee could use its research team to help campaigns with vetting. And later this week, the Bipartisan Policy Center plans to release a set of recommendations for the vice-presidential selection process from a group of veteran political advisers who worked on the campaigns of Barack Obama, John McCain, and Mitt Romney.

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Theres a lot of homework that has to be done, and that needs to be done before the convention, said Charlie Black, a former McCain adviser who helped with the bipartisan report. In the old days, the potential nominees would do that homework and then they wouldnt announce the VP until the day after the nomination ballot. So we may be in that situation again.

Theres a lot of homework that has to be done, and that needs to be done before the convention.

In the last open Republican convention, in 1976, Gerald Ford announced his selection of then-Senator Bob Dole only after he was formally nominated for president. Four years later, Black was an adviser to Ronald Reagan when the former California governor returned to the convention hall at midnight on the evening he was nominated to put up George H. W. Bush for vice president. Reagan only did that, Black recalled, to squelch rumors that he was about to ask Ford, the former president, to run alongside him.

So far, the GOP veep speculation has been a game of elimination as much as anything else. Rubio and Kasich have each tried to rule themselves outKasich said there was zero chance hed be Trumps running mate and that hed be the worst vice president ever. Cruz has said he has zero interest whatsoever in running with Trump. And nobody thinks Trump would be anyones vice president. This could all be political posturing, but the Republican primary has been so ugly at times that its hard to see any of the top contenders team up. Given this experience, I dont think youll see a pairing of any of these three, said Black, who is now advising Kasich on his delegate strategy. Kasich doesnt want to be VP. He wouldnt take it. I think Trump and Cruz dislike each other so much that itd be very hard for them to get together.

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Trump told the Washington Post earlier this month that he was likely to pick an experienced politician as his running matea statement that might have been aimed at soothing the worries of GOP establishment types bent on preventing his nomination. I would 95 percent see myself picking a political person as opposed to somebody from the outside, Trump said. A couple weeks later, he told USA Today that Rubio, Kasich, and Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin were among the names he was thinking about. Walker has endorsed Cruz and would also figure to be a top contender if the Texas senator overtakes Trump in Cleveland. Carly Fiorina and Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina could also be logical picks for Cruz. Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey is another possibility for Trump.

If he wants to nominate Barbara Walters for vice president, were going to have a problem.

Black predicted that Trump would wait until the convention to announce his running mate, while Cruz could unveil his choice earlier to try to sway undecided delegates in his direction.

Whether either of them gets their pick will be up to the delegates. Jason Dore is the executive director of the Louisiana GOP as well as an unpledged delegate who intends to stay neutral until the convention in Cleveland. From a practical perspective, he told me, whichever candidate you were on board withyou would go with their team.

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What Im looking for is to unify the party coming out of the convention, because whoever the nominee for the VP and the president is, we have to win an election in November, Dore said. And to do that, we need a unified party. If Trump gets to 1,237, he added, its a moot point. I think hell get his nominee. Id expect youd have a party unity moment.

Though hes working for Kasich, Black said basically the same thing. When its over, its over, and most people realize that, he said. The delegates who vote for the nominees are party regulars, and even people who dont like Trump, Black said, are certainly going to want to do their best to help us win.

All of this assumes a Trump that sticks to his commitment to pick someone experienced, or at least someone seen as qualified for the job. And with Trump, you never know. If he wants to nominate Barbara Walters for vice president, were going to have a problem, Black quipped.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Volkswagen will offer generous compensation packages to the roughly 600,000 U.S. owners of diesel vehicles whose emissions are over the legal limit, the head of its claims fund told a German paper.

The German car maker has still not decided whether vehicle owners will be offered cash, car buy-backs, repairs or replacement cars, Kenneth Feinberg told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.

Feinberg previously headed the compensation funds for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, BP's Deepwater Horizon oil spill and General Motors' ignition switch crashes.

On Friday, Volkswagen postponed the publication of its 2015 results and delayed its annual shareholders' meeting as it struggles to put an exact price on its emissions scandal.

More than four months after the scandal broke in the United States, Europe's leading car maker has still not won approval for a fix for any of the vehicles. Last week it named a new head of its U.S. legal department to help resolve the case.

Feinberg told the paper he was unlikely to meet his goal of setting up the claims fund within 60 to 90 days, saying: "My hands are tied as long as VW and the authorities have not overcome their differences."

He said he expected an overwhelming majority to accept the eventual offer, and that VW had given him full authority to set the level.

"Look at my prior cases: 97 percent of the victims of Sept. 11 accepted my offer. At GM and BP it was more than 90 percent, too. That has to be my target for VW," Feinberg said.

"It is a purely business transaction, less emotional. I see that from emails I get from vehicle owners, who say things like: 'Mr. Feinberg, I know I haven't lost a relative, I just want to be treated fairly.' They are all quite reasonable."

SHARES FALL SHARPLY

Feinberg said he had not yet decided whether to consider claims that the emissions damaged the health of claimants.

"I am inclined to not accept that and tell such people they should sue Volkswagen if they want to," he said.

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Uncertainty about the financial impact of the scandal on VW's accounts has increased since the start of the year, sending its shares 26 percent lower.

However, Norway's $850 billion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, told the paper it would remain invested in Volkswagen, in which it holds 1.2 percent.

"VW is an important company for Germany, Europe and the world. That's why we will keep our stake as long as the fund and the company exist," the fund's CEO Yngve Slyngstad said.

But he added that since 2008 the fund has criticized the ownership structure at Volkswagen, where the Porsche and Piech families hold 31.5 percent of the capital but control 50.7 percent of voting rights.

U.S. regulators last month rejected VW's original plan to fix 2.0 liter diesel cars equipped with software designed to conceal the cars' true emissions, raising concerns that VW may have to carry out a larger number of costly buy-backs.

VW has already promised goodwill packages worth $1,000 to tens of thousands of VW owners in the United States, and the European Commission and European lawmakers have urged it to consider making a similar offer to owners in Europe.

The group set aside 6.7 billion euros ($7.5 billion) in the third quarter of 2015 to cover repair costs for vehicles worldwide. Pieper said this might need to be topped up by another 2-3 billion euros.

(Reporting by Arno Schuetze; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Volkswagen has reached a deal with U.S. authorities to settle the case over its cheating of diesel emissions tests that would involve it paying each affected customer $5,000, Germany's Die Welt newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Citing unidentified sources close to the negotiations, Die Welt said the agreement would be presented on Thursday to Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco, avoiding a trial that was set to start in the summer.

A U.S. federal judge last month gave Volkswagen and regulators until April 21 to agree on a fix for nearly 600,000 diesel cars on U.S. roads implicated by VW's emissions test-rigging scandal.

(Reporting by Emma Thomasson; Editing by Mark Potter)
For die-hard fans of The Walking Dead comics, digital one-shot The Walking Dead: The Alien is a must-read.

The issue was written by Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Saga) and Marcos Martin, who founded digital distribution platform Panel Syndicate, which released the issue Wednesday.

The single issue reveals a massive secret about Rick Grimes - the hero played on the AMC drama by Andrew Lincoln.

SPOILER ALERT

And that secret is  the fate of his kid brother, Jeff Grimes, first mentioned in the third issue of The Walking Dead.

"I'd been fascinated by the idea of Rick Grimes' long-lost kid brother ever since he was first mentioned waaaaaay back in Walking Dead #3," Vaughan wrote in the afterword of the issue.

The one-shot is available for download now at Vaughan and Martin's PanelSyndicate.com, which aims to distribute comics inexpensively for everyone. Those interested in scoring a copy can name their price, all the way down to $0. But take note: The creators do all the work for free upfront and get paid only if the audience wants to support it.

See More: 'Walking Dead' Comes to Life: From Comics to the Small Screen

To hear Vaughan and Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman tell it, The Walking Dead: The Alien came about when the latter wanted to publish Panel Syndicate's first venture - 10-parter The Private Eye. Vaughan and Martin agreed to a slick hardcover for a price: only if Kirkman would allow them to create something in the Walking Dead universe.

"It felt like the kind of fun, old-school comic crossover that never happens anymore because comics companies are owned by major corporations and there's too much red tape and hassle," Vaughan said in an interview with Kirkman about the origins of The Walking Dead: The Alien. (Watch the full interview, below.)

The one-shot takes place in Barcelona - where Martin is from - and reveals that the apocalypse isn't just happening in America.

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"In the comics, we've stayed in the continental United States; we haven't really ever explained what's happened outside of it," Kirkman said. "I used to joke that people are hanging out in Australia and they're fine and it's just the American continents that are all messed up - but that's not the case."

The Walking Dead: The Alien centers on Jeff Grimes, who wakes up in Barcelona and meets local girl Claudia, a museum curator, and their efforts to return to the states where the American government is rumored to have found a way to contain the outbreak.

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Read More: 'Walking Dead' Season 7: All the Details (So Far)
By Richard Valdmanis BOSTON (Reuters) - Support for Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump among his party's church-going Catholics has risen since Pope Francis suggested the U.S. businessman was not a real Christian, a Reuters/Ipsos poll shows. Trump has averaged support among 47.9 percent of Catholic Republicans in the 50 days since the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics made the comment on Feb. 18, up from 39.8 percent in the 50 days that preceded it. Their brief tiff is one of a series of controversies that have failed to dent the New York billionaire's popularity, including his call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country, his insults to women, and his plans to wall off Mexico if elected president on Nov. 8. The Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,117 church-going Catholic Republicans had a credibility interval of 4.8 percentage points. Asked about plans for a wall on the border with Mexico, the pope said in February: "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. A papal spokesman later said the pontiff was "in no way" singling out Trump or trying to sway voters. The blunt candidate, after initially saying it was "disgraceful" for the pope to judge another's faith in God, said Francis was "a nice man" who was probably misinterpreted by the media. Catholics are a sizable U.S. voting bloc, comprising about a quarter of the electorate, says Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Catholics nearly evenly split their presidential votes between Republicans and Democrats, according to a Pew Research Center analysis. 'NOT A DIRECTIVE' Part of the increase in Trump's support among Catholics is likely related to the dwindling number of Republican White House candidates, a field that has dropped from 12 in January to three - the Presbyterian Trump, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a Southern Baptist, and Ohio Governor John Kasich, an Anglican. But Mark Gray, a senior research associate at Georgetown, said the results also showed that Catholics who heard the pope's message about Trump were not swayed. "Many Catholics probably felt that the popes comments were not a directive on how they should vote or who they should support, and still others may never have been aware of the popes comments to begin with," he said. While opinion polls have shown few U.S. Catholics think it necessary to agree with the pope on every issue to be a faithful Church member, a Washington Post-ABC poll last September showed the pope had an 86 percent favorability rating. Father William Paul McKane, a Catholic priest in rural Montana who supports Trump, said he felt the pope's comments had backfired with his flock. "I call it paradoxical, to put it gently, that the pope said that, when he lives behind walls that are about 40 feet high and 40 feet across," he said, referring to the walls around Vatican City. "That comment hurt his credibility with my parishioners." McKane said he appreciates Trump's speaking plainly about issues like security and the economy - issues he said were in line with Christian values of protecting the innocent - even if he dislikes some of the candidate's more fiery comments. "Trumps verbiage does not sound compassionate," McKane said. "I dont hold him up as a paragon of Christian virtue, but Im not looking for that in a candidate. Im looking for someone who is prudent and can make good political decisions." CLERGY FAVOR CRUZ While support for Trump among ordinary Catholic Republicans is high - roughly equal to that among Republicans as a whole - the small sums of money flowing to the candidates from Christian priests, bishops, pastors and other clergy of all denominations tend to favor the evangelical Cruz. Cruz received $155,500 in contributions from about 380 members of the Christian clergy who each gave above the $200 reporting threshold through February, compared with about $700 from 10 people for Trump and $3,500 from nine people for Kasich. McKane is the only contributor listed in Trumps campaign finance disclosures who identified himself as a Catholic priest, based on a Reuters review. On the Democratic side, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont - the only Jewish candidate - has received some $85,400 from about 280 people ordained for religious duty in the church, compared with about $192,500 from about 250 individuals for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton polls much better among church-going Catholic Democrats, with 67.8 percent support, compared to Sanders' 29.3 percent, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, despite Sanders' bid to liken his view to the pope's, especially on wealth inequality and climate change. Sanders and the pope met briefly on Saturday at the Vatican, where Sanders addressed a conference on social justice. (Additional reporting by Chris Kahn and Grant Smith in New York; Editing by Howard Goller)
Paris (AFP) - World press freedom deteriorated in 2015, especially in the Americas, advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said Wednesday as it released its annual rankings, warning of "a new era of propaganda".

The World Press Freedom Index ranks 180 countries on indicators such as media independence, self-censorship, the rule of law, transparency and abuses.

This year's report warned of a climate of fear that has seen world leaders "developing a form of paranoia about legitimate journalism."

Christophe Deloire, secretary general of the Paris-based group told AFP there had been a decline in all parts of the world, with Latin America of particular concern.

"All of the indicators show a deterioration. Numerous authorities are trying to regain control of their countries, fearing overly open public debate," he said.

"Today, it is increasingly easy for powers to appeal directly to the public through new technologies, and so there is a greater degree of violence against those who represent independent information," he added.

"We are entering a new era of propaganda where new technologies allow the low-cost dissemination of their own communication, their information, as dictated. On the other side, journalists are the ones who get in the way."

The situation was particularly grave in Latin America, the report said, highlighting "institutional violence" in Venezuela and Ecuador, organised crime in Honduras, impunity in Colombia, corruption in Brazil and media concentration in Argentina as the main obstacles to press freedom.

Among the lowest ranked countries were Syria, at 177th place out of 180, just below China (176th) but above North Korea (179th) and last placed Eritrea.

Japan slumped to 72nd due to what the watchdog identified as self-censorship towards Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while Finland retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

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- Europe on 'downhill course' -

While Europe remained the region with the most press freedom, Reporters Without Borders warned that the misuse of counter-terrorist and counter-espionage measures and conflicts of interest had put it on "a downhill course".

Poland fell a massive 29 places to 49th due to government seeking to restore Polish ownership of foreign owned Polish media.

And France dropped seven places to 45th because "most of the private-sector national media are now owned by a handful of businessmen with interests in areas of the economy unrelated to the media."

In Europe threats to journalists were linked to rising nationalism which saw death threats in Sweden, which dropped three places to 8th , and attacks on journalists during anti-Muslim rallies in Germany (which dropped four spots to 16).

"And finally, it was in Paris that the attack on Charlie Hebdo took place on 7 January 2015, an attack masterminded from Yemen. So, Europe was also the victim of the worlds demons," read the report.

- Namibia shines in Africa -

In Africa a series of political crises and terrorism continued to erode press freedom.

South Sudan dropped 15 places to 140th due to intimidation of journalists during its civil war.

Efforts by presidents to stay in power in the Republic of Congo (115), Uganda (102) and Djibouti (172) "led to pre-election violence against journalists and harsh, government-orchestrated censorship of the media."

"As a result of the presidents obstinacy in Burundi (156th), the leading independent media were destroyed, more than 100 journalists fled abroad and Burundi fell 11 places in the Index," said the report.

The threat of jihadist groups in Mali -- where one group threatened to behead foreign journalists -- and Nigeria, led to a decline in press freedom in both countries.

In a glowing example of press freedom in Africa, Namibia was the continent's best-ranked country at number 17.

"Its journalists are safe, its media landscape is diverse and no restrictions are placed on the Internet."
Bipartisanship has become so rare in Washington that pundits risk forgetting how lousy it can be. In 1964, Democrats and Republicans came together to overwhelmingly pass the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which authorized Lyndon Johnson to use force in Vietnam. The Defense of Marriage Act, which in 1996 made gay marriage illegal under federal law, enjoyed broad bipartisan support too.

Its worth remembering this when reading about the unlikely coalition of liberal and conservative senators including Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz (along with former Senator Hillary Clinton)that supports the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The legislation, which in January passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously, carves out an exception to a 1976 law that immunizes foreign governments from lawsuits in American courts. The exception would allow Americans injured in terrorist attacks on American soil to sue governments that support terrorism. What that really means, given that 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers were Saudi, and some believe elements of the Saudi government aided the attack, is that victims of September 11 could sue Saudi Arabia.

Related Story

The Ever More Complicated U.S. Relationship With Saudi Arabia

American terror victims against billionaire Arab princes who wont let their wives drive. For American politicians, its not a hard call. And there are reasons to suspect that at least some in the Saudi regime were complicit in the September 11 attacks. The 9/11 Commission found no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded the organization. But, as The New York Times has noted, that leaves open the possibility that lower-level officials played a role. Last year, alleged 20th hijacker Zacarias Moussaoui testified that Saudi officials gave al-Qaeda millions of dollars in the years before the attack. (The Saudi government denied the charges).

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But as satisfying as it would be to watch 9/11 victims haul Saudi princes into court, passing the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act would be a very bad idea. President Obama is right to threaten to veto it. To understand why, its worth invoking Max Webers famous distinction between an ethic of responsibility and an ethic of ultimate ends.

Recommended: 30 Years Ago: A Look Back at 1986

According to the ethic of ultimate ends, actions are ethical if their goal is ethical. The goal of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act is justice for people harmed by terrorism. Seems straightforward.

But the ethic of responsibility makes it less straightforward because it requires someone supporting an action to give an account of the foreseeable results of ones action. The motive may be pure. (Though, as Reinhold Niebuhr often noted, individuals and nations often hide their true motives even from themselves.) But even when motives are pure, the results can be far murkier.

Consider the foreseeable results of allowing terror victims to sue Riyadh. The Saudi foreign minister has warned that if U.S. judges can freeze Saudi Arabias American assets to pay terror victims, the Saudis will sell the $750 billion worth of Treasury bills and other American assets they currently hold. Many American observers consider that a bluff: The economic fallout would be even more costly for Saudi Arabia than for the U.S. But the Saudis have done rash things recently. Last year, they launched a brutal and poorly conceived war in Yemen. In January, despite American objections, they executed a dissident Shia cleric, which sparked Iranian demonstrators to torch the Saudi embassy in Tehran. Last month, they abruptly cut billions of dollars in aid to Lebanon. Since assuming the throne a year ago, notes The Washington Post editorial page, Saudi King Salmans behavior has been reckless.

Before the United States tries to hold other countries to account, its worth pondering carefully how those countries may respond.

So when contemplating a law whose signing the Saudis have said they would respond to with economically devastating retaliation, what level of risk is acceptable? Its not a question to which Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, or Ted Cruz has a good answer.

And even if the Saudis dont respond by selling U.S. treasuries, they have other ways to harm the United States. Riyadh has been largely paying for Americas efforts to train moderate Syrian rebels. The Saudis could curtail that support and instead funnel money to al-Qaeda-type groups like the Al-Nusra Front, which the Obama administration has been lobbying them to halt. Without Saudi support, the United States has little hope of brokering a political deal that begins to end Syrias catastrophic civil war. Nor is there much hope of ending the civil war that has devastated Yemen. And were the Saudis to withdraw the offer to recognize Israel they extended in 2002, and instead publicly throw their support behind a one-state solution, the consequences for both Israel and the United States would be grim.

Recommended: Boaty McBoatface and the False Promise of Democracy

These potential consequences say nothing about the merit of holding Riyadh to account for 9/11. It would be wonderful if the United States could hold Beijing to account for its crimes in Tibet too. But before the United States tries to hold other countries to accountespecially countries to which it owes large sums of moneyits worth pondering carefully how those countries may respond.

In foreign policy, wrote the renowned international-relations scholar Hans Morgenthau, the best a country can usually do is to choose among several possible actions the one that is the least evil. If the politicians backing the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act can defend it on those groundsif they can defend it while acknowledging the costs it may bringthen they deserve a serious hearing. So far, Clinton, Sanders, and Cruz havent even tried.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
The debris found in Mozambique is mostly likely from the missing MH370 plane heres what this means

The debris found in Mozambique is mostly likely from the missing MH370 plane heres what this means

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has announced today that two pieces of debris over the last few months are in fact from the missing aircraft Malaysia Airlines flight 370, which vanished from the radar on March 8, 2014 and contained 239 passengers.

2 pieces of debris from Mozambique beaches almost certainly from missing Malaysia Airlines plane, officials say. https://t.co/jwZ4zFqYhd  CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) April 19, 2016

#CNBC MH370 debris likely from wing, tailplane: Officials: Two pieces of debris were very likely parts of vani https://t.co/7pEqRgXtLw  + T H A I L A N D + (@nakhon224) April 19, 2016

Last year on December 27, debris No. 1, a flap track fairing segment, was found off the coast of Nakhon Si Thammarat province in Thailand. A fisherman found it and immediately reported it to the authorities, yet at the time they could only speculate that it was from MH370.

Fast forward to February of this year, and No. 2, a horizontal stabilizer panel segment was discovered by a charted boat off the coast of Mozambique, about 135 miles from where the first one was found. At that point, family members and loved ones of the individuals who were on the aircraft sought to raise $5 million in an attempt to conduct more research and find the answers once and for all. But at the time, just as with debris piece No. 1, officials said they couldnt yet be sure this was connected to MH370.

Likely debris from Malaysia Airlines MH370 is from wing, tailplane: Officials https://t.co/EgGTPTrpiE pic.twitter.com/6EvEo2GtJG  CNBC International (@CNBCi) April 19, 2016

Today, however, it has been confirmed that both debris pieces are connected to the plane. Whether this brings closure to those who lost their loved ones, we cant know. Jiang Hui, whose mother was on board, spoke out and had this to say about the news:

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Finding the plane debris does not equal to finding our loved ones. If they can find debris as far away as Africa, the authorities should reassess their searching area and reassess their hypothesis.

Officials responded saying that, according to calculations, it does make sense that these two pieces of debris would be found where they were. Unfortunately, that doesnt seem to offer much solace to Hui and his family. We can only hope that they are able to recover more information as time goes on, and that those who are still mourning the disappearance of their friends and family can finally be privy to some answers.

The post The debris found in Mozambique is mostly likely from the missing MH370 plane heres what this means appeared first on HelloGiggles.
By Dustin Volz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Apple Inc has been asked by Chinese authorities within the last two years to hand over its source code but refused, the company's top lawyer told lawmakers on Tuesday in response to U.S. law enforcement criticism of its stance on technology security. The congressional testimony highlighted an issue at the heart of a heated disagreement between Apple and the FBI over unlocking encrypted data from an iPhone linked to last December's San Bernardino, California shootings - how much private technology companies should cooperate with governments. Law enforcement officials have attempted to portray Apple as possibly complicit in handing over information to China's government for business reasons while refusing to cooperate with U.S. requests for access to private data in criminal cases. "I want to be very clear on this," Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell told Tuesday's hearing under oath. "We have not provided source code to the Chinese government." Apple has previously denied the accusation as a "smear" originating from the U.S. Department of Justice's effort to force Apple to help unlock the iPhone 5c used by one of the two San Bernardino killers, who were inspired by Islamist militants. The claim resurfaced in the hearing called by a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee to examine potential common ground between law enforcement and the technology sector in the encryption debate, though more than three hours of testimony yielded little clear agreement. Captain Charles Cohen, commander in the Indiana State Police, repeated the suggestion that Apple has quietly cooperated with Beijing, which strictly regulates technology in exchange for access to its market. But when pressed by Representative Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat, for the source of that claim, Cohen only cited news reports. That takes my breath away," a visibly frustrated Eshoo said. "That is a huge allegation. The Justice Department had argued in the San Bernardino case that it would be willing to demand Apple turn over source code that underlies its products, though at the time it only sought the company's cooperation in writing new software that would disable the passcode protections on the phone. Technology and security experts have said that if the U.S. government was able to obtain Apple's source code with a conventional court order, other governments would demand equal rights to do the same thing. After winning a court order in February, the Federal Bureau of Investigation dropped its case against Apple last month when it said it had found a third party entity to help investigators hack into the iPhone used by gunman Rizwan Farook. On Tuesday, Apple and the FBI were making a second appearance in Congress since March to testify over law enforcement access to encrypted devices, a decades-old dispute between Silicon Valley and Washington that gained renewed life from the San Bernardino case. While that standoff underscored national security concerns posed by advances in technology security, the growing use of strong default encryption on mobile devices and communications by criminal suspects is handicapping investigators' ability to pursue routine cases, law enforcement officials told the hearing. Apple and other companies defend the technology as integral to protecting consumers. The FBI relies heavily on the "services and specialized skills that we can only get through the private industry, and that partnership is critical to our success," testified FBI technology official Amy Hess. Separately, the tech advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation sued the Justice Department in San Francisco federal court on Tuesday, seeking to force the disclosure of any secret orders from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court that may have forced companies such as Apple or Google to decrypt communications. Thomas Galati, chief of intelligence at the New York Police Department, said his investigators had been unable to open 67 Apple devices from October 2015 to March 2016. Those phones were implicated in 44 violent crimes 23 felonies, including 10 homicides, two rapes, and the shooting of an officer, Galati said. The government has redoubled its efforts to use the courts to force Apple's cooperation in cracking encrypted iPhones by announcing plans to continue with an appeal in a New York drug case. The secrecy surrounding the method used on the San Bernardino phone has prompted criticism from security researchers who said Apple and others should be made aware of the flaw, in accordance with a White House vulnerabilities review process that favors disclosure. But Obama administration sources have told Reuters the group that helped unlock the device has sole ownership of the method, making it highly unlikely the technique would be disclosed by the government to Apple or anyone else. I dont think relying on a third party is a good model, Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado, the committee's top Democrat, said at the hearing. (Reporting by Dustin Volz in Washington; additional reporting by Dan Levine in San Francisco; editing by Grant McCool)
By Josh Smith KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Drones fired more weapons than conventional warplanes for the first time in Afghanistan last year and the ratio is rising, previously unreported U.S. Air Force data show, underlining how reliant the military has become on unmanned aircraft. The trend may give clues to the U.S. military's strategy as it considers withdrawing more troops from the country, while at the same time shoring up local forces who have struggled to stem a worsening Taliban insurgency. U.S. President Barack Obama said in 2013 that the Afghan drawdown after 2014 and progress against al Qaeda would "reduce the need for unmanned strikes", amid concerns from human rights groups and some foreign governments over civilian casualties. On one level, that has played out; the number of missiles and bombs dropped by drones in Afghanistan actually fell last year, largely because the U.S.-led NATO mission ceased combat operations at the end of 2014 and is now a fraction of the size. Yet as the force has shrunk, it has leant on unmanned aircraft more than ever, the Air Force data reveal, with drone strikes accounting for at least 61 percent of weapons deployed in the first quarter of this year. "In recent months it's definitely flowed more," Lieutenant Colonel Michael Navicky, commander of the Air Force's 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, said of the tempo of both drone strikes and surveillance operations. "We've seen increased weapons deployment in the past few months, and the demand is insatiable," he told Reuters at the operations center of a U.S. air base in the southern city of Kandahar. The longer term shift towards drones has gone largely unnoticed amid the large conventional air campaign. Data reviewed by Reuters show strikes by unmanned aircraft accounted for 56 percent of weapons deployed by the Air Force in Afghanistan in 2015, up dramatically from 5 percent in 2011. The role of drones is likely to form a key part of a review underway by U.S. General John Nicholson, head of NATO troops in Afghanistan, as he prepares to report to Washington in June on how many soldiers he thinks should stay on. Nicholson declined to discuss details of the review in a recent interview with Reuters. The current plan is to roughly halve the U.S. presence to 5,500 troops by 2017, most involved in counter-terrorism operations. The training and advising mission would be largely wound down. U.S. MILITARY "REVERSED COURSE" In 2015, drones released around 530 bombs and missiles in Afghanistan, half the number in 2014 when weapons dropped by unmanned aircraft peaked. The 2015 total is, however, almost double the number of bombs and missiles released by drones at the height of the "surge", when the NATO mission expanded to well over 100,000 troops after 2009, mainly Americans. Like much of the U.S military machine in Afghanistan, the drone operation had been winding down in line with plans for further withdrawals, Navicky said. At the end of 2015, however, military commanders "hit the brakes and reversed course" on the drone reduction, and have since ordered more air strikes, especially against Islamic State militants who pose a threat in the east, he said. The Taliban have also forged closer links with al Qaeda, Nicholson said, potentially blurring the lines between what is a legitimate target and what is not, while the Taliban themselves have made gains in the north and south. Around 300 weapons were deployed by the Air Force in the first quarter of the year, with drones accounting for 61 percent. The data cover strikes conducted by the Air Force, which handles the majority of Afghan air operations. The CIA, U.S. Army, and special operations units also have smaller fleets of drones and other aircraft, so the Air Force data may reflect a redistribution among different organizations, although they tend to coordinate closely on missions. "BLIND SPOT" FOR DRONE ANALYSIS Because the Islamist militant Taliban movement, the main threat to security in Afghanistan, is not designated a terrorist outfit by the U.S. government, the bulk of armed drone attacks are aimed at other jihadi networks like al Qaeda. But Taliban insurgents are gaining territory, and, in extreme circumstances, U.S. raids have been conducted against them. Expanding the authority of U.S. forces to attack the Taliban is currently under review by Nicholson. Afghanistan's own air force, meanwhile, is being built from scratch and will need support for years to come, officials say. Drone missions are secretive and have been widely criticized in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where locals and officials have blamed them for unnecessary loss of civilian life. In the latest instance, residents in Paktika province complained that a series of air strikes in April, which locals said were from drones, killed nearly 20 civilians. The U.S. military said it was still looking into the incident. Activists and investigators have focused on covert air operations in places like Pakistan and Yemen, leaving Afghanistan as "really a blind spot for drone analysis," said Sarah Kreps, a professor at Cornell University who studies unmanned aircraft. "The strikes in Afghanistan are one of the most under-reported aspects of drones." Despite resources being sent to battle Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, the mission in Afghanistan is still significant, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the 60 armed drone missions the Air Force can have in the air in the world at any one time, officials said. In a time of troop limits imposed by leaders in Washington, the drone squadron is especially useful as only about 200 of nearly 1,000 personnel who support and operate the aircraft are deployed to Afghanistan, Navicky said. "Remotely piloted aircraft mean more flexibility with fewer people and aircraft," he said. "Because they are unmanned, sometimes you can accept more risk. All that is always going to be valuable." (Additional reporting by John Walcott in WASHINGTON; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
Limp Bizkit, the musical equivalent of your high school id, may not be as popular as it was back when nu metal was a thing. But surely people wouldnt believe that the group has fallen so low it would play at a gas station in Dayton, Ohio, right?

Right?

Actually, it turns out people would. In fact, some Bizkit fans were so convinced that the band would play  I cant believe how sad this sounds  at a gas station in Ohio that the local police department had to take to Twitter to dispel the rumors about a show.

On April 19, the Dayton, Ohio, police department sent out a tweet showing what looks like a poster for the faux show along with what looks like a tweet from the band promoting the gas station gathering.

The nonexistent show was to take place on April 20  aka the annual weed holiday 4/20  because of course it was.

I reached out to the Dayton Police Department, but they didnt have any information about the nonexistent concert. If you really want to listen to the band, you can always root around in your basement for their old CDs, or just head down to the local dump to see if you can dig one up.

Email Daniel at dhowley@yahoo-inc.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.


Just a day after Apple announced that its Apple Pay mobile payment service would be available in Singapore, Samsung is getting more specific on when it will officially launch Samsung Pay there this year.

While it was no surprise that the company had plans to launch the service in Singapore, it has remained vague on timing. However, on Wednesday, the South Korean company announced that Samsung Pay would be available as early as the second quarter of 2016.

Customers have already been using Samsung Pay in Singapore on buses and trains since the end of March, but a full rollout would allow its usage with American Express, MasterCard and Visa, as well as OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered and DBS/POSB. Apply Pay is currently only available for American Express card holders in Singapore.

Singapore represents the first country in Southeast Asia to see roll-outs of the mobile payment services. It is already available in South Korea, China and the US.
Now that The Night Manager, the six-part miniseries adaptation of John le Carres 1993 novel, has premiered stateside on AMC, American audiences are discovering what the Brits already know: the casting is perfect. Tom Hiddleston stars as Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier whos hiding behind a counter in a stunning hotel in Cairo, Egypt when a guests request for him to photocopy documents sets him on a collision path with the worst man in the world, Hugh Lauries charming, untouchable Richard Roper  a billionaire who pretends to be an philanthropist when hes actually an international arms dealer.



To break down the premiere, Yahoo TV spoke with Stephen Garrett, an executive producer who boarded the project right after Hiddleston and Laurie were cast but before the character who encourages Pine to become a spy and infiltrate Ropers inner circle was switched from a man, as in le Carres novel, to a woman, as played by Broadchurchs Olivia Colman.



Related: The Night Manager Review: The Night Manager: Very Good Spy vs. Really Bad Guy



Why do you think Hugh and Tom are the perfect Roper and Pine?

If we start with Hugh hes said, People have been kind enough to suggest that its a great performance on my part, but the truth is, Ive been practicing being evil for the past 20 years, so it really comes quite naturally! There may be an element of truth in that, but I think in all seriousness, whats been fascinating being a Brit of roughly the same age, is watching him emerge from Cambridge Footlights, the sketch-based comedy on the BBC with Stephen Fry, and then comedic acting in Jeeves and Wooster, and then, I dont know if youve heard of a show called Spooks, but I sort of grew my first British independent company on the basis of that show, which played in the States as MI-5. Its a spy show inspired by le Carre. But Hugh, oddly, was in our first season of that playing a very roguish, as the term is used in The Night Manager, River House officer.

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He was in three episodes of that and was so brilliant! It was the first serious role he played, really. He was superb. Again, oddly, slightly Roper-ish, I would say, because there was a satanic streak running through him. We loved him and had written him in to be a temporary character, but when we got greenlit for a second season, we said to him, Would you be prepared to come back? And he said that he was just off to LA to do a pilot for some silly medical show that would probably never happen. And guess what that was? So that was the last time we saw him.

What was clear to us is that hes a hugely talented actor. Hes so smart, and you can see that brooding intelligence bubbling beneath the surface, whether hes speaking or not  particularly when hes not speaking. Theres just so much going on in that head. He communicates in the most extraordinarily vivid way.

To the part of Roper itself le Carre uses the same phrase in the book that youve heard in the show which is, hes the worst man in the world. For a man whos so articulate, its an oddly childish phrase to use. It sets an extraordinarily high bar. If you read the papers every day, to be the worst man in the world youve really got to be something. Theres many world records being set daily. The other thing is, if you just make Roper bad, you have a cat-stroking Bond villain. That isnt something we wanted. We wanted to create for Hugh a part that would allow him to darken and darken as the series unfolds, but when you meet him, hes smart, charming, fun to be with  you not only like him and his entourage, you want to be at dinner with him. That was always what we set out to do and what Hugh embraced: to create a character who was the life and soul of the party. Intelligent with it. Whatever you knew about his activities, and you know pretty quickly hes not a good man, you still cant help but think, Id love to spend time with this man and if theres a dinner, I want to be next to him.



Hugh is so naturally charming, thats what he brought to the show. I cant think of anyone who is as charming as that. You think of someone like Clooney, I suppose, but then what Hugh can also do  which Im, with respect, not sure George Clooney can do, though Id like to see it  is terrify you with a sense of absolutely spine-tingling darkness and evil. Which is what happens [in later episodes].



For Hugh to straddle those two worlds even in the last episode, there are moments where he is still unbelievably charming. And you think, Do I really hate him? Do I really think hes the worst guy in the world and deserves whatever fate awaits him? I still maybe would like to have breakfast with him at the Nefertiti Hotel.



What was the key to Toms portrayal of Pine?

Spy thrillers, I think, are very challenging stories when translated from the novel to the screen. What le Carre is brilliant at, why his stories excel, is theyre inspired by his love of Graham Greene  layers of psychological and emotional complexity that draw you inside the psyche of the character. Its not really just about the architecture of the story, its about whats going on in these peoples minds and souls.

A novelist can do that. A novelist can just say, What he was thinking was this! Although, if youre le Carre, you do it more articulately than Ive just done it. What happens on screen in bad versions of that is you just get some plank of an actor looking like a piece of wood and desperately trying to convey some intelligence or complexity and simply just looking blank. When you have someone like Tom Hiddleston and a good script Pines a man of few words, hes constantly watching. His face is absolutely mesmerizing, because you can just see so much going on behind the eyes. To communicate in utter stillness something so compelling is a remarkable gift, and its what distinguishes Tom from almost any other actor of his generation. Pine, in lesser hands, would just be dull. In Tom Hiddlestons performance, hes completely seductive, beguiling, and he makes you believe you know whats going on inside his head even when you dont.

I did notice that. Especially with this first episode, there are a lot of shots of him standing, sitting, lying down just watching, looking, thinking.

Yes!

I counted 16.

Theres scenes in Zermatt, for example, where its almost wordless. Those first few scenes. He greets his fellow workers. He putters around turning lights off. Nothings happening and its still really  obviously Im biased, but assuming it worked for you  compelling!

Lets move on to Olivia Colman, who is equally wonderful in her role. In the novel, that character is Leonard Burr. Do you know the initial spark to change that character to Angela Burr?

I do! That was a conversation I was a part of from the get-go. When I came to the project, we had two first drafts of the first two episodes and Burr was still a man. This was a decision made quite late. My feeling was that although when le Carre wrote the novel 25 years ago his portrait of a very male, very British world was entirely authentic, now that were in the second decade of the 21st century, it didnt feel in touch with the time. As we know, there are many very brilliant and powerful women at the heart of government and security services. The lack of a powerful female presence in the story just felt like a lack.

We had conversations amongst the few of us, with my fellow executive producers [including le Carres sons Stephen Cornwell and Simon Cornwell and series writer David Farr], and more and more came to the conclusion that if someone was going to have a sex change, it needed to be Leonard Burr. As soon as wed had that epiphany, the whole thing felt so much more interesting. Because youve got this woman who, just by definition in this dangerous world, is more vulnerable than her male equivalent would have been.



Related: The Night Manager: Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie Talk Their Deadly But Charming Face-Off

I remember my first conversation with [series director] Susanne Bier before we committed to one another. I approached Susanne, and I Skyped her from my kitchen. She was in her library, and we had an hour-long conversation. I raised with her the possibility that Burr might become a woman. Shed read scripts with Burr as a man. She, of course, leapt at it. That was completely thrilling for her. As soon as we had that conversation, she said, Theres only one woman that could play this and thats Olivia Colman.



We had a short list of one for the role of Angela Burr. That didnt give us a very strong negotiating position, so we didnt tell Olivia that. When Susanne and she met, Olivia said, Well, Id love to do it, but you should know Im already quite pregnant, and by the time we film, Im going to be very pregnant. Is that okay? Susanne thought that in story terms, that was actually even more exciting. Because this additional vulnerability of a woman clearly heavily pregnant, and given the jeopardy into which she falls later in the story, its terrifying really.

The challenge we had then was talking to our insurers, because for insurers, sending a very pregnant woman to Morocco oddly wasnt something that excited them terribly much. They thought that might be a bit risky. We had a really wobbly few weeks as we negotiated with our insurance company who, to their great credit, though it cost us some money, decided this was okay. We stuck with it. Thinking at one time that we might lose Olivia, we wrote the part as not just a woman, but a pregnant woman. Even if we lost Olivia, that was a bit of story we thought was so brilliant and added value, wed keep it.

Speaking of Morocco, one of the stories Ive enjoyed hearing as the cast and crew have done the panel circuit leading up to the premiere is how some guests at the working hotel that stood in for the Nefertiti [the Es Saadi in Marrakech] actually thought Tom was the real night manager.

We were shooting these scenes at the hotel, wide shots, and the crew was a long way from the set. There was really no sign of the crew. We were actually at the other side of the reception area. In the course of a four-hour sequence, eight separate sets of people tried to check in with Tom thinking he was the real night manager. They were somewhat perplexed when he said, I know I look like the night manager but youre going to have to talk to because we moved the real reception over to a corner where we werent filming. But people really were utterly baffled. Particularly in many cases when they didnt speak English, they were uncertain why this apparent official of the hotel was being so unhelpful.

I was wondering why people didnt recognize him. That could explain why they were not as familiar with his work.

I think hes also best known as Loki in Thor where his hairs a different color and he isnt dressed as a night manager. I think people can be thrown by that.  When producer Rob Bullock and I first met with Tom, we said to him, because we knew he was meticulous in his preparation, that if he wanted it wed arrange for him to spend a night in a hotel as a night manager. So we hooked him up with the Rosewood hotel in London, and he really had a hugely enjoyable and educational time shadowing the real night manager but also being the night manager, dealing with one room at three in the morning complaining about noise being made in another room. If you remember in Zermatt, when the bodyguards come down late and say, Is the bar still open? and he goes over to them and says, Of course, gentlemen, let me show you the way  that was a trick he learned at the Rosewood. He learned that when people ask for directions in a [luxury] hotel, you dont just point, you show them the way.

Obviously the key, motivating scene in episode 1 happens at the hotel, when Pine finds Sophie Alekan (Aure Atika), mistress to Ropers local middleman, Freddie Hamid (David Avery), has been killed in her suite for being a leak. I want to talk about her dog being by her body, covered in blood. What do you remember about filming that?

I certainly remember a lot of conversations about the dog. We had three choices: One choice was, should the dog be there? Another choice was, should the dog be as you saw it  there, but covered in blood? The final choice was, should the dog be killed?

Im glad you didnt do the last one, as you could hear from my gasp.

Heres the thing. Ill tell you one of the reasons we didnt kill the dog: a lot of people care more about animals than they do about humans. We didnt want to take away from the emotion of the death of Sophie.

Good call.

Thank you.

Some people might wonder why Sophie comes back to the hotel after Pine told her fleeing to London wasnt an option and hed need more time to figure out how to protect her. Is it because shes going to try to convince Freddie that she knows nothing? Does she just think theres no place else to run, so she might as well get this over with? What do you think was her motivation to come back to the hotel at that time?

I think its all of the above. I think she thought shes a woman alone. Shes got nowhere else to go. Theres something fatalistic about her from the moment she gives Pine those papers. She knows whats going to happen. Its a kind of death wish. Youre right to ask the question. Its one of those areas of what we hope is intriguing ambiguity and not confusing. I think a lot of people do things that are in hindsight baffling given what happened, but she has no choice but to try and ride it through.

After Sophies death, the episode flash-forwards four years to Switzerland. Is it a coincidence that Pine happened to be at that hotel (with views shot at Zermatts Riffelalp Resort 2222m), or had he somehow figured out that Roper used to come there and was waiting for that chance?

Its a coincidence. Its taken from le Carres book. Hes run away. Hes ashamed of whats happened to Sophie. Hes locked himself away from the world. That moment of fate, when Roper returns to his life, he knows he has no choice but to act. Its the gods telling him he cant run away and has to do something.

The Night Manager airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on AMC. Come back to Yahoo TV after each episode for a postmortem with executive producer Stephen Garrett.
President John Dramani Mahama will kickstart his three-day visit to the Volta Region from today, April 19 as part of his 'accounting to the people tour'. However the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some members of the public are of the opinion that the President's frequent visits to the region is a sign of desperation.

Reactions to President Mahama's visit to the Volta Region

This is the 3rd time in less than two months that the President is visiting the Volta Region to present to the people what he has achieved. According to the NPP's Volta Regional Campaign Manager, Peter Amewu, the President is getting desperate because he is losing grips of the Volta Region. It tells you the man is too desperate to win power.

Reactions to President Mahama's visit to the Volta Region

The opinion of the NPP has also been re-echoed by several Ghanaians on social media who pointed out projects being undertaken in the region at a quick pace in order to get votes and maintain the National Democratic Congress (NDC's) hold on the region.

During the Presidents visit he is expected to interact with the chiefs and people, inspect ongoing projects, and cut sod for new projects and commission the 46km Eastern Corridor road from Dodo Papesu to Nkwanta in the Northern part of Volta.

He will also visit Dapa, a suburb of the area, to inspect the Dapa-Pampawie-Ahamasu Junction Cocoa Road, and then proceed to the Forecourt of the chief of Hohoe, to pay a courtesy call on him.

Reactions to President Mahama's visit to the Volta Region

On Wednesday, President Mahama will inaugurate the Worawora-Dambai road at Dambai, then depart to Chinderi in the afternoon, where he will inaugurate a Community Day Senior High Schools (SHS). He would also inspect the Dambai-Kete Krachi road at Abujuro and complete the days activity with a courtesy call on the chiefs and people of Kete Krachi.

The final day of his visit in the region, will see President Mahama inaugurating the Fume-Dzolokpuita road at Dzolokpuita. He will also visit the regional market at Ho, to interact with the women and traders.

The President will also inaugurate a new Engineering Laboratory at the Ho Polytechnic before heading to Juapong in the North Tongu Constituency, where he would cut sod for the Juapong-Abutia and Juapong-Volo-Adidome roads.

Source: YEN.com.gh
iStock/Thinkstock(DENVER) -- A school district in central Colorado announced on Monday that it has upped the firepower for its armed security patrol division, reigniting a debate about what some see as the over-militarization of school security personnel.



The Douglas County School District spent $12,300 on 10 semi-automatic Bushmaster rifles and equipment back in January, but several school board members were only notified of the purchase recently, according to the school district's public information officer Paula Hans.



The rifles will be assigned to the district's eight armed security patrol, Hans told ABC News Tuesday. She explained that the officers, who already have handguns, still need to go undergo rifle training with the local sheriff's department before they are qualified to use the weapons.



"The decision to buy these guns were part of a proactive approach to figure out how to best protect students and staff in our district that sprawls across approximately 900 square miles," Hans said. "Richard Payne, the district's director of safety and security, wanted to make sure his officers have all the tools necessary if we have to respond to an incident to keep our students, staff safe."



While the school's armed security officers are on the duty, the rifles will be "stored in locking mechanisms" in school district vehicles and stored "in a safe during off-duty hours in the security office off school property," Hans said.



School board member Wendy Vogel told ABC affiliate KMGH-TV that she wished the school board was given the opportunity to discuss the purchase of the guns before they were made. Vogel said she only learned on Monday that the rifles were purchased.



"Weve got to keep our kids safe, and weve got to keep our staff and community safe, but in my opinion, thats the role of law enforcement," Vogel told KMGH. "It's not the role of a public school district."



Vogel did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for additional comment.



Another school board member, Meghann Silverthorn, told ABC News Tuesday that the conversation about the rifles began in July 2015 and that some board members were elected later on in November, so they might have been left out of the loop.



"Also, purchases only of $75,000 or more typically go before the board," she said. "This was way below that."



Silverthorn said she thinks "the reason people found out about it is that someone was looking at our financial transparency website and got alarmed like, 'Whoa, what's that?'"



She added that "the district makes hundreds of expenditures every day, and some wires may have crossed" but she's happy to talk to anyone who believes more discussion is necessary.



The miscommunication in the district about the purchase is "troubling," according to school safety and security expert Kenneth Trump, who is president of National School Safety and Security Services, a private consulting firm based in Cleveland.



Trump added that he hadn't heard of school security officers equipped with such firepower and that he thinks the school will need to have "important, necessary conversations about implementation."



"The devil is often in the details of implementation, and this is what concerns me," Trump said. "They will need to think about where the officers store it and how they will access it in the case of an emergency."

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Longform storytelling is only a recent experiment in film; the idea of stories tied to one another over not just one or two films, or even a trilogy, but an entire series that connect through the telling.

While it might be given a somewhat derisive title of franchises or expanded universes, it's really one story being told over an entire series. Marvel's experiment began with Iron Man back in 2008 and eight years later, we're now twelve films on and the story has grown ever more complex with a wide range of characters and story arcs. Captain America: Civil War follows on from Avengers: Age of Ultron and sees the titular character (Chris Evans) still trying to run the line between his own set of morals and the wider concerns of those around him. The film opens with a botched mission to take down an enemy, which results in the deaths of innocent civilians. The collateral damage from this mission is the straw that breaks the camel's back, with the United Nations - embodied by US Secretary of State Ross (William Hurt) - demanding that the Avengers drastically limit their powers to clearly-specified incursions that meet the UN's criteria.

The Civil War title is something of a misnomer, as it's not really about the divide between the Avengers as it is a split between Captain America and Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) That rift begins as a disagreement over the UN's mandate, which Stark believes is necessary to curb their collateral damage and give them legitimacy. Captain America, meanwhile, believes that the United Nations is run by people and people can be corrupted. That, of course, is the broad strokes and the film deals with the difference of viewpoints incredibly well. But apart from all these lofty, ideological points and counterpoints, it's brought down to a human, emotional level in the form of the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), who is being hunted by the UN for war crimes.

There's a huge cast at work here; Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Elisabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Anthony Mackie, William Hurt, Daniel Bruhl, Chadwick Boseman, Sebastian Stan, Emily VanCamp and smaller roles filled out by Martin Freeman, Frank Grillo and, of course, Tom Holland as Spider-Man. All these moving parts and such a complex story should feel chaotic. Indeed, that amount of starpower in one film should mean that someone gets more screentime than the other. Amazingly, it all blends together seamlessly. When the story moves to Downey Jr. and his cohort, every character is given sufficient time to develop themselves and likewise for Evans and his team. Downey Jr. is more serious as Stark than he has been in some time, giving a believable performance as someone who's doing his best to make things right. Evans, meanwhile, gives a surprisingly impassioned performance and gives Captain America a certain fragility that's unexpected. When he turns against those closest to him to protect what's nearest to him, we believe it. Meanwhile, Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa steals the show throughout. Almost like a Terminator, Boseman's character is cold-blood and ruthless and his reasons for being so are made perfectly clear. Again, we believe it and we believe him.

That's what Civil War is; it's a credible, believable story that should be anything but. When the motivations are laid bare towards the centre of the film, it holds up. We can understand it because we have the benefit of both accurate, articulate storytelling in this film and the wider context of what has come before. When pieced together as a tapestry, it gives it tremendous depth. That's not to say that you need to go into the cinema with an encyclopedic knowledge of who's who, but there's a sense that the characters are well-worn by the actors and the emotional beats feel earned. What's more, it could all so easily slip away. There's multiple opportunities for the entire film to get lost up in itself and resort to nods and winks to the audience or superfluous exposition.

Anthony and Joe Russo deserve a huge credit for pulling it all off and keeping the film within the lines. The screenplay, as well, keeps things moving and the flashes of warmth and humour are needed in a story that, again, has every opportunity to lose itself to moroseness. The action sequences aren't hastily forced together to keep the breakneck speed up and the film, with a running time of 147 minutes, is capable of parking the action and letting the story and characters breathe. Thus, when the action does kick off, it makes sense and there's a reason behind it - instead of just meeting a quota for CGI bust-ups. The finale, as well, doesn't have to resort to scenery-destroying action to get the point across and the visuals are more painted and textured than anything you're likely to see in a comic-book film.

Easily the best Marvel movie to date and another example of how entertaining blockbusters can be thoughtful and emotional in equal measure.
The Flaming Lips recently took part in the tribute to David Bowie that was held at New York's Carnegie Hall, performing 'Life on Mars?' while singer Wayne Coyne sat on the shoulders of a man in a Chewbacca costume. A standard Flaming Lips gig, in other words.

The Oklahoma band had paid tribute to Bowie earlier in the year by filming a cover of 'Space Oddity' with a suitably weird video, which they released online in February.

Now, they have performed the same song on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, with Coyne and some of his bandmates wearing fairly outlandish outfits that Bowie would no doubt approve of.

Watch it below:
Irish director Neil Jordan is heading back to the small screen once more for a new drama for Sky Atlantic. Set in the South of France, the ten-part thriller will be called Riveria and will arrive on the channel in 2017.

The Oscar-winning director is teaming up with fellow Irish man and Booker Prize-winning author John Banville to write the new series, which is based on an idea from former U2 manager Paul McGuinness. Yep...it's certainly a melding of some great Irish minds.

The series will be directed by the award-winning Philipp Kadelbach, while it will see actress Julia Stiles take the lead.

The Bourne series star will play Georgina, who is only just married to billionaire Constantine Clios when he is killed in a yacht explosion. It turns out her husband was quite the wheeler-dealer and with the help of his first wife, Georgina has to step up to the plate and into a life of crime to maintain the Clios mansion and save the family from its enemies.

Commenting on the role Julia Stiles said: "What attracted me to Riviera is the setting, a romantic and glamorous world where not everything is as it seems, and the opportunity to explore a character who is also not as she appears. Georgina is the classic anti-hero, ultimately a good person, but compromised by the corruption around her."

While Anne Mensah, Skys head of drama added: "Neil Jordan has created the most audacious show in the most exquisite and luxurious of settings. We couldnt have asked for a more perfect actress for the role of Georgina than Julia Stiles. This show is the perfect thriller for a Sky Atlantic audience  ambitious, compelling and clever. Quite simply, you wont have seen anything like it on television before."

Riviera will be shot on location in summer 2016 and can be seen exclusively on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Ireland in late 2017.
Ilana Bet-El (Heinrich Boll Stiftung European Union)

What are the relations between the EU and all of Europe with its neighbors in Asia and Africa? Since the consecutive EU institutions have long ignored the problems in these regions, there has been an escalation of the situation at all levels, whereby we are currently experiencing the direct implications of the EUs shortsighted approach. The consequences have taken the form of an influx of refugees and the threat of terrorist attacks. Our neighbors have arrived in the EU that has failed.

The whole issue is connected with the historical development, since it was the Europeans who colonized the whole world and did not respect the more complex local reality when drawing the boundaries of modern-era states all across the Middle East and Africa. Following the subsequent decolonization, these states were mostly left to their dictators. To make things worse, their former colonial masters set out to closely cooperate within these dictators, thus inevitably contributing to the trampling of the local democracy and civil society. As a result of this development and also of the rise of a new dynamic generation, popular uprisings  known as the Arab Spring  broke out at the end of 2010. It was the clash of the only two existing functional entities: the army and religion. Today, we can see that the path, which served our ancestors as the entrance to the regions neighboring Europe, nowadays serves migrants who come in the opposite direction, from failed states, such as Syria, Libya and other Middle Eastern and African countries.

What is the role of Turkey and Russia, Europes Eastern neighbors, in this issue? Turkey currently constitutes both a cause of the problem and a possible solution to the problem. The Turks enabled Syrian refugees to enter Europe and, due to their own problems with the Kurds, they additionally complicated the situation. On the other hand, they are part of the coalition fighting the Islamic State and thus have the opportunity to strongly contribute to a solution to the Syrian conflict. The Russians led President Vladimir Putin provide a military support to the Syrian government by bombarding its political opponents rather than the positions of the Islamic State. Because of this situation as well as due to the Turkey-Russia spat over the downing of a Russian aircraft, Russias relations with the West, including with NATO and the EU, have reached their lowest point in at least two decades. Only the promotion of stability, security and prosperity will lead to the calming of the situation in the Unions neighborhood. And the Union is currently going through the crisis of these three variables. Moreover, European values and the overall weakness of EU political elites are both being questioned internally.

To resolve the situation, balance must be established in the European neighborhood. The price of money, borders and values, however, may be too high for the EU. Rather than striving to uphold the Fortress Europe principle, which may prove to be unsustainable in the long term, the EU need to start focusing on the promotion of those policies aimed precisely towards stabilizing and empowering the European neighbors.

(The study can be downloaded here:https://eu.boell.org/en/2016/03/08/rebuilding-neighbourhood-introduction)
China sovereign fund seeks control of Yum China Updated: 2016-04-20 07:15 By Wang Zhuoqiong(China Daily)

A father and his daughter take part in the riddle-guessing contest at a KFC outlet in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, during this year's Lantern Festival. SHA LANG /CHINA DAILY

A consortium backed by sovereign fund China Investment Corp has expressed interest in buying a majority stake in Yum Brands Inc's China business, which runs more than 7,100 KFC and Pizza Hut eateries across the country, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

KKR & Co, a firm reported to be in the consortium, said in an e-mail to China Daily that it was "unable to comment on market speculation".

The investor group, which also includes Baring Private Equity Asia, is conducting due diligence on the unit, the report said. A deal could value Yum China at $7 billion to $8 billion, Bloomberg quoted unnamed sources as saying.

Yum told China Daily: "We continue to make good progress since we announced the transaction separating Yum and Yum China into two powerful, independent, focused growth companies. We will provide updates on the transaction at appropriate times and we won't comment on rumors or speculation."

A majority purchase by the CIC consortium would give a domestic entity control of a leading fast-food chain in the Chinese market for the first time. Such a deal would also provide the Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum with cash that could be used to fund a dividend and its planned share buyback, as well as help reduce exposure to a business with shrinking market share.

The China-backed investor group is interested in buying as much as 100 percent of Yum China. Yum is considering all options, though it may still decide to pursue the sale of a minority stake or proceed with a previously announced tax-free spinoff of the business, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The company isn't currently running a formal sale process.

Jason Yu, general manager of Kantar Worldpanel China, said for CIC, it can benefit from the scale and presence of Yum in China to extract more value by reviewing the costs and identify key value drivers or restructuring the business. This will deliver longer-term return for the sovereign wealth fund, Yu said.

"I believe they can still extract value from a troubled business unit. If they can help them reset the business strategy, focus and portfolio, they can benefit from the recovery."

He said Yum can gain from the financial resources provided by CIC and other private equity companies to upgrade their stores and innovate their offers as well as expand their portfolios to more cities in China.

"The cash support will provide much needed resources while they don't have compromise on short-term investor pressure," said Yu.

Yum bowed to activist-investor pressure in October and agreed to separate its China business from its US operations. Hedge fund manager Keith Meister, a protege of billionaire Carl Icahn, said Yum's Asian market could be better served with a more focused business.

China accounted for about 53 percent of Yum's revenue last year, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Yum's China division contributed 57 percent of the company's overall revenue and 54 percent of its operating profit in the latest quarter.

Despite its leading position, Yum has seen its market share continuously drop from 39.8 percent in 2012 to 32.7 in 2013, 28.3 in 2014 and 23.9 percent in 2015.

The second-largest fast-food chain in China, McDonald's Corp, has seen its shares decline from 14.9 percent in 2012 to 13.8 percent in 2015. Ting Hsin International Group is in the third place, according to Euromonitor International.

Last month, McDonald's China announced it was on the lookout for strategic investment partners in the mainland to help it open another 1,000 restaurants by 2020. The Chinese mainland is the company's third-largest market after the United States and Japan.

Bloomberg contributed to this story
Nearly 180,000 migrants reach EU by sea in 2016: IOM Updated: 2016-04-20 03:13 (Xinhua)

Migrants sit in a rubber dinghy during a rescue operation by SOS Mediterranee ship Aquarius off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa in this handout received April 18, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

GENEVA -- Some 178,882 maritime migrants and refugees have reached Europe through April 13 this year while 737 have died attempting to do so, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Tuesday.

The bulk of these arrivals has taken place in Greece, a country which has seen 153,625 people reach its shores since Jan. 1.

The IOM indicated that in the first three months of this year, close to 1,500 sea-borne migrants were reaching the southern European nation every day.

This number has significantly dropped over the last 10 days however, with fewer than 70 refugees and migrants arriving on a daily basis.

Italy, for its part, has seen 24,581 migrants enter its territory by sea, while 648 and 28 migrants have arrived in Spain and Cyprus respectively.

To date, 376 individuals have lost their lives crossing the Eastern Mediterranean route separating Turkey and Greece.

A further 356 people have died on the central Mediterranean passage separating North Africa and Italy, while five migrants have drowned on the Western Mediterranean and West African routes.
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The US Office of the Secretary of the Defense has released its annual report to Congress on North Korea's military, and the findings are chilling. Included in the report are the following three maps, which outline North Korea's military might.

north korea military map

North Korea's ground forces make up the primary thrust of the rogue nation's military. Nearly 70% of its ground forces are forward deployed to within 100 kilometers (62 miles) of the South Korean border.

The ground forces are a mix of infantry corps, which are predominantly comprised of regular and light-infantry units. In general, these forces are housed in fortified underground facilities facing toward South Korea.

In addition to infantry, the ground corps also has large armor and artillery corps. Although corps make use of old technology, their forward-deployed nature remains a threat to South Korea. North Korea's artillery, in particular, is worrisome as the long-range cannons and rockets are capable of hitting South Korea's capital, Seoul, from over the border in the event of a war.

But aside from North Korea's special forces, its ground forces are generally underfed, ill-equipped, and poorly trained.

Screen Shot 2016 02 23 at 10.04.26 AM

North Korea's second-largest military branch is its air force. Like Pyongyang's ground forces, these airframes are largely based against the South  50% of North Korea's air force is within 62 miles of the South Korean border.

Although North Korea maintains a large air force, its fleet is estimated at having 1,300 aircraft, consisting almost entirely of legacy Soviet airframes. Pyongyang's most capable aircraft are MiG-29s that were likely procured in the late 1980s from the Soviet Union.

The hermit kingdom also has a few US-made MD-500 helicopters that were obtained in the 1980s by circumventing export controls that are capable of ground-attack missions. But the majority of North Korea's air assets are aging and the country has taken the route of improving its ground forces and hardening the country against air strikes than trying to modernize its air force.

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Screen Shot 2016 02 23 at 10.04.37 AM

The smallest of the military branches, Pyongyang's navy is also largely based against South Korea, with 50% of the navy's assets within 62 miles of the border. The navy is largely comprised of aging patrol boats, submarines, and air-cushioned hovercraft and amphibious vessels.

Of these assets, North Korea's submarine fleet is the most potentially dangerous. Although extremely old, the fleet of an estimated 70 submarines are capable of hiding around the Korean coast and harassing or possibly sinking South Korean vessels.

Additionally, in 2015 North Korea debuted a new submarine that it said was domestically built and capable of firing a ballistic missile.

But the three maps do not show North Korea's continued drive to create a nuclear-weapons and ballistic-missile program. The following chart highlights the known number of missiles in North Korea's missile forces.

north korea missile

The largest confirmed threat that North Korea is known to possess is the KN-08 missile.

It would be able to target portions of the West Coast of the continental US. Additionally, the missile is believed to be able to carry miniaturized nuclear warheads, should Pyongyang develop such a capability, and it's road mobile, making it difficult for the US to track.

NOW WATCH: Meet THAAD: Americas answer to North Korean threats





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Discover the world's vanishing natural treasures.

With the increasing threat of climate change, it's no secret that many of the Earth's most prized and endangered natural places are at risk of vanishing before the end of your lifetime. And while there are simple ways to become a more globally aware and responsible traveler, it's hard to deny the appeal of visiting awe-inspiring destinations and championing their preservation on-site. So, to celebrate Earth Month, start planning your trip to these five spectacular places and help preserve and support them -- before they're gone forever.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef occupies more than 1,200 miles and is renowned for its magnificent corals and diverse species of fish, whales, marine turtles and other ocean life. But in recent years, the beautiful corals have become bleached due to the effects of above-average temperatures. Heightened temperatures, coupled with warming effects from El Nino, the powerful and irregular weather condition that causes Pacific trade winds to blow in the opposite direction and sea surface temperatures to rise, could potentially damage the 2,900 specific reefs dotting the continent's northeast coast and impact the ecosystem in the region. In fact, a study conducted in 2004 for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council by a professor and economist at University of Queensland's Center for Marine Studies suggest that if sea temperatures continue to rise at this pace, parts of the reef could disappear by the 2050s.

Maldives

With rapidly climbing sea levels, the Maldives -- and its chain of 1,190 islands and atolls -- are sinking quickly. The islands are low-lying at around 5 feet above sea level, and scientists estimate that the island nation's capital, Male, which is surrounded by densely built structures and seawalls, is one of the areas at the highest risk. So, if you want to explore the Maldives' majestic coral reefs, private stilted villas and unspoiled beaches, now is the time to plan your trip. And if you're looking to plan a low-impact getaway, there are plenty of eco-friendly retreats, including the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, which features its own Marine Discovery Center that teaches guests about the area's marine ecosystem and offers guests the chance to join conservation efforts to support and protect endangered sea turtles.

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Seychelles

Best known for its secluded sands, massive boulders and giant tortoises, Seychelles is a beach lover's paradise. But its string of 115 islands scattering the Indian Ocean are facing drastic and rapid erosion. In fact, climate change has already severely affected the coral reefs surrounding the archipelago, and the island's postcard-worthy beaches are quickly eroding. Experts believe that Seychelles, like the Maldives, may be in danger of sinking entirely in the next 50 to 100 years. Even worse, in addition to Seychelles' jaw-dropping scenery, its biological wonders and roughly 93,000 human population are at risk of being displaced, too. Happily, there is a silver lining: The government, in coordination with partners, is aiming to conserve and protect its marine biodiversity and help restore parts by prohibiting fishing from certain areas and eliminating invasive species.

Venice, Italy

It's hard to imagine this enchanting Italian city without its romantic canals. But a 2012 study conducted by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California--San Diego, suggests that with waters steadily increasing in the Adriatic Sea at the same pace (at about 2 millimeters, or .08 inches every year), Venice could sink by more than 7 inches each 100 years. Back in the 1920s, there were fewer cases of high tides, but with increasing tourism and sea levels, some suggest Venice could start to vanish before 2100.

The Dead Sea

Iconic for its warm, saline-infused waters, the Dead Sea is a must-visit for any trip to Jordan and Israel. A prime place for fascinating plants and species and the lowest land-based place on the planet, the Dead Sea was retaining its water supply until the '60s, when its surrounding countries began funneling water away from the sea's supply. Since the 1960s, more than 30 percent of the Dead Sea's surface area has vanished (an 80-foot water reduction).





More From US News & World Report


US Mexico border tunnel hole

A US Border Patrol agent came across a depression in the ground along the US-Mexico border while on patrol 2 miles east of the Calexico, California, border crossing.

The agent approached the area  near the All-American Canal  on foot, but the ground gave way, revealing a hole 18 inches in diameter, US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement.

The agent observed lumber and wiring in the hole, and further investigation uncovered a tunnel 3 feet by 3 feet wide that stretched 142 feet across the US border.

The tunnel's point of origin was about 60 feet south of the US-Mexico border, in "an area that is primarily open fields and farmland," according to the Los Angeles Times.

It wasn't clear whether the tunnel was complete, and the CBP did not specify its purpose, but the agency did note that, "Anything or anyone could potentially cross into the U.S. via a tunnel."

Though it's not clear how this tunnel was or meant to be used, it is the third uncovered in the Calexico area in the last year.

In late March, US agents busted a 400-yard cross-border tunnel reaching from a home in Mexicali, Mexico, to Calexico after observing its construction for several months.

The smugglers involved reportedly bought property on the US side of the border, and US authorities intervened when drugs began to move through it.

Calexico California border tunnel shaft

In April 2015, US agents picked up several suspected smugglers along the US side of the All-American Canal, which runs parallel to the international border.

In that case, US agents subsequently discovered a sophisticated, underwater cross-border tunnel.

Story continues

scuba smuggle

The tunnel was approximately 4 feet by 4 feet and equipped with lighting and ventilation, according to a US Customs and Border Protection report.

Evelio Padilla, a 28-year-old Honduran immigrant who came to the US illegally, was arrested while wearing scuba gear and carrying nearly $700,000 worth of meth.

In August 2015, Padilla pleaded guilty in federal court in San Diego to one count of possession of drugs with intent to distribute.

According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the tunnels recently uncovered in the Calexico area are some of the first subterranean activity discovered in the region in nearly a decade.

"Calexico is less desirable for tunnels because the soil is denser and more difficult to break, and the town's residential character makes it difficult to conceal tunneling activity," US authorities told CNN after the discovery of the cross-border tunnel in March this year.

Calexico Mexico border tunnel

Smugglers typically focus tunnel-construction efforts in industrial areas of Tijuana, across the border from San Diego, where the soil is conducive to tunneling and where commercial activity helps obscure their operations from authorities.

Despite these discoveries, however, there are likely other tunnels that have escaped notice.

"The US-Mexico border is literally riddled with tunnels, and the big problem is that there's no technology that can detect those tunnels," Mike Vigil, former chief of the DEA's international operations, told Business Insider.

For every tunnel found, Vigil said, about 10 go undetected.

Tunnels are "a smuggling method that will probably continue and probably increase in the future, especially with the increased border patrols and the surveillance that is taking place along the border," Vigil said.

NOW WATCH: This is how Mexican drug cartels make billions selling drugs





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An employee passes an Airbus signage at the new Airbus Asia Training Centre in Singapore April 18, 2016. REUTERS/Edgar Su

PARIS (Reuters) - European planemaker Airbus (AIR.PA) is close to a deal to sell 37 current-generation A321 passenger jets to Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), three people familiar with the matter said.

Such a deal would be worth $4.3 billion (3 billion pounds) at list prices.

Airbus declined to comment. A Delta spokesman said "no decision has been made on any aircraft transaction."

If confirmed by the airline's board, which has the final say, the deal could be announced next week as part of a fleet renewal plan that may also include an order for 75 Bombardier (BBDb.TO) CSeries jets and 50 options, the people said.

Both the CS100 and larger CS300 planes were part of the discussions, though the final mix of Bombardier planes is unclear, one of the sources said. The CS100 seats 108 passengers and the CS300 seats 130 in a standard dual-class configuration, according to Bombardier.

The Airbus part of the deal is for the current version of the A321, a 185-seat jet that has scored significant gains against the largest member of the competing Boeing (BA.N) 737 family.

Airbus has also seen a surge in demand for the newer A321neo, a costlier version with more efficient engines, but low oil prices have helped prolong interest in existing models.

Bloomberg News reported last week that Delta was poised to buy at least 30 Airbus jets.

The deal comes as Delta prepares to unveil the first of 45 A321 jets it has already ordered. It was delivered last month.

The airline, which has been reviewing part of its narrowbody fleet, plans to hold a media event and "fleet showcase" on April 28-29 at which it says it plans a series of announcements.

Boeing is also bidding for more of Delta's business, having recently agreed to sell it up to 20 used E-190 jets built by Brazilian manufacturer Embraer (EMBR3.SA), market sources said.

Boeing reportedly took those aircraft as a trade-in with Air Canada (AC.TO) in 2013, while Embraer is itself vying for part of Delta's latest fleet shake-up, the sources said.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher, Alwyn Scott and Jeffrey Dastin; editing by John Stonestreet and Alan Crosby)
This is Airbus largest facility worldwide.

Aircraft maker Airbus and local flag carrier Singapore Airlines have officially opened the new Airbus Asia Training Centre at Seletar.

The AATC, a joint venture owned 55% by Airbus and 45% by SIA, is Airbus largest flight crew training facility in the world.

The 9,250 square metre facility in Singapore joins Airbus other flight crew training centres in Toulouse, Miami, and Beijing.

Airbus predicts that the Asia-Pacific region will lead demand for new aircraft in the coming years, with the in-service fleet growing from around 5,600 aircraft today to 14,000 over the next two decades.

This will see the active flight crew population employed by airlines in the region increase from over 65,000 to almost 170,000, generating significant demand for flight crew training services.

Instructors have initially been drawn from Airbus and Singapore Airlines, with additional recruitment ongoing.





More From Singapore Business Review


WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - April 20, 2016) - The FBI recognized and honored The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy (UNM) chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) for its dedication and work in tackling prescription drug abuse in New Mexico through the national initiative, Generation Rx.

Generation Rx is brought to APhA-ASP through a collaboration with the Cardinal Health Foundation, The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and the APhA Foundation. It is an educational program that increases public awareness of prescription medication abuse and encourages health care providers, community leaders, parents, teens, and college students to actively work to prevent abuse.

The UNM APhA-ASP chapter received an engraved crystal award at a ceremony last week in Washington, DC, to commemorate the students' efforts. Nicole Perea, a third-year student pharmacist at UNM and local APhA-ASP Generation Rx Chair, accepted the award.

"Our students have worked so hard and to see their efforts recognized is an amazing feeling," said Perea. "Pharmacists and student pharmacists are ideal for this type of outreach because we are the medication experts with the skills to educate the public," she added.

Student pharmacists have used the Generation Rx initiative to educate and provide community outreach to address prescription drug abuse and misuse across the state. New Mexico ranks among the states with the highest rate of opioid overdose related deaths in the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Generation Rx provides a variety of outreach tools for pharmacists and student pharmacists to use, including educational toolkits. With these resources student pharmacists are able to deliver scenario-based presentations in high schools, create billboards, launch social media campaigns, and participate in prescription drug "take-back" events.

All UNM student pharmacists are extensively involved in community outreach activities. "We are able to educate others on the dangers of abusing prescription medications using the same skills we use to counsel our patients," Perea noted.

The UNM Generation Rx program collaborates with community groups, schools, the Parent-Teacher Association of New Mexico and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to address prescription drug abuse and misuse. Through these partnerships, the work the APhA-ASP chapter has done with Generation Rx has touched the lives of nearly 20,000 New Mexicans.

About the American Pharmacists Association

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, is a 501 (c)(6) organization, representing more than 63,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. For more information, please visit www.pharmacist.com.
BUENOS AIRES, April 20 (Reuters) - An Argentine public prosecutor has formally asked that the head of the central bank be investigated after accusations by lawmakers linked to former president Cristina Fernandez, state news agency Telam reported on Wednesday.

Federico Sturzenegger, who has been president of Argentina's central bank since President Mauricio Macri took office in December, has been accused by prosecutor Jorge Di Lello of dereliction of duty, favoritism and abuse of authority, according to the report.

The presiding federal judge must decide whether to proceed with an investigation, the report said.

The prosecutor and court could not be reached for comment.

The central bank declined to comment.

Fernandez testified in court last week over charges that the central bank sold U.S. dollar futures at below-market rates during her presidency, costing the government billions of dollars.

But she accused the new government of political persecution and a group of lawmakers from her party made an official complaint.

Di Lello has also requested an investigation into the judge investigating her and a complete list of those who acquired dollar futures between Oct. 15 and Dec. 9, Telam said.

(Reporting by Walter Bianchi; Writing by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Toni Reinhold)
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. AJG has expanded its wholesale network and brokerage services in Nevada with the KDC Associates, LLC acquisition. The company has not revealed the transaction amount.



Las Vegas, NV-based KDC Associates is managing general agent and program manager that offers admitted and excess and surplus, property/casualty and other specialty insurance products and services. Since 2008, the company has been serving independent retail insurance broker clients across Nevada.

The acquired company is an expert in insuring automobile, manufacturing, commercial construction, wholesale, hotels and property owner industries. Thus, the buyout will be another feather in the acquirers hat. Post acquisition, KDC Associates will continue to operate from its current location.



KDC Associates depth of expertise, committed client service and robust limited distribution retail network will be substantially value accretive to Arthur J. Gallaghers client portfolio. In addition, KDC Associates strong market relationships will complement the acquirers thriving risk management services. This marks the ninth takeover by the company this year. Recently, Arthur J. Gallagher purchased Insurance Plans Agency, Inc. to enhance its employee benefits brokerage and consulting services in North Central region of U.S.



Arthur J. Gallagher, which currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has always made prudent acquisitions that ramps up its growth profile. The buyouts are almost exclusively within the brokerage segment. Arthur J. Gallagher has accelerated its acquisition activity in the retail employee benefits brokerage and wholesale brokerage areas.



Following the inorganic route to ramp up ones growth profile seems a well-accepted strategy among insurers as acquisitions and consolidations rage this space. Recently, Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC (MMA), the middle market agency subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. MMC, acquired Corporate Consulting Services, Ltd. for an undisclosed amount. Also, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, the wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Life Financial Inc. SLF acquired the employee benefits business of Assurant Inc. AIZ for $940 million.

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New York is supposedly Clinton Country, and the polls suggest it will stay that way in Tuesdays Democratic primary.

The notion of a Sanders victory has been mathematically dismissed by the wonks at the data analysis website FiveThirtyEight. Their polls-plus forecast gives Hillary a 99 percent chance of winning, and they project the margin will be 15.8 points.

The respected and widely reported NBC4NY/WSJ/Marist poll has Clinton besting Sanders by 17 points. A YouGov survey that is slightly more recent than the Marist poll has Clinton ahead by 10, and a Gravis poll released Sunday night but taken on April 5 and 6, gives Clinton a six-point edge.

Related: Sanders Attacks Are Taking a Serious Toll on Clinton

While those declining poll numbers may be starting to undermine one of the Clinton Assumptions  that the Chicago-born former senator from New York would own the states primary  a 6-point victory after all the pot-fueled euphoria at Bernie rallies would be solid if not mind-blowing.

But social media may be sending a message that should give pause to the Clinton campaign and at least some of Hillarys super delegates.

The results on 30dB, a website that gauges social-media sentiment (and full disclosure, for which I consult), show that of the 17,800 opinions recorded for Sanders + New York over the past seven days, 46 percent are positive. Of the 14,800 opinions of Clinton + New York shared over the same time period, 52 percent are positive. That mirrors the Gravis poll. So far, so good for Clinton.



Source: 30dB.com - Sanders and New York vs Clinton and New York

The trend lines over the past couple of days tell a significantly different story, however, with Sanders pulling in 58 percent positives on April 18, vs. 46 percent positives for Clinton.



Source: 30dB.com - Sanders and New York vs Clinton and New York

Howard Kaushansky, founder of 30dB, cautions that those results are likely related to Bernies Brooklyn love-in  the record crowd of 28,300 Sandernistas who showed up to cheer their 74-year-old rebel and predict an upset on Tuesday  and the volume of opinions is more than 3,000 for Sanders and fewer than 2,000 for Clinton. He also notes that the outcomes represent an analysis of what has been posted on social media  opinions expressed as opposed to answers to specific questions posed by polls. In addition, Kaushansky says, not everybody spouting an opinion on social media may be of voting age, or registered. The spike may primarily reflect Bernie supporters being vocal and is not necessarily reflective of a massive shift in voting.

Story continues

Related: Heres Why Being a Socialist Is Cool on Todays College Campuses

Still, on Feb. 1, the morning of the Iowa Caucuses, 30dB saw the trend lines for Clinton and Sanders almost converging. The day before, the Real Clear Politics poll average had Clinton ahead by 4 points. She won by 0.2.

Sanders told John Dickerson on Face the Nation yesterday morning that he thinks he could pull an upset and win in New York. Not a close second. A win.

We're fighting hard, Sanders said. I think we have real shot to win on Tuesday if there is a large voter turnout.

Kenneth Sherrill, a political science professor emeritus at Hunter College, told The New Yorkers John Cassidy last week that he expects turnout to be high. And the New York Daily News reported an unprecedented surge in voter registration, though it said the state could not break out party affiliation.

Related: How Trump and Cruz Could Be Big Money-Makers for House Democrats

Despite the new voters, it remains hard to see how the Bernie Brigade can overcome the union armies of service workers and teachers that will march to the polls for Hillary  or how Sanders will make significant inroads with older African-American voters who have been reliable Clinton followers (except when Barack Obama is on the ballot).

But even Peggy Noonan, the elegant doyenne of Republican political columnists and author of the paean to Ronald Reagan What I Saw at the Revolution, has confessed to feeling if not the Bern, a certain shaking of the ground. I went to one of [Clintons] rallies in New York at the Apollo Theater the other day, she said on CBSs Face the Nation on April 3. People were enacting the appropriate enthusiasm, but  the sisterhood of the traveling pants suit [was] not there. Then Bernie goes to the Bronx and he's got X thousands of people really cheering. I'm a New Yorker. Something's going on in New York and we're not seeing it in the polls yet.

Maybe, just maybe, what Noonan is sensing is a new revolution taking hold in her town.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
BlackRock Misses 1Q16 Estimates on Declining Global Equities

(Continued from Prior Part)

Premium valuations

BlackRock (BLK) has historically traded at a premium compared to its peers. Currently, BlackRock is trading at a premium, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.3x compared to the industry average of 13.2x.

BlackRock is leveraging on its scale and diversified product offerings across major end markets. This enables it to attract a premium over its competitors. Its peers are trading at the following price-to-earnings ratios:

JPMorgan Chase (JPM): 9.5x

Bank of New York Mellon (BK): 15.3x

State Street (STT): 12.9x

Together, these companies form 8.7% of the Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH).

In 1Q16, BlackRock benefited from its global integrated model, which caters to clients around the world and provides innovative offerings across active, iShare, and alternative strategies.

Relative outperformance

The asset management industry is suffering from a fall in asset value across the Americas, Europe, and emerging markets. However, BlackRock has been successful in attracting new client funds in almost all of its major offerings. The company is building on diversification across investment styles, distribution channels, and geographies in order to generate double-digit earnings per share growth.

BlackRock has been focusing on improving its investment performance by deploying its best talent for managing client funds. In the companys Scientific Active Equity business, 84% of assets under management delivered above the benchmark for the three-year period.

In its Active Taxable Fixed Income business, 85% of assets performed above the benchmark for the three-year period. The company has invested in the Fundamental Equity business, hiring new talent in technology and unifying its global equity platform in order to generate superior returns on the portfolio.

BlackRock continues to outperform the industry in the ETF market by attracting new funds in the most volatile markets. The company is investing in technology and new product offerings. But it faces challenges such as competition from new and existing players in the ETF market and slowing global growth.

Story continues

However, BlackRock is placed relatively well and is expected to command premium valuations over the next few years.

To know more about BlackRock, you can read BlackRock  the biggest asset manager in the world.

Browse this series on Market Realist:
Ueslei Marcelino | Reuters. UNI Global Union's Philip Jennings says that having just returned from a trip to South America, he is "very worried about the situation" in Brazil.

The General Secretary of UNI Global Union told CNBC on Tuesday that having just returned from a trip to South America, he is "very worried about the situation" in Brazil.

Philip Jennings, referring to the ongoing impeachment proceedings of Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff, said the feeling on the ground was that "the political stability we have enjoyed there is about to be shattered."



Brazilian leader Rousseff is accused of manipulating budget accounts. Her government, the Workers' Party, has also been tainted by a corruption scandal involving Brazil's state oil company Petrobras. She denies any wrongdoing.



However, Jennings praised Rousseff's party, saying that it had lifted millions of people out of poverty. "My sense was this economy was being managed very well until this political crisis," said Jennings.



He said that particularly in Brazil, there is the sense "that this is a very modern coup" and it is "not clear who is untouched by scandal."







Jennings warned that in the coming months, "we'll see a lot of political instability," out of Brazil, and questioned who could take the country out of its current recession, the worst in 25 years.



Jennings then spoke about Brazil's neighbor  Argentina  also in the midst of a deep recession.



He said that new president Mauricio Macri had introduced "economic shock therapy" to the country.



"What worries me is when you see utility price increases and basic costs for the ordinary working people going up 300, 400, 500 percent," said Jennings to CNBC.



150,000 Argentines lost their jobs in the first 100 days of the Macri presidency, according to Jennings.



"What I'm worried about is quick money comes in, quick money goes out. How does Macri ensure this goes in real infrastructure which is what Argentina needs," he questioned.







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Pump jacks are seen at the Lukoil-owned Imilorskoye oil field, as the sun sets, outside the west Siberian city of Kogalym, Russia, in this January 25, 2016 file photo. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin/Files

By Barani Krishnan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose 4 percent on Wednesday after a smaller-than-expected build in U.S. crude inventories offset glut worries stirred by the end of a Kuwaiti strike, and as oil bulls bet that major crude producers would meet again to try to curtail output.

Moscow, however, denied media reports that Russia planned to host such a meeting. Just on Sunday, Russia and OPEC nations failed to reach an agreement on freezing production at a meeting in Doha, Qatar.

"There is no such agreement" for producing nations to meet in Russia, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak was quoted as saying by RIA news agency.

Earlier, Russia said it was ready to ramp up its oil output in a further fallout after producers failed to reach a deal for a freeze.

Brent's front-month contract (LCOc1) settled up $1.77, or 4 percent, at $45.80 a barrel. It had fallen to a session low of $42.81.

U.S. crude's front-month contract, May (CLc1), which expired at Wednesday's settlement, finished up $1.55, or 3.8 percent, at $42.63 a barrel. The session low was $39.85.

Oil prices rebounded after the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said crude stocks rose 2.1 million barrels last week, compared with forecasts for a 2.4 million-barrel build and industry group American Petroleum Institute's data showing a 3.1 million-barrel rise.

"It's overall mixed and slightly supportive, with total stocks of refined products and crude oil combined declining slightly," said Dominick Chirichella, senior partner at the Energy Management Institute in New York.

Prices of ultra-low sulphur diesel, also known as heating oil (HOc1), rose 5 percent and hit 4-1/2-month highs after the EIA report showed an unexpected drop in stockpiles of distillates, which include diesel.

Gasoline rose more modestly, about 1 percent, after inventories for the motor fuel fell just about a tenth of expected levels.

"Distillates are the standout bullish element of the report and gasoline is the disappointment," said Matt Smith, director of commodity research at New York-headquartered energy data provider ClipperData.

Crude prices had initially tumbled as the Kuwaiti oil and gas industry called off a three-day strike and reports later said six supertankers had lined up at Kuwait's crude export terminal to load oil. Kuwait has also raised its oil output to 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) from 1.1 million on Sunday.

(Additional reporting by Simon Falush in LONDON; Editing by David Gregorio; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Crude Oil Prices React to Kuwaits Comments and Inventory Data

(Continued from Prior Part)

API crude oil inventories

The API (American Petroleum Institute) released its weekly crude oil inventory report on April 5, 2016. It estimated that the US crude oil inventory fell by 4.3 MMbbls (million barrels) for the week ending April 1, 2016, compared to the previous week. In contrast, the crude oil inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, rose by 0.32 MMbbls for the same period. To learn more about Cushing crude oil inventories, read How Cushing Inventories Could Affect Crude Oil Prices.

EIA crude oil inventories

Traders closely watch API data, which are a precursor to EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) inventory data. The EIA is scheduled to release its weekly crude inventory data today. The government agency reported that the US crude oil inventory rose by 2.3 MMbbls to 534.8 MMbbls between March 18, 2016, and March 25, 2016. This is the US crude oil inventorys highest level.

The rise in crude oil inventories impacts storage costs. For more on this, read Crude Oil Storage Costs Rose 9 Times, US Crude Tests New Limits and Record US Crude Oil Inventory Led to a New Storage Space.

Crude oil inventory estimates

Polls by the Wall Street Journal and Reuters suggest that the US crude oil inventory rose by 3.2 MMbbls for the week ending April 1. Platts estimates that the crude oil inventory rose by 2.9 MMbbls for the same period. Crude oil inventories are 14% more than in the same period in 2015. The estimates of rising US crude oil inventories could add pressure to crude oil prices.

The contango market and record nationwide crude oil inventories support crude oil tanker companies like Frontline (FRO) and DHT Holdings (DHT).

Multiyear low crude oil prices affect oil producers like QEP Resources (QEP), Synergy Resources (SYRG), Range Resources (RRC), WPX Energy (WPX), and Halcon Resources (HK). For more information on US energy companies financial woes, read US Oil and Gas Companies Debt Exceeds $200 Billion and Crude Oils Total Cost of Production Impacts Major Oil Producers.

Story continues

The volatility in crude oil prices affects ETFs and ETNs like the United States Oil Fund (USO), the DB Crude Oil Double Short ETN (DTO), the Direxion Daily Energy Bear 3x ETF (ERY), the ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF (SCO), and the Fidelity MSCI Energy Index ETF (FENY).

Read the next part of this series to learn about gasoline and distillate inventories.

Continue to Next Part

Browse this series on Market Realist:
Crude Oil Market: Bulls and Bears Tussle for Market Supremacy

Crude oil prices rose

May WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil futures contracts trading in NYMEX rose by 3.3% and settled at $41.1 per barrel on April 19, 2016. Brent crude oil futures trading in ICE also rose by 2.6% and closed at $44 per barrel. Oil prices rallied due to oil workers strike in Kuwait. Oil tracking ETFs like the United States Oil Fund (USO) and the ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF (UCO) also rose on April 19, 2016. USO and UCO rose by 2.7% and 5.3%, respectively, on the same day.

Oil workers strike on April 19

The oil workers strike in Kuwait led to a massive decline in oil production. The strike continued for the third straight day. As a result, Kuwaits crude oil production fell to 1.1 MMbpd (million barrels per day)compared to 2.8 MMbpd during normal days. The supply disruption could be short-lived. Government officials are in negotiations with oil workers to compromise in order to increase oil exports. Kuwaits oil strike overshadowed the failure of the Doha meeting. Read Hopes for Oil Producer Meeting Boosted Prices for Last 2 Months and Why Did the Doha Oil Producer Meeting Fail? to learn more.

Strike ended on April 20

In the early hours of Asian trading on April 20, 2016, Kuwaits oil workers ended their three-day strike temporarily, according to sources from the Oil & Petrochemicals Industries Workers Confederation. Kuwaits oil minister reported that there wasnt room for negotiations with the oil workers until they resumed work. The motive of the strike was to cancel the pay cuts to oil workers due to lower oil prices. Crude oil production resuming in Kuwait could put pressure on crude oil prices again.

Contract expiry

WTI crude oil futures contracts for May delivery will expire on April 20, 2016. Short covering ahead of expiry also supported crude prices on April 19, 2016. High oil prices impact oil producers like EP Energy (EPE), Denbury Resources (DNR), Goodrich Petroleum (GDP), and Cobalt International Energy (CIE).

Story continues

Depreciating dollar and global equities

The depreciating US Dollar Index also boosted crude oil prices. The depreciating US dollar makes crude oil cheaper for oil importing countries. The MSCI index tracks stocks across 46 countries. It hit a five-month high. The steady rise in global equity markets also supported crude oil prices. Signs of economic stabilization in China supported the emerging and global equity market rally.

The roller coaster ride in the oil and gas market impacts ETFs like the iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF (IEZ), the ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF (SCO), the DB Crude Oil Double Short ETN (DTO), and the iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC).

Series focus

This series focuses on the bullish and bearish catalysts for crude oil prices. Well also discuss the American Petroleum Institutes US crude oil, gasoline, and distillate inventories.

Continue to Next Part

Browse this series on Market Realist:
Yukos founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky spent a decade in prison on charges of tax evasion, fraud and embezzlement before he was pardoned in 2013 (AFP Photo/JIM WATSON)

The Hague (AFP) - Russia won a major legal victory Wednesday when a Dutch court overturned a ruling awarding a record $50 billion in damages to the former shareholders of the now-dismantled Russian oil giant Yukos.

In the latest step in a complex, multi-country legal saga, the district court in The Hague ruled the international Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), also based in the Dutch city, was "not competent" to rule in the matter.

Therefore "the Russian Federation is no longer liable for paying compensation to these parties" which the PCA had awarded in 2014.

Moscow, which is still under international sanctions due to the Ukraine conflict, swiftly welcomed the ruling, while the disappointed shareholders told reporters they had been surprised and would appeal.

Yukos was once Russia's biggest oil company but was broken up after its former owner Kremlin critic and ex-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003.

His arrest had come shortly after President Vladimir Putin warned Russia's growing class of oligarchs against meddling in politics.

Yukos was sold off in opaque auctions to state companies led by Rosneft between 2004 and 2006. State-owned Rosneft was then small, but has become a leading global player among the world's biggest listed oil companies by production volume.

The claimants, led by the former main shareholder GML, have sought since 2005 to win compensation for what they say are their losses caused by the break-up of Yukos

In a major coup for the claimants, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in 2014 that Russia had forced Yukos into bankruptcy with excessive tax claims and sold off its assets to state-owned companies.

It based its ruling on the provisions of a multilateral 1994 accord, the Energy Charter Treaty, which aims to promote energy security, and ordered Moscow to pay in "excess of $50 billion" to the former shareholders -- a record award for the arbitration tribunal.

Story continues

- 'Surprise' decision -

In a legal game of cat-and-mouse, the claimants have lodged cases in seven different countries including Britain, France and the United States seeking the seizure of Russian assets abroad after Moscow refused to pay out.

But Moscow has long fought the award, and the district Dutch court on Wednesday ruled in its favour.

"The Hague District Court has reversed the awards of the international arbitrators on the grounds that they lacked jurisdiction to arbitrate the cases," the tribunal said in its written decision.

The Hague Court found that since Russia has signed but not ratified the energy treaty, the PCA could not rule in the case. It further ruled that there is no provision in Russian law for arbitration in such disputes.

"This judgement protects the Russian people from the unfounded demands of the Yukos shareholders," the Russian government said in a statement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said separately "that the process of halting enforcement proceedings will begin in all countries".

But representatives for the shareholders said they believed the district court had "misapplied the law."

"We will appeal this surprise decision by The Hague Court and have full faith that the rule of law and justice will ultimately prevail," said Tim Osborne, director of GML whose group represents about 70 percent of the shareholders.

The shareholders now have three months in which to file an appeal with the Dutch court of Appeal.

Osborne told AFP: "We are not going to be hanging around. We will want to move forward, but it will take us a little while to digest the findings."

Khodorkovsky, who is no longer a stakeholder, slammed the court's decision saying in a Tweet that "the West has decided to weaken the pressure" on Moscow, adding his friends would continue their resistance.

He spent a decade in prison on charges of tax evasion, fraud and embezzlement which he and his supporters say were trumped up in revenge for his political ambitions.

He was suddenly pardoned by Putin in 2013 and flown out of the country.
(adds quotes, details on review talks, debt relief from Brussels, Athens, Helsinki)

By Francesco Guarascio and Renee Maltezou

BRUSSELS/ATHENS, April 20 (Reuters) - Euro zone finance ministers are ready to hold an extraordinary meeting next week if negotiations on the review of the Greek reform programme are concluded, a senior EU official said on Wednesday, commenting that talks remained difficult.

Discussions between Greek authorities and international lenders have resumed this week in Athens with the aim to conclude a reform review which is a condition to release more bailout money to Greece.

"If there is so much progress that a conclusion of the negotiation can be rationally expected, then I would expect there to be a Eurogroup sometime next week," the senior official said.

Negotiations in Athens are however not smooth, EU and Greek officials said.

"I have hopes but no expectations that they would wrap up everything before the Eurogroup on Friday," the source said referring to the regular meeting of euro zone finance ministers to be held in Amsterdam on April 22.

An option is that negotiations would resume in Athens after the Eurogroup this week, to reach a technical deal that would then be finalised by a new extraordinary meeting of euro zone finance ministers next week, the official said.

The main sticking point in the talks in Athens concerns fiscal issues, as euro zone lenders and the International Monetary Fund continue to battle on Greece's primary surplus, with the IMF considering EU figures too optimistic.

A Greek government official said on Wednesday that the left-led government and its lenders had agreed to raise value added tax to 24 percent from 23 percent as part of tax reforms aimed at saving 1 percent of gross domestic product.

The participants still disagreed on whether the tax-free threshold should be decreased to about 8,000 euros from 9,545 euros, as demanded by its lenders. Athens has suggested a reduction to about 9,000 euros.

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Other open issues remained the management of bad loans and pension reforms, from which Athens plans to save another one percent of GDP.

DEBT HURDLE

Talks are complicated by the need to find a deal on how and when to reduce Greece's huge public debt.

The IMF wants a compromise on this issue before concluding the review, while euro zone countries, and in particular Germany, want to first end the review and then start talking about a possible debt relief for Athens.

"There are huge differences in attitudes towards debt-related measures between institutions, member states and the like, and the range is quite significant," the senior EU official said.

Echoing German positions, Finland's Finance Minister Alexander Stuff said on Wednesday that there is very little room to manoeuvre on Greece's debt relief.

"We will overcome this difficult turning point and a very crucial discussion for the debt relief will start," Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told Greek lawmakers on Wednesday.

(Additional reporting Jan Strupczewski in Brussels and Tuomas Forsell in Helsinki; editing by Ralph Boulton)
What's Driving the Crude Tanker Industry in 2016?

(Continued from Prior Part)

Iran and crude oil

Iran has the fourth largest crude oil reserves in the world. The country had been banned from exporting oil, but in January 2016, the ban was lifted. Iran now exports more than two million bpd (barrels per day). Iran has doubled its crude oil (USO) exports since January despite initially facing insurance, financing, and legal difficulties.

Irans customers

Iran has resumed exporting oil to Europe. However, its main customers are Asian countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea. The majority of these trades take place via sea routes. Thus, investors should watch Irans exports when analyzing companies such as Frontline (FRO), Teekay Tankers (TNK), Tsakos Energy Navigation (TNP), Nordic American Tankers (NAT), DHT Holdings (DHT), Gener8 Maritime (GNRT), Navios Maritime Midstream Partners (NAP), and Euronav (EURN).

Saudi Arabias efforts to slow Irans exports

While Iran is fighting the odds to export its oil, Saudi Arabia is taking steps to reduce Irans exports. For example, Saudi Arabia has banned tankers transporting Iranian crude oil from entering its waters, according to traders and shipbrokers.

Iran and Europe

Before sanctions were imposed in 2012, one-third of Irans exports went to Europe. After the sanctions were lifted in January, Iranian exports to Europe slowly started picking up. Iran is facing some difficulties exporting oil to Europe. According to reports, there is no dollar clearing or established mechanism for non-dollar sales, and banks are reluctant to provide letters of credit to facilitate trade. Also, Iran is not able to get access to storage tanks in Egypts port of Sidi Kerir. This was Irans main terminal for oil supplied to Western countries before the sanctions.

Browse this series on Market Realist:
OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 20, 2016 / Carube Copper Corp. (CUC.V) announces that it has initiated exploration on its 100% owned Main Ridge Project in order to prioritize gold and copper drill targets. This exploration will focus on two very promising areas and will consist of detailed mapping, soil sampling, rock sampling and ground geophysics.

- The Main Ridge Gold Anomaly, defined by gold in soils, an airborne potassium anomaly and distinct structures, extends over 2 kilometres to the WNW of the former Pennants Gold Mine, which produced 95,725t of ore grading 9.01g Au/t(1).

- The Orange Hill Anomaly is on the western part of Main Ridge where recent interpretation and modelling of low-level airborne geophysics has identified a highly magnetic body of significant size in association with a copper in soil anomaly.





Figure 1. Prioritized Gold and Copper Targets at Carube Copper`s Main Ridge Project.

To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit:

https://www.accesswire.com/uploads/20196_enhancedcarube1.jpg

Mr. Roman Tykajlo, P. Geo., of Geo-Digit-X was engaged to review and interpret Carube Copper's recently acquired low-level airborne magnetics and radiometrics and to confirm internally generated targets and to identify other targets where warranted.

Jeff Ackert, President and CEO of Carube Copper stated, "We are excited that the expert interpretation and modelling of our airborne magnetics and radiometrics corroborated previous mapping and sampling results. Identification of a large magnetized body that forms the core of the Orange Hill Anomaly in the western part of Main Ridge is very significant and exciting. All of this gives us the confidence to identify our exploration targets, which we expect to have ready for drilling this year."

Orange Hill Anomaly

During the course of his work, Mr. Tykajlo identified a large intensely magnetized body in the western part of the license at the approximate intersection of inferred WNW and NE mag-structural directions (Figure 1). The modelled body has dimensions of approximately 800 x 1300 x 1200m, and tops out around 150m below surface with a centre at 600m below surface. The model gives a body of high magnetic susceptibility of up to 0.46 SI, which suggests a zone that could be attributed to magnetite alteration associated with a copper gold porphyry or an iron oxide copper gold system. A copper and gold in soils anomaly flanks the southern edge of the body within a broad area also having some indication of potassic alteration. A gravity high in the country wide gravity data trends through this area.

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Main Ridge Gold Anomaly

The Main Ridge Gold zone was reported in our press release of March 3, 2016, where it was noted that gold in soil anomaly extends over 2 kilometres WNW from the former Pennants Gold Mine. During the interpretation of the airborne geophysics, Mr. Tykajlo identified areas within the Main Ridge Gold Anomaly where the radiometrics suggest strong potassic alteration and the magnetics indicate a strong structural fabric. This fabric correlates well with the gold in soil anomaly shown on Figure1 and with exploration results from just west of the Pennants Gold Mine. Historic results from three drill holes there yielded results of 22.9g Au/t over 2.2m and 3g Au/t over 2m from one hole; 7.7g Au/t over 3m in a second hole; and 2g Au/t over1.6m from a third hole(2).

Other Anomalies

At Trout Hall, a large circular area of high potassium anomalism with coincident magnetism and anomalous copper in stream sediments is adjacent to a major fault. Two historic grab samples in this area returned 8,390 ppm Cu and 7,970 ppm Cu(3). A broad area of anomalous copper in soils (see Figure 2 in our press release of March 3, 2016) lying along a linear magnetic high to the northeast of the referred fault has been named the Ballards River Anomaly. Another area of anomalous potassium identified from the airborne radiometric survey at Smithville lies along the same gravity high trend noted at Orange Hill.

Planned Exploration

Carube Copper will undertake a mapping and sampling program of the Main Ridge Gold Anomaly and the Orange Hill Anomaly. Ground truthing will be done on the other defined anomalies. It is anticipated that the program will take approximately 6 weeks to complete.

(1)Exploration Management Pty Ltd 20: Main Ridge Gold Mine (Jamaica); web-site.

(2) Turner, G. 2000: Report on Geological Investigations Main Ridge and Surrounds: Internal Report for Ausjam Mining

(3)Tigers Realm Metals 2011: Internal Report; Sample Results for Jamaican Projects.

Contacts

Jeff Ackert, President and CEO - 1-613-839-3258 - jackert@carubecopper.com

Vern Rampton, Executive VP of Corporate Development - 1-613-839-3258 - vrampton@carubecopper.com

Alar Soever, Chairman - 1-705-682-9297 - asoever@carubecopper.com

www.carubecopper.com

QP Statement: This press release has been prepared by Dr. Vern Rampton, P. Eng., in his capacity as a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101. Mr. Tykajlo, P. Geo. has reviewed and approved excerpts from his interpretation of the airborne geophysics and radiometrics.

 END PRESS RELEASE 

Carube Copper Corp. (CUC.V) is a Canadian exploration company focused on the exploration and development of copper and gold projects in Jamaica and Canada. In Jamaica, two projects, totalling 188 square kilometres in area, are the subject of separate joint venture agreements with OZ Minerals Limited, an Australian copper-gold producer with a market capitalization of over $1B. Carube Copper holds a 100% interest in two other nearby projects, totalling 80 square kilometres. In Canada, Carube Copper holds a 100% interest in three porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum properties, totalling 593 square kilometres within the Tertiary-aged Cascade Magmatic Arc in southwestern British Columbia. Exploration continues on these properties with the goal of joint-venturing them to larger exploration and mining companies. Carube Copper continues to seek opportunities in Canada and the Caribbean for acquisition and development.

DISCLAIMER & FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, and by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on currently available information, Carube Copper Corp. provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Factors that can cause results to differ materially are set out in the Company's documents filed on the SEDAR website. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward looking statements".

IMPORTANT NOTICE: By reference herewith, Carube Copper incorporates into this release the entire disclaimer set forth on our website at http://carubecopper.com/disclaimer.htm

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

SOURCE: Carube Copper Corp.
youtube zoella star

Google is once again directly targeting TV advertising budgets by saying YouTube ads generate a better return on investment than TV commercials most of the time.

The company conducted a meta-analysis of 56 case studies from brands within six different types of industries, across eight countries in Europe between 2013 and 2016, as well as its own research.

Google concluded, in the study published Wednesday to coincide with Advertising Week Europe in London, that at current spend levels, "YouTube delivers a higher return on investment than TV in 77% of studies."

The studies were carried out by research companies including Kantar Worldpanel, GfK, Data2Decisions, and BrandScience. Google says it compared three different methodologies to come to its findings.

In 17 of the case studies looked at during the study (so not the majority) Google said: "In more than 80% of media mix optimizations we studied, data showed that the recommended spend on YouTube should be at least double that of current levels."

Google says this isn't a war between YouTube and TV  its just trying to help marketers know how much to spend there

The release of this study isn't the first time YouTube has publicly appealed for marketers' TV budgets  which is where they place the bulk of their advertising spend. EMarketer predicted last year YouTube's net ad revenues worldwide would reach $4.28 billion in 2015. In the same year, it estimated global TV spend would reach $68.88 billion.

Last October, Google told advertisers that if they want to reach young audiences, they should be shifting 24% of their TV budgets over to YouTube.

We asked Google's EMEA director of brand solutions Debbie Weinstein why TV is so often the focus of YouTube's appeals to advertisers, rather than other media that is less effective. It feels like there's a war going on, we said.

She responded that it's more about giving marketers guidance about the best way to allocate a percentage of their budget to YouTube as part of their overall media mix.

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Weinstein said:

"I don't think it's a war I do think it's about answering customers' questions which is how should I be spending my media dollars with all the advancements that have been happening in the media space. I think it's particularly been moving on video because everyone has known for decades that video is the most powerful form of storytelling and so we have video and you can sort of take your video asset and run it in a variety of places. I think that's why the comparisons are often made between YouTube versus the other places you can be placing your video assets."

YouTube's study is at odds with previous research that suggests TV is the advertising medium that provides the best return on investment.

Meta-analysis conducted by researchers at Ebiquity and commissioned by UK TV marketing body Thinkbox in 2014 found that for every 1 spent on advertising, TV is "the best profit generator."

Thinkbox

NOW WATCH: The science behind why you shouldn't pop your pimples





More From Business Insider


Young migrants stand at a fence of the Moria detention centre during the visit of Pope Francis on the Greek island of Lesbos, on April 16, 2016 (AFP Photo/Aris Messinis)

Athens (AFP) - Greek island officials on Tuesday began letting migrants leave detention centres where they have been held, as Human Rights Watch heaped criticism on a wave of EU-sanctioned deportations to ease the crisis.

As the European Union pushed ahead with a controversial deal with Turkey to send back all migrants whose asylum claims were rejected, Pope Francis took fresh aim at Western indifference to the plight of people fleeing war, bloodshed and abject poverty.

"Forgive us the closure and indifference of our societies which fear the changes to our way of life and our way of thinking that your presence requires," Francis said in an address to refugees, just days after bringing home three Syrian families from the Greek island of Lesbos.

"Treated like a burden, a cost, in reality you are a gift... a bridge that brings together people who are far apart."

Days after the 79-year-old pontiff travelled to Lesbos in a powerful gesture of solidarity, Greek officials said they had begun allowing people to leave the island detention camps where they have been held while their asylum requests are processed.

Since an EU-Turkey deal went into force on March 20, around 7,500 people have landed on the Greek islands where they have been kept in holding centres while waiting to be processed to determine whether they can legitimately claim asylum.

But on Tuesday, the SOMP agency which is coordinating Greece's response to the crisis said those who had spent 25 days inside the holding centres and who had filed an asylum claim would be "allowed to leave" the camps.

The decision aims to ease pressure on the registration centres.

A SOMP spokesman said the "the vast majority" of new arrivals had submitted an asylum claim, and that a new round of deportations would only resume when there was "a sufficient number of people" to warrant it.

- 'Abusive deportations' -

Under terms of the EU-Turkey deal, Greece began sending back irregular migrants from the islands on April 4, with more than 320 people expelled in the first week, most of them Pakistanis.

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The expulsions are aimed at easing the pressure on the European Union which is straining to cope with its worst migration crisis since World War II.

But the EU-sanctioned deportations have drawn sharp criticism, with Human Rights Watch describing them as "abusive" and expressing concern about the fate of the deportees.

"In the mad dash to start the deportations deal with Turkey, the European Union and Greece tossed rights to the wind, including for people who wanted to seek asylum, said HRW's Fred Abrahams.

"The abusive deportations expose the fundamental flaws in the EUs expedited mass returns to a country that cannot be considered safe."

It said the deportees had not been informed they were going to be expelled, were not told where they were being taken and some of them were not allowed to take their personal possessions.

Once in Turkey, they were unreachable on their mobile phones and the Turkish authorities had not allowed humanitarian organisations access to them, HRW said.

- Fast-tracking applications -

With the help of around 100 European experts, Greek officials have begun examining hundreds of asylum requests under an expedited procedure which takes 15 days, SOMP said.

Those who fail to make a claim, or whose application for asylum is rejected face being sent back to Turkey.

Since the deal went into effect, new arrivals on the Greek Islands have stabilised at around 100 a day -- a tenth of the daily figure last year.

Despite the reduction, the arrivals would still amount to "more than 3,000 a month" which would be difficult for Greece to manage "if, in parallel, the European plan for redistributing refugees who have arrived since March 20 doesn't pick up pace," the spokesman said.

Some 50,000 people, many of them fleeing the war in Syria, have been stranded in Greece since the closure of the migrant route through the Balkans in February.

More than 10,000 of them are stuck in a slum-like camp at Idomeni on the Macedonian border, which has seen a growing number of violent incidents sparked by desperate attempts to break through the frontier.
By Jonathan Saul and Parisa Hafezi

LONDON (Reuters) - Iran faces a struggle to increase oil exports because many of its tankers are tied up storing crude, some are not seaworthy, and foreign shipowners remain reluctant to carry its cargoes.

Tehran is seeking to make up for lost trade to Europe following the lifting of EU sanctions imposed in 2011 and 2012, which deprived it of a market that accounted for over a third of its exports and left it relying completely on Asian buyers.

Iran has 55-60 oil tankers in its fleet, a senior Iranian government official told Reuters. He declined to say how many were being used to store unsold cargoes, but industry sources said 25-27 tankers were parked in sea lanes close to terminals including Assaluyeh and Kharg Island for this purpose.

Asked how many tankers were not seaworthy and needed to go to dry docks for refits to meet international shipping standards, the senior official said: "Around 20 large tankers ... need to be modernized."

A further 11 Iranian tankers from the fleet were carrying oil to Asian buyers on Tuesday, according to Reuters shipping data and a source who tracks tanker movements. That was broadly in line with the number consistently committed to Asian runs since sanctions were lifted in January, putting more strain on the remaining available fleet.

This means foreign ships are needed for a big export push to Europe and elsewhere, said the industry sources, as Iran looks to meet its target of reaching pre-sanctions sales levels this year. But many owners, who are not short of business in a booming tanker market, are unwilling to take Iranian cargoes.

The main reason is that some U.S. restrictions on Tehran remain in place and prohibit any trade in dollars or the involvement of U.S. firms including banks - a major hurdle for the oil and tanker trades, which are priced in dollars.

Eight foreign tankers, carrying a total of around 8 million barrels of oil, have shipped Iranian crude to European destinations since sanctions were lifted in January, according to data from the tanker-tracking source and ship brokers.

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That equates to only around 10 days' worth of sales at the levels of pre-2012, when European buyers were purchasing as much as 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the OPEC producer.

So far no Iranian tankers have made deliveries to Europe, according to data from the tanker-tracking source.

'PLENTY OF OTHER BUSINESS'

Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of leading international oil tanker company Euronav <EUAV.BR>, said at present there was "no great urgency to do business in Iran".

"There is not a premium to do business in Iran and there is plenty of other business - the markets are busy, rates are good. So there is no stress on wanting to do it," he told Reuters.

"I don't really want to set up a euro bank account in Dubai in order to trade with Iran - that would crazy."

Michele White, general counsel with INTERTANKO, an association which represents the majority of the world's tanker fleet, said: "We have witnessed a reluctance by our members generally to return to Iranian trade given the prohibition on use of the U.S. financial system  essentially no U.S. dollars."

The senior Iranian government official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, acknowledged his country was finding it difficult to hire foreign tankers.

"We are working on the problems. There are various issues involved, financial, banking and even insurance. It has improved a little bit since the lifting of sanctions but we still face serious problems."

Asked if this and the need to modernize some of the domestic fleet was holding back exports, he said: "Of course it does."

The strain on Iran's fleet is partly because it has struggled to gain access to land storage sites around the world, as sanctions shut it out of the international financial network, making it more reliant on floating storage than many oil-producing rivals including Saudi Arabia.

The problem has been compounded by a global oversupply of oil, and the industry sources estimated Iranian tankers were storing 45-50 million barrels of unsold crude.

POLITICAL RISK

Two other sources with other leading oil tanker operators echoed the concerns of Rodgers and White, and said they were not doing Iran deals at the moment.

One of the two sources said with a new U.S. president to take office in January, tanker owners were unsure whether there could be any change to the nuclear deal Washington and other world powers agreed with Iran which led to the end of sanctions.

"It does not appeal to them to take on the risk and the uncertainty of the U.S. connection and future U.S. political policy that would come into play," said the source, who declined to be named, citing sensitivity over potential Iranian trade.

Gavin Simmonds, of the UK Chamber of Shipping trade association, said of the U.S. presidential timing and the global oil oversupply: "Iran is rejoining the market at the worst possible time."

Before 2012 Iran exported around 2 million bpd, with more than half going to Asia, mainly China, South Korea, India and Japan. Tehran has been banned from selling oil to the United States for decades.

The tanker industry has cited other problems posed by Iranian business. Ship insurers have plugged a shortfall in cover that had been caused by U.S. reinsurers being restrained by Washington's sanctions, although tanker owners say it comes with risks and it could also be withdrawn if, for instance, wider sanctions are reimposed.

"Shipping insurance is still a problem. We see many buyers in the market still avoid buying from Iran," Fereidun Fesharaki, founder of energy consultancy FGE, wrote in a note.

Tanker industry sources also pointed to reports that Iran's arch rival Saudi Arabia had banned Iranian-flagged ships from entering its waters with. Separate reports indicated Saudi ally Bahrain had imposed a ban on any vessels that visited Iran as one of its last three port calls.

"Any spread of the Bahrain-style ban on foreign ships that have recently called Iran can only fuel this hesitancy for owners who trade in the Middle East region," said INTERTANKO's White.

(Additional reporting by Libby George; Editing by Pravin Char)
Israeli forensics search in the remains of a burnt-out a bus after a bomb blast ripped through the vehicle in Jerusalem on April 18, 2016 (AFP Photo/Thomas Coex)

Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli authorities on Tuesday were investigating a Jerusalem bus bombing that wounded 21 people and raised fears of a sharp escalation in violence, while police planned tightened security for the Jewish Passover holiday.

The bomb tore through a bus in a relatively isolated area of southern Jerusalem on Monday night, with the fire spreading to a second bus.

In total at least 21 people were wounded, police said, with Israeli media reporting a 15-year-old girl in serious condition.

Israeli domestic security agency Shin Bet referred to the explosion as a "terror attack".

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld confirmed officers were seeking to question the wounded and did not rule out the possibility of potential suspects among them.

"The investigation is looking to see how the explosive device was placed on the bus," he said.

Police imposed a gag order on further details of the investigation and any suspects.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to "find whoever prepared this explosive device".

"We'll settle the score with these terrorists."

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which rules the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, welcomed the attack but there was no claim of responsibility.

The explosion comes with tensions high following a wave of violence that has killed 201 Palestinians and 28 Israelis since last October.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities.

However the level of violence had decreased in the weeks before the bombing.

- Intifada fears -

Bus bombings were common during the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in the early 2000s, but Monday's attack was the first bomb targeting a bus in Jerusalem since 2011, when a British tourist was killed.

In Tel Aviv, a bomb exploded on an empty bus in 2013 in what Israeli authorities called a "terrorist" attack.

Nir Hasson, writing in the Israeli daily Haaretz, called such scenes the "ultimate Jerusalem nightmare."

Story continues

"Fifteen years have passed since these scenes were repeating themselves on a weekly basis."

But Avi Dichter, a lawmaker and former Shin Bet chief, stressed the bomb did far less damage than those during the intifada.

The frame of the bus was still largely intact, unlike with larger bombs.

"The explosive charge was much lower than those we experienced during the suicide bombings of the second intifada," Dichter told public radio.

The blast comes ahead of the Jewish Passover holiday, which starts on Friday evening.

The Israeli government regularly closes off access to Israel for Palestinians during major Jewish religious festivals, and is expected to do so again.

Rosenfeld said the threat level would be raised during the week-long holiday.

"Security assessments were made immediately yesterday evening following the attack," he told AFP.

"Extra police units and border police are patrolling public areas," including bus stations and the light rail tram system in the city, he said, without specifying how many reinforcements.

Thousands of Jewish pilgrims flock to Jerusalem and other holy sites during Passover, which commemorates the Jewish exodus from Egypt in Biblical times.

Brachie Sprung, spokeswoman for Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, said the city council was not planning any changes to its schedule.

"We are telling people to go back to normal -- we don't cancel events," she told AFP. "We talk about being super cautious but going back to normal as quickly as possible."

Itamar Yaar, former deputy head of Israel's National Security Council, said he did not expect any major security clampdown in the city.

"I really don't think there will be any change in the Israeli behaviour," Yaar told AFP. "Perhaps in the first few days you will see more checks at checkpoints.

"But the most effective activities in this case are collecting intelligence and trying to reach the people that organised it."

Separately on Tuesday, an Israeli court ruled that a Jewish man found to be the ringleader of the beating and burning alive of a Palestinian teenager in 2014 was sane and convicted him of the attack.

Israeli settler Yosef Haim Ben-David, 31, was found in November to have led the assault, but his lawyers had submitted last-minute documents claiming he suffered from mental illness.
By Frances Yoon

HONG KONG, April 20 (IFR) - Malaysia is marketing a dual-tranche US dollar sukuk even as state fund 1 Malaysia Development continues to attract headlines.

The 10 and 30-year 144A/Reg S notes are being marketed at around 150bp and 165bp over US Treasuries.

Investor sources told IFR the transaction is expected to amount to $1.25-$1.50 billion.

The notes are expected to be rated on par with the sovereign at A3/A-/A-.

The last sovereign sukuk from Asia was Indonesia's US$2.5bn offering last month at tenors of five and 10 years, on which Middle East accounts were the largest investors.

CIMB, HSBC, JP Morgan and Maybank are joint bookrunners for the planned Malaysia deal. Investor meetings were held in Asia last week and ended on Monday.

Bonds of embattled 1MDB tumbled on Monday after Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Corporation said it would no longer service interest payments on $3.5 billion of the fund's debt.

IPIC said in a filing that 1MDB had failed to make a $1.1 billion payment and that, as a result, its obligations to make interest payments on two 1MDB bonds totalling $3.5 billion in principal had ended.

The disputed bonds do not carry a guarantee from the Malaysian sovereign. (Reporting by Frances Yoon; editing by Vincent Baby and Daniel Stanton)
(Please note strong language in 9th paragraph; adds State Street comment)

By Ross Kerber and Svea Herbst-Bayliss

BOSTON, April 20 (Reuters) - Massachusetts' top securities regulator on Wednesday alleged a unit of custody bank State Street Corp routinely overbilled customers for items such as messaging services, even as an executive worried one client might "discover that we are taking them to the cleaners."

In an administrative complaint, Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said State Street Global Markets LLC has engaged in a pattern of overcharging, noting the company often labeled charges for secure electronic messages - known as SWIFT messages - as "out-of-pocket" expenses that contained concealed markups of up to 1,900 percent.

In a statement e-mailed by spokeswoman Anne McNally, State Street said in December it discovered invoice errors on some expenses and notified authorities including Galvin's office. It will repay clients and reform its billing practices as needed, the company said.

The bank also has been in talks with clients over the matter, it said, as well as with government authorities, with whom it pledged to cooperate. "We deeply regret this error," the statement said, adding the bank cannot comment further because an internal review is still ongoing.

The complaint is the latest regulatory action to review claims of overcharging at Boston-based State Street, one of the world's largest custody banks that handles trades for big investors. Clients include pension funds, mutual funds, hedge funds and institutions.

In a 2014 settlement with the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, State Street agreed to pay of a fine 22.9 million pounds ($32.91 million) for charging clients "substantial mark-ups" they had not agreed to pay.

Also, in what Galvin's complaint calls "a related matter," U.S. prosecutors earlier this month alleged two former State Street executives conspired to add secret commissions to fixed-income and equity trades.

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Galvin's complaint claims State Street routinely concealed markups to clients and earned hundreds of millions of extra dollars, in what it describes as "a dishonest and pervasive culture of overbilling."

The complaint quotes several internal emails suggesting its own employees were concerned about how it billed expenses. One wrote that a charge of $5 per message was "an exorbitant markup that will certainly piss off clients when they figure this out."

Another wrote of a concern that a large client might discover that "we are taking them to the cleaners on SWIFT charges."

Clients described in the complaint as "an international financial organization" and "a boutique investment manager" did raise concerns about their bills but got little relief at least initially, the complaint states.

Galvin's complaint seeks a censure, an administrative fine and other actions including client reimbursements. ($1 = 0.6958 pound) (Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Ross Kerber in Boston, editing by G Crosse and Alan Crosby)
President Obama and King Salman of Saudi Arabia met in Riyadh on Wednesday amid growing tensions between the two countries as some U.S. lawmakers are backing a bill that would allow families of 9-11 victims to sue the Middle East kingdom.

Ambassador Robert Jordan, a former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, discussed the classified 9/11 report and the importance of Saudi Arabia on FOX Business Networks After the Bell.

The ambassador said he was originally told by the Central Intelligence Agency that he was on a need-to-know basis, and couldnt see the 28 classified pages. But the CIA eventually sent a representative to Riyadh and allowed him to read the 28 pages.

In my view there's not a smoking gun. I really can't get into anything classified, but what I would say is that there is information in there that the public needs to know, Ambassador Jordan told host Melissa Francis. I cant imagine why this administration has refused to declassify these pages and my hope is that President Obama will announce the declassification during his visit to Riyadh.

According to the ambassador, the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States is extremely important because both countries are jointly fighting terrorism. Saudi and U.S. intelligence continue to share information to fight against Al-Qaeda and ISIS, who have sworn to bring down the royal family.

They are still in the crosshairs so we have that common interest. We have a common interest in a reliable supply of oil. We have a common interest in dealing with the Muslim world. And I think we have a common interest in an economic relationship. We just sold them $96 billion of military hardware, he said.

As somebody with firsthand knowledge, does the ambassador believe the Saudi government or royal family had anything to do with financing 9-11?

I'm convinced that the Saudi royal family at the senior level and the government at the senior level did not, he said.

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Ted Cruz attends a Pennsylvania campaign kickoff event held on New York presidential primary night at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, April 19, 2016.



Ted Cruz won less than 15% of the vote and no delegates at the Republican primary in New York on Tuesday, a disappointing performance that blunted his momentum and renewed questions about the broad appeal of his campaign.

The Texas senator wasnt expected to do well in New York, but as he fights to win as many delegates as possible before the Republican convention this summer, a complete and total loss in the delegate-rich New York hurt his chances at a nomination fight in Cleveland.

And its now mathematically impossible for Cruz to clinch the Republican nomination through pledged delegates won in state contests.

Instead, Cruzs strategy is focused on preventing his main rival, frontrunner Donald Trump, from getting the required 1,237 delegates to lock down the Republican presidential nomination outright heading into the convention.

If Trump falls short of that number in the delegates he wins through state contests, it could force a contested convention in which many delegates who would be bound to vote for Trump on the first ballot could choose another candidate on subsequent ballots.

But Trump is now pulling even farther ahead of Cruz on the delegate count. He has locked down 845 delegates to Cruzs 559, according to The Associated Press.

And Trump is polling well in California, which awards 172 delegates and holds its primary in June, with Cruz in second place.

Trump also had a better night than most analysts predicted in New York. He took home at least 89 delegates from his home state, according to The Associated Press, as well as more than 60% of the vote.

Cruz was hurt among the New York electorate by a lack of evangelicals and strong conservatives, groups with which he typically does well, according to preliminary exit polls from ABC News. And most Republican voters (61%) said they were looking for an outsider candidate. Trump overwhelmingly won with this group of people, taking 85% of their votes.

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But despite the odds, Cruz is still pushing forward in the race for the Republican nomination. In a speech Tuesday night, Cruz spoke of needing to unite the party and restore Americans rightful place in the world.

He spoke of the words that he said have become the vision of his campaign.

Not, Yes, we can, but now, 'Yes, we will, he told supporters in Pennsylvania.

The Republican process now moves on to contests next Tuesday in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania, all states considered favorable to the real-estate mogul.

NOW WATCH: Scientists have linked the deaths of three US presidents to the same surprising cause





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Senator Bernie Sanders

Brooklyn  Supporters of Bernie Sanders are staying positive after Hillary Clinton won by nearly 16 points in the New York primary, further cementing her status as the Democratic partys frontrunner.

"It's not over," Sanders supporter Maria Bolton-Joubert told Business Insider at a Brooklyn watch party put on by the Sanders campaign. The 34-year-old supporter traveled to New York from Orlando, Florida to canvas for the candidate.

"The momentum is here," she continued. "The mass media is now paying attention."

New York City Council Member Rafael Espinal of Brooklyn found positives in Sanders' performance on Tuesday.



"I think we did what we had to do, and it showed that Bernie Sanders is strong right here in our city," he told supporters following the announcement of Clinton's victory. "We're doing a lot better than Obama did when he ran here in this city" against Clinton in 2008.

But Sanders supporters were expecting a closer race between the two following a two-week stretch of heavy campaigning in the state, leading up to a contentious debate last Thursday in Brooklyn.

Sanders, a Vermont senator, underperformed his RealClearPolitics polling average in New York on Tuesday with roughly 94% of precincts reporting as of 11:30 p.m. EST, per The Associated Press.

Both Renata Gebocki, 23, and Dylan Kelly, 25, traveled from Orlando to New York to canvas for Sanders, expected their candidate to do much better in the Empire State.

"I think it will be close either way," Gebocki told Business Insider. "I'm hoping that he will win, but it will be close."

She later added that Sanders should stay in the race "no matter what happens" through the California primary in June.

Prior to the results being announced, Kelly listed several reasons why Sanders could lose on Tuesday.

"I'm very, very concerned of the votes getting purged from the Democratic Party in Brooklyn," Kelly said, referencing the reports of more than 125,000 Brooklyn voters being unable to vote due to a New York Board of Elections system error. "The all-around mess happening in precincts around the district. This accumulation of errors or debacles, it's frustrating. Bernie's clearly performed very well among New York voters. I think if it'd been an open primary, it would've been a blowout for us. But, by running as a Democrat he agreed to the rules."

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Kelly suggested that a loss of less than five points would mark a successful night for Bernie. Per the AP's total as of 11:30 p.m. EST., Sanders trailed Clinton by more than 15%.

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A fair number of Clinton supporters were on hand at the watch party, which was held at the Koelner BierHalle, a venue originally booked to hold a Brooklyn Young Democrats watch party. There was a smattering of cheers and boos when Clinton was announced the winner just after 9:30 p.m.

"I mean I'm definitely disappointed," said Kayla Santosuosso, a 26-year-old Sanders supporter from Bay Ridge, a neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Santosuosso said she was a part of a group that knocked on hundreds of doors on behalf of Sanders on Tuesday.

Regardless of whether Sanders secures the nomination, Mohammad Khan, a 30-year-old Sanders supporter from Queens, said the senator's campaign has brought Clinton further to the left, an outcome he deemed a major success.

"It's also a success for Hillary because having Hillary come closer to the heart of the Democratic Party instead of being further out toward the center or toward the right, is going to help her become a stronger candidate come November," he told Business Insider.

Moving forward from the New York loss, Khan said he trusts that the Sanders campaign will "make the right decisions over the next couple months."

Jeff Weaver, Sanders' campaign manager, insisted his candidate will fight on following the Tuesday loss. He suggested the campaign would look to flip superdelegates from Clinton to Sanders ahead of the Democratic convention in July.

"Look, we're going to go to the convention," he said on MSNBC. "It is extremely unlikely that either candidate will have the requisite number of pledged delegates to get to this number.  It's going to be an election determined by the superdelegates."

NOW WATCH: Here's the moment Wolf Blitzer had to stop Clinton and Sanders from 'screaming at each other'





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Its to finance facilities in India, Nigeria.

Olam has sealed the deal on a five-year loan deal worth US$175m (roughly $234.66m) with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.

According to the agribusiness companys news release, the sum will be used to finance Olans permanent working capital and capital expenditure requirements for four food processing facilities in Nigeria and India.

The financing will bolster Olams Hemarus sugar mill and spice processing facilities in India, and its sesame hulling and Crown Flour Mill facilities in Nigeria.

This latest investment strengthens our partnership with IFC. These food processing facilities, located in India and Nigeria, help generate local employment and provide a ready buyer at market prices for farmers in the communities, said Olams Group CFO, N. Muthukumar.

"Olams focus on inclusive growth, enabling economic prosperity and social and environmental sustainability in developing nations, is a perfect fit with IFCs mandate," he added.





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Hillary Clinton

Technically, the Democratic presidential contest is not yet over.

But let's be real. It's over. Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee for president.

It's not just that Bernie Sanders lost delegate-rich New York by a wide margin Tuesday night. It's that the margins by which he'd need to win in the remaining contests to overtake Clinton are implausible.

Currently, Clinton has 55% of the pledged delegates and almost 2.7 million more votes than Sanders.

That might not sound like a huge lead, but almost two-thirds of the pledged delegates have already been awarded. So, as Nate Cohn of The New York Times notes, Sanders would need to win the remaining contests by an average of 18 points to overtake Clinton in pledged delegates. So far, he's only managed that big a margin in two primary states: New Hampshire and Vermont, his home state.

Sanders' best states tend to be low-population, heavily white states that hold caucuses. The remaining calendar is dominated by diverse, medium-to-large states holding primaries, with 69% of the delegates remaining to be awarded coming from just five states: California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Indiana.

FiveThirtyEight has produced an updated schedule of what Sanders would have to accomplish in the remaining contests to get to a tie in pledged delegates. He'd need to win every remaining state except Maryland and Delaware, and he'd have to win most of them by margins ranging from solid to overwhelming: Pennsylvania by 9, New Jersey by 12, Connecticut by 16, California by 18. None of that is in line with prior results or current polling.

On MSNBC Tuesday night, Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver tried to lay out a path for Sanders to overtake Clinton. He noted, for example, that Oregon is likely to be a strong state for Sanders. That's probably true. But the FiveThirtyEight analysis shows Sanders would need to win Oregon by 51 points just to be on pace to tie Clinton overall.

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The short story is this: Sanders is too far behind, and it's too late to catch up.

But good luck explaining that to a Sanders fan on the internet. If you try, you will be met with confusion and anger. You will be accused of having been blinded by the corporate media, and maybe even of being a corporate shill yourself.

Here is what you are likely to hear.

But Sanders won seven of the last eight contests before New York! That's true, but only because a lot of smallish, heavily white states have voted recently. Clinton has taken about 57% of all the votes so far, in part because she won huge majorities in the South, like 83% of the vote in Mississippi.

Who cares?! The Deep South is irrelevant. Those states will never vote for a Democrat in the general election. When you look at the true "Deep South" (the band of states from Louisiana through South Carolina) you're looking at states where the Democratic primary electorate is heavily black. In these states, Sanders was rejected by black voters, not conservative whites who have been leaving the Democratic party. But Clinton's big wins aren't limited to the Deep South. She won by 14 points in North Carolina, 14 in Ohio, 18 in Arizona, and 31 in Florida. Overall, Clinton has simply won more states, with bigger vote margins, than Sanders.

But the South went first! The rest of the map is better for Bernie! Not really. Both Clinton's and Sanders' best states have come and gone. Sanders won huge in the Mountain West and northern New England, and nearly all of the states in those regions have voted. (Interestingly, Sanders fans eager to dismiss Clinton's 66-point win in Mississippi seem pretty proud of Sanders' 59-point win in Utah.) For the remaining states, I would refer you again to the FiveThirtyEight analysis. Saying Sanders can catch up means saying he can win California by 18 and Rhode Island by 33, after losing Arizona, Nevada, and Massachusetts. That's not going to happen.

Hillary is just winning because of superdelegates! No, that's wrong. The "superdelegates" are automatic delegates, including Democratic elected officials and members of the Democratic National Committee, who get to vote for whomever they want, simply by virtue of their positions. Most of them have endorsed Hillary. But even without them, she'd have a wide lead, and the calculations above are what Sanders must do to overtake Hillary among pledged delegates awarded based on primaries and caucuses, ignoring her superdelegate lead.

In theory, the superdelegates could switch and hand the nomination to Sanders, and that's a scenario his campaign staff is openly talking about. But why would they? That would be anti-democratic, since Hillary has a clear and durable lead in pledged delegates and the popular vote. Why would Sanders ask them to overrule the will of the voters?

It's over. It's over. It's over. Sooner or later, the denial will end. The only question is when.

NOW WATCH: GEORGE CLOONEY: Theres a huge misconception about the obscene amount of money being raised for Hillary Clinton





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Formidable fences guard the border of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Greece has seen a big drop in the number of refugees and migrants coming to the country following an agreement between the EU and Turkey that calls for irregular arrivals from Turkey to be turned back or deported.

The agreement came into force on Apr. 4. Arrivals to Greece in the first half of this month declined by about 90% compared to the first half of the previous month, according to the International Organization for Migrants (IOM):

Human rights groups have criticized the agreement, saying it disregards the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. They argue that it may force smugglers to try more dangerous routes. Andrew Stroehlein, European media director for Human Rights Watch, says that closing borders is likely to force people to take longer, more complicated routes that are more expensive, into Europe, enriching smugglers along the way.

Among these, and especially popular in the warmer summer months, are the central and western Mediterranean sea crossings, which includes the longer trips to Italy from North Africa and the journey to Spain from Morocco, which requires navigating strong currents around the Strait of Gibraltar. A third option is to enter Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish territories that sit within Moroccos northern coast: This past weekend, 136 people were rescued off the coast of Morocco, likely attempting to get there.

These Mediterranean crossings from north Africa were previously the most popular routes into Europe, despite the perils they pose, before being overtaken by the eastern route into Greece via the Aegean Sea. Now, with arrivals on that route facing deportation, and the Balkan countries around Greece also closing their borders, humanitarians are turning their attention further west.

Indeed, data from UNHCR, the United Nations refugee body, show that sea and land arrivals to Italy and Spain have risen sharply in recent months. In the first quarter of 2016, migrant arrivals to Italy rose to almost 19,000, versus just over 10,000 over the same period in 2015, while arrivals to Spain went up to about 900 this year compared with 550 last year.

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Ceutas fortifications. (Photo by Francesco Malavolta)

IOM cautioned that it couldnt yet link the increase in these crossings to the EU-Turkey deal. But Daniela Segreto, who leads a special initiative for immigration in Sicily, says that the effects of closing the route to Greece was already being felt in Italy. These people come anyway, she says, adding that she doesnt consider it to be an emergency, but rather a new normal. Its an unstoppable phenomenon that we can only try and manage, she says.

Last week, the Guardian reported smugglers were re-advertising crossings from Turkey to Italy, at four times the cost of a trip to Greece.

In 2015, nearly 3,500 people died attempting to cross the Mediterranean, particularly around Sicily. Earlier this week, 400 people were feared dead while attempting the sea crossing to Italy. Details of the incident have yet to be confirmed. Around the same time, six people were found dead (link in Italian) and 106 were rescued trying to cross to Italy from Libya on a rubber boat.

These incidents took place almost a year to the day after the worst shipwreck in the Mediterranean in recent history, which claimed the lives of an estimated 800 migrants trying to cross from to Italy from Libya.

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April 20 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories from selected Canadian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

THE GLOBE AND MAIL

** Manitobans gave Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister one of the province's most resounding victories in decades, handing Greg Selinger defeat and ending nearly 17 years of New Democratic Party's rule. (http://bit.ly/26eDwNL)

** Canada and China are set to enter a new "golden" era under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Li Keqiang told Jean Chretien in Beijing this week. (http://bit.ly/26eDy8s)

** A three-year investigation by Canada's competition watchdog has resulted in a report that clears Alphabet Inc's Google of any substantial wrongdoing in its search ad business, and closely echoes a 2013 investigation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. (http://bit.ly/26eDIg4)

NATIONAL POST

** The release of an abortion pill allowing women to terminate early pregnancy at home, that is expected to become available in July, is already garnering criticism by way of women's health advocates saying Health Canada's tight controls over its use are unnecessarily restrictive. (http://bit.ly/26eEZUg)

** Toronto-based Turo that took the Airbnb model and adapted it to car rentals launched on Tuesday in three provinces, its first foray outside the United States, though it wrestles with the same insurance headaches that other startups in the so-called sharing economy have faced. (http://bit.ly/26eFOwr) (Compiled by Shalini Nagarajan in Bengaluru)
AMSTERDAM, April 20 (Reuters) - Russia said a Dutch court's ruling in the $50 billion Yukos arbitration dispute meant the defunct oil giant's shareholders could no longer sue in national courts around the world in order to seize Russian state assets in compensation.

"The judgement effectively means Yukos oligarchs can no longer seize assets," said Andrey Kondakov of the International Centre for Legal Protection, which is coordinating Russia's case.

His interpretation is disputed by GML, the opposing party in the dispute, which said it would continue its attempts to seize assets around the world despite the Dutch finding that the Permanent Court of Arbitration had had no jurisdiction to make its award.

(Reporting By Thomas Escritt; Editing by Toby Chopra)
MEMPHIS, TN--(Marketwired - April 19, 2016) - ServiceMaster Restore has mobilized additional crews from across the nation to the greater Houston area to help with the widespread flooding cleanup efforts, and its experts are offering important advice for residents who are unsure what to do in the face of significant water damage to their homes or businesses.

"Once a property is flooded, timing is of the essence to get the water extracted, items dried and prevent mold growth," said Peter Duncanson, director of system development, ServiceMaster Restore, one of the largest disaster restoration companies in the United States and a ServiceMaster Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE) company. "In the aftermath of severe flooding, it is critical for home and business owners to know exactly what to do -- and what not to do -- when dealing with water damage. We have experts on site ready to help 24/7/365."

ServiceMaster Restore experts outline what to do in the event your home or business sustain water damage, once safe to enter:

If the outside temperature is above 80 degrees, use dehumidifiers if available.

Use fans to circulate the air and assist drying.

Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.

Wipe furniture dry.

Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.

Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.

Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings and open furniture drawers, closet doors and luggage to enhance drying.

Move photographs, paintings and art objects to a safe, dry location.

Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.

Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.

"Safety is a huge concern when entering a flooded property," explains Duncanson. "Given the amount of water the area has received, I suggest reaching out to the local disaster restoration experts for help in the cleanup. They can guide you through the process with your insurance company, ensure your home is properly taken care of and restored back to its normal state."

Story continues

ServiceMaster Restore is trained, equipped and ready to restore homes and businesses before, during and after any water-related issues. With a number of regionally based large-loss command and control centers and 1,800 franchises worldwide, ServiceMaster Restore can mobilize across the country to handle any size job.

For more expert tips and information about water remediation, visit ServiceMasterRestore.com or like us on Facebook. For immediate assistance and clean up, call a live ServiceMaster Restore operator 24/7 at 1-800-RESPOND.

About ServiceMaster Restore

With approximately 1,800 franchised and licensed locations around the world, ServiceMaster Restore and ServiceMaster Recovery Management (SRM) serve customers through a global network of franchises available 24/7/365 to provide residential and commercial restoration services resulting from damage caused by water, fire or smoke. SRM is the large scale commercial catastrophic disaster restoration unit of ServiceMaster Restore. ServiceMaster Restore and SRM have operations and consulting experience on countless disasters, including clean-up after Hurricane Katrina and the Pentagon after September 11, 2001. ServiceMaster Restore is a business unit of the Memphis-based ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (SERV), a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services. More information can be found at www.servicemasterrestore.com and www.servicemasterrecoverymanagement.com.

About ServiceMaster

ServiceMaster (SERV) solves the homeowner's dilemma. Every day, we visit more than 75,000 homes and businesses through our extensive service network of expert professionals. Technology powers our trusted experts to engage with customers so they can order, buy and receive services when, where and how they want them. Our well-recognized brands includes American Home Shield (home warranties), AmeriSpec (home inspections), Furniture Medic (furniture repair), Merry Maids (residential cleaning), ServiceMaster Clean (janitorial and residential floor cleaning), ServiceMaster Restore (disaster restoration) and Terminix (termite and pest control). Like, follow or visit us at facebook.com/ServiceMaster, linkedin.com/ServiceMaster, twitter.com/ServiceMaster, or servicemaster.com.
By Tife Owolabi

YENAGOA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell has failed to halt production at the Gbaran Ubie oil and gas facility in southern Nigeria, contravening a court order for the site to be sealed and raising the prospect of legal action, state government officials said on Wednesday.

A Reuters reporter spoke to workers at the plant who also said production had continued.

A Shell (RDSa.L) spokesman declined to comment.

The facility, in the oil-rich southern Niger Delta region, supplies the Bonny liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal and also helps generate electricity, which is scarce in Africa's top oil producer and most populous nation.

On Monday, the Bayelsa state government said the premises had been sealed up for operating without a permit and staff had been evicted.

But on Wednesday, Bayelsa state spokesman Francis Agbo said Shell had "flouted the court order" and production had not ceased. "There is ongoing work in the facility in clear violation of the court order," he said.

Boro Ige-Edaba, executive secretary of the state's Physical Planning and Development Board, said Bayelsa's state government would "take appropriate action to prosecute them".

Shell launched the facility in 2010 with an initial planned output of 1 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day and up to 70,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from 2011.

It aimed to boost output to 1.3 trillion standard cubic feet by adding more wells, Shell's website said.

Residents in the Delta have long complained about oil spills and widespread poverty despite the region being home to much of Nigeria's oil production, which contributes about 70 percent of national income.

(Additional reporting by Anamesere Igboeroteonwu; Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Mark Potter)
ap_459813106943

Ted Cruz on Wednesday said that he was not discouraged by his massive loss in Tuesday's New York primary.

The Texas senator said in a press conference that it came as no surprise the Manhattan billionaire won his home state.

"I recognize that last night was a good night for Donald," Cruz told reporters. "It also surprised nobody. Donald won his home state. Everyone knew Donald was going to win his home state."

"We are on a path to" winning the GOP nomination, Cruz continued, despite his third-place finish in the Empire State.

"Donald is on a path to losing the nomination. All of his bluster, all of his bravado, is designed to hide that simple fact," Cruz offered.

He said that his recent string of victories in contests in Utah, Wyoming, and Wisconsin, in addition to his sweeps of delegate slates in Colorado and North Dakota, prove that the slipup in New York isn't a reflection on the senator's momentum. He predicted that the GOP race would go to a contested convention in July.

"No one is able to reach 1,237," he said, referring to the number of delegates a Republican candidate needs to win the nomination. "I'm not going to reach 1,237 and Donald's not going to reach 1,237."

Trump highlighted Cruz's mathematical elimination from the 1,237 level on Wednesday.

"Ted Cruz is mathematically out of winning the race. Now all he can do is be a spoiler, never a nice thing to do. I will beat Hillary!" Trump tweeted.

But Cruz suggested that both candidates will be arriving at the Cleveland convention this July with "a ton of delegates." And he insisted that he would have a huge advantage in swaying delegates to join his camp on the convention floor.

Cruz also said that he has no plans to drop out of the race, unless he sees no path to victory. He also conceded that Trump will probably win additional states during Tuesday's Northeastern and mid-Atlantic contests. That day features matchups in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island  all states favorable to Trump.

Story continues

"But then the race goes out back West," he said. "That's a real problem for Donald."

He added that Trump has a "real problem winning west of the Mississippi River" and that Western state contests create an "ominous storm-cloud for the Trump campaign."

Ted Cruz

Asked about the looming specter of Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who finished second in New York and is likely to finish second in many states that vote next Tuesday, Cruz said that Kasich has "no path" and might be "auditioning to be Trump's vice president."

Kasich's account tweeted earlier on Wednesday that, with Cruz now also being eliminated mathematically from hitting the 1,237 number before the July convention, he would make a better nominee than Cruz:

Now that Cruz is now mathematically eliminated, the only diff between him and Kasich is Kasich can defeat Clinton.https://t.co/D7Nmg9dhod  John Kasich (@JohnKasich) April 20, 2016

Cruz chastised Trump for complaining about the delegate-selection process, adding that, although more Republicans voted in Wisconsin, the total delegates secured by Cruz were dwarfed by Trump's haul in New York. He also added that New York votes "counted so much more" than Republican votes in another state he won: Texas.

Believing that another debate  the first that would be held since mid-March  would do him justice, Cruz also called out Trump for supposedly refusing to debate.

"Why is it that Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders respect the voters more than Donald Trump?" he said. "They held a debate."

He added: "She's more willing to appear in a debate than Donald Trump."

NOW WATCH: Obama slams Trumps half-baked plan to make Mexico pay for a US border wall





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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and seven other countries called on Tuesday for urgent action to address global steel overcapacity, a day after China and other major steel producing countries failed to agree on measures to tackle an industry crisis. Representatives of the United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Switzerland and Turkey agreed that urgent steel industry restructuring was imperative, and must be market driven, according to a joint statement released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. They also agreed that their governments should not provide subsidies or other support that sustain loss-making steel plants or encourage additional capacity. In a separate statement, U.S. officials said they would continue to lobby for action on steel with trade partners. "It is our shared goal that other economies, including China, will come to recognize the value of these actions and will join our collective effort to address the causes of the current excess capacity problem," Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in a separate statement. "The United States will continue to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with trading partners, including China, to take meaningful action to meet that goal." A meeting of ministers and trade officials from over 30 countries, hosted by Belgium and the OECD on Monday, concluded only that overcapacity had to be dealt with in a swift and structural way. Washington pointed the finger at China for the talks failure, saying Beijing needed to cut overcapacity or face possible trade action from other countries. But Chinese officials said it was already taking sufficient steps to curb capacity, while state news said blaming China for the global steel industry crisis was a lazy excuse for protectionism that would be counter-productive. "It is the slow recovery of the world economy that causes sluggish demand for steel products, which further leads to the overcapacity issue in the steel sector," Zhang Ji, assistant minister at China's Ministry of Commerce, told state-run Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday. The Chinese government has taken the most concrete measures and is paying enormous price to cut overcapacity, said Zhang. Beijing is also aiming to boost domestic steel demand from major consumers including the automobile and machinery sectors and drive the use of high-value added steel structures in infrastructure, Zhang said. China, the world's top steel producer and exporter, is also the fifth-largest importer of steel, buying an equivalent of 13.57 million tonnes of crude steel last year. China's steel production hit a record high last month as rising prices, and profits, encouraged mills that had been shut or suspended to resume production. The OECD says global steelmaking capacity was 2.37 billion tonnes in 2015, but declining production meant only 67.5 percent of that was being used, down from 70.9 percent in 2014. Britain in particular has felt the squeeze as its largest producer Tata Steel has announced plans to pull out of the country, threatening 15,000 jobs. Last week, more than 40,000 German steel workers took to the streets to protest against dumping from China. (Reporting by Eric Beech; Additional reporting Melanie Burton in MELBOURNE and Ruby Lian in SHANGHAI; Editing by Eric Walsh and Lincoln Feast)
A company list showing the Mossack Fonseca law firm is pictured on a sign at the Arango Orillac Building in Panama City in this April 3, 2016 file photo. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/Files (Reuters)

(Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the tax avoidance claims revealed in the release of the Panama Papers, the Guardian reported on Tuesday.

The U.S. attorney for Manhattan, Preet Bharara, has written to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), requesting additional details to aid his investigation, the newspaper said. (http://bit.ly/1ThRreM)

A spokesman for Bharara declined to comment.

The ICIJ published the documents that have become known as the Panama Papers on April 3. The 11.5 million confidential documents contain information on about 214,000 offshore companies compiled by Panamanian lawyers Mossack Fonseca that illustrate how individuals and corporations hide assets from public scrutiny and avoid taxes.

The Panama Papers cover a period over almost 40 years, from 1977 until last December.

The Justice Department probe comes after President Barack Obama said the Panama Papers reports showed tax avoidance to be a huge problem, and urged action to stop U.S. companies from taking advantage of tax loopholes that allows them to avoid paying sufficient taxes.

(Reporting by Sneha Teresa Johny in Bengaluru and Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler)
WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - April 20, 2016) - The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation and Wells Fargo have announced the ten recipients of the USHCC Foundation's Local Chamber Grant program, totaling $100,000. Grants were awarded to local chambers nationwide during the opening of the 2016 USHCC Legislative Summit in Washington, DC. Funds will directly support a variety of programs that build the capacity of Hispanic-owned businesses, serve the needs of local business communities, and target aspiring small business owners to hone their leadership skills.

"As a longstanding champion of our association, Wells Fargo has contributed generously to advancing opportunities for our nation's thriving Hispanic businesses and the local communities they serve," said Javier Palomarez USHCC President & CEO. "These grants are a rededication to programs critical to our local chambers. Every dollar of these grants goes directly toward fostering small business growth. We are grateful for Wells Fargo's continued support for these critically important initiatives, and look forward to celebrating the success our local chambers enjoy by virtue of Well Fargo's strong alliance with the USHCC."

Multiple grants ranging from $20,000 to $5,000 were awarded to local chambers who continue to serve their members and local business communities. Grant recipients include:

Florida State Hispanic Chamber Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Cincinnati

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana

Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Latino Chamber of Commerce

Nevada Hispanic Business Group

Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

"Wells Fargo has a rich history of supporting our diverse chambers of commerce, and we share their commitment to helping the small business owners they serve to succeed financially," said Lisa Stevens, Regional Marketing, Small Business and Pacific Midwest Bank Executive. "Through this partnership with the USHCC Foundation, Well Fargo is proud to provide funding that will support chamber-led entrepreneur training programs. This partnership allows Wells Fargo to provide dedicated resources for education, growth and advancement of diverse business owners in communities across America."

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In addition to the local chamber grants, Wells Fargo is the exclusive sponsor of the USHCC Foundation's Chamber Training Institute (CTI) which is offered to chamber leaders throughout the year. In collaboration with the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, the USHCC Foundation's CTI program offers customized training curriculum to deepen levels of engagement and advance business leadership skills.

About the USHCC

The USHCC actively promotes the economic growth, development and interests of more than 4.1 million Hispanic-owned businesses, that combined, contribute over $661 billion to the American economy every year. It also advocates on behalf of 259 major American corporations and serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local chambers and business associations nationwide. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.

About the USHCC Foundation

The mission of the USHCC Foundation is to enrich the experiences of future leaders in the world of business through life-long learning and support. The Foundation's initiatives awaken and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit, support business growth, strengthen local chambers and foster leaders. Please visit www.ushccfoundation.org for more information on the USHCC Foundation.
People take pictures of Mongolian fossils before a Repatriation ceremony in New York on April 5, 2016 (AFP Photo/Kena Betancur) (AFP)

New York (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday handed back to Mongolia fossil remains of six species of dinosaur smuggled out of the country and impounded by agents in New York and Utah.

The largest item was the skull of an Alioramus, an exceptionally rare dinosaur believed to have roamed the Gobi Desert 66 to 70 million years ago.

A relative of the more widely known Tyrannosaurus, only two specimens are reported in scientific literature, both of them from Mongolia. US authorities described the fossil as the most complete Alioramus skull yet discovered.

The skull was confiscated by customs after being shipped from France with false papers claiming it was a cheap replica, US authorities said. The shipper later submitted forged Mongolian export documents, officials added.

Mongolia determined that fossils are national property in 1924, and their export is strictly forbidden.

Tuesday's ceremony, hosted by the US attorney for Brooklyn, is the latest in a series of returns of fossils to Mongolia in recent years, including a Tarbosaurus bataar dating back 70 million years.

"We are proud of our role in restoring this rich paleontological heritage to the Mongolian people and taking these cultural treasures from the hands of looters and smugglers," said Robert Capers, US attorney for Brooklyn.

Before Tuesday, 23 dinosaur fossils had been repatriated to Mongolia from the United States in the last three years, said Mongolia's ambassador to the United States, Altangerel Bulgaa.

Mongolia paleontologist Bolortsetseg Minjin described the Alioramus as an extremely rare dinosaur and said only two specimens reported in the scientific literature, and both from Mongolia.
Thousands of supporters of the center-right opposition attended gatherings in Caracas and across the country seeking a referendum on cutting President Nicolas Maduro's term short (AFP Photo/Juan Barreto)

Caracas (AFP) - Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro rallied support against him halfway through his mandate, leaving him prey to legal measures to drive him from office.

Thousands of supporters of the center-right opposition attended gatherings in Caracas and across the country seeking a referendum on cutting his term short.

But launching a referendum is the role of the national electoral board, which the opposition accuses of being controlled by the president's allies.

The opposition vowed to oust Maduro when it took control of the legislature in January after winning elections, blaming him for a crippling economic crisis.

Seeking to open another front, the opposition also plans to unveil a bill in the legislature this week to cut short Maduro's term.

Maduro has successfully blocked previous bills in the National Assembly by appealing to the Supreme Court, which critics say he also controls.

He has vowed to hold on to power and press on with the socialist "revolution" launched by his late predecessor Hugo Chavez.

Addressing thousands of supporters who gathered in heavy rain Tuesday outside the presidential palace in downtown Caracas, Maduro focused most of his attacks on the opposition-controlled Parliament.

The efforts are "the spearhead of a coup that aims to once again promote North American imperialism against the revolution," he said, as Venezuela observed a holiday marking its struggle for independence.

Maduro pledged to go on an offensive in the coming three years and "ultimately defeat the treacherous oligarchy."

Observers and politicians in the South American country have warned that economic hardship and political tensions could spark violence.

"This country is a bomb that could explode," leading opposition figure Enrique Capriles said at one of the anti-Maduro gatherings.

Venezuela's economy has plunged along with the price of the oil on which it relies for foreign revenues. Shortages of medicines and goods such as toilet paper and cooking oil are widespread.

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Maduro blames the collapse on an "economic war" by capitalists. The opposition blames his economic management.

"This assembly is going to fall," said Marjorie Cadenas, a Maduro loyalist rallying in Caracas.

"We have had three hard years of struggle against the economic war. We have come to tell the president that the people are with him."
A logo of Volkswagen is pictured on the wall at the 86th International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, March 1, 2016. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

By Andreas Cremer

BERLIN (Reuters) - Volkswagen has reached a deal with U.S. authorities to settle the case over its cheating of diesel emissions tests that would involve it paying each affected customer $5,000, Germany's Die Welt newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Citing unidentified sources close to the negotiations, Die Welt said the agreement would be presented on Thursday to Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco, avoiding a trial.

Volkswagen (VW) declined to comment.

Earlier on Wednesday, the possibility of a settlement had boosted the carmaker's shares by 6.6 percent, the biggest gain in Germany's benchmark DAX index.

A U.S. federal judge last month gave VW and regulators until Thursday to agree on a fix for nearly 600,000 diesel cars on U.S. roads implicated by VW's emissions test-rigging scandal.

The company does "not believe any expedited hearing or bench trial is appropriate or required", according to the agenda for the hearing on Thursday at the San Francisco district court about VW's progress toward reaching a deal with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The plaintiffs - a committee representing thousands of consumers who say they were tricked into buying polluting diesel vehicles - proposed an expedited hearing or bench trial, or an expedited "all issues" trial including punitive damages.

Die Welt said the agreement did not include a detailed plan to fix the affected cars, nor were details fixed on fines and other compensation measures, with one source saying the deal would be fleshed out in the coming months.

However, the owners of affected cars should receive $5,000 each in compensation and VW will separately have to pay to fix their vehicles, the paper said.

German lawyer Christopher Rother told Die Welt that plaintiffs in Europe would seek to emulate the U.S. deal for their customers too.

Earlier on Wednesday, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that VW would substantially increase the amount of money set aside to cover its emissions test cheating scandal from the 6.7 billion euros ($7.6 billion) currently earmarked.

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Europe's biggest carmaker will make provisions for a double-digit billion-euro amount in its 2015 results on April 28, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

One said the German company might not pay a dividend to shareholders on the results and if it did, it would be less than 1 euro per share. Volkswagen (VW) paid out 4.80 euros per common share and 4.86 euros per preference share on 2014 results.

VW declined to comment.

The company is struggling to put a cost on the biggest business scandal in its history seven months after it admitted to cheating U.S. diesel emissions tests, as it is embroiled in legal proceedings around the world.

Arndt Ellinghorst, an analyst at market research firm Evercore ISI, expects VW's total costs from the "dieselgate" scandal to reach about 30 billion euros.

Final provisions will depend on the outcome of talks with U.S. regulators, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission, one of the sources said.

Analysts have said a deal with U.S. authorities, also on financial penalties, would remove a major deterrent to investing in VW, whose shares have lost billions in value since the scandal broke in September.

"It would be a major positive trigger for the stock if VW quantified the total potential cost of the diesel affair," said Evercore ISI's Ellinghorst, who recommends buying VW shares.

Scandal-related expenses could cut VW's fourth-quarter operating profit 70 percent to 992 million euros, a Reuters poll of analysts found.

(Additional reporting by Jan Schwartz and Emma Thomasson; Editing by Georgina Prodhan and Mark Potter)
Alaska Air Group-Virgin America Merger: Fifth-Largest US Airline

(Continued from Prior Part)

Cultural differences

Virgin America (VA) and Alaska Air Group (ALK) have two extreme cultures. Virgin American boasts a young vibrant image with on board purple lighting and Wi-Fi service. On the other hand, Alaska is managed conservatively. Its very disciplined regarding costs.

Alaska Air cant continue to maintain two different airlines considering the high costs it would incur. On the other hand, it faces the risk of disappointing Virgin Americas brand-loving loyal customers.

Merger integration issues

Mergers are known to be scary considering all the complexities involved! The United Airlines-Continental merger in 2010 is a classic example of how badly things can go wrong. United Continental (UAL) faced integration issues until 2015. This left many customers and investors disgruntled.

On the other hand, the Delta Air Lines (DAL)-Northwest Airlines merger was very successful. The airlines shared many similarities. The pilots from both companies signed a contract on the day of the merger. This was possible because unions formed a very small percentage of Delta Air Lines employees.

Alaska Air Group forms 1.4% of the iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETFs (IJK) holdings.

Despite knowing these problems, Alaska Air Group acquired Virgin America and paid a premium for it. To learn why, read the next part in this series.

Continue to Next Part

Browse this series on Market Realist:
A Yahoo logo is pictured in front of a building in Rolle, 30 km (19 miles) east of Geneva, in this file picture taken December 12, 2012. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

By Deborah M. Todd

San Francisco (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc's (YHOO.O) first-quarter results beat Wall Street estimates by a hair on Tuesday in what was taken as a good sign for the web pioneer's plan to auction its core business.

Under pressure from activist shareholder Starboard Value LP and others, Yahoo has ramped up a sale of its media, email and other web businesses. Yahoo's overall fortunes have failed to revive under Chief Executive Marissa Mayer, although she points to good results in key areas including social media.

Mayer in a call with analysts drilled the message that she was focussed on the sale and was meeting with investors and potential bidders, a contrast with the previous quarter, when she also discussed plans to spin off the company's core business from Yahoo Japan and its stake in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Inc (BABA.O).

The first round of bids closed on Monday. Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) has put in an offer and is set to make a short list, according to sources. Private equity firms Apax Partners LLP, TPG Capital LP, Bain Capital LLC, Apollo Global Management LLC and Warburg Pincus LLC have also submitted first- round bids.

Yahoo aims to close the sale in June, sources said. That would be before the annual meeting where Starboard wants shareholders to replace the board.

Yahoo shares rose nearly 1 percent to $36.66 in light volume in extended trading on Tuesday.

"The numbers are providing some comfort things aren't falling off a cliff," said Ronald Josey of JMP Securities. "If you're bidding for this company it's nice to see them doing what they said they would do."

Revenue fell 11.3 percent to $1.09 billion in the first quarter, the first decline after four straight quarters of growth. The result squeaked by analyst estimates of $1.08 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Yahoo reported a net loss of $99 million, or 10 cents per share, compared with a profit of $21 million, or 2 cents per share, a year ago. On an adjusted basis, Yahoo earned 8 cents per share, topping Wall Street's target of 7 cents.

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"The results should build a little bit of confidence for investors that the sale is going to be completed," said Murali Sankar, an analyst at Boenning & Scattergood Inc.

Mayer told analysts a spinoff was still possible, but she said that only in response to a direct question on the call. That showed she was focussed on the sale, said Axiom Capital analyst Victor Anthony.

Yahoo said it sees second-quarter GAAP revenue of $1.05 billion to $1.09 billion - below analysts' view of $1.10 billion.

(Reporting by Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza, Peter Henderson, Bernard Orr and Leslie Adler)
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders listens to the first question at an African American Community Conversation town hall event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania April 6, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich

Over the last few decades, there's been a weird trend in American politics: Voters are more likely than ever to describethemselves as independents, but they're less likely to actually be independent in their voting.

That is, Americans are increasingly calling themselves "independent," while consistently voting Republican or Democratic.

This is a bad trend. "I don't believe in labels" is as disingenuous an idea in the voting booth as it is when expressed on a date.

Party labels are useful. They tell us a lot about a politician's ideology and what legislation he or she is likely to vote for, which is why voters increasingly rely on them when choosing candidates  even if they are too precious to accept those labels for themselves.

This year's campaign is revealing a problem with the no-labels approach: Many "independent" voters strongly support a candidate, but they don't get to vote in the primary of the party they are unofficially loyal to. In many states, those primaries are open only to official members who admit that they are Republicans or Democrats.

Partly, this reflects a problem with the rules. In New York, new voters could register for the primary as late as last month and vote today, but existing voters who wanted to change their party had to do so all the way back in October. That's absurdly early, and voters have good reason to complain about it.

So do the Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders campaigns, which tend to draw more support from independents. Even two of Trump's children missed the party-change deadline.

Donald Trump

But let's be honest: This also partly reflects a problem with the voters, who increasingly want a say in the candidate-selection processes of parties they refuse to join.

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When political parties choose to close their primaries, they have a reasonable argument for why. Restricting voting to party members provides at least a minimal demonstration that the voters choosing the party's candidates are invested in the party, and not simply interfering in its candidate-selection process.

With a reasonable deadline, this is not a high bar to participation. All you have to do to become a party member is check a box on a form. If the GOP allows me to be a Republican, you can obviously be a member of whatever party you want.

@jbarro is that cause they read your columns?  Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) April 19, 2016

So, independent voters of New York, by all means urge your state lawmakers to change the party-change deadline so voter access is easier. While you're at it, urge them to allow a reasonable period of early voting.

But also consider: Are you loyal in practice to a political party?

Then maybe you should go ahead and join it so this won't be an issue next time.

NOW WATCH: Watch Bernie Sanders rant on why Hillary Clinton isnt qualified to be president





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Lobbying is underway to change Nebraskas public utility to private entities, according to Nebraska Public Power District representative Craig Vincent.

Vincent addressed Plattsmouth City Council Monday night about the attempts and provided an update about how NPPD strives to serve its customers in Plattsmouth and throughout the state.

This has been an interesting year. There have been bills introduced in the Legislature attempting to change the structure of utility delivery in Nebraska, Vincent said.

Nebraska, he said, is the only state in the Union with 100 percent public power. NPPD is locally owned and controlled. You elect the governing body of NPPD. You elected Mary Harding. You are her constituents and she is accessible to you, Vincent said.

Harding previously lived in Lincoln. After election to the board, she moved to Plattsmouth. Harding helps push forward NPPDs vision for enhancing the quality of life in Nebraska and improving safety measures to deliver power to its customers, he indicated.

NPPD has gone three years with no rate increase. We have begun to talk about 2017 and were hoping that string will continue, Vincent said.

NPPD has more than a billion dollars in assets each year, and it has earned an A-plus rating among top financial institutions. Over 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of transmission lines make up the NPPD electrical grid system, which delivers power to about one million customers.

Our power plants are top performers, Vincent said.

NPPD continually researches with local communities on implementing large-scale energy processes.

Vincent said NPPD recently partnered with Monolith Materials regarding its replacement of the existing coal-fired boiler at the Sheldon Station plant in Hallam with one that uses clean-burning hydrogen fuel.

Monolith produces hydrogen as a byproduct in its production of carbon black. When burned, the hydrogen fuel produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, Vincent said. Through this agreement, NPPD is expected to reduce CO2 emissions at the Sheldon Station by 1.1 million tons per year.

To date, NPPD is 46 percent carbon-free. The additional reduction is important, Vincent said, when were looking at future further restrictions.

Vincent explained Plattsmouth owns the actual utility distribution system. In turn, NPPD leases and operates the system. It pays a lease-rate based on its energy sales. Last year, the payment was $830,000.

Energy sales were down 3.5 percent in the 2014-2015 year, but that is not unique to Plattsmouth, Vincent said. Energy sales have decreased due to economic conditions, energy efficiency measures and the fact that homes and businesses are finally getting saturated with electronics, he said.

NPPD gave $325,000 in-lieu-of-tax payment to Cass County for the year based on its revenue in Plattsmouth.

Vincent said NPPD also aids Plattsmouth in economic development areas. We are involved in the chamber and we are part of your community, he said.

The company also provides technical expertise regarding energy audits to customers. In 2015, customers received over $9,700 in energy-efficiency incentives.

Behind the scenes, NPPD has saved funds by changing its testing process for underground conductors. NPPD used to systematically replace lines in an entire area. A year and one-half ago, NPPD adopted a new technology that allows them to determine which lines need replaced.

If we tested 28,000 feet of cable, we would replace 28,000 feet of cable the old way. When we tested the new way, we found only 13 percent needed to be replaced. Before, we were putting off upgrades that needed to be done, he said.

NPPD is also working on implementing LED street lighting. Vincent said Monday morning NPPD kicked off a street audit of every street light in the community. Were building a databaseBased on those findings, we may purchase and install LED lights. It may lead to a retrofit of LED lighting. We will determine the feasibility of doing that, Vincent said. If the result of computer modeling looks positive, we will probably install some of them. Converting to LED lighting has energy savings and maintenance savings.

Vincent said converting all of the street lights is a costly process. Its not like at home where you replace a burned out light bulb with an LED and the savings are immediate, he said.

For street lighting, the immediate savings might come from reducing the number of lighting units in an area.

We work on any of a number of ways to save costs. There is no cost savings too small to pursue, he said.
I recently traveled to China with a congressional delegation. As I boarded the Air China plane, the flight attendants were welcoming, accommodating, and professional. They seemed to take great pride in their work. One stood up before the passengers to give the usual spiel about how to buckle your seatbelt and negotiate other safety measuresa talk few people pay attention to. What then followed was quite unusual. The security team leader authorized by the Security Administration Act of the Peoples Republic of China made an announcement: there will be penalties and punishments for noncompliance, including for behaviors that would disrupt the normal order of the cabin. I wrote a note to myself: What a different world Im entering.

China is a country fraught with contradictions. China has a capitalist-communistic system; China seeks to overcome past humiliations with increasing aggressiveness; China has rapidly expanded economic freedom while restraining many others.

A brief review of recent history can perhaps give some insight. In the latter part of the 20th century, Chairman Maos Cultural Revolution starved millions and firmly established communist rule. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Deng Xiopeng delivered another model by ending agricultural collectivization and realizing the potential of the market system. The current President Xi Jinping has moved quietly to consolidate political power and reconcile a market economy with ancient tradition and collectivist control. He is considered the core, a fatherly figure of virtue who will shepherd Chinas new ascendency. China is now repositioned as a rising power.

The underlying driver of it all is Chinas economy. The country has a strong work ethic and dedication to individual advancement. However, a number of industries are state-owned. Until recently, China achieved an astounding 10 percent per year growth rate. At the same time, Chinas economic development has great costs, contributing to extreme wealth disparity and severe environmental degradation. Beijing is so polluted that living there strikes five and a half years off an average lifetime. One Chinese person whispered to me, Whats the point of all this economic growth if it kills you? Interestingly, China is emerging as a world leader in advancing the use of renewable resources.

Regarding questions of security, China desires to overcome its past dominance by foreign powers. In relation to America, China claims that plenty of room remains in the Pacific for two superpowers. Yet shared power is a foreign concept to the Chinese. China values stability, yet expanding Chinese ambition in the South China Sea is disturbing the regions normal nautical equilibrium. America pushes China to try and control its neighbor, North Korea, from its destabilizing and nationalistic militarism, but the effectiveness of Chinas efforts has been unclearand at this point matters may be beyond their control.

Finally, in a very privileged meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, we had a frank and open conversation about our need for friendship, honest discussion about differences, and harmonious relations. The congressional delegation and I talked about a range of issues including North Korea, the South China Sea, the issue of intellectual property rights, and censorship. I thought it was particularly important to use the Chinese concept of individual economic liberty to press for additional space for religious expression. I quoted Chinas president, who has called for a spiritual and cultural renewal. In return, I received a polite and thorough answer about the Chinese constitutions guarantee of religious freedom and the Confucian religious tradition. Ironically, as we were meeting, crosses were being removed elsewhere in the country in an ongoing beautification campaign that over two years has eliminated an estimated 2,000 crosses from churches.

As I wandered through Tiananmen Square under the watchful eye of the image of Chairman Mao, I felt safe from crime and any hostility, or even any security scrutiny. The Chinese citizens around me appeared to go about their business with a curious indifference to my presence. In the side streets, beyond the formal government buildings and urban skyscrapers, it was a bit of a different flavor; the people were welcoming and friendly, eager to smile and engage.

From my hotel room window, Beijing showed itself a thriving metropolis of modern offices, hotels, apartments, luxury retail, and neon lights. On closer examination, right below me, I saw an old neighborhood of traditional Chinese architecture, preserved from modern development: a maze of narrow alleyways, curving peaked roofs made of clay tile, and a type of functioning poverty. And next to that was another startling sight, what I believed to be a Patriotic Catholic Church, a 100 year old structure reopened after the Cultural Revolution. China truly is a curious mix of seemingly contradictory forces that marches toward ever increasing power.
In my last column I made mention that the Speaker was going to move to suspend the rules to thwart a filibuster threat by our senior member to stall a host of bills sitting on Final Reading, of which, the redistricting bill, LB 580, was one of them that I had opposed.

A deal was arrived at and the motion to suspend the rules was withdrawn. This allowed myself and others to continue to oppose LB 580.

Unfortunately, the redistricting bill passed and was sent to the Governor with a 29 to 15 vote. At this time, I dont know for sure, but it seems to be headed toward a veto by the Governor.

Two property tax bills introduced on behalf of the Governor, which I supported, passed and are expected to be signed by him.

LB 958 will bring some needed relief to lessen the big property tax hit agricultural landowners have taken in the last several years.

Passing the Legislature on April 13 with my support, on a 47 to 1 vote, the bill will increase the amount of property tax credit agricultural landowners will receive this year.

Senators appropriated $204 million dollars in the budget last year to go towards property tax credits. LB 958 increases this amount by $20 million dollars to $224 million for the fiscal year 2016-17.

The extra $20 million will be targeted toward providing additional relief for agricultural landowners who have seen their property taxes skyrocket as of late.

I personally would have liked to have done more in the area of permanent reform, but we could not come to an agreement on what type of property tax reform is right for Nebraska, and decided to move ahead with additional credits for those property owners who have been hit the hardest.

In LB 958s sister bill, LB 959, the Legislature was able to address some true property tax reform in education funding.

Beginning in 2017-18 school year, two disincentives for districts to lower their levies will be eliminated.

The first disincentive is the minimum levy requirement to receive formula state aid (TEEOSA). This was artificially incentivizing high local levies so that schools could receive state aid under the formula. This 95 cent minimum levy will no longer be a requirement for eligibility for districts to be included in the TEEOSA formula, ending non-equalized districts.

The second disincentive is getting rid of the averaging adjustment penalty for larger districts with 900 plus students.

Currently in the TEEOSA formula, for every one cent reduction in levy from $1.04 down to $1.00, a school district in this category would lose 10 percent of this adjustment. This obviously creates an incentive to keep levies artificially high.

LB 958 eliminates this disincentive and calculates every school in this category at the maximum amount, regardless of the districts levy.

The last provision in this bill to help control educational funding pertains to the Qualified Capital Project Undertaking Fund (QCPUF).

This fund is designed to provide for extra funding outside the $1.05 levy limit, 5.2 cents, to take care of actual or potential environmental hazards, accessibility barriers, life safety code violations, indoor air quality and mold within both existing school buildings and new construction.

This can be done without a vote of the people.

LB 958 reduces levy authority for these safety issues from 5.2 cents to 3 cents for issues arising after the effective date of this act. In addition, this is limited to existing school buildings and grounds, not new construction.

The legislature did little more then put its toe in the water of property tax relief, but it was important to get started and get the property tax relief and reform train headed down the tracks.

As always, I really appreciate hearing from you on important matters. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff for information on legislative bills or if I may be of assistance. Please reach me at: Senator Bill Kintner, 1000 State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509 (402-471-2613), or at my email: bkintner@leg.ne.gov.
Where will Justin and Jacob Pavlik be on Sunday night?

In front of their television watching an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

The Pavlik twins were among five Arlington teens who met and had their photograph taken with movie star Molly Ringwald in December. The star of hit movies, including Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, was in Arlington last winter to film a segment of the show.

Locally, the episode will air at 8 p.m. Sunday on TLC on cable and satellite television.

Who Do You Think You Are? is a genealogy documentary in which celebrities retrace a portion of their family tree.

Ringwald will retrace her fathers maternal family. Ringwalds journey will take her to Sweden and then to Nebraska, where she stops at the Washington County Courthouse in Blair and a family homestead in Arlington.

During her genealogical trek, Ringwald will learn about her ancestors dangerous and difficult lives as coal miners in Sweden and of generations who suffered and struggled through tragedy. She also learns about their relocation in America and of a brave relative who helped alter the course of her family members destinies.

Ringwald was born in Roseville, Calif., to Robert Bob Ringwald and Adele Fremd, states information provided through the TLC program.

In the show, she travels to Brooklyn, N.Y., to meet with her dad and learn more about his grandfather, nicknamed, The Swede. She discovers that the mans real name was Edwin Jenson and that he came to the United States when he was about 3 years old.

Upon more investigation, shell learn that Jenson was born in Sweden in 1885, and that his parents, Gustaf Jenson and Carolina Grip, were born there as well.

Clues from a 1900 U.S. Census will show that Gustaf and Carolina Jenson lived in Nebraska with their six children, including Edwin.

Wondering where they lived in Sweden and why the left for America, Ringwald will head overseas.

In Sweden, she learns about ancestors who lived near a town called Hoganas and were mine laborers. Shell tour a coal mine and learn about the dark and dangerous conditions her ancestors endured.

Gustaf and Carolina were able to leave that life and come to Nebraska.

Ringwalds quest will bring her to the Washington County Courthouse to learn more about Gustaf and Carolina. Shell go to Arlington to see a family landmark and walk in her ancestors footsteps.

She also receives an obituary which tells about Carolinas incredible reputation in the community and the love felt for her by her family.

Last winter, Ringwald and a TLC crew were in Arlington, a town of 1,200, to film a segment of the episode.

Thats when Justin Pavlik, an eighth-grader at Arlington Public Schools, became one of the first teens to notice Ringwald using her phone to take pictures of a house on Second Street where her ancestors lived.

We were all hanging out and me and my friend, Cameron (Rathjen) walked up in the alley and saw her, said Justin, 14.

The boys walked up to Ringwald and said Hi.

Ringwald asked how they were doing before saying that she was in a hurry and had to go. They learned she was headed to a different location. After she left, the boys went to their friend Samantha Doughtys house.

They then saw Ringwald return.

By then, the camera crew members were packing up their gear.

We asked if we could get a quick picture with her and she said, yeah, Justin said.

So in a picture the teens wont soon forget, Ringwald stood and smiled along with Justin and his twin brother, Jacob, Cameron, Ty Buckley and Samantha.

Have a good Christmas, Ringwald told the group. Thank you for taking a picture with me.

How did the teens recognize a movie star?

We all pretty much recognized her from The Breakfast Club, Justin said.

In the 1980s, Ringwald became a teen icon after starring in hit movies like Sixteen Candles.

Her films have played repeatedly throughout the years on television. The Breakfast Club is Pavliks favorite.

The teens enjoyed meeting Ringwald and recently Pavlik got a heads up about the TV episodes debut.

A lot of people on Facebook tagged me about when it was going to air so Ive been waiting for it, he said.

Pavlik looks forward to seeing the episode.

I think Im going to learn more about what was going on with her history within her family, he said.

Pavlik and his family will watch the episode at his house. His friends may stop by as well.

In the meantime, he said several people have asked him about Ringwald.

What does he tell them?

Shes really nice and shes really cool, he said.
A dump truck had left a large pile of dirt across the road, right in the middle of a bridge, which effectively blocked all traffic in both directions. The driver of a small van in which I was traveling made a sharp left turn to find a different route.

Before long, we were bouncing down a dirt pathway in the middle of a farmers field looking for another passage across a creek. It was clear this wasnt the first time the driver had to deal with blocked roads; he seemed to know where his next possible crossing might be.

Bolivia has a history of civil unrest and public protest against perceived political corruption.

When our driver finally found a crossing, it was jammed with vehicles all stuck in the mud and attempting to make it through the polluted waters. All of us in our van got out to help push vehicles through the foul-smelling waters. We knew it would speed the process for us getting to our destination, Tiahuanaco.

While the Inca Empire is better known, and its sites more numerous and visually remarkable, Tiahuanaco is the true sacred center of the Andean region. Almost entirely in ruins, Tiahuanaco is to South America what the Great Pyramid is to Egypt.

Tiahuanaco was the source of the creation myths, the social order, and the extraordinary obsession with astronomy that supported thousands of years of Andean culture.

There are many theories about Tiahuanaco, explained Jose, our guide. You will have to come to your own conclusion when we are done.

Our first stop was the Kalasasaya temple and the location of the Gateway of the Sun, along with several stelae. A stela is an upright stone slab or column with carvings.

The Gate of the Sun is a megalithic, solid stone arch or gateway constructed by the Bolivian people of the ancient Tiahuanaco culture over 1,500 years ago. Constructed from a single piece of stone, it has an estimated weight of 10 tons. Quite an accomplishment for an ancient culture to create and move something so large.

This stela is theorized to represent the light and dark of humanity, Jose explained.

The stone he pointed to was carved from a large rock where half of the stela was in a lighter stone color and the other half was darker.

Next, we visited the sunken temple. All four walls were covered with stone faces.

No two faces are the same. The walls of the sunken temple are decorated with the images of deity-like beings with impassive faces and fancy headdresses, Jose explained. Some people feel these faces represent the various tribes around the world. And some beyond. If you look to the eastern wall, you will find a couple faces that appear alien in the eyes.

Our last stop in the area was a location called Pumapunku.

Here you will find highly precise stonework. No one can explain this stone next to me, Jose said. It has a number of holes bored to exactly the same depth, less than 1/2 millimeter difference and all in a straight line.

I inspected the stone closely. The holes looked like they were made with a machine. One problem, they didnt have drills with bits 4,000 years ago to create something like this.

This stone perplexes scientists. Theres no carbon in the stone, so they cant use carbon dating to estimate when it was created, Jose said. But the precision of the holes creates a mystery.

Next to that stone was a pile of large square stones that were precisely cut to fit together like Lincoln logs to form pillars.

The people of Tiahuanaco just disappeared. No one knows what happened to them or where they went. We only have these stone artifacts left to piece together a guess, Jose concluded.

I had to ask. And the alien theory?

A good mystery with unanswered questions is good for business, Jose said, smiling.

It was now time for me to disappear from Bolivia. More adventures awaited in Chile.
James Rosenbach was 11 years-old when he met Robert Bussey.

And now, that friendship continues to grow on many levels as Rosenbach looks ahead to celebrating a huge milestone of 44 years of training and teaching.

When he first started his initial goal was to get his brown belt.

But Bussey wouldnt settle for anything less than black.

He said oh no, youre not stopping there, were going all the way, he said. I knew then I was going to be a teacher.

Rosenbach said by the time he was 15 year-old, both had achieved their black belts and were certified instructors.

People thought I was crazy for going into business and opening a karate school with a 15-year-old kid, but Robert was no ordinary 15 year-old, he said.

Rosenbach said he knew from the very beginning that Bussey was special.

I knew Robert was going to be a very successful martial artist and I was happy to go along for the ride, he said. The rest is history.

Bussey and Rosenbach have both been honored and enshrined in the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame, featured on the cover of every martial arts magazine in existence and Bussey was dubbed the King of Combat by Ninja Magazine.

According to Rosenbach, he and Bussey have taught martial arts all over the world to include Europe, Japan, Korea, Cancun, Bahamas, Canada and Jamaica. Robert Busseys formed RBWI (Robert Busseys Warrior International) is a worldwide organization, and he is now a martial arts personal self-defense consultant and teaches seminars.

Although the duo has taught thousands of students, some of the greatest students came right out of the Fremont Nebraska schools, he said. Fremont has always been the headquarters of our martial arts organization.

Rosenbach said officially August of this year starts his 44th year of training and teaching martial arts in Fremont and surrounding communities.

He currently teaches in downtown Fremont, Fremont YMCA, Weeping Water, Elkhorn, Wahoo, Blair, Cassville MO and a missionary location in Mexico.

We have taught thousands of students, he said. We have over 50 students who have went on to use their skills in law enforcement careers, some of our most outstanding were right here from Fremont.

Rosenbach said just a few of the success stories include Travis Smalley who won the Junior Olympics 7 straight years in a row and competed in the Olympic trials. Also, Tracy Sorenson was Army Ranger and graduated with a degree from Bolder Colo. Kevin McMahon went on to be an Olympic diver and started his own movie production company. Lars Bergstrom went on to be a Major in the Military and attended college at Georgetown, Tulane University Law School, he has his own law practice today.

A few others include Angelee Rump, USKF Grand Champion and USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Colton Decker, a 3 time Martial Arts World Champion with the Alliance Organization and World Games and his daughter, Alexis Rosenbach Glover who is now a Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader, award-winning choreographer.

Rosenbach said he will always be grateful for Busseys encouragement.

We were a team, he said. We got our black belts together. I actually got my before him but I waited to wear it until he got his. Weve had a close bond for 44 years. How many people stay best friends for that long?

At 63, Rosenbach has no intentions of slowing down.

Ive always told everybody if I poop out or have a heart attack during class, just drag me off of the mat and keep going.
DES MOINES  State park users and advocacy groups may be quizzed soon about their willingness to re-impose a fee to access the facilities as a way to help fund maintenance and improvements to Iowas park system.

A fiscal 2017 budget bill that helps fund agriculture and natural resources functions of state government includes language calling for state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials to study the feasibility of installing electronic card reader systems at state park entrances for the exclusive purpose of allowing the department to more efficiently collect user fees from individuals who enter those areas by motor vehicle.

As part of that study, according to the House File 2454 explanation, DNR officials also are to solicit input from state park users and state park supporter groups regarding their willingness to pay additional fees to provide funding for maintenance and operations of state parks.

State officials are to report their findings and recommendations to Gov. Terry Branstad and legislators by Jan. 15, 2017.

Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm, D-Cresco, co-chair of the House-Senate agriculture and natural resources budget subcommittee, said the information gathering did not necessarily equate into a future park user fee.

Rep. Norlin Mommsen, R-DeWitt, the other panel co-leader, said his interest was to allow state officials to think outside the box concerning new technology applications but not to reinstate a fee to use state parks.

To me, its a dream clause, said Mommsen.

I just think there must be something with these apps and stuff that we could be utilizing that were not, he added. My intent is to let them think outside the box and just what is possible. Whatever you can think of or dream of.

Mommsen said he wanted to explore applications that could make park rangers jobs easier, streamline check-ins or improve methods for park users to make reservations at facilities around the state. He added that if Iowans are surveyed, he believes people will come back and say theyre against re-instating a state park user fee. For most people, thats such a paradigm switch, especially for Iowa.

Branstad spokesman Ben Hammes said the governor also does not support a park user fee.

Gov. Branstad values our Iowa state parks and is always looking for innovative ways to make them more accessible to Iowans, Hammes said in a statement. While imposing user fees to access our state parks has been used before and was unpopular among Iowans, Gov. Branstad remains generally opposed to the idea of imposing fees to access our state parks.

Iowa had user fees for a few years beginning in 1986, but those charges  $2 a day or $10 a season  were abolished because the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) was supposed to replace them. However, that program never has received the amount of money pledged, and legislators this session have proposed $16 million for REAP and $3 million for state park maintenance and operations in various fiscal 2017 budget bills.
DES MOINES  Iowa Medicaid Director Mikki Stier told senators Wednesday afternoon that the state is working quickly to answer Medicaid recipient and provider questions after the April 1 transition to managed care, adding the state continues to see no major systemic issues.

Once again, she was met with serious doubts and even an outburst.

Youre not hearing what were hearing, said Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, who told a story of a woman in his district who was recently denied a medication that helps ease her seizures and was told she would need to try alternative medications. Its not all roses. Its systemic and across all of our districts from senator to senator.

Stier, along with the heads of the three managed-care organizations contracting with Iowa to handle its $5 billion Medicaid program, met with senators of the Human Resources Committee for the second week in a row to discuss the transition.

A handful of senators read emails from both providers and beneficiaries detailing snags and problems regarding medical care since the April 1 transition. Problems ranged from a disabled adult being dropped off at the wrong place by a cab company contracted to take him to and from a medical appointment to rehabilitation therapy agencies given misinformation regarding a fee cap on services.

Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, recounted a story a hospital administrator in northwest Iowa told him regarding an unresponsive Medicaid patient brought into the emergency department

The MCO denied an inpatient stay, he said.

Instead, the hospital was granted a lower reimbursed observation stay  which is meant to be a shorter hospital stay in which the hospital determines if a patient needs longer inpatient care.

We want real answer to these questions, and I dont think were getting them, he said.

A majority of senators who spoke up during the meeting were in agreement that additional meetings were needed over the summer and fall, after the session has ended, to continue to address some of these issues.

Senators were particularly frustrated with a news release Gov. Terry Branstads office sent out Wednesday morning touting five success stories, including a Medicaid enrollee who no longer has to pay a $15 copay on medications and a Medicaid member with multiple chronic conditions who was able to work with a care manager on health goals.

Branstad said in the release that the stories highlight how the managed-care organizations are connecting patients with services to live healthier, happier lives.

Medicaid patients are getting access to better care, seeing greater flexibility to deliver that care, and ultimately better health outcomes under Medicaid modernization, he said.

However, the senators did not think the news releases reflected reality.

Has the governor become so disconnected with the world? said Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City. Its disheartening to see these rosy news releases saying that everything is going wonderfully. It is not selling out there.

With all due respect, said Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Cedar Rapids, this is what youre paid to do. You are contractually obligated to offer these services. This is what you are supposed to do.

Dotzler said after the meeting that the governors attitude over the transition has made senators and beneficiaries more upset.

You hear this thing that they can put lipstick on a pig. But theyre doing more that, theyre giving them face-lifts, but its still a pig, he said. Its a frustration level that Ive never really had before.
DES MOINES  Prospects dimmed Tuesday for legislative agreement this session on a long-term approach to addressing Iowas water-quality problems.

At his weekly news conference, Gov. Terry Branstad told reporters he supports a House-passed bill and hoped the Senate would at least debate the measure, amend it or offer some alternatives that would enable the split-control Legislature to take an important and significant step to improve Iowas rivers and lakes.

We think it would be a mistake for the Senate to go home without debating that issue, Branstad told reporters, and theres time to do that, and Im very hopeful that they will approve it this year.

However, Democrats who control the Senate believe the House plan to generate nearly half a billion dollars for water-quality efforts over 13 years by shifting money from state infrastructure projects and using revenue Iowans already pay on their water bills basically just moves existing money around within the general fund when a new revenue source is needed to address the long-term needs.

Also, Branstads plan to divert a portion of future sales tax revenue growth meant for school infrastructure toward programs to curb water pollution has failed to garner legislative support and none of the three options of a fractional sales tax increase, a new commodity checkoff option and an ending-balance trigger to fund water quality have built consensus to move forward.

Were getting ready to exit here. Theres no real consensus on what we should do to address this issue, said Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee who expects the 2016 session will produce a status-quo approach of funding via several budget bills.

There are a lot of proposals out there and they all have their pros and cons, and I think were not going to get to a consensus in this divided government were in, said Bolkcom.

During Tuesdays Senate debate on a fiscal 2017 ag/natural resources budget bill, Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, offered a revenue neutral plan to incrementally raise the sales tax from 6 percent to 6.375 percent over three years to fund a constitutionally protected natural resource trust approved by Iowa voters in 2010, while offsetting it with a corresponding adjustment to the Iowa income tax filing thresholds.

However, the amendment was ruled ineligible for consideration under a procedural challenge and Johnson lamented it as a missed opportunity before senators voted 31-19 to approve House File 2454.

But Bolkcom said the issue was a non-starter in a tight budget year, adding the budget just cant accommodate a $180 million loss to the general fund to fund K-12 education and other things.

We just dont have the capacity to do that now. We did a few years ago, but we dont have the capacity to do that now, Bolkcom said.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said hope springs eternal even though a consensus solution continues to elude the Legislature and the 2016 session winds down.
MASON CITY | A Lake Mills man was ordered to serve up to seven years in prison Monday on Cerro Gordo County convictions of methamphetamine possession and domestic assault.

Jason O. Thorson, 32, was sentenced to up to five years in prison for methamphetamine possession (third offense), a Class D felony.

He also was sentenced to up to two years in prison on an aggravated misdemeanor charge of domestic assault.

Thorson was arrested on the meth charge on June 4, 2015, in Mason City.

The domestic assault took place Feb. 24 in Mason City, according to court records.

Thorson pleaded guilty to both charges earlier this month.

Fines of $750 and $625 were suspended.

-- Mary Pieper
MASON CITY | A Marshalltown man was sentenced to up to two years in prison Monday on a Cerro Gordo County conviction of indecent contact with a child.

Kenneth C. Bittner, 57, was arrested on that charge, an aggravated misdemeanor, in January.

He fondled the breast of an 8-year-old on June 8, 2015, in Mason City, according to the criminal complaint.

Bittner will be under the supervision of the Department of Corrections for 10 years after his release from prison. He also must register as a sex offender.

He also must pay $1,752 restitution to the Crime Victims Compensation Program. He was fined $625.

Associate Judge Karen Kaufman Salic found Bittner guilty in a non-jury trial in March.

-- Mary Pieper
MASON CITY | A Mason City man was given a 10-year suspended sentence Monday for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Jay Barrientes, 49, was put on probation for five years on the Class C felony charge. A $1,000 fine was suspended.

Barrientes was one of 14 Mason City residents arrested on felony drug charges during a warrant sweep in early December.

All those arrested in the sweep were accused in court documents of selling drugs, predominantly methamphetamine, to cooperating individuals under the control of the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force between July and October 2015.

Barrientes entered an Alford plea in February in Cerro Gordo County District Court. In an Alford plea the defendant doesnt admit to the crime but acknowledges prosecutors can likely prove the charge.

-- Mary Pieper
Christopher S. Behounek

LIVERMORE  Christopher S. Behounek, 57, of Duluth, Minnesota, and formerly of Livermore, died at his home.

A Memorial Mass will be held on 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 25, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Livermore with Rev. Jim Tigges officiating.

Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Livermore.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at Lentz Funeral Home in Livermore.
MASON CITY  Prestage Foods of Iowa has agreed to create a 2.5-mile buffer zone around Mason City, Clear Lake and the lake itself in which it will not build or operate any hog confinements or buy animals from a facility in that area.

In addition, the company has agreed to pay the Mason City School District $1.4 million over a 10-year period in installments of $140,000 a year to help the system address potential growth.

The company announced its plans Wednesday.

Clear Lake City Administrator Scott Flory said, The citys most pressing concern, as it relates to the proposal, was the potential introduction of confinement operation facilities in proximity to the lake watershed. Prestage Farms willingness to respect the citys concerns is very helpful and appreciated.

Clear Lake Mayor Nelson Crabb said, Prestage Farms and Mason City elected officials recognition of the concerns expressed by Clear Lake and their efforts to develop a favorable solution is a step in the right direction.

The Mason City Council is expected to take the next steps Thursday night regarding the proposed Prestage plant in southwest Mason City.

It will set May 3 as the date for acting on the finalized development agreement for construction of the plant and will act on establishing an urban renewal district for the plant site.

A tentative agreement was included in the documents for Thursdays meeting. It outlines the economic development grants, employment requirements and the commitments on the buffer zone and donations to the school system.

There will be time for the public to speak at Thursdays meeting and the May 3 meeting.

On April 5, the council approved terms of the development agreement by a 6-0 vote. Councilman Alex Kuhn agreed to move the process along but expressed reservations about some of the terms in the proposed development agreement.

Many citizens object to the building of the plant, raising many environmental issues related to odor, wastewater and proliferation of hog confinement facilities.

They also have raised concerns about the impact of a population increase and the possible negative effect on property values.

Council members say they have been inundated with emails, phone calls and personal contacts from concerned citizens.

At-Large Councilman Bill Schickel said his emails and phone calls are running mostly against the project, but face-to-face conversations tend to be favorable or are from people with questions.

All of these are helpful as we weigh this important decision, he said.

At-Large Councilman Alex Kuhn said, Its great to see so many people engaged in the process as it shows they care deeply about their community.

This is the most pervasive issue our council has considered and has wide-ranging implications on so many aspects of the community that it requires extensive research by the voting members  and part of that is listening to the people who elected you.

I welcome all correspondence and respond to every inquiry no matter how long it takes, he said.

Councilman Travis Hickey said, I have had many conversations, emails and phone calls regarding this issue. All I am willing to say at this time is this: I have been working very hard to address the issues both pro and con to make a decision I feel is best for Mason City.

First Ward Councilman John Lee has been carrying on a dialogue with citizens through his Facebook page, Lee for MC.
MASON CITY  Cerro Gordo County Auditor Ken Kline said Tuesday there are no provisions in state law that would allow a public referendum on the proposed Prestage Foods of Iowa pork processing plant in Mason City.

Elections have to be authorized by law, he said, and must fit certain guidelines. Any unauthorized referendum would be non-binding.

Kline said his office has received inquiries about the possibility of holding a referendum on the proposal in Mason City for a $240 million pork processing plant.

If the city incurs debt and the debt meets the statutory definition of essential corporate purpose as in the case of Prestage, no public vote can be held under Iowa law, said Kline.

Mason City will sell bonds to help finance the Prestage deal. They will all be essential corporate purpose bonds not subject to vote as they are street, water and wastewater projects, said City Administrator Brent Trout.

There will be bond sales in both phases of the overall project totaling an estimated $35.2 million. Street improvements have a preliminary estimate of $750,000. The city will seek state grant money to pay part or all of the cost.

The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Mason City Room of the public library to consider action on an urban renewal district in which the plant is to be located. There will be a public forum at that meeting.
STORM LAKE  A Northwest Iowa police chief from a culturally diverse meatpacking town will answer questions from Mason City Council members on Thursday.

Storm Lake Police Chief Mark Prosser polices a community of approximately 10,900 residents that is home to hog and turkey-processing plants.

He was invited to speak at Thursdays council meeting by Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley and Mayor Eric Bookmeyer.

Immigration driven by Storm Lakes two processing plants has resulted in a community with a sizeable Hispanic population  about 36 percent in 2010  as well as Asians, African Americans, Africans, and most recently people from Pacific island nations.

My message is the pros far outweigh the cons, Prosser said in a phone interview Wednesday. It has made this community better, bigger and stronger.

Storm Lakes diverse population has been studied in several academic papers and was the subject of national and international news coverage, including the New York Times and Public Radio International.

The first wave of modern immigration to Storm Lake was in the 1970s and 1980s. Refugees from southeast Asian  Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia  settled in the city as part of a state and church-based relocation program.

People began coming from Mexico, Central America and South America when the plants expanded in the 1990s, Prosser said.

The largest non-English speaking population in Storm Lake is Spanish, but additional immigrants, often refugees, are still continuing to diversify the community.

Somalis, Ethiopians and Sudanese have made their homes in Storm Lake. Most recently, the city has seen an influx of Micronesians, Hmong and Burmese, Prosser said.

He said the city had an increase in crime in the 1990s as its population increased, but has since dropped to a 10-year low.

The departments annual reports track crimes by gender and ethnicity, allowing officers to see that no one ethnic group was disproportionately committing crimes, Prosser said.

Our crime was going up as our population was getting bigger, he said. It wasnt specific to any specific group.

In addition to contacting Prosser, Brinkley also spoke with police chiefs in other meatpacking communities to get insight on what new issues the department may face and how other communities have tackled those challenges.

He expects the citys police officers to be community leaders by showing tolerance of any new cultures, treating new arrivals with respect and helping integrate them into the community.

Policing people with some many different cultural backgrounds has presented challenges for Storm Lake.

The No. 1 challenge is not going to be crime. Its not going to be health. Its not going to be economic, Prosser said. Its going to be communication.

The Storm Lake Police Department has hired bilingual staffers. It also pays community members to translate.

Word about programs and important community issues is spread through focus groups and small community meetings  not large town halls.

The department also has a neighborhood outreach program. It sets up temporary offices several times a month in different neighborhoods to get to know residents and address concerns. Officers are joined by community health-care workers and agencies that assist domestic violence victims.

Prosser says establishing relationships with new arrivals to a community does not happen overnight.

Its a marathon, not a sprint, he said.
I respect and appreciate the mayor and the City Council for the leadership they have shown.

The Historic Park Inn represents a successful project for the city.

Although I respect the council I cannot support the Prestage Farms project.

I believe this decision represents the most important decision the City Council has ever made.

I do not believe adequate time has been given to investigate the project. As one example there has not been one environmental impact study. A project as enormous in scope as this project in this industry, which brings with it enormous implications, should not be considered without it. Our community would only benefit from the results.

My second point is that the timeline for the project feels rushed. Most residents had not heard of this companyuntil mid-March of this year.

Who does it benefit to not allow the project to proceed in a more deliberate manner? Projects of much lesser scope have received much more in-depth deliberation.

I do not support paying millions of dollars in tax rebate incentives to a wealthy company. And I do not believe it will enhance the potential growth of our community.

Ann MacGregor, Mason City
Hogs stink and so will the Prestage hog plant. People like living in Mason City because it has fresh air. If they wanted to smell hogs, they would live next to a hog farm.

Ron Prestage said, "I'd be an idiot if I said the plant won't smell."

It will be very easy for Prestage to get an air-quality permit because Iowa does not monitor odors.

We lost the Target distribution center and Winnebago expansion projects because of not enough workers. The only people who will work in the hog plant for these low wages are Hispanic-speaking immigrants. The 2,000 workers needed will probably each have a wife and two children. That's 8,000 new people and 4,000 new school children.

Storm Lake, Marshalltown and Postville have been seriously changed because of hog plants.

It is immoral for six City Council members to push this hog plant onto 28,000 citizens. We insist on a referendum. It is our right. The council is here to serve, not dictate.

There needs to be more than just public meetings. The council is obviously for it and will not change its mind and is unlikely to allow a public vote. We need to insist on a vote by the people, using legal action if the council will not listen. And we need to do it soon.

John Richardson, Mason City
Lithuanian English

Vilnius, Lithuania, 2016-04-18 16:03 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We hereby inform you that the agenda of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders of AB INVL Technology (legal entity code: 300893533, address of the registered office: Gyneju g. 16, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania, hereinafter, the Company) scheduled for 29 April 2016, 8.30 a.m. was supplemented by the proposal of the Companys shareholder AB Invalda INVL (legal entity code: 121304349, address of the registered office: Gyneju g. 14, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania) and the decision of the Management Board of the Company.

Agenda of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders (including its supplemented issues):

1. Presentation of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology annual report.

2. Presentation of the independent auditor's report on the financial statements of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology.

3. On the approval of the companys financial statements for 2015 of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology.

4. Regarding the distribution of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology profit for 2015.

5. Approval of a new wording of the Articles of Association of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology.

6. Approval of a new wording of the Management Agreement of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology with the management company UAB INVL Asset Management (legal entity code: 126263073, address of the registered office: Gyneju g. 14, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania).

Draft resolutions of the Companys general meeting of shareholders:

1. Presentation of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology annual report.

Shareholders of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology are presented with the annual report of INVL Technology (There is no voting on this issue of agenda).

2. Presentation of the independent auditor's report on the financial statements of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology.

Shareholders of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology are presented with the independent auditor's report on the financial statements of INVL Technology (There is no voting on this issue of agenda).

3. On the approval of the companys financial statements for 2015 of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology.

To approve the Companys financial statements for 2015 of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology.

4. Regarding the distribution of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology profit for 2015.

To distribute the profit of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology as follows:

Line item (EUR thousand) Retained earnings (loss) at the beginning of the reporting period 6,846 Impact of merger and transfers to reserves (6,893) Retained earnings (loss) after impact of merger and transfers to reserves (47) Net profit (loss) for the reporting period 2,514 Profit (loss) not recognized in the income statement of the reporting period - Shareholders contributions to cover loss - Distributable profit (loss) at the end of the reporting period 2,467 Transfers from reserves - Distributable profit (loss) in total 2,467 Profit distribution: - transfers to the legal reserves (177) - to the reserves for acquisition of treasury shares (own shares) - - to other reserves - - dividends - - annual payments for the Board, bonus and for other purposes - Retained earnings (loss) at the end of the reporting period 2,290

5. Approval of a new wording of the Articles of Association of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology.

To change the Articles of Association of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology that was approved by the decision of the extraordinary general shareholders of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology meeting held on 7 March 2016 and to approve a new wording of the Articles of Association of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology prepared by the Management Board of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology, by replacing the text of the Articles of Association in full (enclosed).

To authorise (with the power to delegate) Kazimieras Tonkunas, Director of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology to sign the Articles of Association of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology.

6. Approval of a new wording of the Management Agreement of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology with the management company UAB INVL Asset Management (legal entity code: 126263073, address of the registered office: Gyneju g. 14, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania).

To change the Management Agreement of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology with the management company UAB INVL Asset Management (legal entity code: 126263073, address of the registered office: Gyneju g. 14, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania) that was approved by the decision of the extraordinary general shareholders of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology meeting held on 7 March 2016 and to approve a new wording of the Management Agreement of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology with the management company UAB INVL Asset Management, prepared by the Management Board of the public joint-stock company INVL Technology, by replacing the text of the Management Agreement in full (enclosed).

The general meeting of shareholders will be held in the premises of UAB INVL Asset Management at Gyneju g. 14, Vilnius. Registration of the shareholders will start at 8:00 a.m.

Only the persons who are the shareholders of the Company at the end of the accounting day of the general meeting of shareholders are entitled to participate and to vote at the general meeting of shareholders. The accounting day of the meeting is 22 April 2016.

The Company provided the information, which according to legal acts must be provided when notifying of the convocation of the meeting, on 7 April 2016 by publishing the notification on material event.

Draft Articles of Association of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology and Draft Management Agreement of special closed-ended type private capital investment company INVL Technology with the management company UAB INVL Asset Management, as well as updated ballot paper, additionally including the draft decisions on the supplemented issues of the agenda, are attached thereof.
LOS ANGELES, April 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Save Porter Ranch discovered public records showing the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) knew of leaking wells and yet DOGGR repeatedly issued permits to SoCalGas without the proper data showing gas would be confined underground. One example is API 03721313 (32F). Well 32F had a patch installed in 1986, but SoCalGas removed the patch in 2010. Well 32F has not passed any mechanical integrity tests since 2010. As of today, 32F still does not pass any tests and is a significant risk to the health and safety of the community. This is just one example of records showing DOGGR knew of the leaking wells and continued to issue permits.



These types of problem led to the EPA ordering DOGGR in 2011 to stop issuing injection well permits without the required data showing confinement of injected fluids underground. Before DOGGR could fix the problem, Governor Jerry Brown fired the two regulators trying to bring the state into compliance with the law. Browns office did not want the focus on injection wells to focus on fracking, which under state law at the time would have required compliance with the injection well regulations. Brown appointed new regulators and brought back old-timers who were asked to travel around the state to tell the community that fracking was not subject to injection well regulations and to unwind all corrections implemented by DOGGR to bring the states injection program into compliance with the law.

Save Porter Ranch, along with 24 individuals, lead the charge with filing class based claims against the State of California on behalf of the community of Porter Ranch. Combined with the other claims filed by R. Rex Parris and co-counsel, the last two waves of claims filed against the state bring the total up to 951 claims for individuals and potential class members and thousands more to follow. They challenge the States failure to protect the residents of Porter Ranch who suffered from the massive gas injection well blowout of well SS-25 in the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility. Natural gas, noxious odors, hazardous chemicals, and toxic pollutants rolled down the hillside into Porter Ranch and surrounding areas for over three months. The blowout ultimately released 100,000 tons of natural gas.

DOGGR needs to be held responsible for allowing the operation of a facility with a known history of injection wells leaking gas into this community, according to R. Rex Parris. The County Panel recently appointed Mr. Parris to the Los Angeles County advisory panel assisting a County Strike Team in assessing the conditions, regulatory compliance and potential public health risks from existing oil production activities. As mayor of Lancaster, Mr. Parris is noted for his work in developing programs to reduce emissions and frequently is called to speak on panels with Governor Brown.

Governor Brown had a duty to Californians to coordinate the State Emergency Plan ... for the mitigation of the effects of any emergency in this state, says Mr. Parris. But instead, Governor Brown went to Paris and boasted about Californias reduction of emissions. He was eerily silent about Porter Ranch in the midst of the blowout and evacuation of over 4,000 families.

The tragedy to Porter Ranch residents is their Governor was conflicted, as explained in the Government Tort Claims filed today. First, Brown is a defendant in another lawsuit arising from the same permitting issues present in this action which alleges he was engaged in a criminal enterprise with the oil and gas industry. The state issues injection well permits to all gas companies if they provide basic data showing the injected gas will remain in a confined area underground. This is a safety requirement that is mandated by federal law. Brown, however, ordered state regulators in October of 2011 to stop requiring this basic data for permits of injection wells. And DOGGR then stopped requiring gas companies to provide data showing confinement of the injected gas.

Second, Governor Browns sister is on the board of directors of Sempra Energy (the parent company of SoCalGas). She received income of almost $200,000 each year for the last three years from Sempra and rights to Sempra stock worth another $409,945.

Also named in the claim against the state are other agencies including the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The claim also lists SoCalGas, whose property in Aliso Canyon is treated as government property. Each client is seeking damages for personal injury and property damage which is expected to exceed $3.5 Million per person.

For a copy of the Government Class Action Claim, click here.

About The R. Rex Parris Law Firm

For over 30 years, R. Rex Parris has devoted his practice to protecting the rights of injured people and aggrieved workers. Rex and his dedicated team provide thorough, high-quality representation with integrity and compassion. These lawyers fight aggressively against corporate defense attorneys and insurance companies to ensure their clients get the compensation they deserve. For more information, visit rrexparris.com.
PHILADELPHIA, April 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hemispherx Biopharma (NYSE MKT:HEB) (the "Company or "Hemispherx) announced that it has signed a consulting agreement with Huron Consulting Group, a global consultancy with decades of experience in the life sciences market, to advance the companys strategic plan to capitalize on business opportunities in the United States and in target countries around the world.



Huron Consulting Group provides a wide variety of advisory and professional services encompassing the entire scope of the life sciences and healthcare industries from investment, research, and strategic planning to commercialization and mergers and acquisitions. Our agreement with Huron is an important part in the new direction for our company. Huron will provide us the strategic guidance and established connections critical to our quest for powerful co-development partners, said Thomas K. Equels, CEO of Hemispherx Biopharma.

Hurons effort will be led by Managing Director, Marc Tomassi, who has more than 25 years of experience in the Life Science space. His work spans the industry value chain that encompasses early research and technology strategy, portfolio management, clinical development planning and commercial strategy. Tomassis clients include major global pharma, biotech, specialty pharma, med tech, generics, life science services and healthcare informatics. In addition, Barry Frankel, a senior advisor to Huron with more than 35 years in the life sciences industry, including investment research, strategic planning/M&A, marketing, and strategy consulting, will also be part of the advisory team. I have been familiar with Hemispherx Biopharma and Alferon and Ampligen technology platforms for a number of years, said Frankel. Our focus will be to assess the opportunities in immuno-oncology across indications.

Hemispherx Biopharma recently made changes to its senior management team and implemented austerity measures which include the elimination of several highly compensated executives and contractors as well as non-essential personnel. These measures have resulted in a significant reduction in the burn rate. The company is now focusing on commercial success by seeking co-development partners and working closely with the research and regulatory communities to bring disease fighting technologies to the world.

About Hemispherx Biopharma

Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. is an advanced specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in the manufacture and clinical development of new drug entities for treatment of seriously debilitating disorders. Hemispherxs flagship products include Alferon N Injection and the experimental therapeutics Ampligen and Alferon LDO. Ampligen is an experimental RNA nucleic acid being developed for globally important debilitating diseases and disorders of the immune system, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Hemispherxs platform technology includes components for potential treatment of various severely debilitating and life threatening diseases. Because both Ampligen and Alferon LDO are experimental in nature, they are not designated safe and effective by a regulatory authority for general use and are legally available only through clinical trials. Hemispherx has patents comprising its core intellectual property estate and a fully commercialized product (Alferon N Injection), approved for sale in the U.S. and Argentina. Alferon N Injection is approved for the treatment of refractory or recurrent external genital warts in patients 18 years of age or older. The Companys Alferon N approval in Argentina includes the use of Alferon N Injection (under the brand name Naturaferon) for use in any patients who fail, or become intolerant to recombinant interferon, including patients with chronic active hepatitis C infection. The Company wholly owns and exclusively operates a GMP certified manufacturing facility in the United States for commercial products. For more information, please visit www.hemispherx.net.

About Huron Consulting Group

Huron is a global professional services firm focused on assisting clients with their most complex business issues by delivering high-value, quality solutions to support their long-term strategic objectives. Huron specializes in serving clients in the healthcare, higher education, life sciences, and commercial sectors as these organizations face significant transformational change and regulatory or economic pressures in dynamic market environments. With its deep industry and technical expertise, Huron provides advisory, consulting, technology, and analytic solutions to deliver sustainable and measurable results. Learn more at www.huronconsultinggroup.com

Disclosure Notice

Information contained in this news release, other than historical information, should be considered forward-looking and is subject to various risk factors and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors; the Companys ability to adequately fund its projects; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and healthcare legislation in the United States and internationally; trends toward healthcare cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the Companys ability to accurately predict the future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; dependence on the effectiveness of the Companys patents and other protections for products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions; and numerous other factors discussed in this release and in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The production of new Alferon API inventory will not commence until the validation phase is complete. While the facility is approved by FDA under the Biological License Application ("BLA) for Alferon, this status will need to be reaffirmed by a successful Pre-Approval Inspection by the FDA prior to commercial sale of newly produced inventory product. The validation phase is delayed until we are able to repair the damage caused by a flood that occurred on January 5, 2016 at the facility. At this moment, there is no definitive timetable to have the facility back online. If and when we obtain a reaffirmation of FDA BLA status and have begun production of new Alferon API, we will need FDA approval as to the quality and stability of the final product to allow commercial sales to resume. With regard to our NDA for Ampligen to treat CFS, we note that there are additional steps which the FDA has advised us to take in our seeking approval. The final results of these efforts and/or any other activities could vary materially from Hemispherxs expectations. Any failure to satisfy the FDA regulatory requirements or the requirements of other countries could significantly delay, or preclude outright, approval of Ampligen in the United States and other countries. No assurance can be given that Hurons endeavors on behalf of the company will enable the company to find a co-development partner or advance its ability to capitalize on business opportunities. No evidence is suggested that Ampligen will be commercially approved for any treatment or that Alferon N Injection will be commercially approved for potential new treatment indications or for new manufacturing procedures.

Forward-Looking Statements

To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, all such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as potential, potentially, possible, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Hemispherx that any of its plans will be achieved. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees of future performance, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Hemispherxs control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include those set forth in the Disclosure Notice, above, as well as the risks described in Hemispherxs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Hemispherx undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise revise or update this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
Albany, NY, April 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The report titled Global Talent Management Software Market: Trends and Opportunities (2016-2020) provides an in-depth analysis of the global talent management software market with detailed analysis of market sizing and growth, market share and economic impact of the industry. The report also provides market size of the human capital management market and talent management market along with their respective segments.

The report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the overall global talent management software market has also been forecasted for the period 2016-2020, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends. The competition in the global talent management software market is stiff and dominated by the big players like SAP. Further, key players of the talent management software market such as Oracle, Cornerstone and Halogen are also profiled with their financial information and respective business strategies.

Regional Coverage

Global



Company Coverage

Oracle Corporation



Cornerstone OnDemand Inc.



Halogen Software Inc.



Download Sample Copy of this Report at http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/706638

Executive Summary

The global talent management software market is expected to have increased at a significant annual growth rate in 2015 as compared to the preceding year and projections are made that the market would rise in the next five years i.e. 2016-2020 tremendously. The upsurge in the market is due to various factors such as a rising trend of cloud-based TM softwares, adoption of Talent Management softwares by small and medium businesses along with the technological improvements in the industry. The global talent management software market players are highly fragmented from the large vendors to small and medium scale players. As the market expands, large companies replace standalone systems and mid-size companies buy smaller systems at a rapid rate.

The major growth drivers for the talent management software market are: upsurge in the e-learning market and Software-as-a-Service market, shortage of skilled workers, corporate insight to improve employment and engagement and need to streamline HR functions. Despite the market is governed by various growth drivers, there are certain challenges faced by the market such as: acquisition of talent management software vendors, barriers to entry and selection of right vendor.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Junior Achievement USA announced today that research conducted by the independent RMC Research Corporation and the JA Education Group shows that the combination of JA Finance Park's financial literacy curriculum and experiential learning program increases the financial capability of middle school students who participate. The curriculum for JA Finance Park was developed with the support of KPMG. The executive summary of the study and the full report are available online.



According to the Center for Financial Inclusion, financial capability is: "(T)he combination of attitude, knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy needed to make and exercise money management decisions that best fit the circumstances of one's life, within an enabling environment that includes, but is not limited to, access to appropriate financial services."

Some of the findings of the evaluation include:

Students who participated in JA Finance Park demonstrated more financial literacy knowledge than comparison students.

The average Effect Size for financial literacy knowledge gain was "moderate-to-large," indicating a meaningful gain in knowledge by participating students.

Students who participated in JA Finance Park demonstrated positive attitude changes across all dimensions of interest.

Students, teachers, volunteers, and JA staff all affirmed the value of JA Finance Park.

"The combination of financial literacy curriculum and real world scenarios students are presented with in the JA Finance Park experience serve as a real 'wake up' call to students who go through the program," said Joe Thomas, Ph.D., Vice President  Evaluation and Research for Junior Achievement USA. "This evaluation shows that students not only gain a better understanding of financial concepts as part of this program, but will be more inclined to exhibit financially responsible behavior in the future."



"KPMG is committed to fostering future generations of leaders and this evaluation is proof positive that our strategic investments of time, passion and funding in JA Finance Park are making a difference," said Sue Townsen, National Managing Partner of Human Resources, Diversity and Corporate Responsibility at KPMG. "We're especially gratified that the financial literacy curriculum we helped redevelop is boosting the financial capability of students, while introducing them to important concepts like budgeting, insurance, credit and long-term investments."



The JA Finance Park program is composed of 13 required teacher-taught, in-class lessons. It culminates in a hands-on budgeting simulation that is implemented either at a JA Finance Park facility, mobile unit, or virtual site. Visit here to see JA Finance Park in action.



About KPMG LLP (US)



KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the U.S. member firm affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG member firms have 174,000 professionals, including more than 9,000 partners, in 155 countries.



About Junior Achievement USA



Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches 4.6 million students per year in 112 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.6 million students served by operations in 121 other countries worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.
HAMPTON, N.H., April 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unitil Corporation (NYSE:UTL) (www.unitil.com) held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders today at the corporate office in Hampton, New Hampshire. Shareholders elected Lisa Crutchfield, Edward F. Godfrey, Eben S. Moulton, and David A. Whiteley to the Board of Directors for three-year terms, and ratified the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2016.



In his presentation at the meeting, Robert G. Schoenberger, Unitil's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, reviewed highlights from 2015 as well as the Companys strategic initiatives for the coming year. Mr. Schoenberger's presentation is available in the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at www.unitil.com.

About Unitil Corporation

Unitil Corporation provides energy for life by safely and reliably delivering natural gas and electricity in New England. We are committed to the communities we serve and to developing people, business practices, and technologies that lead to dependable, more efficient energy. Unitil Corporation is a public utility holding company with operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Together, Unitils operating utilities serve approximately 103,300 electric customers and 78,700 natural gas customers. Other subsidiaries include Usource, Unitils non-regulated business segment. For more information about our people, technologies, and community involvement please visit www.unitil.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Certain factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the following: variations in weather; changes in the regulatory environment; customers' preferences on energy sources; general economic conditions; increased competition; fluctuations in supply, demand, transmission capacity and prices for energy commodities; and other uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict, and many of which are beyond the control of Unitil Corporation.

For more information please contact:



David Chong  Investor Relations

Phone: 603-773-6499

Email: chong@unitil.com

Alec OMeara  Media Relations

Phone: 603-773-6404

Email: omeara@unitil.com
--Expands Portfolio with a Strong, Fast Growing Lifestyle Brand--

--Accretive to Earnings in Fiscal 2016--

ATLANTA, April 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Southern Tide, a lifestyle apparel brand that features exceptional craftsmanship, classic design and a rich heritage, for $85 million.

Thomas C. Chubb III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Oxford, commented, We are excited to add Southern Tide to our portfolio of distinctive lifestyle brands. Southern Tide offers a well-differentiated and comprehensive collection of high-quality apparel and has a growing, multi-channel distribution footprint. We believe this business is an excellent fit and expect our operating platform to facilitate continued growth. It is also a brand we know well; Oxfords relationship with Southern Tide goes back to 2009 when we began providing sourcing and production services to them. Since then, we have been a partner and first hand observer of the strength of the brand, the quality of the management team and their clear potential to capture and manage growth. With this acquisition, we continue to execute our strategy of delivering shareholder value through a diversified platform of great lifestyle brands.

Christopher H. Heyn, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Tide, added, We are very pleased to be joining the Oxford team and believe our business will continue to flourish under its guidance. Oxford has a deep appreciation for lifestyle branding and an excellent track record of growth with brands like ours. We look forward to much success in the future.

In the remaining 41 weeks of fiscal 2016, Oxford expects Southern Tide to contribute approximately $35 million in sales, $7 million in operating income and $0.20 per share of earnings. These amounts exclude transaction expenses, integration costs and the impact of non-cash purchase accounting adjustments required under GAAP. The impact of these items may be significant, particularly in fiscal 2016.

The transaction was financed with borrowings under Oxfords U.S. credit facility. The Company further noted that the transaction has been structured to allow it to realize favorable tax treatment related to a step-up in basis of certain assets, including inventory and deductible goodwill. Under the purchase agreement, the purchase price is subject to adjustment based on net working capital at closing.

About Oxford

Oxford Industries, Inc., a leader in the apparel industry, owns and markets the distinctive Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer and Southern Tide lifestyle brands. Oxford also produces certain licensed and private label apparel products. Oxford's stock has traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1964 under the symbol OXM. For more information, please visit Oxford's website at www.oxfordinc.com.

About Southern Tide

Southern Tide offers its customers distinctive apparel that is classic, authentic, and built with a purpose. Mens, womens and childrens products bearing the distinctive Skipjack logo can be found in specialty stores, select department stores and at www.southerntide.com. Southern Tide was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Greenville, SC. For more information, please visit www.southerntide.com.

Safe Harbor

This press release includes statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are not historical in nature. We intend for all forward-looking statements contained herein or on our website, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf, to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without limitation, the impact of economic conditions on consumer demand and spending, particularly in light of general economic uncertainty that continues to prevail, demand for our products, competitive conditions, timing of shipments requested by our wholesale customers, expected pricing levels, retention of and disciplined execution by key management, the timing and cost of store openings and of planned capital expenditures, weather, costs of products as well as the raw materials used in those products, costs of labor, acquisition and disposition activities, expected outcomes of pending or potential litigation and regulatory actions, access to capital and/or credit markets, and the impact of foreign losses on our effective tax rate. Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations, based on currently available information, and are not guarantees of performance. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these expectations could prove inaccurate as such statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties, or other risks or uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial, materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Important factors relating to these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Part I, Item 1A. contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 30, 2016 under the heading "Risk Factors" and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the SEC.
McDonough Class of 2018: Calling all Admitted Students!! [ #permalink

Naidile wrote:

Is there anybody in the https://gmatclub.com/chat group created by RaviChandra who can add me ?

I completely missed your PM . added you into the group
Re: Rumored, and believed by most, to have committed suicide on stage [ #permalink

15 Kudos 6 Bookmarks
orange

exhibit, which thereby activates

, which

activates

, in turn

activation

, and

activate

and

activate

which

activates

1. Transition after "exhibit:" ,which / ,in turn / ,and / and / which, as a result

2. Vert tense & parallelism: activates / activation / activate

Let's start with #1 on our list: how to proceed after the word "exhibits."

, which thereby activates

INCORRECT

, in turn an activation of

INCORRECT

, and

OKAY

and

OKAY

which, as a result, activates

INCORRECT

We can eliminate options A, B, and E

it

INCORRECT

and

CORRECT

There you go - option D is the correct choice!

Hello Everyone!Let's take a closer look at this question and decide how to narrow it down to the correct choice quickly! To start, here is the original question with any major differences between the options highlighted inUnlike the original National Museum of Science and Technology in Italy, where the models are encased in glass or operated only by staff members, the Virtual Leonardo Project, an online version of the museum, encourages visitors to touch eachthe animated functions of the piece.(A) exhibitthereby(B) exhibitanof(C) exhibitit will(D) exhibitthereby(E) exhibit, as a result,After quickly glancing over the options, there are a couple places we can focus on to start narrowing down options:This problem mainly focuses on making sure we use transitions and modifiers correctly:(A) exhibitThis isbecause adding the comma + which turns the phrase into a modifier. Any comma + which modifier must refer back to the closest preceding noun, which in this sentence is the exhibit. Does the exhibit activate the animated functions? NO! The person's touch activates it! So let's rule out this option.(B) exhibitThis isbecause using the phrase "in turn an activation of" doesn't really make sense. First, the phrase "in turn" can only be used to introduce new clauses, which would need their own nouns and verbs to work. In this case, the phrase "in turn an activation of..." is missing a solid verb for it to make sense, so let's rule this one out as well.(C) exhibitit will activateThis isfor now. It's clear that the touching and activating of the animated functions happen, for the most part, at the same time. Both items use parallel structure by using singular verbs (touch/activate), so let's keep this one for now.(D) exhibitthereby activateThis isfor now. It's also clear that we're talking about two actions the people are performing (touch/activate), and both are worded using parallel structure. Let's keep this one for now.(E) exhibitThis isbecause, yet again, we have a "which" modifier used incorrectly. This sentence suggests that the nearest noun (exhibit) activates the animated functions, which isn't correct - the people do this through their touch. So let's rule this out.because they all created confusing or misleading modifiers. Now that we've narrowed it down to only 2 options, let's take a closer look at each one to determine which is the best option:(C) exhibit, andwill activateThis isbecause it contains a vague pronoun! What is the word "it" referring back to: the touch, the visitors, the exhibit? It's not clear, so we need to toss out this option. The GMAT really doesn't like vague pronouns, so whenever you see one, it's a good indicator that you're looking at a wrong option!(D) exhibitthereby activateThis is! By using the word "and," the sentence is clearly showing that the visitors are doing 2 actions: touch the exhibit and activate the animated functions. Both actions are worded using parallel structure by using singular verbs (touch/activate). It is clear and concise, just like the GMAT prefers!Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it._________________
Official Solution:



Managing Director: In order to keep the competitive edge gained by our extensive research and innovative methods, information security must remain a high priority for our company. The information stored on our networks including everything from research data, to training materials, to company memos - could be very valuable to competitors. All employees must work to protect company information, not only through passwords, but also through the physical control of company assets, such as laptops.



Which of the following must have been assumed by the Managing Director?



Premise:

Conclusion:

D. CORRECT.

A. The company should install more effective anti-virus software.B. Company information carries a high monetary value, making the network attractive to individual hackers.C. The employees will follow the directions of the Managing Director.D. Competitors may get access to company information if not protected.E. Other companies which have not taken information security seriously have suffered because of information leakage to competitors.The information . could be very valuable to competitors. information security must remain a high priority for our company.The assumption is some additional information that would bridge the premise with conclusion.A. This option could be a suggestion to implement the conclusion and hence is not an assumption to arrive at the conclusion from the premise.B. This option is a strengthening statement for the suggestion forwarded by the managing director. If, in addition to the competitors, the individual hackers also are interested in the company information, then there is all the more necessity to implement information security in the company. However this statement is not a necessary assumption that bridges premise to conclusion. Even if the hackers are not interested in the company information, the argument would still be valid because the information would still be valuable for the competitors and hence needs to be protected.C. Whether the employees would follow the Managing Directors suggestion would determine whether the suggestion would be successfully implemented or not. However the actions of the employees have no role in the argument itself, i.e. they have no role in linking premise to conclusion.This option fills in the gap in the Managing Directors argument. He states that the information is valuable and then he concludes that the information must be protected. What he has not spoken out is the intermediate assumption, i.e. the competitors may get access to information if not protected and thats why the information must be protected.In other words if the competitors cannot get access to the information even if unprotected, there is no need to protect the information. Thus option D must be an underlying assumption to complete the argument.E. Citing an example strengthens the argument but the example is not a mandatory assumption in the Managing Directors argument. Even if there were no preceding examples, the argument would still hold good and hence this option is not an assumption.Answer: D_________________
"I never had this problem in all my years of voting, and I'm a consistent voter."

It was the afternoon of Primary Day, and Thomas Williams* was in a carpeted back hallway of the Brooklyn Board of Elections Office holding a court order to show poll workers later in the evening, telling them he should be allowed to vote. Moments earlier, Williams had sat in a plastic chair in a stuffy, carpeted office, across a steel desk from Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Wavny Toussaint, surrounded by court and Elections personnel, explaining his situation. Sometime this year, the agency sent a piece of mail to Williams to confirm his Flatbush address, but left off his apartment number. When the postal service returned the notice as undeliverable, someone at the Board changed Williams's registration to inactive, meaning his name would not appear on the list at his poll site.

Toussaint considered these facts for about five minutes, then agreed that he should be allowed to vote. Williams returned to work, behind a desk on the same floor.

Williams is a seasonal Board of Elections worker himself, but not even his knowledge of the system could protect him from the irregularities that affected so many New York voters ahead of this year's primary, particularly in Kings County.

126,000 Brooklyn Democrats were removed from the active voter rolls since last November, 44,000, like Williams, rendered inactive, 70,000 more purged entirely, and 12,000 because voters were listed as having left the borough. In the back hallway and lobby of the city Elections Board's Downtown Brooklyn office, 15-20 would-be voters at a time waited 30 minutes to an hour and a half for their cases to be heard.

"It's nonstop. It might be worse than '08," one worker said to another during a down moment between hearings.

Raymi Ramseur, a secretary to the judge, said that many registrations at issue had changed on one day in January. "1/13 was the day they just..." she made a clearing-the-table motion with her hand.

City BOE director Michael Ryan explained to WNYC that the Brooklyn office "was a little behind with their list maintenance tasks," six months to a year behind other offices, and had updated a backlog of entries since November's election, when "work [stopped] getting done."

Many of the problems raised by voters trying to get a judge's sign-off this afternoon did not, from records pulled by Board workers, get satisfactory explanations. However, Toussaint and Judge Genine Edwards, who pulled a seven-hour shift before her, often erred on the side of the voters who took the time to make their case.



Anne Bassen, who inadvertently un-enrolled from the Democratic Party when filling out a DMV form in 2014. A judge denied her. (Nathan Tempey/Gothamist)

"The last time it was this busy was November of '08, Obama vs. McCain," said Averell Golub, a clerk for Edwards holding a sheaf of voter petitions as he left for the day. "[Like back then] you've got a lot of new voters who are not familiar with the rules complaining. A lot of them are Bernie Sanders people, or, what do I know, they're registered Democrats, and we had one Trump individual."

Golub, like state and city election officials before him, chalked up the mass confusion and observations of overwhelming dysfunction to new voter ignorance of New York's closed primary system and early party-change deadline. He said when Judge Edwards denied people's claims, court staffers instructed them how to file an affidavit ballot, to be considered and possibly counted following the election. He acknowledged that "one or two" cases he'd seen were attributable to clerical errors by the BOE. At the end of the day, he said, the judge went easy.

"More [requests] were approved than not," he said.

Of eight hearings we observed, six went in the favor of the voters. The two denied were a couple from Sheepshead Bay for whom English was not a first language, who evidently didn't understand that their membership in the Independence Party barred them from voting in the Republican primary.

"If I could do it, I would let everyone who wanted to vote today vote," Toussaint told one member of this couple. "But the law's the law. My hands are tied."



Aurora Thornhill, left, and her sister Angelica hold court orders allowing them to vote in the primary outside the Brooklyn Board of Elections office. (Nathan Tempey/Gothamist)

Then there were voters like Aurora and Angelica Thornhill, Sanders supporters whose registrations were somehow or other mangled. Aurora, a science communications consultant, was told at her polling place in Bedford-Stuyvesant that her name was not on the list. Distrustful of the affidavit ballot counting process, she found Gothamist's guide on primary voting through friends, and opted to get a court order. At the BOE office, she learned that though she is listed somewhere in the Board's system as a Democrat, a 2013 party change never went through to another, crucial part, and a piece of mail sent to the wrong apartment rendered her inactive.

"If they don't fix this this time around, there's going to be serious outrage," Aurora Thornhill said, noting that many who aren't freelancers or retired cannot spare the time to appear before a judge on Primary Day. "If they don't open up the primary, they should at least make the instructions completely clear."

Her sister, Angelica, said she voted in the November 2012 election as a Democrat, but when she looked her status up online in March, perturbed by primary problems in Arizona, she was listed as not affiliated with a party. Though Angelica says she filed an absentee ballot in that election, which would have generated a request in the BOE's system, the only form they could find attached to her file was a single, cropped page of a form of unclear provenance, with a box checked saying "I do not wish to register in a party." For others, this box on DMV license renewal forms seems to have caused them to inadvertently remove themselves from the ranks of their chosen party, but Thornhill said she doesn't believe she filled out anything like that.

She said she called the Brooklyn BOE last month and got assurances that she was a registered Dem, but she was denied at her Crown Heights polling place. Judge Toussaint seemed to nearly end Angelica's hour and a half at the BOE office with a second denial.

"I'm sorry, but given the material that we have, it doesn't look as if," Judge Toussaint began.

She then reconsidered.

"We do have you listed under 'Democrat.'"

She paused.

"I'm going to give you the benefit of a doubt and grant your request," she said. "What we're trying to do here is encourage people to vote."

*Earlier in the afternoon, Williams and BOE administrative assistant Angela Petit had me removed from the premises by a police officer, saying that a letter to Gothamist from BOE director Michael Ryan stating that our reporters should be allowed at election sites was no good unless it came to them directly from their bosses. They allowed me back in 20 minutes later, after I reached someone above their bosses.
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Three plainclothes police officers fired at a man who allegedly pulled a gun on them near the NYCHA Farragut Houses and the Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday afternoon. The man was shot in the hand; charges are pending.

According to the NYPD, the confrontation occurred at 3:45 p.m., when four plainclothes cops in an unmarked car were traveling south on Gold Street and "encountered a wanted male" on the side of Sands Street." Here's an excerpt from the official police version of the incident:

As the officers approached him, they observed another male with the individual pull a firearm from his waistband. The officers engaged the individual by withdrawing their weapons and three of the four officers discharged their weapons at the armed subject. The male fled the location on foot into a building at 237 Nassau Street. A subsequent search of the building located the subject inside a 3rd floor apartment where he was apprehended without further incident.

The man was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he's in stable condition. Police are currently obtaining a search warrant for the apartment.

Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said that the armed man fired at the officers first. One woman told the Daily News reports that the officers "fired over the head of her 5-year-old daughter."

Police shared video of the two men fleeing into 237 Nassau Street, which is a Farrgut Houses building.

The man initially of interest to police was also arrested. Earlier this week, police fatally shot a man during a traffic stop; the NYPD says the slain man was reaching for a gun.
When Gothamist asked freelance photographer Christian Hansen to visit polling sites around the city on primary election day, he figured he was taking a relatively easy assignment. It was the worst day, the most difficult day of photography in my entire life.

One of those sites we asked him to visit was I.S. 71, the Juan Morel Campos Secondary School, in South Williamsburg. During the September 2013 primary election, that polling site was subject to a cash-for-ballots raffle scheme and allegations of brazen voting fraud.

When Hansen asked the BOE coordinator for permission to take pictures, he was summarily ejected, despite having written permission from the Board of Elections to take photographs. It was the third time he was kicked out of a polling site yesterday.

Outside the building, Hansen was threatened by poll workers when he attempted to document the dispute. "If you take a picture, Im gonna hit you," one poll worker promised, with an NYPD officer standing by. "Leave, or I'm gonna hit you! I'm not playing. Leave!"

When asked why he was not allowed to take photos inside the polling site, another worker, who identifies herself as a coordinator, replies, Im not allowed to.

Although the letter, which was in a PDF on Hansen's phone, was dated April 19th, he was told, "It's not accurate; it does not say today's date."

Hansen frequently shoots political eventslast week his photo of Bernie Sanders supporters ran on the front page of The New York Times [PDF].

Ive covered primaries, I was in New Hampshire this year and Ive covered Election Day. Ive been to a number of polling sites. You walk in, introduce yourself, exchange some friendly greetings with the poll workers, and then ask them for permission to shoot, Hansen says. Its very simple.

New York Citys Board of Elections requires journalists to obtain a letter granting them permission to enter polling sites. The BOEs manual for poll workers [PDF] sets out the guidelines:



Media/Press: They are allowed to be inside the site if they have written authorization from the Board of Elections. They are allowed to film or take pictures of individuals with the individuals permission. You may choose not to be photographed. They are also allowed to take pictures of equipment and booths as long as voters are not present.

Civil rights attorney Norman Siegel likened the inside of a polling site to a courtroom. They can reasonably regulate the activity of the media inside of the voting site, but not outside, Siegel says. Unless there was some compelling reason to not grant journalists permission, they should give it to them.

Gothamist obtained credentials from the BOE and distributed them to our reporters, including Hansen. By then, he had been asked to leave a Harlem precinct by a group of NYPD officers, and he agreed.

Poll site workers at the Bronx County Supreme Court were exceedingly friendly, Hansen says. They were asking me to take their picture.

Others, at Concourse Village in the Bronx, were not; despite displaying his credentials on his iPhone, he was kicked out of there, too.

They need to figure out what the rules are for photographing inside and make them clear to the workers, Hansen says. Maybe put a little section in the manual that says Photography is not evil.

Nathan Tempey also received the same letter from the BOE to report on a story from the Kings County Board of Elections office, but was still ejected from the premises.

"The administrative assistant running the front desk area wouldn't look at my letter for an hour, and when I asked to speak to one of her bosses, she had a security guard, a worker, and a police officer force me to leave the floor the office is on," Tempey says.

Tempey was eventually able to get ahold of a BOE spokesperson, who then made phone calls to get him in.

"The whole process took an hour and 20 minutes, of which I spent 15-20 minutes barred from entering even the elevator bay outside the BOE office."

A spokesperson for the citys Board of Elections has not yet responded to our request for comment.
The classic film On The Waterfront, which at the very least you should know for delivering one of the most famous lines in Hollywood history ("I could've been a contender. I could've been somebody..."), is coming back to the big screen. It hasn't been there for nearly 60 years.

Director Elia Kazans classic tale of crime and corruption among unionized dock workers in New York and New Jersey, returns to movie theaters as part of the Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies TCM Big Screen Classics series. For just four screenings only  two each day  in more than 600 theaters, [this] gives movie buffs nationwide the chance to experience the second collaboration of Marlon Brando and Kazan, following A Streetcar Named Desire, along with the acclaimed performances of Eva Marie Saint and Karl Malden, and a still-searing, Academy Award-winning screenplay by Budd Schulberg.

Here are some Cocktail Party Facts regarding the film, should you be at a cocktail party one evening and find yourself discussing Brando's finest works.

The film was shot over 36 days in Hoboken, NJ.



For the classic scene between Rod Steiger and Brando in the back of the cab, all of Steiger's close-ups were filmed after Brando had left for the daya crew member sat-in and read his lines for him. Steiger was not pleased with this! And he expressed his feelings in interviews that followed.



After the film's debut in 1954, "the AFL-CIO expelled the East Coast longshoremen's union because it was still run by the mob," according to IMDB.



"Terry Malloy's fight against corruption was modeled after whistle-blowing longshoreman Anthony DeVincenzo, who testified before a real-life Waterfront Commission about activities on the Hoboken Docks and suffered a degree of ostracism for his deed," according to Wikipedia. He actually sued Columbia Pictures "over the appropriation of what he considered his story," and the two parties settled.



Arthur Miller worked on an earlier version of the script, originally entitled The Hook.

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The movie will screen on Sunday April 24th, and Wednesday April 27th, you can buy tickets here. In NYC, you'll be able to see it at the Empire 25 in Times Square and Union Square 14 (the former has the better seats).
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POPLAR (AP)  The search for a 1-year-old girl who authorities believe was abducted from her home on a Montana Indian reservation ended Wednesday with the discovery of her body and a female taken into custody for questioning.

Kenzley Olson was found dead in Poplar on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation after she was last seen Tuesday, the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

The name of the detained person was not released, and the statement had no further details. The person was being questioned and the FBI was leading the investigation, authorities said.

Law enforcement officers were searching for additional people on Wednesday in connection with the death, said Roosevelt County spokesman Lee Allmer.

"There may be others that are detained at some point," he said. "No charges have been brought to my knowledge."

A cause of death had not been determined.

An Amber Alert was issued for Kenzley early Wednesday. Authorities initially said she was believed to be with a man and woman from North Dakota but later determined neither was involved.

The Fort Peck Reservation is home to the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes and has a population of about 10,000 people.

Kenzley's death followed the February abduction of a 4-year-old girl from a public park in Wolf Point, a town on the reservation about 20 miles west of Poplar.

The victim was found alive several days later about six miles from a park. Authorities said her abductor had tried to kill her.

The defendant in that case, John William Lieba, 20, faces charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault of a minor. He has pleaded not guilty.
It is undoubtedly true that how we spend our money reveals a lot about ourselves. But there is something obscenely voyeuristic about scrutinizing private citizens legal charitable contributions in order to attack them. This is what state Sen. Christine Kaufmann attempts in her recent op-ed on Greg and Susan Gianfortes charitable giving. That she does not even find this method embarrassing indicates how eager she is to sacrifice decency for the purpose of personal destruction.

I respect Ms. Kaufmanns willingness to express her strong opinions on social issues. To dismiss other people's religious convictions, though, in order to accomplish this purpose is disgraceful. It belongs to a political culture that, to use her word, is most definitely dangerous.

Rather than attacking the Gianfortes, maybe she should look at her own partys record in government. Our state is No. 1 in suicide rate nationally and second to last in wages. Nothing shows more clearly how much her party has neglected the critical issues Montanans face.

Without a hint of humility Kaufmann presents herself as a moral authority. I am unconvinced, but I take her at her word.

Let me suggest a moral imperative: Where was she when her party supported an agreement with the Iranian theocracy? The deal has given financial support and international legitimacy to a violently anti-gay and anti-woman murderous regime. This represents a perfect opportunity for people who claim moral leadership to speak out.

It would clearly give her credibility, but it would, of course, also demand courage.

Tom Downey

Butte
Being a conservative and being a conservationist are not mutually exclusive. Its actually my conservative principles that drive my commitment to conservation. Whether one believes our Earth was created by God or not, nobody can argue the fact that it is the only one we have. Its our responsibility to be good stewards and ensure our children and grandchildrens children enjoy the same outdoor opportunities that we have.

When you sent me to Washington, protecting Montanas public lands was, and remains, one of my top priorities. Thats why I made it a point to get on the Natural Resources Committee. Party leaders and I dont always see eye-to-eye on conservation issues, but they always know where I stand. Ive said since day one, selling off our public lands is a non-starter. And I mean it. Ive voted against budget resolutions and bucked party leadership on more than a couple occasions to defend our lands in both the committee hearings and on the House floor.

Although Ive only been in Congress for 16 months, Ive worked with conservation groups across Montana to help craft important conservation and recreation legislation. I was the only member of the Montana Congressional delegation to vote for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which was reauthorized, funded and signed into law in December. I also helped pass the SHARE Act in the House, and now am working with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Montana Wildlife Federation and other local stakeholders to help pass the bipartisan SCORE Act.

The SCORE Act is a comprehensive bill which includes seven conservation programs. One of the programs reauthorized in the SCORE Act is the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act. Prior to its expiration in 2011, FLTFA was an important conservation tool that allowed local and federal governments to better manage the checkerboard of public and private lands. The program did this by funding Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, National Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service land conservation projects that increase public access for outdoor recreation, conserve wildlife habitat, protect water quality and preserve historic and cultural resources. FLTFA in Montana often uses land for land swaps in order to acquire high-priority lands like the Browns Gulch near Helena or land near the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

The Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act is another comprehensive and bipartisan bill that protects the traditional right of American sportsmen to fish and hunt. It cuts red-tape and backdoor regulations which block hunting and fishing on BLM and USFS land, and helps safeguard against new regulations that threaten to block or limit Montanans exercising their Second Amendment rights. The bill will protect Montana jobs and economic growth by supporting recreational opportunities on these federal lands. The SHARE Act passed the House last year, and Im hopeful the Senate takes it up soon.

I was also an early advocate for conservation easements. Our tax code should incentivize farmers, ranchers and land owners to voluntarily support conservation by donating their land for a tax write up if they so choose. I helped lead the fight in Congress and Im happy to say we enacted one of the most powerful conservation measures in decades: the federal tax incentive for conservation easement donations. My bill, the Conservation Easement Incentive Act of 2015, was included in a series of permanent tax extensions that was signed into law in December. This was lasting change that would enshrine conservation in our tax code permanently. I made a promise that I would support real reforms and when the vote to make conservation easements permanent occurred, my Montana convictions governed my decision.

Montanas multi-billion dollar outdoor recreation industry supports 64,000 jobs in the state, is responsible for more than $5.8 billion in consumer spending and contributes $1.5 billion in wages and salaries. In total, the industry contributes more than $400 million in local and state tax revenues. Important legislation like the LWCF, the SHARE Act and the SCORE Act protect our parks, hunting and fishing access, and hiking trails, ensuring Montanas outdoor economy can continue to provide world class recreational opportunities.

Im a Teddy Roosevelt conservationist. Like Teddy, I believe our lands are worth cherishing for the greater good. Were all in this together. While there is a lot that separates folks as Republicans and Democrats, theres also a lot that binds us together as Montanans and Americans. Preserving and conserving our public lands, is one of those values. As Earth Day approaches Im calling on my colleagues to work on the things that bring us together. Lets work toward better stewardship and management practices so we can enjoy our public lands for generations to come.

Ryan Zinke is Montana's lone U.S. representative.
BUTTE -- An estimated 200 people -- including contractors, city officials and representatives from NorthWestern Energy -- gathered for the utilitys official dedication of its new five-story, $25 million general office building Tuesday at Park and Main.

Several people involved in the project -- including company board members and executives -- spoke during the dedication, during which they touted concepts of teamwork, collaboration and generating goodwill within the community.

I know its going to be a great addition not only to the company but also to the community, said Bob Rowe, chief executive officer for NorthWestern Energy.

The building represents the culmination of nearly five years of planning and negations between NorthWestern Energy and Butte-Silver Bow County.

To build the faculty, NorthWestern used $450,000 from the citys Urban Revitalization Agency and also received new market tax credits from Montana Community Development Corp. -- a boost that several of the speakers said made the project possible.

(New market tax credits) were one of the defining factors for us building in Uptown Butte, said Curt Pohl, NorthWesterns vice president of distribution.

Construction began in May 2015 and culminated in December. The construction involved 4,000 cubic yards of concrete, 581 tons of steel, 40 miles of communication wires and more than 400,000 jumbo and glazed bricks.

Notable architectural details include a brick exterior, copper accents and a glass-enclosed staircase that extends inside and out, which is intended to mesh with the iron fire escapes of the surrounding historic structures.

The buildings fifth-floor deck boasts an interior workspace and an outside patio decorated with shrubbery and a natural gas grill -- and a view of the East Ridge, Summit Valley and Highlands.

Danny Kaluza, director of support services for NorthWestern Energy, said the utilitys new digs were also designed with employees health in mind.

Work spaces have low cubicle walls, Kaluza pointed out, natural lighting and sit-stand work stations, which are all designed to encourage productivity, well-being and collaboration.

But for board member Jan Horsfall, the most important detail of the building is its capacity to contribute to Buttes history.

(The building) is going to be here for a long, long, long time, said Horsfall. And Im proud of the fact that in a few decades people are going to look back and theyre going to view the history of this building in the same way that they view the history of the company -- hopefully with fondness, appreciation and pride.

A public dedication and tour of the new building are slated for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21.
DECATUR  Interest in putting Decatur at the center of food innovation continued to build with the grand opening Tuesday of National Foodworks Services in the former Brush College School building.

A ribbon-cutting for the facility at 575 N. Brush College Road was held with Archer Daniels Midland Co. Chairman, President and CEO Juan Luciano and Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner among the state and local officials in attendance.

ADM's support has put the startup business in a unique position for ongoing success, said Tony Caccomo, who is a managing partner of National Foodworks, along with Jim Milano.

This is what we believe is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the country, Caccomo said. The relationship is unlike any between a Fortune 500 company and small startup. They had a vision and believe in us.

ADM, which invested $2 million to help the business get started, sees changes happening in the food industry, Luciano said. He said $18 billion in revenue has shifted in the past few years from large to small food packaging companies.

The ability to bring small entrepreneurs in the market is on track now, Luciano said. Together, we can help make Central Illinois a prominent new center for food innovation, in the process spurring economic growth in our region.

National Foodworks will be assisting aspiring entrepreneurs start food-based businesses and expand production capabilities to reach larger markets, Caccomo said. The 40,000-square-foot building, which is located next to ADM's Randall Research Center, provides the space to work with and teach those entrepreneurs as ADM and National Foodworks offer resources and expertise to help customers address changing consumer preferences, he said.

As part of those efforts, Luciano said ADM and National Foodworks launched the Food Innovation Challenge, which welcomes entrepreneurs from seven states to build and sell their food business idea. Innovative products in the categories of baked good, snack-type bar or condiment are being accepted for the contest.

The winners will receive a total of $100,000 in seed funding and services, with access to business and production mentors to help make their company successful. For more information, go to www.foodinnovationchallenge.com.

Applications are being accepted through May 16 with entries open to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri or Wisconsin residents.

Rauner said it is clear food innovation is a key to future economic success in Illinois and pledged his support from experience in the venture capital business to assist National Foodworks as it starts operation.

This can be a hub long term for incredible innovation and economic growth, Rauner said.

The challenge for National Foodworks to meet its goals is about to begin as its operations get under way, said Lee Strom, chairman of FARM Illinois, a statewide strategic plan being developed to turn Illinois into a leading hub for food and agriculture system innovation.

This is a prime example of what it takes for our state and town and cities within it to thrive, Strom said. We can be a global leader in food innovation.

Decatur can benefit from the attention National Foodworks will be able to create as it works with other businesses, Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe said. She credited the effort Caccomo and Milano have put into starting the business.

The next wave of prosperity for Decatur starts with entrepreneurs, Moore Wolfe said. It's been a long time coming. They've worked hard and dreamed big.

The use of local vendors while remodeling the facility shows the commitment National Foodworks has to the supporting the community, said Mirinda Rothrock, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce president.

Utilizing local business is key to continued growth in the local community, Rothrock said.

The major advantage Decatur can provide to newly created food-based businesses is its access to transportation systems, including highway and rail captured through the Midwest Inland Port, said Ryan McCrady, Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County president.

That is a key benefit that can't be replicated, McCrady said. One-third of the nation's population is within a day's drive of Decatur.

McCrady said businesses tend to locate around others with similar missions as the services to support them exist. He said Decatur has that support to offer National Foodworks and other companies interested in the area.

Caccomo said consumer trends are changing toward interest in locally produced food. National Foodworks is designed with those trends in mind, he said.

A large refrigerated room and walk-in freezer in what used to be the courtyard of the school are part of what Caccomo sees as being needed to meet the evolving trends. Sufficient space to store products at a cool temperature will be needed, Caccomo said.

The nature of food is to localize more and use fewer chemicals, Caccomo said. With shorter shelf lives for products, temperature controls will be a huge part of the food industry in the future.

The first phase of construction includes packaging and storage area, loading docks, fork lift ramps and a training room dedicated to Luciano, Caccomo said.

He expects further work to expand the facility will be started in the near future. Work to finish off the remaining part of the old school is expected to begin in the fall, Caccomo said.

A food aggregation center will be constructed this summer in what is now the parking lot, he said.

Caccomo said future additions are being planned for approximately 7.5 acres of land surrounding the existing building.
Fifty-five billion dollars is a lot of money. And when that represents the net income for all of U.S. agriculture, it is still a lot of money.

However, compared to the more than $130 billion in net farm income two years ago, the estimated 2016 revenue is a major decline in cash flow coming from sales of grain, livestock, fresh produce and all of the commodities generated on American farms.

When the U.S. Department of Agriculture made its initial projection last fall that 2016 income would be down following precipitous drops in 2014 and 2015, farmers tightened their belt again. But a few brief comments last Thursday from the USDAs chief economist revealed that U.S. farmers are not doing as well in the aggregate as many people may have thought.

Robert Johansson testified to a U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee during a hearing on the growing farm financial pressure. He detailed Chinese economic challenges that have curtailed exports to that nation. He discussed commodity exports and their decline due to competition from other nations and the negative impact of currency relationships. He also discussed bans placed on U.S. poultry because of avian influenza and other barriers to trade.

Johansson also noted the financial safety nets in the 2014 Farm Bill which were created to soften any financial collapse of agricultural revenues. He added that government payments to farmers, which were $10.6 billion for the low priced 2014 crop, would rise to $13.9 billion for the further depressed price of the 2015 crop. Those funds will be distributed to farm program participants in October in the next federal fiscal year.

But wait a minute. Johansson testified that U.S. farmers would receive $13.9 billion in calendar year 2016, a year in which net farm income is projected to be just under $55 billion. Simple grade school math indicates that one quarter of farm income this year will come from farm programs. Not grain or livestock receipts, but from farm programs. Twenty-five percent.

That pushes down actual receipts from agricultural production to just over $40 billion. That is not much for all of the blood, sweat and tears of 1.9 million farmers who are working 80 to 100 hours a week to produce food for U.S. and global consumers.

Johansson followed his comments by saying, Lower prices for crops imply a slightly lower forecast for overall farm incomes. The new farm programs will benefit many producers. Then the USDA economist noted, Despite slightly lower expected net farm income in 2016, we still project that a majority of farm households will see increases in household income in 2016.

But wait, where does that income originate?

Johansson did not say in his prepared testimony, but that increase in farm household income originates from a spouses employment. Farm household income would be negative for a majority of U.S. farmers were it not for a second job for the farm operator and a spouses employment.

The economist concluded his testimony saying, Our initial projections show that both on-and-off farm incomes for all three groups (sizes of farms) are expected to rise slightly in 2016 compared to 2015. In general, this means that the majority of farm households are in a relatively stable position going into the year.

While Johansson is much more learned than most of us, his comments must be respected. But they need an asterisk, leading to a footnote. That footnote should say, While farm families are doing well financially, it is the result of off-farm income and farm programs. Commodity prices are too low to sustain the typical U.S. farmer and his efforts on behalf of all of us.
DECATUR  People considering a trip in the brand new and unsinkable RMS Titanic in 1912 couldn't see into the vessel's tragic future.

With that in mind, LSA High School sophomores Tanner Heick and Xavier Todd dressed up, complete with bow ties, to sell potential passengers on the luxury that awaited them.

There were a lot of attractions on the ship, and we thought it would be easy to sell it, Tanner said.

The boys wanted to look as businesslike as possible, which is why they dressed up, Xavier said.

Every spring, Allison Nolen, assistant high school principal and English teacher, assigns sophomores to read a nonfiction book on the Titanic, which sank overnight April 14-15, 1912, on its maiden voyage. They also watch the 1997 film.

Then, based on their personal interests, they choose some feature of the ship, the voyage or the disaster and spend weeks researching all the details for the event Nolen dubbed The Titanic Museum. Some students choose to study the food, others the fashions, the music or the survivors.

Gabriella Henkel and Aaron Johnson chose the survivors, some 750 of them out of more than 2,200 passengers and crew. Among the survivors, Gabriella said, were three of the 15 dogs on board.

One of them was saved because they sneaked him out wrapped up like a baby, she said.

The pair made survivor cards with details about the people who lived to tell the tale, as well as a replica of a boarding pass, front and back. Aaron was intrigued by the reverse side of that boarding pass in particular.

Not only did it have your name and your (ticket) class, but the reason you were on board, he said, showing a sample. The person whose pass it had been was getting married and moving to New York.

Sixth-graders visit the sophomores' museum to supplement their own studies, and unbeknownst to them, will take a test on facts in the high school students' presentations.

The high school kids wrote the questions for the sixth-grade test, Nolen said.

Eric Shelton drives a race car, and knows about engines, so he and partner Noah Robinson focused on the Titanic's steam engines, their size and power and how much work it took to keep them going. Men in the lowest level of the ship had to shovel coal into giant boilers constantly.

Eric used his laptop as part of the display, with a video explaining how steam engines work, in addition to the photos and specs on the Titanic's own steam engines.

I didn't think these kids probably knew anything about steam engines, Eric said.
DECATUR  Chad Pregracke grew up in Hampton, about two hours north of Decatur along the Mississippi River.

His backyard was the river, said Mike Coyne-Logan of Living Lands and Waters, the organization founded by Pregracke when he was just 17 years old.

Pregracke was disturbed by the amount of trash he saw in his beloved river all the time, everything from plastic bottles and Styrofoam cups to tires and appliances. He wanted to clean it up, but everywhere he turned looking for financial assistance to start such an effort, he was turned away. Too big a job. Not possible to keep up with the trash on a river that is 2,300 miles long.

Chad is a perfect example of how one person can make a difference, Coyne-Logan said. He visited South Shores School on Monday to tell the students about Livings Lands and Waters as the kids are working on Earth Day projects. The key is this. You might see something you want to make better. You might fail the first five times, or a hundred times. But the key is never giving up.

Pregracke took his own boat out on the river and picked up trash. Eventually, people noticed what he was doing and contacted the Quad-City Times to suggest a story. Thanks to that article, Pregracke got some sponsors to help pay for the costs of picking up trash. He's been featured on network news and today, Living Lands and Waters has five barges, 10 full-time staff members, and 95,000 volunteers cleaning up rivers, planting trees, holding workshops and watershed conservation initiatives.

Coyne-Logan is a former teacher and a longtime friend of Pregracke, who lives on the organization's barges nine months of the year. Over the last decade, he said, they have picked up over 1 million pounds of garbage. They recycle whatever they can and educate everyone they can about the damage plastic water bottles and other human trash can do to ecosystems and wildlife. Wild things mistake plastic for food and eat it, and because it won't digest, they die.

He urged the students to use reusable water bottles instead of buying plastic ones, and to avoid plastic as much as possible.

There are 5 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, he said. That's 100 times more plastic than plankton.

As the kids work on their Earth Day projects, said Principal Eldon Conn, it was a perfect time for such a presentation.

We've had it planned for a long time, he said. We just open the door and welcome them in.

The organization is online at livinglandsandwaters.org, with a page on Facebook and on Instagram.
DECATUR -- Amy Frazier gave her dollar out of every paycheck, like many of the millions of United Way donors.

But it was only when Frazier began working at Hickory Point Bank that she saw the impact United Way could have.

"I had the opportunity to go on a fund distribution -- it was eye opening," Frazier said. "It really gave me a pulse point of what's going on in the community and the need that's out there."

Three years later, at Tuesday's Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet, Frazier was honored as the United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois Volunteer of the Year.

"She's always there," United Way Executive Director Debbie Bogle said as she presented Frazier the award in the Beach House's banquet room. "Any opportunity there is to help out, she does it."

Frazier isn't one to say no to helping out.

"It just started like, 'Yeah, sure, I'll help. Whatever you need,' and grew from there," Frazier said, laughing.

Karen Schneller, Decatur Memorial Hospital Foundation executive director, was awarded the Employee Campaign Leader of the Year.

"I sat in a United Way booth with her, and she didn't let anyone get past without getting our information out," said Stan Parks, United Way resource development associate.

Schneller organized an Apple Watch giveaway, with the entrance fee a donation to the United Way, and helped raised employee donations by 77 percent. As Parks called up Schneller to present the award to her, he said, "Bring up the lady in the blonde wig."

Parks sat down, then realized his mistake.

"Did I say wig? I meant bun."

The crowd laughed, as did Schneller, who held her arm out toward Parks and said, "Thank you to my new best friend."

Tate & Lyle earned the "A Company That Cares" Award, and the Campaign of the Year went to Land of Lincoln Credit Union.

Live United Awards went to Bergner's Jennifer Mellott, Caterpillar's Jeff Taylor, ADM's Francita Harvey and Gina Smith, Peerless Cleaners' Katie Eytchison, Y103's Terrance "TAT" Taylor, Exelon and the Moultrie County Counseling Center.

The organization raised $1.6 million in 2015, besting last year's total.

Chris Harrison and Iris Lewis-Beasley were approved to their third three-year terms, and Brian Byers and Adam Mize were approved to their second three-year terms. Matt Fairchild was approved for his first three-year term. Byers was approved as the vice chairman for 2016-18.

H&R Editor Gary Sawyer ended a nine-year term with the organization and was honored by Bogle. Sawyer served as the 2007 campaign chair, community impact chair and board chair during his term.

"It's remarkable and humbling to be honored for something I've loved. If the rules didn't make me step down, I'd re-up for another," Sawyer said.
The Zika virus poses a major danger to Americans, and it's reassuring to know that the Republican presidential candidates are ready to take it on.

"When I'm president, unlike Barack Obama, we will keep this country safe," promised Ted Cruz. "We need protection in our country," declared Donald Trump. John Kasich agreed, "We must overcome it."

Oh, wait. My mistake. They weren't talking about Zika. They were talking about terrorism. One vicious enemy that could invade the country and wreak havoc on innocent people brings out their fighting instincts -- while another one evokes indifference. But once summer arrives, ignoring the virus, which is carried by Aedes mosquitoes, won't be an option.

It shouldn't be an option now. Our leaders ought to be running around with their hair on fire. On Monday, Anne Schuchat, an official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, delivered a grim update: "Everything we look at with this virus seems to be a bit scarier than we initially thought."

How so? "There is no longer any doubt that Zika causes microcephaly," said CDC Director Thomas Frieden, referring to a birth defect characterized by an abnormally small head and brain damage. There is more bad news. It also causes other problems in pregnancy, including premature births. The mosquitoes known to carry Zika inhabit 30 states, not the 12 previously thought.

The virus, scientists have discovered, can do harm at any stage of pregnancy, not just the first trimester. It apparently can also spread through sex.

One more thing: Laurie Garrett, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, says it's possible Zika can be carried by Culex mosquitoes, by far the most common types in North America.

In experiments, scientists have been able to infect these ubiquitous pests with Zika, which suggests they could carry the virus in the wild and transmit it to humans. In that case, Garrett told me, Zika "absolutely will be a much bigger problem." Like the West Nile virus -- which didn't appear in the United States until 1999 but has since spread to all 48 contiguous states -- it "will be everywhere," she said. "We'll never get rid of it."

The disease could create genuine terror in millions of women going through or contemplating pregnancy, along with their partners. If this danger were one created in an Islamic State laboratory and smuggled in by militants masquerading as refugees, the GOP candidates would be blaring like sirens. That's about the only way the virus would get their full attention.

Asked about Zika by radio host Hugh Hewitt, Cruz mounted his favorite hobbyhorse. The virus, he warned, could be a weapon for "radical Islamic terrorism, where they're looking for asymmetric ways to direct force and cause murder and mayhem."

Maybe that will be a problem someday, in which case we can thank Cruz for the heads-up. Right now, though, the asymmetric threat comes from mosquitoes, which evoke no comparable urgency in him or his GOP rivals.

In the summer months, these insects appear not just in Florida and Louisiana but as far north as Vermont and Minnesota and as far west as California. The virus is already present in Puerto Rico -- whose people are U.S. citizens. There the CDC predicts hundreds of thousands of infections.

For most adults, Zika produces only flu-like symptoms or no symptoms, but it is suspected of causing serious neurological diseases. The worse danger is to fetuses. There is no cure for microcephaly, and the lifetime cost of caring for someone born with it is about $10 million -- an expense taxpayers will share.

It would be wiser to spend money now on programs aimed at eradicating mosquitoes, educating Americans on how to protect themselves and developing a vaccine. The Obama administration has responded to the peril by asking Congress for $1.8 billion in emergency funding, which Frieden says is "urgently needed."

But Republicans in Congress have refused, advising the administration to use money provided for other diseases, including Ebola. Hillary Clinton rejected that idea: "Why would we lower our defenses against one public health threat in order to meet another one?"

Republicans have sound reasons to question much of what Washington does. But governments have few duties that are less controversial or more important than guarding against serious infectious diseases.

We can ignore the threat from mosquitoes, just as we could ignore the threat from the Islamic State. But we can't expect them to return the favor.
Let them bake.

That was the decision Monday night by the Decatur City Council as it wisely approved an ordinance that would allow home bakers to sell their goods to the public without a lot of government intervention. A group of home bakers had spoken to the council previously about an ordinance allowing them to bake and sell, something allowed under a state law that went into effect Jan. 1.

The home bakers will be under some scrutiny. Their sales have to be less than $1,000 a month, the bakers have to sell directly to the consumer, must provide notice that the food was produced in a home kitchen, must attach information about allergies and must store the food in the residence where it was prepared or packaged. In addition, home bakers have to receive a food handler certificate, which costs $15 and can be obtained online.

The council approved the new ordinance over the objection of the Macon County Health Department, which stated it was uneasy about the lack of inspection for home kitchens. The health department can inspect the home kitchens if there is an outbreak or a complaint.

"To only respond when an outbreak occurs is unacceptable," administrator Dianna Heyer, said. "We are about prevention."

Thats a reasonable argument, although it was effectively countered by the fact that there have been food poisoning incidents from restaurants that are regularly inspected.

Council member Chris Funk received a lot of applause for saying that maybe government should stay out of home kitchens.

"Youve got to take a little risk and live a little, and in the age of government overreach and trying to determine when people can go to the bathroom, I think we ought to just buy cupcakes and stop worrying about it," he said.

The home baking controversy in Illinois started when a county health department decided that home kitchens had to be inspected and regulated if they were going to sell their goods. That led to the legislation that became effective on Jan. 1.

While the desire to protect the public from unsafe food is desirable, its nice to see some common sense applied to the issue. Most of the home bakers that would be affected are in the gray area between a hobby and a business. The home bakers do sell their goods, but they do not produce on a large scale. While anyone handling food for public consumption needs to be careful, a lot of people would put their trust in a home baker.

The council made the correct decision on this issue. The ordinance achieves the proper balance between allowing a home baker to make a few extra dollars and protecting the public.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy and windy during the evening with a few showers developing late. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy and windy during the evening with a few showers developing late. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The HALO Trust has started to clear unexploded ordnance resulting from recent fighting between Karabakh and Azerbaijani forces.

Between April 1-5, 2016 intense fighting broke out in Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) all along the front line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan. Ground fighting was confined to areas close to the Line of Contact (LOC) but artillery fire penetrated more than 10km into Nagorno-Karabakh.

A ceasefire was agreed on April 5 and on April 7, HALO began to assess the unexploded ordnance contamination resulting from the fighting. Clearance commenced the following day and we now have three seven-person Battle Area Clearance teams conducting emergency clearance.

It was quickly clear that the greatest humanitarian priority is the threat from cluster munitions in the villages of NerkinHoratagh and Mokhratagh, close to the town of Martakert in north east NK. The small bomblets, known as submunitions, released by the cluster munition rockets cover an area between the villages that we estimate to be two square kilometres.

Typically, up to 20% of submunitions fail to operate as intended and they lay on or in the ground, armed and sensitive to movement. The M095 submunition that HALO is currently finding in NK is dispensed from a rocket containing 104 of them. Each truck-mounted launcher can fire 26 rockets at a time so a single firing of a launcher can leave 500 or more submunitions unexploded on the ground.

In the past ten days HALO and Nagorno-Karabakhs Emergency Situations Service have destroyed over 150 unexploded sub-munitions from the recent fighting. Nerkin Horatagh farmer, Gavrush Vahanyan, commented:

The village is surrounded by these dangerous bombs and were afraid that our children will play with them and that they will explode.

HALOs program manager, Yuri Shahramanyan, added: It is fortunate that HALO has a well-trained local capacity that has been able to respond immediately. This emergency clearance is vital and we are pleased to be able to support the local services, while continuing with our work to clear all known landmines in Karabakh by 2020.
Based on the annual findings of domestic and international state and non-state organizations, Armenias prisons remain overcrowded.

The problem remains even though the countrys judicial sector has undergone a series of alleged reforms.

Today, the offices of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Union in Armenia organized a roundtable discussion on the issue of prison overcrowding and recommendations made by the CoE to address the situation.

The European experts said they were hopeful that in six months Armenias Ministry of Justice will come up with a plan of action to implement the recommendations.

The recommendations cover such issues as conditional release, expanding alternative punishment, etc. Measures to prevent crimes from happening in the first place also helps resolve the overcrowding problem.

Many countries have deemed it wiser to invest heavily in crime prevention rather than dealing with the ensuing consequences.

Avetik Ishkhanyan, President of Armenias Helsinki Committee, noted that the overcrowding problem stems from several factors.

First, detention in Armenia is applied as a mainly preventative measure. A detained person is vulnerable and often confesses to whatever the state investigators are pushing, Ishkhanyan said.

Ishkhanyan also noted that sentences handed down in Armenia are often excessive and gave the example, published in Hetq, of a man who was sentenced to four years just for trying to steal his neighbors chickens.

MP Edmon Maroukyan said that prison overcrowding is also due to the fact that the mechanism of conditional release only exists on paper.

There is no political resolve to make it happen. There is no foresight. Those in control today lack the vision and the new generation dont make the decisions. We have a conservative government, not a reformist one. Until comprehensive change occurs, these problems will not be resolved, Maroukyan said.

Anna Melikyan, a lawyer with the Civil Society Institute NGO, said that 87% of all inmates have been sentenced to five years of less.

Thus, Melikyan argued, these individuals could have been given alternative punishments.
On April 19, the following text was send to the member states of the United Nations Alliance of Civilization.

In the early hours of April 2, 2016 Azerbaijan unleashed large-scale offensive operations against Nagorno-Karabakh thus violating trilateral agreements of 1994 on cease-fire and of 1995 on the cease-fire consolidation, signed by Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, which do not have time limits. Azerbaijan has violated basic principles of international law, the decisions and declarations adopted by the OSCE Summits and Ministerial Councils, blatantly disregarding the statements of the presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries  the Russian Federation, United States of America and the French Republic, on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution.

From the very beginning of the Azerbaijani offensive the civilian infrastructures and civilian population, including children and the elderly, became intentional and indiscriminate targets. Among the first civilian victims were a 12 year old boy who was killed in front of the school building as a result of a Grad missile attack and two other schoolchildren wounded.

In one of villages in Karabakh three elderly persons, including a 92 year old woman, were brutally tortured, mutilated and killed. Moreover, three captive soldiers of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed forces were beheaded by Azerbaijani armed forces in ISIL style, which was subsequently celebrated in the towns and villages and publicized through social networks. Furthermore, during the exchange of bodies of the deceased between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan carried out through the mediation of the International Committee of Red Cross and the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman in Office, it was registered that the bodies of deceased transferred by the Azerbaijani side had the evidences of severe torture and mutilation.

Those barbaric acts of Azerbaijan, going beyond elementary norms of civilized world constitute violations of core international instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Convention on the Rights of the Child, etc. In this context, it is also imperative to specifically mention the blatant violation by Azerbaijan of Geneva Convention of 1949, which inter alia addresses groups exposed to specific risks, such as children, women and elderly and its additional protocols of 1977, 1989.

Azerbaijan demonstrates its total disregard for international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Persistent violations of human rights inside Azerbaijan, consistent attacks and imprisonment of its civil society representatives, the media and human rights defenders, coupled with the regular dissemination of intolerance and hatred against the Armenian people provides breeding ground for the criminal military adventurism of the Azerbaijani regime.

At the time of the gathering of the Seventh Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan continue to violate the cease-fire, with new human losses. Since the beginning of Azerbaijani aggression and up today as a result of Azerbaijans aggression hundreds were killed and wounded, including civilians. This is a manifestation of the absurdity of celebrating more peaceful and socially inclusive world, building mutual respect among peoples of different cultural and religious identities in a country, which is engaged in barbarity and killings a few hundred kilometres away from the venue of the Forum. This is an affront to the image and the integrity of the Alliance.

In this dire situation the convening of the Seventh Forum should have been cancelled in Azerbaijan - a country that grossly violates the very aims, principles, values of the Alliance of Civilizations.

Armenia remains committed to the purposes of the Alliance and remains its Friend. However, given the circumstances. Armenia does not join the consensus on the Declaration of the Seventh Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. Therefore, in the absence of consensus the Declaration cannot be adopted.

Armenia rejects the Seventh Forum, to be held in Baku nfrom April 25-27, in its entirety, including its outcome.
By Anush Babajanyan

Visits to Nagorno Karabakh have been like light trips to a land of gorgeous nature in the last several years. But pain is always felt there. And for many years, such pain hasnt been felt to such an extent than recently. In this land, pain mixes with decisive character, one that needs to be recognised.

Clashes between Azerbaijani forces and Nagorno Karabakh greatly escalated on the night of April 1-2, 2016. More than 100 soldiers, on both sides, and several civilians were killed as results of these clashes. After several days of war, a ceasefire agreement was announced on April 5 between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

While the sides are negotiating in a ceasefire, the spirit of Karabakh and its people is heavy, burdened with a desire for peace.

A road leads from Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, to the border with Azerbaijan.

Vladimir Avetisyan, 23, travels from Gyumri towards his military post in Aghdam, at the frontline between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan. He was urgently called back from holidays in his hometown, as clashes between Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out on the night of April 1-2, 2016.

A shepherd who normally takes his sheep to Aghdam, at the border with Azerbaijan, now moves them to overnight at a safer location, farther from the frontline.

Nagorno Karabakh Prime Minister Arayik Harutyunyan is in discussions with his team, ahead of a meeting with volunteer fighters arriving to Stepanakert from different locations in Karabakh and Armenia.

1988-1994 Nagorno Karabakh war veterans and younger generations arrive in Stepanakert to voluntarily fight at the frontline.

Vagharshak Grigoryan,12, was killed in shelling that hit the neighborhood of his school in the Martouni region at 8:30 a.m. on April 2. The child was one of the four civilians killed as a result of the reignited conflict between April 1 and April 5.

Last farewell to Vagharshak Grigoryan,12, in a procession towards the cemetery of Herher village, where the child lived. Vagharshak was one of the four civilians killed as a result of the re-ignited conflict between April 1 and April 5.

Lieutenant Vahe Avanesyan, 27, and soldier Harout Gasparyan,19, in a trench at a frontline post after an order to hide, during military operations at the frontline on April 4.

Long-time driver of a military official, Davit Gasparyan, 36, was killed while at a frontline post on the evening of April 4. He left behind a wife and three children.

63 year-old Yuri Gasparyan, father of killed military driver Davit Gasparyan, worked in Stepanakert during the Nagorno Karabakh war more than 20 years ago while the city was being shelled.

An area in Karabakh, which people call Whore's Fishnet Stockings, is 30 meters apart from the Azerbaijani border. Bloody battles took place here in 1994, where shells left crossing marks, resembling fishnet stockings. The area is still a dangerous zone and cars quickly drive through.

The house of Hermine Sahakyan, 30, and her family in Talish village, was hit twice during the five-day war. Shelling destroyed her childrens bedroom on April 2, and another one ruined the living room on April 5. The family escaped the house before the shells destroyed it.

The shooting began in the direction of the [Talish] village at night," Hermine Sahakyan, 30, says," We ran out of the house at 3:30a.m. Later in the evening of April 2, around 5:00p.m. the first shell hit their house. The second hit it on April 5.

The family of Hermine Sahakyan, 30, (center) from Talish, receives free accommodation and food at a hotel in Stepanakert.

Frontline village Talish suffered severely from the reignited conflict. Villagers were forced to leave their houses and leave their animals unattended.

The wedding hall in Talish was one of the most damaged buildings. Almost the entire ceiling was destroyed.

Soldiers repair the phone lines at the Mataghis village military post. The lines were damaged during the fighting.

Soldiers at frontline positions are often those serving their two-year obligatory military service. They just happened to be at their positions when the conflict escalated.

A soldier arranges guns at fire positions right on the frontline,

A trail leads to one of the settlements between Stepanakert and the Azerbaijan border.
Once a food cart and a State Street spot, the Ethiopian restaurant Buraka has finally found a new home in the former Jolly Bob's location on W
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.
Dave Zweifel is editor emeritus of The Capital Times. dzweifel@madison.com and on Twitter @DaveZweifel
A decision to shut down access to a popular Wisconsin River recreational area has some area residents disappointed, angry and in search of a solution.

For decades river recreationalists have parked their cars and launched canoes and kayaks next to a make-shift parking and launch area off County Highway N along the Wisconsin River about two miles northwest of downtown Wisconsin Dells.

In addition to blocking off the river entrance, Upham Woods is also planning on blocking access to nearby Blackhawk Island. Both areas are on property owned by the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

The property is part of the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, which hosts nearly 10,000 school children a year for various outdoor learning activities. The center cited liability and safety concerns for its students as the two primary factors in deciding to shut down the launch spot.

In a letter to the Stewards of the Wisconsin Dells of the Wisconsin River, Upham Woods Assistant Director Toby Grabs said, Weve performed a risk management review and have determined that the little piece of Upham property along Highway N alongside the side channel of the Wisconsin River presents us with significant risk management issues. This is a liability concern for us. More importantly, if people are allowed to park here they can easily enter our camp unseen which is a great safety concern since we often have youth on site.

Grabs went on to say Upham Woods is working with the Juneau County Highway Department to make the stretch of road on Upham property a no-parking enforcement zone. He said signs will be installed soon and the organization will be constructing a fence as a physical and visual barrier so the public will understand it is private property and will know they cannot use it for fishing, as a boat launch or for parking.

The decision was a shock and disappointment to Stewards of the Dells of the Wisconsin River president and co-founder Debbie Kinder.

Many people, including Upham campers, have learned that the best way to see the Dells is from a canoe or kayak, Kinder said in a letter to the Dells Events. Its critical for the public to have access to the safest and most beautiful section of the Dells river corridor and the path around Blackhawk Island with its no-wake zone.

Stewards Co-Founder Easton Dreher has been conducting kayak tours on the river with his company Vertical Illusions for more than ten years. He said it is very difficult to find a safe location on the river to launch kayaks, noting that high boat traffic during the tourist season often creates dangerous wakes.

Karl Griffin has been using the location for more than 20 years to launch his kayak and was also very disappointed at Upham Woods decision. Its the only place to launch, he said. If you put in by the boat docks you have to travel all of that open water to get to the channels and this is where all of the heavy boat traffic is during the summertime.

Griffin noted that kayakers can launch at the Illinois Avenue boat docks, but said theres not really a safe place to kayak from the wharf up to the narrows. That stretch is very busy with speed boats and a lot of heavy waves from the large tour boats.

While Kinder said Grabs has done a great job of establishing excellent community relations with Dells area citizens, she said the decision to close off the area could reverse that.

The damage that will be done to community relations by denying the generous tradition of sharing the beauty of the Dells by allowing access to the river would be dramatic, she said. By building fences and calling in parking violations, Upham staff time would be diverted from the positive energy needed to manage a successful camp.

Upham Woods Director Justin Hougham said his organization is aware of the popularity of the launch site and island, but said safety is the No. 1 priority for the thousands of students who visit the camp each year.

The reality of it being like any other school ground or university property is we have to manage toward student safety, he said. Our management expectation is like that of any other school. I understand Debbies (Kinder) perspective. But we have 10,000 kids coming from all over the state whose parents expect a safe environment for their kids to be in.

Houghman said that the kayak launch site and Blackhawk Island are areas where many of Uphams kids are regularly walking and learning. Unfortunately I see packs of cigarettes, beer bottles, feces and toilet paper at both locations, he said.

Hougham added that Upham Woods has always strived to maintain a solid relationship with the Dells community noting its work with the citys Parks and Recreation Department and school district.

Theres a good story here to tell. Were a good neighbor to the kids in the Dells community, he said. We want to make sure this is a good community experience when we have visitors from all over the place.

Wisconsin Dells Mayor Brian Landers is working with both Upham Woods and The Stewards of the Wisconsin Dells to resolve the situation.

Landers stressed that the decision to close river access points is not coming directly from Upham Woods.

I dont want this to turn into a battle between the locals and Upham Woods, Landers said. This is actually coming down from the university. Uphams managers are trying to become community involved and they really want the locals to be a part of Upham Woods, but unfortunately they are just the messengers of bad news.

Landers said he is also going to talk with Kinder. Im going to be asking for the Stewards to join Upham Woods in fully understanding why theyre being asked to make these decisions.

When people are taking up landing spots that are intended to be for these kids to safely get to and out of the island, its becoming an issue for Upham Woods, he said. On top of that, the beach goers, to some degree, have themselves to blame for this because theres lots of photos of beer bottles, trash and human feces on the beach.

While The Stewards of the Dells continues to hold hope that Upham Woods will reverse its decision, the organization was conditionally approved by the City of Wisconsin Dells Parks and Recreation Committee to install a floating canoe and kayak dock at the Illinois Avenue boat docks.

The dock would be very beneficial because it gets right down to the water level so you can put the boat right off of it, Dreher said. It would be a beautiful system for the community to use.

The Stewards hopes to have the new launch dock installed in time for the summer season.
A Beloit man who goes by the street name of "Sammy the Bull" was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Tuesday for the 2014 shooting of a man he believed to be a police informant.

Samuel Jones, 33, was sentenced by Rock County Circuit Judge Richard Werner. Jones was found guilty in a jury trial in January.

Jones was convicted of attempted first-degree intentional homicide for shooting a man on Oct. 27, 2014, in the 1800 block of Dewey Avenue in Beloit.

Evidence showed Jones shot the man because he believed the victim told police he was selling heroin. The victim testified Jones pointed the semi-automatic handgun at him and fired seven or eight times.

The victim was shot in the arm and went to a friend's house to get help.

Jones will have 15 years of extended supervision after serving the 30-year prison term.
Madison police continued to search Wednesday for the person or persons who fatally shot one man and injured another outside O'Grady's Irish Pub early Tuesday.

Martez Moore, 30, of Madison was killed when several shots rang out around 1 a.m. in the parking lot of the Far West Side bar at 7436 Mineral Point Road.

Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain on Wednesday said there was "nothing dramatically new" to report on the homicide investigation, which is now operating out of a command post within the department's Central District. The Violent Crimes Unit is working with gang investigators to identify witnesses and possible suspects, DeSpain said.
A Fitchburg man was charged Wednesday with first-degree reckless homicide for the February drug overdose death of a woman at a Far East Side motel.

James J. Murry, 28, is alleged in a criminal complaint to have sold the heroin that caused the Feb. 25 death of Melissa S. Hawkins, 30, who died at Motel 6, 4202 East Towne Blvd.

An autopsy found that Hawkins died from a combination of drugs that included heroin, fentanyl and methadone. Heroin and fentanyl were considered major contributors to Hawkins death, the complaint states.

Murry was jailed on $5,000 bail after appearing in Dane County Circuit Court on Wednesday. Murry is currently on probation for possession of narcotic drugs, a 2014 conviction from Dane County.

According to the complaint:

Paramedics were called to the Motel 6 at about 4:20 p.m. Hawkins was in the bathroom of a room there, and a syringe was found nearby. Hawkins sister, Toni Hawkins, told police that she had been living at the motel with her sister and that she had bought heroin from someone she knew as Mac on the North Side of Madison.

After buying the heroin, she told police, she brought it back to the motel and gave some to her sister. Toni Hawkins said she used some, then drove to East Towne and passed out behind the wheel of her car.

She said she initially met Mac at the PDQ store on Northport Drive, and after she told him she needed more heroin than he was carrying, she followed him to a house on Northport Drive where the sale was completed. She identified him from surveillance camera images taken inside the store, and police later identified him as Murry.

A friend of Murry told police that after Murry learned that someone had gone to the hospital from heroin he had sold, he said, I am done with this (expletive). He later learned that Hawkins had died.
Madison police on Tuesday were investigating an early-morning disturbance outside a Far West Side bar that left a Madison man fatally shot and another man with minor injuries.

The shootings happened at around 1 a.m. in the parking lot of Martin OGradys Irish Pub, 7436 Mineral Point Road, police said. Investigators later found at least eight shell casings, fired from at least two guns, at the scene.

Tuesday afternoon, the Dane County Medical Examiners Office identified the man killed as Martez Moore, 30, of Madison. An autopsy determined the death was due to homicidal firearm trauma, the office said, with additional testing underway. No information was provided on how many times or where on his body Moore was shot.

An acquaintance of Moores, Jannelle OConnell-Parks, who lives in Chicago, said she grew up with Moore in Madison, and she was mourning his shocking death Tuesday.

He was awesome and funny, she told the State Journal. He was a great guy  so sad that hes gone so soon.

Police spokesman Joel DeSpain said no suspects had been identified Tuesday, but several people inside and outside the pub at the time of the shooting had been interviewed. Some provided useful information, and others did not, frustrating investigators, DeSpain said.

There are people weve talked with who we believe have first-hand information (about the shootings) who are not providing us with the details we need, DeSpain said. We want to get into that core group of people who likely have information on what transpired outside.

On Tuesday, police had only a sketchy outline of how things happened.

A large group of 15 to 20 men and women had gone into OGradys Irish Pub, then about half of them went outside, DeSpain said. A short time later, a disturbance took place outside with multiple shots fired.

There were no apparent signs of trouble inside the bar before the smaller group of people walked outside.

The people who run the pub say there was no problem with these people inside, DeSpain said. There was no arguing, there was no fighting.

The departments Violent Crimes Unit is running the investigation under the direction of Lt. Cory Nelson, from a command post set up in the departments West District.

Members of the departments gang and drug units also are helping  because they may know some of the people involved, not because the shootings necessarily revolved around anything drug- or gang-related, DeSpain said.

Police didnt know on Tuesday what prompted the dispute. The scene was chaotic as officers arrived and many in the parking lot scattered.

The homicide victim is found not far from the door, on the sidewalk and deceased, having been shot at least one time, DeSpain said. We were later able to find a second (man) who sustained a gunshot wound, described to me as a grazing wound to the head, for which that person was treated (at a local hospital) and released.

The injured man was not cooperative, DeSpain said. DeSpain said it isnt known if anyone else was injured during the incident.

OGradys is located in the west corner of the Cambridge Court strip mall, next to a Pizza Hut and across the road from Shopko, near West Towne Mall.

Other strip mall businesses include higher end outlets such as Lu Anders Boutique, Rejuvenation Spa and the popular French bakery La Baguette. Business remained brisk at the adjacent businesses throughout Tuesday as police worked the scene in the parking lot in front of the pub in a large area cordoned off with tape.

DeSpain said the neighborhood was not a problematic area, with one mugging reported at the pub in February, but little else of note for previous area crime.

But thats not always a good predictor of gun-related violence, as crime generally becomes more mobile, or less contained to certain streets or neighborhoods.

I dont think theres any real rhyme or reason anymore for where some of this gun violence takes place, DeSpain said. You have people who have a beef and when they cross paths, shots could be fired. And that could be in a shopping mall or outside a business or in a neighborhood with no other crimes associated with it.

Police asked anyone with information about the incident to call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.

 State Journal reporters Barry Adams and Bill Novak contributed to this report.
Two possible police impersonators followed then gestured at a driver in Boscobel, with the suspects driving away after the encounter.

Boscobel police said a woman reported on Tuesday that she had been followed by a small, black two-door car with two young males inside, a car that pulled over behind her when she parked on a street near Wisconsin Avenue.

"They activated two small red lights mounted on the front bumper," Boscobel police said. "They never got out of their car, and after a couple of seconds, they pulled out and drove by, flipping her off as they went by."

The woman followed the black car for a short distance, seeing the car near Highway 61 before it drove away.

"If you observe a vehicle matching this description, do not approach or confront," police said. "Obtain the license plate number if you can do so safely, and contact police immediately."
A man sitting on the ledge at the top of the State Street Capitol parking ramp was grabbed and taken to safety by two Madison police officers Tuesday night.

The 40-year-old man, who was intoxicated and under the influence of a narcotic, was taken into protective custody and then admitted to a local hospital.

The incident happened at about 8 p.m. at the parking ramp at 214 N. Carroll St.

The 911 communications center got a call from a person who said if he didn't talk to a crisis counselor, he would jump off a ramp.

"A short while later, a security guard observed an individual sitting on the ledge at the top of the State Street Capitol ramp," said Lt. John Radovan.

Two officers arrived on scene and started talking to the man, who was sitting on the ledge facing out with his legs dangling over the side.

"At one point, the man was focused on one officer, so the other officer was able to sneak up and grab the man, with the two officers then able to pull him off the ledge," Radovan said.
Now, the clock for the long-envisioned Judge Doyle Square project Downtown really starts ticking.

The Madison City Council on Tuesday night overwhelmingly chose Beitler Real Estate Services $170 million option for the massive redevelopment of the Madison Municipal Building and Government East parking garage blocks to the south of Capitol Square.

The council, following a recommendation of the citys finance committee, chose exclusive negotiations with Beitler over Vermilion Development, both of Chicago. The development teams had offered proposals that sharply contrasted in cost, design, size and scope of a hotel for Monona Terrace, housing, commercial space, parking and public investment.

The city is doing a separate, roughly $29 million, renovation of the landmark Municipal Building.

Tonight is many years in the making, said new council President Mike Verveer, who represents the core Downtown. Its clearly a path forward for the ongoing saga that is Judge Doyle Square.

After the vote, Beitler president J. Paul Beitler voiced optimism about finalizing a deal. I believe we can. Three times is the charm, he said, referring to two past failed negotiations with another developer. Its now time to finalize an agreement.

Because the city has failed to secure a project in previous efforts with other developers, it now has a relatively narrow time frame to negotiate a final development agreement with Beitler to use resources from a highly successful Downtown tax increment financing (TIF) district for the project.

The city must make commitments to spend funds from the district by September 2017, and the district is set to close in the early 2020s.

To meet those timelines, the city has a maximum 62 days to negotiate a preliminary deal with Beitler with passage no later than July 5. A final development agreement must be done by Sept. 30. Taxing entities  the city, Madison School District, Dane County and Madison Area Technical College  must act by Oct. 31.

We have a tight timeline as these things go, city project director George Austin said, adding that the city intends to start negotiations with Beitler Wednesday morning.

Mayor Paul Soglin said hes not concerned about Beitler having an advantage in negotiations due to the timing of closing the TIF district. We have other options but Im not worried about that, he said.

The Beitler proposal, compared to Vermilion, carries a lower public cost for parking, and its lease of city land generates more revenue for the city than Vermilions purchase of property.

Each developer offered an initial proposal and an alternative plan, with Beitlers proposals both requiring less public investment because of less underground parking.

The city has been struggling to redevelop the site for years and weighing the Beitler and Vermilion proposals for months. A previous negotiation with another developer collapsed last year.

In February, Beitler proposed the $125 million project with a 252-room select service hotel, 210 apartments, retail and limited office space, and 910 parking spaces, most above ground. A glass structure with public parking, retail and a bicycle center would be on the Municipal Building block. The hotel and apartments would be above parking across the street. It would require a total net public investment of $27.5 million, nearly all of it for public parking. (All proposals include $1 million in public money for the bike center.)

Beitler followed with its $170 million alternative for the Municipal Building block that puts several levels of parking underground and adds 144 more apartments above it, matching the height of the hotel and apartment buildings across the street. The net public investment rose to $43 million.

Although the city is pursuing the $170 million option, which is seen as better land use, Soglin and others still want to see if public costs can be reduced and the mayor and council members said the city can move to negotiations on the less expensive alternative if needed.

Soglin said the city has made inroads with the school district about using resources in the TIF district.

The school district, which faces financial challenges, had sent a letter in support of the $125 million Beitler proposal. The letter called for the city to close the TIF district with a surplus that the city has intended to use to support the project and disburse excess funds to taxing entities.

The city, however, has long planned to use the TIF district to support the redevelopment and also intends to keep it open an extra year to generate money for affordable housing under state law.

Soglin and city finance director David Schmiedicke have said the city can essentially loan the district its share of the TIF surplus now and get repayment when the TIF district is closed in the early 2020s. But the district has had concern about interest and liability should the TIF district not perform as expected.

On Tuesday, Soglin said that district officials are receptive of a new city proposal to use its own share of the TIF district surplus or ground lease revenues, if necessary, to make sure the school district is held harmless when the TIF district is closed.
Spectrum Brands, maker of Rayovac batteries, Remington shavers and other consumer products, plans to expand its Middleton headquarters with $700,000 in public financing.

Middletons City Council on Tuesday granted conceptual approval for tax increment financing (TIF) to help commercial real estate firm Livesey Co. expand the less than 3-year-old building it owns and rents to Spectrum at 3001 Deming Way.

Livesey plans to spend at least $5 million on a 30,120-square-foot addition and expanded parking at the south end of the existing 220,000-square-foot office. The original building was designed to accommodate up to 675 employees and built for about $25 million, including $3.5 million in TIF from Middleton.

Spectrum spokesman Dave Prichard said the office currently houses just shy of 600 employees, not including open positions, but added that the company is expanding the office now to allow lead time.

Our projections call for some degree of continued job growth in this facility, Prichard said. As were getting close to capacity in the existing headquarters, its not too soon to move ahead with an appropriately sized expansion to accommodate expected job growth.

The addition would boost the buildings capacity by about 100, Prichard said.

The $700,000 in TIF tentatively approved for the project would be developer-financed, meaning Livesey would front the money for the project and the city would pay its commitment using increased tax revenue from the development. The method is meant to mitigate risk to municipalities.

Livesey owner John Livesey did not return a phone call, but city administrator Mike Davis said staff believe the expansion would generate enough to pay off city obligations by 2025.

In his March 28 TIF request, Livesey cited special site preparation related to stormwater management, poor soil conditions, and the projects inclusion of energy-efficient materials and equipment as unusual costs above and beyond what would be the normal construction costs.

The Spectrum site is located in what was once glacial Lake Middleton. Mayor Kurt Sonnentag said boundary agreements with neighboring towns have limited areas for commercial development within the city, so the city has typically used TIF to support development in the area despite poor soil conditions.

Theres a lot of extra expense for somebody that wants to build a building that normally you wouldnt have in other places, he said. We allow (TIF) just to make our area competitive with other areas.

Spectrum moved to Middleton in October 2013 after nearly three decades along the Beltline in Madison. Executives considered leaving Wisconsin, but cited a $4 million forgivable loan the company received in 2012 from Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. as a significant factor in the decision to stay in Dane County.

Spectrum originally signed an 18-year lease with Livesey. Expansion of the building would trigger a reset of the lease to last approximately 17 years from the time construction is complete, Prichard said.

Middleton officials are expected to consider final TIF approval as part of a development agreement on May 3. Pending approval, construction on the addition is expected to begin next month and be completed by next spring.
New Glarus Brewing will start offering cans of its beers beginning sometime this summer, president and founder Deb Carey said Wednesday.

Moon Man pale ale will be the first of the brewerys products to hit the shelves after the addition of an $8 million canning line is completed, she said.

The lighter-weight cans will have positive environmental impact by reducing costs of transportation, Carey said.

A host of Wisconsin companies are involved with installing the canning line, which will fill 600 cans a minute, and creating the packaging, she said.

Carey said she expects the brewery will can its flagship Spotted Cow cream ale at some point as well.

Wednesdays news came from an unexpected source: a video posted on Snapchat by former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold with the caption Breaking News: New Glarus canned beer coming this summer.

Carey said the company did not plan to make the announcement Wednesday, but Feingold, who is running against Sen. Ron Johnson to reclaim his former seat, noticed the canning line while touring the brewery and  with Careys blessing  shared the news on the smartphone application. The brewery later announced it on Instagram.

New Glarus will be the largest independent Wisconsin craft brewer to offer its beer in cans. Middleton-based Capital Brewery has offered cans for years, and Madisons Ale Asylum added the packaging to its mix in 2015. Milwaukees Lakefront Brewery said in January that it would be adding canned beer to its lineup this year.

Carey said New Glarus plan to can is a response to the growing market for its beer in Wisconsin, the only place where it can be bought.

Were on fire, and were just trying to keep up with demand, Carey said. We just make what the people of Wisconsin are looking for.
Its very close to my heart because I was down there, and I watched our police and our firemen down at 7-Eleven, down at the World Trade Center right after it came down, and I saw the greatest people Ive ever seen in action.

 Donald Trump, April 18

May 1, 2017

Remarks by the President

The White House

President Trump: I want to welcome all of my Cabinet secretaries here for this meeting. We have completed our first 100 days in office and already we have made America Great Again. Amazing! The best!

I know everybody took a Big Gulp when I changed 9/11 to 7-Eleven last year. They thought I was a stupid person. A loser! Erin Gloria Ryan of Vocativ said I would start talking about the Japanese bombing of Pearl Jam and the Native Americans Trail of Sears. Other terrible people  the worst!  thought I would refer to the eBay of Pigs, the Normandy landing on DQ Day, the Dodge Challenger disaster, Black & Decker Tuesday of 1929, the 1906 San FranCisco Systems Fire and the 1814 burning of the White Castle by the British.

Wrong! Turning 9/11 into 7-Eleven was the beginning of something huge. Phenomenal! The people at 7-Eleven  great retailer, decent coffee, convenient!  loved it. Loved it! They said to me: Mr. Trump, if you could mention us and other corporations more often at unexpected moments, we think it would really help to Make America Great Again. And I said: We will do even better. We will Make America Great Again by selling some of our greatest assets to you and to Americas other great corporations.

We are meeting here in the MapQuest Room of the Trump National White House because our new Crate & Barrel Cabinet Room is being refurnished. Next well have a drink in the Johnnie Walker Blue Room, and well eat in the Allstate Dining Room. Look out the window there and youll see amazing billboards going up on the Washington Mutual Monument, across the reflecting pool from the Lincoln Financial Group Memorial. In the distance youll see the white dome of Capital One, the Tide Basin and Boeing National Airport. Huge!

Jeff Sessions, our phenomenal secretary of Homeland Depot Security  great guy!  tells me Mexico has already paid for the wall. Its now the Aeromexico Wall  because the only way around it is over it! Great slogan! We are making only the best deals, throughout the Federal Express government and across the entire United States of American Eagle Outfitters.

They said I couldnt unify the Republican Party. But then I renamed the Navy the Ted Cruz Line. They said I couldnt hold on to the evangelical Christians. But then I renamed the Liberty University Bell and Niagara Falwells.

Most of all, they said I couldnt get rid of the entire federal debt  $19 trillion!  in one year. They said I was stupid  a loser! But I traveled this land, from the Redwood Inn forest to the Gulfstream G650, and knew that everybody wanted to buy American! So I sold the Treasury Department to Citigroup, the Pentagon to Lockheed Martin, the Food and Drug Administration to Pfizer, HHS to CVS, the EPA to Waste Management, the FBI to Apple, the NSA to Google and the Grand Canyon to GMC. Great deals! China gave up all $1.3 trillion of our debt  and all I had to give them was the Walt Disney Company. Phenomenal deal!

Now we are placing corporations names in amazing places  the greatest  and we are winning, winning, winning, and we are making a lot of money. A lot. We are bringing out the best in America, the fast and convenient spirit of 7-Eleven, and I say: Oh, thank heaven. We are Making America Great Again.

[APPLAUSE]
The messy exit of Ed Wall from state government should serve as a warning to other public officials across Wisconsin: Dont flout the open records law.

Attorney General Brad Schimel understandably lost confidence in Wall, the states former Department of Corrections secretary, after Wall tried to hide a letter seeking the governors help with a state job. Wall sent the letter to the home of the governors chief of staff so it couldnt be easily discovered though an open records request.

I know that you didnt want me sending this electronically or to the office because of the records issue, so I elected instead to send it to your home in writing and would ask that you feel free to shred it once youve looked it over, Wall wrote to Gov. Scott Walkers chief of staff, Rich Zipperer. I understand the concern the administration has over creating records, Rich, but I cant let that harm me or my family worse than weve already been harmed.

The real harm was to the young people and their families at the Lincoln Hills youth prison in northern Wisconsin, where allegations of child abuse, sexual assault and misconduct are being investigated by the FBI and state Justice Department. Wall resigned as Corrections secretary Feb. 5 because of the scandal.

Under state law, Wall could return to his previous job at the Justice Department. But Wall didnt get the position at DOJ he wanted, prompting his sneaky letter to Walkers chief of staff.

Zipperer wisely and quickly responded on official state letterhead, telling Wall we are expected to fully and dutifully follow all public records laws and procedures. I have a duty to retain your correspondence as an official record.

Thats how the letter came to light, leading to Wall being fired from his DOJ job.

Unfortunately, I lost confidence with Mr. Wall and determined he could no longer serve in any capacity at the DOJ after learning that he directed a high-ranking state official to shred public records, Schimel told the State Journal on Friday.

Wall is challenging his dismissal. But this much is clear: Hiding and destroy public documents is wrong and will always raise suspicion. The attorney generals strong response in defense of open government last week was most welcome.
The House panel is investigating allegations that Planned Parenthood, the nations largest abortion provider, is selling the body parts of aborted babies to researchers for profit. The allegations were raised by a series of undercover videos released by the Center for Medical Progress.

The Daily Signal reports:

Democratic lawmakers appointed to the Energy and Commerce Committees Select Investigative Panel on Planned Parenthood received more than $81,000 in campaign contributions from the organization since 1990, according to a study by the Media Research Center.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced the Democratic appointments to the panel earlier this week.

I am proud to name six strong champions of women, families and facts to stand up against the latest Republican assault on womens health, Pelosi said in a statement. Hard-working families deserve better than a taxpayer-funded Republican Select Committee fixated on dismantling womens health. As Republicans try to take affordable family planning and lifesaving preventive care away from millions of American women, Democrats will be in the room to fight for the truth.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., was appointed as the committees ranking member.
"Unfortunately, the story of the progressive income tax shows that middle class taxpayers are the ones who eventually really pay.

While it is being sold as a magic cure for what ails the state, the long-term effect of Rep. Langs progressive tax plan would be disastrous, said Americans for Prosperity Illinois State Director David From . Hiking taxes initially on higher income brackets will increase the tax burden on many employers and small businesses, while also giving the General Assembly an ATM from which they can continually feed their spending habit by playing class politics and demonizing the wealthy with little public resistance.

The eventual result, AFP-IL says, would be higher taxes on most Illinoisans and fewer jobs due to outbound migration of job creators.

NAPERVILLE - Americans for Prosperity Illinois called on legislators to reject the graduated income tax and State Rep. Lou Lang' s Progressive Income tax plan, because "it will feed the General Assemblys problem of over-spending by giving them a consistent target on which to continually hike taxes."

The group argues that a graduated income tax would give politicians the ability to add brackets, increase the rates or lower the income threshold at which higher rates apply.

Among the 34 states (and the District of Columbia) with a graduated income tax, Illinois median household income ($57,444) would be taxed at a top marginal rate of 5.46%, nearly two full percentage points higher than the current 3.75% flat income tax. The average number of brackets is six.

"This bill is a Trojan Horse, intended to serve as a mere placeholder until much higher rates can be adopted at a more politically convenient time," AFP-IL says.

The Lang Rate Schedule, outlined in HB 689, would give Illinois the fourth-highest top marginal rate in the country (behind California, Oregon & Minnesota for single filers). The $1.9 billion in anticipated revenue covers less than 50 percent of the deficit of the Democrats most recently-passed budget.

Speaker Madigans so-called "Millionaires Tax" would place an additional 3 percent surcharge on income over $1 million and tax those with over $1 million in taxable income a top marginal rate of 12.75%, the second-highest in the nation.

Still, the speculated $2.9 billion would still leave more than 25 percent of the state's budget deficit unfunded.

The reality that this tax hike does not come close to paying for the budget that the Democrat majority passed last year, shows that the proposed rate schedule isnt their real objective, continued From.

Under the guise of a tax cut for 99% of Illinois taxpayers, once passed the good people of Illinois will be bamboozled by seeing more brackets with lower thresholds and higher marginal rates implemented. Illinoisans should not be asked to entrust Springfield politicians with  literally  a blank check.
We compare the 2014 and the 2016 Duster's to see what changes have been made

By India Today Web Desk: The year 2012 turned out to be the most successful year of Renault journey into the Indian market since going solo. The French company found success with none other than the Duster compact SUV. Renault was actually among the first ones in the country to bring in the concept of a compact SUV, and with the Duster, Renault has not looked back.

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However, with the launch of the Hyundai Creta, Renault's position in the compact SUV segment was under threat and to counter this, the company came up with the facelift of the Duster this year. With minor tweaks here and there, Renault is banking on the Duster to bring back the glorious days for the company.

ALSO READ: Renault India launches all new Duster for Rs 8.46 lakh

So we compare the 2014 and the 2016 Duster's to see what changes have been made and whether the new Duster can bring any change of luck for the French car-makers.

NOTE: The old Duster and the new Duster will be compared based on the price, engine, design and features.

Price:

The new Renault Duster with manual gearbox is available across five variants- Std, RXE, RXL, RXS and RXZ - petrol as well as diesel. While the base variant is priced at Rs 8.47 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and the top variant gets a price tag of Rs 13.57 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

ALSO READ: Renault to unveil new editions of Duster, Kwid at Auto Expo 2016

Moreover, the AMT variant is offered at Rs 11.67 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Engine:

The 2014 Renault Duster comes with a 1.6-litre petrol motor churning maximum power of 102bhp @5,750rpm and maximum torque of 148Nm @3,750rpm.

The 2014 Renault Duster comes with a 1.6-litre petrol motor churning maximum power of 102bhp @5,750rpm and maximum torque of 148Nm @3,750rpm. Moreover, the diesel unit comes in two tunes - 83bhp and 108bhp. The 108bhp gets an optional six-speed AMT along with a standard six-speed manual transmission, while the 83bhp gets a five-speed manual transmission. Renault also offers an AWD variant on the RxZ variant.

The 108bhp gets an optional six-speed AMT along with a standard six-speed manual transmission, while the 83bhp gets a five-speed manual transmission.

On the other hand, the biggest change in the facelift Renault Duster is the AMT version. The new Duster comes with a Easy-R six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT), paired to the 1.5-litre diesel motor in addition to the six-speed manual.

The new Duster comes with a Easy-R six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT).

ALSO READ: Ten things to know about the new Renault Duster

Design:

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Renault has altered the 2014 Duster to make it distinct than the other cars in its segment. The Duster gets the 'Anthracite' alloy wheels, darkened head-lamp clusters with matte black B-pillars on the top end variant of the Duster.

Renault has altered the 2014 Duster to make it distinct than the other cars in its segment.

The exterior changes to the new Duster are clever and are well updated. The front end of the Duster has been redesigned with three-slat spaced out grille. Along the grille, the Duster gets a new and enhanced headlamp cluster along with brand new Firefly fog lamps. The Duster also gets a new kayak roof rails, upgraded LED tail lamps, ORVMs with integrated turn indicators and newly designed alloys finished in Gun Metal grey.

The front end of the Duster has been redesigned with three-slat spaced out grille.

ALSO READ: Comparison: Datsun redi-Go vs Alto 800 vs Eon vs Kwid

Features:

A new 3-spoke steering wheel along with the dual-tone grey/red seats, a bee-hive design and a black/grey dashboard.

The inside of the Duster has received major changes like the new three-pod instrument cluster that has the fuel consumption metre. Moreover, a new 3-spoke steering wheel along with the dual-tone grey/red seats, a bee-hive design and a black/grey dashboard. Moreover, the 2014 Renault Duster gets a boot capacity of 410 litres.

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Now, the new Renault Duster gets 32 new changes to the exteriors and interiors. The Duster facelift receives a rear-view camera, automated climate control, auto-up/down power windows, media navigation and much better centre console. ABS, EBD with Brake Assist, dual front airbags, ESP and Hill start assist now come standard in all variants of the 2016 Duster.

Now, the new Renault Duster gets 32 new changes to the exteriors and interiors.

Verdict:

ALSO READ: Spec comparison: Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza vs Hyundai Creta

Although, the new Duster costs more than the older one, the compact SUV has always been a fun car to drive. Apart from the mechanical changes, Renault has taken one step closer to make the Duster an absolute SUV. With the AMT version, the success of Duster will be crucial as it has taken the car to the level of the Creta, the Vitara Brezza and the TUV300.

Moreover, the Duster now has the ability to hurt Creta and Vitara Brezza's business but to what extent, that can only be determined in times to come, with the company having sold more than 1.5 lakh units of the Renault Duster already.

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The Shine SP is one of the most capable daily commute motorcycles in the 125 cc segment although cold starts require more than one attempt at cranking the motor.

The quality of materials used for the seat seems to be good and has ample grip too.

By Prashant Verma: Test Started February, 2016/55km | Tenure/Target mileage 12 months/5,000km | Mileage this month 1754km | Efficiency this month 56.6kmpl

Digital display Yes | Tachometer No | Fuel gauge Yes | Electric start Yes | Disc brakes Yes | Tyres Tubeless | ARAI Efficiency NA | Price Rs 71,274 (ex- Delhi)



There is little to doubt the fact that today's stop-go traffic conditions are a nightmare for any commuter. This is especially the case for ones like me who travel in excess of 50km everyday to and fro office on a motorcycle. So, it is of utmost importance that we commuters choose a bike which is comfortable as well as dynamically able. So how does the Shine SP fare? Let's look at things, one at a time.

Handlebars are positioned well and provide the necessary posture to keep the back straight.

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To begin with, the seat that the Shine SP gets is one of the most comfortable ones available in this particular segment. It is a large unit with a good amount of cushioning and the right amount of contouring to make sure the rider does not go sliding off. This also means that there is space to move around if one wants but again, thanks to the contours one does not feel the need to do so. The quality of material used for the seat also seems to be good and has ample grip too. Adding to this, is the fact that the length of the seat is good enough for two adults. Speaking of pillion comfort, the grab rail provided is useful and allows for a good grip when things get bumpy during the commute. The other aspect which is very important for any commuter is the riding position and I am happy to report that the Shine SP impresses here too. I feel that this is primarily because it was designed for a commuter and not an enthusiast. So the foot pegs, handlebar and seat is positioned such that there is very little discomfort during those painful commutes.

Also Read Last Month's Report: Honda CB Shine SP is aimed at a younger generation



The 125cc is a smooth operator and is peppy enough for all kinds of traffic conditions. However, cold starts require you to crank the motor more than once before it springs to life. The words to describe the latter half of the experience is smooth sailing though.\

The seat and grab rail provide a comfortable grip. The seat and grab rail provide a comfortable grip.





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Once you remove the DB killer on the Mojo, the deep note of the exhaust will ensure that people turn their heads to catch a glimpse of the motorcycle.

Every time I get off the Mojo, I have a smile on my face and am hardly ever fatigued.

By Karan Mathur: Test Started February, 2016/143km | Tenure/Target mileage 12 months/5,000km | Mileage this month 1200km | Efficiency this month 33kmpl

Digital display Yes | Tachometer Yes | Fuel gauge Yes | Electric start Yes | Disc brakes Yes | Tyres Tubeless | ARAI Efficiency NA | Price Rs 1.58 lakh (ex- Delhi)

The little details like the gold painted frame bars add that extra bit of panache.

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Alright, time for a confession. Having a bike which has an inclination towards being sporty will always be a hoot to ride in the city. Mind you, you do have to be careful of other road users and other natural environmental hazards. However, if you have your safety gear on, the city commute can be delightful experience. The Mahindra Mojo has been doing the Noida-Gurgaon round for some time now. Every time I step off the motorcycle, after having reached my destination, I'm always smiling but hardly ever fatigued. It has road presence as well; at least one head is always turned towards the Mojo, flashing their pearly whites too or maybe pondering on what exactly roared up beside them. As you thumb the electric-start switch, the twin exhaust fire up with a tasteful burble and even as the revs climb, the exhaust note will always keep you happy. When it comes to functionality, the Mojo does not disappoint. The motor likes to be revved and is at its happiest above the 5,000rpm mark. The downfall comes when the Mojo has to be slowed down and crawl through the Delhi traffic. Riders will always be at the mercy of the gear ratios, which means you cannot keep to one gear for a steady amount of time making you switch between first and second gear. Yet, as I mentioned after the path clears, things settle down and the power delivery is smooth and linear from there on in. Overall, I am hooked and look forward to stretching the Mojo's legs with a highway jaunt.

Also Read Last Month's Report: Mahindra Mojo has the right amount of premiumness

The chunky Pirelli Diablo Rosso II look as good as they can handle.

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By PTI: Dhaka, Apr 20 (PTI) At least 12 people were killed, mostly on the spot, and over 50 others injured today in a major head-on collision between two passenger buses in Bangladeshs Rangpur district.

The accident took place around 11 am (local time) on the Rangpur-Dinajpur Highway in Taraganj Upazila, police said.

Taraganj police officer Abdul Latif and Rangpur Fire Services Rescue Officer Abdul Aziz confirmed 12 people dead in the crash.

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"The crash left 10 people dead on the spot," Latif told bdnews24.com.

He said a Rangpur-bound bus from Dinajpur crashed into another bus, which was heading to Dinajpur from Sylhet.

Two others died after being taken to the Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said the hospitals Director ASM Barkat Ullah.

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained and the death toll is likely to go up.

in a major head-on collision between two passenger buses in northern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world, with more than 85 deaths for every 10,000 registered motor vehicles. More than 4,000 people die on Bangladeshs roads every year.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic injuries cause a loss of about 2 per cent of GDP in Bangladesh, or about 1.2 billion pounds annually. PTI MRJ MRJ

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By PTI: From Anisur Rahman

Dhaka, Apr 20 (PTI) At least 12 people were killed, mostly on the spot, and over 50 others injured today in a major head-on collision between two passenger buses in Bangladeshs Rangpur district.

The accident took place around 11 am (local time) on the Rangpur-Dinajpur Highway in Taraganj Upazila, police said.

Taraganj police officer Abdul Latif and Rangpur Fire Services Rescue Officer Abdul Aziz confirmed 12 people dead in the crash.

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"The crash left 10 people dead on the spot," Latif told bdnews24.com.

He said a Rangpur-bound bus from Dinajpur crashed into another bus, which was heading to Dinajpur from Sylhet.

Two others died after being taken to the Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said the hospitals Director ASM Barkat Ullah.

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained and the death toll is likely to go up in a major head-on collision between two passenger buses in northern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world, with more than 85 deaths for every 10,000 registered motor vehicles. More than 4,000 people die on Bangladeshs roads every year.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic injuries cause a loss of about 2 per cent of GDP in Bangladesh, or about 1.2 billion pounds annually. PTI MRJ/AR AMS

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The marriage party of two brothers was attended by hundreds of people, when suddenly everyone started vomiting after consuming the wedding food, he said.

By Press Trust of India: Around 200 people were hospitalised after having food at two separate weddings in Kosikalan area in Mathura, a doctor said today.

The first case of food poisoning was reported from Dasbisa village here on Monday night, Chief Medical Officer Vivek Mishra said.

The marriage party of two brothers was attended by hundreds of people, when suddenly everyone started vomiting after consuming the wedding food, he said.

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The second such case was reported from Satbisa village, he said.

Mishra said the 200 affected people in both the cases have been shifted to hospital and are out of danger.

Another 300 people were administered medication, he said.

Meanwhile, food samples from the wedding parties at both villages have been taken for inspection, he said.

Mishra said government and private hospital staff pitched in to attend to the cases. He also cautioned against the use of substandard vegetables and other ingredients in preparing food at



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By PTI: Coimbatore, Apr 20 (PTI): Nearly 400 bottles of liquor worth Rs 21,000 have been seized by election officials from near state run TASMAC liquor shops at various places in the district on Mahaveer Jayanthi day.

Government had ordered closure of liquor shops yesterday as it was Mahaveer Jayanthi and banned sales.

Based on a complaint, election officials raided an area behind a Tasmac shop in Chokkanur, coming under Kinathakadavu assembly constituency and seized 230 bottles of 180 ML and Rs 20,175 from there. Similarly, 84 liquor bottles and Rs 750 in cash were seized at two areas coming under Pollachi constituency, official sources said. The department, with police assistance, seized 60 bottles from two places in Ramanathapuram and Puliyakulam here, they said, adding cases had been registered. PTI NVM APR APR

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Be it the classic claim of plastic surgery discovered in centuries ago in Vedas or preference to sacred cows over human lives the multi-faceted India never fails to amuse and amaze. Heart over mind and myths over rationale are deeply ingrained in country's social fabrics.

By Siddharth Tiwari: Nothing could define India's tradition better than Karl Marx's proposition that 'Religion is opium for the masses'. This opium gets further intoxicating when blended with rituals that are way beyond the realm of rational thinking.

Be it the classic claim of plastic surgery discovered centuries ago in Vedas or preference to sacred cows over human lives, the multi-faceted India never fails to amuse and amaze. Heart over mind and myths over rationale are deeply ingrained in country's social fabrics.

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While traditions like sati and child marriage might have lost its potency to raise your brows (blame human rights to steal the thrill) , there are plenty still to serve the purpose.

Call it unbelievable or bizarre but they surely are fascinating.

Cow Trampling

India's never dying love for cow is an established fact, so much so that it is an integral part of policy making in Indian politics as well. Evidence of this devotion is reflected in Govardhan festival celebrated a day after Diwali in Maharastra. In this ritual, devotees lie down on the ground and let the cows trample over them.

The Bani Festival - Andhra Pradesh

Importance of human lives in India? Debatable. The bani festival in Andhra Pradesh is one of its kind where every Dusshera several devotees armed with lathis turn up at the Devaragattu Temple and hit each other on the head to celebrate Lord Shiva's victory over a demon. If this wasn't enough, it is believed that 100 years ago axes were used instead of lathis (thankfully people grew little sensitive over a century).

Fire-Walking - Theemithi, Tamil Nadu

That famous Bollywood dialogue 'Hume maut kya darayegi hum to aag se khelna jaante hai' ( We aren't scared of death, we play with fire) isn't baseless. In Theemithi, festival marked to celebrate Draupadi-wife of the Pandavas- devotees literally play with fire. The festival has a practice of devotees walking barefoot across a pit filled with burning hot firewood or charcoal.

Thookam- Travancore and Kochi

The festival is all about getting hooked-up, quite literally. Thookam is a famous ritual performed at Kali temples in Kerala where devotees are pierced by sharp hooks and lifted off the ground onto a scaffold using ropes. Recently, similar fest was organised in Jamshedpur where farmers got pierced, tied and hung to a pole by sharp nails to please Lord Shiva for better monsoon.

Tossing infants for good luck

Leap of faith- devotees in Maharashtra are very serious about this phrase, only it's a drop of faith instead. In a rather very weird practice at Baba Umer Dargah in Maharashtra and Sri Santeswar temple in Karnataka, a new born is dropped from 50 feet into a crowd below waiting to catch the baby. Ironically, the practice is believed to bless the married couples with more babies.

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Next time you come across a mob practicing something rather unusual don't be astonished, its part of the rich heritage of 'Incredible India'.

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Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on a police vehicle, which was deployed for the security of polio vaccination officials, in Orangi town. All four policemen on board the vehicle were killed on the spot, Dawn.com reported.

A Pakistani health worker gives a polio vaccine to a student at a school in Peshawar. Polio remains endemic in Pakistan after the Taliban banned vaccinations, instigated attacks targeting medical staffers and spread suspicions about the inoculations. Phot

By India Today Web Desk: Seven policemen guarding polio vaccination campaign officials were killed in two separate attacks near in a town near Pakistan's financial capital Karachi today.

Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on a police vehicle, which was deployed for the security of polio vaccination officials, in Orangi town. All four policemen on board the vehicle were killed on the spot, Dawn.com reported.

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The gunmen then opened fire at three other cops while fleeing from the attack site. The All the three policemen succumbed to their injuries in a hospital later.

The area was cordoned off immediately after the multiple attacks and authorities suspended the anti-polio campaign.

Terrosists have targeted anti-polio campaign in Pakistan regularly. In January, 15 people were killed and several injured after a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a polio eradication centre in Quetta.

In Pakistan and Afghanistan, the last two countries where polio currently remains endemic, conflict and propaganda have hampered the campaign against the virus.

The campaign to eliminate polio in Pakistan is fraught with risk, with militants attacking health teams they accuse of being Western spies.



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This wealthy Chinese man gives us a teeny-tiny glimpse into what the future could possibly look like.

By India Today Web Desk: This wealthy Chinese man gives us a teeny-tiny glimpse into what the future could possibly look like.

He went out shopping at a jewellery outlet in Guangdong Province last week flanked by 8 electronic "servants" to carry his bags.

That's right!

8 humanoid robots just to carry his to not-so-heavy shopping bags.

Soon after the picture went viral, the man received flake for his ostentatious display of wealth. Chinese netizens described him as 'Tuhao' which is Chinese slang for a man who got rich overnight but has no taste.

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Humanoid robots are becoming widely popular in China. The first robot restaurant opened in Guiyang city, China on Monday, reports the CCTVNews.

More recently, researchers from the University of Science and Technology unveiled an ultra-realistic robot called Jia Jia which is capable of basic communication, interaction with nearby people, and natural facial expressions.

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By Du Juan in Xi'an and Fu Jing in Brussels (China Daily)

A technician checks steel plates at a Han-Steel Co Ltd unit in Handan, Hebei province.[Hao Qunying/For China Daily]

China hit back at its critics over allegations that it is dumping steel products on world markets, threatening the European steel industry and causing job losses.

Tata Steel said last month it would sell most of its steel plants in the United Kingdom, putting thousands of jobs at risk. British trade unions and their counterparts in Belgium and France have claimed that the jobs are at risk due to Chinese overproduction, leading to steel products being dumped on world markets, undercutting Western European producers.

Chinese officials met representatives of more than 30 countries in Brussels this week to discuss the issue.

Shen Danyang, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, told reporters at a news conference in Beijing: "Steel is the food of industry, the food of economic development. At present, the major problem is that countries that need food have a poor appetite, so it looks like there's too much food."

Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK, said: "It is regrettable that some people in Britain blame China for what is happening in the British steel industry, and accuse China of pricing local companies out of the steel market.

"Making China the 'scapegoat' only misleads the public and contributes nothing to the solution of the problem," he said in comments published by the Daily Telegraph.

Li Xinchuang, head of the China Metallurgical Planning and Research Institute, said it was unfair to blame Chinese steel exports for causing unemployment in Europe.

"It is a natural process that companies with higher costs and weak competitiveness will be replaced by ones that can produce better products with lower costs."

Shen said China "doesn't give any subsidies to encourage steel exports.

Zhang Ji, assistant minister of commerce, told the Brussels meeting that China is now making considerable sacrifices to cut its overcapacity.

Zhang Yu contributed to this story.
The Delhi Traffic Police today impounded 50 more app-based cabs for over-charging commuters today.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also hinted at continuing the restriction on surge pricing.

By India Today Web Desk: The Delhi Traffic Police today impounded 50 more app-based cabs for over-charging commuters today. The seizure of vehicles come after CM Arvind Kejriwal termed as "daylight robbery" the surge pricing by app-based taxi operators during the ongoing odd-even scheme.

Authorities had seized 18 taxis belonging to Ola and Uber on Monday for over-charging commuters, taking advantage of a leap in demand for taxis during odd-even vehicle rationing scheme.

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"Surge pricing is daylight robbery. No responsible govt can allow that," Kejriwal tweeted today morning.

"Overcharging, diesel cars, drivers without license/badges and blackmailing by taxi aggregators won't be allowed," he posted in a series of tweets.

Ban on surge pricing to continue after odd-even

The Delhi CM also hinted at continuing the restriction on surge pricing. Responding to a suggestion on Twitter to continue suspension of surge pricing even after odd-even, he tweeted, "Yes. we will do it".

Ola and Uber suspended surge pricing after Kejriwal ordered strict action, including permit cancellation and impounding against overcharging by taxis.

Surge pricing is a technique used by Uber and Ola to raise fares to provide drivers the incentive of keeping their cab running while also making it available for the user irrespective of the demand.



ALSO READ | Delhi CM must realise surge price is not a problem. Autowallahs are

Uber says lack of surge pricing affects cab supply in Delhi



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The US-based company has sought nod from the government on setting up single-brand retail stores in the country.

By Press Trust of India: iPhone and iPad maker Apple has given a presentation to the DIPP Secretary-headed panel on why its products should be considered 'state-of-the-art', 'cutting edge' and thus exempted from mandatory local sourcing norms. The US-based company has sought nod from the government on setting up single-brand retail stores in the country.

As per the foreign direct investment (FDI) norms, the government may relax the mandatory local sourcing norms for entities undertaking single-brand retailing of products having state-of-the-art and cutting edge technology and where local sourcing is not possible. "The DIPP would soon take a call on the company's application," sources said.

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The government had set up a committee to decide whether a product is state-of-the-art and can be eligible for exemption from the mandatory local sourcing applicable for FDI single brand retail trading. The committee is headed by Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Ramesh Abhishek.

At present, 100 per cent FDI is permitted in single brand retail sector but the companies are required to take FIPB permission if the limit exceeds 49 per cent. The company sells its products through Apple-owned retail stores in countries including China, Germany, the US, the UK and France. Apple has no wholly-owned store in India and sells products through distributors such as Redington and Ingram Micro.

Chinese smartphone companies like Xiaomi and LeEco too have submitted similar applications seeking permission to open stores in the country.

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Speaking exclusively to India Today, Captain Nitin Dattatray Joshi said, "I was threatened. Never saw RDX at Purohit's house." Making a startling revelation Joshi said, "I was forced by the ATS to implicate Purohit. When I said I have no idea about the blast, they said I am not cooperating in the investigation and threatened me."

By India Today Web Desk: In a massive twist to the 2007 Samjhauta train blast case investigation, an eye witness has claimed that he was 'forced' by the ATS to impilcate Lt Col Prasad Srikant Purohit, who was on Thursday given clean chit by the NIA saying that 'no evidence was found to link him to the train blast.'

Speaking exclusively to India Today, Captain Nitin Dattatray Joshi said, "I was threatened. Never saw RDX at Purohit's house." Making a startling revelation Joshi said, "I was forced by the ATS to implicate Purohit. When I said that I have no idea about the blast, they said I am not cooperating in the investigation and threatened me."

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"Firstly they told me to say that Purohit gave me the illegal weapons. Secondly, they wanted me to say that I saw the RDX at Purohit's residence. Thirdly, they wanted me to say that he confessed to me that he has supplied the RDX."

Joshi, the only witness to have initially testified against Purohit, wrote a formal complaint to the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) in September 2010 alleging that he had been threatened, blackmailed and coerced by the ATS into falsely implicating Purohit.

Director General of NIA Sharad Kumar in an exclusive conversation with India Today confirmed that the NIA found no evidence against Lt Col Prasad Srikant Purohit in the Samjhauta case . The Maharashtra ATS had alleged Purohit provided 60 kgs of RDX for Samjhauta and Malegaon 2008 blasts.

Kumar has recently returned from the US seeking details of involvement of Arif Qasmani and LeT in the Samjhauta blast.

Purohit's role had earlier been appreciated by the ATS for infiltrating into terrorist organisations and passing on information to security agencies. He has all along maintained that he had kept his superior officers in the Directorate General of Military Intelligence in the loop while infiltrating terror organisations.

"We are in the final stages of preparing chargesheet in the Malegaon case. It is expected to be filed in the next four to six weeks," Kumar said. The NIA had sought opinion from Mukul Rohatgi, Attorney General, on whether Purohit can be charged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

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In its fourth candidates list released for the election, BJP nominated M N Raja for RK Nagar and state secretary K T Raghavan for Kolathur, from where DMK leader M K Stalin is seeking a successive term.

By PTI: BJP today fielded the son-in-law of a former AIADMK minister against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the RK Nagar constituency for the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls on May 16.

In its fourth candidates list released for the election, BJP nominated M N Raja for RK Nagar and state secretary K T Raghavan for Kolathur, from where DMK leader M K Stalin is seeking a successive term.

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Raja is the son-in-law of former AIADMK Minister Aranganayakam, BJP sources said, adding he was heading the party's Unorganised Workers Wing.

In the list released by Secretary of BJP's Central Election Committee, J P Nadda, a total of 27 persons including Raja and Raghavan were named.

In its previous three lists released covering over 150 seats, BJP has fielded senior leaders including its National Secretary H Raja (T Nagar), state President Tamilisai Sounderrajan (Virugambakkam) and Vice-President Vanathi Sreenivasan (Coimbatore South).

Meanwhile, the party will release its manifesto for the coming polls on Thursday, a senior leader said.

Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari is slated to release the party's election manifesto, BJP state Treasurer S R Sekar told PTI.

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By PTI: Bengaluru, Apr 20 (PTI) Caught off guard by sudden eruption of violence during the garment workers protest over the Provident Fund issue, authorities have deployed central forces in the city and clamped prohibitory orders.

Rapid Action Force personnel today staged a flag march along the Jalahalli Cross stretch, one of the worst-hit by the violence yesterday, even as police arrested about 50 persons in connection with the untoward incidents.

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Along the stretch from Madiwala to Bengalurus IT corridor Electronics City which saw widespread protest and violence, 15 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), three platoons of Central Reserve Police Force and RAF and six to seven City Armed Reserve (CAR) platoons have been deployed, a top police official said.

"We have registered around 18 cases, yesterday nine and day before nine; and about 50 persons have been arrested so far," Additional Commissioner of Police (East-Bengaluru City) Harishekaran said.

He said photographs and footage of those involved in stone pelting, assault on police and torching of vehicles are available with police and they would be arrested.

In a spurt of violence, protesting garment workers set several vehicles ablaze and attacked a police station here yesterday forcing the government to revoke the amendment to Provident Fund rules that caused the unexpected spontaneous unrest.

Protesters had gone on the rampage pelting stones at Hebbagodi police station and torching seized vehicles there.

The agitation which began on Monday, spun out of control yesterday in which several people, including 25 policemen, were injured and traffic was thrown out of gear as thousands of workers took to the streets at different places.

City Police Commissioner has promulgated prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in the limits of Bengaluru city till the midnight of April 22.

Harishekharan said police are also visiting garment factories and informing workers about the governments stand.

"There is no protest or procession today...in spite of this our bandobast will continue," he added.

Workers opposing amendment to Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act have expressed fear that the new rule would take away their right over the employers contribution of Provident Fund till they attain 58 years. (MORE) PTI KSU RA BN AAR

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He could not upload details of the development schemes on his official website because of the code of conduct, the Chief Ministers office said today.

By PTI: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has launched a new website to update his voters about his daily schedules, tour programmes and various government schemes.

Chandy launched the personal site in view of the existing code of conduct in the state as part of the May 16 Assembly polls.

He could not upload details of the development schemes on his official website because of the code of conduct, the Chief Ministers office said today.

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Besides the government programmes, the bilingual website also carries videos and photos of various events attended by the Chief Minister and articles by and about him.

It also has a detailed personal and political profile of Chandy, who is seeking his 11th stint to the state Assembly from his home constituency Puthuppally in Kottayam in the upcoming polls.

The tech-savvy Chandy has been active on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Marxist veteran and state opposition leader V S Achutanandan also joined the cyber world recently by launching his own website and opening Facebook and Twitter accounts to connect with voters.

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In February, the United States and the European Union, of which Britain is a part, warned China it should respect the ruling from the Hague.

By Reuters: China expressed anger on Wednesday after a senior British official said a ruling expected within a few months in an international arbitration case the Philippines has brought against China's South China Sea claims must be binding.

Hugo Swire, British minister of state responsible for East Asia, also said Britain saw the ruling, by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, as an opportunity for China and the Philippines to renew dialogue over their territorial disputes.

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China claims virtually all of the South China Sea and rejects the court's authority in the case, which is widely expected to go in favour of the Philippines, significantly raising tension in the strategic waterway.

"The comments by Mr Swire neglect the facts and are very discriminatory and one-sided and seriously go against Britain's promise not to take sides," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing.

"We are extremely dissatisfied."

Tension in the South China Sea is the fault of the United States and the Philippines, not China, with US ships and aircraft increasingly appearing in the region, she added.

"The facts prove that if the South China Sea is tense then it's the US which is the biggest pusher of this," Hua said.

She repeated that China would neither accept nor participate in the arbitration case and it was an abuse of international law.

The court is expected to rule in late May or early June.

In February, the United States and the European Union, of which Britain is a part, warned China it should respect the ruling from the Hague. The court has no powers of enforcement and its rulings have been ignored before.

Britain has prioritised developing economic ties with China and welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping on a state visit in October, leading critics to accuse it of placing short-term financial gain above human rights and security interests.

It also upset the US administration when it became the first non-Asian country and the first member of the Group of Seven advanced economies to join a China-backed development bank for Asia seen by Washington as an unwelcome rival to Western-led institutions such as the World Bank.

More than $5 trillion of world trade is shipped through the South China Sea every year. Apart from China's territorial claims there, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have rival claims.

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Known for his personal relations with the Queen, Abdul Kareem was hired as her steward but was soon upgraded as her personal secretary in August 1887 at the age of 24.

By Siraj Qureshi: Agra is quietly celebrating the 'Urs' of 'Munshi' Abdul Kareem, the urdu teacher and personal secretary of Queen Victoria who lived his last days in disrepute on property granted to him by the Queen in Agra.

Known for his personal relations with the Queen, Abdul Kareem was hired as her steward but was soon upgraded as her personal secretary in August 1887 at the age of 24. Kareem was tasked with teaching Urdu to the Queen, a duty which soon transformed into a leisurely activity for the Queen who spent hours talking to Kareem on various subjects.

The relationship between the two raised questions among the British royalty as Kareem had been given too much of a free rein over the Queen's affairs.

The Queen even arranged to have Kareem taught English so that he could mix with the royalty, a move that didn't go well with the British royalty who thought Indians to be far inferior.

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Consequently, upon the Queen's death in 1901, Kareem was sent packing by her successor Edward VII and all of the mutual correspondence of the Queen and Kareem was confiscated and destroyed to prevent any scandal.

Arriving in India, Kareem returned to Agra, where he had been granted some land by the Queen and passed his remaining life in quite disrepute, finally passing away April 20, 1909 at the age of 46. This date is commemorated as the death anniversary or 'urs' of the Queen's 'Munshi', who once played an important role in making Victoria understand the culture of her Indian subjects and consequently, resulted in the commissioning of a large number of corrective policies designed to govern India better.

Although largely unrecognized, the tomb of the Kareem does find mention in the Archaeological Survey of India's list of protected monuments, lying deep inside Asia's largest graveyard Pachkuian, in Agra. An urs is celebrated annually by the locals at this tomb, although it is by and large a silent affair as not all agree with the actions of the Munshi, while he was lived in the royal household.

Social activist Braj Khandelwal says that Abdul Kareem had been honoured by the Royal Victorian Order and was to be 'Knighted' soon but the royal family intervened and did not allow this to happen. The Queen had even commissioned a gold portrait of Abdul Kareem be made by her personal painter John Angel and her personal physicians used to treat Kareem. A movie had also been made on Kareem's life in 2011.
All women completing seven years in Navy to get permanent commission. The first set of women officers on permanent commission will be appointed this year.

Three women officers - Commander Suman Kumari, Commander Supriya Sethu and Commander Pawan Preet Mann - had moved the Supreme Court seeking reinstatement in the Navy.

By India Today Web Desk: All women officers completing seven years with the Indian Navy will now be eligible for permanent commission. The Navy was the only wing of the armed forces which had denied the permanent commission to women.

With the decks cleared, the first set of women officers on permanent commission will be appointed this year.

Women officers in the Navy are commissioned for short service with a maximum term of 14 years, which makes them ineligible for pension since it requires a minimum 20 years of service. In fact, no short service commission officer, male or female, is entitled for pension.

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Three women officers - Commander Suman Kumari, Commander Supriya Sethu and Commander Pawan Preet Mann - had moved the Supreme Court seeking reinstatement in the Navy. They have now been called for their medical tests for the permanent commission.

A total of 17 short service commission women officers had moved various writ petitions seeking permanent commissions. The verdict on the remaining petitions is also expected soon.

In November last year, the apex court had barred the Navy from releasing 17 women officers, who had challenged the government's decision to extend permanent commission to women officers in education, law and naval architecture to those who joined after September 2008.

In 2010, a similar court order had allowed women permanent commission in the Army and the Air Force, noting that women officers "deserve better from the government".

ALSO READ | Delhi HC allows permanent commission for women in Navy



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Speaking to Karan Thapar on the show To The Point senior Supreme Court advocate C Aryama Sundaram said that the general mood in the country is that juvenile age should be lowered.

By India Today Web Desk: The Juvenile Justice Board yesterday dismissed the bail plea of a Class 12 student who is accused of killing a man while driving his father's Mercedes at high speed in Delhi. The board termed the case as a classic case of bad parenting.

The Juvenile Justice Board rejected the bail application of the minor observing that he was a repeat offender. He had been warned earlier by the traffic police for rash driving.

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The decision of the board to refuse bail to the juvenile driver has once again brought to the fore a key question that's been troubling Indian jurisprudence for several years - should the age of juveniles be reduced from 18 to 16 when they commit heinous crimes like rape and murder?

This is an issue that goes back to the Nirbhaya rape of 2012 and its recurred many times since.

Big Questions Who should be held responsible in such cases? How should cases like this be handled? Why wasn't the 'repeat offender' booked earlier? Should 'ignorant' parents be held accountable? Trying juvenile as an adult is the right solution? Parental inaction real cause of menace? 'Casual' traffic cops behind such mishaps? Police lacking in strict implementation of laws? Affluent parents failing to set good example? Should pillions also be treated as accomplices?

Speaking to Karan Thapar on the show To The Point senior Supreme Court advocate C Aryama Sundaram said that the general mood in the country is that juvenile age should be lowered.

Sundaram added that maturity of a person should be judged according to the crime he has committed.

However, Supreme Court advocate Karuna Nundy disagreed with Sundaram's views. She stressed that people between 17-18 years are not developed as adults.

"There are many who say that the age of 18 is a very conservative age. There are various proper neurological and scientific reasons why this (lowering of age) shouldn't happen," Nundy said.

Dushyant Dave, President, Supreme Court Bar Association, said that figures of National Crime Bureau suggest that there have been a substantial rise in crime committed by juveniles in recent years.

"What is more important... that the number of crime committed by juveniles shouldn't matter. You have to look at nature of crimes being committed by people of this age group. Look at the victims," Dave said.

"Look at the biological advances today, look at the mental advances today, you really have lower the age limit in the juvenile act. We can't keep losing innocent people just because the accused happen to be in the age group of 16-18 years," he added.

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Like Karuna Nundy, Amod Kanth, former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, is also against lowering the age limit in the Juvenile Justice Act.

"Juvenile justice system has a sanctity, children need different kind of treatment," Kanth said.

Delhi hit-and-run: Minor a repeat offender, denied bail



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With the votes still being counted, Trump declared that it was "impossible" for his rivals to catch him.

By AP: Front-runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton swept to victory with ease in Tuesday's New York primary, with Trump bouncing back from a difficult stretch in the Republican contest and Clinton pushing closer to locking up the Democratic nomination.

Trump's victory was a psychological boost for his campaign, though the impact on his path to the Republican nomination was still to be determined by the number of delegates he secured. If he captured more than 50 percent of the vote, he would be in strong position to win most of New York's 95 delegates, an impressive haul.

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Trump leads the Republican race with 756 delegates, ahead of Sen. Ted Cruz with 559 and Ohio Gov. John Kasich with 144. Securing the Republican nomination requires 1,237.

Among Democrats, Clinton has 1,758 delegates to Sen. Bernie Sanders' 1,076. Those totals include both pledged delegates from primaries and caucuses and super delegates, the party insiders who can back the candidate of their choice regardless of how their state votes. It takes 2,383 to win the Democratic nomination.

With the votes still being counted, Trump declared that it was "impossible" for his rivals to catch him.

"We don't have much of a race anymore," he said during a victory rally in the lobby of the Manhattan tower bearing his name. He peppered his confident remarks with more references to the economy and other policy proposals than normal, reflecting the influence of a new team of advisers seeking to professionalize his campaign.

Clinton's triumph padded her delegate lead over rival Bernie Sanders, depriving him of a crucial opportunity to narrow the margin. Sanders vowed to compete through all of the voting contests, though his odds of overtaking Clinton at this stage in the race are low.

"We've got a shot to victory," Sanders said in an interview with The Associated Press. "We have come a very long way in the last 11 months, and we are going to fight this out until the end of the process."

Sanders spent Tuesday in Pennsylvania, as did Trump's main rival Ted Cruz. The Texas senator panned Trump's win as little more than "a politician winning his home state," then implored Republicans to unite around his candidacy.

"We must unite the Republican Party because doing so is the first step in uniting all Americans," Cruz said in remarks read off a teleprompter.

The fight for New York's delegate haul consumed the presidential contenders for two weeks, an eternity in the fast-moving White House race. Candidates blanketed every corner of New York, bidding for votes from Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs to the working class cities and rural enclaves that dot the rest of the state.

Trump needed a strong showing to keep alive his chances of clinching the Republican nomination before the party's July convention - and to quiet critics who say the long primary season has exposed big deficiencies in his campaign effort.

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Having spent months relying on a slim staff, Trump has started hiring more seasoned campaign veterans. He acknowledges that bringing new people into his orbit may cause some strife, but says the moves were necessary at this stage of the race.

Cruz is trying to stay close enough in the delegate count to push the Republican race to a contested convention. Cruz's campaign feels confident that it's mastered the complicated process of lining up individual delegates who could shift their support to the Texas senator after a first round of convention balloting.

Kasich, the only other Republican left in the race, was seeking to add to his scant delegate total and keep up his bid to play a long-shot spoiler at the convention. Kasich has refused to end his campaign despite winning only his home state.

Trump's political strength, though he boasts of drawing new members to the party, has left some Republicans concerned that his nomination could splinter the Republicans. Among Republican voters in New York, nearly 6 in 10 said the nominating contest is dividing the party, according to exit polls.

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Also read:

Slip of Trump: Billionaire mixes up '9/11' with '7/11'



Top Donald Trump aide lobbied for ISI front in US: Report





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By PTI: Mumbai, Apr 20 (PTI) Drought conditions in Maharashtra may hit the domestic sugar production in the sugar year 2016, which is estimated to decline by 10 per cent at around 25.5 million metric tonnes, rating agency ICRA has said.

"We estimates domestic sugar production at around 25.5 million metric tonnes (MT) during the sugar year (SY) 2016, a decline of 10 per cent over the previous year. This was mainly driven by a drought in the largest sugar producing state Maharashtra," ICRA said in a statement here today.

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Lower sugar production along with exports of around 2 million MT is likely to bring down the closing stocks to around 7.6 million MT in sugar year 2016 from around 9.5 million MT in SY2015, it said.

"The decline in sugar stocks is positive and has resulted in an improvement in domestic sugar realisations since August last year.

"With effective cane prices after accounting for duties and state-level subsidies for SY2016 largely remaining unchanged over the previous year, the increase in sugar realisations is expected to improve the contribution margins for sugar in this year," it said.

These factors, together with the higher recovery rates, are expected to drive a significant improvement in profitability for sugar mills based in Uttar Pradesh (UP), ICRA Senior Vice-President Sabyasachi Majumdar said.

Profitability improvement is likely to be moderate for mills based in Maharashtra and Karnataka. This apart, profitability is also likely to be supported by improved realisations for by-products, Majumdar said.

Although sugar mills will have to sell sugar at the modest global prices prevailing, ICRA expects export-linked subsidies for the current sugar year and the resulting modest increase in domestic sugar realisations to offset the losses from export sales to a large extent. (MORE) PTI AP ARS ABI BAS

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After playing Lord Shiva is Life OK's Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, Mohit Raina is back with a yet another revered character.

By India Today Web Desk: Actor Mohit Raina will be soon seen as King Ashoka in period drama Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat. The Colors show depicts the rise of one of India's greatest emperors.

The role of King Ashoka was till now being played by child actor Siddharth Nigam, but the 15-year-old actor will be replaced by Mohit as the show is set to enter the grown up phase of the emperor's life.

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Raina who seems to have beefed up for the role is excited to be playing a yet another iconic character.

"It's a monumental character. When the character has huge potential, automatically the job of the actor becomes easy," he was quoted as saying by Deccan Chronicle.

"Ashoka has been the greatest emperor of all times, so obviously I am super excited to play him on the screen. The role has a lot of variations. After Mahadev, it fits my profile. To be honest, I was apprehensive initially but seeing the canvas of the character and the efforts of the creatives I was convinced," he adeed.

Raina will showcase Ashoka's his journey of becoming the one of the most powerful emperors in the world before finally embracing Buddhism.

Meanwhile, rumours say that actress Soumya Seth is likely to join the show as Kaurvaki. Earlier, it was reported that Sanjeeda Sheikh and Yuvika Chaudhary were approached for the role.

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The warning sounds quite ominous but before you stop using Google, here is the reason why its main site is deemed "unsafe".

By Manish Sain: It seems Google is really serious about the safety of its users, so much so that the company has now turned the spotlight on Google.com. A Reddit user has discovered that one of the security tools called Safe Browsing by Google is showing Google.com as a "partially dangerous" website.

The safety tool, which runs continuously in background on the Chrome browser, notifies the users if they visit an unsafe website. While the Chrome browser does the security check in runtime and shows warnings on Google search and webpages, the safety of a website can also be checked on Google's Safe Browsing Site Status page.

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When Google.com is entered to check the safety, the page shows messages like "some pages on this website install malware on visitors' computers" and "attackers on this site might try to trick you to download software or steal your information (for example passwords, messages, or credit card information)".

The warning does sound quite ominous but before you stop using Google, here is the reason why its main site is deemed "unsafe".

The address Google.com leads to the search engine's main page. And each search term on Google generates millions of results. There is no doubt many of the sites that appear in the search results contain malware, adware, and other harmful software. Thus Google's Safe Browsing tool is doing exactly what it is supposed to do.

In its second security report for Android, Google has also said that it is using Chrome website checker tool for Chrome on Android. This means the mobile users get same protection against malicious websites that desktop users get.

Google's Safe Browsing tool is not only used by Chrome but also Firefox and Safari. Both browsers get their information about the malicious websites from Google's blacklist and hence offers consumers protection against web pages that may install malware or trick users.

Also Read: Google scans 6 billion apps daily to keep Android phones safe

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By PTI: New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) The government today approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Bhutan on technical cooperation in the field of capacity building, benchmarking and bilateral exchange in infrastructure engineering.

The MoU aims at taking forward India-Bhutan friendship treaty and provide an umbrella for educational, scientific and technical research and environment protection.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved signing of an MoU between India and Bhutan on technical cooperation in the field of capacity building, benchmarking and bilateral exchange in infrastructure engineering.

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"The MoU is furtherance to India-Bhutan friendship treaty signed in 2007 and will provide an umbrella for educational, scientific and technical research and environment protection which are also stated aim of the India-Bhutan foundation established in August 2003," an official release said.

Through this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), a construction major under the Urban Development Ministry, will gain experience in construction of roads on hills which will be helpful in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and various States of North-East Region.

The CPWD also expects to garner some road construction projects in Bhutan, the release said.

During the PMs visit to Bhutan in June 2014, the two sides agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in areas relating to their national interest, it noted.

There is already ongoing Hydro Power Cooperation between the two countries which provides an "exemplary template for mutual cooperation", the release said. PTI MP SMJ SK SMJ

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By PTI: New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) Trade unions, including RSS backed BMS, today accused the government of unilaterally deciding to tighten the PF withdrawal norms which had led to unrest and violent protest in Bengaluru.

"The notification (issued on February 10 and withdrawn yesterday) was a unilateral decision of the government. No trade union gave its consent to that. It is a mismanagement at bureaucratic level," Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh General Secretary and an EPFO trustee Virjesh Upadhyay told PTI.

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Retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had issued a notification on February 10 which tightened the norm of PF withdrawals.

The new norms had restricted withdrawal of employers contribution of (3.67 per cent of basic wages) to PF account till the age of 58 years among others.

In order to oppose the move the garment factory workers organised a protest in Bengaluru which turned violent as protestors torched state transport buses and police vehicles.

Taken aback by sudden eruption of protest, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya announced putting the notification in abeyance for three more months till July end in the morning yesterday and scrapped it all together by the evening.

Another EPFO trustee and All India Trade Union Congress Secretary D L Sachdev said, "The issue of tightening PF withdrawal norms was discussed for the first time in the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting on March 29 about one and a half months after the issue of notification."

"Labour Ministry did not discuss the issue with trade unions during CBT meeting or otherwise. All trade unions including BMS had opposed and criticised the tightening of PF withdrawal norms. Thus it was unilateral decision of Labour Ministry," he said.

Centre of Indian Trade Unions President A K Padmanabhan and an EPFO trustee said in a statement, "In the meeting of the CBT on March 29, 2016, all the trade union representatives demanded withdrawal of this notification or to give an option to the workers to withdraw their money or to continue to keep it in EPFO. The government is trying to mislead by saying that the amendment on February 10 was done as per the suggestions of some trade unions." PTI KKS CS MR

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Castro spoke as the government announced that his brother Raul will retain the Cuban Communist Party's highest post alongside his hardline second-in-command.

By AP: Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro delivered a valedictory speech Tuesday to the Communist Party that he put in power a half-century ago, telling party members he is nearing the end of his life and exhorting them to help his ideas survive.

"I'll be 90 years old soon," Castro said in his most extensive public appearance in years. "Soon I'll be like all the others. The time will come for all of us, but the ideas of the Cuban Communists will remain as proof on this planet that if they are worked at with fervor and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need, and we need to fight without a truce to obtain them."

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Castro spoke as the government announced that his brother Raul will retain the Cuban Communist Party's highest post alongside his hardline second-in-command. That announcement and Fidel Castro's speech together delivered a resounding message that the island's revolutionary generation will remain in control even as its members age and die, relations with the U.S. are normalized, and popular dissatisfaction grows over the country's economic performance.

Fifty-five years after Fidel Castro declared that Cuba's revolution was socialist and began installing a single-party system and centrally planned economy, the Cuban government is battling a deep crisis of credibility.

With no memory of the revolution's heady first decades, younger Cubans complain bitterly about low state salaries of about $25 a month that leave them struggling to afford food and other staple goods. Cuba's creaky state-run media and cultural institutions compete with flashy foreign programming shared online and on memory drives passed hand-to-hand. Emigration to the United States and other countries has soared to one of its highest points since the revolution.

Limited openings to private enterprise have stalled, and the government describes capitalism as a threat even as it appears unable to increase productivity in Cuba's inefficient, theft-plagued networks of state-run enterprises.

The ideological gulf between government and people widened last month when President Barack Obama became the first U.S. leader to visit Cuba in nearly 90 years and delivered a widely praised speech live on state television urging Cubans to forget the history of hostility between the U.S. and Cuba and move toward a new era of normal diplomatic and economic relations.

The Cuban government offered little unified response until the Communist Party's Seventh Party Congress began Saturday, and one high-ranking official after another warned that the U.S. was still an enemy that wants to take control of Cuba. They said Obama's trip represented an ideological "attack."

That defensive stance was reinforced Tuesday as the congress ended and the government said Raul Castro, 84, would remain the party's first secretary and Jose Ramon Machado Ventura would hold the post of second secretary for at least part of a second five-year term.

Fidel Castro, sitting sixth from right, listens to his brother, Cuba's President Raul Castro, who speaks during the closing ceremony of the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in Havana, Cuba. (Photo: AP) Fidel Castro, sitting sixth from right, listens to his brother, Cuba's President Raul Castro, who speaks during the closing ceremony of the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in Havana, Cuba. (Photo: AP)

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Castro currently is both president and party first secretary. The decision means Castro could hold a Communist Party position at least as powerful as the presidency even after he is presumably replaced by a younger president in 2018. Castro indicated that he and Machado may also step down before the next congress in 2021, saying this year's was the last to be led by Cuba's revolutionary generation.

Machado Ventura, 85, who fought alongside the Castro brothers to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959, is known as an enforcer of Communist orthodoxy and voice against some of the biggest recent economic reforms.

He often has been employed by the Castros to impose order in areas seen as lacking discipline, most recently touring the country to crack down on private sellers of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural goods. While Raul Castro opened Cuba's faltering agricultural economy to private enterprise, the government has blamed a new class of private farmers and produce merchants for a rise in prices.

Jon Lee Anderson, a staff writer at The New Yorker who is writing a biography of Fidel Castro, called the day's events "a way of restoring some kind of essential revolutionary presence or muscle in the room after the star-struck effect of Obama."

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The Cuban government appears to be engaging in "overcompensation for being bowled over a little bit by Obama's unexpectedly elegant and charismatic performance in Havana," said Anderson, who covered the visit. "Cubans who aren't prepared for the full extent of what he was saying, it took them aback."

Shortly after the congress ended Tuesday afternoon, government-run television showed rare images of 89-year-old Fidel Castro seated at the dais in Havana's Convention Palace, dressed in a plaid shirt and sweat top and speaking to the crowd in a strong if occasionally trembling voice. State television showed at least one delegate tearful with emotion, and the crowd greeting the revolutionary leader with shouts of "Fidel!"

"This may be one of the last times I speak in this room," Fidel Castro said. "We must tell our brothers in Latin America and the world that the Cuban people will be victorious."

The party congress had been criticized for secrecy and a lack of discussion about substantive new reforms. Castro's speech and his brother's promise that more extensive public debate would come in the weeks and months after the congress appeared to have at least temporarily quelled discontent among the party ranks.

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"The Cuban people are followers of Fidel and he's a force that still has a lot of power," said Francisco Rodrguez, a party member who had publicly criticized the secrecy of the congress. "It's easy to love Fidel now that he doesn't have a public position. He's a person who always had a coherent idea and that makes him an exalted figure."

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By PTI: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Apr 20 (PTI) India ranks an abysmally low at 133 among 180 countries in the latest annual World Press Freedom Index which says Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems "indifferent" to the threats against journalists.

The 2016 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is led by Finland, which retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

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India jumped three spots from the 136th position it had in 2015.

"Journalists and bloggers are attacked and anathematised by various religious groups that are quick to take offense," the report said.

At the same time, it is hard for journalists to cover regions such as Kashmir that are regarded as sensitive by the government, it said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to these threats and problems, and there is no mechanism for protecting journalists," the report said.

"Instead, in a desire to increase control of media coverage, Modi envisages opening a journalism university run by former propaganda ministry officials," it alleged, without substantiating what it refers to.

Among Indias neighbouring countries, Pakistan ranks 147, Sri Lanka (141), Afghanistan (120), Bangladesh (144), Nepal (105) and Bhutan (94). China is ranked 176.

The United States is ranked 44th and Russia is placed at the 148th place.

The report shows that there has been a deep and disturbing decline in respect for media freedom at both the global and regional levels. PTI LKJ ASK AKJ VSC ASK

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By PTI: New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) India will sign the Paris Agreement on climate change, adopted by more than 190 countries in December last, on Friday in New York.

The Union Cabinet today aopproved the signing of the agreement, adopted during the 21st Conference of Parties held in the French capital.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will sign the agreement on behalf of India on April 22 at a high-level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.

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India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the agreement addresses all the important "concerns and expectations" of India.

A record number of more than 150 countries are expected to sign the "historic" Paris agreement in New York..

A UN body had earlier said that this record number of countries would surpass the previous record of 119 signatures for an opening day signing for an international agreement, set by the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in 1994.

The signing ceremony will mark the first step toward ensuring that the Paris Agreement enters into force as early as possible.

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, deposit their instruments of ratification or acceptance with the Secretary-General.

"The Paris Agreement on climate change is a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention (UNFCCC) and recognizes the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances," an official statement said.

The agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries and their right to development.

It also recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead and notes the importance of "climate justice", which was raised by India, in its preamble. (MORE) PTI NAB AMR TDS VMN VMN

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Following India Today's report, the authority has constituted a special committee which will look into complaints of home buyers in Noida and Greater Noida.

By India Today Web Desk: The North Okhla Industrial Development Authority or NOIDA has taken a tough stance against real estate major Amrapali after India Today's sting which showed how the builder has been cheating home buyers for years. Noida authority officials summoned Amrapali Developers today and directed the company's CMD Anil Sharma to address issues being faced by hundreds who have invested in various projects of the company.

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Following India Today's report, the authority has constituted a special committee which will look into complaints of home buyers in Noida and Greater Noida.

The authority has given a month's time to Amrapali builders to resolve all issues concerning flat owners at its housing societies. Also, starting April 28, Noida authority's team will conduct checks every week at various projects of the real estate company across the twin towns.

Taking note of India Today's report over the great real estate fraud in Noida, the Noida Authority had earlier said that it is trying to resolve the issues between the builders and home buyers.

"We are planning to invite buyers and respective builders one by one to analyse the problem. As builders have not paid their dues to authority for a long, it is another big issue and now a way is being formulated so that builders can make this payment in instalments," Rama Raman, Chairman Noida Authority had said.

According to a report, about 50,000 to 70,000 flat buyers in Noida are yet to get their homes registered as builders have failed to pay land dues to the Noida authority. The authority had allotted land to these builders between 2006 to 2009.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had to step into the issue earlier this week after residents of one the Amrapali projects raised the issue about lack of facilities, which were promised by the builder, on social media. Following the massive social media campaign, MS Dhoni, who was the brand ambassador of Amrapali, disassociated himself with the company.

"Dhoni is no longer our brand ambassador. I do not want his image to be affected because of being attached to Amrapali. This decision was taken mutually by Dhoni and us," Anil Sharma had said.



Now, Supertech in trouble

Meanwhile, Greater Noida Authority has issued order to seal the illegally constructed flats of Supertech's project in Omicron sector. The builder constructed 1904 flats in place of approved 844 flats. The authority said it will soon seal the illegal flats and take strict action against Supertech.



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By PTI: New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) The government has approved expansion of the Preferential Trade Agreement with Chile, a move that will help in doubling of exports to the Latin American nation in future. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today gave its approval to expansion of India-Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), an official statement said. "Indias export basket with Chile is diversified and keeping in view the wide variety of tariff lines offered by Chile, the expanded PTA would immensely benefit India," it added.

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"Under the proposed expanded PTA, 86 per cent of Indias exports to Chile will get covered with concessions, which is likely to result in doubling of our exports in the near future." Under the expanded PTA, Chile has offered concessions to India on 1,798 tariff lines with Margin of Preference (MoP) ranging from 30-100 per cent, with India reciprocating on 1,031 tariff lines with MoP at 10-100 per cent. A PTA between India and Chile was signed in March 2006 and came into effect from August 2007. In 2006-07, Chile was ranked 51st export destination for India. Bilateral trade during 2006-07 stood at USD 2.3 billion. The dynamics changed after the PTA came into force from September 2007, pushing up the growth figure to 58.5 per cent between 2006-07 to 2014-15. During 2014-15, the trade came in at USD 3.65 billion, with exports at USD 0.57 billion and imports at USD 3.08 billion, respectively. Chile has been cooperating with India at various global fora and expansion of Indo-Chile PTA will enhance the trade and economic relations between the two countries, the statement said. PTI RNK ARD

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Under-confident Mumbai Indians will aim to get back to winning ways when they come up against an explosive batting power of Royal Challengers Bangalore.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Under-confident Mumbai Indians will aim to get back to winning ways when they come up against an explosive batting power of Royal Challengers Bangalore in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Wankhede Stadium today.

After getting off to a losing start to their campaign against Rising Pune Supergiants, defending champions Mumbai came back strongly with a thumping win over Kolkata Knight Riders, but suffered two consecutive loses against Gujarat Lions and Sunrisers Hyderabad to have them tottering in the seventh position in the points table with just two points from four games. (Full IPL 2016 coverage )



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Failure to get their team combination right has resulted in a series of losses for Mumbai.

On the other hand, the Virat Kohli-led Bangalore have only played two games, winning convincingly against Hyderabad but losing to Delhi Daredevils in the last match and sit fourth with two points from as many games.

But on Wednesday, it will be a fresh start for both the sides and Mumbai will look to make the best use of the home conditions and get their third IPL title hopes back on track. New Zealand's hard-hitting opener Martin Guptill who made his IPL debut against Hyderabad on Monday failed to make an impact as the right-handed batsman managed only two runs. (Why IPL 2016 is crucial for Virat Kohli )



Except Rohit's unbeaten 84 against KKR, the side has been inconsistent with the bat in all three games, failing to post competitive totals which resulted in giving their bowlers very less to bowl at.

Parthiv Patel, despite getting starts failed to convert it into big scores, while Jos Buttler, Ambati Rayudu, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya has not been among the runs.

The side's batting has been too dependent on the skipper and the extra burden on his shoulders proved costly in most occasions this season. The absence of veteran pacer and death overs specialist Lasith Malinga is hurting Mumbai. The Sri Lankan has been ruled out of the tournament after knee injury.

In the absence of Malinga, Mumbai has been too dependent on Kiwi pacers Tim Southee, Mitchell McClenaghan to give the team an early breakthrough and this combination is expected to continue against RCB. (Gayle to miss Mumbai Indians game )



Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will aim to get back his form in a ground where he does comparatively well.

On the other hand, RCB will be without the services of Gayle, who has flown back home to be with his wife and new-born baby boy. But the Bangalore team won't be that affected in Gayle's absence, with Kohli, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson in top form.

Bangalore will hope to get their bowling combination right against Mumbai after being hammered by Delhi opener Quinton de Kock, who scored the first ton in the ongoing tournament.

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By PTI: From Aditi Khanna

London, Apr 20 (PTI) Islamic State militants disguised as beach vendors selling ice creams or T-shirts may attack holiday resorts of Mediterranean coast in Europe this summer, according to a German media report.

German security sources said Bild newspaper that they fear Islamic state terrorists disguised as beach vendors selling ice cream or T-shirts could bury bombs in the sand under sunloungers.

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According to the Daily Mirror, Britains Special Air Service (SAS) troops could be drafted in to protect British tourists at holiday hotspots abroad.

One intelligence source told the newspaper: "It could be a whole new dimension of terror. Holiday beaches cannot be protected. Targets are said to include resorts in southern France, Spains Costa del Sol and both east and west coasts in Italy."

Security officials are also investigating links between terrorists in Britain and those in Belgium and France that go back more than 15 years.

These include some with ties to Molenbeek, the Brussels suburb which has been at the heart of the recent bombings and shootings in Europe.

Western European intelligence officers believe that the links set up a decade and half ago between extremists in the UK and those on the wider European continent have been maintained and have become more active since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. PTI AK AJR AKJ AJR

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The flight was immediately taken to the isolation bay of the airport where a bomb disposal squad was waiting to conduct a search operation.

By India Today Web Desk: A Jet Airways flight flying from Ahmedabad to Mumbai with 125 passengers and six crew members was grounded at the Ahmedabad airport after a bomb scare today.

The flight was immediately taken to the isolation bay of the airport where a bomb disposal squad was waiting to conduct a search operation.

All the passengers were deplaned and extensive search of the passenger and their baggage, cargo and aircraft was carried out by the security agencies, airport sources revealed.

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A Jet Airways spokesperson said the search yielded nothing and the aircraft has been cleared for further journey.



More details awaited.

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Anurag Agarwal, Home Secretary, Chandigarh, blamed the media for misreporting facts about the new policy, which was introduced on the directions of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

By India Today Web Desk: The Chandigarh administration has rubbished reports about its decision to ban entry of "scantily dressed" women in discos and pubs in the city. A top city official clarified that new rules for bars and discotheques do not prescribe any dress code. How Twitter reacted

Talking to reporters, Anurag Agarwal, Home Secretary, Chandigarh, accused the media of misreporting facts about the new policy, which was introduced on the directions of Punjab and Haryana High Court.



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"We are not doing any moral policing. Media has misunderstood the issue. The policy was formed on the basis of directions issued by the high court. This is just a policy and not an act or law. The idea is not to unnecessarily penalise anybody. But to control activities and maintain law and order," Agarwal said.

"We are not against night life in Chandigarh but pubs, restaurants should not portray women in indecent manner by using posters or other means of advertisement. Nowhere in the policy has it been mentioned that females cannot wear skirts. The idea of the policy is to provide a conducive atmosphere for guests visiting public amusement places," he added.

The alleged ban on short skirts in Chandigarh discos had created a flutter on social media with 'Chandigarh' and 'skirt' being top trending topics on Twitter.

The city administration's latest policy - Controlling of Places of Public Amusement, 2016 - has also curtailed operational timings of bars. Bar owners will now have to shut shop by midnight instead of 2 am.

Taking note of a number of violent incidents reported from outside discos in the city, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had recently asked the Union Territory administration to draft a policy for regulating the operations of restaurants, bars and discos.

The controversial policy which came into effect from April 1 also gives municipal corporation commissioner, Chandigarh SSP, director, health services and excise and taxation commissioner the power to refuse renewal of permission for business operation.



Also Read:

Skirting the issue: No ban but Twitter has a ball

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By India Today Web Desk: Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan are coming together for a yet-untitled film, which is bankrolled by Lyca Productions.

ALSO READ: Paramapadham: Kamal Haasan and Crazy Mohan are back



The two legendary artists worked together eleven years ago for the film Mumbai Express. The duo has given numerous hit albums in the past which includes Virumandi and Hey Ram.

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The film stars Kamal Haasan's daughter Shruti Haasan in the lead role. It also has popular actor Ramya Krishnan playing an important character. Ramya Krishnan has acted with Kamal Haasan in 2002 comedy drama Panchathanthiram.

Malayalam Director TK Rajeev Kumar, who has won a National Award for his film, will direct the Kamal Haasan-starrer. Sources say that the film is set in the US.

The film will go on floors by the end of April.

Kamal Haasan is also working in another Tamil comedy drama, which will be helmed by actor-director Moulee. The film's dialogue is penned by Crazy Mohan, who has written dialogues for many Kamal's films.

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By PTI: From Divya Suryanarayanan

Beijing, Apr 20 (PTI) Chinese technology company LeEco today unveiled what it claimed to be the worlds first driverless electric concept supercar.

The company, which has an aggressive strategy for Indian smartphone space, also launched three smartphones -- Le 2, Le 2 Pro and Le Max 2, and two premium televisions Le Super 4X50 and Pro/X50.

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The LeSEE supercar encompasses a unique internet design, with a large and flamboyant LED screen. The car works on the idea of "inter-connection" and offers fully-automatic driving functions. It can also learn on its own with facial recognition, emotion recognition, system recognition and path recognition.

The company did not share details of the car with regard to commercial launch, time and money invested in developing and price tag, among others. All it said was it will offer a top speed 130mph and is completely developed by LeEco.

The car was unveiled by LeEco founder Jia Yueting and Le Supercar co-founder Ding Lei here ahead of the Beijing Auto Expo beginning later this week, and showed the automated driving capabilities of the super car.

The company said the electric car, based on LeEcos intelligent shared transportation ecosystem, will be formally unveiled at the auto expo. It also announce a partner for commercially developing the car.

Phones come with USB type-C audio port featuring CDLA (continual digital lossless audio) technology to offer high-quality audio and flaunt a metal unibody design.

LeEco Le 2 has a 5.5-inch full HD display and is powered by MediaTeks Helio X20 tri-cluster deca-core processor paired with 3GB RAM and 32 GB storage apart from a 16-megapixel rear camera, and an 8-megapixel front camera. The phones run on Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS.

Le 2 is priced at 1099 yuan, Le 2 Pro at 1499 yuan and Le Max 2 at 2099 yuan.

These phones will be launched in India in a phased manner during this year, the company said.

The company also launched three models of fourth generation super televisions under the label of Super 4X50 Pro/Super 4 X50/Super 4 X50 CSL. All the three TV models come in 50 inches with 9.9 mm ultra-slim metal bodies, high speed flash drive, as well as HDR technology.

The Beijing based LeEco, earlier known as LeTV, is a pioneering internet and technology company with multiple internet ecosystems across content, devices, applications and platforms. Founded in November 2004 by Jia Yueting and Liu Hong, LeEco employs over 10,000 people and was the worlds first video company to go public. PTI DS BEN RSY MKJ

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By Radhika Bhalla/Mail Today: Sitting in a cool, sunlit room overlooking a park, the hum of sewing machines drifting in from the adjoining studio, one would hardly think that this is the studio of newly launched apparel brand, Anomaly. The first floor office, just like the start up, defies its surroundings and breathes freshness into the given space.

Barely months into the Indian market, the workwear label is quickly gaining recognition amongst the fash frat for its fresh silhouettes and minimal aesthetic. When asked about the choice of name, a calm and confident Medha Khosla, founder of Anomaly, shares, "I felt that there wasn't a designer or a home-grown brand that was dabbling in the workwear segment and thought, why not create one that is your go-to everyday brand but with extra focus on the detailing. I decided to call the label 'Anomaly' because it is an anomaly right now in this space. In the market we're in right now, people are either going for premium and designer wear or mass produced garments."

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Also read: Why I chose to go in for breast-reduction surgery



The cotton, linen and handloom ensembles aim at introducing a new perspective to office wear, with the spotlight on comfortable clothing. The silhouettes are often loose and boxy, and she ensures that the garments are made of breathable fabrics in shades like beige, light blue, burgundy and monochrome. "I always wanted to be a maker--I wanted to make good product and functional, wearable garments. It's not about fashion, trends or celebrities," says Khosla, who holds a fashion degree from Pratt University, New York, and spent 10 years working with brands like DKNY, Joe Fresh, Vince and other consultant projects.

While breaking the mould is every designer's dream, having the vision and talent to do it requires a confidence that can only come from within. "I spent 14 years in New York, and it was a really amazing experience because it taught me to open my eyes to something more than what was obvious," she recounts while adding, "I come from a very protective family, and going there made me meet people from all over the world with very diverse backgrounds--artists, architects and designers. It pushed me to find my path in the most interesting way and sort of paved the way for what this is today--a progressive brand, with a progressive product, using interesting fabrics and doing something different."

Also read: Why these before and after pictures of a 'fine' looking woman's anxiety attack demand your attention



Yet, Medha considers India to be an easier place for her start up for various reasons. "That (US) market is more saturated, and a lot harder to raise capital to do your business. Here (India) you can at least set up something; you can have a studio or workshop and slowly, organically build something," she opines.

But given that she doesn't hail from a family of designers (her mother is a doctor and father is a consultant), Khosla feels that the Capital should create centres to mentor new entrepreneurs and start ups. "I think we could do with a mentorship organisation or programmes for start-ups, where young entrepreneurs could go for information or counselling, a lecture or panel discussion. This is especially for people who don't come from an entrepreneurial background, at least you could meet other industry insiders," she states.

Also read: Here's how this award-winning gynaecologist plans to improve women's healthcare services in India



Through trial and more successes than errors, the young designer is finding her ground fast and relies on feedback from her customers to grow. She insists that the key to improving is staying positive and practical through everything. "The feedback may feel personal, but it's part of the journey. Get out of the defensive mode and take it objectively," she states.

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It's been months since rumours about Mira Rajput's pregnancy have kept the fans and media on their toes. But it was Mira's recent picture with close friend Masaba Gupta and a baby bump that sent social media into a tizzy. And after Shahid Kapoor confirmed the news of becoming a father, his mom Neelima Azeem has this to say about the big news.

By India Today Web Desk: It's been months since rumours about Mira Rajput's pregnancy have kept the fans and media on their toes. But it was Mira's recent picture with close friend Masaba Gupta and a baby bump that sent social media into a tizzy. And her husband Shahid Kapoor recently confirmed the news at the trailer launch of his upcoming film Udta Punjab, when he said, "Haan main baap banne vaala hoon".

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ALSO READ: Shahid Kapoor confirms Mira Rajput's pregnancy, says haan main baap banne vaala hoon

ALSO READ: Is Masaba Gupta hinting at Mira Rajput's pregnancy?



Shahid not just kept the news under the wraps from his fans, but also his family members for quite some time. If his mother Neelima Azeem is to be believed, she had sensed it long before his son broke the news about Mira's pregnancy.

In an interview to DNA, the actor said, "Shahid had told me at the right time, but I guessed it much earlier. Call it a mother's intuition or sixth sense, but I was pretty sure Mira was expecting earlier. I was extremely happy when Shahid confirmed what I was thinking."

A close friend of the couple had earlier revealed that Mira is in her third trimester and the baby is said to be expected in late September or early October. Reportedly, Shahid's ex-girlfriend Kareena Kapoor Khan was the first one to know about Mira's pregnancy.

The news of becoming a grandmother has left Azeem thrilled. "It's a great feeling becoming a grandmother and very difficult to express in words. We are all feeling so thrilled, excited and yet emotional... It's a happy time for us all," she added.

When the 56-year-old actor is happy that her son with soon become a father. In fact, when asked what she thought of Shahid as a father, she said, "He will make a wonderful one the world's best dad!"

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By PTI: Srinagar, Apr 20 (PTI) Social media users in Kashmir are divided over a recent circular issued by district authorities in Kupwara which directed administrators of Whatsapp groups disseminating news to get themselves registered within 10 days.

"It is impressed upon all the admins of WhatsApp news groups of the district to get the registration of their WhatsApp news groups in the office of the undersigned within ten days," a circular, issued by District Magistrate Kupwara R Ranjan on Monday, read.

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The circular was issued by the District Magistrate after Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon, during a meeting to review law and order situation on Monday, directed the operators of social media groups to obtain proper permission from the concerned Deputy Commissioners for posting news.

The authorities had suspended internet services for several days in Kashmir as a preventive measure to curb rumour mongering on social networking sites after five persons were killed in security forces action during violent protests in Handwara and Kupwara towns last week.

According to the circular, the District Magistrate of Kupwara also named an officer as the head of the Social Media Centre for registration of the WhatsApp groups.

The officer has been also tasked with keeping a vigil on the activities of these news groups.

While holding group administrators responsible for any "irresponsible remarks leading to untoward incidents", the circular also bars government employees from making remarks or comments on the policies of the government in these groups.

Many of the WhatsApp users here have criticised the government circular but some have come out in support of the decision saying it can help check spread of false and incorrect information, especially during volatile situations like in Handwara last week.

All India Students Association (AISA) condemned the order issued to journalists in Kupwara district for registration of WhatsApp groups.

"Such an irrational and dictatorial diktat is unacceptable to say the least. It amounts to censorship and gagging of the voices of journalists," a statement issued by the AISA said.

It said the journalists in Kashmir are already operating under difficult conditions.

"With tough work conditions and lack of financial support, journalists today are finding it easy to communicate information to one another through WhatsApp," the statement said, and demanded that the order be withdrawn. MORE PTI MIJ RT

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While Modi lauded Mehbooba's developmental vision for the state, the new J&K CM spoke about having great hope and expectations from BJP.

By Naseer Ganai: In what seemed like an indication of growing warmth between the ruling coalition in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti heaped praises on each other.



While Modi lauded Mehbooba's developmental vision for the state, the new J&K CM spoke about having great hope and expectations from BJP. The political stalemate after death of former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7 this year and Mehbooba's delay in forming government had created acrimony between PDP and BJP.

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While addressing a rally at Katra on Tuesday, Modi said that Mehbooba, in every meeting with him, talked about the development of the state and said development was bound to happen when the CM has such a line of thought. He said the Centre and the state government was working together for development in J&K and described development as solution to all problems. Earlier in the day, Modi inaugurated the 230-bed Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana super specialty hospital in Katra.

In her first public address as CM, Mehbooba called for providing a sense of security to the youth in the state as one of her prime responsibilities. With recent killings Handwara in mind, the CM said people in Kashmir are suffering and sought cooperation of the PM in addressing the issue so that no more innocent lives are lost to mindless violence.

"We have witnessed several tragic incidents in the past, like in Baljarala in Rajouri, Chittisinghpora in Anantnag and more recently in Handwara, where innocent people have been fatally caught in the vortex of violence. We need to take immediate steps to bring an end to this permanently," Mehbooba said.

Sharing the dais with Modi, Mehbooba said the central and the state governments will have to overcome the challenge and join hands to win over the people, especially the youth.

"I have great hope and expectations from my party's alliance with the BJP. My father said on many occasions that when he shook hands with Narendra Modi, he was, in fact, joining hands with a billion people of India who had reposed their faith in his leadership," she said, promising to pick up the threads from where her father had left them.

Mehbooba observed that even though J&K has been an epitome of plurality and cultural diversity, the pain and agony suffered by people of Jammu and Kashmir for the past 25 years continues to disturb her. She said, "Time has come to end the State's predicament and devise a new strategy that promises an era of sustainable peace and development."

Also read:

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There's a mini India in Jammu and Kashmir: PM Modi in Katra



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By PTI: New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined the ranks of prominent world leaders when his wax figures took up residence at Madame Tussauds branches in Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

Modi, 65, had come face-to-face with himself in wax on Monday at a private viewing organised at his 7, Race Course Road residence. That figure will now travel to Madam Tussauds headquarters in London and will open to the public on April 28.

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The statue shows Modi, with folded hands in namaste style, dressed in white kurta pyjama and cream jacket.

"What can I say? As far as art is concerned, the Madame Tussauds team is exceptional at what they do. What Lord Brahma does normally is what the artists there are doing. Today, I had an opportunity as the prime servant of my people to meet my wax figure," says Modi in a video posted by Madame Tussauds.

All four figures took the world famous museums team of artists four months and cost 150,000 pounds to create.

The video, in which the Prime Minister is seen closely examining the statue, was recorded when it was shown to him.

Madame Tussauds, the celebrated wax museum of London established in 1836, has branches in 20 cities across the world.

Officials of the museum had taken Modis physical details and photographs in March when they visited his residence here.

In London, the statue will join other world leaders like US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francoise Holland on April 28.

The museum also has such statutes of Mahatma Ghandi and Winston Churchill.

"We will be delighted to welcome Mr Modi to the world stage at Madame Tussauds London," Madam Tussauds General Manager Edward Fuller said.

"Its wonderful that he (Modi) had the opportunity to see his figure in India earlier this week before the public get the chance to meet him in London.

"His social media following shows just what immense interest there is in him and Im sure that interest will be apparent here too as guests get the chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with one of the most influential men in the world. And maybe even grab a selfie," Fuller added. PTI AKK/AK ZH AKJ ZH

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By PTI: Kathmandu, Apr 20 (PTI) Nepals first woman President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will visit India from May 9 on her first official foreign trip after assuming the office in October last year.

Her visit comes nearly three months after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli also chose India to be the first foreign destination.

Bhandari will first reach the New Delhi on May 9 and hold meetings with senior Indian officials and leaders the following day, The Kathmandu Post reported.

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In New Delhi, President Bhandari will meet her Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee on May 10, according to the preliminary itinerary.

On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other Indian leaders will pay courtesy calls on President Bhandari.

Initially Bhandari had shown interest to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, and accordingly it was communicated to the Indian side.

According to officials, the Indian side, however, expressed its desire to host her in New Delhi first and make her personal-cum-religious visit an official one.

After completing meetings and engagements in New Delhi, she will fly to Ujjain to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

The details of the visit, size of the delegation and other preparations are yet to be worked out, the paper quoted officials as saying.

The bilateral ties between the two countries had faced turbulence in the recent past due to the months-long Madhesi agitation and subsequent blockade which halted the supply of essential goods to landlocked Nepal from India.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, have been demanding the new Constitution be amended to include their concerns about adequate political representation and redrawing of federal boundaries. PTI NSA AKJ NSA

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By PTI: From Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, Apr 20 (PTI) Nepals first woman President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will visit India next month, her first official foreign trip after assuming office in October last year.

Her visit comes nearly three months after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli also chose India to be his first foreign destination after becoming the premier in October.

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Preparations are on for Nepal presidents official visit to India a the invitation of the president of India, though it has not yet been officially announced, said sources close to the president.

Though May 9 is the tentative date of the visit and detail programmes of the entourage is being worked out, the exact date will be fixed within a couple of days, said spokesperson of the President.

According to media reports, 54-year-old Bhandari will first reach the New Delhi on May 9 and hold meetings with senior Indian officials and leaders the following day.

In New Delhi, President Bhandari will meet her Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee on May 10, according to the preliminary itinerary.

On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other Indian leaders will pay courtesy calls on President Bhandari, The Kathmandu Post reported.

Initially Bhandari had shown interest to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, and accordingly it was communicated to the Indian side, the report said.

According to officials, the Indian side, however, expressed its desire to host her in New Delhi first and make her personal-cum-religious visit an official one.

After completing meetings and engagements in New Delhi, she will fly to Ujjain to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

The details of the visit, size of the delegation and other preparations are yet to be worked out, the paper quoted officials as saying.

The bilateral ties between the two countries had faced turbulence in the recent past due to the months-long Madhesi agitation and subsequent blockade which halted the supply of essential goods to landlocked Nepal from India.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, have been demanding the new Constitution be amended to include their concerns about adequate political representation and redrawing of federal boundaries. PTI SBP NSA AKJ NSA

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Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip are the new parents on the block. They welcomed their first child into the world on Tuesday.

By India Today Web Desk: Sweden's Princess Sofia has given birth to a baby boy. He is the first child of Prince Carl Philip and Sofia, who got married last year in July.

Initially, the sex of the child was not revealed by the Marshal of the Realm, Svante Lindqvist, who first announced the birth in a brief statement on Tuesday. "Both mother and child are in good health," Lindqvist said.

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Carl Philip later told reporters at Danderyds hospital (outside Stockholm) that the child was "a little guy."

Also read: Princess in pink: Here's what the Duchess of Cambridge's latest outfit in Assam looks like

According to E!, the new royal weights 7.9 pounds (3.5 kg) and is 19.3 inches long.

"For my wife and me, this is a great day full of emotion," Carl Philip told a news conference following the birth of the couple's first child, who will be the fifth in line for the Swedish throne.

Photo: Reuters Photo: Reuters

Also read: This is what Queen Elizabeth II plans to do on her 90th birthday

No details about the name of the child have been revealed yet.

Before her marriage to Carl Philip, Princess Sofia had a career in the TV industry, and was also a former model. She famously posed topless with a boa in a men's magazine when she was 20.

Later, she started heading an NGO for disadvantaged children in South Africa, which she founded in 2010.

(With inputs from AP)



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Real estate major Amrapali, which is facing the heat for non-completion of civil and electrical works at its Sapphire project, vowed to look into the complaints with Group CMD Anil Sharma saying he will personally inspect the site.

The administration said it will meet builders and buyers to thrash out a solution even as completion certificates remain pending for scores of residential projects.

By Mail Today: Authorities in Noida and a clutch of real estate developers promised on Tuesday a "timebound" solution for the grievances of thousands of flat buyers for whom the dream of a home on the eastern fringes of teeming Delhi has turned into a nightmare.

The local administration said it will meet builders and buyers to thrash out a solution even as completion certificates remain pending for scores of residential projects owing to non-payment of land dues. Officials may also consider giving developers the option of clearing the amounts in installments.

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"We are planning to invite buyers and builders to assess the problem and find a solution," said Rama Raman, chairman of Noida Authority. About 50,000 flats whose possession has been delayed have been built by two dozen developers, who have failed to deposit around Rs 300 crore in land dues.

Real estate major Amrapali, which is facing the heat for non-completion of civil and electrical works at its Sapphire project, vowed to look into the complaints with Group CMD Anil Sharma saying he will personally inspect the site.

"We assumed that there would be no legal hurdle once the land was acquired and construction started," he said. The move came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav intervened in the matter when buyers of one of the residential projects took to Twitter to register their protest. Union minister and local MP Mahesh Sharma too urged the state government this week to take an "immediate call" to address the residents' complaints against Amrapali.

According to the Group, the projects were delayed because of a raft of reasons beyond its control. It claimed that pending works in all residential projects will be completed at the earliest and completion certificate will be obtained.

Experts say such situations lead to tapering economic growth as households with money tied up in unfinished apartments have less to spend on other things.



No equipment

Buyers of the Sapphire project have alleged that firefighting equipment have not been fitted in the buildings and this is why the completion certificate has not been issued.

"This is a compromise with the safety of people living in these apartments," said Ashutosh, a homebuyer, who also pointed out that several towers do not have lifts.

The Amrapali Group launched Sapphire, a project with 1,000 flats spread across 40,000 sq metres, in 2009. It promised that the houses would be handed over in 2011.

But the project wasn't delivered even after a two-year delay and buyers had to move in without occupation certificates in 2014. Since then, residents have been complaining about failed lifts, incidents of fire and poor parking facilities.

However, Amrapali is not the only company facing the heat. Real estate firm Gaursons has seen swirling protests from residents of its township project in Noida over maintenance issues.

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In a meeting on Sunday with managing director Manoj Gaur, residents of a society in Gaur City complained about the upkeep of the project and demanded that a residents' welfare association be set up.

Gaur said the company has given possession to more than 8,000 buyers in the township and 5,000 are already living there. "The projects were stuck after the NGT (National Green Tribunal) imposed the ban (on construction, which was lifted in September). But there are financial constraints too," he said, adding that nearly fiftysixty thousand flats are ready in Noida and completion certificates will be issued soon.



Fund crunch

Ajit Kumar, director of the Jaypee Group also cited fund crunch as a key reason for non-completion of its Orchards housing project.

"Our contractor L&T left the project mid-way, forcing us to look for a new one. We also have bank loans and other financial problems," Kumar said, maintaining that the company had provided possession to 5,000 buyers till January. "Work on the project will restart by May."

Also read:

Gaursons faces residents heat for Noida township



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The 11th Special Magistrate court at Erramanzil, Hyderabad has convicted defunct Kingfisher Airlines Chairman Vijay Mallya and chief financial officer A.Raghunath in an alleged cheating case.

By India Today Web Desk: A local court in Hyderabad has issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against business tycoon Vijay Mallya after he failed to appear in the court in connection with alleged dishonour of cheques amounting to Rs 50 lakh to GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL).

The 11th Special Magistrate court at Erramanzil, Hyderabad has convicted defunct Kingfisher Airlines Chairman Vijay Mallya and chief financial officer A.Raghunath in an alleged cheating case.

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Two cheque bounce cases amounting to Rs 50 lakh were filled by GHIAL, which runs Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, against the grounded Kingfisher Airline Chairman and after a detailed hearing today the court convicted Mallya and another senior officials of the company after they did not appear before the court.

The quantum of punishment will be announced on May 5.

Earlier, a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Vijay Mallya after it rejected the Kingfisher Airlines' plea challenging the Enforcement Directorate's claim that Rs 430 crore of a bank loan was siphoned off to acquire properties abroad.

The defunct airline had moved an application in the special PMLA court in Mumbai terming as "false and incorrect" the ED's charges against Mallya that he had siphoned off the IDBI loan to acquire property abroad. "This fact may have a bearing in the mind of the court so we wanted to correct it and place it before the court. ED's charges are false and incorrect," Kingfisher's lawyer told the court.

The ED had told the court last week that of the Rs 950 crore IDBI loan, Rs 430 crore was diverted by Mallya and spent on purchase of property abroad. The 60-year-old industrialist, who is believed to be in the UK, has skipped three summons issued by the agency and has sought time till May to depose before the officials.

The liquor baron, who is facing legal proceedings for alleged default of loans worth over Rs 9,000 crore from various banks, left India on March 2. Last week, the government suspended Mallya's passport in what was the first step towards his possible deportation.

Also Read:

Non-bailable warrant against Vijay Mallya in money laundering case

Kingfisher Airlines says Vijay Mallya never used bank money to buy property abroad



In 2013, Mallya snubbed income tax officials seeking information on overseas investments From the magazine: The flight and fall of Mallya

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Yang Jiechi, who is China's top diplomat, said Doval's visit "fully signifies the importance that the Indian side attaches to this meeting and the efforts to further promote the strategic partnership between China and India."

By Ananth Krishnan: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has met with the Chinese Special Representative Yang Jiechi for the 19th round of talks on the long-running boundary dispute in Beijing.

Doval, who will meet with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday, told the top Chinese diplomat at the start of the talks that there had been "improvement in bilateral exchanges" between the two countries, and added that he wanted to have "more informal and relaxed interactions" with the Chinese in the coming year, which he had hoped for last year but had not been possible.

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Yang, who is China's top diplomat, said Doval's visit "fully signifies the importance that the Indian side attaches to this meeting and the efforts to further promote the strategic partnership between China and India."

He said ties with India "carry special significance" and that the Chinese side "stands ready to use this important occasion to have broad-ranging in-depth and candid discussions with the Indian side on bilateral relations, the boundary question, regional, international and other issues of shared interest."

In addition to the boundary talks, Doval is also expected to raise India's concerns on issues including counterterrorism, which has posed fresh strains in ties over China placing a technical hold on India's attempt to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar at the United Nations 1267 sanctions committee.

The matter was raised strongly by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at her meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow on Monday, and also by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar when he met with his counterpart in Beijing on Monday.

A day before Doval's visit, Chinese officials said they were "in communication" with India over the issue, but reiterated their stand that placing the technical hold was done "in accordance with facts" and rules of the UNSC 1267 sanctions committee. "We hope we can continue with such kind of communication so as to properly resolve the issue," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, but declined to elaborate on what "facts" had prompted China's stand.

Asked about Swaraj's comments in Moscow, at the Russia-India-China summit on Monday, hitting out at "double standards" in the global fight against terror, Hua said China too was "firmly opposed to double standards on the terrorism issue" and China was "also a victim of terrorism".

"We believe that only by working as one can the world fight against terrorism and maintain peace and stability of the whole world. There is no doubt about that," she added.

At Wednesday's 19th round of border talks, the two sides will continue with negotiations on a framework settlement to the boundary question in all three sectors. Talks on a framework have been deadlocked since 2005, when an agreement on political parameters was signed. This is the second stage of the boundary negotiations. The final stage, once a framework is agreed, involves delineating the border.

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India has also been pressing China to resume on a parallel track the process of clarifying their differing perceptions of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to prevent what officials describe as "transgression" incidents across the border. Parrikar told reporters in Beijing on Monday that he had impressed upon China the need to resume the process, and that India was "insisting it should be done in order to really ensure a very stable border because all the issues take place because of perception."

During his visit, both sides took a step closer towards operationalising a hotline between military commands, with the Chinese responding formally to a draft memorandum put forward by India. The hope is the agreement on the hotline will be finalised soon, officials said.

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All polling premises will be guarded by central forces while lathi-wielding state personnel, who understand local language, will facilitate queue management.

By India Today Web Desk: The Election Commission has deployed one lakh security personnel for the crucial third phase voting in West Bengal .

The third phase voting will happen in Murshidabad, Nadia, Burdwan districts and north Kolkata on April 21.

Election Commission officials said close to 700 companies of central armed police forces, comprising around 75,000 men, have taken their positions.

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As per instructions, they are doing route marches as part of an area domination exercise to instill confidence among voters.

Assisting these 75,000 paramilitary personnel, who are not conversant with the local language or geography, there will be a contingent of 25,000-strong state police personnel.

All polling premises will be guarded by central forces while lathi-wielding state personnel, who understand local language, will facilitate queue management.

Officials said state police will be allowed to enter the booth only under extreme cases when the presiding officer seeks so.

Similarly for every mobile unit of central forces, one state police person will be assisting them in travel.

Officials said increased availability of security forces has been made possible as jawans, who were deployed in Assam where voting has ended, have now been shifted to West Bengal.

The six-phased polling will end on May 5 and votes will be counted on May 19.

With PTI inputs

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By PTI: New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) Union Minister Suresh Prabhu will meet top officials of leading financial institutions and brokerages tomorrow to discuss ways to raise additional funds for the expansion plans of the railways.

The railways is looking at various funding raising options including the possibility of issuing rupee-denominated bonds in overseas markets, sources said.

Prabhu, who has been piloting efforts to modernise Indian railways, is scheduled to meet top officials of financial institutions and brokerages tomorrow in Mumbai.

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During the meeting, to be held at leading stock exchange BSE, the railways minister is expected to discuss various aspects of the railways and plans to meet the funding requirements for modernisation, sources said.

This would be the second time in eight months when Prabhu would be meeting representatives of financial entities.

According to sources, the Minister is looking to have periodic dialogue with the financial fraternity.

Indian railways is firming up a plan for infrastructure development with an ambitious target of pumping in more than Rs 8 lakh crore over the next four years.

The massive investment plan would involve high-speed rail connectivity, station redevelopment and capacity augmentation across the country.

Railways capital expenditure has increased from Rs 57,000 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 97,000 crore in 2015-16 and in the current fiscal it has been pegged at Rs 1.21 lakh crore. PTI RAM ARU ABK

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By Tanishka Sharma: Priya Seth

Cinematographer

With more than 200 advertising films under her belt, and stellar work on Airlift, Seth is one of India's most well-known cinematographers. Think carefully and you'll realise what a rare breed she belongs to. Only a few come to mind, such as Fowzia Fathima who worked with Revathy on Mitr: My Friend in 2002, or Anjuli Shukla, who was the first Indian camerawoman to win the National Award for best cinematography for her work in the Malayalam film Kutty Srank in 2010. "The ratio of men to women in this field is completely imbalanced," Seth points out. Not much has changed since she began her career in1998, when only a handful of other women worked in the field. "Today, there are 15-20, which is not a remarkable difference."

Picture: Harper's Bazaar

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Heavy cameras, tough terrains, lonely locations? the perception persists that the women are not cut out for such 'rough work'. "Girls are conditioned to believe that this is not for them, even though there is nothing that a woman can't do here. It's not weight lifting, but an art and a craft form," she says.

Also read: You need the fighter gene to succeed: Limeroad CEO Suchi Mukherjee

When Seth, 40, first got into filmmaking, she wasn't sure what aspect of it she wanted to pursue. But it soon came into focus. "I loved the imagery, and I knew visuals could shape a film. I wanted to have control on that creative process," she says. At the time she was assisting Gopal Shah, one of the best in the advertising industry. "They were liberal, open-minded people, and my ability wasn't questioned because I was a woman." The only place where gender comes to place? "The biggest challenge in the industry, where there are about 200 men and maybe five women," she only half jokes, "is that we never have enough loos!"

Aditi Mittal

Stand-up Comedian

Picture: Harper's Bazaar Picture: Harper's Bazaar

"I was always a nautanki from the start," admits the gag-a-minute girl, Aditi Mittal. The 29-year-old, arguably the first queen in Indian haha-dom, is so nonchalant about her popularity, it's almost funny.

She discoveredthe power of her punny side once she returned from the United States having done a double major in mass communications, worked at and lost a soul-sucking job, and everything from bartending to giving mani-pedis. Back in India in 2010 after her visa ran out, she auditioned for TV shows where she would get paid to "wake up looking fantastic, with full makeup on on screen". So she decided to give open mic at a caf a go-her first night on stage she elicited two laughs in a two-minute set. "That wasn't bad. But the togetherness I experienced was amazing. That I could trigger a laugh in somebody I didn't know at all gave me a high," she says.

After that came several small gigs performed for "garlic bread and half a glass of Pepsi". Her first legit gig at the Comedy Store went horribly, but she was determined. "One thing that has kept me going is that I have nothing to lose," she says. "I was so broke it was embarrassing. I would ask my mum to drop me off to the clubs I performed in. Often, I'd miss my set because I couldn't get onto a certain train!"

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Does being a woman affect a career in comedy? "Yes," she replies. "Whatever I say, be it on sex, sanitary napkins, that time of the month, , it'll be billed as 'Aditi Mittal rants' or 'Aditi Mittal raves'. I want it to be about being a woman as opposed to defending being a woman." She references a joke from American comedian Amy Schumer, who has a set called 'Mostly Sex Stuff': If a woman says the word 'sex' even once in a 30-minute set, she's a sex comic. But even if a guy whips his penis out on stage, he can still be a 'thinker'!"

Also read: Had my mother listened to the doctors and shut me up in a room, there would be no Malini Chib

Ishita Malaviya

Surfer

Picture: Harper's Bazaar

Ishita Malaviya, India's first woman surfer, sits mermaid-like on the beach at Kodi Bengare, a fishing village in coastal Karnataka. At 27, she's stoked to have found her passion, an escape from city life, and a way to give back to the world.

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The story of the Shaka Surf Club, which she co-owns with her boyfriend and provides lessons to visitors and villagers, started at university in Manipal. They met some Californian guys in a local Krishna ashram who taught them surfing basics, and they were hooked. But how do you pursue a passion with limited resources and little professional training? They hustled to buy their first surfboard, and, in the absence of proper trainers, learned by watching videos online.

"We've met the most amazing people through surfing," says Malaviya. "At times we would question what we were doing. But someone would come along and motivate us to continue." It paid off. In 2011, global surfing brand Quiksilver showed interest in them, and Malaviya did her first style shoot for Roxy; in 2014, she was featured in Beyond the Surface, a film that followed her and other international women surfers in their quest for the best waves through Southern India.

Although she's now a role model for other women, she admits the journey was tough. "I'm skinny and when I started I was weak. The others who tried it out were guys and even if they were at the same stage of learning as I was, they would have more strength. They were able to paddle out easily while I would sit there getting beat up by the waves and coming out black and blue," says Malaviya. "I'd cry on the beach. I never had other girls to watch and learn from."

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Many friends in the city still urge them to reconsider this beach bum existence, but there's no chance. "The day I surfed for the first time, I felt like a kid again. Surfing saved me; it was fun and liberating. Besides, it steered me to such an active, healthy lifestyle! Who wants anything more?" she exclaims.

Pooja Dhingra

Founder, Le15 Patisserie

Picture: Harper's Bazaar

At 29, she's talented, she's confident, and has truly arrived. Pooja Dhingra, whose Le15 Patisserie has been instrumental in introducing Mumbai to the magic of the perfect French macarons, is on a roll. Fresh from making her dream come true with the launch of her first Le15 caf in the tony side of town, we find that storming the male bastion of being top chef and hard-nosed entrepreneur comes quite naturally to her.

Heading a team that has grown from three to 63, half of whom are men, she knows how it's done. "I'm a bossy person," she says. "As a woman you can do so much more. You're patient and kind. My staff confide in me and I see them all as my children now," she says. Isn't there a risk of being taken for a ride then? "People have tried, but it's up to you to be strong and smart to realise what's going on," says Dhingra, who studied hospitality in Switzerland and patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. In her first month in Switzerland she knew this was it, but it wasn't always easy to convince others. Take the aunt who questioned why her family was spending so much on her education as she would "just get married eventually".

Starting up her own business at 22 with an initial investment from her dad gave her life lessons quite early. "When someone asks me about challenges, I ask them how much time they have to listen to all the ones I faced," she jokes. Chief among those was trying to get people to take her seriously as a young entrepreneur. "Initially, my dad called suppliers, a real estate agent, or to buy expensive machinery," she says.

What's next? More cafs, two books, and travel. "Everything you go through is inspiration. Then it's truly yours and no one can replicate it," says Dhingra. Like those cheesecake flavoured macarons she created after a trip to the US.

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Human beings are inherently mischievous. But where do you draw the line?

By Vishakha Saxena: Days after security was beefed and forces were deployed near the Navy ammunition dump in Uran after armed men were reportedly spotted, it came to light that it was a prank by a 12-year-old school girl.

The police officials stated the girl admitted that that she made up the story 'for thrill' after seeing pictures of ISIS terrorists in black clothes.

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Also read: Uran 'terror scare' turns out to be 12-year-old's prank, police call off search for suspects



The 12-year-old schoolgirl had told authorities that she saw five armed men, wearing masks and black clothes, while on her way to school on September 21. A boy from the same school also said he saw an armed man with a gun in the area.

Similarly on April 21, a Jet Airways flight from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, with 130 on board, was grounded at Ahmedabad airport due to a bomb threat. After precious hours were wasted searching for a bomb, the flight was cleared for its onward journey because no explosives were found. Yes, this was yet another hoax call.

On March 22, few hours after the Brussels bombing, a call triggered a bomb scare in five Jet Airways flights. These turned out to be hoax too. Some flights mentioned by the anonymous caller did not even exist.

The following week was worse. A CISF official anonymously told the Times of India they received 44 calls in one day. On March 23, a phone call "from the US" claimed 11 IndiGo aircraft were in danger of being blown up. Then, on March 24 (Holi) Air India's Mumbai office received threats of bombs on 23 flights.

Read: Hoax calls, UFOs and laser beams give nightmares to CISF

Authorities can do little

Delhi Police is yet to identify a single caller, but don't blame them yet. Authorities can do little to curb or prevent these pranks. According to a Hindustan Times report, the calls on March 23 and 24 were made by callers who identified themselves as 'Smith' and 'Mike'. 'Mike' went on to make threats about more than 50 flights. Both claimed to be US residents and used internet to make these calls.

That's not a difficult task. Voxox, for example, is an easily available app that lets users make calls over the internet for a meagre amount. A Voxox user can choose their caller ID, even give it a random number and country code. Some other apps even allow users to modify their voice and accent.



'I did it for fun'

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Even as most callers go unidentified, some patterns are noticeable. First, the callers' reasons are plain ridiculous.

In November 2015, Thane police arrested a class XII student from Madhya Pradesh for a hoax hijack threat against an Air India flight. He told police he did it "just out of fun".

"I wanted to check police alertness," said 29-year-old Sunny Sharma after his arrest for threatening calls to police control rooms in Gurgaon and New Delhi in December 2014.



Bangalore techie held for airport hoax call, confesses to killing wife



Another trait is that hoax callers aren't limited to one call. Sanjeev Mishra, a Pune professional, was arrested in January this year for making a hoax call to 'blow up' Pune railway station. During interrogation he revealed he made a similar call to Odisha police about a Bhubaneshwar-Mumbai flight.



Losing time, money and peace of mind

Hoax calls cost an airline anything between Rs 1 to 2 crore.

Right after a threat call, some flights are cancelled and others delayed. An already airborne flight is forced to land at the nearest airport (wasting expensive fuel). While bomb squad and airline officers search the plane and its passengers - a few more flights get delayed. Accordingly, airlines end up changing departure and arrival schedules of hundreds of flights. Even crews of various airlines miss connecting flights and have to be lodged overnight.

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Airlines also have to take care of the costs of arranging meals and accommodation for passengers, providing alternate flights and compensating for delays and increased travel time (mandatory by law).

Finally, imagine the task of checking the baggage of 100 to 200 passengers.



But beyond these is the unnecessary fear and chaos. Passengers aren't told why they're being evacuated (to avoid panic), but since their friends and family get news reports, a mess is inevitable.

What the law says

In the West, threats are taken very seriously. In April 2014, a 14-year-old girl was arrested for tweeting a threat to American Airlines. Here's the initial dialogue which almost all of Twitter treated as a joke until the Rotterdam police confirmed Sarah's arrest on Twitter:

Sarah's tweets to American Airlines

In September last year, the government decided to book hoax callers under the stringent Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation Aircrafts (SUASCAA), making the crime punishable by life imprisonment.

It remains to be seen if this move can deter the new-age, identity-masking hoax caller.

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The government has also directed the schools to display a list of dos and don'ts at prominent places on their premises and generate awareness among the students about dengue and preventive measures needed to curb the outbreak of the disease.

By Mail Today: Gearing up to deal with the dengue cases, the Delhi government on Tuesday has asked the schools in the Capital to take preventive measures and ensure no mosquito breeding in and around the school premises.

According to a municipal report, at least seven cases of dengue have been reported in the national Capital this year, with five of them in the first 10 days of April.

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Dengue is transmitted by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. Doctors say treatment is symptomatic with no specific cure so if patients use pain medicines indiscriminately, there is a risk of them becoming resistant to them.

The government has also directed the schools to display a list of dos and don'ts at prominent places on their premises and generate awareness among the students about dengue and preventive measures needed to curb the outbreak of the disease.

"As all are aware, especially during and after the rainy season, there is high prevalence of dengue. In order to control and prevent the outbreak, it is essential to ensure there is no mosquito breeding in the school areas," Directorate of Education (DoE) said in a communication to government-run as well as private schools.

"All principals are directed to display the list of dos and don'ts at prominent places on the school premises and bring the same to the notice of students/teachers/visitors. Further, during assembly, all students and teachers may please be sensitised on dengue outbreak and control measures of mosquitoes' breeding in and around their houses," the letter further said.

Also read:

WHOs SAGE recommends use of Sanofi Pasteurs dengue vaccine



--- ENDS ---
Babita was in for a surprise when her daughters and son-in-law came to pay a visit on her 68th birthday. As the veteran actor turned a year older, her family members decided to throw a surprise birthday bash.

By India Today Web Desk: Babita was in for a surprise when her daughters and son-in-law came to pay a visit on her 68th birthday. As the veteran actor turned a year older, her family members decided to throw a surprise birthday bash.

ALSO READ: Karisma and Kareena's lunch date with aunt Reema

ALSO READ: Kareena, Karisma join mom Babita for midnight mass



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Daughters Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan were the first ones to arrive at Babita's home in Mumbai. The sisters were accompanied by Saif Ali Khan.

The family later drove to an undisclosed location to celebrate Babita's birthday.

Karism, later, shared a picture-perfect family moment on Instagram from the birthday bash. In the picture, Saif and Kareena can be seen hugging Babita.

Birthday love ??#family#friends #love#togetherness#birthdaywishes A photo posted by KK (@therealkarismakapoor) on Apr 19, 2016 at 11:46am PDT

Randhir Kapoor's sister Reema Kapoor was also seen at the birthday bash.

(Photo Courtesy: Milind Shelte)



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The 14-year-old horse's left hind leg had to be amputated after it was allegedly attacked by BJP legislator from Mussourie, Ganesh Joshi, near the Uttarakhand Assembly on March 14, leading to a massive outrage.

By India Today Web Desk: Police horse 'Shaktiman', which was badly injured during a protest by the BJP in Dehradun last month in a bizarre display of cruelty caught on camera, passed away today.

Doctors said the horse died after a surgery was done on his amputated leg by a team of four doctors for about three hours. They said the injured leg was badly infected.

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"The horse passed away at 5.30 PM. He was suffering from medical-related complications. The exact cause will be known only after post-mortem," IG Garhwal Sanjay Gunjyal said.

"It was a brave soldier of Uttarakhand and died while performing its duty," former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said.

The 14-year-old horse's left hind leg had to be amputated after it was allegedly attacked by BJP legislator from Mussourie, Ganesh Joshi, near the Uttarakhand Assembly on March 14, leading to a massive outrage.

Joshi was arrested and later released on bail for the attack.



Last week, American national Tim Mahoney had visited Dehradun to deliver a prosthetic limb for the injured police horse.

The horse was purchased for Rs 95,000 and inducted in the police force on March 18, 2006.

'Horses in police force serve no purpose'

Union Minister and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi has called for removal of horses from police force and demanded arrest of those responsible for Shaktiman's death.

"I am deeply saddened by the death of Shaktiman. It is an extremely unfortunate incident. Horses should no longer be part of our police systems. They serve no purpose and in every crowd engagement they are at the mercy of any vicious person who is too cowardly to do anything but injure the defenceless animal," the Women and Child Development minister said.

"Shaktiman was a police officer on duty and the person who put him through so much pain and ultimately killed him should be arrested for killing a police officer," she added.

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Karanveer Singh Pannu, an 18-year-old high school student from New Jersey, had gone to talk about his book 'Bullying of Sikh American Children: Through the Eyes of a Sikh American High School Student' as an inspirational speaker to address the kids participating in the annual Sikh Youth Symposium in Bakersfield, California.

By Press Trust of India: A Sikh-American teenager, who penned a book about bullying of children from the community, was forced to remove his turban by airport personnel in the US state of California, according to a media report.

Karanveer Singh Pannu, an 18-year-old high school student from New Jersey, had gone to talk about his book 'Bullying of Sikh American Children: Through the Eyes of a Sikh American High School Student' as an inspirational speaker to address the kids participating in the annual Sikh Youth Symposium in Bakersfield, California.

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"After going through the metal detector at the airport, I was asked to do a self-pat down of my turban and a chemical swab test for explosive material. After a positive swab test, I was taken to a secondary screening room to be given a full pat down and was asked to remove my turban to be further scanned," Pannu was quoted as saying by NBC.com.

"I refused at first but when they threatened me that I could not fly, I agreed, provided they gave me a mirror to retie my turban," he added.

"Before I removed my turban, Agent Hernandez asked the dreaded asinine question, 'Is there anything we need to be aware of before you remove your turban?' I politely answered that there is a lot of long hair and something called the brain underneath."

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) declines to comment on the specifics of any individual passenger's screening experience, but that all TSA officers and contracted screeners are trained to treat all passengers with dignity and respect and receive periodic training regarding cultural and religious sensitivities, A TSA spokesperson told the network.

When additional screening requires the removal of religious apparel, officers offer a private room. In 2007, TSA revised its screening procedures for head coverings based on discussions with the Sikh community, the spokesperson said.

Pannu said he felt "utterly humiliated, shaken, distraught" by the experience.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Ulan-Bator, Apr 20 (PTI) Strong political relations between India and Mongolia must be complemented by robust ties of trade, economy and investment, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said today.

Mahajan, leading an Indian Parliamentary delegation here to attend a meeting of the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), also appealed to the top leadership and business community here to seize opportunities arising out of Indias economic rise.

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She said that India and Mongolia share common values and understanding on a range of issues.

Mahajan called on Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj during which she recalled that both India and Mongolia enjoy deep and warm relationship and that there is an imperative need to further strengthening and diversifying this relationship.

Earlier, she met Mongolian Prime Minister Saikhanbileg and discussed matters of mutual interest.

She also held a meeting with her counterpart Z Enkhbold, the Chairman of the Great Hural (Mongolian Parliament), in the Government Palace and shared views on a host of issues.

Observing that common values and understanding between the countries have laid the ground for constructive engagement across several sectors, she opined that strong political relations must be complemented by ties of trade, economy and investment.

Later, at a banquet hosted by Enkhbold, Mahajan noted that India and Mongolia have interacted since time immemorial.

"Following the emergence of Mongolia as a modern nation state in the 20th century, the two countries have continued to build relations based on the shared historical and cultural legacy, especially of Buddhism. India also supported Mongolia for membership in the United Nations and to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

"As befits spiritual neighbours, civilisational friends and fellow democracies, today we are also strategic partners," she said.

Mahajan also informed her counterpart that Parliament of India would be happy to share its expertise in strengthening democratic institutions and parliamentary processes to Mongolia.

Lok Sabha MPs Rajendra Agrawal and Heena Vijay Kumar Gavit of BJP, Dr Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Butta Renuka (YSR Congress) are part of the delegation along with Rajya Sabha MPs Shantaram Naik (Congress) and K C Tyagi (JD-U) for the six-day visit beginning April 17.

ASEP, a parliamentary forum, is linked to the inter- governmental dialogue that has been established between Europe and Asia to consider political, economic and cultural issues.

The Asia-Europe meeting is part of the overall Asia- Europe partnership process. It serves as a forum for building inter-parliamentary contacts, exchanges and diplomacy and promoting mutual understanding among the people and countries of Asia and Europe. PTI AMR SAI AKJ SAI

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Delhi Chief Minister said "some taxi operators are saying they will not provide cabs if they are not allowed to loot. This is open blackmailing and government will not let that happen.

By Press Trust of India: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today termed as "daylight robbery" the surge pricing by app-based taxi operators, and said overcharging and blackmailing won't be allowed in the national capital.

"Surge pricing is daylight robbery. No responsible govt can allow that," he tweeted.

He said "some taxi operators are saying they will not provide cabs if they are not allowed to loot. This is open blackmailing and government will not let that happen.

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"Overcharging, diesel cars, drivers without license/badges and blackmailing by taxi aggregators won't be allowed," he posted in a series of tweets.

The Delhi CM also hinted at continuing the restriction on surge pricing. Responding to a suggestion on Twitter to continue suspension of surge pricing even after odd-even, he tweeted, "Yes. we will do it".

Kejriwal also clarified that government was not against taxi aggregators who provide important service to people, but "they will have to follow law".

Delhi government had impounded 18 cabs of Ola and Uber for charging fares more than the prescribed rates during the odd-even car rationing period on Monday, after an order was issued to the Transport Department to take strict action against such companies in the face of mounting criticism for manifold increase in fares.

Ola and Uber suspended surge pricing after Kejriwal ordered strict action, including permit cancellation and impounding against overcharging by taxis.

Surge pricing is a technique used by Uber and Ola to raise fares to provide drivers the incentive of keeping their cab running while also making it available for the user irrespective of the demand.



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The children at the Shishu Greh in Karimnagar, Telengana were allegedly punished for refusing to eat their meal.

Children sustain burn injuries after being tortured by caretaker. (Photo: ANI)

By India Today Web Desk: In a brutal incident at a child care centre in Telangana, the caretaker allegedly burnt the hands of children with heated spoons as punishment.

A video and photos of the incident that took place on April 15 has gone viral.

The images show burn injuries on the hands of the kids.



Children sustain burn injuries after being tortured by caretaker of 'Shishu Greh' in Karimnagar (Telangana) pic.twitter.com/A1K05jfU6P ANI (@ANI_news) April 20, 2016

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The children at the Shishu Greh in Karimnagar, Telengana were allegedly punished for refusing to eat their meal.

Reports claim Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) authorities allegedly tried to cover up the incident until its news stories started being televised.



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Apr 20 (PTI) The United States provided assistance to Bangladesh in its investigation that unearthed the plot to abduct and kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas son in the US, a senior American official has said, a day after the police claimed to have uncovered the conspiracy.

"The United States Department of Justice responded to the Government of Bangladeshs request for legal assistance related to this case," the official told PTI.

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The remark was made in response to a query about reports that the Justice Department and the FBI provided evidence of links of opposition BNP mouthpiece Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman to the plot to kill Hasinas son Sajib Wajed Joy, 44.

The official, however, refused to give further details of the nature of the assistance provided to Bangladesh.

"As a general matter, when the US government shares law enforcement information as part of a request for legal assistance, we do not comment on it," the official said.

"For questions about the Government of Bangladeshs investigation, Id refer you to the Bangladeshi authorities," the official said.

Bangladesh police yesterday claimed to have found evidence about links of two detained pro-opposition senior journalists to abduction and murder plot of Hasinas son in the US.

Journalist Shafik Rehman, 81, an editor and an adviser to ex-premier Khaleda Zia, has been detained over the plot and is being quizzed by the police.

For 62-year-old Mahmudur, in jail since 2013 under several other charges, legal procedure is underway to secure a court order for his remand for interrogation, police has said.

In 2015, a New York court convicted US-based BNP leader Mahmud Ullah Mamuns son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar for bribing former FBI agent Robert Lustyik to get information about Joys activities in the US.

According to media reports, middleman Johannes Thaler and the FBI agent were convicted by the US court after Caesar admitted that he intended to scare, kidnap and hurt Joy.

There are also allegations that some top leaders of the BNP and its allies met in the UK, the US and in the capitals Paltan and other parts of the country before September 2012 and conspired to abduct and kill Joy. PTI LKJ ABH

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The leaders of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee called on Tuesday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress during a visit to Washington in June.

The invitation would be a sharp turnaround for Modi who was once barred from the United States.

By Reuters: The leaders of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee called on Tuesday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress during a visit to Washington in June.

"Given the depth of our relationship with India across a range of areas - defense, humanitarian and disaster relief, space cooperation, conservation and innovation - we believe this is an ideal opportunity for the Congress to hear directly from the prime minister," Representatives Ed Royce, the Republican committee chairman, and Eliot Engel, the panel's ranking Democrat, wrote to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

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The invitation would be a sharp turnaround for a leader who was once barred from the United States.

A spokeswoman for Ryan said she had no announcement at this time about whether Ryan would extend the invitation.

Invitations to address the Senate and House are considered a great honour. There have been only two in the past year: Pope Francis, on September 24, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on April 29, 2015.

When Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies swept elections in 2014, there initially were questions about whether he would qualify for a visa. President Barack Obama quickly dismissed the issue by inviting him to the White House when he called to congratulate him on his victory.

In 2002, when Modi had just become Gujarat's chief minister, more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in sectarian riots in the state.

The administration of President George W. Bush denied Modi a visa in 2005 under a 1998 US law barring entry to foreigners who have committed "particularly severe violations of religious freedom."

Modi denied any wrongdoing. India's Supreme Court ruled in 2010 he had no case to answer.

Washington sees its relationship with India as critical, partly to counterbalance China's rising power. Obama has called it "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century."

The letter to Ryan was also signed by Republican Representative George Holding and Democrat Ami Bera, the co-chairmen of the Congress Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

ALSO READ | PM Modi lets Prince William know he's got a grip



--- ENDS ---
PM Modi has been involved in the creation of his figure from the beginning of the process and was pleased with the final results when he came face to face with the wax statue on Monday.

By Loveena Tandon: New wax figures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi today took up residence at Madame Tussauds in Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok, after the statesman met the wax figure destined for the London attraction at a private viewing earlier this week.

Modi has been involved in the creation of his figure from the beginning of the process and was pleased with the final results when he came face to face with the wax statue on Monday.

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Modi saw the wax figure in New Delhi on Monday while it was enroute to London.

"What can I say? As far as art is concerned, the Madame Tussauds team is exceptional at what they do. What Lord Brahma does normally is what the artists there are doing. Today, I had an opportunity as the prime servant of my people to meet my wax figure," Modi was quoted as saying in a release by Madame Tussauds.

The figure is now travelling to London from India where it will join other leaders like President Obama, David Cameron, Angela Merkel and Francoise Holland at the world famous Madame Tussauds museum at London's Baker Street on April 28. The museum also features wax statutes of the political giants of the past like Mahatma Ghandi and Winston Churchill.

"We will be delighted to welcome Mr Modi to the world stage at Madame Tussauds London," commented General Manager, Madame Tussauds, Edward Fuller. "It's wonderful that he had the opportunity to see his figure in India earlier this week before the public get the chance to meet him in London. His social media following shows just what immense interest there is in him and I'm sure that interest will be apparent here too as guests get the chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with one of the most influential men in the world. And maybe even grab a selfie."

Modi's figure is dressed in his signature kurta in cream with jacket and he is featured in a traditional pose making a namaste gesture. Each figure costs 150,000 (Rs.1.5 crore) and took four months for a team of talented artist to create.

Also Read:

Madame Tussauds to unveil Narendra Modi's wax statue in April

After PM Modi, it's Kejriwal's turn to enter Madame Tussauds



--- ENDS ---
White follows the story of Huma's character, Roshni Menon, a software engineer who moves to London on an overseas assignment. Things change for Roshini when she meets Prakash Roy, a billionaire, portrayed by Mammootty.

By India Today Web Desk: The trailer of Eros International's upcoming Malayalam movie White starring Huma Qureshi and Mammootty was released on Tuesday. Directed by Uday Ananthan, White marks the debut of Huma Qureshi in Malayalam movies.



The film tells the story of Huma's character, Roshni Menon, a software engineer who moves to London on an overseas assignment. Things change for Roshini when she meets Prakash Roy, a billionaire, portrayed by Mammootty. Prakash Roy and Roshni's peculiar, yet charming relationship is what takes the story of White forward.

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White was primarily shot in shot in London, Mumbai, and Kochi. It is said that the Malayalam star was the one to suggest the title for the film.

The music for the film is composed by Rahul Raj, and going by the trailer the musician has done a commendable job with the BGM.

The film is slated to hit the screens in May.



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Women on Twitter are using the hashtag #WhenIwas to share personal, disturbing experiences of being catcalled or sexually harassed.

By India Today Web Desk: Almost every woman we know has either been groped in public, felt all over by a stranger, catcalled or been discriminated against.

Though most of them have been living with their stories for years, Tuesday changed something.



Thousands of women came together in the virtual realm of Twitter and shared their experiences of sexual harassment, sexual violence and discrimination, using the hashtag #WhenIwas.

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Also read: Why I chose to go in for breast-reduction surgery



The hashtag was started by the EverydaySexism project, a website that lets people record real-life examples of sexism. It called on women to reveal how young they were when they first experienced sexual harassment.

And the results were shocking, to say the least.



It was alarming to see just how early a girl starts experiencing these things; some of them were as young as 6 and 8 years old when they became a victim of sexual harassment.

Also read: This girl got expelled from her sorority, so Tinder offered her a scholarship



"The Everyday Sexism Project exists to catalog instances of sexism experienced on a day to day basis. They might be serious or minor, outrageously offensive or so niggling and normalized that you don't even feel able to protest," the site reads.

The project started after the UK government announced an inquiry into sexual violence and harassment in schools--an issue EverydaySexism feels has been "overlooked for too long."



--- ENDS ---
Raman and Ishita will reunite after seven years in the most unexpected way.

By India Today Web Desk: It's been seven years that Raman (Karan Patel) and Ishita (Divyanka Tripathi) were separated due to unavoidable circumstances. The couple may have part ways but their hearts beat for each other.

While Ishita recently came in contact with her little daughter Ruhi (now Ruhaan the teenage singing sensation), though she didn't recognise her, the former's reunion with estranged husband is something the audience is eagerly awaiting for.

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And that will happen in the most dramatic way.

The upcoming track of the show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein will have Raman and Ishita finally coming face-to-face during a plane hijack.The couple previously missed meeting each other on several occasions despite being in the same place at the same time.

Moving forward from the current track, Raman, who is in Australia, will return to Mumbai, while Ishita will fly to the city to shoot an ad with Ruhaan. The couple will be flying in the same flight which will be hijacked by a man. The hijacker would then inform the passengers that he has done so to unite with his family with whom he was separated due to certain circumstances.

Ishita will be one of the flyers who will be held hostage by the hijacker and seeing Ishita in danger, Raman will realise how much he loved her and will reportedly decide to go back to her.

Meanwhile, if the the hijack sequence gives you a sense of deja vu, then here's why. The sequence is said to be inspired from a real life event. In March this year, a man hijacked an EgyptAir flight as he wanted to meet his ex-wife.

Guess, after copying Bollywood movies, the show writers are now turning to real life incidents for inspiration.

Also read: A little change is always good, says Anita Hassanandani on time-leaps

Watch the video:



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On the basis of the last 10 years, here we believe are the five reasons that are responsible for this moment when Intel is firing thousands of its employees.

By Javed Anwer: Intel is firing 12,000 people or almost 11 per cent of its total work force. For any company this is a big number and a huge decision. But for Intel, which is one of the most influential and profitable tech companies, this is just incomprehensible.

Intel is a wildly successful technology firm. It is not only a giant in numbers but is also a company that has been at the centre of the whole Silicon Valley revolution, literally. But gradually, as its primary markets weaken, Intel is feeling vulnerable. In the wake of the change brought about by the iPhone in 2007, a lot of companies went bust or had to change drastically. Nokia, for example, comes to the mind. But despite running into heavy weather -- and it is a testament to Intel's organisational strength -- that it continued to sail steadily.

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But then a company can resist the change only so much. If it doesn't change with the times, it will end up running into trouble. And that is what seems to be happening with Intel. It is running into problems and is now trying to change. On the basis of the last 10 years, here we believe are the five reasons that are responsible for this moment when Intel is firing thousands of its employees.

PC in decline

The biggest reason is that Intel's primary market -- the PC -- is in decline. Just yesterday Gartner said that the PC market in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) totalled only 19.5 million units in the first quarter of 2016, a 10 per cent decline compared to the same period in 2015. And it is same in all regions, all countries. People in the developed countries are no longer buying a desktop or laptop because they already have one. Meanwhile, in the developing world people aren't buying a computer because they do almost all of their emailing and other stuff on their phones.

Also Read: Holidays, more choices behind PC sale decline in 2015: Gartner

Intel's goodness is hurting it

Strange as it may seem, one of the reasons why Intel is finding it harder to sell more processors to people and companies is because it is so good. Intel's goodness is hurting it. The processors that it has released in the last decade -- the Core generation -- are so good that people just don't feel compelled to upgrade their computer every two or three years. The same is true for big institutional buyers. Earlier they would upgrade computers every three-four years. Now, you can see six or even seven year old computers in offices running all fine.

Smartphone blunders

Intel missed the smartphone bus. At a time when a small British firm called ARM was pushing energy-efficient processors for smartphones, Intel found that business to be low margin. It is true that in the smartphone market, processors are sold at a lower margin. But then the volumes are also higher. But apparently Intel didn't see merit in that business so by the time it realised that it needed to get smartphone processors going, it was too late.

Tech failure

It is hard to imagine Intel failing at technology. But it did. Or at least it has failed for now. When the company realised that it needed to compete in the smartphone market, it tried to turn around and attempted to leverage its best-in-the-world processor manufacturing technology to make smartphone CPUs. But it just couldn't pull it off. Probably, the whole set-up was too big for a quick turnaround. Probably all this state-of-the-art manufacturing couldn't be used for low-margin mobile processors. Probably, Intel's LTE model was too late. Irrespective of the reasons, what we know is that Intel promised great processors, such as Moorefield, for smartphones but it never managed to get enough design wins.

WinTel down

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Decline of Windows is another reason. Long-time tech watchers are familiar with word WinTel. It's Windows + Intel. Usually every new version of Windows would require a faster hardware and the new features in Windows used to be so compelling that the world wanted new computers. But starting with Windows 8, Microsoft dropped the ball. Not only the hardware requirements for Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 are modest, they also don't offer any special sauce to compel people to buy new computers. As Windows declines, so does Intel.

Future in cloud

One of the reasons why Intel is cutting jobs is because it wants to focus on servers and clouds. With its personal computing business down and with its smartphone efforts going nowhere the company it needs to restructure and focus on supplying hardware for high-performance computing clusters that power cloud services. It is a good idea. Sadly it also involves letting go of people no longer needed at the work and probably hiring some who will have more expertise in cloud and server related technologies

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* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati received the 2022 Adepi Award

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018.

* IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

* Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013.

* Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011.

2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100.

* Court Reporter Top Copyright Blog award winner, November 2010.

* Number 1 in the 2010 Top Copyright Blog list compiled by the Copyright Litigation Blog, July 2010.

* Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010.

* Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll.

Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008.
Mehr News Agency, which is affiliated with the Iranian Intelligence Ministry, quoted Ebrahim Mohammadi, the international director of the regimes Medical Council as saying that the migration of nurses from Iran has increased three-fold since March of last year.

Mohammadi explained that prejudicial compensation has encouraged nurses to emigrate. Relative to the amount of work that they are required to do in Iranian medical facilities, female nurses are dramatically underpaid in comparison to male doctors.

Mohammad Sharifie Moghaddam, the general secretary of Nurses Home, acknowledged on April 13 that nurses had staged over 50 protest gatherings during the previous Persian year, which ended in March. The demonstrations sought to draw attention to harsh work conditions and poor wages, but met with no apparent response from government officials.
He is awaiting an appeal date and has announced he will go on hunger strike on International Workers Day on 1 May to protest the repression of trade unionists.

He was arrested on 27 June 2015 and transferred to solitary confinement in Evin Prison, run by the Revolutionary Guards.He may face a total of 16 years imprisonment if his new sentence is upheld. This is due to a previous suspended 10-year sentence that he received following a 2011 conviction on trumped up national security charges, related to his peaceful trade union activities.

The following is the text of Amnesty Internationals Urgent Action:

URGENT ACTION

Date: 19 April 2016

Ismail Abdi, prisoner of conscience and Secretary General of Irans Teachers Trade Association (ITTA), has been sentenced on charges related to his peaceful trade union activities. He is awaiting an appeal date and has announced he will go on hunger strike on International Workers Day on 1 May to protest the repression of trade unionists.

Ismail (Esmail) Abdi was informed in February that he had been sentenced by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran to six years imprisonment on the charges of spreading propaganda against the system and gathering and colluding to commit crimes against national security. The charges stem from his trade union activities, including peaceful demonstrations held by teachers and members of the ITTA outside the Iranian parliament in May 2015 in protest against poor wages, low education budget, and imprisonment of teacher trade unionists. Ismail Abdi has appealed the verdict and is awaiting a date for his hearing. His trial was in breach of international fair trial standards; in particular he was denied access a lawyer of his choice during the entire investigative phase and his lawyer was not allowed to obtain and review his court file before the trial. Amnesty International understands that the authorities denial of Ismail Abdis right to access a lawyer of his choosing was based on a provision in Irans new 2015 Code of Criminal Procedures, which restricts access to legal counsel during the investigative phase for people facing certain offences including those related to national security. Under this provision, they may only choose a lawyer from a list of those pre-approved by the Head of Judiciary.

In April, Ismail Abdi wrote an open letter, in which he said that he intends to go on hunger strike on 1 May 2016, stating according to the evidence used to issue the verdicts against [me] you could say that any effortsto improve the lives and livelihood of teachers and workers in Iran are considered acts against national security.

Ismail Abdi was arrested on 27 June 2015 and transferred to solitary confinement in Section 2A of Tehrans Evin Prison, run by the Revolutionary Guards, and interrogated for at least 17 days without access to his family or lawyer. He may face a total of 16 years imprisonment if his new sentence is upheld. This is due to a previous suspended 10-year sentence that he received following a 2011 conviction on trumped up national security charges, related to his peaceful trade union activities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Ismail Abdi, along with another trade union activist, Jafar Azimzadeh, wrote an open letter in April 2016 stating their intention to go on hunger strike on International Workers Day on 1 May to protest the authorities repressive responses to teachers and trade unionists protests. The men demanded that the authorities drop the charge of gathering and colluding to commit crimes against national security and other national security charges in their cases. In their letter they said: according to the evidence used to issue the verdicts against us, you could say that any effortsto improve the lives and livelihood of teachers and workers in Iran are considered acts against national security.

Ismail Abdi had been arrested on 27 June 2015 after he went to the Prosecutors Office in Evin Prison to inquire about the travel ban placed on him. He had been prevented from travelling to Armenia to apply for a visa to attend the seventh Education International World Congress in Canada in July 2015. Before his arrest, intelligence officials had summoned Ismail Abdi for interrogation a number of times, and had pressured him to resign from his post as ITTA General Secretary and to cancel planned nationwide demonstrations that the ITTA, a legally constituted entity in Iran, had helped organize. During these interrogations, intelligence officials also warned Ismail Abdi against associating with international teachers trade unions, including Education International, and said his participation in their international gatherings was a red line.

On 3 May 2015, one day after the National Iranian Teachers Day and four days before the scheduled date of a nationwide protest, intelligence officials summoned Ismail Abdi and threatened him, saying that a suspended 10-year sentence from 2011 would be immediately implemented unless he made a formal announcement on Facebook that he was resigning from his ITTA post and would not be taking part in any upcoming demonstrations. Ismail Abdi made the announcement under pressure, but the ITTA did not accept his resignation. The protest went ahead as planned, with thousands of teachers gathering in front of the parliament building in Tehran and outside the offices of the Ministry of Education in different cities.

During a meeting with the Minister of Education and a number of teachers on 6 May 2015, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei said: Teachers are pious, noble and smart people and they watch out for plots [hatched] by enemies and those bearing a grudge against the Islamic establishment who intend to fabricate seditionist, factional and political slogans under the pretext of the teachers livelihoods and cause trouble to the [Islamic] establishment.

On 22 July 2015, thousands of teachers attempted to gather in front of parliament to protest against the harassment and abuse of trade unionist teachers and demand Ismail Abdis release. Security forces stationed around parliament from early morning, however, disrupted the gathering and arrested scores of protesting teachers, though, according to an announcement by Irans Minister of Education on 27 July 2015, the teachers were later released. At least three other teachers in Iran are also serving prison sentences in connection with their legitimate trade union activities, including Ali Akbar Baghani, Alireza Hashemi and Rasoul Bodaghi.

Article 22 (1) of the ICCPR states: Everyone shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests. Article 8 of the ICESCR guarantees both the right of everyone to form trade unions and join the trade union of his choice and the right of trade unions to function freely subject to no limitations other than those prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public order or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Newegg Unveils Plans for PAX East Game Festival

Newegg, the top tech-focused e-retailer in North America, today unveiled its plans for the PAX East Game Festival, which runs from April 22 to 24 in Boston. The company will host a series of events at various locations. Highlights include:

Newegg Booth

Visitors to Newegg's booth (#9164) in the exhibit hall will have the opportunity to demo some of the latest gaming technology and consult with Newegg advocates. Daily booth activities include autograph sessions with the compLexity Gaming eSports team and the opportunity to challenge them to a Hearthstone contest. Newegg will also offer daily raffles with a wide range of prizes, from Newegg-branded merchandise to the latest gaming-related tech gear.

Newegg Meeting Room

Newegg will host an invite-only meeting room (#106) to offer journalists and other VIP guests the opportunity to demo the best new gaming gear, including the new HTC Vive virtual reality (VR) system, paired with the MSI GT80S Titan laptop featuring dual NVIDIA (News - Alert) GeForce GTX 980 graphics cards running in SLI. VR games available for play include Space Pirate Trainer, Tiltbruh and Job Simulator. Other demos include an MSI laptop with Tobii eye-tracking technology, the new custom ABS gaming PC built on Thermaltake's P5 wall-mounted chassis and the Lenovo (News - Alert) Yoga tablet with built-in projector. Newegg is also hosting the "Newegg Hearthstone Open" in partnership with eSports Hero featuring daily tournaments and prizes including E-Blue gaming gear and Newegg Gift Cards.







Panel Discussion to Address Intersection of VR and PC Gaming

Jason Lake, co-founder of compLexity Gaming, will moderate "The Hardware for the Revolution (News - Alert)" panel at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 24, in the Dragonfly Theatre. With VR finally reaching the hands of consumers and players embracing the world of PC gaming, this panel will discuss the hardware that will power the new era of PC gaming in 2016 and beyond. Industry experts from Samsung (News - Alert), NVIDIA, AMD, Logitech and Magid Advisors will share their thoughts on what VR means for gamers and PC enthusiasts, the affordability of advanced PC hardware for the average gamer, and the relationship between PC hardware and the competitive gaming world.

Visit Newegg's PAX East Portal (www.newegg.com/paxeast) to take advantage of special PAX East pricing on gaming-related products, PAX-related editorial content and other promotional deals.

Like Newegg on Facebook and follow Newegg on Twitter to stay up to date on the company's latest news.

About Newegg Inc.

Newegg Inc. is the leading electronics-focused e-retailer in the United States. It owns and operates Newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com) which was founded in 2001 and regularly earns industry-leading customer service ratings. The award-winning website has more than 28 million registered users and offers customers a comprehensive selection of the latest consumer electronics products, detailed product descriptions and images, as well as how-to information and customer reviews. Using the site's online tech community, customers have the opportunity to interact with other computer, gaming and consumer electronics enthusiasts. Newegg Inc. is headquartered in City of Industry, California. The Newegg Hybrid Center is located at 18045 Rowland St., City of Industry, CA (News - Alert) 91748.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005500/en/
[April 20, 2016] Comtrade Collaborates with Microsoft to Offer Free F5 Management Pack to System Center 2012 Users

BOSTON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Comtrade, a leading provider of IT infrastructure and application management and monitoring solutions, announced today that it is one of the first ISV partners to provide Microsoft System Center 2012 Operations Manager (SCOM) users with a freemium management pack that provides holistic monitoring of the F5 environment. System Center users can access the free management pack (MP) through the SCOM console gaining visibility into the health and performance of F5 BIG-IQ, including CPU, memory, disk storage, network interfaces and basic health information for BIG-IP appliances managed by BIG-IQ. Users seeking the freemium F5 MP from Comtrade can locate the plug-in directly through the Microsoft SCOM console. They'll receive an email to finalize the installation process; once installed, the free MP will provide: Automatic topology discovery and virtualization of BIG-IQ and managed BIG-IP devices,

Health monitoring on connectivity status, high utilization and load availability data,

Visualized performance of BIG-IQ appliances, and

Emailed alerts and comprehensive reports. "System Center Operations Manager users are looking for a management pack that will provide deeper insights into the F5 environment, and as one of the first partners in this freemium program, Comtrade is providing those insihts free of charge," said Simon Taylor, senior vice president and general manager at Comtrade. "The F5 MP is one of many native plug-ins that Comtrade offers to SCOM users to enhance the F5 experience and bridge performance data from multiple platforms into one easy-to-use interface."



"Microsoft is always looking for innovative ways of integrating with partner ecosystems to deliver solutions to System Center customers," said Michael Leworthy, Director, Enterprise Cloud, Microsoft. "Comtrade is a valued member of the System Center Alliance Program, and continues to extend our platform to give deep insight into business critical applications." The freemium F5 MP from Comtrade is available to SCOM users under the Partner Solution section beginning in Spring 2016. For more information about plug-ins available from Comtrade, visit www.comtradeproducts.com.

About Comtrade Comtrade System Software and Tools is a leading provider of IT infrastructure management solutions specializing in data, system, network and application performance. Comtrade brings proven expertise to different industries through plug-ins for leading infrastructure management platforms, or through our advanced technology that enables vendors and IT professionals to focus on core business deliverables. With more than 1,000 software engineers on staff, Comtrade is one of Europe's largest IT solution providers and is partnered with many of the world's leading technology companies, including Microsoft, HP, Oracle, F5, Citrix and Nutanix. For more information, visit www.comtradeproducts.com, or follow us on Twitter at @mgmt_products. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151117/288489LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comtrade-collaborates-with-microsoft-to-offer-free-f5-management-pack-to-system-center-2012-users-300254281.html SOURCE Comtrade

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[April 20, 2016] The International Wireless Power Summit heads to Seattle, WA

Smithers Apex is pleased to announce that 200+ leaders in the wireless power industry will gather for the 8th annual International Wireless Power Summit, November 10-11 in Seattle, WA. Taking place at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel, this conference and exhibition will focus on 'Beyond the cellphone, wireless power applications.' Wireless Power 2016 will bring together global experts to discuss applications, new technologies and achieve commercial success and broader use of wireless charging products. Advisors for Wireless Power 2016 include Mark Estabrook, Director of Strategic Marketing, MediaTek (News - Alert) Incorporated; Michael Gotlieb, Vice President of Business Development, NuCurrent; LeRoy Johnson, Engineering Consultant, Johnson Product Development LLC; John Perzow, Vice President of Market Development Wireless Power Consortium; Ryan Sanderson, Commercial Director, Aircharge; and Andy Sultenfuss, Senior Distinguished Engineer, End-User Computing, Dell (News - Alert).



"The wireless charging industry is growing exponentially, with more and more applications being developed for commercial use. This event has matched industry trends and this year you'll be joining 200+ of the industry's most influential members," said Barbara Fowler, Conference Director for Smithers Apex (News - Alert). "The 2016 Summit will provide a platform for the entire supply chain to gather, exchange ideas and find business solutions. Whether you are an analyst, R&D manager, product manufacture, or CEO, Wireless Power 2016 will provide you with the key contacts and insights to develop your business as wireless power technologies proceed towards widespread use," added Fowler. Historically, this conference has attracted companies that span the supply chain, from researchers to end-users. Past attendees came from organizations like Energizer Household Products, LG Electronics, Powermat, Audiovox, 3MOcean Tomo, IKEA of Sweden, Google, Intel, WiTricity Corporation, and Motorola (News - Alert) Mobility to name just a few.

For complete information about Wireless Power 2016, please visit the conference website at http://www.wirelesspowersummit.com. About Smithers Apex: Smithers Apex is a global business that provides events, market research, publications and strategic and technical consulting to an expanding list of niche, emerging and high growth industries, including home and personal care; lighting, imaging and displays; plastic electronics and alternative energy. For more information about Smithers Apex, please visit www.smithersapex.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005937/en/

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Encore Media Group: Samsung, Vodafone and Ubuntu Sign up as Platinum Sponsors for the IoT Tech Expo Event in Berlin This June

The IoT Tech Expo, Europe's leading Internet of Things conference and exhibition welcomes Samsung, Vodafone and Ubuntu on board as platinum sponsors for their upcoming event in Berlin, Germany on the 13-14th June. The two day event will cover a range of industries including manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, transport, government, energy and automotive.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005975/en/

Cyril Deschanel, Head of IoT/M2M at Vodafone (News - Alert) speaking at the IoT Tech Expo in London 2016.

Over the 2 days there will be 5 dedicated conference tracks:







Speakers from: Tado, Shazam, Deutsche Telekom, Dixons Carphone, Ford (News - Alert), Honda and Jaguar Land Rover

Topics include: smart logistics, M2M, fleet management, digitalisation, smart manufacturing, predictive maintenance and telematics

Speakers from: DHL, Sandvik, Volvo, Konecranes, GE, Statoil, Postnord and TVH

Topics include: smart transportation, urban travel, carbon neutral, smart grids, sustainable cities, energy and big data

Speakers from: Continental, E.ON, City of Nice, City of Copenhagen, Bristol Is Open and GE

Topics include: data analytics, mass data collection, privacy challenges, big data modelling, and cyber security

Speakers from: Lufthansa Systems, European Parliament, Swiss Re, Orange (News - Alert) and Konecranes

Topics include: robotics, development, connectivity, standards, investment, start-ups, wearables, AR, VR, future fashion, funding and healthcare

Speakers from: Husqvarna Group, Ubuntu, ETH Zurich, IDA Ireland, W3C, TUV, Samsung (News - Alert) and Startupbootcamp

View the full speaker line-up, conference agendas and register your pass here: www.iottechexpo.com/germany

Super early bird prices end Friday 29th April so register now to save up to 295 on your delegate pass!

To learn more about the IoT Tech Expo and register your pass, visit the corresponding sites:

 IoT Tech Expo Central Europe: 13-14th June, Berlin Congress Center bcc, Germany

 IoT Tech Expo North America: 20-21st October, Santa Clara Convention Center, San Francisco, CA (News - Alert)

 IoT Tech Expo Global: 23-24th January 2017, Olympia, London

For speaking, sponsorship and exhibitor enquiries please contact the team at [email protected] or call on +44 (0) 117 980 9023.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

About IoT Tech Expo

The IoT Tech Expo World Series (www.iottechexpo.com) hosts top level content and discussion, introducing and exploring the latest innovations in the Internet of Things arena. It brings together key industries including Manufacturing, Transport, Health, Logistics, Government, Energy and Automotive.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005975/en/
[April 20, 2016] Team Builds First Quantum Cascade Laser on Silicon

A team of researchers from across the country, led by Alexander Spott, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA, have built the first quantum cascade laser on silicon. The advance may have applications that span from chemical bond spectroscopy and gas sensing, to astronomy and free-space communications. Integrating lasers directly on silicon chips is challenging, but it is much more efficient and compact than coupling external laser light to the chips. The indirect bandgap of silicon makes it difficult to build a laser out of silicon, but diode lasers can be built with III-V materials such as InP or GaAs. By directly bonding an III-V layer on top of the silicon wafer and then using the III-V layers to generate gain for the laser, this same group has integrated a multiple quantum well laser on silicon that operates at 2 m. Limitations in diode lasers prevent going to longer wavelengths where there are many more applications, so the group turned their attention to using quantum cascade lasers instead. Building a quantum cascade laser on silicon was a challenging task made more difficult by the fact that silicon dioxide becomes heavily absorptive at longer wavelengths in the mid-infrared. "This meant that not only did we have to build a different type of laser on silicon, we had to build a different silicon waveguide too," Spott explained. "We built a type of waveguide called a SONOI waveguide [silicon-on-nitride-on-insulator], which uses a layer of silicon nitride [SiN] underneath the silicon waveguide, rather than just SiO 2 ." The breakthrough could lead to several applications, Spott explained. "Traditionally, silicon photonic devices operate at near-infrared wavelengths, with applications in data transmission and telecommunications. However, there is emerging research interest in building these silicon photonic devices for longer mid-infared wavelengths, for a range of sensing and detection applications, such as chemical bond spectroscopy, gas sensing, astronomy, oceanographic sensing, thermal imaging, explosive detection, and free-space communications.



The next step for the team is to improve the heat dissipation to improve the performance of these QCLs and to allow them to make continuous-wave QCLs on silicon. "We generally hope to improve the design to get higher powers and efficiency," Spott said. "This brings us closer to building fully integrated mid-infrared devices on a silicon chip, such as spectrometers or gas sensors. Silicon is inexpensive, the fabrication can be scaled up to significantly reduce the cost of individual chips, and many small devices can be built on the same silicon chip - for example multiple different types of sensors operating at different mid-infrared wavelengths." This work is done in collaboration with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

About the Presentation The presentation "Quantum (News - Alert) Cascade Laser on Silicon at 4.8 m," by Alexander Spott, Jon Peters, Michael Davenport, Eric Stanton, Charles Merritt, William Bewley, Igor Vurgaftman, Jerry Meyer, Jeremy Kirch, Luke Mawst, Dan Botez, John Bowers, will take place from 14:00 - 16:00, Thursday, 09 June 2016, San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California, USA. Media Registration: A media room for credentialed press and analysts will be located on-site. Media interested in attending the event should register on the CLEO website media center: Media Center. About CLEO With a distinguished history as the industry's leading event on laser science, the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO) is the premier international forum for scientific and technical optics, uniting the fields of lasers and opto-electronics by bringing together all aspects of laser technology, from basic research to industry applications. CLEO: Expo showcases the latest products and applications from more than 300 participating companies, providing hands-on demonstrations of the latest market innovations and applications. The Expo also offers valuable on-floor programming, including Market Focus and the Technology Transfer programs. Managed by The Optical Society (OSA) and sponsored by the American Physical Society's Laser Science Division, IEEE (News - Alert) Photonics Society and OSA, CLEO provides the full range of critical developments in the field, showcasing the most significant milestones from laboratory to marketplace. With an unparalleled breadth and depth of coverage, CLEO connects all of the critical vertical markets in lasers and electro-optics. For more information, visit the event website at cleoconference.org. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420006006/en/

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SPRINGFIELD -- Several hundred students, employees and supporters from universities and colleges across the state rallied near the Capitol on Wednesday to pressure lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner to reach a compromise to fund higher education.

Because of the ongoing standoff between Republican Rauner and the Democrats who control the General Assembly, public universities and community colleges have gone nearly 10 months without any state funding. The state has also failed to fund grants to low-income students through the Monetary Award Program, which has forced colleges -- including private schools -- to choose between fronting the money to students or letting them take on the cost.

Speaking to a crowd representing the full spectrum of Illinois higher education community, Mitch Dickey, University of Illinois student body president and a MAP grant recipient, put it bluntly: Its ridiculous. Its tragic. Its pathetic.

Were watching our higher education system in one year erode, Dickey said.

Catie Witt, an Eastern Illinois University junior who was recently elected student body president, has witnessed that erosion firsthand.

Also a MAP grant recipient, Witt has seen her school slash hundreds of jobs and enact other cutbacks to keep its doors open. While the school has covered its students' MAP grants, the future remains uncertain.

Im really scared for next year, Witt said after addressing the crowd.

The rally came a day after three new proposals to fund higher education emerged at the Statehouse. Rep. Mike Fortner, R-West Chicago, has a plan that would get all public universities one-third of their annual funding and cover one semesters worth of MAP grants, and Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, has a plan that would get full funding to the four universities hardest hit by the impasse: Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Northeastern Illinois universities.

Neither includes any funding for community colleges. Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, proposed a plan that would include community colleges, one semesters MAP grants and need-based funding for universities.

Also in the mix is a bill sitting on the governors desk that would fund all of higher education, along with social services that also havent received any state money this fiscal year.

Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, who represents Illinois State University and whose daughter is a student there, assured the crowd that conversations are taking place across aisle to come up with a solution. He encouraged them to speak with their legislators at the Capitol.

We need your help, Brady said, adding that it will ultimately take agreement from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and Rauner to move a plan forward.

Speaking later, Brady said rank-and-file lawmakers are working on a plan that would blend Fortners and Mayfields proposals in an effort to win bipartisan support.

Janet Hill-Getz, executive director of government relations for Heartland Community College in Normal, attended the rally, which came a day after the schools board voted to cut 23 positions over three years, in part due to the lack of state funding.

She said the school supports any solution that includes money for community colleges.

Willie Lyles III, a Southern Illinois University law school student, said before the rally that the goal is to get the governors signature on a higher education funding bill thats been approved in the General Assembly.

Weve gotten the first part done, Lyles said. We just dont seem to be able to get the governors signature on anything.

Rauner has vetoed several higher education funding bills because he says the state doesnt have the money to pay for them.
MATTOON (JG-TC) -- The Illinois Department of Revenue announced Tuesday that taxing districts across the state owe Illinois money after an error to the tune of an estimated $168 million.

Locally, taxing bodies must return to Illinois up to $145,006.93, which the Mattoon school district owes.

According to an IDOR press release, a tax system modernization initiative has uncovered a misallocation to the Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) Fund that began under the Gov. Pat Quinn administration. The over allocation was identified during the IDOR's implementation of a new genderal ledger system, designed to enhance accuracy and efficiency at the department, the press release stated.

"We are certainly sensitive to the impact recouping these funds will have on some of our taxing districts," Connie Beard, IDOR director, said in the media statement. "We will be working with the impacted taxing districts to establish a plan to recapture the funds over an extended period of time."

PPRT are revenues collected by the state and paid to local governments to replace money that was lost by local governments when their powers to impose personel property taxes on corporations, partnerships and other business entities was abolished in the 1970 constitution, the IDOR press release stated.

In addition to the Mattoon school district, other local tax entities that owe the state include the Charleston school district, $105,642.11; the City of Mattoon, $65,242.29; Coles County, $43,190.25; the City of Charleston, $27,643.71; and Lake Land College, $54,340.86.
CHARLESTON -- Two Arizona residents suspected of money laundering who were arrested in Mattoon earlier this month were found with dozens of altered gift and debit cards.

That's according to records in the case against Carmen-Lorenda Nistor, 30, and Catalin Nistor, 35, who are accused of using "criminally derived property" to continue the illegal activity from which that property was obtained.

The two Phoenix residents remain jailed in Coles County with bond set at a level that would require each to post $100,000 to be released.

The bond amount was based on authorities' claims that they're a flight risk, and a judge refused to lower the bond amounts during the Nistors' first court appearance on Monday.

The records in their cases say police found about 40 gift and debit cards and just more than $25,000 in cash after the Nistors consented to a search of their van on April 8, the day they were arrested.

The investigation revealed that all the cards had been altered in a way "consistent with money laundering and narcotic trafficking," the records say.

The search of the Nistors' van also located a business card from a business in Des Moines, Iowa, the records also say. When local police contacted authorities in that city, they were told that the business is suspected of being a front for drug trafficking, they say.

The records say the search of the van came after police responded to a report of a man, later identified at Catalin Nistor, panhandling for money in the parking lot the Mattoon Wal-Mart.

Catalin Nistor told police that Carmen-Loredana Nistor, his wife, was waiting for him in their van, which was parked nearby in the parking lot of the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, according to the records.

Police then asked for and received permission to search the van after they smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from it, the records also say.

The records also say the Nistors' were also arrested on suspicion of presenting false identification during police questioning and for violating the city of Mattoon's panhandling ordinance.

The money laundering charges are the only charges on file against the Nistors so far. Money laundering is a felony offense that can result in a prison sentence of three to seven years with a conviction.

Local attorney Sean Britton is representing both Nistors and made the bond reduction motion during Monday's court hearing; Assistant State's Attorney Bryant Hitchings objected.

After denying the request, Circuit Judge Mitchell Shick scheduled the next hearing in the case for Monday of next week.
SPRINGFIELD -- There are once again competing proposals to get money to public universities that have been deprived of state funding during the nearly yearlong budget standoff at the Capitol.

The House Executive Committee signed off on a plan Tuesday from Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, that would send a full years worth of funding to the universities hardest hit by the lack of a budget: Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Northeastern Illinois universities. Mayfield said she plans to amend the bill to add $10 million for Southern Illinois University, 5 percent of its annual state funding.

Without this funding, we will see one university close this month, Mayfield said, referring to Chicago State. Eastern and Western arent far behind, she said.

The idea is to keep the doors open until, hopefully, we get a budget this summer, Mayfield said

The total price tag of her plan is $166.3 million, and the revenue would come from forgiving repayment of money borrowed from special state funds to plug holes in last years budget.

Rep. Mike Fortner, R-West Chicago, is proposing a plan that would cover one-third of annual funding to all nine public university systems and one semesters worth of grants to low-income students through the Monetary Award Program, which isnt included in Mayfields plan.

Fortners plan would cost $558.3 million, with the revenue coming from the states education assistance fund. The fund, which gets dedicated revenue from the state income tax, gambling and other sources, is expected to have $600 million available by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

Fortner said his stopgap plan, which has the support of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Sen. Pat McGuire, D-Joliet, chairman of the Senate Higher Education Committee, would provide a critical piece to bridge us across until a comprehensive solution is achieved.

This plan will provide certainty for students as well as universities, he said.

This is the time of year (that) is very important, Fortner said. This is when students are making their commitments to where they will attend next fall.

McGuire, who joined nine House Republicans at a Tuesday news conference announcing the plan, said jobs and programs have been cut at universities as a result of the budget stalemate. The next step is the possible loss of accreditation, particularly at Chicago State.

If that happens to a university, McGuire said, we might as well put a tag on the toe of that institution.

Fortners plan faces an uphill battle in the House.

Steve Brown, a spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said there are two better options already on the table.

This comes in a distant third at the moment, Brown said.

In addition to Mayfields bill, theres also a $3.9 billion spending bill on Rauners desk that would authorize spending for all of higher education, including community colleges and MAP grants, and other social services that arent receiving funding due to the impasse.

Rauner has said he wont sign the bill because theres no way to pay for it.

Rep. Reggie Phillips, R-Charleston, said he supports both Mayfields and Fortners plans because Eastern Illinois is in desperate need of state money.

Im a chief co-sponsor on hers; Im a co-sponsor on his, Phillips said. Which one comes to the top, Im going to be there for.

Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, who also represents Eastern Illinois, has filed legislation similar to Fortner's. Instead of funding all universities, however, it would dole out $400 million from the education assistance fund based on need. It would also include $100 million from that fund for community colleges and $365 million from general revenue for a full year's worth of MAP grants.
Native Japanese speaker

Proven record of at least 2-3 years of successful sales experience preferably in hotel/travel agency (references required)

A team player willing to handle this challenging job that offers creativity and a great degree of independence

Good command of English and computer proficiency

Experience/ Sales leads in Japanese travel industry are a benefit

This is a wonderful opportunity for a professional individual to join one of Asias leading hotels group. This position is based in Pattaya. Expatriates with valid visas and overseas residents are welcome to apply. An attractive salary package with benefits will be offered to the right candidate.

Only candidates who meet these requirements are invited to apply in writing,

enclosing a detailed C.V. with a recent photograph by email to Managing Director
Blue Mango Publishing Company Limited, publisher of Thailand Tatler, the countrys Number 1 lifestyle magazine, and other high quality magazines, books and websites that explore and celebrate luxury living in Thailand. Our readers are highly affluent, well-educated and cosmopolitan.

We are looking to fill an important position:
Education: Completion of high school education or equivalent. University Degree in Liberal Arts, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Work Experience: At least five years of progressively responsible experience specifically in Human Resource Management is required. UN experience is an advantage.

Languages: Fluency in both spoken and written English and Thai. Knowledge of another language of the region desirable.

Other Desirable Skills: Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Access and web browsers. Ability to learn and use rudimentary elements of other common graphic and layout software.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit the following documents:

(a) Letter of interest clearly stating suitability for the position.

(b) UN Personal History Form and detailed curriculum vitae based on the criteria stated above. UN Personal History Form could be downloaded from:

http://www.unodc.org/southeastasiaandpacific/en/who-we-are/job-opportunities.html

Please submit the application by e-mail to: (RCEAP.Recruitment@unodc.org).

Application deadline is extended to 25 April 2016.

Note: (a) Please clearly indicate the position you are applying for.

(b) Failure to submit supporting documents as specified in the announcement will result in an incomplete application. Applicants who submit incomplete applications will NOT be considered for this vacancy announcement.

Due to the volume of applications, only candidates under positive consideration will be notified.

*********************
Post Title: Operations Manager (ROSEAP/2016/SC/002)

Duty Station: UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Bangkok, Thailand

Type of Contract: Fixed Term (NO-C level) Open to Thai national only

Duration: One year with possibility of renewal subject to funding availability

Application deadline: 24 April 2016

**********************************

BRIEF PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION:

Under the guidance of the Regional Representative, the Operations Manager acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of Regional Office (RO) management and operations. This includes strategic financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, ICT and common services consistent with UN rules and regulations. The main role is to lead the operations, ensuring smooth functioning of the RO/programmes/ projects operations, consistent services delivery and constant evaluation and readjustment of the operations to take into account changes in the operating environment as and when needed.

The Operations Manager leads and guides the RO Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the team, with programme staff and with other UN Agencies and a client-oriented approach. The Operations Manager works in close collaboration with programme and project teams in the CO, operations staff in other UN Agencies, UNODC HQs staff and Government officials to successfully deliver operations services.

FUNCTIONS / KEY RESULTS EXPECTED:

Summary of Key Functions:

Ensuring strategic direction of operations

Financial resources management and supervision of the Finance team

Human Resources Management and supervision of the HR team

Efficient procurement and logistical services and supervision of the Procurement team

Information and communication management and supervision of ICT team

Common services organization and management, establishment of partnerships with other UN Agencies

1. As a member of the RO management team, ensures the strategic direction of operations focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Full compliance of operations with UNODC rules, regulations and policies, implementation of corporate operational strategies, establishment of management targets and monitoring of achievement of results.

- Establishment of collaborate arrangements with potential partners, a Client relationship Management system for resource mobilization purposes and appropriate operational partnership arrangements.

- RO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Finance, Human Resources Management, Procurement, Logistical and ICT services.

- Constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment, timely readjustment of the operations, advice on legal considerations and risk assessment.

- Knowledge building and sharing with regards to management and operations in the RO, organization of the operations staff trainings, synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and sound contributions to UNODC knowledge networks and communities of practice

2. Ensures effective and accurate financial resources management and supervision of the Finance team focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources, including extra-budgetary income in accordance with UN rules and regulations.

- Proper management of the contributions management business process and accounting for contributions to ensure that contributions are properly identified, consistently and uniformly classified, recorded on a timely basis and received with sufficient supporting documentation.

- Organization of cost-recovery mechanisms for RO services provided to projects and UN Agencies, including ensuring preparation of proforma invoices for UN agencies.

- Organization and oversight of CO cash management processes, including liquidity management, recommendation of imprest level, risk assessment, bank relationship management; timely accounting and reconciliation of all transactions, security for cash assets on site.

- Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to supervisors and other UNODC staff at HQ of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

- All financial transactions are identified, recorded and verified in compliance with IPSAS as outlined in the corporate policies and procedures.

- Performance of Umoja roles as required by RO operations and as provisioned by HQ management.

3. Ensures strategic human resources management and supervision of the HR team focusing on achievement of the following results:

- RO compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies.

- Optimal staffing of the office and projects.

- Oversight of recruitment processes in accordance with UNODC rules and regulations, appropriate use of different contractual modalities, contracts management.

- Establishment and maintenance of the proper performance management and staff development systems. Implementation of the Universal Access strategy on learning ensuring access of the staff to role appropriate learning activities.

4. Ensures provision of efficient procurement and logistical services and supervision of the Procurement team focusing on achievement of the following results:

- RO compliance with corporate rules and regulations in the field and elaboration of the RO procurement strategies including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management, e-procurement promotion and introduction, performance measurement.

- Elaboration of the RO contract strategy including tendering processes and evaluation, managing the contract and contractor, legal implications. Oversight of procurement processes and logistical services in accordance with UN rules and regulations.

- Proper management of UNODC assets, facilities and logistical services, including full compliance with IPSAS in the accounting for the procurement, utilization and disposal of the ROs assets.

- Performance of Umoja roles as required by RO operations and as provisioned by HQ management.

5. Ensures forward-looking information and communication management and supervision of ICT team focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Use of Umoja functionality for improved business results and improved client services.

- Identification of opportunities and ways of converting business processes into web-based systems to address the issues of efficiency and full accountability.

- Maintenance of a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries.

- Identification and promotion of different systems and applications for optimal content management, knowledge sharing, information provision and learning including e-registry, web-based office management system, etc.

6. Ensures proper common services organization and management, establishment of partnerships with other UN Agencies focusing on achievement of the following results:

- Establishment and use of common services, maintenance of coordinating machinery to ensure integrated activities on common services and implementation of the UN reform.

- Elaboration of the strategic approach for implementation of common services in line with the latest developments in common services and the best practices.

IMPACT OF RESULTS:

The key results have an impact on the overall economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of RO operations as it relates to the use of corporate resources in the following areas:

Financial services

Human Resources

Procurement and logistical services

ICT

Common Services and the implementation of the UN agenda on common services and joint procurement.

COMPETENCIES:

Functional Competencies:

Building Partnerships

Level 2: Identifying and building partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build alliances

Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners

Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Level 2: Developing tools and mechanisms

Participates in the development of mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Level 2: In-depth knowledge of own discipline

Understands advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines (financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration)

- Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit

- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally

- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

- Continually looking for ways to enhance financial performance in the office

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

Level 2: Assisting the individuals to cope with change

Performs appropriate work analysis and assists in redesign to establish clear standards for implementation

Design And Implementation of Management Systems

Level 2: Designing and implementing management system

Makes recommendations regarding operation of systems within organizational units

Identifies and recommends remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation

Client Orientation

Level 2: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs

Demonstrates understanding of clients perspective

Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management

Level 2: Input to the development of standards and policies

Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability

Core Competencies:
Nebraska is one of the states where UnitedHealth Group no longer plans to sell individual health insurance policies as part of the government marketplace created under the Affordable Care Act.

Nebraska Department of Insurance Director Bruce Ramge said Wednesday that UnitedHealth had informed the department that it no longer plans to sell individual ACA Marketplace policies. However, he said the company will continue to sell small-group and large-group policies.

UnitedHealth, which has the second-largest share of Nebraska's health insurance market after Blue Cross and Blue Shield, said Tuesday that it would pull out of the ACA market in all but a "handful of states" next year.

The publicly traded company said it lost $425 million last year on the ACA market and expects that loss to grow to $650 million this year.

A spokeswoman for the company confirmed that it will exit the Nebraska market but declined to comment further.

UnitedHealth, which sold ACA health plans in 34 states this year, did not say which states it plans to exit, but Bloomberg reported Wednesday that the insurer had notified insurance regulators in at least 22 states that it would be exiting their markets.

People who bought a UnitedHealth policy on the federal marketplace exchange this year will retain their coverage but will need to buy a new policy once open enrollment rolls around in November.

In Nebraska, other insurers that sold ACA-compliant individual health insurance policies this year through the federal marketplace exchange were Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, Coventry/Aetna and Medica. Ramge said none of those companies has given any indication that they intend to stop selling policies.
More than 100 young immigrants in the balcony exchanged standing applause with state senators Wednesday after the Legislature overrode Gov. Pete Ricketts' veto of a bill clearing a pathway for them to acquire professional and commercial licenses to work in Nebraska.

Following a tense two-hour debate, senators voted 31-13 to override the veto of LB947. That was one more than the 30 required to enact legislation over the governor's objections.

The bill will allow so-called DACA youth who have been granted lawful presence in the United States by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals executive action taken by President Barack Obama to acquire licenses to work in the state.

Most of those young immigrants were brought to the United States by their parents illegally when they were young children and most of those affected by the bill grew up in Nebraska and went to school here.

Twenty-four senators participated in an intense debate that consumed almost two hours.

When the result was officially announced, young people who filled one of the legislative balconies stood and burst out in applause and then most of the senators who had supported the veto override stood, looked up and returned the applause.

The result rejected the governor's only contested veto this session and handed term-limited Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha a victory on the final day of his last legislative session.

Mello told his colleagues he was "utterly disappointed with the governor" for his use of "misinformation, demagoguery and political rhetoric" to attack the bill, including a suggestion that granting work licenses to lawful residents somehow represented "amnesty."

"It's sad to see what he has chosen to do," Mello said. "We're talking about people (who are part of) the future of our state."

The Lincoln, Omaha and Nebraska chambers of commerce, as well as the Nebraska Cattlemen, endorsed the legislation as a workforce development tool that would benefit the state.

Later, at a news conference, Ricketts said: "I have no doubt that my veto was in line with what the people of Nebraska believe (and) we laid out the case the best we could."

Asked about Mello's remarks, Ricketts said, "I really don't even know what rhetoric he is referring to."

Following the vote, Alejandra Ayotitla, a 20-year-old student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who watched with excitement from the balcony as the roll call count moved toward the 30-vote threshold, said: "The state does want us here."

"With every vote that said yes, I think the excitement grew," she said. "When we finally saw the 30 votes, we wanted to cheer, but you can't when you're in there."

Ayotitla was 9 when she came to America with her mom and sister; she has lived in Lincoln ever since.

With her family and friends here, she said, "it wouldn't make sense for me to go anywhere else."

Ayotitla, who was joined in the balcony by her father, her sister and a friend, plans to attend graduate school to become a psychologist.

Opponents of the bill argued that it runs counter to "the rule of law" since the young people affected by the measure entered the country illegally.

"They break our immigration laws," Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte said.

Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion said Mello was engaging in "political theater" with his criticism of the governor.

Shortly before the debate began, Kintner tweeted: "The Capitol is swarming with illegal aliens in anticipation of the Legislature overriding the governor's veto of LB947."

Several senators said immigration is an issue that the federal government, not the states, needs to resolve.

Although all the senators who voted to sustain the governor's veto are Republicans, a number of senators who are Republicans strongly argued for the override.

"It is beyond belief that we would not support these young people," Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln said. As the state attempts to build its workforce, she suggested, "we have the people here right now."

Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha said: "I consider those folks to be my extended family."

But then, Krist noted, "I have never been Republican-enough or conservative-enough" as an independent-minded legislator.

"These kids have worked their butts off," Sen. Tommy Garrett of Bellevue said.

Do opponents of the bill want to "create a serfdom to hold these people down?" he asked, allowing them to work in menial jobs but not qualify to work in Nebraska in the professional sector.

Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion reminded his colleagues that Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, a conservative Republican, supported the bill.

Sen. Les Seiler of Hastings questioned whether the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River was built "so good kids in Nebraska can walk across the bridge to work in Iowa (and) Council Bluffs can be the beneficiary of our stupidity."

"Do what is just, decent, humane," Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, a registered independent, urged his colleagues.

Two senators who had voted to approve the bill when it was enacted by a 33-11 vote last week -- Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson and Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango -- abandoned the measure and did not vote on the motion to override.

Three senators -- Sens. Joni Craighead of Omaha, David Schnoor of Scribner and Dan Watermeier of Syracuse -- switched from not voting to no.

And Sen. Tyson Larson of O'Neill changed his earlier no vote to not voting.
HANOI - In the first quarter (Q1) of 2016, Vietnam spent $10.7 billion on imports from China, accounting for around 28 percent of Vietnam's total import revenue, according to Vietnam Customs on Tuesday.

During the period, China was the top supplier to Vietnam with such items as machines, equipments, spare parts, garment, textile materials, cell phones and accessories, computers and accessories, and fabrics among others, local media quoted the Vietnam Customs as saying.

In the first quarter, Vietnam exported goods worth $4.2 billion to China.

During the period, the South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ranked second and third among major exporters to Vietnam with respective revenue of $6.8 billion and $5.3 billion.

Also according to the Vietnam Customs, in the first quarter, Vietnam's total trade revenue with foreign partners hit over $76.2 billion. The country's export revenue reached $38.77 billion and import revenue was $37.43 billion.
Renowned wildlife and landscape photographers Joel Sartore and Michael Forsberg were honored Wednesday by the Legislature as it concluded its 2016 session.

Lawmakers adopted a resolution commending the Lincoln natives for their work documenting and conserving the state's natural resources.

"Joel Sartore and Michael Forsberg bring the beauty of the Nebraska landscape and the bounty of Nebraska's wildlife to the attention of an international audience," the resolution (LR627) said.

Legislative Speaker Galen Hadley called them "two of our most outstanding photographers in the world."

Both men's work has appeared in major publications in recent months. A series of Sartore's photos was used as cover art for National Geographic's April 2016 edition. Forsberg's visuals and writing were published in Outdoor Photographer the same month.
Lawmakers and Gov. Pete Ricketts focused on the positive as the Legislature adjourned for the year Wednesday, but they also acknowledged the work that lies ahead.

I think all-in-all we did our jobs this year, Speaker Galen Hadley of Kearney told colleagues as the day drew to a close.

The Legislature passed 216 bills and another 66 by attaching amendments to those measures. They included a revised state budget, more aid for property taxpayers and roads funding to accelerate completion of Nebraska's expressway system.

Ricketts called those "huge wins."

"We want to build upon that foundation for the next legislation session," he told reporters following his own speech to lawmakers.

A wide range of priorities  some set by the governor and others which he adamantly opposes  will continue to ripen while the legislative chamber sits empty this summer and fall.

Prison reform, property taxes and school funding drew special mention from Hadley, who spoke of the challenges of guiding legislation through the process during a "very quick 60 working days."

Twenty-four filibusters this year, up from 13 a year ago, left even less time for lawmaking, he said.

Of 107 priority bills designated this year, 76 were passed into law and two were vetoed with no override.

Five priority bills were held in committee, four remain on first reading, one was held on first round by its sponsor, 13 were debated but failed to move forward, three failed to advance from second round and one did not move beyond final reading. Two were killed.

Four senators didnt get their priority bills addressed this year because of time restraints: Nicole Fox and Robert Hilkemann of Omaha, Mark Kolterman of Seward and Al Davis of Hyannis. If those bills are reintroduced next year, Hadley encouraged committees to give them an early hearing.

Ricketts complimented the Legislature on its efforts.

"Ive seen you put in some of those long hours on TV recently, in the evening when it gets kind of dark in here," he told senators. "You sacrifice so much to serve the people of Nebraska.

He called 2016's "a successful session."

"Im excited about our opportunities. I look forward to working with you. ... The skys the limit.
A 23-year-old Lincoln man arrested in connection to the August death of a Council Bluffs, Iowa, man, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony theft charge in a deal with prosecutors.

Iowa prosecutors originally charged Christopher J. King and two others, Caine Petersen, 18, of Council Bluffs, and Sarael Duncan, 22, of Omaha, with first-degree murder in the death of Jason Combs, 20.

Instead, King pleaded guilty to second-degree theft, and Judge Jeffrey Larsen sentenced him Tuesday to five years in prison. It was the most the judge could give him on the Class D felony for the theft of property valued at between $1,000 and $10,000.

Lincoln police arrested King in September. At the time, the Council Bluffs Police Department said King, Petersen and Duncan had been at Combs Council Bluffs apartment early Aug. 15, and returned after 5 a.m. to rob Combs of marijuana.

Police said Combs chased the men when they left and jumped onto or grabbed Petersens vehicle. Combs was thrown from the vehicle, and his head hit the street, ultimately causing his death.

Last month, Petersen, the driver, pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle and got up to 10 years in prison.

In February, Duncan pleaded guilty to first-degree theft of property and got up to 10 years in prison. His term is to run concurrently with a two- to four-year sentence in Douglas County for being an accessory to robbery.
Investigators believe the shooting that left a 32-year-old Lincoln man dead and critically injured a 21-year-old man Monday may have been drug-related, Lincoln police said Tuesday.

Christopher Coleman, 32, died after being shot in his home at 1966 Euclid Ave. just before 3:30 p.m. Monday. Jerry Griffis, 21, was shot multiple times and was still in critical condition Tuesday.

A boxer dog named Sebastian was also shot several times and has died, police said.

While police don't have a formal description of the suspect or suspects yet, Interim Police Chief Brian Jackson said the shooting was "not a random act."

Three of Coleman's children, ages 5, 3 and 1, were in the house at the time of the shooting and were not injured.

Court documents filed by police Tuesday afternoon provided a glimpse into Colemans home on the first floor of the house, where police believe drug deals happened in the kitchen.

Colemans 5-year-old son told investigators his dads friends came to the house to get weed, according to an affidavit to place the children in emergency custody. The boy said he was sleeping inside his room when two bad guys came over, Capt. Martin Fehringer wrote in the affidavit.

His 3-year-old brother was in the living room with Coleman, who told the boy to get in the room prior to two gunshots, the 5-year-old said.

Moments after the gunshots, the 3-year-old went into his older brothers room and said, Daddys dead, according to the court document.

The children have been placed in state custody.

Colemans girlfriend told investigators Monday that he started dealing drugs about a year ago to better their future, Fehringer wrote in the affidavit. She said as many as 20 people would stop by the home each day to buy drugs, and Coleman made the deals in the kitchen because the kids were in the house, according to the document.

Fehringer said the childrens mother, who lives in the houses upstairs apartment, denied knowledge that any drugs or drug dealing was taking place in the house.

Neighbors said they heard as many as eight shots inside the home about a block away from Prescott Elementary School, according to police.

Interim Chief Jackson said Tuesday his investigators haven't identified how many suspects they're looking for and do not know if those involved are still in Lincoln.

"We have a number of witnesses that have reported information to us," he said. "Were trying to vet that information, compare it to each other. What we dont want to do is put out incomplete or inaccurate information."

The shooting brings the citys homicide total to four this year, including a murder-suicide last week. Last year, there was one homicide in Lincoln.

Jackson urged the public to report suspicious activity they see at any time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lincoln police at 402-441-6000 or Crimestoppers at 402-475-3600.

Coleman, who was born in Lincoln and raised in Air Park, got his diploma from Beatrice High School.

Family and friends said they would remember him as a father who loved his sons and fishing and cared for others, such as a stranger he saved after she tried to kill herself in 2010.

Its just been real devastating and a real loss, Jami Tripe, the grandmother of Coleman's boys, said in an interview Tuesday. Everyone is just kind of numb.

Tripe has known Coleman for 8 years, she said.

She helped him get on his feet after he got out of jail on a drug charge.

He was arrested for possessing methamphetamine in 2010. But he completed drug court in 2013 and had his charge dismissed.

Coleman has been sober ever since, Tripe said.

But he hasn't always told her or her daughter all that goes on in his home, she said.

The two shared custody of the children and though they broke up last year, they tried to maintain as normal a relationship as they could for the boys, Tripe said.

Coleman had worked roofing and painting jobs for a while but had been at home caring for the kids recently when Tripe's daughter worked, she said.

The two had plans to start their own cleaning business together on May 1, Tripe said.

"He did have a bad past, but hes worked very hard to be a good person and change, the 48-year-old said.

Several of Coleman's immediate family members declined to comment Tuesday night.

Monday could have ended in more tragedy, said Tripe, who is thankful her grandchildren are OK.

Tripes working to get counseling for them, but so far they dont fully understand what happened Monday.

They know that daddys dead, Tripe said.

I just tried to let them know that daddys in Heaven with Jesus.
Nancy Hicks Reporter Nancy Hicks reports on Lincoln city government, but shes been following the leaders of local and state government for more than 40 years. Follow Nancy Hicks Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Yep, the city did plant a couple of trees right in front of light signals in the Centennial Mall area downtown.

And yes, they are going to replant them somewhere else.

The city plans to relocate two new trees planted in the mall area that may, over time, conflict with site lines to pedestrian/traffic signals. The trees will be used at other locations within the mall, said J.J. Yost, planning and construction manager for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Although the city can trim some trees so they don't block signals, it looked like two would require so much trimming the trees would look out of balance, said Yost.

This is the kind of conflict that can occur when one group does the landscaping plan and another does the infrastructure plan, he said.

Yost said he has gotten at least four emails from people pointing out the future conflict.

VIP potties, a cut above the ordinary

When you go to events at Pinewood Bowl or in the arena Festival Space -- a parking lot that converts to festival space -- there are regular port-a-potties for you and me. And this year there will be a few premium potties for special people.

The city is getting bids for renting both kinds, a lot of regulars and four premium pots per event.

Premium units look like a regular portable toilet from the outside, maybe slightly larger, but they have a light and foot-pump sink inside, said Tom Lorenz, manager for Pinewood Bowl events and the Pinnacle Bank Arena. No, they're not air-conditioned.

Here is what one company that provides port-a-potties says:

There will be events which are attended by dignitaries from the society. One cannot expect them to use ordinary toilets at the event. For such elite people -- who in short are known as VIPs -- theres a special league in portable sanitation called VIP self-contained portable restroom.

In Lincoln, they are used for the performing artists and for VIPs.

Backstage at Pinewood there arent any nice, permanent bathrooms, so the city uses those premium units for the artist and the band and for those who are in the VIP section, said Lorenz.

Prices vary a little per show, but seats in the VIP area on the west side of the Pinewood bowl on the berm usually cost $150 to $175 per show. The tickets include close parking, buffet, reclining seats and the VIP restroom, according to Lorenz.

Fewer teens getting pregnant

The number of babies born to teen mothers in Lancaster County has dropped -- from 289 in 2008 to 180 in 2014. Meanwhile the teen abortion rate hasnt changed. The number of teenagers hasnt changed substantially and local surveys indicate teens are still engaging in sexual activity at about the same rate. But fewer are getting pregnant.

In fact, the teen birth rate has been slowly dropping, nationally and locally, since the 1990s, said Steve Frederick, health data and evaluation manager for the local Department of Health.

We dont have enough information to say what is the cause, he said. "But, hey, this is a good trend. Lets hope it continues."

No-bare-hands rule gets council OK

New rules for food service staff prohibiting workers from using their bare hands on most food between the time it is cooked and served will go into effect in October, with lots of advance notice.

Bare-hands bans have been controversial in some other communities, and California rescinded a very strict policy last year.

But no one testified against the Lincoln ban at a public hearing a week ago, and the council passed the rules 6-0 on Monday with no comment.

The city code, which is stricter than state law, will allow exceptions when a restaurant provides additional safeguards, including a strict hand-washing policy.

Right location, wrong name

The former Lincoln smelting company that had a plant near Memorial Stadium was originally called Northwestern Iron and Metal Company. Later the name was shortened to Northwestern Metal Company.

Now the company has a potential cleanup site named after it, sort of.

The smoke from the company left a residue of iron in the dirt of homes and businesses in the adjacent neighborhood, and the EPA is assessing exactly what kind of cleanup might be necessary.

The EPA is calling the project the Former Northwest Metals Smelter Site.
The Nebraska National Guard wants volunteers.

Along with the Lincoln Airport Authority and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the National Guard is looking for people to help with the upcoming Guardians of Freedom Air Show.

I hope youll come out and be part of that, Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, Nebraska's adjutant general, said to a crowd of businesspeople Wednesday at the Face the Chamber luncheon.

He also talked about the importance of the National Guard to Lincoln's economy.

The Nebraska National Guard employs 832 full-time employees in Lincoln. They are 75 percent of the guards full-time employees in the state and earn $54.5 million collectively each year, he said.

The Guard is also vital to the nation he said, noting that 128 personnel from Nebraska are serving overseas.

Our nation cannot meet its security needs without us, he said.

Bohac thanked employers at the luncheon who support their employees serving in the National Guard.

Without that, we couldnt do what we do, he said.

The Guardians of Freedom Air Show will be May 7-8 at the Lincoln Airport and will feature the Blue Angels, the Navys flight demonstration squadron. Bohac said the free event also will feature a demonstration by an F-22 Raptor fighter jet, as well as other military and civilian aircraft.

The event will include a demonstration by the Blue Angels C-130 transport, affectionately known as Fat Albert. Military ground demonstrations also will take place.

Tracie Simpson, services coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce, said more than 500 people have signed up to volunteer but organizers need 130 more. She said they typically seek groups of at least 12 and need at least three more groups that size that have food handler permits.

The Chamber of Commerce will pay for volunteers to earn their permits, she said.

And, she said, organizers will pay groups to which volunteers belong $55 per day for each volunteer they provide. Typically, volunteers work in concessions and retail, selling food, ice cream and souvenirs.

This year, the Guardians of Freedom Air Show features a mobile app that people can download. Find more information at lincolnairshow.com.
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WASHINGTON -- Visiting justices from Canada's high court sat in on Monday's immigration arguments before the Supreme Court -- and after their 90-minute education in the current state of American jurisprudence, our neighbors to the north would be forgiven if they had fantasies of building a border wall of their own.

The Senate's refusal to confirm a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia has left the U.S. high court evenly split and increasingly paralyzed. As the justices heard arguments about President Obama's executive actions on illegal immigration, there were really only two possible results: chaos or more chaos.

A divided Congress couldn't agree on legislation to deal with the 11 million immigrants here illegally. Obama tried to do something on his own -- use his executive authority to defer deportation of parents of children who are American citizens -- and the rift grew deeper. Texas, supported by 25 other states, most led by Republican governors, sued. Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia filed briefs on the other side. The GOP-led U.S. House sued as well, but 186 members of the House and 39 senators (virtually the entire Democratic caucus) filed opposing briefs.

Now the Supreme Court has to rule on Obama's DAPA policy (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans). But with no expectation that the justices can reach agreement on the merits of the case, that leaves two options:

Chief Justice John Roberts joins the liberals in dismissing the case on a technicality -- that Texas doesn't have standing in court. This would leave it unclear whether DAPA is legal and set off confusion in the country as other entities try to file suit and the administration tries to enforce its legally ambiguous policy.

Or, the justices come to a 4-to-4 tie on the merits of the case, and even greater chaos ensues. An appellate ruling invalidating the law stands, at least in part of the country. Cases will be brought in other circuits, probably causing different views of the law to arise in different parts of the country.

"With either of these two possibilities you have chaos about whether DAPA is legal or not," says Neal Katyal, the Supreme Court litigator with Hogan Lovells who filed a brief in the case from former immigration officials supporting the administration.

The current confusion, following the 4-to-4 split in an important labor case, is another indication that the Supreme Court is struggling to function. The justices have granted only three cases since Scalia died, according to a list kept by the court, a figure Supreme Court watchers say is extraordinarily low. "They're tending away from deciding much, and when they do reach decision, it is often a very narrow ruling," Katyal tells me.

On Monday, the justices seemed split down the middle, both on the merits of the case and the question of standing. Roberts said Texas' position, that it would lose money because it would have to issue driver's licenses to those aided by Obama's order, was "the classic case for standing," and he accused the administration of putting Texas in a "Catch-22."

Justice Anthony Kennedy, too, said that the policy was being done "backwards" and "upside down" and that the decision should be "a legislative, not an executive, act."

But Justice Sonia Sotomayor ridiculed the claim that the executive orders would have a negative economic impact on Texas. "Those nearly 11 million unauthorized aliens are here in the shadows -- they are affecting the economy whether we want to or not," she said. "If Congress really wanted not to have an economic impact, it would allot the amount of money necessary to deport them, but it hasn't."

Nobody disputed that the administration has the discretion to defer action on certain illegal immigrants. What disturbed lawyers for the House and for Texas was that those who receive such "deferred action" are, under long-standing federal law, eligible to apply for authorization to work based on economic need, even though they don't have legal status.

But Donald Verrilli, the administration's solicitor general, pointed out that, even without DAPA, there are millions of people who don't have legal status but legally work in the United States. They would be out of luck -- and out of work -- under the law as the House Republican majority would like it to be interpreted.

Tossing millions from their jobs would cause chaos. But chaos is what you get when you sideline the Supreme Court.
Its disappointing that Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed a bill that would take some of the politics out of drawing boundaries for congressional and legislative districts.

The bipartisan plan hammered together by Sen. John Murante of Gretna, a Republican, and Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha, a Democrat, had the potential to be a significant improvement over the status quo.

The reasons the governor cited in handing down his veto dont provide justification for his action.

Its amusing that the governor tried to portray the bill as a move that would put redistricting in the hands of party insiders who know how to draw districts to favor their friends and political allies.

In reality thats a perfect description of the existing system.

In the last redistricting effort political cronies huddled behind closed doors to put together maps. In testimony on the bill several state senators pointed out that then-Gov. Dave Heineman was active in the discussions. State senators pushed for boundary changes that would help them retain their seats. One weird result was that the 1st Congressional District lost Beatrice, a half-hour down the Homestead Expressway from Lincoln, but gained Columbus.

The bill by Murante and Mello would have created a nine-member Independent Redistricting Citizens Advisory Board; its members would be selected by state senators caucusing on the basis of Nebraskas congressional districts.

The board would begin its deliberations on the basis of maps drawn up by the legislative research office. Final authority would rest with the Legislature, which would vote on the boards plan.

Ricketts also claimed that the plan was unconstitutional, but hes probably wrong.

Gavin Geis, executive director of Common Cause Nebraska, pointed out that the constitutionality of an independent redistricting commission in Arizona was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. And Iowa has used a somewhat similar system for decades, leaving final approval up to a vote of the Legislature.

As long as the legislature retains the ultimate authority in deciding which maps make the cut, they are meeting their constitutional burden, Geis said.

Murante on Tuesday said he would not contest the veto. Thirty votes are needed and the bill tallied 29 on final reading.

But if the goal was to reduce partisanship in redistricting, theres no doubt that the proposed system would have been an improvement over the way its done now.
Earth Day is on April 22, a good time to think about our planet. Lots of misinformation is being bandied about as the presidential campaign continues, with some Republicans claiming falsely that climate change is not happening, happening but not caused by human activity or caused by human activity but too expensive to deal with.

The facts suggest otherwise. Actually, a number of Republicans in the House of Representatives are joining together on either the Gibson Resolution or the Climate Change Caucus to start openly discussing the problem. It comes as no surprise that the Representatives taking leadership are from Florida, New Jersey and New York. These states are seeing the impacts in real time with flooding from Superstorm Sandy and Floridas almost non-existent elevation above sea level.

We need public policies that facilitate a transition to a 21st Century energy system and the jobs that go with it. Recognizing that our workforce and energy companies need time to adjust, Citizens' Climate Lobby has developed a nonpartisan, market-based approach called carbon fee and dividend that gradually and predictably adds a fee to the cost of fossil fuels and returns that fee to the public. I encourage our states Congressional senators and representatives to consider it.

Becky Seth, co-leader, Lincoln chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, Lincoln
What is Governor Pete Ricketts afraid of? Is he perhaps afraid that one of these illegal immigrants might become a successful entrepreneur such as himself ("Immigrant licensure draws veto," April 16), or perhaps just a good citizen? What law did did an unborn child, or any child for that matter, break whose parents brought them into the United States? These children know no other country other than the United States. They have been educated here and I suspect most of them are doing well and look forward to a happy productive life, here in Nebraska or wherever they chose to go. Lets have no more wall building.
RACINE  A grant that will allow the City of Racine to acquire the Machinery Row riverfront, and return it to public use, has cleared its last hurdle.

Tuesday, the Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance indicated that its passive review of a $470,800 grant had ended with no objection, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources can make the grant. The money will pay for half of the appraised value of about 5.6 riverfront Machinery Row acres. Developer Financial District Properties is putting up the other half of the lands appraised value as an in-kind donation to the city.

Rodney Blackwell, Davenport, Iowa-based FDPs managing owner, pointed out that the riverfront hasnt belonged to the public for well over a century. With the Machinery Row redevelopment of two former J.I. Case Co. buildings from the early 1900s, that stretch of riverfront will be rebuilt, and a public pathway through the area will be created.

About the plan

Machinery Row is a redevelopment plan for 20 riverfront acres east of Marquette Street and north of Water Street. It takes the name of the area designated as Machinery Row in the RootWorks redevelopment plan for Root Rivers urban corridor. The area includes the two three-story former Case Co. buildings and the former Azarian Marina.

Blackwell plans to redevelop the larger of the two buildings into about 100 market-rate loft apartments, space for commercial tenants and likely some indoor tenant parking. Phase two will be redeveloping the second building.

The city will oversee the revitalization of the riverfront acreage to be acquired. City Administrator Tom Friedel said the funding for that work will come from the tax increment district created for the Machinery Row project. We will also go for grants again, Friedel said.

Rehabbing the riverfront will include making a new parking area for riverfront users.

A contract between the DNR and city for the grant should be signed within about the next month said, Jim Ritchie, the DNRs grants and loans supervisor for southeastern Wisconsin.

But the physical work of renewing the riverfront is not imminent, Friedel said. Some foundational research has been performed along that area, but there is not yet an exact plan.
STURTEVANT  This village is about to close a tax increment district thats been called one of the states most successful ever, and there will be benefits to more than just Sturtevant residents.

Tuesday evening, the Sturtevant Village Board voted unanimously to terminate TID No. 3, which largely encompasses the Renaissance Business Park and was created in 1994. At that time its assessed valuation was less than $9.2 million, Village Administrator Mary Cole said.

But today, Cole said, that valuation is a staggering $231.3 million. The villages auditors have called it one of Wisconsins most successful TIDS ever.

Roughly 80 percent of the TID is comprised of Renaissance Business Park, Jeff Seitz, village engineer and Department of Public Works director, estimated.

With its closure, Sturtevant will immediately reap an estimated $1.2 million from the TID account; that is a partial distribution of the taxes collected in excess of the TID debt, Seitz explained.

Other taxing bodies will also be part of those excess collections and will be issued checks: an estimated $1.5 million to the Racine Unified School District; $500,000 to Racine County; and $100,000 to Gateway Technical College.

The Sturtevant Village Board has agreed to ask those other entities to spend their portions within village boundaries and has drafted a letter stating that desire.

Tax incremental financing allows a municipality to pay for improvements in a district with the future taxes generated as development occurs there. Village President Steve Jansen said TID No. 3 has financed the districts sewer and water infrastructure, roads, the Amtrak train depot, retention ponds and walking paths.

Beneficial impact

Besides the coming payments to Unified, Gateway and the county, Sturtevant residents will see a dramatic drop in their property taxes: 20 to 25 percent, Jansen said. That will be true for businesses also.

I think its a great thing for our village moving forward, Jansen said about the TIDs closing.

And, referring to the coming drop in property taxes, Jansen added, People arent going to know what hit them.
RACINE  A Union Grove High School student pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday to charges netted for allegedly threatening to blow up the school and spray it with bullets.

David J. Kopecky, 17, of Racine, is charged with felony bomb scare and misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the March 24 incident.

Kopecky waived his preliminary hearing on Wednesday, which is where prosecutors must prove that a felony has been committed and the defendant likely committed it.

"I find there's probable cause and bind him over to stand trial on the charges," Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch said.

Kopecky's defense attorney, Patrick Cafferty, entered not guilty pleas to the charges during Kopecky's arraignment.

His next court date is May 27. He remains free on $500 cash bond.

Racine County Sheriffs investigators reportedly interviewed several people in March who told them Kopecky talked about making a bomb to blow up the school, according to his criminal complaint. These individuals also alleged that Kopecky talked about pulling out a gun and spraying bullets in the school, the complaint states.

Kopecky allegedly spoke about trying to determine whom he would kill and in what order he would shoot people at the school, the complaint shows.

He was arrested at the high school on March 24 after the Racine County Communications Center  the county's emergency dispatching center  reportedly received information about a potential threat at the high school.

However, Kopecky told sheriff's investigators that he would joke about blowing people up at the school, but couldnt actually carry that out because he couldn't spend a day in prison, according to the complaint.

He explained he often was picked on and had reached a boiling point where he'd make comments that he shouldnt say, the complaint states. Kopecky allegedly said he didn't have any plans to, and never had made a bomb.
RACINE  A Racine man faces six charges, two of them felonies, after he allegedly drove his car through a chain link fence and onto the lawn of the DeKoven Center while allegedly under the influence Sunday night.

Hendrique A. Sterling Jr., 28, of the 1400 block of Blaine Ave., was arrested early Monday after he allegedly admitted to driving his car onto the lawn and smoking marijuana prior to the incident and after he resisted the officer arresting him, according to court records.

Sterling made his initial appearance in court Tuesday. Records show his bail was set at $7,000 cash with the condition he not consume or possess any alcohol or controlled substances.

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to the DeKoven Center, 600 21st St., late Sunday and found Sterling and a passenger near where a car was parked on the centers lawn. Police said Sterling admitted to driving the vehicle, telling an officer that he came here and parked.

As the officer began to conduct sobriety tests on Sterling, he located a bag of marijuana on him, according to the complaint. As the officer continued the search, Sterling began to resist the officer, yelling at him and refusing to enter the squad car under his own power, police said.

According to the complaint, Sterling resisted police throughout the process, including while at the hospital, where he was taken for a blood draw. On his way out of the hospital to be taken to jail, Sterling continued to cause a scene by cursing and resisting, police said.

The most serious charges Sterling faces from the incident are felony bail jumping and battery to a law enforcement officer, both of which carry maximum prison sentences of three years. Sterling was also charged with three domestic abuse related counts on Jan. 5, court records indicate.
RACINE  Bond was set at $1,000 cash on Tuesday for a Racine woman accused of striking a house on Carlise Avenue Saturday during an alleged drunken-driving crash.

Shelly S. Herring, 24, of the 1000 block of Pearl Street, was charged on Tuesday with third-offense operating while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license and two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping. Racine police were called at about 4:04 a.m. Saturday to a report of a car crash at 1907 Carlisle Ave., according to her criminal complaint. The car had struck the house, starting a fire, the complaint states.

An officer said the car appeared to have struck a tree, crossed over the median dividing the street, plowed through the wooden fence and then struck the home, the complaint states. A 27-year-old man, whom an officer said was crying and appeared intoxicated, told police he was sleeping in the back seat when the vehicle crashed. Herring admitted to drinking alcohol earlier in the evening, the complaint states.

The results of her blood test  to gauge her alcohol concentration  were not listed in her criminal complaint.

During Herrings initial appearance in court on Tuesday, Assistant State Public Defender Carolyn Delery entered not-guilty pleas to the misdemeanor charges.

Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch ordered Herring not to have any alcohol and banned her from driving. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has placed a hold on Herring, meaning even if she could pay the $1,000 bond she couldnt bail out of jail.

Her next court date is May 12.

Two crashes Saturday

This crash was one of two involving residences that occurred early Saturday morning in Racine. The other occurred at about 1:40 a.m. at 3401-03 Victory Ave. in the Rubberville area and resulted in the duplex and vehicle catching fire and $50,000 in damage to the duplex.

Michelle L. Kirchoff, 48, of the 1300 block of Blaine Ave., was cited for first-offense OWI in connection to that incident, Racine police said. First offense OWI is not a criminal offense in Wisconsin.
RACINE  State of the City addresses can sometimes sound like resumes for cities and their leaders.

But on Tuesday, Mayor John Dickert spent the bulk of his sixth State of the City address praising the efforts of local community members.

Margaret Mead admonished us to never doubt, and tonight I hope to share with you some of the recent positive changes and the thoughtful, committed citizens who have helped to change our own world of Racine, Dickert said in his introduction.

With more and more people looking to their local governments for help, we find ourselves doing more with less. How do we continue to meet this increasing demand with fewer resources? Do we look to the state and federal governments to assist us?Dickert asked. While we can hope, we cannot count on their help. So we look inward. We turn to the very people of our community to work with us.

While Dickert has celebrated the efforts of volunteers and community groups in past State of the City addresses, Tuesdays speech was almost entirely devoted to marking the accomplishments of those residents. Not only did the effort result in plenty of applause, but also a rare full house for a gathering at City Halls council chambers, 730 Washington Ave., where the speech took place.

Pointing to the citys historic lows in crime Dickert celebrated the groups and peoples who he credited for contributing to those lows: The Racine Coalition Against Human Trafficking, and its efforts to prevent sex trafficking; the Racine Police Department; and Vocational Ministries, whose re-entry program for former convicts has become a model, were all on Dickerts list.

Their amount of effort, compassion and vision looks to be limitless, but then again, it has always been a small group of people who change the world, Dickert said of their efforts.

He then went on to praise the work of a variety of groups, including a private development company, which have been working to build community in Racine, he said. They included Greening Greater Racine, which is working to make Racine a greener and healthier place to live; Visioning a Greater Racine, whose goal is to use strategic visioning to determine where the greater Racine area can be in the next 10 to 15 years; and Kinzie Realty Corp., which over the last year has worked to redevelop what had been a string of blighted apartment complexes on Anthony Lane  the former Jacato Drive.

Helping the less fortunate

He also mentioned the recent formation of the The Partnership to Build a Better Racine, a coalition aimed at rebuilding the citys housing stock. And he saluted the efforts of the The Veterans Outreach Organization and the groups effort to construct a village of tiny houses designed for homeless vets.

The Continuum of Care, which works to serve the homeless in Racine, among other things, was also recognized, as were efforts by the city to partner with clergy members  many of whom were present for the speech  to help address poverty in Racine.

As I look to the future that my children and your children will inherit, I am excited, Dickert said, before closing his speech. Because I know that there are so many good people working together toward the same goalThe future is ours to build. So, lets build things that matter!
WAUKESHA  Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday signed legislation creating new funding to combat child pornography and sexual exploitation.

The bill, co-sponsored by state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, also streamlines steps to identify Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of sex predators, according to a news release.

The measure provides $1 million in new funding for the state's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The money will come from state Department of Justice surplus funds after a provision imposing a new surcharge for people sentenced for misdemeanors and felonies was struck from the bill.

Known as "Alicia's Law," the legislation named after Alicia Kozakiewicz has been enacted in several states. Kozakiewicz was abducted by a man she met on the Internet, held hostage and tortured in a Virginia basement at age 13.

"Although every bill is important, I believe this is the most critical piece of legislation we passed this session," Wanggaard said in a news release. "There is no excuse for failing to protect children from being victimized and tortured."
They dont call it the Bible Belt for nothing. Socially conservative evangelical Protestantism has always played a strong role in society and politics in the southeastern and south-central portion of the nation.

So it was probably not surprising when Tennessee lawmakers passed a law to make the Bible the official state book of Tennessee.

Fortunately, Gov. Bill Haslam last week had the courage and common sense to veto the bill.

I strongly disagree with those who are trying to drive religion out of the public square. ... However, that is very different from the governmental establishment of religion that our founders warned against and our Constitution prohibits, Haslam wrote in his veto message.

Exactly so.

Supporters of the legislation tried to couch it as a way of recognizing the Bibles historic cultural importance to citizens of the state  plus, they argued, it has economic importance because Bibles are printed in Tennessee.

Both of which pale in the face of advice from the state attorney general that the measure would violate both the U.S. Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution which say government cannot set one religion over another.

While the official state book designation is largely a symbolic gesture, what that action does is make second-class citizens of those of other faiths. It puts out a giant not welcome sign to those of the Jewish faith, to Buddhists, to Muslims, to atheists and other practioners of minority beliefs.

That doesnt seem to us a very Christian thing to do.

Such an exclusionary policy can only hurt  not help  Tennessees economic and cultural progress.

Undeterred by the governors veto, lawmakers say they will try to override it and that would take only a simple majority vote in the Senate and Assembly.

Which would in all likelihood lead to long-running and expensive litigation which would  again in all likelihood  result in the legislation being struck down as unconstitutional. The only benefit to a veto override and a court fight is that it would allow short-sighted lawmakers the ability to go on the stump in their next election campaigns and tell voters they tried mightily to get state government to adopt the Bible  even though they knew from the outset it defied the Constitution.

The Nashville Tennessean urged lawmakers to drop the veto override effort this week, saying the bill is divisive and the override process will suck time from other important legislative priorities.

But if they wont listen to the governor or the attorney general, its probably not likely that lawmakers will listen to a newspaper, either.
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Agitating parties ask PM to choose between protest, talks

The agitating Madhes-based parties said on Tuesday that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli should choose between [their] protest and meaningful talks at the earliest if the government wants to avoid any further crisis.
DPM Thapa leaves for US to sign Paris agreement

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa on Tuesday left for New York to participate at the High-level Signature Ceremony of the Paris Agreement being convened by Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon on Friday at the UN headquarters in New York.
Drastic weight change tough on body: Randeep Hooda's doctor

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Ecuador earthquake: Aid agencies step up efforts

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Lack of banking services at Tatopani stalls trade

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Langtang locals unhappy with NRA

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Lawmakers chew over NAs bid to buy biscuits

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Leave the kids alone

Instilling fear in students is the wrong way to go about disciplining them
Man held for rape, murder of 8-year-old

Police have arrested five people in connection with a rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in the district.
Minister: Female migrants unsafe

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Never been approached to be brand ambassador of Incredible India: Big B

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that he has never been approached to be Brand Ambassador for the 'Incredible India' campaign contrary to media reports that his name might be put on hold after the Panama Papers leak.
New law to crack down on slow project developers

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Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years.
Passengers injured as syndicate imposers pelt stones

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Poor hospital service affects cancer patients

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President to visit India on May 9

New Delhi is said to have expressed its desire to make it an official one
Prince William, Prince Harry meet 'Star Wars 8' cast

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and younger brother Prince Harry visited the set of "Star Wars: Episode VIII" at the Pinewood Studios here.
Rank insignia conferred on four AIGPs

The Nepal Police headquarters on Tuesday conferred insignia on four officials who were promoted to the position of Additional Inspector General through a Cabinet decision earlier this month.
Rebuilding works set for expansion in 11 districts

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Sajha to introduce disabled-friendly bus

Sajha Yatayat Cooperative is preparing to introduce 30 disabled-friendly buses in Kathmandu Valley. To this end, Sajha has signed an agreement with the Indian automobile manufacturing company, Ashok Leyland.
Sanghiya Gathabandhan postpones Kathmandu-centric protest

Sanghiya Gathabandhan, an alliance of Madhesi parties and Janajati forces, has finally decided to postpone Kathmandu-centric protest and continue their struggle in the districts.
Things are changing

The rate of child marriage has dropped, and the average age for marriage has gone up
US election 2016: Trump and Clinton win New York primaries

Donald Trump has won the Republican presidential primary in New York while Hillary Clinton has triumphed in the Democratic race.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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

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There are a host of reasons for Brussels and Beijing to seek a "deep and comprehensive" free trade agreement (FTA), a leading European think-tank has concluded.

Brussels-based Centre for European Policy Studies announced its findings in Tomorrow's Silk Road: Assessing an EU-China Free Trade Agreement, which appears on its website on Wednesday.

The book is the result of a study which was carried out by CEPS in cooperation with the World Trade Institute (WTI) at the University of Bern.

Jacques Pelkmans, CEPS Senior Research Fellow, served as overall leader of the study, intended to guide European institutions in deciding whether to kick off free-trade agreement talks with China.

On the Chinese side, the China Institute of Reform and Development is doing a similar study. The two think-tanks are planning to organize a seminar to share their study outcomes on 16th June in Brussels, China Daily has learned.

"Though fascinating as an idea, until only two years ago it seemed far-fetched to pursue liberalized trade and investment between China and the EU in the form of a modern, deep and comprehensive free trade area," according to the CEPS study.

At the 15th EU-China summit held on 20 September 2012, China and the EU agreed to launch negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement.

The idea of a free trade agreement was pushed up the agenda when President Xi Jinping, in the spring of 2014, publicly called on the EU to jointly explore it.

Since then, the EU has slowly become accustomed to what in Brussels is still regarded as a very ambitious concept, the book says.

The EU-China summit joint statement issued on 29 June 2015 declared that, once the conditions were right, concluding a comprehensive EU-China investment agreement would lead towards a deep and comprehensive FTA in the long term.
Kelly Morris for judge is best choice

To the editor:

No doubt there is a political revolution going on this year with a resounding theme of Throw the bums out. These are the career politicians, both Democrat and Republican. There is little difference between the two.

These career elected officials are the reason this country is failing and held in such disrespect throughout the world. There are three ways we can change this.

1. A Constitutional amendment establishing term limits. Since this would have to be introduced by an elected senator or congressman and supported by the majority, this will not happen.

2. Self- imposed term limits and this too will not happen since politicians enjoy their gravy train.

3. The most effective and immediate is, Do not re-elect them. I like this idea best.

Congratulations are in store for retiring Circuit Court Judge G. David Laur. His service to Noble County as a prosecutor and judge has earned him a retirement.

Judge Michael Kramer wants to be Circuit Court judge on the Republican ticket. This is surprising to me since he has been a Democrat much longer than a Republican. This would give him 30 years on the bench. Voters need to look at his record. During this time the cost of operating his court has grown extensively, i.e., 17 probation officers while other surrounding counties have six.

Noble Countys re-offending rate is higher than in other counties; as most of us know, there is a costly, revolving door on the Noble County jail. Since Kramer handles most of these cases, a lot of this is his responsibility. His signature program is drug court, which is a farce since it is predicated on inflated numbers and misleads the public on assumed savings. At a tremendous cost and waste of manpower, it can only claim a 75 percent success rate. Do you believe our school principals would accept a 75 percent graduation rate for seniors? Do you think a business owner would burn 25 percent of its gross profit and settle for the remainder? Why should the taxpayers? The true purpose of drug court is to employ more people at taxpayers expense.

There is no doubt our criminal and judicial systems need changes. Returning to the innocent until proven guilty concept would be a start. Making new laws or throwing money at the problem is not the answer. A no cost option is reasonable and prudent decisions from the bench.

The other Circuit Court Republican candidate is Kelly Morris. I have known her since she was a child and have followed her career as a lawyer and successful deputy prosecutor. She would make an outstanding judge. All a person should expect from a judge is a fair and speedy trial. With Kelly Morris you will get this. While I admit I am not the most knowledgeable voter in Noble County, the fact remains, I have had arrest powers in all Noble County courts for 49 years, longer than any other individual. I know when a judge is effective and when they are not.

I ask you join me in voting for Kelly Morris for judge. Do not vote for Kelly because she is a woman but because she is the best choice.

Judge Kramer, we appreciate your service but now is the time for you to step aside and let someone else serve.

God Bless America and our right to vote. Lets enjoy it before career politicians take that away.

Les Alligood

Rome City

Voting for Kelly Morris is win/win for Noble County and Judge Kramer

To the editor:

On Tuesday, May 3, please vote for Kelly Morris for judge of the Circuit Court to replace Judge Laur who is retiring at the end of the year and has chosen to not run for re-election.

Voting for Kelly Morris is a win/win for Noble County because she is an experienced, hardworking and passionate professional who will be an outstanding judge for the Circuit Court, while Judge Kramer will continue to be an outstanding judge in the Superior Court 2 where he was re-elected on Nov. 4, 2014, for a six-year term that ends Dec. 31, 2020.

If we dont elect Kelly Morris, the Indiana governor will appoint a replacement to Judge Kramers vacant Superior Court seat. I dont think the appointment of a judge seems like a very democratic process for Noble County to decide who the third judge should be in our court system.

A vote for Kelly Morris is not a vote against Judge Kramer. Please vote for Kelly Morris for Circuit Court judge!

Erica Dekko

Kendallville

Town manager praises towns commitment

I am amazed daily of the generosity, and commitment that Albion residents have in improving our town! The volunteers who came to your door collecting income surveys had over a 90 percent response rate  thats certainly impressive! Thank you to the members of the Town Council, Park Board and Clerks office for going door-to-door to complete this project; and to everyone who finished a survey  your responses were important to improving Albion!

The Albion Fire Department, Albion Police Department and Albion Street Department did a phenomenal job responding to the tornado that went through town on March 31. In under an hour they secured and ensured safety in five damaged areas in approximately a five-mile area northeast of town. Furthermore, with the help of the community the Albion Police Department moved an entire household from a damaged home into a new home  all in under an hour. Your actions make me proud to be a part of the Albion community!

Thank you Albion for putting the NOBLE in our community!

Best regards,

Stefen Wynn

Albion Town Manager
No

Yes, a light case

Yes, two or more light cases

One serious case

Two or more serious bouts

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April 25

Second monthly meeting of the Northwest Allen County School Board. Meeting begins at 7 p.m. and takes place at Perry Hill Elementary School. Enter door 3.

2nd and 4th Mondays of month

Huntertown Lions meeting at 6:45 p.m., held at Huntertown United Methodist Church, 16021 Old Lima Road, Huntertown. Meetings are held between the months of September and May.

Wednesdays

The Friends of Huntertown Parks Inc. meets each Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. at the Huntertown Woodworkers Club, 16471 Lima Road.

1st Tuesday

of the month

Three Rivers Woodworking Club meets at the Huntertown Woodworkers Club House at 16471 Lima Road at 7 p.m. All are welcome. For information, call 637-6415.

2nd Tuesday and last Saturday of month

Huntertown area food distribution at Third Place, 1601 W. Cedar Canyon Road, 9-11 a.m. A clothing ministry is also available. For emergencies, contact the Huntertown United Methodist Church at 637-3798.

2nd Tuesday

of the month

Huntertown Heritage Days committee meeting. Meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Huntertown Town Hall, 15617 Lima Road. Everyone is welcome. Any questions, contact Jenny McComb at 637-6232 or kmc6101@comcast.net.

Flax & Fleecers Spinning Guild. 7-9 p.m. at Salomon Farm Learning Center, 817 W. Dupont Road. All spinners and fiber arts enthusiasts are welcome. Call 637-8622 for information.

2nd Monday

of the month

LaOtto Community Association meeting held at the Park Building in LaOtto. Open to the public.

2nd Thursday

of the month

LaOtto Park Association meeting at 7 p.m. in the community building. For more information, call 637-6011.

1st Monday

of the month

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets at 7 p.m. at the Lutheran Rehabilitation Hospital, 7970 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. Literature and video presentations are provided along with refreshments. For more information, call 637-3820.

4th Tuesday

of month

Epilepsy Support Group meeting from 12:30-2 p.m. in the East Parlor Room of the First Wayne Street United Methodist Church at 300 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne. Call 432-7170 or 877-456-2971, ext. 3090, if planning to attend.

2nd Saturday of month

Korean War Veterans monthly meeting. Meetings begin at 10 a.m. and take place at the Eagles #248, 4940 Bluffton Road in Fort Wayne. Breakfast is served immediately after the meeting.
Check the appraisal of your home.

That was the message at the April 11 La Crescent City Council meeting, where councilors and the public heard from Carl Ask of the Houston County Assessors Office. During the annual board of appeal and equalization meeting, Ask said 75 real estate sales were transacted in the city this past year.

The median sales ratio should fall between 90 and 105 percent each year, according to the state, he said. La Crescents was 89.38 percent.

Because it was below 90, we gave everybody a five percent (increase), Ask said.

La Crescent Township totaled similar numbers, he said, although those recently annexed in will find the citys tax rate higher.

Ask said hes had a few calls requesting reappraisals, and he offered the same for anyone in the gallery questioning their homes appraised value. Ultimately, reappraisals would be the first step in an appeals process. If residents still dont feel the result is fair, they can appeal to the county and ultimately to the state.

Resident Cherryl Jostad, who requested a reappraisal, also asked Ask to explain where he thought the latest increase would bring the citys overall sales ratio, specifically if it could be as high as 92 or 93 percent.

Ask said the market determines what happens, and there hasnt been a value increase in at least five years within the city, but the current increase would raise the median sales ratio close to five percent.

But, each house is individual and Im doing a mass appraisal, he said.

Graves easement delayed

A proposed easement for Todd and Sandy Graves, of 1200 N. First St., will have to wait a few more weeks.

The Graves were asking for a 24-foot-wide easement on a portion of their driveway in the citys Stoney Point area, which allows them access to their property, according to records. When they purchased their land in 2004, it was in the township and it has since been annexed into the city.

City Attorney Skip Wieser, who cited the easement as 20 feet in width, said the request has been examined by the citys engineer, and because much-publicized development plans in the city-owned Stoney Point area are ongoing, he recommended the council wait to consider the easement.

We dont want to do anything that would impair our future use of our property, Wieser said.

Site plans for the area currently are being developed by the citys engineer and they should be complete in a matter of weeks, he said. Since the Graves access has been there for more than two decades waiting a few more weeks wont be detrimental to the city and it would also allow the council to incorporate any appropriate language into the easement, if necessary. He advised the council to wait.

That way we can see what the site plan looks like, he said.

The easement would go on with the land, Wieser added, even if the Graves sell their property at a future date. The Graves also would be solely responsible for any costs associated with the easement.

It was the consensus of the council to hold off on a decision.

Hwy. 61 detour

City Administrator Bill Waller informed the council of the Minnesota Department of Transportations plans to close down north and south-bound traffic on Hwy. 61 from April 29 through May 2.

There will be additional emergency services meetings prior to the anticipated closure to coordinate any needed provisions.

Traffic coming into the city over the weekend of the closure will have to be detoured, with westbound travelers using the Nodine exit, while those heading east will have to go through downtown La Crosse from Interstate 90 to get into La Crescent.

Firearm ordinances repealed

On recommendation of Police Chief Doug Stavenau, two La Crescent ordinances for an application for permit to carry firearms and their corresponding fees were unanimously repealed by the council.

Per state law, the authority to grant permits to carry firearms is solely given to the Houston County Sheriffs Department and can no longer be issued by a municipal police department.

SpringBrook Village project joint meeting set

The retirement community known as SpringBrook Village, which hopes to build an estimated $11-to-$13 million complex off County Road 25, will be the subject of a joint meeting between the council and the citys planning commission set for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4.

A provision of the conditional use permit granted to the developers requires that, prior to any building permits being issued, the entire set of site plans must be reviewed by the two governing bodies. The council approved the meeting date and time.

Other business

The council approved a waiver to the response time requirements for firefighter Joe Thesing, who has served on the department for 23 years, but has moved to a residence outside the required eight-minute response time distance. Mayor Mike Poellinger and council member Ryan Hutchinson, both on the citys fire department, abstained from the vote.

They also unanimously approved the replacement of two rear doors at the La Crescent Public Library. One door will be replaced this year at a cost of $2,855, with the second doors replacement to be budgeted for 2017 at a similar price.

The council approved a lease agreement with La Crescent Area Healthy Community Partnership allowing the citys Bike Shoppe to be located in a portion of the community ice arena. There will be no rent charged.

The council also unanimously supported a resolution to reinstate tax reciprocity between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Freedom Honor Flight, the La Crosse-based hub of the national Honor Flight program for veterans, announced its 2016 flight schedule, April 12. The spring flight is scheduled for May 7. The fall flight is set for Sept. 17. The organization has taken more than 1,600 veterans on a flight to date. The 2016 flights will be the 17th and 18th held.

Officials also announced that the May 7 flight will be named Sparta American Legion Post 100 Flight, in recognition of the support the Sparta post and community have provided to Freedom Honor Flight over the past several years. Sparta Post 100 has raised and donated more than $150,000. This remarkable amount from a community has in effect, paid for 300 veterans to be honored on a one-day trip to Washington, D.C., to see their memorials.

Support of this kind is increasingly important for honor flight organizations.

The cost of each flight has increased by more than $20,000 over the past two to three years, said Pat Stephens, president of the La Crosse-based Freedom Honor Flight.

Stephens recently attended a national conference of honor flight officials from many of the 130 hubs in 44 U.S. states. Not all hubs are in as good of financial shape as ours, he said. The financial support of generous individuals, corporate sponsors and communities like Sparta, allow us to properly thank our veterans by taking them on an honor flight.

The May 7 flight will have seven World War II veterans, 78 Korean veterans and three Vietnam veterans. Veterans are selected in order of application, though World War II veterans have priority status. Ten of the veterans on the spring flight are flying under the TLC (Their Last Chance) program; which allows terminally ill veterans to fly under priority status. There are 350 veterans on the hubs waiting list.

The group encourages World War II and Korean era veterans to apply for future flights. Physicians and paramedics accompanying each flight help with oxygen, medication and personal needs, enabling those with chronic health problems or disabilities to attend. Volunteer guardians assigned to each veteran provide additional assistance.

Applications are available at veterans organizations or online at www.freedomhonorflight.org.
Kermit McRae of rural Caledonia was recognized for his outstanding and dedicated service to township government by the Houston County Township Officers Association at the associations annual meeting on April 5.

He served 16 years as a supervisor on the Caledonia Township Board, and seven years on the HCTOA board as a member-at-large and vice president.

Prior to that service, he was employed 11 years by the Minnesota Department of Transportation as a district engineer for southeast Minnesota.

Kermit brought his wealth of knowledge and expertise to Houston County and we all benefited from his advice, recommendations and actions, HCTOA president Richard Markos said while making the presentation.

There were 11 pieces of legislation brought forward by Houston County that were inspired by Kermit. Nine of them passed into law.

Kermit was instrumental in securing for Houston County a township sign program, which replaced over 6,000 signs with the reflective requirements in all 17 townships, Markos said.

This sign program cost $530,000, which included the engineering costs, as well as the cost of the signs and their installation. The 17 townships were billed a total of only $30,000, which was divided up among the townships.

The final result of this is that each household in Houston County was relieved of a $250 charge on their taxes if this grant was not awarded, and we have Kermit, as well as the board and our engineering department, to thank for that, Markos said.

And, he pointed out, There are still 81 counties across the state dealing with signs that are not up to speed.

McRae also was the key player in securing PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) funds for townships not only in Houston County, but for all townships in the state of Minnesota that had government land in their townships.

Many of us are benefiting from that effort, Markos said.

PILT are federal payments to local governments that help offset losses in property taxes due to non-taxable federal lands within their boundaries. PILT payments help local governments carry out such vital services as firefighting and police protection, construction of public schools and roads, and search-and-rescue operations.

Another resolution was the fireman training fund, which ultimately insured funding for the training of firefighters again not only for Houston County, but for the state as a whole.

Also, McRae was alert enough to make the State Association of Townships aware of the six-year expiration of the gas tax allocation that townships benefit directly from and brought forward a resolution to ensure that this legislation stayed in place.

Houston County has the most miles in the state, Markos said.

Kermits presence at our association meetings was always a learning experience, Markos concluded. We recognized that he always talked in paragraphs, but we knew he had information of value that we could benefit from. This plaque from HCTOA is a token of our thanks for a job well done.
From the public files of the La Crescent Police Department.

Monday, April 11

1:01 a.m. Assist La Crosse Police Department with contacting La Crescent resident whose juvenile was in trouble in its Wisconsin jurisdiction.

10:13 a.m. Traffic stop, Twilite Rd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for equipment.

10:32 a.m. Traffic stop, Twilite Rd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for stop sign.

11:01 a.m. Traffic stop, state Hwy. 16. Juvenile driver cited for possession of marijuana in motor vehicle, drug paraphernalia and tobacco.

12:03 p.m. Emergency medical, N. Third St.

4:06 p.m. Lost dog reported, Queens Cove Circle.

4:43 p.m. La Crescent resident concerned for child, McIntosh Rd.

5:16 p.m. Assist motorist, S. Oak St.

6:58 p.m. Traffic stop, Larch Ave. and S. Seventh St. Warning for obstructed view.

8:54 p.m. Assist Minnesota State Patrol with motor vehicle crash, I-90 and Hwy. 14/61.

11:01 p.m. Traffic stop, Lancer Dr. and S. 14th St. Warning for equipment.

11:05 p.m. Traffic stop, Grandview Terrace. Warning for no headlights.

Tuesday, April 12

12:24 a.m. Traffic stop, Redwood Dr. and S. Seventh St. Warning for illegal use of lights.

9:30 a.m. Traffic stop, Ninth St. and Jonathan Ln. Warning for speeding.

11:45 a.m. Barking dog complaint, Spruce Dr.

2:22 p.m. Traffic stop, Twilite Rd. and Hwy. 14/61. 65-year-old La Crosse, Wis., man cited for speeding.

2:46 p.m. Traffic stop, S. Oak St. 55-year-old La Crescent woman cited for driving after suspension.

3:55 p.m. Traffic stop, S. Oak St. Warning for expired registration.

8:28 p.m. Suspicious activity reported, N. Hill St.

10:31 p.m. Traffic stop, Industrial Dr. and state Hwy. 16. Warning for stop sign.

Wednesday, April 13

7:30 a.m. Traffic stop, Twilite Rd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for driving misconduct.

7:50 a.m. Traffic stop, Hwy. 14/61. Warning for failure to signal and lane deviation.

6:29 p.m. Assist motorist, Twilite Rd. and Hwy. 14/61.

7:50 p.m. Animal complaint, Lancer Village Dr.

9:06 p.m. Traffic stop, S. Third and Oak streets. Warning for speeding.

9:17 p.m. Traffic stop, Kistler Dr. and state Hwy. 16. Warning for stop sign.

9:24 p.m. Traffic stop, S. Chestnut St. and state Hwy. 16. Warning for speeding and equipment.

10:40 p.m. Traffic stop, S. Seventh St. and Spruce Dr. Warning for stop sign violation.

10:57 p.m. Traffic stop, DNR Landing Rd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for speeding.

11:06 p.m. Traffic stop, S. Third St. 33-year-old Lake City man cited for speeding and no proof of insurance.

Thursday, April 14

No time given Picked up abandoned bicycle, N. Second St.

12:44 a.m. Open door located at local business, S. 14th St.

8:51 a.m. Emergency medical, Jonathan Ln.

12:48 p.m. Trouble with juvenile, S. Oak St.

3:05 p.m. Traffic stop, Kistler Dr. and state Hwy. 16. Warning for speeding.

4:01 p.m. Assist emergency medical, county Rd. 25.

11:16 p.m. Extra patrol and building check, S. 14th St.

Friday, April 15

12:38 a.m. Building check and foot patrol, Kistler Dr.

1:23 p.m. Complaint of juveniles bullying each other, Lancer Blvd.

1:25 p.m. Traffic stop, Kistler Dr. and state Hwy. 16. 26-year-old La Crescent man cited for driving after revocation.

2:01 p.m. Extra patrol for trouble with party, Main St.

2:07 p.m. Traffic stop, Kistler Dr. and state Hwy. 16. Warning for displaying wrong registration.

2:46 p.m. Traffic stop, S. Chestnut and Sycamore streets. 30-year-old Caledonia man cited for failure to wear a seat belt.

4:17 p.m. Assist other agency, Skunk Hollow Rd. Attempted to locate subject involved in an attempted theft complaint in La Crosse, Wis.

4:29 p.m. Brownsville resident lost property in La Crescent area.

5:23 p.m. Traffic stop, Hillview Blvd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for driving conduct.

5:33 p.m. Traffic stop, Hillview Blvd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for speeding.

5:41 p.m. Traffic stop, Hillview Blvd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for speeding.

5:46 p.m. Trouble with party, S. 14th and Willow streets. Mediated neighbor dispute.

6:10 p.m. Traffic stop, Hillview Blvd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for speeding.

6:50 p.m. Traffic stop, Hillview Blvd. and Hwy. 14/61. 32-year-old man cited.

7:07 p.m. Traffic complaint, Main St. Locomotive blocking public crossing for excessive period of time. CP Rail contacted and told to move.

8:37 p.m. Traffic stop, Hwy. 14/61. Warning for speeding.

8:46 p.m. Traffic stop, Hwy. 14/61. Warning for speeding.

8:54 p.m. Traffic stop, N. Fourth and Chestnut streets. Warning for equipment.

9:06 p.m. Traffic complaint, Main St. Second train blocking public crossing for an excessive period of time exceeding 10 minutes. CP Rail contacted again.

9:22 p.m. Traffic stop, Hillview Blvd. and Hwy. 14/61. 38-year-old La Crescent man cited for speeding in a construction zone.

9:41 p.m. Traffic stop, Hillview Blvd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for equipment.

9:49 p.m. Assist Houston County Sheriffs Department deputy with traffic stop, state hwys. 16 and 26.

10:04 p.m. Traffic stop, Hillview Blvd. and Hwy. 14/61. Warning for speeding.

10:20 p.m. Traffic stop, state Hwy. 16 and county Hwy. 21, Hokah. Warning for failure to move over for emergency vehicle.

10:37 p.m. Traffic stop, Kistler Dr. and state Hwy. 16. Warning for speeding.

11:39 p.m. Extra patrol building check, Kistler Dr.

Saturday, April 16

12:10 a.m. Door checks, N. Pine Creek Rd.

12:40 a.m. Traffic stop, state hwys. 16 and 26. Arrested 28-year-old Hokah man for driving after revocation, possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.

4:18 a.m. Suspicious activity, Cedar Dr. and S. Ninth St. Arrested a 21-year-old Hokah man for DWI. Another 21-year-old also cited.

2:49 p.m. Trouble with party, S. Seventh St. Two juveniles observed tipping over a portable toilet. Suspects located and admitted to causing the mess.

2:54 p.m. Gas drive-off reported, S. Third St.

4:02 p.m. Assisted Minnesota State Patrol with one-vehicle roll-over crash with injuries, state Hwy. 26 and Swan View Ln., Brownsville.

5:42 p.m. Verbal domestic report, county Rd. 25.

7:41 p.m. Trouble with party, S. Oak St.

9:09 p.m. Traffic stop, state hwys. 16 and 26. Warning for driving conduct.

9:14 p.m. Traffic stop, Kistler Dr. and state Hwy. 16. Warning for equipment.

9:17 p.m. Traffic stop, state Hwy. 16 and county Rd. 21, Hokah. Warning for failure to move over for emergency vehicle.

9:49 p.m. Assisted La Crescent Fire Department with vehicle fire, Lancer Blvd.

11:21 p.m. Assisted with attempt to locate a vehicle involve in a hit-and-run accident in Winona County, S. Third St.

Sunday, April 17

1:21 a.m. Traffic Stop, Cedar Dr. and S. Seventh St. Warning for stop sign violation.

1:42 a.m. Assisted Houston County Sheriffs Department, Main St., Hokah. Sheriffs department was called back to an intoxicated individual who had been passed our earlier next to a motorcycle.

10:42 a.m. Trouble with juvenile, Sycamore St. Damage to property.

3:20 p.m. Verbal domestic, Larch Ave.
Two Minnesota science teachers recently received Seagates Excellence in Science Mentoring Awards, a statewide recognition for outstanding science teachers who mentor student participants in regional science fairs.

The awards were presented at the Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair awards ceremony on April 4 at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington.

Receiving the awards for 2016 were Patty Gurholt of La Crescent Middle School and Rawan Hamade from Al-Amal School in Fridley.

The Seagate mentoring awards recognize middle school and high school science teachers who have found creative ways to nurture students interest in scientific inquiry and promote science education in their schools. The award criteria specifically considers the nominees support of students hands-on projects and experiences outside the classroom that generate interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, known as STEM.

The Seagate Science Mentor Awards are very significant because the teachers are nominated by their students, parents and school staff, said Lise Weegman, director of the State Science and Engineering Fair, Minnesota Academy of Science. These educators have gained the respect of their students and peers and have made exceptional contributions in promoting science and influencing students to consider STEM-related careers.

Hamade received the award for teachers with one to 10 years of experience. According to the nomination, she spends countless hours before and after school and on weekends trying to answer students desperate questions.

Gurholt received the award for teachers who have 11 or more years of experience. For the past 19 years Gurholt has encouraged and guided students to become involved in science fairs. In recent years, she typically has about 30 seventh-grade students who annually attend to the regional science fair. And anywhere from about one-third to half of them advance to the state level of competition.

Award winners receive $1,000 and a Seagate external hard drive; and their respective schools science labs also receive $1,000 for their science programs.

The State Science & Engineering Fairs mission is to foster students to become informed citizens who are well versed in the methods and ideas of science and to inspire Minnesota students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

The Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair is an annual competition that showcases Minnesotas best and brightest students in the fields of STEM. MSSEF is the culmination of eight regional science fairs that occur throughout the state. From approximately 2,500 regional participants, 500 students in grades six through 12 are selected to advance and present their research at MSSEF. Students compete for awards totaling $25,000 sponsored by 40 government agencies, corporations, and professional scientific societies.

Seagate, with offices in Bloomington and Shakopee, creates space for the human experience by innovating how data is stored, shared and used.
The owner of a Black River Falls-based construction company says a decision to expand to expand in Minnesota because of Wisconsins right-to-work law is reaping benefits.

Jim Hoffman, president of Hoffman Construction Company, opted to ramp up the business presence in the neighboring state last year because of the implications of new legislative policies, and it has acquired $85 million in Minnesota state highway contracts because of it.

It wasnt a political decision  it was a business decision, Hoffman said. It was basically following our market. I saw indications that Wisconsin was headed in the wrong direction.

As businessman, I had to listen to my market instead of fight it. I had to follow where Id have the best luck for success, which so far has come true.

Hoffman was a vocal opponent of the right-to-work law that was signed by Gov. Scott Walker in early 2015 because the nearly 100-year-old BRF company is a union contractor that utilizes workers from International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139 in Wisconsin and 49 in Minnesota. Right-to-work legislation allows members to opt out of joining a union and paying related dues, a measure that Hoffman believes will slowly erode the unions ability to provide the skilled workers needed over time.

One of the reasons I am so successful as a businessman is because of my workers, he said. Our company is our people  thats our company motto.

Hoffman also noted Wisconsin passed some changes to its prevailing wage laws and the state currently bonds a significant portion of its highway program  another two factors for growing business in Minnesota, he said.

Its erosion of some of the reasons why weve been successful in the past, Hoffman said. I see changes going forward. Were trying to move the political process with real-world construction business.

Hoffman Construction keeps its main office in Black River Falls but added additional staff to an office in Lakeville, Minn., in light of the expansion. The company acquired five Minnesota state highway contracts over the past six months and also is working on two Interstate 90 and 94 projects in Wisconsin near Tomah and La Crosse at a total value of $38.4 million.

We are going to have to do a lot of hiring here in Minnesota, John Klein, Hoffman Constructions Minnesota area manager, said in a statement. Im looking forward to the opportunities out there. Currently the Minnesota legislature is deciding on a 2016 transportation budget. Ive been in contact with my Minnesota representatives asking them to responsibly fund the Minnesota transportation program.

The company on average has completed more than 80 percent of its work with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in the past but the figure now has dropped to 50 percent.

Thats a function of the type of work the (Wisconsin) DOT is bidding, the lack of work and also just increased competition, Hoffman said. Theres some carry-over jobs, but we just havent been able to add any new jobs. We keep bidding on them.

Hoffmans recent announcement about the effects of the companys Minnesota expansion came on the same day a Dane County judge struck down Wisconsins right-to-work law. The judge the next week finalized the decision that bars the state from enforcing the law.

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said the state plans to appeal.

We wholeheartedly disagree with Judge Fousts decision and final order, Schimel said in a statement. I am confident the law ultimately will be upheld and Wisconsin will remain a right-to-work state.
l am honored to announce that I will be starting the first-ever Thyroid Cancer Survivor Association support group in La Crosse. The kickoff will be May 2.

If you or anyone you know reside in southwestern Wisconsin or southeastern Minnesota, I would love to have you attend our inaugural event.

I am hoping that this group can be of mutual support to me and others. If someone cannot attend on May 2, the monthly meetings will be the first Monday of the month at 9 a.m. at the People's Food Co-op Community Room in downtown La Crosse.

As the first Monday of July is Independence Day, that date will be changed.

I welcome questions and suggestions from anyone with an interest in thyroid cancer survivorship. If you or someone you know has an expertise to share as a guest speaker, please contact me.

Thank you to Theresa Wickerham, ThyCa program coordinator; Timothy Lau, EMT/Firefighter and facilitator, ThyCa/Madison; and Linda Riddle, member services manager at People's Food Co-op for your assistance.

Many community members have already stepped forward to welcome a ThyCa support group in La Crosse. They are thrilled that there will be a safe venue for thyroid cancer survivors and others to receive education and support on this vital subject.

Speakers for the launch on May 2 will be Denise Malone, cancer coordinator, YMCA LIVESTRONG program; Robin Moses, executive director, Downtown Mainstreet, Inc., Linda Riddle and Timothy Lau.
Former Corrections Secretary Ed Wall faces some hurdles in having a state commission reverse his recent firing at the Justice Department, according to a UW-Madison professor who helped revise the states civil service system rules.

Wall was fired last week in connection with a letter he sent last month to Gov. Scott Walkers chief of staff Rich Zipperer, alerting him that he planned to appeal what he claims was an illegal demotion at DOJ. In the letter he suggested Zipperer could shred the letter to avoid it being subject to the public records law.

Wall resigned as Corrections secretary in January amid a state and federal investigation into abuse allegations at the states Lincoln Hills juvenile prison in Irma. Wall initially returned to his previous position as administrator of the DOJs Division of Criminal Investigation, but was placed on paid leave to avoid any potential conflict with the ongoing investigation. He was then moved to a lower-level administrator position at the same pay level.

Walls appeal of the demotion will be heard by the three-member Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, Peter Davis, the commissions legal counsel, said Tuesday.

Most employment disputes are first heard by a hearing officer, but because of the high-profile nature of the Wall case the commission decided to hear the case directly  something that happens once every four or five years, Davis said.

Wall also plans to appeal his termination, though his lawyer Dan Bach said its unclear whether that will move forward through the WERC grievance process, or through a whistleblower retaliation claim with the Department of Workforce Development.

Dennis Dresang, a UW-Madison emeritus professor of public policy and political science, said reversing the termination could be difficult because Walls action in trying to circumvent the state public records law borders on grounds for dismissal.

Bach disputed that Wall was circumventing the public records law, saying it was a private correspondence, that he did not direct Zipperer to do anything and that it was Zipperers decision to treat it as a public record.

Dresang also said under the states civil service law and prior court rulings, Wall is entitled to return to a position with similar pay and responsibilities, but not necessarily the exact same position.

Bach said Wall should have been restored as DCI administrator, which unlike almost every other career executive appointment is a protected civil service position, because there is no equivalent in state law enforcement.

The state recently made changes to its civil service law getting rid of so-called bumping rights, but those changes dont take effect until July 1. They also wouldnt apply to Walls case because the Legislature left in place bumping rights for civil servants who take a leave of absence, as Wall did to serve in Walkers cabinet.
Winona State student dies over weekend

A 20-year-old Winona State University student died Saturday, the university said.

Mary Sullivan of Milwaukee had been enrolled at WSU since fall 2014 and was an exercise and rehabilitative sciences major, the university said in a statement Sunday.

The university, citing privacy laws, did not release the cause of death or other details.

Each member of our community of learners plays a vital role, and I know that Mary will be missed by many, said Denise McDowell, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Life, in a statement. I ask all members of the Winona State community to keep Mary and her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Please reach out to those who may be suffering, and come together to remember Marys life and the good times you shared.

 Winona Daily News

Driver sends truck into Mississippi River at 90 mph

A drunken driver drove into the Mississippi River late Sunday at 90 mph before he and his passenger climbed out of his truck and escaped injury, according to La Crosse police reports.

OnStar security alerted police about 11:15 p.m. that a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado truck belonging to Earl Steele was in the water at the north end of Houska Park. Officers spotted the trucks taillights submerged and Steele soaking wet onshore, reports stated.

Steele, 45, said he spent the night drinking at Old Style Inn and was traveling about 45 mph north on Joseph Houska Drive when his truck overturned and drove into the river. Officers took him home to 410 Mississippi St. for dry clothing before he registered a 0.15 percent alcohol level at the police department, reports stated.

Passenger Zachary Ammann, 22, told police both men escaped through open windows after Steele drove into the river at 90 mph, according to reports. Officers found Ammann after the crash at Old Style Inn, where he said he met Steele for the first time earlier that evening.

Authorities cannot immediately remove the truck from Swift Creek because of strong currents.

Steele faces charges of first-offense drunken driving, reckless driving endangering safety and operating while suspended when he appears in La Crosse County Circuit Court.

 La Crosse Tribune

BRF woman with hatchet shot in

Lake Hallie

A Black River Falls, Wis., woman was shot twice by an officer at the Lake Hallie Walmart April 8 after grabbing a hatchet from the stores shelves.

The woman, who was a resident of the Northern Center for Developmentally Disabled in Chippewa Falls, Wis., died at 11:58 p.m. the same day following surgery at an Eau Claire hospital.

The victim was identified by authorities as 25-year-old Melissa M. Abbott, who originally was from Black River Falls.

Two chaperones from the Northern Center called 911 when the woman they were shopping with at the Lake Hallie, Wis., Walmart became disorderly, according to authorities. While officers were responding, authorities said Abbott had armed herself with a hatchet in the sporting goods department and struck items with it.

Abbott was shot once in the abdomen and once in the leg by the Officer Adam Meyers after refusing to drop the weapon. Meyers, who joined the police force in October 2008, was placed under administrative leave.

 The Chippewa Herald

Two injured as man misses driveway, strikes tree

Two people were injured early Saturday when a man struck a tree with his vehicle while trying to turn into a driveway in Readstown, Wis.

Lance M. Dilley, 30, Gays Mills, was driving on Maiben Street at about at 2:30 a.m. when he tried to turn into a driveway. Dilley missed the driveway and struck a tree, according to the Vernon County Sheriffs Department.

Vernon County Broadcaster

Dilley and his passenger, Terri L. Arndt, 31, Readstown, were transported to Vernon Memorial Healthcare and later were transported to Gundersen Health System in La Crosse.

Dilley and Arndt were not wearing seat belts, according to the sheriffs department.

 Vernon County Broadcaster
Wisconsins K-12 public school libraries will receive $37.7 million, thanks to record earnings from Common School Fund investments, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) announced April 11.

Board Chair Brad D. Schimel, Attorney General, and Commissioner Doug La Follette, Secretary of State, presented Kurt Kiefer, Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction, with a ceremonial check at the Wisconsin Educational & Media Technology Associations (WEMTA) annual conference at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.

The following area school districts received funding:

Cashton, $43,030;

De Soto Area Schools, $25,234;

La Farge $19,005;

North Crawford, $18,687;

Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton, $27,426;

Viroqua Area Schools, $61,908;

Westby Area Schools, $53,423.

The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands was established in 1848 by Article X of the Wisconsin Constitution to manage assets of the Common School Fund. This permanent endowment was created in the Constitution to benefit public education.

The BCPL generates earnings for the Common School Fund by investing in state and municipal bonds and State Trust Funds that finance community projects across the state. Trust Fund earnings are distributed annually to public schools and are the sole source of state funding for public school libraries.
Migratory game bird hunters in Wisconsin will have 2016 seasons for duck, geese, dove, woodcock and other migratory game birds that are nearly identical to last years structure under a rule approved by the state Natural Resources Board April 13 in Madison.

The only significant change is in the Horicon Canada goose hunting zone, where goose hunters would be allowed to hunt on any day of a continuous 92-day season instead of selecting a specific period as they have in the past. Hunters who already purchased a period 1 or 2 permit this license year will automatically be allowed to hunt for 92 days.

The first of the 2016 migratory game bird seasons will open Sept. 1, with the early Canada goose, mourning dove and early teal seasons. Regular waterfowl hunting seasons will include a 60-day duck season and a 92-day goose season.

Early season dates:

Early teal season Sept. 1-7

Early goose season Sept. 1-15

Dove season Sept. 1-Nov. 29

Woodcock Sept. 19-Nov. 2

Duck season dates:

Youth Waterfowl HuntSept. 17-18

Northern ZoneSept. 24-Nov. 22

Southern ZoneOct. 1-9, then a five-day closure, reopening Oct. 15-Dec. 4

Mississippi River ZoneOct. 1-7, then seven-day closure, reopening on Oct. 15Dec. 6

Regular goose season dates:

The state is apportioned into two goose hunting zones for the regular season: Horicon and Exterior. The Mississippi River is a subzone within the Exterior Zone.

Exterior Zone92 days.

North ZoneSept. 16-Dec. 16

South Zone -Sept. 16-Oct. 9 and Oct. 15-Dec. 21

Mississippi River SubzoneOct. 1-7, Oct. 15-Jan. 5

Horicon Zone (change from two time periods to just one season)Sept. 16-Dec. 16

For more details, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keyword waterfowl.

As a result of changes in the federal process for setting annual waterfowl hunting seasons, all migratory game bird hunting seasons will now be approved in April rather than the longstanding August decision, which gives hunters more time to plan and prepare for the fall seasons.
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The Los Angeles Police Commission has ruled that the shooting of an unarmed man in Los Feliz last year was justified. According to an LAPD report submitted to the Police Commission, a caller told a 9-1-1 dispatcher that Walter William DeLeon "just walked by me and said, 'Call 9-1-1. Let them know I'm walking down the street, and I have a gun in my hand.'"According to the L.A. Times, the report also states that several witnesses told investigators they assumed that DeLeon was hiding a gun underneath the towel. "I saw him and my first thought was, 'This man has a gun and he's going to shoot someone,'" said one witness.

DeLeon's lawyer and family members dispute the police report. Attorney Mark Geragos told the Times he disputed the report that DeLeon told a witness to call 9-1-1, saying there was "no basis for that." He added that his office interviewed around two dozen witnesses whose accounts different from the LAPD's description of the events.

"That's not Walter," DeLeon's sister Yvonna told the Los Feliz Ledger. "It took them one year to come up with this?"

DeLeon was shot by LAPD officer Cairo Palacios after he flagged down a police cruiser on Los Feliz Boulevard. According to the police, officers wrongly believed he was armedinstead he had a towel wrapped around his arm and was holding a water bottle. DeLeon was shot in the head.

The bloody aftermath of the shooting was caught by passersby in a car on Los Feliz Boulevard. Warning: the video is graphic.

As a result of the shooting, DeLeon has lost a portion of his skull, a pound of brain matter, one eye, and a significant portion of his cognitive functions. After spending two weeks in a coma, he requires constant around-the-clock care. He has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the LAPD.
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Two Chapman University lacrosse players have been arrested for allegedly stealing a defenseless turkey from a high school. The turkey's name is Tim, and he lives at Orange High School, where students can get involved in an agricultural program to learn to care for farm animals. The 5-year-old, 40-pound bird disappeared sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning, the OC Register reports.

Patti Williams, who teaches agriculture at the school, noted that Tim can't fly and must have been abducted. He was discovered on Sunday afternoon, wandering alone near Glassell Street and Chapman Avenue. Williams said that when Tim was found, he was missing his tail and several chest feathers, had sustained cuts to his body and a broken toe, was having trouble breathing, and was spattered with a black substance and reeked of beer.

"His condition is declining at best," she said. "His chest and air sacs are compromised."

The Orange Police Department arrested two suspects on Monday: Steven Thomas Koressel, 23, and Richard Brenton Melbye, 21. Both are members of Chapman University's lacrosse team, according to KTLA.

A statement from Chapman University stated:

Two Chapman students have been identified and arrested by the Orange Police Department in the incident in which the turkey was abducted from Orange High School. The University will also undertake the appropriate disciplinary actions according to our Student Conduct Code. The University will not tolerate any instances of theft, animal abuse or cruelty, is appalled by this behavior, and takes this issue extremely seriously.

Jake, another turkey who also lives at the school, was unharmed, according to NBC Los Angeles.
2015-01-05 14:16

A Ningbo man who was married and divorced twice was brought to tears in court when he discovered that the child from his second marriage was not really his.


Officials in Belgium say they have evidence that members of the Islamic State group are looking to return to Europe.

The Associated Press reports that names are added almost daily to the list of the Islamic State attackers that killed 130 people in Paris and 32 in Brussels. The list of their supporters is also growing.

Paul Van Tigchelt is the head of the Belgian governments crisis center. He said intelligence shows foreign terrorist fighters in Syria want to return not just to Belgium, but to Europe to carry out an attack.

Patrick Skinner, a former case officer for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, told the AP that the Brussels-Paris IS network is a supercell.

This is a highly functioning cell, he said. Youre looking at 50 people (in this group). He added that an extremist cell usually has six to 10 members.

Skinner is now with the Soufan Group, a security advisory business.

Two terror attacks have taken place in Europe during the past six months. Ten men were known to be involved in the Paris attacks on November 13, 2015.

On March 22, three attackers carried out suicide bombings in Belgium. Two of the bombs exploded at a Brussels airport. The third bombing was at a train station.

A fourth bomber, Mohamed Abrini, could not explode his bomb and was arrested in Brussels on April 8.

Im Jim Dresbach.

VOAs Esha Sarai reported this story. Jim Dresbach adapted the report for Learning English. Additional information came from the Associated Press. 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

network  n. a group of people or organizations that are closely connected and that work with each other

supercell  n. a large group of people who work together secretly as part of a larger organization or group


A new technology might change the way people watch movies in the theater.

Instead of watching a film on the screen, you would enter the scene and watch the action take place all around you.

This is what Virtual Reality, or VR, and 360-degree video promise to give audiences. The idea is to make you feel like you are in the movie.

Online websites like YouTube and Vimeo already offer some VR films. Both professionals and amateurs have made these kinds of films. To watch, people wear expensive headsets that cover their eyes and ears.

There are less costly ways to see VR films. Many people use their smart phones, placed in a special cardboard box. Then, they hold it up to their eyes to watch. The boxes can be bought from Google for $15.

People are experiencing the technology in many places.

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a media and technology conference held every year in Austin, Texas. This March, people put on headsets there to watch part of a funny crime film shot in VR in Baltimore, Maryland.

The people who produced Career Opportunities in Organized Crime, say it is the first full-length film made in 360-degree Virtual Reality.

But with 360-degree filming, there is a problem. If viewers looked away from the main action on their headset and turned around, they could see the crew shooting the film.

To solve this problem, they made the film a mockumentary, in other words, a fake documentary. In this way, making the film became part of the story.

VR headsets are also being used to view films that allow people to travel around the world without leaving home.

A company called YouVisit has films that can be used to advertise trips. It can also help people who cannot physically travel, but want to feel the experience of going places.

VR headsets have been used in some computer games. But many people experience sea sickness, or nausea, when using them.

Also at South by Southwest recently, companies showed off other movie technologies. Some used special screens.

One company, Japanese NHK Media Technology Company, showed their 8K resolution 3-D, or three dimensional, film. The sound system for the film used 24 speakers. As music played around the people watching, images appeared to jump out of the screen in sharp detail.

But this high technology comes at a high cost. A company spokesman said the video and sound system costs $500,000 to set up. That is more than average movie theaters would pay.

Another system shown at South by Southwest was more accessible.

A Utah company, Fulldome.pro, uses a domea structure that is shaped like half a ball. The company set up a dome at an angle to the floor with a film playing inside. Viewers sit back in comfortable seats inside the dome to watch the images in front of them with a 180-degree view.

It is too early to know how these technologies will change the movie business. Theater owners are not quick to invest a lot of money in devices that might be popular for only a short time.

However, the movie theater business faces tough competition from home theater systems, online streaming and piracy.

Changing the way people see movies in a theater might give the business new life. Theaters may have a brighter future if they can provide a movie experience that people cannot get at home.

Im Anne Ball.

Greg Flakus reported this story for VOA News. Anne Ball adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on Facebook.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

amateur  n. not professional

nausea  n. the feeling in your stomach when you might vomit

accessible  adj. able to reach or be approached

angle  n. used to describe a something that leans or goes to the side instead of straight up and down

streaming  v. watching or sending out audio or video on the internet

piracy  n. the act of illegally making television or radio broadcasts
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton won big victories in New York States presidential primary election on Tuesday.

Trump, a billionaire businessman, and Clinton, the former secretary of state, each extended their leads in the race for the Republican and Democratic nominations.

Trump earned close to 60 percent of the vote in the Republican primary and almost all of New Yorks 95 delegates. Ohio Governor John Kasich won 25 percent of the votes, while Texas Senator Ted Cruz had 15 percent.

In the Democratic primary, Clinton defeated Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, 58 percent to 42 percent. She won 135 of New Yorks 247 delegates to the partys convention this summer.

In her victory speech, Clinton tried to unite her campaign with Sanders and his supporters.

To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us, Clinton said.

Trump spoke to his supporters Tuesday night. He said he is the only Republican with enough support to win the partys nomination.

We dont have much of a race anymore, he said. Its really nice to win the delegates with the votes.

Trump has won a total of 845 delegates. Cruz and Kasich are hoping he does not receive the 1,237 delegates required for Republican presidential nomination.

If Trump does not receive a majority of delegate votes, an open convention is possible. In an open convention, delegates can vote for any candidate.

For the Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton has a total of 1,887 delegates. A candidate needs 2,383 to win the Democratic nomination.

Over the next week, the candidates are expected to spend much of their time in the northeastern states. Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Maryland will hold primary elections on April 26.

Chris Hannas wrote this story for VOA News. Jim Dresbach adapted his story for Learning English. Additional information came from the Associated Press. George Grow was the editor.

What do you think about the Trump and Clinton victories in New York? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

primaries  n. elections in which members of the same political party run against each other for the chance to be in a larger and more important election

billionaire  n. a rich person who has at least a billion dollars or pounds

Republican Party  n. a political party in the United States

Democratic Party  n. a political party in the United States

open convention  n. a party convention at which delegates are free to vote for the candidate of their choice


President Barack Obama sat down Wednesday with King Salman of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

The meeting comes at a time of difficult relations between the two countries.

The Saudi government has concerns about the U.S. nuclear deal with Iran and the Obama administration policy toward the Syrian civil war.

Obama has said Saudi Arabia has not done enough to fight terrorism in the Middle East. He called the Saudis free riders, suggesting they gain from United States security efforts without sharing the responsibility.

Another issue is the possible release of U.S. documents that might point some blame at Saudi officials for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Saudi officials strongly deny this.

The president and King Salman shared friendly comments at the start of their meeting Wednesday at the Erga Palace.

The president thanked the king for his hospitality, and for organizing a six-nation Gulf summit meeting on Thursday.

I and the Saudi people are very pleased that you, Mr. President, are visiting us in the kingdom, King Salman said.

Still, King Salman did not meet President Obama at the airport, as he has done for other leaders.

U.S. Defense Secretary meets with Gulf leaders

Also in Saudi Arabia is U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.

At a press conference, Carter called on Gulf nations to do more in the fight against the Islamic State. He also asked the nations to work with the U.S. to stop what he called Irans destabilizing behavior.

However, it will be hard to settle basic disagreements between the United States and Gulf leaders. They disagree on what the major concerns should be.

The United States and much of Europe see Islamic State and al-Qaida as major dangers.

But Gulf leaders worry more about Iran and the people and groups it supports. That includes Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Meeting in Saudi Arabia are leaders from the United States and the six Gulf States. They include Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and also the Saudi Kingdom.

Obama administration spokesman Josh Earnest was asked about a secret 28-page document that may point to Saudi involvement in the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Earnest said no matter what the documents show it is clear that since 9/11 we have seen the Saudi government work to combat terrorism.

Rob Malley is the U.S. top adviser for the Middle East and North Africa. He offered his views on what will come of the meeting between Obama and King Salman.

The differences are not going to disappear, but our work together is not going to disappear either, Malley said. In fact, I think this summit will show how much has been accomplished over the last year and how much more can be done in the coming months.

But Michael Rubin, a Middle East expert with the American Enterprise Institute, said he does not expect much more than polite comments.

He said that the Obama presidency is nearing its end and that Saudi and other Gulf leaders are more likely looking ahead to what policies to expect from the next U.S. president.

Mary Alice Salinas and Carla Babb reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

hospitality  n. generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests

destabilizing  adj. to cause a government to be unable to continue existing or working in the usual or desired way

summit  n. a meeting or series of meetings between the leaders of two or more governments

accomplish  v. to get something done
After their small boat turned over, three men swam to a small island in the Pacific Ocean. They used the leaves and branches of palm trees to spell the word HELP hoping someone could see them.

Just like in a movie, a U.S. Navy airplane spotted the castaways on a small island in Micronesia a week later. The island is close to Guam, a U.S. territory in the Pacific.

The flight crew searching for the men used a camera that can read heat signals to discover that they might be on the island. The men had started a fire, hoping to be found.

The pilot flew around the island and discovered the word spelled on the beach.

When the plane was close enough, the men ran out from some trees and started waving their orange life vests.

The plane flew close to the ground more than once, and tipped its wings to show the men it knew they were there. The crew also threw a smoke signal into the water.

The Navy airplane reported the castaways location to the U.S Coast Guard and a boat from a nearby island left to pick the men up.

Lieutenant Commander John Harkins said he and his crew celebrated when they found the men, because they did not think they would find them.

The Associated Press news service reports the men arrived home safely and were not injured.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reporting by the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor.

What would you do if you were stranded on a small island in the Pacific Ocean? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

___________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

castaway n. a person who is left alone in a place (such as an island) as a result of a storm, shipwreck, etc.


More than 200 religious leaders say they support the climate change agreement negotiated in Paris last year and want it to be put into effect quickly.

This Friday -- Earth Day -- world leaders will sign the agreement at United Nations headquarters in New York City.

The religious leaders joined in prayer Monday at a religious center at the UN. They released a statement that urged countries to quickly sign, approve and enforce the Paris Climate Agreement. The statement was sent to the General Assembly President to be given to UN member states.

The agreement will take effect after 55 countries, representing at least 55 percent of total greenhouse emissions, have approved the treaty. Many studies have linked carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to climate change.

Fletcher Harper is an Episcopalian clergyman. He also leads a coalition of different religious groups called GreenFaith. GreenFaith helped organize the gathering of religious leaders at the UN. Harper says the leaders campaign has the support of almost 5,000 people and 90 groups worldwide.

The statement reflects that we must regard the Earth as a gift, not just as a commodity that can be bought or sold, but as a gift that must be cherished and protected not only for short-term economic gain, but for the long-term protection of life. These are fundamental moral and religious values that are shared by traditions across the world.

Kiran Bali leads the United Religions Initiative, an interfaith group that works in 94 countries.

For many of us, we are seeing the problem across the world -- drought, food shortages, extinction of species. I feel that this is a human and a spiritual failure and Im here to ask for everybody to unite, to come together as people of faith who believe in the values of oneness and respect, environmental stewardship and really save our planet, save our earth.

Fletcher Harper believes religious leaders can have an influence on the climate policies and actions of many countries.

We have a chance to, to transform the cultures of the world, and by transforming the cultures, transform politics so that government leaders understand that they absolutely must take dramatic action on climate change now.

Im Christopher Jones-Cruise

VOAs Rosanne Skirble reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it 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: https://www.facebook.com/voalearningenglish

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

emissions  n. something sent out or given off

reflect  v. to show (something); to make (something) known

commodity  n. something that is bought and sold

cherish  v. to feel or show great love for (someone or something)

fundamental  adj. forming or relating to the most important part of something

drought  n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain

extinction  n. the state or situation that results when something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely

stewardship  n. the activity or job of protecting and being responsible for something


A media rights group says leaders have developed "paranoia" about reporters as the world is entering a "climate of fear.

Christophe Deloire is secretary-general of the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders. On Wednesday, he said "Numerous authorities are trying to regain control of their countries, fearing overly open public debate."

He added new technologies permit leaders to appeal directly to the public. As a result, he said there is a greater degree of violence against those who represent independent information.

The report says the problems are especially serious in Latin America. It notes structural violence in Venezuela and Ecuador, organized crime in Honduras and a lack of punishment in Colombia.

Reporters Without Borders also says corruption in Brazil damages media freedom as does too few separate independent media in Argentina.

Best and Worst

The report rates 180 countries. Eritrea is rated the worst country for media freedom worldwide. Just above it on the list are North Korea, Turkmenistan, Syria and China.

Finland is the top of the list for the sixth year straight. The Netherlands and Norway come in second and third.

Reporters Without Borders places the United States at number 41 on the list. The report says computer spying is a major problem in the country.

Individual countries that improved the most in the 2016 report include Tunisia. Last year it was number 96. The new report says a decrease in violence and legal action in Tunisia brought it to number 30. Ukraine also rose to number 22 from 107 because conflict has eased in the eastern part of the country.

Countries that fell the most include Tajikistan and Brunei. Both rated more than thirty positions lower than last year. Poland also fell from 29 to 47 on the list.

The report blames the drops to a rise in the repressive nature of some governments, such as those in Tajikistan, Egypt and Turkey. It also says more dangerous security situations in Libya, Yemen and Burundi have affected media freedoms in those countries. The report also blamed increasingly strong religious laws about speech, such as in Brunei, and tighter government control of state-owned media, such as in Poland.

Self-censorship

Reporters Without Borders says the obstacles to press freedom lead to self-censorship. The report also criticizes governments that are quick to suspend Internet availability to their citizens. It says the act damages media freedom.

The report says every continent has seen a decrease in media freedom over the past three years. Europe still has the freest media. Africa comes next, followed by the Americas, Asia and Eastern Europe-Central Asia. The report says North Africa and the Middle East remain the areas where reporters are most restricted in all ways.

The index measures signs of media independence, self-censorship, the rule of law, transparency and the safety of reporters.

Reporters Without Borders sends questionnaires in 20 languages to experts around the world as part of the study data. It also examines reports of abuses and acts of violence against reporters.

Im Dorothy Gundy.

The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

Let us know what you think. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

paranoia  n. an unreasonable feeling that people are trying to harm you, do not like you, etc.

authorities  n. people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws

degree  n. an amount or level that can be measured or compared to another amount or level

censorship  n. the system or practice of censoring, or restricting, information in books, movies, letters, etc.

questionnaire  n. a written set of questions that are given to people in order to collect facts or opinions about something


The Secretary-General of the U.N. has always been chosen in private meetings. But for the first time in its 70-year history, part of the selection process is taking place in public.

At least eight countries have nominated candidates for the position.

Several candidates are women, including Irina Bukova of Bulgaria, Susana Malcorra of Argentina and Helen Clark from New Zealand.

All member states were permitted to ask the candidates questions during two hour-long meetings last week in the U.N. General Assembly. The candidates were also asked some of the 1,000 questions written by people on social media.

They were asked questions about development, how they would improve efforts to create peace and how they would protect human rights.

The U.N. Security Council will examine the candidates backgrounds. Then the 15 members will mark ballots secretly until one person is chosen.

The General Assembly will then vote on whether to accept the choice.

Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States are the five permanent members of the Security Council. Experts say they are likely to have more influence on who will be the new secretary-general than the 10 non-permanent nations on the council.

The Security Council will begin to discuss who will be named the next secretary-general in July. A new secretary-general may not be confirmed until as late as November.

The U.N. has a tradition of choosing its new leader from a part of the world different from its current leader.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is from Asia. The previous U.N. chief was Kofi Annan, who was from Africa.

Dan Thomas is a spokesman for the president of the General Assembly. He says there is no rule that says where a new secretary-general must come from. But most observers say the new U.N. chief will not be from Asia or Africa.

Ban took office in January, 2007. His first term ended in December, 2011. He was elected to a second, five-year term, which ends at the end of this year.

U.N. chiefs can be reelected for an unlimited number of terms. But no one has ever served more than two terms. Annan served for two terms. Before him, Boutros-Boutros Ghali served for just one term because the United States vetoed a second term.

Eastern European countries want the new U.N. chief to be from their part of the world. Six countries from the region have nominated candidates: Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Slovenia, and seven of the nine candidates are from Eastern Europe. None of the U.N.s eight leaders has been from Russia or Eastern Europe.

A group of 56 countries says the next U.N. chief should be a woman. There have been eight U.N. chiefs. None of them was a woman.

The U.N. says the secretary-general is equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO.

Some experts say it is not clear if the organization needs a good manager or a strong leader. Some diplomats say a strong leader is needed because of the unrest in many parts of the world. This includes the largest displacement of civilians since World War II, the growing threat of global terrorism and the effects of climate change.

Im Mario Ritter.

VOA United Nations Correspondent Margaret Besheer reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. The story also includes information from the Associated Press. Hai Do 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

background  n. the experiences, knowledge, education, etc., in a persons past

region  n. a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way

advocate  n. a person who argues for or supports a cause or policy


About 10 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S. Because they are not registered with authorities, undocumented immigrants often hide from the government.

For example, they do not pay taxes, and they cannot apply for drivers licenses, jobs that require a work permit, or loans to buy houses.

If they are discovered, undocumented immigrants can be deported  in other words, sent back to their home countries.

But this week, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to allow some undocumented immigrants to stay for a limited period and apply to work legally.

The Courts decision will affect only undocumented immigrants who meet three criteria: those who have not been found guilty of a crime; those who have been in the U.S. for the past five years or more; and those who have a child who was born here or lives here legally.

About 4 million undocumented immigrants meet those criteria.

What could happen?

The Supreme Court will announce its decision this summer, probably in June.

The case revolves around a program called DAPA. It stands for Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents.

President Barack Obama approved the program two years ago. One of the goals of the program was to keep families together. It also aimed to bring more people into legal work.

People who support DAPA say the program can greatly reduce the fear undocumented immigrants feel.

A six-year-old girl named Sophie Cruz spoke outside the Supreme Court building. She was born in the U.S., but her parents are here without documents. That means the government can force her parents to leave the country  and their daughter  at any time. I ask the judges to protect us children and all immigrants, Sophie Cruz said.

A representative from a teachers group also spoke. Cesar Moreno Perez said teachers know what happens when children come to school with fear: Fear that their parents are not going to be home. Fear for themselves that they are going to be picked up on their way home.

If the Supreme Court decides the DAPA program is legal, the government will protect approved undocumented immigrants. Those immigrants will receive a social security card, permission to work in the U.S., and a promise that they will not be forced to leave for three years.

At the end of three years, approved immigrants may apply again for the program.

What is the argument against DAPA?

Lawyers arguing against DAPA say the program is not legal. President Obama approved DAPA, but Congress never agreed to it. Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress usually makes the laws, and the presidents administration makes sure the laws are followed.

One of the Supreme Court justices, Anthony Kennedy, said of the DAPA program, The president is setting policy and Congress is executing it. It seems upside down.

However, the Constitution does allow the president to make an executive order. Those orders have the force of law, but they do not have to be approved by Congress. Future presidents may change an executive order.

President Obama said he approved DAPA because Congress has failed to improve the U.S. immigration system.

The state of Texas  along with 25 other states  are challenging Obamas executive order in the Supreme Court. They say Obama does not have the power to do so much to change the countrys immigration laws.

Lower courts have agreed with the challengers. DAPA is currently frozen  or, not active  because previous judges have decided it is not legal.

What will the Supreme Court decide?

The Supreme Court includes nine justices; however, one justice recently died, leaving eight people on the Court. As a result, the DAPA case could end in a four-to-four tie.

A tie is especially possible because four justices usually follow a more liberal way of thinking, and four usually follow a more conservative way of thinking. If the case ends in a tie, the DAPA program will remain frozen, and undocumented immigrants will continue to risk being deported.

The Supreme Court could also decide not to decide. In other words, they could say that Texas and the other states do not have the right to sue in federal court.

If the Supreme Court throws out the case, Americans and politicians will have made no further progress on the question of undocumented immigrations.

Im Katheen Struck.

Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English, with contributions from VOA reporters. Hai Do was the editor.

_______________________________________________________

Words in This Story

deport - v. to force a person to leave a country

throw out - phrasal verb, refuse to consider
A first-time novelist, Viet Thanh Nguyen, has won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. He won the prize for his book, The Sympathizer. The Pulitzer judges described Nguyens book as an immigrants story told through the voice of a man of two minds, and two countries

The book is set in both Vietnam, where the author was born, and the United States, where he was raised.

Critics have praised The Sympathizer as an exciting spy story with emotional depth and humor. It tells about a group of South Vietnamese army officers who escape to the United States at the end of the Vietnam War. Among them is a captain who is secretly loyal to the Viet Cong. He reports to Viet Cong officials about the group and their lives in Los Angeles.

Nguyen told the Los Angeles Times that The Sympathizer is a confession from one Vietnamese to another.

Nguyen came to the United States with his family in 1975 when he was very young. They lived for several years in a refugee camp in Pennsylvania. They settled in San Jose, California. Nguyen studied at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a doctorate in English.

Nguyen is now a professor of English and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California. He has published three non-fiction books and some short stories.

The writer told the L.A. Times that it was important to him when the writers Toni Morrison and Jhumpa Lahiri won Pulitzers. He called their wins landmarks for writers of color and Asian-American writers. Nguyen said Morrisons work influenced his choice to write for, in his words, people who are intimate to me, and not to think that I was writing for a white audience first."

He told the University of Southern California News, I see myself as part of a larger movement of writers of color, of Asian-American writers who have collectively been trying so hard to bring different voices and perspectives to American audiences and have often felt overlooked or marginalized in different ways.

Viet Thanh Nguyen is not the first person to win a Pulitzer for a first novel. But, it is a rare event.

The Associated Press won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for public service for its reporting on abuse in the Southeast Asian seafood industry. AP reporters investigated the mistreatment of workers in Southeast Asia who helped supply seafood to American supermarkets and restaurants. The reporting helped free 2,000 slave laborers.

Other 2016 Pulitzer winners include the poetry prize for Ozone Journal by Peter Balakian and the drama prize for the musical Hamilton.

This is the 100th yearly awarding of the Pulitzer prizes. Newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer established them in 1917. Columbia University in New York City awards the prizes.

Im Caty Weaver.

We want to hear from you. Post your message in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

____________________________________________________

Words in this Story

novelist - n. a writer of a fiction book

fiction - n. written stories about people and events that are not real

confession - n. the act of telling people something that makes you embarrassed, ashamed, etc.

intimate - adj. very closely related or connected : very close

perspective - n. a way of thinking about and understanding something (such as a particular issue or life in general)

marginalize - v. to put or keep (someone) in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group


LEXINGTON, Neb.  Dawson County Commissioners approved the purchase of a new camera system Friday morning during its bi-monthly meeting.

Brandon Kjar with the Dawson County Sheriff gave commissioners an update on the needs of the Dawson County Jail. He said all the areas outside of the jail would get surveillance with added cameras, eliminating deadzones or places where cameras dont get footage.

Kjar said only one bid for the camera system project was received. The bid came from Control Masters, with a cost of $292,656. After a considerable explanation of the features and warranty included in the bid, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the bid.

Currently, the jail has 73 cameras in use. Once the new camera system is fully installed, the jail would have 105 cameras in use, Kjar said. The new system would have a phased in installation process to allow for minimal down time of cameras getting replaced, he said.

Some of the added cameras would provide surveillance of parking lots and entrances, he said.

The features with this system can zoom in, do facial recognition with 360 degree views, Kjar said.

Commissioner Bill Stewart said the new camera system would allow jail staff to be more proactive rather then being reactive, meaning more surveillance could help provide evidence of what happens when a fight or problem breaks out.

Stewart said he has visited other jail facilities and knows that Buffalo, Hall and LincolnCounties have similar camera systems to the one the DawsonCounty jail was considering and ultimately got approved for purchase.

Dawson County Sheriff Gary Reiber gave commissioners a monthly crime report for the month of March.

Reiber said handgun permit requests continue to be high. He said 215 inmates were booked in March, up from 180 in February.

In March there were 48 handgun permits issued, 125 vehicle inspections, 515 calls for service and a total of 1,096 total services provided.

Total revenue for March was slightly more than $1 million, down from $1,229,170.93 at the same time last year.

Bruce Treffer with DawsonCounty 4-H Extension introduced Sarah Schlund, a new extension educator in cropping systems.

Schlund said she is from Princeton, Ill., and grew up on a small farm. She said her background includes receiving a bachelors degree in biology and a masters degree in plant pathology, which she will receive in May.

She said she moved to Nebraska in 2012 and previously worked for a seed corn company in York.

Stewart said he met with Union Pacific Railroad officials about signage issues. He said 13 intersections, three in city limits and 10 in county areas, had been identified as having signage issues in DawsonCounty.

The railroad will pay for the signs if we put them up, Stewart said.

Stewart noted that the railroad company had submitted a list of three intersections it wants to close in the county. Commissioners need to approve the suggested list for it to go into effect, he said.

One proposed intersection for closure is located three miles west of Lexington on road 427. The railroad company offered to pay the county $90,000, with the state paying $5,000 to close it, Stewart said.

Another intersection that was proposed for closure is located on Road 429 East of Darr bridge. Commissioners decided against voting to close this intersection and the one west of Lexington.

Commissioner PJ Jacobson said he would look into trying to work out an agreement with Paulsens, Inc., in Cozad to try to close the third proposed railroad intersection, located next to Highway 30 close to Paulsens.

Four requests for a special designated liquor license were approved by commissioners, McFarland Family Farms, LLC  Macs Creek Vineyards; Three Brothers Vineyard and Winery; Kinkaider Brewing Co, LLC and Miletta Vista Winery.

During the Board of Equalization meeting prior to the Commissioners meeting, commissioners approved two tax correction requests from Erron Properties, LLC.

Board members also approved three waivers for filing deadline request for real property tax exemptions for Cozad Christian Church, Living Hope Assembly of God Church in Cozad and Gothenburg Evangelical Free Church.
LEXINGTON,Neb.  A shock and awe moment was in store for Lexington Middle School Student Arthur Zamudio-Ortiz Tuesday afternoon.

Lexington Middle School hosted a surprise showing of Arthurs film, Arthurs Day Off. It was a surprise because Arthur did not know it would be shown in his school until moments before the screening.

The film was shown at a school-wide assembly in the LMS auditorium. The screening was hosted by Make-A-Wish Wish Grantors Lori Marshall and John Rickard, based in Kearney.

Zamudio-Ortiz suffered from four heart attacks as a four-month-old infant. His mother, Dahicy Ortiz-Chadez, said most of his heart is dead from the trauma of his heart attacks. His father is Jorge Zamundio.

Arthurs film recounts the story of himself as a spy for UGS, the underground spy network. The film follows him on a day off at home, where he gets called into work to rescue people kidnapped by a group of ninjas.

At the end of the film, Arthurs character and a female character, who symbolized his favorite cousin, Tatiana, ended up going on vacation to Brazil. They reunited there with Arthurs parents, who were on assignment in Rio. The family decides to move there.

Marshall said it was a long-term goal for Arthur to one day move to Brazil, hence the countrys inclusion in the film.

Rickard said Arthur worked on the film for a year. Arthur was involved with all aspects of the film, from drawing all the pictures to doing the voice-overs for the all the characters except his mother. She provided her own voice for the movie.

After the film, a brief question and answer session allowed students to ask Arthur questions about his film.

Arthur said he decided he wanted to make a film for his wish just for the fun of it.

Dahicy said it was easy for him to make the film because he is always drawing.

On her sons health, she said he is stable. He takes medication everyday. Most of his heart is dead.

Julie Thompson, a LPS fourth grade teacher at Pershing who taught Arthur, said he was a happy student who enjoyed drawing faces and portraits in her class.

Hes always happy. He is very talented; when he draws he makes the eyes very big. On days he did not feel good, we could tell because he was not jolly, Thompson said.

Dahicy said his family enjoys having Arthur with them everyday and that they dont know about the future.

Arthur said it was awesome and amazing to have his film shown at the World Theatre in Kearney last Friday. He said he was scared and knew nothing about his film being shown at his school on Tuesday.

On the issue of making his own film and setting goals for oneself, Arthur said it was fun and that students and adults should go for your dream.
SUMNER, Neb.  With the May 10 primary election fast approaching, Lexington area voters got the opportunity to interact with some of the candidates running for Lexington Regional Health Centers Board of Directors Monday evening.

Four candidates for the board met and held a forum at the United Church of Sumner. The event was moderated by Bobbi Hubbard and organized by The Committee for a Better Board.

Candidates who attended the event were Dave Irwin of Sumner, Paul Homan of Lexington, Wayne Weston of Lexington and Theresa Stuart of Lexington. Only those running as challengers, or non-incumbents, to the board were invited, Irwin said. Fellow candidate Tucker Case was invited but did not attend.

Current LRHC Board Member Tara Naprstek, who attended the event as a spectator, was invited to join the panel of candidates but chose not to because she was not invited to participate as a candidate. Naprstek is running for re-election after filling the remainder of outgoing board member Kathy Neils term on the board.

More than 50 area residents attended the event. A majority of the attendees were employees or family members of those who work for LRHC. Several current LRHC employees spoke at the event during the question and answer session after the four candidates answered a set of prepared questions.

In his opening comments, Irwin said he was running for a board position because he had the flexibility as a retired person and had been approached and encouraged to run. As someone whose oldest daughter was born in the hospital and mother was a registered nurse, he said he felt an attachment to quality healthcare in Lexington.

Stuart said she has lived in Lexington for more than 30 years and considered it home. She wanted to serve on the board to continue to uphold the core principles of the community, good schools, churches and a good hospital.

Weston, a former doctor in Lexington, said he remembers drawing up the basic plan of what rooms would be where in the main building of the hospital.

Ive been involved deeply with the hospital for many years. Ive worked at urgent care for North Platte for many years because I got old and didnt want to work so hard. But my heart and soul is with the Lexington hospital, Weston said.

Weston described the current situation in Lexington between Plum Creek Medical Group and LexingtonRegionalHealthCenter as totally unacceptable.

Homan, a former teacher who entered the construction and business arenas, said his mother was a registered nurse in North Platte at Great Plains hospital. One of his sons is currently doing his medical residence in Iowa City for emergency medicine, he said.

The last couple of times I have needed some help, the doctor said you could get what you needed at Lexington, its a darn good hospital. But if I have to see a stranger I will not see one in my hometown, he said.

Weston said he felt that the only way the problem between PCMG and LRHC would be addressed adequately is to have the opposing parties meet, sit down, put grievances on the table honestly, look each other in the eye and be honest.

On the tension between the clinic and hospital, Irwin said he was neutral. He said he had noticed that the community was split.

I feel the tension in the air when I have been to board meetings. When people talk about this, I dont think its healthy, Irwin said.

As a candidate for the board and someone who has attended various board meetings, Irwin said he didnt know enough about the financial health of the hospital. He noted that the hospital has operated in the red, meaning it is losing money, for many months.

We need someone to figure this out. Im worried the hospital will have to be sold, Irwin said. That comment drew laughter from some of the attendees.

After a few questions were answered by the candidates, the forum was opened up to a question and answer format.

Don Young with LRHC, read a portion of the letter signed by all PCMG doctors dated Nov. 22. The letter officially states that doctors relinquished their privileges at the hospital.

What people need to remember is they moved on. Thats what they chose to do, Young said.

To address questions about whether the four candidates were representing the PCMG doctors or Jean Ford, Irwin said audience members should quit being biased (and think) we are representing one faction. We are trying to be here in a positive tone.

Gary Reiber asked Homan how much tax dollars he had paid to fund the hospital. Homan responded none because there was no tax call.

From 1979, no body has paid taxes for the hospital. If it is so mismangaged, why have the last two administrators had no tax call? Its been zero, Reiber said.

Homan said he was very concerned about the plan to pay off the $27 million cost for the hospitals construction and renovation work.

Ann Young, an LRHC employee, said she has worked for the hospital since 2008. She said the way of medicine currently and in the future was to have a general practice doctor and see another doctor at a hospital.

Are any of you open minded about telling your provider about using services at LexingtonRegionalHealthCenter? We are not about judging another provider. I believe in God, God is the judge. I want a good board, Young said.

Tracy Harbison, a registered nurse with LRHC, asked the candidates how many hospital employees they had spoken to.

Weston said he had spoken with seven or eight. Irwin said he probably had not spoken with very many. Jill Denker with LRHC promptly invited all candidates to a community tour of the hospital Tuesday morning.

The issue of on-call doctors for the emergency room and holding them accountable came up multiple times during the meeting.

Weston said every hospital has its rules about outpatient and ER care. In general, he said if a doctor is on-call he or she has to do everything possible to come in for a patient if needed.

He (on-call doctor) shouldnt be out hunting. He should be available within 20 to 30 minutes. If he breaks that he should be held accountable, Weston said.

LRHC employee Becca Walton said the reason PCMG doctors gave up their privileges at the hospital was because current CEO Leslie Marsh was not afraid to hold doctors accountable when they were on-call.

Thats why they dont like her (Leslie Marsh). Shes trying to hold them accountable. I worked for the previous administrator and that person didnt hold doctors accountable, Walton said.

The forum got emotional and heated on many occasions. At one point LHRC employees jumped on a comment by Weston where he referred to the four candidates on the panel as we, which gave them impression of a coordinated effort between the four candidates.

Homan was questioned repeatedly about if he would receive care at LRHC. At one point, to answer a question, he addressed the crowd by saying everyone needed to dummy up and let me talk.

Homan ended his comments by saying it doesnt matter what you think or I think, it only matters what the voters think.

Toward the end of the forum, LRHCs Nicole Thorell acknowledged the emotionally charged event, saying, The passion you saw was not anger but passion for our patients. We are a group that is a close knit family. Thank you for your time.

Thorell said the relationship between PCMG and LRHC is like a divorce. Its un-mendable. Its time for both sides to provide care for the community and move on.

After the event, Marsh said she would love to set up time to meet with other candidates. She said she planned to meet with Stuart on Tuesday.

Marsh said she was glad the four candidates got to hear from hospital employees and looked forward to continuing lines of communication with candidates for the hospital board.

The meeting was originally slated to be held at Sumner-Eddyville-Miller school, but was moved to the United Church of Sumner. Irwin said the school Superintendent Kevin Finkey made the decision after receiving a call from Jim Hain with LRHC.

I called the school to reserve the music room for the meeting. The superintendent gave me permission. Then he got a call from Jim Hain. Hain told him this was an illegal meeting and that there would be a possibility of a lawsuit if the meeting was held, thats exactly what the superintendent told me, Irwin said.

Hain said Tuesday that he did not call the superintendent or mention a lawsuit. He forwarded the email he sent to Finkey, which read:

I understand there is a 'town hall meeting' tomorrow night April 18th at the high school. The flyer indicates four candidates for the Lexington Regional Health Center Board of Directors will listen to comments and answer questions. My question to you is why aren't the other four candidates invited to this town hall forum? Having this advertised meeting permitted in a public facility without all candidates invited does appear to be unfair if not illegal. Your thoughts?

An email from Finkey to the Lexington Clipper-Herald painted a different picture than what Irwin said as well.

I had no phone call from Jim Hain, I had an email from Jim that stated not all people being involved with the issue were going to be represented. I had absolutely no idea of what this (the town hall meeting) was going to be about when it was first brought to my attention. I was asked if a community group could use our facility to meet, Finkey wrote.

He continued he had no idea the meeting would host a forum that would discuss political issues. Once it was made clear to him what the forum would be about, Finkey said he called Irwin to tell him it was in the best interest of the district to not appear to have any support for either political side in this or any issue. Finkey then asked Irwin to move the event to another location, he said.

The S-E-M school district takes no political side in this issue, nor will it ever take in any political issue, Finkey wrote.

The start of the event was delayed slightly until a church member could be found to unlock the doors.
The worst fears of Sidney, Nebraska, could soon come to pass if Bass Pro Shops buys Cabelas, the local retailer that employs 2,000 people in the town of 6,800.

Bass Pro is one step closer to purchasing Cabelas now that it has teamed up with New York investment bank Goldman Sachs, whose private-equity branch will provide the financial muscle to do a deal, the Reuters news service reported Tuesday, without citing sources.

That could be good news for Cabelas shareholders: The companys stock shot nearly 6.5 percent higher on news of a possible deal. But it could be a disaster for Sidney, a town nearly six hours west of Omaha.

If Springfield, Missouri-based Bass Pro does indeed buy Cabelas, it most likely would take an ax to some of Cabelas workforce, say experts in mergers and acquisitions. Bass would look for so-called synergies, Wall Street speak for opportunities to cut overlapping operations.

For instance, a combined Bass Pro-Cabelas would have no need for two accounting departments, two real estate teams, two headquarters offices and so on.

The most obvious place to look for synergies is reducing two headquarters to one, said Don Bilson, an analyst with New York research firm Gordon Haskett.

The acquiring firm  in this case, Bass Pro  is more likely to keep its own headquarters than

the other way around.

Sidney Economic Development Director Tina Hochwender wouldnt comment for this story; she said no one else with the city would comment, either. Neither Cabelas nor Bass Pro had any comment for this story.

Taylor Gage, spokesman for Gov. Pete Ricketts, said the state has offered to work with Cabelas as they seek to become more competitive, and stands ready to assist in any way we can.

The news about the possible Bass Pro bid came as a shock to a half-dozen Sidney residents on Tuesday evening. All six said they hadnt yet heard it.

They expressed shock, a hope that Cabelas leaders will figure out how to stay in Sidney and anxiety, too.

I can tell you this: Theres more for-sale signs on houses in Sidney than there have been for years, said Larry Pippitt, a retired real estate broker who has born and raised in the town. Thats because everybody is concerned about the future of this community. People here want to know what is happening. They want to go on with their lives.

Wendall Gaston, the former mayor of Sidney and current candidate for the Legislature, called the news a pretty big surprise.

For years its been a partnership, Cabelas needing the city of Sidney, and the city of Sidney needing Cabelas for jobs and opportunities, said Gaston, a pharmacy manager. Its been wonderful for people to go away to school, get an education and come home and get a really good job. We have bragged about that for a long time.

And now? I dont know, Gaston said of a potential future without Cabelas. I dont know. I think we are a pretty aggressive town, and we would work hard, but I dont know.

Cabelas announced a strategic review in December. Such a review often leads to a sale of the business or parts of it. Cabelas itself had reportedly already been shopping itself around to private equity firms.

That followed a disclosure from activist investor Elliott Management that the hedge fund had amassed an 11 percent stake in the company by October last year. Elliott at the time said it would press for changes, including a sale of the entire business, or parts of it. Elliott didnt respond to a request for comment for this story.

Cabelas opened itself up to the rough and tumble of the public markets when it listed its stock on the New York Stock Exchange in 2004. That brought in a lot of money  $156.3 million when the first stock was traded  but it also brought the scrutiny of Wall Street and outside investors.

One such investor last fall decided to act on what it said was a laggard stock. Elliott, the hedge fund, said Cabelas stock was undervalued, and the company needed to make changes  or else.

It holds 11.1 percent of the company. Thats nowhere near a majority, but activist investors such as Elliott  called corporate raiders in the 1980s  are known for doing the dirty work that many pension funds and other large shareholders arent interested in taking on.

That means the activists can find other shareholders to join their campaigns to replace the boards or management of a company, as has become the case, in one recent example, for Yahoo.

The threat alone is often enough to make companies act. In Cabelas case, that meant selling itself or breaking itself up.

Elliotts been pretty successful on this front, and I would expect that this is going to end up in a sale, said Bilson, the research analyst.

Elliott also has named Cabelas real estate and its Worlds Foremost Bank, which runs the Cabelas Club Visa credit card, as potential sale options. Reuters said Tuesday that splitting the company up was still an option, according to sources who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential.

Cabelas has been exploring a sale of its credit card business and has received interest from other potential buyers, the sources said.

Still, the Goldman-Bass Pro team isnt the only one interested in Cabelas: Reuters sources said Bass faces competition from other firms, and the sale process still is in the early stages.

Damien Park, managing partner at Hedge Fund Solutions in Philadelphia, said any Bass Pro-Cabelas deal could be finalized by the end of the year.

He said the partnership with Goldman suggests that Bass Pro might not have had enough money to do the deal on its own. Thats where Goldman came in with necessary capital.

A partnership between a strategic buyer like Bass Pro Shops can sweeten the deal for sellers and investors, Bilson said. Thats because strategic buyers often pay more than private equity firms

A private-equity firm would have to come in and run the company starting at square one; a strategic buyer  like competitor Bass Pro  already has a store thats up and running. It can simply integrate Cabelas into its own operations and slash what overlaps.

When on the hunt for cost-cutting, Bass Pro could look to close retail stores: If theres a Cabelas in the same market as a Bass Pro, then one of the two probably would face the chopping block, analysts say.

Said Park: Headquarters oftentimes are consolidated, and any costs or expenses that are redundant are eradicated.

All hope isnt lost for Sidney. Leon Nicholas, senior vice president of Kantar Retail, a research and consulting firm in Boston, said he doesnt think a Bass Pro-Cabelas tie-up would necessarily mean the companys new headquarters would be consolidated in Missouri, Bass Pros home. If the companies merge, there might be room for both offices, he contends.

And if a private-equity firm on its own were to buy the business and take Cabelas off the public markets, that would most likely be a sweeter deal for Sidney. Such firms are known for cost-cutting, but the need for a central headquarters probably would remain.

In Sidney, Dennis Denovellis, owner of Sidney Auto Sales, said he wasnt worried  he thinks Cabelas is staying.

I think people are very optimistic that theyre going to stay, at least we are, he said. Weve been here a long, long time and theyve been here a long, long time.

Dixie Perkins, who owns an office supply store in Sidney with her husband, said things have been better in Sidney over the last few months  less talk and less gossip after the initial shock of Elliotts involvement with Cabelas in October.

She said shes not worried.

Everybodys kind of calmed down a little bit, Perkins said.

Jim Cabela remains chairman of the Cabelas board. His brother, Dick Cabela, and Dicks wife, Mary, founded the company in 1961, selling fishing flies by mail from their kitchen table in Chappell, Nebraska.

Whatever happens, Kantars Nicholas said he would expect any buyer to maintain the Cabelas brand, which he called valuable.

And even if a Bass Pro-Cabelas merger does happen, its not a silver bullet for improving sales at the outdoor retailer. Bigger isnt necessarily better, Nicholas said.

I dont think that by getting bigger that will necessarily help them compete against, say, an Amazon, Nicholas said. We see a lot of these mergers that happen and its almost like they think something magic is going to happen because theyll come together. Not necessarily.

World-Herald staff writer Matthew Hansen contributed to this report from Sidney.
LINCOLN  The sponsor of a bill that would rework the way Nebraska draws its political maps in 2021 will not seek a legislative override.

Citing the governors constitutional objections, State Sen. John Murante of Gretna said Tuesday that redistricting is too important.

We must get it right, he said. The good news is that we have time to do so.

Gov. Pete Ricketts on Monday vetoed Legislative Bill 580, calling it unconstitutional because lawmakers  not members of an unelected commission  are required to redistrict every 10 years, among other reasons.

The bill took years of work and represented a compromise between Murante and Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha. Murante is a Republican; Mello is a Democrat.

Mello on Tuesday said he was disappointed but not surprised at the governors veto.

He and other supporters said the use of an independent redistricting commission was upheld in Arizona by the U.S. Supreme Court, meaning congressional maps drawn by a similar commission in Nebraska would be constitutional.

Although the governors veto letter raised state constitutional issues as well, Mello said, most of those claims were debunked during floor debate on the bill.

Under LB 580, an independent commission would have redrawn the states maps for six bodies. The Legislature would have had final say, approving or rejecting the maps.

The states three legislative caucuses, which are based on geographic areas, would have picked the commissions nine members. No more than five could have been from a single political party. They could not have been lobbyists, elected officials or anyone related to or employed by a person who is an elected constitutional officer.

That would have been a change from the special committee of lawmakers who handled redistricting in 2011, when lawmakers fought over redrawing the states 2nd Congressional District.

The bill was approved on a 29-15 vote in the final round of debate. It would have needed 30 yes votes to override a veto.

Murante said that while the bill would have insulated voting rights from the interests of politicians, the governor and legal experts made clear that it would have done so at the expense of constitutionality. He called that not an acceptable option.

Mello, who is term-limited, said he hopes Nebraskans who supported the effort will continue to work toward creating the independent commission.

Murante, who is up for re-election, said he would continue work on the issue, saying he is committed to protecting voters from the interests of politicians and finding a process that conforms to the state and federal constitutions.

Gavin Geis, executive director of Common Cause Nebraska, said the governors objections will not stand up to scrutiny, so were confident that an even larger majority can and will be assembled on behalf of this legislation in time for the 2017 session.
LINCOLN  Gov. Pete Ricketts on Tuesday praised his property tax package as a huge accomplishment and a team effort that will help to deliver his top priority: property tax relief.

The governor signed into law Legislative Bill 958, which will give $20 million worth of new property tax credits to farm- and ranchland owners.

LB 959, the second part of the governors tax package, is projected to reduce property taxes by increasing state aid to schools more than $8 million. Ricketts signed that measure into law Monday.

Ricketts called both important steps in relieving property taxes, his No. 1 priority for this legislative session. Work on the companion bills, which advanced from the Education and Revenue Committees, started at the Nebraska State Fair nearly eight months ago, he said.

This is not something that happens easily, he said. It happens because you have a lot of people who are working very, very hard.

Introduced on behalf of the governor by State Sen. Mike

Gloor of Grand Island, the Revenue Committee chairman, the first part of the package passed last week in the Nebraska Legislature on a 47-1 vote.

It will add $20 million annually to the states Property Tax Credit Fund to boost tax credits available to owners of farm- and ranchland. Starting next year, the new money will raise their property tax credit to about $108 per $100,000 of valuation.

The amount allocated for tax credits to residential and commercial property owners, meanwhile, will remain at the current level.

The second bill was introduced by Sen. Kate Sullivan, the Education Committee chairwoman, on the governors behalf. He signed it into law Monday after the Legislature passed it last week, 47-0.

Largely benefiting rural schools, the measure is projected to reduce property taxes by about $8.5 million, a figure that represents a small percentage of total annual property tax collections by local governments  nearly $3.8 billion in 2015.

Gloor said that while hes pleased with the focus on the property tax credits, he hopes the package sets a framework for future lawmakers to begin talking about reducing property taxes.

Added Sullivan: I also think that this maybe sends a message that were going to continue  I wont be here, but well continue  to make some structural changes in our funding formula to still provide great support for education in Nebraska.

The governor acknowledged that the bills changed from their original forms. His initial proposals would have tightened budget and levy limits on local governments and capped the statewide growth of agricultural land valuations at 3 percent.

At one point, an amended version of the bill would have added a proposed $30 million a year to the states Property Tax Credit Fund.

I know that these bills are not everything that we all wanted when we started in the process, Ricketts said, but thats part of the give and take that goes along with this legislative process.

The governor vowed some sort of tax relief every year but said much of what will get done in the future depends on who leads the legislative committees.
Google Android is an open source operating system. That means anyone can install or modify the software, and some companies have even released their own custom forks of the operating system such as Amazons Fire OS (for tablets and TV boxes) or Cyanogen Incs Cyanogen OS (for phones so far).

But some of the key features of many Android phones are not open source, such as the Google Play Store and official Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps apps. They still appear on most Android phones sold outside of China though, because Google requires device makers and mobile operators to pre-load some Google apps if they want access to others. Want the Play Store? Then you need Google Search.

The European Commission says this could violate antitrust rules, and the Commission has issued a statement of objections.

According to the statement, the Commission has reached a preliminary finding that Googles practices are designed to preserve and strengthen its dominance in general internet search by ensuring that Google Search is pre-installed and set as the default (if not the only) search app on many phones.

The complaint also notes that Google requires device makers to load the Google Chrome web browser if they want to use other proprietary apps, and alleges that Google prohibits manufacturers from offering phones that run forks of Android (such as Cyanogen OS or Aliyun OS) if they want to offer Android phones with Google services.

In other words, the Commission is worried that Google is abusing its dominant position in the mobile space to fend off competition from upstarts which, ironically, are using Googles own Android software.

Keep in mind, Android is only open source because Google decides to release the source code. When the company launched Android 3.0 Honeycomb, the company decided not to make the source available until after it was obsolete (when Android 4.0 was released). If Google really wanted to abuse its position, the company could probably just make Android a closed-source operating system, which means Amazon, Cyanogen, Alibaba, and others would have to invest more resources to keep their forks up to date.

Anyway, it doesnt sound like Google plans to do that anytime soon. In a response to the EU complaint, the company points out that its partner agreements are entirely voluntary  anyone can use Android without Google, and that Amazon is an example of a company that does just that.

Google also says that, among other things, its certification system for Android phones is designed to ensure that devices can run Android apps and while part of the agreement requires participants in the process to load certain Google apps, theres nothing stopping them from also installing competing apps from Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, and others.

And of course, users can install third-party apps on their own. But theres obviously value in having the default browser, search engine, app store, or search utility that comes pre-loaded on a device.

For now, the EU investigation is ongoing. The Statement of Objections is describe as a formal step in Commission investigations into suspected violations of EU antitrust rules. Theres no word on when the full investigation will be completed.
Busisiwe Mkhebane-Tshehla, the former head of immigration at the South African embassy in Beijing. Provided to China Daily

The Lower barriers she implemented now make it smoother to obtain entry to South Africa

When Busisiwe Mkhebane-Tshehla, the former head of immigration at the South African embassy in Beijing, left the city at the beginning of July, it was clear she would be missed - as evident from the farewell parties in her honor.

At a recent restaurant event, her African and Chinese friends and acquaintances spoke highly of how she had made issuing visas smoother and of her being such an asset in Beijing's African community.

Mkhebane-Tshehla took up her appointment as head of the immigration and visa section a little more than four years ago. She had previously been director of refugee services in Pretoria.

"I was fortunate when I first arrived because I had been to Beijing and Shanghai earlier in a different capacity," she says. "So I had an idea how to acclimatize A decision was taken that Beijing needed the services of a senior officer to help streamline everything for volume of trade and increased consular requirements had increased in mind boggling proportions."

As she and her son Mpilo and daughter Pheladi left Pretoria, they knew they would need to be "culturally intelligent", she says.

"We were going to blend in and enjoy life the Chinese way rather than just surviving. We were going to learn the Chinese way of doing things rather than be stuck with our South African experiences."

Any apprehensions they had were quickly dispelled with the help of Chinese colleagues at the embassy who helped the family settle in.

She acknowledges the warm welcome by the former ambassador Ndumiso Ntshinga, now envoy to Ethiopia and the African Union. His inspirational, results-oriented approach spurred her into getting down to work with gusto, she says.

"I quickly realized that unlike in my cozy former position, where I had sufficient manpower, I would need to pull up my sleeves as there was a shortage of staff. There was an overwhelming and ever-mounting number of visa applications that we needed to process at the same time as going ahead with the restructuring process."

That involved standardizing consular services, she says.

"For instance, applicants for visas at our Shanghai office might be required to give six months worth of bank statements while an applicant at the Beijing office might be asked for only three months."

A requirement that all visa applicants deposit 15,000 yuan ($2,400) with South African authorities was also problematic, she says.

"We were getting complaints from senior government officials and managers of reputable companies who thought the deposit system was not only demeaning but was also steeped in bureaucracy when applicants wanted to get reimbursed. In some cases the applicants lost their receipts."

The system was more focused on raising the bar for visa and work permit applications instead of making the application process easier, in line with the country's goal of attracting Chinese visitors, investors or tourists alike.

"My brief was to ensure an optimum balance between maximizing the benefits of the growing number of Chinese travelers to South Africa while minimizing risks such as illegal immigration."

The system she had taken over had been based on the principle of "reject, reject, reject", says Mkhebane-Tshehla, a law graduate of Limpopo University and holder of an MBA from the University of South Africa.

"We embarked on re-engineering the customer service culture. We went out of our way to emphasize soft issues, embracing applicants and seeing them as clients. We didn't want to be aloof and come across as intent on placing hurdles in the way of applicants but rather wished to offer help as a service and duty."

The embassy started issuing visas on the basis of the profiles of applicants rather than requiring a deposit from everyone. Reputable applicants from Chinese government agencies, research institutions and investment companies deemed not to be a flight risk as well as those who had good international travel profiles were exempted from paying the deposit.

The restructuring went further when visa application and issuance services were outsourced and relocated to offices not far from the embassy, where most staff are Chinese competent in English.

An immediate benefit was that applicants could access services from 9 am to 3 pm, compared with 9am to midday at the embassy, and they could make inquiries online.

Tourism is the biggest draw for Chinese travelers to South Africa. Agencies such as the South African Tourism Board, South African Airways and Brand South Africa promote the country in China.

Mkhebane-Tshehla says that to reduce the risk of illegal migration, it was decided that it would be preferable to work with Chinese tour companies rather than individual tourists.

Under an agreement between South Africa and China, Chinese tourists travel in groups, and travel agencies or tour companies handle visa applications. When the tourists return to China, the agencies or companies are supposed to return the group's passports to South African authorities so visas can be cancelled. That is because in the past visa applicants have used the multiple entry visas system to gain permission for ostensibly short stays but then remained in South Africa or other African countries.

"The tour companies know that if any of the tourists traveling in their name disappears, their reputation is on the line," Mkhebane-Tshehla says.

Chinese nationals seeking work permits or longer periods of stay in South Africa are better off doing so at the consular services level in Beijing or Shanghai rather than travelling on tourism or visiting visa and attempting to change their status when they are in the country, she says.

Mkhebane-Tshehla says she will miss just about everything about Beijing, but most of all "the good security here, knowing how crime is a problem in South Africa and the shopping, given Beijing's many offerings".

For China Daily

(China Daily Africa Weekly 08/08/2014 page28)
Telegu actor Sudheer Babu, who is making his debut in the Hindi film industry with Sabbir Khan's Baaghi, was happy as a popular actor in the Telugu film industry and had never dreamt of venturing into Bollywood.

In fact, he was apprehensive about the film, and had made-up his mind to decline the offer. Until he heard the whole script.

I couldn't believe that such a big production house would come to me and I didnt believe they would give me a role with a scope of performance. I was expecting a small scene, and a small fight with Tiger. Honestly, I have a lot of work in the Telugu film industry. But once I heard the script of Baaghi, I found it very interesting, Babu told Firstpost in an interview.

The actor, who plays the villain in the film, further reveals that he now has two-film contract with filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, who produced Baaghi.

Being a popular hero, how much did Babu have to convince himself to debut with a negative role in Bollywood? "I want to be recognised as a very good actor. Being a hero or a villain doesnt matter for me. For this film, if they had given me a choice, I would have chosen to do the villains role. Even in my Telugu debut, I played a small role of a villain. From there on, I got lead role offers, said Babu.

He admits that now its difficult for him to play a villains role in Telugu films.

In Andhra Pradesh, people worship heroes. They put their pictures right next to God and worship them. So to make the audiences accept me in a negative role is tougher," he said.

Working in both the industries simultaneously will be a bigger challenge for Babu.

I am doing only two to three films in a year over there. I will see if I can shoot in both the places simultaneously, he admitted.

Babu is the brother-in-law of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu. Being related to such a big superstar, he too had his share of difficulties.

People had a negative mind-set before my first film released. But once you prove yourself, you grow really fast. Star kids, like Chiranjeevis son or any one else for that matter, have certain advantages. They would come with a set fan following, he said.

We asked him if he thinks Baaghi will do equally well in the south, and he said, Baaghi is a Hollywood film with Indian emotions. Bollywood films have emotions, songs and dances but the stunts are not at par with Hollywood. So Baaghi will work everywhere as it has everything in it.
Aanand L Rai has been at the helm of blockbusters like Tanu Weds Manu and Raanjhanaa but it is his upcoming movie with superstar Shah Rukh Khan that the filmmaker calls his biggest project till date.

Film with Khan saab is my most ambitious project because he is the main casting of the film. I dont think there is anyone who can play the character better than him. I am fortunate I got Shah Rukh Khan for this film, Rai told PTI in an interview here.

The filmmaker says the bigger takeaway from his meeting with Shah Rukh was the 50-year-old actors understanding of other people.

After meeting him, I realised he is such a large-hearted man. For me, as a director, that actor becomes very important who can understand other human beings and Shah Rukh has great understanding of people.

Rai is currently working on the script and hopes to start the film by the end of the year.

Right now the work is going on the story. I am totally in sync with Khaan saab, we are in touch. I am writing a story which we all should be proud of. We hope to start the film by the end of the year.

Shah Rukh will be seen playing a dwarf in the movie, but the filmmaker says theres more to his character than being a short man.

I am taking my time on the story Of course, there is something (The news of Shah Rukh playing a dwarf). It is there but this aspect also has a lot of details which I dont want to reveal right now."

People are thinking it is a film about a short man but I will say it has a very tall story. It is a challenging, entertaining story. As an actor, it is a challenging role for him. As a maker, it is an important film for me. It will be fun raising the bar and when you finally get Shah Rukh Khan, you wouldnt want to lose the opportunity," he adds.
Mumbai: Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, who was hospitalised for respiratory problems last Friday, will be discharged on Thursday as per the decision of his family members.

Kumar, 93, was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in suburban Bandra on 15 April.

Dr Jalil Parkar, who is attending to him along with other doctors, told PTI that Kumar will be discharged on Thursday.

"He is fine. The family has decided that he (Dilip Kumar) should be discharged tomorrow around 10 am," Parkar said.

Earlier in the day, Parkar had said the actor will get discharged at 4 pm on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, superstar Aamir Khan met the thespian in the hospital.

Kumar's wife, actress Saira Banu had earlier said that the actor was hospitalised as he was suffering from high fever, chest infection and respiratory problems.

The legendary actor, whose real name is Mohammad Yusuf Khan, acted in many superhit films during his six-decade long career such as Madhumati, Devdas, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Ram Aur Shyam and Karma.

He was last seen on-screen in the film Qila in 1998.

He was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.
Dear Prime Minister,

I am dismayed by your government's attempt to stake claim to something that doesn't belong to it: our provident fund.

First you tried to tax withdrawals from the provident fund. Now, after losing face over the hasty decision, the government is trying to control how much of their own savings people can withdraw. It is difficult to understand why the government is persistently circling like a vulture on the only real savings of an aam aadmi.

What business does the government have in telling how people should deal with their savings or when they can use them? Especially when it is offering nothing in return.

Consider the plight of the employees of the private sector. Most of them are not guaranteed a job for their lifetime. Almost every person employed in the private sector is forced to find a new job sometime in their life. Some get alternate employment easily, others after a long gap and a few never.

How does the government expect those who are jobless--either for a brief period or forever--to sustain themselves? Does it provide social security? Unemployment allowance? Pension? Job offers for the interim period? Shelter? Waiver of loans? Free education to children? Free healthcare?

The cruel fact is that the Indian government exists only as a rent-seeker or a tax-collector for private sector employees. It is, to quote a filmi example, like Peter and his goons on the docks in Deewar, interested only in collecting hafta the moment they get their salary.

Once people lose their job, become unemployed, they fall off the government map. These pariahs are left out in the cold to struggle for survival. And the government becomes a mute, incompetent spectator.

It is nobody's argument that the Modi government should take care of everyone who is unemployed. In a developing country like ours where there are hundreds of claimants for every single resource, the idea of a benevolent sarkar, even if ab ki baar it is Modi's, is unimaginable.

But, isn't it insensitive, even draconian, to try and make lives of people more difficult with the intention of controlling the savings of its vulnerable masses? Shouldn't somebody be telling the labour and finance ministries to just lay off the provident fund and, instead, use their time on more productive, people-friendly pursuits?

Let me explain with an example. A friend who is a general manager in a media company was recently put on notice by his employers. In three months, if the employers don't change their mind, he would be jobless.

Having worked for almost 25 years, being on the wrong side of 40s, stuck in a low growth economy where jobs are receding faster than his own hairline, he is not very confident of finding a job immediately. But, he is hopeful of leading a dignified life till he finds another job or sets up his own business because of the money he has in the provident fund.

But, the proposed law that disallows withdrawal of the employer's contribution before 58 has made him desperate. Now, the money he would be able to withdraw from his PF would be barely enough to repay his loans. Does the government want this proud, hard-working man to beg on the streets till he turns 58 even when there is money parked in his account? I am sure there are, and will be, thousands like him.

My entreaty is earnest and simple: Don't even look at the PF money. It is not yours. The government's job is to ensure that the PF money is managed well, employers do not cheat people out their savings and the withdrawal procedure is so simple and quick that anybody who needs the money is able to get it without delays or babucratic problems. But, don't cast your avaricious eyes towards that money.

If the government is really keen to make post-retirement or post-retrenchment life better for people of India, which is the alleged reason behind its zeal to tinker with PF laws, a lot can be done.

One, invest in health care. After a certain age most of the savings are spent on medical care. At the moment, the government doesn't even have enough hospitals and doctors. Since the government has disappeared from the scene, private hospitals are squeezing even the last drop of savings from people. Do something about this.

Two, pay attention to the education sector. People are being held at ransom by private schools. The government has no control over how much they charge, on the loot that is carried out in the name of admission fees, books, uniform and extra-curricular activities.

Why can't we have regulatory bodies to control the loot by hospitals and schools?

Modiji, if you are really concerned about the salaried middle-class, help them save money on education and healthcare and make their lives better.

Do not make them more miserable by eyeing the money they have saved for the day when the government would leave them out in the cold.
There were but 290 lakh employees in the organised sector as per data.gov.in as on 31 March 2011, which would translate to 3.67% of the current Indian population. This incidentally equals the bone of contention---3.67% of employees salary that the employer contributes to his employees provident fund account, with the remaining 8.67% he contributes going to his pension corpus. The first 3.67% statistic may not be accurate as it includes government employees also governed by statutory provident fund but the point is what is the government making fuss about? A tiny employer spend on a tiny section of the population.

On 10 February 2016, the government notifies a new rule targeting early retirees, both genuine and pretenders, who hitherto have been wiping their account clean after biding the statutory time of 2 month unemployment. The new rule says if you are retired or resigned or were thrown out before 58, you will get your own accumulations together with interest all right but not the accumulations that trickled in over the years from employer(s).

For getting the latter, you have to bide your time till 58. The employees in the organised sector may be a small percentage but they pack a lot of punch, organised and unionized as they are. First, they got the budget proposal to tax 60% of withdrawals rolled back, leaving the government sheepish if not red-faced. Now the hemming and hawing on the 10 February rule thanks once again to upping of the ante by unions.

19th February 2016 witnessed feverish activity in Shram Shakti Bhavan, housing the Labor Ministry. First an expanded list of exemptions so typical of the Indian bureaucracy. The 10 February rule exempted pregnant women, women hanging their boots prematurely to get married as well as males and females wanting to settle down abroad from its hooks. But when the unions were not placated, the denouement was put off till 30 April 2016.

Now the expanded list includes wannabe house owners, those whose family members are afflicted with serious illness or who are entering the wedlock and members who want to invest on higher studies of their family members. But later in the day the Labor Ministry mandarins went further---the new rule would be kept in abeyance till 31 July and would kick in with an expanded list of exemption thereafter.

The government must stop hemming and hawing, and junk the new rule that bars withdrawal of employers contributions over the years together with interest thereon subject to a few exceptions lock, stock and barrel for the following reasons:

1) Why create fuss about 3.67% of employees salary while leaving out 12% i.e. employees contributions? If family needs funds during old age, then why pick and choose and target the crumbs?

2) When the labor ministry claims UAN or unique account number is robust and foolproof, how can those feigning unemployment get away? If they seek reentry, the robust UAN software with foolproof KYC must shut its doors.

3) When the income-tax law says 5 years of continuous service is enough to get full tax exemption on withdrawal no matter what the age is, why create unnecessary hurdles in withdrawal by those who have served 5 years patiently. If the government feels 5 year is too short a period for tax exemption on withdrawal, let it say so transparently and raise the bar to say 10 years; and

4) The expanded list of exemption would encourage wrong-doers.

Who would verify the claim of settling down abroad? What is the guarantee the demand letter from home builder is genuine? True already house building advance, marriage advance etc. are given but frauds get a greater leg up in the face of intransigence.

And finally, why on earth should government lose sleep over employees money? Mr. Jaitley, please save your big guns for real fraudsters!
Prime minister Narendra Modis backroom strategists arent just getting it right when it comes to dealing with the pension funds (PF) of Indias salaried class. The decision to roll back the restriction to withdraw the full PF amount before the age of 58 is the second major U-Turn by the BJP-government on the PF issue in the last two months. Earlier, this government had to withdraw a budget proposal to tax 60 per cent of EPF savings following mass protests.

The NDA government is seemingly excelling the art of unveiling hurried, poorly thought out policies only to roll back at the first hint of trouble. It also shows the intellectual drought in Modis cabinet, especially in the finance ministry.

In the first place, the idea to meddle with the PF savings  the only major retirement savings for most of the salaried class in India  was a blunder. Its not the job of any government to teach its citizens when and what to do with his retirement corpus or force savings habit. The simple reason being the use of that money, for every individual, is different and is purely a matter of personal choice.

More critically, policy flip-flops do not augur well for the Modi government, especially when state-elections are due. Remember, the PF episode is not the first instance of U-turns by the Modi government on major policy issues. From the very beginning, finance minister Arun Jaitley has got the crucial banking policy wrong, when he underestimated the capital requirement of state-run banks in his first budget but was later forced to relook at the stance at the insistence of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

It is natural that any attempt by the government to restrict his flexibility to access that corpus is met with stiff resistance. For Modi himself, this is a politically disastrous move. As mentioned earlier, PF is the only major source of savings for most of the salaried class, who do not have other saving such as real estate, gold or savings in other financial products.

Every individual (employed in a firm with more than 20 staff) is entitled to PF with certain amount is deducted from his salary every month and an equal contribution made by the employer. Interest is accrued on this corpus.

The Modi government owes an apology to the salaried class for the confusion and panic it created on account of the PF flip-flop. It was a major mistake (both politically and as a policy move) to tweak the PF withdrawal structure without taking the salaried class into confidence. This is evident with even the RSS-affiliated Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh taking a strong stance on the government's stance on the PF issue.

"We have always maintained the PF corpus is workers' money and hence he should be given the flexibility to withdraw it as and when required," Pawan Kumar, one of the office bearers of BMS, has said.

Why is the government so much interested in restricting withdrawals from the PF corpus? The likely reason is that it wants to build a corpus of long-term funds that could be channelled into financing of long-gestation projects such as infrastructure. There is no harm if that is the idea since world over, countries use such long-term funds (PF, insurance) for this purpose on account of the asset-liability mismatches faced by the banking system.

But, if that is the idea, the government should have come with a full-fledged, well-thought-out policy after consulting all the stakeholders.

Probably, it was poorly advised and chose to unveil bits of half-baked ideas without consulting the trade unionsthe biggest stakeholders in this case  only to withdraw later. Locking the PF funds with permission to withdraw for certain purposes (marriage, construction of house or medical emergency) wouldnt have met with a panic reaction.

Also, the government could have considered offering higher returns to someone who chooses to keep his money until the retirement age to incentivise him not to prematurely withdraw PF funds.

But, the important point here is ultimately the decision on what to do with the PF money should be left to the individual. As Ratan Tata said once, the government should have no role in telling people what to do. Period.
The government on Tuesday decided to revoke all restrictions it had proposed to on withdrawal of amount invested in provident fund. The decision came after violent protests erupted in Bangalore against the new norms.

Here are the various flip-flops the government did on the PF front:

How did it all begin?

First was a proposal in the Budget to tax employees provident fund.

I propose to make withdrawal up to 40 percent of the corpus at the time of retirement tax exempt in the case of National Pension Scheme. In case of superannuation funds and recognised provident funds, including EPF, the same norm of 40 percent of corpus to be tax free will apply in respect of corpus created out of contributions made after April 1, 2016, finance minister Arun Jaitley said in the Budget speech.

He also proposed a monetary limit for contribution of employer in recognised Provident and Superannuation Fund of Rs 1.5 lakh per annum for taking tax benefit.

The salaried class protested. An online petition seeking withdrawal of the proposal went viral. A quick poll done by Firstpost showed, 68 percent of the 1651 respondents was of the view that the proposal had eroded the government's standing among the salaried. Finally, the government withdrew the proposal in the early March.

But on 10 February, 2016, in a notification, the government said an employee contributing to the Employees's Provident Fund will not be allowed to withdraw the entire corpus. It basically meant that anyone who has been unemployed for two months or more can withdraw only his own contribution and the interest that has accumulated on it.

Further, the second portion i.e. the employer's contribution to the EPF and the interest accumulated on it can only be withdrawn at the retirement age of 58.

The EPFO amended the EPF Scheme 1952 accordingly.

Previously, an employee could withdraw the entire corpus accumulated under the EPF tax free.

The norm was to be effective from 1 April. However, the trade unions were not happy with the new rules. So the government allowed time until 30 April implementation of new norms.

What are Tuesday's twists and turns?

In a meeting held on Monday, labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya, after receiving representations from trade unions, said the government revoked some of the restrictions impositions. He said the government would now allow withdrawal of funds for some specific reasons such as use for housing, major medical treatment for self and family members, medical, dental and engineering education of children, and for their marriage.

While this was no official notification, clarity still eluded. By noon on Tuesday PTI reported the withdrawal norms have not been relaxed but the ministry is considering such a proposal. It also said the government has put on hold the restrictions and those who wanted to withdraw their PF amount can do so until 31 July. The window was earlier 30 April. "The notification (tightening PF withdrawal norms) will be kept in abeyance for three months till July 31, 2016. We will discuss this issue with the stakeholders," Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya told reporters.

Meanwhile, Bangalore started burning. Trade unions of a garment factory unit had been up in arms against the restrictions and agitating from Monday. By Tuesday noon, the stir turned violent. The protesters torched several buses, held up traffic in the city and suburbs and several buses and attacked a police station. Police resorted to lathicharge and firing teargas shells to disperse the protesters.

Finally, by late evening, the labour minister announced in Hyderabad that all the restrictions have been withdrawn. "The notification issued on 10th February, 2016 is cancelled. Now the old system will continue," Dattatreya said at a press conference adding that he would take ratification from CBT (Central Board of Trustees of EPFO).

According to the statement, workers will now be allowed to withdraw the entire amount from the provident fund as per existing provisions of the EPF Scheme 1952 including the employers' share of 3.67%.

Giving reasons for the rollback, Dattatreya said, "The reason is the request of trade unions. The earlier decision (to tighten the PF withdrawal norms) was also taken by the opinion of the trade unions. Now, when the trade unions are requesting, then we have rolled back the decision." He also said employees and workers need not have any misconceptions in the wake of the cancellation of the notification.

Why is the roll-back a failure of the Modi government?

It was an epic U-turn by the NDA government and betrays its weakness.

For one, it should not have brought in such a reform at all. It was based on wrong premises. That is why the whole exercise lacked clarity right from the beginning. There are many complexities and each clarification only added to the confusion.

First of all, they should not have issued the notification in February," A K Padmanabhan, board member of the CBT and president of CITU, has been quoted as saying in a report in The Indian Express. "This is a bureaucratic bungling, which could have been easily avoided. They did a mistake and they have corrected it. It should not have happened in the first place," he says.

The key question is why is the government deciding what an individual should do with his/her money?

Also, the blocking of the PF amount until one turns 58 puts those in the lower income bracket in a difficult spot. As this NDTV article says, in case of garment factory workers, most of these workers are out of job by the age of 50. If they are not able to use their life savings for another 8 years, how are they supposed to survive. This is the reason the workers protested. In this backdrop the new norms showed that the government is far away from the reality on the ground.

With inputs from PTI
It was rather surprising that the Supreme Court chief justice T S Thakur told the court on 12th April that his bench would examine if the total amount of defaults in repayment of bank loans running into lakhs of crores of rupees should be made public, without disclosing the defaulters name.

He said: There is no confidentiality in figures, but the names may be kept out.

Justice Thakur made this observation when the RBI counsel stoutly resisted the courts earlier stance to name and shame the big defaulters (each of whom has borrowed more than Rs 500 crore from different banks and has refused to pay back. And there are thousands of such defaulters).

Pray, Justice Thakur, why should you consider only disclosing the figures (total amount of the taxpayers money swindled in this bank scam) and not the names of the white-collar criminals who are responsible for this crime? Why should you allow the dubious plea of the RBI to withhold the disclosure of the names of those who have borrowed money from banks to the tune of thousands of crores to set up business in India but bought properties abroad with that money?

That the RBIs plea is dubious has been conclusively established by a division bench of the Supreme Court barely four months ago. The RBI had then challenged the order of the Chief Information Commission (CIC) which had ruled that the RBI was duty-bound to disclose information about the Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of the commercial banks under the RTI Act. The CIC had said that the exemptions from the disclosure of the information provided under the RTI act could not be applied to the banking sector.

Raghuram Rajan, the RBI governor, had challenged the CIC order in the Supreme Court. A Supreme Court bench consisting of Justice M Y Iqbal and Justice C Nagappan heard the matter. The RBI chief, through his counsel, placed two arguments: first, that the the central bank had a fiduciary relationship with the borrowers and therefore, under the RBI law, it was bound by the confidentiality clause and could not reveal the names of the defaulters. And the second argument was the following: Disclosure of information would have adverse impact in the public confidence in the bank. This has serious implications for financial stability This will also affect the economic interest of the state.

After a careful consideration of all facts, the SC bench observed on December 16, 2015 that the RBI could not hide routine information such as the names of top defaulters, the extent of losses suffered by banks and details of actions taken against banks from the public.

Justice Iqbal-led bench trashed the fiduciary relationship argument advanced by the RBI chief. The Court said: the RBI does not place itself in a fiduciary relationship with the financial institutions because the reports of inspections, statements of banks and information related to business obtained by the RBI are not under the pretext of confidence or trust.

The Justice Iqbal bench also came down heavily against the second argument of the RBI. It said: the RBIs contention that revealing the information to the public would harm public interest was absurd. It went on to say: the facts reveal that banks are trying to cover up their underhand actions. Therefore, they are even more liable to be subjected to the public scrutiny. This attitude of the RBI (hiding the information on banking activities from the public) will only attract more suspicion and disbelief in them, the court said.

The apex court benchs final indictment of the RBI was lethal: We have surmised that many financial institutions have resorted to such acts which are neither clean nor transparent. The RBI in association with them has been trying to cover up their acts from public scrutiny.

The RBI has been shown up for what it is -- that it is complicit in shielding the corrupt lenders and the fraudulent borrowers which has led to the siphoning off of lakhs of crores of public money. This indictment has been made by none other than a Supreme Court bench in a detailed judgement, not in an off-the-cuff remark. And this indictment came only in last December.

Just four months have passed since then; in another public interest litigation that has come up before the apex court demanding the disclosure of the information about the big defaulters (incidentally, in both the cases the counsel for the petitioner has been the intrepid lawyer, Prashant Bhushan), the RBI governor is making the same old argument  that of fiduciary relationship and financial stability  to make the case once again for concealment of the information from the public.

As this argument has been decisively rejected by the apex court just four months ago, Raghuram Rajans same old dubious plea should not be allowed to eat into the honourable chief justices highly valuable judicial time. When the case comes up for discussion on April 26, Raghuram Rajan and his cohorts should be told in no uncertain terms that the RBIs shenanigans cannot be kept under wraps.

The Justice Iqbal bench had wisely observed that if people remained oblivious to the irregularities committed by the commercial banks and their regulator, the RBI, then the whole financial system of the country would be rigged and sooner or later it would lead to serious consequences for the Indian economy.

When that happens, Raghuram Rajan would be gone pursuing another high-flying international career, leaving a billion Indians bruised. Of course, some Indians (the likes of Vijay Mallyas who would flee the country when the situation gets too overheated for them to stay in India) would remain eternally grateful to him. These white-collar criminals would seek Rajan out when he travels to various international financial capitals and express their gratitude to him for shielding them from the public eye for as long as he held office.

Chief Justice T S Thakur must save the fellow countrymen from such sharks out to devour India when he takes up the matter on April 26.
Washington: The leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee called on Tuesday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress during a visit to Washington in June.

"Given the depth of our relationship with India across a range of areas - defence, humanitarian and disaster relief, space cooperation, conservation and innovation - we believe this is an ideal opportunity for the Congress to hear directly from the prime minister," Representatives Ed Royce, the Republican committee chairman, and Eliot Engel, the panel's ranking Democrat, wrote to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

The invitation would be a sharp turnaround for a leader who was once barred from the United States over massacres of Muslims.

A spokeswoman for Ryan said she had no announcement at this time about whether Ryan would extend the invitation.

Invitations to address the Senate and House are considered a great honour. There have been only two in the past year: Pope Francis, on 24 September, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on 29 April, 2015.

When Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies swept India's elections in 2014, there initially were questions about whether he would qualify for a visa. President Barack Obama quickly dismissed the issue by inviting him to the White House when he called to congratulate him on his victory.

In 2002, when Modi had just become Gujarat's chief minister, more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in sectarian riots in the state.

The administration of President George W. Bush denied Modi a visa in 2005 under a 1998 U.S. law barring entry to foreigners who have committed "particularly severe violations of religious freedom."

Modi denied any wrongdoing. India's Supreme Court ruled in 2010 he had no case to answer.

Washington sees its relationship with India as critical, partly to counterbalance China's rising power. Obama has called it "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century."

The letter to Ryan was also signed by Republican Representative George Holding and Democrat Ami Bera, the co-chairmen of the Congress Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
New Delhi: A day after taking charge, senior IPS officer J K Sharma has stepped down as Director General of Tihar Jail claiming that the AAP government did not seek prior approval from the Lt Governor Najeeb Jung for his appointment.

In his letter to the Principal Secretary (Delhi Home Department) S N Sahai, Sharma said that since his appointment order has not been issued with the approval of competent authority (Lt Governor), the charge taken over by him is returned to the earlier officer who was holding it.

On Tuesday, the AAP government issued an order to appoint Sharma as the new DG of Tihar even as sources in the LG's office said that the former did not seek prior approval to do the same and the appointment is 'non est' (does not exist).

Sharma, a 1982-batch IPS officer, who is DG (Home Guard), was given additional charge of DG (Prisons).

"With reference to order dated 19 April, 2016, I took over the look after charge of Director General (Prisons) in addition to my own duties as Director General (Home Guards) but since the order is not issued with the approval of competent authority, hence the charge taken over by the undersigned (Sharma) is hereby returned to the earlier officer who was holding the charge," Sharma said in his letter issued under the designation of DG (Prisons).

He, however, said that he will be "happy" to resume the DG (Prisons) charge on approval of the competent authority.
New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday said party president Sonia Gandhi and her deputy Rahul Gandhi never intervened in any administrative matter including the Ishrat Jahan case during the United Progressive Alliance government's rule.

Unlike the RSS, Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi never intervened or gave any suggestion to the then home minister P Chidambaram or any other authority in government for any administrative matter including the Ishrat Jahan case, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a statement.

Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Surjewala said: Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah owe an explanation to 125 crore Indians to tell the 'real motive' behind their desperation to shut the ongoing trial in Ishrat Jahan case.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop perpetuating bundle of lies by using his cronies and pawns to spread falsehoods about the role of Congress president and vice-president in this case, Surjewala said.

By such mischievous attempts to hoodwink and divert the attention of people of the country, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah cannot put a lid on the truth. Let truth and justice be not a casualty in this web of deceit being woven by BJP government, he said.

The Congress reaction came in the light of statements of union Minister of Commerce and Industries Nirmala Sitharaman and other BJP spokespersons in Ishrat Jahan shootout case.

Sitharaman and BJP spokesman Sambit Patra had levelled serious allegations against Sonia Gandhi over the Ishrat Jahan shootout case, asserting the Congress had connived to get a political rival eliminated in Gujarat.

"Here is a political rival, the then chief minister of Gujarat, whom the Congress could not face politically. So they quietly allowed a terror plot bloom. By politicising the Ishrat Jahan encounter case, the Congress has undermined the national security. They have weakened the entire security network," Sitharaman said on Monday.

On the other side Congress asserted Prime Minister Modi and Shah to answer "why they are trying to bypass the judicial findings of Metropolitan Court, Ahmedabad, and Division Bench of Gujarat High Court.

Why the central government and Gujarat government are not giving sanction for prosecution of officers found responsible for the fake encounter of Israt Jahan and accomplices? Why are the prime minister and BJP president trying to block an ongoing trial and blatantly interfere with the judicial process, the Congress asked.
New Delhi: Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra on Thursday accused the Centre of "embarrassing" the country through its flip-flop on the return of Kohinoor diamond from Britain.

Mishra pointed to government's stand in the Supreme Court that the Kohinoor diamond was given to Britain as gift by erstwhile Punjab rulers and expressed surprise over the subsequent U-turn wherein it vowed to make all efforts to bring back the valuable piece.

In a letter to Union culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, Mishra wondered whether the government is unaware of its own policy on a priced heritage like Kohinoor.

This comes a day after the government claimed it has not yet conveyed its views to the court "contrary to what is being misrepresented" in the media.

Although Mishra claimed that the "affidavit" filed by the Centre ran against facts, the government has maintained that it was merely an "oral statement".

"The Solicitor General of India was asked to seek the views of the government of India, which have not yet been conveyed. The Solicitor General of India informed the honourable court about the history of the diamond and gave an oral statement on the basis of the existing references made available by ASI.

"Thus, it should be reaffirmed that the government of India has not yet conveyed its views to the court, contrary to what is being misrepresented," the government has said in a release.

Mishra said,"People who are aware of the country's history are also baffled as to why the Centre is in a hurry to end India's right over the diamond forever... Today even Pakistan is claiming its right over Kohinoor and India's position will strengthen Pakistan's claim.

"This is embarrassing for the government of any country. Is the government unaware of its own position on a priced heritage which can also be described as its national identity?."
Mumbai: After the successful right-to-pray campaign centred around the Shani Temple in Ahmednagar district, a similar public-backed movement has been launched to seek entry of women into the core area of the Haji Ali Dargah in the city.

Over 20 outfits, NGOs and human right activists on Wednesday announced formation of 'Haji Ali Sabke Liye' to peacefully campaign against the ban on entry of women into the interiors of the 15th century Sufi shrine, located on a small islet in the Arabian Sea and visited by hundreds of people everyday.

The forum was launched at a press conference which was briefly disrupted by a group of people who said the move was against the Sharia.

Addressing the meet, its convener Javed Anand said, "The forum is of the firm view that women's entry in the Dargah is not a religious issue, but something to do with customs and traditions. This is why the forum is appealing to the trustees of the Haji Ali Dargah to immediately withdraw the restriction imposed on entry of women."

The Bombay High Court is hearing a petition challenging the Haji Ali Trust's decision to ban the entry of women into the sanctum of the shrine.

"We are sincerely requesting the trustees to withdraw the ban before the HC gives its final order," said Anand.

Anand said he has full faith in the judiciary but is appealing to the management of the dargah to uphold the right to equality of women at religious places.

Representatives of the forum will try to meet the trustees to convey their sentiments on the issue. The new body would soon hold a peaceful dharna outside the shrine, which houses the tomb of a Sufi saint and also a mosque, he said.

Trupti Desai of Bhumata Brigade, who successfully spearheaded the agitation seeking entry of women in Shani Shinganapur's sanctum, said fighting for women's right was part of her mission and she would proactively take part in this movement too.

Mariam Dhawale, state president, All India Democratic Association, said after the Haji Ali Dargah row is solved, the forum would launch a similar movement to demand entry into other religious places where such a ban is in place.
Police horse Shaktiman , which suffered multiple fractures on its hind leg during a BJP protest in Dehradun last month triggering widespread outrage, died on Thursday.

"Shaktiman was injured on 14 March after which we had to operate on him. He was later fitted with an artificial leg. But he was unable to fully recover from an infection," SSP Dehradun Sadanand Date said.

Animal rights activists reacted sharply to the horse's death and asked the government to take action against the accused BJP leader, Ganesh Joshi.

Expressing condolences over the demise, Joshi said that he was not at fault. "I already said that I am not at fault, if found guilty then cut my leg," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

The 13-year-old horse was given a prosthetic leg and was confined to the police lines. It was a well trained horse and part of Uttarakhand Mounted Police for years.

"The horse passed away at 5.30 pm. He was suffering from medical complications. The exact cause will be known only after post-mortem," IG Garhwal Sanjay Gunjyal said.

Expressing shock over the demise of the horse, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said, "It was a brave soldier of Uttarakhand and died while performing its duty."

The horse had lost its leg after it was brutally beaten during clashes between BJP protesters and the police on 14 March.

BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi, accused of assaulting Shaktiman, was arrested after nationwide outrage over the incident.

With inputs from agencies.
New Delhi: Under attack for the government's U-turn on the Kohinoor diamond issue, BJP on Wednesday claimed the Narendra Modi dispensation has revised the stand of previous governments on the issue and will make all efforts to bring it back from the UK.

Hitting back at Congress over the issue, it said the opposition party has no moral right to criticise it as the party-led government never made any effort to bring the Kohinoor back.

"The charge that the government made a U-turn on the issue is not correct. That earlier stand was consistent with the stand of the previous Congress government and our government on Tuesday made it clear that it will make all possible efforts to bring it back," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

He said Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister, never broached the issue with the UK government, fearing it will spoil his international relations.

"Had there been a strong government earlier, we might have got it back. Our government will make all efforts in this regard," he claimed.
Mumbai: After nine trips by a 10-wagon water train, a 50-wagon water train carrying 25 lakh litre water reached parched Latur on Wednesday.

The train, christened 'Jaldoot', left Miraj in western Maharashtra at around 11 pm last night, for drought-hit Latur city, a distance of around 342 kilometres. So far, 70 lakh litre water has been delivered by train to Latur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

The train had previously made nine trips, each time carrying 5 lakh litres of water, to the parched city.

The 50-wagon train received a grand welcome at the Latur Railway Station on its arrival. Latur city mayor Akhtar Mistry, welcomed the 'Jaldoot Express', which was specially commissioned from Kota in Rajasthan to transport water to the 5 lakh people of Latur.

The train is a big relief for Latur citizens who have been struggling to get drinking water, the mayor said.

The 'Jaldoot' first made its trial run on 11 April. The train initially faced several clearance issues due to the single line section from Miraj to Latur. As a result, the first train had reached Latur in 17 hours.

However, the railways then pulled all stops to ensure that the train was given all the clearances during the journey. Subsequently, the train took just 8-9 hours to reach Latur. Once it arrived in six and a half hours.

The Solapur division of Central Railway ensured that 'Jaldoot' Express navigated the tracks without any hitch, and the Pune division of the Central Railway took care of the loading of water at the Miraj Railway station.

At Miraj, the water is first pumped through a 4 km closed pipeline from the railway jackwell located on the banks of Krishna river to the water treatment plant at Miraj railway station.

From the plant, it goes to Haider Khan well, which is at a distance of 2.5 km and from the well to yard, the water travels through a closed pipeline into the waiting wagons.

Latur District Collector Pandurang Pole said they were re-filtering the water before supplying to the citizens through tankers.

Krishnat Patil, operational manager, Pune division, said they plan to run the train every day till the onset of monsoon.

"Every day, civic body has pressed into service 450 trips by tankers. Each 'Jaldoot' trip will take care of the daily drinking water needs of the city," Pole said.

Latur Municipal Commissioner Sudhakar Telang said the civic body supplied drinking water to a particular area only after 8-10 days, but that is set to change once the water is transported regularly to Latur.

"After getting 25 lakh litre water, the tanker trips will go up and we will be in a position to provide water after at least every four days," he said.

Latur city used to get water directly from Manjara dam through a closed pipeline. Water was provided once every 8-10 days since the last monsoon. However, after the Manjara dam ran dry, civic body officials then started lifting water from three other smaller dams whose water-levels are also fast depleting.

At the Latur railway station, the water is decanted from the wagons into an 850 metre long RCC pipeline. It is then released into the a nearby well and from the well, it is lifted through a high density plastic pipeline and loaded into waiting tankers. From there it is sent to water filtration plant.

BJP activist Makrand Deshpande, a member of the Railway Committee, from Sangli, said, "When I first mooted the idea to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, at our party meeting in Nashik, the CM asked me to remind him later. When I reminded him, the CM immediately sent Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse to Sangli to announce the project on 5 April," he said.

Fadnavis spoke to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu who immediately gave green signal to the plan, Deshpande said.
The protagonist in the 1974 Marathi film Saamna, a sugar baron, tells a minister, "You fix the prices from there. I'll take care of the rest here." The film was among the early representations of the nexus between the sugar lobby and politicians in Maharashtra. Indeed, while the sugarcane crop might be at the centre of a debate at present with Marathwada reeling under an unprecedented drought, its history in Maharashtra goes way back.

Just three years after Independence, the first sugar co-operative factory - the Pravara Co-operative sugar factory - was set up in 1950 at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. The co-operative factory has now expanded into a much larger empire, which includes an education trust and a hospital. Several other co-operatives have also made similar forays into other sectors, further strengthening an already powerful sugar lobby. The factory was established by Vithalrao Vikhe-Patil, the grandfather of the present Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.

In the decades to come, the sugar co-operative industry would shape the careers of several senior politicians in Maharashtra. This includes past chief ministers like Yeshwantrao Chavan, Vasantdada Patil and Shankarrao Chavan.

In Marathwada, however, the water-guzzling sugarcane crop is widely perceived to be one of the reasons for the severe drought in the region. Last year, the Maharashtra government had considered banning sugarcane cultivation in certain districts of Marathwada. However, the sugar economy, developed over the course of several decades, continues to be the most remunerative option for farmers in the short-term.

Speaking to Firstpost, Amit Deshmukh, Latur city MLA said, "Farmers understand that sugarcane is the most profitable crop, and opt for it keeping this in mind. It is true that industries linked to other crops like cotton did not come up in the same way as sugarcane. However, banning the sugarcane crop altogether is not the solution, as we need to keep in mind that one sugar mill directly or indirectly benefits about 1 lakh. Nevertheless, I do think there is a need to legally mandate drip irrigation for water-intensive crops like sugarcane and banana."

Further, Deshmukh said, "Sugarcane also produces ethanol and power, which reduces our carbon footprint."

Striking a different note, Mahesh Vijapurkar, a senior contributor for Firstpost said, "Sugarcane cultivation has not caused a hydrological drought in Marathwada per se. But it has caused an imbalance in terms of the water available for other crops. Earlier, leaders like Shankarrao Chavan stressed the importance of conserving water even while growing crops like sugarcane. The present leadership also needs to realise the same."

To a question on why a larger economy could not be built other crops, Vijapurkar said that there was a lack of 'entrepreneurial leadership' in the cotton-growing areas.

The result  more and more regions are now turning to sugarcane. Maruti Kale, the sarpanch of Khambala village near Hingoli, said, Though most people in our area have not been growing sugarcane, some have begun to do so. One cannot expect the average farmer to think about the water table or the irrigation scenario in general. For them, sugarcane is simply much more profitable than other crops.

Speaking to Firstpost, Chandrakant Patil, Minister for Co-operation in Maharashtra said, "In the present day, with more modern technology, sugarcane does not need as much water as it did earlier. Banning the cultivation of the crop is not the solution. Co-operatives have been the backbone of the rural economy for a long time, and acting against them will have a detrimental effect."

However, even as the government has not heeded the demand to put restrictions on sugarcane cultivation, it is planning to enforce a five-year ban on sanctioning new sugar mills in drought-hit Marathwada.

This has come after a sharp increase in the area under cultivation for the water-intensive crop in the recent years. Although Marathwada lags behind western Maharashtra in terms of both rainfall and irrigation, the area under sugarcane cultivation has been rapidly increasing. Take, for instance, Beed district, which is one of the worst affected parts of the region. In 1960-61, sugarcane was being cultivated in a mere 200 hectares of land, while in 2011-12, the number rose to 8,90,100 hectares, according to data available on the districts official website.

Though the water-intensive sugarcane has been identified by the government and several voluntary organisations as a reason behind the drought, the problem appears to be a more nuanced one. Speaking to Firstpost, Prasad Chikshe, a water management expert from Ambejogai in Beed, said, I urged farmers to save water and to avoid cultivating sugarcane in Marathwada. But the situation is more complex than that. Why should politicians only tell people in Marathwada not to grow sugarcane? Why cant they frame policies by which western Maharashtra allows more water to reach Marathwada, so that the crop can be viable?

Deepak Deshpande of Adhunik Kisan, who is based in Kej taluka, strikes a similar tone. It is almost like an unwritten rule that people in rural areas must make sacrifices for the comfort of the city-dwellers, and never the other way round. The government can put in place some water cuts for urban areas as well, in order to provide for agriculture in Marathwada. After all, the farmers produce agricultural commodities which are consumed in cities as well.

However, the sugarcane crop is a relatively recent entrant into the agrarian economy of Marathwada. Bhagwan Kedar, who runs a cattle camp in Sarni-Sangvi in Beed, said that while the crop is being cultivated in the area for over a decade, this is the first time that it has failed to this extent. As sugarcane has few takers in the market, several farmers feed it to their cattle here. At least, it is put to some use, he said.

Meanwhile, the failure of sugarcane in other parts of the country has also had an effect on the region. Every year, five to six lakh people from Beed district alone temporarily migrate to Karnataka, Telangana and western Maharashtra to work on sugarcane fields there.

Kamala Mhaske, a farmer from Bhavthane village said, Usually, people leave for such places around Dussehra or Diwali and return only at the time of the next kharif sowing season (in June). However, this year, most people returned by Mahashivratri (March).

According to Mhaske, while several such people have taken up work under the MGNREGA, they have found the payments to be delayed and irregular. Pointing at a canal completed under the scheme, she said, This canal was completed months ago, and there still has not been any payment for it.

Maruti Kharat is one such farmer, who had gone to a village near Bijapur in Karnataka. While I own 3-4 acres of land, it is not enough to support my income. I had tried out the option of working on sugarcane fields to see if it would be of any help. But it was to no avail.

Dwarkadas Lohia, the founder of the organisation Manavlok, said, Although sugarcane is not suited for this region considering the water availability, its cultivation has been steadily increasing over the years. But after this years crop failure, the cultivation could be less next year.

Commenting on the reasons for its prevalence in the region, Lohia said, One of the reasons also is that sugarcane is a crop for the farmer who does not want to engage in much work. It does not need much care and attention, and is not as prone to pests or disease as some other crops. And, of course, it commands a good price in the market.

According to Ravi Deshmukh, a farmer in Beed district, a land holding of an acre can yield 20 tonnes of sugarcane which can get at least Rs 40,000 in the market, a substantial remuneration for the farmer.

In spite of the difficulties faced on multiple fronts, the popularity of sugarcane in Maharashtra remains undiminished. The disproportionate share of resources cornered by the crop was recently noted in a report by the Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), which observed, In Maharashtra, sugarcane cultivation, which is on less than 4 percent of the total cropped area of the state, takes away almost 70 percent of irrigation water in the state, leading to massive inequity in the use of water within the state.

The report calls for investing in productivity in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while encouraging the use of drip irrigation to save water resources in Maharashtra.

With inputs from Sanjay Sawant

This is the final segment of a 13-part series on Marathwadas drought. The epilogue that follows will examine short- and long-term solutions to the problem.

Read the previous parts of the series here:

Part 1: Region is parched, impoverished and desperate, but it's a crisis of its own making

Part 2: In the midst of severe economic downturn, private water sellers reap profits in Latur

Part 3: Drought has brought the economy down and is forcing farmers to leave the region

Part 4: Water scarcity has created a region where trust has eroded and left the social fabric frayed

Part 5: Maha has the most dams in the country, but the least effective irrigation network

Part 6: A surveyor of suicides tells the story behind the statistics and the lonely struggle of Indian farmers

Part 7: Will outreach help reduce farmer suicides?

Part 8: 'Toothless' laws lead to water exploitation

Part 9: Shirpur, Jal Biradari projects show impact of small local initiatives

Part 10: Why debt-ridden farmers are deemed least creditworthy

Part 11: Crop insurance for farmers not adequate to cover cultivation costs

Part 12: How climate change has destroyed agriculture and ruined farmers
Shaktiman, the Uttarakhand police horse which was attacked in a BJP rally in Dehradun, passed away at 5.30 pm on Wednesday, reports say. Allegedly attacked by BJP legislator Ganesh Joshi, Shaktiman's leg had to be amputated to prevent the gangrene in his body from spreading.

Ganesh Joshi who was accused of attacking Shaktiman at the rally, was arrested after a nation-wide outrage over the incident. The BJP MLA is out on bail.

"Shaktiman was injured on March 14 after which we had to operate on him. He was later fitted with an artificial leg. But he was unable to fully recover from an infection," SSP Dehradun Sadanand Date said.

"Though the artificial limb was put on Shaktiman, it was not working well and he was putting his entire weight on the other leg. That is why the infection spread. Today also a lot of care was taken and about eight doctors attended to the horse. It is sad that we could not save him," R S Meena, IG Law and Order, Uttarakhand, said.

Shaktiman was a well trained horse and part of Uttarakhand Mounted Police for years.

"The horse passed away at 5.30 PM. He was suffering from medical-related complications. The exact cause will be known only after post mortem," IG Garhwal Sanjay Gunjyal said.

Speaking to reporters, BJP State President Ajay Bhatt said, "When Shaktiman was operated, he was made to stand continuously. He did not get adequate rest."

"Ganesh Joshi was actually hitting the ground, you cannot pin him for Shakitman's death," Bhatt added.

Speaking to CNN News 18, Nikunj Sharma from Peta, said "I would say its a black day in animal rights. He beat the horse, his leg was amputated and now he's dead. The law has to be strengthened in a way that anyone who injures or kills an animal deserves stringent punishment. We call for a strong law today"

Many had argued that Shaktiman should be euthanised because of the pain and discomfort as he struggled to get used to his prosthetic leg.

Expressing shock over the demise of the horse, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said,"It was a brave soldier of Uttarakhand and died while performing its duty."

Rawat said at one stage in recent weeks it appeared that the horse was getting well and trying to stand.

BJP's Shaina NC said this was not an issue to be politicised. "It is the loss of life of an animal," she said, adding animal lovers across the country feel that a wrong has been done. "I think we all need to own this up at our own end," she said.

Animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi said, "Shaktiman died the same day when it was attacked and its leg broken. Horses with such weight have very little chance to live on three legs. We were mentally prepared for this but political parties are playing blame games."

According to a report in NDTV, 13-year-old Shaktiman was not responding to the prosthetic leg that Jamie Vaughan, who runs an NGO for veterinary care in Bhutan, brought from the US. The report further added that Shaktiman spent the last few days under the care of a group of policemen in Dehradun.

The officials taking care of the horse said that Shaktiman had stopped eating after the operation. A team of ten doctors had carried out the surgery on Shaktiman, said a report in The Hindu.

When intercepted by police near Rispana bridge on way to the state assembly during a protest march yesterday, BJP workers tried to jump over the barricades prompting security personnel, including the mounted police, to swing into action to control the protesters.

This enraged Joshi who allegedly began hitting a 13-year-old police horse named Shaktiman with a stick, causing fracture in one of its hind legs.

Neha Joshi, the BJP MLA's daughter, claimed many television channels have proved that her father did not harm the horse in any manner. "He has regretted the incident involving the mob," she said.

After news about the horse being injured during protests by BJP spread, Chief Minister Harish Rawat visited the stable located at the police lines where it has been kept for treatment.

"Political workers must learn the value of restraint and tolerance. It seems the word tolerance does not exist in BJP's dictionary," Rawat had said.

With inputs from PTI
Washington: India ranks an abysmally low at 133 among 180 countries in the latest annual World Press Freedom Index which says Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems "indifferent" to the threats against journalists.

The 2016 'World Press Freedom Index' released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is led by Finland, which retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

India jumped three spots from the 136th position it had in 2015.

"Journalists and bloggers are attacked and anathematised by various religious groups that are quick to take offense," the report said.

At the same time, it is hard for journalists to cover regions such as Kashmir that are regarded as sensitive by the government, it said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to these threats and problems, and there is no mechanism for protecting journalists," the report said.

"Instead, in a desire to increase control of media coverage, Modi envisages opening a journalism university run by former propaganda ministry officials," it alleged, without substantiating what it refers to.

Among India's neighbouring countries, Pakistan ranks 147, Sri Lanka (141), Afghanistan (120), Bangladesh (144), Nepal (105) and Bhutan (94). China is ranked 176.

The United States is ranked 44th and Russia is placed at the 148th place.

The report shows that there has been a deep and disturbing decline in respect for media freedom at both the global and regional levels.
Karimnagar (Tel): In a shocking incident, three minors of a state-run child care centre in Karimnagar allegedly had their wrists burnt with a hot spoon by staff members for refusing to eat food.

The incident, which took place on 15 April evening, came to light on Thursday after local television channels flashed the CCTV footage showing the alleged torture at the 'Shishu Gruha'.

According to officials of ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) Karimnagar who visited the centre and inspected the footage on Thursday, Rajan (2), Geetha (5) and Swaroopa (5) were severely burnt with the hot spoon on their wrists by staff members Buchamma, Padma and Sharada, after the children allegedly refused to obey their orders to eat food that day.

After the episode got highlighted, Karimnagar District collector Neetu Kumari on Thursday ordered an inquiry into it.

The move came after a member of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Hyderabad, Achyut Rao, issued a suo moto notice to enquire and initiate action against those responsible in the case.

The collector also suspended manager Devaraj and caretaker Srilatha for lack of proper supervision after a visit to the shelter home this afternoon and directed officials to initiate a criminal case against the accused staff members.

Meanwhile, Project Director Mohan Reddy of ICDS said initially, the care centre staff denied of having any knowledge (of the episode).

"However, we went through the CCTV footage and came to know of this incident and severe action will be initiated."
Nashik: Women activists were allegedly manhandled by a group of locals while they were trying to enter into the sanctum sanctorum of the famous Trimbakeshwar temple on Wednesday, following which the police booked 200 persons.

Former president of Trimbakeshwar Municipal Council Anagha Phadke is also among those booked, police said.

Talking to reporters, Vanita Gutte, president of Pune-based Swarajya Sanghatana said, "I was standing along with our women activists in the queue since 5 am to gain entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. We also followed the dress code - wearing wet cotton clothes - for the purpose."

"The entry into the sanctum sanctorum is restricted between 6 am and 7 am, the time that has been fixed by the temple trust. However, some local priests and women deliberately stood in the queue before us and obstructed us from entering the sanctum. They also manhandled us," Gutte

added.

Thereafter, the activists lodged a complaint with Trimbakeshwar police against the priests and women.

"Two hundred persons, including the former municipal president of Trimbakeshwar, have been booked under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 341 (wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention)," Inspector of Trimbakeshwar police station HP Kolhe said.

Police will go through the CCTV footage and will take action in this regard, he said.

The Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust recently decided to allow women into the famous Lord Shiva temple's 'garbha griha' (sanctum sanctorum) for an hour everyday, but with a rider that they must wear wet cotton or silk clothes while offering prayers in the core area.

On 14 April, based on a complaint by Gutte that they were being obstructed from entering the temple, police had registered offences against nearly 250 people, including members of the temple trust, some local priests, and temple workers, under relevant sections.
New Delhi: India and Mauritius have signed an agreement for cooperation in the field of traditional medicine and homeopathy, a move which will help both the nations to conduct joint research and exchange experts in these fields.

The MoU, signed during the recent visit of Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik to Mauritius, will promote cooperation in the field of traditional system of health and medicine between the two countries which already share these traditions due to their "unique historical and cultural ties".

The agreement envisages exchange of experts, supply of traditional medicinal substances, joint research and development and recognition of the traditional systems of health and medicine in both countries, the ministry said in a statement.

"It also aims at promotion and popularisation of the various Indian traditional systems which fall under AYUSH," it said.

Terming the agreement to be of "immense importance" to both countries, the ministry said that as a part of its mandate to propagate Indian systems of medicine globally, AYUSH has also entered into MoUs with China, Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, Hungary, Bangladesh and Nepal.

"The financial resources necessary to conduct research, training courses, meetings and deputations of experts will be met from the existing allocated budget and existing plan schemes of AYUSH.

"Both India and Mauritius share several cultural, historical, linguistic and literary similarities, traditional medicine including medicinal plants are promising areas which need to be further explored and can prove to be mutually beneficial to the people of the two countries," the statement said.

It said that Mauritius also has a long history of traditional medicine and both countries share a common culture with respect to the ayurvedic system of medicine.

"Moreover, there are a large number of medicinal plants, particularly those found in the tropical region and are common to the two countries given similar geo-climatic factors," it added.
Kalyani: The house of a CPM leader was attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers here in Nadia district on Wednesday.

The house of local CPM leader Babu Bose was attacked by some armed men at about 1.30 am. As they could not break open the door, they smashed window panes and damaged doors, a police official said.

Effort was being made to arrest the culprits, he said.

Bose alleged that five more houses were also damaged and the attackers belonged to the Trinamool Congress.

Local TMC leaders denied any involvement of their workers in the incident.

Nadia district goes to poll tomorrow in the third phase of Assembly elections in the state.
New Delhi: Concerned over the agrarian crisis engulfing almost half of the country, Congress on Thursday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi call a meeting of Chief Ministers of drought hit states to tackle the situation on war footing.

Reminding the Prime Minister of his "Raj dharma", the party also wanted MGNREGA works to be taken up immediately in the three lakh affected villages and implementation of the National Food Security Act in the drought hit states.

Party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala told reporters that the rural crisis could be gauged from the fact that the spate of "farmer's suicides has increased to an average of 52 deaths per day."

Besides, he said the agriculture growth rate is down to 0.2 per cent from 3.7 per cent two years back.

The resultant effect is large scale migration, farmer's suicides, drinking water rationing, food shortages and a huge rural crisis, he said.

Targeting the Narendra Modi dispensation, he asked the Prime Minister and his government to "rise from its slumber" as the grave agrarian and drinking water crisis has hit hard nearly 40 per cent of India's population. He said over 33 crore people in 2,55,000 villages in 10 States are reeling under severe drought.

He said if Bihar, Uttarakhand and Gujarat, which are also facing drought like conditions is taken into account, as much as 48.27 crore people are hit by agrarian and water crisis.

Alleging that rural distress has been accentuated manifold on account of systematic undermining of MGNAREGA by Modi government, he said this could be gauged from the fact that in 2015-16, only 1.8 per cent households covered by MGNAREGA got 150 days of employment in the 10 drought-hit States.

"Modi government is, completely oblivious to the crisis and has only responded after Supreme Court of India has intervened in the matter and is issuing day-to-day instructions to deal with the drought conditions. This by itself reflects complete abdication of duty by Modi government", he added.
Bengaluru: Spelling fresh trouble for former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa within days after he was made the state BJP chief, the Congress government in Karnataka has decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against his acquittal in a raft of corruption cases by the High Court.

An order had been issued on 24 February on filing the appeal, which the state anti-corruption ombudsman Lokayukta had also recommended, Law Minister TB Jayachandra told reporters.

"Lokayukta had also recommended it. In that background, the Home Department has taken action and issued the order," he said, adding, the appeal would be in relation to 15-16 cases against Yeddyurappa.

The Siddaramaiah government's move comes almost within two weeks after Yeddyurappa made a fiery return as the state BJP president for a fourth time, setting an ambitious target of winning 150 of the 224 Assembly seats in the 2018 polls.

His appointment to revive the fortunes of BJP had come after the Lingayat strongman got a breather from the High Court in January this year, when it quashed the proceedings against him in relation to 15 FIRs registered by the Lokayukta police over denotification of lands in alleged violation of rules.

After Yeddyurappa's return as BJP chief, Siddaramaiah had indicated recently that the government was mulling filing the appeal and the Law Department would take a decision.

Yeddyurappa was forced to step down as chief minister in 2011 over graft charges, following which he quit the party to form his own outfit, Karnataka Janata Party, which failed to make a mark except to cause damage to BJP in 2013 polls.

He returned to BJP following the announcement of Modi as party's prime ministerial candidate ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Biding his time, Yeddyurappa had made no secret of his desire to become the state BJP president and got the post recently with no challengers to him with his pan state image and combative style.

With Yeddyurappa already going on the offensive against the Siddaramaiah government after taking over the mantle of presidentship, the new development is expected to raise the political temperature in the state.
Kanpur: One person has been arrested for allegedly threatening to blow up a school owned by a BJP MLA, police said on Wednesday.

Krishna Kumar, who is a relative of Maharajpur MLA Satish Mahana's driver, had made the hoax call in an attempt to extort money from the legislator.

He was arrested on Tuesday after his number was traced by police, SP (City) Shomen Verma said.

Mahana, who owns Saraswati Vidya Mandir school in Lal Bangla area, had told police he received a call on his mobile phone threatening to blow up the school on Monday morning.

A team of police officials accompanied by bomb squad and sniffer dogs evacuated the school premises and carried out a search.

However, no bomb was found at the school where 900 children from class VI to XII study.
It was just over a year after Narendra Modis BJP steamrolled 26-out-of-26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat obliterating whatever little was left of an opposition party, when a spirited 23-year-old boy exploded on to the political horizon out of nowhere, demanding by a public movement a slice for his affluent Patidar community in the reserved OBC (other backward classes) cake.

Coming from the powerful community that gave birth, nurtured and lent invincibility to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Hardik Patels Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) should have shaken the ruling dispensation out of its stupor at the very first sight. It did not. The BJP should have had its ears to the ground to check the approaching demon in its baby steps. It did not.

Ten months on, the Anandiben Patel government just does not know what to do with the young army of Patidars that has kept on exploding on its chest at regular intervals. Rallies, meetings, letters to the chief minister, threats being issued through the media, among other things, have been pointers to the simmering storm.

The last was on Sunday, when hordes of supporters of the Sardar Patel Group supported by Hardiks PAAS laid siege to district jails in Mehsana, the home district of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Surat followed by clashes with the police, stone-pelting, and arson.

The key targets were cabinet Minister Nitin Patel, who heads the seven-member ministerial committee appointed by the CM to resolve the Patel issue, and Rajni Patel, minister of state for home, both of whom are from Mehsana.

Their camp offices were set on fire and Rajni Patels unoccupied house in Mehsana was put to flames the next day. This was besides the office of Mehsana MP Jayshree Patel.

This was a jail bharo (court arrest) programme, which had been announced in advance, and preceded by a day-long token fast in Surat on 13 April to remind the government about the demands of the agitating Patels.

Over 500 people from the community from across the State, including two local BJP MLAs Praful Pansuriya (Kamrej) and Kumar Kanani (Varachha), former minister and the partys Kisan Morcha general secretary Gordhan Zadaphia, Surat Mayor Asmitaben Siroya and several ruling party corporators of the BJP-ruled Surat Municipal Corporation, attended the event organised by the Patidar Sangh. Several such events have been happening over the last few months.

What was the governments response to the fracas on Sunday? Oh, is there an agitation here? Such things keep on happening, Chief Minister Anandiben Patels said, when confronted by reporters after a government function in Valsad.

Then there was a meeting -- yet another -- called on Monday between the ministerial committee and senior representatives of leaders of various community organisations, but the leaders of the agitating bodies were not invited here.

And what was decided at the meeting? To call another meeting. And this was not the first meeting, there have been several such but without a result. The next response to Sundays incidents was lodging an FIR against 25 people allegedly involved in it.

Speaking of the last ten months, what has the seven-member ministerial committee done so far? Last heard, it was to submit a report to the chief minister. Between this, Congress legislator-turned-BJP MP from Porbander Vithal Radadia, a powerful Patel leader from Saurashtra, stepped in as a mediator and met jailed Hardik Patel several times. Every time he emerged from a meeting with Hardik, he said an end to the Patel agitation was round the corner and that a compromise had almost been struck.

Nothing happened, except that the Patel leaders only reiterated their resolve not to relent till their demand for reservation is met and action taken against Minister of State for Home Rajni Patel and scores of policemen, including officials, for the violent crackdown on the Patels after the huge 25 August Ahmedabad rally attended by three to four lakh people from the community.

Twelve people had died in the clashes then. The third demand of the Patels is to withdraw police cases against their leaders, including withdrawal of sedition charges against Hardik Patel and two others.

To begin in the start, after initial procrastination the Anandiben government decided to get tough with the young turks with its unabashed use of the police machinery and threw Hardik and others in jails invoking sedition charges on them.

This cost the BJP dearly in the elections to 323 local self-government bodies, shattering the myth that they were sitting pretty on the formidable foundation laid by Modi, who left it with a 26-of-26 victory.

For the first time in three decades, the party was dealt with a shocker in semi-urban and rural areas in the elections -- it won only eight out of all 31 district panchayats in its control and managed to get only 73 taluka (tehsil) panchayats while the Congress party won 131.

It is only after this that the Anandiben Patel Government has been trying to negotiate a settlement, but have been unable to bring anything to the table.

(The writer is Editor, Development News Network)
Thiruvananthapuram: CPM strongman and politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the resolution passed by the party against Marxist veteran V S Achuthanandan still exists, but there is no need to link it to his candidature for the 16 May Kerala Assembly polls.

"The decision of the party and resolution remains and will not cease to exist unless it is amended or rejected," he said when asked whether the resolution passed by party secretariat in 2015 that "Achuthanandan has anti-party mindset" still exists.

"However, there is no link between his candidature and the party resolution", Vijayan, who was the state secretary of the party when the resolution was passed, told reporters.

"The party considers various aspects to select candidates for the polls. It found that Achuthanandan should be in the fray," said Vijayan, considered bete noire of 93-year old state Opposition leader Achuthanandan.

It was the party's decision to make Achuthanandan a candidate for the polls and not that of the leader, he added.

The former chief minister had walked out of the state conference held in Alappuzha in February 2015 following sharp differences with party leadership. He had also cited 'serious flaws' in the conduct of the state unit under Vijayan.

However, the party's central leadership intervened to sort out issues in the state unit.

The party has maintained that a decision on the chief minister's post would be taken only after the poll results. However, the official faction in the party in the state is in favour of making Vijayan the next chief minister if LDF comes to power.

Vijayan is contesting from Dharmadam in Kannur while Achuthanandan from Malampuzha in Palakkad district.

Meanwhile, another party politburo member and former state minister M A Baby said the core issue in the election is the corruption charges against the UDF government.

"No point in raking up history which is irrelevant now in the polls," Baby said.

"It is an attempt by anti-Left group to divert the attention from the main issues of the polls," he added.

Meanwhile, later in the day, Vijayan in a Facebook post claimed, a section in the media was "creating false reports" that he had termed Achuthanandan as an "anti-party man".

"We are functioning together. Reports are created that VS has been insulted as an anti-party man. I have the experience of false reports earlier. In recent times, there was a slowdown on such reports. But, I am surprised that it surfaced again," Vijayan said in his posting.

"We are facing the polls without any differences and nobody should think that they can create impediment on that," Vijayan said.

"VS is starting the campaign from North today and I am from South. That is our way of doing things. We are functioning unitedly," he said.

Seizing on the issue to attack CPI-M, BJP state president Kummanom Rajasekharan asked Achuthanandan to keep away from election if "he has any self-respect."

"I am asking this in the wake of Vijayan stating that Achuthanandan is an anti-party man," Rajasekharan said in a statement.

"It is a pity that CPI-M has to field an anti-party man for the polls," he claimed.
Dehradun: Police horse Shaktiman, which suffered multiple fractures on its hind leg during a BJP protest in Dehradun triggering widespread outrage, died on Thursday after battling infection and other complications for over a month.

"The horse passed away at 5.30 pm. He was suffering from medical-related complications. The exact cause will be known only after post-mortem," IG Garhwal Sanjay Gunjyal said.

Shaktiman's story stirred many across the country after it was seen in television visuals taking multiple blows and dragging its broken, mangled limb in excruciating pain during the protest on 14 March.

The 13-year-old didn't respond well to a prosthetic leg brought from the US, doctors said. It spent the past few weeks at the police lines in Dehradun. It was a well trained horse and part of Uttarakhand Mounted Police for years. It had participated in several parades.

"Shaktiman was injured on 14 March after which we had to operate on him. He was later fitted with an artificial leg. But he was unable to fully recover from an infection," SSP Dehradun Sadanand Date said.

BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi, accused of instigating the brutal attack on the horse, said, "I am very sad. I was not at fault, not even 0.1 per cent. If I am found guilty, then cut my leg."

The lawmaker was arrested and later let off on bail last month.

In a sharp reaction, Union minister Maneka Gandhi said, "Shaktiman was a police officer on duty and the person who put him through so much pain and ultimately killed him should be arrested for killing a police officer."

"Horses should no longer be part of our police system," she said, adding,"They serve no purpose and in every crowd engagement they are at the mercy of any vicious person who is too cowardly to do anything but injure the defenseless animal".

Expressing shock over the demise of the horse, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said,"It was a brave soldier of Uttarakhand and died while performing its duty."

The horse had lost its leg after it was brutally beaten during clashes between BJP protesters and the police on 14 March.

"Though the artificial limb was put on Shaktiman, it was not working well and he was putting his entire weight on the other leg. That is why the infection spread. Today also a lot of care was taken and about eight doctors attended to the horse. It is sad that we could not save him," R S Meena, IG Law and Order, Uttarakhand, said.

Across the country, people have stood by Shaktiman and have demanded that action be taken against the BJP MLA.

Many had argued that Shaktiman should be euthanised because of the pain and discomfort as he struggled to get used to his prosthetic leg.

Rawat said at one stage in recent weeks it appeared that the horse was getting well and trying to stand.

Shaktiman was dragged into a raging political row in the weeks before Uttarakhand was placed under President's rule, a decision challenged by Rawat in the Uttarakhand High Court.

The BJP had then attacked the Congress accusing it of using the horse to target its lawmaker and to try to keep him away from assembly proceedings and possible voting.

BJP's Shaina NC said this was not an issue to be politicised. "It is the loss of life of an animal," she said, adding animal lovers across the country feel that a wrong has been done. "I think we all need to own this up at our own end," she said.

The state BJP chief Ajay Bhatt accused the Congress of politicising the issue to target the BJP and defame its MLA.

Animal rights activist Gauri Maulekhi said, "Shaktiman died the same day when it was attacked and its leg broken. Horses with such weight have very little chance to live on three legs. We were mentally prepared for this but political parties are playing blame games."

Neha Joshi, the BJP MLA's daughter, claimed many television channels have proved that her father did not harm the horse in any manner. "He has regretted the incident involving the mob," she said. The BJP MLA is out on bail.

Claiming that Shaktiman was essentially killed the day his leg was broken, Peta India called for strengthening laws to save other animals from similar cruel deaths.

"Our equine veterinarian always warned his quality of life would be forever damaged and he may not live.

"We urge the government to act fast to ensure other animals are spared from cruelty and horrific deaths by strengthening the current weak penalties for cruelty to animals," it said in a statement.
New Delhi: Even as the government has chosen to remain tight-lipped on the price bargain related to purchase of Rafale fighter jets from France, the BJP on Wednesday announced on its official Facebook page that the deal has been finalised at $8.8 billion.

An image posted on Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) official Facebook page said the Narendra Modi-led government "saved $3.2 billion (Rs.21,000 crore) out of the $12 billion (Rs.80,000 crore) deal".

"The deal to buy 36 state-of-the-art Rafale aircrafts from France at $12 billion (around Rs.80,000 crore) was re-negotiated and finalised at $8.8 billion (around Rs.59,000 crore)," the post, which has an image of Prime Minister Modi on it, said.

The defence ministry refused to comment on the figure.

On Tuesday, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh said most of the roadblocks in negotiations on the Rafale deal had been overcome and it is likely to go to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) soon.

Earlier, sources said the negotiations over pricing had almost concluded, and the deal would be final soon.

The defence ministry has not officially quoted any figure for the deal for the fighter aircraft which is one of the most expensive in the world.

In January this year, both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase during the visit of French President Francois Hollande to India.
Chennai: People's Welfare Front constituent VCK on Wednesday fielded well-known educationist and intellectual Vasanthy Devi from RK Nagar constituency against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for the 16 May Assembly polls.

Jayalalithaa is seeking a successive term from the RK Nagar constituency. Party founder Thol. Thirumavalavan will contest from Kattumannarkoil in Cuddalore district.

Announcing Devi's candidature at a press conference, Thirumavalavan said the former vice-chancellor of Manonamaniam Sundaranar University was a "common candidate" of the People's Welfare Front (PWF), whose other constituents are Vaiko-led MDMK, CPM and CPI.

The combine had tied up with DMDK and Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) to contest the polls.

"She is a well-known educationist who has fought for women issues among other things. Highly respected, she has been working in various fora for people's issues," Thirumavalavan said.

Thirumavalavan, who was speculated to fight from the city-based constituency after it was allocated to his party, said "our intention is not to defeat anyone, but take the politics of change," to people.

Devi will fight on a VCK ticket on the party's Ring symbol, he said.

Making a comeback in the assembly elections after a gap of 15 years, Thirumavalavan said he will contest from Kattumannarkoil as it had been a favourable constituency, with him polling more votes even when he lost the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

He had contested from Chidambaram then under which Kattumannarkoil came. He had earlier won from the same Parliamentary constituency in 2009.

RK Nagar was allotted to the party only because he wanted eight general seats of the 25 seats allotted to VCK, the party founder said.

Both DMK and VCK have fielded women candidates to take on Jayalalithaa in the RK Nagar constituency.

DMK had nominated political greenhorn Shimla Muthuchozhan even as BJP has fielded MN Raja, son-in-law of a former AIADMK Minister from the Assembly segment.
Nainital: Adding to Centre's discomfiture, the Uttarakhand High Court on Wednesday issued a veiled warning, and said it hopes it will not provoke the Court by revoking the President's Rule imposed in the state till a verdict is delivered on the petition challenging its imposition.

Earlier in the day, the court observed that the legitimacy of the President's decision to suspend the Assembly

is subject to judicial review as even he can go wrong.

"We hope they will not provoke us," a bench of Chief Justice K M Joseph and Justice V K Bist said after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi raised the apprehension that President's Rule might be revoked before verdict is pronounced or even reserved.

Singhvi, who appeared for former Chief Minister Harish Rawat in his plea challenging President's Rule, expressed the fear after the Centre said that the Attorney General's statement of April 7, that nothing with regard to 356 will be done till April 17, has "expired".

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta did not confirm whether any decision with regard to revocation of President's Rule has been taken by the Centre.

Singhvi said President Rule should not be lifted before judgement is reserved or pronounced and the "opposition" should not be invited to form a government as this would render the plea infructuous.

He also said that the Centre cannot resort to such tactics to force the court to deliver a verdict quickly.
London: Around 500 migrants from Africa are feared to have drowned in the southern Mediterranean, survivors have told the UN refugee agency.

UNHCR spoke to survivors of the shipwreck in the Mediterranean, the Guardian said on Wednesday.

A repurposed fishing boat with around 500 people on board left Libya, heading for Italy. The migrants comprised Somalis, Sudanese, Ethiopians and Egyptians.

The shipwreck is believed to be the deadliest migrant shipwreck in months.

The disaster reportedly happened several miles out to sea, after the smugglers tried to transfer a group of migrants from a smaller to a larger boat, survivors said.

The larger boat was already overburdened, and began to sink under the strain of extra passengers. "Due to the overcrowding, the large boat sank," UNHCR said in a statement.

A Somali community leader in Egypt said that some of the dead appeared to have been part of Egypt's Somali expatriate community.

The 41 survivors included those who had yet to be transferred from the small vessel as well as a number of those who swam back to the smaller boat after the larger one began to sink.

They include people from Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt.

The survivors "claim to have been part of, and to have witnessed, a large shipwreck that took place in the Mediterranean Sea claiming the lives of approximately 500 people", UNHCR said.

After the shipwreck, they were left to drift in the smaller boat, until they were spotted and rescued by a merchant ship on 16 April and taken to the Greek mainland. The date of the sinking is unclear.

More than 170,000 people reached Europe from Libya in 2014, while 150,000 tried the same route in 2015. Nearly 25,000 have already followed in their wake in 2016, roughly the same level as this time last year.

The shipwreck has prompted renewed calls from refugee advocates for western countries to provide safe and legal access to Europe.

UNHCR called on Europe to provide "increased regular pathways for admission of refugees and asylum seekers to manage the emergency in Europe.

"Additional possibilities for resettlement and humanitarian admission, family reunification, private sponsorship, and humanitarian and refugee student and work visas all serve to reduce demand for people smuggling, onward movement, and dangerous boat journeys.
New Delhi: India will sign the Paris Agreement on climate change, adopted by more than 190 countries in December last, on Friday in New York.

The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of the agreement, adopted during the 21st Conference of Parties held in the French capital.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will sign the agreement on behalf of India on 22 April at a high-level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.

India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC and the agreement addresses all the important "concerns and expectations" of India.

A record number of more than 150 countries are expected to sign the "historic" Paris agreement in New York.

A UN body had earlier said that this record number of countries would surpass the previous record of 119 signatures for an opening day signing for an international agreement, set by the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in 1994.

The signing ceremony will mark the first step toward ensuring that the Paris Agreement enters into force as early as possible.

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, deposit their instruments of ratification or acceptance with the Secretary-General.

"The Paris Agreement on climate change is a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention (UNFCCC) and recognises the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances," an official statement said.

The agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries and their right to development.

It also recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead and notes the importance of "climate justice", which was raised by India, in its preamble.

Over 60 Heads of State and governments including French President Francois Hollande are expected to attend the signing ceremony in New York.

"The Agreement seeks to enhance the 'implementation of the Convention' whilst reflecting the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances.

"The objective of the agreement further ensures that it is not mitigation-centric and includes other important elements such as adaptation, loss and damage, finance, technology, capacity building and transparency of action and support," the official statement said.

Noting that pre-2020 climate actions are also part of the decisions, the statement said that the developed countries are urged to ramp up their level of financial support.

They are to scale up their financial support with a complete road map to achieve the goal of jointly providing $100 billion by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation by significantly increasing adaptation finance from current levels and to further provide appropriate technology and capacity building support, it said.

PTI
Cairo: Egypt has blasted the UN chief for calling for a fair trial for two prominent rights activists accused of illegally receiving foreign funds for their NGOs.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid says in a statement Wednesday that comments by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are an attempt to intimidate Egypt's judiciary and meddle in its affairs.

A spokesman for Ban said in a statement Tuesday that he was "following closely" the government's legal case against NGOs over the foreign funds issue and that the two activists  Gamal Eid and Hossam Bahgat  should "benefit from all due process and fair trial standards."

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's government has placed restrictions on civil rights groups at a time when criticism is growing of the country's human rights record, particularly police abuse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the US on 7 and 8 June, a bipartisan group of four top American lawmakers said on Wednesday and asked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, to invite him for a joint meeting of the Congress. If he does make the visit, it will be his first bilateral state visit  following a visit to the UN General Assembly in 2014, Silicon Valley in 2015 and the Nuclear Security Summit earlier this year  and his fourth in total after a little over two years in office.

However, there has been no official announcement from either the White House or the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi.

"Given the depth of our relationship with India across a range of areas  defence, humanitarian and disaster relief, space cooperation, conservation, and innovation,  we believe this is an ideal opportunity for the Congress to hear directly from the Prime Minister," Congressmen Ed Royce, Eliot Engel, George Holding and Ami Bera said in a letter (embedded at the end of this article) to Ryan.

Royce is chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee and Engel is its ranking member. Holding and Bera are co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

It's worth bearing in mind that at the time of writing this piece, neither Ryan nor Modi have publicly conveyed anything that could be construed as a response in the affirmative.

Nevertheless, let's assume Ryan green-lights the proposal and Modi accepts the invitation.

This wouldn't be the first time he would be addressing another country's House of elected representatives  Australia, Bhutan, Nepal and the UK come to mind. And whether his address hits on such topics as malnutrition, the girl child, climate change, sanitation, terrorism, international cooperation or sportsman spirit as a lubricant for the health of society, the real action is likely to take place away from Capitol Hill.

Before going any deeper, it's instructive to look at the timing of the visit (were it to fructify).

By the time 7 June rolls around, the five Assembly elections across India will have been completed and the results will have been declared. Depending on the performance of the BJP, exercises in damage limitation or celebration will be underway  neither of which will require Modi's continuous presence. At the same time in the US, all but one presidential primary  District of Columbia on 14 June  will have been completed. The identities of both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates are likely to be clear by then  whether it's Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders versus Ted Cruz, or some other combination for the main event.

In other words, both Modi and President Barack Obama will be fairly free to sit and discuss matters of bilateral importance without much distraction.

It has however, been widely noted that with Obama set to step down as President on 20 January, he is in the 'lame duck' phase of his presidency and this visit will be fairly meaningless. But as a report in The Economic Times points out, the foundation for a reboot of India-US ties (following India's nuclear tests in 1998) was laid when the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid the then president Bill Clinton a 'ceremonial visit'.

In the decade-and-a-half since, George W Bush and Obama on one hand, and Manmohan Singh and Modi on the other have turned the India-US relationship into one of the most important ones for both countries.

For India

One of the most visible indicators of the deepening of relations with the US is the growing value of bilateral trade. Having crossed the $100 billion barrier in 2015, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma remarked that bilateral trade could even cross the $500 billion barrier at some point. Meanwhile, others are throwing around the $1 trillion figure as one that is achievable by 2030. With an eye on trade, US think-tank the Atlantic Council on Tuesday, launched an India-US trade initiative aimed to strengthen economic ties and meet the two countries' bilateral trade target of $500 billion.

Trade apart, New Delhi and Washington have enhanced cooperation in defence, nuclear technology and maritime security.

The Logistics Supply Agreement signed during Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter's India visit last week is another step (after the renewal of the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative in December last year) towards more robust defence cooperation. The expansion of naval exercises  turning the annual, usually bilateral, MALABAR drill into a trilateral exercise that includes Japan  is another step in this direction (more on this later).

Certainly, Pakistan remains a thorn in India's side, particularly Islamabad's enduring closeness to Washington. However, in recent times, the US seems to be making the sort of noises that indicate that the carte blanche Pakistan was extended in the past, might be being withdrawn, albeit, slowly.

For the US

Having withdrawn from Iraq and in the process of drawing down from Afghanistan, the US was probably under the impression that its engagement with the region was coming to a close.

Then came the Islamic State, and all bets were off.

Washington once again finds itself engaged (whether overtly or covertly) in three areas: West Asia, Russia (although a thaw seems to be setting in) and East Asia, particularly the South China Sea. It is in the third of these theatres that New Delhi's support will be invaluable to Washington. China's growing belligerence in the region has unsettled several US allies including the Philippines and Vietnam. Amidst all the sabre-rattling, the US realises it cannot afford being drawn into a conflict with China.

That's where India comes in as a useful partner. It features among the world's largest navies and cooperation with the American, Japanese and Australian navies would provide formidable sea power to counter China's expansion in the South China Sea, and ensure freedom of navigation through those waters.

Which is exactly what seems to have been expressed at the Raisina Dialogue in March this year. US Pacific Command commander Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr seemed to revive Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's idea of a strategic quadrilateral by saying, "By being ambitious, India, Japan, Australia and the United States  and so many other like-minded nations  can aspire to operate anywhere on the high seas and the air space above them."

What to expect from the visit

Assuming, once again, that the visit does go ahead, there will likely be a Modi-Obama joint statement issued that will list various new initiatives for cooperation  cultural, intellectual, scientific etc  and certain areas where cooperation can be enhanced. It's worth recalling at this point, that the first state visit hosted by Obama was that of an Indian prime minister (Singh) and the last one  in all probability  will also be by an Indian prime minister. Given that Obama will have just a few months left in office, it is unlikely that any major deals will be inked.

However, what may well emerge is a roadmap that the next President of the United States can follow to push New Delhi-Washington ties further forward. In Modi, the US has identified a pragmatic and proactive partner with whom to do business, and hitting the ground running with him will be a priority for the next US president. Ryan will be acutely aware of this fact as also India's growing space in the American mind vis-a-vis the bigger scheme of things, and an invitation to the prime minister appears to be on the cards.

And who knows, Modi might even take the time to hold another public address, and even swing by Canada and drop in on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Read the letter from the four lawmakers to Ryan below:

Invitation to Narendra Modi

With inputs from PTI
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi held the 19th round of boundary talks in Beijing on Tuesday. The already complex border negotiations have complicated further in recent years with incidents of intrusions by the People's Liberation Army into Indian territory.

The flurry of activity, soon after the new governments in Delhi and Beijing took charge, held the promise of a fresh start. But so far nothing much has changed on the ground.

"India-China ties are in auto-mode at the moment, it's a kind of drip, drip situation nothing much has happened," says Alka Acharya, director and senior fellow at the Institute of Chinese Studies, in Delhi.

President Xi Jinping was in India in September 2014, Modi paid a return visit in 2015. For a brief while it seemed that ties would take off smoothly. But fresh concerns have cropped up.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which stretched to Gilgit-Baltistan region, which India claims in its entirety, has not helped matters. Indias warming ties with the US and constant refrain about freedom of navigation in international waters, is being seen as a US-led gang-up against China. Added to this is the Chinese veto of Indias bid to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist at the United Nations.

But high level visits have continued. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar will be returning from China after a five day first visit and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Chinas foreign minister Yang Yi in Moscow where both went for the RIC foreign ministers meet. Stung with Chinas refusal to back India in the UN, Swaraj raised the issue with Yang Yi.

This is the second time that China vetoed the move on technical grounds. India knows very well that raising the Masood Azhar point will get no traction from China. Beijing is unlikely to change its stand or give any detailed explanation. But New Delhi wanted China to clearly spell out why a man, who India believes is behind the Pathankot terror attack, should get kid glove treatment from China. The NSA is likely to bring up Masood Azhar, at least to playback to the domestic constituency, if not for anything else.

In fact , it was the attack on the frontline airbase in Pathankot which had delayed the border talks between the two Special Representatives (SR) appointed by the respective governmennts. Doval postponed the January talks following the terror attack. Considering the current situation, when Ajit Doval and Yang Jiechi sit down to talk, there is likely to be no major announcements.

"We can expect a few more cbms but no major thrust to take the SR process forward," says analyst Srinath Raghavan, of the Centre for Policy Research.

Soon after taking office the Modi government had wanted China to clarify its positions on the Line of Control (LAC). It was then touted as a "change" from the UPA policy. In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself spoke of it while delivering a lecture at a university in Beijing in May 2015. The thinking behind that was to clarify positions which would help determine where each side stands physically on the border. Beijing simply turned down the suggestion saying it would lead to further confusion.



For quite some years now, the boundary discussions have come to a point when both China and India need to consider the issue of exchange of territory. As far back as 2007, the roadblock in the boundary discussions was stuck on China's claims to Tawang, which has one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the region.

The Chinese claim to Arunachal is on the ground that the Macmohan Line, which was the border imposed by the British, overlooked Beijings claim to territory traditionally held by them. The constant public claim that Beijing makes on Arunachal is a maximalist position to snatch the monastery town of Tawang from India in the final settlement. The Chinese also say that the sixth Dalai Lama was born in Tawang, and the monastery town had to be given back to the Buddhists of Tibet.

"It is now the question of trade-offs that China and India have to do. Whether either side is prepared to do so now remains to be seen," says Raghavan. "My hunch is neither side has given much thought to it yet."

Doval will also raise the issue of Chinese infrastructure projects being built in POK, especially in the Gilgit-Baltistan area. India claims this entire area for itself and says that China should not build on a disputed territory. Chinas decision to invest $46 billion in Pakistan for its one belt one road project includes this area. "The entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, which includes the regions of Gilgit and Baltistan, is an integral part of India," MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup has often repeated.

Chinas response to all of Indias compalints are predictable. Whether any new confidence building measures (cmbs) have been announced will be known later.
Sydney: Two pieces of debris recovered from beaches in Mozambique almost certainly belong to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Australian officials said on Tuesday, signalling a possible breakthrough in the search for the plane that vanished mysteriously with 239 people in 2014.

Australia is leading the massive multi-nation search in the remote southern Indian Ocean, believed to be the final resting place of the Boeing 777.

"Part No. 1 was a flap track fairing segment, almost certainly from the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO," the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report said of the piece found 27 December.

The second piece of debris was found 27 February, about 220 kilometres from the spot where the first item was discovered.

"Part No. 2 was a horizontal stabilizer panel segment, almost certainly from the Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft, registered 9M-MRO," the report said.

Its stencilling was also consistent with that used by Malaysia Airlines, the ATSB said.

MH370's disappearance is one of the world's biggest aviation mysteries. The plane vanished from radar on 8 March, 2014 while en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing, with 239 people, including five Indians, on board.

The ATSB said both pieces were also examined for "marine ecology and remnants of biological material" which could provide clues to their sea journey.

"Visible marine ecology was present on both parts and these items were removed and preserved," the report said.

"At the time of writing, ongoing work was being conducted with respect to the marine ecology identification as well as testing of material samples.

"The results from these tests will be provided to the Malaysian investigation team once complete."

The ATSB said the pieces found in Mozambique would be returned to Malaysia this week.

Despite a two-year investigation costing millions of dollars, only one piece of debris has been confirmed as coming from the aircraft  a 6-foot-long wing flap that washed up on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.

Investigators said they would analyse another possible piece found on a Mauritian island in March.

The debris washing up on the East African coast is consistent with computer models showing how ocean drift would carry the wreckage across the seas, according to officials.

The relatives of several passengers aboard flight MH370 have filed suits against the airline amid doubts about the official explanation for the plane's disappearance.
Brussels: NATO and Russia begin their highest level talks for nearly two years on Wednesday, in a bid to ease military tensions over the Baltic Sea and the simmering violence still gripping eastern Ukraine.

The meeting of the NATO-Russia Council will be the first since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, when the alliance cut off all practical ties with Moscow in protest.

Relations have worsened over Moscow's air campaign in Syria and tensions have flared in the past week after two incidents involving the US military and Russian planes in the Baltic Sea.

Ambassadors from the 28 countries that make up NATO will meet Russian officials in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, improving military cooperation and the war in Afghanistan.

"We are not afraid of dialogue," said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, who will hold a press conference at 1000 GMT.

High on the agenda will be an incident this month when Russian warplanes flew within metres of an American missile destroyer in the Baltic Sea in what the US called a "simulated attack".

Two days later, a US air force plane was intercepted by a Russian fighter, prompting Stoltenberg to accuse Russia's military of "unprofessional and unsafe behaviour".

Fears the two sides could become embroiled in violence have grown since Russia started a bombing campaign in Syria, particularly after alliance member Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet on its border in November.

Russia blames NATO for increasing the risk of conflict by building up its troops in Eastern European countries, many of

which have been lobbying for more Western support.

Russia's representative at the talks, Alexander Grushko, has said he will use the meeting to protest at NATO's activities close to its western borders.

"Today we are having a military build-up in the Baltic area, which from our point of view is absolutely unjustified," he said last week. "The shape of NATO-Russia relations is very bad."

The talks will also focus on implementing the Minsk ceasefire accords in Ukraine, which were supposed to herald a broader settlement and return control of the eastern border with Russia to Kiev.

The deal has produced a tenuous calm in eastern Ukraine, parts of which are controlled by Moscow-backed rebels, but the truce has been threatened by a recent upsurge in clashes.

Crimea's future remains highly uncertain with Russian President Vladimir Putin insisting it will never be given up and NATO equally insistent it will never recognise its annexation.
RIYADH U.S. President Barack Obama met Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Wednesday to seek joint action on security threats including Iran and Islamic State - and to talk through tensions between the two allies that have been laid bare in recent weeks.

Obama's fourth and likely last visit to the world's top oil exporter has been overshadowed by Gulf Arab exasperation with his approach to the region, and doubts about Washington's commitment to their security.

Most of the Gulf Arab monarchies have in private been sorely disappointed by Obama's presidency, regarding it as a period in which the United States has pulled back from the region, giving more space to their arch rival Iran to expand its influence.

Obama met for two hours with Salman and a group of top princes and officials at the opulent Erga palace, a meeting that had been forecast to be awkward.

Obama was recently quoted in a U.S. magazine interview commenting on the "complicated" nature of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, and describing some some Gulf and European states as "free riders" who called for U.S. action without doing enough themselves.

The White House said the leaders exchanged views on a series of regional conflicts where the allies disagree, and also explored U.S. concerns about Saudi human rights issues.

"The two leaders reaffirmed the historic friendship and deep strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia," the White House said in a statement.

Obama has spoken of his desire to persuade Gulf states to arrive at a "cold peace" with Iran that would douse sectarian tensions and allow all sides to focus on what he sees as a greater threat emanating from Islamic State.

"More broadly, the president and King discussed the challenges posed by Irans provocative activities in the region, agreeing on the importance of an inclusive approach to de-escalating regional conflicts," the White House said.

Obama praised the king's pledge of humanitarian aid to Yemen after a Saudi-led military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi group - and talked about the need to help parts of Iraq hit hard by Islamic State fighting.

They also talked about the need to reinforce a cessation of hostilities between Syrian government and opposition forces, and their support for a political transition in the war-torn country, the White House said.

The White House did not say whether the leaders had discussed a bill proposed in the U.S. Congress that, if passed, could hold the kingdom responsible for any role in al Qaeda's Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The attack was mounted by al Qaeda, then based in Afghanistan. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals, although no U.S. investigation to date has reported finding evidence of Saudi government support for the attacks.

Obama has said he opposes the bill because it could expose the United States to lawsuits from citizens of other countries.

LOW-KEY ARRIVAL

Obama arrived too late for the pomp of a televised official welcome for Gulf rulers at the airport, making a low-key entrance before being whisked off by helicopter to the palace.

He later met privately at his hotel with Abu Dhabis crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan and discussed the need to find a political settlement for the Yemen conflict, and to head off the "actions of potential spoilers" for Libya's nascent government.

Earlier, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter had talks with his Gulf Arab counterparts on ways of countering Iranian influence and fighting the Islamic State group.

They agreed on joint cooperation towards improving Gulf missile defence, special forces and maritime security, but no new deals were announced.

The GCC secretary general said the bloc and the United States would stage joint maritime patrols to stop weapons smuggling to Iran. American officials said these were already taking place and did not represent a new step.

On Thursday, Obama will attend a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a group of monarchies comprising Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Apart from Oman, they are ruled by Sunni Muslim dynasties who see revolutionary, Shi'ite Iran as a threat to their security and say its involvement in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen has fuelled conflict and deepened sectarian divisions.

That tension surfaced again on Wednesday when Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei attacked Riyadh's attempts to isolate its ally, Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, in a series of fiery Tweets.

"Hezbollah is shining in the Muslim world. It doesn't matter if a corrupt, dependent and hollow government with the use of petrodollars condemns it in a statement. To hell with it," he wrote.

The White House shares the view of Gulf Arab states that Tehran plays a destabilising role, but its push for the nuclear deal Iran agreed with world powers last year caused fears in Riyadh that Washington was not listening to their concerns.

(Additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by William Maclean and Dominic Evans)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Washington: The US Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation involving the leaked Panama Papers on offshore shell companies, according to an official letter to the group that brought the records to light.

The letter from the office of Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara, obtained by AFP Wednesday, asks to discuss the investigation with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which worked with media outlets to reveal the documents.

The letter, dated April 3 and obtained from the ICIJ, said Bharara's office "has opened a criminal investigation regarding matters to which the Panama Papers are relevant."

His office said it "would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak as soon as possible" with someone from ICIJ on the matter.

The letter gave no information on the subject of the investigation, and was not a subpoena that would force the ICIJ to turn over any of the 11.5 million confidential documents leaked from Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca.

Access to the documents remains limited to a handful of international media organizations.

Reports from the ICIJ and the media groups based on the Panama Papers link a number of international leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and leaders and top officials in Ukraine, China and Argentina, to offshore shell companies that can be used to hide wealth and launder money.

Iceland's Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was also forced to resign after the documents showed he and his wife made use of an offshore company.
Just a few days ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday, the British royal family released photos to commemorate the occasion. According to Vanity Fair, the royal family wanted to celebrate this milestone with a sheet of commemorative stamps to be sold by the Royal Mail on Thursday.

Prince George, however, stole the spotlight in the photograph. He is seen standing next to his father Prince William on four blocks of foam on one side and his "gan-gan" Queen Elizabeth II on the other. For Prince George, this will be his first appearance on a royal stamp, said the Vanity Fair report.

A family portrait to mark #Queenat90. It's the first time Prince George has appeared on @RoyalMailStamps pic.twitter.com/9xgoJwNU12  Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 20, 2016

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the photo was taken last summer but only released on Tuesday. The stamps, which will be snapshots of heads of each of the family members from the photograph, will be on sale from Thursday just in time for the Queen's birthday on Friday. The Royal Mail will also issue six commemorative stamps showing the Queen's role in public as well as at home over 90 years.

.@RoyalMailStamps have issued a further 6 Special Stamps to honour HM's family life and official role #Queenat90 pic.twitter.com/TIcl7NGNwR  BritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) April 20, 2016

So secretive was the shoot that photographer Ranald Mackechnie kept it even from his wife. He told The Telegraph that his wife will find out only when it would be made public. Talking about photographing the young Prince, Mackechnie said "He was absolutely charming, as you can see from the picture. You only have a short window of opportunity with small children, but Prince George was on good form and everyone seemed to enjoy seeing him enjoy the day," reported The Telegraph.

"It's great just to be asked to photograph a stamp, never mind four generations of the royal family. When I was asked

about I was ecstatic but I had to keep schtum (quiet) for 18 months," Photographer Ranald Mackechnie said.

"It was an amazingly relaxing and light-hearted sitting. They were comfortable with one another and behaved like any

family with their conversation and jokes. It was much more relaxed than when I've tried to take pictures with my family. The joy and energy coming out of George was fantastic. It lifted the whole shot and lifted the afternoon. He was on top form. He was quite fascinated by the lights. He took it all in his stride," added Mackechnie.

Twitter went gaga over the picture, with Prince George being the highlight.

What a cracking picture! Prince George is one handsome little man #Royals #royalmailstamp https://t.co/3aA49gkkWs  Catherine (@MiMoveProperty) April 20, 2016

Prince George is the cutest thing ever in his little outfits   Aaliyah Buchanan (@AaliyahBuchana2) April 20, 2016

@misszing @msannapicard Prince George alarms me. There's something about him reminiscent of a young Henry VIII.  Corrina Connor (@corrinacellist) April 20, 2016

Prince George is such a cutie patoooootie I can't cope  sonya (@_sxnya) April 20, 2016

And there were the funny ones

Apparently Prince George was ranked as the 49th best dressed man by GQ in 2015. That kid is going places  Will Amor (@WillAmor) April 20, 2016

Royals finally taking austerity measures by dressing Prince George in Edward VII's hand me downs #PrinceGeorge  Elaine Malcolmson (@emalcolmson) April 20, 2016

Prince George recycles his wardrobe in latest photo shoot. Those millionaire tots - they're just like us! pic.twitter.com/X7W4459FR8  Katie Grant (@kt_grant) April 20, 2016

A favourite thing is looking at photos of the Royal Family and imagining Prince George is a ghost and the rest of the family don't know  James McMahon (@jamesjammcmahon) April 20, 2016

With inputs from PTI
NEW YORK Front-runner Donald Trump showed signs of tightening his grip on the Republican U.S. presidential nomination on Wednesday when chief rival Ted Cruz acknowledged his own only hope of wresting control is a contested convention.

Trump delivered a crushing defeat of Cruz in Tuesday's New York Republican nominating contest while Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton broke rival Bernie Sanders' string of state victories with a definitive win of her own.

Rebounding from a defeat in Wisconsin two weeks ago, Trump set himself up for another big night on April 26, when the Northeast U.S. states of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Maryland hold primaries.

"Ted Cruz is mathematically out of winning the race," Trump tweeted on Wednesday. "Now all he can do is be a spoiler, never a nice thing to do. I will beat Hillary!" Trump, 69, predicted some "amazing weeks" ahead for his campaign.

Cruz, at a news conference on the sidelines of a Republican National Committee meeting in Hollywood, Florida, said neither he nor Trump will amass the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination without a contested convention in Cleveland starting on July 18.

What is clear today is that we are headed towards a contested convention. Nobody is able to reach 1,237. Im not going to reach 1,237, and Donald Trump is not going to reach 1,237, said Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas.

New York boosted Trump's delegate tally to 845, while Cruz has 559 and Kasich 147, according to the Associated Press. Next Tuesday's contests offer 172 delegates for Republicans.

CLINTON LEADS TRUMP -POLL

If Trump, a New York billionaire, and Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state, go on to secure their respective parties' nominations, a Reuters/Ipsos national opinion poll shows Clinton with a sizeable lead if the Nov. 8 election were held today.

In the latest poll of likely general election voters, 45 percent said they would support Clinton while 35 percent would support Trump if the two were running against each other. The April 15-19 poll surveyed 1,334 people and had a credibility interval of 3.1 percentage points.

A former reality TV star, Trump has adopted a more measured tone in recent days and appears to be trying to heal wounds inflicted by a campaign that has alarmed many in the Republican establishment. He sent campaign advisers to the party meeting in Florida that began on Wednesday.

"There's only two issues left for Republicans: Will Trump get 50 percent of the delegates prior to Cleveland, and if not, how close will he be? New York gives him a nice boost, but it will take weeks before we know the answer," said Ari Fleischer, who was White House spokesman under President George W. Bush.

Cruz, 45, came in third in New York. Ohio Governor John Kasich, 63, a long-shot candidate, sought to use his second-place showing in New York as proof he is emerging as Trump's central challenger.

Trump won at least 89 delegates in New York, while Kasich got at least three, according to the AP. Cruz did not win any, prompting Trump adviser Sarah Huckabee Sanders to urge him on CNN on Wednesday to "get out of the way" once the math of delegate counts makes it impossible for him to prevail.

CLINTON BEATS SANDERS

The win by Clinton, 68, makes it nearly impossible for Sanders, 74, to overtake her commanding lead in delegates needed to secure the nomination. Clinton clinched at least 175 out of 291 New York delegates, while Sanders won at least 106, according to the AP.

A U.S. senator from Vermont, Sanders has vowed to fight until the Democrats nominating convention in Philadelphia starting on July 25.

Democratic strategist Jim Manley said Clinton has the delicate task of trying to attract Sanders supporters drawn to his leftist campaign promises, while switching focus to the task of beating the eventual Republican nominee.

She runs a risk. If she goes too far to the left shes going to upset independents and others that shes going to need in the general, Manley said.

(Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Hollywood, Florida and Alana Wise, Megan Casella, Doina Chiacu in Washington; Chris Kahn and Jonathan Allen in New York and Emily Stephenson in Philadelphia; Writing by Doina Chiacu and Jeff Mason; Editing by Frances Kerry and Howard Goller)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
NEW YORK Republican front-runner Donald Trump won New York's presidential nominating contest on Tuesday, according to news network projections, moving closer to capturing enough delegates to win the party's White House nomination and avoid a contested convention in July.

The New York billionaire needed a big victory in his home state to recapture the momentum in the Republican race and push him closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination.

He was hoping to win more than 50 percent of the vote in New York against rivals Ted Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas, and Ohio Governor John Kasich. Trump could win all of the state's 95 delegates if his vote total is above 50 percent statewide and in each of the state's congressional districts.

Trump's victory also sets him up for a strong performance next Tuesday, when five other Northeastern states hold nominating contests that he expects to do well in.

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton also sought a big victory in New York, which she once represented in the U.S. Senate, to blunt the momentum of rival Bernie Sanders and take a big step toward wrapping up the nomination.

There were no immediate projections in the Democratic race as polls closed at 9 p.m. ET (0100 Wednesday GMT)

The voting in New York was marred by irregularities, including more than 125,000 people missing from New York City voter rolls. The city has roughly 4 million voters considered active for the primaries.

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer ordered an audit of the city elections board after it confirmed the names had been removed from voter rolls. He complained in a letter to the board that it was "consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient." Stringer cited faulty ballot scanners, late-opening polling stations and scant staffing.

Trump entered the New York contest with 756 delegates, while Cruz had 559 and Kasich had 144, according to an Associated Press count. The count includes endorsements from several delegates who are free to support the candidate of their choice.

If Trump does not secure enough delegates needed to win the Republican nomination outright at the party's July 18-21 convention in Cleveland, delegates would be allowed to switch to other candidates.

Trump remains unpopular with the Republican leaders and activists who select and serve as delegates, whereas Cruz has invested time and money courting them.

Some establishment Republicans have been alienated by Trump's more incendiary proposals, such as building a wall along the border with Mexico and slapping a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country.

(Additional reporting by Megan Cassella and Alana Wise in Washington, Luciana Lopez in New York and Emily Stephenson in Pennsylvania; Writing by John Whitesides; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Karachi: Atleast seven policemen were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in two separate attacks during a polio campaign in Karachi on Wednesday.

Four policemen were killed while providing security to the polio vaccine team in Orangi. Three others were shot dead in another part of the area, police said.

"They were eight assailants on four motorcycles who first attacked a police mobile in which four policemen were on duty," a police spokeswoman said.

"While fleeing after the target killings, they also shot at three other policemen," he said.

"The killers apparently were targeting the policemen and not the polio workers who were present at the scene of the first attack during the polio immunisation drive that began on Wednesday," he said.

Polio workers have long been targeted in the country by Islamist groups including the Taliban militants which claim that the polio immunisation drive is a front for espionage or a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.

In January, at least 15 people, including 12 policemen and a paramilitary soldier, were killed in a suicide bombing targeting polio workers in Quetta.

Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic.

Children in Pakistan's Federally-Administered Tribal Areas cannot be vaccinated as the outlawed Taliban has banned the campaigns since June 2012.
New Delhi: Aiming a "world free of leprosy" by 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday launched a global strategy to combat the disease, a move critical for India which is among the three countries that account for more than 80 percent of newly diagnosed leprosy cases.

WHO called for stronger commitments and accelerated efforts to stop disease transmission and end associated discrimination and stigma to achieve a "world free of leprosy".

"The new global strategy is guided by the principles of initiating action, ensuring accountability and promoting inclusivity. These principles must be embedded in all aspects of leprosy control efforts.

"A strategy can only be as good as its implementation," Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region, said at the launch of the global strategy for 'Accelerating Towards a Leprosy-free-world' here.

"The strategy aims to, by 2020, reduce to zero the number of children diagnosed with leprosy and related physical deformities, reduce the rate of newly diagnosed leprosy patients with visible deformities to less than one per million.

"...And ensure that all legislations that allow for discrimination on the basis of leprosy is overturned," the global health body said in a statement.

WHO said out of the 2,13,899 new leprosy cases in 2014, 94 percent were reported from 13 countries - Bangladesh, Brazil, Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

"India, Brazil and Indonesia account for 81 per cent of the newly diagnosed and reported cases globally," WHO said.

It said several key interventions needed to achieve the target of detecting cases early before visible disabilities occur, with a special focus on children as a way to reduce disabilities and reduce transmission.

Interventions should also target detection among higher risk groups through campaigns in highly endemic areas or communities and improving health care coverage and access for marginalised population, it said.
KUWAIT Members of warring Yemeni factions who had stayed in the capital Sanaa two days past the start date of United Nations-backed peace talks announced they would travel to the negotiations in Kuwait on Wednesday, saving the process from impending collapse.

"We will be leaving tomorrow afternoon, God willing," Mahdi al-Mushat, a representative of the Houthi movement, wrote on his Facebook page.

"We confirm that we will leave for Kuwait, carrying all the worries, wounds, aspirations and hopes of the great Yemeni people," Yahya Duwaid, a representative of the ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, wrote on his account.

Envoys from Yemen's Houthi movement and Saleh's party had refused to talk peace amid ongoing ground combat and air strikes by a Saudi-led military coalition which they say violated a truce agreed a week before.

But concerted pressure from regional and international diplomats has succeeded in bringing the factions to the table with their enemies from Yemen's government which they ousted from the capital in March of last year.

The spread of allied Houthi-Saleh forces throughout Yemen sparked a military intervention by mostly Gulf Arab states, and the year of war that followed has killed around 6,200 people and plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis.

(Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari, writing by Noah Browning, editing by G Crosse)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The 60-page report, to be released by NSW Skills Minister John Barilaro on Wednesday, was commissioned to look at how to make public vocational education provider TAFE more efficient.

A NSW government minister has promoted a report highlighting the business results of a collapsed private college network whose headquarters were raided last week during a fraud investigation by the Australian Federal Police. 

Instead it has highlighted the difficulty the collapse of the scandal-plagued private vocational training sector is causing for the state government's privatisation agenda.

John Barilaro, NSW Minister for Skills, will release the 60-page vocational education report on Wednesday. Credit:Louise Kennerley

Commissioned by the NSW government through TAFE NSW and completed by the Boston Consulting Group, the report labels TAFE NSW as "inefficient" and "uncompetitive" compared to private providers. It names only the private education operator NAVITAS and Australian Careers Network as comparators to the public network.

More than 20 federal police officers raided Australian Careers Network last week after 16,000 students were left in limbo and hundreds of jobs were lost at the company. The action came after the ACCC launched action in the Federal Court in November against one of ACN's colleges to recover $106 million in taxpayer funding,

The ACCC has alleged the college acted unconscionably in enrolling students with intellectual disabilities and preying on people in Aboriginal communities while enrolling them in up to $18,000 in public debt. It also allegedly signed them up to online courses despite not having access to the internet.
BENTON, ILL  A former inmate of the federal prison camp in Greenville was sentenced Tuesday in federal court here to an additional 15 months behind bars for escape after being caught with liquor, cigarettes and gum off prison grounds.

Shelia B. Hatfield, 52, bought a bottle of whiskey, two bottles of vodka, fifteen packs of cigarettes, a lighter rolling papers and three packs of gum from a convenience store one and one-half miles from the camp, prosecutors said. All of the items are prohibited at the camp.

She did not have permission to leave, they said.

Prosecutors said Hatfield claimed that she was forced to buy the items because of the abuse and harassment from other inmates, but they said she'd never reported any of that abuse.

Hatfield was serving a 15-month prison sentenced for Social Security fraud at the time.

She pleaded guilty to the escape charge in January.
Billionaire Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won Tuesday's presidential primaries in the northeastern U.S. state of New York, extending their leads over rivals trying to earn the Republican and Democratic nominations.

With the bulk of the votes counted, Trump had a huge win with about 60 percent compared to 25 percent for Ohio Governor John Kasich and 15 percent for Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Clinton was beating Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders 57 percent to 42 percent.

The candidates are trying to amass a majority of convention delegates in order to clinch their party nominations for the November general election.



Trump earned almost all of New York's 95 delegates for the Republicans, putting him at 845 delegates after Tuesday's vote. Cruz remained at 559 delegates, while Kasich gained a few to reach 147. A Republican needs 1,237 to be nominated, a level Trump may not be able to reach before the party's July convention.

The Republican front-runner thanked his supporters and continued to cast himself as the only GOP candidate with enough support to win the nomination.

"We don't have much of a race anymore, based on what I'm seeing on television, Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated," Trump said.

Trump also hinted at his continued criticism of the delegate selection process, saying "It's really nice to win the delegates with the votes."

Open convention



Cruz and Kasich are now hoping for an open convention where Trump is not chosen on the first ballot and delegates are free to vote for them in the second round. In remarks to his supporters Tuesday, Cruz likened himself to Sanders.

"The people in state after state have made it clear, they cry out for a new path," Cruz said. "This is the year of the outsider. I'm an outsider, Bernie Sanders is an outsider. Both with the same diagnosis, but both with very different paths to healing."

Sanders also faces a mathematically tough road to his party's nomination.

Clinton maintains lead over Sanders



Clinton's win put her at 1,887 delegates, including the so-called super delegates who have pledged to support her, while Sanders trailed at 1,174. The Democrats have more overall delegates, so a candidate needs 2,383 to clinch a majority.

But Sanders remains positive and told an enthusiastic crowd Tuesday that Clinton is "getting a little bit nervous." He also highlighted a potential benefit that his campaign with its mass of young, passionate supporters could have for the Democratic Party as a whole.

"This is the campaign that has the energy, that has the enthusiasm, and that in November will create the kind of voter turnout that will not only allow us to retain the White House, but we'll regain the U.S. Senate, we'll do better in the House."

Clinton used part of her victory speech Tuesday night to reach out to those Sanders backers.

"To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us."



WATCH: Related video report by Jim Malone
Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors admitted that it falsified fuel-efficiency data on 625,000 vehicles.

Mitsubishi president Tetsuro Aikawa bowed in apology during a news conference Wednesday in Tokyo admitting to the irregularities.

The company said the false data dates back to 2013, involving its eK mini-wagon and eK Space light passenger cars, as well as it Dayz Roox vehicles it produces for rival carmaker Nissan Motors. The problem was uncovered after Nissan noticed the inconsistencies in the data, prompting Mitsubishi to conduct an internal probe.

Intentional

Aikawa said the tire pressure tests on the vehicles were rigged to make the fuel mileage better than it actually was.

"The wrongdoing was intentional. It is clear the falsification was done to make the mileage look better. But why they would resort to fraud to do this is still unclear," he said.

The news sent shares in the world's sixth-largest automaker plunging 15 percent in Wednesday's trading session.

Aikawa told reporters the company will stop selling the vehicles, and will conduct an investigation to determine if fuel efficiency data was altered in vehicles sold internationally.

Mitsubishi is the second carmaker accused of falsifying environmental data over the past year. Germany's Volkswagen admitted late last year that it installed software on millions of its vehicles that activated bogus emissions controls to deceive testing officials.

The Japanese automaker is no stranger to scandal, nearly going out of business after admitting back in 2000 that it covered up major safety defects for several decades.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held talks Tuesday in New York with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, aimed at ensuring that Iran gets the sanctions relief promised in the landmark nuclear deal reached in January.

Tuesday's meeting at U.N. headquarters came just weeks after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei complained that many international companies have avoided doing business with Tehran since the deal was reached.

In nationally televised comments March 20, Khamenei focused on what he called Iran's difficulties in recouping banking assets frozen in Western countries under years of sanctions imposed to try to persuade Tehran to curb its nuclear program. He also said many international companies, fearing U.S. reprisals, were shying away from doing business in the Islamic Republic.

Following Tuesday's meeting, Kerry told reporters that he and Zarif agreed to cooperate to ensure that the Iran nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was implemented the way it was meant to be. "We worked on a number of key things today. We made some progress on it," he said.

Speaking separately to reporters, Zarif acknowledged progress and said he and Kerry would meet again Friday in New York to "make sure the [post-sanction] benefits will be there for Iranian people to enjoy."

Ahead of the talks, Kerry told the pro-Israel group J Street that Iran so far had received about $3 billion as a result of the deal to constrain its nuclear program. He said that was far less than figures given by critics, and he reiterated that the agreement showed the power of prioritizing diplomacy.

"Despite the skeptics' most dire predictions, we are in a place that some people thought was unimaginable and others unacceptable," Kerry said.

The meeting between Kerry and Zarif also came at a time when the U.N.-facilitated process for a political transition in Syria appears to be fraying.

Asked Tuesday about bilateral progress in the meeting on war-torn Syria and Yemen, Zarif said the talks focused on details of the nuclear deal.

The two sides have been holding indirect talks in Geneva on both conflicts.

Iran supports the Syrian government while the U.S. has supported the moderate opposition. But Tehran and Washington are part of the International Syria Support Group, which has been backing the process for a political transition.
Major General, United States Air Force

OAKLEY | Major General Ernest A. Bedke, 81, passed away on Christmas Day 2015, in Tampa, Fla., of natural causes. He was born October 16, 1934, in Oakley, Idaho, to Herschel and Ethel Alford Bedke. The oldest of eight siblings, he lived an exciting, all-American life that took him from young, hard-working cowboy to two-star general, F-16 Fighting Falcon jet-fighter pilot.

Ernie grew up on the family ranch in Basin, Idaho where his chores included feeding the chickens, driving tractors and farm equipment, and herding cattle on horseback. After attending the one-room Basin Elementary schoolhouse, he graduated from Oakley High School as class valedictorian in 1951. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1955 with a B.S. in Business Administration, and was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the United States Air Force.

Maj Gen Bedke served 28 years in the Air Force, including two tours in Vietnam flying the F-4 Phantom, as a fighter pilot at Da Nang; and then the O-1 Birddog, as a forward air controller at Bien Hoa. He flew 576 combat missions.

The general was a command pilot with more than 5,486 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 19 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal. His aircraft qualifications included the T-37, T-33, F-84, F-4, O-1 and F-16.

He retired on June 1, 1983 from his final post as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Intelligence, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He returned to Tampa, Fla., where he had commanded the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing from 1975 to 1977 at MacDill Air Force Base, for retirement. To honor him, his name was painted on the side of the F-4 aircraft on static display at the Bayshore entrance to the base, which remains there to this day.

Ernie married Marilyn Meils of Spokane, Wash. after graduation from college in 1955. They were happily married for over 60 years, and raised two sons, Curt (Ina) Bedke of Arlington, Va. and Mike (Rachelle) Bedke of Tampa, Fla.

He had originally attended college on an ROTC scholarship, planning to complete his Air Force service commitment and return to attend law school. However, he enjoyed the Air Force life so much that he decided to remain. He took great pleasure in the fact that his two sons had echoed his interests, with Curt joining the Air Force and Mike becoming a lawyer.

Ernie thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his two grandsons, Wyatt and Bryce, and was an avid and excellent skeet shooter who rarely, if ever, had to buy the round of drinks at the end of each day's friendly competition. He was a member of the Air Force Association and the Order of the Daedalians.

Maj Gen Bedke's official Air Force biography can be found at http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/107702/major-general-ernest-a-bedke.aspx

Although he spent his Air Force career in far-away places from Vietnam to Germany, he always maintained his roots to his family homestead and the small-town Idaho community he grew up with. In 2011, he was feted as the Grand Marshall of the Oakley Pioneer Days celebration, where he spoke about the pioneer spirit of the community's elders.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Basin Cemetery under the direction of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley, with military rites provided by the Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard. A reception will follow in Burley after the service.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) | A proposal to name a street after pioneering gay leader Harvey Milk is the latest display of Salt Lake City standing out as a blue dot in a deep-red state where the prevailing Mormon faith still has a fraught relationship with the LGBT community.

Utah's capital city recently elected its first openly gay mayor and its second sitting gay councilman, creating an increasingly friendly atmosphere for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the home of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The conservative religion's tone on gay issues has softened in recent years, but it still opposes same-sex marriage, believes homosexuality is a sin and recently banned baptisms for the children of gay parents. Faith leaders said the highly criticized move would avoid putting children in a tug-of-war between their parents and church teachings.

The Mormon church declined to comment on the street naming proposal, which the Salt Lake City Council may vote on Tuesday night.

Supporters say that Milk set the tone for the modern gay rights movement, and the street honoring him would be located near thoroughfares honoring civil rights icons like Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez.

Milk became the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in the U.S. when he won a seat on San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 1977. His uncompromising calls for gay people to come out of the closet inspired a generation of activists. A disgruntled former city supervisor assassinated him and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone at City Hall in 1978.

The activist's life was memorialized in the Oscar-winning 2008 movie "Milk," and he also has been honored with a commemorative stamp and a posthumous Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. The San Diego City Council approved naming a street for Milk in 2012, something officials said was a first.

The Salt Lake City proposal comes from its first openly gay councilman, Stan Penfold. It would rename part of a street that is nine blocks from Mormon church headquarters. Temple Square was the site of protests in 2008 after the church supported efforts to pass a short-lived gay marriage ban in California.

Mormon leaders subsequently softened their tone, backing a Utah anti-discrimination law last year that protects gay and transgender people from housing and employment discrimination while safeguarding the rights of religious groups and individuals.

As many as two-thirds of Utah's 3 million residents are believed to be members of the Mormon religion, though some are more involved in the faith than others.

Utah's capital also has supported a thriving gay community. An annual LGBT pride parade is the second largest in the state  second only to a yearly celebration of Mormon pioneers.

The city's first openly gay mayor, Jackie Biskupski, took office this year, as well as its second sitting gay councilman. Derek Kitchen and his husband were one of three couples who sued to overturn the state's same-sex marriage ban.

After the mayoral vote, Biskupski, who isn't a church member, met with Mormon officials. She gave them a letter explaining her concerns about the policy targeting gay members and their children but spent most of the meeting talking about city issues like air quality and economic development.
PAUL  The Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force has arrested three people in a methamphetamine sting.

Julie Marie Dewitt, Ozvaldo Ramirez and Doug John Nelson were arrested Tuesday by law enforcement officers from the Minidoka County Sheriffs Office and the Cassia County Sheriffs Office.

Dewitt, 48, of Filer, was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamines and failure to purchase a drug tax stamp. Her bail has been set at $25,000.

Ramirez, 22, of Twin Falls, was also charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamines and failure to purchase a drug tax stamp. His bail has been set at $50,000.

Nelson, 49, of Pocatello, was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamines and failure to purchase a drug tax stamp. His bail has been set at $100,000. The 49-year-old also had a $100,000 warrant from Twin Falls County for trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm and drug paraphernalia.

Police said the trio conspired to traffic a quarter-pound of meth.
BOISE  The Ada County Sheriffs Office is investigating the death of a Shoshone man who collapsed Sunday night at a Boise prison and later died at a hospital.

Gabino Villa, 58, was sentenced last March in Canyon County District Court to five to 20 years in prison for driving under the influence. His sentence was enhanced for being a persistent violator and he was being held at the Idaho State Correctional Institution, a medium-security prison south of Boise.

Villas cellmate alerted prison staff about 9:50 p.m. Sunday after Villa collapsed and fell out his bed, the Idaho Department of Correction said in a statement. Prison staff found Villa unresponsive, called 911 and began giving him emergency medical treatment.

Villa was taken to a Boise hospital where he died at 1:30 a.m. Monday, IDOC said.

Because prison staff was not there when Villa collapsed, the Ada County Sheriffs Office will investigate the incident, IDOC said. The department routinely asks the county to investigate unattended deaths at Boise prisons.

Villa was convicted of driving under the influence in 1992, 2000 and 2008 in Jerome County contributing to the persistent violator enhancement he received when convicted in Canyon County last March. He was scheduled to be eligible for parole in 2019.
BURLEY | A suspended lawyer means Jesus Valdez, who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two boys in Burley and Heyburn, will be sentenced another day.

Valdez, 57, was to be sentenced at the Cassia County District Court on Tuesday, and was to be represented by Burley attorney David Pena.

Instead, Valdez was alone on the stand.

The Idaho Supreme Court suspended Pena on March 15 for six months after it found he violated multiple conduct codes.

Judge Michael Crabtree moved the sentencing to May 17 at the Cassia County District Court, where Valdez, who has hired an attorney from Pocatello, faces three felony counts of sexual battery of a child 16 or 17 years of age and one count of lewd conduct with a child under 16.

Valdez also has a status hearing on May 2 in Minidoka County, where he faces two counts of sexual battery of a minor 16 or 17 years of age.

The Idaho Supreme Court found Valdez's former attorney failed to forward a client's payments to a creditor, did not communicate with another client attempting to transfer her anticipated probation to Utah and did not provide case updates and copies of case documents for a third client.

In the first matter, Pena did not inform his client the creditor filed a motion to reconsider the case dismissal because of a failure to pay nor did he let the client know there was a hearing, the Supreme Court said. The attorney also did not show up for the hearing, though he refunded the client's payments to his office and the collection case was settled.

In the second matter, Pena's client did not get probation. The attorney refunded the client's $750 fee.

In the third, Pena's client was not kept in the loop with a felony controlled substance case and pleaded guilty under a plea agreement the attorney negotiated.

Pena's suspension is for two years with all but six months withheld. He will then serve an 18-month disciplinary probation if he is re-instated to practice law.

Under the probation conditions, if Pena admits or is found to have violated any of the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct and is sanctioned during his six months, he will have to serve the remainder of the two years.

Pena is also required to continue an undisclosed treatment with his health care provider and have the provider submit reports to the state's Bar Counsel quarterly.
TWIN FALLS  A Salt Lake City woman called Twin Falls police recently to report her credit card was being used at stores and fast-food restaurants in Twin Falls. But the card, she told investigators, was still in her purse, and the woman had never been to Twin Falls.

Police believe the woman may be the victim of a skimming device, which can be placed in a normal card reader like an ATM and used to steal credit and debit card information. With the electronic information, a criminal can make a fraudulent card to use just like a legitimate credit or debit card.

Twin Falls Detective Brian Maughan is seeking the publics help to identify the man who swiped the womans card nine times in two days last month at stores across northern Twin Falls.

My hunch is hes not even from here, Maughan said. He used the card at all these businesses right there on the north side of town. He could have just got off the (interstate), hit the stores and gone. Thats just a hunch, I dont know.

The man used the fraudulent card March 14 and 15 at Target, Wal-Mart, Office Max, Home Depot, Sears, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Subway, Maughan said.

One store employee remembered the man and thought he spoke with an accent, but it was unclear what type of accent, Maughan said. The man always parked far away from stores and walked out of surveillance camera view, so police dont have a vehicle description.

Police are not aware of anybody attempting to skim card information here in Twin Falls but say the incident serves as a potent reminder of safe credit and debit card practices.

People shouldnt be scared but should certainly be aware and be careful, said Maughan, who specializes in financial crimes. Check your account to make sure there arent charges that shouldnt be there  protect your card, sign it and cover the PIN pad. Its much easier trying to prevent this kind of theft than trying to fix it afterward.

But theres no way to protect against those who skim card information, something that recently happened at a Boise ATM, the detective said. The Idaho Bankers Association recently sent out pictures of the skimming device used in Boise as a warning to other banks across the state.

Criminals have used similar skimming devices in Twin Falls during the six years Maughan has been investigating financial crimes, the detective said.

It hasnt happened often, just a couple of times over the last few years at gas stations, Maughan said. They would usually bring a big box truck to block cameras, then open up the machine and put in a device so when a card is inserted, it runs through their machine and a little hard drive records the information. They would usually leave it in for 12 or 24 hours and then come back and retrieve it.

But local gas stations have stepped up security, including putting security tape on the card machines that breaks if someone opens it, or using specially-designed screws and screw drivers that arent readily available.

The skimming devices are not unlike a normal ATM or the card-reading devices many businesses now connect to smart phones or tablets, Maughan said. The sophisticated part is putting the stolen information on a fraudulent card that can be swiped to make purchases.

That takes some work, the detective said.
JEROME  A Jerome teen who police say fired three shots at a farmer last month has been charged as an adult with attempted murder and faces up to 30 years in prison.

Juan Santos Suarez-Gomez, 17, was arraigned Thursday in Jerome County Magistrate Court on a felony count of attempted murder in the second degree. He faces five to 15 years in prison if convicted, with an additional 15 years that could be tacked on for use of a deadly weapon.

Prosecutors say Suarez-Gomez and two other teens were confronted by a farmer while dumping trash on his property March 27. The farmer asked the teens to pick up the trash and leave his property, but after collecting the garbage Suarez-Gomez began to bum rush (the farmer) and fired three shots at him.

Suarez-Gomez was originally charged as a juvenile for minor in possession of a firearm and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill, online court records showed. Those charges are still pending.

Suarez-Gomez is being held in lieu of $250,000 bond at the Snake River Juvenile Detention Center in Twin Falls. Hes been ordered to remain in the juvenile jail until at least his 18th birthday in October.

According to police reports and the farmers account, Suarez-Gomez and two other teens were dumping trash on the farmers property from the back of a small utility trailer connected to a white Chevrolet Tahoe about 8:30 p.m. March 27. The farmer saw the SUV and trailer and went to check out what he believed was suspicious behavior.

They just started to unload junk, Jerome County Sheriff Doug McFall said the day after the incident. The guy went out to confront them, told them not to dump junk on his property, then one of them drew a weapon and fired three shots but didnt strike him.

After the shooting, the farmer called 911 and followed the SUV, court documents said. He lost sight of the Tahoe, but police later spotted the vehicle and stopped it after a short pursuit.

They gave themselves up without incident, McFall said.

An 18-year-old was released without charges while the 15-year-old driver was booked on charges of driving without privileges and eluding police, Jerome Sheriffs Lt. Dan Kennedy said in a statement the day after the arrests.

The farmer did not know the teens but helped identify them and identified which of them fired the gun, which he described as a midsize silver revolver.

The day after the shooting, the sheriff said the farmer was really spooked. McFall suggested people living in rural areas arm themselves but also be cautious and not approach suspicious incidents.

I highly recommend these folks, if they run into something suspicious, call dispatch either on an emergency or non-emergency line, McFall said. We will dispatch deputies out there, and they wont be in trouble even if its nothing. Let us come check things out; the last thing we want is a gun battle out in our county.

During Suarez-Gomezs arraignment Thursday, prosecutors also said a search of the SUV the night of the shooting revealed evidence of the delivery of meth, but no drug charges have been filed in the case.

A preliminary hearing on the attempted murder charge is set for Thursday.
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JEROME  A 68-year-old Jerome man who turned himself in after being listed as Jerome Countys most wanted earlier this month has been charged with molesting an 11-year-old girl.

Loyd Ray Wehrli was arraigned Monday in Jerome County Magistrate Court on two felony counts of lewd conduct with a minor under 16 years of age. He is out of custody after posting $5,000 bond April 5.

A warrant was issued for Wehrlis arrest in March and the Jerome County Sheriffs Office listed Wehrli on April 4 as the countys most-wanted person, with his picture, name and charges in the Times-News. Wehrli turned himself in that same morning.

Prosecutors say Wehrli molested an 11-year-old girl at least twice  once in December at his home in Jerome and once in November at his workplace in Idaho Falls.

During a December interview with Children at Risk Evaluation Services, the girl told doctors Wehrli had touched her and kissed her several times over the past 5  years. She also said Wehrli threatened that if she ever told anyone, that she would get in trouble, no one would believe her and everyone would make fun of her.

The girl also told doctors about at least two times Wehrli molested her or tried to molest her while at his work in Idaho Falls, once when she was 5 and once in November, court documents said. She reported that when she was 5, Wehrli tried touching her inappropriately and she ran away and hid in a bathroom until he left her alone.

The girls description of the first time Wehrli molested her matched Wehrlis own description of the event that he gave police during a December interview, court documents said. Another girl who witnessed the incident in December also told a story that matched the one the victim told doctors.

In an interview with police last year, Wehrli said he touched the girl about six or seven times within the last three to five years. He also told police he interpreted the girls behavior to be aggressively seeking to develop a relationship with him, that she initiated the lewd contact between them each time and that he felt it was something (the girl) desired.

A judge signed a no-contact order between Wehrli and the girl Monday and Wehrli told police he is seeking counseling and plans to move to a home away from any primary schools for the time being. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 29.
Girma Temesgen says China and Ethiopia could work more closely together in many areas. Tan Yingzi / China Daily

Country becomes first in Africa to have a consular office in Chongqing

Ethiopia aims to build itself into the manufacturing hub of Africa within six years, and China can have a key role in ensuring it achieves that goal, says Girma Temesgen, a senior Ethiopian diplomat.

Temesgen, 56, the consul-general for his country in Chongqing, says China and Ethiopia could work more closely together in areas including trade and investment, infrastructure construction, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

"China has become the largest investor in Ethiopia," says Temesgen, speaking in his office in Yu Zhong district of Chongqing, one of the municipality's most frenetic business centers.

"There is Chinese investment in many areas but there is still a huge amount of potential to draw on. Ethiopia is eager to seek more opportunities to work with China. In the past we have wasted time, and now we have to get on with it."

There are many attractions for anyone wanting to trade with Ethiopia, including favorable investment policies, an abundance of raw materials such as leather and cotton, and cheap labor and electricity, he says.

"Ethiopia gets preferential treatment in Europe and the US. If you make products in Africa and sell them to Europe and the US there are big tax breaks. Our land and soil are well suited to growing cotton, and we are rich in resources such as water and electricity."

Ethiopia is Africa's leading cotton producer and ranks 10th in the world, he says.

The country is busy building roads and railways with Chinese help, and when Premier Li Keqiang visited the country in May, he said China and several African countries planned to set up the Africa China Railway Academy in Ethiopia.

"This will extend China's railway technology to Africa via Ethiopia, where the headquarters of the African Union is, and where participating African countries can meet," Temesgen says. "This can be a boon to developing countries like Ethiopia, helping them improve their transport infrastructure."

China has just started work on an electrified railway connecting Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Temesgen is also busy promoting tourism, given that Africa is an ever more attractive sightseeing destination for Chinese.

He joined Ethiopia's diplomatic service 14 years ago, his first posting being as a counselor at the embassy in Berlin, earlier having studied at Leipzig University.

He went to China for the first time in 2010, for the World Expo in Shanghai.

In Chongqing he feels at home, he says, partly because he is an aficionado of spicy food, something the municipality and his country have in common.

Trade and investment between western China and Ethiopia is meager, he says, but Ethiopia wants to change that, which is exactly why he has been posted to Chongqing.

"Compared with trade and investment between Ethiopia and other parts of China, such as coastal cities like Guangzhou and Shanghai, the figures are very small at the moment."

Ethiopia now has four representative offices in China: the embassy in Beijing and three consulates. The consulate in Shanghai is responsible for Ethiopia's interests in East China; the consulate in Guangzhou in South China; and the consul in Chongqing in southwest.

Ethiopia is the only African country to have official representation in Chongqing, Temesgen says, which reflects the importance Beijing attaches to its go-west campaign.

"Chongqing has become the center of that strategy, which is why we decided to set up our office here. In addition, there are many big companies in Chongqing, and we need them to go to Africa."

One of the biggest challenges in developing trade and investment between Ethiopia and China in this area is that most people and companies in western China know little about Africa, he says.

The Ethiopian consulate in Chongqing is now playing an educational role in trying to fill those gaps, particularly relating to Ethiopia, he says. In May the consulate arranged for 23 companies from the city to visit Ethiopia to explore commercial opportunities. Among them was Chongqing Lifan Group, one of the largest motorcycle and automakers in China.

"Two of those companies have invested in Ethiopia and some are still looking at the possibilities," Temesgen says.

He is delighted that academic exchanges between his country and Chongqing are growing.

Last year about seven Ethiopian students were studying in Chongqing, and "we expect five students to come here in September".

Chongqing is his favorite city in China, he says. He collects Chinese art and works of Chinese calligraphy hanging in his office.

Ethiopia is forward-thinking in business, as seen by its setting up a consulate in western China, he says, and it wants to collaborate more with the city. That includes direct flights.

"As one of the largest airlines in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has daily flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Now it is looking at flying to Chongqing, depending on demand and profitability."

One thing that Ethiopia and China have in common is that both have many ethnic groups, he says.

"Ethiopia is a country with a long history, similar to China. It is where the alphabet was formed and the first people appeared. It has suffered greatly from poverty but will fight that to the end. In that regard it can learn from China. No other country has succeeded in fighting poverty like China. It has shown its strength in making poverty history and in building a strong economy."

China's GDP has grown more than 10 percent on average over the past 30 years, and that is something else Ethiopia can learn from, he says, which is why it is opening more offices in China.

Contact the writer through huhaiyan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 08/08/2014 page32)
AMMON (AP) | An Idaho school district is investigating after a preschooler missed his bus stop on his way to school, woke up alone in a bus barn, then made his way to the wrong preschool, where he spent the rest of the day without anyone realizing what had happened.

Bonneville School District spokesman Phil Campbell tells KIFI-TV that about 50 transportation workers searched Tuesday afternoon for the 3- to 4-year-old boy when he failed to return home and was reported missing.

Campbell says the boy apparently fell asleep on the bus and after awaking found his way to a special preschool hosted by the Bonneville High School Early Childhood education program.

The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office conducted a door-to-door search in the neighborhood until the boy was found at the high school and returned to his parents.
BOISE (AP)  One of the most important races in the upcoming May primary election is an open spot on the Idaho Supreme Court, but the little-known position isnt expected to draw voters despite attracting a wide range of candidates.

Court Chief Justice Jim Jones announced in March that he would not run for a third, six-year term on the states highest court. The non-partisan vacancy opened the door to four hopeful seeking the seat.

Candidates include Clive Strong, a longtime deputy attorney general; Curt McKenzie, a seven-term Republican state senator; Robyn Brody, an attorney from Rupert; and Idaho Court of Appeals Judge Sergio Gutierrez.

Strong has worked in the attorney generals office for more than 30 years, and helped lead one of the states largest cases regarding water rights adjudication. A key priority for Strong, if elected, would be to restore public confidence in the judicial system.

We see the public turning away from the court because of the costs and time it takes, he said. (But) the consequence of meditation is that its private.

McKenzie said that a judicial career had been a lifelong dream. He promised to recuse himself from a case that came before the high court if he had somehow been involved with it because of his time at the Idaho Legislature. McKenzie said it was a top priority for him to develop more specialty courts, such as drug or domestic violence courts.

Meanwhile, Brody said she would fight for the rights of Idahoans and protect the separation between the judiciary and legislative branches. Even though she came from a small town, Brody cited that shes had experience taking on big cases that involved suing state agencies.

Gutierrez, who has served as a judge for more than 20 years, stressed his longtime independence and judicial experience as key factors that make him stand out against the rest of the field.

I was and am the only Latino judge in the state. Because of that, some people see me as a symbol of progress. That is my burden and also my honor, he said.

Idaho is currently just one of two states with no supreme court justices who are female or people of color.

When asked about the importance of diversity, McKenzie and Strong both argued that diversity in education and backgrounds must be taken into account as much as ethnicity and gender for judicial positions.

Brody said the question was difficult for her because she was the only one in a pink suit, but she believed that she had never been about her gender. But Gutierrez argued that diversity is important because the public should be able to see their community on the bench.

Idaho bans judicial candidates from directly asking for campaign contributions in an effort to insulate judges. Instead, justice candidates are only allowed to solicit contributions through a committee.

Protecting impartiality on the state supreme court is critical as justices have a heavy hand in reshaping the state for years. However, while the post is important, it has historically not been a major attraction to get voters to the polls.

Thats largely due to the multiple restrictions candidates have throughout their campaign. For example, candidates cannot talk about their past or current political party affiliations  even though political party registrations are public records.

Candidates will need to secure a majority of the vote in the May 17 election. If not, then the top two candidates will compete in a runoff election in November. The last time a supreme court justice race required a runoff was in 1998.
TWIN FALLS  The city says park visitors still need to keep their four-legged friends on a leash.

Parks and Recreation commissioners were reluctant Tuesday to support a request from Councilman Don Hall to consider allowing dogs off leash in parts of Auger Falls and Dierkes Lake trail.

The request faces resistance because, commissioners said, the city must consider the needs of all park users. The commission also voted down a request from the Blue Lakes Rotary Club to install a sun shade near the band shell in City Park, because it might interfere with nighttime movie-watchers.

While sympathizing with residents who want more off-leash dog areas, the city didnt to be liable for animals that may harm children, cyclists or wildlife.

Its just not going to mix well, Commissioner Gabe Ostyn said. ... I think its kind of a Pandoras box if you allow it for the city.

Ostyn was one of two commissioners who reported being attacked by a dog, though he admitted it is a shame there arent more areas for dogs to be off leash.

The Dierkes Lake trail stood out as a potential spot where loose dogs would be less apt to disturb cyclists or wildlife. Commissioner Cindy Collins, however, noted it was close to a nearby subdivision and would require signage.

We wouldnt want to be responsible for dogs running through somebodys subdivision, Collins said.

Parks and Recreation was asked to come back to the Commission with more information on legalities and options for locations.

Also at the meeting, commissioners were hesitant to allow the Rotary Club to buy a sun shade for the paved area in front of the band shell at City Park. The shade would provide comfort to people listening to bands during daytime events.

Commissioners said they were concerned about the visual effect to those attending nighttime movies at the park during the summer.

I think theres a need for it, but the design concern is going to be the kicker, Chairman Marc Lambert said.

A movable shelter would be one alternative, but as recreation supervisor Stacy McClintock put it, things that are movable are disappear-able. Vandalism and maintenance were also top concerns.

The Commission agreed it would be open to ideas that do not compete with the visibility needs of the band shell.

Before the discussion, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved Eagle Scout candidate Reagan Larsens proposal to place an interpretive sign at the Evel Knievel launch site. The project comes at no cost to the city.
MINIDOKA  A Paul man was in serious condition Tuesday afternoon after his semi-truck rolled onto its side on Highway 24 near the Minidoka-Lincoln county line.

Raymundo Casiano, 55, was flown by helicopter to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, where staff performed X-rays.

Casiano is expected to make a speedy recovery, said Kathy Maiben, the hospitals health supervisor.

Hes not critical or we would have done something quicker, Maiben said.

Tire marks were visible on the highway near where Casianos truck turned over.

Around noon, Casiano, a Jentzch-Kearl Farms employee who was hauling seed potatoes, was westbound near milepost 33 when his truck veered off the shoulder on the right side of the road.

He over-corrected from the curved edges of the highway and turned right, causing the 2000 Freightliner to turn onto the driver side and slide, blocking traffic for a few hours.

Idaho State Police investigated the scene with assistance from the Minidoka County Sheriffs Office.

Its unclear if Casiano was wearing a seat belt.

ISP Master Corporal John Gibbs did not say what Casianos injuries were but said they thought it was serious enough to take him by air ambulance.

After Casiano was flown to Pocatello, Jentzch-Kearl Farms employees towed the truck to a mechanic.

The crash closed the highway near 3150 East, about 14 miles west of Minidoka for about an hour but a tow truck had cleared the crash scene by about 3 p.m.
Members of the main coalition of Syrian opposition groups, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC,) are departing from Geneva where the third round of talks is ongoing in protest against the escalating violence in Syria where market places in rebel-held areas where bombed killing dozens of people.

HNC Coordinator Riyad Hijab said all members of the group would leave by Friday but some will remain for technical discussions on humanitarian issues and detainees.

There is no truce on the ground because theres no accountability, Hijab lamented. He underlined the need to have international observers on the ground and accused Russia of arming Assads forces. He called on the supporters of the coalition to arm them because it would help to maintain the truce and a balance of power.

UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura who is spearheading the talks confirmed the suspension of formal participation by the HNC.

The head of the Syrian negotiating team, Bashar Jaafari, said they will continue to take part in the talks and our mandate in Geneva stops at forming a national unity government. The Syrian negotiating team is not authorized to discuss constitutional amendments, address parliamentary elections or address the fate of the presidency, Jaafari said.

A key issue for the opposition is the ultimate departure of Assad from power.

Assads biggest ally, Moscow, slammed the position of the HNC. Its foreign minister Sergei Lavrov at a joint press conference with his French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault, described the HNC as a capricious member of the process.

He said the talks are not frozen because De Mistura is continuing his shuttle diplomacy with those who are not trying to put forward ultimatums and conditions. He said talks will continue with other opposition groups not part of the coalition.
Yemeni peace talks scheduled to take place in Kuwait are being delayed due to the absence of the Houthi Movement. The delegation has not left Sanaa and held a demonstration in the city with its leader, Mohammed Ali al-Huthi stressing that our presence in Kuwait requires a total halt to aggression.

He demanded a guarantee that warplanes will no longer violate Yemens sovereignty.

The talks were scheduled to begin on Monday and the Yemeni delegation led by Foreign Minister Abdulmalek al-Mikhlafi is already in Kuwait. The delegation deplored the irresponsible behavior of the rebels and urged the international community to show firmness in the face of their contempt for the peace efforts.

A western diplomat claimed that the Chinese ambassador to Yemen delivered a message to the rebel group on behalf of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council stating that we understand your concerns but you need to carry your worries to Kuwait and put them at the table.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said talks should start without further delay.

Since the Houthi Movement took over the northern part of the country, they have resisted a military campaign led by Saudi Arabia for 13 months but lost control over some of the territories. Riyadh hoped for the success of consultations hours before UN special envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed announced that the negotiations will be delayed.

The UN Special envoy stressed the need for the parties to take their responsibilities seriously and agree on comprehensive solutions.

The Yemeni war gave room to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State to strengthen their presence in the country.
The special and strong strategic partnership existing between Morocco and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will be enhanced further during the 1st-summit meeting scheduled this April 20th in Riyadh between the North African kingdom and the six-member regional bloc.

King Mohammed VI will take part in this summit, an opportunity to foster further relations and cooperation ties between Morocco and the GCC (gathering Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman) with which it has myriad of shared geostrategic, economic, and religious interests.

It is also an opportunity for the summiteers to exchange views and coordinate stands to take up the common challenges and threats facing the Arab region.

According to some press reports, the Arab leaders will also look into regional and international issues of common interest. Morocco is one of the closest and most reliable allies of GCC nations facing growing Iranian challenge, the threat of terrorism and the situation in Yemen.

Morocco backs all collective Arab efforts such as the Saudi-led coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen. One of the goals of the coalition is to stand up to the growing Iranian influence in the region. The coalition aims to defend the Arab Gulf states against the spillover of instability in Yemen.

Although it is geographically one of the farthest Arab countries from Iran, Morocco is not immune from Irans agendas.

Besides its involvement in Yemen, the North African Kingdom hosted in recent years a number of international conferences and talks, such as the inter-Libyan political talks and many others solidarity Arab events, confirming Moroccos status as an active member of the Arab League and important regional player.
The United Nations on Monday condemned the Gambian Government for the crackdown that led to the death of jailed opposition supporters following protests in the tiny West African country.

Some 55 members of the United Democratic Party have been arrested during peaceful demonstrations near the capital Banjul on Thursday. The protesters were demanding electoral reform and protection of free speech in the country.

In a statement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed dismay at reports that a leading member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Solo Sandeng and two other party members had died while in custody.

The identities of the two other party members were not released but the UDP said in a statement on Sunday that three of its members had been killed.

Ban Ki-moon called for a prompt, thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances that led to their death while under state custody.

The US state department spokesman John Kirby also called on the Gambian government to uphold its international obligations, including the right to peaceful assembly.

President Jammeh, who seized power in 1994, is regularly accused of rights abuses and of running Gambia with an iron fist.

Amnesty International in its 2015 annual report accused Jammehs government of forced disappearances, torture, ill-treatment, deaths in custody and a flawed criminal justice system.

Gambians will go to the polls at the end of the year to elect a new president.
French President Francois Hollande signed several deals worth about 2 billion ($2.26 billion) with Egypt during his visit to Cairo, the Elysee said on Monday.

The deals included a military telecommunications satellite which is expected to be built by Frances Airbus Space Systems and Thales Alenia Space.

As part of its deal with France, Egypt will receive fighter aircraft and navy vessels. In the past two years, the Egyptian government has spent billions of dollars on French weapons and other hardware as part of efforts to bolster its military.

On the eve of the visit, human rights groups including Amnesty International had criticized what they called Frances deafening silence on rights violations in Egypt.

Since the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, police have waged a bloody crackdown on Islamists that has killed more than 1,000 protesters.

The French president said he and Sisi had discussed security issues in the Middle East and North Africa, including in Libya, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, as well as Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Hollande on Tuesday visited Jordans Prince Hassan air base, where French aircraft taking part in the coalition battling IS in Syria and Iraq are stationed.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon presented on Monday condolences to Morocco following the death of a Moroccan peacekeeper, last Sunday in an attack by unidentified assailants in the Central African Republic.

Addressing the Security Council on peace and security in the world, Ban Ki-moon seized the opportunity to present sincere condolences to Morocco following the death of the Moroccan peacekeeper.

A Moroccan peacekeeper from the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was shot and wounded by unknown assailants and died of his wounds later in the afternoon, announced the UN Secretary General.

This unfortunate incident occurred when the mission was on patrol near a village that came under attack, allegedly by rebels of the Lords Resistance Army.

The UN Secretary General condemned the killing and said attacks against those working for peace in the Central African Republic are unacceptable.

He called on the newly elected Government to ensure that the perpetrators of this horrible crime are brought to justice.

Human rights groups have said that LRA rebels are active in the Central African Republic and have kidnapped more than 200 people just this year.

Originating in Uganda in the 1980s as a tribal uprising against the government, the LRAs rebellion is one of Africas longest and most brutal. At the peak of its powers, the group razed villages, raped women and amputated limbs. It is especially notorious for recruiting young boys as soldiers and taking girls as sex slaves.

The group is reportedly in decline, with many of its fighters surrendering or dying in firefights with African troops across Central Africa.
Thirteen political opposition parties in Zambia under the umbrella of the National Opposition Alliance (NOA) have agreed to endorse the ruling Patriotic Front to campaign for the reelection of President Edgar Lungu in the forthcoming elections.

The 13 parties included the Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM), Christian Democratic Party (CDP) and the All Peoples Congress (APC.)

According to Edwin Sakala, Chairperson of the group, the alliance was beyond endorsement but adoption which would see a long term working relationship with the ruling Patriotic Front while maintaining their individual political parties identity and ideologies.

Speaking on behalf of the ruling Patriotic Front, Sunday Chanda, who is deputy information director, said the 13 political parties had done what ought to be done in a democratic country.

Lungu, a former cabinet minister, was elected in a presidential by-election in the southern African nation after Sata died abroad where he had gone to seek medical treatment.

His party defeated the opposition by less than 28,000 votes in 2015, when voter turnout was a mere 32% in a nation of almost 16 million people.

Zambia is facing its toughest economic crisis in at least a decade, with low copper prices leading to thousands of mining-job losses and a severe electricity shortage hobbling growth.

Recently, opposition parties have criticized Lungus administration as incapable of resolving the economic challenges the country faces. They also said promises of job creation for the youth that Lungu made have yet to be met.

The critics cited what they called the high rate of unemployment among young people as proof the government hasnt delivered.
An armored jeep in the motorcade of United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power hit and killed a 7-year old boy in Cameroon on Monday.

Samantha Power was in Cameroon to show US support for the campaign against militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

Ms Powers motorcade had been driving at more than 40 miles when the sixth vehicle in the convoy hit the boy after he darted on to the two-lane highway near the small city of Mokolo, local media reported.

One of the ambulances that was part of Ms. Powers motorcade transferred the boy to a nearby hospital.

Although the boy received immediate medical care from an ambulance in our convoy, he died shortly thereafter, Ms Power said.

Power who said she learned of the death with great sorrow met the boys family to offer them condolences.

Several US officials were visibly affected, with one of Powers aide turning away to cry as his boss met refugee children shortly afterwards, local newspaper reported.

Following the tragedy, the motorcade reportedly slowed to a steadier pace for the remainder of the day.
Randgold Resources has signed a joint venture with Moku Goldmines to develop the Moku-Beverendi project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the company said on Tuesday.

Under the new JV with government-owned Societe Miniere de Kilo-Moto and Moku Goldmines, which was controlled by Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler, Randgold could earn a 51% stake in the Moku-Beverendi project by funding and conducting exploration and completing a prefeasibility study.

Randgold advised that this addition to its portfolio extended its exploration footprint in the DRC to 7 824 km, spanning the major gold belt in the north-east of the country.

The mountains running along Congos eastern border are home to several developing gold mines, the largest of which is Randgolds Kibali, partly owned by AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.

Gold production in Congo has increased exponentially in the last two years as mines have come online, with output jumping 30 percent last year to 25.5 tons, according to Bloomberg.
Georgia increasingly attractive for Azerbaijani businessmen and activists

An increasing number of Azerbaijani citizens have been moving to Georgia in order to work and study.In addition to growing interest from tourists, an increasing number of Azerbaijani people choose to settle in Georgia in order to pursue a wide range of activities free of corruption and political pressure, BBC Russian Service reported.Zerife Quliyeva headed NGO Towards Unity which focused on providing assistance to orphans and handicapped people. After the Azerbaijani government froze assets of all local NGOs, she decided to leave the country.Ms Quliyeva together with her husband, journalist Tural Qurbanl?, moved to Tbilisi where they opened a small hostel in the citys centre. The couple points out the ease of doing business in Georgia, little bureaucracy, and lack of corruption.Georgia has also attracted some representatives of Azerbaijans civil society, who praise lack of political pressures on their activities.Ruslan Esed, one of the founders of human rights education centre Thinking Citizen which is oriented at Georgias Azerbaijani minority, came to Georgia in 2015 following pressures at home.According to Georgias Ministry of Internal Affairs, almost one fourth of the six million foreign nationals who visited Georgia in 2015 were citizens of Azerbaijan. Only in January 2016, 108 thousand Azerbaijani citizens visited Georgia.In 2015, Azerbaijan was also the biggest investor in Georgias economy. According to Georgias National Statistics Office, in 2015 foreign direct investment (FDT) from Azerbaijan amounted to 543 million dollars, which constituted 40 percent of all FDT in that year.
The News in Brief

Megis Kardava charged for Roman Dumbadzes assassination



Georgias Chief Prosecutor has charged the former head of military police, Megis Kardava, for General Roman Dumbadzes assassination, Kardavas lawyer Malkhaz Velijanashvili says.



Velijanashvili said at todays press-conference that the case is marked as top secret. However, as the Prosecutor claims, Megis Kardava ordered the murder of Dumbadze because he thought he was a traitor.



Velijanashvili says this proves once again that the Georgian Prosecutors Office is fulfilling Russias orders.



If Megis Kardava is officially charged, Russia has the right to request his extradition, because Roman Dumbadze was killed on Russian territory.



Roman Dumbadze was a Georgian military commander who led a mutiny during 2004 crisis in Adjara. He was detained and imprisoned by Georgian authorities but released during 2008 war with Russia and handed over to Russian authorities in exchange for the release of twelve Georgian military servicemen detained by the Russian forces.



He lived in Russia until May 21 2012, when he was shot dead. (IPN)







One person detained at South Ossetian boundary line



Erosi Takadze, 43, was detained by Russian border police at the South Ossetian administrative boundary line (ABL) on Saturday, 9 April.



According to Mr Takadzes relatives in the village of Kirbali, which is located in Gori region right next to the ABL, he was herding cattle in the Georgia-controlled territory at the time of the detention.



Goris gamgebeli (head of local administration) Davit Oniashvili visited Mr Takadzes family and promised the authorities that he would do everything in their power in order to bring him back, InterPressNews reported.



Mr Takadze was accused by South Ossetian authorities of illegally crossing the border. Rustavi 2 reportedthat on Sunday 10 April he contacted his mother and asked her to keep calm.



While South Ossetian authorities installed fences on some sections of the ABL, the boundary line remains for the most part arbitrary. (DF watch)







Russia increasing the number employees at the consulate in Georgia



Moscow says the number of Georgian citizens who want to receive Russian visas is increasing and it is for this reason that the number of Russian employees at the embassy in Georgia should be increased too.



As Russian media informs, this is a statement that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, made yesterday.



The number of those who want to receive Russian visas are increasing and that is why we ask for help from our Swiss colleagues. We need to increase the number of employees at the consulate in Georgia, - Lavrov said. (IPN)







US helps Georgia ensure border security



The United States (US) is helping Georgia to better protect its state borders and reduce illegal drug importation into the country.



The US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) assisted Georgias Border Police to develop K9 (sniffer dogs) centre near Tbilisi International Airport in the outskirt of the capital city.



Earlier on April 12, Georgias Interior Minister Giorgi Mgebrishvili and US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly officially launched the construction of an administrative building at the new centre.



The officials believe this partnership between the relevant agencies of the two countries will help Georgia ensure its border security and meet international standards.



"The DTRA has started to actively participate in developing and modernising Georgias land borders, Mgebrishvili said.



"This will greatly contribute to ensuring security at our state borders, which is a top priority of the Georgian Government in the process of its Euro-Atlantic integration.



The Minister noted a new phase of the project would soon begin, in which the US will help Georgia develop infrastructure at the K9 centre. This will include installing cages, monitoring systems and proper technical equipment for the US-trained detection dogs.



"The Border Police of the Interior Ministry will also be given vehicles and other technical equipment, Mgebrishvili said.



Ambassador Kelly assessed the projects as "just another example of the tremendous investment that the US had made in support Georgias sovereignty and "ensuring its success as a stable, prosperous democracy.



"We, of course, believe very much in Georgias Euro-Atlantic aspirations and I think this is just one more part of our support for Georgia to attain [its] aspirations, Kelly said. (Agenda.ge)




@PatriciaMazzei

Setting up a South Florida Republican battle royale, former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell plans to run for a Florida House of Representatives seat -- against former U.S. Rep. David Rivera.

Bell, who announced her candidacy late Tuesday at a meeting of the Old Cutler Republican Women's Club, told the Miami Herald on Wednesday that she looked at two open House seats in South Dade before settling on District 118, which includes neighborhoods she represented in her four-year term on the commission.

"I'm not here to beat up on David Rivera, but I know I served 10 years in office, and I feel like I have a lot to offer," said Bell, who previously served as Homestead mayor. "I've accomplished very, very much."

Bell doesn't live in the district, which extends from West Miami-Dade to Richmond Heights, but said she'd move there by Election Day, as required by law. She thought about running in neighboring District 114 -- also not her home district -- but said she didn't want to challenge one of the Republicans already running, John Couriel, whom she called "a really great guy."

Neither of her choices was ideal: Both districts are heavily Hispanic, especially among likely Republican primary voters. Bell's long-shot bid might be based on the idea that other Hispanic Republicans could split the vote to her benefit, given her name recognition, but winning probably won't be easy.

More here.
On ABCs This Week, host George Stephanopoulos asked Bernie Sanders about his remark during the New York Democratic debate that the United States should play "an evenhanded role" with regard to Israel and its neighbors.

Sanders told Stephanopoulos that he thinks President Barack Obama has "done much better than his predecessors" in taking the kind of approach he prefers, but added that "I think we still have a way to go. And I was not criticizing President Obama. I was criticizing (former Secretary of State Hillary) Clinton. She gave a speech to AIPAC" -- referring to the most prominent pro-Israel group in the United States. "It's a long speech. It was one sentence, I believe, that even mentioned the Palestinians."

While Sanders went on to say that "it goes without saying" that "we have to protect 100 percent Israel's right to exist, its right to live in peace, its right to live in security," he added that "you cannot ignore the suffering of the Palestinian people."

When Stephanopoulos asked whether he thought Clinton has ignored the suffering of the Palestinian people, Sanders reiterated that her AIPAC speech had "one line on the Palestinian people."

We wondered whether Sanders was right that Clinton "had one line on the Palestinian people" in her AIPAC speech. So we looked closely at her address.

The most obvious way to look at this is to count the number of references to the Palestinians in Clintons speech and see if they amount to more than one line. Sanders is wrong by that simple metric, as well show.

But to broaden our look somewhat, we also analyzed more generally how much of Clintons speech addressed the Israeli-Palestinian peace process as opposed to how much it addressed Israels security needs.

See what Louis Jacobson of PolitiFact found.
Saying she is "very disappointed" in the federal court ruling that rejected her attempt to invalidate a new Congressional District 5 which stretches across North Florida, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, announced Wednesday that she will seek re-election to the district anyway.

Although I still maintain that the new congressional districts will be severely disadvantageous to minorities throughout the state of Florida, I intend to declare my candidacy for the newly drawn Congressional District Five of Florida,'' Brown said in a statement.

On Tuesday, a three judge federal court panel of the Northern District of Florida upheld the Congressional District 5, which had been ordered reconfigured to run from east to west by the Florida Supreme Court last year. In a landmark case, a majority of justices ruled that Brown's Jacksonville-to-Orlando district was in violation of the "Fair Districts" amendments to the state constitution because it was drawn to carve out Democratic-leaning African-American voters from districts in Northeast and Central Florida to benefit Brown and to make the surrounding districts more hospitable for Republican candidates.

Brown sued, arguing that the newly-configured district violates the federal Voting Rights Act by making it less likely that the district would elect a candidate preferred by black voters, and the federal court rejected her claims.

"Although the victory percentages may drop slightly from those in the north-south configuration, the evidence demonstrates that black-preferred candidates should generally continue to win east-west District 5 with about 60 percent of the vote," wrote judges Robin Rosenbaum, Robert Hinkle and Mark Walker in the opinion. "And a win is a win, regardless of the margin of victory.

Brown, who has served in Congress since 1992 in a district that sliced through the central part of Florida, is likely to face unfamiliar competition for the new North Florida district. Although much of the population of the district is still concentrated near Brown's hometown of Jacksonville, she must now appeal to voters that she has never served before as far west as Gadsden County.

Former state Sen. Al Lawson, a long-serving Democratic legislator from Quincy, has announced his decision to run in the district regardless of Brown's decision. Others had said they are considering jumping into the race as well.

Brown said she is "still mulling my options" about whether or not to appeal the court's decision saying she is "reviewing the ruling with Rep. John Conyers (the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee), as well as with Attorney William Sheppard and his legal team in Jacksonville."

"I have a lot of unfinished business to address in Washington, and I look forward to providing a strong voice in Congress for the citizens in the new 5th Congressional District,'' Brown said.

"As I always have, I will fight to bring the federal dollars that the citizens of the 5th District send to Washington back to Florida,'' she said. "As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to fight to enhance transportation and infrastructure funding and development; and as a staunch advocate of health care, work to expand health care opportunities through the Affordable Care Act (ACA/Obamacare), as well as expand Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security dollars."
@MichaelAuslen

The Florida Department of Health on Wednesday announced the new senior official over a health coverage program for the state's sickest kids.

Dr. John Curran, a regional medical director for the Children's Medical Services program and associate vice president of the University of South Florida College of Medicine, will take over the job as deputy secretary for CMS.

Previously, the job was held by Dr. Celeste Philip, who was named interim surgeon general after the Senate refused to confirm Dr. John Armstrong's appointment this spring. He was later appointed deputy secretary for administration, though he is taking medical leave to be treated for colon cancer.

Concerns about CMS were among those that led the Senate to oust Armstrong, once the health department's top official and one of the longest-serving appointees of Gov. Rick Scott. The program has been under fire for removing 9,000 sick children from coverage, as well as eliminating quality standards for pediatric heart surgery.

Given that Philip's last job was overseeing CMS and the scrutiny Armstrong faced for changes to the program, Curran's appointment will likely be closely watched.

Curran, a 26-year veteran of the Air Force, has been involved with CMS since 1974, according to a DOH statement and has for 16 years been an administrator at USF, where Armstrong once worked.

"Dr. Curran is an accomplished pediatrician and has long served the children of our CMS program as a consultant and regional medical director," Philip said in a statement. "We are confident his knowledge of pediatric medicine and his extensive leadership experience will guide him as he shepherds CMS into its next chapter."




Donald Trumps campaign has been crying foul over the delegate selection in Florida, accusing Republican party insiders of stacking the deck against Trump.

In Miami-Dade County , home of former presidential candidates Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush, few of the 15 delegates chosen April 16 appeared to be overt Trump fans.

The next day, Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski accused Blaise Ingoglia, chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, of bias against Trump.

"The chairman of the party of Florida, who is an avid and outward supporter of Marco Rubio, gets to appoint 30 of those delegates," Lewandowski said April 17. "Now, I understand those are the rules, but Donald Trump won. And now, youve got a person who is supporting Marco Rubio who gets to appoint 30 of the 99 delegates. Thats not what the rules should be."

We will explain how Lewandowski got his facts wrong about the delegate selection and Ingoglia. We did not get a response from the Trump campaign for this fact-check.

Keep reading from PolitiFact Florida.
Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday scheduled a face-to-face meeting with one of two finalists for the soon-to-be-vacant position of state insurance commissioner., as an impasse lingers only weeks before the start of the annual hurricane season.

Scott planned a 1 p.m. meeting with state Rep. Bill Hager, a Delray Beach Republican and a former Iowa insurance commissioner. In addition, Scott's chief Cabinet aide said Scott also wants the other finalist, Jeffrey Bragg, a former federal terrorism risk insurance program official who lives in Palm Harbor, to be at next Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.

Scott and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater must agree on a successor to Kevin McCarty, who has announced his resignation effective May 2. Scott supported Bragg at a March Cabinet meeting and Atwater supported Hager and neither official has shown any sign of movement.

At a public meeting of Cabinet aides at the state Capitol Wednesday, there was no sign that the impasse was about to end, which prompted this observation from Rob Johnson, Attorney General Pam Bondi's Cabinet aide: "Without the governor and the CFO being on the same page, we're not going anywhere."

Atwater scheduled telephone interviews with four other candidates this week: Raymond Blacklidge, Carla D'Andre, Chlora Lindley-Myers and James Wrynn.

Atwater's Cabinet aide, Robert Tornillo, said that the CFO would notify Scott's office by 5 p.m. Thursday if Atwater wants to consider any new finalists for the position.

Scott and the Cabinet raised the maximum salary for the insurance post to $200,000 a year to widen the pool of applicants, but most candidates fall short of the experience required by law. The always unpredictable hurricane season in Florida begins on June 1, about six weeks from now.

McCarty, who has been director of the Office of Insurance Regulation for the past 13 years declined a request for an interview, but said through his spokesman that "the commissioner is willing to help ensure a smooth transition. At this point, we can't speculate on what that will be."

After next week, Scott and the Cabinet are not scheduled to meet again until May 10.
via @Jacquiecharles

Sen. Marco Rubio is once more speaking out about Haiti's elections.

The Florida Republican has teamed up with Georgia Republican Sens. David Perdue and Johnny Isakson to ask U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to step it up on Haiti's on-again, off-again final presidential round.

"We urge the Department of State to use every tool at its disposal to ensure that Haitian authorities conduct elections by the agreed upon deadline," the letter said.

That would be Sunday under a Feb. 5 political accord outlining the steps for Haiti's interim leaders to transfer power to an elected president. The date, however, is impossible to meet. That means, while not yet official, the country's scheduled April 24 runoffs to elect a president and complete parliament, will be postponed for a third time.

Leopold Berlanger, the newly appointed head of Haiti's revamped elections body, said as much in his in his first news conference earlier this month.

"We cannot talk about the electoral calendar in the state that we're in," Berlanger said, referring to the chorus of doubts over the credibility of the final results of the Oct. 25 presidential first round pitting government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise against opposition candidate Jude Celestin.
Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera told a small group of Republicans and businsses people on Tuesday in Brandon that if he is elected to the U.S. Senate he would support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, would push for entitlement reforms to help rein in government spending and pledged he'd hold town hall meetings throughout the state every month to stay connected with voters.

His wide ranging comments came during an hour-long stop in Hillsborough County at the start of what Lopez-Cantera is calling his "Florida First Tour." The Republican from Miami said the tour is aimed at listening to smaller groups of community and business leaders to hear what is on their minds and less about him giving speeches.

After being asked by one of the people he was meeting with if he would support getting rid of whole federal agencies like the Department of Education, Lopez-Cantera said yes.

"It's a good idea to get rid of the Department of Education," he said while holding court at Moreno Bakery in Brandon with 10 people.

He said he'd support more of a block grant approach on education where funding goes to the locals to make the decisions on education issues.
The Hellgate High School community got to meet candidates for the principal position this week.

The field has been narrowed from 25 applicants. On Monday, five candidates went through a day of interviews and discussions with staff and administration. The slate was narrowed to four by Tuesday:

North Kitsap High School Principal Judson Miller (Poulsbo, Washington)

Lindbergh High School Principal Tres Genger (Renton, Washington)

Glasgow High School Principal Shawnda Zahara-Harris (Glasgow, Montana)

Rock Canyon High School Assistant Principal Nick Laatsch (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)

Last month, Missoula County Public Schools announced that Hellgate principal Lisa Hendrix would be reassigned to C.S. Porter Middle School next school year. She'll fill a position left open by Porter Principal Julie Robitaille's reassignment to one of the executive regional director positions next year.

During round-robin meet-and-greets Tuesday, students, staff, parents and community members got to meet Miller, Genger and Zahara-Harris. Laatsch had to miss the meet-and-greet to catch a plane.

Executive Regional Director Roberta Stengel said a decision should be made by late this week or early next week.

Superintendent Mark Thane said he's looking for a person with evident leadership qualities and the ability "to build a collaborative relationship with parents, staff and students."

"We need somebody who can take the student voice, take the staff voice and help build a consensus about what's best for Hellgate and work toward achieving those goals," he said. "We want someone who can be Superman or Superwoman, I guess."

Thane said he understands the community's trepidation.

"Any time there's a transition, there's a high degree of uncertainty," he said. "What I would suggest to a new person is immerse him or herself and learn about Hellgate, about the programs, the culture, but most importantly reaching out to the students, the staff and building relationships."

***

Miller graduated from Montana State University and taught English for four years. He worked as an assistant principal for four years, and the past five as principal at North Kitsap High School, a school that he said parallels Hellgate in its history, tradition and some of its challenges.

He sees returning to Missoula as "a lifetime move." He wants to settle down and start a family; he has a circle of friends in town; he loves the outdoors; and he's excited about Hellgate's potential. Being around high-schoolers is fun, he said, because "the next step is always better" to them.

A hurdle stood in his way when he took the helm at North Kitsap: a staff divided.

Through collaboration and conversation, rather than a top-down "this is how it's going to be" approach, he said the staff morale and school atmosphere have improved.

"That was a multi-year process," he said.

It's "aptitude versus attitude," he said. The problem is while he can become a pillar of support and establish systems in a school, he can't change attitude.

His work starts with data, Miller said. He looks at graduation rates, attendance counts and more to see where students are and where they've come from.

"I create systems, ways for kids to buy into school," Miller said, pointing to the more than 40 clubs and activities his students have created in the past few years.

***

Genger's goal for students is simple: They should "graduate to something, not from something." He wants high-schoolers to look to the future, finding what inspires them so they can succeed after graduation.

"I don't want them treading water," he said.

He was raised in Fairfield, Montana, and got his master's degree and teaching credentials at University of Montana. Twenty years ago, he left Hamilton to live in the Pacific Northwest. Now his children are out of the house, and he wants to come back.

"For the past several years, I've kept a pulse on what's happening in Montana," he said.

He sees Hellgate today mirroring Lindbergh High 10 years ago, in terms of "culture and community" in the building.

"I really believe that with staff and community, that the good things that fortunately happened in my building can happen here, and I want to be a part of that," he said. "It's not to say that I'm so extraordinary or a miracle worker, because the work is done by the people in the building."

The shift came from empowering staff, he said. Professional learning communities allow teacher collaboration on Friday mornings. Master teachers that the staff chose lead the way, providing trust that allows staff to stand up in faculty meetings and speak their mind, Genger said.

Hellgate parents had concerns about the friction between International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement. It often appears that IB is pushed as the sole path to success, parents said, when that's not necessarily true for every student  and AP students can be just as successful.

"Numbers can't drive everything," he said. "If a building is vested in a program, most often you have to backfill that program until the program is self-generating."

***

Zahara-Harris shook everyone's hand before introducing herself.

She's taught and been a school administrator in Montana and Colorado, helped open an elementary school in Colorado, and worked for one year in Montana's Office of Public Instruction's Schools of Promise program.

"I understand the learning, the needs, how they develop over time," she said of her pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade experience.

In Glasgow, she's led the high school for the past three years as the industrial arts and family and consumer sciences programs have gotten boosts  in community support and funding and new ways of thinking.

"I know resources are always limited, but that's why partnerships in the community need to happen," she said.

Parents of students in advanced programs, such as IB and AP, are engaged and vocal. Sometimes, one parent worried, that means the students "in the middle" or not as advanced are left behind.

Elements of those "highly public programs" need to be available to all students, Zahara-Harris said. The principal needs to engage with everyone at the table, "take copious notes" and pinpoint exactly what's working, what isn't and make links between students and opportunities.

"One of the problems we run into is ... we talk a lot, we don't put it in black and white," she said. "When we take the time to put it in black and white, you can see what you're hearing, then it helps to put it into perspective of what that reality can be or should be versus what it is."
Missoula County Attorney Kirsten Pabst announced Tuesday that she filed a motion to dismiss the case against Cody Marble, who was sent to prison for raping a 13-year-old boy while they were in custody at the Missoula County jail in 2002.

In August, the Montana Supreme Court sent the case back to Missoula County District Court to re-examine Judge Douglas Harkins decision to deny Marble a new trial.

Its never too late to do the right thing, Pabst said during a news conference Tuesday.

She said since Marbles conviction, at least three of the witnesses including his victim had recanted their statements. In multiple interviews with law enforcement and jail staff, Pabst said the officers believed Marble had been set up by other inmates and "railroaded."

After weighty consideration, I have concluded that Marbles (conviction) lacks integrity and in the interests of doing justice, it must be dismissed," Pabst said.

She said the decision to seek a dismissal of Marbles case was an examination of prosecutor ethics and added she understood the decision would bring some criticism.

Its the duty of a prosecutor to seek justice, not merely to convict, she said. We make all of our choices based on facts and on the law.

During Tuesdays news conference Larry Mansch, the legal director of the Montana Innocence Project that has represented Marble in the process to get him a new trial since 2009, said Marble has spent the better part of the past 14 years imprisoned for a crime he didnt commit.

Were very very happy and grateful, Mansch said. The investigation, the effort Kirsten put forward on this was exhaustive, thats the only word for it.

Marble, who was originally sentenced to 20 years in prison with 15 suspended, is in custody at a Montana State Prison facility in Shelby after having the suspended portion of his sentence revoked for probation violations.

While both Pabst and Mansch said they believed Marble would be released on Tuesday, at the end of the day Mansch said retired District Court Judge Ed McLean, who was overseeing the re-examination of Marbles case, had not yet signed the motion to dismiss. When the Supreme Court had remanded the case, the Innocence Project filed a motion for Judge Harkin to recuse himself, and the case was given to McLean.

Our understanding is that Judge McLean has not signed the order to dismiss the case. The reasons are unclear, Mansch said. Im afraid thats put a delay on us so were going to have to see where this goes.
MISSOULA  On Tuesday, April 12, 2016, Dr. Chuck Jonkel died of natural causes in Missoula.

Chuck was born Charles Joseph Jonkel on July 16, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, into the poverty that characterized America during the Great Depression. He often retold the story of his mother, Ruby, bringing him home, a tiny premature baby weighing only 3 lbs, 2 oz., in a shoe box provided by the hospital. He joined his sister Theo and brother George (Duke). Their father, George Jonkel, was a police officer for the Chicago PD. When Chuck was 2 years old, Ruby sent the children to their grandparents farm, where the three of them swapped urban poverty for country poverty in rural Neillsville, Wisconsin. Shortly thereafter they were joined by their mother who was fortunate enough to find various jobs in the Neillsville area.

Chuck worked hard throughout his childhood. He told stories of digging wells, harvesting grapes, and, once, building a fence with his brother Duke for payment of a jar of honey. The two boys learned from their mentors Bill Sollberger and George Church how to hunt, fish and trap so as to put food on the table. When not working, they attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, walking on winter mornings with hot baked potatoes in their pockets which kept their hands warm, while also serving as lunch. This Spartan time in Chucks formative years imbued in him a passionate resolve to oppose social inequities and fight against unnecessary, wasteful excess.

In 1948, Chuck joined the U.S. Army and served as a supply sergeant while seeing action in the Korean War. Chuck rarely spoke of this time in his life but might remind you of his service by, on occasion, singing the entirety of the Tennessee Waltz in Korean. As was typical of Chuck, he befriended the Korean soldiers who fought alongside American troops. After leaving the army in 1953, Chuck took advantage of the GI Bill and so sought higher education at the University of Montana, where his brother Duke was enrolled. Together, they grew to love the Montana wilderness while hunting deer and elk. Chuck attained B.S. and M.S. degrees in wildlife biology in 1957 and 1959.

It was in 1956 that Chuck met Joan Murphy, who was to become his wife of 58 years. Joan was a native Montanan, from Laurel, who was pursuing an English degree at the university. The two married in 1957 in a small ceremony at the home of Joans parents. Joan joined Chuck in his research adventures spending time in trailers and cabins in the North Fork of the Flathead and Glacier Park. Their son James was born in 1959 in Missoula where Chuck was a biologist for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks working on black bears. Over the next six years, they shared time between their home in Whitefish and Vancouver, B.C., where Chuck was enrolled in the University of British Columbia Wildlife Biology Ph.D. program. Joan vigorously supported Chuck in all his professional endeavors, while at the same time pursuing her own professional career and caring for their children.

An opportunity to work for the Canadian Wildlife Service took the family next to Ottawa, Ontario. This is where Joan and Chucks daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1967. Once there, Chuck began his groundbreaking work on polar bears in the Canadian Arctic. He was one of the early biologists to venture into the frozen deserts to do research on Arctic wildlife. Working closely with the Inuit and Dene and Russian and Scandinavian polar bear experts, he and his associates traveled by boat, small twin-engine planes and helicopters exploring the remote ice flows, barren ground islands and lonesome fiords of the high Arctic.

In 1974, the family chose to return to Montana where Chuck began his work with the Border Grizzly Project at the University of Montana. For the next 42 years, they remained in Missoula, establishing strong ties to the community. Both Joan and Chuck participated in the Missoula Farmers Market. Joan sat on various political, arts and cultural boards, and Chuck established the International Wildlife Film Festival along with the annual Wild Walk Parade. He and colleagues founded the Great Bear Foundation, and he served as its director for many years.

But it was the little things that Chuck did, sometimes almost daily, that had the biggest impact on those around him. He was never one to pass a tree on the side of the road, laden with fruit, without stopping to harvest the crop  not only because it was good eating, but also to protect any bears in the vicinity that might be tempted to come close to humans. He was the rare individual to pick up hitchhikers, as he himself had been where they stood: cold, lonely and in need of help. Chuck hated human insolence toward the environment and would pick up litter automatically, wherever he found it. He raged against the foolishness of fat cats and gave his voice to those who could not speak, the fauna and flora of Montana.

Chuck would seek out the most beautiful of Christmas trees. He never missed a family holiday or birthday. He stoked fires in the fireplace on cold days, so as to better enjoy a glass of sherry with Joan and her sister Margo. His niece Kate and daughter Elizabeth greatly appreciate memories of Chuck being Nanook of the North, as he pulled their toboggan through fresh snow around the University district. He spent hours with his granddaughter Madeline and her friends, after school on the Paxson yard, being their monster or pony or whatever their imaginations conjured up. His son Jamie values how Chuck granted him a shared life working in the wild with bears, lions and wolves.

Beyond family, Chuck could connect with all people: freshly arrived UM students, with a drive to learn and make a difference; ranchers, farmers and hunters who are the conservationists of Montanas resources; children who helped make plaster casts of grizzly prints; First Nation peoples who further inspired his love of land  these are but a few of the people that Chuck met, taught, learned from, respected and enfolded into his world.

In Missoula, he leaves behind his wife Joan Jonkel; son James, granddaughter Madeline and her mother Ali Duvall; daughter Elizabeth and her husband Brad Craig, niece Kate Ybarra and husband George, grandniece Zora and grandnephew Zander. His older brother Duke resides in Florida. From his branch of the family are daughters, Susan, Laura, Elise and Rhonda with her daughter Michelle, and son Philip with his son Colin and daughter Caitlin. Also surviving Chuck are cousins Ron Poertner with wife Janet and Sarah Poertner, and brother-in-law Robert Murphy with wife Carol and nephew John Murphy.

Chuck was preceded in death by his mother Ruby Poertner Jonkel Yndogliato; stepfather Tom Yndogliato; father George Jonkel; sister Theo Jonkel and sister-in-law Margo Murphy Jerrim.

Throughout his life, Chuck gained well-deserved notoriety as an advocate, mentor and activist for wildlife conservation, responsible and sustainable living, and social justice. His family would like to thank reporter Rob Chaney of the Missoulian and local writer David Stalling and many others for so eloquently and affectingly conveying in recent communications the facts around this side of Chucks life. The staff at Riversides kind assistance during Chucks final days was much appreciated. Also deserving of thanks is Barry Gordon, who has been a stalwart friend to Chuck and all the family.

Chuck would probably say any tribute to his memory should be through our actions, not our wallets. Go outside. Be good to the Earth. Respect animals. Treat each other with dignity, but fight with all weve got if the cause is good. Remember that, according to Chuck, only boring people are bored.

But anyone wishing to donate funds in lieu of flowers can visit gofundme.com/jonkel to donate funds for a University archival repository of the papers, research and other materials of Dr. Charles Jonkel that accumulated over a long, fruitful and fascinating life.

A memorial event to honor Chuck is tentatively planned for July 16 on what would have been is 86th birthday. Further details will be forthcoming. Those with questions or suggestions are welcome to contact us at jonkelfamily@hotmail.com.
MISSOULA  Our dear aunt Sister Ruth wrote this obituary herself. Her devotion to our Lord, faith, determination, independence, justice and above all love has always been and will be a testimony to us of how to live our lives.

Sister Ruth Vontz was born April 9, 1919, on a farm in Frontier County, Nebraska.

When she was 5 and her brother was 5 months, their mother became ill and never recovered. Her father was left with five children, ages 7 to less than a year. After successful efforts to obtain care for the children he took counsel with the parish priest who directed him to the Sisters of Saint Francis, in Lincoln, Nebraska, who cared for children. The children stayed with the Sisters until they graduated from the eighth grade.

At that time, Mr. Vontz rented a house in Lincoln and the children stayed with him and continued their education in the city.

Sister Ruth continued to visit the Sisters who had cared for her.

In 1943, after working a number of years, she joined the order of the Sisters of St. Francis. Sister was sent to Duchesne College of the Sacred Hearth where she earned a degree in biology. Later, she earned an MA ed. status.

Sister worked in the Catholic schools, which were located in Nebraska, Colorado and New Mexico; she also worked at the Technical & Vocational Institute, which was located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 1981, Sister obtained a dispensation to join the Sisters for Christian Community, which was founded on the Documents of Vatican II.

Sister has lived and worked in Montana since 1979. She spent many years volunteering at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

At age 90, she had to retire due to Parkinsons disease. She spent two years at Hunters Glenn, where she was instrumental in working with the company to improve the care, food and environment. Through the kindness of Father Dumais, Sunday Mass is celebrated at Hunters Glenn and weekday Mass at Grizzly Peak, where she has been living.

Sister is survived by the Sisters for Christian Community and the families of her sisters, Helen Morris, Marie Davis, Wilma (Billie) Fleming West and her brother Louis Vontz.

At the time of her death she was a resident of Grizzly Peak.

A vigil service will be held Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m. with Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 22, at St. Francis Catholic Parish in Missoula. Interment will be at St. Marys Catholic Cemetery and a reception will follow at Reidy Hall. Donations in Sister Ruths name may be made to the St. Ignatius Missions Church Restoration fund; 300 Beartrack Ave. St. Ignatius, MT 59865.
A new electrical plant being built with Chinese development fund is helping meet Ghana's needs

Through the joint effort by Shenzhen Energy Group and the China-Africa Development Fund in 2007, a major power plant is providing electricity for the city of Tema in the Republic of Ghana.

Located 29 kilometers from the capital, Accra, the plant is run by Sunon-Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd, and cofounded by Shenzhen Energy and the fund.

Power plant run by Sunon-Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd and cofounded by Shenzhen Energy and the China-Africa Development Fund provides electricity for Tema, Ghana. Photos provided to China Daily

Staff members at the power plant run by Sunon-Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd in Tema in the Republic of Ghana.

The power plant is the first built overseas by Shenzhen Energy and covers an area of 200,000 square meters. Today, it is an important source of power for Ghana.

The fund and Shenzhen Energy co-established Sunon-Asogli Power as part of China's "reaching-out" strategy of investing and expanding overseas.

Shenzhen Energy had been interested in investing in Africa since late 2006, when Ghana tribal leader Togbe Afede XIV invited Shenzhen Energy to look into the West African nation's power market.

The total capacity of the plant will be 560 mW from gas-steam power generators, built in two phases. The first phase of construction of two 100 mW gas-steam generators was completed and put into operation in 2010, mitigating Ghana's urgent power needs.

The first phase of the project generates about 15 percent of the country's total electricity and benefits more than 2 million residents.

Shenzhen Energy has recently expanded its energy market investments in Ghana. Feasibility studies for the second phase of the power plant is in progress and construction is to start in the spring. The company is also planning a coal-fired power plant and a wind farm in Ghana.

Currently, the company has 91 Chinese employees and 51 local employees.

The successful experience in Ghana has encouraged the company to expand their business to other countries in Africa. In recent years, it has participated in building power plants in Kenya and Zambia with the help of the China-Africa Business Council and the Shenzhen Trade Promotion Association.

Still, the company faces difficulties in Africa, says Li Xiaohai, head of Sunon-Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd.

"Developing a business abroad is comparatively more risky because we have less experience and it is less predictable. We need to be prepared for all kinds of circumstances. The culture and political environment in African countries are very different," he says. "It is a big sacrifice for our project managers to work in a foreign country as they have great workloads and sometimes even face danger. Therefore, we sincerely need more support and understanding from the local government."

He says recruiting talent is key to expanding the company's progress in foreign markets.

"We are paying lots of attention to developing our teams in management, marketing and technology," he says. "Only when we make good use of our talent in different areas can we successfully blend into the international market."

He says the company needs more support from the local government in terms of financing and fair trading.

zhangyue@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 01/16/2015 page20)
Candidate for lieutenant governor Lesley Robinsons recent (April 10) opinion piece has inconsistencies with her public record that deserve discussion.

Robinson has been participating in the stakeholder meetings for bison restoration along with representatives from the major agricultural groups and legislators who farm and/or ranch. This undermines her argument that landowners werent being listened too when it comes to bison management. Establishing a viable wild bison population in Montana is a worthy project. Robinson is arrogant to imply this legitimate effort with a wide variety of stakeholders should be stopped before an honest evaluation has been completed.

Phillips County Commissioner Robinson has opposed new wildlife management areas as well as the Habitat Montana program. In 2013, she testified in support of a no net gain bill that would have hamstrung the popular program and forced the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to sell off any land in equal acreage to land acquired, making suspect her claim that no one wants to see public land sold off.

As the chairwoman of both the Montana and the National Association of Counties Public Lands Committees, she advocated and voted for the transfer of public lands. This makes her proclamation that she and Greg Gianforte are opposed to transfer of public lands unbelievable.

Lesley Robinson also says that landowners didnt have enough say in sage grouse management decisions, yet she testified in support of Senate Bill 261, the Montana Sage Grouse Stewardship Act of 2015, which passed with overwhelming support from urban and rural legislators, the agricultural industry, the Montana Association of Counties, sportsmen, conservationists and the energy industry. This effort is credited with ensuring state management of sage grouse and avoiding an endangered species listing.

Montanans deserve an honest dialog when it comes to sportsmen/landowner relations. Its clear the past positions and policies advocated by Robinson are counter to her opinion piece.

Wildlife management and land management is complex work. Gov. Steve Bullock has worked diligently to bring diverse groups together to develop responsible changes in the management of wildlife and public land. That model has led to successes like House Bill 140 in 2015, which ensures funding for our game agency. It has led to a better understanding of our stream access slaw under the Bridge Access Bill of 2009. Common ground provided the state better management of wolves under House Bill 73 in 2013 and its what brought organizations across the political spectrum together in defeating bad legislation such as the transfer of public land onslaught of 2015.

I applaud Robinson for joining Gianforte to present voters a choice in leadership for our state. To show leadership in the conservation arena, she must move beyond the narrow localized positions she articulated in the past and demonstrate an ability to bring public and private interests together to solve the challenges of wildlife management, public access and landowner relationships. The Bullock administration has demonstrated successes in this arena despite partisan politics. How the Gianforte/Robinson team propose to solve the remaining challenges remains as clear as mud.
UPDATE: A 13-month-old girl who was abducted from her home in Poplar on Tuesday night has been found dead.

Authorities said theyve ruled out two persons of interest earlier named in an Amber Alert issued for a 1-year-old girl abducted from a home in Poplar. The child is still missing.

The Amber Alert was issued Wednesday morning, indicating that Kenzley Ava-Leann Olson was taken at about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The initial alert named a man and woman as persons of interest and said they may be headed to Minot in a silver 2006 Chrysler 300C.

The woman and the Chrysler were located in Minot Wednesday morning before the people were ruled out as suspects. Police are still searching for Olson.

Olson is described as Native American and is about 2 feet tall. She has black hair and brown eyes. She has a three-quarter inch scar above her right eye.
HELENA  An oil and gas company faces criminal charges for a 2011 oil spill that prosecutors said went unreported for a month, in which time the spill spread nearly a mile downhill and polluted a stream in northwestern Montana.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed Tuesday charged FX Drilling Co. and field supervisor Quay Geza Torok with negligent discharge of oil into waters of the United States and failure to immediately notify federal authorities of the spill.

Torok and an attorney for the company entered not guilty pleas in U.S. District Court in Great Falls on Tuesday. They dispute the Environmental Protection Agency's assertion that the spilled oil ever made it to water.

"The EPA is trying to make it something that it's not and we're standing up to them," said Cathy Laughner, the attorney for FX Drilling.

Torok discovered a 3-inch line connecting two oil wells had broken on an oil field on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation on June 12, 2011, according to the indictment. The line was fixed, but the company did not take steps to clean up the oil and production fluid that had already leaked, prosecutors said.

The spill, up to 840 gallons, spread down a drainage and into a tributary that flows into Cut Bank Creek, which empties into the Marias River. A boater reported the spill to Blackfeet tribal officials.

It was unclear how much oil made it to the stream, but the company had 24 hours to notify federal authorities once it did, EPA officials said at the time. Even after it was made aware of the spill, the company did not contact federal officials, leaving Blackfeet officials to do so, according to the indictment.

It took six weeks to clean the three-quarter mile path of the spill from the oil field. FX Energy, the Salt Lake City-based parent company of FX Drilling, spent $321,000 on the cleanup, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Attorneys for FX Drilling and Torok said Wednesday there is no evidence the spill actually reached the stream. Torok attorney Kevin Evans said he doubted the boater's initial report of a spill on the river, and added that natural seepage of oil frequently occurs in the area.

Evans questioned the decision to bring criminal charges under the federal Clean Water Act for failing to clean up and remove oil from the leak once the ruptured line was fixed.

"That might be a civil action, but it's not a crime," Evans said.
KALISPELL (AP)  A 22-year-old Evergreen man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son.

Brandon Newberry entered an Alford plea in February to mitigated deliberate homicide. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to gain a conviction.

Newberry, who was sentenced Tuesday, was initially charged with deliberate homicide in the February 2015 death of Forrest Groshelle. An autopsy found the boy had been hit in the abdomen numerous times, causing a laceration of the small intestine that slowly poisoned him.

Newberry was watching the boy while his mother was at work.
BUTTE - Authorities are searching for a 31-year-old woman from North Dakota who was reported missing from the Super 8 motel in Butte early Tuesday morning.

Police say Crystal Borseth checked into the hotel at 2929 Harrison Avenue with her mother on Monday. The mother, who came to Butte for a temporary nursing job, said she awoke in the hotel room at 6 a.m. Tuesday and her daughter was gone.

They had driven to Montana in a 2000 blue, four-door Volvo that police believe belonged to the daughter. It also is missing.

Police dont believe that Borseth had problems with her mother. Borseth does have an ex-boyfriend who lives in Washington state but police say the family had talked with him. Calls to Borseths cell phone went to voicemail.

Borseth is white, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds.
Citing concerns about potential voting irregularities during the most consequential presidential primary in years, the New York City comptroller, Scott M. Stringer, said on Tuesday that his office would audit the citys Board of Elections in part to determine if tens of thousands of Democratic voters were improperly removed from voter rolls.

Mr. Stringer said in a statement that the Board of Elections had confirmed that more than 125,000 Democratic voters in Brooklyn were dropped between November 2015 and this month. He said the decline occurred without any adequate explanation furnished by the Board of Elections.

There is nothing more sacred in our nation than the right to vote, yet election after election, reports come in of people who were inexplicably purged from the polls, told to vote at the wrong location or unable to get in to their polling site, Mr. Stringer, a Democrat, said.

On Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio, also a Democrat, echoed Mr. Stringer, noting that voters and voting rights monitors had reported the purging of entire buildings and blocks of voters from the voting lists.
Apples general counsel, Bruce Sewell, said at the hearing that encryption did not prevent the authorities from solving crimes.

As you heard from our colleagues in law enforcement, they have the perception that encryption walls off information to them, Mr. Sewell said. But technologists and national security experts dont see the world that way. We see a data-rich world that seems to be full of information. Information that law enforcement can use to solve  and prevent  crimes.

Mr. Sewell also defended Apples security practices, saying the company always aimed to keep its devices safe from prying eyes. Within the last two years, he said, the Chinese government has requested Apples source code but the company has refused to hand it over. In a public report on Monday, the company said American law enforcement officials made 4,000 requests for customer data covering more than 16,000 devices in the second half of last year.

Law enforcement officials testifying before the committee on Tuesday expressed frustration over their inability to run a number of cases to ground  particularly sex abuse and child pornography cases  because of encrypted phones. They said the recent publicity over the issue could end up helping criminals.

Make no mistake  criminals are listening to this testimony and learning from it, said Charles Cohen, commander of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The F.B.I. said there has been an increase in the number of devices it has acquired through investigations but was unable to gain access to because of encryption. Ms. Hess said that since October, 13 percent of the devices obtained by the F.B.I. were impenetrable by the agency. When asked at Tuesdays hearing if the relationship between the tech industry and law enforcement had become adversarial, Ms. Hess responded, I hope not.

The encryption debate is continuing in other quarters. Apple is fighting an order in a federal court in New York to provide access to a phone involved in a criminal drug investigation. And last week, Senator Richard Burr, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a Republican, and Dianne Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the committee, released a draft version of a bill that would require tech companies to decrypt data if requested by a court.
The North Carolina law has prompted the Obama administration to consider whether the state would be ineligible for billions of dollars in federal funding for schools, housing and highways.

Mr. McCrory, a Republican who is seeking re-election in November, and other supporters of the law have played down suggestions that the Obama administration would rescind those billions. Mr. McCrorys Democratic opponent, Roy Cooper, the states attorney general, has said in the past that the law may put the federal funding at risk and has refused to defend the state in a lawsuit challenging it.

In a statement Tuesday, Mr. McCrory said he strongly disagreed with President Obama and Mr. Coopers objective to force our high schools to allow boys in girls restrooms, locker rooms or shower facilities, but would evaluate the effect of Tuesdays ruling on North Carolina law and policy.

The A.C.L.U. brought the case on behalf of Mr. Grimm, who was born female but identifies as a male, in June, seeking a preliminary injunction so that Mr. Grimm could use the boys restrooms at his school.

The school administration initially allowed him to do so, but the local school board later approved a policy that barred him from the boys restrooms; according to court documents, the policy also required students with gender identity issues to use an alternative private facility to go to the bathroom.

Judge Robert G. Doumar of Federal District Court ruled against Mr. Grimm in September, dismissing his claim that the school board had violated Title IX, although the judge did allow his case to go forward under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

The ruling by a three-judge panel on Tuesday reversed the lower courts dismissal of the Title IX claim, stating that the District Court did not accord appropriate deference to regulations issued by the Department of Education. The departments current guidelines dictate that schools generally must treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity.
An estimated 200 people  including contractors, city officials and representatives from NorthWestern Energy  gathered for the utilitys official dedication of its new five-story, $25 million general office building Tuesday at Park and Main.

Several people involved in the project  including company board members and executives  spoke during the dedication, during which they touted concepts of teamwork, collaboration and generating goodwill within the community.

I know its going to be a great addition not only to the company but also to the community, said Bob Rowe, chief executive officer for NorthWestern Energy.

The building represents the culmination of nearly five years of planning and negations between NorthWestern Energy and Butte-Silver Bow County.

To build the faculty, NorthWestern used $450,000 from the citys Urban Revitalization Agency and also received new market tax credits from Montana Community Development Corp.  a boost that several of the speakers said made the project possible.

(New market tax credits) were one of the defining factors for us building in Uptown Butte, said Curt Pohl, NorthWesterns vice president of distribution.

Construction began in May 2015 and culminated in December. The construction involved 4,000 cubic yards of concrete, 581 tons of steel, 40 miles of communication wires and more than 400,000 jumbo and glazed bricks.

Notable architectural details include a brick exterior, copper accents and a glass-enclosed staircase that extends inside and out, which is intended to mesh with the iron fire escapes of the surrounding historic structures.

The buildings fifth-floor deck boasts an interior workspace and an outside patio decorated with shrubbery and a natural gas grill  and a view of the East Ridge, Summit Valley and Highlands.

Danny Kaluza, director of support services for NorthWestern Energy, said the utilitys new digs were also designed with employees health in mind.

Work spaces have low cubicle walls, Kaluza pointed out, natural lighting and sit-stand work stations, which are all designed to encourage productivity, well-being and collaboration.

But for board member Jan Horsfall, the most important detail of the building is its capacity to contribute to Buttes history.

(The building) is going to be here for a long, long, long time, said Horsfall. And Im proud of the fact that in a few decades people are going to look back and theyre going to view the history of this building in the same way that they view the history of the company  hopefully with fondness, appreciation and pride.

A public dedication and tour of the new building are slated for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21.
A 13-month-old girl who was abducted from her home in Poplar on Tuesday morning has been found dead.

Lee Allmer, Roosevelt County public information officer, said authorities found Kenzley Olson dead in Poplar on Wednesday.

One person is in custody in connection with the death and officials from the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is in charge of the investigation, are on scene and investigating the girl's death.

No further details were available as of 2:30 p.m.

The Montana Department of Justice canceled an Amber Alert issued early Wednesday for the girl and referred further questions to the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities ruled out two persons of interest earlier named in the Amber Alert issued for Olson.

The Amber Alert issued Wednesday morning said that Kenzley Ava-Leann Olson was taken at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

The initial alert named a man and woman as persons of interest and said they may be headed to Minot in a silver 2006 Chrysler 300C.

The woman and the Chrylser were located in Minot on Wednesday morning before the people were ruled out as suspects.

According to the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office, the Fort Peck Tribal Police and the FBI assisted in the search for Olson.

An Amber Alert was issued in Roosevelt County on Feb. 26 when a 4-year-old girl was abducted in Wolf Point. The girl was found alive on Feb. 28.

John William Lieba, 20, pleaded not guilty on March 1 to charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault of a minor, during an initial appearance in Fort Peck Tribal Court.

Judge Marvin Youpee ordered him held without bail.

Federal charges also are anticipated in that case, FBI Special Agent Todd Palmer said.
Authorities arrested three transient men Tuesday morning after police say they broke into a building in Rocker and were using it as a crash pad.

William Schmutz, 24, of Cocolla, Idaho, Zachary Hoffman, 23, homeless, and Wesley Fuller, 31, of Jacksonville, Florida, are each facing misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass to property and criminal mischief. Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester released the names late Tuesday afternoon.

The building at 1100 Grizzly Trail is used as a practice space by the Copper City Queens, Buttes roller derby team.

Spokeswoman and league president Jennifer Kueffler said a rear window  2-feet by 6-feet  was broken with the bottom half shattering mostly inside the building. A rock was found amid the glass.

Bill Raymond, a volunteer and husband of one of the team members, checked on the building Tuesday morning and heard a dog barking inside, Kueffler said. He then saw a person inside through a partially opened garage door and called police.

Kueffler said she was told five men and two dogs were inside the space. A cardboard and papier-mache skate used as a float in the recent St. Patricks Day float was knocked over and damaged. Photographs of the team were also ripped from the walls and someone had urinated on the refrigerator and a mattress, she said.

The 8-foot float, according to Kueffler, took about three days to build. The team has rented the space for about 14 months. She said skaters had not practiced in the building since Sunday morning.
MISSOULA  Missoula County Attorney Kirsten Pabst announced Tuesday that she filed a motion to dismiss the case against Cody Marble, who was sent to prison for raping a 13-year-old boy while they were in custody at the Missoula County jail in 2002.

In August, the Montana Supreme Court sent the case back to Missoula County District Court to re-examine Judge Douglas Harkins decision to deny Marble a new trial.

Its never too late to do the right thing, Pabst said during a news conference Tuesday.

She said since Marbles conviction, at least three of the witnesses including his victim had recanted their statements. In multiple interviews with law enforcement and jail staff, Pabst said the officers believed Marble had been set up by other inmates and "railroaded."

After weighty consideration, I have concluded that Marbles (conviction) lacks integrity and in the interests of doing justice, it must be dismissed," Pabst said.

She said the decision to seek a dismissal of Marbles case was an examination of prosecutor ethics and added she understood the decision would bring some criticism.

Its the duty of a prosecutor to seek justice, not merely to convict, she said. We make all of our choices based on facts and on the law.

During Tuesdays news conference Larry Mansch, the legal director of the Montana Innocence Project that has represented Marble in the process to get him a new trial since 2009, said Marble has spent the better part of the past 14 years imprisoned for a crime he didnt commit.

Were very very happy and grateful, Mansch said. The investigation, the effort Kirsten put forward on this was exhaustive, thats the only word for it.

Marble, who was originally sentenced to 20 years in prison with 15 suspended, is in custody at a Montana State Prison facility in Shelby after having the suspended portion of his sentence revoked for probation violations.

While both Pabst and Mansch said they believed Marble would be released on Tuesday, at the end of the day Mansch said retired District Court Judge Ed McLean, who was overseeing the re-examination of Marbles case, had not yet signed the motion to dismiss. When the Supreme Court had remanded the case, the Innocence Project filed a motion for Judge Harkin to recuse himself, and the case was given to McLean.

Our understanding is that Judge McLean has not signed the order to dismiss the case. The reasons are unclear, Mansch said. Im afraid thats put a delay on us so were going to have to see where this goes.

In August, the Montana Supreme Court also remanded the case of Robert Wilkes back to Missoula County District Court. Wilkes was convicted in 2010 of shaking his 3-month-old baby to death, and Judge McLean denied a petition to grant him a new trial. Pabst said that case is still being reviewed, but at this time her office intends to continue to pursue it.
A woman reported missing from a Butte motel is safe and sound in Washington state, Undersheriff George Skuletich said Wednesday afternoon.

Skuletich did not release additional information.

Authorities were searching for a 31-year-old woman from North Dakota who was reported missing early Tuesday.

Police said Crystal Borseth checked into the Super 8, 2929 Harrison Ave., with her mother on Monday. The mother, who came to Butte for a temporary nursing job, said she awoke in the hotel room at 6 a.m. Tuesday and her daughter was gone.

They had driven to Montana in a blue, four-door 2000 Volvo that police believe belonged to the daughter. It also was missing.

Police dont believe that Borseth had problems with her mother. Borseth has an ex-boyfriend who lives in Washington state.
Wednesday, April 20

TECH TALK

Gregory Mullen with the Natural Resource Damage Program will speak at 4 p.m. in the Chemistry/Biology Building, Room 102, on the Montana Tech campus. His talk concerns the Natural Resource Damage Program role in revegetation of Stucky Ridge and several other sites in the Upper CFR Basin. Details: Robert Pal at rpal@mtech.edu.

RAISING GREAT KIDS

The "Raising Great Kids" series is held at the Emergency Operations Center (Drivers Examiner Building) South Entrance, 3615 Wynne St., 6:30 to 8 p.m. The schedule follows: April 20  "Relationship Ups and Downs/Bullying."

ALL-SERVICE DINNER

The annual All-Service Dinner in Anaconda is 6 p.m. in the Anaconda Elks Lodge with cocktails at 5 p.m. Reservations and payment, call Maureen Watt, 563-2031.

WATERSHED MEETING

Big Hole Watershed Committee will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. at the Divide Grange on Highway 43 in Divide. Topic for discussion will be Big Hole invasive weeds. Details: 406-960-4855.

CAR SEAT CLINIC

The monthly childrens car seat clinic is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Uptown Fire Station, Montana and Galena. Car seats will be checked for correct installation. Details: Mary Jo Stosich at the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department, 406-497-5087.

LEGION SOCIAL

American Legion Post No. 1 and Auxiliary Unit No. 1 will have a dinner-social and meeting at 1750 Motor Vue Road. Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. The menu includes pasties, salads and desserts. A short meeting will follow at 8. All veterans are welcome.

CLUBS AND MEETINGS

BUTTE

Warped Weavers meet 6 to 8 p.m. at the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library, third floor, 226 W. Broadway St. Curious about weaving? Come watch, ask questions; there may be a loom for you to try. Details: 406-782-5784.

Butte Kiwanis meets at noon at Perkins. Speaker is Kathy Griffiths, director of the Butte Emergency Food Bank.

Butte Sunrise Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. at Perkins Restaurant. Guest speaker will be Dave Holman, chairman of the Bert Mooney Airport board of directors.

Butte Elks Lodge bingo starts at 7 p.m. All bingo players are welcome. Payout is determined on the number of players. The more players, the larger the payout. Details: Frank Snyder, 406-494-6614.

Butte Central and Butte High classes of 1952 will have a luncheon at noon at The Derby. Call Georgia at 406-782-5772 or June at 406-723-6780.

Overeaters Anonymous meets at 6:15 p.m. at the Gold Hill Lutheran Church, 934 Placer St. Details: 406-533-5454.

Al-Anon meetings: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Gold Hill Lutheran Church; 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sharing and Caring, 1500 Cobban.

ANACONDA

Anaconda Sportsmen will meet at 7 p.m. at the AOH Hall.

DILLON

Dillon Rotary meets at noon at the Guild Hall of St. James Episcopal Church, 203 E. Glendale St. Guest speaker UM Western chemistry professor Steve Mock will talk about How Sherpas Learn to Climb Everest  Teaching at the Top of the World.

The Dillon Kiwanis meet at noon at the Beaverhead Brewery, 218 S. Montana St., in downtown Dillon. Visitors are welcome. Guest speaker is Betsy Pahut, district administrator of the Key Leader program.
DES MOINES, Iowa  State park users and advocacy groups may be quizzed soon about their willingness to re-impose a fee to access the facilities as a way to help fund maintenance and improvements to Iowas park system.

A fiscal 2017 budget bill that helps fund agriculture and natural resources functions of state government includes language calling for state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials to study the feasibility of installing electronic card reader systems at state park entrances for the exclusive purpose of allowing the department to more efficiently collect user fees from individuals who enter those areas by motor vehicle.

As part of that study, according to the House File 2454 explanation, DNR officials also are to solicit input from state park users and state park supporter groups regarding their willingness to pay additional fees to provide funding for maintenance and operations of state parks. State officials are to report their findings and recommendations to Gov. Terry Branstad and legislators by Jan. 15, 2017.

Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm, D-Cresco, co-chair of the House-Senate agriculture and natural resources budget subcommittee, said the information gathering did not necessarily equate into a future park user fee, and Rep. Norlin Mommsen, R-DeWitt, the other panel co-leader, said his interest was to allow state officials to think outside the box concerning new technology applications but not to reinstate a fee to use state parks.

To me, its a dream clause, said Mommsen.

I just think there must be something with these apps and stuff that we could be utilizing that were not, he added. My intent is to let them think outside the box and just what is possible. Whatever you can think of or dream of.

Mommsen said he wanted to explore applications that could make park rangers jobs easier, streamline check-ins or improve methods for park users to make reservations at facilities around the state. He added that if Iowans are surveyed, he believed people will come back and say theyre against reinstating a state park user fee. For most people, thats such a paradigm switch, especially for Iowa.

Branstad spokesman Ben Hammes said the governor also does not support a park user fee.

Gov. Branstad values our Iowa state parks and is always looking for innovative ways to make them more accessible to Iowans, Hammes said in a statement. While imposing user fees to access our state parks has been used before and was unpopular among Iowans, Gov. Branstad remains generally opposed to the idea of imposing fees to access our state parks.

Iowa had user fees for a few years beginning in 1986, but those charges -- $2 a day or $10 a season -- were abolished because the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) was supposed to replace them. However, that program never has received the amount of money pledged and legislators this session have proposed $16 million for REAP and $3 million for state park maintenance and operations in various fiscal 2017 budget bills.
MUSCATINE, Iowa  April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In addition to pinwheels spinning around Muscatine, a representation of the happiness every child should experience, Muscatine has other opportunities to help spread awareness, prevent, and otherwise fight child abuse.

People are asked to wear blue on April 20 to show support for Muscatine child abuse prevention and post a photo to social media to be entered to win prizes using the hashtag #greatchildhoodsmuscatine.

Community involvement

My primary advice would be to get involved in the community, research shows that the more a community comes together, the more family events you have, and you take the 'it takes a village to raise a child' approach, its one of the most essential things you can do to prevent child abuse, said Kadie McCory, program manager at the Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center.

Muscatine has several opportunities for involvement, such as volunteering or donating to the Child Protection Center, Muscatine County CARES, or other organizations.

The Mississippi Valley Child Protection Center works mainly to assist in the investigation of child abuse cases, but also does training programs within the community. According to McCory, the center plans to do training for teachers in Wapello schools, and hopes to do the same in Muscatine in the future.

Muscatine County CARES, which stands for Child Abuse Response and Education System and is a member of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, works in Muscatine to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse. The Child Abuse Council in Muscatine welcomes community members involvement.

We try to make the community aware of how to prevent child abuse, how to respond to it, if you suspect or see child abuse, and we just try to be that link to keep the community aware, Diana Broderson, a member of the Muscatine County CARES board and director of family programs at the YMCA.

For Child Abuse Prevention Month, pinwheel bouquets are placed around Muscatine, traveling posters that provide information on child abuse prevention, and a visiting guest speaker will talk to the Child Abuse Council in Muscatine.

We firmly believe that child abuse is everyones problem, and its all of our businesses to keep a watch out for the children in our community, and so its very important for our community to be involved, Broderson said.

The Department of Human Services in Muscatine as well as Muscatine County CARES work together to provide pillows and blankets for children who need to be removed from their homes, and Broderson said that is an easy way to get involved that can make a difference in a child's life.

"Oftentimes they don't have a pillow or a blanket, but we've had a great community response so now when a child gets removed from their home they have their own special bag and a brand new blanket or pillow or both, which just makes an awful situation a little but nicer for them," she said.

The Muscatine Community YMCA also has programs like the Parenting Education Program that provides information for families on parenting education with curriculum and guest speakers, and these free programs are open to all community members.

The Child Abuse Council in the Quad Cities provides outreach programs and information to help in the prevention of child abuse.

According to Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, www.pcaiowa.org, the following is a list of ways people can help:

Raise awareness among friends and family that child abuse is preventable and a cause worthy of commitment;

Spread the word to parents that services are available to help them during stressful times;

Offer parents a break from parenting;

Volunteer time to a community event dedicated to preventing child abuse;

Raise funds for local programs that provide education and support for parents.

To volunteer, donate or make pillows and blankets to DHS, or for more information, contact the Muscatine Community YMCA at 563-263-9996.

Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse

Physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional maltreatment are four types of child abuse, and according to the Child Abuse Council, they are typically found in combination. Educators and other community members can recognize signs of abuse, however, all agencies stressed that the most important thing is for a child to be believed if they report to an adult they trust.

The best thing is to tell them you believe them, its not their fault, and get them help, it is the responsibility of every adult to help children, said Angie Kindall of the Child Abuse Council.

Muscatine has had high child abuse rates in the past, and that trend continues, according to McCory.

Muscatine, in 2014, was rated 22 out of 99 counties for the rate of child abuse per child capita, so thats in the top quarter. Child abuse is happening here, its happening more frequently than 75 percent of the rest of the state, McCory said.

She also said that the most important step to take is report.

Its always better to report, when in doubt, report, McCory said.

Working together, according to Broderson, is one of the best ways to prevent child abuse in Muscatine.

We like to think that child abuse is something awful that happens in big cities, in rough neighborhoods, but child abuse is something that happens everywhere in every community, and we cant turn a blind eye to it, we all need to be aware that child abuse is a terrible thing that happens right here in our community, and the more adults have their eyes wide open and are looking out for the safety of the children the better it is for the community, Broderson said.

To report possible abuse, contact the Muscatine Police Department at 563-263-9922.
MUSCATINE, Iowa The hum of machinery can be heard as construction season has been getting underway, and projects throughout the downtown area are moving forward.

Projects include renovations at the Medical Arts building, a new Little Caesers on the corner of Fifth and Mulberry, and an HNI overpass.

Medical Arts Building

Dr. Bradley Bark, of Bark Chiropractic and Rehab Clinic, has begun renovations to the Medical Arts building, which is part of the old bank building built in 1908 that rests on the corner of Second and Sycamore streets.

His plans include the renovation of the foyer, updating the elevator, adding two condos on the third floor, and a condo to the fourth floor. Much of the building was used by Family Resources in the past, which is now located on the second floor.

Its been kind of cool to go through the whole process, Bark said.

He is also excited to work on the roof of the building, and said he hopes it will become usable space.

Were hoping that will be a little community space on the rooftop that overlooks the river, a place for meetings and get-togethers, and those are just the plans right now, he said.

Currently, the fourth floor has been gutted, and Bark said he plans to do a similar building within a building creation of rooms as he has done with the Second Street-facing first floor. Because the ceilings are so tall and he did not want to overly alter the original beams and other features in the old building, he created smaller spaces within the larger room for his practice.

Justin Bender, Bender Custom Carpentry in Muscatine, has been working for Bark on the project, and Bark said the progression should allow the project to be completed in late summer. He hopes his building updates will continue to revitalize the downtown.

Its all about teamwork when it comes to the downtown, theres many building owners downtown, but teamwork is key. We all have to put our log into the fire, so to speak, in order to keep the downtown fired up, he said.

Bark said that as a building owner in downtown Muscatine, he understands his role and sees others, like Tom Meeker, the Guadalajara owners, and the city of Muscatine working to update businesses and make the downtown an inviting and alive space.

Since Ive been here, for five years, you can definitely see the downtown coming to life again; I know theres been a lot of comments about businesses leaving, but weve gotten lots more comments that the downtowns coming alive again. The city of Muscatine is doing a great job, the chambers been doing a great job, too, with keeping the small businesses happy downtown, Bark said.

Little Caesars

Kasey OKelly plans to open Little Caesars at 501 E. Sixth St. in late June or early July, depending on the Iowa weather.

"We got a late start on it, we were going to try to be open in the early spring, but we couldn't get everything lined up over the winter so we had to wait for the thaw," O'Kelly said.

As people may see driving past the work site, the building has the framework up and the walls coming into place. O'Kelly said the building is going up quickly, and he is planning on having a drive-through.

This side of town doesnt really have a fast food type restaurant, theres a lot of homes around here, so its a good place to pick up something quickly. The concept that we have is that its already ready to go ... so it should serve this general area pretty well, O'Kelly said.

He said he will most likely begin hiring in approximately six weeks. For more information, call Kasey O'Kelly at 563-299-3646 or email okellyk@mac.com.

Jenna Hackett, the vice president of business at Todd Hackett Construction in Muscatine, said the project is progressing quickly.

"We started the week of March 14, and the project is scheduled to be completed on August 10, were using mostly local contractors," Hackett said.

She also said that although the project is moving quickly, they remain in close contact with O'Kelly to ensure they meet the specifications of a Little Caesars.

"Kasey has been working with Little Caesars a lot, so were working with him and Little Caesers to make sure everything is being installed correctly," she said.

HON

Roads have been closed and crews are working to install a new overpass between two HON buildings on Oak Street. Like other construction projects in the downtown, it appears to be moving quickly, along with the new building on Second Street.

According to Steven Bradford, senior vice president of HNI Corporation, parent company to HON, the new building and the walkway are moving forward as planned, and there has not been a significant impact from the weather thus far.

Progress in permits

According to information compiled by Dave Gobin, Muscatine's Community Development director, during the first three months of 2016, four new commercial permits and 62 remodel permits have been issued.

In the past several years, millions of dollars have been invested in the city of Muscatine. In calendar year 2011, more than $25 million was spent on residential, commercial, and other projects throughout Muscatine and in 2014, more than $41 million was invested. From January through March of 2016, $8.41 million has been put toward projects in Muscatine, showing a good beginning to the new year.
DAVENPORT, Iowa  Gregg Mandsager, Muscatine's city administrator, is one of three finalists for the Scott County administrator job, according to a press release from Scott County.

With the goal of having a new Scott County administrator in place by June, the Scott County Board of Supervisors has selected three candidates to meet for interviews next week, Chairman Jim Hancock said.

They are all good applicants, Hancock said Tuesday. We had four, but one dropped out Friday, and he was a very good applicant. He didnt want his name disclosed."

The three remaining candidates all have good backgrounds, good administrative backgrounds, good education backgrounds, he said.

Gregg Mandsager, who has served city administrator of Muscatine for the past six years, is one of the finalists.

Mandsager said he read over the brochure that was sent out by the executive search firm and he knows current Scott County Administrator Dee Bruemmer.

"Scott County is a great community, as is Muscatine," Mandsager said Tuesday night. "It's really a great opportunity."

Before becoming city manager of Muscatine, Mandsager was city manager of Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Mandsager holds a Bachelors degree in political science from Iowa State University and a law degree from Drake University. He currently manages a staff of 224 and a budget of $58 million.

Hancock said supervisors will be looking for that candidate who has the best interests of the county and its citizens at heart, Hancock said. They need to be able to collaborate with the rest of the Quad-Cities.

But the person also needs to be a good communicator, he said.

Most people dont understand that county government is a lot different from city government, Hancock said. We have five or six elected officers, such as the treasurer, auditor, sheriff, and they are autonomous from the Board of Supervisors. We do authorize their budgets, so there is that interaction the administrator must balance.

We want somebody who can walk that tightrope with those elected bodies. They need to have that skill set.

The two other candidates, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, are:

Mahesh Sharma: He is the city administrator of Raytown, Mo. He has a bachelors degree in civil engineering from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, and a masters degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri. He also has a masters degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. He manages a staff of 224 and a budget of $30 million. He has 20 years of experience in public service.

Todd Thompson: He is the city administrator of Galesburg, Ill. He holds a bachelors degree in political science and a masters degree in public administration, both degrees being from Southern Illinois University. He manages a staff of 227 and a budget of $57 million. He has 19 years of experience in public service.

The three candidates were selected from a field of 36 candidates after a nationwide search by Waters and Co., of Dallas, Texas, a unit of St. Paul, Minn.-based Springsted Inc.

The search for a new county administrator began in December after Bruemmer announced she is retiring this year.

Bruemmer has been county administrator since 2008. Before that, she worked 27 years for Davenport as assistant city administrator and head of the public works department.
Have you noticed something different about the Trump campaign? It's been more than two weeks since the last really outrageous thing the Republican front-runner has said or done. In the old days  say, a month ago  Trump would have set off multiple hair-burning controversies in the same period. But now  nothing.

It's not an accident. When it comes to outrageousness, Donald Trump has dialed it back, on purpose. And indications from Trump world are that the new pattern will continue. (An obvious warning: It might not; by the time this article appears, it's always possible Trump could do or say something so shocking that the campaign is rocked for days.)

Why the change? Ask people knowledgeable about the campaign, and they'll say the addition of new staff has had a quick effect. Pushed by his children, Trump has expanded his super-tight circle of advisers with the addition of Paul Manafort, and now others, too. The sense is that Trump actually can listen, both to advice on what to say and not to say. The message has evolved; he is a better candidate than the man who messed up right and left just a few weeks ago.

With his latest crusade against "voterless victory," Trump is scoring points again, not so much against Ted Cruz directly, but against the Republican establishment  always Trump's most comfortable target. For Trump, Cruz's vulnerability is not that he is part of the establishment, but that he has gotten in bed with the establishment as the only way to win. So the belief is that Trump's fight against the Republican National Committee and insider campaign rules pays off everywhere  especially if Trump is not making critical unforced errors at the same time.

To see the changes in the Trump campaign, look at the four-week period between March 22, when Trump began to blow up his own campaign, and now. On the night of March 22, Trump saw a low-budget, anti-Trump Super PAC ad featuring a photo of his wife. He went straight to Twitter. "Lyin' Ted Cruz just used a picture of Melania from a G.Q. shoot in his ad," Trump tweeted. "Be careful, Lyin' Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!" Not content to stop there, Trump made things infinitely worse the next night, March 23, when he retweeted a meme from one of his followers that featured a glamour shot of Mrs. Trump next to an unflattering photo of Mrs. Cruz.

It's a simple rule of politics that you don't attack your opponent's wife  or husband, for that matter, unless his name is Bill Clinton. Trump had trampled all over the rule, and the blowback was intense. In the days before the April 5 Wisconsin primary, Trump's rivals  not just the Cruz campaign but Wisconsin's formidable conservative talk-radio lineup  used it over and over against Trump.

But Trump was about to make things even worse. During a March 30 interview with MSNBC's Chris Matthews, Trump said that, were abortion to be banned, there should be "some form of punishment" for women who have abortions. Angering both pro-lifers and pro-choicers, Trump then issued multiple clarifications of his position. The controversy dragged on for days.

Add to that Trump's attack on Gov. Scott Walker, and the Trump campaign was done in Wisconsin; Cruz beat Trump 48 percent to 35 percent. The newly energized #NeverTrump forces saw the state as a turning point which gave them a real shot at keeping Trump short of the 1,237 delegates he needs to win the GOP nomination.

And then something changed. On March 29, as things were falling apart in Wisconsin, Trump announced the hiring of Manafort, the veteran Republican operative. Manafort ostensibly joined to serve as Trump's convention manager, but his role quickly expanded, in part at the expense of campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who at the time was facing possible criminal prosecution for a March 8 incident in which he grabbed a female reporter's arm after a press conference in Florida. (Authorities in Florida announced on Thursday that the matter would be dropped.)

It took Manafort a few days to get up to speed. But since his arrival, Trump has been remarkably outrage-free. He's still giving the same basic performance in his rallies, but he has been a little more discriminating in his press appearances  two straight weeks without appearing on a Sunday chat show  and has stayed away from doing obviously dumb things, like attacking his opponent's wife. The campaign hopes the bad period is over.

Now the question is whether Trump has the discipline to stay on a relatively error-free course. He had some very good luck when the GOP primary schedule took him from his disastrous performance in Wisconsin to his best state of all, New York, and then to other friendly northeastern states. But Trump will need more than luck to suppress the impulses that have gotten him into trouble in the past. He'll need to be a better candidate.

Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner.
Give them a vote.

Congress owes that much to the 400,000 retirees set to have their Central States Pension Fund (CSPF) benefits slashed next month.

Thousands of Central States pensioners rallied Thursday at the Capitol in Washington. The private pension fund, like hundreds of others, was mismanaged for decades by trustees. Union bosses were AWOL throughout, turning their heads as the risky investments piled up. With a value of just $1.8 billion, Central States has more than $42 billion in liabilities.

Then, in 2014, Congress got involved. Lawmakers hoped to shield the federal insurance agency that backs private pensions from the coming wave of failing private funds. Inserting a tiny clause, empowering Treasury officials to reduce pension payments in the event of a fund's pending collapse, did just that. The massive change, potentially altering the lives of 40,000 Central States pensioners in Iowa and Illinois, breezed through Congress with little to no discussion. That's the beauty  and the farce  of jamming voluminous budget bills with tangential policy.

Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, says she approved the massive spending package to avoid a government shutdown. Slighting 400,000 retired delivery drivers and truckers wasn't her goal when she became the only Quad-Cities lawmaker to back the last-minute funding plan, she said. To make her point, Bustos is co-sponsoring legislation to bail out Central States, saving retired Eagle Foods employee Terry Weeks, of Davenport, from a 58 percent slashing of the pension he paid into for more than 30 years.

Central States admits the proposed bailout is unlikely. The House's continued slide to the right precludes the bailout from conservatives' purity test, Central States argues on its website.

Even further, the increasing rarity of private pensions, in a 401(k)-invested economy, feeds anger among non-union taxpayers who snarl at the word "bailout." Add to that, the inherent politicization of the Senate draft  sponsored by insurgent Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders  and Sanders' bailout is probably doomed to inaction.

Treasury officials have set a May 7 deadline for a decision. Congress is in session through April 29 before a planned week off.

A congressional side-step would be nothing short of shameful cowardice. The clock is ticking.

The GOP-run Congress, after all, inserted itself into this issue with its 2014 federal funding bill. Yet, lawmakers appear to lack the spine to openly debate the political principles that probably doom the bailout to the dust-collecting pile.

A floor debate followed by a vote is the least Congress can do for the 400,000 Americans facing financial upheaval.

There's a compelling conservative argument against bailing out Central States. The bank bailout in 2010 still enrages the masses, who aren't likely to much care about the distinction between hedge fund managers and retired truck drivers. The bill could set a precedent that would cost taxpayers for decades. Up to 200 private pensions could go bust over the next two decades, says the Pension Rights Center. The U.S. government could find itself on the hook for billions, year after year.

But the 400,000 people reliant on the sinking Central States pension were made a promise. Pay in for so long and enjoy a secure retirement. They're victims of poor management and union indifference. And they're facing personal catastrophe.

Congress pulled a fast one on more 40,000 Iowans and Illinoisans. True to form, the ruse was well hidden, only rearing its ugly head when Central States pensioners started receiving notices in the mail.

There's merit to both sides of the Central Fund bailout debate. And congressional Republicans are always willing to make some statement about government spending.

If Republican lawmakers truly believe their mantra, they'll have the courage to apply it to real people facing real personal disaster.

Quad-City Times
Several have recently expressed displeasure over U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassleys refusal to hold hearings on President Obamas nominee for Supreme Court justice. Republicans say choice should be postponed until the next president is elected.

Democrats have faithfully recited the script handed down from Obama that the Senate is failing its duty by not bowing to his decree for Supreme Court nomination. Rest assured, the Senate is acting precisely as it should  as a check and balance to this tyrannical administration. Obama's executive orders and decisions have been overturned by the Supreme Court a record 13 times. All of them were unanimous decisions, including a previous instance when Obama thought he was above the Senate and made a power grab on recess appointments. Thankfully, the Court made it clear he could not decide for the Senate when it was and wasn't in recess.

The brilliant men who crafted our Constitution had the foresight over two centuries ago to include checks and balances. Obamas goal is to place a fellow leftist on the bench so he can eliminate that pesky Constitution that hampers his grand vision. Obama knows that behind the Senate, it is the American people who reject his policies. That is precisely why we voted overwhelmingly in the last election to give both Senate and House control to Republicans.

The world lives in fear of Islamic terrorists; however, Obama has instilled more damage to the U.S. than terrorists could ever accomplish. The Republican Senate should be commended and supported for efforts to keep him constrained.

Mike Lawrence

Muscatine
Too much emphasis on theory and not enough on practical abilities often leaves vocational and technical students in Africa with a serious handicap in the job market, according to industry and education officials and students themselves.

Kevin Nzioka, a student from Kabete Technical Institute based in Nairobi, Kenya, tells of a friend who performed dismally in an interview because he was unable to take measurements for a machine part.

"He couldn't and so lost the opportunity," Nzioka says.

The second-year diploma student concedes that although his college has modern machines, they have little time to put theory into practice because they only spend two hours weekly in the workshop.

In addition, the instructor believes that they will spoil the machines. There are 16 mechanical engineering production students in his class.

But the African Tech Challenge, a new, competitive effort, is instilling hope in Kenyan youths who otherwise face difficulties in securing technical jobs after graduation.

The effort is a joint program between Kenya's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and AVIC International, a subsidiary of a Beijing-based company involved in international aviation, high technology and many other fields.

Budding young technicians participated last year in an intensive, three-month challenge that not only built their confidence in handling machinery but also cultivated the spirit of entrepreneurship.

According to the graduates, working on modern machines coupled with professional tutelage by Chinese instructors greatly improved their machine operating proficiency.

"I was scared to use the lathe machines," says Nzioka, a finalist in the challenge. "I couldn't take accurate measurements using the micrometer, nor the internal diameter using the dial gauge, but now I can."

Kenyatta University, a renowned institution in the country, is faced with similar problems. They lack professional trainers and are forced to visit a technical college to get exposure to instructors and advanced machines. It was at this point that the participating group was informed of the ATC program.

"Our group entered the competition without a technical adviser as required. But we needed the experience," says Charity Otsembo, the only female participant in the challenge and the leader of the group.

She says the experience has boosted her confidence in handling the machines and increased her passion for mechanical engineering. "I love working on the lathe machine. I call them my babies."

The third-year student adds that she believes in herself and can confidently transfer her knowledge to other colleagues in class.

"I believe teamwork is the ingredient for success. This is what ATC taught me, together with discipline and hard work."

Eighteen teams undertook the preliminary round that commenced in August. They were taught safety measures, machine components, maintenance and advanced measuring skills.

An assessment was done and only six teams sailed through to the final round. This rigorous round tested their accuracy, speed and resilience under pressure. Points were awarded to groups and individuals. The Kabete team emerged as the best.

His passion is evident as he explains the details of the tasks he undertook. He attributes his success to teamwork and the quality training he received from Chinese instructors. "It was hard and expectations from the trainers were high. This made us work even harder and smarter," he says.

The KU team came in sixth. According to Otsembo, the final stage was intense and tough. "Priority was on how precise we were. As a team we had to forget our differences and synchronize our thoughts to be up to the task," she says.

The top two teams were promised monetary awards from AVIC. The winners were also to be linked with Chinese companies and sign service contracts to produce tools required in manufacturing.

The challenge is a corporate social responsibility that aims at encouraging youths to enroll in technical courses, create employment and increase skilled workers for the government and private sector. This directly meshes with Vision 2030, the Kenyan national development program that emphasizes the need for technical skills.

According to the participants, the experience was invaluable. It also exposed the gaps in the education system such as the competency levels of trainers, the use of too much theory with minimal practical applications, and a weak impetus toward entrepreneurship.

The participants say they also would like the competition expanded by introducing other machines, such as the milling machine. According to Nzioka, the machine would help in making threads in spanners, which are wrenches used to open bolts.

"We have been taught how to make bolts. Spanners will definitely advance our knowledge," says the young technician.

lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 01/16/2015 page7)
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 []
Afrihost is one of South Africas most popular Internet service providers, supplying ADSL and VDSL products to over 100,000 consumers.

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Every time the President picks the mic, he talks tough on corruption, and every time he drops it, we have another scandal.

It appears he has reconciled himself to the idea of his legacy being mega-corruption, that he now doesnt care.

Waigurus corruption at the NYS is still fresh in our memory. Mr. Joseph Mugwanja, a top detective who was accused of orchestrating the cover-up has just landed a promotion.

Previously the head of the Banking Fraud Investigations Unit (BFIU), he has been appointed Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss at the Kenya Airports Police Unit (KAPU) based at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

His role will be among others protecting aviation installations in the country and intercepting drugs and contraband.

His new job is presumed plummer than analyzing bank records.

Mr. Mugwanja is not the first official accused of corruption to be given a job by this government, and by the look of things, hell not be the last.

Perhaps President Uhuru should just stop talking about fighting the vice altogether. That way hell not be accused of deceiving us.

What do you think. Is the Jubilee government serious about fighting corruption?


It was a huge victory for the country as High Court Judge Justice Mumbi Ngugi declared the law that has been used by politicians and gods who own this country to harass Kenyans on Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp unconstitutional.

Improper use of a licensed telecommunication system and Misuse of a licensed communication device have become dreaded phrases that appear too often on charge sheets.

Ordinary Kenyans on social media, nowadays collectively referred to as bloggers, have been forced to put their freedom of speech in check, otherwise theyll have no freedom after speech.

Tens of Facebook users have been arraigned in court after leaving unpleasant or critical comments on their Governors walls or distributing certain messages on Whatsapp.

Some of the charge sheets have been bordering nonsense like this one.



Judge Mumbi Ngugi on Tuesday declared Section 29 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act unconstitutional saying it was too broad, vague and that it violated certain provisions of the constitution.

The Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General had argued that the law was intended to protect the reputation of others, but the judge disagreed.

If the intention was to protect the reputation of others, then there are clear provisions in the law of Libel. I therefore come to the conclusion that section 29 cannot stand, she said.

Justice Mumbis ruling came just hours after she was moved to Kericho.
SAN FRANCISCO Thousands of people are expected to descend on San Francisco's Golden Gate Park to smoke pot for the annual 4/20 celebration, the unofficial marijuana holiday that some say has its roots in the Bay Area.

Officials say there will be more police, park rangers, fire and transportation officials on scene this year to make sure the cannabis holiday is a safe experience for everyone celebrating in the park's Hippie Hill on Wednesday.

This could be the last year recreational marijuana users have to call for increased legal access to pot in California, where medical marijuana was approved by voters in 1996.

A pot legalization initiative is likely to be on the November ballot in California. Voters in Nevada, Arizona and Massachusetts are also expected to consider marijuana legalization measures.

Recreational use is legal in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska.
Two principals in American Canyon  Marilyn Abelon at Donaldson Way Elementary School and Dan Scudaro at American Canyon Middle School  were named Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators, Region 4. The region encompasses schools in Lake, Sonoma, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Marin counties.

It was wonderful to receive this recognition, said Scudaro, ACMS principal for eight years.

Abelon, who has led Donaldson Way Elementary since 2012, said she was humbled and surprised by the award. She credited her incredible team of teachers and staff for helping her be acknowledged.
The Napa Valley Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation Tuesday endorsing Wednesday, April 27 as Napa County World Hunger Awareness Day.

On that day, the nonprofit End World Hunger 2030 is enlisting Napa restaurants in an effort to raise awareness of world hunger and raise funds to support organizations with a track record in combating malnutrition.

Napa Valley residents who eat out at participating restaurants can know that up to 20 percent of their bill will support farm families in East Africa and Central America.

For a list of the participating restaurants, go to endworldhunger2030.org/April27

In Napa County, as of Wednesday morning, Small World, 932 Coombs St., is participating for breakfast and Velo Pizzeria, 807 Main St., is participating for dinner.

More than a dozen restaurants in Sonoma County will offer discounts on April 27.
ST. HELENA  The Native Sons of the Golden West Parlor 53 has received a $5,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to fund a historic structure report on the Native Sons Hall on Spring Street.

When completed, the report will launch a 25-year effort to plan and raise money for preservation work on the 100-year-old building.

Organizations like the Native Sons of the Golden West help to ensure that communities and towns all across America retain their unique sense of place, said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We are honored to provide a grant to NSGW Parlor 53, which will use the funds to help preserve an important piece of our shared national heritage.

The two-story hall consists of a meeting hall and a large indoor pavilion. Both sections are representative of the Italian villa architectural style common in St. Helena during its early growth period from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

The hall is a unique community amenity for St. Helena, said Phil Murphy, president of Parlor 53. The building functions as both our meeting hall and events center. It hosts diverse civic, cultural, charitable and social events year-round. The Hall gives the community an affordable place to hold events. If the facility becomes unusable, the local community would suffer.
Napa Countys 2015 agricultural production value fell 24 percent from the previous years all-time high, though county agricultural officials are by no means sounding the alarm.

Gross agricultural production totaled $553 million, compared to the record-breaking $724 million in 2014, according to the newly released 2015 Napa County Agricultural Crop Report. This marked the lowest amount since $431 million in 2011.

Farming  especially grape farming  plays a huge role in Napa Countys economy and very sense of identity. Agricultural Commissioner Greg Clark gave farm production a clean bill of health, despite the drop-off.

Theres always variation from year to year, both crop size and crop value, Clark said prior to Tuesdays Board of Supervisors meeting, where he presented the crop report.

As grapes go, so goes county agriculture. Wine grape production accounted for 99 percent of the total agricultural value.

Clark said a 24 percent drop in grape production value and 29 percent drop in grape tonnage after three very good harvests came about in part because of the weather. A cool, windy May during bloom led to grape clusters failing to develop properly, a condition called shatter.

We dont control the weather, Clark said.

Still, Napa County wine grapes on average fetched a state-high $4,405 per ton. That compares to the $670-per-ton average for all of California.

That shows our strength, our beautiful soils, our climate and professional farming skills we have in the county, Napa County Farm Bureau Executive Director Sandy Elles told the Board of Supervisors.

While the overall grape production value fell, grape prices rose. The average 2015 price per ton for red wine grape varieties was $5,181, compared to $4,867 in 2014. The average price per ton for white varieties was $2,394, compared to $2,313 in 2014.

Cabernet sauvignon was king in three major categories, with 21,376 acres planted, 53,195 tons harvested and $6,289 per ton yielded in the marketplace.

Several proposed vineyard projects have generated controversy, in part because growers are turning to the hillside watershed areas to find space. But in 2015, vineyard acreage fell almost 400 acres, to 45,508.

Clark said growers change varieties and rootstocks and that vines have a lifespan.

Its just year-to-year variation, he said. Its just part of farming.

The crop report said that hay production increased because several vineyard owners used otherwise fallow land to produce hay between pulling and replanting grape vines. Hay acreage rose from 650 acres to 1,032 acres.

In the long view, grape acreage is rising. Napa County had:

 25,215 acres of vineyards in 1980

 32,715 in 1990

 40,016 in 2000

 45,463 in 2010

The crop report also looks at the by-comparison pocket change that is the non-grape agriculture. Floral and nursery crops led the way, jumping from $1.9 million in value in 2014 to $2.5 million in 2015.

Livestock production was worth $1.8 million. But production for other animal products and for field crops came in at about $530,000 apiece and vegetables at $367,700  values less than the median price of a Napa County house.

Olive production fell from $645,900 in 2014 to $300,300 in 2015. The crop report said producers are battling the olive fruit fly and many minor producers didnt harvest because olives have alternate year reduced yields.

Organic production for all crops fell from 3,517 acres in 2014 to 3,305 acres in 2015.

Napa County is hardly a California agricultural behemoth. Rather, it is like a fine wine boutique shop amid the world of big-box farming.

In 2014, the county ranked 22nd in agricultural crop value among the states 58 counties. Tulare County, with its milk, cattle oranges and table grapes, led the way with a value of $8 billion  11 times the Napa County total.

Go to www.countyofnapa.org/agcom/cropreport to read the crop report.
The Palmaz Vineyards in District 4 has applied to the county Board of Supervisors to approve a helicopter landing site. The large, multi-passenger helicopter that Palmaz has been flying over District 4 causes extreme noise pollution. The board must not allow the quality of life in Napa to be destroyed by low-flying helicopters. As a Vietnam veteran, I am familiar with the extremely loud helicopter noise. We must not allow that noise to ruin the quality of our lives in Napa.

A hearing was held on Jan. 14 at the County offices to discuss the Palmaz helicopter flights. More than 150 Napa residents attended and overwhelmingly opposed the heliport. That opposition has not stopped the Palmaz Vineyard's determination to persuade the board to approve the heliport, and a vote is scheduled.

The board has refused to disclose exactly what Palmaz intends to do, who, when, where and why Palmaz intends to fly its helicopters over Napa Valley. The board must now disclose those details to the citizens of Napa County before any vote is taken.

Evidence has been published in the Napa Valley Register that documents the election contributions of the Palmaz family to Board of Supervisors candidates. District 4, where the Palmaz vineyards are located, Alfredo Pedroza has accepted $4,100 from Florencia Palmaz of Palmaz vineyards. In District 2, which boarders District 4, "Ryan Gregory accepted $5,000 from San Antonio -based SVW Air. The website TexasCorportes shows the officers for SVW Air are Julio and Amalia Palmaz of Palmaz Vineyards." and, "Incumbent Mark Luce accepted $5,000 from Christian Palmaz of Palmaz Vineyards."

If those candidates are elected to the Board of Supervisors, they must refuse to vote on the Palmaz heliport proposal to avoid a clear conflict of interest after accepting money from the Palmaz family members.

Napa Valley deserves a more open Board of Supervisors that can be trusted to serve the public interest. The Board must avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest from what could appear to be payoffs by the Palmaz family.

This is not the form of government other veterans and I fought for. Please join me in opposing this extreme noise pollution in Napa Valley.

Eugene Justus

Napa
I worked as a staff person in the California Legislature for 12 years, and have been a Registered Investment Advisor in Napa for more than 34 years.

Having experience with politicians and finance, there is nothing more dangerous to our society and economy than professional politicians and investment bankers. Our current District 4 Supervisor is both a professional politician and a banker. He is also generously funded and/or supported by other professional politicians and special financial interests.

Diane Shepp, whom I support for Supervisor, taught at Vichy School, served on the Napa County grand jury, the Napa Valley Opera House board, and is a member of the Napa Vision 2050 board, among many other civic and community organizations.

She has a long history of protecting our natural resources, and fighting for affordable housing, a living wage and quality jobs, as well as finding a balance between agriculture, tourism, and rampant and destructive growth. We need her on our Board of Supervisors. Please vote for Diane Shepp.

John C. Harrington

Napa
On 18 April, NATOs Cyber Defence Committee was briefed by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer, Permanent Representative of the United States to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), on the latest set of cyber Confidence Building Measures, adopted by the OSCE in March 2016.

The Alliance continues to closely follow and support the work undertaken in other international organisations on cyber policy issues, notably those efforts related to confidence-building measures and the development of norms for responsible state behaviour, said Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges and Chairman of NATOs Cyber Defence Committee. He further highlighted the importance of international cooperation on cyber defence issues as critical to foster a more predictable and stable global cyberspace.

Adopted by the OSCEs Permanent Council last month, this is the second set of Confidence Building Measures to Reduce the Risk of Conflict Stemming from the Use of Information and Communication Technologies. An initial set of OSCE confidence building measures was first developed in 2013.

"These confidence-building measures encourage participating States to undertake joint activities to address common security challenges, stated U.S. Ambassador Baer who chairs the OSCE cyber working group. "The risk-reduction measures enhance interstate cooperation and stability."
Syunik governor in Frances Vienne, sister city of Armenias Goris, discusses implemented projects, future cooperation

Climate protesters throw mashed potatoes at Monet painting in Germany museum

There is chance for peace in Ukraine, Macron says

US, Russia defense chiefs discuss Ukraine situation for 2nd time in last few days

Turkey plans to set up 2 more military bases in northern Syria

Germany wants to use Israel UAVs to protect its key infrastructures

UK defense secretary holds phone talk with Russia counterpart

US to attempt set Russia oil price cap above $60 per barrel?

Russia, Turkey defense ministers confer about Ukraine situation

Armenia official: Terms for buying, building houses for those displaced from Artsakh have improved

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
YEREVAN.  Nine incidents of ceasefire violations were recorded from late Tuesday night to early Wednesday morning, at the northeastern sectori.e. Tavush Province of Armeniaof the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

The Ministry of Defense (MOD) of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am that during this time the Azerbaijani side mostly fired irregular shots at the Armenian position-holders, and by way of rifle weaponry.

Vanguard units of the Armenian armed forces, however, exercised restraint and took actions in response solely when absolutely necessary, and they confidently control the situation along the aforesaid border.
NATO and Russia held their first high level talks for nearly two years in Brussels. The talks are held at the initiative of alliance under the chairmanship of the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Russia was represented by Permanent Representative to NATO, Alexander Grushko.

NATO's press office confirmed that ambassadors from the 28 countries that make up NATO had begun their meeting, TASS reported.

The press service of the alliance reported that following the meeting, the NATO Secretary General will make the final statement.

The agenda of the meeting includes three main issues: Ukraine, Afghanistan and security issues in Eastern Europe, TASS reported quoting representatives of the NATO headquarters.

Earlier, Alexander Grushko stated that they had never rejected carrying out the Councils (Russia, NATO).

The parties have already agreed on the agenda, which will affect the most important factors related to European security, in particular the crisis in Ukraine, first of all, in terms of the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

According to him, issues of military activity and activity of NATO will also be discussed. He added that they were concerned about the military alliance's plan that is based on the need of controlling Russia, that significantly worsens the security situation and contradicts the obligations of military restraint. Grushko also informed that the mass of problems is, of course, deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

In turn, before the meeting Stoltenberg warned that the North Atlantic alliance intends to declare once again the impossibility to continue the relationship "as usual" with Russia until full resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
Tural Kerimov, Chief Editor of Sputnik Turkiye service of Sputnik news agency of Russia, was sent back from Istanbul airport in Turkey.

Kerimov told that the police at Istanbul Ataturk Airport took him to a room, where he was informed that he is banned from entering Turkey, reported Demokrathaber website of the country.

He noted that the police took away his Turkey residency permit and his journalist credential, and ordered him to leave Turkey at once.

Last week, the Turkish authorities had blocked the Sputnik website in Turkey, and without an explanation.
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjrn Jagland urged the Armenian government to find a consensus on electoral code.

So we have urged the Armenian Government to find such a consensus, but it also depends on the opposition, Jagland said at PACE responding to the question by Armenian MP Levon Zurabyan.

We have said that we are at the disposal of both parties to find a way so that both the majority and the opposition can have a fair competition for power. That is always our principled position  that basic matters such as the constitution and the electoral code must be based on a consensus involving all the parties and civil society, he added.
Armenia has issued a statement in relation to the Seventh Forum of the United Nations (UN) Alliance of Civilisations.

In the early hours of April 2, 2016 Azerbaijan unleashed large-scale offensive operations against Nagorno-Karabakh thus violating trilateral agreements of 1994 on cease-fire and of 1995 on the cease-fire consolidation, signed by Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, which do not have time limits, the statement reads. Azerbaijan has violated basic principles of international law, the decisions and declarations adopted by the OSCE Summits and Ministerial Councils, blatantly disregarding the statements of the presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries  the Russian Federation, United States of America and the French Republic, on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution.

From the very beginning of the Azerbaijani offensive the civilian infrastructures and civilian population, including children and the elderly, became intentional and indiscriminate targets. Among the first civilian victims were a 12 year old boy who was killed in front of the school building as a result of a Grad missile attack and two other schoolchildren wounded.

In one of villages in Karabakh three elderly persons, including a 92 year old woman, were brutally tortured, mutilated and killed. Moreover, three captive soldiers of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed forces were beheaded by Azerbaijani armed forces in ISIL style, which was subsequently celebrated in the towns and villages and publicized through social networks. Furthermore, during the exchange of bodies of the deceased between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan carried out through the mediation of the International Committee of Red Cross and the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman in Office, it was registered that the bodies of deceased transferred by the Azerbaijani side had the evidences of severe torture and mutilation.

Those barbaric acts of Azerbaijan, going beyond elementary norms of civilized world constitute violations of core international instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Convention on the Rights of the Child, etc. In this context, it is also imperative to specifically mention the blatant violation by Azerbaijan of Geneva Convention of 1949, which inter alia addresses groups exposed to specific risks, such as children, women and elderly and its additional protocols of 1977, 1989.

Azerbaijan demonstrates its total disregard for international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Persistent violations of human rights inside Azerbaijan, consistent attacks and imprisonment of its civil society representatives, the media and human rights defenders, coupled with the regular dissemination of intolerance and hatred against the Armenian people provides breeding ground for the criminal military adventurism of the Azerbaijani regime.

At the time of the gathering of the Seventh Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan continue to violate the cease-fire, with new human losses. Since the beginning of Azerbaijani aggression and up today as a result of Azerbaijans aggression hundreds were killed and wounded, including civilians. This is a manifestation of the absurdity of celebrating more peaceful and socially inclusive world, building mutual respect among peoples of different cultural and religious identities in a country, which is engaged in barbarity and killings a few hundred kilometres away from the venue of the Forum. This is an affront to the image and the integrity of the Alliance.

In this dire situation the convening of the Seventh Forum should have been cancelled in Azerbaijan - a country that grossly violates the very aims, principles, values of the Alliance of Civilizations.

Armenia remains committed to the purposes of the Alliance and remains its Friend. However, given the circumstances. Armenia does not join the consensus on the Declaration of the Seventh Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. Therefore, in the absence of consensus the Declaration cannot be adopted.

Armenia rejects the Seventh Forum, to be held in Baku, in its entirety, including its outcome.

On April 19, the following text was send to the member states of the United Nations Alliance of Civilization.
YEREVAN.  Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan on Wednesday received Ambassador Argo Avakov, newly appointed Head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Office in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.

Press Office of the Government of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am that, first, the PM congratulated Avakov on his appointment, and expressed confidence that his activities will contribute to the further development and strengthening of cooperation between the Armenian government and the OSCE. Abrahamyan noted that the OSCE Office in Yerevan carries out productive activities toward the implementation of reforms in Armenia.

The newly appointed head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, for his part, assured that during his tenure he will do everything possible to further develop and deepen cooperation. Avakov noted that the OSCE Office in Yerevan will continue its active cooperation with the Armenian authorities to effectively implement reforms in the country.

Hovik Abrahamyan and Argo Avakov also reflected on the ongoing legislative adjustments within the framework of the constitutional reform in Armenia, and collaboration with the OSCE Office in Yerevan, toward the adoption of the new Electoral Code of the country.
What happens when different companies from different parts of the world, used to using different standards, get together to build a major expansion and upgrade to one of Africa's premier airports?

In the case of the international airport serving Nairobi, Kenya, it has been a feat of hard work, debate, learning and, ultimately, pride in achievement. It has been a first for the engineers of Beijing-based AVIC-Intl Airport Construction.

On March 9, 1958, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, formerly called Embakasi Airport, was opened by the last colonial governor of Kenya.

The airport was renamed in honor of former Kenyan prime minister and president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, after his death on Aug 22, 1978. It is Kenya's largest aviation facility, and the busiest airport in East Africa. Its importance as an aviation center makes it the pacesetter for other airports in the region.

Today, Jomo Kenyatta International serves a daily average of 19,000 passengers from Africa, Europe and Asia. Currently the airport cannot meet the growing air traffic needs.

The groundbreaking of a new passenger terminal dubbed the "Greenfield Terminal", with a capacity of 20 million passengers, was held on Dec 3, 2013. It is set to be the single largest terminal in Africa and is to be completed in 2016. The estimated cost is $654 million.

Once complete, the terminal will have 60 check-in positions and 32 contact points and eight remote gates. The terminal is also expected to have an automated baggage handling commercial retail center.

It will have a traffic-handling capacity of 3,133 international passengers, 2,403 transiting passengers and 845 domestic passengers in a typical peak hour. The airport will have an official capacity of 2.5 million passengers but handles an average of 6.5 million passengers every year. Traffic at the airport grows at a rate of 12 percent per annum and is expected to hit the 25 million mark by 2025.

The engineers for the project, including on landside and the airfield side, are from AVIC Airport of Beijing. The architects for the terminal are Pascall+Watson, a London-based firm. Construction of the new terminal will be done by Anhui Civil Engineering Group and China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation. The project supervisor is the Louis Berger Group, a US-based firm.

This is a challenging and interesting project for AVIC Airport. It is the first time the firm has designed an airport based on British/Euro standards. There are many Chinese firms doing construction work in Africa, but not design.

AVIC Airport has a tight time frame for this project. It started the design work in September 2014. Because of the tight project schedule, AVIC Airport engineers have worked overtime on this project, trying to complete the design work on time, under budget and with satisfaction.

AVIC Airport has experienced engineers who are having to design in accordance with standards that are different from what they are used to. This combination of different companies accustomed to using different systems means issues sometimes have to be hashed out.

AVIC engineers, for example, disagreed with Pascall+Watson over the "building gross area" because the way to calculate it is different in British/Euro standards and Chinese standards. In order to be compliant with British/Euro standards and local engineering practices and regulations, they have visited the Kenya Meteorological Department, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, local engineering firms and universities and discussed the design issues with British firms.

AVIC Airport also has had to face unfamiliar design approaches and requirements of design depth in different stages. For example, "30 percent design" was confusing to AVIC engineers because they never use the terminology "30 percent design". They mistook it for "conceptual design", with a few drawings and general notes.

Different engineering expressions on the drawings were another challenge. They have their standard ways to put designs on the drawings. The site condition, local geotechnical conditions, materials available and costs also challenged AVIC Airport's design work.

AVIC engineers have had a lot of pressure on them, but they seem to enjoy the work and have made progress every day. The sense of achievement in overcoming challenges has encouraged the engineers.

The author is an international airport expert based in the US.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 01/30/2015 page9)
STEPANAKERT.  On Wednesday at 4pm, in accordance with the arrangement reached between the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) and Azerbaijan through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Office of the Personal Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office, the Azerbaijani side handed over the body of a fallen Armenian military serviceman, near Bash Karvend settlement.

Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned the aforesaid from the NKR State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons.

The commission, however, does not yet announce the name of this casualty. To confirm the identity of this fallen soldier, his body will be shown to his relatives. Subsequently, the body will be sent for examination to determine the cause of death.

As reported earlier, Artsakh authorities have announced that Captain Argishti Gaboyan is considered missing, ever since the hostilities which Azerbaijan had unleashed in early April.
The steps which the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has taken in recent months, and the actions he wishes to launch were discussed at his talk Wednesday with the chairperson of the Armenian Delegation to PACE.

National Assembly of Armenia Vice President Hermine Naghdalyan, who also heads this delegation, told about the aforementioned to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In her words, however, no issue related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was discussed at the talk.

We [i.e. the Armenian side] always have said that we see [only] one platform to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and it is the OSCE [i.e. the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe] Minsk Group, said the chairperson of the Armenian Delegation to PACE. The PACE President does not have any mission of actions in connection with the Karabakh issue.

Naghdalyan recalled that 44 PACE delegations have signed under the Armenian delegations respective statement, and said this shows that there is no chance to discuss the Karabakh issue within the PACE processes.

Met with Azeri and Armenian chairs of delegations in PACE, PACE President Pedro Agramunt had tweeted earlier. No conflict can be solved without dialogue.
MOSCOW. - Turkey, which actually keeps Armenia in blockade, is also the only country in the world to support the crimes of the Azerbaijani criminal authorities.

Armenian National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov, who met with Russian State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin Wednesday in the framework of his working visit to Moscow, said the aforementioned.

Naryshkin thanked for Sharmazanovs participation in the conference entitled Inter-parliamentary cooperation for common prosperity of Eurasian countries in 21st century,expressing hope that the work in this format will be continuous.

For his part, Sharmazanov thanked for the reception and highly appreciated the idea of holding such a conference. The NA Deputy Speaker specifically noted that as a Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, Russia is aware of the security issues in the region. In this context, Sharmazanov noted that in the beginning of April, the Azerbaijani authorities unleashed military aggression all along the Line of Contact with Nagorno-Karabakh, thereby violating the ceasefire agreement signed between Azerbaijan, Karabakh and Armenia in 1994.

According to Sharmazanov, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing countries, including Russia, must force Azerbaijan to return to the ceasefire agreement signed in 1994. Otherwise the war crimes of the Azerbaijani authorities claim numerous lives - both among soldiers and civilians, whom the Azerbaijani armed forces kill meanly - as well as children, whose murder is far from all the universal human rules, he said.

We positively assess Russias efforts towards the oral agreement, thanks to which the Azerbaijani side conventionally returned to the ceasefire signed in 1994, but it is conventional since even today Azerbaijan regularly violates the ceasefire, this resulting in new casualties on the Armenian side,Sharmazanov said.

Referring to the Turkish authorities, the Armenian NA Deputy Speaker expressed concern about the fact that Turkey, which actually keeps Armenia in blockade, is also the only country in the world to even support the crimes of the Azerbaijani criminal authorities.

Addressing Sergey Naryshkin, Sharmaznov reiterated that the Artsakh people must fully implement their right to self-determination and leading safe, free and independent life in their homeland.

Nobody and nothing can deprive the Artsakh people of their fundamental rights. Sharmazanov also thoroughly presented to Naryshkin the signature of the Azerbaijani armed forces, which completely repeats the practice of the ISIL terror group.

In response to the presented facts, Russian State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin expressed his concern over the developments on the first days of April, which were the first actions of that scale since the signing of ceasefire agreement, this being really worrisome.

He also noted that the Russian delegation will take part in the Against the Crime of Genocideglobal forum to be held in Yerevan on April 23.
YEREVAN. - A new Swiss investor may appear in the Armenian-Italian project of wind turbine generators in northern Armenia, General Director of Arenergy LLC, Gagik Baghdasaryan, told Armenian News  NEWS.am.

The company was going to build a wind turbine generator from 70 turbines with the overall capacity of 200-210 MWt. They had to be located in Karakhach pass (between Javaghk and Gogarants ranges) on the border of Lori and Shirak provinces in northwestern Armenia.

The company received license for construction back in 2009, but the Italian owner of 80 percent shares, Fortore Energia S.p.A, didnt invest anything during this period, although it isnt a novice in the field and has wind tribunes in Italy, Brazil and Romania. The Armenian investors who own the remaining 20 percent shares, cant carry out everything on their own, Baghdasaryan said. The license was earlier suspended, and at the session of the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) on Wednesday it was finally revoked.

Due to this, even preliminary work hasnt been carried out in the pass.

Nevertheless, we are not losing hope that our Italian partners will still start investing. According to them, they will come to Yerevan in the beginning of May. Then we hope to take back the license and seriously start constructing. Besides, it cant be said that the project presents no commercial interest. A Chinese company earlier wanted to build wind tribunes in Karakhach; Now it is the Swiss one which is ready to become a co-investor. The companys long-term plans remain the same: construction of 70 turbines of 2-3 MWt. The construction cost in conversion to 1 MWt now comprises roughly 1.3 mln euro, Baghdasaryan said.
YEREVAN. - Nobody will ever allow bringing Russian troops to the zone of Karabakh conflict.

President of the Armenian center of Strategic and National Research, political analyst Manvel Sargsyan said the aforementioned, touching on the information disseminated by the Russian media outlets on the so-called Russia plan of Karabakh conflict settlement.

In his words, Russia wants to start a certain process on Karabakh conflict, since the OSCE Minsk Group didnt propose anything specific. Now Russia will most probably try to hold the closing of the meeting. I think this is a way to impact the sides to the conflict. If we recall, in an interview given to one of the Russian media outlets after his visit to Baku, the Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev, responded to a question on Karabakh, precisely noting that the problem has two solutions: everything remains the way it used to be  status quo for decades - or it is decided by military means, Sargsyan noted.

It becomes clear from this that the disseminated information pursues exclusively political objective, the analyst said. The issue doesnt relate to a certain diplomatic process on the conflict settlement. Russia is actually trying to start a certain process, stemming from its own interests, he stressed.

Responding to the query as to whether Russia can influence Armenia, the political analyst said: Its necessary to understand the purpose of the pressure. Nobody will ever allow bringing in Russian troops. Iran wont calmly allow the presence of Russian troops on its border, will it?

Touching on the issue as to why such information is disseminated exactly now, the expert said: It would be strange if it hadnt been disseminated right now. The military actions are stopped, the armies stand in front of each other. Apparently, everyone is waiting for a certain political decisions. And now Russia will try to begin a certain close process with the parties to the conflict through spreading such information. In the analysts words, Russia has serious problems with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Russia is trying to maximally capitalize on this war. Armenia is only now becoming a problem to Russia, since now Armenia realizes very well that Russia is solving its problems with Turkey and Azerbaijan at the expense of Armenias interests. And this will soon become into a big problem for Russia, Manvel Sargsyan concluded.

According to the diplomatic sources of Russian media outlets, under the Russian plan, part of the territories should be returned to Azerbaijan. Besides, peacekeepers should be brought to the zone of conflict, refugees should be returned and Karabakh should be legitimize (i.e. ensure opening of its borders and restoration of its economic ties). Thereafter, once the dust settles, a referendum should be held on the regions allegiance.
YEREVAN. - Following the accession to the Eurasian Union, Armenia has increased its cheese export to Russia for several times, as per the statistical data published by the State Revenue Committee (SRC) of the republic.

If in 2014 roughly 1.5 thousand tonnes of cheese were exported at the cost of about $4.5 mln, in 2015 that amount reaching 9.1 thousand tonnes at the cost of about $23.6 mln.

Before acceding to the EAEU, Armenia carried out significant work on the harmonization of sanitary norms, including food manufacturing. This work was underway also during 2015.

According to the Armenian cheesemakers, Armenian compatriots remain the main consumers of cheese in Russia: the salty types of cheese mainly produced in Armenia arent that popular with Russians.

Despite the complex situation in the Russian consumer market, the Armenian manufacturers didnt have to lower the prices: if in 2014 the average export price constituted $3.17 per kilogram, in 2015 it dropped to $2.59.
U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), the lead sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution in Congress, spoke on the House Floor and delivered an open letter to the President of the United States, Barack Obama, urging him to recognize the Armenian Genocide in his final year in office in advance of the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Mr. President:

In 2009, less than a year after assuming the Presidency, you accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. You began your acceptance of this honor by acknowledging that it was bestowed, at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage. You spoke on that day with eloquence and conviction about fundamental human rights  rights that are endowed not by accidents of birth like nationality or ethnicity or gender, but by our common humanity. And the principles that you articulated have indeed guided and defined your presidency.

In your foreign policy, you have emphasized the rights of ethnic and religious minorities worldwide and put these causes closer to the center of our foreign policy. You have extended aid to refugees fleeing horrific violence. You established the Atrocities Prevention Board to coordinate and monitor our efforts to prevent mass atrocities and genocide.

And in a few days, you will have a chance to add to your legacy.

On April 24th, the world will mark 101 years since the systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923. The facts of the slaughter are beyond dispute. And I know you are well-acquainted with these horrors visited upon the Armenian people, having spoken eloquently about them as Senator.

I have sat with survivors of the Genocide. Men and women, their numbers dwindling year after year, and heard them recall the destruction of their lives and their families and all they had known. As children, they were forced from their homes and saw their families beaten, raped, and murdered. They fled across continents and oceans to build lives in our nation.

Mr. President, for them and for their descendants, the word genocide is sacred because it means the world has not and will not forget. To deny genocide on the other hand, is profane. It is, in the words of Elie Wiesel, a double killing.

This April 24th will be your final opportunity to use the presidency to speak plainly about the genocide. In past years as President, you have described the campaign of murder and displacement against the Armenian people as a mass atrocity, which it surely was. But, of course, it was also much more, and you have avoided using the word genocide even though it has been universally applied by scholars and historians of the period. In fact, as you know better than most, the Ottoman Empires campaign to annihilate the Armenian people was a prime example of what Rafael Lemkin was trying to describe when he coined the very term genocide.

I know that as you consider your words this year, you will hear the same voices as in the past who will tell you to hold your tongue and speak in euphemisms. They will say that the time is not right or that Turkey is too strategically important or that we should not risk their ire over something that happened a century ago.

Mr. President, regardless of what you say on April 24th, there can be little doubt that Turkey will do exactly as it has always done in its relations with the United States  and that is whatever Turkey believes to be in its self-interest. Many of our European allies and world leaders, including Pope Francis, have recognized the genocide, yet they have continued to work closely with Turkey, because that has been in Turkeys interest. The same will be true after U.S. recognition of the Genocide.

I dearly hope, as do millions of Armenians descended from genocide survivors around the world, that you take this final opportunity to call the Armenian Genocide what it was  Genocide. To say that the Ottoman Empire committed this grotesque crime against the Armenians, but that their campaign of extermination failed. And that, above all, we will never forget and we will never again be intimidated into silence. Let this be part of your legacy, and you will see future Administrations follow your example.

When you spoke in Oslo, more than 7 years ago, you closed your remarks by returning to the counsel of Dr. Martin Luther King and said, I refuse to accept the idea that the 'isness' of man's present condition makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal 'oughtness' that forever confronts him."

Mr. President, confronting painful, difficult but vital questions is who you are. Help us be the America we ought to be, that beacon of freedom and dignity that shines its light on the darkness of human history and exposes the vile crime of genocide.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) welcomes the efforts of the sides to the Karabakh conflict towards clarifying the fates of those reported missing.

"We welcome the efforts of the sides, which have allowed the fate of everyone reported missing following the recent escalation to be clarified. In contrast, more than 4,000 people went missing between 1992 and 1994 during the active phase of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and their families still do not know what happened to them. Getting answers to all those families is one of our priorities," said Patrick Vial, the regional director for Europe and Central Asia, the ICRC delegation in Yerevan reports.

The body of an Armenian soldier was returned earlier today in an operation carried out under the auspices of the ICRC. The operation took place at the Line of Contact near the village of Bash Garvand in the Aghdam district of Azerbaijan.

The ICRC had previously assisted with several operations to search for and retrieve the bodies of those killed from the battlefield along the Line of Contact. The ICRC also facilitated the handover operation of the bodies.

The ICRC has working in the region in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict since 1992. Following the conflict escalation on April 2, the ICRC offered to provide humanitarian services and act as a neutral intermediary between the sided.
The relatives of Argishti Gaboyan, 23-year-old captain of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Defense Army who was recorded missing, have identified the body handed over to the Armenian side Wednesday.

We have identified him. This is our child, Argishtis uncle, Seyran Gaboyan said.

The body of the soldier killed as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression was handed over to the Armenian side Wednesday through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Office of the Personal Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office.
The Georgian authorities realize how important the maintenance of peace in Nagorno-Karabakh is for the region, Georgian PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili said, Georgia online reports.

He expressed hope that the conflict round Nagorno-Karabakh will be normalized by peaceful means. The PM proposed the parties to the conflict to hold peaceful talks in Georgia.

Once the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict escalated, I made several statement and supported the settlement of the conflict by peaceful means. We are interested in peace in the Caucasus. This conflict can negatively impact the security of the entire region. Hence, we realize how important the maintenance of peace in Nagorno-Karabakh can be. For this purpose, we can offer Georgia as a place for holding peaceful talks. We are happy that signs of situation de-escalation have appeared recently in Nagorno-Karabakh. We hope this conflict will be settled by peaceful means, Giorgi Kvirikashvili noted.
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla.  The Brevard County Commission unanimously approved an agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Tuesday for an additional $800,000 in state funding for a project to remove aquatic weeds from ponds, install water monitoring sensors, and map muck contaminants in the Indian River Lagoon.

This latest appropriation from the State of Florida builds on the previous $20 million awarded in the past two years for the Brevard County Muck Dredging Project, making a total investment of $20.8 million to date.



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Brevard County appreciates state assistance with projects to restore health to the Indian River Lagoon  a local, state and national treasure. Inadequate protections in the past have led to harmful muck accumulation, said Brevard County Natural Resources Management Director Virginia Barker. We are proud to be a partner in this important project.





Aquatic Weed Harvesting





As part of the project, the County will receive $450,000 to remove aquatic weeds from ponds that ultimately drain into the Indian River Lagoon. The remaining $350,000 will go to water monitoring and muck testing.





Removing aquatic weeds upstream of the lagoon will help to restore healthy water quality in the lagoon downstream, Barker said. The plants absorb nutrients. If we remove them, we remove nutrients and organic debris that otherwise contributes to algae blooms and muck accumulation.









Muck Testing and Mapping





Although the 2011 Superbloom, 2012 brown algal bloom, and 2016 brown algal bloom all started north of State Road 528 near Kennedy Space Center, the County will sample muck several miles to the south within seagrass segments at two sites located near south Merritt Island and west of Indialantic.





Barker stated in an email to Brevard Times that the [testing] areas supported brown tide blooms even though the blooms did not start there. Barker also noted that the recent fish kill area included the Merritt Island testing site.



These areas were designated 2 years ago when we requested the funds from the Legislature, Barker explained. They were selected based on prior state modeling that identified these areas as needing the highest percentage load reduction for the North [Indian River] and Banana [River] BMAP [Basin Management Action Plan] areas, respectively.









The muck samples will be tested for toxicity by students and citizen scientists as part of an educational/outreach component. After the testing is complete, color maps will be created to indicate levels of each contaminant. According to documents filed with the County, the maps will then be distributed to inform decision makers in all agencies involved in prioritizing and funding lagoon restoration actions.





Muck build-up consists of nutrient pollution, sediment, vegetation, and other organic matter entering the Indian River Lagoon over time and accumulating at the bottom. As muck decomposes, it consumes oxygen needed by fish and releases nutrients that feed algae blooms.





Water Monitoring





The state funding will also provide for the installation of Kilroy monitoring stations at two locations in the Indian River Lagoon to examine the exchange of nitrogen and phosphate pollutant loading between major sub-basins. The final station locations will be coordinated between the County and the St. Johns River Water Management District.

An array of water flow meters will also be installed adjacent to each Kilroy to estimate the total pollution transport between sub-basins of the lagoon using actual flow and concentrations measured at each Kilroy station.








PALM BAY, Florida  A womans body that was discovered in the trunk of a car by a construction worker on Tuesday morning near the intersection of Vienna Street NE and Norman Street NE in Palm Bay, Florida has been identified as 22-year-old Jillian Christine Kusznir of Palm Bay, Florida.





An autopsy by the Brevard County Medical Examiner has been scheduled while Palm Bay Police continue their investigation into the death.





Kusznirs friends have started the hashtag #JusticeForJillian on Facebook upon learning the news of her death.



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Kusznir was a witness to a 2013 home invasion in Palm Bay where two men were shot and killed. According to investigators,Kusznir went to the home on Thuringer Street NW to see Stephen Wright. Sean Pino and Dylan Kane accompanied her but stayed outside the residence. There were four people in the home when Kusznir arrived. Pino and Kane accompanied her but stayed outside the residence. There were four people in the home when Kusznir arrived.





As Kusznir left the home, there was a verbal confrontation outside between Pino, Kane and one of the occupants of the home, identified as Alex Souza. Souza and Wright did not know the two men, police say.





During the argument, Pino and Kane forced their way into the home and started a physical fight with Souza, witnesses told police. Wright, who was inside the home and witnessed the fight, retrieved a firearm and confronted the two men who allegedly continued towards him in an aggressive manner. At that time, Wright fired four rounds striking and killing both men. The shooting was later deemed justifie d by the State Attorneys Office for the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida.




Carlos del Rio, MD, a global health and infectious disease leader at Emory University, has been selected as the 2016 recipient of the Ohtli Award, one of the highest awards given by the Government of Mexico. del Rio is professor of medicine in Emory University School of Medicine and Hubert Professor and chair of the Hubert Department of Global Health in Emorys Rollins School of Public Health.

The Ohtli Award was conceived to recognize and honor Mexican, Mexican-American or Latino leaders whose efforts have contributed significantly to the wellbeing, prosperity and empowerment of Mexican communities abroad. Ohtli is a Nahuatl word that means "pathway," or camino in Spanish. The Institute for Mexicans Abroad, part of the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, annually grants the Ohtli Award, which consists of a medal, a silver rosette, and a diploma. This acknowledgment honors people who have dedicated most of their lives and career to "blazing a trail" abroad for younger generations of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans as they strive to achieve their dreams.

The award will be presented on May 5, 2016, at the headquarters of the Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta.

"The Ohtli Award is one of the highest distinctions given by the Government of Mexico to distinguished Mexicans who live abroad," says Dr. Ricardo Camara, consul general of Mexico in Atlanta. "Dr. del Rio will receive the Ohtli Award in recognition of his magnificent performance over many years in the health sciences field, in addition to his contributions in medical research that have also benefited the Mexican community. I am very proud to be responsible for delivering this award to a such a distinguished Mexican doctor with huge human qualities and who is among my personal friends."

"I consider it a tremendous honor to receive this award," says del Rio. "Much of the work that leads to this recognition is the work that we have been doing in collaboration with colleagues at the Rollins School of Public Health with the "Ventanilla de Salud" since 2014, the support and mentorship I have been able to provide to Mexicans who have come to Emory for their training as medical or public health students or as residents, as well as the work that I do helping with immigrants who are sick or injured in securing access to health care or even their repatriation to Mexico."

The Ventanilla de Salud (Window to Health) is a partnership between the Rollins School of Public Health and the Consulate General of Mexico. The program aims to actively promote the health and wellbeing of Mexican nationals in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. The program focuses on disseminating health education and prevention strategies, assisting in enrolling Mexican nationals or individuals of Mexican origin into insurance programs, and providing screenings and health assessments. With Mexicans representing approximately two-thirds of the Latino population in many southern states including Georgia, the program also provides relevant hands-on training for Emory students to include Spanish improvement and cultural competency.

A native of Mexico, del Rio received his medical degree at Universidad La Salle. After completing his residency at Emory University, he returned to Mexico, where he was executive director of the National AIDS Council of Mexico from 1992 to 1996.

Since 1996, when he returned to Emory, he has focused on global health education and HIV/AIDS research and clinical care. He is program director of the Emory AIDS International Training and Research Program and co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). His research focuses on the early diagnosis, access to care, engagement in care, compliance with antiretrovirals and the prevention of HIV infection. He has worked with hard-to-reach populations including substance abusers to improve outcomes of those infected with HIV and to prevent infections in those at risk.

del Rio is co-principal investigator of the NIH-funded Emory-CDC HIV Clinical Trials Unit, clinical site leader for the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group, and site leader for the HIV Prevention Trials Network of the National Institutes of Health. His international work includes collaborations with the countries of Mexico, Georgia, Ethiopia and Vietnam. He is a member of the Board of the International Antiviral Society-USA and chair of the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. He was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in 2013.

Among his many honors are the James H. Nakano Citation from the CDC for an outstanding scientific paper, the Emory University Marion V. Creekmore Achievement Award for Internationalization, and the Thomas Jefferson Award, Emorys highest award for distinguished service to the University. In 2007 he was selected by Atlanta Magazine as one of the 55 most influential foreign-born Atlantans.
Theater Emory hosts the Shakespeare Anniversary Celebration on April 23, with twelve hours of events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Bards death. The festival of performances and discussions will occur in various locations around the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.

The anniversary celebration is part of Shakespeare at Emory, a series of events marking the University's selection as a host site for the exhibit of "First Folio: The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare," which will be on view at Emory's Michael C. Carlos Museum from Nov. 5 through Dec. 11.

One host site was selected from each state to display the national traveling exhibition of Shakespeare's First Folio, one of the world's most treasured books, from the Folger Shakespeare Library. Emory was chosen as the Georgia venue.

For the April 23 celebration, events include a large-scale battle scene enactment, performances from local artists including Staibdance and Callosum Collective, readings from prominent Atlanta Shakespearean actors, excerpts from Emory student theater productions, and, of course, comic diversions from a fool or two.

Shakespeare: Whats on Your Mind? brings together Emory faculty in an informal conversation, during which participants discuss their Shakespearean research, current passions and new investigations in development.

We are excited to view Shakespeare through as many lenses as we can: cultural perspectives, styles of performance and devised work, explains Janice Akers, Theater Emory artistic director.

The celebration begins at noon and ends with a midnight ritual inviting all attendees to honor the life and art of Shakespeare.

More information, along with a schedule and complete list of events, can be found on Theater Emory's Shakespeare Celebration website. The festivities are free and open to the public, but reservations are requested.

Complete schedule of April 23 events:

12: p.m. : Shakespeare Battle

Patterson Green

Directed by John Ammerman, an outdoor battle (on the lawn outside the Schwartz Theater Lab) of eight fighters with Broadsword and Staff.

12:30 p.m.: Student Theater Showcase

Theater Lab

Featuring Emory Chinese Theater Club, Dooley's Players, Oxford Ensemble of Shakespearean Artists, Rathskellar Improv, and Second Floor Basement Sketch Comedy

2 p.m. : Shakespeare in Song

Theater Lab

Featuring music from Theater Emory's productions of "As You Like It" performed by Victoria Hood, Josh Oberlander, Geoffrey Solomon and Dash Wakeman and traditional Elizabethan songs performed by Wala Hassan

2:30 p.m. : Shakespeare's Clowns

Theater Lab

 Clown-off

Featuring theater studies students in Donald McManus' clowning seminar performing scenes from Shakespeare and friends

 "Cocks of the Rose"

Written and directed by Donald McManus, a comedy about two Renaissance hustlers outside the Globe Theatre in London in the early 17th century while Shakespeare's "King Lear" is being performed inside

4 p.m. : "Shakespeare: What's on your mind? "

Tharpe Rehearsal Hall

Emory faculty discuss their Shakespeare research, current passions on the topic and new investigations in development. Participants include Patricia Cahill, Michael Evenden, Ross Knecht, Donald McManus, and Rebecca Munson.

5:30 p.m.: Break

*High tea will be served

7 p.m. : A Scattering of Soliloquies

Various locations in the Schwartz Center

A half-dozen soliloquies will be performed by students of "Acting Shakespeare" in locations in and about the Schwartz Center. The audience will meet just in front of the on-campus entrance to Schwartz and travel to each soliloquy.

7:30 p.m. : "Bawdy Mouth"

Dance Studio

A journey into the x-rated (sorta) slams, disses and obscenities that would arrest any FCC official in 1597. While riding the wave of political volatility and reality TV, Staibdance takes a candid look at Shakepeare's insults, situations and put-downs that might just bear repeating. Choreography by George Staib in collaboration with the dancers

8 p.m. : Alumni Showcase

Theater Lab

 "The Squall" by Callosum Collective

A multi-media re-imagining of Shakespeare's The Tempest.

 "Dead Girls" by Maya Hubbard and Kelly Spicer

An examination of the relationship between death and gender on Shakespeare's stage. Which deaths do we see occur on stage? What recurring imagery is associated with the death of women throughout his tragedies? Whose death is defined by poignancy and whose is defined by absurdity?

 "Baser Stars, or All's Well that F**ks Me" by Clifford Clark and Nicholas Surbey

A performance piece-in-progress inspired by the constant Helena's passionate, painful and degrading love for f**kboy Bertram in "All's Well that Ends Well."

9 p.m.: Atlanta's Shakespearean Actors

Theater Lab

Featuring readings from John Ammerman, Elisa Carlson, Carolyn Cook, Blake Covington, Allan Edwards, Ann Marie Gideon, Timothy Harland, Eliana Marianes, Tim McDonough, Megan McFarland, Donald McManus, Courtney Patterson and more.

10 p.m. : Reception & Ambush Shakespeare

Theater Lab



11:30 p.m.: Closing Ritual & Toast

Jenkins Courtyard
Students in a class focused on the civil rights and Black Lives Matter movements found a rewarding research experience in the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library.

Members of Donna Trokas class "Resisting Racism: From Black is Beautiful to Black Lives Matter" gave presentations on their research April 19 in the Rose Library. Their work resulted in a small exhibit called "Resisting Racism: From Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter," which is now open in the Rose Library Teaching and Learning Studio, on Level 10 of Emorys Robert W. Woodruff Library.

The American Studies class of 19 students represents a variety of disciplines, including business, sociology, history and womens studies. The students formed six groups to work on topics such as policing, education, protest tactics, white supremacy/white privilege, gender/sex and respectability politics, and health. They conducted their research using primary source materials in the Rose Library.

Their research culminated in the new exhibit, with the students selecting the displayed materials with assistance from Gabrielle Dudley, Rose Library instruction archivist and QEP librarian. The six panels in the exhibit contain images of newspaper clippings, photographs and documents that best represent each of the six areas of research, and text written by the students about their conclusions.

"Its an absolute privilege to even touch these documents and see how much care has been put into them. Its like a step back in time," says Emory College senior Shanice Kellman, who worked on the sex, gender and respectability politics section.

David Binler, a sophomore majoring in business, said he enjoyed conducting research in the archives, which was very different than the research he usually does for his business classes. "Its hands-on research in the archives," he explains.

Troka, adjunct assistant professor in the Institute of Liberal Arts and associate director of the Center for Faculty Development and Excellence, notes that although writing a paper has its own value, this kind of student-faculty partnership encourages a different, more tangible learning outcome.

"When they were finding things, some of them were calling me over, wanting to show me," Troka says. "It was exciting to see that discovery process."

Those discoveries included surprises. Sophomore Sia Beasley, who worked with the papers of educator and civil rights activist Constance W. Curry, was intrigued to find a handwritten grocery list on the back of a document about a conference on health and race.

"It just reminds you that the people you read and hear about are real people who existed, lived and wrote down what they needed at the grocery store," she says.

"Another thought that I had upon going through these documents was that the papers that I am touching right now have also been in the hands of very important civil rights activists," Beasley adds. "There is something intimate about holding a letter that was written by Arlen Specter and sent to a Southern Christian Coalition leader. You feel more connected to what you are learning, which allowed me to develop a more passionate connection to my work."

Some of the findings were disturbing for the students. Junior Sari Flomenbaum, who worked with the white privilege/white supremacy group, says her team spent a lot of time sifting through hate propaganda.

"The hardest part for me was the clear, tangible, pure hatred in the articles and cartoons, and what struck me was because it was the physical document that was sent out to people. The document we held could have been seen and held by however many people at that time," Flomenbaum says.

The exhibit will remain on view during regular Rose Library hours through Aug. 1.
Undergraduate Research Week continues through Friday

Undergraduate Research Week, which kicked off Monday, showcases students' work across a range of disciplines.

"The whole week is really an opportunity for the Emory community to explore, celebrate and be inspired by the research that Emory undergraduates have conducted over the course of the semester and the year," says Folashade Alao, co-director of Undergraduate Research Programs.

In addition to the Emory Campus-wide Symposium on Wednesday afternoon, remaining Undergraduate Research Week events include Thursday's Undergraduate Research Programs Symposium, with poster and oral presentations from SIRE participants, from 3-6 p.m. in the DUC Coca-Cola Commons, and a poster session with short talks from Chemistry honor students on Friday from 3-6 p.m. in the Atwood Science Commons.

Oxford College is also celebrating Undergraduate Research Week with a symposium on Friday, April 22, from 12-4 p.m. in the Akin Room of the student center.
12:10

India will organise an exhibition at the United Nations displaying stories of displaced Polish children, mostly orphans, finding refuge in India during World War II, offering a message of "humanism" as the world faces the biggest refugee crisis in recent history.





The exhibition 'Passage to India - The Wartime Odyssey of Polish Children and the Good Maharaja' that will start tomorrow has been jointly organised by the Permanent Missions of India and Poland to the UN.





The exhibition depicts the "touching story" from the times of the great war when more than 1000 Polish children, mostly orphans, deported from occupied Poland to Siberia and got a new home in India due to the generosity of Maharaja Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji of Nawangar.





"When allowed to leave camps in 1941/1942, they travelled all the way to India where the Maharaja created a new home for them," at a "difficult time when the world was at war" and India itself was struggling for its independence, a statement on the Indian mission's website said.





The Polish camps flourished in India until the end of the second world war and the last of the Polish families left the country in 1948. "This beautiful account of compassion is surprisingly meaningful nowadays, when the world faces crises and large numbers of refugees and migrants seek their new homes. It shows that humanism and friendship between nations can go a long way in addressing crises," it read.





In February, the Indian mission under the aegis of Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin along with Department of Public Information's Remember Slavery Programme had organised the exhibition 'Africans in India: From Slaves to Generals and Rulers' at the world body's headquarters.





The exhibition told the history of enslaved East Africans in India, known as Sidis and Habshis, who rose to positions of military and political authority. Through colourful photographs and texts, the exhibition had conveyed that success of the enslaved East Africans in India was a "testimony to the open-mindedness" of Indian society, in which they were a small religious and ethnic minority.





The exhibition, which shed light on the slave trade in the Indian Ocean and the history of Africa and its diaspora in India, was part of the observance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, commemorated every year on March 25.
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BENGALURU: Growing popularity of VR has made the technological industry turn towards it. Though, there is a number of high-profile companies playing in the arena including Facebook, HTC and Samsung are powered with VR technology in the form of Oculus Rift, Vive and Gear VR respectively. But the crucial point here is that they are much expensive and not reachable for common public. Whereas, Google's cost-effective headset - Cardboard is effective in bringing VR to every individual. Listed below are the essential apps/games to enrich your VR experience with Google Cardboard, as compiled by Gizbot site.

YouTube

Latest addition of 360-degree view feature has brought-in many viewers to YouTube on Google Cardboard VR headset. The updated VR app integrated to modern, intuitive websites allows users to get through famous places, check out livestreams of big events and even watch mini-series, all on a seemingly big screen.

Read Also: Samsonite Introduces Baggage Tracking Technology with Track&Go

NASA's Fermi Telescope Set To Spot Gravitational Wave Sources
Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday questioned the Congress Party's silence over reports claiming that former home minister P. Chidambaram had signed the first affidavit in the Ishrat Jahan encounter case, and accused the grand old party of hatching a conspiracy against the people of India with a political agenda. "Latest revelation on Ishrat Jahan has actually nailed Chidambaram and the Congress because of the dubious way with which they wanted to implicate Narendra Modi. They have done great disservice to the country," Javadekar told ANI. "It is a conspiracy against the people of India. This needs to be taken to its logical conclusion. And I am wondering why Chidambaram and Rahul Gandhi are silent. This was a conspiracy with a political agenda," he added. Media reports revealed that Chidambaram had in fact signed the first affidavit, which declared Ishrat and three others as terrorists, but gave all four a clean chit a month later as serious amendments were made in the second affidavit also signed by him. The first affidavit in the encounter case stated that Ishrat was a LeT operative, who was part of a plot to assassinate the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. Chidambaram had initially claimed that the first affidavit declaring Ishrat and three others as terrorists was filed in the court without his approval, adding that he had made some editorial changes to avoid misinterpretation when the matter was brought to his notice. Chidambaram, however, completely altered his stance in the second affidavit, saying that intelligence inputs on Ishrat and the three others did not constitute conclusive proof and favoured a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the encounter. (ANI)
The Union Cabinet today gave its de facto approval to transfer of land to Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University in Hyderabad for establishing an agriculture college at Rajahmundry. Around 21.93 acre of land belonging to the Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI), Rajahmundry would be transferred to Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University on a long lease basis for a period of 50 years for establishing an agriculture college.The University had established a new agriculture college at Rajahmundry in East Godavari district during the academic year 2008-09 to train agricultural graduates for acquiring advanced agricultural knowledge associated with Godavari Delta. Presently, the agricultural college is temporarily running from rented accommodation of local Arts and Science College. After transfer of the land, the college would be able to develop its own permanent campus.Establishment of a new agriculture college at Rajahmundry would certainly go a long way in development of agricultural research and education in Godavari delta and also help the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to fulfill one of its mandates including education research and extension, according to an official statement here. UNI SY SW -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0093-692202.Xml
Briefing mediapersons about the decisions of the Union Cabinet, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said India and Bhutan have had a long standing diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with each other.

The India-Bhutan friendship treaty signed in New Delhi in February, 2007 also strengthens the mutual relations.

The Prime Minister made a state visit to Bhutan in June 2014. The visit reinforced the tradition of regular high level exchanges between the two countries. During the Indian Prime Ministers' visit, the two sides agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in areas relating to their national interest.

The MoU is in furtherance of Article 2,7 and 8 of the India-Bhutan friendship treaty.

The MoU will provide an umbrella for educational, scientific & technical research and environment protection which are also stated aim of the India-Bhutan foundation established in August 2003. There is already ongoing Hydro Power Cooperation between the two countries which provides an exemplary template for mutual cooperation.

Through this MoU, the Central Public Works Department will stand to gain in terms of experience in hills road construction which is of paramount importance in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and various states of North-East Region. The CPWD also expects to garner some road construction projects in Bhutan.UNI NY SW RSA 1531

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The Union Cabinet today gave the go-ahead for the expansion of India-Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)."Under the expanded PTA, Chile has offered concessions to India on 1798 tariff lines with Margin of Preference (MoP) ranging from 30-100 per cent and India has offered concessions to Chile on 1031 tariff lines at 8-digit level with MoP ranging from 10-100 per cent," said an official statement."The 86 per cent of India's exports to Chile will get covered with concessions, which is likely to result in doubling of our exports in the near future," it added.A PTA between India and Chile was signed in March, 2006 which came into force with effect from August, 2007. During 2006-07, Chile was ranked 51st export destination for India. Bilateral trade during the year 2006-07 was 2.3 billion dollar. Trade dynamics changed after the PTA came into force from September 2007. Bilateral trade registered a growth of 58.49 per cent from 2006-07 to 2014-15. Bilateral trade during 2014-15 stood at 3.65 billion dollar, with exports valued at 0.57 billion dollar and imports at 3.08 billion dollar, respectively.The expansion would be an important landmark in India-Chile relations and consolidate the traditional fraternal relations that have existed between India and Latin American Countries (LAC) countries.UNI NM SW 1446 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0426-692120.Xml
Newly roped in political strategist Prashant Kishore would visit the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee state headquarters here tomorrow to resume his discussion with leaders of frontal organisations over preparedness for the Mission 2017.The strategist was instrumental in handling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election campaign which included Mr Modi in 3D and chai pe charcha. Mr Kishore was also roped in by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to handle his campaign. He would be meeting the leaders of Seva Dal, Women's Congress, Minority and SC/ST cells,NSUI and Youth Congress to discuss the party's revival in UP.PK has now been assigned by the Congress to devise a strategy for the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh assembly polls likely to be held in February next year. Along with PK, Congress general secretary in-charge of UP Madhusudan Mistry, and UP Congress Committee (UPCC) president Nirmal Khatri among other leaders would also be present in the meeting. PK first visited Lucknow on March 11, when he made it clear that the party's "main target is the BJP" and that he has not come to just increase its numbers but to help Congress form the government in UP next year. In this meeting, Mr Kishore only listened to suggestions and views of senior party leaders from UP, and then asked district and city presidents to ensure that Congress leaders contest the 2017 polls with the confidence they can win. He also gave them tasks, which included filling up a 12-page feedback form by March end. The form, besides other information, seeks views of district and city units on "three main reasons for good performance of BJP in the region". He further asked them to identify at least 20 workers in every Assembly constituency, who would be ready to dedicate the next six months to the Congress without any condition. However to much set back for the party as well as PK, the form to identify dedicated workers in each assembly segment, was filled by the district leaders only after warning by the state president and after expiry of the deadline. Meanwhile PK is also slated to visit some districts of eastern UP in the last week of this month to assess the ground situation of the party.UNI MB SV RK1330 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-691753.Xml
Police said here today that four armed miscreants waylaid the van. After overpowering the guard and an employee of a private company, outsourced the job of depositing money in the ATM, decamped with the booty.

Suspecting foul play, police have taken into custody three people, including the guard and employee of the private company, for interrogation because none of them was injured in the incident.

Police were also interrogating them for the delay in depositing the cash in ATM despite leaving for their destination at around 1430 hrs and reporting the incident at around 2200 hrs.The ATM outlet is barely 30 KM from the bank, police added.UNI XC KKS IS SB BL1411

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AYUSH Minister Shripad Yesso Naik today suggested that yoga can play a great role in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases where conventional medicine was not having ''permanent or cost-effective solution''. ''Yoga is the greatest gift of India to entire mankind -- probably the reason why as many as 177 out of 193 UN member states supported the idea of declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga , he asserted. He was speaking at the inauguration of the three-day curtain-raiser International Yoga Fest organised by his ministry to sensitise the masses regarding the celebration of International Day of Yoga. Over the past few decades, the health aspects of yoga had become more popular, he said pointing out, "Yoga is beneficial in problems related to working in high altitude areas, working in extreme climatic conditions and various stressful situations. Yoga can enhance the endurance among sportspersons.'' The Ministry of AYUSH was putting its best efforts to promote the science of yoga as a healthcare system across the globe and hoped that the efforts made by the ministry would reach the common people. The Minister also hoped that the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga would be on an even larger scale than last year's and be a people's programme in the real sense. Mr Naik disclosed that the national-level function on International Yoga Day was proposed to be held at Chandigarh to ensure large participation of people in the celebrations even though the states would be organising their own state level functions on a grand scale.MORE UNI SD SW RSA 1649 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-692438.Xml
Growing assertiveness of eastern neighbour China in the Indian Ocean Region is likely to take the centre stage in the Naval Commanders' Conference beginning here from Friday. The three-day conference is being held in the wake of the successful International Fleet review (IFR) held by the Navy at Visakhapatnam in February, apart from a number of other notable operational activities such as the first Combined Commanders' Conference on board Vikramaditya in December last year. Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan will chair the conference to review various aspects involving operations, acquisition of assets, personnel and logistics issues. "The conference will primarily focus on reviewing the combat readiness and operational preparedness of the Navy including coastal security, to address the dynamic security challenges in the IOR," a statement issued by the Navy said. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar would address and interact with the Naval Commanders on the opening day of the conference. During the conference, Naval Commanders' will review the timelines for capital inductions of the Navy in consonance with the 'Make in India' initiative which is aligned with the Indian Navy's guiding principles of self-reliance and indigenisation. The major infrastructure upgrades of the Navy with special emphasis on Aviation assets will also be reviewed. The Commanders shall also delve on various aspects of the Navy's roadmap for the future such as the key technology enablers, improving logistics and the numerous initiatives to further strengthen cyber security in the Navy. UNI MK SW RSA 1624 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-692421.Xml
The ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala today promised to generate 1.5 million job opportunities for young men and women through new projects in the next five years if voted to power again. ''We approach the people with the slogan "House for All, Health for All and Food for All," Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told newspersons here, while releasing the UDF manifesto for the May 16 Assembly election. Referring to the controversial liquor policy, Mr Chandy clarified that new bar licences would not be given to hotels upgraded to the five star status. The UDF's policy was to convert Kerala in to liquor free state in the next ten years and the UDF Government had already closed 730 foreign liquor bars and would close ten per cent beverage outlets every year yesterday. He pointed out that the UDF government could bring revolutionary changes in all sectors. ''We introduced free ration for all BPL card holders in 2016 and through Chief Minister's People contact programme, nearly eight lakh complaints have been corrected, distributing Rs.798.73 crore,'' he said. Social Security pension beneficiaries were increased from 12.9 lakhs in 2010-11 to 34.06 lakhs in 2015-16 and distributed Rs.2769.44 crores in 2015-16 as against Rs.522.11 crores in 2010-11,'' he said adding. 'Kerala Perspective Development 2030,' which aims at an average annual GDP growth rate of 7.5 per cent, would be formulated for the overall development of the state. He said a special package would be formulated to promote paddy cultivation with an objective to attain self sufficiency. Similar packages would also be introduced to promote organic farming, fruits and vegetable cultivation egg and meat production. The UDF Government would ensure interest free loans to farmers. He said, adding the UDF would continue with its scheme to provide 25 kg free rice to BPL families and strengthen the distribution of rice, sugar and wheat through more than 14,000 ration shops. He said drinking water for all the families in urban and rural areas, houses for all, a special scheme for providing security to women and measures to arrest price hike were some of the highlights of the manifesto.UNI CR ADG AS1525 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0130-692530.Xml
The scholars of Tirumala Thirupathi Devastanam(TTD), who came from hill shrine Tirumala, blessed him and presented him Prasadam of Lord Venkateswara. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his birthday greetings through Twitter. The Prime Minister said, "Birthday wishes to my good friend Chandrababu Naidu, a leader who is very passionate about Andhra Pradesh's progress".

Union Civil Aviation P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, State Minister Y Ramakrishunu, D Umamaheshwara Rao and P Pulla Rao, were among those, who conveyed their greetings to Mr Naidu.

Telugu Desam Party sources said Mr Naidu is celebrating his birthday for 11th time in power and celebrating his birthday for the first time in Vijayawada.UNI DP KVV 1700

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: In a setback to BJP Karnataka President B SYeddyurappa, the ruling Congress government in the state hasdecided appeal in the Supreme Court against Karnataka High Courtorder dismissing cases against him, Law and ParliamentaryAffairs T B Jayachandra said today. Talking to newspersons here, the minister clarrified that the decision to filean appeal was taken on February 24, this year, and not in the today'sCabinet meeting. Mr Yeddyurappa, who took over as BJP State President on April 14,was forced to quit as Chief Minister, following allegations againsthim launched by the Lokayukta. In all 15 cases were registeredagainst him on charges of De-notification and nepotism. He was alsoimprisoned for 25 days. The Home Department has taken action and alawyer has been appointed to pursue the appeal, he added. The High Court, while disposing the cases filed by a socialactivist Abraham, had stated that Governor has no right to grantpermission to prosecute a Chief Minister. Mr Jayachandra said that Assistant Advocate General Ponnana hadalso suggested going on appeal. The minister said that Lokayukta had also approved filing of cases againstMr Yeddyurappa on various charges, including De-notification,nepotism, showing favour to his family members, including his son B YRaghavendra, his son-in-law and daughter. In his reaction, Mr Yeddyurappa alleged that Mr Siddaramaiah hasindulged in revenge politics and, hence, has decided to go on appealon cases which were dismissed by the High Court. "But I have fullconfidence in Judiciary and I am confident of coming out with cleanhand," he added.UNI MSP CNR KVV AK 1625 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0414-692259.Xml
After launching the campaign through the social media platform like Facebook and Twitter, which has become aninstant hit, the EC also tied up with groceries supplierto print the voting date in bags.

And now it has roped in the state-owned Aavin to sensitise the voters in a bid to ensure 100 per centpolling.

It may be noted that more than 25 lakh people purchaseaavin milk packets against the state.

From today, the EC has come up with a novel campaign to take the message to every household by advertising in Aavin milk packets.

The ad reads, 'Ungal kudumbam 100 per cent vaakalikka readyaa? (Is your family ready to cast 100 per cent vote ?)

''We are thankful to Aavin for agreeing to carry this message in all milk packets till May 16, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said.

While awareness was on on one side, the EC was also making preparations to ensure that people were equipped to vote.

In this regard, new set of voter ID cards were distributed today in the city.

''We have set up two exclusive polling booths for the specially-abled in Chennai'', Mr Lakhoni said.

On the official front, the EC was meeting observers of Chennai and nodal officers of Income Tax and districts. The list of returning officers for all the constituencieshas also been released by the Greater Chennai Corporation.UNI GV KVV AK 1620

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: Leaders of various political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the PMK and VCK, today slammed the Centre for refusing to accept the state government's decision to release all the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, while BJP leaders alleged that the state government was trying to gain political mileage on the issue. In a statement here, PMK Founder-leader S Ramadoss said the centre had rejected the state government's proposal, stating that the matter was sub-judice. The reason cited by the Centre for rejecting the State Government's decision to release the convicts, who were languishing in jails for close to 25 years, was not acceptable. Claiming that the convicts-- V. Sriharan alias Murugan, T. Suthendraraja alias Santhan, A.G. Perarivalan, Nalini, Ravichandran, Robert Payas and Jayakumar-- were in no way connected with the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Dr Ramadoss said, though they were granted death sentences, it was commuted to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court in 2014 due to delay in disposal of their mercy petitions. Even the Supreme Court had stated that the government could take an appropriate decision on their release as per Sec 432 of CrPc. ''In line with this, the State Government sent a letter to the Union Home Secretary on March two this year, seeking its views on their release'', Dr Ramadoss pointed out. But the Centre in its reply, had stated that since the matter is sub judice in Apex Court, they could not take any decision on the issue and hence the Tamil Nadu Government should not take steps to release them, he pointed out. Alleging that the Centre's stand on the issue only showed its anti-tamil attitude, the PMK chief said the Union Government was shirking its responsibility by refusing to give its views on the emotive issue. Stating that he was not shocked by the Centre's stand, as it was determined not to release them, Dr Ramadoss said the State government, instead of approaching the Centre again and again, could release them by invoking the provisions of Article 161 of the Constitution. ''Now that the model code of conduct is in force for the Assembly polls, the State Government cannot do anything at the moment'', Dr Ramadoss said. VCK Leader Thol Thirumavalavan told reporters that the Centre should reconsider its decision on the release of Rajiv convicts. Mr Thirumavalavan termed as an 'eyewash', the letter written by the State Government, seeking the Centre's views. Senior BJP leader L Ganesan said the letter written by the State government was politically motivated and was an attempt to blame the Centre. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan told reporters at Nagercoil that the state government was trying to seek political mileage on the Rajiv convicts release issue. ''The Centre will act only within the ambit of the Constitution and as per law'', Mr Radhakrishnan added.UNI GV KVV AK 1645 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0414-692449.Xml
Industry apex body, The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) slammed the government for its complicated and confusing new amendments in the Finance Act. Speaking at the national seminar on Service tax and CENVAT Credit J K Mittal, Co-Chairman, National Council on Indirect Taxes, ASSOCHAM said that frequent changes in the law are not good for the economy as the assesse also needs time to understand the law and then implement it. The government is bound to tell the cause for these changes to avoid confusion in the business fraternity, he added. Legal experts came together and discussed the new amendments which came into effect from 1st April, 2016. Citing the latest amendment in the Finance Act which has made various 'services' taxable, the panelists pointed out at lack in clarifications in certain areas. In a letter written to the Ministry of Finance, ASSOCHAM has sought clarifications on the tax on services provided by Government or a local authority to another government or a local authority which were earlier exempted from service tax but have now been made taxable. It says that the said exemption does not cover services specified in sub-clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of clauses (a) of section 66D of the Finance Act, 1994. Advocate Sujit Ghosh said that a statutory function discharged under law is not a service and hence cannot be taxed. Mittal also slammed the CENVAT credit and said that it is a misconception. CENVAT credit which was introduced by government to avoid double taxation on services provided by service providersallows the tax payer to take credit on the tax paid and use the credit on tax payable. Ms Anjlika Chopra, Senior Director at Deloitte said that an ideal format for returns to be filed is needed to make it easy for tax payers. She also said that the increase in time limit for issuance of show cause notice from 18 months to 30 months may increase litigation instead of reducing it. The Chief Guest for the event Mr Sanjay Mahendru, Commissioner of Service Tax-I and II, Mumbai, assured the panel that their recommendations will be taken to the higher authorities and considered seriously.UNI SF NV SM1647 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-692498.Xml
Police said the car suddenly dashed against the bus near Pursaini village on Lucknow- Allahabad national highway which was going to Rae Bareli from Lucknow.

The deceased were traveling in the car. The bus driver was also injured in the accident.UNI MB RSA AN1815

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Priyadarshini is the first girl from Assam to win the coveted title. Priyadarshi, accompanied by her mother Papia Chatterjee and father Prabir Chatterjee, dropped in at the Chief Minister's residence and talked to him about her journey towards becoming Miss India.

Mr Gogoi lauded her efforts and congratulated her on winning the coveted Miss India World title and bringing laurels to the state.

Pursuing her under-graduate course in Sociology from Delhi's Hindu College, Priyadarshini, in course of her interaction, informed the Chief Minister that she is interested in working in the field of child education through promotion of cultural activities. UNI SG KK RJ AN1829

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CPI(M) activist Noor Islam, who was fatally injured after being attacked with sharp weapon at Haroa in North 24 Parganas on Monday night, succumbed to his wounds in a city hospital today. He was attacked by unidentified political rivals at Haroa around 2100 hrs while returning home from the CPI(M) office, official sources said. In another incident CPI(M) leader Babu Bose was attacked in Kalyani in Nadia district today but escaped unhurt after the attackers, allegedly owing allegiance to ruling Trinamool Congress, failed to break the doors of his house. Mr Bose blamed that the Trinamool Congress goons were behind the attacks in which several houses in the area were damaged. However, the Trinamool activists denied their involvement. Nadia is among the four districts which will go to the 3rd phase of polling for 62 Assembly seats. Another CPI(M) rally was attacked at Lichubagan in Howrah today. Some women among the rallyists were injured in the attack, spearheaded by ruling Trinamool, the CPI(M) alleged. Reports of election related intimidation and violence also poured from different parts of the state including areas where polls were held on Sunday for 2nd phase to 56 seats. Meanwhile, the Central security forces today began frisking doubtful people and vehicles in poll bound north and central Kolkata, where polling would be held in seven seats tomorrow.UNI XC-PC KK SW RSA RAI1820 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0212-692673.Xml
Even as police groped in dark about Monday's suicide attack in civil court here, heavily armed miscreants attacked the house of one of the accused and fired indiscriminately leaving three of his family members including two women injured at village minapur under Garkha police station in Saran district district today. Police said, three motorcycle borne miscreants raided the house of a notorious criminal Dharmendra Rai this afternoon and when they were told that he was not at home, they fired indiscriminately in which his father, grand mother and sister were critically injured. The injured identified as Ram Nath Rai, Kulpati Devi and Sunita Kumar were rushed to Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH). Incidentally the attack was made a day after police pasted proclamation notice at the residence of Dharmendra Rai who is wanted by the police in connection with the sensational bomb blast in the civil court. The alleged suicide bomber Khusboo Kumari, battling for survival at the PMCH, has told the police that she had gone to kill two witnesses of 2011 shootout incident at the residence of former RJD MP Umsahanker Singh in 2011. UNI XC-IS AKM RSA AN1821 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-692529.Xml
The Centre today remained non-committal on the issue of release of killers of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, saying remission request is still being examined by the Law Ministry and it has "not rejected" the plea for release as reported in a section of media.Today's stance marks no deviation from the stated position by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the Lok Sabha on March 3 where he said that Tamil Nadu government's request was being examined by the government and that the Centre will abide by the ruling of the Supreme Court."The report that we have rejected the remission plea of Tamil Nadu government is incorrect. The matter is at the stage of consultations in the Law Ministry. But it is correct that Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary has sent a letter to us in this regard," a Home Ministry official told UNI.Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K Gnanadesikan had sent the letter on March 2 to the Home Ministry saying, "The Government of Tamil Nadu has now received petitions from the convicts with requests to release them since they have spent more than 20 years in prison the Government, after taking into consideration the petitions of the seven convicts, has decided to remit the sentences of life imprisonment as they have already served imprisonment for 24 years." The law requires endorsement of Centre on the State's plea to remit sentence. The letter rocked the House next day with Congress vehemently opposing the request of Jayalalithaa-led AIDMK government in Tamil Nadu. The Congress party leader Mallikarjun Kharge said it was an unjust demand as those whose release was being sought had been convicted for assassination of the former Prime Minister."This is about assassins of a person who had sacrificed himself for the cause of the nation. To entertain such suggestions would set a wrong precedence as other states may also follow the suit in other cases which would create a bizarre situation," he said, urging the Home Minister to reject the plea. Making a statement in the House, Mr Singh said, "We have received a letter from the Chief Secretary Tamil Nadu government yesterday and it is being examined by the government. We would like to make it clear that the convicts are those who have assassinated the Prime Minister of the country. We have a constitutional responsibility to abide the ruling of the Supreme Court."In 2014 also, the Tamil Nadu government had made a similar plea, which was opposed by the Centre in the Supreme Court which ruled that there will be no release without the Centre's concurrence. The release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts is an emotive issue among Tamils in poll-bound southern state. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was killed on May 21, 1991 when a suicide bomber belonging to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) blew herself at an election rally in Sriperumbudur near Chennai. The assassination was in retaliation to what LTTE saw as hostile action and interference by Mr Gandhi in sending Indian troops to Sri Lanka in 1987 to neutralise Tamil Tigers fighting for a separate Tamil Eelam(homeland). The LTTE continues to strike a chord among many in the South after brutal annihilation of Tamil fighters by the Sri Lankan army in 2009 in which lakhs of civilians Tamils also perished. The war also entailed an unprecedented scale of alleged executions, rapes and torture of ethnic Tamils.UNI PRA SW RSA 2000 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0384-693081.Xml
A delegation of the state BJP unit, led by its president Visasolie Lhoungu accompanied by senior members and office bearers, today met Chief Minister T R Zeliang here today. In a release, BJP spokesman Yanghose Sangtam said that the meeting with the Chief Minister by the state BJP team is the first official meeting after the change of guard in the party. Moreover, the meeting was very cordial and many issues pertaining to the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) alliance relationship and issues related with state development were deliberated. A representation from the BJP was presented by finance committee convener H K Khulu, on behalf of the state BJP unit. The party mentioned that as coalition government is formed on some guidelines and code of conduct in the interest of people and the allied partners as well, the BJP party, a DAN alliance partner, requested the CM to accommodate the BJP legislators with suitable responsibilities in the DAN ministry in order to serve the people and the partners. The BJP also urged upon the CM to reconsider the deprivation and accommodate it's party workers with various assignments deemed fit. The party also requested that the projects or proposals of the party be considered under CSS, NEC, NLCPR and Article 275 or schemes during the financial year. The release informed that Mr Zeliang has reportedly assured the delegates for all possible cooperation in strengthening the alliance relationship and at the same time urged the BJP unit to work cohesively, keeping in mind the top priorities for the state development in general. UNI AS AKM DJK RSA AN1952 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-692955.Xml
Uttar Pradesh BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya has issued directives asking party workers not to weigh him with coins or give him precious gifts during his visit to districts."At some places over enthusiastic party workers have weighed me with coins or have given me gifts. I appeal to the workers not to do the same," Keshav Maurya said in a statement issued here today.The directives were issued after a Samajwadi Party leader in Kanpur lodged a complaint against BJP state president after he was weighed with coins there. The political leaders even called this an autocratic act of state president."I do not want workers to repeat this act anywhere in the state during my visit. That money or gifts should be given to poor and needy," he said.It is second time in last one week Keshav Maurya had issued directives asking party workers not to go over board. Earlier he had asked them not to put up posters or hoardings depicting him as God.UNI MB CJ RJ RAI2107 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-693266.Xml
Police today said the Dacoits barged into the house of businessman M N Bhuyan late last night and looted gold and cash worth over several lakhs of rupees, which the businessman had kept for his daughter's wedding

The businessman had lodged a complaint with the Chandrasekharpur police station and police have detained some people suspecting their involvement in the dacoity.Investigation is on.UNI DP BM RJ AN2146

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City Police Superintendent Awkash Kumar told media persons today that naxalites had sent a letter to Director General of International Airport Dilip Dey, threatening to blow up the airport by triggering explosion with dynamite.

"Soon after Mr Dey informed the police about naxal threat, the security of the Airport has been beefed up", Mr Kumar said adding that all routes leading Airport had been placed under strict surveillance to foil any attempt of naxalites to carry out their sinister design.

Meanwhile, in another incident, naxalites have also threatened to decide punishment for Police Superintendent of Jamui Jayant Kant, Additional Police Superintendent D N Pandey and Commandant of CRPF A S Yadav, by organising their own court.

Naxalites have threatened to take revenge against the police officials for alleged killing of their self styled commander Chirag Da in encounter with police.

Naxalites had pasted posters and handbills on walls at Purvatand village under Khaira police station area in Jamui district threatening the police officials. All the posters and handbills were seized soon after it came to the notice of police.

Naxalites have issued warning to locals of serious consequences if they participated in forthcoming Panchayat poll.UNI XC KKS BM RJ RAI2134

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Chief Minister and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) supremo Mamata Banerjeetoday said the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have been forgotten Lenin, Marx, Ho CHi Minh and Congress cease to remember Indira and Rajiv Gandhi as both have sold off their ideologies. Addressing election rallies here at Dum Dum, Barasat and Basirhat in North 24 Parganas districts , Ms Banerjee said Congress was the CPI(M)'s B-team and now they are the A-team. CPI(M) and Congress have sold off their ideologies. "We walked out off the Congress to expose the Congress-CPI(M) understanding. Comrades have become Cong-rades now," she said. The AITC supremo said CPI(M)-Congress-BJP have formed a syndicate of complaints. "From breakfast to dinner, the only work Opposition has is abusing me," she commented. The AITC supremo said, "53 per cent of CPI(M)'s income is from unknown sources. 73 per cent of BJP's income is from unknown sources and 82.5 per cent of Congress' income is from unknown sources. Why should there be no investigation?" she asked. Ms Banerjee said people have not forgotten the violence and terror during CPI(M)'s rule. ''People are my biggest strength. They are the biggest pillars in a democracy.'' "In the past we were fighting against the CPI(M). Now we are fighting to turn Bengal around," the chief minister said. She said, " Saradha was formed during CPI(M)'s rule. We arrested the owner of Saradha from Kashmir." Ms Banerjee said it was in Dumdum that Dr Manmohan Singh promised to give debt waiver to Bengal but Congress did not fulfill the promise. She accused CPI(M) of incurring a huge debt burden and we are now paying for their sins. For 34 years CPI(M) did not do any work. Now they only sit in AC TV studios. The chief minister said the accused in Kamduni case got life sentence. But Tapasi Malik has not got justice yet. "As long as I live, I will work for the people. We have to work for the young generation to turn Bengal around," she said. The Chief Minister said, "Our GDP is 12 per cent while the national GDP is 7.5 per cent. We have increased our revenue income. But the Centre took away all our money." "BJP has reduced the interest on PF. They have stopped subsidy on LPG and kerosene. BJP government at the Centre has stopped funding ICDS, mid-day meal and several other schemes. We are funding those schemes now," the AITC supremo accused. Ms Banerjee said "Md Salim had the audacity of warning about bloodshed after polls. We take revenge politically, not through violence," "BJP wants to destroy Bengal. I will never commit any action that will betray the trust of the people. I will lay down my life but never allow riots in Bengal." "I challenge the Opposition... Catch me if you can on the plank of development. It is our responsibility to provide social security, financial security and maintain religious harmony," the AITC supremo added.UNI BM KK RJ AN2211 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0136-693346.Xml
Jammu and Kashmir police arrested a smuggler and recovered 1.5 kg of charas in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, official sources said here today. They said acting on a tip-off, a police party headed by Station House Officer (SHO) Police Station Awantipora apprehended a smuggler Ashiq Hussain Bhat and recovered 1.5 Kg of pure Charas from his possession. A case FIR number 48/2016 under Section 8/20 NDPS Act was registered against him and investigation was taken up.UNI BAS YSS RJ RAI2209 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-693049.Xml
About 40 city journalists, led by Kolhapur Press Club (KPC) president Vikas Kamble, assembled in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue this afternoon and staged demonstration by shouting slogans against the threat to Mr Desai.

Mr Kamble, while addressing the journalists, demanded that police should take action against the culprit(s), who sent a letter threatening Mr Desai.

He also demanded that the government should bring in the Journalists Protection Act early for protection of media persons.

Later, a delegation, led by Mr Kamble, met district superintendent of police Pradeep Deshpande and handed over a memorandum of their demands.

Mr Desai had received a letter threatening that he might be the next after the progressive leaders like senior Communist Party of India leader Govind Pansare and rationalist Dr Narendra Dabholkar.

Mr Desai has argued in his book and lectures that Goddess Mahalaxmi is Ambabai and wife of Lord Shiva and not Mahalaxmi, consort of Lord Vishnu.UNI SSS SS RJ AN2207

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US presidential front-runners Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are looking for a lift in the New York primaries on Tuesday to propel them into the general election in November as they both are desperate to score victories in a state where they have deep roots. Preference polls showed Democrat Clinton and Republican Trump ahead by double-digit margins into the crucial New York primaries. With the Republican and Democratic races becoming extended delegate battles in an already wild campaign season, New York becomes a high-stakes prize they can't afford to lose. On the Democratic side, it is a pivotal contest for both presidential hopefuls in New York, with 291 delegates up for grabs, after Bernie Sanders, a US senator from Vermont, won seven out of the last eight state-level Democratic nominating contests. Sanders is chipping away at Clinton's big lead in the number of delegates needed to secure the party's nomination, according to Xinhua. Clinton currently holds a more than 200 lead in pledged delegates which, combined with her popularity among superdelegates, represents a wide gap almost impossible for Sanders to close. For Clinton, a resounding victory in the face-saving contest would plug up Sanders' momentum and bruise his claim that he can still catch up to her and have a real path to party nomination. Both Democrats are campaigning hard in a state they both have ties, reaching out to New Yorkers face to face with handshakes on sidewalks and holding rallies around the fourth-most populous US state till the last moment before the contest. On the Republican side, Trump, who is a Queens native and built his fortune in New York's real estate market, also needs a big victory in New York to bring him closer to the nomination at the party July's convention in Cleveland. Trump now holds a lead of 200 delegates over his closest rival, Texas senator Ted Cruz, in the now three-man Republican race. A candidate needs to grasp 1,237 delegates to become the party nominee who faces Clinton or Sanders. Cruz, however, has cut into Trump's delegates lead by notching his fourth win in a row in the Colorado state Republican convention against the brash New York billionaire. The Texas senator said the recent winning streak marks "a turning point" in his campaign trail. He has been campaigning feverishly to court delegates who would be free to switch loyalties if the convention's first round of balloting doesn't determine a clear nominee. John Kasich, the Ohio governor who has won only his home state and now trails behind Trump about 600 delegates, also struggles to compete in the behind-the-scenes battle for delegates. Kasich also trails Trump by slightly more than 30 percentage points in New York. The prospect of a contested convention, a extremely rare event in recent US politics, looms much larger in the Republican race. If no candidate reaches that 1,237 threshold by the close of the last primary on June 7, then the convention will almost certainly be contested. The recent string of losses in four states including highly competitive Wisconsin prompted Trump to announce a major staff shake amid Cruz's spirited campaign to force a contested convention. Trump's national field director Stuart Jolly tendered his resignation amid shakeup on Monday afternoon. The face-off between the two candidates in New York state's primary with 95 delegates at stake marks the start of the two candidates' final push to secure the party's nomination. After casting his ballot on Tuesday morning at a synagogue near Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan, Trump said: "I think we'll do really well. It feels good." --Indo-Asian News Service vr/ ( 616 Words) 2016-04-20-04:56:05 (IANS)
The royal couple did not reveal any details about the name of the newborn, but a statement was released by the Sweden's Royal Palace, reports E! Online.

The statement read, "Princess Sofia gave birth to a healthy and prosperous child on Tuesday, April 19 at 6:25 p.m. Princess Sofia gave birth to a son and both mother and child are in good health. Prince Carl Philip was present at the hospital throughout the birth."

The prince weighed in at 7.9 pounds and measured around 19.3 inches long.

Per tradition in the Swedish royal family, the new family of three went to their new home at Drottningholm Palace to the Danderyd Hospital just outside of Stockholm where Princess Sofia gave birth. (ANI)
A fifth North Korean nuclear test could trigger new sanctions including an effort to choke off hard currency earnings by its workers abroad, the top U.S. diplomat for the Asia-Pacific region said. "Like a regimen of medicine, the dosage can be upped when the effects fall short of what's required," Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Danny Russel told Reuters yesterday. Russel made clear he was speaking about the possibility of fresh sanctions by the UN Security Council, by the United States on its own, or by a group of like-minded states from the European Union and Southeast Asia, along with the United States. North Korea conducted a fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch the following month, triggering expanded UN sanctions aimed at starving it of funds for its atomic weapons program. Some experts expect North Korea to conduct a fifth nuclear test in the near future, possibly before a ruling party congress in early May, following an embarrassing failure of a test of an intermediate-range missile last week. Estimates of North Korean workers abroad vary widely but a study by the South's state-run Korea Institute for National Unification put the number as high as 150,000, primarily in China and Russia, sending back as much as 900 million dollar annually. North Koreans are known to work abroad in restaurants and on construction sites, and also as doctors. The effectiveness of current, or any new, sanctions depends heavily on them being fully implemented by China, North Korea's neighbor, the closest thing it has to an ally and by far its largest trading partner, US officials and analysts say. If the North were to test a fifth nuclear device, the United States and its allies South Korea and Japan could also take unspecified "defense-related measures," Russel said. "As the threat grows, then our defensive capabilities need to adjust as well," he said, stressing that there was also a diplomatic route that the North could take by reviving long-dormant negotiations on curbing its nuclear program. South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee downplayed the prospect that an upcoming visit to New York by North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong to attend a UN climate conference would create an opening for engagement. "At a time when the North is talking of more provocation, I think it's time to put more weight on sanctions rather than dialogue," Jeong told a briefing in Seoul today. UNIVERSE OF RESPONSES Russel laid out what he called the possible "universe" of how the US government and others might respond to a fifth test and he acknowledged that sanctions have failed to deter North Korea, which tested its first nuclear device in October 2006. He stressed that no decisions had yet been made and said he could not preview a response to an event that has yet to occur. US General Vincent Brooks, whom President Barack Obama has nominated to lead American forces in South Korea, said on Tuesday that China was frustrated over North Korea's behavior, including its nuclear advances, but was unwilling to apply pressure that could threaten the viability of Kim Jong Un's government. Brooks also said Kim appeared more "risk-tolerant, arrogant and impulsive" than his father, Kim Jong Il. He was more aggressive in ignoring international concerns while advancing the North's nuclear program, the general said. Russel said it would take time to judge how well the latest sanctions were being enforced, but Beijing had "exhausted traditional options of encouraging and cajoling and persuading the North Koreans and they have clearly shifted to the application of pressure." "There is an argument to be made that serious and sustained pressure on North Korea has never before been undertaken," he said. "The degree to which the North Korean economy depends on China and access to China is such that this stated resolve on the part of China, I think, constitutes something of a new ball game." However, Frank Jannuzi, a former Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer for East Asia and the Pacific, voiced skepticism that China had had a change of heart and was now willing to apply much more significant pressure on the North. "The Chinese are the one country that still has economic leverage but they are reluctant to put it to full use because they don't think it'll work and they are worried about the costs," he said, citing long-standing Chinese fears that severe sanctions could trigger "conflict, or refugees, or turmoil." REUTERS PR PM0955 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0105-691717.Xml
Britain will be poorer, more inward looking and London's role as a global financial centre could be undermined if it votes to leave the European Union in a June 23 referendum, eight former US Treasury secretaries said today."A vote to leave Europe represents a risky bet on the country's economic future," the former US Treasury secretaries said in an open letter to The Times newspaper.The letter was signed by Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson, John Snow, Paul O'Neill, Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin, Michael Blumenthal and George Shultz. Their warning comes before a visit by US President Barack Obama to visit Britain."Brexit could call into question London's role as a global financial centre. For many financial institutions, London has served as the financial springboard into Europe," the former Treasury secretaries said."A UK turned inward and less engaged in Europe is less able to lead on the critical challenges Europe faces."A Brexit would disrupt trade and attempts to renegotiate agreements would be difficult, they said."The uncertainty surrounding Brexit already appears to be acting as a drag on investment and market sentiment, and a vote to leave could introduce an extended period of uncertainty that could hinder growth even further," they said."The better alternative seems to us to work for progress within the confines of EU membership, without incurring the significant economic risk of Brexit: a smaller, slower-growing British economy for years to come," they said. REUTERS PR PM1336 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0105-691981.Xml
Brazil's ruling Workers Party, reeling from a humiliating defeat in an impeachment vote in Congress, is threatening to bring the country to a standstill with mass protests against what it calls a 'coup' to topple President Dilma Rousseff.Party leaders' pledges to take their fight to the streets, after the lower house on Sunday backed a motion to impeach Rousseff, have raised fears they will attempt to destabilize a transitional government in Latin America's largest economy.But the party's popularity has been shattered by a deep recession and a succession of graft scandals during its 13-year rule. It is a shadow of the organization that once commanded near fanatical support among Brazil's poor, and will struggle to sustain its fight against impeachment, analysts say.Protests are part of the Workers Party (PT) DNA. Born in the grim industrial belt that rings Sao Paulo, it emerged from a union-led pro-democracy movement in the twilight of Brazil's military dictatorship in the 1980s.It slowly developed into a formidable political machine. Brazil's first working class national party has won four straight presidential elections since Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's breakthrough in 2002.Yet formerly-loyal labor unions and leftist social movements have distanced themselves from the unpopular Rousseff because of belt-tightening moves adopted last year in a failed bid to curb Brazil's runaway budget deficit.Abandoned by many of its allies within Congress as the political crisis has deepened, the party's national decline could accelerate once it loses its grasp on power and control over government resources and jobs, analysts say.It would automatically relinquish the presidency if, as expected, Rousseff is put on trial in the Senate next month for breaking budget rules. The reins of power would pass to Vice President Michel Temer, denounced as a 'traitor' by Workers Party leaders, who would see out her term until 2018 if Rousseff is found guilty.Party insiders and other political sources in Brasilia say the PT would not be able to keep up protests for long."Support for the PT has deteriorated, the party is weak," said Marco Antonio Baratto, the bearded leader of the Landless Workers' Movement (MST), a long-time ally of the PT frustrated by its lack of leftist reforms while in government."If you go to the slums today to defend the government or Dilma, they chase you away."Speaking at a rally in Brasilia on Saturday against impeachment, he made plain the PT could not rely on automatic support from his movement: "If the government does not represent the interests of the workers, it will have a problem with us."RIGHT-WING CONSPIRACYWorkers Party leader Rui Falco yesterday repeated calls for members to take to the streets to oppose what he called a right-wing conspiracy to roll back social benefits won by Brazil's poor since Lula took office in 2003."The PT will not give a possible Temer government any peace," he said at a news conference in Sao Paulo, with party founder Lula at his side. "Our opposition will go far beyond Congress. We are telling society that an illegitimate government will have no peace, there will be a fight."The rhetoric of class-struggle has resonated with some grass-roots supporters."We'll go to the streets, we'll fight, because it's the only weapon we've got," said Jose Lacerda, 50, holding a red cap in his hands, standing outside Brazil's Congress building after Sunday's vote.But many Brazilians blame the Workers Party's economic stewardship for worsening the deepest recession since the 1930s, which has thrown millions out of work and pushed unemployment to more than 10 per cent of the workforce.That in turn has reduced the clout of the unions and the PT's sway among organized labor.When Lula swept to power as Brazil's first working class president, voters celebrated his pledges to clean up Brazil's corrupt and fragmented political system.But PT involvement at the heart of a massive graft scheme designed to systematically milk political kickbacks from suppliers to state controlled Petroleo Brasileiro has shocked Brazilians used to decades of corruption scandals.Leading figures from the PT have been jailed, including former party Treasurer Joao Vaccari Neto, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in September.Lula himself is being investigated for allegedly receiving a luxury seaside penthouse and a country estate from companies implicated in the graft investigation.While he remains Brazil's most influential politician, Lula's prestige and influence has been badly dented by the scandal. Weariness with the PT has grown even among working class Brazilians, who have little appetite for a fight amid the dire economic situation."Lula will not be able to maintain pressure from the streets for very long because he is losing face with Brazilians, and the protests would further damage his credibility," said Thiago de Aragao at Brasilia-based consultancy Arko Advice.As Sunday's impeachment vote ended in Rousseff's defeat, hundreds of PT supporters sat downcast on red flags and banners."The party won't recover from this loss," said Renato Bonetti, a social activist who traveled for 30 hours from the state of Parana in Brazil's south to march against impeachment."I'm not even sure I'll vote for them next election."REUTERS PS PR0501 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0137-691664.Xml
North Carolina business leaders today called for a repeal of a new state law they blamed for mounting economic losses as opponents cancel jobs and events over concerns that it discriminates against gay and transgender people.The state last month became the first to require transgender people to use restrooms and locker rooms in schools and other public facilities that match their sex at birth rather than their gender identity.The call from the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce adds to growing pressure on Republican Governor Pat McCrory and lawmakers from corporations, celebrities and activist groups ahead of a legislative session that begins today."This legislation is bad for business and bad for North Carolina," the chamber said in a statement.The group estimated tens of millions of dollars in losses since the law passed, including decisions by PayPal Holdings and Deutsche Bank to halt adding a combined 650 jobs in the state and canceled performances by Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Pearl Jam, Boston and Cirque du Soleil.An unnamed technology company canceled expansion plans that could have brought up to 1,000 new jobs to the Raleigh area and several other companies had eliminated the region from consideration due to the law, the chamber said.North Carolina Republicans have struck a defiant tone, saying the law protects privacy rights and keeps children and women safe from sexual predators."North Carolina will never put a price tag on the value of our children," Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest told Reuters in an e-mail on Tuesday. "If a corporation wanting to do business in North Carolina does not see the worth of our children in the same light, then I wish them well as they do business somewhere else."Forest said, "Many businesses leaders and small business owners" support the law but were wary of expressing that in public for fear of reprimand from activist groups.RESISTING PRESSUREThe stance of North Carolina Republicans represents a departure from that of states like Indiana and Georgia that amended or vetoed laws affecting gay and transgender rights after pressure from business groups.More than 160 business leaders have a signed on to a letter coordinated by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality NC asking McCrory to repeal the law known as HB2. Many of them have also reached out directly to the governor and Republican lawmakers, Human Rights Campaign said."We've had discussions with a variety of leaders, and they are aware of our views," said Matt Miller, a spokesman for American Airlines Group Inc, which signed the letter.GlaxoSmithKline Plc spokeswoman Jenni Brewer Ligday said the drugmaker had reached out to McCrory "to express our concern that policies that impede inclusion and diversity harm North Carolina's competitive business ecosystem and hinder our ability to recruit and retain key talent."Mitchell Gold, co-founder of the North Carolina-based furniture retailer Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, has called the governor and his state representatives but not heard back. Gold plans to call the governor daily to lobby for the law's repeal."I want to make sure he understands the harm he is causing LGBT people," said Gold. "This makes LGBT people second class citizens. This makes a 15-year-old LGBT kid feel broken."Tourism bureaus in Charlotte and Raleigh said the two cities have lost more than $5 million in visitor spending due to canceled or relocated events.Dennis Donovan, a partner at corporate location advisory firm Wadley Donovan Gutshaw Consulting, said the North Carolina law could prompt quiet decisions by technology firms and other companies to place jobs elsewhere."A lot of companies won't publicly state it, but they will wind up in Florida, Virginia, Utah instead." REUTERS PS PR0600 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0137-691670.Xml
Bill Cosby's wife underwent a second day of questioning by lawyers for seven women who have sued the comedian for defamation for denying their claims that he sexually assaulted them.Camille Cosby, 72, cooperated to the best of her abilities while being questioned under oath for more than five hours, attorneys for her and her husband said in a joint statement.The deposition showed that "Mrs. Cosby has no relevant non-privileged information to offer in this case," it said. "... We are thankful for this distraction to now be over."Her lawyers had asked a federal magistrate judge last week to spare her a second day of questioning at a Boston hotel. They contended an earlier deposition was mainly aimed at embarrassing her by delving into her sexual past and matters she is not obligated to testify about due to her marriage with the accused actor.US Magistrate Judge David Hennessy rejected that request but admonished lawyers for both sides to be better behaved during the second round of questioning.He noted that marital privilege allows Camille Cosby to decline to answer questions about matters discussed privately with her husband.More than 50 women have accused Cosby, 78, of sexual assault, often after plying them with drugs and alcohol. The allegations, many dating back decades, have toppled the actor best known for his role as the father in the 1980s television hit "The Cosby Show" from his position as one of the United States' best-loved entertainers.Most of the alleged crimes are too old to be criminally prosecuted. Authorities in Pennsylvania charged Cosby with sexually assaulting a woman in 2005.Cosby, who is out on bail, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.Tamara Green filed the Massachusetts lawsuit in December 2014. She was later joined by six other women who say Cosby sexually assaulted them and defamed them by calling them liars.Cosby has countersued, accusing the women of defaming him. REUTERS PS PR0631 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0137-691673.Xml
Iraq's powerful Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr today called for renewed protests after the nation's politicians missed a deadline he gave to vote on a cabinet of technocrats proposed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to tackle corruption.In a statement received by email, Sadr called for "continuing peaceful protests under the same intensity and even more in order to pressure the politicians and the lovers of corruption.""Nobody has the right to stop it otherwise the revolution will take another turn," he said in the statement.Sadr renewed his call for the parliament to vote on the cabinet overhaul and asked MPs that represent him not to take part in any session other than the one to be convened for that purpose. REUTERS JW BL1542 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-692318.Xml
Moscow's military support has helped prevent the disintegration of Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said today.Assisted by Russia's air force, Syrian government troops have liberated more than 400 settlements, Putin said, receiving credentials from foreign ambassadors in the Kremlin.REUTERS JW VP1635 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-692454.Xml
An Australian woman and television crew charged with kidnapping her children from their father in Beirut were set to be released today, a judge said, after an out-of-court settlement was reached between the sides.The mother, Sally Faulkner, and four-member Australian "60 minutes" television crew were charged on April 13 with involvement with kidnapping after the woman's two children were snatched off the street following a custody dispute with their Lebanese father. REUTERS JW BL1648 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-692471.Xml
An unusually heavy downpour hit the South African coastal city of Durban for two days before the BRICS summit's debut on African soil, but interest and inspiration for a better platform for emerging markets were still sparked at the summit.

Although politicians and experts are still not satisfied with the current "declaratory level" of BRICS, they are busy pushing agreements and cooperation in the International Conference Center of Durban to move the bloc to a more consolidated status that can bear "more fruit".

Much farther north, the European Union is trying to find a way out for Cyprus' bailout plan that pushed the financial crisis in the region a step deeper. No one knows how long the crisis is going to last nor where it is heading.

For the first time, this emerging economic bloc is connected with the burgeoning continent of Africa, which has made steady progress amid gloomy international financial weather. It is expected to contribute more to the future industrialization of a continent with 54 countries.

But partners are also competitors, as each BRICS member has a long history of investing and doing business in Africa.

Business councils and think tanks have been established to ensure the development of this bloc. It is moving toward a more sophisticated group that can influence world affairs.

Competition will give Africa more choices to meet its need in the future and to improve its competitiveness.

When new US Secretary of State John Kerry was sworn in, he bluntly claimed China was a competitor in Africa and it was a "game" that the US will "win".

This claim reveals that US strategy in Africa is not for Africa, but for US interests and its "China containment" policy. More worrying is that it creates a fear of dragging Africa back into "proxy competition".

Robert Bates from the Independent said "too often the West sees Africa as a pawn in a power game", so one must be aware that this kind of proxy competition will again sacrifice Africa's development and the welfare of its people.

BRICS policy should strictly stick to mutual benefits and real equality, as reiterated by President Xi Jinping in his first speech in Africa a few days ago.

Many doubted whether this could be translated into real action to benefit Africa, but the truth is that China's aid and financial investment have never been politically conditional and can be found across the continent, even in conflict-ridden regions that rarely see other investors.

This gives African countries more flexibility to choose what fits them better, and this is also why trade volume and business ties between Africa and China in the past decade have been soaring - Africans are voting with action.
Two members of the Syrian Kurdish security force, known as the Asayish, were killed after being targeted by Syrian government forces in Qamishli in north-east Syria today, a Kurdish YPG official told Reuters."Syrian regime forces targeted a patrol of the Kurdish Asayish forces in Qamishli and two Asayish members died," a YPG official told Reuters.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the Syrian conflict through a network of sources, said two Asayish members died and three others wounded. The fighting came after Kurdish security forces stopped a car containing an officer of the Syrian national defence forces at some point in the past 24 hours.The Observatory said the situation in Qamishli was tense and shops had closed their doors.The Syrian army could not be reached for comment. REUTERS JW BL1702 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-692540.Xml
A main suspect in the investigation into the Brussels bombings has also been charged with participation in the Paris attacks four months earlier, Belgian federal prosecutors said today.Osama Krayem, who was arrested in Brussels earlier this month, might have been present in different safehouses used by the militant attackers, such as a suspected bomb factory raided in December, prosecutors said."He has been charged with terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist group," prosecutors said in a statement.The Brussels bombings claimed the lives of 32 victims in March, while 130 died in November's attacks in Paris. REUTERS JW BL1806 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-692722.Xml
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval today held the 19th round of boundary talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi during which he is also believed to have raised the issue of Chinese veto on India's bid in UN to ban Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar. Under the format of the boundary talks, being held as part of the 2005 agreement between the two countries to resolve their long-standing dispute, the two leaders also discussed other regional and international issues. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is also in China, had also raised the issue of Masood Azhar with Chinese leaders on Monday. The issue was also at the centre stage of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Russia-India-China Trilateral on Monday. China has, so far, used its veto twice to block India's bid for listing of terrorists operating from the territory of Pakistan. In addition to preventing the listing of Masood Azhar, Beijing also last year blocked India's bid for taking action under the Security Council's anti-terror Resolution against Pakistan for setting free Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zaki-ur-rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack.India also raised the issue in the UN last week, condemning the use of the 'hidden veto' by members of the sanctions committee and demanded accountability and transparency in the process. Meanwhile, so far there was no official word on the contents of the talks between Mr Doval and Yang.The 18th round of boundary talks had been held in New Delhi last year. The two countries had reached a framework agreement on 'the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the Boundary Question' in 2005. The current negotiations are in second stage which focuses on framework of settlement to be followed by the final step of drawing the boundary agreement. The two countries share a 4,0457-km-long border with differences in perception, and had fought a brief war in 1962. There are two parts of the dispute 2000-km-long Aruncahal Pradesh, which is under India's control but China is laying claim to it, and the second part is 4000-km-along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, especially the Aksai Chin area occupied by China in the 1962. India and China have agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the border till the final resolution of the dispute.UNI NAZ SW RSA 2000 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-693080.Xml
Authorities from at least two Indonesian coal ports have stopped allowing vessels to leave for the Philippines due to security concerns following a spate of ship hijackings in the southern Philippines, a government official said today.Departure permits for the Philippines were no longer available for shipping vessels at the Port of Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan and Tarakan in North Kalimantan, said Indonesia's acting director general of sea transportation Umar Aris."The situation in the Philippines is considered not safe and some of our ships were hijacked," Aris told Reuters."Tomorrow, I'll have a meeting with the Navy and State Intelligence Agency to further discuss the matter. We're trying to find the best solution."A combined 18 crew from Indonesia and Malaysia have been taken captive in three separate attacks on tugboats in Philippine waters close to maritime borders with the two countries.REUTERS JW RAI1910 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-692922.Xml
The chances of a contested Republican US presidential convention slid to their lowest in more than three weeks today after Donald Trump swept to a critical victory in New York's primary, according to PredictIt, an online market for placing bets on US and world politics.With Trump netting most of the state's 95 delegates and further solidifying his front-runner status, the probability of a contested, or brokered, Republican convention dropped to 50 per cent today morning, down 2 points from yesterday's closing level, according to data from PredictIt, which is run by Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.That is the lowest level since March 28 and some 29 percentage points below its peak in early April, after rival Ted Cruz crushed Trump in the Wisconsin primary and went to win all 14 Wyoming delegates last weekend. Ohio Governor John Kasich, who came in second in New York, remains a long-shot candidate.Yesterday's outcome in New York could provide a critical turning point for Trump's momentum. In fact, the chances of his clinching the Republican nomination have been increasing steadily. By today morning, the probability reached 63 per cent, after an early April slump to 36 per cent.To win the nomination outright, Trump must line up 1,237 delegates before the Republican Party's convention in July. If he fails to do so, party leaders may face the prospect of negotiating a compromise candidate there.The next test comes on April 26, when five northeastern states hold their primaries. REUTERS JW BL1930 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-692990.Xml
Russia today accused the Saudi-backed Syrian opposition of employing blackmail by suspending its participation in peace talks in Geneva.In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the tactics deployed by the High Negotiations Committee showed it was not capable of reaching a deal and could not be the sole representative for the opposition at the talks.The statement described as groundless opposition allegations that forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were violating an agreement on a cessation of hostilities and on granting access for humanitarian supplies.REUTERS JW BL1944 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-693061.Xml
Union Minister of the State for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal visited United Kingdom on April 19-20 to strengthen India-UK collaboration on power and renewable energy. The Minister was accompanied by an official delegation which included Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Joint Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Director (Technical), IREDA and nine-member business delegation. On the first day of the visit, Goyal met officials from Natgrid and UK Power Network who briefed the Minister about their functions and capabilities and on how they can contribute on enhancing grid stability in India. The Minister explained about his plans and vision to increase the power generation in India and renewable energy scale up plan has been drawn up to 2022. Goyal also met Lord Bourne, UK Minister for Energy and Climate Change and discussed about enhancing future cooperation between India and UK in the energy sector. The Minister also met Lord Jim O'Neill, Commerce Secretary to the Treasury and Nick Hurd, Minister, Department of International Development and discussed about enhancing bilateral relationship particularly in the power sector. He emphasised the need for the developed world to show its commitment towards climate change by putting money in climate finance. He mentioned that India needs low cost long term finance for its ambitious renewable energy scale up plans and finance hubs like London could take a front seat in mobilising it. Goyal also emphasised on the historical, cultural and financial ties between India and the UK and hoped to work on it expeditiously to strengthen and deepen the bilateral engagement. (ANI)
Invoking Dr B R Ambedkar while inaugurating ESI Hospital here, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that the NDA Government was committed to follow path shown by the Baba Saheb."We should thank Dr Ambedkar for this ESI hospital because the Concept of ESI was given by Dr Ambedkar. Not only that he also played a crucial role in getting the ESI Bill passed in parliament," Mr Singh said while addressing a crowd after inaugurating a ESI hospital at the outskirts of state capital. His invocation of Dr Ambedkar on this occasion had a political over tone. The BJP is trying to bring dalits under its fold and is using Dr Ambedkar's name to win over SCs and STs. In his last visit he had even visited Ambedkar Mahasabha. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Mahasabha office when he visited Lucknow last. "We should thank Dr Ambedkar for bringing the ESI concept and working on this concept we are able to get this super specialty hospital," Union Minister said. He said that the NDA Government was committed to extending better health services to the poor of the country so that they do not have to run from pillar to post to get medical facilities. "This hospital is a step in this direction," he said. He said the NDA government is trying to extend social security to poor through Pradhan Mantri Beema Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana, These are the schemes under which poor will be brought under social security umbrella by paying a minimum charge. Once he is member of these schemes, he will not have to think about future. The Government will take care of his problems, Singh said. "The Union Government is looking at different avenue to extend medical help. One of this is Ayush. We want that not only mazdoors of organised sector ut also of unorganized sectors should get these facilities free of cot," he said.Union Labour minister Bandary Dattatray, who was also present on the occasion said that if state government gives us land the union government will construct more such hospitals across the state."Our target is to extend help to over 4.70 crore labourers in unorganized sector. Our government is working hard to ensure better facilities for the poor and under privileged people," the labour minister said. This ESI hospital is constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore. It will have 24x7 emergency facility besides having staste of the art trauma centre. Mayor Dinesh Sharma, Kaushal Kishore MP and Sharda Prasad Shukla, local MLA were also present on this occasion.UNI MB CJ RAI2109 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-693274.Xml
Zhang Dejiang (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with South African President Jacob Zuma in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 5, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

CAPE TOWN - South African President Jacob Zuma has characterized his visit to China as "a tremendous and fruitful success".

The positive outcomes of the visit were a true reflection of the strong deepening bilateral, trade and investment relations between South Africa and China, Zuma said in a statement posted on the government website on Sunday.

Zuma was speaking upon return from his state visit that took place on Dec 4-5.

"The visit has significantly strengthened our relations with China who are ready to work with South Africa to effectively implement all the plans and agreements that we have signed," the president said.

During the visit, both sides signed several agreements that will deepen bilateral relations.

The BRICS Development Bank was also discussed during the official talks, and both parties agreed on the establishment and operationalisation of the BRICS Development Bank as soon as possible, Zuma said.
By Xiang Bo

BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhuanet) --Nobel laureates in economics Michael Spence, Edmund Phelps and Joseph Stiglitz are optimistic about Chinas ability to achieve its growth target in 2016, emphasizing innovation is the key driver for growth.

The three Nobel laureates made the remarks during exclusive interviews with Xinhuanet recently.

They believe that China is able to realize its growth target at between 6.5 and 7 percent in 2016 while acknowledging the uncertainty of world economy can exert great influence on Chinas development. Spence said the world economy is becoming inextricably linked, indicating that no country can be completely isolated from external effects. Having said that, I think the chances of a tough slowdown is unlikely and the growth target is realistic for China, said Spence, adding I would prefer it if they focus more on the quality of the growth and are more relaxed on when to achieve their income-level targets.

For Phelps, he sees China as one of the bright spots in the current world economy. He said that a growth rate in the neighborhood of 6.5-7 percent is reasonable for China when taking into account worldwide technological transfers which can raise productivity and entrepreneurial actions to reduce production cost, plus the vast urbanization thats going on in China.

Acknowledging that there are factors beyond forecast due to the complex nature of economy, he believed, the basic sources for productivity growth are well-understood in China and can be relied upon to continue.

Stiglitz held that whether China can achieve its growth target depends on what kind of policies China execute, indicating that global slowdown will make it difficult for China. However, if China responds quickly to the global slowdown, he added, it will be possible to achieve the growth target.

The three Nobel laureates also highlighted the role of innovation, saying they are the key driver for growth.

The Chinese have always been a very entrepreneurial people, said Phelps, I have been inside companies where they are developing new products, trying them out, having some success with them. So innovation is alive and developing in China and nothings gonna derail it.

Praising premier Li Keqiangs new measures to facilitate entrepreneurs to start up, he said he has seen a nice increase in the number of start-up companies in the past year or two in China. Im also delighted to see that the banks are going to be allowed to create financial companies, it will help entrepreneurs to raise capital for innovative products, he added.

Innovation can come in all kinds of places, Spence said, pointing to the great innovation potential in manufacturing in China to drive productivity.

Stiglitz said one of the challenges facing China is for it to get to the science and technology frontier in more areas, as investment unfortunately from the west in the area of environment has been deficient.

Just like China was able to move to the frontier in solar panels, very quickly, because the rest of the world has not done much research, I think the same thing is true in many other areas concerning the environment, he said.

Its important for China to look into what can be done in schools to inspire young Chinese to be adventurous, to embark on new ventures, echoed Phelps to his colleagues view. Students should be exposed to all sorts of literature that might inspire them: books of adventure, books of biography about fabulous people, novels, histories, in all languages and all countries, according to him.

If you can introduce something thats new and interesting, the world will, as an old expression, (make) a beaten path to your door, said Phelps.

The three Nobel laureates came to Beijing in March to attend a high-level roundtable conference on the Role of the State in Economic Growth as part of Columbia University President's Global Innovation Fund, in collaboration with the Columbia SIPA, Columbia Global Centers of Beijing, Initiative for Policy Dialogue, and Tsinghua University.
Sturge: Prosecutions case like the Titanic

This ship cant sink.

She can and she will, Sturge said, quoting from the movie script.

Sturge throughout his address yesterday, used anecdotes as he dissected the prosecutions evidence.

Keeping with the Titanic theme, he likened British CSI expert Michael Moulden to that of the iceberg which sank the passenger liner.

He sank one of the most expensive prosecutions of this country, Sturge said.

Moulden, a former officer with the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT), testified that there was no scientific evidence that Naipaul- Coolmans body had been buried on a hill at La Puerta Avenue, Diego Martin, nor was there anything of evidential value found on the pool table on which the businesswoman was alleged to have been killed.

He also testified that if Naipaul-Coolmans body was dismembered with an electric saw, pieces of flesh and blood would have been splattered on the walls of the room.

The British forensic consultant also testified that while he did not carry out any analysis of the room, he later learned there was no evidence to suggest pieces of flesh were splattered in the room.

When you analyse the evidence of Mike Moulden you cannot convict anyone, Sturge advised the jury.

He further suggested that the jury first approach the testimony of Rita Garcia, who was the lone witness for the defence.

Garcia, the mother of two of the accused men on trial, said Naipaul- Coolman could not have been murdered at the red brick house, referred to as the Black Album, at Upper La Puerta Avenue.

She said she lived a track away and would have heard a gunshot.

She also said the house had no electricity which would make it impossible for a power saw to be used to cut up Naipaul- Coolmans body.

If you believe that witness you cannot act on the out of court evidence of Keon Gloster, Sturge said.

In an alleged statement to the police Gloster said he saw Naipaul- Coolman sitting on a pool table in one of the rooms of a small, red-brick house at La Puerta, Diego Martin, on the evening of December 28, 2006, before she was shot once to the chest by one of the accused men, and all 12 accused were present at the time.

Gloster allegedly told police that after Naipaul-Coolman was shot, some of the accused men took turns in dismembering the body with the saw on the table before the body parts were placed in garbage bags and buried in a hilly area below a large tree.

He later recanted his testimony, and was deemed to be a hostile witness at the trial.

Keons Glosters evidence has been rubbished by the defence witness, Sturge said, further advising the jury that if they were unsure about any aspect of the evidence their verdict had to be not-guilty.

The State will ask you to rely on Keon Glosters out of court statement. But it is impossible to act on Keon Glosters statement and be sure to convict, Sturge said.

Who do you believe? The police who said Gloster gave that statement, or the science? If you believe the scientific evidence in this case you cannot believe Keon Gloster, he added.

It is your decision to make.

Make a decision you can live with. You are not here to please God.

Act on the evidence, Sturge said.

He also said the police witnesses came to the trial and were evasive in their testimony.

Sturge continues his address to the jury today.
Ex-ministers office firebombed

According to a source in his office, the incident occurred at about 4 oclock. Neighbours smelled smoke coming from the office and contacted the Fire Service .

The source said police investigators believe the fire was started by an explosive device thrown into the office, located at Raphaels Plaza on the Eastern Main Road .

The entire office is black with soot, said the source. Office equipment including cabinets full of files, computers and furniture were destroyed in the blaze .

CCTV footage which captured the incident was handed over to investigators at the Arouca Police Station where the report was made
Sean Luke case gets going...ten years later

But for want of an attorney to represent one of the accused, the case was again postponed.

Justice Carla Brown-Antoine presided over the hearing in which the issues in preparation for trial, were sorted out.

The two accused, who at the time of their arrest were minors and could not be identified in newspaper stories, are now adults.

The accused, Richard Chaitoo, 24, and Akeel Mitchell, 22, appeared in the dock, both charged for the murder of Luke in 2006.

The childs body was found in Waterloo Village, Carapichaima.

Luke went missing in March of that year and his body was discovered in a clump of cane.

Chaitoo lived in Carapichaima and Mitchell was originally from Laventille.

Yesterday, Senior State attorney Shabanna Shah told Justice Brown-Antoine that the prosecution was ready to proceed.

Attorney Keith Scotland who represents Chaitoo, was also prepared but accused Mitchell had no attorney.

He got up from the dock and told the judge that his previous attorney, Jason Jackson, was no longer available to represent him.

The judge was informed that the Legal Aid and Advisory Authority had sent a letter to attorney Shuan Tikasingh, which informed him that he had been appointed as instructing attorney to counsel Wayne Sturge, to represent Mitchell.

The case was postponed to June 21. In February 2008, the two were committed to stand trial at the end of a preliminary inquiry hearing at the Couva Magistrates Court
Murder conviction could be overturned

And while attorneys for convicted prisoner Albert Edwards and those for the prosecution agree that the conviction for murder should be overturned, the State has been given an opportunity to look at the recent Privy Council and UKs House of Lords ruling on the joint enterprise principle to determine if the evidence in Edwards case can satisfy the alternative of manslaughter.

Justices of Appeal Paula Mae Weeks, Alice Yorke Soo-Hon and Mark Mohammed said it was an issue the court will not rush, noting that although a substitution of manslaughter would be convenient and would suit street justice, the evidence must support the lesser conviction.

Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, who along with Imran Ali and Michael Bullock represent Edwards, admitted that the substitution was an issue which they were grappling with as they considered the evidence presented at the case in 1992, and whether it was sufficient for a jury to return with the lesser verdict.

Earlier in the proceedings, Senior Counsel Gilbert Peterson, who appears for the State, conceded that Edwards murder conviction should be set aside.

The matter has been adjourned to next week Tuesday. The Privy Council and the House of Lords sat in a joint session in February on a joint enterprise case from Jamaica and one involving a British national.

The joint enterprise law has allowed people to be convicted of murder even if they did not inflict the fatal blow. In its ruling, the Privy Council held that the cases of Chan Wing- Siu and Reg vs Powell and English, which were binding on trial judges in their directions to the jury on the issue of joint enterprise had been incorrectly applied.

The unanimous conclusion of the court is that Chan Wing- Siu and Powell and English did take a wrong turn. The correct rule is that foresight is simply evidence (albeit sometimes strong evidence) of intent to assist or encourage, which is the proper mental element for establishing secondary liability, the Law Lords held.

According to their judgement, the key test imposed by judges in assessing guilt in joint enterprise cases  where the accused acts in conjunction with the killer but does not strike the blow that causes death  had been incorrectly applied.

The five justices said that, for decades, courts had been in error in treating the fact that a secondary, co-accused had foresight that the principal attacker might carry out a killing as sufficient proof of guilt in assisting or encouraging them.

Edwards and another man Angel Thomas had been convicted on May 15, 1992, of the murder of Faustin St Louis on October 14, 1988. St Louis was killed during a robbery at his supermarket at Laventille Road, Morvant. Edwards did not receive leave to challenge his conviction at the Privy Council but sometime later his attorneys approached the President asking that his case be remitted to the Court of Appeal after it was discovered that the Justice of the Peace who was involved in his case had been convicted of fraud.
Team Vanguard vow to bring transparency

Moreover, there has been no transparency.

These are the claims being made by Inspector Richard Taylor, challenger for the position of president of the Association in the June 27 election. Taylor was speaking yesterday at the official launch of the campaign for his slate, Team Vanguard, at the Police Credit Union in Barataria.

He complained that under incumbent president Inspector Anand Ramesar, the TTPSSWA failed to adequately address the social and welfare aspect of the Association.

He posited that police officers are social beings, and thus they must be treated as such. Taylor also accused the Association of failing to deal with its membership in a fair manner. His first plan of action is to conduct a financial audit of the Association. This, he said has not been done in six years.

We, the Vanguards, believe in transparency and accountability.

Under the current regime, there has been no transparency, far less accountability. There has not been an audit or published audit accounts for the past six years. In this regard, it is critical that a forensic audit be conducted and the reports made available to the members. Taylor boasted that his team consists of four females and, should they win the election, it will be the first time that four women will sit on the Associations executive. Two of them are from Tobago.

Responding to questions from reporters at the end of the launch, Taylor stated that his team is currently working on a document which will guide them on the way forward, with regard to addressing each one of the issues, particularly, police officers who have experienced trauma.

When asked by Newsday for his view on the altercation between a female secondary school student and an officer which has been circulating on social media, Taylor responded, A police officer has the responsibility to effect an arrest if a crime takes place. If it is the police officer did inform the child of having committed an offence, cautioned them and let them know they are under arrest, and they continue to resist, the police officer is well within his rights to take that person into custody. Other members of Team Vanguard include: Insp Sean Sookram, vice president challenger; Acting ASP Wendell Lucas, challenger for the position of secretary; WPC Dane-Marie Marshal, challenger for the assistant secretary position; Acting Snr Supt Pamela Schullera- Hinds, challenger for the First Division Officer; PC Kevon Beatrice, challenger for the position of treasurer; Acting Sgt Cynthia Romeo-Dick, challenger for the position of trustee and Acting Sgt Mahalia Bacchus, for the position of truste
COP youth: Let women decide on abortion issue

Failure to do so could indicate a deliberate attempt to violate the true spirit of democracy and, more importantly, basic womens rights. The Congress said according to the World Health Organisation, almost all unsafe abortions occur in developing countries, with highly restrictive abortion laws having little impact on reducing abortion rates.

It said there have been many stories of concealed abortions being performed locally, posing an increased threat to the lives and health of women.
What you need to know about the Octagon Art Festival on Sunday in Ames

news
Pentagons cyber attacks against ISIS are far more extensive than anyone has admitted

(Cyberwar.news) President Barack Obama has confirmed for the first time that the United States is conducting cyber operations against the Islamic State in a bid to disrupt the groups command-and-control and communications, The Daily Beast reported earlier this week.

That said, the U.S. militarys cyber strategy against ISIS is far more serious and aggressive that what the president said in a non-specific statement April 13. A trio of U.S. officials have told The Daily Beast that U.S. cyber operations have gone beyond disruption and into a new, more assertive mode that targets individuals, while gleaning intelligence that could assist special operations forces with targeting and killing more ISIS fighters.

As the online offensive against the Islamic State ramps up, U.S. military hackers have begun breaking into computers of individual ISIS fighters and, once inside, are implanting viruses and malicious code that allow them to mine those devices for intelligence. U.S. hackers are looking for names of ISIS members and any contacts they may have, as well as clues into ISIS planning according to the officials, who spoke to The Daily Beast on condition of anonymity.

As President and Commander-in-Chief, my top priority, above all else, is the security of the United States and the safety of the American people, Obama said during an address at CIA Headquarters last week. And that means preventing terrorist attacks and, at the moment, it is focused on making sure that we are dismantling and destroying the ISIL network.

I just met with my National Security Council as part of our regular effort to review and constantly intensify our campaign against ISIL, he continued. This remains a difficult fight, and a complex one, involving many countries and different communities in Syria and in Iraq. It is a military campaign and a counterterrorism effort

More:

One U.S. official told The Daily Beast, that intel lifted from hacked ISIS members computers was important in identifying key figures and leaders in the group. In his comments at the CIA, Obama went on to confirm that cyber operations were underway against ISIS and that the U.S. has captured or killed key Islamic State figures, Sulayman Dawud al-Bakkar, a leader of its chemical weapons program, and Haji Iman, the man purported to be ISISs second in command.

In addition, the U.S. military is utilizing cyber operations to block the Islamic States use of encrypted communications, so that members will be forced to resort to less secure channels where they are more easily monitored, officials said. That is in response, most likely, to the Islamic States effective use of encrypted text applications specifically. Officials said that made it more difficult, previously, for the intelligence community to track individual ISIS members.

Three former U.S. intelligence officials said that U.S. Cyber Command, which is responsible for conducting online attacks for the military, is able to identify when someone is using encrypted communications, then target that infrastructure to make it more difficult to use.

Encrypted communications definitely make things more difficult, one former officer said. But any military adversary worth its salt is going to be using them, whether commercially available or otherwise. You take that as a given, and you just find ways to go after it.

Obamas confirmation comes after admissions by Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his top deputy, Robert Work, have also admitted the U.S. is using cyber weapons to target the Islamic State.

Never have so many top officials spoken openly about cyber attacks, which historically have been guarded with the utmost secrecy because of the sensitive and often perishable techniques that are used to penetrate computers, monitor them, and sometimes control them remotely, The DB reported.

See also

The Daily Beast

Cyberwar.news is part of the USA Features Media network. Follow us on Google+.

Submit a correction >>
Watch for yourself: MSNBC censors Senator Sanders for speaking out against the TPP

Love him or hate him, theres no denying that Vermont Senator and Democrat presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is shaking things up in Washington by actively challenging the establishment, much in the same way as Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump. And as punishment for trying to break the status quo, the mainstream media is now marginalizing this democratic socialist by cutting him off during speeches when the truth hits a little too close to home.

Following the Nevada Democrat caucus, Sanders gave a speech in Boston where he discussed trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), both of which he opposed for eroding American jobs. As he was discussing the massive losses in high-wage U.S. jobs that resulted from the passage of these two trade agreements, Sanders also touched on the more recent Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, which hes also fighting against on behalf of the American people.

We have lost millions of decent paying jobs, which have ravaged community after community after community all over this country, Sanders emphasized during the press conference, which was aired on MSNBC. The average American who walks into a store now finds it harder and harder to purchase products made in America. And often the only alternative is made in China or someplace else.

Now on that issue, I voted against NAFTA, against CAFTA, against permanent normal trade relations with China, and I am helping to lead the opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership, Sanders continued, with much applause. I have a, he proceeded, before being immediately muted by MSNBCs Kate Snow as she cut away to other breaking news from the Ted Cruz campaign.

Youve been listening to Bernie Sanders, less of a press conference, more of a speech, she piped in, before redirecting viewers attention to the Cruz campaigns firing of its press spokesman. I want to turn back to the Republican side of things.

You can watch the short video clip at The Intercept.

Mainstream media distracting public from TPP with fake news, manufactured controversies

The Trans-Pacific Partnership isnt something that the American media talks about very often, especially with any sort of honest criticism. A quick Google News search reveals that the only media sources talking about the TPP are those from overseas, with the exception of a few domestic sources that couch the treasonous legislation as something that Barack Obama is optimistic about getting passed through Congress.

The Washington Post offered some insights into how many House Democrats feel about the legislation  they largely oppose it, despite the Obama Administrations aggressive efforts to get it passed. Many other members of Congress, however, have been trying to fast-track approval for the TPP for at least the past year, while the mainstream media covers for them with various controversies involving flags, guns, sex changes and other manufactured events.

Natural News has been on the forefront of covering the TPP controversy, as has the Cornucopia Institute, which recently published a report explaining in further detail how it will harm the U.S. and American workers.

Multinational agribusiness companies want this dealit provides them a framework to lower regulations and expand their market power in multiple countries, said Karen Hansen-Kuhn, Director of International Strategies at the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy (IATP).

The future of this TPP is very much in doubt. Legislators and civil society in all TPP countries are not fooled by false promises. In farming, as in manufacturing, these trade deals have cost jobs and increased corporate control over our economies. TPP will double down on existing problems, and there are new provisions, such as bans on seed saving and expanding market access for agricultural biotechnology, that could make things worse.

Bernie Sanders is right: the TPP is a death sentence for American sovereignty and US jobs

In essence, the TPP will allow both multinational and foreign corporations, whether they be agri-chemical giants like Monsanto or pharmaceutical behemoths like Merck & Co., to challenge and override national laws meant to protect consumers. If passed, the TPP will basically put corporations in charge of regulating themselves, which means no more safeguards for the environment, human health, or national sovereignty.

The TPP would open up the U.S. to a flood of seafood, dairy, fruit and vegetable imports at a time when Congress refuses to fund food safety inspection and the food industry refuses to pay for the regulatory services to expedite imports, adds IATP Senior Policy Analyst Steve Suppan.

For more on what the TPP will do to the American economy and food supply, check out the IATPs Trade Secrets series.

Sources for this article include:

TheIntercept.com

WashingtonPost.com

NaturalNews.com

Cornucopia.org

IATP.org

Science.NaturalNews.com

IATP.org

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It is time for the third installment of the multi-part series on the granularity of the recent white paper done for Nokia (News - Alert) by Diffraction Analysis, Government broadband plan: 5 key policy measures that proved to make a difference. In the previous posting the focus was on public investment in backbone and aggregation. This week attention turns to public Investment in access.





Investing in access matters

Once again the comparative numbers from the study tell the story. As the graphic below shows, countries that invest public money in fixed access see a marked increase in fixed broadband subscriptions compared to those who do not invest in fixed access.

Source (News - Alert): Nokia, Diffraction Analysis report: Government broadband plan: 5 key policy measures that proved to make a difference

This is a nice illustration of what it really means to pay-to-grow and for the private partners to be incentivized based on a pay-as-you-grow approach. After all, the key metric for any national broadband plan is not number of miles of fiber, which is obviously an important number, or even connections, which are also very useful, but rather subscribers. And, 30 percent growth over the comparative period above of countries that invested versus those who did not, is impressive given how short the time frame.

In this part of the report two case studies, New Zealand and Malaysia, which interestingly are obviously both in Asia Pacifica (APAC), are cited that illustrate what can almost be characterized as a multiplier effect when it comes to investing in broadband.

The New Zealand experience is based on that countrys decision to launch its Ultra Fast Broadband initiative in 2009. There is a light at the end of the tunnel that is approaching this ambitious project whose objective was to cover 80 percent of the population and organizations with services of up to 100 Mb/s downstream and 50 Mb/s upstream.

It is all about fiber, and below are a few key facts:

The government investment has been NZ $1.56 billion (roughly US$1.08 billion), managed by the purposely created entity Crown Fibre Holdings (CFH).

The remaining 20 percent is covered by a specific rural plan using multiple technologies, financed by an NZ $ 400 million grant (US $278 million), and an additional NZ $150 million (US $1.04 million) was specifically earmarked for schools.

To create a level competitive playing field, a condition for access to the government investment was the absence of any financial ties with service providers. As a result, the countrys largest service provider, Telecom NZ spun-off two entities: Chorus (infrastructure wholesaler) and Telecom NZ (now Spark, retail services). Chorus and three other Local Fiber Companies (Northpower, Ultrafast Fiber and Enable) cover the targeted territory.

Reflecting what is the popular public/private model for rolling out such ambitious national broadband networks specific roles for participants were defined. They include:

An entity called a Local Fiber Company (LFC) owns the infrastructure and receives the invested funds from the public and private entities.

CFH finances the construction of the shared access and aggregation network (excluding end-user drops), that is, the communal infrastructure.

Private partners finance the connection of the end users when they subscribe and buy back the corresponding communal infrastructure cost from CFH on a per-user basis.

This financing strategy mimics the economics of a network with 100 percent take-up for the private partner: the private operator only incurs cost when an end user is connected, on a per-user basis. As the take-up occurs, CFHs interest in and control over the LFC gets diluted: the private partner buys back the shares from the state. This releases funds for further investments by CFH, without additional capital required from the state. It also means that ultimately the government will get all of the investment back. In short, the uptake risk is mostly supported by CFH, while the private partner supports the operational risk.

This ambitious strategy has already started to pay off: as of September 2015, 815,000 premises were open for service with 134,000 users connected to the network.

As noted, Malaysias High Speed BroadBand project (HSBB) is the other case study and it has already been a success. Here are some useful facts about it:

The government and Telekom Malaysia (News - Alert) signed a publicprivate partnership agreement in September 2008. The total project cost amounted to RM 11.3 billion (US$2.90 billion), with government funding of RM 2.4 billion US$ 6.20 million), and Telekom Malaysia carrying an investment of RM 8.9 billion (US$2.28 billion).

The rollout started in late 2008 with a mix of technologies including FTTH and very high-speed digital subscriber line (VDSL2).

In March 2010, HSBB services were launched conjointly to a National Broadband Initiative to drive broadband adoption.

By October 2012, the targeted 1.3 million premises had been passed with FTTH. By Q3 2014, there were 735,000 subscriptions to the network, accounting for a take-up of 57 percent on premises passed.

Telekom Malaysia, the dominant carrier in Malaya, agreed to make the network available to other operators. ement states that the incumbent shall set a fair and equitable price on a commercially negotiated basis. As of April 2014, five operators had signed up for HSBB access services, and 25 had signed up for HSBB transmission services used to enhance their own backhaul network.

As Nokia points out, the impact of using a public/private partnership to accelerate broadband deployment and adoption is tied to three core findings:

Tying public funding and structural separation to ensure long-term infrastructure investment

Focusing on long-term infrastructure buildouts through FTTH technology

Investing rather than subsidizing is a more effective use of public funds

There is more good news to come regarding the five recommendations for policy makers which have and will make a difference for speeding broadband deployments. In fact, next time the deep dive will be on the impact of having a reasoned and reasonable regulatory framework for infrastructure sharing in place.

Edited by Stefania Viscusi
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A group of workers at Rehab city, a district of New Cairo city Tuesday blocked roads at the city entrance, in protest to the killing of a street vendor by a police officer over the price of a cup of tea.

A police officer killed a street vendor selling hot drinks at Rehab city over the price of a cup of tea. He also wounded two other vendors, before being arrested, reports say.

Investigation into the incident revealed that the policeman refused to pay money for the cup of tea and when a quarrel erupted between them, the policeman opened fire, killing the man. According to local reports, two other officers were present at the scene.

Some workers and relatives of the victims blocked roads causing traffic-jam and chanted slogans against the interior ministry.

Police forces managed to disperse the angry mob and cleared the roads.

The incident is reminiscent of the killing by a police officer of a young taxi driver after they quarreled over the fare. The incident created a public outrage pushing President al-Sisi to call for new legislation punishing any law enforcement agents misconduct.

Relatedly, Cairo-based The Cairo Post reported that a police officer was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison and five other police watchdogs were sentenced to five years over killing a civilian and possessing drugs in Gizas al-Saf city.

In separate reports, six police officers were killed Tuesday in the town of Sheikh Zuwaid in the Sinai Peninsula and 12 others were injured in the propelled grenade attack launched by militants.

The interior ministry issued a counter report saying only 3 officers were killed, with 8 injured in the attack.

Locals told media that army launched retaliation air raids on Tuesday morning in the town to flash out militants who initiated the attack.

IS affiliate group in the Sinai has become a headache to the army and security forces which have suffered several attacks from the group which, according official accounts, has killed more than 500 security personnel. The militant group has stepped up attacks against army and police forces since 2013, after Islamist President Mohamed Morsi was toppled in a coup led by the current President.
Iconic American pop star Christ Brown will perform at Day one of the Moroccan international music festival of Mawazine marking its 15th edition this year, organizers say.

The Virginia-born star will mount on the OLM Souissi stage on May 20 at 8:45 pm local time to entertain thousands of fans coming from Morocco and around the world.

Chris Brown, who has billions of followers online, was the second youngest worldwide artist after the legendary Puff Daddy to top charts with his first single at the age of 16. He also soared up thanks to his albums lead single, Run It! to lead the Billboard Hot 100.

Born on May 5, 1989, Brown started his musical career when he was 13 after catching the eyes of Hitmission Records, a local production team that visited his fathers gas station while searching for new talent.

He has already sold more than 9 million of massive records and 34 million of singles.

His style earned him respect among other hip pop and R&B American and worldwide artists. Chris Brown received myriads of awards including a Grammy Award and several nominations at BET Awards.

He also features in several movies and series. In 2014 he starred in Phenom in the role of Dre Lakes. In 2013, he also starred in Battle of the Year in the role of Rooster.

Many other international stars among whom French star Maitre Gims, Kendji Girac, Christina Aguilera, Shaggy, Iggy Azalea are expected to entertain fans during the week-long event which closes on May 29.
The United States Tuesday imposed sanctions on Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Salvation Government seen by Washington as a major obstacle to the UN-backed political process.

President Obama authorized the US Treasury to impose sanctions of Khalifa Ghwell and all other Libyans who have been opposed to the political process and impeded the establishment of the Government of National Accord (GNA) confined in the Tripoli naval base.

Ghwell who has been ruling the Libyan capital has refused to bow down to the GNA and has called his colleagues and armed allies to oppose Prime Minister-designate Faiez Serraj and his GNA.

Under Obamas decision, the US Treasury will freeze Ghwells assets in all areas under US jurisdiction.

Ghwell was also targeted early this month by EU sanctions for undermining the political process still stumbling to get full implementation. The EU sanctions have also hit President of the countrys internationally recognized parliament (HoR) Ageela Saleh and his rival Nuri Abu Sahmain of General National Congress (GNC) based in Tripoli.

The UN and the international community have pulled together behind the GNA to unite rival factions that have torn the country apart since the fall and death of former ruler Col. Gaddafi in 2011 in a NATO-backed revolution.

The GNA, birthed in December after hard and lengthy talks is still waiting to be vested with full power by Saleh-led HoR based in Tobruk.

Expected to give a vote of confidence in the GNA on Monday, HoR members have missed again the occasion due to a handful of anti-GNA members who prevented pro-GNA colleagues to register for the session and enter the assembly.

Meanwhile the GNA which managed to enter Tripoli late last month is gaining momentum even though the HoR drags foot to recognize it.

The EU bloc Tuesday threw its full support behind the GNA, saying it recognized the GNA as the only Libyan legitimate government.

Prior to the decision, several EU envoys including foreign ministers of Italy, France, Germany and UK flew to Tripoli in show of support to Serraj and his government which over the week-end said it now controls around six government departments.
The participation of King Mohammed VI at the 1st summit meeting held in Riyadh April 20 between Morocco and the rich-oil Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries confirms the status of the North African nation as a regional key player.

The summit comes at a time when the Arab world and particularly the six member States of the GCC bloc Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman are facing huge security challenges and serious terror threats.

Relations between Morocco and Arab Gulf countries gained momentum thanks to the special ties King Mohammed VI has with all leaders of the GCC who invited in 2011 the North African kingdom to join the group. Jordan was also invited to the elite group in a move seeking to propel joint Arab action to counter common regional and international threats.

Although it is geographically remote from the hotspots rocking the Middle-East, Morocco has always supported Arab causes such as the Palestinian cause. King Mohammed VI is chairman of Al Quds Committee, the only body set up by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to defend the city and its holy sites.

In the final communique issued at the end of its summit held mid-April in Turkey, the OIC commended the efforts deployed by King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to protect the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Al-Quds Ash-Shareef in the face of the measures being taken by the Israeli occupation authorities aimed and judaizing the holy city.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also underlined the need for the Ministerial Contact Group on Al Quds Al Sharif, under the chairmanship of the Kingdom of Morocco whose monarch chairs the Al- Quds Committee to continue its efforts and actions to contact influential international parties and to deliver the OIC message and demands regarding the city of al-Quds al-Sharif. It, therefore, reiterated the adoption of the Strategic Plan on the Development of al-Quds al-Sharif, and called on all Member States to provide financial resources necessary for its implementation.

Besides this recognized outstanding role played by Morocco in the defense of Islamic causes, Moroccos diplomacy spearheaded by the Sovereign contributed to welding Arab ranks during the Arab Spring turmoil, enabling the Kingdom to expand its influence, gain new friends and new markets.

Moroccos growing influence in the Arab world can thus be seen clearly in the Libyan crisis, as the Kingdom hosted the inter-Libyan talks that led to the adoption of the Libyan Political Agreement in December 2015. The agreement, providing for the Government of National Accord led by Fayez El Sarraj, was described by the UN and the international community as representing a unique opportunity to both address the immediate suffering of the Libyan people, build a democratic civil state through national consensus, and restore stability to this country wherein Daech is enhancing its presence, endangering the whole region.

Moroccos role as a key partner was likewise evidenced in the Yemeni war as the North African country stood by its GCC allies to restore the legitimate authorities and elected government, overpowered by armed Houthi Shia militias, backed by Iran.

According to experts, the Morocco-GCC summit is an unprecedented, historical event as it is held for the first time at the level of heads of state, and represents an opportunity to contribute to cementing Arab ranks, at a time the Arab world is prey to divisions and strife.

The summit is most significant also because although Morocco-GCC relationship is longstanding and strong, the summit will usher in a new era in partnership between Rabat and the six-member powerful regional economic bloc, sharing common geostrategic, economic, and religious interests, in addition to the fact that Morocco and the GCC countries represent two poles of stabilization in the Arab world.
Winning. Photo: Justin Sullivan/2016 Getty Images

New York is ready for Hillary. And Hillary is ready for the general election. Clinton won Tuesday nights Empire State primary by a double-digit margin, leaving Bernie Sanders with no realistic path to the nomination (other than one involving divine and/or FBI intervention). In her Times Square victory speech, the former New York senator reached a hand out to Sandernistas, then set about framing the general-election debate.

To all the people who supported Senator Sanders: I believe there is much more that unites us then divides us, Clinton said, over the cheers of her supporters. Its becoming clearer that this may be one of the most consequential elections of our lifetimes. Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are pushing a vision of America thats divisive and fairly dangerous.

But recent polling suggests that many Sanders supporters arent ready to sing kumbaya with Clintonites around a flaming effigy of the Donald, and neither is their candidate. After holding multiple campaign events in Pennsylvania Tuesday, Sanders flew back home to Burlington to catch some shut-eye. Shortly after touching down, the Vermont senator told local reporters, We believe we have the momentum, and we believe we have a path of victory.

Meanwhile, his campaign manager Jeff Weaver told MSNBCs Steve Kornacki that the path to victory might involve a contested convention.

Is this a fair statement, Kornacki asked, the popular vote and the pledged delegate count: If you are not leading at least one of those counts when June 7 finishes up, when we finish this primary process, you dont have a claim to get those superdelegates to flip.

Were going to go to the convention, Weaver replied. It is extremely unlikely that either candidate will have the requisite number of pledged delegates  so it is going to be an election determined by the superdelegates.

Kornacki then asked how the Sanders campaign imagined it would win over superdelegates who favor Clinton without having any claim to the will of the people.

Well, because theyre going to want to win in November, Weaver said. And the polling continues to show that Bernie Sanders is a much stronger general-election candidate.

So, the Sanders campaigns most plausible victory plan is to ask the Democratic Establishment to overturn the will of the voters, for electabilitys sake. This is an awkward argument for the democratic socialist.

We may be in for an awkward denouement to the Democratic primary.
Flint, Michigan. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Two state officials and one city employee will face criminal charges for their roles in the mass poisoning of Flint, Michigan, the states attorney general announced on Wednesday.

BREAKING: Michigan attorney general announces criminal charges for three officials in #FlintWaterCrisis https://t.co/ogm9899gZF  MSNBC (@MSNBC) April 20, 2016

Among those charged is Mike Glasgow, who ran Flints water-treatment plant. Authorities accuse Glasgow of misleading the city about the threat its water posed, by passing off water samples from low-risk homes as ones from high-risk homes with lead pipes. He will face charges of tampering with evidence and willful neglect of duty, felonies that carry maximum penalties of five years in prison and four years in prison, respectively, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Two officials with Michigans Department of Environmental Quality, Stephen Busch and Michael Prysby, will also face charges of evidence tampering, along with misconduct and violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Bush, the departments suspended Lansing district coordinator, oversaw Flints drinking-water plan. In February of last year, he assured the EPA that the citys water was being treated with proper corrosion controls and that regular tests showed no abnormal levels of lead. This proved to be untrue.

Prysby is accused of failing to respond to a 2014 email from Glasgow that warned that Flint was not prepared to safely switch its water source to the Flint River. Switching away from Detroits water system was supposed to save the city and its residents about $1 million a year. Michigan governor Rick Snyder has pledged to spend $360 million helping the city recover from the crisis that switch created.

They had a duty to protect the health and safety of the families and citizens of Flint, Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette told NBC News Wednesday afternoon. They failed us all.

Special counsel to the investigation Todd Flood told the network that further charges were likely.

We will go down every rabbit hole, Flood said. This is just the first wave.
What has two thumbs and would like to rule the free world? Photo: Justin Sullivan/2016 Getty Images

Good morning and welcome to Fresh Intelligence, our roundup of the stories, ideas, and memes youll be talking about today. In this edition, New York votes, a Long Island congressman says what everyone is thinking, and politics and the media still dont mix. Heres the rundown for Wednesday, April 20.

WEATHER

More rainstorms are expected today in parts of Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, including Houston, where flooding has killed eight and left thousands homeless. Today, New York City will be sunny and warm  again. [Weather.com]

FRONT PAGE

No Surprises in New York Primary

The hotly anticipated New York primary is over, and everything went pretty much exactly as expected: Trump won by a landslide despite New Yorkers knowing better than anyone what hes really like, and Hillary Clinton soundly bested Bernie Sanders. The evenings biggest loser was probably Ted Cruz, who came in a distant third behind some guy named John.

EARLY AND OFTEN

Just in Time! New York City Board of Elections Faces Audit

City officials are wasting no time in responding to widespread allegations of voting irregularities in New York City yesterday. Many New Yorkers found their polling stations closed or stocked with dysfunctional scanners, and an unlucky 125,000 Democrats discovered they had been dropped from the voting rolls altogether. Nailed it, New York. [Gawker]

Court Rules in Teens Favor in Transgender-Bathroom Case

A federal-appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, ruled in favor of a transgender teen who was banned from using the boys bathroom at his high school; the teenager can now go ahead with plans to sue the schools board. The judge ruled that by compelling him to use the wrong bathroom, the school might have violated a federal prohibition against sex discrimination. [Politico]

Republican Congressman Threatens Cruz-Induced Suicide

It looks like were not the only ones campaign season is getting to. Peter King, a Republican congressman from Long Island, didnt mince words yesterday when asked about a possible Ted Cruz nomination. I hate Ted Cruz, and I think Ill take cyanide if he ever got the nomination, King said on MSNBCs Morning Joe. King has good reason to despise Cruz, who voted against providing aid to victims of Hurricane Sandy, a.k.a. Kings constituents. [HuffPo]

First They Came for the Smokers, and I Did Not Speak Out 

Utah governor Gary Herbert has signed a resolution defining pornography as a public-health hazard. Hebert said the crisis thrives in secrecy and silence and that hes been quite shocked to learn porn that would have been considered hardcore in his day is now considered mainstream, and wont somebody think of the children, etc. [CNet]

THE STREET, THE VALLEY

First $10 an Hour, Now This. Is Target Becoming Cool?

Yesterday, Target became the first major retailer to choose a side in the bathroom wars currently raging across the southern states. The commercial giant made a statement saying both customers and employees can use whichever bathroom they feel most comfortable with. Here comes the Rapture. [Reuters]

Bad News for Yahoo Slightly Less Bad Than Usual Bad News for Yahoo

As companies circle the once-great internet pioneer readying their offers, it seems Yahoo still has the capacity to surprise. Yahoo boasted first-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations, sending stocks up a full one percent. Before you break out the mid-90s champagne, the numbers still showed its value had dropped 18 percent and that its now worth less than $1 billion. [WSJ]

As Microchips Get Smaller So Do Companies That Build Them

Intel, the worlds largest maker of microchips, shocked investors (or at least startled them) yesterday when it announced it would cut its workforce by a full 11 percent, shedding 12,000 jobs from its offices around the world. The company has struggled to adapt to a world dominated by mobile computing. [CNN]

Apple Car? What Apple Car? We Dont Know What Youre Talking About

It looks like Chris Porritt, the ex-Tesla vice-president and one-time Aston Martin chief engineer, has been snapped up by Apple and will work in the companys special-projects division. What a strange hire for a company that doesnt make cars and has no plans to make cars. [CNet]

MEDIA BUBBLE

Convoluted Media Scandal Unfolds Juicily

Shaun King, the controversial reporter and Black Lives Matter activist, has successfully defended himself from a series of allegations that he committed plagiarism in his columns for the New York Daily News. It now seems his editor removed instances in which King correctly attributed quotes. The editor, Jotham Sederstrom, has been fired. Still, the scandal provided a juicy couple of a hours on Twitter for a small group of people in New York! [Gawker]

Breitbart Editor Paid by Trump Campaign, Probably Would Have Done It for Free

Federal Election Commission filings show that conservative website Breitbart News national-security editor, Sebastian Gorka, received $8,000 from the Trump campaign last year for what it describes as policy consulting. Gorka often appears on Fox news as a counterterrorism expert, and his wife is Ted Cruzs national-security advisor. Ladies and gentlemen, the system. [Buzzfeed]

Trump Leaves Bad Taste in Food Critics Mouth

The New York Observer, the paper owned by Donald Trumps son-in-law that endorsed Trump for president, is down one food critic. Joshua David Stein resigned from his post, saying, To stand with Trump is to stand with hate. This is a much clearer move than when Stein tried to protest Trumps immigration stance with a carefully worded Mexican restaurant review.

PHOTO OP

Now We Want a Rocket Pop

What many thought was American flag lighting on the Empire State Building yesterday was actually blue for the Democratic party and red for the Republican party. So there.

She wears it well. Photo: Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/2016 Anadolu Agency

MORNING MEME

Anyone Who Wants to See History Being Made: Drop Everything, Head to Dayton

The rumor mill is going berserk over whispers about a secret concert by Limp Bizkit  yes, the Limp Bizkit  at a Dayton, Ohio, gas station tonight. The police have denied the whole thing, but the man never did have any love for the Bizkit. Also, the signs are all there: hot-dog water? Gas station? Open your eyes. [AV Club]

BE AWARE: There is NO Limp Bizkit concert Wed. 4/20 at Sunoco station at Keowee St. & Wayne Ave. These ads FALSE. pic.twitter.com/wMo7bYxa9p  Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) April 19, 2016

OTHER LOCAL NEWS

Butt Sniper! Wait, Read That Wrong

A sniper in Butte, Montana, is wreaking havoc on the citys downtown area with a pellet gun. Three people have been shot by an unseen pelleter over as many days on the same handful of blocks. We can only assume a fair share of  what do you call people from Butte? Butters?  have real guns, so its probably best not to test them. [KTVQ]

This Would Have Been So Much Better If It Were an Inflatable Stork

Midwife Rides Inflatable Swan Through Flood to Birth Center, an actual headline from United Press International yesterday, really says it all. Magic is real, people. [UPI]

HAPPENING TODAY

Another Awkward Meeting for Seemingly Nice Guy

Lindsey Graham, the senator from South Carolina, has softened his position regarding Merrick Garland, Obamas Supreme Court nominee. Graham still opposes Garland  like, super-opposes him  but it looks like he will choke back his indignation to briefly sit in the same room with him tomorrow. Baby steps. [Politico]

Just What Flint Residents Want: More Surprises

Michigans water drinkers are waiting with bated breath for an announcement from Attorney General Bill Schuette about his offices investigation into Flints notoriously lead-contaminated drinking supply. Sources with knowledge of the announcement say some pretty big criminal charges could be handed down. [Detroit Free Press]

Obama to Meet With Saudi Officials

Obama is in Riyadh today where he will meet with Saudi Arabias king and other high-ranking government officials. Almost certainly on the docket: oil, war in Yemen, Iran, and legislation working through the Senate that would allow American families to sue the Saudi government for its role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. That last one should be especially fun. [NYT]
Donald Trump crushes his enemies willpower. Photo: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

Momentum has been a mostly illusory factor in the presidential race, a narrative conceit devised by journalists to describe contests mostly driven by geography and demography. On the Republican side, Ted Cruz crushed Donald Trump in Wisconsin because that state had a well-organized party apparatus in a demographically friendly locale. In New York, Trump prevailed in his home state, where he faced little organized opposition. But while momentum may be just a narrative conceit, psychology  its close cousin  is very real. If Trump fails to amass 1,237 pledged delegates, the psychology of the party will determine whether or not it rallies to deny him the nomination. In the wake of Trumps large, and larger than expected, New York victory, the willpower of Trumps Republican opposition may be weakening.

1. The Koch network, a political organization significantly larger than the official Republican Party, is currently planning to sit out the convention in Cleveland, reports Ryan Lovelace. Amidst a contested convention potentially, and amidst the environment that has a lot of name-calling and whatnot where youre not really talking about a lot of big issues, its hard to get out your message, a Koch network source told him. So the value proposition immediately diminishes. Lovelace also quotes an official statement from Freedom Partners, a Koch organization: If during the general election cycle, a candidate were able to garner support from the public with a positive message in support of the issues we care about, and did not engage in personal attacks and mudslinging, we would consider potentially getting involved.

Translated, the Kochs are saying they dont want to get their hands dirty fighting to deny Trump the nomination in Cleveland. If the party nominates a candidate they like, they may support him afterward, but they wont throw themselves into the struggle to stop Trump.

2. Tim Alberta notes that conservative organizations are not throwing everything they have into the remaining primaries to stop Trump. Its widely acknowledged within conservative circles that some of the big-donor money has begun to dry up, and that many of the anti-Trump organizers are understandably rationing resources so they can compete not just through June 7, but through a contested convention as well.

3. Several members of the Republican National Committee tell Eli Stokols that Trump will not need 1,237 pledged delegates, or anything close to that, in order to win the nomination before the convention. To understand the significance of this, remember that Trumps chances of winning the nomination are the sum of two variables. The first is the number of bound delegates he wins in primaries and caucuses. If that number is below 1,237, he can make it up by persuading some of the roughly 200 unbound delegates  party officials who get to vote  to support him on the first ballot. If Republicans are unified and determined to stop Trump, then Trump has no room for error at all. He needs all 1,237 on his own and can expect no help from party officials. This is the scenario that anti-Trump Republicans, like consultant Rick Wilson, have maintained would take place:

It applies to everyone.

If it's 1000, fuck you.

If it's 1100, fuck you.

If it's 1236, fuck you.

1237? Nominee.

1236? Set of steak knives.  Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) April 13, 2016

But Stokolss reporting implies this is not the case at all. One Republican committee member suggests Trump could prevail if he comes within just a hundred delegates. Another tells Stokols Trump could come within 50 to 100 delegates. They may be wrong, but they are at least providing evidence of a perception that the party is ready to reconcile itself to Trump. Perhaps Republican officials fear the chaos and perceived illegitimacy of denying the nomination to the plurality winner, or they find Cruz no more palatable (or not sufficiently more attractive to be worth fighting for).

Wisconsin presented an image of the Republican Party the anti-Trumpsters hoped and believed they would create. Conservative activists and party officials would form a united front and send the message to the base that Trump was an interloper, and elevate Cruz as a plausible and even desirable presidential nominee; Cruz would gather enough momentum to hold Trump beneath his required first-ballot majority, and use his organizing strength to line up delegates for a second-, third-, or fourth-ballot win. The plan hinges on Republicans broadly sharing a belief that they must treat a Trump nomination as an existential threat that dwarfs any other downside  be it pro-Trump street theater in Cleveland, a Trump write-in campaign, or having to support Ted Cruz. Its chances of success also hinge on the perception that the plan can succeed, and that Republicans sticking their neck out to block Trump wont be alienating some of their own supporters only to damage the inevitable nominee for no reason. Trumps victory in New York has dealt a blow to his opponents morale that may prove self-fulfilling.
Isaac Herzog. Photo: Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images

On Monday, Vice-President Biden said that Israels current political trajectory is not one thats likely to secure its existence as a Jewish, democratic state.

The path for peace is shrouded, Biden said at a gala hosted by J Street, a pro-Israel, pro-peace organization that represents an alternative to AIPAC for liberal Zionists. There is, at the moment, no political will among Israelis and Palestinians to move forward with serious negotiations.

The vice-president went on to say that America has an overwhelming obligation, notwithstanding our sometimes overwhelming frustration with the Israeli government, to push them as hard as we can toward what they know in their gut is the only ultimate solution, a two-state solution, while at the same time be an absolute guarantor of their security.

Several American Jewish leaders and conservative news outlets treated Bidens remarks as an act of hateful defamation against the Jewish state, with Fox Newss Peter Doocy asking the White House to account for Bidens vilification of Israel.

But it would be difficult for anyone to refute Bidens essential claim  that Israel currently lacks the political will necessary for reaching a two-state solution with any Palestinian authority.

The countrys sitting prime minister campaigned on a promise that no Palestinian state would be established under his watch. Since winning reelection, Bibi Netanyahu has done nothing to cast doubt on the sincerity of that vow. In recent months, the Likud government has approved hundreds of new housing units for West Bank settlements, over the objections of the United States. A poll taken last fall found a near majority of Israeli Jews saying that the two-state solution is dead.

The day after Biden made his remarks, the leader of Israels center-left opposition offered further support for the vice-presidents analysis.

Speaking in the Israeli city of Ashkelon, Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog called on his party to recognize the changes Israeli society is going through. Herzog expressed concern that the center-left was alienating itself from the electorate due to the perception that it has too much affection for the Arab community:

But how can we find our way into the hearts of members of the public? How can we convince them that we have not only the experience, but also the ability, to improve Israels situation, without compromising Israels security, heaven forbid, and without giving the impressionand I encounter this at meetings time and time again with the Israeli publicthat we are always Arab-lovers?

The Zionist Union has given the Israeli public little reason to suspect they give undue deference to Palestinian concerns. Earlier this year, Herzog declared that now is not the time for a Palestinian state. Instead, his plan for ameliorating the conflict involves physically and politically separating Palestinian villages in East Jerusalem from the city proper, and completing construction of a security fence around the major West Bank settlement blocs. And yet, by his own account, he is routinely accused of leading a coalition with an unseemly affection for non-Jews.

This political climate is, of course, shaped by the recent wave of small-scale Palestinian terror attacks. (Many would argue that the climate that produces such attacks is itself shaped by the ongoing occupation of the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza.) But regardless of its origins, the political mood in Israel is not conducive to near-term peace. It should not be controversial for the vice-president to acknowledge this reality. The fact that it was reflects unfortunate aspects of our own political climate.
Manafort is Trumps new top dog. Photo: William B.Plowman/NBC; Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images

Paul Manafort is an advanced student of political coups. The veteran GOP fixer has, over the years, whispered in the ears of ousted foreign leaders like Ukraines president Viktor Yanukovych. Now, Manafort is doing the overthrowing himself.

The 67-year-old operative, whom Donald Trump hired last month to oversee the campaign delegate-getting operation, has displaced Corey Lewandowski, Trumps embattled campaign manager. According to interviews with five sources, Manafort is now firmly in charge of all major aspects of Trumps campaign (at least as in charge as anyone can be with a candidate like Trump). Over the past week, Manafort has gained control of an expanded $20 million budget, hiring decisions, advertising, and media strategy  domains that had been exclusively Lewandowskis. Its pretty clear that Paul has taken over the campaign, one senior staffer told me. Most importantly, Manafort reports to Trump.

Not surprisingly, Lewandowski has not ceded power willingly. And several people described the mood inside Trumps campaign as a civil war. Its Manafort vs. Corey, one source close to the campaign said. Manaforts camp includes his longtime deputy Rick Gates; Rick Wiley, Scott Walkers former campaign manager, who joined Trump earlier this month; and Roger Stone, a former Manafort business partner who continues to advise Trump informally. Lewandowskis core team includes deputy campaign manager Michael Glassner, press secretary Hope Hicks, and adviser Alan Cobb. In recent days, there have been blowups on emails over budget matters between Lewandowski loyalists and Gates. Yesterday, Trumps national field director, Stuart Jolly, a Lewandowski backer, quit after being told he would report to Wiley.

Manafort and Lewandowski did not return calls for comment.

The shift of power from Lewandowski to Manafort began from the moment the latter arrived on the scene, in late March. Manafort exudes authority, even down to the way he calls the candidate Donald (Lewandowski says Mr. Trump, even in private). Manafort also developed a bond with the Trump family. Paul has a robust relationship with Jared, Ivanka, and the boys, a staffer says.

The takeover was cemented over the weekend when Manafort called a senior staff meeting at Trump Tower. The meeting, first reported by Politico, and which I confirmed, sent a message to staff that Manafort, not Lewandowski, is making decisions. Shortly after 8 a.m., Manafort gathered the advisers in the 25th-floor conference room. Manafort sat in the middle of the table; Lewandowski sat toward the end by the door. According to one person briefed on the meeting, Lewandowski spoke only for a short time about how Trump supporters take up too much time snapping photographs of the candidate on the rope line after rallies. Trump made a brief appearance at the meeting, which staffers interpreted as him blessing Manaforts authority. When he left for a rally upstate, Lewandowski joined him while Manafort continued the meeting.

For Trump, Manaforts ascension has both advantages and drawbacks. Trump has clearly become a more disciplined candidate in the time Manaforts been on the scene. Thereve been fewer errant comments about abortion or NATO and fewer embarrassing tweets. Hes calling Manafort like 20 times a day, one person close to the campaign says. This is important, as Trump cant afford unnecessary scandals as he attempts to reach the magic number of 1,237 delegates while girding for a contested convention. But a consequence of a newly professionalized Trump is that he could lose the insult-comic style that his fans crave. Insulting Heidi Cruz might be terrible politics, but its red meat for Trumps audience.

In the meantime, Lewandowski will continue to travel with Trump and focus on advance work, the task for which hes most qualified. But sources say things could get rough for him in the weeks ahead. Manafort and Gates are currently poring through the campaigns financial records. Every expenditure that Corey approved is being reviewed, one source said. The speculation, sources close to the campaign say, is that they may be looking for ammo to take to Trump to show him that Lewandowski mismanaged expenses. People who know Trump best say theres probably one thing he dislikes most: wasting money.
LEDs are becoming ubiquitous in cars, crossing signals, commercial signs, storefronts, advertising screens, indoor fixtures, and smartphones. Photo: Frieder Blickle/laif/Redux

When I first started exploring cities after dark, I would gravitate to bright lights, homing in on what I hoped would be festive bustle. Often, Id wind up on a deserted boulevard lined by expensive shoe stores, or at some imperial-scaled roundabout, or in front of a bank. I learned to seek out dimmer illumination: the soft wash on an old facade, a living-room chandelier glimmering through curtains, a cafes wrought-iron lantern, or a small neon sign parting the atmospheric gloom. Thats where the people were. Thats where fun was being had.

Such romantically murky spots are getting harder to find, at least in affluent cities. Atmosphere can edge into unease, and few municipalities will sanction darkish streets if they have the choice. Every modern city aspires to be a clean, well-lighted place.

Brilliance has always been part of New Yorks allure. Every night, the Empire State Building puts on a different polychrome costume. Times Squares giant screens burn powerfully enough to bleach the pavement. And beyond that cosmic campfire, nights have become brighter  and bluer. The city is in the midst of converting more than 250,000 streetlights to LEDs. As it does so, an azure glare is washing across all five boroughs, the firelight yellow of sodium-vapor streetlights giving way to the clinical pallor of light-emitting diodes.

That whiteness is a mark of a technologys triumph. LEDs, more versatile and efficient than any previous light source besides the Sun, Moon, and stars, are becoming ubiquitous in cars, crossing signals, commercial signs, storefronts, advertising screens, indoor fixtures, and smartphones. All throughout waking hours, we soak in their broad spectrum and hardly ever notice that the color of the world has changed.

And yet, we might pause to wonder if were painting our nights the way we want them to look. In neighborhoods where the streetlights have already switched over, some residents complain about feeling as though they inhabit a crime scene, an operating room, or an alien-landing pad. Glare from the new fixtures floods living rooms, bounces off parked cars, and, the author Lionel Shriver wrote in a Times op-ed last fall, amounts to mass civic vandalism.

Central Park's East Drive, before and after the installation of new LED streetlights.

This is a deeply practical issue. Well-lit streets prevent falls and make people feel safer, though the perpetual argument over whether brightness scares off criminals or just makes their job easier is shot through with inconclusive statistics. Then theres the case for frugality. According to the Department of Transportation, conversion will eventually save the city $6 million on electricity and $8 million on maintenance every year. On the other hand, the primary environmental benefit of LEDs  lower energy consumption  does battle with other toxic effects. The human taste for brightness is confusing sea turtles, bats, and insects. Skyscrapers that thrust their glowing crowns into the clouds can wreak havoc on the navigation system of migratory birds. They circle around and hit the building, or hit each other, or just get so exhausted they drop out of the sky, says Guy Maxwell, a partner at Ennead Architects and a devoted bird-watcher. Each September 11, the twin commemorative beams of light trap whirling birds in their shafts  until an Audubon Society monitor calls for a temporary shutoff to disperse them. In a rare convergence of economic wisdom and environmental sensitivity, most tall-building owners now turn out the lights after midnight.

To explore the citys changing luminescence, I cross Central Park, soothed by the moonlike glow from LEDs ensconced in historic frosted globes. Darkness hovers but doesnt gather ominously beneath the trees. On Park Drive, its another story. New cobra-head lamps nod watchfully above the road, spitting sprays of light on joggers and making the asphalt glow. Inside that tunnel of quasi-daylight, the park feels nearly as busy and secure as on a weekend morning.

When I step outside it, though, its as though Im watching a stage: Suddenly the world all around goes dark. On set, sharply etched shadows flip direction as runners move between cones of light, then go dark. Its like living in a film noir. I emerge onto Central Park West and find myself on a fault line between one version of modernity and the next. Below 79th Street is LED territory; to the north, old sodium-vapor lamps cast an antique glow, scrubbing out color and giving the sidewalks a vaguely dangerous air. It occurs to me how dazzling I would have found this dimness 140 years ago. On the night in 1880 that the Brush Electric Company first made Broadway blaze at the flick of a switch, the Times reported how crisply a pair of white horses attached to an elegant private carriage outside of Tiffanys stood out against the shadows. Yet, all that drama could be exhausting. The eye, after resting for a time on the dazzling brilliancy of the fierce white jets, turned with relief to the mellow golden color [of the gas lights] which the street lamps and shop windows assumed by contrast.

LEDs arent inherently evil; the larger problem is the wonder of white light, in which the magic ingredient is blue. Three Japanese physicists won the 2014 Nobel Prize for figuring out how to emit that slice of the spectrum, which, stirred together with other hues, creates a true, bracing white. But blue may also work on our subconscious brains in ways that researchers are just beginning to explore. In the late 1990s, scientists discovered that human eyes, like frog and mouse eyes, contain photoreceptors that run the bodys internal clock and are exquisitely responsive to waves vibrating at around 485 nanometers  even in people who cant see. The brains timekeeper will mainline blue any chance it gets and, when it scores a hit, start speeding up the heart and raising body temperature, trying to shake its host human awake. Maybe thats why cops use the color to pull drivers over on the highway: The work of enforcing discipline starts with a blast of blue. The implications of these discoveries are both promising and dismaying. Controlled doses of blue light might stave off jet lag or let us stay awake at the wheel, or even combat depression. But most of the time, as soon as the sun sets, were all walking around in a medicated bath of light whose effects we barely understand.

The good news is that the technology afflicting us also gives us the power to curate the citys glow. Even as innovations in LED technology speed briskly along, quickly making guidelines obsolete, we already have the basic tools to make pleasure more efficient and efficiency more pleasurable: lamps designed to keep light from leaking into the skies or through windows, diffusers that soften the glare, and gentler, more forgiving bulbs. Warmer, dimmer LEDs are slightly more expensive to run than the bluer, brighter models, but the difference is shrinking. Davis, California, started updating its streetlights in 2014, triggering the kind of gnashing of teeth lately heard in Brooklyn. The city halted work and installed several options in two locations and let residents vote. The populace chose a muted yellow that looked old-fashioned yet not quite so Jack the Ripperish as the old sodium-vapor standard. The city should end up saving money, and everyone went home happy.

The great promise of LEDs lies in our ability to tweak and control them. When the firm Focus Lighting recently crowned Sky, a rental building at 605 West 42nd Street, with a tiara of sparkling LEDs, the designers inadvertently created a high-powered spotlight that shone into high-rise bedrooms miles away. Alerted to the problem, the team dimmed the display and, more important, placed diffusing filters over the fixtures to soften the interrogational effect. The result, while still not final, is a skyscraper that takes its place in a spangled skyline rather than trying to outshine the entire city.

But if technology is adaptable, bureaucracies arent. New Yorks streetlight program is slow, big, and inexorable. Changing course now would be unthinkably expensive, and because LEDs last for years, there will be few opportunities in the near future for the city to recover its old nocturnal softness. So for now the glaring tide continues its advance across the city, dispelling some shadows and deepening others.

*This article appears in the April 18, 2016 issue of New York Magazine.
Working. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

One problem with our private health-care system is that Americans dont like seeing poor people die in the streets. So long as ambulance drivers dont demand proof of employment before bringing the severely injured to the ER, the costs of individuals health care will be, partially, collectivized. If an impoverished gunshot victim cant pay her medical bill, the hospital will make up the difference by increasing charges on those who can pay.

But there are a lot of different ways those costs can be socialized. The GOPs preferred method is to load up poor uninsured people with medical debt, trapping many in spirals of bankruptcy and financial distress. This rarely results in low-income households paying off what they owe, but it does ruin a lot of lives and/or keep America a beacon of freedom.

Obamacare pursued a different strategy. By expanding government-funded health insurance to low-income households, the Affordable Care Act socializes the costs of ER visits for the poor up front. Whats more, it attempts to reduce the frequency of such visits, by giving the economically disadvantaged access to subsidized preventive health care.

A new working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that this approach, shockingly, reduces the debt burden of poor people. The study estimates that medical debt held by people newly covered by Medicaid since 2014 has fallen by about $600 to $1,000 each year. Comparing states that opted into the Medicaid expansion against those that did not, NBER found that the former saw a reduction in bills sent to collections as well as the amount of debt listed on such bills.

These reductions dont just benefit the most vulnerable in our society, the authors contend; they also increase the likelihood that outstanding bills to hospitals, doctors, banks, utility companies, and landlords actually get paid.

Obamacare has its shortcomings. A study released by the New York Times and the Kaiser Foundation in January found that one in five Americans still struggled to pay their medical bills last year. On Tuesday, the biggest health insurer in the United States announced that it plans to exit most of the ACAs state exchanges by 2017. But Medicaid expansion  the one part of the law thats straight-up government-funded, socialized medicine  appears to be working quite well.
Clinton after her New York victory. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Most weeks, New York Magazine writer-at-large Frank Rich speaks with contributor Alex Carp about the biggest stories in politics and culture. This week: Clinton and Trumps New York victories, and whether the GOP convention needs a little more showbiz.

With Bernie Sanderss loss to Hillary Clinton in New York, many campaign watchers are expecting renewed calls for Sanders to drop out. Is Sanders right to ignore them?

In the aftermath of this rout, the chances of Sanders winning the Democratic nomination are so small that some in his camp are now pinning their hopes on winning over superdelegates. Or on pulling off a miracle in multiple ballots at a contested convention, Republican style. Thats not happening. If Sanderss presidential bid is not over already, the nails in the coffin are likely to be hammered in next week in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, and Rhode Island. So why should he stay in? One reason: to help prepare and toughen up Hillary Clinton for whats to come in a general election that may well not be the cakewalk so many Democrats seem to be taking as a fait accompli.

Clintons landslide in her adopted home state of New York was overwhelming. But it doesnt mask the fact that many voters find her untrustworthy, as reflected in her sliding national poll numbers. In the latest Wall Street JournalNBC News poll, Sanders has moved within two points of her nationally. Thats meaningless in terms of the overall horse race between them, but beneath that umbrella number are other findings that show her negative numbers on the rise among the overall electorate  not to Trump levels, but grim by any other standard. Even her approval ratings among both black and Latino voters have slid decisively since the start of the year. Of course she is going to win those groups overwhelmingly in November. But if their turnout is depressed because of a lack of enthusiasm, thats a problem, particularly given her poor numbers among young Democratic voters who may be tempted to stay home with neither Barack Obama nor Bernie on the ballot, and her poor standing among white voters in general. Bill McInturff, a Republican pollster who co-runs the WSJ-NBC poll with the Democrat Peter Hart, calculates that Clintons favorability rating among whites is lower than Obamas has ever been. Thats saying something.

A coronation may be what the Clinton campaign now wants, but Id suggest that Clinton has more to gain by staying in a dialogue, a debate, with Sanders, and ultimately forging some kind of communion with him and, more important, his voters, in real time. She will need every one of them in November. Indeed, Id argue that if Sanders continues to be as strident and harsh as he was during the New York primary campaign, that is also to Clintons benefit  as long as she refuses to rise to the bait and instead presents herself as an upbeat counterpart to both him and Trump. Sanders pulling out now, or soon, would deny her that opportunity, allow Trump to monopolize the national stage all spring, and reinforce exactly the sense of entitlement Clinton needs to avoid if she is to start to reclaim a positive public image.

Another primary, another Trump victory. Did yesterdays New York results change anything for the GOP?

Yes. According to the Associated Press calculation, its now mathematically impossible for Ted Cruz to win the nomination on the first ballot: He is 678 short of the magic number of 1,237 with just 674 delegates still up for grabs. His third-place showing in New York, whatever excuses he wants to make for it, reinforces the notion that he only appeals to the far right and Evangelicals. He is likely to perform badly in next weeks new round of East Coast primaries. He is unlikely to somehow make a miraculous June comeback in California (as his camp claims); hes down nine points to Trump in the RealClearPolitics poll average there, and Trumpmentum may start to widen that gap. Cruzs role now is as a spoiler  to deny Trump a first-ballot victory in Cleveland, theoretically an achievable goal in league with unattached delegates and those attached to Marco Rubio and John Kasich. But its a Pyrrhic victory if achieved.

Trump is going to go to Cleveland with the most delegates, period. The number may fall short of 1,237 but probably not wildly short. Is the GOP really going to deny the nomination to the guy who will be favored not only in the delegate count but continues to lead national polls among its own voters? And do so by giving the nomination either to Cruz, who is loathed by many party leaders at least as much as (if not more than) Trump is, or to some white knight who failed in the primary or didnt run at all? Certainly such scenarios can happen, but at a huge price: Its hard to see how a party can survive if its rules allow it to reject the candidate who, like it or not, is actually the favorite  indeed, the overwhelming favorite  of its own base.

In his latest jab at the RNC, Donald Trump has said that this years convention should have more showbiz, and lamented the partys decision not to run an Apprentice-style video he made for Mitt Romney in Tampa four years ago. Would making the convention into a reality show help Trump with delegates?

First, let me say how much I would like to see that video! Second, Trump does have a point about political conventions of both parties in our era: They are infomercials of surpassing tedium and, the acceptance speech aside, there is no reason to watch them. Its not for nothing that the broadcasting networks have increasingly scaled down their coverage.

But not this year  at least for the Republicans. Usually the convention program is entirely controlled by the presumptive nominee. If the GOP arrives in Cleveland with the race unsettled, that means the Republican National Committee will be in charge. Good luck with that! As Reince Priebus and his fellow party potentates have demonstrated just about every day since the Romney defeat in 2012, they are incapable of sowing anything except chaos, and are impotent in thwarting Trump. So there will be battles over every single detail of the four-day show on top of the political battle for the nomination itself. As Ive said before, this may be among the most exciting live-television events of our time.

Theres also the chance, of course, that Trump will have sewn up the nomination before the convention  which means he can shape the pageantry unimpeded, and do so with all the exquisite taste he brought to The Apprentice. A Trump-produced convention is going to have something for the whole family: an Apprentice-esque competition for the veep slot on the ticket, comics and music acts culled from the best that Trumps former Atlantic City properties had to offer, and, with luck, a scene or two from that stillborn effort to create a Trump Broadway musical.

This week Cruz attacked Trumps presidential campaign for resembling a Kim Kardashian reality show. I doubt Cruz has ever actually watched a Kardashian reality show, but in any case he aint seen nothing yet.
Myka Meier and the author in the Champagne Bar. Photo: David Williams

Prince Harry is coming. The unmarried royal will touch down in the United States  in the cultural hub of Orlando, Florida, specifically  in three weeks for a charity event, at which point American women will have the best chance of meeting and marrying him once and for all. What will make the average gal stand out from the crowd? Blonde hair, you might be thinking. But no, its proper etiquette.

Thats the pitch, at least, from Beaumont Etiquette School founder Myka Meier, who launched an etiquette class called Marry Harry this April. I attended the course at the Plaza Hotel, which is broken down into three sections: dating etiquette, which Myka teaches in one of the Plaza Hotels private suites (no funny business); dining etiquette, which takes place in the Champagne Bar; and hair etiquette (a blowout), which happens in the Warren Tricomi salon on site. All told, Marry Harry will set you back $1,025, but you can skip the blowout and just get the lessons for the low, low price of $875. (Or $0, in our case.)

The target. Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Is Harry worth it? Before I arrived at the Plaza for my training, I knew this much about him: 1) He used to date a woman who was obsessed with scrunchies; 2) he dressed up like a Nazi once; and 3) his full name is actually four first names: Henry Charles Albert David. Myka told me hes also charming, charitable, and the worlds most eligible bachelor. Having read her bio before our lesson  she trained in London under a former member of the Royal Household and attended finishing school in fucking Switzerland  I expected her to be a fussy Brit not unlike reality TVs Supernanny. Instead, shes a kind, charming American who also has a bachelors degree from the University of Florida.

When I met Myka in the lobby of the Plaza, she was wearing a fur collar, gold earrings shaped like lion heads, and  Im sure this is not polite to say  a pear-shaped diamond ring the size of my eyeball. As we made our way up to the 11th floor of the hotel for my first lesson, I wondered if, after a few hours, I could learn to be exactly her.

HOW TO SIT LIKE A PRINCESS

The Duchess slants. Photo: Samir Hussein/Getty Images

The proper way to sit in a chair, Myka told me, is two inches away from the back of it (imagine theres an egg there) with your knees and ankles together. You cant cross your legs or use armrests, even if you want to cross your legs, or youre sitting in a chair that has armrests. Heres the advanced Kate Middleton maneuver: You can move your feet to the side, if you want. This is called Duchess Slant. Try it for five minutes; youll hate it.

HOW TO EAT LIKE A PRINCESS

During our dining class at the Champagne Bar, I ordered a $29 chicken Caesar salad, of which I ate exactly $0.79 worth. I could tell Myka felt bad about this, but she also could not bear to let me eat it the wrong way, which I have been doing my whole life. The proper way to do it is with your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right, index fingers pointed down. Do not take a bite that you cant swallow after chewing twice, and rest after every fourth bite. It is hard to eat like this and also eat.

A valiant attempt to consume anything at all. Photo: David Williams

HOW TO WALK LIKE A PRINCESS

The most difficult maneuver Myka taught me was how to walk toward a chair and sit down. You arent supposed to look at the chair, it turns out. Instead, you should walk purposefully, head up, until your knees brush the seat. Then you spin around, lower yourself, and slide into the Duchess Slant. The first time I attempted this, I banged into the chair and almost fell over. I was like Taylor Swift on the runway of the Victorias Secret Fashion Show: too confident!

But after this stumble, Myka graciously pressed on, teaching me the proper way to get into a cab. Would you believe me if I told you it was  butt first? She didnt say butt first, of course, but thats what you do: Open the door, spin around, lower yourself into the seat, and then swing your legs in, knees together. This allows you to keep your vagina to yourself. I can sort of do it now.

Here the author holds her fork incorrectly. Photo: David Williams

Though Im glad Ive finally learned what to do with my knees and ankles, throughout the course I wondered if Prince Harry even cares whether the women he dates know what to do with their knees and ankles. Is he really looking for the next Kate Middleton?

According to Myka: Yeah, basically. The future Mrs. Henry Charles Albert David Jim Bob might be blonde, but she will also have the skills to run in the same social circles as royals. For example, Harrys last scrunchie-obessed girlfriend, Cressida Bonas  Cress, as Myka calls her (theyre familiar)  met Harry because she was working on the same charity board as Harrys cousin Princess Beatrice. I asked Myka if she thought Cress signed up for that charity board so she could marry Harry. She started to say maybe and then declined to gossip  very polite.

Myka explains the proper way to drink from a glass. Photo: David Williams

After four hours of princess training, my takeaway was this: Kate Middletons life is hell. Myka often used her as an example of the perfect, mannered woman, instructing me to do as she does.

It is horrible to do as Kate Middleton does.



Allie wears Goat Belladonna dress, $1,120, Goat
Photo: Zeb Andrews/Getty Images

Earlier this week, a Los Angeles Craigslist ad supposedly written by a mother soliciting help from a feminism tutor for her son, who was enrolled in a gender-studies class at UCLA, went viral. The now-deleted ad read:

My son, Nate, is 22 and a student at UCLA. He has been struggling the whole quarter with his gender studies class that focuses on feminism and feminist theories, and he has a big paper that will be due in a few weeks, and he has not even started. Hes a very typical young man his age - finds the whole idea of feminism and gender studies boring and uninteresting. However his graduation is dependent on successfully finishing this class.

The mother needed a womens studies / feminism tutor / writer to help her son grasp the concept of feminism so he could finish college. But, because this is the internet and everything is a hoax, a Slate reporter who reached out to the Craigslist-ad writer discovered the person behind it wasnt a woman at all, and the truth was a lot more upsetting than a college kid being a stubborn dick about comprehending womens equality.

Slate columnist Ruth Graham contacted the mother, who said her name was Dr. Alexandra Rose, and asked her about the ad. But after some impressive Facebook sleuthing, Graham determined that the person whod written it wasnt a mother and wasnt a woman and wasnt even someone with a genuine interest in learning about feminism: Instead, it was a man named Nader with a long history of harassing women online, who was, as writer Amanda Hess put it in a tweet, looking to lure one his way.

In fact, Graham discovered, Naders history of harassing women is so storied he was even the subject of a 2014 Guardian column:

The man who targeted me has been identified. His name is Nader, he is 25 and lives in California. He has been linked to at least eight different twitter accounts he uses to abuse women. In fact, the first rape threats he sent me came from the fake account he had created of yet another feminist campaigner he had been targeting. He is so brazen about his incitement to rape me, so sure of his invulnerability, that he barely even tried to conceal his real identity. Unfortunately for him, in the course of harassing countless women he left a trail leading to his name, image, phone number, email address, Facebook page and pictures of him exposing his erect penis.

When Graham told the ad writer she knew he was Nader, he eventually confessed. She writes:

He made up the ad to see what kind of responses it would get, though he couldnt explain exactly what he was hoping for. The whole thing was sort of like a joke, he explained.

Using Craigslist to find more feminist women to harass? Hilarious.
Got pics?

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same. HRC articles haven't really done anything to convince me to vote for her in the primary, but my fb friend who hashtags literally every politics post with inane shit has made me more critical/seeking alternate opinions on a democrat candidate



#FeelTheBern #BernieSanders #politicalrevolution #TheRevolutionHasBegun #StillSanders #OnlySanders #BirdieSanders  #ToneDownForWhat #HillNo #tyt #TheYoungTurks #AlwaysSanders #BernieVotesMatter



let that "bernievotesmatter" hashtag sink in... i literally copied this from his most recent status

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same



i was originally undecided between the two



but the Bernie bros and their OTT sexism was such a turn off.

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she can be overzealous and ott, but she's not wrong here one bit

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what rubbed me the wrong way about Susan was the way she spoked to Dolores Huerta.



It was like a white rich woman was talking to their maid.



This is a notorious condescending attitude that a lot of privileged Bernie supporters have towards minorities for supporting Hillary.



It really rubbed me the wrong way

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i don't disagree. whiteness trumps all.

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the only people we should be shaming are ones who support republicans

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seriously- fight the real enemy

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But let's shame everyone just to be sure. Just in case, you know. Some good old blanket shaming. Carpet shame the place and you don't miss anyone who needs to be shamed for sure. We are already spying one everyone to catch a couple of bad dudes, let's also shame everyone to ensure we get those who need shaming. And shaming is way fun too.

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So simplistic.

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Some Bernie supporters seem to think Hillary and her supporters are Republicans, though...

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I don't think Clinton or Sanders is perfect, but when you look at the SCOTUS justices, it's highly likely the next president will nominate at least 1 if not 3-4 justices and thus we HAVE to elect a democrat. I mean, even if Obama gets Garland through:

Justice Kennedy is 79

Justice Breyer is 77

and bless her soul, queen RBG is 83



Like, Clinton and Bernie both have serious flaws IMO. Both have positions that could be very positive for our country. But, I am getting very concerned about people who just "won't vote" for Hillary or Bernie to be stubborn because the alternative on the other side is so much worse. Like, I didn't like Romney or McCain but I didn't think they would RUIN our country...but if democrats and moderates can't come together to at least not elect whoever the republicans nominate, we're fucked.



We need the next generation of politicians to step up.

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Honestly the Supreme Court alone should be reason enough for everyone to put their personal feelings aside and vote for the democratic nominee.



They have so much power - it's amazing. I didn't realize how powerful those 9 people were until law school which is kind of said but it has surely shaped how I will vote until I die.

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Preach it. I could see Trump nominating someone who is insanely pro-business and Cruz someone who will use religion as the basis of their decisions.

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people are really unfamiliar with Rosario. she's been politically active for decades.

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it's honestly amazing that HRC supporters cry sexism (which can be valid, mind you) but have no issue shaming women for being politically involved just because they back a candidate they don't like. it's hypocritical af.

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Rosario. I like the name.

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HRC's defending Albright (didn't really see her defend Steinem, but I was extra annoyed with politics when those happened so it's not impossible I missed her talking about Steinem) is one thing that helped really turn me off of her even though I was already planning to vote for Bernie.



I mean, seriously? Either she didn't realize that young female Bernie supporters were going to take it badly or didn't care (since Albright has been saying that for years and HRC looked damn gleeful when Albright said it, I have a hard time believing that it never occurred to HRC that Albright might say that), and neither option makes her look particularly good.

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i hate how feminism is used so dismissively by both parties. if you support bernie, you're not a feminist shame on you. if you support hillary, you're nothing but a white feminist shame on you.

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Welcome to being a woman. You're screwed no matter what the fuck you do.

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yep

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Yes they can!

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its a constant lose lose

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TL;DR but ah, nothing like some good old women shaming.

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Kay, how about stop shaming the POC Hillary supporters too. Maybe, just MAYBE people can actually make up their own minds about who to support.

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those memes i saw floating around over the weekend were shameful

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reminds me of that samantha bee video about the super delegate hit list, where a WOC super delegate was literally asked how she can "vote against her own interests as an African-American woman"

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except ppl say this about republican woman, POC and LGBT all the time and no one bats an eye

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I had someone on here demand to know my race and background and even after I said I hadn't voted for HRC, were like I DON'T GET HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT HILLARY WHEN IT'S AGAINST YOUR OWN INTERESTS



like chill a bit, how about you let me decide what my interests are

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Ya exactly, both candidates have diverse supporters both in terms of gender and race

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The whole "you cant be a woman and not support Clinton" thing very much reminds me of when John McCain picked Palin as his veep candidate.

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I was sitting here thinking the same thing. By that logic, I would have been REQUIRED to vote for McCain/Palin because there was a woman on the ticket, because my gender demanded it?



I'm sure if someone asked Albright or Steinam that they'd start hemming and hawing and dancing around the issue and not give a straight answer. But no. Just...no.

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I still cannot believe that "there's a special place in hell for women who don't support other women"



Well Hillary is gonna be right there with female Sanders supporters after her treatment of the multiple women who were either sexually harassed or assaulted by her husband.



Bernies behaviour over the past stretch has been utterly baffling to me as well, basically the only constant is that politicians are just waiting to prove they're just like every other politician and will be disappointing in some way. I've also been reading more and more from his past races that have me side eyeing the fuck out of him as well.

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re your last point: like what? genuinely curious

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Same here.

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Most of it is gun related and obviously I knew where he stood but just some of the comments made me rethink whether or not I could get over that issue with him and there were a few things he said about some of his opponents (who were women) in a few races that were a little condescending, but it doesn't even matter really since I already voted for him in the primary in my state.

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all of this

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bernies negativity these past few weeks have been a real turnoff, ngl. i hope the ny results show him to reel it back since it did him no favors.

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As a Greek can I just say, we elected the "Bernie" (leftist anti-establishment candidate, though in our case it was someone very young, Tsipras) and he has failed tragically to the point where it makes no difference that he even won. Even though he had good intentions, his hands have been tied every step of the way. Obviously Greece is in a dire situation, unlike the US, but this has left me extremely bitter (and I didn't even vote for him, I voted for a party to the left of him). In some ways the Hilldawgs of the world are better-suited for this shit.



Plus, it's hard for me not to view Bernie's pitch as false promises. The question is only if he realises that, and is therefore blowing smoke up your asses, or if he is genuinely idealistic and believes he can do what he promises (while having very few solid plans, if any, again just like Tsipras who was all "lol we will negotiate so hard!!!11" and, when he was asked about the specifics, he would say "lol i don't have to tell you that, I don't want to reveal my secret strategy!")



/bitter-ass and hateful individual, disappointed to the point of depression



/csb

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yeah, um, no offense but its just not the same situation

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I literally said that.



But imo it's hard to argue that people who don't comform aren't doomed to fail.

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I know you have the /csb disclaimer lol but I found your comment interesting and I'm glad you provided your input



Edited at 2016-04-20 07:12 pm (UTC)

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I thought he just blinked first in that stare down with the EU /m Germans and got screwed (if you start it go till the end)? And what's that other dude on a bike who the Germans hated and who got sacked? The minister of Finance I think? What do the Greeks think about him now?

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But political promises aren't meant to be taken so literally imo. Like, they have to phrase it authoritatively but really they're all just saying "these are my ideals lets see how close we can get". Of course they know they won't be able to do everything, but saying that would be a death sentence lol, when people want you to buy into something they have to tell you "it WILL work for you" not "eh, it might work it might not".

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Thanks for the insight - and yeah, much as I like the Greens in Aus, I worry if they ever held a majority in government they wouldn't be very good at it.

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lmao it's just typical stan war shenanigans

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it really is. i will cast my vote for president in the primary and the general election but the whole circus around presidential elections is a colossal waste of energy imo

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It is fun to watch from outside the US thought. World's best reality TV. Loving it.

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I really think Sanders should drop and focus on supporting downticket left-leaning candidates tbh. Stressing the importance of unclogging that house and senate is just as important, if not more, than the presidency.

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sanders will, and should, stay in until the DNC

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the idea of him going to the convention and trying to convince superdelegates to go with him when rn it looking like hell lose in pledged delegates and the popular vote would be a bad call since theyre wont be much of an argument to make.

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Regardless if he suspends or outright concedes, he will be invited to the convention at this point. Not sure about the other three that started out in the primary though lol

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Meh Hillary is such an uninspiring candidate. And her policies suck. That is why I wouldn't vote for her. I really don't think gender or feminism should have anything to do with it.

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You are cool.

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yes actually. I do want to feel like I am voting for someone I believe in, and who reflects my views, not just voting to keep someone else out.

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Can you imagine if paparazzi was following you to have a cordial (or not) conversation with your ex? Lol I'm high as shit but this just feels so ridiculous.

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this gif lmaooo ajhfgasgkf

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was this as Drake's show in D.C? he was a mess that night

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lmaooooo <3

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I still can't believe he was an irl troll drinking under a bridge

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Anyway, hope they can talk all this shit out... Guy Ritchie was kinda cute for 2 seconds when they were just dating, but then he became typical British pub-regular looking guy, and now he looks even older than Madonna.Anyway, hope they can talk all this shit out...

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I recoiled and nearly dropped my phone, find a LensCrafters stat sis

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lmao

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Wow rocco is his clone

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Rocco looks just like him WOW

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wow, he really was fairly decent back then

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This may have been the last time Madonna looked incredibly good.

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He was never attractive. Stop.

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RIP his looks

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My mum became a late in life stoner and now everyone visits her and smokes her up even when I'm not even visiting because she always bakes them tonnes of stuff.

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My mom and i used to have a rly bad relationship but i love her now. Bt she hates socializing anytime i try to spark convo with ehr she ignores me. I see her almost everyday even tho i moved out. She also has no opinions on anything whether pop culture or political or religious. Its impossible to talk to her 

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My mom is super antisocial but so are all of her kids so we basically just enable each other lmao. Like, she makes fun of me if I have a conversation with a worker at a store or anything like that. I love her but she can be so pretentious lmao.

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Men who can't dress properly disgust me.

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And men who don't dress at all?

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i love wine!

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It is the best.

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That was a great outcome hope some good writing material/songs a la ray of light.

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American Life or Music

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Ray of Light

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confessions on a dance floor

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ray of light

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My parents getting divorced was the best thing that ever happened to me tbh. My dad is a piece of shit who takes no responsibility for his actions or his children, owes me $18k and has cut off all contact with me in order to try and prevent me from obtaining said $18k. Not so much as a happy birthday in three years.



Edited at 2016-04-20 11:26 pm (UTC)

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i'm going to tell you a secret is so fucking good, i wish she'd do another one. the one from sticky and sweet was too short and didn't really show much

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She can't show too much anymore, she is almost sixty.

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about time, tbh. rocco should never have been full time on tour with her, anyway.



my parents don't speak, for good reason. but my mom is amazing and my step-dad is great too.

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"I'm Going To tell You A Secret" was so cute.

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Wait - that bottle looks already opened though? Is he trying to pawn off leftovers?

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As recently as a week ago, the energy bill that the U.S. Congress was considering was stalled and faced an uphill battle. But the Senate has sprung into action, and voted in favor of the energy bill which passed 85-12.

The energy package is the first major piece of energy legislation passed in almost a decade. At the same time, it is a rather modest piece of action, which largely avoids controversial issues such as oil and gas drilling or climate change. Related: Canadas Oil Industry To See 62% Decline In Investment

Spearheaded by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Energy Policy Modernization Act seeks to improve cyber security, improve energy efficiency in buildings, reinforce the nations electricity grid, and offer job training programs. However, probably the most notable measure included in the package is language that would streamline the approval of LNG export terminals in the United States.

As it stands, the Department of Energy does not have time constraints when considering permits for LNG export terminals that would send natural gas to countries that do not have a free-trade agreement with the United States. Under the energy bill moving through the Senate is a provision that would place a 45-day limit on DOE, requiring them to make a determination. The language comes as a response to the backlog of proposed export terminals that have permits pending with the agency. Now the bill has passed the senate, LNG developers could move quicker on development. Related: ISIS Tries To Sow Chaos In Libya To Scare Oil Workers Away

The bill had been held up by the Flint water crisis, as several Democratic Senators wanted aid for Flint included in the bill. They placed a hold on the legislation, which stalled the bill for months. The energy bill looked dead as recently as last week, but the senators suddenly agreed to remove their hold, allowing the bill to proceed.

By Charles Kennedy of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The unveiling of Teslas Model 3 electric car was no less than the lifting of the final curtain on a game-changing energy revolution. And if we follow that revolution to its core, we arrive at lithiumour new gasoline for which the feeding frenzy has only just begun.

Unveiled just on 31 March and already with 325,000 orders, it seems that the market, too, understands that the Model 3 is more than just another electric vehicle. In one week alone, Tesla has racked up around $14 billion in implied future sales, making it the biggest one-week launch of any product ever. (And if you think the implied future sales negates the news, think again: Each order requires a $1,000 refundable deposit.)

It will change the world because it is the first hard indication that the tech-driven energy revolution is not only pending, its arrived. The Model 3 and its stunning one-week sales successapparently achieved without advertising or paid endorsements--brings the electric car definitively into the mainstream, and there is no turning back now. Competitors will step up their game and the electric vehicle rush will be in full throttleso will the war to stake out new lithium deposits. Related: Oil Back On Track As Markets Dismiss Doha

If we reverse engineer the Model 3, we find lithium--the heart and soul of the energy revolution. While everything else is suffering from low prices and a supply glut, lithium is facing the over-charged demand, which opens a huge window of opportunity for new producers.

The Model 3, all by itself, will have a huge impact on lithium demand, which is already threatening to make supply impossible without exploration and production of new resources. At the end of the day, Teslas huge step towards a better future achieved by fast-tracking the transition to sustainable transportation comes down to lithium.

The lithium space is becoming a frantic game of who can get their hands on the choicest new mining acreage and who can launch new production fastest. And in North America, its all going down in the state of Nevada, which is the staging ground for a U.S. lithium boom that will feed the manufacturing beasts for everything from EVs, battery gigafactories, powerwalls and energy storage solutions to the long and growing list of consumer electronics that we use every day. Related: OPEC Report Suggests Massive Oil Price Rebound

It is no less than a global scramble to secure new lithium supplies. Even before Tesla unveiled the Model 3 to smashing success, Goldman Sachs was predicting that for every 1% rise in EV market share, lithium demand would rise by 70,000 tons per year, and that overall, the lithium market could triple in size by 2025 just on the back of electric vehicles.

To ensure the success of its electric vehicles, Tesla is building a battery gigafactory just outside of Reno, Nevada, and its hoping to have enough lithium to make enough batteries to power 500,000 cars by 2020, according to Fortune magazine. Logically, its hoping to be able to source that lithium from Nevada as well, and all the new entrants into the lithium space are hungry to be put on Teslas future supplier list. But first they have to get it out of the ground.

All of this has made a previously dusty and unattractive area of NevadaClayton Valleyone of the most important and significant places in America. But Clayton Valley may just be the beginning. Related: Forget Doha. The Fundamentals Are Moving In The Right Direction

According to Malcolm Bell, advisory board member and head of acquisitions for Nevada Energy Metals, Nevada may have a lot of fault traps outside of Clayton Valley with potential lithium deposits hiding in plain sight.

The lithium business is not a flash in the plan; it is here to stay, and I am looking at it like the start of the oil boom in the U.S. when there were oil rigs and derricks nearly every 50 feet, industry veteran Bell told Oilprice.com. And Nevada Energy Metals understands that lithium is exactly the mineral that is powering our future.

Thanks to visionaries like Elon Musk, who has turned the transportation industry on its ear, we have a new commodity that looks like it is here to stay. I feel that a lot of people underestimate the green energy movement and the role that Lithium plays in it.

The electric car is no longer elite. Now its for the masses, and the masses will need more lithium than we can currently get our hands on. Its a wide-scale energy revolution that will end beingin hindsightthe first nail in the coffin for fossil fuels and the heralding of a new era of lithium, the white petroleum.

By Simon Harlow of Oilprice.com

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Late last week, just ahead of the Doha meeting, we reported that Iran's existing oil tanker armada, which until recently had been on anchor next to the Iranian coast and which according to Windward data was storing as much as 50 million barrels offshore, had finally started to move.

The reason, as Bloomberg reported, was that tankers carrying about 28.8 million barrels of crude, or more than 2 million a day, left the Persian Gulf countrys ports in the first 14 days of April. That compares with a rate of about 1.45 million barrels a day in March. As a result, Irans crude shipments have soared by more than 600,000 barrels a day this month, and offset the entire production decline of U.S. producers with just half a month's incremental production.

However, now that the shipping armada has sailed to its various (mostly Asian) destinations, it may be difficult to repeat this in the near term.

According to Reuters, Iran is struggling to increase oil exports because many of its tankers are tied up storing crude, some are not seaworthy, and foreign ship-owners are clearly reluctant to carry its cargoes. Related: ISIS Tries To Sow Chaos In Libya To Scare Oil Workers Away

The math: Iran has 55-60 oil tankers in its fleet, a senior Iranian government official told Reuters. He declined to say how many were being used to store unsold cargoes, but industry sources said 25-27 tankers were parked in sea lanes close to terminals including Assaluyeh and Kharg Island for this purpose.

Asked how many tankers were not seaworthy and needed to go to dry docks for refits to meet international shipping standards, the senior official said: "Around 20 large tankers ... need to be modernized." A further 11 Iranian tankers from the fleet were carrying oil to Asian buyers on Tuesday, according to Reuters shipping data and a source who tracks tanker movements. That was broadly in line with the number consistently committed to Asian runs since sanctions were lifted in January, putting more strain on the remaining available fleet.

So as increasingly more of Iran's tanker fleet is currently utilized or is otherwise out of commission, Iran desperately needs foreign ships to execute its plans for a big export push to Europe and elsewhere and to meet its target of reaching pre-sanctions sales levels this year.

There is just one problem: nobody wants to give their spare tanker capacity to Iran.

According to Reuters, ship owners, who are not short of business in a booming tanker market, are unwilling to take Iranian cargoes.

One stumbling block is residual U.S. restrictions on Tehran which are still in place and prohibit any trade in dollars or the involvement of U.S. firms including banks - a major hurdle for the oil and tanker trades, which are priced in dollars.

As a result only eight foreign tankers, carrying a total of around 8 million barrels of oil, have shipped Iranian crude to European destinations since sanctions were lifted in January, according to data from the tanker-tracking source and ship brokers.

That equates to only around 10 days' worth of sales at the levels of pre-2012, when European buyers were purchasing as much as 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the OPEC producer. So far no Iranian tankers have made deliveries to Europe, according to data from the tanker-tracking source.

Whether it is due to politics or simple business precautions, Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of leading international oil tanker company Euronav, said at present there was "no great urgency to do business in Iran".

"There is not a premium to do business in Iran and there is plenty of other business - the markets are busy, rates are good. So there is no stress on wanting to do it," he told Reuters. "I don't really want to set up a euro bank account in Dubai in order to trade with Iran - that would be crazy."

Michele White, general counsel with Intertanko , an association which represents the majority of the world's tanker fleet, said: "We have witnessed a reluctance by our members generally to return to Iranian trade given the prohibition on use of the U.S. financial system - essentially no U.S. dollars." Related: Forget Doha. The Fundamentals Are Moving In The Right Direction

One can almost smell Saudi intervention here, which we first described two weeks ago when we reported that not only has Saudi Arabia banned Iran from sailing in its territorial waters, but it has taken proactive steps to slow Irans efforts at increasing oil exports, interfering with third parties and making Iran's procurement of vessels virtually impossible. As the abovementioned oil tanker association Intertanko and other industry participants said then, while no formal notice has been given by Saudi Arabia, uncertainty is making some charterers less willing to lift Iranian crude.

(Click to enlarge)

"Its seen as an unknown risk, said one shipbroker. No one wants to disrupt their relationship with the Saudis."

Iran admits as much.

A senior Iranian government official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, acknowledged his country was finding it difficult to hire foreign tankers. Related: Worldwide Oil Production Outages Bump Up Oil Prices

"We are working on the problems. There are various issues involved, financial, banking and even insurance. It has improved a little bit since the lifting of sanctions but we still face serious problems."

Asked if this and the need to modernize some of the domestic fleet was holding back exports, he said: "Of course it does."

Iran's problems may not be resolved any time soon. Reuters adds that two other sources with other leading oil tanker operators echoed the above concerns and said they were not doing Iran deals at the moment.

One of the two sources said with a new U.S. president to take office in January, tanker owners were unsure whether there could be any change to the nuclear deal Washington and other world powers agreed with Iran which led to the end of sanctions.

"It does not appeal to them to take on the risk and the uncertainty of the U.S. connection and future U.S. political policy that would come into play," said the source, who declined to be named, citing sensitivity over potential Iranian trade.

Angering Uncle Sam aside, the tanker industry has cited other problems posed by Iranian business. Ship insurers have plugged a shortfall in cover that had been caused by U.S. reinsurers being restrained by Washington's sanctions, although tanker owners say it comes with risks and it could also be withdrawn if, for instance, wider sanctions are reimposed. "Shipping insurance is still a problem. We see many buyers in the market still avoid buying from Iran," Fereidun Fesharaki, founder of energy consultancy FGE, wrote in a note.

Finally, Saudi antagonism toward Iran is starting to spread. The kingdom's close ally Bahrain had imposed a comparable ban on any vessels that visited Iran as one of its last three port calls, as the one noted two weeks ago.

"Any spread of the Bahrain-style ban on foreign ships that have recently called Iran can only fuel this hesitancy for owners who trade in the Middle East region," said Interatnko's White.

In other words, Iran may be pumping record amounts of oil, and may be eager to flood the world with its newly allowed exports, it just has no way of delivering it... just how Saudi Arabia wants it, whose implicit warning that it may boost production by 1 million barrels overnight may soon be tested.

The flipside, of course, is that the longer Iran is unable to recover its pre-sanction level of oil production, and really exports, the longer OPEC will be unable to reach a "freeze deal" due to Saudi insistence that Iran also joins said deal.

Which, incidentally, is also just how Saudi Arabia wants it.

By Zerohedge

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The Doha meeting turned out to be a complete wash, but still, the rumour and expectation leading up to the meeting produced a massive rebound in oil prices. And while logic says that the markets should now crash because Doha failed to give us an output freeze, logic doesnt typically rule this roost.

A downtrend ends when the bearish traders believe that the stock/commodity will not fall further and they rush to close their shorts, locking in their profits. Simultaneously, the bullish traders build long positions, believing that the prices are attractive and a rebound is possible.

However, the pullback converts into a new uptrend only when traders buy every dip and continue buying at higher levelsor else the rally peters out and a trading range is formed.

The money managers are believed to be the smart money. The direction of their bets provides important insights on the future of the markets. Related: Forget Doha. The Fundamentals Are Moving In The Right Direction

(Click to enlarge)

The chart shows that the net-long position by the money managers is close to the highs of the past nine months, and the positions have more than doubled since the start of the year. Related: Oil Prices Up On Weaker Dollar, Declining Production

The CFTC data shows an addition of 20,857 net-long positions in WTI crude oil for the week ending April 12, 2016. The total net-long position is 215,630 contracts.

On closer scrutiny, one finds that the net-long positions increased due to short covering rather than the addition of new longs. The short positions decreased by 18 percent, whereas, new longs only increased by 0.8 percent.

This indicates that the traders are not confident that the markets will move a lot higher from the current levels. Hence, they havent formed new long positions, but they believe that the worst for the markets is over, therefore they have closed outstanding short positions.

The smart money has continuously increased their bullish bets since the Doha meeting was announced. The traders believed that the Doha meeting was the first step in rationalizing the demand and supply situation, but Doha was a non-event.

So, is the crude oil rally over? No.

Very few experts expected the Doha meeting to end in a path-breaking agreement between the OPEC nations and Russia. The consensus predicted a freeze at January levels. The meeting was never expected to alter the demand and supply fundamentals in any way. Related: Oil Back On Track As Markets Dismiss Doha

Then why did crude prices rise by more than 50 percent?

Crude plunged to a 12-year low, leaving the markets deeply oversold and due for a bounce. The traders bought the Doha rumour and closed their short positions, pocketing huge profits.

Any addition of fresh long or short positions as indicated by the forthcoming CFTC reports will provide insight into crudes next move.

If traders show an inclination to build long positions, crude should move towards $50/b. On a build-up in short positions, oil should fall to $32-$35/b.

But if the net positions do not change materially, it is an indication that the buyers and sellers dont consider the current level to be either over or undervalued. It will lead to a lull and crude will continue to trade in a tight range, until the fundamentals sort out and the traders are clear about the next move.

By Rakesh Upadhyay for Oilprice.com

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The opinions expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the opinions of OnMilwaukee.com, its advertisers or editorial staff.

Poor Bill Clinton.

Its now in vogue to hate on Clintons crime bill. A testy Bill has started scolding protesters. The man once called the "first black president" by Toni Morrison probably never thought hed be blamed for destroying black communities. Meanwhile, Joe Biden has doubled down, saying he was "not at all" ashamed of the 1994 crime bill, which is being simplistically blamed for the nations mass incarceration rate.

American police have become the enemy, and if you want more of them on the streets  or support locking up criminals, including those who victimize African-Americans or violent, repeat offenders  youre racist. Everyone doesnt think that, of course, but it seems like some people do. Frankly, the left is often incoherent on this point; liberal politicians like Mayor Tom Barrett give angry press conferences about the weekends shootings, but then those on the left decry incarceration meant to address them.

The truth is simply a lot more complicated. Bill Clintons 1994 crime bill was not perfect. However, it also wasnt a racist evil, either. A lot of it made sense, and it was a compromise bill responding to a very real problem.

Furthermore, you could argue that Bill Clintons crime bill may have helped save lives, black and otherwise; violent crime in America plummeted after it passed (although it was already starting to tick downward).

The bill passed on the heels of the nations homicide rates spiking upward in the early 1990s, crimes that sometimes had a disproportionate effect on African-Americans. The same pattern was seen in Milwaukee in the early 1990s, where homicide hit its record high as crack cocaine arrived. According to The Atlantic magazine, the countrys violent crime rate jumped 25 percent in the 12 years before 1992.

After the bill? Crime dropped. Heres a chart from the FBI that shows part of the mid-1990s drop:

Here are two charts I made with federal Bureau of Justice Statistics on the nations murder numbers and violent crime figures. The stats go through 2012, but thats 18 years after Bills crime bill:

Bills crime bill was a response to the nations worst crime years. Granted, crime has started to turn upward again, but there were years of steady decreases after his bill.

Crime is a very complicated problem; theres no way you can or should assign a single cause to it  or solution, of course. Crime is related to birth cohorts, poverty, policing strategies, availability of firearms, breakdown of the family, all kinds of things. We cant say Bills crime bill caused the steady crime drops for sure, but we cant rule it out as contributing, either (maybe his good economy played a role too, but hes not getting much credit for how that improved peoples lives).

Lets revisit some of the things Bills crime bill did, according to The New York Times and other news sources:

It banned assault weapons.

It "offered funding for drug courts and rehabilitation." Money was provided for prevention programs, some $6.1 billion, according to the BBC. The New York Times says it "promoted the expansion of community policing and drug courts as alternatives to jail."

It put more than a billion dollars into investigating and preventing violence against women.

It provided more money for police. Biden told the media the bill put "100,000 more cops on the street." Police dont only arrest people, of course; they also help prevent crime.

It provided more money for prisons. According to the BBC, $9.7 billion more.

It created mandatory minimum sentences for some offenses and required life sentences for people convicted of some three-strikes laws.

It expanded offenses eligible for the federal death penalty.

Yet, now the Clintons are on the defensive. Sort of. "I dont 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," Bill Clinton snapped at a protester recently. "Maybe you thought they were good citizens. You are defending the people who kill the lives you say matter."

Strongly worded, but he has a point. His crime bill was a response in part to black victimization. What would have been a better response to the wave of violence that hit America in the early 1990s? It strikes me that the crime bill tried to tackle the issue from multiple directions.

That doesnt mean that we shouldnt consider the deleterious effects of mass incarceration (while stopping short of blaming Bill Clinton; according to The New York Times, the nations rising incarceration rate was already on the upswing before the crime bill, a result due in part to the war on drugs). It also doesnt mean that we shouldnt restudy the drug "war" or consider all of the nuances in Bills bill.

One chart in The New York Times, which lines up the incarceration and crime trends next to each other, shows that, as incarceration continued to rise, crime dropped. That doesnt mean that one caused the other, of course (again, I think both are very complicated), but it is striking when you see them side-by-side.



Perhaps the cost of non-incarceration and fewer police on the streets is more social disorder and crime. Is that a trade-off people are willing to accept?

Yes, the better solution would be to tackle the thorny issues that lead to crime in the first place, things like poverty rates and fractured families. Its also possible, then, that less incarceration and police will just lead to more victimization, as the underlying causes of crime remain unaddressed.

As for the war on drugs and disparities in how things like crack and powder cocaine are treated, its a good idea for our society to readdress how we treat those things. However, if we dont legalize drugs to get the profit margin and turf battles out, youre going to continue to have violence associated with the drug trade. Society must address that violence. A middle ground  with the turf battles intact but incarceration off the table more  seems very dangerous. The drug trades correlation to violence is now being downplayed in the public conversation.

Statistics such as those in The New York Times showing six percent of all black men in their 30s were in prison in 2014 are indeed shocking and demanding of community action, too. Equally awful is the number of black men who die of homicide each year. However, blaming Bill Clinton is an incredibly unfair and simplistic answer.

When the crime bill passed, reported The New York Times, 58 percent of non-white voters supported the crime bill, a higher percentage than white voters. A contingent of African-American mayors urged Clinton to pass it, according to The Atlantic. Bernie Sanders voted for it, by the way.

I dont think it was perfect. I support mandatory minimums for some offenses (such as firearms), but I dont like three-strikes-youre-out mandatory life terms, which can be overly harsh. I oppose the death penalty in all circumstances. One other piece of the bill that wasnt great: It stopped prisoners from getting student loans. So Im not arguing Bills crime bill did everything right.

It also didnt do everything wrong. It attempted to strike a balance between alternatives to incarceration for some while cracking down harder on repeat and violent offenders.

Its true the crime bill locked up a lot of people, and this should be studied. Its also possible it saved a lot of them, too, and this should not be forgotten.
Ah, Wisconsin. McDonald's knows what you want.

That's why they're putting Johnsonville brats back on the menu at 125 restaurants throughout Southeast Wisconsin beginning Monday, April 25.

It's not the first time the popular bratwurst have been showcased as a menu item at the popular burger chain. In fact, Johnsonville Brats first appeared on McDonald's menus in southeastern Wisconsin in 1998 thanks to local McDonald's owner and operator Steve Kilian, who initiated the the promotion with Johnsonvilles foodservice business.

The initial launch caused a media frenzy. From Phoenix to New York City, more than 50 television stations nationwide covered the story of how the "old school" sausage, with its secret blend of spices, was being served up by a restaurant who made its name serving up "two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun."

"We had quite a bit of fun explaining the product to people across the country who werent as familiar with bratwurst, much less how much we love them here," said Kilian.

This time around, the brats, which haven't made their way onto menu boards in Milwaukee since 2009, will be served up on hardy brat-style buns and dressed with ketchup and mustard. In fact, customers will be able to procure two Johnsonville Brats (or a brat and large fries) for $4.44 through May 22.


Shot of Los Angeles

(Image by Justin Samuels) Details DMCA



School district and state support of ESL and other programs serving minorities have allowed upward mobility for minorities in California and this has lead to high levels of acceptance at the University of California system. The activists seek to give minorities access to government services that created the white middle class. They push programs that even out educational disparities between children from different socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. These programs also hire people from local communities and provide an avenue to the middle class for their employees. This has been beneficial for minorities at times, as these programs made to assist disenfranchised racial/ethnic groups also hire many people from those groups. The educational system has long served as a jobs program that expands the middle class, and California in its early embrace of ESL and bilingual education has moved ahead of other states in incorporating minorities into the middle class.

California used education as a jobs program to deal with the rapidly increasing numbers of Latinos and Asians. The civil rights laws lead to the Hart-Cellar act, which abolished the quotas favoring European immigrants to the US. Once the US was opened up, the number of Asian and Hispanic immigrants rapidly increased. This lead to huge new populations of children who were non English speakers. The public school systems and the state of California had to deal with these matters. Community activists fought for bilingual education and ESL programs in their local districts. They hired teachers from the communities who spoke either Spanish or Chinese to teach those languages. These teachers were not credentialed. Later on the educational bureaucracy instituted requirements for bilingual education and ESL, but by then other major changes relating to the inclusion of minority teachers took place. Activists in California lead the charge for the creation of ethnic studies at universities. This was meant to not only promote ethnic pride, but to provide employment for Latinos and Asians. It helped lay the foundation for the creation of a Latino and Asian middle class. California's innovation in bilingual education and ESL, plus support of Adult ESL via local school districts helped more immigrant families move up socioeconomically.

Another example of how hiring and training local members of a minority population created socioeconomic mobility occurred in Mississippi. The headstart program in Mississippi from the 1960s called CDGM was formed by a coalition of local and Northern activists. They trained local women with middle school education to work as head start teachers. Around this point Black Mississippians had low rates of literacy and large numbers of them worked in the agricultural sector or as domestics. The headstart program gave many Black women in Mississippi their first formal employment and job training. Many of them were able to move forward to get college and even graduate educations. The headstart program in addition to teaching Black children literacy, sought to counteract the negative stereotypes that had been ingrained in Black people due to extreme oppression. The programs sought to prepare children for a world in which they would have to fight for their rights and for the ability to move up socioeconomically. In Wisconsin a dynamic closer to California occurred with migrants Blacks from the South. As migrant Blacks joined expanding impoverished communities, activists such as William Kelly fought for local school authorities to hire Black teachers.

Efforts to increase minority enrollments have paid off in California. In California as the economy continues to recover the UC system has increased the number of residents it accepts. During the recession the UC system accepted more out of state and international students to make up for the budget shortfalls as they received reduced state subsidies. With both university and state finances recovered, the UC system offered admission to 15% more Californians. The Los Angeles Times reports that the numbers of Latinos admitted to the UC system grew from 16, 608 to 22, 704, representing 32% of the total class admitted. Overall the UC system admitted 66, 123 freshmen to the system. The number of Blacks grew from 2,337 to 3,083, representing 4.7%. Whites and Asian Americans represent 25% and 34.3% percent respectively. California is a minority majority state and the UC system is now reflecting that. The minority students accepted into UCLA mentioned programs from the nonprofit sector and from the UC system itself as playing major roles in guiding them to the proper courses to take in order to be competitive college applications. Research has indicated that bilingual education has long term cognitive benefits. The National Institute of Health states that bilinguals have better attention spans, increased task switching abilities, increased adaptiveness to environmental changes, and less cognitive decline in old age. There are a number of bilingual character schools in California. Charter schools are fulfilling a function of their mission by being innovative in bilingual education. The programs that California has that help minorities are not limited to those under age 18. Local school districts and the state also fund adult ESL.

Other factors aside from changes in education policy that have lead to increased minority college enrollment in California. The students interviewed in the aforementioned Los Angeles Times articles mentioned all the hard work that they put in to do well in school. And surely the parents of these students supported them both emotionally and financially. No doubt individual and family responsibility as at play in these cases and plays a major role. This doesn't negate the fact good public policy in the form of drawing educators from these communities helped open up the pathways for these minority students to enter the UC system in record numbers. The increased enrollment of California residents as well as growing Latino and Asian population were obviously factors in the increased minority enrollments. However one should keep in mind that in the 1960s ESL students were placed in classes for mentally retarded children and had extremely high dropout rates. Clearly the creation of programs serving linguistic minorities and the cessation of discriminatory practices towards linguistic minorities made huge differences in the educational outcomes of California then and California now.

California is an example of how hiring more minority educators increases the number of middle class minorities and provides pathways for others to pursue their higher education. More effort need to be made to hire minority teachers from the communities that have issues with teacher shortages. In hiring locals from these communities there is a clear pathway out of poverty for those who are hired as jobs in education are stable with good benefits. In 2016 New York City announced that it would recruit 1000 minority men from CUNY to teach in NYC public schools. This program needs to be expanded. Now that NYC has universal pre-k those teachers too should be hired from local NYC communities that they will be teaching it. These initiatives need to be expanded on a national level. The programs that assisted those underrepresented minorities in California in becoming competitive students for the UC system need to be created or expanded in other states.
This USA TODAY article reached tens of millions of people today all over the United States. Somebody besides me should tell his campaign staff, as well as tell Bernie himself that he should be sending editorials on several key subjects like this one to editorial page editors like the one in USA Today. It reached tens of millions of people in the largest publication in America, and pointed out clearly that Clinton as SoS promoted fracking in many other nations, much to the delight of her oil and gas donors on the boards of Chevron, Exon, etc.



I am baffled by what appears to be the reticence to do so thus far, but that is all going to have to change radically. Since it saves money on advertising, really gets the word out directly to readers in the prestigious context of the editorial page, and above all is not likely to be turned down at this point by any editor in any of the remaining states, they should be sending out ten or twenty or 100 times as much in this realm. I don't just mean press releases; any politician excels at that; I am strictly referring to editorial page submissions, which that particular editor can either accept or reject.

It's called the Battle of the Editorial Pages, and I know how potent this strategy could be from my extensive experience in the same realm in the 2008 and 2012 elections. Would any reader here, including the publisher of OpEdNews, care to pass that idea along to your friends in the campaign HQ?

Just to send a letter to the campaign would be excellent if it corroborates this very obvious strategy. How to send an email? help@berniesanders.com, press@berniesanders.com, plus personal messages to Symone D. Sanders, National Press Secretary, and to Tad Devine, National Campaign Advisor, both of the latter on Facebook, plus the directors of each state remaining, all listed in the campaign advisor page here.

Furthermore, short sincere and accurate letters to the editor, not to exceed 200 words, asking various papers in the remaining states to endorse him I believe will pay handsome returns as the votes come in in those states over the next 45 days. At the website, usnpl.com, there are extensive easy to access and easy to use lists for every remaining state. Help Bernie with the battle for the remaining states by putting your support on the editorial pages, too. Phone banking is great, but that alone is not going to do it, and nor is ordinary advertising.

The USA Today editorial by Senator Sanders is the proof of that. My own detailed article on Bernie's Save Oak Flat bill came out today in the Baltimore Post Examiner, graciously published in full. The photos of the destruction wrought by Rio Tinto Mining in other parts of the world are shocking and even nauseating, but this shows what kind of President Bernie would be, and what kind of President his opponent would NOT be.

Bernie's Save Oak Flat Act puts an end to the destruction of this part of Arizona's Tonto National Forest proposed by Arizona Senator John McCain. In this article, it is vital that you look at the photos of the total environmental destruction wrought by Rio Tinto Mining, the force behind Senator McCain's plan to privatize the Tonto National Forest, turning it into a vast copper mine that would resemble what you see in these photos. They are crucial to understand what kind of President Bernie Sanders would be and how we would prevent this wholesale destruction of the environment and this land sacred to the San Carlos Apaches.

Even Republicans can comprehend what an egregious departure this would be from the principles of Teddy Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and Dwight Eisenhower, to turn a national forest over to foreign corporations with the kind of track record these guys have. Rio Tinto makes Monsanto look like choir boys! Bernie's editorial against fracking in today's USA Today was a tremendous breakthrough for him in the largest publication in America with his own editorial, which must occur again and again in the remaining primary states, not only his editorials appearing widely throughout these states, but your short letters to the editor, too, if you can set aside 10-15 minutes a day to help Bernie and send them out to the remaining primary states.


The National Registry of Exonerations report stated further that 42 of those exonerated in 2015 had pleaded guilty, a glaring indication that the current system of seeking plea bargains simply isn't just. Indeed, Propublica found that 98.2 percent of all federal cases end in conviction, with nearly all of those a result of plea deals.

Why would an innocent person take a plea? Really, there is no alternative. First, the government uses a technique called "charge stacking." Have you committed an actual crime? Be prepared for multiple charges, including a lot of "throw-away charges," like obstruction of justice or making a false statement. In addition, the government will likely levy multiple charges against you for the same crime.

The point is not necessarily to convict you on everything, although prosecutors are perfectly happy to do that. The point is that prosecutors will eventually offer you a deal. Take a plea to one count and the others will be dismissed. It's a negotiating ploy. But for the accused, the question is this: Even if you are innocent, should you take a plea and do a couple of years in prison or should you try your luck at trial, knowing that almost no defendant wins in court? Almost everybody takes the deal.

After I blew the whistle on the CIA's torture program, the Justice Department charged me with violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act. I had confirmed the name of a former CIA colleague to a reporter who wanted to interview him for a book. The name was never made public, but I shouldn't have done it. Still, I had no criminal intent and there was no harm to the national security.

But that didn't matter. The government added three espionage charges, as well as a charge of making a false statement. They threatened additional charges of making a false statement and obstruction of justice. Of course, I hadn't committed espionage. Nor had I made any false statements. But that didn't matter. Why risk a trial when you can just force a defendant to take a plea?

In the end, I took a plea to the initial charge. Everything else was dismissed. I was sentenced to 30 months in a federal prison. If I had gone to trial and had been found guilty, I was looking at 45 years. Realistically, I would have been sentenced to 18-24 years. Either way, I would have likely died in prison.

That happens every day in America. So it should be no surprise that innocent people are in prison as a result of pleading guilty to crimes they didn't commit. The work of the Brooklyn and Harris County district attorneys should be lauded. But innocent men and women shouldn't have to rely on the isolated prosecutor with a conscience for justice. Justice should mean justice.

Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
There is mounting evidence that Israeli ambulance crews are withholding treatment from Palestinians injured during a wave of attacks over the past six months, according to rights groups.

Physicians for Human Rights in Israel, a medical watchdog group, found that wounded Palestinians had been left untreated for as long as two hours.

In some cases, it is believed medical teams failed to tend to the injuries of suspected attackers as revenge, in the expectation that they would die from their wounds.

In parallel, says the group, Israeli soldiers regularly deny Palestinian crews in the occupied territories access to injured Palestinians in violation of international agreements. Palestinian ambulances have been regularly fired on and paramedics attacked as they tried to reach the scene.

Physicians for Human Rights accused Israel's leading medical bodies -- the Israeli Medical Association, which lays down ethical codes, and Magen David Adom, which supervises ambulance services -- of ignoring the evidence it has collected of such abuses.

"We have seen no serious response to our complaints, no investigations, not even an attempt to meet us. They don't appear to want to give answers," Mor Efrat, a researcher for the rights group, told Al-Jazeera.

Concern that some ambulance crews are adopting a policy of denying Palestinians treatment has been heightened by the increasing role of medical teams located in illegal Jewish settlements.

These paramedics appear to be openly flouting internationally established principles of neutrality that all medical staff are supposed to observe.

In December the leaders of United Hatzalah, a settler ambulance service implicated in several cases in which Palestinians have been refused treatment, visited a leading ultra-Orthodox rabbi, Chaim Kanievsky, to receive instructions on what to do with Palestinians injured during attacks.

According to a report on the settlers' website Israel National News, Kanievsky told them that if the injured Palestinian "was in a life-threatening condition, they should leave him or her to die." Other rabbis have made similar calls.

The issue of Israel's treatment of injured Palestinians was thrust into the spotlight late last month when a soldier from the Israeli army's medical corps was caught on video executing a badly injured Palestinian in the West Bank city of Hebron.

Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, aged 21, had been shot and wounded during a suspected knife attack on a checkpoint. Before the medical corps soldier, identified this week as Elor Azaria, executed him by firing a bullet into his head, al-Sharif was left bleeding on the ground for more than 10 minutes.

Both army medics and two civilian ambulance teams, one of them United Hatzalah, refused to treat him. After the video was publicized, Azaria was arrested.

On Monday, an Israeli military court charged the soldier with manslaughter and inappropriate military conduct. However, there has been an outpouring of support for him, from the Israeli public, politicians and rabbis.

Efrat, of Physicians for Human Rights, said the failure by both the Israeli Medical Association and Magen David Adom to speak out against abuses committed by Israeli medical staff created the climate that made possible the events in Hebron.
Reprinted from American Conservative

Federal agencies relentlessly pursue suspected whistleblowers, while self-serving politicians escape punishment.





Starting with Hammurabi, rulers have frequently appreciated that their subjects would be more acquiescent to being governed if they had at least a minimal appreciation that they were being treated fairly. That understanding has led to the development of law codes along the lines of the Roman Republic's laws of the Twelve Tables, which were inscribed in bronze and posted prominently in the Forum so everyone would know what the rules were. In the Middle Ages statues of Justice erected in the Italian republics often had her blindfolded and with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other, indicating that guilt would be weighed fairly and punishment, if merited, would be delivered inexorably. For modern democracies the rule of law has often been translated into the expression "equal justice under law."

Of course everyone knows that there is no such thing as equal justice. Certain infractions are rarely prosecuted while other crimes are pursued rigorously. Expensive lawyers reduce the risk of there being any serious consequences for the wealthy even when one is caught out. Employees of the state are rarely punished even when their felonies cost the taxpayers millions of dollars because no one wants to look closely at corruption in government.

But there is nevertheless the impression that the law exists to serve everyone equally, which is why the recent comments by President Obama regarding Hillary Clinton's personal email account, which included 22 emails classified top secret, are so incredible. Obama made two statements regarding Hillary's private email server while she was secretary of state. His first comment was that he would do nothing to impede the investigation and possible filing of charges against Clinton if the facts should warrant that kind of action, elaborating "That is institutionally how we have always operated: I do not talk to the attorney general about pending investigations. I do not talk to FBI directors about pending investigations. We have a strict line." And then he followed up by stating that "There's carelessness in terms of managing emails, that she has owned, and she recognizes. I continue to believe that she has not jeopardized America's national security."

Anyone who has ever handled classified material, which presumably includes the president, knows that there are a number of things that you do not do. You do not take it home with you, you do not copy it and share it with anyone who does not have a clearance or a need to know, and you do not transfer it to another email account that is not protected on a government server. If you have a secured government computer, that means that what is on the computer stays on the computer. This is not a matter of debate or subject to interpretation. It is how one safeguards classified information even if one believes that the material should not be classified. That the classification might be unnecessary is not your decision to make.

Obama is, of course, lying when he says that he will allow an investigation to proceed unimpeded. The attorney general and FBI director work for him, and he is keenly aware of what is going on. He doesn't have to say anything at all for Loretta Lynch to understand that it might be in the administration's interest to slow down or kill the process. As Obama has one major legacy issue in the waning days of his presidency, to make sure that the Democratic Party holds onto the White House, to torpedo Hillary Clinton through prosecution over mishandling classified information would be unthinkable for him and the people around him. He does not have to send a signed presidential memo or have an off the record conversation to make sure that his associates appreciate that point.

And second, when Obama claims that there was no breach of security, his assessment is irrelevant, in part because he may not know that to be true. The government was not controlling the private server in Chappaqua and numerous messages both there and in Washington have reportedly been erased. Besides, the accusation being made against Hillary is that she mishandled classified information, not that she gave it to some foreign power. She clearly is guilty as messages were cut and pasted minus their classification caveats. The question should be not whether she is guilty -- she is -- but rather what form of punishment is appropriate. But Obama has sent a clear message that he has considered the matter and there will be no punishment.

And then there is the somewhat similar case of General David Petraeus. While CIA director, Petraeus shared classified information with his lover Paula Broadwell, who was his official biographer. He eventually plea bargained guilty to giving Broadwell eight notebooks that he was insecurely storing in his home, including classified information recorded while he was serving as commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

The notebooks held some of the most sensitive kinds of military and intelligence secrets, including names of undercover officers, intelligence resources, paraphrases from high-level meetings of the National Security Council, and even some comments about Petraeus's discussions with the president. It has been argued that Broadwell had a security clearance and was writing an official biography, but she had no need to know the highly sensitive information contained in the notebooks and should not have had access to them.

Petraeus was placed on probation for two years and was fined $100,000, which he could easily afford. Proposals to demote him in rank and so diminish his pension were rejected. Some argued that he was protected by his rank and status and that his punishment had he been an enlisted man or junior officer would almost certainly have been much greater. But it is precisely due to his rank and status that the punishment was more severe than it seemed. He went from being a highly respected military officer and head of the CIA to being a man in disgrace who furthermore had his extramarital affair exposed to the nation. Some might plausibly argue that he should have also done jail time, but it is not unreasonable to maintain that the punishment hurt him in the area where he was most vulnerable -- his reputation. In reality the penalty might be considered to be at least somewhat proportionate to the crime.

And then we come to Jeffrey Sterling, who is currently serving a three-and-a-half year prison term for allegedly leaking information to New York Times journalist James Risen. Sterling first came to the media's attention when in 2003 he blew the whistle on a botched CIA operation called Operation Merlin, telling the Senate Intelligence Committee staff that the CIA had mistakenly sent nuclear secrets to Iran.

So it was perhaps inevitable that in 2006, when James Risen published a book that inter alia discussed the botched Operation Merlin, the Department of Justice focused on Sterling as the suspected source. In court the federal prosecutors relied almost entirely on Risen's phone and email logs, which reportedly demonstrated that the two men had been in contact up until 2005. But the prosecutors did not provide the content of those communications even though the FBI was listening in on some of them. Risen has claimed that he had multiple sources on Operation Merlin, and Sterling has always denied being involved. No evidence was ever produced in court demonstrating that any classified information ever passed between them.

Jeffrey Sterling could not even testify in the trial on his own behalf because he would have had to discuss Operation Merlin, which was and is still classified, meaning he could not reveal any details about it even if they were already known through the Risen book. Indeed, some of the information in Risen's book relating to Merlin could not have been known by Sterling as he was no longer associated with the operation after mid-2000, a detail that could also not be presented as it too was considered classified. The jury convicted Sterling based on "suspicion," a verdict that defense witness Colonel Pat Lang, former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency's clandestine program, described as a "travesty."

After conviction, Sterling was sent to prison in Colorado -- 900 miles from his family's home in St. Louis. According to his wife Holly, legal fees have wiped out the couple's finances, leading some to believe that the government deliberately set out to make an example of Sterling. John Kiriakou, another CIA whistleblower who was also imprisoned, observed that "The point wasn't just to imprison Jeffrey. It was to ruin him. Utterly ruin him. The point was to demonize him. And frighten any other would-be whistleblowers."

So much for equal justice under law. The politically best connected abuser of classified information walks, the next one down the ladder in terms of political importance is fined but not otherwise punished, and the least institutionally protected individual goes to jail.
Phuket, 19 March 2016  The summer season is coming to an end very soon. Amari Phuket invites guests to celebrate the end of this bright and colourful season by launching a One-Bedroom Suite Promotion with an extra savings up to 15% for a minimum three-night stay.

A special room rate after the discount for two people starts from 14,025 THB+++ for a four-day and three-night stay with exclusive offer for The Clubhouse benefits, valued at 7,200 THB net. The Clubhouse benefits include access to an infinity pool, sun deck and FIT Centre, as well as a daily buffet breakfast, complimentary tea, coffee, cookies, fruits and also the Cocktail Hour with a selection of drinks, canape and carving station from 17:30 to 18:30 daily. On top of the offer there is a complimentary dining credit valued at 1,000 THB net per stay.

The promotion is available to book now and valid for stays until 30 June 2016.

For more information and/or reservations, please contact +66 (0) 7634 0106-14 extension 8033 or 8034,

email reservations.phuket@amari.com or visit www.amari.com/phuket.

Address: Amari Phuket, 2 Muen-ngern Road, Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket 83150
A new statistical method inspired by economics is helping scientists identify old volcanic eruptions through temperature changes. Credit: Taro Taylor/CC-BY-2.0

When Mount Tambora erupted in 1815, it spewed dust and sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere with a force more powerful than any eruption since. As the aerosols and particulates circulated around the globe, they cooled the planet, disrupting agriculture and leading to what became known as the "year without a summer."

Scientists can read old descriptions of eruptions like Tambora and analyze ash deposits captured in polar ice, but consistently estimating the climate impact of past eruptions has been difficult. A new technique may be changing that.

An innovative new method described this week in the Journal of Economic Surveys combines statistical approaches used in economics with volcano and climate science to pick out past volcanic eruptions from tree-ring temperature reconstructions going back millennia and gauge their impact on the climate. It arose from a chance meeting at a conference between climate scientist Jason Smerdon, who was working with graduate student Lea Schneider on the volcanic impact on climate, and econometrics expert Felix Pretis.

The new statistical method resulting from their cross-disciplinary collaboration may help separate volcanic impacts on climate from random climate variability and improve understanding of the effects of aerosols on temperature, which has implications for pollution control as well as for calibrating climate models. The method also has a wide range of policy and science applications beyond volcanic eruptions, from assessing forecasts made by central banks to studying the diffusion of innovations in medicine, said Pretis, co-director of the Climate Econometrics research project at the Economics Department of the University of Oxford.

Example of the signature of a volcanic break. Credit: Pretis et al., 2016

The method starts with a temperature time series. "In a climate time series, you often have lots of ups and downs and wiggles. Often times, you would like to sweep over that time series to identify things that don't match what you would expectbreaks that stand out against the background wiggles as statistically significant. Maybe it's a break that goes up to a different mean. Maybe it's a volcanic spike," said Smerdon, a Lamont associate research professor at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and head of the PaleoDynamics Lab there.

The new method uses what is known as indicator saturation. In a nutshell, the approach defines the basic shapes of possible breaks that might be in the time series and then removes all the additional wiggles except for those that resemble the signature shape in a statistically significant way. The size of the v, or the magnitude of the cold spike in the temperature time series, is related to the impact of the eruption on the climate and ultimately the eruption's size and location.

To test the approach, the scientists used a Northern Hemisphere mean temperature time series from a global climate model simulation spanning the last 1,200 years. These simulations are developed by modeling the many forces that cause climate to change, including internal random variability and external forces, such as solar variability, greenhouse gases and volcanic eruptions. The method identified the biggest eruptions in the climate model 100 percent of the time over many trials. It consistently detected 74 percent of eruptions that deposited over 20 teragrams of sulfate aerosols on the polar ice, and 57 percent of all global eruptions, including several with little impact on Northern Hemisphere temperature.

Example of a Northern Hemisphere temperature reconstruction through the year 2000 showing departures from the 1960-1991 average. The new statistical method may help determine when volcanoes erupted. Credit: Schneider et al., 2015

Smerdon, Pretis and Schneider, a Ph.D. student at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany, are now working on applying the method to a new temperature time series developed from tree-ring density records from across the Northern Hemisphere. The result may help pinpoint previously unknown volcanic eruptions and gauge their magnitude.

"This is a much more rigorous way of testing your assumptions than looking at a time series and saying, 'Well, I think something happened here.' Sometimes it's obvious, but statistics allows you to ask those questions objectively to make sure that you aren't deceiving yourself," Smerdon said.

The method can be used to learn about previously unknown or uncertain events in general, Pretis said. "These methods also allow us to improve forecasts once a shock has happenedsudden unanticipated shifts can lead to dramatic forecast failure, because most forecasting models correct back to the level prior to the shift. We can use the methodology of designed break functions to improve our forecasts by detecting if a break has occurred, even with only a few data points, then estimate the magnitude of this break to provide guidance on how we might recover from it."

NASA-GISS's Allegra LeGrande, who studies the impact of volcanic aerosols on climate and was not involved in the paper, said: "If a technique existed to automatically pick out all the volcanic events from proxy records, we would be able to significantly improve our reconstructions of past volcanism and extend this reconstruction far back in time. We could develop better statistics for the frequency of large events." LeGrande is co-hosting a workshop on Volcanic Impacts on Climate and Society in June.

The new statistical tools are available through the software package OxMetrics and in the open-source statistical software environment R, accessible through climateeconometrics.org/tools. David Hendry, co-director of the Program for Economic Modelling at the Institute for New Economic Thinking, Oxford Martin School, was a co-author of the paper.

Explore further Quantifying the impact of volcanic eruptions on climate

More information: Felix Pretis et al. DETECTING VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN TEMPERATURE RECONSTRUCTIONS BY DESIGNED BREAK-INDICATOR SATURATION, Journal of Economic Surveys (2016). Felix Pretis et al. DETECTING VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN TEMPERATURE RECONSTRUCTIONS BY DESIGNED BREAK-INDICATOR SATURATION,(2016). DOI: 10.1111/joes.12148
Artist's impression of Sentinel-3

Within months, EUMETSAT will begin disseminating the eagerly-awaited marine mission from Sentinel-3A, the latest addition to the EU's Copernicus fleet of earth observation satellites.

Following its successful launch and early operations phase, EUMETSAT has been supporting the European Space Agency (ESA) in-orbit commissioning activities, before EUMETSAT takes over routine operations of the spacecraft and processing data at its Sentinel-3 Marine Centre.

The Copernicus programme is Europe's response to the challenge of global environment monitoring and climate change.

Sentinel-3A will provide systematic measurements of the Earth's oceans, land, ice and atmosphere.

It has been described as "the most beautiful satellite ever built" from oceanographers' perspective, with its cutting-edge instruments' ability to provide highly accurate data on the ocean colour, sea surface temperature and sea surface height.

These data are crucial for Europe's 500 billion euro a year "blue economy" and will be relied upon by the fishing and aquaculture industries, coastal planners, the marine transport industry, environment and climate scientists and others, in addition to weather and ocean forecasters.

The EU has entrusted EUMETSAT to undertake, in cooperation with ESA, routine operations of Sentinel-3A, which was launched on 16 February and is now going through its commissioning phase, and to deliver its marine mission.

In addition, EUMETSAT will deliver to Copernicus data from the joint European-US Jason-3 ocean altimetry satellite, which was launched in January this year, as part of an integrated marine data stream, incorporating data from third-party missions of our partners in the US, China and India.

Jason-3 will expand until 2021 the unique mean sea-level climate data record, started in 1992 by Topex-Poseidon, and continue to provide the reference ocean surface topography measurements used for cross-calibrating all other altimeter missions, including Sentinel-3, and this data will also soon be available.

Sentinel-3A has already delivered impressive first images from its Ocean and Land Colour Instrument, altimeter and Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer and the quality of the products is expected to improve with fine-tuning over the remaining months of the commissioning before EUMETSAT begins routine operations.

When Sentinel-3A's marine mission is fully operational, these new, advanced instruments will be sending back to Earth high quality data in vastly increased amounts.

EUMETSAT offers users and service providers access to a multi-mission data stream via EUMETCast, a highly-reliable, cost-effective system based on off-the-shelf, commercially available, standard Digital Video Broadcast technology.

EUMETCast's highly scalable architecture will provide the near real-time Sentinel-3 data services to an unlimited number of simultaneous users, regardless of the possible limitations of local communication infrastructures.

The UK-based European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), which produces and disseminates numerical weather predictions to its 34 Member States and is both a research institute and operational service, receives more than 50 gigabytes of data via EUMETCast in near real time every day.

"EUMETCast delivers the majority of the satellite observations operationally assimilated at ECMWF," ECMWF Head of Evaluation Section David Richardson said.

"These are important to the quality of the forecasts in all regions and in those parts of the world where non-satellite observations are scarce the forecast skill would fall dramatically without the observations disseminated by EUMETCast.

"EUMETCast provides a very reliable, cost-effective and easy to use mechanism for the near real time delivery of more than 50 gigabytes of satellite data every day. It is an essential component of ECMWF's data reception system.

"ECMWF is also making use of the EUMETCast service to broadcast essential weather forecast products to over 50 African countries overcoming the lack of network infrastructure available in this area of the world."

"The addition of Sentinel-3A data will complement the already existing marine data stream we have available on EUMETCast"

EUMETSAT User Relations Manager Sally Wannop said: "As a single data access mechanism, EUMETCast is the one-stop-shop to a wide range of environmental data.

"The addition of Sentinel-3A data will complement the already existing marine data stream we have available on EUMETCast."

In addition, EUMETSAT will disseminate the Sentinel-3A data on-line, via itsCopernicus Online Data Access, and to international partners via EUMETCast Terrestrial, which functions like the satellite service but using a terrestrial network instead.

The DVB satellite link is replaced by a connection to a national research network. EUMETCast Terrestrial has the potential to reach users beyond the EUMETCast satellite footprint, for example, in Australia.

EUMETSAT is already looking at future evolutions of its data services to users.

A series of pathfinder projects, involving hosted processing, new data view capabilities, the creation of a format conversation toolbox and online data platforms, for example, are currently being undertaken.

Many of the enhancements arising from these projects will also be applied to the Copernicus data.

Provided by European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT)
A turtle swims over bleached coral at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is suffering its worst coral bleaching in recorded history with 93 percent of the World Heritage site affected, scientists said Wednesday, as they revealed the phenomenon is also hitting the other side of the country.

After extensive aerial and underwater surveys, researchers at James Cook University said only seven percent of the huge reef had escaped the whitening triggered by warmer water temperatures.

"We've never seen anything like this scale of bleaching before," said Terry Hughes, convenor of the National Coral Bleaching Taskforce.

The damage ranges from minor in the southern areaswhich are expected to recover soonto very severe in the northern and most pristine reaches of the 2,300 kilometre (1,430 miles) site off the east coast.

Hughes said of the 911 individual reefs surveyed, only 68 (or seven percent) had escaped the massive bleaching event which has also spread south to Sydney Harbour for the first time and across to the west.

Researcher Verena Schoepf, from the University of Western Australia, said coral was already dying at a site she had recently visited off the state's far north coast.

"Some of the sites that I work at had really very severe bleaching, up to 80 to 90 percent of the coral bleached," she told AFP. "So it's pretty bad out there."

Factfile on Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Severe throughout the Pacific

Australia's Environment Minister Greg Hunt said it was "absolutely clear that there is a severe coral bleaching event occurring not just in the Great Barrier Reef but throughout many parts of the Pacific".

Hughes said the bleaching began in Hawaii late last year and had already affected several Pacific islands.

"Right now, New Caledonia, the Coral Sea, the northern half of the Barrier Reef and New South Wales are bleaching severely, and western Australia is quickly catching up," he told AFP.

Bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour.

A XL Catlin Seaview Survey diver films bleached coral at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef in March 2016

Corals can recover if the water temperature drops and the algae are able to recolonise them, but scientists warned last year that the warming effects of a El Nino weather pattern could result in a mass global bleaching event.

Hughes said while bleaching had been linked to El Ninos, which generally occur every four to six years, "it wasn't until 1998 that one finally caused a bleaching event to happen" on the Great Barrier Reef.

"So the issue is global warming," Hughes told AFP, saying the link between water temperature and the severity of the bleaching was clear.

Hughes said the impact on the Great Barrier Reef would have been even worse had not a tropical cyclone which smashed into the Pacific island of Fiji in February brought rain and cooler weather to parts of Queensland.

"If you think about it, being rescued by the vagaries of a cyclone is a fairly precarious place to be," he added.

Andrew Baird, from James Cook University's centre for coral reef studies, said he had been surprised by the scale and severity of the event on the major tourist drawcard which is teeming with marine life.

"We've been expecting a really big event for a while I suppose and here it is," he told AFP.

Baird said because the bleaching was far less serious in the southern reaches "lots of the reef will still be in good shape".

"But the reef that's been badly affectedwhich is a third to a half of itis going to take a while to recover," he told AFP.

"And again the big question is how many of these events can it handle? And I think the answer is not many more."

Explore further Worst bleaching on record for Great Barrier Reef: scientists

 2016 AFP
Credit: NIH

The origin of Yiddish, the millennium old language of Ashkenazic Jews, is something which linguists have questioned for decades.

Now, a pioneering tool - the Geographic Population Structure (GPS) - which converts DNA data into its ancestral coordinates, has helped scientists pinpoint that the DNA of Yiddish speakers could have originated from four ancient villages in north-eastern Turkey.

The research, led by Dr Eran Elhaik from the University of Sheffield, suggests the Yiddish language was invented by Iranian and Ashkenazic Jews as they traded on the Silk Road.

The ancient villages, identified by the GPS tool, are clustered close to the crossroads of the Silk Roads and are named Iskenaz, Eskenaz, Ashanaz, and Ashkuz - names which may derive from the word "Ashkenaz."

"Language, geography and genetics are all connected," said Dr Eran Elhaik from the University's Department of Animal and Plant Sciences.

"Using the GPS tool to analyse the DNA of sole Yiddish and non-Yiddish speakers, we were able to predict the possible ancestral location where Yiddish originated over 1,000 years ago - a question which linguists have debated over for many years."

He added: "North east Turkey is the only place in the world where these place names exist - which strongly implies that Yiddish was established around the first millennium at a time when Jewish traders who were plying the Silk Road moved goods from Asia to Europe wanted to keep their monopoly on trade.

"They did this by inventing Yiddish - a secret language that very few can speak or understand other than Jews. Our findings are in agreement with an alternative theory that suggests Yiddish has Iranian, Turkish, and Slavic origins and explains why Yiddish contains 251 words for the terms 'buy' and 'sell'. This is what we can expect from a language of experienced merchants."

Yiddish, which incorporates German, Slavic and Hebrew, and is written in Aramaic letters, is commonly thought to be an old German dialect.

However, an alternative theory proposed by Professor Paul Wexler from the University of Tel Aviv and also an author on the study, suggests that Yiddish is a Slavic language that used to have both Slavic grammar and words but in time shed its Slavic lexicon and replaced it with common and unfamiliar German words.

The findings of the study, published today (Wednesday 20 April 2016) in Genome Biology and Evolution, led researchers to believe that towards the end of the first millennium, Ashkenazic Jews may have relocated to Khazaria before moving into Europe half a millennium later after the fall of the Khazarian Empire, and during a time when the international trading networks collapsed.

As Yiddish became the primary language of Ashkenazic Jews, the language began to acquire new words from other cultures while retaining its Slavic grammar.

Dr Elhaik said: "Yiddish is such a wonderful and complex language, which was inappropriately called "bad German" by both its native and non-native speakers because the language consists of made-up German words and a non-German grammar.

"Yiddish is truly a combination of familiar and adapted German words using Slavic grammar. In a sense the language uses the same premise as Yoda from the Star Wars movies. For example, Yoda's language consists of common and made-up English words like 'Wookie' or 'Jedi' but the grammar is different - the words are used in a different order to what we are familiar with."

He added: "Utilizing the GPS ancestry technology and applying it to the DNA of sole Yiddish speakers and non-Yiddish speakers allowed us to find the ancestral origins of their DNA. The GPS tool indicates where ancient Ashkenaz could have existed over 1,500 years ago."

Professor Paul Wexler, from the University of Tel Aviv, said: "The linguistic data used are from Yiddish, which we assume was invented in Western Asia as a Slavic language with a largely German-like lexicon and a significant Iranian component on all levels of the language.

"The genetic data presented here appear to corroborate the linguistic hypothesis."

More information: Genome Biology and Evolution, gbe.oxfordjournals.org/content  evw046.full.pdf+html
On March 28, the U.S. Geological Survey issued a one-year seismic forecast for the United States that for the first time includes ground-shaking hazards from both natural and human-induced earthquakes. In the wake of the forecast's release, researchers are gathering at the Seismological Society of America's (SSA) 2016 Annual Meeting April 20-22 in Reno, Nevada, to discuss some of the science behind the report.

Presenters at the meeting will speak about factors that may influence the location and strength of induced earthquakes in the central United States and western Canada and what can be done to minimize the occurrence and impacts of this seismic activity.

The USGS report estimates that about 7 million people in the central and eastern United States now live in areas affected by induced earthquakes. In central Oklahoma and southern Kansas, there is a 5 to 12% chance of a damaging (magnitude 4.5 or larger) earthquake occurring within the next year. Other areas at risk for induced earthquake hazards include parts of Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio and Alabama. At the SSA meeting, Mark Petersen, chief of the USGS National Seismic Hazard Mapping Project, will discuss the data that were used to build the new seismic forecast.

The vast majority of induced seismicity in the United States is related to wastewater from enhanced oil recovery operations being injected back into the ground, says research geophysicist and deputy chief of the USGS Induced Seismicity Project Justin Rubinstein. At the SSA meeting, Rubinstein will discuss how places such as Harper and Sumner counties in southern Kansas have seen a surge in seismic activity since a 2012 increase in oil and gas operations in the area, including a magnitude 4.8 earthquake in 2014. When the Kansas Corporation Commission placed limits on the industry's wastewater disposal, Rubinstein reports, earthquake activity in the area under the limits decreased by 40 to 50% in the six months following the commission's order.

A presentation by AECOM seismologist Ivan Wong will address one of the questions on the minds of infrastructure engineers and public policy planners after learning about the new USGS report: what is the potential for damage from these types of earthquakes? There is some disagreement among researchers, Wong notes, about whether the expected ground shaking in induced seismicity might be stronger or weaker in natural earthquakes. It may also be possible that even earthquakes of magnitude 5 or smaller could damage infrastructure in the central U.S. because buildings and roads in those regions have rarely been built with seismic hazards in mind.

Several presentations in the induced seismicity session will examine whether there is a set of seismic features that can be used to distinguish natural from induced earthquakes. This remains a challenging problem, Rubinstein says, "since induced earthquakes involve the same sorts of slip processes as natural earthquakes." For the moment, induced earthquakes are identified by researchers looking at the full catalog of seismicity for a region, "and determining whether changes to industrial operations have coincided with changes in earthquake rates," he says.

While the USGS report has raised new interest and concern about induced earthquakes in the central U.S., induced seismicity may have a relatively long history in the region, according to USGS seismologist Susan Hough, who will discuss 20thcentury oil and gas practices in Oklahoma in her SSA talk. She and her colleagues have turned up some interesting documents in the course of tracking down the roots of induced seismicity in the state, including a rare earthquake insurance policy taken out by an prominent Oklahoma City petroleum geologist in 1952, just a couple months before the magnitude 5.7 El Reno earthquake toppled buildings and chimneys and cracked the state capitol building in Oklahoma City.

More information: The session "Induced Seismicity" will take place at 8:30 a.m. US PT April 20, 2016 at the annual meeting of the Seismological Society of America (SSA) in Reno, Nevada.
Private label brands (PLBs), like Costco's Kirkland or Walmart's Great Value, represent 17 per cent of total sales in the United States, growing by about 13 per cent annually. That's big business for retailers, and it could be bigger still.

A new study published in the Journal of Retailing by researchers with Concordia University in Montreal shows profits for PLBs, also called store brands, can increase if companies couple ethical marketing with higher prices.

"Our findings indicate that consumers expect products with ethical attributesbe they environmentally friendly, sustainably sourced or fair tradeto come with a higher price tag. Companies would be wise to take advantage of those expectations," says Maryam Tofighi, Concordia graduate student and one of the coauthors.

However, the researchers also found that consumers' evaluations of store brands with a lower price point do not benefit from the presence of ethical attributes aimed at enhancing social welfare or environmental protection.

If consumers are interested in maximizing product benefits while minimizing their financial outlay, why don't they choose a low-priced store brand with an ethical attribute over one without?

Because, explains the study's lead authorConcordia marketing professor Onur Bodur, a higher price point signals a standard or premium quality tier positioning that is further strengthened by benefits associated with the ethical attribute (for example, a healthier product).

"These sorts of positive evaluations do not extend to low-priced store brands simply because ethical attributes aren't seen to contribute to the economic benefit which arise from their purchase."

In fact, the reverse is true. When ethical attributes are eliminated from economy store brands, their perceived value increases. "Consumer evaluations are in line with this argument," Bodur says.

The study's findings have important implications for retailers pursuing a two-tier store brand strategy, which includes economy store brands and premium ones.

"Even if the higher-priced store brands with ethical attributes cost more to produce, retailers stand to gain back a larger percentage of the costs associated with their production, because consumers will deem them to be worth the extra charge," says Tofighi.

The presence of ethical attributes in store brands with higher price points may also improve their competitiveness against manufacturers' national brands, the study concludes.

"When it comes to premium PLB brands, this is a win-win-win situation," Bianca Grohmann, Concordia Research Chair in Marketing and study co-author, says. "Companies see increased profits, consumers get improved products, and the environment experiences better protection."

Explore further Australian study: Store brands battle quality perceptions

More information: H. Onur Bodur et al, When Should Private Label Brands Endorse Ethical Attributes?, Journal of Retailing (2015). Journal information: Journal of Retailing H. Onur Bodur et al, When Should Private Label Brands Endorse Ethical Attributes?,(2015). DOI: 10.1016/j.jretai.2015.11.001
For Immediate Release

Two Syrian doctors and the philanthropists Ayman and Sawsan Asfari were honored Monday evening, April 18, for their work supporting the people of Syria at a gala hosted by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) in New York.

PHR awarded the 2016 Physicians for Human Rights Award to Syrian physicians Dr. Lena* and Dr. Nour* for their brave work treating patients and documenting torture and sexual violence during the Syrian conflict.

Each has witnessed unspeakable horrors and suffered tragic personal loss, said PHR Executive Director Donna McKay. But both say the risk is worth it  to make sure everyone who needs care gets it. And to reveal the truth of what has happened to their country.

PHR has documented the deliberate targeting of medical professionals and facilities throughout the five-year conflict. My colleagues and I fear arrest as much as bombs, said Dr. Lena, who accepted the award for herself and Dr. Nour. Despair is everywhere around us, and yet I have hope because of the resilience and strength I have seen in my patients and because of my work with PHR.

In addition to honoring Dr. Lena and Dr. Nour, PHR also presented the 2016 Physicians for Human Rights Award to Ayman and Sawsan Asfari, founders of the Asfari Foundation, which educates and empowers youth, strengthens civil society, and provides humanitarian relief, particularly in Syria.

Ayman and Sawsan Asfari are working to rebuild civil society in Syria, especially among young people, said PHRs McKay. We are also grateful to have their support for our efforts to train more and more doctors in Syria to document human rights abuses.

Proceeds from the gala, held at Jazz at Lincoln Centers Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City, will support PHRs work to ensure that mass atrocities and severe human rights violations are investigated and documented, and that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Some 280 guests joined the gala this year, including former New York governor Eliot Spitzer, real estate and media luminary Mort Zuckerman, photographer Platon, Bonobos CEO Andy Dunn, filmmaker Oren Moverman, and writer Andrew Solomon, among other supporters and friends of PHR.

About the honorees:

Dr. Lena and Dr. Nour were honored for their heroic work as Syrian medical professionals. Every day, they risk their lives  and often those of their families  in order to care for the sick and wounded and to document human rights abuses. The Syrian conflict has seen unprecedented attacks on medical personnel and facilities. Since the start of the crisis in 2011, PHR has documented the deaths of more than 730 medical workers and more than 350 attacks on health facilities in Syria.

The Asfari Foundation is a London-based charitable organization that educates and empowers young people, strengthens civil society, and provides relief in the Levant with a focus on Syria, Ayman Asfaris birthplace. Founders Ayman and Sawsan Asfari envision a world where educated, tolerant citizens work together for inclusive, productive, open societies under the rule of law.

*Due to security concerns, these are pseudonyms.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, received a $2,000 campaign contribution from Altria Group in the 1st quarter, bringing her total campaign contributions from the tobacco industry in the election cycle so far to $4,500, as of March 31, according to reports the campaign filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Two men were arrested this week on charges related to the alleged distribution of "substantial" amounts of heroin in the South Glens Falls and Moreau areas, police said.

Brenton M. Wrobel, 26, of Jamaica Avenue, Moreau, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, after a search of his home, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office. He was accused of possessing the drug with intent to sell after an investigation by the Sheriff's Office, State Police and Saratoga Springs Police.

The Sheriff's Office also charged Brian S. Munger, 52, of James Court, Gansevoort, with felony counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

He was charged after an investigation by the Sheriffs Office, State Police, South Glens Falls Police and Saratoga Springs Police.

Both men were arraigned and sent to Saratoga County Jail, with no bail set for Munger because of his criminal record that includes a 2012 felony drug conviction in Saratoga County Court.
Volunteer fire departments across the state will be opening their doors to visitors this weekend as part of an event called RecruitNY.

The event is aimed at recruiting volunteers and is important for local departments, because they have been struggling with for years to recruit enough members to cover all shifts.

Three Queensbury departments are on the schedule:

Bay Ridge will hold its event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the fire station on Bay Road. North Queensbury will hold its event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at its station on Route 9L.

Queensbury Central will open its doors at the departments Lafayette Street station from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Attendees can see demonstrations, try on equipment and learn what the departments do, and how being a part of a volunteer department involves more than just fighting fires.

Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company will open its doors to area residents from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Other open houses Saturday include the Hague Fire Department, 4 W. Hague Road, Hague; Johnsburg Volunteer Fire Co., 2695 Garnet Lake Road, North Johnsburg; Pottersville Volunteer Fire Department; Cambridge Fire Department, 9 W. Main St., Cambridge; and Kingsbury Volunteer Hose Company, 3715 Burgoyne Ave.

Two Washington County departments will hold their open houses Saturday and Sunday. The Hudson Falls Fire Department, located behind Village Hall on Route 4 in Hudson Falls, will be open both days, as will West Fort Ann Volunteer Fire Company, 49 Joe Green Road, Fort Ann.

In Saratoga County, The Gansevoort Volunteer Fire Department will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 1870 Route 32N. The Wilton Volunteer Fire Department will have an open house Saturday and Sunday.

Last year, more than 500 fire companies in 55 counties across the state held recruitment open houses.
GLENS FALLS  Genpak LLC will move its headquarters from Warren Street to Charlotte, North Carolina, although the company is giving its 62 employees more than a year to plan for the relocation.

Its been a very difficult day here, said Genpak President Kevin Kelly on Wednesday, after announcing the move to employees. Weve had 35-plus great years here.

Genpak, which manufactures a range of single-use packaging for the food industry, has 18 facilities in the U.S. Three of them, including the companys research and development division, are in Charlotte, Kelly said. The company employs about 2,000 people in total.

The biggest reason (for the move) is just getting closer to our operations, Kelly said. We have three plants right in Charlotte that run three different materials for us, and we have our R&D down there, and were just trying to get closer to all that so people can better collaborate and, hopefully, innovate, Kelly said. Were in a very competitive industry, like many people are.

The company told local employees it will keep its 68 Warren St. headquarters building open until May 31, 2017. And Kelly said Glens Falls employees will have an opportunity to move to the new headquarters.

All of the local positions are administrative, including accounting, information technology, customer service and human resources professionals, Kelly said.

Its disappointing, though I can understand the reasons why theyre doing that, said Glens Falls Mayor Jack Diamond. Im not happy about the fact were losing 62 local jobs, but certainly, from their business perspective, it seems to make sense.

Kelly said the Warren Street building encompasses about 27,000 square feet of mainly office space, although it includes a gymnasium. Diamond said the city and the county Economic Development Corp. would be working to bring in new jobs to the building, once Genpak moves out.

We will be aggressive in trying to put some new jobs back into the community, Diamond said.

Kelly would not discuss potential severance packages for those employees who choose not to follow the headquarters south. He also said the move wasnt a result of the regions business climate.

Its really just about the way things evolved there in Charlotte, and trying to get closer to the operations, he said. Its not about tax breaks or unfriendly business atmosphere. The people up here Ive found to be some of the top-notch ones in terms of work ethic and the willingness to help.

Genpak was founded in 1969 and serves the retail, food processing and food service industries. The companys nearest manufacturing facility is in Middletown, New York.
GREENWICH u More than 2,000 communities take part in CROP Hunger Walks each year, but Greenwichs, set for May 1, is unusual, because walkers can visit one of the places they raise funds for without leaving the route.

This years walk has three routes, and all three pass by St. Josephs Church on Hill Street and the Greenwich Food Pantry located in the Parish Hall next door.

The pantry, run by Comfort Food Community, will be open for all walkers to pass through and get a first-hand look at how a portion of the money they are raising will go to benefit the community.

I think its a great thing that all the people participating in the walk will be able to see what they are benefiting, said Devin Bulger, director of the food pantry, who noted last years donation from the walk funded 2,500 meals. The fact that the path takes them through the pantry is such a sign of support and solidarity.

The walk is one of the longest-running fundraising events in the region and is celebrating its 36th year.

This years event, sponsored by the Greenwich Interfaith Fellowship, steps off at 2 p.m. at the gazebo in Mowry Park.

Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. Walkers have a choice of three marked routes in the town  a half-mile, three-quarters of a mile and a 1 3/4-mile walk that loops up and around the Stewarts Shops.

The event aims to raise funds to end hunger in local communities and around the world. CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.

Funds are generated by volunteer Hunger Walkers requesting donations from people they know or businesses they are familiar with. Contributions, which are tax deductible, may also be made by sending checks, made out CWS/CROP, to PO Box 124, GIF CROP Walk, Greenwich, NY 12834.

Twenty five percent of all funds raised are donated to the local food pantry of the walkers choosing. Last year, Schuylerville SAFER received $29; Loaves and Fishes in Cambridge $414; and Greenwich Comfort Food $1,809.

The remainder goes to help support the overall ministry of Church World Service, especially grassroots, hunger-fighting efforts around the world.

Any families, teams or businesses interested in joining the event should contact any of the Interfaith Fellowship churches, which include the Bottskill Baptist, Centenary United Methodist, Easton Friends Meeting, Easton Methodist, Stump Methodist, St. Josephs Catholic, St. Pauls Episcopal and United Presbyterian churches.

Information is also available from Pastor Lee Capodagli at leecap@konxions.org. Information on Church World Service and CROP Hunger Walks may be found at www.crophungerwalk.org.
At one point Tuesday afternoon, Mindy Suprenant, deputy commissioner for the Democratic Party in Washington County, got a telephone call from a counterpart in Warren County.

It wasnt a very long call, Suprenant said. Neither of us had time to talk. She was very quick. The phones were ringing off the hook.

The combination of the complexities of New Yorks closed primary system and a compressed voting time period  noon to 9 p.m. instead of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for general elections  kept local election officials busy well into the evening.

We have a lot of people who are not registered with a party who wanted to vote, Suprenant said. We were getting some calls from election inspectors at the polls with people standing there and from people who were calling after they had left the polls and had not been able to vote.

We expected some calls, but not this many, she added.

In Warren County, Republican Commissioner Mary Beth Casey had much the same story to tell.

Its been busy since early this morning, she said about 30 minutes before the polls were scheduled to close. People are verifying their polling location or whether they are registered. People are being very conscientious about whether they are registered.

For Cie McCullough of Queensbury, there was no question about getting to the polls.

I always vote. I am very patriotic and liberal. I am a liberal patriot, she said. My grandfather was a Democratic state senator in Delaware for 28 years. Voting, and voting Democratic, is as much in my blood  or more  than my religion.

Ashley Livingston of Hudson Falls felt much the same way.

I voted because its my right as an American to do so, and thats one right that hasnt been taken away yet. I want my voice to be heard, she said.

For others, there was not a choice, because New Yorks closed primary law limited Tuesdays voting to a partys registered members.

Im not registered in any party, so Im ineligible. I wouldve voted for Bernie, if I couldve, said Joy Kaczmarek, who said she feels the primaries should be open. That would make more sense for those of us that loathe affiliations.

Registered Democrats were making the choice between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. The Republican primary candidates were Ted Cruz, John Kasich and Donald Trump. Ben Carsons name was on the ballot, but his campaign is suspended.

I would have voted if I could have, and I would have voted for Bernie, said Patti Gray Whann of Glens Falls.

Ben Lapham of Glens Falls is registered with the Green Party, and he was not particularly bothered by not being able to vote. I think a primary is really about investment within a party, he said, adding that he was concerned about some registered voters being purged from the polls.

Lapham said his sister voted but was bothered by the fact that the polls did not open until noon. She wanted to go in at 6 a.m. or 7 a.m., he said.

Robin Barkenhagen, who is registered with the Green Party, also said he did not mind not being able to vote.

No, I think the closed primary is right. You wouldnt want people from other partys influencing the nomination process, he said. I do think the delegate and electoral college systems are antiquated.

Rob Ross of Hudson Falls went to vote Tuesday, but he was not able to.

Unfortunately, I am registered as an independent so I was turned away. I feel that I should have been able to vote for whomever I chose, but New York has a law still on the books only allowing for party-registered voters to vote for parties in the primary.

Local polls were open at noon, but polls in New York City and some downstate counties were open at 6 a.m., a rule that those municipalities have followed for more than a century.

Suprenant said she remembered the 2008 primary as having been very busy.

I thought that one was bad, but today might actually be worse.

Casey said this year is different from others.

This is just an unusual situation because New York is still in play on the national level, she said. People are interested in both parties.
A proposed law that would give volunteer firefighters health care and death benefit coverage for cancer diagnoses has sparked concern from county officials concerned they would be on the hook for the bills.

A bill passed the state Senate last week that would provide health insurance coverage for volunteer firefighters who are afflicted with cancer of the digestive, hematological, lymphatic, urinary, prostate, neurological, breast and reproductive systems, under the presumption that their firefighting efforts played a part in the illness.

The bills passage comes after a federal study found that firefighters exposure to smoke, particulates and burning chemicals likely heighten their risk of cancer. The state senator who sponsored the bill  Michael Nozzolio, R-Seneca Falls  introduced it in honor of a constituent who was a firefighter for 20 years and died of brain cancer.

Glens Falls 2nd Ward Supervisor Peter McDevitt raised the issue at Fridays meeting of the county Board of Supervisors. Amy Clute, the countys director of self insurance, said the state Association of Self-Insured Counties Board of Directors had sent out a letter, advising counties of the significant cost associated with the legislation.

I think this is going down a road that could be very costly in the future, McDevitt said.

The bill, which passed the Senate last year as well and is pending in the state Assembly, would provide volunteer firefighters with coverage similar to that which paid firefighters have been given. The Firemens Association of the State of New York has come out in favor of the bill.

Warrensburg Supervisor Kevin Geraghty, chairman of the Warren County board, has been a volunteer firefighter for decades and said he understood the rationale behind the proposal, as firefighters are exposed to carcinogens during fires. But he said the state and not the counties should pay for the assistance.

Its a nice thing to do but it could cost the county taxpayers a lot of money, he said.

Warren County Fire Coordinator Brian LaFlure, a longtime firefighter who battled cancer of the respiratory system several years ago, said there are a number of issues with the law as it was proposed.

LaFlure said the list of cancers that would be covered is missing respiratory-related malignancies such as the one he dealt with, which doesnt make much sense, considering inhalation of carcinogens is the biggest risk.

The costs being passed on to counties also make the bill a double-edged sword, and he said there needs to be some parameters set for length of service. A firefighter who served for three months should be treated differently than one who has been in the fire service for decades, he said.

The new focus on the issue should include better efforts at preventative measures to lessen exposure to cancer-causing materials at fire scenes, LaFlure said.
Photos Show Destruction of Nineveh Gates By ISIS

The Nergal Gate in Nineveh was originally built around 700 B.C. and reconstructed in the 20th century. The citizens of the surrounding city of Mosul consider themselves descendants of the ancient Assyrians who built Nineveh. ( Heritage Images/Getty Images) National Geographic has received exclusive photographs that appear to confirm the destruction of the Mashki and Nergal Gates by the Islamic State (ISIS) at the ancient site of Nineveh in Iraq. (Why does ISIS hate archaeology?) Unconfirmed reports of the destruction of Nineveh's iconic gates began to emerge late last week but were just confirmed by Michael Danti, professor of archaeology at Boston University and co-director of the?Cultural Heritage Initiative?(CHI) at the?American Schools of Oriental Research. The Initiative works with the U.S. Department of State to document destruction of cultural and religious sites in Iraq and Syria. "We can verify for now that the Mashki and Nergal Gates have been destroyed," says Danti, based on the images obtained by the CHI and corroborated by "trusted sources" in Mosul, the ISIS-occupied city that surrounds Nineveh. (Learn why the Mosul Dam may be the greatest threat to the city.) In an image of the destroyed Nergal Gate, an earthmover is clearly visible. An Assyrian Symbol, Ancient and Modern Nineveh was already an important urban center more than 4,000 years ago, and at its height around 700 B.C. was a capital of the Neo-Assyrian empire and the largest city in the world. The city featured numerous temples and the sprawling 80-room palace of King Sennacherib, all surrounded by a wall 7.5 miles (12 km) long punctuated by 15 gates. The Nergal Gate after its destruction by the Islamic State. An earthmover is visible in the distance. ( Courtesy Of Asor Cultural Heritage Initiatives) The Mashki Gate, known as the "Gate of the Watering Places," may have been used to lead livestock to the nearby Tigris River. The Nergal Gate takes its name from the Mesopotamian god of death and the underworld. Sennacherib's reign was marked by his siege of Jerusalem in 701 B.C. and is recorded in Assyrian sources and in the Bible, which also describes the prophet Jonah's visit to Nineveh. The city was sacked in 612 B.C. by a Babylonian alliance. Ancient Nineveh's inhabitants may have led animals through the Mashki Gate to water at the nearby Tigris River. ( Heritage Images/Getty Images) While the gates of Nineveh were rebuilt in the 20th century, they remain prized symbols of the ancient heritage of the residents of modern Mosul. "Both the Arab Muslim and Arab Christian population [of the area] trace their ancestry back to the Assyrians," says Danti. "It's part of their modern identity." A Scorched Earth Policy Ahead of an Advancing Army As the Iraqi army makes plans to liberate Mosul from the control of the Islamic State, there are unconfirmed reports that other gates and walls in Nineveh are also being plowed under. "It's reasonable to assume that [ISIS] is destroying other gates [in Nineveh], but we need to get more information before we can make those assertions," Danti adds. A sign indicates the location of the destroyed Mashki Gate. ( Courtesy Of Asor Cultural Heritage Initiatives) "[ISIS] is essentially sending a signal to the government of Iraq that if they continue with their offensive on Mosul they can expect a scorched earth policy from Islamic State, in both Mosul and the Iraq theater but also in Raqqa in the Syrian theatre," he says. Deliberate destruction of monuments by ISIS has been recorded since the Islamic militants first seized Mosul in June 2014. A mosque dedicated to the prophet Jonah inside the walls of Nineveh was destroyed by ISIS in July 2014. Sculptures from the site were damaged during ISIS' rampage through the Mosul museum in February 2015, including the famous half-human, half-animal statues that flanked the Nergal Gate. The militants have also destroyed the city's main libraries, which contained centuries-old manuscripts. According to Danti, the Islamic State's scorched earth policy is psychological warfare intended to give the appearance that they are in control and to make onlookers feel powerless. Misinformation and unsubstantiated rumors on social media add to the anxiety the militants want to provoke. "I think we should expose what they're doing," says Danti, "and not let it be a mystery."
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders carried Warren County by a wide margin in the presidential primary on Tuesday, despite a strong push for Hillary Clinton from county Democratic Chairwoman Lynne Boecher.

In the Republican primary, Donald Trump carried Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, with John Kasich coming in second and Ted Cruz a distant third.

Sanders received about 61 percent of the Democratic vote in Warren county, and Trump received about 46 percent of the Republican vote.

Turnout of 47 percent in the Democratic Party and about 39 percent in the Republican Party in Warren County was high, in comparison with presidential primaries in 2008 and 2012.

In Warren County, Sanders received 2,637 votes while Clinton received 1,639 votes in the Democratic primary, according to unofficial results.

In the Republican primary, Trump received 3,489 votes, Kasich 2,592 and Cruz 1,062 in Warren County.

Ben Carson, who suspended his campaign but was still on the ballot, received 93 votes.

Both the Democratic and Republican party committees in Warren County decided not to endorse ahead of the primary, as committee members did not coalesce around one candidate.

In Washington County, Sanders recorded a 2,087 to 1,167 victory over Clinton, and Trump received 2,337 votes to 1,741 for Kasich and 974 for Cruz. Carson, who has suspended his campaign, received 78 votes.

In the Republican primary in Saratoga County, Trump had 6,184 votes, Kasich 4,161, Cruz 2,368 and Carson 108, with partial results, as of 11:10 p.m.

Sanders had 4,360 votes, and Clinton had 3,337 in Saratoga County, with 103 of 196 districts reporting.

Post-Star staff writer Bill Toscano contributed to this report.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, has raised more than Democratic opponent Mike Derrick from labor unions, traditionally a stronghold of support for Democrats.

Stefanik received $5,000 from International Union of Operating Engineers in the first quarter, bringing her labor union contributions so far in the election cycle to $22,000, according to reports the campaign filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Derrick received $5,000 from United Steel Workers, the union that represents workers at a half-dozen area paper mills, in the first quarter, bringing his total labor union contributions so far in the election cycle to $13,800, according to reports the campaign filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Unions that contributed to Stefanik in 2015 include Airline Pilots Association, International Association of Fire Fighters, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists and National Education Association.

The aviation and teachers unions fit with Stefaniks membership on the House Armed Services and Education committees.

Derricks union contributors in 2015  Union Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, International Union of Brick Layers and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers  all have active regional affiliates.

Stefaniks campaign had $332,921 in receipts in the first quarter, and she had a balance of $1.1 million in her campaign fund as of March 31.

The campaign spent $131,150 in the first quarter, almost as much as Derrick raised.

Derrick, a retired Army colonel from Peru, in Clinton County, had $145,199 in receipts in the first quarter, and he had a balance of $224,790 in his campaign fund as of March 31.

His campaign spent $58,827 in the first quarter, and had unpaid bills of $8,000 as of March 31.

Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello had not reached the $5,000 threshold for fundraising or expenses required to file a campaign finance report as of March 31.

Funiciello has said he raised about $2,400 in the first quarter.

Stefanik raised $149,380 from political action committees in the first quarter, and Derrick raised $18,175.

Defense industry PACs contributed $17,000 to Stefanik in the first quarter, bringing total defense industry contributions in the election cycle to $73,000.

Siemens Corp., an engineering consulting company that has been at odds with Warren County over two alternative energy contracts, contributed $1,000 to Stefaniks campaign in the first quarter.

The political action committee of U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., contributed $5,000 to Derricks campaign in the first quarter; and Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, contributed $500 from his campaign fund.

Former Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, contributed $1,500 in leftover campaign funds to Derrick in the first quarter, bringing his total contributions to Derrick this election cycle to $4,000.
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According to him, the Ministry is currently seeking cabinets input and support on options opened to Ghana in the wake of the October 1, 2016 deadline under the current EU regulation granting Market Access to Ghana.

In the coming weeks, hopefully in May, government will announce its position on the EPA. Let me however assure all exporters and their employees that government has much interest in ensuring economic growth, increase in employment as well as an expansion in export trade and industry and will do whatever it takes to protect Ghanaian exports into the EU.

Dr. Spio Grabrah made these comments when a delegation of the major exporting companies in Ghana paid a courtesy call on him in Accra, to express their concerns over a possible lack of Market Access into the EU by October 1, 2016 deadline.

Explaining the situation, the Director of Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Anthony Nyame Baafi said with the exception of Nigeria, the Gambia and Mauritania, 13 of the 16 ECOWAS countries have signed the EPA.

Unfortunately in order to ratify the EPA, all the West Africa countries need to have signed in line with the modalities in the EPA negotiations before its implementation could commence, he emphasized.
Addressing the gathering at the launch, a colourful ceremony at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Tuesday night, MD for Unilever Ghana Maidie Arkutu, one of the BIG SIX, said the greater purpose of the network and its many events will provide unique opportunities for women to gather together and the community at large and incubate great ideas and relationships, but the EWN has a greater purpose.

 We are a force multiplier when we are together. We have the power to influence real change for women in our community, to give opportunities to future women leaders, to change the composition of boardrooms, to influence government policies and to change the landscape of what is possible for us to achieve.

The Executive Women Network was conceived, as narrated by the Big Six, comprising of Maidie Arkutu, MD of Unilever Ghana, Freda Duplan, MD for Nestle Ghana, Edith Dankwa, CEO Business and Financial Times, Lucy Quist, MD for Airtel Ghana and Pearl Esua-Mensah, Founder and CEO of Feniks Limited, at a dinner one night discussing common issues when they had an aha moment.

They felt that with their influence, they can collectively be a force for good. A decision was made to form a networking group.

Just as has been instilled from the beginning, EWN will be a volunteer-based organization, funded largely by donations and contributions by members and participants.

Guest speaker for the night, CEO of Stratcom Africa, Esther Cobbah charged women not to be held back by socio-economic bottlenecks inherent in Ghanas society.

She emphasized the need for humility, a strong belief in the grace of God, and the determination to excel.

The entrepreneurial abilities of women in Ghana are inclined in our traditions today. Women are wired to be great entrepreneurs in all the roles they are expected to take up.
Nearly two years to his mysterious disappearance, Castros Kakap hit the music scene on a Sunday with many speculating that the artiste was alive but hiding.

But speaking to KMJ on Hitz FMs Daybreak Hitz, Dotse said he released the original copy after realising that the one which was leaked by someone who chanced on it, was not fully mixed and mastered. His action, was to protect the brands of Castro and Obrafour who was featured on the song.

Dotse claims one of the guys who used to come to his studio with Castro leaked the song when he chanced on it.

The song actually leaked. There was someone we were working with who leaked it. At a point, it was necessary that we put certain measures in place to let the fans understand that what was actually out there wasnt a reflection of what we worked on, he said.

I realised it had been leaked on 23rd December last year. I realised someone had tagged me on twitter Later on, I started getting calls that the quality of the song wasnt so good. I had to let people know that we dont release substandard music. What leaked was an audio mixed down. I spoke to Castros family for the damage control. We are not promoting the song, Dotse added.

He further stated that he worked with Castro on a number of songs which were not released before his disappearance.

We have five productions. I had a meeting with his brother and we agreed that none of the songs should come out, he said.

Theophilus Tagoe as known in private life disappeared with a lady friend, Janet Bandu, on July 6, 2014 during a jet-ski ride at Aqua Safari, a beach resort at Ada in the Greater Accra Region.

Despite a search by Marine Police personnel, local fishermen and some spiritualists who claimed Castro had gone for spiritual consultation with the marine spirit [Maame Water], neither the artiste nor his friend was found.

According to Chief Superintendent Dodzi Hlordzi, the District Commander of Ada, Castro and Janet Bandu cannot be said to be dead until after seven years.
If you get an information, furnish us with the information and ask of how we intend dealing with it. If you dont go about it this way but say it on radio, are you a good friend? Its not fair. We are considering how to get his body back home. If we are unable to and he has to be cremated, we will take a collective decision. Going about and spreading this shows that you didnt love him. If I set my eyes on him he said.

Nii Kwa also took a swipe at movie producer David Owusu for suggested that the remains of Nii Odoi Mensah be cremated in China where he passed on. Mr Owusu suggested that the money to be used in flying the body back be used to cater for the children.

Reacting to his suggestion, Nii Kwa said, Does David know our coffers? This is distasteful.

Meanwhile, Socrate Safo has apologised to the family for putting out the information without their permission.

If they are angry at me for putting out such an information, Im not a family member, I apologise. They have not made me the spokesperson; I spoke as a friend. I understand them. I apologise, he noted.
But speaking to Hitz FM, General Secretary of GAG, Ziggy Netteyson, said their concentration has been on getting the remains transported to Ghana.

Honestly we are all confused. We dont know what to do. Apart from that, we are doing our best to liaise with the ministry to link up with the embassy in Beijing for the transfer of his body. The minister travelled, I learnt she was back this weekend, he said.

We are more concerned about bringing the body. The body is not here; who are we going to greet? I dont understand their complaint. If thats what they want, we can organise ourselves. Its not a big deal. The guild is also part of the family. We should also be there for people to come and greet us, Ziggy Netteyson added.

Meanwhile, the Film Producers Association of Ghana says the family is yet to inform the body of the loss of their relative, one reason it has also not visited the family.

Public Relations Officer, Michael Kwaku Ola claims it was working with other quarters to get the body transported to Ghana.
This is the fifth body found at the school premises, after four others were found few months ago.

The latest corpse was however seen last Friday by some scrap dealers near the Pure Fire Miracles Ministries International Church close to the main campus.

Residents say the body has been lying in the bush for weeks, adding that efforts to get the police to retrieve the body have proven futile.

The situation is having debilitating effects on the health of staff and students, as the body, which is being covered with grasses and tree leaves is producing an odour.

Headmistress of the school, Beatrice Addo has told Accra-based Joy FM that the body is in a terrible state of decomposition.

We are scared because we are taking care of children," she added.
Mr. Nyante explained that engaging students from unaccredited schools who do not go through prescribed standards of training is dangerous to the health of Ghanaians.

He added that the Council had a mandate to secure the public interest in the highest standards of training and practice of nursing and Midwifery.

According to section 55 (a), (e) and (h) of the Health Professions Regulatory bodies Act 2013, (act 857), the Council is mandated to:

1. Establish standards and provide guidelines for the development of a curriculum for the training of Nurse Assistants, Nurses and Midwives.

2. In collaboration with appropriate government agencies ensure that nursing and midwifery training institutions are accredited.

3. Ensure that education and training of nurses and midwives and other nursing practitioners are carried out at approved educational institutions for efficient nursing and midwifery practice.
The pair were said to have acted as witnesses at the time the BNI took custody of the items from Captain Koda and had to be present at the time of the release.

The duo were detained for refusing to fill Personality Profile forms when ordered to do so by the BNI. They were later released around midnight after being locked up for a few hours.

In an interview on Accra-based Joy FM, Captain Koda said There is no law [in Ghana], which requires anybody walking on the streets, taken as a witness, to give his profile. In other countries, policemen can stop you and ask for your identification card.
A duplicate docket is being forwarded to the Attorney Generals office for advice, Prosecuting Superintendent Francis Baah told an Accra District Court when the suspected killer of the MP appeared in court on Tuesday April 19.

Daniel Asiedu, who has been charged with murder, is yet to enter a plea.

Defence Counsel Augustine Obour however prayed the court to change the remand warrant of Asiedu to Police Custody instead of Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).

The court agreed and released Asiedu into police custody.
The pair were said to have acted as witnesses at the time the BNI took custody of the items from Captain Koda and had to be present at the time of the release.

"Upon arrival at the BNI office, the two were asked to fill out Personality Profile forms  forms reserved for suspects  after which the items will be released. The two indicated to the BNI officers that they would have to consult their lawyers since they were only present, merely, to witness the return of items taken by the BNI," the statement added.

Below is the full statement from the NPP:

AKUFO-ADDOS PHOTOGRAPHER & BODYGUARD DETAINED BY BNI

The personal photographer and bodyguard of the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party were this evening detained by the Bureau of National Investigations for complying with the orders of their lawyers not to sign Personality Profile forms presented to them by officers of the BNI.

The pair, Kwadwo Kyeremeh and Malik Neequaye, had accompanied Captain Koda, head of Nana Akufo-Addos security detail, this afternoon to the offices of the BNI, where items taken from the residence of Captain Koda were to be returned to him. Indeed, at the time the items were taken from Captain Kodas residence, the two gentlemen served as witnesses.

However, some 2 weeks ago, the BNI indicated to Captain Koda that the items taken from his residence were to be returned to him, on condition that he brought along the two witnesses who were present when the items were taken.

Upon arrival at the BNI office, the two were asked to fill out Personality Profile forms  forms reserved for suspects  after which the items will be released. The two indicated to the BNI officers that they would have to consult their lawyers since they were only present, merely, to witness the return of items taken by the BNI.

After consultation with their lawyer, Nana Asante Bediatuo, they were advised not to fill out the Personality Profile forms, but should only witness, through the provision of their names and signature, on the document containing the list of the items that were to be returned.

Kwadwo Kyeremeh and Malik Neequaye, returning to the offices of the BNI this afternoon, together with Captain Koda, told the officers of the BNI the advice of their lawyers, which was explicitly not to fill the Personality Profile forms.
Speaking at the inauguration of the board of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Iddrisu said his Ministry is currently looking into all issues of worker maltreatment by foreign companies operating in Ghana.

This comes after reports of ill-treatment meted out to an employee of Gateway Logistics Limited in Takoradi, who was chained to a container by his Italian supervisor, Manlio Maggiorotto for allegedly loitering around during working hours.

Weve jointly taken a position on the matter not to end at the condemnation of the act which is an affront to our labour legislations and practices in Ghana; but to punish same and therefore appropriate steps are being taken, even if it means a revocation of that free zones license, Citi FM reported him saying.

Iddrisu said he has directed the Chief Labour Office to invite the management of Gateway Logistics Limited for questioning.

I would have no hesitation as I said to recommend a revocation of that free zones license to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, if that particular employer is not seen to be respecting the laws of our country and recognizing and respecting the rights of workers, he said.

This year, there have been at least three incidents of foreign employers accused of mistreating their local workers, earlier this year, an employee of the Peterpan Restaurant in Accra was slapped with a piece of hot pizza, by her Korean employer.

While this month, A Turkish expatriate was arrested by the Akyem Oda Police Command for allegedly assaulting a Ghanaian worker.

The suspect, who is a management member of the ARDA group company undertaking the Oda-Akwati-Winneba and Cape Coast water project is alleged to have assaulted the worker who sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Power supply to domestic and commercial users has improved over the last four months but there are fears the country might soon be plunged into another round of load shedding due to challenges with getting fuel (gas) to power some thermal plants in Tema and the western region.

According to ACEP , loadshedding (Dumsor)can only be said to be over when supply meets demand and we have about 25% reserve.

Ishmeal Ackah recounted that ,We told you dumsor was not yet over but we are hopeful the situation will improve when gas supply from the FPSO resume

But President Mahama during his state of the nation address said his government had overcome the four-year old crisis following a fairly stable power supply since beginning of year.

In a seeming Uturn on government early position President Mahama has admitted that Ghana is still facing some energy challenges after weeks of complaints from some residential users of intermittent power cuts.

Addressing a meeting of the Council of State, he stated that: Our energy challenges are not over but at least for now, we have been able to fix the problem, we are able to match demand and supply, even though we are living dangerously because our redundancy is small, not because we dont have the generating capacity but because several of our generating assets are gas-based. We are not able to get enough gas to feed them,
But, speaking at separate durbars in the Volta Region during the inauguration of the Dodo-Pepesu to Nkwanta section of the Eastern Corridor road and in the Hohoe municipality, President Mahama said his tour is similar to how chiefs and traditional rulers regularly hold durbars to update their subjects about developments in their areas.

It is prudent for me as the president, to update Ghanaians about projects and programmes this government has undertaken in the last three years.If you had been watching TV or listening to radio you would have heard that I went to the Western Region and from there I came to the Eastern Region and what I am doing is called accounting to the people tour to render account of what I have done to the people, he explained.

We inaugurated cold stores in the Western Region to help the fishermen preserve their catch if they are unable to sell all of them, not only that; we have commissioned roads in the region. In the Eastern Region too we commissioned a new hospital and a pantoon at Agordekeso it is the turn of the Volta Region now, President Mahama added.

I have not started campaigning yet. After the launch of the NDC campaign I will come back and I will be in full political battle," he said.
Joe Mensah, who is aspiring to contest on the Party's ticket to Parliament in the constituency filed a suit against the party after he was disqualified from the race. He had wanted the court to cause NPP to justify the reason for his disqualification.

He consequently secured an interlocutory injunction on the primaries in the constituency until the substantive case was ruled by the court.

However, when the case was called today, Wednesday, April 20 at Sekondi High Court, the Party pleaded with the court to allow them for out of court settlement.

The Court granted the request but asked the two parties to come back to brief the court on any progress that would be made on May, 3, 2016.
Announcing the nominees, CEO of InstinctWave the company behind the awards, Akin Naphtal said, The quality of nominees is impressive and reflects the change from Ghana Telecom Awards (GTA) to Ghana Information Technology & Telecom Awards (GITTA). The various nominees for the categories cover every area of the industry.

READ MORE: Airtel Ghana Telco named 2015 Changemaker Company of The Year again

Find the full nominees' list for each category and special awards below:

Telecom Wholesale Company of the Year 

Vodafone Wholesale

MainOne

Glo One

Dolphin Telecom

Gilat

Best Customer Service Company of the Year

Airtel

Vodafone

Surfline

Tigo

MTN

Glo

Infrastructure Company of the Year

ATC Ghana

Internet Solutions

Helios Towers

Eaton Towers

Software Company of the Year

Rancard Solutions

Persol

DreamOval

Bsystems

LTE Provider of the Year

Surfline

Busy

Blu Telecom

Mobile Money Service of the Year

Airtel Money

MTN Mobile Money

Vodafone Cash

Tigo Cash

ICT Company of the Year

Comsys

Redmango

Ostec

Rancard Solutions

Telecom Business of the Year

Airtel Business

Vodafone Business

MTN Business

Surfline

Tigo Business

Tower Company of the Year

Helios Towers

Eaton Towers

ATC Ghana

Managed IT Services Provider of the Year

Atmospace

Ostec

CWG

Datagroup IT

RedMango

Cloud Service Provider of the Year

MTN Business

CWG

Internet Solutions

Cotsys Ghana

Mobile VAS Company of the Year

SMSGH

Txt Ghana

DreamOval

Mobile Content

Rancard Solutions

Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year

Zipnet Business

Comsys

RedMango

Surfline

Internet Service Provider of the Year

Zipnet

KNET

Comsys

Busy Internet

V-Satellite Provider of the Year

Internet Solutions

K-NET

Comsys

CSR Company of the Year

Airtel

MTN

Tigo

Surfline

Vodafone

BPO Company of the Year

IPMC

Tech Mahindra

Tecno Brain

E-Services

Microwave Backhaul Vendor of the Year

Aviat Networks

Ceragon

DragonWave

METCO-NEC

Telecom Brand of the Year

Vodafone

MTN

Airtel

Surfline

GLO

Tigo

Mobile Operator of the Year

MTN

Vodafone

Airtel

GLO

Tigo

Mobile Payment Provider of the Year

Expresspay

Slydepay

mPower Payments

eTranzact

Mobile Distributor of the Year

I2

MobileZone

IPMC

Telefonika

System Integration Company of the Year

Redmango

Comsys

Ostec

Rom Consult

Dizengof

Telecom Solutions Support Company of the Year

Leadcom

The Telecom Channel

Mer Telecom

Comsys

M-P Infrastructure

Microwave Backhaul Vendor of the Year

Aviat Networks

Ceragon

DragonWave

Airtel

Technology Advanced Insurance Company of the Year

SIC

Star Assurance

Old Mutual

Vanguard Assurance

Hollard

IT Consulting Firm of the Year

eSolutions

Ostec

Logiciel

Edel Technologies

E-Commerce Company of the Year

Jumia

Kaymu

OLX

Tisu

Tonaton

Most Popular Phone Brand of the Year

Samsung

Tecno

Infinix

iPhone

Microsoft Lumia

Mobile App of the Year

HelloFood

OLX

Tonaton

Jumia

Slydepay

BANKS CATEGORIES

Best Use of IT in Retail Banking

Ecobank

Stanbic Bank

Guaranty Trust Bank

Fidelity Bank

Access Bank

Best Bank in Mobile Financial Inclusion

Ecobank

Guaranty Trust Bank

Fidelity Bank

GCB Bank

ADB

E-Banking Service of the Year

Unibank

GCB Bank

Stanbic Bank

Guaranty Trust Bank

Barclays Bank

Technology Advanced Bank of the Year

Zenith Bank

Guaranty Trust Bank

Stanbic Bank

Fidelity Bank

Ecobank

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

1. CIO Of the Year

2. CEO Of the Year

3. IT Team Of the Year

4. Customer Service Team of the Year

5. Young ICT Entrepreneur of the Year

6. ICT Entrepreneur of the Year

7. Industry Personality of the Year

8. Special Recognition Award

9. Lifetime Achievement Award
In an interview Accra based Citi FM, the Corporate Communications Manager of Vodafone, Mr. Ebenezer Amankwa explained that the activities of cable thieves affect all of us, adding that Their actions are a setback to national development.

For us our customers are our key stakeholders and we are serious about giving them the best of service to make them comfortable. Cable theft is a huge disincentive to us since it takes away the required services that must be delivered,he said.

"It affects all of us, hospitals, schools and security installations have been disrupted due to the activities of these thieves. Their actions are a setback to national development, he added.

He further revealed that the company is partnering the police and other security agencies to check the activities of cable thieves.

"Working on cable disruptions can take over fourteen days to complete. This is time and money that can be used to add value to business operations to move our services forward, he said.

Vodafone last year revealed that it has within the past seven years invested US$1.7 billion to strengthen its operations.
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!
The 'Mean Girls' star told The Sun newspaper that she's found her newfound love in Islamism. "I'm a very spiritual person and I'm really open to learning. America has portrayed holding a Koran in such a different way to what it actually is."

The 29-year-old actress caused quite a stir when she was pictured carrying a copy of the Koran on the first day of community service in New York last May but says she's yet to complete reading the entire holy text. "Do you know how long that would take?" she exclaimed.

The Catholic-born Lohan further says her younger sister, Ali is also exploring her spiritual options and has converted to Buddhism.

In an interview wit Oprah in 2012, the newly engaged star said, "I'm a very spiritual person and I've become more spiritual as time has gone on,' she told the talk show host. I'm really in touch, whether it's prayer or meditation... there are so many powers greater than me in the world. I've been blessed and lucky enough to have been given a gift to share with other people."
Despite the fact that Chyna used to be stripper and regularly hosts gigs at strip clubs, our readers think Rob shouldn't be dragged along. Meaning she could go solo.

This reaction comes a week after the sensational couple were spotted arriving and partying up at the Aces Strip Club in New York where Chyna was playing host.

Apparently, Rob hasnt been seen partying hard in a long time since going MIA due to depression, drug addiction and severe weight battle and low self-esteem but ever since he hooked up with his bride-to-be, the former reclusive star is coming out more.
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!
Michael told the court, shortly before his conviction, that he "mistakenly'' used the said sum, meant for his customers aluminum windows, to pay his wifes dowry.

He, however, told the court that he was currently handling a job for another of his customers and intended to refund the money to the former after he would have been paid.

"My lord, please tamper justice with mercy so that I can go and work to repay the N170,000 to the owner, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presiding judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, in his judgment, sentenced Michael to four weeks imprisonment with an option of N5,000 fine.

Kagarko said that he based his sentence on Section 112 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The convict, a resident of Gauraka in Niger State, was sentenced after he had pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

He was also ordered to pay N170, 000 as compensation to the plaintiff.

The prosecutor, Urom Otu, had told the court that Okonkwo Christopher of Development Control site, Wuye, Abuja reported the matter at the Wuye Police Station on April 15.

He said that the plaintiff awarded a N170,000 contract to the convict on March 17 to fabricate Aluminium windows for him.

Otu said that the convict absconded with the sum without doing the plaintiffs job.

The prosecutor told the court that when the convict was arrested, he admitted that he collected the money, but used it to pay his wifes dowry.
According to Punch, the protest was held on the Benin-Asaba Expressway. The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions showing their dissatisfaction.

Some of the inscriptions written on the placards are, Fulani herdsmen must leave our state, Okowa, intervene now, This killing, raping of married women must stop, Our crops in the farms have been destroyed, and Our women cannot go out again.

Eric Warri, the spokesperson for the protesting group said, We are protesting because of the killings of our people by Fulani herdsmen. They also raped our women and destroyed our farmlands.

The State Police public Relations Officer, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, confirmed the protest. She stated that it has been peaceful.

Kalu also assured that the police will ensure the protection of lives and property.

The Fulani herdsmen have been involved in some malicious attacks and killings of innocent people, mostly in the eastern part of Nigeria.
The convicts who are 28 and 20 years old respectively, had allegedly robbed the man at the Igbo Elerin Junction along Badagry Expressway in Ojo, Lagos State, while he was waiting for a bus on his way back from church and snatched the bag, thinking that it contained a huge sum of money.

But luck ran out on them as they were arrested shortly after by a police patrol team which happened to get to the scene at the same tome.

During their interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed that they thought there was money in the bag and that they did not intend to steal the Bible.
The exhibition features two prominent photographers: Kelechi Amadi-Obi and Ade Okelarin, (Asiko) collaborating with three of Nigerias leading chefs, Tiyan Alile, Ozoz Sokoh (Kitchen ButterFly) and Dunni Obata (Dooneys Kitchen).

Collectively, they will explore artistic presentation of local food.

To this end, Samsung and Rele Gallery are pleased to announce a Food Art Competition open to Nigerians from any part of the country in this Food/Art/Tech movement!

Everyone is invited to participate in this food art contest in 3 steps:

1. Create a work of art using real food items in line with the theme: 'Whats cooking?'

2. Take a picture of your work and upload on www.techmeetsart.ng

3. Tell us what inspired your Food Art and submit!

Criteria for judging entries:

Entries will be judged by reputable chefs and photographers based on originality and creativity. Your work must be created by you and correlate with the theme. Be free to think out of the box!

Prizes are as follows:

First Prize: Galaxy S7 edge + feature in Food Art Exhibition at Rele Gallery, Lagos

Second Prize: Galaxy Tab A

Third Prize: Galaxy Tab E

Entry closes on Friday, 6th of May, 2016. Terms and conditions apply
Owolabi, who lives in the same neighbourhood as the victim, was said to have tricked her into his apartment located at Alhaji Yinu Street, Bariga.

According to a police source, The girls mother was away that Thursday; her grandmother sent her on an errand and the suspect tricked her into his room, where he raped her.

When the girls mother returned, she noticed that Ngozis pants were wet and she became suspicious. She asked her what happened to her, and she said it was Owolabi that raped her.

The case has now been transferred to the Gender Office of the Lagos State Police Command, while the little girl has been taken to the Mirabel Centre at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja for medical examination.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, has warned paedophiles to desist from their ways.
This was disclosed via a statement released by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the Lagos Ministry of Justice, Bola Akingbade.

The statement reads:

The Department of State Security (DSS) on Wednesday arraigned two artisans before an Isolo Magistrate Court for allegedly cloning the mobile line of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

The suspects - Rilwanu Jamiu and Balogun Stanley Oyewole who claimed to be a cocoa dealer, were said to have attempted to perfect a N50 million transfer with the said mobile line.

Prosecuting counsel from the DSS, Mr. Peter Okerinmodun told Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo that the suspects were arrested after using the cloned mobile line of the Governor to send a text message to the Accountant General of the State requesting for transfer of N50 million. He said the suspects conspired with others now at large to commit the crime on February 10, 2016 at about 10:02hours.

After the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty, while the prosecutor asked that they should be kept in protective custody pending the outcome of the legal advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in view of the fact that their lives could be endangered by other suspects who are on the run.

But Magistrate Adedayo overruled Okerinmodun, saying the DSS ought to have kept them in custody judging by the fact that their lives could be in danger. She said since the offence for which the accused persons were charged to court was bailable and the fact that the Magistrate Court is a court of summary trial, she was inclined to grant bail to the accused persons.

She, therefore, admitted them to bail in the sum of N1 million each and two sureties in like sum. Magistrate Adedayo ruled that one of the sureties must be a religious or community leader within the jurisdiction of the court, and that the accused persons must provide five years tax clearance certificates.

She further ordered the accused persons to be remanded in Kirikiri Prison pending the perfection of the conditions attached to their bail, and adjourned the matter to May 10, 2016.

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The senator also expressed gratitude to God over the money looted by Abacha.

Thank God for Sani Abacha. In some way he was a visionary. In this time of scarcity, his money being returned to us is now our saving grace! he wrote on Twitter on April 19, 2016.

The decision was reached after a meeting between the US Department of Justice, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, The Nation reports.

This is the largest loot ever traced to a former Nigerian public officer in the U.S. The DOJ, the AGF and the EFCC have concluded all the talks; we are in the process of repatriation of the $480million, a source said.

Although there are interventions from private lawyers, the DOJ prefers a government-to-government deal. I can tell you that the funds will soon be repatriated. If there is anything left, it has to do with the conditions which the US will attach to the utilisation of the funds.

The US is likely to advise on specific areas to spend the funds on and the project monitoring mechanisms. It does not want the cash re-looted. The Federal Government and the U.S. on January 14, 2003 signed the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the two nations. So, no corrupt public officers from Nigeria can hide in the US.

At the session with AGF and the EFCC boss, they told the Nigerian team that the DOJ now has Kleptocracy Unit which is closing tabs on Political Office Holders and other public officers in this country and many other nations, the source added.

Funds stolen by Abacha have also been recovered fromSwitzerland, Liechtenstein and Channels Island.
National Coordinator of the group, Yusuf Mshelizza, in a letter addressed to President Buhari and the Chief of Army Staff, a copy obtained by Pulse on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, stated that the march will also honour the government's effort in eradicating insurgency and to openly appreciate the Nigerian Army for their zeal to salvage the North Eastern States.

We will forever appreciate the Nigerian Army; we lost almost everything including our homes, properties and lives due to the incessant killings and destruction of properties by Boko Haram insurgents in the last few years, the letter stated.

While appreciating the Army's efforts, the group further said at a point it became difficult for them to believe that terrorism could be wiped out of the region within decades.
According to a statement released by the Nigerian Army on Wednesday, April 20, the terrorists provide loans to young entrepreneurs and artisans in the North East as a way of inducing them for recruitment.

"The major targets of the unholy business engagement are youths in the North East, especially the butchers, traders, tailors, beauticians and other vocational entrepreneurs who could be easily enticed with such loan without paying attention to sundry inherent dangers associated with the acceptance of such goodies from this satanic group or unfamiliar source," the statement said.

"After such loans, the beneficiaries are given the option of either joining the group or risk being killed if they fail to pay the loan as at when due, whereas the payment has been surreptitiously programmed to fail by the benefactor, the Boko Haram.

"It is pertinent to state that having been effectively decimated and degraded, the remnant or surviving splinter groups of Boko Haram are desperate to recruit more people into their ranks and files as a result of sustained onslaught against them by the troops.

The Defence Headquarters hereby advises the general public, especially those in the North East, to constantly be weary and conscious of various tactics of the desperate Boko Haram.

"They should be guided to avoid loan or financial assistance from non-conventional source but from conventional financial institutions such as banks, organised trade unions or institutionalised savings and loans establishments.

"Acting otherwise may lead to painful and untimely death from the blood-thirsty Boko Haram terrorists," DHQ warns.
The money was to help about seven million people affected by the insurgent group that has killed around 15,000 people. It takes total U.S. aid to the sub-region since 2014 to $237 million, she said.

Power was in the capital of Cameroon and met President Paul Biya and attended a ceremony to burn 2,000 tusks in a bid to end elephant poaching. The trip includes visits to Chad and Nigeria.

"We discussed the monstrous threat posed by Boko Haram and we agreed, and he was very forceful on this point, that the military response alone could not succeed in defeating Boko Haram in the long-term," she said of her meeting with Biya.

Respect for human rights, good governance, economic and forest development and a focus on civil society were essential components of the campaign, she said.

Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad are contributing forces to fight the group. Power has been scheduled to visit the region's Multinational Joint Task Force, which is staffed with troops from the three nations as well as Niger and Benin.

The United States has sent troops and drones and offered to send a special operations mission to the fight against Boko Haram, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

On Monday, a vehicle in her motorcade that was carrying United Nations and Cameroonian officials struck a young boy. Medics in the convoy treated him but he died of his injuries.

"I joined the (Cameroonian) governor of the area ... the leading U.N. official who manages the humanitarian and development response and Ambassador Hoza, and we visited with the boy's family to offer our profound condolences," Power said in a speech.
The assurance was given by United States ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power in Cameroon while speaking on Boko Haram along with senior US military officials, New York Times reports.

I want to assure the parents of the Chibok girls and the parents of any children gone missing that, indeed, the United States is in this for the long haul, Ms Power said.

The US military officials also revealed that American and African forces sent to Cameroon to fight Boko Haram have located some of the Chibok girls several times but couldnt rescue them for fear that the terrorists could kill other captives in retaliation.

Youre not just looking for 200 girls. There are many, many others who have been taken hostage, and more thousands killed, and two and a half million people displaced, former head of the US Africa Command, Gen. Carter F. Ham said, according to NY Times.

So the challenge is, how do you find lots of people held hostage in different places? Thats really complex and it stretches the capability of local forces, he added.

Current head of the command, Gen. David M. Rodriguez, has also said that the Chibok girls have been moved to some very isolated places adding that locating them is not an exact science.

Fresh concern about the girls whereabouts arose on April 14, 2014, the second anniversary of their capture.

The Nigerian government has also promised to rescue the girls but said that no exact date could be given for the operation.

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"Kaduna State Governor means well for the people and wants to secure the lives and property of the residents of the state. There are emerging threats and we need to take drastic action now. We should all support this bill," Aruwan said during the meeting.

Aruwan said the government appreciates the reservations and contributions of religious leaders and other critical stakeholders who have made their genuine positions known on the issue, added that some people have started politicizing the good intention of government to restore peace in Kaduna.

Elrufai's aide said if the bill is passed, it would enable the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), and Jama'atu Nasir Islam, JNI to tackle strange ideological beliefs that are not in tandem with both faiths.

According to Aruwan, just before the present government came on board there were killings in Southern Kaduna and Birnin Gwari axis of the state adding that everything is now under firm control.

Carefronting Nigeria, Coordinator Peter Maji, said they decided to call for a stakeholders meeting because of the issues the bill has generated.

Maji said the round table forum tagged Kaduna State Religious preaching regulations Bill: intention and perception was aimed at getting the views of the critical stakeholders and finding the way forward for peace and development of the state.

Director General, Interfaith Mediation, Namadi Musa, said they have gone round the three Senatorial Zones in the state to sensitize the people.
Falana said the summon was illegal, adding that the Senate lacked the power to summon the CCT chairman.

He said Following the allegation that the Personal Assistant of the Tribunal Chairman allegedly received a bribe from a suspect on behalf of his master the matter was investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Consequently, the suspect has since been charged to court. Since the case has not been concluded or terminated it is the height of contempt on the part of the Senate or any of its Committees to decide to conduct another trial on the same subject matter.

The lawyer also advised the lawmakers to withdraw their summon, because they have no power to investigate criminal offences.

Falana said Instead of exposing the Nigerian people to further undeserved embarrassment over the Saraki case the Senate is enjoined to enhance the fight against corruption by passing the Whistle Blowers Bill, the Proceeds of Crime Bill and the Witness Protection Bill which were passed by the 7th National Assembly but were not signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

For the Nigerian people to take the war against corruption seriously the members of the legislative and executive arms of Government ought to be prepared to demonstrate leadership by example.

In a country where the majority of the states are owing arrears of salaries the legislators should be prepared to make sacrifice by reducing their fat salaries and jumbo allowances, he added.

Sometime in January 2016, Ali Gambo Abdullahi, the personal assistant to the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Umar, was arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Abdullahi allegedly collected N1.8m bribe from a former officer of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Rasheed Owolabi, to help him stop a case against him, which was before the CCT.

See Pulse Photo-News gallery below.
Punch reports that TCN locked out its workers from its Abuja headquarters following the disagreement.

A senior staff of the company who spoke on the issue said Of course, the TCN headquarters is where a lot of transmission activities are being coordinated and directives are given; a few of these transmission activities are also being implemented here. So, grounding activities at the TCN headquarters is not good at all for the entire power value chain, because it may lead to blackout in most parts of the country.

The staff said the issue of severance pay for personnel of the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), is the bone of contention.

The source said There are a lot of issues; some workers are complaining that they have not been paid and so they stopped the Permanent Secretary of the Power ministry, Louis Edozien, from trying to take over some offices in the building recently. During the process, there were series of altercations, which almost degenerated into a brawl.

Also, the workers are of the view that the government had failed to keep to some of the agreements it reached with them, and as a result, insisted that the headquarters of the defunct PHCN, which currently houses the TCN, cannot be given to the ministry. This was fiercely fought against by the permanent secretary, but he met a stiff resistance from the workers.

Laolu Akande, the media aide to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, in a statement on Sunday, April 17, 2016, also said the poor electricity supply being witnessed in the country might continue till May, when repairs on the vandalised Forcados terminal will be completed.

See Pulse Photo-News gallery below.
The Benue state police spokesman, ASP Moses Yamu confirmed the incident, adding that search teams have been sent out to find the missing officer.

Another youth, Inalegwu Chele, was also reported missing during the attacks

The Daily Sun reports that the herdsmen opened fire on the security team who were on their way to investigate the alleged killing of two youths, after receiving a distress call.

Reports also say the two youths who were allegedly shot by the herdsmen were rescued, and are receiving treatment.

The Nigerian Army National Guards Brigade recently arrested 92 armed Fulani herdsmen in Abuja, who said they were on a mission to recover their stolen cows.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko also called on President Buhari to look into the continuous attacks by Fulani herdsmen across Nigeria.

There are indications that these herdsmen are deadlier than Boko Haram.

The understanding is that they will will stop at nothing to protect their cows.

Is a cow worth more than a human life?

Are these select few above the law?

What is the government doing to curb these crimes (murder, rape, kidnap) allegedly being committed by these herdsmen?

See Pulse Photo-News gallery below.
The Unions under the aegis of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and National Union of Pensioners (NUP) were said to have been curtailed by the Police to avoid escalation of the protest.

Speaking on the protest, Vice Chairman, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Idowu Adesola said that the Airline has refused to pay its N12.5 billion debt owed to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Comrade Adesola said the only condition Arik would be allowed to operate is if it pays N7 billion with an undertaken that it would balance at a mutually agreed date.

He said: It is all about Arik Air and all other debtors owing FAAN at the detriment of FAAN because FAAN had to have its revenue coming in by making all the necessary things available for aviation stakeholders and if those provisions are made, they need to pay for what they are utilising.

Now Arik Air is owing FAAN N12.5 billion, it was supposed to be N5.8 billion but they denied N3.4 billion on invoice rating. Now that it is N12.5 billion, they are not ready to pay and they are telling everybody that they are even bigger than the government, it is not just FAAN alone, they owe FAAN, NCAA and even NAMA and they owe some other people including their workers, they just paid their March salary recently which is not too good for somebody who has worked. So they believe that if Buhari is changing things, they are not ready to go along with Buhari to change things.

We as workers we want to help Buhari to make changes for things to progress. In fact, I want to tell you that the bay out there, they (Arik Air) are not paying for it which is meant for National Carrier and presidency is not even looking into it, we are just talking about landing and parking charges as well as other facilities, if we are to talk of the bayn the money would have been more than that, they are not ready to do anything, they are flying free, they are landing free and they say if we come to them we will be crushed but God is with us and we will defeat and prevail over Arik Air.

The negotiation is still on-going but if they can put down N7billion, we will allow them to operate with conditions that as soon are they going to pay up so that Buhari change and TSA matters can be put in place which will also help workers in FAAN.

However, in its reaction to the incident, Arik PR & Communications Manager, Mr. Adebanji Ola, described the alleged indebtedness as "spurious" and "unsubstantiated claim."

The action by the workers union is connected with the long-standing and unsubstantiated claim by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of spurious indebtedness of the airline to the agency which is now before a Federal High Court in Lagos at the instance of FAAN," Ola said.

For several months, the management of Arik Air and FAAN have been meeting to reconcile payment accounts between the two institutions. The reconciliation process is still ongoing until the latest actions by the union.

This is not the first time that FAAN workers union will be taking the laws into their hands by disrupting operations of Arik Air.

The current situation is deeply out of control of Arik Air and the management of the airline has been compelled to suspend all domestic operations for today.
For today, April 20 2016:

THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

Bukola Sarakis assets form not verified by EFCC , says witnessAs the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki continued yesterday, the first prosecution witness (PW1) admitted before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) that some of the exhibits he tendered earlier were not investigated by his team. READ MORE

Government loses secret trial bid as Dasuki gets access to lawyersThe Federal Government yesterday lost its bid to conduct a secret trial of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, at the Federal High Court, Abuja. READ MORE

Leave when your time is up, Annan tells African leaders|Former Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Kofi Annan, has urged African leaders to leave when their mandated time is up and to avoid excluding opposing voices if elections are to cease contributing to conflicts on the continent. READ MORE________________________________________________

VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

We bought only 36 cars, not 108 SenatorsABUJA THE Senate disclosed, yesterday, that senators unanimously rejected the proposed loan to purchase their vehicles, saying none of the 109 lawmakers was interested in it. READ MORE

No Grazing Bill before us SenateABUJA The Senate, yesterday, denied that the National Grazing Bill was in its possession, saying it only featured during the 7th Assembly. READ MORE

Prosecution disowns exhibits against SarakiABUJAThe prosecution witness against Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Economic and Financial Commissions operative, Mr. Michael Wetcas, yesterday disowned the documents tendered against him, saying most of the petitions were filed in 2012, while his investigating team was constituted in 2014. READ MORE________________________________________________

THE NATION NEWSPAPER

Sarakis trial: Senate under fire for inviting CCT chairSenators were yesterday under attack for summoning the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice Danladi Umar, who is presiding at Senate President Bukola Sarakis trial for alleged falsification of assets. READ MORE

Malabu Oil deal: EFCC quizzes SNEPCO boss over $1.092b settlement cashThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) has quizzed the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO), Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari over the controversial Malabu oil block (OPL 245) deal. READ MORE

Warri, Lagos, Brass oil & gas Free Zones illegalStakeholders, including civil society groups and the legal community, have berated the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) for the establishment of illegal three Oil and Gas Free Zones. READ MORE________________________________________________

BUSINESS DAY NEWSPAPER

Impasse over 2016 budget plunges manufacturing, may depress Q1 GDPNigerias manufacturing sector is on death row as bickering between the Presidency and the National Assembly over the 2016 budget continues to delay infrastructure needed to push the sector. The sector has been in recession for three quarters and needs regular electricity, accessible roads, functional railways, new technology and incentives, all of which are factored READ MORE

Regulation terms of agreement still haunting embedded power schemeThe last may not have been heard of the much mouthed embedded power generation which it was thought would provide immediate power relief to both corporate and individual consumers. BusinessDay gathered that regulatory lethargy and the review of terms between the electricity distribution companies(Discos) and those generating companies participating in the embedded power generation concept  READ MORE
Three other culprits, Yoab Youssoufou, Patricia Iyogun, and Ruth Imonikhe, were also arrested alongside Mayshak.

Before her suspension, there were reports that the PTAD DG received N50m monthly as salary.

Punch reports that an EFCC source involved in the investigation said In one instance, Mayshak allegedly approved N25,410,000 for the supply of 121,000,000 litres of fuel in one day when in fact there was no corresponding storage capacity, as PTAD only has a storage capacity of about 11,000 litres, which lasts for about a month.

Mayshak is alleged to have awarded several phony contracts to cronies and members of staff of PTAD, through which she used to enrich herself as they only served as fronts for her.

The source added that Between December 8 and 30, 2014 she awarded multiple contracts to one company , Interactive Wide Nigeria Limited to the tune of N29,377,993.26. Contracts for the supply of office materials, air conditioners, and conference materials to the tune of N375, 704,287 were awarded to Belzacode, Hosley Nigeria Limited, and Pabak Nigeria Limited.

Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) was established to address the numerous pensioners complaints that bother on issues such as non-payment of monthly pension, short payment of pension and gratuity, removal of name on pension payment voucher, non-payment of harmonized pension arrears and irregular payments.

See Pulse Photo-News gallery below.
The CCT chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, had earlier ruled that proceedings at the trial will start by 10am and end 6pm daily.

Sarakis request for the tribunal to suspend sittings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, which are days of plenary for the Senate was turned down by Justice Danladi.

The Daily Sun reports that the Senate President on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, first of all held the plenary session of the Senate before leaving for his trial.

When he arrived the CCT by 11:55am, the tribunal chairman reportedly did not commence hearing for over one hour.

Reports say Justice Danladi did not give any reason for the delay in commencement of the tribunals proceedings for the day.

You will recall that Senator Saraki said his trial will not disturb the smooth running of the Senate.

Justice Danladi also criticised Senators who accompanied Bukola Saraki, saying the Senate was not on trial.

See Pulse Photo-News gallery below.
Saraki made the denial on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, via a statement released by his media aide, Bamikole Omishore.

The statement reads:

The attention of the Media Office of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has been drawn to a press statement released by a group known as the Citizen United For Peace and Stability (CUPS), Titled Security Alert! - Bukola Saraki finally declares war on the Nigerian Senate.

The report by CUPS stated that some unnamed sources told them that Senator Bukola Saraki has made plans to disrupt his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by making use of thugs through some key personalities from Kwara State.

The statement is false, malicious and aimed at further denigrating the hard-earned image of Senator Bukola Saraki after their planned sponsored protest failed through earlier awareness to the general public of their sinister moves.

It is worrisome that aggrieved politicians opposed to Saraki's emergence as the Senate President, having failed to remove him, now resort to cheap blackmail by concocting lies under the disguise of "unidentified sources ".

The individuals mentioned in the statement to be planning the sinister move, are prominent Nigerians who respect the rule of law and stand strongly behind the Senate President. In this regard, this is a cheap attempt to intimidate supporters of the Senate President.

It will be recalled that this same mischievous group called CUPS had earlier circulated messages at different times requesting for funds for different non existent political gatherings.

The CUPS has been in the habit of peddling falsehood and deceiving unsuspecting Nigerians as the body has not lived up to its name of maintaining 'peace' and 'stability.'

Senator Bukola Saraki is a law abiding citizen who has demonstrated the utmost respect for the judicial system by taking the pain to attend and defend himself at the Tribunal even though the trial is believed to be borne out of malice and political persecution.

Moreover, Senator Saraki, despite his trial at the CCT has continued to perform his constitutional duties as the Senate President elected by his peers.

It is therefore a gratuitous insult to the Office of the Senate President, and the personalities of the patriotic and decent individuals mentioned in the concocted lies by this organisation to link them with tales of acts of gangsterism and violation of temple of justice.

This propaganda by his political opponents is not new and we urge law abiding citizens to disregard the body, its sponsors and promoters. This is the time to for everybody to forget our narrow, self-serving interest, dissuade the manipulation of state institutions to achieve personal and partisan objectives and ensure that rule of law prevails as prerequisite towards the entrenchment of our democratic tenets.

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The application read in part: An order disqualifying/recusing the Honourable Justice Danladi Umar (Chairman of this tribunal) from sitting on the panel of this tribunal for hearing and determination of the charges filed in these proceedings for the reason that his continued presence on the said panel of this tribunal offends the provisions of section 36 (1) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which prescribes that In the determination of his civil rights and obligations, including any question or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and constituted in such manner as to secure its independence and impartiality.
Sarakis troubles began on June 9, 2015, when he was elected Senate President despite being excluded from contesting by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC had chosen Senator Ahmed Lawan as its sole candidate for the Senate Presidency after conducting a mock poll, but this did not sit right with Saraki.

Crisis erupted in the party over the move leading President Muhammadu Buhari to call a meeting of APC lawmakers in a bid to keep the peace.

However, while the lawmakers were waiting for Buhari, Saraki went to the National Assembly and connived with senator- members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be unanimously elected Senate President by 57 out of 108 Senators.

To reward the PDP senators for their support, he nominated one of them, Ike Ekweremaduas Deputy Senate President making it the first time in Nigerias political history that an opposition senator would occupy the position.

Saraki, by his actions, practically handed the Senate over to the PDP, the very party that the APC had expended vast amounts of energy and funds to dislodge.

The Senate President also made no attempt to atone for his error, an error which threw mud at his partys image and made mockery of the change mantra.

Despite this, Saraki continued to claim that he was a card-carrying member of the APC.

I remain a card carrying member of my dear party. But Im also honoured to serve as Senate President of all Senators, he said on September 20, 2015, after rumours of his defection to the PDP surfaced.

However, notwithstanding his denial, Saraki went on to allocate the Senates juicy committees to PDP members.

This led APC chieftain and House of Representatives member, Mohammed Musa Soba to say that the Senate President is a member of the PDP.

Look at the scandal that is going on in the Senate. Its very unfortunate and if they were truly APC and representing the APC interestWe all know their game plan; that means they are PDP, Soba said.

They were all in PDP till the last minutes and after winning elections, they came and hijacked the leadership of the National Assembly and what we are seeing is that they are out to rubbish the programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari, he added.

Sarakis hijacking of the Senate Presidency was initially applauded by some who thought it was a sign of a robust democracy, but time has shown that Saraki is only interested in what Saraki wants.

The Senate President is currently facing corruption charges before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and theres a hanging threat that he will defect to the PDP if his trial, which he says is a form of political persecution, is not stopped by the APC.

The senate president is about to be made naked by the APC. APC is in disarray and he is about to be made politically naked, Kwara PDP Chairman, Iyiola Oyedeposaid on Monday, April 18, 2016, in Ilorin, adding that Saraki is desperate to return to the opposition party.

He is looking for a shelter in case the broom sweeps him away, is this the time to allow him to take refuge under the umbrella? The mistake of 2003 must not be allowed to repeat itself in 2016, Oyedepo said.

The APC obviously doesnt want Saraki as its member anymore as Chairman, John Oyegun has said that the party is willing to sacrifice the Senate Presidency on the altar of change.
Adekunle made the call on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, while addressing journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Let the masses use their rights in cautioning their representatives from doing wrong things. It is here in Nigeria that a political office holder is accused of corruption, and such person will not deem it fit to vacate office for him/her to face his/her charges. This is not the case in a sane society, he said.

By, now, the Senate President, Saraki, ought to have toed a path of honour and step out of office, so as to allow for thorough investigation. His effort running from one court to the other to halt his trial shows that he is not a man of integrity.

I will describe the action of the National Assembly on the move to amend the CCT Act, as that of shameless people, trying to cover their tracks. They are not doing it to save only one person, but to cover their own tracks as well. It is quite shameful.

I think the constituencies where these lawmakers emerged from, should begin to think of how to recall them back home, he added.

Saraki has been accused of asset declaration fraud, an offence which he allegedly committed during his tenure as the governor of Kwara State.

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Violence erupted in Burundi in April last year when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his bid for a third term, which was opposed by a host of activists, opposition politicians and some military officers who staged a failed coup in May.

Officers behind that coup have said they would pursue an armed struggle until Nkurunziza quits.

It is not immediately clear how many fleeing officers have joined rebels groups, but hollowing out the army's senior ranks risks leaving a more partisan military that till now has kept broad public respect in an increasingly polarised nation.

Western diplomats fear the tiny nation could slide back into ethnic conflict, like the 1993-2005 civil war, which pitted what was then a Tutsi-led army against Hutu rebel groups. After a peace deal, rebel fighters were absorbed into the army.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre Mbazumutima, a Tutsi in charge of intelligence services at a military camp about 40 km east of Bujumbura, went missing at the weekend. He had been questioned after the May coup but was not arrested or taken to court.

"He hasnt yet showed up for work since last Sunday but I dont know where he is now," army spokesman Gaspard Baratuza said, adding he would be declared a deserter after eight days.

A fellow senior officer, asking not to be named, said he believed Mbazumutima had fled after facing threats, including an attack by unidentified men at his home. "Probably he left the army in a bid to find a safe place," he told Reuters.

Several other military sources, who also declined to be named, also said Mbazumutima had fled but offered few details.

One of Burundi's rebel groups that emerged late last year, FOREBU, says it is led by the leader of the May coup attempt although Major-General Godefroid Niyombare has made no public declaration since the failed putsch.

Two other groups have emerged, including RED TABARA which has claimed responsibility for several attacks on officials in the capital. The government also says there are rebels affiliated to FNL, a political party that denied any links.
Police also used stun grenades and pepper spray to disperse the protesters at the university, located in Grahamstown to the southeast of the country. Five students were arrested.

The protests were fanned by comments posted on social media, a catalyst in last year's nationwide marches by students against university fee increases.

"The roads were blocked off (by) furniture, brooms, sticks and stones," police captain Mali Govender said in statement.

She said the crowd of protesters were becoming aggressive and preventing staff members from leaving the premises.

Wednesday's clashes broke out after a list of 11 alleged perpetrators of sexual offences was circulated at the campus earlier this week and on social media.

Vice Chancellor Sizwe Mabizela told Talk Radio 702 that it was not clear what evidence was used to name the individuals or whether the list had been presented to the police.

"I was pleading with the police that they release them because with students being arrested it may just escalate this whole situation in the university which is not what we want."

A wave of student protests have swept across South African universities since 2015, including the clamour for the removal of a statue of Cecil John Rhodes, the British imperialist, and demands by black students to be taught in English rather than Afrikaans, the language they identify with apartheid.
Medef had initially backed the project, which was designed to simplify a complex employment code and encourage companies to hire permanent staff. But the government removed some pro-business measures after unions and student groups protested.

Medef's chief Pierre Gattaz said on Tuesday it did not want to be associated with "a sinking ship" and gave the government until mid-May to get back to the initial version of the bill.

Asked about Gattaz' stance on France Info radio, Valls said: "I regret this way of giving ultimatums, of taking the unemployment insurance talks hostage."

Valls, who has declared himself a friend of the business community and is the flag carrier of the Socialist government's pro-business turn in 2014, has sought to woo traditional left-wing voters as well in recent weeks as elections loom in 2017.

The labour reform bill will reach the floor of the lower house of parliament on May 3, and its final form is still in flux.

France's unemployment insurance fund, managed jointly by unions and employers, collects contributions and pays out unemployment benefits.
By 2009, with Iraq in chaos, impoverished Sierra Leone was looking for a way to engage its workforce, said Maya Mynster Christensen, a researcher at the Danish Institute Against Torture who made repeated trips to the West African country.

"From a Sierra Leone government perspective the recruitment was supposedly quite a good deal because it could take the local troublemakers and send them to Iraq for a couple of years," the anthropologist told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"The government returned the men, many of them now in their late twenties and thirties, with money earned on their overseas deployment," she said.

But Christensen said this ran counter to Sierra Leone's stated policy of demobilisation following the civil war.

Of the 72,500 combatants demobilised by January 2002, nearly 10 percent were children, according to the U.N. children's agency, UNICEF.

A spokesman for Sierra Leone's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"SLAVERY"

Christensen's allegations appear in a new Danish-made documentary, "The Child Soldier's New Job", which reveals that thousands of ex-soldiers were re-assigned to private security contractors in Iraq after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation cannot verify how many of those recruited to Iraq were once child combatants, but in the documentary those who were deployed described feeling awe-struck on arrival in the war-torn country.

In filmed interviews, one former child soldier, who had only received training in light weapons in Sierra Leone, said he heard mortar shells every day in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

"For many of the ex-soldiers, Iraq reactivated memories of the civil war. It was traumatic," said Christensen, who also works for the Royal Danish Defence College.

British contractors operating on behalf of U.S. security companies recruited up to 10,000 former Sierra Leonean militia fighters from 2009 onwards, said Christensen.

She said two UK-based contracting companies were operating in Sierra Leone over a three year period - Sabre International ran a training camp in Sierra Leone in 2009, while Aegis Defence Services Ltd was recruiting men when she visited in 2012.

Of those recruited, around 3,000 were actually deployed, usually to guard U.S. military bases in Iraq, Christensen said.

"Some of the recruits found out subsequently they would only get paid $200 per month once they got to Iraq, but a number of them went on strike when they arrived," she said.

"The recruits frequently likened the experience to slavery."

Sabre International and Aegis Defence Services did not respond to requests for comment.

Britain's Guardian newspaper earlier this week quoted a former Aegis senior director saying the firm employed mercenaries from Sierra Leone to work in Iraq because they were cheaper than Europeans, and did not check if they were former child soldiers.

James Ellery, a director of Aegis Defence Services between 2005 and 2015, said it helped reduce costs for the U.S. presence in Iraq and contractors had a "duty" to recruit from countries like Sierra Leone.

Aegis was taken over last year by GardaWorld, a Canadian security company.

Child rights groups were alarmed that ex-child combatants appeared to have been recruited to protect U.S. assets in Iraq.

"It is surprising that a defence contractor, in its quest to find lower cost labour, should conclude that former child soldiers form a good recruiting pool," said Dan Collison, director of programmes at War Child UK, a charity helping former child combatants.
Polls show Trump beating his Republican rivals with about 50 percent support versus roughly 20 percent each for Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Ohio Governor John Kasich. The New York businessman insists he is the only one of the three remaining candidates who can attract enough new voters to win states in the Nov. 8 general election that have long been key Democratic strongholds.

Trump has said repeatedly in interviews and on the campaign trail that he could rewrite the electoral map to put historically Democratic states such as New York and Pennsylvania in play in a general election. As he describes it, he has crossover appeal that is strongest in the populous northeastern United States, where social attitudes are more liberal than in the deeply religious South and Midwest.

Yet polls and voter-registration records suggest Trump's odds of beating a Democrat in any Northeastern state, let alone New York, are much lower than, say, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton winning a fortune in a Trump-owned casino.

Corey Lewandowski, Trump's campaign manager, said in an interview that even though he hasn't started competing in the general election, Trump has an advantage in New York because he's well known and employs people in the state. He cited Trump's strong primary performances in Massachusetts and New Hampshire as evidence of his popularity in New England.

"What you have with Donald Trump is a candidate who is the only candidate in this race that will actually have an opportunity to win states that Mitt Romney didn't win," Lewandowski said, referring to the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, who is also a former Massachusetts governor.

New York, with 5.8 million registered Democrats and 2.7 million Republicans, has shown virtually no shift, with the gap between registered voters of the two parties holding fairly steady between 2015 and 2016, according to state records. If Trump has crossover appeal, it's not yet apparent.

The strong Democratic tilt in the Northeast corridor - a region stretching from Maine to Maryland - has made it much harder for Republicans to win at the national level. A conservative has only won one state in the Northeast in the 20-year span from 1992-2012, when George W. Bush eked out a victory in New Hampshire in 2000.

New York has not gone Republican in a general election since 1984 when Reagan won 49 of 50 states in a historic landslide.

Trump touts his support with working-class voters, especially unionized workers. His biggest advocate in New York, the Buffalo businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, said he expects Trump to attract new voters in November who support his call for tariffs on imported goods from China, Mexico and other countries that have cut into the U.S. manufacturing base.

Yet national polls suggest Trump lacks the crossover appeal with the independents and disaffected Democrats he frequently touts: A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 62 percent of Americans view Trump unfavorably. Among women, who make up a slight majority of general-election voters, 67 percent view Trump unfavorably, according to the poll.

Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, a Republican who served as secretary of homeland security under George W. Bush, called Trump "a very divisive person."

"I just don't think his personality, nor his style, nor his point of view - whatever that is - will appeal to the kind of Republican and Democrat support he will need in Pennsylvania," said Ridge, who supports Kasich.

Trump has been a lightning rod for controversy, calling for Muslims to be banned from entering the United States, referring to people illegally crossing into the country from Mexico as "rapists" and suggesting women who get illegal abortions should be punished.

Even New Hampshire, with a close divide between Republicans and Democrats that makes it rare among Northeastern states, would be a long shot for Trump in a general election, predicted Dave Carney, a Republican strategist in the state.
With election season underway, Nye County Democrats found cause to gather for a Roosevelt-Kennedy dinner on Saturday night.

With election season underway, Nye County Democrats found cause to gather for a Roosevelt-Kennedy dinner on Saturday night.

The annual fundraiser for the Nye County Democratic Central Committee brought a number of candidates for Congress, the Senate and Nevada Assembly to Pahrump.

Fresh off the debate that took place at the Pearson Community Center in North Las Vegas on Thursday, Democratic candidates for the 4th Congressional District Lucy Flores, Ruben Kihuen and Susie Lee made their cases at the event.

The three candidates, who will challenge incumbent Republican Congressman Cresent Hardy in the June 14 primaries, took to the stage for a couple of minutes to talk about their campaigns.

In her address, Flores, a former assemblywoman, said she was the most progressive candidate and touted her endorsement from Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Im the person who is going to work the hardest for you because your issues matter to me, Flores said.

Las Vegas philanthropist Susie Lee, who has been outpacing Flores and Kihuen in fundraising, encouraged those in attendance to fight for opportunities.

Lee also said she will focus on economic development in Pahrump, if elected.

I believe that the Congress of today is leaving the middle class behind, she said.

I havent talked about making peoples lives better, Ive rolled up my sleeves and have had a real impact on peoples lives. Thats the type of leadership I think we need more of in Washington, D.C., she said.

Kihuen, a state senator who represents Nevadas 10th District said Democrats are fighting for the American dream every single day.

That promise that if you come to this country, or you live in this country, and you are willing to work hard, to sacrifice, to play by the rules, that you can become anything and anyone, he said.

So, while theres going to be candidates who talk about wanting to get things done, Ive done it. Ive championed equal pay for equal work. Ive championed college affordability, Ive championed raising the minimum wage in the state of Nevada, he said.

Kihuen got endorsements from 13 labor unions, including the Culinary Union.

The 4th Congressional District includes six rural counties, including Nye and North Las Vegas, where the majority of voters live.

Nye County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Cliff Arnold read a letter from U.S. Sen. Harry Reid to the audience.

In the letter, Reid endorsed Kihuen and called him a fighter for progressive values.

Our state is once again poised to be a key battleground in 2016 from winning Nevada for our presidential nominee to reclaiming our majorities in the state Legislature, your work will be pivotal to ensuring we can celebrate Democratic victories on election night, Reid said in a statement.

A keynote speaker of the event, Catherine Cortez Masto, is running for the outgoing Reids seat.

Cortez Masto, who has three Democratic challengers for the primary, is expected to face with Republican Congressman Joe Heck in Novembers general election for the seat.

If elected, Cortez Masto will be Nevadas first female senator and the first Latino senator in the U.S. history. She served as attorney general for the state of Nevada for eight years.

Im not doing it to make history, Im doing this because its time we started solving problems and getting things done, she said. And its time for Washington to be bipartisan and create economies and solve those problems that work for everyone.

Cortez Masto cast herself as a problem solver, and criticized partisan bickering in Washington, D.C.

For too long we have watched as those in Washington have failed the American people, (and) refused to take up the challenges that we face every day, she said.

She called for raising minimum wage, equal pay for equal work, tearing down the barriers to the middle class, fighting against job-killing trade deals and anti-union policies and passing comprehensive immigration reform.

Nevada brothel owner Dennis Hof, who recently filed for the state Assembly District 36 as a Libertarian, also attended the event.

Hof told Nye Democrats that he is not a career politician and he doesnt want to be one.

Im not taking any money, Hof said. I dont want anybodys money. Special interests will not control me at all. I will do the right thing for you, we have to make some changes.

Hof asked the public for support: If you dont have anybody, I am your guy for sure.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77
The reverberations of the $1.4 billion tax package that was implemented last year can still be heard in Pahrump.

The reverberations of the $1.4 billion tax package that was implemented last year can still be heard in Pahrump.

Tina Trenner, Assembly District 36 candidate, held an event on Thursday where she talked about the impact of the $1.4 billion of new or extended taxes and their impact on businesses in Nevada.

Trenner once again criticized incumbent Assemblyman James Oscarson, who had voted for the measure that was proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

I know that Nye County cannot afford new taxes, I know that would be burdensome on people. I will not raise taxes, she said.

In October 2015, a group called RIP Commerce Tax that was spearheaded by Nevada State Controller Ron Knecht, filed a referendum petition with the Secretary of State to repeal a new commerce tax that was part of the package. Sandoval opposed the move.

The $1.4 billion tax package was passed by a two-thirds majority of the Nevada Legislature in 2015. The measure was supposed to fund the $7.4 billion budget that includes an increase in education spending. The commerce tax also puts a levy on businesses that gross $4 million or more annually.

Nevada State Assistant Controller Geoff Lawrence, the guest of the event, told the audience about the progress that the group had made statewide. Organizers have to get 55,000 signatures in four congressional districts to put the commerce tax on the ballot in November.

We have been pretty successful so far, even though we really havent spent any money yet. We have to file all of the signatures by June 21 in order to qualify. We have been pretty fortunate up north in (Congressional District 2) to get nearly all of the signatures that we need just on volunteer basis, he said.

The commerce tax would raise approximately $60 million a year.

This week, Lawrence said the group will wrap up the paid effort primarily in Las Vegas to get signatures.

Its going to be a huge effort. We think that we will be able to get all of the signatures we need in the next 30 to 40 days, he said.

The petition to repeal the whole tax package that was spearheaded by conservative activist Chuck Muth was rejected in court by a Carson City judge last year.

Trenner will challenge Oscarson in the upcoming June 14 primary. She campaigns under the slogan Because the Constitution Matters. The Palm Springs, California native has made water, land and taxes pivotal points of her campaign. She also pledged to protect wild horses.

She called the implemented tax a monster tax.

I know how vital small business is to our communities, to our state, to our country. Its what America is. Its the engine of America, she said.

Assembly District 36 includes parts of Nye County, Lincoln County and Clark County.

Nevada brothel owner Dennis Hof, who had filed as a Libertarian for Assembly District 36, also attended the talk. Hof has a number of other businesses in the state, including gas stations and restaurants.

Its going to affect every one of you because as a small businessman, I have to pass things on to you, he said about the tax. Its going to raise the prices and anybody thats voting for this tax needs to be fired. Everybody.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77
As a candidate for the Nye County District II Commission seat, John Koenig believes his decades of management experience and problem solving provide him with the credentials to take on the position.

As a candidate for the Nye County District II Commission seat, John Koenig believes his decades of management experience and problem solving provide him with the credentials to take on the position.

Koenigs 12-year residency in the community came after attending the University of Bridgeport and the Bridgeport Engineering Institute in Connecticut years ago.

His last job before retiring in Pahrump was a systems manager for an eyeglass manufacturer.

Koenig, chairman of the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission and a member of the Nye County Regional Transportation Commission, spoke about his district and what he has been working to help establish.

For years, residents in that area have proposed what is tentatively known as Last Chance Park, an equestrian and pedestrian community park to enhance the rural identity of Pahrump.

Koenig noted he and the residents are finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Its getting closer to reality, he said. District II is in the northern area and its pretty quiet up there, he said. Im trying to help some people with Last Chance Park, which is in that district. We are trying to get some trailheads set up. Being on the transportation commission, we are trying to help Linda Hatley, a member of the Pahrump Public Lands Advisory Board, get permission to put a few of them in and see how they work out.

By virtue of his positions on two commissions, Koenig believes his experience outpaces others running for the seat, as outlined on his website.

A county is an administrative division of a state, typically consisting of multiple municipalities and/or unincorporated areas, he noted. County government provides a variety of services, including court systems, health services and public utilities. County commissioners are elected officials who serve as the chief executives of counties.

Koenig also said the actions of elected officials should always reflect the best interests of voters.

As a civil servant, a county commissioner represents the constituents of the county, he said. Citizen needs should inform the decisions made by a county commissioner while in office. In accordance with the operational mission of the county, a county commissioner is responsible for establishing and implementing policies that guide the various county departments in achieving those goals.

Fiscal responsibility, Koenig said, is an important aspect to the position.

A county commissioner reviews and approves the county budget, implementing and/or reducing property taxes to meet the countys financial needs as necessary, he said. I believe my background in management and problem solving makes me the best single candidate for county commissioner.

On the issue of re-establishing the Pahrump Town Board, Koenig said he currently sees no reason to take the action at the present time.

Cost-saving measures are being introduced to try and build a piggy bank for future use in the fairgrounds and other endeavors that the people seem to want, he said. I am always available to discuss this with anyone who wishes but it would take a lot of convincing to change my mind.

Born in Long Island, New York, Koenig and his family and moved to a small town in Connecticut with no high school when he was nine.

They finally built a high school when the population could support it and I was in the first graduating class, he said. I was married at 17 and we went on to have four children and now, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. I have been married to my lovely wife for 34 years now.

Koenig was just 15 when he started working at a Texaco gas station and went on to work for a tech company when he reached 18.

He received his amateur radio license at 21, which allowed him to move up in the company.

Koenig is a life member of the American Production Control Society, an NRA member, and has attended UNR in local leadership.

Hes also a 31-year member of the Elks Lodge 2543.

Other GOP candidates in District II include David Lancaster Sr., Amy Riches, Sal Ledesma and Ray Grant. The winner will face lone Democrat candidate Harley Kulkin on Nov. 8.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes
NORTH LAS VEGAS  They debated the Iran deal, campaign finance reform and whether Edward Snowden is a traitor.

NORTH LAS VEGAS  They debated the Iran deal, campaign finance reform and whether Edward Snowden is a traitor.

Seven Democrats seeking the nomination in the 4th Congressional District election debated for more than two hours on Thursday evening at the Pearson Community Center in North Las Vegas. Participating candidates were Brandon Casutt, Lucy Flores, Ruben Kihuen, Susie Lee, Dan Rolle, Mike Schaefer and Rodney Smith. Democratic candidate Morse Arberry Jr. didnt attend.

The Democratic nominee after the June 14 primaries is expected to face U.S. Rep. Cresent Hardy, R-Nev., who is running for a second two-year term. Two other Republican candidates are running: Wayne Villines and Mike Monroe.

The 4th Congressional District encompasses North Las Vegas, Nye County and five rural counties.

The race could tilt to either side. Hardy was elected in 2014, winning in a red wave in which Republicans seized control of both chambers of the statehouse and won state offices.

Democrats have the edge in voter registration and aim to regain the seat.

Nevada Democratic Veterans and Military Families, Black Democratic Empowerment Project and North Las Vegas Democratic Club organized the event. Jon Ralston, a political blogger and television host, moderated.

Candidates disagreed about the Iran deal, which aims to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and will provide the nation with $150 billion by lifting sanctions.

Ruben Kihuen, a state senator, said he supports the deal, which he said had the support of five of the most powerful countries in the world.

Lee disagreed with Kihuen.

I think that Iran has been an exporter of terrorism and has been a major destabilizer in the Middle East, Lee said.

Flores, a former assemblywoman, agreed with Kihuen, saying Iran was in a position to acquire nuclear-grade uranium.

Candidates also were asked whether Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor who stole documents detailing classified U.S. surveillance programs, is a traitor. That drew mixed responses.

Lee said Snowden is both a traitor and not a traitor, given the circumstances. Flores said the case demonstrates the need for whistleblower protections.

Rolle told the audience they deserve politicians who will answer the damn question.

The government was spying on us, he said, declaring: Edward Snowden is a hero.

Smith, an Air Force veteran, said hes worked in classified jobs and Snowden could have been a whistleblower and done it legally.

Kihuen, Lee and Flores have been campaigning since last year.

The opportunity gave lesser-known candidates a chance to introduce themselves.

For example, Schaefer told the group hes for storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, claiming it will create 5,000 jobs and allow each state resident to get an annual $1,000 check.

Casutt said hes definitely against Yucca Mountain and dismissed his opponents idea of subsidy checks as unrealistic.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com. Find @BenBotkin1 on Twitter.
Pahrump Valley Winery saw an exceptional 2015 and now owner Bill Loken said hes looking forward to building a banner 2016.

Pahrump Valley Winery saw an exceptional 2015 and now owner Bill Loken said hes looking forward to building a banner 2016.

Last year Loken completed upgrades to the kitchen and dining room of the restaurant and this spring hes focused on the exterior of the property.

We are redoing virtually all of our landscaping in phases, he said. The first phase is the entire front of the building, including the driveway. We are going to a water-sensitive type of landscaping scheme and we are putting in an incredibly high-tech watering system that doesnt waste any water and it monitors the weather and soil. We are paying homage to the desert.

The first phase of the project got underway earlier this month and Loken said he expects work to continue throughout May and June.

We just started planting trees last week, and its going to start hot and heavy throughout the next few months. We will be out here with backhoes and everything else. Its going to look very lush and I think people will really like it when its all done. It will have very nice lighting.

Loken also spoke about Assembly Bill 4, relating to the operation of a winery in the state.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval earlier this year.

He said the bill, as it was originally proposed, would have opened up the two large markets of Las Vegas and Reno to wineries in a way that could have hurt the winery industry in rural Nevada.

We were not opposed to that but it didnt require them to invest in Nevada, he said. Our position was, we wanted the wine industry in this state to commit to growing at least 25 percent of their wine in the state of Nevada and that is very common. Some states go as high as 90 percent that have to be grown within the state. So 25 percent is maybe the lowest in the country.

Loken also noted that at the end of the day, he was satisfied with the language contained in the bill.

When the language was completed and everything was done, our language was adopted by both the Assembly and the Senate, 100 percent unanimously and the governor signed it into law. It was a good bill. It says that if you want to come to Nevada and open a winery, you can do it anywhere you want, but after a certain amount, 25 percent of your production has to be done with Nevada-grown grapes.

Additionally, Loken said prior to the passage, wineries could only operate in rural areas to help development in rural communities.

All of the wineries in the state have invested their money out in the rural areas, he said. This is going to be a real boom for the state of Nevada because its now the law. The beauty is that if you want to play in Nevada, you have to invest in Nevada. This helps the rural communities, which is where the grapes are going to be grown.

Regarding the recent interior expansion, Loken said though it doubled the seating capacity, it was still not enough.

While it was under construction, I told my wife that the patio expansion was going to be just like a freeway in Los Angeles, because the day it was done, it would be too small, and sure enough, thats how it ended up.

The Pahrump Valley Winery and Symphonys Restaurant are located at 3810 Winery Road. Contact them at (775) 751-7800 or (800) 368-9463.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes
The Sunshine Valley solar project, the biggest commercial development in Amargosa Valley in years, is gaining ground.

The Sunshine Valley solar project, the biggest commercial development in Amargosa Valley in years, is gaining ground.

The parent of the project, San Francisco-based First Solar, was recently awarded a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) from Southern California Edison. The agreement is now pending approval from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

The company is developing an approximately 100-megawatt alternating current solar project located on 745 acres of private land that the company intends to lease in Amargosa Valley.

The Amargosa Valley is one of several very good places to build a solar project. It has a lot of sun, available private land and available grid interconnection cost to competitively serve the California market, Laura Abram, director for public affairs at First Solar said.

First Solar expects to break ground in January 2019 with project completion in January 2020 per the PPA, Abram added.

Sunshine Valley received a Development Agreement from Nye County in 2013. The project also received its Compliance Order under the Utility Environmental Protection Act from the PUC.

When fully operational, the project will generate enough clean solar energy to serve the needs of about 23,000 average Nevada homes per year, displacing approximately 178,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, the equivalent of taking about 26,000 cars off the road, the companys press release said.

Sunshine Valley also has to receive its final permit to construct, which will be the final environmental approval. With that, the project will have received all of its environmental permits required for construction, Abram said.

First Solars projects are typically low-lying, with minimal noise, lighting and traffic and do not use water to generate electricity. The project will utilize First Solars advanced thin film solar photovoltaic panels, she said.

Abram also said the project is expected to create a construction workforce of 300 and up to seven full-time operations jobs.

Officials in Amargosa Valley, where businesses are scarce, expect the project to be an economic boon.

Weve had very little commercial growth in 20 years. The last big project we had was Longstreet (Inn) in 95, Amargosa Valley Town Board Administrator Mike Cottingim said.

The Sunshine Valley solar project is going to be located on private land, that First Solar intends to lease.

While Amargosa Valley is not going to charge the company any fees, Cottingim hopes the town will benefit from jobs and production that will support the local economy.

And hopefully that will mean trickle-down economics, he said.

First Solar already operates several facilities in southern Nevada including Boulder City and Primm. Several other projects, primarily in Clark County, are currently being developed. Sunshine Valley is the only project the company has in Nye County with a PPA.

We see a lot of future potential for continued utility-scale solar development in the county, Abram said.
Apparently government solved all of societys real problems while I wasnt looking. Woo hoo!

Violent crime has been eradicated. The Islamist terror threat is no more. Poverty? Everyones 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 thats been taken care of. Otherwise the politicians wouldnt have time to argue over who gets to use which bathroom. And thats what theyre doing, soooo 

Charlotte, North Carolinas 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 Charlottes 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  its 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 wont 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 hasnt.

For all the hobgoblin talk about men in dresses sexually molesting our daughters at rest stops, Ive been unable to find any public mention of that happening. If it has, its 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 dont think youve 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 youve shared bathrooms with fewer than 300 people in all?

Youve 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 isnt that complicated.

In venues like government schools, politicians and their lackeys shouldnt 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 wont get too nosy.

And as cultural changes do, this will all work itself out.

Thomas L. Knapp (Twitter: @thomaslknapp) is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism (thegarrisoncenter.org). He lives and works in north central Florida.
In November 2011, campus police at the University of California, Davis used pepper spray against seated legal protesters on the campus quad.

In November 2011, campus police at the University of California, Davis used pepper spray against seated legal protesters on the campus quad.

News footage of the incident was shown across the nation and around the world. It prompted a public pre-Ferguson debate about the over-militarization of police forces. The campus police overreaction left UC Davis with a terrible reputation.

Its hard to imagine that UC Davis could have made its public image worse, but last week, five years after the incident, the Sacramento Bee reported that UC Davis contracted with consultants for at least $175,000 to scrub the internet of negative online postings about the 2011 incident. The campus also increased its public relations budget from $2.93 million in 2009 to $5.47 million in 2015.

The campus has both undergrad and grad history studies, yet engaged in manipulation of its own history. A Maryland company called Nevins and Associates pandered to campus officials with its claim that there was venomous rhetoric about UC Davis and promised to expedite the eradication of references to the pepper spray incident in search results on Google for the university and the chancellor.

Chancellor Linda Katehi, who survived the 2011 incident, is now under renewed pressure to resign. Note that the money was spent not just to improve the campus image but the chancellors image, not a proper use of university funds. Moreover, buying into the notion that the internet can be scrubbed in the way described has to be one of the most spectacular instances of gullibility since Sharron Angle hired fundraisers who charged her at least $4.4 million to raise $9.6 million.

Manipulating history is a common method of manipulating the public. On March 12, 1928, Los Angeles water czar William Mulholland inspected the latest leaks in the Saint Francis Dam and pronounced the structure sound. That evening, the dam gave way, the water behind it destroying numerous communities on its way to the sea. Did Mulholland do what a responsible official does  admit error? Hardly. The Los Angeles water department tried to acquire all extant photographs of the disaster to give it as much control as possible over the historical record of the disaster.

I have a book, The Commissar Vanishes, that I sometimes use as a visual aid when I speak to groups about this matter. The Soviet Union often manipulated group photographs to remove people who had fallen from political favor  or to return them if they recovered standing.

The same kind of thing happened in the United States. A photograph of Ulysses Grant was created from three photographs to show him in a noble mounted pose. Life magazine once altered one of the photos taken at Kent State University after the 1970 killings.

One public relations firm, Hill and Knowlton, got big money for helping the Kuwaiti lie the United States into a war in 1991 by rewriting the history of the Iraqi invasion, including sending the daughter of the Kuwait ambassador to a highly publicized congressional hearing to pose as Nurse Nayirah and testify falsely that she witnessed Iraqi soldiers killing hundreds of babies at al-Addan hospital in Kuwait City.

In 2007 when Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons was trying to void the appointment of a state gambling regulator by his predecessor Kenny Guinn, his aides claimed that the Guinn appointment would take the state back to the dark ages when politics and personal interests ruled the Gaming Control Board. This administration is not for sale. People with a better knowledge of history promptly pointed out that there had never been such dark days in Nevada gambling regulation history.

The problem is that after all these techniques are used, nothing is changed. If a person or institution has a public relations problem, it is almost automatic that they have a real problem. Dealing with it instead of the publicity is both more honest and more responsible.

Dennis Myers is an award-winning journalist who has reported on Nevadas capital, government and politics for several decades. He has also served as Nevadas chief deputy secretary of state.
The Quad-Cities Chamber of Commerce is seeking candidates for a new economic development officer to replace Paul Rumler, who resigned to take a chamber job in Michigan.

Tara Barney, the chamber's CEO, said the chamber is accepting applications for the position until at least the end of April.

"If we have a good pool (of candidates), we will proceed and move toward interviews and selection," she said, adding that interviews could begin in early May.

The opening is posted on the chamber's website at quadcitieschamber.com under News.

"We're not conducting a national search. Instead, we are working internally to source a candidate within the region," said Jillian McCleary, the chamber's communications vice president.

She added the chamber has established a task force, co-chaired by Barney and Quad-Cities First chair Rick Seidler, "to help vet candidates and source candidates using their networks."

According to Barney, the process will invite "input from a lot of shareholders."

Rumler, the chamber's former chief economic development officer and executive vice president, announced in March that he had accepted a position as chief strategy officer for the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Area Chamber of Commerce. He had been with the Quad-City chamber and its predecessors since 2006.

During his tenure, Rumler served in roles ranging from talent attraction and retention, community development, public policy and economic development. He shepherded several regional priorities including approval of passenger rail between Chicago and the Quad-Cities; redevelopment planning for SouthPark Mall in Moline; direct air service to Washington, D.C.; and creation of the Quad-Cities Manufacturing Innovation Hub. He also led the chamber's economic development staff.

According to the chamber's job description, the position will lead and direct all the chamber's economic development initiatives to drive job creation and business investment.

In the interim, Rumler's duties have been divided up among the chamber's economic development team, including Liz Tallman, Ray De Winkle, Julie Forsythe and McCleary.
Good afternoon, folks. We're looking at scattered showers this afternoon with a high in the upper 60s.

The National Weather Service afternoon forecast includes this Hazardous Weather Outlook.

"Isolated thunderstorms are expected today mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. A few strong storms are possible mainly south of Interstate 80 with hail around one half inch in diameter."

This afternoon there is a 70 percent chance of showers this afternoon with new rainfall amounts between and tenth and a quarter of an inch. Higher amounts are possible during thunderstorms. Skies will be cloudy with a high near 69 degrees. South winds will be 10-15 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight there is a 60 percent chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 p.m. then scattered showers and thunderstorms between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. then a slight chance showers after 1 a.m. New rainfall could be between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. Higher amounts are possible during thunderstorms. Skies will be mostly cloudy with a low around 51 degrees.

Thursday there is a 50 percent chance of showers with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy with a high near 68 degrees. New rainfall amounts could be between a tenth and a quarter of an inch.

A peek at I-74 bridge traffic

Stay up-to-date on how traffic is flowing on I-74 with bridge cam.

Help name Alcoa's eaglets

Alcoa Davenport Works is seeking the public's help in naming its two new eaglets. Eagles Liberty and Justice hatched two eaglets earlier this month in their nest on the Riverdale plant's riverfront property. To suggest a set of names, visit Alcoa Davenport Works Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AlcoaDavenportWorks and "like" the page. Then go to the Eaglet Name posting and type a comment with your name suggestion.

It's time to sign up for the Bix 7

It's never to early to sign up for the Quad-City Times Bix 7 road race on July 30.

Davenport police look for robbery suspect

Davenport police is seeking the public's help in locating a suspected in a Tuesday afternoon armed robbery.

The robbery occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at Advance America, 1800 E. Kimberly Road.

The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money from the clerk. The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during the incident.

The suspect is described as a black male, about 5-foot, 6-inches tall and weighing 150 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to DO WHATS RIGHT and call the Davenport Police Department at 563-326-6125 or submit an anonymous tip via our mobile app entitled CityConnect Davenport, IA.
On a 6-1 vote Tuesday, the Bettendorf City Council waived third reading and approved ordinances for land use amendments and rezoning of property southwest of 53rd Avenue and Middle Road and east of Crow Creek Park.

Alderman Scott Webster, 5th Ward, voted against the rezoning for a proposed development that will be known as Villages of the Woodlands and Shops of the Woodlands. Windmiller Development plans to construct new single family homes, townhouses and lower density commercial use buildings on the property.

The vote was also 6-1 against a resolution that would have approved a request by property owner Chad Miller to designate as forest cover 4.9 acres of land located at 4340 Tanglewood Road. If approved, the property would have been declared tax exempt and set aside as a wildlife refuge.

Aldermen opposed the designation due to public access and storm water runoff concerns affecting a nearby bike path. Alderman Scott Naumann, 2nd Ward, voted in favor of the resolution.
A bicyclist was struck by a truck Wednesday morning at Rockingham and Schmidt roads in Davenport and was transported from the scene by ambulance.

Workers at Autoland, 2201 Rockingham Road, said they arrived at 10:30 a.m. and police had blocked off portions of roadway.

The unidentified cyclist did not appear to have sustained life-threatening injuries, Davenport police said.

Orange spray paint was used by investigators to mark portions of the road, indicating direction of travel.

Police said more information is forthcoming.
Davenport police is seeking the public's help in locating a suspected in a Tuesday afternoon armed robbery.

The robbery occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at Advance America, 1800 E. Kimberly Road.

The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money from the clerk. The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during the incident.

The suspect is described as a black male, about 5-foot, 6-inches tall and weighing 150 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to DO WHATS RIGHT and call the Davenport Police Department at 563-326-6125 or submit an anonymous tip via our mobile app entitled CityConnect Davenport, IA.
A Davenport businessmans controversial request to rezone property at the northwest corner of West 7th and Division streets for a new "neighborhood market" will be back in front of the Davenport City Council today.

Robby Ortiz, who owns gas stations in Davenport and LeClaire, initially wanted to build a convenience store/gas station, but was met with opposition from some neighbors who say the new business could bring more crime to the neighborhood because he plans to sell liquor.

Ortiz has changed his plans and is now proposing a neighborhood market, or small grocery store. The new business proposal does not include gas pumps but likely will include alcohol sales, Ortiz said Tuesday.

At each of the hearings for Ortiz's earlier proposal, there was debate about whether bringing alcohol sales to a neighborhood leads to an increase in crime, with those in opposition to Ortiz's plans thinking that it does.

In advance of the next public discussion, the Quad-City Times worked to answer that question using data from a records request to the Davenport Police Department.

The department provided the Times with crime data between 2012-2015 covering offenses reported within 1,500 feet of 65 liquor stores and convenience stores with liquor licenses.

From those records, the Times examined data surrounding 14 establishments that had a liquor license in effect and issued by the State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

Robert Bailey, a spokesman for the Iowa ABD, said businesses applying for liquor licenses must first be approved at the local level before the agency approves it.

In a review of the data, the Times found that the area around eight of the businesses saw an increase  slight or otherwise  in the number of assaults and drug offenses in the first year the liquor license took effect.

The area around seven of the businesses saw an increase in the number of public intoxication arrests in the first year, while the area around five of the businesses saw an increase in vandalism in the first year.

According to the data provided by police, numbers in multiple categories went down in 2014, although it is not clear why.

Capt. Brent Biggs, public information officer for the Davenport Police Department, declined to comment on the data, saying too many potential factors are involved to try and speculate on overall numbers.

Biggs did say the department does not specifically track crime around stores that sell liquor, or any other business, but has provided data to the city in instances when they seek to pull or suspend a liquor license.

But its not like one particular business comes up and we are proactively trying to find reasons or problems with that business, Biggs said.

Officials with the citys Community Planning and Economic Development Department did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Ron Thakur has owned the Mart Stop, 3527 Spring St., since 1998. His liquor license went into effect through the Iowa ABD in February 2012.

Thakur said since he has owned the Mart Stop, he has had few problems with crime at the store over the years. He said the convenience store mainly sells cigarettes and gas and hard liquor for sale is placed behind the counter.

Neighborhood market

Earlier this year, Ortiz sought a rezoning change to convert a boarded-up house at 1808 W. 7th St. and a vacant former grocery store next door and turn it into a gas station/convenience store.

Ortiz at the time said liquor sales would be only 3 percent of his total sales and the business would not be open past midnight.

The plan was met with opposition by some neighbors, who cited concerns about increase in traffic and crime.

The citys Plan and Zoning Commission unanimously denied Ortizs proposal on Feb. 16. His new proposal is listed under first consideration on the agenda for tonight's City Council committee-of-the-whole meeting.

To address neighbors' concerns, Ortiz said Tuesday he will no longer present the City Council with a proposal for a gas station. Instead, he wants to turn the property into a neighborhood grocery store or market.

Neighborhood markets are often larger and sell more diverse items than a typical convenience store, he said.

We wanted this to be positive, and thats what the neighbors said they wanted, he said.

Ortiz said the store also will sell alcohol like any other grocery store.

City Attorney Tom Warner said Tuesday that new convenience stores must get a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and then get council approval for a liquor license.

Neighborhood markets or grocery stores that have a square footage of at least 4,500 feet do not have to get the special use permit through the zoning board, Warner said.

Large grocery stores such as Hy-Vee do not need to apply for a license on the local level, he said.

Ortiz also owns the GD Express at 4607 N. Pine St., Sub Express & Gas at 4307 W. Locust St., Gas Depot at 3108 W. Central Park Ave. in Davenport and the Cody Mart, 1220 N. Cody Road in LeClaire.

Ortiz said the businesses have good lighting and surveillance cameras, and he frequently works with local police in an effort to help cut down on crime in the area.

If youre drunk, Im not going to sell to you; if youre underage, Im not going to sell to you, he said. Thats why were profitable, thats why were able to expand.

Alderman Bill Boom, 3rd Ward, expressed opposition to Ortizs original proposal, saying that he did not think a gas station would be a good fit for the neighborhood.

When asked Tuesday if his opinion changed with the new proposal, Boom declined comment but said neighbors are expected to present information at tonight's meeting.

Id like them to present that so that we have the results of a broader number of neighbors, he said.

Alderman Ray Ambrose, 4th Ward, is supportive of the project and said Ortiz has a wonderful track record when it comes to his businesses and his willingness to help improve those neighborhoods.

Ambrose, who lives in a neighborhood near the proposed site, said he does not think businesses that sell alcohol have contributed to the crime problem in the city.

The Times' Open Records request also included crime data for 2012 to 2015, plus the month of May in 2011, for the area around 1808 W. 7th St., which is the address of Ortiz's proposed business. According to the data, there were 193 assaults, 10 sexual assaults, 22 weapons calls, 10 robberies, 2013 instances of vandalism and 61 drug calls.

Ambrose said the neighborhood has been hugely neglected by the city for years and he thinks a new development would be an asset.

You want businesses to be successful, he said. Alcohol is such a poor argument in that its going to have a negative impact on the neighborhood. I deal with it every day, and I just dont see it.
The state of Illinois, which owes billions of dollars in unpaid bills, says that over the past two years, it has overpaid local governments $168 million  and it wants the money back.

The state Department of Revenue said that local governments across the state owe the money because it overpaid personal property tax replacement funds in 2014 and 2015.

In the Quad-Cities, the idea of owing the state money didn't go over well with local officials, some of whom are owed money by the state. East Moline Mayor John Thodos, who says the state owes the city $500,000 in delinquent water and sewer bills for the East Moline Correctional Center, disputes the idea the city has been overpaid.

Regardless, given the state's delinquency, he doesn't appear to eager to surrender any money to Springfield.

"I dont think weve been receiving the amount we were entitled to," Thodos said Wednesday. "They added insult to injury on this one."

The state revenue department says there was a mistake in allocating money to the Personal Property Replacement Tax Fund, which ships funds to local governments to make up for the state stripping them of their ability to impose personal property taxes on corporations, partnerships and other business entities. The power was taken away in 1970.

The revenue department said the error was initiated under the administration of former Gov. Pat Quinn. It pledged its patience in recovering the funds.

"We are certainly sensitive to the impact recouping these funds will have on some of our taxing districts," Connie Beard, the revenue department director said this week in a news release announcing the overpayment. "We will be working with the impacted taxing districts to establish a plan to recapture the funds over an extended period of time."

There was no elaboration on how long it might take to recoup the money.

The department said a recent initiative to modernize its tax system discovered the error, which stemmed from a 2014 law that amended the state's tax code.

The state says that, for most governments, the overpayments are small, less than $10,000. But for 10 taxing districts, they amount to more than $1 million. About 6,500 taxing districts across Illinois are affected, the department said.

A spreadsheet on the revenue department's website listed the amounts that it says were mistakenly allocated, and it appears to show $3.5 million in overpayments to governments and school districts in Rock Island County. The largest were for the Moline-Coal Valley and Rock Island-Milan school districts, which were overpaid by $597,000 and $584,000, respectively, the state said.

The city of Rock Island was overpaid $333,000, the state said. Overall, the city of Rock Island received $2.8 million in personal property tax replacement funds last year, according to its finance director. The year before, it was $1.9 million.

Rock Island Mayor Dennis Pauley said he hopes the state won't demand the money in a lump sum but expects, eventually, it will recoup its losses.

"We have no choice," he said. "We have to go with it."

Some local officials said the state likely would not seek a check from local governments but simply adjust future payments.
With the goal of having a new Scott County administrator in place by June, the county Board of Supervisors has selected three candidates to meet for interviews next week, chairman Jim Hancock said Tuesday.

They are all good applicants, Hancock said. We had four, but one dropped out Friday, and he was a very good applicant. He didnt want his name disclosed."

The three remaining candidates all have good backgrounds, good administrative backgrounds, good education backgrounds, he said.

Hancock said supervisors will be looking for that candidate who has the best interests of the county and its citizens at heart, Hancock said. They need to be able to collaborate with the rest of the Quad-Cities.

But the person also needs to be a good communicator, he said.

Most people dont understand that county government is a lot different from city government, Hancock said. We have five or six elected officers, such as the treasurer, auditor, sheriff, and they are autonomous from the Board of Supervisors. We do authorize their budgets, so there is that interaction the administrator must balance.

We want somebody who can walk that tightrope with those elected bodies. They need to have that skill set.

Gregg Mandsager, who has served city administrator of Muscatine for the past six years, is one of the finalists.

Mandsager said he read over the brochure that was sent out by the executive search firm and he knows current Scott County Administrator Dee Bruemmer.

"Scott County is a great community, as is Muscatine," Mandsager said Tuesday night. "It's really a great opportunity."

Before becoming city manager of Muscatine, Mandsager was city manager of Lebanon, N.H.

Mandsager holds a bachelors degree in political science from Iowa State University and a law degree from Drake University. He currently manages a staff of 224 and a budget of $58 million.

The two other candidates, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, are:

Mahesh Sharma: He is the city administrator of Raytown, Mo. He has a bachelors degree in civil engineering from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, and a masters degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri. He also has a masters degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. He manages a staff of 224 and a budget of $30 million. He has 20 years of experience in public service.

Todd Thompson: He is the city administrator of Galesburg, Ill. He holds a bachelors degree in political science and a masters degree in public administration, both degrees from Southern Illinois University. He manages a staff of 227 and a budget of $57 million. He has 19 years of experience in public service.

The three candidates were selected from a field of 36 candidates after a nationwide search by Waters and Co., of Dallas, Texas, a unit of St. Paul, Minn.-based Springsted Inc.

The search for a new county administrator began in December after Bruemmer announced she is retiring this year.

Bruemmer has been county administrator since 2008. Before that, she worked 27 years for Davenport as assistant city administrator and head of the public works department.
They followed along, relying on translations, but no one could understand  word for word  Father Christopher Youngs dialogue.

It was 7 a.m. on Monday morning and 15 parishioners scattered themselves throughout St. Marys Catholic Church in Davenport, where Young, with his back to the congregation, performed the traditional Latin Mass.

But the language barrier didnt seem to matter. In fact, thats part of the reason they were there, Young said.

This is the Mass that has brought people, particularly young people, back to the Catholic Church, said Young, who celebrates the old-style Mass four times a week. This is edgy to put it in hipster language.

Mondays Mass drew a mix of individuals, including two male college students, an elderly Mexican woman and a young couple with four children. One grinning man, related to the family, arrived with his motorcycle helmet in hand.

We fell in love with the beauty of it, said Helen Dabney, who grew up attending the Tridentine Mass, as its sometimes called, with her mother. She and her husband, John, now attend regularly with their four children.

As an adult, I fell away from the church and I came back to honor my mother, Dabney added.

Philip Spradley, a 31-year-old altar server and student at Palmer College of Chiropractic, has helped lead the throwback movement here, decades after the Roman Catholic Church moved away from celebrating it.

I grew up with the Latin Mass, said Spradley, who recruits friends and classmates. My mom would drive two-and-a-half to three hours sometimes to get us to a Latin Mass on Sundays.

One of his recruits, 31-year-old Jamie Johnson, is getting baptized in three weeks.

In 1969, Pope Paul VI declared the church should perform Mass in the native language of parishioners, which led to the decline of the Latin liturgy.

But Young, who also performs Masses in English and Spanish, contended the Gothic-style cathedral, located at West 6th and Fillmore streets, was designed for the old Latin Rite.

Built in 1867, the church earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

Throughout the 40-minute church service, while Dabney comforted her whimpering newborn and others checked their cellphones, one gentleman, Michael Tarpey, helped newbies, including 29-year-old Brandon Wagner, follow along.

Can I translate Latin? No, but Ive heard it enough, and through repetition, I know whats going on, said Tarpey, an engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I come for the quietness and reverence.

Wagner, a Lutheran who rushed to class following the experience, said he appreciated the traditional aspects of the service.

It was hard to follow, but it reaches you at a different level, he said.

Before Young started preaching at St. Marys last July, the 55-year-old married priest underwent a six-year, 26-step process to secure his ordination. He previously served as the priest at Christ Episcopal Church in Moline.

In 2014, Bishop Martin Amos of the Davenport Diocese told the Times that Youngs entry to the Catholic faith brings a different dimension to the priesthood.

Young said hes still learning the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, as Pope Benedict XVI referred to it.

Its very difficult, he said.

In the 1980s, after the switch to the vernacular, Pope John Paul II permitted priests to celebrate the traditional Latin Mass but only with the consent of local bishops. By 2007, however, Pope Benedict XVI had eased restrictions, allowing parishes to celebrate the Mass without obtaining bishops permissions.

In 2011, Roman Catholics in the English-speaking world were introduced to a new translation of the Mass that is said to more closely align with the original Latin.

Its not for everybody, but this is the way our ancestors worshiped God, said Young, who read the Gospel and Epistle in English and faced parishioners during communion. Were all praying to God together.
The first public health push from Rock Island County officials 50 years ago was to provide home health nursing as well as care for those with tuberculosis.

It was 1966, and three nurses made 2,072 home visits to 66 patients during the agency's first year of operation.

On Tuesday, the Rock Island County Health Department celebrated 50 years of service sharing memories of the past and a focus on the future.

Today, the public health community worries about Ebola and the Zika viruses, treats men and women for preventative health, administers the federal Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, food and nutrition program and tends to dozens of other duties.

The department works out of a building at 2112 25th Ave., next to Trinity Rock Island. The structure was dedicated in 1986 and is full of clinics, waiting rooms and offices.

The number of services open to qualified members of the public initially surprised Andrew Forbes, who heads up the smoking cessation program.

"Unless you use the services, you don't realize the number and the variety here," he said.

Nita Ludwig, selected as department director a year ago, said public health efforts typically mirror trends in the medical community. Years ago, there was a tuberculosis outbreak, for example.

More recently, the 9/11 terror attacks funneled federal dollars into emergency preparedness. The department will sponsor a full-scale public emergency exercise in June, Ludwig said.

"I think we've come a long way in 50 years, and we have so many programs people don't even realize we have," she said.

Ed Langdon, a two-year member of the department's board of directors, is concerned about the tight budget. State grants have been cut and workers make sacrifices as they provide health needs to vulnerable residents.

"That worries me very much," he said.
PITTSBURGH  Trial opens next month for a man charged in the western Pennsylvania robbery and murder of two sisters from Clinton, Iowa, two years ago.

Jury selection was completed Monday afternoon for the trial of 45-year-old Allen Wade in Allegheny County. The proceedings are scheduled to begin May 2.

Authorities allege that Wade, who lived next door, killed Sarah Wolfe after she returned home to find Susan Wolfe already slain in February 2014. The women were the sisters of Democratic Iowa state Rep. Mary Wolfe of Clinton.

Prosecutors have said that they intend to seek the death penalty if Wade is convicted of first-degree murder.

At the request of defense attorneys, Judge Edward Borkowski issued a gag order barring lawyers or investigators from talking about the case outside of court.
Lee Jackson, who most recently served as curator of the Amazonia, American Trails and Aquatic Life Support at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., has been selected as the new director of Niabi Zoo, located in Coal Valley.

Jackson will begin his new duties June 6. He replaces interim director Dan Meates, who has led the zoo since September. Meates will remain at the zoo, devoting his time to daily work with the animals.

The announcement was made Tuesday night in a news release from Jeff Craver, director of the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District. Jackson was recommended to the Forest Preserve District by the zoos oversight committee.

Jackson, who was selected from among 30 applicants, will be returning to the Midwest for his new position.

For 11 years he worked as director of living collections at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque. While there he served as a member of the construction committee, and coordinated the activities of the architects, engineers, contractors and artists in the creation of animal exhibits and life support areas. He helped the facility obtain accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums in 2008.

Niabi has tremendous potential and I have no doubt that it will be a leading regional institution, soon, Jackson said in a news release. He holds a degree in biology and anthropology from Northeastern Illinois University and serves and interim chair to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums freshwater fish taxon advisory group steering committee.

"Throughout his career, Lee has been very committed to public education and raising awareness of conservation issues," Craver said. "We are excited for him to re-establish roots here in the Midwest and begin working with the rest of the Niabi team to help us continue our mission to educate visitors about wildlife and enhance conservation efforts."

Jackson also has worked at the St. Louis Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo, the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and the Brookfield Zoo, also known as the Chicago Zoological Park. He also has taught at the University of Dubuque.
This one's for John. He's a reader who took issue with my recent column arguing that conservatism has become an angry and incoherent mess.

John was particularly upset that I described conservatives as resistant to social change. Wrote John:

"[sic] Tell that to the right side of the aisle who signed in the civil rights voting act in 1965. Which party resisted that? ... Who resisted the proclamation that freed the slaves? Southern democrat party of course and who was it's military arm during reconstruction? The KKK. Today that organization is tied into the liberalism more than conservatism. ... Your party, the liberals who now call themselves progressives, are the party of Strom thurmond, Robert Byrd, Lester Maddox, George wallace -- and ... Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson."

Please note what John did there. He responded to a critique of social conservatism by mounting a defense of the Republican Party, as if the two were synonymous. Granted, they are now, but in the eras John mentions? Not so much.

Indeed, when Abraham Lincoln issued that proclamation John is so proud of, it was considered an act not of conservatism, but of radical extremism. And those Republicans who voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were moderates, i.e., the kind of people who have been driven out of a harshly conservative party that now considers moderation apostasy.

The truth, as any first-year history student could tell you, is that Republicans were the more socially liberal party and Democrats the more socially conservative for at least seven decades after Lincoln. But in the years since then, they have essentially swapped ideologies.

The reason John engages in this linguistic shell game, the reason he defends the party that wasn't attacked instead of the ideology that was, is simple: The ideology is indefensible, at least where civil rights is concerned. You must be a liar, a fool or an ignoramus of Brobdingnagian proportions to suggest social conservatives have ever supported African-American interests.

They didn't do it a century ago when "conservative" meant Democrats. They don't do it now.

Sadly for John, pretending otherwise requires him to twist logic like a birthday party clown making balloon animals. How addlepated must you be to see common ground between the segregationist Lester Maddox and civil-rights activist Al Sharpton? How cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs are you when you consider the Ku Klux Klan and Strom Thurmond "liberal"?

And yes, you may think this a lot of energy to lavish on one man. But it isn't one man. I hear John's "reasoning" literally a hundred times a year from conservative readers. Indeed, a few weeks ago on CNN, a Donald Trump apologist pimp-slapped reality by branding the Klan a "leftist" group. So John is hardly the only one.

These people must lie about history in order to exonerate conscience. Yet the truth is what the truth is. John need not take my word for what conservative means. Merriam-Webster backs me up. He need not even take my word for the history. A hundred history books back me up.

But honest, grown-up Republicans, assuming there are any left, may want to take my word for this: They cannot achieve their stated goal of a more-welcoming and inclusive party while clinging to an ideology whose entire raison d'etre is exclusion. You see, social conservatism only works for those who have something to lose, those who have an investment in status quo.

I'm reminded of an anecdote about a Howard University professor who visited the Soviet Union in the 1930s. He explained to his hosts that some "Negroes" were politically conservative. They were astonished.

"Why?" asked one. "What do they have to conserve?"
Illinois's flat income tax is regressive. It's budget busting. It's got to go.

House Democrats rolled out a spate of proposed Constitutional amendments over the past few days, finally showing their hand in the nearly 10-month standoff with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Codify the state's role in funding public education. Cave, ever so slightly, on how gerrymandered district maps are drawn. And, to fund it all, do away with Illinois's long-embattled flat tax, last year dubbed one of the nation's most regressive by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Bludgeoning Speaker Mike Madigan is almost passe these days. He's been in power for decades, overseeing much of the state's fiscal demise. He's a political animal with close ties to special interests, particularly union fat cats who would rather fiddle while Rome burned.

Make no mistake, Democrats' attempt to revive the oft-rejected progressive tax amendment is, at some level, inherently tied to election-year politics. But political motivations don't necessarily negate its merit.

The tax rate would actually drop from 3.75 percent to 3.5 percent for households annually earning less than $200,000, under the proposal. A new 9.75 percent tax bracket would be created on income of more than $1.5 million, and the plan touts intermediate increases on cash in between. The result: An additional $1 billion in revenue targeted for schools.

It wouldn't fix Illinois's woes, but the influx of money sure would help.

Illinois's multi-billion dollar deficits, piles of unpaid bills and failing school districts are nothing new. Rauner is not wrong when he blasts special interests and spending. The busted state pension system and incessant union demands are significant factors in the state's continued decline.

Yet state coffers require cash, and, as currently structured, the rich are getting a middle class-subsidized bargain.

Dissenters will, as usual, label the bill sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, as nothing but populist class warfare, particularly if it somehow survives both legislative houses and finds its way onto November's ballot.

Don't buy it.

The wealthy reap the greatest rewards from public infrastructure. Trucking companies need roads. Manufacturing requires water and rail. Private business fails without an educated workforce. All enrich those atop the corporate food chain. And all are failing under the weight of a bottom-up tax scheme.

Yes, taxes are inordinately high in Illinois. But all taxes aren't equal. A readjustment of income tax could, in effect, provide substantial relief to property owners throughout the state.

Illinois touts the nation's second highest property taxes, which fund schools and far too many local governmental bodies. Property taxpayers have spent decades subsidizing the flat tax.

Madigan's plan to boost revenue to increase state aid to school districts might just provide the property tax relief that Rauner rightly says Illinoisans desperately need.

Throughout the stalemate, both Rauner and Madigan have refused to acknowledge when the other was on point. Rauner's office immediately panned the progressive tax.

Rauner is correct when he rails against inflated state spending and skyrocketing benefit costs for employees. This week, Madigan and his subordinates rolled out a plan that could end the middle-class subsidy of the rich.

If Rauner really wants to overhaul Illinois, Skokie's "fair tax" is a good place to start.
SPRINGFIELD  Several hundred students, employees and supporters from universities and colleges across the state rallied near the Capitol on Wednesday to pressure lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner to reach a compromise to fund higher education.

Because of the ongoing standoff between Republican Rauner and the Democrats who control the General Assembly, public universities and community colleges have gone nearly 10 months without any state funding. The state also has failed to fund grants to low-income students through the Monetary Award Program, which has forced colleges, including private schools, to choose between fronting the money to students or letting them take on the cost.

Speaking to a crowd representing the full spectrum of Illinois' higher education community, Mitch Dickey, University of Illinois student body president and a MAP grant recipient, put it bluntly: "It's ridiculous. It's tragic. It's pathetic."

"We're watching our higher education system in one year erode," Dickey said.

Catie Witt, an Eastern Illinois University junior who was recently elected student body president, has witnessed that erosion firsthand.

Also a MAP grant recipient, Witt has seen her school slash hundreds jobs and implement other cuts to keep its doors open. While the school has covered its students MAP grants, the future remains uncertain.

"I'm really scared for next year," Witt said after addressing the crowd.

The rally came a day after three new proposals to fund higher education emerged at the Statehouse. Rep. Mike Fortner, R-West Chicago, has a plan that would get all public university one-third of their annual funding and cover one semester's worth of MAP grants, and Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Waukegan, has a plan that would get full funding to the four universities hardest hit by the impasse: Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Northeastern Illinois universities.

Neither includes any funding for community colleges. Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, proposed a plan that would include community colleges, one semester's MAP grants and need-based funding for universities.

Also in the mix is a bill sitting on the governor's desk that would fund all of higher education, along with social services that also haven't received any state money this fiscal year.

Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, who represents Illinois State University and whose daughter is a student there, assured the crowd that conversations are taking place across party lines to come up with a solution. He encouraged them to speak with their legislators at the Capitol.

"We need your help," Brady said, adding that it will ultimately take agreement from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and Rauner to move a plan forward.

Speaking later, Brady said rank-and-file lawmakers are working on a plan that would blend Fortner's and Mayfield's proposals in an effort to win bipartisan support.

Janet Hill-Getz, executive director of government relations for Heartland Community College in Normal, attended the rally, which came a day after the school's board voted to cut 23 positions over three years, in part because of the lack of state funding. She said the school supports any solution that includes money for community colleges.

Willie Lyles III, a Southern Illinois University law school student, said before the rally that the goal is to get the governor's signature on a higher education funding bill that's been approved in the General Assembly.

"We've gotten the first part done," Lyles said. "We just don't seem to be able to get the governor's signature on anything."

Rauner has vetoed several higher education funding bills because he says the state doesn't have the money to pay for them.
SPRINGFIELD  With an early May deadline looming, several proposals to amend the Illinois Constitution are advancing in the General Assembly.

The Senate Executive Committee voted Tuesday to send three proposed amendments to the full Senate for a vote, and House committees did likewise Monday with two measures.

It's ultimately up to voters to decide whether to change the state Constitution. If the Legislature wants to put a question to voters, each chamber must approve the proposal by a three-fifths majority at least six months before the next general election. Lawmakers are limited to asking voters to change three articles of the Constitution in a given election, which means not all of the proposals heading to the chamber floors can end up on the November ballot.

The Senate committee approved measures that would do away with the Constitution's flat tax provision, change the way legislative and congressional districts are drawn and eliminate the lieutenant governor's office.

House committees approved a different redistricting plan and a proposal from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, that would require the state to cover the majority of the cost of public education.

Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, chairman of the Executive Committee, is sponsoring the amendment that would allow Illinois to begin charging different tax rates based on income.

Harmon said the proposal "would allow Illinois to join the modern era" and noted that neighboring Wisconsin has a graduated income tax system.

The proposal is accompanied by a bill that would lower the tax rate for 99 percent of taxpayers while raising rates for wealthier residents on their income above certain thresholds. For example, an unmarried person would pay 8.75 percent on income between $500,000 and $1 million and 9.75 percent on income more than $1 million. The current rate is 3.75 percent for all taxpayers.

The proposed amendment itself doesn't deal with what the rates would be, one of many concerns the idea raised for Republicans. Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, called it "an open door for allowing higher taxes on the middle class."

An identical proposed amendment, sponsored by Rep. Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago, is scheduled for a House committee hearing Thursday.

The Senate redistricting plan, sponsored by Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, is substantially different from one being considered in the House and one being pushed by a group called Independent Maps.

Unlike those proposals, which would create independent commissions, Raoul's plan would leave the process for drawing district lines in the hands of the General Assembly, with approval from the governor.

It would do away with the current system of dividing each state Senate district into two state House districts, making the boundaries independent. This would enable better representation of minority communities, Raoul said.

Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, is proposing the elimination of the lieutenant governor's office, a move he says would show the state's commitment to consolidating government operations and save $1.6 million annually, a minute fraction of the state's roughly $36 billion budget.

While his fellow Democrats passed the bill out of committee, most indicated that they wouldn't support it on the Senate floor.

One of their concerns is that the change would set up a situation in which a vacancy in the office of governor could be filled by an attorney general  the next official in the line of succession  of a different party.

Cullerton noted that his proposal is identical to one sponsored by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, when he was in the state Senate. Despite that history, it failed to win any Republican support.

A House committee last week approved a similar proposal.

Also in the House, Madigan's proposed education funding amendment is headed for a floor vote.

The speaker, who was a delegate to Illinois' 1970 constitutional convention, said the measure is intended to enshrine that education is a "fundamental right" and one that should be primarily the state's obligation to fund.

The measure wouldn't set up a specific formula for funding schools. That would be up to the Legislature to determine based on the new requirement if it's approved by voters, Madigan said.
DES MOINES  After taking an overnight break, the Iowa House finished work on a $1.8 billion health and human services budget Wednesday morning that minority Democrats argued doesnt reflect their priorities or those of Iowans and doesnt include adequate oversight of the transition to private Medicaid management.

Floor manager Rep. Dave Heaton, R-Mount Pleasant, conceded the 56-42 party-line vote reflected the divided sentiments of the House, but at the end, there will be people in this room who will be much happier.

House passage is just the beginning of completing the far-reaching health and human services budget, which, he said, is expected to be sorted out by a House-Senate conference committee.

Much of the angst with the budget was over the transition to private Medicaid management, which began April 1 despite warnings from Democratic lawmakers that Iowans who depend on the state-federal program would face cancellation of services, would be forced to change health care providers and would encounter bureaucratic hurdles and delays.

In the big picture, Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, said the House plan underfunded Medicaid by $13 million, a practice not unusual regardless of which party controls the Legislature. That means that if cost-saving measures suggested by Gov. Terry Branstad dont yield the forecasted $16 million, Medicaid will be underfunded by nearly $30 million.

It could have been worse, Heaton countered, if the state had not started the transition to private Medicaid management. Legislators were told they could expect $110 million in savings in the first full year of private management.

Even with those savings, we put an additional $41 million into Medicaid, he said. Imagine the conversation this morning if we had to provide $151 million to continue the program as it was. Nothing, absolutely, nothing, would be available for anything else in this states budget.

In addition to concerns about the Medicaid transition, the lack of oversight and the lack of ombudsmen to help Medicaid beneficiaries through the changes, Democrats opposed a GOP provision to remove funding from providers, such as Planned Parenthood, that perform abortions.

In a tight budget year, we leave $3 million in federal money on the table for a program that 74 percent of Iowans want, Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames, said, referring to an Iowa Poll.

A similar measure last year was removed from the budget during conference committee negotiations with Senate majority Democrats.
Iowa Medicaid Director Mikki Stier told senators Wednesday afternoon that the state is working quickly to answer Medicaid recipient and provider questions after the April 1 transition to managed care, adding the state continues to see no major systemic issues.

Once again, she was met with doubts and even an outburst.

Youre not hearing what were hearing, said Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, who told a story of a woman in his district who was recently denied a medication that helps ease her seizures and was told she would need to try alternative medications. Its not all roses. Its systemic and across all of our districts from senator to senator.

Stier, along with the heads of the three managed-care organizations contracting with Iowa to handle its $5 billion Medicaid program, met with senators of the Human Resources Committee for the second week in a row to discuss the transition.

A handful of senators read emails from both providers and beneficiaries detailing snags and problems regarding medical care since the April 1 transition. Problems ranged from a disabled adult being dropped off at the wrong place by a cab company contracted to take him to and from a medical appointment to rehabilitation therapy agencies given misinformation regarding a fee cap on services.

Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan, recounted a story a hospital administrator in northwest Iowa told him regarding an unresponsive Medicaid patient brought into the emergency department

The MCO denied an inpatient stay, he said.

Instead, the hospital was granted a lower reimbursed observation stay, which is meant to be a shorter hospital stay in which the hospital determines if a patient needs longer inpatient care.

We want real answer to these questions, and I dont think were getting them, he said.

A majority of senators who spoke up during the meeting were in agreement that additional meetings were needed over the summer and fall, after session has ended, to continue to address some of these issues.

Senators were particularly frustrated with a news release Gov. Terry Branstads office sent out Wednesday morning touting five success stories, including a Medicaid enrollee who no longer has to pay a $15 copay on medications and a Medicaid member with multiple chronic conditions who was able to work with a care manager on health goals.

Branstad said in the release that the stories highlight how the managed-care organizations are connecting patients with services to live healthier, happier lives.

Medicaid patients are getting access to better care, seeing greater flexibility to deliver that care, and ultimately better health outcomes under Medicaid modernization, he said.

However, the senators did not think the news release reflected reality.

Has the governor become so disconnected with the world? asked Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City. Its disheartening to see these rosy news releases saying that everything is going wonderfully. It is not selling out there.

With all due respect, said Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Robins, this is what youre paid to do. You are contractually obligated to offer these services. This is what you are supposed to do.

Dotzler said after the meeting that the governors attitude over the transition has made senators and beneficiaries more upset.

You hear this thing that they can put lipstick on a pig. But theyre doing more that, theyre giving them face-lifts, but its still a pig, he said. Its a frustration level that Ive never really had before.

(Rod Boshart contributed to this article.)
DES MOINES  Lawmakers continued their slow trek toward adjournment Wednesday with action on pieces of a $7.35 billion state budget that could usher in cutbacks for county clerks of court facing a status-quo funding level beginning July 1.

The Iowa Senate voted 26-24 to approve a $181.8 million spending level for Iowas Judicial Branch, which would be unchanged from current funding for a budget area that requested a $5.6 million increase to support current court operations and the 1,903 employees spread among courthouses in Iowas 99 counties.

I dont have any answers yet, State Court Administrator David Boyd said after senators approved House File 2457 but did not send it to Gov. Terry Branstad yet pending action on the remaining fiscal 2017 budget bills.

He previously had warned that clerks of court offices could face a return to employee layoffs, furloughs, reduced hours or other belt-tightening measures given that personnel costs make up 95 percent of judicial costs.

Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, co-chair of the Legislatures justice-systems budget subcommittee, called this years appropriations process extremely difficult and painful in lamenting that the House-Senate joint budget targets did not provide enough money to run the states court system.

We are short-changing our courts, said Courtney, floor manager of HF 2457 during Wednesdays Senate debate. This is a status-quo budget. As we all know, the status quo budget means potential cutbacks. The Judicial Branch deserves to be able to function at a level where it can adequately serve all Iowans.

Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, tried unsuccessfully to include language requiring county clerk offices to be open during normal business hours like elected county officials to close a loophole in the bill that addressed conducting normal hours such as is reasonably possible given the budget constraints.

This is a very reasonable proposal, Garrett told his Senate colleagues, but Courtney dismissed it as an unfunded mandate that would take away court administrators flexibility for making the best use of limited dollars.

Also Wednesday, senators voted 27-23 to approve an economic development budget bill that provided nearly $43 million in general fund money and $27 million in other funds for job-creation and workforce development functions and a $192.3 million measure using state gaming profits to finance various vertical infrastructure projects and activities around the state for next fiscal year.

Included in Senate File 2324 was $42 million in the states environment first fund, $32.4 million in tuition replacement funding at the state Board of Regents institutions, $5 million for the Community Attractions & Tourism grants, $5.1 million for an ag water quality initiative, $1.9 million for ag drainage wells, $9.6 million in natural resources funding for lake restoration and water quality programs, $3.5 million for state park infrastructure and $29 million from a state bond repayment fund to provide one-time money for several projects.

Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, the bills floor manager, also included $1 each for major improvements at the Wallace State Office Building, the State Historical Building and the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in a procedural move to keep alive the possibility of convincing a House-Senate conference committee to borrow $110 million to finance the upgrades.

It will never be cheaper to fix these buildings than it is currently, McCoy told his follow senators. I think it would be a prudent and wise investment.

However, Gov. Terry Branstad and Republicans who control the Iowa House have balked at bonding in favor of a pay-as-you-go approach.

With the tight budget picture as it is, the governor believes that taking on more debt is not the right solution to renovating state facilities, Branstad spokesman Ben Hammes said this week.

House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, concurred on Wednesday.

We are still paying for the I-JOBS projects to the tune of $55 million a year, so I think a pay-as-you-go opportunity is a better one, Upmeyer said. Were always happy to have conversations, but I havent heard anybody in the caucus suggest that bonding was the way to deal with the issue.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, conceded its not likely that the bonding bill is going to go through, but McCoy said it was a better option than to kick the can down the road while not maintaining failing buildings that pose a health and safety risk to employees and Iowans.

We are failing the taxpayers, and I think we are adding cost to government that the taxpayers are bearing as a result of our negligence, McCoy said on the Senate floor. We always hear about government should run like a business. Well, businesses dont let their buildings fall down. They invest in them.
Prior to her recent retirement, Sharon Kallemeyn held a number of different jobs, but in each one, she was focused on helping people in crisis.

A nonprofit group on Tuesday presented a lifetime achievement award to Kallemeyn, a former Pennington County victims assistance specialist, in a luncheon that recognized child protection efforts in Western South Dakota.

Kallemeyn, who retired in March as director of the Pennington County Victim Assistance Program, was recognized by the Western South Dakota Child Protection Council for four decades of community service in a gathering at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn.

Kallemeyn has filled various roles in her career, including detention counselor, probation officer, court services worker, child advocate and mediation counselor for divorcing families, according to the Council.

Sharon has dedicated her career to helping and guiding people through the worst storms in their lives, Scott Bader, a member of the councils executive board and executive director of the Seventh Circuit's Court-Appointed Special Advocate program, told an audience of 150.

Sharon is nothing short of phenomenal in her passion for helping those who are hurting.

Nine other individuals were honored at the event, including people who worked in law enforcement, government agencies, business, nonprofit organizations, as well as volunteers. Among them were Heather Tromp, a licensed foster parent who has four adopted sons; Ched Monahan, a family therapist at Black Hills Childrens Home; and Kathleen Phillips, a Rapid City police detective.

Kallemeyn, in a speech after receiving her award, acknowledged the bravery of victims  particularly children  who testify in court about the abuse they have experienced. The people she has assisted range in age from a few months to 89 years old, Kallemeyn said.

They taught me what true heroism is, she said. When you have a child  and theyre going into a courtroom, and theyre facing down the person that hurt them, and theyre able to talk about what that person did. I mean, that is heroism.

Victim specialists sometimes have to listen to the same story again and again, Kallemeyn said, but this process is important because thats how people work through things.

Kallemeyn said Tuesday she was shocked to find out a month ago that the Council was giving her a lifetime achievement award, since there were others who have done incredible things. She is still figuring out how shed like to spend retirement, but in the mean time she's enjoying walking her dog, reading and being with family.

The Western South Dakota Child Protection Council, which has its origins in the Rapid City Child Protection Team of the 1970s, aims to prevent child abuse and neglect by discussing it, said Danita Simons, council president and community impact director at the United Way of the Black Hills. The Council's board members, she said, represent various agencies involved in community service.

Besides the annual luncheon awards, the Council also holds the Lunchbag Learning Series, monthly talks at the Rapid City Public Library related to child welfare, and Parent University, an annual training session on parenting skills.
For four generations, a family-operated cow and calf ranch has occupied the rolling pastures just a few miles west of Newell.

On that land today, young calves can be seen from the old green farmhouse, grazing with their mothers. Hay bales sit in the back yard near old farming equipment, just a few feet away from the gravel driveway.

Jeff Smeenk and his wife, Kim, along with their children Marlee and Trey, live there, about a mile away from Jeff's parents, Steve and Kay.

Steve and Jeff have owned and operated the ranch for years, and the two have now been nominated for a distinguished award for their conservation efforts.

"Conservation is very important," said Jeff Smeenk as he sat at his kitchen counter. "We take it very seriously."

Earlier this month, Sand County Foundation, the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition announced the finalists for the 2016 Leopold Conservation Award, which honors South Dakota landowner achievement in voluntary stewardship and management of natural resources.

Among the four nominees are the Smeenks, although they weren't told they had been nominated by the South Dakota Cattleman's Association until afterward.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, it inspires other landowners through examples and provides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers and other private landowners are recognized as conservation leaders, a release from the Cattleman's Association states.

In his influential 1949 book, "A Sand County Almanac," Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called "an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity."

Award applicants are judged based on their demonstration of improved resource conditions, innovation, long-term commitment to stewardship, sustained economic viability, community and civic leadership, and multiple use benefits.

Jeff Smeenk incorporates rotational grazing on his ranch, something he began researching in the 90s after spending time with his grandfather.

Jeff was born and raised on the farm, so he understood the basics, but not the full scheme of what owning and operating a ranch would take. He graduated from Black Hills State University, and didn't study agriculture.

"There was a lot of learning to do," he said.

Smeenk received a lot of help from the Natural Resources Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

"They were incredible with figuring out how rotational grazing would work specific to our ground and with cost-share programs," he said. "There are a lot of people out there through the extension and government agencies who are just as passionate about grassland as ranchers are, and it's their job to help you succeed."

The 2016 award recipient will receive $10,000 and a crystal depicting Aldo Leopold, will be announced in late-April and will be recognized at the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association's Annual Convention in November.

"South Dakota landowners are leaders in voluntary conservation and we are pleased to present the Leopold Conservation Award as a means of highlighting their conservation practices. SDCA is proud to recognize these finalists for making conservation a priority on their family farms and ranches," said Todd Wilkinson, a cattle feeder and president of the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association, in the release.

The Smeenks ranch, incorporated a few years ago, was also named a centennial farm in 2010.

"Natural resource stewardship is important to the success and sustainability of our working lands and the Grassland Coalition is pleased to honor an outstanding landowner with the Leopold Conservation Award. Our lengthy list of partners and sponsors is indicative of the broad interest South Dakotans have in preserving the resources in our care," said Jim Faulstich, Chairman, South Dakota Grassland Coalition.

The Smeenks have received several other awards, including the Center of the Nation Cattleman's Co. award for excellence in range management in 2008, the Dick Reder Young Rancher award from the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce, a 2012 Wildlife Award, and the Environmental Stewardship Award.

"We want to sustain it for the long term," Smeenk said.

Also nominated were Gary and Amy Cammack of rural Meade County.

Gary Cammack said it is an honor to be nominated for the award.

"The past winners are all folks that I admire for what they have done," he said.

Cammack says on their ranch in Central Meade County they have spent a lot of time making sure they provide for planting trees and wildlife habitat.

He says he doesn't believe that taking those areas out of production has cost the ranch operation anything, but has been a benefit both for profitability and livestock production.

"Wildlife to a certain degree is as the saying goes, 'the canary in the coal mine.' The populations and health of the wildlife is to a large degree a barometer that tells you how well you are managing your range resources," Cammack said.

Cammack is a fourth-generation rancher in western South Dakota with the fifth generation participating, and the sixth generation on the ground.

"When I was growing up my dad and my grandfather always were observant and always took time to make sure that the wildlife resources, the grasslands, the trees and the riparian areas were taken care of. That's important stuff," he said.

Cammack and his family have carried on the tradition on their 10,000 acres.

"It's always been said the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago," he said. "We have the benefit of being able to see the fruits of our labor. We started planting trees on this ranch back in 1985, now we have the benefit of protection for our livestock and the wildlife from trees that are 40 and some 50-feet tall."
A female paraprofessional at Rapid City High School was arrested Tuesday on charges of solicitation of a minor and in the dissemination of harmful material to a minor in a case in which the victims were two male students.

Rapid City Police said late Tuesday that 39-year-old Michelle Felkey, of Rapid City, was arrested on a felony charge of solicitation of a minor in addition to the dissemination charge.

Felkey was fired from her position in the school district as a result of the investigation, according to a police news release. Felkey was arrested late Tuesday afternoon, police spokesman Brendyn Medina said.

A criminal investigation began after police learned that Felkey was having "an illegal relationship with the juveniles," according to the news release. Medina would not address whether any physical contact occurred between Felkey and the victims, and would not elaborate on the nature of the relationship that led to the charges.

Regarding the dissemination of harmful material charge, Medina said that, "in general terms, it's safe to say that nude or lewd pictures fall into that."

Rapid City High School is an alternative school located at 601 Columbus St.

School system Superintendent Tim Mitchell released a statement Tuesday noting that, "We expect all staff members at all times to adhere to the highest ethical practices and conducts. We will not tolerate behaviors that compromise the safety of our children."

Police Chief Karl Jegeris said police and the school district worked together well and quickly to bring the case to an arrest.

"This incident highlights the cooperative quick response and collaborative nature of our working relationship in order to ensure the safety of our students," Jegeris said in the news release.

Solicitation of a minor is a Class 5 felony punishable with up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine upon conviction.

The investigation into the case is continuing, Medina said. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police at 605-394-4134.
In a blow to the efforts of several Native American tribes trying reclaim sacred land in the Black Hills, Gov. Dennis Daugaard said on Tuesday the state will file an appeal to the Bureau of Indian Affairs decision to grant Pe' Sla federal trust status.

On March 10, the Bureau of Indian Affairs granted federal trust status to the three square miles of sacred land located in the Black Hills known as Pe' Sla.

Over the past several years, tribes have incrementally bought up the land located in Pennington County at a cost of roughly $11 million, with the intention to use the land for religious ceremonies and to raise bison.

In 2015, the tribes negotiated with Pennington County to provide certain services, like fire protection and road maintenance, with the condition that they receive federal trust status.

Representatives from Gov. Daugaard's office said Tuesday they had no comment because it is an ongoing legal matter.
South Dakotans who've been seduced by Donald Trump's bluster about our foreign trade imbalances should come to their senses and think about what his plans about foreign trade would do to South Dakota's number one industry  agriculture.

His hotheaded threats to build walls and impose huge tariffs on Chinese imports are crazy enough on the face of them, but they're particularly obnoxious in the way they'll affect American farmers and livestock producers. That all of this comes in the context of the outlook for an awful income year for American farmers makes his campaign promises more concerning than ever.

Sunday's Rapid City Journal has a story with the disheartening facts. American farmers, according to the USDA, will see this year's total income drop to the lowest level since 2002. At about $55 billion it will be less than half their 2012 income of $123 billion. The reason? As the Journal piece notes, "the world is awash in corn and soybeans."

Given the political environment, the word "world" is the one that needs emphasis when considering what Trump and his trade war-proposals would do to ag producers in the United States, generally, and South Dakota, specifically.

According to the USDA, in 2014 South Dakota's total harvest was worth nearly $8 billion, of which about $4 billion was sold on the export market. These are the very folks  and those who are dependent on the industry (about 125,000 South Dakotans) for their livelihoods  who should be wariest of Trump's wall-building and tariff-hiking threats. As it turns out, a walled-off Mexico and a tariff-laden China are consistently listed as being among the top two or three of our state's export markets.

Just exactly how does Donald Trump think these two countries would react to a peremptory trade provocation like a wall or a stunning tariff hike? He probably has no idea.

One thing you can be certain about  in a world "awash" in corn and soybeans  is that these two immensely important buyers of South Dakota commodities will be shopping elsewhere for their needs.

Just to give you an idea of how nasty it can get, in 2009 Mexico jacked up duties by 25 percent on U.S. farm goods during a NAFTA-related disputed. The National Potato Council says that their members lost about half their business ($70 million) with their third largest market.

Starting a trade war just as South Dakota farmers are experiencing their lowest prices in a decade is senseless and self-punitive. Fortune magazine, which knows something about how global business gets done, says of Trump's plan, "it would likely expose the largest U.S. export sectors to steep duties, including aircraft, semiconductors, corn and soybeans (emphasis mine)."

Can you imagine a Chinese grain buyer even considering buying heavily tariffed American commodities in a world where everyone else is scrambling to sell their ultra-cheap products unburdened by American duties? I can  and I just don't even want to think about it.
WASHINGTON | Visiting justices from Canada's high court sat in on Monday's immigration arguments before the Supreme Court  and after their 90-minute education in the current state of American jurisprudence, our neighbors to the north would be forgiven if they had fantasies of building a border wall of their own.

The Senate's refusal to confirm a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia has left the U.S. high court evenly split and increasingly paralyzed. As the justices heard arguments about President Obama's executive actions on illegal immigration, there were really only two possible results: chaos or more chaos.

A divided Congress couldn't agree on legislation to deal with the 11 million immigrants here illegally. Obama tried to do something on his own  use his executive authority to defer deportation of parents of children who are American citizens  and the rift grew deeper.

Texas, supported by 25 other states including South Dakota, most led by Republican governors, sued. Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia filed briefs on the other side. The GOP-led U.S. House sued as well, but 186 members of the House and 39 senators (virtually the entire Democratic caucus) filed opposing briefs.

Now the Supreme Court has to rule on Obama's DAPA policy (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans). But with no expectation that the justices can reach agreement on the merits of the case, that leaves two options:

Chief Justice John Roberts joins the liberals in dismissing the case on a technicality  that Texas doesn't have standing in court. This would leave it unclear whether DAPA is legal and set off confusion in the country as other entities try to file suit and the administration tries to enforce its legally ambiguous policy.

Or, the justices come to a 4-to-4 tie on the merits of the case, and even greater chaos ensues. An appellate ruling invalidating the law stands, at least in part of the country. Cases will be brought in other circuits, probably causing different views of the law to arise in different parts of the country.

"With either of these two possibilities you have chaos about whether DAPA is legal or not," says Neal Katyal, the Supreme Court litigator with Hogan Lovells who filed a brief in the case from former immigration officials supporting the administration.

The current confusion, following the 4-to-4 split in an important labor case, is another indication that the Supreme Court is struggling to function. The justices have granted only three cases since Scalia died, according to a list kept by the court, a figure Supreme Court watchers say is extraordinarily low. "They're tending away from deciding much, and when they do reach decision, it is often a very narrow ruling," Katyal tells me.

On Monday, the justices seemed split down the middle, both on the merits of the case and the question of standing. Roberts said Texas' position, that it would lose money because it would have to issue driver's licenses to those aided by Obama's order, was "the classic case for standing," and he accused the administration of putting Texas in a "Catch-22."

Justice Anthony Kennedy, too, said that the policy was being done "backwards" and "upside down" and that the decision should be "a legislative, not an executive, act."

But Justice Sonia Sotomayor ridiculed the claim that the executive orders would have a negative economic impact on Texas. "Those nearly 11 million unauthorized aliens are here in the shadows  they are affecting the economy whether we want to or not," she said. "If Congress really wanted not to have an economic impact, it would allot the amount of money necessary to deport them, but it hasn't."

Nobody disputed that the administration has the discretion to defer action on certain illegal immigrants. What disturbed lawyers for the House and for Texas was that those who receive such "deferred action" are, under long-standing federal law, eligible to apply for authorization to work based on economic need, even though they don't have legal status.

Erin Murphy, representing the House, said flatly that "Congress has passed a statute that says if you are living in this country without legal authority, you cannot work."

But Donald Verrilli, the administration's solicitor general, pointed out that, even without DAPA, there are millions of people who don't have legal status but legally work in the United States. They would be out of luck  and out of work  under the law as the House Republican majority would like it to be interpreted.

Tossing millions from their jobs would cause chaos. But chaos is what you get when you sideline the Supreme Court.
Billings, Mont.--The NILE Foundation proudly announces the Scholarship winners for the 2016-2017 academic year."Through the efforts of the NILE Foundation the total scholarship amount was increased from $20,000 to $25,000 to help support this year's scholarship winners, interns, and rolling scholarship winners from previous years," says Al McCormick, NILE Scholarship Committee Chairman.The NILE Foundation again increased the total scholarship amount budgeted for this year's scholarship recipients and also set money aside for the upcoming internship program this fall. 14 new recipients were awarded scholarships and eight rolling scholarships were renewed.Since 1990 the NILE and NILE Foundation awarded over $575,000 in scholarships to deserving youth active in 4-H, FFA, and their communities. They excelled in the classroom while participating in NILE events.Similar to 2015, scholarships were awarded on various levels described below:A one-time $1,000 scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors that will continue their education at a college or vocational school.The "Shining Star Award" is a new scholarship offered one-time for $2,000 to a graduating high school senior that excelled academically, in their community, and at NILE Events.The Collegiate Scholarships are $1,000 one-time grant, for students already enrolled in college or a vo-tech school.The rolling scholarships is offered to a select group of high school seniors who may renew the scholarship annually for up to four years of their secondary education. Recipients for the 2016 rolling scholarships were chosen from the pool of applicants that are current seniors in High School.Five one-time scholarships have been awarded to the following seniors in high school in the amount of $1,000:Kinsey Ashby is the daughter of Scott and Kassi Ashby of Powell, WY. She is the current student at Powell High School, where she will graduate in May. Kinsey plans to attend Northwest College to study Kinesiology, with hopes of becoming an Occupational Therapist.Logan Despain plans to attend Casper College to major in Agricultural Education. This May, he will graduate from Laramie Senior High School. Logan is the son of Johnathan and Becky Despain of Laramie, WY.Karly Hanson of Kalispell, MT is the daughter of Mathew and Erica Hanson. After graduation from Flathead High School, she plans to attend Casper College to obtain a degree in Agricultural Communications. She hopes to work as the head of communications at an agricultural company after college.Laramie Noble is a soon-to-be graduate of Beaverhead County High School. She is the daughter of T. Adam Noble and Jennifer Boka. Her post high school plans include attending Montana State University in Bozeman, MT to study Ag Relations and Communication and Political Science while competing on the Rodeo team.Craig James Stevenson is the son of Darrell and Sara Stevenson of Hobson, MT. Currently, CJ is the Valedictorian at Moore High School in Moore, MT where he will graduate in May. After graduation, he plans to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, MT to pursue a degree in Financial Engineering.The 2016 Shining Star Award is a new scholarship that will be given to a graduating high school senior for the one-time amount of $2,000:Trey Nansel plans to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, MT to major in Computer Engineering with future plans of becoming a designer of computer hardware. Trey is a soon-to-be graduate of Billings West High School. He is the son of Jay and Gayle Nansel of Billings, MT.Three high school seniors have been awarded rolling scholarships in the amount of $1,000 annually for up to four years. They are:Molly Cooksey, a soon-to-be graduate of Weld Central High School is the daughter of Jeffrey and Amy Cooksey of Roggen, CO. Molly plans to attend Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO to pursue a degree in Animal Science and then become an Embryo Transfer Technician.Elizabeth French plans to attend Montana State University in Bozeman, MT to obtain a degree in Agricultural Business after graduation from Huntley Project High School in Worden, MT. This Valedictorian is the daughter of Jim and Debbie French of Pompey's Pillar, MT. Her future plans include becoming an Ag Lender.Hannah Kraft is the daughter of Rick and Brenda Kraft of Billings, MT. Hannah plans to attend Northwest College in Powell, WY to major in Agriculture Business. She hopes to work in the field of Ag Sales or Marketing after completing college.Students selected as rolling scholarship recipients must remain in good standing by maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA as a full-time student in college. These recipients must also continue involvement in NILE, while participating in college organizations and activities.The following students of the class of 2015 have met these requirements and will be rewarded with their second installment of rolling scholarship in the amount of $1,000.Cody Boyce, native of Lewistown, MT and daughter of Bill and Kim Boyce, is a current freshman at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT pursuing a degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She plans on transferring to Vet School after completing her undergraduate studies.Cierra Lamey is attending Montana State University Billings to obtain a degree in Biology. Her future plans include applying for Vet School post undergrad and becoming a practicing Veterinarian. Cierra is the daughter of Cory and Kari Lamey of Wise River, MT.Jayelyn Ruckman is the daughter of Bruce and Janae Ruckman of Fairfield, MT. Jayelyn is currently attending Casper College in Casper, WY majoring in Animal Science and is undecided as to what she would like to do after college. While she studies in Casper, she is competing on the livestock judging team.The following students of the class of 2014 have met these requirements and will be rewarded with their third installment of rolling scholarship in the amount of $1,000.Rachael Buzanowski, native of Pompey's Pillar, MT, is a sophomore at Butler Community College in El Dorado, KS majoring in Animal Science. She plans on transferring to Kansas State University next fall and working towards becoming an Agricultural Lawyer after college. Buzanowski is the daughter of Bernie and Stacie Buzanowski.Jaclyn Ketchum daughter of Bruce and Tena Ketchum of Plevna, MT. Currently, Jaclyn is attending Kansas State University studying Animal Science. After college, she plans receive her Masters and Doctoral Degree to become an Animal Scientist and research the reproductive system of cattle.Amanda Williams is wrapping up her sophomore year at Montana State University where she is majoring in Animal Science & Natural Resources--Rangeland Ecology. Amanda is the daughter of Kent and Christine Williams of Miles City, MT. At the conclusion of college she sees herself working as a County Extension Agent.The following students of the Class of 2013 have also met these requirements and will be rewarded with their fourth and final installment of rolling scholarship in the amount of $1,000.Bobby Dorvall is the daughter of Link and Holly Dorvall of Fromberg, MT. Bobby is currently attending the University of Wyoming, pursuing an Agroecology and Agricultural Business degree. Bobby plans to work in the area of livestock and crop sales or marketing after graduation.Kensey Mikklesen is currently attending Montana State University Bozeman, MT. She is majoring in Exercise Science-Health and Human Performance with plans to practice as a Physical Therapist in a rural community after completing her higher education. Mikkelsen's parents are Rod and Traci Mikkelsen of Hobson, MT.The Joe Fouts Memorial Scholarships were established to memorialize the passion for these organizations that Joe Fouts so devoutly showed, awarding youth active in 4-H and FFA programs in two $500 scholarships.Fouts actively participated as a 4-H and FFA member. His passion passed to his children who also participated in 4-H and FFA. Fouts continued working with 4-H and FFA youth through his many years at Western Ranch Supply.Jayson Simpson has been a member of the Lander FFA Chapter for four years. He is the son of Steve and Jenny Simpson of Lander, WY. After graduation from Lander Valley High School, Jayson plans to attend the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY and study Physical Therapy.Kobey Simpson has been a member of the Lander FFA Chapter for four years. This soon-to-be Lander Valley High School graduate plans to attend the University of Wyoming to pursue a degree in Nursing. Kobey is the son of Steve and Jenny Simpson of Lander, WY.The following students are currently pursuing degrees in higher education and each has been awarded a Secondary Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.Dan Johnson is currently attending Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS majoring in Agribusiness. After college he plans on an Agriculture Financial Officer. Dan is the son of Jeff and Tami Johnson of Dillon, MT.Olivia Morton is a native of Nyssa, OR, and is the daughter of Carl and Julie Morton. Currently, Olivia is attending Oregon State University and Eastern Oregon University pursuing a degree in Agriculture Sciences, with hopes of becoming an Ag Lender. Olivia was one of the great interns that joined the NILE in 2015.Jordyn Wagner is the daughter of Darryl and Kari Wagner of Billings, MT. At the present time, Jordyn is studying Elementary Education at the Rocky Mountain College. Her future plans include becoming a Fourth Grade Elementary Teacher.
Im not usually a superstitious person, but the Soothsayers words from Shakespeares Julius Caesar echoed in my brain as I boarded the plane to Italy, Beware the Ides of March. It was March 15 (and the day Caesar met his fate), and I was on my way to Rome.

My plane landed in the Eternal City on March 16, and all was well. I had been invited by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) to attend the finals of an annual nationwide extra-virgin olive oil competition, the Ercolo Olivario, where the countrys finest oils were to be honored and celebrated. My colleague, Ari LeVaux, another invitee, was with me on the trip, and we were two out of the six American journalists asked to participate in this event. Mirella Menglide, from ITAs New York office, accompanied us everywhere and made sure everything proceeded smoothly.

Over 230 independent producers of extra-virgin olive oil from 17 of Italys 20 regions submitted samples of their oils, all pressed from the 2015 harvest. The 2014 harvest had been a disaster due to a bacterial blight, destroying more that 40 percent of olive oil production, so this years Ercolo Olivario, the 24th, was particularly important.

And just what is extra-virgin olive oil? Olives are a fruit, and oil extracted from the fruit is considered a juice. Extra-virgin is the highest quality olive oil. It has a low acidity, not to exceed 0.8 percent. It should have no defects and it must have the flavor of fresh olives. The oil must be produced entirely by mechanical means and without the use of any solvents. Typically the olives are put into a machine that mashes them and the mash is pressed at a low temperature that will not degrade the quality of the oil.

Many Italian extra-virgin olive oil producers proudly display a designation on their labels that say PDO, protected denomination of origin, or DOP in Italian. Its a way of identifying the olive oil as originating in a specific place, and having the quality or characteristics which are fundamentally or exclusively due to a particular geographic setting. Production of the oil also takes place entirely in a defined geographic area.

The oils submitted to the Ercole Olivario are judged by a panel of 16 professional olive oil tasters. Each evaluates the oils alone, isolated from all the other tasters. They do not communicate with one another and their numerical scores are submitted independently. To prevent any bias as to the color of the oil, which can range from golden to deep green, the oils are presented to the tasters in blue glasses.

In Romes Chamber of Commerce offices, William Loria instructed us on how to taste olive oil. The idea is to evaluate not only the taste but the aroma, and to do that you cradle the small cup holing the oil in the palm of one hand, cover the cup with the other palm, and gently swirl the cup to warm the oil for about 30 seconds. Upon raising the palm covering the cup you plunge your nose into the cup, without touching the oil, and inhale deeply. The oil must have a distinct aroma. Fruitiness is highly prized, as is grassiness. After taking a small sip, and allowing the oil to bathe the front of your tongue, you forcefully suck in air through clenched teeth to aerate the oil and drive it towards the back of the tongue.

This is when things get really interesting. Taste depends on the variety of olive (there are more than 500 in Italy) and whether the olives were pressed at the first harvest or whether the fruit was allowed to stay on the trees to ripen further. Bitterness and spiciness are what youre looking for. The fruity oils tend to be less spicy and bitter than the heavier oils. Some oils may be more bitter than spicy and vice versa. And other subtle vegetal and fruity flavors may come forth like artichoke, cut grass, kiwi, for example. Tasting high-quality extra-virgin olive oils is much like tasting wine.

William Loria had us sample five oils, all from Lazio, the region where Rome is situated, and he arranged them from fruitiest to heaviest. He also pointed out that most extra-virgin olive oils are more suited to being drizzled over food, such as a steak, or soup, perfectly ripe tomatoes, or grilled fish than being used in a salad dressing.

And what he told us about frying came as a shock. You can deep-fry in a top quality Italian extra-virgin olive oil so long as the temperature does not rise above 190 degrees Celsius. Thats 374 degrees Fahrenheit.

What you shouldnt do is use these oils to saute over high heat.

For the Ercole Olivario finals, we were driven by bus north to the beautiful hillside town of Perugia, passing beautiful rolling hills landscaped with olive trees along the way. The awards, presented in the morning of our fourth and last day in Italy, drew huge bouts of applause from the audience, mostly olive oil producers.

Over the past 20 years or so, Italian extra-virgin olive oil has been besieged by scandal after scandal. The unscrupulous practice of shipping hazelnut oil from Turkey and adulterating it with chlorophyll for color and powdered beta-carotene for flavor and passing it off as extra-virgin olive oil, is one example. Importing inferior olive oils from other Mediterranean countries, bottling them with the label Made in Italy, is another. The bottle was made in Italy, but the oil wasnt.

So how will you know which oil to buy? You cant just open a bottle at the market and perform your own taste test. What you can do is study the label carefully and avoid major brand names and anything labeled as light olive oil. So-called light olive oil has been treated extensively with organic solvents so that it isnt really olive oil anymore. If the label says Superior category olive oil obtained from olives and solely by mechanical means, you can trust that the oil is genuine. Sometimes youll see the name of the producer on the label. If youre looking for an organic Italian extra-virgin olive oil, the label will say Biologico. Some brands say Hand-picked Estate Grown 100% Italian Olives. First cold press or acid percentages are also facts to look for. And the only ingredient that should be listed is extra virgin olive oil.

Olive oil should be bottled in dark glass because it deteriorates rapidly in clear bottles. Remember, also, that olive oil is a fruit juice, and as such should be consumed within a year of purchase. Keep in a cool, dark place for best flavor.

Another way of finding a reliable source for Italian extra-virgin olive oil is to order it online from vendors whose buyers are experts. Each of the following retailers carries a selection of fresh olive oil that is authentically produced from the current harvest:

Eataly online: (www.eataly.com)

Gustiamo in New York City, New York (www.gustiamo.com)

Market Hall Foods in Oakland, California (www.markethallfoods.com)

Zingermans in Ann Arbor, Michigan (www.zingermans.com)

The best way to taste an extra virgin olive oil is to pour a small amount into a cup, a tablespoon or so, and follow the procedure I described above when we journalists were at the Rome Chamber of Commerce. Another way is to bite into a slice of good crusty bread drizzled with it. At one olive oil mill (frantoio), the bread had been toasted to the point of being a rusk, and after pouring on a goodly amount of olive oil and crunching into it I tasted fruit, spice, pepper, and artichoke, not all at once but in some sort of olive oil order. Ill never forget it.

One final bit of good news. Just a few days ago, on April 16, Italy swept the New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC) with 109 awards, the most from any country. Twenty-six countries from around the world submitted olive oil to be tasted and evaluated by the NYIOOC international panel of expert judges. This years competition marked the fourth annual NYIOOC and the largest international collection of olive oils ever assembled. Brava Italia!

Greg Patent is a columnist for the Missoulian and Ravalli Republic. He is the author of Montana Cooking and winner of the James Beard Award for his cookbook, Baking in America.
A Hamilton woman with a negligent homicide with a motor vehicle conviction on her record was arrested for felony driving under the influence Friday.

Holli Janell Shannon, 49, appeared Monday before Ravalli County Justice Jim Bailey for the felony DUI and seven misdemeanor charges.

Shannon was arrested April 15 shortly after 11:30 p.m. after a Montana Highway Patrol trooper spotted her vehicle traveling 81 mph in a 65 mph zone on Highway 93, according to a charging affidavit.

After the trooper began following the vehicle, he noted that it hit the rumble strip several times and weaved significantly within its lane. Shannon then sped up to 90 mph, court records said.

Shannon slowed the vehicle to 65 mph in a 45 mph zone through the town of Victor. She also allegedly hit the concrete curbing twice.

The trooper then pulled her over.

As soon as he made contact with Shannon, he noticed she wasnt wearing a seatbelt and smelled of alcohol. The affidavit said her eyes were blood-shot and glossy and her speech was mumbled and slurred.

The trooper observed a six-pack of beer on the vehicles floorboard and a half pint of vodka on the seat of the car.

Shannon was unable to produce proof of registration or insurance. The trooper determined that her Alaska drivers license was revoked.

The affidavit said Shannon stumbled out of her truck to do the standardized field sobriety test. The trooper was unable to complete the horizontal gaze nystagmus test because of Shannons inability to keep her head still.

Shannon told the officer she was playing games, the affidavit said.

She was also unable to get into the start position for the walk and turn test because she kept losing her balance. Shannon refused to do any more tests at that point. She also refused a preliminary breath test.

Shannon allegedly told the trooper several times that the situation was a joke, the affidavit said.

After her blood was drawn at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Shannon agreed to submit to a portable breath test, which resulted in a .214 breath alcohol content.

In Montana, a driver is considered legally impaired with a blood alcohol content of .08.

Shannon has prior DUI convictions in Montana in July 2015 and Alaska in January 2004, November 1996 and Aug. 18, 1991. She was convicted of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle on Aug. 18, 1991.

Bailey set bond at $15,000.
World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) would like to express its deepest condolences and sympathy to all those affected by the mu...
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.
Livemint - 1 April 2016

Chhattisgarh: men, methods and madness

I call it war, this matter of the Maoist rebellion in Chhattisgarh, and it is now nearly 20 years old

Sudeep Chakravarti

I call it war, this matter of the Maoist rebellion in Chhattisgarh, where democratically elected governments practice ineluctable undemocracy in this most permissive of battlefields.

This war, now nearly 20 years old, colours everything from the arrest and harassment of journalists to threatening human rights activists, to brutal acollateral damagea of non-combatants, to accusations that business is behind it all. It goes beyond statistics of, say, the death of seven troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force who died on 30 March in southern Chhattisgarh when their truck was blown up by Maoist rebels; or the eight Maoist rebels who were killed in the region on 1 March in a shootout with security forces. But attrition through battle is not the same as how the war is being conducted.

Chhattisgarh inherited this war. But it has since added much fuel to the fire. Thatas where attitude comes in, which I shall address in a series of columns.

There is little to dispute that the Maoists moved into the Dandakaranya region encompassing present-day Chhattisgarh (earlier a superciliously administered part of undivided Madhya Pradesh), south-west Odisha and western Maharashtra in the 1980s. Maoists found fertile ground for expansion among developmentally ignored and procedurally harassed tribal populations, along with deep forests as shelter. Through the 1990s, the situation in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh proved increasingly untenable for them with that stateas police birthing a brutally efficient anti-Maoist force. Much of the Maoistsa new, assiduously cultivated sanctuary became part of Chhattisgarh in 2000.

The full impact of Maoist ingress in Chhattisgarh became evident after the merger of two major factions in 2004 to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist). Meanwhile, the somnolent police force of the new state had by 2005 been transformed by chief minister Raman Singh into a battering ram against Maoists, with tribal folk and other Maoist target groups of the vulnerable, as it were, firmly in the middle. With the full backing of his organization, the Bharatiya Janata Party, as well as security dons of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government in New Delhi at the timeawhich began the practice of saturating Chhattisgarh with paramilitary forces at the state governmentas requestaSingh blessed Salwa Judum in mid-2005. He had an able and willing co-architect in a Congress leader, Mahendra Karma.

While this vigilante effort of recruiting tribal youngsters, even minors, as special police officers, and forcible corralling of tribal people with the help of police and paramilitaries to deny Maoists their support base proved operationally successful to an extent, the Salwa Judum chapter remains among the worst state-led human rights atrocities in India. Besides killing, raping, maiming and beating non-combatants, burning hundreds of houses, and destroying food stock and crops, the modus operandi for breaking the stranglehold of Maoists also included threatening local journalists, and resident and visiting human rights activists. Anyone who spoke against the goings-on in Chhattisgarh was labelled a aMaoista or aMaoist sympathizera .

A former superintendent of police of Bijapur went as far as to order this (I have the intercept, confirmed to me as genuine by a former director general of police of Chhattisgarh): aIf any journalists come to report on Naxalisaget them killed,a he instructs, using the term interchangeably used with aMaoista in this area.

More than 10 years later, even with the formal discontinuation of Salwa Judum and the formal disbanding of special police officersaunsurprisingly, banded together since then under different names and changed rules of recruitmentathe attitude has not changed. Indeed, three terms into his tenure, Singh, who has meanwhile pitched himself as a favourite of metals, mining and power-generation companies in this abundantly mineral-rich state, has driven a government that is low on democratic niceties like freedom of speech and expression. (Success with farming initiatives and the public distribution system have, among other thingsaincluding a disarrayed opposition and solid buy-in by the business communityacontributed twice to his re-election.)

Singh is an imperious man (he once termed Salwa Judum aGandhiana and like the afragrance of the forest in the summera ) who breeds imperious underlings in the administration and police. Several of them are located in southern Chhattisgarh, and have turned policing laws into lawless ones to curb criticism. Three journalists are today jailed on the slimmest of evidence; one hounded out; a well-known human rights activist threatened by an organization associated with the regionas top policeman.

More on such men, their methodsaand madness as usualanext week.

Sudeep Chakravartias books include Clear.Hold.Build: Hard Lessons of Business and Human Rights in India, Red Sun: Travels in Naxalite Country and Highway 39: Journeys through a Fractured Land. This column, which focuses on conflict situations in South Asia that directly affect business, runs on Fridays.

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LiveMint - April 08 2016

Why businesses love Chhattisgarh

Profit trumps the prudence of staying away from a conflict zone till such conflict is ended

Sudeep Chakravarti

For businesses, it is as if the war with the Maoists doesnat exist. As if half of Chhattisgarh isnat a walking, talking, shooting match that ought to keep away businesses with the fear of aiding and abetting conflict. Being made liable for such action by ethics watchdogs and outraged investors. For being at the forefront of corporate social irresponsibility.

But perhaps there is little to fear when the state government preaches fearlessness and offers impunity alongside a warming climate of investment. (Read the first part of this series) Here, profit trumps the prudence of staying away from a conflict zone till such conflict is ended. It is easy to see why.

In a sprawling radius of conflict of less than a 100km, with the hub of Dantewada in southern Chhattisgarh at its centre, is prime real estate. A map of Chhattisgarhas directorate of geology and mining marks active and potential deposits of iron ore, gold, base metals like zinc, lead and copper, limestone, quartzite (used by the construction industry), tin and corundum (among other things, parent to ruby and sapphire). A former chief secretary of Chhattisgarh rightfully boasted how the aA to Z of minerals, alexandrite to zircona , can be found in the state.

India has a shameful record of governments helping businesses acquire land by using police and administration to put pressure on citizens, and obtain the consent of village councils even in areas where there is no internal security asituationa . Imagine then the process in Chhattisgarh, which has an ongoing war to boost the mechanisms of fear and favour in which governments act as an extension of corporate willawith the firm imprimatur of chief minister Raman Singh. Take just one example.

During the heyday of the human rights nightmare of the Salwa Judum vigilante movement, in 2006, a land acquisition for an Essar Steel plant went thus. According to the environmental journal Down to Earth, no discussion was permitted. aTwo constables were posted at each house. No outsider was allowed at the meeting place. People were not allowed to leave their homes or to talk to each other. According to villagers, at 9 am, they were forced into vehicles, and taken to the meeting. They were taken to a room in twos, and pistols were placed at their temples to make them sign. They were told not to step out of the village,a the journal reported.

The company denied any wrongdoing for this how-not-to of free, prior and informed consent. It could, because the government actually did so on its behalf with full connivance of the senior administrator of Dantewada and the local chief of police. (Tata Steel had begun land acquisition in neighbouring, conflict-affected Bastar district, but stalled it.)

In any case, Essar paid a price for muscling into conflict-ridden Dantewada. In 2009, Maoist rebels blew up an Essar pipeline to carry iron ore slurry from Dantewada to a pellet plant in Visakhapatnam. In late 2011, a contractor for Essar would be arrested by the Chhattisgarh police while carrying more than Rs.10 lakh in cash which, he claimed, he was carrying to the Maoists on behalf of Essar. Within days, a general manager with Essar, D.V.C.S. Verma, was arrested on various charges, including that of sedition.

Essar put out an official denial with key phrases like avehemently rejectsa and abaseless allegationsa . These would be somewhat punctured by a WikiLeaks post of a January 2011 cable between officials of the US department of state: aA senior representative from Essar, a major industrial company with large mining and steel-related facilities in Chhattisgarh, told Congenoff (consul generalas office) that the company pays the Maoists aa significant amounta not to harm their operations.a

The can-do government of Chhattisgarh has, remarkably, shifted an elephant corridor to facilitate mining of coal. In January, it did away with the need to obtain the consent of the gram sabha, or village council, to facilitate a coal-mining project in northern Chhattisgarh in which Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd, and a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, have interests.

Chief minister Singh has consistently won praise for his pro-business attitude. aEveryone who knows him will say heas a kind man, a thorough gentleman..,a I heard Jindal Steel and Power chairman Naveen Jindal say at a global investorsa meet in Raipur, the state capital. Thoughtfulness extended to Singhas hospitality for the investorsaseveral dozen CEOsaattending the event. aAirport mein Mercedes gaadi bheji, ek officer depute kiyaaa

You could say it adds up.

Sudeep Chakravartias books include Clear. Hold. Build: Hard Lessons of Business and Human Rights in India, Red Sun: Travels in Naxalite Country and Highway 39: Journeys Through a Fractured Land. This column, which focuses on conflict situations in South Asia that directly affect business, runs on Fridays.

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[SEE OTHER RELEVANT MATERIAL HERE:

What does Indias fiscal deficit have to do with the war in Chhattisgarh? by Supriya Sharma http://scroll.in/article/806105/what-does-indias-fiscal-deficit-have-to-do-with-the-war-in-chhattisgarh

Repression of media and civil society in Chhattisgarh - Press release by Amnesty International India http://www.sacw.net/article12611.html
The Daily Star - 13 April 2016

Banshkhali Coal Power Plant Propaganda and Reality

Locals protest the setting up of a coal-fired power plant in Banshkhali. Photo: Star

Kallol Mustafa

I had the opportunity to visit Gondamara of Banskhali upazila as part of a fact finding mission organised by the National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas-Mineral Resources, Port and Power on April 8. I wanted to understand why the locals were resisting the proposed coal-fired power plant and what led to the killing of people on April 4. The role of the police and the S. Alam group in the Banshkhali killings has already been exposed. Here I explore the rationale behind the local uprising against the coal power plant.

The proponents of the project argued that people were instigated by some vested quarters which provided them misinformation, thus leading to this tragic incident. However, I found the local people to be very well-informed about the impacts of the coal power plant and felt that they did not need to be instigated by misinformation to protest against the said plant. Let me give some examples.

I asked one young man, aWhy are you against the coal power plant?a

He replied, aThere will be huge amounts of toxic smoke and ash from the stack of the coal power planta .

I challenged him, aHow can you say so? Have you seen any?a

He then showed me a video on his mobile phone where a lot of smoke was coming out of the stack of a coal power plant in another country.

I learned that people in the area had been familiarised on the issue through videos, articles and debates via an educated section of the community. This community has also read newspaper articles and booklets published as part of the campaign against the setting up of a coal power plant near the Sundarbans, and even discussed its impact with others. As a result, the local farmers, housewives, salt workers, fisherman, etc. were very aware of the impacts of the coal power plant on health, local agriculture, water and aquatic life.

A local fisherman told me that the hot water discharge from the power plant would have negative impact on the availability of fish. This reminded me of a study report of JICA on the impacts of coal-fired power plant in Chittagong. The report acknowledged: aSea area in front of the power plant is open water, and thermal effluent is diffused at the surface layer. Fish avoid the sea area if it exceeds a suitable water temperature, therefore living fish are likely to be impacted even though the thermal effluent is diffused.a (aPreparatory Survey on Chittagong Area Coal Fired Power Plant Development Project in Bangladesh,a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tokyo Electric Power Services Co., LTD and Tokyo Electric Power Co., LTD, 2015). Local people also expressed their concerns on the possible impact of gaseous emission and fly ash on their health and agricultural production. These are all very legitimate concerns as there are numerous examples all over the world of how big coal-fired power plants have caused havoc on health, life, agriculture and environment. For example, a study on the impact of Dahanu coal power plant in Maharashtra, have found that aDuring the period of 1995 to 2003 the overall yield of Sapota from Dahanus orchards dropped by around 60 percent.a (aImpact of coal-fired thermal power plants on Agriculture: A case study of Chicku Sapota orchards of Dahanu Maharashtra,a Arun. P. R., Azeez PA and Maya V. Mahajan, Global Environment: Problems and Policies, 2009). Another study on the impact of coastal coal-fired power plants in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu concludes, aCoastal thermal power plants have massive and serious impacts on the local water systems, local communities and livelihoods. They were found to have salinized groundwater, contaminated local water bodies, disrupted water drainage patterns, dumped pollution irresponsibly, impacted yields of fish and affected peoples livelihoods.a (aImpacts of Coastal Coal Based Thermal Power Plants on Water Report of Visit to Some Operational and In Pipeline Plants in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu,a Manthan Adhyayan Kendra, 2014).

My next question was: aThen how could S. Alam group manage to buy 660 acres of land from you for the power plant?a They argued that S Alam group had bought land from them saying that it would build garments and other factories which would generate huge employment in the area. In recent days, S Alam Group denied this allegation in their advertisement titled aConfusion and Realitya published in almost all national or local newspapers. However, a letter issued by Bashkhali Upaziala land office dated November 15, 2015 clearly mentioned that 660.40 acres of land was bought by S Alam group to be used for setting up the aGenesis Textile and Apparels Limiteda and aS.Alam Vegetable Oil Ltda ! Moreover, the local land office had issued this clearance for S. Alam Group, after showing that there are only 150 households in the entire area. However, according to locals I interviewed, there are more than 7,000 households with several mosques, schools, bazaars, and health clinics in the area, which seems more credible to me, as per my observations of the three unions in that area. The letter also mentioned that S Alam Groups original intention was to own 5,032.14 acres of land to build two 1,320 MW coal-based thermal power plants, of which 1,728.97 acre is Khas land and 3,303 acres is private land. The Land Office gave its clearance to S Alam Group to buy 3,000 acres of land, terming the acquired land as abarren landa ; this is also a baseless claim, as I have myself seen that the land is fertile with rice and salt farming.

While the JICA report acknowledged that athere will be permanent losses or reduction of livelihood means in salt farming, shrimp farming and fishing activitiesa , in its advertisement, S. Alam Group claimed that 1,000 people would be given permanent employment after the project is completed. When I asked local people about their opinion on this prospect, they simply rejected it by saying, aWhat will we do with 1,000 jobs when the power plant will destroy the livelihoods of 50,000 people?a We need to note here that the villagers of Krishnapattam region of Andhra Pradesh, India, were also promised thousands of jobs, but in reality, the huge capital investments in the port and power plants, that promised development for the local communities, have, at best, offered them jobs of sweepers and security guards, and that too, on a contractual basis (aBreaking the myth behind Coastal Thermal Power Plantsa , indiatogether.org, July 28, 2014).

While S. Alam Group uses examples of China, India and other countries in its advertisement to justify its coal power plant, the real picture is rather bleak for proponents of coal-fired power plants. Beijing, where pollution averaged more than twice the national standard pollution of China last year, will close the last of its four major coal-fired power plants next year (aBeijing to Shut All Major Coal Power Plants to Cut Pollutiona , Bloomberg, March 24, 2015).

While India continues to build coal power plants, it at least imposes restrictions on building coal-fired power plants not only near forests, but also near human habitats and agricultural land. Indias Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guideline 2010 prohibits coal-fired power plant within 25 kms of metropolitan areas. Recently, a central green panel of India refused to give approval to the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to set up a 1,320 MW coal-based project in Madhya Pradesh, noting that a thermal power plant near human habitat and on agricultural land was not viable (aNTPCs coal-based project in MP turned downa , The Hindu, October 8, 2010).

But in Bangladesh, local and foreign private and public companies are being allowed to build huge coal-based thermal power plants near reserve forests like the Sundarbans, heavily populated areas, and agricultural lands. Bangladesh does not have sufficient regulations and EIA guidelines to protect forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands. Although insufficient, the acts and guidelines we have are not strictly followed. In the Bashkhali case, S. Alam Group bought land concealing information, started constructing pillars, deployed excavation machines for land development and also set up temporary tin-sheds to monitor and manage the work, without taking any of the three clearance certificates - site clearance, EIA approval, and environment clearance a which are mandatory for any red-listed projects like the coal power plant, according to the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995 (aBanshkhali power plant yet to get environmental clearancea , Prothom Alo, April 10, 2016)!

The government needs to understand that the population density of Bangladesh is much higher than that of China, India or USA. So, the big country mega project model, which requires huge amounts of land and risks the livelihood of thousands of people, cannot be followed in Bangladesh. It would be best if we can completely avoid destructive coal-fired power plants, but if thats not possible then we can build smaller units (say 100 MW), considering the impacts on local agriculture, health and environment and following strict rules and regulations. We need to learn to sacrifice profits, instead of sacrificing lives and livelihoods.

The writer is an engineer and member of National Committee to Protect Oil-Gas-Mineral Resources, Port and Power.

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New Age

3,000 villagers prosecuted for Banshkhali killing

April 6, 2016

Staff Correspondent . Chittagong

Hundreds of villagers hold a rally on Rahmania Senior Madrassah premises at Banshkhali in Chittagong on Tuesday, demanding cancellation of coal-fired power plant project in the area and protesting at the death of four villagers in firing on Monday. a New Age photo

Hundreds of villagers hold a rally on Rahmania Senior Madrassah premises at Banshkhali in Chittagong on Tuesday, demanding cancellation of coal-fired power plant project in the area and protesting at the death of four villagers in firing on Monday. a New Age photo

Three cases accusing over 3,000 people were filed on Tuesday over the Mondayas clash with police, in which four villagers were shot dead during protests against a move to construct a coal-based power plant at Banshkhali in Chittagong.

Of the cases, families of the four dead filed two cases while the other was filed by the Banskhali police, police said.

Over 20 people, including 11 policemen, were also injured in the clash.

The agitators alleged that a local conglomerate, S Alam Group, was grabbing their land in the remote village of Gondamara to set up the China-funded power plant.

Locals on Tuesday continued their agitation in the area demanding punishment of the killers.

Several thousand people took part in the funeral prayers after the bodies were taken to the village.

After the prayers, the agitators a males, females and children a held a rally where they vowed to continue the protest at any cost.

Killing of four people in police firing has sparked protests by different political parties and rights organisations.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, in a statement on Tuesday, condemning the attack, demanded a judicial probe into the killings and said now it was a common practice in the country to open fire on demonstrators.

Leaders of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports demanded in protest rallies in the capital and in the Chittagong city on Tuesday immediate arrest of the killers and their exemplary punishments.

The authorities in Chittagong formed a probe body beside tightening security as the clash-hit locality witnessed fresh agitation on Tuesday against the killing of villagers, officials said.

aWe formed a probe body, headed by additional district magistrate Mominur Rashid, to investigate the clash at Chinese power plant site. It was asked to submit the report within seven days,a said deputy commissioner of Chittagong Mesbah Uddin.

aWe also beefed up security in the area as a tense situation was prevailing there,a he added.

Officer-in-charge of Banskhali police station Swapon Kumar Mazumder informed that three cases were filed in connection with the clash a one by police and two others by relatives of the dead.

aAlready we have arrested three people and we are on a hunt for others. Besides, our lawmen have been kept on high alert to maintain peace at the clash-hit area of Gondamara,a Swapon said.

Additional superintendent of police in Chittagong Md Habibur Rahman said that Banshkhali police station sub-inspector Bahar Mia lodged a case accusing 57 identified people and 3,200 unidentified people for assault on the police.

Villager Bashir Ahmed filed a case over the killing of his two brothers a Anwar Ali and Murtaza Ali and Mortazaas son-in-law Zaker, accusing six identified people and 1500 unnamed people.

Monowara Begum, wife of another deceased Zaker Hossain, 50, filed another case accusing 1,500 unnamed people.

Additional police superintendent Habibur Rahman told New Age that they had handed over four bodies to the respective family after autopsy.

Fear of environment pollution and other hazards, if the power plant was installed, prompted the people of Gondamara area of Banshkhali to go for agitation, local sources said.

The locals alleged that some people in favour of S Alam Group forced them to sell their land to the group.

Mosharraf Hossain, an Imam of a mosque in Chittagong city and resident of Gondamara, told New Age that there were several hundred homesteads in the area where S Alam Group was trying to set up the coal-fired power plant.

aWe will not be able to live there if the power plant is set up. Our household, arable land and salt processing fields would be damaged due to the pollution if the plant was set up,a said Mosharraf.

Hanif, an honours student of Chittagong College and resident of the village, said S Alam Group engaged some paid brokers to grab local peopleas land.

aThe brokers forced local people to sell their land at lower price. They threatened us when we did not agree to sell our land,a said Hanif.

Aziz Ahmed, another villager, said a the coal-fired power plant would have negative impacts on the environment a water and air of the area would be polluted and they would in the end have to leave the area.

Meanwhile, witnesses of the Mondayas incident said that police and agents of S Alam Group opened fire targeting the villagers that caused the casualties.

Abdur Rahim of the village said that police or any other authorities did not inform the locals about imposing section 144.

aPolice and hired goons of S Alam Group opened fire targeting the local people who gathered at Hadipara Primary School field to hold a rally against the move of coal-fired power planta, said Rahim.

Jahirul Islam, 30, owner of Al Madina Hotel at Gondamara Bazar, who is now undergoing treatment at Chittagong Medical College and Hospital with bullet wounds, said at the hospital on Monday night, aPolice shot me in one leg from three to four feet away when I was running for shelter after shutting my hotela.

S Alam Group chairman Mohammed Saiful Alam, denying the allegations, said, aWe have no involvement in whatever has happened. We have no problem about the ownership of the land and with the people of the locality,a he told New Age over phone on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports organised a protest rally in front of National Press Club, where its member secretary Anu Muhammad said local people would lose their homesteads and the environment of the area would be destroyed if the power plant was set up there.

He urged the government to take immediate steps to find out the killers and give them exemplary punishment.

Communist Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh and Jatiya Mukti Council held separate rallies in the capital protesting at killings at Banskhali.

In separate statements, rights body Ain O Salish Kendra and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan, an NGO working on environment, condemned the police firing.
The Telegraph, April 18 , 2016

Regarding Kashmir and the Northeast, mainstream Indian political opinion - with some exceptions - ignores or underplays the violence inflicted on people who are formally citizens of this republic. The violence of the past few days in Kashmir - five civilians killed in army and police firing, amongst them a schoolboy - is the latest instalment in a long history of mayhem. In a few weeks (or less) it will become another forgotten episode in this endless serial, a tribute to our genius for pretending that Kashmir is a series of noises off. This self-deluding gift leads to a set of diagnoses and arguments that are quasi-colonial in their logic:

1. The troubles in Kashmir and the Northeast are the work of foreign powers and do not represent the views of the silent majority of these regions.

2. The insurgencies in the Northeast are, in fact, a series of protection rackets and criminal enterprises that has nothing to do with self-determination or subnationalism.

3. The troubles in these regions represent not a general disaffection, but the irrational hostility of one malcontented sect or ethnicity. In the case of Kashmir, for example, it is often argued that the troubles are confined to the Valley and a few contiguous districts. The movement for azadi is sometimes called a Sunni insurgency. At other times, we are told that the troubles are no more than an urban derangement with rural Kashmiri Muslims living in a state of bucolic calm.

These explanations are close cousins to the arguments used by the raj to discredit anti-colonial movements of resistance. All of them contain a measure of truth, but all of them wilfully underestimate the scale of alienation in these regions. They do so because to recognize the enormity of the problem would mean acknowledging the violence done in our name.

By underplaying the problem, we become complicit in not acknowledging the viciousness of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, a piece of emergency legislation that has been in operation in Indias borderlands for decades. AFSPA is incompatible with the rights of citizenship; the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission recommended its repeal more than ten years ago. AFSPAs imposition creates a state of continuous emergency where citizens become colonial subjects without rights or legal protections.

A law that effectively renders the military personnel of the Indian State immune to punishment for rape and murder is a law that should have no place in the life of a democratic republic. Under AFSPA, soldiers can be prosecuted only with the consent of the Indian government. In Kashmir after two decades and more of conflict and violence where no one, not even the Indian State denies that the police and the army have been responsible for atrocities, the permission to prosecute soldiers has never been granted.

Kashmir and the states of the Northeast have been subject to AFSPA for decades. We cannot, in good faith, both claim the residents of these states as citizens and treat them like helots. By doing this continuously, by deferring to the armys need for impunity, we effectively treat Kashmir and Manipur and Nagaland as real estate, as empty landscapes voided of true citizens.

The republican State has used AFSPA in ways that are more draconian than the practice of the British raj during times of serious insurgency. An AFSPA-like ordinance was passed during the Quit India movement in 1942, when Britain was fighting for its life against Germany. But even in that context, the colonial State required an officer of the rank of captain to invoke its draconian powers. In republican India, that authority has devolved to sergeants.

We speak glibly of the integration of Kashmiris and people from the Northeast into the Indian economy, we cite their diasporas in the rest of India as signs of assimilation. But someone who moves from a state of republican freedom to a state of colonial subordination by taking a train home, is not a citizen but a subject. I experienced subject-hood for two years between 1975 and 1977. Northeastern friends of mine have lived their lives in the shadow of emergency laws. There is a whole genre of writing in the Northeast centred on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. Poems, stories, novels, plays, explore military violence and the Kafkaesque consequences of military impunity.

In February, the Indian army was ordered into eight districts in Haryana to control the insensate violence visited upon the state by angry Jat agitators. During curfew hours, the army was ordered to shoot-on-sight. Despite the burning and looting and killing, the army went to extraordinary lengths not to fire upon rampaging mobs for fear of civilian casualties. Through days of mayhem, it didnt fire once. Contrast this with the armys hair-trigger willingness to fire upon young protesters in Kashmir. The difference isnt hard to explain: AFSPA turns citizens into subjects and a republican army into an occupying legion. Even if Kashmiri protesters dont consider themselves Indians, the Indian State doesnt have the luxury of treating them like hostiles. A republic cant disown its citizens.

For us to look the other way, to ignore AFSPA and all that it implies, is cowardly. AFSPA compromises our claim to being a democratic republic. It endangers us all; draconian laws invariably end up being used on the general population, not just in insurgent areas. We cant invoke Indias inalienable right to Kashmir if we are unconcerned about the suspension of the civil rights of Kashmirs Indian citizens. Unless, of course, were keener on Kashmiri houseboats than Kashmiri human beings.

The azadi campaign does itself no favours with its trivialization of Kashmiri Pandit suffering. The serve-them-right dismissal of their exile, the insinuation that Pandits brought this upon themselves as pliant stool pigeons of the Indian State, has been an unattractive characteristic of spokespersons for Kashmiri self-determination. The argument that Kashmiri Pandits were willing accomplices in a State-inspired conspiracy to create a countervailing grievance, is an odious one. Given the documented violence against Kashmiri Pandits in the Nineties, to argue self-victimization at the GOIs behest demonstrates an almost ironical lack of empathy.

The Indian citizen outside the valley has three options. He can support self-determination in Kashmir knowing that it might mean either a sectarian Muslim statelet or more territory for a larger sectarian state, Pakistan. He can endorse the military occupation because, in the larger scheme of things, Kashmiri Muslim suffering is the price that must be paid for the greater good of a pluralist India. Or he can press for the abolition of AFSPA, the demilitarization of Kashmir and the Northeast and the institution of a process by which atrocities by the security forces, especially in the period between 1989 and 1996 are investigated and the guilty punished. If the Indian republic wants to demonstrate its good faith, to make some reparation for the history of State violence there, this is the absolute minimum that it must do. If it claims the allegiance of the people in these areas, it must treat them as rights-bearing citizens, not mutinous subjects.

Indians committed to the nations territorial integrity need to recognize that a democratic republics claim on its constituent territories is, in the last instance, under-written by consent. Unless the republic creates the conditions for earning that consent by withdrawing AFSPA and returning the army to its barracks, it runs the risk of permanently damaging its claim to political legitimacy. Without legitimacy, governance shades into occupation.

In his famous lecture of 1882, "What is a Nation?", Ernest Renan dramatized this principle of consent with a metaphor: the nation, he argued, is a daily plebiscite. In AFSPA-land, this is a plebiscite that the Government of India is in danger of losing by default. The first step towards trying to win it ought to be the summary abolition of this nation-corroding, anti-republican law.
The News on Sunday - 17 April 2016

Waqar Gillani

The News on Sunday talks with Ayesha Siddiqa, a prominent security analyst, on the recently declared military operation in Punjab, following the March 27 attack on Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in Lahore.

The News on Sunday: What is the history of extremist groups in Punjab, particularly in south Punjab?

Ayesha Siddiqa: Thereas more radicalism than violent extremism in Punjab. The province is an interesting place to study. Most of the violent extremist groups based in Punjab carry out violent acts outside Punjab. It is in incidents of sectarian violence or violence against minorities that one begins to feel their presence. These are basically expansionist groups that think in terms of Pan-Islamism and their leadership has more religious training and is conscious of religious revivalism than the Taliban. Their issue is not territorial but to capture state and spread Islam. This they do through slowly and gradually expanding their support base both within the state and society without attracting too much attention.

For instance, unlike the Taliban, they will not outrightly force certain behaviour on local population. They tend to co-exist other communities and belief systems without forcing their own views. The JeM followers or the LeT have aversion to Shia ideology but will resist from killing them as it is not strategically favourable.

In my view, these groups are far more dangerous than those in northern areas of Pakistan. They have enjoyed a long partnership with the state. They are inactive in Punjab but rather active outside Pakistan, in Afghanistan, India and Kashmir.

TNS: These extremist groups have a history of sectarian violence in Punjab. Do you think they are linked with extremist groups from outside Punjab?

AS: The differentiation between militants and sectarian groups is a flawed categorisation. Talk with the police in Punjab and youall hear them say we donat have violent extremism but sectarian violence. It is a problematic differentiation. Their sectarian agenda is one dimension of the work they do. How can we differentiate between Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). They are all Deobandi, and dislike Shias and Ahmadis. Their literature will shock you. In his 2000-page magnum opus Fathul Jawwad Masood Azhar has explained how it is ordained to launch jihad against Jews, Christians and other non-Muslims (or those considered non-Muslims) as they de-populate mosques. He even states that killing women and children that take part in war against Muslims (of course the categorisation of who has launched a war depends upon the sheikh) is permissible.

I have talked to JeM followers; they say they donat attack Shias because they donat have orders to do so. The one difference between JeM and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, another Deobandi militant organisation from which JeM was born, is that its leader Fazlur Rehman Khaleel did not desist from attacking Shias. Many JeM followers believe that had Maulana Azam Tariq been alive, the parliament would have passed the bill declaring Shias as non-Muslims. Sectarian violence existed in Sindh in the 1950s but the systematic violence of the 1990s, which started with the 1980s, was a result of the stateas encouragement for the SSP to counter the growing influence of Iran. General Ziaul Haq was worried about this growing influence so he encouraged these groups.

Same goes for the Ahle Hadith sect. They are very anti-Shia but they are constrained because of their partnership with the state.

The nature of militancy in Punjab is different from KP, which is not just a hub of violence but next to a conflict region. It has tribal associations across the border which also means the intensity of violence by Punjab-based militants is often more acute than that of their tribal counterparts. The militants based in Punjab are driven by pure ideological passion. But this is also where these groups are different. They have a cooperative relationship with the state not to conduct major acts of violence in Punjab.

From this perspective, I consider the March 27 attack in Lahore, Punjab as a bit of an anomaly. The ideology of groups that exist here and have given guarantees to the state for relative security is full of hatred and violence. However, bloodshed doesnat happen every day. This means that the trigger must be something else.

TNS: What is the major factor contributing to the strength of these groups? Is it religion is it poverty?

AS: The general impression is that they are driven by poverty. But, in my opinion, it is not poverty that really drives them. I believe it is essentially a middle-class phenomenon. The foot soldiers may be poor but it is primarily the middle-class which supports and finances the extremist groups. The middle-class has always used religion to renegotiate power because it wants to rise to power. The eternal reward and sawaab is a non-issue. In fact, the sawaab builds an individualas or groupas social value. They essentially aspire to gain social, political and economic power much more than piety. For example, when you build a mosque or contribute to a madrassa, people consider you important and your social status increases. This is how the middle-class contributes to its social status.

In Punjab and Sindh the trend has changed. Today, there are more schools that offer a hybrid between madrassa and modern school. Ideologically, they deliver a potent breed of youth who are better educated and advanced. It is a misunderstanding that all madrassas are backward. The militant groups have now entered universities as well.

TNS: Do you think the militant groups have weakened after the army operation launched soon after the APS attack in Peshawar? What is the current status of these groups in your view?

AS: What is the evidence of these groups weakening? Their ideological base is strong and nothing was done to address the problem of radicalism. At best, many have gone underground. Those that were followed such as LeJ parts of such groups have joined safe groups like JeM or others while some members have gone to seek other partnerships. This sudden clamping down or the Operation Zarb-e-Azb will not change their ideology overnight. For instance, in Bahawalpur, the hot pitch of sectarian violence, the pro Malik Ishaq graffiti and sectarian slogans have disappeared only because the groups have gone underground. But, when the need arises, they will return.

The state is clueless about how to counter radicalism. It is taking an easy approach. Law enforcement agencies want to maintain law and order and are therefore disallowing these groups to conduct violent activities. So, for the sake of survival these groups are not conducting violence. But violence is there. For example, in 2013, there were Uzbeks in Multan. The headquarters of Lashkar-e-Khurasan was in Basti Malook in Multan and they were supported and protected by their like-minded members of the Council of Islamic Ideology. They have not disappeared anywhere.

TNS: So, you believe, the situation has not changed for these groups in the recent past?

AS: From the perspective of violence, Punjab was always more manageable. So, you may have limited spikes of violence but it remains largely in control. In order to clean up entirely, you require the following: the stateas decision that it will no longer keep proxies of any kind, initiate a de-mobolisation, disarmament and Re-integration programme, and carry out a well-thought out and integrated police and intelligence operation to clean up troubled spots.

Now, for years, the problem with the police is that every time they try to clamp down or arrest somebody they get orders from the top, mainly military, to stop them from taking action. I can give you an example from the past when a senior police officer (now retired), posted in south Punjab, had an issue with the JeM. The group surrounded the town hall and warned the police not to divert their attention from India and Kashmir, and threatened of bloodshed. The matter was resolved with the intervention of Inter Services Intelligence. But within a month the police officer was posted out of Punjab. So, what do you expect? There are other examples as well. Lastly, the police needs training and commitment from the leadership.

TNS: In this context, do you see the ongoing operation in Punjab, launched after the attack at Gulshan-e-Iqbal park on March 27, likely to curb terrorism in Pakistan?

AS: The current operation is not impressive at all. Here is an intriguing scenario. On the one hand, you have seriously dangerous militant groups sitting in the heart of Punjab, Sindh and even Balochistan. JeMas flags went flying high in many places in Balochistan after Pathankot. However, the main operation being conducted is against gangsters in the provincial tribal areas. The Chotu group is not an old phenomenon. It is a new one and has arisen out of the badly-managed and greedy feudal system. It was a relatively small gang involved in kidnapping for ransom which has now become big for its boots. Reportedly, it has contacts with some of the Baloch liberation guys. The kacha area is dangerous. Even the colonial state had neglected these areas near the riverine-bed which created criminals and out of control crime in the kacha or tribal belt. The police is ill-equipped and has lesser cover to conduct the operation which does not mean that the military would manage either.

It seems the intention is to use firepower which may partly solve the problem as long as there is willingness to sacrifice hundreds of civilians that have been turned into a shield by the Chotu group. Eventually, the problem will resolve but the militant groups will remain. There has been a sizeable expansion of Ahl-Hadith ideology in the DG Khan area in the form of both madrassas and mosques. That issue will remain because no one wants to address it.

Under the circumstances, the military operation, which does not even seem to have started as yet, may just be aimed at pressurising the political government. Itas political gimmickry and nothing more. People feel something is happening but nothing is actually happening. Groups like JeM and JuD will remain intact. Without acting against these groups there cannot be a real operation.

TNS: How do you see the targeting of Lashkar-e-Jhangvias Malik Ishaq and his group? Has it not shown some commitment by the state to curb these elements?

AS: Malik Ishaq was killed when he was no longer of any use. But his ideology remains very vibrant. The bias against other sects of minorities that Ishaq was guilty of is rife even amongst law enforcement officials. What is really the difference between Ahmed Ludhyanvi and Malik Ishaqas ideas? Moreover, start looking through literature of most organisations, even those that may not on the surface seem militant, you will find a common thread between many of them including al-Qaeeda, Jamaat-Ahl-Hadith and others. This does not mean that people should be killed left, right and centre but at least have a grip on where the problem lies.

TNS: What are the short-term and long-term solutions then?

AS: There is no short-term solution. One solution is to get rid of these groups but the state has not decided to do so yet. And getting rid of these groups does not mean killing everyone but telling them now that the days of extremism and violence are over and they will have to decide what to do. The only solution is long-term in which these groups have to be engaged in a debate. The state itself has to decide what direction to take. We cannot go on killing each other for ever either on behalf of groups or on behalf of the state.

TNS: Donat you think such military operations announced in Punjab will increase civil military tensions as it seems the ruling PML-N is not in favour of a military-led strategy against terrorism in Punjab?

AS: I donat see the army playing a role in eliminating ideological terror groups in Sindh, so what to speak of Punjab. The operation is at best a way to empower the military leadership vis-A -vis the civilian government. This is a smart martial law. But we will not have a solution.
A group of Cabrillo High School seniors got a crash course Tuesday morning on several of the
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July 20, 2012

Largest mass shooting in US history surely to become a capital case

Though I am sure hard-core death penalty abolitionists feel differently, I cannot help but find some comfort in the fact that the state which just experienced the worst mass shooting in US history still has capital punishment. Here are the awful basics via this ABC News account:

Twelve people were killed and 59 were injured in Aurora, Colo., during a sold-out midnight premier of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" when 24-year-old James Holmes allegedly unloaded four weapons' full of ammunition into the unsuspecting crowd. The number of casualties makes the incident the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. Holmes, an honors student and Ph.D candidate at a nearby college with a clean arrest record, allegedly entered the movie auditorium wearing a ballistics helmet, bullet-proof vest, bullet-proof leggings, gas mask and gloves. He detonated multiple smoke bombs, and then began firing at viewers in the sold-out auditorium, police said today. Bullets from the spree tore through the theater and into adjoining theaters, where at least one other person was struck and injured. Ten members of "The Dark Knight Rises" audience were killed in theater, while two others died later at area hospitals. Numerous patrons were in critical condition at six local hospitals, the Aurora police said this afternoon.... Holmes was apprehended within minutes of the 12:39 a.m. shooting at his car behind the theater, where police found him in full riot gear and carrying three weapons, including a AR-15 assault rifle, which can hold upwards of 100 rounds, a Remington 12 gauge shot gun, and a .40 Glock handgun. A fourth handgun was found in the vehicle. Agents from the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms are tracing the weapons. ABC news confirmed that they were all purchased legally. According to police sources, Holmes told the officers arresting him that he was "The Joker," referring to the villain in the second installment of the Batman movie trilogy, "The Dark Knight." He also warned police that he had booby-trapped his apartment, leading officers to evacuate the Aurora apartment building. Police Chief Dan Oates said today that police, bomb squads, and the ATF have found a large number of explosive devices and trip wires at Holmes' apartment and have not yet decided how to proceed without setting off explosions. "The pictures we have from inside the apartment are pretty disturbing considering how elaborate the apartment is booby trapped," police said outside of the apartment complex today. The "flammable and explosive" materials could have blown up Holmes' apartment building and the ones near it, police said.... Witnesses in the movie theater said they saw smoke and heard gunshots that they thought were part of the movie until they saw Holmes standing in front of the screen, after entering from an emergency exit. Holmes methodically stalked the aisles of the theater, shooting people at random, as panicked movie-watchers in the packed auditorium tried to escape, witnesses said. At one point the shooter exited the theater only to wait outside the doors and pick off patrons as they tried to exit, witness Jennifer Seeger told "Good Afternoon America." "You just smelled smoke and you just kept hearing it, you just heard bam bam bam, non-stop. The gunman never had to reload. Shots just kept going, kept going, kept going," one witness told ABC News.... The suspected shooter will face his first court appearance next week, according to district attorney Carol Chambers. Holmes, originally of San Diego, moved to Aurora to pursue his Ph.D. at the University of Colorado medical center, living just blocks from the hospital in an apartment that police say is now laced with explosives and being searched by HazMat teams. Federal law enforcement sources tell ABC News that Holmes bought a ticket to the movie, slipped out of the theater once it began and propped open the emergency exit before gathering his weapons and gear and coming back into the theater. Once inside, he opened fire.

In the immediate aftermath of these sorts of horrific mass killings, I find it so very hard to react with my head without also listening to my heart. And in these kind of awful cases, my heart (or is it my gut) often suggests to me that ultimate punishment of death is the only one which feels fitting. I suspect Colorado prosecutors (and perhaps also federal prosecutors) will have similar feelings.

July 20, 2012 at 07:52 PM | Permalink

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Comments

Ah, a rare disagreement with my former advisor . . . . I am a defense attorney (but also a former prosecutor and judicial clerk) and am against the death penalty for myriad reasons, though I would not describe myself as a "hard-core death penalty abolitionist." That said (and presumption of innocence aside), I think even death penalty advocates would want/need more information before deciding that death is the only penalty fit for Mr. Holmes. Given the information we have so far, I cannot help but think that Mr. Holmes suffers from a serious and debilitating mental illness. There is no question that what he did was horrific and, even if my armchair diagnosis is correct, inexcusable. That said, I think we need a professional determination of whether or not Mr Holmes was able to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law before we call him "evil" (as I have heard him described more than once today including, sadly, by the President) and condemn him to death by government.

Posted by: Denean Hill | Jul 20, 2012 8:24:19 PM

Denean Hill --

The evidence so far is that this guy was very bright, fully functional, had no prior mental health or criminal law encounters, and planned this meticulously. Obviously, he doesn't see the same world you and I do, but the idea that he couldn't tell right from wrong or conform his conduct to the requirements of law (when he had done so for 24 years) is at best undocumented and at worst grossly implausible.

A society unable or unwilling to recognize this man as having earned a trip out of this world is a society that no longer cares about the basic rules of civilized life (or its own safety, for that matter).

I just hope the defense bar can clean it up long enough to avoid cooking up the usual phony shrink-sponsored tales, but I doubt it.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 20, 2012 8:51:07 PM

Bill--

It is also being reported that Mr. Holmes told officers he was The Joker. In all fairness, a lack of a history of criminal behavior or mental illness is hardly documented evidence of a lack of such behavior or illness. People fly under the radar. People sometimes have mental breaks; people also sometimes slip through the cracks, so to speak. I'm not saying he falls into any of these (or any other) categories; I'm saying that no one can possibly know at this point if he does or does not, and that he should be assessed by someone qualified to make such a determination--a psychiatrist, not defense attorney--before the appropriate penalty for him is determined.

As for the defense bar, I am sorry that you feel about it the way you do. If there is anything I can do to change your mind, please let me know.

Denean

Posted by: Denean Hill | Jul 20, 2012 9:18:05 PM

None of us know anywhere close to enough about Holmes to judge whether he is insane, troubled but sane or as sane as any mass murderer can be. 24 hours after the Tuscon shooting no one knew Loughner was so crazy that a year and a half of the Feds forcibly medicating him with every drug at their disposal would be unable to make him competent to stand trial. Instead there was widespread speculation Loughner was a right-winger committing a politically motivated shooting (which turned out to be completely wrong).

Holmes could be another Loughner, or he could be as sane or saner than Timothy McVeigh. We don't know yet. Since Colorado will be trying to kill him eventually everything there is to know about his mental health will be made public. Until then our opinions are all uninformed.

Posted by: Paul | Jul 20, 2012 9:50:04 PM

100% Paul...I am convinced that some merely think they have

something to say.

Posted by: shurnuff | Jul 20, 2012 10:25:39 PM

The shooter will likely be found to have paranoid schizophrenia. Thank the lawyer enemy for protecting him and preventing his treatment. Now he qualifies for involuntary treatment.

His defense lawyer should be beaten and driven out of town. The defense lawyer is an enemy. As this enemy gives no quarter so no quarter should be shown to the lawyer enemy. The Supreme Court is fully responsible for this death toll, by preventing psychiatry from forcibly treating people until after they have hurt themselves and others.

All law abiding citizens should be required to carry a weapon and to have a duty to discharge that weapon when an attack begins. Kill the shooter or face a $100 fine. Any one who protected this shooter should be hunted down. Night riders should tie them to a tree in front of the courthouse and give them 50 lashes. To deter the lawyer enemy coming to work in the morning.

There is no forgiving the lawyer enemy for this shooting. I would like to see assault on the lawyer hierarchy, with 100 to 1. If the shooter has killed 12 people. Then 1200 lawyers and judges should be killed by crowds. Hunt them, capture them, torture them, and kill them. To deter.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 20, 2012 10:27:54 PM

I'm still convinced that some merely think they have

something to say!

Posted by: shurnuff | Jul 20, 2012 10:44:30 PM

"Needless to say, no one who suffers from a delusion recognizes it as such."

Sigmund Freud

Posted by: onlooker | Jul 20, 2012 10:54:14 PM

Any lawyer defending this mass murderer should be hunted, captured, tortured and killed. The lawyer is an enemy of the public safety, and the public has every moral right to defend itself. Any judge delaying the summary execution of the mass murderer in order to generate make work for the lawyer profession should meet the same fate. It is time for the public to act against the internal enemy, in self-defense. It is time to return the favor, and to start killing lawyers and judges, as I said, 100 to 1 seems fair. They are worthless human beings compared to even the lowest of the victims.

I have said in the past, I do not know if I would have the physical courage to actually carry out an execution personally against a child killer even. I have no doubt I would do so without the slightest hesitation if the execution were one of a member of the lawyer hierarchy. I would deem it a patriotic duty, to protect my nation, defending my country against the internal enemy, against the criminal cult enterprise that has taken total control of the three branches of our government. We need to elect a Lincoln class President who will eradicate this pestilence from all policy positions. Purge them, try them, execute them for treason. Pass a constitutional amendment excluding anyone who has passed 1L from all benches, all legislative seats, and all responsible policy positions in the executive.

That will be the end of all social pathologies, shoot our economic growth to its natural 10% a year, and end all crime by killing the protectors of the criminals.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 20, 2012 11:02:30 PM

Hey! I'm tryin to better myself but it's rough out there!

Posted by: shurnuff | Jul 20, 2012 11:09:34 PM

The movie theater chain prohibits the carrying of guns, as a policy. I would like to see it sued into bankruptcy for this policy, and the lawyers responsible for this policy to get 50 lashes by night riders. To deter.

http://www.wnd.com/2012/07/colorado-theater-called-gun-free-zone/

All PC is from case law. If a judge is found to have caused this policy by assessing liability to gun carriers, the same fate for the judge. It is high time to end the tyranny of the lawyer enemy.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 20, 2012 11:47:59 PM

Bill:

I think that, just because he's got no priors and is obviously very bright, doesn't mean that he hasn't suffered some sort of a psychotic break -- maybe even more likely, fine line between genius and insanity and all that.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 21, 2012 12:08:57 AM

Interesting how the reflexive response of so many here is always to make an excuse for a criminal.

I am becoming more and more convinced that this enabling mentality is why our crime rates are so high. People like many of those here pathetically parent their feral children by making excuse after excuse (or are not there at all) and wonder why they end up in the leech/criminal class. They go from ADD or ADHD as children to "paranoid schizophrenia" as adults. That is not to say that these things do not exist but they are ridiculously overused excuses for the purpose of enabling.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 21, 2012 8:51:47 AM

Denean --

I think you know as well as I do that what's going to happen is that the defense lawyer, whoever it is, is going to look as hard as he can to find a shrink to say this guy is nuts. If the lawyer gets the opinions of ten shrinks, and nine say he's sane and one says otherwise, the defense will trot out the one and do everything it can to make sure no one finds out about the other nine. Do you disagree? Would you characterized that as an honest search for the truth about his sanity?

I don't need to hear that the defense bar is just interested in getting him off, not in an honest search. I already know that. I'm simply asking whether finding one shrink with the desired answer and nine -- all to be hidden -- with the undesired answer, is honest. Would you tell your 12 year-old that it's honest, and that's how you want him to behave?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 9:14:01 AM

Guy --

And if your (entirely hypothetical) suggestion of a psychotic break is not verified by a mental exam, would you then say that Doug's take on this -- that this case illustrates why the never-never-never brand of abolitionism is unpersuasive -- is well-taken?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 9:18:03 AM

Denean --

One other point. You said, "As for the defense bar, I am sorry that you feel about it the way you do. If there is anything I can do to change your mind, please let me know."

Yes. Agree that the ethos of the legal profession needs a change (as the public correctly believes), and that the defense bar should sign on to an amendment to the canons of ethics that says, "A lawyer must be truthful, forthcoming, straightforward and candid with opposing counsel, the court and the jury."

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 9:30:48 AM

TarlsQtr --

If this had happened the day before the vote in Connecticut to abolish the DP, or the day before the Governor was set to sign or veto that bill, the bill goes down. When reality strikes, the Holier Than Thou posturing of the abolitionist side tends to go into hiding.

Along those same lines, I think this spells the death knell for the California initiative to end the DP. People can gin up all the hypothetical excuses they want -- and they're busy doing it on this thread -- but normal people will react exactly as Doug does.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 9:39:00 AM

Paul --

"Holmes could be another Loughner, or he could be as sane or saner than Timothy McVeigh."

If the latter, would you say that he deserves McVeigh's fate?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 9:45:29 AM

It would seem he's not insane under the M'Naghten Rule or the Model Penal Code, but is insane under the Durham rule. To me, his mental illness is confirmed by his acceptance / expectation of capture (or death) and his failure to take any steps to evade it. This is in sharp contrast to, say, the DC sniper or the guys in the Petit murders.

Thus, IMHO, killing him is like killing a rabid dog. Is this moral? Is this ethical? Whatever it is, it is not punishment, it is just retribution.

Posted by: Max Kennerly | Jul 21, 2012 10:03:26 AM

I've a few questions for Bill Otis:

In your career as a prosecutor, did you ever encounter a defendant whom you conceded was insane? Even though the insanity defense is permitted under the law, you seem to oppose it in every case I can recall. The insanity defense appears to be, in your eyes, like the death penalty in a number of liberal states: something that exists only in theory, but never applies in an actual case.

Would you concede that this fellow is entitled to counsel, and that counsel's job is to make the argument for his innocence by reason of insanity, if that case can plausibly be made? Or do you feel that any honorable attorney appointed to represent him is morally obligated to take the state's side? Your posts seem to suggest the latter.

(Incidentally, psychotic breaks quite frequently occur in one's mid-20s, so it is entirely possible that this guy actually WAS legally insane, despite never having committed a crime before. Obviously, if he was NOT insane, he is about as good a candidate for the death penalty as you could get.)

Posted by: Marc Shepherd | Jul 21, 2012 10:16:01 AM

Max Kennerly --

"Thus, IMHO, killing him is like killing a rabid dog."

That's reason enough.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 10:40:12 AM

Marc Shepherd --

"I've a few questions for Bill Otis."

It might be useful as well to have questions for those reflexively rushing to make excuses for this guy.

"In your career as a prosecutor, did you ever encounter a defendant whom you conceded was insane?"

Not that I remember. Of course that's not surprising, since (1) I was principally an appellate lawyer, and sanity determinations are primarily issues of fact resolved in the district court, and (2) I worked in federal criminal jurisdiction, which involves almost entirely drugs, immigration, ATF violations and fraud -- crimes as to which an insanity defense is seldom if ever offered.

"Even though the insanity defense is permitted under the law, you seem to oppose it in every case I can recall."

Actually, I think Loughner is nuttier than a fruitcake, and, from what I know, has a valid insanity defense. However, as a general matter, your intuition is correct. Insanity defenses tend to get raised where the defendant is ice-cold guilty on the observable facts, and the defense needs to weave something (or just make something up) from relatively unobservable, inside-my-client's-head "facts." It actually reminds me of "faith healing" at revival tents in the South in the 1930's.

"The insanity defense appears to be, in your eyes, like the death penalty in a number of liberal states: something that exists only in theory, but never applies in an actual case."

Even defense lawyers will tell you it almost never works, because juries just aren't that gullible.

"Would you concede that this fellow is entitled to counsel..."

Yup.

"...and that counsel's job is to make the argument for his innocence by reason of insanity, if that case can plausibly be made?"

The problem is that, under existing ethics, it's counsel's job to argue for insanity even if it's NOT plausible, just as Sandusky's counsel argued the absurdity that all ten boys were independently lying and that the eyewitness just saw "horsing around." And worse (and this is my point), it's counsel's job, under present ethics rules, to try to persuade the jury that Holmes is insane, even if he knows or has good reason to believe it's flat-out false, and to hide the evidence that convinces him it's flat-out false. I do not believe the system is likely to have reliable outcomes when it condones dishonesty.

"Or do you feel that any honorable attorney appointed to represent him is morally obligated to take the state's side?"

I believe that honorable human beings are morally obligated to tell the truth and avoid misleading behavior. I also believe those obligations are not obliterated by getting a law license; indeed, I think they are enhanced.

With all respect, the problem here is not that I think the legal profession accepts too much sleaze, an opinion held by many others, if not a majority. The problem here is that Holmes planned to kill, and then killed, as many of his fellow creatures as he could, and the reaction of the majority of this thread is reflexively to try to think of excuses for it.

Doug Berman is a center-leftist and I am a center-rightist, and this case presents the point of agreement (or the center, as it were). The DP has its problems, but there are some instances in which a normal person just would not think anything else is justice; ergo, it should not be abolished.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 11:28:13 AM

Bill:

My position on the death penalty is quite simple: there's never a right reason to take a life. Sometimes violence is truly unavoidable, such as in moments of self-defense, but that, to me, doesn't mean it's something particularly to be proud of, or to be envied, or to be cheered. That goes double for those moments when it's the state taking a life, be it at the end of a bayonet or a needle.

So, as you might imagine, in situations where the death penalty is contemplated, I could never throw my support behind it, not even with respect to Mr. Holmes.

And yes, my speculation about his mental state is just that: speculation. As is yours, as is everyone from the peanut gallery.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 21, 2012 11:46:17 AM

Bill,

Like Marc, I'm not sure I understand your view of the defense attorney's function. I consider myself an ethical attorney and always strive to be" truthful, forthcoming, straightforward and candid with opposing counsel, the court and the jury." I also strive to fulfill my other ethical duties such as maintaining attorney/client confidentiality and zealously representing my client. I do not see any fundamental conflict between these sets of obligation but some of your comments suggest you do. Am I mistaken?

You are correct that, if I chose to present an insanity defense, I would use an expert who, in my opinion, could present that case most forcefully and persuasively. It is the fact-finder's job to accept or reject that expert's view, not mine. It is my job to present the best possible defense for my client. Now, if 10 other shrinks were ready to testify that my client was not insane, I might chose not to present my expert, might chose not to present an insanity defense at all, but that is a question of strategy, not ethics. So, yes, to answer your question, I believe unequivocally it is "honest" to present a properly-qualified expert to testify on my client's behalf, even if that expert's opinion is rejected by a majority of other experts. After all, we are conducting a trial, not a poll.

The subtext of your comments, perhaps unintentional, is that the zealousness of my representation should wax or wane based on my subjective view of my client's guilt or the heinousness of his crimes. But if that's true, what's a judge or jury for?

Posted by: Fed Defender | Jul 21, 2012 11:47:05 AM

Honestly when I first heard about this story I wondered if Supremacy Clause had finally snapped. When I further learned the guy said he was The Joker I was certain of it. So I am naturally disappointed to come here and see that I was wrong.

So far the most insightful thing I have read on this topic was posted here:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/sadly-nation-knows-exactly-how-colorado-shootings,28857/

Posted by: Daniel | Jul 21, 2012 11:47:53 AM

Bill -

This is about your question at 9:14. If the defense lawyer has reason to think the one shrink was more careful, more observant, or more insightful than the nine, or that the nine overlooked relevant scientific principles, then presenting the opinion of the one won't be dishonest or contrary to a search for the truth. If the defense lawyer has reason to think the one shrink wasn't really qualified in forensics or that he's a hack who will produce any opinion you want so long as he's paid, then presenting his opinion will be dishonest. If the defense lawyer thinks the shrinks are equally competent and just disagree, as experts often do, then it's not dishonest for him to present the expert opinion that's in his client's best interest. In fact, it's unethical for him not to.

The point is that being honest requires more than counting noses and assuming the majority must be the ones with the right answer. That's why a prosecutor can honestly present testimony from one shrink who says that the defendant is sane, even when the other side presents testimony from five shrinks who say he's not. I think you were trying to construct a hypo where the defense lawyer would have to know that the one shrink's opinion wasn't trustworthy. And of course it would be dishonest for the defense lawyer to present the expert's opinion if that was the case.

Posted by: arfarf | Jul 21, 2012 12:04:37 PM

Fed Defender --

Let me just ask you this: There were, I think, ten victim-witnesses against Sandusky. Most of them didn't know each other, and had been molested at different times and different places over many years (fifteen years, to be exact). Notwithstanding this, defense counsel implied to the jury that their stories were ALL false, because they were planning to sue Penn State and Sandusky (would any victim NOT sue?). But counsel's implication was false. The victims' stories of molestation were true, and defense counsel could not have helped knowing they were true, just as the rest of the world did.

Responsible adults cannot just go into this fantasy world that, "Oh, we can never really know what's true!!!" We most certainly can know, as, ironically, defense counsel will insist in the next breath when they say, for example, it was really the defendant's co-conspirator's who did all the dirty work.

Sandusky's lawyers were trying to put their client back on the street by selling a portrait of the victims' stories they could not have helped knowing was false. Do you think that's honest?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 12:08:12 PM

Professor Berman, how much of your gut feeling that Holmes should be killed do you think is based on pure logic, and how much do you think is based on how others are punished? LWOP has become a relatively common punishment. Brett Harmelin gets LWOP for possessing a kilo of cocaine, and Holmes's actions are exponentially worse than Harmelin's, so instinctively Holmes must receive a sentence greater than Harmelin. Since Harmelin got LWOP the only greater sentence is the death penalty. Thus the gut reaction that Holmes must die.

In the middle ages, when every felony was a capital crime, they would have considered merely killing Holmes laughably lenient. A medieval law professor would probably have written that his gut reaction is that the medieval equivalent of Holmes must be boiled in oil till near death, then drawn and quartered. If we had a system where LWOP or LWOP equivalent sentences were reserved for aggravated murders would your gut reaction still be that Holmes must die?

Posted by: Paul | Jul 21, 2012 12:25:55 PM

I am a former prosecutor and current NRA member. I am not in favor of more federal laws, but I would support the following legislation for starters:

"It shall be unlawful to manufacture, distribute, or possess any clip or magazine able to hold 100 or more rounds."

My fellow lovers of the Second Amendment, what do you say?

Posted by: onlooker | Jul 21, 2012 12:30:59 PM

arfarf --

"I think you were trying to construct a hypo where the defense lawyer would have to know that the one shrink's opinion wasn't trustworthy. And of course it would be dishonest for the defense lawyer to present the expert's opinion if that was the case."

But from what I'm hearing today, counsel couldn't really "know" that the opinion was untrustworthy, he could only believe that, not being qualified in the field. Thus counsel would be free, if not obligated, to put the quack on the stand, provided only that he thought the quack was a good, smooth talker and might convince the jury even if his professional competence were zilch.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 12:39:38 PM

Paul --

Your question to Doug implies that only people living in the Dark Ages could believe that the death penalty is ever warranted.

Is that what you think?

Is Obama in the Dark Ages? Was Lincoln?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 12:45:49 PM

Bill, wouldn't our system breakdown or require a complete overhaul if defense attorneys functioned in the manner you suggest they should function? Defense counsel does not function to find guilt and should either not practice criminal defense law or lose his/her bar card if defense counsel takes on the role of the fact-finder in the manner you suggest. Isn't this what they tell us in law school? If this is not the way it should be and if the system should change, the system should be openly changed and the public should know that if an individual contacts an attorney after being accused of a crime, then that individual might be the subject of fact-finding by defense attorney?

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 21, 2012 12:52:43 PM

Bill,

You stated: "But from what I'm hearing today, counsel couldn't really "know" that the opinion was untrustworthy, he could only believe that, not being qualified in the field. Thus counsel would be free, if not obligated, to put the quack on the stand, provided only that he thought the quack was a good, smooth talker and might convince the jury even if his professional competence were zilch."

Wouldn't the competency of the doctor be an issue for the jury or possibly the judge (Daubert) under our system? The system functions on the idea that juries can figure it out?

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 21, 2012 1:09:02 PM

Bill -

Perhaps I'm not understanding your answer. But I've never met a lawyer on either side of the aisle, in a civil case or a criminal one, who doesn't check out the potential experts before he hires them. At a minimum, he talks to several other lawyers who've used each expert and asks them about the expert's scientific background, his vulnerabilities, and whether any problems came up. If a lawyer hires two experts who come up with conflicting opinions, he asks them questions, and maybe asks for further testing, to see if the conflict can be resolved or if it is just one of those things where competent experts can have different perspectives. That is easily enough for the lawyer to form an opinion about whether the experts he chooses to use are trustworthy.

Posted by: arfarf | Jul 21, 2012 1:17:45 PM

Bill,

I thought Sandusky's lawyers were appalling both ethically and in their performance. Precisely because I could not see how any jury would have bought their defense, I thought it was an incredibly stupid defense to pursue. The case was so poorly presented I have no idea what his lawyers were trying to accomplish with it. It failed to work either as an argument for acquittal or even a "long guilty plea." While obviously a defense lawyer's first duty is to his client, competent lawyers know that the client's interests are not furthered by mounting desperate, unsupported attacks on sympathetic victims.

Because I don't know the lawyer's subjective motivations, I can't say the defense was unethical. I can say it was idiotic and incompetent and, intentionally or not, needlessly insensitive, even cruel.

What clearly was unethical was the lawyers' self-justifying, self-aggrandizing media campaign in which they repeatedly appeared to violate the attorney-client privilege by disclosing confidential communications of their client.

It would have been interesting to see how a competent lawyer would have represented Sandusky.

Posted by: Fed Defender | Jul 21, 2012 2:45:32 PM

Daniel: You hurt my feelings. Do you truly believe I could coldly dispatch an innocent 6 year old little girl?

Think of me if the news is of a geriatric patient riding his Scooter, totally free from the Scooter store, detonating a ton of military explosive and taking down the entire building housing an appellate judge conference.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 21, 2012 3:40:32 PM

"fine line between genius and insanity and all that."

This has not been supported by the empirical literature. In fact, it might be quite the opposite.





Posted by: Steve Erickson | Jul 21, 2012 3:48:53 PM

Tim Holloway --

Yes, I think the canons as they exist now need reform. At present, they are clientcentric. I would make them truthcentric. This would involve putting aside the agnosticism about guilt and innocence that defense counsel are permitted, if not required, to have. I think an "ethics" system that is intentionally indifferent to the central question criminal litigation is supposed to answer is very odd, for one thing, and incompatible with the most important purpose the rules governing the practice of law ought to serve, that being to help free the innocent, no matter how bad they look, and convict the guilty, no matter how clever they (or their lawyers) are. The guilty are still human beings, and still deserve to be treated with dignity and respect for their rights, but they do not deserve a system that rewards full-bore ingenuity in bamboozling the jury into thinking they're innocent, nor does the text of the Constitution require such a system.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 5:03:14 PM

@onlooker:

A ban on extended mags is something I could certainly support. One wonders if any fewer individuals would be dead had Mr. Holms not been toting an AR15 with a 100-round drum magazine, and the answer is probably so. Loughner, for example, was only tackled after he paused to reload his 33-round extended magazine on his Glock.

I understand that there's a 2nd Amendment, and personally I would favor an assault-weapons ban but I know that won't get through in the political climate that exists atm. Second to that, though, I would like to think that most people could at least get behind banning extended magazines like this one, but I know that the NRA is a super-lobby. Hell, as the Daily Beast pointed out, neither Romney nor Obama, in their statements condemning the massacre, so much as mention the word "gun" -- like it isn't even something that's up for discussion.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 21, 2012 5:08:49 PM

@ Steve:

Be that as it may, mine was intended more as a colloquialism to underscore the point I was trying to make -- just that mental illnesses can have onset in adulthood and can have varied etiologies, such as physical or emotional trauma, virus, genetic predispositions, drug use, etc.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 21, 2012 5:10:51 PM

Fed Defender --

The problem is that, under the current canons of ethics (see my note to Tim Holloway), Sandusky's counsel HAD NO CHOICE but to try to portray the victims' testimony as false. If the jury accepted it as true (which it and the rest of the world did), the client was toast. Thus the mission of defense counsel, under the current rules, was to devise SOME WAY to put the skids under the victims' accounts. The underlying problem is not that the particular way employed was wrong (although as you correctly say it was), but that the mission itself was wrong. Under a truthcentric version of the canons, that would change.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 5:21:22 PM

Guy --

The phrase "gun violence" makes as much sense to me as the phrase "finger violence," since there has to be a finger pulling the trigger to make the gun work.

The problem is not the gun, the trigger, or the finger. The problem is the person.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 5:25:24 PM

Fed Defender: What is your opinion of the ethics of this true scenario?

Defense counsel offers the location of the body of the tortured, raped, and murdered little girl in exchange for withdrawal of the death penalty.

Prosecution declines the offer. Trial proceeds.

The defense now tries to show that the parents murdered the little girl, to cover up their sexual abuse of her. They put the parents through the wringer trying to prove the innocence of the defendant.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 21, 2012 5:51:29 PM

SC --

Although I cannot say I subscribe in general to your worldview, your question to Fed Defender is dynamite. I'll be interested to see his (or anyone's) answer.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 5:58:32 PM

I was surprised to read that Doug finds any "comfort" at all in the death penalty, even in this case. I have to doubt he will feel this way 10-15 years from now if and when the case reaches that conclusion. But maybe that's just part of wanting my intellectual heroes to feel the way I do.

Posted by: Michael Parente | Jul 21, 2012 5:59:28 PM

Michael Parente --

Why should this case take 10-15 years? We know who did it and what he did. The only questions are whether he knew right from wrong and whether he could conform his behavior to the requirements of law. It might take a matter of months to resolve those questions, but that's it.

I agree that this case is likely to take years and years, but it shouldn't, and neither should most other DP cases. When, as here, we can answer the needed questions in months -- whether favorably or unfavorably to the accused -- then let's just get on with it, whether "it" is a permanent mental ward or lethal injection. We all know the system needs to start saving money, and here's one good place to start.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 6:17:12 PM

@Guy

It's unlikely that a ban on assault-rifles would lower the death tolls in these shootings. The Virginia Tech gunman was only armed with a 9mm handgun and a .22 handgun (a caliber better suited to squirrels) with 10-round magazines and he killed more than twice as many people. Assault weapons are actually not deadlier, or at least not to the extent many think, than other weapons not subject to bans. Shotguns are deadlier, handguns are easier to conceal and hunting rifles can kill at a greater range. The massive double-drum magazine he appears to have used seems like the only thing making a massacre more likely.

Posted by: MikeinCT | Jul 21, 2012 6:37:47 PM

Fascinating thread here folks, and I will just add a few responses to a few of the later queries heading my way. To Paul, I agree that huge overuse of LWOP and other extreme non-death sentences for not so extreme crimes makes me long for something more severe for extreme crimes like the Batman mass killing. But it is also because I do not really view the death penalty as worse than LWOP, but rather a different type of punishment --- one that brings the "death is different" idea into some use as a form of punishment when a criminal has himself decided to do a crime so different in its heinousness to other crimes as is true in these types of mass murder cases.

The comment about Holmes as perhaps like a rabid dog raises for me the question of whether anyone would urgently advocate, for the sake of the dog or for the sake of society, that we lock this rabid dog in a small cage and feed him until he dies years later of disease? We think it is wise and humane to put down sick and dangerous animals of other species, and thus one might think this is the right treatment for a mass murderer if we think he is akin to a rabid dog.

Of course, we may never know what makes a mass murderer tick. But we do know that lots of decent people feel in their guts that ending the life of such a person is a just and fitting response. In addition, lots of decent people feel in their guts that a nation should never use this form of punishment. But, for Michael and others who look for intellectual heroes, I would suggest that being open-minded to all views/feelings and being respectful in the discussion of others' views/feelings is a heroic way to use one's intellect.





Posted by: Doug B. | Jul 21, 2012 6:55:58 PM

Doug  Personally, I have bigger battles to fight than to save the life of a diseased mass murderer. Like I would think of a rabid dog, if the citizens of Colorado decide to kill him, so be it. I think death penalty opponents do themselves a disservice by fighting the good fight on these cases. The moral case against the death penalty ever being used has been made and has been rejected by society; better in my opinion to focus on the situations in which someone is wrongly put to death, either because of innocence or because of an ineffective mitigation defense.

Posted by: Max Kennerly | Jul 21, 2012 7:16:49 PM

"one that brings the "death is different" idea into some use as a form of punishment when a criminal has himself decided to do a crime so different in its heinousness to other crimes as is true in these types of mass murder cases."

Indeed, "death is different" cuts both ways. I'm glad someone has finally said so.

"We think it is wise and humane to put down sick and dangerous animals of other species, and thus one might think this is the right treatment for a mass murderer if we think he is akin to a rabid dog."

The analogy is false. Infection (not exposure) to rabies is almost always fatal. Even if there was a treatment, one could argue the costs for curing an animal are prohibitive. While I do think there are prohibitive costs to treating humans, one would hope they are not the same for humans as they are for dogs. If the defendants here does have a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, it is treatable in most cases. Of course, just having schizophrenia doesn't excuse his conduct (expect in NH) and it's important to note that even crazy people can be bad people too.



Lastly, the idea that having an AR-15 v. just a regular handgun would make no difference to the body count is just ludicrous. Rifles are far more accurate than handguns and assault rifles carry a lot more ammo than traditional hunting rifles. IMHO (and as someone how has owned handguns) I think the NRA does tremendous damage to its credibility when it argues that citizens should have access to assault rifles and extra capacity magazines. No right is absolute and that applies to the 2nd amendment as well.

Posted by: Steve Erickson | Jul 21, 2012 7:52:21 PM

Did you not learn your lesson after you prematurely called for the death penalty immediately after the Loughner shooting and prematurely declared that he didn't have any mental problems that rose to a forensic level? (Of course, even the government's psychologist has since declared that he is incompetent to stand trial.) I don't mind someone being in favor of the death penalty but calling for it half-cocked when all you know about is the nature of the offense is pretty ignorant (not to mention inconsistent with constitutional doctrine). I wish you would just stick to what you know, which is noncapital sentencing. Posts like this make me want to stop reading this blog.

Posted by: Josh | Jul 21, 2012 8:48:46 PM

I mean, seriously, one can practically predict your response to some national tragedy: "Golly, sure am glad we still have the death penalty." We could all do without your nonchalant calls for capital punishment in times like this.

Posted by: Josh | Jul 21, 2012 8:54:05 PM

Bill, my preference would be a quick resolution via LWOP. On the death penalty side, I would not favor lessening access to capital habeas, just so the "clear" DP cases like this one could go through the system more quickly.

Posted by: Michael Parente | Jul 21, 2012 9:14:05 PM

How could anyone purport to have adequate information to make any judgment, at this point, about the killer's mental state?

How could anyone with experience in capital appellate litigation not understand that this case is likely destined for decades of litigation (in the trial court, in the Colorado appellate judiciary, in possible state habeas proceedings, in federal district court, in the Tenth Circuit, etc.) before any night-night needle is deployed? The members of the gathering posse will have to put down their pitchforks and nooses for a while.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 21, 2012 9:34:04 PM

Bill,

First, I disagree that Sandusky's counsel had no choice other than to portray the victims as liars. The defense lawyer's job is to zealously and effectively represent his client. He does his client no good by presenting a defense that is hopeless and counterproductive. Ted Kaczynski's's lawyer did not argue that the his victims somehow "had it coming." Susan Smith's lawyer did not argue that someone else killed her children. It is true that in some cases, as difficult as it may be, the proper- and ethical- defense strategy would be to attack the credibility of the alleged victim. Sandusky's was not that case.

More fundamentally, I have no idea how the "truth-centric" system you favor would work in practice. Taken to its logical conclusion, no lawyer could ever represent a client he believed to be guilty because, in such a case, presenting ANY defense would be counter to his understanding of the "truth."

For all its flaws, the adversary system has generally succeeded for more than two centuries as a system for separating the guilty from the innocent. Accordingly, I think the burden is one you to show how your system would work and how it would be an improvement.

Posted by: Fed Defender | Jul 21, 2012 9:41:32 PM

Michael Parente --

Once it is determined that this guy knew right from wrong and was able to control his behavior, any additional litigation is simply process for process's sake -- exactly what is driving up the costs we can no longer afford.

Where, as here, there is no doubt of factual guilt, time to get on with it. The system buys its own disrepute by tolerating gratuitous delay.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 21, 2012 9:41:59 PM

But it is also because I do not really view the death penalty as worse than LWOP, but rather a different type of punishment --- one that brings the "death is different" idea into some use as a form of punishment when a criminal has himself decided to do a crime so different in its heinousness to other crimes as is true in these types of mass murder cases.

First, thank you for giving me a serious, thoughtful response. Second, are you referring to the labeling effect of a death sentence here? Do you mean a death sentence for Holmes (or McVeigh, or Khalid Skeikh Mohammed, or insert person here) has value because it shows the person sentenced to death is particularly reprehensible and deserves a punishment greater in kind than even the typical murderer?

I mean, seriously, one can practically predict your response to some national tragedy: "Golly, sure am glad we still have the death penalty." We could all do without your nonchalant calls for capital punishment in times like this.

Josh, that is unfair. If you have read this blog you should realize Professor Berman does not make a nonchalant call for a death sentence. Do not be unfair and equate him to certain other trolls commenting on this post.

Of course, just having schizophrenia doesn't excuse his conduct (expect in NH)

Huh? Are you referring to the New Hampshire insanity test? I don't think you understand how the New Hampshire test works in practice.

Posted by: Paul | Jul 21, 2012 10:27:38 PM

@ Bill:

I don't mean to presume that it's an either / or proposition, nor do I fantasize that getting rid of guns means that we'll all get along. I believe the problem is multi-factorial, with guns, people, laws, and politics all playing a part. I also don't presume to think that limiting the number of bullets a magazine can lawfully contain will stop people from going on shooting sprees, either. What I will say is that of the shooting sprees with which I am familiar, the ones that ended with the gunman being tackled did so when the gunman had to pause to reload his firearm. I would much prefer that to be after ten bullets as opposed to one hundred.

@ MikeinCT:

That may well be the case, and is a good point. Perhaps it's just an emotional reaction that I have to assault weapons as opposed to a reasoned argument against them. Even if that is the case, however, I still would be inclined to think that a proposal limiting the number of bullets per clip would. And as far as which weapons are deadlier, I suppose it all depends on the circumstance and the ranges that are being contemplated, correct? If we were to limit the number of bullets per magazine to, say ten, then I suppose there wouldn't be much functional difference between an assault rifle and a hunting rifle, assuming that the assault rifle hasn't been modified to go full auto.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 21, 2012 10:37:00 PM

Paul,

I have read this blog since 2005. I understand that Professor Berman is ordinarily very thoughtful, even on the death penalty. His responses in situations like this, though, are not. He offered the same overhasty call for the death penalty after Loughner. At times, I begin to think posts like this are faux populism offered to maintain a sort of centrist street cred.

Posted by: Josh | Jul 21, 2012 11:11:21 PM

To call for the killer's execution at this point is to call for dispensing with core constitutional safeguards, not to mention proof of the requisite mens rea.

To call for vigorous representation of the killer is to call for upholding constitutional provisions that the Framers knew were necessary to protect individuals from government and lynch mobs.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 22, 2012 12:38:01 AM

SC, Bill,

Basically, your hypothetical boils down to this- can a defense lawyer who has strong reason to believe his client is guilty (as evidenced by the offer to disclose the body) nevertheless raise a defense suggesting that someone else did it (here the parents)?

In most, but not all cases, the answer is yes and the reason is not that defense lawyers enjoy making victims suffer or unleashing criminals into world. The reason is that the system we have won't work if defense attorneys decide in advance which defendants they will fight for and which they won't.

The old saying "Hard cases make bad law" is true in the reverse, "Easy cases make bad law" as well. The hypo you propose stacks the deck- it assumes the defendant is 100% unequivocally guilty and who could defend such a monster- but let's suppose the defense attorney in this hypo only strongly suspects his client is guilty but there is good evidence that the victim's parents DID in fact sexually abuse her and thus did have a motive to kill her? What should the lawyer in that case do? Ignore this line of defense because it would be painful if it were wrong? And this is the issue, anytime a lawyer starts tailoring his efforts based on his subjective view of his client's guilt or innocence, he's abdicated his role as a lawyer and assumed the role of judge and jury which is not his to take.

Can you tell me HOW a lawyer should calibrate the degree of effort he should expend in each case and how he can decide, case by case, which defenses are OK to raise and which are not? Then, what if different lawyers make different calculations- some gave 100% all the time, some if only if they had substantial doubts about the defendant's guilt? The system would collapse in on itself. And maybe, SC, that is what you want and that's fine, there are other criminal justice systems in the world, maybe you'd prefer the systems that have in France or China or Saudi Arabia. And I say that in all seriousness, it is not written in stone that the adversary system was handed down to us by God. But for as long as we have our system, the only rule that works is that a defense lawyer must represent every defendant as zealously and effectively as he can with the bounds of the law.



Posted by: Fed Defender | Jul 22, 2012 12:41:25 AM

CCDC: The mens rea is plagiarized from the catechism analysis of mortal sin. The assessment of the mens rea violates the Establishment Clause. How would you like to have Sharia established as the basis of criminal procedure (I like the Sharia, personally. 90% of Sharia is very good and effective, only 10% is wacky)?

From the catechism analysis of mortal sin, each of these "elements" must be met:



"Its subject must be a grave (or serious) matter.

It must be committed with full knowledge, both of the sin and of the gravity of the offense (no one is considered ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are inborn as part of human knowledge, but these principles can be misunderstood in a particular context).

It must be committed with deliberate and complete consent, enough for it to have been a personal decision to commit the sin."



The insane and the intoxicated can be more dangerous than the contract killer, being out of control.

The insane, the retarded, the intoxicated, the young and adolescent, should be put to death ahead of the contract killer being far more of a threat to the public safety. Only in your upside down Twilight Zone lawyer world do such dangerous people get extra protection.

The families of the murder victims might consider hunting, capturing, and giving 50 lashes to the member of the Supreme Court. To deter the lawyer enemy of our nation. This lawyer enemy forced the psychiatry profession to wait until an injury had taken place to treat psychotic people, rather than to treat as symptoms arose for clinical purposes. Then they protect this class of highly dangerous people from the consequences of their knowing murders. Why? To generate lawyer government make work jobs, such as yours. These internal enemies are plundering the taxpayer with flimsy and false legal pretexts.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 22, 2012 12:55:53 AM

Fed Defender: Thanks for your serious reply.

Here is a summary of the case. Go to the second paragraph of the Conclusion for the missed plea deal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Westerfield

Is the purpose and expense of the criminal law to provide lawyer government make work jobs or to protect the public? If it is to protect the public, our system has to be among the worst in the world, rather among the best as lawyer propaganda claims. There are 20 million FBI Index felonies (serious traditional crimes) a year, and 2 million prosecutions. This is the most violent First World nation on earth. Why? If one commits a serious crime, there is a 90% chance of never being inconvenienced by the law. One the other hand, when the prosecutor has a guy, it may be the wrong guy in up to 20% of cases, and they get a confession and a plea deal anyway.

The adversarial system comes from the disputation method of trying to answer difficult questions. That came from Scholasticism, a philosophy and methodology of Medieval monks. There is nothing from 1275 AD that is in any way acceptable as standard practice today.

The Catholic Church is very slow as you may know. It has given up on Scholasticism. That means the American lawyer is slower and stupider than even the Catholic Church. The adversarial system comes from a church. The court looks like a church. The buffoon on the bench dresses like a priest. You use a lot of Latin, a language used by only one entity today, the Church.

Here is a list of indicia of church origin of the common law.

http://supremacyclaus.blogspot.com/2009/01/indicia-of-church-origin-of-common-law.html

These are all violations of the Establishment Clause.

There may be more executions per capita in Saudi Arabia, but there are by far fewer murders. They are far ahead in protecting murder victims.

Lawyers cannot even utter the V word without choking. Why is the crime victim's interest ignored, and lawyers never utter their name, Victim? The criminal generates massive lawyer make work jobs. The crime victim generates nothing.

So the conflict of interest in all sides of the criminal law, judge, prosecutor, and defense lawyer, is so severe, and so equivalent to each other, that the lawyer should be excluded from all lawmaking, all criminal law policy decisions, as a thief of tax dollars. I see no lesser dependence on the criminal's safety, welfare, and survival between the defense, the prosecution, and the judge in the middle. They all owe the criminal their jobs, know that, and will let nothing happen that might drop the crime rate.

The best example? The guidelines dropped crime across the board by 40%, the greatest accomplishment of the lawyer profession in history. So what happened? Scalia, of all people, led the charge to end them as mandatory.

Beyond the theft of taxpayer money, all those indicia of church origin represent an all out, brazen insurrection against the constitution. This insurrection justifies the one day raid, arrest of the entire lawyer hierarchy, 15,000 traitors who have taken over the government of the USA. They should all get an hour's fair trial, where their legal utterances would be the sole evidence. There would be no lawyer gotcha of collateral corruption. Upon the reading of the verdict, they all should be shot in the head in the court basement, to end the insurrection, and to deter the profession.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 22, 2012 2:43:41 AM

Fed Defender --

"First, I disagree that Sandusky's counsel had no choice other than to portray the victims as liars."

But if they weren't liars, a conviction was automatic. So could you say specifically what defense (other than insanity, which was even more hopeless (and dishonest)) his counsel should have employed?

"For all its flaws, the adversary system has generally succeeded for more than two centuries as a system for separating the guilty from the innocent."

Remind me to quote you on that the next time I hear that the system haphazardly, and routinely, convicts the innocent.

Finally, the virtue of a truthcentric system is that it does more to emphasize the value of truth, which is what I thought we were supposed to be aiming for.



Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2012 8:12:58 AM

CCDC --

"How could anyone purport to have adequate information to make any judgment, at this point, about the killer's mental state?"

Could you quote the commenter who said we can, at this point, decide his mental state? Right, there isn't any. But I have said his mental state can be found out in less than a year, and no one has provided any reason to think differently.

"How could anyone with experience in capital appellate litigation not understand that this case is likely destined for decades of litigation..."

The question is not what is likely to happen in a system that allows itself to be tied down in gratuitous delay by people who want to run the clock and the meter. The question is what SHOULD happen in a system that is serious. And the answer is that everything important to know about Holmes, and thus to reach a decision about his punishment, can be found out in a year or less. Indeed, the best assessments of his mental state are certain to be those undertaken closest in time to the murders.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2012 8:22:33 AM

Fed Defender --

For a person with normal morals (whether a defense lawyer, prosecutor, or the man-off-the-street) publicly to suggest that the bereaved parents of a murdered little girl did the killing to cover up their non-existent molestation of her, when that person had previously conveyed the actual killer's offer to disclose where he had put the girl's body, is cynical and cruel beyond belief.

I can't be the only one who's astounded at the exemption defense lawyers give themselves for behavior that in any other context would get them blackballed from civil society.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2012 8:40:55 AM

Bill,

Because I have sort of a Churchillian view of the adversarial system- "It is the worst type of criminal justice system there is...except for all the others", feel free to quote me. Just remember to use the whole quote, including the part that says "For all its flaws."

As for alternative Sandusky strategies, not being privy to the case file or Sandusky, I have no idea what alternatives could have been pursued. Perhaps with better counsel, he could have been persuaded to plead guilty- see Kaczynski; perhaps he could have attempted some mental impairment defense- insanity, diminished capacity- which even if far-fetched and unlikely to succeed (as you reasonably posit) might have marginally helped him at sentencing which his chosen strategy- even more far-fetched and futile- certainly did not not.

Let me turn the question around- in your "truth-centric" system, how do you propose Sandusky should have been represented? That he should have received no defense at all because his guilt was apparent to all? If so, how do we extrapolate that to next case and the one after that? Is a 98% guilty defendant entitled to a defense? a 90% guilty one? 75%?

To repeat my earlier comment, until you answer these sorts of questions, I have no idea how your system would work in practice. Finally, do you disagree the adversary system produces "true" verdicts- i.e. the guilty are convicted- the great majority of the time? If so, it seems to me your proposals are a solution in search of a problem.

Oh, and by the way, do you think overall there are more wrongly convicted defendants or wrongly acquitted ones?

Posted by: Fed Defender | Jul 22, 2012 8:50:38 AM

Bill,

First, as I'm sure you already know, if defense lawyers have an "exemption" to behave in uncivil ways, it is not one they have given themselves. It is given to them by the system. As you have made clear, you don't like this and want to change the system. Maybe you're right and the system tilts too far in the direction of lawyer zealousness and away from "truth" or "compassion" or whatever. I remain unconvinced but, any way you slice it, you're problem is not with defense lawyers who, by and large operate within the rules they are given, but with the system itself.

Posted by: Fed Defender | Jul 22, 2012 9:12:52 AM

Fed Defender --

Good questions, all. I'll be out of pocket most of today, but will return to them.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2012 9:13:35 AM

Josh: you assert that I have "offered ... overhasty call for the death penalty after Loughner" committed mass murder and now in the wake of Holmes' even more brutal acts, and you suggest this may be "faux populism offered to maintain a sort of centrist street cred." Let me clarify what I think I actually said (and/or desire to say):

1. I view mass murders involving many innocent victims which apparently lacking any plausible justification or provocation --- e.g., Loughner & Holmes --- to be crimes of a unique character that make me feel that a uniquely severe criminal punishment should be available as part of society's response to these kinds of crimes.

2. Because the death penalty is a uniquely severe punishment embraced by modern US democracy, I am instinctly and emotionally drawn to this punishment in the immediate aftermath of these crimes.

3. I never mean to call for (nor do I think I really have called for) mass murderers like Loughner & Holmes to be hastily executed. Rather, my main goal and hope in blog posts right after these events is to give expression to my own (and perhaps others') feelings that the death penalty, at least instinctly and emotionally, feels like a fitting punishment for these kinds of crimes. Thereafter, I am content and quite proud that the US justice system will take its time (though probably too much time) exploring just whether and when the uniquely severe punishment embraced by modern US democracy is, in fact, a truly fitting punishment for the murderer at the center of these horrible events.

4. Though I suppose I like having "street cred" in various circles, I hope that such cred will always come from the belief that I aspire to be truthful, transparent and thoughtful in all that I say on this blog and all that I do in my professional and personal life.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jul 22, 2012 1:24:58 PM

"the death penalty is a uniquely severe punishment embraced by modern US democracy"

Not in various cases, including when the person is mentally ill to the extent that s/he is not legally liable to be put to death. Such crimes have a disproportional chance of involving such individuals. So, before we know the facts, my "emotional" reaction is to feel it not proper (taking the death penalty as legal) to suddenly assume it is the appropriate option.

Such is just a personal reaction. Again, this is taking for granted that the death penalty is an acceptable punishment in some cases. It also suggests why it is a problem in general -- some of the "best" case scenarios turn out to be mentally unfit individuals without the full guilt to warrant execution. For instance, shooting the President, seems like a clear case. But, case after case, turns out such people were mentally unfit individuals (John Booth perhaps an exception).

I'm not sure what executing this guy will do really for the family of the victims but obviously this will depend on the person. Some victims oppose the death penalty even then, some don't, some don't get much closure though they have no feelings of remorse or opposition to executing the person. For me personally, the immediate thought is that executing this guy doesn't do us that much good. He is also not a "dog." He is a human being. Some think one with a soul. Some think he should be executed others not. But, he is not a "dog."

Posted by: Joe | Jul 22, 2012 2:13:48 PM

"Fed Defender: What is your opinion of the ethics of this true scenario?

Defense counsel offers the location of the body of the tortured, raped, and murdered little girl in exchange for withdrawal of the death penalty.

Prosecution declines the offer. Trial proceeds.

The defense now tries to show that the parents murdered the little girl, to cover up their sexual abuse of her. They put the parents through the wringer trying to prove the innocence of the defendant.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 21, 2012 5:51:29 PM"

Now me i'm a mean vindictive hillbilly.

my response would be!

"Well now that you have admitted to being an accessory AFTER the fact at a minimum. You have 2 min's to give me the location in exchage for which i WON'T kill you along with your client!"

as for this bill!

"Michael Parente --

Once it is determined that this guy knew right from wrong and was able to control his behavior, any additional litigation is simply process for process's sake -- exactly what is driving up the costs we can no longer afford.

Where, as here, there is no doubt of factual guilt, time to get on with it. The system buys its own disrepute by tolerating gratuitous delay."

When there is no doubt as to guilt. time to move on. Under our sytem you have some someone conduct an exectuion in front of 50,000 people and 10,000,000 on TV and on the nightly news it would be "the alledged perpetrator"

Posted by: rodsmith | Jul 22, 2012 3:17:12 PM

Fed Defender --

"Let me turn the question around- in your "truth-centric" system, how do you propose Sandusky should have been represented?"

Excellent question. Let me illustrate by scripting for you the Sandusky - Lawyer initial meeting, where the lawyer is truthcentric:

Lawyer (L): The state has ten victim witnesses and an eye witness. I need for you to tell me whether they're all lying, because that's the main thing a jury will be thinking about.

Sandusky(S): (Squirming) I was just horsing around.

L: Look, if you're going to do a shake-and-jive with me, that's going to handicap me in thinking about what we should do. What these people describe is not "horsing around."

S: I've got character witnesses.

L: There is no chance you can win this case with just character witnesses. I need for you to be honest with me.

S: I've said what I'm going to say.

L: Then you'll be toast at trial, whether I call you to the stand or not. Your best choice is to plead guilty, give a tearful apology, and hope it gets you something other than a life sentence, which is what you're headed for right now.

S: I want a trial. I'm not about to admit to these gross charges.

L: I've told you what I think your best path is. You are free to reject that advice, but if you do, I don't know how I can help you. If you won't accept my best judgment, I am poorly positioned to defend you.

S: You're an arrogant jackass, and you're fired. There are plenty of lawyers in this town.

L: You are of course free to discharge me. Thank you for your time. I'll say only one more thing: If I see you anywhere near my 12 year-old son, I'll knock you into next week.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2012 3:43:50 PM

Although the Rules of Evidence prohibit any inference from the refusal of the defendant to testify, normal human reaction says otherwise. The jury is thinking.

I am innocent. I have been falsely accused. I want to scream my testimony to the world, to defend myself. I am agitated and angry at the false charges and want every opportunity and a long allotted time to defend myself.

Playing it cool, and not testifying is always an indicator of guilt. Or really bad legal advice, even if I have an eye in the middle of my forehead, and two horns growing from the sides.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 22, 2012 4:59:00 PM

Bill, we can all agree it's the shooter not the gun, but would you not agree that if the killer had not had a 100-round magazine, there might be fewer deaths. How about limiting magazines to 10 rounds or even 20?

"(CNN) -- The semi-automatic rifle used in the Colorado theater killings jammed during the rampage, apparently because of a problem with the 100-shot magazine feeding it, a law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the investigation said Sunday.

The military-style AR-15 had a separately purchased drum magazine, which can have trouble feeding bullets into the firing chamber if the gun is fired rapidly, the source told CNN.

"These after-market extended magazines have a tendency to jam," the source said."

Posted by: onlooker | Jul 22, 2012 8:28:53 PM

onlooker --

"Bill, we can all agree it's the shooter not the gun..."

I wonder about that. If it were true, we would see the phrase "shooter violence" as often as we see "gun violence." But we see only the latter, I strongly suspect because those using it want to deflect responsibility away from a sentient being and onto an object. But the basic problem isn't the object.

As to your suggestion about limiting rounds, off the seat of my pants I have no particular objection to it, but I have to tell you that I know zilch about guns or ammunition, and people who do might see problems that I miss because of my lack of knowledge.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 23, 2012 12:06:44 AM

Aussie lawyer here again. Sympathy to all. Perhaps a little of our experience with mass murders like this might assist debate?

1996, high power assault rifles used to kill 36 people and wound others in a single shooter episode. The offender is/was schizophrenic. His guns were legal. For the first few years in custody he was a management problem because he kept trying to kill himself (and only succeeded in creating some serious harm). He now looks set to spend the remainder of his life in a sterile, cornerless, white cell on his own. He has pleaded to die.

Since the shooting, high power semi-auto long arms were banned (with an amnesty period in which to hand in firearms). No similar episode since.

Posted by: Marko | Jul 23, 2012 2:28:39 AM

Bill --- with regard to your hypothetical interview that a lawyer might have had with Sandusky under a "truth-centric" approach, I think interviews like that (or somewhat similar to that) do happen nowadays under the current system. If the evidence against a client is overwhelming, I think many lawyers have discussions that indicate the best path of action is damage control, etc.

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 23, 2012 11:22:37 AM

Tim Holloway --

I'm glad to hear it. The more that truth ordains the outcome, the better off we are.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 23, 2012 1:13:08 PM

Bill:

Now I finally understand why you submit such vitriolic posts against the defense bar. It is the "truth-centric" view of what you believe the law should be, but not what it is. Now I have a better context.

Posted by: FPD | Jul 24, 2012 10:22:55 AM

FPD --

Anytime you want to defend the deceitcentric view of law, as opposed to the one I propose, feel free. I must have missed that defense in your last comment.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 24, 2012 7:55:57 PM

Isn't the theory that the adversarial process does in fact result in the truth, but not the necessary the truth as determined from one side of the fence? While theory and what actually happens are two different things, it does not seem like any one side should be determining the truth.

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 25, 2012 12:54:41 PM

Tim Holloway --

"Isn't the theory that the adversarial process does in fact result in the truth, but not the necessary the truth as determined from one side of the fence? While theory and what actually happens are two different things, it does not seem like any one side should be determining the truth."

I could scarcely agree more. That is precisely why I think BOTH sides -- and indeed the entire profession -- should be bound to a truthcentric ethic, even while, in individual cases fought out within that ethic, presenting the client's best case. The problem with the present system is not that it's adversarial, but that there is a gross asymmetry in the allegience the respective adversaries owe to the truth.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 26, 2012 12:09:43 AM

i'm with bill and tim here! it's long long long past time we remember that part of the oath!

"The TRUTH; the WHOLE TRUTH! and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!"

anyone who can't go along with that if they are part of the sytem needs to be LOCKED UP!

Posted by: rodsmith | Jul 27, 2012 3:29:17 PM

Thanks for the information, it's been useful.

Posted by: Basement Finishing System | Aug 21, 2012 7:18:25 AM

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July 22, 2012

Offense/offender distinctions in first-cut punishment reactions to Batman mass murder

Not surprisingly, my first post about the horrific mass murder in Colorado this past week has generated lots and lots of strong comments from all sorts of perspectives. I do not wish to respond or even engage with all the commentary (which, helpfully, has been at least a bit more respectful and measured than seen in some comment threads here), but I do want to encourage a bit more precision in how people understand my first-cut reaction and also in how they discuss this case. I hope to do so by using what I consider an important (and too rarely stressed) distinction between offense conduct and offender characteristics in the assessment of crimes and punishments.

I suspect all would agree that, short of crimes of genocide and mass terrorist killings, the offense conduct involved in the Batman mass murder is among the worst kinds of offenses one can imagine. Without any apparent justification or provocation, an adult has slaughtered in cold blood a dozen innocent individuals and did so in a manner indicating he hoped to kill many more persons (both at the scene of the crime and back at his booby-trapped apartment full of explosives). And though we still are learning more about the offense, we already know enough to make some first-cut, informed judgments about the offense conduct.

Meanwhile, I suspect all would also agree that, absent some magical comprehensive indisputable report about the shooter's life history and mental issues, the offender characteristics surrounding the Batman mass murderer could take a long time to understand and assess. Though early reports about the shooter allow us to imagine various theories to explain his behavior, we must discover a whole lot more about his history and characteristics before we could even begin to make even first-cut, informed judgments about the impact and import of the shooter's offender characteristics. Finally, I suspect all would agree that fair, fitting and effective punishments must give some weight to both offense conduct and offender characteristics. But there is great disagreement as to how much weight to give to these (often divergent) factors AND as to whether and when some factors can and should overwhelm others in the assessment of fitting punishments. Putting all this together, it is not at all surprising that some are eager to reach first-cut punishment assessments based on the Batman mass murder mostly known offense conduct, while others are eager to resist any such assessments based on the shooter's mostly unknown offender characteristics.

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Offender characteristics, in particular his ability to distinguish right from wrong, and conform his behavior to the requirements of law, of course should be found out. But that can be done in a year or less (probably a lot less). Indeed, anything even conceivably relevant can be found out in a matter of months.

There is not a wisp of indication here of any of the usual excuses, i.e., racism, poverty, poor education. There is also no psychiatric history. What is actually going on is not a rush to judgment, but a rush to non-judgment, said non-judgment to be (defense types hope) permanent or quasi-permanent. Why should the country put up with that?

We already know the two most important things -- who did it and what he did. It will not take years or anything close to years to find out the rest, unless there is intentional foot dragging.

The defense will seek delay simple for delay's sake (and also so they can run the meter). There is no reason to allow it. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2012 8:01:09 AM

It is not helpful to marginalize those who care about offender characteristics as "hard-core" radicals. It is those who call for the death penalty without an assessment of offender characteristics who are outside the constitutional mainstream. Those of us wanting to wait for offender characteristics are simply taking the position of the majority of United States Supreme Court post-Gregg.

Posted by: Josh | Jul 22, 2012 9:00:20 AM

Professor Berman stated: "Putting all this together, it is not at all surprising that some are eager to reach first-cut punishment assessments based on the Batman mass murder offense conduct, while others are eager to resist any such assessments based on the shooter's mostly unknown offender characteristics."

You portray the other thread in an obviously biased and backwards fashion. If you look at the previous thread, it is quite clear that that the defense types did not "resist" the the "offense conduct" approach at all. They began the comments with "the guy is crazy" defense.

To be accurate, those sympathetic to the prosecution "resisted" the "offender characteristics" crowd.

Let's at least try to be more fair and accurate than Brian Ross and ABC.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 22, 2012 9:29:57 AM

The shooter wanted to cause the death of other human beings. You are so outraged that you want to cause the death of a fellow human being.

Looks like you two have a lot in common.

Last I checked it was the JUSTICE SYSTEM, not the VENGEANCE SYSTEM.

Posted by: clarkcountycriminalcops | Jul 22, 2012 9:44:55 AM

Take an extreme offender characteristic, say, he was asleep when carrying out his intentional acts, and now aghast at what he did. (neither is true of course; he is acting like a nut in jail).

What difference does it make if public safety is the priority? He should still be executed as soon as possible. It should have been done at the scene after victim 1, where the entire audience was armed and blasted him.

The lawyer protects the retarded, the insane, the emotionally distraught to generate government make work. These mitigating factors are in bad faith, to generate income.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 22, 2012 10:38:39 AM

clarkcountycriminalcops said, "Looks like you two have a lot in common."

Assuming a fair process, if the defendant did what he is accused of, he should be executed. Yes, I am outraged! Please tell me again what I have in common with this mass murderer!

Posted by: Stanley Feldman | Jul 22, 2012 11:49:56 AM

Clarkcountycriminalcops stated: "Looks like you two have a lot in common."

Care to explain how walking into a movie theater and mowing down people whose greatest offense is wanting to enjoy a movie with friends and family is similar in any way to the years of trials and appeals that the murderer will get?

In a nutshell, your statement is absurd. Of course, reading your user name gave little promise it would be anything but.

You stated: "Last I checked it was the JUSTICE SYSTEM, not the VENGEANCE SYSTEM."

An overwhelming majority of your countrymen see the DP as justice and I suspect it will be even higher for this guy. You are the one on the radical limb.

And incarceration falls under the category of "punishment" just as much as the DP does. Using your own logic, then it must be "vengeance" as well.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 22, 2012 12:33:13 PM

clarkcountycriminalcops --

"The shooter wanted to cause the death of other human beings. You are so outraged that you want to cause the death of a fellow human being."

Some people think the reason for killing counts in assessing both its morality and legality, but we wouldn't want to let that stop you.

"Looks like you two have a lot in common."

Looks like you might benefit from learning that thinking involves differentiation.

"Last I checked it was the JUSTICE SYSTEM, not the VENGEANCE SYSTEM."

Last I checked the justice system permitted the death penalty, including for cases a great deal less aggravated than this one.



Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2012 1:50:38 PM

I speak for myself (and maybe some others, too) when I say there's a whole 'nother factor to take into consideration aside from offense and offender characteristics when talking about the death penalty, and that is just simply this: the belief that it is a morally wrong thing and that not the state nor anyone ought to have the power to lawfully take another's life (except in cases of self defense). That remains true for me irrespective of the offense or offender characteristics.

FWIW, I say that even agreeing with Doug that as far as offense characteristics go, this is among the worst.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 22, 2012 1:58:08 PM

Guy: I always find (seemingly) absolutist positions appealing as a way to simplify a debate, but I have to wonder if self-defense is the only exception you really concede. What about killings during a war OR state killings (via, say, drone strikes) that seek preventively to take out future mass murderers? And where might abortions fit into this mix (either of the early-term or late-term variety), OR "killings" that are surely foreseeable when a government decides to raise a speed limit?

I have great respect for TRUE ABSOLUTE pacifists who believe so strongly in the "no knowing killing" position that they would say that even a killing in self defense is morally wrong. But once one begins to acknowledge/accept/endorse that some killings might be morally justifiable --- e.g., for self defense, in war, to stop sure to commit murders in the future --- then I think the debate quick becomes a very messy one concerning which offense/offender realities can be thought to justify in some cases a lawful state killing.

Indeed, this is my main conceptual beef with many DP abolitionists: they are often prepared to accept/sanction lawful the state-sanctioned taking human life for self defense and in war (and sometimes via abortion), but then claim to have an "absolutist" opposition to state killing. This view on taking life is surely defensible, but it is not properly viewed as an absolutist position in any real sense. In my opinion, it is just one (of many) nuanced view on when killing is and is not potentially justifiable.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jul 22, 2012 2:28:24 PM

 A L L



In my opinion , the offender is either insane or unbelievably evil .

The curve of distribution has extremes at evil and kind.

COs death penalty did NOT deter this offender .

The State should use its time and resources to study the offender from birth to planning stage and beyond .

His desire for evil did not begin nor ripen a nanosecond before the gas canister throw .

DJB Columbus , Ohio 43209

Reachable at docile_jim_brady@Safe-mail.net

Posted by: M. Blank | Jul 22, 2012 2:31:36 PM

Ideally , a movie attendee with a firearm near the exit door would immediately go to full alert when anyone entered the theater through the same exit door that one earlier exited .

Upon seeing the offenders paraphernalia , e.g. , canister , firearms , helmet , etc., the offender should have been immediately eliminated to PREVENT* the attack .

* STOP the attack does not apply in this situation ; it had already begun with the canister throw.

Posted by: M. Blank | Jul 22, 2012 2:41:18 PM

I agree in toto with Doug's comment. The absolutist position against the deliberate taking of human life is almost never as airtight as it claims to be, and if it were, it would be utterly indefensible.

Guy would allow for self-defense. But what about defense of another in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm? Is it OK to kill some guy who's about to toss a hand grenade into a crowded school bus? Virtually every sane person would say, you bet.

We had Navy Seals cold-bloodedly plan and carry out the killing of Osama, even though Osama was, at the time of his shooting, watching TV with his wives, and even though the USA has no declared war in Afghanistan, much less with al Qaeda.

Are the SEALS morally blameworthy? Again, the overwhelming majority would say that, not only are they not blameworthy, they're heroes.

In WWII, some inmates at a Nazi work/gassing camp in Poland (Sobibor) covertly organized a revolt which resulted in the ambush deaths of many German guards. Their "cold-blooded" plan is regarded by history, not as murder, but as a mind-bending act of courage.

And of course, as Doug points out, we undertake many enterprises (highways, mining, major project construction) knowing in advance that deaths will result -- deaths that could be and would be averted if we would all just go back to living in caves. Are those who organize these projects murderers?

Guy is a good guy, so to speak, but his position that all deliberated killing except in self-defense is impermissible is so patently wrong that it has virtually no subscription, even on this blog.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 22, 2012 4:11:28 PM

"the belief that it is a morally wrong thing and that not the state nor anyone ought to have the power to lawfully take another's life"



Why is it morally wrong?

Posted by: muscleman | Jul 22, 2012 4:31:35 PM

Rent seeking explains the contradictions inherent in the abolitionist position. None can utter the V word, where millions have been foreseeably murdered over the decades, especially with dark skins. Not a word about those murders. Never. No abolitionist can utter the V word.

However, the government must go to the ends of the earth to protect the murderer. Why? Because the murderer generates massive government make work lawyer employment. The abolitionist is always a big government advocate, a government employee, such as Claudio, or a government dependent parasite on mental disability or welfare. The inherent economic conflict of interest makes the abolitionist position one in bad faith, if they fail to disclose that conflict of interest, so their credibility may be discounted accordingly. Economic conflict of interest is a middle class, educated synonym for armed robbery. If you refuse to pay your taxes for them to steal, a man with a gun will come over and help you pay your taxes.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 22, 2012 4:45:55 PM

"You two have a lot in common."

I know for a fact that I am not morally superior to anyone, not even Bin Laden. I fully grasp his thinking and justifications. And if God exists, he took Bin Laden's side on 9/11, and severely punished the US with a $7 trillion strike to its economy. The US suffered because it is run by lawyers, and not leaders, cowards, appeasers, rent seekers, plea bargainers, feminists and their male running dogs, bitches in prison parlance. Whereas the enemy is poor, stupid, primitive but courageous and bold. No feminist has pussified the Taliban. When our warriors are courageous and bold, they get prosecuted by the internal feminist traitors and weasels.

What we are is us, and they are them. And we have to kill them before they kill us. The lawyer traitor allows 17,000 murders a year. Over 2000 are by paranoid schizophrenics defending themselves against imaginary tormentors, under the full protection of the feminist lawyer and its male running dogs. There is an excess of 5000 unexpected murders of black males. The KKK lynched 5000 in over 100 years. The feminist traitor is 100 times as effective as the KKK in eradicating black males.

No, I do not feel morally superior to the mass murderer. I just want us to go first.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 22, 2012 5:10:37 PM

@ Supremacy Claus .." if the defendant did what he is accused of, he should be executed. Yes, I am outraged! Please tell me again what I have in common with this mass murderer!"

A. The desire to end the life of a fellow human being. What part of your own post confuses you?

@ Stanley Feldman "An overwhelming majority of your countrymen see the DP as justice and I suspect it will be even higher for this guy."

There was a time when the "overwhelming majority of [my] countrymen" believed slavery was right and proper.

There was a time when the "overwhelming majority of [my] countrymen" thought the Earth was flat.

There was a time when the "overwhelming majority of [my] countrymen" thought burning witches was a fun family outing.

I have no desire to join those that lust for the blood of their fellow man. I have no desire to abandon my Christian values. I have no desire to support a government program that is both more costly than the alternatives and, as a bonus, is entirely ineffective. leave such things to the liberals.

And since a dictionary has never been made available to you, there is a vast difference between punishment and vengeance. Punishment is a penalty or sanction on (someone) in order for them to a. pay for their crimes, or b. to remove the dangers they pose from society. Vengeance is not about making a criminal pay, but making YOU feel better about what happened. It satisfies the most base emotions. Vengeance is selfish.

So once again, you support the selfish killing of your fellow man. Yep crazy to think you had something in common with the shooter.

p.s. What's up with the Jul 22, 2012 9:44:55 AM post that is attributed to me? I didn't write that.

Posted by: clarkcountycriminalcops | Jul 22, 2012 5:27:14 PM

"p.s. What's up with the Jul 22, 2012 9:44:55 AM post that is attributed to me? I didn't write that."

My bad, I mis-read the format.

Posted by: clarkcountycriminalcops | Jul 22, 2012 5:29:42 PM

I think Guy's point is that a civilized society should do its best not to kill unless out of necessity. War can create necessity, and all are likely to agree that war is a "necessary evil." But there is a difference between war and killing someone who is incarcerated. There is typically no necessity in the latter, not even in attenuated form (unless one believes that the death penalty actually adds deterrent value over a life sentence). Life in prison is a dreadful punishment that protects the public. At that point, killing may seem to serve the purpose only to satisfy a craving for revenge. Some call it retribution, but I think it a pathological desire to pacify one's own base feelings by inflicting an unnecessary death.

Posted by: AnonymousOne | Jul 22, 2012 6:34:34 PM

AnonymousOne: This is a personal attack.

I demand you utter the V word. You can't without choking.

You must also disclose whether you are a government dependent parasite.

The death penalty is nothing you say it is. It is to get rid of the person, and to end the problems this person causes.

LWOP is a license to kill better than that of James Bond. There are far more murders of innocent people in prison than there are executions, thanks to obstructionists, and pro-criminal rent seekers. A prison official was quoted on this blog, "He could lose his cafeteria privilege," of the lifer murderer of a female guard.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 22, 2012 7:34:33 PM

ClarkCountyCriminalCops stated: "There was a time when the "overwhelming majority of [my] countrymen" believed slavery was right and proper.

There was a time when the "overwhelming majority of [my] countrymen" thought the Earth was flat.

There was a time when the "overwhelming majority of [my] countrymen" thought burning witches was a fun family outing."

I am not certain if any of the above statements are true. At the time of our founding, slavery was abolished in the north (which were more populous), it was common knowledge that the earth was round, and the Salem witch trials were a century old.

In any event, your entire answer is a dodge. Although majority opinion does not necessarily mean a position is correct, examples otherwise also do not prove yours is. Being in such a minority should give you pause though...

You stated: "I have no desire to join those that lust for the blood of their fellow man."

You operate on a false premise, that support for the DP is out of a "lust for blood." Any evidence that my support of the DP is a lust for blood and NOT out of justice and the safety of society?

You stated: "I have no desire to abandon my Christian values."

You do understand that there is not a single verse on scripture that bans the governmental imposition of the DP, correct? You do understand that a majority of people that follow "Christian values" as ardently as you do support the DP, correct?

You stated: "I have no desire to support a government program that is both more costly than the alternatives and, as a bonus, is entirely ineffective."

There are reams of scientific studies that point to it being a deterrent.

You stated: "Punishment is a penalty or sanction on (someone) in order for them to a. pay for their crimes, or b. to remove the dangers they pose from society. Vengeance is not about making a criminal pay, but making YOU feel better about what happened. It satisfies the most base emotions. Vengeance is selfish."

Again, a false premise. Revenge is personal. I have had no personal attachment to the execution of a murderer. In fact, although I am a DP supporter, I am probably the ONLY poster here that has helped a serial murderer escape the DP without getting paid for it. If you have evidence that I support the DP out of vengeance, show it. Put up or shut up...

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 22, 2012 8:58:46 PM

@ Doug:

Guy: I always find (seemingly) absolutist positions appealing as a way to simplify a debate, but I have to wonder if self-defense is the only exception you really concede. What about killings during a war OR state killings (via, say, drone strikes) that seek preventively to take out future mass murderers? And where might abortions fit into this mix (either of the early-term or late-term variety), OR "killings" that are surely foreseeable when a government decides to raise a speed limit?

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. It gets more complicated when you start broadening the frame. It's a more straightforward question when you're talking one-on-one self-defense, but when we start talking governments and war, it becomes more complicated for sure. As you might imagine, as far as armed conflict goes, I'd align my position along something of a peacekeeping theory -- or to say that a defensive war is at least more just than an offensive one.

Even still, I'm not sure that makes it just, or good. Maybe sometimes circumstances are such you (you in the collective, not the personal sense) feel it necessary to commit evil in order to produce a greater good. That may be so, and I'll even grant that the calculus may be accurate (or less accurate, cf. Operation Iraqi Freedom). To me, however, that doesn't make the underlying act any more or less morally defensible. You may engage in evil with good intentions, but you engage in evil nonetheless.

I have great respect for TRUE ABSOLUTE pacifists who believe so strongly in the "no knowing killing" position that they would say that even a killing in self defense is morally wrong. But once one begins to acknowledge/accept/endorse that some killings might be morally justifiable --- e.g., for self defense, in war, to stop sure to commit murders in the future --- then I think the debate quick becomes a very messy one concerning which offense/offender realities can be thought to justify in some cases a lawful state killing.

I guess in a sense you could paint me with that brush. What I mean to say is that no killing is morally justifiable, but circumstances may dictate that it be necessary and in line with the instinct of self-preservation. The most which I would say is that the circumstances certainly can mitigate culpability, blameworthiness even, but the act itself is still a wrong -- nothing to be cheered, to be feel good about.

Indeed, this is my main conceptual beef with many DP abolitionists: they are often prepared to accept/sanction lawful the state-sanctioned taking human life for self defense and in war (and sometimes via abortion), but then claim to have an "absolutist" opposition to state killing. This view on taking life is surely defensible, but it is not properly viewed as an absolutist position in any real sense. In my opinion, it is just one (of many) nuanced view on when killing is and is not potentially justifiable.

I guess that's the thing, I'm not sure I'd ever sanction it. Abortion is a whole 'nother can of worms, because then you get into the personhood debate, and what a debate it is.,..

But, in sum, I just feel like it's not something that can ever really be completely defended, morally. Self-defense is probably the closest case, but even then the underlying act is still wrong, even if it is justifiable. As I believe I posted on here once, you only ever have to justify the things you know to be wrong to begin with.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 22, 2012 8:59:01 PM

@ Bill:

I agree in toto with Doug's comment. The absolutist position against the deliberate taking of human life is almost never as airtight as it claims to be, and if it were, it would be utterly indefensible.

Guy would allow for self-defense. But what about defense of another in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm? Is it OK to kill some guy who's about to toss a hand grenade into a crowded school bus? Virtually every sane person would say, you bet.

See my response to Doug, which hopefully clarifies. I would say that the killing is justifiable, but still morally wrong. Would I kill him, if I were in that position? I would, absolutely. I still nevertheless believe I would have committed a wrongful act, even if my wrongful act is nevertheless excusable on the grounds of defense of others.

We had Navy Seals cold-bloodedly plan and carry out the killing of Osama, even though Osama was, at the time of his shooting, watching TV with his wives, and even though the USA has no declared war in Afghanistan, much less with al Qaeda.

Are the SEALS morally blameworthy? Again, the overwhelming majority would say that, not only are they not blameworthy, they're heroes.

I didn't cheer when bin Laden was killed. I think it was wrong, even despite the vast carnage that he was responsible for. He should have been brought to stand trial, either here or in the Hague. I know that my opinion is not popular, and that's fine. If everyone thought like me, what a boring place this would be.

In WWII, some inmates at a Nazi work/gassing camp in Poland (Sobibor) covertly organized a revolt which resulted in the ambush deaths of many German guards. Their "cold-blooded" plan is regarded by history, not as murder, but as a mind-bending act of courage.

And, were I in those inmates' position would I have done the exact same thing? Absolutely. And, as I've tried to explain, my actions would probably be justifiable -- but that doesn't make the underling act somehow not wrong. As I wrote in the closing to my response to Doug's post, you only have to justify the things that are wrong to begin with.

And of course, as Doug points out, we undertake many enterprises (highways, mining, major project construction) knowing in advance that deaths will result -- deaths that could be and would be averted if we would all just go back to living in caves. Are those who organize these projects murderers?

Guy is a good guy, so to speak, but his position that all deliberated killing except in self-defense is impermissible is so patently wrong that it has virtually no subscription, even on this blog.

No, and I never asserted that they were. On that view of causality, have my actions resulted in the deaths of at least a few persons over the course of my life? Have yours? Doug's? Almost certainly. I would say, though, that at a certain point the....oh I need to study torts again....intervening cause steps in and cuts that chain.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 22, 2012 9:07:54 PM

@ muscleman:

Why is it morally wrong?

For the same reasons it is morally wrong for any of us to go out and kill someone, I would imagine.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 22, 2012 9:09:31 PM

We know Obama's mental state when he gave the order to kill bin Laden. We know his mental state when he gave the order that resulted in the killing of al-Awlaki's 16-year-old son with a drone. http://www.salon.com/2011/10/20/the_killing_of_awlakis_16_year_old_son/

1) What provision in the U.S. Constitution purportedly authorized these premeditated and deliberate killings?

2) Why has Obama not been indicted for murder?

Guy -- I'm with you: The death penalty is immoral. In addition to it being immoral, government is simply to incompetent to be entrusted with taking lives. Perhaps certain killers should be deemed to forfeit their right to live by virtue of the killing(s) they have committed. However, government utterly lacks the competence to enforce any such forfeitures.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 22, 2012 9:40:17 PM

Some of the comments seem to suggest that the central argument of "abolitionists" is that it is not morally unjustified under any circumstance, or alternatively, that it's a scam intent on using the justice system to seek rent in capital cases. If I may be frank, that's an insulting reduction of the case against the DP.

The central argument against the DP is three-fold: a) that the government is incapable of administrating it in a fair and unbiased manner, b) that a small but still distressing minority of capital cases involve wrongfully convicted defendants, and c) that limitations on human knowledge prevent us from establishing guilt with the moral certainty necessary to justify a death sentence. I assure those concerned that it has nothing to do with making money off death penalty appeals.

The counter-examples involving self-defense are inapposite, because they necessarily assume perfect knowledge of a person's circumstances. In most DP cases, neither the jury nor the court can claim to have perfect knowledge of the events that led to the sentence. This stems from the fact that DP cases are no different than any other criminal trial: the jurors are making their best guess as to what they think the evidence shows beyond a reasonable doubt. The question in our case is whether "reasonable doubt" is capable of establishing the type of moral certainty that justifies sentencing a person to death. The impressive number of death row inmates who have been exonerated in recent years demonstrate that jurors can and do get this question wrong. Even if we assume a 99% accuracy rate for guilty verdicts in capital cases, that still means that 1 out of every 100 people we execute is innocent. Are we really comfortable with killing 1 in 100 to get at the other 99? On that question, I defer to Thomas Paine:

"An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."

 Thomas Paine, Dissertations on First Principles of Government, 1795

Posted by: LTMC | Jul 22, 2012 9:50:50 PM

LTMC: Again, will the criminal increase your income? If you are a corporation lawyer, you are still making money off the criminal by decreased competition for your job, as the criminal justice system absorbs your colleagues. You must disclose that fact if you are going to defend the indefensible, so we can understand why. If you will make money off the criminal, you are a crook, stealing tax dollars, collected at the point of a gun. That is the sole explanation for the 18 million FBI Index felonies that go unanswered by the lawyer each year, and why the US is the most violent First World nation. The criminal is in utter failure. No other human activity is carried out so badly in the US. The lawyer running the criminal sucks, in total failure at protecting the public. Its sole success is to steal tax dollars and hunt the productive male.

Your main arguments are really one argument, the error rate. It was dispatched long ago in this blog.

To be consistent logically, you must advocate the end of all transportation. There are 30,000 deaths a year in the most horrific manner, where people are butchered slowly by metal and glass, and linger in agony for hours. That includes hundreds of pedestrian deaths, many times the number of murderers executed. Stop all walking in the street until the error rate is eliminated 100%. While at it, end all other human activities until their error rate is corrected.

We choose to build roads, and drive cars because the benefits outweigh the risks. I have never seen this moderate analysis by abolitionists. The abolitionist wants to stop all executions, because of an error rate. That means the arguments about error are phony, and pretextual. If made in an appellate court, the judge should assess all costs to the personal assets of the abolitionist bringing false arguments to fool the court. To deter.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 22, 2012 10:09:30 PM

LTMC: You are a law student. I withdraw my personal remarks above. Go in peace, my friend.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 22, 2012 10:12:38 PM

@ CCDC & LTMC:

I agree, also, with the position that I'm not frankly very confident in our ability to separate out the guilty from the innocent. We have probably executed

Posted by: Guy | Jul 22, 2012 10:58:40 PM

@ CCDC & LTMC:

I agree, also, with the position that I'm not frankly very confident in our ability to separate out the guilty from the innocent. We have probably executed at least one innocent person , at least that we know of, though I'm sure there's bound to be others.

Even if we could be afforded a system, devoid from bias in its application and granted omniscience in its imposition, I would still object.

(apologies for the double post)

Posted by: Guy | Jul 22, 2012 11:00:28 PM

My concern with the death penalty, among others, is that they have the right person. If that is the case here and the authorities have arrested the person who did the shooting, if he is convicted, he should be executed. Nevertheless, CCDC has declared my DP position as the Moral Equivalent of first degree murder. I don't understand the self-righteous reference to Christianity in support of that position though.

Would the (CCDC's) logic follow that the executions following the Nuremberg trials are the moral equivalent of the atrocities committed by the defendants?

Although I would have stated it differently, SC made the very legitimate point that executing certain murderers is likely to save lives in the future, as LWOP arguably is not a deterrent to future murders.

Posted by: Stanley Feldman | Jul 23, 2012 12:16:26 AM

In my last post (12:16), I mistakenly wrote CCDC when I should have written clarkcountycriminalcops (CCCC). Please excuse my error.

Posted by: Stanley Feldman | Jul 23, 2012 12:26:20 AM

I don't think the offensive conduct here is as clear cut as you might like, Doug. One of the more interesting reactions to this event is the way that the "movie community" has taken it almost as a personal insult. I know some movie buffs who are huffing and puffing about how this isn't going to keep them from attending movies. I find it rather odd because I don't think his decision to attack a movie theater had anything to do with a hatred of movies; it was just a place where he knew a lot of people would be congregated.

I find it ironic that we have a tizzy fit over 12 dead people in America when 20x that amount died in fighting in Syria this weekend. It becomes very messy indeed when you try to explain all the moral outrage over the deaths in CO and the lack of moral outrage over all the deaths in Syria.

Posted by: Daniel | Jul 23, 2012 1:42:16 AM

While it would be right and moral for John Q. Public to kill Bad Man if John walks in on Bad shooting at a group of kindergarteners in a classroom, it would be wrong and immoral for the government to strap Bad down to a table and inject him with a lethal dose of poison 23 years after Bad's kindergarten shooting spree. The former would be necessary to prevent ongoing killings. The latter is unnecessary, and involves the State in the premeditated and deliberate killing of a defenseless human being.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 23, 2012 1:56:17 AM

The comparison of tone and substance of the debate on these two threads, with the reaction and process to the atrocity in Norway that occurred a year ago and which is nearing a sentencing of the guilty party there, is surely relevant and fascinating. Whereas the Norwegian authorities and public have maintained a dignified response, determined to safeguard the moral basis of law which determines that the state should never be reduced to the demeaning practice of the killing of civilians, here we have a body of commentators, with notable exceptions, who are blind, apparently, to what is important to a healthy civil society today. Doug states no more than what everyone can agree on ... that the offense conduct has resulted in a devastating consequence of loss of life .... and a rightful public response of horror and shock. But that takes the required debate nowhere. Unlike in Norway, where we have a perpetrator who at least proclaims a political motive, here we have an act that that seems likely to be nothing more than the result of a perverse fantasy. Already we can rule out other motives such as financial gain, personal loathing, lovers passion etc. The likelihood of mental instability, whatever its cause, is just about as high as it could get. All this talk of evil, unfortunately echoed by the President, is not a rational, considered or healthy response, but an emotional and even hysterical one. That is not to say we are not entitled to have such emotions ... we clearly are .... but in relation to an official response within the process of law, there is a need for detachment. The public at large, as in Norway, are then supported by the State in arriving at a dignified and calm response to the aberration of behavior which has occurred. The scale of death was much larger in Norway. The political motive (be it a rational one or the result of mental aberration) could possibly reflect a wider issue within Norwegian society that needs addressing. Yet throughout, the Norwegian people and the Norwegian authorities have acted to preserve personal and legal dignity without endangering life, and without the intention to take life. That is a healthy society ... and one the US should aspire to.

Posted by: peter | Jul 23, 2012 4:22:29 AM

Peter: The Norwegians are too intoxicated and depressed to react. If they were more sober, their eerie calm would be less weird. The shooter will not even get life. Aren't they the ones with the luxury prisons? Why do they love the criminal? They are a Commie country, and the criminal generates government make work. They care more about the rent than about people, the drunken Commies.

Daniel: Those are Americans in Colorado. In Syria, it is hard to tell which side is more heinous, and both sides hate America. The news is also one sided. The more killed, the fewer are left to attack us or Israel. The situation was similar in the Iran Iraq war. All those embassy attackers were likely among the million dead Iran suffered. We fed Iraq military intelligence to bring the Iranians to their knees. Our revenge was total and sweet. One million dead for the offense the US suffered seems about right. Japan attacked us. We killed 6 million of them. Germany did too. It cost them 7 million, and those million, blond, Aryan officers captured by the Russians? Still missing. Seems about right. To deter.

CCDC: "premeditated and deliberate killing of a defenseless human being." What the ...? There are many more prison murders by lifers than there are executions. Your ipse dixits are disgusting, not to mention uninformed. You never show the slightest evidence of ever having attended any law school.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Jul 23, 2012 6:34:00 AM

The fact that Norway can't think of anything to do to a guy who spends more than an hour mowing down 77 defenseless teenagers except send him to "treatment" is an indictment of Norway, not the United States.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 23, 2012 8:32:27 AM

"While it would be right and moral for John Q. Public to kill Bad Man if John walks in on Bad shooting at a group of kindergarteners in a classroom, it would be wrong and immoral for the government to strap Bad down to a table and inject him with a lethal dose of poison 23 years after Bad's kindergarten shooting spree."

I agree in part. It shouldn't take anything like 23 years.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 23, 2012 8:35:14 AM

Poor Doug B. he thought he could escape the blinding, accusatory fury of the DP-abolitionists by explaining about how he was concentrating on the wrongness of the act. He doesn't understand that, to their bizarre view, anyone who contemplates the DP in any circumstance is a combination of simpleton and murderer. And they react with special pain to a case like this where they can't marshal sympathetic facts and they know the American public ain't buying their argument...

Posted by: Sorry | Jul 23, 2012 9:25:29 AM

Dear Mass Murderers:

Proposition 34 is coming up on the ballot in California this November. It looks like it has a reasonable chance of passing, and that we will succeed in removing the barbaric death penalty from California. Could you guys hold off in carrying out anymore grizzly mass murders? We don't need to galvanize the other side.

Thank you.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 23, 2012 11:47:31 AM

While I am against the death penalty across the board, it seems a little disturbing that people in this thread are downplaying what this guy in Colorado did. At least I think Daniel did so and I think, although I have not had time to read the entire thread with attention to detail, others may be doing so.

This guy in Colorado whacked a bunch of people. Wake up.

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 23, 2012 12:07:59 PM

Daniel said, "I don't think the offensive conduct here is as clear cut as you might like."

How much "clearer" can it be? Numbers aside, how could it be any more offensive?

Posted by: Stanley Feldman | Jul 23, 2012 1:05:08 PM

"Proposition 34 is coming up on the ballot in California this November. It looks like it has a reasonable chance of passing, and that we will succeed in removing the barbaric death penalty from California. Could you guys hold off in carrying out anymore grizzly mass murders? We don't need to galvanize the other side. Thank you."

Translation I: "Please keep out of sight until after the referendum evidence massively relevant to the referendum. Thank you."

Translation II: "The best reason to avoid mass murder until after November 6 is to allow liberals enough space to hoodwink the public. On November 7, back to business."

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 23, 2012 1:10:20 PM

Sorry,

For my part, I am against the death penalty across the board, but I don't regard those who think different from me as simpletons and murders. Reasonable people can differ, and can do so respectfully -- though the existence of reasonable people, and of them differing respectfully, is a concept that the internet challenges on a routine basis.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 23, 2012 1:46:57 PM

Under the "mad dog" theory we kill the dog without hesitation regardless of how he became mad, why he became made, or how long he was mad. Indeed we kill the dog even though he became mad through no fault of his own, and even though he may, at one time, have been the most loving of pets. Why? In small part to save the dog from a horrible, lingering death. But in much larger part for the the safety of the rest of us who might be bitten by the dog. In a sense sense the "offender" characteristics of the dog, are vastly outweighed by the "offense conduct"--even if that conduct is merely the state of being mad.

So here, assuming defendant is found competent to be tried, and assuming defense of insanity is not raised, or if raised, is rejected by the jury, we find ourselves in the penalty phase. In California at least, jury would be instructed on aggravating and mitigating circumstances (one of the latter of which would me mental illness). Jury would be instructed to return penalty of death if aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating circumstances. Presumably (but by not means certainly) the jury will return a verdict of death. Not sure what the Colorado instructions will be.

Posted by: onlooker | Jul 23, 2012 2:15:36 PM

Onlooker, I think most people would agree that they way we deal with humans should be different than the way we deal with dogs --- but I acknowledge others made analogies to dogs in previous posts (perhaps in the earlier thread).

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 23, 2012 2:26:51 PM

Tim Holloway --

I agree that human beings must be treated better than dogs (although it's not fully clear why, since dogs have nicer temperments), but I also agree with onlooker's view of how this Aurora case ought to, and very likely will, play out.

Abolitionists tend not to want to admit it, but the best thing they have going for them is the fear that we will execute an innocent person. Where, as here, we know we have the right guy, and the scale of the brutality is stupendous, abolitionism is like lugging water up Mt. Everest (which was the reason for CCDC's post).

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 23, 2012 3:18:12 PM

Bill:

Then I'll carry some water up. I could do with the fresh air.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 23, 2012 3:20:29 PM

Bill errs when he tries to characterize all death penalty opponents as liberals.

Barack Obama is, in Bill Otis' mind, a liberal. However, Obama is not only a death penalty proponent, but also a proponent of ordering state-sponsored hits.

I oppose the death penalty in all cases. I'm not a liberal. I'm a libertarian.

Some people need to stop viewing everything through the prism of Team Red v. Team Blue.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 23, 2012 3:36:11 PM

@clarkcountycrimialcops

"The shooter wanted to cause the death of other human beings. You are so outraged that you want to cause the death of a fellow human being.

Looks like you two have a lot in common."

That's ridiculous. Wanting to see a mass murderer executed is in no way the equivalent of wanting to kill innocent people for fun anymore than wanting to see the mass murderer locked away for life makes you like Elizabeth Smart's kidnappers.

Posted by: MikeinCT | Jul 23, 2012 3:48:06 PM

OK - I'm not a doctor, and I can't diagnose people based on seeing them on TV. But, I just saw a shot on TV of dude being arraigned, and what I saw makes me question whether dude is all there.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 23, 2012 3:53:08 PM

With regard to CCDC's statement and liberal vs conservatism, it seems like many people want to put everything on some sort of continuum. Unless you drink the kool-aid of one party or the other and march completely in step, there is a great deal that you will disagree with even if you tend or always vote a straight party ticket.

With regard to the execution of an innocent person, yes, that is a big concern. The system is just too sloppy. Not giving the state the power to do this at all, prevents an error in this regard.

With regard to executing people like Ted Bundy, etc, it is very difficult to think these people deserve to live. They, assuming nothing like mental illness, are the poster boys for the death penalty.

However, even with them, you have to think where do we stand as a society, even assuming we got the right person who did this crazy stuff, when we essentially say "okay, lets put our collective resources behind exterminating them." It seems to me that the only justification, in relation to a Bundy, etc, is basically a moral standpoint that "we just don't do that to other humans regardless of what those persons have done as long as we can eliminate their danger to society." As a somewhat factor in this regard, think about the people who line up near the highway or prison with BB-Q and beer when they were executing Bundy. I tend to think many people believe the message that was being sent by that was not a good one. On the other hand, I bet there are a good number of people that would say that was just fine.

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 23, 2012 4:05:14 PM

I meant to say" "It seems to me that the only justification [FOR NOT IMPOSING A DP], in relation to a Bundy [WHEN -- LIKE WITH THIS COLORADO GUY -- IT IS BEYOND DISPUTE THEY DID IT], etc, is basically a moral standpoint that "we just don't do that to other humans regardless of what those persons have done as long as we can eliminate their danger to society."

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 23, 2012 4:07:54 PM

Bill & others:

There is more to the DP abolitionist argument than the possibility of mistake. See comment below, which might have gotten lost in the weeds:

I think Guy's point is that a civilized society should do its best not to kill unless out of necessity. War can create necessity, and all are likely to agree that war is a "necessary evil." But there is a difference between war and killing someone who is incarcerated. There is typically no necessity in the latter, not even in attenuated form (unless one believes that the death penalty actually adds deterrent value over a life sentence). Life in prison is a dreadful punishment that protects the public. At that point, killing may seem to serve the purpose only to satisfy a craving for revenge. Some call it retribution, but I think it a pathological desire to pacify one's own base feelings by inflicting an unnecessary death.

Obviously, some will disagree whether the satisfaction we get by killing a wretched person (rather than just incapacitating them) is "base." But that is a legitimate matter of debate. I don't believe it is an extreme position.

On a related note, though I am no longer religious, I recall one relevant lesson from a cleric, one to which I still adhere. He taught that one should not rejoice in the death of an opponent. That doesn't mean one should not kill an opponent. On the contrary, it is often necessary to do so to save lives. However, I will teach my children that killing is a sad necessity, not a cheerful game. I think that is the ultimate respect for life.

AO

Posted by: AnonymousOne | Jul 23, 2012 4:41:20 PM

@Stanley

Oh, I agree that the conduct was offensive. I don't think it's especially offensive. IMO, which is why I posted the link to The Onion in the last thread, is that the public's reaction to the crime is vastly, overwhelmingly, and disgustingly disproportionate to the crime. The vapid outrage is silly and honestly rather saddening.

I find the whole capital punishment debate stupid. He thought others could die at his whim so he has no cause to complain when society decides to kill him on their whim. I simply refuse to find any of the lives involved, victim or criminal, meaningful.





Posted by: Daniel | Jul 23, 2012 4:50:26 PM

Guy --

"Then I'll carry some water up. I could do with the fresh air."

You won't get it climbing Everest. On account of the altitude, you have to wear an oxygen mask, so that's all you get.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 23, 2012 5:06:32 PM

@ AO:

On a related note, though I am no longer religious, I recall one relevant lesson from a cleric, one to which I still adhere. He taught that one should not rejoice in the death of an opponent. That doesn't mean one should not kill an opponent. On the contrary, it is often necessary to do so to save lives. However, I will teach my children that killing is a sad necessity, not a cheerful game. I think that is the ultimate respect for life.

I think that sums up my emotional approach to it quite nicely.

@ Bill:

Well, as they say, I'll take what I can get. At least the view will be nice, if not the air.

Posted by: Guy | Jul 23, 2012 5:16:22 PM

Tim Holloway --

Two points. First, someone like Bundy has earned his way out of this world, and I have no problem giving people what they've earned. I don't regard it as uncivilized; indeed I regard it as the central purpose of litigation.

Second, it's just not the case that LWOP, no matter how secure we think it is, will keep us as safe from these people as executing them will. See Allen v. Woodford, 395 F.3d 979 (9th Cir), cert. den., 126 S.Ct. 134 (2005).

The final, chilling paragraph of that decision, written by Clinton appointee Kim Wardlaw, reads as follows:

"Evidence of Allen's guilt is overwhelming. Given the nature of his crimes, sentencing him to another life term would achieve none of the traditional purposes underlying punishment. Allen continues to pose a threat to society, indeed to those very persons who testified against him in the Fran's Market triple-murder trial here at issue, and has proven that he is beyond rehabilitation. He has shown himself more than capable of arranging murders from behind bars. If the death penalty is to serve any purpose at all, it is to prevent the very sort of murderous conduct for which Allen was convicted."



The notion that LWOP will keep us safe is simply false, as the Allen case proves. Abolitionists are well aware that courts are fallible and that innocent people might be (and occasionally have been) convicted. What they overlook, or prefer not to see, is that prison security is also fallible, and that for that reason, LWOP is no more a guarantee of the safety of innocent people than the abolition of the death penalty would be. The record shows the opposite.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 23, 2012 5:18:47 PM

Bill Otis' post needs a rejoinder:

Damien Echols spent nearly two decades on death row in Arkansas for a crime he did not commit. Prosecutors from the State of Arkansas put him there and kept him there. http://wm3.org/

The Norfolk Four were threatened with the death penalty. All four of them were members of the United States Navy. Virginia law enforcement officials coerced them into confessing to a murder they did not commit. Virginia prosecutors and law enforcement officials ruined the lives of these men, by, among other things, exploiting possible imposition of the death penalty. http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/conditional-pardons-granted-three-norfolk-four

Numerous other cases involving convictions of innocent people, some of whom were sentenced to death, are described in detail in Barry Scheck's book Actual Innocence. http://www.criminalprofiling.com/Book-Review--Actual-Innocence_s297.html

The foregoing demonstrates that 1) government entities in the United States convict and sentence innocent people to death, and 2) government entities exploit the possible imposition of the death penalty to get innocent people to confess to crimes they did not commit.

This is not tolerable.

Government simply cannot be entrusted with the power to sentence people to death.

Even if the Colorado killer is sane, and even if he has morally forfeited his right to live, his horrendous crime does not justify bestowing upon government the power to sentence people to death. The fact that the death penalty is enforced against actually guilty murderers does not justify its existence when it is threatened against and imposed upon even a small number of innocent people.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 23, 2012 11:33:20 PM

CCDC --

"Bill Otis' post needs a rejoinder."

Then perhaps you should have provided one. The post quotes from a unanimous Ninth Circuit opinion that affirmed the death sentence imposed on Clarence Ray Allen. Allen, previously convicted of capital murder (but spared the DP) plotted from prison to overturn his conviction and make a conviction on retrial impossible by murdering the state's chief witness. He succeeded in doing so. Indeed he more than succeeded, since the hit man he hired killed two other people as well -- people who just happened to be in the wrong place.

That would make three innocent people killed courtesy of a fellow who could have, and should have, been executed for his previous murder. This is in one case.

Can you name three innocent people (innocent as determined by something other than an advocacy website) who have been executed post-Gregg?

Of course you can't.

What this means is that we have lost more innocent life because we FAILED to impose the DP than because we imposed it. And that in turn rebuts Tim Holloway's point that we are just as safe with LWOP as with the DP.

What you fail (or, more correctly, refuse) to understand is that EVERY system of punishment has tradeoffs in which, because of the unavoidable fact of human fallibility, innocent life will be lost. The only question a mature person can ask is which system does a better job of preserving innocent life, and the answer, provided by the Allen v. Woodford case ALONE, is that imposing the DP is the better and more humane tradeoff for protecting the innocent.

It's nothing more than childish to stomp one's foot wailing that imposing the DP might take an innocent life, while refusing to recognize the established fact -- not even counting deterrence -- that failing to impose it will take more, and has already done so.

You can win middle school debates with myopic slogans, but adults have to understand alternatives and make choices. As Aurora, and Clarence Ray Allen, teach, real life is more dangerous than middle school.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 24, 2012 7:55:49 AM

Bill:

"It's nothing more than childish to stomp one's foot wailing that imposing the DP might take an innocent life, while refusing to recognize the established fact -- not even counting deterrence -- that failing to impose it will take more, and has already done so."

Isn't there a rich body of theory (both conservative and liberal) in philosophy and ethics that says that it is worse to affirmatively cause harm (i.e., executing an innocent man) than it is to passively allow harm to occur (i.e., failing to kill someone that might kill again). I think you are glossing over that distinction. I realize that is not your main point--I agree that every system has tradeoffs--but want you to be aware that your claim is not without legitimate moral debate.

Now I wonder about the hypothetical of a brutal murderer being held in permanent solitary confinement in a supermax facility who is also afflicted with neck-down paralysis. Obviously, he is completely incapacitated. Should we kill him nonetheless? And, if so, is this simply revenge. As I've said before, I think we need to take a hard look at "retribution." In my hypothetical, the killing is not necessary in any sense. It is optional, and motivated by an often unexamined (and perhaps "base" or "pathological") desire for revenge.

AO

Posted by: AO | Jul 24, 2012 9:45:44 AM

Bill, after posting the idea that we should not use the DP if we can eliminate the threat to society, I did think about the fact that some of these incarcerated murderers have gone on to kill others. I believe I can recall at least two instances where that happened with guards as the victims --- but cannot cite to a case or news article.

We have in the past failed to completely eliminate the threat to society and probably cannot completely eliminate it in the future. However, for the most part, the threat is eliminated --- but obviously takes a great deal of effort to contain in some instances. Also, contrary to what you state in the post at 7:55, you cannot prove that failure to use the DP has resulted in the loss of more innocent lives than it use would have taken --- except by the standard you set forth in the following statement.

You stated: "Can you name three innocent people (innocent as determined by something other than an advocacy website) who have been executed post-Gregg?" Based on this statement, you appear to be refusing to believe that more than 2 innocent lives have been being taken by the DP -- post-Gregg. Your proof that it has not happened is essentially based on the idea that the government did not find itself to have erred after an execution was performed, so the execution was not in error. If anyone else presents prove of this type of error, it does not count or is not worthy of consideration.

You may note that, once the government executes someone, there is no method to prove through the criminal courts that the execution was invalid (at least to my knowledge). Is there a potential claim for civil liability? Yes, but how difficult is it to bring these cases given: (a) the absolute and qualified immunities that are handed out to government actors; (b) the fact that an innocent person can be executed when no one at fault in any sense that would for a potential defendant; (c) the money necessary to fund such a case; and (d) statutes of limitation.

Has the criminal court system stopped any pre-execution sentences of death that ultimately resulted in someone being freed on the basis of actual innocence? I think the answer to this is unquestionably "yes." Had the criminal court system failed to stop the execution process in any of those cases, that would have likely been the end of the matter in terms of any litigation. After that point, the case would have fallen into the category you suggestion in your statement: "Can you name three innocent people (innocent as determined by something other than an advocacy website) who have been executed post-Gregg?"

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 24, 2012 9:57:36 AM

@Bill Otis

Allen is a good example, as well as a favorite of mine, but not the only one. Thomas Silverstein was convicted of murder four times while serving time in maximum security prisons. Had he beeen put to death after killing the first inmate he would have been unable to kill the other two inmates and one prison guard. William Gollehon and Douglas Turner were each serving life for first degree murders (three in Turner's case) when they beat an inmate to death at the Montana State Prison. While being held in segregation for that murder the men led a prison riot and took part in a further five inmate murders. There are also numerous prison gang leaders who have ordered further murders from their maximum security prison cells.

For decades we've tried to make prisons so secure the inmates could not kill again. We have failed in spite of our best efforts and unless that changes death is the only way to truly remove the threat to society.

Posted by: MikeinCT | Jul 24, 2012 2:13:05 PM

MikeinCT --

Thank you for your response, which I am putting in my files. The great thing (as it were) about Clarence Ray Allen is that it's all laid out in a federal circuit court opinion -- the Ninth Circuit, no less -- and the dynamite language was written by a Clinton appointee.

That case and the ones you noted just leave abolitionists no place to hide if the question is -- as it should be -- which penalty, the DP or LWOP, really better protects innocent life?

They have speculation and websites; we have cases. I'll take that match-up.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 24, 2012 2:30:05 PM

Mr. Bill's argument goes like this:

The execution of the innocent is a necessary evil in a human fallible system and we must accept that risk.

That anyone who could have been executed but was not goes on to kill is a greater evil and we cannot accept that risk.

Therefore, we must risk killing the innocent to uphold the ideal that killing is evil.

Posted by: George | Jul 24, 2012 4:47:34 PM

George --

"Mr. Bill's argument goes like this...[followed by your burlesque of it]."

That's just so cool, George.

Hey, look, it you want to make a serious abolitionist argument for a change, there are a lots of good examples on this thread: Tim Holloway, Anonymous One, Guy, LTMC, Fed Defender.

It's not that hard. All you need to do is exchange Holier Than Thou for thinking.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 24, 2012 7:51:59 PM

Come on Bill --- admit it; you want the Colorado killer to be executed, and you want it done quickly. Just admit it. It's what you want. You really, really want it.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 25, 2012 12:53:13 AM

CCDC --

Does it ever occur to you that the subject of this blog is not me or what I want, but the legal issues Doug posts about?

If, nonetheless, you are interested in what I "really, really" want (which you aren't), you can find it by reading my comments, rather than pretending you're a shrink.

P.S. Like George, you could look to your fellow abolitionists Tim Holloway, Anonymous One, Guy, LTMC, and Fed Defender -- among others -- to see what an analysis-based, rather than an ad hominem-based, argument looks like.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2012 10:08:41 AM

Bill --- isn't George saying that you have indicated which risks are acceptable and which ones are not? While I believe you are also indicating that you believe the absolute numbers -- in terms of actual innocent people who are killed (a factor that I believe is very difficult to verify or negate) -- favor your argument and the use of the DP actually lowers the risk of killing innocent people, I think he is summarizing your argument as to which risks are acceptable.

Also, I am wondering if anything can be said for the idea that a distinction should be made if the killing of an innocent person is by the state as opposed to an individual that has already killed someone? Beyond shear numbers (which no doubt are important), it seems that there is something worse about the government taking an innocent life as opposed to some other person doing it.

I suppose the counter-argument is that the state has responsibility for making sure the most vicious of those who have killed, and who have a propensity for killing, don't do it again. If there is going to be a DP, should the aggravating and mitigating factors and what is sufficient for a DP reflect something along these lines? It appears that at least some of the factors may already reflect this (but I am not really sure as I have never really studied the factors).

Also, in relation to convicting and executing the innocent, I have heard lay people state that that if it is not 100% certain that the defendant killed somebody, then the DP should not be imposed. While I question how often that standard could be met (and perhaps could almost never really be met), perhaps jury instructions should require something like this? Note that it seems that the case law has dodged exactly what is a "reasonable doubt." However, I think there is indication that the "beyond a reasonable doubt" is not a standard of 100% certainty.



Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 25, 2012 10:14:44 AM

CCDC --

To follow up, and in the hope that legal analysis might not be completely alien to you, could you tell us whether the legal analysis in the Ninth Circuit's unanimous opinion in Allen v. Woodford, 395 F.3d 979 (9th Cir), cert. den., 126 S.Ct. 134 (2005), is incorrect? If you think it is, what specific passages do you think are erroneous, and why? What authoritative holdings, in the Ninth Circuit or the Supreme Court, undermine it? Do you dispute that, if Allen had been executed promptly after his first capital murder conviction, the three people he later arranged to murder would be alive today?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2012 10:16:47 AM

Bill --- it seems to me that you are Nancy Grace's male analogue.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 25, 2012 10:51:15 AM

Tim Holloway --

1. I don't need for George to "summarize" my argument, which he is certain to do (and does) in a sly way designed to make it look callous or worse. I choose my words carefully, and I don't need them recast.

2. My argument is this: That in choosing between LWOP and the DP, it's erroneous to think that the former will keep us as safe as the latter. History shows this is not so. Thus, in terms of the safety of potential future victims, the DP is preferrable.

3. If it's difficult to tell exactly how many innocent people are killed by life-term murderers who did it again, I'd be happy to settle for some unarguable minimum number. That would consist of, at least, the victims of Clarence Ray Allen, Thomas Silverstein, William Gollehon, Douglas Turner, and Kenneth McDuff. That gets you to 15, minimum. No serious person claims that we have executed anywhere close to 15 factually innocent people post-Gregg (or in the last 50 years for that matter).

4. It feels like there's a difference between (1) erroneous execution and (2) subsequent murder(s) committed by a person the state could have executed but didn't, I grant you that. But I think the difference is more one of aesthetics than ethics. The question for public policy analysis is how to maximize the protection of innocent life, and for purposes of that question, (1) and (2) stand on the same footing. In addition, it makes a big difference whether there are more preventable deaths through (a) post-life sentence murders, or through (b) erroneous executions, and the answer is that there are whole lot more of (a).

5. It seems to me that the jury standard for imposing the DP should be beyond a reasonable doubt and to a moral certainty. There are hundreds and hundreds of cases that meet that standard, including, of course, the case that started this thread. As you very likely know, the question in homicide cases (actually, in most criminal cases) is not factual guilt. The question is almost always something else, such as degree of guilt and/or (as here) mental state. But we almost always know who did it.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2012 10:59:44 AM

CCDC --

"Bill --- it seems to me that you are Nancy Grace's male analogue."

More ad hominem having zilch to do with analysis or law.

Wanna take on Allen v. Woodford, 395 F.3d 979 (9th Cir), cert. den., 126 S.Ct. 134 (2005), which you were asked about, or is that of no interest to you?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2012 11:04:33 AM

How many times has the existence of the death penalty been exploited by the likes of Bill Otis, Nancy Grace, the Norfolk Four persecutors, and the WM3 persecutors to coerce innocents to "confess"?

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 25, 2012 11:09:02 AM

Bill, with regard to determining how many erroneous executions have been performed post-Gregg, I tend to think it nearly impossible to determine this based on a number of things related to sloppy work, lack of complete honesty in prosecuting the case and/or problems that are never uncovered. While the following example is not statistically significant, it does provide some degree of anecdotal evidence or at least an understanding of my perspective. I think it was possible in this case for the forensic evidence described below to have gone undiscovered.

The very first extremely serious felony matter, on which I started working on at the ground floor (meaning pre-conviction), involved allegations of a serial CSC defendant. I did not do the trial, but did a number of pre-trial motions and helped the trial attorney prepare. At one point, just a day or so prior to the trial on which I worked, the prosecutor delivered a stack of discovery materials. Somewhere within those pages, there was a report that a semen stain had been found on the clothing of the complaint in that case that was about to go trial ("the Hillsdale County case"). The report also included indications that the lead investigator told the forensic people not to test it against the defendant because they knew the stain came from the complainant's boyfriend. They also contended this in a side-bar type colloquy at trial, but outside the hearing of the jury.

After the trial I did the appeal and the habeas work. It took awhile, but I found that they had in fact tested the stain against the defendant and their results indicated the blood type from the stain was not the same as the defendant's blood type. On that case, relief was granted over 11 years after the charges were brought. Sawyer v. Hofbauer, 299 F.3d 605 (6th Cir. 2002). Note that this was post-AEDPA.

With regard to other cases, he was acquitted in another case in a different county (Monroe) after about 20 minutes of deliberations, but remains incarcerated on another conviction out of a different county (Ingham)(see the aforementioned opinion which denied relief on that case but granted it in the Hillsdale case). That is the extent of his convictions and acquittals. He was not retried in the case from Hillsdale County.

My thought has been along these lines --- because this was the first serious felony I ever dealt with from the start of the case (and have also seen other questionable things in other cases). I had to imagine that things like this must be happening more often than people realize (including with DP cases) or are willing to admit. If that is correct, any post-Gregg numbers or statistics regarding the execution of innocent people OR the execution of people when the jury did not hear evidence that suggests, but does not conclusively proof, innocence cannot be deemed to involve all the cases that actually involve executions of innocent people and/or execution of people when the jury did not hear evidence that was exculpatory but did not conclusively proof innocence.

Note that I believe I just expanded the category that was the basis of prior posts. I went from proof of actual innocence to a category that includes cases involving exculpatory evidence that the jury did not hear. However, it seems that discussion along these lines is important in terms of trying to estimate how many innocent defendants may have been executed post-Gregg.



Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 25, 2012 12:47:32 PM

CCDC --

"How many times has the existence of the death penalty been exploited by the likes of Bill Otis, Nancy Grace, the Norfolk Four persecutors, and the WM3 persecutors to coerce innocents to 'confess'?"

I'm glad you're posting today, CCDC. The contrast between your ad hominem nonsense and Tim Holloway's serious and gentlemanly discussion says all that needs saying.

P.S. Since I don't hide my name, you can go look up my cases and see how many times I pressured innocents to confess. Happy hunting.

P.P.S. Still hiding from Allen v. Woodford? My, my, my. Do you also refuse to discuss adverse authority in your briefs?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2012 2:39:43 PM

Tim Holloway --

I guess my first point would be that the burden of proof rests on the side making the claim. The abolitionist side claims that we have been executing innocent people post-Gregg, and therefore has the burden.

My second point would be that the burden is not discharged by the essays and "studies" done by those with a pre-existing viewpoint, submitted (most frequently) to those having the same viewpoint, and then -- guess what -- found to be "authoritative." But they are not authoritative -- they're advocacy.

This was wonderfully illustrated in the Troy Davis case, where abolitionist types gave grossly slanted accounts of recantations and some other (in their view) questionable evidence, and deliberately omitted the ton of evidence set out in the district court's massive opinion, which found no serious reason to question Davis's guilt. There is still the lingering echo, in abolitionist lore, that Davis was innocent -- and it's still there because the definitive district court opinion (and the refusal of all nine Justices to second-guess it) just gets walked past.

This is why I continue to want to see a NEUTRAL source declare that we've been executing innocents. Even the ABA, which is anything but neutral, makes no such claim.

Lastly for now (I have to go watch Nancy Grace, then torture a few more defendants into confessing), the fact that the government fails to provide exculpatory evidence does not mean that a convicted defendant didn't do it. It raises questions about the conviction, you bet, and impeaches the character and professionalism of the prosecutor, but that is different.

Indeed, even an outright acquittal doesn't mean the defendant didn't do it, as the Casey Anthony and (even more) the OJ cases show.

Personally, I always espoused an open file policy. The reason for this was what I've been saying all along: I believe in truthcentric lawyering. I did not regard it as a game, and I would prefer that no practicioner so regard it. This is why CCDC is going to be looking for 10,000 years to find a case where I was hiding the ball or pulling a fast one. But there was a second reason supporting open file discovery as well: We had the occasional aggressive and beligerent defense lawyer, and when he saw what was in the file -- in other words, what his client had actually been up to -- his behavior tended to improve quite a bit.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2012 3:04:52 PM

Mr. Bill:

"I guess my first point would be that the burden of proof rests on the side making the claim. The abolitionist side claims that we have been executing innocent people post-Gregg, and therefore has the burden.

"My second point would be that the burden is not discharged by the essays and "studies" done by those with a pre-existing viewpoint, submitted (most frequently) to those having the same viewpoint, and then -- guess what -- found to be "authoritative." But they are not authoritative -- they're advocacy."

-----

Illinois Govenor George Ryan's Commission on Capital Punishment

On May 4th, 2000 Illinois Governor George Ryan created the Commission to study Illinois' Capital Punishment law.

As a response to the phenomena in Illinois of individuals being exonerated of their crimes while serving time on Illinois' death row former Governor George Ryan created this Commission to study the capital punishment system in Illinois.

As support the Commission's work Governor Ryan commissioned an academic study be completed to provide reliable evidence for the Commission to us in support of their work. The study titled "Race, Region, and Death Sentencing in Illinois 1988-1997" can be viewed or downloaded below. Also available is the Commission's final report, appendixes, and recommendations.

-----

As to my own affirmative argument, as if exposing Mr. Bill's illogical arguments is not an argument, is merely the corollary.

The execution of the innocent of a capital offense is never acceptable.

The killing of the 100% of death penalty eligible defendants because a minority will go on to kill again is untenable because only 1.2% of those who had served time for homicide were arrested for homicide. So that is punishing 100% for the sins of 1.2%.

Killing to condemn killing is an untenable contradiction.



Posted by: George | Jul 25, 2012 4:44:13 PM

1. Ryan's study does not even purport to find that Illinois (or any other state) executed an innocent person post-Gregg.

2. Ryan is not the most credible source to cite, being a thoroughly corrupt and deceitful man in the mold of persons who have held his office, and, like them, having gone to the slammer.

3. By executing persons who have committed aggravated murder or murders, we are not "punishing 100% for the sins of 1.2%." We are giving killers the punishment they have earned, with the extra bonus that said punishment does more than LWOP has done or could do to prevent them from killing again.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2012 6:09:17 PM

1. So I violated the letter of your post-Gregg law? Tough. You never had jurisdiction over me anyway.

2. Are you saying the 14 member commission is thoroughly corrupt and deceitful? Didn't think so, not while using your real name. So the commission study stands.

3. You keep claiming the 1.2% outlier cases are determinative. People should know of the extremely low recidivism rate for murder because of those like you who tout the outlier cases as proof of nothing really.

Killing to condemn killing is an untenable contradiction.

Posted by: George | Jul 25, 2012 6:58:16 PM

"So I violated the letter of your post-Gregg law? Tough. You never had jurisdiction over me anyway."

Gosh, George, you are so MACHO. I mean, you can sit at that keyboard and type, quite manfully I'm sure, "Tough." Or maybe we should make that, "TOUGH." We wouldn't want to miss how you can throw your weight around here, George.

It's true you don't have what it takes to tell us your real name or what you do or any of that good stuff (contrary to Doug's standing request), but, hey, look, it's clear how superior you are. Your wildly original "arguments" ("Killing to condemn killing is an untenable contradiction") have done so much to bring the courts and the public over.......I mean, you have brought them over, haven't you?

P.S. If you ever become interested in a serious discussion, the post-Gregg period is the only one that counts in analyzing present death penalty realities. But if you want to go back to Huey Long or Charlemagne or whatever, heck, don't let me stop you. I'm sure you won't.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 25, 2012 11:52:21 PM

Once again Mr. Bill only has ad hominem arguments left and I win.

If you ever become interested in serious discussion, Mr. Bill, perhaps you'll cite case law that found a dead person has standing to file a habeas corpus because he/she was wrongly executed. Or maybe your argument is that the government would do so on its own so we can at last have proof there was a wrongful execution "post-Gregg." (Caution, that is a link to Grits and it will probably hurt your head.)

P.S. Thanks for the motivation to find the Wrongful Convictions Blog.

Posted by: George | Jul 26, 2012 2:30:07 AM

Bill can dish it out, but he can't take it. He complains about others making ad hominem attacks against him, yet he constantly resorts to ad hominem attacks. He is like Nancy Grace during the early phases of the Duke lacrosse case. He won't talk about things like the Norfolk Four case and the WM3 case. Instead, he just sits around, with his panties in a twist, exalting the death penalty and the drug war. Facts are optional in Bill world. (Oh, and anonymity is just so frustrating; it makes Bill's head explode.)

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 26, 2012 8:46:26 AM

CCDC --

If you didn't exist, I'd have to make you up. Well, actually, no. If I made you up, no one would believe it.

Allen v. Woodford still awaits your trenchant analysis. I have a feeling it'll be waiting a long time.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 26, 2012 10:09:38 AM

George --

"If you ever become interested in serious discussion, Mr. Bill, perhaps you'll cite case law that found a dead person has standing to file a habeas corpus because he/she was wrongly executed."

Wrongful death suits are filed all the time by the decedent's estate or relatives. I guess there's a chance that, because you don't know any law, you didn't know that.

Not that such a suit is the only means by which a neutral body might determine that an innocent person had been executed (contrary to what you tacitly pretend). Legislative or executive branch commissions could do the same.

And not that any of this makes all that much difference. You just don't get it: If Side X makes a claim (like "we're executing innocent people"), it's up to Side X to furnish the proof. In so doing, Side X should be mindful that (1) difficulty in furnishing proof is not proof (and is instead a reason to be more circumspect in making its claim); and (2) "proof" satisfactory to Side X and its predetermined allies, but not to neutral people, is not "proof" in any realistic sense.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 26, 2012 10:23:23 AM

Bill -- Killing is wrong. Even though there are really bad guys out there, like this Allen guy you're infatuated with, and like George W. Bush and Barack Obama (who are both culpable of many murders), the death penalty is not a moral or just response to wrongful killing. Among other things, you and your fellow government toadies and members of government lack sufficient competence to be entrusted with making systematic life and death decisions.

Are you able to understand that? Are you able to understand that it is people like you who bring about the tragedies of cases like the WM3 and Norfolk Four cases? Do you remember when you and Nancy Grace had convicted the innocent Duke lacrosse players in your crazed, statist "brains" and in the press, before your buddy, Nyfong, was exposed? If you come to terms with your own incompetence and recognize your fool hearted subservience to government, you may be able to begin understanding where you have gone astray.

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 26, 2012 12:04:32 PM

Here is another example of a case where there was a wrongful conviction, with new evidence that indicates innocence, yet there would have been no one to sue for wrongful death had these defendants been executed. Are they innocent beyond all doubt? The prosecution does not think so, but how can that be proven. The decision came out today.

http://www.freep.com/article/20120726/NEWS01/120726017/Thomas-Highers-Raymond-Highers-conviction-overturned?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 26, 2012 2:00:15 PM

CCDC --

"Killing is wrong."

Sometimes, sure. Sometimes it's right. Sometimes it's heroic.

"Even though there are really bad guys out there, like this Allen guy you're infatuated with..."

You can rebut Allen v. Woodford any time you care to -- or attempt to rebut it, anyway. That's what lawyers do, ya know.

"...and like George W. Bush and Barack Obama (who are both culpable of many murders)..."

Do you have any grasp of how off-the-wall you paint yourself every time you say stuff like that?

"..the death penalty is not a moral or just response to wrongful killing."

Yes, I know that's what you think, but just repeating it over and over does not provide a reason for anyone else to think it.

"Among other things, you and your fellow government toadies and members of government..."

I haven't been in the USAO for 13 years. I teach law now.

"...lack sufficient competence to be entrusted with making systematic life and death decisions."

The jury makes those decisions, not the government. As for competence, I'll compare my record in court to yours anytime. Wanna start today?

"Do you remember when you and Nancy Grace had convicted the innocent Duke lacrosse players in your crazed, statist 'brains' and in the press, before your buddy, Nyfong, was exposed?"

That statement contains two outright lies, not this this is new for you. I never drew a conclusion of guilt, unlike the leftist Gang of 88 on the Duke faculty. And Nifong is not my buddy. I've never met him, don't care to, hope he gets disbarred, and am happy to leave him where history found him, to wit, seeking to suck up to the sizable race-huckstering wing of the Democratic Party.

"If you come to terms with your own incompetence and recognize your fool hearted subservience to government, you may be able to begin understanding where you have gone astray."

Yes, O Master!!! How else may I serve Your (Self) Righteousness?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 26, 2012 2:37:59 PM

Tim Holloway --

Neither I nor any other sane person has disputed that there are erroneous convictions, including erroneous murder convictions. The question on the table is whether an innocent person has been executed post-Gregg, and today's decision does not change the facts on that score.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 26, 2012 2:44:57 PM

Good news! If a family member of the wrongly executed sues for wrongful death and the government claims immunity, just say Bill Otis said it was okay. *

When the government claims there is no evidence of a wrongful execution, just say that Bill Otis says the government destroying the evidence was proof of a guilty conscience on the part of the government.

When the government argues there is no precedent for a family member to sue the state for a wrongful execution, just cite this blog and Bill Otis' posts as precedent.

Families across the nation can thank Bill Otis for the permission to sue for wrongful death.

* These new laws are limited to post-Gregg cases pursuant to BO 187, enacted Jul 24, 2012 7:55:49 AM.

Posted by: George | Jul 26, 2012 3:28:48 PM

Bill,

With regard to the case in the Detroit Free Press today, the point I was making is that: (A) had there been an execution in that case there would be no legal process by which the conviction could be overturned or by which a civil judgment could have indicated the original conviction was wrong; AND (this is important) (B) if there had been an execution, it would have went into the post-Gregg category of cases by which no one could prove an innocent person had been convicted. Perhaps it still will not be proven, in the sense of the defendants meeting a burden of proof of their innocence, by further proceedings. There is likely to be no proceeding where this would possibly occur.

Also, a good part of the question related to this discussion should be how much confidence do we have in the system as not having executed an innocent person, regardless of whether we can conclusively prove someone's innocence. What is the confidence level? That seems like a very good goal, correct? We have that goal in many or perhaps nearly every professional undertaking in this country. We try to do this in nearly all important matters. While we may not be able to have mathematical calculations regarding this in relation to the criminal justice system (as for example, in the same way they do with engineering and science), we should be thinking in those terms.

Also, in relation to the following, everyone should have concerns about the following being stated by CCDC if it cannot be backed up. If Bill said the following about the lacrosse players on this blog, I would think you can find in it in the archives, correct? If he stated somewhere else on the internet, I would also think that you should be able to find it. I know Bill drowns puppies on a regular basis (although it should be obvious, I will point this out as a joke), but if you have things to attribute to him --- like saying he concluded the lacrosse players were guilty (and implying he did this quickly), do us all a favor and be able to back it up. He is claiming it is an outright lie. This is not just a Bill Otis issue. It is an issue in terms of trying to maintain the integrity of statements on this blog.

THIS IS WHAT I AM REFERRING TO, WITH BILL'S RESPONSE FOLLOWING IT (I AM PRIMARILY REFERRING TO THE STATEMENT REGARDING CONCLUSION OF GUILT, I.E., DON'T MAKE HIM OUT TO BE SOMETHING HE IS NOT IN TERMS OF JUMPING ON A BANDWAGON OF GUILT):

"Do you remember when you and Nancy Grace had convicted the innocent Duke lacrosse players in your crazed, statist 'brains' and in the press, before your buddy, Nyfong, was exposed?"



That statement contains two outright lies, not this this is new for you. I never drew a conclusion of guilt, unlike the leftist Gang of 88 on the Duke faculty. And Nifong is not my buddy. I've never met him, don't care to, hope he gets disbarred, and am happy to leave him where history found him, to wit, seeking to suck up to the sizable race-huckstering wing of the Democratic Party.

Posted by: Tim Holloway | Jul 26, 2012 3:38:22 PM

Hey George --

Go win your case in court and stop complaining to me when you won't or can't.

Meanwhile, maybe you can help out CCDC in showing us why Allen v. Woodford was wrongly decided, or in providing the evidence for his claims that I ever thought the Duke rape defendants were guilty or am buddies with Democratic pol Mike Nifong.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 26, 2012 3:46:47 PM

Is Bill incapable of typing "WM3" and "Norfolk Four"?

He seems to re-type everything else.

Why is he scared to even mention those terms?

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 26, 2012 4:00:06 PM

Tim Holloway --

It's quite true that, IF there is an execution, today or any other day, of a person the courts have determined to be factually innocent, then my claim (echoing Scalia's discussion in his concurrence in Kansas v. Marsh) that we haven't done so will become false. The problem is with the "IF."

(IF spaceships with people from Mars land on earth tomorrow, my claim that there are no people on Mars will similarly become false).

As to provability and degree of confidence, let me say a couple of things.

First, no side in a debate should loudly and indignantly assert X unless they can prove X, and not just to their own satisfaction.

Second, abolitionists seem to be schizophrenic on this point. There was a case in Texas about two years ago in which abolitionists were claiming quite directly that they were going to PROVE IN COURT that an innocent person had been executed. (I think the name of the Texas procedure is a court of inquiry).

Indeed, now that I go to my files, none other than the DPIC made this claim, and had this headline: "Texas Judge Opens Court of Inquiry on Execution of a Possibly Innocent Man." The DPIC entry is here: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/texas-judge-opens-court-inquiry-execution-possibly-innocent-man

It just won't do for abolitionists to assert both that (1) they can and will go to court to prove an innocent man was executed and then, when the effort implodes, also claim (2) it's impossible to do what they loudly told us they were doing.

Third, the imposition of the DP in the USA is the most heavily litigated criminal sanction in the world, ever, and under the most exacting standards. Yes, it is possible that at some point an innocent person will be executed. But with the extent of review being what it is now -- and average of 11 or 12 years, state and federal -- and with the number of hurdles the state must surmount, and with with all the failsafe mechanisms being set against execution, the idea that, well, golly, it JUST MUST HAVE HAPPENED seems far-fetched to me.

Others may differ. But differences are not proof, nor are they indicia of a degree of insecurity sufficient in my view so boldly to indict the system as a killer of innocents.

Lastly, I very much appreciate your final point regarding the integrity of statements on this blog. It is no mere coincidence that CCDC does not quote me on the assertion he says I made. That's because he can't. I never made it, or implied it, and I don't believe it.

For the blog snoozingly to tolerate outright lies from one commenter about what an opposing commenter has said vastly and unnecessarily diminishes the value (and enjoyability) of the site. We saw, for example in the discussion of appeal waivers, how good this blog can be at its best. There is no good reason intentionally and snearingly to take it down from its best. I thank you for pointing this out, and I hope others are listening.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 26, 2012 4:33:52 PM

CCDC --

"Why is he scared to even mention those terms?"

Let's debate it live and in person at a law school, OK? Then you can see how "scared" I am. The topic will be: "Resolved: The Death Penalty Should Be Abolished." You can bring up those cases as Exhibit A. Ready to go?

After accusing me of professional incompetence, you didn't want to compare litigation records. Now why would that be? Well, whatever. Maybe you'll be more willing to debate. Since I'm "scared," you should run me right out of the auditorium. Don't you relish the opportunity?

In the meantime, however, maybe you could quote me in saying, ever, that the Duke lacrosse players were guilty -- or, if you won't do that, retract your lies about my position.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 26, 2012 4:43:48 PM

Bill Otis = Nancy Grace. http://crooksandliars.com/2007/04/14/the-daily-show-will-nancy-grace-apologize-to-duke-lacrosse-players

Posted by: Calif. Capital Defense Counsel | Jul 26, 2012 10:14:14 PM

CCDC --

You are a 100% liar.

In addition to your false post immediately above, this was your statement to me 12 hours ago:

"Do you remember when you and Nancy Grace had convicted the innocent Duke lacrosse players in your crazed, statist "brains" and in the press, before your buddy, Nyfong, was exposed?"

The following is what I actually said about the Duke lacrosse case, months ago in response to Erika:

Erika says, "I've never heard of a truly false rape allegation."

I guess she was living in a cave when a drunken stripper made a 100% false rape allegation against several members of the Duke lacrosse team.

And it was not just that the stripper picked out the wrong guys. It was that there was no rape at all, and nothing approaching a rape. The whole thing was a hoax. Once started, it was carried forward by a hateful bunch of feminist/Leftist Duke academics calling themselves the Gang of 88, and by a corrupt Democratic prosecutor named Mike Nifong. Nifong was in a tough primary battle for his job as Durham D.A., and wanted to exploit the racial angle in the case to motivate what he hoped would be his black base.

It became probably the most notorious case of prosecutorial misconduct in years. As I say, the whole thing was a hoax. The drunken stripper was never touched, much less raped.

But Erika claims she "never heard of a truly false rape allegation."

P.S. The whole thing is brilliantly exposed in the book "Presumed Guilty" by Stuart Taylor (of the National Journal) and K.C. Johnson. ###

I said all that six months ago, here:

Bill Otis | Jan 30, 2012 2:03:38 PM

As I said, CCDC, you're a 100% liar. If you had a grain of decency, you'd apologize. You don't and you won't. But no matter. You have shown your degree of "integrity," and proved your "value" as a commenter.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 27, 2012 12:24:06 AM

Dear Bill,

please leave me out of this :P

love,

Erika :)

p.s., I still maintain that somebody did in fact rape the accuser in the Duke lacrosse case. It obviously wasn't the players, but its hard - if not impossible to fake the physical evidence including injuries and having semen from multiple men inside of her panties. I suspect that her actual attacker is known to her - quite possibly her pimp - and she has never identified her real attacker out of fear.

Posted by: Erika | Jul 27, 2012 1:49:55 PM

Erika --

You're "in it" only in the sense that my position on Nifong and the Duke lacorsse case was most clearly spelled out in a post I wrote in response to you. Otherwise, sure, you have nothing to do with CCDC's lying about that position.

However, now that you're on-line, let me ask you this: Do you think it is acceptable for one commenter to fabricate the position of an opposing commenter?

P.S. What you said back in January was that you never heard of a truly false rape accusation. Now, as you all but acknowledge, you have heard of one. The multiple rape accusations against members of the lacrosse team were truly false, and they were the only rape accusations she made.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 27, 2012 3:47:33 PM

Post a comment
 Taking full stock of the Prez Clinton's punishment legacy by looking at PLRA (and AEDPA and ....) | Main | "Everybody Talks About Prosecutorial Conduct But Nobody Does Anything About It: A 25-Year Survey of Prosecutorial Misconduct and a Viable Solution" 

April 20, 2016

Your tax dollars at work?: cost accounting for Aurora theater shooter James Holmes' failed capital trial

As a matter of abstract philosophy, I have struggled for decades concerning my opinion on capital punishment. But as a matter of modern public policy, I have generally concluded that the death penalty is not a great use of limited resources for most states. This new Denver Post article, headlined "Aurora theater shooting trial cost taxpayers at least $3 million: Final cost of James Holmes' trial in the Aurora theater shooting likely won't ever be known," reinforces my perspectives in this regard. Here are the details:

Jailing, evaluating and prosecuting the man who committed the Aurora movie theater shooting cost taxpayers at least $3 million, but the final expense of one of the mostly closely watched court cases in Colorado history may never be known. The $3 million tab was compiled by The Denver Post following multiple open-records requests over the past year. It covers the amount spent from 2012 through 2015 specifically on preparing for and seeing through the trial of James Holmes. Nearly $1.6 million of the cost was covered by federal grants. When including the salaries of judges, prosecutors, sheriff's deputies and other government employees who spent most or all of their time on the case  but who would have been paid regardless  the total cost rises to more than $7 million. And there's still a big chunk of expense missing from that amount. The state's taxpayer-funded public defenders  who represented Holmes  are not required to disclose what they spend on a case. Doing so, they say, would violate ethics rules and subject poor defendants to lower standards of attorney-client confidentiality. Generally, the office of the state public defender reports having spent nearly $2 million on death-penalty and potential death-penalty cases since July 2002, not including staff salaries. The theater shooting trial was one of the longest in state history. Prosecutors sought the death penalty, and Holmes, who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, underwent two psychiatric evaluations by state-appointed experts  at a cost of more than $600,000 to the state Department of Human Services. Holmes ultimately was found guilty of murdering 12 people and trying to murder 70 more in the July 2012 attack on the Century Aurora 16 movie theater; he was sentenced to life in prison without parole in August. While the case prompted public debates about the cost of the death penalty and mental health evaluations, the biggest expense that has been reported was for providing victims' assistance services. The Arapahoe County district attorney's office spent nearly $1.2 million on salaries for victims' advocates, travel expenses for victims to attend the trial and other costs. All of those costs were covered by a federal grant. Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler, whose office published its close-to-final cost figures last week, said the costs were about in line with what he expected. In addition to the federal grant, the state government appropriated about $500,000 to cover trial-related costs for the district attorney's office. He said more than half of what his office spent on the case was spent before the trial even began one year ago this month, and he rejected the criticism that seeking the death penalty ballooned the trial's price tag. Instead, Brauchler said the case was expensive because of the number of victims involved.

The county DA here make a reasonable point that the nature of the crime may be the reason for the considerable expense as much as the nature of the punishment sought. Nevertheless, I believe this case could and would have cost taxpayers a whole lot less if prosecutors had accepted the defense's early offer to plead guilty in exchange for an LWOP sentence. (That LWOP sentences was ultimately achieved in the end after a lengthy and costly capital trial.) Moreover, the costs here include the opportunity costs of having so many Colorado state justice officials (police, prosecutors, judges) working on this case so intensely when there surely were many other Colorado crime and criminals that might have otherwise gotten their attention.

Of course, and I think not to be overlooked in any accounting of general capital costs/benefits, Holmes' defense team likely was only willing to offer to plead guilty and take LWOP because Colorado has capital punishment on its books. Consequently, it would be unfair to suggest abolition of the death penalty will always produce massive savings in major murder cases. But, as regular readers should know, this kind of accounting leads me to suggest, yet again, that states ought to have ways to "delegate" major murders to the feds for more efficient and effective capital prosecutions.

A few (of many) older related posts (with lots of comments):

April 20, 2016 at 09:09 AM | Permalink

Comments

People think the effort to try the person and label him death penalty worthy (usually the sentence isn't carried out, so I choose that wording advisedly) is worth the time and effort. They will here feel cheated with a simple plea deal, especially given the particular heinous and horrible nature of the crime. This might not be a great thing, but that's the reality of the situation from my vantage point.

As to allowing them to delegate, I disagree with some "major" murder rule as a matter of proper division of state and federal power. Why stop at murder? Perhaps, major rapes, thefts, etc. without even the at times too slim federal hooks in place should are mere "major" effects should be delegated to the feds since they apparently are "more efficient and effective" at this. I'm unsure (given the limited number of federal capital trials, even less before recent expansion of death eligibles) though that the feds ARE really more so than each state. How does one determine such things?

As to the death penalty being a means to pressure pleas, I assume that is true, though at times that will be problematic & states/nations obtain pleas without a death penalty. As do states that have a death penalty on the book but who simply never execute anyone, a fact that perhaps does not influence the defendant, but you'd think it often would.

Posted by: Joe | Apr 20, 2016 10:50:44 AM

"states ought to have ways to "delegate" major murders to the feds for more efficient and effective capital prosecutions."

The last thing we need is to have intrastate homicide cases embroiled in Presidential and Congressional politics.

Posted by: ohwilleke | Apr 20, 2016 4:41:52 PM

Isn't the Charleston shootings an intrastate homicide?

Posted by: Doug B. | Apr 20, 2016 9:40:21 PM

"Charleston shootings"

One account spoke of "hate crime and as an act of domestic terrorism." Sounded fairly weak to me when it was brought up on this blog but if there is some sort of federal hook there like if some postal officer was killed or something, fine. "Major" still seems rather open-ended, moving the line between state and federal a bit too much.

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/fbi-terrorism-charges-not-ruled-out-charleston-shooting

Posted by: Joe | Apr 20, 2016 10:20:19 PM

Post a comment
Nothing about the rollout of Kanye West's latest musical opus, a gospel god dream called The Life Of Pablo, was easy to follow.

West changed release dates, track listings, even the album's title, right down to the wire (which I guess he also moved around, or ignored completely). At one point during the album's release, the artist was selling the tracks on his own website  then he pivoted, took those down, and appeared to claim his self-proclaimed masterpiece would only be available on Jay Z's streaming platform, Tidal. (Remember his cries of poverty and that SNL meltdown that weekend? Yeah.)

So, in order to listen to the much-awaited TLOP, I and many others subscribed to that service. I can say I had no intention of doing it otherwise. Yeezy made me.

And then, weeks later, the album appeared on other streaming services, such as Spotify. Subsequently I, and I would imagine others, quickly deleted my/their Tidal account(s). Well, the AP now reports, via KQED that one former fan isn't taking the misdirection lightly.

Justin Baker-Rhett has filed a class action lawsuit in US District Court in San Francisco alleging that West's promise to release his album exclusively with Tidal was fraudulent. The suit also names Jay Z.

The influx of subscribers and their personal information could have been worth as much $84 million dollars to Tidal, the filings contend. By their estimation, two million additional users flocked to the service for the album.

"If they can mark an album as an exclusive, they can generate a lot of interest, Jay Edelson, founder of the consumer tech privacy law firm representing the plaintiff told Quartz. In this case, we had an artist who wanted it both wayshe wanted to force customers to use one platform where he was a part owner, but also didnt want to lose out on sales [from other platforms].

But Quartz appears skeptical. "Given the availability of music via a plethora of digital avenues," they write,"its difficult for streaming services to claim anything is exclusive in the traditional sense of the word."

The lawsuit even makes reference to Mr. West's notorious personal Twitter account, where he wrote, "My album will never never be on Apple. And it will never be for sale You can only get it on Tidal. Right. He wrote that. But this is Kanye. Will we sue him if he doesn't run for president, an undertaking he's also verbally committed himself to?

Personally, I'm just glad Kanye released the album at all. It did seem pretty unlikely for a while there.

Previously: Kanye West Says He's $53 Million In Debt, Asks Zuckerberg For $1 Billion
The California Honeydrops are a good-time band with an unmistakably Californian style, despite drawing on influences like Delta blues, gospel, and Motown. While frontman and trumpet player Lech Wierzynski sings and plays trumpet, he's joined by Johnny Bones on tenor saxophone and clarinet, Lorenzo Loera on keys, and Beau Bradbury and Ben Malament on tub bass and various percussion, including washboards, jugs, and drums. Their latest album, A River's Invitation, has been described by one critic as "a fabulous, feel-good, fun-fest album of joyous musical partying."

And their performance style can only be described as trying to get a party started. "The whole point is to erase the boundaries between the crowd and us," Wierzynski says. "We don't make set lists. We want requests. We want crowd involvement, to make people become a part of the whole thing by dancing along, singing, picking the songs and generally coming out of their shells."

This year, they're excited to be touring as the opening act for the great Bonnie Raitt, with whom they'll be playing at the Fox Theater in Oakland  their hometown  on April 23. The show's sold out, but you may find some tickets popping up on Craigslist or elsewhere. (And, despite the band's party-making ethos, the Bonnie Raitt crowd necessitates a sit-down show, so sadly the floor at the Fox won't be open for bouncing around.)

Wierzynski spoke to SFist via phone, from his house in Oakland.

For those who don't know, how would you describe your music?

I would say it's a mix of a lot of West Coast rhythm and blues, and a lot of New Orleans music as well. Those are the primary influences  it's good music to dance to and have a good time to.



You got your start with the band in Oakland, but you're originally from Poland?

Yes, I was born in Warsaw, but I'm the only member of the band who's not from California. I came here about 11 years ago after college [at Oberlin] with another of the founding members of the band [Ben Malament]. We played a lot at BART stations, a lot at Macarthur, Rockridge, and Ashby. That was our main gig at first, just being street musicians. We also played a lot at the Castro Muni station. We played all over, on Fourth Street in Berkeley, just wherever the money was good.

When I first came out here I started working with some older R&B musicians. I played with a couple of guys form Johnny Otis's old group, Shuggie Otis's dad, and there was a band I played in for a bunch of years with a lot of older cats. But eventually I wanted to start my own band. This band was started about two years after moving here [in 2007], and it was because I really wanted to get back to street playing.

And you've been touring with Bonnie Raitt, how's that been going?

That's been great. She's gotta be our biggest fan, or at least our most important fan. She's such a sweet person. We get to watch her every night and she's such an amazing performer. There's so much to learn just by watching her and listening to her play. And we've had the opportunity to play in front of these huge audiences who've never heard our music before. So we've been loving life. And we've been jumping up on her set sometimes, and we've had some of her band members come up and play with us during our set. It's been great.

What are some of your favorite cities to play in?

There's a lot of great cities with a lot of great people. Northern California, it's always great here. People love to party, people love to sing along, and it's easy to get people loose and having.

New Orleans is a great city to play where people really know the music. But you never know where you might have an amazing gig. You might just have an amazing time playing on a street corner. I think spontaneity is the key to making great music, and that can happen anywhere. You can duck off into the woods at a festival and just have this amazing time playing there, you never know.

Where in the Bay Area have you played recently?

The last couple shows were at the New Parish and at the Freight & Salvage  one show for the partying children and one for the sit-down crowd, you know. Keeping 'em separate so they don't get mad at each other. And we did a CD release for two nights in September at the Fillmore. I enjoy the bigger venues and the smaller venues  the only shows I don't enjoy are the ones where people are just standing around talking.

What can you tell me about the new album?

It's been out for a minute now. I really like it. It's my favorite one that we've made so far. We recorded it all at home, in my living room in Oakland, and it has a homemade feel. We're a band that doesn't have a record label and we raised money for original album using Kickstarter and playing fundraisers at the Cheese Board in Berkeley. Nowadays we have management and stuff but we're still independent and want to keep it that way.

It's maybe the most innovative album that we've made. People think of us as sort of a retro band because of the sounds we use, but people who know music can hear that there's a lot of stuff in there  just in the way we lay our beats and the bass lines, and just the way we put the music together that's actually pretty new.

I think it's cutting edge but most people think our music is retro. Just because we don't use any synths or computer sounds or whatever, people think of our sound as retro. You might see though, if you really listen, that there's a lot going on in the songs that hasn't really been done before.




If your Netflix queue is beginning to bore you, head out and see some of the many films showing about town this week. Or dance, or drink beer, or head to a reading. Look, this is up to you.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19



GIRLPOOL: Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad make up this Los Angeles duo  guitar, bass, and vocals only. Have a listen. Show is all ages.

Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell Street, 8 p.m., $12 advance, $14 door



GREEN FILM: The 6th San Francisco Green Film Festival presents The Anthropologist and a conversation with director Daniel Miller. Margaret Mead and Susie Crate are the film's two anthropologist subjects, and they are studied through the perspective of their daughters.

The Roxie, 3117 16th Street, 6:30 p.m. $15

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20

"HIGHBROW" COMEDY: Comics at the Punchline get stoned and tell jokes. I think they got this backwards somehow? Anyway, no smoking or vaping inside, for the record. Lydia Popovich hosts. Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery Street, 8 p.m., $15

BEER BUS: While it's 4/20, pot may not be your thing. If it's beer you crave, grab this hop-on, hop-off shuttle the Brewers Guild has launched. Ha, get it? Hops. You can see all the stops online  this time its the Mission/Bernal corridor and it runs from 7 p.m. to 11:35 p.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

REFRACTION EXPOSITION AT THE GRAY AREA FESTIVAL: The Gray Area Festival, which lasts from Thursday through Sunday, is the second annual occurrence of this technology and culture festival in the Mission, which asks again the question "How can designers, artists, and technologists work together to articulate a vision for a world beneficial for 100% of humanity?" There are four components of the festival, and tickets are available here for all or each. First, there are conferences, with keynote speakers like filmmaker Tiffany Shlain. Then, there are workshops, and at night, performances. But to kick things off, and also to get a taste for a bit less $$, hit up the opening of the exhibition component, called Refraction, which features lots of LED and computer-generated art, such as a very cool-sounding "Drawing Machine:" a device that analyzes and "draws" wifi, phone signals, etc. Gray Area Art & Technology Theater, 2665 Mission Street, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., $5-$20 sliding-scale entry

LESBIAN SEX BOOK TALK: The Lesbian Sex Haiku Book (With Cats!) is a book by Oakland's Anna Pulley, and you guessed it, it is in fact a comprehensive guide to woman-on-woman sex, illustrated with felines. Anna Pulley has written all over the place, from New York Magazine to the Toast, and is really a treasure. The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street, 7:30 p.m., Free

FRIDAY, APRIL 22



LGBT DOC SCREENING: Black gay and trans kids living in DC form a gang to combat the violence and harassment they face. Check It, named for their group, is a feature-length documentary directed by Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer. It's presented at Alamo Drafthouse and also, on Sunday, at the Victoria Theater, as part of the 59th San Francisco International Film Festival.

Alamo Drafthouse, 2550 Mission Street, 9:30 p.m., $15

DIRTYBIRD QUARTERLY: House music label Dirtybird, est. 2005, got its name in several senses from Claude VonStroke, who drew their silly bird logo in the first place. This time at Mezzanine, they're feting the release of Justin Marti's album Hello Clouds. Tickets will be sold at the door only, and the masses are certain to descend, so expect a line.

Mezzanine, 444 Jessie Street, 9 p.m., $20 door only

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

ANARCHIST BOOK FAIR: The 21st annual Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair goes down with skillshares, panel discussions, workshops, and films for radicals and people engaged in radical work. Personally, I love the posters, which you can check out on their site. Oakland Metro Operahouse, 522 2nd Street, Oakland, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., anarchy is free

400 WORDS FROM SHAKESPEARE: Shakespeare made up all sorts of words, and many of them stuck. Now, a quick and dirty San Francisco Shakespeare Festival production takes us through all 400 of those  from "jaded" to "gloomy"  that he loosed upon the English language. Folio Books, 3957 24th Street, 2: p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Free.

WERNER HERZOG INTERNET DOCUMENTARY: Werner Herzog (Nosferatu the Vampyre, Grizzyly Man, Cave of Forgotten Dreams) is back with a film about the Internet that he premiered at Sundance, Lo And Behold: Reveries of the Connected World, which comes to the Castro Theatre as part of the 59th San Francisco International Film Festival. The Verge called it a "must-see for anyone on social networks" while noting that some aspects are "hurried."

Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, 8 p.m., $15

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

HAMILTON SING-ALONG: Our local Hamiltunes chapter are at it again. This group of enthusiasts is bringing their Hamilton the musical sing-along to Oasis, and you can even sign up for parts in advance.

Oasis, 298 11th Street, doors at 5 p.m., singing at 6 p.m.


Just a few days after two teens were killed while wading in waist-deep waters at Ocean Beach, rescue crews were called there again Tuesday when a surfer got caught in a rip current and had to be fished from the sea.

There's still no sign of the remains of Wayne Ausa and Grisham Duran, the Vallejo 16-year-olds who were pulled into sea Saturday while wading with friends.

But even with this concrete example of the perils of Ocean Beach currents, swimmers and surfers have been out in droves in the recent warm weather. On Tuesday at around 2:52 p.m., Bay City News reports, San Francisco Fire Department rescue crews and the National Park Services beach rescue unit were called to the beach yet again, this time near Vicente Street and Great Highway.

According to BCN, the male surfer "had been separated from his board and got caught in a rip current."

Speaking with the Examiner, SFFD spokesperson Jonathan Baxter says that "For an unknown reason, he was separated from his surfboard, was pulled out by a riptide and was unable to get back to shore."

Crews were able to pull the surfer from the treacherous current, Baxter says, and bring him safely to shore. He was transported to the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center as a precaution, and is expected to survive.

But though every stairway to the beach contains a sign like the one below:

SF Supervisor @ericmar415 wants better signage & monitoring at #OceanBeach after 2 teens swept out to sea Saturday. pic.twitter.com/bKW8iy9VUX  Katie Marzullo (@KatieABC7) April 20, 2016

San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar says that the issue here is "education," not a decision on the part of surfers and swimmers to risk the currents. (It's unknown if the surfer rescued Tuesday somehow missed all the signs, or chose to ignore them.)

In a written statement, Mar said that agencies should be "assessing and working on improving the existing signage and educational efforts on the dangers posed by the strong currents along our coastline, and called for lifeguards especially during the growing number of heat waves that have been attracting many more people to the beach.

"I think we need better education," Mar told ABC 7. "It can't just be after a tragedy. It has to be year round as well."
Almost two years after it was proposed, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has made a decision to ban cars from one side of Twin Peaks, following a contentious meeting Tuesday.

As previously reported, roads on the east side of Twin Peaks  the side facing downtown  will become a pedestrian and cyclist-only street. The one-way west side will be turned into a two-way road, to be shared by private vehicles and, of course, tour buses. (You can see the full brief on the project here.)

Twin Peaks is not only an important tourist destination, but an important recreation destination and an important natural resource," Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg said when the proposal was announced last month. The ban increases the recreational accessibility of the area and makes it safer for bicyclists and pedestrians," he said.

Despite the rosy picture painted by Ginsberg, some were up in arms at yesterday's SFMTA Board meeting, the Ex reports, quoting "technology worker and Twin Peaks cyclist" Jeffrey Perrone as telling Board members that "'A tight blind curve' on the west side of the north peak would become more fraught for cyclists."

This isn't the first time Perrone has spoken against the proposal: Back in March, the Chron included him in their coverage of the proposal:

Glen Park resident Jeff Perrone, who regularly rides his bike on Twin Peaks, fears that cars will clog the west-facing road and make life perilous for cyclists and anyone trying to cross the road on foot. This will be much more dangerous, said Perrone, who has been trying to mobilize public opposition to the plan. It sounds good in theory ... but its a bad idea.

The San Francisco Tour Guide Guild also spoke in opposition of the car ban Tuesday, saying via written statement that traffic delays caused by the changes would have an immediate and extremely serious impact on all vehicle tours to Twin Peaks."

At the meeting, SFMTA Board Director and Vice Chairman Cheryl Brinkman told those opposed to the program, called the "Twin Peaks Figure 8 Redesign Project," that the changes were "only" a pilot  albeit, one that will last for two years, from June 1 to May 31, 2018.

I hear the input of the people opposed to it, I ask that you give it a chance, Brinkman said.

Lets give it a try, there is just such a desire in this city for car free space so people can just look at the view.

Previously: Half of Twin Peaks Blvd. To Go Carless; You Can Decide Which Half

New Rule Would Ban Cars From East Side Of Twin Peaks
Amilinda Restaurant provides a welcome addition to Milwaukees Downtown menagerie of international restaurants with its focus on Spanish and Portuguese food and cocktails and emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes weekly subject to which vegetables are in season.

The space seems a bit small at first, but its really narrow and expansive, with an impressive granite bar stretching out for a good half of the restaurant. An open-ish kitchen allows for all kinds of wonderful scents to waft by the tables.

Promptly upon being seated, I was offered a ricotta cheese and ramp spread accompanied by Rocket Baby sourdough, which in its softness and sourness is an excellent complement to the savory spread.

A dining experience at Amilinda is well paced, and Id recommend adjusting your expectations a bit to enjoy a luxurious meal. Order a cocktail while you wait for your appetizerthe Spanish G&T ($11) is a gin and tonic with a splash of sweet vermouth to round out the mouthfeel and give it some, well, sweetness. The Spanish Shipwreck ($10) sparkling cocktaila mixture of rum, cava and bittersis bright and fun. Their red wine list naturally skews towards tempranillo and garnacha, with several solid by-the-glass options.

The cream of carrot soup was a great appetizer choice. Served with a flat and crunchy loaf of bread that is perfect for dunking, the soup is savory and thick without being filling: a perfect appetizer.

For entrees, Amilinda features a rotating vegetable dish based on whats available at the market that week. During our visit, they were offering three mashed potato balls served on a bed of arugula and sauteed mushrooms with a light aioli. Againthis is a running compliment for this restaurantthose flavors all worked together in concert to create a hearty, satisfying entree.

For non-vegetarians, I cant recommend the carcamusa ($22) highly enough: It comes attractively served in a clay pot, and features braised pork shoulder, a chorizo log, fingerling potatoes and arugula in a slightly spicy broth. The shoulder is soft and tender, as one would expect, and the Spanish chorizo log is salty and reminiscent texturally of a more interesting hot dog. The carcamusa is a fine choice for both diners who might not want to stray too far from a traditional American comfort zone and those who have adventurous bonafides, as its plenty complex and enjoyable in its own right. And the arugula is a great touchit hangs out beneath the meat and potatoes like a delicious secret. Once I found one leaf, I spent some time hunting down the rest.

Amilinda Restaurant does a fine job brining authentic Spanish and Portuguese food and drinks to Downtown Milwaukee, and is well worth a visit.

Amilinda Restaurant

315 E. Wisconsin Ave.

414-369-3683

$$$$

amilinda.com

Handicapped access: Yes
Apichatpong Weerasethakul's hallucinatory debut feature Mysterious Object at Noon is an experimental documentary-drama that wends its way through the landscapes and mindscapes of rural Thailand.

A film crew travels from the Thai countryside to Bangkok, asking the people they encounter along the way to expand upon a story involving a young wheelchair-bound boy and his teacher. The resulting stories are later re-enacted by non-professional actors in dramatic re-creations of the meandering tales supplied. The daisy-chain structure of interlocking vignettes is inspired by the surrealist game Exquisite Corpse, and its formal strategies are aligned with both documentary realism and the avant-garde, but this boldly original debut looks and feels like nothing else.
OAK LAWN, Ill. | It happens every day to the most vulnerable infants in hospital intensive care units: fragile babies born way too soon are poked, prodded and jabbed as part of medical care meant to help them survive  and it can be heart-wrenching to watch.

Heel sticks for blood tests, inserting IV tubes, adjusting breathing machines  even the gentlest jostling to remove a bandage from translucent skin can cause kittenlike whimpers and tiny arms and legs to suddenly jerk. Sometimes there's no sound at all  just a dip on the heart rate monitor.

It used to be thought that these infants were too young to feel pain. But even now, experts say, pain relief for newborns and especially preemies is often inadequate, despite evidence that low-tech comforting methods and medication can both be effective.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has new advice  and an admonishment.

Pain in newborns "continues to be inconsistently assessed and inadequately managed," the academy says. Remedies "are currently underused for routine minor yet painful procedures."

Preventing and reducing pain, particularly in preemies, is important because of the potential consequences for infant development, the academy said in a policy issued in February.

Research suggests repeated bouts of pain leave infants prone to potential long-term ill effects including changes in nerve structures and brain development, and hypersensitivity to touch and stress  and it's the smallest and sickest babies who experience the greatest number of painful procedures.

Pain assessment can be a significant challenge in preemies, said newborn specialist Erin Keels, the policy's lead author and a nurse at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Preemie's pain cues aren't always obvious. They often have multiple health problems that need attention, and in busy intensive care units, pain relief for every day minor procedures can sometimes get overlooked, she said.

The new guidance was prompted in part by recent research showing benefits from alternatives to medication, Keels said. These include sugar-dipped pacifiers, tight swaddling and skin-to-skin contact with moms and dads. Newer ways to measure infant pain also are being tested, including measuring brain waves and electrical impulses in the skin.

Pain management during surgery and other major procedures typically requires medication, often opioids including morphine. Short-term side effects of these drugs may include a slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, and drug dependence.

Some small studies have linked use of these drugs in extremely premature babies with slowed weight gain, smaller head size and behavior troubles later in childhood, but research on appropriate doses and potential long-term effects "is woefully lacking," the academy says.

It urges more research on using these drugs and other medications in infants.

U.S. hospitals are required to assess patients' pain in order to be accredited, and it's an issue newborn specialists are increasingly paying attention to.

At Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, tiny twins Evelyn and Olivia Niedermeyer are helping find answers.

The babies were born more than a month early, in January, weighing less than 3 pounds. They're enrolled in a study comparing infants' reactions to two different tiny devices used to detect retinopathy, an eye disease that can cause blindness in very premature babies.

The metal devices prop eyelids open so doctors can look beyond the eyeballs' surface into the retina. The hospital is trying to find out which of the two devices causes less discomfort, said Debra Skopec, a newborn intensive care nurse and the study's leader.

Skopec wraps the babies' legs into a little ball and holds them tightly during the exams, and swaddles them after: "confinement" meant to be comforting. Immediately after the tests, she watches for any changes in vital signs shown on wall-mounted monitors.

The twins squeal during the exam, and it all makes their mom, Angelica Juarez, feel pretty helpless.

"I want to cry," she said during a recent hospital visit, fighting back tears. "And I don't want my babies to hurt."

Juarez said she agreed to take part to help future babies experience less pain.

"It's scary, but it's necessary," she said.
Sioux City Republican Rick Bertrand is determined to unseat U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, and King is shaking his head over one of the reasons the challenger has given as a need for change.

King listened to Bertrand's March campaign kickoff, and noted that Bertrand contended the congressman "is not likable."

"Is that really his platform?" King said, his voice rising in incredulity, in an interview with the Journal.

During his announcement remarks in Sioux City, Bertrand kept touting his own "likability." He didn't specify the ways in which King isn't likable, but said people are more likely to vote for someone who connects with them in a friendly way.

"I lead with likability, (King) leads with a finger in the eye...What I have learned in life, in business and in politics, that likability is the key to success. You gotta be likeable. You can be tough, you can play rough, but at the end of the day, you gotta be likable, because politics is personal," Bertrand told the Journal.

King, who has won seven congressional terms, can't believe this topic could play out in the campaign up to the June 7 primary vote that will determine the Republican nominee moving onto the November general election.

"If that's the best you've got, can you bring us an issue? And then go ask somebody that knows me, ask somebody that's worked with me. Siouxlanders know how to do that. If that's what this race is about, then, you know, it is over before it starts," King asserted.

Buena Vista University Political Science Professor Bradley Best said likability is a difficult concept to pinpoint, since how people view others varies. Best said King has made controversial statements on immigration policies and other issues, so he can see why Bertrand is in part framing the campaign that way "to create daylight" between the two.

Beyond his statements, King can also point to votes he's made, which will make some Iowans like and continue to support him, the professor noted.

"The Bertrand candidacy will reveal the extent to which an in-party challenger can reset the terms of debate and public dialogue on Steve King as a public servant... In a primary race, an incumbents 'likability,' or lack thereof, can impact the vote, provided that a challenger successfully defines the contest as a referendum on image and personal characteristics," Best said.

Best noted King for years has been "able to drag a history of controversial statements all the way to double-digit victories in the general election."

People have sent Letters to the Editor to the Journal about the Bertrand-King race. One dug into that likability topic, as a letter published from Jacob Hall, of Sioux Center, on March 22.

"We don't need a representative who is more concerned about being 'likable' than being principled... If Bertrand is really concerned about being liked, he's running for the wrong position," Hall wrote. "Go be a game show host or find some position where difficult decisions will never force you to do something that might make you unlikable."
WINNEBAGO, Nebraska | The emergency room at the Winnebago hospital serving Native Americans could soon be under new management.

The Indian Health Service recently accepted bids for a contract to run the ER for the Northeast Nebraska hospital, as well as tribal hospitals on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations in South Dakota.

Britt Ehrhardt, an IHS spokeswoman, confirmed Tuesday the nearly month-long bidding ended April 11. Under federal policy, all information during the process is protected until an award is made, Ehrhardt said.

"At this time, IHS is unable to disclose any additional information regarding the Emergency Department Services procurement," Ehrhardt said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Mary Smith, principal deputy director for the IHS, told tribe leaders the federal agency intends to meet an April 29 deadline to fix issues identified at the three tribal hospitals, which are part of the IHS' Great Plains region headquartered in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The Winnebago hospital serves both the Winnebago and Omaha tribes of Nebraska. Tribal leaders said the move to overhaul management at their hospital needs to happen soon.

Vernon Miller, chairman of the Omaha Tribal Council, said high turnover of hospital staff since the facility lost its Medicare and Medicaid funding in July 2015 has made it difficult for Natives to receive proper health care.

"There's been a lot of turnover not only at the Omaha-Winnebago hospital, but also at the regional office in Aberdeen," Miller said.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cut off Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements to the Winnebago hospital on July 23, 2015, after the hospital failed to adequately address serious deficiencies that federal inspectors found put patient health in immediate jeopardy.

The Pine Ridge and Rosebud hospitals are trying to prevent the loss of Medicare and Medicaid funds. If deficiencies identified by investigators aren't fixed, the hospitals are scheduled to lose funding after May 16.

Miller and other tribal leaders met Smith in Sioux Falls to discuss the state of the hospitals.

Miller said he believes the high employee turnover is the result of discussions between the Omaha and Winnebago tribes and and IHS.

"I think people are being held accountable," Miller said. "Their feet are being held to the fire."

Smith, Miller and Darla LaPointe, chair of the Winnebago Tribe, toured the Winnebago hospital to assess the current state of the facility.

"The tribe remains steadfast in our commitment to see to it that our people receive the highest quality in healthcare," LaPointe said. "We're continuing to monitor IHS's activities while holding them accountable to their trust responsibilities."

The IHS provides free health care to enrolled tribe members. According to a 2005 government study, government reimbursements represent 7 to 58 percent of some Native hospitals' direct medical care budgets, with the average being 39 percent.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
SIOUX CITY | Michael Steven Corrie, 22, of Sioux City, passed on to his next great adventure Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, after he was suddenly stricken with a rare brain abscess.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are with Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be left at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Mike was born Sept. 14, 1993, in Sioux City, to Steven and Lynn (Bitsy) Corrie. Mike lived in Sioux City his entire life and attended Sioux City Public Schools. He was a senior at the University of Iowa, majoring in psychology.

Mike was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Mike's life was filled with many experiences and accomplishments. When a child was needed for musicals at West High School, Mike played the role of Gavroche in "Les Miserables" as a third-grader and a newsboy in "Ragtime" as a fifth-grader. He began playing tenor sax at Lincoln Elementary School and continued playing at West Middle School and West High School where he was a member of the West High marching band and West High jazz bands. He was an All-State tenor sax player. He achieved the rank of second-degree black belt. He was inducted into the National Spanish Honor Society. He graduated with honors.

At the University of Iowa, Mike became interested in politics and joined the "Young Americans for Liberty," U of I Chapter. He was elected president and later named state chairman of the Iowa Chapter. A memorial scholarship is being established by the U of I Chapter in Mike's name.

Mike went on many trips with his family in the United States, and also Denmark, Germany and Sweden. He loved camping and vacations in Northern Minnesota and Canada. Fishing, boating and swimming were some of his favorite things as well as making videos with his group of best friends. Mike was an animal lover and never tired of playing with the many pets that lived with his family. He was a master of trivia and historical information. Mike was well known for his quick wit, sense of humor and hysterical one-liners. He was a great friend who you could always count on. Mike will live on in the hearts of those who love and miss him.

Survivors include his parents, Steven and Lynn; sister, Liz Corrie of Portland, Ore.; grandmother, Joyce Corrie of Anthon, Iowa; aunts, uncles and cousins, Greg and Sue Askeland (Katy and Nick Herbold, Eric and Erin Askeland), Cindy and Matt Curtin (Brad and Natasha Curtin, Michelle and Andy Ford, Jeff and Amanda Curtin), Bob and Ellen Corrie (Judson Corrie and Mandy and Rob Parrish) and their families, and Doug Corrie; and Mike's close group of friends who were like his brothers.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dr. Ray and Ida Farran and Wallace Corrie; uncle, Tom Corrie; and pets, Maggie and Shammie.

In lieu of flowers, the family will be establishing a memorial in Mike's name to a local charity.

As Mike would say, "Dont forget to never forget."
MACY, Nebraska | The federal government on Wednesday raised its share of disaster assistance for the Omaha Tribe's recovery from the historic 2011 Missouri River flooding from 75 percent to 90 percent.

President Barack Obama issued the additional disaster assistance Tuesday for Omaha Tribe projects related to flooding between May 24 and Aug. 1, 2011, according to a news release issued by the White House on Wednesday.

Under Obama's major disaster declaration issued to the state of Nebraska on Aug. 12, 2011, funding was made available for 75 percent of total eligible costs. The new change has increased the funding to 90 percent for parts of the Omaha Reservation affected by the flood.

"I am pleased that the Obama administration recognized the unique situation that the Omaha Tribe has," said Vernon Miller, chairman of the Omaha Tribal Council. "We went through a plethora of appeals to get to the point we're at today."

Miller said the change will mean an additional $2.4 million to help pay the roughly $12 million rebuilding costs.

The Omaha Tribe, based in Macy, Nebraska, has land on both sides of the Missouri River, in Thurston County, Nebraska and Monona County, Iowa.

During the historic floods of 2011, melting of the unusually high Rocky Mountain snow pack in late spring, combined with abnormally heavy rainfall in May and June throughout Montana and the Dakotas forced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to release record amounts of water from upriver dams.

The deluge of water led to summer-long flooding along the Missouri in South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. The floodwaters severely damaged the Omaha Tribe's former CasinOmaha near Onawa, Iowa.

With federal emergency aid, the casino was rebuilt, reopening as Blackbird Bend Casino in January 2013.

Miller said when the Omaha Tribe's casino reopened, 180 jobs were created, lowering the tribe's unemployment rate from 81 percent to 69 percent.

Susan Hendrick, a press secretary for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said in a statement Wednesday that the aid increase "is not time limited and applies to all public assistance projects resulting from those disasters."

That means the Omaha Tribe will pay 10 percent on past flood-related projects such as Blackbird Bend Casino. Miller said that could result in a refund from the federal government. He added the funds would be reinvested in the tribe.

Miller said the 2011 flooding was disastrous for the tribe, which historically has struggled with high rates of poverty and unemployment.

"The morale was down, and it happened during the summer so the kids didn't have anywhere to go," Miller said.

Miller said the 2011 flooding also destroyed 11 homes.

"It really impacted us because we had a housing shortage," he said. "We had to do some creative restructuring. It really impacted us from a fiscal standpoint."

Miller said the homes have since been rebuilt, and the remaining displaced families will have homes later this month.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Announcement last week of a $3.6 billion plan by MidAmerican Energy for 1,000 more wind turbines in the state provides fresh evidence of Iowa's strength as a national leader in clean, renewable energy.

If approved by the state Utilities Board, the largest economic development project in terms of capital in Iowa history would generate an additional 2,000 megawatts of wind power. When construction was completed, MidAmerican would have more than 3,000 turbines in Iowa with a capacity to produce more than 6,000 megawatts of wind generation.

We have a bold vision for our energy future, Bill Fehrman, MidAmerican chief executive officer and president, said in a company statement. ... Our customers want more renewable energy, and we couldnt agree more. Once the project is complete, we will generate wind energy equal to 85 percent of our annual customer sales in Iowa, bringing us within striking distance of our 100 percent renewable vision.

Governor Terry Branstad and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham attended announcement of the project on Thursday.

(The project) puts Iowa on track to be the first state in the nation to generate more than 40 percent of its energy needs from wind power  far ahead of any other state. Today, Iowa is the only state to have crossed the 30 percent mark, Branstad said.

As we have said before, the wind industry is, from any perspective, a winner for our state. In addition to creating jobs (according to Durham, wind energy supports 7,000 of them), it helps keep electric rates stable for utility customers, puts more money in the pockets of farmers and other rural landowners in the form of lease payments, creates export potential and increases property tax revenue.

Construction of its proposed new wind turbines would boost MidAmerican's total wind energy investment in Iowa to more than $10 billion since 2004.

We join the Branstad administration in praise for the companys commitment to the environment, its investments in the economic future of our state and its contributions to a more energy-independent nation.

Without question, the wind is blowing in the right direction in Iowa.
We dont buy products, services or companies. Well, we do, but we buy them from people we trust. We all operate in competitive industries. Our prospects can find what we sell just about anywhere. So, how do they decide who they buy it from? They buy from the person they trust. Therefore, people buy from people  first.

Importance of Building Trust With Customers

Knowing this, we have to be sure we are conducting ourselves in a way that is trust building. The number one way to build trust is to care more about the prospect than about ourselves. And yet, one of the hardest things to do is to NOT think about the sale.

So, what do we do? Start by embracing the idea that the more you think about selling, the less you will actually sell. You will be working against yourself and your best interest. If you can own this truth you are on your way to gaining trust and growing your business.

Now, focus on your prospect. The more you learn about them the more you will be able to identify if, and how, you can help them. The truth is this is all they are interested in. They dont care about your product or service. They care about the problems they have, the challenges they are facing, and their own success. If you can connect your product/service to their situation, you are far more likely to gain their business.

You cant assume you have a solution for them. Thats one of the traps of sales  believing your offering is valuable to everyone. Maybe it should be, but it isnt. Its only valuable to the people or companies who see value in it. And the only ones who are going to find it valuable are the ones that trust you to provide the solution.

Consider these three steps to being the person your prospect will buy from:

Assume nothing  Realize that you dont know whether you have something they should buy until you know more about them. You also dont know if you want to do business with them until you know them. Just because they look like they fit a mold doesnt mean theres a fit.

 Realize that you dont know whether you have something they should buy until you know more about them. You also dont know if you want to do business with them until you know them. Just because they look like they fit a mold doesnt mean theres a fit. Do discovery  Develop a comprehensive list of questions you can ask them to really learn about them. These questions should go beyond the scope of the situation you can resolve. You want to know how they operate, what is most important to them, their budget and timeline, and more.

 Develop a comprehensive list of questions you can ask them to really learn about them. These questions should go beyond the scope of the situation you can resolve. You want to know how they operate, what is most important to them, their budget and timeline, and more. Really listen  This is critical. Attentive, intentional listening is the most important part of trust building. When you are really listening to someone they can feel it. And you can honestly determine whether you can help them, and whether you want to. This real listening provides you with the platform for responding to them.

When you implement these steps you will find that you are developing deep relationships where you should be. You will build trust that will positively impact your business over time. And the people or companies that should be buying from you, will.

They will want to enter into a business relationship with you, and they will refer you to others. Because people buy from people. Period.
Franchise ownership can really simplify the process of starting a business for people who simply want to work for themselves. And these businesses often perform essential services for people.

Take Window Genie of the East Bay, for instance. The owner wanted to be his own boss, and now provides a variety of window washing services to the people in his community. Read more about the business in this weeks Small Business Spotlight.

What Window Genie Does

Provides window washing services.

Window Genie of the East Bay serves the communities in the Tri Valley area of California, like Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon and other surrounding communities. The company provides window cleaning, window tinting, power washing, gutter cleaning, screen repair and replacement and more.

Business Niche

Having trusted and reliable technicians.

Owner John Townsley says, Our customers are very conscientious about who is coming into their home, on to their property, and most importantly  who is coming in contact with their family! Its very important to stand out in our industry as being safe, trusted and reliable.

How the Business Got Started

Because of a dream of business ownership.

Townsley explains, After 25 years of service and sales in the copier industry, I decided to work for myself. I found information about the Window Genie franchise opportunity and was excited to find a new career where I could use old skills to build something new of my own.

Biggest Win

Winning the Rising Star award at the Window Genie annual convention in January 2016.

Townsley says, This award recognizes the franchise that does the highest sales in their second full year of business. This meant a lot and is a reward for all the hard work our team has put into making the business successful. Starting a business is never easy, but weve persevered and our sales are on the rise!

Biggest Risk

Starting out in a new industry.

Townsley says, We invested every last dime of ours into the business and if we didnt succeed, wed have been out of money, with little options. We are currently one of the top producing franchise locations in the Window Genie system because failure was not an option, were very proud of that.

How Window Genie Would Spend an Extra $100,000

Expanding to new territories and buying inventory in bulk.

Business Logo

A professionally animated genie.

Townsley explains, Our animated Genie found in the logo and on our wrapped Geniemobiles (service vehicles) was designed by a Disney animator  kids love it, its eye-catching & family friendly  just like the business!

Favorite Quote

I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.  Thomas Jefferson

* * * * *

Find out more about the Small Biz Spotlight program.
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
Tracy L. Lowry, 53, of Lusby, MD passed away surrounded by family at Washington Hospital Center on Sunday, April 17th.



She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Charlene Stone. Tracy is survived by husband Robert "Bobby John" Lowry; daughter Melissa Bridegum; and grandson Colt. She is also survived by her brother Craig Stone and sister Terry Mandley



Tracy was born on December 20th, 1962 in Cheverly, MD to John and Charlene Stone. Her childhood years were spent in North Beach, MD with her family. She was a majorette and excelled at baton and rifle twirling. She graduated from Northern High in 1980. Shortly after graduation she started working at Da'Vanci's Restaurant in Dunkirk as a waitress. This is where she met the owner's son and cook, Bobby John. She married Bobby in October of 1982. She started working for Physicians Memorial Hospital (now known as University of Maryland at Charles Regional Medical Center) as a Lab Quality Assurance Data Technician.



The couple welcomed their only child Melissa into the world May 5th, 1986. Tracy loved to sew clothes for Melissa, especially Halloween costumes. She volunteered her time at Melissa's school and was a dance/orchestra mom for years.



Tracy loved family gatherings to celebrate the holidays, reading a good book, doing puzzles, and playing games as a family. Tracy enjoyed visiting the Calvert County Fair yearly. She had a soft spot for animals. She had two cats, Flipper and Bubba, whom she adored. She was a talented crocheter and loved making gifts for family and friends. Especially for her grandson, Colt.



Tracy was a dedicated worker and received numerous Lab Employee of the Years honors. She was even voted overall hospital employee of the year in 2008. She worked at the hospital for over 30+ years. She had many co-workers who became like family to her. She enjoyed being their "work mom" and friend.



The family will receive relatives and friends on April 22, 2016 from 10-11 AM at the Rausch Funeral Home in Port Republic, MD. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM in the funeral home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to help offset funeral expenses may be made in Tracy's name to Rausch Funeral Home. Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.
The gay rights movement in America has come a long way. But not far enough.

Last week, North Carolina joined a host of states, including Mississippi and Tennessee, in passing new anti-LGBT laws. What are they, you ask?

Very simply, the emerging and toxic legislation discriminatorily codifies by statute a moronic principle. The laws prevent transgender individuals from using the bathroom that corresponds with their new gender identity, nullifies existing LGBT protections passed by local municipalities, and prevents those cities from passing future anti-discrimination measures to protect LGBT individuals.

SFGN joins with the host of local and national communities, companies and leaders that have censured these obstacles to justice and equality. We are encouraged by the wealth and diversity of support, from performers like Bruce Springsteen to companies like Coca Cola. It is important to have straight friends on our side.

In fact, this very issue of SFGN celebrates a host of persons in all walks of life, from professionals to politicians to plumbers, who have stood by our side in advancing LGBT rights.

We come together as a society not to restrict the rights of any, but rather protect the rights of all. Laws now being passed to save religious liberty are remnants of a past we can not afford to ever go back to. If we go back to the past, it is only to be reminded of the foresight of some of our forefathers, constitutionalists such as Benjamin Franklin, who once spoke these words: Any society that would give up its liberties to gain a little security deserves neither and will lose both."

This is also a week where Pennsylvania became the 24th state to revise its marijuana laws, passing legislation to allow for medical marijuana. Todays date, 4/20 has taken on universal meaning for pot law reformers, just as Stonewall does for the gay community. Gays and pot have a lot in common. We have loose joints and straight allies. And with laws coming forth from some of these regressive, reactionary, right wing southern states, damn, we are all going to need a joint, wont we?

But dont let the bastards get you down. We are going to crush them in court, because the laws being passed are blatantly unconstitutional. They discriminate against a class of citizens, bear no rational basis to reality, and infringe on jealously guarded civil liberties. Still, it will take time, money and a dedicated body of lawyers to throw them up against a wall, break them into little pieces, and kick them into the dust bowl of history.

The majority of America may not be gay, but the majority of America does not want to see America persecute its gay populations. That is what these laws do. If a citizen goes through the emotional and physical metamorphosis and transformation of his body from a woman to a man, he ought to be able to intelligently choose which genders stall he belongs in.

Americans dont like prohibitions in general. While it is unlikely that the majority of Americans may smoke pot, even if they dont, they dont want to see people go to jail for doing so anymore. Thats why there are groups like Law Enforcement Against Prohibition; because we need support from others, outside our circle.

We need friends. Thankfully, good and decent Americans across this nation are coming out for us and against laws which harm us. Thats why an issue like this one for SFGN is so valuable. Its OK to need, have, and want friends, whether you are smoking pot or living a gay life. We cant do it alone.

Americans embrace those who seek rights. We enlarge parameters and eliminate barriers. We build bridges, not walls. Whether it is the disabled or immigrants, women or minorities, Americans come around to our way of thinking. It does take time, and it sure takes patience, but history is really on our side. Dont let it get you down. Keep on truckin.

Just remember, while we are smashing the state, keep a song in your hearts and a smile on your lips. Tennessee still has beautiful camping grounds, North Carolina has Hilton Head, and Mississippi, well, at least they got a river. And the river keeps on rolling along. Just like us. Nothing is going to get in our way, not bad laws, stupid governors, or crazy clerks. We are on our way to Equality, and no one is ever going to hold us back again.

Whoops! Sorry about that. Hilton Head is actually in South Carolina.
April 18 was National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD). The goal of the day is to encourage HIV testing and to develop trans-specific HIV testing campaign materials and resources.

Transgender communities in the U.S. are among the groups at highest risk for HIV infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, trans women of color, especially African-Americans and Latinas, experience disproportionately high rates of HIV.

HIV is still a real and serious threat to our transgender population, says Aryah Lester, trans advocate and founder of Trans-Miami. For years it has infected and affected us, until finally President Obama was the first to address it in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. As chairwoman for our state's Health Department's transgender workgroup, I was able to help implement work specifically addressing our high rates of infection in Miami-Dade's plan to the CDC and the White House.

The Human Rights Commission cites a recent international analysis, stating transgender women have 49 times the odds of having HIV compared to the general population. Transgender men have lower rates of infection than transgender women, but they are higher than that of the general population.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests certain risk factors directly tied to transphobia and the marginalization that transgender people face that may contribute to such high infection rates.

These risk factors include higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse, sex work, incarceration, homelessness, attempted suicide, unemployment, lack of familial support, violence, stigma and discrimination, limited health care access, and negative health care encounters.

Only when we, as a community, show our numbers through testing can we truly face a major critical concern in the transgender community, Lester said. HIV/AIDS claims more trans lives than our high rates of murder and violence. If anything, for yourself, and your wellbeing, get tested and know your status. It is truly the only way to lessen the infection rate and also save your life. Treatment is prevention.

For HIV testing locations in Miami-Dade County, visit TestMiami.org.
While the Austrian authorities were silent, a Czech court revealed that Miroslav Vyboh, described as Prime Minister Robert Ficos friend, was prosecuted in the Czech corruption case.

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Vyboh was prosecuted in Austria for the case pertaining to the purchase of armoured vehicles for the Czech Republic worth billions of Czech crowns together with Israeli arms trader Lova Drori. The Austrian authorities did not want to confirm the identities of the prosecuted men and described them only as a Slovak and an Israeli national. The Prague-based court however did it in written form of the ruling with which it sent another actor in the scandal, lobbyist Marek Dalik, to prison for five years for corruption, the Sme daily reported.

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The ruling is not valid yet.

L. Drori and Ing. Vyboh were in the beginning of the investigation prosecuted for a crime which they allegedly committed together with Dalik, reads the ruling issued by Judge Veronika Ceplova, as quoted by Sme.

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Read also: Austrians stop investigation of Ficos friend Read more

The judge scrutinised the activities of the two men as she needed to learn more about their situation at the time they testified in the trial with Dalik. Ceplova ordered the prosecutor to find out more details when the Austrian authorities halted the investigation in January 2016. According to the verified information, Vyboh and Dalik were prosecuted for attempted bribery, forbidden support and embezzlement. Since no crime was proven, Austrians had decided to stop the investigation, as reported by Sme.

The Czech court however has not learnt about details behind such a decision.

The verdict, which Sme obtained based on the law on free access to information, indicates that the Prague-based court considered Vybohs testimony in favour of Dalik untrustworthy. Though the court did not clarify his role in the case, Ceplova opined he could have organised the meetings at which Dalik had asked representatives of Austrian firm Steyr for bribes.

It is very probable Vyboh knew about what was happening at the meetings, the ruling reads, as reported by Sme.

Moreover, though the prosecution of Vyboh and Drori was stopped, they are still suspected of being accomplices when Dalik sought bribes, the daily wrote.
Discontent teachers meet with speaker of parliament; education minister claims he respects the right of teachers to strike.

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Several thousands of teachers attended a protest held in front of the Governments Office in Bratislava organised by representatives of teachers and trade unions. Though they appreciate that some of their requests leading to improvements in the education sector have been included in the programme statement adopted by the government earlier in April, they are discontent with the proposed finances for the whole sector and inappropriate status of people working in education. The teachers later marched to the parliament.

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The aim of the protest was to tell the government and the parliament that the situation in education is not as it should be.

We want more finances to education, head of school trade unions Pavel Ondek told the SITA newswire. He referred to the promise that the government will allocate 2 billion for the sector in following four years.

The trade unions currently do not plan further protests and will await negotiations, Ondek added.

The representatives of teachers and trade unions have signed a declaration, in which they claim that they lack the specification of finances that should go toward their requests which made it to the programme statement. They also disagree with the proposed increase in salaries of teachers, which should rise by 6 percent. The salaries of non-teaching professions are not mentioned in the manifesto at all, SITA wrote.

The signatories of the declaration, however, ask for tariff salaries of teachers to be increased by 25 percent as of 2017 and then 10 percent every other year. The declaration also mentions wages for non-teaching jobs and for beginning teachers.

Though the government promises changes to be made during its current tenure, they are not specific and in fact do not promise anything, according to the chamber of teachers.

Further talks promised

The representatives of teachers and trade unions also met with Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko of the Slovak National Party (SNS). He said that the right to strike is undeniable, but he called for further dialogue, which should not concern only teachers salaries but systemic changes in the education system, such as change of powers and financing schemes, as well.

Ive said whats written in the government manifesto, that is, weve prepared an increased amount of investments reserved for the education system and that weve made some steps towards hikes in teachers salaries on a gradual basis, which was drafted responsibly, Danko claimed, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Peter Plavcan (SNS nominee) said that he fully respect everyones right to express their opinion.

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However, its important to say that everyone expressing their opinion is in part responsible for the future of education reform, Plavcan added, as quoted by TASR.

The reforms at the grade school level emerged as a document drafted by almost 30 organisations, initiatives and school trade unions.

This document, which was created based on a broad agreement, for the first time includes particular figures such as growth of 2 billion in funding over four years, the minister continued. It also includes wage tariffs for the first time, too.

Plavcan finds the figures included in the document to be a necessary minimum.
The campaign run by a non-governmental organisation points to abuse of womens bodies in advertisements.

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MP for Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) Jana Ciganikova was granted an anti-award for the sexiest ad of the year for one of the posters she used in her pre-election campaign. The award is granted by a branch of non-governmental organisation Womens Alliance, which fights for protection of womens rights, as part of its Sexist Slip campaign.

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The poster saying Lets get rid of useless obstacles depicts her legs wearing red high-heel shoes and her partly taken-off red panties.

I can hardly say I am pleased by this award, Ciganikova said, as quoted by the SITA newswire, stressing that she does not consider the campaign sexist.

Lets get rid of useless obstacles (Source: Jana Ciganikova)

She added she only used it at her blog when promoting SaSs solutions to remove obstacles in business-making.

When I only wrote it, it had no response, thus I decided to solve it this way, Ciganikova said, as quoted by SITA.

The winner was picked by an expert committee and the public, which could vote for it between March and early April.

There were 32 ads of which most of them depicted bare womens bodies, said Diana Gregorova, co-organiser of the Sexist Slip campaign, as quoted by SITA. She added that also two political ads and three ads with language sexism were nominated.

Gregorova said that they received altogether seven nominations for Ciganikovas ad.

The whole campaign was launched to point to the problem of sexism in advertisements and point to its impact on the real lives of people, especially women. It should also offer a tool to the public to express their disagreement with sexism in ads. The campaigns organisers define a sexist ad as a commercial which satirises or belittles people based on their gender, especially by depicting stereotypes and abusing mostly womens bodies to attract attention, SITA wrote.
Civil society groups criticise lack of specifics amid plans to address rights issues.

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Back in 2013 Prime Minister Robert Fico said that Slovakia was not built for minorities. Now his third government's programme statement considers the support of such people as a natural mission, but with few specific measures proposed, civil society groups are sceptical.

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The government is again using terminology such as: support, pass or increase, Laco Oravec of the Milan Simecka Foundation (NMS) told the Slovak Spectator, the words which cannot be measured and it is hard to evaluate them after couple of years.

Centre for Cultural and Ethnicity Studies (CVEK) pointed out that whole agenda of human rights is split among several offices which could even block the competences of one another.

Further, the government completely ignores LGBTI community despite the fact that Slovak acceptance of this community is among the lowest in EU, according to Otherness Initiative, an organisation supporting LGBTI rights.

Divided agenda

The same day as governments programme statement was published, the government appointed new proxy for ethnic minorities Laszlo Bukovszky, a Most-Hid nominee. A week earlier the government appointed another partys nominee Abel Ravasz to the post of proxy for Roma communities.

According to the programme statement, Ravasz will deal with Roma agenda together with economist Anton Marcincin, the governments proxy for support to the least developed districts. The problem is that the latter could attempt to take some programs funded by EU from Ravasz, according to Jarmila Lajcakova of CVEK.

Some tensions could occur between the two, Lajcakova told The Slovak Spectator.

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However, a better solution would be to re-establish the post of deputy prime minister for human rights and minorities, with extended powers, according to Kalman Petocz who is the head of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Slovakia.

He pointed out that government's Council for Human Rights is currently under the Justice Ministry, Bukovszky is under the governments office while Ravaszs office is connected with Interior Ministry.

It seems to me chaotic and unreasonable, Petocz told The Slovak Spectator.

Battling poverty

When it comes to Roma, the government focused particularly on social and education area. It also stated that it wants to continue successful programmes such as Healthy Communities program or program of self-made houses running in Roma settlements.

To deal with poverty the government wants to fight usury by introducing a personal bankruptcy institute. It also wants to give support those projects which will bring work to marginalised communities with high unemployment rate.

On the other hand, the government wants enact stricter conditions to qualify for state welfare even further. Since 2014, basic material-need welfare benefits varied from 61.60 to 216.10 per month depending on number and age of household members. Changes have already seen it decrease by 61.60 per month for every adult household member able to work who declines to participate in minor works or community service projects organised by the municipality or alternatively volunteer for at least 32 hours per month.

The government intends to make already strict legislation to be even more strict, Oravec said. There is intention to punish people who are not behaving as they would like even more.

Wasting talent

In the education sector, the government wants to improve the pre-school education of Roma from marginalised communities. It also plans to increase the number of teachers assistants who help them to deal with pupils from segregated communities. Responding to the continued practice of placing inappropriate high number of Roma children in special schools, the government wants to improve testing of childrens mental condition.

Some of presented measures are positive but the governments document is not addressing the main problems and does not have ambition to reform education system in Slovakia, according to Lajcakova. For example, it is not dealing with segregation of Roma from their childhood which makes them unemployed adults few years later.

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When you see how smart children who could study at good schools are ill prepared because they had poor education at segregated schools it is a big tragedy, Lajcakova said.

The government also wants to create a fund for financing culture of minorities and improving the observing of legislation on language use of minorities. Additionally, the teaching methodology of Slovak language at minorities schools should change so children who do not have Slovak as their mother tongue can learn it better. The last measure is to cancel the threshold of the minimum number of students which a school must have for its existence in regions with mixed nationalities.

Some of those points are clearly Most-Hid pre-election promises targeted at the Hungarian minority in Slovakia, according to Lajcakova.

Some minorities excluded

When it comes to refugees the government addressed them only as foreign policy issue willing to support constructive ideas at EU level. It however says nothing about domestic policies towards their integration or integration of other foreigners.

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Moreover, the manifesto lacks measures to improve lives of the disabled except for a single mention of improvements concerning public transportation stations.

This is ignorance, Natalia Blahova, opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) MP focusing on social issues told The Slovak Spectator. People with disabilities have serious life problems.

The document also sparked angry reaction from the LGBTI community which is not mentioned in the document. The Otherness Initiative pointed out that state has still not introduced any official recognition of same-sex partnerships and is not dealing with practical problems.

Their [LGBTI people ] ignorance is beyond all understanding especially because it can be solved by one single law contrary to other economic and social problems, Martin Macko of the initiative wrote in a press release.
The police meanwhile started prosecution against businessman Ladislav Basternak, who rents Prime Minister Robert Fico his flat.

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An extraordinary session of the parliamentary finance and budget committee is set to discuss the case of excessive VAT refunds granted to Basternak, based on a proposal submitted by Jozef Rajtar of Freedom and Solidarity (SaS). He wants Finance Minister Peter Kazimir and Financial Administration chairman Frantisek Imrecze to explain the whole situation.

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Chairman of the committee Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer) is obliged to summon the session within seven days given that the proposal has the signatures of 30 MPs, the TASR newswire reported.

The suspicions against Basternak, who owns a Bonaparte complex where Fico has a flat, concern the purchase and sale of seven apartments in the Five Star Residence complex built by tycoon Marian Kocner. Basternak reportedly bought them for 12 million. The company BL 202 then applied for a VAT refund of 2 million and the state paid it out despite the suspicions that the transaction was fictitious. The state later paid an additional 6 million in VAT refunds and saw no reason to verify them.

This company must have bought property worth tens of millions of euros, Rajtar said, as quoted by TASR. Nonetheless, despite having so much property, the company was inactive the following year.

The MP also wondered how this fact obviously did not appear suspicious to the Financial Administration, as reported by TASR.

The Financial Administration refuted such statements, saying they are deceitful.

The Financial Administration acts thoroughly and in line with legislation in every tax case, said its spokesperson Patricia Macikova, as quoted by TASR. Nevertheless, we cant provide any specific information here due to tax secrecy.

The National Criminal Agency (NAKA) meanwhile launched prosecution against Basternak, one month after the Dennik N daily and the Trend weekly reported about the details of how the police hushed up Basternaks investigation.

NAKA investigator had scrutinised the case for eight months and despite serious suspicions did not start an investigation. However, the situation has changed now. Dennik N wrote that it received information on April 13 that NAKA launched an investigation in the case concerning the excessive VAT refund of 2 million.

The official reason for restoring the investigation is that the police now have documents they did not have at their disposal before. The documents were delivered by Dennik N.
The Labour Ministry promises to continue in pro-social policies

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The registered unemployment rate in March 2016 amounted to the lowest numbers since February 2009. It stood at 9.89 percent, down by 0.2 percentage point month-on-month. In annual terms, the number of jobless ready to take job immediately dropped by 2.17 percentage points.

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In absolute numbers, the number of registered jobless amounted to 268,559 people, which is by 5,643 people less than in February and by 56,612 people less than in March 2015, according to the data of the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (UPSVaR).

The jobless rate calculated from the total number of the unemployed amounted to 11.69 percent, down by 0.31 percentage point m/m and 2.01 percentage points y/y. In total numbers, there were a total of 317,681 jobless people in March 2016, which is by 8,394 people less than in the previous month and by 51,774 people less than in the previous year.

The jobless rate in March 2016 dropped in all regions, with the highest decrease being reported by Nitra Region (by 0.29 percentage points).

Labour Minister Jan Richter stressed at the April 20 press conference that they want to continue with the previous employment policy.

We are not interested in changing the Labour Code at the moment, Richter said, as quoted by the SITA newswire.

He added they want to continue in projects focused on supporting employment and put stress on young and long-term unemployed, as well as unemployed older than 50 years of age.

The ministry also plans to complete the new law on social enterprises, which will be established in districts with the highest jobless rate, soon.

Social enterprises will represent a standard tool for employing long-term unemployed, Richter said, as quoted by SITA.

He also stressed they will make the rules for drawing social benefits stricter and introduce penalties.
Support for local groupings high, but less people praise the EU.

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Slovakia orients neither on Russia nor on the West, according to the recent poll carried out by the Slovak Atlantic Commission (SAC), the Central European Policy Institute (CEPI) and the Focus pollster between January 31 and February 7 on 1,000 respondents.

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The poll was supported by the National Endowment for Democracy and the results were processed by sociologist Olga Gyarfasova, the SITA newswire reported.

We have been dealing with an increasing impact of Russian propaganda on not only Slovakia, but also Europe for about a year, analyst Milan Nic of CEPI said when explaining the reason for such a poll, as quoted by the Dennik N daily.

He explained that the main aim was to find out whether there is space for such propaganda and how vulnerable Slovak society is. The poll focused on the approach of Slovaks to institutions like NATO and the European Union, but also alternative media like Slobodny Vysielac and Zem a Vek, whose representatives have already met with the Russian embassy to discuss potential cooperation, Dennik N wrote.

The poll showed that more than one half of respondents wants to be in the middle of the West and the East (51.8 percent). While 23.1 percent of respondents want to be part of the West, 12.3 percent want to be part of the East.

Gyarfasova said that the poll was carried out before the elections when attitudes of respondents were more or less stable. The strongest support for the West is in the younger generation aged 18-24, where it achieved nearly 40 percent, SITA wrote.

Regarding the relations with other countries, nearly 67 percent of respondents said Slovakia is the closest to the Czech Republic, while 37.2 percent picked Austria, 35 percent Poland, 31.9 percent Hungary and 31.6 percent Germany.

As for the membership of Slovakia in various groups, 63 percent of respondents picked the Visegrad Group (V4). As much as 52.3 percent of respondents praised the countrys membership in the EU, 51.1 percent in the UN and 30.2 percent in NATO.

The support for EU membership, however, dropped compared to 2010 when it was praised by 68 percent of respondents.

Nic said that the falling support for the EU is a trend across Europe, as reported by SITA.

Regarding the members of parties, most pro-Western oriented are voters of Freedom and Solidarity (42 percent), Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (37 percent), Most-Hid and Siet (35 percent each).

Also the membership in NATO is mostly supported by voters of Siet (45 percent), Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (42 percent), Most-Hid (40 percent) and Freedom and Solidarity (36 percent). On the other hand, the biggest critics are among voters of far-right Peoples Party  Our Slovakia of Marian Kotleba, as reported by SITA.
European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union, Slovak Maros Sefcovic, hopes that his country will help with the energy agenda during its presidency of the Council of the European Union.

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This year will be pivotal in terms of presenting key proposals, therefore I will be glad if Slovakia, for instance, tries to finalise the package of measures related to energy security and negotiates an agreement between the European Parliament and EU-member states, Sefcovic said, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

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Part of the package which was introduced by the European Commission this February is a proposal for greater transparency of contracts for gas supplies signed between EU-member states and third countries. It also includes measures pertaining to energy efficiency as well as some legislative changes.

It certainly wont be a piece of cake to negotiate such a deal, TASR quoted Sefcovic on April 20. The package will prepare the EU for the global transformation of power engineering and for potential disruptions to gas supplies.

He also pointed out that the energy agenda will be on the table at two large events that will take place in Bratislava during Slovakias EU presidency in the second half of 2016. One will be the European Summit of Regions and Cities taking place between July 8 and 9 and will deal with the interconnectedness of Europe in terms of transport, energy and digital infrastructures. Bratislava will also host an important central European energy conference, wherein the EC wants to present a new strategy for research and innovation in the sphere of power engineering. The Commission has reserved 6 billion from Brussels Horizon 2020 programme for these research activities.
Slovakia produced a record 1,038,503 vehicles in 2015, an increase of almost 70,000 vehicles, according to the Automobile Industry Association (ZAP).

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Car production represented some 44 percent of the nations industrial production and 40 percent of its exports. ZAP president Juraj Sinay said on April 20 that Slovakia is the global leader in terms of the number of vehicles produced per capita with 190 vehicles per 1,000 people, up from 179 in 2014.

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The automotive industry experienced a very propitious year, to the extent that were afraid of not being able to maintain such fast progress, Sinay said, as quoted by the TASR newwsire. He has concerns about labour mobility, for example, he added.

This sector currently employs 125,848 people, of which 18,116 work directly for car manufacturers and 107,732 are employed in subcontractors networks.

ZAP appreciated the fact that the cabinet included verbatim wording of its demands in the Government Manifesto. Were glad that the sphere of dual education was almost exactly copied from our demands. ZAP president said. The same goes for industrial research and innovation.

A small part of the Manifesto is focused on electric cars and alternative fuels. Sinay said that it is essential to create motivation for people to purchase such an automobile and to have the infrastructure that supports it in place.

ZAPs expectations for 2016 are more cautious, though it is forecast that, once again, more than a million vehicles will be produced here.

Were slowly reaching the limit of the capacities of our three automobile manufacturers, Jaroslav Holecek, ZAP executive vice-president, told TASR. Thats why we think that the next increase wont be in tens or hundreds of thousands. If we want to see a further rise in the numbers, well have to wait for the fourth manufacturer  Jaguar Land Rover near Nitra  which is to start production in 2018.
A glider crashed close to the Lysa Polana border crossing in eastern Slovakia, claiming the life of the pilot.

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The accident which took place in the Poprad district (Presov Region) on April 20, was reported to the TASR newswire by a spokesman of the Emergency Medical Service Boris Chmel. According to Presov Police spokesman Daniel Dzobanik, the pilot, identified as Marcin Pawel Mezyk, aged 40, was a regular participant in the current international competition FCC Gliding.

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The accident was originally reported to the Polish Emergency Medical Service (TOPR) shortly after 14:00, with paramedics confirming that the pilot was still alive shortly after the crash. He was conscious, but seriously injured, they claimed. By the time a medevac helicopter arrived at the site, however, the man had died of his injuries.

FCC Gliding organisers instructed the pilots of the 60 other gliders which were still airborne at the time of the accident to land. Early media reports of four gliders crashing proved to be inaccurate. Three gliders were forced to carry out emergency landings, the SITA newswire wrote.

The FCC Gliding competition launched this year on April 10 involves the participation of approximately 130 pilots from various countries.

The competition was originally scheduled to conclude on April 21 but FCC Gliding director Jozef Hornak declared it a no fly day in the wake of the tragedy.
The actions of the Turkish authorities have come in for criticism from both human rights activists and the wider press community. A spokesman for Amnesty International said the incident pointed to the aggravating situation surrounding freedom of speech in the country, stressing that any form of censorship is unacceptable. Reporters Without Borders Turkey representative Erol Onderoglu linked the governments campaign against Sputnik to the tense relations between Moscow and Ankara. He said that the blocking of the website was the first case of a foreign media outlet becaming a target for censorship, describing it as a dangerous precedent.

The blocking of Sputniks website is not the first time freedom of speech and the media have come under pressure in Turkey. On March 4, the Turkish authorities conducted a crackdown against Feza Media Group and the newspaper Zaman for giving voice to opinions that ran counter to the official line. Feza Media Group was seized by the government and its premises were searched. A protest rally against the persecution of journalists was called in Istanbul but was severely suppressed by police who used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

Sputnik (sputniknews.com) is a news agency and radio network with multimedia news hubs in dozens of countries. Sputnik broadcasts through its websites in over 30 languages, as well as analog and digital radio, mobile apps and social media. Sputnik newswires, available by subscription, run around the clock in English, Arabic, Spanish and Chinese.
Commenting on Jaafari's statement, Renad Mansour noted that "there are certain opposition groups that Washington is close with and can therefore exercise such pressure with, but at the same time, there are other powerful armed groups that it cannot influence."

Joseph Bahout said that both the United States and Russia "badly need them [the talks in Geneva] to go on, so there will be a lot of pressure, mainly from the US, on the opposition," in order to resume the process.

"This is unfortunate, and a bit short-sighted, since the result will be further disconnection between the political opposition and the forces on the ground," Bahout added.

Bahout also added that Russia should pressure the Syrian government as well, to discuss political transition and the role of President Bashar Assad into the future.

According to Ross Harrison, the United States does not control the opposition, "particularly Jabhat al-Nusra [al-Nusra Front], which, because of its affiliation with al-Qaeda, has been excluded from the cessation of hostilities ever since it went into effect in late February."

"Some of the mainstream opposition [like certain factions that fall under the umbrella of the Free Syrian Army] are backed by Saudi Arabia and Turkey," Harrison added.

Divided Opposition

"The real question is whether the HNC can impose results on the ground. They represent an impressive swath of what is very divided opposition forces," Ross Harrison said.

According to Renad Mansour, a unified delegation still seems "quite distant from reality as there are still several sides, each with its own mandate and ideology."

Summing up the whole issue, Joseph Bahout said there will be an increase in diplomatic posturing and "invention of new proposals, with no substance."

"The only question remains to know how long the truce can still hold," Bahout said.

Syria has been mired in civil war since March 2011, with government forces loyal to Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups, such as Daesh and al-Nusra Front.

A US-Russia-brokered ceasefire came into force across Syria on February 27. It does not apply to terrorist groups such as Daesh and al-Nusra Front, both outlawed in several countries, including Russia.

According to the UN refugee agency, the violent armed conflict in Syria has killed more than 250,000 people and left 7.6 million Syrians internally displaced, while about 4.2 million have fled the country.
Takahama reactors in the Fukui Prefecture are still to clear two more equipment security checks and a seismic test by July. If they get the clearance from NRA, Takahama operator Kansai Electric Power will have to spend some $1.3 billion on security updates over the next three years.

Japan toughened nuclear regulations after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and an ensuing tsunami crippled the Fukushima power plant in 2011, triggering a meltdown that caused the facility to leak radioactive material into the sea.
According to the recently introduced policy of Controlling of Places and Public Amusement 2016, which came into effect from April 1, those discos would be shut down if they promote "indecency"  a vague term which potentially gives sweeping powers to the implementing authorities.

The newly announced rule added that licenses for the bars and pubs will be revoked if actions considered "seditious and likely to excite political discontent" are advertised. The policy was introduced after a committee comprising top government authorities such as police commissioners, health officials and lawmakers framed the proposals.
BERLIN (Sputnik)  Ukraine demanded during Friday's WTO Council for Trade in Goods meeting that Russia restore unimpeded transit of Ukrainian goods to third countries, the Ukrainian Economic Development Ministry said Monday.

"Regarding Ukrainian statements, we view Kiev's demands on transit as a dead-end. The inclusion of Ukraine in the list of countries that conduct sanction policies with regard to Russia was justified and fully in accordance with the Ukrainian authorities' actions," Likhachev said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

On January 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on transit procedures of goods going from Ukraine to Kazakhstan via Russia. According to the decree, goods would only be allowed to be transported from Ukraine to Kazakhstan if they were first sent through Belarus and provided they were carried on transport vehicles equipped with devices supporting Russia's Glonass navigation system. The restrictions have significantly limited the trade volume between Kiev and Astana.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Hague Court has disallowed an earlier ruling by a court of arbitration obliging Russia to pay $50 billion to the former stakeholders of the defunct Yukos oil company as the court was not in line with its competency, according to a statement on the Dutch judicial system's website.

"The Hague District Court has quashed six arbitration awards (three interim awards and three final awards) of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. In the final awards, the Russian Federation was ordered to pay damages amounting to 50 billion US dollars to Yukos Universal Limited, Hulley Enterprises Limited and Veteran Petroleum Limited. The three parties had been shareholders of the bankrupted Russian oil company Yukos. With the arbitration awards quashed, the Russian Federation is no longer liable for paying compensation to these parties," the statement read.

In July 2014, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled unanimously to award the former shareholders of the now defunct Yukos company $50 billion to be paid by the Russian Federation.
The lawyers hope that the Belgian courts during the June 9 hearings will release Russian assets frozen in the country after the Hague Courts ruling in favor of Russia.

The judge said that he wants to discuss the aftermath of this ruling in order to stop the executive procedures. We hope that the court in Belgium on June 9 will announce the cease of executive procedures because the ruling was annulled, the lawyer said.

In July 2014, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled unanimously to award the former shareholders of the now defunct Yukos company $50 billion to be paid by the Russian Federation.

In June 2015, France and Belgium froze Russian assets in line with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Wednesda morning, t he Hague Court annuled an earlier ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration requesting the Russian Federation to pay $50 billion to the former stakeholders of the defunct Yukos oil company.

"By itself, the decision does not lift freezes on real estate and accounts, but it gives indisputable grounds to demand for the measures to be canceled. First and foremost in France and Belgium," the ministry said in a statement.

Earlier, Russia's Finance Minsiter Anoton Siluanov expressed his opinion that the rulling shows the absence of a legal base to seize Russian assets abroad.
On Sunday, the world's major oil-producing countries, including both Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members and non-cartel states, failed to reach an agreement in the Qatari capital of Doha to maintain output at current levels. Saudi Arabia cited Irans absence from the talks as the reason it could not support an output freeze.

Venezuela is ready to work with both Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as other oil producing states, following the failure to reach an agreement on oil production freezes, Oil Minister Eulogio del Pino told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"We are very open to talk to them <> When I did my visit at the end of January to each countries [I was] trying to find some ways that everyone can talk," del Pino said at the oil and gas conference in Moscow, answering a question on whether Venezuela was ready to negotiate with Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The minister noted that the Doha meeting was very political, and some factors emerged at the last minute changing Saudi Arabias position on freezing oil output.

"We are going to continue working to reestablish the communication and the coordination at the OPEC and non-OPEC to equilibrate the prices," del Pino added.

In February, the energy ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Venezuela and Russia addressed the oil market situation in Doha and agreed to freeze oil production at January levels if other countries followed suit.

Relations between the Saudi kingdom and Iran have been strained since early January when Riyadh severed diplomatic ties with Tehran over an attack on its embassy and consulate following the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric.
Moreover, 2008 started with declines in temp jobs, preceding the Great Recession, in a similar fashion, the slump in temporary employment in mid-2000 was followed by the recession in year 2001.

Meanwhile, the US Federal Reserve's broader labor market conditions index, tracking 19 industries, including temporary workers, has been falling three consecutive months, and is now in the negative territory, at 2.1 in February compared to 2.5 the previous month and 0.4 positive in December. In November last year, the Fed index stood at 2.9 after five consecutive months of gains.

The 2001 recession was preceded by a six-month decline in Fed index, and the 2008 recession  by 5 months.

Part of the reason for layoffs in temp personnel is rising wages, leaving employers little choice but cut labor costs by other means, eliminating non-regular staff. The Democrat-backed push for raising minimum wage is bucking the trend on jobs elimination, particularly so amidst shrinking corporate and broader private sector earnings.

A looming recession might be also explained by cyclical factors, with the US economy sliding into a period of contraction every 7-9 years, with last recession having ended in 2009-2010. This is a prevailing viewpoint among US economic policy makers, with ex-Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers having said on 15 April the "odds are significantly better than 50-50 that we will have a recession within the next three years."

Official US GDP data is hardly encouraging. Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta downgraded its outlook on Q1 economic growth to just 0.1% positive from the previously forecast 2-2.5% expansion.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  In March, Venezuelas unicameral parliament questioned the legality of a deal announced a month earlier which would envision Rosneft increasing its stake in a regional oil venture. The National Assembly claimed it was illegal because the government had overstepped it in making it.

"[Rosnefts participation] is a political tool to try to block investments in Venezuela. It is an opposition that wants to block investments," del Pino said at the oil and gas conference in Moscow.

In February, President Nicolas Maduro called Rosnefts agreement with Venezuelas state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela oil and gas company (PDVSA) on additional investments in Venezuelas oil industry in the amount of $500 million necessary investment for the future.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Ecuador is interested in increasing product portfolio of its exports to Russia, Ecuadorean ambassador to Russia Julio Cesar Prado Espinosa told Sputnik.

"The flowers and bananas are star products, but a year and a half ago frozen fish, pulp of frozen fruit and broccoli entered [the Russian market] and we are going to try this year to enter Ecuadorean chocolate, considered the best in the world," the ambassador said.

The trade last year was affected by economic turmoil in both countries, according to him.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Sunday, major oil-producing countries, including both Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members and non-cartel states, failed to reach an agreement in the Qatari capital of Doha to maintain output at current levels.

"It is behind everything thats happened in Doha, what the United States is trying to do is drown Venezuela in all anti-democratic fashions to then take over control of one of the greatest reserves in the world," del Pino said at an oil and gas conference in Moscow.

Relations between Washington and Caracas have worsened recently over alleged human rights violations during protests in Venezuelas capital against the government of President Nicolas Maduro in February of 2014.
KIEV (Sputnik)  Last week, the Naftogaz chief executive ruled out an out-of-court settlement of his companys dispute with Gazprom.

"In addition to claims for compensation over the past period, which is close to $20 billion, the total value of the two judicial inquiries in Stockholm is about $50 billion," Kobolev said in an interview with Ukraines 5 Kanal broadcaster.
The declassification and release of those notorious 28 pages would do little to rewrite recent history; 9/11  with no serious investigation  was blamed on Islamic terror, and that justified the invasion of Afghanistan and the bombing/invasion/occupation of Iraq, which had no connection to 9-11 nor any weapons of mass destruction.

The 28 pages did intimidate the House of Saud and Saudi intelligence though. Especially because the odd sharp brain in Riyadh could make the connection; the 28 pages were being paraded around in Western corporate media before the OPEC meeting to keep the Saudis in line on the oil war against Russia. That may have been yet another Mafia-style offer you cant refuse; if the House of Saud cuts oil production, then it will be destroyed by the release of the 28 pages.

So we are now deep into Mutually Assured Threat (MAT) territory, more than Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).

No one really knows how much Saudi Arabia has tied up in US Treasuries  except for a few insiders in both Riyadh and Washington, and they are not talking. What is known is that the US Treasury bundles Riyadh's holdings along with other GCC petrodollar monarchies. Together, that amounted to $281 billion two months ago.

Yet the Saudis are now saying they would get rid of a whopping $750 billion. A New York investment banker advances that six trillion dollars would be more like it. Earlier this year, I revealed on Sputnik how the House of Saud was busy unloading at least $1 trillion in US securities on the market to balance its increasingly disastrous budget. The problem is no one was ever supposed to know about it.

The fact is the US and the West froze $80 billion in assets that belonged to the deposed head of the Egyptian snake, Mubarak. So a freeze tied up with framing Saudi Arabia for terrorism would not exactly be a hard sell.

The nuclear option

For all the pledges of eternal love, its an open secret in the Beltway that the House of Saud is the object of bipartisan contempt; and their purchased support, when push comes to shove, may reveal itself to be worthless.

Now picture a geopolitical no exit with a self-cornered House of Saud having both superpowers, the US and Russia, as their enemies.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Russian cabinet has endorsed an international deal to curb global warming, a statement on the government's website revealed on Wednesday.

"The Paris Agreement, reached on December 12, 2015 during the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change, was approved by the signed decree," the statement said.

The move comes several months after the pact was hammered out in December in Paris following weeks of intensive talks. Russia and other nations are due to officially sign it at a ceremony in New York on April 22, 2016.
During his visit to Moscow, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Kiev must stick to its promises and start making concrete steps toward the implementation of the Minsk peace accords.

"The government in Kiev must implement reforms and introduce particular amendments in its constitution on the special status of Donbass and the electoral process in the region. We hope that the results will be achieved by the end of this year," Ayrault said, according to the French newspaper.

This is the first time when the French government has taken the side of Moscow in the Ukrainian issue, Le Figaro said.
ANKARA (Sputnik)  Kerimov, who was also stripped of his accreditation and residence permit in Turkey, is currently at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul awaiting deportation.

"We are sorting out this incident and getting an explanation from the Turkish authorities about the reason for prohibiting Kerimov entrance into Turkey," acting Russian Embassy press attache Alexander Leshukov told RIA Novosti.

Kerimov was issued an "Inadmissible Passenger Notification Report" by Turkish authorities earlier on Wednesday subjecting him to an entry ban citing the countrys Law Number 6458, Article 9, Paragraph 1 and 2.
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ANKARA (Sputnik)  Kerimov, who was also stripped of his accreditation and residence permit in Turkey, is currently at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul awaiting deportation.

Entry bans and deportations are standard procedures in any country and not all security organs have information on such incidents, a security force spokesman in Istanbul told RIA Novosti, adding that the question should be posed to the Ataturk International Airport security authorities.

Representatives from the airports security service, however, refused to comment on the situation.
Ostlin also suggested attracting retired teachers back to school with various bonuses or sweeteners. She believes that many would actually snatch the opportunity, especially if backed up by individual benefits. Ostlin ensured that her proposals alone can provide the education system with up to 6,000 teachers within a few years.

Helene Hellmark Knutsson, Minister of Higher Education and Research, estimated the proposals as positive, but stressed that the government did not intend to change the requirements for new teachers.

"It would be a significant loss to Sweden, because we need skilled and competent teachers in our schools," Helene Hellmark Knutsson said. According to her, it would be unfair to set higher requirements for Swedes, than to foreign-born teachers.

"It is imperative that we maintain the same high standards for everyone," said Helene Hellmark Knutsson.
The coast of the Bohuslan province, a popular seaside resort in western Sweden, is famous for its beautiful nature, salt baths, spectacular cliffs and endless hours of sunshine, yet over the past few years has turned into Europe's very own dump, with the situation rapidly deteriorating.

"It is worrying," Per Nilsson, a researcher at the University of Gothenburg, told Swedish Television SVT. "Bohuslan is like a filter. There are tons of rubbish washed ashore on the beaches of Europe. Most of the litter is then washed back into the sea, but here the garbage seems to stay," Peter Nilsson noted.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Tuesday, Sputnik published a poll which found that 46 percent of the Brits, as well as over two-thirds of French and German residents believe that the information they receive about crimes that may be committed by migrants from mainstream media and their respective governments was subjective.

"What is necessary to the public across the European Union, is clarity. Because if there is no clarity there is distrust, so if the public are genuinely questioning such figures that doesnt actually bode well and it is a responsibility of the government," James Carver said.

Carver warned that "if there is a breakdown in communication, I fear that would only lead to bigger concerns," such as "more racial tension, and more mistrust."
Forty fashion brands were asked to fill in a questionnaire  only ten replied. Researchers scored the other 30, based on information available in company reports and online.

It's Fashion Revolution Week! Show your label and ask the brand #whomademyclothes? https://t.co/YIE9dm8n21 pic.twitter.com/oDHIvZMqGb  FashionRevolution (@Fash_Rev) 19 April 2016

Supply chains in the fashion industry are notoriously difficult to trace, which is why Ethical Consumer and Fashion Revolution have published a report which ranks companies according to their level of transparency in their supply chain.

Are you asking #whomademyclothes it could well be one of our lovely ladies here @FashionCapital Factory North London pic.twitter.com/SRZ4fxjdCI  Fashion Capital (@FashionCapital) 19 April 2016

Levi Strauss & Co, Zara and H&M came out top in the index  meanwhile, luxury brands Chanel, Hermes, Prada, and Michael Kors are at the bottom of the table among the least transparent when it comes to revealing their social and environmental standards.
The migrant crisis  and the EU's failure to reach agreement on how to deal with it  has led to countries closing their borders and a rise in anti-immigration sentiment throughout Europe. The Schengen borderless zone is in tatters and the EU-Turkey deal to stop the flows through the West Balkan Route has divided Europe.

'Risk of Implosion'

"I made it clear back in 2006 that the European project was running out of steam, there was disappointment. I don't think the situation has fundamentally changed, on the contrary," Juncker said.

"Yes, it's right we are not very popular when we plead the case for Europe. You are no longer respected in your country if you insist that in the necessity of supra-national bodies.

"We were wrong in overregulating and interfering too much in the daily lives of our fellow citizens But we would also be wrong if we insufficiently respected the principle of solidarity," Juncker told the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe  which is not an institution of the EU.

His comments echo those of European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who told with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that many people have lost trust in "entire institutions, whether national or European".

"Europe has been on a sliding slope for some time now. Many people's trust in institutions, whether national or European, has gone. Hardly any of the governments is fighting to reach the hearts of the people," Schulz said, blaming heads of states and administrations for the loss of confidence.

There is a high risk of an "implosion of the EU. If the British leave the EU, there will be [other] demands for further escape referendums," Schultz said.
"I don't think it [the arch] really suits this square  I mean the colors and the architecture of Trafalgar Square  but it's still important to raise awareness of what's going on in Syria. It could be the first step to finally find a solution to the awful situation there, and to the migration crisis," Helen, 66 commented.

"I feel that the technology aspect is interesting: they actually printed this using old pictures. Apart from the Syrian war, it's just amazing how this could be used in the future, for tourism and stuff like that," said Robert, 25.

The project has given hope to those who want to see the ancient ruins rebuilt, and new technology promises to make that possible. The project's designer Giacomo Massari said in an interview with Euronews:

"We sometimes think about if we were in the position of the Syrian people We would like to have this. Our monuments, as Italians, also are very important for us these kinds of monuments and the relation that we have with our place."

The construction of the resurrected Arch of Triumph' coincides with World Heritage Week, and is later set to travel on to New York, Dubai and eventually Syria.
"Britain, fortunately, is still some way behind in experiencing the crime wave that seems to follow in the wake of a migrant influx," the party leader said.

Golding added that left-wing politicians in Europe would continue covering up migrant crimes.

"Politicians like Hollande and Merkel are dedicated to the transformation of France and Germany by mass immigration, in line with left-wing ideology. The only way to change the situation [with covering up migrant crimes] is to vote [against] them. Luckily, we still have the ability to do that in our limited and narrow democratic systems," Golding said.

In December 2015, the German newspaper Bild discovered that the country's authorities had ordered the police to hush up crimes involving migrant offenders to prevent public alarm. This came just days before Germany was shocked by a wave of sexual attacks on women by men with alleged migrant background.

The survey was conducted in Britain and Germany by Populus Ltd., a leading British polling company, on February 3 and 4, 2016. In France, the survey was held by IFop, a leading French polling company, from February 3 through 5, 2016. Two surveys involved 3,556 respondents (1,047 in Britain, 1,010 in Germany and 1,499 in France).
"The flag will be handed over to the police and a report is going to be made," said town mayor Magnus Farjhage to Swedish Television SVT, who also called the incident "unacceptable," but at the same time dismissed it as an "isolated case."

"Vetlanda is striving to be an open community, and this is completely at odds with our aspirations. It is truly sad," Magnus Farjhage said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Veronika Hartmann, a free journalist working for German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, and print media like Der Spiegel, Die Welt, Focus, said journalists coming to Turkey had always been anxious about whether they would be given accreditation.

"But there had never been problems on such a large scale. Entry bans is a relatively new phenomenon that journalists are concerned about. Ive also been told that some foreign journalists were briefly detained and chose not to report this. This creeping climate of fear is also new to us," Hartmann said.

Earlier this week, several foreign journalists were denied entry into the country by Turkish authorities who did not give any explanation.
German tabloid newspaper Bild claims European security services are warning tourists to be on high alert due to the threat posed by Daesh militants, who could be plotting attacks on resorts on the southern coasts of Italy , France and Spain.

According to German security services, bombs could be buried in the sand under sun loungers.

Last summer, Daesh gunman Seifeddine Rezgui walked onto a beach in Tunisia, armed with explosives and an AK47 gun, hidden inside a parasol in the resort of Sousse. 38 tourists were killed, 30 of them Britons.
"For a long time, 10 minutes or so, they checked my passport and called their colleagues from the border service. Afterwards, everything started. I was taken in to the department for examination and verification of arriving passengers, where I was asked to submit my documents," Kerimov said.

The journalist said he showed the airport officials all of his relevant documents including his boarding pass, international passport as well as his press card and residence permit, which were issued by the Turkish authorities.

"I don't really understand why, if I am an undesirable person to enter the country, these documents were not confiscated and canceled when I was in the country and was leaving voluntarily. This raises questions. In fact, they then refused to return these documents and are also holding onto my passport right now," Kerimov stated.

Commenting on the possible reasons behind the incident, the journalist assumed that the behavior of Turkish authorities might be connected to Ankara's recent decision to block access to Sputnik News Agency's website. He, however, added that there still had not been any explanations from the Turkish side neither on the border incident, nor on the government's motivation behind the ban of the media source.
They also say Turkey is not a 'safe country' for migrants to be returned to, under the Geneva Convention.

As part of the deal, the European Commission said: "The UNHCR will be a key actor in the resettlement process to provide additional support and supervision."

However, only four days after the relocation scheme began, the UNHCR announced it was withdrawing support for the EU-Turkey deal after it said the 'hotspots' in which migrants are being processed in Greece are effective prisons.

"Under the new provisions, these sites have now become detention facilities. Accordingly, and in line with our policy on opposing mandatory detention, we have suspended some of our activities at all closed centers on the islands. This includes provision of transport to and from these sites," UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming told reporters.

Many in Europe have been critical of the EU-Turkey deal as there are fears the visa-free agreement would cause a huge flood of Muslims into the EU bloc.

Part of the deal also includes an acceleration of Turkey's accession to the EU  which is a matter of concern for human rights groups, who say the Turkish Governments is repressing the Kurds, stamping out opposition parties and repressing independent media.
BRUSSELS (Sputnik)  The European Commission on Wednesday made a proposal to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament to add Ukraine to the list of countries whose citizens can travel to the Schengen area without a visa, the Commission said in a statement.

"Today we follow up on our commitment to propose short-stay visa-free travel to the EU for Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports  facilitating people-to-people contacts and strengthening business, social and cultural ties between the EU and Ukraine, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said, as quoted in the statement on the EU Commission's website.
"The draft order approves the draft agreement giving powers to the minister for regional development, building and housing of Ukraine [Hennadii Zubko] to sign it. The agreement stipulates the provision to Ukraine of free assistance of 97 billion euros from the EU and its members. The EU will allocate 90 million euros, Germany  6, Poland  1 million euros to support the decentralization reform," Kubiv said at a governmental meeting presenting the draft agreement.

The IMF has pledged a $17.5-billion bailout package for Ukraine in exchange for political reforms.
The shutdown of Sputnik's Turkish bureau and the detention of its editor-in-chief in the airport go against Turkish law. It's one of "the shameful examples of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's despotism," Demirtas added.

Sidiqollah Tauhidi, the head of the organization for the protection of the rights of Afghan journalists, agreed with Demirtas, saying that the situation with freedom of speech and freedom of the press is becoming really bad.

"Almost every word of journalists, as we can see from numerous examples of crackdown on both local and international media, goes through censorship," Tauhidi told Sputnik.

The Afghan journalist added the closure of media agencies and newspapers shows that the current Turkish government isn't interested in having freedom of speech and questions whether there are left any democratic institutions and democracy in Turkey.

Earlier this year, a high-profile scandal involving the arrest and trial of two Cumhuriyet newspaper journalists took place. Two reporters, Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, are currently involved in a closed-door trial, having been charged with espionage for an article in which they accused the Turkish government of providing arms to terrorist groups in Syria.

Sputnik is a news agency and radio network with multimedia news hubs in dozens of countries. Sputnik broadcasts through its websites in over 30 languages, as well as analog and digital radio, mobile apps and social media. Sputnik newswires, available by subscription, run around the clock in English, Arabic, Spanish and Chinese.
BRUSSELS (Sputnik)  The European Union will not grant Turkey visa-free travel unless Ankara fulfills its remaining commitments under an EU-Turkey migration deal, European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos said Wednesday.

"[European Commission President Jean-Claude] Juncker was crystal clear yesterday, as I have been in the past: No visa liberalization can be offered if not all benchmarks are met," Avramopoulos said at a briefing.
EDINBURGH (Sputnik)  In a speech before 1,400 party activists in Edinburgh to mark the launch of the SNP election manifesto, Sturgeon said that, while she believed in independence "with all my heart," the party had to win greater support among the Scottish public.

"If there is to be a second referendum, whether that is in the next parliament or in a future parliament, we first have to earn the right to propose it," Sturgeon told supporters.

On Sunday, she was quoted by Scottish media as saying the second public vote to leave the United Kingdom would go ahead "if there is clear demand" and "clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option" for the majority.
The Brookings Institute is a renowned think-tank, headed by Strobe Talbott, an expert on Russia, who served as deputy foreign minister in President Bill Clinton's administration.

Earlier, Talbott persisted in trying to put Finland up against Russia. In June 1997, Talbott met the then Finnish PM Paavo Lipponen at the White House, requesting that Finland provide military security guarantees for the Baltic countries together with Denmark and eventually even Sweden.

However, the Putin-study is not Finland's only Russia-related expenditure. Last week, the Helsinki newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet reported about a US-led exercise, which simulated a fictitious Russian invasion of the Baltics. This "writing desk exercise," organized by the American Center for a New American Security (CNAS), was actually held two months ago, whereas over 50 high-ranking officials from Europe and the United States partook.

Finland sent three representatives and shared the financial burden, contributing at least 31,000 euros, according to the Defense Ministry. The Foreign Ministry's share has not yet been accounted for.
"The better alternative seems to us to work for progress within the confines of EU membership, without incurring the significant economic risk of Brexit: a smaller, slower-growing British economy for years to come."

The letter was signed by Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson, John Snow, Paul O'Neill, Lawrence Summers, Robert Rubin, Michael Blumenthal and George Shultz.

Brexit folk call it Project Fear. But none of them  none  have explained how UK would quit EU while maintaining single market. Its fantasy  Peter R. Neumann (@PeterRNeumann) April 19, 2016

Obama Backing

Their letter comes a week ahead of a visit by US President Barack Obama to London, where he is expected to give backing to Cameron's campaign to keep Britain in Europe. Ahead of the visit, Ben Rhodes, the White House deputy national security adviser, told reporters:

"He will make very clear that this is a matter the British people should decide when they head to the polls in June. We believe that all of us benefit when the EU can speak with a strong and a single voice and can work with us to advance our shared interests whether on security or prosperity. We believe that the UK has benefited from the single market that is good for the British economy and that, in turn, is good for the United States economy."

Anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage said: "Mercifully, this American president, who is the most anti-British American president there has ever been, won't be in office for much longer, and I hope will be replaced by somebody rather more sensible when it comes to trading relationships with this country."

The high-level interventions are deemed by many to be a breach of international diplomatic protocol, which dictates that nations will not interfere with the internal politics of other states. Cameron has already drawn criticism for organizing 'Project Fear' because most of his arguments are based on suggesting Armageddon if Britain left the EU.

Downing Street denied orchestrating the Times letter written by the former US treasury secretaries, saying they had initiated it themselves. But Cameron was quick to tweet:
VILNIUS (Sputnik)  The US Army Europes (USAREUR) 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment will be stationed in central Lithuanias Jonavos district with the Lithuanian Land Forces Duke Vaidotas Mechanized Infantry Battalion, the ministry added.

"US troops, having trained for 3 months in Lithuania, will return to their place of permanent deployment in Vilseke, Germany It is planned that about 260 US troops will train in Lithuania until the end of June," the ministry said.

The outgoing US troops conducted individual training of Lithuanian troops and took part in joint military exercises. The rotation is being carried out in Latvia, Estonia and Poland, in addition to Lithuania.
Representatives from the airports security service refused to comment on the situation.

Im still waiting for an official explanation from the Turkish authorities. When I was last flying to Moscow from Istanbul on Saturday night they stopped me for about ten minutes at passport control, then said everything was all right. They didnt deport me then and now they refused to let me in, Kerimov said.

I landed in Istanbul at 0:40 today with Aeroflots flight 2134. The border control staff held me at the passport control for some 10 minutes, then ushered me to the passenger control premises without explaining anything, Kerimov told reporters from the waiting room for passengers attending inspection and screening at Istanbuls Ataturk Airport.

Kerimov said he had presented all of the documents he had: Russian passport, boarding pass, Turkish press card and Turkish residence permit he had been granted earlier.

After being held for about an hour, Kerimov was handed written notification that he is considered unwelcome in the Turkish Republic and his entrance to the country is barred. He was ordered to leave Turkey on the first available flight.

Kerimov then met with Russias consular representative and related the incident.

I dont understand why the Turkish authorities refuse to explain why they didnt let me in, even though I guess I know the true reason, Kerimov said.

Tural Kerimov was eventually issued an Inadmissible Passenger Notification Report by Turkish authorities subjecting him to an entry ban citing the countrys Law on Foreigners and International Protection.

As for the reasons why they blocked access to Sputniks website on Thursday, I guess it has to do with my deportation. With a pertinent decision by an Ankara court still pending and with no official explanations about the decision not to let me enter the country, there is nothing more I can say now, Tural said.

The Russian embassy in Ankara and the Consul-General in Istanbul have been very helpful.

I called Mr. Podyelyshev, our Consul-General at 2 a.m. this morning and we discussed this whole situation. A member of our consular staff came here today telling me about our diplomats efforts to obtain official information about what is going on and why, Tural Kerimov added.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Wednesday, the chief editor of Sputnik News Agencys Turkish bureau, Tural Kerimov, was denied entry to Turkey, stripped of his accreditation and residence permit in Turkey.

"Index condemns the entry ban imposed by Turkish authorities against Russian journalist Tural Kerimov, the Turkey bureau chief for Sputnik news agency. We are extremely concerned about the recurrent practice of barring foreign correspondents from entering the country as a mean to restrict access to information. We also condemn the Turkish Telecommunications Authority's decision to block access to Sputnik's website," Patry said.

The Turkish government blocked access to the Sputnik News Agency website without notice last Thursday, citing "administrative measures." This was the latest example of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's crackdown on press freedoms in the country.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  In March, the Latvian authorities notified the Sputnik international news agency that its registration within the.lv domain had been found to be in violation of an EU regulation and would be suspended.

In early April, Latvia's National Electronic Media Council (NEPLP) decided to suspend the Russian-based Rossiya-RTR channel from broadcasting in Latvia for six months. Earlier, the head of the Council stated that the channel had committed three violations by allegedly broadcasting "war propaganda."

"The closure of the Latvian domain of Russia's sputniknews.lv Internet portal, which publishes information in both Russian and Latvian, as well as the suspension of the Rossiya-RTR channel for half a year, are completely idiotic decisions Both of these decisions are a disgrace to Latvia. To what extent must one disrespect one's own country to think that one of the thousands and tens of thousands websites publishing information about Latvia threatens state security," Usakovs said in an interview with the Vesti Segodnya newspaper.
Norway's most infamous inmate is currently serving a maximum 21-year sentence, which may be extended if he is still recognized as dangerous.

In July 2011, Breivik killed eight people in a bombing outside a government building in Oslo and then proceeded to murder another 69, most of them teenagers, in a shootout rampage at a Labor Youth camp on the island of Utya. During his shooting spree, he methodically stalked and murdered future members of the Labor Party, which he blamed for the rise of multiculturalism in the Nordic country.
By 2009, with Iraq in chaos, impoverished Sierra Leone was looking for a way to engage its workforce, said Maya Mynster Christensen, a researcher at the Danish Institute Against Torture, who made repeated trips to the West African country.

"The film is about former child soldiers from Sierra Leone who were outsourced to British private security services and made to work as guards in Iraq from 2009," documentary filmmaker Mads Ellesoe told Sputnik.

"The film briefly looks at outsourcing these former child soldiers. It assesses this outsourcing when it is done for the purposes of warfare, as well as the impact on the individuals."

When asked if the British companies were aware of what was going on, Ellesoe said:

"I am not sure if they knew that former child soldiers were being used. We do not know this."

Ellesoe ultimately refused to name the companies involved.

"There were several [companies] involved, but I'm sorry I will not be able to tell you specifically who they are."

However, it was the impact that this experience had on the individuals involved that leaves a truly terrifying picture.

"Some of them are still in Iraq working, but all of them are living in terrible poverty," the filmmaker told Sputnik.

"Well, I am no psychologist but yes, I spoke to someone who is a counselor and they told me that this is one of the worst things you could do to a person. Take them from one war zone and put them into another. It's very bad. They would need rehabilitating, but I doubt they got it."

Ellesoe hopes that this film will be more then just a documentary and that perhaps change can take place as a result.

"For me, I just filmed the piece and put it out into the public arena. I do hope though that something changes as a result of this and awareness is built."
Bachman denies the hate speech charges, and has been accused of using the trial as an opportunity for publicity; arriving as he did, wearing a pair of sunglasses that were modified to resemble a censorship block over his eyes.

The stunt was apparently coordinated with Pegida supporters, many of whom attended the trial wearing similarly modified sunglasses  they were warned against disrupting proceedings by the court warden though, after applauding Lutz Bachman on his arrival.

#LutzBachman #PEGIDA founder security screened before allowed entry back into the court room in #Dresden pic.twitter.com/IN4M9l8BhX  Alex Poucher (@alexpoucher) April 19, 2016

Despite the protests of Bachman's supporters, Germany has a positive record in terms of censorship, consistently ranking in the top 20 of the Press Freedom Index's "most free countries."

Section 130 of Germany's Strafgesetzbuch (criminal code) cites the "incitement of popular hatred" (Volksverhetzung) as an offense.
NOVOSIBIRSK (Sputnik)  The EU envoy pointed out that the bloc spends almost 28 million euros ($31 million) to allow 3,500 Russian students to attend EU universities for periods ranging from three to nine months.

"Of course, because we believe in the power of human relations in the sphere of education, science, research and culture," Usackas said at a press conference in Russia's Novosibirsk, when asked whether Brussels was planning to expand cooperation with Moscow in the fields of science and student exchange.

According to Usackas, these efforts are the best example that the European Union has always advocated respectful relations in these areas.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, German Environment and Nuclear Safety Minister Barbara Hendricks called on Brussels to take the Tihange 2 and Doel 3 nuclear reactors offline due to safety concerns.

"The FANC is surprised to learn that Barbara Hendricks <>, calls upon Belgium to shut Doel 3 and Tihange 2 down again for an indefinite period of time The FANC remains convinced that the Doel 3 and Tihange 2 comply with international safety standards and that there is no need to shut down these units from a nuclear safety point of view," the statement reads.
Such an act of hostility on the part of Turkey in relation to the Russian media was due to the fact that the local community has started to dislike Erdogan's government.

The government is extremely intolerant to any kind of impartial criticism by some international media, including Russian, and it tries to use the most brutal and radical way to erase such media from the Turkish information field.

The same applies to the local Turkish media. Striking examples of that is the closure of the newspaper Cumhuriyet, wrongful attack and ban on German journalists and harassment and arrests of Turkish journalists. All this hostility and intolerance on the part of the government of Recep Erdogan in relation to the international and domestic media has caused a wide resonance in the public eye, which, in turn, has strongly condemned Erdogan for such aggression, the CEO said.
Kerimov's documents, including his Russian passport, press card and residence permit, were confiscated in the Ataturk International Airport by security officers.

According to Giulietto, in this way Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan is trying to demonstrate his strength and force Europeans into further submission.

"Erdogan wants not only billions euro promised by Angela Merkel, but something else: for example, the promise that he will enter Europe through the front door. This means that he wants to go to Europe with a position of strength and be accepted as he is. Thus, he is raising the stakes and forcing Germany to kneel down," the journalist wrote.
According to VTM News Channel, the 24-year-old worked at the city airport until 2012. Its is unclear what job Laachraoui had, but it was reported that all airport personnel backgrounds are checked before being granted access badges.

The investigation unveiled that Laachraoui, a former electrical engineering student, prepared explosives in his apartment for both the Brussels bombings and the Paris attacks, the channel noted.
Castros comments come as the Communist Party selects his younger brother, current Cuban President Raul Castro, to be the head of the party for the next five years.

The younger Castro is set to step down as president in 2018.

Havana has seen a historic shift in relations with Washington under the administration of President Barack Obama. After normalizing trade relations, Obama became last month the first US President in nearly 90 years to visit Cuba.

"This may be one of the last times I speak in this room," Castro said. "We must tell our brothers in Latin America and the world that the Cuban people will be victorious."
It turns out that while the whole world is discussing the Panama Papers scandal, the Panamanians themselves are far from all the hype.

The Panama Papers are a set of 11.5 million confidential documents detailing information about more than 214,000 offshore companies compiled by the Panamanian corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca, including the identities of company shareholders and directors.

According to a survey, conducted by the international research firm Dichter & Neira commissioned by local TV channel TVN, 45% of Panamanians are not aware of the scandal of Panama securities. Another 5% found it difficult to answer the question.
"A member of the border control took my passport and escorted me to the arrivals screening point, where I was kept for about an hour without explanation," Kerimov said, describing his experience at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul.

"Then he gave me a paper that says that I'm a passenger whose entry is prohibited in Turkey. The paper doesn't contain any explanation. My press card and residence permit were also seized, and I was asked to go back to Russia on the next flight."
The European Union needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the European Union, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proclaimed in a televised speech to municipal leaders in Ankara on Tuesday.

The proclamation comes after the European Parliament published a 2015 progress report on Turkey, accusing Erdogans government of backsliding on its commitment to democracy and the rule of law, and raising concerns over Ankaras track record on human rights and freedom of the press.
CAIRO (Sputnik)  The Council of the Arab League will hold on Thursday an extraordinary meeting at the level of permanent envoys to discuss Israeli Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu remarks about the Golan Heights, local media reported Tuesday, citing Kuwait's permanent representative at the organization.

On Sunday, Netanyahu held Israel's first Cabinet meeting on the Golan Heights, declaring the territory would remain permanently under the country's control.

"Kuwait has demanded to hold this meeting to discuss the challenges due to the dangerous statements regarding the occupied Arab-Syrian Golans. These statements are steps toward escalation and constitute a blatant violation of the principles of international law and international decisions," the Kuwaiti diplomat was quoted as saying by Egypts al-Ahram newspaper.
JABRIYA(Sputnik)  Some four tonnes of humanitarian aid have been delivered to the Syrian villages of Badu and Jabriya in the Homs province, the Russian military said Wednesday.

"Another humanitarian action was carried out today in two Syrian settlements, Jabriya and Badu, which have recently signed up to the agreement on the cessation of hostilities," Col. Igor Borodin, of Russias reconciliation center in Latakia, said.
GENEVA (Sputnik)  The European Unions sanctions against the Syrian government only serve to push temporarily displaced people in territories under its control out to Europe, Russian envoy to the UN Geneva Office Alexei Borodavkin warned in a Sputnik interview on Wednesday.

"The issue of some 7 million of temporarily displaced persons inside Syria is the key one. The majority of them live in government-controlled territories. If they do not receive help, they will flee Syria and go to Europe. But our European colleagues do not seem to notice this and maintain their unilateral sanctions against SyriaThis short-sightedness is simply astonishing. Sanctions should be scrapped in order to keep temporarily displaced persons inside Syria," Borodavkin said.

Europe is facing its most serious migration crisis since the end of the Second World War, which is the result of the armed conflicts and economic problems in the Middle East and North Africa.
US President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss how Washington and Riyadh will work to defeat terrorism. But it turns out the two countries have nothing in common when it comes to the treatment of inmates convicted of terrorism charges.

The high-security Al-Hair prison is the largest of five prisons established to lock up people for terrorism-related charges. First, it was full with al-Qaeda members, but more recently Daesh militants have been thrown to Al-Hair to serve their sentences.

"They also get water aerobics classes and even conjugal visits. And these prisoners are also said to have an Olympic-size swimming pool and art-therapy classes," RT's Nikki Aaron reported.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Moscow's support for Damascus helped prevent the collapse of Syria and avoid massive civilian losses, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

"Recently, it has been possible to take a number of important steps toward ensuring a peaceful settlement in Syria and countering international terrorists that have settled there. The support provided by Russia to Syria's legitimate government helped prevent the collapse of the state system and the state itself, save public institutions, and avoid massive civilian casualties," Putin said, addressing foreign diplomats at the Kremlin.

"Thanks to the successful actions of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian armyit was possible to free a number of towns, including Palmyra. In total, Syrian forces, backed by Russian aviation, were able to free a total of 400 settlements and eliminate thousands of terrorists, including from Russia and other CIS countries," the president noted.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Syria as a whole is under siege because of the western sanctions imposed against it, head of Damascus delegation to the intra-Syria talks Bashar Jaafari said Wednesday.

"Whole Syria is under siege because of sanctions  EU, US and of Arab countries that are counter to the SC [UN Security Council] decisions," Jaafari told reporters.
The talks failed after Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates said they wouldnt agree to a deal unless Iran joined in. Well ahead of the meeting Tehran said it would not freeze production until it reached its pre-sanctions quota of four million barrels per day.

In an interview with RT, financial consultant Patrick Young said that the time of cartel-like organizations like OPEC was running out as the rising volume of shale oil and gas production was making it hard for the traditional oil producers to keep the prices up.

The Middle East has turned into a battlefield between Saudi Arabia and its regional foe, Iran. Rejecting a more practical oil extraction roadmap, the Saudis refused to freeze their oil output in a clear challenge to other OPEC members, Young said.
However, Uslu doesn't believe in the successful outcome of the negotiations and said that they are unlikely to resolve the Syrian conflict.

"As for the Geneva talks, it is unlikely that they would be effective in their current form. I don't think that the negotiations with their current line-up can provide a solution to the Syrian conflict," the politician stated.

According to Uslu, the shelling caused panic among residents of Kilis. They pray for their lives and are afraid of leaving their homes. The politician said that his party repeatedly appealed to the Turkish government to review its foreign strategy and even organized protests, but to no avail.

"Nobody listens to us, no action is taken. The bombs keep falling. No one cares about us and we feel doomed. So, we keep waking up every day because of the bombings," Uslu concluded.

The shelling is not the first incident of that kind in the Turkish city. Kilis which hosts a large number of refugees has repeatedly been shelled from the Syrian territory, killing innocent civilians living in the area.

Earlier, Turkish officials assumed that territory might have been shelled by the Syrian Kurds, but representatives of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) denied the allegations. This year, Turkey has intensified shelling of the Kurds' positions in Syria, claiming that they have links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group considered a terrorist organization by Ankara.
UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik)  Dujarric also called for medical evacuations by all parties in Syrias civil war, now entering its sixth year.

"Today plans are underway to evacuate some 500 people including the sick, wounded and their family members from the besieged four towns which are Fuaa, Kafraya, Madaya and Zabadani, in urgent need of life-saving medical attention," Dujarric said.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Hussein has said more than 450,000 people remained trapped in besieged towns throughout Syria.
Kiriakou stated that recent developments inside Turkey are reminiscent of actions by the Ottoman Empire during the 1920s, seen by many as the dismantling of democracy in the Middle Eastern country. Erdogan has made no secret of his ambitions to resurrect the former Ottoman Empire, by force if necessary.

Why did Erdogan single out Sputnik Turkey of all accredited international media working in the country?

"Sputnik is a legitimate, internationally recognized and accredited news outlet," stated Kiriakou. "I think that Erdogan personally feels threatened by freedom of information, and I think that he is angry about Russian involvement in Syria, so he is going to take this petty action."

Would you call the expulsion of Sputnik Turkeys editor-in-chief a political reprisal?

"Yes, I think thats exactly what it is," said Kiriakou. "This points to Erdogans international weakness that he has to take things out on an internationally accredited journalist."

In a separate interview with Brian Becker, former CIA analyst George McGovern reiterated Kiriakous concerns: that Turkey is devolving into an authoritarian state sponsor of terrorism, where democracy and journalistic freedom are no longer the accepted norm.
Critics argue that the plan will backfire, wasting millions in taxpayer dollars in the process.

"Though the Kurdistan Regional Government clearly has some interest in seeing ISIS expelled from the area around Mosul, their interests are likely more directly on defending their own territorial gains theyve made during the war, including the oil-rich city of Kirkuk," Jason Ditz writes for AntiWar.com.

"Instead of leaving the Peshmerga to its own, already subsidized devices, the Pentagon seems to have decided that overt bribery is in order, to make sure the Peshmergas involvement in the fight is centered on offensives where the US wants them."

The Pentagons support of Iraqi Kurds is also surprising, given the formers refusal to acknowledge the role played by Kurdish fighters in Syria. Despite being the most effective forces on the ground, Washington has refused to allow Kurdish groups to participate in the Syrian peace talks. This was done largely at the request of the Turkish government, which fears the creation of an autonomous Kurdish region along its borders.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Sunday, energy ministers of oil producing states failed to agree on freezing oil output at January levels to shore up prices after Riyadh unexpectedly backed out of an all-but-certain agreement. The Saudi defense minister announced that his country would only sign the agreement if Iran, as well as other major oil producers, joins the deal.

"As for the negotiations, they are carried out, of course, at the ministerial level, we did not hold [talks] with the prince, who is also the defense minister, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told Kommersant FM radio station.

According to Novak, the Russian side believed that Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Naimi until the last moment expressed his leaderships position that the deal would be agreed.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Russian center for Syrian reconciliation at the Hmeimim airbase has passed three tonnes (metric tons) of humanitarian aid to residents of Syrias Homs Governorate, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

In addition to the aid which consisted mostly of food items, the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation "provided medical assistance to 32 local residents," according to the statement.

More humanitarian aid convoys are being formed for residents of the Syrian Hama Governorate, according to the Russian military.
STOCKHOLM (Sputnik)  The Danish Parliament has approved by a majority vote a decision to strengthen the countrys military assistance in the fight against Daesh terrorist organization in Syria and Iraq, the governments press service said Tuesday.

"In the coming months, Denmark will provide F16 fighter jets, special forces and a [C-130J] transport aircraft to support the anti-Daesh international coalition," the press service said in a statement.

Thus, according to the government data, the total military contribution of Denmark since mid-2016 will include 400 Danish servicemen, including pilots and technical staff.
KUALA LUMPUR (Sputnik)  The first export contract on delivering Russian-Indian BrahMos cruise missiles to a country in the Asian-Pacific Region will be signed by the end of 2016, BrahMos Aerospace spokesman Praveen Pathak said Wednesday.

Its too early to be specific since negotiations are continuing, but we plan that by the end this year there will be one solid contract, Pathak told RIA Novosti in an interview.

He added that the Asian-Pacific nation would be a friendly nation that neither Russia nor India has any conflicts with.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Iskander-M missile complexes and 4,000 military personnel have been activated in Russias East for tactical exercises, the Russian Defense Ministrys Eastern Military Districts press service said Wednesday.

The active phase of dual-sided tactical exercises with mobile and tank units from the Eastern Military District deployed in the Baikal District and the Republic of Buryatia has begun at the Tsugol Training Facility. The maneuvers include military artillery units, including missile units from the Eastern Military District for the operative tactical Iskander-M missile complexes deployed in the Republic of Buryatia, press spokesman Alexander Gordeyev said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia's armed forces have conducted almost a 1,000 military exercises since the start of 2016, Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

"Since the beginning of the year [in January 2016] in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, there were more than 900 tactical, special-tactical and command-staff exercises at more than 100 ranges of the Western, Southern, Central, Eastern military districts and the Northern Fleet," the statements said.

The ministry added that the Russian Aerospace Forces and marine aircraft crews during this time have flown more than 100,000 hours and participated in 80 tactical flight maneuvers.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia is ready to fulfill weapons sales requests from any country including Somalia, once the sanctions imposed on it are lifted, a senior spokesman of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said Wednesday.

"Russia is ready to satisfy requests for arms deliveries from all countries, including Somalia, should they not be subjected to sanctions," the official told RIA Novosti.

On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Mogadishu would like Moscow's support in developing the Somali economy and strengthening its armed forces. Russia is ready to consider cooperating with Somalia in the military-technical field, according to Lavrov.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  There are currently no positive elements in the Russia-NATO agenda, Russian Envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko said Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) met for the first time on Wednesday since the western military alliance cut off ties with Moscow in April 2014.

There were statements to improve the machinery of these bilateral agreements, but there was no interest on the US side, and today we said very clearly that we are prepared to engage with those countries who want to have sharper bilateral instruments, Grushko told reporters in English.
BRUSSELS (Sputnik)  The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer made headlines after two Russian Su-24 Fencer tactical bombers flew close to the ship near a Russian base in the Baltic Sea. US military officials slammed the fly-by as reckless and unprofessional, while Russia maintained it was defending its national borders.

Grushko, speaking to reporters after the first Russia-NATO Council in two years, reaffirmed that stance by posing a hypothetical scenario where a destroyer fitted with cruise missiles with a range of over 1,500 miles was stationed either in New York Harbor or the Gulf of Mexico.

The envoy stressed that the USS Donald Cook's deployment near Kaliningrad was an attempt to put military pressure on Russia. He asserted that Russia would continue taking "all necessary measures [and] precautions to compensate US attempts to use military force."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US-led coalition of more than 60 nations has been carrying out airstrikes in Syria and Iraq against the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, since the summer of 2014.

"Near Mosul, nine strikes struck an ISIL [Daesh] staging area, an ISIL-used power plant and four separate ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL supply caches, an ISIL mortar system and two ISIL vehicles and denying ISIL access to terrain," the statement noted on Wednesday.
In a Yiddish advertisement targeting New Yorks sizeable Orthodox Jewish population, the candidates campaign proclaims, Presidential candidate Ted Cruz is the first and only since President Reagan who believes that God is the one who decides who will be elected president of the United States, which is why he is confident that he will be elected.

New Yorks orthodox Jewish population tends to be more conservative than the rest of the state, supporting Republicans almost 2-1 over Democrats. After receiving regular ire from mainstream outlets for criticizing New York values in a debate several months ago, Ted Cruz has gone to great lengths to acquire Jewish votes. The candidate went so far a to break bread recently the citys matzah bakeries.
"They have objectively pulled out of it," the Russian diplomat noted.

Commenting on the HNC's decision to take a pause in the talks up to the moment Damascus stops military action in Syria, Borodavkin pointed out that "if they want a radical solution of humanitarian issues, [then] it is impossible to achieve this beyond the context of a political settlement."

"Only under the condition that the conflict is settled in a peaceful way, it will be possible to effectively address the issues of humanitarian assistance, but the HNC leaves the negotiations. Where is the logic?" the Russian envoy highlighted.

Russia Surprised by Syria HNC's Allegedly Unanimous Decision to Put Talks on Hold

Moscow is surprised with the statement about the allegedly unanimous decision of HNC to take a pause in the talks since more constructive part of the group disagrees with such a stance, Borodavkin told Sputnik.

"We were surprised that the statement about the suspension of the HNC participation in the talks was made, allegedly, on behalf of the entire delegation," Borodavkin said.
GENEVA (Sputnik)  Creation of a unified Syrian opposition's delegation is included in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution, which should be implemented by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva Alexei Borodavkin told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"We agree that, in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura was instructed to determine the composition of a unified opposition delegation. We believe that he must fulfill his mandate, entrusted to him by the UNSC. At the same time, the opposition delegation should be inclusive, that is, to represent all current moderate opposition in Syria," Borodavkin said.

De Mistura Should Compile Syria Political Transition Ideas in One Document
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on April 8 the council agenda would include the "crisis in and around Ukraine, military activity, transparency, risk reductions and Afghanistan."

On Ukraine, Zakharova said that Moscow planned to raise issues with NATOs assistance to the anti-constitutional coup in Kiev in February 2014 and the use of NATO instructors to train Ukrainian security forces in waging war against their own people, among other pressing subjects.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov summarized Tuesday the meetings program as no longer "business as usual" and a "one-way street."

"The agenda which was agreed upon for tomorrows session does not only reflect what NATO needs but also what Russia is interested in," Lavrov said late Tuesday.

Stoltenberg echoed the top Russian diplomats sentiment that convening the Russia-NATO Council "does not mean that we are back to business as normal."
Borodavkin said the Damascus delegation had praised the roadmap for change tabled by de Mistura and quoted them as saying that, "they regard humanitarian issues as part of the agenda, including the issue of freeing arrested people and war prisoners."

"When it comes to the developing of parameters of the political transition period [in Syria], it can not be done without the direct contact between the Syrian parties of the negotiations. The participants of the Geneva process, and UN mediators should proceed from this," Borodavkin said.

On Monday, the Riyadh-backed opposition's High Negotiations Committee (HNC) suspended its participation, citing alleged recent violations of the cessation of hostilities and a worsening situation with humanitarian aid access.

Decisions on Syrian Governance Should Be Up to People

The Syrians should decide on the form of governance in their country, including the proposed triple vice-presidency, Alexei Borodavkin told Sputnik.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, who is mediating indirect Syria talks in Geneva, floated an idea last week that the current Syrian president should devolve powers to three vice-presidents. He said later that the proposal had come from experts at the peace talks and its discussion was in the early stage.

"The issue of Syrian presidency, changes to Syrias constitution should be settled by the Syrians. The talks can only work on proposals to this effect. But it should be up to Syrians to decide during free and fair vote on the constitution and the future leader," Borodavkin said, commenting on the idea of the three vice-presidents.
GENEVA (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, Sputnik learned from a source close to the HNC that the delegation had split over the issue of the necessity to continue the current round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva. Part of the delegation insists on the "uselessness of talks" while fighting in Syria continues, which they blame the Syrian government for. The other side says these talks are the only chance to move toward settlement, and even favours cooperation with the Moscow-Cairo group.

"I have never heard of it, it is not true," al-Zoubi said, answering the question on whether the allegations were true.

"The delegation was united in our decision to freeze the participation in the talks. Everyone had the same wish," al-Zoubi said.
GENEVA (Sputnik)  Russia is demanding the participation of the Syrian Kurds in the Geneva talks while the Turkey's "blackmail" in this regard is unacceptable, Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva Alexey Borodavkin told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"We are constantly repeating that Turkey's blackmail in relation to the fact that the Syrian Kurds allegedly must not and should not be admitted to the negotiations is absolutely unacceptable. We are strongly demanding from the UN Special Envoy for Syria [Staffan de Mistura], for the Syrian Kurds to be provided with a dignified place in the intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva," Borodavkin said.
GENEVA (Sputnik)  The ongoing round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva will definitely last until Friday and can continue through April 27, Kassem el-Khatib, member of the Moscow-Cairo opposition group, told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"As far as we understood from what de Mistura said, he confirmed at the meeting with Moscow-Cairo-Astana group that this round of talks will last until Friday, April 22. Actually, there is an appeal to continue until April 27, depending on the consequences. On Friday, Mistura will evaluate the situation and make a decision on it," el-Khatib said.

The latest round of the intra-Syria talks began on April 13, and according to the United Nations was supposed to focus on Syria's political transition, governance, and the constitution.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Monday, the Syrian oppositions High Negotiations Committee (HNC) put on hold its participation in the intra-Syria talks, citing the recent serious violations of the ceasefire and worsening of the situation with the humanitarian aid access.

"This is not a simple situation, and of course, it causes some concern," Peskov told reporters.

The latest round of the intra-Syria talks began on April 13, and according to the United Nations was supposed to focus on Syria's political transition, governance, and the constitution.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Both Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members and non-cartel producers should reach an agreement on stabilizing the oil market, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani said Wednesday.

"The issues related to the fall of oil [prices] are intriguing and you know, who is behind them. Both the OPEC member states, and the OPEC non-member states should make a relevant decision to balance these issues," Larijani said at a press-conference in Moscow.

On Sunday, major oil-producing countries, including both members of OPEC and states outside the organization, failed to reach an agreement in the Qatari capital of Doha to maintain output at current levels. Riyadh cited Tehrans absence from the talks as reason for not supporting an output freeze.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Kerimov, who was also stripped of his accreditation and residence permit in Turkey, is currently at the Ataturk International Airport awaiting deportation.

"I met Tural Kerimov at the airport and talked to him in the presence of a police officer," the Russian diplomat told RIA Novosti.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Late on Sunday, Brazil's lower house lawmakers voted in favor of impeaching President Rousseff, sending the vote to the upper chamber known as the Federal Senate.

"This is a new type of a coup detat which exploits legal sophistry," Javier Couso said.

According to Couso, this is an "attack on the separation of powers in Brazil."
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The development of relations with Japan is one of Russias foreign policy priorities, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

We support the active political contacts on all levels. The development of multi-planned dialogue with Japan is one of our foreign policy priorities. Im counting on the planned visit of [Prime Minister] Shinzo Abe on May 6 to provide for the expansion of Russian-Japanese relations on the basis of mutual benefits and taking into account the interests of each other, Putin said while addressing foreign diplomats at the Kremlin.

Moscow and Tokyo have not signed a peace treaty after WWII. Despite that, the countries cooperate in many fields.
BERLIN (Sputnik)  Berlin welcomes the renewal of the Russia-NATO Councils work and calls for dialogue to continue, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said Wednesday.

From the German Foreign Ministrys point of view, its good that this meeting took place. If youre asking me about concrete expectations, then Berlins expectations are not tied to what happens after one round of negotiations with Russiathat all of the topics will be swept aside, taken from the agenda, and announced with solutions, Schaefer said, adding that all difficult issues are possible to solve by being in dialogue.

The NATO-Russia Council was created in 2002 as a mechanism for consultations and cooperation between NATO member states and Russia on a wide range of security issues.
BRUSSELS (Sputnik)  All members of the NATO-Russia Council agreed during their meeting Wednesday on the need to hastily implement the Minsk peace agreements for Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

"All 29 members of the NATO-Russia Council agreed today on the need for a full and rapid implementation of the Minsk agreements. The signatories to the agreements must comply with their commitments, and Russia has a significant responsibility in this regard," Stoltenberg told reporters.
BRUSSELS (Sputnik)  NATO and Russia have profound and persistent disagreements, and Wednesday's meeting of the NATO-Russia Council did not change this fact, the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.

"NATO and Russia have profound and persistent disagreements. Today's meeting did not change that," Stoltenberg told reporters.

However, the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council proves that the sides are able to engage in a dialogue despite practical cooperation being suspended.
GENEVA (Sputnik)  The Syrian government has the lawful right to fight terrorists in the country, in accordance with a UN Security Council on cessation of hostilities, the head of the Damascus delegation to the intra-Syria talks, Bashar Jaafari, said Wednesday.

"We are right in fighting all terrorist groups in Syria, it is our legitimate right," Jaafari told reporters.

According to the official, based on the UN Security Council resolutions, all the UN members are bound to help Syria and its allies in countering terror.
The journalist calls attention to the fact that although the West severed Russia-NATO communication channels following Crimea's reunification with Russia, Moscow wisely left the door for the dialogue open and did not reject "a series of deliberately understated Western initiatives."

"But the particular initiative, the attitudinal change that revived the NATO-Russia Council came from the Western side. It was the West that had blocked pretty much all channels of communications in the wake of Crimea, and it was the West that was now trying to re-establish them," Dejevsky emphasizes.

According to the political commentator, the suspension of the forum by the West was a regrettable move. She noted that prominent Western analysts, including former NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, warned that the lack of communication channels between NATO and Russia has made the situation in Europe even more unstable than it had been during the previous Cold War.

"This week's meeting of the NATO-Russia Council offers the first hint that the realists may finally be gaining ground in the contest for Western Russia policy, the first acknowledgement by the West that in Ukraine it might have overplayed its hand, and the first evidence that  in the diplomatic jargon  NATO is trying to build an 'off-ramp,'" Dejevsky underscores.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The two leaders discussed "the development of the situation in Ukraine with an emphasis on the need for the parties to the internal Ukrainian conflict to fully implement the Minsk agreements of February 12, 2015," the press service said in a statement.

Merkel and Putin agreed to continue political and diplomatic efforts for Ukraine peace settlement, "first and foremost in the Normandy format [Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine], as well as within the OSCE."

The talk was initiated by Berlin.
"I will come back [to Cairo] with additional thoughts about ways in which we can work together to invigorate the economy, to attract investment, to create jobs, and also ways that we can work together in order to deal with Daesh particularly and to help Egypt in terms of the security concerns that it has today," Kerry stated.

The state secretary emphasized that the United States views Egypt as "critical to the peace and security of the entire region," and is "deeply committed" to the countrys stability.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to him, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, National Assembly president Gabriela Rivadeneira and Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino have all reiterated an invitation for Putin to visit Ecuador when they visited Russia.

"The presence of president Putin in Ecuador awakens great interest in us. Not only because he is a global personality, but also because we want to thank Russia for all it does for Ecuador  in academic, commercial, investment and political sectors," the diplomat said.

The country's authorities would also like Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to pay a visit to the country before the presidential elections next February, the ambassador said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Kurds did not receive an official invitation either to the current or previous rounds of talks. The Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) claims that its participation in the intra-Syrian talks was blocked by Ankara.

"They [Kurds] need to be in the negotiations, but they cant be in the same negotiation with the other their opposition, because they dont have a clear objective and they fight each other. So there probably needs to be [another] delegation  Kurdish PYD delegation. Turkey doesnt like that of course," Robert Ford said.

Earlier in the day, the Kurdish National Council (KNC), which takes part in the talks as part of the High Negotiations Committee delegation, told Sputnik it was ready to ask the groups leadership to allow the PYD to take part in negotiations only if they cut all ties with the government and join opposition.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia is against the position of some EU states, in particular the United Kingdom, on military intervention to help settle the Libyan conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.

"We are against some our partners' line, but they, in particular the Europeans, have already been openly discussing this, I heard there are such discussions in Britain that it is not worth waiting for all Libyan sides to join the Skhirat accords, that there is a [Fayez] Sarraj government and this government should invite foreign assistants as military advisers, special forces soldiers and in general armed contingents in order to help the fight against terrorism," Lavrov said after talks with African Union Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Any foreign involvement in Libya's internal affairs can only be possible and legitimate in the event of consensus between all countries' political forces and with the approval of the UN Security Council, Lavrov added.
BERLIN (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, representatives of both Russia and NATO met within the framework of the Council for the first time since the western military alliance cut off ties with Moscow in April 2014.

"It is a fact that the Russia-NATO Council took place again, that the negotiations took place again. It is a good sign. But by no means does it imply that there are no more differences in opinion, that all the issues have been clarified," Merkel told reporters at a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite.

She added that it was important that dialogue had been renewed and this fact showed that the sides could talk to each other.
Therefore al-Nusra Front is making every effort to attract followers and sympathizers among Sunni Muslims. It has opened a "Relief Department" (Qism al-Ighatha) in Syria that provides different services to the population, including water and electricity supplies.

AQAP is acting much in the same vein in Yemen. After the group had stolen an estimated $100 million from the central bank in the port city of Al Mukalla, it "repaired infrastructure, dug wells, and canceled payroll taxes" instead of spending the money on bombs and weaponry.

Despite their efforts to "win friends and influence people" al-Nusra Front and AQAP are nothing less than wolves in sheep's clothing.

"Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al Nusra [al-Nusra Front] poses one of the most significant long-term threats of any Salafi-jihadi group," the influential American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) wrote in January 2016.

"This al-Qaeda affiliate has established an expansive network of partnerships with local opposition groups that have grown either dependent on or fiercely loyal to the organization. Its defeat and destruction must be one of the highest priorities of any strategy to defend the United States and Europe from al-Qaeda attacks," the AEI's report stated.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said in an article published Wednesday that Western countries should launch a "perestroika" movement toward a more constructive relationship with Russia without isolating it.

"[Russian President] Vladimir Putin outlined willingness to normalize ties with the West during his latest Direct Line. Will our partners readjust to a more constructive wave? It is not yet clear, but I call on them to do so," Gorbachev wrote in the article published on the Rossyiskaya Gazeta newspaper's website.

Gorbachev, whose 1980s Perestroika market reforms paved way toward the emergence of independent republics after the Soviet Union, urged the West to "put aside emotions and the excesses of propaganda."
"We are an empire and act in an imperial way. We want to preserve American hegemony at any price. But these efforts are expensive and have resulted in massive debt. The US must become cooperative power. I do not think that Russia and China have to be perceived as real threats," he said.

Wilkerson also stressed that US military activities have undermined trust between Washington and Moscow. NATO's expansion to the East and its increased presence near Russian borders is perceived by Moscow as a threat and urges the Russian government to respond in a corresponding way.

"We shouldn't forget that we have forced Russia to defend its interests, because we have deployed NATO directly in front of Moscow's face'," Wilkerson said. "We need Russia and Russia needs us. We will never be able to resolve global challenges without joint efforts," he stated.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  US President Barack Obama and King Salman of Saudi Arabia have agreed on the need to maintain ceasefire in Syria and facilitate transition of power from President Bashar Assad, the White House said in a press release on Wednesday.

"On Syria, they discussed the importance of reinforcing the cessation of hostilities and committed to supporting a political transition away from Assad," the release stated.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Iraq and the need to stabilize areas of Syria liberated from the Islamic State terror group, which has been outlawed by numerous countries, including the United States and Russia.
BRUSSELS (Sputnik)  Russia and NATO agree that the military security in Europe has deteriorated, but view the causes of this trend differently, Russia's Envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko said Wednesday.

The Russia-NATO Council held its first meeting in two years at the level of permanent envoys in Brussels earlier on Wednesday.

"Two conclusions can be made from what we heard at the Council meeting: on the one hand all members of the Council agree that the security situation has noticeably deteriorated, and the military risks have grown," Grushko told reporters in Brussels.
BRUSSELS (Sputnik)  Russia urges all members of the Russia-NATO Council to exert its influence on Ukraine to persuade it against violent measures to settle the southeast Ukrainian crisis, Russia's Envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko said Wednesday.

"[Russia urged] all members of the Russia-NATO Council to use their influence on Kiev in order to motivate it to abandon violent methods of crisis resolution and fully implement its political commitments," Grushko told reporters after the first in two years Russia-NATO Council meeting.

"We have indicated that, by providing political and military support to the Kiev authorities, the alliance plays up a party of war Of particular concern is the fact that Ukrainian forces trained by US, Canadian and other NATO countries instructors, are being transferred to the contact line," Grushko said.
Hundreds of thousands of voters, mainly young supporters of Bernie Sanders, were prevented from voting because of New York's onerous voter laws which disenfranchised 30% of the electorate. Unlike other states captured by Sanders in recent weeks NY State laws required independent or unaffiliated voters to change their registrations 193 days prior to yesterday's vote.

Becker is joined from New York by Kazembe Balagun, journalist and political activist; Stewart Alexander, the 2012 Presidential candidate for the Socialist Party USA; and Gloria La Riva, the 2016 Presidential candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
First up, it's like clockwork, and just as we predicted on yesterday's BradCast. As voting began on Tuesday in NYC, reports of problems began immediately rolling in. Some of them, concerning vote-flipping, are complete hoaxes (which I won't link to, but I explain on the show), while others  concerning tens of thousands of voters purged from the rolls in Brooklyn, optical-scan computer tabulators breaking down around the city, and polling places that failed to open on time  are quite real and, once again, it is voters who are paying the price.

We'll have much more on those problems in the days ahead, I suspect, as reports have continued to emerge upstate and elsewhere, as predicted, since putting today's show to bed. Then, we're joined by Huffington Post Washington Bureau Chief Ryan Grim on the newly emerging failures of the "conservative" budget scam concerning private prisons and reliance on the Prison Industrial Complex. With Republican unwillingness to raise taxes to increase revenue to pay for services, coupled with a decreasing prison population, some county and local budgets in Mississippi are now suddenly "devastated" thanks to broken promises from state officials.

"In the late 90s," Grim tells me, "the state was facing massive over-crowding issues as the era of mass incarceration was really hitting its peak and starting to plateau. The state reached out to the counties and said, we would love to help you build regional facilities, and we will then send you state prisoners. That's gravy for you. You got empty beds, we're going fill 'em, and every time we fill them you get money."
That said, the PAK-DA will probably not be a small aircraft, close in size to a Boeing 757.

It is expected to have a range of 6,740 nautical miles. It will also be able to carry 30 tons of weapons.

PAK-DA will serve as a launch platform for long-range nuclear and conventional cruise missiles and a host of precision-guided munitions. It might also eventually be armed with hypersonic missiles, National Interest wrote.

The new bomber is expected to make its first flight sometime before 2021, with the first deliveries starting in 2023.

The PAK-DA will be a unique project in the history of Russian aviation since it will be a "flying wing" aircraft, a design never used before by Russian engineers. It will fly at subsonic speeds and the large wingspan and design features will provide the jet with reduced visibility to radar.

This is a fundamentally new plane with a new sighting and navigation system. This plane will be equipped with the latest communication systems and electronic warfare, and will have little visibility to radar, Long-Range Aviation Commander Lt.-Gen. Anatoly Zhuravlev said.

The PAK-DA project was launched in 2009. The military intended to receive a single type of long-range bomber to replace the current Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Russia and the United States discussed the possibility of increasing the efficiency of cooperation at the International Space Station (ISS), including the need to optimize the docking standards, Sergei Savelyev, the deputy head of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), said Wednesday.

"[The sides] discussed issues aimed at improving the efficiency of cooperation at the ISS, first of all, and future joint projects," Savelyev told reporters following talks with the management of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Russian and US representatives have agreed in particular to promote the activities of the joint working groups, he added.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The United States and other partners of the Russian space agency Roscosmos have been interested in Russias new Vostochny spaceport, although NASA has voiced no concrete plans to use it yet, the Roscosmos deputy chief said Wednesday.

"All our international partners have been very keen to know how the building and the putting into operation of the new Vostochny cosmodrome is going," Sergei Savelyev said after talks with NASA officials in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The current space cooperation between Russia and the United States sets an example of how the two countries should work together, a Russian cosmonaut and senior official at the space agency Roscosmos, Sergei Krikalev, told Sputnik.

"Despite any political issues between Russia and the United States, the space cooperation continues, and the current cooperation is a good example of how we should collaborate, because the space collaboration is important and it should be systematic," Krikalev stated.

Krikalev, who is the executive director for Roscosmos manned programs, noted that Moscow and Washington had continued to implement existing projects, while also maintaining talks on new ventures.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The website of Sputnik's Turkish bureau was blocked last Thursday by the Turkish telecommunications regulator as part of unclear "administrative measures" following a court ruling. The bureaus editor-in-chief, Tural Kerimov, was prevented from leaving an airport in Istanbul on Wednesday and stripped of his accreditation. The agency has also been put under pressure in Baltic countries.

"The fact that our western colleagues have shown no concern about media being gagged in Turkey  and also in the European Union where Sputnik has recently come under attack  speaks volumes about the double standards [they apply]," Mikhail Yemelyanov, of the party A Just Russia, told RIA Novosti.

In March, Latvia shut down Sputnik's local website, citing a purported violation of EU regulations. This move was followed by neighboring Estonia's Prime Minister Taavi Roivas telling the national parliament that the agency had been put under surveillance.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Turkish authorities' policy in relation to mass media contradicts the basic principles of democracy, Vukasin Obradovic, president of the Association of Independent Journalists of Serbia (NUNS), told Sputnik.

"In general, it is difficult to call Turkey an example of a democratic state, at least if we speak about the mass media. Many of our colleagues are on trial, many are in jail, we regularly see how media [outlets] are being closed, and, I would say that one of the fundamental human rights  the right to free access to information  is being violated," Obradovic said in commenting on the environment for the press in Turkey.

Earlier in the day, Sputnik Turkey Bureau Chief Tural Kerimov said that he had been banned from entering the country by the Turkish authorities upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. This comes a week after the Turkish authorities shut down the agencys Turkish-language website citing "administrative measures." The move is the most recent episode in the governments crackdown on media and free speech in the country following the imprisonment of 14 local journalists.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  RSF also claimed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans growing authoritarianism and the authorities paranoia "just deepened the fault lines in an already polarized society."

"Located on its southwestern edge, Turkey (151st) suffered the regions second biggest fall in score because of the turmoil resulting from the Syrian conflict and the resumption of fighting with the PKK [Kurdistan Workers Party] Kurdish rebels," the release stated.

On Wednesday, the Editor-in-Chief of the Sputnik news agencys Turkish bureau was stripped of his press accreditation and denied entry at the airport in Istanbul. Moreover, Turkish officials shuttered Sputniks Turkish-language website last week, citing administrative measures.
The following week, a permanent bust honoring the cosmonaut was unveiled at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and dedicated by a joint effort on behalf of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the Rossotrudnichestvo Russian Cultural Center in Washington, DC and the "Dialogue of Cultures  United World" International Charitable Fund.

The event, titled Building Trust  US-Russia Cooperation and the International Space Station featured speeches from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, the Deputy Director General of Roscomos Sergei V. Saveliev and former US Ambassador to Russia  the Honorable John Beyrle.

Russias Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak said that the gift to the museum is another reminder of the things that unite the United States and Russia.

"We are very proud to be able to present it to the museum. We know that it will find an excellent place in the collection," Kislyak stated.

He noted that it is very important, especially for the younger generations in Russia and the United States, to remember how much the two countries can achieve together.

"Space cooperation in this respect is one of the most visible example of successful cooperation," Kislyak added.
Republican frontrunner Donald Trump is projected to win Tuesdays New York presidential primary contest by significant margin.

With 31 percent of the vote counted, Trump led with 62 percent, well ahead of the 50 percent figure he needs to claim all of the 95 New York State delegates to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio in July.

However, Trump also needs to maintain a 50 percent vote share in every one of the states 27 congressional districts to sweep all the delegates.
Karanveer Singh Pannu, an 18-year-old high school student from New Jersey, was asked to remove his turban as part of a secondary test after he had gone through a metal detector and submitted to a pat down of his turban and chemical swab test for explosive material.

"I refused at first but when they threatened me that I could not fly, I agreed, provided they gave me a mirror to retie my turban," Pannu said.

"Before I removed my turban, Agent Hernandez asked the dreaded asinine question, 'Is there anything we need to be aware of before you remove your turban?' I politely answered that there is a lot of long hair and something called the brain underneath," he added.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to the recent index, the United States ranks 41st out of 180 in the press freedom index.

"US media freedom, enshrined in the First Amendment to the 1787 constitution, has encountered a major obstacle  the governments war on whistleblowers who leak information about its surveillance activities, spying and foreign operations, especially those linked to counter-terrorism," the RSF said in a comment on the US place in the ranking.

The comment added that US journalists were not protected by the legislation that would guarantee "their right not to reveal their sources and other confidential work-related information."
At packed Sanders Theatre, Stephen Hawking tackles contradictory qualities of black holes https://t.co/qpNpUA8VFu pic.twitter.com/k9OSI782Xg  Harvard Alumni Assoc (@HarvardAlumni) April 20, 2016

Professor Hawking suggests information in black holes could be stored in alternative universes and may not have disappeared forever  as it's often believed.

"Black holes aren't the eternal prisons they were once thought," Hawing said.

"Things can get out of a black hole, both from the outside and possibly through another universe."

According to college newspaper The Harvard Crimson, Professor Hawking joked throughout his lecture to around 1,000 people while he explained that the size of a black hole may be why they hold so much information that might not disappear  reminding the participants that they also emit thermal radiation.

Professor Hawking told the audience that the information stored in a black hole could be likened to an encyclopedia that had been burned. The details are still there  but just much harder to decipher.

"It's like burning an encyclopedia.The information is not lost, if you keep all the ashes. But it's difficult to read."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The final vote was 85 in favor with 12 opposed, and the bill will now go to the House of Representatives.

"Our bill will help America produce more energy <> It will increase Americas influence on the world stage, allowing us to finally become that global energy superpower and enjoy the benefits that come with it," Senate Energy Committee chairwoman and bill sponsor Lisa Murkowski said prior to the bills passage.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The Supreme Court ruled that the US Congress did not exceed its authority by passing legislation on securing the restitution from Iran.

"[The law] provides a new standard clarifying that, if Iran owns certain assets, the victims of Iran-sponsored terrorist attacks will be permitted to execute against those assets," Ginsburg wrote as quoted by CNN.

In 1984, the United States designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, accusing Tehran of funding and arming terrorist groups.
President Obama must halt crude exports to give us a fighting chance to meet the Paris Agreements crucial climate goals, the Centers staff attorney Jean Su said. The president has the legal authority to reverse the terrible mistake he made in approving an end to the longstanding ban on crude exports.

The petition was timed to precede Fridays signing at the United Nations of a global warming agreement that was reached in Paris late last year, the release said.
NEW YORK (Sputnik)  On Wednesday, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that arguments made to reverse Yaroshenkos conviction lacked merit.

"We disagree with the decision of the Appeals Court and intend to seek its reconsideration, either by the Second Circuit convened en banc or by the US Supreme Court," Tarasov said.

Tarasov argued in the appeal that Yaroshenko was kidnapped and tortured, and that relations between the United States and Russia declined as a result.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled earlier on Wednesday that arguments made to reverse Yaroshenkos conviction lacked merit.

"This is deeply regretful and surprising because we know for certain that his lawyers have gathered convincing evidence pointing out at serious violations in Yaroshenko's case," Dolgov said.

"This confirms our conclusions that it has been nothing but a political put-up job, the entire case has been politicized," the diplomat stressed.
Attorney General Bill Schuettes office alleges that both Prysby and Busch deliberately misled Environmental Protection Agency regulator Miguel Del Toral by claiming falsely that proper corrosion control was being used, as well as impeding an investigation into the Legionella outbreak that killed 12 people. They are also accused of manipulating lead test results to falsely make it appear that the citys water was safe.

If convicted on the tampering charge, Glasgow could face up to four years in prison. Busch and Prysby are facing up to five years for misconduct. Warrants for the arrests of all three men were issued on Wednesday.

The contamination of Flints water began in April 2014, when the city stopped receiving its supply from Detroit, instead shifting to water taken directly from the Flint River, a source known to have a high corrosive salt content. Corrosive salts in the water damaged the pipes, which contain lead, causing that material to be released into the water.

In October, the state changed the citys drinking water source back from the polluted Flint River to the Detroit water system.

For a period of at least six months, the EPA and Michigan officials were aware of the poisoning of Flints water, but did not publicize their concerns.
The pushback comes after the Obama Administration vowed to veto legislation that would give the families of victims of the 9/11 attacks the right to sue the Saudi regime in a US court.

The issue gained steam on April 10, when former US Senator Bob Graham took to the Sunday television news circuit to demand that the Obama Administration release 28 redacted pages of the 9/11 commission report. Graham, who served on the 9/11 commission that developed the reports and has read the contents of the 28 pages, alleged that the missing pages implicate high-ranking members of the Saudi government in providing direction and support to the September 11 hijackers.

Last Wednesday, Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and John Cornyn (R-TX) advanced legislation based on the expected release of the 28 pages, that would allow the families of the 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi Arabian government and key officials within the House of Saud.
One of the participants, Alia Salem, executive director of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told AlterNet that Cruzs office had initially agreed to set up a meeting with an unnamed foreign policy adviser from the campaign, but that offer was rejected.

I said no, were American Muslims here to talk about US issues, she told AlterNet. We want to speak with the chief of staff or legislative aid or other staffanyone who would be relevant to the policies we would like to address.
In December 2015, the Russian Defense Ministry released satellite images showing oil allegedly being trucked from Daesh facilities in Syria to Turkey.

Daesh also used the Turkish city of Gaziantep to sell off thousands of antiquities looted in Iraq and Syria, according to the Russian permanent representative to the UN.

Ankara officially denies having links to Daesh, which is outlawed in multiple countries including Russia.
ANKARA (Sputnik)  The decision to ban Sputnik-Turkey bureau chief Tural Kerimovs entry into Turkey was made by Turkeys security organs, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said Wednesday.

The decision on Russias Sputnik agency was made by security organs. [Kerimov] is currently not in Turkey, Kurtulmus told journalists in Ankara.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia and the African Union (AU) will create a working group to tackle drug trafficking, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with AU Commission chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Wednesday.

"One way to mitigate the terrorists potential is the fight against illegal drug trafficking. Russian-African Anti-Drug Dialogue conferences are held regularly. In addition, we agreed to establish a permanent African-Union-Russia working group to combat drug trafficking," Lavrov told reporters.

The top Russian diplomat voiced increasing concern with growing threats from terrorist groups increasing their activities on the African continent "where the Islamic State actively spreads its influence and begins collaborating with other local terrorist structures."
"There have been, and there still are some difficulties. But it [cessation of hostilities] is holding," Jamil said.

The Moscow-Cairo opposition group believes that intra-Syrian negotiations should continue and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura should not react to the provocation from the Saudi-backed opposition, according to Jamil.

On Monday, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) delegation suspended its participation in the talks, blaming the government for the ongoing fighting in Syria.

"Mistura said that on Friday he will review the (current round of) talks and will decide what to do further. We told him that we think this round should continue, and he should not fall to the pressure and blackmailing of others," Qadri Jamil told Sputnik.

"The process is going on. Let those who want to boycott it boycott it. It will not have any influence on the negotiation process," he said.

A US-Russia-brokered ceasefire came into force across Syria on February 27. It does not apply to terrorist groups such as Daesh and the Nusra Front, both outlawed in several countries, including Russia.
"After sailing for several hours, the smugglers in charge of the boat attempted to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions. At one point during the transfer, the larger boat capsized and sank," UNHCR added.

The 41 survivors, three of them women and one a 3-year-old child, were either those who had not yet boarded the larger boat or those who managed to swim back to the smaller vessel.

"They drifted at sea possibly for three days before being spotted and rescued," the agency stressed.

The International Organization for Migration estimated on Saturday that over 177,000 migrants have arrived in Europe by sea since the start of the year. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said this week that Operation Sophia, a European Union anti-smuggling mission in the Mediterranean, saved 13,000 lives, neutralized 104 vessels and arrested 68 suspected smugglers in the past 6 months.

Europe has faced an enormous influx of migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa. The EU border agency Frontex recorded over 1.83 million illegal border crossings into the European Union in 2015.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On March 19, a FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 plane with 55 passengers and 7 crew members on board crashed while attempting to land at an airport in southern Russia. The plane was flying to Rostov-on-Don from Dubai. Nobody survived the crash, which occurred during conditions of poor visibility.

"At the time of the accident the ILS, outer and inner markers, the lighting system and PAPI lights were operative and operated as per design. The aircraft flight recorders did not record any evidence of improper operations of navigation and landing aids," the report, published on IAC official website, said.

"According to preliminary information, all aids subject to certification were holding valid operational certificates and were fit for operation in terms of assigned life and service time," the document said.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, Kerimov said that he had been barred from entering the country by the Turkish authorities upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. A border control officer reportedly told the journalist that he was flagged as persona non grata in Turkey and seized his residence permit before sending him back to Russia.

Both Federations are extremely worried about the ongoing negative trends in Turkey targeting foreign press correspondents The free access to information in Turkey is seriously blocked which is unacceptable for a country candidate to the EU, a statement on the IFJs website said.

According to the statement, Kerimov is the 10th foreign press correspondent banned from Turkey in the last six months. Each of these cases constituted grave violations against foreign press correspondents in Turkey or willing to enter the country to report about the situation.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  In January, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verified Irans compliance with the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action JCPOA, reached with international mediators to ensure the peaceful nature of the country's nuclear program. The confirmation led to the lifting of UN, US and EU sanctions linked to Tehran's nuclear program.

The Iranian authorities have repeatedly said that the country's banking and financial sphere was still facing some difficulties despite the removal of sanctions. According to the officials in Tehran, the United States was to blame for these difficulties.

"If we see some slowness of the opposite side, or any deviations in implementation of their obligations, we will have to respond harshly," Rouhani said at a governmental meeting as quoted by Iran's state broadcaster IRIB.
U.S. Must Act to Stop Genocide, Support Peace and Ensure Equality for Survivors

Carl Anderson gives testimony before Lantos Commission



Contact: Andrew Walther, 203-824-5412, andrew.walther@kofc.org; Joseph Cullen, 203-800-4923, joseph.cullen@kofc.org; both with Knights of Columbus



WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016 /Standard Newswire/ -- In addition to helping stop the genocide of Christians and others now taking place in the Middle East, the United States must act to prevent its recurrence and to assure the future of the affected communities, according to testimony offered to members of Congress by Carl Anderson, CEO of the Knights of Columbus.



"Their future affects not only the fates of Christianity and other minority religions in Iraq and Syria," said Carl Anderson, testifying before Congress' Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on April 19. "It also implicates the national security of the United States."



In the wake of Secretary of State John Kerry's March 17 declaration that a genocide is taking place, Anderson, whose organization produced a nearly 300-page report for the State Department on the ongoing genocide, recommended that U.S. policymakers follow up on the designation by focusing on five key areas.



First, as lands are liberated, he said, proper planning must be in place to assist those evicted by ISIS and those who will flee the military actions that liberate lands under its control. Genocide victims who wish to return to their home areas should be helped to do so.



Second, Anderson argued that genocide survivors who wish to come to the United States must not be put at the back of the line. Of the 1,366 Syrian refugees admitted to this country in 2016, fewer than 3 percent came from the groups targeted for genocide.



"It is wrong to exclude those who faced genocide  often on the basis of bureaucratic oversight," said Anderson.



In his third recommendation for policymakers, Anderson said Christians and other minorities who wish to remain in Iraq and Syria should also be able to do so.



"The United States cannot help defeat ISIS without defeating its genocidal antecedents  the malignant idea that discrimination and second-class status are the lot of religious minorities, and that those who offend Islam, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, must be eliminated," he said.



"If [Christians and other religious minorities] disappear, pluralism and stability leave with them," said Anderson. "Iraq and Syria will at best become unstable majoritarian tyrannies."



Anderson's fourth point was that American legal concepts of equal protection, free speech, freedom of the press and assembly, and the free exercise of religion were critical to achieving real pluralism in the region. He pointed out that such principles were also contained in the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.



"Finally, we must help create the interpersonal relationships that bind society together," said Anderson, who cited Northern Ireland and South Africa as places where deep divisions gave way to peaceful reconciliation. A spirit of forgiveness already articulated by the Christians of the Middle East could form the basis for a commission of reconciliation and mercy, according to Anderson.



"Peace, equality and stability, rather than religious terrorism and genocide, can be the legacy of these countries and of our involvement there," said Anderson. "Our leadership can help these societies, the Middle East and the security of the American people."
Life Legal Files Brief in 9th Circuit Abortion Industry Case

Contact: Alexandra Snyder, Life Legal Defense Foundation , 202-717-7371NAPA, Calif., April 20, 2016 / Standard Newswire / -- The Life Legal Defense Foundation has filed a joint opening brief in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of National Abortion Federation (NAF) v. Center for Medical Progress and David Daleiden.NAF sued David Daleiden to prevent hundreds of hours of video footage exposing the abortion cartel's illegal and unethical practices. A federal judge granted NAF's motion for a preliminary injunction to suppress the footage. Life Legal is now appealing that ruling.Life Legal's brief argues that Daleiden's video recordings included discussions of the sale of fetal body parts for profit and NAF's other illegal, unethical, and shocking practices that are "unquestionably a matter of legitimate public interest.""If we were talking about undercover videos exposing illegal and inhumane activity at a meatpacking plant, there would be no lawsuit," notes Life Legal Defense Foundation Executive Director Alexandra Snyder. "Everyone would be thanking the investigators for their public service. Here we are talking about inhumaneand inhumanactivities involving human babies. These activities are subsidized by American taxpayers, who have a right to know the extent of the callous disregard for human life displayed by members of the National Abortion Federation."In a recent meatpacking plant case, a federal court found that undercover video investigations "advance core First Amendment values by exposing misconduct to the public eye and facilitating dialogue on issues of considerable public interest. This type of politically-salient speech is precisely the type of speech the First Amendment was designed to protect." Life Legal couldn't agree more.About Life Legal Defense FoundationLife Legal Defense Foundation was established in 1989, and is a nonprofit organization composed of attorneys and other concerned citizens committed to giving helpless and innocent human beings of any age, and their advocates, a trained and committed voice in the courtrooms of our nation. For more information about the Life Legal Defense Foundation, visit www.lldf.org
One incumbent is running in the five-candidate race for two open seats.
Employers here added an estimated 400 jobs in March, lowering the unemployment rate slightly, but most of the gain were normal seasonal hires, according to a state report released Tuesday.

Cowlitz Countys unemployment rate last month was 7.5 percent, down from an adjusted 7.9 percent in February and 7.8 percent in March last year.

Total nonfarm employment hit 39,200 in March  a 2.3 percent expansion from the same time last year, the state Employment Security Department said.

Most of Marchs job gains were due to normal seasonal hiring patterns, Scott Bailey, regional economist, said in a news release.

One hundred jobs each were added in the construction and other services sectors, while 200 jobs were added in trade, transportation and utilities.

The number of people jobless and seeking work hovered around 3,400, the same as last year. Initial and continued unemployment claims remained at very low levels, Bailey wrote.
Starting next week, Kelso residents who apply for a permit to sell fireworks will have to go through the city manager, not the City Council.

Council members on Tuesday approved changes to municipal code that transfers authority to approve applications for fireworks permits to the city manager instead of elected officials. The motion passed with five votes in favor and one vote against.

The City of Kelso only allows three firework stands every year. Typically the same groups apply annually for the permits, but this year one of the groups wont be applying. More applications for permits prompted the city to revisit its municipal code.

I dont want to be in the business of picking which group gets those firework sales, Councilman Todd McDaniel said. Its like splitting hairs.

Changes to the code also included updating regulations that would reflect state law. The city regulations havent been changed for 30 years.

City Manager Steve Taylor said by allowing staff to review the permits, the city would avoid those decisions being made by council members who are influenced by political factors.

That way theres not an appearance of favoritism for one applicant over another, Taylor said. Youre a council member, youre friends with a lot of these people. How do you say yes to some and no to the others?

Applicants can appeal the decision to the Cowlitz County Superior Court within 10 days if the city manager denies a permit.

Councilman Jim Hill opposed the motion, saying he would have liked to see an approval process that involved three people: two council members and an impartial staff member.

Hill said hes concerned that having one person making the decisions wouldnt provide a fair distribution of those that receive the approvals.

The process for permit applications hasnt changed. The city requires the fire chiefs approval and a permit fee for every fireworks stand to cover the processing and inspection costs. Applicants must also include evidence of insurance that would cover a minimum of $1 million for every person with bodily injury.

The City Council initially discussed postponing the decision until the next council meeting. Council members changed their mind and passed the ordinance after the city attorney addressed their questions.

City Attorney Janean Parker recommended the authority be placed on city staff, not elected officials.

I do think that it is an administrative decision, Parker said. Council generally performs that legislative role in setting what the policy is and then staff actually applies that policy to different circumstances.

Kelsos deadline to apply for a fireworks permit is May 2.
Two Cowlitz County schools have won the states top award for test scores.

The state superintendents office and State Board of Education awarded the honors to 258 schools this year. Schools can earn achievement awards for overall excellence, strong progress, reading and math growth, improved graduation rates and English language acquisition.

Barnes Elementary in Kelso won the award for progress in math and reading. It is in the top 10 percent of schools for improved scores in the last three years.

Woodland Primary School won the award for English Language Acquisition, which recognizes exceptional progress on the Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment (WELPA) test.

The schools will be honored at a ceremony May 10 at Union Gap School in Eastern Washington.
hidden

Apple has been asked by Chinese authorities within the last two years to hand over its source code but refused, the company's top lawyer told lawmakers in response to US law enforcement criticism of its stance on technology security.

The congressional testimony highlighted an issue at the heart of a heated disagreement between Apple and the FBI over unlocking encrypted data from an iPhone linked to last December's San Bernardino, California shootings - how much private technology companies should cooperate with governments.

Law enforcement officials have attempted to portray Apple as possibly complicit in handing over information to China's government for business reasons while refusing to cooperate with U.S. requests for access to private data in criminal cases.

"I want to be very clear on this," Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell told Tuesday's hearing under oath. "We have not provided source code to the Chinese government."

Apple has previously denied the accusation as a "smear" originating from the U.S. Department of Justice's effort to force Apple to help unlock the iPhone 5c used by one of the two San Bernardino killers, who were inspired by Islamist militants.

The claim resurfaced in the hearing called by a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee to examine potential common ground between law enforcement and the technology sector in the encryption debate, though more than three hours of testimony yielded little clear agreement.

Captain Charles Cohen, commander in the Indiana State Police, repeated the suggestion that Apple has quietly cooperated with Beijing, which strictly regulates technology in exchange for access to its market.

But when pressed by Representative Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat, for the source of that claim, Cohen only cited news reports.

That takes my breath away," a visibly frustrated Eshoo said. "That is a huge allegation.

The Justice Department had argued in the San Bernardino case that it would be willing to demand Apple turn over source code that underlies its products, though at the time it only sought the company's cooperation in writing new software that would disable the passcode protections on the phone.

Technology and security experts have said that if the U.S. government was able to obtain Apple's source code with a conventional court order, other governments would demand equal rights to do the same thing.

After winning a court order in February, the Federal Bureau of Investigation dropped its case against Apple last month when it said it had found a third party entity to help investigators hack into the iPhone used by gunman Rizwan Farook.

On Tuesday, Apple and the FBI were making a second appearance in Congress since March to testify over law enforcement access to encrypted devices, a decades-old dispute between Silicon Valley and Washington that gained renewed life from the San Bernardino case.

While that standoff underscored national security concerns posed by advances in technology security, the growing use of strong default encryption on mobile devices and communications by criminal suspects is handicapping investigators' ability to pursue routine cases, law enforcement officials told the hearing. Apple and other companies defend the technology as integral to protecting consumers.

The FBI relies heavily on the "services and specialised skills that we can only get through the private industry, and that partnership is critical to our success," testified FBI technology official Amy Hess.

Separately, the tech advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation sued the Justice Department in San Francisco federal court on Tuesday, seeking to force the disclosure of any secret orders from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court that may have forced companies such as Apple or Google to decrypt communications.

Thomas Galati, chief of intelligence at the New York Police Department, said his investigators had been unable to open 67 Apple devices from October 2015 to March 2016. Those phones were implicated in 44 violent crimes 23 felonies, including 10 homicides, two rapes, and the shooting of an officer, Galati said.

The government has redoubled its efforts to use the courts to force Apple's cooperation in cracking encrypted iPhones by announcing plans to continue with an appeal in a New York drug case.

The secrecy surrounding the method used on the San Bernardino phone has prompted criticism from security researchers who said Apple and others should be made aware of the flaw, in accordance with a White House vulnerabilities review process that favors disclosure.

But Obama administration sources have told Reuters the group that helped unlock the device has sole ownership of the method, making it highly unlikely the technique would be disclosed by the government to Apple or anyone else.

I dont think relying on a third party is a good model, Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado, the committee's top Democrat, said at the hearing.

Reuters
tech2 News Staff

In a bid to offer an edge over other apps, Google Play Music was known to be bringing support for podcasts soon. In October, the search giant has said it would be coming in the next few months, and here it is!

In an announced via the OfficialAndroid blog, the company has announced a Podcast section for the web and also its Android app, but there is no word on the release for iOS platform yet. For now, it is rolling out to users in the US and Canada. Google hasn't disclosed if or when it will be rolling out to other regions.

"Starting today on the web and rolling out on Android in the U.S. and Canada, well connect you with podcasts based on what youre doing, how youre feeling and what youre interested in," Google wrote in the blogpost.

Just like the contextual playlists for music, Google says it wants to make it easy to find the right podcast for users. "Try Learning Something New to talk about at a dinner party and listen to our favorite episodes from Stuff You Should Know or How To Do Everything. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon by Getting Lost in a Story with episodes from Radiolab or Reply All, or relax after a long day by Laughing Out Loud to Marc Marons WTF or Chris Hardwicks The Nerdist," Google further states in the blogpost.

Users can subscribe to content and the last several episodes will be automatically downloaded on their device and they can even choose to be notified each time a new episode is released.
tech2 News Staff

Online cab aggregator Ola has revealed a rather interesting plan for its customers for the upcoming Odd-Even II that takes place in New Delhi. Ola has announced that its Ola Shuttle service will offer 'Free Rides' to its commuters in the Delhi NCR on two Fridays.

Those two Fridays would be the April 22 and April 29, both of which fall in the schedule of the second phase of the Odd Even initiative.

Customers who would like to take advantage of the offer, will need to use the coupon code, ODDEVEN in order to get a 100 percent cashback (or a free ride) on the above mentioned dates. Do note that this applies to the aggregator's Ola Shuttle service only.

Currently, the Ola Shuttle service covers about 120 routes in the Delhi NCR region ferrying over 20,000 passengers on a single day. The company recently announced a move to pull down Peak Pricing on its cabs running in Delhi NCR in support for the Odd Even intiative. Ola has also rolled out an on ground campaign to encourage citizens across Delhi to adopt ride-sharing.

Sundeep Sahni, Vice President - New Initiatives at Ola said, Ola Shuttle as a daily commute solution resonates the spirit of the Odd-Even experiment, by providing citizens with a comfortable and convenient shared ride which they can book, live track and pay for, using the Ola app. Launched ahead of the first Odd-Even experiment, Ola Shuttle has been well received by users across Delhi NCR. He further added, While tens of thousands of people are using Ola Shuttle on a daily basis, we would like to extend this service free of cost on select days for citizens, in our support of the vehicle rationing scheme and contribute to the shared vision of a greener and cleaner Delhi..
tech2 News Staff

Xiaomi, the Chinese vendor who has managed to woo phone markets with its flash sales and unique marketing, reportedly sold 14.8 million smartphones in the first quarter of 2016.

According to Android Headlines, a report by IHS Technology claims that Xiaomi's first quarter sales are at 14.8 million, almost similar to last year. We wonder if the numbers will match Xiaomi's official announcement of the first quarter numbers.

We've seen the Redmi 3 as well as Redmi Note 3 earlier this year. However, these numbers are said to be overall, including regions outside China. Outside China, India is one of the important markets for the company, or at least what the company has been saying all along.

(Also read: Our review of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3)

A report late last year claimed that Xiaomi had missed its 2015 sales target mark of 80 million smartphones, which put the company under pressure to prove the valuation to investors.

Xiaomi is known for its unique idea of selling a limited number of products via flash sale. The company relies only on social media to promote its products. The flash sales gathered a lot of hype, while company also started focusing on fan clubs. It was in December 2014 that the company raised $1.1 billion and leaped to a valuation of $46 million.
US still sees path forward for Syrian peace talks

Damascus wants talks on 'broader unity government'

Syrian ambassador to the UN Bashar al-Jaafari delivers a press briefing after a meeting with UN envoy to Syria on Tuesday.

Reuters, Washington :The United Nations has not declared a breakdown in Syrian peace talks and the United States still sees a path forward that includes a political transition in which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would leave office, the White House said on Tuesday."The UN... has not described the situation as breaking down. They have acknowledged the talks have been postponed, but there still is a framework in place," White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters."I believe that there are still technical discussions that are taking place in Geneva ... so there still is a path forward here," Earnest said after the main Syrian opposition bloc involved in the talks said it had postponed the dialogue, in part due to a spate of air strikes.Meanwhile, Syria's regime is prepared to discuss the creation of a new unity government at peace talks in Geneva but President Bashar al-Assad's fate remains off limits, its lead negotiator told AFP on Tuesday.Assad's chief representative in Geneva, UN ambassador Bashar al-Jafaari, had during previous rounds of peace talks insisted that any discussion of a political transition in Syria was premature."A broader unity government is the only topic of discussion here," Jafaari said in the interview with AFP."It is not in our jurisdiction, it is not within our prerogatives to discuss the fate of President Bashar al-Assad."Jafaari made the comments a day after the main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) suspended its formal participation at the UN-brokered talks in protest at escalating violence and continuing restrictions on humanitarian access in Syria.
New GM of Railway (EZ) joins

Chittagong Bureau :

Md. Abdul Hai joins as General Manager, Bangladesh Railway(East Zone) from April 18 last at its headquarters in Chittagong. Abdul Hai hails from gurudaspur of Natore district. Engr. Abdul Hai passed BSc (Engr) from BUET in 1982 and joined as Asstt. Engineer in Bangladesh Railway under BCS Engineering cadre service . He discharged his duties as chief Engineer(East) and in Khulna divisional projects . Before joining as General Manager (East) , he was the Joint Director General of Bangladesh Railway, Dhaka, CRB sources said.


Obama meets Saudi King

US President Barack Obama and Saudi King Salman walk together following their meeting at Erga Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Reuters, Riyadh :

US President Barack Obama arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday to meet Saudi Arabia's King Salman ahead of a summit with other Gulf Arab leaders on Thursday and with regional tensions with Iran likely to be high on the agenda. Obama comes to the world's top oil exporter for a fourth and likely last time as president hoping to reassure it and other Gulf allies of Washington's commitment to their security, and to seek ways to reduce sectarian tensions in the region.

However, his meetings come in the shadow of disagreements that have further cooled an already strained atmosphere between the old allies ahead of the talks. Unlike in previous visits, Obama's arrival in Riyadh was not aired on live television.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) groups Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman which are ruled mostly by Sunni Muslim monarchies, with the exception of Oman.

They see Shi'ite Iran as a threat to their security and say its involvement in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen has fueled conflict and deepened sectarian divisions.

That tension surfaced again on Wednesday when Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei attacked Riyadh's attempts to isolate its ally, Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, in a series of fiery Tweets.

"Hezbollah is shining in the Muslim world. It doesn't matter if a corrupt, dependent and hollow government with the use of petrodollars condemns it in a statement. To hell with it," he wrote. The White House shares the view of Gulf Arab states that Tehran plays a destabilizing role, but has said it hopes to bring them and Iran to develop a "cold peace" in which their rivalry does not further inflame smoldering Middle East tensions. Greeting Obama in an ornate room in a Riyadh palace, King Salman said he was pleased the American president was visiting and Obama thanked him for hosting the summit.
160 countries confirm to sign Paris deal

UNB, Dhaka :More than 160 countries have so far confirmed that they will sign the Paris Agreement on climate change on April 22, the first day that the agreement will be open for signature."Next Friday will truly be a historic moment. It'll be a great moment for multilateral efforts and this (UN) organisation," said Selwin Hart, Director of the UN Secretary General's Climate Support team, disclosing the number on Tuesday night through a videoconference from the UN Headquarters in New York.Dan Shepard, Information Officer, Communications Campaign Service,Department of Public Information and Janos Tisovszky, Chief of Information Center Service, DPI were present. M Moniruzzaman, Office-in-Charge, UN Information Centre, Dhaka coordinated the videoconference from Dhaka. Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain Manju will represent Bangladesh on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the signing ceremony. The historic climate agreement was adopted in December last in Paris.The signing ceremony will be hosted by United Nations. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on April 22 at the UN Headquarters in New York which the UN sees as "victory of multilateralism."This would surpass the previous record of 119 signatures for an opening day signing for an international agreement, set by the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in 1982."On April 22, we will break a three-decade old record on signature to an international agreement. From that perspective it will be historic," Hart told media across the world mentioning that the political commitment all saw in Paris remains "strong".He also said some 10 countries have indicated that they will deposit their instruments of ratification at the signing ceremony. Asked about others countries who are yet to make commitment to sign the deal, Hart said, "....countries can still sign. However, the collective image of over 160 countries signing is a powerful one."He described the Paris agreement as a win-win deal for all parties as it benefits the large, small and island countries showing "multilateralism" is only protection. Asked how small and vulnerable countries can benefit, Hart said, "Your country can benefit in many ways. Climate change is a global challenge but its impact is local." So, he added, if countries around the world don't reduce emissions and address climate change issues at a scale required, the impact will get worst around the world.
4 including mastermind arrested 3 placed on remand

Sagar Biswas :Police have cracked the sensational murder case of muazzin Mowlana Belal Hossain, 52, who was brutally killed by his close associates inside the city's Jhabbu Khanam Jam-e Mosque, the first-ever fatality inside any Dhaka mosque in the last few decades.The investigators unearthed that, the main reason behind the gruesome killing of muazzin was nothing but to take control of the prayer house for big amount of money transaction, who had been controlling the mosque for the last 28 years.After grilling four arrestees, those have been caught from different parts of the country in a series of raids in the last 48 hours; the detectives also acquired vital information about financial transaction of slain muazzin, who used to lend money to some selected subscribers with high-interest. The murderers admitted that entire killing mission was planned sitting in a mosque in the city's Keraniganj area.The arrested persons were identified as Habibur Rahman alias Habibullah alias Habib, 20, caretaker [khadem] of the mosque, Hafez Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, 19, second muazzin of the mosque, Hafez Tofazzal Hossain, 23, and Sarwar Halim, 38, business partner of the victim.The police were also conducting a massive manhunt to nab another suspect in connection with the killing of muazzin at Islampur area in the old Dhaka. "Five persons, directly or indirectly, took part in the killing mission. We have managed to nab four of them, including the mastermind. Another one is absconding. We're trying to nab him," Mafizuddin Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner of Lalbagh division, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said Wednesday. Detailing the background of the heinous crime, the police officer said, "After giving salaries to other employees, Belal Hossain used to deposit rest of the money in his personal bank account, which was earned from different sources in the mosque. Later, he used to invest it in some profitable businesses. He was also involved in lending business in exchange of interest.""Around Tk 42,000 rent is collected from 33 shops in the first and second floors of the mosques per month. Besides, Tk 10,000/12,000 comes from the donation boxes of the mosque. More money also comes while observing religious programmes on different days. Belal alone had been controlling all money transactions in absence of a regulating committee. But caretaker [khadem] Habib and second muazzin Mosharraf could not tolerate such activities of Belal.and they planned to kill him," the DC of DMP said.According to the investigators, the killers tried to kill Belal at least two times in the last two years, but failed. They, however, made the plan successful in the third time. Just two days before the killing, Habib [khadem] went to his village home in Narail. Later, he directly went to meet Tofazzal Hossain at Keraniganj with an intension to kill.Habib took hiding position inside the mosque on April 3 night. He stabbed Belal in different body parts including abdomen when he [Belal] entered the mosque in the next morning for Fazr azan. He also took away Tk 6,000 and a mobile phone from victim's punjabee pocket. Of the looted money, he [Habib] gave Tk 2,000 to Mosarraf. After completion of operation, they went to Keraniganj again. Before reaching there, they threw away the knife at a drain adjacent to Babu Bazar bridge. Later, Habib went to his Narail village home again.Being assured of their position, police conducted the drives in the city and outside the capital in the last 48 hours and arrested Habib from Narail, Mosharraf from Netrakona, Tofazzel from Keraniganj and Sarwar from Islampur.Meanwhile, a Dhaka court yesterday placed three of the killers [Habib, Mosharraf and Tofazzal] on a three-day remand each in connection with the murder. Metropolitan Magistrate M Sajjadur Rahman passed the order. The police, however, did not place fourth suspect Sarwar Halim before the court for unknown reason. On April 4 morning, police recovered the blood-stained body of ill-fated muazzin from the staircase between the second and third floor of the mosque with multiple marks of stab injuries in different body parts. Hands of the victim were tied with a piece of cloth.
Post-quake preparation poor People in panic all over

Joynal Abedin Khan & Kamruzzaman Bablu :

Experts are expressing apprehension as to whether Bangladesh has the capability of carrying search and rescue operations if a powerful natural disaster like earthquake happens in the country.

An earthquake of 6.9 magnitudes jolted the country, including the city of Dhaka last week that panicked the people although there was no report of any kind of devastation except some minor losses.

Almost all the earthquakes that occurred in recent time were mild and none of the epicenters was within close proximity, but experts and researchers do not rule out of intense shockwave.

Dr Syed Humayun Akhter, Professor and Chairman of Department of Geology of Dhaka University told The New Nation on Monday, "The strong earthquake might happen in Dhaka and other parts of the country any time in view of the recent series of jolting incidents."

The preparation to meet the post-earthquake emergency is poor, he said. So, the government should build trained hands and garner logistic supports to reduce the casualties, he opined.

"If you ask the government about preparation, it will be said: We are prepared," Professor Humayun Akhter said.

Dr Tariq-Bin-Yousuf, Caretaker Engineer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), said, if 7.5 to 7.9 magnitude earthquake takes place in Dhaka, then 1834 km gas pipe line will be exploded, while 3036 km water pipe line and 370 km sewerage line will be damaged resulting in a massive devastating in the city. Both the power and the communication system will collapse.

A UN report in 2003 ranked Dhaka as the most vulnerable city to risk of earthquake devastation. Among 20 cities of the world, Dhaka was ranked top in the earthquake disaster risk on account of its poor building infrastructure lacking earthquake-resistant features, high population density, and poor emergency response and recovery capability.

In case of a 7.5-magnitude earthquake originating from Madhupur Fault, some 72,316 buildings in the capital will be destroyed totally and 53,166 others partially. "If an 8.5-magnitude tremor from the plate boundary of Fault-2 hits the region, some 2,38,164 buildings will be destroyed completely across the country," added the study.

A study showed in case of a 7.5-magnitude earthquake, nearly 53.6 percent buildings in Dhaka city would be grounded, while another 23.8 percent partially.

The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry has already identified around 72,000 risky buildings in Dhaka city, including the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital as earthquake-prone structures, said Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Shah Kamal.

The objective of a special programme was to strengthen national capacity to handle such risks and to build recovery efforts, he said.

"About 60,000 volunteers were supposed to be trained, but so far only 16,000 have been trained. This is beyond insufficient for earthquake management," he said.

Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain said, "There are 9,565 abandoned houses in the country. Of them, 6,467 are in Dhaka and Narayanganj, 228 in Rajshahi, seven in Natore, 16 in Chapainawabganj, 30 in Naogaon, 153 in Pabna, 10 in Sirajganj, 40 in Bogra, one in Joypurhat, 1,363 in Khulna, one in Bagerhat, 92 in Jessore, 507 in Kustia, 27 in Chuadanga, 353 in Chittagong, four in Sylhet, 42 in Rangpur, 223 in Nilphamari, 108 in Lalmonirhat, 11 in Kurigram, 15 in Gaibandha and 378 in Dinajpur."

"Dhaka is not ready for it," DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq told the meeting. No one, including the City Corporations, is truly prepared for a high magnitude earthquake."

He said that the Dhaka North, the Dhaka South and Sylhet City Corporation would buy equipments worth Tk 350 crore in the next five years to ensure better earthquake rescue facilities.


Bullet hit body of missing student found after 12 days

Jhenaidah Correspondent :The bullet hit body of Kaliganj College student Shahanur Rahman was recovered from a field of Channatala-Kharagoda village under Chuadanga Sadar upazila, about 25 kilometres from the district headquarters on Wednesday morning. There was a bullet mark in the eyes of the deceased, confirmed the Officer-in-Charge of Chuadanga Police Station Saiful Islam. He said, acting on information the Chuadanga police rushed to Channatala in the morning and recovered the bullet hit body at about 8.30 AM. The relatives of the deceased identified the body as Shahanur Rahman, son of Mohsin Ali from Iswarba village under Kaliganj Police Station in Jhenaidah.Investigation Officer and Sub-Inspector Khalid Hossain said, they handed the body of Shahanur to his uncle Mahfuzur Rahman in the afternoon after post mortem at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital.Earlier on April 17, the family members of Shahanur held a press conference at Jhenaidah Press Club and alleged that a team of four plain cloth policemen on the day picked up his son by an easy bike from Iswarba village under Kaliganj police station in Jhenaidah on April 10. Shahanur along with his younger brother Masud were waiting at Iswarba Jamtala for the arrival of their mother Parvina Begum who was returning home from Dhaka after a medical treatment. Immediately before arrival of the mother, four plain cloth men of detective branch (DB) on an easy bike picked up Shahanur and left the scene at about 5.00 PM. Since then, they could not trace out their son.Shahanur was studying in the first year higher secondary class at local Shahid Nur Ali College in Kaliganj town.The father said, his son was not involved in any student or party politics. To get his son Shahanur back, he moved door to door of the local politicians including the lawmaker, police administration and other corners. Mohsin said, since the missing they went to local police station at Kaliganj. But the officer in charge said that the policemen did not pick up anyone as Shahanur from any area of the upazila.Shahanur's mother Parvina Begum when contacted said, they were searching here and there to get back her son. At last the police recovered the bullet hit body from Chuadanga on Wednesday. For whose responsibility her son had to die, Parvina Begum asked.Kaliganj police officer-in-charge Anwar Hossain when contacted said, the blame of the family was almost baseless as the policemen did not pick any one as Shahanur. The family member came to police station for cooperation in searching the missing college student the following day. The police assured them of all out cooperation in this regard, the OC said.
US court contradicts claims

Staff Reporter :

US court records contradict the Bangladesh government's claims that the conviction a year ago of three men in New York for illegally obtaining confidential FBI records involved a plot to kill the son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed.

The online news portal 'The Wire' said on Wednesday as reported by David Bergman based in Dhaka.

Indeed, the US district court judge who tried the case specifically dismissed prosecutors' claims that the men planned to 'physically harm' Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

The US court's findings made during the sentencing in March 2015 of the three men who pleaded guilty to bribery offences, conflict directly with the basis of the criminal case that led to the arrest in Dhaka last Saturday of the prominent journalist Shafik Rehman for conspiring in the so-called plot to 'kidnap and kill' Wazed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on April 16 that police arrested Shafik Rehman,an adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia over a case filed previously over a plot to abduct and kill Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

Police also showed Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman arrested in the case who is in jail since 2013. Sheikh Hasina said the names of these people came from US court.

The US court's findings, also contradicts Wazed's widely publicised claims that the three men convicted by the US court, were jailed "for this plot" to kill him, and that the "evidence" behind the arrest of Rehman "comes directly from this [US] case." The bribery case in the US first became public in Bangladesh when Wazed published a Facebook post on March 9, 2013 stating that he had provided a victim statement before the New York Court that sentenced Rizve Ahmed (Caesar), in the case.

Ahmed had pleaded guilty to two offences relating to bribing an FBI agent to obtain confidential financial and other records relating to the Bangladeshi prime minister's son.

Wazed, without mentioning the nature of offences before the US court, stated that, Ahmed was promised hefty financial benefit by BNP which wanted to kidnap me and kill him in the US. Wazed's disclosure led the police in May 2015 filing a General Diary, referring to the criminal conviction of the three men in the US and that BNP has planned to kill him.

Three months later, police filed a case with the court claiming that the father of Ahmed, along with other BNP leaders in Bangladesh and abroad had conspired to "kidnap and kill Joy (Wazed) in America." Immediately after Shafik Rehman's arrested on Saturday, Wazed also clamed in his Facebook post that the three men were jailed by US court for plotting to kill him. And evidence points to Shafik Rehman's involvement. The evidence against Shaafik Rahman comes directly from this case. Police later demanded Shafiq Rahman remand in the court saying the US court had jailed Ahmed for his involvement in a plot to kill the prime minister's son and he had also conspired with him. However publicly available US court documents tell a rather different story to the one narrated by Wazed and by the police. The bribery scheme, which involved three men - Ahmed who gave the money, and FBI special agent Robert Lustyik and their mutual friend Johannes Thaler who took the money - started in September 2011.

Ahmed was described by prosecutors as an activist of BNP who sought to 'assist his political allies and harm his political opponents' In December, in exchange for $1000, Thaler gave Ahmed a number of confidential documents about Wazed, which Lustyik had illegally obtained from FBI databases.

These included "an internal memorandum (the 'FBI Memo') that referred to Individual 1 and a sum of $300 million and a confidential report, known as a Suspicious Activity Report (the 'SAR') that also referred to Individual 1." Individual 1 refers to Wazed. He was working with multiple associates who also sought the documents and information and were willing to pay for them." Ahmed was particularly interested in getting more information about the '$300 million'.

On January 29, 2012, the three men along with 'three associates of Ahmed's' met at Ahmed's residence to discuss additional confidential law enforcement information.

After the three men were arrested and pleaded guilty to the commission of bribery offences none of them were charged with any offence concerned with seeking to physically harm Wazed or anyone else.

"The [US] government's contention that [Rizve] Ahmed in fact sought to kidnap and physically harm an individual is a stretch," Judge Vincent L. Briccetti said "I just don't feel there's enough evidence," the judge said

He added that in talks between the three men 'there's no talk  about doing physical harm to Individual 1. The judge also specifically ruled that Wazed was not a 'victim' in the case.

Judge Bricetti concluded that Ahmed's sole reason for bribing the FBI agent was to embarrass Wazed for political gain exposing corrupt behavior by the ruling party and otherwise embarrass [Sajeeb Wazed]. Wazed was present in court when the judge made this ruling.

In its sentencing the court said that Ahmed had distributed the confidential information to three men, for which he earned $30,000. One of the men was 'a Bangladeshi journalist'.


Cruelty everywhere: High Court`s show cause on Udayan School

Media report on Wednesday said a High Court bench has issued a rule asking the Principal of Udayan Higher Secondary School and other concerned education department officials to explain why appropriate legal action will not be taken against a teacher of the school who tortured a class eight student in the school making him instantly sick. The Court comprising of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Md Salim acting on a suomoto gave the authorities four weeks time when they should carry out the probe and report to the Court. Everybody highly appreciates the role of the High Court Division responding to the inhuman conduct of the teacher. But this is also a fact that the judiciary, particularly the lower courts, is also happily tolerating cruelty in the justice system. Remanding an accused to police custody for questioning has become normal without caring about the humanity of the justice process. Granting of bail to an accused is dependent on police allegations and the fundamental right that he is innocent before found guilty after trial is not an important consideration. Even the Supreme Court is unsympathetic to allow an accused to be free to defend himself. So it is said that police finds who is guilty and the court who is innocent. It is indeed a shame that an academic institutions like the Udayan School in the center of the capital made the headlines of torture in a national daily on Tuesday. It is quite incomprehensible for any sensible person why a staff teacher, who is not otherwise a crook, to be so angry with a teenage boy that prompted him to call him from the classroom and beat indiscriminately in the corridor. The Court has also rightly asked the Principal and the Management Board to conduct its own probe into the matter and report to the Court within a month. It will be too much to say that the people are overwhelmingly shocked by the teacher beating his student cruelly. Because cruelty is everywhere. Torturing and killing of people not in power do not mean much. There may be any reason that may have annoyed the teacher but a trained and qualified teacher is always equipped with the controlling method of errant students with tolerance and humanity. A school teacher is certainly unfit who can be cruel with his students. It is true that news on beating students in schools and madrashas often comes out in the media from remote areas and people from all walks of life that also include human right activists and other concerned citizens are vocal against it. Cruelty to children generally has been on the rise. Murder of Tanu has still remained unresolved. We have to end the politics of cruelty and hunger for power. We must have responsible and competent political leaders capable of building a humane, honest and dignified nation. We find ourselves in the wrong hands telling of building for us a Sonar Bangla. We want Bangladesh to be a country of humanity and human rights and not of gold medal.
The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra & Conservatory of Music announced that it will appoint Rebecca Doucet interim executive director following the departure of Executive Director Jenny Krueger later this spring.

Rebecca Doucet has been appointed ASO's interim executive director.

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra & Conservatory of Music has announced that it will appoint Rebecca Doucet as its interim executive director following the announcement that Executive Director Jenny Krueger has accepted a position in Idaho as the executive director of the Sun Valley Summer Symphony.

Jenny has been an extremely valuable asset to both our organization and to our community, says ASO President Brandon Hyde in a release announcing Kruegers departure. It has been a pleasure working with her and I will be eternally grateful for her efforts in making our organization one of the premier arts and education organizations in the region.

Sun Valley Summer Symphony held a national search for its new executive director.

Doucet, who has 20 years of nonprofit experience, has worked closely in a leadership role with Krueger and the ASO team for the last few years.

The ASO is one of only three symphonies in the country that is partnered with a conservatory of music. The ASO brings high-caliber, artistic performances and educational experiences to thousands of students in the Acadiana community every year.

Krueger

In 2011, under Krueger's leadership and in partnership with ASO Music Director Mariusz Smolij and with the assistance of community partners, the organization underwent a complete rebranding. The vision successfully solidified the artistic planning, fundraising and marketing of the organization.

I am grateful for all the contributions Jenny made to the ASO, particularly to our educational activities and wish her the best for her future endeavors," says Smolij.

Krueger's passion for music education and her administrative team worked to develop and implement new education initiatives for the young and young at heart. The creation of a nine-issue-per-year arts publication, Overture magazine, which served as an adult-education piece, showed great success in growing and sustaining a diversified arts audience.

A long-term partnership with Carnegie Hall was formed during Krueger's tenure with the ASO, bringing the Carnegie Hall-produced Link Up curriculum to more than 3,000 students per year, successfully broadening the ASOs community reach while providing quality, music-education curriculum for participating teachers and programs.

Krueger also created, piloted and successfully implemented the homegrown arts-integrated curriculum, Do-Re-ME! to more than 9,000 4- and 5-year-old at-risk/poverty students, successfully increasing kindergarten preparedness for participating students.

Krueger will assume her new position on May 15 with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, the largest privately funded, free-admission classical music festival in America. It brings more than 100 world-class musicians from North Americas most respected orchestras to the Sun Valley Pavilion stage every July and August.

Internationally renowned guest artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell and Renee Fleming join the Sun Valley Summer Symphony each year. The Sun Valley Summer Symphony also has an active school of music that provides music lessons, classes and workshops to the youth of the Sun Valley area.
Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
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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  While the state government has yet to pass a balanced budget for the current fiscal year, the city of Carbondale passed its local budget for Fiscal Year 2017 at its regular City Council meeting Tuesday.

Carbondale Interim City Manager Gary Williams said the budget is showing the revenues are exceeding expenditures by $251,054. City records show the operating city budget is $56,050,665 for the FY 2017. The new budget takes effect May 1 and runs through April 30, 2017.

Carbondale Mayor Mike Henry said although it feels great to pass a balanced budget with a modest surplus, there are still costs lingering.

He said costs that are beyond the citys control  employee healthcare costs and unfunded pension liabilities for police and firefighters  must still be recognized by council and city staff. He said the pension liabilities are current in access of $37 million.

Henry said such requirements for funding for the pension and any new projects pending with the Downtown Master Plan  also adopted Tuesday  are the responsibility of the city.

We dont want to raise sales tax. We are already a quarter of a percent higher than anybody else in Southern Illinois, Henry said. We dont want to raise property taxes.

The mayor mentioned increases in motor fuel taxes and a potential food and beverage tax.

These are taxes not only paid by the residents in Carbondale but also our visitors that come here during the daytime, Henry said. Our population nearly doubles during the day time.

A three percent food and beverage tax would add about 0.30 cents to a $20 meal, he said. A two-cent per gallon motor fuel tax would add about 0.32 cent to a 15-18 gallon tank of gas, he said.

Henry said the council will be discussing these taxes in the near future.

Councilman Adam Loos said Tuesday that he would support such increases.

I am in favor of both proposed taxes, he said. We have a lot of infrastructure and a lot of it needs work.
CARBONDALE  The longstanding tradition of the weekly Friday Night Fair is now moving to a monthly event, according to Rebecca Dull, assistant director of Carbondale Main Street.

The change from weekly to monthly is not the only change for the event, Dull said. Residents can now bring their own alcohol to the event. Dull said the event is still considered family-friendly, similar to the sunset concerts at Southern Illinois University and Turley Park.

Carbondale Music Coalition creates new venue for music with inaugural event This Saturdays Live on Main event could be a good indicator of which way the wind is blow

The monthly event kicks off this Friday at 6 p.m. in the Town Square Pavilion in Carbondale with live music featuring the Southern Illinois West African Drum Ensemble and The Swamp Tigers.

Dull said there will be food vendors, local organizations and several activities for families.

Carbondale Main Street is looking for more participation from the Town Square businesses to make it even more of an event, she said.

The reason for the change in frequency, Dull said, was that when the fair was once a week, it was easy for people to say Ill just go next week. Now, with the event being once a month, it gives people more of a reason to come.

Also, Carbondale Main Street can allocate more resources and make it a bigger event each time, Dull said.
CARBONDALE -- The mother of a 19-year-old Southern Illinois University student stood before the Carbondale City Council on Tuesday seeking more answers surrounding her son's death from more than two years ago.

Lovely Varughese, mother of Pravin Varughese, said she felt like it was time for the city leaders to hear her struggle for information since February 2014.

I feel the mayor and the city council need to hear the nightmare that we are going through trying to find out what really happened to our son, she said.

There have been questions about Pravin Varugheses death since he went missing the night of Feb. 12-13, 2014. He was found five days later in a wooded area off the 1400 block of East Main Street.

Police said they learned Varughese got a ride on Feb. 12 after leaving a house party in the 600 block of West College Street from a man. During the ride, Varughese and the male got into an altercation, the police say. Varughese got out of the vehicle and ran into the wooded area where he was later found.

Varugheses February 2014 autopsy revealed there were no signs of foul play and that hypothermia was the preliminary cause of death, according to Jackson County Coroner Dr. Thomas Kupferer.

At the council meeting Tuesday, Lovely Varughese had her friend, Monica Zukas, show the council photographs from a second autopsy commissioned by an independent pathologist paid for by the Varughese family.

The Varughese family has continued to say they believe Varughese was injured before he died.

Lovely told the council that she has been told conflicting stories about where and how her son was found and she is searching for the truth.

We are more than confused with everything we have heard, she said. We don't know what to believe.

In August 2015, the Varughese family decided to take legal action to get the answers they sought. The family filed a five-count, $5 million wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against Gaege Bethune, the city of Carbondale, and then-Carbondale Police Chief Jody OGuinn. Kupferer was later added to this lawsuit, but was later dismissed by the family, along with the city and OGuinn.

Bethune, who is reportedly the last person to have seen Varughese alive, has not been dismissed from the lawsuit.

A little more than a year after Varugheses death, the Jackson County Grand Jury returned the no true bill. At the time, Jackson County States Attorney Michael Carr said from his perspective, the criminal investigation was over.

Shortly after the grand jury, Carr recused himself from the Varguhese case, and The States Attorney Appellate Prosecutor was appointed to look into the case. A report has not been released to the public as of Tuesday.

Lovely recounted several attempts of trying to find information regarding her son's death, but was not successful.

Everything is being blamed on an open investigation, she said. What investigation? If there is one, please keep us informed.

Later in the meeting, Councilman Adam Loos said he was sorry for her loss and the city should be as transparent as it can be.

We should provide as much information as we can without endangering an investigation, he said. I am not judging whether or not we have done that or not, but that is what we should do.
SPRINGFIELD  With an early May deadline looming, several proposals to amend the Illinois Constitution are advancing in the General Assembly.

The Senate Executive Committee voted Tuesday to send three proposed amendments to the full Senate for a vote, and House committees did likewise Monday with two measures.

New higher education funding plans emerge SPRINGFIELD  There are once again competing proposals to get money to public universities t

Its ultimately up to voters to decide whether to change the state constitution. If the Legislature wants to put a question to voters, each chamber must approve the proposal by a three-fifths majority at least six months before the next general election. Lawmakers are limited to asking voters to change three articles of the constitution in a given election, which means not all of the proposals heading to the chamber floors can end up on the November ballot.

The Senate committee approved measures that would do away with the constitutions flat tax provision, change the way legislative and congressional districts are drawn, and eliminate the lieutenant governors office.

House committees approved a different redistricting plan and a proposal from House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, that would require that state to cover the majority of the cost of public education.

Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, chairman of the Executive Committee, is sponsoring the amendment that would allow Illinois to begin charging different tax rates based on income.

Harmon said the proposal would allow Illinois to join the modern era and noted that neighboring Wisconsin has a graduated income tax system.

The proposal is accompanied by a bill that would lower the tax rate for 99 percent of taxpayers while raising rates for wealthier residents on their income above certain thresholds. For example, an unmarried person would pay 8.75 percent on income between $500,000 and $1 million and 9.75 percent on income above $1 million. The current rate is 3.75 percent for all taxpayers.

Illinois House committee OKs progressive income tax plan SPRINGFIELD  A measure to tax the wealthiest people in Illinois at higher rates is heading 

The proposed amendment itself doesnt deal with what the rates would be, one of many concerns the idea raised for Republicans. Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, called it an open door for allowing higher taxes on the middle class.

An identical proposed amendment, sponsored by Rep. Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago, is scheduled for a House committee hearing Thursday.

The Senate redistricting plan, sponsored by Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, is substantially different from one being considered in the House and one being pushed by a group called Independent Maps.

Unlike those proposals, which would create independent commissions, Raouls plan would leave the process for drawing district lines in the hands of the General Assembly, with approval from the governor.

It would do away with the current system of dividing each state Senate district into two state House districts, making the boundaries independent. This would enable better representation of minority communities, Raoul said.

Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, is proposing the elimination of the lieutenant governors office, a move he says would show the states commitment to consolidating government operations and save $1.6 million annually, a minute fraction of the states roughly $36 billion budget.

While his fellow Democrats passed the bill out of committee, most indicated that they wouldnt support it on the Senate floor.

One of their concerns is that the change would set up a situation where a vacancy in the office of governor could be filled by an attorney general  the next official in the line of succession  of a different party.

Cullerton noted that his proposal is identical to one sponsored by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, when he was in the state Senate. Despite that history, it failed to win any Republican support.

A House committee last week approved a similar proposal.

Also in the House, Madigans proposed education funding amendment is headed for a floor vote.

The speaker, who was a delegate to Illinois 1970 constitutional convention, said the measure is intended to enshrine that education is a fundamental right and one that should be primarily the states obligation to fund.

The measure wouldnt set up a specific formula for funding schools. That would be up to the Legislature to determine based on the new requirement if its approved by voters, Madigan said.
To the Editor:

The liberal Democrats of Cook County are at it again. John Cullerton, President of the Illinois Senate is now proposing legislation that would place a 1.5 cent tax on every mile driven by automobile owners. At the same time, the legislature is also considering a thirty cent increase in the gas tax for each gallon sold in Illinois. The increase would double the present cost and give out state the highest gas tax in the nation.

These are the cockeyed ideas that we all have come to expect from Chicago and Cook County. It is just another way the legislature has dreamed up a way to wrangle more tax taxes from its citizens.

The Democratic solution to the problem is to raise more taxes. No thought is given to reduce spending. What a novel idea! Is it any wonder that many businesses and thousand of individuals are leaving this state each year?

Thank goodness our State Representative Terri Bryant is opposed to such taxing and spending. If you are against the proposal, you may want to join her in her effort to stop bill before it becomes law.

Jere T. Shaw

Mount Vernon
Last Sunday  on day 292 of the state of Illinois not having a budget  Comptroller Leslie Munger announced that members of the General Assembly and the states six constitutional officers would take their place in the payment queue rather than systematically receiving their paychecks at the end of every month.

Sundays press release from Mungers office stated, with families, social service organizations, schools and businesses waiting months on end for promised payments from the state  it is appropriate for elected leaders to face delays as well.

Amen and hallelujah!

But also 291 days overdue.

The states 177 senators and representatives have a base salary of $67,836  the highest in the Midwest and fifth highest in the country. They make thousands more by serving as committee chairs or holding leadership positions. And yet, at the end of each of the past nine months all 177 of them have had their monthly paychecks deposited nicely into their accounts while failing to consult, compromise or offer any creative budgetary alternatives that would benefit their constituents.

In addition, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Secretary of State Jesse White will now begin waiting in line for their monthly share of the $156,541 annual salary each receives.

And Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Treasurer Mike Frerichs and Comptroller Munger herself will likely (hopefully) wait 90 days or more to each receive the monthly portion of their $135,669 yearly salary.

This is all good. Its only appropriate that the states elected leaders experience the same cash flow problems that they have inflicted upon businesses, agencies and the thousands of individuals whose livelihoods have been compromised.

We applaud Mungers action. In her Sunday statement she said, It is the right thing to do, and concluded by saying that if this action helps bring all sides together to pass a balanced budget and end this unnecessary and devastating hardship to our state, that is an added benefit. She could not be more spot on.

Voice of The Southern: Priorities are all too clear The state of Illinois is $2.9 billion behind on paying claims and premiums for state employe

And yet we question both the delay in instigating this common sense decision and its timing with regard to Novembers upcoming election.

Not only are there legislative seats being contested, but Munger will also have her name on the ballot, facing Democrat Susana Mendoza, current Chicago city clerk and a former legislator. Never missing an opportunity to take a swipe at a member of the opposing party, Democrat Mendoza referred to Republican Mungers announcement as 10 months late and many dollars short.

Of course Mendoza is right for criticizing the delay.

Of course Munger is right for correcting it.

The point is that our constitutional officers and 177 legislators are getting a taste of their own poorly prescribed medicine. We applaud Munger for both providing the diagnosis and writing the necessary prescription.
Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler will be in Washington, D.C. this Thursday and Friday for the African American Mayors Associations 2016 Annual Conference.

The conference is designed to inform the mayors about federal policies and opportunities that can help grow business in their cities, Butler said.

I hope to bring back a wealth of knowledge on how to further Orangeburgs cooperation at the federal level as related to business, economic growth and education, he said.

Butler said the conference is also designed to help create partnerships between the White House and municipalities.

The mayors have been invited to the White House and he hopes to meet President Barack Obama, Butler said.

Mayor Steve Benjamin of Columbia is president of the organization and Mayor William Johnson of Holly Hill is secretary.
Tuition for out-of-district students attending schools in Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four will remain at the current $1,200 for the upcoming school year.

Trustees recently approved the administrations recommendation not to raise the rates for 2016-17.

The board also voted unanimously to approve updates that Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shirlan Jenkins has made to the districts five-year strategic plan.

The plan ran out last year, but the S.C. Department of Education gave the district a waiver allowing it to update the old plan rather than create a new one, Jenkins said. It will be ready to turn in by the April 30 deadline.

Jenkins told trustees that the S.C. Department of Educations recent decision to implement a 10-point grading scale in all the states high schools will put South Carolina students on equal ground with other states when it comes to applying for colleges and scholarships.

Following the meeting, she noted that in South Carolina, an A runs from 93 to 10. In most other states, an A runs from 90 to 100.

The changeover will be made this fall. Jenkins told trustees that the district will use a conversion chart from the Department of Education to average out the grades of high school students who are currently on the seven-point grade scale. Training for faculty and staff will take place this summer, she said.

While the DOE leaves it to local school boards to decide on a grade scale for students in the lower grades, it does recommend the use of the 10-point scale in middle schools.

Jenkins said the administration will bring a recommendation about the scoring scale back to the board in August.
For decades, the Republican Party gave voters the impression that they get to pick the presidential nominee. The much-weakened GOP establishment theoretically has the power to choose someone else  but not, I believe, the strength of purpose to do it.

The author of this dilemma is, of course, Donald Trump. After a two-week pause in the primary schedule, Trump  a Manhattan icon  was expected to romp in New York on Tuesday and capture the lions share of the states 95 convention delegates. Polls show he is also likely to post big wins the following week, on April 26, in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

The bigger his victory margins, the closer Trump can come to securing 1,237 delegates, a majority, and thus making all the contested convention machinations moot. But it seems likely that when all the primaries and caucuses are done, he will fall short. Lets say, for the sake of argument, that he comes to the convention with around 1,100 delegates  far more than rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich. What happens then?

The Cruz campaign has worked tirelessly, and quite successfully, to ensure that as many delegates as possible are Cruz supporters, even if they are pledged to vote for Trump on the conventions first ballot, which presumably would be inconclusive. In subsequent rounds of voting, those delegates would be free to switch to the Cruz side  and ultimately give him the nomination.

To pull this off, however, Cruz would need the support, or at least the acquiescence, of party insiders  who dislike Cruz almost as much as Trump. Many leading Republicans believe, in fact, that Cruz, with his hard-right views, would be an even surer loser in November than the unpredictable Trump, who is unburdened by philosophy.

I have heard veterans of GOP smoke-filled rooms make the argument this way: If the party is going to incur the wrath of primary voters and caucus-goers by nominating someone other than Trump, why pick a candidate who will most likely lose to Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee? Why not pick someone who has a fighting chance with independents, such as John Kasich? Or even a white knight such as House Speaker Paul Ryan (who made clear last week that he does not want the nomination)?

I have also heard prominent Republicans argue that the convention delegates will have what amounts to a fiduciary duty to choose a candidate who is fit to serve as president. Trumps volatile temperament and ignorance of policy, according to this view, make him ineligible.

And then theres the political calculation. Some GOP graybeards believe the party is unlikely to capture the White House with any nominee. But Trumps massive unpopularity with the wider electorate  about two-thirds of Americans view him unfavorably, and a recent Associated Press poll of registered voters found that 63 percent said they would never vote for him  could threaten the partys Senate and House majorities. Cruz, Kasich or a white knight might lose without dragging the rest of the ticket down with them.

All of this is fascinating to ponder, at least for those who love politics. But I wouldnt bet on any of these scenarios. I believe that if Trump comes anywhere close to a delegate majority, the party leadership caves and he gets the nomination.

Trump would have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to see whats coming. In recent speeches, he has staked out the position that the candidate who comes to the convention with the biggest number of delegates should be the nominee, period. Polls show that a majority of Republicans agree with the helmet-haired billionaire. It turns out that once you tell people they get to choose their standard-bearer, they dont take kindly to being patted on the head and told to go sit in the corner.

Trumps newly hired convention manager, GOP veteran Paul Manafort, accused the Cruz campaign of using Gestapo tactics to steal delegates. Trump said Sunday that, gee, he sure hopes theres no violence in Cleveland if the party establishment tries to take the nomination away from him. Not that he would ever suggest such a thing, of course.

As I said, all of this is moot if Trump wins a delegate majority outright. But if he narrowly misses the magic number, I dont believe the debilitated establishment can muster the solidarity it would need to deny him. At this point, Im afraid, the GOP is much more Trumps party than theirs.
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Experts from several member companies of the German EMS-Fehn-Group have started their work on the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the message of the EMS said.

The group, which consists of 19 companies with offices in various countries, is active in chartering, logistics, special transports, world-wide yacht transport, ship management (currently 19 vessels), stevedoring, terminal operations, warehousing, intra-logistics and crewing.

During the project, 130,000 tons of pipes will be shipped from Brake city (Germany) to the Albanian port of Durres and from there via a storage area to the building site, according to the message.



The first pipes were loaded in Brake March 21 and arrived in Durres eleven days later, the group said, adding that in total, 13 shipments are planned.

TAP project envisages transportation of gas from the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas and condensate field to the EU countries.

The 870-kilometer pipeline will be connected to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy's south.

TAP's initial capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters of gas a year, expandable to 20 billion cubic meters.
/By Azernews/

By Amina Nazarli

Connecting Iran's railway to Azerbaijan will contribute to materializing the North-South corridor project, Iranian envoy to Azerbaijan told Trend.



After launching Rasht-Astara railroad and connecting Qazvin to Astara through the railway, the plan for the transit of goods from the Persian Gulf to Russia and the Black Sea as well as the Europe will be realized, Ambassador Mohsen Pak Ayeen said.

The length of the Rasht-Astara railway is 10 kilometers. Some 8 kilometers will pass through Azerbaijani territory and two kilometers through Iranian territory.



The period for transiting goods from India to Europe will be much shorter after the North-South corridor is completed, he added.



Explaining that the goods are currently transited from India to the Europe within 60 days, Mohsen Pak Ayeen said after completing the North-South corridor the transit period will be less than 14 days.



North-South corridor is a project for connecting Europe to India through several countries including Azerbaijan and Iran, lessening shipment time from 40 to 14 days end-to-end.



The project was established among Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia 10 years ago to accelerate the railway construction.



This transport corridor is very important for Azerbaijan both in economic terms and in terms of security and tourism, which expects to bring huge economic benefits to the country.



Earlier President Ilham Aliyev said that if new countries such as Pakistan, India, and the North European countries join this corridor, the volume of cargoes passing through Azerbaijan's territory will increase significantly.

The Ambassador added, the Astara-Rasht railroad has moved up the agenda and within the next couple of years the railway will connect Iran's northern corridor to its southern corridor.



A ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Astara-Rast railroad will take place on April 20 in the border of Iran Azerbaijan.



Iranian ICT Minister Mahmoud Vaezi and the Economy Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev will attend the ceremony.
Members of Parliament from 15 countries gathered in the French-German border region to consider parliamentary contributions to OSCE efforts in addressing conflicts. Some 25 parliamentarians, including from several countries impacted by protracted conflicts, heard presentations from experts on reconciliation processes particularly in the Saar-Lor-Lux and Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino regions.





An Azerbaijani delegation led by Vice Speaker of the Parliament, head of the country`s parliamentary delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE Bahar Muradova joined the seminar of the OSCE PA in Germany.





The parliamentary delegation included MPs Azay Guliyev and Tahir Mikshili.





The seminar was opened by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland), and Treasurer Doris Barnett (MP, Germany), and brought together parliamentarians from Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Sweden and Switzerland.





Over the last month, dramatic developments in Ukraine and in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, have once again demonstrated the destabilizing potential and human cost of conflict. Finding political will to overcome differences remains critical to finding solutions to all conflicts in the OSCE region, so Members of Parliament are an essential component of any solution for conflicts that the OSCE is mandated to deal with, said President Kanerva.





The seminar was also intended to provide parliamentarians from countries impacted by protracted conflicts with new ideas for conflict resolution and to gather their proposals, as a contribution to official conflict resolution discussions. The discussions took on an added urgency due to the recent significant military escalation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.





Our surroundings, in a region long fought-over between France and Germany, but now peaceful and productive, are evidence that painful conflicts can be solved to the benefit of the conflicting sides. We take inspiration from these experiences, and will continue to contribute at a parliamentary level to OSCE efforts to resolve protracted conflicts, continued the President.





Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament Azay Guliyev provided an insight into the recent developments in the line of contacts of the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops that resulted casualties of civilians. He informed about the occupation of Nagorno Karabakh and seven surrounding regions by Armenian armed forces.





Deputy speaker of the Parliament Bahar Muradova said: This conflict again attracted the view of the international community because Azerbaijani side adequately and decently repulsed Armenian military operations during the recent events resulting a number of casualties of civilians. The weapons and documents founded there confirm the Armenian Armed Forces` servicemen and terrorists groups participation in the military operation against Azerbaijan. Armenia bears responsibility for the recent aggravation of the situation along the contact line and the intensive violation of ceasefire.





Participants were encouraged to consider real-life consequences, not just the politics of conflicts and overall to think the unthinkable. Aspects related to minorities and human rights were in focus on the second day of the seminar.





Talking about the past is critical to learning lessons, but it is not enough. This has therefore been an excellent opportunity to reflect on the common future that can result from reconciliation, said Doris Barnett, who hosted the event on behalf of the German Parliament.





As representatives of those suffering from conflict, participants highlighted the particular abilities of OSCE PA members to contribute at a parliamentary level to formal resolution processes.





The seminar in Leinsweiler, Germany, follows a previous event in March 2015 dedicated to exchanging experiences from the Franco-German border regions with parliamentarians from Russia and Ukraine.




Azerbaijan and Iran have explored ways of developing interparliamentary relations as Speaker of Azerbaijan`s Parliament Ogtay Asadov met with Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani on the sidelines of the first consultative meeting of Eurasia parliament speakers in Moscow.





Mr. Asadov hailed the level of relations between the two countries, and noted that there were prospects for rapid development of all-round cooperation. He informed the Iranian official on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and stressed the Armenian side subjects to fire the villages of Azerbaijan every day.





Despite the efforts of the international mediators, the conflict didn`t find its settlement yet, he added.





Mr. Larijani, in turn, hailed the economic, political and cultural relations between the two countries, as well as the results of the meetings among Azerbaijani, Iranian and Russian, as well as Azerbaijani, Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers.




UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will pay a visit to Azerbaijan, diplomatic sources told Trend Apr. 20.

He is to take part in the 7th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). The Forum will be held April 25-27 in Baku.

Bilateral meetings at a high level are planned within the framework of the visit.

A meeting with the participation of senior officials and around 30 sessions are planned to be held during the Forum. The Baku Declaration is planned to be adopted at a high-level meeting of the UNAOC.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on July 24, 2015 to create the organizing committee for holding the 7th UNAOC Global Forum in Baku.
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Pedro Agramunt has met with chairs of the Azerbaijani and Armenian delegations in PACE, Samad Seyidov and Samvel Farmanyan.

"Met with Azerbaijani and Armenian chairs of delegations in PACE," Agramunt tweeted Apr. 20. "No conflict can be solved without dialogue."

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.
Valiollah Seif, the head of Iran's central bank, has urged the US to remove ambiguities over banking ties with Iran. "Washington should feel accountable for removing ambiguities over the cooperation of the European banks with Iran," IRNA news agency quoted Seif as saying.

"Nevertheless, the Americans have taken some measures in this regards, that are not sufficient in our point of view," he added. Saying that sanctions on Iran were removed and the country's oil exports increased following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in January, he said there are still obstacles against banking transactions between Iran and European banks, in particular. He described the concerns of European banks over running afoul of the US regulations as a main reason behind the European financial institutions' approach towards Iran. Stating that the Italian and Austrian banks have better ties with Iranian banks, he further predicted that the ties with other European banks will gradually improve. Earlier in an interview with Bloomberg TV and also during a meeting at the Council on Foreign Relations in the US he accused Washington and Europeans of failing to honor the JCPOA. "In general, we are not able to use our frozen funds abroad," Seif said Apr. 15.

Valiollah Seif, arrived in Washington earlier this week to attend the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group held April 15-17.
Investcorp, a global provider and manager of alternative investment products, has agreed the sale of CSIdentity (CSID) to Experian, a global information services company, for an enterprise value of $360 million.

The transaction is subject to standard regulatory approvals, a statement said.

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, CSID is a market leading provider of enterprise level identity theft protection technology solutions to businesses and government agencies. The companys solutions, provided on the basis of a recurring software-as-a-service (SaaS) business model, proactively detect credit and non-credit related identity theft, notify affected parties and help restore compromised identities.

Through its technology fund, Investcorp Technology Partners III, Investcorp initially invested in CSID in December 2009 and the fund is today the majority owner of the company. Since Investcorp partnered with CSID, the company has experienced rapid growth and has become a global leader in the identity protection market.

Mohammed Al-Shroogi, co-CEO at Investcorp, said: "Cybersecurity is a trend that has long been on Investcorps radar and over the last decade we have established a market leading position in the sector, investing in six IT security companies. This successful exit, and the fact that the company has attracted the interest of such a strong trade buyer, is further testament to our ability to create market leaders in the cybersecurity sector.

Fahad Murad, managing director, Investcorp Bahrain, said: We are delighted with how CSIdentity has grown in the six years under our ownership. It is an excellent example of how Investcorp can provide operational and financial support to accelerate the development of a company.

This transaction marks the fifth exit for Investcorp Technology Partners III, following the sale of TDX Group to Equifax; the partial exit of Fishnet through a merger with Accuvant; the ultimate full sale of Skrill Group to Optimal Payments (now renamed Paysafe Group); and the flotation of Sophos Group on the London Stock Exchange.  TradeArabia News Service
The value of merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions with any Middle Eastern involvement reached $4.7 billion during the first quarter (Q1) of 2016, a decline of 67 per cent compared to Q1 2015 and the slowest first quarter since 2014, said an industry expert.



Middle Eastern equity and equity-related issuance totalled $228.0 million during the first quarter of 2016, a 92 per cent decline from the first quarter of 2015 and the slowest opening period for equity capital markets issuance since 2011, added Nadim Najjar, Managing Director, MENA, Thomson Reuters, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.



Middle Eastern debt issuance reached $5.5 billion during the first quarter of 2016, a 22 per cent decrease compared to the value raised during the first quarter of 2015 and the slowest opening period for DCM issuance since 2009, he added.



He was commenting on Thomson Reuters quarterly investment banking analysis for the Middle East region released today (April 19).



According to estimates from Thomson Reuters / Freeman Consulting, Middle Eastern investment banking fees reached $178.2 million during the first quarter of 2016, a 17 per cent decline compared to the value recorded during the first quarter of 2015 and the lowest annual start for investment banking fees in the region since 2014.



In respect to investment banking fees, Fees from completed M&A transactions totalled $54.4 million during the first quarter of 2016, a 22 per cent decrease compared to a year ago and the slowest first quarter for M&A fees since 2013. Syndicated Lending fees accounted for nearly two-thirds of the overall Middle Eastern investment banking fee pool, the highest first quarter share since fee records began in 2000.



Equity capital markets underwriting fees declined 84 per cent compared to last year, while debt capital markets fees totalled $5.2 million, down 66 per cent from 2015. Fees from combined debt and equity capital markets underwriting accounted for 6 per cent of the overall fee pool in the region during the first quarter, the lowest percentage since the first quarter of 2009.



As for M&A deals, Outbound M&A activity fell 85 per cent from the first quarter of 2015 to reach $1.3 billion, the lowest first quarter total since 2010. Overseas acquisitions from the United Arab Emirates accounted for 39 per cent of Middle Eastern outbound M&A activity, while acquisitions by companies based in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia accounted for 29 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively.



Domestic and inter-Middle Eastern M&A decreased 36 per cent year-on-year to $1.8 billion. Inbound M&A fell 52 per cent to $558.8 million, a two-year low. Industrials was the most active sector, accounting for 31 per cent of Middle Eastern involvement M&A.



The largest deal with Middle Eastern involvement during the quarter was the $1.1 billion acquisition of Denmark-based Icopal A/S by GAF Corp from Bahrain-based Investcorp Ltd. Lazard topped the first quarter 2016 announced any Middle Eastern involvement M&A league table with $1.4 billion from advising on the top two deals of the quarter.



In respect to equity capital markets, two initial public offerings raised $200.6 million and accounted for 88 per cent of first quarter 2016 activity in the region. Follow-on offerings accounted for the remaining 12 per cent of activity.



Arabian Food Industries Co raised $126.9 million in an initial public offering in March, the largest equity offering in the region during the quarter. Sambacapital took first place in the first quarter 2016 Middle Eastern ECM ranking with 32.3 per cent market share.



As for debt capital markets, Bahrain was the most active nation in the Middle East accounting for 30 per cent of overall activity, followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.



International Islamic debt issuance increased 14 per cent year-on-year to reach $10.2 billion during the first quarter of 2016, the largest first quarter for issuance in two years.



Morgan Stanley took the top spot in the Middle Eastern bond ranking during the first quarter of 2016 with an 11.9 per cent share of the market, while CIMB Group took the top spot for Islamic DCM issuance with a 17.3 per cent share.  TradeArabia News Service
Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), Qatars leading insurer, posted a net profit of QR329 million ($90.26 million) for the first quarter of this year, up by 7 per cent compared to QR306 in Q1, 2015.

QIC announced the Q1 results following a board meeting presided by Abdulla bin Khalifa Al-Attiya, deputy chairman.

Despite global and regional markets experiencing a turbulent start to 2016, the group posted an impressive gross written premium (GWP) of QR2.7 billion, marking a growth of 41 per cent compared to Q1 2015. The increased growth in GWP was attributed to the groups effective and strong underwriting capabilities.

Net underwriting result in Q1 2016 was QR277 million, demonstrating an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year. Investment income and other revenues stood at QR201 million.

Khalifa Abdulla Turki Al Subaey, group president and CEO said: Given the current global and regional economic and investment scenario, our outlook for 2016 remains cautiously optimistic. We will continue to optimise operations and identify new revenue streams for delivering consistent growth and sustainable returns to our shareholders.  TradeArabia News Service


UAE-based Al Gharbia Pipe Company, a unit of Senaat, has started work on its large-diameter pipe manufacturing plant in the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad).



Al Gharbia is a joint venture between Senaat, one of the largest industrial holding companies in the UAE, and two of Japans leading companies in the steel sector  JFE Steel Corporation and Marubeni-Itochu Steel Inc (MISI).



Al Gharbia will be the UAEs first plant capable of manufacturing large-diameter, thick wall, sour service, longitudinally welded steel pipe to service the oil and gas transportation sector, with the infrastructure and construction sectors as secondary markets, said a statement from the company.



The plant will be built on a 200,000-sq-m plot of land in Kizad in Abu Dhabi and is expected to formally launch operations in 2018. Once fully operational, production capacity is set to reach 240,000 tonnes annually, of which around 40 per cent will be exported to neighbouring markets in the GCC and greater Middle East, as well as North and East Africa through Khalifa Port and the excellent road network that the UAEs infrastructure provides, it added.



Aqeel Madhi, chairman of Al Gharbia, said: This is a critical milestone in the development of our company, and I look forward to the plant becoming fully operational in the near future.



The company is set to become a worldwide benchmark with regards to the manufacturing of welded pipes, both in terms of technology and quality, as well as production efficiency, he added.



Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, said: Abu Dhabi Ports is proud to host Al Gharbias plant, which will be the first of its kind in the UAE.



The manufacturing facility on Kizads Modular Path  connected to Khalifa Port and Abu Dhabis highway network to enable the movement of large loads and structures  will help demonstrate the efficiency of the industrial zones innovative and integrated transportation infrastructure, he said.



The integrated multi-module transportation network offered by Khalifa Port and Kizad will support Al Gharbia in serving their existing and potential customers, he added.



Al Gharbia is the first industrial venture between the UAE and Japan to take place in the country, and has been strongly supported by the Abu Dhabi-Japan Business Promotion Initiative of the Japan Cooperation Centre for the Middle East. The initiative supports Japanese companies that invest in projects to strengthen ties between Japan and the UAE. Senaat holds a 51 per cent stake in Al Gharbia, whilst JFE Steel Corporation and Marubeni-Itochu Steel hold 27 per cent and 22 per cent respectively, it added.  TradeArabia News Service
SNC-Lavalin has won an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract from Saudi Aramco for the expansion of the asphalt production facilities at its Ras Tanura Refinery in Saudi Arabia.



Upon completion of the expansion, asphalt production capacity at the facility will increase from 22,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 42,000 bpd.



The contract will be executed by SNC-Lavalin's in-kingdom entity, Saudi Arabian Kentz. The project is expected to be completed in approximately 18 months, and builds on the company's long-term working relationship with Saudi Aramco, it said.



SNC-Lavalin will provide comprehensive engineering and detailed design, procurement, installation, construction, pre-commissioning and commissioning, necessary for the project completion and plant startup.



"We are delighted to build further on our recent experience of executing major EPC projects with Saudi Aramco," said Christian Brown, president, Oil and Gas, SNC-Lavalin. "Saudi Aramco is a key client for us and we have one of the largest dedicated engineering and construction teams in Saudi Arabia."



Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure. - TradeArabia News Service


US-based Ajustlock, the worlds first adjustable barrel bolt lock, will make its debut in the Middle East region at the upcoming Hardware+Tools Middle East 2016, in Dubai, UAE.



Hardware+Tools Middle East 2016, the regions dedicated trade show for hardware, tools, materials and machinery, will be held from May from 23 to 25, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.



Ajustlock is a simple, yet effective solution to the misalignment of traditional barrel locks that prevent doors, gates and stalls from locking properly. The key to its effectiveness is the latch which automatically shifts vertically when the pin is inserted, meaning even the most shoddy do it yourself (DIY) installation job will look as though its done by a professional, said a statement from the company.



The lock is helpful in solving the most frequent and frustrating problems faced by construction contractors, homeowners, apartment tenants  and anyone who has ever used a public bathroom, it added.



Invented by American manufacturer Ajustco, the patent-pending lock will be launched at the upcoming Hardware+Tools Middle East 2016 trade show in Dubai, and is dubbed as the hero of commercial or DIY locking solutions for doors, gates, windows  and of course public bathrooms, saving users from potentially embarrassing moments, it said.



Jason Stile, CEO and co-founder of Ajustco, said: The plan is to roll out Ajustlock throughout Middle East hardware stores.



Barrel bolt locks havent changed in almost 100 years, and annoying door shift and lock misalignment issues have gone unresolved, until now, he said.



Our company is expanding and increasing global market share for Ajustlock, and the Middle East is a source of infrastructure changes, from new construction projects to re-modelling, where individuals and contractors are more in tune with innovation and novelty, he added.



Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Hardware+Tools Middle East, said: The Expert Zone is ideal for regional trade visitors, contractors, retailers, and key decision makers whore looking for equipment upgrades, or for the latest hardware and machinery that will positively impact their day-to-day operations.



Products showcased in this section are an indication of new developments that are shaping the future of the industry, and provide regional buyers an indication of things to come," he added.



Other international companies at the Expert Zone include Italian company Vipa, a world-leading manufacturer of plastic articles oriented to the hardware, hydraulics, electronic and healthcare sectors, Channellock from the USA, and Wiha from Germany, which produces a wide range precision tools.



The event is a magnet for trade buyers from across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, including distributors, retailers, exporters, importers, contractors, fabricators, consultants and industry professionals involved in the construction and industrial sectors.

The 17th edition will feature country pavilions from China, Thailand and Taiwan, and will host more than 200 exhibitors from 11 countries representing over 300 brands, it added.  TradeArabia News Service
More than 30 leading exhibitors from the oil and gas sector are showcasing their commitment towards nurturing a sustainable environment at plants and refineries, at the ongoing GCC Plant Maintenance and Reliability Conference (Maintrel 2016), in Dubai, UAE.



Plant maintenance and reliability is significantly important to reduce the overall operating cost, while boosting the productivity of the plant, said a statement.



In lieu of the same, Neft Management in collaboration with a committee of regional and international oil company representatives including Saudi Aramco, Sabic, Yasref, GPIC, Ethydco, Borouge, ADCO, and others, hosted the conference at Waldorf Astoria, which kicked off yesterday (April 19) and will run until April 21.



The exclusive conference witnessed more than 300 government and industry attendees and representatives of oil and gas sector from Saudi Arabia, US, UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Japan, and India countries on the first day, added the statement.



The events exhibitors include Saudi Aramco, Yasref, zymeflow, Weir Oil & Gas, Kanooz Industrial Services, SAP, Utopia, Al-Muzian, and others, it said.



This conference has brought together the heads of maintenance and relevant solution providers to a common platform to discuss the challenges, explore the latest trends, and offer insights and solutions and practical examples through in-depth discussions, it stated.



The event featured critical insights on maintenance best practices, reliability centred maintenance, root cause analysis and cost effective maintenance and reliability techniques. It also showcased the commitment towards nurturing a sustainable environment in the oil refineries and petrochemical plants from its conceptual to its usage stage.



Rafeeq Kunhi, director, Neft Management, said: We are extremely delighted with the number of visitors at the conference. In a dynamic environment of increased competition, the event is an effort to offer a platform for engineers and specialists to network with others and share success stories in technology optimisation, plant reliability and process optimisation.



We are confident that this conference will serve as a strategic platform for key decision makers to share views about evolving technology and strategies for ensuring the effective development of Middle Eastern oil and gas industry, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Ajman Free Zone Authority said that it is aiming for rapid expansion following the successful addition of its offices in the UAE and India.



The extension will greatly contribute in strengthening the presence of the free zone as a new gateway in international markets as part of its expansion plans, said a statement from the free zone.



Ajman Free Zone has established offices in various countries around the world including international locations such as Mumbai and Delhi, and it also has a corporate presence in several other locations via representative partners such as the Manchester in UK and Karachi in Pakistan, it added.



The free zone is strongly eyeing the Asia-Pacific market for expansion. By the end of the fiscal year 2016, Ajman Free Zone is looking to have operating offices in Germany, France, Italy and Singapore, it said.



Mahmood Al Hashemi, general manager, Ajman Free Zone, said: We have marked out strategic plans to expand further into global markets in 2016. The opening up of these new premises is one step forward in response to the growing demand for new offices and modern services.



By establishing presence in these countries we seek to offer business facilities for our clients globally by providing the latest and most modern set up, he added.



Nader Eldesouky, deputy director general, Ajman Free Zone, said: Ajman is a safe investment destination with tax-free opportunities and a 24-hour set-up.



Rishi Somaiya, director of sales, Ajman Free Zone, said: Companies across the globe will be able to benefit from Ajman offshore/International Business Companies (IBC) enabling tax-free international operations with ease.



Fast and easy set up procedures will make Ajman offshore/international business company an ideal investment vehicle for asset management for their clients, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Google has endorsed the adoption of the GS1 System of Standards as the global standard best suited for their Google Shopping, GS1 Bahrain founder and chief executive Raed Al Samahiji was quoted as saying by the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.



To read further, please visit GDNonline.








A total of 1,260 exhibitors from 63 countries will participate in the 26th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), including 600 authors and over 20 artists, said the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).



ADIBF will take place from April 27 to May 3 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).



The exhibition has expanded by 10 per cent compared to the hugely successful silver jubilee edition in 2015, increasing to 31,962 sq m, with the expanded Fair an opportunity to further the objectives and contribute to the UAEs ongoing Year of Reading 2016 initiative.



"A commitment to diversified cultural activities undertaken to the highest standards of quality reflecting the rich Arab and local cultural tourism scene sets Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cultural Authority apart. Once again, the activities and events at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair reflect local and global cultural and intellectual concerns, said Dr Ali Bin Tamim, member of the Authoritys Board of Directors.



Italy has been chosen as this years Guest of Honour due to its importance to the cultural and political landscape in the contemporary world, and the cultural bonds that brought us together centuries ago. Selecting the great philosopher Ibn Rushd as ADIBFs Personality of the Year recognises his credentials as a courageous historical thinker and his contribution to creating and spreading the regions cultural renaissance", added Dr Bin Tamim.



In addition to the extensive cultural programme, the Fairs 26th edition will attract visitors with a wide spectrum of interests according to Mohamed Al Shehhi, director of Research & Publication at TCA Abu Dhabi.



We renew our loyalty to the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the nation, through the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, and we celebrate Arab creators and prominent narrators through the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF). This year through our Ibn Rushd as our focus personality and Italy as guest of honour, we combine two parallel lines in the history of humanity that bridge two flourishing Arab and European civilisations, said Al Shehhi.



The exhibition will host 500 cultural initiatives that include highlighting the life of the Arabic-Islamic philosopher Ibn Rushd and others who contributed to Italys cultural and intellectual achievements.



The other initiatives include the Business Club area, Creativity Corner, eZone and Service Providers Area, Show Kitchen, Black Box Cinema, Cultural Programmes, the new Signatures book signing initiative and the Illustrators Corner.



The exhibition also seeks to promote the publishing industry and books in the UAE and the region to become a centre for advanced and efficient copyright and intellectual property rights.



At a time when we celebrate Italy as the Guest of Honour, our beautiful city of Venice, the bridge between Arab civilisations and Europe, is also witnessing an exhibition dedicated to Aldus Manutius, the inventor of the modern book and the publishing industry in the 15th century, said Liborio Stellino, Italian Ambassador to the UAE.



"We have established an integrated programme aimed at bringing the public closer to Italian culture. We will open our cultural programme with a public concert by the Venice Quartette that will play classical music by prominent composers and musicians, such as Beethoven and acclaimed Italian composers Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi. We have also curated an exhibition on important ancient Arabic manuscripts present in Italian libraries, especially from the Angelica Library in Rome, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabia's Yanbu National Petrochemical Co (Yansab) reported a 41 percent rise in first-quarter net profit on Wednesday, beating analysts' forecasts.

The firm, a subsidiary of Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic), made a net profit of SR401.9 million ($107.2 million) in the three months to Mar. 31, up from 285.1 million riyals in the same period of 2015, it said in a bourse filing.

Five analysts polled by Reuters on average forecast Yansab would make a quarterly profit of SR310.8 million.

Yansab attributed the increase in profit to decreases in feedstock prices, which helped boost profit despite lower average sale prices for most products.

Saudi companies issue brief earnings statements early in the reporting period before publishing more detailed results later.

The increase came after four quarters of falling profits for Yansab. Like many petrochemical firms in the kingdom, the company's earnings have been hit hard by falling product prices, as they are closely tied to slumping oil prices.

Saudi producers have benefited from subsidised energy and feedstock costs, so lower crude prices compress their margins. That is changing though, as the Saudi government reforms energy subsidies to help it close a substantial budget deficit.

Yansab said in February that fuel and electricity price hikes would raise its production costs by 1 percent in 2016. This was lower than the 6.5 percent estimate given at the end of last year. --Reuters
Honeywell, a diversified technology and manufacturing leader, has launched its Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat that facilitates energy management in homes across the UAE and wider region.



The new touchscreen thermostat allows residents to remotely monitor and manage their comfort settings anytime, anywhere from their smart devices, said a statement from the company.



The thermostat can be easily managed with Honeywells Total Connect Comfort app for iOS, available now on the App Store. The app enables homeowners to view and change air conditioning system settings and gives them the ability to monitor, manage and schedule home comfort on-the-go, all while being kept up to date with regular temperature alerts either via the app or through email, it added.



Additional features of the thermostat include: indoor and outdoor temperature readings; humidity levels displayed on the home screen; maintains time during power failures; comes with a one-year warranty backed by the most trusted brand in the industry.



Following the professional installation of the thermostat by Honeywell certified installers, the company will provide aftercare services that includes maintenance and support for ongoing queries, said the statement.



The Honeywell WiFi Smart Thermostat has been specially designed to support air conditioning systems usually found in villas and low-rise apartment buildings. The thermostat does not currently support systems usually found in high-rise residential buildings, it added.



The new thermostat is available at Apple Retail Stores in the UAE and at the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com/ae).



Pete Costa, vice president of Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions for the Middle East, said: Having an efficient way to manage temperature in your home is more essential in the UAE than in other parts of the world because of the extreme weather conditions we face.



Our Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat gives users more flexibility and control in managing their home comfort and caters to the fast-paced lives of people in the UAE and the wider region, he added.



Dilip Sinha, general manager for Honeywell Environmental and Energy Solutions in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (Meta), said: In addition to making it more convenient to manage comfort and drive energy efficiency, the Wi-Fi Smart Thermostats display can be customised according to the colour preferences of design-focused homeowners who are looking to complement their decor.



There are more than two dozen different screen colour settings for the device that can be selected to enhance its appeal, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
A German delegation of 150 officials from 85 companies with 35 from the energy sector is currently visiting Egypt, a report said.



We are very keen on finding partners in Egypt for photovoltaics, wind energy as well producing renewable energy from biomass through the incineration of garbage, German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GACIC) CEO Rainer Herret was quoted as saying by Daily News Egypt.



We believe that there are still a lot of opportunities in the market and there is a lot of knowhow on the Egyptian side, therefore a partnership is important to us. In addition, we have companies that are interested in infrastructure, so we invited Ahmed Darwish chairman of the General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone to give a presentation on the Suez Canal project, he added.



The delegation, headed by German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, signed the contracts of the Linde Group, Tahya Misr and Tahrir Petrochemicals Corporation that will form a large chemical complex, revealed Herret.



REC, a German producer of high-quality solar panels, signed an agreement with O Capital for Services and Contracting, a fully-owned subsidiary of Orascom Telecom Media and Technology Holding (OTMT).
Iran is determined to recover its share of the world oil market following the lifting of sanctions, and can withstand low prices since it has sold oil for as little as $6 a barrel in the past, a source close to Iranian oil policy said.



The source was speaking after Russia, one of the participants at last weekend's meeting of oil producing nations which failed to deliver an agreement to freeze output, indicated it could raise supply.



"We paid for our barrels with our centrifuges," the source said, referring to Iran's acceptance of curbs on its nuclear programme in order for Western sanctions on Tehran to be lifted.



"We are going to get our share back. For us, oil is only 12 percent of our GDP. We used to sell oil in the war (between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s) at $6 a barrel."



He added any agreement to restrain supply at the next Opec meeting in June depended on Saudi Arabia and non-member Russia.



"If June is going to produce an agreement, you have to ask Saudi Arabia and Russia. They are the problem." - Reuters
Iran faces a struggle to increase oil exports because many of its tankers are tied up storing crude, some are not seaworthy, and foreign shipowners remain reluctant to carry its cargoes.



Tehran is seeking to make up for lost trade to Europe following the lifting of EU sanctions imposed in 2011 and 2012, which deprived it of a market that accounted for over a third of its exports and left it relying completely on Asian buyers.



Iran has 55-60 oil tankers in its fleet, a senior Iranian government official told Reuters. He declined to say how many were being used to store unsold cargoes, but industry sources said 25-27 tankers were parked in sea lanes close to terminals including Assaluyeh and Kharg Island for this purpose.



Asked how many tankers were not seaworthy and needed to go to dry docks for refits to meet international shipping standards, the senior official said: "Around 20 large tankers ... need to be modernised."



A further 11 Iranian tankers from the fleet were carrying oil to Asian buyers on Tuesday, according to Reuters shipping data and a source who tracks tanker movements. That was broadly in line with the number consistently committed to Asian runs since sanctions were lifted in January, putting more strain on the remaining available fleet.



This means foreign ships are needed for a big export push to Europe and elsewhere, said the industry sources, as Iran looks to meet its target of reaching pre-sanctions sales levels this year. But many owners, who are not short of business in a booming tanker market, are unwilling to take Iranian cargoes.



The main reason is that some US restrictions on Tehran remain in place and prohibit any trade in dollars or the involvement of US firms including banks - a major hurdle for the oil and tanker trades, which are priced in dollars.



Eight foreign tankers, carrying a total of around 8 million barrels of oil, have shipped Iranian crude to European destinations since sanctions were lifted in January, according to data from the tanker-tracking source and ship brokers.



That equates to only around 10 days' worth of sales at the levels of pre-2012, when European buyers were purchasing as much as 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the OPEC producer.



So far no Iranian tankers have made deliveries to Europe, according to data from the tanker-tracking source.



'PLENTY OF OTHER BUSINESS'



Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of leading international oil tanker company Euronav, said at present there was "no great urgency to do business in Iran".



"There is not a premium to do business in Iran and there is plenty of other business - the markets are busy, rates are good. So there is no stress on wanting to do it," he told Reuters.



"I don't really want to set up a euro bank account in Dubai in order to trade with Iran - that would crazy."



Michele White, general counsel with INTERTANKO, an association which represents the majority of the world's tanker fleet, said: "We have witnessed a reluctance by our members generally to return to Iranian trade given the prohibition on use of the US financial system - essentially no US dollars."



The senior Iranian government official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, acknowledged his country was finding it difficult to hire foreign tankers.



"We are working on the problems. There are various issues involved, financial, banking and even insurance. It has improved a little bit since the lifting of sanctions but we still face serious problems."



Asked if this and the need to modernise some of the domestic fleet was holding back exports, he said: "Of course it does."



The strain on Iran's fleet is partly because it has struggled to gain access to land storage sites around the world, as sanctions shut it out of the international financial network, making it more reliant on floating storage than many oil-producing rivals including Saudi Arabia.



The problem has been compounded by a global oversupply of oil, and the industry sources estimated Iranian tankers were storing 45-50 million barrels of unsold crude.



POLITICAL RISK



Two other sources with other leading oil tanker operators echoed the concerns of Rodgers and White, and said they were not doing Iran deals at the moment.



One of the two sources said with a new US president to take office in January, tanker owners were unsure whether there could be any change to the nuclear deal Washington and other world powers agreed with Iran which led to the end of sanctions.



"It does not appeal to them to take on the risk and the uncertainty of the US connection and future US political policy that would come into play," said the source, who declined to be named, citing sensitivity over potential Iranian trade.



Gavin Simmonds, of the UK Chamber of Shipping trade association, said of the US presidential timing and the global oil oversupply: "Iran is rejoining the market at the worst possible time."



Before 2012 Iran exported around 2 million bpd, with more than half going to Asia, mainly China, South Korea, India and Japan. Tehran has been banned from selling oil to the United States for decades.



The tanker industry has cited other problems posed by Iranian business. Ship insurers have plugged a shortfall in cover that had been caused by US reinsurers being restrained by Washington's sanctions, although tanker owners say it comes with risks and it could also be withdrawn if, for instance, wider sanctions are reimposed.



"Shipping insurance is still a problem. We see many buyers in the market still avoid buying from Iran," Fereidun Fesharaki, founder of energy consultancy FGE, wrote in a note.



Tanker industry sources also pointed to reports that Iran's arch rival Saudi Arabia had banned Iranian-flagged ships from entering its waters with. Separate reports indicated Saudi ally Bahrain had imposed a ban on any vessels that visited Iran as one of its last three port calls.



"Any spread of the Bahrain-style ban on foreign ships that have recently called Iran can only fuel this hesitancy for owners who trade in the Middle East region," said INTERTANKO's White.  Reuters
The Middle East continues to have one of the highest CEO succession rates in the world, a report said, adding that 21 per cent of the 62 largest corporates in the region saw a new CEO take the helm during 2015, a report said.



This is above the global average of 17 per cent, highlighted the CEO Success Study from Strategy&, PwCs strategy consulting business.



The vast majority (84 per cent) of these cases had planned CEO succession events from outside the company.



These high succession rates in the Middle East are the result of above average CEO transition rates in Saudi Arabia where38.5 per cent of Saudi corporates analysed in Strategy&s study chose to introduce a new CEO in 2015.



This growing trend is mostly due to recent political and economic movements, including a recent change in the countrys leadership and ongoing oil price volatility, which has led to a shift in how Saudi Arabian leaders think about, approach and successfully execute the new agenda of the country and where several private sector CEOs have taken on Ministerial or other senior roles in the government, said Per-Ola Karlsson, partner with Strategy&.



Additionally, during these last four years 58 per cent of all CEOs in the Middle East have been outside hires, up from 33 per cent in the previous four year period. Per-Ola Karlsson said: These high succession rates, coupled with a need to improve regional corporates leadership development practices, limit companies ability to fully develop internal leaders to their full potential, enabling them to effectively take on the CEO role.



Globally, 17 per cent of the largest 2500 public companies changed their CEO in 2015, more than in any of the previous 16 years, the study said.



Over the past several years more big companies have been deliberately choosing their new CEO from outside of the company as part of a planned succession, an indication that hiring an outsider has become more of an intentional leadership choice than a necessity.



 Outsiders accounted for 22 per cent of all CEOs brought in via a planned succession between 2012-2015, up from 14 per cent in 2004-2007



 Almost three-quarters of all outsider CEOs were brought in during planned successions during that same period, up from 43 per cent in 2004-2007



The majority of companies have continued to promote insiders to the CEO position and the study authors think this will remain the preferred succession-planning practice (77 per cent insiders vs. 23 per cent outsiders in 2015). Outsider CEOs have caught up and closed a performance gap that the study previously found between outsider and insider CEOs, possibly strengthening the case for considering a new leader from outside the company.



Hiring an executive from outside a company to serve as chief executive officer used to be seen as a last resort, said Per-Ola Karlsson.



That is not the case anymore with the disruptive market-related changes that companies are facing today. While an internal CEO candidate may have an excellent record of achieving the business goals the company has pursued in the past, boards are recognizing that this candidate may lack the skills needed to lead the company through the changes necessary to win in the future, he added.



2015: Not the Year of the Woman CEO



Globally, the share of incoming women CEOs fell to less than 3 per cent in 2015, the lowest percentage since 2011. Just 10 of 359 incoming CEOs in the class of 2015 were women.



Female CEOs are also more often hired from outside the company than male CEOs. For example, 32 per cent per cent of all incoming and outgoing female CEOs from 2004-2015 were outsiders, compared to just 23 per cent of males CEOs.



That women CEOs are more often hired from the outside may be an indication that companies have not been cultivating enough female senior executives in-house, said DeAnne Aguirre, an advisor to executives on talent and culture with Strategy& and a principal with PwC US.



One of the reasons why women may be more likely to be outsiders is that their development is not being recognized within their own organization, and therefore they may be more likely to be attracted away. The fact that more companies are considering outsiders might improve the chances for women CEOs in the future.



More facts on the rise of outsider CEOs:



 Some of the industries that have been experiencing the most disruption are also the ones that have brought in higher-than-average shares of outsiders over the last several years. This includes telecommunications (38 per cent of incoming CEOs from 2012-2015 were outsiders), utilities (32 per cent), healthcare (29 per cent), and energy (28 per cent).



 On the other hand, IT (15 per cent), materials (19 per cent), retail and consumer (19 per cent), and industrials (21 per cent) hired the lowest share of outsiders from 2012-2015.



 From a regional perspective, from 2012-2015, companies headquartered in Western Europe hired outsider CEOs almost twice as frequently as companies headquartered in U.S./Canada (30 per cent vs. 18 per cent, respectively)



Boards of directors following well thought-through succession plans should have a deep bench of strong, internal candidates. However when the company needs to make transformational changes away from their former strategic and operating plans, boards should factor the outsider option into their succession planning, said Gary Neilson, thought leader on organizational design and leadership with Strategy&, and a principal with PwC US.



Outsiders dont have biases and commitments built up over the years, and can make changes more objectively. They also may be able to look at the organization from a broader perspective based on an understanding of what the world will require in the future.



Whether the new leader comes from inside or outside the organization, companies that plan for CEO succession more carefully are more likely to be better performing companies in general, added Neilson.  TradeArabia News Service
Francois Galoisy has been appointed as the new general manager of the Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon.



Before joining Rezidor, the French national started his career as a food and beverage (F&B) coordinator in 1985, working his way up to director of F&B before taking on his first managerial position with Swissotel in Istanbul in the year 2003. His career took him to roles in Thailand, China, Myanmar and the UK with Le Meridien and Shangri-La hotel groups.



With his strong background in the F&B sector, Galoisy's long association with Rezidor group began in 2005 as executive assistant manager at the Radisson SAS Dubai Media City, followed by the position of general manager of Park Inn by Radisson, Muscat, Oman. Galoisy is a passionate brand ambassador whose strengths lie in his ability to build relationships with owners and stakeholders whilst leading and developing a team of employees.



Lebanon has a unique specificity that makes working in it a challenge unlike any other, therefore, I am looking forward to lead this endeavor towards new heights, Galoisy said.



Coming from the newly opened Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar, in Oman where he successfully launched the property in the market, Galoisy is now tasked with the day-to-day operation of the Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel Beirut, Lebanon, driving revenue and providing extraordinary guest service. - TradeArabia News Service


The European Union's executive said on Wednesday it will propose on May 4 granting Turks visa-free travel to the bloc from late June -- if Ankara meets the remaining conditions.



A first European Commission report on implementation of last month's EU-Turkey agreement to curb migration said good progress had been made but more resources and commitments were needed to carry out sustained returns of migrants from Greece to Turkey and to resettle Syrian refugees from Turkey directly to Europe.



The Commission did not say how many of the 72 benchmarks for visa liberalisation Turkey has yet to complete but it pointed to several areas where work remains to be done.



They include reducing a backlog of asylum applications, granting all refugees legal access to the labour market, strengthening visa requirements for countries that pose a high migration risk, taking necessary steps to protect fundamental rights and ending discrimination against citizens of EU member Cyprus, which Turkey does not recognise.



The EU executive also urged Ankara to improve readmission of Turkish nationals and third country nationals from all EU member states so an EU-Turkey Readmission Agreement is fully effective from June 1.



Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Tuesday that Ankara was fulfilling all the terms of the EU deal and if the Europeans did not meet their part, Turkey would stop applying its side of the bargain.



Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said after meeting him in Strasbourg that the visa criteria would not be watered down.



"The Commission will present its third visa liberalisation progress report for Turkey on May 4 and if Turkey takes the necessary measures to fulfil the remaining benchmarks, the report will be accompanied by a legislative proposal for transferring Turkey to the visa-free list," the report said.



"NO POLITICAL DISCOUNT"



The measure has to be approved by a qualified majority of EU member states and a majority in the European Parliament to take effect. It is controversial in Germany and France, where many fear a flood of Turkish migrants, although the change would not allow Turks to work or stay longer than three months.



German EU lawmaker Markus Ferber, from Chancellor Angela Merkel's critical conservative Bavarian sister party, said Turkey should not be given any "political discount".



"The burden of proof is not on the EU but on Turkey. There are clear conditions for visa freedom. The fact is that Turkey doesn't meet them at the moment," Ferber said in a statement.



On the implementation of the migration deal so far, the Commission said 325 irregular migrants had been returned to Turkey from Greece so far and 103 Syrian refugees have been resettled in the EU.



Greece has set up accelerated procedures to process asylum seekers on its Aegean islands, and the EU agencies for border management and asylum assistance have deployed escort officers, readmission experts, asylum officers and interpreters to help.



However, a 3 billion euro EU fund to support refugees in Turkey is still 390 million euros short and 12 of the 28 EU member states have yet to contribute.



"Member states need to step up their efforts in supporting Greece; ... more pledges and acceptances are needed in terms of resettlement, relocation and support to the EU agencies," the report said.  Reuters
The new board of directors of Royal Jordanian Airlines elected Suleiman Hafez as its chairman during the first meeting held on April 20, at the RJ head office in Amman.



The general assembly elected the new board during its annual meeting convened on April 14.



During the meeting, which was attended by RJ president/CEO Captain Suleiman Obeidat, Hafez underlined the boards keenness to work as a team in coordination with the management and the staff in order to build on the companys achievements last year and help the airline grow further.



Hafez praised the former boards performance and thanked its members for their effort and service to Royal Jordanian in the past years.



He said that RJ is on the right track and will continue working with the highest efficiency through the efforts of its qualified and experienced staff.

Last year, the company posted a JD21 million ($29.53 million) net profit. - TradeArabia News Service


Meet award-winning artisans and buy their products at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village
Chokecherry and Sierra Madre, the largest onshore wind farm planned in the United States, would annually kill 10 to 14 golden eagles, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service projected in a draft environmental study released Wednesday.

That figure represents a substantial reduction from the 46 to 64 golden eagle fatalities estimated by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in 2012.

Federal officials attributed the decline to several factors. The permit application submitted by the projects developer, Power Company of Wyoming, only considers the 500 turbines proposed in the projects first phase. A second phase calls for an additional 500 turbines.

But the decrease is also the result of years of planning aimed at reducing eagle deaths, they noted. Power Company of Wyoming had not developed an eagle conservation strategy when the BLM released its projections in 2012.

We appreciate the company took seriously the recommendations and advice we gave them as they were developing their eagle conservation plan, said Clint Riley, assistant regional director for the Fish and Wildlife Services Mountain-Prairie region.

Eagle deaths have emerged as a sizable hurdle for would-be wind developers in recent years.

A North Carolina power company was fined $1 million for killing more than 150 species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act over a four-year period at a wind farm outside Glenrock in 2013.

Industry officials and environmentalists have also clashed over the length of so called take permits granted to wind farms, which enable turbine operators to kill a certain number of eagles annually without being prosecuted. A Fish and Wildlife proposal to grant permits for up to 30 years was reversed by a federal judge last year. The current length is five years.

Wind developers have filed a series of applications for take permits in recent years, but only one facility in the country has been permitted to-date.

Chokecherry and Sierra Madre, a 3,000-megawatt wind farm proposed for Carbon County in south-central Wyoming, is the first facility in the Rocky Mountain region to have a draft environmental impact study completed.

Power Company of Wyoming has developed two conservation plans aimed at mitigating avian deaths, one for eagles, the other for birds and bats.

The Denver-based developer, an Anschutz Corp. subsidiary, has proposed designating 105,000 acres, or roughly a third of Overland Trail Cattle Co. ranch, where the project will be located, as turbine no-build areas.

Those areas were identified following 5,000 hours of avian surveys between 2010 and 2015, said Kara Choquette, a Power Company of Wyoming spokeswoman.

That kind of data was used to say what types of airspace do raptors use the most, and not use, she said.

The company has also proposed putting 27,500 acres into a conservation easement. That move is aimed at bolstering sage grouse habitat, but could have an indirect impact on eagles, Choquette noted. Eagles prey on sage grouse, and more grouse in that area could help direct the birds away from the turbines, she said.

The public will have 60 days to comment on the Fish and Wildlife Services draft findings. Public hearings are scheduled for Saratoga and Rawlins in June.

The Fish and Wildlife Service did not identify a preferred alternative in its draft environmental impact statement, as the BLM often does in its reviews.

Instead, the service sought to assess the potential environmental impact of the project, said Riley, the regional assistant director. The golden eagle fatality projection was based on a peer-reviewed model developed by a third party. The service expects one to two bald eagles would be killed annually, Riley said.

After public comment is received and the environmental impact statement completed, Fish and Wildlife will decide whether to issue Chokecherry a permit.
A Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer accused of chaining his wife in their basement and threatening to kill her has been released from jail pending trial.

Four fellow Bureau of Indian Affairs police officers were in a Casper courtroom Tuesday to support William Curran, who is charged with kidnapping. U.S. Magistrate Judge R. Michael Shickich decided Curran could be released to a fellow police officer.

Curran was an officer on the Wind River Indian Reservation until Monday, when he was fired, defense attorney H. Michael Bennett said.

According to a criminal complaint filed April 13 in the U.S. District Court of Wyoming, Curran forced his wife into the basement of their home and put handcuffs on her wrists and ankles.

The complaint states Curran had been a police officer on the reservation since July 2014.

Curran will live in a camper on the property of a fellow police officer in Fremont County, his attorney said. Curran has been evicted from his government housing and his wife and kids have moved out of state.

While Shickich acknowledged the violence of the alleged crime, he also noted Curran has no criminal history. Prosecutor Stephanie Sprecher said she was OK with Curran being released from jail.

Curran waived his preliminary examination  a court hearing to determine if there is probable cause for a case to proceed to trial.

According to the criminal complaint, Curran arrived at his Fort Washakie home at about 10 p.m. April 11. His wife and two children were sleeping.

Currans wife told a Federal Bureau of Investigations agent her husband was drunk at the time, the complaint states. The couple argued and the woman tried to leave the home. However, Curran blocked the bedroom doorway and hit his wife.

According to the complaint, Curran then picked up his wife and carried her toward the basement. While doing so, the woman was able to pick up her cellphone and a corkscrew bottle opener from their kitchen counter. She tried to stab Curran in the back with the corkscrew. However, Curran threw the woman onto the ground and pushed her down the stairs into the basement, the complaint states.

Curran grabbed his wife by the arms and dragged her into a room where he keeps his police gear, according to the complaint. He cuffed her wrists and ankles and retrieved a pistol. He then threatened to kill his wife and bury her, the complaint states.

The woman dialed 911 on the cellphone and hid the phone behind her. A recording from the Fremont County Sheriffs Office states Curran told his wife, I can bury you, according to the complaint.

Curran continued to threaten his wife while her hands were cuffed for about an hour and a half, the complaint states. She was eventually able to convince her husband to allow her to go upstairs with him. Curran directed the woman to sleep on a couch and checked on her frequently, according to the complaint.

When interviewed the next day by detectives, Currans wife had bruises and abrasions on her face, arms and legs, the complaint states.
The secretary of a Wyoming emergency medical services association is accused of embezzling up to $10,000 while serving as secretary for the group, according to court documents.

Brian Halpain is charged with felony theft and obtaining goods by false pretenses  both felonies carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday in Natrona County District Court.

Halpain wrote himself unauthorized checks, made cash withdrawals and purchases for personal means and failed to deposit money belonging to the Wyoming Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services Association, the court documents state. Halpain was the organizations secretary from August 2013 until November 2014.

He has been released from jail on $15,000 bond pending trial.

The director of the organization contacted the Natrona County Sheriffs Office in December 2014 to report Halpains fraudulent activity, according to the documents. A sheriffs investigator reviewed the groups bank records. He also obtained surveillance footage of Halpain making ATM cash withdrawals and buying items at a grocery store using the organizations debit card.

The investigator also procured receipts of some of Halpains unauthorized transactions, the documents state.

He reviewed Halpains bank account and saw a check had been written to Halpain from the groups bank account, according to the documents. He also noticed a pattern of financial difficulties while looking through Halpains account.

Authorities charged Halpain in January 2016.
Former U.S. Sen. Al Simpson said Wednesday he is endorsing Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president  a departure from most of Wyomings GOP delegates, who will be supporting U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

Simpson, a Republican who was a U.S. senator for 18 years, said he knows Kasich because they both served in Washington at the same time. Simpson, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, said Cruz, of Texas, doesnt deserve to be a U.S. senator.

Cruz called Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky a liar in July. McConnell is the Republican leader in the Senate.

Anybody who would do that on the floor of the U.S. Senate shouldnt be a senator, Simpson said in a phone interview. And if (Bob) Dole had been (majority floor leader) or Robert Byrd, either Republican or Democrat, they would have censured him immediately and struck the record.

Simpsons endorsement was aimed more for a national audience.

It comes after Saturdays State GOP Convention, the final part in the partys presidential selection process, when Republicans overwhelmingly voted to send delegates to the national convention who will support Cruz. Ultimately, Cruz, who spoke at the event, walked away with at least 24 of the states 29 delegates.

Simpson doesnt believe an endorsement before the convention would have made much of a difference.

Nobody was going to change anybodys situation in Wyoming, he said. They were ready for Cruz, and they were going to take him. Other people spoke for Kasich and didnt get anywhere. My presence at the convention wouldnt have meant anything. There are some people who are so opposed to my social issues, they dont care how conservative I was fiscally. I was third most fiscally conservative in the Senate.

Simpson favors gay rights. He told the Los Angeles Times in 2013 male lawmakers shouldnt vote on abortion bills because its a deeply intimate and personal thing.

Wyomng does not have any delegates who are committed to Kasich, Wyoming GOP chairman Matt Micheli said.

There are some Wyoming delegates who may ultimately support Kasich in Cleveland, however. Micheli and Sen. Ogden Driskill of Devils Tower are uncommitted delegates. And Wyoming Republican Party leader Greg Schaefer has said he is leaning toward Cruz or Kasich.

Simpson heaped praise on Kasich.

The senator from Ohio is the only candidate who can defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in the general election. The budget is a mess and retiring Americans will soon not be able to collect full Social Security, Simpson said.

I know him well, Simpson said of Kasich. I worked with him. He was in the Congress when I was in the U.S. Senate. I watched what he did. Hes a very bright guy. He knows the budget, how to make things work. He knows how to work across the aisle.

Simpson has experience working with members of the opposite political party. He was co-chairman with Democrat Erskine Bowles of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, also known known as the Simpson-Bowles Commission.

In a prepared statement, Kasich praised Simpson for bipartisanship and realistic reforms.

Few public servants have had the courage to stand up for real, necessary and bipartisan reforms to reduce our national debt and put our entitlement programs on a sustainable path  but Senator Simpson has and hes done it with zeal, Kasich said. I am thankful for his support as we work to bring fiscal responsibility to Washington to get our economy moving again.
Members of a group trying to legalize medical marijuana and industrial hemp have been removed from the agenda of a state legislative committee that had been set to discuss their proposed initiative.

However, law enforcement and prosecutor groups are still listed on the agenda to testify on the issue.

State Sen. Leland Christensen, who said he removed the group from the agenda, said there will be an opportunity for representatives of the Wyoming chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws to speak in the public comment portion of the meeting.

Theyre not being shut out of it, said Christensen, a Republican from Alta and chairman of the Joint Judiciary Committee. Christensen is running for Wyomings open seat in the U.S. House.

Michele Irwin of Green River and Frank Latta, a Republican from Gillette who served in the Wyoming House from 2003 to 2005, planned to talk about Wyoming NORMLs proposed initiative at the Joint Judiciary Committee meeting April 27 in Rock Springs. The group is collecting signatures in an attempt to get the Peggy A. Kelley Wyoming Cannabis Act on the ballot in 2018. The initiative would legalize medical marijuana and industrial hemp.

Irwin noticed the organization had been removed from a section of the committees agenda during which legislators will review Wyoming marijuana laws and ballot initiatives. But two groups that are against legalization are still listed on the agenda  Wyoming County and Prosecuting Attorneys Association and the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police. The groups have previously testified they believe more marijuana will spur more crime and that the drug is harmful to people.

Irwin contacted a member of the Legislatures nonpartisan staff, who told her Christensen made the decision because NORML is a special interest group.

Hes not being very inclusive with this, said Irwin, who is also running for the state House as a Democrat. Its one of these things where its sort of like youre kind of (waiting) for him to say, Oh, we dont have any time for public comment. But I plan on being there. I plan on speaking. This to me is so crazy.

Christensen said he doesnt anticipate a time crunch April 27.

The message to those folks is youre welcome to come speak in the public comments section, he said.

He said he anticipates most of the discussion will focus on Wyomings marijuana edible laws. Some judges have interpreted a part of state statute that criminalizes felony marijuana possession as not applying to edibles. The Judiciary Committee tried to fix the loophole in the law but it failed in the legislative session that ended in March.

Im not sure how the ballot initiative got on there, he said, referring to the agenda.

Christensen believes there is a difference between groups such as NORML, which he said is an interest group, and the police and prosecutors groups, which he said are not. Those groups represent people who have been elected or appointed to their job. They work with the public in government service. Their testimony is important, said Christensen, who previously worked in law enforcement.

The laws we make directly affect those guys, he said.

Irwin said one of the reasons shes working on the proposed initiative is because she wants to educate the public on cannabis. She hopes its an issue that would spur legislation.

Theres now 24 states that have legalized medical marijuana, she said. Theres a letter going to the U.N. this week thats talking about taking action globally on the War on Drugs. Theyre saying the War on Drugs has caused more harm than the drugs themselves. This is the kind of conversation thats gone on worldwide. But here in Wyoming, ours is: were not going to put you on the agenda. Or were going to take you off, because we were originally on.
WASHINGTON  Harriet Tubman, an African-American abolitionist who was born a slave, will stand with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin as among the iconic faces of U.S. currency.

The $20 bill will be redesigned with Tubmans portrait on the front, marking two historic milestones, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced Wednesday. She will be the first African American on U.S. paper money and the first woman depicted in 100 years.

The leader of the Underground Railroad will replace the portrait of Andrew Jackson, the nations seventh president and a slave owner, who will be pushed to the back of the bill.

Lew also settled the backlash that had erupted after he announced an initial plan to remove Alexander Hamilton, the nations first Treasury secretary, from the $10 bill in order to honor a woman.

Hamilton will remain on the $10 note, Lew said.

Instead, the Treasury building on the back of the bill will be replaced with leaders of the suffrage movement to give women the right to vote, including Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Alice Paul.

The $5 bill will also undergo change. The illustration of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the bill will be redesigned to honor events at the Lincoln Memorial that helped to shape our history and our democracy. The new image will include civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson.

An online group, Women on 20s, said it was encouraged that Lew was responding to its campaign to replace Jackson with a woman. But it said it would not be satisfied unless Lew also committed to issuing the new $20 bill at the same time that the redesigned $10 bill is scheduled to be issued in 2020.

The $10 bill is the next note on Treasurys redesign calendar, and it aims introduce updated protections against counterfeiting. That redesign was scheduled to be unveiled in 2020, which marks the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Lew had often cited that connection as a reason to put a woman on the $10 bill.

However, the effort ran into strong objections from supporters of Hamilton, who is enjoying renewed pop culture interest with the hit Broadway musical Hamilton.

Tubman, who was born into slavery in the early part of the 19th century, escaped and then used the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad to transport other slaves to freedom. After the Civil War, Tubman, who died in 1913, became active in the campaign for womens suffrage.

Various groups have been campaigning to get a woman honored on the nations paper currency, which has been an all-male domain for more than a century.

The last woman featured on U.S. paper money was Martha Washington, who was on a dollar silver certificate from 1891 to 1896. The only other woman ever featured on U.S. paper money was Pocahontas, from 1865 to 1869. Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea are on dollar coins.
CHEYENNE  A state government proposal would require Wyoming agencies to charge a standard set of fees for obtaining public records.

The goal: simplifying that process across departments.

But some have questioned parts of the proposed rules, including a section that appears to create a potential cost to inspect electronic records.

The rules, whose development was overseen by the state Department of Administration and Information, outline what agencies would be able to charge the public to inspect and copy electronic and non-electronic public records.

The department was required to come up with the rules in response to a 2014 change in state law, and they are not yet official.

For non-electronic records, there would be no charge to inspect records. But there would be set fees to produce copies of those records.

Copying fees would be determined by paper size or format type, and the custodian of the records could charge $40 per hour to supervise copying.

Custodians of records could also charge for the actual cost of mailing the records and $2 per page to fax records.

For electronic records, custodians would be able to charge hourly rates for the time it takes for a staff member to produce the public record.

Proposed fees range from $15.50 per hour for clerical staff to do the work to $40 per hour for professional staff to do the work.

The public would not be charged if the total time amounts to less than $180, but would be charged for any amount above $180.

Copies of digital records would be subject to the same rates as non-electronic documents.

For all fees, the person making the request must prepay before the records are produced.

The fees for producing electronic documents are one aspect that some open government advocates are criticizing.

Jim Angell, the director of the Wyoming Press Association, said the fees for producing electronic documents appear to contradict the Wyoming Public Records Act.

The section of law in question, Wyo. Statute 16-4-204(a), states that nothing in the section of law concerning fees shall be construed as authorizing a fee to be charged as a condition of making a public record available for inspection.

Bruce Moats, a Cheyenne attorney with knowledge of public records law, agreed the proposed rules appear to contradict state law.

Further, if an agency is charging $40 per hour, it would take fewer than five hours to top the $180 threshold, Angell said.

You can get right up to that limit real darn fast, Angell said.

Angell said he doesnt think theres evil intent behind the rules, and said he understands costs involved when agencies have been served with enormous records requests through the years.

Still, paying for copies of records is one thing, but paying to simply view those documents is another, he said.

If you want transparency in government, you would be opposed to this idea, Angell said.

Moats said he thinks several aspects of the proposed rules make it more difficult to access records, not easier.

In addition to the potential charge to inspect electronic records, Moats has issues with agencies being allowed to charge $40 per hour to supervise copying and being allowed to charge fees in advance.

Moats said the scenario exists where an agency could charge the public a fee for a document that ends up being largely redacted.

You could pay hundreds or thousands of dollars and not get anything for it, he said.

Moats also said the outcome of a recent court case in which the Wyoming Tribune Eagle is involved could determine whether the fees to inspect electronic records are deemed legal.

In that case, the Tribune Eagle sued Laramie County School District 1 over fees to compile email records.

Laramie County District Judge Thomas Campbell ruled against the newspaper in February. The Tribune Eagle is appealing the ruling to the Wyoming Supreme Court.

There does not appear to be a date for the rules to be effective, and the Wyoming Attorney Generals Office did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The Department of Administration and Information will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 12 in Room B-63 of the Herschler Building.

The public comment period will end May 9.

Comment may be directed to: Department of Administration and Information, Directors Office, 2001 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82002; or by email to ai-information@wyo.gov.
Editor:

I am glad to see the great regard with which our senators uphold the views of the American public now that the Senate is shirking its responsibility in refusing to hold hearings on a putative Supreme Court justice. I must say I am somewhat amazed by their current stance, since they have taken every opportunity over the past seven years to discount the American public's views.

In both 2008 and 2012 Barack Obama won over 50 percent of the national vote, but our fine senators still opposed his efforts on heath care, an issue on which they still have not offered a viable alternative. The American public has stated overwhelmingly that they would like immigration reform overhauled, but the issue never even comes up for a vote in Congress. Obama ran on a platform to fix our broken infrastructure; from what I have found neither of our fine senators has ever bothered to address the issue, let alone try to work with him to put our fellow citizens to work. Now that the coal companies are going bankrupt and dumping jobs at a horrendous rate, it would be nice if there were jobs available in mine reclamation, in replacing damaged bridges and fixing worn out highways. But the fine regard our senators are now displaying for the American people's will seems to have been lacking when this issue could have been addressed.

Gentlemen, you were sent to Washington to represent the State of Wyoming. It appears to me that instead you have represented Mich McConnell, Ted Cruz, the Tea Party, etc. Sen. Barasso seems to have the job of standing behind McConnell and looking stern. I am sure that is a very important job, but I'm not sure how it benefits Wyoming. I believe in our system of government, which requires compromise and flexibility. It would be nice to see our senators doing their job, which includes advising the president on Supreme Court nominees. So please represent the will of the people of America as expressed in the 2012 election, and do your jobs for a change.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  You're mystified by the number of destined-for-failure shows on TV and figure you could make better picks than network executives.

Or you sneer at the recycled concepts of too many dull series when you have a killer original story to tell.

Whether you fall into either camp or both, there's a new website for you to play on: I'd Watch That, which launched five months ago with some heavyweight financial backers.

It invites aspiring TV makers to post a "sizzle" reel of up to two minutes in length that demonstrates an idea's potential to become a series. The public gets to judge the proposals, with research methodology used to analyze the results and create a popularity ranking, said CEO Tom Zito.

The goal is sell the top ideas to the exploding number of content-hungry broadcast, cable and online outlets with Big Picture Inc., the website's parent company, on board as a producer. The investors include William Randolph Hearst III; former AOL chairman and CEO Barry Schuler, and John Fisher of venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson.

I'd Watch That is designed as an open marketplace of TV ideas in a closed, relationship-bound industry, an approach that aims to turn the annual multibillion-dollar process of developing new series "on its head," said Zito, a journalist turned entrepreneur.

In the traditional approach, "until money is spent to get shows made into pilots, no consumer sees a project," he said. Even Amazon, which does online testing of potential new series, makes full pilot episodes for consumers to assess, Zito said.

One proposal featured on I'd Watch That is a 1960s drama about women working at a Cosmopolitan-like magazine during the dawn of feminism ("Mad Men" meets "Sex and the City," Zito calls it) from a filmmaker-writer, PJ Posner.

Another is "The Last Templar," about a 14th-century vengeance-seeking survivor of the soldiers whose duties included protecting the Roman Catholic Church until they were betrayed.

Its creator is Daniel Madore, who earned a media and film degree in 2011 from the University of San Francisco. He's been paying his dues in a variety of jobs, including production assistant, art director and grip, while directing music videos and short films on the side.

"When it comes to getting your work shown, it is quite the headache and the grind," he said, with uncertainty surrounding every avenue from film festivals to YouTube. While he's cautiously optimistic about what the I'd Watch That website might yield, he says the concept has merit.

"Crowdsourcing is part of a new generation of viewers. The audience now has a very strong voice and one would be foolish to ignore it," Madore said in an email exchange from Europe.

One expert agrees with that perspective.

"The idea of democratizing Hollywood for the world and democratizing good stories is an interesting one," said Peter Csathy, CEO of Manatt Digital Media, a business consulting and legal services firm.

But to be effective the new website will have to "break through the (online) noise" to garner a critical mass of participants among both content creators and the audience judging their work, Csathy said.

Zito, formerly a staffer at The Washington Post and contributor to New Yorker magazine, saw what he considers the dysfunctional TV process up close as a writer on a short-lived drama series. "Capital News," set at a Washington newspaper, lasted for three low-rated episodes in 1990 before it was axed.

That left 10 costly unaired episodes and a bemused Zito.

"It made me scratch my head about the seeming randomness about the way television shows were created," he said. His segue into business included the creation of several previous companies including Integrated Media Measurement Inc., which tracked viewership on outside-the-home platforms including computers and mobile devices.

Zito sold the firm but put his research expertise to work again for I'd Watch That. While he said thousands of people have logged on, he declined to specify the number and said it's not critical the site doesn't need large numbers to function effectively as an online focus group, according to Zito.

"We're not trying to be a destination viewing site," he said. "We really are a research company trying to find content with a better chance of becoming successful. ... We will live or die based on how that content does."

The company also declined to release the number of proposals it's received or how close it is to any production deals. Investor Hearst, lauding Zito's business track record, noted it's still a fledgling enterprise.

Madore said he hopes his idea will come to fruition through I'd Watch That but is counting other rewards.

"You can start to see what viewers want and what they don't want. They give their opinion and you can sort through it all and that only makes your idea and project stronger," he said.

___

Lynn Elber is a national television columnist for The Associated Press. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/lynn-elber and she can be reached at lelber@ap.org and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lynnelber
PASADENA, Calif. (AP)  "It's all about the fit." That unspoken motto has been passed down in my family for generations, from my late grandfather, a tailor, to me.

So through weight gain, weight loss and style changes  no more polyester thrift shop dresses!  I've gone to tailors to make sure my clothes fit and flatter my body. Velvet formal gowns and discounted jeans have all been cinched in and hemmed.

Tailoring, an old-school craft with roots going back at least to the Renaissance, can range from pricey alterations at a swanky department store to less-expensive tweaking at a dry cleaning or tailoring business. Attention to detail is essential for the desired result: impeccably fitted skirts, suits, dresses, jackets and pants for customers of all shapes, sizes and ages.

"I like the feeling customers get from the right fit. When I'm happy sewing, my customers are happy," said tailor Grace Myung Lee, 61, who co-owns Grace Cleaners in Pasadena with her husband.

Lee learned to sew when she was 10, in South Korea. On a recent day, sitting in a corner of her shop, she stitched the sleeve of a cream-colored men's shirt using an electric sewing machine. Colorful spools of thread hung on the wall.

For a streamlined look, Lee recommends first changing the hemline of pants so they're not too long or too short, and the hemline of dresses to a flattering length.

Many customers, she said, come in to have the hems of their pants raised. She charges $9 for regular pants and $7 for jeans. Natural materials such as cotton are easier to work with than stretchy, thin fabric, she said. Altering luxury dresses costs about $25, and requires two to three days' work.

"Sometimes, customers buy used, cheap clothes and want many alterations. It's not a good idea," Lee added. "I suggest returning the clothes because there's too much to change."

For simple fixes, you can try doing them yourself with a needle and thread. Easy DIY alterations range from sewing on a button to darning socks and mending a slight rip along a seam. If a hole is big, stitch on a fun, multi-colored patch  unless you're going for a shredded, 1990s grunge look. Plenty of books or YouTube videos give instructions.

Going to a tailor, though, is worth it for more complex adjustments, elevating an ill-fitting dress from frumpy to fashionable.

Possible alterations include nipping in the waist and hips, bringing in the shoulders, lowering the arm holes and sewing in darts, said Maria Tesseris, 62, owner of Golden Needle Tailoring in Chicago. It's more difficult to let out or add fabric, she said.

Tesseris charges about $60 to $140 to alter bridesmaid dresses, which make up a chunk of her business and take up to two weeks to work on.

"We as women have curves and a butt and busts! It's very rare for people to put on a piece of clothing and it perfectly fits," said Tesseris, who learned tailoring in high school in her native Greece.

Shortening too-long sleeves is a good way to make shirts and jackets look more polished on both men and women. Tesseris has seen more men wanting their clothes tapered and their pants narrowed. An invisible seam? No problem.

"If customers have pants at home they really like, I tell them to bring them over, and I'll copy them exactly the same," she said. "Other than that, I try to figure it out, pinning the pants. It's a very personal thing, working with a tailor, like going to a hairdresser."

A master tailor for the past 16 years at the Philadelphia department store Boyds, Sergio Martins, 56, started altering clothes at age 14 in his native Portugal, where his father, now 85 and also a tailor, still lives.

"I feel very lucky to have learned this from my parents. What I do, I do with patience," said Martins.

Custom-made suits from Boyds take four to six weeks to make. Customers can pick the fabric and then Martins takes measurements, making sure there's enough room across the shoulders, back and arms. Pants can be flat-front or pleated.

The cost? A heap of money. Italian silk and cashmere suits run upward of $10,000 to create, and a regular wool suit costs about $695 to make, said Martins.

"When I started work here, I saw clientele in their 50s. We now have a lot of young clients, new lawyers, new businessmen," Martins said. "Everyone wants to look good."

For longtime tailors such as Martins, Tesseris and Lee, an appreciation for customer satisfaction is mingled with an awareness that tailoring as a specialized craft is dwindling.

"Growing up in Greece, there were so many schools on how to do a great job tailoring," Tesseris said. "Right now, in my hometown, in Sparta, no one does it. It's a dying art. But there's still very much a need for it. Some customers and friends tell me, 'You should never die, and never retire.'"

___

Follow Solvej Schou on Twitter at http://twitter.com/solvej_schou
PHOENIX  Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed a consumer fraud lawsuit Tuesday against Volkswagen over the sale of supposed low-polluting diesel vehicles that were anything but that.

Brnovich said potentially 4,000 Arizonans were effectively duped into buying vehicles with a special diesel engine that was advertised as having just a fraction of the emissions of similar cars. Buyers paid anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000 more than for comparable vehicles.

VW engineers programmed the vehicle to know when its emissions were being measured and to go into a low-power operating mode that sharply cut pollutants. Once off the test devices, the engine returned to its normal mode, producing more power  and as much as 40 times the maximum allowable standards of nitrogen oxide pollutants.

VW has effectively admitted that about the vehicles sold from 2008 to 2015.

Company spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan said Tuesday VW will not comment on specific lawsuits. But she said Volkswagen is working cooperatively with the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources board to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.

We are committed to regaining the trust of our customers and dealers and will continue to cooperate with all relevant government agencies, she said.

Other states already have filed actions. Brnovich said he decided to go it alone because he thinks he can get more money out of the corporation.

Arizonas consumer fraud laws have a maximum penalty of $10,000 per violation. That means a potential penalty of $40 million, even before he seeks restitution for the buyers who paid for the benefit of lower-polluting vehicles that they did not get.

Brnovich also pointed out Arizona laws make false advertising a violation. That makes each ad and each commercial run in the state a separate offense, he said.

Some of the lawsuits filed by other states concentrate not on the issue of fraud but on air quality violations. But Brnovich said it remains to be seen whether the vehicles are violating Arizona emission standards.

Filing the lawsuit under consumer fraud laws makes for a much clearer case, he said. Its really a claim of restitution based on the diminished value of the vehicle, Brnovich said. More importantly, Arizona consumers were promised their cars would have a certain amount of gas mileage, and theyre not getting that gas mileage.

Brnovich said more claims may be added as the discovery process begins and the state gets a look at company documents and interviews VW officials and engineers. Well get to the bottom of this, exactly what Volkswagen knew and when they knew it and how they manipulated the data, he said.

The state has hired outside counsel to pursue the measure, including former federal prosecutor and judge Stephen Larson, and Richard McCune, who Brnovich said has experience in vehicle manufacture fraud and product liability.
Out of hundreds of entrants, Alec Smith, 17, a Tucsonan now attending Arizona State University, was one of 10 U.S. middle and high school students to receive a $20,000 scholarship from Chipotle Mexican Grill.

In the essay competition, in which students were asked to describe food memories, Smith wrote both humorously and sentimentally of his grandmother, who recently died. "She cooked nearly EVERYTHING in the microwave; nothing was off-limits. By and large, her concoctions tasted sublime. Everything but the fish ..." he wrote.
Krispy Kreme will swing open its doors at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 26  the first time weve had an outpost of the doughnut purveyor in five years.

Expect a line.

In fact, Krispy Kreme expects folks will line up Monday night at the new shop, 5621 E. Broadway, so theyre bringing in a DJ to entertain campers. The first 100 people in line when the doors open Tuesday will get free doughnuts for a year and a free T-shirt.

The new shop, owned by California-based franchisee Hot Glazed Enchantment Inc., created 60 new jobs. The store will produce doughnuts in-house.

This is the first Krispy Kreme in Tucson since Phoenix franchise operator Dan Brinton pulled out of the market in summer 2011.

Krispy Kreme debuted in Tucson in late 2002. By 2006 it was gone.
This years Baja Beer Festival is all about reinvention.

Formerly the Baja Oktoberfest, the party is on Saturday, April 23, this year. It will feature more than 50 breweries and over 200 beers, including concoctions by 19 brewery-firefighter teams.

The teams are part of the reincarnated Top Hops beer competition, which has been absorbed into the Baja Beer Fest.

The Top Hops Beer Festival was born in 2010 when Northwest Fires Brian Sturgeon pitched the idea of a beer-based fundraiser to Steve Tracy, owner of Thunder Canyon Brewery, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd.

Sturgeon says a lot of his firefighting colleagues are homebrewers, and it seemed logical to use their brews to benefit Northwest Firefighters Charities.

I think we just noticed that it was something that a lot of the guys really enjoyed, Sturgeon says. I think firefighters are notorious for wanting to be self-starters and create things on their own, and the whole craft brew idea is just that. You know, enjoy the process, learn how to do this, and those kind of things are what firefighters like to do in their spare time.

Thats the local fire department where the Foothills Mall is, so a lot of those guys would just come in as guests and regulars, says Tracy. When they actually had the idea for the beer festival they approached us because they happened to know us.

As a former Arizona Craft Brewers Guild president and treasurer, and long-time Tucson brewer, Tracy knew starting a beer festival would be no easy task.

We kind of tried to scare them away a little bit at first, like, Are you guys sure? Tracy says. But the thing about them, theyre very well organized, because theyre firefighters. Everybody has a job, and they know what their job is and they get it done.

They took care of all the logistics, the permitting and setup and all that, and we worked with the brewers to get brewer involvement.

The first few years, Top Hops was a parking lot party outside Thunder Canyon, with food from the brewpub, live music and firefighters pitting their homebrews against each other to be judged by the local craft brewers selling beer at the event.

Proceeds went to the Northwest Firefighters Charities, and as time went on, the event expanded in size and popularity.

It was probably time for the event to grow, Tracy says. It needed to take that next step. It outgrew the parking lot at the Foothills Mall. Getting the (Arizona Craft Brewers) guild involved is big because that brings the breweries from all over the state.

Tracy helps organize the Tucson chapter of the guild, called the Baja Arizona Brewers, who are helping to organize the Baja Beer Fest. Teaming up seemed obvious.

They wanted to continue to support our charities, and we knew that the microbreweries and the guild itself was going to be the way to make the best event in the long run. So we figured, Lets just team up and do this together, says Sturgeon.

This year, firefighter teams are paired with professional breweries to collaborate on competition brews from recipe to finished product. The first-time drafts will duke it out in a blind tasting before the gates of the festival open, and the winners will display a trophy.

This is really kind of a cool experience for us. Its the first time weve ever been able to brew in a commercial brewery, and its been a great experience, says Brad White, a Mountain Vista firefighter and 20-year homebrewer.

White and brewing partner Josh Johnson, brewing as 240 Brew Works, have competed since Top Hops first year in 2011. Their Old No. 3 stout won third place in last years contest. For White, the collaborations on the brews and the festival itself have propelled Top Hops to a whole new level.

I think its better. I think its gonna be a bigger crowd, the competition as far as the firefighters is probably gonna be a little stiffer and first-time beers are always fun because you never know what youre gonna get, White says.

Brewing on Thunder Canyons equipment has also made White and Johnson think more seriously about starting a brewery of their own. They wouldnt be the first to sprout from Top Hops. Golder Ranch firefighter Jeremy Hilderbrand decided to start Sentinel Peak Brewing Co., 4746 E. Grant Road, after his experience at the festival.

It was completely no brewery plan yet, it was just: Hey, I have these beers. I wonder if people will like them, Hilderbrand says. But the positive feedback from the competition swayed him. Family and friends getting free beer will always like it, but these were complete strangers. The feedback was good enough that I thought I might have something here, he says.

This year, Sentinel Peak is participating as one of the breweries, with a booth at the festival, and hosting three firefighter teams in the pro-am brewing competition.

But one thing that hasnt changed is that the proceeds from the event will still go entirely to the nonprofits involved, Northwest Firefighters Charities and the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild.

We always kind of try to pat ourselves on the back because 100 percent of the proceeds go to the cause, says Sturgeon. He says everyone working on the event is a volunteer, and Tracy says all the beer is donated.

Sturgeon says that reflects another shared quality between the event and being a firefighter: giving back to the community they serve.
Helen was the second of three children born to Daniel Kane and Helen Kane (Prasnicki). She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, John. Both Helen and John were raised in rough and tumble neighborhoods in Ohio. They met, married and raised their three eldest children in Cleveland. Better weather and John's parents soon brought them to Tucson permanently. Five more children soon followed. Helen was a life-long homemaker and loved being at home with her children and animals. Helen is survived by her children, Kathleen, Mary, John, Gerry Luffel (Robert), Judy, Gerard, Mark (Jill), Jeff (Jennifer); seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild and sister-in-law, Mrs. Ethel Dunscombe. A Memorial Mass will be said at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 22, 2016 at St. Francis de Sales Church, 1375 Camino Seco, Tucson. Mom, we will always love and miss you.
Loving and beloved wife of Garnett, mother of Patricia, Cynthia, and Mary, grandmother of Eric Medine, her venturesome, cheerful, and generous spirit was a model for all who knew her. She led a rich and full life, practicing as a RN, an elementary school teacher, and then as a CPA. She was named Business and Professional Woman of the Year in Kingsville, Texas, in 1967. She moved to Tucson in 2000. There will be a Memorial Service at Northwest Baptist Church, 2926 West Curtis Rd, Tucson AZ at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24, 2016. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Garnett and Emogene Davis Scholarship Fund, Texas A & M University, Kingsville, Texas. Much gratitude is due to the skill and compassion of the caregivers at Aguilera Home, where she resided in her last years. Arrangements by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL.
Dear Amy: My husband has a hobby that I am not interested in, but it is a hobby that can be more enjoyable to do with another person.

He recently began participating in this activity with a young woman who lives nearby. I was unaware of this arrangement until I saw them together afterward.

My husband says he didnt tell me because he was afraid I would get upset. They have a scheduled day each week they plan to do this activity together.

I am having a hard time dealing with this on many levels, including the way it was arranged, the regularity of it and the fact that the other person involved is a woman.

We each have many activities we enjoy, but not all of them involve us as a couple. We seem to lack time for just having conversations. I am feeling very insecure about this arrangement.

What should I do?  Worried Wife

Dear Worried: Your husband knew this would be a problem for you, and this is why he chose to hide it from you. This is how children behave when they dont want to get caught.

You say that you and your husband dont take the time to be together, and yet I wonder if you would be OK if he chose to pursue this same hobby with a male friend. The marital togetherness argument seems to be a red herring to cover your discomfort.

If you truly feel that you two dont take enough time to be together, then you should consider changes you might make in order to make connecting easier for both of you.

It doesnt sound like you are trying to control your husband to an extreme extent; he should respect your comfort level concerning the company he keeps when hes not at home.

Dear Amy: My parents are entering the retirement phase of life and they have enlisted the help of a financial planner. The planner has shared some personal information, including telling them where he lived and the identity of some of his neighbors.

Now my parents and I are completely distraught. It just so happens that his next-door neighbor was a minister in our church community who committed atrocious offenses against young people and special-needs people. This minister was forced to resign from the ministerial association; however, he is not registered as a sex offender.

A young relative of ours was someone he tried to victimize, so we know about this firsthand.

My family and I have discussed what we should divulge to this acquaintance, since he is the father of two pre-teen sons who reside at his residence.

My mother wants to tell him to be careful, but she doesnt want to cause a neighborhood riot. We want to tell this person so he can protect his children. What can we do?  To Tell or Not to Tell

Dear To Tell: You and/or your parents should tell this person the truth  that you have firsthand knowledge that this former minister abused his position of trust, and that he was dismissed from the church because of accusations of misdeeds against young people.

I am wondering why this person was merely tossed out of the church without being successfully prosecuted. He seems to have moved to another community where its possible that people dont know about his behavior. Given the terrible history of clergy abuse, with examples of abusers simply moving and continuing to abuse people, its best if this persons neighbor was made aware of his history. What he chooses to do with this knowledge is his business.

Dear Amy: I guess I would be a bad parent because I have the same concern as Desperate Parent, the Spanish majors parent who wanted their daughter to stick with a practical major.

Most of the people I knew at the U of W did know what they wanted to do, and looked for a degree in a real major  one designed to be the bedrock of a career.

Those who did not know were in programs like English or poly-sci or Spanish, where they marked time while they tried to figure out what to do with their lives.

When those latter students graduate, they are not going to find many employment doors open, and they will be repaying loans from low salaries and living at home. There is a real penalty for not seizing life.  Mike

Dear Mike: Thank you.

Amy Dickinson, English major, Georgetown University.
PHOENIX  Arizona's 30 legislative districts were legally drawn and can continue to be used through the end of the decade, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled this morning.

In a unanimous decision, the justices acknowledged the complaints by challengers that the lines drawn by the Independent Redistricting Commission created districts with unequal populations. And they even conceded that the ones with less population than would be considered ideal leaned more toward Democrats, a move that could give that party an edge in electing members to the Legislature.

But Justice Stephen Breyer rejected arguments by Republicans, including Secretary of State Michele Reagan, that the unequally populated districts created by commission are unconstitutional.

Instead, Breyer and his colleagues accepted arguments by the commission that their main purpose in drawing the lines the way they did was to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act.

That law makes it illegal for states to alter voting practices  including district lines  in a way to dilute minority voting strength. And Breyer said there is evidence that the commission wanted to be sure to maintain at least 10 legislative districts where minorities would have at least and ability to elect someone of their choosing.

He did not dispute that the final maps crafted after the 2010 census helped Democrats. But that, Breyer wrote, was just coincidental.

"That fact may well reflect the tendency of minority populations in Arizona in 2010 to vote disproportionately for Democrats," Breyer wrote.

Challengers had argued that the commission broke the law when it intentionally "packed" non-Hispanic Republicans into some districts.

They said that, using 2010 census figures, each legislative district should have an "ideal" population of about 213,000. But the commission, by its own admission, created districts ranging from 203,026 to 220,157.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich, representing Reagan, told the justices such a disparity was inherently unconstitutional, even if done to comply with the Voting Rights Act. The court clearly did not buy that argument.

Separately, attorney Mark Hearne, representing another group of Republicans, argued that the disparities were created for political purposes.

He said the commission moved around lines in a way to remove Republicans from some districts. Hearne argued that left those districts with a higher proportion of Democrats, giving candidates from that party a better chance of getting elected.

Hearne specifically cited District 8 which stretches from Casa Grande through Florence and the San Tan Valley, all the way to Globe in one corner and Oracle in the other. It also is below the "ideal" population.

Breyer noted, however, that a specialist hired by the commission said making that change would actually create an 11th "ability to elect" district for minorities. That, in turn, would increase the odds that the Department of Justice would give "preclearance" to the maps, something that was required at that time.

As it turned out, the district is far from a Democrat lock. While voters elected Democrat Barbara McGuire to the state Senate, the two House seats are occupied by Republicans Frank Pratt and T.J. Shope.

Breyer acknowledged that the Supreme Court subsequently voided that part of the Voting Rights Act that had required Arizona to get "preclearance" for its maps. But he said that did not invalidate the commission's decisions.
Two Pima County projects have received $245,000 in combined grant funding from a Phoenix-based public foundation.

The Vitalyst Health Foundation, focused on improving communities and access to health care, awarded $120,000 to the Pima County Health Department and $125,000 to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

The Pima County Health Departments project is a partnership with End Poverty Now program, part of the countys Community Services, Employment and Training Department.

The partners are launching a series of classes that will bring together volunteers, health care providers and young mothers living in poverty with the goal of improving the health of the mothers and their kids, and making positive changes to the health care system based on participants feedback.

Those of us the system works best for are the ones running the system, said Bonnie Bazata, program manager for Ending Poverty Now. We get in our own echo chamber about whats working, and we fail to see whats not working for those who dont have the same resources, whether child care, a car, money or knowledge of how the system works.

The project is looking for volunteers willing to meet and act as allies with participating moms. Six cohorts comprised of eight to 15 women each will meet monthly for a year, starting in July. Interested volunteers or mothers can call Bazata at 724-3704.

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona will use its $125,000 over two years to expand its farm-to-institution program to hospitals and schools in Cochise County. The program has been operating in Tucson since last year, providing fresh produce to schools in the Tucson Unified School District and local hospitals, said Kara Jones, farmers market manager for the food bank.

Sales from farmers markets and local grocery stores might not be enough to sustain growers financially, but accessing larger outlets can be a challenge, Jones said. Those markets require getting a contract with a hospital or a school and having to do the administrative components, figuring out the delivery system and logistics, she said.

Thats where the food bank, with four decades of experience in food safety, warehousing and delivery logistics, comes in.

The project has a triple benefit, Jones said: it helps small-scale farmers generate income; it brings healthy, responsibly grown produce to people that dont usually have access to it; and it bolsters the Southern Arizona economy.
A Border Patrol agent fired his weapon at rock-throwing smugglers Tuesday near Cowlic on the Tohono O'odham Nation, authorities said.

No one was injured in the incident, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release.

Shortly after 4 p.m., Tucson Sector agents in Casa Grande were tracking a group of suspected marijuana smugglers near Cowlic. As the agents neared the group, they were assaulted with rocks, officials said.

Two were taken into custody, and multiple bundles of marijuana were seized, said officials.

The incident is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Protection's Office of Professional Responsibility and the Tohono O'odham Police Department.

No further information was released.
University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Harts side job with a for-profit college firm is eroding public confidence in the entire state university system, the systems CEO says in an internal memo.

Arizona Board of Regents President Eileen Klein, who last month publicly lauded Harts decision to join the board of DeVry Education Group, said in a recent email to the other Regents that she planned to make a public statement suggesting Hart forgo or postpone her service to DeVry.

Klein then backtracked and didnt release the April 11 statement. She wouldnt specify why in an email interview on Tuesday with the Arizona Daily Star.

The Star obtained Kleins proposed statement and related correspondence through public records request to Regents headquarters in Phoenix and to the office of Gov. Doug Ducey, an ex-officio Regent.

In an April 9 email to the Regents, Klein wrote of her growing concern over the negative impacts of Harts DeVry job.

As much as I stand by (Harts) right to make this decision, I cannot ignore that her decision is creating a distraction and a risk, not just to the university but to the system.

It is also impacting the publics perception of our leadership, Klein told the Regents, who oversee all three of the states public universities.

Harts DeVry post clearly conflicts with current public perceptions about her primary role and responsibilities as the president of the University of Arizona, Klein added.

Several hundred UA supporters, including faculty members, students, donors and 20-plus state legislators, have criticized Harts decision to join the board of DeVry, which is being sued by the Federal Trade Commission over claims the school routinely deceived students about their post-graduation job prospects.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also is scrutinizing DeVry after complaints from nearly 150 military veterans.

The firm denies wrongdoing. Hart, who joined DeVry in February, has said she vetted the firm thoroughly and believes it is on solid footing.

Hart, whose UA pay package totals $665,500 this year, will receive $70,000 a year plus $100,000 in stock from DeVry.

In an email to the Star on Tuesday, Hart said she is fully committed to the University of Arizona but intends to stay on with DeVry, a position she has said shes pursuing in her free time.

Hart also noted that she complied with Regents policy, which requires her to disclose outside work but doesnt require board approval.

Klein, in her email to the Regents, said she decided to put out a statement following an April 9 conversation with Hart.

Reached for comment Tuesday, Klein wouldnt say directly why she decided not to proceed. She said only that her proposed statement led to additional conversations but wouldnt say who those talks were with or what they were about.

I dont have any further comment to offer about the nature of my conversations or the individuals involved, Klein said.

The emails show that when Tucson Regent Ron Shoopman read Kleins proposed statement, he sent back an email asking Klein to call his cellphone for a discussion before making the statement public.

Shoopman, reached for comment, wouldnt say what he and Klein talked about, but said he thinks Hart is doing a remarkable job at the UA.

Kleins email traffic shows Regent Bill Ridenour of Paradise Valley is losing patience with the DeVry situation.

When Klein wrote that she planned to make a statement to express her growing concern with Harts decision, Ridenour wrote back: I think that you should not only express your growing concern but the Boards growing concern.

I think we need to ratchet up the pressure (on Hart), Ridenour wrote.

Hart is said to be the only sitting public university president in the country serving on the board of a publicly-traded, for-profit education firm.

Another higher education leader who joined the DeVry board the same day Hart did, Chancellor Linda Katehi of University of California-Davis, apologized and quit within days after a public outcry in that state.

Regent Rick Myers of Tucson has asked the board to review the policy that allows university presidents to engage in outside work without seeking board permission.
Three Tucsonans are facing misdemeanor theft charges after they were caught on video removing signs that were in support of the Broadway widening project, documents show.

Tucson police issued citations to Laura Tabili, Melody Peters and Jay Vosk on Monday, after 40 signs were reported stolen from properties in the 1600 block of East Broadway the day before, according to a police report obtained through a public records request.

David Wienert, owner of Stone Cactus Gallery, told police he distributed the signs supporting the Broadway expansion project at about 10 a.m. Sunday, but when he returned several hours later, they were all gone.

Security footage from the front of his business showed two women and a man taking the signs and getting into a small two-door silver vehicle, the police report said.

Wienert told police about a rally by opponents of the project taking place a short distance away, and officers were able to locate a matching vehicle, which was registered to the 61-year-old Tabili, the report said.

When police arrived at Tabilis house, she told the shed been expecting them. After she was read her rights, she admitted to officers that she stole the signs, according to the report.

Tabili told police when she heard about the signs being put up, she panicked, and called Peters, 66, and Vosk, 68, to help her take them down.

Peters and Vosk admitted to removing the signs, the report said. I was just helping my friend, Vosk told police.

All three, who are active in a neighborhood group opposing the road project, were given citations to appear in court.

Vosk declined to comment when reached by the Star. Tabili and Peters couldnt be reached.

The project, if approved by the City Council, will change four-lane Broadway between Euclid Avenue and Country Club Road to six lanes.
Tucson will move forward with the purchase of properties along Broadway east of downtown for a future road-widening project.

Saying they were accepting a compromise, Tucson City Council members voted 5-1 Tuesday to approve $18 million from the Regional Transportation Authority and to begin negotiations to buy needed properties.

The project to widen Broadway to six lanes between Euclid Avenue and Country Club Road would result in 27 demolitions, including seven buildings that contribute to the historic status of surrounding neighborhoods, which has drawn passionate opposition. Construction is not expected until 2018.

During the call to the audience, Broadway property owner Richard Rose described himself as a hostage to the years of discussions about how to widen the major street.

That struck a chord with Councilmember Richard Fimbres, who represents some of the neighborhoods south of Broadway.

He said the city needs to start working with those property owners.

Bruce Dusenberry, a Southern Arizona Leadership Council member and a historic-preservation advocate, said the issue is not an easy for-or-against decision, but the current plan is a good compromise because it reduces the number of lanes and minimizes demolitions of historic buildings.

Business owner Judy Wood said the Broadway plan is a good plan, a compromise. It really is thoughtfully done and will serve our community well.

Fimbres said he has seen the compromise happen and now I think we need to move this thing forward.

Architect Bob Vint had encouraged the council to push the pause button on the project and accept free consulting services from him and his University of Arizona colleagues for a potentially different design.

Councilmember Steve Kozachik favored the pause and voted no on moving forward. Councilmember Regina Romero was absent from the meeting because of a family emergency, making the vote 5-1.

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild encouraged the divided public not to think of compromise as a bad word. He said moving forward will allow the city to work with property owners to save as many buildings as possible.

He said more public input will be collected as the design stage progresses. City Manager Michael Ortega said that will include public meetings about landscape and streetscape ideas.

Rothschild worked with the RTA board in 2014 to reduce the scope of the voter-approved project from eight lanes to six lanes.

Transportation Director Daryl Cole said city staff used a customized design to minimize impacts foot by foot along the project route.

No plan is perfect, Rothschild said, but more than $4 million has been spent on planning, design and engineering, and Im not gonna support throwing that money away.
A dog "appearing completely lifeless" in a smoky apartment Tuesday rebounded after breathing oxygen for about 15 minutes.

Firefighters rescued the dog from the apartment in the 9200 block of East Tanque Verde Road after responding to reports of smoke shortly before 2 p.m., said Capt. Barrett Baker, a Tucson Fire Department spokesman.

A crew found a charred couch in the apartment, but no active fire, Baker said. "A firefighter found the dog in the bedroom while searching the apartment, appearing completely lifeless," he said.

The firefighter brought the dog out and handed it to Capt. Bruce Avram, who along with Engineer Scott Oppel, administered high-flow oxygen using a pet oxygen mask, Baker said.

"The dog finally came around after roughly 15 minutes of oxygen being administered," said Baker.

The apartment residents arrived while firefighters were at the scene. The three residents were displaced, but did not require assistance from the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The fire, which is under investigation, was contained to the apartment. The cause of the fire, or a damage estimate was not immediately known.
Sen. John McCain wants an investigation of allegations that managers and supervisors have been interfering with an ongoing probe into reports of poor care and other problems at the Tucson VA Medical Center.

The Phoenix Republican sent a letter to Jennifer Gutowski, acting director of the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, asking her to immediately look into allegations of interference with a VA Inspector Generals probe.

He also asks Gutowski to ensure that direct management and supervisory staff dont attend any investigative interviews, depositions or debriefings of employees; and to direct the Inspector General to re-interview any employees who were interviewed in the presence of VA management.

McCain called for an investigation of the Tucson VA hospital in February, citing reports of poor and delayed care, staff shortages and whistleblower retaliation.
OPINION: "As a parent and teacher, I know the best way to address discord is to listen first and establish trust. As a neighborhood leader, I know how to work through differences by treating people with dignity and respect. As a mathematics teacher, I always taught my students that there is more than one way to solve problems," writes Theresa Riel, a candidate for the District 2 seat on the Pima Community College Governing Board.
PHOENIX  The failure of Secretary of State Michele Reagan to properly monitor last months presidential primary is grounds to have the results voided even if it wont change the outcome, an attorney challenging the results told a judge Tuesday.

Michael Kielsky cited what he said were irregularities in how several counties handled the election. Those range from long lines in Maricopa County to voters in Pima County and elsewhere being told their political party registration had been changed.

And he said Reagan knew or should have known.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Gass said he will hear the specifics of those arguments Monday  assuming he does not first grant motions by the state and counties to dismiss the case. But Gass questioned why he should even hear the case, given that John Brakey, Kielskys client, is not alleging that the results of the Republican, Democrat or Green Party primaries would have been different.

Gass said he does not condone someone improperly being denied the opportunity to vote, but said it appears everyone was equally disenfranchised. And that means there is no evidence that any one candidate might have done better or worse had the voting problems not occurred.

Kielsky said the fact the election results would still have Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein as winners of their respective party primaries is irrelevant and a legal distraction.

The conduct of elections has to comply with state law, the attorney argued. And Kielsky said nothing in the law that says those challenging elections have to prove there would have been a different outcome.

We tell the voters, the people at large, you have a voice, you have a voice in your government, you have a voice in helping select your leaders, Kielsky said, only to have that undermined by how the election was conducted.

There appear not to be a lot of factual disputes.

The failure of Maricopa County to set up no more than 60 polling places is a matter of record, as is the fact that some people had to wait five hours after the polls closed to cast their ballots. Others left without voting.
Help India!

By Yoginder Sikand, TwoCircles.net,

Full Series: Muslim-Hindu Relations in Jammu Province

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T is an Islamic scholar belonging to the Barelvi maslak and is the imam of a mosque near Jammu. I first met him in his simple, sparsely furnished room adjacent to the mosque, where he was surrounded by a group of Muslim peasants. Killing an innocent Hindu just because he isnt a Muslim is certainly not a jihad, he tells me in response to my query about what he feels about the ongoing violence in Kashmir. He explains that in a legitimate Islamic jihad non-combatant non-Muslims must not be harmed. Rather, he says, they must be protected. Yet, he laments, many of those who claim to be waging a jihad in Kashmir do not abide by this basic Islamic principle. He recounts the case of a fellow Barelvi maulana who made this point at a public meeting and was later threatened with death by activists from the dreaded Lashkar-i Tayyeba.

T is loathe to discuss politics. I am a religious man, he says, but he does insist that violence is not the way to solve the Kashmir issue. Rather than directly discuss Kashmiri politics, he prefers to dwell on what he believes is the correct Islamic notion of jihad. He argues that physical violence for the defence of Islam, when Islam or its adherents are under threat, is legitimate, but war for worldly advancement, for land or for power, is not. He tells me that the conflict in Kashmir is simply over the landboth India and Pakistan want to grab it, and they are not really concerned about the people as suchand hence it is not a real jihad. He does not hesitate to condemn the excesses of both the Indian armed forces and certain Pakistan-based militant groups. He recounts cases of killings of innocents by both, describing their actions as unambiguously anti-Islamic. He fears that such violence might exacerbate in the future, with rival Islamic groups, representing different sectarian formations, fighting each other. The gun culture has become so deeply ingrained that, who knows, Kashmir might go the Pakistan or Afghanistan way, with Shias and Sunnis and Wahhabis training their guns on each other.

As a traditional Islamic scholar, Ts interaction with the local Hindus is somewhat limited. Yet, he insists on the need for harmonious relations with the Hindus, and laments that in the course of the ongoing violence in Kashmir Hindu-Muslim relations have drastically deteriorated. Yet, he believes that ordinary Hindus and Muslims simply want to live in peace and carry on with their lives. He tells me about his experiences of living in a largely Hindu town, where there are few Muslims. In the years that he has lived not once was he targeted by the local Hindus or made to feel unsafe. Given what has been happening in Kashmir, he says, they might have been expected to hate me, to create trouble for me, but that wasnt the case. In fact, they treat me with respect.

*

H is a Muslim college student in Jammu. His family are, as he puts it, staunch Barelvis, and he counts himself as an ardent Barelvi as well. He has not had a formal Islamic education, but through books and personal meetings with scholars associated with a particular Barelvi organization he has received a fairly good knowledge of his faith.

We talk about this Barelvi organization, and he tells me about how, in its own way, it is trying to promote peace in Kashmir. The organization has arranged numerous public meetings in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, where Barelvi ulama, including many from other parts of India, deliver lectures on various aspects of the Prophets life and teachings. The focus of these lectures is often on social issues, particularly issues of contemporary concern. H names a number of such issues, from female infanticide and dowry to inter-communal amity and the need for peace. We cannot directly speak out the militants or they will kill us, he says. So we hold out the model of the Prophet as a way to counter their propaganda.

H insists that Islam, as he sees it, and peace between the different communities, are indivisible. When the Prophet was born, his mother, Amina, saw angels planting white flags, symbolising peace, he tells me. Hence, Muslims must struggle for peace and against the misuse of religion to promote violence against innocent people. One of the meanings of Islam in Arabic is peace, he notes, but adds that this does not mean a passive acceptance of things as they are, but, rather, also struggling, through morally justifiable means, for an end to all forms of oppression. This includes working for the rights of non-Muslims as well. To illustrate the point he tells me the story of a property dispute between a Muslim and a non-Muslim. They appeared before the Prophet, who decided in favour of the latter, although the Muslim had expected that he would rule in his favour simply because he was a Muslim. The Prophet stressed the rights of ones neighbours, and these include non-Muslims, and said that he who gives unnecessary sorrow to his neighbour would go to hell, H says gravely.

H stresses the importance of personal behaviour and morality, arguing that calls for jihad and an Islamic state are meaningless if their advocates do not practise genuine spirituality themselves. Your behaviour with others should be such that people think that it is because of Islam that you are good, not, as now, that you are bad because of Islam, he says. He critiques certain radical Islamist groups in Kashmir, whom he describes as Wahhabis and who, he says, are really political and not religious outfits, although they assume an Islamic garb. They walk in the path of money, not of Islam, he says. In the name of jihad, he laments, they have finished us off. In contrast to their actions, he says, the real jihad is to develop a proper Islamic character and to convey the message of Islam to others. He cites the example of the widely revered Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, as a true mujahid. Through his message of love and peace, he says, scores of people were attracted to Islam. In contrast to the Khwaja, the activities of several radical Islamist outfits have only succeeded in further repelling non-Muslims from Islam, as a result of which they see Muslims as terrorists. Rather than their activities being a genuine jihad, they are, he says, a great strife or fitna, that has no legitimacy in Islam at all.

Like most other Muslims, believes that Islam alone is the way to salvation, but, at the same time, he insists that Islamic missionary work has no room for violence. Rather, he argues that it is only through promoting love and peace that others can be receptive to the message of Islam, adding that this is precisely what the Prophet also sought to do. Non-Muslims are free to accept or reject Islam, and in no case should they be forced to do so.

H tells me that he has nothing to do with politics, but he believes that a solution to the issue of Kashmir must have the consent of all the various communities in the state. Perhaps, he says, joint rule by India and Pakistan for a few years is a possible solution. He thinks that many Kashmiris might prefer independence, rather than being ruled by Delhi or Islamabad, but says that this option is not without its dangers. In an independent Kashmir, he warns, there is a likelihood of civil war breaking out and sectarian violence spearheaded by Wahhabis, whom he describes, echoing the views of many other Barelvi scholars, as blasphemers against the Prophet (gustakh-i rasul), accusing them of being imperialist creations in order to set Muslims against each other.

*

R is a practising Sufi, and is the custodian of a large dargah in Jammu. Like many other Barelvi scholars in Jammu, he, too, thinks that the Kashmir issue is political, and not religious as such.

No religion, properly interpreted, allows for killing innocent people, R explains as I settle down on the mattress on the floor of his room, declining a chair that he offers me. In Islam, he tells me, one is allowed to take to arms only in self-defence, when ones life or faith are under threat. Prior to the outbreak of the militant movement, the Kashmiri Muslims enjoyed freedom of both, he says and pauses, leaving me free to draw my own conclusion. Yes, there have been human rights violations by the armed forces as well, he admits when I point this out, but the trouble started with the militants, so its not entirely the fault of the army.

R is decidedly opposed to the Islamists, including the Lashkar-i Tayyeba and the Jamaat-i Islami, groups whom he describes as Wahhabis. He denies that they are Islamic at all, and says that their demand for an Islamic state in Kashmir is untenable. If Muslims demand an Islamic state in Kashmir of the sort that the Wahhabis want, he says, how can one deny Hindu groups the same right in India?. He points out that the Wahhabis and the Hindu right-wing feed on each other, both being thoroughly anti-religious while claiming to be the greatest defenders of their respective faiths and communities. He also tells me that the Islamist militants in Kashmir have no concern about the grave consequences Kashmirs accession to Pakistan or becoming independent might have for the Muslims living in the rest of India, who, he says, number 14 times the Kashmiri Muslim population. It is bound to lead to a strengthening of right-wing Hindu forces, he points out, who might wreak further havoc on the Indian Muslims.

R recognises that the actions of the militants has had a tremendously negative impact on non-Muslim perceptions of Islam and its adherents. Ordinary people cannot distinguish us from the Wahhabis and so they now think that all Muslims are terrorists, he says in despair. Yet, despite the what he calls the relentless un-Islamic propaganda of Wahhabi groups, he believes that the majority of the Kashmiri Muslims continue to deeply revere the Sufis. The Wahhabis recognise this, and that is why, he claims, they do not openly reveal their beliefs or preach their views, such as their opposition to Sufism and the cults associated with their shrines. Were they to reveal their true beliefs, he says, they would be stiffly opposed by the Kashmiri Muslims themselves.

As R sees it, the Wahhabi militants lack true piety, despite their claims of being true mujahids. Several of them are involved in militancy just to make money, he says. And some of them, particularly the leaders of militant groups in Pakistan, have raked in millions in the name of jihad, he assures me. Their politics are totally against the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet. They say, no matter what happens, even if innocent people are raped or killed, we want to set up our own government. Surely, the Prophet did not act in this way!. He refers to Pakistan as an example of a failed state, despite its claims of being a model Islamic country. You cant impose an Islamic system by force like that, he says.

It is not easy for people like him to take on the militants directly, says R. Some, including moderate Muslim leaders (he cites the late Qazi Nisar, the Mirwaiz of south Kashmir as an example), who dared to do so have even paid for this with their lives. Rather, R says, he tries to do this indirectly, by telling Muslims about the Prophet and the Sufis and their message of love and tolerance and the meaning of the true jihad. I point out that we must follow the Prophet alone in all matters, and behave as he did, he explains. That means that we must work for love and peace. That is precisely what the Sufis, who brought Islam to Kashmir, did, and we should walk in their path.

R insists on the need for Muslim scholars to reach out to people of other communities. We live in a multi-religious society and so must have good relations with each other. It is only through love and in a peaceful environment that we can disabuse others of the misunderstandings that they have of Islam, he says. He admits the need for organised work for promoting inter-religious harmony, noting that hardly any efforts have been made in this regard in Jammu. Each of us seems to obsessed with our own communities that we just do not think beyond, he bemoans.

*

A is a Muslim school teacher from a village near Kishtwar, in the mountainous Doda district. I met him one afternoon at a tea stall outside the Jamia mosque in the largely Muslim locality of Mohalla Khatikan in Jammu. He looked plainly tired and harried as he sipped his tea and read out a newspaper story about the killing of a young man in Doda. Apparently, the youth had been kidnapped by a group of militants belonging to the dreaded Deobandi Harkat ul-Mujahidin, who kept him with them for a month. He was then killed by them because he had opposed the marriage of his relative with a Harkat militant.

We simply cannot do anything because we are poor people, A says with an immense sigh. On the one hand the army terrorises us, and on the other hand the militants. We cant afford to speak up against either of the two.

It is not just the Hindus who were being targeted by the militants, he explains. In fact, most of those killed in his area, by both the militants and the army, are Muslims. And that means, he declares emphatically, that this is not a jihad at all. In a true jihad, he says, innocents cannot be targeted, women cannot be raped, you cannot steal others money or property, but this is precisely what is happening.

As father is said to have been a practising Sufi, and A has inherited from him a passionate commitment to the Sufi way. This explains his strident opposition to the Islamist militants. I used to firmly support the cause of Kashmiri independence, he tells me, but seeing what these so-called mujahids have done, murdering and looting in Gods name, I have come to the firm conclusion that it is best for us to be with India. If ever Kashmir becomes independent or joins Pakistan we will descend into civil war, he warns. Denouncing Islamist radicals, he argues, They claim to be working for an Islamic state, but thats all hot air. Weve seen what their agenda is from their actions. And this includes what he sees as the Islamists fierce hostility to Sufism, or what A defines as true Islam. Although the militants dont openly say so for fear of losing public support, we know that they see Sufism as un-Islamic and regard us as little better than polytheists. How can we trust or support such people?, he asks.

As a devout Muslim, A sees as his primary task the mission of tabligh or communicating the message of Islam to others. That, he says, was the Prophets mission in life, not the capture of political power. The best and most effective way to convey Islam to others, he says, is through ones own character. If people see how noble and kind you are because you are a good Muslim, they would automatically be attracted to the faith, he argues. He sees the militants as not only having no interest whatsoever in tabligh and, in fact, as actually working to defeat all possibilities for attracting others to Islam. The militants have created such a hatred in the minds of the Hindus here about Islam that no Hindu would at all be interested in, leave alone attracted to, Islam, he rues. He refers to Islamist ideologues and militant activists as endlessly proclaiming that Islam has the answer to all the ills of humankind, but then hurriedly adds that obviously no Hindu would ever accept this claim since the militants themselves refuse to act according to Islamic principles. The Hindus answer, and rightly so, that all these wonderful things about Islam should first be practised by the militants themselves, and only then would they care to lend a ear to their propaganda, he says.
Help India!

By TCN News,

Bhopal (MP): All India Muslim Majlis-E-Mushawarat (AIMMM), an apex forum of Muslim organizations and institutions of national eminence held a meeting of the National Executive Committee in Bhopal and discussed range of issues pertaining to the interests of minorities.

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The meeting which was organized on Sunday also passed certain resolutions on the present political situation, Dalit Muslim and Dalit Christian Reservation, increasing the upper limit of Reservation, controversy of Bharta Mata ki Jai, Aligarh Muslim University Centre in Bhopal, avenues for Urdu Education in MP, briefing to the Supreme Court Judges by NSA Ajit Doval, budgetary allocations to Minorities and setting up of Equal Opportunities Commission.

National Executive of AI Muslim Majlis e Mushawarat-Apex body of Indian Muslims, Bhopal

Following is the detailed resolution passed by AIMMM :

On Political situation

The country is passing through a critical phase as fascist and communal forces are bent upon to destroy secular and democratic character of the country. Muslims are especially been targeted by the Hindutva forces. RSS and its affiliated groups and organisation are making every effort to impose their hate ideologies. Saffronisation of education his is going on under well planned conspiracy and it is because of this that there is unrest in universities and other educational institutions like Hyderabad university, JNU and NIT Srinagar those have witnessed unprecedented crises and unrest. This indicates that communal forces are creating chaos and confusion while the Centre is haplessly witnessing situation and taken no steps to rein in these forces. In the name of nationalism, minorities are victimized. Fresh un warranted controversy has been created by asking people, especially Muslims to raise Bharat mata Ki Jai slogan so that they can prove their loyalty to the nation. Muslims had played pivotal role in the freedom struggle and their contribution is second to none. Thousands of Muslim clerics and religious leaders had opposed Two Nation Theory and declared India as their motherland and country of their cherished dreams. For the past seventy years no one questioned loyalty of Muslims, who are being harassed by Hindutva groups. For the people of our nation, constitution is supreme and everyone has to follow it in letter and spirit. Hindutva groups show scant regard for the constitution and make in every effort to trample it. There has been steep increase in communal riots in the country, but no measures are taken to check them. The government is not only serious to implement minority welfare schemes but some have been put on hold. It is the duty of all secular and democratic groups to foil designs of communal forces so that Indias character of unity in diversity is protected and safeguarded.

On Dalit Muslim and Dalit Christian Reservation

AIMMM while reiterating the demand of inclusion of Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians condemns the statements of Union BJP Minister invoking the (false) dangers of demographic change, if the Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians are allowed to get benefits of reservations. AIMMM feels that these statements are not only against the spirit of the constitution which allows Right to Equality and Profess Religion of Choice, but also an insult to the Dalit community itself as it casts aspersions on the wisdom of the Dalits to profess religion of their choice. AIMMM also feels that these kinds of statements are nothing but hate statements against all religious Minorities.

AIMMM also welcomes the stand of Mr. Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar for extending his support to the Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians in their struggle for equitable justice and to their demand for inclusion in reservation ambit for SC.

AIMMM also demands that Government should urgently file its stand/ response in Supreme Court on the issue of Dalit Muslim and Dalit Christian reservations without any further delay.

On the Jat Agitation for Reservation in Haryana

AIMMM expresses its concern on the loss of life and damage to properties worth more than 36,000 crores in the Jat Reservation in Haryana.

Mushawarat also express its deep concern on the expediency and haste of the Haryana BJP Government to include Jats in the ambit of reservation without any detailed and proper study of their socio-economic condition.

AIMMM wishes to clarify that in principle, it is not against demand of the Jats for reservationbut has reservation on the procedure that has been followed by the state government in including them in the ambit of reservation.

On increasing the upper limit of Reservation

AIMMM feels that it is high time that the Central Government should convene an all party meeting to discuss the issue of Reservation and to formulate a uniform policy to extend the limit of the reservation quota fixed by the Supreme Court as the state governments in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Haryana has done. Many marginalized communities including Muslims across the Country needs reservation and every sensible group would agree that laws needs to be changed as per the current requirements to reflect the equity and justice for all in the society.

On Controversy of Bharta Mata ki Jai

AIMMM reiterates its stand that Muslims should not be forced to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai to prove their love for the motherland. The Muslims have full faith in Indian constitution and nowhere in the constitution it is required for people to say Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Patriotism cannot be governed by the dictate of the saffron forces and citizens are free to use their language and vocabulary to express their affection for the country.

Also it is important to mention that the concept of Bharat Mata for saffron brigade is that of goddess/ deity and hailing that goddess is not is not only against Islam but it is also not acceptable to the Sikh Community. The whole controversy is being manufactured to vitiate atmosphere against religious minorities particularly Muslims and distract the failure of the Union Government on all fronts.

On Budgetary allocations to Minorities and setting up of Equal Opportunities Commission

The issues related to development deficit faced by the Muslims are diverse, but very similar to the ones faced by other backward sections of society like the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs). To address to development deficit, two key Plan strategies have been adopted for addressing development shortfalls faced by the religious minorities namely the PMs new 15 point programme (15 PP) and the Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP). The India Human Development Report, 2011(Planning Commission, 2011) reveals that the development conditions of Muslims have not improved even after several government initiatives. Further, the India Exclusion Report 2013-14 and Post Sachar Evaluation Committee Report,2014 also highlights that Muslims have not benefitted from the schemes and programmes meant for them, and the community faces exclusion in planning, budgeting and implementation processes of development programmes at various levels of governance. It may be noted that only 0.23 percent of the total Union Budget 2016-17 has been earmarked for development of minorities which was 0.26 percent in 2015-16. Allocation for Madrasa Modernization Programme has been cut down from Rs.375 crore to Rs.175 crore.

Considering the problems in the guidelines, designs of the schemes and poor implementation:

The AIMMM feel that the 15 PP could be implemented along the lines of the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and the Tribal Sub Plan. The Plan funds for minorities should be allocated in proportion to their population. And out of these fund allocations a larger share should be utilised for need based projects exclusively aimed at the development of poor Muslims.

AIMMM demands setting up of a National Data Bank and also Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC).

AIMMM also feels that the recommendations on study Diversity Index need to be applied in private and government run institutions related to jobs and education.

On Aligarh Muslim University Centre in Bhopal

The President of India in capacity as the visitor of AMU had approved in principle the Universitys proposal to establish Centres under section 12(2) of the Act, in 2010. Subsequently, the Academic Council of AMU, the Executive Council & the University Court at their special meetings unanimously approved the amendments required in the statues and Regulations of the University to formally operationalise these Centres. The President as the visitor was pleased to approve the

amendments proposed by the University vide Order No.F.3-26/10-Desk (U) dated12.10.2010.

Taking a Historic Initiative the Court had unlocked the potential of AMU by

passing a Resolution at its meeting held on 02.12.2007 directing the vice Chancellor to establish 4

Centres of AMU across the Country The Executive Council at its meeting held on 17.01.2008 had approved the proposal of Vice Chancellor to establish 5 Centers of AMU across the Country , namely at Bhopal(M.P), Katihar(changed) Kishanganj(Bihar), Pune (M.H), Malappuram (Kerala) and Murshidabad (West Bengal).The Academic Council had also unanimously approved the proposal for the establishment of 5 Centres creating the Opportunity for a Nation -wide Expansion.

In Bhopal, Old Boys Association of AMU and others are trying their level Best for establishment of AMU Centre ,but even after their so many reminders /Memorandum and initiatives ,they could not get any commitment or ray of hope from the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh.

Therefore, AIMMM demands that the MP government should felicitate the establishment of the AMU Centre at Bhopal at the earliest and allocates the land for establishing AMU Centre. Establishment of Centre in this historical city with a rich concentration of Muslim community would help the educationally backward Muslim community in the state to get proper environment and equal avenues for the educational empowerment which can play a constructive role in the development of the state.

On Avenues for Urdu Education in MP

On the basis of three language formula, the state Government of MP should ensure the teaching of Urdu language as mother tongue as well as 3rd language on priority basis in all its schools and should also ensure the availability of Urdu text books.

On Briefing to the Supreme Court Judges by NSA, Mr. Ajit Doval

AIMMM expresses its concern over the briefing to the SC Judges by NSA Mr. Ajit Doval at National Judicial Academy, Bhopal and enlisting judiciarys cooperation in speeding up of the judicial system and linking administration of justice to the national security.

While acknowledging the threat perception from the external terror groups including that from state and non-state actors, AIMMM strongly feels that the briefing by NAS to the Honble Judges of Supreme Court cannot be seen in prism of isolation, the briefing by NSA to the Supreme Court Judges has established a dangerous precedent and has raised question mark on the bipartisan nature of justice,

AIMMM wish to remind that there a long history of false terror cases where innocents were framed to get promotions by the security personnel or to satisfy nations conscience. A large number of innocents have been acquitted by various High Courts and by Supreme Court in recent past but still lives of innocent have been ruined in such false terror charges.

Terror cases having links with external state and non-state actors is hard reality in view of the long history of hostile neighbors but framing of innocents and activists working in the disturbed areas for equitable justice and against state repression cannot be equated with the terror activities.

It would have been an appropriate approach if the human rights activists or some prominent lawyers who have helped those who have been framed by security forces in terror charges have also been invited by the Judges of Supreme Court to get brief of the other side of the story.

AIMMM wishes to reiterate that India is not an autocratic state where the state apparatus needs to brief judiciary. The common citizens have full faith on the working of independent judiciary. AIMMM fears that the briefing would shake the trust of the common citizens.
Help India!

By TCN News,

Nagpur: With an aim to make Urdu language compulsory in schools, Naya Karwan, an RSS affiliated organization has started its nationwide campaign Mission-e-Urdu.

Support TwoCircles



Interestingly the folder of the mission was launched at Nagpur in the presence of RSS functionaries.

The program was presided over by Indresh Kumar, President of Muslim Rashtriya Manch. He adored sweetness of Urdu language and urged Muslims to read Quran with translation.

K C Sudarshan , the founder of Muslim Rashtriya Manch was remembered in the program and on his behalf a token of love was presented to Indresh Kumar and Girish Jwal.

During the program Muhammad Tariq, founder of Naya Karwan said that there is a need of making Urdu compulsory in schools till SSC.

We will also demand government to establish Urdu university in every state, he added.
Good News, Bad News for Portugal: Shared Liquidity Permitted, Shared Networks Prohibited

April 20 2016 Jason Glatzer

To the delight of Portuguese online poker players, the country's gaming regulator Regulacao Inspecao de Jogos (SRIJ) has stated that it would permit international liquidity for online poker as part of its new gaming regime.

According to Poker Industry Pro, the news broke last week during an online meeting organized by the Portuguese players association ANAon.

This is certainly good and welcomed news for Portuguese online poker players, as back in December 2015 SRIJ Head of Online Gambling Manuela Bandeira announced during a conference organised in Lisbon by Gambling Compliance that the online poker market would be ring-fenced away from international liquidity similar to the models currently operating in France, Italy, and Spain.

At the time, Bandeira did suggest that the country at some point would likely be open to international liquidity, however, the poker community was led to believe that this wouldn't happen soon.

"International liquidity is important for poker, as it allows small markets to be be more competitive," Bandeira explained. "It's not a simple issue and we need to work more closely with other regulatory bodies from different countries in order to understand how to make it work."

Online Poker Networks Prohibited

Along with some good news, some potentially bad news was also shared with the Portuguese online poker community as business-to-business licenses which allow for the sharing of liquidity between a variety of online poker operators on a single shared network will not be allowed.

While the reasons for this decision at this point are not known, it is potentially devastating news for online poker skins on some of the bigger networks including iPoker, 888poker, and the Microgaming Poker Network. SRIJ did seem receptive to changing their stance during their meeting with ANAon, according to Poker Industry Pro. However, the gaming regulator shared that any change would be at least two years away.

A little less clear is whether PokerStars might be affected by this change once it shares liquidity with its smaller sister site Full Tilt in the near future. It is possible this issue will not effect the world's largest real-money online poker room since technically this isn't a typical business-to-business situation with both companies being owned by Amaya Gaming.

Regulated Online Gaming Could Begin in June

If all goes to plan, the first Portuguese online gaming licenses under the new gaming regime could happen as soon as June. The SRIJ claims, according to Poker Industry Pro, that the delay in issuing licenses is due solely due to technical issues and once resolved licenses could be handed out 15 days thereafter. The soonest likely time for licenses to be awarded for online poker networks seeking international player liquidity would be a few months later in October.

*Lead image courtesy of deviantart.net.

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Sharelines Portuguese gaming regulators plan to allow international liquidity, however, will prohibit business-to-business licenses.

Mixed news comes out of Portugal regarding its online gaming laws.
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common medical condition with significant economic and humanistic burden. Inadequately managed OAB may exacerbate or result in comorbidities such as depression, falls, and urinary tract infections, which can further increase the burden to the health care system. Anticholinergics are often prescribed for management of OAB with urinary incontinence ("wet" OAB). However, research has shown that patient adherence and persistence to anticholinergic therapy is poor, with approximately 80% of patients ultimately failing their first prescribed anticholinergic medication within the first year. While there has been a fair amount of research on the economic burden of OAB, the real-world impact of initiating anticholinergic therapy in patients with wet OAB has not been well studied.

To compare falls/fractures, anxiety/depression, health care resource utilization, and health care costs between a cohort of patients with wet OAB who initiated anticholinergic therapy and a matched cohort of patients without OAB.

This study was a retrospective medical and pharmacy claims analysis. Cases were members of a primary care-based, multispecialty physician medical group located in California. Cases were eligible for inclusion if they were prescribed anticholinergic therapy between January 2008 and May 2012 based on pharmacy claims, had a diagnosis of OAB, and reported having  1 urinary incontinence episode per day. Wet OAB cases were matched to non-OAB controls in a 1:3 ratio based on sex, age, and observation time. Medical and pharmacy claims data were used to analyze patient comorbidities, as well as track health care resource utilization (HRU) and direct payer costs.

After initiating anticholinergic therapy, wet OAB patients had a 46% higher adjusted risk of experiencing falls/fractures (P < 0.001) and a 33% higher adjusted risk of experiencing depression/anxiety (P = 0.022) than non-OAB patients. Wet OAB was significantly associated with increased HRU rates of hospital admissions, outpatient visits, prescriptions filled, and diagnostic tests performed. After adjustment for covariates, total health care cost was 33% higher for wet OAB patients than non-OAB patients, resulting in an increased cost of $1,746 per member per year.

The findings of this research suggest OAB patients who initiate anticholinergic therapy and still experience incontinence are at a greater risk for comorbidities such as falls/fractures and depression/anxiety, and use significantly more health care resources, than patients without OAB. Programs to improve patient monitoring and referrals, the appropriate use of alternative treatments within guidelines, and adherence to evidence-based practice parameters may improve clinical outcomes and decrease HRU for these patients.

This study was sponsored by Allergan, Irvine, California, which reviewed and approved the final manuscript. At the time of the study, Yehoshua had received a fellowship at the University of Arizona, which was funded by Allergan. Yehoshua, Joshi, and Campbell are employees of Allergan. Vasaveda has received consulting fees from Allergan, Medtronic, and Boston Scientific. Chancelor has received consulting fees from Allergan and Medtronic. All authors met the ICMJE authorship criteria. Neither honoraria nor payments were made for authorship. Study design was created by Yehoshua, Pulicharam, Malone, and Armstrong. Pulicharam took the lead in data collection, along with Chancellor and Campbell, and data interpretation was performed by Chancellor, Vasavada, Malone, and Armstrong. The manuscript was written by Yehoshua and revised by Joshi and Yehoshua, with assistance from the other authors.

Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy. 2016 Apr [Epub]

Alon Yehoshua, Michael Chancellor, Sandip Vasavada, Daniel C Malone, Edward P Armstrong, Manher Joshi, Karen Campbell, Riya Pulicharam

1 Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research Manager, Allergan, Irvine, California., 2 Professor of Urology and Director of the Aikens Neurourology Center, Beaumont Health System, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland, California., 3 Urologic Director, Center for Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio., 4 Professor, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona., 5 Professor Emeritus, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona., 6 Senior Director Medical Affairs, Allergan, Irvine, California., 7 Senior Medical Scientific Manager, Allergan, Irvine, California., 8 Medical Director, Population Health Management & Clinical Outcomes, Healthcare Partners, Los Angeles, California.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27023694
Surge of Chinese helps to steady Egypt's tourism Updated: 2016-04-20 09:18 By Ahmed Shafiq in Cairo(China Daily USA)

The number of Chinese tourists in Egypt is growing steadily and rapidly, says Samy Mahmoud, head of Egypt's tourism authority. "In 2014 we had almost 64,000 Chinese tourists, but by the end of 2015 we had over 125,000 visitors from China."

The official expects that the number will rise to 200,000 in 2016 as almost 15 regular and charter flights come to Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada every week.

Mahmoud reveals that the tourism authority contacted the Chinese ambassador in Cairo and asked him to work on allowing Chinese airlines to fly to Egypt, adding "it will be a great chance for the Chinese airlines to work in the Egyptian market".

He says that most Chinese tourists visit areas such as the Giza pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and Upper Egypt's ancient temples.

Mahmoud says there are many travel agencies in Egypt working with Chinese tourism operators.

"I can say that a one-week holiday costs around $700, and I think such a price is good for Chinese people," he says.

Tourism in Egypt was dealt a heavy blow following the Russian airplane crash in North Sinai in October, after which several countries, including Britain and Russia, suspended flights to Egypt.

The North African country is striving to revive its ailing tourism industry. However, terror attacks by Islamist militants have led many countries to warn their residents against traveling to Egypt.

Since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime leader Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has descended into political, economic and social chaos, causing a recession in its tourism industry, one of the main sources of the country's national income and foreign currency reserves.

Meanwhile, the official says the visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping to Egypt "sent a positive message to our friends in China".

"Egypt is safe and everything is under control. This encourages Chinese to visit Egypt," the official says.

Mahmoud says the government is working hard to breathe life into the ailing tourism industry through promotional campaigns inside and outside Egypt.

"We have launched a campaign to promote tourism in 14 European and Arab countries," he says, adding "we have also commenced an initiative to promote domestic tourism".

He believes that the Arab market is very promising as the number of Arab tourists in Egypt has increased in January and February this year.

"There is a 45 percent increase compared to the same period last year," he says.

Although many European countries stopped tourists from going into Egypt recently, he says, there are some European countries that have started sending tourists to Egypt.

"The numbers of tourists from Ukraine and Poland are growing. We have also started to attract tourists from India and Japan," Mahmoud says.

The peak of tourism in Egypt was in 2010, he says, as 14.7 million tourists visited the county, providing revenues of nearly $12.5 billion.

"But after the revolutions in 2011 and 2013, the number of tourists started to fell. By the end of 2015, the number of tourists stood at 12.2 million, providing around $6.2 billion," he says. His target this year is to attract 9 million tourists, but the government hopes to attract 20 million visitors by 2020.

Mahmoud believes that the sources of tourism must be diversified, noting that in the past Egypt has relied on four or five markets that brought in about 70 to 75 percent of its tourists.

"My message to everyone is that Egyptian airports are well secured, tourist areas are highly safe," he says.

Xinhua

Chinese visitors take pictures of the Giza pyramids in Egypt. Du Du / For China Daily

(China Daily USA 04/20/2016 page8)
John Loges is a veteran detective and drug enforcement agent, but when it came to addressing a synthetic-drug epidemic in South Florida, he put on his diplomat's hat.

A Fort Lauderdale police detective on loan to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Loges coordinated a trip to China last fall to lobby officials to cut off the export of chemicals used to make the street drug "flakka", which sends users into psychotic frenzies.

Flakka is a version of a Spanish word that means a thin, pretty woman. A derivative of bath salts, the drug compels users to tear off their clothes as their body temperatures surge.

Some hallucinated that they were being chased. One man impaled himself on a police department fence trying to evade imaginary pursuers, The Associated Press reported.

In 16 months, 63 flakka users died in Fort Lauderdale and its vicinity - overdoses, suicides, homicides and accidents, according to the AP. Anti-flakka posters around Broward warned: "Lose your mind. Lose your life."

But about three months ago, the scourge suddenly stopped.

"I have never seen a drug gain popularity so rapidly and be eliminated so quickly," Broward Sheriff Scott Israel told the AP.

Hospitals in Broward County recorded more than 300 flakka cases in October, 187 in November, and 54 in December, also the last month for a flakka fatality, The Washington Post reported.

The Chinese government, as of Oct 1, 2015, restricted exports of flakka's key ingredient, alpha-PVP, and 115 other chemical substances used to make synthetic drugs, according to the DEA.

Loges told China Daily that the Chinese government used three criteria to ban the drug: Is there any medicinal or industrial use for the chemical anywhere in the world? Is it actually being exported from China? Is it being abused as a drug?

Loges, who also has served in the US Army for 30 years, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is now a master sergeant in the Reserves, led a delegation of Broward County, Florida, law enforcement officials and federal agents to Beijing last fall to meet their Chinese counterparts.

On the Nov 1-8 trip to Beijing with Loges were US Attorney Tony Gonzalez, Fort Lauderdale police Sgt. John Jensen, Broward Sheriff's Office Lietuentant Ozzy Tianga, Assistant DEA Special Agent Kristine Costa, and Mindy Mazzei, a Coral Springs detective and DEA task force officer, the Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale reported.

Loges said his thinking was, "Let's take it to their government. ... Just because we're local officials, why can't we?"

Loges' team met with Zhao Yu, director of China's office of the National Narcotics Control Commission, Ministry of Public Security, and Shan Yehua, deputy director for international cooperation.

"They were open arms with us," he said of the meeting.

The delegation also met with US Ambassador to China Max Baucus. Loges said Baucus "embraced" the team's efforts, adding the synthetic-drug problem to his list of top 10 priorities as ambassador.

Although the alpha-PVP ban was in place by the time the group arrived in China, the trip "was important moving forward, strategy-wise", Loges told the Sun-Sentinel. Once China put the ban in place, it still had to trace the suppliers through postal and delivery service codes.

"In the history of their government, they've never done this," Loges told the Sun-Sentinel. "They don't want to be known as a source country similar to Colombia or anything like that."

In the US, drug dealers were buying alpha-PVP from Chinese labs online, breaking it down into small doses and pushing it onto the streets.

"The dose unit for cocaine is in general 1 gram, but for alpha-PVP, it is a tenth of a gram," Loges said.

"Ten thousand people can get high off that kilo, versus cocaine. The price for a kilogram online was anywhere between $1,500 to $3,000. But the street value of it was $50,000, crazy mark-up."

Loges said that law enforcement also faces the issue of illicit manufacturers tinkering with molecular structures to create new drugs to avoid detection.

"When you're changing the synthetics ... it's with the intent to circumvent law enforcement and dog detection".

"It's not like you're targeting Pablo Escobar," Loges said, but rather, trying to tackle a problem wherever it arises. He said it took a partnership across jurisdictions (local, state, federal), at the border, in the medical community, and finally, diplomatically. "You're not going to arrest your way out of the problem."

He estimated that before China's actions, and despite a concerted effort by US Customs, only about 5 percent of alpha-PVP was intercepted before it made it into the US.

The battle against synthetic drugs is ongoing. Before flakka, there was "Molly", which had flooded South Florida's streets before China banned its key ingredient, methlyone, in 2014.

The bilateral action on synthetic drugs exemplifies the best results of people-to-people exchange between the US and China.

Contact the writer at williamhennelly@chinadailyusa.com
Rich countries must take a leaf out of China's climate book Updated: 2016-04-19 08:23 By Fu Jing(China Daily)

Mogens Lykketoft, President of the Seventieth session of the United Nations General Aassembly, held a press conference to outline upcoming events pertaining to the signing ceremony for the Global Climate Agreement and the thematic debate on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

This Friday, politicians from across the world will meet at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to sign an agreement to keep global temperature rise below 2 degree Celsius, which UN members agreed in Paris in December last year.

Representing China at the signing ceremony will be Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli, who delivered a speech at a UN climate meeting in New York in September 2014 at a time when the world body was desperate to expedite the process to reach a deal in Paris.

Zhang's presence at the UN Headquarters reflects just a tiny part of Beijing's commitment to fighting climate change as a global leader. China is also helping set rules of global governance by synergizing the efforts of all countries to overcome problems in other areas too.

Since the Copenhagen climate summit in 2009, two subjects have often hit the headlines: questioning of China's conviction in fighting climate change and developed economies' failure to transfer funds and technologies to poor countries to help them combat and adapt to climate change which is the result of the greenhouse gases emitted mostly by industrialized nations.

China, despite being a developing country, has always joined global efforts to combat climate change. In 1992, then premier Li Peng signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Rio de Janeiro. And in 2009, then premier Wen Jiabao made every effort possible to reach a comprehensive deal in Copenhagen.
There is no scarcity of compelling stories about entrepreneurship in the Bay Area.

And behind legends, fame and fortunes, we need to recognize and acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices foreign-born tech professionals have made to make America strong.

Last week, I conducted an informal survey among my friends of Chinese and Indian heritage who work at leading tech companies.

One particular question I asked, purely out of curiosity, was: What is your dinner time? I've been led to understand that one of the perks Silicon Valley tech firms take great pride in providing their employees is free meals.

The feedback I got, however, only reminded me of the famous saying: "Capital comes dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and dirt."

Here is a list of dinner times at a few unicorn or well-established firms: Employees at Facebook can start to eat at 5:45 pm; Airbnb at 6; Google at 6:30; Apple at 7; and Uber not until 8:15 pm.

Ride-sharing app Uber has dominated its industry since its inception in 2009 and was recently valued at $51 billion. But competition from home and abroad - Lyft and Curb in the US; Didi and Kuaidi in China; Grab in Malaysia and Ola in India - is fierce.

With some of those dinner times, I can't help but wonder how late those employees with families and young children will get home?

Probably no one would argue that a nation's overall competitiveness relies heavily on the quality and quantity of its most talented people. As a result, public and private sectors the world over vie with each other using tempting salary and benefit packages to identify and lure exceptional pros.

In the US, the technology sector in particular faces a severe talent shortage which obstructs its continuous development, according to a recent Gartner report.

The White House said there were more than half a million IT job openings to date, a rapidly increasing demand for techies who are able to design, develop and deliver solutions rapidly and repeatedly.

By 2020, there will be 1.4 million computer engineering job openings, according to the US Department of Labor. And American universities and colleges are unlikely to graduate enough qualified students to fill even 30 percent of those slots.

Over the years, corporate America has been able to sponsor foreign-born workers to apply for H-1B visas and let the highly-skilled from overseas fill the gaps in the workforce.

US businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency (USCIS).

Each year, the federal government mandates a cap of 65,000 general H-1B visas and 20,000 H-1B visas for those holding degrees of a master's or above. The availability can be exhausted within a few days of the window opening.

During the filing period last year, the USCIS received almost 233,000 H-1B applications.

On April 7, the agency announced that it reached the H-1B cap in both categories and used a computer-generated lottery system to randomly select the petitions.

"The 15-day processing period plus waiting for the lottery outcome is an ordeal for any client," said Lihua Tan, an immigration attorney with Chugh law firm. "I've witnessed too many joys and sorrows. If not awarded the H-1B visa, the affected will lose his or her job and have to leave America."

Moreover, being granted the H-1B work permit does not guarantee a happy-ending, said Tan. The common practice for tech giants is to use cheap labor on demand and suppress their wages.

Ron Hira, a research associate with the Economic Policy Institute, said tech employers hold the work permits through this program, and that gives the company extraordinary leverage over a foreign worker and limits their mobility. Companies can pay $30,000 a year less to a worker on an H-1B visa that remains valid for six years.

Silicon Valley is well known for being the epicenter of invention and innovation but it should not be the land of a ruthless and unethical business culture.

Contact the writer at junechang@chinadailyusa.com.
National sovereignty applies to cyberspace Updated: 2016-04-20 07:53 By Tang Lan(China Daily)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also head of the central Internet security and informatization leading group, presides over a symposium on cyberspace security and informatization in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]

In A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace, a document that has been widely distributed since 1996, the author, John Perry Barlow, a founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, declared that the internet is free, open and equal, and called on governments to leave it alone.

Doubtlessly, the free nature of the internet prompted innovation in its early development. However, the virtual world is not independent of the real world, and the challenges of the virtual world originate in the real world.

It is a consensus of the international community that what applies offline, also applies online.

Therefore, the principle of national sovereignty and the international norms that derive from it should also apply to cyberspace.

National sovereignty is an essential concept of modern international law, and equality of sovereignty is a fundamental principle that defines contemporary international relations.

The question is how to apply the principle of national sovereignty in cyberspace.

The most direct way lies in jurisdiction. In 2003 and 2005, the UN held the two-stage World Summit on the Information Society, in which participant nations agreed that national sovereignty should determine decisions about internet-related public policies.

In 2013 and 2015, the UN information security Group of Governmental Experts discussed international rules for cyberspace, and there was hardly any dispute over applying the principle of national sovereignty.

The Tallinn Manual, written at the invitation of the Tallinn-based NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence to research how international law applies to cyber conflicts and cyber warfare, clearly states that: "A State may exercise control over cyber infrastructure and activities within its sovereign territory".

In practice, states take legal, judicial, as well as administrative measures to fight illegal activities in cyberspace and defend their own cyber and state security.

Most states hold zero-tolerance to those seeking to violate national security using the internet.

Especially since terrorism has become more rampant. One after another, states have strengthened their regulation over cyberspace, so as to prevent it from serving the aims of terrorists. Europol has already founded a special group to close the social media accounts of radicals, while many European nations have been more strictly regulating the internet.

In the face of such threats, national interests must be defended and national sovereignty is necessary to do that. Therefore, any state must be able to decide what measures to take when it comes to defending their national interests in cyberspace.

Of course, the characteristics of cyberspace, especially the cross-border flows of information have brought uncertainties. There are divergences over how to apply jurisdiction in cyberspace and how to use state power to protect national sovereignty.

As a global cyber power, China is trying to set a good example for other nations by applying the sovereignty principle in cyberspace.

At the second World Internet Congress held in Wuzhen, China, on Dec 16 to 18, last year, President Xi Jinping proposed respect for national sovereignty as the first principle of global internet governance.

China's National Security Law, which came into effect last July, also decrees that the Chinese government must take measures to protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests in cyberspace.

China is leading the way in applying the principle of national sovereignty in cyberspace, which will help promote the application of the rules of international governance to cyberspace.

The author is a senior researcher on information technology and social development at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
Taiwan decision to free fraud suspects wrong Updated: 2016-04-20 08:01 By Ji Ye(China Daily)

LI FENG/CHINA DAILY

Taiwan police on Saturday released 20 fraud suspects who were deported from Malaysia on Friday. The 20 people, released for the "lack of evidence", were among 52 Taiwan residents who the Malaysian authorities arrested for suspected telecommunication fraud, which affected many people on the Chinese mainland as well as in Taiwan.

In response, An Fengshan, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, urged the Taiwan authorities on Saturday to give the suspects "the punishment they deserve", and emphasized that their release will only encourage fraudsters and harm cross-Straits law enforcement cooperation.

The island's unilateral decision to allow the 20 fraudsters to walk free, regardless of their misdeeds and the mainland's ongoing investigation, violates legal norms and goes against the cross-Straits agreement on fighting crimes, which came into effect in 2009.

According to the provisions of the mainland's criminal law, local judicial authorities have the authority to deal with telecom frauds that take place on the mainland and harm residents. In this respect, the release of the fraud suspects at the airport in Taiwan not only damages the credibility of the anti-crime efforts made by both sides of the Straits, but also negatively influences the shared political foundation of peaceful development.

Technically, what the telecom fraud suspects have done is often hard to trace; providing evidence against their criminal activities is even more difficult. More importantly, the prevalence of fraud rings in Taiwan has a lot to do with the light punishment fraudsters receive.

The mainland police said the island's telecom fraudsters have swindled their mainland compatriots out of at least 1 billion yuan ($150 million) in some 200 cases. But just more than 200,000 yuan of that amount has been recovered.

When it comes to frauds, the principal criminals are normally sentenced to one or two years in prison, while their accessories spend less than six months behind bars or are just made to pay a fine. Besides, some judiciary officials in Taiwan have failed to consider the losses suffered by the mainland victims, feeding the suspicion that they are "condoning criminal activities".

To respond to the public outcry for justice on the mainland as well as in Taiwan, the island's authorities should accord priority to protecting the legal interests of the fraud victims, as the 2009 agreement on jointly cracking down on crimes requires, instead of politicizing the issue. Also, judiciary officials from Taiwan need to visit the mainland and closely cooperate with local investigators, in a bid to make sure all criminals are duly punished and victims properly compensated.

The author is an associate professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian province. The article is an excerpt from his interview with China Daily's Cui Shoufeng.
Drug fight focuses on the Mekong Delta Updated: 2016-04-20 11:31 By Amy He at the United Nations(China Daily USA)

Helping fight the illicit drug trade in the Southeast Asian region remains a priority for China, said Chinese State Councilor Guo Shengkung.

The area is continuing to see year-on-year increases in the number of drug-related arrests and users admitted for drug treatment, despite significant efforts from six countries in East and Southeast Asia - China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam - to limit the flow of drugs throughout the region and to the rest of the world.

"This mechanism is viable and effective and it can be applied to other areas of counter-narcotics cooperation," Guo said on Tuesday at an event held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the world drug problem.

The event highlighted the work done by the six countries as designated under the Mekong MOU, named after the trans-border river in Southeast Asia where much of the region's drug trade occurs.

China's participation in the region includes establishing a joint law enforcement and security cooperation mechanism with Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, which fights against organized smuggling, illegal migration and apprehending fugitives, according to a China policy report released by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at the Nanyang Technological University.

"All signatory parties [under the MOU] need to work together and plan for future development," Guo said, and expand drug control cooperation under the Mekong mechanism. The countries must also increase cooperation with other regions and countries, he added.

"Within this framework, China will continue to cooperate with other countries," increasing its contribution by providing funds and technology to address the drug problems in the region, he said.

The drug trade within the Mekong region is dominated by the production and trafficking of opiates and synthetic drugs. Heroine flows continue to move "almost unchecked from the Golden Triangle", said Jeremy Douglas, regional representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The region is also home to a large number of precursor producers, which are chemicals used to make the drugs, with India and China being the two largest sources because of their respective pharmaceutical industries.

While the region's interconnectivity has brought about economic benefits and mutual trade, it has also connected "precursor flows where precursors are needed", Douglas said.

To counter the trade, the UNODC and the six countries have developed 70 border liaison offices across the region, which allows for more rapid cross-border cooperation to prevent illicit flows. The UNODC is also discussing with the states to increase the number of these offices.

Later this year, the UNODC will conduct a drug use survey in Myanmar to better understand how users are using drugs and getting access to the drugs.

China will host a training seminar next month that helps drug practitioners learn how to work closer with drug consumers.

This region suffers from "very significant challenges compared to other regions in the world", but these plans of actions will ultimately benefit Mekong countries and the wider world, Douglas said.

amyhe@chinadailyusa.com
One Belt, One Road raise hopes Updated: 2016-04-20 05:10 By HUA SHENGDUN in Washington(China Daily USA)

The One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative can play a role on a variety of fronts, from creating diplomatic ties to fighting terrorism in the Middle East and providing opportunities for China-US cooperation, experts said.

"I see the OBOR as low hanging fruit for US-China cooperation, because there is no conflict of interest," said Yves Tiberghien, director of the Institute of Asian Research at University of British Columbia. "If anything, it's going to help stabilize Afghanistan and the Middle East."

Tiberghien was one of several experts gathered at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington on Monday to discuss China's One Belt One Road initiative and China-US relations.

Zhao Minghao, research fellow at the China Center for Contemporary World Studies, IDCPC, said the most important thing is that OBOR will provide people in the Middle East with jobs.

"President Xi Jinping visited the Middle East in January this year, and there were lots of economic agreements between the Chinese government and local governments. One of them was about promoting industrialization in Middle Eastern countries," Zhao explained.

One of the reasons so many young people are joining Jihadist organizations is because of the lack of employment opportunities, according to Tiberghien. "If this OBOR is able to create development, it will be a game changer, and of mutual interest for the US and Europe," he said.

A World Bank study finds that for every $1 billion spent on infrastructure in a region, more than 100,000 jobs are created.

Despite the clear benefits they provide, infrastructure projects are no small undertaking, according to Matthew Goodman, Simon Chair in Political Economy at CSIS.

"Issues of governance, politics, rule of law, corruption, policy challenges, and environmental standards are all in effect," he said. "This is a really difficult area of economic policy and endeavor, so those issues really have to be taken on if we want to fundamentally address the question of infrastructure."

Issues have also arisen in the United States' political climate that may affect opinions on the initiative. Tiberghien said to bring the OBOR to US-China trade relations is "a tall order, because trade relations are now a point of debate in US politics. So this initiative will be highly sensitive and highly politicized."

Allan Fong in Washington contributed to this story
Ex-admiral backs China for drill Updated: 2016-04-20 11:31 By Dong Leshuo and Hua Shengdun in Washington(China Daily USA)

A retired US Navy admiral who also had commanded the US Pacific Command believes China's participation in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) is a positive development.

"I think we should do all that we can to keep the PLA engaged in the international military forums," Samuel Locklear III said of the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise, which is led by the US.

Locklear gave the keynote speech at the release of the report, US-China Relations in Strategic Domains, by the National Bureau of Asian Research, in Washington on Tuesday.

"The RIMPAC exercise should continue to serve as a platform for Chinese participation," it said in one chapter co-authored by Christopher Yung, Donald Bren Chair of Non-Western Strategic Thought at the Marine Corps University, and Wang Dong, director of the Center for Northeast Asian Strategic Studies at Peking University.

In 2014, the US invited China to participate in RIMPAC for the first time, which Locklear called "a very big success".

"There was this fear that somehow the Chinese would learn some secrets, or there would be espionage, all these things that proved unfounded," Locklear said.

"It allowed all of us to see Chinese forces in action. It allowed the Chinese to see how the rest of the world can cooperate."

China has confirmed it accepted a US invitation for RIMPAC 2016 and will send ships to take part in the drill, according to Hua Chunying, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, in response to US Defense Secretary Ash Carter's remarks that the US is "reassessing" China's participation.

"The military relationship between China and the US has found a resilience and maturity that had not been there before," said Major General Yao Yunzhu, a senior researcher at the People's Liberation Army's Academy of Military Science.

Last December, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Escort Task Group 152 visited Hawaii, which has "helped further strengthen the exchange and cooperation between the Chinese and US navies", said Wang Jianxu, commander of the Chinese fleet.

Zhu Yinghuang, former editor-in-chief of China Daily, said the current international system and governance needs to improve, especially in the case of representation of emerging countries.

"As the two largest economies in the world, China and the US have special responsibilities for safeguarding the current international norms," said Zhu.

Allan Fong in Washington contributed to this story.

leshuodong@chinadailyusa.com
Officials celebrate Chinese acquisition in Michigan Updated: 2016-04-20 11:31 By Paul Welitzkin in New York(China Daily USA)

Paslin's Cherry Creek facility in Shelby Township, Michigan. Provided to China Daily

In a year when US political candidates are criticizing international trade for the loss of American jobs, federal, state, local and Chinese officials were on hand in Warren, Michigan, to celebrate the acquisition of a 79-year-old auto supplier by a Chinese company that will add jobs.

The gathering on Monday marked the takeover of Paslin Co by Chinas Wanfeng Auto Holdings. Wanfeng is a robotics manufacturer serving the die cast automation market. Paslin specializes in the robotic automation of automotive welding assembly lines.

Paslin has been operating in Macomb County since 1937 and has four facilities in the county. It had recently been owned by a private equity firm, which sold it to Wanfeng last month for an undisclosed sum.

We have over 700 employees at our facilities near Warren, Michigan. We plan on hiring an additional 150 by the end of the year. There will be no job consolidations or losses as a result of this transaction, said Kirk Goins, the CEO of Paslin, who will stay on to lead the company.

We go from having a private-equity firm as an owner to a strategic owner that wants to stay in this business for a long time. Paslin wants to expand globally, especially in China and Asia. Having a Chinese owner and partner can be an advantage for us, he told China Daily. They also want to expand globally and especially in the North American market. We have expansion plans for North America that we can now implement.

Tommy Wu, CEO of the Wanfeng Technology Group, told the Detroit Free Press that the sale will mean increased trade opportunities for both companies. This is a happy marriage, he said. We are confident the combined force of Paslin and Wengfong will be a great organization.

One of the top priorities for Paslin will be to establish a better R&D facility to promote the automation technical innovation, he said. In 2013, Wanfeng purchased Meridian Canada, the world's leading supplier of magnesium alloy auto parts.

Chen Ailian, board chairman of the Zhejiang-headquartered company, said at the ceremony that with the participation of Paslin, "(Wanfeng's) robot industry will soon exceed $10 billion in terms of the production scale."

Wang Yong, China's deputy counsel general in Chicago, congratulated Warren on attracting a large amount of investment from China, saying "this will bring great benefits to the local economy and the local people."

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who has made five trade trips to China since taking office in 2011, said the talks with Wanfeng had been ongoing for a while.

This is a great success story for a Michigan company that has a wonderful history in our state, Snyder told the newspaper. They started out as a small stamping organization and now have 700 people working in Macomb County. Now we have a partnership with China. Its a wonderful win for all of us.

Snyder said he understands the concern about losing jobs to international trade, but said relationships across borders can create a lot of jobs.

We need to build more global ties and relationships, he said. Thats why its important that we work hard to get to know China better, but also Europe, other parts around the world.

Michigan Congresswoman Candice Miller said fair trade can build jobs in both countries. Today is really a wonderful celebration of seeing dollars come back the other waycoming back to us.

Paslin operates at three locations in Warren and one in Shelby Township. The company spent nearly $21 million expanding those locations in the past few years. Established in 1937, Paslin is the world's leading supplier of welding robot application system and arc welding system

Founded in 1994, Wanfeng has businesses in such fields as auto parts manufacturing, robot and intelligent equipment, magnesium alloy and financial investment, with annual sales of US$3 billion.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com
Liang avoids jail in fatal shooting Updated: 2016-04-20 11:31 By Paul Welitzkin in New York(China Daily USA)

From top: Peter Liang (left) walks out the court after a judge sentenced him to five years of probation and 800 hours of community service. New York State Assemblyman William Colton speaks to Liang supporters outside the Kings County Supreme Court on Tuesday. Akai Gurley's family members cry and express outrage after Liang's no-jail sentence. Provided to China Daily and Hezi JIang / China Daily

The decision by a judge that enables former New York police officer Peter Liang to avoid jail time after shooting to death an unarmed black man was generally greeted with support from the Chinese and Asian communities and outrage in the black community.

State Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on Tuesday sentenced Liang, 28, to five years of probation and community service after Chun took the rare step of partially setting aside the jury's verdict and reducing Liang's conviction from manslaughter to criminally negligent homicide.

Liang and his partner were on patrol in an unlighted stairwell in a public housing project in Brooklyn on the night of Nov 20, 2014, when Liang testified he heard a noise and his gun went off. A ricocheting bullet struck and killed Akai Gurley, 28, who was visiting his girlfriend, a floor below.

In February, Liang was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and official misconduct and could have been sentenced to as much as 15 years in prison.

Chun said he made his decision in part after reviewing video of Liang entering the housing project where Gurley was shot.

"As I watched the video of the defendant entering the lobby of the Pink Houses, I couldn't help but feel he was entering with the serious mind of protecting the people. Shooting somebody never entered his mind. This was not an intentional act. There's no evidence that the defendant was aware of Akai Gurley's presence. I find incarceration to be unnecessary," said Chun.

Last month, Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson said his office would not seek prison time for Liang. Instead he recommended that Liang receive five years of probation, including six months of home confinement.

After Chun read his decision to reduce the manslaughter conviction against Liang to the lowest-level felony possible and the sentence, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, who prosecuted the case, registered his objection.

"We disagreeA jury took more than two weeks and heard all the evidence. We believe this verdict was correct and we will appeal," he said.

Leaving the courtroom, Gurley's aunt, Herntencia Peteresen, called out in the hallway: "There is no justice. Akai Gurley's life doesn't matter, black lives don't matter. But justice will be served one way or another."

"Peter Liang's sentence sends a deeply troubling message that police officers convicted of killing unarmed African Americans will be held to a different, and more lenient, standard of justice than everyone else involved in the criminal justice system," Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc, said in a statement.

The indictment and prosecution of Liang, who is of Chinese heritage, created uproar among Chinese-Americans who said he was being made a scapegoat to compensate for white police officers not indicted in which unarmed black men were killed. They cited the cases of Eric Garner, a Staten Island, New York, man placed in a chokehold by police officers, and Michael Brown, a teenager shot by police in Ferguson, Missouri. Both deaths occurred months before the Gurley shooting.

After his trial and conviction, rallies organized primarily by Chinese-American groups in support of Liang were held in Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and other cities. Following the trial dozens rallied outside of New York police headquarters in support of the Gurley family.

"We are glad about the judge's decision, but we still stand behind the fact that this is an accident, not a crime," said John Chan, chairman of Brooklyn Asian Communities Empowerment, which has raised more than $300,000 for Liang and his family. "We support him to appeal the conviction."

"We are moving in the right direction, taking the steps toward justice," New York State Assemblyman William Colton said. Colton said Liang is "a scapegoat and a distraction" of the government's failure to address the "terrible, deplorable conditions" at the pink houses, such as the darkened staircase and high crime rate.

In a statement, New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim commended Chun for "rendering a difficult verdict in one of the toughest cases this city has faced in recent years. The pursuit of justice is all too often clouded by the pressures of politics and hampered by hyper-charged emotions on all sides."

New York police officers are rarely indicted by grand juries, much less put on trial, for deaths they cause in the line of duty. The most recent officer to be convicted of a line-of-duty killing was Bryan Conroy, who in 2005 was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of an unarmed African immigrant, Ousmane Zongo. In that case, a State Supreme Court judge sentenced Conroy to five years' probation.

Hezi Jiang contributed to this report.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com
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Enterprise revenue, average total expenditure and number of workers are some of the factors considered in new regulations for becoming a hi-tech enterprise.

The existing 2014 Investment Law and Decision No 19/2015/Q-TTg have adjusted the content of Article 18 of the Law on High Technology No 21/2008/QH12, concerning the criteria used to evaluate hi-tech enterprises.

First of all, hi-tech products produced by the enterprise must be on the list of hi-tech products prioritised for development investment under the provision of Article 6 of the 2008 High Technology Law. Specifically, such products are required to satisfy the following conditions:

 Having a high added-value ratio in the products value structure;

 Being highly competitive and creating great socio-economic benefits;

 Being exportable or able to substitute imports; and

 Contributing to the improvement of national scientific and technological capacity.

Second, not only is it compulsory for enterprises to apply eco-friendly measures but they must also ensure energy-efficient production and product quality control, which must be carried out in accordance with the technical regulations and standards of Viet Nam or those of a specialised international organization (where Viet Nams technical regulations and standards have yet to be issued).

Further, it has been made mandatory for the turnover earned from hi-tech products to be at least 70 per cent of the companys total annual net revenue. Under previous provisions, the enterprises average turnover from hi-tech products for three consecutive years only needed to be at least 60 per cent of the total annual turnover and more than 70 per cent from the fourth year onwards.

In addition, two of the factors for being qualified as a hi-tech enterprise are stipulated in Decision No 19/2015/Q-TTg: total expenditure on research and development activities in Viet Nam and the number of qualified employees, based on whether the company is a small or medium enterprise or has total capital of more than VN100 billion (US$4.5 million).

 Regarding the conditions on total expenditure, the new regulations stipulate that the percentage of total expenditure on research and development activities in Viet Nam shall be calculated based on the total annual net revenue, instead of the average total expenditure per year.

For small and medium enterprises, this percentage must be at least 1 per cent.

For enterprises with total capital of more than VN100 billion and more than 300 employees, this percentage must be at least 0.5 per cent.

 Regarding the conditions on the number of employees with technical qualifications, previously, employees who possessed a university degree or higher and personally conducted research and development activities had to account for at least 5 per cent of the total number of workers.

Decision No 19/2015/Q-TTg still applies this regulation to small and medium enterprises. However, for enterprises with total capital exceeding VN100 billion and with more than 300 employees, this percentage must be at least 2.5 per cent, but there should be no fewer than 15 people.

In the event that an application for a Certificate of High Technology Enterprise is submitted before August 1, 2015, but the certificate has yet to be granted, enterprises must comply with the abovementioned conditions to be recognised as hi-tech enterprises.  PLF - LAW FIRM
The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange slumped 2 per cent to finish at 568.28 points, ending a two-day gain of 0.3 per cent.  Photo hanoimoi

HA NOI Viet Nam News - Vietnamese shares fell sharply on both local markets yesterday as energy stocks suffered from recent falls in oil prices.

The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange slumped 2 per cent to finish at 568.28 points, ending a two-day gain of 0.3 per cent.

The HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange dropped 1 per cent to end at 79.42, extending losses of 1.1 per cent for a second day.

Recent declines in global crude prices pulled markets down, especially after some countries in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), such as Saudi Arabia, and non-OPEC producers, such as Russia, failed to reach an output-freeze agreement on Sunday.

However, crude prices showed signs of brief recovery as a strike in Kuwait temporarily cut the countrys production and eased investors concerns over a global glut.

US crude West Texas Intermediate (WTI) bounced 1.6 per cent to trade at US$40.62 a barrel from a four-day slump of 5.7 per cent, while London-traded Brent crude rebounded 2 per cent to trade at $43.77 a barrel after it fell 4 per cent in the same period.

On the local markets, all large-cap energy stocks retreated from gains made last week.

PetroVietnam Gas Corp (GAS) lost 4.4 per cent and PetroVietnam Technical Service Corp (PVS) was down 2.5 per cent, while PetroVietnam Coating Corp (PVB), PetroVietnam Mud Drilling Corp (PVC) and PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Service Corp (PVD) slipped between 5.1 per cent and 5.5 per cent.

Local markets faced the strongest profit-taking activity in blue chips since January, as investor confidence was low due to a lack of supporting news on the markets, Sai Gon-Ha Noi Securities Corp (SHS) wrote in its daily report.

Blue chips also started to decline as they made gains last week, such as insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), Vietcombank (VCB) and property developer Vingroup JSC (VIC).

BVH slid 2.9 per cent after gaining 4 per cent last week, VIC slumped 4.4 per cent after it surged 9.5 per cent, VCB inched down 0.2 per cent from a rise of 2.7 per cent.

Brokerage firms also made losses. HCM City Securities Corp (HCM) fell 5 per cent, Sai Gon Securities Inc (SSI) was down 1.4 per cent, and VNDirect Securities Corp (VND) decreased by 1.7 per cent.

Both local markets traded nearly 199 million shares worth nearly VN2.9 trillion ($128.8 million), a decrease of 6.3 per cent from last weeks daily trading value.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnam Environmental Industry Association called for the creation of incentives to promote the development of the industry at a conference in Ha Noi last week.

The conference sought to review the implementation of a project on developing the environmental industry in Viet Nam for the 2010-15 period and set goals through to 2025.

Preferential financial policies were needed for environmental service providers, the association said, adding that incentives should be devised to boost the consumption of domestically made environmentally friendly products, while financial assistance should be provided for promotional events. Localities also needed to develop their own plans for developing the sector through 2020, it added.

Sharing this view, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) Nguyen Huy Hoan stressed the need for legal documents guiding the application of the incentives, in terms of finance, infrastructure, land and taxes for the production and import of machines, equipment and vehicles used in collecting, transporting and processing waste.

Developing a mechanism on environmental technology transfers should also be considered, Hoan said.

In the 2010-15 period, within the framework of the project, the ministry approved 57 research missions relating to technology, equipment and products serving the industry, with a total investment of VN198 billion (US$8.91 million).

There are nearly 4,000 licenced firms operating nationwide in the environmental field, said the associations chairman, Nguyen inh Hiep. A majority of them are small-sized enterprises, with capital below VN5 billion (US$225,000), Hiep noted.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment the environmental firms have not been able to invest into areas which require large investments due to their small scale.

There are almost no State-owned enterprises in the sector eligible to resolve large environmental issues, such as harmful solid waste and oil spills.  VNS
HA NOI  The first-priority mission in coping with climate change now should be ensuring enough fresh water for residents, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, also Chairman of the National Committee on Climate Change at its 7th session yesterday in Ha Noi.

We cant blame lack of capital for not ensuring enough fresh water for our residents, he said.

Phuc ordered the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to take measures to assist farmers in the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands  the two regions most severely affected by the historic once-in-a-century drought  to store fresh water for daily life and production.

Building reservoirs to serve demands on fresh water for the daily life and production of residents in the delta was another prioritised task, he said.

Phuc assigned the agricultural ministry to establish an inspection team to check the impact of climate change on the delta these days and to propose the most suitable solutions.

The meeting was organised to set new tasks in the fight against climate change for the committee this year as well as identifying remaining challenges.

Speaking at the session to recommend targets for the committee this year, Minister Cao uc Phat said the country was advised to improve its capability of analysing and forecasting disasters and other phenomena triggered by climate change.

Authorised agencies should spend more capital to improve the irrigation system in the Mekong Delta in order to battle saltwater intrusion in the region, he said.

Minister of Planning and Investment, Nguyen Chi Dung, suggested that all regional-level planning should be thoroughly reviewed to avoid overlapping investments for battling climate change in the coming times.

Deputy Prime Minister, Trinh inh Dung, said it was momentous to set up a programme to supply fresh water for residents in the delta.

Challenges remain

In his report presented at the meeting, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said that climate-change mitigation activities were still facing big challenges, therefore, more long-term drastic solutions were needed to deal with it.

Ha pointed out remaining challenges such as climate change developing faster than forecast, and the occurrence of extreme weather phenomena are more complicated and unpredictable than expected, he said.

In the meantime, inadequate policies were identified as one of causes for failing to attract capital investment from enterprises or social organisations in coping with climate change, he said.

Clean and renewable energy were yet to be effectively developed and used as expected, he added.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assigned the committee to quickly build a roadmap to struggle with climate change in line with both the natural conditions and the socio-economic development of the country. This is to include raising public awareness of the effects of climate change, perfecting policies, improving forecasting activities and strengthening international co-operation.

"Climate change is a hot issue, not only receiving a lot of attention from the international community, but also from the Government of Viet Nam because the country was one of five that will suffer most from climate change," he said.

The National Committee on Climate Change was established in 2012 following a Government decision.

Forest fire warnings for 20 localities

Twenty provinces and cities throughout the country have been put on the highest alert for forest fires yesterday due to the prolonged heat wave and drought, warned the Viet Nam Forestry Administration under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The provinces and cities stretch over the regions of the north-western, central, Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta.

The administration directed all 20 local authorities to mobilise all forces to take action in case of emergency. They were ordered to instruct local people to not burn crops to avoid forest fires, the administration said.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese-American Nguyen Thanh Viet has won the Pulitzer Prize 2016 for his novel titled The Sympathizer.

Viet beat two other finalists -- Kelly Links Get in Trouble: Stories, published by Random House, and Margaret Verbles Mauds Line, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt -- in the fiction category, the Pulitzer website announced.

Born in Viet Nam and brought up in America, Viet, 25, teaches English and American Studies at the University of Southern California and lives in Los Angeles.

The Sympathizer is Viets debut novel and was published by Grove Press. The story follows the life of a man raised by his Vietnamese mother in the absence of his French father. The man goes to university in America but later returns to Viet Nam to fight for the Viet Nam Peoples Army.

Viet Thanh Nguyens astonishing novel takes us inside the mind of this double agent, a man whose lofty ideals necessitate his betrayal of the people closest to him. A gripping spy novel, an astute exploration of extreme politics, and a moving love story, The Sympathizer explores a life between two worlds and examines the legacy of the Vietnam War in literature, film, and the wars we fight today, the Pulitzer website said.

Thanks for all your good wishes, Viet wrote on Facebook. I double checked with real people in my publishers office and they say The Sympathizer really did win the Pulitzer Prize. Unless this is some cosmic virtual reality trick, Im stunned.

The Pulitzer committee praised The Sympathizer as a layered immigrant tale told in the wry, confessional voice of a man of two minds and two countries, Viet Nam and the United States.

Viets The Sympathizer was judged by critic and author Art Winslow (chair), Francis Lee Higginson, professor of English at Harvard University Leah Price, and author and professor of English at George Washington University Edward P Jones, also a past Pulitzer Prize winner.

His stories have appeared in Best New American Voice, TriQuarterly, Narrative, and the Chicago Tribune. He is also the author of the academic book Race and Resistance.

-- VNS
a Nang  More than 200 representatives from travel agencies in Germany started a familiarisation (FAM) trip surveying tourist destinations services in a Nang, including Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountain), Linh Ung Pagoda and various beaches.

The citys Tourism Promotion Centre said the FAM trip, which was organised by Meiers Weltreisen company under the Der Touristik Group from Germany, aims to set up tourism connections between the central region and Europe in the coming years.

A conference on the introduction of tourism in Asia will be held in the city today among local and German travel agencies.

Last year the central city drew in 4.6 million tourists, 1.25 million of whom were foreigners.

a Nang is close to world heritage sites such as Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary and Cham Island in Quang Nam; the Phong Nha-Ke Bang Cave systems in Quang Binh; and the Hue monuments complex.

The city hosts 24 direct international flights and 14 chartered flights a day.  VNS
A view of Hon Mun Island where the Hon Tam Bien Nha Trang Joint-Stock Company has proposed investing in the Hon Mun Marine Ecological Reserve Resort. Photo baodatviet.vn

NHA TRANG  The Peoples Committee of Khanh Hoa Province is considering the construction of a marine eco-reserve resort in a protected marine reserve.

The Hon Tam Bien Nha Trang Joint-Stock Company has proposed investing in the Hon Mun Marine Ecological Reserve Resort on Hon Mun Island and 30,000sq.m of contiguous sea surface.

The province has allowed the company to study and map out the project.

However, Nha Trang Citys chairman Le Huy Toan said that the provinces authorities had not given their approval as the latest proposal submitted did not meet requirements.

The Hon Mun Marine Protected Area became the first marine reserve in Viet Nam in 2001.

The Marine Protected Area was set up with financing from the Global Environmental Facility through the World Bank, the Danish International Development Agency, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Government of Viet Nam.

Implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries, Khanh Hoa Province and the IUCN, the area protects the biodiversity and ecosystems of Nha Trang Bay. -- VNS
UNITED NATIONS  World governments at a UN meeting on the global drug problem were urged on Tuesday to move away from repression, abolish the death penalty for drug offenses and step up treatment.

In the first such meeting in nearly 20 years, the UN General Assembly adopted a document that marks a shift away from the "war on drugs" launched in the 1970s, with its heavy-handed approach centered on law enforcement and criminalisation.

"Drug policies that focus almost exclusively on the use of the criminal justice system need to be broadened. They need to be broadened by embracing a public health approach," said World Health Organisation (WHO) director Margaret Chan, drawing applause.

The three-day special session was requested by Colombia, Mexico and Guatemala, which have felt the brunt of the war on drugs with an explosion of crime and violence.

Mexicos President Enrique Pena Nieto said the fight against drugs must be seen from a "human rights perspective" and warned that harsh penalties for drug use "create a vicious cycle of marginalisation and crime."

Saying that his country had paid a "high price" for failed global drug policies, he also backed calls for decriminalising marijuana use for medical and scientific purposes.

Delegates from the European Union, Switzerland, Brazil, Costa Rica and Uruguay, among others, called for abolishing capital punishment for convicted drug felons, a practice widely used by China, Iran and Indonesia.

Indonesias delegate drew jeers when he declared that the use of the death penalty was a matter for individual states to decide, in a statement backed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, China, Iran and Pakistan, among other countries.

The document adopted at the session makes no reference to the death penalty but calls on government to "promote proportionate national sentencing policies... whereby the severity of penalties is proportionate to the gravity of offenses."

Pakistan said it was gravely concerned by the trend toward legalising the use of marijuana and other drugs.

Uruguay became the first county to fully legalise marijuana in 2013 and Canada is among countries looking at a similar measure.

"This would give a fillip to drug demand, thus igniting the supply chain having direct fallouts on our region," Pakistans Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan warned.

"We have dreamed of a drug-free society rather than a drug-tolerant society," he said.

Chinas Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun agreed: "Any form of legalisation of narcotics should be resolutely opposed."

Hong Kong success

Some 27 million people worldwide are living with drug-use disorders, and more than 400,000 of them die each year, according to the WHO.

Drug use by injection accounts for 30 percent of new HIV infections outside Africa and contributes to epidemics of hepatitis B and C in all regions.

The WHOs Chan singled out Hong Kong as a success story, saying methadone treatment for drug users had been key to reducing petty crime.

"People with drug dependence can be helped and returned to productive use in society," she said.

The adopted document calls for "appropriate medication-assisted therapy programs, injecting equipment programs as well as antiretroviral therapy and other relevant interventions."  AFP
Under the national strategy, for the 2016-25 period with a vision towards 2030, Viet Nam targets reducing the number of criminal cases by 3-5 per cent by 2020.  Illustrative image/ Photo chinhphu.vn

HA NOI Viet Nam News - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a strategy for crime prevention and combat aimed at reducing crime and social ills, ensuring social order and safety and supporting national development.

Under the national strategy, for the 2016-25 period with a vision towards 2030, Viet Nam targets reducing the number of criminal cases by 3-5 per cent by 2020.

It also targets increasing the rate of investigations and the exploration of criminal cases from 75 per cent upwards and the rate of investigations and trials for very serious crimes to more than 95 per cent by 2020.

The strategy outlines specific solutions, including improving the effectiveness of preventive action across the entire political system and the community. It focuses on linking the creation and adoption of socio-economic developmental policies with crime prevention and combating tasks and on resolving any shortcomings or legal loopholes that allow criminals to get away with committing crimes.

In particular, when developing and adopting economic policies, such as those that relate to contributing capital or providing credit to foreign-invested businesses and foreign-invested projects or those relating to economic restructuring and business restructuring and equitisation, the new strategy requires strict supervision of financial and audit agencies to prevent the loss of State assets.

It also points out the need to have mechanism and management policies in place to tighten the operations of commercial banks, the capital market, the securities market and the real estate market.

The strategy also puts forward the study and renewal of social policies related to crime prevention and combat, such as policies related to job creation, labour export, poverty reduction and education.

Other solutions include issuing regulations on appraising whether security and order for key national socio-economic development projects have been ensured; improving the effectiveness of movements to mobilise the population to collectively defend national security; adding and promoting such improvements in key areas, including ethnic minority-inhabited areas, island and border areas, industrial zones and big cities; and renewing methods to disseminate information and educate the people to raise public awareness of crime prevention and combat.

The strategy also focuses on strengthening preventive activities and the professional capacity of related officials.

Investigation agencies at all levels found more than 57,460 social order violations involving 89,440 people in 2015, according to a government report presented at a working session of the 13th National Assemblys 10th session late last year.

Although the figures represent year-on-year decreases of 5.63 per cent in the number of cases and 9.13 per cent in the number of violators, brutal murders motivated by social causes have arisen, plaguing public security.

Crime involving weapons and explosives as well as gambling is rampant in many localities, the report said.

Besides this, 1,415 violations of economic management regulations have been brought to light, with 2,232 people involved. Most of them took advantage of loopholes in economic State management policies, especially in the fields of investment, infrastructure construction and real estate, to swindle the company, it said.  VNS
President Tran ai Quang (Right) receives Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Fukada Hiroshi yesterday.  Photo VNA

HA NOI Viet Nam News - President Tran ai Quang extended his condolences over the great losses in human lives and assets suffered by the Japanese people in recent consecutive earthquakes in Kumamoto prefecture while receiving Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Fukada Hiroshi yesterday.

Quang said he believed that under the Japanese governments leadership and with the peoples willpower, Japan will live through the consequences and help disaster-hit locals rebuild.

He asked for Japans continued assistance in responding to climate change - especially drought and saline intrusion in the central, Central Highlands and southern regions.

Viet Nam treasures its intensive strategic partnership with Japan, and considers Japan its most important partner, he said, adding that the signing of a joint vision statement on Viet Nam-Japan relations showed that the two countries found a common voice in promoting bilateral ties.

Viet Nam decided to send a high-level delegation headed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Japan to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in May.

President Tran ai Quang also expressed his hope that Japan would maintain its voice supporting Viet Nam in the East Sea issue.

For his part, Ambassador Hiroshi stressed the significance of the visits paid by the two countries leaders for the development of bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attaches importance to relations with Viet Nam, reflected through his invitation to his Vietnamese counterpart to attend the G7 Summit. This would offer a chance for the two leaders to discuss goals for the future, he said.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the diplomat affirmed that Japan backs the stance of not addressing disputes unilaterally. He said it was important for the two countries to raise their voice at regional and international forums.

VN-Russian relations

On the same day Quang hosted a reception for Russian Ambassador to Viet Nam Konstantin Vnukov, assuring his guest that Russia was a high priority in Viet Nams diplomatic policy.

He informed the ambassador that Viet Nam is working with Russia to prepare for the ASEAN-Russia Summit to be held in Sochi next month.

In the annual list of tasks to boost the strategic partnership, the president suggested focusing on political, trade, national defence and securities ties, particularly related to oil, gas and nuclear power.

The host urged Vnukov to recommend that the Russian government sign a free trade agreement (FTA) between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), of which Russia is a member.

On the occasion, he also extended his invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Viet Nam.

Vnukov said the Russian parliament stood ready to approve the FTA between Viet Nam and the EEU.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam is seeing an increase in the number of people with anaphylaxis, according to experts at a conference last week on emergency critical care medicine and medical toxicology.

Coupled with the rising frequency of allergic reactions, many people dont receive medical care until its already too late, resulting in a high death rate.

Professor Nguyen Gia Binh, head of the Emergency Critical Care Medicine Department at Bach Mai Hospital, said the hospital used to only see a few cases of anaphylaxis per year, but in the last few years, they have seen anaphylactic shock cases daily.

Anaphylactic shock is seen more frequently and has become more complicated, he said.

According to the World Allergy Organisation, anaphylactic shock can be defined as a widespread and very serious allergic reaction. Symptoms include dizziness, loss of consciousness, laboured breathing, swelling of the tongue and breathing tubes, blueness of the skin, low blood pressure, heart failure and death.

Immediate emergency treatment is required for this type of shock, including the administration of epinephrine in the case of bee or wasp stings.

Binh blamed the increase of anaphylaxis in Viet Nam on the rise of certain medical interventions, particularly among women who undergo cosmetic surgeries.

He also warned about food allergies causing anaphylaxis.

He said one female patient around 20 years old was allergic to Indian taro. Her mouth became itchy after eating Indian food for the first time, but after eating it a second time, she could hardly breathe. Doctors at Bach Mai Hospital helped get her heart beating again, but her brain shut down because of an oxygen shortage.

Binh said that people with anaphylaxis can be saved if they receive immediate proper medical care.

However, there are no clear symptoms or signals that warn people about anaphylaxis, and it can happen anywhere, not only in healthcare centres or hospitals.

"Even in hospitals, patients may die if they are injected with an anaesthetic, because some may be allergic to it and unable to alert doctors," Binh said.

He said that in the last two years, Bach Mai Hospital administered adrenaline to treat anaphylaxis in a pilot programme with clinical tests on 161 patients.

Binh, who is also president of the Viet Nam Association of Emergency Critical Care Medicine and Medical Toxicology, said that intramuscular adrenaline could be an effective and affordable way to save anaphylactic patients.

He said that if the treatment were approved by the Health Ministry for widescale usage, adrenaline should be available on airplanes, firefighter trucks, and emergency vehicles, and carried by workers in remote areas like border guards and forest rangers.

People who experience allergies should always carry it with them, he said. -- VNS
Binh Duong is seeking extension of HCM Citys first metro route from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien so that it can reach the provinces My Phuoc-Tan Van Road.  Photo nld.com.vn

HCM CITY  After ong Nai Province, it is now the turn of Binh Duong to seek extension of HCM Citys first metro route from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien so that it can reach the provinces My Phuoc-Tan Van Road.

The province has sought Ministry of Transport approval, saying the 1.8km extension -- from HCM Citys Suoi Tien station to the Tan Van T-junction -- would help attract local and overseas investors to the province and develop new urban areas along the route.

If the metro route is extended to Binh Duong it would create favourable conditions to develop HCM City, Bien Hoa and Binh Duong New City, it said.

In January ong Nai Province had asked the ministry to extend the route by 4.7km to the Vung Tau intersection in Bien Hoa city.

ong Nai Peoples Commitee deputy chairman Tran Van Vinh told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that extending the route makes sense since ong Nai is located near HCM Citys eastern entrance and connects it with the northern and Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) regions.

The province also has 29 industrial parks, which attract a large number of workers and experts who live in HCM City and regularly travel between the two localities, thus causing heavy traffic and jams.

The extension of the first metro route  will significantly ease the traffic jams at the eastern gate way of HCM City.

The change would also improve the metros efficiency and create an impetus for economic development in the area.

Though the ministry has yet to reply in detail to the two provincesextension proposals, they have begun to make preparations.

ong Nai authorities said land for laying the tracks and building the station across from the Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Park has been arranged.

According to Binh Duong authorities, a considerable amount of money has been earmarked to build the My Phuoc-Tan Van Road and develop public transport along the road.

Nguyen Van Hung, general director of the province-owned Becamex IDI Corporation, said the province is building the 26.5km road linking the My Phuoc Urban Area and Industrial Park with HCM Citys Ha Noi Express Highway.

Once finished, the road will reduce the time needed to transport goods from the province and HCM City to deep water ports in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province

The construction is also part of preparations for connecting Binh Duong with the metro for the benefit of commuters. Besides, the Binh Duong authorities have done the spadework to get funds from Japanese official development assistance (ODA) for construction of a metro route to HCM City in future.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc ong said, The transport ministry advocates the extension of the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro route to the two provinces since it is also part of HCM Citys plans to develop urban metro systems to connect the city with satellite cities like Bien Hoa.

ong Nai and Binh Duong have to work with HCM City to make specific plans to extend the metro route to the two provinces. The transport ministry will instruct consulting units to assess the plan.

Many government and independent experts have stressed the need to extend the metro route to ong Nai and Binh Duong, but call for careful studies first.

The metro project was first proposed in 2001 as part of a comprehensive public transport network plan for HCM City and neighbouring provinces with the aim of easing traffic congestion.

It also includes three monorail lines with a total length of 37km and six metro routes running 107km -- Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, Ben Thanh-Tham Luong, Ben Thanh- Binh Tan, Lang Cha Ca-Van Thanh, and Thu Thiem-Can Giuoc.

Ben Thanh will be a hub connecting most of the routes.

The first metro and its underground stations near the Opera House and Ben Thanh Market in District 1 are under construction.  VNS
A medical staff instructs on mosquito and lavae prevention for residents in southern ong Nai Province. A campaign to destroy mosquitoes and their larvae was launched yesterday in the province to prevent the spread of dengue fever and the Zika virus.  VNA/VNS Photo Duong Ngoc

HCM CITY  A campaign to destroy mosquitoes and their larvae was launched yesterday in the southeast province of ong Nai to prevent the spread of dengue fever and the Zika virus.

Cao Trong Nguong, head of the provincial Preventive Health Centre, said the Peoples Committee had allocated VN1.8 billion (US$80,000) for the four-day campaign.

Under the campaign, health officials and health collaborators at communes and wards will visit each household to check for containers with mosquito larvae and guide residents in how to destroy them.

They will also encourage every household to maintain hygiene and refrain from throwing rubbish around their homes.

The centre will work with managers of industrial parks and military headquarters to spray chemicals, Nguong said.

The province has had the highest number of dengue fever cases in the country as it has many industrial parks with thousands of people.

Dengue fever has not yet peaked in the province, he said, adding that no Zika cases had been recorded in the province.

A report from the centre shows that the province has had about 1,400 dengue fever cases since January, an increase of more than 26 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Of these, three people have died due to the disease, compared to two over the same period last year.

The centre will carry out three more campaigns, with total capital of more than VN10 billion (US$444,444) by the end of the year.  VNS
Thanks to technical assistance from surgeons at HCM Citys Thu uc District Hospital, doctors at District 11 Hospital were abldle to perform, for the first time, operations on a broken leg and hernia. -- Photo n ld.com.vn

HCM CITY-- Thanks to technical assistance from surgeons at HCM Citys Thu uc District Hospital, doctors at District 11 Hospital were able to perform, for the first time, operations on a broken leg and hernia.

The surgeries involved three patients, two with a broken leg, and another with a hernia.

One of the patients has returned to work, and the others are recovering at the hospital, according to Dr oan Van Loc, head of the hospitals surgery ward.

In the past, these cases were transferred to city-level hospitals such as Peoples Hospital No.115, Trung Vuong Hospital and Hospital for Trauma and Orthopaedic.

It was difficult for us to perform the surgery, Loc said, but added that they now have confidence about their skills.

The guidance from doctors from Thu uc District Hospital began earlier this month.

The doctors were enthusiastic and ready to provide assistance for us at any time, Loc said.

Dr Tang Chi Thuong, deputy head of the citys Department of Health, told the press that training and co-operation between hospitals was one of 10 solutions being carried out for patient overload.

When the capacity of district hospitals doctors improves, local residents begin to show trust in the doctors, leading to an increase in patients.

A report from the department shows that the number of outpatients at district hospitals rose last year to 26 per cent from 2 per cent in 2014.

They also saw an increase in inpatients, to 19 per cent last year from 5 per cent in 2014. --VNS
QUANG BINH (VNS)  Polluted water containing toxic substances is the cause of the recent mass fish deaths in the coastal areas in this central province.

This information was revealed in a report released yesterday by the provinces Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

Local authorities have asked relevant ministries to determine the specific cause of the pollution, the vice-director of DARD, Tran inh Du, said.

Fish farmers were recommended not to use water in their ponds and lakes, in which fish were raised, until the mass killings stopped, he said.

The deaths, which were noticed a week ago, have alarmed locals, with concerns growing when an eight-year-old girl in Quang Trach Districts Quang Phu Commune yesterday presented symptoms of food poisoning, including regurgitation, headache and diarrhea, upon eating dead fish found on the beach.

Earlier this month, several fish in floating cages near the Vung Ang industrial zones in the central province of Ha Tinh also died because of the polluted water.

It is believed the polluted water flows towards the south through Quang Binh Province, causing the fish deaths, an official said.  VNS
HCM CITY (VNS)  One person was killed and four others seriously injured in a traffic accident this morning inside the Thu Thiem Tunnel in HCM City.

The accident happened at around 23.30pm on Tuesday when a 1.5-tonne truck travelling from Thu Thiem to downtown HCM City hit a crew of five men who were collecting trash and cleaning the tunnel.

The victims were rushed to the emergency ward of the Sai Gon Gneral Hospital. Pham Thanh Phong, 35, died on the way to hospital. Two others are in critical condition while the other two escaped with light injuries.

The truck was damaged in the accident and the driver has not been identified. The tunnel was closed for three hours after the accident for investigations.  VNS
AK LAK  Many cows and buffaloes in the central highlands province of ak Lak have died from eating indigestible food after a serious shortage of drinking water and food caused by a heat wave, local agricultural authorities said.

Statistics from the Ea Sup District Agriculture and Rural Development Department showed that more than 140 cows, three buffaloes and two goats have died in Ia Rve and Ia Lop communes within the past two months.

Tran Quang Trinh, deputy head of the Ea Sup Districts Agricultural Department said that the department sent an inspection team to the two communes to investigate the mass livestock deaths.

The team found many undigested items such as pieces of sack, nylon, tire and cloth in the animals stomachs.

Trinh said the prolonged hot weather and a shortage of food caused the animals to eat those items. Most suffered from malnutrition, he added.

Pham Bao, a farmer in Ia Rve Commune, said 32 out of his 150 cows died as they had nothing to eat and drink.

Bao said he had to sell the dead cows for VN1.5 million ($67.5) each. The average price of a cow is between VN7-12 million ($315-540).

He said he had to spend VN2 million ($90) to buy straw to feed the rest of the cows, but it was insufficient and the cows had become weaker.

Cao Minh Lu, chairman of the communal Peoples Committee said that the committee reported the situation to provincial authorities to ask for financial support for the farmers.

The districts Peoples Committee said the department asked provincial authorities for financial aid to dig 20 wells in Ia Lop, Ia Rve and Ia Jloi communes.

The department also encouraged local farmers to buy more food for cattle such as straw and powder, and feed them with water to help them survive hot days.  VNS
Viet Nams engagement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) accelerated its process of allowing free association rights to Vietnamese workers by at least five years compared to the Governments initial plan, said a deputy minister yesterday. Photo vietnamplus.vn

HA NOI  Viet Nams engagement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) accelerated its process of allowing free association rights to Vietnamese workers by at least five years compared to the Governments initial plan, said a deputy minister yesterday.

Without the TPP, the (labour) reforms would have taken place only after 2020, Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Deputy Minister Pham Minh Huan said in the first Viet Nam Industrial Relations Forum held yesterday in Ha Noi.

The Forum, jointly held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) together with the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), aimed to identify opportunities and challenges for the countrys industrial relations in the process of international integration, especially with its signing of multiple new-generation free trade agreements, including the TTP.

The historic TPP  officially signed by its 11 members this February in Auckland, New Zealand  was expected to open big economic development opportunities for Viet Nam, although it also pressured the Southeast Asian country to make major reforms to its labour code, and specifically to trade unions.

At the heart of the TPPs requirements, and of the other big free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Union (Viet Nam-EU FTA), is that Viet Nam has to fully respect the principle of free association, or in other words, Vietnamese workers would be completely free to set up or join an independent trade union. That would mark a breakthrough change in employment relations, as so far there is only one state organisation  the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL)  that functions as a trade union in the country. However, it has left much to be desired as it works for the benefits of its nine million labourer members.

According to a report by the MoLISAs Centre for Industrial Relations Development, there were 5,669 strikes nation-wide from 1989 to last year, of which none were organised and managed by the VGCL, or by its 14,000 affiliate trade unions in localities.

It shows that most trade unions at the grassroots level failed to represent their workers, said Maurizio Bussi, Director of the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The establishment of independent trade unions other than the VGCL would help to ensure the rights of the employees, but also posed challenges to the VGCL to have a structural reform in order to survive the competition of other new trade unions that perform better for the sake of their members.

Newly set-up trade unions will be able to choose whether to join the VGCL or act independently. Thus there is the real risk that the workers will leave the VGCL if the organisation itself refuses to carry out reforms, said VGCL Deputy Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thu Hong.

The Vietnamese government, in the meantime, will consider ratifying as soon as possible the three remaining core ILOs Conventions including those on freedom of association, protecting the right to organise, collective bargaining and the abolition of forced labour, said the joint statement of the MoLISA, VCCI and VGCL in the forum.

The forum was planned to be an annual meeting of the three parties to discuss labour-related issues in Viet Nam.  VNS
The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the expansion of the (PTA) with Chile, a move that will help in doubling of exports to the Latin American nation in the future.

"India's export basket with Chile is diversified and keeping in view the wide variety of tariff lines offered by Chile, the expanded PTA would immensely benefit India. Under the proposed expanded PTA, 86% of India's exports to Chile will get covered with concessions, which is likely to result in doubling of our exports in the near future, said a statement released by the government after the cabinet meeting.

As per the expanded PTA, Chile has offered concessions to India on 1,798 tariff lines with margin of preference (MoP) ranging from 30-100%. India has reciprocated on 1,031 tariff lines with MoP at 10-100%.

A PTA between India and Chile was signed in March 2006 and came into effect from August 2007. In 2006-07, Chile was ranked 51st export destination for India. With bilateral trade at $2.3 billion.

The dynamics changed after the PTA came into force from September 2007, pushing up the growth figure by 58.5% between 2006-07 and 2014-15. In 2014-15, the Indo-Chilean trade came in at $3.65 billion, with exports at $0.57 billion and imports at $3.08 billion.
Trade unions, farmers and civil society organisations, including those supported by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS, mentor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party), appealed on Wednesday to Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to not surrender the interests of Indias farmers and domestic industry at the 12th round of trade negotiations for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (RCEP) agreement.

Sitharaman will be leading Indias delegation to the negotiations in Perth, Australia, from Friday.

These bodies have flagged concerns around possible negative impacts of an agreement on access to medicines, on tax policy, investor rights and access of farmers to seeds.

The Anti-FTA (free trade agreement) Committee gave a memorandum to the minister which argues that Indian farmers have suffered after a similar deal between the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) bloc and India. An RCEP, it warned, will further hit the interests of Indian farmers, with Australia and New Zealand asking for deeper access to Indias agricultural markets while continuing to subsidise their farmers.

And, that RCEP will affect generic medicine manufacturing companies and small & medium enterprises. The dairy industry would be hit and so would efforts like Make in India, given the dominance of Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan and South Korea in the relevant sectors.

RCEP has been under negotiation since 2012 between 16 governments in the Asia-Pacific region. Namely, the 10-member Asean plus plus Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and India. The Asean countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Myanmar, Philippines and Singapore.

If concluded, RCEP will be the world's largest trading bloc. An agreement is expected later this year. It is to cover trade in goods, agriculture, services, investment, competition, intellectual property and other areas of economic and technical cooperation.

In a series of tweets, Sitharaman denied reports that India had been asked to cut tariff barriers or exit the talks. She termed such reports baseless and said negotiations were happening on details.

The Anti-FTA Committee includes various trade unions -- the RSS-supported Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (and Swadeshi Andolan), Bharatiya Kisan Union, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Centre for Indian Trade Unions, All India Trade Union Congress and Ekta Parishad. Former BJP leader K N Govindacharya is also a signatory to the memorandum that demands a public review of Indias current FTAs, making public all RCEP documents and negotiating texts and consultations with stakeholders, including the states.

The Forum against FTAs, a civil society group, stated the Government of India itself is wary of the overall gains to the Indian economy from RCEP. It asked Indian negotiators to not succumb to pressure, particularly on tariff reductions.

Medecins Sans Frontiers, an international humanitarian medical body, said the agreement would restrict access to affordable generic medicines for people in many countries who will be part of the agreement and also for millions around the world who rely on life-saving affordable generics from India.
Housing Development Corporation (HDFC) on Tuesday informed the stock exchanges that it has in-principle agreed to sell up to 10 per cent of its stake in Standard Life through offer for sale.

Lifes board of directors approved taking steps to initiate the initial public offer (IPO) process.

This would be the first life insurance company in the country to be listed.

The insurer was waiting for a nod from Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), which had referred its foreign direct investment (FDI) hike proposal in Life to Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

The board of directors of HDFC Life approved taking steps to initiate the process for an initial public offer (IPO) by way of offer for sale by the Corporation, up to 10 per cent of the paid-up and issued equity share capital of HDFC Life, said HDFC in a stock exchange notification.

The IPO is subject to relevant regulatory approvals including that of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, Securities & Exchange Board of India among others.

On April 1, Housing Development Corporation had informed the exchanges that it completed the sale of its nine per cent stake in HDFC Life to Standard Life. This deal was announced in August 2015.

The foreign partner is taking its stake up to 35 per cent from 26 per cent in HDFC Life. The value of the nine per cent stake is Rs 1,705 crore valuing the company at Rs 18,951.4 crore.

HDFC Life is a joint venture between HDFC and Standard Life Plc, a provider of financial services in the UK. Standard Life (Mauritius Holding) Ltd holds 26 per cent stake in the joint venture.

In 2000, HDFC and Standard Life launched a joint venture, HDFC Life, which was the first private life insurance company to be granted a licence to operate in India.

As per a company statement, HDFC Life posted net profit of Rs 818 crore for the year ended March 31, 2016, showing a growth of 4.2 per cent compared to previous financial year.

New business premium grew by 18.1 per cent to Rs 6,487 crore in FY16 compared to Rs 5,492 crore collected in the previous financial year.

HDFC Lifes total premiums collected grew by 10 per cent to Rs 16,313 crore in FY16 from Rs 14,830 crore in in FY15.

The insurer also recently completed incorporation of its wholly-owned subsidiary in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) called the HDFC International Life and Re Company Limited (HILRCL).

HILRCL would initially offer reinsurance capacity to ceding insurers and may also foray into directly underwriting insurance contracts subject to receipt of necessary approvals.
Malta's left-of-centre government survived a no confidence vote linked to revelations from the so-called Panama Papers, which named the energy minister and the prime minister's chief-of-staff.

After 13 hours of debate, during which 50 of the parliament's 69 members had asked to speak, the opposition motion was dismissed by 38 to 31.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Twitter following the vote: "The vote of confidence is strong and without ambiguity, and gives us the energy to continue to work hard and achieve results."



Meanwhile, leader of the opposition Simon Busuttil described the government as "in crisis and corrupt".

The Labour government has an eight-seat majority, but the opposition-led attack is seen as damaging to Muscat's administration.

Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and Muscat's chief of staff, businessman Keith Schembri, were both named in the leak of millions of files from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca.

The files appear to indicate the law firm had been instructed to open bank accounts for the two officials in the Caribbean, Panama, Dubai and Miami.

They also reveal that the banks concerned were asking for initial deposits of $1 million.

Both Mizzi and Schembri have denied any wrongdoing and have rebuffed calls for them to resign.

Muscat has said he will await the outcome of an investigation before taking any decisions.

The Panama files have created problems for political figures in a number of countries around the world.

Spanish industry minister Jose Manuel Soria resigned on Friday after he was shown to have connections to offshore companies that he had initially denied.

Iceland's prime minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was forced to resign after it emerged he had huge amounts of cash stashed in the British Virgin Islands.

The majority of offshore accounts and companies are legal but their opaque structures are sometimes used to conceal ill-gotten or politically inconvenient wealth.
03:18 Xi Jinping secures third term Chinas President Xi Jinping has secured his place as China's most influential, longest-serving president since revolutionary leader Mao Zedong....

02:09 Rishi Sunak enters UK leadership contest Former UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak is the front-runner to become the next British Prime Minister, as he formally announced his leadership bid.

01:08 Boris Johnson will not run for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced he will not run for the leadership of the UK Conservative Party.

01:45 Evacuation order remains for Echuca residents Flood-weary residents in the northern Victorian town of Echuca are on high alert as they prepare for the worst flooding in over 100 years.

02:27 Welfare spending blows out in budget Australia's welfare bill will surpass $120 billion this financial year, as another budget blowout is revealed.
UPDATE: The victim in the work-related accident at Iowa Premium Beef has been identified as Roger J. Purk, 22, of Tama.

Purk died Wednesday after being caught in a piece of machinery. The incident remains under investigation.

His funeral arrangements are being handled through Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

EARLIER STORY

TAMA -- An industrial accident early Wednesday claimed the life of a 22-year-old man at a beef processing plant in Tama.

Tama Police reported a call to the Iowa Premium Beef plant, 3337 L Ave., Tama, about 3:50 a.m. Wednesday.

When officers and firefighters arrived they found the man caught in machinery. He was dead when rescuers arrived at the plant.

Police have not released an identity yet.

The Iowa Premium plant reopened in the fall of 2014 after new owners purchased a former meat packing facility that had closed. A spokesperson for Iowa Premium has not responded to calls yet for more information.
WATERLOO -- The Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of citizens reporting a telephone scam from a party claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service.

The caller states that there has been a criminal lawsuit filed against them, gives a bogus case number and that the person or their attorney needs to call a number to take care of the issue.

At times the caller also asks to confirm the person's Social Security number or asks for a credit card number or bank account number so the matter can be taken care of.

The Internal Revenue Service does not handle matters in this way, the Sheriff's Office said. If people receive these types of calls they need to hang up the telephone and not give out any personal information including any Social Security and credit card numbers and never agree to send them any money.

If residents receive these calls they are urged not to respond, but contact local law enforcement if they have any questions about suspicious calls.
WAVERLY  Construction began Monday on Bremer Avenue in downtown Waverly affecting traffic on the bridge across the Cedar River and three blocks of downtowns east side.

The work is being done to replace waterlines in some downtown buildings to bring them up to fire code for new residential spaces. The project is expected to take four to five weeks, engineers said.

Initially, business and property owners along the work area were told parking on Bremer Avenue would remain available on the north side of the road. That wasnt the case once construction began Monday. Travis Toliver, executive director of the Waverly Chamber of Commerce, delivered a letter to the City Council on Monday from Fehr Graham Engineering and Environmental apologizing for the misinformation.

Mayor Charles Infelt asked if portions of pedestrian walkways closed Monday could be restored at least in the evenings.

You could have a daytime pattern and a nighttime pattern, Infelt suggested.

The work started one week before city and Iowa Department of Transportation officials hold an informational meeting about a complete reconstruction of Bremer Avenue, also state Highway 3, through Waverly starting in 2017. That project will encompass 28 city blocks, be done in four phases and take two construction seasons to complete.

Mike Cherry, Waverly city engineer, said the construction underway Monday had both good and bad timing.

Its good because we get to see what its going to look like next year, Cherry said.

Its also a reminder to people about Mondays meeting with transportation officials, he said. On the other hand, some people might confuse the current work with the larger project not slated to begin until 2017.

Cherry isnt the only one aware of the timing of the project.

Building owners, who formed Waverly Downtown Development LLC, are using their funds and grant money from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to pay for the current project. However, the Bremer Avenue reconstruction project will include replacing the approximately 75-year-old water main and water lines through downtown. That part of the coming project could be an opportunity for other building owners to make similar upgrades at a smaller cost.

However, the LLC building owners cant wait another year to fill their residential spaces. Initially, the LLC was hoping the water work could be started last fall, said Ann Seggerman, who owns 118 E. Bremer Ave. Delaying completion of the residential spaces also could cost the group the $3 million in IEDA grant funding, said Rich Seggerman.

We certainly would have loved it if the timing had worked out, he said.

The Waverly City Council on Monday passed resolutions to enter into a design agreement with the Iowa DOT for Bremer Avenue. The council also passed a resolution requiring all substandard lines to the water main under Bremer Avenue be replaced.

The state and the city would shoulder some of the expenses to property owners replacing substandard water lines. Since the street will already be under construction, property owners wont have to pay for paving work, traffic control and other construction-related costs.

I can tell you its going to be a fraction of the cost (Waverly Downtown Development) are paying now, Cherry told the council Monday night.

Council members also suggested taking on some other costs to cover the mandate.

Maybe as a city we can be creative or something and find some way to assist with that, said Dave Reznicek, at-large council member.

The goal of the requirement is to address problems while the roadway is torn up.

The most important thing is to get this out from under the new roadway, Cherry said.

Were trying to establish that if its substandard, it will be replaced, said James Bronner, Waverly city administrator. Problems with substandard lines or projects that require upgrading old lines could force the city to tear up the new roadway.

Thats something I would not want to see happen a month after it opens, Bronner said.

How much of the cost, if any, the city may pay for replacing water lines is yet to be determined. Where the city aid would stop, at the curb or at the building, was not decided.

Im a little reluctant to force an upgrade for a homeowner or a business owner, said Dan McKenzie, Ward 2 council member.

The lower cost of upgrading water lines due to the already planned construction could be a selling point to convince property owners to do so, said Tim Kangas, Ward 5 council member.

I think that would be the way to communicate this, Kangas said. That this would be an opportunity to upgrade.

City and state DOT officials will be on hand at Waverly City Hall on Monday to talk about the Bremer Avenue reconstruction project.

Presentations begin at 5 and 6 p.m. Input from the public is welcome. A follow-up presentation with more design details based on public input will be given at meeting this summer.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man was released on bond Wednesday following a Tuesday afternoon police chase that ended when he crashed into a home.

Authorities said Montavis Terell Keller, 24, of 842 Conger St., drove head-on at oncoming traffic and swerved toward an officer on foot during the pursuit, which hit speeds of 90 mph at one point. After Kellers Nissan Altima slammed into 2312 Lafayette St., officers found several bags of marijuana near the vehicle and on his person, and they discovered a firearm inside the car.

And Black Hawk County sheriffs deputies who took Keller to jail suspected he was under the influence of drugs because of his slowed movements and bloodshot eyes, court records state.

Keller was charged with two counts of felony eluding, operating while intoxicated, assault on a peace officer, aggravated assault, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and violation of the drug tax stamp act. He was also cited for driving on the wrong side of the road, unsafe passing, running stoplights and stop signs and speeding.

During a brief appearance in court Wednesday morning, Keller, who has no prior criminal record, said he doesnt have a job but makes $2,000 a month through music.

Judge James Coil set bond at $50,000, and Keller was out of jail before noon.

Court records shed new light on the pursuit, which started at about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday when a patrol officer noticed the Altima speeding and weaving in traffic in the area of West Sixth and Water streets. The vehicle didnt pull over, and the chase involved both Waterloo police and sheriffs deputies as it headed up Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and went east out of the city before returning to Waterloo on Lafayette Street.

A Waterloo police officer ahead of the chase attempted to place Stop Stick devices in the street to stop the pursuit.

The defendant steered the Altima around a school bus and then toward the officer before he deployed the Stop Sticks, an officer wrote in a criminal complaint submitted to the court. The officer deployed the Stop Sticks and had to run to get out of harms way to avoid being hit by the Altima.

The Atlima ran over the spikes and continued another block before the driver apparently lost control and struck the house, said Capt. David Mohlis with the Waterloo Police Department.

People were inside the house but werent injured. The impact knocked the homes furnace loose, causing a natural gas leak, and a small fire started in the home.

Mohlis said Keller attempted to run from the wreckage but was detained a short distance away. Keller declined field sobriety and urine tests, court records state.

Court records said the bags of marijuana totaled more than 42 grams. Mohlis said Keller had a permit to carry the handgun found in his vehicle.

The car was removed from the house Tuesday night.
CEDAR FALLS  The University of Northern Iowa had a decrease in the number of criminal offenses in 2015 but a small uptick in arrests for those incidents compared to its 2014 figures, according to an annual campus and safety report submitted to the Iowa Board of Regents.

UNI reported 753 incidents or offenses on campus in 2015. Those resulted in 209 charges and 154 people arrested.

The figures are dwarfed by those reported at the other, larger public universities Iowa and Iowa State. The number of offenses at University of Iowa was 2,303 in 2015, with 462 people arrested. At Iowa State University, 1,879 offenses and 792 people arrested.

While the trends at UNI since 2007 show a recent increase in incidents, the number of people arrested has been fairly stable during that time.

UNI Police Chief Helen Haire said the changes in offenses cannot be attributed to any one thing, with one exception of the 204 incidents of wire fraud in 2014.

Its really difficult for us sometimes to talk about the whys. Why did this decrease? Or, why did this increase? Because there may not be any one particular thing that we can pull out and say, Its because of this, Haire said. I think were holding pretty steady.

Violent crimes were nearly nonexistent on campus in 2014 and 2015. There were no reported cases of manslaughter or homicide or kidnapping. There was one case of rape in 2015 and two cases in 2014.

One area where UNI had an increase in incidents is 90 cases of theft and 15 cases of burglary, which represented 19 more cases of theft and nine more cases of burglary than in 2014.

Haire, who also is the universitys director of public safety, didnt have an exact reason for those increases, but she suspects it has to do with the increase in devices students carry today, from cell phones to tablets to computers.

Haire said the 2014 wire fraud offenses, which were from a data breach that led to identity theft and a tax return scam, also could represent a possible future trend.

While UNI had 204 offenses in 2014, it had none in 2015.

I think thatll be a constant issue that were going to have from now on, Haire said.

There were slight increases in arrests for drunkenness and drunk driving, as well as an increase in arrests for drug violations and drug equipment violations.

Haire said the increase is likely due to the educational efforts on campus, where students learn if they see drug violations occurring, they should contact the police.

I kind of look at it as its good and its bad. Its good that were getting people to understand and to call us. Its bad that people are actually doing it and continue to do it, Haire said, adding most of the drug and drug equipment violations relate to marijuana use.

Staffing levels among UNI law enforcement remains steady. In 2015, there were 18 sworn state-certified officers and five state-certified dispatchers.

The Iowa Board of Regents and its academic and student affairs committee will accept the annual report on campus safety and security from across its institutions during their respective meetings this week Wednesday and Thursday at the Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs.
Improvements will include the addition of a second turn lane at each of the four legs of the Highway 58 and Ridgeway Avenue intersection.
DES MOINES  After taking an overnight break, the Iowa House finished work on a $1.8 billion health and human services budget Wednesday morning that minority Democrats argued doesnt reflect their priorities or those of Iowans and doesnt include adequate oversight of the transition to private Medicaid management.

Floor manager Rep. Dave Heaton, R-Mount Pleasant, conceded the 56-42 party-line vote reflected the divided sentiments of the House, but at the end, there will be people in this room who will be much happier.

House passage is just the beginning of completing the far-reaching health and human services budget, which, he said, is expected to be sorted out by a House-Senate conference committee.

Much of the angst with the budget was over the transition to private Medicaid management, which began April 1 despite warnings from Democratic lawmakers that Iowans who depend on the state-federal program would face cancellation of services, be forced to change health care providers and bureaucratic hurdles and delays.

In the big picture, Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, said the House plan underfunded Medicaid by $13 million  a practice not unusual regardless of which party controls the Legislature. That means that if cost-saving measure suggested by Gov. Terry Branstad dont yield the forecast $16 million, Medicaid will be underfunded by nearly $30 million.

It could have been worse, Heaton countered, if the state had not started the transition to private Medicaid management. Experts told legislators to expect $110 million in savings in the first full year of private management.

Even with those savings, we put an additional $41 million into Medicaid, he said. Imagine the conversation this morning if we had to provide $151 million to continue the program as it was. Nothing, absolutely, nothing, would be available for anything else in this states budget.

In addition to concerns about the Medicaid transition, the lack of oversight and the lack of ombudsmen to help Medicaid beneficiaries through the changes, Democrats opposed a GOP provision to remove funding from providers, like Planned Parenthood, that perform abortions.

In a tight budget year, we leave $3 million in federal money on the table for a program that 74 percent of Iowans want, Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames, said, referring to an Iowa Poll.

A similar measure last year was removed from the budget during conference committee negotiations with Senate majority Democrats.
WATERLOO  Mayor Quentin Hart is attending a national mayoral conference in Washington, D.C., this week.

At least two City Council members believe he should have stayed in Waterloo.

Council members voted 5-2 Monday to approve Harts request to attend the African American Mayors Associations The Urgency of Now 2016 conference today through Saturday in the nations capital.

Councilmen Tom Lind and Steve Schmitt voted against the travel request, which was $1,465 for lodging, meals and registration. Hart is personally paying the airfare.

I believe this trip does not serve a public purpose and is not necessary and beneficial to the city of Waterloo, Lind said.

Schmitt noted hes been voting pretty consistently against travel that isnt for certification or continuing education and also proposed cutting the City Council travel budget in half next year.

But he also said he did not see a benefit to the taxpayers from Harts trip.

I think its a waste of money, Schmitt said. Theres too many other things we could be spending that money on.

Hart questioned the opposition, noting previous mayors have attended national conferences without such opposition.

For some reason now that Im going, its a problem for certain City Council members, he said.

Hart said the AAMA conference gives him the chance to learn from other mayors about programs and opportunities that could benefit Waterloo.

The demographics of some of these communities are similar to ours, Hart said. It puts me in a position for conversation, advocacy and resources that can positively impact our community.

He noted Columbia, S.C., Mayor Stephen Benjamin, for example, whose community has been praised by President Barack Obama for its efforts to strengthen community relations with police.

Thats something I campaigned on, Hart said.
DES MOINES  Lawmakers continued their slow trek toward adjournment Wednesday with action that could usher in cutbacks for at county courthouses.

The Senate voted 26-24 to finalize $181.8 million in spending for Iowas courts, unchanged from existing funding. The judicial branch requested a $5.6 million increase to support 1,903 employees in Iowas 99 courthouses.

State Court Administrator David Boyd said previously warned of layoffs, furloughs, reduced hours or other belt-tightening measures if funding isnt increased.

Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, co-chair of the Legislatures justice-systems budget subcommittee, called the appropriation extremely difficult and painful.

We are short-changing our courts, said Courtney. This is a status-quo budget. As we all know, the status quo budget means potential cutbacks. The Judicial Branch deserves to be able to function at a level where it can adequately serve all Iowans.

Also Wednesday, senators voted 27-23 to approve an economic development budget that provides $43 million in general fund money and $27 million in other funds for job-creation and workforce development, and a $192.3 million for infrastructure projects using state gaming profits.
Elected officials

U.S. senators

Charles Grassley, Waterloo office, 531 Commercial St., Suite 210, 232-6657; Washington, D.C., office (202) 224-3744; www.grassley.senate.gov. (up for re-election in November).

Joni Ernst, Cedar Rapids office, 365-4504; Washington, D.C., office, (202) 224-3254, www. ernst.senate.gov.

U.S. representative

Rod Blum, Cedar Falls office, 515 Main St., Suite D; 266-6925; Washington, D.C., office (202) 225-2911; www.blum.house.gov.

State senators

Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, Senate District 25, P.O. Box 220, Shell Rock, 50670; phone, 269-3664; bill.dix@legis.iowa.gov.

Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls, Senate District 30, P.O. Box 1191, Cedar Falls, 50613; phone, 231-7192; jeff.danielsen@gmail.com.

Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, Senate District 31, 2837 Cedar Terrace Drive, Waterloo, 50702; phone, 296-2947; bill.dotzler@legis.iowa.gov.

Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington, Senate District 32, 221 Park Ave., Arlington 50606; phone, (563) 633-4065; brian.schoenjahn@legis.iowa.gov.

Steven Sodders, D-State Center, Senate District 36, 202 Fifth Ave. S.E., State Center 50247; (641) 754-6380; steve.sodders@legis.iowa.gov.

State representatives

Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, House District 50, 30601 Deer Trail Drive, New Hartford, 50660; phone 983-9019; pat.grassley@legis.iowa.gov.

Deborah Berry, D-Waterloo, House District 62; phone, (515) 281-3221; deborah.berry@legis.iowa.gov (leaving office in November).

Walt Rogers, R-Cedar Falls, House District 60, P.O. Box 1142, Cedar Falls, 50613; phone, (515) 281-3221; walt.rogers@legis.iowa.gov.

Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville, House District 63, (515) 281-3221; sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov.

Bob Kressig, D-Cedar Falls, House District 59; phone, (515) 281-3221; Bob.Kressig@legis.legis.iowa.gov.

Timi Brown-Powers, D-Waterloo, House District 61; phone, (515) 281-3221; timi.brown-powers@legis.legis.iowa.gov.

Dean Fisher, R-Garwin, House District 72, Garwin; (515) 281-3221; dean.fisher@legis.iowa.gov.

Offices

Federal

Federal Bureau of Investigation, 220 W. Ridgeway, 234-4327; www.fbi.gov

Internal Revenue Service, 201 Tower Drive, Waterloo, 234-5719; www.irs.gov

Social Security Administration, 3121 Greyhound Drive, Waterloo, (888) 456-9554; www.ssa.gov

Local

Auditors Office, (Black Hawk County Courthouse), 316 E. Fifth St., Waterloo, 833-3002

Black Hawk County Extension Office, Waterloo, 234-6811

Bremer County Extension Office, Tripoli, 882-4275

Clerk of Court, Black Hawk County Courthouse, 833-3331

District Court, Waterloo (Black Hawk County Courthouse), 316 E. Fifth St., 833-3332

Human Services, Dept. of, Waterloo area (Black Hawk County), 1407 Independence Ave., Waterloo 291-2441

Judicial Department, Clerk of District Court, Waverly, 352-5661;

Natural Resources, Dept. of, Manchester office, (563) 927-2640

Public Defender, adult division, 304 First National Building, 607 Sycamore, Waterloo, 291-2535; juvenile division, 229 E. Park Ave., Waterloo, 291-2595

Public Safety Division, Bureau of Drug & Narcotic Enforcement, 277-4601; Communications Division, 277-4761; Investigation Division, 277-4601

State Patrol, Cedar Falls office, 1510 W. First St., 266-2677

Transportation, Dept. of, Waterloo office, 1875 E. Ridgeway Ave., 233-3055; Waverly office, 3001 E. Bremer Ave., 352-1045

Workforce Development Center, Waterloo office, 3420 University Ave., 235-9864; Waverly office, 1221 Fourth St. S.W., 352-3142

Voter information

You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, will be 18 years of age by the date of the election, are a county resident and are registered to vote.

To register:

You may register to vote at the city clerks offices in Cedar Falls, Dunkerton, Elk Run Heights, Evansdale, Gilbertville, Hudson, La Porte City or Raymond, or at the County Election Office at the county courthouse  or by using a voter registration form available at any of those offices.

Voter registration forms also are available at DOT drivers license stations.

Registration closes 11 days before most elections. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked 15 days before the election. On Election Day, qualified voters may record, at their new polling place, a change of name, address or party. Contact the Election Office at 833-3007 in advance of election day for additional information.

Your registration will remain valid unless: you have changed your name or address or you have been convicted of a felony and have not had your rights of citizenship restored.

Absentee ballots/voting absentee:

Forms are available at www.sos.state.ia.us or the Election Office. For more information, call the Election Office, 833-3007.

Cities

Cedar Falls

Pop. 39,260 (2010)

Cedar Falls City Hall

220 Clay St.

8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

Mayor: Jim Brown

268-5119

City Council: Cedar Falls has a mayor-council form of government. The council consists of seven members, two at-large (representing the entire city) and one from each of the five wards, elected for terms of four years. City elections are nonpartisan and take place in odd-numbered years.

The City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month in the Cedar Falls City Hall Council Chambers, 220 Clay St., at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and also broadcast on cable channel 15.

City Council members can be reached through the mayors office.Dunkerton

Pop. 852 (2010)

Dunkerton City Hall

200 Tower St.

Mayor Edward Jessen Elk Run Heights

Pop. 1,117 (2010)

Elk Run City Hall

5042 Lafayette Road

Mayor Tim Swope

Evansdale

Pop. 4,751 (2010)

Evansdale City Hall

123 N. Evans Road

Mayor Doug Faas

Gilbertville

Pop. 712 (2010)

Gilbertville City Hall

1321 Fifth St.

Mayor Mark Thome

Hudson

Pop. 2,282 (2010)

Hudson City Hall

525 Jefferson St.

Mayor George Wessel

Jesup

Pop. 2,520 (2010)

Jesup City Hall

796 Sixth St., P.O. Box 592

Mayor Larry Thompson

La Porte City

Pop. 2,285 (2010)

La Porte City Hall

202 Main St.

Mayor David Neil

Raymond

Pop. 788 (2010)

Raymond City Hall

101 First St.

Mayor Monte Johnson Waterloo

Pop. 68,406 (2010)

Waterloo City Offices

715 Mulberry St.

Mayor Quentin Hart

Office of the mayor, City Hall, 715 Mulberry Street, 291-4301

City Council

The council comprises a mayor and seven council members, elected by ward and at large. They set city policy. Meetings are open to the public and are held at 5:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall, on Mondays, except the fifth Monday.

City Council members can be reached through the mayors office.

City staff /departments

Airport administrator, 291-4483

Animal control, 291-4440, opt. 4

Building inspections and permits, 291-4319

Bulk refuse pickup, 291-4455

Cable channel, 291-4568

Central garage, 291-4445

City clerk/finance, 291-4323

City engineer, 291-4312

City facilities maintenance, 291-4399

City Hall, 291-4311

Code enforcement, 291-4455

Community development, 291-4429

Contract Compliance Office, 291-4429

Convention and Visitors Bureau, 233-8350

Cultural Arts Commission, 291-4490

Drivers license and license plates, 235-0902

Economic development, 291-4366

Fire rescue, 291-4460 (non-emergency)

Human resources, 291-4323

Human Rights Commission, 291-4441

Leisure Services Department, 291-4370

Library, 291-4480

Mayors Office, 291-4301

Neighborhood Services, 291-9145

Permits and Building Inspections, 291-4319

Planning and Zoning, 291-4366

Police department, 291-4340 (nonemergency)

Post Office, 274-2200

Sign and Traffic Department, 291-4440

Street Department, 291-4267

Veterans Memorial Hall, 287-9463

Water Works, 232-6280

Young Arena, 291-4335

Waverly

Pop. 9,874 (2010)

200 First St. N.E

Mayor Charles Infelt

City Council

The seven-member City Council meets the first, third and fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the City Hall.

Commissions, committees and boards

Unless noted, contact City Hall at 352-4252 for information on contacts for these boards

Airport Commission

Board of Adjustments

Board of Appeals

Cable and Telecommunications Commission

Civil Service Commission

Electric Utility Board

Economic Development Commission

Golf Course Commission

Board of Hospital Trustees

Historic Preservation Commission

Leisure Services Commission

Library Board of Trustees

Municipal Housing Commission

Planning and Zoning Commission

Plumbing Examiners Commission

Public Safety Board

Trees Forever Committee

Volunteer Fire Department

Wartburg-Waverly Wellness Center

City Staff /Departments

City Administrator, 352-9211

Chief of Police, Richard Pursell, 352-5400

Leisure Services, 352-6263

Waverly Public Library, 352-1223

Public Services Superintendent, 352-9065

City Engineer/Public Works Director, 352-9065

Fire Chief, 352-5521

City Clerk, 352-9211

Economic Development, 352-9210

Finance Director, 352-4252

Public Works Division, 352-9065

Engineering, 352-9065

Streets, 352-6247

Water, 352-6261

Solid Waste and Recycling, 352-6247

Airport, 352-4703

Planning and Zoning, 352-9208

County

Black Hawk County Courthouse

316 E. Fifth St.

Elected officials Elected officials are county attorney, auditor, board of supervisors, recorder, sheriff and treasurer. Each serves a four-year term. (All offices are located in the courthouse, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise noted.)

Attorneys Office Brian J. Williams

Room B-1

833-3001

Auditors Office Grant Veeder

Room 213

833-3002

Board of Supervisors Suite 203

833-3003

Board meets at 9 a.m. Tuesdays.

Recorders Office Sandie Smith Room 208

(319) 833-3012

Collects real estate transfer tax; issues hunting and fishing licenses; registers and titles boats, snowmobiles and ATVs; conducts federal and state tax lien searches; issues marriage licenses; register births, death and marriage certificates; assist in passport applications.

Treasurers Office Rita Schmidt (R) Room 140

833-3013

Responsible for the receipt, management, disbursement, financial reporting, bonds and investment of all money paid to the county. The duties of the treasurer are dual capacity: property tax division and motor vehicle division. Property taxes may be paid in two installments. The first half is due Sept. 1 and becomes delinquent Oct. 1. The second half due March 1; delinquent April 1.

Appointed officials Elected officials are appointed, or hired, by the county board.

Other county offices

Conservation Board 1346 W. Airline Highway

433-7275

Black Hawk County Conservation Board maintains 37 areas totaling approximately 8,200 acres, including river accesses, wetlands, wildlife areas, campgrounds, bike trails, geologic sites, retreat center and nature center.

Health Department 1407 Independence Ave., Waterloo

291-2413

Veteran Affairs Commission

Pinecrest building, first floor

1407 Independence Ave., Waterloo

291-2512
The Waterloo and Cedar Falls public libraries are two valuable assets for residents in the metro area.

Waterloo Public Library, 415 Commercial St., Waterloo 50701; phone, 291-4480; email, infowiz.wpl@gmail.com; website, www.waterloo.lib.ia.us

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; (September through May) 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Founded in 1896, the Waterloo Public Library began service in two rented rooms, one on the east side and one on the west side of the Cedar River. In 1906, the library moved toits new Carnegie buildings, which saw extensive remodeling and additions over time.

The library's current building, constructed in 1938, began as Waterloo's post office and federal building. It served as such until 1979 when the post office was relocated. In 1977, Waterloo voters approved a $3.65 million bond issue to renovate the building for use as a library.

The Waterloo Public Library now houses a large collection of books, numerous magazines and an ever-growing collection of videos, DVDs, books on CD, audio CDs, along with downloadable audiobooks and eBooks.

It also provides free Internet access and computer classes and has a staff of librarians ready to answer questions.

To get a library card, fill out a short application form and show staff members an ID containing your name and current address. There is no fee to get your first card.

Cedar Falls Public Library

524 Main St., Cedar Falls 50613; phone, 273-8643; email, cedarfallslibrary@gmail.com; website, www.cedarfalls.lib.ia.us/

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; (September through May) 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday

The Cedar Falls Public Library is one of the oldest libraries in Iowa, incorporated in 1859 by the Cedar Valley Horticultural and Literary Association.

In 1877, W.C. Bryant moved to secure a vote of the city to make the library forever free and to be controlled by the city. Cedar Falls applied for and received a Carnegie grant, and on Aug. 25, 1903, the finished building was accepted by the City Council. Cedar Falls voters approved a $3.25 million bond issue October 2001 to help finance the construction of a larger building.

CFPL, which moved into a new home at the same location in March 2004, now houses a large collection of books, as well as magazines, books on CD, videos, CDs and downloadable eBooks and audiobooks. There is no fee to obtain a library card; fill out the application and present an ID with your current address.

Area libraries

Denver Public Library

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Dike Public Library

133 E. Elder St., Dike 50624; phone, 989-2608; email, dikepubliclibrary@dike.lib.ia.us; website, www.dike.lib.ia.us

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Dunkerton Public Library

203 E. Tower St., P.O. Box 249, Dunkerton 50626; phone, 822-4610; email, dunkpublib@dunkerton.net; website, www.dunkerton.lib.ia.us

Hours: 2 to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Evansdale Public Library

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Hudson Public Library

401 Fifth St., P.O. Box 480, Hudson 50643; phone, 988-4217; email, staff@hudson.lib.ia.us; website, www.hudson.lib.ia.us

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Janesville Public Library

227 Main St., P.O. Box 328, Janesville 50647; phone, 987-2925; email, janesvillelibrary@mchsi.com; website, www.janesville.lib.ia.us

Hours: noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 10 to 11 a.m. and noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday; 1 to 5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Jesup Public Library

721 Sixth St., P.O. Box 585, Jesup 50648; phone, 827-1533; email, jesuplibrary@jesup.lib.ia.us; website, www.jesup.lib.ia.us

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

La Porte City (Hawkins Memorial Library)

308 Main St., La Porte City 50651; phone, 342-3025; email, hawkins@laportecity.lib.ia.us; website, www.laportecity.lib.ia.us

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday; 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

New Hartford (Elizabeth Rasmussen Martin Memorial Library)

406 Packwaukee, P.O. Box 292, New Hartford 50660; phone, 983-2533; email, sue@newhartford.lib.ia.us; website, www.newhartford.lib.ia.us

Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Shell Rock (Benny Gambaiani Public Library)

104 S. Cherry St., Shell Rock 50670; phone, 885-4345; emial, gambaian@butler-bremer.com; website, www.shellrocklibrary.org

Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday and Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Waverly Public Library

1500 W. Bremer Ave., Waverly 50677; phone, 352-1223; email, waverly@waverly.lib.ia.us; website, www.waverlyia.com/public-library

Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Saturday; (September through May): 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls-Waverly area has a lot to offer in the way of recreation and education, but theres still no way to avoid taxes.

Iowas property tax laws are among the most complex in the nation and could leave homeowners scratching their heads each fall when tax bills arrive from the Black Hawk County Treasurers Office.

Seven different local governments eventually get a share of those property tax payments, which are payable in two installments  one in September and the other in March. The payments finance governments that operate on a fiscal year starting July 1.

The property tax system starts with the assessed value of a property as determined by the county assessors office. That value can change annually either by an assessors review or by equalization orders, which are mandated changes in value ordered by the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance. Property owners can appeal values they deem unfair at the Assessors Office in the Black Hawk County Courthouse.

Anyone who owns a home they live in also is eligible to have a small portion of their value removed for taxing purposes by applying for a homestead tax credit at the Assessors Office. Several other tax credits, including one for businesses and one for military service, also are available.

But some property owners dont pay taxes based on the full assessed value. The state sets different rollback orders each year for the various classes of property.

Six of the local taxing bodies set property tax rates each winter or early spring when budgets are adopted. Those bodies are the city government, school district, county government, assessors office, Hawkeye Community College and agricultural extension service. The state of Iowa has a standing small property tax rate.

Those seven tax rates are multiplied by the taxable value of a property to determine annual tax bills. Meanwhile, people purchasing goods and services  excluding groceries and certain other items  pay a 7 percent sales tax in Black Hawk County. Five percent of the sales tax is statewide and supports state government operations.

One percent is statewide and supports school building construction and renovation.

The remaining 1 percent comes from a 1-cent local option sales taxes approved by voters to be used by city governments as determined by the voters. Both Waterloo and Cedar Falls use their share of the sales tax for street reconstruction and resurfacing.

State government operates largely on a state income tax and numerous use taxes, which include a tax on gasoline sales. While Iowa appears to have a larger income tax rate than many other states, it is one of the few states to allow a deduction for federal income taxes paid.
By WestKyStar & WKCTC Staff Apr. 19, 2016 | 04:04 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Cake decorating classes have been one the most popular community education offerings at West Kentucky Community and Technical College this spring, and to accommodate the overwhelming community response, WKCTC is offering two more courses beginning next month.



Back by popular demand, the Course One Building Buttercream Skills course will be offered on four consecutive Tuesday evenings May 3-24. Next will be the new Course 2 Flowers and Cake Design course on four consecutive Thursday evenings May 12  26 and June 2.



Both four-week courses will be offered in the Emerging Technology Center from 6  8 pm with a cost of $69 for each of the four sessions. Fee includes student kit and guide.



Certified Wilton Method Instructor Linda Mayes, who has been decorating cakes for nearly 20 years, is back to teach the both courses. Participants should bring their own apron and wear closed-toe shoes.



Course One Building Buttercream Skills



Participants can learn how to decorate cakes and sweet treats with basic buttercream techniques and six simple-to-pipe flowers that transform ordinary cakes into extraordinary results.

Lesson 1, May 3



Start with the basics and learn how to make buttercream icing, stars, rosettes, bag striping, professionally ice a cupcake and so much more. Participants will decorate their cupcakes before going home to show friends and family all they learned in class.



Lesson 2, May 10



Learn how to ice a cake and decorate with dots, pulled dots, piping gel pattern transfer and more. Participants will decorate cakes at the end of class and be amazed with the new skills they learned in only two classes.



Lesson 3, May 17



Learn different borders like zigzag, easy ruffle, shell, and bead. Create decorations like the Star Drop Flower, Swirl Drop Flower, Daisy, Sunflower and the Zinnia.



Lesson 4, May 24



Learn the technique to writing on cakes and the Ribbon Rose. Decorate cakes with the techniques learned throughout the entire course.



Note: A list of optional supplies costing approximately $40 will be provided the first night of class for this four-week course.



Course 2 Flowers and Cake Design



Participants will learn how to create professional-looking flowers and designs made from royal icing. Your Certified Wilton Method Instructor teaches you how to make lifelike rosebuds, pansies, and violets, plus detailed patterns, like lace and basket weave designs.



Lesson 1, May 12



Learn color principles to know how to pair colors together in cake design such as Cornelli Lace, Brush Embroidery and the blossom.



Lesson 2, May 19



Participants will go cover Royal Icing Appliques, Rosebud and the famous Wilton Rose.



Lesson 3, May 26



The fun continues learning to create the Pansy, Violet, Lily and Poinsettia flowers.



Lesson 4, June 2



Learn more borders and the basket weave. The course concludes with participants making and decorating in the class using all the skills learned up to this point.



Register for the cake decorating classes by calling 270-534-3335 or online at http://ws.kctcs.edu/westkentucky, select Culinary.




By Ro Morse Apr. 18, 2016 | 09:03 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Thousands of quilters headed to Quilt City USA have already arrived to begin QuiltWeek in Paducah.

J.P. Roberts, Bristol Broadcasting traffic reporter and retired Paducah policeman, recalls years of patrolling the streets during the annual AQS Quilt Show, meeting hundreds of quilters walking along and across the highways and sidewalks. His advice to locals during this week is, "Take an alternate route to avoid the I-24 Loop between Kentucky Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Slow down. Allow plenty of time if you are headed downtown or to the Kentucky Oaks Mall area. Be aware of cars with out-of-town license plates. They may drift in and out of lanes, looking around and changing their minds as they look for their destinations. Show our Paducah hospitality and be patient. We double our population this week, and it's important to make our quilting visitors feel welcome and safe."

Dianne Wise from Elkhart, IN, is a quilter who knows too well how an accident can happen. Twenty years ago she was crossing the I-24 loop by the Quilt Museum and was hit by a car, thrown over the hood and found herself lying in the street.

"A Paducah police officer rescued me and made sure I was taken care of at Western Baptist Hospital. Healing was slow and painful, but my husband Wally and I have returned each spring to the annual show. We look forward to spring in Paducah. I know it sounds crazy but when we are here, we get all caught up in the excitement of the quilts and all that Paducah has to offer. We can't imagine not being here, being part of the celebration of quilting and of course the dogwoods."

With the construction of a long-awaited new hotel on the previous dome pavilion site, traffic flow has been altered to accommodate visitors coming in and out of the Convention and Expo Centers this week. Police on foot, bicycle and in patrol cars will be on site to insure the safety of quilters as they walk to and from the new location of the dome pavilion at 6th and Campbell Streets. It's a popular, high-traffic corner this week where the Greenway Trail entrance, horse-drawn carriage barn, bus and trolley drop-offs all intersect. A bus will take quilters to and from the Convention Center if they prefer to ride instead of walk.

Carson Park will be busier than usual with a bus shuttling to and from downtown and the convention center. Once at the show, buses and trolleys will transport visitors to Kentucky Oaks Mall, Wal-Mart, the Rotary Antique Quilt Show at the Cherry Civic Center, hotels, Hancock's of Paducah and other locations. There is no fee to ride. A map with shuttle routes is linked below.

On the Net:
Advertisement

By The Associated Press

Apr. 18, 2016 | WASHINGTON, DC

By The Associated Press Apr. 18, 2016 | 04:27 PM | WASHINGTON, DC

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he is ``increasingly optimistic'' that voting at the Republican National Convention in July will go to a second ballot.



The Kentucky Republican's comments seem to suggest that - although he has sought to remain publicly neutral - he does not want to see front-runner Donald Trump emerge as the GOP presidential nominee.



Trump is unlikely to amass the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the nomination ahead of the convention in Cleveland. Voting would then proceed to a second ballot, with a majority of delegates free to vote for whomever they choose.



McConnell says he anticipates he will be a delegate, and ``on the second ballot I'll be free to do whatever I want.''



He made his comments on WHAS-TV in Louisville.


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If youre 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). If youd prefer to avoid paying a fee, some casinos offer no-deposit bonuses where you can get a certain amount of funds before you need to put any actual money into the account. These are usually offered alongside welcome bonuses, so make sure you read both parts of the terms and conditions carefully before signing up.

 Does it offer live dealer games? Live dealers are much preferred by many over regular virtual versions, so it pays to check this option out too. Most online casinos now offer live dealer games in addition to their regular offerings, allowing you to experience the thrill of the real thing without needing to leave home.

Now that youve got an idea of what to look for when choosing an online casino, heres some tips for making the right choice

It really comes down to personal preference. No two people are exactly alike, so everyone has an opinion on what they like and dislike about each casino. 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. You can also check out the casinos privacy policy to see how they handle confidential information.

 Payment methods. Its good to have multiple payment options available, especially if you plan to play frequently. Its also nice to find a casino that accepts cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. If youre worried about safety, you can always opt for a credit card or PayPal instead.

With all those criteria in mind, heres our top picks

Betway:

Betway is a relatively new UK casino offering online gambling to residents of the United Kingdom and European Union. They offer hundreds of games across both land based and digital platforms, with plenty of top software providers like Net Entertainment, Microgaming and Yggdrasil Gaming Network. With a generous welcome offer that gives players 100% up to 100, you really cant go wrong with Betway.

Coral Casino:

Coral Casino is operated by the same company that runs the famous Caribbean casino, Grand Reef. Like many casinos, Coral Casino offers a wide variety of games, including plenty of video slots and table games. New players can benefit from a huge 100% match bonus up to 1000, while existing customers enjoy 25% cash back on deposits made within 48 hours of opening an account.

Ladbrokes Casino:

Ladbrokes Casino is owned by the same company as the famous bookmaker that started life in 1921. With more than 500 games from leading software providers such as Amaya, NetEnt and Microgaming, you wont be disappointed by the quality of the games here. New players get a 200% match bonus up to 500, while existing customers can claim 35% cashback on their first three deposits.

Paddy Power Casino:

Paddy Power is another Irish-owned casino that operates throughout Europe. Not only does Paddy Power Casino offer traditional casino games like blackjack, roulette and slots, but it also provides a full range of sports betting, including football, tennis, boxing and horse racing. New players can receive a massive 100% match bonus up to 200, while existing customers can claim 35% cashback on their first three deposits.

William Hill Casino:

William Hill Casino is one of the biggest names in the industry, operating in Europe, Asia and North America. Founded in 1984, this online casino has more than 400 games to choose from, including slots and table games, with a wide array of software providers like WagerLogic, Big Time Gaming and Rival.

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If youre interested in trying out an online casino but arent quite ready to commit to one, why not try out one of the many no deposit casinos weve reviewed? You can test drive various casinos completely risk-free, so you can feel confident about your choice before you make a single penny deposit.
Canl Bahis siteleri sektoru son derece onu ack ve farkl ozelliklere sahip bir sektordur. Elbette bahis secenekleri arasnda yuksek kazanc getiren alan kuskusuz canl bahistir. Peki, canl bahis nedir?

Canl Bahis Nedir?

Canl bahis adndan da anlaslacag gibi devam eden musabakaya bahis yapmaktr. Bu bahis musabaka devam ederken de yaplabilir olmasdr. Basta futbol olmak uzere voleybol, tenis, hentbol, basketbol, buz hokeyi ve masa tenisi gibi spor organizasyonlarna canl bahisler yaplabilmektedir. Canl bahis siteleri bu oyunlarn hepsine yuksek oranlara bahis yapmanza imkan tanr. En fazla tercih edilen futbol canl bahisleri diger alanlara gore daha fazla on plandadr. Siteden siteye degisen sartlar ve uygulama esaslar soz konusu olsa da kurallar sabittir.

Canl bahisi populer klan ve heyecan katan en onemli ozellikle musabakann basladg ana dek bahis yapabilmedir. Canl bahis icerisinde yer alan secenekler kazanma sansnz da dogrudan arttrmaktadr. Ilk korneri kim kullanr, ilk tac, gol, sar kart, krmz kart gibi futbol musabakas icerisinde olabilecek hemen hemen her seye bahis yaplabilmektedir. Normal bahisegore de son derece yuksek oranda olmas avantajl yonlerini ortaya koymaktadr. Nitekim dogru secenek ksa surede kazancl ckmanza etki edecektir.

Strateji ve dogru analizle 90 dakika gibi bir surede anaparanzkatlayabilirsiniz. Tabi bunu basarabilmek icin mutlaka musabakaya dair ayrntlar iyi degerlendirmek gerekir. Soz konusu musabakann detaylarn inceleyip, cezal, sakat oyuncu veya performans dusen takm oyunu gibi detaylar bilmek canl bahiste kazanc belirleyen onemli unsurdur. Guvenilir Canl bahis hem heyecanl zaman gecirmeyi hem de musabakalar takip ederken para kazanmay saglamaktadr.

Canl Bahis Nasl Oynanr?

Bahislerinizi guvenilir sitelerden gerceklestirdiginiz zaman herhangi bir sekilde para cekme de sorun yasamazsnz. Guvenilir bahis siteleri tespit edip sonrasnda da uyelik islemlerini tamamlamanz gerekmektedir. Belirlenen uyelik sartlarn yerine getirip hesabnza da paray aktardktan sonra bahis islemlerini sorunsuz yapabilirsiniz. Peki, canl bahis nasl oynanr?

Oncelikle bahis konusunda mutlaka dogru site arastrmas yapmalsnz. Yapacagnz arastrma neticesinde buldugunuz site uzerinden canl bahisislemlerini gerceklestirebilirsiniz. Bunun icin uye olup, hesaba para atp, canl bahis bolumune girmelisiniz. Sonrasnda dahil olmak istediginiz musabakann saatini ogrenip, gerekli analizleri yapmalsnz. Tahminlerinizi belirledikten sonra karsnza ckacak olan bahis sayfasndan istediginiz hamleyi yapmalsnz. Bahis tutarn belirledikten sonra musabaka baslayacaktr.

Canl bahis diger normal bahis esaslarna gore farkllklar icermektedir. Bunlardan en onemlisi musabakann gidisatna gore islem yapabilir olmaktr.Ayrca musabakann 2. Yarsna gore hamle yapp ayr bir bahisin soz konusu olmas da ciddi avantajdr. Dogru hamle ile sizde istediginiz bahisi yapp kazanc elde edebilirsiniz. Nitekim canl olarak yapacagnz bahis icin mac oncesi raporlara gore hareket etmek onemlidir. Cunku takmlarn durumlarn analiz etmek tahmin gucunu arttracaktr. Misal tamnn en iyi oyuncusu sakat ya da kart cezals ise takmn performansnda dusus yasanacaktr. Buna ek olarak takmn deplasman performans ile evinde ki performans ayr olacaktr. Burada da takmn musabakay nerede yaptgna bakmak gerekir. Bu ayrntlar da iyice analiz ettikten sonra bahsinizi yapp kazanmann keyfini yasayabilirsiniz.

Canl Bahis Siteleri

Son derece yuksek getiriye sahip bahis sektoru uzun zamandr faaliyet gostermektedir. Cok ciddi rakamlarn soz konusu oldugu bu sektor zamanla sanal ortamlara donusmustur. Elbette guvenli ve bir o kadar da avantajl olan bu siteler cok yonlu frsatlar sunmaktadrlar. Canl iddaa siteleri gerek yeni uyelere gerekse de hali hazrdaki uyelerine bolca bonus frsatlar vermektedir. Yatracagnz tutara gore belirlenen bonuslar site icerisinde rahat hareket etmenizi de saglayacaktr.

Canl bahis sitelerini kullanmadan once mutlaka guvenli olup olmadgna goz atmalsnz. Zira baz kullanclar guvenli olmayan sitelerden yaptklar islemlerden dolay magdur olmaktadrlar. Nitekim guvenli ve sorunsuz hizmet sunan yurt ds site tercih etmek en dogru secenektir. Sektorde uzun yllar faaliyet gosteren siteleri tercih edebilirsiniz. Bu alanda yer alan yabanc siteler musteri memnuniyetine onem vermektedir. Oncelik site kullanclarn sorunsuz sekilde bahislerini yapabilir olmasn saglamaktr. Bahis sitelerinde amac hem daha fazla kullancya hizmet vermek hem de sektorde emin admlarla ilerlemek onceliklidir. Dogru site tercihi ile sizde canl bahislerinizi sorun yasamadan gerceklestirebilirsiniz. Sizler icin hazrlams oldugumuz canl bahis siteleri listesi su sekildedir;

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Sralams oldugumuz bu siteler sektorde basarl islere imza atms sitelerdedir. Canl bahis konusunda beklentileri karslayacak olan bu siteler sizlere kolaylk sunmaktadrlar. Bol bonuslu secenekle de sizlere farkl bahis yonlerini sunacaklardr. Sistemsel etki icerisinde her zaman etkin sonuc alabilmek icin surekli olarak faaliyet icerisindedirler.

Canl Bahis Taktikleri

Bahis sektorunun en fazla dikkat edilmesi gereken hususu dogru taktik ve dogru tahmindir. Elbette dogru tahmini yapabilmek icin analizi cok iyi yapmak gerekir. Canl bahis taktikleri arasnda ilk sra analiz gelmektedir. Analiz yapamadgnz zaman basarl tahminlerde bulunmanz pek de mumkun degildir. Cunku bahiste onemli olan konu musabakann analizini cok iyi yaplmas gerektigidir. Canl bahisin ozelliklerini iyi bilmek ve nasl bir hamle yapacagnz bilmek gerekir. Ozellikle riskli maclarda yaplacak degerlendirmeler cok daha onemlidir.

Canl bahis yapacaklarn takip edecegi degerler takmlarn durumlar ile alakal olmaldr. Performans uzerine kurulu bahis sisteminde takm degerlendirmesine iyi bakmak gerekir. Iki takmn son 5 macta nasl bir sonuc ortaya koyduguna bakarak hareket etmek onemlidir. Ayrca hangi takm evinde daha iyi performans sergiliyor diye de ayrca bakmak gerekir.

Analizlerle alakal puan durumlarna da goz atmak cok onemlidir. Puan degerlendirmesinde oncelikle takmlarn ihtiyaclar ile dogru orantl hareket etmek gerekir. Cunku olusturulan performans takmn da durumunu ortaya koymaktadr. Nitekim istenilen sonucu elde edebilmek icin tum ayrntlar bilmek gerekir. Takm ici duzenden tutunda da takmn son durumuna kadar her ayrnt onemlidir. Iki takmn birbirleri arasnda ki sonuclar da incelemek gerekir. Burada dikkat edilecek detaylarn basnda maclarda kac gol oldugu ve gollerin hangi dakikalarda atldgdr. Cekismeli gecen musabakalarda bazen goller ilk yarda daha fazla olurken baz maclarda da ikinci yarda daha cok gol olmustur. Iki takm arasnda ki maclarda gollerin cogunlugu ilk yarda geliyorsa buna gore bahis yapabilirsiniz.

Canl Bahis Siteleri Bonuslar ve Kampanyalar

Bahis yapanlar veya yapmay dusununler sitelerin sunmus olduklar frsatlar merak etmektedirler. Cunku siteler daha fazla kullancya erismek icin her donem kampanyalar duzenleyerek kullanc odakl hamleler yapmaktadrlar. Canl bahis bonuslar ve kampanyalar oldukca populer olup, siteler bu konuda adeta birbirleri ile yarsmaktadrlar. Birbirinden farkl ozelliklere sahip olan kampanyalar size frsatlar sunmaktadr. Daha cok kazanma ihtimalinizi arttran bu bonuslar daha cesur olmanza da dogrudan etki edecektir. Nitekim bonuslar sitelerin cekiciligini ve avantajlarn arttrmaktadr. En cok kazandran canl bahis siteleri bedava bonuslar ve kampanyalar icin http://www.milano2018.com/canli-bahis-siteleri-2022/ linkinden yardm alabilirsiniz.

Hos geldin bonusu ile baslayan ve sonrasnda para yatrdkca bonus veren cok sayda site bulunmaktadr. Canl bahis bonusu veren siteler yeni uyelere sunduklar frsatlar farkl kampanyalarla mevcut uyelerine de sunmaktadrlar. Hali hazrda siteyi kullananlarn da bonus frsatlarndan yararlanmalar icin donemsel kampanyalar olusturmaktadrlar. Boylece baska sitelere gidisler olmayacag gibi site de daha keyifli zaman gecirmek mumkun klnmaktadr. Bu tur eklentiler yapan sitelerde musteri memnuniyeti daha fazladr.

Bahis siteleri ozellik ve uygulama bakmndan farkllklar bunyelerinde bulundurmaktadrlar. Verilen bonuslarn olusturulmas ve kullanclar aktarlmasnda yatrlan para miktarlar belirleyici olmaktadr. 1.000 TL yatran bir kullanc yuzde 20 bonus frsat olan bir kampanyadan 200 TL bonus kazanabilmektedir. Yatracag tutar 10.000 TL oldugunda bu bonustutar 2.000 TL olabilmektedir. Gerceklesen ve uygulanan esaslar tamamen donemsel olarak yaplan kampanyalarla alakaldr. Iyi Canl bahis siteleri bonuslar ve kampanyalar icin sitelerin vermis oldugu oranlar takip edebilirsiniz.

Canl Bahis Siteleri Para Yatrma

Online Canl bahis yapacaklarn merak ettigi konulardan bir digeri de para yatrma islemleridir. Oldukca onemli olan bu konuda hata yapmamak cok onemlidir. Canl bahis sitelerine para yatrma islemi sanlann aksine son derece basittir. Oldukca basit ve uygulama esas dogru etki olusturan bu yapda sizde islemi rahatca tamamlayabilirsiniz. Para yatrma konusunda su yolu izleyebilirsiniz.

Guvendiginiz ve herhangi bir sekilde aklnzda soru isareti kalmayan bahis sitesine uye olmanz gerekmektedir. Uyelik islemini sorunsuz sekilde tamamladktan sonra para yatrma islemine gecebilirsiniz.

Kullanacagnz siteye uye olduktan sonra karsnza kullanc ad ve sifresini gireceginiz yer gelecektir. Buraya giris yaptktan sonra site icerisine islemlere devam edebilirsiniz.

Sitede yer alan para yatrma sekmesine tklayp sonrasnda karsnza gelen sayfay inceleyebilirsiniz. Para yatrma bolumunde yer alan ksma ne kadar para yatracagnz yazp devam tusuna basmalsnz.

Yatrmak istediginiz tutar girip sonrasnda da devam tusuna bastktan sonra karsnza kart bilgilerinizi gireceginiz sayfa gelecektir. Kredi kart kullanarak para gondermek isteyenlerin tercih ettigi bu sayfa tum bilgiler girilip islem onaylanmaldr.

Canl bahis sitelerine para yatrma islemini gerceklestirmek icin hesaba havale secenegini de kullanabilirsiniz. Site icerisinde musteri hizmetleri ile iletisime gecerek banka hesap numaralarn ogrenebilirsiniz. Belirtilen IBAN numarasna istediginiz tutar havale edebilirsiniz. Havale ederken acklama ksmna yazlacak bilgilere dikkat etmelisiniz.

Kredi kart veya banka havalesi ile gerceklesen para yatrma islemi sonucunda site hesabnzdan bakiyenize bakabilirsiniz. Bakiyenize gore dilediginiz sekilde bahislerinizi gerceklestirebilirsiniz.

Canl Bahis Siteleri Para Cekme

Canl bahiste dogru hamleler ve dogru tahminler sonucunda kazandgnz bedeli geri almak isteyebilirsiniz. Kazanclarnz istediginiz banka hesabnza cekebilmek icin uymanz gereken kurallar soz konusudur. Oncelikle bahis sitelerinden para cekebilmeniz icin uye olurken dogru bilgi paylasmnda bulunmanz gerektigidir. Cunku canl bahis sitelerinden para cekme islemi icin kullanc hesab ile talep edilen banka hesap bilgilerinin ortusmesi gerekir. Yani uye olurken verilen bilgi ile banka hesab kime ait ise o bilgiler ayn olmaldr. Bu uygulama sitenin hem kullancsn hem de kendisini guvene alma politikasdr. Ayrca frsatclarn onune gecerek yeni bir uye olusumunun da onune gecmek amac gutmektedir. Uye olan kisi farkl para cekilme talebi verilen hesap farkl oldugunda para cekme islemi gerceklesmeyecektir.

Bahisleriniz sonucunda kazanc elde edebilir ve bu kazancnz da hakknz olarak almak isteyebilirsiniz. Burada son derece basit uygulama soz konusu olurken siteler aras farkl gorunumler soz konusu olabilir. Fakat yine de tum sitelerde uyenin site icerisinde para cekme bolumune girmesi yeterlidir. Burada cekilecek olan tutarn belirlenmesi ve hesap numarasnn girilmesi ile birlikte islem onay gerekecektir. Para cekme taleplerinde sizden gerekli bilgiler istenmekte ve havale islemi istenilen bilgiler esliginde yurutulmektedir. Dogru bilgi paylasmak sorunsuz para cekebilmeniz en onemli kuraldr. Istenilen bilgiler girildikten sonra site sorumlular gerekli kontrolleri yapp herhangi bir sorun yoksa ksa surede hesabnza gerekli paray aktaracaklardr.

Canl Bahis Sitelerinden Para Cekmek Icin Istenen Belgeler

Bahis sitelerine uye olduktan sonra baz kullanclar para cekme taleplerinin karslanmadg konusunda sikayetlerde bulunmuslardr. Bu sikayetlersektorde uzun zamandr bulunan guvenilir bahis siteleri de yer almaktadr. Fakat sikayetlerin dayanaklarna bakldgnda ise islerin tamamen farkl oldugu gorulmektedir. Yasanan bu durum kullanclarn hatal bilgi girmesi ve uyelik bilgileri ile banka bilgilerinin uyusmamas ile dogru orantldr. Birde canl bahis para cekmek icin istenen belgeler eksik ya da hatal olarak sunulmus olabilir. Ortaya ckan karsklar neticesinde para cekme talebinde bulunan kisi istedigini alamadg icin sikayetci olmaktadr. Oysa ki istenilen bilgiler dogru ve istenilen evraklar eksiksiz sunulsa para cekme islemi sorunsuz olacak.

Sitelerin para cekme konusunda dikkatli hareket etmesi hilelerin ve illegal faaliyetlerin onune gecmek adnadr. Cunku baz kullanclar farkl bilgiler vererek ikinci hesap acabilmektedirler. Bazen de bilincsizce hatal bilgi girilebilmektedir. Hatal islemlerin cozumu konusunda islem yaptgnz sitenin musteri temsilcileri ile gorusebilirsiniz. Talepleriniz dogrultusunda para cekme islemlerinde ki sorunlar giderilecektir. Canl bahis para cekmek icin istenen belgeler listesi su sekildedir;

Kullanc bilgileri ile banka bilgilerini karslastrmak icin kimlik fotokopisi

Banka hesap bilgileri

Ikametgah ve kisiye ait herhangi bir fatura.

Kacak Iddaa

Turkiyede dogrudan bahis yapmak icin resmi kanallar kullanlabilmektedir. Fakat tercih edilen ve oran olarak cok daha fazla frsatlar sunan kacar iddaasiteleri bulunmaktadr. Bu siteler kanunlara aykr sekilde yaplmakta olup, yasal bir dayanag yoktur. Elbette bu sitelerin kurulus merkezi Turkiye olmayp, ds ulkelerdedir ve faaliyetler belirlenen siteler uzerinden yaplmaktadr. Kacak Iddaa oldukca riskli olup, cok dikkatli olunmas gerekir.

Kacak Bahis

Kanunlar cercevesinde istediginiz gibi bahis yapamayabilirsiniz. Bahis yapabilmek icin ya kanuni olarak sorun olmayan ulke dsnda ki kumarhanelere gitmeniz veya kacak bahis sitelerinden islem yapabilirsiniz. Zira bu durum tehlikeli olsa da cok sayda site guvenli sekilde bu alanda hizmet vermektedir. Kacak bahiste oldukca fazla secenek bulunurken yuksek oranda kazanc sunuyor olmas da ragbeti arttryor.

Illegal Bahis

Bahisin bircok alanda yasak oldugu Turkiyede bu alanda cok sayda yabanc merkezli siteler hizmet vermektedir. Illegal bahis sektorunde faaliyet gosteren siteler guvenli hizmet anlays ile kullanclarna frsatlar sunmaktadr. Yurt ds merkezli bu siteler sorunsuz sekilde hizmetlerini surdururken bulunduklar ulkelerde kanunlara uygun sekildedir. Elbette faaliyet noktasnda bulunduklar ulkelerde sorun teskil etmese de Turkiyede faaliyet gostermeleri kanunin yasaklanmstr.

Yasads Bahis

Gerek olusturulan etkenler gerekse de ortaya konulan riskler yasads bahis de oldukca tehlikelidir. Kanunlarn mudahil olduklar bu alanlar da hem kullanclar hem de populer bahis yaptranlar tum riskleri goze almaktadrlar. Fakat yasaklardan uzak sekilde guvenli hizmet sunan siteler de bulunmaktadr. Takipler neticesinde kapatlan sitelerin muhakkak alternatifleri kurularak yollarna devam etmektedirler.

Canl Iddaa Siteleri Nelerdir?

Dunya genelinde kabul gormus cok sayda guvenli hizmet veren populer bahis siteleri bulunmaktadr. Elbette bu siteler dunyann bircok ulkesinde faaliyet gosterse de Turkiyede yasaktr. Sektorde yer alan cok sayda legal iddaa siteleri bulunmaktadr. Herhangi bir kanunsuzlugun olmadg bu sitelerden hzl ve guvenli islem yaplabilmektedir. Tabi bu sitelerde uygulanan oranlar yasal olmayan sitelere gore daha dusuktur. Illegal sitelerin tercih edilme sebeplerinin en onemli etkeni de olusturulan oranlardr. Peki, Iddaa siteleri nelerdir? Faaliyetleri ve uygulama esaslar nelerdir?

Turkiyede faaliyet gosteren yasal iddaa siteleri listesi su sekildedir;

Iddaa

Bilyoner

Tuttur

Birebin

Oley

Nesine

Misli

Iddaa

2004 ylnda hizmet vermeye baslayan Iddaa Spor toto tarafndan kurulmus olup, ilk etapta bayilik seklinde calsmaya baslamstr. Elbette zamanla gelisen teknolojiye ayak uydurarak internet uzerinde de populer bahis severlerin hizmetine sunulmustur. Kuruldugu donemde devletin resmi kurumu olarak faaliyet gosterirken gelinen yeni donemde ozellestirilmistir.

Bilyoner

Turkiyede faaliyetine 2006 ylnda baslayan Bilyoner ilk ozel yasal bahis sitesi olma ozelligine sahiptir. Guvenilir bahis siteleri Turkiyede bunlardr. Ksa surede populer olan site halen faaliyetlerini sorunsuz sekilde surdurmektedir.

Tuttur

Ksa surede adndan bahsettirmeyi basaran Tuttur 2009 ylnda faaliyetlere baslamstr. Guvenilir bahis siteleri arasnda yerini almstr. Gunumuze dek bircok alanda populer bahis yapanlara frsatlar sunarken avantajlar ile de begeni toplamstr.

Birebin

Kullanc odakl calsmalar surdurse de 2011 ylnda sektore giren Birebindiger sitelere gore daha az ragbet gormektedir. Bahis oynamak ise bu sitede oldukca kolaydr. Elbette farkl yaklasmlara sahip olmasndan dolay ilerleyen sureclerde adndan sklkla bahsettirecek gibi gorunuyor.

Oley

2009 ylnda Dogus yayn gruplarnn istiraki olarak kurulmus olup yasal olarak herhangi bir sorunu olmayan sitelerdendir. Bahis siteleri arasnda hzl cks yapms bir sitedir. Oley yapms oldugu yenilikler ile kullanclarn da dikkatini ksa surede cekmeyi basarmstr.

Nesine

Birbirini takip eden surecte Nesine de yine 2006 ylnda hizmet vermeye baslamstr. Yasal bahis siteleri arasnda yerini almay basaran firma ksa surede sevilen ve ragbet goren bir site olmustur.

Misli

2009 ylnda sektore cok hzl giris yapan Misli cok sayda reklam filmi ile on plana ckmay basarmstr. Internet uzerinden hem yasal hem de sorunsuz hizmet veren bahis sitelerinden bir tanesi olmustur.

Canl Bahis Siteleri Kayt ve Uyelik Islemleri

Her zaman populerligini koruyan ve surekli gelisim gosteren canl bahis gun gectikce daha da gucleniyor. Bahis oynamak icin ise sitelere uye olunmas gerekir. Yuksek getirisi ve begeni toplayan faaliyetleri ile cok sayda site bu alanda faaliyet gostermektedir. Elbette sorunsuz sekilde uye olmanz ve faaliyetler gostermeniz de oldukca kolaydr. Canl bahis siteleri kayt ve uyelik islemleri dakikalar icerisinde gerceklestirilecek yapya sahiptir.

Uye olacagnz siteyi belirledikten sonra siteye girmeniz gerekmektedir. Girdiginiz sitenin ana sayfasnda uye ol ya da kayt ol bolumu bulunacaktr. Siteler arasnda degiskenlik gosteren bu alanda temel unsurlar bulunmaktadr. Elbette farkllklar olsa da temelinde benzer bilgiler uye olmak isteyen kisilerden talep edilmektedir.

Uye ol bolumune tkladktan sonra karsnza uyelik bilgi formu ckacaktr. Bu formda sizin kim oldugunuzu ogrenmek ve sitenin guvenligini saglamak adna islemler yaplmaktadr. Uyelik formunda yer alan ad soyad bolumunu eksiksiz ve dogru sekilde doldurmalsnz. Sizden bu formda istenen bilgilerin tamamn girmeniz istenecektir. Istenen bilgiler mutlaka dogru ve eksiksiz sekilde olmaldr. Eksik veya hatal bilgi uyelik islemlerinde sorun teskil edebilir. Yine de yanls bilgi girisine ragmen uyelik islemleri tamamlanabilir. Fakat boyle bir yol izleyenler sonrasnda buyuk skntlarla karslasabilirler. Bu skntlarn basnda da para cekme islemlerinde yasanan sorunlardr.

Uyelik islemleri dikkatli ve ozenle doldurulmas gereken yapdadr. Canl bahis siteleri kayt ve uyelik islemleri gerceklestirilirken verilen bilgiler site yonetimi tarafndan muhafaza edilmektedir. Herhangi bir sekilde 3. Sahslarla paylaslmas gibi bir durum soz konusu degildir. Bu faaliyetleri surduren sitelerin guven unsurlar arasnda bu nokta onceliklidir.

Bahis sitelerine uye olurken hatal bilgi paylasmnda bulunmak size faydadan cok zarar verecektir. Diyelim ki bilgileri hatal girdiniz ve uyelik onayland. Uyelik tamamlandktan sonra siteye para yatrdnz ve kazanc elde ettiniz. Kazancnz sonrasnda hesabnza almak istediginizde karsnza banka bilgileri bolumu gelecektir. Para cekme talebi gerceklestikten sonra site uyelik bilgileri ile banka hesap bilgileri ortusmez ise paranz alamazsnz. Boyle bir durumla karslasmamak adna bu hususa ayrca dikkat etmelisiniz.
Apr 20, 2016 | By Alec

It looks like European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has just reached another 3D printing milestone. Earlier this month, they received the first two LEAP-1A engines for their next-gen Airbus A320neo passenger jets, which are their first engines to feature 3D printed superalloy fuel nozzles. In part thanks to these 3D printed components, the LEAP-1A engines feature significantly lower carbon emission levels than their predecessors, and are even 15 percent more fuel efficient. The engines themselves were developed by CFM International, a joint venture of GE Aviation and engine developers Snecma (Safran).

Of course this isnt the first time that Airbus has been using 3D printed components on aircraft; almost a year ago, the company revealed that the A350 XWB featured over 1,000 3D printed parts developed by Stratasys. But this is the most innovative engine Airbus will use for commercial flights. Thanks to the 3D printed superalloy fuel nozzles located on the Twin-Annular, Pre-Swirl (TAPS) combustor, as well as 3D woven composite fan blades and various heat-resistant ceramic composite components, the LEAP-1A is 15 percent more fuel efficient than other engines produced by CFM. It also has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than other aircraft engines, and produces far less engine noise and gaseous exhaust emissions than competitors. The LEAP-1A engines are also expected to require very little maintenance.

The engines themselves were delivered two days before the delivery deadline, and have been extensively tested already. The first test flight was held in May 2015, using an Airbus A320neo, with several other planes following in September 2015 and February 2016. So far the three airplanes have together logged more than 285 flights and 800 hours of testing.

Its developer, CFM International, is a 50/50 joint venture of Snecma (Safran) and GE who produces the LEAP engine range for commercial carriers. To date, more than 50 companies have ordered more than 10,400 LEAP engines from CFM (valued at $145 billion). Like most of its predecessors from the LEAP line, the LEAP-1A will be used for single-aisle passenger aircraft. According to Airbus, this is by far the largest and fastest-growing segment of the aviation market, with a further 22,900 new single aisle planes expected to be built by 2034  a massive 70 percent of all new passenger jets. There is thus plenty of growth potential for the LEAP-1A engine.

The engines were assembled at the Snecma (Safran)s facility in Villaroche, France. Francois Bastin, the executive vice president of CFM International, said that his company was exceptionally proud of the results. The team has done an incredible job to keep this program on track. The engine continues to perform exceptionally well in flight tests and we cant wait for our airline customers to introduce it into their fleets, he said on the CFM website.

It is expected that the LEAP-1A engines will be taken into service in just a few months from now, and CFM executive vice president Allen Paxson expects this will go off without a hitch. We have been working closely with our customers on tooling and training and have been stress-testing our support infrastructure for several months. We expect the LEAP-1A commercial introduction to be one of the smoothest we have ever had, he concluded.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Dat Monkey wrote at 4/21/2016 3:17:01 AM:737Max has ben using the Leap engine in flight test since February.... Milestone?




Apr 20, 2016 | By Alec

Zero-gravity 3D printing has been an exclusively American affair since 2014, thanks to Made In Spaces innovative 3D printing solution. But that changed last week, when Chinese researchers revealed that they had successfully tested their very own zero-gravity 3D printer during an extensive testing program held in Bordeaux, France. Duan Xuanming from the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology (CIGIT) has now revealed more details about that spectacular breakthrough, and even argued that their zero-gravity 3D printer is laying the foundations for a brand new space station that is to be built in 2020.

For those of you who missed it, this Chinese zero-gravity 3D printing solution has been developed by an extensive research collaboration featuring scientists from the CIGIT and the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization (CSU), both part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing. It has been sponsored by the China Manned Space Program, and development took about two years. Their final functional prototype had been tested during 93 parabolic flights using reduced gravity aircraft at a test site in France. The parabolic test flights created microgravity environments that lasted for about 22 seconds at a time. The test program was a complete success, with a total of five different materials and two 3D printing technologies tested.

CIGIT deputy director Duan Xuanming now revealed a lot more about both the 3D printer and the tests they performed. As he revealed, the Chinese-made 3D printer is not just bigger than the first Made In Space 3D printer, but also bigger than the upgrade that was sent to the ISS last month. You can print objects with a maximum size of 220mm x 140mm x 150mm, which is twice the size of NASA's first zero-gravity 3D printer. It is also larger than the upgraded version that NASA sent to the International Space Station on March 26, he argued. Made In Spaces latest model features a build volume of just 180 x 140 x 100 mm.

The Made In Space 3D printer currently tested in the ISS.

The deputy director further revealed that they 3D printed a wide variety of objects during the tests in Bordeaux, including wrenches, nuts, connecting rods and similar practical tools that could be used aboard a space station. Almost the size of a safe, this 3D printer can be tilted in every way possible without harming the printing quality at all. It prints plastics and two kinds of composite materials, and we even completed tests in weightless and overweight environments, and of course in normal gravity situations. All three situations create different 3D printing parameters, he revealed. The machine has many unique functions such as the ability to upload and function under varied gravity environments, and can cope with exposure to increased speed and vibrations. We have made China's first true microgravity 3D printing solution a reality.

The deputy director further explained that the 3D printer features print speeds of 10~30 mm per second, and can easily 3D print replacement parts within a day or two when aboard a space station. This will, he says, easily help astronauts test and maintain tools and parts in space, adding a great deal of flexibility to their day-to-day operations and experiments. During the tests, a team of scientists also continuously collected material data relevant for additive manufacturing in space. According to Duan Xuanming, this will also greatly help them to realize future space-bound ambitions. The data obtained from the influence of microgravity environments on 3D printing has already laid the foundation for the construction of the space station in 2020 and its post-operation, he revealed.

The technologys impact is hard to overstate because it could actually be a solution for the immense costs involved in space exploration. Sending necessary supplies into space is extremely expensive and can easily take six months to plan and execute. Once in space, precious cargo room is also necessary. But those costs could be significantly reduced if you only have to send up a few basic materials that are used for on-demand 3D printing. It will, scientists agree, facilitate deeper space exploration through efficiency, flexibility and a decreased reliance on supply lines from earth.

But neither NASA or the CAS are quite there yet. According to CIGIT president Yuan Jiahu there are still some issues surrounding the Chinese zero-gravity 3D printer that need to be tackled, though the successful tests underline the machines potential. Especially the printing of complicated shapes with high precision and multiple materials still creates a few problems. Once we make breakthroughs in these areas, we can start fully using this 3D printer for high-end applications in space, he said.

Posted in 3D Printer

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Olivia Schwob in Harvard Magazine:

Ellen Harvey 89 is between shows, so most of her work is packed up, the walls of her studio baring their industrial concrete. Only one piece, unfinished, is propped by the entrance: a massive grayscale cityscape. Blending in with its surroundings, it at first resembles a blown-up photograph. Careful scrutiny gradually reveals thin strokes of oil paint, which bring out the window ledges of warehouses and a water towers spindly legs; daubs name the trees and clouds. Where most of her work takes the form of multi-part installations, this painting stands alone. But in another sense, its a classic Harvey: its power lies in the accumulation of small moments into an overwhelming whole.

Harvey works in other media, but may be best known for her exhaustive collections of paintings about painting: a copy of every nude in Miamis Bass museum; a miniature version of every work in the Whitney Museum catalog; a portrait of every piece of metalwork in the Barnes Foundations collection. The projects are rapturous bordering on obsessive-compulsive, but reducing them to genre-worship would be a mistake. Harvey uses her fascination with traditional art techniques to comment on art as an enterprise, and to point out its potential for multiple failuresfailures to communicate, to preserve, to record, to hold value; she readily acknowledges paintings potential to become merely wallpaper for the rich. This interest in failure derives from her own unconventional start as an artist: Harvey switched careers after attending Yale Law School, and has never studied art formally. Though recognition of her work is growing, and art institutions worldwide seek her out more frequently, she still considers herself something of an outsider in that world.

More here.
Robert Sapolsky in Nautilus:

Biologists have long known about exceptions to the boring, staid notion that organisms are, and remain, either female or male. Now our culture is inching toward recognizing that the permanent, cleanly binary nature of gender is incorrect.

Along with the high-profile Caitlyn Jenner, and Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox, America has seen openly transgender individuals serve as a mayor, state legislator, judge, police officer, a model for a global cosmetics brand, and a high school homecoming queen. Even amid the appallingly high rates of discrimination and violence against transgender individuals, there is a growing recognition that gender designation need not be permanent.

Many people are questioning whether there is even such a thing as gender. These are individuals whose psychosexual self-image may be of both genders, a third gender, no gender, or whose visceral perception of the social world does not include implicitly seeing people as gendered.

This new continent was formalized by as august and ancient an institution as Facebook, which offers 58 gender specification options on ones profile page. These include Agender, Bigender, Intersex, Gender Fluid, Gender Questioning, Non-binary, Pangender, and my two favoritesTwo-spirit, with a vaguely Native American grooviness to it, and Other, which basically implies that, Whoa, Nellie, weve barely scratched the surface!

More here.


Petsec Energy March 2016 Quarter Report

Sydney, April 20, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Petsec Energy Ltd ( ASX:PSA ) ( PSJEY:OTCMKTS ) are pleased to provide the Company's March 2016 Quarter Results.



KEY POINTS:



Corporate



- Acquisition of 100% working interest in Damis (Block S-1) Production Licence in Yemen which holds five oil and gas discoveries including the developed/productive An Nagyah Oilfield.



Operations



- Net production from USA operations for the March 2016 quarter of 65 MMcfe (53 MMcf of gas and 1,998 barrels of oil/condensate).



- Commenced fabrication of a platform jacket for the Main Pass Block 270 #3 BP 1 discovery well drilled on the Hummer exploration prospect.



- Independently assessed net proved and probable (2P) reserves increase by 3000% to 9.3 MMboe as of 1 January 2016.



- Assessed net present value (NPV10) of US$188.1 million or A$1.06/share for the Company's net 2P reserves of 9.3 MMboe.



Financials



- USA net oil and gas revenues of US$0.2 million.



- Cash balance of US$10.9 million (including US$3.7 million of restricted deposits) and no debt.



FINANCIAL:



Production



Petsec Energy produced 65 MMcfe (comprising 53 MMcf of gas and 1,998 barrels of oil/condensate) for the March 2016 quarter, predominantly from the Williams No.2 Alt. well in the Mystic Bayou Field onshore Louisiana, USA.



This was 62% lower than the 170 MMcfe (134 MMcf of gas and 6,073 barrels of oil/condensate) achieved in the previous quarter due to the shut-in of both the ASF No. 4 well (shut-in since mid-November 2015) and the Williams No. 2 Alt. well on 10 February 2016.



Refer to table and "Operations" section in link below for further details on production from the various fields.



Revenues and Cashflow



The Company generated net oil and gas revenues from its USA operations of US$195,000 for the March 2016 quarter (December 2015 quarter:



US$534,000), from production of 65 MMcfe (December 2015: 170 MMcfe) at an average realised gas equivalent sales price of US$3.00/Mcfe (December 2015 quarter: US$3.14/Mcfe).



The Company received an average sales price for the current quarter of US$2.40/Mcf and US$34.03/bbl for its natural gas and oil/condensate production, respectively. This compares to US$2.25/Mcf and US$38.28/bbl achieved in the previous quarter.



The Company recorded negative EBITDAX of US$2.3 million for the March 2016 quarter (December 2015 quarter: negative EBITDAX of US$1.5 million), reflecting additional operating costs associated with the acquisition of the An Nagyah Oilfield in Yemen and associated GG&A.



Acquisition, exploration and development expenditure incurred for the March 2016 quarter of US$2.5 million comprised the acquisition cost of the Damis (Block S-1) interest and development costs associated with the Main Pass 270 #3 BP 1 well.



A "Financial Summary and Production Data" table is provided on page 4 of this report, see link below.



Cash Position



At 31 March 2016, the Company's cash balance of US$10.9 million (A$14.2 million) was US$1.9 million or 15% lower than the 31 December 2015 cash balance of US$12.8 million (A$17.5 million). The cash deposits which are predominantly held in US dollars include secured deposits of US$3.7 million primarily held in an escrow account to secure operator bonds that are on issue to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management ("BOEM").



U.S. Oil and Natural Gas Prices



U.S. WTI crude oil futures prices fell in the March 2016 quarter reaching a low of US$26.21 on 11 February 2016, before rising to close just below US$39/bbl at quarter end. NYMEX WTI futures contracts for delivery in May 2016 were trading at approximately US$42/bbl at the date of this report.



The NYMEX 12 month and 36 month forward strip prices for WTI crude oil settled at US$44.41/bbl and US$46.43/bbl, respectively on 15 April 2016. In comparison, the 12 month and 36 month forward strip prices were trading at US$36.75/bbl and US$40.46/bbl, respectively on 22 January 2016.



U.S. natural gas prices trended lower for much of the March 2016 quarter, trading in a range between US$1.64 and US$2.39/MMBtu. NYMEX futures contracts for delivery in May 2016 were trading at approximately US$1.95/MMBtu at the date of this report.



The NYMEX 12 month and 36 month forward strip prices for U.S. natural gas were trading at approximately US$2.47/MMBtu and US$2.75/MMBtu, respectively on 15 April 2016. This compares to US$2.42/MMBtu and US$2.68/MMBtu, respectively, on 22 January 2016.



U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates for working natural gas in storage for the week ending 8 April 2016 was 2,477 Bcf. This is 956 Bcf or 62.9% higher than the level a year ago and 849 Bcf or 52.1% higher than the 5-year average.



OPERATIONS:



Production

USA

Adeline Sugar Factory No. 4 Well - Jeanerette Field Petsec: 12.5% working interest (9.2% net revenue interest) The Adeline Sugar Factory ("ASF") No. 4 well located in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana was drilled and brought into production in June 2014.



The ASF No. 4 well was shut-in mid-November 2015 due to high water production and a restriction in the tubing due to salt build-up. The well has produced on an intermittent basis since that time, and it's the operator's intention to continue as is for the near-term.



16,700 RA SUA; Williams No.2 Well - Mystic Bayou Field

Petsec: 25% working interest (18.75% net revenue interest)



The 16,700 RA SUA; Williams No.2 gas/condensate discovery well on the Mystic Bayou Field in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana was drilled and brought into production on 31 August 2015.



The well averaged gross daily production rates of approximately 7.5 MMcfpd and 300 bcpd prior to being shut-in on 10 February 2016. The well was shut-in due to a leak in the tubing at a depth below the producing reservoir. Repairs are currently underway to bring the well back into full production.



Development

USA



Main Pass Block 270 #3 BP 1 well - Hummer Prospect

Petsec: 12.5% working interest (10.24% net revenue interest)



The Main Pass Block 270 #3 BP 1 well on the Hummer exploration prospect in 215 feet of water, offshore Louisiana (federal waters) was drilled during the second half of 2015.



The well encountered the Miocene age sand objectives as anticipated and was mud-line suspended at 14,300 feet TVD/ 14,342 feet MD for future completion and production testing after the fabrication and installation of a platform jacket.



The fabrication and installation of the jacket, tie-back and well completion, and testing are anticipated to be complete in the third quarter 2016. The estimated net cost for the fabrication and installation of the platform jacket is approximately US$1.1 million. Net cost for completion and testing of the well are anticipated to be approximately US$0.9 million.



MENA



The Company has been very active during 2014 and 2015 in the MENA region, pursing its objective of acquiring onshore leases with oil reserves, both developed/producing and undeveloped, that hold significant development, exploitation and exploration potential. To-date, the Company has acquired in Yemen, a 75% working interest (63.75% participating interest) in Block 7 Exploration Licence and a 100% working interest (82.5% participating interest) in the Damis (Block S-1) Production Licence.



The political situation in Yemen is progressing towards a resolution of the conflict to the benefit of the Company. It is anticipated that Yemen oil production is likely to recommence in the next few months.



Block 7, Al Barqa Permit, Yemen



Block 7 is an onshore exploration permit covering an area of 5,000 square kilometres (1,235,527 acres) located approximately 340 kilometres east of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen.



Petsec currently holds a non-operating 35% working interest (29.75% participating interest) in the Block 7 Joint Venture and has an agreement with Oil Search Limited ( ASX:OSH ) to acquire its 40% working interest (34% participating interest) in Block 7.

The Company expects to conclude the acquisition of the Oil Search interest in Block 7 in mid-2016. The acquisition which involves acquiring all the shares of its subsidiary, Oil Search (ROY) Limited, will increase Petsec Energy's overall working interest in the block to 75% (63.75% participating interest). On completion of the transaction Petsec Energy will assume operatorship of the block.



As soon as the political situation allows, the Company's first objective in this block is to bring the two suspended discovery wells of the Al Meashar Oilfield (target resource of 11 MMbbl) into production. In 2011, short-term testing of the wells delivered flow rates ranging from 200 to 1,000 bopd. Analysis of this data suggests cleanup of the reservoir is likely to result in stabilised production rates over a longer production period.



Well engineering and cost estimates of the re-entry programme for both wells on the Al Meashar Oilfield are complete and will be followed by a tendering process for equipment and services as the political situation allows.



Damis (Block S-1), Production Licence, Yemen



The Company announced on 5 February 2016 a further significant expansion of its oil and gas interests in Yemen with the acquisition of entities holding a 100% participating interest (82.5% equity interest) and operational control of the Damis (Block S-1) Production Licence.



Damis (Block S-1) is located approximately 80 kilometres to the southwest of Block 7 and holds five sizeable oil and gas discoveries - the developed and productive (until suspended in 2014), An Nagyah Oilfield, and a further four undeveloped oil and gas fields - Osaylan, An Naeem, Wadi Bayhan, and Harmel.



Petsec Energy's net interest in the reserves of the An Nagyah Oilfield is independently assessed to be 5.6 million barrels of remaining 2P reserves of oil, net of all royalties and costs, with a NPV10 value of US$155.4 million at Brent oil forward prices current as of 1 January 2016.

The four undeveloped fields hold substantial oil and gas resources, in excess of 34 million barrels of oil and 550 Bcf of gas which will be a source of future growth of reserves and production for the Company.



The block contains significant existing infrastructure, including surface facilities with a capacity to process up to 20,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and an 80,000 bopd pipeline, which joins the 200,000 BOPD Marib export pipeline to the Ras Isa terminal on the Red Sea Coast.



The An Nagyah Oilfield was shut-in at the end of February 2014, following the declaration of Force Majeure by the previous operator due to political issues in Yemen and a consequent inability to ship oil for the Al Nagyah oil field from the export pipeline terminus on the west coast of Yemen. The field was producing at a rate of over 5,600 bopd prior to its shut-in.



It is Petsec's intention to restart production as early as the political situation allows. The production facility has been maintained during the shut-in period and preparations are underway for the restart of production, delivering crude either by pipeline or trucking or a combination of both.



Appointment of COO & VP Technical MENA



In February 2016, the Company announced the appointments of Mr. Murray Hawkes and Mr. John Rees as Chief Operating Officer and VP Technical, respectively, of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Petsec Energy (Middle Eastern) Limited. Mr. Hawkes will also take on the role of Yemen General Manager, focussing on reactivating field activities in Yemen, including the re-start of production at the An Nagyah Oilfield in Damis (Block S-1).



Mr. Hawkes and Mr. Rees both have significant managerial experience overseeing the delivery of major oil and gas projects, and extensive contacts in the MENA region which will enhance the Company's capabilities and expansion of activities in the region.



Further information on Mr. Rees and Mr. Hawkes is contained within the media releases to the ASX on 11 and 16 February 2016, respectively, and is also available on the Company website at http://www.petsec.com.au.



Oil and Gas Reserves and Valuation



Independently estimated proved and probable (2P) oil and gas reserves net to the Company as of 1 January 2016 were 9.3 MMboe with a NPV10 of US$188.1 million or A$1.06/share. This represents a 3000% increase on the prior year reserves of 0.3 MMboe.



USA



In the 2015 year, the Company returned to conventional exploration and drilled eight conventional exploration wells on eight separate prospects in the USA, onshore and offshore Louisiana. The programme delivered major discoveries to the Company on each of the Mystic Bayou and Hummer exploration prospects and a consequent increase in 2P reserves of 3.6 MMboe. The year end NPV10 value of the USA closing reserves of 3.7 MMboe was US$32.7 million.



MENA - Yemen



The acquisition of the developed/productive An Nagyah Oilfield added net 2P reserves to the Company of 5.6 MMbbl with an NPV10 value of US$155.4 million. The gross target resources of the four undeveloped oil and gas fields contained in the Damis (Block S-1) Production Licence and the Al Meashar Oilfield in Block 7, amount to 45 MMbbl of oil and 550 Bcf of gas.The reserves assessment follows guidelines set forth by the Society of Petroleum Engineers - Petroleum Resource Management System (SPEPRMS).



The USA and Yemen reserve assessments presented above and throughout this report are consistent with the announcements released to the ASX on 8 March 2016 and 15 March 2016, respectively.



The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included within the Financial Statements and the Annual Report, and that all the material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates therein continue to apply and have not materially changed.



Proposed Activities - June 2016 Quarter



USA



During the June 2016 quarter, the Company will participate in the fabrication and setting of a platform jacket for the Main Pass Block 270 #3 BP 1 well, and the subsequent testing of the well to determine gas flow rates and quanta of associated oil in order to size the production facilities.



MENA - Yemen



Yemen operations will focus on making ready the An Nagyah Oilfield to recommence production at the earliest, subject to the Yemen political situation.



The Company is hopeful of recommencing production in the third quarter of 2016.



To view complete report, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/130W2QTF





About Petsec Energy Ltd





Petsec Energy Ltd (ASX:PSA) (OTCMKTS:PSJEY) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. It has operations in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and state waters of the Louisiana Gulf Coast region of the USA, and exploration activities in the Gulf Coast onshore and bay areas of Texas and Louisiana, USA and Yemen.
Distribution of company announcements to the professional platforms, finance portals and syndication of important corporate news to a wide variety of news aggregators and financial news systems.
For over 50 years, The Trueblood Seminars have sought to cover new developments in auditing and accounting to participating educators and thought leaders across the country. The most recent Seminars, held Feb. 17-20 and March 16-19, were hosted by the Deloitte Foundation and the American Accounting Association atDeloitte UniversityinWestlake, Texas.

Auditinnovationwas the hot topic this year, as more than 75 accounting/auditing professionals and educators met in Westlake. Case study materials were also discussed, designed to further classroom experiences and learning for both undergrad and graduate students of accounting.

This year's Seminars called on both professionals and academia to advance the technical capabilities of an auditor as technology continues to transform the business world.

"As businesses continuously evolve and innovate, so, too, should audit, making these seminars all the more crucial," said Kathleen Shoztic, executive director of the Deloitte Foundation, per a release. "While financial reporting requirements have continued to evolve since the Trueblood Seminars began, technology has fundamentally changed the way businesses operate. Educators should not only consider exploring leading practices that will help prepare students for the evolving industry, but also continuing to innovate."

The Trueblood case studies, prepared by Deloitte, also aimed to discuss certain ambiguous topics in accounting to help better prepare students for questions that can arise in their professional careers.

"In particular, the case studies are a tremendous resource for accounting faculty to encourage critical thinking skills and professional judgment in the classroom," said Seminar co-chair and Virginia Tech professor Sarah Stein, per a statement. "The cases tackle issues that have more than one potential alternative, which requires students to provide thoughtful, well-reasoned responses based on their research of the standards. These skills provide great value to the accounting profession."

Committee members includingKristian Allee(University of Wisconsin), Bruce Behn(University of Tennessee),Lauren Cunningham(University of Tennessee),Michael Iselin(University of Minnesota), Nicole Wright(Northeastern University), and Shoztic additionally discussed the possibilities of a new type of auditor, as well as the necessary critical thinking skills that students will need in order to successfully adapt in a transitioning profession.

"Future auditors and accountants will likely need new skills to apply more critical thinking, use advanced technologies, and apply statistical methods and advanced analytics. The Trueblood Seminars help professors enrich the accounting curriculum so that it reflects the skills likely needed for the auditor of the future," added Shoztic.

The Deloitte Foundation's Trueblood Case Study Series is available on Deloitte'ssite here.
The House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing Tuesday on the 2016 filing season and the Internal Revenue Services cybersecurity efforts.

I am pleased to report that the 2016 filing season has gone smoothly in terms of tax return processing and the operation of our information technology systems, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said in his opening statement. Through April 8, the IRS has received more than 107 million individual returns, on the way to an expected total of 150 million. We have issued more than 81 million refunds totaling more than $228 billion.

He credited the extra $290 million boost in funding for helping the IRS improve taxpayer service, particularly on phone calls, for which it added 1,000 temporary employees. But Koskinen admitted a backlog in responding to taxpayer correspondence, with about 300,000 pieces of correspondence still awaiting an answer after more than 45 days.

One of the main focuses of the hearing was cybersecurity and protecting taxpayer information. Koskinen said the IRS is working continuously to protect its main computer systems from intrusions and attacks and preventing criminals from accessing taxpayer information in its databases. However, he admitted there were challenges, and the IRS had to take down its Identity Protection PIN system for identity theft victims after criminals were able to gain access.

The reality is criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are gathering vast amounts of personal information as the result of data breaches at sources outside the IRS, said Koskinen. We must balance the strongest possible authentication processes with the ability of taxpayers to legitimately access their data and use IRS services online. It is important to note that cybercrime (theft by unauthorized access) and privacy breaches are increasing across the country in all areas of government and industry. Cyber criminals and their methods continue to grow in sophistication, frequency, brazenness, volume and impact. IRS will continue to be challenged in our ability to maintain currency with latest technologies, processes and counter-measures.

Subcommittee chairman Peter Roskam, R-Ill., noted that identity theft is a growing problem for many taxpayers. Fraud related to identity theft is growing at an alarming rate, he said. Its a serious crime that hurts millions of Americans and costs the government billions of dollars. In 2012, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, or TIGTA, reported the IRS could pay out $21 billion in fraudulent refunds over five years  While the IRS has taken some steps to prevent and detect identity theft, the agency is not keeping up with the criminals.

Two nonpartisan government watchdogsthe Government Accountability Office and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administrationhave repeatedly expressed concerns that the IRSs efforts to prevent fraud are insufficient. At the hearing, witnesses from the GAO and TIGTA highlighted the agencys failure to effectively implement many of their recommendations to better protect Americans during tax seasonincluding fixing the authentication system to prevent fraudsters from accessing taxpayer information.

Tim Camus, Deputy Inspector General for Tax Administration, said in his testimony, In response to our reporting that the IRS did not have a process to measure the impact of identity theft, the IRS initiated a research project in CY 2012 to develop a measurement process to assess its efforts to defend against identity theft and identify areas that require additional effort. For the 2014 filing season, the IRS reported that identity thieves had been successful in receiving approximately $3.1 billion in fraudulent tax refunds. TIGTA is evaluating the accuracy of the IRSs measurement process and expects to issue its report early next fiscal year.

Jessica K. Lucas-Judy, acting director of strategic issues at the Government Accountability Office, presented a GAO report on how the IRS needs to better combat identity theft refund fraud and protect taxpayer data.

Members of Congress expressed concern that because of cybersecurity hacks, such as the Get Transcript hack, criminals now frequently have access to all of the taxpayer's information. This means they can file fraudulent returns that are completely identical to the legitimate return. To combat this, the IRS needs to step up its data analytics and work with other stakeholders to share information more effectively.

When Rep. Pat Meehan, R-Pa., asked about how to improve the authentication system, members and witnesses agreed the IRS faces many challenges. Koskinen admitted part of the problem is that the agency runs the worlds most complicated tax system. Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, who personally experienced tax-related identify theft, said, The real answer is we have to simplify the tax code.

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, also expressed concern about the rising levels of identity theft. Across the country, there is an increase in identity theft, he said. Many of you read the news or have family and friends who have been victims. There are already many criminals impersonating the IRS. They seek to cheat taxpayers out of their hard-earned money.

He also voiced his objection to recent legislation requiring the IRS to revive a private debt collection program that will require the IRS to hire private contractors to collect outstanding tax debts. Confusion about whether the private debt collectors were acting for the IRS or were criminals was a problem 10 years ago, he pointed out. With more predators and criminals, the program is bound to do more harm than good. Bringing back private debt collection is a mistake, and it should be repealed.

Lewis called for increased funding for the IRS. Congress should focus on giving the IRS the tools it needs to serve taxpayers, he said. Since 2010, funding for the IRS has been cut by around $1 billion. Last week, the Republicans on this committee passed a bill to cut it by $400 million more each year. These budget cuts have resulted in the loss of 12,000 jobs, reduced employee training, and delayed computer system upgrades.

Republicans, however, contend the IRS needs to do more with its funding. Its clear the IRSs existing efforts to address identity theft and cybersecurity attacks are not enough, said Roskam. The troubled agencys failure to improve its information security puts all of us at risk. We need to hold the IRS accountable for protecting taxpayer information and strengthening security. That starts right here, right now.
The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed Nevadas exercise of jurisdiction over the California Franchise Tax Board, but limited the damages that could be awarded to the amount which Nevada law would permit in a similar suit against its own agencies.

The case, Franchise Tax Board of California v. Hyatt, has been under litigation for years. In its essence, the case was initially whether Gilbert Hyatt, a tech inventor and entrepreneur, moved from California to Nevada in 1991 or 1992. Hyatt claimed he moved in September 1991, while California claimed he didnt move until April 1992. At stake was $7.4 million in patent royalties earned during that time. Nevada does not tax personal income.

Hyatt filed suit in Nevada state court seeking damages for Californias alleged abusive audit and investigation practices. A Nevada jury verdict awarded Hyatt almost $500 million in damages and fees. California appealed, arguing that the Constitutions Full Faith and Credit Clause required Nevada to limit damages to $50,000, the maximum that Nevada would permit in a similar suit against its own agencies. The Nevada Supreme Court affirmed $1 million of the award and ordered a retrial on another damages issue.

The U.S. Supreme Court was equally divided Tuesday as to whether the case Nevada relied on for jurisdiction over the California Franchise Tax Board should be overruled, and therefore it affirmed the Nevada courts exercise of jurisdiction over the California state agency. However, it put a cap on the amount of damages that could be awarded at $50,000.

The second question decided by the court was whether the constitution permits Nevada to award damages against California agencies under Nevada law that are greater than it could award against Nevada agencies in similar circumstances. We conclude that it does not.

The court found that Nevada has applied a special rule of law that evinces a policy of hostility toward California. Doing so violates the Constitutions requirement that Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records and judicial Proceedings of every other State.
Brands of Desire today announced the appointment of Sachin Kapoor as Chief Operating Officer. Effective immediately, Sachin Kapoor assumes overall leadership of the brand consulting, project management, design and production teams. As part of the leadership team, he is responsible for overall strategy and execution of Brands of Desires vision going forward. Brands of Desire is a frontrunner amongst brand consultancies in India and aims to take world class branding solutions to every corner of India and not just focus on tier 1 cities. He will be based in New Delhi and will play a key role in driving the organization to its next level of growth. Over the course of more than 16 years of working experience in various industries ranging from FMCG, Life Insurance, General Insurance, Hospitality and Financial Services, Sachin has worked with top brands like  Hindustan Unilever Ltd, HDFC, TATA AIG & Future Group.



Sachin a product of SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, was National Sales Manager at TATA AIG when he decided to give up his well-paying job for his love of entrepreneurship in 2014. He co-founded Home for Food Traditions Pvt. Ltd (HFT) and managed business operations for close to 2 years before deciding to join the fast growing Brands of Desire.



Talking about his appointment Founder and CEO, Saurabh Uboweja said We are delighted to have Sachin on board, we believe in him - he uniquely matches with our value system of integrity, high goals and systematic growth! He will place greater emphasis on profitability, motivational leadership and is sure to introduce innovative, fresh thinking to our team and all our business associates. Sachin is a valuable addition to our company. He is passionate about transforming lives, branding and we believe he will greatly enrich our teams capabilities. We welcome him.



Talking about his beginning with a new stint at Brands of Desire Sachin said I feel incredibly energized to drive BODs next phase of transformation and growth. Its right time in India for all business, especially start ups to focus on their Brand Strategy and consider it as single most critical aspect for their business plan. I call it  Start up Right India! For an established business, getting their Brand Strategy right can offer a 10X opportunity.


Dainik Bhaskar has associated itself with zidd (stubbornness) as a platform for a while now. In a fresh injection of energy into this brand promise, Ogilvy & Mather Mumbai has created a new TVC to take ahead the message of Achchi Zidd (right stubbornness). This 2-minute commercial marks the launch of a broader campaign that celebrates the spirit of stubbornness. The commercial is visible on television channels and social media channels across the country.

Commenting on the campaign, Kaacon Sethi, Chief Marketing Officer, Dainik Bhaskar, said, Our brand Dainik Bhaskar embodies zidd. Our own growth story, from single newspaper which launched in Bhopal to today being the largest circulated with presence across 14 states with 62 editions, is steeped in zidd. We are intensely proud of the work by the Ogilvy team on our Zidd Karo Duniya Badlo film. It is being received very well.

Elaborating on the thinking behind the TVC, Kainaz Karmakar, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather, said, For a newspaper brand, it is easy to be preachy while talking about its philosophy. We wanted to avoid that. We wrote a simple story, with a simple message  the right stubbornness can defeat wrong stubbornness. The innocence of our little protagonists and how they dig their heels in for a friend doesnt preach, but inspires.

Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather, added here, With such an innocent and honest story to be told, the task was to avoid any typically addy frills and let the stark struggle between right and wrong shine through. What Sainath (Choudhury, director of the TVC) brought to our script as a director was precisely that. We also felt that the story would be further enhanced through a song from the uncluttered point of view of children.

Abhik Santara, Senior Vice President, Ogilvy & Mather, remarked, There is no better time in India for people to be stubborn, for the right reasons. Across a timespan, the brand would keep reminding people to stay stubborn to change the world and for that we plan to take ahead the platform of Achchi Zidd to various other engaging media.



Dainik Bhaskar Ad | Zid Karo Duniya Badlo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IvKxNBIGqU

Campaign credits:

Client: Dainik Bhaskar Group

Creative agency: Ogilvy & Mather

Executive Chairman & Creative Director, South Asia: Piyush Pandey

National Creative Director: Rajiv Rao

Executive Creative Directors: Kainaz Karmakar, Harshad Rajadhyaksha

Copywriters: Kainaz Karmakar, Harshad Rajadhyaksha

Lyricist: Neelesh Jain

Account Management: Abhik Santara, Dushyant Kumar, Neha Shetty, Mohit Patti

Agency Films Dept: Manoj Joshi

Production House: Purple Vishnu

Director: Sainath Choudhury

Music: Pankaj Awasthi
Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge), Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy released the India Entrepreneurship Report 2015 by Amway. The reports aims to understand the latent enthusiasm for entrepreneurship in the country, as well as factors that motivate and obstruct the creation of new enterprises.

Research partner Nielsen India surveyed 250 households in each of the 21 states across 50 different cities. One male and one female member in the 21-65 age group were interviewed from each household taking the total no of respondents to 10,768 individuals (Male 5,402 and Female 5,366).



Unveiling the report, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, said, The contribution of MSME sector (Micro, Small and medium enterprises) in India, is much less as compared to some of the developed nations. This needs to change. It is critical that there is entrepreneurship led boom at the grass root level so that India can leverage the demographic dividend to the maximum possible extent. The understanding of motivations, attitudes towards entrepreneurship, offers valuable insight to the policy makers.



Anshu Budhraja, CEO, Amway India, said, We are aiming to engage different stakeholders on what drives entrepreneurship in India and contribute to the on-going discussions on the role of skill development and self-employment in improving employability of the youth.



Entrepreneurship is a way for people to realise a better life for themselves and their families. Entrepreneurs also create jobs and encourage competition. They spur economic growth and bring opportunities to communities. So, its important that businesses like Amway know how entrepreneurs think and act in order to better support and encourage them.



Two-Thirds of Indians view entrepreneurship positively

Entrepreneurship is valued in India. India Entrepreneurship Report 2015 reports tangible enthusiasm for entrepreneurship as being a good prospect to earn a livelihood in India, with nearly two-thirds of the respondents viewing it favourably. Kerala (78 percent), Punjab (77 percent) and Uttarakhand (76 percent) were the states with most positive attitude towards entrepreneurship.

Access to finance (41 percent) and Family support (35 percent) emerged as the most important factors to start ones own business. 73 percent of the respondents believe that anyone can be trained/ educated to be an entrepreneur. 62 percent of all respondents thought that the education they had right now was sufficient to start their own business.

Nearly 50% of respondents considering to start their own business

Almost one in two respondents (47 percent), said that they had either thought about starting their own business or are actively pursuing one. Overall, 19 percent of respondents said that they are very open to starting a new business and in fact are actively pursuing one. Jharkhand has the highest number of respondents (60 percent) who say that they are actively pursuing a new business, followed by Uttarakhand (40 percent) and Uttar Pradesh (29 percent).



Environment for entrepreneurs to start business in India has improved

Nearly half of all respondents (45 percent) said the environment to begin a business in their state has improved over the past five years. 11 percent of the respondents felt that the environment has improved significantly.

Financial institutions play a key role

83 percent respondents voted banks as their main port of call for starting a business. This insight clearly point to the role of financial institutions in fostering and facilitating entrepreneurship. Friends and family came second on this index with 78 percent.

Fear of Failure

Across gender, income and age, the fear of failure emerges as a clear obstacle to starting a business with 63 percent of the overall respondents saying so. The fear of failure is composed of different factors. 31 percent of respondents found financial burdens up to bankruptcy as the most important cause for the fear. Non-conducive market conditions (24 percent) and fear of unemployment (23 percent) were the other key causes of the fear.
The aviation industry is heading to Poland this weekend for the 11th annual Routes Europe forum in Krakow to plan future European air services (23-26 April).





Routes Europe was first held in Warsaw in 2006 to bring together airlines, airports and tourism authorities to discuss air services to, from and within Europe. Krakow Airport (above) will host this year's event for 1,200 delegates from 110 airlines, 310 airports and 40 tourism authorities at the EXPO Krakow convention centre.







Above: The EXPO Krakow convention centre.

Since joining the European Union (EU) in 2004, the Polish aviation industry has been boosted by the free movement of people and goods. Air passengers in Poland increased by 12.5% to 30.6 million in 2015, with much of the expansion being driven by the low-cost carriers that have entered the Polish market.



Krakow and the surrounding Maopolska region are known for their historical and cultural attractions which drew almost 14 million visitors in 2015. The tourism industry has helped to fuel the 11% increase in Krakow Airport's passenger numbers which reached 4.2 million in 2015 (the highest in the airport's history) and they are expected to peak at 4.6 million this year.



The location has attracted most of Europe's major airlines including Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines and low-cost carriers Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Vueling, Wizzair and Jet2.com.



Airlines from outside Europe such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, Qatar Airways, Etihad, All Nippon Airways and China Southern Airlines will also be present.



Delegates will also get the chance to hear from industry leaders at the conference element of Routes Europe, the Strategy Summit. The speakers who will explore the latest airline issues and trends include Fernando Estrada, Chief Strategy Officer at Vueling; Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair; and Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer at BMI Regional.



Adrian Newton, Group Director of Aviation and Transport at UBM EMEA (the owner of Routes), said: "The Polish market is important to the aviation industry because it is continuing to develop significantly. This is in the wider context of a mature European market which does not have the same capacity to grow.



"As this year's Routes Europe host, Krakow Airport is in a strong position to gain more new services which will increase its international route network."



Dr Jan Pamua, President of the Board at Krakow Airport, said: "Routes Europe 2016 is an opportunity to present ourselves as a modern, dynamically growing airport, boosting the attractiveness of the city and the region. We will also show the delegates around the most beautiful sites of Krakow and Maopolska."


The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has appointed CAA International (CAAi), the advisory arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), to help strengthen CAAT's aviation safety oversight and compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).





The CAAi project will involve a team of around ten experts from the UK CAA to work collaboratively with CAAT to recertify Thai registered AOCs, to address the Significant Safety Concern (SSC) raised by ICAO in 2015. CAAi will also conduct on-the-job flight operations training to CAAT Inspectors, to help increase their core inspectorate competencies in accordance with international standards. The final work stream includes full-scale ICVM preparation assistance. This activity will cover all of ICAOs eight critical elements of a safety oversight system ahead of Thailands impending ICVM safety audit by ICAO.



The partnership was signed by Mr Chartchai Tipsunave, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport, Acting Director CAAT and Mrs Maria Rueda, Managing Director for CAAi, at a special ceremony held at the Thai Ministry of Transport Headquarters. The ceremony was also attended by the UK Deputy Ambassador to Thailand and representatives from the EU and ICAO.



After the ceremony, Mrs Rueda said: With almost 600,000 passengers flying to Thailand from the UK alone in 2014 [Civil Aviation Authority, 2015], we are fully committed to assisting CAAT raise its level of effective implementation and meet the international safety standards set by ICAO. Working together, we are confident we can help lift the SSC and strengthen Thailands aviation safety oversight.



The project is expected to commence in May 2016.


Storytime with Colbie McAllister

June 14, 2020 at 2PM

A young author in Prince Georges County is using his voice to help other kids stand up to bullies. Now published and for order on Amazon, Colbie is turning the page on his bullies hoping his writing inspires others to be brave.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Colbie meets his new best friend Zach, the two encounter an unexpected find on their way home from school that changes everything.
Hill depot facility becomes first to work on all F-35 variants

The Ogden Air Logistics Complex here became the first depot facility to perform modifications on all three F-35 Lightning II variants after it inducted a Navy F-35C carrier version April 15.



The F-35C was flown in from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, by Navy Capt. Mark Weisgerber, the 33rd Fighter Wing vice commander.



"Hill has the capacity to accomplish the needed modifications and it is important to optimize the workflow within the Air Logistics Complex," Weisgerber said.



The first F-35 arrived at Hill AFB for modifications in September 2013. Since then, the depot has performed modifications on the Air Force's fleet of conventional takeoff and landing F-35As. It also has completed work on four Marine Corps F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing aircraft, helping the Marine Corps reach initial operational capability.



For the Navy's carrier variant, the complex's 570th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, along with Lockheed Martin, will perform structural upgrades, low-observable restoration and system modifications that will enhance performance across the aircraft's service life.



"The men and women of the 570th (AMXS)have risen to the challenges of supporting the dynamic changes in this program and take great pride in being the first depot to work on all three variants of the F-35," said Greg Hoffman, the 570th AMXS director.



With the program's ever-evolving requirements, exact numbers of how many aircraft will be worked on this year is not yet available. The squadron's main focus will center on completing work on the Air Force fleet of F-35A models and Navy's F-35C models, and returning the aircraft to the warfighter better than they arrived.



"We were able to support the U.S. Marine Corps with critical modifications on the F-35B to meet their initial operational capability (IOC) milestone," Hoffman said. "Today, we are working closely with the 388th Fighter Wing to provide modifications that will ensure they are able to meet their IOC target with the F-35A and are proud to support the Navy with work on the F-35C.



The complex had been planning for the arrival of the C-model for months and expects work on the fighter jet to last through early September as workers train with the aircraft and perform verification and validation on the new modifications.
Reserve officer being recognized for intervening in stabbing

City officials in Newport News, Virginia, are planning to formally recognize an Air Force reservist who intervened in a dispute that resulted in the stabbing of a local woman.



Capt. Erick of the 718th Intelligence Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, was on his way home after a unit training assembly on April 12, 2015, when he saw a man and woman running through traffic. (NOTE: Due to security concerns, Citizen Airmen who are directly involved in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions are only identified by rank and first name.) Erick said he noticed that the female appeared to be in distress.



When I could see her face, I saw pain and terror in her expression, he said.



The man, later identified as Michael Andre Warren, grabbed the woman and began punching her head and face.



Upon seeing the assault occurring in the middle of the street, Erick immediately stopped his car, got out and started running toward the two.



As I closed in on the two individuals, they reached the sidewalk and fell together on the ground, Erick wrote in a memorandum that provided details of the incident. When he got within 15 to 20 feet, the male jumped back up and began to run. I chased after him. While fleeing, the male began removing the shirt he was wearing. In the last 15 feet of the chase, the male attacker fell on the ground from running, and four other males came running from behind me to help catch and secure him.



Erick said while the four men held the attacker down, he ran back to help the female. When he arrived at her side, two other women had stopped to provide help. When they tried to stand the woman up, the victim fell to the ground. They saw that she was bleeding and realized she had been stabbed in the lower back area. Erick then called 911 to request police assistance and an ambulance. The victim was later transported to a local hospital where she received treatment for life-threatening injuries.



Erick stayed behind and identified the man who police had arrested as the person who attacked the female. He later learned that the man attempted to use the shirt that he removed to dispose of a switchblade knife.



The attacker was later convicted and is now serving a 20-year prison sentence.



In recognition of his actions, Newport News city officials are planning to present Erick with the Newport News Police Departments Citizen Service Award May 5. And they arent the only ones wanting to honor Erick for his efforts. His unit has submitted an application to award him the Air Force Commendation Medal.



"I couldn't be prouder for Captain Erick, said Lt. Col. Joshua Redden, 718th IS commander. His selfless dedication to a lady in distress demonstrated what it truly means to be a Citizen Airman. By putting his health and well-being on the line, he ultimately saved this woman's life, and his actions proved that there are good and courageous officers serving in the Air Force Reserve.



From day one, he has been a mainstay of my officer corps and was also recognized at the Air Force level as the 2015 Reserve Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Company Grade Officer of the Year. I can't wait to see what he does next. 718th ... eyes in the sky!"



Erick is still a member of the Air Force Reserve. His unit, the 718th IS, is part of the 655th ISR Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.



The group is responsible for ensuring the training and readiness its subordinate squadrons, which are engaged in diverse and complex ISR missions, including human intelligence, signals intelligence, geospatial and measurement intelligence, targeting, distributed common ground system, and ISR support to special operations forces and airborne linguists.






(Editors note: As the Air Force Reserve celebrates its 68th birthday this month, the service is also celebrating more than 50 years of being a good neighbor in communities throughout the United States and the world. For years, Air Force Reservists have been helping people in need in underserved areas across the United States through the Innovative Readiness Training program. This story highlights the most recent IRT project.)



About 130 total force service members, including 35 Air Force Reservists, spent two weeks in April on Kodiak Island in Alaska providing free medical and veterinary care to people and pets with limited access to these services as part of Arctic Care 2016.



As a Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training project, Arctic Care is designed to provide valuable real-world training to military members while addressing public and civil-society needs.



IRT is the ultimate win-win, said Maj. Anna Hill, Air Force Reserve Commands IRT program manager. The military members involved receive tremendous real-world training working with people from their sister services, and the communities involved receive medical or civil engineering services they desperately need.



Arctic Care 2016 was a medical IRT project that provided dental, medical, optometry and veterinary services in the city of Kodiak and the smaller villages of Ouzinkie, Port Lions, Larsen Bay, Old Harbor, Akniok and Karluk.



In downtown Kodiak, a city of about 6,000 people, hundreds of locals showed up every day at a converted grocery store to receive basic medical care, have their eyes and teeth examined or to seek care for their pets.



We are seeing about 60 patients a day in the optometry clinic alone, said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Joni Scott-Weideman, an optometrist assigned to the Air Force Reserves 413th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.



Scott-Weideman and fellow optometrist, Capt. (Dr.) Roxanne Buffano, a Reservist assigned to the 927th Aerospace Medicine Squadron at MacDill AFB, Florida, examined patients and wrote prescriptions for eyeglasses on the spot.



From there, patients could pick from among six different frame options, and their glasses were crafted by specialists from the Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity. They could then pick up their new glasses the next day.



We get to treat patients who have never had an eye exam before, and its amazing to see the look on their faces when they are finally seeing like they should be, Scott-Weideman said, adding that the optometrists worked with officials from the Kodiak Area Native Association to try and arrange follow-on care for people who needed more than a pair of glasses.



Kodiak is by far the biggest city on Kodiak Island, which is dotted with a host of smaller remote villages that are only accessible by plane or boat.



You cant drive to these smaller villages, but we know there are people there who still need our help, Hill said. So we would send a full team, including a doctor, dentist, optometrist and veterinarian, to these locations for a few days to make sure they were taken care of.

Port Lions is one of these smaller villages and is home to about 150 full-time residents. The village has a small clinic but no full-time health care providers.



We are so grateful for Arctic Care and the military doctors who have spent the past few days here, Port Lions Mayor Melvin Squartsoff said. Were pretty isolated, and it means the world for our people and their pets to have doctors come here and take care of them.

On one of the last days of Arctic Care in Port Lions, the community put on a luncheon feast for the health-care providers and a host of Defense Department distinguished visitors who had come to witness Arctic Care firsthand.



Capt. Lisa Alimenti, a health-care administrator assigned to the 940th AMS at Beale AFB, California, said she really enjoyed helping out her fellow Americans during Arctic Care.



To me thats the best thing about IRT projects  helping out people who really need it, she said. But its also great to see all of the services coming together to work as one team.



IRT is all about total force, Hill said. We work hand in hand with active, Guard and Reserve service members from the Army and Navy on these IRT projects, and this year with Arctic Care we had the opportunity to work closely with the Coast Guard and Canadian service members as well.



The Arctic Care team members who worked out of the transformed grocery store in the city of Kodiak stayed in tents on the Coast Guard base there. They ate breakfast and dinner prepared in a field kitchen and had meals-ready to eat for lunch each day.



Our medical crews get most of the attention, and they certainly do a great job, but we have a lot of people working behind the scenes to make these IRT projects work, Hill said. We have food services team preparing meals, comm folks making sure we can all communicate and logistics people ensuring our teams have all of the equipment they need. These behind-the-scenes folks are getting excellent training as well.



In addition to Arctic Care, Air Force Reservists will be taking part in a host of other IRT projects this year, both medical and civil engineering. Other medical IRTs include the South Mississippi medical IRT in the Natchez community and Tropic Care medical IRTs in Hawaii.

Reserve civil engineers will be taking part in IRTs in support of the YMCA of the Rockies, the Chenango community in New York, the Southwest Indian Foundation in New Mexico and Arizona, and the Boy Scouts of America in Camp Hinds, Maine.



Although her plate is full of IRT projects for 2016, Hill said she is already looking forward to Arctic Care 2017.



The Navy was the lead service for Arctic Care 2016, and they did a tremendous job, she said. We (the Air Force Reserve) will be the lead service in 2017, and we are already making plans for next years project.




CHIEFchat: Cody discusses WAPS





FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS)  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody discussed the implementation of the Weighted Airman Promotion System changes during his most recent CHIEFchat at Defense Media Activity on Fort George G. Meade.



During his chat, he discussed the role of education in promotion, the continued relevance of testing at all enlisted levels, and the feedback he and other senior leaders have received about the changes to the system.



Education



Currently, the Community College of the Air Force degree is only mandatory to be promoted to senior master sergeant. It is masked on the master sergeant evaluation board, and board members are briefed not to consider education as a discerning factor for promotion because they may not have the entire picture.



A lot of Airmen receive education at various times, Cody said. If its not within that most recent time period that the board would be looking at ... they wouldn't see it.



When Airmen consider furthering their education, he said, its important they take into consideration how it will make them better as Airmen and more proficient at their jobs.



The sole fact that you are educated doesn't mean you're a better Airman or a better performer. It should help you perform better, and if it doesn't, well it's not as probably relevant to us, Cody said.



Testing



Cody addressed a question from social media asking if testing will ever be removed for senior NCOs going up for promotion.



While duty performance remains at the forefront of what will be considered for Airmen to be promoted, he said, its important everyone has the baseline level of knowledge thats expected of them at the their level. Thus, Airmen can expect no changes to testing requirements.



Enlisted performance reports



The decision to reduce the number of EPRs for a promotion board from ten to five has been discussed for the past several years.



Cody said when Airmen go through the board process, the board will now only look at the past five years of EPRs instead of ten, expediting the process and giving members not too much information, but enough information.



You have to perform at every grade, he said. Some people are slow starters and fast finishers. People start fast and finish up slow. We are all different. You don't want to either positively or negatively impact somebody overwhelmingly with looking so far in a career.



Feedback



With the promotion system nearing its first year with the changes, Cody said more data and feedback is needed to see where the process can be smoothed out.



The reality is, though, the feedback that were getting is really, really positive, by and large, he said. Were trying to make sure to give enough time to get all the feedback so that we have it in the right context before we start making changes.



As changes are considered, Cody encourages Airmen and commanders to ask themselves: Do we feel we promoted the right people?



If the answer is yes, then the Air Force is in a better place.



CHIEFchat is a recurring initiative, designed to give Airmen around the world a direct connection to the chief master sergeant of the Air Force. The chief received questions via video message, social media outlets and from members of a studio audience.
Doolittle Raider raises toast 74 years after historic mission

One of two surviving Doolittle Raiders visited Fairchild Air Force Base for a commemorative toast April 18 in honor of the 74th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo.



Former Staff Sgt. David Thatcher, who served in the Army Air Forces as a member of Flight Crew No. 7, was part of the air raid led by then-Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle. It marked the United States' first strike on the Japanese islands in World War II.



"The Doolittle Raid showed what we can accomplish when we work together to achieve a common goal," Thatcher said, now in his mid-90s. "I hope that Airmen will continue to honor the raid and remember what was done."



In the years leading up to the raid, Japan had annexed Korea, invaded China and other parts of mainland Asia, and ultimately bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. The Allies were desperate to send the Japanese Empire a message that it was not invincible. Though the damage inflicted on Japanese targets in the strike was seemingly insignificant, the Doolittle Raid emphasized the war was not over. America's Pacific fleet was still reeling from damage incurred at the war's opening but the sea-to-air attack, launched from the deck of the USS Hornet just a few hundred miles from Japan's coast, showed America was a force to be reckoned with.



The Hennessy toast, part of an annual tradition of the Doolittle Raiders, symbolizes Doolittle receiving a vintage 1896 bottle of cognac on his 60th birthday in 1956. The bottle was opened at the final 2013 group celebration, where three of the 80 Raiders were in attendance. In times of commemoration since, the Hennessy toast celebrates the raid and its accomplishments.



"What an incredible opportunity for the Airmen of Team Fairchild to hear firsthand the story of 80 great Americans who launched an incredibly daring and dangerous mission despite knowing that they might not make it," said Jim O'Connell, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing historian. "Sergeant Thatcher and his fellow Doolittle Raiders, who were 'just doing their job,' through their actions, established another milestone in a legacy of excellence, and created, forever, an indelible mark in the history of the United States."



The legacy of Thatcher and his comrades lives on in the minds of today's Airmen.



"It's not every day you have a Doolittle Raider on stage with you," said Col. Brian McDaniel, the 92nd ARW commander. "We all remember the photographs in our history books of the planes taking off from the Hornet. What an honor to have a legend here with us today."
Battlefield Airmen pay tribute to fallen commander

More than 200 Airmen from the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing gathered here April 15 to mourn and pay tribute to Lt. Col. William Schroeder, who was fatally shot a week before.



Schroeder, the 342nd Training Squadron commander at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, was killed after an incident of workplace violence April 8. Schroeder was well-known throughout the tactical air control party community and served alongside many of the Airmen assigned to the 93d AGOW.



As I was reading all the stories that have been posted about him this week, the three words that kept coming up were: leader, mentor and friend, said Lt. Col. Kenneth Ferland, the 18th Weather Squadron commander. The last act he made as a leader was to take care of his Airmen, at all costs.



Col. Joseph Locke, the 93rd AGOW commander, read an excerpt written by a friend of Schroeders, which elaborated on the incident and painted a picture of heroism.



Bill shielded his first sergeant, Locke said. He got her out of harms way and then actively engaged the shooter. Bill went out swinging; his actions undoubtedly saved lives. His immediate, aggressive, and selfless response reflects the very essence of what warriors aspire to be.



The memorial was held at the end of a weeklong exercise, which brought together TACPs from across the country.



Weve spent a week here refining combat skills and preparing to face an enemy in combat and yet, occasionally, we find that enemy here at home, Locke said. Bill faced it in an instant. I cant think of a higher aspiration for each and every one of us to be, and I hope that each of us will have the courage that he had in that moment of truth.



The ceremony ended with the playing of taps and memorial pushups, a tradition that honors the fallen in the TACP community.



I think its important that we mourn, but I think its more important to pay tribute, Ferland said. Gen. George Patton said it best: It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.
Randolph remembers Doolittle Raids impact on WWII

The Doolittle Raiders were honored here April 18 during a ceremony marking the 74th anniversary of their Tokyo raid during World War II.



On the same day in 1942, Lt. Col. James Doolittle led 80 pilots, gunners, navigators and bombardiers as they flew 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers to attack Japanese islands in retaliation after the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941.



Its truly amazing what the 80 crewmembers did only four months after Pearl Harbor was attacked, said Maj. Gen. James Hecker, the 19th Air Force commander. They were able to take a B-25 that normally uses 3,000 feet to take off and they did it in 500 feet aboard an aircraft carrier. They risked their lives so we can do what we are doing today.



Retired Lt. Col. Dick Cole, a co-pilot in Doolittles bomber and one of two surviving Raiders, was in attendance and recalled his time flying with the commander.



We were both there and we both knew what we needed to do, Cole said. Him more than me, of course. I was just a brand new second lieutenant and at that time in the military, second lieutenants were to be seen and not heard; but we were all part of his team.



Prior to the raid, the ships carrying the B-25s were spotted by a Japanese naval ship, forcing the Raiders to launch nearly 200 miles early, resulting in them arriving over Japan at the height of day with little cover.



The Doolittle Raiders were still able to hit their targets with complete surprise and out run interceptors.



After the raid, 15 of the 16 B-25s made it to China and one of the bombers landed in Russia. Three of the Airmen were executed after being captured by the Japanese, one died of disease while in a prison camp, another died parachuting from his aircraft, and two Airmen drowned while trying to ditch their aircraft.



The Doolittle Raid has, over time, been misunderstood, said Gary Boyd, the Air Education and Training Command historian. Originally, I think we were content with calling it a psychological victory. In reality it changed all of World War II in the Pacific because it proved to the Japanese how vulnerable they were to air attack; it changed their mindset and sense of self protection. After the attack they recalled aircraft back to Japan and they became obsessed with increasing the zone of protection for the home empire.



The decision to pull resources back to protect the homeland led directly to U.S. success at the Battle of Midway, Boyd said.



It was a tremendous victory at a time when we needed a victory of any kind, he said. At the end of the day, they were successful at changing the dynamic of the war.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has urged the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which boast more than a billion Muslims, to seize every available opportunity to achieve complementarity and to expand South-South cooperation in order to enhance Muslim countries productivity and strengthen their economies.

In an address to the 13th Summit of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Istanbul, Turkey, King Mohammed VI said that the strength of the Muslim bloc, an almost global bloc, will be commensurate with our ability to seize every available opportunity to achieve complementarity.

It will also depend on how much we benefit from the lessons of our history and from experiences lived by other blocs that have reached advanced levels of integration and joint construction, he stated in the speech that was read out on his behalf by his Foreign Minister.

The King also urged for boosting and expanding South-South cooperation -based on trust, realism and shared interests  among member states, mainly through extensive exchange of experiences. He said this will enable us to develop our relations and promote solidarity between our societies, at all levels, with a view to enhancing our productivity and strengthening our economies, in order to ensure decent living conditions and prosperity for our peoples.

King Mohammed VI has made of the promotion of South-South cooperation the spearhead of Moroccos strategy and has strived since coming to power to materialize this strategy on the ground, especially at the level of the African continent.

The Moroccan King who hailed the results of the OIC last ten-year plan, which contributed to doubling trade between member states, expressed hope that the upcoming comprehensive plan of action, to be adopted during this 13th Summit, will more than double inter-Islamic trade.

Any measures this meeting may call for in order to develop our economic blocs will be highly appreciated, with the prospect of creating an Islamic free-trade zone, he pointed out, adding that such a zone will embody the spirit of solidarity and pave the way for a model of sustainable development based on and aimed at human development, which I called for during the Dakar Summit.
The UN Security Council expressed serious concern on Tuesday over delays in the return of South Sudans rebel leader Riek Machar to the capital Juba as part of a peace deal.

The 15-member council met behind closed doors at the request of the United States to hear a report on the latest hurdle in the way of the agreement to end the two-year civil war.

Council members urged all parties to quickly form the transitional government and fully implement the peace agreement, said Chinese Deputy Ambassador Wu Haitao, whose country holds the council presidency.

UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous told the council that there had been disagreements over security arrangements allowing rebel forces to be stationed in Juba in advance of Machars arrival, which was supposed to have been on Monday.

But he said he was hopeful that Machar would return on Wednesday, diplomats said.

The council called on all sides to remain calm and said it was ready to address any obstruction of implementation of the agreement, although it did not specify which measures were envisaged.

Under the peace deal, Machar was to join President Salva Kiir in a new 30-month transitional government leading to elections.

The deal is to end a devastating war that erupted in December 2013 after Kiir fell out with Machar, who was his deputy.

The United States is extremely disappointed that Riek Machar has not fulfilled his commitments under the peace agreement and returned to Juba as he stated publicly he would, said US Deputy Ambassador David Pressman.

We expect Riek Machar and all parties to live up to their commitments under the peace agreement and do their part to establish the transitional government.

Tens of thousands of people have died in the fighting and more than two million have been driven from their homes.

Machar was supposed to return to Juba for the first time since the war began from his tribal stronghold of Pagak in the east of the country to formally take up his post as vice president.

Speaking to reporters at Juba airport, rebel spokesmen William Ezekiel said on Tuesday that unspecified issues relating to logistics were to blame for the latest delay. He was unable to say when Machar might arrive.

South Sudans information minister Michael Makuei said the government had blocked Machars flight because he wanted to bring machine guns and laser-guided missiles as well as additional troops in violation of the peace agreement.

Various rebel officials have given differing explanations for the delays, with some citing difficulties in getting Machars bodyguards weapons across the border while others blamed bad weather.
ISIS militants seized Syrian government-controlled territory in the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zor on Tuesday, a war monitor and a news agency affiliated with the ultra-hardline extremist group said.

ISIS took complete control of the citys industrial district after fierce clashes with Syrian government and allied forces, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The militant group captured nearly all of Deir al-Zor province, which borders Iraq, after seizing the Iraqi city of Mosul in 2014. The Syrian government, however, still controls part of the city of Deir al-Zor, which is besieged by ISIS fighters, and an air base.

Five air strikes and shelling hit the area of fighting that was moving south towards the citys military airport, the Observatory said.

The Amaq news agency, affiliated with ISIS, also said the group had taken positions previously controlled by the Syrian government in the industrial district, and was pushing south into the next district.

Syrian state news agency SANA did not mention gains made by ISIS, but said Syrian forces destroyed some ISIS arms caches in the industrial neighborhood.

Syrian and allied forces, supported by Russian air support, pushed ISIS out of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria last month, eroding links between the groups presence in the west and east of the country. The militants seized the city in May 2015.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States have agreed to carry out joint patrols to stop any Iranian arms shipments reaching Yemen, the blocs secretary general, Abdullatif al-Zayani, said on Wednesday.

Zayani was speaking at a news conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter after a meeting between Carter and his counterparts from the GCC, which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Iran denies accusations by Gulf states that it is smuggling weapons to Yemen, where GCC countries are involved in a military campaign against the Tehran-allied Houthi movement.

Carter urged Gulf states to do more to battle ISIS and reaffirmed the USs commitment to Gulf security.

Speaking following a meeting of Gulf defense ministers, Carter said the US will continue efforts to confront Iranian violations in the region.

The Gulf defense ministers met ahead of a GCC summit with US President Barack Obama on Thursday.

Obama will arrive on Wednesday in Riyadh for meetings with King Salman and high-level Saudi officials.

Both sides are expected to consult on the crises in Yemen and Syria.
King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, arrived Tuesday night in Riyadh to take part in the Morocco-GCC Summit.

Upon his arrival at the King Salman air base, the Moroccan sovereign was welcomed by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of the region of Riyadh.

During this visit, the King is accompanied by a large delegation made up of the Kings Advisers, Taieb Fassi Fihri, Fouad Ali El Himma, Yassir Znagui and Abdeltif Menouni, Charge daffaires at the Royal Office, Mohamed Kettani, Foreign Minister, Salaheddine Mezouar and Minister Delegate to the Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita.

First of its kind, the Morocco-GCC Summit, which will be held today Wednesday in Riyadh, will fortify the strategic and multifaceted partnership between Morocco and these countries by more concrete and synergetic outputs.

It will also be an opportunity for consultation and coordination of positions to take up the challenges and threats facing the MENA exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest and develop common positions on these issues.

To remind that in 2011 a GCC proposal was advanced by Saudi Arabia to transform the GCC into a Gulf Union with tighter economic, political and military coordination, and expand states members of the union to include Morocco and Jordan
Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton scored sweeping victories in nominating contests in their home state of New York, and immediately cited them in arguing they are all but unstoppable as their respective parties` presidential nominees.

Trump`s crushing defeat of Ted Cruz in Tuesday`s primary election tilted the energy in the Republican race back to the front-runner, just as Republican National Committee members begin meeting in Florida on Wednesday to discuss their July convention, where the nominee will be chosen.

For the Democratic favorite, Clinton`s more narrow victory over Bernie Sanders snapped a string of victories by the 74-year-old democratic socialist and gave her a much-needed lift with more tough fights ahead.

The eventual victors of the Democratic and the Republican nominating campaigns will face each other in November`s general election.

Trump`s win, celebrated to the tune of Frank Sinatra`s New York, New York at Trump Tower in Manhattan, marked a rebound from his Wisconsin defeat two weeks ago. It set him up for another big night on April 26, when Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Maryland will hold primaries.

With a campaign staff reboot and a more focused performance, Trump has sought to improve in recent weeks as a candidate. The tone of his victory speech was in keeping with a more measured style the often-brash billionaire has adopted.

We don`t have much of a race anymore based on what Im seeing on television, Trump said as television networks projected a large margin of victory for him. Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated.

Trump, 69, predicted some amazing weeks ahead for his campaign.

Still, he has a long way to go to seal the nomination and begin trying to heal the wounds in his bitterly divided party. Some fence-mending may happen when he sends campaign advisers to the RNC meeting starting in Hollywood, Florida, on Wednesday.
The BJP attacked the Congress for its inept handling of the 2004 Ishrat Jahan case and accused the latter for underplaying the terror plot against the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The attack came after a media report said the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had signed the first affidavit in the encounter case, which he himself accepted and not denied as some media reports specified. As per media reports, the first affidavit mentioned that Ishrat Jahan was part of a terrorist module and action was taken, including some terrorists across the border. The first affidavit said it was a serious terrorist threat and there is no need for a CBI inquiry.

In the second affidavit, Chidambaram was very keen to pursue that bypassing the consultations with then home secretary. BJP alleged that changing the affidavit had two purposes, demoralize the security forces and somehow frame Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. Whereas we all know Modi and Shah are two powerful leaders and no other political parties in India could ever trap leaders of Gujarat. Modi was already under the scanner for 2002 riots, and still no one was found guilty even today.

BJP gave reason to assume Ishrat as terrorist just because some website claimed her as LeT mole on the Lashkar-e-Toiba website. And even (David) Headley the terrorist, (whom now BJP believes as if he is some saint) in his deposition has confirmed that. BJP is hell best on proving Ishrat as terrorist and Chidambaram as anti-national but they forgot the basic fact that the encounter was fake and Modi is responsible for the same. Even assuming that Ishrat was a terrorist, can someone authorised person kill her in a cold-blooded murder? Who gave them the authority for that fake encounter? So far no one answered this basic question but Nirmala Sitharaman twisted narrative to project Modi as a victim of terror plot and that Congress was all out to get him. Do you think Modiji was weak as a leader in Gujarat than a CM of the state?

If a person is a proven terrorist or a murderer-gangster the means to eliminate him/her are not questioned. No one demanded an inquiry in the encounter killings of so many terrorists or twisted the plot to political advantage, why BJP is now twisting the facts? Lets assume Congress had ill intentions and Chidambaram was guilty, why BJP failed to book him? After all the chaos, BJP seeks Congresss unconditional apology for supporting terrorists this is what is BJPs stand against National Security issue? If Ishrat was a terrorist then the evidence should be made public and Chidambaram should be booked, else BJP should stop playing cat and mouse.

Let good sense exist amongst all concerned. Instead of wasting countrys resources, time, and damaging the reputation, let efforts be made to bring clarity and let us all focus on development rather than petty issues. The country is having major issues to be solved pertaining to skill development, getting the younger generation to be competent to manage several issues, ecological and environmental problems, agri-industrial revolution, making India more greener, afforestation, making India the preferred tourist destination, next level of IT competent India, and the like. Forget these smaller issues by talking to concerned individuals or parties. Let us work hard and this is what was promised by BJP before coming to power. This was the dream showed by Modi to people.

Moreover, Chidambaram stood by his statement that he has made the necessary changes in the affidavit which he felt as Home Minister, is required to do. What more a BJP leader want to accept some political mileage out of a fake encounter. If they were so sure of the terrorist credentials of Ishrat Jahan what prevented BJP from arresting her and exposing the conspiracy. Was she so dangerous that elimination was the only option, if so how come no policeman was even injured in the encounter?

Now the question is Whether it was a fake encounter or not? Has it been proven that Ishrat was a terrorist by court of law or any evidences? Does Headleys submission stand the test since its hearsay? Even if it is proved that she was terrorist, does the law allow killing an unarmed person? Of course, fake encounters are stage managed to incredible perfection and in India; the citizens word of testimony is generally ignored while police version is accorded to be nothing but the truth. Even before arriving at the ultimate truth, the mind-set is already prejudiced. So please stick to the agenda and the issue is who was responsible for giving the order down the line to take extreme action on Ishrat by fair or foul means? Besides the brilliant BJP leader Nirmala Sitaraman who tried her best to prove Chidambaram a terror supporter, must ask some disturbing questions to her own PM about anti-Muslim stance of BJP and RSS and especially 2002 riots. Has anyone been held responsible till today? No one but quite a few Muslims of Gujarat are languishing in jails today. What has Modi done till today to do anything for the minorities? Its like pinching the child and singing lullaby. Nirmala can do well to introspect about their wrong doings in the past two years and perhaps try to do better for the country.
The Bombay High Court today asked the city police to inform it about the action it proposes to take against advertisements in newspapers and websites which allegedly promote prostitution under the guise of offering escort services of women.

Under the laws of the country, prostitution is banned and the advertisements allowing this activity should be stopped forthwith by the police authorities, said a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist Ali Ahmed Siddiqui.

Hearing the petition, a bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka asked the police what steps it had taken against such ads in newspapers and websites.

Sanjay Salunkhe, Police Inspector of Social Service Branch, filed an affidavit saying that Cyber Cell police had obtained an order from a magistrates court to delete or block objectionable websites on internet which are providing online escort services.

Accordingly, the Cyber Cell of Mumbai police had forwarded a letter containing list of 174 domain/websites to Group Coordinator (Cyber law), Department of Information Technology, New Delhi, informing that the websites were being allegedly used for purpose of prostitution which is a criminal offence.

However, it appears that till date no website has been blocked or deleted by the authorities, the police official said in the affidavit.

Besides, police had registered 25 cases under PITA (Prevention of Immoral Traffic Prevention Act) in the year 2014 on the basis of complaints received from the members of public. The corresponding number was 32 in 2015 and two this year, he said.

The matter has been posted for hearing beyond the summer vacations in June.
Trupti Desai will try to enter Haji Ali dargah on April 28 demanding entry for females into the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine.



After successfully spearheading the campaign for allowing womens entry into sanctum sanctorum of Shani Shingnapur temple, Bhumata Ranragini Brigade leader Trupti Desai is all set to launch another movement for lifting ban of womens entry into restricted area of Haji Ali dargah. She along with other women activists will try to enter Haji Ali dargah on April 28. For achieving this objective she has set up a forum named Haji Ali Sabke Liye.

She said, We dont make any discrimination on the basis of caste or communal lines. We are only fighting for the cause of gender equality. Prior to entering Haji Ali dargah we will have a dialogue with the members of its trust and try to have a consensus with them. Muslim women had contacted us for fighting a battle against gender disparity. People are alleging that our campaign is politically motivated but we are only fighting for a cause. I will continue with social work and not join politics. It is the male patriarchy, and not religion, which was imposing restrictions on women.

We are not associated with any political party and such campaigns cant be fought with political support. Since we are in 21st century and women are doing well in various fields hence we must end this discrimination restricting their entry in temples and mosques. Women are already voluntarily coming forward to fight against this issue and nobody can stop us. I have received calls from Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala inviting me to start similar movements in these states. We are only holding peaceful demonstrations and dont violate law and order, she added.

Trupti also had organised a press meet for creating awareness among citizens about her campaign which was opposed by Muslims.

Few months back, Muslim women had staged a protest demanding entry into a restricted area of the Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai. Several activists belonging to Muslim women groups held placards demanding entry for females into the sanctum sanctorum of the historic dargah, which receives hundreds of devotees everyday. Women plan to continue their protests until ban on their entry in dargah is lifted.

On the other hand, a member of Haji Ali dargah trust on the condition of anonymity justified the prohibition of womens entry near sanctum sanctorum of the dargah. He said, If women get closer to the sanctorum then it is considered as unIslamic. We have autonomy in managing the functions of the trust and nobody should try to interfere in our work.
The Bombay High Court has held that entry to temples was a fundamental right of women and it was the states fundamental duty to protect it. Shani Shinganapur is known as the only village in the country where houses do not have doors and locks, and the village remains theft-free. Ultimately it is the fundamental right of a woman and the governments duty to protect womens rights. Taking a swipe at religious customs and temple entry restrictions is violating womens constitutional rights. Women of any religion should be allowed to practice their religion without any coercion. Restriction on entry of women in any temple is unfair. The Supreme Court bench on the Sabarimala row also stated that The temple cannot prohibit entry except on the basis of religion. Unless you have a constitutional right, you cannot prohibit entry.

There is no place for discrimination in Hindu culture. Celibacy is not the exclusive privilege of men. Article 25 of our Constitution says throw open the doors of public religious spaces to all human race. Right of Darshan in any temple of the country is a fundamental right of the citizens of India irrespective of gender, caste or creed. Those trying to tamper with its traditions should keep in mind the hurt they cause to millions of devotees. The fundamental duties mentioned in Article 51(A) of the Constitution states that it is the duty of every citizen to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women and to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform. Under the Maharashtra Hindu Place of Worship (Entry Authorisation) Act, 1956, if any temple or person prohibits any person from entering a temple then he or she faces a six-month imprisonment. To get real empowerment of women and to ensure gender equality we need to look deeply on various issues and subjects that are still taboo.

It is clear that women must have equal rights in everything that society has to offer without false walls and taboos put in place by the privilege of men that has come down the ages  perpetuated by a male priestly upper class, blindly followed in fear of godly reprisal by the masses. One would find that women are more religious, often more deeply than their male counterparts. Women have been learning the Vedas and also performing religious practices. Prayers and worship are mind-related, not body-related. Hence, it is natural for women devotees to seek permission for worship at the temple. Der se aye lekin durusta aye.

Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016  One-third of the House of Representatives sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday expressing their concern stemming from an anti-farmer billboard that was installed using taxpayer funds.

The letter was signed by 145 representatives  142 of them Republican  and addresses a billboard in Washington state that was linked to the whatsupstream.com campaign. The campaigns website encouraged Washington residents to contact their legislators to tell them to hold the agricultural industry to the same level of responsibility as other industries.

The letter said there was confusion why EPA would have approved an award clearly violating a number of federal laws pertaining to funding propaganda, advocacy, and lobbying efforts.

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy was pressed on the issue Tuesday at a hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, where she said EPA was distressed about the use of the money and the tone of the campaign and that further reimbursements have been halted.

We need to relook at the details and the scope of our contracts, so subcontractors that are used not only meet the legal merits of what we have to do but also reflect the tone and interest of EPA in collaborating with agriculture on these issues, she said.

Earlier this week, the EPAs Inspector General sent a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee chair Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Environment and Public Works Committee chair Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., notifying them that there would be an investigation into the matter.

Since that investigation is ongoing, House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway, R-Texas, said any decision on a course of action  be it legislative or otherwise  should wait until after the conclusion.

Watching for more news about the EPA and agriculture? Sign up for an Agri-Pulse four-week free trial subscription.





Its against the law right now, so passing a rule or a law that says its really against the law might be good theater, but I dont know that it helps, Conaway said. He also noted he had some jurisdictional questions, but said it would be a typical Washington response to propose solutions before you know the facts.

Washington Republican Dan Newhouse, the states former agriculture director, added that there was nothing set in stone, but there are serious conversations going on right now pertaining to the EPA grant process.

Only three Democrats signed onto the letter: Ag Committee members Brad Ashford, D-Neb., Jim Costa, D-Calif., and the committees Ranking Member Democrat Collin Peterson, D-Minn.

#30
Armenia Pushing to Prevent Crimes Against Ethnic Minorities in Middle East

Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan discussed opportunities of deepening relations in different fields with the friendly peoples in a meeting with heads of organizations of Assyrian and Yazidi communities of Armenia, Europe and Russia. Department of Press, Information and Public Relations of MFA Armenia informed Armenpress about this, mentioning that Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan received heads and representatives of organizations of Assyrian and Yazidi communities of Armenia, Europe and Russia. The representatives of Assyrians and Yazidis expressed gratitude for the careful treatment of the Republic of Armenia towards their communities, as well as for the efforts made by Armenia on the international arena for preventing the deportations, oppressions and massacres of Yazidis and Assyrians in the Middle East. Stating the centuries-old traditionally friendly relations with Yazidi and Assyrian peoples, the Deputy Minister assured that Armenia will continue to take consistent steps aimed at preventing crimes against humanity committed in the Middle East and for overcoming the current humanitarian situation. Opportunities of further deepening relations in different fields with the friendly peoples were discussed at the meeting.
Fleeing Syrian Arabs, Turkmens Say PYD Guilty of Ethnic Cleansing

Thousands of Turkmens and Arabs who escaped from the PKK Syrian affiliate Democratic Union Party's (PYD) armed People's Protection Units (YPG) in the northern Syrian town of Tal Abyad accused the organization of committing brutal offenses, including forcing people to migrate after confiscating their property and ethnic cleansing. Speaking to the Sabah daily after taking shelter in Turkey among nearly 60,000 refugees in the aftermath of the YPG capturing the town, Arab refugees claimed the YPG perpetrates atrocities with the pretext of fighting DAESH. Youssef al-Mohammed, 43, and Ahmad al-Hassan, 50, who currently live in the Ak
The TEXUS 57 sounding rocket was successfully launched on the first launch attempt on 1 October at 08:26 local time (06:26 UTC) from the Esrange Space Centre in Sweden to enable microgravity experiments in space. What is behind this long-lasting programme and what is its contribution to scientific research?


April 19, 2016

Congress has released $108 million in blocked aid to the Palestinians, Al-Monitor has learned, allowing payments to the Palestinian Authority's creditors to continue.

Key lawmakers had placed holds on $159 million in aid since last fall, Al-Monitor reported April 18, to protest the Palestinians' UN statehood bid and payments to the families of people who conduct attacks against Israelis. Most of those holds were lifted late last week following growing pressure from the State Department, however, leaving only $51 million in blocked aid.

"We continue to believe that US assistance to the Palestinian Authority has played a valuable role in promoting stability and prosperity not just for the Palestinians, but for Israel as well," a State Department official told Al-Monitor. "This assistance has supported security coordination between Israel and the Palestinians, which has been instrumental in preserving security in the West Bank and Israel, and reducing threats to Israelis and Palestinians alike."

The holds had been placed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., and foreign aid appropriations subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger, R-Texas. Their release had been in the works for weeks, a congressional aide told Al-Monitor, and came through after Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Anne Patterson testified before Congress last week.

At the Middle East panel hearing, Royce sought assurances from Patterson that she would press the international community to demand that the Palestinians cease payments to the families of young men and women killed or arrested committing attacks. A spate of attacks have killed 28 Israelis and two visiting Americans over the past six months.

"I totally agree with you that this is an egregious practice," Patterson told Royce. "Rest assured that this will be a topic of conversation with the rest of the donor community. We see Europeans and other donors all the time, and rest assured that your points will be conveyed with our full concurrence."

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., the House Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman for the Middle East and North Africa, said she found out that the hold had been lifted upon returning to Capitol Hill on April 18. She had supported it, but held out hope that the upcoming spending bill due out of Granger's panel for FY2017 would place clear restrictions on Palestinian aid.

"We'll see what's in the final package," Ros-Lehtinen told Al-Monitor. "More will be revealed."

The Palestinians say the congressional holds are counterproductive.

"We informed the administration of the grave consequences of such an irresponsible action," the Palestinian Liberation Organization mission in Washington told Al-Monitor in an emailed statement. "There is no reason for them to keep using these futile tactics to exert pressure on the Palestinians."

Congress has tussled with the Obama administration before over Palestinian aid, notably following the short-lived effort at a unity government with Hamas. The State Department at the time got around congressional prohibitions on direct aid to the Palestinian Authority by providing the assistance directly to Palestinian creditors.

The debt-laden PA needs international assistance to pay the hundreds of millions of dollars it owes to a number of suppliers. Earlier this month, Israel's state electric company reduced power to the West Bank city of Bethlehem by 50%, citing the PA's $460 million in unpaid bills.

The Obama administration has also cracked down at times. In the fall, the State Department said that it was withholding $80 million from its $370 million budget for the 2015 fiscal year, Al-Monitor reported at the time, blaming "unhelpful actions" by the Palestinians.

The latest holds were placed after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' assertion in September that the Palestinians were no longer bound by the Oslo agreements of the 1990s. Abbas has drafted a resolution condemning Israel's settlement expansion, a possible prelude to a French-backed international peace conference starting this summer.

US lawmakers are particularly worried that the Obama administration might abandon its past opposition to "one-sided" resolutions, with 394 House members  more than 90 percent of the body  signing on to a letter from Appropriations Committee ranking member Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., to the president urging him to stay the course. Separately, two members of the House Armed Services Committee, Reps. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., and Gwen Graham, D-Fla., introduced a resolution April 15 urging Obama to veto any Security Council resolution that "inserts the Council into the peace process, unilaterally recognizes a Palestinian state, makes declarations concerning Israeli controlled territories, or dictates terms and a timeline for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process."

The United States has given the Palestinians some $5 billion in bilateral economic and security assistance since the mid-1990s, making them one of the largest beneficiaries of US aid per capita, with $364 million more requested for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1. The remaining $51 million in holds will prevent specific projects from moving forward, a congressional aide said, but what they are has not been made public.
April 20, 2016

Egypts Court of Judicial Discipline is forcing more judges into retirement, citing them for being involved in political action and supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

Critics say the move is the executive authoritys bid to subsume the judiciary and make it defend and promote the regimes policies.

The disciplinary court issued a final ruling March 28. If President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ratifies the decision, 32 judges will be forced to retire.

Article 73 of the Judiciary Act prohibits judges from engaging in political action and running for elections before submitting their resignations. But the judges said their actions did not violate the law because they were only expressing opinions and were not involved in politics. They claimed they were not affiliated with any party or political movement.

The judges first came under scrutiny after Morsi was ousted on July 3, 2013, by the military following mass protests. Three weeks later, the judges issued a declaration saying they did not side with any political movement  only with constitutional legitimacy, truth and justice, because without this bias, the judiciary would not have a reason to exist in the first place. They stressed in their statement their complete rejection of Morsis ouster and what they said was an attack on the constitutions legitimacy.

Judge Hassan Makkawi, former head of the South Cairo Court and one of the judges in question, recently told Al-Monitor, History will be a witness to the current Egyptian regimes actions toward judges such as exclusion, isolation and harassment. Throughout history, judges have shared the peoples concerns and issues related to the protection of freedoms. This is the essence of the judges work, and it was never in the purpose of interfering in the work of the executive authority or being involved in political actions, which we are prohibited to do by virtue of the law. So what is the reason behind this persecution?

He added, We swore to respect the constitution and the law, which we have expressed in the statement, after a constitution was established upon the Egyptians will and a civilian president was elected in free will, according to the electoral rules that ensured equality, justice and fairness, and the whole world was a witness.

The judges, Makkawi said, did not incite violence and were only defending the elections they had supervised, which reflected the will of the people. He called on Egyptians to work within the law to ensure their right to peaceful protest. Makkawi said he wonders if the Court of Judicial Discipline seeks to abuse all those who do not approve of the current regime and remove them from the picture.

This court recently has taken action against other judges. For example, on March 21, the court, headed by Judge Ahmed Gamal Abdel Latif, forced 15 judges to retire for being members of Judges for Egypt, a movement affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood ideologically but not in practice.

One of those judges, Ahmed al-Khatib, who served on Cairos Court of Appeals, said in a March 30 interview with Dream TV that the Judiciary Act does ban judges from being involved in politics, but does not forbid them from expressing opinions. Judges should not be punished for participating in society as long as they never declare affiliation to any party or political movement, he said.

Some judges have expressed their political views and participated in political action in Egypt in the past without being held accountable: Some announced their direct support for Sisi before his candidacy for the presidential election.

On June 26, 2013, the Egyptian Judges Club issued a statement expressing full support of the armed forces, considering them a lifeline to save Egypt from division and fragmentation as a result of the Brotherhoods rule.

On June 30, 2013, Judge Ahmed al-Zend, then head of the club, said regarding the mass demonstrations against the Brotherhood, The judges participated in the demonstrations today because they were ordinary citizens before becoming judges, and they share the same feelings as the Egyptian citizens.

Mohammad Hamid Jamal, former head of the State Council, told Al-Monitor the Court of Judicial Discipline made the right decision. The Judiciary Act is loud and clear when it comes to such matters, he said, and even prohibits judges from even publicly expressing an opinion toward any political faction.

Regarding the many judges who have repeatedly declared their support for the current political regime and for Sisi before his candidacy for the elections, Jamal said, There is a major difference between expressing an opinion to defend a terrorist group  the Muslim Brotherhood  and to defend national interest and national security.

He added, When some judges declared their support for the Egyptian state against the rule of the Brotherhood, it was to protect it from division. This is not the first time that judges have stood in defense of national security; during the British occupation of Egypt, the judges expressed their rejection of the occupation in all courts in defense of the Egyptian state.

Meanwhile, political journalist Abdullah Sinawi called on Sisi not to ratify the decision to force retirement on the judges who made the declaration and allow them to freely work in the legal profession, since most of them are not affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
April 20, 2016

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  Faced with rapid population growth and a dwindling area for housing in the Gaza Strips urban centers, the Hamas government has been subsidizing housing investments and building housing projects in al-muharrarat, the former Israeli settlements evacuated during the unilateral Israeli disengagement from Gaza in 2005.

The first project began in 2010 with government support. Later, individual and private investments started to emerge with government support for civilian housing associations.

Naji Sarhan, the undersecretary of Gaza's Housing Ministry, told Al-Monitor, The Ministry of Housing and Planning has established a large number of residential projects in al-muharrarat, as they are the only government land available for such huge projects."

The first residential project started in 2010, when Zuhair al-Mansi was serving as minister for public works and housing. It consisted of the construction of two housing units to the west of Khan Yunis.

According to the ministry, 11 residential projects were established between 2010 and 2014 throughout the Gaza Strip, four of them in al-muharrarat. These projects include Bisan City in northern Gaza and al-Qastal located on the former Israeli settlement of Kfar Darom, in the eastern part of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. There are also the Barrak project in Khan Yunis, al-Furqan (a slum) and al-Andaluz in Rafah. These projects were funded by Qatar, the Palestinian government and other Arab countries. The ministry is currently awaiting funds for new projects.

Sarhan said, "The size of the government's available land is dwindling. So is the land available for residential projects in urban centers, where the land is mostly owned by the private sector. Land there is expensive because it is scarce compared to land in al-muharrarat. Thus, the investment in urban centers is more profitable.

He added, Israel's repeated wars, which have destroyed hundreds of homes, the need for new houses and the growing number of worn-out housing units  especially in refugee camps, which are scattered throughout the Gaza strip  led to an increase in the need for new housing units in Gaza. Some 13,000 housing units are needed per year to meet the demographic growth in the Gaza Strip. According to the ministrys statistics, the total shortage is about 70,000 housing units."

Sarhan pointed out, "The residential projects that have been implemented are few. The housing shortage has gotten worse due to the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, which prevented the entry of construction materials, and to the slow reconstruction process after the 2014 war."

Sarhan said, "The tunnels on the Egyptian border had helped ease the housing crisis by allowing construction materials to enter. But their closure after the overthrow of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, an ally of Hamas, in July 2013 and the ascent of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has led to a shortage in construction materials. These materials now enter only through Israeli crossings, particularly since Egypt conducted a large-scale military operation to create a buffer zone along Gaza's border with Egypt to prevent the smuggling of all necessities, including construction materials."

Israel had prevented the entry of construction materials into Gaza from 2007 to 2014. Then, construction materials were allowed to enter through Israeli crossings for the reconstruction after the latest war.

Between 2010 and 2013, the construction materials needed for the government housing projects arrived through the tunnels or through the Rafah crossing with Egyptian coordination under Morsis reign. The Israeli crossings only allowed the entry of materials intended for UN projects or those under international supervision.

In October 2012, Qatar donated about $407 million for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, implementing strategic and vital projects there. Among the most prominent housing projects by Qatar is the Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani City, built on the former Gush Katif settlement, which Hamas renamed Hittin in the western part of Khan Yunis. Bin Khalifa City is 250 meters from the Mediterranean coast and includes 173 residential buildings at a cost of $140 million. Qatar built 1,060 apartments as a part of the projects first phase in January, and the new residents are expected to move in next July.

It seems that the growing need for housing units has prompted the government to build in areas near the eastern border. In March, the government initiated a project funded by Turkey for war victims in the Hajar al-Deek area, east of Gaza City. Before 2012, the area was part of the buffer zone, a high-risk area stretching over 1,500 meters near the eastern border.

Despite the limited land in urban centers, the investment in housing in al-muharrarat, especially in the eastern part, is still at high risk of Israeli ground invasion.

A prominent source at the former Hamas government told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that political and demographic reasons were behind those housing projects in al-muharrarat, as they would serve as a buffer zone in the face of the Israeli tanks' advancement toward the Gaza Strip.

To encourage people to reside in al-muharrarat, the Palestinian government is encouraging private investment there by companies or individuals, in addition to government investment. Asma al-Kahlout, the director of the cooperative housing department at the Housing Ministry, told Al-Monitor, "The ministry has opened the registration process for the establishment of housing associations in al-muharrarat, whereby an association would be composed of 16 citizens and get a 40% discount on the land to build a housing project. This policy aims to encourage investment in those areas."

Kahlout added, "The contractors are paid in installments for their construction costs by the members of the housing associations. This reduces the economic burden in the face of the rising prices of building materials."

While housing associations have been used to encourage the construction of housing projects ever since the Palestinian Authority held power in Gaza, the ministry began adopting similar methods to encourage projects in al-muharrarat in 2010.

Despite these incentives, political instability and scarce construction materials have prevented most individual investors from starting housing projects through these associations on land allocated to them by the government. Most of the projects established in those areas are still government projects funded by foreign parties, and fear of Israeli attacks has prevented citizens from moving there.
April 20, 2016

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei defended Lebanese group Hezbollah after it was condemned in the closing statement of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul.

During a speech to the Islamic Students Association April 19, Khamenei said, See what they did against the devout youth in Palestine and Lebanon? How many real and propaganda threats have they made against Hezbollah of Lebanon? Yet Hezbollah of Lebanon is showing its brave [face] in the world of Islam.

Referring to the OIC statement, which Iranian officials accused of being heavily influenced by Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, Khamenei said, The dependent, corrupt, hollow and empty government, in a statement with petrodollars, condemns Hezbollah. So what? What importance does it have? Hezbollah is shining like the sun. Hezbollah is a source of pride for Muslims.

The OIC statement, which also contained four paragraphs of condemnation for Iran, condemned Hezbollah for conducting terrorist activities in Syria, Bahrain, Kuwait and Yemen and for supporting terrorist movements and groups undermining the security and stability of the OIC member states. While the final statement was not read publicly at the closing ceremony, it was released to the media.

Saudis animosity toward Hezbollah became more overt when the group, backed by Iranian forces, entered the Syrian civil war to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Saudi Arabia has supported and funded opposition fighters attempting to overthrow Assad.

While Khamenei did not address the Syrian civil war in his speech, he did address the 2006 Lebanon war between Hezbollah and Israel. What [Hezbollah] did, three Arab armies could not do in two or three wars, Khamenei said, referring to Arab regional forces having lost wars and territory to Israel. Hezbollah defeated the Zionist regime, which had become stronger by then, in 33 days, Khamenei said. Despite Israel having overwhelming military power and suffering fewer casualties in that war, many analysts deemed the war a failure for Israel.

Khamenei also warned his young audience about Americas soft war against the country, saying, Right now with the issue of the youth, there is a comprehensive soft war between the Islamic Republic of Iran on one side and America and Zionists and their followers on the other side. Khamenei said that young Iranian students should consider themselves the officers of this war and warned them, Westerners, especially America, want the Iranian youth to be without faith, cowardly, unmotivated, inactive, hopeless, optimistic toward the enemy and pessimistic toward their own commanders.

Khamenei also told the officials at the Education Ministry to be conscious of this war and introduce courses to ensure the young generation is brought up revolutionary. He added, It is rumored that some schools oppose revolutionary work, and the education officials must confront this. By revolutionary, Khamenei is referring to an education system that extols the virtues of what the government believes to be indigenous Iranian and Islamic values, and one that is committed to maintaining and continuing the revolutionary momentum that opposes US dominance in the region.
April 20, 2016

Tel Avivs Rabin Square has been the site of many large demonstrations. It has been the venue of rallies by the right and the left in favor of a deal with the Palestinians and against, of protests on ideological issues of principle and of socio-economic turmoil, but the most bizarre of them all was the April 19 rally in support of the soldier who killed a wounded Palestinian in Hebron on March 24.

I came to Rabin Square to see with my own eyes what kind of people would turn out and whether Elor Azaria, the soldier who shot and killed the wounded Palestinian assailant, had truly become a national hero, or whether it was simply an illusion created by right-wing activists on social media.

Only a few thousand people came, far fewer than the 20,000-strong turnout anticipated by the organizers. And more than a rally of support for the soldier, it was a show put on by a controversial television host who took cynical advantage of the detained soldiers distraught parents.

Sharon Gal, formerly a Channel 10 reporter and anchor who was forced to resign over claims of inappropriate conduct, was recruited by the Yisrael Beitenu Party of former Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman prior to the March 2015 general elections. He made it into the Knesset, but after only six months decided that he had exhausted his political contribution and stepped down. During his short term, Gal was mostly responsible for several highly publicized clashes. At a Knesset debate about the Breaking the Silence human rights organization, he was removed from the plenary after dubbing the leftist Knesset members of the Meretz Party a gang of collaborators and criminals.

Since stepping down he has been presenting programs on Channel 20, a clearly right-leaning and nationalistic television outlet, a pulpit from which he conveys militant messages to his viewers. As soon as the video shot by a B'Tselem activist surfaced, showing Azaria shooting and killing the Palestinian assailant in Hebron, Gal and Channel 20 launched a campaign to free the soldier from detention. But apparently the media campaign did not suffice and Gal came up with the idea of leaving the studio and holding a support rally at Israels demonstration central  Rabin Square.

There was no extra lighting, no huge banners, no giant television screens and no busing of protesters; there was only a small, dark stage and the keynote speakers were the soldiers parents. Although his channel aired its messages over and over before the event and urged viewers to take part and express their support for Azaria, during the event Gal was forced to explain that the turnout was low because there had not been organized busing. The low turnout did not prevent him from screaming, The people of Israel have enlisted, they came to embrace.  Elor, our bother, you are in open detention [at a military base, not in jail] so you can clearly see. Look, the people are behind you. I looked around me and didnt see this people.

The protesters carried handwritten signs saying, Brother, the people are with you and An incapacitated terrorist is a dead terrorist. Many of the placards were directed at Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, who has been openly critical of the shooting and of those who support it. Anyone who encourages violations of the law to please a handful of violent radicals, Ya'alon wrote on his Twitter account March 27, will lead us to anarchy. The rally participants were outspoken in their views of the defense minister and his remarks. They booed every time his name came up. And one sign that was lifted higher than all the others left no doubt as to the extent to which Ya'alon had become the butt of the protesters hatred: Every stinking Arab who comes to slaughter Jews must be killed. Its not the soldier who strayed, Mr. Ya'alon, you went astray and also failed.

Young people wrapped in Israeli flags congregated near the stage reserved for the media and camera crews, shouting Death to the Arabs over and over. Gal tried to calm them down. Friends, he said, we are only here to give a hug. A message of peace. Afterward he added, They tried to say that we are organizing a counterprotest. But were not against anyone; we only came to embrace Elor and to tell him that we will not abandon him. The crowd understood exactly to whom the organizer was referring and started shouting, Bogie [Ya'alon] go home, Bogie is a traitor and Bogie, assume responsibility and quit.

Gal apparently understood that he would have a hard time silencing the calls against the defense minister and changed the subject, praising the soldiers parents, Oshra and Charlie Azaria. They are regular parents, salt of the earth, he told the crowd, who could barely see the couple because of the poor lighting and absence of magnifying screens by the stage. But Gal did not have their best interests at heart  only his own. The parents, who have every reason to be worried about the fate of their son who stands accused of manslaughter, were simply a tool in the one-man show of the megalomaniac television presenter who toyed with their feelings. Look, the people of Israel are enlisting for the sake of your son, all the people, he yelled.

When the soldiers mother walked onto the dark stage to speak, she choked and sobbed. Her voice broke when she told the crowd how her son insisted on serving in a combat unit and contributing to his nation. The crowd started chanting, She is great. Then the soldiers father went up and shouted to the crowd, I love you. When someone shone a light on him, he shouted, I love the people of Israel. The father, who was apparently taken in by Gals misleading message that the protest included all the citizens of the state rather than a radical minority, said to his son in a broken voice, Look, all the people are here. Then he corrected himself and said, All the sane people.

The rally clarified many facts that would likely not have come to light were it not for the grandiose project of the controversial television presenter. Gal, who had hoped to fill Israels national demonstration square with citizens supportive of him and of his message justifying a soldier who shot to death an injured terrorist, found out that the vast majority still respects the rule of law and morality.

The feeling that the right sought to create, mostly on social networks, as though most of the Israeli public supports the soldier and regards him as a national hero, was proven to be a fallacy that night on Rabin Square. It turned out that the people do not support a soldier who deviated from the straight and narrow, and instead stand by the efforts of the defense minister and chief of staff to preserve the moral values of the Israel Defense Forces. By the way, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not mentioned at the event  for better or for worse. He, as we know, would rather not antagonize the right wing, and since the shooting has tried mostly to steer clear of the controversy. So far, successfully so. 
April 20, 2016

Afghans and Iranians alike are in uproar over the horrendous fate of a 6-year-old girl on the outskirts of Tehran. Afghan national Setayesh Ghoreishi was brutally raped and killed on April 10, allegedly by her teenage Iranian neighbor Amir Hossein in the suburb of Varamin. Fury grew when the crime went unreported in Iranian media, prompting an outpouring of solidarity and advocacy online.

Afghans were sick and tired of their own relative silence and the Iranian governments systematic oppression against them over the past 30 years, Qudratullah Rajavi, an Afghan migrant and civil rights activist based out of Kabul, told Al-Monitor. He launched the Facebook page I Am Setayesh with hashtags #JusticeForSetayesh and #IAmSetayesh. The page has received over 10,000 likes since its creation on April 15. A Wikipedia page has also been created to share Setayeshs story.

Rajavi said, The winning factor was a bombardment of comments on the official Facebook page of UNICEF, asking the international organization to seriously follow up on the case, as we feared that Setayesh may soon be forgotten like other similar cases in the past. Indeed, UNICEF responded to every comment that was posted on its page.

The Ghoreishi family has received huge support from both Afghans and Iranians  both in public and on social media. Journalist and women rights activist Jila Baniyaghoob joined a candlelight vigil in front of the Afghanistan Embassy in Tehran. Police dispersed the group, arguing that it did not have permission for a rally. Police officers reportedly told the crowd, Arent you Iranian? Why have you come for the Afghans? Dont you know how many crimes the Afghans have committed here? Why are you defending them? Some women in the crowd accused police of being racist, only to be threatened with arrest.

Yaghma Golrouee, a prominent Iranian poet and songwriter, has joined the wave of solidarity with Setayeshs family. He Instagrammed a photo of himself wearing a "pakol" (Afghan hat) with the hashtag #IAmAFriendOfThePeopleOfAfghanistan. Golrouee begins his caption with, Whether we like it or not, we are a racist people. Proud of [our] history, [our] ancient civilization and its kings  from Cyrus [The Great] to Nader [Shah] and even the mythological kings of the Shahnameh [epic], with a tad of Aryan blood with a sacred formula which no one is aware of.

Discrimination against Afghans

Ever since the Soviet invasion in 1979 and the decades of ensuing war in their country, Afghans fleeing conflict and violence have taken refuge in neighboring Iran. Some estimates put their number in Iran as high as 3 million. The Islamic Republic is quick to say it has taken in one of the largest influxes of refugees in the world. Yet many laws still discriminate against Afghans. There are, for instance, arbitrary limits on marriage rights, access to education, employment and restrictions on freedom of movement.

Since 2002, there have been numerous impositions of no-go areas for Afghans in Iran. This was initially applied to border provinces but is applicable to 31 provinces with the exception of Alborz, Tehran and Qom provinces. Security forces have arrested and deported Afghan families who continue to live in those areas or pass through them, regardless of whether theyre registered refugees.

In 2012, Afghans were banned from celebrating the last day of the Iranian New Year  Nowruz, which is known as "Sizdeh Bedar"  in a popular park in Esfahan. According to a senior police official, a number of Afghans had caused trouble and the ban was put in place to ensure the safety and security of Iranians. In response to the latter, two Facebook pages appeared: We are all Afghans and Iranians opposed to ethnic discrimination against Afghan immigrants.

Some Iranians accuse Afghans of spreading crime and drugs in Iran. As in other places around the world, Afghans are blamed for stealing jobs  particularly in dire economic times  even though they are often low-wage jobs in unbearable conditions that Iranian workers avoid. However, many Afghans arent just the stereotypical laborer. As Rajavi said, A significant number of Afghans in Iran are intellectuals, poets, writers and even inventors.

Of course, not all Iranians view Afghans in a demeaning manner. Many have come out against discrimination and support their plight. Comments in many articles on Setayeshs murder give a sense that Iranians believe Afghans are unjustly stereotyped. But that doesnt stop everyone from seeking revenge.

Double standards

Over the years, there have been numerous stories in Iranian media about Afghans murdering Iranians. In 2012, when two Afghan men raped and murdered an 18-year-old Iranian girl in the central city of Yazd, mobs looted and burned dozens of Afghan-owned homes and businesses. Eyewitnesses say police were present but didnt do anything to stop the mobs.

Khofashe Shab ("night bat")  an (allegedly) Afghan man who murdered a number of Iranian women years prior  sparked similar attacks. Indeed, there were widespread assaults on Afghans in Tehran and even some rumors of Afghans being murdered in response to the night bats actions. In the end, he turned out to be an Iranian from northeastern Iran.

Since Setayeshs story came to light, Afghan civil society and the countrys lower house of parliament called on Iran to prosecute the teenage boy responsible for her murder.

Sadiqi Zada Nili, an Afghan parliamentarian from the Daikundi province, said Afghanistan hopes the Iranian judiciary will impose the death penalty. If the Iranian government does not prosecute the murder case of the Afghan refugee girls, the rape and harassment of cases against Afghans will increase in this country, he said.

Meanwhile, Kazem Gharibabadi, the deputy secretary-general of the High Council for Human Rights and Judicial Cooperation in Iran, has condemned the murder and called on the Iranian judiciary to address the tragedy and bring the criminal to justice. Gharibabadi said, There is no difference between Iranians and Afghans regarding legal procedures in Irans justice system. Irans parliament echoed a similar response. Even Seyed Hassan Khomeini, a grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, has weighed in on the incident.

The father of the alleged murderer told the semi-official Fars News that his family will accept whatever the law orders. Amir Hosseins mother added, He is only 15; they are publicizing that he is 18 or 20, but these are all lies. He has a birth certificate and papers. My child doesnt even have a national identity card yet. If true, this would make Amir Hossein a juvenile offender.

Amid all this, Rajavi, the Afghan civil rights activist, said the Facebook page he set up is against capital punishment and respects international law. I hope that this incident changes the attitude of a significant number of Iranians who are to some extent racist toward Afghans and instead treat them with dignity, he said. The outpouring of solidarity from Iranians is definitely a starting point.
April 19, 2016

ISTANBUL  Battles have erupted again around the Syrian city of Aleppo, despite the cease-fire agreement implemented at the end of February. Under the agreement, opposition forces and the regime are not to engage each other unless a breach occurs, in which case the other party is allowed to respond.

Yet clashes between opposition forces  represented by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and some Islamic factions  and the Islamic State (IS) erupted in northern Aleppo province in early April. By April 7, opposition forces were able to gain control over the strategic town of al-Rai, which was the IS center of operations against areas controlled by the moderate opposition in northern Syria. IS, however, regained Rai control three days later. Attack-and-retreat engagements have resumed.

Our battles with IS are not new; we have been fighting the group for two years now," Col. Mohammed Khalil, commander of military operations for al-Mutassim Brigade, told Al-Monitor by phone April 14. "However, when the terrorist threat was revealed to the world and the major powers acknowledged it, they started to cooperate with us to fight this pernicious terrorism, and this is why these battles are important."

"The international coalition provided information on aerial reconnaissance to opposition forces on the ground; it bombed locations in which rigged cars were being prepared and targeted the groups headquarters. Many opposition factions such as al-Mutassim Brigade, al-Hamza Brigade, Brigade 51 and Sultan Murad Brigade also participated, in addition to smaller factions in the area, which are all part of the Syrian revolution.

Khalil noted that opposition factions have gained strength. We have acquired new experiences from our battles against IS over the past couple of years, which are different from those we fought against the regime. The military leaders and revolutionaries now have a greater discipline and are more courageous and experienced. We are driven by our faith in the need to root out terrorism," he said. "Our fight against IS will continue all around Syria, no matter where terrorism emerges, in order to achieve the revolutions goals."

According to Khalil, the areas liberated from IS are the villages in northern and northeastern Aleppo province, from Azaz further east, but control over these areas keeps changing.

Fighting has not been against IS only. Fierce battles also broke out in southern Aleppo, with the Islamist factions Jabhat al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham clashing with regime forces backed by foreign militias such as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

These battles coincided with those against IS. Because the cease-fire agreement did not include Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaedas Syrian branch), that group was not obliged to stop fighting and was determined to control the strategic area of Khan Tuman, which the opposition had lost to regime forces in December.

The Islamic factions' most important victory came April 5 when they shot down a warplane that apparently belonged to the Syrian air force. The plane had carried out several airstrikes in northern Aleppo before crashing near a hill at Eis that had been dominated by the opposition. It was revealed later that Ahrar al-Sham had downed the plane using a ground-to-air missile. Media activists posted pictures online showing the Syrian pilot, who was captured alive.

Ahmad Primo, a journalist from Aleppo, told Al-Monitor via Skype April 14, The battles in Aleppos southern countryside are of major importance, because [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assads army and militias are trying to strengthen their presence [there]. The area is considered key to any future military action toward Aleppos western countryside, the last safe [area] that must be protected to ensure the safety of Aleppos other countrysides and [the] city, all the way to rural parts of Idlib and the Syrian-Turkish border.

These battles, however, have become a threat to the truce, worrying United Nations special envoy Staffan de Mistura.

The FSAs legal adviser, Osama Abu Zeid, who is also a member of the oppositions delegation in Geneva, warned about this issue as he spoke to Al-Monitor by phone from Geneva on April 15. The FSA has already agreed to the cessation of hostilities, which had a great impact on the humanitarian level and resulted in lifting the siege on some areas. We not only condemn the breach of the truce, but also the failure to abide by the key humanitarian conditions that are supposed to be the beginning of the political process," Abu Zeid said.

"We also condemn the repeated breaches by the regime, which reached the point of massacres, such as the attack on the school in eastern Ghouta a few days ago, in addition to the barrel bombs that the regime is still throwing on a daily basis. This is why it was our moral duty and our legal right to respond to the regime using the same means, and we will respond to any other attack within the same level without harming any civilians.

Abu Zeid spoke about the current Geneva round of talks and his expectations, saying, The regime is showing great intransigence in the political negotiations as it constantly avoids tackling its responsibilities, direct discussions and the Security Council resolutions.  It is also still carrying out military operations and escalations, which threatens the political process. This would bring us back to square one, renew violence and put pressure on the Syrian people and the peoples of the entire region."

He added, "This will also take its toll on the international community, which will have to bear moral and legal responsibilities, especially with new waves of migration, because refugees will flee violence again. This will undermine the European Unions refugee agreements with Turkey.

The latest round of the negotiations is still in its early stages; De Mistura seems to be optimistic even though the parties refuse direct negotiations. The opposition is calling on the regime and international supporters to immediately start discussing the political transition that would end Assad's rule, an outcome that the regime is trying to avoid as much as possible.
April 19, 2016

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used the recent Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit as a grandstanding opportunity to pitch his qualifications to lead the Islamic world.

Erdogan hosted the OIC, which bills itself as the "Collective Voice of the Islamic World," in Istanbul for the April 14-15 summit. He used his opening address to blast the West again and to call on the Islamic world to unite to solve its own problems rather than relying on outsiders, who he said are only pursuing their own energy interests.

The gathering took place against a backdrop of sectarian violence in the Middle East that has resulted in bitter rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which was visible at the summit.

Diplomatic analysts were also quick to pick up on the message Turkey projected via the lineup in the traditional pre-summit portrait.

Erdogan, who is at the center of the picture, has Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud to his right, while Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stands four down to his left, thus appearing to reflect the close ties Ankara is developing with Riyadh and its distance from Iran on various regional issues.

Erdogan's choice not to be flanked by Rouhani in the photo appeared to contradict the goodwill between Sunnis and Shiites he exhorted in his opening address later.

In his speech to more than 30 leaders  with the notable absentees being Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordans King Abdullah, who are critical of Turkeys role in the Middle East  Erdogan pointed to the urgent need to surmount sectarianism among Islamic countries.

My religion is not that of Sunnis, of Shiites. My religion is Islam, Erdogan said.

Sectarian divisions were also apparent during the summit when Iran lashed out at Saudi Arabia for executing prominent cleric Nimr al-Nimr and other Shiite activists in January. In the final communique adopted at the end of the summit, Iran in turn was condemned for interfering in its neighbors affairs and for supporting terrorist groups.

The warm body language between Salman and Erdogan also played into the hands of those who argue that Turkey is turning its back on the West and increasingly looking to the Sunni world for new allies.

The OIC summit came just as the European Parliament issued a scathing report underlining that Ankara has not just slowed down the democratic reform process it committed itself to as part of its bid for European Union membership, but is backpedaling on reforms it had already enacted, particularly in areas such as freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

In his opening address, Erdogan did not waste the opportunity to blast the West, which seems to be his obsession. Pointing to the recent Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, Erdogan said the speakers there had referred to the terror attacks in Paris and Brussels but made no mention of similar attacks in Ankara, Istanbul or Lahore, although hundreds died in those attacks.

This ambivalence is upsetting for us, Erdogan said, going on to question why, as Islamic countries, they were expecting assistance from others (meaning the West) to solve conflicts and fight terrorism.

If we dont act, others do. But when they do, they do so for the sake of the oil there, not to bring harmony among us, he added, calling for an Islamic arbitration organization and an Islamic version of Interpol to be established in Istanbul.

Erdogan also brought up another of his pet topics and railed at the composition of the United Nations Security Council, where he said there is not one permanent member to represent the Islamic world.

It is essential for the UN to be reformed. It is our right to expect this if we want a just world, Erdogan said. It is not possible for a system that is based on injustice to contribute to global justice."

Erdogans address was noted for his references to justice, while making hardly any mention of democracy or the rights embodied in the UNs Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His remarks were widely interpreted as referring to Islamic justice.

In their totality, Erdogans words to the OIC, whose presidency Turkey is taking over for two years, were taken as a pitch for the leadership of the Islamic world, a view supported and encouraged by the pro-government media in Turkey.

Journalist Kemal Ozturk, arguing in his column against what he said is a mistaken belief that unity cannot be secured in the Islamic world, said this view is based on preconceptions that are usually bogged down under concepts such as treachery, ignorance, misery and sectarianism.

Ozturk, a columnist for daily Yeni Safak, which supports Erdogan, pointed to the collective assets of Islamic countries that could be harnessed under strong leadership and indicated that this is a task for Turkey to fulfill.

We must not forget that Turkey is the largest OIC country, its natural leader and older brother. Therefore, the task of reviving the unity of this organization and strengthening it falls foremost on Turkey, Ozturk wrote.

It remains an open question, of course, whether all the countries in the Islamic world are supportive of the idea of Turkish leadership.

Political scientist and columnist Nuray Mert, an acerbic Erdogan critic, is pessimistic about the potential of the Islamic world, at least as represented by the OIC, for positive change that is in tune with the modern world.

In her critique of the OIC summit, Mert pointed out that any claim to political legitimacy with reference to a religion is problematic.

It is the political power elite that defines and manipulates Islam in terms of their interests. Political manipulation of religious legitimacy hinders criticism and accountability, Mert argued. She noted that almost all OIC members are authoritarian states ranking low in human rights and high in corruption.

Although they pose as if they are fighting against violence and radicalism, the religious political power of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states is legitimized by radical and exclusionist interpretations of Islam [and] their support of radical Islamist groups for their respective interests, Mert said.

They themselves use violence as a political tool to suppress opposition and minorities, while most of them manipulate sectarianism  which they appeared to criticize at the summit  as a political tool."
April 20, 2016

In 2013, Al-Monitor columnist Amberin Zaman penned a piece for another publication titled Hakan Fidan, So Very Sexy to explain how crucial Fidan's role as director of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) is in Turkish politics  hence, the medias persistent focus on his actions.

Intelligence agencies are not spared when there is a failure, and the MIT has been no exception. Consecutive terror attacks, leaked private conversations and foreign policy mistakes have all been major headaches for Fidan. In a sense, he has been President Recep Tayyip Erdogans shield. After finding multiple chinks in his armor, we now see some signs of change for Fidan.

On April 7, news broke that Mustafa Tanriverdi, the head of the weapons factory of the state-owned Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corp. (MKE), had been taken into custody for allegedly trying to sell weaponry design secrets to a US firm. The charges against him are serious and multiple: taking bribes, profiting from state secrets, military espionage and treason.

Al-Monitor recently spoke with three senior MIT bureaucrats on a conference call. They explained that Tanriverdi is an engineer who is fluent in English as well as in German and had acquired a masters degree in Germany. He has been working for the MKE since 1987. The MIT officials told Al-Monitor they found 29,000 euros (about $33,000) and $1,500 in foreign currency while searching Tanriverdis house after his arrest. There were also 50-60 CDs with various weaponry designs and technical information considered state secrets.

Tanriverdis also is suspected of having earlier sold a design to a Turkish firm and another to a European firm, MIT officials said.

The buyer in this recent case, whose name was not released, is a Turkish national operating a weapons factory in the United States. Turkish media reported that Tanriverdi was arrested at the buyer's request, but the MIT says that wasn't the case. In late November, MIT counterespionage agents observed Tanriverdi communicating with foreign groups allegedly linked to illicit weapons trade and nuclear material trafficking.

Our determination to curtail different sources of support for terror organizations led us to Tanriverdi, the officials said.

The agency began tracking all of Tanriverdis cyber and digital movements at his office and house, monitoring his computers and phones. This process led Turkish agents to the buyer, who was recruited as an asset for the MIT and is now under its protection.

Tanriverdi agreed to sell design secrets for two different types of weaponry that the MKE has been developing for years. One of them is the MPT-76 national infantry rifle. An active-duty colonel with the Turkish Armed Forces told Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity, This rifle is being introduced to gradually replace the G3, which we have been using for almost four decades. Many of its features are borrowed from the AR-10, but it has several unique features as well.

"First, it is light and its pistol grip is comfortable. Second, it has many options to customize. You can use or detach the carrying handle or add on gadgets such as night-vision options or other tactical gear. It is user-friendly, so young conscripts can adapt to it fast. For example, it has fire controls and magazine release on both its left and right sides, which is a rather rare feature.

Turkey is now producing all parts for the rifle  about 200 different sections, the colonel explained.

The MPT-76 was the result of five years of research at a cost of $18 million. Indeed, Tanriverdi allegedly used these investment figures to bargain with the US firm. He initially had asked for $360,000, saying that amount was 2% of the production cost and the price could not be lowered, according to the MIT officials. Yet the buyer bartered the price down to $300,000. Tanriverdi also allegedly agreed to trade the design secrets of the MP-5, another rifle, for 200,000 Turkish liras (about $71,000). A bureaucrat in Tanriverdis position receives a monthly salary of roughly 6,000-7,000 Turkish liras ($2,100-$2,500).

The final stage of this whirlwind spy story took place at Cicek restaurant in Ankara. Officials say Tanriverdi exchanged the rifles plans for money, while all his moves were being recorded by multiple cameras. As he stepped out of the restaurant, he was taken into custody. Tanriverdi has publicly accepted the charges and said he regrets his actions.

Social media reactions to the case have been intriguing. While pro-government media portrayed it as an arrest worthy of a spy movie, others said Tanriverdi has donated money to Erdogans election campaign, and supposedly had attended the Justice and Development Party (AKP) political academy.

However, what is being described on social media as a political academy is nothing more than a simple seminar that all bureaucrats could attend. Unfounded allegations on social media about Tanriverdi being an AKP member or the arrest being a conspiracy indicate Turks are not sure how to interpret a successful operation by their intelligence agency.

There are four initial observations we can make following this story. First, the MIT is negotiating a steep learning curve, particularly regarding counterespionage cases. Second, all domestic agencies, particularly those dealing with security issues, weapons production and design, are under strict surveillance. Third, the MIT has signaled that it is flexing its muscles on arms smuggling and illicit weapons trafficking on Turkish soil, as well as protecting the country's national patents in the defense industry. (Defense and technology patents are likely to become a major issue in Turkey, considering Erdogans soon-to-be son-in-laws factory produces drones.) Last, we should expect standard procedures for acquiring security clearance to become more complex for both bureaucrats and external contractors.

So if success makes political power sexier, then we can conclude that the MIT's rating on the sexiness scale has just been kicked up a notch. Now the question is, will this be a one-time success or will it be one of the first in a line of achievements?
April 20, 2016

Earlier this month, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu brought up an intriguing issue about Mimar Sinan, the 16th-century chief architect of the Ottoman Empire, whose ethnic roots have long been the subject of debate. In an infamous episode in the 1930s, the great masters skull was exhumed from his grave for measurements intended to prove he was Turkish. Davutoglu said the skull had gone missing and he had ordered an investigation to hunt it down.

During its 14-year rule, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has often brought up similar cases of racist and fascist action from the early years of the modern Turkish republic. Though the partys motives remain controversial, many saw the debates as an opportunity to face up to the dark pages of the nations recent history. The debates, however, have proved to be just fleeting rhetoric with no real consequences. In 2011, for instance, the AKP brought up the mass killings of Alevis in Dersim in the late 1930s, and then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan even issued an apology on behalf of the state. The move, however, yielded nothing tangible for the countrys Alevis, many of whom say discrimination against them has, in fact, increased under the AKP.

It is hard to say whether Davutoglus move will lead to something different in terms of historical reconciliation, but the issue is important to understanding Turkish history and its ramifications today.

The legacy of Mimar Sinan  Sinan the Architect in Turkish  includes more than 350 structures such as mosques, palaces, madrassas and caravansaries. These constitute some of the most celebrated Ottoman buildings, and the engineering techniques in some of Sinan's masterpieces remain a mystery to this day.

Turkish historian Ayse Hur described to Al-Monitor the political climate in which Sinans grave was opened in 1935, 350 years after his death in 1588. Racism was on the rise across the world in the 1930s, and in Turkey such [racial] studies were also underway. The Turkish Anthropological Research Center  which was founded on Ataturks instructions  was conducting comparative studies on the remains of children of different ethnic backgrounds like the Turks, Armenians, Greeks and Jews, she said.

According to Hur, the historian and sociologist Afet Inan, Ataturks adopted daughter, was also involved in the studies with a doctoral research project seeking to prove Turks were a perfect representative of the brachycephalic Alpine race, which she conducted under the guidance of Swiss anthropologist Eugene Pittard.

This giant racist research involved no less than 64,000 people  something unseen even in Nazi Germany  and was sponsored by the state. Members of the Turkish Historical Institute were curious about the racial profiles of famous historical figures, or rather they postulated these figures belonged to the Turkish race and then sought physical evidence to prove it. That is how Sinans tomb was opened on Aug. 1, 1935, centuries after his death, she said.

According to Hur, the Turkish Historical Institutes official statement at the time said the tomb was opened, examined and then closed. A report in Aksam newspaper on Aug. 5, 1935, said the researchers had concluded Sinans skull was brachycephalic or broad-headed. Since all Turks are brachycephalic, it is once again demonstrated that the great architect was Turkish not only culturally but also racially, it said.

The debate on Sinans ethnicity continues. Summing up the prevailing arguments, Hur said, Sinans actual name was Sinan bin Abdulmennan. Abdulmennan was a name given to converts to Islam. In his memoir, Sinan speaks of being a 'devshirme,' which was a term describing Christians the [Ottoman] state selected for posts in the palace or in the army. However, Sinan gave no further information about his roots. Even this silence on his part supports the validity of arguments about his non-Muslim roots. One ancient decree contains a request to exempt relatives of Sinan  named Sarioglu Dugenci, Ulisa and Nisan  from exile to Cyprus. According to Armenian historian Kevork Pamukciyan, the relatives names make it obvious Sinan was an Armenian. He also said that one of Sinans brothers was named Mikayel. Some nationalist historians, meanwhile, say Sinan hailed from the Christian Turkic Karamanlide community. Both theories could be true as no pure ethnic group could be found in history. Yet no information is available to back up the Karamanlide theory.

What happened to Sinans skull after the examination? Davutoglu says it has disappeared and pledged efforts to recover it.

Hur, however, pointed to a different theory on what might have actually happened. In the early 1940s, the team restoring Sinans tomb was alarmed when they realized the skull was not there. Whether any investigation was conducted on the issue at the time is unknown, she said. But in an interview in 1963, Sedat Cetintas, the renowned restoration architect who was part of the team that [first] opened the tomb, gave the following account: I got Sinans tomb opened and managed to tuck in my head and a single shoulder. The corpse was completely decomposed and the head sample lay over the soil in the form of dust.  I found two 10-centimeter pieces of bone from each of Sinans upper arms and a piece with a diameter of 3-4 centimeters from his skull, and gave them to the research team. So if Cetintas account is true, there might have been no skull to examine in the first place, and even if there were, how suitable it was for a study remains an open question.

Davutoglus pledge to recover the skull and "remove this black stain in our history" has prompted a flurry of activity at anthropology faculties conserving skulls. Ankara University has already said they dont have Sinans skull. Hur added, If Cetintas tells the truth, the recovery of a skull is not possible.

And what about the black stain? Noting she doubted Davutoglus intentions, Hur said, If an intact skull did exist and was lost, this would go down in history as a disgrace for the mindset of the 1930s. But this would be nothing compared to the other shameful acts of that mindset. Most recently, for instance, a mass grave, believed to date back to the 1937-38 Dersim operation, was discovered. Work is underway to identify the victims. And when it comes to mass graves from the post-1980 period, I have lost count of them. It is hard to figure out why Davutoglu has decided to hunt down Sinans skull, while he takes no interest in hunting down the perpetrators of [human rights violations] under the AKP, a task for which he is responsible. Moreover, I dont think Davutoglu would show respect to the theory of Sinans Armenian descent.
April 20, 2016

SANAA, Yemen  One of the most striking paradoxes generated by war and migration in the Middle East is that the war in Yemen, raging since the spring of 2015, has not scared off boats packed with African immigrants heading toward this impoverished country.

Africans fleeing the despair and hell of conflicts on the other side of the Red Sea, in Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea, still flock to Yemen, which is also plagued by misery and a bloody armed conflict.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported Jan. 19 that around 92,000 people reached Yemens shores by boat in 2015. It said the number is one of the highest annual totals recorded over the past decade, and two-thirds of these immigrants reached Yemen since March 2015, when the conflict began.

Yemen is the only country on the Arabian Peninsula that is a state party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. The convention, signed by 139 countries, is designed to protect refugees, provide them with aid and reinstate their social rights.

Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi said in 2013 that there were close to 2 million foreign refugees living in Yemen. Back then, Yemen was hosting hundreds of Syrian refugees fleeing the war ravaging their country, but the number Hadi mentioned seemed exaggerated and inaccurate.

Yemen is a miserable and doomed "escape" for those who fled conflicts and suffering in their homeland to save their lives. When immigrants, mostly from Somalia, reach the west coast of Yemen, they are hosted in the Kharaz refugee camp, which is about 1,500 square meters (roughly one-third acre) in size and about 136 kilometers (84 miles) from Aden. The camp was established in 2000 in a secluded and harsh place where temperatures in the summer can reach 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).

The UNHCR receives the refugees, records their data and gives them identity cards to protect them from being forcibly deported to their country of origin. Yet many refugees overlook this protocol and head toward Aden or Sanaa with no identity papers, making yet another harsh and expensive trip.

Said Wael Mohamed Hassan, a human rights activist, lives in Lahij, the province where the Kharaz camp is located. He told Al-Monitor, The camp consists of 83 residential units of 25 houses, each including a family or two.

Most of the refugees in Kharaz are Somalis; the camp hosts nearly 17,000 refugees from that country, which has been plagued by a civil war for almost two decades.

In her book titled "A Million Shillings, Escape from Somalia, journalist Alixandra Fazzina noted the Kharaz camp once was a military base. She described the camp's environment as hostile and unforgiving, and a far cry from the promised land many refugees risked their lives hoping to find.

One of the hundreds of Somali refugees living in the Safia district in central Sanaa told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, At the end of 2015, I went on a precarious journey to cross the sea to reach Yemen. I almost died three times at sea, when the boat, carrying about 40 people, was about to overturn. I said to myself: God, I do not want to die at sea. I prayed for this not to be the end.

The UNHCR writes on its website, "Tragically, more people continue to lose their lives trying to cross the sea in overcrowded, unseaworthy boats.

The Somali man said, I thought that once in Yemen I would have a fresh start, but I was mistaken. I have a miserable life, I did not find a job and I failed to [make it] into Saudi Arabia because of the war."

But at least I'm still alive, he added.

Many Africans view Yemen as a gateway to other parts of the Middle East, as it shares a border with Saudi Arabia, which hosts millions of foreign workers. Immigrants with high hopes are shocked when they reach Yemen and witness the ruin inflicted by its devastating civil war.

Despite the refugees' dire conditions, there are no Somali beggars in Sanaa, unlike the many poor Yemenis seen in the capitals streets. Somali refugees forge a living out of their perseverance. Most of the men wash cars for a maximum of $2 in popular markets, while women work in the homes and offices of affluent families. The women serve drinks and clean offices for $200 a month in the best-case scenarios.

Somali refugee Othman Omar told Al-Monitor he has spent 20 of his 29 years in Sanaa. "I have not received any financial aid or in-kind allowance from any international organization. I have been washing cars to provide for my family.

Another refugee told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, I received $300 a month from the UNHCR, but the amount was cut to $150.

A third refugee said, I only get $100, which is not enough in light of the high food prices.

These refugees were sitting in the shade on the sidewalk in Sanaa, with old pieces of cloth on their shoulders and buckets of soapy water, waiting for a driver to give them the sign to wash his car.

In addition to the harsh living conditions, the refugees are at high risk. Omar told Al-Monitor, The Houthi militants, who control Sanaa, are forcing us to fight in their ranks, against their opponents.

He added, They took 30 Somalis to fight in their ranks. I even know some of them. Why have we fled our country to Yemen? Had I wanted to fight, I would have stayed in Somalia. We have fled death. Now, we fear that they will force us to join the Yemeni war.

The number of immigrants in Sanaa, Aden and Lahij is unknown. Al-Monitor was unable to secure any figures from the UNHCR offices in Sanaa and Aden.

It seems refugees from war-torn nations throughout the region are unwittingly exchanging one wretched existence for another. In the struggle to survive, more than 173,000 Yemenis have fled to neighboring countries since March 2015 to escape the war, including 51,000 to Oman, 40,000 to Saudi Arabia, 33,000 to Djibouti, 32,000 to Somalia, 11,000 to Ethiopia and 6,000 to Sudan.

Yemeni refugees in Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea are living miserable lives. They rely heavily on UNHCR aid in the absence of the Yemeni government, which was exiled to Riyadh.

In a May 18, 2015 story, the Los Angeles Times described Yemeni refugees as surviving "in a rudimentary camp in Djibouti on a remote coastal stretch where shelter from a punishing sun is scarce and the shrieks of hyenas and jackals echo in the evenings.
Thirty-one babies born next month in Alabama will receive $529 toward an existing or new account to fund their college education.

CollegeCounts, Alabama's 529 Fund, will host the second-annual statewide giveaway May 29. Winners born between May 1-31 will be chosen at random and notified of their prize by July 1 of this year.

"This promotion was put in place to encourage families to begin investing early and often," said Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer in a statement. "When a baby arrives, it's hard to plan for long-term, but the hope is to bring to light the importance of planning for what's next."

Parents have until 5 p.m. CT June 15 to enter the contest on AL529Day.com. A birth certificate or commemorative birth announcement is required to receive funds.

Funds saved through CollegeCounts may be used at colleges, universities, trade schools and graduate schools across Alabama and the U.S. for tuition and fees, room and board (if enrolled at least half-time), books, supplies and equipment.

To learn more, click here.
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2013 RZR XP 900 EPS. (Courtesy of CPSC)

Polaris is recalling 133,000 recreational off-highway vehicles after receiving more than 160 reports of fires, resulting in one death and 19 injuries.

The Minnesota company said the voluntary recall affects its Model Year 2013-16 RZR 900 and RZR 1000 vehicles, which were sold from July 2012 to April 2016 for $16,000 to $26,000 at Polaris dealers nationwide.

A notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission said a 15-year-old passenger died when one of the vehicles rolled over and caught fire. Other injuries include first-, second- and third-degree burns.

"CPSC and Polaris warn consumers to stop using these recreational vehicles immediately and contact their Polaris dealer for a free repair," a statement said. "Polaris has agreed to voluntarily suspend sale of all recalled vehicles until they are repaired."

Click here to see if your VIN matches one of the vehicles. Customers can schedule a complimentary service appointment by calling their local Polaris dealer.

Polaris CEO and Chairman Scott Wine said the company is "working day and night to inform our customers and dealers and to obtain the parts needed for the repairs we identified in our comprehensive analysis."

"We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers as we work to ensure all the systemic thermal risks we identified are eliminated from our vehicles," he said.

Polaris is in the process of opening its first Alabama plant on 7049 Greenbrier Parkway N.W., in Huntsville-annexed Limestone County. The facility will produce Polaris Ranger products before expanding to Slingshot on-road vehicles that are currently made in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

In January, the firm reported a fourth-quarter 2015 net income of $110.7 million, down 18 percent from the same period a year earlier. Total sales were also down 13 percent, while off-road vehicle and snowmobile profits declined 18 percent to $862 million.

For more details about the recall, contact Polaris at 800-POLARIS or 800-765-2747 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Saturday and Sunday. Customers can also visit

and click on "Off-Road Safety Recalls" on the main page of the website.
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Kimberly Smith, founder of the Alabama-based Make Way Partners ministry, visits with Ayak and Mary, two women who say they were raped by South Sudanese soldiers at a U.N. Peace Camp.

(Courtesy of Make Way Partners)

An Alabama ministry has rescued several women who say they were raped by South Sudanese soldiers at camps run by the United Nations in Africa.

South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011, but by 2013 a new civil war broke out as President Salva Kiir, a member of the Dinka tribe, fired Vice President Riek Machar, of the Neur tribe, after accusing him of trying to overthrow him.

Both Kiir and Machar are backed by soldiers from their tribes, and have been raping and killing members of the rival tribe, said Kimberly Smith, president and founder of Make Way Partners, based in Birmingham.

"The new government is providing funding for rape camps, encouraging the soldiers to rape women, saying we don't have funds to pay you, these are side benefits," Smith said in an interview with AL.com. "Most of the women I speak with that we rescued from South Sudan, they were raped by so many men at different times."

Time magazine's April 18 edition features interviews and photographs of two of the women who say they were raped at a U.N. camp. Both became impregnated and had children. They were kept in a military rape camp within the U.N. compound in Bentiu in South Sudan. Both women were rescued by Make Way Partners.

The soldiers in the civil war are difficult to tell apart, Smith said.

"They're all wearing the same uniforms," Smith said. "At times they may be raped by the current regime, or by the newly factioned rebel group. One group is Dinka and the other is Nuer, two opposing tribes. The presidents have incited this tribalism. There is no religious component. This is purely two egotistical, tyrannical men using tribalism for their own selfish wants needs and desires."

The corrupt leaders are behind the killing, rape and abuse, she said.

"Each of them incited their own tribes to commit murder and rape and as a weapon of war," Smith said. "Both of them want power. Oil, money, prestige is part of it."

For years, the problem in Sudan was an Islamic regime in the north that attacked the southern part of Sudan and took women and children as slaves. Sudan still launches attacks on settlements in the oil-rich region of the Nuba mountains, Smith said.

"A lot of world leaders were saying if we help South Sudan become independent, everything will settle down," Smith said. "Of course it didn't. There was no infrastructure put in place. The U.S. government still funds the government of South Sudan even though it is well documented that these rape camps exist. The U.N. came out documenting that they know they exist. There's evidence the rape camps are within the U.N. camps. The U.N. officers are involved in it. They consider themselves peacemakers. If they see a soldier taking a woman or child, they have no legal responsibility to that woman or child. They turn their back. We know it's not isolated. There are reports of U.N. soldiers being involved in the rapes. The U.S. government knows it and continues to send money to the leaders of the South Sudanese government who are doing it."

Independence for South Sudan turned out to be a misplaced hope, she said.

"It's worse than before," Smith said. "It's not okay that we continue to fund genocidal maniacs."

Make Way Partners, founded in 2002, began working in Sudan in 2004 and started the first orphanage and school there in 2005.

"The need was not only desperate but overwhelming," Smith said. "We just started one child at a time. God has done amazing things. Our children are thriving, the ministry is thriving amidst violence and war."

Make Way Partners runs an elementary and high school at its orphanage near border of Darfur, with 750 children there. The other orphanages are about 1,000 miles apart and each has an elementary school. The orphanage in the Nuba mountains has 500 children. One near the border of Uganda cares for 200 children. That facility includes a 2,000-acre farm to help grow food. Otherwise, food has to be trucked in from neighboring countries.

Make Way Partners founder Kimberly Smith helped set up a meeting for Time magazine with Mary, who had a child after being raped by South Sudanese soldiers.

"By the grace of God, we have three orphanages, one in Sudan, two in South Sudan," Smith said. "We want to provide emotional and spiritual support for the rape victims with job training and reading programs. We have 1,500 children, unadoptable orphans in three locations, 300 employees. The orphans are unadoptable because of lack of documentation, no birth certificate, no passport, we can barely get a visa for our workers to leave the country for additional training."

Make Way Partners is building a hospital that will be completed this year, Smith said.

"It's near one of our orphanages in eastern equatorial south Sudan," she said. "We will have a holistic care hospital where we address the emotional issues as well."

Education for South Sudan

Smith, who lives in Hoover but makes frequent trips to Africa, plans to return to South Sudan on April 26. All the orphanages and schools are run by Sudanese workers who are employees of Make Way Partners.

"There is so much hope," Smith said. "It's a very grassroots approach, one child at a time."

Make Way Partners runs on an annual budget of $5 million.

"When we first went to Sudan, all we found was a bunch of starving orphans," Smith said. "We started by taking in 153 orphans and building a one-room, mud-brick thatch school, then moving them up, adding a grade each year. This year we have our first graduating class of seniors, about 50. They will lead our schools, work in our hospitals, transforming the nation from within. We have kids in class in medical school in Uganda. Through child sponsorship, Americans have made this happen."

Long-term education is the only solution to Sudanese problems, Smith said.

"People are learning for the first time after six generations of civil war," Smith said. "No one alive in South Sudan was not born into war. There's no frame of reference for what peace looks like. Our children are learning another way."
An Ohatchee man who was apparently shot by his brother earlier this month during an altercation has died.

Calhoun County Coroner Pat Brown said Andy Lee Frost, 34, died early Monday morning in a Birmingham hospital.

Authorities are still investigating the incident between Andy and his brother Casey Leon Frost, 37, which occurred April 10.

Chief Deputy Matthew Wade said at the time that Andy was wounded by a shotgun in the arm and neck.

The altercation happened after Andy Frost went to his brother's home on Alabama 144 with a gun. The two men began arguing about ephedrines for making methamphetamine and Andy may have been attempting to take Casey's vehicle, Wade said of the incident.

Casey has not been charged in connection with the shooting, but he is currently in the Calhoun County Jail on several drug charges.

All information from the investigation will be turned over to the Calhoun County District Attorney's Office.
If a bill is enacted by the Alabama Legislature to close abortion clinics near public schools then the state will face a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union, the group said this afternoon.

The Alabama Senate on March 22 approved the bill by Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville. Under that bill the Alabama Department of Public Health could not license or renew a license for an abortion clinic within 2,000 feet of a K-8 public school.

The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 27-6 and is now pending in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville

If passed into law, the bill would force two abortion clinics in the state to close, the ACLU says in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon.

"We all agree that protecting our children is a top priority. But this law isn't about protecting Alabama's children," stated Susan Watson, Executive Director of the ACLU of Alabama. "It's about making a sure a woman who has decided to have an abortion can't get one."

"And make no mistake about it: If the legislature passes this bill, the ACLU will challenge this law in court," Watson stated.

If enacted, this bill will result in the fourth lawsuit in the last three years as a result of politicians' effort to interfere with access to reproductive health care in Alabama, the ACLU stated.

"This law is an attack on the health and well-being of Alabama women. Government and politicians should not intrude on these personal, private family decisions. If passed, this outrageous law will only result in yet another costly lawsuit, which is the last thing our state needs," Watson said.

In recent years, courts have blocked three attempts to cut off access to reproductive health care in Alabama.

In a ruling in one of those lawsuits last month a federal court permanently blocked a law that would have forced abortion clinics to close, the ACLU stated. "The motion for attorneys' fees and costs filed earlier this month in that case seeks over $2.5 million dollars - dollars that Alabama taxpayers will be forced to pay for as a result of politicians' seemingly endless assault on women's healthcare," the group said.

In that March case, U.S. District Court Judge Myron Thompson in Montgomery issued a ruling that permanently stripped from a state law a requirement that abortion providers must have admitting privileges at local hospitals. Thompson wrote in his order that the impact of enforcing the law would be enormous - forcing many of the state's abortion clinics to close.

The ACLU is committed to defending woman's health and constitutionally protected right to abortion. If politicians pass this law, we will use all avenues to ensure that women continue to have access to safe, legal abortion services in Alabama.
A Jefferson County man was sentenced Monday to serve more than 11 years in prison for his conviction on child pornography charges, court records show.

Mark Alan Love, 50, of Pinson, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge David Proctor to 11 years and three months in federal prison. Once he is released, Love will have to serve 15 years on supervised probation, the judge ordered.

Love was convicted at trial Jan. 6 of distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacquelyn M. Hutzell stated in a sentencing memorandum that in July 2014 Love made files in his child pornography collection available for download in a peer-to-peer file sharing program on his computer. Love admitted he downloaded, shared, and possessed child pornography and used search terms such as "teen" and "Lolita" to find child pornography, she stated.

Love viewed child pornography on a weekly basis and manually organized his child pornography collection, which included 72 videos and 2,054 images of real children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, Hutzell stated in the memorandum.

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and ALEA's State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Regardless of political thoughts about immigration, every farmer knows that without cheap labour the crops would rot

North Carolina, US  For a decade I have been travelling to the fertile fields of eastern North Carolina, where the nations tobacco crop is harvested.

The region is also a centre of food production, from where vegetables and sweet potatoes are exported to the rest of the country. These crops are all dependent upon migrant farm labourers, mostly from Mexico, who plant and harvest them.

Whatever their political thoughts about illegal and legal immigration, every farmer in the region knows that without a steady and reliable stream of cheap labour, the crops would rot in the fields. When another southern state, Alabama, passed a harsh law against immigrants, farm labourers fled, and farmers lost millions of dollars.

Simply put, Americans cannot  or will not  do the backbreaking work required to bring in the food that they eat.

I have seen dramatic changes in this area of North Carolina since I first started photographing here in 2005. While many of the migrant labourers continue to move from labour camp to labour camp  spending the spring and summer in North Carolina before moving on to Florida for the autumn and winter  just as many have decided to settle down in the area and raise their families.

The Latino population, 1,500 miles from the Mexican border, has increased dramatically. Every small town now has stores that sell Spanish food, and the local public schools are teaching a generation of bilingual students, the American children of farm labourers.

Some conservative Republicans view this huge demographic shift as a conspiracy by the Democratic Party to allow weak enforcement at the border in order to increase their voter rolls. Other Republicans recognise it for what it is  the American Dream in action.

But whatever political disagreements and racial prejudices are brought out in the election campaign, without some support from Americas growing Latino population, a Republican Party of angry whites has very little chance of ever winning a national election again.

In much the same way that the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s changed national politics by finally allowing African Americans to exercise their constitutional right to vote, the growing Latino population in the US is making once solidly conservative states such as North Carolina, Nevada and Texas a more complex and diverse political equation.

I remember visiting an impoverished labour camp in the area several years ago. The camp was hidden from the road and the workers lived in flimsy shacks infested with roaches. The bathrooms were so primitive that the surrounding woods were covered in human faeces.

In front of one family cabin, though, was a small sign issued by the local school system. It said Proud Parents of Honour Students.

Recently, while visiting the area again, by chance I ran into that same family. They had left the camp and now lived in their own home, purchased through years of hard work in the fields. Their two sons were now young men preparing for college.

To not celebrate that success, to not recognise it as a great source of strength, but instead to diminish and dismiss it as some sort of national threat, is the sign of a country possessed by its own demons.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.

Andrew Lichtenstein is a documentary photographer, journalist and teacher who works on long-term stories of social concern. Over the past two decades he has concentrated on photographing stories about social justice in the US. He first began covering national politics when he rode on presidential candidate Bill Clintons campaign bus in 1992.
Mumbai, India  In Indian cities, the patrons of restaurants and coffee shops are often met with the same response when asking to use the wi-fi: Picture ID please.

India has long been at odds with itself over the deployment of public wi-fi, with its presence still scarce in cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi.

The lack of connectable hotspots isnt a problem of resources, but rather a by-product of tightened security.

In 2008, a series of terrorist attacks rocked the city of Ahmedabad, in Gujarat state. Twenty-one bomb blasts shook the city in two phases  first targeting busy city markets, and secondly targeting government hospitals where those same victims were taken for treatment. Fifty-six people were killed, and more than 160 others wounded.

Just one day before, a series of nine bombs had exploded in the city of Bangalore, killing two more people and leaving more than 20 injured.

READ MORE: Indian company launches smartphone for less than $4

Investigations found that warning emails had been sent to a number of police officers minutes before the first attack. The emails claimed to have come from members of the Indian Mujahideen, an organisation that has been carrying out erratic terror attacks within India.

However, when Mumbai police tracked down the email IP address, it led them to the house of a confused American expat.

Somebody stood outside his house, connected to his open wi-fi, went to Yahoo, created an email account, and then sent a large number of policemen emails that there were going to be bombings, explained cyber security expert Vijay Mukhi.

At the time, Mukhi was asked to be a part of a Mumbai police task force that was conducting the investigation.

Several similar incidents followed, including another terror-related email sent from the open wi-fi at Mumbais Khalsa College, again claiming to be from the Indian Mujahideen.

Because open wi-fi was being misused, police took action to clamp down on it, Mukhi said. In 2009, Indias Department of Telecommunications announced stricter regulations on wi-fi networks that made possessing a wireless connection in public places more of a difficult task.

The updated regulations (PDF) require all wi-fi owners to secure their networks with a password. It also requires them to keep a record of their users in one of two ways: by keeping a record of the customers data usage as well as their photo identification for a period of one year; or the owners could set up an authentication portal that automatically collects the data of the users activities.

Privacy and cost

These policies raise a concern regarding the privacy of the general public. There needs to be this balance between the privacy of an individual and the security that the government wants. Every country has to take their call on it, Mukhi said.

Indias call is  more security.

Mukhi thinks that this has led to a new level of mistrust between the wi-fi owners and their clients.

Now customers dont really trust wi-fi provided from someone else. How do I know theyre not stealing my passwords? Mukhi asked.

Similarly, he said, cafes fear that if a customer provides fake identification, the police will hold the cafe owner liable in the case of an investigation.

They need to readily identify the person. And thats exactly whats expensive, to set up something that can manage that, said Mukhi.

Companies that help establish authentication portals can charge a hefty price, which has pushed many independent businesses to abandon the idea of providing wi-fi.

Those in need of a connection are more likely to resort to foreign chains such as Starbucks, which only opened its first location in India back in 2012, and has the financial capability to provide a connection with proper authentication. An affordable cloud The blooming start-up culture in India has allowed for entrepreneurs to attempt to clear these hurdles. Vishal Chaudhari is the cofounder of Wingage, a start-up company incubated in Mumbai that provides wi-fi to cafes and restaurants through a cloud-based server. People want free wi-fi, but the problem in India is fear, Chaudhari said. Wingage helps businesses set up a User Management System (UMS) that gives owners the liberty of choosing which method of authentication they would like for their wi-fi. Once the customer enters their mobile phone number and receives a password, Wingage redirects the customer to a page that gives the option to either Like the business on Facebook or Follow it on Twitter  a bonus for the owner who signs up for the cloud authentication service.

The start-up also provides a platform from which the owner of the business can easily track how many users are logged on to their wi-fi. The owner also gets the option to limit the time or data usage of the customers on their wi-fi network.





Normally, to set up such a system in India costs around one lakh rupees ($1,500). Weve been able to replace that with only 12,000 rupees ($180), said Chaudhari.

By providing a Cloud-managed wi-fi service, Chaudhari was able to not only to make the system cheaper but more user-friendly for cafe owners. Though he said it took some effort to convince the small business owners to trust his product.

When youre a start-up, people dont actually trust you. Not only in India, but everywhere, he said.

Because people fear the regulations, as an owner, they dont want to only provide the wi-fi, clearly they want something in return. So in return we assure them that through the UMS nobody can abuse their wi-fi connection. What they also get in return is the commercial benefit when customers can follow or like them on social media.

Since launching in February, Wingage has installed wi-fi at more than 75 locations in Mumbai, including at some bigger local chains such as Moshes, Di Bella Coffee, and Tea Villa Cafe.

Micky Panjwani, co-owner of Tea Villa Cafe, just recently expanded his chain. He provides the Wingage supported wi-fi at all three of his cafe locations.

People come to cafes, and they need some time. It is a problem for tourists and locals when they come to cafes and there is no network available, Panjwani said.

The Tea Villa Cafe is a fusion of Indias tapri chai  or roadside chai, and a sit-down lounge cafe experience. Panjwani said having wi-fi has attracted more customers and has helped emulate more of the sit-down feel to the cafe he is aiming for.

Previously when we started with the wi-fi, we used to collect ID cards from customers and used to keep it in our record before giving them the password. It was a headache trying to maintain the data of the customer, and you never know when youll need it. In a day we get around 400 to 500 customers.

Wingage is just one initiative attempting to bolster wi-fi availability in cities across India. The company plans to expand to New Delhi.

The fear is something that was in every cafe, Panjwani said. But slowly and steadily, everyone is doing this.
Circus trainer and performer Mohammed Abu Sakha was on his way to work after a short stay with his family in Jenin when he was arrested by Israeli forces at the Zatara checkpoint in southern Nablus.

Soon after his arrest in December 2015, he was sentenced to six months of administrative detention, which allows Israel to hold prisoners indefinitely without charge or trial. More than 600 of the approximately 7,000 Palestinians currently imprisoned by Israel are administrative detainees.

The Palestinian Circus School has worked extensively to publicise Abu Sakhas case, both nationally and internationally. The story has been incorporated into public performances, while the schools international network of supporters have staged street performances and demonstrations around the world.
Will it soon be necessary to check in ones Muslim identity before boarding a plane?

Khaled A Beydoun is a law professor, and author of American Islamophobia: Understanding the Roots and Rise of Fear.

There are fewer phrases less threatening than God willing. The two words are uttered by presidential candidates on the campaign trail, political figures and media pundits on mainstream media networks, and are a staple part of common American colloquial communication.

The phrase is a hopeful, optimistic one, even used secularly in the United States today. Indeed, one would be hard pressed to find another phrase that instils less fear, and more comfort, than God willing.

This should also be the case when God willing, or Inshallah, is uttered in Arabic. But it isnt. Especially today, when fear of anything associated with Islam  especially the Arabic language  is deeply embedded. This irrational fear is especially pronounced on commercial aircraft, where the imaginations of captive passengers with Islamophobic proclivities rise high and roam freely.





Anything associated with Muslim terrorism, whether it be an article of clothing or a routine conversational phrase, can trigger that irrational fear and, in turn, lead to the removal of a Muslim, Arabic-speaking, or Muslim-resembling passenger.

These removals are no longer isolated incidents but have become a discriminatory pattern and common practice on American commercial airliners.

A pattern of removals

In a national terrain where Islamophobia is skyrocketing, accommodating the irrational Islamophobic fears of passengers, and policing the Arabic language while on board, has become an industry custom while flying the not-so-friendly skies.

READ MORE: After Islamophobia comes the criminalisation of Arabic

On April 9, Khairuldeen Makhzoomi was removed from a Southwest airline flight minutes before take-off. The University of California-Berkeley student, and Iraqi American, chose to call his uncle in Baghdad to discuss the United Nations event he had just attended in New York.

'Muslim' appearance or language gives rise to terror suspicion, while a combination of the two seems to intensify for the Islamophobic passenger. by

I just called him and told him about it  and he told me [to] call him when I get to Oakland, and I said, Inshallah inshallah I will call you when I arrive.

The conversation in Arabic, and specifically the mention of Allah in Inshallah, caused a concerned female passenger to leave the plane. She returned two minutes later, followed by two police officers ordering Makhzoomi to leave the aircraft.

Makhzoomi was then subjected to aggressive questioning, an examination of his luggage, and the seizure of his wallet, all preceded by the embarrassment and inconvenience associated with being forcibly removed from an aircraft.

I felt oppressed. I was afraid, said Makhzoomi about his emotional injury, which was capped by the insult of Southwest refusing to let him on another of its flights back to California.

Makhzoomis removal from a Southwest Airlines flight for saying Inshallah is only the most recent in a strong of Islamophobic removals from commercial airliners.

A Muslim family was removed from a United Airlines flight leaving Chicago in March after inquiring about securing a child booster seat, and in December of 2015, three South Asian men and an Arab passenger were demanded off of an American Airlines flight leaving Toronto for New York. Three of the men forced to disembark were Muslims, while the other was a Sikh.

Muslim appearance or language gives rise to terror suspicions, while a combination of the two seems to intensify for the Islamophobic passenger.

Considering that these Islamophobic removals are not exclusive to one commercial airliner, having taken place on Southwest, United and American Airlines within the past four months, the risk of being forced off a plane for Arab and Muslim passengers, or others vulnerable to the Islamophobic imagination, is sky high.

This begs the question as to whether passengers facing such Islamophobia when flying should conceal or disguise their Muslim identity.

Checking in before a flight

For Arab and Muslims prepping for a flight in America today, checking in has taken on a new meaning.

READ MORE: Donald Trump and electing Islamophobia

Aside from registering presence, the phrase encompasses the process of negotiating an expression of personal identity for Arabs and Muslims before boarding a plane. Namely, which identity markers to conceal or cover up, and an intentional decision to avoid speaking Arabic  or any language resembling Arabic  while on a flight.

Indeed, many Arab and Muslim airline passengers choose to check in their ethnic or religious identities before boarding and, subsequently, engage in a racial or religious performance that lessens the possibility of being identified as a Muslim terrorist, and simultaneously accommodates the irrational fears of passengers.

Passing as a non-Muslim while on a plane, and working their identity by code-switching fully into English, is a common phenomenon for Arab and Muslim airline passengers these days.

While checking in is possible for racially ambiguous Arabs and religiously inconspicuous Muslims such as myself, it is not for groups that fit neatly within the stereotypical caricature of Arabs, such as Sikhs  who are, ironically, neither Arabs nor Muslims. The same applies to Muslim women donning the headscarf, clergy, and with regard to language, airline passengers who exclusively speak Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Pashtun, or any tongue discursively conflated with Islam or perceived to be a terrorist language.

Checking in is one option before flying while Arab, Muslim, or Muslim-looking but it isnt the only one.

Arabic as activism

The ability, or inability, to check in, however, manifests the gravity of the problem faced by Arab and Muslim airline passengers today. On the one hand, speaking Arabic on board an airplane may incite suspicion and spur removal. But on the other, speaking Arabic is a form of activism that reveals the absurdity of these irrational fears.

An absurdity which, one day, may push commercial airliners  such as Southwest and United Arlines  to accommodate the vast racial, religious and linguistic diversity of their customer base, instead of the Islamophobic sensibilities of a few.

Choosing to conceal Arab or Muslim identity, or biting your Arabic tongue, is capitulating to the Islamophobic trope that Arabic is associated with terrorism. While speaking it is a form of resistance that is hardly radical; it vividly illustrates the radical political and popular peaks Islamophobia finds itself soaring towards in the US today.

I choose the latter tactic  wielding Arabic as a form of resistance  which is a more direct flight towards grounding the unchecked Islamophobia marring the airline industry today, and affecting the millions of Arab, Muslim and Muslim-looking passengers across and beyond America tomorrow.

Khaled A Beydoun is an assistant professor of law at the Barry University Dwayne O Andreas School of Law. He is a native of Detroit.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
A stable ceasefire is the only possible means for helping displaced Syrians to return to home.

Even as more evidence emerges about his crimes, Bashar al-Assad received a predictably implausible majority in the presidential elections in Syria last week. At the same time, negotiations to resolve the conflict began in Geneva with a sense of futility hanging thick in the air and expectedly ran into a dead end very quickly with the opposition representatives suspending their participation.

Assad says that he might consider cherry-picking some opponents for government positions but a government of national unity is out of the question. Having radically improved Assads position, Russia has, for the moment, one leg in and one leg out of the conflict, while the United States continues to gamble that its insubstantial engagement does not entirely negate its leverage.





All the while the refugee crisis fuelled by the Syrian conflict continues in all its harrowing inhumanity, with scores of people drowning in the Mediterranean this week and the conditions in refugee camps in Greece deteriorating. The exodus has seriously damaged Europes vision of itself and continues to present the biggest political crisis it has faced in decades.

The plight of the displaced

More than half of Syrias population of 24 million has been uprooted, with four million no longer even in the country. Any lasting peace will need to address the plight of the displaced, both those who fled across international borders and those fleeing inside Syria.

ALSO READ: Are the US and Russia helping or deceiving the Syrians?

It is in the immediate interest of Europe not only to stop the exodus at its source but also to begin to create the circumstances for the displaceds eventual return. Beginning now to think about displacement and its resolution is precisely in the interests of those who seek to remove Assad from power and to see him face justice.

Only the most deluded propagandist would doubt that Assad has committed large-scale war crimes and crimes against humanity. by

A few weeks ago saw the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the conflict. We heard many calls for justice. The US and the UK have chopped and changed their public views on whether Assad should stay and if so for how long.

The US Congress passed a resolution calling for the creation of a tribunal to try those accused of serious crimes. Other governments and human rights organisations are looking into similar options. They are looking through the wrong end of the telescope.

Only the most deluded propagandist would doubt that Assad has committed large-scale war crimes and crimes against humanity. That he and his colleagues in the Syrian High Command, among others, should face justice ought to be unquestionable.

But instead of considering practical steps that make peace and justice likely, there is a tendency to descend into disingenuous posturing that fills the void of inaction.

Root and branch reform

When we talk of justice we need to remember that it consists of more than making sure Assad is held to account. It also means making Syria a place safe to live and where all its citizens enjoy the respect and protection of the state. That is  it requires root and branch reform.

Other than death, there are only two ways for Assad to go: he can decide to step down or he can be forced by negotiation or democratic process to go.

The latter route requires massive numbers of opposition elements to return to Syria with a vision of a democratic future and the chance to exercise their civic voice meaningfully. That is why beginning to deal with displacement now is not only an urgent humanitarian necessity but also a strategic imperative.

The current prospects of holding Assad to account for his crimes are limited. In theory, a resolution from the UN Security Council (even today) could refer Assad to the International Criminal Court, a course that most assuredly would be vetoed by Russia, and perhaps by China. Similarly, an international ad hoc tribunal, as set up by the UN Security Council for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, would also be vetoed by Russia.

ALSO READ: What can a Jewish folktale tell us about Assad?

The remaining options would be for a new Syrian regime to either prosecute Assad or make a retroactive declaration, if he were to leave Syria, recognising the jurisdiction of the ICC.

The most plausible route to holding Assad accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity will require playing the longer game of pursuing a negotiated regime change between Syrians rather than a regime change, under whatever guise, from outside.

As far as the prospects of fundamental reform and demands for justice are concerned, the focus should be on taking steps to facilitate return now, rather than on implausible calls for prosecutions that in fact may hinder the prospects of peace and return in the shorter term.

Viable options

There are three important steps that should be taken now to ensure that a post-conflict Syria has a chance of a better future than many other post-conflict zones. The first is to exercise meaningful consultation with exiled and displaced populations.

Efforts can begin now to discuss and document the plight of people considering return. Where did they come from? Who controls the territory now? What options do they have and which of the viable options do they prefer?

Of course this will be a painful and fraught process, but if this process begins now, the displaced will be able to begin to rebuild their lives sooner rather than later.

That process of registration of information about land and property should also facilitate the prospects of people being able to organise and to vote sooner rather than later after their return.

An even more difficult task will to be to help those displaced to try to locate their family members, many of whom will have been disappeared or killed. No one should underestimate how unbearably painful the process of locating lost loved ones can be.

An even more difficult task will to be to help those displaced to try to locate their family members... by

An important step will be to assist these efforts by establishing a DNA databank to help facilitate identifications in due course, as human remains are discovered and family members are able to lay to rest their loved ones with some dignity and closure.

Third, more can be made of the massive amounts of documentation that have been gathered in recent years from Syrian conflict zones rather than simply waiting for a tribunal or other mechanism to be established.

That documentation should be synthesised and analysed. It may even be possible to hold public hearings  in safe locations obviously  where victims are able to tell their stories directly, unmediated by journalists or other forms of reporting.

This is not justice, but it has some real benefits. It would allow victims to have a sense of agency in influencing the broader context in which negotiations take place, trying to ensure that compromises for peace are informed by an element of principle.

Assad depends on a number of things for his continued survival: some form of Russian support, a continued conflict with ISIL (also known as ISIS) and a lack of massive well-organised opposition focused on democracy. Facilitating the return of half the population to their homes is the shortest route to undermining his stability and of ultimately provoking a shift in Russian support.

As unpalatable as it may sound, political posturing which reduces the discussion on justice to Assad being removed or tried today is not helpful. A stable ceasefire is the only possible means for helping displaced Syrians to return to home. That process will be an enormous undertaking. Yet it is much more likely to determine the fate of Syria  and perhaps Europe  in the next five to 20 years than any other.

Paul Seils is Vice President of the International Centre for Transitional Justice.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Police fire rubber bullets at Rhodes University students protesting against rape case that happened on campus.

South African police have fired rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of students protesting against rape on campus at Rhodes University, forcing classes to be called off for the day.

Police also used stun grenades and pepper spray to disperse the protesters at the university, located in Grahamstown to the southeast of the country. Five students were arrested.

The protests were fanned by comments posted on social media, a catalyst in last years nationwide marches by students against university fee increases.

Roads blocked

The roads were blocked off [by] furniture, brooms, sticks and stones, police captain Mali Govender said in statement.

She said that the crowd of protesters were becoming aggressive and preventing staff members from leaving the premises.

Wednesdays clashes broke out after a list of 11 alleged perpetrators of sexual offences was circulated at the campus earlier this week and on social media.

Vice Chancellor Sizwe Mabizela told Talk Radio 702 that it was not clear what evidence was used to name the individuals or whether the list had been presented to the police.

My first obligation is to protect my students, to make sure that they are safe and secure, he said.

I was pleading with the police that they release them because, with students being arrested, it may just escalate this whole situation in the university which is not what we want.

IN PICTURES  South African students protest education fee hike

A wave of student protests have swept across South African universities since 2015, including the clamour for the removal of a statue of Cecil John Rhodes, the British imperialist, and demands by black students to be taught in English rather than Afrikaans, the language they identify with apartheid.

The protests against high tuition fees under the banner #FeesMustFall struck a national chord, forcing President Jacob Zuma to freeze tuition increments for 2016 after protests that culminated in students storming the parliamentary precinct during last years budget.
Qatar-based network grabs more than a dozen awards for films while its refugee crisis news coverage is honoured.

Al Jazeera has captured a series of honours for its filmmaking at the New York International TV & Film Awards.

The 101 East programme led the way with five gold medals on Tuesday, including Afghanistans Billion Dollar Drug War winning best investigative report, while Myanmars Jade Curse grabbed the national-international affairs award.

Malaysias Unwanted was awarded the best current affairs programme.

The five gold medals won by our weekly 101 East strand is a testament to the quality of our journalism and the importance of our mission to tell compelling stories from around the world, said Giles Trendle, acting managing director of Al Jazeera English.

Also receiving praise was the networks news coverage of the refugee crisis, and the desperate journeys of people fleeing conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Hundreds of thousands of people have left for Europe to escape war, with thousands dying on the dangerous sea voyage. It is the worlds worst refugee crisis since World War II.

The New York Festivals Worlds Best TV & Films competition honours programming from more than 50 countries.
Government says more than 60 people died in Talibans first attack in Afghan capital since it announced new offensive.

The death toll from a huge car bomb attack in Afghanistans capital Kabul on Tuesday has more than doubled, according to the government.

An interior ministry spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi, said on Wednesday that most of those killed by the blast, which hit a security agency office in the heart of the city, were civilians.

It is with regret that I announce that 64 people were killed and 347 others wounded in yesterdays Kabul attack, Sediqqi said.

The assault, which was claimed by the Taliban, was the groups first major attack in Kabul since it announced the beginning of its annual spring offensive.

In a statement, the Presidential Palace condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms.

ANALYSIS: The Talibans resurgence in Afghanistan

Al Jazeeras Qais Azimy, reporting from Kabul, said the attack was probably the biggest such incident to hit the capital since 2001.

The Taliban had warned that they would employ large-scale attacks on enemy positions across the country during the offensive  dubbed Operation Omari in honour of the movements late founder Mullah Omar.

The government in Kabul has been trying to bring the group back to the negotiating table in a bid to end the countrys drawn-out conflict

A recent resurgence by the group has raised questions about the ability of Afghan forces to hold their once NATO forces withdraw from the country.
In an interview, South Sudan rebel leader says he is ready to come back to capital but government reneging on deal.

South Sudanese rebel leader and former vice president Riek Machar has accused the government of blocking his return to the capital to form a unity government after two years of civil war.

Machar was supposed to return to Juba on Monday as part of a deal to end a conflict that has killed more than 50,000 people and forced more than 2 million from their homes.

But, two days later, he has yet to take off from neighbouring Ethiopia, where he chartered a plane for his officials and a large number of troops.

Al Jazeeras Anna Cavell, reporting from Juba, said that both sides have been accused of shifting the goal posts of the hard-won peace agreement that cleared the way for Machars return.

This is now the third day of, what seemed in Juba, complete chaos, she said. It is difficult to get any clarity on what the real issue is.

READ MORE: South Sudan marks two years of devastating war

The country descended into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused Machar, who he had sacked earlier that year, of plotting a coup. Fighting initially broke out in Juba but, after Machar and his supporters fled the city, it spread.

Since then, the war has taken a ruinous toll across the country, with United Nations agencies warning of famine as civilians died from hunger, and accusations that child soldiers have been used by both sides.

There are no missiles

A 1,370-strong force of soldiers and police loyal to Machar arrived in the capital last week ahead of his expected return.

Cavell said that, under the agreement, he was entitled to bring additional security forces to those already in place. But the government said Machar was also asking to bring extra weapons with his contingent, including rocket-propelled grenades.

As I understand, thats why authorities here are preventing him from flying, she said.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Pagak on the South Sudan-Ethiopia border, Machar called the government accusations absolute nonsense.

There are no missiles with them, he said. There are only light personal weapons, light machine-guns. This can be verified by the Ethiopians who have taken charge. They have locked weapons in boxes and they are now in the airport in Gambela.

The government information ministry said Machar was also trying to take too many men, accusations he again denied.

We have agreed to take to Juba 2,910 soldiers and security officers, he said. Up to today we have 1,370 men in place in Juba. There are only 260 soldiers accompanying me.

I want to go to Juba

The presence of Machars military chief of staff, Simon Gatwech Dual, appeared to be another sticking point.

The information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, said on Tuesday that Duals plane was not given clearance to fly to Juba because it had not gone through the proper channels.

READ MORE: UN reports horrific campaign of killing and rape

[The] chief of staffs official place to work is Juba not Pagak, Machar said.

This is part of the agreement unless you change the agreement. I dont think the issue is the chief of staff. They dont want us to go to Juba. They are obstructing us [from going to] Juba.





The accusations from both sides will cast doubt on their ability to form the agreed unity government and end a war that began just two years after the worlds youngest country seceded from Sudan in 2011.

Cavell said that, with neither side prepared to give in, the country would remain in limbo.

I want to go to Juba, I just need permission for the plane to land in Juba, Machar said. Once the government allows the plane taking our security elements, once it allows them to land, we are ready.
Since the beginning of the year, Israeli authorities have carried out a wave of demolitions of Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank, with numbers that are unprecedented since the United Nations began keeping records in 2009.

As of April 14, Israeli forces had demolished 591 structures in Palestinian communities in Area C, which comprises 60 percent of the West Bank  surpassing the 453 structures demolished in all of 2015. More than 800 people have been displaced; the equivalent figure for all of last year was 580.

Under the Oslo Accords, the Occupied Palestinian Territories were divided into Areas A, B and C, according to where the Palestinian Authority was granted limited autonomy. In Area C, the Israeli military retained full control of security and civil affairs.

Israel justifies these demolitions on the grounds that the structures in question were built illegally, without the required permits from Israeli authorities. However, as widely documented, such permits are almost impossible to obtain  and the situation is getting worse, not better.

INTERACTIVE: Building the occupation

Between 2007 and 2010, a mere 4.5 percent of submitted Palestinian planning applications in Area C resulted in permits being granted. In 2014, of 240 Palestinian permit requests, only one was approved.

Critics who call Israels planning policies in the occupied West Bank restrictive and discriminatory, in the words of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, felt vindicated this month when a senior Israeli army official told a parliamentary sub-committee that enforcement is more severe towards the Palestinians, compared with construction in Israeli settlements.





Major-General Yoav Mordechai also stated that when it came to demolitions in the West Bank, military forces were, ultimately, acting according to the directives of the defence minister.

Israeli NGO BTselem has long held that the demolitions are part of a policy of discrimination. For spokeswoman Sarit Michaeli, Mordechais appearance at the Knesset subcommittee was a smoking gun.

So what is going on, and why the intensification of demolitions? Munir Nusseibeh, a human rights lawyer and director of the Community Action Centre at al-Quds University, believes that Israel is taking advantage of the current violence to intensify its forced displacement measures.

[The demolitions are] one method that Israel uses to demographically control Palestinian growth in certain areas, Nusseibeh said. Area C is not densely populated by Palestinians, he pointed out, and should Israel look to annex part or all of the territory in the future, it will seek to do so in areas where there are as few Palestinians as possible.

While the likes of political parties such as Jewish Home might be pushing for annexation, for Michaeli it is not just a question of pressure from the settlers and their friends in the Knesset; there is also a lack of opposition to the demolition policy.

[The by Munir

one method that Israel uses to demographically control Palestinian growth in certain areas.]

The Israeli left doesnt give a damn about this issue, she said, noting that in the Jordan Valley, where many demolitions have taken place, a lot of the settlements are part of the kibbutz movement.

The increase in demolitions has caused significant concern among UN officials on the ground. Chris Gunness, a spokesman for UNRWA, the Palestinian refugee agency, described the situation of Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills  some of whom have experienced several rounds of demolitions and harassment by settlers  as appalling.

UNRWA is gravely concerned about demolitions in violation of international law, Gunness told Al Jazeera. As the occupying power, Israel is obliged to administer the occupied territory for the welfare of the protected Palestinian population.

Last month, BTselem said the demolition policy, implemented systematically for years, constitutes the forced transfer of protected Palestinian residents within the occupied area. On March 28, senior UN humanitarian official Robert Piper said that Palestinian communities being targeted for demolitions were at risk of forcible transfer.

Under the International Criminal Courts Rome Statute, the deportation or forcible transfer of population is a crime against humanity. So with the ICC currently considering whether or not to open a full investigation into the situation in Palestine, could the demolition policy tip the balance?

READ MORE: Palestinians call Israel settlement expansion a war crime

Kevin Jon Heller, a professor of criminal law at SOAS, University of London, believes that home demolitions in Area C very likely qualify as the crime against humanity of forcible transfer.

[As] Israel has never claimed that destroying Palestinian houses in Area C is militarily necessary, [the Office of the Prosecutor] would find it even easier to prosecute the Israeli officials responsible, on the basis that such demolitions are a war crime, Heller said.

The more Israel illegally demolishes Palestinian houses in Area C and forcibly transfers their inhabitants, the more likely the Office of the Prosecutor will be to open a formal investigation, he added.

An ICC investigation, however, is still some way off, and for Palestinians there is no time to wait. We can slow the demolitions, but we cant stop them, said Nusseibeh, whose centre focuses on the targeting of Palestinian properties in occupied East Jerusalem. We, and several NGOs, challenge these orders in the Israeli system, but most of our successes are simply securing a delay.

On April 8, Piper briefed European Union officials in Brussels on Israels demolitions, urging a rethink in strategy and response. He pointed out that 140 aid projects by international donors had been destroyed, including more than 200,000 euros ($227,000) worth of EU investments. An EU official told Al Jazeera that the current spike in demolitions was a matter of grave concern.

At the same time as Israel has escalated its demolition of Palestinian structures in Area C, settlement expansion has continued apace; according to Peace Now, in the first three months of 2016, Israel approved 72 percent of the total amount of new settlement homes approved in all of 2015.

From West Bank farmers to World Bank officials, there is a general agreement that Israels continued grip on Area C is fatal to the Palestinian economy and to the prospects of an independent Palestinian state. The demolition wave is thus not just a humanitarian issue, or a potential crime against humanity; it also calls into question the international communitys vision for a long-term deal.
More than 200 people still missing in a race against time to find earthquake victims still alive under the rubble.

Sniffer dogs and mechanical diggers worked through the rubble in devastated cities in Ecuador on Wednesday four days after a powerful earthquake hit.

Hopes of finding more victims alive were fading fast.

Saturdays 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the coast in the Andean country, killing more than 525 people and injuring about 4,600 others. It was Ecuadors worst quake in nearly 40 years.

President Rafael Correa said 54 people had been rescued alive from the fallen debris on Tuesday.

However, rescue workers scrambled to find survivors in the cities of Manta, Portoviejo, and Pedernales, which was almost completely destroyed. The defence department said more than 200 people were still missing.

A magnitude 6.2 aftershock also struck again off the coast on Wednesday.

In the lesser hit southern city of Guayaquil, people resumed their daily routines as they warily manoeuvred in the streets. In the Plaza San Francisco, a square dating to 1702, a 25-storey high-rise was visibly leaning.

I didnt notice it at first, because I was looking at it from the wrong side, but its leaning away from us, Diana Gonzales, who works across the street, told Al Jazeera. Im ready to leave.

Gustavo Zuniga, president of the Association for Guayaquils Security, a branch of the mayors office, told Al Jazeera five buildings were completely destroyed, with more than 60 damaged.
Major General Yair Golan says the Lebanese armed group has more than 100,000 rockets and missiles in its arsenal.

A top Israeli military leader has issued a stern warning to the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, saying that any future war between the two enemies will unleash devastating damage on Lebanon.

Major General Yair Golan, Israels deputy chief of staff, told international journalists on Wednesday that Hezbollah had developed capabilities that present unprecedented threats to Israel.

Israel estimates that the group has more than 100,000 rockets and missiles in its arsenal.

Golan said any future war will be much harsher than anything experienced in the past 20 years, and Israel will unleash all of its military capabilities.

He said that could create devastating damage to Lebanon.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a month-long war in the summer of 2006 that ended in a stalemate. The fighting left more than 1,100 Lebanese and 159 Israelis killed.

The conflict, the last between the two sides, lasted for more than a month.
Almost $2bn in frozen Iranian assets to be given to families of victims of 1983 Beirut bombing, Supreme Court rules.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that almost $2bn in frozen Iranian assets must be turned over to American families of people killed in the 1983 bombing of a US Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.

The ruling on Wednesday dealt a setback to Irans central bank, which had challenged a 2014 ruling by a New York-based appeals court that the money, held in a Citibank trust account in New York, should be handed over to the plaintiffs.

We are extremely pleased with the Supreme Courts decision, which will bring long-overdue relief to more than 1,000 victims of Iranian terrorism and their families, many of whom have waited decades for redress, said Ted Olson, a lawyer for the victims.

Lawyers for the Iranian bank did not immediately respond to journalists seeking comment.

The lawsuit was brought by more than 1,000 Americans who have waged a long legal battle seeking compensation for attacks they say Iran orchestrated.

Material support to Hezbollah

The plaintiffs accused Iran of providing material support to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia political and military group responsible for the 1983 truck bomb attack at the Marine compound in Beirut.

The attack killed 241 US service members.

The plaintiffs also sought compensation related to other attacks including the 1996 Khobar Towers truck bombing in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 US service members.

After lobbying by the families, the Obama administration, the US Senate, and a legal group representing leaders of the House of Representatives all filed court papers backing the families.

In 2012 the US Congress passed a law stating that the frozen funds should go towards satisfying a $2.65bn judgment won by the families against Iran in US federal court in 2007.

READ MORE: US orders Iran to pay for 1983 Lebanon attack

The ruling came during a delicate period in US-Iranian relations, following the January implementation of a landmark accord reached last year by the US and five other world powers to lift economic sanctions in exchange for Iran accepting limits on its nuclear programme.
How did Yemens Houthis take Sanaa so easily? Was former President Saleh part of an unlikely alliance with the group?

Filmmaker: Gamal al-Moliky

The current crisis in Yemen is a very complex one.

This film focuses on one aspect of it: how the Houthis were able to move south from their northern base and take the capital, Sanaa, quite so easily, and whether former President Ali Abdullah Saleh may have played a role in this move.

Founded in the early 1990s by Hussein Badr Eddin al-Houthi, the Houthis grew into a strong military force.

As Zaidi Shia, they were convinced of their right to participate in the national government and fought a series of six wars against the Saleh regime between 2004 and 2010. Here, we look at the rise of the Houthis and their move south from their northern stronghold of Saada Province, and explore the possibility that there was more to former President Salehs role in this than was apparent at the time.

Some who had been closely associated with Saleh and served in the army during battles against the Houthis testify here about what they saw as double dealing.

Fahad al-Sharafi was a leading member of Salehs General Peoples Congress Party during the third Houthi war.

I was part of the presidential committee when the president ordered the First Armoured Division and the 17th Infantry to withdraw. These honourable men had to leave behind the sacrifices theyd made, he says. They even had to leave the bodies of their comrades without covering or burying them.

These incidents which I lived day-by-day made me feel that we were in a country ruled by a gang. by Fahad al-Sharafi, General People's Congress Party

Abdullah al-Hadhari is a Brigadier-General in the Yemeni Army and has a PhD in international law. He took part in the six wars against the Houthis and was surprised at some of the orders coming out of Sanaa.

I think the ceasefire was the biggest crime, he says. Tribes supporting us were being annihilated and killed, but the government turned a blind eye on the pretext of the ceasefire.

All these tribes were served up to the Houthis on a golden platter, Sharafi says. Many tribes fought alongside the government and achieved victory, but the government gave them up during the truce.

Al-Sharafi also spotted what he felt was double-dealing between Saleh and the businessman, politician and arms dealer, Fares Manaa, while he was negotiating peace deals with the Houthis.

The Houthis had four trucks loaded with weapons that were used against the people of Ghamar while Fares was part of a mediation committee, Sharafi says. He was on a mediation committee and supplied weapons to the Houthis at the same time.

In February 2011, Yemenis protested against President Saleh and his government on the streets of Sanaa. Houthis took part in the Youth Revolution which led to Saleh handing over power to Vice President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. But some Yemenis thought that their commitment to their own cause was greater than to the general good. The revolution seemed also to galvanise the Houthis and give them both the opportunity and encouragement they needed to initiate their move south. They duly made their gradual way towards the capital, attacking the cities and villages in their path.

At the same time, Saleh began plotting how to take revenge on those who had opposed him during the revolution, including leading military figures like Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar and Hamid al-Qushaibi. Its possible that Saleh manipulated the Houthis to serve his interests in a proxy war against his own political enemies, including President Hadi.

As the Houthi rebellion gained momentum in 2014, forces in the Yemeni Army and Republican Guard who had remained loyal to Saleh, may have colluded with the Houthis to help pave their way to the capital. When they arrived there, they were able to take the city with unusual ease, explained by interviewees in the film, by the lack of resistance by army groups involved in this double dealing.

I believe the Minister of Defence betrayed Yemen, the nation and his military honour. He betrayed the Arab nation because he handed over Sanaa to the Houthis instead of defending it as a national and constitutional duty, Hadhari laments.

Peace talks are planned in Kuwait in the coming days, involving the three main players: the internationally-recognised government of President Hadi with the Sunni tribes, the Houthis and Salehs General Peoples Congress Party.

The film concludes that if factional in-fighting and Machiavellian plans had not been hatched by Saleh, the Houthis and all the other parties involved, Yemen might have been spared such a prolonged and damaging civil conflict.

Origins of a Modern Crisis

Professor James Wertz on Yemen: Pulling the Strings

Consumed by the impending popular election in Afghanistan and the extended occupation of Iraq that followed premature claims of US victory there, much of the West largely ignored the Houthi uprising that began in June 2004 destabilising an uneasy coalition of tribal, political, and military forces that governed the republic of Yemen. The first Houthi uprising, led by Hussein al-Houthi in the north, and the five subsequent battles for political and cultural recognition between 2004 and 2010 lay the foundation of the modern crisis in which political capital is hedged by tribal and political leaders as Yemen endures civil war.

Those uprisings, the penultimate overtaking of the political capital city of Sanaa, and the suspicion of conspiracy that ties former President Ali Abdullah Saleh to the very rebels striking against his regime are the focus of filmmaker Gamal Al-Molikys documentary Yemen: Pulling the Strings.

Moliky believes in the Saleh-Houthi nexus and he confidently strings together mounting evidence of the conspiracy. Troops under Salehs command turned a blind eye to the Houthis slaughter of tribal factions under the auspices of a cease fire that ultimately kept only the Yemeni army and the Houthis from engaging in battle. Others claim that a chief negotiator in the ceasefire mediation simultaneously sold weapons to the Houthis while Saleh publicly called for peace.

In 2011, the Youth Revolution forced Saleh to relinquish power to his Vice President, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, but he did so reluctantly. The power vacuum that followed divided the government between factions loyal to Hadi and those who clamored for Salehs return.

This creates the context for the loss of Sanaa to the Houthis in 2014, the penultimate moment on which the conspiracy hinged. The film depicts the ease with which Houthi rebels take control of the capital streets and set in motion a new dialogue, placing the Houthi agenda at its core. According to Abdullah Al-Hadhari, a Brigadier-General in the Yemeni Army featured in Molikys film, there was no attempt made to defend Sanaa or resist the Houthi insurgency. The Minister of Defense, he says, handed over Sanaa to the Houthis instead of defending it as a national and constitutional duty.

The Houthi march toward Sanaa in central Yemen was brutal. As the documentary illustrates graphically, the trials of rebellion for Sunni tribal factions throughout the country included land mines buried in streets and placed in toilets, destruction of buildings from homes to hospitals, and countless loss of life.

Today the capital city regularly operates without electricity. Once vibrant, yet unsettled, the people of Sanaa wait for calm as the remnants of the old guard hole up in the port city of Aden on the southern coast of Yemen. A Saudi Arabian led coalition comprised of Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, and Sudan lead airstrikes against the Houthis, the minority Shia who now ostensibly rule the country.

Complicating matters further is the presence of both al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State, which simultaneously oppose each other as they battle the former President Hadi and the Houthis.

Moliky seeks to provide explanation, to inform the viewer. He does not invoke Aristotelian tropes or pander to the audience for the sake of drama. He simply documents and, in doing so, his argument is made stronger.

Drama, on the other hand, emerges organically from the mouths of the betrayed, the imagery of war, and the chronicle of Yemens modern crisis.

James Wertz is an associate professor of journalism and digital media in the Department of Journalism and Public Relations at Edinboro University. He is formerly a member of the board of directors for the Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania and he was the founding director of the Greater Erie Film Office, northwest Pennsylvanias AFCI accredited film office.
The West African nation is witnessing its biggest anti-government protests in more than 15 years.

It is rare for Gambians to take to the streets and show their disapproval of the government.

President Yahya Jammeh has ruled the small West African nation for more than 20 years. And he is a leader known to be intolerant of dissent.

But his governments reaction to a protest held a week ago has outraged Gambians. Dozens of opposition activists were arrested. One of them, Solo Sandeng, secretary of the opposition United Democratic Party, is thought to have been killed while in police custody.

The government says that the demonstrations were held illegally.

So, as Gambians prepare to head to the polls later this year, we ask: Whats causing the unrest?

Presenter: Dareen Abughaida

Guests:

Alieu Manjang  PhD Candidate at Qatar University

Sheriff Bojang  Journalist and Blogger
is a Polish clarinetist and composer who is recognised both nationally and internationally. His compositions have received many positive reviews in the press ("The Polish composer and clarinetistis a musical chameleon" Stephen Heyman, New York Times) and he has been the recipient of numerous awards such as City of Poznan Artist Prize.is always pushing the boundaries of his musicality and this has led him to explore the music of India, Japan and Morocco working with leading musicians from those countries.Independence was Waclaw' obsession since the very beginnings of his musical career to which his own projects showcase first and foremost his talents as a composer and also exceptional instrumental skills which provided a strong background.Since 2008 he has been a member of the Ircha Clarinet Quartet (withand) and in 2009 he joined the international ensemble Resonance, which is led byan exceptional musician from Chicago.His next project was Hera, which consisted of polish musiciansand Ksawery Wojcinski. The ensemble aimed to research the roots of improvisation: liturgical music, the traditions of Indian and African trance.Waclaw continued Hera's experiments during his travels to southern India, where he studied the complex rhythmic / melodic traditions of the region with local musicians; merging their vision with his European roots and this became the focus of his next band, called Saagara. This ensemble relies on a powerful rhythm crafted by the instruments of southern India such as ghatam, khanjira, or thavil (a drum hitherto used mostly during the Hindu rituals). That sound is then complemented by his composition and improvisation.Wacaw's newest project is LAM which featureson piano andon drums. This band focuses on the work of American minimalists which means the music is very restrained and this permits Waclaw to achieve an exceptional spatiality and clarity.All About Jazz spoke with Waclaw about his career and how the different musical styles have influenced his playing and composing.You said that you've received classical training in both the violin and clarinet, was that from a very early age?I started the violin when I was six and played it until I was fifteen. I had a year's break and then took up the clarinet.Did you learn to play any instruments at school?Yes, but in Poland we have what we call Musical Schools so you can go to musical elementary school where you are taught the normal subjects plus music. This would include tuition in the instrument plus the theory. I attended this type of school ... I was playing violin. At the end of elementary school I picked up guitar and mouth harmonica; it was later that I discovered improvisation through traditional forms of blues from early recordings. This, and listening to Dixieland music, led me to the clarinet.The music of Dixieland's greatly influenced you through the mouth harmonica. Did you find that this instrument allowed you more freedom to improvise than the violin?Definitely but, to be honest, when I was playing violin I didn't feel a lot and was doing what I had to do at school but when I discovered the harmonica, I started to feel the true connection between myself and the sounds which came out of the instrument.It was at this point that you switched to Clarinet. You were, however, classically trained. Did your training regiment and structure what you were doing?When I started clarinet I already knew that I wanted to be an improviser and I was listening to all kinds of jazz at that time but I had this deep feeling that I wanted to learn classical music as well because I knew that it would give me the technique and control of the sound articulation which I found interesting. After I left High School I went to Musical University to study classical music focusing partly on contemporary classical music which meant both improvisation and classical music were parallel for a long time.It's fascinating that, at no point, they came together. Is that correct?Especially on a wind instrument when you play with a loud drummer who comes from the African Jazz kind of playing you have to play with a different kind of style to be able to cut through the sounds of the drumming. When you play in a completely different sound context and you want to come back to classical music it's really difficult if you want to play Mozart Clarinet Concerto because it's so far apart, a completely different planet but to do both is really interesting. However connecting that especially with a wind instrument is really difficult but having said that I think it might easier on other instruments such a piano because you use different articulation.It's obvious to me that music has a big influence on your life. We've talked about the sounds of New Orleans , Dixieland and South India as well as Moroccan music. Do you find yourself listening to a lot of music in your spare time?I have periods where I listen to a lot of music especially when I want to discover something that will add to my own musical vocabulary. That was how it was with Indian music; I still study Indian rhythm and raga systems which means I need to listen to lots of this music to understand it but then I do take breaks to refresh my mind. After this I might listen to a different type of music, for instance classical Japanese music such as Shakuhachi Masters for my next project. So it's both really, I have period's when I listen to lots of music and periods when I don't.In terms of the different styles of music how do you decide where you are going to focus because there is a difference in the musical styles that you are playing. Is it an impulsive decision do you make a conscious decision to explore particular types of music?Its more that I hear something and look to explore that a little more but it can be confusing because I want so much from music and life is so short. For example, just to understand the Indian music concept you need to have a lot of passion for it but to master it, you need to have years of practice. The problem is that I am interested in music from many different cultures so I find myself trying to balance things all the time so for some periods of time I am practicing one style and for another period of time I am practicing another. This is all connected to my tours at the time so when I tour with my South Indian project, I find myself practicing this type of music so I can communicate with the musicians who play that music.Do your concerts all come together quite easily, or do they always take a lot of planning and preparation?Sometimes concerts come together quite easily but in this type of collaboration, I like to go as deep as possible and to understand what is really going on so, for instance, with South Indian musicians I cannot communicate with those drummers without understanding their complex rhythm systems. They use a different phrasing to jazz and I feel that I need to understand it fully and this takes time and planning.Mastering the South Indian drumming must take years and for you to write for those musicians must be really difficult. Do you free improvise around what they are playing?That is a true assumption however I do write for them but it's a completely different way of working on pieces than with Westerners who read western notation. I do write music for them but in way that I can communicate with them which means that I need to use their system to a certain point. I write pieces using certain Ragas which are Indian scales; I use rhythm patterns used in South Indian music and among those frames I am trying to put my experience from other traditions to make a new musical sound. In this project I am not trying to be a South Indian musician but I want to incorporate my vision of music in their style.Do you take the same approach when working with the Japanese musicians?In some ways it's a lot simpler with the Japanese musicians because Japanese improvisers know the jazz tradition very well and they read western notation. Last year I had this tour with Koto playerwho comes from the traditional Japanese education but is able to read western notation and understands jazz tradition so communication between us was easier. I don't think you have to master any of these and everyone has a different approach to the way they learn music; you can base your musical vocabulary just on sounds without using scales.Do you use a lot of sounds and soundscapes in your music?I used to play a lot of sonorities using several overtones on clarinet but in the last few years I have used gradually reduced this. Maybe I just became very tired of this aggressive free jazz playing however I grew up as a performance musician with this kind of playing but have moved over the years toward more melodic music with greater expression, harmony and rhythm.In terms of your career, what is next? Are you going to explore music from the Ukraine as you are going to be touring there?The Indian project is long term and will last throughout my career as there is so much to learn and discover. I am also thinking very seriously about my collaboration withandand what we can do next. I have recorded some solo material but it is not what I would call typical solo music because I use a lot of over dubs which makes it strongly polyphonic. When I perform this material I use a loop station and different instruments like Laotian khaen, North Indian algoza, overtone flutes from the Carpathian Mountains and Ukrainian trombita. It is inspired by early minimalist music performed by; I am trying to take those ideas and work with them in my way of thinking and playing.I am also working with my trio LAM which hason piano andon drums. The main influence for this trio is once again the America minimalists. We've recorded material in spring 2015 and this will be released in early 2016. As you can see, the musical direction is very similar to my solo project as it uses minimalist ideas with free jazz connotations; the style is very repetitive, often very diatonic and polyphonic.I have to say I really enjoy your approach to music, the way you bring together different styles and the work of the minimalists; it makes it all very interesting.Thanks you for your kind words, it is really appreciated.
In Fletcher Hall, students wage war against green and black demons.

Its on their clothes, hats and pillows. The fuzzy bits of mold devour books and slip between sheets.

Donovan Kryak sleeps with them every night. The 20-year-old UF computer science sophomore moved into Fletcher in Fall.

Im essentially living in a petri dish, he said. Its more than just a general nuisance. When it affects my health it actually gets in the way.

Kryaks said his housing fee is covered by Florida Prepaid, but hes decided to move off-campus after having to put up with the mold.

On May 1, hell move out of Fletcher Hall. And hes counting down the days.

Im moving into an apartment because I just cant deal with the on-campus stuff anymore, he said.

UF Spokeswoman Janine Sikes said she couldnt comment specifically on mold in Fletcher because she isnt aware of the entire situation.

But she said UF deals with mold-type issues in buildings across campus due to the universitys age and climate.

We are one of the oldest campuses in Florida, she said. We do tend to have more of those kinds of issues than other universities or newer universities.

The UF Physical Plant, iService and Environmental Health and Safety are used to remedy the problem, she said.

Alexandra Nelson, a resident in Fletcher, deals with the mold herself.

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The 19-year-old UF biology sophomore said shes found it behind her door, bed posts and her pillowcase.

Its really a lot of mold. I try to clean it as best as I can, Nelson said.

She said she doesnt consider the mold a major issue, but two others on her floor have moved out.

When you live in a dorm thats this old, thats just going to be a problem, she said.

Sharon Blansett, assistant to the associate vice president for Student Affairs, wrote in an email that 166 students live in Fletcher.

She said students with mold should submit an iService request. She declined to comment specifically about whether students have used the maintenance service for mold and whats being done to prevent it.

Craig Ashmeade returned to his dorm after Winter Break to a bed covered in mold.

Ashmeade, whos been living in Fletcher since Fall, has spent time washing his hats, sheets and pillowcases, the 21-year-old UF electrical engineering junior said.

As far as living conditions go, its a big deal. No one likes mold in their room. Its a little stressing, he said.

@MelissaGomez004

mgomez@alligator.org
Regan Garner held a 4-foot-tall cutout of Rick Scotts head on the Plaza of the Americas on Tuesday.

A piece of paper reading this oppresses women covered Scotts forehead while about 75 people protested his signing of Florida House Bill 1411.

The bill revokes taxpayer funding for health clinics that provide abortions, including Planned Parenthood.

Garner, a member of the steering committee for the Gainesville chapter of National Womens Liberation, said she paid about $50 for the cut-out from Target Copy.

During the protest, demonstrators held signs reading Stop the War on Choice and Not my clinic. About seven people spoke about their experiences receiving abortions, birth control and other contraceptives from Planned Parenthood.

Emily Calvin, a UF law student, wore a button reading dues-paying feminist.

Calvin said she organized the demonstration to draw attention to the bill.

This bill affects our choices and our autonomy and our freedom, the 28-year-old said. This bill is a violation of our freedom.

Women could visit other health care centers instead of going to nonprofits such as Planned Parenthood, Calvin said. However, such clinics do not provide abortions.

Florida is referring women in Alachua County to Azalea Health for dental care and Palms Medical Group for primary care.

Hazel Levy, a UF biology professor, said the recommended clinics will not serve womens needs.

A Pap smear is not a gynecological exam, she said. (Scotts) taking from these not-for-profit clinics.

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Across from NWL supporters, about 25 students with Catholic Gators stood in a semi-circle to pray.

Carol Buydos, a UF biology senior, led the group in a rendition of Hail Mary.

Some held signs reading Pray to end abortion, while others held rosary beads.

Were here to pray for the souls of the children who wont be born, the 20-year-old said.

The Dean of Students Office, supported by the University Police, oversaw both protests.

Rosie Richeson, a regional organizer for Planned Parenthood, said Florida residents need to stand up to politicians.

Their public image, thats what they truly care about, the 25-year-old said.

Although the semester is coming to an end, Calvin said she hopes students will continue protesting the bill.

The law goes into effect July 1, but the NWL is organizing a social media campaign in which women are asked to film themselves being denied an abortion or other service.

Calvin said its important for women to have unrestricted access to health care.

We want men to share equally in that responsibility, and that includes Rick Scott, she said.

@ceostroff

costroff@alligator.org
You can lead Sherman to water, but you cant make him drink.

He has a unique personality to say the least, said Bebe Edwards, the horses owner.

Edwards adopted Sherman, also known as The Shermanator and Squirmin Sherman, from the Horse Protection Association of Florida, which will host Horses Helping Horses on Saturday.

Although the fundraiser is in its seventh year, this years event will cater to the general public rather than just horse enthusiasts, said Karen Curran, the volunteer coordinator.

The change is an effort to compete for a $10,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, she said.

It used to be for those in the know, Curran said. Now its an event everybody can enjoy.

Canterbury Showplace, located at 23100 W. Newberry Road, will start hosting the silent auction, wine-and-cheese party, demonstrations and pony rides at 8 a.m.

It will end, Curran said, when the horses get tired in the early evening.

The HPAF rescues abandoned, neglected, and abused horses and nurses them back to health at its farm in Micanopy, Curran said.

She said it costs about $8,000 a month to feed the about 70 horses that currently live on the farm.

We survive on grant money, donations and gifts from the public, she said. Every cent goes right back to the horses.

Sherman the horse will accompany his owner to the event, where she will talk about their adoption experience.

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Its like meeting a guy for the first time, Edwards said. I dont even know what drew me in. He knows Im his person.

Horses Helping Horses

Canterbury Showplace

23100 W. Newberry Road

8 a.m. to early evening

Horse Protection

Association of Florida

352-466-4366
Members of the Alachua County Sheriffs Office SWAT team traveled to Fredericktown, Missouri, and placed first in a four-day competition over the weekend.

The team now qualifies to enter the 34th Annual SWAT Round-Up International Competition and Vendor Trade Show, which will take place in Orlando in November.

Competing in the fourth annual Southeast Missouri SWAT Challenge from Thursday through Sunday. The team of seven ASO sergeants and deputies tested their weapons expertise and physical fitness, according to a press release.

The team muscled through five courses including a simulated terrorist attack, a mock rescue mission and an obstacle course, ASO spokesman Art Forgey said.

Sgt. Joe Vangorder, Sgt. Josh Crews, Deputy James Ferguson, Deputy Barrett Boyette, Deputy Chris Drake, Deputy Wes Krames and Deputy Marvin Gunn competed on the team, according to a press release.

The men beat 14 other teams in four of five challenges and took the No. 1 overall spot.

The teams came from Missouri, Florida and Illinois, Forgey said.

Deputy Krames also beat 11 competitors in the Super SWAT Cop competition and earned second place.

In the Top Shot competition, Sgt. Crews placed third place, and Deputy Gunn placed fourth.

Forgey said the ASO SWAT team, which consists of more than 20 members, trains with SWAT teams from the Gainesville Police Department and the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office.

I think its a good indication that we have a very high-trained, well-trained SWAT team that is capable of doing about anything, he said.

@martindvassolo

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mvassolo@alligator.org
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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]
She Sings to the Stars

PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
Restaurant Review

Truckin to the Table

Loyolas is cool and comforting
Recent findings by regulators that living wills for several institutions were "not credible" have once again put the riskiness of the big banks in the spotlight. The continued doubts over ending "too big to fail" should force bank managers to put more faith in underappreciated staff whose primary job is to attack oncoming risk. I'm talking chiefly about internal auditors.

The glory, not to mention bonuses, often goes to other senior executives, traders and investment bankers. It is shortsighted if banks view their risk managers, compliance officers and auditors merely as pesky cost centers, especially in light of the Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s negative assessments of resolution plans. Empowering internal bank auditors with better-aligned incentives and additional skills can help banks improve corporate governance and adherence to new risk management guidelines and capital regulations.

In the process of complying with several Dodd-Frank Act provisions  including new capital and liquidity standards, stress testing, living wills and the Volcker Rule  not to mention Basel III, auditors are considered the third line of defense behind compliance officers and business line managers. However, what auditors write about their own banks' deficiencies and recommended corrective action is often what bank regulators, not to mention bank examiners, want to see first. If bank examiners detect a problem with the internal audit process, this is a red flag for them to probe deeper into banks' challenges.

Since the 2007-08 financial crises, the Basel Committee has released three very important guidance and principles that are particularly relevant for all internal bank auditors in all facets of their work. I recommend that banks' board of directors memorize each of them. They set the risk management philosophy and processes for the entire organization.

Last summer, the Basel Committee released "Corporate Governance Principles for Banks." The philosophy behind the 13 principles is that effective corporate governance is critical to the proper functioning of the banking sector and the economy as a whole. Among the principles are recommendations for steps the board and senior management should take to create an effective, independent internal audit function. According to the document, auditors are required to provide "independent assurance to the board of directors and senior management on the quality and effectiveness of a bank's internal control, risk management and governance systems and processes, thereby helping the board and senior management protect their organization and its reputation."

A separate Basel publication, meanwhile, is devoted to the internal audit function. It discusses how to assess the effectiveness of a bank's internal audit function. The central message is banks cannot have sound corporate governance without an independent and effective internal audit function. When auditors do their job correctly and if allowed to do so, they are critical in reducing banks' losses and helping minimize reputational damage to the bank.

Finally, boards, senior management and internal auditors should become familiar with the Basel Committee's "Principles for Effective Risk Data Aggregation and Risk Reporting, commonly known as BCBS 239. The Basel Committee released these principles in 2013, because during the financial crisis banks could not quickly and accurately measure their exposures to Bear Stearns, Lehman or AIG. By applying these principles to any regulation or business line they audit, auditors can verify the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of data and the quality of risk and regulatory reporting.

In addition to determining whether data in capital ratios, living wills and the Volcker Rule is reliable, it is essential that internal auditors review management's process for stress testing capital and liquidity levels. Auditors are instrumental in making sure that a bank holding company's internal control framework covers the bank's entire capital planning process. That includes the risk measurement and management systems used to produce input data, the models and other techniques used to generate loss and revenue estimates, the aggregation and reporting framework used to produce reports to management and boards, and the capital adequacy decision-making process.

Auditors should take into account the purpose and frequency of ratio calculations and any type of portfolio or enterprise-wide stress test, evaluate whether scenarios are reasonable, and thoroughly question the assumptions employed in any credit, market, and operational risk models. Additionally, auditors are also responsible for evaluating whether the bank's systems and processes for measuring and monitoring liquidity positions are appropriate, especially in times of economic or market stress.

It is easy for the media and pundits to be too focused on living wills, CCAR and stress tests. The fact that someone passed or failed makes a good headline. Yet improving banks' risk management in the hopes of protecting taxpayers is not about enormous and dense documents, or opaque models. It is still about people. Internal bank auditors are not authorized to speak to the media, so the public will not hear from them. Yet boards and senior managers should elevate auditors to where they belong. If every bank did, we wouldn't be reading their regulatory challenges and failures as often as we do.

Mayra Rodriguez Valladares is managing principal at MRV Associates, a New York-based capital markets and financial regulatory consulting and training firm.
Two St. Louis-area investors have been indicted on charges they defrauded the failed Excel Bank on real estate loans.

Shaun Hayes and Michael Litz were indicted on April 13 on charges of bank fraud, misapplication of bank funds and causing false entries to be recorded, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Hayes had purchased a majority interest in Excel Bank, based in Sedalia, Mo., in 2007, according to the indictment. Hayes and Litz both were involved in real estate development companies in the St. Louis area.

Hayes directed Excel Bank to purchase at a discount about $4 million of loans on which Hayes' and Litz's companies were delinquent, and hid those purchases from the bank's board. The delinquent loans had been held by the $954 million-asset Centrue Financial in Ottawa, Ill. Hayes and Litz later set up a straw party, which they used to pay off some of the Centrue Bank loans.

Excel Bank had accepted funds from the Treasury Department's Troubled Asset Relief Program, and Hayes' and Litz's actions resulted in about $4 million of Tarp losses. Excel Bank itself lost money as a result of Hayes' and Litz's scheme. Regulators closed Excel Bank in October 2012 and its assets were acquired by the $7.5 billion-asset Simmons First National in Pine Bluff, Ark.


Consumer banking The Unintended Consequences of a Student-Loan 'Fix' Income-based repayment, a federal government effort to relieve student-loan debt burdens, has roiled a normally tranquil securitization market, as investors can no longer be sure of when they'll be repaid. September 8

M&A B of A Bids Adieu to Its Student Loans (Or Does It?) Bank of America is following Wells Fargo by putting out for sale the last of its federally guaranteed student loans. The move should be positive for the bank, and in theory it may even have a chance to again reap returns tied to the loans, but without bearing all of the risk. February 2

Over the past year, threats of steep downgrades have chilled secondary investor demand for federally guaranteed student loans, but two recent securitizations suggest that the market is beginning to thaw.

This development could help open the door for banks to resume unloading portfolios of Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans. Such loans have become unattractive to hold, because of increased regulatory scrutiny of student lending and loan servicing and because banks see other, more profitable ways to put their money to work.

In February, Navient Corp., the largest servicer in this asset class, sold $1.1 billion of bonds backed by FFELP loans in what its chief financial officer, Somsak Chivavibul, said was the largest such deal in over two years. And this month the company completed a $497 million securitization that, while smaller, was distributed more broadly and commanded far better pricing.

The triple-A-rated notes, which have a weighted average life of 5.2 years, were priced to yield 138 basis points over the one-month London interbank offered rate; that's far more than FFELP bonds yielded before Moody's and Fitch put the credit ratings of some $40 billion of these securities on watch last year. But it's also much less than yields at which comparable securities are trading in the secondary market, according to research published last week by Deutsche Bank.

The latest deal "opens the door to future transactions," Chivavibul said Wednesday on a conference call discussing first-quarter financial results. He noted that Navient acquired the collateral only recently. "There wasn't that avenue over the past year, to acquire a portfolio, unless you had access to term funding."

In November of 2014, Navient disclosed it was buying $8.5 billion of FFELP loans from Wells Fargo; three months later, Bank of America moved $2.7 billion of student loans from its investment portfolio to its available-for-sale portfolio. But bulk portfolio sales ground to a halt last year as a result of the rating agencies' reviews.

Moody's and Fitch have yet to take any ratings actions on the securities under review; both are in the process of revising their criteria for rating FFELP bonds to account for the slower rate at which borrowers are repaying loans. Thanks to the growing popularity of some generous government programs, many FFELP bonds are at risk of not paying off at maturity, even though Uncle Sam guarantees they'll be repaid eventually.

"We believe the final criteria will be more favorable than the initial draft proposals, but we decided not to wait to restart our asset-backed program," Jack Remondi, Navient's chief executive, said on the conference call.

Remondi noted that funding costs have fallen, even in the absence of clarity from Moody's and Fitch; he said financing FFELP purchases will become even less costly when the rating agencies complete the revisions to their ratings criteria.

The cost of financing influences what buyers are willing to pay, so the cheaper financing becomes, the more sellers will emerge, he said.

The two securitizations that Navient completed this year have a feature, unavailable on most outstanding bonds, that reduces the chance of unpleasant surprises. Both have an extremely long final legal maturity  49 years, in the case of the deal completed this month. By comparison, most FFELP loans have original terms of 10 years and FFELP bonds typically have 20-year terms.

Navient has also extended the maturity on $4.8 billion of outstanding FFELP bonds to date. On the conference call, Remondi said the longer terms are "well in excess of what's needed" to avoid a maturity default. "This is providing protection to investors  that the ratings will exist through the life of the bonds," he said.

Maturity extensions are one of several options that Navient and other student loan servicers are exploring to avoid downgrades on FFELP bonds. It is looked upon favorably by Fitch and Moody's but can be difficult to execute because in some cases it requires the approval of 100% of the investors in a pool.

But other options, including repackaging FFELP bonds into new securities with extended maturities and pledges to call bonds at risk of maturity default, are viewed less favorably by the rating agencies.

The strong reception for Navient's latest securitization could make holders of older bonds reconsider the benefits of extending maturities, however.

"Given the strong execution on this deal, we think that bondholders of watch-listed FFELP who have thus far ignored calls to amend and extend might take another look at whether having very long maturity dates could improve the value of their securities," Deutsche Bank stated in a report published last week.
A federal appeals court has set the stage for yet another legal showdown over the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's structure in a major test of the bureau's authority.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will hear oral arguments Tuesday about the single-director structure of the CFPB. The closely watched case, PHH v. CFPB, is widely expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court, even though a ruling is not likely until the end of the year.

In questions last week, two judges focused on constitutional issues raised by PHH Corp., a New Jersey mortgage lender that appealed a $109 million judgment last year by CFPB Director Richard Cordray. The agency's director had overturned an administrative law judge's $6.4 million fine alleging PHH illegally accepted kickbacks from mortgage insurers to whom it had referred customers, arguing it did not take into account the extent of the damage done to consumers by the firm.

As part of PHH's suit, it argued that the CFPB's single-director structure violates the Constitution's separation of powers doctrine by limiting the president's "removal authority." Under the statute creating the agency, the CFPB director can only be removed "for cause," setting up a possible constitutional conflict.

Lawyers will parse the roughly 15 minutes or so of oral arguments Tuesday to glean how the three-judge panel might rule. In a case with a wide range of possible outcomes, experts are focused on four major issues:

Constitutional Questions About the Authority of a Single Director

While the judges' questions offered some insight into the court's thinking, several lawyers cautioned not to read too much into them.

Both parties must be prepared to answer: what other independent agencies have been headed by a single person, and what remedies are appropriate if the CFPB's structure is found to be unconstitutional. The judges also asked if removing the provision allowing the director to be removed only "for cause" would be an appropriate remedy and how that would affect the legality of Cordray's actions.

"It's the big million-dollar threshold question," said Lucy Morris, a partner at Hudson Cook and a former deputy enforcement director at the CFPB. "Either it was illegal because the CFPB is unconstitutional  or not. They are trying to address the big question first."

She said it was unlikely that the D.C. Circuit would try to "rewrite what Congress wrote."

"Constitutional questions are the most important, but I wouldn't necessarily assume that the result would be negative for the bureau," Morris said. "Other courts have looked at the constitutionality of the bureau and so far no one has ruled that any actions or decisions by the director or the bureau have been unconstitutional."

Still, the constitutional questions took some lawyers by surprise. Last year, courts ruled against two companies, Morgen Drexen and ITT Educational Services, that also had both challenged the CFPB's structure on similar grounds as PHH.

"I can't believe at the end of the day that they'll get rid of this agency," said Jeff Naimon, a partner at BuckleySandler. "I'm assuming we're still going to have a world with the CFPB."

Others expressed doubt that the court would go full-throttle and invalidate all past CFPB activity, including other enforcement actions and rules. A cynical interpretation, one lawyer suggested, is that the court could strike the "for cause" clause and clear the way for a Republican president to fire Cordray on his first day in office.

Still, the case has constitutional weight given that PHH hired prominent attorney and former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson alongside lawyers with expertise on the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, which is at the core of the case.

The CFPB's Novel Interpretation of Respa

The primary goal of Respa is to eliminate kickbacks or referral fees that tend to increase the cost to consumers of certain settlement services. Section 8(a) of Respa bans any fee, kickback or "thing of value," in exchange for a referral.

But for at least two decades, the real estate industry has relied on an exemption in Respa that provided a safe harbor and expressly allowed the payment of fees under certain conditions. The clash between two provisions in Respa is at the heart of the case.

"We have a CFPB that taken positions on Respa that are starkly in contract to the prior positions on Respa that everyone relied on," Naimon said.

The case began in 2014 when the CFPB alleged that PHH originated loans and then referred borrowers to "captive" mortgage insurers, who then purchased "reinsurance" from PHH subsidiaries in exchange for customer referrals. The CFPB charged that PHH took reinsurance fees as kickbacks, resulting in higher insurance premiums for borrowers.

The bureau alleged that PHH received up to 40% of the premiums that borrowers paid to mortgage insurers, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in kickbacks.

But PHH argued that its conduct fell within the safe harbor of section 8(c)(2) of Respa because payments represented "bona fide  compensation ... for services actually performed."

Phillip Schulman, a partner at Mayer Brown, said Cordray adopted a "new and stark interpretation" of Respa that essentially guts the safe harbor and prohibits a payment tied in any way to a referral.

"Everyone operated on the assumption that 8(c)(2) was an exemption but [Cordray] said that if there is any referral going on, then you can't use 8(c)(2) to shield yourself from that referral," Schulman said. "I would have to believe the 8(c)(2) issue is the core and the potential focus" of the court.

Cordray also dismissed PHH's defense that the Department of Housing and Urban Development had approved the safe harbor exemption in a 1997 letter by former Assistant Secretary for Housing Nicholas Retsinas. The letter was not published in Federal Register and so was not "a rule, regulation or interpretation," the CFPB claimed.

Lawyers hope to at least get a resolution to the battle over Respa's provisions.

"I hope to see a ruling on Respa, Naimon said. "If they uphold it, we'll at least know what the law is."

The Scope of the CFPB's Statute of Limitations

Another concern in the case is whether the agency's statute of limitations extends beyond the date of the bureau's enforcement authority, which began July 21, 2011.

The CFPB has argued that because PHH's appeal went through an administrative law judge, and not a court proceeding, no statute of limitations applies.

Without any statute of limitations, industry experts believe the bureau could challenge an array practices going back many years, which would increase the potential liability for civil or criminal penalties.

"RESPA's three-year statute of limitations does not apply here because the bureau's enforcement authority comes not from RESPA but from Dodd-Frank, which imposes no limit on the bureau's administrative proceedings," the CFPB said in its brief in the case.

In a footnote, the CFPB said its authority was modeled after federal banking agencies and no statute of limitations applies "when banking agencies use administrative proceedings to challenge violations of the laws they enforce."

Moreover, RespaA is just one of 19 statutes the CFPB enforces, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. If the court upholds Cordray's view that there is no statute of limitations, the agency could bring far more penalties against companies for past conduct, lawyers said.

The Amount of Damages

One of the most galling aspects of the case for many in the industry was Cordray's decision to expand the scope of the allegations and increase the disgorgement amount to $109 million from $6.4 million.

The administrative law judge had recommended that PHH disgorge all reinsurance premiums that its subsidiary had received on loans that had closed on or after July 21, 2008.

But Cordray alleged that PHH was liable each time a mortgage insurer forwarded a premium payment to its subsidiary, significantly raising the damages.

Several lawyers agreed that the case would ultimately move beyond the D.C. Circuit.

"No matter which way they rule, this won't end the litigation," Morris said. "If the CFPB wins, I imagine PHH would appeal. If PHH wins, the CFPB would appeal. So the next step on this would be the Supreme Court."

While constitutional issues will get the most notice, some cautioned that the conflict raised by Cordray's interpretation of Respa is likely to be central to the ultimate ruling.

"Until we know which issues the court is going to focus on and how they are going to come out, there is this limbo that everyone, including the CFPB, is waiting to see the outcome," Schulman said.


WASHINGTON  U.S. regulators have been asking global banks to draw contingency plans for the possibility of Britain's leaving the European Union, according to a Reuters report.

The Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency are asking financial institutions to examine how they would address uncertainty and continuity of services in the European Union from Britain operations.

The uncertain outcome of the June 23 referendum on what is known as "Brexit" has created concern among international financial regulators. The Bank of England last month called the referendum "the most significant near-term domestic risk to financial stability."

The OCC declined to comment specifically on the Brexit scenario, but agency spokesman Bryan Hubbard said that through its ordinary exam process, the agency "routinely works with the banks it supervises to ensure bank management understands the unique risks facing their banks," including international contingencies.

"We regulate the nation's largest banks, which are often internationally active in Europe and elsewhere," Hubbard said.

The FDIC and Fed declined to comment on the report.

Reuters quoted three sources in industry and regulation in the report.


Banc of California in Irvine is expanding its commercial bank by starting units specializing in health care, municipals and nonprofit banking.

The units will begin operating in the second half of the year and will be based in Los Angeles. Banc of California has hired Michael Andrews, formerly of Citigroup, to lead the groups as senior director and commercial banking segment manager.

"The launch of these important Commercial Banking Segments is key to our strategy of expanding the depth and breadth of our Commercial Banking Division," David Park, the $8.2 billion-asset banks managing director for commercial banking, said in a news release Wednesday. "Additionally, these segments represent some of California's fastest growing employers."

The health care group will provide lending and depository services to health care institutions and professionals in California. The nonprofit banking group will support the depository needs of a variety of organizations in the state, while the municipal group will provide depository, liquidity and treasury management services to local cities, counties, school districts and other government institutions.

Andrews had been senior vice president and mid-corporate relationship manager at Citigroup since November 2014. He has also worked for Bank of America Merrill Lynch and JPMorgan Chase.

Joining Andrews as senior directors for commercial banking are two City National Bank veterans, Cynthia Reeves and Janice Patterson.

Reeves will lead health care and nonprofit banking services. At City National, she was health care segment manager, and before joining City National she held management roles at companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and Baxter Healthcare.

Patterson will head strategy and administration for the new groups. At City National, she was senior vice president and manager of segmentation strategies. She has also been marketing chief for San Diego Private Bank, executive vice president of client services at Legacy Bank and private banking regional director at Union Bank.


Huntington Bancshares in Columbus, Ohio, withstood issues in its energy portfolio to report higher quarterly profit.

The $73 billion-asset company said in a press release Wednesday that its first-quarter profit rose 3% from a year earlier to $171.3 million.

Huntingtons revenue rose 7% to $754.1 million. Total loans increased 8% to $51.5 billion, while deposits rose 6% to $65.5 million.

While overall credit quality remained solid, the company ran into problems with what it termed a small number of energy sector loan relationships. As a result, nonperforming assets jumped 31% to $525 million. Still, Huntingtons ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans ended the quarter at a manageable 1.02%. The energy portfolio represents less than 1% of total loans.

Youve heard me say this in the past and Ill say it again; our focus remains on growing revenue, Steinour said during a conference call to discuss quarterly results. We continue to grow revenue despite a challenging environment.

Steve Steinour, Huntingtons chairman, president, and chief executive, said he expects the company to achieve revenue growth of 4% to 6% this year. He said Huntington plans to complete its acquisition of the $25.4 billion-asset FirstMerit in the third quarter. The deal, announced in January, is expected to be immediately accretive to Huntingtons earnings.
This upscale progressive magazine ran a super-long, super-detailed article titled "The Math Revolution." It basically wanted to proclaim the happy news that extraordinary things are taking place in American education.

The Atlantic fell all over itself with enthusiasm. You would reasonably suppose that some fresh winds were blowing, and students in America would actually know how to add and subtract with competence, and maybe even multiply and divide efficiently.

What else does the word "revolution" suggest but wonderful sweeping change? At last, at long last, our public schools will redeem themselves and begin to turn out little math experts.

Then the writer gave it away: "The students are being produced by a new pedagogical ecosystem  almost entirely extracurricular  that has developed online and in the country's rich coastal cities and tech meccas."

Ooh.

Please savor the words "almost entirely extracurricular." In other words, these superior, successful math students are not in essence attending American public schools. They are going outside of American public schools, to something separate, uncontaminated, and therefore superior.

And why would that be necessary? Because American public schools, for many decades, have been a killing field for mathematical achievement. John Saxon became a legend in the late 1980s for his valiant effort to create instruction that would replace the nonsense epidemic in the schools. The Education Establishment resisted Saxon with all of its considerable resources. These officials had come up with New Math circa 1964 and then Reform Math after 1985. All those bad, and very unpopular, approaches have modulated into Common Core Math. All bunk according to many analysts, but that doesn't mean our Education Establishment willingly lets a smidgen of it go.

Many varieties of "Reform" instruction, which seems to have failure built in, have created the sterile environment that forced brainy kids to go "extracurricular." Typically, that means tutors, math camps, online resources, anywhere they can get the real stuff. The point is, they're not getting it in their local public school.

Please note: the Atlantic article is focused on the best and cleverest students. Indeed, they are so very clever that they outwitted the Education Establishment, and beguiled the Atlantic Monthly into telling the truth about K-12.

It has always seemed to me that the Atlantic Monthly is obliviously liberal. Do they even know what they've done? Namely, they revealed that official experts have been running a con for all these decades. This con has been, in general, so successful that highly motivated students must find or create an entirely separate school system.

It's worth asking: how does the Education Establishment do such a bad job? Can we find a common denominator among dozens of separate programs over dozens of years? Yes, and here is the perennial gimmick: to whatever degree possible, mix in complexity and confusion. Typically, that means teaching children an oddball algorithm that is hard to learn and difficult to do. Or teach three different ways to do the same sort of problem. For all but advanced students, learning to do the one best method automatically is ideal. Our Education Establishment constantly belittles that idea. Reform Math actually forbade "mastery." Instead, teachers to "spiral" from one half-mastered method to the next. Every three or four days, the teacher spirals onward to new ground. If you want guaranteed failure, that's the gimmick to use.

Recently, a schoolteacher bragged to me about how wonderful Common Core is. One of her enclosures contained the phrase "number model." I submit to you that this ugly jargon can stand as a symbol for the whole mess. Nobody needs this excrescence.

Can you guess what a "number model" is? Part of the irony here is that the Education Establishment tries to make children jump ahead to the advanced or expert way, so the easy ways can be deliberately passed over. In this case, they keep children from using the proper, universally embraced terminology  i.e., "equation." This would be a case where the adult terminology is perfect. Learning that one side of an equation has to be the same as the other is a great platform for most of mathematics. "Number model" is a marker that pretenders are in the building. "Number model" tells us these people will stoop to anything. Debased language reveals a debased field.

One of the biggest subjects in education now is STEM and the need for renewed attention to STEM subjects. Often the emphasis is on doing more in middle school and high school. By that time, however, many children have learned to detest and fear STEM subjects. A major theme in John Saxon's battle with the Education Establishment was that their methods stop children from pursuing anything more advanced, whereas students who took Saxon Math were much more likely to study calculus, chemistry, physics, and so on.

The lesson is very plain. Elementary arithmetic is the gateway to later success. Children do need to start with the elemental and proceed to the more complex. Children need to memorize the multiplication table. They need their "math facts." They need to master a lot of simple stuff so they feel confident about what comes next. Reform Math and Common Core Math show how not to do it. The public schools show how not to do it. That's what the Atlantic Monthly is trying to tell us.

If math were taught efficiently at each level from K to 12, you would see much higher NAEP scores and much greater entry into STEM subjects, and students would not need an extracurricular alternative.

Bruce Deitrick Price explains theories and methods on his education sites Improve-Education.org. (For info on his four new novels, see his literary site Lit4u.com.)
Many conservatives, including me, thought nothing but the best about Dr. Ben Carson's run for the White House...until now. Recently, Dr. Carson has suggested that we need to get rid of the Electoral College because it disregards the "will of the people." Underlying this proposal is the idea that pure, national democracy is the best form of government.

Dr. Carson displayed shocking ignorance of American history when he told Fox News: "When the Electoral College was put in place, a lot of people did not know what was going on. They had no idea who was running or what the situation was. That has changed significantly." The good doctor is wrong on every count.

The purpose of the Electoral College was as much to preserve the power of the sovereign states from the national government as anything else. Presidential electors for each of the first nine elections were chosen by state legislatures, a constitutional power state legislatures still retain but have chosen to defer to the people. There has never been a popular vote for president, which Dr. Carson doubtless knows, but there was no popular vote for presidential electors until 1824.

This allowed states, which had created the Constitution by acquiescing power to a national government, to retain significant control over that government by effectively choosing the president and by actually choosing the Senate. The will of the people was to be expressed through the sovereign states and not by a national vote.

The Electoral College, like the Senate, precisely because it rejected the idea of "one man, one vote," protected the interests of the smaller states by removing the power of the larger states to overwhelm the smaller's interests. This is what was known as the Great Compromise in the Constitutional Convention. This also kept the federal government modest, thrifty, and limited.

If state legislatures reclaimed this power, then our odious and corrupt national capital would find its power drained away to fifty state legislatures whose members are in close touch with the people and which could protect the interests of the states from an overbearing Washington.

Does Dr. Carson actually think that in 1816, voters were uneducated and ignorant, while today voters are intelligent and informed? Nothing could be farther from the truth. Education then was rigorous; books and newspapers instead of television and videos informed people, and political discourse shows intelligence, knowledge, and conscience utterly lacking in politics today.

What of Dr. Carson's idea of governance by a national "will of the people"? This is so wicked and so dangerous that we must assume that Dr. Carson did not really mean what he was saying. How would that "will of the people" be determined? Polls calculate that "will" by changing the definition of respondents. "Adults nationwide," "registered voters," and "likely voters" all produce different outcomes.

Does Dr. Carson mean that the "will of the people" is what is expressed in elections? Results of special elections are very different from in general elections. All elections are simply a snapshot in time of those voters who take the time to show up and vote. Moreover, nearly all elections and primaries allow plurality winners.

If we accept Dr. Carson's two assertions about Americans grasping politics better now and the will of the people prevailing, then how can we explain his support for Donald Trump's whining about Colorado and Wyoming results, both of which express the "will of the people" in very much the same sense that the "will of the people" is expressed in a special election with very low turnout. No one was excluded from these processes except those who were either ignorant or apathetic or both? Arguing that this defied the "will of the people" sounds like what Democrats argued when their presidential candidates lost elections which polls showed them winning.

Beyond that, what is "winning" supposed to mean in an election or primary? Does it mean a plurality or a majority? If it means a majority, then Donald Trump, whom Carson supports, has not "won" a single state primary or caucus. Indeed, Trump has earned less than 40% of the vote in half of the twenty states which he has "won." If it means a plurality, then how is that the "will of the people"?

Dr. Carson is a very good man with a very bad idea. We are a republic, or we are nothing. If we truly wish to restore our republic, then we ought to move back to state legislatures exercising the one remaining check they have on federal power: reclaim the power to elect presidents, and thus move power from Washington back to the people and the states.
On the domestic campaign trail, Bernie Sanders has talked repeatedly about economic inequality, a criminal justice system that incarcerates a disproportionate number of black people, and of the need for a political revolution. Sanders portrays the problems of black people as the problem of poor people and those entangled in the criminal justice system. When asked how he will improve race relations in the U.S., he says that better policing, criminal justice reform and jobs are the solution.

In one of the debates Sanders said: What we will do is say, instead of giving tax breaks to billionaires, we are going to create millions of jobs for low-income kids so theyre not hanging out on street corners. For Sanders, most blacks are poor, unemployed, in prison, and hang out on street corners. Sanders seem to have few if any expectations from the Afro-American community. His reluctance to expose and explicitly condemn the culture of violence proudly paraded during race related riots and demonstrations in recent years aided and abetted by the President Obama, is the perfect example of how liberals and socialists in general embrace views based on the bigotry of low expectations. Sanders takes pride in being perceived as a card carrying member of the secular progressive Left, and as such refuses to express moral indignation over race related violence.

Sanders has chosen to surround himself with likeminded advisors for a reason; the need to embrace and be seen as the embodiment of political correctness. Sanders reticence to criticize race related violence, riots, and even the targeted killing of police officers throughout the country, is a symptom of the bigotry of low expectation. In other words, Sanders is willing to give Blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities a pass on behavior that they would otherwise find unacceptable and condemnable of Americans who do not belong to minority groups.

When Sanders shifts his attention to Israel, his bigotry becomes even more blatant. Despite his being the very first American Jew to run for the Democratic presidential nomination and possibly for the Presidency, Bernie Sanders rarely mentions his Jewish identity, and when asked about his religious beliefs, he tends to cite ideas about the shared humanity that binds all people together. Sanders has chosen advisors that belong to a group of radical left ideologues, including James Zogby of the American-Arab Institute and Cornel West, a BDS advocate often accompanying him to appearances and sharing the podium with him. Then came the appointment of Simmone Zimmerman, his outreach campaign staff member to Jewish organizations that he hired and then suspended in response to public outrage. She is an active and vocal supporter of J Street, an organization that is dedicated to actively lobbying the US government to undermine the policies of the democratically elected government of Israel. From there she graduated to openly supporting the BDS movement, arguing that its calls for the extinction of Israel were simply calls for the liberation of all people. Zimmerman is an avid supporter not surprisingly of Black Lives Matter, the black anti-white movement whose leaders are fierce enemies of U.S. support to Israel. Zimmerman is typical of many left-wing Jews who came to believe that in order to remain on the political left they have to adopt extreme anti-Zionist positions, even though at times they border on anti-Semitism.

When Sanders voices his position on Israel, he does so exclusively through the Pavlovian looking glass and prism of Western media, who report nothing other than the false narrative of the Occupation -- meaning that Israel is to be blamed for the conflict and never demand accountability from the Palestinian Arabs or of Muslims anywhere in the Middle East. The use of the legally inapplicable term occupation as responsible for all of the violence that is directed against Israel -- as if it began in 1967 -- has become the all-encompassing code word that justifies low expectations of moral behavior by Palestinian Arabs in Gaza, Judea and Samaria. Perpetuating this myth only reinforces the continuing violence that has rocked not only Israel in recent months, but is spreading murder and mayhem in all of the Middle East.

Low intensity genocide is being conducted systematically in Syria and Iraq. Christians are persecuted, hounded, and murdered throughout the Islamic countries in the Middle East and Africa. In the past three years, hundreds of thousands of Arab civilians have lost their lives throughout the Middle East due to civil wars and the violent emergence of new political leaderships in different countries. Any objective observer searches in vain for Sanderss outrage and indignation, but other than the occasional politically correct sympathy lip service, condemnation is reserved for Israel exclusively. Rockets can rain with impunity on Israeli men, women and children, launched by an elected terrorist organization that has obtained vast stores of lethal weaponry and vows publicly to destroy a member state of the United Nations, yet Israel is accused by Bernie Sanders of using disproportional power in actions of self-defense.

Sanderss absence of moral indignation can only be explained by a morally corrupt and intellectually dishonest belief that there can be no expectations that the Palestinian people and their leadership can embrace the idea of the sanctity of life or measure up to the high expectations of international morality. It seems as if Bernie Sanders accepts the legitimacy of barbaric behavior on the part of Palestinian Arab terrorists as the necessary price Jews must pay for not forfeiting their rights to live in Israel.

Sadly, I admit that among the Jewish population here in Israel there are among us, albeit a few, misguided and confused walking time bombs waiting for the opportunity to fulfill their primal need to hurt others. They, however, are the margin and beyond the pale, enjoying no public reinforcement of their violent intents.

On the Palestinian Arab side however, our neighbors operate in an entirely different mode. Palestinian Arab baby-killers of Jews are admired, squares are dedicated in their name and study materials in the Arab schools glorify their mission. Palestinian terrorists and their extended family receive financial assistance and pension payments from the Palestine Arab leadership and related NGOs operating in the area with American and European funding. Rockets are launched from school and hospital compounds with not a word of protest from Palestinian Arab residents at putting their children and their ill in danger of retaliatory fire. Palestinians use civilians as human defense shields as a strategic policy and its all honkey dory with the Democratic contender.

Sanderss reluctance to expose and explicitly condemn the savagery so prevalent among Palestinian people, while zeroing in with a magnifying glass on Israel's defensive actions demanding that she maintain an unsustainable level of respecting human rights - even when it conflicts with the basic right of self- defense, only perpetuates the conflict and empowers more terrorists to kill innocent men, women , and children.

This is the true bigotry of Bernie Sanders, the racist bigotry of low expectations, whether at home or abroad. Sanders bigotry is a black stain on the face of all that he represents as a socialist and as a democratic contender.

The writer, a 25-year veteran of the I.D.F., served as a field mental health officer and Commander of the Central Psychiatric Military Clinic for Reserve Soldiers at Tel-Hashomer. Since retiring from active duty, he provides consultancy services to NGOs implementing Psycho trauma and Psychoeducation programs to communities in the North and South of Israel and is a strategic advisor to the Chief Foreign Envoy of Judea and Samaria
In late October 2014, Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul purchased between $100,000 and $250,000 in stock from green energy company Sun Edison. Just three weeks later, the company acquired First Wind, a wind power company. The purchase caused Sun Edison's stock to soar 29%.

Coincidence? Or did Paul Pelosi act on information that came to his wife in her duties as House minority leader?

Washington Free Beacon:

Pelosis office did not respond to questions about the timing of the purchase and whether she or her husband had any advance knowledge of the deal. Pelosi has previously been accused of trading stock based on information gleaned through her official duties. She participated in Visas initial public offering as the company fought a House bill to subject credit card companies to increased regulation. The measure failed to pass. A law passed in the wake of that controversy prohibits members of Congress from using nonpublic information for personal gain. Language in that measure was informally dubbed the Pelosi Provision. In addition to her stock trades, Pelosi steered more than $1 billion in federal subsidies to a light rail project that likely improved the value of the San Francisco headquarters of cloud computing company Salesforce, in which her husband had invested up to $1 million. Paul Pelosis stake in SunEdison will likely force the wealthy investor to take a haircut if the company declares bankruptcy. SunEdisons First Wind acquisition turned out to be a significant part of a larger expansion over the last two years that left the company with unsustainable levels of debt. On the heels of its First Wind deal, in July 2015, SunEdison announced that it would buy residential power company Vivint Solar for $2.2 billion. Its stock improved on the news, and then began its precipitous decline. The Vivint deal fell apart in March. The company accused SunEdison of breach of contract, and SunEdison announced that it had been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice over the failed acquisition. SunEdison has maintained strong a strong presence in Washington throughout its financial woes. The company has spent more than $1 million on its lobbying operation since 2011.

Sun Edision hired the services of The Podesta Group, a lobbying firm run by Hillary and Bill Clinton's close friend John Podesta.

It has employed lobbyists with the powerhouse Podesta Group since 2012, disclosure forms show. In 2015, it brought on 38 North Solutions, a green energy focused lobbying firm. Both firms lobbied to preserve federal tax credits for renewable energy generation. Pelosi fought for the extension of those tax subsidies in a major congressional deal late last year.

It's this sort of incestuous relationship that Washington insiders get involved in all the time. It is easily discernible to see Sun Edison's acquisition of First Wind going through the Democratic Party grapevine via The Podesta Group and landing on Pelosi's desk.

Perhaps an investigation by the SEC into the purchase of Sun Edision stock by other Democratic Party insiders is warranted.
The conventional wisdom going into the New York primary was that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton would dominate the proceedings. For once in this wacky political season, conventional wisdom ruled.

Perhaps the only shockers in the contest was the margin of victory by both Trump and Clinton. New York seemed determined to show the love to both candidates, and the voters rewarded their favorite son and daughter with massive totals.

Trump won 60% of the vote ,with his nearest rival, John Kasich, picking up only 25%. Ted Cruz sank to 15%, which should be a lesson to future conservative candidates: don't diss those "New York values." The Donald picked up 89 of 92 avaiable delegates, improving his chances of hitting the magic 1,237 number before he hits the convention. Trump's delegate count stands at 845, compared to 559 for Cruz.

As for Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders outspent her 2-1 in the state, and he still got creamed 58-42%. Due to the quirky delegate allocation rules, Sanders still recieved 106 delegates compared to Clinton's 173. Since the Democrats have no winner-take-all primaries, Clinton should be able to slowly build her delegate count to the 2,382 needed for secure the nomination. Currently, she stands at 1,911, nearly 700 delegates better than Sanders.

John Podhoretz:

Its a glorious night for Trumpkins for the same reason its a sobering night for those of us who believe a Trump nomination would be disastrous for the party and the country. For the first time in this race, Trump actually closed strongly and ended up significantly outperforming his poll average by about 7 points. The next five contests over the next two weeks take place on fertile ground for Trump, and if his ability to gain ground persists, he is going to be aiming a dagger at the hearts of the so-called #neverTrump crowd. Ted Cruz was never going to win New York or come remotely close. But he should have been able to do far better than a horrifying 15 percent. John Kasich beat Cruz here. Now, Kasich may be a better fit for New York than the very conservative Texan  indeed, Kasich won in Manhattan  but that wouldnt have happened if Cruz had come even remotely close to making the sale with Republicans who dont want Trump to be the nominee. And there are a lot of them here in New York. Cruz is running a tight, disciplined campaign focused on maximizing his delegate count through mastery of the rules governing delegates at the state level. But hes running a mediocre campaign when it comes to winning over masses of voters. If he continues to lose to Trump with voters in state after state, as it appears he will from Connecticut to Maryland to Rhode Island to Pennsylvania, the melioristic notion many not-Trumpers have entertained that Cruz just needs to wait out the bad states until he can turn to more favorable terrain like Indiana and Nebraska and California may turn on them.

I'm not as pessimistic as Johnny Pods about Cruz's chances in Cleveland. With so many working so hard to deny Trump the nomination, the #NeverTrump crowd may yet succeed in denying the prize to the frontrunner.

As Podhoretz notes, the upcoming primaries are in unfriendly territory for Ted Cruz, which is why Kasich will probably receive a boost from GOP donors looking to stop Trump. But Kasich is not a viable candidate, and with most of the upcoming primaries on April 26 winner-take-all contests, he will be able to win few delegates.

This is the first day of the rest of the primary season. The race has turned a corner and is heading for home. Both Trump and Clinton enjoy large, nearly insurmountable leads, and all Cruz and Sanders can do is plot a coup at the convention.
The former governor of Texas, Rick Perry, says he "is frustrated with political rhetoric that he sees as discriminatory toward Muslims."

Coming from the Lone Star State, and with an intimate connection to the oil industry, perhaps Gov. Perry should be more concerned about the apparent discrimination against native-born Americans in the state's university system  especially in those departments related to petroleum.

I had a quick look around some university websites for petroleum engineering in Texas, and I'm forced to wonder why so few natural-born Americans appear to be working in these departments.

At Texas Tech University, the Department of Petroleum Engineering has eight faculty. Two appear to be from Iran, one from Egypt, one from Algeria, one from China, and one from Thailand. So that looks to be a department that is perhaps 50% Muslim and 75% immigrants.

Of the 27 faculty in the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M University, two are from Iran, two are from Turkey, one is from Egypt, one is from Argentina, one is from India, one is from Brazil, one is from Bangladesh, one is from South Korea, one is from Taiwan, one is from Japan, two are from China, one is from Hungary/the USSR, and one is from the Netherlands. That appears to be on the order of at least 19% Muslim and 59% immigrants.

Among the 28 faculty in Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, two are from Iran, one is from Pakistan, three are from India, one is from Argentina, one is from South Korea, two are from Japan, one is from Poland, one is from Croatia, one is from Mexico, and one is from the Netherlands. This sounds like a demographic profile comprising about 11% Muslims and 50% immigrants.

Didn't any native sons and daughters of the United States of America apply? Or is there perhaps discrimination against such natural-born individuals? Are they inferior in some regard? If so, how?

Now look up the proportions of the U.S. population that are Muslim and/or first-generation immigrants, and compare these values to the numbers you see above for these very prestigious, secure, and extremely well-paying jobs. Perhaps that will tell you which direction the real discrimination in Texas appears to be headed.
Last weekend, Barack was holding a "Brother's Keeper youth initiative ... to keep men of color out of trouble" at the White House when the ankle bracelet of one of the rappers in attendance went off.

Rick Ross, the "artist" in question, was recently arrested for the second time in a month, this time for kidnapping, aggravated assault, and aggravated battery after pistol-whipping a man working at one of his houses and refusing to let him leave the house.

How does a thug like Ross get invited to the White House? Could there be danger in letting a felon close to the president?

When I took one of the public tours, nowhere near the president, I had to present government-issued photo ID  but don't make that a requirement to vote in this country. I'm just guessing here, but getting into the White House as a guest of the president surely requires a bit more stringent background check than touring the public spaces, right? Maybe not  if you're the right color, if you're from one of the caring public-service callings like rapping.

The White House website lists prohibited items, but apparently ankle bracelets are fine. It's all good. Hey, maybe Ross can use the incident for one of his hits.

Henry Percy is the nom de guerre of a writer in Arizona. He may be reached at saler.50d[at]gmail.com.
Whole Foods has countersued an Austin gay pastor who claimed that a cake decorator at the store wrote an anti-gay slur on his cake.

Jordan Brown says he didn't notice the slur until he was stopped at a stoplight some blocks away. He requested that "Love Wins" be written on the cake but claims that "Love Wins Fag" was written on it.

Whole Foods released a video they say proves that the pastor altered the cake.

Austin Statesman:

In a countersuit filed in state district court in Travis County, Whole Foods says Brown intentionally, knowingly and falsely accused Whole Foods and its employees of writing the homophobic slur on a custom made cake that he ordered from WFMs Lamar Store in Austin The suit denies those claims, and accuses Brown of acting with malice, and he has damaged the reputation and business of WFM. The lawsuit seeks at least $100,000 in damages from Brown. The company said that a bakery team member wrote only Love Wins at the top of the cake as Brown requested. This was visible to Brown through the clear portion of the packaging, Whole Foods said. Thats exactly how the cake was packaged and sold at the store, the company said. Whole Foods Market has a strict policy that prohibits team members from accepting or designing bakery orders that include language or images that are offensive. The retailer went on to say Brown admitted that he was in sole possession and control of the cake until he posted his video, which showed the UPC label on the bottom and side of the box. After reviewing their security footage of Mr. Brown, its clear that the UPC label was in fact on top of the cake box, not on the side of the package, Whole Foods said. This is evident as the cashier scans the UPC code on top of the box, which you can view here. The company said it continues to stand behind its team members. We stand behind our bakery team member, who is part of the LGBTQ community, and we appreciate the team members and shoppers who recognize that this claim is completely false and directly contradicts Whole Foods Markets inclusive culture, which celebrates diversity, the company said. More than a half a dozen calls and emails to both Brown and his attorney Austin Kaplan seeking comment were not immediately returned Tuesday.

Steve Hayward at Powerline cracks wise: "Clearly the Rev. Brown must have flunked out of Rev. Sharptons school of shakedowns."

Apparently, the gay reverend sort of forgot about the security cameras being able to disprove his extortion attempt. And did he really think they wouldn't notice that the UPC label had been tampered with? Sheesh.

A master criminal, the Rev. Jordan is not. In fact, a 12-year-old could probably have played the scam a lot better.

Just another social justice warrior trying to cash in on pretend hate.
The historic city of Quito, Ecuador, is remarkable for its many beautiful churches, especially the 17th Jesuit church la Compania, and the 16th century Monastery of St. Francis.

The Church of the Society of Jesus or La Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus, in particular, is the best-known church in Quito because of its large central nave, which is profusely decorated with gold leaf, gilded plaster and wood carvings. Approximately seven tons of gold are plastered all over the ceilings and the walls. Built over a period of 160 years, la Compania is one of the most significant works of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America.

Photo credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia

Photo credit: Phil/Flickr

Photo credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia

Photo credit: Visita Quito/Flickr

Photo credit: Visita Quito/Flickr

Photo credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia

Photo credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia

The Church and Monastery of St. Francis or Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco, is another magnificently decorated 16th-century Roman Catholic church in Quito. As with la Compania, the churchs interior is covered with thousands of gold-plated leaves.

The imposing structure has the distinction of being the largest architectural ensemble among the historical structures of colonial Latin America. The church took 70 years to complete, although the style evolved over almost 150 years of construction and renovation.

Photo credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia

Photo credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia

Photo credit: Jean-Francois Renaud/Flickr

Photo credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia

Photo credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia
A report from CBS 60 Minutes over the weekend highlighted a disturbing vulnerability in modern cellular communications, specifically the SS7 protocol used for voice, text and billing, that could apparently give out a great deal of user information with the only requirement being for the hacker to have the phone number of their intended target. Demonstrated originally by German security research Karsten Nohl, the hack was brought to public attention when CBS gave U.S. Congressman Ted Lieu of California an iPhone that would serve as a target. Nohl and his team were able to gather info such as who Lieu contacted, the content of SMS messages and the locations of everybody involved. Over a year after the hack was originally reported, it had yet to be patched. Some say this is due to international intelligence agencies using the hack themselves and not wanting it patched up.

While U.S. carriers did not want to discuss the matter when our source, Fierce Wireless, asked them for comment, there was one agency who was glad to address the hack. The Cellular Telephone Industries Association, or CTIA, dismissed the demonstration of the hack, saying that the demonstration given required extraordinary access to some of the German networks used and would not reflect the current state of mobile network security in the U.S., despite the test target for the demonstration being on U.S. soil. Instead, they maintained that the security hole was null and void in the United States. It should be noted that the iPhone that Congressman Lieu was given was not under end to end encryption, or any more encryption than most users have on an every day basis.

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Congressman Lieu, on the other hand, has made a motion to open up a congressional investigation into the vulnerability, how secure American airwaves are and how the hole can be patched up. According to Lieu, the possible applications for a hack of this nature are vast and it should be a priority to address the vulnerability. He wants it looked into by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which he happens to be a member of. Given that this vulnerability was made very public and went mostly unaddressed, as well as the fact that there are whispers that the vulnerability may be a government tool of sorts, nobody can really guess whether the investigation will get off the ground.
Google is already facing an antitrust investigation from the European Union, but it shouldnt come as much surprise to people that theyre levelling another one at Google, this time over the way they handle Android. This might seem odd to some people, as Android is of course an open source operating system, but the lines between what is a Google Android version of the operating system and what isnt have become more definite in the last couple of years. Google requires partners such as Samsung, Sony, LG, HTC and Motorola to agree to certain terms if that to get access to the Google Services. This would include the Google Play Store, Google Maps, YouTube and a lot more. Without agreeing to these terms, a Galaxy S7 Edge would be all Android and no Google, which really doesnt seem all that Android in the first place.

The EU is investigating Googles handling of Android because of the way that it forces manufacturers such as Samsung to bundle in and push Google services. Have you ever wondered why all of those show devices in your local carrier store have a Google folder on the front home screen, as well as a link to the Google Play Store? Thats because Google makes it a part of their agreement. You cant make a phone and ship it with the Play Store without having those folders on the home screen, because Google wont let you. European Competition Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager said that we believe that Googles behavior denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players.

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These are stern words from the EU, and its clear that there are a lot of people unhappy with how Google handles Android, as many of these claims have been brought to the EU by third-parties making complaints of their own. Whether or not this goes anywhere is something well have to wait on, but it sure looks as though the European Union isnt messing around here. Theyre unhappy with the way that Google is allegedly controlling the mobile market, and they want it to change. Fines and concessions on Googles part are more then likely, but for now the firm merely had this to say: we look forward to working with the European Commission to demonstrate that Android is good for competition and good for consumers.
LeEco, which was once known as LeTV  as late as a few months ago  launched a few new phones this morning at an event in Beijing. They even showed off a concept car. The company is looking to come to the US and in a big way. Not too surprising considering they were at CES earlier this year, showing off the first smartphone to run on Qualcomms Snapdragon 820 flagship processor. Today, in addition to all of their announcements in Beijing, LeEco also announced that Danny Bowman will be their Chief Revenue Officer and Shawn Williams as their Chief Administrative Officer. Both of which are former Samsung executives in their own right. The whole point of these hires is to help bring LeEco into the US.

Danny Bowman, who is the Chief Revenue Officer for North America, will be responsible for heading up the companys long-term strategic initiatives and fueling high-growth opportunities on behalf of LeEcos global brand. Bowman brings about 25 years of leadership to the company, after holding executive positions at Samsung, Sprint, Nextel and Cellular one. While LeEcos new Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President of Human Resources for North America, Shawn Williams, will be in charge of all aspects of corporate real estate, IT, human resources, and security. He will be in charge of establishing a global culture of operational excellence and collaboration at LeEco. Williams leaves his post as Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Samsungs business in North America to come to LeEco. Hes also been an executive at companies like EDS, Compaq, Dell, Chase and Hewlett-Packard.

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Both Bowman and Williams had prepared statements about how excited they are to join the LeEco team here in North America. Its a good start to a solid push for LeEco here in North America. A place where many Chinese brands have had a hard time flourishing. Mainly due to the Chinese government. Huawei and ZTE are both in the US, but they are far from major household names. LeEco is aiming to change that, and take the US market by storm. They have the devices to do it, they just need to make them available to everyone, and support the US carriers networks.
When Samsung launched the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge last year, they launched them in a number of different colors, some of which were shades and hues that you wouldnt find in other smartphones. This year, they took a more elegant and classic approach with their colors, offering a gold and silver, as well as black and white option. Now however, Samsung is launching a new version of the device in South Korea; Pink Gold. Samsung says that the new hue will be available in South Korea now, and select markets soon.

From the launch photos (embedded below) its not hard to see where Samsung was going with this new shade for their Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge flagships. To their credit Samsungs official release says that Pink was chosen because its a natural color that provides a sense of comfort. This is true of the Gold Platinum variant of the Galaxy S7 which is most certainly gold in color, but it looks like a natural gold, rather than say, an overly saturated or bright gold. More choice is always good, no matter what the colors are, and Pink Gold joins the aforementioned Gold Platinum, Silver Titanium, Black Onyx and White Pearl. For whatever reason though, some of these colors arent available everywhere, and this new Pink Gold options could further confuse things.

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Hopefully, Samsung will be able to roll out the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge in this new look fairly soon, as it could help sales among women and just help to spark further interest in the phone, creating a second wind sort of effect. There was a time when color was a serious selling point for a lot of brands, and now it seems it will become a selling point once more. The only question is whether or not Samsung will expect people to pay a premium for this flashy, new hue or will it be the same price as all the other colors? Were hoping for the latter, but until official pricing for anywhere outside of South Korea becomes available itll be hard to tell for sure.
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 released last year has been refreshed with a new model called the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 Value Edition. The handset in question was spotted on the virtual shelves of an e-shop in Netherlands earlier today, where the terminal is listed along with a price tag of 228.

Samsungs Xcover brand has been around for more than 5 years. The moniker was initially used to label dust and water resistant feature phones, but later in 2011, the Xcover series switched lanes and entered the world of smartphones. Two years later in 2013, the South Korean tech giant released the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 boasting an IP67 dust and waterproof certificate, and of course, last year in April the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 was released as a budget-friendly rugged smartphone. Keeping the aforementioned release schedule in mind, one would think that the next Galaxy Xcover in the series should be planned for a market launch in 2017  two years after the 3rd smartphone in the series was released. But surprisingly enough, it appears that Samsung has already decided to launch a new sequel, or rather a refresh based on the Galaxy Xcover 3. Its called the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 Value Edition, and overall it features roughly the same hardware specifications as the model it succeeds. According to the source, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 VE is equipped with a 4.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 800 x 480, an unspecified quad-core processor clocked at 1.3 GHz, 1.5 GB of RAM, 8 GB of ROM expandable via microSD, a 5-megapixel main camera, a 2 MP front-facing sensor, and a slightly smaller 2,000 mAh battery as opposed to a 2,200 mAh unit offered by the predecessor.

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Not unlike last years model, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 Value Edition meets MIL-STD 810-G standards, meaning that the terminal can handle humidity, altitude conditions, and adverse temperatures easier than ordinary smartphones. It also comes with a dust and waterproof IP67 certificate so it can technically survive being submerged in 1 m of water for up to 30 minutes. Once again these are the same exact characteristics boasted by the 2015 model, but unlike its predecessor the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 Value Edition does come with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box. In any case, the smartphone is priced at 228 on the Dutch online store (source link below), and can also be acquired for 0 down along with a local carrier agreement.
The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) and Galaxy J7 (2016) have been officially announced in China in late March, and the duo was then released in the region with no official word on when the new series might hit the shelves in the Western hemisphere. However, earlier this month more evidence of a wider release emerged, and now the two smartphones have been pretty much confirmed to arrive in Europe in the foreseeable future. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) is already available for purchase in Spain through the official Samsung website, whereas the product page for the smaller Galaxy J5 (2016) went live on the manufacturers website in France, signaling what seems to be an imminent release.

Starting off with the slightly larger Samsung Galaxy J7 refresh, the terminal is now listed on the manufacturers webpage in Spain next to a price tag of 299. Spec-wise, the smartphone features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, but oddly enough and unlike the Galaxy J7 (2016) announced in China  which features a Full HD display (1080 x 1920 pixels) -, the model aimed at the Spanish market seems to be equipped with a less impressive 1280 x 720 panel. Furthermore, while the model released in China boasts 3 GB of RAM, the European variant (or at least the one available in Spain) is equipped with 2 GB of RAM instead. Either way, the smartphone carries an octa-core processor clocked at up to 1.6 GHz (presumably the Qualcomm Snapdragon 617), and has 16 GB of on-board storage which can be expanded by up to an additional 128 GB via microSD. Last but not least, it features a 13-megapixel main camera with an f/1.9 aperture and 1080p video recording capabilities, a 5 MP front-facing sensor with the same aperture, a 3,300 mAh battery, and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box.

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Moving on to the 2016 Samsung Galaxy J5 (model number SM-J510FN), it appears that the handsets landing page has been published on the official Samsung France website where the smartphones user manuals can already be downloaded; however the device is not yet available for purchase, and details on hardware specifications are lacking. But in light of these events, the smartphones release in Europe  or at least in France  should be around the corner. Assuming that the European model will be similar to the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) released in China, the handset should be equipped with a 5.2-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 SoC featuring a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.2 GHz and an Adreno 306 graphics chip, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of expandable storage. The new Samsung Galaxy J5 has the same camera configuration as its larger sibling, and the European / French model has been confirmed by the aforementioned user manuals to run Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Barbados, April 16th..The CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) has launched an International Reparations Relay & Rally Initiative in Barbados that in coming months will take a reparations baton and reparations torch from one CARICOM country to the other.

The baton and torch will be presented to the national reparations commissions across the region at youth rallies organized under the banner Roots, Rock, Reggae, Reparations which will celebrate the principles and programmes of the Caribbean and global reparatory justice movements.

The Barbados launch of the reparations relay coincided with the bi-centennial commemoration of the death of General Bussa, the inspirational leader of the Barbados slave rebellion of 1816. At a cultural/historical ceremony entitled From Bussa to Barrow, on Saturday, April 16th at the site where Bussa was killed, Prof. Pedro Welch, chair of the Barbados Reparations Task Force passed the reparations baton to the Deputy Consul General of Guyana in Barbados who, in turn, will soon pass it to the Guyana Reparations Commission, which is planning to hold their reparations youth rally in May.

From Guyana, the baton will be taken to other CARICOM countries during the course of 2016. Beautifully carved from fine Barbados mahogany wood, the baton is a symbol of justice that has engraved on it, a map of Africa, the words Reparations Now, and rings representing the 15 CARICOM countries. The relay will culminate in Jamaica later this year where the Emancipation Rebellion led by Sam Sharpe will be remembered and celebrated.

In Barbados this weekend we are celebrating and eulogizing the over 1000 enslaved persons who were massacred by British professional troops, and slave owners, in an effort to gain freedom in the War of General Bussa, from April 14-20, 1816, said Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles, chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission. We shall create a memorial to the million enslaved Africans whose existence was destroyed in the Caribbean freedom and reparations quest. Between now and then, we will publicly engage many moments in regional history where a million ancestors fought and were destroyed in search of liberty, restitution and reparations.

Prof. Welch added that the passing of the Reparations Baton from Barbados to Guyana represented an historic moment that symbolized the maturing of the reparations initiative in the CARICOM countries. He said that it linked the struggle in Barbados with a wider Caribbean and global movement.

From the very inception of the Task Force on Reparations in Barbados, it was felt that while there was a Barbadian component to the initiative, there was a wider sphere of operations that would require a Caribbean-wide collaboration. It is in its fraternal association with the regional body that the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Bussa rebellion of 1816 provided an opportunity to initiate the symbolic passing of a reparations baton, sequentially, to other CARICOM countries.

Quite apart from the regional focus, the local events in Barbados also provided an opportunity to see how the issue of commemorating a special moment in the historical narrative, namely a slave rebellion, ties this local event into the larger global struggle, added Dr. Welch.

David Commissiong, prominent attorney/activist and member of the Barbados Reparations Task Force, said that the sacred mission of our generation of Barbadians must be to live up to and honour the heroic struggles and sacrifices of our ancestors by demanding reparatory justice, and by claiming and appropriating our full human dignity.

In an address on Friday at a ceremony where a number of Barbadian nationals were recipients of awards for the invaluable contributions they have made to the island, Barbados Prime Minister Hon. Freundel Stuart, who is also Chairman of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Reparations, urged the audience to keep the issue of reparatory justice at the forefront within the region.

We must sensitise our people to the ingredients of this debate and of course to the need to be part of this struggle to ensure that a lot of the damage that has been done as a result of our slave and colonial experience can be repaired not only by our own efforts, which of course we cannot forsake or ignore, but repaired by those who caused the damage in the first place, said PM Stuart.

By Don Rojas (former Press Secretary of the late Maurice Bishop) who now works with Sir Hilary Beckles and the Caricom Reparations Commission.
The Royal Anguilla Police Force is investigating a number of burglaries within the business area The Valley involving some five business places overnight on Sunday 17th April, 2016.

The burglar(s) who appeared to be on a rampage targeted the different business leaving their front doors totally damaged before making off with between EC $500.00 to EC $700.00 that was left in the businesses as part of the daily float. As the Police continue their investigations into these burglaries they are appealing to members of the public who may have been in The Valley in the area of The Herberts

Commercial Centre and The Fairplay Commercial Centre during the night of Sunday 17th April 2016 and may have witnessed these burglaries or have any information regarding these burglaries to contact the Valley Police Station with such information. The telephone number is 497-2333 and asks for the Major Crime Unit or to speak to any Police Officer of their choice.

Additionally information can be sent via the RAPF Tips Website by logging on to www.gov.ai/911 or email AXA911@yahoo.com which are both secure websites.

The Royal Anguilla Police Force continues to urge the general public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity they may observe to The Valley Police Station for police immediate attention.
Madeleine McCann  Anoraks at-a-glance guide to press coverage of Madeleine McCann.

Goncalo Amaral is back in the news. The former Portuguese detective has won an appeal against his libel defeat to Madeleine McCanns parents, Kate and Gerry McCann. The court order for him to pay the McCanns 395,000 in damages in April 2015 has been overturned. The Press pick up the story of Amaral and his 2008 book, The Truth of the Lie, in which he accuses the McCanns of faking Madeleines abduction to cover up her accidental death in their apartment (Star).

Daily Star (front page): Maddie: Cop Wains Right To Accuse Parents

A banned book which accuse Madeleines McCanns parents of covering up her death will go on sale across Europe after a shock ruling by three appal court judge in Portugal yesterday, writes Jerry Lawton. No shock here, at least not to Anorak readers. Back in 2010, AGW told you:

The media awaits the verdict of McCanns Versus Goncalo Amaral. Much depends on it. The McCanns have taken a risk in going against the former police officer in a foreign country. While it can be argued  as they have done  that any publicity for their missing daughter is good because it keeps her name alive in the voracious media.

But it does not keep us looking for the child. It just allows us to gawp at them, the distraught parents of a missing innocent:

YOU know when an accident is going to happen. They even have corporate speak phrases for it these days: Risk Assessment is one.

You know when a playing kitten is going to fall from the arm of the chair, you know when the child is going trip and fall, no matter how quick you are to try and get there.

Sometimes you see disasters being created and thundering, in silent-movie slowed down train-wreck style, toward you or others and theres little you can do other than stand and watch horror-struck by the enormity of it all.

You know the accidents about to happen and there is nothing you can do but perhaps wonder why you knew?

It has nothing to do with sixth senses, it is because the most powerful computer known to man, your brain, has gathered in all the previous experiences you have weighed in the balance and made a predictive analysis.

That is what is so strange about the current and past behaviour of the parents of the missing child Madeleine McCann.

They have started a court action defending their reputations in Lisbon because the former chief investigating officer Goncalo Amara, is accusing them of being involved in Madeleines disappearance. They have also started an action seeking a money settlement for the Portuguese equivalent of libel and in addition are taking on a Lisbon-based documentary production unit for reporting on the detectives objected to book and the case.

Lisbon was never going to be a perfect spot for the McCanns to start legal sparring and this week they were dealt what can only be termed a body-blow when the detectives lawyers produced evidence the UKs top criminal profiler has said there were contradictions in their statements and both should be treated as possible homicide suspects.

No arguments, no amount of reshuffling or clarifications can change that and the facts can not be forced back into the can of worms which the McCann parents themselves have allowed to be opened.

Damage Limitation

The background PR work after the Lisbon shocker has been impressive. The McCann lawyers strode from the courtroom and counter-claimed there were tens, hundreds or more sightings of the missing girl. The UKs Red Tops dutifully followed the thread and reported the lawyers statement. My experience and training gave the brain the predictive text that this looked like a smoke screen, a damage limitation. The missing fact was all these sightings came after the McCanns themselves had been released from Arguido, suspect, status. The case was archived. It was a cold, leading nowhere, case in the eyes of the top legal and police professionals in Portugalthe responsible authorities have no clues and have suspended work on the case.

It has already been said in these columns, taking on the Portuguese legal system was going to be a minefield but there is one question:

Who is taking the responsibility for the Risk Assessment for this McCann course of action?

Whoever it was needs to be replaced or kept out of the limelight.

Mass public opinion is turning. The McCanns are slipping lower and lower down the celebs to be seen with list, certainly no-longer A list and slightly embarrassing to be around according to some whispers.

The McCanns are innocent. No charges have been brought against anyoneexcept the Chief Investigating Police Officer, Goncalo Amaral.

Wake up!

A second question would have to be: Who on earth took the Risk Assessment decision Amaral was a buffoon an incompetent, bungling, Jacques Clouseau Pink Panther type of police officer?

Come on, wake up! Police officers do not rise through the ranks to positions of authority without being good thief-takers and being very good at spotting the wrongness of something.

Amaral is tougher than the baying section of Britains media has portrayed.

The McCanns are becoming battered and worn by this. Just look at their recent photographs. The child is still missing, lost, gone. Arguments still rage over the rightness or wrongness of it all.

Something is judgementally wrong in the Risk Assessments taken here. This week has been hugely damaging to the McCanns and their cause. The information given this week in the Lisbon court can no longer be ignored or forgotten. It will have a high cost and one of the costs are potential new helpers and donations to the campaign of finding the child.
(ANSA) - Brussels, April 20 - The European Commission on Wednesday presented a new roadmap for a European security union, to be assessed at a summit of EU interior ministers in Luxembourg tomorrow. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called for a security union in the wake of the March 22 Islamist terrorist attacks in Brussels that claimed 32 lives.

"Police in one member State must share relevant information with their colleagues in other countries as a matter of reflex," EU Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said as he presented the roadmap.

Following are its main points: FOREIGN FIGHTERS - National authorities must be fully apprised of their exit and entry movements and share that information.

RADICALIZATION - Preventing recruitment is a priority. Member States must ensure radicalized subjects are prevented from spreading propaganda, and that they follow de-radicalization programs.

SANCTIONS - The European Council and Parliament must swiftly agree on a new directive cracking down on terror-related offences, such as aiding and abetting through financing and logistics. The EU must slap sanctions on terrorists and their supporters.

INTELLIGENCE SHARING - The European Council and Parliament must swiftly reform Europol and adopt EC recommendations to improve intelligence sharing, including shared access to data banks and computer systems. Europol's European Counter Terrorism Centre (ECTC), which was launched in January 2016, should act as the Union's intelligence hub to analyze threats and develop and coordinate counter-terror operations. WEAPONS - The European Council and Parliament must revise their directives based on European Commission recommendations, and member States must prioritize enactment of the EU plan of action to prevent access to firearms and explosives.

TERRORIST FINANCING - The Commission will enact its plan of action against terrorist financing to help member States identify and prevent the movement of funds and other financial resources.

INFRASTRUCTURE - The EU and member States must protect vulnerable infrastructure by improving preparation in order to face possible security risks.

ANTI-TERROR PARTNERSHIPS - The Commission may enter into counter-terror partnerships with non-EU Mediterranean Basin countries.


(ANSA) - Rome, April 20 - UN refugee agency UNHCR said Wednesday "as many as 500" asylum seekers may have drowned on their way to Italy sometime last week.

The agency said in a statement that a UNHCR team on Tuesday interviewed survivors of what could be "one of the worst tragedies involving refugees and migrants in the last 12 months". If confirmed, as many as 500 people may have lost their lives when a large ship went down in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy last week. The 41 survivors - 37 men, three women and a three-year-old child - were rescued by a merchant ship and taken to Kalamata, in the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece on April 16. Those rescued include 23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, 6 Egyptians and a Sudanese, UNHCR said.

The survivors said they had been part of a group of 100-200 people who departed last week from a locality near Tobruk in Libya on a 30-metre boat.

After sailing for several hours, the smugglers in charge of the boat attempted to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions.

At one point during the transfer, the larger boat capsized and sank.

The 41 survivors include people who had not yet boarded the larger vessel, as well as some who managed to swim back to the smaller boat. They drifted at sea possibly for three days before being spotted and rescued, the UNHCR statement said.


(ANSA) - Rome, April 20 - The exhibition "The Nile in Pompeii", the second phase of a project that began in March at the Egyptian Museum of Turin, opened on Tuesday in Pompeii's Palestra Grande.

It tells the story of the spread of Egypt and its cults in the Mediterranean, and in particular within the city of Pompeii.

The show puts a wide range of objects on display, from trinkets dedicated to the cults of Isis and Osiris, to furnishings and frescos from the most beautiful residences of the time.

The show's focal point is a group of eight statues from the 15th to the 14th century B.C., on special loan from the Turin museum, seven of which depict the solar deity Sekhmet and one which depicts the pharoah Thutmose I.

The exhibition includes a nine-minute video on the history of the cult of Isis, including the discovery of the temple in Pompeii dedicated to her, which has reopened to the public for the occasion, after having undergone six months of restoration.

The frescos in the Temple of Isis at Pompeii, one of the best-preserved of its kind, are said to have inspired Mozart's staging of The Magic Flute.

The tour is enhanced with special loans from the Naples Archeological Museum, including frescoes and copies of statues, as well as multimedia features.

"We wanted to recreate the same atmosphere that the archaeologists saw when they discovered it in the mid-17th century," said Pompeii Superintendent Massimo Osanna.

One of the videos in the exhibition stars Italian actor Toni Servillo in the role of priest, and is projected in a multimedia room set up behind the temple.

There is also a new attraction open, the House of the Pygmies, restored after years of abandoment.

It includes a fresco of the Nile Valley that dates to the first half of the 1st century A.D., with pygmies shown on the shores of the river.

The project's third phase will open June 28 at the Naples Archeological Museum with a focus on the cults and Eastern religions that Egypt brought to the region of Campania.


(ANSA) - Rome, April 19 - LGBT travel rental website misterbnb has officially landed in Italy, sources said Tuesday.

The website founded in 2013 currently numbers 50,000 hosts in 134 countries. It began as a combination of gay travel website myGayTrip and short-term apartment rental service Sejourning, and was envisioned as a gay-friendly alternative to Airbnb. "In spite of steady growth in the short-term rental business, gay homeowners and travelers have had trouble feeling safe and welcome," the company said in a statement.

"Being gay, I can offer my guests comfortable, safe lodgings because I understand their preferences and can point them to the best places to go," said Rome homeowner Dario, 44.

"Gays want to feel welcome wherever they go," said co-founder Matthieu Jost. "misterbnb helps them find centrally located lodging at accessible prices, while allowing them to socialize and feel welcome as soon as they arrive".


BRUSSELS - Immigration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said Wednesday that the EU was in close contact with Turkey for the latter to ensure non-Syrian refugees all the protection they need. The statement came during a presentation by the EU executive of a report on the implementation of the March 18 EU-Turkey statement.

Avramopoulos also that EU member states should do more to help Greece, especially as concerns support for children and the most vulnerable groups. He added that this requires more offers to relocate and resettle refugees as well as greater support for EU agencies. The statements were made during a presentation of a report on the implementation of the March 18 EU-Turkey agreement. The commissioner said that the European Commission's main priority was to improve the conditions experience by migrants on Greek islands.

Avramopoulos stressed that European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker had made it clear that there would be no lifting of visa requirements for Turkish citizens until the criteria set had been met. The EU will present is third report on progress made by Turkey for the lifting of visas on May 4, and that if Ankara takes the necessary measures to meet the remaining criteria, the report will be accompanied by a draft law to insert Turkey on a list of countries whose citizens do not need visas to enter the EU. The commissioner said that Turkey had thus far sent very positive signals to the EU and that they were working together. He added that both need each other and that ''every minute counts''. (ANSAmed).
France, Germany, Spain agree with Italy migration compact Germany still opposed to Eurobonds

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, APRIL 20 - France, Germany and Spain said Wednesday at a meeting of ambassadors from the EU that they agree with Italy's proposed migration compact. However, Germany said it is still opposed to issuing Eurobonds to finance the compact. Italy said it has no problem weighing other options - such as Germany's idea of a fuel tax - as long as everyone understands the issue is structural as opposed to occasional, and as such requires a long-term response.




'Jewish terrorist cell' dismantled in West Bank Behind attacks on Palestinians

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, APRIL 20 - A cell of ''Jewish terrorists'' behind several attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank in the second half of 2015 has been dismantled by Shin bet, the Israeli domestic intelligence service and the Israeli police. Six youths were arrested in the Jewish settlement Talmon, near Ramallah, reported a police spokesman on Wednesday, who added that the cell included an army conscript. One of the attacks carried out by its members in the West Bank, a police statement said, injured a farmer, while attacks on Palestinian homes and vehicles did not result in any casualties. The statement added that the members of the cell held the same ideology as that of another one of Jewish extremists behind a case of arson last summer in Duma, the West Bank, in which three members of a Palestinian family were burnt alive. The police said that the arrests prevented other attacks.



(ANSAmed).




ROME - UN refugee agency UNHCR said Wednesday "as many as 500" asylum seekers may have drowned on their way to Italy sometime last week.

The agency said in a statement that a UNHCR team on Tuesday interviewed survivors of what could be "one of the worst tragedies involving refugees and migrants in the last 12 months".

If confirmed, as many as 500 people may have lost their lives when a large ship went down in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy last week.

The 41 survivors - 37 men, three women and a three-year-old child - were rescued by a merchant ship and taken to Kalamata, in the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece on April 16.

Those rescued include 23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, 6 Egyptians and a Sudanese, UNHCR said.

The survivors said they had been part of a group of 100-200 people who departed last week from a locality near Tobruk in Libya on a 30-metre boat.

After sailing for several hours, the smugglers in charge of the boat attempted to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions. At one point during the transfer, the larger boat capsized and sank.

The 41 survivors include people who had not yet boarded the larger vessel, as well as some who managed to swim back to the smaller boat. They drifted at sea possibly for three days before being spotted and rescued, the UNHCR statement said.
ANSAmed - Tomorrow's events in the Mediterranean

(ANSAmed) - ROME, APRIL 20 - These are the main events scheduled for tomorrow in the Euro-mediterranean area: SALONIKA - interior ministers from four countries bordering Greece will meet to take stock of the situation concerning migration flows.



ISTANBUL - international meeting on 'Enhancing the Cooperation in the Mediterranean Region' as part of the 10th Med-TSO assembly, the Association of the Mediterranean Transmission Operators for electricity. GENEVA - Representatives of Tunisia's Quartet for National Dialogue, winner of the Nobel peace prize 2015 take part to the 9th Rendez-vous Mondiaux de Geneve (until April 22).



TUNIS - meeting at the Italian Institute of Culture on 'Building a Mediterranean Political Identity after the 2011 Revolutions' as part of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Corriere di Tunisi ROME - exhibition by Turkish painter Sefkat Islegen.



(ANSAmed).




(by Stefania Fumo)

BRUSSELS - France, Germany and Spain said Wednesday at a meeting of ambassadors from the EU that they support Italy's proposed migration compact. Italy on Friday sent a wide-ranging 'migration compact' to the presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk, asking the EU to offer financial incentives to countries in sub-Saharan Africa for them to curb migrant flows and readmit them after deportation.



The document envisages a framework accord with countries of origin and transit and a big financial commitment by the EU, which could be achieved by redistributing already earmarked funds and also via possible Eurobonds - a notion Germany staunchly opposes. Italy said Wednesday it has no problem with weighing other options - such as Germany's idea of a fuel tax - as long as everyone understands the issue is structural as opposed to short-term, and as such requires a long-term response.



Premier Matteo Renzi said in a letter accompanying the proposed compact that "the management of migrant flows is no longer sustainable without targeted and reinforced cooperation with the Third Countries of origin and transit". He said "much has been done, but we must do much more, quickly, if we want to avert the worsening of a systemic crisis."

Using Eurobonds to fund the 'migration compact' is a "first conceptual idea about which we can talk in the future" European Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said in the face of staunch German opposition to the idea. He said he had read the compact presented Friday by Italian Premier Matteo Renzi "with attention like everyone on the Commission, and I can say that it is fully in line with the EU's migration policy. It's a very responsible approach to the problem".

On Friday, European Council President Donald Tusk took to Twitter to "welcome Matteo Renzi's migration compact". He said he agreed to "work on an ambitious plan in the EU and the G7 on cooperation with Third Countries to stem migration".
London - Italian frustration with Berlin has "boiled over again" after Germany rejected Rome's idea of funding a new 'migration compact' with Eurobonds, the Financial Times said Wednesday.



"The spat reignited tensions between Angela Merkel and Matteo Renzi that appeared to have eased in recent months," it said.



Italy has asked the EU to offer financial incentives to countries in sub-Saharan Africa for them to curb migrant flows and readmit them after deportation.



The Italian 'migration compact' was well received in Brussels, the FT noted, with EU Council President Donald Tusk agreeing to work on an ambitious plan.



But the Eurobond funding idea was rejected by Merkel, "with unusual force and speed", prompting Renzi to voice his "irritation".



"The latest dispute between Renzi and Merkel comes after a few months of fragile detente," the FT said.


'Over 200 civilians killed in SE Turkey', says Kurdish party Report on military ceasefire, 'gov't refuses talks with PKK'

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, APRIL 20 - Since the beginning of military operations against the PKK in southeastern Turkey last summer, over 200 civilians have been killed, pro-Kurdish party HDP leader Selahattin Demirtas said Wednesday.



He was speaking in Istanbul during a presentation of a report on the 79 days of a ceasefire in Cizre, in the southeastern province of Sirnak. ''We have had contact with Qandil (in reference to PKK leadership in northern Iraq, Ed.) to support the resumption of peace talks. However, the government does not want to negotiate,'' he said. (ANSAmed).






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Peterson reports directly to Matthew Woollaston, vice president of completions sales and marketing.

In his role, Peterson is responsible for liaising with aircraft owners, operators and industry executives to ensure they are informed about the benefits of entrusting VVIP completions projects with the Jet Aviation Basel Completions Centre.

Dave has the perfect mix of industry knowledge and completions expertise coupled with a demonstrable track record of outstanding project management and customer care, said Woollaston. He is a dedicated and motivated professional, and I am delighted to welcome him to our team.
The event, which is held annually under the patronage of Ministry of Manpower, enables employers of all sizes to meet potential employees from throughout Oman.

As demand for Omani staff continues to grow throughout the public and private sectors, OCF is the only major recruitment fair to be held in the Sultanate. Last year it attracted 5,000 candidates, from fresh graduates to seasoned professionals.

Oman Airs participation reflects its commitment to further increasing the number of Omanis it employs. As the airline continues its major fleet and network expansion programme, it has pledged to increase its percentage of Omani staff working throughout Oman Airs international network.

Dr. Rashid Mohammed Al Ghailani, executive vice president  Human Resource at Oman Air said: Oman Air is proud to be the Lead Sponsor of the Omanisation Career Fair 2016. As the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air is a major employer in the country and OCF 2016 offers us a unique opportunity to recruit suitably qualified, experienced and motivated citizens to a range of roles.

This year we are particularly interested in recruiting customer service agents and cabin crew. We offer outstanding pay and conditions, along with the high level of pride and satisfaction that comes with working for what is probably the worlds most-recognised Omani brand."

He added: Furthermore, we are pleased to have the opportunity to leverage Oman Airs high level of visibility in support of our nations Omanisation policy. As the national carrier, we have been vocal advocates of the policy since its inception and now we have 4246 strong Omani workforce comprising a strong 64 per cent of our total employees. We aim to increase that figure over the coming year and OCF 2016 will play an important part in enabling Oman Air to achieve this objective.
As Ramadan is a very popular time to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia, the two 40-seat all-Premium Class Airbus A319 aircraft are expected to be well-received by large families, as well as travel agents looking to charter aircraft for group bookings. Umrah travel by charter aircraft is made more comfortable and convenient with direct-aircraft access via the Executive terminal and customised immigration and customs processing.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker said: We are delighted to offer our distinguished clientele these bespoke charter travel solutions, and to provide them with a singular, luxurious experience at the time and location of their choosing.
Le CBD, cette molecule active du cannabis a aujourdhui le vent en poupe. Et cela est en grande partie du au fait quil permet...
All the latest Ashbourne news. Ashbourne is an historic market town in Derbyshire. Situated on the southern edge of the Peak District, it is known as the 'Gateway to Dovedale' and the 'Gateway to the Peak District'. Ashbourne is famous for the annual Royal Shrovetide Football Match, which has been played since at least 1667, although its origins may date back centuries earlier. Ashbourne became a Fairtrade town in March 2005. The popular Tissington Trail, which follows the route of the former Ashbourne to Buxton railway, starts on the edge of town. Keep up to date with the latest news from the town by signing up for our newsletter.
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Ships flying the Chinese flag should face the Northwest Passage in the Arctic Ocean to open a route between the Atlantic and the Pacific. This is the invitation in a long article published today in the China Daily newspaper, which raises an old dream of Moscow and Beijing to join the two sides of the planet without going through the routes subject to the control of Western nations. The prospect could become reality thanks to climate change, which is melting the ice of the polar circle making it navigable.



China is increasingly active in the polar region. It is currently one of the largest investors in the mining sector of Greenland and has signed a free trade agreement with Iceland. The Arctic Council - a group of nations that oversees the area's problems and represents the indigenous peoples - has also accepted Beijing as an observer state. The permanent members are Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, United States (representing Alaska) and Sweden.



As well as opening up possible trade routes outside of Western influence, the Arctic route would allow Chinese ships to save time and money. The trip from Shanghai to Hamburg, for example, would be reduced to 2,800 nautical miles with respect to the passage through the Suez Canal.



The State Administration for Maritime Safety has published a guide in April - 356 pages - which explains the details of the journey between the northern coast of North America and the North Pacific. Spokesman, Liu Pengfei, said: "Once this step becomes commonly used, it will change the face of global maritime transport and will have a profound influence on international trade, the world economy, the flow of capital and the exploitation of resources. "
Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - At least 20 Burmese soldiers and an army commander have died in three days of protracted fighting in Rakhine State, in the west of the country. This is according to Arakan Army (AA) spokesman, Khine Thukha, one of several armed rebel groups still fighting the central government. The national army was reportedly ambushed near the town Ponagyun and an AA base in Rathedaung.



"We are fighting because the 232nd infantry led by Commander Myo Min Tun entered our area," said the spokesman, adding that "the commander and 20 of his soldiers were killed, while some AA men were wounded, but none killed." The Burmese army has not confirmed the victims nor commented on the affair.



Often violence in the Rakhine State has religious roots rather than political. An anti-Muslim sentiment that in 2012 led to clashes in the streets, with hundreds of casualties and the flight of tens of thousands of Rohingya (Muslim minority not recognized by Myanmar) has been widespread in recent years.



Nevertheless, Thukka highlights the political problems that hinder his groups abandonment of weapons: "For a long time we have been asking for a solution to political issues in a political way, but the government army has taken root. If we cannot get to the bottom of problems through dialogue, we will never have peace or ethnic unity. "



The achievement of peace with all minorities is a priority for the new democratic government of the National League for Democracy, in power since April 1. Its leader Aung San Suu Kyi has repeatedly said she wants to resume peace talks with the armed groups who were excluded from the last ceasefire wanted by the military junta in October (including AA). The new Foreign Minister also called for an amendment of the Constitution and the formation of a federal union among all states of Myanmar.
Fr Peter Geremia, a PIME missionary Arakan Valley, describes the tragic situation farmers face as a result of El Nino. For him, Rice distribution is proceeding too slowly. On 1 April, police killed two protesters demanding rice. Caritas blames the authorities for not handing out financial aid to the agricultural sector.

Davao (AsiaNews)  The situation of farmers affected by drought in southern Philippines "remains tragic, said Peter Geremia, a PIME missionary in Kidapawan Diocese. Rice distribution is proceeding too slowly, tensions are building up, and rain is still not coming. There seems to be no end to the drought.

In many areas in the Arakan Valley, poor farmers, especially tribal Lumad, have run out of food supplies and have been forced to eat rats, the PIME missionary said, who recently went to Kidapawan prison to visit some 80 people arrested during violent protests at the start of the month.

On 1 April, after days of protest by some 6,000 farmers demanding government action to deal with a persistent drought caused by El Nino, riot police opened fire. Two people were shot dead, and scores were wounded.

"Police detained those who could not escape, said Fr Geremia, including pregnant women, seniors, bystanders, and even those helping the medical teams. The wounded who did not escape were taken to the hospital, then prison.

Provincial authorities later threatened to sue Kidapawans Methodist bishop for hiding farmers in his church. In court, defence lawyers asked the charges be dropped, stating that the arrests were illegal and carried out without evidence.

"The court is expected to rule next week, the missionary said. In the meantime, all the prisoners were released on bail, thanks to funds raised in the community."

The deaths on 1 April have left their mark on the public debate. The [Filipino] Senate is currently looking into who is responsible for the drought emergency, since the crisis had been forecast last year. Senators also want to know who gave the order to fire into the crowd, which is something that has never happened before.

Farmers already precarious situation has been compounded by the slow pace of government aid. The Department of Social Welfare and Development earlier said that eight billion pesos (US$ 170 million) were available for drought relief in favour of families affected by El Nino. But local governments are still waiting for them.

For its part, Caritas Philippines has blamed the government for the situation. Weeks after the bloody dispersal of a farmers protest in Kidapawan City, National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Philippines executive secretary Fr. Edwin Gariguez expressed his dismay over the governments failure to help the agricultural sector cope with the El Nino drought.

What is taking them long from releasing these available funds? he wonders. We have already seen enough bloodshed in Kidapawan which is rooted in the governments inaction vis-a-vis this national emergency, the clergyman said.
by Kamran Chaudhry

Fr Victor Sawera heads a Franciscan centre in Lahore. He is personally involved in spiritual outreach with 30 families. He began working with Catholic couples when he was ordained eight years ago. Poverty and extra-marital relations are the main challenges.

Lahore (AsiaNews)  Amoris Laetitia "can help reconcile Catholic families that have separated from the Church, said Fr Victor Sawera, who spoke to AsiaNews about Pope Francis post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on love in the family that was released on 8 April.

The Franciscan clergyman is the superior at Dar-ul-naim, a Franciscan centre in Lahore. For the past eight years, the facility has helped married couples and families in so-called irregular situations, as defined in chapter eight of the popes letter.

By encouraging acceptance of peoples imperfections, the Holy Father opened up many possibilities, without offering a complete deal, Fr Sawera said. In fact, the Holy Father repeatedly stressed the need to assess actual situations and not establish an ideal in our approach to families.

At paragraph 300, the pontiff writes, If we consider the immense variety of concrete situations [. . .], it is understandable that neither the Synod nor this Exhortation could be expected to provide a new set of general rules, canonical in nature and applicable to all cases.

For the divorced who remarry, The logic of integration (299) is the key to their pastoral care so that they can be allowed not only to realize that they belong to the Church as the body of Christ, but also to know that they can have a joyful and fruitful experience in it.

For Fr Sawera, "priests who live in Christian neighbourhoods always face a challenge when dealing with divorced or polygamous Catholics. Usually these people are seen as sinners. Many priests feel uncomfortable when they go to their funerals. The Apostolic Exhortation changes this."

Although his work with Catholic couples began eight years ago when he was ordained in Karachi, the clergyman has provided spiritual outreach to 30 families in Lahore for the past two years.

"My first test came a few months after my ordination, he explained. A married man in our parish brought another wife, a Muslim, from Punjab. She embraced Christianity and began to attend church. When the employer found out about, he fired her. He wanted a marriage certificate, but we could not provide it to him in accordance with canon law. I finally suggested he get help from a local pastor."

The reason that drives the Franciscan priest to help people in irregular situations is to ensure a better future for their children. "What is their guilt in all this?" he asks.

Still, for Catholic families, the greatest challenges are poverty and extra-marital relations. There is a high rate of marital infidelity in other confessions. At the same time, We must keep in mind that 40 per cent of Christians develop romantic relationships with people of other faiths."
Adel Misk, spokesman for The Parents Circle, slams Israeli policy in the territories for the violence. For him, it is urgent to find a path to peace and "determine the cause of the problem". The bus explosion, which is a throwback to similar incidents in the early 2000s, left 21 people wounded.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews)  The attack in Jerusalem is the by-product of Israels occupation policy, of Palestinians lack of freedom, and political leaders unwillingness to "sit down and talk, sign a peace deal, and recognise each other, said Adel Misk, a Palestinian medical doctor and activist.

Speaking to AsiaNews about Mondays bus attack in south Jerusalem that wounded several people, Adel, who is the spokesman for The Parents Circle  an association that brings together about 250 Israelis and 250 Palestinians, all bereaved relatives of victims of political violence , noted that as long as the occupation continues, the chain of violence is bound to last. For this reason, it is urgent to find a path towards peace.

Two days after a bus exploded in south Jerusalem, wounding 21 people, two seriously, no one has claimed responsibility. However, the images of the burning vehicle brought back memories of terrorist attacks of more than a decade ago, when public transit was the main target. This is the first time since 2005 that a bus is hit.

Preliminary reports from Israeli security sources indicate that the bus exploded at 6 pm (local time) as it travelled through Talpiot, southern Jerusalem, wounding several people. The vehicle caught fire along with a passing car and a second empty bus.

Israeli officials responded immediately. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "punish the terrorists" behind the incident. "Israel will put its hand on whoever prepared the bomb and sent the terrorists," the PM's spokesperson said.

Knesset member and head of the Arab Joint List Ayman Odeh also denounced the attack. "Civilian casualties are unacceptable and harmful to the struggle against the occupation," Odeh, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, wrote on social media. "Netanyahu's government is fuelling the cycle of bloodshed. Only a political settlement will bring security to both (Israeli and Palestinian) people."

As expected, Palestinian groups in the West Bank and Gaza hailed the reported attack. "We bless the Jerusalem operation, and consider it a natural reaction to the Israeli crimes, especially field executions and the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque," the Hamas movement said in a message on social media.

For Adel Misk, the attack remains murky. It makes matters worse, and does change the problems that weigh heavily on the region. "It is not enough to understand who carried out the attack, he said. What is necessary is to go to the root cause of the problem."

As long as the military occupation lasts, it will be difficult to stop the spiral of violence, the activist explained. We are faced with a people under occupation  some protest using peaceful means; others use violent struggle."

Attacks by extremist groups must be seen against the reality of "state terrorism" on the Israeli side, which also reaps its own victims.

For Misk, the Israeli-Palestinian tragedy is made worse by "the world's indifference," by the "lack of interest of the international community," which seems to have become accustomed to the problems of the Middle East, like in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

"The silence of the western world, which does not want to challenge the Israelis (and Americans) makes it guilty and complicitous, said the activist. Somehow it legitimates and colludes with the occupation and the violence that is perpetrated on this land.

For the Palestinian activist, It is impossible to be indifferent, not take sides.
by Bernardo Cervellera

Washington is still preventing the use of US dollars in transactions with Iranian banks, preventing business with the outside world in spite of the nuclear deal. This way, the US is helping Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guards, who want to torpedo the agreement in order to maintain their hold on power. Meanwhile, most Iranians hold down two or three jobs just to make ends meet. An unstable and bellicose Iran is a boon for arms sales. A report follows.

Teheran (AsiaNews) - "Nothing has changed. Although the nuclear deal was signed, sanctions are still in place," said K, a young Tehran businessman who hoped to restart his import-export activity with the end of the embargo.

Iran, he told me dejectedly, is still marginalised by the international community and its economy remains "crippled". This is what then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wanted when the US imposed strict financial sanctions on Iran in response to the threat of its alleged nuclear weapons programme.

Right after the Vienna agreement was signed, many delegations from Germany, France, Italy and many other countries rushed to Iran, lured by the prospects of a country with a young population, in need of new infrastructure, eager to catch up after nearly 35 years of sanctions. Instead, nothing moves.

"If a company wants to sign a contract with an Iranian partner, it needs the backing of a European or an American bank; it requires coverage by an insurance company K said, but no one is moving, out of fear that the United States will block financial transactions."

Using the dollar

The problem is that the US has not yet lifted its restrictions on Iran using dollars in international deals. As result of this, many European banks and companies fear that resuming economic relations with Iran will leave them liable to millions of dollars in fines by the United States, like in the past.

Some days ago, a spokesperson for the White House said that the nuclear deal does not imply an obligation on the part of the United States to readmit fully Iran into the international economic community and that the Vienna agreement does not say that the end of sanctions includes the use of the US dollar in business dealings between non-US banks and Tehran.

In fact, the agreement does provide for an end to financial sanctions and renewed financial relations between the Islamic Republic and the rest of the world. For several experts, Washingtons narrow interpretation is at least contrary to the spirit of the agreement and de facto perpetuates the embargo.

Reality on the ground highlights the hardships Iranians face. Out of a population of almost 80 million, half is under the age of 35 years. Youth unemployment stands at 20 per cent with many Iranians hoping to emigrate for a better future. Life is not easy for those who want to remain.

"Myself and many people I know need to work at two or three jobs to support our families, said Hassan, 40. I work in an office during the day, and at a mechanical cooperative in the evenings. Even my wife has been forced to work. During the day she is a teacher and in the evening she bakes sweets, and tries to sell them to pastry shops."

Tehran has become like New York, a "city that never sleeps." For the US metropolis, this title is because it is the capital of the globalised world, an engine of world finance. Tehran Instead is this way because it suffers from isolation. The financial prison in which the West has forced us pushes people to run here and there in search of more money to pay for the rent, food, and childrens schooling .

Revenge of the conservatives

EU foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini recently travelled to Tehran in order to improve cooperation between the European Union and Iran and push the international community (i.e. the US) to facilitate trade.

Yesterday, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif met at the UN in New York to study ways to implement the nuclear agreement and speed up the end of the embargo. However, time is running out politically and from a humanitarian point of view.

Zarifs success (and that of President Hassan Rouhani) with the agreement led to reformers victory in parliamentary elections and in the Assembly of Experts. Neither Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, nor the Revolutionary Guards, or rightwing circles like the end of the embargo because the latter has allowed them to monopolise large chunks of the Iranian economy.

"Irans return as a partner in the international community would force them to keep in mind public opinion and accept business competition, said a journalist. They want to avoid both."

Precisely for this reason, after the election, Khamenei began to launch attacks against the agreement, against the current president, against reformers, and against all those who support an overture to the outside world. They point to the fact that economic situation has not improved, and so argue that the agreement is useless.

"In my opinion, said the journalist, Khamenei is preparing the return of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president who ruined Iran's relations with the international community due to its warmongering threats against the world and Israel. The next presidential elections is set for 2017, and Rouhani might not get another mandate."

Odd alliance

It almost seems that the US and Iranian fundamentalists are allied to scuttle the nuclear deal. The longer Washington takes to allow relations with the banks, the stronger Irans rightwing becomes. A country that has enormous wealth and potential for growth would once again be held back, with the population forced to survive, whilst the hardliners continue to get rich from the embargo.

Iran is not the only issue. Since Rouhani became president, Iran has been able to play a positive diplomatic role across the Middle East, in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

Even though Saudi Arabia continues to accuse Tehran of financing terrorism (hiding its own support for the al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group), Tehrans proposals have been more peaceful, moderate and open so far, with regards to Lebanons presidency, Syria peace negotiations in Geneva, and talks between the government and Houthi in Yemen.

The Saudi policy is haphazard, as well as more brutal, like threatening to withdraw its funds from Lebanon, disrupting the Geneva talks, escalating the war in Yemen, supporting every Mideast dictatorship, except Assads. By perpetuating the embargo, the United States seems to be supporting this situation.

Middle East scholar Shireen Hunter suggests two possible explanations. First, the United States wants Iran to remain unstable until regime change takes place, or possibly the country is dismembered as some of its neighbours would like. Second, it prefers Iran in the hands of its rightwing to scare its neighbours into buying weapons from France, Great Britain, and the United States. It is estimated that in the last 3-4 years Saudi Arabia bought weapons from the US worth US$ 90 billion; not to mention those bought by Qatar, UAE, Iraq, etc.

On one point however, the US and Iran agree, namely the fight against Daesh, the Islamic State group, for which Washington has indirectly turned to Tehran, perhaps the only effective partner in the region in the fight against Sunni extremism, which threatens Iran and all the capitals of the world.

Meanwhile, in the Iranian capital people are sure of one thing. "The 5 per cent of the population that is fundamentalist and anti-Western dominates the 95 per cent that would like to have friendly relations with the West, said Hassan. In the elections, we expressed our will, but to open up Iran to the world, we need a hand from the outside. Our fortunes depend on you."
"Jesus invites us to be his disciples, but to be so we must let ourselves be drawn by the Father to Him. And the humble prayer of the son, that we may also say, is: 'Father, draw me to Jesus; Father, take me to know Jesus', and the Father will send the Spirit to open up our hearts and lead us to Jesus. "

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "A Christian who is not drawn by the Father to Jesus is an orphan, said Pope Francis at Mass celebrated this morning in Casa Santa Marta. Pope Francis began his sermon by recalling the question that the skeptical Jews kept asking Jesus every time he performed a miracle, preached in the temple or pointed the way to the Father: How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.

That question, which the Pope said the Scribes and Pharisees repeat in many different ways, springs from a heart that is closed and blind to the faith. As Jesus explains in todays Gospel reading, you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. Being part of Gods flock, he said, is a grace which requires an open heart. My sheep hear my voice, Jesus says in that reading, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. Have these sheep studied how to follow Jesus and then believed, the Pope asked? No, he said, citing the words from St Johns Gospel, My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. It is the Father who gives the sheep to the shepherd. It is the Father who draws our hearts to Jesus.

The hardness of the Scribes and Pharisees hearts, is a drama which continues all the way to Calvary, the Pope said. They see the works that Jesus performs but they refuse to believe he is the Messiah. Even after the Resurrection, the Pope recalled, this drama continues as the soldiers guarding the tomb are told to say theyd fallen asleep in order to give credit to the story that the disciples had stolen the body of Christ. Not even the witness of those who saw the Risen Christ was able to reach those who refused to believe. And this has its consequences, the Pope said, because they are orphans who have denied their Father.

These doctors of the law, he went on, had closed hearts, they thought they were their own masters but in fact they were orphans because they had no relationship with the Father. They talked about their fathers, Abraham and the patriarchs, but these were distant figures and in their hearts they were orphans because they would not let themselves be drawn to the Father.

On the contrary, the Pope said, reflecting on the first reading for the day, the news that reached Jerusalem of the many pagans who heard the disciples preaching in Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch and turned to the faith, shows what it means to have a heart open to God. Like Barnabas, he said, who is sent to Antioch to confirm these rumours and is not scandalized by the conversion of the pagans but accepts this novelty and lets himself be drawn by the Father to Jesus.

Pope Francis concluded by saying Jesus invites us to be his disciples but to be so, we must let ourselves be drawn by the Father towards Him. The humble prayer we can say is: Father, lead me to Jesus, help me to know Jesus and the Father will send the Spirit to open our hearts and lead us to Him. A Christian who doesnt allow himself to be led by the Father is an orphan, but we have a Father who can lead us to Jesus.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "to distinguish between sin and the sinner: one must not descend to compromises with sin, while sinners  that is, all of us!  are like the sick that are cured, and to cure them the doctor must come close to them, visit and touch them, this is the lesson proposed by Pope Francis today, commenting on the Gospel episode of the sinful woman who with her tears wet Jesus' feet and dried them with her hair.



The Pope told the 40 thousand people in St. Peter's Square for the general audience, that the episode highlights how Divine Mercy is able to able to transform hearts, while the sinner, "teaches us the link between faith, love and gratitude. She was forgiven "many sins" and therefore loves; "Instead he to whom little is forgiven, loves little'".



During the audience, Francis expressed closeness and prayer for "our brothers and sisters in Ecuador" struck by the earthquake and recalled kraines population has been suffering for some time the consequences of an armed conflict, forgotten by many. As you know, I have invited the Church in Europe to support the initiative announced by me to support this humanitarian emergency. I thank ahead of time all those that will contribute generously to the initiative, which will take place next Sunday, April 24". And greeting the pilgrims who have come from Ukraine and Belarus, on the occasion of the international conference on the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy, he said: "While we renew our prayer for the victims of this disaster, we express our gratitude to the rescuers and for all initiatives with which they have tried to alleviate suffering and damage".



In his catechesis, the Pope emphasized "the contrast between the two figures: that of Simon, the zealous servant of the Law, and that of the anonymous sinful woman. While the former judged others on the basis of their appearance, with her gestures the latter expressed her heart sincerely. Although having invited Jesus, Simon does not want to commit himself or involve his life with the Master. The woman, on the contrary, entrusts herself fully to Him with love and veneration. The Pharisee cannot conceive that Jesus lets Himself to be contaminated by sinners, that is how they thought. He thought that if <Jesus> was really a prophet, He should recognize them and keep them at a distance, so as not to be stained, as if they were lepers. This attitude is typical of a certain way of understanding religion, and it is motivated by the fact that God and sin are radically opposed. However, the Word of God teaches how to distinguish between sin and the sinner: one must not descend to compromises with sin, while sinners  that is, all of us!  are like the sick that are cured, and to cure them the doctor must come close to them, visit and touch them. And, of course, to be cured, the sick person must admit that he is in need of a doctor!

Between the Pharisee and the sinful woman, Jesus aligns Himself with the latter. Free of prejudices that impede mercy from being expressed, the Master lets her be. He, the Holy One of God, lets Himself be touched by her without fear of being contaminated. Jesus is free because He is close to God who is a Merciful Father. Therefore, by entering in relation with the sinful woman, Jesus puts an end to that condition of isolation to which the merciless judgment of the Pharisee and of his fellow citizens, who insulted her, condemned her: Your sins are forgiven (v. 48). So the woman can now go in peace. The Lord saw the sincerity of her faith and of her conversion, therefore, He proclaimed before everyone: Your faith has saved you (v. 50). On one hand, the hypocrisy of the Doctors of the Law, on the other, the humility and sincerity of the woman. All of us are sinners, but we often fall into the temptation of hypocrisy, of believing ourselves better than others and we say: Look at your sin  Instead, we should all look at our sin, our falls, our mistakes and look at the Lord. This is the line of salvation: the relationship between I a sinner and the Lord. If I consider myself just, this relationship of salvation does not happen. At this point, even greater astonishment assails all the table companions: Who is this, who even forgives sins? (v. 49). Jesus does not give an explicit answer, but the sinful womans conversion is before the eyes of all and demonstrates that in Him shines the power of Gods mercy, capable of transforming hearts.

The sinful woman shows us the bond between faith, love and gratitude. Many sins were forgive her, therefore, she loves much; instead, he who is forgiven little, loves little (v. 47). Simon himself must admit that he loves more to whom more has been condoned. God has enclosed all in the same mystery of mercy and, from this love, which always precedes us, we all learn to love. As Saint Paul recalls: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us (Ephesians 1:7-8). In this text, the term grace is practically a synonym of mercy, and is said to be lavish, that is, beyond our expectation, because Gods salvific plan acts for each one of us. Dear brothers, let us be grateful for the gift of faith; we thank the Lord for His very great and unmerited love! Let us allow the love of Christ to be poured into us: the disciple draws from this love and is founded on it; everyone can be nourished and fed by this love. Thus, in the grateful love that we in turn pour on our brothers, in our homes, in the family, in the society, the Lords mercy is communicated to all.
Geneva (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The main representatives of the opposition have begun to leave Geneva, Switzerland, headquarters of the UN peace talks on Syria, judging the continuation of "indirect talks" "unacceptable" while Damascus "bombs and starves the civilian population".

According to the London based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (Osdu), and informants in the area, at least 44 civilians died only yesterday because of Syrian government bombings, which targeted two markets in the province of Idlib, in the north-east.



The area is under the control of the al Nusra Front, a jihadist movement excluded - as was the Islamic state (IS)  from the ceasefire signed on 27 February by the regime and the rebels. A partial cease-fire signed in order to stem a conflict that, since March 2011, has caused at least 270 thousand dead and millions displaced, creating an unprecedented humanitarian emergency.



However, the ceasefire seems to be wavering and the peace talks under the auspices of the United Nations do not seem to help achieve the desired effect. In response to the attacks, the Syrian opposition gathered in the High Negotiations Committee (Hnc), the largest rebel faction and supported by the Saudis, condemned the "massacres." It is, added the rebels in a statement, a further confirmation of the fact that "suspending negotiations was the right choice."



The opposition leaders have begun to abandon the Swiss city, leaving behind only a "technical" representation as confirmed by the general Hnc coordinator Riad Hijjab who has asked the UN Security Council to "review" the terms of the truce.



In spite of the commitment of the United Nations representatives, the choice of the opposition is a blow to the hope of peace and negotiations for a political solution that includes: a new Constitution; Presidential elections; parliamentary elections, to be completed by September 2017.

The second round of negotiations started on 13 April and should have been completed on 22 April. Today the special UN envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is expected to meet with government representatives.



On the eve of the face to face talks Syrian government delegates said they were ready to discuss the formation of a new national unity government, while reiterating the fact that the fate of President Bashar al-Assad remains out of any discussion. Bashar al-Jaafari, head of the Damascus delegation, said that "a broader unity government is the only topic of discussion", while the future of Assad "is not within our powers."

Analysts and experts believe the current stage of negotiations now at an impasse, unable to deliver further progress. According to Karim Bitar, Iris international and strategic relations expert, "the opposition has come to the conclusion that the negotiations are merely a smokescreen that allowed the regime to consolidate its power."



Meanwhile, international diplomacy and world powers are scrambling to save the fragile truce and the peace path. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, has condemned the "capricious behavior" of the opposition, adding that "negotiations have not frozen" in spite of the departure of Hnc leaders. In a statement the leaders of US diplomacy add that the peace negotiations are not dead and recall that, thanks to the ceasefire, there has been a 70% drop in violence than in the past.
Forget eastern promise  it seems that eastern optimism has now taken over as a key economic driver in Asia.

The worlds most hopeful people live in China, India and Indonesia, a survey of the worlds 20 leading economies, the bloc known as the G20, has found.

The study, commissioned by Handelsblatt and conducted by YouGov, reveals that three quarters of the residents of the three Asian countries think their personal situation will improve in the next three years.

And overall, people in Asian G20 countries were far more hopeful about the future compared to people in other member countries.

The study, a barometer of G20 attitudes, surveyed 20,000 people across the G20, providing rare insights into peoples thinking in different countries and regions.

It found that among Asian G20 members, 47 to 66 percent of people expect their childrens lives will be better than theirs. India polled the highest number of people who are content with their own economic situation.

But there are pessimists in the region too  in Japan and South Korea. After years of deflation and low growth, only 12 percent of people living in Japan expect their own situation to improve. The majority, or 42 percent, expects their childrens situation to be worse than their own. The proportion in South Korea was even higher, at 46 percent.

In terms of national pride, Asian G20 countries are also divided. People in India thought their country had the best political system, the second-best economic system and the second best standard of living in the world after the United States.

In South Korea and Japan, many people see China as an aggressive world power.

People in China and Indonesia also think their political systems are among the most advanced. The people of all three countries saw their own nation as a benevolent major power.

Again, views differed significantly across the region. In South Korea, people had less regard for their own political system and also their quality of life. In terms of the latter, in Japan the majority responded, I dont know, also suggesting uncertainty.

A further feature of the poll in Asia was how the countries in the region see each other. In South Korea and Japan, many people see China as an aggressive world power. People in China see Japan as an unfriendly world power, while South Koreans see both Japan and China as unfriendly.

And while in Indonesia people orient themselves towards Japan as an economic model, people in India look to the United States and the United Kingdom.

People living in the G20 countries in the region gave a variety of reasons for the differences in opinion.

Hu Ying, a 33-year old assistant at a cultural company in China, where per capita income has increased by a factor of 24 since 1990, said: China has undergone a huge change. Many people became very wealthy very quickly.

China was among the few countries whose people see it as a major world power  matched only by India, Russia and the United States. In terms of Chinas potential as a global power, Ms. Hu said the country isnt aiming for domination, but to secure a good standard of living for its people. Chinese people work hard, whether theyre migrant workers or managers, she said.

In China, 62 percent saw the country as a suitable leader for a shared government of the leading industrial and developing nations  although only 4 percent voted for President Xi Jinping as a potential global leader.

Hu said the control of the Internet in her country bothered her, athough she added: Anyone who knows a bit about IT can get around the firewall. Despite restrictions in the freedom of expression and the dominant one party system, 41 percent of people living in China said they believed in the political system there.

This faith isnt wholly matched by people in Japan, the survey found.

There, people rated the United States as having the best economic and political system in the world. People in Japan see the United States and their own country as equally benevolent world powers.

Respondents from Japan also expressed admiration for France and Germany, for their occasional opposition to U.S. policy as well as the strength of their democracies.

Like most people around the world, many Japanese worry about war, terrorism and inequality. But many hope, too, that their children will have more opportunities than their parents and live in a less rigid society.

People in Japan respect Germany for Chancellor Merkels stance in the refugee crisis. She stood up for her ideals, said Yoshio Hotta, a PR specialist and a journalist who spent 25 years working in the United States. No Japanese politician would have been able to push through their policies that way.

In Indonesia, people worry more than average about terrorism, war, religious conflict and hunger. But, one citizen said she doesnt fear a war between Islam and the West. On both sides, there are people who try and turn the cultures against one another, said Diajeng Lestari. But people are smart and they can use the Internet to gather information and find out whether what theyre being told is right or wrong.

Lestari, who runs a fashion business, sees no clash between Islam and modern life, nor does she see the headscarf she wears as a problem. She trusts Germany will manage to integrate the influx of refugees and said she was impressed that countries in Europe are accepting Muslim refugees. She thought wealthy states in the Persian Gulf should do so, too.

Rather than religious conflict, Lestari told pollsters she is concerned about the growing gap between rich and poor in Indonesia. She has faith in her own countrys political system but also, like many other Indonesians, looks to China as a model economy that has freed many from poverty.

In India, despite low per capita income, many are optimistic and people were the most satisfied of all 20,000 people polled. Two-thirds of people living in India were satisfied with their personal economic situation  and expect it to keep improving. Nearly 60 percent said they thought people born now would have a better future.

Not everyone took that view. I only see poverty, the same as always, said Ravichandran Bathran, a researcher. He took a critical view of Narendra Modi, the countrys prime minister, though the majority of Indians trust their leader more than other heads of state. Broadly, Indian respondents showed pride and optimism about their political and economic systems.

Others though look for a leadership beyond individual politicians  such as Sungun Chang of South Korea. I think these issues have to be dealt with on a global level, she said. We all live on this one planet. She said the Pope or Warren Buffett could potentially take such a leadership role.

Like many around the world, she listed Germany and Canada among countries that appealed. Of economic systems, she said: The European countries have managed the best. Chang also hoped that the situation for herself and her country would improve  but said her generation has it better than many born today.

(YouGov asked 1,000 people in each of the worlds 20 leading economies, the G20, about their attitudes in a poll conducted online between January 19 and February 23.)
This year will mark the 102nd anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident where 376 passengers of mostly Sikh descent arrived in Vancouver and were refused entry to Canada due to the discriminatory laws of the time. The passengers of the Komagata Maru like millions of immigrants to Canada since were seeking refuge and better lives for their families. With so much to contribute to their new home, they chose Canada and we failed them utterly. As a nation, we should never forget the prejudice suffered by the Sikh community at the hands of the Canadian government of the day. We should not and we will not. That is why next month, on May 18, I will stand in the House of Commons and offer a full apology for the Komagata Maru incident.

An apology made in the House of Commons will not erase the pain and suffering of those who lives through that shameful experience, but an apology is not only the appropriate action to take, its the right action to take and the House is the appropriate place for it to happen. It was in the House of Commons that the laws that prevented the passengers from disembarking were first passed and so its fitting that the government should apologize there on behalf of all Canadians. Its what the victims of the Komagata Maru incident deserve and we owe them nothing less.

Just as we look back and acknowledge where were failed, so too do we need to celebrate the remarkable success of the Sikh community here in Canada and Vaisakhi is the perfect opportunity to do just that. April is a special month, not only for Sikhs but for all Canadians. It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Charter of rights and freedoms which ensures that no Canadian needs to make the choice between their religion and activities in their day-to-day lives. The charter ensures that the five Ks are protected. As Canadian Sikhs gather with their loved ones to mark the creation of the Khalsa, its a chance to reflect on shared values and celebrate the successes of the past year.

(An excerpt from Maclean editorial)
Photo caption: Those who are constantly in a rush often don't know where they're going. (Reuters/ Tim Wimborne)

By Olivia Goldhill

Special to The Post

If youre reading this on your phone, rushing to the subway while hunting for your headphones, then you need to stop. At least, thats what Sren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher who lived at the beginning of the 19th century, would advise. Last week, brainpickings pointed out just how relevant Kierkegaards writings on busyness are to our lives today.

And indeed, as we race from the office to the gym to a dinner, proudly showing off our jam-packed schedules, its worth remembering Kierkegaards warnings about busyness from centuries ago. He wrote:

Of all ridiculous things the most ridiculous seems to me, to be busyto be a man who is brisk about his food and his work What, I wonder, do these busy folks get done?

Stephen Evans, a philosophy professor at Baylor University, explains that Kierkegaard saw busyness as a means of distracting oneself from truly important questions, such as who you are and what life is for. Busy people fill up their time, always find things to do, but they have no principle guiding their life. Everything is important but nothing is important, he adds.

Without answering crucial and terrifying questions about life, without deciding on a unified purpose, Kierkegaard believed that one could not develop a self. He called those with without one unified purpose double minded, and argued that this mindset causes busyness.

And so busyness and lack of self are a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. If you dont have a self, you dont want to be aware of that, Evans says. You always have to stay busy.

Kierkegaards concerns about busyness are also connected with his view of time, and the importance of living in the present. The unhappy man is always absent from himself, never present to himself, he wrote. In other words, obsessing over future goals, and keeping frenetically busy with an eye to some far-off date, is a way of distracting oneself from present reality.

Of course, its possible to have an active life without being busy. Kierkegaard says that religious love, for example, is sheer action. But its action suffused with constant knowledge of a unified purpose, and so a sense of calm pervades the activity.

Avoiding busyness, especially in a time and society that seems to expect it, is not easy. But Karl Aho, who recently presented a PhD dissertation on Kierkegaards notion of time at Baylor University, argues that its a worthwhile goaland that, by refusing to address the important questions, and instead living a double minded and busy life, one can become afraid to commit to a single person and cause, and so can lead to missing out on ones calling or marriage. Its worth reading Kierkegaard, for all the nuances and style of his argument, but contemporary comedian Aziz Ansari has made a similar point, suggesting that our incessant FOMO (fear of missing out) prevents us from focusing and committing to one person.

If Kierkegaard had this view on busyness in the 19th century, he would likely be both amused and terrified by our frenetic pace and myriad means of distraction todayusing Netflix to distract ourselves from contemplative solitude, deriving meaning from likes we receive on Facebook, and constantly evaluating our surroundings according to how theyd look on Instagram, rather than simply engaging in the present moment.

Though perhaps he wouldnt be surprised. Philosophers such as Josef Pieper and Mark Tietjen have argued that Kierkegaard saw busyness as a form of slothat the other extreme to laziness, but a vice just the same. Busyness may not look like sloth as we typically imagine it, as a person lolling around and refusing to engage in any activity, but its a form of mental or spiritual apathy, a refusal to take up genuine and meaningful work and so, in this sense, its lazy.

On this reading, Aho says, Kierkhaard diagnosed busyness as a common flaw of the human condition. And so while it may be exacerbated by contemporary technologies, its not unique to our timesand will not subside unless we make a conscious effort to root ourselves in the present and engage with bigger questions to find meaning in life.

This piece was originally appeared in Quartz (qz.com). See http://qz.com/663552/150-years-ago-a-world-famous-philosopher-called-busyness-the-sign-of-an-unhappy-person/
Photo caption: Thomas Mulcair shares a laugh with NDP delegates at this past weekend's party convention in Edmonton./ Photo Credit: Thomas Mulcair Twitter

By Fred Maroun

Special to The Post

Tom Mulcair was removed as leader of the NDP because of the partys disappointing result in the last federal election. The election started with Mulcair as the favourite to become prime minister, and it ended with the NDP back to its traditional third place.

There is, however, a more interesting element behind Mulcairs defeat. While many of the convention attendees expressed sadness that they had to make the difficult decision of removing Mulcair, the left-wing of the party openly celebrated his demise, pumping their fists in the air in delight.

Mulcair would likely have been a competent prime minister, but while he had the same policies as Jack Layton, he did not have his charisma. Mulcairs term as leader ended with a humiliating vote. He was two per cent short of the 50 per cent that would have at least allowed him to resign with dignity. Had he received the support of some of the left-wing of the party, he would at least passed the 50 per cent mark.

Careful language

Unlike the party moderates who voted against Mulcair because they felt that he could not win, the left-wing voted against him purely for ideological reasons. The most salient point of disagreement between them is that Mulcair is moderately pro-Israel whereas the extreme left is vehemently anti-Israel. The extremists have been waiting for an opportunity to exact their revenge on him. This past weekend, that opportunity finally materialized.

The defeat came despite Mulcair's attempts to appease the extremists. Despite being pro-Israel, Mulcair used very careful language on this topic since he became leader and he managed to prevent a public war within the party between the pro-Israel and the anti-Israel camps. He even voted against a Conservative resolution in Parliament that condemned the anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement, refusing to join the Liberals who voted for it.

Mulcairs stand in support of the wearing of the niqab at citizenship ceremonies during the last election also appeared to be an attempt to appease the extreme left. They were not appeased, and they took the first opportunity to humiliate him.

Extremists in the ranks

The presence of a virulently anti-Israel faction has now become common in Western left-wing parties. The U.K Labour party even elected the anti-Israel Jeremy Corbyn as its leader. The anti-Israel hysteria found on the extreme left is fed by its victimization fetish, and it goes far beyond reasonable criticism. Its singling out of the only Jewish state for extreme and unbalanced criticism feeds anti-Semitism.

U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump was roundly criticized by many Republicans when it became known that he had not immediately repudiated the support of high-profile racists. No Western party today would tolerate an openly racist faction within it, yet the anti-Semitism fostered by the extreme left is rarely challenged.

Mulcairs predecessors Jack Layton and Alexa McDonough took courageous steps in trying to cleanse the party of its anti-Israel elements, and Mulcair continued the same policies. For example, he refused to accept candidates who are blatantly anti-Israel. Mulcair, however, should have taken the fight against the extremists to the next level. The extremists never left the party. They were lurking in the shadows, waiting for the next opportunity to strike. Mulcair should have made his support for Israel much more visible, like Stephen Harper did, which would have caused the extremists to leave in disgust.

But Mulcair allowed the extremists to remain and to ignore the partys low-key pro-Israel policies. The extremists have a strong presence in the grassroots of the party, and Mulcair did nothing to change that.

Alberta revolt

While Jack Layton was a transformational figure who changed the party into a much more modern and credible machine that was seen by Canadian voters as a possible party of government, marginalizing the extreme left, Mulcair failed to take the step of eliminating the extreme left altogether. The NDP is now back to being a third party, both in numbers and in mindset. To the chagrin of the Alberta NDP which is now in power, the party is now debating a Leap Manifesto that would make the federal party completely unelectable and would damage their provincial chances as well.

Mulcair is leaving a party deeply divided. He failed to leave a lasting mark. His experience and knowledge would have made him an excellent Cabinet minister in a Jack Layton government, but it turns out that leading a left-wing party with a deep extremist mentality at its grassroots was beyond his capabilities.

He tried to buy the extremists loyalty by appeasing them, mirroring the NDPs approach towards ISIS, but like with ISIS, appeasement only feeds the problem and makes the extremists stronger. In the end, the NDPs extremists delivered the fatal blow and then rejoiced in seeing Mulcair go down to a humiliating defeat.

Fred Maroun is a Canadian of Arab origin. He lived in Lebanon until 1984, including during 10 years of civil war. He writes at http://www.jpost.com/Blogger/Fred-Maroun and http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/fred-maroun/.

This piece was originally appeared in New Canadian Media (newcanadianmedia.ca). See newcanadianmedia.ca/item/34295-mulcair-defeat-appeasement-never-works-mulcair-defeat-appeasement-never-works
College Major Provides Insight On IQ And Personality

Trending News: What Your College Major Says About You

Why Is This Important?

Because maybe all those stereotypes are true.

Long Story Short

An analysis of twelve international studies shows a link between the personality characteristics of students and their choice of college major. Knowing what sort of personality types are drawn to different fields of study can help educators build college programs that have more consistent appeal and help guidance counselors suggest fields of study that could even have implications for long-term career satisfaction.

Long Story

Start digging through studies on the subject and youll discover there are incontrovertible links between personality type and the majors people choose in college.

Rated right up there for neuroticism and openness are psychology students.

Engineering students are not so big on openness, and rated medium for neuroticism and conscientiousness.

Anna Vedel, a psychologist at Aarhus University in Denmark, offers a note of caution: Large variations within the groups exist, and many individuals will not, of course, fit the personality pattern of their academic major.

What else? Science majors tend to be very open and extroverted, with a rating of medium for neuroticism.

Openness suggests many intellectual interests, an active imagination and an appreciation of variety.

Vedel examined twelve studies that looked at the link between the personality traits of nearly 13,500 college students from around the world and the majors they selected.

Each study rated each student on five key personality traits  openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and extroversion.

Based on the results of her analysis, its safe to say arts and humanities students are not so conscientious and organized, but scored high for openness and neuroticism.

Law students were extremely extroverted, moderately neurotic and conscientious, but showed low scores for openness and agreeableness.

In terms of personality profile, economics students were mirrors of law students.

Like law students, medical students were very extroverted, but unlike law students, they were also very agreeable.

The results of Vedels analysis prompt more questions; for instance, does the particular personality choose the major, or does the major shape the personality?

That question is partially answered by two studies examined by Vedel that rated the personality traits of students before they chose majors. Those studies suggest its the students personality that leads them to choose particular majors, but Vedel says more research into that question is needed.

The study, which appears in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, suggests women tend to be more neurotic, agreeable and conscientious than men.

Who knows? Knowing the personality traits of college majors may explain why some people drive cars perceived as happy, versus neurotic.

Since red is considered the color of extroversion and orange the color of good-naturedness, it may also explain why people prefer certain colors.

Perhaps being aware of personality tendencies can make the entire world a more sensible place. It may make college a more sensible place.

Vedel suggests knowing the personality traits of college majors can help schools make courses and academic programs more appealing to students. Not only that, guidance counselors can suggest unlikely fields of study to students based on their personality profiles.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question: Does this info make you want to change majors?

Disrupt Your Feed: If matching personality types to college majors can improve academic success and career satisfaction, then matching personality types to subjects taught, could lead to way better teachers.

Drop This Fact: Research already shows a good match between personality and college major, leads to higher grades and a higher graduation rate.
Hi All,



I am from Sri Lanka currently working and living in Singapore.



I am currently waiting for the out come of the 309 application for the partner migration visa category. It has been 1 1/2 months since I have logged the application. Hence its a wait I thought of sharing my experience.



My partner is Sri Lankan, Living and working in Australia(PR). We met through common friends in Mar 2013 and JUN 2015 we did our ROM.



As per our customs we did our customary wedding ceremony on Jan 2016. Soon after the wedding ceremony I logged the paper application to VFS global Singapore on 3rd March 2016.



On 4th Mar AHC requested Medical check-up and PC.



5th Mar did the medical and 14 Mar submitted the PC.



Now I'm waiting for the outcome of the application.



So far no news from the CO.



When I logged the application, They have informed me it would take average of 10 mnths for the outcome.



If you do have similar experience, please do share. Specially from Singapore.



Thank you.



Cheers,

Gayan
Hi my parent and I are applying for the onshore partner visa together. We're having a slight problem with our application though. We just bought a house together and we've been renting for the last year. When I have to put down our residential address should I put our current and then inform immigration later of the change? I'm very unsure of how to go about it, would very much appreciate the help thanks!
HP

The first pictures of the upcoming C3 are focused on the WRC version of the French car, which will race in the most important class of rallying in the world starting next year.Instead of sticking with the DS3 and providing it with an update for current FIA regulations, the French brand has decided to separate its competition department from the DS brand and developed a new generation of racing cars on the platform of the upcoming C3.Citroen let driver Kris Meeke be the first to test the new race car, and he performed gravel runs in the area of Chateau de Lastours and Fontjoncouse.Meeke stated that the new car is fascinating thanks to the efficiency of the aerodynamic enhancements and the increased power level, WRC reports.While the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and its 380output are interesting, the showcase of Citroens WRC fighter for 2017 is more important than others because it reveals the design language behind the next generation of the street version of the car.As most of you know, rally cars are loosely based on their street equivalents, and WRC models make no exception. While the components are not interchangeable between the street and rally version, and the mechanical parts are not shared in any way, the race cars follow the same design language as the production models whose names they bear.So, in the case of the upcoming Citroen C3, we now have an idea regarding the style that will be applied to the front end of the new hatchback, as well as a hint regarding the front bumper design. Naturally, the production model destined for regular customers will not have a huge wing, hood scoop, or fender flares, but the window line and general shape of the car will be replicated.If Citroen goes forward with this sleek front grille and headlamps, the carmaker has a promising design in front of them. Fortunately, we do not have to wait for long, as the new C3 is only a few months away from unveiling.
Starting at 30,600 in the United Kingdom, the pricing hasnt changed over the current model year, yet the exterior color palette has. Now available in no less than 18 different paint jobs, the Evoque also gains an updated all-terrain system. Offered as standard on the HSE Dynamic trim level and above, Low Traction Launch aims to maximize traction in low-grip situations by controlling the torque sent to each wheel.For the 2017 Range Rover Evoque SE Tech (33,000), the automaker has added automatic high beam assist and 12-way powered seats as standard. The HSE Dynamic (41,400) and trim levels above it receive a suite of goodies for the InControl infotainment system: 1,280 x 542-pixel resolution for the 10.2-inch display, 3D mapping, birds eye view navigation, faster responses, smartphone-like pan and pinch to zoom, as well as Touch Pro technology.The latter enables the driver to sync their smartphone with the car to help pre-plan a route. Navigation will continue on the smartphone after the driver leaves the vehicle. As an added (and somewhat useless) bonus, the system can share the ETA with other users via text message.This may sound confusing, but the Evoque now has an even more lavish trim level than the Autobiography. Christened Graphite Design, you should think of it as a visual package for the Autobiography. Its highlights are 20-inch alloy wheels which are finished in Satin Technical Grey, a black grille with Dorchester Grey surround, a black roof and black Range Rover lettering, black exhaust surrounds, black mirror caps, foglight surrounds, vents, black everything. Even the headlights and taillights are garnished with a darker tint. The price of the pack? Thatll be 2,125, thank you!What about the Ember Special Edition? Well, this Range Rover Evoque is based on the HSE Dynamic and commands a premium of 3,800. For the money spent, you get the car pictured in the gallery below. It does look the part in Santorini Black with Firenze Red accenting, doesnt it?The exterior color combo continues inside, where the Ember Edition boasts black leather seats and gloss black trim, as well as red stitching and red carpets. Priced at 47,200, the Ember is only available with the 177 horsepower Ingenium turbo diesel.Sales of the 2017 Range Rover Evoque will start this summer, with deliveries slated for September.
We loved the Mercedes-Benz AA spot. Its worth noting that it comes with a complimentary recharging station. pic.twitter.com/HugnHJvLzX  Mercedes-Benz USA (@MBUSA) April 18, 2016

It all started quite reasonably, so you'd be excused if you thought everything was in order and went for a new beer or something. Julia Louis-Dreyfus shows up dressed in black against a black background, with professional lighting and acting all serious. She delivers her speech in an overly theatrical manner, but then again who are we to judge the woman's performances as an actor? We loved her in Seinfeld, after all, so she must be good.She begins talking about the wonders of the AA batteries, which sounds a bit like the '80s, but we'll bear with you Elaine because we like how you dance. But when she introduces the new Mercedes-Benz AA-Class, there is no doubt left: we're in for some comedy. Let's hope it's a good one.Well, we thought it was, but we'll let you watch the clip below and make your own mind up. Apparently, somebody at Mercedes-Benz USA also thought it was clever, so instead of huffing and puffing and issuing a press release saying that Mercedes-Benz would never build a sedan powered by AA batteries - in typical German humor - it figured out a better response.Taking to Twitter, the US branch of the Stuttgart company played along and praised the spot, while also noting that the AA-Class electric sedan comes with a complimentary recharging station. They also included a picture of this device, and it's predictably nothing more than your usual electrical outlet charger. You know, like the one you used five years ago for the AA batteries in your digital camera.The MBUSA tweet doesn't state this, but we're sure it's just an omission on their part, so we'll make amends here: batteries not included.
SUV

It's common for one or even several photos of a new car to be leaked right before the debut. This image has been circulating on the Internet over the past couple of hours, and we see no reason why it wouldn't be "official." The headlights are our main clue since they perfectly match the official teaser from earlier today.The design language is the same as the Talisman sedan and wagon, which does not surprise us. The headlights are connected in the middle by a trademark Renault grille and badge, while the daytime running lights resemble the letter J.This is going to be so much more than a bigger version of the Kadjar, as the interior quality will surpass its little brother. Renault also has several advanced technologies that the Nissan X-Trail sister car lacks. These include a 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox and rear-wheel steering.The newwill have a crucial job of replacing the Koleos, which is especially important in China. However, all the engines will be tailored to meet the stringent European emissions regulations. That means you can say goodbye to large displacements and hello to the 1.6-liter turbo that will dominate the range.The only major unknown is the name. While the car websites from across Europe have continued to call this SUV "Maxthon," we've cut against the grain today. According to our research, Renault does not have the right to use that name but has trademarked Kilimanjaro and Kayak . Both start with the letter K, thus fitting the French carmaker's MO perfectly.Like we said already, everything will be revealed tomorrow, when we will say "we told you so" or have a thin slice of humble pie.
Azra will invest $40 million over the next 18 months to install 2,000 new electric charging stations and to introduce and deploy the Twizy, Renaults first 100% electric vehicle in Canada.

Photo courtesy of Renault

The Twizy is a 100% electric, low speed vehicle, and was designed by the Renault Sport team. Certified by Transport Canada on March 1, 2016, it has a type-1 charging cable and side reflectors with a speed capped at at 25 miles per hour, according to the automaker.

The Twizy will be available for lease at CA$99 (US$77) per month, which includes the costs of registration and insurance. Azra-Partenaire-Renault-Partner said it has teamed up with Uni-Select to assist with the management and maintenance of the vehicle fleet.

Azra said it will install 2,000 charging stations over the next 18 months in an effort to increase the accessibility of charging stations for Canadian EV drivers. The stations will be equipped with 7 kW-50 kW power charges that can serve up to four users. Azra will install a station for free on private property of companies it has partnered with.
Mitsubishi's eK Wagon, photo via Wikimedia.

Mitsubishi Motors has admitted to inflating fuel-economy ratings for approximately 625,000 vehicles sold in the Japanese market, including the eK Wagon, eK Space, and Nissan's Dayz, which the automaker created for Nissan Motor.

An internal inquiry uncovered the fuel consumption cheat that was perpetuated by Nissan's questioning of the vehicles' fuel consumption data, according to NPR.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the Japanese automaker stated that employees improperly reduced tire running resistance on vehicles that were being tested for fuel efficiency.

The manipulation of the vehicles' fuel rating involved the way Mitsubishi calculated the effect of wind and tire resistance on the car during driving simulations, reports the New York Times. But the automaker admitted to secretly using a test method that can produce lower resistance and make the vehicle appear to be able to travel farther on less fuel.

Top Mitsubishi executives said they were not aware of the manipulation until it was pointed out by Nissan, the report went on to say.
Nissan Brazil recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of its industrial complex in Resende, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

Since the beginning of its operations, the Nissan Resende Industrial Complex has produced more than 70,000 cars, and it currently has about 1,800 employees. The Resende plant began production with the Nissan March and the 1.6-liter 16V Flex fuel engine. Facilities offer a complete production cycle, from metal press, plastic injection, assembly, quality inspection and test track, according to the automaker.

The Nissan Versa sedan was also produced at the facility, and it was announced in January that Nissan Kicks would be manufactured there.

Inspired by the Kicks Concept exhibited at the 2014 Sao Paulo Motor Show and Buenos Aires Motor Show in 2015, Nissan said it decided to make it a production vehicle for which it will invest $211 million over the next three years.

Recently, the Resende team completed a $845,000 investment for a plastic paint process called wet. In it, the application of the base and the varnish is made soon after the application of primer, making the process shorter and reducing energy consumption, according to the automaker.

This facility is the result of a $732 million investment, and it is the first standalone Nissan manufacturing site in the country, according to the company.
Ford recently came up with an enhanced version of the F-150 pickup truck specifically for the police. The new vehicle is not intended for pursuits but showcases a number of heavy-duty components.

The 2016 Ford F-150 Special Service Vehicle package is supposed to meet the various challenges that police officers meet on and off the road. The new pickup truck will be functional for law enforcers and roadside assistance providers.

New post: "Ford offers new F-150 pickup truck ffor police duty" https://t.co/f334Yyx7F8  USA tday (@mshusa) April 19, 2016

We offer a whole family of police vehicles. Our lineup aims to fulfill the unique needs of law enforcement officers and our F-150 Special Service Vehicle is an extension of that offering," stated Arie Groenveld, Ford chief program engineer for police vehicles, in a report by Business Wire. "This vehicle definitely lives up to its Built Ford Tough reputation,

Government and fleet customers can choose between SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations for the 2016 Ford F-150 Special Service Vehicle package, depending on their specific objectives. The vehicle is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 or high-torque 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and comes in either a 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain. The package provides a high-output alternator for power requirements. The stock unit was replaced with a 240-amp alternator that can handle extended idle periods.

The standard 40/20/20 seats were also exchanged with 40/blank/40 seats. The vehicle also features easy-clean vinyl bench seats and flooring for messy situations. The center console has been taken out to allow custom equipment add-ons. The extra space in the back can be used as a kennel for bomb-sniffing dogs while the extra cab space can accommodate computers and other police equipment.

Stephen Tyler, Ford police marketing manager, said that many road officers need the added space that the F-150 Special Service Vehicle offers. They can conveniently load the cargo box with equipment and still accommodate five people inside. The new pickup truck is one of the best utility vehicles available today.

The Ford F-150 Special Police Vehicle will be ideal for tough and rugged police activities. It can handle situations in off-road settings and will be a good choice for special tasks aside from chasing down criminals.

USA Today notes that Ford has other vehicles that service police agencies, such as the Ford Explorer SUV and Ford Taurus sedan. Ford also has a Transit Prisoner Transport Vehicle, an Expedition Special Service Vehicle, a Special Service Police Sedan, a Police Interceptor Sedan, and a Police Interceptor Utility vehicle. Each of these vehicles is specifically customized to meet the needs of officers everywhere.
Jaguar will stop designing station wagons. Instead, the company will reset its focus on crossover vehicles, which are quickly growing in popularity throughout the world.

Ian Callum, design chief at Jaguar, said that the company will cease its activities in the luxury sport wagon market and set its sights on crossovers.

Ian Callum: Jaguar Won't Do Any More Station Wagons https://t.co/PKNaYHOUbe pic.twitter.com/yr0Wjyz2tR  Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) April 19, 2016

Im very sad about it but its a very difficult market to justify, Callum said during an event for the F-Pace crossover vehicle, in a report by Automotive News.

Callum, a fan of wagons himself, admitted that the wagon market is getting smaller quickly. He feels sad about Jaguar, a British brand, having to move away from the market.

He continued that the biggest wagon market in the world is German, but Germans prefer to buy German cars. He was referring to German brands Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which offer wagon variants of their basic sedan models in Europe.

The United Kingdom is the second biggest market in Europe. However, British customers are not too inclined on purchasing station wagons compared to their German, Swiss and Austrian counterparts.

Station wagons only sell in huge numbers in Europe, but there is a noticeable shift of preference towards SUVs, in terms of family transportation, according to Road and Track. It was a sensible and financially strategic move for Jaguar to move on to the crossover and SUV market instead of staying hopeful that the wagon market would improve in time.

Andy Goss, sales and marketing head of Jaguar Land Rover, said at the F-Pace launch that wagons are not strong in the United States and China, although SUVs are strong in almost every part of the globe.

Automotive News reveals that Jaguar previously offered only two wagon variants. The first is a wagon version of the X-Type midsize sedan that released in 2004 while the second is a wagon version of the previous-generation XF large sedan that launched in 2012. When the XF Sportbrake wagon was introduced in 2012, wagons comprised about 30 percent of the large premium car market in Europe, according to Jaguar.

In the meantime, Callum expects the F-Pace crossover vehicle to become Jaguars best-selling car yet, moving past the XJ sedan and X-Type in the process. There are also rumors that Jaguar is already planning to work on a smaller SUV next.

Ian Callum teased that Jaguar will continue to do things that will surprise customers although these will no longer involve wagons. More updates and details are expected soon.
Audi has once again partnered with Marvel to showcase several of its models in the upcoming film "Captain America: Civil War."

Since "Iron Man" in 2008, Audi cars have actually been featured in almost every Marvel-related film. In "Civil War," the 2017 Audi R8 V10 plus Coupe, 2017 Audi SQ7, 2017 A4 and 2016 A7 Sportback will be featured. The Audi Prologue concept car that debuted at the 2014 LA Auto Show will also be seen in the film. A new clip, titled The Chase, provided a glimpse of the German cars in action.

Digital Trends notes that in the video, Captain America (Chris Evans) was chasing a new character in the series named Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), who is also running after the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). There was a family in a 2017 SQ7 that got entangled in the footrace.

Captain America took over the Audi SQ7, while Black Panther clung to the back of another Audi vehicle. All police vehicles going after the trio were also by Audi. There were brief shots of the four rings on the grilles of the cars as they dashed inside the dark tunnel. The clip ended with the mother in the family car deciding to take a shortcut away from the dangerous pursuit and heading towards a peaceful road.

In the film, Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) will drive the R8 V10 again, Zemo (Daniel Bruhl) will handle the A7 Sportback, while Agent 13 (Emily VanCamp) will drive the Audi A4.

Audi. The brand everyone is chasing, Audi stated at the end of the video.

According to Anthony Russo, director of Captain America: Civil War, the production team has been aiming to provide an almost 'present-day' experience to viewers. The have also successfully maintained the proper balance between real world and the future by working with Audi, Russo pointed out. This allowed them access to Audi's current models and most advanced designs.

Pursuitist also stated that Audi hopes that their appearance in the movie will help introduce their technology to more people. Loren Angelo, Director of Marketing, Audi of America, said that the company is excited to be a mainstay for the Marvel franchise and provide support to their team of heroes with a fleet the brand's models.
At Aero in Friedrichshafen, Germany, this week, Eclipse, under its One Aviation banner, was showing the first completely certified-for-Europe 550, a new-production aircraft that CEO Alan Klapmeier flew from the U.S. Before the show, Klapmeier told us about something were hearing more and more: Regulators in both Europe and the U.S. have become much more cooperative and practical. The airplane on display was a new German-registered Eclipse.

In a podcast, Klapmeier told AVweb that the light end of the aircraft market in Europe is vibrant, but there are still issues in using airplanes for transportation. For transportation, its improving and weve been really happy with the changes at EASA. For an airplane like the Eclipse, basically everything in Europe is two hours away. It drastically shrinks the time and distance it takes to get anywhere, Klapmeier said. Eclipse has delivered four airplanes in Europe and hopes to increase its market share in 2016.

As far as production, One Aviation/Eclipse has entirely reconstituted the original assembly line in Albuquerque and although it was offshoring some parts manufacturing for a short period, Klapmeier said the company is taking more work back in house, a trend thats apparent in other aerospace companies as well.
photo by Bob Berlyn

Powered by a custom-mixed 50-50-blend of aviation biofuel and Jet A, schoolteacher Ross McCurdy, his 12-year-old son Aedan and a rotating crew of second pilots are spending school break flying across the U.S. east to west in a diesel-powered Cessna 182, to promote the potential of eco-friendly fuels. We achieved a milestone for the flight today, flying over and along the mighty Mississippi river, McCurdy wrote in a blog post on Sunday. The crew launched from Rhode Island on Saturday morning, landed in Dayton and then continued on to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The next planned stop is Grand Prairie, Texas, the U.S. headquarters of SMA, which manufactures the diesel engine in the 182, but according to the latest reports, the crew is still in Arkansas, awaiting better weather.

The aviation biofuel is made from Camelina plant seed oil and blended 50-50 with regular Jet A to meet ASTM D7566 standards, according to McCurdys website. The biofuel was supplied by the Air Force in order to obtain additional aviation-diesel-engine test data, McCurdy wrote. The aviation biofuel blend is run through over 20 lab tests to ensure it meets or exceeds the required specifications. This aviation biofuel blend is a drop-in replacement for Jet A that can be used in jet engines, turboprop engines, and aviation diesel engines. With 50 percent of the fuel made from renewable Camelina plant seed oil, the emissions are reduced, the carbon footprint is significantly lower, and there is no lead in the fuel. The flight will continue to Santa Monica, California, to celebrate an Earth Day event, then head back to Rhode Island. McCurdy and his partners are participating in educational and outreach events at every stop along the route. The aircraft is owned by Paramus Flying School, in New Jersey. Updates and flight tracking are posted at Bioplane.us.
The Weekenders taking off cross-country in search of cookouts and more as found on SocialFlight. The Calaveras Air Faire will take place all day Saturday in San Andreas, California, starting with a Lions Club pancake breakfast and followed by lunch choices of pulled pork, bratwurst sandwiches and hot dogs. Airplanes rides will go all day along with aircraft and classic car displays, plus RC aircraft and music. Also Saturday, New Castle Airport in Delaware will host its first 2016 summer picnic. Bring a chair and something to share, and enjoy seeing a variety of unique aircraft from ultralights to warbirds.

A full weekend of barbecue awaits at the fifth annual Capital City Cook-Off and Fly-In in Lexington, North Carolina. This is an official Kansas City Barbecue Society event, featuring more than 70 competition teams, live music and plenty of food and beverages. Head to Fly High Lexington at the Davidson County Airport for fuel discounts and transportation to the event. DeFuniak Springs Airport in Florida will host its weekend-long Fly-In & Expo featuring the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Memorial Wall, OV-1D Mohawk and displays from the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation Wiregrass Chapter. Campers are welcome and admission is free with a food pantry donation. For more on this weekends events, visit SocialFlight.
20 April 2016 13:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijani Armed Forces have carried out a forced landing of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) - DJI Phantom that belonged to the Armenian military units.

The drone was seized while trying to fly over the Azerbaijani positions on the frontline area, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said on April 20.

Earlier, Azerbaijans military units have destroyed Armenian X-55 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV was destroyed while attempting to fly over the Azerbaijani positions along the frontline.

Another Armenian drone was brought down by the Azerbaijani units on April 7, when it was performing intelligence-gathering operations.

Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on April 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.

--

Nazrin Gadimova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @NazrinGadimova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 April 2016 18:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Nazrin Gadimova

Armenian leaderships recent visit to Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region is another provocative step that exacerbates an already difficult situation.

Hikmet Hajiyev, the Spokesperson for Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry, made the remark commenting on the visit of President Serzh Sargsyan, who was the commander of breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh's military forces in 1992, to the territories that are currently under control of the Armenian military units.

Earlier, Armenian and Russian media reported that the head of Armenia visited Azerbaijans occupied Khankendi region to discuss a wide range of issues related to army building.

Acting in this way, Sargsyan has shown disrespect to the Helsinki Final Act (principles of the sovereign equality, respect for the rights, inherent in sovereignty, inviolability of frontiers, territorial integrity and many others), as well as violated Azerbaijans legislation.

Hajiyev believes that this fact has once again proved that Yerevan is guilty of the recent escalation on the contact line of troops of the Armenian and Azerbaijani armies. He further added that despite persistent calls of the international community, the Armenian side continues to breach ceasefire and this is a serious threat to the stability in the region.

Touching upon Sargsyans statements, Hajiyev stressed that the countrys leadership continues the military rhetoric instead of making steps towards constructive settlement of the long-lasting conflict.

Sargsyan said no word about the future of the region and normalization of Armenias relations with the neighboring countries in his speech, the spokesperson added.

Armenias aggressive policy has resulted in its isolation from regions important countries: Turkey has closed its border after Armenia occupied Azerbaijans internationally recognized territories, while Azerbaijan responded with the same actions after Yerevan's naked aggression.

The Armenian leadership is pushing the countrys young people to ethnic hatred, war and massacre with its theses about populism and artificial patriotism, which is peculiar to military dictators, Hajiyev noted.

The countrys regime tries to deceive the Armenian society that lives in poverty, as well as to distract attention from the military losses and to recover its completely lost credibility and confidence in public, the spokesperson added.

--

Nazrin Gadimova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @NazrinGadimova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 April 2016 14:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Clemens Fuest

On June 23, voters in the United Kingdom will decide whether their country will leave the European Union. They alone will cast ballots, but the political and economic impact of a vote to leave (Brexit) would be felt across the EU, if not the world.

For Germany, Europes largest economy, the consequences of Brexit could be grave. Public opinion in the country is divided on the issue. Some fear that the EU would become less liberal if the UK left. Others, resentful of the UKs presumption that it should be allowed a la carteEU membership, are eager to see the British go. When it comes to the economic impact of Brexit, however, Germany has much to lose and almost nothing to gain.

To begin with, Brexit would change the way multinational companies make investment decisions. The UK could face an exodus of foreign firms, as companies seek to retain a presence in the EU. But there is no reason to believe they would necessarily move to Germany; many US multinationals, for example, would likely relocate to Ireland.

At the same time, the EU as a whole  and Germany in particular  would become less attractive to investors. The UK would be free to loosen regulations and lower taxes in order to attract investments for which a foothold in the EU is not necessary. This, too, could reduce investment in Germany.

Second, while some believe that Brexit would cause Frankfurt to rise in importance as a financial center, that outcome is highly uncertain. Today, London is Europes dominant financial center, even though the UK is not a member of the eurozone. This suggests that proximity to the European Central Bank is not an important factor in the success of a financial industry.

To be sure, the EU would come under growing pressure to use regulatory measures to take business away from London, but whether that would work is an open question. Already, Deutsche Borse and the London Stock Exchange have announced that a planned merger will go ahead, regardless of the outcome of the Brexit referendum.

Even if Londons importance as a financial center does decline, some of the business will be picked up by centers outside Europe, such as New York or Hong Kong. And the business that does migrate to the EU could just as easily be snapped up by rivals to Frankfurt, such as Paris.

Third, German exporters are likely to suffer. In 2015, the surplus from trade with the UK topped 50 billion ($57 billion), with German exports totaling roughly 89 billion, or 3% of German GDP. Only France and the United States bought more German goods. Any disruption to bilateral trade would be felt across the country.

Exactly how trade and capital flows would be affected depends on the exit arrangements negotiated between the EU and the UK. If the UK were to remain, like Norway and Iceland, part of the European internal market, the economic damage would be limited. Unfortunately, however, this is unlikely.

Non-EU countries that have access to the European Single Market are also required to comply with most European regulations  which is exactly why the UK wants to leave the EU. Moreover, some European decision-makers might want to make sure that Brexit causes as much pain as possible, to deter others from following the UKs example.

By declaring its intention to leave, the UK would trigger Article 50 of the EU Treaty, which stipulates a two-year deadline for reaching an exit agreement. If no agreement is signed before the deadline, EU membership simply expires. A minority of 35% of the votes in the European Council would be enough to block an agreement that minimizes the economic costs of Brexit.

Finally, Brexit would be a severe setback to European integration. The EUs remaining members might agree more easily on common policies regarding internal and external security and foreign policy; but, for Germany, it would become harder to champion free trade and oppose protectionism.

Currently, the EU contains a bloc of countries  the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Scandinavian and Baltic countries  with favorable views on free trade  that controls roughly 32% of the votes in the European Council. This provides Germany, with its 8% voting share, a pivotal role in economic-policy negotiations. Together with the liberal bloc, Germany can block Council decisions, which enables it to exploit differences between the UK and France and gives it a key role in building consensus.

Should the UK leave, the share of the liberal blocs vote in the Council would fall to just over 25%, reaching about 34% with Germany  just short of a blocking minority. New coalitions can be formed, of course, but German political influence in the EU would surely decline.

Germany, in short, has a strong interest in the UKs continued EU membership. British voters have an opportunity to spare themselves a great deal of economic turmoil, while allowing Germans  and many others across Europe  to breathe a sigh of relief.

Copyright: Project Syndicate: How Germany Views Brexit

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20 April 2016 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijani military products are put on display at the 15th Defense Services Asia Exhibition and Conference kicked off in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on April 18.

At the exhibition to run until April 21, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan is displaying some 220 items of defense products manufactured by the structures enterprises.

Azerbaijan has presented a new machine from the EM14 series -- AZ-7.62. Moreover, the ministry also featured new 7.62mm automatic weapon and improved version of HP-7.62 machine gun of domestic production.

A real samples of many weapons were demonstrated during the exhibition, while heavy military equipment were exhibited in maquette form.

Azerbaijan is participating with a large delegation headed by of Defense Industry Minister Yaver Jamalov.

On the first day of the exhibition Jamalov attended pavilions of several countries and got acquainted with their defense products.



He was particularly interested in optical devices. The delegation hold negotiations with Canadian and Swiss companies, who have extensive experience in optical devices.



They also discussed possibilities of joint cooperation with the representatives of Brazil on 180mm rockets and Italia on ballistic missiles and torpedoes.

During the event the minister will hold meetings with heads of Malaysian and other countries delegation.

In total, more than 1,200 companies from 60 countries are participating in the four-day exhibition.

The presentation of ADEX-2016, the second Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition scheduled for September 27-30, will also be held within the Defense Services Asia.

Azerbaijans expanded military budget has lifted it to the top among its neighbors in the South Caucasus.

The country manufactures the Istiglal sniper rifle, Mubariz rifle, Orbiter-2M unmanned intelligence drones, Gurza armored patrol car, "Matador" and "Marauder" armored vehicles, anti-tank mines, etc.

Last year, the Defense Industry Ministry accomplished work over the creation of night vision devices, prismatic binoculars with a compass, mine fuses of different types and organized their production.

Azerbaijan, which is in war with neighboring Armenia over the latter's territorial claims during more than 20 years, keeps in focus the armament, working closely with leading companies and firms in various fields of military industry.

The country purchased numerous weapons from foreign countries including Turkey, Russia and Israel, to modernize and upgrade its armed forces, and signed military contracts with over 20 countries which envisage a large-scale weapons supply.

Azerbaijan, leaves behind many CIS and regional countries to take its place among the first 70 strongest militaries of the world, according to the US-based Global Firepower survey center.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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20 April 2016 13:53 (UTC+04:00)

By Nazrin Gadimova

The OSCE Minsk Group should take more efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish Prime Minister, made the remarks as part of a meeting of the PACE in Strasbourg on April 19.

Turkey, being a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, stands for the peaceful settlement of the long lasting Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Davutoglu believes.

"The recent situation on the contact line of the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops has once again shown that the status quo in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is unacceptable," he stressed.

Davutoglu also expressed concern over Armenias shelling of the territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

Military operations launched by Armenia on April 2, were stopped on April 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides and mediation of Russia. However, ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side started violating the ceasefire on the same day.

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.

Over the entire period of its existence, the OSCE Minsk Group failed to move forward in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, although the interested parties had pinned great hopes on it. However, over the past two decades the hope for bringing the conflict to the final solution in fact disappeared as the group did take no efficient step or action to fulfill its mandate.

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Nazrin Gadimova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @NazrinGadimova

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20 April 2016 11:55 (UTC+04:00)

Members of Parliament from 15 countries gathered in the French-German border region to consider parliamentary contributions to OSCE efforts in addressing conflicts.

Some 25 parliamentarians, including from several countries impacted by protracted conflicts, heard presentations from experts on reconciliation processes, particularly in the Saar-Lor-Lux and Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino regions, Azertac state news agency reports.

An Azerbaijani delegation led by Bahar Muradova, the Vice Speaker of the Parliament, the head of the country's parliamentary delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE joined the seminar of the OSCE PA in Germany.

The parliamentary delegation included MPs Azay Guliyev and Tahir Mirkishili.

The seminar was opened by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland), and Treasurer Doris Barnett (MP, Germany), and brought together parliamentarians from Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Sweden and Switzerland.

Over the last month, dramatic developments in Ukraine and in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone have once again demonstrated the destabilizing potential and human cost of conflict. Finding political will to overcome differences remains critical to finding solutions to all conflicts in the OSCE region, so Members of Parliament are an essential component of any solution for conflicts that the OSCE is mandated to deal with, said President Kanerva.

The seminar was also intended to provide parliamentarians from countries impacted by protracted conflicts with new ideas for conflict resolution and to gather their proposals, as a contribution to official conflict resolution discussions. The discussions took on an added urgency due to the recent significant military escalation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

Our surroundings, in a region long fought-over between France and Germany, but now peaceful and productive, are evidence that painful conflicts can be solved to the benefit of the conflicting sides. We take inspiration from these experiences, and will continue to contribute at a parliamentary level to OSCE efforts to resolve protracted conflicts, continued the President.

MP Azay Guliyev provided an insight into the recent developments in the line of contacts of the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops that resulted casualties of civilians. He informed about the occupation of Nagorno Karabakh and seven surrounding regions by Armenian Armed Forces.

Bahar Muradova said: This conflict again attracted the view of the international community because Azerbaijani side adequately and decently repulsed Armenian military operations during the recent events resulting a number of casualties of civilians. The weapons and documents founded there confirm the Armenian Armed Forces' servicemen and terrorists groups participation in the military operation against Azerbaijan. Armenia bears responsibility for the recent aggravation of the situation along the contact line and the intensive violation of ceasefire.

Participants were encouraged to consider real-life consequences, not just the politics of conflicts and overall to think the unthinkable. Aspects related to minorities and human rights were in focus on the second day of the seminar.

Talking about the past is critical to learning lessons, but it is not enough. This has therefore been an excellent opportunity to reflect on the common future that can result from reconciliation, said Doris Barnett, who hosted the event on behalf of the German Parliament.

As representatives of those suffering from conflict, participants highlighted the particular abilities of OSCE PA members to contribute at a parliamentary level to formal resolution processes.

The seminar in Leinsweiler, Germany, follows a previous event in March 2015 dedicated to exchanging experiences from the Franco-German border regions with parliamentarians from Russia and Ukraine.

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20 April 2016 11:30 (UTC+04:00)

Deputy chairman of Azerbaijan`s State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Garay Farhadov has met with visiting German parliamentary Christoph Bergner, Azertac state news agency reports.

Farhadov informed the German MP about the activity of the Committee, Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the history of Armenia`s aggressive policy against Azerbaijan.

He underlined that 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories had been occupied by Armenia and more than one million people became refugees and IDPs as a result of the conflict.

The deputy chair noted that the UN Security Council adopted several resolutions demanding immediate withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan`s territories. He expressed regret over the fact that the OSCE Minsk group couldn`t achieve any success as a mediator.

Following the meeting, the German MP familiarized himself with the living conditions of IDPs settled in the hostel of Azerbaijan Technical University, and visited the settlement for IDPs in Masazir district.

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20 April 2016 12:11 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan and Iran have explored ways of developing interparliamentary relations.

The discussions were held between Speaker of Azerbaijan's Parliament Ogtay Asadov and his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani on the sidelines of the first consultative meeting of Eurasia parliament speakers in Moscow, Azertac state news agency reports.

Asadov hailed the level of relations between the two countries, and noted that there are prospects for rapid development of all-round cooperation. He informed the Iranian official on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and stressed the Armenian side subjects to fire the villages of Azerbaijan every day.

Despite the efforts of the international mediators, the conflict didn`t find its settlement yet, he added.

Larijani, in turn, hailed the economic, political and cultural relations between the two countries, as well as the results of the meetings among Azerbaijani, Iranian and Russian, as well as Azerbaijani, Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers.

Azerbaijan and Iran have had diplomatic relations since 1918. Iran recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991 and diplomatic relations between the two countries were reestablished in 1992.

Currently, the two countries are focused on expanding economic ties in various fields, including industry, agriculture, energy, alternative energy, and transportation.

In 2015, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $ 123.786 million.

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20 April 2016 11:44 (UTC+04:00)

Pakistan will always support Azerbaijan, speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who attended the first consultative meeting of Eurasia parliament speakers in Moscow, told AZERTAC's special correspondent.

He noted that Pakistan has always backed peaceful settlement of all conflicts, adding  but if Azerbaijan will have no choice in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, we are ready to demonstrate every support to fraternal country.

Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan on December 12, 1991. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on June 9, 1992. The Pakistan Embassy to Azerbaijan was opened on March 12, 1993.Azerbaijani Embassy to Pakistan was opened on August 24, 1997.

Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoy good relations in various spheres.

Pakistan supported Azerbaijan during and after the Nagorno-Karabakh War in early 1990s and it is one of the few countries that do not have any diplomatic relations with Armenia due to the ongoing occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized lands.

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20 April 2016 15:13 (UTC+04:00)

By Nazrin Gadimova

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) passed a resolution on the peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on April 19.

Forty-four members of the Parliamentary Assembly undersigned the document.

Being convinced that a peaceful resolution of the conflict has no alternative, the PACE reiterates its continuous support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to reach a lasting and just settlement to this conflict, according to the document.

Therefore, we urge to respect the continuous calls made by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs not to undermine their mandate and complicate the ongoing negotiations, the resolution reads.

The members of the Parliamentary Assembly urged all sides to undertake decisive steps and show the necessary political will to reach a negotiated settlement based on proposals of France, the U.S. and Russia.

We share the concerns regarding the increase of tensions in the conflict zone. The use of heavy weaponry, such as mortars and rocket launchers, is unacceptable and presents a serious danger to civilian population. We deeply regret the loss of lives, including civilians, the document reads.

MPs believe that the creation of a mechanism to investigate ceasefire violations together with other proposals of the OSCE MG will contribute to the reduction of tensions and the creation of a more favorable atmosphere for advancing peace talks.

Earlier, the PACE put two reports on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to the vote. The assembly adopted the first document, a resolution titled The inhabitants of frontier regions of Azerbaijan are deliberately deprived of water, which dealt with the situation around the Sarsang reservoir.

Prepared by parliamentarian from Bosnia and Herzegovina Milica Markovic, the document noted that the residents of Azerbaijans border regions were faced with environmental and humanitarian problem given the problem with Sarsang reservoir, located in Nagorno-Karabakh.

However, the second document entitled The escalation of violence in Nagorno-Karabakh and other occupied territories of Azerbaijan and prepared by British MP Robert Walter was rejected with the majority of votes (66 pro and 71 con).

The report called for the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces and other irregular forces from Nagorno Karabakh and other occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

Moreover, the document called on both governments to refrain from using military force, called on the OSCE to establish an international peacekeeping force to maintain security in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as to ensure safe return of those displaced from their residences. The document also envisaged creating a mechanism to investigate violations of the ceasefire.

Armenia captured Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions from Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and nearly 1 million were displaced as a result of the war.

The OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in solving the conflict, proceeding talks based on the renewed Madrid principles. However, the peace talks have been largely fruitless so far despite the efforts of the co-chair countries over 20 years.

At the same time, the recent developments in the contact line of troops of the Armenian and Azerbaijani armies have once again proved that the existing status quo, which benefits Armenia, is unacceptable and unstable. Some experts believe that to achieve a progress in the peace talks on the conflict it is necessary to change the format of OSCE MG. They suppose that the co-chairs should confess their failure and resign. Other mediators or the conflicting sides themselves should deal with the problem, they urge.

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Nazrin Gadimova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @NazrinGadimova

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20 April 2016 14:21 (UTC+04:00)

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon will pay a visit to Azerbaijan, diplomatic sources told Trend on April 20.

Hewill participate in the 7th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), to be held in Baku on April 25-27.

Bilateral meetings at a high level are planned within the framework of Ban Ki-moon's visit.

A meeting with the participation of senior officials and around 30 sessions are planned to be held during the Forum. The Baku Declaration is planned to be adopted at a high-level meeting of the UNAOC.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on July 24, 2015 to create the organizing committee for holding the 7th UNAOC Global Forum in Baku.

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20 April 2016 14:50 (UTC+04:00)

Turkish, Spanish and Palestinian foreign ministers will take part in the 7th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, to be held in Baku on April 25-27, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture and Tourism told Trend on April 20.

During the visit, the foreign ministers Mevlut Cavusoglu, Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo y Marfil and Riyad al-Maliki are expected to hold high-level bilateral meetings.

It is planned to hold a meeting with participation of high-ranking officials and about 30 sessions during the Forum.

The Baku Declaration is expected to be adopted during the high-level meeting of the UNAOC Global Forum.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on July 24, 2015 to create an organizing committee for holding the 7th UNAOC Global Forum in Baku.

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20 April 2016 16:26 (UTC+04:00)

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva reviewed the conditions created at a newly built recreation park on the crossroads of Samad Vurghun and Bakikhanov streets in Nasimi district of Baku on April 20, Azertac state news agency reports.

The head of state was informed about the work done there.

The park occupies a total area of 10,000 square meters. High quality building materials were used in the construction of the park.

A modern lighting system was installed, and green areas laid out in the park. All necessary conditions have been created here.

President Aliyev and the First Lady also reviewed newly reconstructed Ali Isazade street in Bina settlement of Khazar district of Baku.

Baku Mayor Hajibala Abutalibov informed President Aliyev about the work carried out there.

The width of the street was expanded up to 21 meters. The modern lighting system was installed. High quality building materials were used in the landscaping work.

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20 April 2016 17:19 (UTC+04:00)

The body of Armenian serviceman, who died during the recent military operations on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops has been handed over to the Armenian side.

This was announced by Azerbaijan's State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing People on April 20.

The commission told Trend that the body of the Armenian serviceman was located on April 11.

The process of handing over the body took place without incidents and was carried out by the state commission and Azerbaijani Defense Ministry under the mediation of the ICRC and the OSCE.

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.



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.

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20 April 2016 11:17 (UTC+04:00)

A delegation of the Azerbaijani Railways has participated in the international TransRussia exhibition, Azertac state news agency reports.

The exhibition is the largest business event for transport and logistics services, technologies and machinery.

TransRussia took place under the patronage of the Russian Ministry of Transport and with official support from the State Duma Committee on Transport, Rostransnadzor Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Transport, the Federal Agency for Railway Transport, Russian Railways, the Freight Forwarders Association of Russia and other federal structures and industry associations.

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20 April 2016 15:25 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Connecting Iran's railway to Azerbaijan will contribute to materializing the North-South corridor project, Iranian envoy to Azerbaijan told Trend.



After launching Rasht-Astara railroad and connecting Qazvin to Astara through the railway, the plan for the transit of goods from the Persian Gulf to Russia and the Black Sea as well as the Europe will be realized, Ambassador Mohsen Pak Ayeen said.

The length of the Rasht-Astara railway is 10 kilometers. Some 8 kilometers will pass through Azerbaijani territory and two kilometers through Iranian territory.



The period for transiting goods from India to Europe will be much shorter after the North-South corridor is completed, he added.



Explaining that the goods are currently transited from India to the Europe within 60 days, Mohsen Pak Ayeen said after completing the North-South corridor the transit period will be less than 14 days.



North-South corridor is a project for connecting Europe to India through several countries including Azerbaijan and Iran, lessening shipment time from 40 to 14 days end-to-end.



The project was established among Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia 10 years ago to accelerate the railway construction.



This transport corridor is very important for Azerbaijan both in economic terms and in terms of security and tourism, which expects to bring huge economic benefits to the country.



Earlier President Ilham Aliyev said that if new countries such as Pakistan, India, and the North European countries join this corridor, the volume of cargoes passing through Azerbaijan's territory will increase significantly.

The Ambassador added, the Astara-Rasht railroad has moved up the agenda and within the next couple of years the railway will connect Iran's northern corridor to its southern corridor.



A ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Astara-Rast railroad will take place on April 20 in the border of Iran Azerbaijan.



Iranian ICT Minister Mahmoud Vaezi and the Economy Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev will attend the ceremony.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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20 April 2016 17:33 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan and Latvia have signed a protocol on the basis of agreements reached during the meeting of Commission on international relations between the representatives of the two countries' transport ministries, Azerbaijan's Transport Ministry reported on April 20.

The commission's meeting was held in Riga, Latvia on April 20.

During the meeting the parties discussed the current state of international road transportation, current problems and prospects of development.

Meanwhile, the increase in freight traffic through the North-South international transportation corridor, determination of a contingent of permits for 2016-2017 and other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.

The North-South international transportation corridor is meant to connect the northern Europe with the south-eastern Asia. It will serve as a link between the railways of Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia.

At an initial stage, it is planned to transport 6 million tons of cargo via the North-South corridor a year, and 15 to 20 million tons of cargo in the future.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Latvia totaled $2.04 million in the first quarter of 2016, which is by 5.9 percent more than in the same period of 2015, according to Azerbaijan's State Customs Committee.

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20 April 2016 12:57 (UTC+04:00)

The Museum of Modern Art together with Mission of Portugal in Azerbaijan will host the exhibition called I wanna be adored by Andre Almeida e Sousa, Paulo Brighenti and Tomas Cunha Ferreira on April 23, Azertac state news agency reports.

The exhibition is Portugal's first independent cultural initiative in Azerbaijan.

The artists who participate at this exhibition and the date of this event are connected with the Portugals Carnation Revolution which happened on the 25th of April in 1974. Because, as if, after 50 years of isolation, this Revolution marked a retrieval of Portugal to modernity and to the world.

The title of the exhibition "I wanna be adored" was taken from a 1989 single of the English Stone Roses band by the artists.

The title of this exhibition I wanna be adored for these three artists  Andre Almeida e Sousa, Paulo Brighenti and Tomas Cunha Ferreira  marked the transition between the older generation, who witnessed the revolution and the generation who grows up in a modern time.

The magnificent paintings and sculptures of Azerbaijani authors are exhibited in Museum of Modern Art. These works altogether form the composition that reflects the aspiration, strivings and freedom of the human spirit.

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20 April 2016 16:09 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan State Theatre of Young Spectators has been invited to participate in the 17th International Black Sea Theatre Festival, which will be held in Trabzon (Turkey) on May 2-15, Trend Life reports.

The Azerbaijani theatre will be represented by 'The old clown' spectacle of Romanian playwright Matei Visniec.

The production tells the story about a tragic fate of the old clown.

The cast includes Azerbaijani actors Vusal Mehraliyev, Manaf Dadashev, Mushvig Aliyev and director Nijat Kazimov.

As part of visit, Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Mubariz Hamidov will hold several meetings with foreign theatre directors.

Matei Visniec is a Romanian-French playwright, poet and journalist living in Paris. He is internationally known especially for his writings in the French language. He became one of the most performed playwrights in the country, with more than 30 plays put on in Bucharest and other towns. In 1996 the National Theatre of Timisoara organized a Matei Visniec Festival with 12 companies presenting his plays.

Visniec received numerous literary awards: from the Union of Romanian Writers, the Romanian Academy, and other institutions and publications, including Observator cultural and Ziarul de Iasi. In France he has won awards at the Avignon Festival, and in 2009 he received the Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers European Prize for Lifetimes.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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20 April 2016 10:59 (UTC+04:00)

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) announced the arrival of the first steel line pipes and machinery for the construction of the Albanian section of the pipeline. The occasion was marked by a ceremony in the Main Marshalling Yard of TAP, in the vicinity of Durres, Azertac state news agency reports.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister of Energy and Industry Damian Gjiknuri, representatives of local authorities, TAP contractors, Albanian companies and other stakeholders.

Prime Minister Rama and Minister Gjiknuri underlined the importance of TAP for Albania as one of the most important energy projects in the region and its contribution to positioning Albania as a player in the European energy market. They emphasised that TAP will have a positive impact in promoting economic development, creating new opportunities for Albanian businesses and developing the countrys energy infrastructure.

TAPs Country Manager Shkelqim Bozgo said: After the start of Access Roads and Bridges, in July of last year, the arrival of pipes, bends and machineries marks the beginning of a new and very dynamic phase for TAP in Albania. We look forward to starting the construction of the Albanian section of the pipeline by the beginning of the second half of this year. TAP is a major project and its successful implementation will be the result of the efficient cooperation of all relevant stakeholders. TAP is thankful to the excellent support provided by the Albanian central and local government and local communities. It will bring significant positive impacts to Albania during the construction phase and in the long run.

TAPs Project Manager in Albania Karl Roberts stated: Delivering such a challenging project like TAP requires commitment, dedication and support from many professional Contractors and colleagues in TAP. I am very pleased to say our Albanian Contractors have demonstrated their strength and capability in the work that has been completed to date with a world-class safety record. I am really excited about the project as it moves into the next stages of construction as we continue to deliver success.

TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

TAPs routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and others. TAPs landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian natural gas to some of the largest European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria.

TAP will promote the economic development and job creation along the pipeline route; it will be a major source of foreign direct investment and it is not dependent on grants or subsidies. With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow approximately in early 2020.

TAPs shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam S.p.A. (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagas (16%) and Axpo (5%).

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20 April 2016 18:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Fatma Babayeva

The long awaited meeting in Qatari capital last Sunday resulted in failure on reaching a deal on oil production freeze by the major oil producing countries and was not capable to stabilize the oversupplied oil market and prices.

Natig Aliyev, Azerbaijani Energy Minister who attended Doha meeting said on April 19 that the contradictions existing among member states within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries impeded to attain success in the meeting on April 17.

Azerbaijan was one of several countries who supported oil freezing initiative at Doha meeting of major oil producers on April 17. Although, Azerbaijan holds roughly 1 percent of the world total oil production, it was interested in solving the oil glut problem in the global market as the countrys main revenues has come from exported hydrocarbon reserves till now. Nevertheless, experts believe that the failure of the meeting will not have negative impacts on Azerbaijans economy.

The minister said the agreement which was to be signed during Doha meeting envisaged freezing oil production at the level of January 2016 till October 2016.

Once adopted, the agreement could be a major signal for OPEC member-states and non-OPEC oil producers, the minister added.

The draft agreement was submitted to the participants of the meeting. This document covered issues such as preventing further decline in oil prices, reaching consent among participants on freezing production, monitoring how compliant the countries that take obligations, involving other countries in this process, establishing a high-level monitoring committee, creating working groups to analyze the possible changes on the oil market after the document become effective and other issues, the energy minister noted.

In accordance with the new version of the draft agreement, the deal was going to be valid only if all OPEC member states agree to freeze oil production, Aliyev emphasized. The participants were not pleased with Saudi Arabia's stance.

The meeting was delayed for six hours due to the consultations among Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar, the minister stressed. This delay and the content of the statements by Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar and Venezuela following February 16 meeting showed that the expectations from Doha meeting would fail, and submission of the new draft agreement proved that once again.

In addition, Alexander Novak, Russian energy minister who was one of the initiators to freeze oil production, voiced his protest during the meeting by saying that the representatives of the countries arrived to sign, rather than to discuss.

The participants in the meeting also had disagreements over the level of freezing oil production during Doha talks, Aliyev said.

The proposals suggested freezing oil output at the level of January, March or the first quarter of the year, Aliyev said, but at the end, due to the lack of common mutual consent and necessary time, it was decided to continue discussions during the next meeting in June.

The minister added that if the agreement was signed, it would become the first ever event when the OPEC member states and other oil producing countries agreed to cooperate.

OPEC has a daily production of 97 million barrels of oil and controls one third of the global oil production. The organization could have showed a strong stance and made a decision that meets the interests of Azerbaijan and other oil producers, the minister stressed. However, the cartel was not ready for this mainly because of geopolitical reasons.

The minister stated the importance of stabilizing oil prices for both producer and consumer countries. However, Aliyev believes that countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Libya will continue to increase their oil output.

Saudis revealed their intention to increase oil production to 12.5 million barrels per day, while Iran plans to increase its output to the pre-sanction level- about 4 million barrels per day, Aliyev noted. It's obvious that the contradictions between these countries make achieving any agreement impossible. Regarding the other producers, they do not plan to increase production.

Overall, the meeting attended by 17 countries ended without any deal on freezing oil production.

After the failure of Doha meeting, the oil prices are expected to drop to $30 per barrel.

Experts expect that price fluctuations will continue until the next meeting in June.

Azerbaijan has commenced economic reforms and application of post-economic model as the country aims to decrease the dependence on oil revenues and diversify its economy.

Currently, when oil prices are low, it may seem a difficult task to realize these measures. However, the major part of the state revenues (78.5 percent) came from non-oil sector during the first quarter of 2016. The country attaches great importance to the regional and agricultural development, expansion of domestic production and enhancement of the countrys export potential which will contribute to decreasing country's dependence on oil and gas revenues in future.

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Fatma Babayeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Fatma_Babayeva

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20 April 2016 19:19 (UTC+04:00)

The fourth meeting of the Azerbaijan-Greece Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Industrial and Technological Cooperation will be held on May 26-27 in Athens, Greece, the Greek media reported on April 20.

This issue was discussed during a meeting of the Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Dragasakis with Azerbaijan's Ambassador in Greece Rahman Mustafayev and the Head of the SOCAR Energy Greece S.A. Anar Mammadov on April 19.

The parties mulled the progress in the implementation of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, as well as the expansion of cooperation between the two countries.

TAP project envisages transportation of gas from the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas and condensate field to the EU countries.

The 870-kilometer pipeline will be connected to the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy's south.

TAP's initial capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters of gas a year, expandable to 20 billion cubic meters.

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20 April 2016 11:09 (UTC+04:00)

The U.S. Government is fulfilling its obligations under the nuclear agreement and is not blocking Iran's access to its released assets, U.S. State Department's Persian Language Spokesperson Alan Eyre told Trend on April 19.

The U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry was quoted by media outlets on April 19 as saying that Iran has received only $3 billion of its money since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) implementation in mid-January.

Some Iranian authorities and media criticized the US, raising concerns that Washington is somehow "blocking" access to banking operations for other countries' companies.

Responding to the question "is the U.S. acting according to its JCPOA obligations?" Eyre said "first, let me be crystal clear: we are not blocking Iran's access to their own funds, and we are not encouraging banks or other partners to do so".

He said, "We think Iran has about $50 billion in assets held abroad unfrozen by the JCPOA and that most of that will be used for needed investments in Iran's economy. That is exactly what seems to be happening. I don't think anyone would have expected that Iran would use all $50 billion abroad in three months".

This American diplomat, who also served as a member of the U.S. nuclear negotiator team with Iran, added that "secondly, the JCPOA needs to be worthwhile and to work for all participants. Just as we and the rest of the international community have seen benefits from the JCPOA, so too has Iran. Its oil sales have more than doubled, major contracts have been signed, and its access to international banks through the SWIFT system has been restored. This is as it should be".

Eyre added that "thirdly, we are not standing and will not stand in the way of legitimate business with Iran, the kinds of transactions permitted in the JCPOA, and if banks or other firms have any questions, we are happy to answer them".

"In fact, Secretary (of the Treasury) Jack Lew and Secretary Kerry have sent our teams to meet with partner governments and businesses to clarify what is now allowed; we have issued new licenses to reduce the regulatory burden of taking advantage of legitimate, post-JCPOA opportunities in Iran. We will continue to meet not just the letter but also the spirit of our commitments," Eyre added.

---

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20 April 2016 12:23 (UTC+04:00)

Iran will need some massive investment and the EU has the financial ability and the technical knowledge to help Iran realize energy export schemes to the West, the U.S. expert on Central Asia and energy issues Bruce Pannier told Trend on April 19.

"The EU of course would also like to import some of those Iranian energy resources," he said adding that the recent visit of EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to Iran was symbolically a sign the day is getting closer when Iran will be exporting oil and natural gas to the EU countries.

"That is not to say that day will be soon, but that is the direction relations are moving and it is something both Iran and the EU want," Pannier said.

Federica Mogherini arrived in Iran, heading a high-ranking economic and political delegation on April 16. One of the topics of discussions during the visit was energy cooperation.

At the joint press conference with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran, Mogherini said that Iranian oil and gas will be an important part of European energy mix and will improve our energy security in Europe.

She also said that the EU will provide Iran with technical assistance to increase its production capacity and energy efficiency.

Pannier, however, believes that there are some obstacles to be dealt with, before Iran's energy resources could reach the EU.

European financial institutions are still wary of investing in Iran, especially because the US continues to maintain some sanctions on Iran for what Washington says is Tehran's sponsorship of designated terrorist organizations, the expert said.

He noted that in the past the U.S. has imposed large fines on entities doing business with Iran and also wishing to continue doing business with the U.S.

"Also, as Mogherini said in Tehran, Iran's recent ballistic missile tests are of concern to the EU. Should Iran continue to conduct such tests that might also scare investors away if they feel sanctions could be re-imposed on Iran," Pannier added.

There is also the complicated history of the Islamic Republic of signing agreements then demanding changes to the terms of contracts later, according to the expert.

"European businesses expressed their frustration with this Iranian habit in the past, potential European partners will want to be sure that once a deal is signed there will be no sudden demand for renegotiation," Pannier said.

He believes that once all that is sufficiently resolved Iran can start to export energy resources to the EU and the easiest means at this point would be by tanker and that could be both oil and LNG.

Realistically, with the negotiations needed to reach such deals, it would probably be four or five years at least before tankers with Iranian oil or LNG arrive at European ports, Pannier said.

"Longer term, 10 years or more, one could foresee construction of gas and/or oil pipelines from Iran to Europe. Tehran has been mentioning for more than a year that it could contribute to the EU's Southern Gas Corridor project, for example, and Iranian officials have also mentioned participation in the Trans-Anatolian [gas] Pipeline that aims to bring gas from Azerbaijan across Turkey to Europe," Pannier said.

Reportedly, Iran's daily oil output is now surpassing 3.5 million barrels per day. The country's oil export has doubled after lifting sanctions reaching 2 million barrels per day.

The lifting of sanctions could enable Tehran to become one of the major players on the world gas market.

Iran's proven gas reserve stood at 34 trillion cubic meters as of early 2015, according to BP. The country's share on the world gas market is 17 percent. The country repeatedly stated that LNG export to Europe is its priority.

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20 April 2016 14:46 (UTC+04:00)

By Fatma Babayeva

Turkmenistan stands for broad international cooperation in defining ways for reliable energy transportation to international markets, the Strategic Planning and Economic Development Institute of Turkmenistan said in its report released on April 19.

Turkmenistan is one of the richest countries with natural gas reserves in the world. In accordance with BPs statistics, recoverable reserves of the country amount to 17.5 trillion cubic meters of natural gas or 10 percent of the worlds total reserves which makes Turkmenistan fourth richest country with natural gas in the world after Iran, Russia and Qatar.

Estimated reserves of Turkmenistan grew by 7.5 times over the past five years.

The Turkmen Institute stressed that expansion of energy exports is constrained by the recent situation on the world stock market, which can be compared with the events of 1930's Great Depression.

Besides, the stock and physical oil markets which essentially determine the prices of all major energy supplies demonstrate a close correlation with each other. Decrease in all energy prices accompanied with reduction in the capitalization of companies and, subsequently, the constriction of investment opportunities, the report said.

In these conditions, concerted action is necessary among producing, consuming and transit countries which are capable to optimize the economic development, including the creation of the infrastructure necessary for the transportation of energy supplies. This can be done only on the basis of five principles: legal framework, resource base, environmental safety, economically justified tariffs, the availability of long-term contracts on the supply and transportation of hydrocarbons resources.

The attempts to politicize energy supply, to use them as a tool to achieve political goals or to meet any corporate interests do not correspond to the logics and the needs of the present global development, the Institute emphasized.

Therefore, Turkmen government has proposed to build relationships in the energy sector under the aegis of the UN. On the international markets, proposals are made for the development of universal UN mechanisms designed to secure the functioning of the international infrastructure of energy supplies, as well as equal access to energy.

Key elements of the energy strategy that Turkmenistan realizes are the growth of production and export of natural gas, as well as diversification of supply routes to the world's largest markets.

An effective step towards building a global partnership began with commissioning of the Trans-Asian gas pipeline (Turkmenistan-China) in December 2009.

Currently, the construction of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India transnational gas pipeline is underway.

The Strategic Planning and Economic Development Institute was established upon the Turkmenistan president's decree issued on October 11th, 2007. The Institute is mainly involved in complex analysis of current processes in countrys economy including scientific research for designing national economic development programs and directions for social-economic reforms.



The Institute has the responsible for developing national strategies.

Turkmenistan has been experiencing rapid economic growth in recent years, mainly energized by hydrocarbon-led export and increase in public investments.

---

Fatma Babayeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Fatma_Babayeva

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20 April 2016 13:49 (UTC+04:00)

Turkey will never recognize the events of 1915 as the so-called Armenian genocide, the Turkish presidential administration said in an exclusive interview with Trend on April 20.

"Therefore, Ankara does not attach any importance to the European Parliament's appeal to recognize the events of 1915 as the so-called Armenian genocide," the administration said, adding that the European Parliament's appeal to Turkey is provocative.

"Turkey has repeatedly stated that it is ready to establish a joint commission to investigate the events of 1915, but the Armenian side ignores this proposal," the administration said. "This testifies to the fact that there is no evidence that the so-called genocide was carried out against the Armenians in 1915."

On April 14, the European Parliament called on Turkey to recognize the events of 1915 as the "Armenian genocide".

While commenting on the European Parliament's actions, Volkan Bozkir, Turkey's Minister for European Union Affairs, said that this demand is groundless.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey's predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, committed the so-called genocide against Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915.

While strengthening the propaganda of "genocide" in the world, Armenians achieved its recognition by parliaments of some countries.

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20 April 2016 15:42 (UTC+04:00)

Iran will benefit from the nuclear deal clinched with world powers last year, if the U.S. employs proper method in implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

This was announced by Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif following a meeting behind the closed doors with his American counterpart John Kerry in New York on April 19, Mehr news agency reported.

"The U.S. can fulfill its commitments regarding the implementation of JCPOA in a way that would make the Islamic Republic capable of benefiting from the deal," Zarif said.

The top diplomat believes that If the U.S. takes proper measures regarding the implementation of the JCPOA, the existing obstacles will be eliminated.



There are opportunities for all sides, including Iran, to benefit from all advantages of the implementation of the JCPOA, Zarif said adding that he and Kerry are to meet again on the sidelines of the ongoing UN Climate Summit on April 22 for further discussion.

---

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20 April 2016 17:22 (UTC+04:00)

Protests will be held in Armenia against the visit of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the Armtoday website reported.

"On April 21-22, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will arrive in Armenia to discuss with the Armenian authorities the Kremlin's plan on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the protests' organizers said in a statement on April 20.

The demonstrators said they will march towards the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Armenia and Russia's Embassy in Yerevan with a claim "to voice demands" to the two countries' foreign ministers.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be discussed between the Russian and Armenian foreign ministers in Yerevan, Mariya Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, told Trend on April 19.

Speaking at a press center in Moscow, she said the work continues to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and talks are underway for finding compromises.

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 April 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.

---

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High street coffee chain Pret A Mangers financial results for the 52 weeks to 31 December 2015 showed group sales were up 13.9% year on year (YOY) to 676.2m (+7.5% like-for-like). Ebitda was up 14.5% to 84.3m.

Increased demand for breakfast on-the-go was a large factor in the results, with 58% of sales made outside lunchtime. Fourteen per cent of sales were from new food and drink items developed in the last year, but these were mostly non-bread.

Sales of vegetarian products were in double-digit growth and, in response, Pret has announced it will be opening a vegetarian-only pop-up in London this June. Avocado was the fastest-growing ingredient: customers ate five million during the period in question.

Clive Schlee, chief executive of Pret A Manger, said: Pret continues to grow steadily in the UK, adapting its menu to meet demand for healthy options.

Its US shops also performed well last year, becoming the chains fastest-growing market in 2015.

Schlee added: We will, of course, still focus on the essentials: engagement of our wonderful team members, the freshness and quality of our ingredients, and securing top-class locations around the world. This gives us confidence for the year ahead.

Earlier this month, Pret announced it was covering the cost of the new national living wage (NLW) by charging customers more for their coffee.
The new So Soft bread collection from French bakery specialist Bridor is being marketed as somewhere between a baguette and a roll.

The new range of breads pays homage to Frances love of the classic baguette, while innovating for changing tastes.

It has the look and crust of a classic baguette with the inner softness of a soft roll, according to Bridor.

So Soft is a new range of par-baked breads that look like traditional rustic French loaves, with a crusty lightly floured exterior on the outside, but once sliced open they yield an extremely soft texture.

The innovative new So Soft collection is made up of nine references: natural, multigrain, buckwheat, olive & thyme, sundried tomato, pesto, corn, fig, and nut.

The loaves cook within eight minutes from frozen, and retain their softness and outer crust even when sliced and filled. The practical rectangular shape allows for complete fill, and the bread can be used for panini or conventional sandwiches.

Last month, British Baker met Bridor ambassador Michel Roux Jr  two-star Michelin chef, TV star, and passionate baker.
Shoreham-based Higgidy Pies has won a major food contract, requiring it to double annual output by 2018.

The growth plans, which were approved by Adur District Council last week, will see Higgidy build on the site adjacent to its current buildings in Shoreham, West Sussex.

The existing workshop will be demolished and a new factory constructed, providing around 2,450sq m of industrial space and 1,000sq m of offices.

James Foottit, Higgidy chief executive, who founded the firm alongside his wife, Camilla, said they were looking to expand into the food-to-go market.

Foottit said: We think we are about one year away from capacity, which is 30 million turnover. We have had to face up to the fact that land is very scarce in Sussex, but an opportunity came up by approaching the owner of the site next door.

Not complacent

Higgidy is on course for a turnover of 25m this year, but Foottit said they were not complacent: We are very conscious that we are still risking a lot and we dont feel safe, even though we have developed some great products and are very proud of our great brand.

He added: Were hoping to expand the Higgidy Kitchen, which will allow us to not only increase our capacity but increase our flexibility and develop into other categories.

An expected 150 new jobs will be created by the move over the next five years.

Last month, Higgidy celebrated British Pie Week by producing its 50-millionth pie.
Witnessing justice in Uganda and Mozambique

Andrew Caplens passion for justice comes from his mission to always speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. The lawyer, solicitor and former President of the Law Society of England and Wales is currently travelling in Uganda and Mozambique to visit some of BMS World Missions legal projects. What hes seen is incredible.

Almighty and very-loving God, I give you thanks, glory and honour for what you are doing in my life. I therefore humbly pray that you continue to guide and help me be what you want me to be.



Those are not the words most people would expect to hear from a 31-year-old who was sentenced to death and has spent nearly half of his life in prison. Yet those are the words of Benjamin Kamugisha.



At the young age of 16, Benjamin was accused of murder in Uganda. He has always maintained that he is innocent. Even though he was a juvenile, Benjamin was tried in an adult court and was sentenced to death. He was devastated.



Yet somehow he held onto his Christian faith and eventually received support from BMS partner the Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity (UCLF) that would change his life.



The injustice Benjamin felt crushed by actually brought him closer to God. During his time in prison he didnt give up on his hope for the future. He turned to education, and while serving his sentence he had the opportunity to study law. He earned a degree in Common Law and through his studies he discovered that he had the right to apply to the High Court to get his sentence reduced.



The judge accepted Benjamins request and reopened his case. Thats when he met a woman named Sarah who works for UCLF, and who agreed to take on his case pro bono or free of charge. She believed Benjamin had been incorrectly tried and that his case was a violation of the Ugandan constitution.



Through the support of Sarah and UCLF, Benjamin ended up getting released from prison, and Andrew was amazed by how God had worked in Benjamins life.



Benjamins story is brilliant, says Andrew. Hes either someone who was innocent who managed to stay close to God throughout his time in prison or hes someone who has done something wrong and has had a conversion experience.



This is just one of the stories that Andrew has had the privilege to hear while visiting Uganda. He believes there are probably many difficult cases that are similar to Benjamins. Ugandas justice system faces many challenges such as delays, inaction and lost files.



Although it may seem disheartening, Andrew has been impressed by the work that BMS does with our partner UCLF in Uganda. At the heart of UCLFs mission is justice for all through the provision of legal aid, legal education and research and policy advocacy on behalf of vulnerable people in society. The work visiting prisons, representing people free of charge, providing counselling and working on land rights has made a big impact.



All that theyre doing is something we can actually follow in the UK, says Andrew. And the dedication of the BMS workers out here is absolutely tremendous.



Andrew will spend some time in Mozambique learning more about BMS justice ministries before he returns to the UK. And although his trip will end, his mission to fight injustice will not.



Im a lawyer and I think a lot of lawyers come into law because they want to change the world and make a difference. I never lost the reason why I came into law in the first place. Im still passionate about justice issues, says Andrew.



Please pray for BMS justice ministries in Uganda and Mozambique as we seek to bring justice to the oppressed. You can support our work by becoming a BMS 24:7 Justice Partner today.



You can read about Andrew Caplens experiences exploring justice in Uganda and Mozambique by reading his blog.



This article first appeared on the website of BMS World Mission and is used with permission.

BMS World Mission, 20/04/2016
A newly-formed parent-teacher association is trying to attract new members to help Pinellas County's struggling schools.

New Southside St. Petersburg Community PTA met for the first time

Group hopes to work with struggling schools

Leaders acknowledge parents have to be part of the solution

About 50 people attended a meeting of the Southside St. Petersburg Community PTA at the Enoch Davis Center Tuesday night.

"I feel like this is the start of a fire and fire spreads, so I wanted to do a formal call to action to the community," said PTA president Zamarie Johnson.

People said they're frustrated about low reading scores, high suspension rates and so-called "failing schools," but Johnson said some of the responsibility for that falls on parents.

"For awhile we've kind of gotten lazy and blamed it on the schools, on the school board, on the county, on the city. But let's put the responsibility back on the parents, back on our communities," he said.

Several parents were attending the PTA meeting for the first time.

Miaza Johnson said she realizes the school system can't do it alone.

"But the school system has to be realistic because children have issues, parents have issues and it's not like it used to be. It's new, so we need new rules for a new time," she said.

The PTA plans to form committees to provide extra support for struggling schools.

Parents said they are on board.

"That's what's going to make it better is people coming together," said Chris Cervellera. "It's not going to be the county, it's not going to be the school board, it's going to be parents and teachers rallying together to turn around the morale."

PTA leaders said they are hoping for higher attendance in the future.

"Stand room only one day," said Johnson.

The Southside St. Petersburg Community PTA said it will be posting its meeting times on the group's Facebook page.
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A Levy County man has been arrested and charged with meth possession after deputies found his drugs stashed in an urn filled with ashes.



Eric Middleton charged with possession of meth

Deputies found the drugs mixed with ashes in an urn

Middleton was pulled over in Citrus County for not wearing his seatbelt

According to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Eric Middleton, 38, was pulled over during a traffic stop Monday afternoon on River Road for not wearing his seatbelt.



During the stop, deputies asked Middleton if he had anything illegal in the vehicle, according to the arrest report. Middleton told deputies they would find methamphetamine in the backseat.



Then, when asked, Middleton handed deputies a clear plastic bag containing meth, officials said.



Deputies then asked if they could search the rest of the car and Middleton said yes. In the front passenger seat deputies found a messenger bag with what looked like an urn.



Inside the urn was a clear plastic bag sticking out of ashes. The plastic bag appeared to contain more meth so deputies removed the ashes. Inside the urn under the ashes they found seven plastic bags containing meth and a plastic bag of approximately 30 pills.



Middleton was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and trafficking methamphetamine.


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Orange County commissioners on Tuesday authorized an outside company to find roughly $33 million to pay for the Vidor Loop, a bypass road around the small city that has been discussed for nearly three decades.

The state has agreed to pay most of the cost, but that money would be reimbursed rather than paid up front, officials said. The measure commissioners passed, while not committing the county to any spending, is a step toward finding out how to do that.

The loop would relieve traffic congestion in the heart of the Vidor by rerouting commuters from Pine Forest, Evadale, Buna and rural stretches south of the city and could spur development along the new route, proponents said.

The proposal has met resistance from the city's mayor and some of its business owners, who anticipate declining sales to passing motorists and are not eager to spend taxpayer money on the new route.

"They keep trying to repackage the same project," Vidor Mayor Robert Viator said. "All the other ways it's been presented, the county ended up owing a significant amount of money."

The roughly 6.5-mile loop would connect to FM 105, Vidor's Main Street, at points south and north of Interstate 10, to which it would be linked with ramps.

In the time since the Vidor Loop was first proposed nearly 30 years ago, 105 has been expanded from a two-lane street to a four lanes with a center turning lane.

Running through the town of 11,000, it's dotted with stoplights, restaurants, boutiques and grocery stores, and its southern leg crosses two sets of railroad tracks.

Prospective home-buyers "say, 'I'll buy a house, but I don't want south Vidor n'cause I'm going to hit the trains,'" said Jimmy Smith, owner of Vidor-based Flair Real Estate and a supporter of the loop. "It's going to be marvelous."

Finding out how to pay for the loop was the charge given Tuesday to the Dallas-based firm Strategic Planning and Program Development, which also will negotiate with the Texas Department of Transportation.

"It's like an investigative process, if you will," said Scott Young, the firm's chief executive.

TxDot has tentatively agreed to put about $29 million toward the project eventually, a department official said.

That would leave locals to pay the remaining $3.6 million of the bill, said Commissioner Jody Crump, who represents the Vidor area.

The state's contribution, however, would come in annual installments based on traffic counts along the new route after it is built, Young said.

Commissioner David Dubose, whose east county precinct includes the city of Orange, was the only vote against Tuesday's measure, which does not commit the county to spending any money or building the road, officials said.

"This does not bind the county in any way," Orange County Judge Stephen Brint Carlton said.

The Dallas firm would only get its roughly $350,000 service fee if the loop is built, Crump said.

Vidor has rebuffed requests in the past that it contribute money to build the road and likely wouldn't spend money on it in the future, Viator said.

"It's basically a quicker way (for commuters to get) out of Orange County," Viator said.

The city would benefit from traffic relief, but some businesses would likely see a drop in sales revenue, he said.

Supporters said a Vidor bypass would save time in cases of emergencies and wouldn't close access to the city's offerings.

"The main thing is to have two ways out," said Bobby Morton, owner of M-G Feed store close to where the northern leg of the loop would connect to 105. "I think anybody who's got business in Vidor will (still) go through Vidor."

Sonny Stevenson, who owns a one-fourth stake in some of the property the loop would bisect, said the road would declutter Main Street and function as an evacuation route during hurricane season.

Stevenson's group has signed an agreement with TxDOT to donate the right of way for the loop if the state builds it, he said.

"It's a needed project, and we own the property," Stevenson said. "It's just, really, a business decision."

Vidor's business owners, depending on their client base and location, are split on how it would impact them.

Mattie and Jerry Robertson, who own Old Store Antiques, said they probably would lose some business but could still attract people shopping elsewhere in Vidor

"The true antique dealers will still come," Jerry Robertson said.

Susan LeJeune, who runs a food truck on Main Street, said her customers are the Vidor lunch crowd, so she doesn't see how it would harm her.

Shops designed to catch drivers' attention could suffer, though.

"I just don't feel it would help Vidor much," said Melvin Brevell, manager of the retro Feelin Groovy store south of the interstate. "The only thing it's going to do is cut down on the congestion."

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Calling it a project that has "polarized the community," Port Arthur officials told developers of a proposed $7.6 million slaughterhouse they must find a new location if they want to build within the city's limits.

Mayor Deloris "Bobbie" Prince was the only council member to vote against a land-use rule banning slaughterhouse and meat processing facilities on the property Riceland Farms sought to develop its plant.

The city's Economic Development Corp. wrote and approved the rule last month. It was sent to city council for final approval.

Despite voting to block the slaughterhouse's construction at the industrial park off of West Port Arthur Road, at least two council members and the mayor asked developers to find another site in the city after a presentation from Riceland Farms' Nick Lampson and Hani Tohme.

Prince said misinformation about the proposed site has divided the city.

"Once the city gets polarized, it's difficult to turn them around," said Councilman Willie "Bae" Lewis.

That misinformation, according to Tohme, includes rumors that the facility would put off a stench, clog sewer lines, send horseflies to a nearby cemetery and contaminate the city's water with animal blood.

Tohme said another falsehood circulating is that only Muslims would work at the plant. Prince interrupted Tohme during those remarks, saying, "Let's not get into all of that."

The slaughterhouse would process cattle, sheep and goats, but not pigs, creating speculation among some that the facility would be marketed only to those seeking meats certified as halal. Riceland has said the meat would be sold to businesses across the state.

Tahir Javed, chief executive of Riceland Health Care in Winnie, is behind the project. His family also owns Beaumont-based Starco Implex, a national distributor of convenience store merchandise.

Before the council's Tuesday vote, Tohme said Riceland Farms is evaluating other locations for its slaughterhouse, including other cities.

More than two dozen Port Arthur residents signed up to address the council on Riceland's proposal.

Most opposed the project, saying the plant would put off a foul stench and hurt residents' property values. Proponents said the meat plant could create up to 200 jobs, with a base pay of $12 an hour.

Lampson, who said he invested in the project, said the plant would be good for Port Arthur because it is an "underemployed community."

Port Arthur has a 9.1 percent unemployment rate, according to the latest report from the U.S. Department of Labor. By comparison, the state of Texas' unemployment rate is 4.2 percent, and Beaumont's is 5.3 percent.

Lampson, who identified himself to the packed council chamber as a former congressman who represented Port Arthur for eight years, said it was unfortunate that "much of the information disseminated has been erroneous."

He said the city's industrial park already supports 14 businesses, including one that "processes human waste." Lampson said he spoke with leaders of four of the 14 businesses and that they were OK with Riceland's proposal.

The project was first proposed for a "site out in the country in Chambers County" but was scrapped when developers realized it would be too expensive to bring utilities to the location, Lampson said. "Adding an additional $5 million to an already $7 million project is impossible," he said.

Port Arthur was selected because of its proximity to ports, highways and cattle, Lampson said.

Tohme, who previously worked as the head of the City of Beaumont's water department, was identified to the council as an engineer on the project. He gave a detailed account of how the animals would be slaughtered and the processes the company intended to follow to address residents' concerns.

One of those changes called for the facility to build its own sewer line, which would not be shared with residents.

Addressing rumors that the plant would generate horseflies at a nearby cemetery, Tohme said he thought that was impossible since all work would be done inside.

"There is nothing pleasant about slaughtering meat, but the demand is there," he said.

Once the plant is constructed, Riceland will truck in animals each day to be processed that day, he said.

"Odor from barns is a non-issue," he said. "The barns will be closed-in and air conditioned." He said the animals would always be on concrete and the plant would use cotton filters to "capture any smells."

Discussing concerns that blood from the slaughter would pollute city water, Tohme said there is a "value and market for blood."

The blood from the animals would be funneled into driers and turned into a powder so it could be sold, he said. The hides would also be removed and sold, he said.

Byproducts from the animal will be taken to a rendering facility in Houston to be made into food for other animals, according to Tohme. He said the owners of Riceland opted not to have a rendering machine, which further reduces the possibility of odors.

Tohme said the facility would be regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

After his presentation, Councilwoman Tiffany Hamilton told Tohme she was "disheartened by misinformation" spread about the project.

"I hope hearts have been changed because they know the truth now," said Hamilton, who asked Tohme to work with council on finding a new location.

Ashley.Sanders@BeaumontEnterprise.com
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An Alabama teen who married a high school teacher charged with having sex with her must testify against her husband in court, a judge ruled Tuesday.

RELATED: Married teachers at Alabama private school accused of having sex with different students

Amy Nicole Cox, 18, and Matthew Shane Wester  a 38-year-old former teacher at Cleveland High School in Blount County  married in June 2015, ostensibly to prevent Cox from having to testify against Wester when he goes to trial later this month.

Wester was indicted in January 2015 on a charge of being a school employee and having sexual contact with a student under the age of 19. Cox is allegedly the student involved in both cases.

Alabama Circuit Judge Dennis Odell ruled Tuesday that Cox is not protected by spousal privilege, AL.com reported.

Cox, now 18, graduated from Cleveland High School in May 2015.

RELATED: Police: Texas high school employee accused of playground sex admits to relationship with 2nd student

Prosecutors had called the marriage a "sham."

In a court filing obtained by AL.com, Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey claims that Alabama's law against compelling spouses to testify against one another doesn't apply in this case because Cox is Wester's victim.

Wester was married when he was indicted in February 2015, but had filed for divorce in January 2015, Casey said. The divorce was approved in April.

"On June 13, 2015, just 67 days following the divorce from 'wife No. 1,' and less than five months prior to the initial trial setting in this matter, the defendant married the student whom he subjected to sexual contact while he was a teacher and she was student,'' Casey wrote, according to AL.com. "It is the state's position that the marriage to the student is a sham by the defendant to prevent the student from testifying against him."

RELATED: Police: Wisconsin high school teacher had sex with student during fiance's bachelor party

Wester's trial is scheduled to begin on April 25, according to AL.com.

jfechter@mySA.com

Twitter: @JFreports
The New Jersey Department of Health has fined Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus, N.J., for failing to submit its annual audit, according to an NJ.com report.

The for-profit owner of the hospital, investment group MHA, agreed to submit the yearly audits when it purchased Meadowlands Hospital in 2010.

Meadowlands Hospital owes the state $54,000  $6,000 for each month the audit is missing, according to the report.

The New Jersey Department of Health is moving to seize $40,000 from Meadowlands Hospital's Medicaid reimbursements to satisfy the debt.

This isn't the first time the 230-bed Meadowlands Hospital has been fined over the audit reports. Since 2012, the state has levied more than $180,000 in fines against the hospital, according to the report.

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As part of an effort to curb costs, Salem, Mass.-based North Shore Medical Center, part of Boston-based Partners HealthCare, has proposed closing and consolidating Salem Hospital's cardiac surgery program with Massachusetts General Hospital's in Boston, according to The Salem News.

In a memo to physicians, employees and volunteers, NSMC President Robert Norton cited a 40 percent decline in demand for heart surgery in New England and across the U.S. in recent years. As SalemHospital cares for "the region's most vulnerable patients," Mr. Norton also pointed to mounting financial pressure as a reason for the proposed consolidation.

"Recently those discussions have focused on cardiac surgery at NSMC and whether there is an opportunity for a different model of care," Mr. Norton said in his memo, according to the report. "Today, improvements in angioplasty, cardiac care and prevention efforts have been so successful that the demand for cardiac surgery both in New England and across the nation has declined by approximately 40 percent in recent years. While good for patients, this trend has also impacted our surgical program where demand for cardiac surgery continues to decline."

However, Mr. Norton said the percutaneous coronary intervention/angioplasty and general cardiology programs will remain as is, despite the possible consolidation.
Bill Masterton, CEO of Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, S.C., has resigned to take a new job in Louisiana, according to The Herald.

Here are six things to know about Mr. Masterton.

1. He has accepted a job at a teaching hospital in New Orleans, Amy Faulkenberry, PMC's vice president of business development, told The Herald. She did not disclose the name the hospital, telling the publication Mr. Masterton's appointment there had not yet been announced.

2. His last day at PMC will be May 13.



3. Mr. Masterson has served as CEO of PMC since July 2012.

4. During his tenure at PMC, Mr. Masterton oversaw the addition of more than 50 physicians to the medical staff, as well as a $20 million expansion of the PMC emergency department, according to the hospital. He also was involved in starting a neurosurgery program.

5. Prior to joining PMC, Mr. Masterson was CEO of Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, S.C., as well as COO and CFO of Atlanta Medical Center.

6. PMC will conduct a national search for Mr. Masterson's replacement, after regional vice president Garry Gause meets with the hospital's governing board April 28, according to The Herald.

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CEO turnover rate was especially high in 2015, but the executives filling those positions were overwhelmingly male, according to a report from PwC's Strategy&.

The share of incoming women CEOs fell to 2.8 percent among the world's 2,500 largest public companies, the lowest it has been since 2011, according to the report. This means just 10 of the incoming 359 CEOs at these companies in 2015 were women. In the U.S. and Canada, the share of incoming women CEOs fell to its lowest point in the history of the study  for the third year running. Just one of 87 incoming CEOs in the U.S. and Canada was a woman among the companies studied.

Interestingly, the study found more companies are now choosing to bring in outsider CEOs  this is up to 22 percent in the latest four-year period from 14 percent in 2004-07  and women outsiders are hired more often as CEOs than men. Approximately one-third of female CEOs are outsiders compared to less than a fourth of male CEOs, according to the report.

"That women CEOs are more often hired from the outside may be an indication that companies have not been cultivating enough female senior executives in-house," DeAnne Aguirre, an advisor with Strategy& and a principal with PwC U.S., said in a statement. "One of the reasons why women may be more likely to be outsiders is that their development is not being recognized within their own organization, and therefore they may be more likely to be attracted away. The fact that more companies are considering outsiders might improve the chances for women CEOs in the future."

So why are female CEO rates at a five-year low? It may be because the industries with the smallest share of female CEOs  energy (1.6 percent), industrials (1.5 percent) and materials (1 percent)  reported some of the highest turnover rates in 2015. Energy had a 23.2 percent turnover rate, industrials had a 16.8 percent turnover rate and materials had a 19.6 percent turnover rate, according to the report. Only the telecom services industry had a higher rate of turnover (24.7 percent) and its share of female CEOs is 4.5 percent.

Healthcare has one of the lowest shares of female CEOs over the past decade, at just 1.6 percent, according to the report.

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A restructuring of Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine, based in Hanover, N.H., will eliminate about 30 jobs, but also include job offers to hundreds of Geisel employees who will be losing their places on the college payroll, according to a Valley News report.

Here are six things to know about the restructuring.

1. Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth-Hitchcock, which has ties to Dartmouth College but a separate corporate and financial existence, plans to offer jobs to 285 Geisel employees.

2. The former Geisel employees  182 physicians, researchers and staff in the psychiatry department and 103 faculty and staff involved in clinical research  will meet the new boss July 1, according to Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

3. However, Geisel Interim Dean Duane Compton told the Valley News Geisel expects that 30 individuals may not have employment offers from Dartmouth-Hitchcock.

4. Geisel and Dartmouth first outlined a restructuring plan in September that they said would move hundreds of jobs to Dartmouth-Hitchcock and eliminate a smaller but at the time unspecified number of others, according to the report.

5. As part of the restructuring, Dartmouth-Hitchcock will become grantee on federal and non-federal support for research.

6. Over the next months, Dartmouth-Hitchcock managers will focus on creating the administrative infrastructure to oversee the expanded research portfolio of its physician faculty, according to the report.

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From patient to consumer, from acute care to population health, from fee-for-service to fee-for-value  the past decade has flipped healthcare on its head. So whats next? Flipping hospitals on their heads to ensure they stay alive. Illustrative of such change is data from the MedPAC analysis, which showed inpatient volume was down by six percent from 2010 to 2013, while outpatient services have been steadily on the rise (30 percent) for the past 13 years. In Illinois for instance, a huge percentage of the states 32,000+ hospital beds routinely go empty  with an occupancy rate of less than 60%.

This doesnt imply that fewer patients need care  instead, its evidence that these patients are going elsewhere. While this is a threat for the hospital of yesterday, its an opportunity for the hospital of the future. The vast majority of hospitals need to redefine themselves from organizations that deliver care to organizations that orchestrate care. Even though hospitals are one of the core lines of lifeblood in healthcare, the way in which the majority of them operate arent appealing to patients today, nor is it sustainable to hospitals future existence.

Dont misunderstand  hospitals are the places where we see medical breakthroughs; where we find we are stronger, braver and more powerful than we think. In short, they are the places where humanity often shines at its brightest. However, our system is so broken that its turned this instrument of health and humanity into a walled citadel. To better serve the patients who are seemingly already going elsewhere, hospitals need to become a leading orchestrator of the very best care on behalf of patients.

The folks at New York-based Mount Sinai seem to get it. Last year, readers of The New York Times were treated to a Mount Sinai marketing campaign headline that read, If our beds are filled, it means weve failed. Its counterintuitive, but spot on. Mount Sinai has embraced the idea that instead of receiving care thats isolated and intermittent, patients [should] receive care thats continuous and coordinated, much of it outside of the traditional hospital setting. Its only with this shift away from a filling beds mindset, combined with a refactoring to the way in which a hospital interacts with other players in the market, that hospitals will maintain a leading role across the care continuum.

We must collectively accept and internalize these truths  and its time for hospitals to fully embrace a new set of core competencies.

First is the requirement to leverage an infrastructure of cross-continuum connectedness and total cost and quality transparency. Software alone wont get hospitals there; being part of a more connected national network is critical.

Second, hospitals need to embrace savvier consumer marketing that helps them stand out amidst emerging players in healthcare  like CVS Health and Walgreens  who understand the consumer mindset and have built their brands around convenience and ease.

Third, a new era of hospital sales must emerge, working with insurers and employers to broker deals that send the right patients through your doors only for the services you do really well.

Fourth, the successful hospitals will create a renaissance of accessibility: If you cant provide an appointment slot served up via a mobile app for every procedure type within three days, youre failing.

And fifth, hospitals should become ecosystem partners, not brick-and-mortar investors. This means eliminating anything that can be done in a primary care practice, a retail clinic, or at home, and exporting non-invasive surgery out of the hospital to more cost-effective specialized surgical centers.

To profit and thrive in this new model, hospitals must embrace value-based-reimbursement contracts for such procedures. This benefits the entire healthcare system, too  if half of the eligible surgical procedures moved from the hospital to ambulatory surgery centers, Medicare would save an additional $2.5 billion a year or $25 billion over the next 10 years.

As National Coordinator for Health IT and HHS' Acting Assistant Secretary for Health Karen DeSalvo, MD, recently reinforced in a conversation with the Wall Street Journal, patients are becoming the undisputed center of care. And as a result, the information model for healthcare is changing to meet this shift. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is turning its focus away from EHRs to the patient, enabling a patients data to finally be standardized, aggregated and moved when and where it matters for the patient.

This is creating a rapidly accelerating healthcare network, and the pressure is on hospitals to tap into it and not be left out. Patients, pharmacies, imaging centers and urgent care providers are embracing it  from helping patients connect with pharmacies that offer immunizations close to home, to offering smartphone apps that can be used remotely to check vital signs, to doing business with imaging centers that can more cheaply execute and share radiologic images.

In short, the network effect has finally arrived in healthcare; the question is how long it will take to arrive in hospitals. The hospital walls are indeed shrinking, but the hospital that embraces a culture of resource orchestration in lieu of resource control will be the hospital that sees the benefits of those shrinking roles  and the rewards of a growing network.

This is the hospital of the future that will help to unbreak healthcare.

Jonathan Bush is CEO and co-founder of athenahealth and author of "Where Does it Hurt?: A n Entrepreneur's Guide to Fixing Health Care."
Did Palo Alto, Calif.-based blood testing startup Theranos mislead investors and government officials?

The U.S. Attorney's Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission are currently investigating, particularly to find out if the company misrepresented the readiness of its technologies and operations, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Here are five things to know about the investigations.

1. The SEC is looking into how Theranos presented itself to investors when it sought funding, according to the report.

2. The U.S. Attorney's Office has also subpoenaed Walgreens Boots Alliance and the New York State Department of Health for information on how Theranos represented its technologies. Prosecutors are also investigating if Theranos misled government officials, according to the report. The Wall Street Journal notes subpoenas do not necessarily indicate Theranos will be formally charged.

3. Walgreens was subpoenaed because it has a partnership with Theranos to host 40 clinics at its stores in Arizona, which it intends to ax if Theranos cannot fix issues found by a federal inspection in November. The Walgreens partnership is Theranos' main link to customers, according to the report.

4. The New York Department of Health was subpoenaed because Theranos applied for a lab license there, according to the report. This application said Theranos planned to test customer's blood on traditional lab devices, according to the report. Later, there were issues with a Theranos employee who claimed in 2014 that the company was manipulating the state department's proficiency-testing program by sending in results from traditional machines, but the company said its proficiency-testing process had been discussed with regulators, according to the report. Ultimately, Theranos never got a lab license in New York after its lab director resigned and asked to remove his name from the application, according to the report.

5. In a memo to its partners, Theranos said, "The investigations by the SEC and the U.S. Attorney's Office, which began following the publication of certain news articles, are focused on requesting documents and are ongoing," according to USA Today coverage of the probes. "The company continues to work closely with regulators and is cooperating fully with all investigations."

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Can parenting style predict great leadership? Not necessarily. But in a CNN article, digital correspondent and editor-at-large Kelly Wallace outlined what parenting can potentially tell us about leadership.

During recent town halls, Republican candidates have had the chance to showcase their families and talk about their family life. Televised and carefully composed talks with the families of Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) certainly won't reveal how successful they will be in the election, but a closer look at different parenting styles could be predictors of a prosperous president.

Psychologist Joe Taravella, PhD, claims there are four parenting styles: authoritative, uninvolved/neglectful, permissive and authoritarian. "Most studies find authoritative to be by far the best for the children," said psychoanalyst Gail Saltz, MD, according to the report.

The authoritarian style, in which parents have high expectations of their children but show understanding and utilize communication, may likely be the best style for America's future president. "[I]f the candidate who ends up winning in November falls in the 'authoritative' parenting category, we're all likely to be better off," according to the report.

What about the style in which each candidate was parented? The presidential candidates' relationship with their own parents can also be telling. "If you have the experience of some person in your life growing up who was able to think about you, then you are more likely to develop this ability for emotional regulation, which is the thing you really want in our president," said pediatrician and author Claudia Gold, MD, according to the report.

Having a presidential father likely influenced George W. Bush's mentality while in the White House. After President Barack Obama's parents divorced, his father moved to Kenya, which probably helped shape his global understanding of the world.

Regardless, family relationships and parenting style aren't everything. In his writing, Bill Clinton has discussed his alcoholic and abusive stepfather, whom some have attributed to his high level of sympathy. "There have been great leaders who were not great parents as well as great parents who were less-than-stellar leaders," said Dr. Saltz, according to the report.
The passage of the Affordable Care Act prompted more than a third of physicians to consider quitting, according to a survey conducted by healthcare staffing agency, CompHealth.

Physicians were more likely to view the law unfavorably (51 percent) than favorably (30 percent) due to a combination of factors, including its challenges to their work and impact on compensation. The remaining 19 percent felt neutral.

Here are five more findings from the survey.

1. Private practice physicians were most pessimistic about the law. Only 20 percent of private practice physicians viewed the law favorably, compared to 26 percent of group practice physicians and 35 percent of hospital-based practice physicians. Of those groups, private practice physicians were also the most likely to feel they were not being properly compensation for their time, believe their salaries took a hit from the ACA and that their practice was negatively impacted overall.

2. While the ACA improves patient access, physicians feel it costs patients more and hinders medical practice. Nearly half of physicians said the ACA had a positive impact on access to healthcare and insurance. However, few physicians felt it improved the cost of healthcare for patients, physicians' overall medical practice, their ability to meet demand, quality of care, their overall salary and how much they are reimbursed for treating patients.

3. More than half of physicians  54 percent  have not had to reduce the time they spend with patients. However, about a third of physicians felt the number of patients they see increased after the passage of the ACA and 44 percent felt they have had to reduce the amount of time they spend with each patient per visit.

4. Most feel there are too many administrative hoops associated with the ACA to jump through. The majority (68 percent) felt they spend too much time entering data into EHRs and 59 percent felt paperwork was a burden.

5. Physicians are seeking additional employment, often to supplement their income. About 41 percent of physicians reported taking an additional job, and half of those who did take another job chose to do so to maintain their preferred lifestyle, according to the survey.

Survey data is based on responses from 993 physicians across multiple specialties and from various regions of the U.S.

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Mergers and acquisitions play a critical role as hospitals focus on providing coordinated, cost-effective care. Hospital consolidation is occurring in markets across the nation, particularly those in the Midwest.

Several hospital deals were born in the Chicagoland area in recent years. One proposed merger in this market involves Evanston, Ill.-based NorthShore University HealthSystem and Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care. The systems are looking to join forces to create the largest system in the state with 16 hospitals. Chicago-based Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Crystal Lake, Ill.-based Centegra Health System have also signed a letter of intent to explore an affiliation. The Northwestern-Centegra deal would create a 10-hospital system.

Central Michigan is another area ripe for consolidation. Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System recently expanded its Michigan footprint with the addition of Allegiance Health  a single-hospital system in Jackson, Mich. With six hospitals and more than 23,000 employees, Henry Ford is a dominant force in the Detroit area.

Becker's Hospital Review recently caught up with Gregory F. Hagood, senior managing director and president of SOLIC Capital, to get his insight on hospital consolidation in the Midwest and how some of the proposed transactions will affect local markets.

Question: What is driving healthcare consolidation in the Midwest?

Gregory Hagood: The same trends that are driving consolidation nationally are pushing partnerships in the Midwest. Both Medicare and commercial payer cuts (many commercial plans now reimburse just higher than Medicare) are requiring levels of operating efficiency that are very difficult for a standalone hospital or health system to achieve. For pull factors: the cost of IT and accounting go down significantly if you can amortize across multiple hospitals. Similarly, purchasing discounts increase substantially, and the ability to offer specialty and tertiary services expands because you can use system volume to offset the cost of recruiting specialists and achieve designated centers of excellence which in turn attract greater volume.

Q: Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Centegra Health System recently signed a letter of intent to explore an affiliation. If that transaction and the Advocate-NorthShore merger go through, what are the repercussions for the Chicago healthcare market?

GH: Consolidation by market leaders in Chicago will continue to put significant pressure on smaller and independent hospitals around Chicago. There are several successful independent systems in that market, but these mega-systems can cut deals with employers and lower the cost of care in ways that make it difficult for smaller independents to compete. If these deals go through, they will spur even greater consolidation. In most major metro markets, including New York, we are starting to see the emergence of two to four dominant systems with six to 12 hospitals.

Q: With Henry Ford's recent acquisition of Allegiance, do you predict further consolidation will take place in Central Michigan?

GH: Yes. There remain a number of independent systems that are a similar size to Allegiance in Central Michigan that will increasingly feel pressure as larger systems begin to leverage their expanded presence from recent consolidation initiatives. While none of these independents are financially troubled per se, they are likely to be at risk of market share loss as bigger systems invest in branded services, proprietary health plans and narrow networks with large payers.
When DGA Partners and Health Strategies & Solutions considered merging, both healthcare consultancies were well established.

Health Strategies & Solutions was founded in 1997, and DGA Partners in 1994. Each brought their own expertise to the table, in ways that complemented each other.

DGA had found its stride in the realm of valuation and physician compensation, as well as development and implementation of strategic projects such as clinical integration, bundled payment programs, and mergers and acquisitions. Health Strategies & Solutions had a nationally recognized strategic planning practice.

Additionally, both firms were headquartered in Philadelphia, and the firms' leaders had known each other for years.

"It just seemed to make sense to bring the firms together," says Dayana Habib Rapoport, director of marketing and communications for Veralon, the combined company.

The merger took place in January 2015, and Veralon has been operating under its new name since last August.

According to the company website, the name has its roots in vera, referring to truth and commitment, tenets of the way both firms have practiced since their founding.

Dan Grauman, Veralon's managing partner, notes that "As one firm, we are even better positioned to help clients develop clarity of direction and strategy, and execute successfully on strategy and tactics, through services in planning, mergers and transactions, valuation, clinical transformation and value-based payment."

Today, the merged company has completed nearly 5,000 healthcare consulting engagements for more than 1,100 clients, including health systems, community hospitals, teaching hospitals and academic medical centers.

The merger also positioned Veralon for further expansion.

The firm recently opened an office in Los Angeles, to strengthen its presence in the Western and Pacific markets, according to Mr. Grauman. The company also has offices in Philadelphia, New York and Chicago and plans to soon open an office in Atlanta.

"We've always served clients across the country, but we do believe it's important to have geographic presence. The new offices will to make it easier for us to serve our clients, and for them to see us and know we're dedicated to a particular market. They also fit our vision for the way that we want our organization to be run and for keeping our consultants' lifestyle manageable," Ms. Rapoport says.

Veralon currently has about 50 staff members and is recruiting for its new offices.
A federal jury has convicted the president and CEO of a Hazard, Ky.-based medical clinic and her physician husband of more than 150 charges, including illegal distribution of drugs and healthcare fraud.

Lesa Chaney, president and CEO of now-shuttered Ace Clinique of Medicine, and her husband James "Ace" Chaney, MD, allegedly made millions of dollars by unlawfully prescribing large amounts of prescription drugs to patients, according to a KFVS news report.

According to evidence presented during a seven-week trial, Dr. Chaney knowingly provided prescriptions for controlled substances to drug abusers and people who were diverting the pills for sale. He also allegedly pre-signed prescriptions for controlled substances for clinic staff to fill in for patients when he was not present at the clinic and wrote prescriptions for controlled substances to a clinic employee, which he then took himself.

Evidence at trial also showed Dr. Chaney had clinic employees falsify the results of patients' urine drug screens and then submit the altered results to Medicare, Medicaid and private payers for reimbursement. Dr. Chaney and Ace Clinique of Medicine staff billed Medicare for more urine drug screen tests than any other provider or laboratory in Kentucky from 2009 to 2011, according to the report.

Dr. Chaney and his wife billed Medicare and Medicaid nearly $16 million during the scheme, which lasted more than 8 years.

On Tuesday, a jury convicted Dr. Chaney of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, 62 counts of illegal distribution of controlled substances, conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, 84 counts of healthcare fraud, two counts of maintaining a premise for drug distribution, conspiracy to commit money laundering and 20 counts of money laundering.

Lesa Chaney was convicted of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, two counts of maintaining a premise for drug distribution, conspiracy to commit money laundering, 20 counts of money laundering, conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, and 84 counts of healthcare fraud.

"The defendants in this case combined a massive illegal drug distribution scheme with a massive healthcare fraud scheme," said U.S. Attorney Kerry Harvey's office in a statement issued Tuesday. "The resulting criminal enterprise harmed countless Kentuckians, and sent the fraudulent bill to the American taxpayer."

Dr. Chaney's lawyer, Elizabeth Hughes, told The Lexington Herald Leader the couple will appeal their convictions.

The Chaneys are scheduled to be sentenced August 25.

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New details about what led to the charges against a Florida teenager accused of posing as a physician are included in reports compiled by investigators for the Palm Beach Narcotics Task Force.

Prosecutors gave the reports to Andrew Stine, defense attorney for the accused teenager, Malachi Love-Robinson, according to the Sun Sentinel.

Mr. Love-Robinson, 18, was arrested in February for practicing medicine without a license. He allegedly performed physical exams and gave medical advice to people  including an undercover officer  at an illegal medical office he ran in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Mr. Love-Robinson also allegedly stole more than $37,000 from an 86-year-old "patient," using checks he stole during house calls.

The newly released reports show Mr. Love-Robinson spoke with a detective after his arrest in February. During that conversation, he claimed he told Anita Morrison, the 86-year-old woman he visited for house calls, that he was not a real physician.

However, Ms. Morrison told investigators she found Mr. Love-Robinson through an online search for physicians who use natural therapies. She said the teenager wore a white coat and a stethoscope in her home.

Mr. Love-Robinson also wore a white lab coat and a stethoscope around his neck when he went to local banks. A bank teller told investigators Mr. Love-Robinson called himself a physician, according to the report.

There are two cases pending against Mr. Love-Robinson involving a total of 12 criminal charges: two counts of practicing medicine without a license, two counts of practicing naturopathy without a license, three counts of forgery, two counts of grand theft from a person 65 or older and three counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information.

This is not the first time Mr. Love-Robinson has been accused of masquerading as a physician. He was previously investigated for practicing medicine without a license in October, and he is the same teen caught in January 2015 pretending to be a physician at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach.

Mr. Love-Robinson is expected to appear in court Wednesday for an update on the two cases pending against him.

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Henry Lora, MD, former director of a Miami-area medical clinic, was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison for his role in a Medicare fraud scheme that caused approximately $30 million in losses, according to the Department of Justice.

Dr. Lora served as the medical director of Merfi Corp., a clinic in Coral Gables, Fla. The clinic employed physicians and other medical professionals who wrote prescriptions for home health services.

In a plea deal with prosecutors, Dr. Lora admitted he and his co-conspirators wrote Medicare beneficiaries prescriptions for home health services that were not medically necessary or not provided. He said they wrote the fraudulent prescriptions in exchange for kickbacks and bribes from home healthcare agencies. Dr. Lora also admitted to falsifying patient records to make it appear as if beneficiaries qualified for home health services.

In February, Dr. Lora pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., receive kickbacks and make false statements relating to healthcare matters.

In addition to his prison sentence, Dr. Lora was also ordered to pay $30.3 million in restitution.

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The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument Tuesday in Universal Health Services v. Escobar, a case that focuses on the implied certification theory of False Claims Act liability.

Here are 10 things to know about the lawsuit and the implied certification theory.

1. Under the implied certification theory, the government or a whistle-blower can allege a claim submitted by a healthcare provider is false if they can show the provider billed for services while in violation of some government rule or regulation. The theory allows whistle-blowers to base their qui tam actions on statutes and regulations outside of the False Claims Act and permits cases to be brought even when payment requests contain no false information.

2. The whistle-blowers in Esobar premised their claims on the implied certification theory. Their teenage daughter was a beneficiary of the Massachusetts Medicaid program and received treatment at Arbour Counseling Services in Brookline, Mass., which is owned by King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services.

3. The teenage girl died in 2009 after having an adverse reaction to anti-seizure medication prescribed by an Arbour Counseling employee. A subsequent investigation revealed Arbour Counseling was not in compliance with several Massachusetts regulations related to licensure and supervision in the course of the teenager's treatment, according to The National Law Review.

4. The girl's parents filed a lawsuit against UHS, alleging any claims for payments arising from their daughter's treatment were false because UHS knew it was not in compliance with Massachusetts regulations when the claims were submitted.

5. At the district court level, UHS' motion to dismiss was granted. The court reasoned that the state regulations UHS had violated were not "preconditions to payment," according to The National Law Review. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit disagreed and reversed and remanded the case.

6. In December, the Supreme Court agreed to review UHS v. Escobar.

7. The case is closely watched by hospitals, as the implied certification theory essentially lowers the bar for what constitutes fraud  a change that hospitals are unlikely to embrace.

8. In January, the American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals and the Association of American Medical Colleges filed a friend-of-the court brief, asking the Supreme Court to reverse the appellate court decision.

In its brief, the AHA argues, "FCA liability should only attach when a defendant submits a claim that it knows is ineligible for payment because some expressly designated condition for payment of that claim has not been satisfied."

9. With others  including the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living  also filing friend-of-the-court briefs in the case, a high court decision holding the implied certification is valid will definitely cause a stir in the industry.

10. Lawrence Kraus, partner at Foley & Lardner, told Becker's that during oral arguments Tuesday the Justices appeared frustrated with the technical labels currently used to analyze FCA claims. "Several Justices were skeptical the proper line could be drawn based on basic fraud principles, as urged by the petitioner/defendant," said Mr. Kraus.

"Overall, faced with the facts of the case, the court seems inclined to uphold the validity of the implied certification theory of liability under the FCA," he said. "The specific scope and basis for the court's ruling await the issuance of its written decision, likely in June."

More articles on healthcare industry lawsuits:

11 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements

Boston Medical Center to pay $1.1M over billing errors

Former medical biller sentenced to 11 years for role in $63M fraud scheme
A recent policy change has caused approximately 1,900 pregnant Californian women to be transferred from Covered California to Medi-Cal without their knowledge, according to The Sacramento Bee.

The policy change, which occurred in October, applies to pregnant women who make between 138 and 213 percent of the federal poverty level  or $22,100 to $34,100 for a family of two people, according to the report.

After the October change, women in this income bracket who were pregnant when they applied for coverage were instantly put in Medi-Cal rather than Covered California.

Women in the income bracket who had Covered California plans before applying were supposed to be given the choice between staying in Covered California  which has out-of-pocket costs  or switching to Medi-Cal, which has no out-of-pocket costs. But Covered California's computer system accidentally botched the process. Around 1,900 pregnant women weren't given the choice to switch and were instantaneously moved to Medi-Cal.

"They didn't receive notice. They just knew from one day to the next that their Covered California insurance didn't work anymore," said Lucy Quacinella, an attorney in San Francisco, according to the report. "It's very stressful, very confusing."

Certain women were stressed by the transfer because they didn't want to lose their current provider, but others are happy with the cheaper cost of Medi-Cal, according to Ms. Quacinella.

Covered California said the computer problem will be fixed in September. "We didn't implement this as well as it should have been implemented," said Amy Palmer, Covered California's director of communications, according to the report.

Until then, pregnant women can get their Covered California plans back by contacting the insurer's customer service center.
Over the course of a century, public health officials have shifted their focus from fighting infectious diseases like cholera, polio and tuberculosis to combating cancer, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Now, efforts to fight these diseases are largely concentrated on correcting the unhealthy lifestyles that contribute to such conditions, according to The New York Times.

Perhaps no city's health department has worked so aggressively to change people's health-related behavior and lifestyles as New York City. Under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York health commissioners Thomas R. Frieden, MD, and then Thomas A. Farley, MD, took action to reduce smoking, binge drinking and consumption of sugary drinks, sodium and trans fats in the city.

In his latest book Saving Gotham: Billionaire Mayor, Activist Doctors, and the Fight for Eight Million Lives, Dr. Farley, who served as New York's health commissioner from 2009 to 2014, argues the key to eradicating lifestyle-related diseases is by changing people's environments. Specifically, it is done by making it harder for them to make unhealthy choices  like smoking and drinking sugary sodas  and easier to make good ones  such as exercising and eating healthy food.

In his book, Dr. Farley illustrates the behind-the-scenes process of the Bloomberg administration's approach to fighting chronic, life-threatening diseases.

Dr. Farley later served as the Joan H. Tisch Distinguished Fellow in Public Health at Hunter College in New York City and CEO of the Public Good Projects. He new serves as health commissioner of Philadelphia.

Click here to read The New York Times' Q&A withDr. Farley on Saving Gotham.
A February 2016 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that, contrary to how the genesis of the opioid crisis has been framed in the public eye, the overprescription of painkillers is not the fault of a small number of physicians, but rather a widespread issue that needs to be addressed by healthcare stakeholders as a whole. James Campbell, MD, founder of the Johns Hopkins Blaustein Pain Treatment Center in Baltimore, is one expert who believes the problem is far more complex than there being certain breeds of prescription-happy physicians.

Although more eyes are turning toward the crisis, patients have been wrestling with chronic pain  and physicians with how to treat it  for decades.

"This is something that really is not brand new," Dr. Campbell says. "People in our country and around the world are in chronic pain."

The crisis is rife with challenges, Dr. Campbell says, from weaning patients off opioids after the medications have run the course of treatment, to addressing the growing threat of powerful street drugs, such as fentanyl and heroin, which addicts commonly turn to after coming off of prescriptions from physicians.

Little about the problem is clear cut, but a multifaceted response that includes offering better education for physicians on prescription behaviors and a shifting attitude about the treatment of addiction are without a doubt part of the solution, Dr. Campbell says.

The search for other pain management solutions led Dr. Campbell to his current position as co-founder, president and chief scientific officer of Baltimore-based Centrexion Therapeutics, which is working to develop alternative treatments for pain.

"At the moment we have physicians playing a role in inadvertently feeding drugs in the system that's causing this crisis, but there are dangers in telling them to just stop writing prescriptions for the many patients who will benefit from the drugs," Dr. Campbell says. "I really feel that the future must involve the development of new treatments for pain."

Dr. Campbell spoke with Becker's Hospital Review about how the crisis became a crisis, what physicians can do, and what the future of pain management might look like.

Editor's note: Responses are lightly edited for length and clarity.

Question: How did we get to the point where our country is facing an opioid crisis?

Dr. Campbell: The crisis is two-fold. On one hand, chronic pain is a really major U.S. public health problem. As baby boomers get older, the pain problem simply increases. On the other hand, doctors are increasingly told to be sensitive to their patients, to be humanistic to their patients, to ask about their level of pain. So when you have a population in chronic pain that indicates they're in pain  what do you do about it?

And there the opioids present a conundrum. They help some people. But there's a minority of people  we don't know what that number is, it could be 5 percent, it might be 10 percent or an even greater number  who develop this addiction syndrome. Then there's the issue of diversion. Even if a patient is taking opioids responsibly there may be young people in the home who are tempted to experiment with the drugs or divert the drugs in other ways. The pills may have street value and we have physicians feeding medicines into the drug culture and we see the consequences and ravages of that.

But I think from a pain advocacy perspective, all of this is predicated on patients having pain. Independent of medications and prescriptions, when epidemiological studies are done, here are the kinds of numbers we come up with: One in three Americans have a problem with chronic pain. A recent study from the National Institutes of Health indicated that 10 million Americans have a lot of pain on a daily basis. These are staggering numbers, and regardless of where one stands about how opioids should be used, we can all agree they are much less than ideal. They carry problems beyond addiction, such as very powerful side effects.

Q: Why has the focus on opioids and addiction grown so much in the last year?

Dr. Campbell: The answer is I'm not entirely sure. The numbers have been creeping up in terms of accidental overdose. Some of that is connected with other factors, for example, very inexpensive heroin. Fentanyl is an ultra-potent opioid that's newly available on the street, and so the drug trade has come up with ways to lace the heroin or just give out fentanyl. The issue with these drugs is, compared to a pill patients might be familiar with, someone wrestling with addiction who gets drugs off of the street has no idea what they're getting.

One initiative to help save people is increasing access to naloxone, an otherwise harmless drug that can be lifesaving when given to someone who has overdosed on opioids, making it widely available in the context where one might see a drug overdose.

Another major factor is realizing that addiction is something more than just a moral breakdown. There are probably some genetic factors that go into this, and addiction is best treated in a medical model. We do not adequately address addiction problems in terms of access to care for patients who need help.

Q: What are your recommendations for physicians?

Dr. Campbell: The educational process would be to make them more aware of the different options that can be pursued for the patient, to enact a system where a patient only tries using an opioid after carefully thinking through their options and ensuring they understand the risk. There are numerous red flags, and we need to learn more about recognizing these and then transmit that information on an educational basis to the primary care doctor. On a short term basis, that can help address the crisis.

Quite often these medications work at first but then the patient builds a tolerance, which leads to increasing the doses and running into more side effects. It spirals out of control and suddenly you have a patient taking high doses of opioids. The majority of patients don't have addiction issues, they don't like the opioids but they become physically dependent and then the physician has to figure out how to deal with that dependency.

The major role that I have adopted is doing what I can to nurture the development of new therapies. A lot of my work right now is to talk with scientists and academics about the importance of doing everything that we can to develop new treatments. These things at the moment are not of any practical value to the primary care doctor, who Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. sees a patient with chronic low back pain for which there is no surgery available. What do they do about that patient? That is a conundrum, but there is this important educational process that we can more vigorously encourage doctors to pursue.

Q: Do you think the opioid crisis will have a lasting effect on how physicians help patients manage pain?

Dr. Campbell: Regardless of whether we come up with the solution for the patient, a doctor can always offer understanding and comfort to their patient, and I think the awareness of the pain problem and not just sweeping it under the rug is a very essential part of the doctor-patient relationship.

We have to see our patients' pain for what it is. If someone has cancer, even if it's untreatable, we diagnose and help the patient determine a prognosis and do the best we can to comfort the patient and guide the decision-making. Just because a disease is tough to treat doesn't mean we ignore it. So I think the message is to provide humane care, to thoughtfully think through the options for patients without automatically writing a prescription for an opioid. The use of opioids needs to be much more thoughtful, and there has to be very careful follow-up of patients. Everybody  doctors, patients and policymakers  should be screaming for us to come up with new treatments. That's what we as a society have fallen short on  coming up with new advances for this growing public health problem.
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The risks posed by the upcoming EU referendum may have already hit the UK economy, the Governor of the Bank of England has warned.

Addressing the House of Lords economic affairs committee yesterday, Mark Carney said there is "growing uncertainty about the UK's macroeconomic outlook" in the run up to June 23.

He warned that risks in the UK's economy may be beginning to manifest already.

"A vote to leave the EU might result in an extended period of uncertainty about the economic outlook... this uncertainty would be likely to push down on demand in the short run."

And Mr Carney said a Treasury report, examining the long-term impacts of a Brexit, had been based on a "sound economic process".

Chancellor George Osborne said the UK will be permanently poorer if it votes to leave the EU. The report also highlights that Northern Ireland receives more from the EU than other regions in the UK.

Meanwhile, Mr Osborne has appointed Michael Saunders to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

Mr Saunders, who is managing director and head of European economics at Citigroup, will take up the three-year role from August 9.
Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of NI Chamber of Commerce, Brian Murphy, Partner at BDO, and Maureen OReilly, economist

Manufacturing firms in Northern Ireland are struggling with a fall in sales, profit and employment numbers, according to a survey.

And there were suggestions from one member of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry that a 'taskforce' should be set up by the Assembly in order to boost and improve Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector.

The Chamber's latest survey, alongside BDO, points to less confidence in both the manufacturing and services sectors here.

Around half of the some 300 businesses quizzed also said they don't believe Stormont is doing enough to support the manufacturing sector here.

Meanwhile, exchange rates - partly fuelled by uncertainty heading up to the EU referendum - are a growing concern, with more than double the number of members raising it as an issue, compared to the same period in 2014.

However, manufacturing here saw a more positive performance in the first three months of the year in investment, along with a pick up in export orders.

The services industry had a weak performance across the areas monitored.

That included a drop in domestic orders, export sales, job numbers and cash flow.

Ann McGregor, chief executive of Northern Ireland Chamber said: "There are some signs of growth in the Northern Ireland economy this quarter and it is positive to see an improvement in sales and a slight pick-up in export orders in manufacturing.

"However, the sense of uncertainty is palpable. More key balances weakened than strengthened and fewer businesses in both manufacturing and services took on staff during the last three months."

And a strong and reliable political system is also key to investment confidence, according to BDO's Brian Murphy.

He said in one case, a buyer from overseas had raised concerns about Stormont while finalising a deal to purchase a property here.

Mr Murphy said it had been a "bumpy ride" for Northern Ireland business.

However, he said things had "settled down", with many manufacturing firms surveyed showing increased cash flows - which he said was a strong, positive indicator.

Around two thirds of manufacturers quizzed said they believed bringing in a low rate of corporation tax would bring about a big boost for businesses in Northern Ireland. "The real take-home message from the first quarterly economic survey of 2016 is that the mood of industry is resolute and that Northern Ireland's political establishment must meet its concerns with positive action," Mr Murphy said.

"In particular, we need to see a concerted strategy that focuses on the region's potential as a centre of high-value manufacturing excellence.

"The Northern Ireland Assembly must also take more aggressive steps to address issues around competitiveness and energy costs."

And high energy cost concerns were also reiterated by Ms McGregor.

"Energy costs consistently dominate member concerns, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing," she said.

"Northern Ireland's manufacturing sector has a future but support from the Executive is crucial to give the sector a level playing field with other regions and countries."

A long-awaited Government report published earlier this month pointed the finger at high energy costs which are facing industry here, which it says are "some of the highest in Europe".

Meanwhile, up to 1,000 manufacturing posts are going in Northern Ireland over the next few weeks, as job losses at giants of industry JTI Gallaher and Bombardier take effect.

Around 300 Bombardier workers have left the aerospace giant, while a further 100 people have been accepted for voluntary redundancy.
An artists impression of the new Maldron Hotel in Belfasts Brunswick Street

Northern Ireland's construction sector remains dependent on projects in Great Britain for work, according to a survey today.

Surveyors told their professional body that they were still going across the water for work, continuing a trend which began during the economic downturn.

And apart from some pick-up in residential house building in the province, members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) were downbeat about their prospects, compared to their colleagues in the rest of the UK.

Infrastructure was the sector in which Northern Ireland was the most deficient - with no growth in infrastructure activity reported in the latest RICS survey, produced in association with law firm Tughans.

RICS construction spokesman Jim Sammon said: "On the positive side, the latest survey points to overall growth in activity.

"But unfortunately it is relatively weak growth and it is coming off a very low base.

"The main concern is the ongoing lack of infrastructure activity, with no growth in infrastructure workloads reported for the 10th consecutive quarter.

"The reality is that Northern Ireland simply cannot achieve the kind of economic growth that we want without investing significantly in our infrastructure.

"So we need to see a step-change in Northern Ireland's approach to infrastructure investment."

Many Northern Ireland building firms - led by Co Tyrone firm McAleer and Rushe - have found large amounts of work in other parts of the UK, to counter the effects of the slowdown in the sector at home.

Michael McCord, construction partner at Tughans Solicitors, said the sector was still fairly strong in Great Britain, which was good news for firms from here operating in that market.

Mr McCord added: "We also see ongoing evidence of increasing house-building activity locally.

"However, it is the lack of a pick-up in infrastructure workloads that will cause construction firms most concern.

"It is vitally important that all efforts are made to invest in and improve our infrastructure to support the development of the local economy."

All respondents to the survey said they were doing at least some work outside Northern Ireland.

One in five respondents said at least half of their work was outside Northern Ireland, and one in 10 said that between 75% and 100% of their work was outside Northern Ireland.

McAleer and Rushe was one of the first building firms in Northern Ireland to start seeking work in Great Britain, and most big firms have since followed in their footsteps.

Its design and build division had around 20 projects on its books during 2015, according to its most recent results - including a 51.5m student development of 1,000 rooms in Portsmouth.

But it has also begun a number of building projects in Northern Ireland, and this week announced a new 21m hotel deal with Irish company Dalata Group plc. McAleer and Rushe will build the new Maldron Hotel in Belfast's Brunswick Street and sell it on to Dalata upon completion.

It is also building new student developments at College Avenue and McClintock Street in the city, to be sold to Queen's University upon completion in a deal worth 72m.
An early Easter saw British households spend 20 more on average on leisure activities in March, according to a report.

The average household spent 216 on leisure last month, up 10% on last year, and a 19% - or 34 - increase on February when many curtailed their outgoings after Christmas, the Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker found.

Spending on eating out saw the largest rise in March, increasing by 14 or 18% year-on-year, largely driven by Good Friday weather and the Easter school holidays.

Eating out remains the leisure activity British households spend the most on, increasing its share of the mix from 40% to 43% year-on-year.

Households without children increased their total leisure spending in March by 15, or 8%, year-on-year, while those with youngsters upped their spending by 38 or 18%.

A new trend of "lads who lunch" has also emerged, with 43% of men saying their weekend pub visit is mainly to have lunch with friends and family, the report claims.

Just a fifth (19%) said their visit was to watch sport on TV, while 4% said they went to play pub games such as darts.

Greene King group marketing director Fiona Gunn said: "Easter falling early this year saw many British households increase their leisure spending across the board, particularly in eating out.

"There was also the excitement of the Cheltenham Festival, which boosted other leisure spending, and the fact that the school holidays allowed many families to enjoy some quality time together out of home."
Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank and Paul Terrington, chairman of the IoD NI, present Colin Coffey of Flint Studios (centre) with the non-executive Director of the Year award, sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony

Major Northern Ireland companies Wireless Group and Danske Bank bucked UK trends when they hired new CEOs from inside, new research suggests.

Business advisory firm PwC said UK companies are now more likely to choose a new chief executive from outside their company.

But they are also more likely to force an under-performing leader out when times get tough, according to the annual CEO Success Study, from PwC's strategy consulting business.

Paul Terrington, PwC's regional chairman in Northern Ireland, said boards should make sure they "build a bench of strong, internal candidates".

But external candidates could be useful for making big changes, he added.

"When the company needs to make transformational changes boards should also factor the outsider option into their succession planning."

In November last year, Danske Bank announced the departure after eight years of chief executive Gerry Mallon, who's taking up the top position in Ulster Bank in the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Mallon, who takes up his new job in Dublin in June, was replaced as chief executive by his deputy, Kevin Kingston.

And UTV Media plc - now known as Wireless Group plc - announced the retirement of John McCann after 16 years as chief executive.

He'll be replaced when he steps down next month by company chairman Richard Huntingford, who will be known as executive chairman.

PwC said the boards of major businesses should always have the right people in place to help prepare for the future.

Mr Terrington said: "Companies in Northern Ireland, regardless of ownership and size should make succession planning a boardroom issue and should regularly assess the performance of internal candidates for a potential CEO role.

"Whether a new leader comes from inside or outside the organisation, companies that plan for CEO succession most carefully are more likely to be better performing companies in general."

But PwC said that over half of all chief executive appointments in the UK during 2015 had been external hires - well above a four year average of 40%.

However, only 23% of firms worldwide had appointed someone from outside their organisations during 2015.

But hiring a newcomer did not appear to be paying off for UK firms, according to PwC. In the last four years, nearly 30% of external CEOs who left the company had been forced out, compared to just under 20% of internal CEO hires.

CEO turnover is also at a record high in the UK, at 19.3% in 2015 (2014: 18.3%). Only Brazil, Russia, India and Japan had a higher CEO turnover rate than the UK last year.

PwC's research comes as Northern Ireland's top company directors were recognised by the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Mark Nodder of Wrights Group was named large company director of the year, while Brendan Mooney of Kainos was named mid-market director of the year.

Paul McElvaney of Learning Pool was SME director of the year, while Colin Coffey of Flint Studios was named non-executive director of the year.
Mitsubishi has expressed "deep apologies to all of our customers and stakeholders for this issue"

Shares in Mitsubishi have plunged after it admitted to falsifying fuel economy test data, as City analysts warned it could face a bill of up to 450 million euro (354 million) as a result.

The Japanese car manufacturer saw shares plummet 15% in Tokyo - its biggest one-day fall - as it revealed inaccurate tests had been carried out on more than 600,000 vehicles.

Joe Rundle, head of trading at ETX Capital, said it could end up costing Mitsubishi hundreds of millions of pounds.

He said: "At the last calculation, VW has set aside 6.7 billion euro (5.2 billion) for around nine million cars affected, which works out at roughly 750 euro (590) per vehicle. Therefore, we could reasonably assume that this will cost Mitsubishi around 450 million euro (354 million), if costs were incurred at the same rate.

"But the real question is really how far this scandal goes - Mitsubishi makes around one million cars a year and this has been going on since mid-2013. If every car were affected the bill could be closer to two billion euro (1.5 billion).

The company said the bogus tests had been made on four mini-car models and impacted 157,000 built for Mitsubishi and 468,000 for Nissan.

It said its testing method, which is different to the one required by Japanese law, had also been used on other Mitsubishi cars manufactured for the Japanese market.

The announcement is the latest scandal to hit the automotive industry after Volkswagen admitted using software to allow diesel vehicles to cheat emissions tests.

"There is no suggestion yet that the problem affects cars sold in the UK or Europe - but if the VW fiasco teaches us anything it's that the scale of the wrongdoing can be much more than appears at first sight," Mr Rundle added.

The car manufacturer said Mitsubishi and Nissan had stopped producing and selling the "applicable cars" and would begin discussing compensation.

The four models are the Mitsubishi eK Wagon and ek Space and the Nissan Dayz and Dayz Roox.

Mitsubishi said it had "conducted testing improperly to present better fuel consumption rates than the actual rates, and the testing method was also different from the one required by Japanese law".

It added: "Taking into account the seriousness of these issues, we will also conduct an investigation into products manufactured for overseas markets."

Some 22,693 new Mitsubishi cars were sold in the UK last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. This represents 0.9% of the UK market.

Lance Bradley, managing director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said: "I would like to reassure everyone that there is no evidence to suggest that UK or European models are affected."
The real-life story of Colin Howell - a respectable dentist who stunned his close-knit community by embarking on an affair that led to double murder - is being retold in an ITV drama. James Nesbitt tells Susan Griffin about tackling a role 'chillingly' close to home.

The Secret, a new ITV drama starring James Nesbitt, might be set in Northern Ireland in the early Nineties, but it's not dealing with the typical subject matter.

In fact, as Ballymena-born Nesbitt notes: "It's quite interesting to go home and do something that isn't about the Troubles."

The four-part series - directed by Nick Murphy, who previously worked with Nesbitt on 2009's Occupation - instead details the true story of dentist Colin Howell (Nesbitt) and Sunday school teacher Hazel Buchanan (Genevieve O'Reilly).

They embarked on a passionate affair after meeting at their local Baptist church in Coleraine - the town Nesbitt grew up in - which had catastrophic consequences, resulting in the deaths of Colin's wife Lesley, a former nurse, and Hazel's husband Trevor, a police officer.

At the time it appeared they'd taken their own lives in a suicide pact.

It was only years later that Colin (he and Hazel eventually split and both remarried) confessed to the murders, further shocking the close-knit community.

"My sister used to go to Lesley's coffee mornings and two of my best friends were patients of Colin's," reveals 51-year-old Nesbitt, who recalls a scene in which Colin runs past his parents' house after the killings.

"To see that is quite chilling," he adds. "For all intents and purposes this was a community that was law-abiding and well-respected. It's quite easy to imagine that Baptist community as an odd and cultish world, but it wasn't at all. They're certainly a close community, but I knew a lot of these people and they're charitable people that will go out of their way to help you.

"It was interesting to be given an opportunity to explore the dark side and, indeed, see how wickedness and evil can flourish under the cover of religion."

The drama traces the pair's initial meeting, affair and how they carried out Colin's plan to kill Lesley and Trevor, through to the inquest, Colin's confession and the subsequent murder trial. Hazel admitted involvement but pleaded not guilty, claiming she was coerced.

"Everyone now has an opinion on Colin, particularly in Northern Ireland, where there's almost a frenzy about this (the series) coming out," continues Nesbitt, who has two daughters with wife Sonia Forbes-Adam.

"A lot of people would say: 'Oh yes, I knew there was something strange about him', but that's in retrospect, and the retrospect is influenced by the fact he was convicted."

In preparation for the part Nesbitt spoke to veteran reporter Deric Henderson, former Ireland Editor of the Press Association, who wrote Let This Be Our Secret on which the drama is based.

"I knew about the notion of a film a long time ago because Deric told me he was writing a book and said it would make a great film. The research was there, so I didn't need to journalistically talk to people."

There are differing opinions on Howell, but Nesbitt remarks he "clearly had a certain level of charm".

"He was a very forceful person whose religion meant a lot to him, but I think we all agree that, for him, God was made in his own image, and he was supremely controlling. This control and self-belief put him in a position where he felt that rules didn't apply to him."

Nesbitt didn't meet Howell, and though he believes that was the right decision, he confesses that he "wouldn't mind sitting down with him for a while".

He recalls chatting with former politician Ivan Cooper, who he portrayed in 2002's Bloody Sunday.

"I said to him: 'Tell me about what happened', and he talked for six hours. I talked to Joe Griffin (who he played in 2009's Five Minutes Of Heaven) and asked: 'What happened when your brother was shot in front of you?' He talked for days. Whether or not that would have happened with Colin, I don't know," admits Nesbitt.

"I would have asked him why he confessed... something I've always thought is, a couple of days after confessing, I wonder if Colin went: 'Oh f***!'" he adds with a laugh.

Colin has always denied that financial gain was a factor in the killings and Mark Redhead, the drama's executive producer, has pointed out that "the one thing he's always sensitive about is the suggestion that he did it for money".

What does Nesbitt make of his motives? "The more we did it, and the more we got to know those characters, at times, you couldn't help but feel you were playing a love story.

"I think there's a level of psychopathy in there," he adds. "There has to be. But I don't know what motivated the murders. From a religious side, divorce wasn't permitted in the Baptist church, and he (Colin) was certainly aware of banishment. That membership and the position he held there tied along with his need for power, and banishment would have been humiliating for him."

Redhead points out that the attention to detail and primary source material is the reason they felt they were putting a "true story" at the beginning, stating: "This isn't inspired by real events, we're telling a true story."

As director, Murphy adds: "We do know that the drama is factual and that these (murder scenes) are arranged as per the forensic photographs, not just us guessing.

"The police interviews and courtroom hearings are transcripts verbatim to what was actually said. I haven't allowed anyone to change anything at all."

And Howell's testimony was something to behold. As Henderson observes: "Colin spent the best part of two years preparing for the court case, he had rehearsed his lines. Howell knew he was going to have a captive audience."

For that reason Nesbitt found the opportunity to re-enact his court testimony "fantastic - because he had planned it so well".

"He had written it so articulately, with the sophisticated argument he put forward," says the actor.

"To perform that was wonderful."
Dame Judi Dench with John Craven as she appears in a Countryfile special (BBC/PA)

Dame Judi Dench will appear in a Countryfile special honouring Shakespeare this weekend.

The popular BBC One show will be marking the 400th anniversary of the death of the famous bard with a programme focusing on his love of the British countryside.

Dame Judi will join presenter John Craven as they retrace the footsteps of The King's Men - the acting troupe Shakespeare belonged to which toured the countryside performing his plays.

In the programme, Craven will meet Dame Judi in a bluebell wood in Fordwich, Kent, to discuss her love of Shakespeare, his works, and how they resound with audiences today.

The pair embark on a journey by foot and boat in an attempt to discover where Shakespeare may have performed and discuss the many theories surrounding the famous playwright.

Having made her professional debut as Ophelia in Hamlet with the Old Vic Company in 1957, Dame Judi has also starred in Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth.

She said: "I'm a huge fan of Countryfile. It was lovely to be part of it, and it was wonderful to learn that Shakespeare had toured with his company."

Craven said few things in his long career would top the experience of "standing in a 16th-century hall where Shakespeare's touring company once played and doing a bit of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet with Dame Judi Dench".

He described the veteran actress as a "delightful companion" and said her " life-long passion for Shakespeare's work really shone through".

Leading Shakespeare academic Dr Siobhan Keenan, from Leicester's De Montfort University, also joins them on their journey.

Bill Lyons, executive editor of Countryfile, said: " Even today, Shakespeare's words still shape the way that we look at the beautiful landscape of the British isles, its animals, flowers and woodlands.

"Judi is a countrywoman at heart and I can think of no-one better placed to follow in Shakespeare's footsteps on this very special programme."

Also on the programme, Ellie Harrison tracks down the forest believed to have inspired As You Like It, and Matt Baker searches for the secret cave in the Brecon Beacons rumoured to be the location for A Midsummer Night's Dream.

:: Countryfile is on BBC One on April 24 at 7pm.
Idris Elba will star in Guerrilla, the six-part story of a young couple who form a radical underground cell in 1970s London

Idris Elba, Christina Hendricks and Tim Roth are among the award-winning actors signed up to front six star-studded original dramas for Sky.

Elba will team up with writer and director John Ridley - who won an Oscar for best adapted screenplay for 12 Years A Slave - in six-part drama Guerrilla.

The story follows a young couple whose relationship is tested when they form a radical underground cell in 1970s London with the aim of bringing down the Black Power Desk, a true-life, secretive counter-intelligence unit within Special Branch dedicated to crushing all forms of black activism.

Golden Globe-winner Elba said Ridley's writing on the Sky Atlantic drama is "nothing short of a masterclass in character building and storytelling. TV is in for a treat".

Across the Atlantic, ex-Met Police officer Jim Worth (Tim Roth) swaps the stress of policing London's streets for a new life in an idyllic town in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for 10-part series Tin Star.

His world is shattered when a wave of migrant workers bring trouble to the town and assassins are sent after his family, with Christina Hendricks playing the woman leading the cover-up.

Jumping to the south of France, 10-part series Riviera will jet in during 2017, featuring the Bourne franchise's Julia Stiles. She stars as the widow of billionaire Constantine Clios, who discovers her world of luxury and privilege is built on murder and lies - and has to work out how far she will go to maintain it.

She said: "What attracted me to Riviera is the setting, a romantic and glamorous world where not everything is as it seems, and the opportunity to explore a character who is also not as she appears. Georgina is the classic anti-hero, ultimately a good person, but compromised by the corruption around her."

Joining Sky 1's new selection of dramas is Delicious, starring comedian Dawn French.

She promises "Cornwall, summer, sunshine and the other S word" in the tale of passionate cook Gina, her hotelier ex-husband, his new wife, and a secret that is set to disrupt all of their lives.

From the producers behind Downton Abbey comes new frontier drama Jamestown, following a group of women who must survive birth, marriage and death in an inhospitable wilderness as they attempt to build a new life in America among the first British settlers.

Written by Lark Rise To Candleford's Bill Gallagher, the cast is packed with talented British actors including Max Beesley, Sophie Rundle, Burn Gorman, Naomi Battrick and Niamh Walsh.

Finally, uniting for Sky 1's latest family must-see are Ricky Tomlinson, Game of Thrones' John Bradley and Ellise Chappell in the tale of orphan Jennifer Strange, who discovers her destiny is to become The Last Dragonslayer.

Based on the first of Jasper Fforde's series of novels, the family fantasy adventure will blend modern and medieval with magic as Jennifer reluctantly hunts the Ununited Kingdom's last dragon.

The new shows will join other original dramas in 2016-17, including the return of Penny Dreadful, Fortitude, Agatha Raisin, The Tunnel: Sabotage and Stan Lee's Lucky Man, plus new series The Young Pope, starring Jude Law and Diane Keaton and directed by Paolo Sorrentino.
Jennie Harvey says working on the special commemorative Royal tea towel has been one of her all-time favourite projects. The 30-year-old textile designer with Ulster Weavers was tasked with creating a print to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday - one that would be reproduced thousands of times and find its way into homes across the UK and beyond.

Some might find such a prospect daunting but Jennie, who used to design clothes for high street favourite Warehouse, brims with enthiusiam. "I love working on projects like this from scratch as there is so much freedom to express yourself and put your own mark on a design," she says.

Jennie, who studied fashion and textile at university in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, says working with textiles was always her dream job and describes her latest commission as an honour.

As part of her research Jennie got the opportunity to delve back into the archives of the famous textiles company and made some interesting finds, dating back to previous royal weddings and anniversaries. Indeed, some of the archive material has outlasted the event it was produced to celebrate.

Jennie reveals: "The Ulster Weavers' archives go back to the early Seventies and I found a tea towel which marked the wedding of Princess Anne to Captain Mark Philips in 1973.

The design featured a conjoined 'A and M' to represent their first initials.

"And then there were also other items in Irish linen to mark the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's silver wedding anniversary in 1972."

Jennie is all too aware, though, of the responsibility of creating a design which relates to royalty and will be memorable - for the right reasons.

"My design had to be tasteful and something that you'd want to keep long after the event. Working on something which involves our royal family is a tremendous privilege and I wanted to get the design just right. I knew it had to have a classic feel as fans of the royal family are quite traditional, but I wanted to off-set that with a contemporary look as well as injecting some of my own creativity. I went through the archives of work we have done previously for the royal family from the Coronation to the royal weddings and the birth of Princess Charlotte and Prince George and took inspiration from some of that."

She says the opulent nature of the Seventies design she chose for the Queen's 90th birthday tea towel, with its floral and swirl patterns, makes it distinctive from most contemporary tea towels, with their clean lines and blocks of colour.

Yet keen to mix heritage with modernity, Jennie incorporated some retro features while giving it an up-to-date twist.

"The border is traditional and ornate, and is rich blue with golden tones worked in. I then brought in a more contemporary feel with mixed fonts in the wording," she says. "I love the designs of the Seventies which are currently enjoying a renaissance, and I think we are appreciating just how good they were again, but I wanted to incorporate current trends too."

The Belfast designer says she has given the tea towel design a layered feel to the point where it almost looks 3D, with lots of colours associated with royalty, such as blue, purple and gold all drawn into the template.

And she hopes people will enjoy the end result for years to come. "The tea towel is something to commemorate the Queen's 90th birthday, but I hope it will be kept and then someday in the future someone will be looking through their linen drawer and take it out and remember what it symbolises."

Jennie fondly recalls as a schoolgirl, receiving a commemorative mug to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee so she understands the significance of such items to people here.

"Giving someone a physical item, like a tea towel, is important. And I love the idea of people buying it, using it and then rediscovering it and reflecting on this occasion years from now," she says.

Having joined Ulster Weavers when she returned to Northern Ireland from London, Jennie is always searching for style inspiration for her next project.

She says: "My role in the company as one of the textile designers is to research new styles. I look through magazines and books and get ideas from what is happening in fashion as well as past trends.

"When I am working on a project I then create a mood board and bring my styles and colours together before I start drawing on the computer using different programmes. Or sometimes I will hand draw different designs." Jennie says that her work is mainly with kitchen accessories such as tea towels, oven gloves, aprons, door steps and draught excluders.

"This is a fantastic and innovative company to work for and we are very forward thinking," she says.

After leaving university, Jennie had an internship with High Street label Warehouse where she worked as an assistant designer before getting a full-time job as a designer.

"I loved living in London and working in such a fast-paced environment as fashion," she says.

"I got to work with prints and designs, and everything had to be quick reaction time to get those clothes out onto the shop floor. I learnt a lot and I loved the variety of the job and working in fashion, but I realised that textiles was my strength."

Jennie moved back to Belfast to follow her passion, but found getting a job in the textile industry was difficult.

"I worked in various jobs for several years including working as a technician in a school, which involved working with the teachers and students and teaching them about textiles and different styles and patterns."

At this time Jennie considered a career in teaching and was going to take up a PGCE course before she was offered her dream role at Ulster Weavers.

She adds: "There didn't seem to be many job opportunities in textiles and so I thought about taking up a career in the classroom, but then I got offered the post here and it's been a fantastoc opportunity."
A bible verse has been linked to a pro-brexit slogan in a mural in north Belfast.

Revelations Chapter 18, verse 4 was written alongside the Vote leave EU message on a gable wall in the Tiger's Bay area.

The mural appeared ahead of the referendum on whether the UK should remain in the European Union, which will take place on 23 June.

The verse referenced in the mural says: "And I heard another voice from the heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye not be partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

Prof Drew Gibson, from Union Theological College in Belfast, told the BBC: "This verse is about the oppression of the poor by the strong. It's about those who search for luxury and want to leave God out of the equation.

"It is interesting in the context of our coming election and the Brexit debate where everybody is saying it's all about the economy, it's all about the economy, it's all about the economy.

"This verse says 'no, it's not actually all about the economy'.

"There's morality at the heart of it, there's spirituality there as well."
Alliance leader David Ford and Naomi Long during their manifesto launch at the Park Avenue Hotel in east Belfast

Alliance has denied "playing politics" with the future of the Assembly by refusing to make clear whether it will take up the Justice ministry.

As the Belfast Telegraph first revealed, David Ford is standing down after six years as Justice Minister.

However, there is no guarantee his party will continue in the role following next month's election.

That could throw the new Executive into disarray since the DUP and Sinn Fein are unlikely to agree on a justice minister from either of their own parties.

It could also throw a spanner in the works during the two weeks of negotiations planned after the election to draw up the next Executive's Programme for Government.

Launching his party's manifesto yesterday, Mr Ford said only Alliance had proved capable of providing a justice minister.

The party leader said there was "no point" in Alliance agreeing to continue in the role unless a strong plan for the next government could be agreed with the other parties in the negotiations.

And although the number of ministers will be reduced because the Assembly's departments are being cut from 12 to nine, Mr Ford insisted his party could again take a second portfolio - as it did with Stephen Farry as Employment and Learning Minister.

That could mean, however, Alliance having to expand its team of eight MLAs in the last Assembly election to 11.

Mr Ford said the party was looking to increase its representation in the Assembly, in order to get a department under the complex d'Hondt system used to share out ministries.

At the event in east Belfast - where the DUP last year won back the Westminster seat wrested from former First Minister Peter Robinson by Naomi Long - Mr Ford also called for a "reboot" of the Assembly and a general "clean-up" of politics.

He said getting rid of the 'petition of concern' - a parliamentary mechanism which critics say has been abused as a blocking mechanism - and axing the "sectarian" designations of MLAs would be a start.

And he added: "It's time that we cleaned up politics."

Westminster legislation which will eventually lead to donors to political parties being revealed and the requirement that Northern Ireland's 11 new councils must record public meetings should lead to a "wider reform of the system," he added.

Alliance has pledged to reintroduce prescription charges "for those able to pay", with certain exemptions, including children, people on benefits and the elderly, six years after former Health Minister Michael McGimpsey scrapped the charges. Alliance argued their reintroduction - even with a modest charge - could generate "a significant sum of money".

The manifesto also pledged a new Integrated Education Bill which would give every child wanting to attend an integrated school the opportunity to do so.

It also backed the introduction of what the party argued would be "fair" water charges, arguing that to avoid them would mean deeper cuts to public services.
John Irwin, who died just four days after his 16th birthday

John Irwin with his family (back row, from left) James, father Keith and William; and (front row, from left) Rachel, mother Diane and Ruth

John (right) with his four siblings (back row, from left) James, Ruth and William, and Rachel at the front

A mother has described the heartbreaking moment she held the hand of her young son as he passed away, hours after collapsing at school.

John Irwin died in hospital last Wednesday morning - four days after celebrating his 16th birthday.

He had taken ill the previous afternoon at City of Armagh High School, where he was a popular Year 12 pupil.

His heartbroken mother Diane still does not know what caused her son, who she said was a fit and healthy teenager, to collapse.

In a moving interview, she recalled a "quiet and unassuming lad" with twinkling eyes and a boyish smile.

John had turned 16 the Saturday before he passed away.

A quiet but popular teenager, he loved working on the family farm near Tynan and attended St John's Parish Church every Sunday. The weekend before his death, he was helping his father Keith tend to sheep on the farm.

Diane recalled how John's highlight of the year had been the birth of a lamb from his pedigree ewes. The lamb was called Rambo.

John was a prefect at City of Armagh High, where staff recalled a pupil who was always kind, courteous and polite.

Diane said her son never had any health issues.

"He was a fit, healthy young lad and there was absolutely nothing wrong with him," she told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I couldn't remember when he had last been sick.

"When I checked, it was 2004 when he was last with his own doctor. In fact, he wasn't even sick, he was in getting his pre-school jab.

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"You can just imagine how fit he was. He seldom even had the flu, let alone anything else."

Last Tuesday John had attended school as normal, and had passed his sister in the corridor just minutes before collapsing.

Diane recalled the shattering moment when she received a call to say John was ill.

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"I got the phone call at about 3pm," she continued.

"They had phoned and had actually got hold of Keith, and he phoned me. Keith said the school was looking for me and said that John had fainted.

"So I phoned the school back and got hold of one of the teachers who had been with him.

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"I asked her had something happened to John, and she said, 'Mrs Irwin, where are you? We need you to come in now'.

"So I asked her what was wrong with John, and she said the paramedics were with him.

"I don't know why, but I asked was he breathing, and she said no."

Diane rushed to the school to be with her boy.

Two ambulances were already on the scene, with paramedics trying desperately to revive him. John was rushed to Craigavon Area Hospital, where medics continued to battle to save his life.

"I asked if they had a heartbeat, and at that time they hadn't," Diane added.

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"They were continuing with CPR. There was a team of resus cardiologists and they tried everything, including shocks and adrenalin. Nothing was spared.

"And eventually we did get a heartbeat. We got him back for a while. We were able to get him stabilised and up to the intensive care unit.

"They had him in ICU for a while and of course we thought we had got John back - every parent's hope."

However, all too quickly that hope was cruelly shattered.

Doctors told Diane that her son's blood pressure was falling.

It became clear that they were losing him.

"They continued to increase the medication, but you get to a point where you can only do so much - I knew that," she added.

"They said they had been doing as much as they could, and so we began to understand that our time with John was short.

"At about 1.30 or 1.45 that morning we were told John was beginning to slip away.

"The family were all there. Our minister, Rev Matthew Hagan, was also there.

"At 5.25am John slipped away.

"The nurse had come in and told us it would not be long, and I had been holding John's hand the whole time.

"Just before he slipped away, Keith took his hand on the other side of the bed, and we had two children on either side.

"Every one of us held him - his arms, his hands.

"We just held him as he slipped away.

"And it was so surreal - so hard to let him go.

"But I know he was going to a better place.

"It was so peaceful. He wasn't in pain and he didn't suffer."

Diane said her family will always be grateful to the school staff, paramedics, and doctors and nurses who did everything they could to save John.

"The care he received was exceptional," she added.

John's funeral at the weekend was attended by hundreds of people.

City of Armagh High pupils formed a guard of honour for their friend's final journey.

Diane said the reality of losing John is only just setting in.

"Last night was the first night," she said.

"You try to get back to normality - get back to a normal family life - and I was just sitting on the sofa and I just thought to myself, 'This is real, John isn't coming back, he isn't coming through that door'.

"There is such a void in this house. John was a very quiet child, and anybody that you'll meet will tell you exactly the same thing about him.

"John could have sat in a room and not spoken. He would have listened to everyone else talking and he'd have said nothing. But then, when he did speak, it was worth listening to.

"He was such a quiet-natured young lad.

"Many a night here, after we'd finished the dinner and the dishes were still sitting there, he'd have said to his dad, 'Come on, we'll get up now and get these dishes done and give mummy a hand'.

"That was John. I'd have been washing dishes on my own and John would have just lifted the tea towel and come over and dried them."

John was due to sit his GCSEs this summer and had got a job at Dunbia Butchery Academy, which he was due to start in July.

The man who interviewed him had told his mother that she had "a real star" in John.

Diane described how she had been planning to help him with his revision.

"I would always be very involved in what my children do. I live my life through my children. Whatever they become involved in, I'm never very far behind," she added. "I would always have revised with my children. John was my fourth child to sit his GCSEs and I had it all planned in my head. My time was going to be dedicated to John until he had his GCSEs over.

"It was only last Wednesday, after John had passed away and we had come home, that the realisation sort of sunk in that I don't have that to do, and I can't believe that."

Diane recalled watching her son walk on to the bus to school last Tuesday. The next time she saw him, he was battling for his life in hospital.

Her final image is of her son at peace, resting in the funeral parlour with a smile, similar to the one he had while back at home with his family, tending his beloved sheep.

"We saw him in the funeral parlour, and he had the most beautiful smile, and I remember saying to my husband, 'He's smiling Keith. That's my John'," she continued. "That smile says so much to me.

"It shows he is at peace, and he's telling me, 'Mummy, don't worry about me'.

"It's such a comfort to have that smile."

Almost a week later, the cause of John's death is still a mystery.

Diane said they might never know what caused him to take ill.

"They have not been able to find anything," she added.

"We've been told it could be weeks or months - if they ever find anything. You've heard of stories where they never find anything.

"For me, my son is buried and that's it."

Diane said the family's deep Christian faith is helping them through the difficult days.

She takes comfort from the fact that John is in heaven.

"There is one more star in the sky and heaven has gained another shepherd," she added.

Wee John

(A poem written by the

Irwin family in memory

of John)

A cheeky smile,

A twinkling eye,

A tilted head,

Things not said,

Thats wee John.

Five roasties or six,

A chocolate pudding,

Fried soda bread,

A pancake or two,

Thats wee John.

A well-hammed calf,

A Dachshund dog,

A sheep with a horn,

A stick from blackthorn,

Thats wee John.

A lively, lovable brother,

A helper to mother,

A fine loyal son,

A friend to all,

Thats wee John.
Dissident republican terrorists in Belfast are issuing at least 12 death threats every week as part of their violent vigilante campaign

Dissident republican terrorists in Belfast are issuing at least 12 death threats every week as part of their violent vigilante campaign.

Officers have said that while they know the identity of those who are terrorising their local communities, they are finding it "virtually impossible" to root them out due to a lack of evidence from victims and witnesses.

At least three people in north Belfast are understood to have received warnings last week from the same dissident republican group that murdered taxi driver Michael McGibbon on Friday in an "appointment shooting".

He bled to death in an alleyway after being shot in the leg three times.

To date nobody has been charged with the father-of-four's murder. Prominent Ardoyne dissident republican Dee Fennell was questioned about the shooting but later released without charge.

"Death threats and 'punishment' attacks happen daily. I would say we get a dozen a week death threats throughout north and west Belfast. And they are just the ones we are told about," one officer said.

He added: "There's a few groups active. Ardoyne ones would be at it, as would Turf Lodge/Ballymurphy."

Another said: "We know who these guys are but it's virtually impossible to get the evidence against them as people aren't coming forward to talk to police."

Many communities in Londonderry are also being controlled by hardline republicans who believe they are supported in the meting out of violent 'justice'.

Last night a 25-year-old man remained in a critical condition in hospital after he was shot twice in the leg in a so-called punishment attack by dissident republican's in the city's Creggan area on Monday.

The most up-to-date police statistics show that from March 2015 to February this year there were 62 casualties of republican and loyalist paramilitary-style assaults and 22 casualties of shootings.

Clearance rates remain extremely low.

Policing Board member Jonathan Craig said there was an acceptance of paramilitary law within some communities, which he blamed on Northern Ireland's "slow and lenient judicial system".

"Communities see drug dealers, car criminals, burglars, all getting arrested and then being let out by the courts with a slap on the wrist to do it all again. That's why there is support in some areas for this type of thing," said Mr Craig.

He added: "Take a recent case in my area where a drug dealer was arrested by police and brought to court.

"His lawyer got him out on bail and due to long delays in his case coming to trial he was caught five more times committing drugs offences.

"In some communities this type of thing leads to an acceptance that these groups are dishing out punishment."

Policing expert Dr Jonny Byrne, a lecturer in criminology at Ulster University, said so-called punishment attacks were about power.

"There is no legitimacy for these activities, there is no ideological or political rational for shooting and murdering people. This is not about informal or summary justice that is in the interests of the community. This is about power and the promotion of self-interests," Dr Byrne said.

He added: "Its gangsterism and criminality rolled into one."
Eleanor King with a picture of her brother Andrew Kearney. (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

The sister of a man killed in a punishment shooting says she has been retraumatised by the weekend murder of Michael McGibbon.

Andrew Kearney was cradling his two-week-old daughter when he was dragged from a flat by an eight-man IRA gang and shot.

He was left to bleed to death in a jammed lift where an emergency telephone was deliberately ripped out.

His perceived "crime" had been standing up to a senior Ardoyne republican.

The murder in July 1998 - a year after the IRA declared its second ceasefire - bears eerie similarities to the killing of Mr McGibbon.

Like the latest victim, Mr Kearney was 33, a father-of-four and was shot three times in north Belfast.

His sister Eleanor described her horror when she heard of the murder on Saturday morning.

She says paramilitary attacks have no place in today's society.

"I was sick to my stomach when it came on the news," she told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I almost thought the reporter was getting it wrong - that they had come across an old report and were getting the details mixed up.

"Word-for-word, it was the same as what happened Andrew.

"A 33-year-old father-of-four murdered in north Belfast in a punishment-style attack - those were the exact words used when Andrew was murdered."

Two weeks before his death Mr Kearney had clashed with the IRA's north Belfast commander.

He was in a pub on the Falls Road when the senior republican threatened his girlfriend's 18-year-old cousin.

Mr Kearney intervened and a fight broke out. The IRA man was knocked out - a very public humiliation for a high-profile figure that would not be tolerated.

A fortnight later an IRA gang burst into the Fianna Flats in the New Lodge where Mr Kearney was watching TV.

His two-week-old daughter Caitlin was sleeping alongside him. The gang dragged him to a nearby lift, shooting him once in each leg and in one of his ankles.

The door of the lift was jammed, while a phone was pulled from the wall, preventing help being summoned.

Mr Kearney's girlfriend found him lying in a pool of blood.

She had to dash down 16 flights of stairs to a neighbouring block of flats to call for help.

By the time paramedics arrived he was dead.

Eleanor added: "They shot him three times in the leg, once in each leg and once in the ankle.

"They used a large-calibre weapon which tore through the artery, and that's basically what led to his death.

"But I still say they knew what they were doing. They set out to murder him.

"The very fact they blocked the lift afterwards shows that."

Eleanor believes up to eight other people were involved in the killing, acting as lookouts or carrying weapons for the gang.

She said her brother was not involved in crime, and had no links to paramilitaries.

He shunned politics and was more interested in sport.

"All Andrew had done was stand up to someone in a bar fight," added Eleanor.

"His girlfriend had a cousin who was only 18. The man that was responsible for Andrew's murder was picking on the young lad and throwing his weight about.

"Andrew stuck up for the young lad and told him to pick on someone his own size.

"It quietened down for a bit, but then it all kicked off again.

"I believe Andrew jumped over tables to get to the man, and basically he hit him one dig and knocked him out.

"But because he lost face in front of all his cohorts, he went after Andrew."

Police figures show that almost 100 people were injured last year after being shot or assaulted by paramilitaries.

West and north Belfast were among the worst affected areas.

In the last 10 years a total of 855 people have been maimed in so-called punishment incidents.

Eleanor said there was no justification for anyone taking the law into their own hands.

"It shouldn't have happened back then and it most definitely should not be happening now," she added.

"These people are a law on to themselves. They do these so-called kneecappings thinking that it's in some way going to be acceptable.

"Also, by shooting someone in the leg, it suggests to the community that they must have done something wrong."

Mr Kearney's murder came just three months after the Good Friday Agreement.

His family has long believed the political climate meant it was easier to turn a blind eye.

Eleanor feels there should have been a stronger outcry.

"I just feel that if there had been action taken in those days after Andrew was murdered, it might be different now," she added. "People saw those responsible getting off after what happened to Andrew.

"There was no repercussions. There was silence from the two governments. Something should have been done to show this type of thing was not acceptable."

At the time several men were arrested and questioned over Mr Kearney's murder.

However, approaching the 18th anniversary, his killers are still walking the streets.

Eleanor said Gerry Adams privately apologised for her brother's murder, but has refused to do so publicly.

She is angered by Sinn Fein's lecturing on Mr McGibbon's murder. "I saw Gerry Kelly at the weekend condemn the murder, and I just thought: 'What a hypocrite'. It is okay for him to stand there and condemn the killing at the weekend, but to this day he has never come out and condemned Andrew's murder."
Widow Joanne McGibbon (centre) with her daughters Michaela and Seana and Fr Gary Donegan joins members of the public at a vigil in the grounds of Holy Cross Church, Ardoyne, in support of the family of taxi driver and father-of-four Michael McGibbon who was shot dead in North Belfast at the weekend.

The heartbroken widow of the father-of-four shot dead in north Belfast has urged the community to stick together to beat the gunmen.

Michael McGibbon was shot in the leg by gunmen in the Ardoyne area on Friday night.

Dissident republicans have been blamed for killing the 33-year-old taxi driver, who bled to death close to his home as his wife tried desperately to save him.

Last night the victim's widow Joanne McGibbon and her four children attended an emotional vigil in the grounds of Holy Cross Church in Ardoyne.

The nurse courageously told the hundreds gathered that the strength of the community was greater than anything the gunmen trying to destroy them could offer.

"I think if we all stay strong we can stop these people, because we are stronger than them, and they can't beat us," she said.

"It's not fair that families have to go through this - they're not judge and jury."

Mrs McGibbon held a candle and her daughter Seana held a photo of her father as they were supported by Fr Gary Donegan and those who turned out to show their solidarity and applaud her powerful message.

The priest spoke of the heightened sense of fear he had felt in the community since the murder was carried out.

"It's the first I've ever experienced that," Fr Donegan told those assembled.

"If you were like I, and in that house earlier, watching those little ones with their pancakes and totally oblivious to the horror that's been visited upon them, but it isn't oblivious to their mother.

"We're not complicit in this, we're the opposite to this, we're everything that is good, and that is the message that we want to send out. Not just to the local community here but the broader community.

"Not in our name." Meanwhile, a daily loyalist protest was last night suspended for the first time as a mark of respect to Mr McGibbon.

Loyalists have been protesting every evening at Twaddell Avenue since July 12, 2013 when Orange lodges were refused permission to march along a contentious stretch of the Crumlin Road. PUP leader Billy Hutchinson welcomed the move by the Ligoniel lodges as the vigil for Mr McGibbon took place nearby.

Mr Hutchinson said: "This was a terrible and cowardly murder, and my thoughts and sincerest condolences go out to the family of Michael McGibbon.

"I very much welcome the efforts by the local Ligoniel brethren to withdraw their protest as the memorial service is conducted and as a mark of respect to the victim's family."
NIO minister Ben Wallace said Northern Ireland benefits "extremely well" from money it receives from the EU

A pro-EU minister has insisted there is "no pot of gold at the end of the Brexit rainbow" - as his Leave-supporting boss appealed for a measured referendum debate.

Tory frontbencher Ben Wallace, a Northern Ireland minister, stressed the benefits of EU membership to the country while criticising the vision of the Leave campaign.

His remarks followed Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers, who is campaigning with Vote Leave, calling for both Remain and Leave camps to address the facts of the debate "in a measured way" to help voters make their decision on June 23.

Speaking during Northern Ireland questions, t he SDLP's Mark Durkan (Foyle) said EU membership has made a big difference to the border economy.

He questioned if Mr Wallace had heard others say this will be "dwarfed by the bounty" the UK will receive in the event of Brexit.

Mr Durkan asked: "Do you believe there is a crock of gold at the end of the Brexit rainbow?"

Mr Wallace replied: "Northern Ireland benefits extremely well from money it receives from the European Union.

"There is no pot of gold at the end of the Brexit rainbow and therefore I suggest we get on and focus on what does right for Northern Ireland, which is remaining in the European Union."

Shadow Northern Ireland minister Stephen Pound mocked the divide on the Government frontbench, telling the Commons that Labour is "united".

Mr Wallace, asked for clarity over what would happen to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the event of Brexit, said: "The one thing myself and (Ms Villiers) are completely united on is there will be no return to barbed wire and watchtowers should we leave or remain in the United Kingdom."

He said Northern Ireland would be outside the customs union, adding this would "inevitably affect the free flow of trade" between the two countries.

Democratic Unionist Ian Paisley (North Antrim) earlier criticised the scare stories surrounding Britain's potential exit from the the EU.

He asked Ms Villiers: "Like me, are you appalled by the scare stories and scare tactics being employed by the Remain campaign that are turning the people away from investment because they're scared of the consequences, and all this hate activity that's going on?

"And like me will you ensure that every effort will be made, irrespective of the outcome on June 23, that monies released to the United Kingdom will be encouraged to attract inward investment to Northern Ireland?"

Ms Villiers replied: "I think it's important for all sides to address the facts of this debate in a measured way so on June 23 the people of this country can make a judgment based on the objective facts of the situation."
A taxi driver's death in an apparent paramilitary killing could make people realise that such attacks in Northern Ireland are "utterly unacceptable", Theresa Villiers has said.

Father-of-four Michael McGibbon, 33, was shot three times in the legs in an alleyway in a nationalist area of north Belfast on Friday, 24 hours after two men threatened him at his house.

Northern Ireland Secretary Ms Villiers condemned those who believe it is acceptable to take the law into their own hands and "administer this violent, brutal treatment" of people such as Mr McGibbon.

She o ffered her thoughts to Mr McGibbon's family and praised his widow Joanne as an "incredibly brave" woman.

Speaking in the Commons, shadow Northern Ireland secretary Vernon Coaker said Mr McGibbon's death was one of two "terrible" shootings in recent days.

He said: "The PSNI says that the attacks have all the hallmarks of paramilitary assaults, so on the streets of this United Kingdom we have shootings and murders linked to paramilitary activity. It is both sickening and totally unacceptable.

"Will you tell us more about what happened and what action you, the PSNI and others will take against those who have no respect for human life or the rule of law?"

Ms Villiers replied: "You choose your words correctly - this is absolutely sickening.

"I feel that this case could be like a number we have seen over recent decades in Northern Ireland and be the point at which people there say that this is completely and utterly unacceptable.

"The police investigation is progressing, with an individual charged with murder, but it is also imperative, as (Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds) s aid, that we implement the Fresh Start agreement proposals, including progress on the strategy that the panel is coming up with.

"We need to ensure that people have the confidence to come forward and give evidence against these individuals."

Earlier, Mr Dodds (Belfast North) said the "brutal slaying" of Mr McGibbon was an "atrocious" event.

He asked Ms Villiers: " Will you join me in commending the courageous words of Mr McGibbon's widow who has called for people to stand together against these paramilitary terrorists who carried out this atrocious attack?

"Do you agree that it is vital that we all unite against terrorists from all sides and that we get on with implementing the provisions to tackle paramilitaries in the Fresh Start agreement?"

Ms Villiers agreed with Mr Dodds, adding: " Mr McGibbon's widow is an incredibly brave woman. The circumstances of Mr McGibbon's death are deeply tragic and heartbreaking.

"I know that the whole House will feel for his family at this time and it is utterly unacceptable that, in modern Northern Ireland, there are still people who believe that they can take the law into their own hands and administer this violent, brutal treatment of individuals such as Mr McGibbon. It is utterly unacceptable.

"I agree with you that everyone in Northern Ireland should join the widow in this case and condemn that horrific and brutal murder."
Smoke rises over the shipyard area of east Belfast as a plane flies past in the distance

A large plume of toxic smoke blanketed parts of Belfast last night after a pile of tyres intended for a bonfire was torched.

Fire crews responded to the flames on Mountcollyer Street beside Alexandra Park in north Belfast around 8.45pm.

The tyres had been piled illegally on waste ground just a short distance away from houses.

The billowing thick, black smoke was visible across the city and prompted concerned readers to contact the Belfast Telegraph.

UUP councillor David Browne said he suspected the fire had been lit by people from outside the area, as often happens in the run-up to the annual Eleventh Night bonfire celebrations in July.

"Either a rival bonfire or somebody from the opposite side of the community, that's usually the cause of it," he said.

"It's quite silly and dangerous, apart from the pollution aspect of it.

"This is April - it's just a little bit early I think for bonfires."
The plane took off from Kerry Airport on June 16 2015

A private jet was a minute away from crashing into a mountain after pilots became confused over flight instructions, air accident investigators have found.

The Florida-registered plane was carrying three passengers and two crew when it took off from Kerry Airport on June 16 2015 on its way to Gander in Newfoundland, Canada.

A quick thinking air traffic controller in Shannon spotted the jet levelled off too low to cross the Slieve Mish mountains near the Dingle peninsula.

The jet was about 800 feet below the highest peak as it flew into clouds shortly after take-off.

Experts from the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), which classed the incident as serious, said the pilots stopped climbing contrary to advice given to them while on the runway in Kerry.

The inspectors also said the crew misinterpreted instructions for the early flight path and did not try to clarify it with air traffic controllers.

The 32-year-old captain with 4,000 flying hours told the AAIU that they were confused over what altitude they should level off at.

"As we began to climb we had some confusion as to what the altitude clearance limit was as we were unsure what level 200 meant. We levelled at 2,000 feet to ensure we didn't exceed any altitude limits," the commander told the inquiry.

As the BAe 125-800B jet, known nowadays as a Hawker, was flying over Castlemaine the pilots contacted low level operators in Shannon's air traffic control centre.

Within 30 seconds the controller had asked the pilots three times for their altitude and confirmed they were at the wrong height.

The controller warned them of the high ground ahead in the Slieve Mish mountains and ordered them to climb to 4,000 feet with disaster less than one minute away.

The AAIU investigation also revealed that special radar to closely track flights from the control tower in Kerry airport was due to be in place in mid-2014 but was still not operating a month after the incident.

It said the lack of such a monitoring system was not a factor in this incident.

But the inspectors warned that the radar was first recommended in 2010 after a previous incident out of Kerry and they had no certainty when it would be up and running.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said the monitoring systems have been operating for the last two months.

"The IAA is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safety across the entire aviation system and we will ensure that all safety recommendations are implemented as expeditiously as possible," a spokesman said.

The AAIU called on the IAA to review how it monitors progress on safety recommendations in accident reports.
Brexit would badly damage Britain's special relationship with America, a former US treasury chief has warned.

Larry Summers, who served under president Bill Clinton, said Britain's influence with Washington would be diminished along with its standing in the world if the UK opted for withdrawal from the EU.

"It would reduce Britain's very positive influence as an ally of the US. I think the special relationship would translate much less into prosperity for both our countries, and I think the special relationship would have much less influence on the broad world.

"Much would be lost by the kind of split in the West that a British withdrawal from Europe would represent," Mr Summers told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Mr Summers insisted withdrawal from the EU would have a negative impact on the UK's standing in the G8 and G20 groups of industrialised nations, and reduce London's role in the global financial order.

"It would do damage to London as a financial centre," Mr Summers said as he warned Brexit would be "the most isolationist deed in the last century".

Mr Summers joined George Schultz and six other ex-US treasury secretaries in expressing concern that withdrawal from the EU would be a "risky bet".

In an open letter in The Times, they called the referendum a "consequential decision" and said the special relationship benefited from having the UK in the EU.

"A strong Britain, inside the European Union, remains the best hope in our view for securing Britain's future, creating a more prosperous Europe and protecting a healthy and resilient global economy," they said.

The UK's ability to be a global centre of finance could also be at risk if the public voted for Brexit, they warned.

"While Britain will remain an attractive centre for finance even if Britain exits, it should not take for granted its global primacy when it is no longer the gateway to Europe," the letter says.

The group of former treasury secretaries - which includes figures who have served under Democratic and Republican presidents - said that while trade deals would eventually be renegotiated, Brexit would "likely disrupt and reduce trade flows at least for a while, curtailing the scale and efficiency benefits from economic co-operation and integration".

They added that thanks to the special relationship, during difficult times, they had looked to Britain as "strong voice and partner" and claimed that "our collective efforts benefited from having a strong Britain within Europe".

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted that it was an "important" letter, while Chancellor George Osborne said it showed Brexit came with an economic price "not worth paying".

Prominent Brexit backer and former defence secretary Liam Fox dismissed the intervention as misguided.

The Leave campaigner said the US financial experts were wrong to say that withdrawal would represent isolationism, and insisted that they overstated British influence in the EU.

Dr Fox told the Today programme: "I respect their authority, but some of them do go back a long way. The most important failure of the analysis is that they have failed to take into account the decline and failure of the European economy itself, with a falling share of world trade, a smaller and less important destination for UK exports, and with chronic unemployment.

"If you look at Britain's unemployment rate of 5.1%, the European Union averages 8.9%, and the eurozone is 10.3% - that is a failing European economy, where we are clearly not having the influence we ought to have, or they would be having falling unemployment the way that we have in Britain."

The ex-cabinet minister took issue with claims that Brexit would diminish Britain's role in the world, and fuel political instability in Europe.

"There are many other areas than just money where Britain matters, security being one of them - we have the world's fifth biggest defence budget.

"Unless there is fundamental change in that European leadership we will have an imploding continent, and a British exit may give them the shock therapy they require to make the change necessary to stop Europe falling apart," he said.

Mr Cameron used Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons to urge voters to listen to what the former White House officials had said.

Responding to claims from the pro-Brexit camp that America would lose "control and influence" over the UK if it remained in the EU, Mr Cameron made a pointed reference to US President Barack Obama's expected public backing for the Remain cause when he visits Britain later in the week.

"I am sure the president will take all of these calculations into account before saying anything he might have to say.

"Personally, I believe we should listen to advice from friends and other countries, and I struggle to find the leader of any friendly country that thinks we should leave.

"When it comes to the United States, it is worth looking at what so many treasury secretaries have said, going back over Republican or Democrat administrations; it may not be the determining fact for many people, or indeed for any people, listening to what our friends say in the world is not a bad idea."
A man uses his mobile to take pictures of the rubble of the Chamber of Trade and Industry headquarters after it was hit by a Saudi-led air strike in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

An employee inspects a room inside the Chamber of Trade and Industry headquarters after it was hit by a Saudi-led airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Yemeni blind men hold a banner during a demonstration gathering disabled people to protest after a center for the blind was reportedly destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes in the capital Sanaa on January 6, 2016. Nearly 6,000 people have been killed since March, according to UN figures. At least 2,795 of them are civilians. AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED HUWAISMOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images

TOPSHOT - Yemeni construction workers walk with their rollers for painting in the the capital, Sanaa, on January 5, 2016. AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP / MOHAMMED HUWAISMOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images

Yemenis look at destruction in the street following air strikes on the capital, Sanaa, on January 5, 2016. AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED HUWAISMOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images

Yemeni blind men shout slogans during a demonstration gathering disabled people to protest after a center for the blind was reportedly destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes in the capital Sanaa on January 6, 2016. AFP/Getty Images

A Yemeni worker looks at the damage at the Noor Centre for the Blind after it was reportedly destroyed by Saudi-led air strikes in the capital Sanaa on January 5, 2016. AFP/Getty Images

Employees walk on the rubble of the Chamber of Trade and Industry headquarters after it was hit by a Saudi-led airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

The UK has approved 122 military licences to the value of 2.8bn to Saudi Arabia since the regime started its widely condemned bombing campaign in Yemen last March, it has been revealed.

Saudi Arabia is the biggest recipient of UK arms by a significant margin, and since 2010 has received military equipment worth 6.7bn, according to official government figures collated by Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT).

The report says the Saudi-led civil conflict in Yemen had resulted in the deaths of 6,400 people  half of them civilians - and displaced millions of others.

The House of Commons International Development Committee and the European Parliament have both called for an arms embargo to be placed on the Kingdom, but the UK Government has continued to support the autocratic state.

Andrew Smith, of CAAT, said: Almost 6000 people have been killed in the Saudi-led bombardment of Yemen. UK-supplied combat aircraft and bombs have been central to the destruction and yet the arms sales have continued, and so has the governments uncritical support of the Saudi regime.

A breakdown of the 2.8 billion worth of arms exported to Saudi Arabia from the UK includes 430,000 of licences for armoured vehicles and tanks, 1.1bn for grenades, bombs, missiles and countermeasures, and 1.7bn for aircrafts, helicopters and drones.

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The exports continue despite Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Doctors Without Borders all accusing Saudi Arabia of violating international humanitarian law with their continued air strikes.

David Wearing, a researcher on UK-Saudi-Gulf relations and the author of the CAAT report, said: Successive governments of all political colours have prioritised arms sales over human rights.

The toxic UK-Saudi alliance has boosted the Saudi regime and lined the pockets of arms companies, but has had devastating consequences for the people of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

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For the sake of those people, the UK government must finally stop arming and empowering the brutal Saudi monarchy, he said.

The report comes as efforts to broker peace talks between the Iran-allied Houthis and the Saudi-backed Hadi forces near collapse.

The Houthis have accused the Hadis of trying to exploit a shaky truce between the two to gain ground in several provinces, and of violating the agreed ceasefire. Should the truce collapse it is feared the conflict in the region will intensify.

Both al Qaeda and Isis have also been trying to exploit the situation by using the conflict as an opportunity to widen their influence and gain supporters in the region.

Independent
Police in Peru have found the body of a British tourist who went missing in early April during a solo hike in the Andes near Cuzco two days before his 29th birthday.

Authorities said Harry Greaves's body was found by police and volunteers in a 40-metre-deep crevasse on territory of the Paru Paru indigenous group.

Mr Greaves, from north Wales, had not been seen since April 7. He told friends he wanted to spend the day by himself on a mountain. His family has described him as an experienced outdoorsman and skilled furniture maker.

Each year, Cuzco receives more than 1.6 million foreign tourists who use the city as a base to explore the Incan ruins of Macchu Pichu.
Fidel Castro has given a speech to Cuba's Communist Party members saying he will die soon and urging them to help his ideas survive.

"I'll be 90 years old soon," Mr Castro said in his most extensive public appearance in years.

"Soon I'll be like all the others. The time will come for all of us, but the ideas of the Cuban Communists will remain as proof on this planet that if they are worked at with fervour and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need, and we need to fight without truce to obtain them."

Mr Castro spoke as the government announced that his brother Raul will retain the Cuban Communist Party's highest post alongside his hardline second-in-command.

The announcement and Mr Castro's speech together delivered a resounding message that the island's revolutionary generation will remain in control even as its members age and die, relations with the United States are normalised and popular dissatisfaction grows over the country's economic performance.

Government news sites said Raul Castro, 84, would remain the party's first secretary and Jose Ramon Machado Ventura would hold the post of second secretary for at least part of a second five-year term. Raul Castro is currently both president and first secretary. The decision means he could hold a Communist Party position at least as powerful as the presidency even after stepping down from the government post in 2018.

Mr Machado Ventura, 85, is known as an enforcer of Communist orthodoxy and voice against some of the country's biggest recent economic reforms who fought alongside the Castro brothers to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

Fidel Castro made his rare appearance at the Communist Party congress to rousing shouts of his name, according to state media that showed a delayed, edited broadcast of the day's events.

Government-run television showed rare images of the 89-year-old seated at the dais in Havana's Convention Palace, speaking to the crowd in a strong but occasionally trembling voice and pausing occasionally to consult a written version of his speech.

Raul Castro's decision to remain in power alongside a deputy even he has criticised for rigidity capped a four-day meeting of the Communist Party notable for its secrecy and apparent lack of discussion about substantive new reforms to Cuba's stagnant centrally-planned economy.

Even high-ranking government officials had speculated in the weeks leading up the Seventh Party Congress that Mr Machado Ventura could be replaced by a younger face associated with free market reforms.

The party congress also chose the powerful 15-member Political Bureau, mostly devoid of fresh faces associated with the party's younger generations. Five members were new but none are high-profile advocates for reform.

Esteban Morales, an intellectual and party member who had complained about the secrecy of the congress, said he was gratified by Raul Castro's decision to submit the guidelines approved by the 1,000 delegates to an ex-post-facto public discussion and approval.

He said he expected the first and second secretaries to remain in their positions only until Raul Castro leaves the presidency in 2018, after what Mr Morales called a necessary transition period.

Mr Machado Ventura organised a network of rebel field hospitals and clinics in the Sierra Maestra mountains in the 1950s, participating in combat as both a medic and a fighter in the revolution against Batista. After the revolution he became health minister and later assumed more political roles within the Communist Party. He also sat on the powerful Politburo starting in 1975.

Mr Machado Ventura was vice president from Raul Castro's ascent in 2008 until 2013, when the post was taken by Miguel Diaz-Canel, widely seen as the country's likely next president. Mr Machado Ventura was named second secretary in 2011 in a move seen as a way to placate and empower party hardliners.

Mr Machado Ventura was often employed by Raul and Fidel Castro to impose order in areas seen as lacking discipline, most recently touring the country to crack down on private sellers of fruits, vegetables and other agricultural goods. While Raul Castro opened Cuba's faltering agricultural economy to private enterprise, the government blames a new class of private farmers and produce merchants for a rise in prices.

Mr Machado Ventura has been the public face of a crackdown on what the government labels profiteering.
Anders Behring Breivik gestures as he arrives at court in Oslo, Norway (AP)

Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik had his human rights violated while in prison, a court has ruled.

The Prison conditions Breivik lived in breached an article in the European Convention on Human Rights prohibiting inhuman and degrading treatment.

The court dismissed Breivik's claim that the government had also violated his right to respect for private and family life.

Breivik massacred 77 people in an attack on a summer camp in 2011.

The 37-year-old claimed his prison conditions violate the European Convention on Human Rights.

At court hearings in Skien prison in southern Norway last month, he complained that prison authorities wouldn't let him communicate with or receive visits from other right-wing extremists.

Government lawyers dismissed his complaints, saying Breivik remains a dangerous inmate who could inspire others to commit similar attacks.

Breivik made a Nazi salute during one court appearance in the case, staring at journalists as he made the gesture.
Compensation for victims of Libya-sponsored terrorism has already been raised with the new Libyan government, Philip Hammond has said.

The Foreign Secretary suggested the issue of payments will not be resolved quickly given that prime minister-designate Fayez Sarraj and his team do not have much access to the country's ministries, civil servants or assets.

But Mr Hammond said he put the issue on Mr Sarraj's agenda during a surprise visit to Libya to support the government of national accord (GNA) on Monday.

Campaigning has continued to ensure those bereaved and injured by IRA attacks made possible by Semtex explosive and other weapons from the former Libyan regime of Colonel Gaddafi receive compensation.

Speaking in the Commons, the DUP's North Antrim MP Ian Paisley told Mr Hammond: "Given the failure of the last two Labour administrations to secure adequate compensation for Libya-supplied Semtex victims in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland - at the same time America was able to get that compensation - will you now indicate that you will redeem this situation and place on the agenda for the GNA, and for the prime minister, that compensation will now be a key issue that this Government will now pursue with the new administration?"

Mr Hammond replied: "I can confirm to you that it is already on the agenda.

"Prime Minister Sarraj is aware of our focus on this issue but it is a question of timing.

"At the moment the government hasn't got access to the great majority of its ministries or its civil servants.

"It hasn't got access to its assets.

"So it would be, I think, premature to be making that the number one issue.

"But this Government is focused on the need to raise and resolve these issues at the right point in this progression and Prime Minister Sarraj is already notified that we will do so."
Lutz Bachmann during the beginning of his trial on accusations of incitement in Dresden (AP)

One of the founders of the German anti-immigration group Pegida has gone on trial charged with incitement over Facebook posts in which he allegedly called foreigners "cattle" and "trash".

Lutz Bachmann's trial at the district court in the eastern city of Dresden is scheduled to last until May 10. Incitement can carry a prison sentence of up to five years.

Bachmann is accused of trying to incite Germans against refugees with the social media posts in September 2014.

Bachmann expressed regret shortly after the postings - and photos of him posing as Adolf Hitler - surfaced. He described them as "ill-considered comments that I wouldn't make in this way today" and apologised for harming Pegida.

Bachmann has denied the charges, saying the trial is "purely politically motivated" and meant to discredit him and the group. His lawyer, Katja Reichel, rejected the charges in court, saying he did not write the postings attributed to him.

As the trial opened, supporters staged a protest outside the court bearing banners calling for "freedom for Lutz Bachmann". Opponents chanted "Bachmann in the slammer".

According to the Saechsische Zeitung newspaper, Bachmann has previously spent time in jail for burglary and possession of drugs.

PEGIDA, whose German acronym stands for Patriotic Europeans against the Islamisation of the West, has dismissed claims that it co-operates with neo-Nazi groups, though far-right extremists regularly take part in its weekly protests in Dresden, the capital of Saxony.

The state has become a hotbed of anti-immigrant violence in recent years. Authorities arrested five people in Saxony on Tuesday on suspicion of founding a right-wing terror group to attack refugee homes and other facilities. The Freital Group, named after a suburb of Dresden, was formed in July last year or earlier.

Bachmann's trial is scheduled to resume on May 3.
Up to 500 people are feared dead after a boat sank in the Mediterranean Sea last week, the UN refugee agency said, citing the accounts of survivors.

The disaster happened in waters between Italy and Libya, based on accounts from 41 survivors who were rescued on April 16 by a merchant ship, the UNHCR said.

The agency said that if confirmed, it would be one of the deadliest tragedies in the Mediterranean in the last year.

The survivors said they had been among 100 to 200 people who left a town near Tobruk, Libya, on a smugglers' boat last week.

The agency said that "after sailing for several hours, the smugglers in charge of the boat attempted to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions".

"At one point during the transfer, the larger boat capsized and sank," the UNHCR said in a statement, saying that its staff had visited the survivors at a local stadium in Kalamata, Greece, where they have been housed by authorities while they undergo "police procedures".

Barbara Molinario, a Rome-based spokeswoman for the UNHCR, said details remained unclear and said its staffers did not want to press the survivors too hard.

The statements offered the most official comment yet following repeated news reports about the incident in recent days.

Somalia's president, prime minister and parliamentary speaker on Monday issued a joint statement over an unconfirmed report about the incident.

Reports of the drownings circulated among families and on social media, but they had not been confirmed by coast guard authorities in Italy, Greece, Libya or Egypt.

More than one million migrants and refugees crossed the Mediterranean last year - mostly refugees from war in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria fleeing to Greece, and the European Union, via Turkey. However, the longer Libya-Italy route has traditionally seen more deaths.

Facing internal divisions, the EU has struggled to cope with the influx, and the UNHCR reiterated its longstanding call for more "regular pathways" to Europe, such as with resettlement and humanitarian admission programmes, family reunification, private sponsorship and student and work visas.

Rights groups have repeatedly criticised a new Turkey-EU deal to curtail the flood of refugees into Europe, raising questions about the safety of Syrian refugees on both sides of the Turkish border.

Human Rights Watch urged Turkey to allow Syrians displaced by government shelling to cross the border to safety. The advocacy groups said the Syrian army hit two migrant camps on April 13 and 15, triggering an exodus of 3,000 people.

Last week, the rights group said Turkish border guards had shot at Syrians escaping an Islamic State offensive.

Turkey, home to 2.7 million Syrian refugees, rejects the claim and says it has an open-door policy towards migrants, but new arrivals are rare.

The rights group says tens of thousands of civilians are trapped along Turkey's border.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed reports that hundreds of people died in the incident, describing survivors' accounts of panicked passengers desperately trying to stay afloat by jumping between vessels.

The IOM said its staffers met survivors of the incident, who were rescued on Saturday by a Filipino cargo ship off the Libyan coast.

The group said some 200 migrants left Tobruk on several small boats, each carrying between 30 to 40 people and bound for a larger vessel on the high seas.

The IOM said the larger vessel, which was already desperately overcrowded with about 300 people, "began taking on water" when the newcomers got on.

As the larger vessel began to sink, "panicking passengers tried to jump into the smaller boats they had arrived in".
IN the week when more boats carrying refugees sink in the Mediterranean with the loss of as many as 400 lives, we discover that the Government has deported three times as many orphaned refugee children to countries ravaged by war and poverty than ministers have previously admitted.

Some 445 teenagers have been sent back to countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan since 2014.

While it may not be popular, it is interesting to reflect that the 'bash-an-immigrant' lobby, which includes the Tory party and Ukip with their casual racism, has helped send many of these kids to their deaths.

Typical Daily Mail headlines such as 'Send the immigrants back, save our jobs' may seem harmless enough, but the ramifications are utterly monstrous.

As a result of such propaganda hundreds of thousands of refugees are being put in camps surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards, which previously would have been called concentration camps. Then they are deported to Turkey to live in similar camps.

In Calais white fascist gangs attack women and children whose only crime is a desperate attempt to flee wars caused primarily by us and our mates.

So what's next? Well, the Royal Navy is being dispatched to the Med - not to rescue these poor people, but to turn these unsafe, overloaded boats back to wherever they came from.

When we lose our humanity, when we cease to believe in the story of the Good Samaritan, the road only leads to barbarism.

MARK HOLT

By email
We are all on our own individual journey.

No matter who we are or where we live, we have similar issues. Even if we are not outwardly emotional or appear to be stoic, the big questions of life confront each one of us at some point.

At his country estate at Down, the British naturalist Charles Darwin had the advantage of independent wealth, which allowed him to spend the last several decades of his life doing literally anything he wanted.

Of course, what he wanted was to advance his philosophy of naturalism, even beating competitors like Alfred Russell Wallace to publication with his On the Origin of Species: By Means of Natural Selection.

While reading the brilliant book on Darwin, by Paul Johnson (Darwin: Portrait of a Genius), I was struck by the fact that Darwin cherished a walking path near his home. It was here he took strolls daily, his nimble mind crafting the means of marketing his philosophy to the masses; with this, he had enormous help from his friends like Thomas Huxley (Darwins Bulldog) and Herbert Spencer (who coined the phrase, survival of the fittest).

A walking path.

Darwin chose his lot in life, and we all do, really.

I have a walking path as well, near my modest home. It is secluded, bounded by woods and meadows. In fact, my walking path is so secluded, no one knows where it is. I mow it regularly in the spring and summer, and it is here I do my deepest thinking. I have been doing that since boyhood.

On the same path.

How different, though, are my thoughts from Darwins. Where he saw the cold, impersonal hand of Nature producing the world Tennyson called red in tooth and claw, I see beauty and purpose.

I hear the birds right now, in the heavy woods. I see cattle on, if not a thousand hills, quite a few. A dog runs through a pasture in the distance. My memories of tractor rides in this very meadow, with my grandfather, are still fresh. To be very honest, these thoughts and feelings make me feel good.

If that is my opiate, so be it.

For I believe that the cold, impersonal god of Darwin could not have made the birds, or the cattle or anything else. That god could certainly not develop my mind and heart in such a way that beauty and love and goodness bring a contentedness I am certain come from the God of the Bible.

Finches may have different beaks. Mild forms of erosion might explain modest examples of rock layers.

But only the Bible gives us a true picture of earth history and, more importantly, our own history. It is in the Bible that we learn where we came from, why were here, and where were going.

When I watch animals play, with all their intricacies, I marvel. When I consider that God had a purpose even in the flood of Noah, I marvel. When I see a re-born nation of Israel, defying all historical odds, I marvel.

I realize Darwin marveled at the world he fashioned in his mind. He saw purpose in it, I suppose. However, I am certain that his views of naturalism were philosophical, and not science in the sense we think of it today. Many will disagree with me, of course. Interestingly, the loudest voices of criticism today would come from within the Church.

I also know that Darwin and many of his colleagues suffered from lifelong depression.

No wonder.

The apostle Paul likened his lifes journey to a race. He wanted to finish well.

I might run sometimes in my life journey, or more often, stroll up and down my walking path. But I too want to finish well.

And it is only in the Bible that I find a world that makes sense to me. God has lit my path all my life, every step.

He is the only true God.
Few biblical characters get more scorn than The Unforgiving Servant, who asks for help from a superior, but denies it to a lower-ranked servant. Donald Trump may be doing the same thing, complaining how Republican leaders are trying to oust him from the election, just as he uses the exact same tactics to remove John Kasich from the race.

Maybe youre familiar with Jesus tale of the Unforgiving Servant. In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 18, Verses 21 to 35, we learn that a servant owes his master a great fortune. He begs for forgiveness for his debt, and receives it. But then this servant meets a co-worker, who owes a small debt. The co-worker pleads for a little time to pay it back, but the mean servant tosses him in debtors prison, making the cruel servant the unforgiving one.

That biblical tale came to mind when I recently received an email from Donald Trumps campaign. His team crowed loudly about how the Republican establishment is trying to use every trick in the book to deny their candidate the nomination.

But at the same time, Trump is doing every dirty trick in the book to get Ohio Governor John Kasich from the race. Hes trying to ensure that Republican voters wont even be allowed to choose Kasich at the Cleveland Convention, something far worse than the RNC is accused of planning against Trump.

And yes, Senator Ted Cruz is a partner in this unholy alliance with Trump, making sure delegates cant even vote for Kasich, even as the Texas Senator loudly complains that the establishment is against him too, making him another unforgiving servant.

One wonders what Trump is afraid of. After all, doesnt Trump have a pretty good lead over him, and Cruz, for that matter? Kasichs only won one state, his home state of Ohio, right? Why would Trump, and Cruz as well, run the risk of looking like a hypocritical biblical bad guy?

Some might think its because Cleveland is on Ohio Governor Kasichs home turf. But thats not the main reason. Some might think its because he only won one state, but hes received votes in all states, even on a tight budget.

But heres the main reason Trump and Cruz fear Kasich, to the point of trying to block him from even being considered for the nomination. Kasich tends to do better in head-to-head matchups with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. He has gubernatorial experience, something Trump and Cruz lack, and congressional experience, something Trump doesnt have either. And Trumps negative numbers are amazing, while Cruz is toxic to so many elected officials in his party. In other words, Kasich is more likable, more experienced, more electable, and therefore, more dangerous to the two front-runners.

Trump and Cruz may ultimately get Kasich blocked from the ballot at the convention. But remember the biblical story, where the master puts the servant in jail for his unforgiving acts. We, the voters, are the master, and Trump, Cruz and Kasich are literally public servants. It is up to us voters to determine what should happen to an unforgiving servant.

John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Ga. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange.edu.
A day after a Kolkata court sentenced to death eight of 12 people convicted of murdering his son, Saroj Chowdhury said he was only partially satisfied with the verdict.

This is not enough, Chowdhury, a driver by profession, told BenarNews on Wednesday. I wanted the death sentence for all the 12 accused who gruesomely murdered my child.

The pain that my family lives through every moment, knowing his killers are still alive, is unbearable. And we wont heal until each of the culprits is hanged, Chowdhury said by phone from West Bengals North 24 Parganas district, situated on the outskirts of Kolkata.

Chowdhury said his 19-year-old son, Sourav, a student in the districts Mrinalini Datta College, was hacked to pieces in July 2014 for raising his voice against illegal liquor, drug and gambling dens run in their neighborhood by a local crime boss, Shyamlal Karmakar.

Chowdhury alleged that Karmakars gang enjoyed the backing of some local leaders of All India Trinamool Congress, West Bengals ruling party.

On Tuesday, a court handed down the death penalty to Karmakar and seven others  Suman Sarkar, Suman Das, Amal Barui, Somnath Sardar, Tapas Biswas, Ratan Samaddar and Tarak Das  for Souravs murder.

The court awarded a life sentence to Rakesh Burman, another accused, and five-year terms to Karmakars sister Poly Maity, Shishir Mukherjee and Ratan Das for abetment of murder.

While one of those charged by the police was acquitted for want of evidence, a 14th suspect, Liton Taluqdar, is absconding.

Although we welcome the courts decision, we are not fully satisfied, Chowdhury said, adding he was in talks with lawyers to challenge the Barasat district courts verdict in the High Court.

We wont just sit back after our son has been murdered in such a brutal manner, said Chowdhury, who led several rallies demanding capital punishment for all of the accused while the court was hearing the case.

Hacked up

Sourav was abducted from his neighborhood in North 24 Parganas district on July 4, 2014, days after spearheading a rally against anti-social activities in the area, including illicit liquor and gambling dens.

The students hacked up body was found the next day near tracks between two railway stations in the district.

Souravs killing sparked a state-wide furor even as both the ruling Trinamool Congress party and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed to have close links with the student, while left-wing activists alleged that those behind Souravs killing were backed by leaders of the ruling party.

Sourav Chowdhury [Courtesy of Saroj Chowdhury]

Repeated efforts by BenarNews to get a comment from Trinamool Congress party spokesman Derek OBrien failed.

A member of the Trinamool Congress rubbished allegations that those behind Sourav's killing had his partys backing. We dont protect criminals, the party official who requested anonymity told BenarNews.

Shamik Bhattacharya, a BJP leader, accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of allowing the type of lawlessness that claimed the life of Sourav Chowdhury.

He was an innocent student and used to protest against the activities of anti-social elements. His family members are known to BJP workers. There is not an iota of law and order in the district. What is she [Banerjee] doing? Bhattacharya told reporters.

Souravs murder came two years after Barun Biswas, a 39-year-old school teacher from the same district, was killed for allegedly raising his voice against an increasing number of sexual crimes against women in the area.

Politicians-mafia nexus

Anjali Bhardwaj, co-convener of the National Campaign for Peoples Right to Information (NCPRI), blamed the Indian government for not implementing an act that aims to protect activists and witnesses who attempt to expose the nexus between politicians and local mafia dons, despite many similar attacks on whistleblowers across the country.

Bhardwaj was referring to the Whistleblowers Protection Act of 2011, which provides a mechanism to investigate alleged corruption and misuse of power by public servants and protect anyone who exposes alleged wrongdoing in government bodies, projects and offices.

Even after so many years since the Act was notified, the government has not implemented and operationalized it. There are many instances of whistleblowers and witnesses being attacked and killed in India, yet, there seems to be no effort from the government to protect them, Bhardwaj told BenarNews.

Political factors, land mafia and industrial wrongdoings comprise the three most common reasons for such killings [of whistleblowers and witnesses], Sanjay Parikh, a Supreme Court lawyer, who routinely represents rights activists facing threats, told BenarNews.

It is hardly surprising that there is a lack of political will to implement the [Whistleblowers Protection Act], he added.

Family wants protection

Chowdhury, too, fears for his familys life, he said.

Of my two sons, only one is left. I am scared every time he steps out of the house, because one of those accused of killing Sourav has been acquitted while another is still roaming free out there, Chowdhury said.

Chowdhurys family has been assigned four police guards for protection, but he has asked the police for more security as he formalizes his plan to appeal the district courts verdict.

There are 22,000 people residing in our locality. No one, but Sourav, had the courage to stand up against these goons. They still dont have the courage to fight for what is right. We do, and the least we can expect from the government is to protect us, he said.

Vasudevan Sridharan in Bengaluru, India, contributed to the report.
Confiscated drugs, drug-making materials and equipment are displayed at Royal Malaysia Police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, April 20, 2016.

Updated at 7:24 a.m. ET on 2016-04-21

Malaysian police said Wednesday they had dismantled a local drug smuggling syndicate with a link to India and seized the liquid equivalent of 226 kilos (498 pounds) of methamphetamine  one of the biggest narcotics hauls this year on home soil.

The meth haul with an estimated street value of 36 million ringgit (U.S. $9.3 million) was confiscated as part of police raids mounted in Perak and Selangor states on Tuesday, during which 10 ethnic Tamil Malaysian suspects were arrested, Malaysian Police Inspector-General Khalid Abu Bakar told a news conference at police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Officials said the total amount of meth was enough to supply 12 million drug users in Malaysia, which has strict laws against narcotics trafficking and consumption.

From January to date, the total of value of drug seizures in the country is 65.64 million ringgit [U.S. $17 million] from synthetic drugs to more traditional drugs [like] marijuana and heroin. Properties seized related to narcotics have reached the value of 38 million ringgit [U.S. $9.8 million], Khalid told BenarNews.

Since the start of the year, police have arrested 63,382 people on suspicion of drug-related offenses, including 6,352 suspected dealers, 14,475 people caught holding illegal drugs, and 42,555 testing positive for narcotics use through drug screens, the police chief added.

Police took down the drug syndicate after months of intelligence gathering and surveillance by members of the Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING), a unit of the police departments narcotics bureau that received help through tips from law-abiding citizens, Khalid said.

The 10 suspects, including a chemist, were arrested in police raids at a store in Hutan Melintang, Perak, and two drug processing labs in Shah Alam, Selangor, according to police.

Officers also seized 2.83 million ringgit (U.S. $735,000) in cash, 78,000 Indian rupees (4,600 ringgit), a pistol and a magazine, 38 bullets, jewelry, 12 cars and two motorcycles, Khalid told reporters.

Police also seized 150 synthetic drug pills, 35 kilos (77 pounds) of ephedrine powder and meth-making chemicals including acetone, toluene, red phosphorus and caustic soda, as well as lab equipment.

The syndicate was masterminded by citizens, and the meth was meant to be sold on the local market, according to Khalid.

The haul included 752 kilos (1658 pounds) of meth in its liquid form, which could have been processed into 226 kilos (498 pounds) of marketable meth, Khalid said.

Another 13 kilos (28.6 pounds) of crystal meth  otherwise known as Ice  was recovered in its crystal form along with raw materials for making drugs that were smuggled in from India, he added.

Tuesdays drug bust comes weeks after authorities in neighboring Thailand made two major drug busts involving Malaysian suspects who were allegedly trying to smuggle crystal meth into Malaysia.

On March 30, Thailand charged two Malaysian men on suspicion of trying to smuggle 282 kilos (621 pounds) of meth across the border by car.

Six days earlier, Thai police announced the arrests of 15 Malaysian suspects in a separate case that involved the smuggling of 226 kilos (498 pounds) of meth and eight kilos (17.6 pounds) of heroin aboard trains bound for the Padang Besar, a town on the Malaysian border.
Then Maj. Gen. (now Lt. Gen.) Nakrob Boonbuathong speaks to a reporter at army headquarters in Bangkok, June 26, 2015.

Lt. Gen. Nakrob Boonbuathong, who chaired a Thai government panel working to restart peace talks with insurgent groups in the countrys Deep South, has been removed from that duty, he told BenarNews on Wednesday.

Ive been verbally informed that Ive been removed from the post, Nakrob said, adding that he did not know what his next assignment would be.

Someone else from the government team, now reduced to eight members, will take over negotiating details of demands and terms between the two sides, Nakrob said.

But an informal meeting between government negotiators and MARA Patani, an umbrella group representing Deep South rebel factions, is still set for next week, both sides said. It would be the first meeting with both sides fully represented since August 2015.

Government participants in the process recently met to prepare for pre talks in late April, Maj. Gen. Shinawatra Mandesh, deputy commander of the 4th Region, which encompasses the Deep South, told BenarNews on Tuesday.

MARA Patani spokesman Abu Hafiz said Wednesday that his side was waiting for the Thai government to fix a date for talks to be held in Kuala Lumpur next week.

Recent violence

MARA has known about Nakrobs pending removal since last week, Hafiz told BenarNews.

It wont have any major impact, as we expect that ToR [terms of reference], that have been already agreed by both technical teams, will be tabled for endorsement by the main dialogue teams at the late April meeting, Hafiz said.

But he called Nakrobs exit a pity  because Nakrob is easy to get along with and understands the procedures of the peace talk process.

There was no immediate explanation for the removal of Nakrob, a key government actor in peace-making attempts since 2013.

Violence linked to the separatist insurgency in Thailands predominantly Muslim far southern provinces of Yala, Patani, Narathiwat and several districts of Songkhla province has claimed more than 6,500 lives since deep-rooted conflict reignited in the region in 2004.

A spate of shootings and bombings that killed at least 30 people in the Deep South in recent weeks had raised questions about whether peace efforts under the current government, which have dragged on for months with little concrete outcome, were still on.

In comments to BenarNews on April 8, Nakrob expressed confidence that the next round of talks was still on.

The violence has nothing to do with the talks because, even if there are no talks, they perpetuate violence anyway, Nakrob said.

Pressure

In public comments around the same time, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said the dialogue panel tended to rush negotiations, and that insurgents were using violence to pressure the government.

"They tried to pressure for a speedier peace process. On several topics, we told them, don't touch on that yet because we haven't yet fully recognized (MARA Pattani members) ... as real members of the (insurgent) organization," Prayuth told a press conference on April 5.

He criticized the media for its coverage of the attacks, saying, "The more we report, the more they like it.

"Every five days, every 10 days, like mounting pressure on the government to recognize them," Prayuth said, referring to the attacks.

"I am reiterating here that nobody can pressure me. And if they pressure me, I will use legal means to take care of the security of the people and bring wrongdoers to justice."

Implications of Nakrob's removal

Nakrob was the only person on the negotiating team who had been involved in Deep South peace efforts since they were launched under the previous administration of Yingluck Shinawatra in 2013.



He understands the Malay language used in the Deep South and had been the negotiator most deeply immersed in the technical aspects of the talks.

Lt. Gen. Nakrob has been secretary of the peace talk panel for a long time and has experience from the beginning since the first panel [in 2013] and the only experienced one the government has. Now he is removed, I think there will be some problems in terms of making talk policy, but we will wait and see, Srisompob Jitpiromsri, director of Deep South Watch, told BenarNews.

Nasueroh in Pattani, Thailand, contributed to this report
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For Immediate Release, April 20, 2016 Contacts: Jean Su, Center for Biological Diversity, (510) 844-7139, jsu@biologicaldiversity.org

Seth Gladstone, Food & Water Watch, (347) 778-2866, sgladstone@fwwatch.org Legal Petition Pushes President Obama to End Crude Oil Exports, Declare Climate Emergency 350 Organizations Back Effort to Protect Climate, Communities From

Fracking Pollution Linked to Exporting U.S. Oil WASHINGTON As the Obama administration prepares to sign the Paris climate agreement, 350 environmental, social-justice, health and faith organizations filed a legal petition today urging President Barack Obama to declare a national climate emergency and end all U.S. crude oil exports. The ban would keep millions of tons of greenhouse gas pollution from escaping into the atmosphere and worsening the climate crisis. California oil fileld photo  2015 www.drewbirdphoto.com. This photo is available for media use. Todays petition, organized by the Center for Biological Diversity and Food & Water Watch, calls on the president to immediately halt the export of crude oil under executive legal authority granted to him by the 2016 Appropriations Act and the National Emergencies Act. As global temperatures hit record highs, the petition points out that climate change is unquestionably a national emergency. It also notes that halting crude exports is essential to the Paris Agreements goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. The petition filing comes two days before the landmark climate agreement reached last year is signed in New York. The president signed an omnibus bill lifting the 40-year-old export ban in December, less than a week after agreeing to the Paris climate accord. President Obama must halt crude exports to give us a fighting chance to meet the Paris Agreements crucial climate goals, said the Centers Jean Su. The president has the legal authority to reverse the terrible mistake he made in approving an end to the longstanding ban on crude exports. He has to seize this opportunity to protect our climate and U.S. communities from drilling and fracking. While Americans are increasingly turning against fracking and fossil fuels, President Obama has shockingly seen fit to double down on oil extraction to facilitate needless exports, said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter. But the president has a chance to make this right by acknowledging our emerging climate emergency and halting oil exports now. He must seize this opportunity. Halting crude oil exports would reduce drilling and fracking and could prevent up to 500 million tons of greenhouse emissions  the pollution equivalent of more than 135 coal-fired power plants, according to a report from the Center for American Progress. In addition to climate damage, the petition also highlights the devastating threats to public health and safety created by widespread fracking that has played a key role in driving the production of U.S. crude oil for export. Fracking and drilling have polluted the air and contaminated water supplies in communities across the country. A recent study by Stanford scientists found that fracking and other oil and gas operations contaminated groundwater in Pavillion, Wyo. Another study, published last year in the journal Epidemiology, found that women living near fracking and drilling face a dramatically increased probability of premature births and high-risk pregnancies. Todays petition is signed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Food & Water Watch, Greenpeace U.S.A., Friends of the Earth U.S., , Physicians for Social Responsibility, Public Citizen, SustainUS, WildEarth Guardians, Progressive Democrats of America, Rainforest Action Network, Amazon Watch, Corporate Accountability International, Waterkeeper Alliance, Environment America, and hundreds of other national, regional and local groups. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 990,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.


For Immediate Release, April 19, 2016 Contact: Brett Hartl, (202) 817-8121, bhartl@biologicaldiversity.org Administration Scales Back Proposal That Would Have Limited Public

Participation in Endangered Species Act Original Proposal Violated Rulemaking Process, Improperly Denying

Public Comment on Critical Issue WASHINGTON The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service substantially modified a jointly proposed regulation today that would have placed significant burdens on citizens seeking to protect species under the Endangered Species Act. In May 2015 the agencies proposed a set of regulations that would have made the procedural requirements for petitions much more onerous, including a requirement to pre-clear the petition with every potentially affected state government agency; to include all relevant information about a species; and to limit each petition to just a single species. In January 2016 the Center for Biological Diversity sent a letter to the Services alerting them that they had likely violated the Paperwork Reduction Act , which prohibits the federal government from imposing undue paperwork burdens on individual citizens. This special interest-driven proposal was designed to make it harder to get imperiled species the protections they desperately need under the Endangered Species Act, said Brett Hartl, endangered species policy director at the Center. Todays changes reduce the damage, but this whole proposal should still be withdrawn. It purposefully places cumbersome burdens on the public to discourage their participation in protecting plants and animals.



Enacted in 1995, the Paperwork Reduction Act requires that all federal agencies obtain clearance from the White House Office of Management and Budget before imposing new informationcollection requirements on the public. The law helps ensure that when an agency demands information from the public, it does so in the least-burdensome fashion. The law also requires that the public be given an opportunity to provide comment on any information-collection burden prior to its enactment. The proposed Endangered Species Act petition regulations failed to include any discussion of whether the proposal complied with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The failure to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act wasnt a mistake or harmless error that can be glossed over  it was a deliberate end-run around the law, said Hartl. It is completely implausible that the one time that the Services sought to impose an information-collection burden on the public, that it simply forgot to comply with this standard requirement. Every other regulation they have published over the past 20 years includes an evaluation and discussion of their compliance with this law. The Endangered Species Act expressly allows people to petition for species protections, and most of the 1,600 species awarded protection to date have been in response to citizen petitions. The filing of a petition triggers what is supposed to be a two-year process that includes three public comment periods. But that process has, on average, taken more than a decade to complete. These delays have led to a backlog of hundreds of species needing protection  a backlog that has been in place for decades. Delays in protection of species have real consequences, with more than 40 species having gone extinct while waiting for protection. The proposed rule was one of several policies put forward by the administration that have limited the scope of the Endangered Species Act, solidifying the administration's reputation as no friend of wildlife or the environment. Other administration policies have limited protections for endangered species critical habitat; limited which species get protection in the first place; and given federal agencies carte blanche to harm endangered species by ignoring the cumulative impacts of agency activities. The Obama administration can still do the right thing here and kill off this awful proposal, said Hartl. Unfortunately, it will take many years to do undo the larger damage to the Endangered Species Act that this administration has wrought, and to get those animals and plants that were wrongly denied protection onto the endangered species list. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 990,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.


For Immediate Release, April 20, 2016 Contact: Rebecca Sobel, WildEarth Guardians, (267) 402-0724, rsobel@wildearthguardians.org

Mariel Nanasi, New Energy Economy, (505) 989-7262, mariel@seedsbeneaththesnow.com

Maria Jose Alcazar, Earth Care, (505) 204-0664, mariajose@earthcarenm.org

Taylor McKinnon, Center for Biological Diversity, (801) 300-2414, tmckinnon@biologicaldiversity.org Protesters Tell Feds to 'Keep It in the Ground' at New Mexico Oil, Gas Lease Sale Hundreds Call for Bold Climate Leadership at 'Climate Auction' SANTA FE, N.M. More than 200 protesters with signs and large banners staged a colorful climate rally today outside of the Bureau of Land Managements oil and gas lease sale in Santa Fe, N.M. today urging President Obama to Keep It in the Ground. Photo by Taylor McKinnon, Center for Biological Diversity. Photos are available for media use. The BLMs climate auction, as protesters dubbed it, allowed industry to bid on oil and gas leases for 2,300 acres of publicly owned land in Kansas and Oklahoma. The group, united under the rallying cry Not here, not there, not anywhere, cited similar threats of oil and gas development to Chaco Canyon, the Santa Fe National Forest and Sandoval County, and called on the Obama administration to expand its climate leadership by ending the public leasing program and establishing immediate comprehensive methane safeguards for all oil and gas infrastructure. Young people in New Mexico are standing up with local allies and communities across the country to say no to fossil fuel extraction on public lands, said Castille Aguilar, a youth organizer with Earth Care in Santa Fe. We demand the federal government protect our planet and our futures from catastrophic climate change by leaving all remaining oil, gas, and coal reserves in the ground. Affordable renewable energy alternatives are not only available today, they offer our generation the opportunity for good paying jobs and the prospect of a future to look forward to. The protest takes place just two days before President Obama is scheduled to sign the international climate agreement set in Paris last year. The president says hes committed to averting climate catastrophe, but across New Mexico the BLM is still singing drill, baby, drill, said Rebecca Sobel, senior climate and energy campaigner at WildEarth Guardians. The West is rising to demand our leaders keep our public lands in the public interest; todays demonstration proves were not willing to stand idly while our climate is auctioned off for short-term oil and gas industry profit. Federal oil and gas leasing contributes significantly to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Existing federal U.S. oil and gas leases will release 20 billion tons of greenhouse gas pollution; oil and gas containing up to 89 billion tons  the equivalent pollution of driving 1.8 billion cars for a decade  have yet to be leased to industry. Some federal leases are given to oil companies for as little as $1.50 per acre. Our community, like communities across the country, is standing up to reject the notion that we must auction off our public lands for pennies to the oil and gas industry, said Mariel Nanasi, executive director for New Energy Economy. We cannot subject our public lands to exploitation for a boom-and-bust economy that brings short-term gains to private fossil fuel corporations while robbing the public of our health, our environment, our economic stability and our children's future. On Monday groups delivered a letter to President Obama and BLM State Director Amy Lueders calling for the auction to be cancelled. The agency authorized the sale despite widespread concern about its direct link to global climate change. Administrative challenges to the auction by the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club and others reduced its size from 36,000 to 2,300 acres. Each federal fossil fuel auction steps us closer to climate catastrophe, said Taylor McKinnon with the Center for Biological Diversity. President Obama should align his energy policies with his climate goals by ending new fossil fuel leasing on public lands and oceans. He can do that now, without Congress, and keep 450 billion tons from the global pool of potential greenhouse gas pollution. The rally is part of a rapidly growing national movement calling on President Obama to halt new federal fossil fuel leases on public lands and waters  a step that would keep up to 450 billion tons of potential carbon pollution, equivalent to the pollution of 118,000 power plants, safely in the ground. Similar Keep It in the Ground protests are planned for upcoming auctions in Cheyenne, Wyo., Billings, Mont., and Lakewood, Colo. Since November protested lease sales have been postponed in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Washington, D.C. Groups participating in todays rally included: 350.org, 350 New Mexico, The Campaign to End Sacrifice Zones, Center for Biological Diversity, Earth Care, Environment New Mexico, Dine Citizens Against Ruining our Environment, Food and Water Watch, Frack Free New Mexico, Friends of the Earth, The Global Warming Express, Idle No More Four Corners, Indigenous Life Ways, Interfaith Worker Justice, Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment, New Energy Economy, New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, Osceola Energy, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, Tewa Women United, United Native Americans, WildEarth Guardians and Wise Fool New Mexico. Additional statements from individuals and groups participating in the rally: We have an addiction and it is killing us. The health effects of oil and gas exploration are devastating and their magnitude is enormous on the individual, local and global scale. Since last year, over 50 pipeline accidents have caused injuries, deaths and long-term health effects from exposure to petrochemicals including chronic lung, immune and neurological disease and cancer. Fracking risks contaminating drinking water in hundreds of communities. The worst greenhouse-gas disaster in US history in California this year caused illnesses in the community and contributed to a climate crisis creating world-wide drought, hunger and refugees from human-influenced natural disasters. So Id like to write a prescription for the BLM and the Obama administration, the only cure for the terrible addiction to fossil fuels that is risking our health and our future. Rx: Keep It in the Ground, said Wendy Johnson, local Santa Fe family physician and public health expert. (505) 982-4425, wjohnson@lfmctr.org All you grownups keep talking about climate change and your grandchildren. What about my grandchildren? Dont kids get to have dreams for their grandchildren, too? What I say about ending fossil fuel use is: We are either doing this, or we are not. There is no in-between. I call on the grownups to do this, said Marina, 11 years old, of The Global Warming Express. (505) 660-2157, genie@theglobalwarmingexpress.org



"We live in an amazing moment of moral truth as we face climate change. As Pope Francis laid out in Laudato Si, On Care of Our Common Home, we face a challenge to transition from fossil fuels, while addressing worker well-being and creating a hopeful and livable home for future generations, the economically vulnerable and all creation that we share with Earth. People of faith are concerned with the BLM lease process because it is part of the transition that requires a preferential option for the poor and the planet that needs to be founded in integral ecology, " said Joan Brown, executive director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light. (505) 264-9966, joanbrown@nm-ipl.org The science is clear: We must turn the page on fossil fuels, stop sacrificing our communities, and stop destabilizing the climate. Putting an end to leasing of publicly owned fossil fuels is the surest way to keep this coal, oil and natural gas safely in the ground. The fossil fuel industry, and the big banks that own the fossil fuel industrys billions in debt, are raking in the profits at all of our expense. We will not stop fighting for what is right. We will make sure publicly owned fossil fuels stay in the ground, unburned, and see that people benefit from a rapid and just transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy, said Eleanor Bravo, Southwest organizer at Food & Water Watch. (505) 633-7366, Ebravo@fwwatch.org



Were already experiencing dangerous consequences of climate change  from drought to superstorms to rising seas  and scientists are clear that to avoid even more catastrophic impacts, we must transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy. We simply cant continue to drill, mine and burn more fossil fuels while global warming passes the point of no return, said Sanders Moore, director of Environment New Mexico/Environment New Mexico Research & Policy Center. (505) 254-4819, sanders@environmentnewmexico.org



Fossil fuel companies have made millions off public-land leases while wrecking the environment, harming peoples health, violating Indigenous rights, and passing off massive cleanup costs to taxpayers. Its time for President Obama and the BLM to heed the peoples call to keep it in the ground, end the corporate giveaway, and cancel these lands sales forever, said Ruth Breech, senior campaigner from Rainforest Action Network. (415) 238-1766, ruth@ran.org President Obama has the power to keep these fossil fuels in the ground with the stroke of a pen. From Santa Fe to New Orleans to Alaska and beyond, people across the country are calling on the Obama administration to protect our communities and our climate, and keep fossil fuels in the ground," said Jason Kowalski, 350.org U.S. policy director. (202) 670-5345, jason@350.org Background

Some 67 million acres of U.S. public lands are already leased to dirty fossil fuel industries, an area 55 times larger than Grand Canyon National Park, and containing up to 43 billion tons of potential greenhouse gas pollution. Nearly one quarter of all U.S. climate pollution already comes from burning fossil fuels from public lands. Remaining federal oil, gas, coal, oil shale and tar sands that have not been leased to industry contain up to 450 billion additional tons of potential greenhouse gas pollution. In September more than 400 organizations called on President Obama to end federal fossil fuel leasing. In November Senators Merkley (D-Ore.), Sanders (I-Vt.) and others introduced legislation to end new federal fossil fuel leases and cancel non-producing federal fossil fuel leases. Last month the Obama administration placed a moratorium on federal coal leasing while the Department of the Interior studies its impacts on taxpayers and the planet. Since November 2015, in response to protests, the BLM has postponed oil and gas leasing auctions in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Washington, D.C. Download the September Keep It in the Ground letter to President Obama. Download Grounded: The Presidents Power to Fight Climate Change, Protect Public Lands by Keeping Publicly Owned Fossil Fuels in the Ground (this report details the legal authorities with which a president can halt new federal fossil fuel leases). Download The Potential Greenhouse Gas Emissions of U.S. Federal Fossil Fuels (this report quantifies the volume and potential greenhouse gas emissions of remaining federal fossil fuels). Download The Potential Greenhouse Gas Emissions fact sheet. Download Public Lands, Private Profits (this report details the corporations profiting from climate-destroying fossil fuel extraction on public lands). Download WildEarth Guardians formal petition calling on the Department of the Interior to study for the first time ever the climate impacts of the federal oil and gas leasing program and to place a moratorium on new leasing until that study is completed. Download the Center for Biological Diversitys formal petition calling on the Obama administration to halt all new offshore fossil fuel leasing. Download Mind The Gap, on closing the methane emissions gap between the Obama administration's promise and proposals. Download The Emerging U.S. Methane Mitigation Industry on reducing methane emissions and creating jobs. Images from todays protest are available for media use (after 12 p.m.): https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildearth_guardians/


For Immediate Release, April 20, 2016 Contact: Michael Robinson, (575) 313-7017, michaelr@biologicaldiversity.org Feds Order Wolf Trapping in New Mexico Removal of Alpha Male Would Hasten Mexican Wolf Decline SILVER CITY, N.M. An endangered Mexican gray wolf in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico will be removed from the wild for killing cattle, according to a newly disclosed order from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Trapping the two-year-old alpha male of the Luna pack would further reduce the struggling wolf population that declined by 12 percent in 2015. Only 97 wolves were counted in the wild in New Mexico and Arizona in January, down from 110 the previous year. Three wolves have already died this year, including two accidentally killed through government trapping. Ongoing federal mismanagement is pushing the Mexican wolf further toward extinction instead of recovery, said Michael Robinson of the Center. This alpha wolf, whose mate may be pregnant, should be allowed to stay in the wild and help raise his pups. Trapping is to commence only after the targeted wolfs mate localizes in a den to give birth, or after May 15, the last possible date for whelping, in order to avoid harming her. Yet, even with human feeding of the female, any pups will be less likely to survive once their father is removed. The targeted male wolf, officially known as M1396, was given the name Guardian after his birth, coined by a student in Albuquerque as part of a contest to name pups. He originated in the Fox Mountain pack, which repeatedly suffered from government trapping, including of Guardians brother last year and of the packs alpha female in 2012. She died recently after years of poor adaptation to captivity. Guardian and his mate were repeatedly drawn to cattle by the remains of cows that died not from wolves, but from other causes, including calving problems. Contrary to the recommendations of scientists, and in contrast to the regulation that led to successful reintroduction and population growth of northern Rocky Mountain wolves, livestock owners in the Southwest are not required to prevent wolf scavenging by removing the carcasses of non-wolf-killed domestic animals. Scavenging on dead stock is often a prelude to depredations. Mexican wolves are unfairly penalized because ranchers are not required to eliminate the lure of carrion, said Robinson. In the latest instance, two wolves that had largely preyed on elk were repeatedly drawn by cattle carcasses to vulnerable cattle. The stock owner will be indemnified. But a wolf will be taken from the wild and recovery of this intelligent, social mammal that contributes to the natural balance in the Southwest will be dealt another unnecessary setback. Background

Mexican gray wolves were almost completely trapped and poisoned from the wild in the U.S. and Mexico by the Fish and Wildlife Service and its predecessor agency on behalf of the livestock industry in the early to mid-20th century. After passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, and placement of the Mexican wolf on the list of endangered species in 1976, five wolves were captured alive in Mexico and three were successfully bred. In 1995 progeny of those three and of four other wolves captured in the 1950s and 1960s in Mexico and Arizona were bred. In 1998 reintroduction began in Arizona and New Mexico. The reintroduced population was originally projected to reach 102 wolves, including 18 breeding pairs, by 2006 and continue growing thereafter, but instead has been repeatedly set back by government shooting and trapping as well as by illegal shootings. The population also suffers from smaller litter sizes and lower pup survival as a consequence of reduced genetic diversity. Reintroduction to Mexico began in 2011. Fewer than 25 wolves live in the wild in Mexico. The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 990,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.


For Immediate Release, April 20, 2016 Contact: Benjamin Craft-Rendon, Tar Sands Blockade, (412) 223-7279, veryloudben@gmail.com

Yudith Nieto, TEJAS, (832) 867-1250, Younity9@gmail.com

Cyrus Reed, Sierra Club, (512) 740-4086, Cyrus.reed@sierraclub.org

Blake Kopcho, Center for Biological Diversity, (805) 708-3435, bkopcho@biologicaldiversity.org On Anniversary of Deepwater Horizon Disaster,

Gulf Coast Residents Rally Against New Offshore Oil Leases in Houston HOUSTON Exactly six years after BPs Deepwater Horizon exploded in the Gulf of Mexico and triggered the worst oil spill in the nations history, the Department of the Interior today held an open house in Houston to discuss its plans to issue 10 new offshore fossil fuel leases in the Gulf over the next five years. That proposal drew strong opposition from Gulf Coast residents and their allies in the environmental and social-justice movements, who held a press conference and rally before storming into the open house to call for a cancellation of the proposed leases and new investments and job creation in renewable energy and environmental restoration. More than 40 people rallied outside the Hyatt Regency Houston as the meeting began, chanting The seas are rising, so are we and wielding signs including From the Arctic to the Gulf, Keep It in the Ground, before heading inside to confront Interior officials. Attendees came from Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS), Tar Sands Blockade, Bridge the Gulf, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, and other Gulf organizations, as well as Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, Greenpeace and other national organizations. Eleven Gulf residents were killed on April 20, 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon exploded and began spewing millions of gallons of crude oil per day into the Gulf until the well was finally capped almost three months later. Thousands of birds, turtles, marine mammals and other wildlife were killed, and the impacts of that disaster are still felt today. A number of recent studies highlight the ongoing environmental harms from the spill, including severe lung disease in dolphins, near-record lows of Kemps ridley sea turtle nesting, oil dispersants that are toxic to corals, and a bathtub ring of oil on the seafloor. Meanwhile the climate crisis is deepening, with 2015 being the hottest year on record by far, fueling a growing movement to halt new fossil fuel leases in public waters. Dozens of concerned citizens rallied against the proposed leases in the Gulf during a public hearing in New Orleans on April 18, following up on a massive demonstration there at the Superdome on March 23 and joining the national movement to Keep It in the Ground, which has been targeting fossil fuel leases on public lands. Climate scientists say most untapped fossil fuel reserves should be left intact if humanity is to avoid the worst climate change scenarios and meet the carbon emissions reduction goals agreed to in Paris in December. Increased drilling in the Gulf perpetuates the treatment of the region as a sacrifice zone,  said Cyrus Reed, conservation director of the Sierra Clubs Lone Star Chapter. We have already seen what offshore drilling does to our economy, wildlife, health, and our planet. Instead of more offshore drilling in this sacrifice zone, we should be building a 21st century transportation system and investing in the kind of clean energy that will create jobs and infuse new life into our economy. The Deepwater Horizon disaster graphically illustrates the dangers of offshore oil drilling. It's as risky today as it was six years ago, both to our climate and the Gulf's wildlife and coastal communities, said Blake Kopcho, a campaigner with the Center of Biological Diversity. We need to stop treating the Gulf like a sacrifice zone for the fossil fuel industry and help this region transition into a just and sustainable clean energy future. The refining communities of Houston are also known as the sacrifice zones, since the oil export ban was lifted we have already seen oil extracted from our shores exported to other countries, said Yudith Nieto, a community organizer with Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services. Gulf Coast communities will bear the brunt of negative impacts from extraction in already vulnerable areas but there is another option for our energy needs. Texas already leads the nation in wind-powered generation capacity so why is there a need to drill in deeper, more risky waters? Our impacted communities could benefit from a just transition into sustainable clean energy and Texas should lead the way. We still haven't recovered from the BP Disaster. Oil is in our ocean, in our seafood and it still clouds the judgment of our elected officials. But we the people can see clearly, and we are calling for an end to new drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, said Anne Rolfes, director of Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced the participants for its Accelerator Programs in Darmstadt and Nairobi. Almost 200 highly competitive applications from 47 countries were submitted for consideration.

Nairobi start-up garage

With its selection, Merck sets the agenda with topics from Malaria diagnosis to identification of plant diseases using artificial intelligence.

Michael Gamber, head of the Merck Innovation Centre, is looking forward to what these teams can create: With our selection for the Darmstadt and Nairobi Accelerator Program we set the agenda with topics of global importance, living up to the programs international orientation.

The 10 most promising ideas for the Darmstadt Accelerator were invited to a pitch day. This was an opportunity for them to present their ideas before a selection of judges.

The jury was made up of Merck employees, external venture capitalists and experts in start-up development. The selected teams addressed topics from mobile malaria diagnosis, to waiting time in emergency rooms.

At the same time, the start-up-companies for the Nairobi program were selected by Mercks local team in Africa. The Nairobi program is focused on digital health and the winning teams aim to add efficiency to healthcare in Africa. The topics range from maternal and infant mortality to the transportation of emergency patients.

Both accelerator rounds started in April and will end in July this year.

Start-up companies at the Nairobi Accelerator

Flare, led by Caitlin Dolkart and Maria Rabinovich, is a Transportation Network Company, like Uber, that makes ambulances more readily accessible in Nairobi. As there is no centralised phone number to call in case of emergency, the team developed a technical infrastructure that organises the transportation of emergency patients considering available ambulances and hospital capacities.

Miti Health, led by Jessica Vernon and Jennifer Stutsman, improves the supply chain of medication. Currently owners of private chemist shops have inefficient supply chains because they cannot efficiently predict demand or react to higher orders. Miti Health sets up a technological infrastructure to optimize this process from inventory management to quality certification.

Totohealth, led by Felix Kimaru, utilises messaging and voice technology to help reduce maternal mortality, child mortality and detect developmental abnormalities in early stages. The start-up enables mothers and fathers to receive personalised messages timed at their child's age or stage of pregnancy. These messages are able to highlight possible warning signs, equip parents with knowledge on nutrition, reproductive health, parenting and developmental stimulation.

Start-ups at the Darmstadt Accelerator

Matibabu, led by Josiah Kavuma and Shafik Sekitto, provides an app that is able to diagnose malaria without a blood sample. The program instead uses a mobile phones camera. It can tell if a person has malaria by measuring light absorption when pressed to the fingertip. The start-up-company is based in Kampala, Uganda.

Check-ER, led by Leon Hulli and Rachel Bodkier from Tel Aviv, Israel, is a mobile app aimed at optimising wait time in Emergency Rooms. By connecting to a hospitals administrative data, Check-ER would be able to calculate patient wait time and organise the queue based on a preliminary diagnosis, with more urgent care issues prioritised.

PEAT, led by Simone Strey and Alexander Kenneopohl from Hannover, Germany, is a software start-up company employing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect plant diseases via image recognition. The system is not only able to diagnose plants from their pictures, it is also designed to learn from new submissions for more precise recognition as it develops.

Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life  from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company.
At their F8 Developers Conference this year, Facebook revealed an ambitious 10-year vision which sees them connecting the world, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in a major way and building a huge ecosystem around virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR).

While it is always exciting to hear from companies who have a bold vision for the future, especially when they spew so many acronyms, what had business leaders most in awe was the announcement of the Messenger Platform and its integrated chatbot functionality. Over the last few years Facebook has done a lot to become increasingly relevant to businesses and this is just their latest salvo to woo them.

What is a chatbot?

Chatbots have been with us for quite some time and are nothing else than an automated program that can interact automatically with a person during an online chat session (such as with WhatsApp, Skype or FB Messenger itself). Over the years the capabilities of chatbots everywhere have improved dramatically and we now expect the interaction to be valuable, fun and ideally indistinguishable from how we would interact with another person.

Why is the Facebook announcement significant?

Now that Facebook is allowing developers access to their Messenger chatbot platform they create a massive opportunity for businesses who want to engage with their customers in a very natural way, i.e. by chatting with them. During the conference keynote, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said: Ive never met anyone who likes calling a business. We think theres got to be a better way to do this. And this is exactly what they are trying to achieve.

Reimagining the customer experience

Now, put yourself into the shoes of your regular customers and identify all the scenarios where they need help with something. Think of product support, product selection, profile changes or complaints. Then ask yourself what options you currently provide to get this help as well as how your customers would rate their satisfaction with the chosen channels.

If you rate the experience of your customers as low, you can at least pat yourself on the back for being honest. The unfortunate reality is that customers are almost never happy with the service they receive and there is lots of room for improvement.

Imagine this...

Instead of having customers write an email (which may only be answered days later) or pick up the phone (only to be greeted by a call-queuing system), you could present your customers with the option of connecting directly with your company using a tool they already know very well: Facebook Messenger. And the beauty is that the interaction happens almost exactly as if they were communicating with one of their friends.

First they state their need using natural language. Then, like magic, the friendly chatbot gives them the exact answer they are looking for, whether this is hotel room availability, the latest status update on a support request or even the delivery status of an order. Next your chatbot asks what action it should execute and it may provide a few helpful options. In our previous example the customer can now choose to book a specific hotel room, provide additional clarifying notes for the support request or re-route the order to a different delivery address.

And all of this happens in the background, without involving any real persons, without sending the customer to a new web page or even requiring the installation of an app. The customer never has to leave the FB Messenger environment, making interactions with your business really simple and quite possibly fun - especially when your competitors cant offer this service. Now that is really, really powerful!

The challenges of getting started

What a business needs to get started is a Facebook developer account, admission to the FB Messenger platform beta program, some basic coding skills and a willingness to play around and of course accept the occasional glitch. You of course also need to have some customer-facing business processes that would benefit from a chatbot interface. And finally the business processes you have selected need to have been digitalised. After all, you want maximum customer benefit with as little as possible effort from your employees.

Unfortunately, however, it is this last requirement which I believe will be the biggest stumbling block for South African businesses. While helping mostly SMEs in Cape Town with their digital transformation needs, it has become very clear that although most organisations have a reliable and cost-effective IT platform, they are also very far from having automated and optimized business processes. And since this is a pre-requisite for deploying chatbot technologies, my recommendation would be to gain inspiration from what will soon become reality but choose to focus extensively on transformation efforts to digitalise customer-facing business processes.

This will not only give your business a platform to experiment with chatbots but it will also open up many new opportunities for leveraging digital technologies for differentiation in the market.
Malaria still causes 1,2m deaths in Africa, so a new facility aimed at eliminating the disease in Mozambique by 2020 could have long-term advantages for the rest of the continent...

The sprayers are the true heroes in fighting malaria in Mozambique

Private-public partnership

Goodbye Malaria, in collaboration with the University of Pretoria and the Mozambique ministry of health, is opening a centre of excellence (CoE) in Namaacha, Mozambique, that will place the private-public partnership (PPP) at the forefront of malaria research and control.

Benefitting the whole continent

Besides setting a four-year deadline to rid the country of malaria, the knowledge, technology, training and methodology developed by the facility will be rolled out to the rest of Africa.

Sherwin Charles, CEO and co-founder of SA-based Goodbye Malaria, says that the PPP has placed ownership of the CoE in the hands of the government of Mozambique. Goodbye Malaria remains responsible for funding. While negotiations are underway with the Global Fund, the first phase has been sponsored by Nandos.

Goodbye Malaria will also spearhead franchising the methodology, which optimises existing dwelling interiors spraying techniques with appropriate pesticides, beyond Mozambiques borders.

Continuing the legacy

The CoE picks up where the Lebombo Spatial Development Initiative (LSDI), a joint anti-malaria initiative of the governments of South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique, left off.

It is exciting that we are now also working with the University of Pretoria, as the research to be conducted at the CoE by its academia and post-graduate entomology and public health students will supplement our operational expertise, says Charles.

Powerful weapon

Professor Tiaan de Jager, deputy dean: research, for the faculty of health sciences and director of the Centre for Sustainable Malarias Control, University of Pretoria, says that the CoE is a powerful weapon in the fight to eliminate malaria  which, despite significant inroads since 2000, still kills a child every 120 seconds. These past interventions have helped to reduce malaria mortality by 54% in Africa.

Mosquito-borne diseases are still a significant cause of illnesses and deaths worldwide. Developments in the field of malaria will shape how we combat, for example, the emerging Zika virus, says Prof. De Jager.

In addition, cross-border co-operation between endemic countries is essential, and innovation is crucial, "A transdisciplinary approach and active collaboration are need to reach our elimination goals," he explains.

The CoE also plans to lead a curriculum through which local people can earn a diploma related to eliminating malaria.

Methodology

There are two aspects to be considered in the elimination of malaria. The first is the (female) anopheles mosquito, which carries the malaria parasite and is killed with pesticide in a process known as indoor residual spraying (IRS). The second is the parasite itself. The mosquito and the parasite are known to develop resistance to the pesticide and medication, respectively, which has resulted in malaria resurging in some areas where it was through to have been wiped out.

In accepted methodology, the mosquito is known as the vector  giving rise to the term integrated vector management (IVM). Charles says that the CoE will focus on fine-tuning existing IRS knowledge to create an evolved IVM strategy that will prevent similar disease claw-backs in the future.

Socio-economic upliftment

For example, the strategy will also encompass socio-economic upliftment concurrent with IRS, and will include empowering communities to install doors and windows in their dwellings, and place pesticide-treated mosquito traps in air vents, to provide an extra ring of security.

Training sprayers

Goodbye Malaria has completed four IRSs in southern Mozambique since 2014, and are already training sprayers for the 2016 spray season.

The organisation recruits sprayers from the areas in which the IRSs are to take place. This creates local employment, and also fast-tracks the process as they are both familiar with the terrain and known to the community members.

True heroes

Spraying is an arduous task, says Charles. There is a specific technique that must be employed; the equipment is heavy; the protective clothing is cumbersome; and the temperatures can be searing.

Goodbye Malaria will leverage our partners, resources, business experience and solidarity with international organisations such as the World Health Organisation and Roll Back Malaria, to achieve our stated goals. But the sprayers are the true heroes in the fight to finally say goodbye to malaria.
The SABC board is too bloated, too costly and too prone to external influence, parliament was told yesterday.

The Department of Communications wants the number of SABC board members to be cut from 12 to nine. The portfolio committee on communications also heard various legal opinions on the Broadcasting Amendment Bill, which partly deals with the appointment and removal of board members.

Tshegofatso Kgarabjang, from the department's legal services division, also claimed that the sub judice rule does not prevent parliament from removing SABC board members - even though there are currently two cases before the courts that relate to three board members who were removed last year.

Kgarabjang also argued a large board can be easily influenced.

"A large board may be subjected to outside interference and lobbying of external forces and sometimes conflicts of interest.

"A large board is very expensive to maintain and money can be used elsewhere."

He added that a large board "can easily become dysfunctional due to too many competing factors".

Critics have said the bill, which was surreptitiously tabled by Communications Minister Faith Muthambi last year, would render the SABC a state-controlled broadcaster, as it was under apartheid rule.

DA MP Marian Shinn described the bill as the most "pernicious piece of legislation" the committee has seen.

She said: "It emasculates the role of public oversight through parliament.

"It enables the [communications] minister, whoever she or he may be, to appoint cronies without any indications of what their requirements must be. We've got no idea what are deemed suitable skills to be appointed," said Shinn.

ANC MP Moses Tseli said Shinn could not accuse the minster of interference when it was Muthambi's duty to ensure that the SABC performs as required.

Source: The Times
A decade ago, many analysts looked at two looming trends - the rise of retail consolidation and the proliferation of private labels - and issued dire warnings about the power of consumer-packaged goods brands. Their predictions turned out to be premature.

Consumer goods brands have had to innovate to stay on supermarket shelves, and have delivered 10-year high operating margins in the process, but the pace of change is likely to keep increasing.Image credit: Daily Dispatch

Brands managed overhead costs aggressively, pursued dynamic growth in developing markets and gained scale, efficiency and entry to new markets through mergers and acquisitions  and now report 10-year high operating margins.

Of course, not all companies fared equally well. Nearly half of the highest-valued consumer goods companies in 1999 no longer ranked in the top 20 by market capitalisation last year. Also, between 2004 and 2014, the top three brands in major categories maintained top-three status in only 30% of US categories we studied.

Operating margins have reached a 10-year high. There is a lot of jostling among top companies and shifting category share. Will growth in operating margins continue on its trajectory, or will slowing market growth and intensifying investor pressures to reduce costs mark an end to the party?

Future headwinds may not differ drastically from past challenges. But the scale and complexity of todays consumer goods companies heightens the importance of discerning what has worked in the past  and what will continue to work  while understanding the future trends that will inform new and critical choices.

We see five ways companies can keep their brands thriving in the new era of profits.

 Ignite the top line. As developed markets remain somewhat stagnant and growth in developing markets slows, revenue growth may feel elusive. We see companies boosting their top lines by rethinking pricing strategies. In beverage categories, price increases accounted for more than 50% of household spending increases globally, 98% within North America, and 107% in Western Europe.

Despite pricing gains, volume growth remains hard to achieve. Winners will focus on three areas: building brand memorability, innovating with a focus on expanding consideration and penetration of hero brands (those with the highest potential to win with shoppers), and determining ways to convert shoppers where and when they make purchase choices.

A wine company made the radical decision to focus the majority of its resources on the 20 most promising stock-keeping units among the 400 in its portfolio in a particular European market. The results were dramatic: a 36% increase in volume, while the overall market saw a 5% volume drop.

 Plan to take out  and keep out  another 10%-30% of costs. Consumer goods companies have been successful in cutting costs in the past decade. But too often, costs creep back into their businesses within a few years.

The inability to make savings stick, and the increasing presence and power of activist investors, suggest that the best consumer goods companies will follow a different approach.

They will look at both the total amount spent and at the effectiveness of what they spend. By analysing total spend and spend effectiveness, one global brand discovered that more than half of its above-the-line marketing budget went to subscale and ineffective campaigns that ballooned nonworking media expenses.

By concentrating on fewer, better quality promotional campaigns, the company was able to reduce its below-the-line spending and fund higher-reach media spend.

 Reinvent your supply chain. There are two fundamental questions any consumer goods company should consider: Does the existing supply chain provide a demonstrable (and measurable) competitive advantage? Are all growth platforms, brands, and technologies on advantaged assets in optimal locations?

If the answer to either question is no (or unclear), it is probably time to reinvent the supply chain. The best companies will strive to have supply chains that are more aligned with their future commercial strategy. Instead of investing to maintain old manufacturing facilities, they will focus on building the capabilities that will serve their future market needs.

 Future-proof your capabilities. Technological innovations and shopping trends are transforming where and how consumer goods companies operate and build scale. Companies are aggressively discovering novel ways to use data to improve existing products and processes across the full value chain.

Brands now rely on digital insights tools that reduce both development cost and time, inform how to confront shoppers, and enable efficiencies in everything from truck-routing to availability and inventory management.

 Build agile teams. To grow in rapidly shifting markets, executives know they need to adapt their operating model for new strategies. Many are turning to an approach to product development that provides rapid feedback from internal and external customers to complement their traditional waterfall approach to longer-term projects.

They are speeding up time to market and lowering delivery costs by reducing dependence on business analysis and project management roles and by making better use of people and time.

In this so-called "scrum" approach, small, cross-functional teams collaborate with customers and consumers in an iterative process, relying on continuous, real-time testing and integration, instead of waiting until after development is final.

Brands improve their chances of quickly delivering products that customers want.

Winning in the next era means getting five things right. The best companies will fuel top-line growth with proven approaches such as strategic pricing, selective innovation, and a dedication to win where shoppers make decisions. It will be critical to take out costs and keep them from creeping back in.

Leaders will adapt their supply chains for future needs. They will build the capabilities required to win in the future, including advanced analytics to fuel insights and boost efficiencies. And the winners will hone their operating models to deliver strategies for new and changing markets.

That is how brands will continue to beat the odds.
In a damning indictment of the National Credit Regulator's (NCR's) perceived inability to enforce any of its findings, the Lewis share price remained unchanged on Tuesday, following news that the NCR had again referred the furniture retailer to the National Consumer Tribunal for alleged breaches of the National Credit Act.

This is the third time that the NCR has referred Lewis to the tribunal, which has so far not ruled on any of the allegations against Lewis.

David Woollam. Image source: LinkedIn

David Woollam, a financial analyst and director of Summit Financial Partners who undertook research into Lewis credit sales practices, said the lack of response indicated that investors believed the NCR was toothless. "Nothing ever happens at the tribunal and Lewis consistently claims it is not guilty," he said.

After the NCRs first referral in July last year, which included a request for a R10m administrative fine, the Lewis share price slumped from a record high of just less than R100 to R80. It was at R49 on Tuesday.

The tribunal has yet to take action on last Julys referral, which related to allegations that Lewis had sold retrenchment cover to pensioners and self-employed consumers.

The retailer was forced to refund customers R46m of wrongful charges relating to retrenchment cover.

The latest referral relates to warranty charges and club membership fees charged by Lewis since 2007. The regulator alleges that these are in contravention of the act, and it wants the tribunal to order Lewis to repay its customers.

"The NCR further requests that the tribunal restrains Lewis Stores from charging maintenance costs and club fees to customers in an unlawful manner in the future, and seeks certain ancillary relief, including the imposition of an administrative fine of 10% of the annual turnover of Lewis Stores," says the NCR referral notice. A 10% fine would be over R500m.

Lewis said it had considered the allegations, and believed they were without merit.

CEO Johan Enslin has said the referrals are before the tribunal and, therefore, sub judice. Although denying any wrongdoing, the interim results showed Lewis did alter its accounting policies following the NCRs earlier referrals, resulting in a R370m write-down.

The latest allegations are based on formal complaints lodged with the regulator by Summit Financial Partners. Previous referrals were also based on complaints lodged by Summit on behalf of its clients, who were customers of Lewis.

Woollam was particularly scathing about the "maintenance" charges, which he said customers were forced to pay, despite warranties being provided automatically with the product. One analyst estimated the charges represent about 12% of the cash price.

Woollam also criticised charges for club membership, as these clubs were nothing more than marketing devices.

He said Summit had also lodged complaints about delivery fees charged by Lewis.

"Even customers whove bought portable goods that they carry out of the stores, have been charged a delivery fee," said Woollam. All the extra charges amounted to thousands of rand over the repayment period, underpinning Lewiss hefty operating margins, he said.

The increased scrutiny of its sales and credit practices has led analysts to question the sustainability of Lewiss business model, particularly in an economy in which its primary target market is under considerable pressure.
The Clothing Bank, a local non-profit business, has won the 2016 Schwab Foundation's Social Entrepreneur of the Year award - an international honour for outstanding examples of social entrepreneurship - with the support of some of South Africa's major retailers including the Mr Price Group.

In an effort to turn the tide on unemployment in South Africa, The Clothing Bank transforms the lives of unemployed mothers trapped in the cycle of poverty through entrepreneurship. Unemployed women, with a strong desire to change their lives, are taught business skills and are able to access clothes and other merchandise to purchase and sell at a reduced price. The clothes and merchandise are donated to The Clothing Bank by major South African retailers. The Clothing Bank then helps each woman to become her own micro-retailer, empowering her to become self-employed and look after herself and her family.

Beginning micro-enterprises

Since The Clothing Bank started six years ago it has trained 1135 single mothers to begin their own micro-enterprises, collectively garnering a profit of over R40 million at an average of R4100 each per month. As the largest contributor of donated clothes in the KwaZulu-Natal region, the Mr Price Group has significantly helped in contributing to the 2.7 million garments valued at more than over R167 million that the non-profit company has received.

The Clothing Banks CEO, Tracey Chambers, said: We are extremely grateful that so many of South Africas leading retailers have rallied behind The Clothing Bank. The success of our project, and the difference we are able to make to the lives of so many families, would not be possible without their ongoing, generous support. The award from the Schwab Foundation is an acknowledgement of this.
Shoprite and Checkers customers have helped raise R200,000 for drought-stricken communities across South Africa since March 2016, which will be used to drill new boreholes, refurbish broken ones, as well as to support recovery efforts in severely affected communities.

The Gift of the Givers Foundation, as well as Agri SA, two organisations that have coordinated some of the strongest responses to the drought crisis to date, have partnered the Shoprite Group to ensure that the generous donation of many South Africans make a real, practical impact in the communities most affected by the drought.

The Shoprite Group has a long history of reaching out to communities affected by disasters. The group had already donated more than a half a million litres of water to various towns in the Free State, North West and KwaZulu-Natal since February this year.

Till point donation facility

When customers started enquiring about how they could get involved, the retailer quickly introduced a till-point donation facility called the #ActForChange Fund to give customers an opportunity to respond accordingly. Customers are able to donate to the fund by adding R5 or more to their purchases at any Shoprite or Checkers till point across the country.

For Neil Schreuder, marketing director of Shoprite, customers nationwide have demonstrated their desire to #ActForChange through their generous donations. Each donation is critical as it serves to bolster the work already being done to address the impact of the drought. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our customers who donated. Each small donation goes a long way in effecting change.

The establishment of the #ActForChange Fund has made it easier for ordinary people to make a difference in their local communities. Responding to the devastating drought is just one example of how the fund will be used to support local communities. Going forward, the fund will specifically focus on alleviating hunger in local communities in partnership with FoodBank South Africa. This is in line with the Shoprite Groups core focus on Fighting Hunger across South Africa.

You can still #ActForChange in your local community by simply donating R5 or more at any Shoprite or Checkers till point across the country.
Nestle on Tuesday launched a recently revamped coffee-producing factory in KwaZulu-Natal that will export the product to the rest of the continent.

The plant extension in Estcourt, the province's small industrial town, cost R1.2bn. This brought the total amount of Nestle's investment to R2.9bn since the factory was launched in 1927. Nestle, which has been operating in SA for 100 years, said the revamping of the factory has created 490 indirect and permanent jobs.

"This investment into the expansion of the factory forms part of the company's R2.9-billion foreign direct investment injected into Nestle SA's operations in the last five years," said Nestle corporate affairs director Ravi Pillay.

"The expansion in SA included the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, the new coffee plant, the new coffee processing plant, the upgrading of the existing coffee processing and the installation of state of the art coffee drying plant," he said.

Pillay said Nestle has also benefited from government through the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme, meant to drive growth, promote competitiveness and retain jobs.

He added that company spends R6-billion per annum on local procurement and has employed 6,000 people, buys from 227 farmers, has eight factory facilities and 95% of products are procured locally.

Source: Business Day
Rumours are swirling that empowerment conglomerate Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI) could sell its controlling stake in wine and brandy producer KWV Holdings to "the man from Del Monte".

Market talk is that well-known business personality Vivian Imerman - who headed JSE-listed food conglomerate Del Monte in the eighties and nineties - is driving negotiations with HCI. HCI holds sway at KWV through listed subsidiary Niveus Investments, which has a 57% stake in the group.

It seems likely Imerman will pursue KWV through the London Stock Exchange and JSE-listed Sacoven. Sacoven - a special purpose acquisition company aligned to Imerman - yesterday advised that a cautionary, dating back to November, was still in force. The company said it was still in talks with "respect to the potential acquisition of an FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) business located in Africa". Niveus later issued its own cautionary and last night KWV put out one too.

HCI initially bought an influential 31.8% stake in KWV in 2011 when PSG-controlled investment company Zeder sold its shares after failing to gain shareholder support for a merger with Pioneer Foods' Ceres Beverages.

Product diversification necessary

Although value-laden in terms of properties and liquor stock, KWV has proved a challenging business for HCI, as it has been difficult to diversify from the core brandy and wine brands. While the wine market has looked sprightlier of late, the shrinking local brandy market has proved particularly tough for KWV - which has stoically stuck to a policy of "premiumising" its brands.

Minority shareholders and investment analysts have long contended that KWV desperately needed more product diversity to leverage production capacity and profitably boost top line growth.

Imerman is well versed in the ways of the liquor industry. He managed a spectacular turnaround at Scotch whisky maker Whyte and MacKay, which was then sold at a great profit to liquor conglomerate United Spirits in 2007.

KWV value

While KWV has battled for sustained profit growth, the company's brands - which include Roodeberg and Cathedral Cellar as well as its eponymous brandies - have won a slew of international awards, and certain products have carved out strong offshore niches. Turnover in the 2015 financial year was R1.155bn.

Market sources stressed that a testing point for any possible deal at KWV would be the price. The last traded over-the-counter price for KWV was less than 600c per share. But HCI - which paid R11.80 per share to buy out PSG's stake in 2011 - would probably demand a price tag that is closer to the official (albeit conservatively stated) tangible net asset value of R18.63 per share.

There are suggestions that Imerman might covet only KWV's operational assets - meaning that there might be scope for HCI to retain the company's legacy assets. These include a valuable art collection and Wineland properties.

Source: Business Day
Buried deep in our brains is a complex infrastructure of nerves known as the limbic system that keeps us alive on the most basic level. It tells us whether to feel fear, anger or joy, and controls our drives such as hunger, sex and taking care of our young.

Winemaker, Pieter Walser, put his instincts to the test

Tickling the tastebuds

Taste plugs directly into our limbic system. So it seems logical that making a wine would be based on the makers primal response to a taste. But generally this instinct is overruled by his or her knowledge of what it should taste like.

So Pieter Walser, a winemaker from the BLANKBottle label, partnered with a South African team of neuromarketers and neuroscientists to create the worlds first ever NeuroWine, a wine that was developed by taking the tools and technologies that are traditionally used in neuroscience and applying them to the art of the winemaking process.

Coloured by preconceptions

Walser admits that he sometimes struggles to create his blends due to his own preconceptions of what the wine should taste like, given his familiarity with the vineyards from which the grapes are sourced.

I make a combination of 27 different varietals and I own no land, but I rent vineyards all over the Western Cape. I look at soil, climate and topography, and then I look at whatever grows best at each specific site.

The day I pick them, I taste the grapes and I decide more or less what the wines going to be like, but it then goes through different phases during the winemaking process so by the time I need to bottle  which is fairly soon - I can become confused, Walser explains.

Using science to measure instinct

Neural Sense, a local neuromarketing consultancy, used neuroscience and biometric technologies to test 21 different white wine and 20 different red wine varietals from a number of vineyards across the country. They assessed Walsers emotional and cognitive responses to each taste testing experience to create a red and a white wine.

Using an EEG (electroencephalograph), the team tapped into Walsers brain activity as he tasted different wines.

Dr David Rosenstein, from Neural Sense, explains: Back in our laboratory, we built a model of Pieters brain activity with Dr Lester Ryan John, and together with the other biometric data we were able to uncover his unconscious responses to the wine tasting experience.

This model enabled us to determine what were the best performing aspects of the various wines he was tasting, and identify the top varietals that appealed to his unconscious, together with his subjective reporting, to form the NeuroWine blends as our ultimate goal.

Seeing into the hearts and minds

This neuromarketing approach has allowed my subconscious, and not my conscious, to do the talking, says Walser.

Mark Drummond from Neural Sense adds, Our job as neuroscientists and neuromarketers is to build an understanding of how people experience things and that could be the taste of a wine or it could even be the experience of looking at a wine label or bottle shape."

"Using neuromarketing techniques and technologies we are able to explore the subconscious and the underlying emotional drivers that influence decision making. This allows us to see into the hearts and minds of consumers, or winemakers in this case, giving us new insight into their experiences which can then be optimised."

NeuroWine will be launched in May 2016 and will be available through Woolworths as both a red and a white wine varietal.
All of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) hold equal value; no one particular SDG should be prioritised over the other. This was the message from Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa speaking at the sixth special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) currently under way in Cairo.

"We are all enthusiastic for instance about the rollout of renewable energy on the continent as part of the goal of realising affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), but this should not be advanced to the detriment of goal one - which is End Poverty in all its Forms Everywhere," said Molewa.

"It should not be that some SDGs should enjoy greater prominence than others, especially for a continent like ours with innumerable challenges of poverty eradication, it is important not to neglect this goal," added Molewa.

The meeting is being held under the theme "Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement: from policy to implementation in Africa."

Environmental protection in Africa

Environmental ministers from all 54 African nations are represented in AMCEN, which was established in 1985 "to provide advocacy for environmental protection in Africa".

In 2015 the 193 member countries of the United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.

Delegates to the AMCEN meeting are deliberating on the implications of the SDGs and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda for Africa.

Minister Molewa has told AMCEN that it was the responsibility of all countries to ensure that "the letter and spirit of the SDGs are reflected in, and aligned with national, subnational and local plans".

"The SDGs are aligned to South Africa's National Development Plan (NDP), which has sustainable development at its core," said Molewa.

Common African Position

In the lead-up to the adoption of the SDGs by UN member countries, African countries adopted a Common African Position (CAP) at the AU Summit in South Africa in 2015. The CAP incorporates the African processes on the SDGs and prioritises the implementation of Africa's national and regional development agendas in order to advance sustainable development.

The Common African Position, emphasises the need to accelerate the delivery of relevant socio-economic development, poverty eradication, agricultural development and employment creation programmes on the continent.

Molewa highlighted the challenge of financing to enable African countries to implement sustainable development initiatives and programmes at sub-regional and national level, particularly through continued Official Development Assistance (ODA).

"It may be that some want to fund us on the basis of opportunities this presents to the private sector...there is enthusiasm to invest in renewable energy for instance but less of an inclination to fund poverty alleviation programmes. It is clear then that we need to strike a balance," said Molewa.

Ministers at the AMCEN noted that African countries needed to cooperate more closely to mobilise adequate and predictable financial resources needed for the implementation of sustainable development initiatives on the continent.
The job-creating tourism sector has succeeded in fighting back against the onerous visa regulations with newly released tourism numbers for the summer season indicating that nearly 15,000 more international visitors went through the Cape Town International Airport, an increase of 4.5%.

Brian Jackson via 123RF

This after the National Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba's onerous visa regulations from 2014 and 2015 caused the numbers to drop.

It is especially encouraging that the number of visitors to Robben Island has increased by 24.7%.. In my capacity as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, I will invite representatives from the Coega Development Corporation to the Standing Committee to present their management and improvement plans. This following reports that that Robben Island, along with several other Western Cape tourist sites, has been handed over to Coega for maintenance and upgrades.

Unabridged certificate no cure for child trafficking

The Western Cape Provincial Parliament has continued to call for a scrapping of the onerous visa regulations, particularly the unabridged birth certificates. The National Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom has also taken a firm stance against the implementation of the unabridged certificates, which was reiterated in the latest edition of the Sunday Argus.

The Standing Committee on Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture tabled a report in 2014, which indicated that most child trafficking occurs inside the country and across land borders. Minster Hanekom has reported the same. This means that child trafficking cannot be curbed by visa regulations. The committee report was tabled after a series of public hearings. The report calls for the scrapping of the regulations until such time as a full Regulatory Impact Assessment of the legislation on the economy is completed. It stands to reason that if this had been conducted prior to the regulations being promulgated, we would not have had such a negative impact on the tourism sector to begin with.

The DA welcomes the positive developments in the tourism sector, and will continue to do all we can in support of a growing economy that enables people to access jobs.

Beverley Schafer
Metrorail is counting the cost of damage to its trains and infrastructure in the Western Cape following days of mayhem that disrupted train services.

Rail is the backbone of public transport in Cape Town and the disruptions have affected thousands of commuters who have had to resort to other modes of transport at extra cost.

Losses

Metrorail spokeswoman Riana Scott said yesterday the cost of the losses so far this year as a result of the vandalism and arson was about R70m. Last year, losses amounted to R128m.

"The loss of capacity to date equals the loss of 35 carriages in 2014, 25 in 2015 and 17 to date in 2016," said Scott.

The company would resume normal train schedules as soon as the damaged infrastructure had been repaired within the next few days, she said. But, it would take six to 12 months before the burnt or damaged carriages could be returned to service.

Keeping an eye on vandals

Metrorail said the police, Metrorail Protection Services and other law-enforcement officials were on high alert to monitor the situation and to prevent any further attacks on infrastructure and railway carriages.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu) has dismissed allegations it orchestrated the recent incidents of train vandalism.

The union is in a standoff with Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) management after its planned strike was interdicted earlier this month, a day before its members were to down tools. The union alleges that Prasa obtained the interdict without following proper procedures. It has bemoaned the "poor management" of Prasa and the "blatant exploitation of workers", and is demanding an end to outsourcing at the rail agency.

Source: Business Day
As we entered 2016, the economic outlook and business climate was still somewhat uncertain, casting some doubt on the future of the South African automotive industry. The 2016 Automotive Future Now Report addresses concerns facing the automotive industry and provides commentary on how to overcome these threats to growth.

Glen Mollink, chief executive officer at Innovation Group South Africa

It has been predicted that a period of belt-tightening lies ahead for South Africa this year. While this may very well be the case, many recognise the cyclical nature of downswings and finding smarter strategies for sustainability and future growth. This period of intensive business challenges may also produce previously unforeseen opportunities and innovation.

The business climate

There is very little doubt that the current economic situation in South Africa is having an impact on the automotive industry, with the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) showing a major decline in sales. Whilst vehicle exports have also shown a decline, the industry remains positive that new car exports will remain on track which will help offset the countrys balance of payments. Used vehicle sales are also somewhat cyclical in nature and will likely show an increase through 2016 as consumers downgrade due to affordability issues.

This period of intensive business challenges will produce opportunities which will start to blossom within the automotive industry in 2017, says Glen Mollink, chief executive officer at Innovation Group South Africa. An improvement in GDP is a prerequisite. In light of the economic down turn the automotive industry is now switching its focus to smarter strategies for both streamlining costs and gaining and retaining customers in a service-centric environment.

A focus on labour

Labour actions continue to be a main concern within the automotive industry and investors have cited that it has a major impact on the industry as it impacts upon continuity and profits for any given year. The report has pointed out that certain South African manufacturers have indicated that continued labour action will have huge impacts on their business in 2016.

Could the South African government provide more favourable conditions for the automotive industry? Mollink believes this could ease the pressure. He explains that, if the conditions could be improved for growth, it could lead to South Africa realising that there is massive potential to become an automotive business gateway to the rest of Africa.

Investment in skills and training

Skills shortages have always been an issue in the South African market. Research from the report has shown that there is a shortage of skills to drive the growth of the automotive industry. Customer service is a section in the automotive industry that is hard hit by this skills shortage. Without the right people to train workforces, there is a real need to focus on upskilling workers throughout the industry.

Skills and development are likely to remain a bone of contention well into 2016, Mollink says, We need to ensure that government and industry work together to identify these gaps and work on closing them before its too late. A step in the right direction in overcoming this challenge is the work currently being done by The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in engaging with the Department of Education and Training. This is a long term project/initiative but one which is set to have a positive impact on addressing the skills shortage. In the interim, businesses need to focus on the development of skills themselves to enable the industrys future competitiveness.

While 2016 still looks to be filled with challenges when it comes to growth for the automotive industry, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With the right investment and upskilling of automotive workers, we will start to experience growth and progress. The majority of South Africans are still feeling the pinch of the 2008/9 recession, but with time and hard work, we will again feel the rewards of patience and persistence in the automotive industry.
On the next Biz Takeouts Marketing & Media radio show on Thursday, 21 April 2016, from 9-10am, show host Warren Harding hosts, in studio, Colin Don Schouw ( @Mr_Schouw ), managing director of The Fixer Company ( @TFC_Africa ), a specialist business consulting firm specializing in competitive intelligence

The Company boasts a range of core business services and are experts in commercial project planning; PR & marketing and strategy development. With a marketing concentration, The Fixer Company partners with entrepreneurs; SME's; creatives and journey with brands from infancy through development and growth.

We chat to Colin about the history of The Fixer Company, the services offered and the consulting approach of the firm. We look at the future and the trends we can expect to see.

Tune into Biz Takeouts every Thursday from 9am-10am live from the 2oceansVibe Radio studio in Cape Town as we discuss the topics that matter in Marketing & Media.

How to listen

Comments or questions

Podcast

A podcast of the show will be available in the Biz Takeouts special section on Biz later during the week.
The Fast Fish Forum has been set up to address technology and digital change, thereby enabling South Africa to build capability and take a leading role on the continent and beyond.

Josef Langerman

The brainchild of Josef Langerman, group head engineering transformation at Standard Bank, the Fast Fish Forum aims to facilitate collaboration across South African businesses. To be competitive in a digital world we need to adopt new ways of working, focused on the delivery disciplines of Lean, Agile and DevOps. This will require academia, corporates and other specialists working together to improve our IT competencies and change the way we approach IT in South Africa.

To enable his vision to be realised Langerman partnered with consulting and technology firm BSG, who has two decades of experience in South Africa and typifies the positive change he wants to engender. The Fast Fish Forum aims to build trusted relationships across a wide and diverse range of individuals to enable robust discussion within organisations and industries and foster tangible learnings that can be shared with a broader community.

Innovative thinking

While smaller players and startups naturally adopt Lean and Agile principles, its not as easy to implement across larger organisations. The bigger the company, the bigger the challenges for scaling Agile. Through a forum such as Fast Fish, we hope to share innovative thinking around how the larger traditional companies can adopt faster approaches to delivery.

Jurie Schoeman, client engagement and strategy executive at BSG, who hosted the first forum, believes there is a sense that South Africa has gone from leading to lagging when it comes to technology change. The Fast Fish Forum was coined to recognise that todays economy is no longer about the big fish eating the small fish, but about the fast fish eating the slow fish.

"In South Africa we face a significant skills shortage in technology, and a challenging business economic environment. The Fast Fish Forum intends to address the need for South African businesses to build agile capabilities, so that we can challenge accepted ways of doing things, and ultimately make a significant difference in South Africa and globally.

Commitment a priority

For this forum to truly enable change, Schoeman believes attendees must be inspired to teach one another and to learn from each other, and must be committed to playing an active role in bringing about a better way of enabling business change - its not about standing back and just observing.

This was demonstrated at the first session through vigorous debates on how customer research and usability testing need to be integrated into incremental software delivery. Assertively and constructively debating topics that focus on radically changing established ways of working by exploring and testing new approaches that change how we see the world is what the Fast Fish Forum is all about.

BSG is proud to enable the Fast Fish Forum vision to become a reality as it addresses one of the most important reasons to find better ways of doing things. We must reduce wasteful effort and ensure that South Africas scarce resources are used to create impactful change. This is why faster, leaner and more agile approaches are so important across all businesses, Schoeman advises.

Find the forum on LinkedIn and view the presentation from the first Fast Fish Forum below:
This year's SA Innovation Summit provides a platform for South African and African innovators to showcase their ideas and innovations, network with other local entrepreneurs, and be matched with potential investors.

The summit will also benefit from an official partnership with Switzerlands Swiss Start-up Summit, as well as collaborating with the Swiss Embassy as the major international partner.

Switzerland is largely considered to be the worlds most innovative and technologically advanced country - No.1 on the Global Innovation Index for four years running. 99% of enterprises are small or medium size, the country has an extremely low unemployment rate (3.7%), the last general strike has been in 1918, and the country boasts excellent working conditions and a very high buying power.

Over the past eight years, there has already been much cooperation between Switzerland and South Africa through university collaboration in various technology areas, with many high-tech startups launched as a result. In 2016, its official - the SA Innovation Summit and the Swiss Embassy are partners in a cross-border international cooperation, where value is expected to be added from both sides in the form of knowledge exchange and network expansion.

Two round tables

One major collaboration involve two round tables at the SA Innovation Summit about market trends in Europe as well as in South Africa in terms of nanotechnology and green innovations. The SA Venture Leaders, a programme co-hosted by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the University of Basel, will also have the opportunity to showcase at the summit and link into a match and invest platform that facilitate the raising of funds with the right types of commercial innovations from South Africa.

The second Swiss collaboration in this years summit is with a spin-off of full-service marketing agency Digital Marketing Schweiz, the Swiss Startup Summit. Similarly to the SA Summit, the Swiss Summit follows the format of a several month long campaign, culminating in a large final event.

It aims to generate maximum possible benefit for Swiss startups, along with startup service providers, incubators, investors, professional associations, universities, SMEs, students, and anyone interested in the Swiss startup scene. The Swiss model will influence the SA model and plans are made to roll this out into other SADC countries as well in collaboration with SAIS.

Potential Swiss partners

An important part of the concept is the participation of a guest country; each year the Swiss Start-up Summit is also the stage for the startup scene of another nation. In 2016, South Africa is the guest country, and South African startups and students will be given the opportunity to present their projects to potential Swiss partners at the innovation stage.

SA Innovation Summit director, Dr Audrey Verhaeghe, says the partnership is expected to support local innovators by providing global inspiration, knowledge, systems and funding. The ultimate goal of the Innovation Summit this year is innovation acceleration - scaling and impact for SA-owned ideas, says Dr Verhaeghe. What better way to help us bring this vision to life, than to partner with Switzerland, the worlds leading country in terms of innovation?

The SA Innovation Summit will be presenting a series of events in Cape Town and Ekurhuleni, with the final summit to be held in Gauteng from 21-24 September 2016.
The world is just not going to stop neither for a single leader nor for groups of nations..?

At hyper accelerated speed the world will keep consuming, producing and charging ahead at an unstoppable gear. Currently, it's a fallacy in the Western countries to simply blame the world, while being so bogged down to their own declining economic indicators pushing away from oil-addiction and new soft power realities making sobriety to settle in. The image supremacy of innovative excellence of the West is under closer examination by its own populace.

Facts in the clouds

A quick study of the US 2016 Presidential Election debates will point the new critical lack of global age skills facing Western economies and not just only USA. A review of the OECD forecasts and global economic indicators will verify the rapidly declining global image supremacy shifts of developed nations. A glance at Panama Papers will point to the broken systems, panic at the worlds top institutions and drifting public opinions on national credibility. The massive realization that the Western Institutions across the world are not performing ethically is creating a numbing effect.

Facts on the ground

Innovation mantra currently used as a new fashionable spray perfume in the corporate corridors of the new world is not the solution unless global age thinking and execution takes a precedent. Innovation when applied in vacuum to old ideas only becomes beautification of dead concepts, like morticians showcasing bodies along with organ music. Massive unstoppable re-organization is underway and fittest will survive.

Innovation has no hierarchies.

Entrepreneurialism has no boundaries.

Leadership has no titles.

The reality check for global age transformers

Either dramatically improve the process or simply eliminate the entire process. Either train to think inside the box, outside the box or liberate yourself to be without the box. Either discover fearless global age thinking and become borderless, timeless executioner of new ideas and stay in a Copcam mode, constant online presence and constant advancement mode or simply get lost in the crowd. The art of focusing on the invisible is where the new battles are hidden.

The Three Mega Factors

Fact One:

Technocalamity; when the tsunami of free technologies becomes so powerful it threatens old establishments and mental prowess of the leadership. Emergence of new and sleeker highly efficient business models will challenge the old industrial thinking. A new global shift is taking place. Uber or Airbnb are typical examples.

Fact Two:

Alpha Dreamers; when five billion online users called alpha dreamers become the world's most powerful market, voice and cultural force, that starts to alter working styles, habits and needs and destroys the 9-5 working models and seek emergence of new styles of global age prosperity. Some 100 million entrepreneurs around the world are restlessly looking to park themselves in highly efficient, safe, clean and good lifestyle regions and this shift will have a new start.

Fact Three:

The Hardmental players of the hard asset centricity and old factory floor mentality gets over powered by Softmental Thinking where soft power asset management connect dots and invent globally workable technology and outsourced based economic development solutions. Century old thinking will be crushed into small shiny crystals and highly efficient models.

Nations that once were proud as addicted to oil are in now sobriety phase and more focused on evaluation of their national global age skill gaps over fossil oil combustion. The adjustments are simply unavoidable.

Domino Falls on Petro-Dependency

Now that the abundance of oil-supplies have seriously prolonged the expectancy of peak-oil days, making oil a less important resource in this global age of technoclamity is transparent. This is an age where tsunamis of free technologies are overtaking functionalities, lifestyles and corporate operations. The demands for oil will not be slowed by new types of low mileage cars but rather by the massive elimination and daily need of a car. Consider this in the light of the critical component essential for peak hour traffic jams necessary for physical meetings.

The new power and status symbols are hidden in office-less-presence and purely leisure driving. There may still be some 9-5 operations left in order to assure that the warehouses are maintained and the assembly lines operate effectively. However, robotisation will replace most of the white, blue and pink collar workers. The 2020 and beyond workplace era will have an entirely different look and feel.

Escape from Office-dependency

Global age is an office-less age. The deniers can scream; the heavy filing cabinets have been melted down and the real need of core decision making expertise have already flown out of the corner office windows. Todays offices are left for old fashioned 9-5 workers. The domino fall of this side will be the biggest life style altering change ever seen since the appreciation agrarian systems.

Payroll freedom from job-dependency

This transition will erupt very suddenly and is ready when the millions of new emerging agile enterprises embrace the COPCAM code constant-online-presence-constant-advancement-mode. The COPCAM code is a constant global age hyper-processing model of corporate agendas where the large old fashioned bureaucratic establishments are shredded into fragmented shiny crystals. It is a model where free and independent hyper active decision making are fashioned under master philosophies and entrepreneurial spirits. Business is always open and thinking and decision making is not locked into any time zone.

The global age executives must be fully re-trained so they will not drive for the rest of their lives to a typical downtown core. They will visit and engage with hundreds and maybe even thousands of such downtown cores in hundreds of cities on a daily basis. This is a new global mentality slowly being discovered. The modern day challenge is to create armies of global-age executives. The job security is not in the job titles. Global age execution, its not in the corner-offices, but in the monumental mental leaps. Picture yourself functioning in an environment without boundaries; see yourself soaring to unlimited accomplishment.

Beneficiaries: Next generation business leaders, entrepreneurs, job-creators, game changers, purveyors of prosperity, global age trotters and alpha-dreamers.

Enemies: Ivory towers, fortified old establishments, rigid hierarchies, old school thinking and old school marketing and branding.

Adjustments: Evaluate, evaluate, evaluate. Audit the entire business model. Create a global age world class dialogue and look deeper into your internal management pool and explore all hidden talents and realign new directions guided by a polished vision. Identify your mental style, adjust and make a leap. It will work.
Deutsche Welle and Channels TV have launched a coproduction, Eco@Africa, in Abuja, Nigeria. The new program offers an in-depth look at environmental innovations and best-practice guidelines in Africa and Europe and presents ideas on ecological protection from all over the world.

"Eco@Africa offers us a great opportunity to work with a relevant partner on a program that highlights the issues that affect us all," said DW's director general Peter Limbourg at the official launch event in Abuja. "We are convinced that this approach to presenting environmental issues will strike a chord with viewers  not only in Nigeria, but around the world."

Limbourg stressed that the German-African cooperation marked a "special moment in the history of Deutsche Welle."

"Channels TV is very pleased to be associated with Deutsche Welle in the production of Eco@Africa," said the chairman of Channels TV John Momoh. "As we strive to help strengthen Africa's commitment on sound environmental management, it is our hope that the program will assist in providing direction on the continent's intended actions to address environmental issues affecting its people and the economy."

Nigerian environment minister Amina Mohammed was full of praise for the coproduction: "This program could not have come at a better time. Nigeria is one of the most affected countries by climate change."

Channels TV has the largest audience of any private news station in Nigeria. Its flagship show 'News at Ten' is the most popular news program in the country. DW and Channels TV began their partnership in July 2015.

DW and Channels TV also used the event, which was broadcast in Nigerian at prime time, to pay tribute to Eco Heroes who have helped bring environmental issues to the forefront in Nigeria  these include activists like Desmond Majekodunmi and Priscilla Achakpa; as well as Yahaya Ahmed, founder of the Development Association for Renewable Energies; and Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, founder of WeCyclers.

Limbourg invited the winners to present their projects at this year's Global Media Forum taking place in Bonn in June.

Eco@Africa focuses on the preservation of biological diversity, the utilisation of national resources, energy sources of tomorrow and the mobility of the future. In addition to its reporting, the program also features a segment called #doingyourbit, where users provide examples of the things that they are doing to make a difference. Like how a simple stove is helping save lives by reducing pollution from cooking on open fires.

Eco@Africa is broadcast every Saturday (06:30, 14:30 and 20:30 UTC) and Monday (10:30 UTC) on DW and every Sunday (20:00 UTC) on Channels TV.

In December, Peter Limbourg and John Momoh agreed to deepen the cooperation between DW and Channels TV. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the global climate conference in Paris in the presence of Germany's environment minister Barbara Hendricks and her Nigerian counterpart, Amina Mohammed.
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YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenpress presents on the air of LRATVAKAN radio all that you will read, hear and see in todays news.

Annual general meeting of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia will be held today, on April 20. The President of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, academician Radik Martirosyan will present a report on the main results of NASs scientific activity of 2015. Prime Minister of Armenia Hovik Abrahamyan, the representatives of the National Assembly, Ministries and scientists will participate in the meeting.

Stop the consumption of Turkish goods in Armenia and find alternative ways. Economist Tatul Manaseryan, the organizers of Protest aganst Turkish goods initiative and the members of For the law initiative will speak about this topic. It is planned to hold a protest in front of the Government building on April 21 during which the participants will burn Turkish products.

The President of the Protection of Freedom of Speech Committee Ashot Melikyan will present Committees 2016 first quarterly report which relates to the situation of the freedom of speech and the violations of journalists and media rights in Armenia.

On April 20-21 with the initiative of HayPost CJSC PostEurope 31th plenary conference of the National Postal Operators of Europe will be held in Yerevan. Director General of the Universal Postal Union Bishar Abdirahman Hussein, the chairman of PostEurop management board Zan Pol Forsevil and Secretary General Botond Szebeny, as well as over 120 representatives of National Postal operators from 40 countries will arrive in Armenia to participate in this conference.

Linguistic University graduates will teach in rural and urban bordering schools. In this context a cooperation agreement will be signed between Yerevan State Linguistic University after V. Bryusov and Teach for Armenia educational center. According to that, graduates and youth professionals will teach in urban and rural bordering schools for 2 years. A work will also be done for the preparation of qualified specialists to teach foreign languages in bordering communities.

Chairman of Mher Mkrtchyan Theatre Harutyun Chatmajyan, Chairman of Tekeyan Cultural Association of New Jersey, New York branch Hakob Vardivaryan, Harut Basmajayan acting the role of Soghomon Tehleryan and actress Tamar Hovhannisyan will speak about the troupes tour in Armenia and Armenia-Diaspora cooperation.

You can read about these and other topics on armenpress.am and listen to the news on the air of LRATVAKAN radio. Follow us on TWITTER and FACEBOOK.
Czech activist who helps refugees at Idomeni is being victimised by Czech social services

19. 4. 2016

cas cteni 1 minuta





Eva Zahradnickova, a Czech activist who has been occasionally helping refugees at Idomeni, has been summoned by the Czech social services in the city of Brno to explain her activities. The officials at the social services office have expressed displeasure over her helping the refugees. This must mean, the officials say, that Ms. Zahradnickova is neglecting her own children.

Zahradnickova has four children, one of them is fully grown-up, the other three are minors. When Ms. Zahradnickova duly reported at the social services office she was surprised to find out that the officials in charge were primarily upset that she was helping refugees. "If you are helping refugees, it must mean that you are neglecting your own children," they said. An official told her that she has read articles in the press about Ms. Zahradnickova's activities at Idomeni and that these are unsuitable since she has children and "must take care of them". Ms. Zahradnickova has explained she only spends three days at a time at Idomeni and usually takes her children with her. She was informed that Czech social services officials will carry out an inspection in order to check the state of her children this Thursday.

Source in Czech HERE









There are stories like this in the Czech Republic every day that never make it to the outside world because of a lack of translation. You can support us and help reveal what's happening in Central Europe today. Please make a contribution today on www.paypal.com and send your donation to redakce@blisty.cz. We fully rely on crowdfunding in our work. Thank you.

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YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. The Press Service of the NKR Defense Army informed Armenpress that the NKR Ministry of Defense reports about Azerbaijani ceasefire violations during last night.

The NKR Defense Army statement reads: No changes were observed in the contact line situation during the night of April 19-20. Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire agreement more than 50 times by firing various caliber weapons including large caliber sniper rifles and 60mm mortars (1 shell) along the entire contact line.

The Defense Army forces are in control of the situation and confidently continue monitoring the borders.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. 26 mono performances have been staged within the framework of the ARMMONO 14th international theatre festival, Armenpress was informed about this by the director of the festival Marianna Mkhitaryan.

We didnt know whether the festival would take place or not taking into account the events in Artsakh. However, we decided to host this festival. Our guests will arrive in Armenia. The festival is open for all, as was in the previous cases. 26 mono performances will be presented during the festival. We also have surprise for our audience, Marianna Mkhitaryan said.

"ARMMONO" international theatrical festival is scheduled for April 29 to May 3 in Yerevan. The festival is held under the auspices of the First Lady of Armenia Rita Sargsyan, in assistance with the Culture Ministry and the Union of Theatrical Workers of Armenia.

The Director of the festival informed that the representatives of 10 countries will also take part in this festival.

On April 30 our guests and local participants will visit the Memorial Complex of the Armenian Genocide. We consider it our duty to visit there, Marianna Mkhitaryan highlighted.

Festival performance will be shown in 6 stages. It is planned to hold a special performance during the festival devoted to the 25th anniversary of the independence of Armenia.

The ARMMONO international theater festival was first held September 24, 2003. The festivals founder is Hakob Ghazanchyan, chairman of the Union of Theatrical Workers of Armenia.

In 2005 ARMMONO was renamed to Shakespeare festival. However, at the request of numerous theatre lovers, H. Chazanchyan again renamed it ARMMONO and separated Skekspeare festival. Starting from 2009 the festival was called ARMMONO. It expanded its gepographical areas, being organized not only in Yerevan, but also in Syunik district. The director of ARMMONO festival is Marianna Mkhitaryan since 2009.
According to the AA Information Department the fighting took place in the Aurama mountain region of Taw Phyar Chaung between Rathedaung Township and Ponnagyun Township and at Natte Thaye in Yo Chaung between Ponnagyun Township and Kyauktaw Township.

The AA spokesman and the head of the AA Information Department, Khaing Thu Kha, confirmed that fighting took place on 16 April and that it was a very serious development.

He said: "Yes it was a serious encounter, but we do not yet have specific information about the clashes. As [more] government army personnel have been moved into the area we expect more such encounters."

The AA claimed that the Burma Army had suffered casualties in the fighting, but Narinjara News was unable to confirm this.

Fighting between the AA and the Burma Army first started in April 2015 and they have continued to clash in Arakan State for the past year.

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
The released men, who were arrested in April 2015 and only recently sentenced, were named as: Ko San Maung Tha, U Tin Shwe and U San Aye Maung from Kyauk Taw Township and U Shwe Lone alias U Shwe Sein Won from Min Bya Township.

Ko San Maung Tha said: "I come from Link Zin Village in Kyauk Taw Township. I am not associated with the Arakan Army. I was accused of attending one of the outfit's [Arakan Army] meetings and was put under pressure to confess that I am a member of the Arakan Army."

The other three men also claimed to have no affiliation with the Arakan Army.

Altogether 83 prisoners were released as part of the recent presidential amnesty declared by the new NLD president Htin Kyaw. The amnesty is considered to be an important step for national reconciliation and the ongoing peace process in Burma.

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
He said the fire started accidentally in a house on 10 April at around 7.30pm, it quickly spread to adjoining buildings and burnt down eight houses and two cow sheds. The fire seriously injured four boys, two of whom later died. It also killed eight goats.

Hakim, a local businessman, said that the four badly injured boys were immediately sent to Maungdaw General Hospital where two of them then died on 11 April. The other two remain in a critical condition at the hospital.

He also said that it had taken nearly two hours for local villagers and three firefighting vehicles (one from Maungdaw Town and two from the local Burma Border Guard Police (BGP) headquarters) to put out the fire.

Mohamed Jalil, a trader from Pawet Chaung said that the Battalion Commander from the Nga Khura BGP base personally attended the blaze where he helped villagers fight the fire and assisted victims. In contrast the commander of the police outpost at Pawet Chaung barred villagers from going to help extinguish the fire.

Lalu, a Pawet Chaung elder, said that the fire had destroyed all the buildings resulting in losses of 160 million kyats.

He also said that the victims of the fire had received no help from the government or NGOs and that their only source of help had been neighbouring villagers.

Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
Nan Khin Htwe Myint, the Chief Minister of Karen State proposed the successful candidates that would lead the six ministries.

The National League for Democracys Dr. Tin Win Kyaw, the newly appointed Social Affairs Minister spoke to Karen News about his priorities.

I want to prioritize education and health. At least to get the basic system up and running, for example, making basic education more systematic. However, we still dont know how the central government will lay down policies on these issues. I want to reaffirm to our fellow citizens that we will strike to make the situation better than what it is now.

The heads of the six ministries are: U Than Naing, (NLD), Finance and Municipal, Dr. Tin Win Kyaw, (NLD), Social Affair, Saw Myint Oo, (USDP), Agriculture, Breeding and Irrigation, Brigadier General Aung Lwin, military representative to lead Security and Border Affair Ministry, U Saw Pyi Tha, independent academic, Environment, Forestry, Mining and Transportation Ministry and U Soe Hlaing, independent academic to lead the Electric and Industry Ministry.

Dr. Tin Win Kyaw said that he will work with the ethnic armed groups in an attempt to deliver education and health services in areas now under the control of the groups. Although he said these works will be linked to the overall peace process.

Dr. Tin Win Kyaw pointed out that the implementation of these services cannot wait until everything is resolved by the peace process.

Meanwhile, on April 9, the Karen National Unions Chairman General Mutu Sae Poe and General Secretary Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win met with the Karen State Governments Chief Minister, Nan Khin Htwe Myint, in Hpa-an.

Sources from the KNU said that Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win briefed the State government about its peace process and how it could cooperate with the current government to build a durable peace.

KNU sources said that both sides had an open and frank discussion about the Karen struggle, the building of a federal union and their future cooperation.
The past five years have seen a dramatic escalation of human rights abuses, repression, discrimination and violence against the Rohingya, the EBN statement said.

The Rohingya have faced mounting repression since violence erupted in the countrys Rakhine State in 2012 between Rohingya and Rakhine Buddhists. Regional media reported at least 160 deaths at the time of these riots (between June and October)  most of these were Rohingya.

A report by Yale Law School last year warned that the internment of perhaps as many as 140,000 Rohingya confined in 60 camps across the country and systematic repression could constitute genocide.

The new NLD led government faces enormous challenges in addressing this legacy, EBN said, however, given the seriousness of the humanitarian and human rights crisis, bold and decisive action is needed immediately to start to address this issue.

Negative reports in the international media of an interview by BBC reporter, Mishal Husain, with Ms Suu Kyi have fueled speculation that the new NLD led government might not list the persecution and the humanitarian abuse of the Rohingya minority as a priority. These reports are now doing the rounds of social media and are being used to bolster their various for and against arguments. Ms Suu Kyi, the NLD leader, has spoken out strongly against the sectarian violence plaguing Arakan State. But her critics claim that Ms Suu Kyi has yet to publically condemn the persecution of the tens of thousands of displaced Rohingya forced to now live as internal refugees in their own country.
In a statement to the media Human Rights Watch said that the new Burmese government, led by the National League for Democracy (NLD), has taken a major step in releasing approximately 200 political prisoners and detainees, Human Rights Watch said today. It has also pledged to release remaining political prisoners or have their politically motivated charges dropped by the end of April 2016.

Human Rights Watch urged the government to start dismantling Burmas draconian legislation.

The NLD-led government should also use its absolute majorities in both houses of parliament to repeal or amend the many rights-abusing laws that have been used to prosecute dissidents and others during a half-century of mostly military rule.

Brad Adam, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, while praising the government for its action, warned that there are hundreds more [political prisoners] still in prison or facing charges. The NLD has correctly made releasing political prisoners a priority and should now follow through to ensure that all remaining activists are freed and that charges dropped against hundreds of others.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) said on its website on April 7, 2016 that it holds records of 121 political prisoners (including political activists, land rights activists and farmers) currently incarcerated in Burmas jails, and a further 414 political activists awaiting trial.

The AAPP website highlighted that activists staging protests are continually indicted under sections 18 and 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Act and 505(b) of the Penal Code.

Human Rights Watch urged the NLD-led government to start amending the legislation now used by authorities to jail peaceful activists, such as various sections of the penal code; section 18 of the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law, under which many students were recently charged; the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act; and section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law, which has been used to detain activists such as Robert Khum Jarr Lee for alleged social media posts.

Brad Adams pointed out in Human Rights Watchs media statement that unless the 2008 Constitution was amended peaceful political activists would be always under threat of detainment.

To break the decades-long cycle of politically motivated arrests of peaceful critics of the government and military, Burmas new government should look systematically at laws long used to stifle basic freedoms until the constitution is amended to put the police fully under civilian control and oversight, the threat of political arrests will remain.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Armenia informs that Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire 9 times at the northeastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border, Armenpress was informed by the Department of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry.

The Ministry statement reads: 9 ceasefire violations occurred in the northeastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border during the night of April 19-20. Azerbaijan opened irregular gunfire at Armenian positions from various caliber weapons.

The Armenian Armed Forces showed restraint and took response actions only in case of strict necessity. Armenian forces are confidently monitoring the border situation.

According to the NKR Defense Army, no changes were observed in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan contact line situation during the night of April 19-20. Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire agreement more than 50 times by firing various caliber weapons including large caliber sniper rifles and 60mm mortars (1 shell) along the entire contact line.

The Defense Army forces are in control of the situation and confidently continue monitoring the borders.
Government forces decided to conduct combing operation after receiving information that a 100 man column of the AA had been seen operating in an area near Lawyamataung in Kyauktaw.

After the clashes, government forces occupied their temporary bases and sized hand-made mines, equipment personal items and food.

During the operation one battalion commander was killed.

Operations against the Arakan Army are continuing in the area, the report said.
Myanmar citizens and the world are monitoring the newly installed NLD-led government, elected by the citizens, to see what it will do to make desirable changes in accordance with the NLD's electoral slogan It's time for change.

The first thing the new government did was to drop unfair charges against political activists including student activists. That move was welcomed by both the international community and the people of Myanmar. Now, the government has released political prisoners, and the move has drawn praise.

The issues related to political prisoners in Myanmar was an important subject for the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council in policy discussions related to Myanmar.

At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in March, many countries urged Myanmar to release all political prisoners immediately without exception. But Maung Wai, Myanmar's ambassador to the UN, officially said there were no political prisoners in Myanmar, just people who had violated existing laws so he could not accept the international community's request to release political prisoners. So the international community was particularly interested in how the new government would handle the issue.

Dropping charges against political activists and releasing political prisoners proves that the new government is willing to carry out reforms.But some observers have pointed out that there are still ethnic prisoners who have been unfairly detained.

It is one of the issues that the government must handle carefully. I believe that in accordance with the term no political prisoner should remain in prison, the new government will continue to make efforts to release prisoners who have been detained under various unfair charges.

It is certain that those political prisoners who have been released can take part in the democratic transition of the country.

Another thing that the new government should do is to revoke the unfair laws that allow the arrest and detention of political activists. As long as these unfair laws exist, there can be new political prisoners in the country. I would like to urge the new government to remove existing unfair laws as soon as possible and establish the rule of law so that every citizen can be safe and secure and every political activist can express their views without being threatened.
Released prisoners include land rights activist Naw Ohn Hla who had been jailed six times for various peaceful protests; human rights defender Nay Myo Zin; community campaigner Htin Kyaw; five journalists from the Unity newspaper who were sentenced to seven years in prison in 2014 after the publication of an article; four labour activists convicted for supporting garment workers on strike; and Htin Lin Oo, sentenced in 2015 to two years in prison with hard labour for "insulting religion" after he delivered a speech criticising the misuse of religion to incite religious hatred.

The Government announced that these releases were part of its commitment to promote national reconciliation. President U Htin Kyaw also stated in his New Year address that sustained effort would be made in the future to prevent "those who act legally for political causes or for their own conscience from being imprisoned".

According to the statement, The continued release of political prisoners and the commitment to take preventive measures are important steps in the right direction. We encourage the Government to build upon such human rights gains to ensure that all the people of Myanmar enjoy their fundamental freedoms. In doing so, we encourage the Government to ensure that all those who have been arbitrarily detained, including in remote areas, are also promptly released.

Among those who remain behind bars are interfaith activists, Pwint Phyu Latt and Zaw Zaw Latt, who were sentenced in February 2016 to two years' imprisonment with hard labour under the Immigration (Emergency Provisions) Act 1947, and U Gambira, also known as Nyi Nyi Lwin, a prominent figure in the 2007 Saffron Revolution, who is currently on trial in Mandalay under the same legislation.

Our office stands ready to provide its expertise in support of efforts by the Government and Parliament to reform remaining laws that do not conform with international standards and have been used in the past to jail peaceful critics, and to take further strides in promoting and protecting human rights in Myanmar. Ravina Shamdasani, the Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was quoted as saying.
On Thursday [April 7], the MAU met at NMSPs coordinating office in Sangkhlaburi, on the Thai-Burma border, wherein NMSPs general secretary Nai Aung Min discussed options with the MAU. How civil groups will get involved in organizing future unity was also discussed. Regarding this topic, the MAU representatives werent certain and said that this issue must be negotiated at the 8th Mon National Conference.

What they requested is concerned with the political sector, one third of those involved must be civil groups, whether it is leading the Mon nationals and it is unifying Mon nationals. However the MAU, could not decide. This must be decided by everyones wishes at the conference. The NMSP will also report this to their central committee. We have agreed to hold the conference in May, said Nai Banyar Kajate, who chairs the MAU.

The organizing committee for the 8th Mon National Conference decided to hold the conference in the first week of May, in Japan Well Village, on Thai-Burma border. However, Mon political parties have disagreements regarding the event and the organizing committee have put all conference decisions on hold. Due to that, the NMSP met with the MAU to clarify.

The NMSP have made our decision about the conference. We will clarify for those who are unclear. After, we will continue the work. This is not to dissolve the conference. This conference must be held and we will work towards holding it whether it is in the first week of May, or the second week. The latest time possible is third week of May, said Nai Hongsar, the vice-chairman of New Mon State Party.

Although the organizing committee of the Mon National Conference is preparing for the conference to set up unity for Mon people, Mon political parties do not agree with the MAU and have announced that the parties representatives will not participate in the conference.

We will meet and discuss with political parties. We already invited them to the pre-meeting. They did not attend. Although they did not come to the pre-meeting, we still held seats for them. We will invite them again but it is their responsibility whether they join or not. We have to hold this Mon National Conference, said Nai Banyar Kajate, the chairing person.

After the meeting between NMSP and MAU, it was decided the conference will go ahead. Thus, the representatives from the inside (Burma) requested to extend the number of representatives to 50. The representatives at the meeting have accepted the request, according to MAU.

It was reported that a pre-meeting of Mon National Conference was held on March 26 and 27, at Dhatumarlar Monastery, Sayjo Ward, Moulmein the capital of Mon State. However, the members of political parties didnt show up.

The 7th Mon National Conference was held in 2013, in Moulmein, the capital of Mon State. At that conference, per request of political party representatives and others, it was decided to hold the Mon National Convention next time, instead of the Mon National Conference.
The vigil for the deceased, two fishermen shot dead by Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 280, took place at 4 PM, on April 8, at Shwe San Taw Pagoda in Ye Town. At the event, locals from across Ye Township, including Parlain region, Kyaungywa village, Lamine Town and Mawkanint Village were in attendance.

The villagers in southern Ye Township continuously face human rights abuses. They are oppressed. We want the world to know about this. We want peace and justice here, said Sayardaw Zanaka, as he addressed the objectives of the vigil.

Before the event, a press conference regarding the case of the two victims was held at 1 PM, at Mon Hall in Ye Town.

At the vigil, Ko Jimmy, director of Human Rights and Justice Initiative, participated and said that he joined the event as he believed that all ethnic groups in the country have equal rights. The respective authorities should work with transparency during the case for public knowledge.

Ko Jimmy added that his organization already reported the deaths of the two villagers to the Tatmadaw [army] chief and respective authority departments.

Specific divisions and battalions, township polices, township administrators and township supporting committees were invited to the press conference but were absent, according to Min Soe Thein, a member of the press conference organizing committee.

The objective of the press conference is to 1) inform the public that there is no security for the locals and their homes, 2) the Tatmadaw must take responsibility and solve the case with transparency, 3) Tatmadaw must help support the victims families until they are satisfied, and 4) to have Myanmar National Human Rights Commission conduct an investigation and disclose the case.

It is reported that Captain Zaw Myo Thet, of LIB No. 280, alleged shooter of the two villagers, is sued with article 302 by Kawsar Town Police Station on March 19.

On March 8, around 11:30 PM, Battalion Commander Phyo Wai Thwe, Deputy Battalion Commander Aung Ko Win and Captain Zaw Myo Thet of LIB No. 280, were involved in shooting two villagers from Makyee Chaungwa Village, southern Ye Township. The victims were fishermen U Moe and U Chit Soe, who were shot dead with knife wounds found on their bodies, according to organizers of the vigil.
According to records, the reinstated land in Kyaikhto [township] is 11,288 acres, 347.5 acres in Belin, 1,333.405 acres in Thaton, 664.703 in Moulmein, 47.73 acres in Chaungzone, 1,364 acres in Kyaikmayaw, 187 acres in Mudon, 51.66 acres in Thanbyuzayat and 1,024.89 acres in Ye. In total, 16,526.658 acres of land was returned.

Inline image 1



The sign read Army Land (in Burmese),

in rubber plantation confiscated by the

army (photo: HURFOM) The sign read Army Land (in Burmese),in rubber plantation confiscated by thearmy (photo: HURFOM)

The official added that of the 16,526.658 acres of land being handed back, 13,000 acres is temporarily overseen by government departments since the owners have not applied for the land yet.

The land varies from vacant land, fields and farmland. Due to petitioning from land owners and Tatmadaw and government departments disuse of the land, it has been given back. Some land has been returned because the Ministry of Industry (2) and General Administration Departments are also submitting.

For owners of land that has been seized, there is an option to approach their respective township land record offices and inquire as to whether their seized land is listed as returned. Provided it is, they could apply for the land back with a recommendation letter from village-level land committee, or letters from community leaders, according to State Land Utilization Management Committee

In our Ye Township, the Tatmadaw confiscated land the most. Some land owners got compensation and some got their land back. However, the land that they give back isnt arable because it is silted and alluvial soil, said Nai Soe Thein, a resident of Ye Town.

The land transfer will be conducted in accordance with the law and with legitimate documents, according to a statement released by Land Utilization Management Central Committee on March 17.

According to Food Security Working Group (FSWG)s report, over 6 million acres of land from farmers were confiscated with 4 million acres seized by Tatmadaw.
As Vice President Joe Biden might say, this is a "big fuckin' deal."

A federal judge ruled that a transgender student in Virginia could not sue his school for discrimination for barring him from using the boy's restroom, but the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in D.C. has overturned the ruling.

Grimm was born female but identifies as male. He was allowed to use the boys' restrooms at the school for several weeks in 2014. But after some parents complained, the school board adopted a policy requiring students to use either the restroom that corresponds with their biological gender or a private, single-stall restroom. Grimm called the policy stigmatizing. School officials said the policy respects the privacy of all students.

There are much bigger implications than simply one student's right to sue, however, because the 4th Circuit apparently agrees with the Department of Justice which filed a brief on the student's behalf last year arguing that Title IX applies to gender identity.

The 4th Circuit evidently did not buy the argument that the policy "respects the privacy of all students" and this is very important because the state of North Carolina is under the jurisdiction of the 4th Circuit.

North Carolina's anti-transgender "bathroom bill" HB2 will have its day in court but the 4th Circuit has already effectively telegraphed that it will be struck down in their courtroom if it reaches that point. As you probably recall, Governor McCrory also argued that HB2 is about "privacy."

The threat of violating Title IX and losing billions of dollars of federal funding while opening up the state to numerous lawsuits was enough to persuade other governors -- Republican governors -- not to sign similar anti-transgender legislation, but North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (R) did not have that good sense.
Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla appointed Victor Suarez Melendez to lead the commonwealth's debt restructuring and oversee its management of debt.

The governor announced the appointment Tuesday in a press statement.

Puerto Rico's public sector entities owe about $70 billion in debt. Garcia Padilla has said that the entities cannot pay the debt given current rates of economic growth. He has also said that the government doesn't have enough money to pay about $423 million that the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico owes on May 1.

On April 6 the governor signed a bill opening the door for certain emergency actions to be taken at the GDB, allowing him to declare moratoriums on debt service payments, and establishing an authority to oversee the restructuring of all of Puerto Rico's public sector debt.

On Tuesday Garcia Padilla created the Financial Advisory Authority and Fiscal Agency. As executive director of this new body, Suarez Melendez is to oversee matters relating to restructuring or adjusting debt obligations for all public sector bodies.

As Puerto Rico's Secretary of State, Suarez Melendez meets with the representatives of foreign nations and promotes Puerto Rico's trade and other interests with them. The Secretary of State also manages a variety of business-related services at the State Department.

Suarez Melendez has been a member of the Working Group for Fiscal and Economic Recovery, which has created the commonwealth's blueprint for dealing with its fiscal, debt and economic troubles. Prior to being Secretary of State, he was the governor's chief of staff.

Up to now Melba Acosta Febo has been the most visible voice on Puerto Rico's debt problems. She is the commonwealth's chief financial officer and president of the GDB. The government has taken steps towards closing and possibly replacing the GDB. It remains to be seen whether she or Suarez Melendez will lead the government's debt restructuring in practice.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan sent a congratulatory message to the Yazidi community of Armenia on the occasion of Melek Taus, Armenpress was informed by the Department of Public Relations and Information of the Presidential Administration.

I warmly congratulate the Yazidis of Armenia on the occasion of New Year Melek Taus. This bright holiday was overshadowed by war and victims not only for the Yazidi community of Armenia, but also for the entire Armenian people. Armenian people together with their Yazidi brothers always share the joy, the grief and the pain of the loss. Brotherly relations of Armenians and Yazidis have gave through centuries long challenges and become stronger.

Dear Yazidi compatriots,

I wish that this New Year brings you only luck and happiness and finally peace will be established in the borders of our country. I am convinced that together we will build the prosperous and safe country where everyone lives and works in dignity and prosperity, the congratulatory message of the President reads.
The Puerto Rico House of Representatives voted 35-4 to exempt certain debt from eligibility from a payment moratorium it passed on April 6.

The representatives' vote on Monday was quickly followed by a statement by Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla threatening to veto the bill.

The representatives voted to exempt payments on the commonwealth's general obligation, guaranteed, and securitized debt from eligibility for the suspension. An example of the last type of debt would be the debt from the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Finance Corp. (COFINA). The House voted 35-4 in favor, with 11 members absent.

Amending the moratorium bill to exempt GOs "doesn't make sense to me," said an analyst following Puerto Rico bonds, who commented anonymously citing his firm's policy. "The moratorium would be nearly meaningless unless they can default on the GOs. They owe about $800 million in July [for the GO bonds]."

The battle over the debt payment moratorium highlights the urgency of Puerto Rico's fiscal crisis, as U.S. Congress members continue to debate competing plans to help the territory.

Garcia Padilla said the payment moratorium "provides us with some of the tools to ensure continuity of basic services that the government provides to [Puerto Rico]," according to a press statement. "The decision taken by the House goes against those premises and it should be indicated that such a measure would have to be vetoed."

The measure in the House has been referred to the Puerto Rico Senate.

Senators of the majority party, the Popular Democratic Party, will meet to discuss the House amendments, Puerto Rico Senate President Eduardo Bhatia Gautier said in a statement. "As soon as there is consensus in our actions regarding these amendments or any other measure to help address the fiscal challenges of the country, we will notify you. Our guiding principle remains to prevent cuts to basic services to citizens while taking care of the fiscal situation facing [Puerto Rico.]"

A source in the Senate said she expected the body to vote on the moratorium exception amendments next week. She said without a consensus it would be hard to have the Senate pass anything. She indicated that Bhatia Gautier may be skeptical of the debt moratorium exceptions.

After the debt payment moratorium passed, legislators became concerned about its possible impact on the island's municipalities and cooperatives, the Senate source said. The Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico owes municipalities money in the form of loans that have been approved but not fully disbursed yet. Puerto Rico public sector entities owe the cooperatives money in the form of bond payments.

The House passed two bills amending the moratorium bill Monday, one applicable to the municipalities and to certain classes of debts and the other with measures affecting the cooperatives.

If the Senate also passes an exemption for certain types of debt from the moratorium and the governor vetoes, the legislature could override the veto. The House would need 34 votes from its 51 representatives to do this and the Senate would need 18 votes from its 27 senators.

After the governor's statement Monday night, an argument developed between the governor and Rep. Rafael Hernandez Montanez. In separate interviews with Puerto Rico radio station NotiUno 630, Hernandez Montanez said that the governor had promised him that if he voted for the debt moratorium the governor would be willing to later sign amendments that would exempt the guaranteed and trust (or "securitized") debt. The representative said that by threatening a veto of the amendments, the governor was breaking his promise.

The governor told the radio station that this is not the case. He said his only promise was that if the bill was amended to give GO holders five days-notice of nonpayment, he would sign it.

Bill 2864 to exempt certain classes of debt from the moratorium was opposed by four members of the majority Popular Democratic Party. Two members of the PDP were absent. An additional eight members of PNP were absent. All the rest of the members of the House voted in favor.
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Located right next to MRT Ximen Station, Hotel Midtown Richardson provides a cosy accommodation to all guests in Taipei. Free WiFi is available in all rooms.

Attractively situated in the Zhongzheng District district of Taipei, Mayer Inn is situated 400 metres from Taipei Main Station, 1 km from Presidential Office Building and less than 1 km from Taipei...

Les Suites Taipei-Ching Cheng is a luxurious 4-star accommodation located in front of MRT Nanjing Fuxing Station. It offers a fitness centre, free Wi-Fi and free parking on site.

Boasting great views of Taipei, set in Twin Towers Taipei which is co-constructed with Wanhua Railway Station, Caesar Metro Taipei is only a 3-minute walk from MRT Longshan Temple Station (Exit 2).

Boasting a fitness centre and a business centre, Royal Biz Taipei Hotel offers cosy and air-conditioned 3-star accommodation in Taipei. It is just a 3-minute walk from MRT Dongmen Station.

Offering stylish rooms with free broadband internet and a 32-inch flat-screen TV is Taipeis Delight Hotel, a 4-minute walk from subway transit. It features a fitness room and Chinese restaurant.

La Maison Hotel is a 7-minute drive from Taipei Neihu Technology Park and a 7-minute walk from Tri-Service General Hospital. It is a 20-minute drive from Taipei 101 Building.

Star Beauty Resort is located in Taipeis Shihlin District, only an 8-minute walk from Jiantan MRT Station and Shihlin Night Market. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi.

Parkview Taipei features a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and garden in Taipei. Around 1.5 km from Xingtian Temple, the property is also 1.6 km away from Liaoning Night Market and offers free WiFi....

Located by Tamsui River, Suz Hotel is a 8-minute walk from MRT Ximen Station and the heart of Ximending shopping district of Taipei.

Only 400 metres from Ximending Shopping Area, Roaders Hotel - Zhonghua provides stylish and spacious guest rooms in Taipei. Guests can enjoy free WiFi throughout the property.

Hotel HD Palace offers rooms with free minibar items and free wired internet. Organic coffee can be enjoyed at the sky garden.

Artistically designed, Hotel Taipei is a tranquil setting away from the bustling city life, offering an inspiring art space and cosy guestrooms. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant.

Conveniently located in Taipei City, Tomorrow Hotel is within a 3-minute walk from Ximen MRT Station and the popular Ximending shopping district.

Set in Taipei, 5 minutes walk from Taipei Main Station, Hotel Relax 5 offers guest rooms with city views. Free WiFi is available in all rooms.

Located in Taipei, FX Hotel is a 5-minute walk from the lively Liaoning Night Market. It features a restaurant, fitness centre and air-conditioned rooms with a flat-screen TV. Free Wi-Fi is provided.

Amba Taipei Ximending provides modern and eco-friendly accommodation a 7-minute walk from Ximen MRT Station. It features a restaurant, laundry services and free Wi-Fi in the entire hotel.

Commission paid and other benefits may affect an accommodation's ranking. Find out more.

This is a Preferred Partner property. It is committed to providing guests with a positive experience thanks to its commendable service and good value. This property may pay Booking.com a bit more to be in this Programme.
From  69 per night

7.5 Good 3,324 reviews

This resort is great for families with young kids! Firstly, the swimming pool comes with water slides for young kids 3 to perhaps 8 years old( or older) to enjoy! The older kids can swim in the adult pool with some arm floats if needed. Activities you can enjoy such as beach play, ATV and horse riding which are both affordable. You can ride the ATV along the beach or inside the forested area if you want to. On saturday night, the hotel will conduct a fire show on the beach which is awesome! Your family will get to light up a lantern and let it float up to the sky. Truly amazing experience. My Executive family room comes with a Jacuzzi tub! There is a spa for massages, a sauna, gym. There is also an indoor playground where kids gets to play with toys such as legos, and the older kids can play PS4! Thumbs up for the resort and its staff!
Located in Sandown, 5.9 km from Modderfontein Golf Club, Qurtuba Hospitality provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a fitness centre and a garden. The hotel is perfectly situated in JHB, for a short family drive. The staff are amazing and incredibly hospitable and accommodating. The hotel is suitable for couples and families with facilities to cater to everyone's needs, from 2yrs to 60yrs. The spa is amazing and a must to try....the themed dinners and buffet Breakfast at the Limoni restaurant is an absolute hit....we will definitely join another dinner Inshallah. The prayer and wudu facilities are perfectly situated in an area where you will not be disturbed. However, the rooms are comfortable enough for you to pray... Already booked our next family holiday...my kids would love to visit every school holidays now... Jazakallah Khair Qurtuba and Limoni...

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YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Syrian-Armenian Jimmy Hajar considers Armenia a great country for photography. According to him, the Armenian nature is just amazing, wonderful photos can be made on every corner. One can get beautiful photos anywhere in Armenia, the atmosphere is very good for creativity and photography, it helps to get beautiful pictures, he says. Hajar, who is from Aleppo, says that there are plenty of beautiful sites in Syria as well, but it is difficult to reach them, as opposed to for example from Yerevan to any part of Armenia.

Jimmy Hajar moved to Armenia from Aleppo in March 2014. He said that during the first 2-3 years of the war, he and his wife tried to endure the conditions, but eventually were forced to leave Syria. Hajars first child was born in Armenia, who is already 2 years old.

Jimmy was engaged in photography in Aleppo as well. He is an event photographer, but he feels difference during the same work in different countries. Syria is a multinational and multi-religious country, thus the photography was more diverse in nature, said the photographer during an interview with Armenpress.

Jimmy often takes photos of famous people in Yerevan, but he confessed that he doesnt always recognize them. 12 people work with Jimmy, including photographers, operators, and editors.

His schedule is very tough. He works 20 hours per day. He says that even during his day-offs he processes and edits the photos. He is not a photographer by profession, but he is engaged in this business for more than 22 years.

Jimmy is very happy with his job and has no intention to change it. The only regret he has is that he has little time to see his family.

The Syrian-Armenian photographer says he feels appreciated in Yerevan.

He noted that there were no difficulties in the process of moving to Yerevan.

When asked if he and his family have the intention of moving to Europe, as many Syrians do, Jimmy said: By going to Europe people become refugees. Armenia is our motherland, why should I get a refugee status if I can return to the home of my ancestors, Hajjar said.

In regard to the recent escalations and military operations in the line of contact, Hajar said they are used to war situation. We fought there, and we are ready to fight in our motherland as well. It will not make us leave Armenia, Jimmy added.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. The members of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) have carried out the regular operation against the Turkish armed forces in Kurdish Srnak province of Turkey, Armenpress reports citing Turkish Anadolu news agency, Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces states.

2 Turkish soldiers were killed, and 4 soldiers and 2 policemen were wounded by the Kurdish militants explosive.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. On 19-21 April, "HayPost", the National Postal Operator of the Republic of Armenia, will host the first "PostEurop" Plenary Assembly in the region, "Armenpress" report citing "HayPost" official website. The three-day event aims to bring together over 52 European postal operators, CEOs and dignitaries from the Universal Postal Union to reflect on key issues, challenges as well as opportunities of the postal world in light of the swiftly evolving technologies, innovation and digital trends. "PostEurop" Plenary Assembly is an effective collaborative platform for Europes postal decision-makers to exchange best practices and insights on the priorities of the postal industry, unlock new opportunities and growth drivers for innovation and success, and discuss top case studies in the areas of electronic postal correspondence, e-commerce delivery, e-government services, client and stakeholder relations.

A major highlight in the postal sector, the Plenary Assembly brings high-level postal executives such as Director-General of the Universal Postal Union Bishar Hussein, Deputy Director General of the UPU's International Bureau Pascal Clivaz, Chairman of "PostEurop" Management Board Jean-Paul Forceville, Secretary General at "PostEurop" Botond Szebeny as well as postal CEOs to Yerevan.

As the host of this years plenary in Armenia, Trust Manager of Haypost CJSC Chairman of the Board Juan Pablo Gechidjian said, We are honored to host the first PostEurop Plenary Assembly in the Caucasus region. It is a distinctive hub between East and West for sharing knowledge and enhancing cooperation mechanisms, essential for forging a more accessible and sustainable postal environment. "PostEurop" and Universal Postal Unions experience is vital for "HayPost" in terms of increasing the efficiency of mail operations, diversifying the Postal Financial Services portfolio and developing e-commerce based on the worlds best practices. I welcome my colleagues to Yerevan.

It is a historical moment for "PostEurop" and our distinguished members to be here in Armenia. We are extremely pleased with the progress and development made by "HayPost" to date as the national postal operator for Armenia. We are confident that the on-going cooperation with international postal operators and owners of main logistics players will further enable them to forge the right relationship and grow their service offering such as e-commerce and e-government services Jean-Paul Forceville, Chairman of the "PostEurop" Management Board said.

The event features a dynamic plenary sessions followed by a postal business forum with international expert speakers and moderators to generate vibrant exchanges during which postal operators will discuss the challenges of the postal world, decide on postal strategic direction and offer roadmaps to creating a more advanced and sustainable industry before the 26th Universal Postal Congress in September, 2016.

"PostEurop" is the association, which represents European public postal operators. It is committed to supporting and developing a sustainable and competitive European postal communication market accessible to all customers and ensuring a modern and affordable universal service. The members of "PostEurop" represent 2.1 million employees across Europe and service up to 800 million customers daily through over 175,000 counters.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. A conference dedicates to the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide took place in Marseille, France, which was attended by a number of political and public figures, including French MP Valerie Boyer. As Armenpress reports, this was tweeted by Boyer.

Martine Vassal, who initiated the conference, said that the struggle for the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the remediation of its consequences is not over; moreover it must be continuous each year. The Armenian youth have to continue the protests and commemoration events in order for these crimes never to be repeated again, she said.

The truth must be recognized, Turkey must recognize the Genocide. The struggle must continue, Secretary of the coordinating organization of Armenian Organizations of France Pasqual Shamasyan said.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjrn Jagland attaches importance to the formation of a consensus around the Electoral Code in Armenia and says that it also depends on the opposition. During the PACE plenary session, while answering to ANC faction head Levon Zurabyans question, Jagland noted that it is extremely important to reach consensus on such fundamental issues as the Electoral Code.

We, of course have urged the Armenian government to reach consensus, but it also depends on the opposition. We said that we are willing to support the two sides, so that the government and the opposition have fair opportunities for competing for power, Armenpress reports Jagland saying.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. The first Russia-NATO Council meeting since June 2014 kicked off in Brussels on April 20, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported, Armenpress reports citing Sputnik News.

Previous Russia-NATO Council meeting took place on June 2, 2014, just two months after the alliance decided to freeze all practical cooperation with Moscow over Ukraine crisis.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, responding to queries on the Russia-NATO Council meeting agenda on April 19, expressed hope that the meeting would "become a venue for a truly honest, equal and fundamental discussion of vital security issues."

"We intend to express our concern over the blocs open policy of military and political deterrence of Russia and the continued eastward movement of its military infrastructure, which we see as contradicting the spirit of the 1997 Russia-NATO Founding Act," Zakharova stressed.



NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on April 8 the council agenda would include the "crisis in and around Ukraine, military activity, transparency, risk reductions and Afghanistan."

On Ukraine, Zakharova said that Moscow planned to raise issues with NATOs assistance to the anti-constitutional coup in Kiev in February 2014 and the use of NATO instructors to train Ukrainian security forces in waging war against their own people, among other pressing subjects.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov summarized Tuesday the meetings program as no longer "business as usual" and a "one-way street."

"The agenda which was agreed upon for tomorrows session does not only reflect what NATO needs but also what Russia is interested in," Lavrov said late Tuesday.



Stoltenberg echoed the top Russian diplomats sentiment that convening the Russia-NATO Council "does not mean that we are back to business as normal."



The NATO-Russia Council was created in 2002 as a mechanism for consultations and cooperation between NATO member states and Russia on a wide range of security issues.

The format was suspended in 2014 amid stained relations over the Ukrainian crisis, as the alliance accused Moscow of the involvement in the conflict.

Russia has repeatedly dismissed the allegations of meddling in Ukrainian affairs and stressed that NATO's military expansion and increased presence near Russian borders undermines regional security.








YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Transport and Communication Gagik Beglaryan had a meeting with Director General of the Universal Postal Union Bishar Abdirahman Hussein. Hussein is participating in the 31st plenary session of European Public Post Operators, which is being held in Yerevan, Armenpress was informed by the Press Service of the Ministry.

Gagik Beglaryan greeted Bishar A. Hussein and attached importance to the membership of Armenia to the UPU, and stressed that it contributes to the development of Armenian postal service.

Bishar Hussein expressed gratitude for the hospitality and said that he visited a number of postal offices in Armenia, the educational center of Haypost and was able to get acquainted with the Armenian Postal sphere. He said the Armenian postal services are on a high level and noted that there are opportunities for further development.

Issues relating to UPU reforms were discussed. Bishar Hussein said that they want to create equal arenas for all 192 member states.




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This article was published 20/04/2016 (2377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO  Environment Minister Glen Murray warns Ontario industries could be hurt by the Progressive Conservatives efforts to delay legislation that would create a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The government decided to invoke closure to wrap up committee hearings by May 2 on the bill designed to combat climate change, the biggest crisis humanity has ever faced, said Murray.

The Tories asked for 20-minute breaks twice an hour and used other tactics to slow the committees work to a crawl, but the government needs the bill passed this spring so it can start selling carbon credits to companies in January.

Theyre pretending to support a carbon price, and have all the rhetoric there, because they know politically its unacceptable not to be supporting a price on carbon, said Murray. They take every opportunity not to debate the bill.

Companies need to know what their carbon emission allowances will be as soon as possible so they can prepare for the start of cap and trade next year, said Murray.

Theyre speaking to their head offices about major capital investments in their energy systems to eliminate greenhouse gases, and they need to know what the rules are for applying for funding and support, he said.

Lawyers recommended about 50 technical amendments to the Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act, dealing with French language translation and which verb stands up best in court in case of legal challenges, added Murray.

The Tories are debating each of those, which is ridiculous, he said. Thats very unusual behaviour.

However, Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown, who surprised his party at its annual convention last month by announcing he supports a price on carbon emissions, stressed Wednesday that it should be revenue neutral.

But the Liberals, he said, hope to generate $1.9 billion in 2017 alone by auctioning off emission allowances to industries.

This should not be a justification for another Liberal slush fund, he said.

Theyre being dishonest and taking advantage of peoples goodwill towards the environment.

Its the Liberals fault that the bill has been moving slowly through the committee process, added Brown.

They drafted the bill. They shouldnt need any amendments, he said. Theyre developing a plan on the fly.

Murray fired back that Browns actions undermine his claim of supporting a price on carbon, and said a revenue neutral plan would mean no financial help for people who want to buy electric cars or retrofit their homes.

They clearly dont understand what carbon pricing is because they havent been able to articulate any substance to their position except revenue neutrality, he said.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath urged the Tories to support the cap-and-trade bill.

I would hope that people would take seriously the need to deal with the carbon footprint that we have and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, she said.

Under cap and trade, industries are given specific pollution limits, but can sell their emission allowances to other companies if they come in below their annual limit, or buy credits if they exceed it.

Ontario plans to join existing cap-and-trade markets in Quebec and California starting next January. Manitoba has also signed on to join in the cap and trade plan with Ontario and Quebec, but will limit it to 20 large polluters in the province.

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This article was published 20/04/2016 (2377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KITIMAT, B.C.  Workers at Rio Tintos aluminum smelter in Kitimat, B.C., say the company is putting health and safety at risk in the drive to get a newly modernized facility up and running.

Unifor Local 2301 has circulated a petition demanding Rio Tinto address unacceptable working conditions for 900 workers at the smelter about 650 kilometres northwest of Vancouver.

Workplace contaminants have been found in bathrooms, drinking water facilities and eating areas, said union local president Sean ODriscoll.

Our members have quite frankly gotten really frustrated with the lack of amenities, with a number of health and safety issues, with the amount of mandatory overtime people are being made to work, he said.

Employees are forced to work 12-hour shifts, up to 15 in a row, ODriscoll said.

He said that contributes to fatigue and raises the possibility that a worker could be injured or killed.

Rio Tinto spokesman Kevin Dobbin said mandatory overtime will be needed, possibly until the fall, to get the smelter into a steady state following its $4.8-billion modernization.

There are some areas we are asking workers to have mandatory overtime to help ensure the plant gets up and running, and to its steady state, he said, adding overtime hours are expected to be cut back over the summer.

Dobbin said the company was looking at putting eight new crew rooms closer to the main work area, where more than 30 drinking locations are now located, adding temporary washrooms are in place while permanent ones are being installed.

Rio Tintos first quarter report noted Kitimat completed its ramp-up to an annualized rate of 420,000 tonnes last month. (CFTK)
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. The Republic of Armenia made a statement in relation to the Seventh Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations which is going to be held in Baku. On April 19, the Statement text was send to the member states of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, Armenpress was informed about this by the Department of Press, Information and Public Relations of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia.

The statement reads:

In the early hours of April 2, 2016 Azerbaijan unleashed large-scale offensive operations against Nagorno Karabakh thus violating trilateral agreements of 1994 on cease-fire and of 1995 on the cease-fire consolidation, signed by Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, which do not have time limits. Azerbaijan has violated basic principles of international law, the decisions and declarations adopted by the OSCE Summits and Ministerial Councils, blatantly disregarding the statements of the presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries  the Russian Federation, United States of America and the French Republic, on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution.

From the very beginning of the Azerbaijani offensive the civilian infrastructures and civilian population, including children and the elderly, became intentional and indiscriminate targets. Among the first civilian victims were a 12 year old boy who was killed in front of the school building as a result of a Grad missile attack and two other schoolchildren wounded.

In one of villages in Karabakh three elderly persons, including a 92 year old woman, were brutally tortured, mutilated and killed. Moreover, three captive soldiers of the Nagorno Karabakh armed forces were beheaded by Azerbaijani armed forces in ISIL style, which was subsequently celebrated in the towns and villages and publicized through social networks. Furthermore, during the exchange of bodies of the deceased between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan carried out through the mediation of the International Committee of Red Cross and the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman in Office, it was registered that the bodies of deceased transferred by the Azerbaijani side had the evidences of severe torture and mutilation.

Those barbaric acts of Azerbaijan, going beyond elementary norms of civilized world constitute violations of core international instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Convention on the Rights of the Child, etc. In this context, it is also imperative to specifically mention the blatant violation by Azerbaijan of Geneva Convention of 1949, which inter alia addresses groups exposed to specific risks, such as children, women and elderly and its additional protocols of 1977, 1989.

Azerbaijan demonstrates its total disregard for international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Persistent violations of human rights inside Azerbaijan, consistent attacks and imprisonment of its civil society representatives, the media and human rights defenders, coupled with the regular dissemination of intolerance and hatred against the Armenian people provides breeding ground for the criminal military adventurism of the Azerbaijani regime.

At the time of the gathering of the Seventh Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan continue to violate the cease-fire, with new human losses. Since the beginning of Azerbaijani aggression and up today as a result of Azerbaijans aggression hundreds were killed and wounded, including civilians. This is a manifestation of the absurdity of celebrating more peaceful and socially inclusive world, building mutual respect among peoples of different cultural and religious identities in a country, which is engaged in barbarity and killings a few hundred kilometres away from the venue of the Forum. This is an affront to the image and the integrity of the Alliance.

In this dire situation the convening of the Seventh Forum should have been cancelled in Azerbaijan - a country that grossly violates the very aims, principles, values of the Alliance of Civilizations.

Armenia remains committed to the purposes of the Alliance and remains its Friend. However, given the circumstances. Armenia does not join the consensus on the Declaration of the Seventh Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. Therefore, in the absence of consensus the Declaration cannot be adopted.

Armenia rejects the Seventh Forum, to be held in Baku, in its entirety, including its outcome.
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This article was published 20/04/2016 (2377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  Heres an abridged chronology of the Senate expense scandal at the heart of the Duffy trial:

Dec. 22, 2008: Then-prime minister Stephen Harper announces Duffys appointment to the Senate as a representative of Prince Edward Island. Duffy is sworn in the following month.

December 2012: Questions are raised about how much time Duffy spends at his declared primary residence in P.E.I., since he claims living expenses for his longtime Ottawa-area home.

Dec. 4, 2012: Duffy says he got an email from Nigel Wright, the prime ministers chief of staff, saying it appeared that Duffys residence expenses complied with the rules.

Feb. 5, 2013: Reports emerge that Duffy applied for a P.E.I. health card in December 2012 and that he does not receive a resident tax credit for his home on the island.

Feb. 8, 2013: Senate hires external auditing firm to review residence claims of Duffy and two other senators.

Feb. 11, 2013: Duffy sends email to Wright apparently containing advice from his lawyer. It outlines certain scenarios for repayment of the expenses and the assurances he would require.

Feb. 13, 2013: Duffy says he met Harper and Wright after a Conservative caucus meeting. Harper tells Duffy he must repay questioned housing expenses. The prime minister agreed I had not broken the rules but insisted I pay the money back, money I didnt owe, because the Senates rules are, in his words, inexplicable to our base,' Duffy says in an October 2013 speech in the Senate.

Feb. 21, 2013: Duffy agrees to follow what he later describes as a PMO-drafted plan to cover up the source of a $90,000 payback to the Senate, including a story that he borrowed the money from RBC.

Feb. 22, 2013: Claiming confusion with the rules, Duffy pledges to pay back the expenses.

Feb. 27, 2013: Harper says all senators meet the requirement that they live in the area they were appointed to represent.

Mar. 26, 2013: $90,172.24 is transferred to Duffys RBC bank account, and his cheque for $90,172.24 is delivered to the Senate. The cheque cleared Duffys bank on Mar. 28.

April 19, 2013: Duffy confirms he has repaid more than $90,000 in Senate housing expenses. I have always said that I am a man of my word. In keeping with the commitment I made to Canadians, I can confirm that I repaid these expenses in March 2013.

May 8, 2013: In a meeting with people from the Prime Ministers Office, Conservative senators and staff discuss the altering of a committee report on Duffys residency and expenses. Negative language is removed.

May 12, 2013: RCMP says it will examine Senate expense claims.

May 15, 2013: The PMO confirms a media report that Wright personally footed the bill for Duffys housing expenses because Duffy couldnt make a timely payment.

May 16, 2013: The Canadian Press reports that Duffy submitted travel expense claims to the Senate on the same days that he was campaigning for Conservative candidates in 2011 and claiming expenses from them. He resigns from the Conservative caucus.

May 19, 2013: Wright announces his resignation as Harpers chief of staff, a move Harper says he accepts with great regret. Wright is replaced in the chief of staffs role by Ray Novak. In October, Harper says Wright was dismissed.

May 28, 2013: Senate internal economy committee holds a public meeting to review Duffys travel expenses. Senate finance officials say theyve detected a pattern that concerns them. The committee votes to send the matter to the RCMP.

June 13, 2013: The RCMP confirms it has launched a formal investigation into Wrights involvement in the expense scandal.

July 5, 2013: Harper is accused of misleading Canadians after repeatedly insisting Wright acted on his own when he gave Duffy $90,000 to reimburse his invalid expense claims. The RCMP says in a court document that Wright told three other senior people in the PMO about the transaction.

Oct. 8, 2013: RCMP alleges Duffy awarded $65,000 in Senate contracts to Gerald Donohue, a friend and former TV technician, who did little actual work for the money.

Oct. 17, 2013: Claude Carignan, the governments new leader in the Senate, introduces motions to suspend Duffy, Sen. Pamela Wallin and Sen. Patrick Brazeau from the Senate. The motions call for the three to be stripped of their pay, benefits and Senate resources.

Oct. 21, 2013: Duffys lawyer, Donald Bayne, alleges Harpers staff and key Conservative senators were behind a scheme to have Duffy take the fall for wrongdoing that they agreed he had not committed.

Oct. 22, 2013: In an explosive speech in the Senate, Duffy accuses Harpers office of orchestrating a monstrous fraud aimed at snuffing out controversy over his expenses. Duffy accuses the prime minister of being more interested in appeasing his Conservative base than the truth.

Oct. 28, 2013: Duffy delivers another speech, this time saying the Conservative party arranged to cover his $13,560 legal bill. He also casts doubt on whether Wright actually paid the $90,000: I have never seen a cheque from Nigel Wright.

Nov. 5, 2013: Senators vote to suspend Brazeau, Duffy and Wallin without pay  but with health, dental and life insurance benefits intact  for the remainder of the parliamentary session.

Jan. 29, 2014: Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau expels the 32 Liberal senators from his caucus in what he calls an effort to reduce partisanship in the upper chamber. He says if he becomes prime minister he would appoint only independent senators, chosen through an open public process.

April 15, 2014: RCMP tell Wright he will not face criminal charges.

July 17, 2014: Duffy is charged with 31 counts of fraud, breach of trust and bribery.

April 7, 2015: The trial begins with Duffy formally pleading not guilty to all charges. Deputy Crown attorney Mark Holmes says Duffy billed the Senate for thousands in secondary residence expenses though he did not live in Prince Edward Island and was just commuting from his Ottawa home. Holmes also says Duffy claimed travel payments for Senate business when he was attending family events. Defence lawyer Donald Bayne says Duffy operated within the often-fuzzy Senate rules.

April 15, 2015: Witnesses testify they received payments for various services from Duffy through cheques issued by Maple Ridge Media, a company run by Duffys friend Donohue.

April 22, 2015: Court is told that after his appointment to the Senate, Duffy moved quickly to declare a P.E.I. cottage as his primary residence, allowing him to claim more than $80,000 in housing expenses over the years.

May 7, 2015: Three Conservative MPs testify they recruited Duffy to speak at fundraising events in their ridings because his star power would help rally the troops.

June 9, 2015: Duffys former executive assistant testifies it was common practice in his office to have him sign blank travel expense claims in order to facilitate paperwork.

June 16, 2015: A forensic accountant testifies that Duffy was withdrawing more money from his bank account than was deposited, with the difference made up from a line of credit.

June 18, 2015: The forensic accountant tracks the $90,000 Wright payment from an American account to a Canadian account, to an Ottawa law firm to Duffys bank account. The Receiver General of Canada then received $90,172.24 from Duffy.

Aug. 2, 2015: Harper calls a federal election. With the dissolution of Parliament for the Oct. 19 election, Duffys Senate suspension is no longer in force.

Aug. 12, 2015: Trial resumes with Wright starting his testimony.

Aug. 16, 2015: Both Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair make electoral hay with trial testimony about the $90,000 payment, Harper shrugs it off as old news.

Aug. 18, 2015: Testimony that says other PMO staffers knew about Wrights planned payment to Duffy leaves Harper facing repeated grilling on the campaign trail.

Aug 21, 2015: Twitter says the Duffy trial is becoming the most tweeted-about election topic.

Aug. 26, 2015: Trial adjourns to November.

Oct. 19, 2015: Trudeau and the Liberals win a majority government, Harper declares his intention to quit as Conservative leader.

Nov. 19, 2015: Duffys friend Donohue testifies he received $65,000 in contracts from Duffy. In turn, he wrote cheques to other Duffy service providers  including an intern, a makeup artist and a speechwriter. The Crown called the $65,000 a slush fund. Duffys lawyer said the system was unorthodox, but not criminal.

Dec. 8, 2015: Duffy starts to testify in his own defence, beginning with a lengthy account of his life and career.

Dec. 17, 2015: Duffy ends six days of testimony and two days of cross-examination and the defence rests its case.

Feb. 23, 2016: Crown and defence arguments conclude after two days.
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OTTAWA  A Canadian human rights delegation urged Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dions office Wednesday to come to the aid of Honduran villagers they say are being exploited by a Canadian mining company.

The group including First Nations women leaders, the organization MiningWatch Canada, lawyers and activists  visited Honduras this past week and want to draw attention to the plight of villagers in Azacualpa.

The group says in a brief presented to Dions office that the operations of Toronto-based Aura Minerals are affecting the health of villagers by exposing them to cyanide leaching and from its open pit gold mine.

They also say the company wants to move both the villagers and their community graveyard. Theyre also calling on the Canadian embassy to stop supporting the companys activities in Honduras.

A request to the company for comment went unanswered Wednesday.

The rights group says it is troubling that the Canadian government has deepened economic relations with Honduras, including signing a free trade agreement, following the countrys 2009 military coup.

We would like Canada to make a little bit more noise, said Catherine Morris, the research director for Lawyers Rights Watch Canada, a delegation member.

Dions spokesman Joe Pickerill said in an emailed statement that the government is committed to demonstrating leadership on corporate social responsibility.

Canadians expect our businesses operating abroad to respect human rights, labour rights, all applicable laws, and to conduct their activities in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, he said.

In 2014, the previous Conservative government announced the creation of a revamped, corporate social responsibility counsellor that would screen foreign community complaints about mining operations and companies. Companies that refused to co-operate with the counsellor would lose government support.

The new counsellor does not have the power to compel mining companies to co-operate, but some non-governmental organizations saw it as a positive step after more than a decade of advocating for tougher scrutiny of Canadian overseas mining operations.

Liberal MP John McKay recently called for stricter oversight of Canadian mining companies because they periodically face accusations that they are violating local laws and human rights, despite overall improvements in the industry.
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OTTAWA  New Democrats across Canada are licking their wounds again following a devastating loss in Manitoba that saw the end of Greg Selingers term as premier.

Tuesdays defeat is only the latest in a string of electoral disasters for a party that finds itself needing to rebuild across the country.

Federal leader Tom Mulcair  badly defeated in the election in October, then again earlier this month when delegates at the partys convention in Edmonton roundly rejected his leadership  shrugged off the loss Wednesday.

Manitoba PC leader and premier-elect Brian Pallister (L) meets with NDP leader and former premier Greg Selinger inside the premier's office at the Legislature in Winnipeg, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 the day after his party defeated the NDP with a majority. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

I think that weve been in power for something like 16, 17 years in Manitoba, he said. After four full majority mandates, change is not something that comes totally unexpectedly.

Manitoba NDP MP Daniel Blaikie said he remains hopeful for the future.

The things that we fight for in terms of working people and social democratic values, those issues dont change overnight, Blaikie said. Legislatures do, governments do, but the issues dont.

Heres a look at the challenges the NDP faces across the country:

___

MANITOBA:

The Progressive Conservatives will form one of the biggest majorities in the provinces history after Tuesdays win; the NDP lost most of its cabinet ministers, and outgoing premier Greg Selinger will step down as leader.

Paul Thomas, political science professor at the University of Manitoba, said the NDP will likely take its time in finding Selingers permanent successor.

Theyve got lots of rebuilding to do in other aspects of their operation as well, said Thomas, pointing to a divisive leadership struggle that Selinger survived in 2015, causing many backroom stalwarts to leave.

___

BRITISH COLUMBIA:

The New Democrats will head into an election campaign next spring facing a Liberal government looking to win a fifth consecutive mandate.

In 2013, the New Democrats entered the campaign with a 20-point lead in public opinion polls only to lose to Christy Clarks Liberals. Adrian Dix stepped down as leader and was replaced by John Horgan.

The Liberals portray the NDP as an anti-jobs party, saying they oppose development of a liquefied natural gas industry and the massive $9 billion Site C hydroelectric dam.

___

SASKATCHEWAN:

Times have been tough for the NDP in Saskatchewan, the adoptive home of Tommy Douglas, the first New Democrat leader. The party has lost the last three provincial elections, its share of the popular vote shrinking each time.

In 2011, the NDP was reduced to nine of the 58 seats in the legislature; even leader Dwain Lingenfelter lost his seat.

The NDP looked to a younger leader in Cam Broten to help it rebuild, but the party didnt seem to gain momentum before the April 4 vote, winning just 10 of 61 seats, and losing its leader for the second straight time.

Political watchers said Broten faced a herculean task in taking down Premier Brad Wall, who consistently tops public popularity polls.

___

ONTARIO:

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has struggled since she triggered the 2014 election by refusing to support the Liberal budget, costing the New Democrats the balance of power when the Liberals won a majority government.

Horwath took a lot of heat from disgruntled party veterans who openly complained she moved the NDP too far to the centre in an attempt to get elected, but with two years to go before the next election, there have been no open challenges to her leadership.

___

ALBERTA:

In two weeks, Premier Rachel Notley and her NDP majority government will pop the champagne corks on the one-year anniversary of their election win.

In the last 12 months, the government has drafted a blueprint for a new economy based on moving away from the traditional oil and gas sector toward more hi-tech jobs and higher learning. Simultaneously, they are spending on infrastructure while also introducing a broad-based carbon tax to remake the face of Alberta as both cleaner and greener.

Alberta was debt-free just over a decade ago, but is now looking at $58 billion in red ink in just three years.

They have to find a way to sell the vision and to make sure that come re-election time their vision is not seen as an inherent negative or somehow adding to Albertas economic woes, said political analyst Bob Murray.

___

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR:

The NDP in Newfoundland and Labrador seemed on the rise through much of the past decade, but political scientists say an internal squabble managed to turn gains into a major setback.

Lorraine Michael led the third-place party to historic results, winning five seats in 2011. But she announced in 2015 she was stepping down after a rift over her leadership that saw two of her five members leave caucus.

Since then, the party slid in popularity, byelection results were poor and new leader Earle McCurdy didnt manage to win his seat in the fall election.

___

NOVA SCOTIA:

In Nova Scotia, Erin Crandall, a professor of political science at Acadia University, says there is a wider base for the party than elsewhere in Atlantic Canada due to its urban base in Halifax.

She said Nova Scotia has evolved into a strong three-party system, and that the fortunes of the NDP  which spent a term in government before falling to the Liberals in the last election  will depend on how clearly it presents its message.

The challenges of governing during a recession might have defeated any of the three major political parties, Crandall said.

Its entirely possible people will look back on that period and say, It wasnt as bad as we thought.'

 With files from Dirk Meissner in Victoria, Dean Bennett in Edmonton, Keith Leslie in Toronto, Steve Lambert in Winnipeg, Jennifer Graham in Regina and Michael Tutton in Halifax.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version incorrectly said Tommy Douglas was born in Saskatchewan.
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OTTAWA  Ontario Justice Charles Vaillancourt will deliver his decision Thursday on Sen. Mike Duffys fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges, all of which stem from his controversial Senate housing and travel expenses.

Here are five things to know going into the verdict:

1. Duffy faces 31 charges. They fall into five categories: issues related to living expenses Duffy claimed for his suburban Ottawa home; inappropriate expenses relating to personal and partisan activity; inappropriate expense claims assisted with personal attendance and funerals and related ceremonies; disbursements of money paid to Duffys friend Gerald Donohue for illegitimate expenses; and charges relating to the receipt of a $90,172.24 cheque from Nigel Wright, then the prime ministers chief of staff.

2. That hes a senator is a important element of the alleged crimes. The breach of trust charges Duffy faces are because of his role as a public official and he can be found guilty whether or not the crime would be an offence if committed by a private person. The Supreme Court lays out the reason for this provision of the Criminal Code in a 2006 case known as R. vs. Boulanger, writing that public officials are given their authority to be used for the public benefit, so they should be answerable to the public in a way private actors may not be.

3. He is facing jail time if convicted. The breach of trust charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Six of the fraud charges are for amounts over $5,000, which carry a maximum 14-year term. The fraud charges under $5,000 could be met with prisons terms of less than two years. The bribery count has a maximum 14-year sentence.

4. Theres also the matter of his job. Duffy was suspended without pay from the Senate between November 2013 and the dissolution of the last Parliament in August 2015. After dissolution, his pay was reinstated but he remained on a leave of absence with no access to Senate resources because of his ongoing trial. What happens after the verdict is governed by two things: Senate rules and the Constitution. The rules say if hes acquitted, he can take up his seat in the Senate at the very next sitting. If hes convicted on even a single charge, he remains on a leave of absence until sentencing. If his sentence is anything other than a discharge, he is suspended without pay and access to resources until the conclusion of all legal proceedings, including appeal, are over. The Constitution says a Senate seat must be vacated by anyone convicted of felony or any infamous crime. Felony is now understood to mean an indictable offence and thats what Duffy is charged with.

5. Cases against other senators may hang in the balance. Two other senators are currently waiting to stand trial for their own expenses. Former Liberal senator Mac Harb and former Conservative senator Patrick Brazeau also face fraud and breach of trust charges. Harbs trial was delayed in part because Duffys went on far longer than expected. Brazeaus trial has been postponed until 2017 after Brazeau was hospitalized in January. There is also the outstanding case of Sen. Pamela Wallin. The RCMP handed over its investigation into her to Crown prosecutors last year but theres been no movement since.
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Convicted killer Karla Homolka did her time and deserves a chance to start over, say advocates dedicated to helping offenders adjust to life after prison.

The mere fact Homolka had been living undetected for some time in small-town Quebec suggests the notorious criminal has successfully reintegrated into society, says Kim Pate, executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies.

Some parents in Chateauguay have been expressing alarm since word spread that Homolka had children attending school in the community, southwest of Montreal.

Karla Homolka yells through a crack in the door at a reporter to get off her property, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Chateauguay, Que. Convicted killer Homolka did her time and deserves a chance to start over, say advocates dedicated to helping offenders adjust to life after prison.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

If the only reason for concern is because theres now some awareness of someones background, it strikes me as it may or may not be a cause for concern, says Pate.

Parents and neighbours should not judge Homolka too harshly, says Catherine Latimer, executive director of the John Howard Society of Canada.

She got a sentence, she did her time and theres no reason to believe that she has not been rehabilitated, says Latimer, whose group assists convicts re-entering society.

The question is whether or not shell get a chance to be reintegrated.

After signing a plea deal implicating her ex-husband Paul Bernardo in the brutal sex slayings of Ontario teenagers Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, Homolka was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter.

It was only later that videotaped evidence revealed she was an active participant in repeated sexual assaults of both girls. Those revelations sparked public outrage over the Crowns handling of the case, and prosecutors were accused of striking a deal with the devil.

Bernardo, meanwhile, was declared a dangerous offender and sentenced to life in prison.

Homolka was released in 2005 and assumed the name Leanne Bordelais, moving to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, where she was eventually tracked down by a journalist.

In 2014, her sister Logan Valentini testified at Luka Rocco Magnottas murder trial that Homolka had moved to Quebec.

Valentini, who changed her name from Lori Homolka in 1996, said at the time Homolka had been living with her spouse, the brother of a Quebec lawyer whod represented her, Sylvie Bordelais.

Reports of Homolkas life in Chateauguay caught some parents by surprise and the school principal sent home a letter on Tuesday assuring them their children at Centennial Park School were safe.

On Wednesday, the school board issued another statement along the same lines.

Throughout the day, access to the school is controlled, it said. The staff knows their families well and is vigilant when it comes to allowing adults access to the school.

One person who doesnt believe Homolka can be rehabilitated is Joe Wamback, founder of the Toronto-based Canadian Crime Victim Foundation.

A normal person does not do this type of thing, does not commit this type of crime, says Wamback.

The psychology of a serial killer  the psychology of someone who has been involved in what she has been  has yet to even be scratched, the surface has yet to be even dented or understood; what motivates, what thrives and what creates these kinds of individuals.

Wamback says he doesnt believe statistics that suggest convicted killers are the least likely offenders to repeat their crimes.

How many people do not get caught? How many unsolved murders? How many missing people do we have in Canada? says Wamback.

But Latimer says refusing offenders the chance to reintegrate in society is what really causes problems.

If all employers are requiring criminal record checks and not hiring anybody whos got a criminal past, youre getting huge amounts of unemployment or under-employment among those whove committed crimes, she says.

There are increasing barriers of being able to lead a normal life, which doesnt predispose people to pro-social behaviour. This failure to support the reintegration can cause a greater risk to communities than not.

She finds it particularly troubling to see children of offenders suffer from social attitudes. She fears for the fate of Homolkas kids.

The impact will be that her children will be harried and isolated and not given an opportunity to be socially integrated in the way you would hope children would be.

Pate understands community concerns but urges parents to consider whether their children are in any real danger.

Is it based on myths and stereotypes or is it based on real risk? says Pate, noting sex crimes are most likely to be committed by a family member or acquaintance.

If anything positive can come out of it, maybe its the opportunity to have very real and positive, progressive discussions rather than focusing on making it more difficult for any of those children.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian on April 20 received Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore Koh Poh Koon, Armenpress was informed about this by the Department of Press, Information and Public Relations of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia.

Welcoming the guest Minister Nalbandian stated that Armenia highly appreciates the development of cooperation with Singapore in different fields and expressed the hope that the visit of Singapore Minister of State will contribute to the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two states.

Minister Koon expressed gratitude for the reception and presented the aim of his visit to Yerevan and the possible ways to expand the cooperation with Armenia.

Partners gave an importance to the establishment of respective legal framework from the viewpoint of cooperation development in trade and economy.

Edward Nalbandian and Koh Poh Koon exchanged views over the development opportunities of economic relations between Singapore and the EAEU member states.
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WINNIPEG  Manitobas incoming Progressive Conservative premier struck a conciliatory tone Wednesday as he promised to work with other governments and the gay and lesbian community.

One day after leading his Tories to a sweeping election victory, Brian Pallister said he would work co-operatively with the federal Liberal government on issues such as legalizing marijuana and assisted dying.

I dont want to get into my personal concerns about (legal marijuana) today, but I do commit to working with the federal government on the file and well make sure that it benefits Manitobans, protects Manitobans, said Pallister, a former Canadian Alliance and Conservative member of Parliament.

Manitoba PC leader and premier-elect Brian Pallister walks to a media conference with his communication staff outside the legislature in Winnipeg, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 the day after his party defeated the NDP with a majority. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

One concern is to prevent people from driving while intoxicated on drugs, he added.

Ill work and Ill build a relationship of trust and co-operation with the federal government.

Pallister has faced criticism in the past over comments he has made about everything from same-sex marriage to Christmas.

In a 2005 debate in the House of Commons, he called same-sex marriage a social experiment that would abolish the societal norm of children being loved by a mother and father.

In 2013, he delivered an off-the-cuff holiday greeting and said his well-wishes extended to infidel atheists.

Pallister said in an interview last year that his views on same-sex marriage have changed and that he sometimes slips up verbally because he speaks without prepared notes.

He said Wednesday he would work to defend human rights and build bridges.

I want to earn the trust and respect of all Manitobans and Ill endeavour to do my best to do that.

Pallister spoke with other political leaders on Wednesday, including Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, and said he is anxious to join the New West Partnership  a trade deal between the three westernmost provinces that aims to reduce trade barriers.

Wall said in Regina that he would work toward the the rapid inclusion of Manitoba in the trade pact.

The first order of business for Pallister is to take over power after 16 years of NDP government. He said he plans to name a cabinet within two or three weeks and deliver a throne speech and budget later this spring.

He would not commit to gender parity in his cabinet immediately  he inherited a party that saw only two incumbent women candidates re-elected  but said it is his aim.

Gender parity is a worthy goal, and its one that I will strive for, but I need time to do it.

 With files from Jennifer Graham in Regina
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UNITED NATIONS, United Nations  Health Minister Jane Philpott delivered an impassioned speech at a UN special session on drugs on Wednesday, where she announced Canada will introduce legislation next spring to spark the process of legalizing and regulating marijuana.

The announcement provides the first concrete signal from the Trudeau government about the timeline it has in mind to green-light pot for recreational purposes.

In her address, Philpott acknowledged the pot plan challenges the status quo in many countries, but she said the Liberal government believes its the best way to protect youth and enhance public safety.

Canada's Minister of Health Jane Philpott speaks, while addressing the United Nations special session on global drug policy, Wednesday April 20, 2016 at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Canada must do better when it comes to drug policy, she added, saying the governments approach will be rooted in science and will address the devastating consequences of drugs and drug-related crimes.

I am proud to stand up for our drug policy that is informed by solid scientific evidence and uses a lens of public health to maximize education and minimize harm, she said.

As a doctor, who has worked both in Canada and sub-Saharan Africa, I have seen too many people suffer the devastating consequences of drugs, drug-related crime and ill-conceived drug policy. Fortunately, solutions are within our grasp.

Philpott began her speech with an emotional recounting of a story she recently heard from a mother who lost her daughter to substance abuse.

The woman told of watching her daughter die as she sought help for her, the minister said.

She described watching her daughter slip away as she struggled to access the treatment and services that should have been available to save a beautiful, fragile life, she said.

Stories like this are far too commonplace. Countless lives are cut short due to overdoses of licit and illicit substances. Today, I stand before you as Canadas minister of health to acknowledge that we must do better for our citizens.

Philpotts speech happened to coincide with 4-20, the annual day of celebration for cannabis culture lovers.

Thousands participated in events across the country to mark the occasion, including on Parliament Hill.

David-George Oldham, the founder of a medicinal marijuana advocacy group and an organizer of the Ottawa event, was satisfied with Philpotts announcement.

I would like to see a quicker route of action, but Im pleased to hear of any news really that means we will be getting to a better place for all with respect to cannabis prohibition, he said.

He said he hopes this means we can have regulations that finally make sense for once.

As Canada looks to proceed with its pot policy, Health Canada is working to develop a new regime for marijuana regulation and control with support from Justice and Public Safety.

The government plans to appoint a task force  led by Liberal MP and former Toronto police chief Bill Blair  to look into designing such a system. A Health Canada secretariat will support the group.

The task force will solicit the views of provincial and territorial governments, key experts and the general public to help Ottawa implement a legislative and regulatory system mid-mandate, say internal notes obtained through the Access to Information Act.

Discussions on global drug policy continue in New York until Thursday as officials from around the world gather for the UN meeting, which is billed as the first of its kind in nearly two decades.

Other countries and cultures will pursue different approaches, Philpott noted.

I believe that if we respect one anothers perspectives and seek common ground we can achieve our shared objective: protecting our citizens, she said. Better yet, we can improve their lives.

In 1998, the UN General Assembly adopted an action plan that emphasized the need for law enforcement and a drug-free world. Critics have argued the so-called war on drugs has been ineffective and has undermined public health efforts.
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OTTAWA  When Finance Minister Bill Morneau used a speech in Chicago on Wednesday to toss out an open invitation to Americans to visit Canadas natural splendour in 2017, he may have inadvertently highlighted a potential downside for one of the Liberal governments election promises.

Overcrowding at some popular national parks will need to be managed as Canada flings open the gates.

In case you dont know, its our 150th anniversary next year in Canada, 2017, and were making all (national) parks free of entry fees next year, Morneau said as he wrapped up an appearance at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. So as youre thinking about your vacation plans for 2017, come to Canada!

The Chicago audience laughed appreciatively, no doubt imagining the empty wilderness of their northern neighbour.

But Canadians who are already booking campsites know that the most accessible gems of the national park system fill up quickly to peak-season capacity.

Parks Canada opened reservations as of January this year, rather than April, and bookings are up 20 per cent so far over the same date in 2015, spokeswoman Natalie Fay said in an email.

Some offers at certain locations are already heavily booked, particularly on long weekends and during the busy summer months, but others still have quite a lot of availability, particularly during the shoulder seasons, said Fay.

A weekday morning visit to Bruce Peninsula National Park on Georgian Bay last July illustrates the point: By 10 a.m., visitors hiking the half hour to the spectacular sea cave in the Niagara Escarpment found a rugged beach literally crawling with humanity.

During the summer months, parking to access these sites fills to capacity regularly, resulting in visitors being denied access, cautions a Bruce Peninsula tourism web site.

Its the similar situation at the most popular parks across Canada.

This week, that uncomfortable truth was raised at a House of Commons committee, where Environment Minister Catherine McKenna was testifying about her new portfolio.

Liberal MP John Aldag, who spent 32 years managing operations at national historic sites and parks before running for office in 2015, cited a recent visit to Banff where traffic is already a concern.

As we prepare for the free admission, what sort of thought is also going into maintaining ecological and cultural integrity of our parks and sites? Aldag asked McKenna, while acknowledging the $83.3 million over five years in the Liberal budget to help Parks Canada accommodate the free admissions.

I know on a summers day in Lake Louise theres no parking already and Im just wondering, with the money thats coming, if there will be any opportunities to mitigate, perhaps, increased visitation?

Im not criticizing, Aldag hastened to add. Its a wonderful thing for providing access.

McKenna acknowledged that discussions about park capacity are underway, although she downplayed the scope of the problem.

I could not think of a better way to celebrate the beauty of Canada than through free access, said the Liberal minister.

While some national parks have large numbers of visitors, others see fewer than 100 people a year. However it seems unlikely that free admission will suddenly turn remote northern parks such as Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island into tourist meccas.

The question, McKenna told the committee, is how do we maintain the ecological integrity of our parks  which is paramount  at the same time getting more people out to our parks to enjoy them?

Parks Canada says it is increasing its inventory of campsites and promoting lesser-known and less-visited parks close to urban areas, such as Thousand Islands and La Mauricie National Parks. In anticipation of a 2017 visitor boost, said Fay, we are encouraging shoulder-season visitation and promoting less-frequented and less-sensitive areas of our parks.

In an interview, Aldag called it a best-case scenario if Canadians embrace the free, Canada 150 access and rush to national parks.

The vast majority of parks are under-utilized, he said.

But when you do have crowding conditions, it impacts the entire visitor experience and it can have ecological or cultural integrity impacts.

First-time visitors to the most popular parks just need to be prepared for peak-season crowds, he said.

In some ways its managing visitor expectations.

The free access next year should give a huge boost to the profile of the national parks, which is good, as long as Parks Canada is prepared for the influx.

The key, said Aldag, is for park staff not to find themselves on July 1, 2017 saying wow, weve had really good response to this program. Now what do we do?

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This article was published 20/04/2016 (2377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO  Ontarios grain farmers were dealt a legal blow Wednesday as the provinces highest court dismissed their appeal over controversial pesticide regulations intended to protect bees in the province.

The case pitted the Grain Farmers of Ontario against the provinces Ministry of Environment and Climate Change over the issue of seeds treated with neonicotinoids  a class of pesticide used to protect crops from harmful insects.

The Ontario government unveiled restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides last year  a first in North America  after beekeepers lost more than half their hives in 2013-14.

The Grain Farmers of Ontario argued the rules were unworkable, of little benefit and would impair the ability of farmers to protect their crops from damaging insects.

They took the case to Ontarios Court of Appeal after a lower court dismissed their application for a declaration interpreting the new rules, as well as their motion to stay the regulation until its application was ruled on.

In dismissing the appeal, the higher court found the pesticide regulations were not ambiguous.

GFO has not identified a genuine dispute about the farmers rights and obligations, its ruling said. To grant the remedy that GFO seeks would be tantamount to amending a regulation through interpretation, a remedy well outside the courts discretionary power.

The GFO, which represents 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers in Ontario, said it was extremely disappointed with the courts ruling.

The decision is both frustrating and disheartening, said GFO chair Mark Brock.

In the wake of the court decision, Brock said the group will now commission an audit of the impact of the pesticide regulations on grain farmers and present the findings to the Ontario government.

Crop seeds are treated with neonicotinoids before they are planted and as the plant grows, the chemical remains in the nectar and the pollen that bees and other pollinators feed on. The pesticide has also been found in crop dust after the plants are harvested.

Under the new rules, farmers cannot use seed treated with neonicotinoids on half their land this year, and on any of it in 2017, unless crop and soil assessments prove they have crop-eating worm or insect infestations.

The appeal court pointed out that the GFO did not challenge the constitutionality of the new rules, or their validity, but rather, claimed that the rules were unclear  something the court disagreed with.

The regulatory preconditions that must be satisfied before a farmer can purchase and use treated seeds are clear, the court said. Although its policy dispute with Ontario is real and may have significant consequences for GFO, the problem of legal interpretation alleged by GFO is artificial  the dispute between the parties does not turn on the interpretation of the regulation.
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This article was published 20/04/2016 (2377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER  Stoner subculture will likely take a hit with the incoming legalization of marijuana in Canada because as the cause vanishes, so will celebration of the drug, say experts.

The declaration comes as the federal government announced a spring 2017 deadline for introducing new marijuana laws and while thousands of people gathered across Canada for the annual April 20 Weed Day protest, also known as 4-20.

Protesting against cannabis prohibition has become a social movement with its own ideology and symbols, but that will likely change with the repeal of criminalization, said Benedikt Fischer, a senior scientist with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

A man smokes marijuana during the "420 Toronto" rally in Toronto, Wednesday April 20, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch

Once marijuana becomes legalized, normalized, mainstream, the cause disappears, said Fischer. I suspect these things will kind of fizzle away.

Lynne Belle-Isle, co-founder of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, agreed that with legalization the appeal of smoking up in rebellion could disappear. She said society could benefit as messaging is developed around using the drug more safely.

Like alcohol, if you see your parents having a glass of wine with dinner, its no big deal. You learn responsible use if thats what youre exposed to, she said.

Social norms get created when youre able to do it openly, that doesnt happen when people have to hide.

One of Canadas most prominent pot protests on Wednesday was at Vancouvers Sunset Beach, with participants lighting up and eating marijuana edibles in a traditional act of mass civil disobedience.

And just like past years, a festive atmosphere rose from the crowd of revellers who mingled around a farmers market-style cluster of vendors, a stage and rows of portable toilets.

Participants buzzed over free guidelines books including a site map, messages about safe marijuana use and political slogans. Organizer Jodie Emery said $100,000 was raised to fund amenities and security for the all-day cannabis culture bash.

Last year, health officials said that more than 60 people were treated in hospital for complaints of symptoms ranging from upset stomachs to acute anxiety and psychosis. Three-quarters of them had consumed edible marijuana products.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Jane Philpott told a special United Nations session on drugs that the Liberal government is convinced marijuana legalization is the best way to protect youth and enhance public safety.

In an emotional address, she told delegates that Canada must do better when it comes to drug policy. She said Ottawas approach will be rooted in science.

Longtime marijuana activist David Malmo-Levine, 44, has attended Vancouvers pot protest for nearly two decades and said he believes pot culture is essential to achieving legalization.

If you make it look fun, more people will participate, he said.

Were going to dance down the streets and  puff on our magic flower. Once everyone is free it will turn into a formal celebration. And until everyone is free, its still a protest.

Ellis Worthington, 30, wearing a T-shirt on Sunset Beach reading I toke and I vote, said he believes legalization will see pot treated like alcohol.

I think it will become a part of everyday life, he said. You can go to an event, go to the beer garden and get some bud.

Documentary filmmaker Leandro Vilaca, 33, said legalization will change the way marijuana is branded but it will keep its image as cool and creative.

As soon as we open it up, it will become like tomatoes, he said.

When you go to Kelowna, you see wineries. When you come to Vancouver, you see dispensaries.

 Follow @TamsynBurgmann on Twitter
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This article was published 20/04/2016 (2377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER  Companies developing breathalyzers to detect marijuanas main psychoactive ingredient in suspected cannabis-impaired drivers appear to be entering a crowded field as Canada prepares to legalize pot.

Health Minister Jane Philpott announced Wednesday at a special United Nations session on drugs that legislation to begin the process of legalizing and regulating pot will be introduced next spring.

A University of British Columbia engineering professor is the latest to create a breathalyzer she says can detect THC levels in the breath of someone who has smoked pot.

University of British Columbia engineering Professor Mina Hoorfar, who helped develop a breathalyzer to detect THC levels among motorists suspected of cannabis-impaired driving, works on a prototype of the device as PhD student Mohammed Paknahad looks on in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-University of British Columbia

Mina Hoorfar said Wednesday that the hand-held device, about the size of two fingers together, can help police detect the chemical in a drivers breath within seconds, unlike blood analysis or spit tests, which are not immediate.

She said the microfluidic breath analyzer costs about $15 to manufacture and is blue-tooth enabled so people can monitor their own THC levels with a cellphone.

The sniffer, as she also called it, is superior to competing breathalyzers because it is highly sensitive to pots major high-inducing component, Hoorfar said.

False positives are a problem with other devices because any other odour can interfere with THC. With ours we separate all kinds of molecules. There wont be any false positive with ours.

Hoorfar and her colleague, PhD student Mohammad Paknahad, are in the process of applying to a university ethics board for a clinical trial.

Hoorfar said the device can detect THC on someones breath for about 12 hours but she and Paknahad are trying to push that up to 24 hours with their prototype.

Canadians suspected of driving while impaired by marijuana or other drugs face the same penalties as those who get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

The Criminal Code says a drivers blood sample may be taken under the direction of a qualified medical practitioner and that anyone who refuses or fails to comply with a demand to provide a sample commits an offence.

Kal Malhi, president of Vancouver-based Cannabix Technologies, said his company has raised millions of dollars to bring its marijuana breathalyzer to market.

He said the legalization of marijuana in Canada means police must have the right tools to get impaired drivers off the road for everyones safety.

Law enforcement has been hungry for it, said Malhi, who was a Mountie in the Vancouver area from 2000 to 2009. Society needs something like this, just like it needed the alcohol breathalyzer.

Malhi said Cannabix is leading competitors in North America and is working with the University of Florida to conduct clinical trials before aiming to get it approved in the United States and Canada.

The company conducted 100 tests using six medicinal marijuana patients in Vancouver last year, he said, with 80 per cent accuracy before switching to another technology to get better results.

We were the first to take on the technology and understand that THC can be detected in breath, he said. We know intimately whats involved, how to detect it, how quickly THC evaporates from your system and the need to capture that quickly after an offence or a roadside offence.

We have been flooded over the last 12 months by different states and different law enforcement agencies asking us to pilot-project our device.

At least three other devices have been developed in the United States in the quest to perfect a marijuana breath test  at Washington State University, by Lifelock Technologies of Colorado and Hound Labs of Oakland, Calif.

Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Colorado have legalized recreational and medicinal use of marijuana while residents of 19 other states can take pot for medical purposes only. In Washington, the maximum THC level allowed for drivers is five nanograms per millilitre of blood.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/04/2016 (2377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Highlights from the news file for Wednesday, April 20:

MARIJUANA LEGISLATION COMING: Health Minister Jane Philpott says Canada will introduce legislation in the spring of next year to begin the process of legalizing and regulating marijuana. Philpott, speaking at the United Nations, acknowledged the pot plan challenges the status quo in many countries, but she said the Liberal government is convinced its the best way to protect youth, while enhancing public safety. She made the comments during an impassioned speech at a special UN session on drugs.

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Canada's Minister of Health Jane Philpott speaks, while addressing the United Nations special session on global drug policy, Wednesday April 20, 2016 at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

SENATOR PAYS AFTER AUDIT:The last sitting senator to owe the Senate money after a critical audit of spending has paid up. Senate records show Liberal Nick Sibbeston had repaid the Senate $26,924 that he owed for disallowed expenses. A special arbitration process found that Sibbeston billed taxpayers for stays in Edmonton en route to and from his home in Fort Simpson, N.W.T. The repayment leaves seven former senators still on the hook for more than $527,000 in questionable expenses the Senate wants to recoup.

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SENATOR DUFFY VERDICT COMING: Did Sen. Mike Duffy commit a crime or didnt he? Thats the question Ontario Court Justice Charles Vaillancourt will seek to answer Thursday when he passes judgment on the 31 counts of fraud, breach of trust and bribery Duffy has faced since July 2014. But the much broader implications of the saga of the senator from Prince Edward Island are perhaps best summed up in Duffys own words to the Senate in 2013 when he delivered a scathing rebuttal of the allegations swirling around him.This, Duffy thundered, is a case for the history books.

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AFTERMATH OF NDP MANITOBA DEFEAT: The finger pointing has begun after the NDP defeat in the Manitoba election. One New Democrat who lost his seat says the party could have won if Greg Selinger had stepped down last year after a caucus revolt erupted. In Ottawa, federal leader Tom Mulcair _ who lost his own election battle in the fall _ says the results in Manitoba should surprise no one since the NDP were in power for nearly 17 years.

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GIVE HOMOLKA A CHANCE, SAY SOME: Convicted killer Karla Homolka did her time and deserves a chance to start over, say advocates dedicated to helping offenders adjust to life after prison. The mere fact Homolka had been living undetected for some time in small-town Quebec suggests the notorious criminal has successfully reintegrated into society, says Kim Pate, executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies.

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NEW MURDER CHARGE: A southern Alberta man accused of killing a two-year-old girl and her father last September is facing a new charge of first-degree murder. RCMP say Derek Saretzky is now charged in the death of Hanna Meketech, whose body was found in her Coleman, Alta., home on the evening of Sept. 9, 2015. The death of the 69-year-old woman occurred five days before the body of Terry Blanchette was found in his home in nearby Blairmore and his daughter, Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, was reported missing. The childs body was found in a rural area two days later.

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DANGEROUS DRUG SEIZED: Police and Alberta health officials are raising the alarm about a dangerous drug called W-18 that is much more toxic than fentanyl, another opioid that has been linked to hundreds of deaths in Canada. Staff Sgt. Dave Knibbs says police in Edmonton seized about four kilograms of a white powder drug in December and tests by Health Canada confirm it is W-18.

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POWER STEERING COMPLAINTS: Transport Canada says it has identified a serious safety issue involving the power steering systems on more than 295,000 vehicles sold by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. A statement issued by Transport Minister Marc Garneau says the department has received more than 100 consumer complaints involving failure of a power steering return hose. Transport Canada said the loss of power steering assist, along with the potential for a vehicle fire, was a serious safety issue and it notified the manufacturer. Affected models are the 2009-2016 Dodge Journey, the 2011-2013 Chrysler 200, the 2007-2010 Chrysler Sebring and the 2007-2013 Dodge Avenger.

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CLINTON NEARLY UNSTOPPABLE: Hillary Clinton, the nearly unstoppable Democrat, and Republican front-runner Donald Trump accelerated Wednesday toward upcoming primaries on an increasingly direct path to presidential nominations after trouncing party challengers in New York. Clinton, now 81 per cent of the way toward clinching the Democratic nomination that eluded her eight years ago, can lose every remaining contest and still prevail. Her sweeping victory in the New York primary called into question the durability of Bernie Sanders rival campaign and left him with severely limited options for overtaking her.

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500 FEARED DEAD IN SHIPWRECK: Up to 500 people are feared dead after a shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea last week, the U.N. refugee agency said Wednesday, citing the accounts of survivors. The disaster happened in waters between Italy and Libya, based on accounts from 41 survivors who were rescued on April 16 by a merchant ship, UNHCR said. The agency said that if confirmed, it would be one of the deadliest tragedies on the Mediterranean in the last year.

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MASS KILLERS RIGHTS VIOLATED: Norwegian authorities have violated the human rights of mass killer Anders Behring Breivik by holding him in solitary confinement in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise, a court in Oslo ruled Wednesday.In the surprise decision, the Oslo district court said the isolation that Breivik faces in prison for killing 77 people in a bomb-and-gun massacre in 2011 is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

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PRINCE DENIES WORK-SHY LABEL:Prince William has rejected criticism that he doesnt put enough time into royal duties in interviews before the Queens 90th birthday on Thursday.Dismissing the moniker of work-shy William, the second-in-line to the throne said in an interview broadcast Wednesday that hes balancing his royal duties with those of a husband, father and air ambulance pilot. William says when the queen is ready to hand over tasks, hell be the first person to accept them.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia considers his participation in the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council session right. Prime Minister should not make decisions emotionally, we should think based on our country interests, Prime Minister said to journalists. He stated that he participated in that session by the request of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev during his visit to Armenia.

"Of course, I could have not participate in that session and listen to the peoples call who urged not to go, however, I think that participation was very correct and effective. We should strengthen relations with our allies. There a decision was made from the very start to hold a EAEU Prime Ministers Council session in Yerevan on My 20 which was unanimously adopted. Participation was very effective, and we should strengthen relations with our ally the Russian Federation, Armenpress reports, Prime Minister says.

On April 13 Eurasian Intergovernmental Council session was held in Moscow. On April 7 Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev paid a working visit to Armenia. During the meeting the partners delayed the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council session which should be held on April 8, in Yerevan and decided to hold that session in Moscow. The delay of the session was proposed by Kazakhstan.
Euromillions jackpot winner Dolores McNamara has lost out in a 46m bidding war with an Irish commercial property giant, for one of the country's largest retail parks writes David Raleigh.

The mum-of-six from Garryowen, Limerick, who won the 115m lottery bonanza in 2005, has been outbid by Irish Life for the Childers Road Retail Park, located in her native Limerick.

Irish Life is the countrys largest commercial property owner with assets of over 2.5bn.

Last week, in a surprise move, Ms McNamara, advised by Eddie Hobbs, made an offer above the 44m guide price set by managers Harcourt Life.

Irish Life has secured the commercial park for just under 46m.

Ms McNamara, who scooped her fortune on a 2 Quickpick ticket, has other interests in the commercial property scene.

Her son, Gary who runs his mother's company Blue Haven, recently purchased a smaller business park complex, Newtown Centre, in Annacotty, Co Limerick, which was sold for over 2m.

The centre, which was controlled by Nama, was sold last October in an Allsop auction in Dublin.

The two-storey commercial development earns a rent roll of 250,000.

Had Dolores successfully won the bid for Childers Road, it would have earned her an annual rent of 3.22m, with the prospects of rent increases every five years.

Dolores McNamara purchased a 16-bedroom Victorian mansion on the shores of Lough Derg, for 3.5m, seven years after her lotto win.

At the time, the she beat off stiff competition from bidders across Europe, with a local firm of solicitors buying the estate in trust.

Her original home, a modest bungalow on St Patrick's Road, Garryowen, is currently available to rent for 1,000 a month.

The former cleaner has also purchased properties for her children in the mid west, and owns a holiday home in Turkey.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Chairman of the NKR National Assembly Ashot Ghoulian on April 20 send letter of gratitude to the President of Basque Parliament Bakartxo tejeria Otermin for the declaration adopted unanimously on April 14 about the large-scale military operations unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karbakh Republic, Armenpress was informed by the Press Service of NKR National Assembly.

This declaration is very important for Artsakh people. It is not only a political document which calls for the immediate resumption and maintenance of ceasefire and, of course, supports the peaceful settlement of the conflict through negotiations and peoples free will, but also it is an important message to say that we are not alone in the struggle for our peaceful, insecure and democratic future. Although thousands kilometers separate us, however, we are united over the same vision and values, Ashot Ghoulian's letter of gratitude reads.
Intel Ireland has said it has yet to decide which of its multiple plants worldwide will be affected by 12,000 job cuts.

The American chipmaker - one of Ireland's largest employers - has announced a

Read More:

There are currently over 4,500 people employed at its R&D facility in Leixlip in Co Kildare - that plant focuses mainly on advanced technologies.

In a statement this morning Intel Ireland has said it can not provide site specific information as of yet.

However, the company did say that the global job losses are expected to come in the form of voluntary and involuntary departures between now and mid-2017.

Statement in full from Intel Ireland this morning:

We are not providing site-specific information at this time.

Overall, however, we expect that these actions will result in a reduction of up to 12,000 positions globally by mid-2017 through site consolidations, a combination of voluntary and involuntary departures, reevaluation of projects, and an increased focus on efficiency in a variety of programs.
The number of people accessing victims and survivors services in the North is increasing by 29% a year, the Victims' Commissioner said.

Many are only now realising that their experience during years of violence was not normal, Judith Thompson added.

As people age or leave the security forces and reflect on their lives they are more likely to come forward, she told MPs.

"We have a growing demand and resources which have helpfully been protected but which are not adequate to address the need for reparations, mental health, trauma support and need for ongoing services including those with physical disabilities."

Ms Thompson gave evidence to the Norths Affairs Committee at Westminster which is investigating the work of the Commission.

She said victims were at a critical point in the North as the Stormont House and Fresh Start deals are rolled out to address the legacy of the past.

"The number of people coming forward for help and support as victims and survivors is increasing year on year in Northern Ireland by about 29%.

"The vast majority of those injured and traumatised and bereaved have not yet come forward. As you move further away from the experience ... in retrospect people realise that what they experienced was not normal.

"Sometimes as people get older, sometimes as they leave security services where they have been part of a very close community experience and reflect on things that they may have put to the back of their minds."

The commissioner has been campaigning for special pensions for those unable to make their own provision for retirement due to injuries or bereavement. Around 3,720 families have been bereaved.

She said the recent political deals were the best offered for those who suffered as a consequence of the conflict.

"I do believe that on the basis of communications and dialogue this package needs to move forward.

"Trying to achieve a better consensus and understanding is a primary piece of work for the Commission at the minute."

A Historical Investigations Unit to pursue potential prosecutions, an Independent Commission for Information Retrieval where justice is not possible and the creation of an oral history archive would be among the processes to deal with the past.

Sinn Fein has been in dispute with the British Government over part of the deal.

This month Martin McGuinness said the government must face up to its role in the conflict and deal with the legacy of the past.

Legislation sponsored by the UK Government on dealing with the past was recently approved by the House of Commons.
Update 12.03pm: Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that he has spoken to Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald Ms Fitzgerald and Attorney General Maire Whelan about the recent court ruling on suspended sentences, writes Daniel McConnell, Irish Examiner Political Editor.

Replying to Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, Mr Kenny said the Department of Justice was in consultation with the Attorney Generals office relating to the implications of the decision.

The implications of the judgement do need to be carefully considered so we can respond effectively, he added.

Earlier: The Taoiseach has promised that emergency legislation to amend laws around suspended sentences can be brought before the Dail within days, if necessary.

A raft of test cases are expected before the courts after

Read More:

The Department of Justice is consulting with the Attorney General.

Enda Kenny said that if emergency legislation is needed, it will be brought in.

The necessary action is going to be taken quickly to address the issues raised by Judge Moriartys judgement, and if necessary, Ceann Comhairle, amending legislation can be introduced into the House here very quickly, if necessary within days, despite the fact that you dont have the endorsement of a new Government, he said.

Acting Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald echoed the Taoiseach's position.

The consequences and implications of Justice Moriartys judgment have been under urgent examination in consultation with the Attorney General, a statement from Minister Fitzgerald read.

As the issues in question are likely to lead to court challenges it would not be appropriate to make detailed comment on the judgement.

However, there are no grounds for believing that persons generally who had not raised this issue in the course of proceedings which have been concluded will now be able to benefit from the finding of the High Court.

The Government will take all necessary action open to it to address the issues arising from Judge Moriartys judgement.

While legislation cannot retrospectively affect criminal cases before the courts, if, in the light of the consultations with the Attorney General, it is concluded that amending legislation is necessary, this can be introduced in the Dail very quickly  if necessary within days.
A drugs smuggler who fraudulently claimed almost 30,000 in benefits for three years when he was living in Lanzarote has been given a chance to avoid a jail sentence.

Gary Mulvany (aged 37), who now resides at an apartment in Summerhill, in Dublin 1, has been convicted of benefit fraud in a prosecution brought by the Department of Social Protection.

The offence can result in a fine of up to 2,500 and or a six-month sentence.

Dublin District Court heard he failed to tell the social welfare authorities that from July 2008 until May 2011 he was not living in the country while he continued claiming disability allowance.

Judge John O'Neill was told his fraud came to light after Mulvany was stopped as he stepped off a flight at Knock Airport.

Customs officers carried out a search and recovered drugs which resulted in him getting a three-year suspended sentence at Castlebar Circuit Court for possessing drugs for the purpose of supply.

As a consequence of that arrest, social welfare authorities became aware of his time in Lanzarote, said prosecution solicitor Joseph Maguire.

The court heard he unlawfully received 29,520, has repaid 3,948, leaving 25,572 outstanding.

Some 28 a week is now being deducted from his disability allowance to pay back the social welfare authorities and at the current rate it will take 17 years to repay.

Defence solicitor Brian Keenan asked the court to note that Mulvany has not come to further adverse attention and that a positive probation report had been furnished to the court. Mr Keenan said his client has turned his life around.

Judge John O'Neill noted that Mulvany had engaged with the Probation Service.

He adjourned the case until July for an updated report on the defendant's suitability for a community service order.

At an earlier stage, the judge, who was furnished with pre-sentence reports on the accused, said Mulvany had a childhood that no youngster should have gone through.

Defence solicitor Brian Keenan had told Judge O'Neill his client is a person with a long history of offending going back 15 years.

He had also said the case relates to Mulvany failing to notify the social welfare office that had been living in Lanzarote.

Mr Keenan said that Mulvany had previously been a heroin addict but has detoxed and he has HIV.

Judge O'Neill was also told the 37-year-old moved to the Spanish island and did not realise he should have notified the department.

Mr Keenan has also said Mulvany was apologetic for his behaviour.

Mulvany had contested the charge but was

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Fine Gael negotiator Paschal Donohoe has said that the two main parties are working hard to reach a deal.

Teams from both parties are meeting again this afternoon in a bid to form a minority government.

We are all working hard to come up with concepts and principles that will do the right thing by the country and will be acceptable to our party, he said.

Fianna Fail negotiators say they are hopeful of a deal on forming a Government in the coming days.

Thats the plan, thats the hope, said Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen.

But I mean, from our perspective, no more than Fine Gaels perspective, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed."

However several issues, such as the future of Irish Water, still have to be settled.

To be fair to everybody involved in the negotiations and the talks, its one of many issues that we continue to seek agreement on, he said.

Read: Read More: Healy-Rae: Its the next election theyre worried about

Labour leader Joan Burton has warned her party to be prepared for a second General Election.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and the Social Democrats' Stephen Donnelly are also anticipating a return to the doorsteps.

Theyve got to sort out the Irish Water issue  if they dont do that, as far as I can see, there would be an election, said Deputy Donnelly.

Well, I think youd be foolish not to be thinking about another election, sadly, said Deputy Ryan.
The new president of Irish Farmers Association has said he would back the publication of pay conditions within the body.

Joe Healy has said the organisation needs to be more transparent.
Update 7.40pm: Negotiators from Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have adjourned their talks for this evening to resume again tomorrow.

Irish Water has emerged as a major stumbling point, after an unsuccessful meeting between Enda Kenny and Micheal Martin today.

Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe says both sides are determined to reach a deal if it is at all possible.

Update 5.06pm: Finance Minister Michael Noonan has said that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are keen to compromise - but admitted that Irish Water remains a major issue.

Well, nothing is agreed until everything is agreed, to use the usual formula he said.

But its down to about five or six net points, I would think  and Irish Water obviously is one of them.

Update 5.03pm: Talks have re-commenced between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail at Trinity College in Dublin this afternoon writes Daniel McConnell, Irish Examiner Political Editor.

Negotiating teams were due to meet earlier this morning, but a meeting between acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin ended without agreement.

Talks are said to be at an impasse.

The party leaders discussed significant changes to Irish Water and water charges during their latest negotiations.

Update 3.58pm: Fianna Fail's Willie O'Dea has said that be cannot understand Fine Gael's commitment to the utility.

I find it difficult to know why Fine Gael would be so determined on a course of action that has been rejected, as far as I can see, by about 70% of the voters, and has been opposed by about 60-70% of the members in there, he said.

I mean, to hang your hat on something like that seems, to me, to be extremely foolish.

Earlier: Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin have held face-to-face talks over the future of Irish Water after their negotiating teams failed to agree a breakthrough on the vital issue, writes Fiachra O Cionnaith, Political Reporter.

The two rivals met this morning in a bid to resolve the ongoing stand-off which is threatening to bring government formation talks to a halt and force a second election.

It is understood that while Mr Kenny and Mr Martin have been in regular contact by phone in recent days, today's meeting was organised due to specific concerns that no deal can be reached on Irish Water.

However, despite hopes the leaders may be able to come to some form of deal with each other, it is claimed they too have failed to find a way to end the stand-off.

The situation has thrown fresh doubt over the future of talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail on how a minority Government can be organised, and represents a significant blow to the chances of avoiding a second election.

In a day of intense talks in Trinity College yesterday, both parties' negotiating teams discussed the feasibility of new water charge waivers for vulnerable people, a reduction or delay in charges, the possibility of replacing Irish Water with a publicly owned utility and other matters.

No agreement was reached however and there was no discussion on what would happen to Irish Water workers, whether a referendum ensuring water services are not privatised and other key matters.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Iran and Russia must use their opportunities to achieve peace in Karabakh. Enough instability and wars are in that region, and we cannot let another war break out.

As Armenpress reports, this was stated by Chairman of the Iranian parliament Ali Larijani to a question of Vestnik Kavkaza in Moscow, adding that the NKR conflict is the main regional issue under the focus of Iran.

Larijani said that during his visit to Moscow he held intensive negotiations with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ogtay Asadov regarding the NKR settlement issue.

Along with our Russian friends, we share the opinion that we cannot let the war to expand in the region. For this reason, Iran and Russia must use their opportunities to convince Azerbaijan and Armenia to settle the conflict politically, he said.

On April 2 Azerbaijan attacked the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Azerbaijan bombarded Armenian positions and civilian settlements in NKR and fired large caliber weapons, combat helicopters, mortars, grenade launchers and artillery systems. The Azerbaijani aggression was suppressed by the strong countermeasures of the NKR Armed Forces. The military operations continued for more than 3 days. The ceasefire agreement was reached upon the request of the Azerbaijani side and mediation of Russia on April 5 at 12:00.

On May 12, 1994 the ceasefire agreement was reached upon the request of Azerbaijan. Currently, negotiations are underway for the settlement of the conflict, mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs (Russia, USA, France), based on their proposals of November 2007.

Till now Azerbaijan does not fulfill the 1993 4 resolutions of the UN Security Council, and violates the international law on the non-use of force and non-use of threat of force.

Armenia is convinced that the effectiveness of the settlement process is impossible without the full participation of Nagorno Karabakh in negotiations.
An Australian mother and TV crew caught up in a high-profile child custody battle and detained in Beirut amid a botched attempt to take the woman's two children from their Lebanese father have been released on bail.

Ali Amin, the father of the two children, aged three and five, said he dropped attempted kidnapping charges against his estranged Australian wife Sally Faulkner and the Channel 9 TV crew because he "didn't want the kids to think I was keeping their mother in jail".

Faulkner and the four-person TV crew, led by prominent Australian TV journalist Tara Brown, hugged each other outside a jail in Baabda, a Beirut suburb, before they were driven off in a white minivan. They were escorted by an Australian embassy vehicle.

The release of the five was a climax in a family drama - complete with the involvement of a prominent television crew - that has made headlines both in Australia and the Middle East.

The five Australians are implicated in the operation to seize the two children from Mr Amin two weeks ago.

Two Britons and two Lebanese have also been charged in the case but they remain in jail.

Faulkner surrendered any custody claims to the two children in Lebanon as part of a deal struck with Mr Amin in front of a judge on Wednesday, her lawyer said.

"She will accept that the children will stay with their father," said the lawyer, Ghassan Moughabhab, who acknowledged that Mr Amin had received a judgment earlier in his favour from a Lebanese religious court. "Taking into consideration the Lebanese law, he's in the right."

Mr Amin said he would raise the young children in Lebanon and would allow Faulkner to visit them.

He said he could imagine taking the children to visit their mother in Australia, but only at some point in the future.

"When everything cools down and we come to our senses in regards to all this, then yes," said the father.

"There's still a bit of tension but at the end of the day, we have to come to some sort of balanced relation between her and I," he added.

Lebanese father Ali al-Amin speaks to journalists after dropping charges against his estranged wife.

Investigative judge Rami Abdullah said the state still has to review whether to drop public charges against the suspects, but that Faulkner and the camera crew would be free to leave Lebanon once they post bail.

"There is a crime that happened, and everyone has a role in the affair," said Judge Abdullah.

The judge also said Faulkner and the TV crew will be expected to return to Lebanon to stand trial if the public charges are not dropped. He said his office will review the case. Last week, he said the nine suspects face up to 15 years in prison if tried and convicted of the charges.

The suspects also face charges filed by Mr Amin's mother, who was struck and knocked to the ground during the incident two weeks ago. Mr Amin said she suffered a head injury but was recovering.

Faulkner has a three-month-old child with another father in Australia.
A fresh tremor rattled Ecuador overnight, a 6.1-magnitude jolt that was the strongest aftershock since a lethal earthquake killed hundreds of people on Saturday.

The tremor was centred offshore, 25km (15 miles) west of Muisne, at 3.33am local time, the US Geological Survey said.

There was no immediate report of further damage. The previous strongest aftershock was magnitude 5.7.

The National Prosecutors Office put the death toll at 525 on Wednesday - up from a previous official toll of 507 - but officials expected more bodies to be found, with the defence department reporting that more than 200 people were still missing.

The office said on its official Twitter account that there were at least 11 foreigners among the dead. It said that of the 525 fatal victims, 15 people remained unidentified but none were foreign.

The office said 435 of the dead were found in the Manta, Portoviejo and Pedernales areas.

The final toll could surpass casualties from earthquakes in Chile and Peru in the past decade.

Ecuadoreans have begun burying loved ones, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found.

In the small town of Montecristi, near the port city of Manta, two children were among those buried. They were killed with their mother while buying school supplies when the magnitude-7.8 quake struck on Saturday night.

The funeral had to be held outside under a makeshift awning because the town's Roman Catholic church was unsafe from structural damage. Family members wailed loudly and one man fainted as the children were laid to rest in an above-ground vault.

Scenes of mourning multiplied all along Ecuador's normally placid Pacific coastline, where the tremor flattened towns and killed hundreds. Funeral homes are running out of coffins to accommodate so many casualties, and local governments are paying to bring in coffins from other cities.

Even as grief mounted, there were glimmers of hope.

In several cities rescuers with sniffer dogs, hydraulic jacks and special probes that can detect breathing from far away continued to search for survivors among the rubble. At least six were found in Manta early on Tuesday.

One of the most hopeful tales was that of Pablo Cordova, who held out for 36 hours beneath the rubble of the hotel where he worked in Portoviejo, drinking his own urine and praying that mobile phone service would be restored before his phone battery died.

He was finally able to call his wife on Monday afternoon and was pulled from the wreckage soon after by a team of rescuers from Colombia.

Mr Cordova's wife had given up on ever seeing him again and managed to buy a coffin.

"They were organising the funeral, but I've been reborn," Mr Cordova said, grinning from beneath his bushy moustache in a provincial hospital. "I will have to give that coffin back because I still have a long way to go before I die."

Rescuers who have arrived from Mexico, Colombia, Spain and other nations said they would keep searching for survivors on Wednesday, but cautioned that time was running out and the likelihood of finding more people alive grew smaller with the passage of every hour.

Even as authorities begin to shift their attention to restoring electricity and clearing debris, the earth continued to move. Late on Tuesday afternoon, a magnitude-5.5 tremor rattled buildings in the region. It was the second strongest of more than 400 aftershocks since the weekend quake and was felt 170 kilometres (105 miles) away in the capital Quito.

Saturday's earthquake destroyed or damaged about 1,500 buildings, triggered mudslides and left some 20,000 people homeless, the government said. It was the worst tremor in Ecuador since one in 1949 killed more than 5,000 people.

Some 13 nations are involved in the relief effort. Cuba sent doctors, Venezuela has flown in food and the US government said it is sending a team of disaster experts.

US president Barack Obama spoke by phone with Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa on Tuesday. The White House said Mr Obama offered condolences on behalf of the American people for lives lost.

The United Nations' top official for emergency relief, undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs Stephen O'Brien, toured devastated areas to see how aid pouring into the country can be best directed to ravaged communities.

Mr Correa has spent the past few days overseeing relief efforts and delivering supplies. He said the quake caused three billion dollars (2 billion) in damage, about 3% of gross domestic product, and rebuilding would take years.

"It's going to be a long battle," he told reporters.

After a deadly earthquake in Chile in 2010, that South American country was able to get back on its feet quickly thanks to a commodities boom that was energising its economy.

But Ecuador must rebuild amid a deep recession that has forced austerity on the Opec nation's finances.

Even before the quake, the International Monetary Fund was forecasting the oil-dependent economy would shrink 4.5% this year.
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YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. 32 member medical unit of the Armenian Armed Forces participates in Merged sharp-2016 multinational military drill since March 29, 2016, located in the US Army Joint Multinational Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany. The military drill ends soon. The exercise involved a total of 5000 soldiers from 16 countries, Armenpress was informed by the Department of Information and Public Relations of the Armenian Defense Ministry.

During the exercise the Armenian side provided 2th level medical care based on NATO standards and opened for the first time in abroad the US EMEDS system portable field hospital of the Armenian Armed Forces.

The medical staff of the Armenian Armed forces, who participated in the military drill, showed an urgent assistance to the evacuation of wounded persons, provided first medical care, assisted to the stabilization of wounded situation and intervened in surgical operations in situations similar to military operations. The United States Army Europe commander and lieutenant-general Ben Hodges arrived in Germany to follow the exercise process where he also met the Armenian servicemen.

The following military exercise will strengthen the professional skills of EMEDS system portable field hospital staff of the Armenian Armed Forces to provide an urgent assistance in military conditions and it will lead to the rise of cooperation level in the multinational environment.
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YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Issues of the Armenian-American economic cooperation were discussed on April 19 during the meeting of the Minister of Economy of Armenia Artsvik Minasyan and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia Richard Mills.



As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, expressing gratitude for the extensive support and assistance to our country over the years, the Minister presented the Armenia's economic situation, reforms carried out in all fundamental spheres, expected growth in various sectors, as well as problems and activities aimed at their solutions.



During the meeting were stressed the importance of activities carried out by the U.S.  Armenia Council on Trade and Investment set up under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Armenia.



Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity of meeting Ambassador Mills noted that the Ministry of Economy is an important partner, with whom existing good working relations are guarantee of deepening relations.



The U.S. Embassy has a close and effective partnership with the Ministry of Economy working together as part of the recently established U.S.  Armenia Council on Trade and Investment (TIFA Council) to boost bilateral economic and commercial ties. We are also looking forward to continue our cooperation in the areas of civil aviation, tourism, business promotion, and the fight against corruption, Ambassador Mills said.



Artsvik Minasyan presented the process of ongoing reforms, referred to the process of review of legislation on competition, constitutional changes, due to the Ministry's commitment to establish anti-corruption policy, stressing the importance of openness and transparency in all processes.



I think that sectorial reforms, including the reforms on competitive environment created by the documents and formulations of qualified professionals will only boost the successful implementation of them, said Artsvik Minasyan noting the importance of continuing the educational programs.



During the meeting a reference was made to the possibility of implementing joint innovative projects, as well as deepening cooperation in the spheres of tourism, information technologies, investment, etc.



At the end of the meeting the parties once again reaffirmed their readiness for commitment to develop and strengthen the cooperation.
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YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. The body of the killed Armenian serviceman transferred by Azerbaijan to the Armenian side will be identified after forensic examination, Head of the NKR State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and the Missing Viktor Kocharyan answered the question whether Azerbaijani side has transferred the body of missing Argishti Gaboyan to the NKR during in an interview with Armenpress. At this moment I cannot say anything. There must be an examination, it will be clear when the relatives identify the body, said Kocharyan.

On April 20, at 16.00, in accordance with the arrangement reached between the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the Azerbaijani side handed over the body of a deceased serviceman near Bash-Karvend settlement. Until now the Armenian side had one missing person Argishti Gaboyan.
A stone scraper uncovered on Springbank Island has reinforced Canberra's status as a traditional meeting place for Aboriginal people and suggests they occupied the area alongside early European settlers.

The thumbnail scraper was among 35 stone artefacts undergraduate archaeology students and community members found in an excavation of the island as part of a joint project last year by the Australian National University and Canberra Archaeological Society to find remnants of a homestead and Indigenous occupation on the site.

ANU lecturer Dr Duncan Wright with the stone scraper uncovered on Springbank Island. Credit:Stuart Hay

ANU lecturer Dr Duncan Wright said the large number of stone artefacts uncovered among rubble, bricks and early to mid-19th century ceramics from the homestead was a surprise.

Six of the stone pieces were found in the same context of the homestead layer uncovered by the group, suggesting Aboriginal people had been in the area at the same time Europeans lived in the homestead
A man accused of raping a woman he offered to help outside a Civic nightclub has been committed to stand trial in the ACT Supreme Court.

Kerry Roy Bye, 24, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual intercourse without consent, committing an act of indecency without consent, and second degree sex assault in the ACT Magistrates Court.

The case ended with a judgment by consent before Justice John Burns in the ACT Supreme Court on Friday. Credit:Graham Tidy

He was behind bars after a magistrate denied him bail on Saturday for returning to the same nightclub in breach of his bail conditions.

Court documents, filed during a bail hearing late last year, said Bye offered to call a taxi to help a woman outside a nightclub after he saw her vomit several times one night in November.
A detainee who fled from Canberra Hospital's mental health unit has pleaded guilty to escaping custody.

Ned Ian Barker, 26, was on the run for about 18 hours after he escaped from ACT Corrective Services staff at the hospital, where he was receiving treatment, last Tuesday afternoon.

Detainee Ned Barker, who was on the run for 18 hours before recapture.

Barker was captured after a member of the public found him in Braddon the next morning and phoned police.

Barker pleaded guilty to the escape, as well as minor theft and trespass, in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Christoph Mueller, the experienced airline executive brought in to turn around ailing carrier Malaysia Airlines, has announced his exit after spending just over a year as chief executive.

Mr Mueller, the former head of Ireland's Aer Lingus who has been restructuring the airline in the wake of the twin losses of MH370 and MH17 in 2014, will depart in September.

Malaysia Airlines chief executive Christoph Mueller has led a major turnaround at the struggling carrier. Credit:Steven Siewert

The airline's owner, Malaysian sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional, said Mr Mueller would not serve out his three-year contract term "due to a change in personal circumstances". However, he has committed to remaining on the board as a non-executive director to see through a transition to a new leader.

On Mr Mueller's watch, the airline has cut 6000 workers, abandoned unprofitable routes including Brisbane-Kuala Lumpur, signed a new partnership agreement with Emirates and upgraded its A330 business-class product. The airline reported a profit in the month of February, the first positive monthly result in years.
Big business and the banks will bear the brunt of Australian Securities and Investments Commission's new user-pays model, expected to cover more than 80 per cent of the regulator's beefed-up $350 million budget.

The regulator's current budget is about $312 million a year, but with the extra $127 million package over four years, the vast majority of which will come from banks, the regulator's budget is expected to be boosted close to $350 million a year, after about $6 million goes back to Treasury to recover its costs.

ASIC's budget is expected to be boosted to nearly $350 million a year.

Banks, financial advisers and brokers would be hit with more than 80 per cent of ASIC's costs based on the amount of time the regulator spends enforcing the sector, according to ASIC's own analysis.

The balance would largely be drawn from fees for services such as registrations and licence applications when the user-pays model is introduced in the second half of 2017.
Assets up for grabs Fairfax has exclusively obtained court documents revealing the assets to be seized, under a deal struck between fraud investigators and Revell-Reade's lawyers. They include: - a Mini Cooper car, a Land Rover Defender four wheel drive and a Harley Davidson motorcycle in Australia,

- a yacht named 'Bellagio' worth almost a quarter of a million dollars, - one Rolex 'Oyster Perpetual silver' and one Cartier wristwatch, each worth $7500, - $130,000 worth of art in storage in Australia, - $490,000 from his Oz Group and subsidiary companies  a Melbourne-based business specialising in the administration of superannuation funds, and - a mansion in Wimbledon, London, worth 6.5million ($12m).

Tracking down a fortune However the list of assets also betrays the difficulty police had locating Revell-Reade's fortune. In the court documents, a sum of 860,000 is described as an "asset last traced into Enfinium (corporate) structure Hong Kong, whereabouts unknown". Another sum of 580,000 is described as the value of Revell-Reade's interest "last traced to a Thai villa purchase". And 400,000 is listed as "Proceeds of sale of Einstein's Coffee Shop, current whereabouts unknown".

A court-appointed receiver will also recover "tainted" cash gifts he passed to his family and partner. In London's Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Michael Gledhill said Mr Revell-Reade had benefited from his criminal conduct to the amount of 43,864,353. "After an extensive investigation by officers of the Serious Fraud Office I am satisfied that the assets available to this defendant to go towards making payment of that benefit amount to 10,751,000." 'Unexpected indignities' Mr Revell-Reade could be jailed for up to an extra ten years if he fails to hand over this amount within three months.

However Judge Gledhill said he was aware the order "does not even cover one quarter of the benefit received by this defendant". If at some future date further assets were found, "I have no doubt at all that an application will be made to re-open proceedings to amend the order to recover assets as and when they are found," he said. He added that he hoped the full 10.75m figure would be paid, as then Mr Revell-Reade would be free to serve the remainder of his jail sentence in Australia. He is currently in London's old Wandsworth Prison, which his lawyer said imposed "unexpected indignities" on his client. "I quite understand why Mr Revell-Reade wants to get home to Australia as soon as possible," Judge Gledhill said.

Revell-Reade was in court for the confiscation order, wearing a scarlet jumper and glasses, following the proceedings intently. The confiscation process for Revell-Reade's co-accused in the fraud, Anthony May, was even less successful. On Monday Judge Gledhill said May had benefited from 69 million in fraud proceeds  however just 250,000 in assets were located. Judge Gledhill said May had not given "full and frank" assistance to the SFO in identifying his assets. "A quarter of a million pounds appears to be but a drop in the ocean, compared with the amount of money the victims were defrauded, I am well aware of that," he said. "But I am afraid that's the amount of assets the SFO are aware of in this case."

Mark Thompson, head of the SFO's Proceeds of Crime division said: "These individuals benefited substantially from their crimes. Their lavish lifestyles featured numerous overseas properties, wine collections and a luxury yacht. We welcome these orders which the pair now need to pay or face a further period of imprisonment." Earlier this year two Hong Kong-based businessmen, James Sutherland and Jack Flader, were acquitted of money laundering after being charged by the SFO over their role in distributing the proceeds of Revell-Reade's fraud. Sutherland spends much of his time in Australia, where his family lives, and Flader was linked to the Trio Capital superannuation scandal, though never prosecuted. The men, who ran a business managing the financial affairs of the mega-rich, wove a web of corporate structures, bank accounts and offshore shells administered from Hong Kong and Switzerland, in a 'blind trust' on Revell-Reade's behalf, spanning companies and accounts across the world, in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. NATO and Russia have profound and persistent disagreements, Armenpress reports, citing TASS, the North Atlantic Alliances Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.

"NATO and Russia have profound and persistent disagreements. Todays meeting did not change that," Stoltenberg said after Russia-NATO Council session in Brussels.

"NATO Allies remain firm that there can be no return to practical cooperation until Russia returns to the respect of international law," he noted.

"But we will keep channels of communication open. Especially when tensions are high, political dialogue is necessary to discuss our differences and to reduce the risk of military incidents," Stoltenberg concluded.



German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer told a press briefing on Wednesday that Germany welcomes the NATO-Russia Council meeting and believes that the alliance and Moscow should keep up the dialogue to exchange views and avoid possible misunderstandings.



"Minister Steinmeier noted that, in his opinion, it is important to maintain dialogue in difficult times to avoid misunderstandings and exchange views and information on maneuvers," he said.

"The German government positively evaluates the fact that it came to this meeting. As for the expectations, it is impossible to eliminate all differences during one meeting. We believe that they can be resolved under the condition of maintaining dialogue with each other, including in such format as the NATO-Russia Council," Schaefer said.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Germany evaluates positively the resumption of the work of the NATO-Russia Council.

"It is good that the first meeting in nearly two years within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council took place today," he said. "I spoke out in favor of avoiding the interruption of the lifeline in the talks with Russia, including in the difficult moments when tensions escalated in Ukraine," he said.

"Due to multiple complex issues, the dialogue itself is valuable and should be continued. This is the only way for us to reach an understanding of the problems and the necessary solutions," the minister said.



As for the Russian side, Moscow does not feel any discomfort from absence of regular dialogue with NATO while maintaining contacts with its member countries, Russian Ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko said on Wednesday. According to the diplomat, Russia and NATO have no positive agenda at the moment, and the date for the new session of the Russia-NATO Council has not been set yet.

"The problem is that NATO and we have no positive agenda today," he said. "All cooperation projects that were important for the security of Russia and the NATO member-countries have been discontinued. The project to train personnel for the anti-drug services of Afghanistan, Central Asia and Pakistan has been terminated. The project to train qualified personnel for providing maintenance service to Russian and Soviet helicopters in Afghanistan that are the basis of the Afghan aviation has been severed. Cooperation on the entire range of the fight against terrorism, including the provision of anti-terrorism security in public places, has been discontinued."

"Russia has nothing against holding a new meeting of the NATO-Russia Council but only when there is a real agenda," the ambassador said.

According to the diplomat, the dialog on strengthening trust is impossible without reduction of NATOs presence at Russias borders.

"We have enough measures of trust and control of military activity," Grushko said after a Russia-NATO Council session in Brussels. "The problem is not the lack of such mechanisms but the lack of NATOs readiness to stop building up military capabilities in regions adjacent to Russian territory, as well as new systems of communications and control, new command posts, set up new warehouses or station armored vehicles. We should see the essence of the problem and not hope that superficial measures will help solve problems caused by NATOs plan to paint Russia as a country that needs to be deterred," he added.






When running any company it's important to know what you are in the business of actually doing. For CEO of transport search engine Rome2rio, Rod Cuthbert, the answer is easy: "We help people answer the question 'How do I get from A-B?' We've made a rock-solid decision that that's a good business to be in," he says.

By the numbers at least, he's right. The site, which launched in 2011, currently gets over 8 million visitors a month (he expects that will hit 30 million within another couple of years, based on current growth).

Rod Cuthbert is the CEO of Rome2rio, which gets 8 million visitors a month.

The idea that users could ask "How do I get from London to Geneva?" and be provided with options and pricing on everything from planes and trains to ridesharing, came about when two former Microsoft employees (Michael Cameron and Bernie Tschirren) had the idea of building a search engine just for travel.

Then San Francisco-based, Cuthbert had just sold his travel aggregator Viator to TripAdvisor,. All three were keen to move back home to Australia, so they joined forces, using Cuthbert's commercial nous to give the technically driven concept legs.
"We've never seen anything like this scale of bleaching before. In the northern Great Barrier Reef, it's like 10 cyclones have come ashore all at once," Professor Hughes said. "Towards the southern end, most of the reefs have minor to moderate bleaching and should soon recover." Professor Hughes said the aerial work had been backed up by in-water surveys, which are still under way, of about 150 to 200 reefs. The presence of bleaching does not necessarily mean that coral will die, as they can recover when waters return to cooler temperatures. Just how much of the bleached coral across the barrier reef will ultimately die off will take months to be known. Once dead it can take a decade or more for many species of coral to return.

Coral bleaching around Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Eddie Jim. Professor Andrew Baird, from the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said north of Port Douglas, "we're already measuring close to 50 per cent mortality of bleached corals". "At some reefs, the final toll is likely to exceed 90 per cent." But in the southern regions corals have largely escaped damaging levels of bleaching due to cooler sea temperatures, Professor Hughes said, and it is expected most will survive and regain their normal colour in coming months. The damage on the barrier reef is part of a global mass bleaching event that has hit corals hard in many places including Hawai, Fiji and New Caledonia. It is only the third global event in recorded history, with the other two occurring in 1998 and 2010.

It is not just the Great Barrier Reef being hit in Australia. Coral bleaching is now also rolling out across western reefs. Dr Verena Schoepf, from the University of Western Australia, said the coastal area she was studying north of Broome was seeing up to 80 per cent of corals turning "snow white". Coral bleaching has also been triggered as far south as Sydney Harbour, the first time in recorded history that has occurred. Scientists and the conservation movement say the bleaching is stark evidence of the impact climate change is having on the Great Barrier Reef, which attracts approximately $5 billion in tourism each year. Environment groups in particular have sought to link the bleaching event to the recent mining approvals by the Queensland government for the proposed Carmichael coal mine, which would be Australia's largest, saying the eventual burning of the mined coal would cause further damage to the barrier reef through its contribution to global warming.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov met with Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Sergey Naryshkin on April 20 in the sidelines of his working visit to Moscow. Armenpress was informed about this from the staff of the Vice President of the National Assembly.

Sergey Naryshkin thanked for Armenias participation in the conference titled The Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation for the Benefit of the Joint Welfare of the Eurasian Regional Countries in the 21st Century and hoped that works in that format will be continuous.

Eduard Sharmazanov thanked for the reception and highly appreciated the ideology of the conference, assessing it as one of the guarantees for the security of countries, which is displayed by the dialogue between parliaments. The Vice President of the Armenian parliament stated that Russia, being a CSTO member state and OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair country, is well aware of regional security issues, particularly that the leadership of Azerbaijan unleashed military aggression along the entire line of contact with Nagorno Karabakh, grossly violating the agreement of the ceasefire regime signed in 1994 between Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

Eduard Sharmazanov mentioned that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries, including Russia, must force Azerbaijan to return to the ceasefire regime of 1994 as the war crimes committed by Azerbaijani authorities claim lives of numerous people, both servicemen and civilians who were villainously killed by Azerbaijani troops. Azerbaijani armed forces killed also a child, an act that goes beyond all universal laws.

We positively assess Russias efforts for reaching a verbal armistice agreement through which Azerbaijan conventionally returned to the ceasefire regime signed in 1994, and that act is conventional, as Azerbaijan continues to periodically violate the ceasefire regime which results in new casualties in the Armenian side, Sharmazanov mentioned. Referring to the Turkish authorities, the National Assembly Vice President expressed concern over the fact that Turkey, keeping Armenia under blockade, is the only country in the world that supports the crimes of the Azerbaijani authorities.

Turning to Sergey Naryshkin, the Vice President of the Armenian parliament once again stated that the people of Artsakh must fully realize their right to self-determination and save, secure and independent life. No one and never the people of Artsakh can be deprived of these rights. Eduard Sharmazanov introduced to the Chairman of the State Duma the detailed handwriting Azerbaijani armed forces, which fully resembles the behavior of famous terrorist group Daesh.

In response to the facts introduced by Sharmazanov, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Sergey Naryshkin expressed concern stating that what happened in early April was the first operation in such a scale since the establishment of the ceasefire regime, which is really concerning.

Sergey Naryshkin mentioned that the Russian delegation will participate in the global forum Against the Crime of Genocide to be held in Yerevan on April 23.
It may be the Queen's 90th birthday, but when the family was photographed for a sheet of commemorative stamps. it was her great-grandson Prince George who stole the show.

A picture released today shows the two-year-old royal grinning cheekily as he poses with the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.

Prince George has stolen the show as he stands front and centre on a pile of gym blocks at a photoshoot for the Queen's 90th birthday. Credit:Royal Mail

But, as the picture is set to be made into a stamp sheet, each of the royals' heads needed to be at roughly the same height, requiring the chubby-cheeked toddler to stand on a stack of gym blocks in order to get the perfect shot.

The photo was taken last summer, but was only released to the public on Tuesday. The stamp sheet feature four stamps  crops of the heads of each of the family's four generations depicted in the shot  and will be available to purchase in the UK from Thursday (just in time for royal enthusiasts to send a birthday card to the Queen, who will be 90 on Friday).
Illustration: Rocco Fazzari "So we've worked out [our parents'] estate planning as well as each of our sisters' so that that comes via us to be put through that trust rather than just handed to the respective children direct." Too-hard basket When someone dies leaving a DIY will, a surviving spouse and children from a previous marriage, it can be a recipe for disaster  or at least unseemly squabbles over money. Balancing a blended family can be a minefield when estate planning, even when they're not as big as the Brady Bunch.

Even families who previously enjoyed harmonious relations can end up in court. In such cases, the only winners are lawyers, says Brian Hor, special counsel, superannuation and estate planning at Townsend Business and Corporate Lawyers. "Will kits are based on the assumption that they are being used by the traditional nuclear family and their assets are very straightforward," Hor notes. Even with advice, estate planning for blended families can hardly be called straightforward. As a funeral celebrant, Robyn O'Connell, 61, is constantly reminded that death can come at any time. Her funeral is all planned but when it comes to wills she and her second husband David, 56, have writer's block. They've been married for seven years and are yet to write their wills.

They openly discuss it and have even consulted a lawyer. But "it just keeps getting put into the too-hard basket", O'Connell says. Between them they have three sons: he has two from his first marriage and she has one. All are in their 30s. But for about 20 years David and one of his sons were barely in touch. "It's fine for the two boys that we see all the time but what do we do with him?" asks O'Connell. "Do we include him? Does he get an equal share?" In the past year father and son have re-established their relationship, so now a three-way split seems to make more sense. Still she wonders how that decision might impact the relationships their sons have with each other and what might happen if she dies first. "What happens if David meets somebody else? What if she has five children?" Plus, they weigh up each child's financial situation and the impact their former spouses and their financial position might have on their children. "It's such a grey area, such a grey area. There's not a formula," she says.

There may be trouble ahead O'Connell is not alone in finding wills challenging, as a 2015 study by QUT, entitled Having the Last Word? Will making and contestation in Australia, showed. It found unequal shares of an estate are more likely in blended families and where a will is contested most claimants are adult children in conflict with siblings or their parent's partner. "For such families it was often about the extent to which children were seen to be children of both parties," concluded the study, particularly if the relationship occurred later in life. Will power

Without a will, your estate will be distributed according to the intestacy rules in your state. To start making some decisions it helps to know some basic estate planning facts (see box). Alana Metcalfe, a solicitor at Newcastle law firm Roberts Legal, has written an Advanced Estate Planning Guide. She begins by talking to people about who would be entitled to a share of their estate. Under the Succession Act in NSW an "eligible person" might be a spouse; a former spouse or a child, for example. "Then there's other groups of people who can't actually make a claim on the estate, so if they are left out of a will it is really of no consequence," she says. These include step-grandchildren, for instance. Testamentary trusts

Hor says a testamentary trust can be a useful vehicle for blended families. It is established in a person's will and activated after their death and can be used to hold assets including property and investments. "A fairly simple strategy in that situation might be that you give a life interest to your surviving spouse under your will in relation to all or part of your estate," he says. Then once he or she passes away or remarries, the capital can go to the children from the previous marriage. They can also be handy for people who have children with blended families if they only want to benefit their biological descendants, Hor says. Anna Hacker, national manager of estate planning at Equity Trustees, says it's important to ensure that everyone is comfortable with a life interest arrangement. "If the spouse is unhappy about it then unfortunately it is usually successfully challenged in court." Insurance bonds can also be a way to provide for a particular beneficiary or beneficiaries such as a child or children from a previous marriage. Because they are separate to the will they don't have to go through the probate system. Mutual wills

A common concern is how children from a previous marriage will be treated by a surviving spouse. One couple each had a child from a previous relationship and they agreed to split their estate equally between the two children. When the husband died his surviving spouse changed her will to leave 70 per cent to her own child and 30 per cent to his child. Hor suggests mutual wills can help deal with these concerns. It is a separate agreement to ensure there are consequences if a surviving spouse changes their mind after someone has passed away. Unequal shares In the QUT study, most will-makers in step/blended families reported either excluding or leaving a smaller share to their step-children. But there are fears that such decisions might lead to the will being contested.

Hacker suggests "rewarding" those whom you want to receive more, rather than punishing those you want to receive less. "You might have previously given most of your wealth away through gifts in the first part of your will  through bequests or specific gifts of property  and then it might be an equal distribution in the residuary estate." Keeping a signed statement of intention with your will might help to explain the thinking behind unequal shares if there is a challenge to the estate, says Metcalfe. Don't forget your super Most people do not realise that superannuation generally does not form part of someone's will. Super balances are not directly held by an individual, so they can't form part of a will. Rather, super is held by the super fund trustees on an individual's behalf  so when they die, the trustees have the say in how that money is dealt with.

So what do you need to do to ensure your super goes to your preferred beneficiary? First, put in place a binding death benefit nomination  otherwise the trustee has the discretion to decide what happens to your super. Hacker says cases repeatedly show that even if super has been left to children from a previous marriage, trustees will usually make a different choice if there is no valid binding death nomination. "They would almost always choose a spouse over a child, regardless of what the person wanted, because the spouse is the dependant and super is for dependants." Note that most super funds require binding death nominations to be renewed every three years. Only a non-lapsing binding death nomination does not have to be renewed. A self-managed super fund trust deed can be updated to include one, says Hor.

Case in point A recent case, Brine v Carter, highlights the importance of understanding these differences as well as who you put in control of your estate, says Hor. When Professor Brine died in 2012, his surviving de facto spouse, Norma Carter, and three sons from a previous marriage, became the executors of his will. He left two super accounts with a public offer super fund. One was to go to his surviving spouse, and the other to his estate to look after his three sons under his will. But because all four were executors of his will, Carter was aware of the second account and she asked the super fund to pay it directly to her as the sole surviving dependant. As Hor explains, as the death benefit nomination was non-binding, the super fund agreed to pay it to Carter.

The sons took her to court, arguing that as one of the four executors she had a duty to look after the estate. They also applied separately on behalf of the estate to get the second account to go to the estate. Ultimately, that application was their undoing as it signalled their consent to Carter's claim and Carter was paid the $630,299 death benefit from the second account. "The irony of the case is this," says Hor. "If the three sons did nothing and didn't pursue a claim themselves then she would have been under a duty to pay the money that was meant to go to the estate to the estate." Tough talk Thinking carefully when choosing an executor and having the hard conversations with family members can help prevent turmoil when you pass away. So can seeking professional advice, regularly reviewing your will, and renewing binding death benefit nominations if needed. "That tough conversation is tough, but having a whole family completely break up and never speak to each other again is probably a worse outcome," Hacker says.

Estate planning 101  If you die without a will your assets are distributed according to the intestacy rules in your state.  When you marry, any previous will is no longer valid.  A de facto/domestic partner is generally entitled to a share of your estate when you have lived together continuously for two years. Check your state's definition.  The family home transfers directly to your surviving spouse or partner unless you own it as tenants in common.
Voters in marginal seats across NSW are set to abandon the federal government over its refusal to fund the final two years of Gonski funding, a new poll shows.

Polling of up to 4000 voters in six marginal seats, undertaken by ReachTEL on behalf of the NSW Teachers Federation, found that up to three times as many people believed the federal government should continue funding Gonski as those who opposed the funding model.

It is the first poll of the key education issue ahead of the expected election on July 2.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan discussed opportunities of deepening relations in different fields with the friendly peoples in a meeting with heads of organizations of Assyrian and Yazidi communities of Armenia, Europe and Russia.

Department of Press, Information and Public Relations of MFA Armenia informed Armenpress about this, mentioning that Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan received heads and representatives of organizations of Assyrian and Yazidi communities of Armenia, Europe and Russia.

The representatives of Assyrians and Yazidis expressed gratitude for the careful treatment of the Republic of Armenia towards their communities, as well as for the efforts made by Armenia on the international arena for preventing the deportations, oppressions and massacres of Yazidis and Assyrians in the Middle East.

Stating the centuries-old traditionally friendly relations with Yazidi and Assyrian peoples, the Deputy Minister assured that Armenia will continue to take consistent steps aimed at preventing crimes against humanity committed in the Middle East and for overcoming the current humanitarian situation.

Opportunities of further deepening relations in different fields with the friendly peoples were discussed at the meeting.
A Queensland Senate candidate has called for laws to force publicly listed companies to seek written permission from the majority of their shareholders before giving support to "social activism campaigns", which he said threaten "to undermine our representative democracy and the national interest".

Family First candidate Rod McGarvie, who almost toppled former Labor Treasurer Wayne Swan at the 2013 federal election, abandoned the LNP in 2015 over the Abbott government's decision not to repeal section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act and its softening on its same-sex marriage stance.

Telstra vowed to renew its "active position" on marriage equality, earning the ire of would-be senator Rod McGarvie. Credit:Louie Douvis

He has taken a hard line on those issues since and on Wednesday, released a "letter to the editor" bemoaning the "ominous trend" of the "rise of corporate activism" in the wake of Telstra renewing its active support of marriage equality.

That came after a public outcry following The Australian newspaper revealing the telco giant had quietly dropped its public support for the issue, following pressure from the Catholic Church, a major client.
At social functions, Stephen McPhee would follow his wife Cathy to the toilet and wait outside.

She confided in a psychologist about his verbal abuse, drinking and pornography habit.

But when Cathy told her possessive husband she wanted to separate, he was aggressive and threatened to kill himself.

After McPhee stabbed and killed Cathy in their Mildura home, the judge found that although the marriage had its "strains", McPhee's conduct was totally out of character and "otherwise inexplicable".
The Environment Protection Authority launched its new marine monitoring boat yesterday.

One of the bar-ba-ka's main tasks will be to monitor water quality in the bay so we get more accurate beach forecasts during the summer months.

In case you're wondering, Hampton, Seaford, Portsea, Canadian Bay, Sandringham, Elwood, Rosebud, Santa Casa and Black Rock beaches had the most pristine waters last summer.

They wisely decided not to open up the naming process to the public, otherwise they could have ended up with another Boaty McBoatface situation.
A Melbourne Girls Grammar student has been expelled and two others suspended from the exclusive school after they were caught with drugs, reportedly including ecstasy, at a year 12 formal.

The trio was kicked out of the event at Albert Park on Friday night after venue security found students with "illicit substances" and notified school staff, the school's principal Catherine Mission said.

Do you know more? Email scoop@thage.com.au

It has been reported one girl was found with ecstasy, marijuana and alcohol and another was caught with a "significant" number of pills, but the school has not confirmed what drugs were uncovered.
The owner of a dodgy training provider that masqueraded as an accounting firm to lure graduates into paying thousands of dollars for unaccredited "on the job" training, has been arrested and charged with a range of deception offences.

Daniel Leong, 33, the former director of collapsed Melbourne company Keat Enterprises was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Sydney International Airport when he stepped off a plane this month.

Daniel Leong's Keat Enterprises has gone into liquidation and been fined $160,000 for misleading conduct.

Mr Leong, of Port Melbourne, was charged with more than 30 offences following an investigation by Consumer Affairs Victoria. An arrest warrant was issued after he had left the country.

His company went into voluntary liquidation in June 2014 after Fairfax Media revealed it was using a "bait and switch" system of advertising jobs that did not exist, instead offering graduates an opportunity to pay thousands of dollars for unaccredited training.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. The body of Armenian soldier transferred to Armenian side has been identified,Head of the NKR State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and the Missing Viktor Kocharyan told Armenpress.

"The body is identified. It belongs to Argishti Gaboyan, announced missing in action previously. His father is there, he identified the body. The body is transported to Armenia. We have no more missing people" Kocharyan said.

According to the agreement between the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan reached under the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, on April 20 at 16:00, near the village of Bash Karvend Azerbaijani side handed over the body of Armenian soldier.
Three men have been charged over a terrifying spate of carjackings allegedly involving a vehicle fitted with fake police lights.

The carjacking spree began at 10.40pm on Monday in Coleman Road, Wantirna South, police said, when a car was stopped by a dark station wagon with red-and-blue flashing lights.

A man got out of the car and allegedly pointed a firearm at the victims before trying to steal the car.

In attempting to get away, the victims reversed their car into a power pole before running from the scene and calling police.

Patrick Tilley was a passenger in his friend's car when it was "cut off" by a black Holden fitted with red and blue lights that looked like an undercover police car.
It's called the "middle years slump" and it's punctuated by sloppy writing.

New research reveals an increasing number of Australian children are struggling with basic writing skills, with nearly one in every five year 9 students performing below the national benchmark.

Leibler Yavnel college head of senior school English Rachel Kafka with year 12 students using pens and paper. Credit:Joe Armao

Academics from the Australian Catholic University's Learning Sciences Institute Australia said the writing skills of young Australians were a serious concern.

They have warned that worksheets are replacing writing instruction in schools, limiting students' job opportunities.
Police are still hunting for clues about a child molester who lured two kids from a North Perth child care centre, having released a man they questioned on Wednesday night.

Police allege a man, believed to be in his late 40s or 50s, enticed a four-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy from a school holiday child care program on Tuesday around 11am, sexually assaulted them and then dumped them at Hyde Park.

A North Perth man has been charged with the sexual assault of two young children.

Police spokeswoman Susan Usher said detectives from the child abuse squad were investigating numerous pieces of information they had received through Crime Stoppers.

Police were still urging people with any kind of information  no matter how small  to come forward.
A review of an-out-of control blaze aboard a bulk carrier at Australia's largest port has exposed "limited" capability within Western Australia's fire authority.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators found there had been misunderstandings between crew and other agencies involved in tackling the fire in July, which lasted 12 hours until it burnt itself out.

The fire started in the engine room of the South Korean-owned Marigold while berthed in Port Hedland when fuel spilt from a pipe onto a hot generator surface. (File photo) Credit:Bloomberg

The fire started in the engine room of the South Korean-owned Marigold while berthed in Port Hedland when fuel spilt from a pipe onto a hot generator surface.

Compounding the emergency, some fire doors were held open by wire and rope, and there were multiple failures within the ship's fire suppression system.
A Shenton Park business owner says she is perplexed by an irate local who stormed into her premises and described a sign featuring the word "nipple" as "obscene."

Christine Comans has been running a medical nipple tattooing service in Shenton Park for five years.

Christine Comans, left, with tattoo trainee, Kirralee Pearson, a Brisbane-based nurse.

MediTatt is dedicated to breast cancer survivors and is described by Ms Comans as "the final step in their emotional recovery".

Ms Comans, who is studying for a degree in applied health sciences, said her service involved the artistic recreation of the areola.
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Democrat Congressman Adam Schiff of California delivered an open letter to the President of the United States, Barack Obama, at the session of announcements at the U.S. House of Representatives. Armenpress presents the full text of the congressman.

Dear Mr. President:

In 2009, less than a year after assuming the Presidency, you accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. You began your acceptance of this honor by acknowledging that it was bestowed, at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage. You spoke on that day with eloquence and conviction about fundamental human rights  rights that are endowed not by accidents of birth like nationality or ethnicity or gender, but by our common humanity. And the principles that you articulated have indeed guided and defined your presidency.

In your foreign policy, you have emphasized the rights of ethnic and religious minorities worldwide and put these causes closer to the center of our foreign policy. You have extended aid to refugees fleeing horrific violence. You established the Atrocities Prevention Board to coordinate and monitor our efforts to prevent mass atrocities and genocide.

And in a few days, you will have a chance to add to your legacy.

On April 24th, the world will mark 101 years since the systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923. The facts of the slaughter are beyond dispute. And I know you are well-acquainted with these horrors visited upon the Armenian people, having spoken eloquently about them as Senator.

I have sat with survivors of the Genocide. Men and women, their numbers dwindling year after year, and heard them recall the destruction of their lives and their families and all they had known. As children, they were forced from their homes and saw their families beaten, raped, and murdered. They fled across continents and oceans to build lives in our nation.

Mr. President, for them and for their descendants, the word genocide is sacred because it means the world has not and will not forget. To deny genocide on the other hand, is profane. It is, in the words of Elie Wiesel, a double killing.

This April 24th will be your final opportunity to use the presidency to speak plainly about the genocide. In past years as President, you have described the campaign of murder and displacement against the Armenian people as a mass atrocity, which it surely was. But, of course, it was also much more, and you have avoided using the word genocide even though it has been universally applied by scholars and historians of the period. In fact, as you know better than most, the Ottoman Empires campaign to annihilate the Armenian people was a prime example of what Rafael Lemkin was trying to describe when he coined the very term genocide.

I know that as you consider your words this year, you will hear the same voices as in the past who will tell you to hold your tongue and speak in euphemisms. They will say that the time is not right or that Turkey is too strategically important or that we should not risk their ire over something that happened a century ago.

Mr. President, regardless of what you say on April 24th, there can be little doubt that Turkey will do exactly as it has always done in its relations with the United States  and that is whatever Turkey believes to be in its self-interest. Many of our European allies and world leaders, including Pope Francis, have recognized the genocide, yet they have continued to work closely with Turkey, because that has been in Turkeys interest. The same will be true after U.S. recognition of the Genocide.

I dearly hope, as do millions of Armenians descended from genocide survivors around the world, that you take this final opportunity to call the Armenian Genocide what it was  Genocide. To say that the Ottoman Empire committed this grotesque crime against the Armenians, but that their campaign of extermination failed. And that, above all, we will never forget and we will never again be intimidated into silence. Let this be part of your legacy, and you will see future Administrations follow your example.

When you spoke in Oslo, more than 7 years ago, you closed your remarks by returning to the counsel of Dr. Martin Luther King and said, I refuse to accept the idea that the isness of mans present condition makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal oughtness that forever confronts him.

Mr. President, confronting painful, difficult but vital questions is who you are. Help us be the America we ought to be, that beacon of freedom and dignity that shines its light on the darkness of human history and exposes the vile crime of genocide.

Sincerely,

Adam Schiff
Beirut: For 38 straight days, the streets of the north-western Syrian town of Maarat al-Noaman had been the scene of protests against the government and the Islamic extremists of the Nusra Front. On Tuesday, those streets became a scene of carnage, as government warplanes attacked the town's marketplace, killing dozens of people, according to residents and rescue workers.

The attack confirmed the apparent unravelling of a fragile cease-fire agreement between Syrian government forces and some armed opposition groups. The attack in Maarat al-Noaman, and a similar one in the nearby town of Kafr Nabl, came several days after the start of a new insurgent offensive in a neighbouring province, and a day after the main Syrian opposition group said it would no longer participate in diplomatic discussions in Geneva.

The opposition has accused the government of repeatedly violating the partial ceasefire, and Tuesday's attacks were seen as a violent end to the relative respite from airstrikes that had lasted nearly two months.
Latest News NAB reveals six market megatrends for brokers More opportunities for investors, first home buyers

Firstmac shifts up a gear on auto loans National sales manager appointed to pursue growing market

The RACQ is aiming to challenge the big four banks through its proposed merger with QT Mutual Bank, formerly known as the Queensland Teachers Credit Union, with the insurance and motoring body aiming for a footing in the domestic loans market.RACQ Group CEO Ian Gillespie said that the banking expertise and products of QT Mutual Bank would allow the group to diversify and enter the lending sector."We want to be a trusted alternative to the shareholder-owned, profit-driven banks," Mr Gillespie said. "We hope to attract other large mutuals to come together with us to produce something which ultimately can challenge the big four banks in a substantial way.The possibility that the RACQ might challenge the big four banks will no doubt prick the ears of Australias mortgage brokerage industry. Jeremy Fisher, broker at Sydneys 1Street Home Loans, greeted the news with cautious optimism.It is good to see new players enter the mortgage market, Fisher told Australian Broker, and a positive move in my opinion as it is coupled with further investment and awareness for the broker channel. Time will tell whether the synergy is a successful one as RACQ will not be the first to partner up with a lender for distribution.Gillespie believes the RACQs position is strengthened by its large membership that numbers 1.6 million, along with the 8 million who are members of automobile clubs in Australia, which he describes as a substantial member base into which we can sell".The proposal will be put to QT Mutual Bank members by the middle of the year, with QT CEO Steve Targett hoping that the merger proposal will be met with support. Targett said, By becoming RACQ's banking arm we retain our people, expand our personal banking services significantly and improve our online and digital banking capabilities."
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenian organizations in the Netherlands delivered a requisition to Foreign Affairs Committee of Dutch House of Representatives on April 19.

Armenpress reports the delegation of Cooperating Armenian organizations, comprised of members of the Federation of Armenian Organizations in the Netherlands, Hay Dat Commission, youth organization Yes, and Gladzor Armenian Student Organization recorded with satisfaction the visit of the Foreign Affairs Committee to Armenia in the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the increasing involvement in the Armenian concerns.

The delegation delivered the requisition to the Dutch MPs, representing almost all the parliamentary factions, by which they called on the Government of the Netherlands to fully recognize the Armenian Genocide, condemned the discriminatory behavior of Turks in the Netherlands against Armenians, and called on struggling against the Long hands of Ankara in the Dutch politics and public. Issues referring to the compensation of losses of Armenians resulted by the Genocide were also touched upon. Dutch House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Chair Angelien Eijsink and a number of MPs were present at the meeting
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62nd Precinct

BensonhurstBath Beach

Bus bruiser

An irate bus rider beat up a guy on the B1 bus on 25th Avenue on April 13, police said.

The victim hopped on the bus near 86th Street around 8 pm and was passing the hothead when the fiend erupted.

He threatened dont touch me man, punched the victim in the head, and then slammed his head against the bus window, according to a police report. He hopped off the bus and got away before police showed up.

Violent necklace robbery

A good-for-nothing bandit choked a woman for her necklace on Bay 16th Street in broad daylight on April 18, police said.

The woman was walking into an apartment near Bath Avenue around 3:30 pm when the guy came up from behind and started choking her and said, I dont want to hurt you, just give me the chain, according to a police report.

He got the chain and fled towards 18th Avenue.

Taking out the trash

Some guy stole a dumpster sitting outside a womans Bay Ridge Parkway home on the night of April 16, according to police.

A neighbor saw a guy come and pick up a dumpster about the length of a full-size car from outside her home between 20th and 21st avenues around 9 pm that night. He was no sanitation worker  the dumpster remains missing.

Car thief had it easy

An opportunistic thief sped off with a car parked outside a Cropsey Avenue apartment on April 16  thanks to the keys left in the ignition.

The victim parked his car between Bay 29th Street and Bay Parkway around 11 am and ran into an apartment for a few minutes, according to police. But when he returned to his ride he saw a guy get into his car and put the pedal to the metal.

 Dennis Lynch
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76th Precinct

Carroll Gardens-Cobble HillRed Hook

Scared outta the deli

A bad guy tried to steal money from a deli on Smith Street on April 12.

The bozo attempted to hold up the cashier at the store between Carroll and Second streets at 9:30 pm by pretending to have a gun in his right hand, but the cashier refused and the guy fled without anything, according to authorities.

The cashier told police the nogoodnik is a frequent customer.

Just did it

Some sneaker freak stole three pairs of Nike shoes from a hallway at a Bowne Street cruise terminal on April 16.

A Nike employee told police the six kicks were missing after he checked the inventory at the port near King Street around 3:20 pm.

Broken window

A punk broke the window of a parked car on Imlay Street sometime overnight on April 17.

The victim parked his black Mercedez Benz between Pioneer and Veronz streets at 10:30 pm, but when he returned at 9:30 am the next day, he noticed some vandal had smashed his drivers-side window, cops said. Nothing was missing from inside the car, according to authorities.

Flushed away

A scoundrel stole a womans cell from a Hoyt Street house on April 14.

The 20-year-old victim left her Samsung Galaxy phone on a table while she went to the bathroom in her friends house near Bond Street at 8:30 pm. But someone must have swiped it while she was gone, because it wasnt there when she got back, according to authorities.

Caught in the act

Police cuffed an 18-year-old guy who they say tried to break into a home on Summit Street on the afternoon of April 14.

Authorities say a 45-year-old woman was outside the home between Van Brunt and Columbia streets at 12:10 pm when she saw the suspect allegedly try to open the front door. Police arrested the teen and charged him with burglary and criminal mischief, according to a report.

 Julianne Cuba
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This isnt a taxi stand  it is a taxi standstill!

The city must find somewhere to house the out-of-use taxis that have been sitting idle on a Greenpoint street for at least a year as riders flock to Uber, say local business owners who claim the taxi graveyard is hogging all the parking in the area and starving them of customers.

Its very unfair for shops whose customers are trying to find parking, said Tony Arganto, owner of nearby film studio Broadway Stages, at a recent 94th Precinct Community Council meeting, where he demanded police and the citys Taxi and Limousine Commission step in.

The precincts commanding officer promised to reach out to the taxi agency to discuss solutions to the permanent parking lot on Provost Street between Greenpoint Avenue and Freeman Street, but a rep for the commission said it is perfectly legal for the company and other hacks to park their cabs there and wasnt aware of any issues.

The dispatcher responsible for most of the cars on the stretch  which declined to comment for this article  acknowledged the problem to Gothamist in August, but said its customers and drivers have been ditching traditional cabs for app-based services and claimed it hasnt been able to find a lot nearby to house its empty fleet.

I dont blame the neighbors, McGuinness Management Corporation owner Gus Kodogiannis told the website at the time. Where are they going to put their cars?

Local business owners say things have only gotten worse since then, and the graveyard is killing business for the entire area.

There are less people coming in, said Andy Maldonado, who owns a deli a block away at McGuinness Boulevard and Huron Street, and says the empty cars became a permanent fixture around a year ago.

And residents say they are equally frustrated with the death of parking.

Its really gotten disgusting  its unbelievable, said resident Teresa DeFrancisco, who agreed that many locals have switched to Uber and its ilk, including one of her neighbors, who goes crazy for the company.
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Angry protestors flooded the streets outside the Brooklyn Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon after learning ex-police officer Peter Liang wont spend a single day behind bars for shooting and killing unarmed black man Akai Gurley in 2014.

The judge sentenced Liang to five years probation and 800 hours community service, and reduced his charges from manslaughter to negligent homicide  a decision Gurleys aunt later decried as the justice system putting police above the lives of black residents.

Akais life doesnt matter. Theres not justice. Black lives dont matter, said Hertencia Petersen after the sentencing.

The protestors held signs stating, Hold all cops accountable, jail Liang now, and held hands as they chanted, Hands up to the sky, we do this for Akai  facing off across Jay Street against a different group there to support Liang.

The Asian community has rallied behind the Chinese-American former cop during the trial  filling Cadman Plaza in February after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter and it looked like he would receive a much harsher sentence.

Liang and his supporters claim the shooting was an accident  he says he was patrolling a dark stairwell in an East New York public housing complex with his gun out and accidently pulled the trigger when a noise startled him  and that the police department was throwing the Bensonhurst resident under the bus to placate public anger over other police shootings because he isnt white,

But the protestors say Gurley, who lived in Red Hook, is the one being denied justice, and Liang  who did not try to revive Gurley, while the victims distraught girlfriend attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation  deserves to be behind bars.

You see a black person kills a black person and they get charged regularly, but if a cop does it, they get leeway, said 14-year-old East New York resident Natayisha Walker, who was on her way home from high school when she and her friends spotted the protest and got off their bus to express their frustration with the criminal justice system.

Hitting the streets is their only way to be heard, said another protester.

This is the only way they feel they can vent, said Fort Greene resident Marquis Jenkins. Were going to march and were going to protest because justice was denied today.

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompsen was the one who recommended Liang serve no jail time, but says he will appeal the demotion in charges.

Reach reporter Lauren Gill at lgill @cngl ocal.com or by calling (718) 2602511. Follow her on Twitter @laurenk_gill
YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. ISIS style actions have come to our region. Armenpress reports meber of the Armenian delegation to PACE Naira Karapetyan told about this in her speech.

The problem of Syrian refugees touched my country as well, and Armenia is the third country by the number of refugees that has been hosted from Syria per capita. Today we are facing many problems, and our government takes all necessary steps to provide the people that has been sheltered in Armenian the normal life conditions. Also we have had adopted several legislative regulations for giving this people business privileges for fully integration. But anyway, any support to our government from EU is much needed and welcomed.

Many of these refugees are ethnic Armenians, generations of the families, that once have been displaced from Turkey over hundred years ago and found shelter in neighbor Syria. Most of them still remember, others have repeatedly heard the stories of each family about executions of families and other massacres of Armenians in Turkey during Armenian Genocide in 1915. We are grateful to the people of the region who a century ago sheltered hundreds of thousands of survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

However, since breakout of the conflict in 2011 and rise of the ISIS many of them lost their lives in terrorist attacks, the Armenian settlements, churches, schools and cultural institutions were destroyed. Tens of thousands of Armenians, together with other peoples of the Middle East, were forced to abandon their homes, their places of residence again.

Though the huge work is being done for providing refugees good conditions of life in their new places of residence, the main cause must have been exterminated  terrorist groups, named ISIL. This brutal war is a danger for the whole world, and as it is vivid from the latest attacks in Paris, in Brussels, from the monstrous actions in recent unprecedented escalation of violence at Nagorno Karabakh, I mean beheaded and ears-cut, tortured Armenian soldiers and civilians, killed children, women and elderly people, ISIL style actions has come to our region. So we should certainly fight with it to stop the future escalations to other regions.

In parallel with the care of refugees we should also stop the possibility of having more, Naira Hovhannisyan said.
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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 ...
UB students design inflatable heat shield for NASA Mars mission contest

From left to right, Levi Li, Henry Kwan and Samuel Tedesco  all senior mechanical engineering majors at UB  are among the finalists for a NASA-sponsored contest to design a heat shield for future missions to Mars. Credit: Douglas Levere.

This is a fantastic example of the skills and tenacity that our students are known for, and of the opportunities available to students at UB. 

BUFFALO, N.Y.  The path for humans to Mars could be paved by University at Buffalo students.

A team of five UB student engineers developed plans for a massive inflatable heat shield designed to protect spacecraft  and potentially astronauts  from the white-hot heat that objects encounter upon entering the red planets atmosphere.

The teams work impressed NASA and partner organization, the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA), which last fall called upon college students nationwide to submit proposals for a contest called the Breakthrough, Innovate, and Game-changing (BIG) Idea Challenge.

Earlier this spring, NASA and NIA chose the top four plans, which came from students at UB, Georgia Tech, Purdue University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Now, contest organizers are flying the teams to NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, where they will present their plans to a panel of judges on April 25-26.

The winning team will be offered paid summer internships at NASA Langley and, potentially, the chance to flight test their concept.

To have NASA and the National Institute of Aerospace evaluate our plan is really an honor. Were looking forward to hearing their feedback and, of course, spending time at NASA Langley, said Henry Kwan, a UB senior mechanical engineering major from Buffalo who helped create the plan.

In addition to Kwan, the other team members are: Anish Kumar, who graduated from UB in 2015; Levi Li, a senior from Queens; Anibal Martinez, who graduated from UB in 2015; and Samuel Tedesco, a senior from Verona Beach. All are students of UBs Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and all except Kumar will travel to Virginia.

Contest organizers asked the teams to develop plans for a heatshield  hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator (HIAD), in NASA speak  much larger than what NASA recently used to land the rover Curiosity on Mars. (The Curiosity heatshield, at roughly 15 feet in diameter, protected the car-sized rover from the 3,800F temperatures it encountered entering the atmosphere of Mars.)

The contest dovetails with NASAs ongoing efforts to develop a new class of heatshields to carry vehicles that weigh up to 30 tons (by contrast, Curiosity weighed 1 ton) to Mars. Potentially, NASA plans to use this type of heatshield for its planned human missions to Mars in the 2030s.

Kemper Lewis, PhD, professor and chair of UBs Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, is the teams faculty advisor. He praised the students top-notch work.

Our students effort on this project has been incredible, and the early results, being among four colleges chosen from a nationwide pool, indicate that NASA and the National Institute of Aerospace agree, he said. This is a fantastic example of the skills and tenacity that our students are known for, and of the opportunities available to students at UB.
Having announced its recent acquisition of the Cemex Packed Aggregates business in the UK, GRS Bagging explains how it is well placed to provide its customers with the products and services they need.

GRS Bagging (GRSB) has announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase the Cemex Packed Aggregates business in the UK.

This acquisition sees GRSB extend its operations by a further five sites and enter the Scottish and Welsh markets, putting the company firmly in line with its customer demands by providing a full national coverage on bagged and packed aggregate products.

Jon Fisher, GRS Group chief executive officer, said: At GRSB we are driven by our customers growth and demands. We are dedicated to supporting their development into new markets and assisting our supply chain requirements in current markets.

This acquisition also ensures that as our customers grow and expand in volume and geographic area, we are capable of providing the products and services they need.

Lee Hudson, managing director of GRSB, added: Part of our business plan was to see GRSB become a national packed product provider by 2016 through acquisition and organic growth. In 2015, the East of England was achieved with the successful purchase of Aggbag and the Blackwater aggregates bagging plant, along with the expansion into Devon and Somerset through our new site at Taunton.

We have been working hard to ensure that the business has the ability to integrate these acquisitions, while ensuring a smooth transition for its customer base.

The sales and ordering functions will be provided using the existing GRSB model, which is operated from the central hub at Houghton Regis. It will also compliment our team in our new office in Scotland.

The central sales and order processing teams will support the local regional managers and sales representatives who will be working closely with our customers to ensure their exacting requirements are met.

The extensive product range offered by GRSB at its current sites will be extended to all of the new sites, while still offering the service levels our customers have come to expect.

GRSB is a leading UK producer of packed products and, in 2015, reports it was the only producer with an output in excess of 1.5m tonnes. To compliment the recent growth in sites, the following appointments have also been made.

Phil Cox has been appointed as managing director of GRS production and logistics. Mr Cox will be working with the existing management team to develop the business further in line with the groups objectives.

Meanwhile, John Bradshaw has been appointed as regional sales manager and national business development. Mr Bradshaw has a wealth of expertise in the aggregates industry, having spent 13 years at Lafarge and three years at an independent packed product company.

Mr Bradshaw will be fundamental in integrating the current Cemex order book and developing business in the north and Scotland.

Mr Hudson concluded: These appointments will ensure that the high standards of health and safety, production, and sales that our customers enjoy in other parts of our business are replicated right across the country.
Louise Richens has joined the Barnsley based Abode Home Products team to further strengthen the sales and support coverage with its customers.

Ms Richens will cover the South East and South West of England in her role as area sales manager to support and train its retailer base as well as to increase Abodes showroom presence of their award winning kitchen sinks and taps as well as bathroom brassware and showers.

Ms Richens has worked in the kitchen and bathroom industry for over 13 years and has gained wide experience. Pete Phelan, national sales manager of Abode said: We are delighted to welcome Ms Richens to the business and with her background experience will undoubtedly become a real asset to the business. We wish her every success.
Of course, to make such a system work is harder than it sounds. Winston Churchill once said, not entirely facetiously, that in order to understand why it was so hard to make democracy work, all that was necessary was to spend five minutes talking to the ordinary voter.

Abraham Lincoln during his famous Gettysburg Address talked about democracy as being "government of the people, for the people and by the people". This strikes me as a very succinct and accurate summary of what democracy is all about.

The advantages in doing so seem blindingly obvious. After all, it has been the original democratic states that have seen the most social, economic and technological progress since at least the beginning of the industrial revolution.

RECENT developments in Papua New Guinea and in Brazil have caused me to reflect once again upon why it is that democracy is so difficult to establish and maintain.

While Churchill was the greatest parliamentarian of his age, maybe any age, to my mind it is not managing the electoral process that is the hardest part of democracy. It is establishing and maintaining the rule of law that is the hardest and paramount duty of democratic governments.

During the development of parliamentary democracy in Britain, the main protagonists were rarely, if ever, thinking about government as an expression of popular will. In fact, most of the time they were positively aghast at the idea of the "common man" having any say in how the nation was governed.

What they were seriously concerned about was instituting the rule of law, especially as it pertained to property rights and the related economic activity. They understood that this was an essential prerequisite for the establishment and maintenance of a viable state, as well as having obvious benefits for the population as a whole.

Events in English history had quite clearly demonstrated that the capricious application of state power is always a recipe for social and economic instability, uncertainty and, all too often, civil upheaval. This was why, in 1153, wearied by incessant civil war, the English nobility had banded together to force King Stephen and his rival, the Empress Maud, to negotiate a settlement over the future of the English throne.

This also was why, in 1215, the English nobility had compelled King John to sign the Magna Carta at sword point, not any high minded notions about democracy, much less the welfare of the "common man".

The English Civil War (1642-49) was fought to establish the primacy of Parliament and its laws over the desires and needs of the King, not to introduce democracy for the masses. This would happen only very gradually over the ensuing centuries, with true universal suffrage being introduced only in 1918 for men (and 1948 for women).

Thus, for a very long time, only a small number of people played any role in governing Britain, most of them because they were literally born into positions of power and authority. It is only since the late 19th century that British Prime Ministers came from other than the very upper reaches of British society and it is arguable that they mostly still do.

So, to digress for a moment, 50% of the current British Cabinet went to private, fee paying schools (versus 7% for the population as a whole), while 50% also went to either Oxford or Cambridge Universities. In Australia, the current prime minister was educated at a private school, went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and made a very large fortune (estimated to be around $133 million) as a merchant banker before entering parliament. His immediate predecessor also went to a private school, won a Rhodes Scholarship and studied at Oxford.

Despite what looks like a continuing bias towards an enduring ruling elite, there is very strong support within the British and Australian parliaments for the rule of law. No British or Australian prime minister could or would even attempt to emulate Peter O'Neill's efforts to evade the judicial process: to do so would be political suicide.

The contrast with places like Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe and PNG is very stark indeed. In these and many other purported democracies, the typical pattern appears to be that once the successors to the "founding fathers" are elected to office, they very rapidly assume the mantle of a ruling elite. A huge sense of entitlement and high level corruption frequently proliferates throughout the legislature and bureaucracy.

Thus president Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, has gone from being a freedom fighter and nominal socialist to being an effective dictator. His rule has observed the forms and rituals of democracy but has, in fact, been profoundly anti-democratic in nature. He and his cronies have hugely enriched themselves at the expense of the nation as a whole.

More recently, the president of South Africa, Joseph Zuma, has narrowly avoided impeachment for spending around $30 million on home renovations (which he has been forced to pay back), while president Dilma Rousseff actually has been impeached for ostensibly "fiddling the books", although her main accusers are also under investigation for corruption and fraud.

In PNG, the law is being used as cover for achieving personal or political ends that have nothing whatsoever to do with the welfare of the nation. The prime minister seeks to evade accusations of fraud and misuse of public office rather than, as the innocent man he claims to be, simply trusting the judicial process.

The commissioner of police suspends his key anti-corruption personnel for reasons that look and sound very suspect. People talk about "shadowy forces" using the police to undermine the government without a scintilla of evidence to back up such accusations. Meanwhile, the RPNGC is hopelessly politicised and divided amongst itself.

It is abundantly clear that the rule of law has been and continues to be distorted and perverted in PNG, thus undermining the very foundations of a viable democracy. Endemic corruption, coupled with incompetence, is slowly and remorselessly destroying the hopes and dreams of the people.

Politicians openly conspire to thwart the efforts of those who are trying to make the rule of law actually mean something other than what they, the politicians, say that it means on any given day. There are grave suspicions that at least some members of the legal profession and judiciary are complicit in such manoeuvring.

If, as seems the case, people with the resources and power to do so, are to be permitted to stand above and beyond the reach of the law, then what hope is there for the country?

History is replete with examples of where oppression, injustice and war follow once the law of the land is no longer enforced in a fair and just manner. It is the "little people" who invariably suffer first and most. The forms of a democracy may exist, such as elections and voting, but these are reduced to mere rituals that have no real meaning.

The supposed democracy is merely a hollow shell: the truth is that both elected and non-elected elites do as they please. The crumbs from the table go to the people (if they are lucky), but only enough to prevent open dissent.

From an outside observer's perspective, this seems to be where PNG is headed unless it can somehow pull back from the brink of disaster.

Angry words and finger pointing will not prevent this from happening. Somehow, the many honest people of goodwill in PNG have to unite and take real, effective action.

If they cannot or do not, then their fates and those of their children will be in the hands of the crooks, shysters and carpetbaggers who invest PNG's political and state institutions like fleas on a mangy dog.

The message is clear and time is short. The time for action is now.
UNDERSTANDING THE FOUNDING FATHERS

An Enquiry into the Indian Republic's Beginnings

Rajmohan Gandhi

Aleph

138 pages; Rs 299



In this degenerate age of Twitter wars and Facebook fights, duels between intellectuals have become rarer and a little old-fashioned. The acrimonious debate between Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus in the 1950s, or the one between Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen in The Statesman were eagerly awaited by their contemporaries.

One such old-fashioned skirmish broke out between Booker winner Arundhati Roy and historian Rajmohan Gandhi in 2014. In a book-length Introduction to B R Ambedkar's Annihilation of Caste (Navayana), Ms Roy, winner of the 1997 Man Booker Prize for her novel The God of Small Things, accused Mahatma Gandhi of maintaining a status quo in matters of caste, and not really eschewing it despite his professed love for Harijans.

Professor Gandhi, who has taught political science and history at the University of Illinois and is now a scholar-in-residence at the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, found himself in the unenviable position of defending the Mahatma, who is also his grandfather. In a series of articles in The Economic and Political Weekly, Professor Gandhi refuted Ms Roy's position.

Now, in this slim book, Professor Gandhi takes his arguments forward. His quarrel this time is, however, not with Ms Roy but two equally fascinating characters - Swami Sachidanand, a religious leader from Gujarat, and Perry Anderson, the well-known American historian. Both are critical of the Gandhi legacy but for different reasons.

The swami is of the opinion that Gandhi had misunderstood the threat of Islam to Hindus and his preaching of ahimsa was so incorporated in the Indian psyche that the country lost the 1962 war with China. Professor Anderson, on the other hand, argues in his book, The Indian Ideology (2014), that Gandhi was not really a pacifist and helped carve out a country where Muslims would always be in the minority and at the mercy of the Hindus. In fact, Professor Anderson advises Indians to tear down the ideals of Gandhi, as well as India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and his deputy, Sardar Patel. He proposes - though not directly - an alternative triumvirate of Ambedkar, Muhammed Ali Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League and Pakistan's first governor-general, and Subhas Chandra Bose, who, if they had come to power after Independence, would have constructed a different country, he claims.

Professor Gandhi writes about his reluctance to take on the task: "Should Indians be bothered by a charge sheet and call to action drawn up by a wide-ranging American professor?" However, he is informed by friends how the theses of these two individuals were being used by populists in a manner that could harm the minorities of the subcontinent - and he reluctantly agrees to write this slim book. It is a good thing that he does. Over the past few months, the debate over nationalism that was sparked by alleged "anti-national" comments by some Jawaharlal Nehru University students has turned vicious, seemingly permeating every aspect of our civic life, with senior political leaders as well as fringe elements calling for deportation or beheading of citizens who refuse to chant "nationalistic" slogans. In such a political climate, a book examining the legacy of the founding fathers of the nation and the roots of the republic by one of the foremost historians is not only timely but also essential.

Professor Gandhi builds his defence through erudition. I haven't read neither Mr Sachidanand nor Professor Anderson, so I cannot comment on their theses. But some of their claims quoted by Professor Gandhi seem far-fetched or even absurd. For instance, Mr Sachidanand claims in one of his books that he was a great admirer of Gandhi and his work for the emancipation of the Dalits, as the swami is also an anti-caste campaigner. But he changed his opinion after the disastrous Indo-China war. He recalls in one of his books how he met a soldier on a train who told him how while fighting the Chinese army, he was confronted with a moral dilemma over killing fellow humans and therefore fired in the air. Mr Sachidanand relates this to Gandhi's ahimsa infecting the combative spirit of the Indian army. This anecdote immediately reminded me of Dev Anand-starrer Prem Pujari (1970) and its pacifist protagonist, who refuses to fire at Chinese aggressors. That India's drubbing in the war was a result of policy and tactical errors - and not Gandhian philosophy - does not need to be elaborated. Professor Gandhi does quote from the relevant sections of the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report to disprove such assertions.

The response to Professor Anderson's book is more elaborate. By quoting extensively from the writings of Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar, Jinnah and Bose, Professor Gandhi proves that - unlike Professor Anderson's claim - "each of them seemed closer to Gandhi than to one another... the three did not offer, or attempt to offer, an alternative leadership for the subcontinent."



However, having made his case, Professor Gandhi, in the Conclusion, quotes extensively from Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and their assessment of the 1857 Revolt, to accuse Professor Anderson, a believer in the New Left, of disliking Gandhi because the American academic is essentially a racist. Professor Gandhi, however, does not quote anything from Professor Anderson's writings to prove this accusation, which can be easily disproved by the fact that the three men he celebrates - Jinnah, Ambedkar and Bose - are also sons of the subcontinent.

But this is the only blemish in this otherwise gem of a book.
Long before GVK Power and Infrastructure sold its stake in Bangalore International Airport to Fairfax India Holdings, it had become evident the group was looking to turn into a leaner version of itself. It exited a road project in 2014 and even put its power projects on the block, although it could not find a buyer amid the downturn in the sector.

Burdened by mounting debt, GVK has been looking at asset sale as a strategy to generate additional resources. The interest expenses for the group rose almost 10 per cent to Rs 555 crore in the three months ending December 31, 2015, compared to the preceding quarter. For the full year, it is expected to exceed the 2014-15 outgo of Rs 1,398 crore.

Read more from our special coverage on "GVK" GVK fails to pay $560 million for mines in Australia

GVK Reddy



GVK says once the transaction is complete, the debt burden of GVK Airports will stand reduced by around Rs 2,000 crore and will also result in savings on interest costs to the extent of approximately Rs 300 crore per annum.

This is an important and successful milestone in deleveraging our balance sheet; all the proceeds from this stake sale shall be used to bring down our debt obligations to our lenders, GVKs Founder-Chairman and Managing Director GVK Reddy said in a statement in March.

In addition, the deal with Fairfax, which will buy the stake through its wholly-owned subsidiary in Mauritius, also provide GVK an ally for future airport development projects.

Reddy says, We would look forward to partnering with them in developing the Kempegowda International Airport (in Bengaluru) through its next stage of expansion as we develop a new world-class Terminal 2 and a new runway.



The long-standing relationship between Reddy and Watsa was the key reason why GVK chose Fairfax as a strategic partner for the Bangalore International Airport from among a number of other offers. After the stake sale, GVKs holding in the Bangalore airport has reduced to 10 per cent. However, Watsa said G V Sanjay Reddy will continue to lead the management team as managing director of the airport and Reddy will continue as its co-chairman.

Of all the major businesses GVK is present in  power, roads, airports and hospitality the airport arm is turning in the highest profit for the group. However, the stake sale may not mark an end to GVKs debt troubles altogether.

The groups Bangalore International Airport owns and operates the Kempegowda International Airport under a 30-year concession agreement, which could be extended by another 30 years by the government. Built under the public-private partnership model, the airport began operations in May 2008. In addition, the group also runs and manages the Mumbai airport, Yogyakarta airport in Java in Indonesia, and the non-aeronautical commercial operations of Denpasar in Bali.

The stake sale, which was in the offing for years, has finally come at a time when the business has turned profitable. The airport business brought in Rs 353 crore of its segmented profit for the first three quarters of 2015-16. In contrast, it had reported a loss of Rs 174 crore during the same period in the previous year. At Rs 2,076.45 crore, the airport business accounted for 67 per cent share in the groups net sales of Rs 3,083.31 crore during the April-December 2015 period. Given its share in the revenue, the stake sale could hurt the groups overall earnings, even though it will result in savings on interest payment.

Faltering growth



The other businesses have been languishing for a while. The group is reportedly in trouble with its mining business in Australia. The Reddy family, which took over the Kevins Corner Coal Mines in Queensland from Hancock Coal for $1.26 billion in 2011, has reportedly failed to pay the final tranche of $560 million to Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart-owned Hancock Prospecting, putting a question mark over the future of the project.

GVK was initially planning to invest $10 billion in developing three coal mines and rail and port infrastructure there. To an extent, its troubles stem from the steep fall in coal prices globally. Coal prices have dropped from $121 a metric tonne at the time of acquisition to around $50 now.

In India, the group has about 1,200 Mw of operational power generation capacity and another 1,390 Mw under development. Its Goindwal Sahib Thermal Power Project in Punjabs Tarn Taran district has seen a 30-40 per cent cost escalation, says an analyst with a Mumbai-based brokerage who does not want to be quoted.

Though GVK signed a memorandum of understanding with the Punjab government way back in 2000, the project got mired in trouble right from the beginning. Its captive coal block was also cancelled in 2014. The project continues to be a concern for the group till its petition for higher tariff is accepted, says the analyst.

In the road sector, the group surrendered the 333-km Shivpuri-Dewas project in Madhya Pradesh in 2014. When the contract was awarded to GVK in 2012, it was valued at about Rs 2,815 crore. GVK now has projects totalling 1,500 lane-kilometres across Jaipur-Kishangarh (542.4 lane-km) and DeoliKota (332.16 lane-km) in Rajasthan, besides BagodaraVasad (611.4 lane-km) in Gujarat.

While a questionnaire sent to GVK remained unanswered, the group has maintained it will remain a long-term investor in airport assets in India. GVK is bullish on the airport sector in India and shall continue to build iconic assets for the country, it said in March. However, given its debt woes, it is unlikely to bid for any new road and power projects.
Domestic tyre manufacturers are facing stiff competition from Chinese brands, on the back of an unexpected surge in import of radials into the country. With the import of truck and bus radials (TBR) shooting up 64 per cent in FY16, the bulk of the Rs 35,000-crore new investments by Indian tyre makers are under stress.

Delhi-based Apollo Tyres, the largest TBR manufacturer in India, has committed Rs 2,700 crore investment to double its TBR capacity to 12,000 tyres per day at its Chennai plant.

Most of India's TBR imports are from China, whose share in the category jumped to 90 per cent in 2015-16 from 40 per cent in 2013-14, according to data shared by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA).

TBR import to India has swelled 2.5 times over the past two years. From an average per-month import of 40,000 units in FY14 and 65,000 in FY15, TBR imports crossed 100,000 units a month in FY16, according to ATMA.

Such dumping of radials comes at a time when the TBR segment is progressing to radials from cross-ply tyres. At present, 40 per cent of the industry is radialised, while the balance is still cross-ply. This ratio is set to reverse, according to experts.

The uptick in radial demand is in sync with an equal rise seen in demand for medium and heavy trucks and buses, which closed last year with 302,373 units against 232,755 units sold in 2014-15, according to data by the Society Of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

K M Mammen, chairman of ATMA, said: The government needs to take urgent measures to halt such sharp surge in imports and dumping of tyres. Tyre manufacturers in India have made major investments. But, indiscriminate import and dumping of cheap tyres from China are queering the pitch for domestic manufacturing.



According to data for the April-December 2015 period, the average domestic production of TBR per month in India is 500,000 units. Apollo is the leader in this segment, followed by Chennai-based MRF and Delhi-based JK Tyres.

"The capacity utilisation levels of the industry in case of TBR manufacturing have come down to 70 per cent in 2015-16 from 80-85 per cent in the previous year. TBR is the fastest growing large tyre category in India," said Rajiv Budhraja, director-general of ATMA.
Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have frequently found themselves in the eye of a storm for being huge consumers of water. To be sure, bottled water and softdrinks are among the key industrial users of water in India.

But, little is known of the water conservation measures that companies have in place. For many of them, it is a serious effort involving everything from rainwater harvesting to sustainable agricultural and production practices to community-level initiatives to help replenish and recharge water-scarce regions and areas.

Read more from our special coverage on "WATER CONSERVATION" Once infra is created, it must be operated and maintained well: Benedito Braga

India Inc, in short, is walking the talk on water conservation, factoring it into its sustainability programmes.

A Coca-Cola India spokesperson said the beverage major monitored its water use ratio, looking at ways to improve it. "In 2014, Coca-Cola India's water use ratio stood at 1.97, which is a 23 per cent improvement since 2010," the spokesperson said. The firm's 2015 water use ratio, however, was not immediately available. Rival PepsiCo, which is a food as well as beverage player, has substituted transplanting of paddy with direct seeding technology that reduces water consumption by 30 per cent.

"In 2014, PepsiCo India brought over 16,000 acres of land under direct seeding and saved more than 11.2 billion litres of water in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka," a spokesperson said. "We are also helping farmers in water-scarce areas in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Haryana with drip irrigation methodology," he added.

The country's largest consumer goods company Hindustan Unilever says it has been able to reduce its water use by regular metering, monitoring and controlling of utilities consumption at all its manufacturing sites.

"Rainwater harvesting has been implemented in more than 50 per cent of HUL's own units. More than 75 per cent of HUL's manufacturing sites are zero-discharge. Some of the other initiatives have been better run-time strategies for lower use of cleaning water, identifying dry areas in the shop-floor, recovery and re-use of process condensate water and using recycled water instead of fresh water for operations," a company spokesperson said.

A Godrej Group spokesperson said the group's green goals included becoming "water positive" by 2020. "Since 2010-11, we have reduced our specific water consumption by 35 per cent by adopting various practices," the spokesperson said.

Another corporate major ITC says it plans to scale up its watershed development programme to cover 1 million acres of land by 2018. The company, which has been water positive for over 13 years, has brought soil and moisture conservation to half a million acres of land apart from monitoring water use at its plants. But activists group like the Delhi-based Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) said these measures were inadequate.

"India's water standards remain poor with no enforcement in place to monitor use of water at plants," said CSE deputy director-general Chandra Bhushan.

"The ministry of environment has now put water standards in place for thermal power units. But there is enormous pressure on the ministry to withdraw these measures," he added.

Thermal power units are estimated to be largest users of industrial water in India.

According to the CSE, water demand for irrigation will drop to 637 billion cubic metres in 2050 from 675 BCM in 2025, while domestic users will grow to 101 BCM from 66 BCM in the same time and industrial users will grow to 161 BCM from 92 BCM.

ELIXIR OF LIFE
US carmaker General Motors Halol plant, 140 km from here, is unlikely to be shut down in June. The carmaker has requested the Gujarat government to put its closure application on hold because it is in talks with prospective buyers for the plant. Sources in the state labour department said the company added a closure application last September.



Later, it requested the government to defer a decision on the application until further intimation.



The state government then said we cannot put an application on hold for an indefinite period. It is best the company files a fresh application as and when it is ready, said an official. As of now, no fresh deadline has been set for the closure.



A company has to take permission from the labour department before it shuts down a plant and workers are rendered jobless. It has to provide at least 60 days notice and clear all dues of workers.



GM India and Chinas Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) executives had met state officials last December. SAIC executives have visited the Halol site to assess the value of the property.



The size of the deal could be around Rs 1,500 crore. GM has invested Rs 1,200 crore in its Halol plant and the Gujarat government has provided incentives worth Rs 800 crore to the company since it began operations in the state in 1996.



A GM India spokesperson said, We are examining a number of options in relation to the Halol factory, where we intend to cease manufacturing, including the sale of the site. We have nothing further to announce at this time.



The company announced its decision to shut down the Halol plant, which makes Taveras, Enjoys and Cruzes, in mid-2015 as it decided to invest Rs 6,400 crore in its Talegaon plant in Pune.



The Halol plant has an installed capacity of 110,000 vehicles per annum and employed around 1,600 people, of which over 800 are contractual workers. Sources indicated that around 550 workers (most of them contractual) have been severed from the site. "Employees at the supervisor level have been transferred to Talegaon. Around 550 people have been severed in the last one year," alleged Nihil Mehta, president of the Gujarat wing of the Indian National Trade Union Congress. Mehta further claimed that INTUC has filed a complaint against the removal of contractual workers at the Industrial Tribunal at Vadodara.

A labour department source indicated that while the company is in talks with prospective buyers, it is also trying to legally reduce the manpower at site so as to make the facility more viable.
Japanese automobile major Honda is optimistic of achieving double-digit growth in the current financial year. It is betting big on the BR-V, a compact SUV which would hit the roads in May. The company, which reported two per cent growth in 2015-16, is hoping to increase its footprint with this launch.

The strategy includes expanding its product portfolio and increasing sales points. It is planning to invest Rs 380 crore, to increase capacity in anticipation of higher demand. To support the BR-V, it plans to increase the capacity of its Rajasthan plant to 180,000 units. It also has a plant at Greater Noida with a capacity of 120,000 units. After the expansion at Rajasthan, its total capacity would increase to 300,000 units per annum.

With the current network, we have covered almost all the market. The environment is challenging and the industry is under pressure, which is why we could grow only by two per cent. said Jnaneswar Singh, vice-president, sales and marketing, Honda Cars India.

Last year, the growth was driven by compact SUVs, premium hatchbacks and entry sedan segments. The trend is expected to continue. To cater to the premium hatchback segment, Honda has launched the Jazz and for the company SUV segment it would launch the new SUV. The selling quotient for the latter would be style, premium interiors, three rows with seven seats  which the company claims is a first time in the segment, pricing and quality. This is the kind of vehicle in which people can go anywhere, added Sen.

One of the drivers for growth was the new Jazz. The company has sold 41,400 units since then.

To be more price competitive, it plans to launch the BR-V with more than 90 per cent localisation, the level which five of its models already has. It also plans to add another 45 new sales points. "With this, Honda is entering into a new segment, the company is expanding its play field with the product and it will certainly contribute to the company's growth. It will also add to our image," remarked Sen.

Unlike other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Honda's export market exposure is only in few thousands. It exports to Africa and neighbouring markets. It also plans to launch Accord Hybrid  an expected flagship model later. Sen said the demand is moving from diesel to petrol. The price gap has also increased for the smaller segment due to various factors including infrastructure cess  which was more on diesel vehicles compared to petrol and the uncertainty in minds of customers due to the Supreme Court ruling.

"We need to follow the market demand pattern and can adjust, but, it depends on the market. Competition in every segment is increasing and we need to fight with the new models coming in. We are expanding our network to take on them," said Sen.

According to Siam data, Honda Cars India's market share dropped to 6.88 per cent in 2015-16 from 7.27 per cent in 2014-15. The dealer network with the company till March, 2016, is 295 dealers in 188 cities.
G V Sanjay Reddy, managing director of Mumbai International Airport (MIAL), on Wednesday said there is no proposal to shift the air traffic control (ATC) tower from its existing location near the domestic terminal.

He said the Mumbai airport had sought an environment clearance for construction of ATC in an alternative location (in Kalina area) as it is one of the options in the long- term plan, but added there was no plan to shift the existing tower.

On Wednesday a media report said MIALs proposal for a new ATC in Kalina area was put up before the Union environment ministrys expert appraisal committee last month. The airport has sought an exemption from public hearing as the project is within airport area.

A station in the proposed Metro rail line between Colaba and Seepz will come up at the domestic terminal. MIAL is considering a proposal for a new ATC tower in Kalina keeping in mind possible growth in traffic and commuters in the area and possible problems in accessing the tower. Sources said it had explored the feasibility of shifting the tower to Kalina but has no plan to do so unless required.

Officials also denied that security concern regarding construction of multi-level parking lot near the ATC tower was behind the idea to build control tower in Kalina.

The airport operator is facing litigation over allegations of safety and security violations in construction of Mumbai airport.

Built at the cost of about Rs 125 crore the new ATC tower was inaugurated in October 2013 and commissioned in service in January 2014. The 83 metre tower is the tallest air traffic control tower in the country and has reinforced sandwich glass to withstand strong winds. The award which has won several international design awards offers five mile visibility to air traffic controllers.

Delhi airport has constructed a new 101 metre tall air traffic control tower but is yet to start functioning.

Currently the Mumbai airport handles around 48 air traffic movements per hour with a single runway operation. Until it was built in a new location near domestic terminal 1B, the airport's air traffic control tower was situated close to the secondary runway. That was demolished following construction of the new tower.

There is a plan to shift the Air Traffic Services complex building situated next to the site of old tower (now demolished) to another location in Sahar area to facilitate a construction of a taxiway. The building houses air traffic control services, communication and navigation department amongst others. But the shifting of that building has not taken place yet.
There are 10-odd suitors for Lafarge Indias 11-million tonne (mt) capacity cement business. This has to be sold, says the Competition Commission of India (CCI), if it is to allow the merger of the French giant with Switzerland-based Holcim as far as operations in this country.

Lafarge Indias cement business is estimated to be valued at Rs 10,000 crore. The bidding criteria could change  the Competition Appellate Tribunal (Compat) will be scrutinising the CCI order, after Dalmia Cements appeal against it.

CCI had approved the merger for a second time, in February, after Lafarge had told the regulator it would sell the entire firm. However, Compat issued a stay order on the merger last week; it did so without hearing CCI, which it has given three weeks to respond. Dalmia Cement had appealed to Compat earlier this month, arguing the terms and condition for divestment in the main order have been wrongly incorporated in the impugned order.

Dalmia Cement was referring to the threshold on operational capacity in the eastern region that CCI had set for bidders of Lafarges 5.15 mt business in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand in its first order, issued in March 2015. Lafarge India has a total capacity of 7.8 mt in the eastern region and of this, 5.15 mt was originally considered by the CCI for divestment to complete the global merger. Holcims ACC and Ambuja, respectively, have 6.1 mt and 4.6 mt capacity in the region.

Cement is considered to be a regional product by the anti-trust regulator, as its transportation beyond a distance doesnt make economic sense. Hence, the CCI considered the divestment of 5.15 mt capacity of Lafarge sufficient to avoid an 'appreciably adverse effect on competition' (AAEC). For the same purpose it also put a restriction that the eligible bidder should not have operational capacity which is more than five per cent of the total installed capacity in the region. Which comprises the four states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, with an aggregate capacity of 45 mt.

Birla Corp first emerged as the most eligible suitor and successfully won the bid for 5.15 mt asset. However, the deal fell through as the mining rights for limestone reserves catering to these plants could not be transferred, due to a recentamendment in the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act. The amendment prohibited transfer of mining rights in case of an asset sale.

Lafarge then sent a revised proposal, to sell the entire business of close to 11 mt -- about 7.8 mt capacity in the eastern region and another three mt in the north. While CCI approved the complete sell-off in an order this February, it continued with the of five per cent market share threshold for the bidders that it had set in its first order, issued in March 2015.

Dalmia Cement has questioned in its appeal whether CCI has taken into account the facts specific to the alternative proposal and assessed whether the alternative proposal adequately eliminates AAEC.

The cement industry is seeing a lot of consolidation and the market dynamics might quickly change. If Compat directs CCI to look at the deal afresh, it might reconsider the five per cent market share restriction, says Karan Singh Chandhiok, partner at law agency Chandhiok & Associates. Moreover, LafargeHolcim might support such a move, as it means more bidders for its assets.



Adds H M Bangur, managing director at Shree Cement, We will also bid for it if the five per cent threshold is brought down. But, we'd prefer to go by the rules than take the route of a legal battle.



Dalmia Cement did not reply to Business Standard's queries, saying the matter was sub judice. Dalmia and Shree Cement have about 20 per cent and 10 per cent market share, respectively, in the region.

HOW IT ALL UNFOLDED
DNA Influences When People Lose Their Virginity

Trending News: How Your DNA Can Predict When You Lose Your Virginity

Why Is This Important?

Because some things are beyond our control.

Long Story Short

A recent study found that while it mostly has to do with external factors, certain strands of our DNA can help predict whether someone will lose their virginity earlier or later than average.

Long Story

For teenage boys, there's maybe nothing they obsess over more than losing their virginity. From the age of, oh, 15 or so onward, our biological imperative to reproduce takes over to such a degree that it's all we can think about. But for all the scheming, schmoozing and general self-embarrassment we endure, when we finally cross that bridge may be, to a degree, beyond our control: Researchers at Cambridge University found that there's a small genetic component to whether people lose their virginity earlier or later than average.

The researchers examined the DNA of some 125,000 people enrolled in the UK BioBank project, and the average age at which they lost their virginity was 18. Further analysis of 250,000 men and women from Iceland and the US lent more credence to their findings that genes play a role in when we first become sexually active.

They found 38 genes that affect sexual behavior, and more importantly two variants known as CADM2 and MSRA. CADM2, a variant of one gene, was associated with losing virginity earlier, as well as risk-taking behaviour and having a large number of children. The other variant, MSRA, was associated with later sexual activity and irritability. So if you're in college and you have a buddy who seems pissy because he still hasn't scored for the first time, his celibacy might not be causing his irritability  they may just be two sides of the same coin.

However, the researchers are quick to point out that while certain genetic variants may be good predictors, the specific instance of losing one's virginity is a lot more dependent on things like cultural values, peer behavior and family background. The genetic aspect is only one part of the equation.

We were able to calculate for the first time that there is a heritable component to age at first sex, and the heritability is about 25%, so one quarter nature, three quarters nurture, John Perry, an expert in reproductive ageing and related health conditions at Cambridge University told The Guardian.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

What other behaviors can our genes predict?

Disrupt Your Feed

I feel like less of a loser now, thanks.

Drop This Fact

Worldwide, the Irish lose their virginity the earliest, at around 16. Malaysians, on the other hand, don't lose their v-cards until an average age of 23.
Shipping are breathing easier as the freight market reflected in benchmark Baltic indices has doubled in the past two months and is expected to rise further. The Shipping now expect freight rates to remain firm so that they can achieve operational equilibrium.

The spike in (BDI), the benchmark for dry bulk shipping freight, is expected to continue on the back of scrapping of vessels, which has pulled down the supply to some extent, and rise in front-haul due to the ongoing harvest season in South America.

BDI has risen 67 per cent in the past month to above-670 level and is expected to touch 900-levels by May-end. The index was below 300 points barely two months ago.

Old and more fuel-consuming vessels, whose performance is poor, are getting scrapped. This is helping correction in the supply side of vessels and balance their supply-demand equations to some extent, said a top official with Equator Maritime. Freight rates for front-haul - South America to China or Japan - have improved thanks to the harvest season in the US. This has allowed grains to sail across, thus reducing availability on other routes. All this is helping BDI rise.



Besides, with some vessels getting laid off in Singapore and Europe, the freight rate for dry bulk could rise further, he added.

In industry jargon, backhaul refers to trips that generally lose money. Here, the ship owner needs to take a discount to reposition itself for a better-paying cargo. Front-haul refers to the legs of a journey, where ship owners can make better returns but usually end up in a less favourable area.

Meanwhile, industry officials said the continued rise in BDI is expected to help shipping break even at the operating expenditure level. Typically, the operating expense for a dry bulk shipping vessel is about $5,000 a day.

Currently, although our three vessels are employed, we are in losses, said a top official with M Pallonji Shipping. Our vessels carry minerals in the Indian Ocean and though the Baltic has moved up, it is yet to show its positive impact for Indian shipping companies. If the rising momentum continues in BDI for a month, well be able to break even at the operating expense.



The Shipping Corporation of India, Great Eastern Shipping, and Essar Shipping are leaders in the domestic market.

Analysts say covering operating expense is not a challenge for most domestic shipping companies because they fix contract price accordingly. However, vessels in the spot market will have to meet higher operating expenses.

Brokers vigilant

Brokerages suggest that investors dont exit at current level even though prices have recovered in sync with the Baltic index. Given the current situation in the shipping industry and the non-consistent performance of shipping companies, we do not recommend buy in any of the stocks at present, said an analyst with a brokerage.

Since January 1, 2016, domestic shipping stock index has outperformed the Sensex and moved in tandem with BDI.

Brokerages say BDI near 1,500 levels would allow domestic shipping companies to break even at ease, but given the outlook for global economic growth, the index touching that level is doubtful.

The International Monetary Fund has projected global growth at 3.4 percent in 2016 and 3.6 percent in 2017, compared. Forecasts for 2016 and 2017 have been revised downwards by 0.2 percentage points, it said. Growth in China, the worlds largest producer and consumer of most commodities, is expected to slow to 6.3 percent in 2016 and 6.0 per cent in 2017.
Suzuki's premium hatchback Baleno, manufactured only in India by Maruti Suzuki, has received a three-star rating in crash tests with standard equipment by automobile safety agency Euro NCAP. However, in tests with safety pack the global model of the Japanese firm received a four-star rating. According to Euro NCAP, three star rating means "average to good occupant protection but lacking crash avoidance technology."



As per the report compiled by the Euro NCAP, the passenger compartment of Baleno remained stable in the frontal offset test.

Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger, it noted.

"In the full-width rigid barrier impact, protection of the driver was rated as good except for the chest, protection of which was adequate," it added.

Dummy readings of chest compression indicated marginal protection for this part of the body but good or adequate protection elsewhere, it said.

In the side barrier test, dummy numbers showed good protection but the score for the head was penalised as the side curtain airbag was deemed not to have deployed in the correct manner in the side pole test, Euro NCAP said.

"In the more severe side pole impact, dummy readings of lateral rib compression indicated weak chest protection and the head protection was downgraded to adequate as a result of the incorrect airbag deployment," it noted.

The front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good protection.

However, the optional 'Radar Brake Support' was not included in this assessment, Euro NCAP said.

The agency gave a four-star rating to the Baleno fitted with safety pack of radar brake support. As per Euro NCAP, a vehicle with four star rating offers overall good performance in crash protection and additional crash avoidance technology may be present.

While refusing to comment on NCAP findings, a company spokesperson said: "In recent months Maruti Suzuki has systematically introduced enhanced safety equipment comprising dual airbags and ABS with EBD as standard in certain models, and as option across all variants of most models. Alto comes with a driver airbag option in all variants".

Last month, Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) had launched the Baleno in the Japanese market. It is for the first time that Maruti Suzuki India-made model is being exported to Japan where SMC is based.

Maruti had launched Baleno in domestic market last year.

The premium hatch is being manufactured at the company's Manesar plant.
The management of the UK strips division of Tata Steel, has expressed interest in buying out the groups five-million-tonne unit, persons close to the development told Business Standard on Wednesday. The division is headed by managing director Stuart Wilkie.

Alongside, Tata Steel has made a memorandum of sale available for parties interested in buying its UK business.

Tata Steel is looking for a consortium that can hold its UK business comprising the management of the UK strips business and an outside party, a source said.

Tata is also looking for support from the UK government in terms of commercial rights and bank guarantees just as in the Greybull deal, he added.

Tata Steel UKs Port Talbot strips plant comprises a blast furnace and strips facility, and the Scunthorpe facility has a blast furnace and a 4.5 million tonne long products unit. The strips division employs around 4,000 people.

Tata Steel Europe on Wednesday said it welcomed credible expressions of interest for Tata Steels UK operations. It is our policy that we are not naming, confirming or commenting on any potentially interested investor or bidder at this point, it said. However, all expressions of interest, including any management buyout proposals, will be considered when received, it added.

ALSO READ: Tata Steel appoints new CEO for UK biz

Last week, Tata Steel had announced an agreement to sell its long products Europe business to investment firm Greybull.

Wilkie had proposed a turnaround plan for the strips plant earlier this year to the Tata management, which was rejected by the Tata board in March.

The long products division sale to Greybull covered several UK-based assets, including the Scunthorpe Steelworks, two mills in Teesside, an engineering workshop in Workington, a design consultancy in York, and associated distribution facilities as well as a mill in northern France.

Tata Steels UK business, including the one sold to Greybull, has been running in losses for the last couple of years. Tata Steel has been looking to sell 10-million-plus tonne steel-making capacity that has a huge pension liability with 146,000 retired and active employees.

Tata Steel had acquired Corus in 2007 for $12.9 billion. The company is neither able to get this bleeding unit off its back nor is it able to turn it around.

"In the interests of all stakeholders every credible expressions of interest will enter the same rigorous assessment process to ensure the best value and prospects of sustainability," the company said.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
A new policy from the Chandigarh administration has banned short skirts in discotheques, The Times of India reported on Wednesday.

The Controlling of Places of Public Amusement, 2016 policy, which came into effect on April 1, has not only curtailed the bar timings by two hours from 2am to 12 midnight, but also gives unprecedented powers to the administration to enforce the ban by denying permission for renewal of licences.

The policy states permission can be denied by a nodal committee  which includes the deputy commissioner as chairman, and the municipal corporation commissioner, Chandigarh police SSP, director, health services, and excise and taxation commissioner as members  in case of "exhibition or advertisement of scantily dressed women" and "indecency" or if it is "seditious and likely to excite political discontent.

However, it fails to detail what scantily dressed women or indecency is, nor does it define what acts might attract charges of sedition.

The new policys conditions for denial of permission to run an establishment include if it is deemed to be indecent or of a scurrilous character; exhibits or advertises scantily dressed women; is seditious or likely to excite political discontent; contains offensive reference to personalities; promotes hostile feelings between different classes; or is calculated to cause a breach of peace.

The policy has been framed by the order of Punjab and Haryana High Court for the union territory (UT) administration to regulate the operations of city bars and restaurants after a number of violent incidents were reported from outside .

Hoteliers in the city have expressed their opposition to the new rules, saying it is tantamount to moral policing, besides being vague and harsh.

The Times of India report has quoted a city-based restaurateur Manish Goyal as saying: "It's moral policing. How do you define a scantily dressed woman or being indecent? It is all subjective. What you may find indecent, I may find innocent. The administration should not reject permissions on such parameters at least".

Lawyer Anupam Gupta, who studied the draft of the policy, told the newspaper that the entire policy was flawed. "The entire notification is completely without any authority of law and the onus would be on UT to show under which law or which legal power they have passed this notification, he was quoted as saying.

The President of Joint Forum of Young Entrepreneurs and owner of a bar in Sector 35, Vipul Dua said he has never heard of any instance of sedition linked to any of the city bars or restaurants. I am amazed that UT could make such a provision in the policy as ground for shutting down business, he was quoted as saying.

Senior advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal told the newspaper that the administrations policy was  completely incorrect. It's moral policing and in violation of fundamental rights of citizens. The UT administration has not used the word 'indecency' and 'sedition' in relevant manner and is behaving like a dictator.
A government-appointed committee had recommended criminalisation of in India, The Indian Express reported on Wednesday. Currently, the law makes it an offence only if the wife is below 15 years of age.

Marriage is sacrosanct, but that does not give anyone the right to abuse the body and dignity of women. It is in this context that we asked that be criminalized, Pam Rajput, the committees chairperson and founder director at the Centre for Womens Studies at Panjab University told the newspaper.

The development comes a day after Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi had said that the Centre was considering criminalising .

In its report called Status of Women in India, the panel also plugged holes in the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act 2013 and criticised the government for inaction on criminalising marital rape.

The Act is silent on the issue of marital rape, making it an offence only in cases where the wife is under 15 years of age. The Verma committee had, however, recommended that marital rape should be made an offence irrespective of the age of the wife. This shows the legislatures failure to appreciate the growing menace of this crime wherein the victim has to suffer on a daily basis, the report said.

While the 2013 Act has taken giant strides by expanding definition of rape, defining consent, among others, marital rape while a couple residing together is not punishable by law, the panel said. Currently, marital rape is exempted from the definition of rape under the Indian Penal Code as it states that sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape.

Victims, for now, take recourse only to civil remedies which are given under the Protection of Woman from Domestic Violence Act 2005.
Following pressure from trade unions and violence in Bengaluru over the restrictions on withdrawal of Provident Fund (PF) corpus, the government on Tuesday rolled back the notification that introduced these measures.

"Considering the representations received from various quarters and after consultations with the various stakeholders, the government has decided to withdraw the February 10 notification with immediate effect," the labour ministry stated on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Centre had relaxed restrictions on the withdrawal in circumstances like buying a house, medical treatment, marriage, education, among others. It had also deferred the implementation of the norms mentioned in the notification to July 31 from current deadline of April 30. But with the cancellation of the notification, these restrictions are not in effect.

Business Standard takes a look at what do the current rules allow you do with your money.

Age limit

Then: You could only withdraw the money when you turn 58; the official retirement age in the government .This clause was met with intense opposition from trade unions. In some cases, workers in the garment industry are unsure about finding work. In such a case, waiting for the retirement corpus for another eight years would have been difficult, NDTV reported, citing trade unions.

Now: The age limit to withdraw 90% of the corpus now stands at 54. The rest will be settled on turning 58.

Withdrawal cap

Then: You could only withdraw the employees contribution to the fund, along with the interest. The rest amount would have been settled on turning 58.

Now: If you have been unemployed over two months, you can now choose to withdraw the entire amount of the corpus, along with the interest. Employees can also withdraw the employers contribution. However, you could face an income tax on the amount if the employee chooses to withdraw before completing five years of continuous service.

Taxation of 60% on withdrawals

Then: In the Union Budget of 2016, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced that withdrawals in EPF could get a tax exemption on 40% of the corpus. It meant that 60% of the corpus withdrawal would face taxes at the time of retirement, thereby eroding a huge chunk of it.

There were widespread protests in the country to roll back the taxation rule. In addition to that, the complexity in taxation for individuals was also questioned at a time when the Centre wanted to simplify the same.

Now: At the retirement age, withdrawals from EPF are completely tax-free.
Shaktiman, an Uttarakhand Police horse that lost a leg in an attack by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator last month, died on Wednesday, days after it got a prosthetic limb, an official said.

Animal rights activists reacted sharply and asked the government to take action against the accused BJP leader, Ganesh Joshi.

Vets attending the 13-year-old animal said it had not responded to a prosthetic leg brought from the US. The horse died on Wednesday afternoon, they said.

It was at the police lines in Dehradun, where a group of policemen and an international animal rights activist from the US, Jamie Vaughan, were looking after it.

" lost its battle with life after a brave fight of 37 days. I salute its bravery and also Dehradun police,doctors and Jamie who looked after Shakti and wanted it to live," filmmaker Vinod Kapri told IANS. Kapri recently made a documentary on life and the struggle of the horse.

"It's not a death of a horse but a child in home. We treated like our own child," an emotional Kapri said.

PETA India chief executive Poorva Joshipura said that the country should frame more stringent laws against animal assaulters so that peolple like Joshi refrain from being cruel to them. "We urge the government to act fast to ensure other animals are spared from cruelty and horrific deaths by strengthening the penalties for cruelty against animals."

Joshipura said the horse "was essentially killed the day its leg was broken". "Our equine veterinarian always warned his quality of life would be forever damaged and he may not live."

Joshi, the legislator from Mussoorie, attacked and severely injured during a BJP protest against the Harish Rawat government here on March 14.

Badly injured in the attack, Shaktiman's leg had to be amputated later. A few days back, another US resident Tim Mahoney travelled all the way from Kentucky to Dehradun at his own expense to deliver a prosthetic limb for the injured horse.
The body of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who was held captive in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat prison since 1992, arrived in India on Tuesday. Singh reportedly died under mysterious circumstances, as his family claimed that his body bore injury and blood marks.

The medical board, which conducted a post-mortem examination on Singhs body, after he was brought back to India, however refuted these claims. They said that while a few vital organs were missing from Singhs body, due to a previously conducted post-mortem examination in Pakistan, there were no signs of internal or external injuries.

Ashok Sharma, head of the three-member medical board has been quoted in media reports, saying, When we opened the body, we found that some of the organs were missing because when post-mortem is done, some organs are taken to test to find out whether there is any disease or not.

Read more from our special coverage on "KIRPAL SINGH"

He further added that the cause of death had not been ascertained yet.

Here is a look at the case:

Who was

Kirpal Singh, a former serviceman from Gurdaspur, allegedly crossed the Wagah border into Pakistan in 1992. Since then, he was arrested and lodged in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat prison.

After his arrest, Pakistani authorities accused him of being an Indian spy. He was later convicted in a serial bomb blast case within Pakistan and sentenced to death. This sentence was later converted to 20 years of imprisonment.

The case so far

Pakistani officials claimed that Singh complained of chest pain, after which he was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital.

He was soon declared dead by doctors, after he suffered a heartattack, said Pakistani officials.

Going by the history of torture and abuse that Indian inmates face in Pakistani prisons, Singhs family however claimed foul play in his death.

"He has been murdered by the Pakistanis under a conspiracy. He was the sole witness to the murder of Sarabjit Singh in the Lahore prison. We want a thorough inquiry and post-mortem to know the truth of his death," said Singhs nephew.

Kirpal Singhs of the past

Pakistani prisons have been notorious for the manner in which they treat their Indian prisoners. Kirpal Singhs sudden death and the conspiracy that surrounds it, is just one among many similar cases in the past.

One of the first and most prominent cases of torture within Pakistani prisons is that of Captain Saurabh Kalia. Kalia, along with five of his colleagues were taken as prisoners of war by Pakistan during the 1999 Kargil war, before their dead bodies were handed over to India.

Post-mortem examinations revealed that all six soldiers were tortured during their time of captivity. Their bodies were burnt with cigarettes, ear-drums pierced and eyes punctured, among other grevious injuries. These soliders were then shot dead.

Another prominent case of Indian inmate deaths in Pakistan is that of Sarabjit Singh. Sarabjit, a farmer from Punjab, was arrested by Pakistani authorities from an unmarked Indo-Pakistan border area, on the night of August 30, 1990.

Just like in the case of Kirpal Singh, Sarabjit was also labelled a terrorist and a spy, and convicted of a serial bomb blast attack in Pakistan. He was then sentenced to death.

During the evening of April 26, 2013, Sarabjit was allegedly beaten up by fellow Pakistani inmates, after which he was admitted to Jinnah Hospital with severe head injuries and a broken backbone.

Sources indicated that this attack on Sarabjit was planned in revenge of Afzal Gurus execution in India, for his role in the Parliament attack case.



Sarabjit was reported dead on May 2, 2013.

Chamel Singh, another Indian farmer and prisoner of Lahores Kot Lakhpat jail, was also reportedly mercilessly beaten days before his death by the Pakistani prison staff.

Tehseen Khan, a Pakistani lawyer and former inmate of the same prison, upon his release, told the media that he was witness to Chamels plight. Khan said that Chamel was assaulted for using water from a tap to wash his clothes, two days after which he breathed his last at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, on January 15, 2013.

Media reports quote Khan saying that other Indians in Kot Lakhpat jail, including death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh, faced a "grave threat."

In 2015, as India and Pakistan exchanged a list of civilian prisoners in their respective countries, it was revealed that there are 403 Indians, including 355 fishermen lodged in Pakistani jails.
Even as Maharashtra grapples with a widespread that has seen trainloads of water being delivered to the Latur region, a few actors from Bollywood as well as the Marathi film industry, such as Nana Patekar, Aamir Khan, and Akshay Kumar, have stepped in to help out.

Actor Nana Patekar, along with his friend Makarand Anasapure, has started the NAAM Foundation, an organisation which will provide aid to farmers hit by . Its basic objective is to focus on generating employment, providing education to the children of farmers facing financial crisis, bringing growth in agriculture and finding a permanent solution to the water problem.

According to a Times of India report, the actors also decided to adopt villages in the region reeling under for a year or so. The actors said that their aim to is to make the villages tanker-free and self-sufficient.

The organisation is not new, though. In October last year, the foundation had adopted two drought-hit villages Dhondalgaon and Gogalgaon in Vaijapur taluka of Aurangabad district.

Over the period of seven months from the time of its launch, the Foundation got support from actress Renuka Shanane, Marathi actor Jitendra Joshi, senior actor Dilip Prabhavalkar, actress Girija Oak, director Purushottame Berde, actor Sayaji Shinde and others.

According to a report in Times of India, Motarkar, a farmer from Beed had written letters to district authorities saying he would take the extreme step of suicide if his loan was not waived.

"That's when word reached Nana Patekar and Makarand who promised to take care of my children's education. They also told me that they will find a middle path for my loan. They gifted me and my family another life. I will never think of suicide," said Motarkar.

Aamir Khan, who was at the receiving end of the anti- debate for his comments over growing intolerance, has adopted two villages facing a water crisis.

The superstar had been touring the drought-affected regions to take stock of the situation.

He also joined hands with Paani Foundation for the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup campaign which aims at water conservation and spreading awareness about the same. It is a contest among the villages of Maharashtra, in which villages will be involved in water conservation activities, with the winning village bagging prize money of Rs 50 lakh.

Aamir Khan adopts two drought-hit villages of Maharashtra



The Times of India also reported that Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has offered support for drought-hit regions by donating Rs 50 lakh for Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan, a state-sponsored initiative to make villages in the state drought-proof.

Earlier, too, the actor had donated Rs 90 lakh to be used to help support the 180 families of farmers who had committed suicide. In addition, Kumar is planning to do a charity show with actor Riteish Deshmukh in Latur.
Taxi aggregators Uber and Ola may have to permanently stop surge pricing, around which their business models are built.

In a series of messages on micro-blogging site Twitter, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused Uber and Ola of daylight robbery.

"Surge pricing is daylight robbery. No responsible govt can allow that. This is open blackmailing n govt will not let that happen," he tweeted.

To a suggestion on Twitter that the suspension of surge pricing should continue even after the odd-even scheme, Kejriwal replied, "Yes, we will do it."



There's nothing official from the Delhi government yet on banning surge pricing after the odd-even drill is over.

Recently, the Karnataka government had set a cap on surge pricing. Airlines, railways and hotels offer dynamic prices. For taxi aggregators, the technology ensures real-time tracking of demand and supply, but airlines and hotels use revenue management tools to balance tariffs.

Sources said repeated requests by Uber and Ola to meet Delhi government officials had been turned down.

"No one from the government has given us time. We are getting to know of all these developments from tweets or press conferences held by Transport Minister Gopal Rai," said a taxi aggregator who did not wish to be named.

"If the cost of operation is going down per cab as the demand is high why should they charge a premium?" said Siddhartha Pahwa, CEO, Meru Cabs. "We believe the CM has taken the right step by capping the maximum fare radio taxis can charge," he added.

Ola on Wednesday said it would offer free rides for its shuttle bus service on April 22 and 29. Since Tuesday, 75 taxis working for Uber and Ola have been impounded.

PRICING FOR PROFIT

HOSPITALITY: In peak holiday seasons, hotel tariffs typically rise because of surge in demand. The industry uses dynamic pricing to raise or lower cost of rooms and packages, based on supply and demand. This helps hotels maximise revenues by attracting customers at different price points



In peak holiday seasons, hotel tariffs typically rise because of surge in demand. The industry uses dynamic pricing to raise or lower cost of rooms and packages, based on supply and demand. This helps hotels maximise revenues by attracting customers at different price points AVIATION: Airline companies decide on which fare slabs should be displayed for sale, as well as number of seats in each slab. As seats get sold in lower priced slabs, the costlier ones are displayed. In addition, pricing is event-specific. In the past, the government has threatened airlines against jacking up prices, but has not intervened in pricing matters so far



Airline companies decide on which fare slabs should be displayed for sale, as well as number of seats in each slab. As seats get sold in lower priced slabs, the costlier ones are displayed. In addition, pricing is event-specific. In the past, the government has threatened airlines against jacking up prices, but has not intervened in pricing matters so far RAILWAYS: The Rail Budget in February said that dynamic pricing based on demand would stay. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said independence of Rail Development Authority will be ensured to enable fair pricing of services. Prabhu's comment followed criticism of the excessive high train fare during dynamic pricing

Price gouging at its worst in other sectors
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump received a major boost from his home state Tuesday night.

Trump won the New York Republican presidential primary with 60.35 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results available on the state Board of Elections' website.

By receiving more than 50 percent of the vote statewide, Trump will win 14 at-large delegates. There were 81 more delegates available  three in each of the state's 27 congressional districts.

How many delegates will Trump win? And how did U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich fare in these districts?

Here is how the delegates, based on the current results, will be distributed:

1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump received 73.44 percent in this Suffolk County district. He'll win the district's three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 3, Cruz 0, Kasich 0

2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump won this district by a huge margin. He received 75.05 percent of the vote. Kasich was his closest competitor with 17.11 percent.

Delegate Count: Trump 6, Cruz 0, Kasich 0

3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump was supported by more than two-thirds of GOP primary voters  67.25 percent  in this district. Kasich received more than 20 percent of the vote, but it wasn't enough to steal a delegate from Trump.

Delegate Count: Trump 9, Cruz 0, Kasich 0

4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Similar to the results in the 3rd Congressional District, Trump picked up two-thirds of the vote  66.45 percent  and Kasich collected more than 20 percent, but Trump will win all three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 12, Cruz 0, Kasich 0

5TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

You're seeing a common trend in this neighboring congressional districts. Trump received 66.87 percent of the vote in this district and will win three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 15, Cruz 0, Kasich 0

6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump won 67.60 percent of the vote in this district. He'll collect all three delegates up for grabs.

Delegate Count: Trump 18, Cruz 0, Kasich 0

7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

This is the first district where Trump received less than 60 percent of the vote. While he didn't hit that mark, he did get 53.65 percent, which is enough to win all three of the district's delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 21, Cruz 0, Kasich 0

8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

This was a dominating win for Trump. He received 76.34 percent of the vote in this district.

Delegate Count: Trump 24, Cruz 0, Kasich 0

9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

With 59.33 percent of the vote, Trump will win the district's three delegates. This was one of the few districts where Cruz reached the 20 percent mark. (He received 23.68 percent of the vote in the 9th District.)

Delegate Count: Trump 27, Cruz 0, Kasich 0

10TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

By failing to hit the 50 percent threshold in this district, Trump won't sweep the delegates. He received 44.24 percent of the vote, which is good enough to win two of the three delegates. Kasich will receive one delegate for getting 34.62 percent of the vote.

Delegate Count: Trump 29, Kasich 1, Cruz 0

11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump won this district with 80.54 percent of the vote. He'll receive all three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 32, Kasich 1, Cruz 0

12TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

This is Trump's district. He lives there. But he didn't win there Tuesday night. Kasich beat Trump by a 44.38 to 43.95 percent margin. The narrow loss means Trump will only get one delegate in his home district. Kasich wins two of the three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 33, Kasich 3, Cruz 0

13TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump received 50.49 percent of the vote in this district. That's enough to win all three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 36, Kasich 3, Cruz 0

14TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

With 69.18 percent of the vote, Trump won this district and its three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 39, Kasich 3, Cruz 0

15TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump received 62.23 percent of the vote in this district. This was Cruz's best performance. He received 24.56 percent in the 15th District, but it wasn't enough to secure any delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 42, Kasich 3, Cruz 0

16TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump received 57.52 percent of the vote and Kasich finished second with 30.34 percent. But Trump reached the threshold he needed to win all three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 45, Kasich 3, Cruz 0

17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump received 60.87 percent of the vote and will win all three delegates in this district.

Delegate Count: Trump 48, Kasich 3, Cruz 0

18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

This is where we start to shift upstate. Trump had a good performance in this district. He received 67.13 percent of the vote, beating Kasich by nearly 47 points.

Delegate Count: Trump 51, Kasich 3, Cruz 0

19TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

The 19th District is represented by U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, a Republican who is considering a run for governor in 2018. Why is that worth mentioning? Gibson said he didn't vote for any of the three remaining GOP presidential candidates.

Trump won this district with 60.29 percent of the vote.

Delegate Count: Trump 54, Kasich 3, Cruz 0

20TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump didn't sweep the delegates in this district. He received 48.73 percent of the vote, which means he'll get two of the three delegates up for grabs. Kasich, who received 33.48 percent of the vote, will get one for reaching the 20 percent threshold.

Delegate Count: Trump 56, Kasich 4, Cruz 0

21ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

This is the northernmost district in New York represented by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik. It was close, but Trump will win all three delegates. He received 52.72 percent of the vote. Kasich finished second with 31.21 percent.

Delegate Count: Trump 59, Kasich 4, Cruz 0

22ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

The 22nd District is represented by U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, who hasn't endorsed a candidate in the Republican presidential primary. Hanna, R-Barneveld, isn't a big fan of Cruz or Trump.

Trump won the district with 52.69 percent of the vote.

Delegate Count: Trump 62, Kasich 4, Cruz 0

23RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

U.S. Rep. Tom Reed represents the 23rd District. He endorsed Trump before the New York primary.

Trump won the district with 52.40 percent of the vote. He'll receive three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 65, Kasich 4, Cruz 0

24TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump will win two of the district's three delegates after failing to reach the 50 percent mark in central New York. He received 48.38 percent of the vote. Kasich, who held two campaign events in the Syracuse area, received 33.41 percent. He'll pick up a delegate in the 24th District.

Delegate Count: Trump 67, Kasich 5, Cruz 0

25TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump narrowly won three delegates in the 25th District. He received 51.41 percent of the vote. Kasich got 31.23 percent, but won't win any delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 70, Kasich 5, Cruz 0

26TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Trump won the district with 65.01 percent of the vote. He'll receive three delegates.

Delegate Count: Trump 73, Kasich 5, Cruz 0

27TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

The district is represented by U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, who was one of the first members of Congress to endorse Trump.

There was a lot of support for Trump in western New York. He received 62.70 percent of the vote in this district.

Delegate Count: Trump 76, Kasich 5, Cruz 0

With Trump's statewide win, he gets 14 delegates added to his total. He'll finish with nearly all of the state's 95 delegates.

FINAL DELEGATE COUNT: Trump 90, Kasich 5, Cruz 0
On Tuesday, army chief General Dalbir Singh flew to Srinagar and Kupwara to be briefed by his top Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) commanders on the situation after the reported molestation of a schoolgirl in Handwara last Tuesday, and the killing of five civilians in the street protests and stone pelting that followed.

The army chief wanted to know: do his soldiers face another season of violent street protests, like the three bloody summers at the end of the last decade: in 2008 over outgoing governor Lieutenant General S K Sinha's ill-judged plan to acquire land for the Amarnath Yatra; in 2009 over eventually disproved allegations that the security forces had abducted, raped and murdered two local women in Shopian, in South Kashmir; and the worst in 2010, when over a hundred civilians were killed in months of street protests stemming from the murders of three civilians in a "fake encounter" in Machhil, in North Kashmir.

The bland press release that followed Singh's visit to Kashmir suggested a bleak assessment, noting: "the army chief impressed upon all to ensure security in the area in concert with (the) police and civil administration."



The army finds itself, trapped with a cleft stick yet again - responsible for maintaining security amongst an increasingly resentful and activist populace on the one hand; and, on the other, with no political dialogue to release the pressure and consolidate the gains of security operations.

Worryingly, intelligence assessments indicate that growing disaffection amongst the youth is ceding ground to fundamentalist Islamist groups like Daesh (also called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL). Analysts fear that frustration could morph a separatist insurgency into a pan-Islamist jihad based on Palestine-style street uprisings (intifada) and the deployment of terror weapons - suicide vests, truck bombs and fidayeen-style attacks on civilian targets outside Kashmir. This would also see the separatist leadership pass into the hands of far more radical entities than the known leaders in the Hurriyat Conference.

Already, Islamist proselytizing groups, generously funded from places like Saudi Arabia, have gained ground in Kashmir. The syncretic Kashmiriyat culture has visibly given way to a more puritanical, West Asian Islam. The schoolgirl who was molested in Handwara was not donning the traditional Kashmiri headscarf, but a hijab that would have been rare two decades ago.

Aggravating the army's predicament is a complicated political playfield in J&K that almost arouses nostalgia for the previous chief minister, Omar Abdullah - who the army disliked for his unrelenting efforts to lift the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), but admitted was a nationalist. Now, the generals must deal with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti from the People's Democratic Party (PDP), who they regard warily as a separatist sympathiser; and her Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition partners who regard her as even worse. Given the distrust within the PDP-BJP ruling alliance, the army is not relying on political dialogue to counter public alienation.

Instead, the alliance partners are stoking dangerous religious polarization between the Jammu region and Kashmir. The BJP (and, to some extent, the Congress) are whipping up Hindu communal passions in Jammu, in a mirror image of the Muslim-identity politics being played by groups in Kashmiri. Identity politics have spread to Ladakh, with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh instigating Buddhist groups there against the Shia Muslims who comprise half of Ladakh's population.

With our apolitical generals diffident about urging New Delhi to alleviate matters by initiating talks with Kashmiri separatists, Pakistan's continuing meddling provides them some clarity. Defending the 776-kilometre Line of Control (LoC) and stopping militant infiltration from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is a priority, with no scope for gentleness. However, a softer approach is evident in the army's counter-militant operations in the hinterland. Two recent cases of trigger-happiness by army troops were followed by public apologies from the northern army commander, Lieutenant General DS Hooda - something that would have been hard to imagine earlier.

Even so, given Kashmir's bloody recent history and embittered public sentiment, there is only limited traction in expressions of regret. And the army steadfastly opposes lifting AFSPA, despite it being a potent lightning rod for Kashmiri anger and a symbol of state repression. The army's logic is simple: in the absence of a political dialogue with the separatists, public order remains unpredictable. Were the situation to spiral out of control, the army would not like to find itself without the shelter of AFSPA.

From multiple perspectives, and especially for justifying the BJP-PDP alliance in Srinagar, there is a compelling case for the Centre to initiate a dialogue with J&K separatists. Kashmiri leaders point out bitterly that several prime ministers have met Naga separatist leaders, but not even a junior minister has talked to Kashmiri separatists. Without the leverage that comes from sustained dialogue, New Delhi can only watch impotently as Hurriyat leaders make their way to the Pakistan High Commission, and Islamabad continues to paint India in international forums as an occupier in Kashmir.

Insensitive to this complex political-ideological backdrop, the media reports events in J&K largely in the framework of security. Military analysts, who also seldom look beyond the security context, have pronounced the Handwara confrontation entirely predictable, although security managers failed spectacularly in predicting it. Cloaking this failure in success, they suggest that security forces' successes were compelling militants into desperate incidents to signal that they might be down, but were not out. To explain why a young schoolgirl would provide the trigger, Handwara is dismissed as a "staged event".

Analysts have also suggested replacing the army in towns and villages with armed police like the Central Reserve Policy Force. This begs the question: what role then for the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), 65 army battalions that are mostly deployed in the J&K hinterland?



On the ground, the army continues to deal with growing public frustration, evident from swelling crowds at militants' funerals, and mobs throwing stones at soldiers battling cornered militants. And, without a high profile political outreach from New Delhi, the situation in J&K can only deteriorate.
The Union government has empowered states to impose stock holding limits on sugar under the Essential Commodities Act. States have also been directed to take action against any artificial increase in price.

Prices rose as a result of rising exports after a rebound in international prices, lower than expected domestic production and summer demand from cola majors and ice-cream makers. However, soon after reports came out about possible stock limits, sugar prices on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange(NCDEX), a derivative exchange, fell four per cent before recovering slightly. May futures for Kolhapur delivery, however, closed 2.7 per cent lower at Rs 3422 per quintal on NCDEX.

In the Mumbai (Vashi) spot market, the medium grade went up 17 per cent from Rs 3,202 at the beginning of the calendar year to Rs 3741 on Wednesday. The spot market was not affected by reports of limits as currently supply is short and export and seasonal demand from cola majors and ice cream makers is good.

Sources said the proposal to impose stock limits was discussed at a recent meeting of the committee of government secretaries. Some officials from the food department felt that such a limit would go against the interest of growers, who after a long time were seeing good price realisation.

The ministry is understood to have received reports that the price spurt is because of hoarding by traders.

The industry fundamentals are improving with the international market turning hot for sugar because of lower production in other major countries like Brazil and consistent downward revision in production in India. Sugar price touched a three year-low of Rs 2,300 a quintal in July 2015.

Indian Sugar Manufacturers Association (Isma) has now said production could be well below even 26 million tonnes (mt) this season, a fall of about 10 per cent, while exports have increased and the year could end with two mt of exports.

The price spurt has benefited sugarcane growers as mills are paying arrears. According to Isma, "as compared to the cane price arrears of 2015-16 season of over Rs 21,800 crore as on April 12, 2015, arrears during the current season are lower about Rs 13,300 crore.



Abinash Verma, director general, Isma said, current prices in the past 15 days are just covering cost and if one looks at seasons average price of Rs 29.5-30, that is not covering cost. In the remaining season, industry needs to get average price of Rs 36-37 per kg to cover cost. Hence, controls at this stage are not required.



Sugar companies too are seeing profits, though cleaning of balance sheets may take some time as debt levels are high.

ICRA says, Profitability improvement is likely to be moderate for mills based in Maharashtra and Karnataka, given the lower cane availability coupled with the increase in prices in 2016. This apart, profitability is also likely to be supported by improved realisations for by-products.

While better profitability and stock reduction are expected to result in improved liquidity and debt coverage metrics for sugar mills in the near term, the same would continue to be weighed down by high amounts of debt outstanding and/or dues incurred to cover losses in the previous sugar years.
Business sentiments running high should mean good days for private jet operators in India. But, the country's lack of infrastructure and policy paralysis have stymied the sector's growth, say operators.

The government is yet to evolve a policy framework for non-scheduled air operations. It means the private jet operators are governed by the same regulations of scheduled operators. "This poses a load on us," says Bhupesh Joshi, CEO of Club One Air, one of the largest players in the market.

Joshi cites the regulatory requirement for a co-pilot to fly 100 hours to become captain. "The scheduled carriers have volumes and it's easy for them to meet the regulatory requirements. But, it will take six months for our pilots to have even 10 hours of flying," he says.

India's private jet fleet grew at double-digit rates until 2008, when it surged 26 per cent, according to industry figures. But, that proved to be a flash in a pan.

After that, there was a sharp slowdown owing to the global financial crisis. High taxes ensured the numbers did not climb back. Since then, there have been some uptick in the number of operators. But, with every new set of operators coming in, some operators went out of business.

For the past three years, the number of chartered operators as well as aircraft has plateaued. The years of double-digit growth went into single digit in 2010 and slipped into the negative territory in 2013. The inventory or number of aircraft owned by chartered operators has remained stagnant at 200 since 2013. This is despite the fact that the economy has recovered and business prospects looked brighter.

According to an executive with a charter company, the government has never thought of building infrastructure for business jets. "India has gone berserk building airports to support the growing numbers of Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s operated by Indian carriers for the passenger sector - to fuel the growing middle class - but they haven't really gone to town in building up business jet facilities to the same degree that they have for commercial aircraft."



Stressed out by infrastructural constraints, the availability of airport slots is another key issue that has compounded the woes of chartered operators. The Delhi airport has reduced the number of slots for such operators to five flights a day. In the Mumbai airport, they are not allowed to fly during the peak hours of 8 am and 12 pm. "We lose a lot of business due to that," says Joshi.

WHAT JET OPERATORS WANT
Under fire from trade unions, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has rolled back its decision to tighten provident fund (PF) withdrawal norms.

This is the second rollback in EPFO withdrawal norms. Earlier, the government was forced to reverse the Budget proposal to tax 60 per cent of the PF corpus at the time of withdrawal, following widespread protests.

Considering the representations received from various quarters and after consultations with the various stakeholders, the government has decided to withdraw the February 10 notification with immediate effect, the labour ministry stated.

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya announced the roll back in Hyderabad on Tuesday, hours after saying the implementation of the new norms was put on hold till July 31.

In February, EPFO had issued a notification saying the employers contribution to the PF corpus could be withdrawn only after the employee turns 58 years of age.

According to EPFO rules, 12 per cent of an employees salary goes as contribution to PF along with a matching contribution from the employer.

Earlier, subscribers could claim 90 per cent of their PF corpus at 54 years.

Following protests from trade unions, the government also proposed to allow full withdrawal of PF certain grounds such as purchase of a house, serious illness, marriage, and professional education of children. The labour ministry has now referred the matter to the law ministry for clearance.

Now that the February notification has been rolled back, workers can withdraw the entire amount from the provident fund as per existing provisions of the EPF Scheme, 1952, including the employers share of 3.67 per cent, the labour ministry said.

The labour minister, though, defended the February amendment saying it was done in workers interest. The objective was to provide a minimum social security to the workers at the time of retirement. It was noticed that 80 per cent of the claims settled by EPFO belonged to premature withdrawal of funds, treating the PF accounts as savings accounts, and not a social security instrument.



Firstly, it was a decision taken in haste and the government failed to inform the workers accordingly. Todays (Tuesdays) decision should have been taken long back avoiding all the unfortunate incidents across the country, said A K Padmanabhan, president of CITU and member of EPFOs Central Board of Trustees.
India will sign the Paris Agreement on climate change on Friday in New York. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the matter. The agreement was adopted by around 190 countries during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) held in the French capital in December 2015.

According to a statement released after the Cabinet meeting, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will sign the agreement on behalf of India on Friday at a high-level signature ceremony convened by the secretary-general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.

India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the agreement addresses all the important concerns and expectations of India, it said.

Around 150 countries are expected to sign the agreement in New York on the same day. This will break the previous record of 119 signatures for an opening day signing for an international agreement, set by the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in 1994.

The signing ceremony will mark the first step towards ensuring that the Paris Agreement enters into force as early as possible.

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, deposit their instruments of ratification or acceptance with the UN secretary-general.

The Paris Agreement on climate change is a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of UNFCCC and recognises the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances, the statement noted, adding that it acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries and their right to development.

It also recognises the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead and notes the importance of climate justice, which was raised by India, in its preamble.

Around 60 Heads of State and governments, including French President Francois Hollande, are expected to attend the signing ceremony in New York.

The objective of the agreement further ensures that it is not mitigation-centric and includes other important elements such as adaptation, loss and damage, finance, technology, capacity building and transparency of action and support, the statement added.

Noting that the pre-2020 climate actions are also part of the decisions, the statement said the developed countries should boost their level of financial support with a road map to achieve the goal of jointly providing $100 billion by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation.
India will sign the Paris Agreement on climate change, adopted by more than 190 countries in December last, on Friday in New York.

The Union Cabinet Wednesday aopproved the signing of the agreement, adopted during the 21st Conference of Parties held in the French capital.

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar will sign the agreement on behalf of India on April 22 at a high-level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.

India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on (UNFCCC) and the agreement addresses all the important "concerns and expectations" of India.

A record number of more than 150 countries are expected to sign the "historic" Paris agreement in New York.

A UN body had earlier said that this record number of countries would surpass the previous record of 119 signatures for an opening day signing for an international agreement, set by the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in 1994.

The signing ceremony will mark the first step toward ensuring that the Paris Agreement enters into force as early as possible.

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions, deposit their instruments of ratification or acceptance with the Secretary-General.

"The Paris Agreement on is a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention (UNFCCC) and recognizes the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances," an official statement said.

The agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries and their right to development.

It also recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead and notes the importance of "climate justice", which was raised by India, in its preamble.
Defending the move to appeal against the Bombay High Court verdict in the Rs 8,500-crore Vodafone transfer pricing case, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the case had nothing to do with the retrospective tax issue and no company is immune from paying taxes.

"Why should the government not file an appeal when it thinks that it is an appealable order," he said. Jaitley was responding to a question on the tax department deciding to challenge a decision of the Bombay High Court through a special leave petition.

"There are important questions of law which go to the Supreme Court. This case has nothing to do with the retrospective tax issue," said Jaitley, who is here on a seven-day official tour.

Vodafone got favourable verdicts from the Bombay High Court in two tax cases last year. The first pertained to the high court rejecting tax authorities' claim that Vodafone priced shares of its stakes in its Indian companies sold to other arms of Vodafone in a way to avoid taxes. The Income Tax Department had sought Rs 3,000 crore in taxes.

In the second case, the high court had on October 8 ruled that the department did not have the jurisdiction on the sale of Vodafone's call centre business to Hutchison Whampoa Properties and assignment of call options to Vodafone International Holdings in 2007-08.

The I-T department has decided to appeal against the second verdict.

"There can't be a principle that a company had once an issue of retrospective taxation, this company is immune from other forms of taxation. So, if there are legitimate issues with regard to other areas, it is between the company and department to sort them out," Jaitley said.

"[Retrospective tax] is an issue which the previous government has created. It is an issue which we have resolved. For one or two cases which are pending, we have given several options of resolving these issues," he said.

The minister was referring to his Budget proposal to waive interest and penalty if the companies involved in retrospective tax cases like Vodafone and Cairn Energy plc of UK paid the principal tax amount.

"We want a predictable tax regime. Therefore, the predictability of tax regime is ensured by not having retrospective taxation and that is the clear policy of the government," he said.

Investors, he said, are very clever people who understand the sea change that has taken place in India. "I don't have to smoothen any nerves, investors are very enthusiastic and bullish about India."
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday issued authorisation of cash credit limit (CCL) of Rs 17,523 crore towards the first instalment for the procurement of nine million tonnes of wheat this rabi season by the Punjab government.

RBI has sent the communication about resumption of cash credit to the Punjab government, said a senior State Bank of India executive. Food credit authorisation is usually done at the beginning of the financial year, he added.

RBI would issue another authorisation for the second instalment shortly, said Harcharan Bains, advisor to the Punjab chief minister on national affairs.

Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his prompt personal intervention in the matter. Badal, along with Punjab's food and civil supplies minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, had called on Modi in Delhi on Monday in connection with RBI's freeze on cash credit limit.

The CCL money is used to pay farmers for the crops government agencies procure from them.Punjab is the largest procurement state. It procures 10-11 million tonnes (mt) of wheat and 9-10 mt of rice from the central pool annually.

The issue, including provisioning, is still being discussed with regulator and the central government. Meanwhile, the data reconciliation process is progressing for clarity.

The Prime Minister's Office will be convening meeting soon, following assurance by PM Narendra Modi to Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal on Tuesday.
Shipping companies are breathing easier as the freight market reflected in benchmark Baltic indices has more than doubled in last two months and is expected to rise further. Consequently, firms are now hoping to achieve operational equilibrium if freight rates remain firm.

The spike in Baltic Dry Index (BDI), the benchmark for dry bulk shipping freight, in the past month is expected to continue on the back of scrapping of vessels which has pulled down the supply to some extent and rise in front-haul due to the ongoing harvest season in South America.

BDI has jumped 67 per cent in the last one month to above 670 levels and is seen touching 900 levels by end of May, industry officials said. The index was below 300 points barely two months ago.

"Old and more fuel consuming vessels whose performance is poor are getting scrapped. This is helping correction in the supply side of vessels and balance their supply-demand equations to some extent," said a top official with Equator Maritime. "Apart from that, freight rates for front-haul that is South America to China or Japan have improved due to the harvest season in the US which has allowed grains to sail across and reducing availability on other routes. All this is helping BDI rise."

He added that with some vessels also getting laid off in Singapore and Europe, the freight rate for dry bulk is also going up.

Industry officials are of the view that though a further rise in BDI is likely, the upside could be limited due to lower rates on backhaul from China to South America. On this route, there isn't much trade taking place as China is on a slowdown and not much exports are taking place from the dragon nation, said officials.

In industry jargon, backhaul refers to trips that generally lose money.

Here the ship owner needs to take a discount in order to reposition itself for a better paying cargo. Front haul refers to the legs of a journey where ship owners can make better returns but usually end up in a less favourable area.

Meanwhile, industry officials said that the continued rise in BDI is expected to help shipping companies break even at the operating expenditure level. Typically, the operating expense for a dry bulk shipping vessel is about $5,000 per day.

"Currently, though our three vessels are employed, we are in losses," said a top official with M Pallonji Shipping. "Our vessels carry minerals in the Indian Ocean and though the Baltic has moved up, it is yet to show its positive impact for Indian shipping companies. If the rising momentum continues in BDI for a month, which is mostly likely then we will be able to break even at the operating expense," he added.

Shipping Corporation of India, Great Eastern Shipping and Essar Shipping are leaders in the domestic market.

However, analysts were of the view that covering of operating expense is not a challenge for most domestic shipping companies that for their contracted ships as at they fix contract price accordingly. Only vessels in spot market will have to face the heat of meeting operating expense.

Brokerages suggest investors not to exit at current level despite of the fact that prices have recovered in sync with Baltic index. "The current situation in the shipping industry and the non-consistent performance of shipping companies, we do not recommend buy in any of the stocks at present," said an analyst with local brokerage.

Meanwhile, since January 1, 2016, domestic shipping stock index has outperformed SENSEX and infact has moved in tandem with with BDI.

Brokerages were of the view that BDI close to 1500 levels would allow domestic shipping companies to break even at ease but given the outlook for global economic growth, the index touching that level seems skeptical.

As per the International Monetary Fund, global growth is projected at 3.4 percent in 2016 and 3.6 percent in 2017 from 3.1 percent in 2015. Overall, forecasts for global growth have been revised downward by 0.2 percentage point for both 2016 and 2017, it said.

Growth in China, the world's largest producer and consumer of most commodities, is expected to slow to 6.3 percent in 2016 and 6.0 percent in 2017, primarily reflecting weaker investment growth as the economy continues to rebalance.
As India gears up to raise funds to meet renewable energy target, state-run companies like NTPC, Power Finance Corp and REC are likely to launch masala bonds worth $1 billion in the UK in the next four months.

The bonds, which will be of $150-250 million, are likely to be limited to a band of five to seven years.

"Companies, including NTPC, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Power Finance Corporation, Power Trading Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation are likely to launch these bonds in the next three or four months in UK to gauge investor appetite," Power Minister, Piyush Goyal said today.

These will be subjected to decisions made by the boards of the PSU energy companies, the minister said at a round table -- Financing Renewables and Energy Efficiency, organised by the city of London here.

Goyal informed investors that the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency is coordinating a billion-dollar equity fund, perhaps the largest in renewable space.

This will be professionally managed by an independent international fund management company. Indian public sector companies have already committed $315 million, he added.

As India gears up to meet its ambitious renewable energy targets of 175 GW of installed capacity by 2022, the country is exploring international mechanisms of funding and is evaluating new and innovative tools to finance the renewables sector.
In a dimly lit auditorium, three groups were called on to the stage to polite applause. Electronic music, with the bassline turned up too high, reverbed through the speakers. A couple of them smiled as they held their award to the flashlight of two cameras. Orange, which was the hallmark colour of the company organising the event, looked to overwhelm them. There was no buzz remarking their accomplishment. It was just another thing around town.

But, the event did mark a sea change in the attitude of towards startups. The three had just won ICICI Banks Appathon. The bank had received around 2,000 applications of which it had shortlisted 600 and 10 were the finalists. While the winner received Rs 10 lakh, the runners-up took home Rs 7.5 lakh each. The money, however, came from ICICI Banks balance sheet. The amount, Rs 25 lakh, isnt a big sum for a bank that huge. Today, start-ups are more than just a customer for .

In March, HDFC Bank conducted a similar exercise. Not surprisingly, similar were shortlisted. The standout in both cases being start-ups trying to use artificial intelligence (AI) for customer interfacing. Both HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank were coy on whether these start-ups would sign exclusive agreements with them but some amount of investment was on the table. HDFC bank had tied up with Chillr last year, which subsequently raised $6 million from Sequoia India. The startup developed a system, which helped customers pay without a wallet.

BIG PUSH HDFC Bank ties up with Chillr in 2015 to develop a wallet-like tool



In 2015, RBL invests in Trifecta Capitals Venture Debt Fund



In 2015, HDFC Bank makes its first investment in the online space with a potential fund in the offing



In March 2016, HDFC Bank conducts a digital talent search to shortlist start-ups



In April 2016, ICICI Bank holds similar workshop; shortlists three companies

Nitin Chugh, country head, digital banking, HDFC Bank, said the bank wanted to break out from these one-off ties and open themselves to new and innovative ideas.

Currently, investment is not on the agenda and we are working out with the if we want an exclusive deal with them or use as white-label products, said Chugh. ICICI Bank, too, took a similar stance but kept the door open for the possibility of future investments.

We are looking at the possibility of funding start-ups in the future if the opportunity arises, said Rajiv Sabharwal, executive director, ICICI Bank. The bank has been particularly interested in big data and block chain-like solutions. He also added that the company works in association with various incubator programmes to identify technology that could strengthen its existing portfolio. Last year, HDFC Bank made its first investment in the online space and had maintained that it will be exploring further investment opportunity in the e-commerce/digital space. According to people familiar with the development, the bank has set up a team and has earmarked a separate fund to explore potential investment opportunities. Even smaller private sector lenders, such as Ratnakar Bank (RBL), have admitted that they are considering funding start-ups. We are evaluating investing in financial technology firms or that are looking at increasing the last mile reach and are in the overall financial inclusion space. With such investments, we can accelerate our growth by partnering with start-ups in areas that we may not be very strong at and in the process also make some capital gains, said Rajeev Ahuja, head-Strategy, RBL.

Even though RBL is yet to make any direct investment in a start-up, it has already started testing the waters with an indirect investment. Last year, it invested in Trifecta Capitals Venture Debt Fund, which was set up with an aim to provide structured debt to high-growth startups that have raised Series-A or Series-B rounds of equity funding. So, are we going to see major investments coming from to the tune of multi-million dollars? Probably not. According to the regulations, banks can invest up to 10 per cent of equity capital in a company without Reserve Bank of Indias approval. However, for any investment between 10 per cent and 30 per cent of the equity capital, the lender will need a nod from the banking regulator. The banks will typically take up incubator-style roles, with small investments, which help them acquire companies or look at a possible technology merger. And fin-tech companies will be king.

Originally, we saw the banks services as bundled. Now, these start-ups have disrupted that and unbundled these services, said Vidya Shankar, head, funding partnerships & alliances, 10,000 Startups, Nasscom.

Federal Bank, another private sector lender, has already opened incubation centres in some of its branches in Karnataka and Kerala that will give advice on capital, help in arranging funds and engage with startups to weed out regulatory hurdles. The bank has also set up a startup fund of Rs 25 crore for the space.

Shankar added that despite the efforts of the government, India is a cash economy, which changes the concept of credit rating, for example.

Someone regularly opting for cash on delivery can be eligible for a loan despite not having an electronic trail. This is what startups can track and a big bank cannot, he said. Shankar added that banks now have started to form partnerships for different reasons. Some want to appear to be easy for startups to work with, while others want this technology to beat competition, he said. But why now? Last year was considered peak season for fin-tech firms. This year the valuations are a little saner, which is why banks are interested now, laughed Shankar.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today gave its approval for signing the Paris Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties held in Paris in December 2015. .

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Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, will sign the agreement on behalf of India on 22 April 2016 at the high level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. .

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The Paris Agreement on climate change is a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention and recognizes the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances. .

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The salient features of the Paris Agreement are as follows: .

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a) The Paris Agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries. The Agreement recognizes the developing countries' right to development and their efforts to harmonize development with environment, while protecting the interests of the most vulnerable. .

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b) The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead, and notes the importance of 'climate justice in its preamble. .

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c) The Agreement seeks to enhance the 'implementation of the Convention' whilst reflecting the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. .

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d) The objective of the Agreement further ensures that it is not mitigation-centric and includes other important elements such as adaptation, loss and damage, finance, technology, capacity building and transparency of action and support. .

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e) Pre-2020 actions are also part of the decisions. The developed country parties are urged to scale up their level of financial support with a complete road map to achieve the goal of jointly providing US $ 100 billion by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation by significantly increasing adaptation finance from current levels and to further provide appropriate technology and capacity building support. .

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India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the principles and provisions of the Convention. The Paris Agreement addresses all the important concerns and expectations of India. .

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The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for expansion of India - Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and Chile. .

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India's export basket with Chile is diversified and keeping in view the wide variety of tariff lines offered by Chile, the expanded PTA would immensely benefit India. Under the expanded PTA, Chile has offered concessions to India on 1798 tariff lines with Margin of Preference (MoP) ranging from 30%-100% and India has offered concessions to Chile on 1031 tariff lines at 8-digit level with MoP ranging from 10%-100%. Under the proposed expanded PTA, 86% of India's exports to Chile will get covered with concessions, which is likely to result in doubling of our exports in the near future. .

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A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and Chile was signed in March, 2006. The said PTA came into force with effect from August, 2007. During 2006-07, Chile was ranked 51st export destination for India.

Bilateral Trade during the year 2006-07 was US$ 2.3 billion. Trade dynamics changed after the PTA came into force from September 2007. Bilateral trade registered a growth of 58.49% from 2006-07 to 2014-15. Bilateral trade during 2014-15 stood at US $ 3.65 billion with exports at US $ 0.57 billion and imports at US$ 3.08 billion respectively. .

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India has friendly relations with Chile. Chile has been cooperating with India at the International fora and expansion of India Chile PTA will enhance the trade and economic relations between the two countries. The expansion would be an important landmark in India-Chile relations and consolidate the traditional fraternal relations that have existed between India and LAC countries. .

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Memorandum of Understanding between India and Bhutan on Technical Cooperation in the Field of Capacity Building, Benchmarking and Bilateral Exchange in Infrastructure Engineering .

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on technical cooperation in the field of capacity building, benchmarking and bilateral exchange in infrastructure engineering. .

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India and Bhutan have had a long standing diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with each other. The India-Bhutan friendship treaty signed in New Delhi in February, 2007 also strengthens the mutual relations. The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi made a state visit to Bhutan in June 2014. The visit reinforced the tradition of regular high level exchanges between the two countries. During the Indian Prime Ministers' visit, the two sides agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in areas relating to their national interest. .

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The MoU is in furtherance of Article 2,7 and 8 of the India-Bhutan friendship treaty. The MoU will provide an Umbrella for educational, scientific & technical research and environment protection which are also stated aim of the India-Bhutan foundation established in August 2003. .

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There is already ongoing Hydro Power Cooperation between the two countries which provides an exemplary template for mutual cooperation. .

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Through this MoU, the Central Public Works Department will stand to gain in terms of experience in hills road construction which is of paramount importance in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and various States of North-East Region. The CPWD also expects to garner some road construction projects in Bhutan. .

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A three day Naval Commanders Conference is scheduled to be held at New Delhi from 21 Apr 2016. The conference is being held in the wake of the very successful International Fleet review (IFR) held by the Navy at Visakhapatnam in Feb 2016, apart from a number of other notable operational activities such as the first Combined Commanders Conference on board Vikramaditya in Dec 15. .

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The Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan will chair the conference to review various aspects involving operations, acquisition of assets, personnel and logistics issues. The conference (spread over three days) will primarily focus on reviewing the combat readiness and operational preparedness of the Navy including coastal security, to address the dynamic security challenges in the IOR. .

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Honble Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar would address and interact with the Naval Commanders on the opening day of the conference. The conference will also provide an opportunity to the Naval Commanders to interact with MoD officials wherein relevant issues to further military synergy will be discussed. .

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During the conference, Naval Commanders will review the timelines for capital inductions of the Navy in consonance with the Make in India initiative which is aligned with the Indian Navys guiding principles of self-reliance and indigenization. The major infrastructure upgrades of the Navy with special emphasis on Aviation assets will also be reviewed. The Commanders shall also delve on various aspects of the Navys roadmap for the future such as the key technology enablers, improving logistics and the numerous initiatives to further strengthen cyber security in the Navy. .

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An important focus issue of the conference would also be to review the numerous measures taken to improve the service and living conditions of sailors and civilian personnel. The year 2016 has been earmarked as the Year of the Civilian Personnel and accordingly, schemes to improve quality of life and service conditions within the Navy will be reviewed during the conference. .

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DKS/CKP
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for operationalisation of new Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh from the Academic Year of 2015-16 from a transit / temporary campus, at an estimated cost of Rs. 137.30 crore for the initial three years (2015-18). .

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Background: .

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As a sequel to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, bifurcating the then State of Andhra Pradesh to the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, the Government of India inter alia decided to establish an Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISER), an Institute of National Importance, in the residual State of Andhra Pradesh.

Consequently, the State Government of Andhra Pradesh has earmarked 244 acres of land at Srinivasapuram, Pangur and Chindepalli villages of Yerpedu Mandal for construction of the permanent campus of IISER, Tirupati. Meanwhile, pending construction of the 'permanent campus for the Institute, on the recommendation of the Site Selection Committee, it has been decided to commence its functioning from the academic session of 2015-16 from the transit / temporary campus at Sree Rama Engineering College, Tirupati. .

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Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy visited the UK on 19-20 April, 2016 to strengthen India-UK collaboration on power and renewable energy, building up on the agreements made during visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the UK in November 2015. .

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The Minister was accompanied by an official delegation which included Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Joint Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Director (Technical), IREDA and nine member business delegation. .

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On the first day of the visit, the Minister met officials from Natgrid and UK Power Network who briefed the Minister about their functions and capabilities and on how they can contribute on enhancing grid stability in India. The Minister explained about his plans and vision to increase the power generation in India and renewable energy scale up plan has been drawn up to 2022. .

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Shri Piyush Goyal also met Lord Bourne, UK Minister for Energy and Climate Change and discussed about enhancing future cooperation between India and UK in the energy sector. The Minister also met Lord Jim ONeill, Commerce Secretary to the Treasury and Mr. Nick Hurd, Minister, Department of International Development and discussed about enhancing bilateral relationship particularly in the power sector. He emphasised the need for the developed world to show its commitment towards climate change by putting money in climate finance. He mentioned that India needs low cost long term finance for its ambitious renewable energy scale up plans and finance hubs like London could take a front seat in mobilising it. .

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Shri Goyal also emphasised on the historical, cultural and financial ties between India and the UK and hoped to work on it expeditiously to strengthen and deepen the bilateral engagement. .

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The Minister met the media during the visit and briefed about steps the Indian Government is undertaking to improve energy access, rapid scale up of renewable energy, enhancing grid reliability, integration of renewables in the grid and the massive opportunity presented by the untapped demand in the Indian market. .

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RM/
The two-day 10th Civil Services Day function was inaugurated at Vigyan Bhawan here today. The inauguration was followed by eight panel discussions on the replication of Prime Minister awarded initiatives last year and four Priority Programmes of the Government. These sessions were chaired by Union Ministers/persons of eminence. Panel discussions on the replication of PM awarded initiatives covered four issues - On-Time Delivery of Services, Vocational Training and Inspiring Youth for Sports, Preventing Child Marriages, Female Foeticide and Malnutrition in Children under three years of age and Canal Top Solar Power Plant and Rejuvenation of Water Bodies. The panel discussions on the Central Governments Priority Programmes included the schemes to be awarded by the Prime Minister, namely Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY), Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), Swachh Vidyalaya and Soil Health Card Scheme. .

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The Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Dr. Najma A. Heptulla chaired the panel discussion on Preventing Child Marriages, Preventing Female Foeticide, Save the Womb and Malnutrition." This discussion focused on eliminating gender disparity by fighting issues such as Preventing Child Marriages and Preventing Female Foeticide. Child sex ratio has been declining sharply in some states and there is an urgent need to stop female foeticide. Community mobilization, Economic empowerment of women and Greater participation in public policy were identified as key dimensions for advancing womens rights. Initiatives such as Save the Girl Child and Lado Eradicating Child marriages have shown positive results. .

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Session on Swachh Vidyalaya was chaired by the Human Resource Development Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani. Importance of the programme, specially for Girl Students was deliberated. The programme has achieved 100% target for toilets in Schools. Maintenance of Toilets, Sustainability issues and inculcating menstrual hygiene were deliberated upon as way forward for the programme. .

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The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the session on On-Time Delivery of Public Services, the core of any Good Governance Initiative. The discussion on this topic focused on the scale and complexity of delivering service in India. It called for creating accountability at all levels, use of technology to improve productivity and introducing sustainability measures in public services.

Two examples of providing online citizen services in Karnataka and Maharashtra Sakala and Aaple Sarkar respectively were discussed in detail. .

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Session on Swachh Bharat Gramin was chaired by MoS for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Shri Ram Kripal Yadav. Substantial impact of the programme and efforts towards construction of more than 1.67 crore toilets and converting more than 50000 villages as Open Defecation Free (ODF) were discussed. Community mobilization, close monitoring & tracking & sustainable waste management were identified as critical success factors towards efficient implementation of programme. .

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Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Jayant Sinha chaired the discussion on the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY). Efforts done towards financial inclusion along with way forward were discussed. People participation, use of technology, role of Bank Mitras and convergence of schemes were identified as critical success factors for implementation of the scheme. Improving financial literacy was stressed upon as way forward towards financial inclusion. .

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The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore chaired the session on Vocational Training & Inspiring Youth for Sports. This discussion focused on importance of imparting market relevant skills to youth, imparting vocational training in particular. There is a huge demand supply gap in terms of skills needed in industry and availability of trained youth. There are huge capacity constraints in achieving the target of skilling 4 crore people by 2022. It also emerged that public private partnership models yield best results in placing students in steady jobs. Training is provided by private foundations and infrastructure by government. Tribal youth in Gadhchiroli and Chhattisgarh have benefited immensely from vocational training initiatives. .

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The discussion on Canal Top Solar & Rejuvenation of Water Bodies" focused on achieving sustainable growth through reduced dependence on exhaustible resources. Power and water were identified as key ingredients to achieving such growth. Innovations such as Canal top solar plant which reduce dependence on land for solar power and save canal water from evaporation were discussed at length. More such innovation are needed to achieve the target of 100 GW by 2022. Rejuvenation of water bodies to ensure availability of water for irrigation was also discussed. .

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During the session on Soil Health Card, the Potential of the Scheme for increasing the farmers income and issues related to infrastructure support, process improvement, technology use & increasing peoples participation were discussed in detail. Changing of Conventional agriculture towards a future state of data-rich precision agriculture was discussed as a way forward. .

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Secretaries to Government of India, Principal Secretaries of various States, senior officers from various Ministries of Central and State Governments and experts on the subject also participated in the panel discussions. .

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European Union antitrust regulators accused on Wednesday of abusing the dominance of its Android mobile operating system in deals with phone makers and mobile network operators following a year-long investigation.

"A competitive mobile Internet sector is increasingly important for consumers and businesses in Europe. Based on our investigation thus far, we believe that Google's behaviour denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

The charge could jeopardise a key money-spinner for Google, a unit of holding company Alphabet Inc. The tech giant made about $11 billion from ad sales on Android phones with apps such as Maps, Search and Gmail last year.

is already under scrutiny for promoting its own shopping service in Internet searches at the expense of rivals. That case, which has dragged on since late 2010, culminated last year with the European Commission hitting the company with antitrust charges.
The Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce next month will honor several businesses, organizations and individuals at its annual awards luncheon.

The chamber this week announced the winners of its yearly contest:

 The Terri Bridenbecker Young Professional Award, honoring a local professional under the age of 40 for career achievements thus far, is Jon Wilcox of Savannah Bank.

 The Small Business of the Year Award is broken down into three categories. For companies in business two to five years, the winner is CCs Tavern, owned by John and Denise Hurd. For businesses operating six to 14 years, the honor goes to Dr. Dale Buchberger's Active Physical Therapy. And for firms in business 15 or more years, Central Building LLC run by Thomas Minicucci will be awarded.

 The Business Leader Award, honoring companies that continually invest in the community and take active roles in it, is separated into two categories. The winner in the under-50 employees division is Bluefield Manor, while The Citizen is being honored in the over-50 employees division.

 The Non-Profit of the Year Award, honoring organizations that contribute to the community's success through quality of life enhancement or contributing to the economic base, goes to Unity House of Cayuga County.

 The Community Leadership Award, sponsored by Beardsley Architects + Engineers and honoring a Leadership Cayuga alumnus, is Michelle Barber of Five Star Bank.

The chamber's Annual Awards Luncheon takes place at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 19, at The Springside Inn on West Lake Road in Fleming.

Tickets cost $40. Call (315) 252-7291 or email ktehan@cayugacountychamber.com by May 12 for reservations.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to chair a meeting of the federal ministers and the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leaders here on Wednesday following the 'Panama Papers' leak.

According to Daily Times, the issue of inquiry commission over will be discussed in this meeting.

The ministers will brief the prime minister about their contacts with the opposition parties. Consultations will be made on Panama Leaks commission during the meeting.

A legal team will brief Sharif on the matters related to inquiry commission. He will also be informed about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's prospective protest programme.

Shairf on Tuesday returned to Pakistan after a private visit to Britain, where he had gone ostensibly for health check-ups.
International Institute (IMI) New Delhi, which has been ranked seventh in the India Rankings 2016 by the National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Human Resource Development, is now looking to get both AACSB and SAQS accreditations. The first six positions were acquired by Indian Institutes of (IIMs), including IIM-Bangalore, IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Calcutta, IIM-Lucknow, IIM-Udaipur and IIM-Kozhikode, in the order of their rankings.

Bakul Dholakia, Director General, IMI-New Delhi said, "The rankings show that we been ranked as the topmost private business school in the country. We are seventh nationally and we are number one as far as private sector business schools are concerned." International Institute (IMI), New Delhi was established in 1981 in collaboration with IMI Geneva (now IMD, Lausanne). It was the first corporate sponsored business school in the country.

Dholakia said that going forward, they are hopeful of getting additional international accreditations in the next one year. It has already been accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA). IMI New Delhi is looking for accreditation by AACSB and SAQs. "By end of 2017, we may have triple global AMBA, SAQS and AACSB," he said. AACSB refers to Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business whike SAQS refers to South Asian Quality Assurance System.

The business school is also planning to increase the student intake in its postgraduate diploma in management programme in this year. Dholakia said that they are planning to expand their intake in the two year postgraduate diploma in management from 180 to 240, which would be a 33 per cent expansion. Further, he said that the focus will be on strengthening the research base in the institution.

Also, the institute is looking at becoming an international brand. "We want to build new international partnerships and wish to get visibility overseas. For this, we are looking at international collaborations and partnerships," he added.

IMI New Delhi already has about 12 partner schools and is now looking to not only strengthen those but also get more such schools on board. Further, he explained that they want to introduce dual degree programmes and are in talks with some premier institutions in Asia Pacific for this.

"We want to expand across continents like North America, since we already have a strong presence in Europe. Over and above this, we want to make a strong entry into online executive education market," said Dholakia. The institute has experimented with online executive education on a pilot basis and is now looking to offer online certificate courses.
In a recent report, Credit Suisse has maintained a bullish view on the Indian sector and has initiated coverage with an outperform rating on Tata Steel, JSW and JSPL. It, however, maintains an underperform rating on Authority of India (SAIL).



Also Read: Efforts to cut overcapacity in steel sector fall through

Markets, too, seem to have taken a note of the changing dynamics in the metals sector, with the Nifty Metal index outperforming the with a rise of 24% in the past two months, as compared to nearly 10% rise in the benchmark index, Nifty 50.

On Wednesday, the Nifty Metal index surged over 3% in intra-day trade to hit an eight-month high, as compared to the Nifty 50 index that trimmed gains after reclaiming 7,900 levels earlier in the day. Among individual stocks, Vedanta surged 7% to Rs 105, followed by Jindal Steel & Power (up 6% at Rs 74), Hindustan Zinc (up 5% at Rs 177), Tata Steel (up 4.5% at Rs 351) and Hindalco (up 3.3% at Rs 100) on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).



Also Read: India Ratings downgrades Steel Authority of India; outlook negative

Ravi Shankar, an analyst with Credit Suisse attributes the changing dynamics of the steel sector to four key developments. Firstly, Credit Suisse believes that the inventory cycle has bottomed out (globally, and not just in China). Given the extent of destocking and current inventory levels, the restock this time could last more than the usual six  nine months. Any uptick in demand (expected in 2H) would further elongate this, he says.



Also Read: Citi says commodity prices have bottomed

Secondly, the weakness in dollar has helped stabilise cost curves. Thirdly, China has laid out plans for a higher fiscal deficit to stimulate the economy. On-the-ground checks by our China team indicate that projects indeed are moving, with the central government pushing for more project approvals and lower preparation time. And lastly, supply discipline in China would be a further positive. We believe that around 100 million tonnes of idling capacity looks unlikely to return from winter maintenance, he says in the report.



Also Read: Hedge funds abandoning dollar's biggest bull run

Even though global economic growth continues to look weak, Credit Suisse suggests that chances of a hard landing in China or a US recession appear remote. It expects no further deterioration in global GDP growth (2016E at 2.4%).

Also Read: US lashes out at China for global steel market crisis



Commodity prices have rebounded from 25-year lows hit in January 2016 and prices are up for most large commodities. In some prior years, the rebound fizzled in April/May with seasonal demand weakness. But that seems unlikely this year, he points out in a recent report co-authored with Neelkanth Mishra and Prateek Singh.

Domestic prices have surged $50-60/tonne after the minimum import price (MIP) was imposed in February 2016. Even though Chinese prices have rallied too, we think protectionism is here to stay (NPAs a bigger issue). Thus, higher EBITDAs should aid interest cover, it adds.



Also Read: China denies steel dumping charge

Among individual stocks, Credit Suisse likes Tata Steel the most given upside from UK drag going away and lowest bankruptcy risk.

"JSW Steel too looks well-placed to benefit from higher prices (capacity already live). Major risk to our thesis: a fall in steel prices, if demand in China fails in the second half of 2016," the report adds.
After over three years of making 5% of with petrol mandatory, India is set to achieve this target for the first time during the current sugarcane crushing season, that is, by the end of September 2016.

To achieve this target, the blenders, or oil marketing companies (OMCs), require 1335 million litres of ethanol every sugarcane crushing season (October-September). Since grains-based ethanol is not allowed to be produced in India, OMCs remained fully dependent for its procurement from sugar mills for which the green fuel is a by-product.

The PM's personal commitment to renewables and the petroleum ministry's focus on solving price and implementation hurdles have made a huge difference on the ground. Ethanol in fact, became a key part of the solution for the crisis in the sugarcane sector," said Narendra Murkumbi, MD, Shree Renuka Sugars Ltd, India's largest producer of ethanol.

The development is likely to transform the fortunes of sugar mills that have been under pressure for the past several years due to falling sugar prices. Until last year, lower price offer and slow pick-up to the contracted quantity of ethanol by OMCs deterred viability of its supply from sugar mills.

OMCs have finalised contracts to procure ethanol to the tune of 1340 million litres for the current year which works out to exactly five percent blending requirement. For ethanol now there is an assured buyer at confirmed price. So, lots of sugar mills prefer to supply ethanol to OMCs rather than to industrial or potable alcohol users, said Abinash Verma, Director General, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).

In November 2012, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved five percent mandatory blending of ethanol with petrol which was notified by the Centre under the Motor Spirits Act on January 2, 2013. According to the Act, OMCs have to record five percent ethanol content in petrol by June 30, 2013. However, considering weak supply orders on un-remunerative price offer, OMCs managed to achieve to a maximum 3.5 per cent so far.

While sugar mills blamed lower price for inadequate supply offer of ethanol, OMCs accused falling crude oil price for the low price quotes as blending of ethanol could be a loss making proposition. As against a maximum price fixed for ethanol supply at Rs 43 till the contracts finalised till December 2014, the government in January 2015 raised its prices to Rs 48.5  49.5 a litre depending upon the proximity of the delivery station from the distillery units.

Interestingly, OMCs had floated tenders for the requirement of 2660 million litres equivalent to 10 per cent of blending target. But, the target of 10 per cent with petrol looks unachievable in near future.

Sanjay Tapriya, CFO, Simbhaoli Sugars Ltd said, "attractive price and assured pick up is also helping to achieve 5 per cent blinding target."



The demand of rectified spirit (a pre-from of ethanol) has shifted from domestic sugar mills to overseas including the United States and Brazil as its landed cost on Indian ports works out to nearly 25 per cent cheaper. As against the price quote of Rs 40-42 a litre from domestic sugar mills, the imported alcohol for industrial consumption costs Rs 30 a litre now.

As a consequence, around 700 million litres of demand for industrial application has moved to overseas . Indian chemical industry has imported an estimated 200-210 million litres so far this crushing season, said Rakesh Bharatia, Chief Executive Officer, India Glycols Ltd.

Meanwhile, OMCs have floated tenders for ethanol procurement of 2660 million litres, equivalent to 10 per cent of blending target which seems achievable gradually in five years. But, sugar mills are required to invest immensely in expansion in the distillation and storage facilities.

According to Deepak Desai, Principal Consultant of ethanolindia.com, new investment has started coming in into expansion in distillation capacity or storage facilities. Through B-heavy molasses, supply of ethanol can be increased to 5300 million litres gradually in the next few years from the existing 2800-3000 million litres now to meet demand from all the three segments including potable alcohol, fuel ethanol and industrial alcohol.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has provided a conditional go-ahead for the Initial Public Offer (IPO) of equity in RBL Bank (formerly Ratnakar Bank).

According to people in the know, the market regulator has asked the private sector lender to offer an optional exit opportunity to its existing investors. This is because RBL has been in breach of the deemed public issue norm in the Companies Act.

Read more from our special coverage on "RBL BANK" RBL Bank opens Bengaluru branch exclusively for start-ups

From RBLs draft prospectus, it had allotted shares through a rights issue to 2,591 investors on February 19, 2003, and to 1,969 investors on March 13, 2006. Under the earlier Companies Act of 1956, an unlisted company wasnt allowed to allot securities to more than 49 investors in a financial year. The new Companies Act, of 2013, raised the cap to 200 investors but even with the revised norms, the number is well in excess of the limit.

Sebi has given a nod if the buyback conditions are met, said a banker working on the IPO. The buyback process is likely to take another three to four weeks, after which RBL might launch the offer, depending on market conditions, the banker added.

RBL is looking to raise Rs 1,100 crore through the proposed IPO. Apart from the new issue of shares, two existing shareholders Beacon India Private Equity Fund and Gpe (India)  also plan to divest their holdings.

The allotment to the earlier lot of investors was done by RBLs old guard, managing the affairs till 2010. Sebi had earlier said it was examining the past violation. RBL's draft prospectus was filed in June 2015. It stated, Our bank has, in the past, made allotments of equity shares to more than 49 persons, not in compliance with the then applicable laws relating to a public offering of securities, and it may attract, among other things, sanctions, adjudicatory penalties, remedial directions and other adverse orders, from, amongst others, the registrar of companies and Sebi.



Both RBL and Catholic Syrian Bank have been advised by the Reserve Bank of India over the past few years to gear up for an IPO. The PJ Nayak committee report on governance issues of banks had also stated these two should list by December 2014.

As with RBL Bank, some other IPO-bound companies have faced issues with Sebi for having breached the investor cap prescribed in the Companies Act. One is diagnostics chain operator Thyrocare Technologies, which had got on board 200-odd investors. Thyrocares IPO hit the market next week. According to sources, Thyrocare and Sebi entered a consent settlement in which the former had to ensure buyback of certain shares from existing investors.

In December, Sebi had issued a clarification on this matter, providing more clarity to companies like RBL and Thyrocare. It had said companies in breach of the public issue norm could escape a penalty if they offered refunds to investors at an amount not less than the allotment price, along with interest of 15 per cent annually.

RBLS IPO TRAVAILS
has moved higher by 3% to Rs 607 on the BSE ahead of January-March (Q4) quarter results later today. The board will also consider a proposal for buyback of equity shares of the company.

The stock is currently trading close to its 52-week high of Rs 613 touched on October 1, 2015 during intra-day trade.

In past one-month, the stock has outperforming the market by gaining 11% as compared to 3.5% increase in the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex.

Kotak Institutional Equities expect will post US$ revenue growth of 2.5% (organic growth of 1%) and cross-currency impact of 50 basis points (bps).

We expect information technology (IT) services EBIT margin to recover 60 bps largely from non-recurrence of costs pertaining to Chennai floods that hurt margins in the previous quarter, rupee depreciation and some recovery in profitability of IT products business, the brokerage house said in results preview.

Edelweiss Securities said to post US$ revenue growth of 2.3% on quarter on quarter (QoQ) and cross currency impact of 40 bps. EBITDA margin estimated increase by 70bps due to absence of Chennai flood cost, efficiency and rupee depreciation.

Wipros global IT services $ revenues could grow 3.1% QoQ to $1,896 million, in line with its earlier guided range of $1875-$1912 million. Global IT services rupee revenue could grow 3.9% while consolidated revenues could grow 4.9% to Rs 13,584 crore. Global IT services EBIT margins could increase 60 bps QoQ to 20.8% led by rupee depreciation and absence of onetime costs associated with Chennai floods & lower billing days, according to ICICI Securities.

At 02:49 pm, the stock was up 2% at Rs 600 on the BSE as compared 0.09% gain in S&P BSE Sensex. A combined 4.32 million shares changed hands against an average sub two million shares that were traded daily in past two weeks on the BSE and NSE.
Director Anurag Kashyap shared his happiness after his latest directorial venture 'Raman Raghav 2.0' got entry to the Cannes film festival this year.

"It is a proud moment for me and my team. The Premiere of Raman Raghav 2.0 in Director's Fortnight segment at the Cannes is the best platform we could've asked for. Looking forward for the day," he stated.

'Raman Raghav 2.0' is the only India film which is going as official entry to the Cannes film festival this year.

Previously, the 43-year-old actor traveled to France with films like 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' and 'Ugly' as a director.

'Raman Raghav 2.0' is a psychological-thriller staring Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the notorious serial-killer alongside Vicky Kaushal, who plays a cop.

The movie is set to premiere in the prestigious Director's Fortnight segment of Cannes film festival, 2016. The film festival is slated to take place from May 11 till May 22, 2016.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday accused the former Congress government led by chief minister Harish Rawat for police horse Shaktimaan's death.

Uttarakhand BJP president Ajay Bhatt said, "The State Government is to be blamed for Shaktimaan's death, the medical treatment was inadequate."

Police horse Shaktimaan, whose left hind leg was amputated after being allegedly attacked by BJP legislator Ganesh Joshi in Dehradun last month, died this evening.

The news of the animal recovering well was doing rounds last month.

An emergency amputation was carried out after it became clear that the horse could die of gangrene from the wound.
A day after a class twelfth girl lost her life in a celebratory firing in Delhi's Mangolpuri, a 10-year-old child was killed and two others were grievously injured due to firing as part of a wedding procession in Bihar's Arrah yesterday.

According to reports, the children were standing in their balcony to watch the wedding procession when a bullet struck them. The three injured children were rushed to a hospital after which one of them succumbed to his injuries.

Aghast by the death of their child, the family members of the deceased 10-year-old vented their ire at the hospital's medical staff, accusing them of negligence.

Earlier in Delhi, Anjali succumbed to her injuries after she was shot at during celebratory firing at a wedding procession. She was critically injured last Saturday after a stray bullet hit her as she watched the wedding procession pass by.

Reacting to increasing cases of deaths due to celebratory firing, former IPS officer and BJP leader Kiran Bedi yesterday asserted that such incidents were the reflection of a lawless culture and called for stricter and harsher punishment for those who indulged in such activities.
Paying tribute to 'Shaktimaan, the Uttarakhand Police horse who succumbed to his injuries, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Sanjay Gandhi on Wednesday described him as a police officer on duty who went through so much pain that ultimately killed him.

"Shaktimaan was a police officer on duty and went through so much pain which ultimately killed him," Gandhi, who is also an animal rights activist, told ANI.

Demanding strict action against the culprit, the BJP Union minister said, "The culprits should be arrested for killing a police officer (Shaktimaan)."

Pitching strongly for exclusion of horses from police systems, she said, "Horses should no longer be part of our police system. They serve no purpose. And in every crowd engagement, they are at mercy of any vicious person, who is too cowardly to do anything but injure defenceless animal.

Shaktimaan, whose left hind leg was amputated after being allegedly attacked by BJP legislator Ganesh Joshi here last month, passed away on Wednesday despite all-out effort to save and rehabilitate him.

Howevwr, pleading his innocence yet again, Joshi said, "I am very sad. I have already said that I am not at fault; if I'm found guilty, cut my leg."

However, another BJP MLA Ajay Bhatt said, "The state government is to be blamed for Shaktimaan's death as the medical treatment was inadequate.
A bus driver for the Port Byron Central School District has been terminated from his position after he was arrested Wednesday for possessing child pornography, the school district said.

Syracuse man David Mangan was arrested by the New York State Police on Wednesday prior to the morning's bus runs. The 37-year-old stands accused of felony first-degree attempted disseminating indecent material to minors and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, state police said.

Mangan, the district said, has driven a bus route for the Port Byron school district for the last four months as part of his employment with Birnie Bus since August 2015. He was arrested in Port Byron at Birnie Bus Services, troopers said.

State troopers informed school officials that the charges do not involve any Port Byron students and did not happen during school hours or on school property, the district said in a statement Wednesday. Birnie Bus has terminated Mangan from his position.

"A school bus aide has always been present when the accused transported students; he was never alone with students and all of the buses are equipped with cameras and audio," the district stated.

Mangan was later arraigned in Town of Tyre Court and was remanded to Seneca County Jail on $5,000 cash bail, $10,000 bond, according to state police. Troopers said additional charges are pending at this time.

Parents and guardians of students who rode Mangan's bus were called Wednesday morning to be informed of the situation, according to the school district.

Superintendent Neil O'Brien can be reached with questions or concerns about the situation at (315) 776-5728.
If you think Deepika Padukone will be missing out on the plum Bollywood roles, then here's news for all.the 'Bajirao Mastani' actress might be starring opposite Salman Khan in Kabir Khan's next.

According to a leading daily, Deepika has almost been finalised for the role in tentatively titled movie 'Tubelight,' named after the character that the 'Dabangg' actor portrays.

Sources add that this movie, set in the 1960s, will be the 30-year-old actress' first announcement since last year. The film will possibly go on floors in July end-early August, by when she will have finished her commitment in the West.

The 'Piku' star is presently busy shooting for her Hollywood debut, Vin Diesel movie 'XXX: The Return of Xander Cage.'

Seems like, this year Deepika's dream to work with the 50-year-old actor will come true. Earlier, during the promotion of 'Tamasha' on the set of 'Bigg Boss Nau,' she expressed her desire to work with the 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' actor.
With only percent water left in the Marathwada dams, water expert Pradeep Purandare on Wednesday warned that Marathwada is heading towards desertification.

"Marathwada is heading towards desertification. In fact, there are possibilities of desertification if present situation continues. Situation is serious in Osmanabad, Beed and Latur. Six projects have completely dried up," Purandare told ANI.

"Water level in Marathwada dams is at historic low of three percent," he added.

Latur in Marathwada has been getting water by a special water train filled at Miraj in western Maharashtra.

The 50-wagon train arrived in Maharashtra's Latur this morning with 25 lakh litres of water.

Eight of the region's 11 major dams are at dead storage level and thus water from these dams cannot flow out but has to be lifted.

In the wake of drought situation, the Maharashtra Government has decided to ban digging of borewells below 200 feet to check further depletion of ground water.

The decision came close on the heels of cut in water supply to industrial units including breweries in the severely affected Aurangabad district.

This is the fourth year of drought in Marathwada in the past five years. Each of its 8,522 villages has been affected for two consecutive years.
Garia, the biggest festival of Tripura people, was celebrated with full devotion and fervour.

From the afternoon hundreds of tribal people make long queue with eggs, a symbol of life, and sacrifice fowls to the symbol of Garia deity made out of bamboo and pray for a better year with less diseases and good yield.

The opening day of the ten days festival is an official holiday in Tripura.

The major rituals include the sacrifice of fowls and especially eggs, the symbol of fertility, to please the deities.

Chantai, the tribal priest, generally interpret the coming year on the basis of the sacrifice. Now-a-days, local Hindu Brahmin priests also perform the rituals together.

"This is Ganesha puja but in our language we call it Garia puja. The first harvest of the year is sacrificed to Ganesha, and it use to be performed by royal priest from immemorial and at present we are continuing their heritage and culture. Now non-tribals also participate in the celebration but originally it is a festival of the tribal Debbarma community. This has turned in to a platform for unity of tribal and non-tribal people and together they pay tribute to the God. Here eggs of duck and hen are sacrificed, others also sacrifice fowl," said Iyesha Debbarma, tribal devotee, who sacrificed fowl and eggs on the occasion.

Though a tribal festival, hundreds of non-tribal also participates in the celebration.

Alpana Roy, a non-tribal devotee, who participated in the festival along with his daughter said, "Eggs and fowl are essential for performing this puja and the priest (Chanti) performs the rituals once in the morning and later in the afternoon. Both Bengali non-tribal and the tribal community people jointly celebrate this festival and it is a big event."

In a part of north-eastern India where tribal groups fight Hindu settlers, a feast is raising hopes for peace and harmony. The festival is a unique example of India as a melting pot of cultures, races and language where humanity in all its diversities has merged and united.

Small fairs are also organized on the occasion where people go for small marketing.
Asserting that several parts of the nation was staggering under the adverse effects of drought, Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said the government is firm in providing a stable and permanent remedy to the crisis and prepare the resilience in the economy to face such situations.

Speaking to ANI here, Javadekar acknowledged that the current situation of drought was a very serious one as 25 percent population was affected this year.

Asserting that the continuous drought for second consecutive year was a natural calamity, he added that global warning and climate change were major contributing factors to the situation.

"I think the government led by Narendra Modi is very firm in providing a stable and permanent remedy and prepare the resilience in the economy to face such situations, where we are laying emphasis on irrigation, water saving and connecting rivers," Javadekar said.

He added the Centre is not only providing assistance to the states to mitigate the drought situation but also working on finding a permanent remedy, which was a 'major initiative' of the government.

Earlier, the Centre told the Supreme Court that more than a quarter of the country's population was in the grip of drought and was facing drinking water shortage besides severe agricultural distress.

The government asserted that it was releasing money to the affected states from its disaster fund to tackle the crisis.

Meanwhile, the first full 50-wagon water train, which left from Miraj near Pune yesterday, carrying 25 lakh litres of water, reached drought-hit Latur today.
A Mumbai bound aircraft from Ahmedabad on Wednesday was cleared for departure after it was halted due to a bomb scare onboard the aircraft.

" flight S2 4738 from Ahmedabad to Mumbai received a security alert at Ahmedabad airport. The aircraft was thoroughly inspected by the security agencies and the flight with 125 guests and six crew has now been cleared for departure," said in a statement.

The airline also expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the passengers and asserted that the safety and security of their 'guests and crew' was always their main priority.

Earlier today, a bomb squad rushed to the spot after the airlines received the threat call and the plane was taken to an isolated area and the passengers were asked to deplane the aircraft.

This is the second time in two months that Jet Airways has received calls about bombs being planted in their aircrafts.

Earlier in March, an anonymous person called up the Jet Airways office to say bombs were placed in five of its flights forcing the airline to ground one of them before take-off.

The calls came within hours after blasts ripped through Brussels airport killing several people.
At least 64 people have been killed and 347 others wounded in the latest toll of casualties in the deadly suicide car bombing in Kabul city, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced on Wednesday.

Ministry of Interior spokesman Sediq Sediqi said at least 64 people lost their lives in the attack and 347 others wounded, reports Khamma Press.

A suicide bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives near the Directorate of Security for Prominent Figures in Pul-e-Mahmood Khan area of the city yesterday morning.

The explosion triggered heavy gun battle between the Afghan forces and the Taliban insurgents.

The Taliban group claimed responsibility for the attack, which comes just days after the insurgent group announced its 'spring offensive' in the region.

The Afghan officials, including the international community, widely denounced the attack.

While President Ashraf Ghani vowed to revenge each drop of blood of the Afghan people shed by the militants, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah called the attack as a clear sign of terrorists' hostility and enmity against the people of the country.
The mortal remains of Kirpal Singh, the Indian prisoner who died in a Pakistani's Kot Lakhpat Jail on April 11 under mysterious circumstances, was brought to his hometown in Mustafabad on Wednesday for last rites.

His family members mourned as his body was brought to his hometown in a black coffin.

His body was handed over to the Indian officials at the Wagah Border yesterday.

The mystery over his death, however, continues as the post-mortem conducted at Amritsar Medical College could not arrive at a conclusion over the cause of this death.

The autopsy, which was conducted by a team of three doctors, says there were no external or internal injury marks on the body.

However, the heart and stomach were missing as they had been taken out during the first autopsy conducted at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore.

Doctors have preserved the viscera and sent it for lab tests to rule out poisoning.

Pakistani officials claimed that he died of a heart attack but Indian authorities suspect that he was murdered.

India has also vowed to raise Kirpal's death in Pakistan at the top level.

Kirpal's family has alleged murder and has demanded the post-mortem report be presented to them.

In 1991, Kirpal Singh was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pakistani authorities for allegedly spying and conducting terrorist activities in Pakistan.

Pakistan also alleged that he was involved in a bombing at Faisalabad Railway Station in 1991.

As per reports from Pakistan, Kirpal Singh was transferred to a hospital as his health deteriorated, after which he succumbed to a heart attack.

The death of Kirpal Singh has been compared with the unfortunate and tragic death of Sarabjit Singh, who was sentenced to death in 1991.

While in the same prison as Kirpal Singh, he was attacked by a few of his inmates, six days after which he died in a Pakistani hospital.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has asked the relevant authorities to take measures to curb the smuggling of gold out of the country.

Presiding over a special meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, Sirisena discussed the measures that needed to be taken to curb illegal gold smuggling.

The police and the tri-forces have disclosed that gold bought from the auctions at state and commercial banks was being taken illegally out of the country on a large scale, reports Colombo Page.

Officials of the Central Bank, state and commercial banks were also instructed by President Sirisena to provide accurately prepared documents on bank auctions.

Officials of the Finance Ministry and the Treasury, chiefs of tri- forces and the police, heads of state and commercial banks, and other government officials were present in the meeting.
The last rites of Kirpal Singh, the Indian prisoner who died in a Pakistani's Kot Lakhpat Jail on April 11 under mysterious circumstances, were held in his hometown in Mustafabad, Gurdaspur, amid a sombre environment on Wednesday afternoon.

Hundreds of people joined the mournful family members, relatives and friends of Kirpal Singh during the cremation to bid farewell to him.

Earlier today, his mortal remains were brought to his hometown in a black coffin.

His body was handed over to the Indian officials at the Wagah Border yesterday.

The mystery over his death, however, continues as the post-mortem conducted at Amritsar Medical College could not arrive at a conclusion over the cause of this death.

The autopsy, which was conducted by a team of three doctors, says there were no external or internal injury marks on the body.

However, the heart and the stomach were missing as they had been taken out during the first autopsy conducted at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore.

Pakistani officials claimed that he died of a heart attack but Indian authorities suspect that he was murdered.

Kirpal's family has alleged murder and has demanded the post-mortem report be presented to them.

In 1991, Kirpal Singh was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pakistani authorities for allegedly spying and conducting terrorist activities in Pakistan.

Pakistan also alleged that he was involved in a bombing at Faisalabad Railway Station in 1991.

As per reports from Pakistan, Kirpal Singh was transferred to a hospital as his health deteriorated, after which he succumbed to a heart attack.

The death of Kirpal Singh has been compared with the unfortunate and tragic death of Sarabjit Singh, who was sentenced to death in 1991.

While in the same prison as Kirpal Singh, he was attacked by a few of his inmates, six days after which he died in a Pakistani hospital.
Christoph Mueller, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Malaysia Airlines, has quit his position citing 'changing personal circumstances'.

Mueller will the leave his job in September less than a year after he was brought in an effort to salvage the ailing carrier.

"I am proud of what we have achieved as a team in such a short time ... unfortunately, personal circumstances will make it difficult for me to complete my full term," the Guardian quoted Mueller as saying.

The Airlines CEO, who formally began his job last May to oversee a $1.56bn refurbishment, is credited for revitalizing the Irish carrier Aer Lingus.

Mueller said that he was confident about the next phase of growth under a new CEO.

Meanwhile, the Malaysia Airlines has begun searching for a new CEO. Mueller would stay until September to ensure a smooth transition.

The Malaysia Airlines suffered financial losses before two disasters in 2014, the disappearance of Flight MH 370 and the loss of another plane which was shot down over Ukraine.

Mueller described in an interview two weeks ago had airline as a "ship that has many leaks" but asserted that things were back on the right track.
SKANEATELES  With a proposed 2016-17 budget that carries a tax levy increase equal to the amount of its property tax cap, the Skaneateles Central School District hopes to present a spending plan that bolsters student programs and services but keeps taxpayers' contribution steady.

During Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Ken Slentz presented the budget proposal the district will send to voters Tuesday, May 17, and the seven board members subsequently unanimously adopted the plan.

In his presentation, Slentz highlighted the seven principles the district and the board used to measure both their fiscal and educational priorities, and that system "set us up nicely" in developing the next spending plan, he said.

With the district's tax cap set at 1.03 percent, he said the district will raise its tax levy by that exact amount while increasing overall spending 2.95 percent across the three parts of the budget  administrative, capital and program  for total expenditures of $31.82 million.

Slentz said the district saw a $300,000 decrease in its retirement spending "right off the bat" and shifted that money around to bolster programs  reinstating, adding or enhancing student opportunities  rather than simply cutting spending.

To the question of why costs are increasing as enrollment is decreasing, the superintendent pointed to pilot programs to try out new educational possibilities before adding full programs and to wellness programs to support "evolving student needs" through counselors and teachers' aides.

"We are not educating the same kids we did 10 years ago," he said. "We'd be negligent, really, to not provide those opportunities."

Slentz also said the district continues to leverage revenue to the district in the form of aid from BOCES support and state funding as it plans several years out rather than waiting until the spring to set its next spending plan.

"This is not a one-year budget. We are now budgeting for two years if not further," he said. "We have a good sense of what we're starting to look at. ... There are unpredictabilities that happen. We have to prepare appropriately for that."

He also pointed to flat operational aid for the district this year, noting that an extra $498,000 from the repealed Gap Elimination Adjustment is one-time revenue that the district cannot depend on next year.

"We're trying to make sure we are putting ourselves in a position to provide the strongest possible program for our kids within the confines of our budget," Slentz said. "We believe this budget does that."

Given the chance to comment, Middle School Principal Gary Gerst, High School Principal Greg Santoro and Elementary Principal Steve Widrick commended a budget that they believe supports the needs of students at all levels of the district and reflects strong communication within the district.

Interim Business Manager Joe Butler also noted a school bus replacement plan that may be extended to other vehicles and equipment to create predictable costs and responsible maintenance.

"Those are big-ticket items, and you're trying for prioritization of what's most important and what's going to fail first," Butler said. "We're going to be planning instead of just waiting until next spring. We're going to do the what-ifs throughout the year."
Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar recently launched the eco-friendly jute bag initiative' here.

Gangwar said Mother Dairy will offer jute bags to customers at all Mother Dairy and Safal outlets in the Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR).

These bags will be supplied to all Mother Dairy and Safal outlets by Birds Jute and Exports Limited (BJEL), a PSU which is under the administrative control of Ministry of Textiles.

It is well-known that polythene bags is one contributor to the pollution problem in the national capital. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has on multiple occasions, tried to ban use of plastic carry bags in Delhi.

Mother Dairy, National Jute Board (NJB) and Birds Jute and Exports Ltd. (BJEL) have joined hands in this green venture, to provide attractive, low cost jute bags at the thousand-odd booths of Mother Dairy/Safal in the Delhi-NCR.

Gangwar urged the people of Delhi to make a smart choice by opting for jute carry bags.

Textiles Secretary Rashmi Verma and Managing Director, Mother Dairy Fruits and Vegetables Pvt. Ltd.Nagarajan Sivaramakrishnan were also present for the launch event.

The jute bags will be available at a price range of between Rs.25 and Rs.35. These bags are strong, washable and can be used several times over, making them cost effective.

Mother Dairy has placed an initial order of 20,000 jute bags - 10,000 units each for Mother Dairy and Safal. Based on the response of residents of Delhi/NCR, repeat orders shall be placed.

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Pakistan's Minister of State for Education and Professional Training Engr, Muhammad Baligh ur Rahman on Wednesday said the government was making an effort in formulating the teaching Quran be made compulsory in all public schools across the country.

"This process would be initiated after consulting all the provinces through the platform of Inter Provincial Education Minister's Conference (IPEMC)," the Express Tribune quoted him as saying.

Speaking at the 4th Annual Day organised by Al Huda International School the minister asserted that Nazra Quran would be taught from grade one to grade 5 and proper Quranic education with translation would be taught to students of grade six to grade 10 in all public schools.

"These children are our national asset so we should invest the best of our resources to make them better educated human beings," he said.

In January, Sardar Muhammad Yusuf, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs had said the government was shortly going to make teaching of the Holy Quran compulsory from pre-school to class 10 in all public and private educational institutions.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan on Wednesday warned India not be 'euphoric' about the fastest growing economy tag, and said that this performance should be repeated for the next 20 years to ensure a decent living for every Indian.

"We are often compared with China. The Chinese economy, which was smaller than us in 1960s, is now five times our size at market exchange rates. The average Chinese citizen is four times richer than the average Indian," Rajan said at the 12th convocation address at the National Institute of Bank Management.

"As a central banker who has to be pragmatic, I cannot get euphoric if India is the fastest growing large economy. Our current growth certainly reflects the hard work of the government and the people of the country. But we have to repeat this performance for the next 20 years before we can give every Indian a decent livelihood," he added.

Seeking to explain his "one-eyed king" comments, he said that his comment was taken out of context.

"When I used the popular phrase 'Andhon main Kana Raja' (one-eyed man is the king in the land of the blind) in my interview, my intent was to signal that our outperformance was accentuated because world growth was weak,' he said.

"Every word or phrase that a public figure speaks is intensely wrung out of meaning. When words are hung out to dry out of context as in the newspaper headline, it only becomes a fair game for anyone who wants to fill in, meaning to create mischief. If, we are to have a reasonable public dialogue, we should read words in their context, not stripped of it," he added.

He, however, issued an apology, saying, "I do want to apologise to a section of the nation that I did hurt with these words that the visually impaired or blind."

With India being often described as 'the bright spot in the global economy', Rajan sees this as a case of "the one-eyed man" being king in the land of the blind.

When asked for his take on the 'bright spot' theory and what was his 'secret sauce' to ensure this positioning, the RBI Governor had said, "I think we have still to get to a place where we feel satisfied. We have this saying, 'In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king'. We are a little bit that way.
At least two Canadian nationals were detained with a satellite phone at the Dabok airport in Udaipur city of Rajasthan on Tuesday evening.

However, they had mentioned about the satellite phone in the custom declaration form while they were travelling from U.S.A to Delhi.

The police are trying to know the legal provision of possessing the satellite phone from different agencies.

The two Canadians had carried the satellite phone along with them in Delhi, Jaipur airport and Agra.

Lebi switched on the phone in the Dabok airport and used it. However, when the securities found the phone in their possession, they surrendered it.

Lebi Pearl and her accomplice Crystal are currently being interrogated by the police.
CPI leader D. Raja on Wednesday dubbed Jayalaithaa's demand for the release of seven convicts in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination case as 'genuine' and said the Centre must take an appropriate decision on this as all accused have spent more than 20 years in jail.

The Communist Party of India said that the Centre must take due cognisance of the same and reopen the case.

"It is a genuine case as far as Tamil Nadu people are concerned. The convicts have spent long time in jail, more than 20 years they have spent in jail and I think even going by law and all other considerations there is nothing wrong in reopening that issue and considering the request made by the Tamil Nadu government as many major political parties in the state have made similar request," Raja said.

"Nobody wants to go in to the merits of the case but the point is they have spent more than 20 years in jail, each one of them and it will not be correct to keep them convicted. The Centre must take an appropriate decision on this," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and the Congress Party hailed the Centre for rejecting Jayalaithaa's request.

The Centre has rejected the Tamil Nadu Government's proposal to release the seven convicts in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination case.

This is the second time in two years that the state has written to the Centre seeking its views on its decision to remit their sentence.

The first letter was sent during the UPA government's tenure in February 2014.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had earlier told the Tamil Nadu Government that it has no authority to release the prisoners since the matter is sub-judice in the Supreme Court.
Security has been beefed-up for the third phase of the West Bengal assembly elections in 62 constituencies, going to take place on Thursday.

In all, 418 candidates including 70 independents and 34 women are in fray. 58 candidates for 7 constituencies of Kolkata Uttar, 189 for 22 seats of Murshidabad, 108 for 17 seats of Nadia and 83 contestants for 16 seats of Burdwan districts are trying their luck.

Only the BJP and TMC have fielded party candidates on all the 62 seats. Having entered these polls with an understanding, the CPI-M and the Congress are contesting on 38 and 26 seats, respectively.

More than 1.37 crore electorates will decide the fate of 418 candidates, including 34 women, in 62 constituencies.

A total of 1,37,42,000 electorates comprising 71,33,978 male, 65,79,218 female, 159 third gender and 28,645 service electors will cast their votes at 16,461 polling stations having 18,930 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and 1,214 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, including reserved.

Voting will be conducted in 16,461 polling stations, 3, 401 of them sensitive including 324 in Kolkata Uttar.

Special security precautions and constant vigil measures have been taken at all the centres. It is reported that over 700 companies of Central security forces have been deployed while 25 thousand state Police personnel will assist them in ensuring peaceful, free and fair polling.

In addition, 1283 teams of sector forces and 194 RT mobile teams have been deployed to respond to various exigencies including feedback received from CCTV monitoring and live webcast of the voting at 549 booths. Besides general and Police observers, 3376 micro observers of the Commission are on duty.

In Murshidabad, earmarked as the district with a high number of trouble zones, three Police observers have been deputed.
Two major Tamil diaspora groups in the United States - Tamils for Obama and American Tamil Forum - have urged Washington to arrest Sri Lanka's former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa whom they allege of playing an active role during the country's Civil War.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa is reported to be visiting the U.S.

In an urgent appeal, the groups alleged that Gotabaya Rajapaksa is among the top architect, along with the former president and the current President, who were responsible for the large scale killing of Tamils and rape of Tamil women.

"US should not miss the opportunity to arrest and prosecute one of the main war criminals in recent times visiting the US. Failure to do so would encourage others to commit abuses amounting to war crimes," Colombo Page quoted the two organisations as saying.

According to the diaspora groups, around 70,000 Tamils were killed in six months during the early part of 2009 in an internal review by the United Nations, adding the abuses committed by the Sri Lankan forces amount to war crimes.

"Some international legal experts believe that there are elements of these abuses that could amount to Genocide," the group said, adding, "United States should take the same leadership it took at the UN to initiate investigation for the visiting Sri Lankan war criminal."

The United Nations Human Rights Council had last year passed a Sri Lanka resolution to hold a credible investigation to punish those responsible for these killings.
Expressing his disappointment over the Uttarakhand High Court pulling up the Centre for recommending President's rule, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday said this might instigate a new debate, adding his party enjoys absolute majority in the hill state.

"Generally, there is a tradition that when President makes any comment then nobody questions it, but if the High Court has given such a statement then this might instigate a new debate," Vijayvargiya told ANI.

The BJP leader further said that his party is ready for the floor test in Uttarakhand.

"We had presented 36 MLAs before the Governor. And if needed, we are ready for the floor test also," he said.

Questioning the Central Government's assertion on the political crisis in the hill state, the Uttarakhand High Court earlier in the day told the ruling dispensation that even the President can go wrong.

"There is no decision like that of king, which can't be subject to judicial review. That's the essence of Constitution. Even the President can go wrong, everything is subject to judicial review," the High Court said.

"We are not doubting the wisdom of the President, but everything is subject to judicial review," the court added.

Justifying its stand, the Centre had earlier emphasised that that courts can't have jurisdiction over the President's assent.

The Uttarakhand High Court had on Monday questioned the Centre's move to impose President's Rule in the state in the fifth year of the Congress Government.

"The Governor is not an agent of the Centre. This colours our mind. Can you remove a government based on a solitary incident and the government, which is in its fifth year? The root of the matter is you are cutting at root of democracy. Interference in the affairs of states is not to be seen lightly, emergency power should be used in extraordinary cases," the court said.

The Centre had imposed President's Rule in Uttarakhand on March 27, a day before Chief Minister Harish Rawat was to prove his majority in the state assembly.

The Uttarakhand Government entered into a crisis last month when nine Congress MLAs rebelled against Rawat and the BJP, which has 28 MLAs, staked claim to form the government.
Centre Extends Rs. 800 Crore Assistance For Cleaning Lakes in Bengaluru: Javadekar

India has urged the developed world to declare its enhanced action plan for the second period of Kyoto Protocol. Speaking on the eve of his departure for New York for the signing of Paris Climate Change Agreement, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, said, that mobilising $100 billion is still at the stage of discussion and no concrete action plan has been laid out. Shri Javadekar said that India has levied a Clean Environment Cess of $6 (Rs. 400) per tonne on coal. The Minister added that if the developed world follows India in taxing its coal production, $100 billion can be raised. He also said that the developed world must provide technological support to the developing nations in the fight against Climate Change. Shri Javadekar will also attend the meeting of Major Economies Forum on April 23-24, 2016.

The Minister highlighted that India is leading by example on mitigation and adaptation. Laying out the details of India's action on Climate Change after the Paris Agreement, Shri Javadekar said that 175 GigaWatt of Renewable Energy has been targeted by 2022, out of which 40 GW Renewable Energy capacity has been achieved by March 2016. He pointed out that the Government has decided to leapfrog from Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) to Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission norms by April 1, 2020, thereby skipping BS-V emission norms altogether. The Government has taken a decision to promote blending of ethanol with petrol and its use as an alternative fuel and has also taken a decision to tax SUVs and diesel vehicles, Shri Javadekar added. Shri Javadekar also said that 93 million LED bulbs have been distributed till April 12, 2016. This has resulted in energy savings of more than 33.3 million kWh every day.

Emphasising the initiatives taken by the government on adaptation front, the Minister stated that farmers can get their inefficient agricultural pumps sets free of cost replaced with energy efficient pumps. Some of the other initiatives taken by the Government include - Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana to improve water use efficiency, sustainable agriculture and efficient water use.

Speaking on the issue of pollution of lakes in Bengaluru, Shri Javadekar said that the Ministry has issued directions under section 5 and section 18 of Environment Protection Act on pollution of lakes in Bengaluru. The Minister said that the Centre has extended an assistance of Rs. 800 crore under AMRUT scheme for cleaning up the lakes in Bengaluru. Out of this, Rs. 500 crore is for laying down a 74 kms trunk sewage pipeline. He also said that Rs 162 crore have been provided to construct 4 Sewage Treatment Plant (STPs) in Bellandur lake. The Minister stated that 1280 MLDs of sewage is generated per day in Bengaluru, while the capacity to treat sewage is 721 MLD. Out of this, 600 MLD of sewage is actually treated. He also pointed out that of the 520 STPs, 137 STPs are non-functional.

The Environment Minister said that the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority Bill have been received. Some of the suggestions have been incorporated and the Bill will be placed in the Parliament in the next session.

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A 5.0-magnitude occurred near the Andaman Islands west of Thailand early on Wednesday but no casualties were reported.

Xinhua news agency quoted the Seismological Bureau of Thai Meteorological Department as saying that the quake took place at 3.32 am (2032 GMT). Its depth was 10 km below the seabed.

The epicentre was roughly 400 km off the southern Andaman coast of Thailand.
After RJD leader Lalu Prasad, his younger son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav on Wednesday said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was fit to be India's next prime minister.

"Nitish Kumar is an able chief minister. Bihar is developing under his leadership. He is honest and capable, so why can't he become the next prime minister?" Tejaswi Yadav told the media here.

He said Nitish Kumar has been trying to unite all secular and non-BJP parties and would succeed in his mission.

Earlier this year, Tejaswi Yadav had publicly stated that Nitish Kumar was his political guru and he was impressed by his commitment to develop Bihar.

Lalu Prasad had on Tuesday backed Nitish Kumar as the next prime minister.

"I will be very happy if Nitish Kumar becomes the next prime minister," he had said.

Lalu Prasad also called for a broader unity against the BJP and the RSS to defeat them in election -- like in Bihar last year.

--IANS

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For the second time in two months, a Mumbai-bound Jet Airways flight from Ahmedabad was delayed by several hours following a bomb scare on board the aircraft, the airline officials said here on Wednesday.

The flight S2-4738, with 125 passengers and six crew members, was moved to an isolated area of the Sardar Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, after the bomb threat was received, the airline said in a statement.

All passengers were deplaned and a thorough search was carried out by the security agencies and a bomb squad. But no explosive was found, and the aircraft was finally cleared for its onward flight around 10.15 a.m.

This was the second incident in the past couple of months that Jet Airways fell a victim to bomb hoaxes.

Soon after the Brussels bombing in early March, the Jet Airways was bombarded with anonymous calls warning about explosives planted in five of its flights. The calls turned out to be hoaxes.
An innovative experiment of raising charity funds through screening feature films in cinema halls seems to have come as a big relief for nine cancer-afflicted girls in Karnataka who are now looking forward to regular fund flows for uninterrupted treatment.

Sreeraksha, Prajna, Amisha, Nafisathula Ifrath, Devapriya, Nidhi Kamat, Mariyam Saheera, Apeksha and Fathimath Misbha, undergoing treatment at the Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangalore, require monetary support - ranging from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.3 lakhs ($1,500-$4,500) - for cancer treatment.

NGO CanKids Kidscan has joined hands with producers of Kannada film "The Plan" to raise awareness and funds for its Girl Child Project that offers treatment and support to girls with cancer.

The funds collected by the NGO, along with the film's producers - Malgudi Talkies and Day Dream Creations - will support the nine girls in Mangalore by offering treatment, emotional and psychological support, transportation, nutrition, education, accommodation and social reintegration.

For a daily wage labourer who is the father of nine-year-old Fathimath Misbha, diagnosed with Acute Lymphblastic Leukemia, the funds would be a blessing for his child.

"We don't have money. If they don't help, we would stop the treatment," said Fathimath's father.

The NGO and the film's producers are aiming to collect Rs.12 lakh through crowd funding for the nine girls through advance sale of tickets of a special re-release of the movie in Mangalore, Udupi, Karkala and Kundapur on April 22.

The producers were about to release a free digital version of the movie on YouTube when a call for a donation from an acquaintance for the cancer treatment of a school girl threw up the idea of generating funds for charity through film screenings.

The Mumbai-based Malgudi Talkies' chief Ashok Shetty said: "My friends suggested that rather than releasing a free version of the film on YouTube, we could re-release it on select screens and collect charity funds through advance sale of tickets."

He said donors can contribute and save a girl's life and get free tickets of "The Plan" by visiting http://malguditalkies.in/shop/

The popular film, featuring Ananth Nag, Kousthubh Jayakumar, Hemanth, Sriram, Gauthami and Harish Roy, was first released in November.

"We are going to colleges and cities to highlight the cause linked to the re-release of the film. We are aiming to collect Rs 12 lakh for the nine cancer bravehearts," Shetty said.

"For every ticket that is sold, Rs.60 would be directed towards the treatment of the nine girls," said Shetty.

Film director Keerthi said if the experiment for the cause is successful, they may continue to re-release the movie in other parts of the state too.

All the nine girls undergoing treatment at KMC Hospital, Mangalore, are under the care of Dr. Harsha Prasad L, assistant professor in the department of paediatrics.

"A majority of childhood cancers are curable. It is a crime not to seek medical help for a girl child with cancer," Prasad maintained.

"The Girl Child Project campaign will help create awareness about the importance of treating girls similar to boys," he added.

CanKids KidsCan chairman Poonam Bagai said: "Such a crowd funding initiative has been attempted first time by us in partnership with Malgudi Talkies and Day Dream Creations."

"Gender discrimination in our country is prevalent at all levels. In a study in Haryana in 2013, we found that girls with cancer seem to be facing discrimination as compared to boys," she said.

"Some parents do not want to inform relatives or neighbors about this ailment as it could hamper the marriage prospect of their other children," she said.

The CanKids Girl Child project aims to strengthen and empower girl patients and survivors to become leaders and ambassador of childhood cancer, she said.

CanKids Kidscan is a non-profit organization for childhood Cancer in India. It works on all aspects to bring a change in childhood cancer from support services to awareness, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, quality care, research and impact.

Cancer kills as many as 264 children per week in the country. As many as 13,726 deaths due to childhood cancer occurred in India in 2010, of which is 0.7 percent of deaths were among those aged one month to 14 years.

(Anjali Madan can be contacted at anjalimadan79@gmail.com)
A Congress delegation led by its state president Sukhdeo Bhagat on Wednesday met Jharkhand Governor Draupdi Murmu to demand a special assembly session to discuss the domicile policy issue.

"In a memorandum submitted to the governor, the congress demanded that the domicile policy announced by the state goverment should be put on hold and a special assembly session called to discuss it. The present policy is not in favour of the adivasis and moolvasis," Jharkhand Congress secretary Alok Dubey told IANS.

He was a member of the delegation.

He said the party demanded that the policy be formulated taking into consideration the tradition and culture of the tribals and original inhabitants of Jharkhand.

"Jharkhand comes under the fifth schedule of the constitution and its provisions should be observed in case of the state," he said.

The main opposition party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, has called for a shutdown in the state on May 14 to oppose the domicile policy implemented in the state.

It is also mulling to call a shutdown on April 24 in Kolhan when Prime Minister Narebdra Modi is slated to address village headmen in Jamshedpur.

--IANS

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said his government was not against taxi aggregators after online app-based cab operator Uber blamed his government for car shortage to serve commuters.

In a series of tweets, Kejriwal said: "We are not against taxi aggregators. We fully support them. They provide important service to people. But they will have to follow law."

"Overcharging, diesel cars, drivers without license/badges n blackmailing by taxi aggregators won't be allowed," he tweeted.

On Monday, Kejriwal had warned of "strict action" in the wake of complaints of "surge pricing" by taxi operators, a technique used to hike the fares due to higher demand. The online app-based taxi services such as Uber and Ola suspended their surge pricing following the warning.

The demand for taxis has shot up in the capital on account of the odd-even traffic scheme that commenced on April 15 and will run till April 30.

Kejriwal has termed the surge pricing by taxi services as "daylight robbery" and blamed the companies for "openly blackmailing" the state government.

"Surge pricing is daylight robbery. No responsible govt can allow that," Kejriwal tweeted.

"Some taxis saying they will not provide cab if they are not allowed to loot. This is open blackmailing n govt will not let that happen," he said.

Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai had said that 18 taxis belonging to Ola and Uber were impounded for over-charging commuters on Monday.

On Tuesday, Uber ran a message: "Dear rider, if you are seeing no cars available or longer wait time, that's because of suspension of surge. Surge ensures there is a car availability at all time."
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has delivered yet another success with "Fan", reveals that there won't be any sequel to the film. However he is geared up to collaborate with the director of the latest release Maneesh Sharma yet again but with a different script altogether.

"The Fan is dead (in the film) so I don't think there is any sequel to this movie," the 50-year-old told IANS.

"Fan" featured Shah Rukh as Gaurav, a fan of superstar Aryan Khanna, who is also played by the superstar.

Shah Rukh says that he has associated with Maneesh for another film that will be different from "Fan".

"Maneesh and me are working on another film which is not similar to 'Fan' at all. It's a very different story and we will start working on it by next year. It will be a nice film.."

While critics and audience have been praising Gaurav's character in "Fan", Shah Rukh says Aryan Khanna was more difficult to play.

"I still feel Aryan is a most difficult character for me. It's close to my life as an actor and as a star. I feel that the dignity of the movie stars needed to be maintained in the film because I am playing myself in it," he said.

"Having said that, the biggest achievement was that we could convince the people that there are two people in this film and not one person and I think that's the biggest compliment," he added.

Shah Rukh is also planning to celebrate the success of "Fan".

"Aditya Chopra (producer of 'Fan') has gone for 'Befikre' in Paris and I am going to London but one day I am going to sit down with the team of 'Fan' and celebrate. We spent long hours to make this film... so in a few days I will call for a get-together."
Security forces gunned down a dreaded woman Maoist leader, carrying a cash reward of Rs.6 lakh on her head, in a gun-battle in the thick forests of Bhamragad, an official said here on Wednesday.

The fierce gun-battle between the commandos of the Anti-Naxal Operations (ANO) force and the Maoists took place on Tuesday during a regular combing operation undertaken by the security forces.

While a majority of the Maoists fled into the jungles, police later recovered the body of Sarita Kolu Kovase, 26, deputy commander of the Perimili Dalam, and the wife of the its commander, Dolesh Madi Atram alias Sainath.

Police have recovered an arms cache from the area including one SLR with 36 live rounds of ammunition, three magazines, a radio, one mine, wire bundles, sets of clothing, publicity banners, a medical kit and naxal literature from her.

"Sarita had joined the Dalam around 10 years ago and has been among the most wanted for 60 crimes including murder, kidnapping and ambush," the official said.

Police are hopeful that her elimination would deal a paralysing blow to the Dalam and further weaken the Maoist influence in the areas even as the security forces carry out a campaign to lure them back into the social and national mainstream.

In 2016 alone, police have succeeded in convincing 23 dreaded Maoists to surrender and rehabilitate themselves. Besides, nine were arrested and five have been shot dead.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has called for a tough international fight against the nexus of terrorist networks and drug traffickers that is responsible for decades of attacks on India.

Speaking at a General Assembly Special Session on the drug problem Tuesday, Jaitley said India has "been a victim of cross-border terrorism funded partly by drug trafficking for the last several decades."

"The growing nexus of Drug trafficking and terrorist networks endangers peace, security and stability across regions," he said. "We have to continue and toughen our collective fight against these evils."

"National efforts, however intense and sincere, cannot adequately deal with the drug problem," Jaitley said. "Bilateral, regional and international cooperation is essential in this area. Our domestic laws contain adequate provisions for such cooperation among judicial and law enforcement authorities."

He said that India is setting up a regional organisation, South Asia Regional Intelligence and Coordination Centre (SARICC) with India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives as founding members, to jointly fight the drug menace.

"India is bordered by two of the major illicit opium and heroin producing regions of the world," he said, without naming Pakistan or Myanmar, to bring home the magnitude of the problem faced by India. That and the drug-terror nexus "has defined our approach to the world drug problem," he added.

"The problems of illicit cultivation of poppy, cannabis and coca crops, multifaceted challenges faced by transit countries and those affected by drug related terrorism should receive particular attention," he said.

He prescribed alternative development as an important aspect of drug control and called for "international cooperation and increased technical assistance and provisions of additional financial resources for developing countries in their fight against the drug menace."

Jaitley warned that recreational use of drugs would only aggravate the problem. There is a trend in some places to legalise use of drugs, but he did not directly mention it.

India is the only country permitted under an international convention to produce opium gum for medical and scientific purpose and export it. Because of this, drugs and narcotics control falls under the finance ministry unlike in most countries.

Jaitley said, "As supplier of licit opiate raw material to the world and traditional licit opium cultivator for centuries, India is fully conscious of its own responsibility to eradicate any illicit cultivation, reduce demand and put in preventive and enforcement measures."

Turning to the problem posed by organised crime, he said its drug syndicates and networks can only be "effectively" busted by disrupting their finances.

Highlighting the direct human cost of the problem, World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan said there were 27 million drug users around the world and 400,000 of them died every year.

The Assembly adopted a resolution calling for a comprehensive, integrated and balanced approach to deal with the drug problem. It also said that particular focus should be placed on individuals, families, communities and societies in dealing with the drug menace.

The differences in the approaches to fighting the drug problem came out starkly as western and Latin American countries squared off with Asian and Middle Eastern nations on imposing the death penalty for drug crimes.

The European Union and other countries opposed using the death penalty for combatting drug crimes and regretted that the document adopted by the Assembly on the drug problem was silent about it.

Speaking on behalf of a group countries that execute drug criminals, Indonesia defended the use of the death penalty saying every nation had a sovereign right to decide on its own justice system, taking into account its own circumstances. The group included Singapore, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Iran.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in)
The death toll from April 16 earthquake in Ecuador rose to 480 by Tuesday morning, Vice Interior Minister Diego Fuentes said.

Around 4,027 people were injured and 231 missing, the vice interior minister was cited by local daily El Telegrafo as saying, Xinhua reported.

The report added that 20,503 people remain in shelters, while 805 buildings were completely destroyed and another 608 damaged, according to a preliminary count.

The earthquake was centered around the northwestern province of Manabi, which has seen the brunt of the death toll. Pedernales, the most affected city, has registered 131 deaths so far, the provincial capital of Portoviejo has counted 115, while the tourist port of Manta has 112.

Some good news broke the gloom on Tuesday as three people were found alive in the rubble of a building in Manta, according to Ecuador's firefighter chief.

Commander Ebber Arroyo told the press in Quito that rescue workers had labored for hours to move rubble from the remains of a residential building before they succeeded in saving the three early Tuesday.

"We found three people alive, at around 4:30 a.m., and we will continue trying to work to find people in the same condition," said Arroyo.

The survivors, two women and a man, were immediately taken to hospital for medical care.

President Rafael Correa is expected to visit the town of Mant, as well as the villages of Chone, San Vicente and Bahia de Caraquez.
There are some 500,000 waiting to set sail for southern Europe from Libya, the country's envoy to the Vatican has warned.

"Half a million people are waiting to leave," Ali Mustafa Rugibani told a conference here on Libya's progress in forming a unity government.



The influx of trying to cross the Mediterranean represents a problem for Libya and for the whole of Europe Rugibani told participants at the conference.



"For this reason, it will be vital for Libya's premier-designate Fayez al-Sarraj to agree on a migrant plan with Italy and with Europe," Rugibani said without elaborating.



The European Union and Turkey last month enacted a controversial deal under, which arriving in Greece whose asylum applications are rejected can be sent back to Turkey.

The number of migrants embarking on the journey from Turkey to Greece fell by half in March from the previous month following the deal aimed at halting illegal immigration and people trafficking, the EU borders agency Frontex said.

However, the number of people trying the longer and more dangerous sea voyage from northern Africa to Italy more than quadrupled in March compared with the same month last year, according to Frontex.



Over a million migrants and refugees entered Europe last year, fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Cuban President Raul Castro called for handing over power to the younger generation in an address at the closing of the 7th Congress of the Cuba's Communist Party (PCC).

Castro on Tuesday signalled that he wants top leaders to retire at 70, starting from 2021, and that the next five years would be a transition period for creating a younger generation of leaders, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Due to the inexorable law of life, this Congress will be the last led by the historic generation, who will hand over the flags of revolution and socialism to its younger pillars, without sadness or pessimism," Castro said.

The 84-year-old president said that the PCC's main mission must be "to defend, preserve and continue perfecting socialism and never allowing the return of capitalism."
All is not well in West Bengal Left Front, that has stuck together for 39 long years, including 34 years as a ruling coalition. Upset with LF spearhead CPI-M, a prominent partner is now raising questions about the tie-up with the Congress for the assembly polls, wondering "whether we have dug our own grave".

The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) is peeved on multiple counts. The Congress has pitted nine candidates against its nominees, and the CPI-M leaders have gone 'beyond the LF mandate" by campaigning jointly with the Congress. But what riles the RSP the most is the local level CPI-M leaders' reluctance in various areas to side with LF partners in seats where they are up against the Congress.

"We in the LF had thought of having an understanding with right-wing forces, including the Congress, to unite the people against the Trinamool Congress, which has established its monopoly in the state. But we never took a decision on forming any front or alliance with the Congress," RSP state secretary Kshiti Goswami told IANS over the phone.

Goswami said LF chairman Biman Bose had also made an announcement to that effect ruling out any joint campaign.

"Yes, some people in the CPI-M are saying an alliance had been formed with the Congress. But in the LF we never discussed or passed any such proposal. The LF chairman even said that there will be no joint campaign, joint rallies or joint squads.

"We had trusted their announcement. But the later developments have breached our trust. Even eminent leaders of the CPI-M are campaigning jointly with the Congress leaders. The Congress tricolour and the CPI-M's red flag are fluttering together. It seems a green signal has been given by the CPI-M to its cadres that they can walk this road," said Goswami, a former state minister.

Slamming the Congress for putting up candidates in some of the constituencies where LF partners are in the fray. Goswami said the Congress leadership refused to heed the requests to withdraw from the fray.

"For instance, there are such disputes between the Congress and the RSP over nine seats. This is undesirable. We had hoped through discussions this dispute can be overcome. But unfortunately, that was not to be.

"Our local leadership in these constituencies is angry. They are now questioning the rationale for the LF tie-up with the Congress. Naturally, Trinamool will reap the benefit in these seats," he said.

Asked about local level CPI-M leaders extending support to Congress candidates in a number of constituencies where the LF partners are also in fray, Goswami said: "We have conveyed our thoughts to the LF chairman. We can't say if he is cornered in the party. There may be an inner crisis in the CPI-M."

In fact, even CPI-M central committee member Gautam Deb told a Bengali news channel recently that in constituencies where both Congress and LF partners have fielded nominees, his party would extend support to the "strongest candidate" who can defeat the Trinamool.

Goswami regretted that some smaller LF constituents like the Revolutionary Communist Party of India (RCPI), which was with the combine since its formation in 1977, have "virtually been eliminated" from the polls.

LF chairman Bose had in a statement announced the RCPI would withdraw its candidates from two seats in favour of the Congress.

"So, in the LF, questions are being raised whether we have dug our own grave. Such questions are being raised in our party also," said Goswami.

Going hammer and tongs at the CPI-M, Goswami said the Marxist leaders appeared to be more interested in shoring up the party's prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

"In 2014 (general elections), their performance was poor. So, maybe the Marxist leadership is doubtful whether they can retain their status of a national party after the 2019 general elections.

"So they are accommodating others generously with the hope that these parties will leave seats for them during the Lok Sabha polls. They have done it at the cost of West Bengal."

(Sirshendu Panth can be contacted at s.panth@ians.in)
London-based Indian diplomat Amitav Banerji was conferred one of the highest awards of Cyprus - Commander of the Order of Merit - at a ceremony at the Cypriot high commission in London.

In 1990, Banerji, once tipped as a future foreign secretary of India, was seconded from the Indian Foreign Service to the Commonwealth Secretariat for three years. He remained there for 25 years. In the final six years of his stint, he held the key post of political director.

Presenting the award on Tuesday night, Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said: "If one was to take a poll amongst diplomats who have dealt with the Commonwealth in the last 25 years, in naming a single person from officials in the Secretariat that has made an impact in the Organisation, my guess would be that Amitav's name would rank very high on the pecking order, if not at the peak."

"Amitav represents the true embodiment of the Commonwealth values and principles, which he strived to promote and safeguard in our respective countries for 25 years"

"I cannot think of anyone more fitting to receive the award of the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Cyprus than Amitav Banerji," he added.

The Commonwealth, with 53 members including India, is the largest association of countries after the United Nations.

Banerji is credited with the formulations of the Commonwealth's Harare Declaration, the Millbrook Action Programme and the Commonwealth Charter.

He was closely associated with 12 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGMs), including the one in Cyprus in 1993.

--IANS/RAY

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The mortal remains of Kirpal Singh, who died in a Lahore jail in suspicious circumstances last week, were consigned to flames at his village in Punjab's Gurdaspur district on Wednesday amid a sombre environment.

Hundreds of people from the village and nearby areas joined the mournful family members, relatives and friends of Kirpal Singh at the cremation at Mustafabad village, about four km from the district's Gurdaspur town, to bid farewell to him.

Gurdaspur is about 220 km from Chandigarh.

Kirpal's sister Jagir Kaur and other family members were tearful and inconsolable at the cremation. Dalbir Kaur, sister of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, who was also murdered in the same Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore in April 2013, also joined the mourners.

Kirpal Singh, 54, a former Indian serviceman, was lodged in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since 1992. He died on April 11. The family has maintained he had inadvertently crossed into Pakistan in 1992.

Pakistani authorities labelled him a spy and got him convicted for terror attacks in their country. He was initially sentenced to death which was later commuted to 20 years' imprisonment.

While Pakistani authorities attributed his death to a heart attack, his family members alleged foul play. The family claims he was murdered either by fellow prisoners or prison officials in Pakistan.

Singh's body was handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) officials by Pakistani authorities in a coffin at the Attari-Wagah joint check post on Tuesday afternoon. Family members identified Kirpal Singh's mortal remains.

Close relatives and residents from Kirpal Singh's village were present at Attari, 30 km from Amritsar, when the body was brought back to India.

Family members alleged his body bore injury marks. But doctors who conducted an autopsy at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Amritsar denied it.

The medical board, which conducted the post-mortem examination, said there were no external or internal injury marks on the body.

After the post-mortem examination, Ashok Sharma, head of the three-member medical board, told media on Tuesday that the cause of death has not been established yet.

The doctor said some organs from his body were missing, as an autopsy had already been done in Pakistan.

"I can say with 100 percent accuracy that the wound marks which are inflicted during life, they cannot be removed. The cause of death has not been established yet," Sharma added.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to file a caveat in the Supreme Court so that the committee could be heard before the court gives a judgment on the return of the Kohinoor diamond to India.

"The SGPC would represent the Sikh community in the PIL and demand that the diamond, which is presently a part of the crown jewels of the Queen of England, be returned to the religious body," Jangveer Singh, media adviser to Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Badal, said here.

"This assertion was being made on the basis that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the head of a Khalsa Raj. In the absence of any such system now, the SGPC is the representative of the Sikh community to which the diamond rightfully belongs," he said.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar had on Tuesday demanded that the Kohinoor be returned to the Sikh community as it was part of the Sikh kingdom in the 19th century.

In another decision on this issue, the ruling Akali Dal decided that a deputation of party leaders will meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to make a representation on behalf of the Sikh community to highlight the wrong version given to the court by the union culture ministry earlier this week on the Kohinoor.

"The Akali Dal delegation will impress upon Sushma Swaraj that Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh sovereign ruler of Punjab, was robbed of the Kohinoor," a party statement said.

"The Akali Dal feels this aspect has not been appropriately put before the apex court. The party will present the facts of the case to the external affairs ministry detailing how the Maharaja was forced to present the Kohinoor to Queen Victoria after being christened and that he had no option in the matter.

"It cannot be regarded has being given as compensation or as a gift in any manner," the party said.

"The party is confident that the Centre will rethink its stand on the issue as there was no doubt that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the absolute owner of the Kohinoor and that after its death it was taken away by the British in a deceitful manner.

"It feels this wrong can only be righted by the return of the diamond to the Sikh community," the statement said.

"To say that the Kohinoor was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away by the British but was given as a present by Maharaja Duleep Singh to the East India Company is a gross misrepresentation of historical facts. This stand seems to support the deceitful ways and means of the British," Makkar said in a statement.

The 108-carat diamond was presented to the then British monarch, Queen Victoria, after the Anglo-Sikh wars, in which Britain gained control over the Sikh empire in the then undivided Punjab.

The Kohinoor diamond, kept under tight security at the Tower of London, is claimed by India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

--IANS

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The Young Mizo Association (YMA), the most influential youth organisation in the northeastern state of Mizoram, on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla to initiate peace talks with the militants.

The YMA also urged him to enact a strict law to deal with the drug menace in the state bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh.

"Central leaders of YMA met the chief minister and urged him to initiate peace talks with the underground Hmar People's Convention-Democratic (HPC-D) to bring long-lasting peace in the state," a YMA statement said.

"The YMA leaders also asked the chief minister to enact a stringent law to deal with the hazardous activities of drugs in the state. Smuggling of drugs from across the border must be stoped at any cost."

Sophisticated arms, ammunition and drugs are allegedly being smuggled from adjoining Myanmar and a racket comprising local and foreign citizens are involved.

Manipur-based HPC-D, which is demanding a separate autonomous district council in the state for Hmar tribals under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, has been involved in violent activities since 1997.

Mizoram was the first and the only state in India to get Rs.182.45 crore from the central government in 2000-01 as "peace bonus" for maintaining peace after decades of insurgency.

However, on March 28 last year, the HPC-D ambushed a police party in Mizoram, and killed three policemen and seriously wounded six others.

The attack forced Mizoram to approach the union home ministry to ban the HPC-D.

It also sought that the area where Hmar tribals are concentrated be declared a disturbed area under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).

Mizoram became a peaceful state after the 1986 tripartite accord ended two decades of militancy by the Mizo National Front (MNF).

--IANS

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Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will be visiting India from May 9 on her first foreign visit since assuming the office of the head of the state last October.

Initially, the president had expressed interest in attending the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh. This was communicated to the Indian side which, wishing to play host to the Nepali head of state, converted the visit to an official one, officials privy to the matter told IANS.

Bhandari would, therefore, be visiting India on the invitation of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

Preparations are underway for her India visit, said officials, adding that the two back-to-back visits -- by President Bhandari in May and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in March -- are expected to boost bilateral ties that touched a new low after the promulgation of the new constitution in September last year.

There could be two reasons behind making the visit official -- one because she is the first woman president of Nepal and the second that she was elected to the top office post-promulgation of the new constitution.

In her two-leg visit, she will reach New Delhi on May 9 and the following day would be meeting senior Indian officials and leaders, said sources.

She would meet President Pranab Mukharjee on May 10 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, according to the preliminary itinerary.

On the same day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other Indian leaders will call on President Bhandari in New Delhi.

After her meetings and engagements in New Delhi, the Nepal president will fly to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela where state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other senior officials will meet her.

The details of the visit, size of the delegation and other preparations are yet to be worked out, said officials.

The previous president, Ram Baran Yadav, paid two official and one state visit to India but none of the Indian presidents has visited Nepal since 1998.

K.R. Narayanan was the last president to visit India in 1998.

(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)

--IANS

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Pakistan has voiced its grave concern with "the emerging trends to legalise use of illicit drugs", saying "so-called human rights-based approach are likely further complicate the issue".

Pakistani Narcotics Control Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan made the remarks while speaking at the special session of the UN general assembly on the World Drug Problem, a three-day event which opened here on Tuesday.

"We are gravely concerned over the emerging trends in some parts of the world to legalise use of illicit drugs," Nisar Ali said.

"This would give a fillip to drug demand and thus igniting the supply chain having direct fallouts on our region."

"Furthermore, the concepts lacking consensus, like hard reduction and the so-called human rights-based approach are likely to further complicate this issue," he said.

"We have dreamt of a drug-free society rather than a drug-tolerant society."

"We believe that drug dynamics in producing countries, transit countries and target countries are diverse," he said.

"No two countries and no two regions have similar environment. Therefore, there are no 'one size fits all' solutions."

The UN special session, which will conclude on Thursday, is the first of its kind in 18 years.

In 1998, world leaders gathered at the UN headquarters in New York to discuss a shared goal: how to create a "drug-free world".
The Pakistan Army said on Wednesday that a criminal gang that was involved in crimes in parts of Punjab province had surrendered to the security forces.

Hundreds of army troops had launched a massive operation against the "Chhotu" criminal gang last week after the police could not eliminate the gangsters.

Members of the gang were involved in crimes in southern parts of Punjab for years, according to officials. In a recent clash, the gang killed seven policemen and also held hostage two dozen police officers.

Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa told the media that head of the gang, Ghulam Rasool, who was known as Chhotu, had laid down arms and surrendered to the army along with his 13 gangsters unconditionally and all 24 hostage policemen were rescued safely.

Bajwa said families of dacoits recovered safely from the Island, where they had established their basis. He said combing operation will be carried out to cleanse the area. Chhotu will be transported and interrogated, he said.

He said there were clear guidelines to complete the operation by ensuring safe release of women, children and other hostages, adding that the army will hold its position in the area till the last robber is either taken into custody or taken out.

Bajwa said Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has lauded the army troops for carrying out a successful operation.

Officials said that many crime cases of different nature have already been registered against the Chhotu and he could be tried in civil courts.

"The army will not vacate this area until all the miscreant elements are neutralized," Bajwa said, adding that security forces will eliminate this "no-go area" and any other such areas across the country.

--IANS

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A Pakistani Taliban group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the killing of seven policemen who were guarding polio vaccination teams in the country's commercial hub of Karachi.

The attacks highlight the risk for the vaccination teams and their police guards in Pakistan which is among the three countries where the polio virus persist, Xinhua reported.

Vaccination campaign was suspended in parts of Karachi after the two attacks in different locations within 15 minutes, officials said.

Gunmen riding motorcycles sprayed bullets at the police mobile teams, a police officer Fairoz Shah told reporters. The gunmen fled after the attacks.

The authorities had launched a three-day polio vaccination drive in Karachi on Monday and the attacks occurred on the last day of the campaign. Health officials had planned to administer drops to nearly 2.2 million children in Karachi.

The Pakistani Taliban splinter Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group claimed responsibility.

"We have carried out both attacks on the polio teams in Karachi," spokesman for the TTP JA Ehsaullah Ehsan told the local media over phone. He said the attacks were part of the group's activities across Pakistan.

The group, which the officials say operates from the Afghan side of the border, has claimed several recent attacks.

The TTP JA had also claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on the excise office in Mardan on Tuesday that killed at least one person and injured 17 others.

Last month the group's bomber killed nearly 70 people at a park in Lahore.

--IANS

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American rock band Pearl Jam have cancelled a concert in North Carolina in protest against the state's new law on LGBT rights.

The law requires people to use public toilets that correspond to the sex listed on their birth certificates. It drew flak from campaigners and musicians alike. The band was set to play PNC Arena in Raleigh on Wednesday as part of their North American tour.

In a statement, Pearl Jam said they "must take a stand against prejudice", the BBC reported.

The law "is a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens," the statement on the band's website said.

"The practical implications are expansive and its negative impact upon basic human rights is profound."

On Monday, another US band, Boston, also cancelled three shows scheduled for late April in North Carolina.

Other acts, including Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr, have also scrapped their shows in protest.
President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday greeted Queen Elizabeth II of Britain on her 90th birthday which falls on Thursday.

"India attaches high importance to her rich and multifaceted strategic partnership with the United Kingdom," the president said in a message.

"Regular engagement at the highest level has strengthened and expanded the enduring friendship and mutual understanding between our two great nations."

Stating that the Queen's personal "commitment to the relationship and your leadership in promoting the development of ties between our peoples has been unique", Mukherjee wished the Queen good health.

--IANS

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Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and younger brother Prince Harry visited the set of "Star Wars: Episode VIII" at the Pinewood Studios here.

They received a tour by actress Daisy Ridley and got a chance to meet Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, as well as director Rian Johnson, on Tuesday, reports eonline.com.

The brothers also took part in a lightsaber battle and got a sneak preview of the film.

Kensington Palace announced Tuesday's visit yesterday on Twitter, and explained that the princes would be celebrating Star Wars' "fantastic British creative talent".

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" will be released in 2017.
Three troopers were injured on Wednesday in Manipur when two powerful foreign-made bombs were detonated near Moreh, a town on the Myanmar border.

The injured, belonging to the 11th Battalion of Assam Rifles, were evacuated to Imphal for treatment.

Police and security forces did not rule out more insurgency related violence in the coming days.

President Pranab Mukherjee is due to visit Manipur on April 23 for a state function commemorating the anniversary of the werstwhile Manipur kingdom's last battle for independence against the British on April 23, 1891.

Security has been tightened along the border areas ahead of the visit.
SpiceJet on Wednesday said the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) has set aside an impugned Competition Commission of India (CCI) order penalising the low-cost airline and two more rivals for alleged concerted action in relation to cargo fuel surcharge.

"COMPAT vide it's order dated April 18 has set aside the impugned CCI order. The matter has been remanded back to the CCI with the direction to re-consider the report of the Joint Director General (JDG) and to take appropriate decision under Section 26(8) of the Competition Act, 2002," said a SpiceJet regulatory filing.

SpiceJet, Jet Airways and Indigo airlines were fined a total of Rs.258 crore for acting in a concerted manner to fix and revise fuel surcharge (FSC) prices for transporting cargo on November 17, 2015.

Accordingly, the CCI imposed penalties amounting to Rs.151.69 crore, Rs.63.74 crore and Rs.42.48 crore on Jet Airways, InterGlobe Aviation and SpiceJet, respectively.

Asking CCI to pass a fresh order, the tribunal said in case the fair trade regulator disagrees with the findings of JDG after reconsidering, it can indicate the reasons.

"The CCI shall indicate the reasons for such disagreement and issue notice to the parties, incorporating the reasons of disagreement and give them opportunity to file their replies/objections and thereafter to pass appropriate order in accordance with law," said the regulatory filing citing the tribunal order.

--IANS

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A city court on Wednesday convicted now defunct Kingfisher Airlines chairman Vijay Mallya in a cheque bounce case.

The 14th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate convicted the industrialist under section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act.

The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on May 5, said Ashok Reddy, lawyer of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. which filed the case.

The liquor baron is currently in Britain.

The court had last month issued a non-bailable warrant against him on a petition filed by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. seeking his prosecution for defaulting on payments and cheating the company by issuing cheques that bounced.

The airport officials had filed 11 cases against Kingfisher for non-payment of dues to the tune of Rs.8 crore.

Cheques issued for Rs.50 lakh had bounced and a case in this connection was filed against him under provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

--IANS

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Hundreds of women rallied in front of the Planalto Palace, the government headquarters, in Brasilia in support of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and against her impeachment.

During the rally on Tuesday they carried red and white roses as well as signs calling for the president to stay, Xinhua news agency reported.

Rousseff met several leaders of the women's rally in the palace and left the building to personally greet the demonstrators, many of whom travelled from other states to show their support.

The president reaffirmed her stance that the impeachment process against her lacks legal basis.

"Those who intend to replace me did not receive these 54 million votes, and they are trying to make an indirect election disguised as impeachment," she said.

The lower house of Brazil's parliament on Sunday gave the go-ahead for the impeachment proceedings against President Rousseff.

It means the Senate will open a formal impeachment trial against her on charges of manipulating government accounts in the coming weeks.
The final verdict is still not out in the trade secrets theft case involving Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in the US, with the company denying any infringement of US health care software firm Epic Systems' intellectual property. India's largest information technology services company will also appeal against the US jury's decision to slap on it a fine of $940 million. What is relevant, however, is the view of many experts who have looked at the case. Most agree the jury has been harsh on TCS, but also say a company as well-managed as TCS could have clearly been more mindful of its internal compliance procedures - which help raise early warning signals that can detect and stop possible negligence on the part of sundry employees.
Apropos the report, "Nirmala critical of Rajan's 'one-eyed king' phrase" (April 19), Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's advice to Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan applies to all public figures, be they officials, diplomats, ministers or politicians.

As metaphors tend to carry an element of exaggeration, those in public life should be wary of using them, as the media and politicians in the Opposition scrutinise their every utterance. In 1977, when then Union minister George Fernandes called an Opposition leader a "congenital liar", then prime minister Morarji Desai reprimanded him, saying, "You could have expressed the same view by saying, 'she seldom speaks the truth'." In 2007, then Indian ambassador to the US Ronen Sen was censured by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee for calling critics of the Indo-US nuclear deal "headless chicken".

More obnoxious than the use of metaphors is making contemptuous gestures in media glare. Restraint in speech and behaviour should be the watchword of those in public life.

V Jayaraman Chennai

can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:The Editor, Business StandardNehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar MargNew Delhi 110 002Fax: (011) 23720201E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
The Congress has dismissed the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)'s allegations that Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi had issued directions to former home minister P Chidambaram in the Ishrat Jahan case. Describing it as a "bundle of lies", the Congress said it wanted to know why PM (prime minister) Narendra Modi and the BJP were trying to divert and derail the court trial in the fake encounter case dating to 2004.

The Ishrat Jahan case has been in the headlines of late, with the BJP claiming that Chidambaram as home minister had taken a U-turn as evident, according to it, in two affidavits, allegedly at the request of the Gandhis. The first affidavit had claimed Jahan to be an operative of Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. The second affidavit retracted this assertion. BJP minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Congress wanted the "political elimination" of Modi by using the Jahan case.

The Congress believes Modi and his party chief Amit Shah, who were at the helm in Gujarat when the encounter took place, have a lot to conceal. Therefore, the Congress is demanding to know "the real motive behind the desperation to shut down" the ongoing trial.

Congress communication chief, Randeep Singh Surjewala, on Wednesday said, "Unlike the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) - Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi never intervened or gave any suggestion to the then home minister P Chidambaram or any other person or authority in the government  including the Ishrat Jahan case."



Surjewala said the PM and the BJP president Shah needed to answer "why are they trying to bypass the judicial findings".

Surjewala asked, "Why are the government of India and the government of Gujarat not giving sanction for prosecution of officers found responsible for the fake encounter of Jahan and accomplices?"



Surjewala said, "The PM and the BJP president owe an explanation to 1,250 million Indians to tell the real motive behind the desperation to shut the ongoing trial in the Jahan case. Let truth and justice be not a casualty in this web of deceit being woven by BJP minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP spokespersons," he said.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had on Tuesday asked Chidambaram to name the "culprit" who had asked him to change the affidavit in which references to Jahan being an Lashkar-e-Taiba operative were made.

The Parliament session, which kicks off on Monday, is expected to see fireworks over the Jahan issue.
The Congress party has reiterated its earlier stand on the bill for a national goods and services tax (GST) -- that it is for the concept but the particulars would have to be on the lines it has demanded all this while, with no compromise on its side.

It has said so even as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is exuding confidence that the legislation would be voted through in the second half of the ongoing session of Parliament.

Says Randeep Surjewala, the Congress' communications head, Jaitleyji must be having some magic formula to manufacture votes.



The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is well short of the needed numbers in the Rajya Sabha, when the Bill is pending. The Lok Sabha has passed the measure.

Surjewala added Jaitleys confidence could stem from the BJPs alleged friendship with the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He must be banking on TMC support. Remember, it was Mamata Banerjee (the TMC chief and Bengal chief minister) who helped the government pass the Mines and Minerals Bill.



On Tuesday, too, Surjewala while addressing the press in West Bengal, had said, "Political opportunism defines the tacit understanding between Trinamool and BJP.



The Congress on Wednesday rejected government claims that it had reached out to the former on GST. Asserting their conditions were in the best interest of the public, Surjewala said people were already reeling under the burden of a 15 per cent service tax. Therefore the Congress wanted a cap of 18 per cent on the GST rate, to be specified in the Bill. Also, provision for a one per cent additional tax to be done away with, something which the government's own chief economic advosro was also for. And, it wanted a neutral dispute redressal authority.

We are ready to pass GST in this session, provided our conditions are met," said Surjewala. Adding: Jaitley is falsely naming the Congress as opposing the GST. In fact, it is the RSS (the BJP's ideological mentor) which has red-flagged GST.



The government is keen to have the Constitutional amendment on GST cleared quickly; the Congress is the main block.
While the Congress has responded positively to Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal United president Nitish Kumars call for a Sangh-mukt Bharat, it has blunted the Bihar politicians prime ministerial ambitions saying the alliance would be of a regional nature.

The Congress is currently in alliance with the JD(U) and Lalu Prasad-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar.

Kumar, who recently replaced Sharad Yadav as JD(U) chief, has not tried to hide his prime ministerial ambitions. His party has also been trying to increase its national footprint. It is reportedly set to merge with Ajit Singhs Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh with JD(U), which will give it presence in that state.

However, the Congress has sought to categorically scotch the speculation that it would help Kumar stitch an umbrella alliance of secular parties at the Centre, like it did in Bihar. Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said while his party and the Bihar chief minister shared very good relations, the Congress policy is to forge regional alliance with parties at state level. The message was clear: Kumar should limit his ambitions to the chief ministerial post.

Who knows by the time we come to 2019, the public themselves might throw out the Bharatiya Janata Party (and there wont be any need of forming any secular alliance), Ahmed added.

Political observers have taken note of Kumars call to secular political parties to come together to keep out Narendra Modi in 2019. Speaking at a public gathering on Saturday, Kumar had said, Sangh-mukt Bharat banane ke liye sabhi gair BJP parties ko ek hona hoga (To usher in a Sangh-free India, all non-BJP parties have to come together).



Kumars was a counter-offensive to Modis call for a 'Congress-mukt Bharat', but the Congress cant accept him as the face of larger national alliance against Modi as it would undermine Congress scion Rahul Gandhis role in 2019, say party insiders.

However, some leaders such as Digvijaya Singh have welcomed Kumars call. We want this country to be secular We are very happy that Nitish Kumar, who has sort of worked with the BJP very closely, has realised it now. We are very happy that finally, all political parties have come around and accepted the Congress partys stand that we cant have anything to do with communal forces like the BJP.
An 18-year-old boy was killed and two other members of a marriage party were injured after being hit by bullets during celebratory firing at a wedding in a village of Bihar's Bhojpur district.

The incident occurred late last night at a house in Chhauva village when one Sanjay Ram opened fire from his licensed weapon to celebrate the rituals ahead of the departure of his brother's marriage party, District Magistrate Virendra Prasad Yadav said.

The celebratory firing soon turned tragic as the bullets hit three persons who were rushed to Sadar hospital, where one of them succumbed to injuries, he said, adding the deceased has been identified as Rajkumar.

The other two injured have been admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) as their condition is stated to be serious.

Yadav said the bridegroom's brother escaped with his licensed weapon.
At least 12 people were killed, mostly on the spot, and over 50 others injured today in a major head-on collision between two passenger buses in Bangladesh's Rangpur district.

The accident took place around 11 am (local time) on the Rangpur-Dinajpur Highway in Taraganj Upazila, police said.

Taraganj police officer Abdul Latif and Rangpur Fire Service's Rescue Officer Abdul Aziz confirmed 12 people dead in the crash.

"The crash left 10 people dead on the spot," Latif told bdnews24.Com.

He said a Rangpur-bound bus from Dinajpur crashed into another bus, which was heading to Dinajpur from Sylhet.

Two others died after being taken to the Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said the hospital's Director ASM Barkat Ullah.

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained and the death toll is likely to go up.

In a major head-on collision between two passenger buses in northern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world, with more than 85 deaths for every 10,000 registered motor vehicles. More than 4,000 people die on Bangladesh's roads every year.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic injuries cause a loss of about 2 per cent of GDP in Bangladesh, or about 1.2 billion pounds annually.
A woman's 15-year-long struggle to get changed the status of her husband, working in the army, from 'deserter' to 'missing' finally bore fruit as she has now got family pension and a job.

30-year-old Sangita Das of Rangmahal village in Kamrup district was married to Sepoy Pradip Das serving with 5 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion (JAT) in J&K Valley on secondment from Army Service Corps (ASC) in the year 2000, defence officials said.

Das has been missing since 2001 when he had come home on a 45 days Balance of Annual Leave to spend time with his wife and baby daughter Dinisha and left for his unit on May 30 but never reached there.

On the expiry of his leave, his unit intimated Sangita about his non-reporting and later declared Das a 'deserter'.

After the death of Sangita's father who was supporting her financially, she was forced to work as a domestic help in Guwahati and then in a noodle making factory, the officials said.

Sangita approached the Armed Forces Tribunal, Guwahati Bench in 2004 seeking help to get Family Pension.

The AFT in 2013 ruled in her favour but, for some reason, she did not receive any benefits.

Sangita then moved the Veterans Cell, HQ 51 Sub Area during the Ex-Seviceman Rally in Guwahati in 2015, the officials said.

Following the initiative of the Veterans Cell, Das' unit republished orders amending his status from 'Deserter' to 'Missing' after 15 years.

The Cell then coordinated with various other sections across the country to process her documents, and finally her pension payment order was released last month.

Officials said Sangita has been given a job and her daughter Dinisha admitted to Army Public School, Narangi Cantonment, with her expenses being borne by the army.
Adani Power today said 21 workers were injured in an accident at one of units of its coal-fired Mundra power plant in Gujarat.

The company in a filing to the BSE said that 13 workers, who have suffered various level of injuries, are being provided high quality medical care by moving them to premier super speciality hospitals in Ahmedabad.

Eight workmen with normal injuries have been provided first aid and released, the filing said.

"Today during start-up after two days shut down, in one of the nine units of Mundra power plant, hot water splashed from the vent of flash tank.

"During this process 21 workmen working in the said unit have been affected by the splashing hot water, the unit has been shut down," the company said.

It also said that a team of experts has been constituted to investigate the accident and it will submit its report in 10 days.

"The company has constituted a multi-disciplinary, cross functional team of experts to investigate the incident and submit report within 10 days.
Three personnel were injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at T Minou village near the Indo-Myanmar border today.

The blast took place at 7.30 am, when the personnel were on foot patrol in the vicinity of the village which has a large presence of underground outfits, a police officer said.

They received minor splinter injuries, the police officer said.

The medium intensity blast was triggered by unidentified persons and no outfit has claimed responsibility for the explosion, he said.

T Minou village is located some 5 km from the border town of Moreh in the state.
Three Ukrainian soldiers have been killed by pro-Russian rebels, the Kiev military said today, the heaviest toll reported in the separatist east of the ex-Soviet republic in nearly two months.

Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said the troops had died in a mortar attack on the government-held village of Mayorsk around 35 kilometres north of the rebels' de facto capital Donetsk.

He said five government soldiers were also wounded over the past 24 hours in separate incidents along the 500-kilometre front splitting the pro-Russian industrial regions of Lugansk and Donetsk from the rest of Ukraine.

These and other kinds of heavy weapons are prohibited under the peace agreements aimed at ending the two-year conflict.

Around 9,200 people have died and more than 21,000 been injured since the predominantly Russian-speaking regions revolted against Ukraine's new pro-Western government in April 2014.

A series of truce agreements have helped reduce the violence, although sporadic clashes continue and prevent the sides from reaching a firm political reconciliation deal.

Kiev and the West accuse Russia of supporting the insurgents and sending regular troops across the border, claims that Moscow denies.
Suspected government air strikes today killed at least 44 civilians at two markets in a part of northwestern Syria controlled by the war-torn country's Al-Qaeda affiliate, a monitor said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described as a "massacre" the strikes on a vegetable market in Maaret al-Numan that killed at least 37 civilians and at least another seven at a fish market in nearby Kafranbel.

Previously, the Britain-based monitor had put the toll in Maaret al-Numan at five dead and dozens wounded.

The two locations, both in Idlib province, are only about 10 kilometres (six miles) apart.

Both under the control of Al-Qaeda's Syrian offshoot Al-Nusra Front, which like the jihadist Islamic State group is excluded from a ceasefire agreed between mainstream rebels and the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Elsewhere in the province, the Observatory said that three children were killed in shelling by Islamist rebels on the government-held Shiite village of Kafraya.

In Damascus province, at least seven people were killed and 10 wounded in strikes on Bala, in the rebel-stronghold region of Eastern Ghouta, the monitor added.

And fighting continued between rebels and regime forces in Latakia province, an Assad stronghold, after an alliance of opposition armed groups launched a joint offensive over the regime's truce "violations".

A ceasefire deal agreed between the United States and Russia, which came into effect in February, excludes areas controlled by Al-Nusra and the Islamic State group.

The truce however has been strained by increased fighting around second city Aleppo, and in other areas of Syria, where both the regime and its opponents have accused each other of a string of breaches.

Syria's main opposition group said yesterday it was suspending its official participation in UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva over what it said was the government's repeated "violations" of the truce.
A 48-year-old estate worker was today trampled to death by a wild elephant at Meppadi in the district, police said.

The deceased, identified as Mani, a plumber at the Chelukka cardamom division of AVT tea estate, had gone into the forest to open a drinking water connection to the estate lines when the incident occurred early morning, police said.

His co-workers, who went into the forest in search for him, found his body, they said.

The workers and a group of villagers who gathered at the spot did not allow the police to take the body as they demanded compensation for the family and also measures to prevent elephant attacks.

Senior forest officials and politicians assured the villagers that measures would be taken to address their issues, following which they dispersed.

Later, a postmortem was held at the Vythri taluk hospital and the body was handed over to his relatives, police said.
A 38-year-old motorcyclist, who was critically injured in a road accident, succumbed to his injuries hours later as the ambulance carrying him could not reach KEM hospital in time due to traffic snarls, police said.

The bike of the victim, Sachin Vetoskar skidded and he came under the wheels of a gas tanker near Amar Mahal junction in Tilak Nagar area of Chembur on the Eastern Express Highway on Monday around 2.15 PM, they said.

Soon afterwards, the police rushed Vetoskar to Rajawadi hospital in Ghatkopar (East) in an autorickshaw," a police officer said.

"Rajawadi Hospital staff asked the police to take Vetoskar to a bigger hospital like KEM in central Mumbai, as his injuries were serious," the officer said.

But due to traffic snarls, the ambulance could only reach KEM hospital by 5 pm. By that time, he had profusely bled, due to which his pulse went very low and his survival chances became bleak, police said.

He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital later that night.

Vetoskar was a resident of Hindmata in Dadar area of Central Mumbai, police said, adding that he was on his way to a worksite in Bhiwandi with his pillion rider Ankur.

Ankur also suffered a fracture in the accident but there was not need to hospitalise him, police said.

Meanwhile, Tilaknagar police arrested Sevalal Yadav (48), driver of the tanker under IPC sections 279 (rash driving) and 304 A (causing death by negligence).
Five policemen including a police station in charge were today sent to lines for allegedly beating up two persons, who came to attend a wedding in Nangal Ramsingh village here, police said.

Satvir Singh Yadav, in charge of the Saukh police post along with other four police personnel have been sent to lines after the villagers staged a protest alleging that they detained and beatup two persons last night, CO (Sadar) R K Gautam said.

Digambar Singh and Harvir Singh, both hailing from Rajasthan, had arrived here to attend a wedding when Yadav along with his policemen detained them, RLD leader Deepak Chawdhary said.

They were kept in lock-up and were beaten up for the whole night, he alleged.

When the villagers came to know about the two being in police custody, scores of them marched to the police post and demanded to release them after which the cops let the duo go.

They staged a protest after the duo told them that they were beaten up and showed their injury marks.

The protest stopped only after the Superintendent of Police took action against the accused police personnel.

A case has been also registered against the five and further investigations are on, police said.
Tech giant Apple Inc has refused to provide the source code of its internet operating system to China despite being asked for in the past two years, the company's top lawyer has told lawmakers amidst criticism of its stance on technology security by US authorities



Bruce Sewell, general counsel for Apple said yesterday during a hearing on encryption convened by House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

"We have been asked by the Chinese government, we refused," Sewell said, adding that the request was made within the past two years.

Testifying before the Congressional committee, Sewell said strong encryption is the best way to protect the information.

"Strong encryption is a good thing. It is a necessary thing," he said.

"The government agrees. Encryption today is the backbone of our cyber security infrastructure, and provides the very best defence we have against increasingly hostile attacks.

"The US has spent tens of millions of dollars through the Open Technology Fund and other programmes to fund strong encryption," he said.

Sewell said administration's review group on intelligence and communications technology urged the US Government to fully support, and not in any way to subvert, undermine or weaken generally available commercial encryption software.

"At Apple, with every release of hardware and software, we advance the safety, security and data protection features in our products. We work hard also to assist law enforcement, because we share their goal of creating a safer world," he said.

To suggest that the American people must choose between privacy and security is to present a false choice. The issue is not about privacy at the expense of security, it's about maximizing safety and security, he argued.

"We feel strongly Americans will be better off if we can offer the very best protections for their digital lives," he said.

"We have not provided the source code to the Chinese government. We did not have a key 19 months ago that we threw away. We have not announced that we're going to apply pass code encryption to the next generation iCloud," he said responding to an allegation.

This came after the FBI sought a court order in February to compel Apple to bypass security features on an iPhone 5C used by San Bernardino shooter Farook, who along with his wife killed 14 people in December.

Apple resisted the order, and the government ultimately dropped the case, saying that it had bought a product from a third party that helped it get data off the device.
Vigilance department



arrested an assistant sub-inspector of police today on graft charge from Bihar's Muzaffarpur district.

Acting on a complaint, a Vigilance Investion Bureau (VIB) team led by deputy superintendent of police Munna Prasad laid a trap and nabbed the ASI R K Chaudhary from Pokhraira village district as soon as he took Rs 4,000 as bribe from a person, an official release here said.

Chaudhary, posted at Jaitpur police outpost, had demanded the bribe from the person, a native of Pokhraira village, to help him in a case lodged at Saraiya police station, it said.

The ASI has been brought to the regional vigilance office at Muzaffarpur for interrogation, the release said.

The vigilance department laid 37 traps and arrested 41 government servants on graft charge so far this year, the release added.
India's import of truck and bus radial tyre jumped by 64 per cent in 2015-16 to 12.8 lakh units from from 7.8 lakh units in the previous fiscal, with increased "dumping" from China, industry body Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) said today.

Citing customs data, the domestic tyre manufacturers' body said in the last two years, truck and bus radial tyre (TBR) import has gone up by 2.5 times. It called for anti-dumping measures on import from China as it accounted for a major chunk.

"From an average per month import of about 40,000 units in FY14 and 65,000 units in FY15, the TBR import figure has crossed one lakh units per month in FY16," ATMA said in a statement.

Most of the import of TBR in India is from China, whose share has more than doubled to 90 per cent in 2015-16 from 40 per cent in 2013-14, it added.

"Chinese TBR import has come to account for 30-40 per cent of replacement demand for TBR in India," the statement said.

According to ATMA, "most of the TBR import from China is being dumped into India as TBR export prices from China are significantly lower than the prices of such tyres in Chinese market and also prices of similar exports originating from countries such as Thailand and South Korea".

The per unit import price from China in many cases is less than the cost of raw materials in India, it added.

Commenting on the development, ATMA Chairman K M Mammen said: "Government needs to take urgent measures to halt such sharp surge in imports and dumping of tyres.

"Tyre manufacturers in India have made major investments towards greenfield and brownfield projects for manufacturing of state of the art radial tyres but indiscriminate import and dumping of cheap tyres from China are queering the pitch for domestic manufacturing."



Domestic tyre industry has put in approximately Rs 35,000 crore in capacity expansion in the last few years by way of greenfield and brownfield projects. Unfortunately, as the new radial capacities have just gone on stream, cheap imports are surging, ATMA said.

"Indian tyre industry's position is further vulnerable with US imposing severe dumping and anti-subsidy duties against Chinese imports to the USA," Mammen said.

Slowdown of the domestic Chinese economy and demand for automobiles and tyres is feared to cause further dumping of tyres in India since India offers a ready and growing market with very low import duties in products such as tyres, he said.

The industry body also said a petition seeking imposition of anti-dumping duty on such dumped imports from China is pending with the Department of Commerce.

ATMA said domestic industry is struggling with lower capacity utilisation and low returns on capital invested.

"Dumping of tyres is eroding the competitiveness of Indian tyre industry, besides the offtake of domestic rubber is affected to the extent of indirect import of rubber through the tyre route," it added.
Belgian authorities are investigating information that suggests the Islamic State group has sent more fighters to Europe, an official said today, as Belgium remains on high alert following last month's suicide bombings in Brussels.

"Signals appear to suggest that IS has again sent fighters to Europe, to our country," Paul Van Tigchelt, the head of Belgium's security threat analysis center, told reporters in Brussels today.

He did not elaborate. Belgium has been on at least its second highest alert level for four months since the week after the November 13 attacks in Paris with troops and extra police mobilized.

Strategic sites like airports, major rail stations, nuclear plants and buildings housing radioactive materials remain under close surveillance, while security is high at soft targets like shopping complexes and cinemas.

Federal Police spokesman Peter De Waele said surveillance cameras are being monitored full time and that car number plate reading devices are in use around the airport. More than 50 suspect packages have been dealt with since the Brussels attacks, he said.

"The threat is still there, it's serious and possible," Van Tigchelt said. "We have to stay alert."



Belgian authorities believe they have "destabilized" the network that carried out the March 22 suicide attacks on the Brussels airport and subway, killing 32 and injuring hundreds.

The perpetrators have been closely linked to the group that carried out the attacks in Paris.

Van Tigchelt said the continued high alert level was not based solely on the Paris-Brussels network, some of whose acts were prepared in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek, where several extremists have lived or traveled through.

"There are several ongoing investigations," Van Tigchelt said. He declined to be drawn on the exact nature of the threat.
Belgium said today that more "terrorist fighters" want to return to Europe from Syria to carry out further attacks, a month after suicide bombings in Brussels killed 32 people.

"There is a lot of intelligence, for example signs that foreign terrorist fighters, combatants in Syria, want to return not just to Belgium, but to Europe to carry out an attack," Paul Van Tigchelt, the head of the government crisis centre, told RTBF television.

Tigchelt said Belgium would maintain its terror alert at level 3, the second highest, for a "terrorist threat to the whole country", adding that it meant that the threat was "still considered serious, grave and likely".

The inquiry into the March 22 Brussels bombings -- which were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group -- was "being carried out in an intense way... But the danger has not yet gone," Tighchelt added.

Security was still tight at key sites such as airports, railway stations and nuclear power stations, he said, adding that public areas such as shopping malls and cinemas could also benefit from more security.

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at Brussels airport and a third at Maalbeek metro station in the country's worst ever terror attacks.

A fourth bomber whose device did not go off, Mohamed Abrini, was arrested on April 8 in Brussels.

There have been a series of other arrests in recent weeks as Belgian police try to roll up a jihadist network linked to both the Brussels bombings and the Paris attacks in November.

Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam is awaiting extradition to France following his arrest in Brussels on March 18.
BJP today raked up the Samjhauta Express blasts to keep up its attack on Congress over the Ishrat Jahan case, saying the UPA used them to "defame" the Hindu society but "ignored" reports of NIA and IB about Ishrat and "betrayed" the country for political reasons.

"Congress did not trust reports of Indian agencies. It ignored an FBI report too. It behaved like Italian Congress not Indian National Congress. For its selfish purpose, the identity of a terrorist who was deputed by the LeT to kill Narendra Modi was not acknowledged even though LeT itself besides intelligence agencies said so.

"On the other hand, the Congress-led government willfully tried to fix innocents in Samjhauta Express blasts. It was done to defame the Hindu society which stands for universal brotherhood," its national secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

He noted that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had reportedly said that Hindu extremism was a "bigger threat" to India as he hit out at Congress.

Congress had earlier in the day dismissed as "bundle of lies" BJP's charge that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi gave direction to the then Home Minister P Chidambaram in the Ishrat case.

(Reopens DEL 41)



VHP also hit out at Congress accusing the party of framing Hindus in false cases.

NIA had yesterday said there was no proof against Lt Col Prasad Purohit in the Samjhauta blast case.

"The NIA clean chit to Col Purohit has once again unveiled the real anti-national face of Congress. This earlier came out in the Ishrat Jahan case, where a Congress Minister had filed a false affidavit," VHP joint general secretary Surender Jain said.

He charged the party with "releasing real terrorists and framing Hindus in false cases".
Weighing newly-appointed BJP state president Keshav Maurya against coins has landed party workers in trouble as Samajwadi Party today lodged a complaint, saying it amounted insulting Indian currency.

On the occasion of Maurya's first visit to Kanpur after becoming party's state chief, some enthusiastic BJP workers yesterday weighed him against 96 kg coins of Re one to Rs 10 at Naubasta square here to honour him.

SP leader and lawyer Abhimanyu Gupta has lodged a complaint contending that their action was an insult to Indian currency and violation of the Coinage Act, Circle Officer of Kotwali police station, Rajendra Dhar Dwivedi told PTI.

SP (City) Shomen Verma has ordered Circle Officer concerned to probe the matter, he said.

Action will be taken as per the law if the charges are found to be true, the CO said.

Meanwhile, Maurya termed it as a "wrong tradition" and said he has directed party workers and leaders to stop it.
Government bonds (G-Secs) turned weak after a brief recovery due to fresh bouts of selling by banks and market participants.

On the other hand, the interbank money market remained active owing to good demand from borrowing banks in the face of tight liquidity in the banking system.

The 7.59 per cent government security maturing in 2026 declined to Rs 101.03 from Rs 101.1675 earlier, while its yield edged higher to 7.44 per cent from 7.42 per cent.

The 7.88 per cent government security maturing in 2030 moved down to Rs 101.18 as against Rs 101.28, while its yield inched up to 7.74 per cent from 7.73 per cent.

The 7.59 per cent government security maturing in 2029 slipped to Rs 99.68 compared to Rs 99.8175, while its yield rose to 7.64 per cent from 7.61 per cent.

The 7.68 per cent government security maturing in 2023, the 7.72 per cent government security maturing in 2025 and the 8.27 per cent government security maturing in 2020 also quoted substantially lower at Rs 100.71, Rs 100.63 and Rs 103.1275, respectively.

The overnight call money rates finished marginally higher at 6.65 per cent from Monday's closing level of 6.60 per cent. It hovered between 6.85 per cent and 6.40 per cent during early trade.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), purchased securities worth Rs 2008.01 billion in 43-bids at the overnight repo auction at a fixed rate of 6.50 per cent this evening.
A British vote to leave the European Union would "liberate" people across the continent by giving them the courage to demand change, a senior minister backing a so-called Brexit said today.

Justice Secretary Michael Gove, a member of Prime Minister David Cameron's Cabinet, said a decision to leave the 28-member bloc in the June referendum would show that "a different Europe is possible".

"Our vote to leave will liberate and strengthen those voices across the EU calling for a different future -- those demanding the devolution of powers back from Brussels and desperate for a progressive alternative," he said.

Gove added: "For Britain, voting to leave will be a galvanising, liberating, empowering moment of patriotic renewal.

"For Europe, Britain voting to leave will be the beginning of something potentially even more exciting -- the democratic liberation of a whole continent."



Gove said many Europeans were "profoundly unhappy" with the EU, referring to the Dutch rejection this month of a European pact with Ukraine and votes against the doomed European constitution in the 2000s.

Many of their concerns had been ignored, he said, adding that this approach "will not survive the assertion of deep democratic principle that would be the British people voting to leave".

Gove is one of over 100 lawmakers in Cameron's Conservative party who are campaigning against the prime minister ahead of the June 23 vote, in an increasingly heated debate.

A report from the finance ministry on Monday said Britain's economy could be six percentage points smaller than it would otherwise have been by 2030 if it leaves.

Brexit supporters dismissed the study as "flimsy", and Gove warned that the campaign "treats people like children, unfit to be trusted and easily scared by ghost stories".

He acknowledged that a "Leave" vote might "enrage and disorientate EU elites" but rejected suggestions that EU leaders could punish Britain for its departure by imposing damaging trade barriers.

While acknowledging that Britain may not be part of the single market post-Brexit, Gove said: "It is in their own interests to maintain the current free trade arrangements they enjoy with the UK.
The government today approved transfer of around 59 acres of land belonging to Farakka Barrage Project to the Border Security Force (BSF) for setting up a battalion centre in West Bengal's Malda district.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared the transfer of 58.81 acres of surplus land of the Farakka Barrage Project, under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, an official statement said.

Malda is considered a hub of smuggling of fake Indian currency notes and contraband from across the Indo-Bangla border. There are many porous patches along the international border. Large scale protests and clashes were also reported in the area some time back, official sources said.

The BSF is deployed in the area to guard the Indo-Bangla border and the land will be used to establish the headquarters of its 4th battalion at Khejuriaghat in Mouza Jagannathpur under the Kaliachak police station in Malda.

BSF guards the over 220-km long Indo-Bangla border in Malda and has four battalions deployed here.

A senior official said a full-fledged troops centre will be developed on the land which will have housing and training facilities for the personnel of the border guarding force.

"Farakka Barrage project will also be benefitted by guarding of crucial Indian frontiers with Bangladesh by BSF in Malda district which is adjoining Farakka Barrage Project (FBP), a project of both national and international importance.

"Also, possibility of encroachment of FBP land and ensuing security concerns to FBP would be reduced due to presence of the BSF personnel in the area," a government statement said after the Cabinet meeting.
The International Yoga Day event this year will be held in Chandigarh on June 21 as the government plans to make it bigger than the maiden show on Rajpath last year, Ayush Minister Shripad Yesso Naik said today.

"We have decided to celebrate it in a big way. We cannot accommodate more people on Rajpath. We have chosen Chandigarh and all other states will celebrate in their own regions," the minister said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a three-day International Yoga Festival in the run up to the second International Yoga Day (IYD).

States like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan were approached by the Ayush Ministry for organising the event.

"Chandigarh was the first one to respond. IYD will be held in different states every year," a senior Ministry official said.

The first IYD was celebrated in 191 countries and the ministry is expecting participation of more countries this year. In Delhi, the event was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"It is too early to say. This time, it will be obviously more countries. We are still working out the details," the official said.

International Yoga Festival has been organised to portray different activities being planned and to be conducted by different yoga organisations, ministries, government departments and other organisations.

"It is an effort to give a new dimension to the celebration of 2nd International Day of Yoga to be celebrated on 21 June. I am sure it will boost yoga professionals to celebrate the International Day in a more meaningful way," the minister said.
China is willing to properly handle its disputes with India as cooperation between the two countries will be a "great engine" for Asia's development and send a "positive signal" for world peace, Premier Li Keqiang told Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today.

Li made the remarks when Parrikar, who yesterday held extensive talks with top Chinese Generals and exchanged views on improving bilateral military to military relations, called on him.

The Chinese Premier expressed hope that defence departments and armed forces of China and India will strengthen exchanges, dialogue and communication to jointly maintain peace and stability in border areas and create a good condition for the development of bilateral ties.

Li said China and India are important neighbouring countries, whose peaceful co-existence and cooperation are conducive for both sides and the world.

China attaches high importance to its relations with India and is willing to keep close bilateral exchanges, strengthen strategic mutual trust, expand common interests and properly handle disputes so as to promote a sound and stable development of the China-India relations, Li said during his meeting with Parrikar.

Facing the sluggish world economy and unceasing regional conflicts, the cooperation and common development between the two countries will be a "great engine" for Asia's development and send a "positive signal" for world peace, Li was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua agency.

Speaking positively of the development of India-China relations in recent years, Parrikar said he hoped the two sides could make joint efforts to properly handle relevant issues and maintain the cooperation momentum in all areas.

He said a further progress of bilateral defence relations would also push forward the two countries' economic and trade cooperation.

Parrikar hoped the two countries could strengthen cooperation and friendship.

Parrikar later left for Chengdu where he would visit the recently integrated western command military headquarters which has jurisdiction over entire borders with India before leaving for home.

The Defence Minister's meeting with Li came a day after he firmly conveyed India's reservations to Chinese leaders over Beijing blocking its efforts to get Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.
Chinese media today highlighted Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's remarks that Sino-India ties should not be affected by a third party even as it skirted any reference to his call to Beijing to review its stand on blocking India's efforts to get Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.

The issue of Azhar, Jaish-e-Muhammad chief, was raised by External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj during her meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Moscow yesterday, while Parrikar called on China to strike a united stand with India on terrorism.

"What happened in UN is not in the right direction and they have to take a common line on terrorism which is in the interests of India and China," Parrikar had said after his meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan yesterday.

For its part, the state-run media here highlighted Parrikar's remarks to Chang that India hopes that the development of bilateral ties will not be affected by other factors including the third party.

The remarks came one week after Parrikar and US Defence Secretary Ash Carter vowed to safeguard maritime security in the region, including the South China Sea, state-run 'China Daily' reported.

"According to observers, India is seeking to strike a balance between China and the United States in its frequent high-level meetings with Chinese officials this week," it said.

Parrikar also said India attaches highest importance to its ties with China.

As the Indian government has long been dedicated to settling border disputes with China, Parrikar's visit to the country aims to reduce tensions caused by border patrols, although the issue cannot be solved overnight, said Zhao Gancheng, director of South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies.

The border dispute will be discussed at the 19th boundary talks between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi here this week.

Zhao said normal patrols on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control have been portrayed in the Indian press as "aggressive" incursions in the Indian territory.

"Despite a Border Defence Cooperation Agreement, its implementation is problematic," Fu Xiaoqiang, an expert on South Asian studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations told Global Times, citing media hype and the tough stance on China taken by certain Indian politicians.

Beijing and New Delhi inked the agreement in October 2013 during ex-Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to China, formulating a formal mechanism to improve security along 3488-kilometer long border.
The Indian Coast Guard today rescued 6 fishermen after their fishing boat off Tuticorin coast in Kerala developed an engine failure.

The Coast Guard received an SoS call after the engine failure as the boat started drifting. It immediately pressed in ICGS Abhiraj for operation.

"ICGS Abhiraj towed the boat and provided basic logistics," an Indian Coast Guard spokesperson said.
today said Competition Appellate Tribunal has set aside CCI's order imposing a penalty against it in the case of alleged cartelisation in relation to cargo fuel surcharge.

The tribunal, on April 18, set aside the Rs 258 crore fine on Jet Airways, IndiGo and and directed the regulator to pass a fresh order.

In November, Competition Commission of India (CCI) had penalised the carriers for alleged cartelisation in fixing fuel surcharge on air cargo.

was slapped with a fine of Rs 42.48 crore.

In a filing to BSE, SpiceJet said the tribunal has set aside CCI's impunged order and that the matter has been remanded back to the regulator.

The tribunal has asked CCI to reconsider the joint Director General's report and then take appropriate decision, the filing noted.

CCI's order last year came after its investigation arm Director General (DG) conducted a detailed inquiry.

"In the event the CCI disagrees with the findings and conclusions recorded by the JDG, then the CCI shall indicate the reasons for such disagreement and issue notice to the parties incorporating the reasons of disagreement and give them opportunity to file their replies/ objections and thereafter to pass appropriate order in accordance with law," the filing said quoting Compat order.
Congress today welcomed the idea of holding special meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) in various states, including Uttar Pradesh.

Party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said this to reporters when asked about a UP party leader's request to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to convene a special meeting of CWC in the state to help boost the morale of partymen.

Reports had it that the party's state general secretary Umesh Pandit had written to Gandhi, underlining that such a meeting would help revive the party in the state.

He had said the CWC meeting could be held in Lucknow or Allahabad before the monsoon sets in the state.

Congress, which has been out of power in the state for 27 years has roped in poll strategist Prashant Kishor to assist the Uttar Pradesh unit in preparations for the polls.
Alleging that West Bengal chief secretary Basudeb Banerjee was biased towards the ruling Trinamool Congress, CPI-M leader Rabin Deb today demanded the top bureaucrat's removal from the post.

After meeting Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta, Deb said his party had demanded that Basudeb Banerjee be removed from the post of chief secretary by the Election Commission.

He said Banerjee was head of the entire state machinery and was showing "bias" towards Trinamool.

The party has also demanded that central forces be deployed in adequate numbers and that they must play an adequate role in safeguarding peace in the areas where elections are due, Deb says.

"Border between districts must be sealed and properly monitored to prevent criminals from entering to disturb the poll process. Border also be sealed within the district where election will be held on April 21 and 30," Left Front chairman Biman Bose said in a letter to the CEO.

He said that the CEO's office should send stern message to the police administration that any partisan role would be penalised.
Continuing its probe into the twin murder of 2013, in which two estranged associates of mafia Dhalasamant brothers were killed, the police today took an associate of the brothers Arif Khan to the murder spot at a farm house at Athagarh, about 20 kms from here.

Arif Khan, who was working as a sharpshooter for the brothers, was taken on a five-day remand by the police yesterday. Khan (30) was arrested from a location in Tamil Nadu earlier this month.

It is alleged that the D-brothers along with some of his associates had lynched to death two of their former associates - Deepu Mallick and Om Prakash Swain at the farmhouse in November 2013.

Meanwhile, the Orissa High Court today granted bail to one Sudhir Choudhury, an associate of the D-brothers, who was arrested by the city police on February 26.

Sudhir was working as a project coordinator of a construction company and was booked for having alleged business links with the mafia brothers.

Justice J P Das of the HC granted bail to Choudhury on a bail bond of two sureties of Rs 20,000 each. He has been asked not to go out of the state without prior permission of the IO and not to influence the witnesses.
Dinosaurs were already in an evolutionary decline tens of millions of years before the massive meteorite impact that finally wiped them out 66 million years ago, a new ground-breaking study has found.

The findings provide a revolution in the understanding of dinosaur evolution, researchers said.

Palaeontologists previously thought that dinosaurs were flourishing right up until they were wiped out by a massive meteorite impact 66 million years ago.

By using a sophisticated statistical analysis in conjunction with information from the fossil record, researchers at the Universities of Reading and Bristol in the UK showed that dinosaur species were going extinct at a faster pace than new ones were emerging from 50 million years before the meteorite hit.

While the decline in species numbers over time was effectively ubiquitous among all dinosaur groups, their patterns of species loss were different, researchers said.

For instance, the long-necked giant sauropod dinosaurs were in the fastest decline, whereas theropods, the group of dinosaurs that include the iconic Tyrannosaurus rex, were in a more gradual decline.

"While the asteroid impact is still the prime candidate for the dinosaurs' final disappearance, it is clear that they were already past their prime in an evolutionary sense," said Dr Manabu Sakamoto, from the University of Reading, who led the study.

"Our work is ground-breaking in that, once again, it will change our understanding of the fate of these mighty creatures. While a sudden apocalypse may have been the final nail in the coffin, something else had already been preventing dinosaurs from evolving new species as fast as old species were dying out.

"This suggests that for tens of millions of years before their ultimate demise, dinosaurs were beginning to lose their edge as the dominant species on Earth," said Sakamoto.

"All the evidence shows that the dinosaurs, which had already been around, dominating terrestrial ecosystems for 150 million years, somehow lost the ability to speciate fast enough. This was likely to have contributed to their inability to recover from the environmental crisis caused by the impact," said Mike Benton from the University of Bristol.

It is thought that a giant asteroid's impact with Earth 66 million years ago threw up millions of tonnes of dust, blacking out the Sun, causing short-term global cooling and widespread loss of vegetation.

This ecological disaster meant that large animals reliant on the abundance of plants died out, along with the predators that fed on them.

The new research suggests that other factors, such as the break-up of continental land masses, sustained volcanic activity and other ecological factors, may possibly have influenced the gradual decline of dinosaurs.

This observed decline in dinosaurs would have had implications for other groups of species.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived here today to take part in the 19th round of Sino-India border talks tomorrow with the issue of China blocking India's bid to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN casting a shadow on the deliberations.

Doval, the designated Special Representative, along with top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi will hold the boundary talks which have become an annual feature between the two countries.

While China says the boundary dispute is confined 2,000 km, mainly Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered the whole of 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) including the Aksai Chin area occupied by China during the 1962 war.

When the Special Representatives were appointed in 2003, the two sides set off a three stage process.

The two countries first reached an agreement on the guiding principles and setting political parameters for the settlement in 2005.

Officials say the two sides are currently in the second stage which focusses on working out a framework of settlement to be followed by the final step of drawing the boundary line based on the framework agreement.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying, while talking about the boundary talks, said, "We have been working to resolve territorial disputes through negotiations and consultation and we have completely settled territorial disputes with 12 of the 14 land neighbours."



Only the border dispute with India and Bhutan needed to resolved, she said.

"Both history and practice have proven that it is possible to resolve territorial disputes through negotiation and consolation," Hua said.

In tomorrow's talks the two sides will continue to work to strive to reach a settlement acceptable to both sides, she said.

While working for a solution "we would like to work together with the Indian side to maintain stability in the border areas and create favourable condition for the boundary question," Hua said.

On India's stand of delineation of the 3,488 km-long LAC to bring about a clarity in order to avert standoffs at the disputed boundary, she said the issue could be further discussed at the boundary talks tomorrow.

Last month, China had vetoed India's bid to get Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN Sanctions Committee, maintaining that the case "did not meet the requirements" of the Security Council. The Chinese action evoked a strong reaction in India which said that it was "incomprehensible" that while JeM was banned by the UN, its chief was not.

The Azhar issue was expected to figure prominently in the talks tomorrow.
A Dutch court today quashed a USD 50 billion award Russia had been ordered to pay the former majority shareholders of Yukos, a major victory for Moscow in the high-stakes dispute over the dismantling of what was once Russia's largest oil producer.

The former shareholders immediately vowed to continue their legal battle for compensation and to appeal the decision.

The Hague District Court's written ruling overturned a July 2014 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which said that Moscow used massive tax claims to seize control of Yukos in 2003 and silence its CEO, Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Khodorkovsky, an opponent of President Vladimir Putin, had begun to use his vast wealth to fund opposition parties challenging Putin's power.

The Dutch court said the Hague-based arbitration panel did not have jurisdiction to rule in the case because the arbitration was based on an energy treaty that Russia had signed but had not ratified.

Tim Osborne, director of GML, the company that indirectly owned the majority of Yukos' shares, said the company maintained that the 2014 award for what he called the "politically motivated destruction of Yukos" was right.

"We will appeal this surprise decision by The Hague Court and have full faith that the rule of law and justice will ultimately prevail," he said in a statement.

Lawyers for the former shareholders said that regardless of the Dutch court's ruling they would continue efforts they have started in several countries to enforce the arbitration award by attempting to seize Russian assets in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany and India.

Attorney Yas Banifatemi said courts in other countries "will be at liberty to assess the award for themselves, irrespective of what the Dutch courts have to say on the matter."



That tactic also has run into legal hurdles. Last week, a French court invalidated the seizure last July of 400 million euros that French company Eutelsat owed to Russian company RSCC for satellite cooperation deals. The French judge also annulled seizures at agency RIA Novosti, now called Sputnik, and the Russian agency for management of state property abroad.
Election Commission has showcaused Trinamool Congress candidate Abdur Razzak Molla for allegedly using derogatory language against actress-turned-BJP leader Roopa Ganguly.

"Presiding officer of Bhangar constituency has issued a showcause notice to him for making derogatory remarks against Roopa Ganguly. We are investigating the matter," additional chief electoral officer Dibyendu Sarkar said today.

Molla, a former CPI-M leader, has been fielded by TMC from Bhangar assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district.

He had been showcaused earlier too and even issued a censure by the poll panel for violating the mode code of conduct.

Earlier, during the day a BJP delegation had lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer against Molla for his alleged derogatory remarks against Ganguly.

Roopa Ganguly is the BJP's candidate from Howrah North constituency.

"The comment shows the mindset of TMC and its leaders. We have lodged a complaint with EC and we demand a strong action. Those who can't respect women don't deserve to be in public life," BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh said.

Meanwhile, the BJP and also the CPI-M questioned the silence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the allegedly derogatory remarks against Roopa Ganguly.

"From Presidency (student molestation incident) to Moonmoon Sen, Roopa ; physical attacks to verbal assaults by TMC goons and leaders continue. Mam CM, why are you silent?" CPI-M West Bengal secretary Surya Kanta Mishra said on a twitter.

"The ongoing physical attacks against women by TMC leaders & cadres & CM's silence proves that TMC & BJP share d same Manubadi mindset regarding women!," Mishra remarked.
An Egyptian opposition figure who ran in the presidential elections against Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi is suing the president over his decision to hand over two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, according to a copy of a document obtained by The Associated Press today.

The announcement on the handover of the islands, which have been under Egypt's protectorate, sparked demonstrations last week.

Hamdeen Sabahi, the leader of the Egyptian Popular Current, submitted a 10-page complaint to an administrative court in Cairo over the case, calling for the deal to be suspended immediately.

The document claims the Tiran and Sanafir islands are "part of Egypt's sovereign control" and cannot be relinquished without a referendum. It also says the surrender of the two islands threatens Arab and Egyptian national security and also endangers Egypt's relations with Saudi Arabia.

Egypt's government says the islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba belong to Saudi Arabia, which asked Cairo in 1950 to protect them from Israel.

Tiran, the larger of the two islands and closer to Egypt's southern Sinai coast, is in the minds of many older Egyptians associated with their country's four wars against Israel, between 1948 and 1973, a time of nationalistic fervor and patriotism. More recently, Tiran has become a popular destination for tourists.

Sabahi was a member of parliament during ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak's years in office. He ran against el-Sissi in 2014 as the sole alternate candidate but was crushed in a landslide victory for the former military chief.

Separately, Khaled Ali, a prominent rights lawyer and a former presidential candidate in the 2012 vote that elected Islamist Mohammed Morsi, has filed a court case to demand that the Egyptian-Saudi agreement on the islands be annulled, allegedly because it violates Egypt's constitution.
Eko, a leading mobile-based fintech company, today launched Domestic Money Remittance Service through API integration in partnership with 10 plus companies in mobile recharge, travel and ticketing domain.

"This is really to further push the agenda of "Make in India" and also contributing towards "India Stack" which is trying to bridge the digital divide in our country," Eko Financial Services Co-Founder and CEO Abhishek Sinha said in a statement here.

Some of the partner companies include UFX, the Services Online and Yahya Technologies.

With this, the partner companies will plug in Eko's API to leverage the platform for direct connectivity with NPCI, UIDAI, banks and aggregators.

During a three-month beta testing phase, Eko has helped its partners process over Rs 100 crore of remittances over these APIs.

Eko has released APIs for its domestic money transfer business which allows companies who have similar business models to plug in these APIs and extend the same to their channel partners.

The APIs also allow development of innovative payment and financial services such as digital wallets, P2P transfers and in store and online payments.

"This is yet another milestone for Eko in domestic money remittance service ..The API will further enhance UI/UX, making it win-win situation for both Eko and its partners. Together, we look forward to providing higher value to our customers," Eko India Financial Services Product Manager Rahul Jain said.

Eko is rapidly expanding its network and currently has more than 5,000 agents across 13 states and 80 cities, the company said.
Ethiopian troops have crossed into South Sudan in search of children abducted by armed men from across the border last week, a government spokesman has said.

"The army has been conducting reconnaissance missions in South Sudan and they have a clear idea of where the children are," Ethiopia's Communications Minister Getachew Reda told AFP yesterday.

"We have sought approval of the government of South Sudan to conduct these operations, he added.

More than 200 people were killed and 102 children abducted by armed men from South Sudan in a cross-border raid into Ethiopia on April 15.

The assailants, armed with Kalashnikov rifles killed anyone who opposed them, according to witnesses. They also stole over 2,000 livestock.

Ethiopian officials blame Murle tribesmen from South Sudan for a series of deadly attacks on Ethiopian villages in the western Gambella region.

The Murle, a tribe from South Sudan based in the eastern Jonglei region close to the Ethiopian border, often stage raids to steal cattle and abduct children but rarely on such a large or deadly scale.

The Addis Ababa government had already said that its army was in pursuit of the attackers, but had not previously revealed that its troops crossed the border to hunt for them.

According to Ethiopia's Fana radio, the army has already encircled the area where the abducted children are being detained and begun operations to rescue them.

Reda didn't confirm these reports however.

Last week's deadly raid has unleashed a wave of anger and boosted fears that the civil war raging in South Sudan could spill over the border.

Ethiopia has been heavily involved in the South Sudan peace process, partly because of the risk that the conflict could destabilise Gambella, 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the frontier.

After winning independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan descended into war two years later, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that have split the poverty-stricken country along ethnic lines.

Tens of thousands have been killed and over two million people forced to flee their homes.

Both the government and rebel sides have been accused of perpetrating ethnic massacres, recruiting and killing children and carrying out widespread rape, torture and forced displacement of populations to "cleanse" areas of their opponents.
The EU today proposed offering visa-free travel in Europe to Ukrainians, delivering on a key pledge to the pro-Western government in Kiev.

"Today we follow up on our commitment to propose short-stay visa-free travel to the EU for Ukrainian citizens with biometric passports," EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos told a briefing in Brussels.

"This is the result of the success of the Ukrainian government in achieving far-reaching and difficult reforms in the Justice and Home Affairs area and beyond," he added.

Avramopoulos said the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, was formally making the proposal to EU member states who would vote on the issue.

Visa-free travel is a cornerstone of the so-called Eastern Partnership that is designed to attract eastern European nations into the EU's sphere of influence.

Ukraine's parliament last month approved a key anti-corruption bill that paved the way for a visa-free travel decision in Brussels.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today said it had been a "long and hard road" to get to this point but that he expected a deal on visa-free travel "within a few months".

Such an agreement may prove especially galling for Moscow whose own efforts to secure visa-free EU access, if only for business leaders, languished for years before falling victim to the Ukraine crisis.

The 28-nation European Union suspended visa liberalisation talks with Russia early last year as it ratcheted up punitive measures, later to include damaging economic sanctions, over its role in the deepening Ukraine crisis.
A local court today sentenced a former cashier of a co-operative bank in the district to four years of rigorous imprisonment for siphoning off Rs 5.65 lakh from the bank's coffers for personal use.

Thane Chief Judicial Magistrate R M Kulkarni, who awarded the sentence to Arun Salve (60) yesterday, also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him.

The accused was posted as a cashier at the Ghansoli branch of Thane District Central Co-operative Bank between May 1998 and September 1998, during which period, he swindled the money and used it for his personal use, Assistant Public Prosecutor Eknath B Dhamal told the court.

The prosecutor said the accused misappropriated a total sum of Rs 5.65 lakh during this period.

"Based on a complaint filed by the then bank manager, an offence was registered against Salve who was subsequently arrested and tried. During his trial as many as 11 witnesses were examined by the prosecution," Dhamal said.

The court was told that it was on September 26, 1998 when the bank had opened for the day's operations, the manager noticed the customers to be standing before the cash counter shouting at the cashier. Although they wanted cash, the accused was repeatedly telling them that there was no cash in the bank.

After this, the manager got suspicious as there was sufficient cash given to the cashier for daily transactions, although he was not making any payment.

Following an inquiry, it came to light that Salve, who was in dire need of cash, had kept the bank money with himself. The bank auditor and manager later found that cash of Rs 5,65,000 had gone missing from the treasury.

The magistrate sentenced the accused under IPC section 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent) of IPC and also asked him that within two months he should return the sum of Rs 5.65 to the bank with 10 per cent interest from the date of crime.
The latest news on the emerald ash borer infestation in our part of the world isn't good. The ash-tree killing insects have made their way into several locations in Auburn and Cayuga County, and municipalities that don't already have a plan in place to tackle the problem had better get busy.

Environmental experts have been warning for years the ash borer was on its way. The insect has devastated ash trees in other parts of the country and was found to be in New York state a few years back. The state moved to restrict the transport of ash products and untreated firewood  and that may have helped slow the infestation's progress  but the bugs continue to migrate nonetheless.

Our elected officials need to take this seriously, because it can quickly become a dangerous and expensive problem. Dangerous because dying ash trees become brittle and unstable. And then they fall down  onto power lines or homes or people. Expensive because there are really just two options: treat the trees with insecticides or cut them down.

The first order of business is to do an inventory to find out how many ash trees we have. Any that are found to be infested with ash borers need to be chopped down and burned. The sooner the better.

Then it becomes a matter of finding out how many trees can and should be saved and having them treated. Ash trees not worth saving should be safely harvested  before they begin falling over by themselves.

By now, everyone has become aware of this problem. But just being aware of the problem isn't enough. And restricting the movement of firewood isn't enough. Auburn and Cayuga County need to formulate a plan of attack  and also figure out how to pay for it.
Celebrated former slave Harriet Tubman will replace the late president Andrew Jackson on the USD 20 banknote, the first time an African-American has appeared on US currency, a Treasury official said today.

The Treasury is expected to announce the change later Wednesday along with a long-awaited redesign of the USD 10 bill, which is also expected to feature depictions of women on one side.

Plans made last year to remove first Treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton -- the inspiration for a hit Broadway musical -- from the USD 10 bill were dropped, however, in the face of popular opposition.

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen cheered the choice of Tubman on Twitter.

"If this is true, great news! Tubman on USD 20 is the right call. The redesign needs to happen as soon as possible. Women have waited long enough."



Tubman, who went from slavery to helping run the legendary Underground Railroad that helped thousands of slaves flee to freedom in the 19th century, was the most popular candidate in a poll of 600,000 people conducted by the Women On 20s pressure group.

The changes follow a review that collected opinions from around the country on the redesign of the USD 10 note planned for 2020.

Groups like Women On 20s had campaigned to have a woman on a banknote by 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of American women gaining the right to vote.

They had expressed unhappiness over initial proposals to have a woman share the USD 10 note with Hamilton, after it was decided he would not be replaced.

The USD 20 bill, one of the world's most circulated banknotes, was not scheduled for updating until 2030. Women On 20s said Wednesday that, while the choice of Tubman was an "exciting one", the change needs to come earlier.

"What was to be a celebration of female American heroes for our 100th anniversary of inclusion in the democracy cannot be postponed," Women On 20s founder Barbara Ortiz Howard said in a statement.

"It's time to get the party started honoring women on the new USD 10 and a new 20 in time for 2020.
Eight former US Treasury secretaries urged Britain today to stay in the European Union in a June referendum, the day before President Barack Obama visits with a similar message.

The open letter signed by Democratic and Republican former secretaries echoed warnings by British Prime Minister David Cameron that leaving would be a "risky bet on the country's economic future".

"A strong Britain, inside the European Union, remains the best hope in our view for securing Britain's future, creating a more prosperous Europe and protecting a healthy and resilient global economy," they said.

The letter, published in The Times newspaper, was signed by Timothy Geithner, Henry Paulson, John Snow, Paul O'Neill, Larry Summers, Robert Rubin, Michael Blumenthal and George Shultz.

It was published the day before Obama arrives in Britain for a four-day visit, in which he is expected to make the case to stay in the EU in the vote on June 23.

London mayor Boris Johnson, a leading campaigner for a so-called Brexit, has accused Obama of "outrageous and exorbitant hypocrisy", saying Americans would never accept the kind of control Brussels exerts over the EU.

A spokesman for the Vote Leave campaign told the BBC regarding the Treasury secretaries' letter: "Not content with doing down Britain's economy, No 10 (Cameron's office) are now soliciting help from across the pond."



The letter warned that a Brexit "could call into question London's role as a global financial centre".

Leaving the EU would also "likely disrupt and reduce trade flows" and while Britain would "no doubt" be able to forge new trade deals, this would not be easy, they said.

They repeated warnings by the IMF that uncertainty over Brexit was already affecting the economy in Britain, "and a vote to leave could introduce an extended period of uncertainty that could hinder growth even further".

They added that the world was facing major transnational issues such as financial crises, nuclear proliferation, pandemics and climate change that "no country, however powerful, can effectively address alone".

"A strong and resilient Europe, with Britain at the core, in our view would be an important force in addressing these challenges together," they said.
Four persons were arrested today in connection with as many separate cases for allegedly duping some citizens to the tune of over Rs 21 lakh through online frauds.

"Kamlesh Phoolchand was arrested from Mumbai on charges of duping a Navik in Indian Coast Guard who is a resident of Malkapuram area in the city of Rs 12.48 lakh in an online lottery fraud," DCP (crime) T Ravi Kumar Murthy told reporters here.

The Navik received a call on January 23, 2013 saying he had won an international lottery of Rs 40 lakh and was asked by the caller to deposit Rs 15 lakh to get the money.

"Kumar deposited Rs 12.48 lakh in 15 accounts to claim the cash prize but he did not receive any prize money," the DCP said.

Murthy said Kamlesh was one of the many accused persons in the case and his role was to allow his bank account for carrying out transaction up to Rs 20,000, for which he got Rs 5,000.

Another accused, identified as Mohammad Ansari (22), was arrested from West Bengal for allegedly duping a local girl Senku Indraja (23) to the tune of Rs 3 lakh through "online Kaun Banega Crorepati lucky draw".

The DCP said Indraja had deposited Rs 3 lakh to claim prize money of Rs 25 lakh.

In other two cases, the cops arrested Ajay Singh (23) from Noida in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly cheating P Vidya Sagar (28), a resident of Pedagantyada area here, under the guise of employment in a private telecom service firm and collected Rs 16,000 from Sagar through online.

One Nikhil Navidia (23) from Plaghar in Maharashtra duped M Manivel (42) of Rs 5 lakh by acquiring his passwords.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today asserted that girls are society's pride and asked parents not to marry off their daughters hurriedly until they become independent.

"Girls are our pride and don't let anyone to trade with our pride. Don't gift any sort of dowry for their marriages. Educate them well and make them independent," Raje said at a mass wedding ceremony of Rajput community in her home constituency Jhalawar.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated a Centre for Excellence for cultivating advanced varieties of lemon in the district developed in a joint venture by the state government and Israel government.

Raje said that her government is committed to develop a "hi-tech global Rajasthan" for the overall progress and development of the state.

Asking farmers to acquaint themselves with technology and avail its benefits, Raje said the research on agriculture going on in universities and laboratories should reach to the agrarian society.

Appreciating the agriculture and farming techniques being followed in Israel, Raje said the farmers in the state would be able to produce maximum amount of crop with minimum usage of water.
The state government has appointed a one-man committee to probe allegations of maladministration at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

"The committee would be headed by retired bureaucrat N D Agarwal, who will also act as public grievance officer (handling complaints related to the hospital)," Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza said here today.

Located at Bambolim village near here, the state-run GMCH was in recently due a flurry of allegations against it including, non-availability of essential medicines, poor quality of medical facilities and mismanagement.

Agarwal would be mandated to scrutinise and act on a number of complaints filed against GMCH by various people, including doctors, nurses, other staff members, patients and non-government organisations, D'Souza said.

The officer has been given three weeks' time to "study all complaints and submit a compliance report to the government", he said.

D'Souza said the state government is mulling to appoint an administrator to oversee the functioning of the medical facility, which has a 1,200-bed hospital, a dental care centre and a girls' hostel, among other units.

Asked about a report made public by a local NGO, Gen Next, exposing several illegalities in the hospital's administration, he said "I agree that there are many problems but those are minor ones.
Concerned over circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), the Centre has intensified vigil along Indo-Bangladesh border, especially in West Bengal, which has emerged as a major transit point for smuggling counterfeit notes.

Pakistan's ISI has been actively pumping fake notes into India and central security agencies are alarmed at the new routes being taken by the spy agency to unleash economic terror.

The journey of FICN starts from Pakistan and reaches Bangladesh by air or sea and then reaches India through West Bengal's border district Malda, official sources said.

Fake currency notes having the face value of Rs 9 crore was seized in West Bengal in 2015, setting the alam bells ringing in security establishment.

Government has directed security agencies to intensify vigil along the border, sources said.

Several Bangladeshi as well as Pakistani nationals involved in FICN racket were arrested last year, they said.

Printing fake Rs 100 note costs about Rs 25-30. The major states where the fake Indian currency notes are in circulation are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Interestingly, the Union Cabinet today approved transfer of 58.81 acre land, belonging to the Farakka Barrage Project in Malda, to Border Security Force, which guards the international border. The BSF will set up a battalion headquarters in Malda.

Sources said the flow of fake notes is no longer limited to smuggling from the border areas of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal but Southeast Asian countries have lately emerged as important transit points.

Malaysia, Thailand and Oman, frequented by Indians, have emerged as the new centres for stocking FICN and then circulating it across India, the sources said.

In certain cases, courier services of international repute have also been used by the ISI to pump in fake currency notes in India.
Jailed quota agitation leader Hardik Patel today handed over a letter in a sealed cover to Patel leaders who are working as mediators between agitators and the government, asking them to deliver it to Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.

Hardik handed the letter in a sealed cover so its content was not known, said Mahesh Savani, one of the mediators.

Savani and another mediator, Mukesh Patel met Hardik at Lajpore jail in Surat.

"After our meeting with the ministers at Gandhinagar, we met Hardik in jail today at Surat. He gave his nod to continue peace talks with government and handed over this letter," he said.

Apart from this letter, Hardik handed over an open letter for members of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) which has been leading the agitation for reservation for Patels under the OBC quota.

"In this letter, Hardik has asked PAAS members to refrain from making irresponsible statements before the media as it adversely affects the agitation and vitiates peaceful atmosphere in the state. He warned PAAS members not to make any statement which can help BJP or Congress," said Savani.

Hardik has also named PAAS conveners who are authorised to give statements to the media, he said.

Meanwhile, Congress MLAs Harshad Ribadiya and Mahesh Patel today visited Lalji Patel, president of another agitating Patel outfit, Sardar Patel Group, at a hospital in Mehsana.

Lalji was admitted to ICU at the hospital after he was injured while "courting arrest" agitation on April 17.
The Bombay High Court today reserved its ruling on maintainability of a petition seeking recall of its order holding that it is the women's fundamental right to enter any place of worship, including the famous Shani shrine at Shingnapur in Maharashtra.

Sunita Pal, a Thane-based activist, has moved the court seeking recall of its April 1 order. The division bench headed by Chief Justice D H Waghela had asked the petitioner and the state government to argue on the maintainability of the petition first. The arguments concluded today and the bench reserved its order.

On April 1, a division bench headed by Justice Waghela held that women have the fundamental right to enter any place of worship where men are allowed and it was government's duty to ensure that this right is protected.

The court also cited Maharashtra Hindu Places of Worship (Entry Authorisation) Act, 1956, and ordered its strict implementation.

The HC was hearing a public interest litigation filed by senior advocate Nilima Vartak and social activist Vidya Bal challenging the ban on entry of women at Shingnapur and some other temples in Maharashtra.

Pal's lawyer, advocate Subhash Jha, argued that the court misinterpreted the law; the 1956 Act was not about gender-based discrimination.

"The Act was framed post-Independence for Dalits so that there is no discrimination against them. If gender discrimination was the issue...Then the legislation would have specifically mentioned 'women' in the Act," Jha argued.

Government has argued that it was not gender-biased and it wanted to implement the 1956 Act which provides for women's right to enter the places of worship.
Adding to Centre's discomfiture, the Uttarakhand High Court today issued a veiled warning, hoping it will not provoke the Court by revoking the President's Rule imposed in the state till a verdict is delivered on the petition challenging its imposition.

Earlier in the day, the court observed that the legitimacy of the President's decision to suspend the Assembly is subject to judicial review as even he can go wrong.

"We hope they will not provoke us," a bench of Chief Justice K M Joseph and Justice V K Bist said after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi raised the apprehension that President's Rule might be revoked before verdict is pronounced or even reserved.

Singhvi, who appeared for former Chief Minister Harish Rawat in his plea challenging President's Rule, expressed the fear after the Centre said that the Attorney General's statement of April 7, that nothing with regard to 356 will be done till April 17, has "expired".

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta did not confirm whether any decision with regard to revocation of President's Rule has been taken by the Centre.

Singhvi said President Rule should not be lifted before judgement is reserved or pronounced and the "opposition" should not be invited to form a government as this would render the plea infructuous.

He also said that the Centre cannot resort to such tactics to force the court to deliver a verdict quickly.

The court also took a "serious view" of the fact that



though the Centre had alleged that the Speaker of the house had kept the disqualification complaint against BJP MLA Bhim Lal Arya pending in reality the complaint against him was filed only after President's Rule was imposed.

"Why was the complaint filed on April 5 after President's Rule was imposed? We were thinking about why the Speaker has double standards (that he disqualified the nine rebel Congress MLAs but kept the complaint against Arya pending).

"This is terrible. You are making such terrible allegations (against Speaker). Is this how Government of India functions? What do you (Centre) have to say about this? This is not to be taken lightly as that (Speaker's conduct regarding disqualification) was also the basis of President's satisfaction. We are taking a serious note of this," the bench said.

Mehta said he would need to take instructions on it and would tell the court tomorrow after which the bench listed the matter tomorrow for this clarification.

The bench is also likely to reserve its verdict on Rawat's plea against President's Rule tomorrow.

During the second half of the day's proceedings, the court also directed a query to the petitioner, Rawat, that looking at his conduct "why the discretion (of Article 356) should not be exercised".

"Looking at your (petitioner) conduct, why discretion (of imposing 356) should not be exercised?"



The court was referring to the sting operation which allegedly pointed to Rawat's involvement in horse-trading.

To this Rawat's counsel, Singhvi, said that the sting was an "alleged solitary example" which "bordered on entrapment".

Referring to the NDA government's argument that the



President took the decision to impose Article 356 of the Constitution in his "political wisdom", a bench of Chief Justice K M Joseph and Justice V K Bist observed, "People can go wrong, be it the President or the judges."



The court also went on to say that "Legitimacy of inference drawn by President from the material placed before him is open to judicial review."



This observation was made after the Centre contended that the President's understanding of the material before him would be different from that of the court.

The Government's contention came after the bench said that from the reports sent by the Governor to the President, regarding the situation in the state, "what we have understood is that everything was processing towards a floor test on March 28."



The high court, during the hearing, also noted that the Governor in his reports to the President never mentioned that 35 MLAs sought division of votes.

"Governor has to be personally satisfied. He has not recorded his personal satisfaction that 35 MLAs had sought division on the floor of the house," the court said and added that his reports do not say that the nine rebel Congress MLAs had also sought a division.

It also said that there was "absolute absence of material that would create an apprehension in the mind of the Governor" that President's rule needs to be imposed.

"So how did Government of India arrive at the satisfaction that 35 stood up? From Governor's reports?" the court asked.

"Governor's letter of March 19 to the President does not mention that 35 MLAs had sought division of votes. That is conspicuous by its absence. It is absolutely crucial," the bench said.

To this the Centre said that on March 19 the Governor did not have all the details.

During the arguments, the court asked Singhvi what would



happen to the Centre's March 30 ordinance regarding expenditure of the state if Rawat's plea is allowed.

Singhvi said the ordinance would remain in force till the petition challenging it is decided.

He also said that even if the ordinance is struck down by the court the actions taken under it will remain.

Presenting his final arguments, Singhvi said Article 356 cannot be the "panacea" for horse-trading as then what would be the use of the "long judgements" by the Supreme Court holding that "floor test is essential".

He also argued "there is nothing" like the Centre's "concept of auto-falling of a government if money bill fails".

The senior counsel said failing of money Bill would only be a "trigger" and a motion of no-confidence would have to be moved to remove the government.

He said that none of the Governor's reports to President recommended imposing of Article 356 or said that the constitutional machinery had failed in the state "but Central government relies on these reports and imposes President's rule".

Singh raised the question whether a solitary instance of a Speaker denying a division would be sufficient to impose President's rule.

He queried "what was the unearthly hurry" in imposing President's Rule on March 26 and questioned why the Centre could not wait till the floor test was held on March 28.

Singhvi wanted to know how imposing Article 356 would be controlled "in each case where a sting bordering on entrapment takes place" and "in each case where Speaker has not followed rules".

He contended that Article 356 was imposed in a "casual manner" in the instant case.

Hearing will continued tomorrow.
The country's second largest carmaker today said it will increase production of its newly launched Creta by 20% to 12,000 units per month to meet rising demand.

India MD and CEO Y K Koo said the company also plans to transform itself as a "modern premium brand" in the country and expects to register a growth of 6-8% this year.

The South Korean company registered 16% growth last year.

Koo further said Creta, which was launched in July last year, got overwhelming response with over one lakh bookings and 68,000 deliveries till March end.

"Within eight months from the launch, Creta touched more than one lakh bookings and 68,000 units were sold till March end. We are touching 8,000 units sales on an average in a month with waiting period ranging from two to two-and-half-months," he said.

"We are planning to increase the production from June this year. Right now, 10,000 units of Creta are produced, about 8,000 units for domestic market and rest is exported.

"We are going to increase the production of Creta by 20% to meet the customer expectation," Koo told reporters here on sidelines of the launch of four new dealerships, including a digital outlet.

Replying to a query, he said the company is not interested in the volume game but wants to project itself as a "modern premium brand".

He said the average cost of a vehicle is now Rs 7 lakh and it has no plans to compete with low-priced cars.

"We have different strategy because we cannot fight this kind of volume. We have entry level Eon and it is priced at Rs 3 lakh.

"We cannot fight with cars with Rs 2.5 lakh price tag. It is not possible. We have strategy to protect our brand image. That is more important. Our average price is more than Rs 7 lakh. That shows that we are 'modern premium brand'," he added.

In the process, Hyundai will upgrade dealerships, showroom quality and its corporate image.

According to Koo, Hyundai's market share last year stood at 17.3%. The company has plans to launch two new vehicles every year.
To the aging prisoner tax burden writer: The older inmates that have been incarcerated for a long time probably committed a heinous crime where their crime deserves a long sentence. They probably killed a cop or someone else. Maybe you should ask the families who lost loved ones to murderers if they should get out of prison because of their age.

I personally don't mind paying a few extra tax dollars to keep murderers and serial killers in prison forever. I am also sure those families who lost loved ones wouldn't mind either! Just because they have gotten older doesn't mean they are still not capable of killing someone again. Age is no excuse of early release from prison!

Where do you get your ideas? The sentence they have received was for a reason. The justice system is in place for that reason. If you don't want to go to prison, don't kill someone. It's not rocket science. The punishment should and does fit the crime. If you take a life then the rest of your life should be spent behind bars with no eligibility for parole.

Jody Kowal

Auburn
ICICI Venture has raised $190 million (around Rs 1,250 crore) for its fourth private equity fund from Singaporean sovereign fund Temasek Holdings and existing investors to be invested in companies across sectors.

This is the first close for the India Advantage Fund Series 4, under which the PE subsidiary of the country's largest private sector lender ICICI Bank is targeting to raise $500 million, company sources said.

It is a sector-agnostic fund and ICICI Venture will invest up to $25-50 million in each company, they said.

A company statement today said the fund raising involved a "significant commitment" from an Asian sovereign wealth fund, which sources identified as Temasek Holdings, which already has private equity operations in the country of its own.

The fund raising, which comes amid significant market volatilities, had been on for the last six months, they added.

The statement said the company, which has $1.7 billion in assets under management in its private equity practice, has raised $845 million from 33 exits across the three funds till now.

It exited its investment in Teamlease during its February IPO and has created "liquidity pathways" in five of the nine investments under the third fund, it said.

"By growing the core practices, our aim is to add more cash reserves that are ready for fresh capital deployment, as opportunities arise," Managing Director and Chief Executive Prashant Purker was quoted as saying in the statement.

He said the company will go for multiple options of exits beyond waiting for capital markets, including secondary deals and strategic sales.
India and China today agreed to adhere to "peaceful negotiations" to settle the vexed border issue and reach a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution", amid negativity over Beijing's blocking of India's bid in the UN to ban Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar.

The decision was taken during the annual 19th round of boundary talks here between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to discuss the way forward to resolve the dispute which has bedevilled the relations between the two countries.

Both the leaders had an "extensive, deep and candid" discussion on the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC), which remains undemarcated resulting in tensions between the two sides.

Both sides agreed to adhere to "peaceful negotiations to settle the boundary question". They will make efforts to reach a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution", according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.

Besides the border issue, Doval and Yang, the designated Special Representatives, also have a larger mandate to discuss all contentious bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual concern.

Welcoming Doval, Yang in his opening remarks at the meeting said: "Your visit fully signifies the importance Indian side attaches to this meeting and the efforts to further promote the strategic partnership between China and India.

"China-India relations carry special significance. China stands ready to use this important occasion to have a broad- ranging in-depth and candid discussion with Indian side on the bilateral relations, boundary question, regional and international issues and other issues of shared interest."



Doval in his response spoke about the importance of informal talks between him and Yang, saying "not talking from the mind but also from the heart".

The statement, carried by state-run Xinhua agency, said that the two sides will properly manage differences and safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas so as to create favourable conditions for development of their ties.

Both sides shared the view that China-India relations have broad prospects and Beijing and New Delhi have far more common interests than differences.

Bilateral ties have entered a new era of comprehensive and rapid development since Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to India in 2014 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to China in 2015, it said.

Both sides should implement the important consensus between the leaders, enhance high-level interactions, tap the potential of cooperation, and promote China-India relations to a higher level, it said.

The issue of China putting technical hold on India's recent bid to bring about a UN ban on Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Azhar for his involvement in the Pathankot terrorist attack was also said to have figured during the talks.
India and China Wednesday held the 19th round of talks to resolve the vexed amid a growing discord between the two nations over Beijing blocking India's bid to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held the annual talks with Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to discuss the road ahead to resolve the dispute which has bedevilled bilateral ties.

Besides the border issue, Doval and Yang, the designated Special Representatives, also have a larger mandate to discuss all contentious bilateral, regional and international issues.

Considering their mandate, the second attempt by Beijing in an year to block India's bids to get the Pakistan' terror group's leaders banned is expected to figure in the talks.

Last month, China had vetoed India's bid to get the Pathankot attack mastermind designated as terrorist by the UN Sanctions Committee, maintaining that the case "did not meet the requirements" of the Security Council.

The Chinese action evoked a strong reaction in India which said that it was "incomprehensible" that while Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM) was banned by the UN, its chief was not.

Indian officials say while Azhar's listing was cleared by the four other UN Security Council permanent members, China has put a "technical hold", like it did in the case of Mumbai terror attack mastermindZaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi earlier.

Since China, the veto wielding UNSC member, put a technical hold on Azhar issue, India has voiced its protests.

While India's UN Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin spoke of "hidden veto" at a UNSC open debate on 'Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts' in New York on April 16, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called for a review of China's decision to strike a common stand against terrorism.

For its part, China continued to stick to its stand saying that its decision is based on facts and fairness.

Defending the stand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying yesterday said "we oppose double standard in counter terrorism campaign."



"We have been dealing with the listing (of terrorists by UN) matter in accordance with the facts and relevant resolutions. We are also in sound communication with all relevant parties including the Indian side," she said.

Considering the heat generated over it, the issue was expected to figure prominently between Doval and Yang.
India ranks an abysmally low at 133 among 180 countries in the latest annual World Press Freedom Index which says Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems "indifferent" to the threats against journalists.

The 2016 'World Press Freedom Index' released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is led by Finland, which retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

India jumped three spots from the 136th position it had in 2015.

"Journalists and bloggers are attacked and anathematised by various religious groups that are quick to take offense," the report said.

At the same time, it is hard for journalists to cover regions such as Kashmir that are regarded as sensitive by the government, it said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to these threats and problems, and there is no mechanism for protecting journalists," the report said.

"Instead, in a desire to increase control of media coverage, Modi envisages opening a journalism university run by former propaganda ministry officials," it alleged, without substantiating what it refers to.

Among India's neighbouring countries, Pakistan ranks 147, Sri Lanka (141), Afghanistan (120), Bangladesh (144), Nepal (105) and Bhutan (94). China is ranked 176.

The United States is ranked 44th and Russia is placed at the 148th place.

The report shows that there has been a deep and disturbing decline in respect for media freedom at both the global and regional levels.

(Reopens FGN 18)



"The many reasons for this decline in freedom of information include the increasingly authoritarian tendencies of governments in countries such as Turkey and Egypt, tighter government control of state-owned media, even in some European countries such as Poland and security situations that have become more and more fraught in Libya and Burundi, for example, or that are completely disastrous, as in Yemen," the report said.

RSF rued that the survival of independent coverage is becoming increasingly precarious in both the state and privately-owned media because of the threat from ideologies, especially religious ideologies, that are hostile to media freedom and from large-scale propaganda machines.

Throughout the world, "oligarchs" are buying up media outlets and are exercising pressure that compounds the pressure already coming from governments, the report said.

"It is unfortunately clear that many of the world's leaders are developing a form of paranoia about legitimate journalism," RSF secretary-general Christophe Deloire said.

"The climate of fear results in a growing aversion to debate and pluralism, a clampdown on the media by ever more authoritarian and oppressive governments and reporting in the privately-owned media that is increasingly shaped by personal interests," he said.

Among the lowest ranked countries were Syria, at 177th place out of 180, just above North Korea (179th) and last placed Eritrea.

Published annually by RSF since 2002, the World Press Freedom Index is based on an evaluation of media freedom that measures pluralism, media independence, the quality of the legal framework and the safety of journalists in 180 countries.
The government has approved expansion of the Preferential Trade Agreement with Chile, a move that will help in doubling of exports to the Latin American nation in future.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today gave its approval to expansion of India-Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), an official statement said.

"India's export basket with Chile is diversified and keeping in view the wide variety of tariff lines offered by Chile, the expanded PTA would immensely benefit India," it added.

"Under the proposed expanded PTA, 86 per cent of India's exports to Chile will get covered with concessions, which is likely to result in doubling of our exports in the near future."



Under the expanded PTA, Chile has offered concessions to India on 1,798 tariff lines with Margin of Preference (MoP) ranging from 30-100 per cent, with India reciprocating on 1,031 tariff lines with MoP at 10-100 per cent.

A PTA between India and Chile was signed in March 2006 and came into effect from August 2007. In 2006-07, Chile was ranked 51st export destination for India.

Bilateral trade during 2006-07 stood at USD 2.3 billion. The dynamics changed after the PTA came into force from September 2007, pushing up the growth figure to 58.5 per cent between 2006-07 to 2014-15.

During 2014-15, the trade came in at USD 3.65 billion, with exports at USD 0.57 billion and imports at USD 3.08 billion, respectively.

Chile has been cooperating with India at various global fora and expansion of Indo-Chile PTA will enhance the trade and economic relations between the two countries, the statement said.
A CBI court today sentenced a senior official of city-based public sector Indian Bank to one year rigorous imprisonment in connection with a case of cheating that caused loss of Rs 13.30 lakh to the bank.

Indian Bank Senior Manager V Balakrishnan had sanctioned credit facility to two people in 1991 causing Rs 13.30 lakh loss to the bank's Anna Nagar branch without making any prior verification, a CBI release said.

The CBI Anti-Corruption wing filed the case against Balakrishnan, Indian Overseas Bank Manager, Thiruvottiyur branch, P A Kumaradevan, Indian Bank papervaluer, R Venkatachalapathy, one Dhobi Raju and maid Santhammal.

The release said Kumaradevan availed credit facility in the names of Raju and Santhammal to the tune of Rs 13.30 lakh.

The loans were based on inflated valuation report prepared by Venakatachalapathy based on which Balakrishnan sanctioned it without verification, it said.

The charges against Kumaradevan and Raju were "abated" as the duo died during the course of investigation, it said.

On completion of trial, Additional Special Judge for CBI Cases, K Venkatasamy, sentenced Balakrishnan to undergo one year rigorous imprisonment besides imposing a fine of Rs 15,000.
Amitav Banerji, an Indian diplomat in the UK has been conferred with one of the highest awards of Cyprus for his work in a number of senior roles within the Commonwealth Secretariat for over two decades.

Banerji, 63, was presented with his Commander of the Order of Merit at a ceremony at the Cyprus High Commission here last night.

"If one was to take a poll amongst diplomats who have dealt with the Commonwealth in the last 25 years, in naming a single person from officials in the Secretariat that has made an impact in the Organisation, my guess would be that Amitav's name would rank very high on the pecking order if not at the peak," said Cyprus foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

"Amitav represents the true embodiment of the Commonwealth values and principles, which he strived to promote and safeguard in our respective countries for 25 years," he said.

"I cannot think of anyone more fitting to receive the award of the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Cyprus than Amitav Banerji," he added.

Born in 1953, Banerji graduated from Georgetown University and went on to do his Masters from the Delhi School of Economics.

He joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1975 and served in different capacities for 15 years, including postings to Pakistan, Spain and Malaysia.

From August 1990 to May 2015, he served in a series of roles at the Commonwealth Secretariat including Head of the Secretary General's Office and towards the last six years as Political Director.
Facing global pressure to act against tax havens following the Panama Papers leak, the top international agencies monitoring the flow of wealth today announced major steps to boost cooperation in cobatting the menace of tax evasion.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank Group (WBG) said the steps would formalise regular discussions among them on the design and implementation of standards for global tax matters.

It will also strengthen their capacity-building support, deliver jointly developed guidance, and information-sharing on operational and knowledge activities, a press release said.

In wake of the release of Panama Papers and stress on efforts by several countries, including India, to act against tax-havens, such a move comes at a time of great momentum around international tax issues.

It was welcomed by the G20 finance ministers at their February meeting in Shanghai.

Amid the growing importance of taxation in the debate to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a major aim of the Platform is to better frame technical advice to developing nations as they seek both more capacity support and greater influence in designing international rules, it said.

Among the Platform's first tasks will be to deliver a number of 'toolkits' designed to help developing countries implement the measures developed under the G20/OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project and on other international tax issues.

The first of these toolkits, focusing on tax incentives, was delivered in November. There will be an important link to the new BEPS implementation framework.

Platform members will hold regular meetings with representatives of developing countries, regional tax organisations, banks and donors.

Consultations with business and civil society will be organised as needed.

The Panama Papers are a set of over 11 million confidential documents detailing information about more than 214,000 offshore companies compiled by Panamanian corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca.

The documents illustrate how wealthy individuals, including public officials, hide assets from public scrutiny in tax havens.
Israeli security officials announced today the arrest of six young Israeli settlers from what it called a "Jewish terror" group suspected of carrying out attacks against Palestinians and their property last year, in what officials said was a victory in its campaign to reduce extremist Israeli attacks against Palestinians.

Also today, an Israeli hospital spokeswoman said a man who was critically wounded in a Jerusalem bus bombing this week has died. Later in the day, Gaza's militant Hamas group said the attacker behind the bus bombing was a Hamas member, but stopped short of claiming responsibility for the attack.

The Shin Bet security agency said the six arrested suspects two minors, a 19-year-old soldier and three others in their early 20s based in the West Bank settlement of Nahliel acted with intent to harm and kill Palestinians.

They were arrested this month and will soon be charged in court, Shin Bet said. It said members of the group were responsible for attacking a Palestinian farmer with rods and tear gas, injuring him.

It also accused group members of throwing firebombs into a Palestinian home in November while family members slept, and lobbing Israeli army gas canisters into another home in December while a Palestinian couple and baby slept.

None were injured in the home attacks, the Shin Bet said. The settlers scrawled graffiti on the homes calling for revenge. The suspects told interrogators, according to Shin Bet, that their actions were inspired by a deadly Israeli arson attack on a West Bank home last July that killed a Palestinian couple and their toddler.

Group members were connected to members of another ring of Jewish extremists recently apprehended and accused of a series of attacks on Palestinian and Christian targets, Shin Bet said.

While Israel has been dealing with a wave of vigilante-style attacks by suspected Jewish extremists in recent years, the deadly 2015 firebombing sparked soul-searching across the nation.

The attack was condemned across the Israeli political spectrum, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged "zero tolerance" in the fight to bring the assailants to justice.
Israeli forces destroyed the home of a Palestinian assailant who stabbed a woman to death in January before being shot dead by a security guard, the army said today.

The demolition provoked clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians at the Qalandia refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian media reported.

Israeli media reported two soldiers lightly wounded. Israel's military had not responded to requests for information on the reported clashes.

It was the latest such demolition carried out by Israel as a deterrent, but which human rights groups say amounts to collective punishment.

The demolition occurred overnight at the apartment of Hussein Abu Ghosh in Qalandia, near Ramallah, with the walls inside destroyed.

Residents told an AFP journalist that Abu Ghosh's family left the apartment about a month ago.

The January 25 attack saw Abu Ghosh, 17, and another Palestinian, Ibrahim Allan, 23, stab two women in the West Bank settlement of Beit Horon, northwest of Jerusalem.

One of the women, Shlomit Krigman, 24, later died from her wounds. Both of the assailants were killed by the security guard.

Krigman was stabbed near her home while the other woman was attacked outside a grocery store.

Israeli authorities also said at the time that they had found and defused three pipe bombs the two had thrown at the grocery store.

The attack was part of a wave of violence that erupted in October and which has killed 201 Palestinians and 28 Israelis.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ramped up demolitions of attackers' homes in a bid to halt the unrest.

The level of violence has steadily declined in recent weeks, though a bomb explosion on a Jerusalem bus on Monday raised fears of another surge ahead of the Jewish Passover holiday, which begins on Friday evening.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has held bilateral meetings with ministers from the UK, Sri Lanka and Thailand here to discuss investment possibilities and cooperation in combating the drug menace.

Jaitley met with Sri Lankan Minister for Law and Order Sagala Ratnayake,Thailand's Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya and the UK's Minister for Cabinet Office and senior policy adviser to Prime Minister David Cameron, Oliver Letwin, on the sidelines of the special UN General Assembly session on the drug problem.

With the UK and Thailand ministers, Jaitley's discussions were largely about MoUs India is working on with them over cooperation in drug control matters, a top official said.

The British Minister also updated on EU-related issues including the forthcoming referendum on June 23 when the UK will decide whether to stay in the European Union or leave.

Discussions with Sri Lanka focussed on Indian investment possibilities in the island nation and "various ways we can work together on promoting economic cooperation", the official said.

Earlier in the day, Jaitley also addressed the 193-member body.
Deadly clashes between Syrian pro-government fighters and Kurdish forces raged today in the northeastern city of Qamishli, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

Loud blasts from rocket fire and heavy machineguns could be heard throughout the city into the evening as warplanes screeched above, the reporter said.

Qamishli is under the shared control of the Syrian regime and Kurdish authorities, who have declared zones of "autonomous administration" across parts of north and northeast Syria.

The clashes broke out between government forces and the local Kurdish police force, known as the Asayish, at a checkpoint earlier today, a Kurdish security source told AFP.

"Then, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) joined on behalf of the Asayish and the pro-government National Defence Forces joined on the side of the regime," the source said.

He said "a number of our comrades" had died but would not give a specific number.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four NDF fighters were killed and another 20 were arrested by Kurdish forces.

The Britain-based monitor said three Asayish members were also killed in the fighting and several others were wounded.

Syrian troops and seasoned Kurdish fighters have coordinated on security in Hasakeh province where Islamic State group jihadists have tried to advance.

But tensions have built up between the sometimes-rival authorities, often over their individual military conscription services.

Two NDF militiamen were killed in similar clashes in December.
Land acquisition process would smoothen in urban areas of Rajasthan resulting in lower project cost following passage of a new law on property titles by the state government, according to India Ratings.

"The Rajasthan Urban Land (Certification of Titles) Act, 2016, passed by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly this month, will significantly smoothen the land acquisition process in urban areas," India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) said.

Rajasthan is the first state in India to enact a law on property titles, where the state will stand as a guarantor for land titles and provide compensation in case of issues of defective title, it added.

"The adoption of similar laws by other states can meaningfully shorten the time taken for acquisition of urban land for infrastructure creation by public bodies or for real estate development by private players and bring down overall project cost," Ind-Ra said.

The Act provides for the state government to stand as a guarantor for the permanent certificate of title issued for urban land by the Certification Authority after perusal of documents.

It also provides for compensation to any person who enters into a transaction on the basis of a permanent certificate of title, in case the title later turns out to be defective.

"These provisions will lead to clarity in land titles and will reduce legal challenges, thus reducing the effective cost of land and shortening execution timelines," the agency said.

Under the Act, Ind-RA said, the state government would set up an Urban Land Title Certification Authority, which will seek all the documents from the landowners, and will verify it against the records held by the state.

The authority will then issue a provisional certificate of title for a period of two years without guarantee and follow it up with a permanent certificate of title to which the government shall stand guarantor.
Sri Lankan police today arrested one of their own men on charges of concealing information in murder investigation of a rugby player who had fallen out of favour with the sons of the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Crime Investigation Department arrested Inspector Sumith Champika Perera, the officer in-charge of the Colombo suburban Narahenpita police, the police said in a statement.

"Perera was arrested on a charge of suppressing evidence in the Thajudeen murder case," the statement said.

He would be produced before a magistrate tomorrow.

The officer was accused of concealing information on the murder investigation of Wasim Thajudeen, a high-profile rugby player who had fallen out of favour with Rajapaksa's sons.

His body was found inside a burnt car at Narahenpita in May 2012. The police had earlier claimed that the former Sri Lankan Rugby captain burnt to death in a road accident.

However, leading to the 2015 presidential election which Rajapaksa lost a demand was made to re-open the case.

After President Maithripala Sirisena came to power last year, police reopened the case. Thajudeen's body was exhumed for a fresh autopsy.
A 26-year-old American woman today filed a lawsuit against an Indian Bishop for reinstating a Catholic compatriot priest accused of sexually abusing her during his posting in the US between 2004 and 2005.

Attorney Jeff Anderson filed the federal lawsuit in Minnesota against Bishop Amalraj for reinstating Joseph Jeyapaul to ministry after consulting with the Vatican.

The victim said she felt "abused, degraded and re-victimised all over again" when she learned that Amalraj had lifted Jeyapaul's suspension in February.

She told reporters at a conference in Minnesota that the reinstating the Indian priest would endanger kids in India.

Jeyapaul who served as a priest in the Crookston city of Minnesota in 2004 and 2005 was arrested in India in 2012 and extradited to the US in charges of sexually abusing two girls in a congregation.

He was later deported to India after serving his sentence.

On January 16, with the permission of Pope Francis, Bishop Amalraj lifted the suspension of Father Joseph Jeyapaul.

"It may be the most irresponsible Vatican move we've ever seen: Catholic officials in Rome have lifted the suspension of a recently convicted predator priest. We are stunned and saddened by such blatant recklessness and callousness," Barbara Dorris of St Louis, Outreach Director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), an advocacy group of which the victim is also a member of, said yesterday.

"On January 16, 2016, with the permission of Pope Francis, Bishop Amalraj lifted the suspension of Father Joseph Jeyapaul," the group said, adding that in 2015, after his extradition from India, Jeyapaul plead guilty to criminal sexual conduct involving the sexual abuse of a minor girl while he worked in the Diocese of Crookston in 2005.

The victim yesterday said she will file a lawsuit against the priest and his church in India.
The lawyer for an Australian TV crew detained in Lebanon on suspicion of the attempted abduction of two children embroiled in a Lebanese-Australian custody battle says he expects his clients to be released.

After deliberations with the judge today, lawyer Kamal Abu Zahr smiled at reporters inside the courtroom. "Good," he said, adding that he expects his clients to be released a day later. Details of the deliberations were not clear.

Earlier, the lawyer of the Lebanese father said he expects a deal to be reached only with the mother Sally Faulkner.

Faulkner has been jailed with prominent Australian TV journalist Tara Brown and three-person camera crew on charges relating to the botched abduction. Two Britons and two Lebanese have also been charged.
Chinese technology company LeEco today unveiled what it claimed to be the world's first driverless electric concept supercar.

The company, which has an aggressive strategy for Indian smartphone space, also launched three smartphones -- Le 2, Le 2 Pro and Le Max 2, and two premium televisions Le Super 4X50 and Pro/X50.

The LeSEE supercar encompasses a unique 'internet' design, with a large and flamboyant LED screen. The car works on the idea of "inter-connection" and offers fully-automatic driving functions. It can also learn on its own with facial recognition, emotion recognition, system recognition and path recognition.

The company did not share details of the car with regard to commercial launch, time and money invested in developing and price tag, among others. All it said was it will offer a top speed 130mph and is completely developed by LeEco.

The car was unveiled by LeEco founder Jia Yueting and Le Supercar co-founder Ding Lei here ahead of the Beijing Auto Expo beginning later this week, and showed the automated driving capabilities of the super car.

The company said the electric car, based on LeEco's intelligent shared transportation ecosystem, will be formally unveiled at the auto expo. It also announce a partner for commercially developing the car.

Phones come with USB type-C audio port featuring CDLA (continual digital lossless audio) technology to offer high-quality audio and flaunt a metal unibody design.

LeEco Le 2 has a 5.5-inch full HD display and is powered by MediaTek's Helio X20 tri-cluster deca-core processor paired with 3GB RAM and 32 GB storage apart from a 16-megapixel rear camera, and an 8-megapixel front camera. The phones run on Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS.

Le 2 is priced at 1099 yuan, Le 2 Pro at 1499 yuan and Le Max 2 at 2099 yuan.

These phones will be launched in India in a phased manner during this year, the company said.

The company also launched three models of fourth generation super televisions under the label of Super 4X50 Pro/Super 4 X50/Super 4 X50 CSL. All the three TV models come in 50 inches with 9.9 mm ultra-slim metal bodies, high speed flash drive, as well as HDR technology.

The Beijing based LeEco, earlier known as LeTV, is a pioneering internet and technology company with multiple internet ecosystems across content, devices, applications and platforms. Founded in November 2004 by Jia Yueting and Liu Hong, LeEco employs over 10,000 people and was the world's first video company to go public.

EcoPass(TM) Benefits



- A 2-year warranty for LeEco ecophones and 3 years for ecotvs - 5TB of cloud storage on LeCloud, and unlimited storage for photos and videos - Unlimited movie viewing on Fandor - Exclusive sale days on LeMall.Com(TM) and priority customer service - Discounted prices for many add-on content partners featured in LeApp Ecophones: The next-generation of smartphones that put content front-and-center to deliver the ultimate entertainment experience. With eui, the Le and LIVE apps offer a line-up of content including a dynamic preview display, and a 3x3 mosaic of streaming content. With eui, ecophone users can access LeView, a "minus one screen" experience that puts tailored content, customized to your viewing preferences, just one swipe away from the home screen. With eui, content is always only one click away. LeEco will launch two ecophones in the U.S. That will begin selling at http://www.Lemall.Com on November 2.

Le Pro3 is LeEco's flagship ecophone that combines beautiful design, powerful performance and a unique way to consume content. With a 5.5-inch screen and sleek design, the Le Pro3 features fine, brushed metal backing and a tough Corning(R) Gorilla(R) Glass screen with 2.5D curved edges for a smooth finish. The Le Pro3 sports premium audio features, including dual speakers, surround sound powered by Dolby Atmos(R) and Continual Digital Lossless Audio (CDLA) technology. The Le Pro3 offers incredible, long-lasting performance thanks to a powerful Qualcomm(R) Snapdragon(TM) 821 processor and a category leading 4070mAh battery. The Le Pro3 also features a 16 MP rear-facing camera for vivid photos, panoramas and videos in 4K; and an 8 MP front-facing camera perfect for capturing selfies. The Le Pro3 comes in gold and gray, and will sell for $399. It also includes a 3-month free EcoPass membership.

Le S3 raises the stakes with best-in-category audio, processor, and front and back cameras.
With onset of summer tourist season in Goa, lifeguards have threatened to go on strike if the state government fails to make "positive intervention" on their demands, including regularisation.

Lifeguards, employed with government-contracted agency - Drishti Lifesaving Services - had earlier gone on strike from December 21, 2015, to January 13, demanding regularisation of their services and hike in the pay packages.

They withdrew the protests after the government assured to look into their demands.

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the union representing lifeguards, has already moved the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court. The court, on April 7, granted two weeks time to the government to workout settlement between the lifeguards and their employer.

The court has posted the next hearing on April 25 wherein the state government will file its reply.

"We find that the government has been neglecting the issue of lifeguards. The court during the trial has asked the state government to hold meeting with the Lifeguards' union and come back with the solution.

But we were denied the appointments by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar," said AITUC secretary Suhas Naik who is representing the lifeguards in the court.

"We are now waiting for the written reply to be filed before the court. If there is no positive intervention, then we will have to strike the work," he said.

Conceding that leaving beaches unmanned can be fatal for tourists, Naik said the government has left the lifeguards with "no other option".

When contacted, Parulekar refused to comment on the issue stating that "the matter is subjudice".

Lifeguards are also demanding that the government should implement the agreement signed with the lifeguards on November 21, 2014.
Aldi Australias $15 billion sales prediction, Morgan Stanley

Aldi Australia has the potential to be bringing in AUD $15 billion in annual sales by 2020 says a new Morgan Stanley report.

Released yesterday, the report analysed that shoppers are now spending an average of AUD$100 per month at Aldi, a massive increase on the AUD$60 being spent at Aldi in 2007.

As Aldi is a privately owned company it is not required to publicly report its profits, however Morgan Stanley estimated its Australian sales equalled AUD $6.4 billion in the 12 months ending 30 June 2015. If it reaches AUD$15 billion sales in 2020 this will represent an AUD$8.6 billion growth in sales in less than five years.

Comparatively, Morgan Stanley predicts Woolworths supermarkets on current trends could make sales of approximately AUD $46 billion in sales in 2020. For the 12 months ending the 30 June 2015, Woolworths Food and Liquor made AUD $42.1 billion in sales.

Meanwhile, the report says that Coles sales will grow from the AUD $30.8 billion worth of sales reported for the 12 months ending 30 June 2015 to AUD $37.2 billion by 2020.

IGA is estimated to have AUD$13 billion in sales in 2020. In the 12 months ending the 30 June 2015 it reported sales figures of AUD$13.2 billion.

Morgan Stanley says its prediction for Aldis sales to hit AUD $15 billion is based on Aldis ability to establish the same amount of stores in South Australia and Western Australia as it currently has in other Australian states.

How consumers end up spending more at Aldi

According to the report, customers tend to start out buying staples like sugar and rice at Aldi, assuming these products have very low risk failure.

After these products have met consumers expectations, they buy more products, moving into dry grocery lines, the report stated.

Again, after these expectations have been met, the last category customers graduate to its fresh food.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee today replied to the show cause notice issued to her for violating the Model Code of Conduct by the the Election Commission.

The contents of the reply was, however, not known.

"Today our party supremo has replied to the show cause notice issued to her by the EC in the capacity as TMC head. The reply has been sent to the EC, but we are not divulging the details," a senior TMC leader told PTI on condition of anonymity.

"The party maintains that the decision to carve out a new Asansol district was taken at a cabinet meeting held in December 2015 and was nothing new," the leader said.

Taking exception yesterday, the EC had rejected the response of West Bengal Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee to its show cause notice issued to Banerjee for prima facie violating the model code. The poll panel gave her a three-day deadline to respond personally.

Questioning the way Basudeb Banerjee had "defended" the action of the CM in promising a new district when the model code is in force, the EC told him the use of the words "by order of the Chief Minister" in the response was "avoidable" and hoped he will not use such language in future.

The West Bengal Chief Secretary had written to the Commission on behalf of the Trinamool Congress chief, who was served with a show cause notice last week for announcing creation of a new district in the state where elections are being held.
A young man has been arrested for allegedly eve-teasing girl students at Kandhla town in Shamli district, police said today.

20-year-old Faizan was beaten up and handed over to police by people in the area after he misbehaved with a group of girl students yesterday, SHO Nareshpal Singh said.

While Faizan was arrested, his four associates escaped from the spot, he said.

A case has been registered and investigation is on, police added.
Maoist leader D Kesav Rao alias Azad and two of his associates broke their three-week-long fast at SCB medical college and hospital (SCBMCH) here today by resuming oral feeding.

"Since the patients were given adequate glucose fluid and there were no features of any more marked malnutrition or starvation, they will be discharged from the Hospital soon as they have resumed oral feeding," said Prof CBK Mohanty, who was treating Azad and his associates in the hospital.

They broke their fast after ADG (Prisons) Arun Kumar Ray met them at the hospital during the day and assured them that their grievances have been forwarded to DGP, Director Prosecution and to the Home department.

Azad was arrested five years ago by Odisha police in connection with at least 12 criminal cases and was lodged in Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar. He had resorted to indefinite fast on four occasions, including the recent one since March 30 demanding speedy trial, regular production in courts and status of a political prisoner.

When his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar on April 9 and the following day, he was referred to SCB Medical College. In the meantime the State Human Rights Commission had directed Odisha government to take measures so that the prisoners end their fast.

Ray had then met Azad and his associates in the first week of April. He met them at the hospital again today and his assurance led to the Maoists withdrawing their fast.
Social media users in Kashmir are divided over a recent circular issued by district authorities in Kupwara which directed administrators of 'Whatsapp' groups disseminating to get themselves registered within 10 days.

"It is impressed upon all the admins of WhatsApp groups of the district to get the registration of their WhatsApp groups in the office of the undersigned within ten days," a circular, issued by District Magistrate Kupwara R Ranjan on Monday, read.

The circular was issued by the District Magistrate after Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon, during a meeting to review law and order situation on Monday, directed the operators of social media groups to obtain proper permission from the concerned Deputy Commissioners for posting news.

The authorities had suspended internet services for several days in Kashmir as a preventive measure to curb rumour mongering on social networking sites after five persons were killed in security forces action during violent protests in Handwara and Kupwara towns last week.

According to the circular, the District Magistrate of Kupwara also named an officer as the head of the Social Media Centre for registration of the WhatsApp groups.

The officer has been also tasked with keeping a vigil on the activities of these news groups.

While holding group administrators responsible for any "irresponsible remarks leading to untoward incidents", the circular also bars government employees from making remarks or comments on the policies of the government in these groups.

Many of the WhatsApp users here have criticised the government circular but some have come out in support of the decision saying it can help check spread of false and incorrect information, especially during volatile situations like in Handwara last week.

All India Students Association (AISA) condemned the order issued to journalists in Kupwara district for registration of WhatsApp groups.

"Such an irrational and dictatorial diktat is unacceptable to say the least. It amounts to censorship and gagging of the voices of journalists," a statement issued by the AISA said.

It said the journalists in Kashmir are already operating under difficult conditions.

"With tough work conditions and lack of financial support, journalists today are finding it easy to communicate information to one another through WhatsApp," the statement said, and demanded that the order be withdrawn.

However, there are some people who support the directive.

"Kashmir is a sensitive place where things can change very fast. So in such a scenario, information going around should be very credible and authentic.

"Irresponsible posts can cause mayhem with lives of the people -- as we saw in some cases like Handwara -- and also with the economy of Kashmir," Fayaz Ahmad, a businessman, said.

A senior government official, who did not wish to be named, said the problem starts when false information is spread on these social media groups by people who are "supposedly reliable sources of information".

"We had a case during the Handwara protests where a group administrator, who is a journalist, put the death toll at six.

"He went to the extent of naming a living person as dead.

"Now consider the fallout of this post on the family of the injured person and the area where he lives. The place was already on the boil and this incorrect information could have led to more violence," the official said.

The administration wants to curb this kind of irresponsible dissemination of information that can fuel the fire, he added.

But others alleged that it was an attack on freedom of expression.

"This is a direct attack on freedom of expression. Now the government wants to know even what people share on their WhatsApp groups. Wonder what will follow next!" Sajad Ahmad, a student at Kashmir University, said.

A senior journalist, who is a member of one such news group, said the group administrators are anyway responsible for what is posted in their respective groups.

"To put an official curb is unwarranted and unwanted. There can be minor aberrations but generally journalists in Kashmir, even at district level, are responsible reporters," he said.
Location-based mobile fashion platform Fashalot has received Series-A strategic funding led by YourNest Angel Fund and marquee investor Rahul Garg for an undisclosed amount.

The company said it will invest the fund in product development, top talent and accelerating its business growth.

Operational in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru, the brand aims to aggressively ramp up operations in new cities by the end of this year, it said in a statement.

"We are on track to be the largest online-to-offline location-based fashion discovery network in India and the capital raised will contribute significantly for us to achieve this goal," Amit Koshal Founder and CEO of Fashalot said.

The startup connects shoppers with offline stores through its horizontal network effect platform.

It claims to have driven over 15,000 people to partner stores in March with over 30 per cent repeats.

Fashion retail market in India stands at more than USD 100 billion and there are over 12 million brick-and-mortar stores in the country, according to industry estimates.
The wife of self-styled godman Asaram's son, Narayan Sai, has told a court here that she didn't enjoy a cordial relationship with her husband who was "closer to the women devotees of the ashram" than to her.

Jankidevi, Sai's wife of ten years, had earlier given two statements to the police who investigated a case of rape against Sai.

Yesterday, she deposed as a prosecution witness in the court of Additional Sessions Judge P S Gadhvi.

Her relationship with Sai was "not cordial like it should be between husband and wife," and he mostly remained out of (Asaram's) ashram, she said.

Whenever he visited the ashram, Sai spent most of his time with the women devotees, she stated.

In her deposition, she also spoke about activities at the ashram at Motera in Ahmedabad where she lived.

Next hearing of the case is on May 2.

Sai is currently in Surat's Lajpore jail after he was arrested in the rape case. He is also facing a separate case for hatching a conspiracy to bribe the police and judicial officials to weaken the rape case.

A Surat-based woman has accused Sai of raping her when she was living in Asaram's ashram. The woman's elder sister has also lodged a separate case of rape against Asaram himself.

Asaram is now in a jail at Jodhpur where he is facing another case for allegedly raping a minor girl.
Scientists, using NASA's solar-watching missions, have captured the most comprehensive observations of an electromagnetic phenomenon called 'current sheet', providing evidence that our understanding of solar flares is correct.

Solar flares are intense bursts of light from the Sun, created when complicated magnetic fields suddenly rearrange themselves, converting magnetic energy into light through a process called magnetic reconnection.

These eruptions on the Sun eject radiation in all directions. The strongest solar flares can impact Earth's ionosphere and interfere with our communications systems, like radio and Global Positioning System (GPS), and also disrupt onboard satellite electronics.

Solar flares travel at the speed of light, meaning we get no warning that they are coming. So scientists want to pin down the processes that create solar flares and even some day predict them before our communications can be interrupted.

"The existence of a current sheet is crucial in all our models of solar flares. So these observations make us much more comfortable that our models are good," said James McAteer, from the New Mexico State University in US.

A 'current sheet' is a very fast, very flat flow of electrically-charged material, defined in part by its extreme thinness compared to its length and width.

Current sheets form when two oppositely-aligned magnetic fields come in close contact, creating very high magnetic pressure.

Electric current flowing through this high-pressure area is squeezed, compressing it down to a fast and thin sheet.

This configuration of magnetic fields is unstable, meaning that the same conditions that create current sheets are also ripe for magnetic reconnection.

"Magnetic reconnection happens at the interface of oppositely-aligned magnetic fields," said lead author Chunming Zhu, from the New Mexico State University.

"The magnetic fields break and reconnect, leading to a transformation of the magnetic energy into heat and light, producing a solar flare," Zhu said.

Because current sheets are so closely associated with magnetic reconnection, observing a current sheet in such detail backs up the idea that magnetic reconnection is the force behind solar flares.

This multi-faceted view of the flare was made possible by instruments aboard three solar-watching missions: NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA's Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory - which has a unique viewing angle on the far side of the Sun - and Hinode, a collaboration between the space agencies of Japan, US, UK and Europe led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

This is not the first time scientists have observed a current sheet during a solar flare, but in this study several measurements of the current sheet were observed from more than one angle or derived from more than one method.

The research was published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Madhya Pradesh's holy city of Ujjain has geared up to hold one of the biggest religious gatherings of Hindus - Simhastha-Kumbh Mela commencing Friday - where for the first time transgenders have announced to participate.

The state government has spent Rs 3,500 crore, some of which has come from the Centre for developing infrastructure, amenities and beautifying Ujjain - a city revered in Hindu scriptures for one of the biggest religious congregations.

"An amount of Rs 3,500 crore has been kept to hold the Simhastha mela in a grand way," state Transport Minister Bupendra Singh, who is overseeing the Mela preparations, told PTI today.

"Beside the akharas comprising sadhus from all over the country, nearly five crore devotees are expected to take part in the mela. Security for has been steeped up in every nook and corner of the district," Inspector General of Police Ujjain Madhu Kumar said.

Beside crores of devotees who will throng the banks of pious river Shipra in the month-long jamboree, the initial attraction may turn out to be 'peshwai' (procession) to enter the venue (a traditional practice) by transgenders.

The district administration has allotted a place to eunuchs for their akhara (seers belonging to different denominations).

Seer Rishi Ajay Das said his followers - transgenders - will put up akhara tomorrow and their 'peshwai' to enter the venue will start from Dusshera Maidan at 11 AM, (tomorrow).

The move, however, has been opposed by Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad.

"Eunuchs are planning to take out peshwai to enter the the Kumbh mela tomorrow. We can't let in any Tom, Dick and Harry to hold a Akhara," Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad head Acharya Narendra Giri today told PTI.

He said the parishad will not allow them to take out the procession, which will see 'peshwai' by the traditional 13 Akharas.

Meanwhile, the district administration said it has



completed the preparations for the mega juncture. "We are prepared and have made all arrangements for the Kumbh," Ujjain district collector Kavindra Kiyawat said.

Currently, 22,000 security personnel including state police, central forces, and other departments have been deployed, IG Police Ujjain Madhu Kumar said.

At the time of 'shahi snan' (royal bath) across various banks of Shipra river, 25,000 security personnel will keep a close watch at the mela venue, the official said.

The Simhastha - one of the biggest Hindus faithful gatherings will commence with shahi snan in Shipra at the pre-dawn on April 22, Friday.

Juna Akhara will first venture into the river for the 'shahi snan' followed by seers of other Akharas.

Meanwhile, Air India Area Manager (MP & Chhattisgarh) Vishrut Acharya said it will run an additional flight between Delhi and Indore daily for Simhastha from April 22 onwards.

Simhastha is one of the four legs of the Kumbh Mela, each taking place by rotation every 12 years.

Allahabad (Prayag), Nashik and Haridwar are the three places where the Kumbhs are held.
Flagging the issue of call drops, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik today underlined the need for improving the quality of mobile telephony services.

The data suggests that services industry is expanding at a rapid pace in the country, but there is a need to take care of the quality of service, he said in his address at the inaugural the Global Exhibition on Services, 2016.

"Ravi Shankarji (Telecom Minister) informed how big is our mobile network. Today even house maid keeps mobile, banana seller also keeps mobile phone but I feel we need to focus on its quality as well. ... But don't know when will call drop," he said.

Highlighting the opportunities for business and growth in Uttar Pradesh, Naik said that it has important commercial centres like Varanasi, Lucknow and Ferozabad where saris, chicken work and bangles are produced.

Naik further said that people from north Indians, including those from Uttar Pradesh, have contributed immensely to the development of Mumbai.

"I am from Mumbai. Mumbai you know is economic capital of the country. If Mumbai has become economic capital ...(it is because) north Indians have contributed around 25-30 per cent to make Mumbai economic capital. Such one power is in Uttar Pradesh," he said.

He also said that the state has huge resources in manpower, arts and crafts and others but there was need for "branding" to realise the growth potential of the state.

"UP has both many skilled labour and unskilled labour. If country has to develop, then skilled as well as unskilled labour will have to provided employment," he said.

In his address, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the country has over one billion mobile phones and 400 million internet connections.

"Today 1 billion Indians are on verifiable digital identity where you can deliver the services," he said, adding the Modi government is trying to improve the enabling environment to accelerate growth of services sector.

According to drive tests conducted by sectoral regulator Trai in December-January period, services of most of telecom operators were not up to the mark.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said there was need to "promote population" in the country keeping in tune with the "changing trends".

"Hitherto, our focus was on population control. But now we have to promote population. The trend has changed," Naidu remarked at a function where he launched four health schemes on the occasion of his 66th birthday.

"Countries like Japan and China are facing problems because of aged population. Now they are also going for population promotion. The trend has changed, so we too should promote population," he said.

Naidu said the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) were showing steady decline in the state.

"In 2014, AP topped the southern states in IMR and MMR but now we are on top in the country in terms of decline in these two parameters," Chandrababu pointed.

He said his government is trying to develop the state as a health care hub.

"UK is setting up a world-class hospital in our new capital Amaravati. It will be the headquarter for seven hospitals UK is going to set up in the country. It will also have a world-class medical college. AIIMS is also coming up at Mangalagiri in the capital region with modern facilities," Naidu said.

The Chief Minister launched 'Chandranna Samchara Chikitsa', a mobile health service facility for rural areas.

About 275 mobile medical units would go round 13,000 villages twice a month to provide health care services to people.

Each mobile unit would have a doctor, nurse, pharmacist and a lab technician and equipped with latest Medicare facilities.

The Chief Minister also launched the Rota virus vaccination and Inactivated Polio virus Vaccine immunisation programme on the occasion.

Free CT scan facility in four government hospitals in Tekkali, Chirala, Guduru and Prodduturu on a pilot basis were launched by Naidu.

Union Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju, state health minister Kamineni Srinivas and other ministers and officials were also present at the function.
American markets absorb love for Aussie wine: Wine Australia report

The United States is still the number one export destination for Australian wine says a new report by Wine Australia.

Measuring Australias top export markets by value, the US remains on top with exports to the country worth a total AUD $442 million between April 2015  March 2016. This was a 4 per cent increase on the previous corresponding 12 months.

China continues to grow as a valuable wine export market for Australia, it overtook the UK as the second most valuable wine export market for the year. From April  March 2016 wine exports to China were valued at AUD $397 million, a 64 per cent increase on the prior 12 months.

The UK is now the third most valuable market worth AUD$373 million, a one per cent increase on the previous year.

Wine Australia CEO, Andreas Clark, said it was very pleasing to see increasing demand for Australian wine, especially by Asian consumers.

Bottled wine exports grew by 16 per cent to AUD$1.7 billion, the highest value in five years, Clark said.

There was growth in bottled exporters at all price points, but growth was strongest at the higher end, she said.

Exports above AUD $10 per litre increased 32 per cent to AUD$492 million which Wine Australia says is a record level for wines in this segment.

Free trade agreements helping wine exporters

The report revealed solid growth in three markets where recent fair trade agreements had been made with Australia. These countries are:

Japan: Exports to Japan increased by 10 per cent to be worth AUD$45 million. There was reported encouraging growth within the premium wines category.

Exports to Japan increased by 10 per cent to be worth AUD$45 million. There was reported encouraging growth within the premium wines category. South Korea: Exports to South Korea increased by 51 per cent to AUD$13 million. This is the highest annual value since December 2008.

Exports to South Korea increased by 51 per cent to AUD$13 million. This is the highest annual value since December 2008. China: Although Chinese exports jumped by 64 per cent, the effect of the new China-Australia Free Trade Agreement could result in even further growth as the agreement was only in effect for four months of the research period.

Australias top five most exported wine varieties

The top five most exported wine varieties account for 70 per cent of all varietal-labelled exports (wines made mainly from the one variety of grape). These wines are:

Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon blend Merlot

Shiraz exports grew by 19 per cent to AUD$452 million at an average value of AUD$6.30 per litre.
Nepal's first woman President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will visit India from May 9 on her first official foreign trip after assuming the office in October last year.

Her visit comes nearly three months after Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli also chose India to be the first foreign destination.

Bhandari will first reach the New Delhi on May 9 and hold meetings with senior Indian officials and leaders the following day, The Kathmandu Post reported.

In New Delhi, President Bhandari will meet her Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee on May 10, according to the preliminary itinerary.

On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other Indian leaders will pay courtesy calls on President Bhandari.

Initially Bhandari had shown interest to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, and accordingly it was communicated to the Indian side.

According to officials, the Indian side, however, expressed its desire to host her in New Delhi first and make her personal-cum-religious visit an official one.

After completing meetings and engagements in New Delhi, she will fly to Ujjain to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

The details of the visit, size of the delegation and other preparations are yet to be worked out, the paper quoted officials as saying.

The bilateral ties between the two countries had faced turbulence in the recent past due to the months-long Madhesi agitation and subsequent blockade which halted the supply of essential goods to landlocked Nepal from India.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, have been demanding the new Constitution be amended to include their concerns about adequate political representation and redrawing of federal boundaries.
After the successful right-to-pray campaign centred around the Shani Temple in Ahmednagar district, a similar public-backed movement has been launched to seek entry of women into the core area of the Haji Ali Dargah in the city.

Over 20 outfits, NGOs and human right activists today announced formation of 'Haji Ali Sabke Liye' to peacefully campaign against the ban on entry of women into the interiors of the 15th century Sufi shrine, located on a small islet in the Arabian Sea and visited by hundreds of people everyday.

The forum was launched at a press conference which was briefly disrupted by a group of people who said the move was against the Sharia.

Addressing the meet, its convener Javed Anand said, "The forum is of the firm view that women's entry in the Dargah is not a religious issue, but something to do with customs and traditions. This is why the forum is appealing to the trustees of the Haji Ali Dargah to immediately withdraw the restriction imposed on entry of women."



The Bombay High Court is hearing a petition challenging the Haji Ali Trust's decision to ban the entry of women into the sanctum of the shrine.

"We are sincerely requesting the trustees to withdraw the ban before the HC gives its final order," said Anand.

Anand said he has full faith in the judiciary but is appealing to the management of the dargah to uphold the right to equality of women at religious places.

Representatives of the forum will try to meet the trustees to convey their sentiments on the issue. The new body would soon hold a peaceful dharna outside the shrine, which houses the tomb of a Sufi saint and also a mosque, he said.

Trupti Desai of Bhumata Brigade, who successfully spearheaded the agitation seeking entry of women in Shani Shinganapur's sanctum, said fighting for women's right was part of her mission and she would proactively take part in this movement too.

Mariam Dhawale, state president, All India Democratic Association, said after the Haji Ali Dargah row is solved, the forum would launch a similar movement to demand entry into other religious places where such a ban is in place.
Congress today dubbed as "completely unwarranted" the briefing by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to the Judges of the Supreme Court on the issue of national security.

"Judiciary does not need lectures from the NSA, much less the Supreme Court of India.....It was completely unwarranted.

"The Judiciary is resilient enough, capable enough and wise enough not to be influenced by any individual", party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala told reporters.

Reports from Bhopal had it recently that in a first, Chief Justice of India T S Thakur and judges of the Supreme Court were briefed for almost an hour on the internal and external security situation of the country by the NSA.

The NSA sought "more cooperation" in "speeding up" the judicial system and underlined that "national security should be a non-partisan issue."



The judges were briefed during a closed-door session of a seminar organised as part of a three-day retreat on the campus of the National Judicial Academy.
US President Barack Obama has embarked on a three-nation six-day tour of Saudi Arabia, the UK and Germany to discuss the fight against ISIS, defence and global economy among others with some of America's key allies in the Gulf and Europe.

"The President will be meeting with some of our key allies and partners in the world in both the Gulf and in Europe," Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said.

It is a very important chance for him to coordinate US approaches on issues ranging from the counter-ISIL campaign to efforts to promote regional stability in the Middle East, to the support for Ukraine and its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to efforts to promote global economic growth, he told reporters ahead of Obama's departure yesterday.

Saudi Arabia will be the first stop of Obama on April 20.

"This will be a summit between the United States and the Gulf nations, following up on the summit that we had last year, the first of its kind at the head-of-state level at Camp David," he said.

Obama will begin this afternoon by having a bilateral meeting with King Salman of Saudi Arabia.

Then on April 21, he will have the summit with the GCC leaders, and that summit will be broken into three different sessions - one on regional stability, one on defeating ISIL and al-Qaeda and counterterrorism cooperation, and then one on Iran and regional security and our efforts to prevent destabilising actions across the region, Rhodes said.

Obama is scheduled to fly to the UK from Saudi Arabia.

"On Friday, April 22nd, the President will have a lunch with Queen Elizabeth. This visit coincides with her 90th birthday," Rhodes said.

Noting that the US President has very much enjoyed his engagements with the Queen over the years, Rhodes said as a general matter, Obama felt that in his final year in office it would be very important for him to visit his close ally, the UK, given the special relationship and all the work that they do together around the world.

US First Lady Michelle Obama would join the President during the Britain leg of the trip.

Following the lunch with the Queen, the President will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron.

"We work very closely with the United Kingdom on a host of issues around the world to include the counter-ISIL campaign, counterterrorism efforts, our efforts together in Afghanistan, our efforts, again, to respond to Russian aggression in Ukraine, and our collaboration in terms of promoting global economic growth. So a broad agenda to discuss with Prime Minister Cameron," Rhodes said.

On Saturday, Obama will have a town hall meeting with



young people, at Lindley Hall in London, where he will have the chance to talk about the special relationship between the US and the UK, the agenda that they share together, and the world, and his vision for the future of the cooperation between the two countries.

On Sunday, he will be in Germany for the Hannover Messe.

"The President felt it was very important that he has the opportunity to go to Germany in his final year in office. Chancellor Angela Merkel has been a close partner for his entire time in office, and we are working together with Germany on a host of issues, including our commercial ties and the economic collaboration that is represented by the Hannover Messe," Rhodes said.

On Sunday, Obama will have a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel. The two leaders will open the Hannover trade show that evening.

"They will each be making remarks as a part of that program. Then that night, we expect that the President and Chancellor Merkel will both have an opportunity to have dinner together with a group of American and German business leaders," he said.

On Monday, April 25th, Obama and Merkel will have an opportunity in the morning to tour the trade show on the Hannover Messe fairgrounds to see some of the work that is being done and displayed in Hannover, after which the President will deliver a speech.

"This speech allows him to step back at a time when the US and Europe together are dealing with a range of challenges, from counter-ISIL and the threat of terrorism, to the current refugee crisis and our efforts to address both the humanitarian aspects and the migratory aspects of that crisis.

"Besides, to our shared commitment to Ukraine and its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to our shared efforts to combat the headwinds in the global economy and promote sustainable growth," Rhodes said.

In Germany, Obama will address the challenges facing democracies in the US and Europe, have a chance to look at the range of different issues confronting these countries, but also review what they have done over the course of the last seven and a half years of his presidency and look ahead to what we need to be doing going forward.
President Barack Obama opened a brief trip to Saudi Arabia today with a one-on-one meeting with King Salman in Riyadh.

The visit for a Persian Gulf summit comes against the backdrop of increasingly strained US relations with the Saudis, who remain deeply opposed to his outreach to Iran and skeptical of his approach to Syria.

Under crystal chandeliers, the Saudi monarch greeted Obama in a grand foyer at Erga Palace, where the two walked slowly to a reception room as the small of incense wafted.

The two offered polite smiles as they sat down side by side for pictures at the start of their private meeting.

"The American people send their greetings and we are very grateful for your hospitality, not just for this meeting but for hosting the GCC-US summit that's taking place tomorrow," Obama said, referring to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council summit.

King Salman, speaking through a translator, offered similarly gracious words for the president, who is paying his fourth trip here for face-to-face meetings and photos with royal rulers since becoming president.

"The feeling is mutual between us and the American people," the king said.

The president was slated to spend little more than 24 hours in the Saudi capital before heading on to visits to London and Hannover, Germany.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are participating in the regional summit, which the White House said would focus on regional stability, counterterrorism including the fight against the Islamic State and al-Qaida, and Iran. Talks are also expected to address the Saudi-led military campaign against Shiite rebels and their allies in neighboring Yemen.

Stepping off of Air Force One earlier at King Khalid International Airport, Obama was greeted on a red carpet not by King Salman but by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the governor of Riyadh.

Before Obama landed, Saudi state television did not immediately air Obama's arrival, but showed the king greeting other senior officials from Gulf nations arriving for the summit.

US officials have expressed hope the latest meeting will build on last year's Camp David summit, though they acknowledge differences remain between the US and Saudi Arabia.

The Sunni Muslim-ruled kingdom, the world's biggest oil exporter and the largest buyer of American-made weapons, sees Shiite-led Iran as its main rival. Saudi leaders are concerned that concessions granted to Iran in last year's nuclear deal will embolden it to pursue what the Saudis view as aggressive meddling throughout the region.

Salman's reign has overseen a more assertive foreign policy, with Saudis venturing into Yemen and pushing the US to take more aggressive moves to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad.
South Korean steel major Posco has asked the government to cancel the in-principle approval given to it for a special economic zone (SEZ) in Odisha.

An inter-ministerial Board of Approval (BoA), chaired by the Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, will consider the request from Posco's subsidiary Posco India Pvt Ltd on April 28, the Commerce Ministry said.

The in-principle approval granted to the developer expired on October 24, 2014.

"The developer has not made any application for further extension. Further, the matter was also sent to the Odisha government for ascertaining the status of the case but no reply has been received from the government of Odisha, IDCO (Infrastructure Development Corporation of Orissa) and developer," the agenda of the BoA meeting said.

Development Commissioner (Falta Special Economic Zone) has recommended for cancellation of in-principle approval, it added.

The company was earlier facing issues related with land acquisition.

The BoA would also take up the cancellation application of Lanco Solar. It had proposed to set up solar SEZ in Odisha.

"The developer has informed that they are not able to implement their projects due to wildlife clearance which is long pending...And without their clearance they are not authorised to take any steps in this regard," it said.

Further, the board would consider the application of Reliance Defence Ltd for issue of industrial licence for defence products.

"The proposal under consideration is the issuance of industrial licence to Reliance Defence Ltd, an SEZ unit, for manufacturing of defence products," it added.
One person has been arrested for allegedly threatening to blow up a school owned by a BJP MLA, police said today.

Krishna Kumar, who is a relative of Maharajpur MLA Satish Mahana's driver, had made the hoax call in an attempt to extort money from the legislator.

He was arrested yesterday after his number was traced by police, SP (City) Shomen Verma said.

Mahana, who owns Saraswati Vidya Mandir school in Lal Bangla area, had told police he received a call on his mobile phone threatening to blow up the school on Monday morning.

A team of police officials accompanied by bomb squad and sniffer dogs evacuated the school premises and carried out a search.

However, no bomb was found at the school where 900 children from class VI to XII study.
Ahead of the crucial third phase of polling in West Bengal, a tight security ring of one lakh security personnel, including 75,000 central paramilitary personnel, has been deployed all over the state.

Election Commission officials said close to 700 companies of central armed police forces, comprising around 75,000 men, have taken their positions.

As per instructions, they are doing route marches as part of an area domination exercise to instill confidence among voters.

Assisting these 75,000 paramilitary personnel, who are not conversant with the local language or geography, there will be a contingent of 25,000-strong state police personnel.

All polling premises will be guarded by central forces while 'lathi'-wielding state personnel, who understand local language, will facilitate queue management.

Officials said state police will be allowed to enter the booth only under extreme cases when the presiding officer seeks so.

Similarly for every mobile unit of central forces, one state police person will be assisting them in travel.

Officials said increased availability of security forces has been made possible as jawans, who were deployed in Assam where voting has ended, have now been shifted to West Bengal.

To increase the visibility of paramilitary personnel, a flex has been put on the vehicles clearly stating 'Central Forces'. Additionally a hooter or siren has also been placed on their vehicles.

Another outer ring of security has been formed comprising



quick response teams, flying squads, sector forces, mobile high radio flying squads, etc.

In the third phase of polling for 62 seats spread across Murshidabad, Nadia, Burdwan districts and north Kolkata tomorrow, additional confidence building measures are being implemented in 3,401 vulnerable hamlets.

In this phase there are 1,283 sectoral force teams, 194 mobile response teams, 190 flying squads and 197 static surveillance teams, the officials said.

'Nakabandi' points have been also created at 220 places.

Besides this, webcasting, videography and digital cameras are being used in many critical polling stations to monitor the occurrence of any undesirable activity.

Armed with cameras and GPS systems, more than 20 vehicles will do surveillance of critical areas as part of a live monitoring system (LMS) exercise.

In the run up to the third phase of polls, authorities have so far seized 5.5 lakh of illicit liquor and fake currency of Rs 9 lakh face value.

Over 450 illegal arms, 529 pieces of ammunition, 2,624 bombs and around 350 kg of explosives have also been seized.

More than 5,800 licensed arms have been deposited with the police, as it is mandatory to do so after elections are announced.

During election expenditure monitoring exercise, Rs 2.2 crore have been seized by flying squads, static surveillance teams and police.

Over 2000 non bailable warrants are pending to be executed while over 28,000 have been executed since the poll process began, the officials added.
As many as 9,361 officials in China have been reprimanded for violating austerity rules in the first three months this year, the ruling Communist party's top anti-graft body has said.

Those punished, including four ministerial-level officials, were involved in 8,788 cases, the Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a report posted on its website yesterday.

In March alone, 2,701 officials were reprimanded in 2,672 cases, the report said.

It said about one fourth of the cases involved illicit allowances and benefits.

Other prominent problems include unwarranted use of public vehicles as well as offering and accepting gifts and cash in violation of regulations.

Thousands of officials were punished in the anti- corruption campaign launched three years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Pakistan was "cooperating closely" with India on the investigations in a terror attack case on a key air force base in Pathankot earlier this year, the country's top diplomat has said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan had sent a team to India which visited both New Delhi and the site of attack in Pathankot.

Pakistan is "cooperating closely" with India on the investigations, he said.

"We are now pursuing those investigations fully," he said while speaking at Chatham House here last evening on 'A Strategic Vision of Pakistan's Foreign Policy'.

"Our relations with India continue to challenge our dream of a peaceful neighbourhood. Following the visit of the Indian external affairs minister in December last year, we agreed in principle to bilateral dialogue - which was previously called composite and now it is called comprehensive dialogue. But then the Pathankot attack happened in January," he said.

India and Pakistan had deferred their foreign secretary- level talks to "very near future" after the Pathankot attack.

Aziz said the Kashmir issue remains a core issue for Pakistan, without which no dialogue can start with India.

"For us, Kashmir issue remains a core issue, without which no dialogue can start. In the last few years, many different options have been explored in terms of finding a solution acceptable not just to India and Pakistan but also the Kashmiri people. My own feeling is that once the dialogue begins and all options are put on the table, you can always find some common ground," he told the audience.

In response to a question, Aziz made a reference to the alleged activities of RAW in Pakistan.

"We have arrested an Indian intelligence operative in Balochistan who was trying to encourage insurgency there. But we still want to resume our composite and comprehensive dialogue, and terrorism is one part of that composite dialogue," he said, referring to the arrest of Kulbhushan Jhadav, who was reportedly detained in Balochistan.

Jhadav has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country.
Pakistan and the UK have agreed to increase their cooperation in combating terrorism, organised crime and illegal migration.

The decision was taken during the Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz's meeting with British National Security Adviser Sir Mark Lyall-Grant under Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD) in London this week.

"In meeting with NSA, both sides agreed to continue their cooperation in the areas of counter-terrorism, organized crime and illegal migration," the FO said in a statement here.

Aziz appreciated Britain's support and assistance in countering the extremist threat and briefed Lyall-Grant on the initiatives taken by Pakistan to improve the security situation in the country.

He also highlighted Pakistan's policy of "peaceful neighbourhood" and briefed him on the steps taken to improve relations with its neighbours including India and Afghanistan.

Lyall-Grant commended Pakistan's efforts to curb extremism and offered Britain's continued support in timely and effective implementation of the National Action Plan.

He also assured of UK's support in capacity building of the security and law enforcement agencies. He lauded Pakistan's role in seeking peace and stability in Afghanistan.

On India, he said that UK was ready for its meaningful role in strengthening regional security and cooperation.

Aziz was in the UK on a three-day official visit to attend the third Ministerial Review of the Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue from 18-20 April.
Parents of abducted kids, including Indian-Americans, will converge in the US capital this week to meet lawmakers and hold a candle light vigil near the White House to seek justice for their children some of whom are allegedly taken to India following their kidnapping.

Parent-led groups 'Bring Our Kids Home' and 'Coalition to Stop International Parental Child Abduction' will reach out to lawmakers to advocate the US and foreign governments, including that of India, to address the growing issue of International Parental Child Abductions, a report said.

Each year over 1,000 cases of American children abducted to other nations are reported and many more go unreported.

"India is the top non-Hague signatory destination of child abductions from the United States and top three overall from the US," the report said yesterday.

Last year, the US State Department cited India as one of the 22 nations showing patterns of non-cooperation in resolution of child abduction cases originating from America.

"This is the second year we will be participating in advocacy efforts along with other parent groups from all over the United States," said Ravi Parmar, one of the parents whose kid has been abducted to India.

"We want to impress upon our governments that parental child abduction is not a 'child custody' issue, and just because a parent wrongfully removes their children from the United States, it does not make it right," he said.

"India does not recognise parental child abduction as a crime, despite decades of evidence that show the detrimental impact on victimised children and left behind families, children rights groups, and legal experts urging India to do so," he added.

The coalition will conduct a Congressional briefing for on April 20, urging legislative changes to address gaps in the US laws and enhancing Congressional oversight on key Federal agencies, including the US Justice Department for its failure to fully implement the International Parental Child Kidnapping Crime Act, which makes parental child abduction a federal felony.

Later in the evening, the parent-led coalition will hold a Candle Light Vigil at the White House, to urge Obama to intervene and seek cooperation from nations, including India, who have shown patterns of non-cooperation in return of abducted American children, the statement said.

On April 22, Bring Our Kids Home will join other coalition partners on the 3rd annual Embassy Walk in Washington, DC for a peaceful march to protest the lack of concerted action by foreign governments where US children have been abducted to.

It will also meet with Indian embassy officials to discuss updates since their last meeting in November 2015 and make a humanitarian appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting urgent action to give left behind parents in the US access to their abducted children in India.
The Bombay High Court today asked the city police to inform it about the action it proposes to take against advertisements in newspapers and websites which allegedly promote prostitution under the guise of offering escort services of women.

Under the laws of the country, prostitution is banned and the advertisements allowing this activity should be stopped forthwith by the police authorities, said a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist Ali Ahmed Siddiqui.

Hearing the petition, a bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka asked the police what steps it had taken against such ads in newspapers and websites.

Sanjay Salunkhe, Police Inspector of Social Service Branch, filed an affidavit saying that Cyber Cell police had obtained an order from a magistrate's court to delete or block objectionable websites on internet which are providing online escort services.

Accordingly, the Cyber Cell of Mumbai police had forwarded a letter containing list of 174 domain/websites to Group Coordinator (Cyber law), Department of Information Technology, New Delhi, informing that the websites were being allegedly used for purpose of prostitution which is a criminal offence.

However, it appears that till date no website has been blocked or deleted by the authorities, the police official said in the affidavit.

Besides, police had registered 25 cases under PITA (Prevention of Immoral Traffic Prevention Act) in the year 2014 on the basis of complaints received from the members of public. The corresponding number was 32 in 2015 and two this year, he said.

The matter has been posted for hearing beyond the summer vacations in June.
Congress today dismissed as "bundle of lies" the BJP's charge that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi gave any direction to the then Home Minister P Chidambaram in the case.

It also sought to take the battle to the ruling party's camp, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah of attempting to "derail" the judicial process in the fake encounter case and asked them to reveal "the real motive behind their desperation to shut down" the ongoing trial.

"Unlike the RSS, Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi never intervened or gave any suggestion to the then Home Minister P Chidambaram or any other person or authority in Government qua any administrative matter including the case," party's chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said in a statement.

Hitting back at Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should "stop perpetuating bundle of lies by using his cronies and pawns to spread falsehoods" about the role of Congress President and Congress Vice-President.

He claimed that by such "mischievous" attempts to hoodwink and divert the attention of people of the country, Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah cannot "put a lid on the truth".

"PM and BJP President owe an explanation to 125 crore Indians to tell the real motive behind desperation to shut down the ongoing trial in case. Let truth and justice be not a casualty in this web of deceit being woven by BJP Minister, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP spokespersons," he said.

Ishrat Jahan and three other accomplices were killed in an encounter by Crime Branch of Ahmedabad Police on 15th June, 2004 on the allegation that they were LeT operatives.

The Congress spokesperson said that the Prime Minister and BJP President need to answer as to "why are they trying to bypass the judicial findings" of Metropolitan Court, Ahmedabad and Division Bench of Gujarat High Court, which have held that it was a fake encounter.

Raising a number of questions, he asked as to why Government of India and Government of Gujarat are not giving sanction for prosecution of officers found responsible for the fake encounter.

"Why are PM and BJP President trying to block an ongoing trial and blatantly interfere with the judicial process? What is it that they seek to hide or are scared of?", he asked.

He said that people of India want to know the motive, the conspiracy and the real reason for repeated attempts to "derail" the judicial process from reaching a final conclusion in Ishrat Jahan case. "PM owes a duty to the nation to tell this," he added.

BJP yesterday suggested that the Congress chief had asked Chidambaram to file a second affidavit in the case as UPA could "tolerate terrorists but not Narendra Modi as Prime Minister".

Party spokesperson Sambit Patra had asked Chidambaram to name the "culprit" who asked him to change the affidavit in which references to Ishrat being an LeT operative and a threat to the life of Modi, then Gujarat's Chief Minister, were made.
Police in south-east DRCongo fired tear gas to break up a demonstration today by 5,000 people in the latest unrest triggered by fears that President Joseph Kabila plans to extend his rule into a third term.

An AFP correspondent in the city saw police tear-gas opposition supporters who had massed in the morning outside the offices of the Unafec party headed by Antoine-Gabriel Kyungu wa Kumwanza.

"Kabila must go", "Come kill us, we've had enough", shouted some of the protesters, who hurled stones at police.

Lubumbashi is the second biggest city of Democratic Republic of Congo, where the authorities are under pressure from the international community to hold presidential elections as planned in November when Kabila's second -- and constitutionally last -- mandate ends.

The country has been in crisis since his re-election late 2011 in elections marred by irregularities and massive fraud.

He first assumed power after his father, president Laurent Kabila, was assassinated in 2001. He took up his first elected term in 2006, under a new UN-supervised constitution which provided for two five-year mandates in the vast nation of some 81 million people.

Yesterday, Unafec's offices in the capital Kinshasa were vandalised while today in Lubumbashi, men claiming to be police tore down pictures of the former governor of Katanga, Moise Katumbi, who joined the opposition in September.
Congress today attacked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for cautioning bureaucrats against playing politics, saying "power has gone to his head".

Party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala compared Kejriwal with former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, alleging Chautala would also threaten bureaucrats and it was a sign of disaster awaiting him.

"Vinash kale vipreet buddhi (destructive thinking in times of downfall)," he said, citing a Sanskrit proverb to attack Kejriwal.

He said both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kejriwal have similar traits as they believed in "concentrating all power".

"Threatening bureaucrats is not decorous. Power has gone to his head," he said.
Dismissing media allegations that he was "workshy", Britain's Prince William, just back from a trip to India and Bhutan, has said that he is ready to take on more royal duties.

The second in line to the throne has been recently referred to by some newspapers as "workshy William" and "reluctant royal" for not clocking up a large number of royal events.

"To be honest, I'm going to get plenty of criticism over my lifetime and it's something that I don't completely ignore, but it's not something I take completely to heart... I take duty very seriously. I take my responsibilities very seriously.

"But it's about finding your own way at the right time and if you're not careful duty can sort of weigh you down an awful lot at a very early age and I think you've got to develop into the duty role," the 33-year-old Duke of Cambridge told BBC on the eve of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday.

He said both his father, Prince Charles, and grandmother fully supported the fact that he was not yet fully engaged with royal duties, but that when the time came to accept more responsibilities he would be the first person to take them on.

William said he was focusing on his role as a father to Prince George and Princess Charlotte and his work as an air ambulance rescue pilot.

"I'm concentrating very much on my role as a father - I'm a new father and I take my duties and my responsibilities to my family very seriously and I want to bring my children up as good people with the idea of service and duty to others as very important. But if I can't give my time to my children as well, I worry about their future, he said.

"Plus... I find the air ambulance role very important to me; it's serving the community, working alongside extremely good professionals in the medical profession. And when the Queen decides she's going to hand down more responsibilities, I'll be the first person to accept them," he added.

In a separate interview for a 'Sky News' documentary 'The Queen At 90', he spoke about his grandmother's support after the death of his mother Princess Diana.

"She's been a very strong female influence and having lost my mother at a young age, it's been particularly important to me that I've had somebody like the Queen to look up to and who's been there and who has understood some of the more, um, complex issues when you lose a loved one... So she's been incredibly supportive and I've really appreciated her guidance," he said.

To give a more personal insight to the Queen as a grandmother, he also recalled the first time he got scolded by the monarch for chasing a cousin into a lamppost while riding a quad bike at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton have just returned from their maiden trip to India and Bhutan.
Tremendous progress achieved in Afghanistan has made the US safer, but still a lot of work has to be done in the war torn country for the advancement of national security interests, the White House has said, a day after a Taliban bomb blast in Kabul killed 30 people.

"There is no denying that tremendous progress that we have made in Afghanistan, it has made America safer. But there are years of work, decades of work that still needs to be done in that region of the world to continue to advance our national security interests," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday.

The White House remarks came as the Afghan capital Kabul was hit by a major terrorist attack.

"The US strongly condemns the cowardly attack on Afghan forces and civilians in Kabul this morning that killed dozens and wounded hundreds. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and their loved ones," he said.

At the outset of this year's fighting season, the US remain committed to support the Afghan people and their government, Earnest said as he called on the Taliban to pursue a pathway of peace instead of continuing a military campaign responsible for the senseless deaths of Afghan civilians.

"We remain steadfast partners with Afghan security forces as we work to promote peace and stability in the region and as we counter the threat of terrorism that affects all of us.

"I do not have an updated assessment in terms of what, if any impact, this attack would have on our military posture going forward. Obviously the President had an opportunity to talk about this at the end of last year. And this will be among the important policy decisions that the incoming President, President Obama's successor, will have to make," Earnest said.

When Barack Obama took office in 2009, he did so vowing to follow through on a campaign promise to ensure that the US and the community was focused on the terror threat that was emanating from this region of the world, he said.

"And the sense was - not just the sense of President Obama, but also the sense of the American people - was that our attention had drifted from Afghanistan and been diverted to the situation in Iraq.

"Obama vowed to recalibrate that situation and to ensure that we were reinforcing our efforts in Afghanistan and in that region of the world where we know the al-Qaeda leadership, under the protection of the Taliban, had carried out the 9/11 attacks against the US," Earnest said.

Obama, he said, has executed a military and diplomatic strategy that has decimated core al-Qaeda, that took Osama bin Laden off the battlefield, and that has supported an Afghan government that is committed to the kind of security approach that we're supporting.

At least 30 people were killed and hundreds injured when a Taliban truck bomb tore through central Kabul yesterday.
The Economic Offences Wing today said close to 20,000 prospective buyers seem to have registered in Maple Group's controversial project which promised one-bedroom flats for Rs 5 lakh, a day after a case of cheating was registered against senior executives of the firm even as the Group today expressed "regret" over the "confusion".

The advertisements published recently triggered a major controversy as they gave the impression that the low cost housing scheme, promising flats at cheaper rates on outskirts of the city, of the builder firm was a part of the 'Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana'.

The developers carried pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Pune Guardian Minister Girish Bapat in newspaper advertisements.

"Prima-facie, approximately 20,000 prospective buyers have registered in the housing project and around Rs 6 lakh were found deposited in one of the accounts of Maple Group, which could have been deposited through online payments by people," said Deepak Sakore, Deputy Commissioner of Police (EOW), who is monitoring the probe.

Police today froze Maple Group's bank account prohibiting officials of the builder firm from carrying out any transactions.

The case of cheating and criminal conspiracy against Maple Group's CMD Sachin Agarwal, MD Naven Agarwal, Sales Manager Priyanka Agarwal and other office staff lodged by police yesterday has been transferred to EOW.

Breaking its silence on the issue for the first time, Maple Group today said they have already started refunding money collected from prospective buyers and also expressed "regret" over the confusion regarding 'Maharashtra Housing Day' advertisements.

"We express sincere and deepest apologies to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Guardian Minister of Pune Girish Bapat and applicants for any harm/inconvenience caused to them due the wrong perception caused by the advertisement and if there are some inadvertent mistakes, we are willing to take necessary corrective action," the company stated in the release.

It clarified that the advertisement was an initiative of Maple Shelters in terms of branding and not a government scheme.

EOW, which is scrutinising documents, has appealed to people, who have registered with the housing project by believing in "misleading" advertisements, to come forward and lodge their grievances with the agency.

To a query when the accused persons will be arrested, Sakore said notices have been issued to them to be present for inquiry.

Interestingly, a controversy erupted when Sachin Agarwal was spotted at a function attended by guardian minister Girish Bapat here yesterday, but allegedly evaded the police by fleeing on a scooter.

Bapat later clarified that he was not aware of the presence of Agarwal at the event.
Punjab government is planning to introduce latest technology in dairy development in order to make it an attractive and remunerative trade across the state.

State Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike said the government would encourage the farmers and youth to adopt dairy development as a venture.

He said the government was imparting short duration job-oriented technical training to dairy farmers.

The 6-week practical training would be imparted at various training institutes from May 10.

There would be interactive sessions with the experts of Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary Sciences, Ludhiana and Dairy Research Organisation Karnal and literature on dairy development would also be distributed on the occasion.

Inderjit Singh, Director, Dairy Development, said the training would be given in dairy development units of Beeja in Ludhiana, Chatamali in Ropar, Gill in Moga, Abul Khurana in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Sardulgarh in Mansa, Taran tarn, Phagwara and Verka in Amritsar.

The youth, to be selected for training, would be interviewed on April 26 at specific training institutes.

The eligibility for the training is a Matriculation qualification and have a dairy farm having at least 5 milch animals.
Coconino Community College nursing, firefighting and emergency medical service students will soon be practicing on a breathing, bleeding, even complaining, patient.

However, he is not actually alive.

With help from grants from the Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff, the Capstone Health Fund and Northern Arizona Healthcare and the Perkins Grant, CCC was able to purchase Trauma Hal, a realistic dummy that instructors can use to prepare students for real-life scenarios.

Director of Nursing and Allied Health Lori Edwards said the dummy costs just over $70,000, and their model is the state-of-the-art technology in the field.

We can simulate a variety of traumas like EMS would see on the highways, Edwards said. For the nursing students, we can simulate systems that the students might not see very often in their clinical situations.

Edwards said the dummy can die to give students practice of what to do in a code situation, which they might not see during the practical portions of their courses.

We can also practice the early basic skills, like taking blood pressure or pulse rates, Edwards said. We want them to know what these things sound like.

Edwards said she or another supervisor can also manipulate the scenario from a laptop, meaning she could cause the blood pressure to change or the breathing to become erratic to train the students for a variety of situations.

We can show them cardiac rhythms and ask what a person would do in each situation, Edwards said.

The dummy comes with a variety of wound kits, including fractured bones, burns and amputations that can be filled with fake blood to actually bleed. The skin on the dummys leg, chest and other areas peels away, so students can see the body parts underneath, like bones, lungs and the heart. The inner elbow area is soft so students can practice starting IV lines.

Edwards said the breathing and heartbeat from the dummy sound extremely lifelike, so students will know what to expect when listening to a real person.

The dummy has a rechargeable battery and can communicate wirelessly with the laptop, so a teacher in another room can manipulate the situation. The dummy also has phrases it can say, like My head hurts, or other complaints about symptoms.

However, a teacher can also use a headset to speak through the dummy, so a student can ask a question, and a teacher can answer for the dummy.

Edwards said fire science and EMT students have already begun to practice basics with the dummy. She said she and David Manning, CCCs Fire Science and Emergency Medical Service Program Coordinator and Instructor, will attend extensive training over the summer to get acquainted with all of the features and abilities. Edwards said she expects students to begin using it in the fall.

Before we can put something in front of students, we have to make sure we all know how to use it, she said.

She plans to train faculty over the summer. She said they know many of the basic functions, but want to try more complex scenarios with it before introducing it into the classroom for nursing students.

Edwards said the dummy will travel to different locations for EMT practice and certifications, as well as renewing certifications for firefighters and EMTs.

The dummy is the first simulator used at CCC, which has used traditional dummies and other classroom materials before. The colleges nursing program recently earned a four-year reaccreditation from the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

CCC spokesman Scott Talboom said the college is looking at other creative and collaborative ways to fund advancements at the college, like the combination of grants that allowed the school to buy the trauma dummy.

So many funding sources were put together to get this, Talboom said. Its a collaborative effort. Theres no way we could have gone out and bought this piece of high-tech equipment without that funding.
Congress vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi arrived here today on a tour to his constituency.

Gandhi landed at Fursatganj airport here and attended a private function at Gauriganj here. He later went to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Munshiganj, where he will stay for the night.

The Congress leader will meet people at a 'janta durbar' and later visit villages in the constituency.

He would leave for Delhi in the evening.
Rajasthan government has decided to recommend a CBI probe into the death of a Dalit girl under mysterious circumstances last month, conceding the demand of her family members days after Rahul Gandhi met them and extended his support.

A senior official said that Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje gave directions in this regard to the Home department on Tuesday following which it sought opinion from the Director General of Police (DGP) today.

"After the directions from the chief minister's office, a letter was sent to the DGP seeking his remarks today. A proposal will now be forwarded to the CBI," Jagdeep Singh, Deputy Secretary of Home Department, told PTI.

DGP Manoj Bhatt said, "I have also made my remarks on the letter".

The girl's family had said that they have no faith in the investigation being conducted by the state police.

The Congress party had taken up the issue, with party vice president Rahul Gandhi comparing it to suicide of Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad Central University and had accused the BJP government of discriminating against Dalits.

He visited the family members of the girl in Barmer district on April 13,where the girl's father said that he wanted a CBI probe into the matter.

Gandhi, who also addressed a Dalit conference in Jaipur on that day, had said that the father of the girl has no faith in the government and the state police and wanted a CBI inquiry.

PCC president Sachin Pilot, leader of Opposition in the state Rameshwar Dudi and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot had also raised the demand for a CBI inquiry.

The girl, who belonged to Bikaner and was pursuing BSTC, a teacher training course, in a private educational institute of Bikaner, was found dead in a water tank on March 30 on the institute's premises.

In the intervening night of March 28-29, she was allegedly found in the room of physical trainer and instructor Vijendra Singh by the hostel warden.

Singh was arrested after the girl was found dead.

The hostel warden and principal were also arrested for not informing the police when she was allegedly found in the instructor's room.
Scientists presented today a life-sized copy, made using a 3D printer, of Oetzi the mummified 5,000-year-old "iceman" found in the Alps 25 years ago.

Pre-existing CT scans were used to make the resin replica which was then sculpted and hand-painted by US artist Gary Staab over many months, the South Tyrol Museum of Archeology, where Oetzi is housed, said.

"The reconstruction of the hands was a challenge, since they could not be captured on CT scans," the museum in Bolzano, northern Italy said.

Three replicas were made, one of which will be part of a travelling exhibition that will tour North America, starting in the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science in Raleigh in October 2017.

The second and the third replicas will be used for teaching purposes at the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center in New York (DNALC).

In what became an archaeological sensation, Oetzi's mummified remains were found high in the Oetztal Alps -- hence the name -- by hikers in September 1991 after being preserved in the ice since the Stone Age.

Clothing and equipment including an axe and a backpack found at the site, as well as the contents of Oetzi's stomach, his DNA and his 61 tattoos gave scientists highly valuable insights into human life at the time.

He died a violent death, killed by an arrow, around the age of 45. He was 1.6 metres (five foot, three inches) tall, weighed 50 kilos (110 pounds), had brown eyes and was lactose intolerant.
Republicans lost a battle today at the US Supreme Court, which rejected their claims that a new voting map for the southwestern state of Arizona illegally favoured Democrats.

A ruling in favor of the challengers could have impacted redistricting efforts that affect elections around the country.

But in a unanimous decision, the eight justices upheld a federal court decision upholding Arizona legislative districts drawn by the state's Independent Redistricting Commission following the 2010 US Census.

The commission was created years earlier by a 2000 voter initiative, and it led to overpopulated Republican-leaning districts and underpopulated Democratic ones.

Citing the one person, one vote doctrine, the challengers had claimed that the end result was diluted Republican votes in the overpopulated Republican districts.

The state legislature is controlled by Republicans in both houses.

In delivering the court's opinion, Justice Stephen Breyer stressed that the US Constitution "does not demand mathematical precision" when it comes to delimiting legislative districts, which must be of nearly equal population.

The ruling rejected Republicans' claim that the plan would favor Democrats.

"We believe that appellants failed to prove this claim because, as the district court concluded, the deviations predominantly reflected Commission efforts to achieve compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act, not to secure political advantage for one party," Breyer wrote.

He cited Supreme Court precedent that allows population deviations below 10 percent. The redistricting commission's plan called for an 8.8 per cent deviation.
Unidentied armed miscreants



looted Rs 20 lakh from a cash van in Bihar's Rohtas district, a police officer said today.

The incident took place late last night as the armed miscreants riding on a bike intercepted a cash van near Karahgar police station while it stopped to deposit cash in an ATM of the SBI and looted Rs 20 lakh from the cash box, he said.

The cashier and security guard travelling with the cash van were being interrogated about the incident, he said.
Amid the contentious debate on nationalism, a senior RSS leader today stressed on the need to carry forward the concept of "Balagokulam" for inculcating the Hindu way of life and a sense of patriotism among children.

The co-incharge of RSS' Communications department J Nandakumar said there is a need to open schools on the lines of 'Balagokulams' for non-Keralite children.

Balagokulam was started in 1975 in Kerala by RSS and was registered as a cultural movement in 1981. Its branches were later opened in some metro cities and were attended mainly by Malayali children. In Delhi, it has completed 15 years.

"Going by today's cultural climate, there is need to open 'Balagokulams' in other parts of the country also among people other than Keralites. Such schools inculcating moral values and cultural education in children could be opened on the lines of 'Balagokulams' in other states," he told PTI.

He, however, said "the Sangh does not have any 'central' plan for setting up such institutions on a large scale as of now."



Nandakumar said the expansion plan is still being discussed.

At present there are around 3,000 Balagokulams across the country, including 2,500 in Kerala alone.

Sources said the Kerala unit of the Sangh, which has also been running these schools in metro cities and in the state, has now been asked to explore the possibility of expansion in other parts of the country.

RSS's communications head Manmohan Vaidya said,"Expansion (of Balagokulam) is a natural process."



The classes will help inculcate in children the Hindu way of life, the sources said, adding that besides teaching them ancient sciptures they will also be informed about dharma and patriotism.

RSS plans to hold a meeting of some social organisations linked to it to help frame syllabi for such schools.

The RSS hailed the demonetisation step of the Narendra



Modi government as a "very bold move".

It acknowledged that the common people faced "some difficulties" due to it, which was "most natural", and added that in spite of that, they showed immense restraint, patience and patriotism, which was commendable.

"The move initiated to curb black money, fake currency and problems created by terrorists using money power was in the right direction and must be welcomed and lauded," it said in its report.

Referring to the army's surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) last year, it said New Delhi was "forced" to go for it since Pakistan was "giving shelter to anti-India forces as a part of its proxy war".

"We congratulate our soldiers and officers for this heroic deed," the RSS report said.

The BJP-led government had indicated its strong will power and also "successfully turned the global opinion against Pakistan", resulting in the cancellation of the SAARC conference in Islamabad, it noted.

The RSS also congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists for creating a world record in space science by launching 104 satellites at one go.
Saudi Arabia executed a citizen for murder today, bringing to 85 the number of people the ultra- conservative kingdom has put to death this year.

Hussain al-Magaafi had been found guilty of fatally stabbing a fellow Saudi following an argument, the interior ministry said in a statement.

The sentence was carried out in the Mecca region.

Most people put to death in Saudi Arabia are beheaded with a sword.

The executions so far this year include 47 for "terrorism" carried out in a single day on January 2.

Amnesty International said Saudi Arabia had the third highest number of executions last year, at least 158.

That was far behind Pakistan, which put to death 326 people, and Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran, which executed at least 977, said Amnesty, whose figures do not include secretive China.

Theb kingdom's latest execution occurred just hours before US President Barack Obama arrives on an official visit.

The British human rights organisation Reprieve urged Obama to raise the case of three young men on death row who were minors at the time of their arrests.

Among them is Ali al-Nimr, nephew of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, who was among the 47 people executed in January.
Global financial would be destabilised if decides to sell off the $750 billion worth of American assets it holds, in protest against a controversial legislation that would allow 9/11 victims to sue the kingdom, the White House has warned.

"What I'll just say in general is our concern is that a hypothetical transaction or series of transactions like this would destabilise the global financial markets," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

Earnest said this when asked about the reported Saudi threat that the kingdom would sell its stakes in the US if the controversial Congressional legislation is passed, and what kind of damage it may cause to the American economy generally.

"That kind of instability and that kind of volatility is not in the interest of any of the advanced economies around the world. Both the US and would be in the category of advanced economies that would not benefit from a situation like that," he said.

"Given our shared interest in protecting the stability of the global financial system, I suspect it's not something that would be considered for long," Earnest said.

Authored by Senators John Cornyn and Charles Schumer, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act would allow victims of the September 11, 2001, massacre and other attacks to sue nations supporting terrorism.

The Obama administration has lobbied Congress to block the bill's passage, according to Obama administration officials. The officials have warned senators of diplomatic and economic fallout from the legislation.

Obama is headed to the later this week.

Earnest said the administration has worked effectively with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners to add important resources to their campaign to counter the Islamic State (IS) group.

"We have worked closely with the Saudis and the Emiratis and other GCC partners to shut down ISIL's efforts to finance their operations," he said using another acronym for the IS.

"Some of the countries that the President will be meeting with have capitals who are a regional financial center, and by blocking or at least countering ISIL's ability to access the services available in those capitals is important to our longer-term success," Earnest said.

There are a variety of ways in which the partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia has been enhanced under Obama's leadership in a way that is good for the US, that is good for US national security, and that's good for homeland security.

"That's always what the President is focused on when he's making these kinds of decisions and when he's engaged in this kind of diplomacy. This is a good example of the President focused on the right goal in pursuit of the kind of common ground that benefits the citizens of both the United States and Saudi Arabia," Earnest said.
The onset of monsoon in India can now be predicted two weeks earlier than the present system using study of changes taking place in temperatures and humidity in the Western Ghats and North Pakistan, a group of European scientists claimed today.

The Indian Meteorogical Department normally announces arrival of monsoon in the last week of May whereas actual onset is around first week of June.

"We forecast monsoon on 125th day of the year, which corresponds to May 5, regardless of the year. Therefore, the time until the real onset varies from year to year. But regardless of the year it is more than 30 days earlier than monsoon onset.

"For withdrawal forecasting, the date when we predict depends on the variations of temperature in the NP region. In mid-July, we give predictions for the mid-late September withdrawal.," lead author Veronika Stolbova from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and the University of Zurich told PTI in an email interview.

Their predication methodology, which scientists claim, will also be offered to the IMD free of charge.

"We are in close contact with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. We are also planning to write to IMD... Tomorrow, we will present this result in one of the largest conferences on Geoscience: the European Geoscience Union, where the method will be presented to a wide audience for the first time," she said.

Accurate predictions help farmer who are able to decide right seeds and sowing time for a better yield which in turn results in better income and increased demand in the economy thereby boosting the industries.
Markets regulator Sebi has allowed as many as 209 entities to set AIFs, pooled-in investment vehicles for real estate, private equity and hedge funds, over a period of 42 months.

The 209 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) have been registered with Sebi since August 12.

Among the newly registered AIFs are Kotak India Real Estate Fund, Ideaspring Capital Fund, IDFC Private Equity Fund and Canara Bank Venture Development Trust.

AIFs are funds established or incorporated in India for the purpose of pooling in capital from Indian and foreign investors for investing as per a pre-decided policy. Under Sebi guidelines, AIFs can operate broadly in three categories.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) rules apply to all AIFs, including those operating as private equity funds, real estate funds and hedge funds among others.

The regulator had notified in May 2012, the guidelines or this class of market intermediaries.

The Category-I AIFs are those funds that get incentives from the government, Sebi or other regulators and include social venture funds, infrastructure funds, venture capital funds and SME funds.

The Category-III AIFs are those trading with a view to making short-term returns and includes hedge funds among others. The Category-II AIFs can invest anywhere in any combination but are prohibited from raising debt, except for meeting their day-to-day operational requirements.

These AIFs include private equity funds, debt funds or fund of funds, as also all others falling outside the ambit of above two other categories.
Flagstaff Sams Club employees got a scare over the past weekend when a customer claimed to have a bomb in his fanny pack.

According to the Flagstaff Police Department report, an employee was manning the customer service desk at Sams Club, located at 1851 E. Butler Ave., when a man in a fedora walked up to her at about 2 p.m. Saturday. The man said he wanted to get a temporary membership card for the store. He gave the employee his Arizona ID and she made him the temporary membership card.

Right before he walked away, the Sams Club employee said, the man pointed to the fanny pack around his waist.

I have a bomb, he said. Dont tell anyone.

The employee was taken aback. After the suspect picked up his membership card and headed farther into the store, she told her supervisor, who called the police. Sams Club was not evacuated but multiple FPD officers and employees searched inside for the suspect. They already had his name because he had given his ID to the customer service employee in order to get his membership card. In-store surveillance footage also captured images of the suspect.

They found the man shopping near the tire center.

At first, he said he had no idea why the police were looking for him. But when they asked about his conversation with the employee at the customer service desk, the suspect admitted he had made a comment about having a bomb. He said it was just a joke and that he did not think anyone else had heard him.

The suspect offered several explanations as to why he had claimed to have a bomb. At first, according to police, the man said he had seen that sort of thing in news stories on television. Later, he claimed his mention of a bomb was in reference to the computers and other electronics at the customer service desk blowing up, although he said nothing appeared to be malfunctioning when he made the bomb comment.

Then, the suspect told officers that on another trip to Sams Club several years ago, he had purchased a box of cereal that contained pieces of glass. He went on to say that when he ate the cereal, it cut his mouth and throat and caused him to lose teeth.

The man allowed officers to search his fanny pack. They did not find any explosives inside it but they did find a pill bottle containing 0.2 grams of marijuana and a medical marijuana card that expired in 2014. The suspect told police his new medical marijuana card was in the mail.

Police determined no one was in any real danger.

Mark Hense, 63, was arrested and charged with simulated placing of explosives, which is a felony. He was also charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession. He was booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility.
Days after BJP was trounced in the crucial Nagar Panchayat and Zilla Parishad polls, Shiv Sena today took potshots at its ruling ally in Maharashtra saying the party's fight for existence in these bodies indicated that people were not benefiting from their governance.

"Expecting that people's sentiments can be bought with power and money, is wrong. BJP's defeat is painful for us as it is an old ally of ours. We never expected that the winds of change would start blowing so soon," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana.'

Read more from our special coverage on "SHIV SENA," Sena takes a dig at BJP over MoUs signed during MII Week

It said BJP ministers were in the habit of making new announcements everyday which have no substance in them.

It is surprising that Congress which has no leadership in the state, and the NCP--riddled with corruption charges--could manage to secure decent gains in the recently held polls, the editorial read.

"Now there will be clarifications (from BJP) that the results of local polls do not reflect the sentiments of people in the state. But there is no point in playing hide and seek now. Since the party has come to power at the Centre, it is expected that right from Gram Panchayat to Lok Sabha, people are in favour of BJP," it said.

It further said that rising waves eventually settle down and the force of blowing air decreases with time. The dust too settles down eventually, Sena mocked.

"If the BJP has to fight for its survival, it should take into account the fact that the fruits of governance are not reaching the people and that loot is happening," the party stated.

BJP won five seats while Congress got 21 seats and the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) bagged 20 seats each in the election to the six nagar panchayats in Maharashtra.

This was the second phase of election for 102 seats after the first round of 345 seats in 19 nagar panchayats in January this year.

The state government had formed 138 new nagar panchayats in 2014 by bifurcating urban areas at taluka headquarters.
The White House has said the two- nation solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict as proposed by US President Barack Obama is unlikely to happen during the remaining nine months of his presidency.

"It is, and that is something that we have expressed in the past, that this is not something that is likely to happen while President Obama remains in office," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said yesterday.

"The extent of the differences between the two sides are significant enough that it is not something that is going to get resolved in the next nine months," he said in a candid admission of the ground realties in the Middle East.

This administration, particularly Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden and President Obama, have all expended significant time and energy and resources to facilitating conversations between the Israelis and Palestinians to find a two-state solution, he noted.

"That is a policy that American Presidents in both parties have pursued, and none have pursued it more aggressively than this administration," Earnest said.

Kerry, he said, is a frequent visitor to the region trying to bring all sides, particularly the Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table in a constructive fashion that could yield a constructive result.

"Unfortunately, that progress did not materialise. And that is a source of significant frustration. There certainly is frustration with both sides that we have encountered. But we have also been clear that the US has long supported the idea of a two-state solution because it has a potential to resolve one of the most combustible flashpoints in an already volatile region of the world.

"But it also happens to be in the clear strategic interest of our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel," Earnest said.

So resolving this question is not just a wished-for legacy item of the administration, he said.

"It is a position that we take and advocate for because of our sincere concern for the national security of our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel. That is what we are focused on. And the inability to make that progress is frustrating," the presidential spokesman added.
BJP Lok Sabha MP Kirit Somaiya today alleged irregularities in the supply of water to tankers by the Shiv Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and demanded an SIT probe into the matter.

Somaiya claimed the Sena is "shielding" the business of water tanker "mafias" in Mumbai, a charge refuted by the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, which is ruling the country's richest civic body in alliance with BJP.

"In 100 days, that is from January 1 to April 10 this year, the BMC has sold 38,999 litres of water to private tanker mafias in the city through 18 water filling points. In this period, 13,424 tankers were sanctioned for use by the Municipal Corporation," he said at a press conference here.

The private tanker owners are buying water at a rate of one paisa per litre from the BMC and selling it at a rate of Re 1 per litre to people, he claimed.

"Mumbai is already facing a water crunch and there is a loss of about 50 lakh litres of drinking water daily due to the unlawful activities of these mafias," he alleged.

"The Shiv Sena knows what is going on. But their Group leader (in BMC), the Standing Committee Chairman and the Mayor have not spoken a word on this," he added.

Somaiya said a few days back he met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanded a high-level probe into the matter. The BJP leader said he also met civic Chief Ajoy Mehta who has assured him of appropriate action.

"I have submitted all relevant documents and sought an SIT probe into the matter. The CM has asked the BMC Commissioner to look into the matter," Somaiya said.

Sena Group leader Trushna Vishwasrao termed Somaiya's allegations of protecting water tanker "mafias" as baseless, but added if irregularities have taken place, the guilty should be punished.

She told PTI, "Somaiya is levelling baseless allegations against us. When the CM has spoken to the BMC Commissioner, why no action has been taken yet? Our members and Corporators are against these mafias and have time and again sought action against them.
Brushing aside worries over any spillover effect of SunEdison's debt woes on India's plans, Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal today set the record straight, saying some firms not doing well will not impact the programme's success.

"There are always certain cases of firms failing all over the world in every industry. There was a point of time where very large airline failed in different parts of the world. You have a failed steel sector in the UK. It doesn't mean that the whole sector collapses," he said when asked about the debt problems being faced by SunEdison.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by industry body CII here late yesterday, Goyal said there are one or two instances of which don't do well or may have some problems.

"But it's not as if only these one or two firms brought the tariffs down. We have 50 who brought tariffs down even below what Sun Edison or Sky Power quoted. So, I don't think it deters us or deflects the success of the solar programme at all," the minister said.

India has very large corporations, both domestic and international, which have won contacts in the solar energy field at even more competitive prices than (Sun Edison and Sky Power), added Goyal, who also holds the portfolio of power and coal.

"And should there be a problem with one or two companies, others will take over those projects... Investors need not be worried about it, bankers are not worried about it. There is enough interest in the market for much larger volumes than what they have taken up in India," he added.

Earlier this month, reports had surfaced that the Adani group is in talks with the US-based renewable energy major SunEdison to acquire the latter's Indian assets.

The group led by billionaire Gautam Adani has asked bankers to sound it out on whether SunEdison is also putting on the block its projects in India.

On the use of coal to generate electricity, Goyal said the dry fuel will continue to be important.

"It's the base load of power in India. We will continue to have coal and newer coal plants coming in. But India is a very responsible global citizen and we working on clean coal technologies," he added.

"We have research going on with Australia on clean coal. I will shortly be tying up with MIT in Cambridge for developing clean coal technologies... Coal will remain mainstay of our energy, but we are open to looking at cleaner coal technologies so that we don't do what the West has done to the environment over the last 150 years," he daid.
Ending a nearly three week-long violent stand-off with Pakistani security forces, hardened criminals of the dreaded Chotu gang including its leader have surrendered and released all 24 policemen taken hostage on their island hideout in Punjab province, police said today.

Ghulam Rasool alias Chotu (leader of the notorious gang) surrendered before the Pakistan Army along with his more than 70 gangsters in Rajanpur district, some 400 kms from here, according to senior police officials.

The army had surrounded the criminals and their families in their island hideout in the centre of the Indus River in the southern part of the most populous province and warned them to surrender.

"Yesterday, the army had given a final deadline to the gang members to release the hostages and surrender.

"Chotu agreed that he and his group members were ready to surrender before the army, provided they were not handed over to the police," a senior police official said.

The criminals' surrender bring to an end a violent stand- off during which the authorities also resorted to aerial strikes. The operation involving 1,600 security officials, including police officials and paramilitary Rangers, were engaged in a pitched battle to take control of the island.

Earlier, more than 100 suspects accused of facilitating the Chotu gang were arrested.

The Pakistani army was called in to join the operation against gangsters after Punjab police's failure to flush them out from the southern part of the province.

At least seven policemen, mostly Elite Force commandos, and as many gangsters, were killed in the shootout while 22 others were taken hostage by the gang during a police raid to clear their island hideout as the criminals demanded 'safe passage' in exchange for their release.

The operation called 'Zarb-i-Aahan', which started nearly three weeks ago in Kacha area of Rajanpur district, had miserably failed as the criminals were taking advantage of the thick forest in the island in the area between Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts of Punjab.

The criminals are said to have the backing of local sardars, parliamentarians and some banned religious outfits.

The security agencies earlier picked up six Baloch sardars in Rajanpur district for allegedly backing the Chotu gang and other criminals.
Strong political relations between India and Mongolia must be complemented by robust ties of trade, economy and investment, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said today.

Mahajan, leading an Indian Parliamentary delegation here to attend a meeting of the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), also appealed to the top leadership and business community here to seize opportunities arising out of India's economic rise.

She said that India and Mongolia share common values and understanding on a range of issues.

Mahajan called on Mongolian President Ts. Elbegdorj during which she recalled that both India and Mongolia enjoy deep and warm relationship and that there is an imperative need to further strengthening and diversifying this relationship.

Earlier, she met Mongolian Prime Minister Saikhanbileg and discussed matters of mutual interest.

She also held a meeting with her counterpart Z Enkhbold, the Chairman of the Great Hural (Mongolian Parliament), in the Government Palace and shared views on a host of issues.

Observing that common values and understanding between the countries have laid the ground for constructive engagement across several sectors, she opined that strong political relations must be complemented by ties of trade, economy and investment.

Later, at a banquet hosted by Enkhbold, Mahajan noted that India and Mongolia have interacted since time immemorial.

"Following the emergence of Mongolia as a modern nation state in the 20th century, the two countries have continued to build relations based on the shared historical and cultural legacy, especially of Buddhism. India also supported Mongolia for membership in the United Nations and to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

"As befits spiritual neighbours, civilisational friends and fellow democracies, today we are also strategic partners," she said.

Mahajan also informed her counterpart that Parliament of India would be happy to share its expertise in strengthening democratic institutions and parliamentary processes to Mongolia.

Lok Sabha MPs Rajendra Agrawal and Heena Vijay Kumar Gavit of BJP, Dr Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Butta Renuka (YSR Congress) are part of the delegation along with Rajya Sabha MPs Shantaram Naik (Congress) and K C Tyagi (JD-U) for the six-day visit beginning April 17.

ASEP, a parliamentary forum, is linked to the inter- governmental dialogue that has been established between Europe and Asia to consider political, economic and cultural issues.

The Asia-Europe meeting is part of the overall Asia- Europe partnership process. It serves as a forum for building inter-parliamentary contacts, exchanges and diplomacy and promoting mutual understanding among the people and countries of Asia and Europe.
In a run-up to the MCD polls, Swaraj Abhiyan, an organisation led by Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, today organised public debate of four probable candidates from the Wazirpur ward.

The organisation, which wants to make this MCD poll from the Wazirpur ward similar on the lines of the US primaries, will back one candidate after people choose their 'lok ummedwar'.

The Abhiyan had shortlisted Sujata Gupta, Amanjyot Kaur, both related to the organisation, and social activists Pankaj Gupta and Ashok Sharma as probable candidates to contest from Wazirpur ward.

The probable candidates also debated on the issue plaguing the ward like the meance of mosquitoes in parks to parking woes in Keshavpuram area today. People also asked the candidates a range of questions on how will they try to solve their problem if they win the election.

Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra also held a public meeting today in Wazirpur in support of AAP at the same time.

"There will be a second round of debate of the candidates in Wazirpur village tomorrow.

"Voters can register to be a part of the voting process on 011-66977661 until 6.30 PM tomorrow. The voting process will end at 5 PM on April 22," the Swaraj Abhiyan leader added.

The organisation has also roped in services of former Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh Noor Mohammad.

Swaraj Abhiyan is not yet a political party, but will announce its decision about this in 2-3 months.
Syrian opposition leaders started leaving Geneva after air strikes on markets in the northwest killed at least 44 people, saying they could not take part in peace talks while civilians were dying daily.

In some of the deadliest violence since a ceasefire took effect in February, a suspected regime bombing raid yesterday hit a market in the city of Maaret al-Numan, killing at least 37 civilians, a monitor said.

Footage showed bloodied bodies scattered among twisted metal stalls in a street strewn with fruit and vegetables.

Another strike on a fish market in the nearby town of Kafranbel killed seven civilians, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group.

The strikes were in Idlib province, which is under the control of Al-Qaeda's Syrian offshoot Al-Nusra Front.

Like the Islamic State group, Al-Nusra is excluded from the ceasefire and regime forces have continued offensives in areas under its control.

The main opposition High Negotiations Committee condemned the strike on Maaret al-Numan as a "massacre" and clear violation of the truce.

"It is a dangerous escalation of an already fragile situation, showing contempt for the whole international community at a time when there is supposed to be a cessation of hostilities," said spokesman Salem al-Meslet.

The raid was "Assad's response" to the HNC's decision to suspend its formal participation in negotiations.

"Our decision to postpone our participation in the Geneva talks was taken to highlight the cynicism of the regime in pretending to negotiate while escalating the violence... The world must not ignore this challenge," said Meslet.

The troubled talks -- the latest in a long series of efforts to end Syria's five-year conflict -- failed to get off the ground this week despite hopes brought on by the ceasefire.

The partial truce, brokered by the United States and Russia, led to a dramatic drop in violence across Syria but a recent surge in fighting, especially around second city Aleppo, has raised fears of its total collapse.

The opposition announced Monday it was putting its participation on hold to protest escalating violence and restrictions on humanitarian access.

HNC coordinator Riyad Hijab said Tuesday that he and other delegates were beginning to leave Geneva.
Taiwan said today it would protest to Beijing and Belgium after its delegation was barred at a global industry conference in Brussels due to complaints from China.

It is the latest bout of diplomatic sparring between Taiwan and China as tensions simmer ahead of the inauguration of Taiwan's president-elect, Tsai Ing-wen, in May.

Beijing does not trust Tsai's historically pro-independence party and ties are predicted to deteriorate.

Although it is self-ruling, Beijing considers Taiwan a province awaiting reunification since the two sides split after a civil war on the mainland in 1949.

Taiwanese officials attending the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) steel symposium in Brussels were barred from a meeting yesterday after China complained to Belgium they were not sufficiently high-ranking, Taiwan's economic ministry said.

Taiwan is not an OECD member but has attended the organisation's steel committee meetings since 2005.

"Our delegation protested on the spot, and pointed out that nearly half of the heads of delegations held similar ranks as us," Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a statement.

The Taiwanese group were unable to enter the meeting because of China's complaint, it added.

"That is an unreasonable and discriminatory act," the statement said.

Taiwan's representative to the European Union has asked the island's Mainland Affairs Council to lodge a complaint with China, it said.

Taiwan's five-member delegation included a section chief from the economic ministry, as well as representatives from the trade bureau and the island's steel sector.

Taiwan is barred from a number of international organisations as Beijing's global dominance has grown and its number of allies is dwindling -- the island now only has diplomatic ties with 22 states.

The Brussels snub comes after Taiwan last week blasted Beijing for being "rude and violent" over the deportation of 45 of its citizens from Kenya to China where they face investigation for fraud.

Taiwan said it will send 10 officials to the mainland Wednesday in an attempt to bring the suspects back to the island for investigation and trial.

The island has also alleged that Beijing sought to deport another group of Taiwanese implicated in telecom fraud in Malaysia.
Tata Steel UK's senior staff are believed to be finalising plans to bid for a management buyout of the Indian group's troubled Welsh steelworks which may require a cash injection of around 100 million pounds.

Stuart Wilkie, managing director of Tata Strip Products UK, is heading the buyout team which is on the hunt for private investors and government support for an official bid for the Port Talbot plant, which employs around 4,000 people.

The team's rescue plan reportedly centres around keeping the blast furnaces going, in contrast to a plan drafted by Indian-origin tycoon Sanjeev Gupta who is working on a bid for the unit by his Liberty House group.

According to UK media reports, Wilkie's bid is based on a "turnaround plan" presented to and rejected by the Tata Board in Mumbai earlier this year. That plan will require a cash injection of around 100 million pounds and could involve Tata employees investing in the business.

Steel union Community said it was open to "discussions" with Wilkie and any management buyout option.

The option has support among a section of workers and others campaigning to save thousands of jobs.

"Tata Steel Europe welcomes credible expressions of interest for Tata Steel's UK operations. It is our policy that we are not naming, confirming or commenting on any potentially interested investor or bidder at this point. All expressions of interest, including any Management Buy Out proposals, will be considered when received.

"In the interests of all stakeholders every credible expressions of interest will enter the same rigorous assessment process to ensure the best value and prospects of sustainability," said a Tata Steel statement issued today.

The company added that advisers to Tata Steel Europe had begun the initial exploration of interest in Tata Steel's UK operations with 190 potential financial and industrial investors worldwide.

Tata has already sold its Long Products Europe business at the Scunthorpe plant to Greybull Capital, which is also eyeing other units of the group's UK business such as Tata's specialty steels arm based in Sheffield, northern England.

Tata Steel employs nearly 15,000 people in the UK at its plants across Port Talbot, Rotherham, Corby and Shotton.

The company decided to exit its UK business last month after suffering losses of up to 1 million pounds a day, largely due to Chinese steel exports forcing down prices in the steel market.

The UK government has been holding talks to find a solution and has indicated the possibility of co-investing with potential buyers, side-stepping calls to fully nationalise the steel industry.

The Tata Group has set a May 28 deadline to find buyers and has said over 190 potential investors have been approached about purchasing the business but kept the details confidential.

Earlier this week, it had announced the appointment of Standard Chartered bank as an additional adviser to run and manage the global sale process, to work alongside KPMG LLP.
Rental fraud

Scammers tricked two young men who were looking for a rental home in Flagstaff.

According to the police report, the victims reported the scam Friday. They told police they had found an ad on Craigslist.com for a four-bedroom, three-bath house for rent in the 900 block of South OLeary Street. When they contacted the person they believed to be the listing agent, he told them he was moving to South Carolina with the military and instructed them to go through his fiance for all transactions. The suspect told the victims to wire a $50 application fee to his fiance via Western Union, which they did.

A few days later, the suspect called them again saying they would need to send a $1,500 deposit and the first months rent. The victims grew suspicious. They drove to the house advertised on the Craigslist ad.

When they got there, they learned the house was for sale, not for rent. The actual real estate agent confirmed the Craigslist ad was fake and they had been the victims of a scam.

The investigation is ongoing.

City and county residents who want to report a crime but wish to remain anonymous may call Silent Witness at 774-6111 or (877) 29-CRIME, submit a tip online at www.coconinosilentwitness.org, or text the word Flagtip along with your information to 274637 (CRIMES). Rewards of up to $2,000 are given for information that leads to an arrest.
Shares of IT major TCS today fell by over 2 per cent despite the company reporting a higher-than- expected 73 per cent growth in its March quarter net profit.

The stock, which opened on a positive note, failed to hold on to the momentum and lost 2.16 per cent to Rs 2,467.70 on BSE.

On NSE, it went down 2.12 per cent to Rs 2,466.10.

"TCS Q4 2015-16 revenues were largely in line with estimates while margins were below expectations," said Govind Agarwal, Research Analyst-Institutional Equities Prabhudas Lilladher.

The country's largest IT exporter, TCS, on Monday reported a higher-than-expected 72.7 per cent growth in March quarter net profit at Rs 6,413 crore and guided towards a stronger 2016-17, saying a majority of its worries are behind now.

The Tata group company had posted a post-tax profit of Rs 3,713 crore in the year-ago period, pulled down by a Rs 2,628 -crore employee bonus.

"We believe that all these (difficult) markets are better than the curve we had in the earlier quarter. I think 2016-17 should be a good year... We can tell you that it would be a strong year," Managing Director and Chief Executive N Chandrasekaran had said.

Industry body Nasscom expects software exports to grow at a slower clip of 10-12 per cent in 2016-17.

For 2015-16, its bottom line grew 22.4 per cent to Rs 24,292 crore while the top line jumped 14.8 per cent to Rs 1.08 trillion, crossing the trillion-rupee mark for the first time.

During the reporting quarter, TCS posted a 17.5 per cent rise in revenue to Rs 28,449 crore under the I-Gaap accounting, while on a sequential basis, it was up at a milder 4 per cent.
Techno Sat Comm today said Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has awarded a 10-year contract to it for providing free Wi-Fi service to commuters and the Internet facility would be launched in the second half of this year.

The company will invest Rs 250 crore to set up the infrastructure, Techno Sat Comm Director Jagdip Rana said.

Ping Network is partnering with Techno Sat Comm as the main licensee for providing content.

"Techno Sat Comm and Ping Network are coming together to roll out what will potentially be India's largest platform to serve content to passengers and work with advertisers, keen to reach Delhi Metro's 2.75 million passengers," the company said in a statement.

The free-to-consumer service will be launched in the second half of this year, it added.

A DMRC spokesperson confirmed that an MoU was signed in October last year for the same.

Rana said the service will be free for customers and it will generate revenue through advertising.

The company said Wi-Fi service will ensure a 50 Mbps (3 times 4G) minimum speed to passengers' devices while the maximum speed could potentially go up to 1.6 Gbps.

Techno Sat Comm, said it already runs Wi-Fi on the Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani Express train and will use a solution deployed on superfast rail networks in Europe to deliver high speed broadband internet experience.

"We have adapted the technology to India keeping in mind adverse weather conditions including heat, dust, heavy rains, vibration of trains and large passenger loads," said Nirav Dave of Techno Sat Comm.

Ping will be building the front-end customer interface as well as the content pipe.

Delhi Metro passengers across the NCR region will be able to experience high speed broadband by logging onto the internet via a dedicated app.

This app will also display the location, approach and destination stations on a real-time basis and help navigate between different lines.

Techno Sat Comm said it already has significant learnings from the pilot project on the Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani Express.

"The Rajdhani Wi-Fi despite being a pilot project with lower bandwidth sees close to 250 users of the 1,000 passengers on the train at any time," Dave added.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav today supported RJD chief Lalu Prasad's backing of Nitish Kumar as Prime Ministerial candidate but evaded a direct reply when asked who would be better choice for the post between Kumar and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

Asked to comment that his father and RJD President Lalu Prasad has supported Nitish Kumar for the PM post, Tejaswi Yadav told reporters "Why not? He is honest and has a clean image."



Besides, being Chief Minister for five times he (Kumar) has been a minister at the Centre too, younger son of Prasad said.

"Why cannot a man with such a vast experience and a vision for the country be considered as 'PM material'?" he asked.

When asked as to who would be a better Prime Ministerial candidate among Nitish Kumar and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Tejaswi Yadav evaded a direct answer and said the country would decide this.

Prodded as to whom would RJD back for the PM post in future among the two, he said "a decision would be taken when time for it comes."



"Why to make this an issue now...When time for it will come a detailed discussion would be held and a decision taken by the party," the Bihar Deputy CM said.

RJD President had yesterday supported Nitish Kumar's call for "sangh-mukt" country and appeal to non-BJP and RSS parties to unite. Prasad had also backed Kumar for PM post.
Diagnostics company Thyrocare Technologies today fixed the price band between Rs 420 to Rs 446 crore for its initial public offering (IPO) to raise approximately Rs 480 crore.

"We have fixed the price band from Rs 420 to Rs 446 per equity share to raise funds through IPO of 100 per cent offer for sale. At upper price band, we will raise around Rs 480 crore," Thyrocare Chairman A Velumani told reporters here.

The company's IPO will hit the capital markets on April 27 and is scheduled to close on April 29.

The firm, which runs a diagnostics laboratory chain across the country, will come out with a public issue of up to 10,744,708 equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash.

The offer for sale is being made by the selling shareholders. Agalia Private Ltd will offer upto 10,207,472 equity shares, Sundararaju HUF and A Velumani HUF will offer 180,000 equity shares each and up to 177,236 equity shares will be offered by Anand Velumani.

Thyrocare competes with diagnostics chains such as Dr Lal PathLabs, SRL Diagnostics, Metropolis Healthcare and Apollo Clinic.

"Our strategy is to further grow our business by expanding our network of regional processing laboratories (RPL) to cater to a larger number of cities across the country. We have opened five RPLs in New Delhi, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Bhopal," Velumani said.

The company is also developing a network of molecular imaging centers for cancer diagnosis.

After the completion of the offer, the promoters and the promoter group will own approximately 63.96 per cent of equity share.

Last year, several healthcare firms like Alkem Laboratories, Dr Lal PathLabs and Narayana Hrudayalaya had hit the capital market, while HealthCare Global Enterprises got listed on the stock exchanges last month.

The company has proposed to list its shares on both BSE and NSE.

The issue is being managed by JM Financial Institutional Securities, Edelweiss Financial Services and ICICI Securities.
US Republican frontrunner Donald Trump's new top campaign aide Paul Manafort lobbied for a group charged for operating as a front for Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI and received USD 700,000 from it, a media report has said.

The company of Paul Manafort, who was recently hired by Trump campaign as its convention manager allegedly received USD 700,000 from the Kashmiri American Council (KAC) between 1990 and 1995, Yahoo reported.

The money was received by Black, Manafort, Stone & Kelly, which was Manafort's lobbying firm.

Ghulam Nabi Fai, the head of Kashmiri American Council, was sentenced by a US court for two years of imprisonment on charges of receiving money from ISI and working on its behalf.

The fund USD 700,000 was part of the USD 4 million given by ISI to Kashmiri American Council, as alleged by federal prosecutors during court proceeding.

The ISI has denied the allegations. The US Government never charged Manafort, who was registered as a lobbyist.

Manafort during a trip to Islamabad in 1994 presented plans to influence members of Congress to back Pakistan's case for a plebiscite for Kashmir, the report said.

The report quotes an unnamed former Pakistani official, who was part of that meeting.

Internal budget documents obtained by the FBI show plans by the Kashmiri American Council to spend USD 80,000 to USD 100,000 a year on campaign contributions to members of Congress, it said.

"There is no way Manafort didn't know that Pakistan was involved with the KAC," the former official said was quoted as saying by the report.

The Trump Campaign did not respond to questions sent on the allegations against Manafort.
A 24-year-old truck driver was found dead on the Western Express Highway in the district, police said today.

The decomposed body of one Ahmad Aslan was found on April 18 from inside a cabin of a truck in Vival Wedhe village near a Mahalaxmi temple, Deputy Superintendent of Police Jawhar division Pradeep Jadhav said.

The body was lying unattended since April 14 and a passerby felt an uneasy smell while he was passing by the truck. Following this, he informed police, Jadhav added.

Police rushed to the spot and recovered the body, which has been sent for post-mortem, the officer said.

Prima facie, the truck's cleaner might have attacked the driver with a screw driver on his head and killed him, police said.

According to a complaint filed by Sukmani Transport of Haryana, the victim was working with it as a driver.

He had loaded cotton bales from Navi Mumbai and could have been killed when he was going to the Northern state.

A case under relevant sections of IPC was registered in this regard and efforts are on to nab the cleaner, they said.
Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton today won the potentially game- changing New York primary as the front-runners wrested back control of the US presidential race on their home turf to position themselves close to securing an outright nomination.

The emphatic wins give Clinton and Trump edge over their rivals Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz and solidify their front-runner status after a series of losses recently. It also resoundingly answers questions about their command of the White House race.

Trump's win means he could sweep the state's 95 delegates and position himself to win the Republican nomination without going through a contested Republican convention in July.

Clinton's win means that it could blunt Sanders' momentum once and for all and leave him with a tough decision on how to proceed as she extends her overwhelming lead in the Democratic race.

With 98 per cent of the vote in, 69-year-old Trump was in the lead at 60.5 per cent while Kasich was at 25.1 per cent and Cruz at 14.5 per cent.

With 98 per cent of the Democratic votes in, Clinton was leading Sanders 57.9 per cent to 42.1 per cent.

Trump's big victory in his home state gave him renewed momentum in the Republican race and pushed him closer to the 1,237 delegates required to win the nomination.

According to a CNN estimate, the business tycoon-turned- politician held 847 delegates, while Ted Cruz had 553 and John Kasich had 148.

Across the aisle, Clinton was leading with 1,930 delegates including 1,443 pledged delegates and 487 super-delegates. Sanders had a total of 1,223 delegates including 1,183 pledged delegates and 40 super-delegates.

A Democratic candidate needs 2,383 delegates to secure the nomination.

"Today you prove once again there is no place like home...This win is personal," said the 68-year-old former secretary of state, joined by her husband ex-president Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea, in her victory speech. "The race for the Democratic nomination is in the home stretch and victory is in sight."



Calling out Trump and Cruz for their remarks against Muslims and women, she said, "Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have a vision for our country that's divisive and dangerous -- rounding up immigrants or banning Muslims is just not who we are."



"Threatening to ban Muslims" and treating American- Muslims like "criminal" go against "everything America stands for," she said.

"We are about lifting each other up, not tearing each



other down. Our country is at its best when we come together -- no one knows that better than New Yorkers," Clinton said.

In a passing reference to Sanders, Clinton said it was not enough to just diagnose the problem. "America is a problem-solving nation. We have set progressive goals for creating more jobs and providing dignity and pride," she said.

Clinton, who was senator of New York for eight years, was comfortably beat 74-year-old Sanders.

Sanders in a tweet said that he was looking ahead to the five northeast states that vote on April 26.

"Thank you to all those who came out tonight in New York! Onward to five more states voting next week," he tweeted.

Trump also appeared like a different candidate in his victory speech at his Trump Tower in Manhattan. His speech focussed on jobs and trade and the economy but did not mention Clinton.

"We don't have much of a race anymore," Trump said to applause and cheers from his supporters. "Sen Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated."



Trump told the cheering supporters that he will focus on bringing jobs back from Mexico and "all other countries" and invest in US military and its veterans.

Flanked by his family, friends and business associates, he said he will use America's great business people to negotiate "unbelievable trade deals so we bring our jobs back.

(Reopens FGN 21)



Political pundits here believe, Trump despite having the largest number of delegates in his kitty is still far short of the magical figure of 1,237 delegates he needs to have before the Cleveland convention in July to become the Republican presidential nominee.

Trump, is now eyeing at the Republican primaries next Tuesday's in the States -- Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island -- where 172 delegates are at stake.

Latest polls indicates that Trump is leading in most of these States.

Well aware of the high stakes in these States, the Republican front runner is scheduled to campaign heavily in these States.

Even if he does not do so, in all likelihood he would enter the July Convention with the largest number of delegates.

The entire strategy of Trump's two remaining rivals Cruz from Texas and Ohio Governor Kasich is to prevent Trump from hitting the target of 1,237 delegates.

By doing do, the Cruz and Kasich campaigns hope that given Trump's rhetoric and his antipathy with the establishment, the delegates would vote against the New York thus opening up opportunities for them.

On the Democratic side, Clinton after her victory in her home State of New York, appears to be all set to become the party's presidential nominee.

Clinton now has 502 super delegates, who are mainly party officials, have pledged their support to her. But they can change their vote even at the last moment.

Sanders campaign believes that they can still manage to get the necessary delegates in the rest of the States to win the party's nomination.

Latest polls show, Clinton is leading in most of the Democratic primaries to be held in States of Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump has the support of a record 40 per cent Republican voters while his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton is engaged in a tough national contest with Senator Bernie Sanders, according to a latest poll.

Trump has the support of 40 per cent of the Republican primary voters and is followed closely by Senator Ted Cruz with 35 per cent and Ohio Governor John Kasich with 24 per cent, according to a latest opinion poll by NBC and The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, in the Democratic party, Sanders (46. 3 per cent) has all but eliminated Clinton's (47.7 per cent) primary polling lead, it said.

However given the advantage Clinton has in the delegate count, it would be a tough task for Sanders to prevent the former Secretary of State from becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.

"As she is finishing this primary, she is not gaining strength. The cracks are showing, and she is losing strength," said Bill McInturff, a Republican pollster who conducted the survey with Democrat Fred Yang.

However, in a hypothetical match-up Clinton defeats Trump with 50 per cent to 39 per cent.
Turkey could easily call off the migrant deal struck with the European Union if visa rules for Turks aren't relaxed within the next two months, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said today, sounding a warning over a controversial deal which has stemmed much of the human tide across the Aegean Sea.

The March 18 deal stipulates that anyone arriving on Greek islands from Turkey will be sent back unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. For every Syrian sent back, the EU will take another Syrian directly from Turkey.

In return, Ankara was granted billions of euros to deal with the more than 2.7 million Syrian refugees already living in Turkey and promised a loosening of the visa regime governing Turkish citizens.

Comments carried by the Anadolu Agency quoted the prime minister as saying that if Brussels did not hold up its end of the bargain by June then "no one would expect Turkey to adhere its commitments."



Davutoglu sounded the warning on his way to Strasbourg, France where he addressed lawmakers at the European Council today.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected a report by the European Union's parliament that criticized democratic shortfalls in the country, and warned that the "EU needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the EU."



Speaking to local official in Turkey Erdogan disputed the report, endorsed by the European Parliament last week, which criticized the Turkish government's moves to muzzle freedom of expression and reported a "regression" in its democracy.

Addressing local officials on Tuesday, Erdogan said the EU report was prepared with a "destructive understanding." Davutoglu's speech boasted about Turkey's magnanimity, saying that "if there was a test on humanity globally, Turkey would be the only country to pass the test."



He said Turkey had "fulfilled all its commitments" but that Europeans had yet to deliver all the promised funds.

He said crossings from Turkey into Greece were down to 60 or even sometimes zero people per day. "This is a huge achievement," he said, speaking through an interpreter.

The International Organization for Migration says Greece has seen fewer than 70 arrivals per day in the past 10 days, down from nearly 1,500 of arrivals per day before the deal was struck.
The UN was struggling to keep troubled Syria peace negotiations on track, as the opposition suspended its "formal participation" in the talks in protest at escalating violence on the ground.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Barack Obama meanwhile agreed to help strengthen a fragile ceasefire in Syria, seen as essential to paving the way towards a lasting deal to end the bloodshed.

With fighting surging around Syria's second city Aleppo and negotiations in Geneva stalled over the fate of President Bashar al-Assad, the opposition said they had had enough.

"Since these talks began in Geneva, the Assad regime has worsened the situation on the ground," Salem al-Meslet of the main opposition High Negotiations Committee said in a statement.

The group said the talks must be placed on "brief hold in order to end the Assad regime's truce violations", accusing the regime of more than 2,000 violations of the ceasefire since it began on February 27.

"The HNC remains fully committed to the political process and establishing peace through diplomacy," Meslet said. "We remain in Geneva ready to engage in serious talks."



HNC coordinator Riad Hijab said earlier it was "unacceptable" for the negotiations to continue while Assad's regime continues to "bombard and starve civilians" in Syria.

The regime responded by accusing Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar -- all backers of the opposition -- of seeking to derail the negotiations.

"The Saudi, Turkish and Qatari sponsors do not want to stop the bloodbath in Syria and do not want a political solution in Syria," the regime's lead negotiator in Geneva, Bashar al-Jaafari, said in an interview late yesterday with Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen.

Jaafari added that the opposition and the countries that support it are "annoyed because of the progress being made by the Syrian army on the ground".

But UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura insisted the ongoing round of indirect discussions, which began on April 13, would continue through the week as planned.

The HNC may continue to meet UN staff at their hotel "to pursue technical discussions", including on a political transition in Syria, de Mistura said.

The UN envoy stressed that the indirect talks format -- which has seen the HNC and Assad's representatives meet separately with UN mediators -- created flexibility to continue the discussions.

But the opposition's announcement is a clear blow to the already precarious negotiations aimed at achieving political transition, a new constitution, and presidential and parliamentary elections by September 2017.

The landmark ceasefire negotiated by Russia and the US in February dramatically curtailed violence across much of Syria, raising hopes that a lasting deal could be struck to end the five-year civil war.
Randy Champagne, a part-time Flagstaff resident, has spent the past nine summers teaching survivalist courses in Boulder, Utah.

Hes used to living off the land, trapping animals and creating his own shelter out of whatever he can find. But when he was transplanted to the northern tip of Vancouver Island last fall to live alone in the wilderness, Champagne said he was immediately out of his element.

He had to fish in the ocean, deal with terrain far different from the Southwest and seek out plants and animals he had never encountered before.

And the whole time, he had to film himself.

Thats because 29-year-old Champagne was one of 10 contestants on The History Channels survival series Alone.

Carrying minimal supplies, the contestants only goal was to outlast their peers for a $500,000 prize. The premier of the shows second season debuts on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The circumstances were a test of ingenuity. Champagne had to figure out how to find his own food and build a shelter. He did the latter by fashioning a structure out of trees and a tarp that was supposed to be used to keep his camera gear dry.

Food-wise, Champagne survived on almost nothing. Summers plants were almost all withered and dead so the entire time he ate a couple of crabs, a couple of fish, a couple of mice and that was essentially it, he said. He estimated that his food intake was in the single digit percentages compared to what he normally eats.

It was the most exhausted Ive ever been, Champagne said. My body was quite literally starving, I could feel it was breaking down.

It took him several frustrating days to figure out how to catch a fish, which bait to use and how to sink a line to the right depth using driftwood and styrofoam salvaged from the ocean, he said.

Everybody has gone fishing but when you have just the ocean and a line and some hooks and you dont know what to use for bait and you dont know what things are biting, you just dont know, he said.

As far as supplies, he was allowed to bring only 10 items chosen from a pre-set list that included a pot, fishing line, an axe and a knife.

The other twist to the show was that in addition to surviving in the wilderness, the contestants had to film every element of their life. There were no cameramen or producers shadowing their every move, so each person was equipped with six cameras to do the job themselves.

The task of filming himself constantly was both a blessing and a burden, Champagne said.

There were times when that task was super frustrating because he would have to set up shots to film himself completing various tasks during his day. If he was walking through the forest, searching for animals to hunt, he would have to set up his camera, walk by the camera, then pack it up and keep walking. If he saw something interesting, he would have to set up his camera again to show viewers what he was seeing. In one instance he saw a squirrel and was about to get out his bow to pursue it until he remembered he had to set up his camera first. By the time he was done filming, the squirrel was nowhere to be seen.

Other times, though, filming himself proved therapeutic. He would set up the camera and talk about the challenges he was going through and how much he missed his family and his home.

It gave me something to talk to, he said.

MOVING WEST

Champagne grew up just south of Detroit, far from any sort of wilderness. Each fall though, his family would travel up to a cabin in northwest Michigan and go bow hunting for white tailed deers. Champagne loved waking up with the sunrise, spending hours outside and connecting with the process of hunting his own food. The wilderness calmed him, he said.

Years later, after two years of college in Michigan, Champagne was still searching for the right career path. He decided to head west to Boulder, Utah, in 2007 to take a two week wilderness survival course through the Boulder Outdoor Survival School. He was hooked.

It was amazing being out on the land and pushing myself, being hungry and being thirsty, he said. I was like this is something I was searching for.

That led to a long-term gig with the school. He now teaches week long to month long courses in wilderness skills and primitive survival, where people learn how to find food and water, build shelter, make a fire and navigate the landscape with only the bare minimum in equipment  a knife, a blanket, a poncho and a few other items, he said.

Flagstaff is his home from October through April. He does odd jobs here, like tanning hides, and said what draws him back is a love of the town and a core group of friends. He also plays rugby with a local team.

He learned about Alone after the shows production company called the Boulder Outdoor Survival School. He was drawn to the rawness of the experience the show was offering and knew he had the skill set and the training to compete so he decided to apply for a spot on the show.

He made the cut and in September found himself on a bush plane flying to Vancouver. He was the youngest contestant on the show.

During the most difficult moments, the challenge was as much physical as mental, he said.

I had to not overwhelm myself saying, Im so screwed. I had to move past it, he said.

There were times when life was miserable, but overall the experience was a good one, he said. It also reaffirmed his own life path.

It was one of the most beautiful, amazing experiences of my entire life, he said. It put a lot of things in perspective and continued to sort of engrain that Im doing the right thing with my life.
The UN began evacuating hundreds of wounded people from besieged Syrian towns today in a rare sign of humanitarian progress amid faltered peace talks and a fraying ceasefire.

In Geneva, the Syrian government said it was pushing on with indirect negotiations, calling the opposition's freeze on its participation "absurd theatre".

The anti-government High Negotiations Committee this week suspended its participation in the UN-brokered talks until it could see progress on political transition and humanitarian issues.

Today, the UN secured the evacuation of dozens of people needing medical attention from four besieged towns as part of a complex humanitarian mission.

"Plans are underway to evacuate some 500 people including the sick, wounded and their family members" from four besieged



Towns "in urgent need of life-saving medical attention," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

On the outskirts of the rebel-held town of Madaya, seven large white buses carrying evacuated residents stopped along a route lined by shrubbery.

Dozens of men, women and children got out of the bus and were checked by security officials before boarding once more, an AFP journalist said.

A similar operation had occurred earlier outside nearby Zabadani, where 25 men were transported out of the town, the journalist said.

The simultaneous evacuations were taking place Wednesday from rebel-held Zabadani and Madaya near Damascus, and the government-held towns of Fuaa and Kafraya in northwest Idlib province.

Madaya shot to infamy in December 2015 when dozens of residents starved to death.

Aid deliveries to the four localities always occur simultaneously and in equal amounts, and a similar stipulation applied on Wednesday for those being evacuated.

More than four million in Syria live in besieged or hard-to-reach areas, with limited or no access to food or medical supplies.

The UN has long pressed Damascus to grant unrestricted access to these areas, and has asked all sides to end besiegement.

Despite fierce criticism, the regime frequently denies passage to aid convoys or limits what kind of assistance can enter.

The dire humanitarian situation has played a major role in the opposition walking away from the troubled peace talks in Geneva.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging the Security Council to press Morocco to restore the UN mission's role in the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

Ban warned in a report obtained by AFP today that staff cuts ordered by Rabat will weaken the MINURSO mission and "can be expected to be exploited by terrorist and radical elements."



"I call on the Security Council to restore and support the mandated role of MINURSO," said the report sent to the council yesterday.

"The risk of a rupture of the ceasefire and resumption of hostilities, with its attendant danger of escalation into full-scale war, will grow significantly in the event that MINURSO is forced to depart or finds itself unable to execute the mandate that the Security Council has set," he said.

Morocco expelled 83 civilian staffers of MINURSO a month ago and shut down a military liaison office, severely crippling operations in what was once a 500-strong mission.

The move was in response to a visit by Ban to the region during which he used the term "occupation" to refer to the status of Western Sahara, a term fiercely rejected by Rabat.

Ban's appeal to the Security Council put pressure on France, Senegal and Spain which have been in close contact with Morocco over the fate of MINURSO.

While the council has called for the mission to continue its work, it has been divided on the way forward.

Council members are to vote on April 28 on whether to renew mandate of the mission, which was established in 1991 after a ceasefire ended a war that broke out when Morocco sent troops to the former Spanish territory in 1975.

In his report, Ban said the mission should stay on for a further 12 months, until April 2017.

The UN chief warned that downsizing MINURSO will have "significant implications for the stability of the region as well as the credibility of the Security Council and United Nations peacekeeping" worldwide.

Diplomats have raised concerns that concessions to Rabat will embolden other governments unhappy with a UN presence to take action.

Morocco maintains that Western Sahara, which it forcibly annexed in 1976, is an integral part of its kingdom despite a UN resolution that tasks MINURSO with organizing a referendum on the future of the territory.

Sahrawis have long campaigned for the right to self-determination and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a full member of the African Union.
Strongly condemning the "cowardly" terrorist attack in Afghanistan that killed at least 30 people, the US today called on the Taliban to pursue a pathway of peace instead of continuing a military campaign responsible for the "senseless" deaths of Afghan civilians.

"The United States strongly condemns the cowardly attack on Afghan forces and civilians in Kabul this morning that killed dozens and wounded hundreds," said Ned Price Spokesman of the National Security Council.

The US reiterated its commitment to support Afghanistan.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and their loved ones. At the outset of this year's fighting season, we remain committed to supporting the Afghan people and their government," he said in a statement.

"We also call on the Taliban to pursue a pathway of peace instead of continuing a military campaign responsible for the senseless deaths of Afghan civilians," Price said.

The US will remain steadfast partners with Afghan security forces as it works to promote peace and stability in the region, and as they counter the threat of terrorism that affects all, Price said.

In a separate statement, the State Department Spokesman John Kirby sent his deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured.

"This incident underscores the harm the Taliban and other violent extremists continue to inflict on the Afghan people. Attacks like these only deepen our support for the people and Government of Afghanistan, and their efforts to bring security and stability to Afghanistan," Kirby said.

At least 30 people were killed and hundreds wounded when a Taliban truck bomb tore through central Kabul and a fierce firefight broke out today. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a densely crowded neighbourhood.
A senior US official accused Burundi's government of being behind the central African country's prolonged political crisis, saying that the administration was doing everything possible to stop Washington helping civilians.

Burundi has been in turmoil since April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term, which he went on to win in July, with violence leaving hundreds dead.

"The government of Burundi is the driver, not the victim of this current crisis, whether it's on the political side or the economic side," Thomas Perriello, US special envoy for Africa's Great Lakes region, told a press conference in the capital Bujumbura yesterday.

"The government is doing everything it can to make it impossible for us and other partners to continue to support the Burundian people and the Burundian economy."



The opposition, as well as civil groups and some of Nkurunziza's own supporters, accuse him of violating the constitution and the Arusha peace deal that ended Burundi's 1993-2006 civil war -- a conflict that claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.

Violence over the past year has left more than 400 people dead and forced more than 250,000 people to flee Burundi, and watchdogs have repeatedly sounded the alarm.

On Monday, UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said his team had recorded at least 345 cases of torture and ill-treatment in Burundi since January and nearly 600 over the past year, and warned that the actual numbers were probably higher.

"These shocking figures are a clear indicator of the widespread and growing use of torture and ill-treatment by government security forces," Zeid said.

Perriello said there had been "concrete pledges from the president himself, just a few weeks ago, about the release of political prisoners -- we have not seen that.

"We saw a pledge from the president himself about 200 African Union monitors, and there continues to be games played," he added.

The US envoy said there was "systematic documentation" of torture and extrajudicial killings "at a time where the government says they are committed to making sure that Burundians feel safe for returning to their country".

"This is the kind of double speak that doesn't build confidence in the government or the path forward," he added.

"A lot of the cards are in the hands of the government, whether or not they are interested in trying to solve the economic and political crisis by delivering on the pledges that they've made on the highest level."



Perriello was in Burundi after a tour that took him to France, Switzerland, Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
US forces have conducted a raid on a senior Islamic State figure in Iraq, the Pentagon said today, the latest such assault by specialist commandos on a mission to kill or capture IS leaders.

Sunday's raid at an undisclosed location in northern Iraq targeted Suleiman Abd Shabib al-Jabouri, Baghdad-based US military spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said.

He worked as "one of ISIL's military emirs and an ISIL war council member," Warren told Pentagon reporters in a phone call, using an acronym for the IS group.

"Al-Jabouri's removal will degrade ISIL's leadership network and impact their ability to coordinate attacks and defend ISIL strongholds," he added.

The Kurdish regional security council said in a statement that Jabouri was killed in the raid, which the Kurds said occurred Monday.

"Al-Jabouri, also known as Abu Saif, was a member ISIL's military council, supervising the group's activities in South Mosul and Makhmour. In the joint operation, two of his aides were also killed," the statement read.

The raid was conducted by Kurdish fighters and elite US special operations troops deployed to Iraq as an "Expeditionary Targeting Force," or ETF.

Military officials keep the ETF's whereabouts secret, saying that discussing missions puts the elite fighters at risk.

The group works extensively alongside local Kurdish fighters.

Last month, Pentagon officials announced the ETF had captured a "significant" IS operative whose detention was expected to yield intelligence leading to the apprehension of other IS targets.

The United States has for the past 20 months led an international coalition against IS fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Monday announced several measures to help Iraqi security forces as they try to retake territory from the jihadists, including extra cash for the Kurds, additional US advisors and attack helicopters that could be used in an eventual battle for Mosul.
The United States provided assistance to Bangladesh in its investigation that unearthed the plot to abduct and kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son in the US, a senior American official has said, a day after the police claimed to have uncovered the conspiracy.

"The United States Department of Justice responded to the Government of Bangladesh's request for legal assistance related to this case," the official told PTI.

The remark was made in response to a query about reports that the Justice Department and the FBI provided evidence of links of opposition BNP mouthpiece Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman to the plot to kill Hasina's son Sajib Wajed Joy, 44.

The official, however, refused to give further details of the nature of the assistance provided to Bangladesh.

"As a general matter, when the US government shares law enforcement information as part of a request for legal assistance, we do not comment on it," the official said.

"For questions about the Government of Bangladesh's investigation, I'd refer you to the Bangladeshi authorities," the official said.

Bangladesh police yesterday claimed to have found evidence about links of two detained pro-opposition senior journalists to abduction and murder plot of Hasina's son in the US.

Journalist Shafik Rehman, 81, an editor and an adviser to ex-premier Khaleda Zia, has been detained over the plot and is being quizzed by the police.

For 62-year-old Mahmudur, in jail since 2013 under several other charges, legal procedure is underway to secure a court order for his remand for interrogation, police has said.

In 2015, a New York court convicted US-based BNP leader Mahmud Ullah Mamun's son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar for bribing former FBI agent Robert Lustyik to get information about Joy's activities in the US.

According to media reports, middleman Johannes Thaler and the FBI agent were convicted by the US court after Caesar admitted that he intended to 'scare,' 'kidnap' and 'hurt' Joy.

There are also allegations that some top leaders of the BNP and its allies met in the UK, the US and in the capital's Paltan and other parts of the country before September 2012 and conspired to abduct and kill Joy.
The US has been joined by the EU and several other nations in calling for urgent actions to address the glut in the steel industry mainly because of China's overproduction that has led to a global crisis.

Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and US Trade Representative Michael Froman yesterday said several economies have come together to issue a statement that includes steps to address the issue of excess steel capacity.

The statement comes a day after Pritzker and Froman expressed their disappointment that at the High-Level Meeting on global excess capacity in the steel sector, certain countries, including China, prevented a broad consensus in support of commitments to meet this challenge.

"We are pleased to announce that today a number of the economies participating in this week's High-Level Meeting agreed on a joint statement that presents our shared views on the challenges of excess capacity facing the steel industry and workers and proposes a series of steps to address these challenges," they said in a joint statement.

Canada, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Turkey have all joined the US in issuing the statement in support of urgent action, they said.

"It is our shared goal that other economies, including China, will come to recognise the value of these actions and will join our collective effort to address the causes of the current excess capacity problem," the two officials said.

The United States will continue to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with trading partners, including China, to take meaningful action to meet that goal, Pritzker and Froman said.

Speaking in the Senate, Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden alleged that over the past few decades, China has used market-distorting subsidies and industrial policies to prop up their own industries and rip off American jobs.

"While China's steel mills are churning out more steel than ever, American steel towns are suffering or worse. Thousands of jobs nationwide have been lost just in the last year. Even though one third of all steel produced today has no buyer, China continues adding to the glut by producing more steel," he said.

The same story is playing out in the case of primary aluminum: there's a huge overcapacity in China driven by market distorting government policies, he claimed.

"And it unleashes a chain of events that ends in economic devastation across this country. Global aluminum prices have plummeted, undercutting American firms," Wyden said.

The dumping of China's excess capacity overseas amid allegations it subsidises its steel firms has led to a global glut.

Last week, tens of thousands of German steel workers hit the street, demanding more measures against the dumping of cheap Chinese imports and greater job protection.

Britain's largest steel producer Tata Steel has announced plans to pull out of the country, threatening 15,000 jobs. The Tata Steel crisis was also blamed on China for flooding the market with products at artificially low prices.
The US has expressed concern over China landing its military jets on a man-made island in South China Sea and asked Beijing to keep its prior commitments not to deploy military aircraft at its outposts.

"We're aware that a Chinese military aircraft landed at Fiery Cross Reef on Sunday in what China described as a humanitarian operation to evacuate three ill workers," Pentagon spokesman Capt Jeff Davis told CNN after reports appeared that China has landed a military jet on a man-made island in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

"It is unclear why the Chinese used a military aircraft, as opposed to a civilian one," Davis said.

"We urge China to reaffirm that it has no plans to deploy or rotate military aircraft at its outposts in the Spratly's, in keeping with China's prior assurances," he said.

China said it landed a military aircraft on this newly build island for the first time to evacuate three critically ill construction workers.

However, experts here have described this as China asserting its military power in the South China Sea.

The Chinese move comes days after the US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter landed abroad a US aircraft carrier, which experts said was aimed at delivering a message to China.
Hoping that Saudi Arabia understands their shared interest in protecting the stability and security of the international financial system, the White House has threatened to veto a bill that would allow the 9/11 terror attacks victims to sue the Saudis.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly threatened to offload its USD 750 billion investment if the Congress passes the legislation.

"It's difficult to imagine a scenario in which the President would sign the bill as it's currently drafted," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily conference yesterday.

President Barack Obama, he said, believes that the most effective way to advance the interests particularly as it relates to countering violent extremism and counter terrorist organisations around the world, is to use American military where necessary to protect the American people but to try to work cooperatively with other countries around the world to advanced our shared interest.

"Since 9/11 we have seen a genuine focus on the part of the Saudis to counter those who seek to propagate extremist ideology. We recognise and the Saudis now recognise just how dangerous that is, and the US and Saudi Arabia now work together to counter those who seek to advance these ideologies," he said.

"We do that in a way that demonstrates the ability of our two nations to cooperate, particularly on issues that are important to national security of the citizens in both our countries," he added.

"I feel confident in telling you that the Saudis recognise the shared interest that the US and Saudi Arabia have in protecting the stability of the international financial system," he said when asked about the reported threat by Saudi to withdraw USD 750 billion it has invested in the US market.

Obama is headed to the Saudi Arabia later this week.

"I don't know that this issue is going to come up in their meetings, in part because I'm confident that the Saudis recognise, just as much as we do, our shared interest in preserving the stability of the global financial system," he said.

"Our concerns about this law are not related to its impact on our relationship with one particular country. In fact, our concern is about an important principle of international law, the whole notion of sovereign immunity is at stake," he added.

"It is one that has more significant consequences for the US than any other country. The concern that we have is simply this: it could put United States, and our taxpayers, and our service members and our diplomats at significant risk, if other countries were to adopt a similar law," he said.
The US Supreme Court ruled today that Iran must pay nearly USD 2 billion in frozen assets to victims and relatives of those killed in attacks blamed on the Islamic republic.

In a 6-2 ruling, the court upheld a 2012 federal law over the distribution of Iranian bank assets, finding that the US Congress had not usurped the authority of lower courts in passing the legislation.

More than 1,000 Americans are affected by the decision, which relates to the 1983 bombing of Marine barracks in Lebanon, in which 241 US Marines were killed, and other attacks.
PHOENIX  The failure of Secretary of State Michele Reagan to properly monitor last months presidential primary is grounds to have the results voided even if it wont change the outcome, an attorney challenging the results told a judge Tuesday.

Michael Kielsky cited what he said were of irregularities in how several counties handled the election. Those range from the long lines in Maricopa County to voters in Pima County and elsewhere being told their political party registration had been changed. And he said Reagan knew or should have known.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David Gass said he will hear the specifics of those arguments on Monday  assuming he does not first grant motions by the state and counties to dismiss the case. But Gass questioned why he should even hear the case, given that John Brakey, Kielskys client, is not alleging that the results of the Republican, Democrat or Green Party primaries would have been different.

I dont and would never condone someone not being allowed to vote improperly, the judge said. But Gass said it appears everyone was equally disenfranchised. And that means there is no evidence that any one candidate might have done better or worse had the voting problems not occurred.

Kielsky said the fact the election results would still have Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein as winners of their respective party primaries is irrelevant and a legal distraction.

The conduct of elections has to comply with state law, the attorney argued. And Kielsky said nothing in the law that says those challenging elections have to prove there would have been a different outcome.

We tell the voters, the people at large, you have a voice, you have a voice in your government, you have a voice in helping select your leaders, Kielsky said, only to have that undermined by how the election was conducted.

There appear not to be a lot of factual disputes.

The failure of Maricopa County to set up more than 60 polling places is a matter of record, as is the fact that some people had to wait five hours after the polls closed to cast their ballots. Others apparently were discouraged and left without voting.

It also is unquestioned that some people who showed up were told that they could not vote because county records listed them as political independents. Election officials have suggested some of that occurred when people changed their addresses online and assumed that would not change their party status.

There is, however, also a separate allegation that some voting machines may not have been properly calibrated.

The lawsuit names not only Reagan but also election officials in the states 15 counties.

But Gass pointed out that Brakey is not asking him to order the counties to conduct a new election. In fact, there are no allegations of impropriety against several of the counties.

Kielsky told the judge to simply focus on Reagan.

He said state law makes Reagan the states chief election official. He said even if she delegates the duties to run the election to each county, that doesnt relieve her of the responsibility of ensuring that the counties have complied with election laws.

And what that means, Kielsky argued, is that Reagan acted improperly in certifying the election results without first ensuring that no county broke the law. He said Reagan cannot simply rely on the results she got from each of the 15 counties and then say, Im going to put my rubber stamp on it.

Based on the evidence were going to be able to present, you couldnt have done that, Kielsky said he will argue about Reagans actions. You knew or should have known this election was not a proper election, was not conducted according to Arizona law.
The US Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Iran must pay nearly USD 2 billion in frozen assets to victims and relatives of those killed in attacks blamed on the Islamic republic.

In a 6-2 decision, the court upheld a ruling in favor of relatives of the 241 US Marines and other American service members who died in the 1983 bombing of barracks in Beirut, and other attacks blamed on Iran.

More than 1,000 Americans are affected by the decision.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the court's opinion rejecting the Iranian central bank's efforts to block payments to relatives of the victims.

It was a win for President Barack Obama's administration and for Congress, which passed a 2012 law ordering Iran's Bank Markazi to turn over bond assets it held in a New York bank account.

Iran argued the law was unconstitutional as it violated separation of powers, with lawmakers ordering a particular result in a legal case, but a federal court rejected that claim and backed the law.

The Supreme Court agreed with the lower court.

The 2012 law "does not transgress constraints the Constitution places on Congress and the president," Ginsburg said in delivering the majority opinion from the bench.

She said there was "no violation of separation-of-powers principles, and no threat to the independence of the judiciary."



Chief Justice John Roberts filed a dissenting opinion, in which Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined.

Several months before signing the 2012 bill into law, Obama had also signed an executive order freezing all Iranian assets, potentially freeing them up for seizure.

At the time, he pointed to the "deceptive practices of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks."



The case before the court had marked a rare alliance between Obama and both houses of Congress, which are controlled by his Republican foes.

There are only eight justices currently sitting on the court following the death in February of Justice Antonin Scalia. So far, Senate Republicans have refused to schedule hearings on Obama's nominee to fill the ninth seat.

That leaves the court short-handed and evenly split between justices who lean conservative and those who tend to back liberal positions.

Since Scalia's death, the top court has already deadlocked in three opinions, meaning their rulings set no new national precedents and leave lower court rulings intact.
At "Ground Zero" in Africa's counterterrorism fight, senior US officials warned of deepening links between the Islamic State and Boko Haram and prodded Chad's ruling strongman to introduce reforms for the sake of long-term stability.

But in a rare appearance before foreign journalists at his presidential palace, Chadian President Idriss Deby indicated he wouldn't help in the US-backed effort to install a unity government in Libya, his country's northern neighbor, a former foe and an incubator for Muslim extremist groups.

The visit to Chad by America's UN envoy, Samantha Power, and top US military officials such as Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc, commander of special operations in Africa, highlights the country's precarious position dealing with a multitude of hostile militant groups and unstable neighboring governments.

It also underscores the impoverished, land-locked country's growing geopolitical value. Boko Haram has launched attacks on Chad's territory from its base in Nigeria to the southwest.

The Islamic State and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb lurk in chaotic and lawless Libya to the north. To the east is Sudan's Darfur region; to the south is the Central African Republic, still recovering from years of interethnic conflict



The Boko Haram-IS nexus may pose the greatest immediate threat. Although Boko Haram pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State last year, the operational connection has been unclear.

Bolduc said the groups clearly share "tactics, techniques and procedures," from the way they conduct complex ambushes and set improvised explosive devices like roadside bombs, to how they undertake high-profile attacks on hotels.

Suggesting the relationship is expanding, he said Chad on April 7 intercepted a "large cache of different types of weapons" sent from Libya and intended for the Lake Chad region.

These included small arms, machine guns and rifles. "You can, I think, draw a conclusion," Bolduc told reporters.

The implication was that the weapons were sent by the Islamic State, which has established a foothold along Libya's Mediterranean coast, near the city of Sirte.
In a hard hitting broadside against DMK president Karunandihi, DMDK chief Vijayakanth today mocked at him for aspiring to be Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister for the sixth time.

Stating that people of Kulithalai are good, he said they had elected Karunanidhi decades ago with hopes.

Karunanidhi was first elected from here in 1957.

"Kulithalai has a history and this place was the springboard of Kalaignar (as Karunanidhi is referred to) and you elected him as you believed him to be good," he said.

He then made a remark and added, "What can be done?"



Mocking the nonagenarian DMK leader, "See, he wants to be Chief Minister for the sixth time even at this age (92)... See his desire."



Alleging that illegal sand mining was rampant in the area, he said, "You know who is behind it" and referred to the name of an opposition party leader.

Attacking AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, he said though the ruling party had "money power", the DMDK-PWF combine had the support of people with "strong hearts".

"This is not an election. This is a war between the good and bad. We six parties (DMDK, MDMK, CPI(M), CPI, VCK, TMC) represent the good and the other two parties (AIADMK and DMK) represent bad," he said.

He also said this was a "war between dharma and adharma" and urged the people to support the DMDK-PWF combine.

"For me, cadres are important and they are my strength. They and I will forgive enemies, but not betrayers," he said in an apparent reference to rebel DMDK leaders who were allotted three constituencies by the DMK.

Former DMDK functionaries led by V C Chandrakumar were expelled from the party after they nudged the leadership to ally with DMK. They later founded the "Makkal DMDK," and were given seats by DMK.

In an election meeting in Bodinayakanur, Vijayakanth's wife Premalatha said the DMDK-PWF front is now the prime contender for power and people have "accepted" the combine to ensure the development for Tamil Nadu.

Once the DMDK-led front is voted to power, "sand mining which is (allegedly) rampant will be ended", she said.

The party, meanwhile, announced a change of candidate in Kanchipuram constituency replacing Shanmugasundaram with C Ekambaram.
Volkswagen executives should voluntarily forego their bonuses for moral reasons given the massive engine-rigging scandal, the head of the works council at the embattled German carmaker said in a newspaper interview today.

"This is also about morals," Bernd Osterloh told the business daily Handelsblatt.

Nevertheless, he was aware that "waiving the bonuses for ethical reasons is primarily a voluntary matter for the executive board," Osterloh added.

Public debate is currently raging in Germany over whether top executives at Volkswagen should be paid generous bonuses.

At the centre of the controversy is the question whether VW executives are entitled to the performance-related bonuses for 2015.

The group's chief executive Matthias Mueller had been quick to prescribe belt-tightening to the carmaker's 600,000-strong workforce in the wake of the global scandal that erupted six months ago when it emerged that VW had installed emissions-cheating software into 11 million diesel engines worldwide.

The costs of the scandal are still incalculable but are expected to run into many billions of euros (dollars) as a result of fines and lawsuits.

VW, which is expected to post a loss running into many billions of euros for 2015, could also announce a waiver in the dividend payout to shareholders for the first time since the early 1980s.

Last week, VW announced that its top executives were willing to accept "sharp reductions" in their annual bonuses.

The details will be agreed at a supervisory board on Friday and published in VW's annual report on April 28, the carmaker indicated.
A batch of women activists were allegedly manhandled by a group of locals while they were trying to enter into the sanctum of Trimbakeshwar Wednesday, following which the police booked 200 persons.

Former president of Trimbakeshwar Municipal Council Anagha Phadke is also among those booked, police said.

Talking to reporters ,Vanita Gutte, president of Pune-based 'Swarajya Sanghatana' said, "I was standing along with our women activists in the queue since 5 am to gain entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the . We also followed the dress code - wearing wet cotton clothes - for the purpose."



"The entry into the sanctum sanctorum is restricted between 6 am and 7 am, the time that has been fixed by the trust. However, some local priests and women deliberately stood in the queue before us and obstructed us from entering the sanctum. They also manhandled us," Gutte added.

Thereafter, the activists lodged a complaint with Trimbakeshwar police against the priests and women.

"200 persons, including the former municipal president of Trimbakeshwar, have been booked under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 341 (wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention)," Inspector of Trimbakeshwar police station H P kolhe said.

Police will go through the CCTV footage and will take action in this regard, he said.

The Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust recently decided to allow women into the famous Lord Shiva temple's 'garbha griha' (sanctum sanctorum) for an hour everyday, but with a rider that they must wear wet cotton or silk clothes while offering prayers in the core area.

On April 14, based on a complaint by Gutte that they were being obstructed from entering the temple, police had registered offences against nearly 250 people, including members of the temple trust, some local priests, and temple workers, under relevant sections.
Women drivers are not physically able to drive quickly enough in Formula One, the sport's supremo Bernie Ecclestone suggested at a conference in London.

"I don't know whether a woman would physically be able to drive an F1 car quickly and they wouldn't be taken seriously," the 85-year-old told an audience at Advertising Week Europe.

But he predicted a rise in female chief executives, saying: "Women are more competent and they don't have massive egos."



There are currently no female drivers in Formula One, with test driver Susie Wolff, who retired last November, the last woman to be employed in a driving capacity by an F1 team.

But women have enjoyed greater success at boardroom level, with Claire Williams notably the current deputy team principal at Williams.

In a wide-ranging interview with F1's non-executive director Martin Sorrell, the outspoken Ecclestone also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin "should be running Europe".

He said that comments he had made in praise of Adolf Hitler's leadership methods in a 2009 interview were taken out of context, but reiterated that the Nazi leader "got the job done".

He also declared that he was "100 percent" in favour of Britain leaving the European Union ahead of the June 23 referendum on the matter and said that immigrants had not made a contribution to British life.
India has made "significant improvement" in broadening female representation on the board of top 100 companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, said a study released here today.

According to the joint study entitled "Building Diversity in Asia Pacific Boardrooms", female board representation increased from 7.3 per cent in 2013 to 8.6 per cent in 2014.

It was 5.8 per cent in 2012 and is estimated at 12 per cent for 2015.

"Three countries in the Asia Pacific region, namely Australia, India and Malaysia, showed significant improvement in broadening women representation on boardsacross the companies. A combination of government initiatives has contributed to the increase in these countries," the study said.

"Indian companies, for instance, have been swift to respond to the Company Act by drawing on their existing networks," said the joint study by Korn Ferry, a global people advisory, and National University of Singapore Business School's Centre for Governance Institution and Organisation (CGIO).

The Company Act, which required all listed companies to have at least one woman on the board, has helped enable this broadening female representation, said the study.

India's corporate boards without women has decreased from 44 per cent in 2013 to 29 per cent in 2014.

The highest number of female board members, at 17.5 per cent, were in the Telecommunication Services, followed by 11.6 per cent in Information Technology and 9.6 per cent in Financials, the study said.

The lowest, at 4.9 per cent, was in Industrials.

Speaking to reporters at the study launch, Korn Ferry managing director Alicia Yi said,"regulatory and government push has increased women representation" in the Indian corporate boardrooms.

She described it as a significant development in women empowerment in India.

Women make up 10.2 per cent of the directors in companies across 10 Asia Pacific economies covered by the study, up from 9.4 per cent in 2013 and 8 per cent in 2012, the study said.

Female board members in Australia increased from 18.6 per cent in 2013 to 21.9 per cent in 2014.

In Malaysia, women in boardrooms increased from 8.3 per cent in 2013 to 12.5 per cent in 2014, driven by the government set target of having 30 per cent by this year.
President Xi Jinping today called for enhancement of China's internet defence capabilities to ensure online security and protection of key information infrastructure.

Xi, who heads the central Internet security and informatisation leading group, made the remarks while presiding over a symposium on the topic.

Internet defence capabilities should be enhanced, Xi said, adding that securing the online environment is a common responsibility for all of society and requires commitment from the government, enterprises, social organisations and all netizens.

Security is a prerequisite for Internet development, and development will also safeguard Internet security, Xi, 62, said.

Stressing on a correct outlook of cybersecurity, Xi urged on accelerated development of a system to protect key information infrastructure and ensure online security.

He also called on the industry to achieve more breakthroughs in core Internet technology.

"More personnel, material and financial resources should be put toward research and development of core and strategically important technologies," Xi said.

He called on entrepreneurs, scholars, scientists and technicians in the industry to work together towards the goal.

"New technology is the achievement of civilization and we will never resist its development as long as it helps improve productivity and the people's lives," Xi said.

Xi is the head of the ruling Communist Party of China and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

The leading group's deputy heads Li Keqiang and Liu Yunshan also attended the symposium.
In part 1, I had explained why the Logistics Support Agreement between India and the US is held up due to turf battles within the Indian government, CISMOA & BECA are a different cup of tea. The grouse here is that they somehow compromise our existing tactical and strategic information sharing datalinks. Thats jargon for if we sign this the Americans will snoop in on our most secret communications, divert our missiles mid flight, and worst case scenario pass on our shortcomings to the Pakistanis. Some have even suggested that Russia will cancel its lease ...
82, 1933-2016, passed away the morning of April 16, 2016, at the home of his granddaughter (Angela) surrounded by loving family. Joe was born and raised in the Flagstaff area, and entered the US Army at 18 years old. He served during the Korean War earning a purple heart as well as other decorations for valor. Joe returned home, married Helen Lira, and operated a barber shop in the south Phoenix area for many years. Later, he became the proprietor of El Parajito on S. Central which brought in popular Hispanic bands from the Southwestern US and Mexico. Joe is survived by his daughter, Monica Colombe (Bob); son, Ronald Sanchez; Brother, Benny; Sisters, Cecelia and Eleanor; 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces/nephews. Joe was preceded in death by wife, Helen (Lira) Sanchez; sons, Ricky and Ralph; and grandson, Ricci.
By Diane Bartz

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The former president of a U.S. joint venture of Nishikawa Rubber Co <5161.T> pleaded guilty on Wednesday to fixing the prices of weather stripping and other auto body sealing products and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

The Justice Department said Keiji Kyomoto had been indicted in October 2015 for working with two other people to rig bids for auto body sealing products for cars made in the United States. He also agreed to pay a $20,000 fine.

The department did not identify Kyomoto's former employer but he had previously been working for Nishikawa. The FBI said he was president of an unnamed joint venture that manufactured and sold automotive body sealing parts.

The Justice Department and antitrust enforcers around the world have had a long-running investigation into price-fixing of auto parts. Thirty-eight companies and 58 executives have been charged as part of the investigation.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Bill Trott)
The company now expects procedures using da Vinci robots to increase 12 percent to 14 percent in 2016, helped also by a favourable outlook for prostate and gynecological surgeries, executives said on a conference call. Intuitive previously forecast procedure growth of 9 percent to 12 percent.

In the first quarter, procedures using da Vinci robots rose 17 percent worldwide from a year ago, driven by growth in U.S. general surgery and overseas urological surgeries.

Growth in hernia repair was robust, and the robot saw continued adoption in colorectal surgery, executives said. The company is also focussed on expanding use of the robot in thoracic procedures, particularly complex cancer cases.

"You are seeing both clinical and economic benefits with robotic surgery use in these procedures," said Canaccord Genuity analyst Jason Mills.

Excluding one-time items, Intuitive said it earned $4.42 a share. Analysts on average expected $4.33 a share, according to Thomson I/B/E/S.

Net profit for the quarter rose to $136 million, or $3.54 a share, from $97 million, or $2.57 a share, a year ago.

The company's net quarterly profit had been projected at $3.43 a share, according to Thomson I/B/E/S.

Revenue rose 12 percent to $595 million.

The company shipped 110 da Vinci systems in the first quarter, up from 99 units in the year-ago period.

The company said it had made steady improvements in reducing product costs, including for surgical instruments, and expected to make additional progress this year and in 2017.

Intuitive is also boosting spending on research and development, particularly in the areas of imaging and analytics, Chief Executive Gary Guthart said in an interview.

Intuitive is now the only maker of robotic surgical systems for the U.S. market, but is expected to face competition in the next few years from Medtronic Plc , a startup funded by Johnson & Johnson and Alphabet Inc's Google, and others.

Guthart said the company's focus on developing cost-effective technologies that improve outcomes for patients had not changed.

"As competitors come in, they are going to have to work within that same framework," Guthart said.

(Reporting by Susan Kelly in Chicago; Editing by Bernard Orr and Peter Cooney)
By Yuka Obayashi and Osamu Tsukimori

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese trading company Mitsubishi Corp will post its first ever annual loss for the year to March 31, it said on Thursday, hurt by huge writedowns from a slump in commodities.

Along with its domestic rivals and major international oil and mining companies, Mitsubishi Corp has been caught off guard by steep falls in the prices of goods from oil to iron ore as China's economic growth has slowed.

Mitsui & Co Ltd on Wednesday predicted its first net loss since after the slide in energy and metal prices forced it to book 260 billion yen ($2.31 billion) in writedowns, Sumitomo Corp more than halved its full-year profit forecast last month and Marubeni made 73 billion yen of writedowns for the April to December period .

Mitsubishi Corp's group net loss is now forecast at 150 billion yen, against a previous estimate for a 300 billion yen profit, as it plans to take an impairment loss totalling 430 billion yen, its biggest such loss.

That will mark the first consolidated net loss since the company was established in 1954, a spokesman said.

"The resource prices have fallen more than we had anticipated," President Ken Kobayashi told a conference. "We've taken losses on all the assets with potential writedown risk as of now."

Accepting responsibility for the results, Kobayashi is taking a 50 percent pay cut while all other executives have had bonuses scrapped, but the company kept to its annual dividend forecast of 50 yen per share.

The 430 billion yen impairment losses include a 280 billion yen writedown on a stake in Chilean copper company Anglo American Sur and 40 billion yen on the Browse liquefied natural gas project in Australia.

"The copper losses reflect our revised long-term price estimate to below $3 per pound," Kobayashi said, adding that its assumption for the coming year is set at $2 per pound.

To cope with the commodity downturn, Mitsubishi could opt to sell non-core resource assets such as ferrochrome, aluminium and bauxite, he said.

Nomura Securities analyst Yasuhiro Narita said that writedowns by Mitsubishi and Mitsui had been expected but that the size of the losses were bigger than forecast.

"Trading firms will need to focus more on the areas where each of them has a strength," he said.

Analysts have said that hefty losses from weak markets could deter Japanese trading houses from investing in energy and metals projects.

Shares in Mitsubishi fell 4.1 percent to end at 1,920.0 yen before the announcement. Shares in Mitsui, which unveiled its revision after the market closed on Wednesday, lost 7.5 percent, underperforming a Nikkei index down 0.6 percent.

($1 = 112.6400 yen)

(Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori and Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Stephen Coates, Joseph Radford and David Goodman)
By Tom Arnold and David French

DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is close to securing a $10 billion, five-year bank loan, the government's first significant foreign borrowing for over a decade, as the world's top oil exporter seeks to fill a record budget gap caused by low crude prices.

The kingdom had initially aimed to raise between $6 billion and $8 billion, but the Ministry of Finance increased the amount after drawing substantial demand, sources said on Wednesday.

They said the loan was expected to be signed before the end of April with lenders including U.S., European and Japanese banks. Two sources said the pricing was around 120 basis points above the London interbank offered rate (Libor).

The size of the loan and its pricing reflect improved investor sentiment towards Saudi Arabia since January, when its currency came under pressure because of concern about the ability of its economy to survive an era of cheap oil.

Since January, oil prices have rebounded to around $40 a barrel from under $30, while Saudi officials have been putting together a complex plan to raise more non-oil revenues and diversify the economy.

Bankers said institutions also wanted to take part in the loan because that would help them bid to arrange an international bond issue that Saudi Arabia is expected to conduct after the loan, perhaps later this year.

Governments and companies around the Gulf Arab region are scrambling to raise funds abroad as low oil prices cut flows of new petrodollars into their economies.

In January, Qatar obtained a $5.5 billion loan at 110 bps over Libor, while Oman secured a $1 billion loan at 120 bps above that benchmark.

A banking source said lead arrangers of the Saudi loan included JP Morgan, HSBC and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi. Each was contributing around $1.3 billion, with the remainder coming from other lenders, the source said.

JP Morgan and HSBC declined to comment and nobody was immediately available to comment from Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi. Nobody was available to comment from the Saudi central bank or the finance ministry.

(Additional reporting by Archana Narayanan in Dubai and Marwa Rashad in Riyadh; Writing by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Arkema expands Bostik polymer modified binder capacity in Philippines

This new facility represents the latest development in Bostik's international expansion following recent plant openings in Mexico, the US, India, Brazil and Malaysia

This new facility represents the latest development in Bostik's international expansion following recent plant openings in Mexico, the US, India, Brazil and Malaysia

Bostik, the specialty adhesives business line of Arkema, has expanded its cementitious powder production capacities, based on its world-class polymer modified binder (PMB) technology, with the start of a new plant in the Philippines. As a global adhesive specialist for construction, consumer and industrial markets, Bostik will be able to serve construction customers in the high growth Mindanao and Visayas regions with a new manufacturing plant in Misamis Oriental.



This facility is the Bostiks latest plant opening in South East Asia and will manufacture products including tile adhesives, wall finishing products and other construction systems.



These productions are based on Bostiks polymer modified binder (PMB) technology which remains a focus of its ongoing innovation, research and development activities.



Jeffrey Merkt, senior vice president of Asia, Bostik, said, We are pleased to continue Bostiks expansion in the Philippines with the opening of this new plant. Development in high growth geographic regions is one of the central components of our growth strategy and this new facility will enable us to significantly grow our construction business in this important market.



Bostik has been active in the Philippines since 2005. This new facility represents the latest development in its international expansion following recent plant openings in Mexico, the US, India, Brazil and Malaysia.

BS B2B Bureau
The tongue-in-cheek and seemingly innocuous comment by eminent lawyer Harish Salve in the Supreme Court in 2014 raised the hackles of opposing counsel Indira Jaisingh. "The interjections by the learned senior counsel ... are always delightful," Salve had said, referring to Jaisingh, a noted jurist.

Jaisingh took umbrage at the use of the word "delightful". She wondered whether Salve would use a similar expression for men and described it as a "sexually coloured" comment. "She may well be right ... the evaluation of a charge of sexual harassment would depend on the manner in which it is perceived," the judge observed later.

Vishal Kedia, founder of compliance advisory company Complykaro, cites several such examples to highlight the subjectivity in interpretation of sexual harassment. There is an urgent need to spread awareness about the issue, particularly at the workplace, he says. And Complykaro does precisely that - helps companies comply with the requirements of the Sexual Harassment Act 2013. "I believe going forward, enforcement will only get stronger and the chalta hai attitude of India's social environment will become a challenge in the new compliance regime," he says. It is a business opportunity Kedia, 42, wants to tap.

Building a team

Kedia, a finance graduate, decided to launch Complykaro in 2014 and scouted for more partners. He found an ally in his lawyer friend Prem Rajani, Managing Partner and founder of Mumbai-based law firm Rajani Associates. Rajani got Sangeeta Lakhi on board, a Senior Partner in his firm, and both of them took on the role of the subject matter experts for the company. Kedia also brought in his 46-year-old brother-in-law Ashish Singhania who runs a stock broking and investment firm in Mumbai. The four of them then started Complykaro in September 2014.

The roles were clear. Rajani and Lakhi would be at the back end providing legal expertise. Singhania would manage the operations and Kedia would focus on client acquisition and business development.

Initially, the four shortlisted two new Acts that would affect companies - Whistleblower Protection Act 2014 and the Sexual Harassment Act 2013. "During the research, as we talked to companies we found they didn't need any elaborate compliances for getting around the Whistleblower law. They could just assign the duty to an in-house officer and be done with that," says Rajani. But what needed a lot of attention from employers was the Sexual Harassment Act, he points out. It was the trigger for the Complykaro team to zero in on the sexual harassment law, according to Kedia.

In fact, in December 2014, Kedia and his partners conducted a survey on whether companies understood the provisions of the Act. They met 500 companies, with offices at Nariman Point and Lower Parel in Mumbai, the bastions of corporate India. What they found was startling - 97 per cent of the companies were not aware of the law.

End-to-end solutions

Complykaro helps companies with end-to-end solutions for complying with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment law - from framing an internal policy to conducting training and awareness programmes for employees. And this differentiates them from competition, according to Kedia. "Our competition is mostly companies giving legal advice or there are diversity consultants doing sensitisation of employees. We wanted to be a company that does both." It also provides customised solutions for companies as per their requirement. "A compliance advisor providing mentoring, training and end-to-end services is a boon and also prevents the promoter/founder from the complexities around dealing with multiple service providers and commit defaults due to the inability to monitor the checks and measures," says Archana Khosla, founder partner of law firm Vertices Partners.

Complykaro provides training through workshops, using videos, case studies and everyday examples, in groups of 30-45 employees. The company charges between `15,000 and `25,000 for a three to four hour session. It is Kedia who travels 12-15 days a month for such sessions. But, since classroom training can be cumbersome, Complykaro also provides online training modules in English and Hindi. This 45-minute interactive training module is provided to companies at a fixed cost per user. The amount varies according to the number of employees. For companies with less than 200 employees, it is `250 per user which reduces to `100 for more than 500 employees.

Scaling up

It wasn't easy initially for Complykaro's team to get clients even though the market for their services appears huge. Most companies approached by Kedia and his team felt that the law is unfair to male employees and, if they spread awareness, women will misuse it. So, they targeted professional associations. They reached out to Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, the Press Club of Mumbai, Public Relations Council of India and ASSOCHAM and other professional bodies. It helped them get new clients without any promotional activity.

The business model

The founders are clear that they dont want to raise venture funds to scale up quickly. "We want to get the business model right rather than distract ourselves with investors," says Singhania. The four co-founders have jointly put in Rs 1.5 crore to start the company. "We wanted to have a revenue model in place, right from day one," says Kedia. Now their monthly operating cost is Rs 5 lakh and the company claims that it made Rs 50 lakh in sales revenue last year from its 90 clients in India.

Complykaro, with 14 employees, is now focusing on its next stage of growth. It is working on a cloud-based risk management tool - to be launched in August this year - which will have all the key compliances required by organisations across all the major laws. Kedia is confident that the new tool will help the company grow by 200 per cent next year. Time to walk the talk.


Just as it seemed SKS Microfinance was getting back on its feet, it has received a body blow once again. It had applied for a small finance bank (SFB) licence, but while eight of the 10 entities the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) awarded these licences to were microfinance institutions (MFIs), SKS Microfinance was not one of them (See Left Out). Indeed, of the 10 leading MFIs in the country, one, Bandhan, has become a full-fledged bank, while another eight will shortly be converted into SFBs. SKS Microfinance is the only one left out.

Why did this happen? "The company didn't get fit and proper clearance from the concerned agencies," says an RBI official on condition of anonymity. SKS Microfinance failed to get a clearance because its President, S. Dilli Raj, who was also said to be a director at the Chennai-based First Leasing Co, faces a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Last October, cases were registered against the then Chairman A. C. Muthiah and three directors, including Dilli Raj, for allegedly cheating IDBI Bank of Rs 274 crore. "My name has been unnecessarily dragged into a controversy in which I had absolutely no role," said Dilli Raj in an official statement released by the company. "I will take all steps in accordance with the law to defend myself and set the record straight."

The RBI announcement, on September 17 last year, saw SKS Microfinance hammered on the bourses the next day, losing 16 per cent of its value. But in the six months since, it has been able to bounce back, gaining 43.5 per cent during a period when the Sensex dipped four per cent. Its December quarter results, too, have been encouraging with revenue growing 66.6 per cent to Rs 307.25 crore from Rs 184.41 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago, and its net profit rising a whopping 93.6 per cent to Rs 79.5 crore from Rs 41.05 crore in the same period.



Long-term Danger

But the danger was never in the short term. It is in the medium to long one. For the first 18 to 24 months, it is the other MFIs that have won SFB licences that will have to incur additional expenditure on setting up branches, improving technology and establishing their brands, which could impact their margins. (Some of these MFIs, though, already have a fair number of branches.) As time passes, however, their advantage over SKS Microfinance will become increasingly manifest. "The SFB model may or may not be successful," says Parag Jariwala, Vice President - Institutional Research at Religare Capital Markets. "But it will certainly cause a disruption in the MFI sector, which will impact SKS Microfinance."

This is because SFBs, like full-fledged banks, will be allowed to accept retail deposits, which MFIs are not. Establishing them is part of the RBI's effort to extend banking and credit facilities to areas and sections overlooked by the big banks. MFIs, in contrast, have to borrow from banks to provide loans, and thus mostly charge interest at over 20 per cent from their customers. SFBs will be able to use their deposits to do so and will thus lend at a substantially cheaper rate. (SFBs will differ from full-fledged banks in that their paid-up capital needs to be a minimum of just Rs 100 crore, apart from other concessions.) But SFBs, unlike big banks, will operate on the same turf that MFIs do - RBI rules stipulate, for instance, that 50 per cent of an SFB's loan portfolio should comprise small loans of less than Rs 25 lakh.

Earlier, SKS Microfinance's cost of borrowing used to be 2 per cent less than other MFIs. But soon it may be the other way round. "While it will vary from bank to bank, the average cost of borrowing for an MFI-turned- SFB should be 3-3.5 per cent lower than its current rate," says P.N. Vasudevan, Managing Director, Equitas Holdings, one of the eight MFIs to have got an SFB licence. Equitas's present borrowing rate is 12-12.5 per cent. "The credit rating of MFIs that have got SFB licences will also improve, enabling them to access loans more cheaply," says Parijat Garg, Vice President, CRIF High Mark, a credit information company. They will also be able to provide a greater variety of products than MFIs - retail loans, corporate loans, SME loans and even personal loans against property.

SKS Microfinance did not respond to queries from Business Today about its growth prospects.



Ups and Downs

SKS Microfinance, originating from the non-profit Swayam Krishi Sangam (SKS), was started in 2005 by the flamboyant Vikram Akula and soon became the poster boy of the MFI sector. It drew an unprecedented amount of private equity from the likes of Sequoia Capital and Chairman Emeritus, Infosys, N.R. Narayana Murthy. In August-2010, it also became the first MFI in the country to issue an IPO, which again was wildly successful, being oversubscribed 14 times. (Only one other MFI has been able to go public since then - Equitas Holdings, in March this year.) But the good times ended abruptly in October the same year with the passing of the Andhra Pradesh Microfinance Institutions (Regulation of Money Lending) Ordinance, which became an Act two months later.

Andhra Pradesh was then the nerve centre of the microfinance business, with most of the leading MFIs - including SKS Microfinance - headquartered in Hyderabad, and having the bulk of their business within the state. But following complaints of usurious rates and coercive recovery methods by some MFIs, the state government brought in this stringent law, closely regulating every aspect of the business. Borrowers, however, interpreted it as a signal that they need not repay their loans at all, while, as a ripple effect, banks across the country became extremely wary of lending to MFIs. According to the paper Andhra Pradesh Microfinance Crisis and its Repercussions on Microfinancing Activities in India by Delhi University researchers Prabhjot Kaur and Soma Dey, the loan recovery rate plummeted from 99 per cent to 10 per cent, while the growth in loan portfolio fell from 95 per cent in 2009/10 to 17 per cent in 2010/11.

"Unless MFIs like SKS Microfinance come up with products that are differentiated as well as well suited to the region where they are offered, it will be difficult for them to capture market share"

Microfinance collapsed in Andhra Pradesh and has since never recovered. All the leading MFIs in the state have closed. In the rest of the country, however, there has been a gradual MFI resurgence, exemplified by the success of Bandhan, which had 501 branches when the RBI permitted it to turn into a bank last August. (In the next two months it mopped up Rs 1,500 crore in deposits, 26 per cent of which were current account or saving account (CASA) deposits.) At SKS, mutual recrimination following the crisis saw the ouster of Akula himself in November 2011, but the company - thanks to a steady pick up in loans and increasing non-loan income - was gradually making a comeback. This was mainly because of the money they had in hand, raised through the IPO. This was the biggest advantage for SKS, compared to its peers in Andhra Pradesh who have struggled to make a comeback due to lack of funds.

Saturation Point

The failure to get an SFB licence will also matter because the microfinance sector, many analysts feel, is reaching saturation point in several states, especially Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal and Orissa (while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are beyond repair). They believe that growth in the number of new customers will not be more than 10 per cent year-on-year. "There is still scope of expanding loan books by giving bigger loans," says Kuntal Sur, Partner (Advisory - Financial Risk Management), KPMG. "On average, MFIs have given loans of only Rs 40,000-50,000 so far." Many are already doing so, including SKS Microfinance, whose average loan size, once truly tiny, reached Rs 14,857 in December 2015. Larger loans per borrower also helped bring down SKS Microfinance's average cost to assets under management (AUM) from 10.6 per cent in December 2014 to 6.8 per cent a year later. But here, too, there are constraints, as regulations in most states limit MFI loan size to less than Rs 1 lakh.

Again, not all MFI customers necessarily want bigger loans. Some need as little as Rs 5,000 to buy from the wholesale market and sell in retail, and would prefer not to over-leverage themselves. If the SFBs reach out to this section, MFIs are in further trouble. "The biggest impact of competition from SFBs will be on margins," says Religare's Jariwala. "Microfinance is not going to grow at 40-50 per cent as it once did."

There is another way to keep up the growth rate - by taking bigger risks. "MFIs will have to change their business strategies to grow," says Garg of CRIF. "For one, SKS should look at product differentiation. For another, it could take higher risk on its balance sheet. It could look at customers with lower creditworthiness as well as increase the ticket size per customer." But the downside of such an approach is obvious. "The borrower should have the ability to repay," says Jariwala. Unsecured or partially secured credit can play havoc with an MFI's finances if a crisis erupts, such as, for instance, the 2009 silk industry crisis in Kolar district of Karnataka, when, following reduced demand due to the global financial downturn and over-indebtedness of weavers, local mosques issued directives to cease all transactions with MFIs. Almost the entire district defaulted.

"Small finance banks may or may not be successful, but they will cause disruption in the entire MFI sector and will certainly impact SKS Microfinance"

Currently, regulations allow customers to borrow from two MFIs at the same time, but once SFBs enter the fray and seek similar customers, some may borrow beyond their means, resulting in slippages, especially if loan sizes also increase. There is already a rural slowdown, which, if it exacerbates, can badly singe those who took risks. "In case of default, 10 to 15 per cent of the loan book will go for a toss," says a senior government official on condition of anonymity. "With unsecured credit, the recovery rate can be zero."

With the southern and eastern markets close to saturation, many MFIs, including SKS Microfinance, have been trying to increase their footprint in the North and the West. SKS Microfinance, for instance, has been increasing the number of its business development officers - called 'Sangam managers' by the company - by 20-25 per cent a year, hoping to grow its AUM around 50 per cent annually even as costs rise 30 per cent due to the new hires. (Its current AUM is around Rs 6,200 crore.) "But unless MFIs have products which are differentiated, as well as well adapted to the regions where they are being offered, it will be difficult for them to capture market share," says Vinayak Burman, Founder-Partner of corporate law firm Vertices Partners.

States' Whims

While banks are regulated by the RBI and only answerable to it, MFIs come under the jurisdiction of state governments. The Andhra Pradesh crisis has shown the kind of havoc an overzealous state government can wreak. While its peers, having won SFB licences, now come under the RBI, SKS Microfinance remains under the state government. After the Andhra Pradesh crisis, the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had formulated a Microfinance Bill, which reportedly sought to transfer MFI control to the RBI. But the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has had second thoughts on it and is in the process of making major changes, including retaining state government control over MFIs.

SKS Microfinance's demise is unlikely, but its challenges have certainly multiplied.
Ajay Bhushan Pandey, DG and Mission Director, UIDAI, spoke to Business Today on Aadhaar enrolment crossing the one- billion mark. Pandey asserted that all privacy concerns have been taken care of in the new Act and the government is all set to introduce Aadhaar in more number of schemes and programmes.

How do we address the privacy issue?

We have an Act now, which says that every data, right from the enrolment time, is encrypted. So this data is not available to anyone without the permission of the person concerned. It will be in our data centre and it will remain encrypted except for a fraction of microsecond, when data is used for de-duplication and Aadhaar generation. Only for that time, it is decrypted, and thereafter, it is again encrypted. Tomorrow, let us say this data is leaked. The stolen data will be in the encrypted form. Our encryption is so strong that if anyone tries to break it, it will take the age of universe to break one set. Your data will be given without your consent only in two cases: First, if the court orders us. Secondly, in the extreme cases of national security, where a committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary authorises that the disclosure is required. So, there is a very strong privacy clause.



Is it purely voluntary?

Section 7 of the new Act says that the Central or state government can say that for this subsidy or for this programme, the funds for which is out of Consolidated Fund of India, will require an Aadhaar card. Once the Act is passed, the Central government can say that if you want scholarship, you have to give your Aadhaar number. If you want LPG subsidy, you have to give Aadhaar number.

We have seen cases where machines are not recognising fingerprint verification, especially in the case of NREGA payment. Have you been able to sort out this problem?

We have tackled this issue. That is why we have issued 100 crore cards. The other possibility is that in the entire process, somewhere in the link, there could be some glitch. And that is possible. For that one has to establish an alternate system to meet such exigencies. We have improved on this front. And the system is becoming more and more reliable. But if it is still not reliable, people should not suffer. This should be identified through some other means and benefits should be given.

How many persons are involved in the Aadhaar mission?

We have more than 320,000 operators who are certified. All of them may not be working, as there are only 40,000 enrolment centres at the moment. If more people are required, these are trained people who would be available. This will be an ongoing programme as people's faces will change, biometric will also need to be captured more than once. Their names will change, addresses will change, so updating needs to be continuous.
PHOENIX -- Entrepreneurs looking to start a business in a small Arizona community might want to take a look at San Luis.

A new study by the online financial advice firm WalletHub ranks the tiny Yuma County community the best small place for startups.

Why?

Well, it turns out that no other small city or town in anywhere the country has greater worker availability. So there appears there's an upside to that high unemployment in rural Yuma County.

Flagstaff managed to come in at No. 478. It's high cost of living and office space rent was offset by WalletHub's computations that business revenues over the past five years are growing faster than 90 percent of the other small cities and towns studied.

WalletHub concludes the Yuma area's low household median annual income -- $31,064 -- is the 54th lowest of the 1,268 small communities it studied. What that means, according to the report, is that there is probably a ready pool of workers willing to take jobs at startups -- and at the salaries such companies are likely to offer.

Overall the community ranked No. 275 nationally.

It might have scored better. But it was marked down for having a small percentage of its residents who have a bachelor's degree.

The city of Yuma was one notch behind at No. 2 for employee availability.

WalletHub also found some positive reasons for those looking to start businesses to check out some other small Arizona communities.

Sierra Vista came in No. 379 nationwide. It's strongest factor was the low cost of office space.

In fact, only Bullhead City had cheaper rents among Arizona communities.

At No. 400 is Casa Grande, bolstered by a cost of living that is the 88th lowest among small communities nationwide. It also had the highest average revenue per business of any of the Arizona cities, at more than $5 million a year.

Prescott, at No. 547, got a leg up based on an analysis of the number of potential investors on a per capita basis. But it lost points because of the cost of living.

Prescott Valley scored lower despite having a much lower cost of living than its neighboring community, at least in part because of the dearth of investors

At the other extreme is Oro Valley which ranked No. 985 on the list.

Part of that is a high median income which WalletHub takes as a sign of a high cost of labor. Office space in the community is also relatively expensive.

The only thing that kept it from ranking even lower is the fact that more than half of the town's residents have at least a bachelor's degree, the highest percentage of any Arizona community.

Marana did not fare much better, coming in at No. 947. It was marked down by the high median income of $74,817, bested only by the $83,809 figure of Queen Creek.
Nikhil Dey, a renowned social activist who has been working with peasants in the villages of Rajasthan for decades, is finding more disgruntled poor around him these days. It all began with the decision of Rajasthan government to make Aadhaar-based authentication mandatory for supply of subsidised foodgrains through the public distribution system (PDS), a couple of months ago. While the objective of biometric authentication was to ensure that the subsidised foodgrains (wheat at Rs 2 and rice at Rs 3 a kg) reaches the real beneficiary by avoiding leakages, the process seems to have made life difficult, instead of making it easy, for most beneficiaries in Rajasthan.

"If you see what is happening in ration (PDS) shops in Rajasthan, the POS machines that are meant to identify the people are a complete disaster. Not even 50 per cent of the people are able to validate themselves through these machines," Dey says.

Dey agrees that in a theoretical sense, if his fingerprint is authenticated and if it works seamlessly, it is quite a breakthrough. "But it needs to work with, say, 98 per cent efficacy, because then, for the rest of the people, you can provide subsidised rice or direct cash transfer through manual mode. But when you are identifying only 30 or 40 per cent, and majority of the genuine beneficiaries is failing to make use of the POS system, and will have to be served manually, you are not ending corruption, you are inviting corruption." All three claims made in favour of Aadhaar-linked direct benefit transfer (DBT) are doubtful, he says.

There is this claim of efficiency, stopping corruption, and of inclusion. All three are going in the opposite direction, points out Dey. "When I am going to a ration shop, putting my thumb impression, maybe the Internet is not working or the machine is malfunctioning. I am in a situation where everyone in the village, including the dealer, says I am Nikhil, but my benefit gets delayed or deprived, only because the machine says I am not Nikhil.

Here I am not included, I am excluded." Multiple attempts mean time and frustration. It's costing money, it's costing time, it's costing resources and it is not accurate, asserts Dey. "We have to delink from this theoretical world of everything working perfectly to understandwhat is practically happening." Dey says that all the "song and dance" about DBT has no meaning as it was happening very effectively even without Aadhaar. "NREGA is already a DBT. The money goes into people's post office account or bank accounts. So people are getting the benefits directly. All I am saying is that even without Aadhaar, NREGA was already DBT, and pension was already DBT."

D.K. Mittal, former mission director, DBT Scheme, and ex-secretary, Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, agrees. "There are two aspects to the Aadhaar programme.

One is to identify a person by providing him a unique number, and the other is to provide direct subsidies by using the Aadhaar bridge payment platform." While Aadhaar is a wonderful programme for the purpose of identification, it was a mistake to converge the benefit transfer scheme and the Aadhaar, believes Mittal.

"Why do you mix the two? Fiftysixty per cent of the country's population work using their hands (depend on manual labour). Their fingerprints are subject to wear and tear even within a year. Even if the finger prints remain recognisable, there are connectivity problems, which makes payments through Aadhaar bridge payment system difficult," Mittal adds.



The Elixir

The statutory backing the citizen's unique identification number got with the enactment of The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act 2016, in March and its high rate of enrolment (over 100 crore) has made it convenient for governments - Central and states - to project Aadhaar and biometric identifications as the best solution for all kinds of hurdles that trouble government-citizen interface.

The Central government has already introduced Aadhaar bridge payment system to transfer cooking gas subsidy to LPG customers across the country. Four states - Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry and Delhi - have attempted Aadhaar-linked PDS system that Rajasthan is busy experimenting with now. Some others are trying Aadhaar-linked scholarships and pension payments to eligible citizens. The government claims that all such attempts resulted in saving public money.

The DBT mission, which is now under the direct administrative control of the Cabinet Secretariat, has identified about 30 schemes where direct cash transfer can be implemented. The scope of the project has been enlarged to cover all Central sector schemes and Centresponsored schemes. Of the Rs 6,031 crore that was disbursed through the DBT mode in January 2016, 37 per cent funds were transferred using the Aadhaar bridge payment system. This includes about 61 per cent of the benefit schemes implemented by the Rural Development Ministry (including NREGA) and 62.5 per cent of cooking gas subsidy payment by the Petroleum Ministry.

Delivering a lecture on 'the new economics of financial inclusion' in Australia on March 31, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the Indian financial inclusion model - of which Aadhaar is an integral part - has received international acclaim. "The deployment of JAM trinity of Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar, and mobile telephones is a hugely innovative intervention to carry this (financial inclusion) forward and place government finances at prudent levels," he said.

The government's financial inclusion policy has three objectives. It aims at providing social security, affordable credit to entrepreneurs and to fix the subsidy leakage problem through targeted DBT programmes. Jaitley claims that the database of 1.2 billion bank accounts when linked with 900 million mobile phones and a billion Aadhaar numbers would effectively ensure that the subsidy flow only happens to those who actually need it.

The importance of JAM trinity has been emphasised in the government's Economic Survey 2015/16 in a dedicated chapter that talks about 'spreading JAM across India's economy'. It clearly states that the project should meet all three objectives - the government must be able to identify beneficiaries; it must be able to transfer money to beneficiaries and the beneficiaries must be able to easily access their money.

The failure of the first category leads to inclusion errors and leakage - benefits intended for the poor flow to rich and 'ghost' households, resulting in fiscal loss. The failure of the other two leads to exclusion errors - genuine beneficiaries being unable to avail benefits. The survey wanted the government to be especially sensitive to exclusion errors, which typically hurt the poorest and can be invoked as reason - and highlighted by leakage beneficiaries - to roll back DBT schemes. The second alert becomes very significant in the backdrop of the Rajasthan experience.

The survey also acknowledges that despite huge improvements in financial inclusion due to Jan Dhan, the JAM preparedness indicators suggest that there is still some way to go before bank-beneficiary linkages are strong enough to pursue DBT without committing exclusion errors. "In that sense, the JAM agenda is currently jammed by the last-mile challenge of getting money from banks into beneficiaries' hands, especially in rural India," it says. The problem highlighted by the survey is not Aadhaar authentication but absence of last-mile connectivity for banking institutions for seamless transfer of cash into the hands of the beneficiary.

"Aadhaar Bill comes under the category of financial bills, which should have been passed by both Houses of Parliament"

While the government insists that the Aadhaar Act is meant only to facilitate DBT by identifying the genuine beneficiaries and weed out duplication and corruption, it is being proposed for all kinds of authentication purposes, including e-verification of income-tax returns to mobile SIM issuance. And it is not just the governments that are excited about Aadhaar and DBT.

Early this year, an investor note from stock broking firm Ambit Capital Pvt Ltd said that the implementation of DBT for food subsidies can result in Rs 45,500 crore annual rise in disposable incomes of targeted households, which in turn can drive a 14 per cent increase in rural FMCG demand. Hindustan Unilever, Colgate and Dabur are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries, the brokerage said.

While the methodology adopted by Ambit could be questioned, there cannot be any doubt over the business opportunity Aadhaar and DBT linkage offers for another segment - the mobile phone operators and the software companies.

While the JAM Trinity talks about mobile banking, and thereby increase the scope of services and reach of mobile phone-linked payment solutions, the technology companies are getting huge assignments from banking establishments and government agencies to turn their core systems Aadhaar-friendly.

For instance, while the current National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) platform was capable of handling any load of electronic cash transfer, it needed a tweak to handle DBT through Aadhaar-linked authentication. And any change meant business for technology firms. "By compelling banks to enable Aadhaar platform, you have made them change their core banking architecture. The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCA) itself is known to have spent a substantial amount to change its core banking solutions (CBS)," says an ex-bureaucrat, who was associated with the banking sector. In fact, every bank has done, or is doing it. The front-end of all the departments that handle DBT are working on their software to have it handle Aadhaar-linked payment demands. And all this simply means huge, long-term and recurring business opportunities for the IT companies that are facing margin pressures due to the economic lull in their traditional developed country markets.

Technically Sound?

The Aadhaar Bill was introduced as a Money Bill to avoid Rajya Sabha scruitiny, where the ruling NDA government is a minority. Experts, including members of the opposition Congress Party, have expressed doubts over the constitutionality and legitimacy of this action. Some are even moving the Supreme Court, which is already hearing some public interest litigations that were filed against the plans to make Aadhaar mandatory for DBT.

"Subtle attempts have been made to give Aadhaar Bill the appearance of a Money Bill by referring to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) in certain clauses. But this does not alter the character of the Bill, which does not deal with the CFI," P.D.T. Achary, former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, says. According to him, the Aadhaar Bill comes under the category of financial bills, which should have been passed by both Houses of Parliament.

Gopal Krishna, an activist associated with Delhi-based Citizens Forum for Civil Liberties (CFCL), fears that a universal Aadhaar will have far-reaching implications that go beyond an effective DBT rollout. "There are ownership risks, technology risks and privacy concerns", he says. Krishna also points out that countries like the UK, Australia, France, the Phillippines, Germany, and Europe have rejected UID/Aadhaar-like projects while Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal are moving on similar lines as that of India. "Is it a coincidence that the similar schemes are unfolding in South Asia? Isn't there a design behind persuading and compelling developing countries to biometrically profile their citizens?" he asks.

Unique ID

Even if one dismisses the conspiracy theory, the fact remains that your unique number, once included in all official documents, leaves a trail that can be traced easily even when your biometric data remains protected. It has also a positive role to play.

Aadhaar authentication can be of unexpected help, too, as was evident when floods ravaged Chennai city recently. For dozens of hapless flood victims, whose entire belongings and identification documents got washed away, fingerprint or iris authentication was more than enough to avail the official relief. The biometric identification also helped them trace back their other identities.

In a bid to get the Aadhaar Bill passed at any cost, the government has deliberately framed it as a piece of legislation meant for the targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies, benefits and services, but in essence it is a law that provides statutory backing to an authority that issues a unique number as your national identity. In that sense, the original title of the Bill, the 'National Identification Authority of India Bill 2010', is very much relevant.

Unless the Supreme Court decides on the contrary, the enrolment and seeding of Aadhaar numbers for multiple purposes will only increase in the coming days. While it will definitely enhance the business opportunities of several stakeholders, one will have to wait till the next elections to understand its success, as that is the only time the real beneficiaries get to cast their feedback as votes.

If Rajasthan is an indication, the government needs to be more cautious in its approach.
It was announced yesterday that Joe Healy has been elected President of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

Mr Healy has a strong background in farming politics. He is a former President of Macra na Feirme, former Vice President of the European Young Farmers Association, CEJA and a member of the milk quota appeals tribunal and the Farm Apprenticeship Board.

Furthermore, he has also been a regular contributor to the weekly Farming Independent for the past 12 years. He has regularly championed the cause of supporting young farmers as a key requirement to having a sustainable farming sector in Ireland.

The announcement was made yesterday afternoon at the Castleknock Hotel, Dublin.

It was also announced yesterday that Richard Kennedy has been made Deputy President. Richard Kennedy is also a former National Chairman of the IFAs Dairy Committee and has been a strong advocate for young farmers over many years.

Welcoming the news, Macra National President, Sean Finan said, "I want to extend my congratulations to both men. They started out their careers in Macra na Feirme and are testament to Macras key role as a provider of leadership training and development for young farmers in Ireland."

He added, "I look forward to engaging with both men to further develop Macras leadership training and development programmes which can contribute to better and more professional representation for all Irish farmers."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

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A special event was held in Dublin last night which was jointly hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

At the meeting, UK Ambassador to Ireland, Dominick Chilcott and US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin F. OMalley reflected on their economic relationship with Ireland.

The UK and US have long been Irelands most important trade and investment partners accounting for over 240,000 jobs in Ireland directly or indirectly working for American companies and British-Irish trade supporting directly and indirectly over 400,000 jobs in Ireland and the UK.

It is estimated that these close economic ties are worth 124 billion in bilateral goods and services traded each year between Ireland and the UK and US.

US Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Kevin F. OMalley commented, "Ireland and the United States have a thriving economic relationship which is very much a two-way street, with Irish companies investing in the United States in addition to the American companies operating here."

UK Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Dominick Chilcott added, "The British-Irish trading relationship matters hugely to both countries. Over 40% of the exports of indigenous Irish companies go to the UK. And Ireland is the UKs fifth most valuable export market for goods and sixth for services."

He continued, "Our economies are increasingly integrated so that when one of us is doing well, it helps the other. The Common Travel Area allows our peoples to move freely back and forth across the Irish Sea. We reckon that about 500,000 Irish nationals now live in the UK. In business, some 55,000 directors of British companies are Irish  more than from any other overseas country."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

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Permanent TSB today held their 2016 Annual General Meeting at the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin 4.

The Chairman of Permanent TSB, Alan Cook, made the main address in which he claimed it was another significant year for the Group with a return to underlying profitability for the first time since the financial crash.

Mr Cook also welcomed the strengthening of the Group Balance Sheet and significant progress in the deleveraging of non-core assets.

During the address, Mr Cook spoke of the challenges of the past year, the most significant of which he said was the Mortgage Redress Programme. Mr Cook said so far 90% of the customers who were identified in the Mortgage Redress Programme have made their decision to move to a tracker rate or to stay as they are.

Permanent TSB have adjusted and restated their mortgage accounts and they have received compensation from the Group and other payments.

When speaking on this matter, Mr. Cook said, "As this is the first meeting of our shareholders since we announced details of this Programme, I want to make a very full and frank apology on behalf of the Board and the management of the Group for those failures, and for the very serious, detrimental impact which they had on customers."

He added, "The key mistakes which were made in this matter were made many years ago. But the Board fully accepts that those errors were compounded by the manner in which the Group handled events subsequently and, for that, I personally apologise."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
DCU Business School were celebrating today after being awarded accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

The AACSB are the worlds oldest and most prestigious global accrediting body for business schools. AACSB accreditation is widely recognised as the hallmark of excellence in business education, and has been earned by less than five percent of the world's business schools.

AACSBs international accreditation panel highly commended DCU Business School on its spirit of innovation and outstanding level of industry engagement.

According to their assessment, "DCU Business School is innovative and distinctive. It has excellent engagement with industry as evidenced in research projects, industry-led or co-developed business internships and consulting projects for Irish and international companies."

Dean of DCU Business School, Dr. Anne Sinnott commented, "This accreditation by AACSB recognises these core values and is testament to the drive and ambition of our staff, students, alumni, industry partners and other stakeholders and I wish to thank everyone who contributed to our accreditation process."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
It was announced today that early stage investor NDRC and Aviva Insurance have partnered up to host Irelands first ever InsurTech Bootcamp in May this year.

The weekend-long event will explore ways to digitise the insurance industry, to enhance the customer experience and to achieve efficiencies that will result in lower premiums.

CEO of Aviva Ireland, Hugh Hessing explains, "Digital is the new reality for our customers. From our own research, we know 73% of customers prefer to go online for basic information on insurance, while 42% of millennials prefer email contact with insurers."

He added, "The advance of technology is going to disrupt our business and unless we embrace it and support its generation, we could get left behind. This event is about supporting startups and asking them to re-imagine a 300 year old industry in a digital light."

The Insurtech Bootcamp will take place in NDRC from the 20  22 May. Entrepreneurs and developers interested in taking part in the Bootcamp can find out more at a pre-event panel discussion with Avivas new Chief Information Officer (CIO), Fin Goulding and NDRC Chief Executive, Ben Hurley which takes place on Tuesday 26 April at 6.30pm in NDRC.

CEO of NDRC, Ben Hurley says, "Our vision for the event is to link the vibrant technology startup community with expert insurance teams. Over 48 hours we will see what challenges, opportunities and potentially new ways of conducting business and products they can identify. We have seen some very successful and innovative ventures emerge from previous events and programmes we have run in the sphere of healthcare and Fintech, so the process should be interesting."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

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Sodexo Ireland organised a Commemorative 1916 Lunch at the GPO in Dublin recently which was attended by hundreds of customers who enjoyed complimentary coddle, boxty cakes with handcrafted bread, heritage apples and Irish farmhouse cheeses served by chef and TV personality, Derry Clarke and the Sodexo team.

Sodexo Ireland employs approximately 2,000 staff in 200 locations across Ireland, serves 90,000 people daily and spent 21 million on local Irish food in 2015.

The Lunch was organised by Andrew McGinley, Account Manager and Julianne Forrestal, Executive Craft Chef. Andrew McGinley said, "The events of Easter Week 1916 shaped our history and the GPO was at the centre of it all. We wanted to do something around food in the An Post staff restaurant that commemorated the event."

He added, "We were delighted with the wonderful response we received from our customers. There was a fantastic atmosphere that day and they all loved meeting and having the craic with Derry."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

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The European Union charged Google on Wednesday with abusing the dominant position of its Android mobile operating system, opening a second front against the U.S. technology giant that could lead to large fines.

European Union antitrust regulators said that by requiring mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and the Google Chrome browser, the U.S. company was denying consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and stifling innovation.

Google is already facing EU charges over the promotion of its shopping service in Internet searches at the expense of rival services, in a case that has dragged on since late 2010 despite three attempts to resolve the issues.

The stakes are higher for Google in the Android case as it made about $11 billion last year from advertising sales on Android phones through its apps such as Maps, Search and Gmail, according to estimates by financial analyst Richard Windsor.

"A competitive mobile Internet sector is increasingly important for consumers and businesses in Europe," European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

"We believe that Google's behavior denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players," she said.

Internet Explorer-browser maker Microsoft Corp declined to comment.

Suppliers of browsers including Mozilla, which is behind Firefox, as well as Apple, with its Safari browser, and Norway's Opera Software were not immediately available to comment.

The European Commission said about 80% of smart mobile devices in Europe and the world run on Android, the operating system developed by Google.

Google, which has 12 weeks to respond to the charges, said in a statement that Android was a remarkable system based on open-source software and open innovation.

"We look forward to working with the European Commission to demonstrate that Android is good for competition and good for consumers," Google's general counsel Kent Walker said.

FairSearch, the lead complainant, said Google had launched Android as an open source project, but was now hindering the development of versions that might lead to new operating systems able to compete with Android.

The Commission alleges Google has breached EU antitrust rules by making phone manufacturers pre-install its search function and Chrome browser, and by preventing them from selling mobiles running competing operating systems based on the Android open source code.

The EU also charged the U.S company with giving financial incentives to manufacturers and network operators to pre-install Google Search exclusively on devices. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie

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The Power of Unconditional Love

Published on April 20, 2016

Story by Lara Busing

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The Danish Girl is the transitionary story of celebrated painter Einar Wegener into the woman Lili Elbe. Depicted is his realization that he was born into the wrong body and his then life-long struggle to become a woman. The movie is not quite true to the actual story behind it, yet it carries an important message of self-acceptance and the power of unconditional love.

Once again, Eddie Redmayne has proven his extraordinary talent to the rest of us mere mortals. After having won the Oscar last year for his stellar performance of a young Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything it is no surprise that he was again nominated for playing the transitioning Einar Wegener into Lili Elbe. His acting is so subtle that as an audience member it is quite hard to detect the moment that Einar decides to give in to his true nature. In retrospect it seems that he had always known who he was, she in fact. Lili is inside Einar and has bubbled up since early childhood as we find out during the movie. As a painter Einar has become a popular character in Copenhagen of the 1920s, living and working happily together with his artist wife Gerda Wegener. And this is the really captivating part of the movie. The continuing story of love and support between Einar and Gerda and later Gerda and Lili. Although this storyline is not true to the actual events  as I have found out after watching the movie  it does give the viewer an important look at how such a transition could and should be handled between two people.

Alicia Vikander as Gerda Wegener is luminous. She perfectly displays the delicate awakening to her husband not being who she thought he was. At first it is hard for her to understand the reoccurring appearances of Lili, especially when Lili starts a sort of relationship with another man. There is a powerful scene here, where Einar declares that he is not able to control Lili and for the first time it becomes obvious, that his urge to be a woman is rooted very deep and is in no way related to his love for his wife. Because he does love her but cannot change how he feels. Later on, when they have moved to Paris  where Gerdas career as a professional painter picks up  Lili takes over and there is a scene where Gerda asks to talk to her husband and Lili explains that Einar is not there anymore. Sometimes these scenes are difficult to interpret. Why did Einar create Lili? Is it a way of separating his life as a man from his wish to be a woman? Or was Lili always there and Einar is in fact a facade to keep up appearances? Watching the process of Lili taking over is fascinating. She suddenly seems to have been the true Einar all along.

What stuck with me was the way Gerda comes to support her husband. One of the most powerful scenes in the movie is when Gerda and Einar finally find a doctor that is actually willing to help. Here, Gerda finally fully admits that she believes her husband to be a woman trapped inside the body of a man. And from that moment on, she supports Lili in her quest to change her body. Watching Gerda go through the loss of her husband although he had neither died nor left her, is heart breaking and still as a viewer you do not pity her. Deciding to support her spouse, highlights the fact that she loves the person, not the body and that "love" can take on many forms. Feelings and circumstances can change during a relationship. Staying and making it work is a decision. Unconditional love means letting it transform into something else. Maybe the intensity shifts or you develop interest in someone else. In a marriage like that of the Wegeners in the movie it seems everything is possible because the mutual respect runs deep. They do not want to loose each other, so they make the decision to let each other run free. A remarkable fictionalised couple. The question is, whether this could be possible in real life. I would like to think so. The movie certainly gives you food for thought in that regard.

Lili Elbe really was one of the first transgender people in history to be operated on. The real Lili died because of a failed operation trying to implant a uterus. She desperately wanted to be able to have children. Once more she was ahead of her time. I will not tell you what happens in the movie, but especially the last scenes are beautifully shot. The cinematography in general is breathtaking.

The costume design also has done a wonderful job. As Einar, Redmayne already has a touch of femininity in his air and his clothes definitely accentuate this, although being mens wear. The transition to Lili then is of course mostly underlined by the change of clothing. And also here it is visible how subtly this movie achieves the process of changing Einar into Lili. What struck me, were the paintings Gerda created of Lili  the main reason Gerda became a known painter. These were accurately done, all according to the style of the real Gerda Wegener. So hats off to the production design.

I believe that this movie  although it is not entirely true to the real story of Lili Elbe  is an important contribution to the education about transgender people and reminds us of the important fact that in the end we are all just human beings, trying to live our own truths. The most important thing is that our loved ones support us, no matter what, and that we in turn also give our support. Please watch this gem of a movie. But make sure to read up on the real-life fascinating Lili Elbe.

Story by Lara Busing
To the editor:

As participants in the Flagstaff STEM City movement, we support the outstanding teachers who work daily to open doors and create challenging opportunities for our students. This week Flagstaff bids farewell to one of those outstanding teachers  Kaci Heins of Northland Preparatory Academy, who is departing to take an educational leadership position with NASAs Space Center Houston.

For the last 9 years, Kacis students from the Peak School, Mt. Elden Middle School, and NPA have flown high indeed. They have launched rockets; learned robotics and 3D printing; sent an experiment to the International Space Station; and launched high altitude balloons and analyzed the results. Kacis expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to her students brought her recognition as our local STEM Teacher of the Year, Arizona Middle School Science Teacher of the Year, Air Force Association National Aerospace Teacher of the Year, and this years Viola Award for Science Education.

STEM City recognizes that we must all work hard to support outstanding teachers who can engage and mentor our students. Kaci Heins is taking her talent to an incredible platform, developing programs to inspire students across the country the way she has inspired and challenged her Flagstaff students. Kaci always challenged her students and all of us to Dare Mighty Things, and she continues to lead by example. Please join us in thanking her for all that she has done for Flagstaffs next generation. Well be eagerly watching, in cyberspace and elsewhere, for her next adventures in outer space!

LAURA HUENNEKE, DAVID ENGELTHALER and MINDY BELL

Flagstaff STEM City
Pay for KidsCare now or pay in ER

To the editor:

KidsCare should be extended to those children in households whose incomes are between $27,000 and $40,000 a year. The Arizona House has passed a bill that would allow the increase in enrollment and it was up to the Arizona Senate to bring up the bill in committee. Because of inaction by the Senate s President, Andy Biggs, KidsCare can now only be expanded if it is put into the state budget. I urge all those politicians involved in the budget, including Governor Ducey, to make expanding KidsCare a priority as without this health care insurance, thousands of Arizona children will be uninsured.

When we say free care,,were not talking free, are we. Senator Biggs was quoted as saying.  ...somebody is paying for that. And it is the taxpayers. (AZ Daily Sun,4/12/16, Protesters rally as KidsCare is stymied) Because he is not a provider in the healthcare field, I understand Mr. Biggs ignorance but I dont accept it. Whether or not KidsCare is expanded, it will cost the taxpayer and the state of Arizona money. Without health care coverage and, most importantly, without well child visits, these uninsured children will be seen in emergency rooms throughout the state receiving stopgap care. Who picks up the tab for this horrendously expensive care without continuity? Taxpayers. So not only do these children receive worse healthcare but it will cost the state more money in the long run. ER care is more expensive and lacks the continuity necessary to provide these young patients with the quality they deserve.

It is a sad day when the Senate President is claiming a lack of state resources in a program designed to care for the uninsured child in households with modest incomes. If it were his child, what would he do? It is also sad the leader of the Arizona State Senate does not understand his inaction will actually cost us more money over time.

There is no better service for the state of Arizona to use taxpayer money than providing healthcare for its children from households that are uninsured. There is also no better investment for the state of Arizona than ensuring the wellbeing of its children.

GREGORY JARRIN

Winslow
Nick Jimenez Columnist SHARE Contributed photo Scarlett (left), Ximena (right), and their sister Catalina were born May 16 at Corpus Christi Medical Center Bay Area Hospital. Scarlett and Ximena, conjoined at the pelvis, were surgically separated Tuesday at Driscoll Children's Hospital.

Two little infant girls, Ximena and Scarlett, were quite the news makers last week.

Never mind the news from the fractious presidential race. Put aside all that contentious talk about Uber. Is the state's attorney general a scam artist? Lay that question aside for the moment. Don't worry about the Zika mosquitoes yet. This past week the city's attention and many prayers were focused on Ximena and Scarlett.

The story of the little twin girls had all the ingredients to capture hearts. The plight of the girls, not even a year old, was the core of it. The two had been born conjoined, united at the midsection, sharing bladders, a rectum, intestines and other lower extremities.

Their story had suspense. Would they survive the many hours of surgery at Driscoll Children's Hospital it would take to separate them? There were the brave parents in Silvia and Raul Torres Sr. of Brownsville who were in Corpus Christi last May when the twins and a third daughter, Catalina, were born.

Catalina was fine, but the conjoined twins faced tough odds. Forty to sixty percent of conjoined twins arrive stillborn and 35 percent survive only one day.

But these girls beat the immediate odds and by September, the medical plan was being drawn up for the delicate and intricate job of separating them. That's when the story's heroes came to play.

That was the vast cast of medical personnel  doctors, specialists, nurses and support staff; 45 medical professionals in all  it took to pull off the operation. On Tuesday, April 12, the operation began as the city held its breath.

Why does such a story of two little babies in a world of suffering children get our attention? Hundreds of people have died and will die as a result of earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador, many of them children. Maybe we feel mostly powerless to do much about all those children. But these two little girls are here among us. We can reach out to them.

Then, as the various photos of the girls showed, these are not medical oddities, but living, breathing people, smiling out at the cameras. Though statistics say that conjoined twins occur once in every 200,000 births, these children, even given their fused bodies, are like other babies, looking with curiosity out at the world they have entered. So by the day of the operation neared, the twins had become more than just a medical case, albeit a very difficult one. They had names, they were people and a city cared about them.

And this story had a happy ending, at least so far. After 12 hours of surgery, the twins have been successfully separated, though Ximena has required more surgery. Both children have months of hospital recovery ahead of them. Neither is entirely out of the woods. So this story is not yet completely told. But, to borrow a phrase, even if this is not the beginning of the end, it is the end of the beginning of this story.

If every good story has meaning, what does the story of Ximena and Scarlett tell us? One of those messages can be drawn from looking at the long list of pediatric medical specialists in the neonatal, pediatric, orthopedic, anesthesiology and surgical fields. The names come from all over the world. Working as a team, all those medical professionals, a snapshot of the world community, had given these little girls a chance at a longer life.

The operation to separate conjoined twins was a first for Driscoll Children's Hospital. Steve Woerner, the hospital's CEO, called the successful operation "a man on the moon" for the hospital. We ought to feel assured that the city is well stocked with talented medical professionals and that its facilities are equal to the task. Driscoll should bask in that glory.

One photo that emerged from the lead up to the surgery was a telling one. Just before the crucial moment, doctors, nurses and others who were participating in separating Ximena and Scarlett gathered in a circle, held hands and prayed.

No wonder, when word came that the twins had been separated, the mother, Silvia Torres, could say, "God has shown that nothing is impossible."

Why do we say that there are no longer any miracles?

Nick Jimenez has worked as a reporter, city editor and editorial page editor for more than 40 years in Corpus Christi. He is currently the editorial page editor emeritus for the Caller-Times. His commentary column appears on Wednesdays and Sundays.
FARES SABAWI/CALLER-TIMES Moody High School Principal Sandra Clement welcomes students at the Citgo Innovation Academy's cord ceremony Tuesday, April 19, 2016, the Lexington Museum on the Bay.

SHARE FARES SABAWI/CALLER-TIMES Joseph Fryer leads the invocation at the Citgo Innovation Academy cord ceremony Tuesday, April 19, 2016, the Lexington Museum on the Bay.

By Fares Sabawi of the Caller-Times

At first, Eddy Nunez wasn't sure he would join the Citgo Innovation Academy. Engineering seemed like a daunting profession, he said.

But after four years of hands-on experience, Nunez said he wouldn't trade the experience for anything else.

"Once I got into it, I really liked it," he said. "That's why I stuck with it."

The 17-year-old Moody High School senior was one of 70 students who received a turquoise cord at a ceremony Tuesday at the Lexington Museum on the Bay for completing the academy, which focuses on engineering and environmental and marine science.

Citgo has teamed with Moody High School for about seven years to push science, technology, engineering and math programs, or STEM programs. But the academy really took off four years ago, said Moody Principal Sandra Clement, with more funding and a more expansive plan. Now, Clement said students who go through the academy leave high school with a step above the competition.

"By the time they graduate, some will have up to 30 hours of college credit," Clement said. "Some will be sophomores in college."

Larry Elizondo, Citgo's manager of public and government affairs, said the company wanted to invest in Corpus Christi students.

"Corpus Christi has been a community that has lacked a lot of resources," Elizondo said. "But we've taken on a mission ... to provide those avenues for success."

Nine scholarships were awarded to students at the cord ceremony, which can be matched by local universities, Clement said.

"We wouldn't be able to offer our students this field-based experience without Citgo's support," Clement said.

Nunez said he's confident he'll succeed in college because of his path in high school. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, he said he will give back to the community by working at a local refinery and "making a difference in the world."

Yulissa G. Aguilar Gomez

Victoria Marie Aguirre

Isabella Renee Ariciba

Daisy Marie Arguelles

Angel Rose Arredondo

Ricardo Antonio Baez

Catherine Rose Barrera

Alzabeth Nicole Cadena

Daniel Alejandro Cardenas

Noah Michael Mancha

Carlos Lee Castillo

Diego Andres Castillo

Maricela K. Coronado

Blaze Aubrey Cruce

Amber Faith Cruz

Jasmine Valerie Cruz

Destiny Ashlee Dancer

Christian Angel de la Paz

Joseph Christopher De La Rosa

Emily Nicole Escatiola

Joe Matthew Esparza

John A. Flores

Joseph William Fryer

Sarah Nicole Gallegos

Destiny D. Galvan

Alvaro Gaona

Andrew Christian Garcia

Diego Rafael Garcia

Keith Garza

Juan Jose Garza III

Matthew Stephen Garza

Jose Luis Gutierrez II

Briana Mercedes Herrera

Donavan Nicholas James

Michaela D. Leal

Jorge Leos III

Homer E. Lopez Malacara

Noah Michael Mancha

Nicholas Jay Martinez

Evan Jose Medellin

Juan Daniel Medina

Joshua Michael Mendez

Azalee Monsivais

Luis Alberto Montano Jr.

Roland John Mower

Oscar Azriel Nava

Edwardo Nunez Jr.

Cesar Alexander Olachia

Ricardo Noe Morales Jr.

Stephen Roel Palomo

Marissa Jasine Pena

Saul Ponce

Manuel Erasemo Quintanilla Jr.

Gilbert Quintero IV

Joshua Ryan Ragusin

Christopher Steven Rivera

Mario Rivera III

Dominic Jesus Rocha

Juan Rodriguez III

Richard Salvador Rodriguez Jr.

Nishan Nicholas Sabbagh

David Michael Saenz Jr.

Natasha Julia Sanchez

Marissa Marie Saldana

Chloe Shea Spencer

Marc P. Valdez

Jose Efren Ortega Valles

Jordan Noah Verdin
Beatriz Alvarado/Caller-Times Panelists for the Communities Talk for Action Preventing Underage and High Risk Drinking Townhall Meeting included State Rep. Todd Hunter, District attorney Mark Skurka; Corpus Christi ISD Police Chief Kirby Warnke; Tiffany Collie with Project HOPE and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi chemical dependence counselor Claudia Ayala.

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By Beatriz Alvarado of the Caller-Times

It takes flipping over a granola bar to see its nutritional value. Knowing the effects of alcohol use don't come so easily.

"Other countries do a better job of educating (people) about the subtle dangers of alcohol," said Claudia Ayala, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi chemical dependence counselor.

There is a high need for in depth education about its consumption in the U.S., she added.

That's why a community wide conversation about underage and high-risk drinking was hosted by the university Tuesday. The Communities Talk for Action Preventing Underage and High Risk Drinking Townhall Meeting and Panel Discussion was one of the first of its kind.

Panelists, including State Rep. Todd Hunter, District Attorney Mark Skurka, Corpus Christi ISD Police Chief Kirby Warnke, Tiffany Collie with Project HOPE; and Ayala, fielded questions from students and other residents.

The event was sponsored by the university's Islanders Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team and a $500 stipend from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

High-risk drinking can be measured by consumption, Ayala said.

If you are a man and drinking more than fours drinks a day and 14 per week and if you're a woman who drinks more than three drinks daily and more than seven on a weekly basis, you may have an alcohol disorder, she said.

"That doesn't mean you're an alcoholic," Ayala said. "It means over time you are likely to develop a dependency."

The panel was asked what's being done to help youth distinguish between the idea that alcohol is essential for celebratory events sometimes seen in TV commercials and the reality of its long-term effects.

"I participate in a lot of 5K walks and there I receive coupons for candy and chocolate," Hunter responded. "There's not a lot the state can do (about advertisements). We just have to keep pointing out such contradictions."

Wade Fjeld, The Palmer Drug Abuse Program for the Coastal Bend's executive director, asked the panel how generational abuse can be discouraged.

"It's really about modeling appropriate behavior (for youth)," Warnke said.

Twitter: @CallerBetty
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By Beatriz Alvarado of the Caller-Times

Robstown ISD students could graduate high school with a college degree.

The Texas Education Agency announced Tuesday that Robstown High School was among 16 in the state this year to receive a designation to become an early college high school. The schools allow students to earn a high school diploma while earning an associate degree or 60 college credit hours toward a bachelor's degree  for free.

"This is an incredible opportunity for our Robstown ISD students to be able to graduate high school with an associate degree," Superintendent Maria Vidaurri said. "This endeavor coincides with the vision of the board of trustees to set high academic standards for our students. As superintendent, I stand committed to continuously provide the support our students need to be college and career ready."

The school will offer accelerated courses and academic and social support. Robstown ISD eighth graders are encouraged to apply for classes that will be offered beginning with the 2016-17 school year. The district is pairing with Del Mar College for the effort.

Robert Montez, interim director of early college programs at Del Mar, said a Robstown high freshmen cohort of about 60 could graduate with an associate degree in liberal arts. About 20 percent of the program will be offered online, 20 percent may be offered at the Del Mar campus and the rest will be taught by either Robstown faculty or Del Mar instructors, he said.

The cohort will be advised by Del Mar staff in June, Montez said.

"Just like incoming freshmen would," he said.

Del Mar also is paired with early college designated campuses West Oso High School, Collegiate High School and Harold T. Branch Academy.

Robstown High School principal Lorena Ceballos touted academic progress at the campus and said she is proud of her campus.

"This year, we had 100 percent of our high school seniors apply for higher education," she said. "Next year, we have the ability to offer a program where students can attend high school while working for their degree at the same time, right here. This truly allows us to provide our students with the best of both worlds."

Twitter: @CallerBetty
SHARE Licea Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Micayla Licea, 19, was set to appear before 319th District Judge David Stith for a bail reduction hearing on Wednesday, April 19, 2016. The hearing was postponed a week. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Micayla Licea (left), 19, listens as her defense attorney Eric Perkins speaks to 319th District Judge David Stith on Wednesday, April 19, 2016. She was set to have a bail reduction hearing, but it was postponed.

By Krista M. Torralva of the Caller-Times

The girlfriend of a man suspected in a double homicide is expected to ask a judge next week to lower her bail.

Micayla Licea appeared in court Wednesday for the hearing, but it was rescheduled because witnesses were unavailable. Licea was arrested in a roundup of suspects connected to a robbery and shooting that happened the same day, Corpus Christi police have said.

Licea faces an aggravated robbery charge related to allegations she helped rob a man at gunpoint in the 5400 block of Hitching Post Court. She was arrested the same day as her boyfriend, Daniel Martinez, who is also accused in the robbery and is charged with capital murder in connection with a shooting on the Southside. Eric Rodriguez, 32, and Elisabeth Martinez, 34, were found shot inside a car near Schanen Estates Elementary.

Earlier this month, 319th District Judge David Stith raised Licea's bail from $25,000 to $100,000. Her next hearing is slated for Wednesday.

Another man, Gilbert Ruiz, was later arrested in San Antonio on suspicion of capital murder in connection with the shooting. His half-brother, Amador Angel Cerna, was also arrested at the same time on suspicion of aggravated robbery.

Twitter: @CallerKMT
Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Kate Kennedy (clockwise from left), 10, and Merritt Kennedy are greeted by Gene Seaman and Lynn Haueter at the VIP event at Pops in the Park on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Whataburger Field. Haueter is the new executive director for the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra.

SHARE Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Lynn Haueter listens in to make sure all aspects of the event are being covered during the VIP event at Pops in the Park on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Whataburger Field. Haueter is the new executive director for the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Lynn Haueter talks with volunteers at the silent auction table before the VIP event at Pops in the Park on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Whataburger Field. Haueter is the new executive director for the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Lynn Haueter (left) and Patsy Benchoff work on details for the Pops in the Park at Whataburger Field on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Haueter is the new executive director for the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times Mary Jane Garza (left) talks with Lynn Haueter during the VIP event at Pops in the Park on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Whataburger Field. Haueter is the new executive director for the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra. Related Coverage Symphony to select maestro from 5 guest conductors

By Esther Hackleman, Esther.M.Hackleman@caller.com

A night at the Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra will soon engage residents both visually and audibly with the Executive Director Lynn Haueter's vision.

The new symphony executive director will work to include on-screen visuals to supplement future performances.

"We want to reinvent and do new things that really please the audience," said Haueter, who started the position April 1. "This is a symphony that is hosting a spectacular new experience for the community."

Having grown up in an acting household, Haueter said she is excited to return to the performing arts community.

"For me, this is coming back to my first love," Haueter said.

Before accepting the position at the symphony, Haueter served as executive assistant and outreach director to Texas Congressman Kevin Brady for two years and as field director for Texans for Greg Abbott for about two and a half years.

In her new role, Haueter's love for the performing arts paired with her administrative experience in politics and education prepare her for fundraising, garnering supporters and meeting with board members.

"In our first interview she was well prepared," Corpus Christi Symphony board of directors President Elect John Chesshir said. "We liked her organization skills and her artistic side; it's rare to find someone that's 5A in both sides of that."

Haueter, who has lived in Corpus Christi for four years, additionally stood out for her familiarity with the city's culture.

"She loves the city and seems to be anxious to better the symphony in any way," Chesshir said.

The symphony is currently searching for a new maestro after bidding farewell to John Giordano, who served the community for 12 years. Haueter said she is excited to support the new direction when new talent fills the position.

"It's more of a partnership," Haueter said. "I'm in charge of making sure that all that the artistic director envisions comes to fruition. That's how I see myself."

Twitter: @Caller_Esther
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The Navy has been training pilots in Corpus Christi and surrounding areas since 1941. That's a historic fact quoted often around these parts  minus the perspective that at the time, air warfare was in its toddler stage of development. Corpus Christi's significance to national defense is historic and ongoing.

Wind turbines have been in South Texas since the 19th century. But large-scale wind energy projects in South Texas are a 21st-century trend. Their compatibility with military flight training is questionable. By "questionable" we mean that it's problematic and that the question is by how much.

It's questionable enough that Capt. Christopher Misner, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Kingsville, told a Texas Senate committee during a hearing last week in Corpus Christi: "I do feel like one day we're going to wake up surrounded by wind farms in South Texas significantly impacting the mission in a negative way."

It's also questionable enough that Rear Adm. Dell D. Bull, Chief of Naval Air Training, told the Caller-Times Editorial Board he doesn't know enough to say that the two can coexist safely  "and I don't know how anyone can say otherwise."

The Navy is putting together a study to model the effects of hundreds of new giant turbines on flight training. The concern is not that pilots who need to land in an emergency won't have a place to do it. It's that giant turbines do funny things to radar that can compromise the safety of flight students. The turbines can cause air traffic controllers to lose the location of aircraft.

Bull says there probably is a technological solution. But one hasn't surfaced in the five years since the Caller-Times first reported the problem.

Meanwhile, Bull told us, there is a dizzying array of wind farm projects on the drawing board and the Navy doesn't know enough about how they could affect flight safety.

The pending Chapman Ranch-area wind project by Apex Clean Energy is an exception. The company has worked out an agreement with the Navy in what sounds like a genuine effort to be a good neighbor.

Local governments' power to protect their interests is limited. Corpus Christi extended its extraterritorial jurisdiction so it could be in a position, if need be, to exercise zoning authority. Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate told the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and Military Installations that Kingsville can regulate only two miles beyond its city limit and that the base should have a 25-mile buffer from wind farms until the radar problem is solved.

Texas leads the nation in wind energy. The industry has been a boon to naturally windy South Texas  to landowners, to the Port of Corpus Christi and to the diversification of the electric grid's power sources. Long-term, it should yield air-quality benefits.

But wind energy is politically charged, so to speak. It enjoys special privileges from the renewable-energy-friendly Obama administration  to the point that the Navy became curiously, eerily quiet about its concerns immediately after they became known five years ago. That doesn't play so well politically in oil-rich, Republican-run Texas. And the potential for wind energy to harm the local military mission didn't play well before the Senate committee.

Political and scientific solutions can help both wind energy and military flight training continue to flourish. South Texas likes construction jobs, shipping activity, clean-source electricity and mailbox money from land leases. But Naval Air Station Corpus Christi about doubled the city's population by 1950. The Chief of Naval Air Training is headquartered here because this is a great place to train pilots. It needs to stay that way.
The first ever NewCo Boston goes off in less than two weeks, and Ive been studying the schedule and making my picks for the companies I most want to visit. The lineup is insanely great  Boston is brimming with innovative NewCos, 79 of which will open their doors on April 27th. Thanks to our partners at MassTLC  you guys really know how to do it right!

Tuesday, April 26th, 6 pm: VIP Kick-off & Reception @ Hatch Fenway NewCo Boston kicks off at Hatch Fenway, a NewCo incubator that was once an industrial hub. Mingle, swill, and get inspired by host company CEOs, city leaders, and VIP ticket holders alike.

Weds., April 27th

8.30 am  HubSpot Long the leader in the new art of inbound marketing, HubSpot is one of Bostons pillars. Im looking forward to learning about the companys unique culture. Yes, this is the company that Dan Lyons recently skewered, but Im not buying his version of reality. The great thing about NewCo is you can see it for yourself, and I plan to do just that. Wish I could also go to: Oxfam America and CIC Cambridge.

10.30 am  Ginkgo Bioworks Ive been fascinated by this company ever since I heard the term organism engineering foundry, which is how they describe their offices. I cant wait to see what theyre up to  I sense its a taste of the future, right now. Wish I could also go to: Artaic  Innovative Mosaic and Resilient Coders.

12.30 pm  athenahealth  I recently met Todd Park, one of the original founder of athenahealth, and I am excited to see how the company he founded (he went on to be the CTO of the US Government) is changing healthcare for the better. Wish I could also go: Emulate, Inc. and Carbonite.

2.30 pm  Wayfair  This top ecommerce site is thriving, and its expanding into new forms of merchandising, including VR. Co-founder Steven Conine will be leading a Q&A session, which are always fascinating at a NewCo festival  everyone in the audience is there because they want to learn about the company, and they always have awesome questions. Which I could also go: Freight Farms and Greentown Labs.

4.30 pm  clypd  Im an investor in this video advertising innovator, but in their NewCo session, theyre going to focus on company culture. Ive never seen their offices, but I hear therell be beer on tap, and by late afternoon, Im sure Ill have a thirst! Wish I could also go: Roxbury Innovation Center and Localytics.

5.30 pm  After Party @ GEM Lounge After a long day of killer Boston NewCo sessions, Ill be hanging at the GEM Lounge, a Boston original with a very long stone bar, and plenty of libations. See you there!
Coca-Cola: 'GIF your feelings'

The local execution of the brands global Taste the Feeling campaign uses Clear Channels Play digital screens, and asks commuters to take a moment for a quick photo opp.

The OOH displays feature a built-in camera programmed to detect colours. When the screen detects a face, a message appears Want to make your moment special with Coca-Cola?, followed by, Show me something red to begin.

Once the colour red is recognised, commuters will then be cued to take a series of photos with fun overlays of a Coke bottle. The system then flashes a preview of the GIF on the screen, followed by a unique QR code participants can use to download the GIF file and a Coke voucher. All approved GIFs will be uploaded onto a microsite.

The two digital screens are located in proximity to high-traffic and mall areas along Jurong Gateway Road near the Jurong East MRT, JCube, Jem and Westgate and Upper Serangoon Road close to Serangoon MRT, Interchange and Nex.

The creative agency is Geometry Global and the media agency is MediaCom.

Pepsi: 'Express yourself with #Pepsimoji'

PepsiCo International recently launched special bottles and cans featuring a set of 26 emoticons in Singapore, calling them Pepsimoji.

The emoticons offer varied expressions, such as Love, Kiss, Smirk and Cool, that users are already very familiar with, as well as new ones with Singlish expressions such as Blur like Sotong, Kan Chiong Spider, and Chope.

As part of the campaign, Moove Media transformed a wall at the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station along SBS Transits North East Line into an Augmented Reality (AR) screen.

When a commuter appears on the AR screen, a #Pepsimoji appears on top of his or her head on the wall at the same time, indicating the commuters mood at the moment. This interaction is accompanied by music, sounds of cheers and laughter, and even the hiss sound a Pepsi bottle makes when it pops open.

The creative agency is WE Interactive and Mindshare Singapore handled media.
Yes, yes, there are a lot of serious issues facing society today. But Ad Nut has often wondered when, oh when, someone would speak up on behalf of the colour-blind men who (brace yourselves) cannot fully appreciate the vivid hues of their wives' painted lips.

The wait is over:

Is the above on the level, or a satire of cause-related experiment videos such as Dove's? Ad Nut can't really tell. But it doesn't matter because no one much saw it. Use of the hashtag was underwhelming, to put it mildly. Likewise the view numbers for the Spanish-language videos Ad Nut found here and here and here.

Apparently lip-colour blindness is not much of a concern for guys. Ad Nut expects colour-blind dudes are fine with their lovers' lips as long as they're soft and willing, and would be more likely to get upset by a sports-related incident, such as this one.

Ad Nut does not mean to make light of colour-blindness, by the way. The condition does have some frustrating impacts, and some potentially serious ones too. It might be a good issue for some brand to champion. Seems like a natural fit the maker of those special glasses.

CREDITS

Agency: McCann Mexico

Vp Executive Creative Director: Javi Carro

Creative Directors: Jaume Gubianes, Joanna Lopez

Senior Copywriter: Jorge Ramos

Art Director: Eddi Aguirre

Agency Producers: Juan Gonzalez, Emmanuel Aguilar

Client Services Director: Audrey Amselli

LOreal Paris Marketing Director: Delphine Aphecetche

Production House: Catatonia

Director: Lorena De Fatima Mendoza

DOP: Cristian Rodriguez

Producer: Roberto Romero (Ronnie)

Editor: Arturo Sanchez

Art Director: Daniel Hernandez

Audio Studio: Lookas Audio

Postproduction Studio: Imagu
Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend

The Biden administration's student debt relief program is on hold. And a Texas trooper who responded in Uvalde was fired. It's the weekend's biggest news.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 4:47PM

Intel has announced a major restructuring effort that will cost 12,000 jobs, or 11 per cent of its workforce to mid-2017. The news comes as the company's plans to "accelerate its evolution from a PC company to one that powers the cloud and billions of smart, connected computing devices." The chipmaker is focusing on data centres and Internet of Things (IoT) as primary growth areas expected to offset the slowing PC market.

"Intel Corporation today announced a restructuring initiative to accelerate its evolution from a PC company to one that powers the cloud and billions of smart, connected computing devices. Intel will intensify its focus in high-growth areas where it is positioned for long-term leadership, customer value and growth, while making the company more efficient and profitable," the company said in a statement.

Source: TechSpot.com
"Perhaps you did so without guessing that such ornaments have only been obtainable of late years from German colonies, of which New Guinea has been one of the most productive  or destructive, which ever way you like to put it. It is many years since the hunting of birds of paradise was forbidden in British New Guinea.
Ms Strong said the family were concerned that Mr McCulloch was not actually dead when he was first found and believed there may have been an attempted cover-up by staff.
Mr Morrison dismissed suggestions the levy for ASIC users was his first tax increase. "The banks are paying to ensure that ASIC has the resources and powers it needs to be a tough cop on the beat," he said, adding the recommendation had come out of a capability review that began last July.
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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.

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You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow) has released a notification on the recruitment for Research Associate post. To know more about pay scale, eligibility, how to apply, selection procedure and important dates scroll down.

Name of the Post:

Research Associate.

Who is Eligible for the IIM Lucknow Job?

Qualification: Candidates applying for this job should have a Master's Degree from an recognised University or Institute preferably in the social sciences.

Age Limit:

30 to 35 years.

How Candidates are Selected for IIM Lucknow Job?

Candidates interested in the above job must be aware of the selection process of this organisation.

Candidates will be asked to give written exam which will be followed by an interview. These two factors determines the selection of the candidate.

How to Apply for IIM Lucknow Job?

Candidates who are interested to apply for the above mentioned jobs must see that they are eligible for this job.

Once they find themselves eligible they can apply for this job through post in a prescribed format. Do not forget to send the applications along with other necessary documents.

Important Dates to Apply for IIM Lucknow Job:

Last date to apply: April 25, 2016.

For Further Details of this job, visit the Official Website of Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow).

Also Read:
Mahindra, together with famous Italian design company Pininfarina have drawn up a series of concept designs meant to inspire the appearance of the next-generation Formula E car.



Right now, Mahindra is actually looking for feedback on these designs on their social media sites (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) and fans will need to use #FormulaEConcepts in order to have their opinions heard.

According to Dilbagh Gill, Mahrinda Racing team principal and head of the Formula E Teams Association, there are other, even more radical concepts soon to come.

We thought to start with wed put out the milder versions, said Gill during a recent interview with Autosport. We want to make it clear its still at a very early state, to facilitate the discussion. We have an interest in a car thats relevant four or five years down the line from season five, so 2022-23. Thats where we need this leap of faith.

The team principal added that the intention is for them to end up with something futuristic and not something similar to whats already out there, which is something fans everywhere want to hear.

Fabio Filippini, chief creative officer at Pininfarina, also spoke with excitement about his companys involvement with Formula E, stating that its one of the most exciting signs of the changes under way in the automotive world as well as in motor racing.

A possible contribution of Pininfarina to the future development of a Formula E car would be a highly motivating challenge, fully consistent with our mission of creators and innovators in the automotive field.

What do you guys think of the concepts? Theyre certainly futuristic enough and one even comes with cockpit protection.

Photos: TheVerge

PHOTO GALLERY
These are the first pictures of Acuras brand-new CDX compact SUV that will have its world premiere at next weeks 2016 Beijing Auto Show in China.



The CDX is the production version of Acuras SUV-X Concept from the 2013 Auto China Show in Shanghai.

Its not clear yet if its based on Hondas HR-V or another platform, as Chinese media is reporting that its 4,495mm (179 in) long, 1,840mm (72.4 in) wide and 1,600mm (63 in) tall, riding on a 2,660mm (104.7 in) wheelbase.

If accurate, this makes it notably bigger than the Honda model that measures 4,295 mm (169.1 in) long, 1,770 mm (69.7 in) wide, and 1,605 mm (63.2 in) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,610 mm (102.8 in), but well have to wait for Acura to release official specifications to be on the safe side.

On the outside, the new CDX combines a dynamic profile with a swoopy roofline and a front that borrows its aesthetics from the facelifted 2017 MDX, including Acuras new beakless corporate grille.

Power for the Chinese model reportedly comes from Hondas 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine rated for 182hp and 240Nm (178 lb-ft) paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front or all-four wheels.

The CDX will be the first Acura to be produced in China by Hondas local joint-venture with Guangzhou Automobile, with sales to begin in the third quarter of the year.

Back in 2014, Hondas chief engineer for the HR-Vs drivetrain, Naohisa Morishita, told reporters that the company was studying a similar vehicle for the Acura brand in North America. There is a market for it worldwide, not just in China, he told Autonews. Personally, I think Acura needs it.

Photo Gallery
As more deadlines in Volkswagens Dieselgate scandal approach, details of the lengths the company may have gone to circumvent emissions regulations continue to emerge.



In a report Tuesday from Reuters, citing German newspaper Handelsblatt, that the parent of Audi decided to implement the technology in the hopes of getting some diesel engines to meet emissions requirements. The software was later used in roughly 11 million VW Group vehicles worldwide until last year.

This report follows another from Bloomberg that Volkswagens cheating code has hampered search efforts by investigators determining the source of the so-called Dieselgate scandal. At the same time, there is an April 21 deadline looming for VW to present a plan to fix the roughly 600,000 vehicles in the U.S. affected by the scandal, as well as 600 plaintiffs whove tried to sue the company for damages and the prospect of a trial that could go through the summer.

Both sides on Dieselgate are sounding increasingly weary and pushed to come to an agreement on a fix, which still has to appease the EPA and California Air Resources Board. VW dealers have also grown increasingly restless against both the companys U.S. and German offices for support amidst sliding fortunes.

Photo Gallery
Land Rover updates its best-selling Evoque by adding more colors and the latest tech, while customers will now get the option of a new limited Ember edition.



Having sold more than 520,000 of these, its no wonder that Land Rover wants to keep the Evoque relevant as the segment is being flooded with new competitors constantly.

For starters, the 2017 Range Rover Evoque now comes with the latest InControl Touch Pro infotainment system which features a 10.2-inch touchscreen complete with streetview map options, pinch n zoom function and a customizable home screen. The screen offers a 1280542 pixel resolution which represents an 80 per cent increase over the standard 8-inch system.

Land Rover has also added a new trim level called Graphite Design Pack. This includes a unique 20-in wheels finished in Satin Technical Grey and a black-with-grey-surround front grille. A black contrast roof with matching bonnet and tailgate lettering, darkened front and rear lights and black exhaust tips complete the exterior look of this new trim level.

The color palette now offers 18 paint options, after the addition of Aruba, Farallon Black, Carpathian Grey and Silicon Silver premium metallic paint finishes.

The new Ember edition builds upon the HSE Dynamic trim level adding a red-on-black theme. This includes design details like the Firenze Red roof contrasting the Santorini Black of the body, unique badging all around and a set of satin black 20in wheels among others. The cabin is dressed in black leather with contrasting red stitching and gloss black trim finishes.

In Europe, the new limited Ember edition will be available only with the 180hp turbodiesel engine option, mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox, with the company saying that customers will be able to order it only for a three-month period this summer.

PHOTO GALLERY
Photo: Contributed

Council gave the thumbs down Monday to a proposed duplex development on Cambie Place in Penticton after hearing from several concerned residents.

During the two-hour public hearing, held prior to the regular meeting, people expressed concerns about the size of the proposed project, parking and safety.

"The concerns were that the size of the project on a smaller footprint conflicted with the neighbourhood feel and character, and that it would be more appropriate in areas where we focus on densification, such as the downtown core," said Mayor Andrew Jakubeit.

Developer Bruce Schoenne, who also spoke at the hearing, recently purchased the land on Cambie Place with the intention of demolishing the existing single detachment dwelling and constructing two duplexes on the lot.

Many of the opposing speakers were from Cambie Meadows, a gated community in the area.

They primarily focused on geological instability, the proximity to the existing Cambie Meadows entrance and the impact on the existing character of the neighbourhood and safety.

In the end, after debating the pros and cons, the vote was 5 to 2, with councillors Helena Konanz and Andre Martin supporting the proposal.

Martin's argument was the proposed development is in a multi-living area already, while Konanz noted it was Cambie Meadows that opened up the floodgate for this type of development.

Jakubeit said the developer will now go back to staff regarding the matter.
Photo: Contributed

Police are warning those who use the Chapman Parkade on Lawrence Avenue late at night to be extra vigilant following an attack.

A man who was finishing work at a nearby restaurant was headed to his vehicle in the parkade about 2 a.m. on April 13.

While walking on the fourth floor of the parkade, he was approached by a man who struck him on the head several times, knocking him to the ground.

Kelowna RCMP Const. Jesse O'Donaghey said the suspect reportedly took the victim's money from his wallet and departed on foot from the parkade.

The victim did not report the incident to the police right away and instead went to seek medical treatment.

"The RCMP would like to encourage the public to report any incidents such as these immediately to police," said O'Donaghey. "This increases our chances of locating, identifying and arresting the suspect and in some cases recovering any stolen property. It also greatly reduces the risk of the suspect further victimizing other members of the general pubic."

The suspect is described as:

Caucasian male

with noticeable facial acne

wearing a black hoodie and jeans

The RCMP are continuing to investigate ask anyone with any information to contact Const. James Van Camp of the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The group working to prevent a water slide development at Skaha Lake Park is embarking on a new campaign, taking place April 23 to July 20.

The goal of the Save Skaha Park Society's effort, 10,000 Members in 100 Days, is to increase membership.

Spokeswoman Lisa Martin said they want to convert support they have already received into membership if their civil case proceeds to court.

"Our lawyer has been clear that the size of our membership will weigh heavily with the judge," she said. We know we represent prevailing public opinion and a significant count will make that abundantly clear.

The group is opposed to a water slide development at the park by the Trio Marine Group.

The blitz kicks off with Celebrate Earth Day at the Rotary pavilion in the park on Saturday.

The society has lined up speakers, performers, walking tours and displays for the celebration.

Skaha Park is a priceless natural asset exactly as it is, and it belongs to all of us, said Martin. We encourage everyone who wants to keep Skaha Park green, peaceful and free for all, to please join us Saturday from noon until 3 p.m. and become an SSPS member. It costs only $2 for a lifetime membership.

The society will also be at other upcoming events throughout its campaign.

The project also has many supporters in the city.

And Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said Tuesday Trio is evaluating how to move forward and what they want to do.

"My understanding is they want to reach out to the society," he said.
Photo: Twitter

Weeks of sweltering temperatures have caused more than 160 deaths in southern and eastern India, officials said Tuesday, warning that any relief from monsoon rains was still likely weeks away.

Most of the heat-wave victims were labourers and farmers in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, though temperatures elsewhere in India have also hit 45 C.

Schools were closed last week in Orissa until at least April 26. Officials in Andhra Pradesh were giving out free water and buttermilk to help people stay hydrated. And everywhere, people have been urged to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day.

Y.K. Reddy, a state meteorological official, said the temperatures were about 4-5 degrees hotter than normal for April. "Normally, such high temperatures are recorded in the month of May," he said.

Police have reported 55 heat-related deaths in Orissa and at least 45 in Andhra Pradesh. Sixty-six were reported in Telangana, though the state's deputy chief minister, Mohammed Mahmood Ali, said the causes of death were still being verified.

Meanwhile, a 12-year-old girl in the drought-stricken western state of Maharashtra died from the heat while fetching water, Indian broadcaster NDTV said Wednesday.

Making matters worse, India is grappling with severe water shortages and drought affecting more than 300 million people  a quarter of the country's population. Thousands of distressed farmers have committed suicide, tens of thousands of farm animals have died, and crops have perished, with rivers, lakes and ponds drying up and groundwater tables sinking.

Scrambling to deal with the crisis, officials have sent tankers of water to parched farming communities in Maharashtra, banning people from drilling deep wells and ordering farmers to shift away from growing water-guzzling sugarcane crops.

The heat wave in India coincides with record-high temperatures across the globe. On Tuesday, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said March's average global temperature was not only the hottest March, but continues a record 11-month streak that started last May.

For southern India, this is the second consecutive year marred by a deadly heat wave. Last year, around 2,500 people died in scorching temperatures before the monsoon rains began in the Indian subcontinent in early June.

But while heat waves are relatively common during Indian summers, authorities have done little to ensure water security or prepare urban populations for the risks. This year, Orissa's capital of Bhubaneshwar and Maharashtra's city of Nagpur joined Gujarat's Ahmedabad in launching a heat wave program to educate people on how to stay cool, provide shelters and train medical workers on dealing with heat-related illnesses like sun stroke and dehydration.
Photo: Twitter

With her New York win, Hillary Clinton's support among superdelegates puts her on track to clinch the Democratic nomination outright before the national convention  even before results from the California primary, which Bernie Sanders was counting on winning to stand a chance.

Clinton added 33 new endorsements over the past month, according to an Associated Press survey, expanding her overwhelming support among the party officials who can back any candidate, despite Sanders' recent string of victories in Wisconsin and the West. Sanders picked up seven.

The AP count, including New York:

 Based on primaries and caucuses: Clinton leads, 1,428 to 1,151.

 Including superdelegates: 1,930 to 1,189.

Sanders must win 73 per cent of the remaining delegates and uncommitted superdelegates to get the nomination. It takes 2,383 to win.

Clinton emerged from New York's presidential primary closer to clinching the Democratic nomination and becoming the first woman to reach that milestone. Republican Donald Trump strengthened his own path toward the general election with a commanding victory, but has little room for error in the states ahead.
Photo: Skylar noe-vack

Fire crews in Penticton were kept busy Wednesday morning.

After extinguishing a fryer fire at Ricky's Grill, fire crews were called to a mobile home fire at the Dauphin Mobile Home Park on Dauphin Avenue.

The call came in about 8 a.m.

Firefighters were met with heavy black smoke upon arrival.

Crews deployed handlines into the home and had the fire knocked down by about 8:30 a.m.

There's no word on whether anybody was home at the time of the fire.

The exact cause has not been determined. However, unconfirmed reports at the scene suggest the fire may have started beneath the mobile home.
Photo: Skylar noe-vack

Penticton firefighters were called to Ricky's All Day Grill at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre to put out a fire in a deep fryer Wednesday morning.

Workers tried to extinguish the fire, which started at about 7:30 a.m., but to no avail.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.

An investigator is currently on scene.

Castanet will provide more details as they become available.
Photo: Thinkstock.com

Education Minister Mike Bernier has appointed a special advisor for the North Okanagan Shuswap school district following the resignations of three trustees last week.

"We've heard from the board and from parents in the community that the public has to have confidence in the board and its work," Bernier said. "The appointment of Liz Watson to look at everything the board is doing will help set the North-Okanagan Shuswap district on a path that rebuilds confidence."

Watson, president and CEO of Watson Inc. of Vancouver, has more than 30 years experience as a lawyer and more than a decade as an advisor to boards, committees and CEOs. She is said to regularly advise effective board practices and governance.

School board trustees have been under fire over proposals to close a number of schools and over revelations they had transferred millions of dollars in surplus operating funds into capital funding projects over the past five years, including the new $9.3 million board offices.

Three trustees  Barry Chafe, Jennifer Wilchuk and Kelly Rowe - have handed in their resignations.

Rowe said last week that the whole board should have resigned. A special by-election is set for late June.

The special advisor's mandate will be to review board activities and develop a report with both findings and recommendations for School District 83 that will look at a number of

issues, including:

governance practices  including capacity, structure, and culture

board relationships with district management and with external stakeholders

board accountability and evaluation mechanisms

budgeting processes

capital planning

The special advisor's report is due back to the Ministry of Education by May 20th.

The school district will have to formally respond to the special advisor's report with an action plan.
Is the Kelowna Council taking money under the table? I cant think of any other explanation.

I took a rare walk along the waterfront yesterday and my partner pointed out the space that has been allocated for a new tourist bureau. I was really astonished. It is right in the centre of Stuart Park, blocking the view, and, apparently, no parking. I repeat, where is anybody going to park, visitors or locals alike?

I believe other people have indicated better locations for this office, but it looks like most of the public input has been willfully ignored. Why are they doing this? It seems to me it is because they just can.

I can only deduce from this state of affairs that Colin Basran & Co. must be receiving money under the table, either from some developer or from some other corrupt source, because what they are planning definitely does not make any sense. I realize that Mayor Basran is on a mission to turn Kelowna into Vancouver 2.0, but this really is pretty shocking. Can reason return to its throne? Can this ridiculousness be stopped?

Laurence D. M. Marshall
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UK: new Ecocem cement terminal opened

ICR Newsroom By 20 April 2016

Ecocem, a Dublin-based cement producer, has opened its first UK bulk import terminal along the Manchester Ship Canal, built in partnership with Peel Ports at Runcorn.



The new bulk import facility on a one-acre plot will handle cement from Ecocems production facility in Dublin Port. From the Runcorn site, it will be processed and transported direct to UK construction projects via road, rail and water.

Conor ORiain, managing director of Ecocem Ireland, said: Weve invested in state of the art equipment to demonstrate to the market that we are here for the long term, and Im delighted to say that the response from the market has been phenomenal.

Weve made commitments to sell more in the UK in our first year than our total domestic sales in 2016.

A further GBP2m has been committed to increase capacity at the Runcorn Docks site, to meet the growing demands of the market.









Published under
SCG forecasts regional capacity will hit 292Mta by 2018

ICR Newsroom By 20 April 2016

In a presentation to investors earlier this month, Siam Cement Group (SCG) disclosed that it expects capacity in Thailand and nearby markets will reach 292Mta in two years' time, up from 251Mta in 2015.

Production capacity is set to expand in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. This comes against a backdrop of existing overcapacity  in 2015 domestic consumption in the six countries was 168Mt, implying a utilisation rate of 67 per cent.

Demand growth in Thailand and Indonesia  together accounting for 60 per cent of the six-country total  was flat in 2015, suggesting that much of the new capacity will be unneeded in the short term.

Growth was stronger in the other four countries, but as yet only Vietnam has a large market, with consumption here reaching 54Mt in 2015.

Thailands cement demand was unchanged YoY in 2015. While the government demand grew by 11 per cent, commercial and residential cement consumption fell by two per cent and five per cent respectively. SCGs earnings on building materials  of which cement is the greater part  fell by 8.6 per cent YoY in 2015, while the Nation reports that this slump looks set to be continued in 2016.

Despite this, SCG is pushing ahead with its plans to construct new plants in Myanmar and Laos. The two 1.8Mt facilities are expected to be commissioned in mid-2016 and mid-2017 respectively.

Published under
USA: Essroc Martinsbrug to tighten up dust emissions control

20 April 2016

Essroc officials said in a statement that it will implement strict dust-control improvements over the next 60 days as part of ongoing environmental efforts, and has already made investments to repair equipment.



Essroc recently agreed to pay a US$38,400 penalty for air-pollution violations, which triggered several complaints last year from nearby residents.



Essroc will be required to perform weekly instead of monthly visible emission observations at its South Queen Street plant as part of efforts to prevent future violations, according to a consent order signed by plant director Heinz Knopfel and the West Virginia Division of air quality director William Durham.



The Division of Air Quality officials conducted an inspection of visible emissions at the cement plant between 21 October and 2 November in response to citizen complaints, the order said.



The inspection revealed that dust was coming from near the top of a silo that houses clinker. The investigation also found that seals on the access doors to enter the silo were not sealing properly, allowing dust to escape.



Plans to minimise or eliminate dust-emission sources at the plant are expected to "significantly reduce emissions, as well as help to improve visibility for our workers in the indoor clinker-handling area," Essroc officials said Monday.



The company also said Monday that the facility reached a three-year safety milestone, having passed one million man-work hours without a time-loss accident.





Published under
[]: 20160420 17:08:00 

Stock Code: 200771 Stock ID: Hangqilun B Announcement No. 2016-49







Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.



Resolutions of the 31st Meeting of the 6th Term of Board











The members of the Board and the Company acknowledge being responsible for the truthfulness,

accuracy, and completeness of the announcement. Not any false record, misleading statement or

significant omission carried in this announcement.











Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd. has served the notice for board meeting in term of writing on



April 11, 2016. And voted by means of telecommunication on April 20, 2016.



There are totally 11 members of the Board, and 11 effective votes were received as of April 20,

2016. This was complying with the provisions of the Company Law, Articles of Association, and



Share Listing Rules of Shenzhen Stock Exchange, thus the meeting was legal and valid.







I.The full text and official text of the 1st Quarterly Report 2016



The proposal was adopted by 11 votes in favor, 0 vote objection and 0 vote waived. The Full Text

and Official Text of the 1st Quarterly Report 2016 were adopted.



The full text of the 1st Quarterly Report 2016 is available at http://www.cninfo.com.cn

(Announcement No. 2016-51) on April 21, 2016. The official text is available as Announcement

No. 2016-52 released by Securities Times, Shanghai Securities Daily, Hong Kong Commercial

Daily (English), as well as http://www.cninfo.com.cn dated April 21, 2016. The Board inspected

and discussed on the 1st Quarterly Report 2016.



All of the members considered the 1st Quarterly Report 2016 was frankly and completely

reflecting the financial situation and business performance in the report term (January 1  March

31, 2016). The Board will assume joint and individual responsibilities for the accuracy, authentic,

and completeness of the Report.







The Board of Directors of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.



April 20, 2016









 Stock Code: 200771 Stock ID: Hangqilun B Announcement No. 2016-49Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.Resolutions of the 31st Meeting of the 6th Term of BoardThe members of the Board and the Company acknowledge being responsible for the truthfulness,accuracy, and completeness of the announcement. Not any false record, misleading statement orsignificant omission carried in this announcement.Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd. has served the notice for board meeting in term of writing onApril 11, 2016. And voted by means of telecommunication on April 20, 2016.There are totally 11 members of the Board, and 11 effective votes were received as of April 20,2016. This was complying with the provisions of the Company Law, Articles of Association, andShare Listing Rules of Shenzhen Stock Exchange, thus the meeting was legal and valid.I.The full text and official text of the 1st Quarterly Report 2016The proposal was adopted by 11 votes in favor, 0 vote objection and 0 vote waived. The Full Textand Official Text of the 1st Quarterly Report 2016 were adopted.The full text of the 1st Quarterly Report 2016 is available at http://www.cninfo.com.cn(Announcement No. 2016-51) on April 21, 2016. The official text is available as AnnouncementNo. 2016-52 released by Securities Times, Shanghai Securities Daily, Hong Kong CommercialDaily (English), as well as http://www.cninfo.com.cn dated April 21, 2016. The Board inspectedand discussed on the 1st Quarterly Report 2016.All of the members considered the 1st Quarterly Report 2016 was frankly and completelyreflecting the financial situation and business performance in the report term (January 1  March31, 2016). The Board will assume joint and individual responsibilities for the accuracy, authentic,and completeness of the Report.The Board of Directors of Hangzhou Steam Turbine Co., Ltd.April 20, 2016
In just their second year participating in the I Believe in the Future of Ag fundraising campaign, the Auburn FFA Chapter helps with local hunger problems in its community by using funds donated from community members.

The Auburn FFA Chapter took the initiative to help support the local BackPack Program to send out approximately 50 backpacks per week. The FFA chapter not only helps with the food aspect, but also collects coats and hats to give to the families.

The I Believe campaign is a great way for FFA chapters to raise money because students interact with community members and business leaders while providing funds for their chapter. It truly engages the community and the FFA chapter, said Ashton Bohling, Auburn FFA Chapter adviser. Most of their campaigning for the I Believe fundraising was through word of mouth, letters and their Facebook page.

The I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign educates the public on the importance of agricultural education in Nebraska schools through an educational marketing campaign and serves as a fundraising campaign to grow the capacity of Nebraska FFA at both the state and local levels.

23 corporate partners challenged Nebraskas FFA members to raise $300,000 at the local level in the 2015-16 campaign. They not only provided $35,000 in matching funds for Nebraska FFA chapters during the 2015-16 campaign but also gave funds to develop the campaign and educational marketing pieces.

The beauty of this campaign is that it gives a local FFA advisor the opportunity to ask for a tax-deductible donation to do things they couldnt otherwise afford. It also helps them develop a group of community supporters, said Stacey Agnew, executive director of the Nebraska FFA Foundation. Were seeing some really cool initiatives in our FFA chapters.

The Auburn FFA Chapter along with all other Nebraska FFA Chapters would like to thank all of the corporate sponsors and local donors for donating to the I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign.
Three men who were charged after failing to meet the requirements of their sex offender registrations were sentenced Wednesday afternoon in Gage County District Court.

Craig A. Dorn, 43, was sentenced in two cases, one for violating his sex offender registration and another for theft by receiving stolen property valued at $500-$1,500.

For both convictions, Dorn will serve a total of 60 months on intensive supervised probation.

Dorn was required to register as a sex offender following a conviction for possession of child pornography in 2010.

Dorn was found in violation of a sex offender requirement after a woman he was living with reported he had both email and Facebook accounts, which are forbidden.

In a separate case, Dorn was arrested last July for stealing an iPhone and a pair of Willey X safety glasses.

A Texas man reported the items were stolen from his truck while at the truck stop at 18550 Highway 77.

According to a press release from the Gage County Sheriffs Office, the phones GPS was used to find its location, which was in the middle of the block between Summit and Garfield and 10th and 11th streets in Beatrice.

A Gage County deputy went to that location and found Dorn standing outside his car in the area the iPhone was located.

Dorn was questioned about the phone and denied knowing anything about it.

During a search of Dorns car, an iPhone 6 phone case and the safety glasses were located.

The phone was located outside of the vehicle near the location where Dorn was standing when contacted by deputies.

Dorn pleaded no contest to both charges in February.

Arthur D. Underwood Jr., 24, was sentenced to 90 days in Gage County Jail for an attempted Sex Offender Registration Act violation.

Underwood was arrested last November when he went to the Gage County Sheriffs Office to update his address, as required.

Underwood had no current employment listed on his registration at the time and was asked if he was employed.

He indicated he had been working for around two months, and was arrested for not registering within three days of new employment as required.

Underwood was sentenced to six months probation in a 2011 case in which a third-degree sexual assault of a child charge was reduced to child abuse in Custer County.

In a 2014 Hall County case he was sentenced to 24 months probation after violating his sex offender registration requirement.

Arthur K. Case, 25, was sentenced to two years of probation for two counts of attempted violations of the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Case was arrested last August when the Gage County Sheriffs Office received information that Case was not residing at his registered address at 921 Bell St. in Beatrice.

A deputy went to the registered address and spoke with a woman, who stated Case had not lived at the residence for the last month, according to Gage County Court documents. She gave the deputy a phone number, which was different than his registered number.

Cases registered place of employment was also different from where the woman said he worked.

Deputies investigated a residence at 11614 E. Cherry Road in Adams, where a woman who owns the residence said Case moved in around the end of May.

She told deputies Case had clothes and a bed in his own room of the residence.

According to Jefferson County Court documents, Case was sentenced to 15 days jail, two years of probation and a $1,000 fine for third-degree sexual assault of a child in December 2014.
LINCOLN -- Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes faced the Legislature's investigative committee for several hours Monday, answering questions on staff assaults, retention of corrections officers, treatment of inmate Nikko Jenkins and other topics.

The prisons, particularly Tecumseh State Correctional Institution and the Nebraska State Penitentiary, have seen an increase in inmates assaulting staff in the past year and especially in the past several months.

Frakes said that of the approximately 5,400 people in Nebraska's prisons, half are serving time for violent crimes.

From Oct. 14 to April 15, there were 105 staff assaults by 61 inmates. Twenty inmates were responsible for two or more attacks and one was responsible for 14 of the 105 assaults.

A report given to the committee showed 2016 already has the highest number of serious staff injuries in a year, going back to 2007.

This year, so far, there have been six assaults on staff that caused serious injuries, and 27 without serious injuries. That compares to five assaults with serious injury in both 2011 and 2014.

The assaults seem to be random, and not clearly an organized effort, Frakes said, although officials are finding some links and connections in the violence.

Staff members have speculated that reduced use of restrictive housing could be a factor in the increase, along with an increase in more violent inmates coming in, a lack of respect for authority by inmates and a feeling authority cannot be trusted.

The department has recently revised its critical incident reviews to include formal examinations of all serious assaults, similar to approaches used by military, law enforcement and medical professions, he said.

"We will continue to dissect each incident and implement changes to reduce violence and risk to staff," Frakes told the committee.

Retention of staff in the prisons, particularly at Tecumseh, has been an issue, and the Legislature recently appropriated $1.5 million to help the department find ways to better retain security staff.

A work group has recently come up with preliminary recommendations on how to use the retention money, including suggestions of one-time longevity bonuses, resiliency training, reimbursement for licensure or continuing education expenses and other training to develop a better work environment.

In fiscal year 2015, turnover among corrections officers and other security staff was at 33 percent. This fiscal year, turnover is projected to be 26 percent, with 91 projected vacancies, below the target of 95.

While overtime hours were higher at the beginning of the fiscal year, Frakes said, they are currently about 13 hours per employee per week.

Frakes said he has met with the department's collective bargaining team and started conversations on wages. He said he could not disclose the strategies.

He has not received results of a staff culture study conducted at the prisons over the past year. But he said he believes the culture is already changing.

On the topic of inmate Nikko Jenkins, Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers questioned Frakes about how an inmate on 24-hour surveillance had ended up with items he used to cut himself and attempt to kill himself in the past several months.

Jenkins was convicted on four counts of first-degree murder for killing people in Omaha after he was released directly from solitary confinement in prison into the community. He is waiting for sentencing at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.

Frakes said he obtained razors and a badge used to cut himself, and keys that he swallowed, because of errors by prison staff.

"I think they are deliberately making things available to him hoping he'll kill himself. And some of the implements made available to him would achieve that," Chambers said.

Jenkins is being held at the state penitentiary in Lincoln under surveillance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Frakes said no one had been fired because of the errors. And Chambers responded that Frakes must not be taking the actions seriously.

If it happens once, it could be a mistake, Chambers said. If it continues to happen, Frakes should be held responsible.

At the end of the questioning, committee member Matt Williams of Gothenburg thanked Frakes for being willing to sit and answer questions for much of the afternoon, and for taking on the Nebraska Corrections task.

"You inherited a very tough situation," he said. "I have found you very easy to work with, very committed to your job, compassionate about Corrections, and wanting to have data and answers before you try to make decisions."
LINCOLN  Nebraska is desperate to stop the runaway growth of its prison population, but doing so depends a lot on people like Ronald Tillman. Tillman, 54, a paroled drug dealer who suffers from bipolar disease and a debilitating back injury, has lived since his 2013 release solely on his monthly $733 disability check. When his food runs short, he faces a choice that has costly implications for the state  if he gets caught.

"Sometimes when you need food, you have to steal it," said Tillman, a Navy veteran. "I've shoplifted a couple of times, just to eat that night and maybe the next morning."

Nebraska is among a dwindling number of states that still enforce a lifetime ban on drug offenders receiving food stamps. If Tillman had been convicted of robbery, burglary or another crime, he could be eligible for the federal assistance. Now, Nebraska is wrestling with whether it can still afford the restrictive policy even though many residents take a dim view of giving public benefits to drug felons.

Eager to help more drug law convicts stay on the streets without committing crimes  those offenders can account for more than a quarter of those released  Alabama, Texas and a number of other states have decided in recent years to end or scale back the federal food stamp ban, which each state has the option to do.

Georgia is expected to end its ban soon, leaving only eight states with a lifetime prohibition  Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia. A bill to lift Nebraska's ban was thwarted by a procedural move after receiving majority support this spring, but proponents hope to bring it back again next year.

"I get it. These people who have drug problems did a bad thing," said Nebraska state Sen. Tommy Garrett, a Republican. However, "I'm interested in reducing recidivism and I don't think it's warranted to deprive them of benefits that other convicted felons get."

Nebraska's governor, Republican Pete Ricketts, and about a dozen legislators disagree, saying the current law only targets drug sellers or those convicted of possession more than twice. Giving drug offenders food stamps only makes it easier for them to support their drug habit if they relapse, as at least half of drug addicts do.

"By giving food stamps to drug dealers, we're just enabling them," said Sen. Bill Kintner, who took the lead in opposing the change.

Nebraska's prison population increased about 50 percent from 1997 to 2014, in part because of tougher sentencing laws, and now totals roughly 5,300 inmates, about 165 percent of the system's designed capacity.

Overcrowding was blamed as a factor in a prison riot that left two inmates dead last year.

Corrections officials this year sought $26 million for prison improvements and expansions, but even that might not be enough. Ricketts has called for more counseling and other services to help released inmates stay out of prison, where each costs about $30,000 a year to house.

About a third of Nebraska's ex-cons end up back behind bars, and nearly 28 percent of those released were primarily drug law violators.

"These are more or less nonviolent crimes," said Nebraska state Sen. Les Seiler, the Republican chairman of a prisons oversight committee, who said the goal should be to "get them a job, so they're not just sitting in prison."

A single person can receive up to $194 a month in food stamps; a parent with two children could get $511.

Carol Gundlach, who has been working on food stamp issues for 20 years in Alabama, remembers when the federal ban was made part of President Bill Clinton's legislation to "end welfare as we know it."

"Things were done then where we now all look back and say, 'Oh my gosh, what a bad idea,' " said Gundlach, a policy analyst for an Alabama group that pushed for changing the state's food stamp policy.

Alabama lifted its prohibition after its inmate population reached 30,000, about twice the prison system's intended capacity.

"You had some people where, it was a tough bill to swallow," said Sen. Cam Ward, a Republican who heads the Senate Judiciary Committee. However, "Finances drive it."

A special attraction is that the federal government pays the entire cost of food stamps.

"It's free money, right?" said Marc Mauer, executive director of the Sentencing Project nonprofit group.

In Nebraska last year, the state turned away 676 applicants with drug convictions, but many more likely didn't apply because they knew they would be rejected.

Destenie Commuso, of Lincoln, who was arrested in 2006 on drug manufacturing and delivery charges, said food stamps helped her rebuild her life in the community after her release. She participated in a drug court program that let her avoid a felony conviction.

"The food stamps really gave me the opportunity to not have to worry about how I was going to eat" during the six months it took to land a job, said Commuso, who now supports two children and no longer receives aid. "It took that burden off and let me focus on my recovery."
LINCOLN  Nebraska will steer an extra $20 million to farm and ranch landowners next year to offset their property taxes under a bill Gov. Pete Ricketts signed Tuesday.

The measure is one of the governor's top priorities but was watered down from his original proposal to impose spending controls on local governments and community colleges. On Monday, the governor signed another property tax bill that could make it easier for some local school districts to lower their levy rates.

"These bills are not everything we wanted when we started this process, but that's part of the give and take of the legislative process," Ricketts said at a press conference, flanked by the two sponsors of the bills and agricultural lobbyists.

The bills were introduced by Sens. Mike Gloor of Grand Island and Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids, both of whom are leaving office in January because of term limits.

Gloor's bill provides state money to boost Nebraska's property tax credit fund to $224 million a year, from the current $204 million. Tax credits for residential and commercial property owners would remain unchanged, while the credits for farm and ranch land owners would rise by $20 million.

"Hopefully we can get to the point where someday we're actually talking about decreasing property taxes," Gloor said.

Sullivan said her bill, which focused on school districts, will help keep schools accountable by allowing them to receive state aid even if they lower their levy rates. Sullivan has said some districts use the threat of losing aid as an excuse to keep the rates high. Her bill would also tighten budget restrictions on bonding for projects such as mold abatement and environmental hazards.

"I'm very glad we crossed the finish line," Sullivan said. "This sends a message that we're going to continue to make some structural changes in our funding formula."

Ricketts declined to say whether he would keep pushing next year for tax measures that benefit agriculture, noting that Gloor and Sullivan will be replaced by different committee leaders with different agendas.

Sullivan said next year's legislative leaders will have to strike a balance among lobbying groups with competing agendas.

Gloor said cooperation with the governor's office was key to passing the bills.

"Having both the Legislature and the executive branch pointed in the same direction is a pretty significant force," he said.
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In 2015, the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and nine other states filed a complaint against Caribbean Cruise Line, Inc. for violating the Tennessee and federal Do Not Call Telemarketing laws and has issued a fine in the amount of $500,000.

Both telemarketing laws were established to prohibit unwanted telephone solicitation calls to consumers.

Recently, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida approved an Order for Permanent Injunction and Civil Penalty Judgement against Caribbean Cruise Line, Inc. It required the company pay a civil penalty of $500,000, of which, Tennessee received $26,213.18 representing affected Tennesseans.

The consumer protections established in state law is designed to give consumers relief from unsolicited telephone calls, said TRA Chairman Herb Hilliard. I applaud our team of investigators for their dedication and vigilance in enforcing the states laws and for working towards weeding out those who deliberately break the law.

State Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville, said, As a co-sponsor of the original enabling legislation, it pleases me to see the TRA proactively pursuing these bad actors. Protecting the consumers of Tennessee has and will continue to be a priority for me.
As part of our ongoing ArtWise Distinguished Speakers Series, the Hunter Museum of American Art announces Sanford Hirsch, executive director of the Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation in New York, will speak on Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m. about the current exhibit of paintings and monotypes by Abstract Expressionist Adolph Gottlieb.



Mr. Gottlieb famously said, The role of the artist is that of image-maker. Different times require different images.

"For Mr. Gottlieb, abstraction was a way to address viewers on an emotional and spiritual level. Along with close friend Mark Rothko, Mr. Gottlieb outlined the ideas of the Abstract Expressionists in a joint letter to The New York Times in 1943. The letter stated, in part, 'We favor the simple expression of the complex thoughtWe are for flat forms because they destroy illusions and reveal truth.' Mr. Hirschs talk will explore these ideas and how they informed the work of Mr. Gottlieb and his cohorts," officials said.



Mr. Hirsch has developed policy and programs for the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation since its inception in 1976. In his capacity as the foundations director, Mr. Hirsch has originated several major exhibitions, published numerous articles about Mr. Gottlieb and American art, and has lectured on related topics in the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Hirsch organized the Hunter Museums current special exhibition A Painters Hand: The Works of Adolph Gottlieb in cooperation with Hunter Museum staff.

This exhibition will subsequently travel to several other museums in the U.S.



As part of Throwback Thursday, this presentation, as well as access to the two current special exhibitions, is offered to the public for the throwback price of $5 for adults (free for members and children under 17 with paying adult).



ArtWise events occur multiple times a year at the Hunter Museum, often coinciding with special exhibitions, and feature nationally and globally known speakers from the art community. Past speakers include Lalla Essaydi, Lynsey Addario, and Albert Paley. The ArtWise series is sponsored by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Community Trust. Media support provided is by Brewer Media.
Researchers examined the spiral 'twist-bend' structure (right) formed by boomerang-shaped liquid crystal molecules (left and center) measuring 3 nanometers in length, using a pioneering X-ray technique at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source. A better understanding of this spiral form, discovered in 2013, could lead to new applications for liquid crystals and improved liquid-crystal display screens.

Liquid crystals, discovered more than 125 years ago, are at work behind the screens of TV and computer monitors, clocks, watches and most other electronics displays, and scientists are still discovering new twists--and bends--in their molecular makeup.

Liquid crystals are an exotic state of matter that flows like a fluid but in which the molecules may be oriented in a crystal-like way. At the microscopic scale, liquid crystals come in several different configurations, including a naturally spiraling "twist-bend" molecular arrangement, discovered in 2013, that has excited a flurry of new research.

Now, using a pioneering X-ray technique developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), a research team has recorded the first direct measurements confirming a tightly wound spiral molecular arrangement that could help unravel the mysteries of its formation and possibly improve liquid-crystal display (LCD) performance, such as the speed at which they selectively switch light on or off in tiny screen areas.

The findings could also help explain how so-called "chiral" structure--molecules can exhibit wildly different properties based on their left- or right-handedness (chirality), which is of interest in biology, materials science and chemistry--can form from organic molecules that do not exhibit such handedness.

"This newly discovered 'twist-bend' phase of liquid crystals is one of the hottest topics in liquid crystal research," said Chenhui Zhu, a research scientist at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source (ALS), where the X-ray studies were performed.

"Now, we have provided the first definitive evidence for the twist-bend structure. The determination of this structure will without question advance our understanding of its properties, such as its response to temperature and to stress, which may help improve how we operate the current generation of LCDs."

While there are now several competing screen technologies to standard LCDs, the standard LCD market is still huge, representing more than one-third of the revenue in the electronic display market. The overall display market is expected to top $150 billion in revenue this year.

The individual molecules in the structure determined at Berkeley Lab are constructed like flexible, nanoscale boomerangs, just a few nanometers, or billionths of a meter, in length and with rigid ends and flexible middles. In the twist-bend phase, the spiraling structure they form resembles a bunch of snakes lined up and then wound snugly around the length of an invisible pole.

Zhu tuned low-energy or "soft" X-rays at the ALS to examine carbon atoms in the liquid crystal molecules, which provided details about the molecular orientation of their chemical bonds and the structure they formed. The technique he used for the study is known as soft X-ray scattering. The spiraling, helical molecular arrangement of the liquid crystal samples would have been undetectable by conventional X-ray scattering techniques.

The measurements show that the liquid crystals complete a 360-degree twist-bend over a distance of just 8 nanometers at room temperature, which Zhu said is an "amazingly short" distance given that each molecule is 3 nanometers long, and such a strongly coiled structure is very rare.

The driving force for the formation of the tight spiral in the twist-bend arrangement is still unclear, and the structure exhibits unusual optical properties that also warrant further study, Zhu said.

Researchers found that the spiral "pitch," or width of one complete spiral turn, becomes a little longer with increasing temperature, and the spiral abruptly disappears at sufficiently high temperature as the material adopts a different configuration.

"Currently, this experiment can't be done anywhere else," Zhu said. "We are the first team to use this soft X-ray scattering technique to study this liquid-crystal phase."

Standard LCDs often use nematic liquid crystals, a phase of liquid crystals that naturally align in the same direction--like a group of compass needles that are parallel to one another, pointing in one direction.

In these standard LCD devices, rod-like liquid crystal molecules are sandwiched between specially treated plates of glass that cause the molecules to "lie down" rather than point toward the glass. The glass is typically treated to induce a 90-degree twist in the molecular arrangement, so that the molecules closest to one glass plate are perpendicular to those closest to the other glass plate.

It's like a series of compass needles made to face north at the top, smoothly reorienting to the northeast in the middle, and pointing east at the bottom. This molecularly twisted state is then electrically distorted to allow polarized light to pass through at varying brightness, for example, or to block light (by straightening the twist completely).

Future experiments will explore how the spirals depend on molecular shape and respond to variations in temperature, electric field, ultraviolet light, and stress, Zhu added.

He also hopes to explore similar spiraling structures, such as a liquid crystal phase known as the helical nanofilament, which shows promise for solar energy applications. Studies of DNA, synthetic proteins, and amyloid fibrils such as those associated with Alzheimer's disease, might help explain the role of handedness in how organic molecules self-assemble.

With brighter, more laser-like X-ray sources and faster X-ray detectors, it may be possible to see details in how the spiraling twist-bend structure forms and fluctuates in real time in materials, Zhu also said.

"I am hoping our ongoing experiments can provide unique information to benefit other theories and experiments in this field," he noted.
A view of the University of Utah physics laboratory where researchers showed that a phenomenon named the inverse spin Hall effect works in several organic semiconductors when pulsed microwaves are applied to the materials. The effect converts so-called spin current to electric current and may find use in future generations of batteries, solar cells and electronic devices.

The upper part of this illustration shows the device, built on a small glass slide, that was used in experiments showing that so-called spin current could be converted to electric current using several different organic polymer semiconductors and a phenomenon known as the inverse spin Hall effect. The bottom illustration shows the key, sandwich-like part of the device. An external magnetic field and pulses of microwaves create spin waves in the iron magnet. When those waves hit the polymer or organic semiconductor, they create spin current, which is converted to an electrical current at the copper electrodes.

By showing that a phenomenon dubbed the "inverse spin Hall effect" works in several organic semiconductors - including carbon-60 buckyballs - University of Utah physicists changed magnetic "spin current" into electric current. The efficiency of this new power conversion method isn't yet known, but it might find use in future electronic devices including batteries, solar cells and computers.

"This paper is the first to demonstrate the inverse spin Hall effect in a range of organic semiconductors with unprecedented sensitivity," although a 2013 study by other researchers demonstrated it with less sensitivity in one such material, says Christoph Boehme.

"The inverse spin Hall effect is a remarkable phenomenon that turns so-called spin current into an electric current. The effect is so odd that nobody really knows what this will be used for eventually, but many technical applications are conceivable, including very odd new power-conversion schemes," says Boehme, a physics professor.

His fellow senior author, distinguished professor Z. Valy Vardeny, says that by using pulses of microwaves, the inverse spin Hall effect and organic semiconductors to convert spin current into electricity, this new electromotive force generates electrical current in a way different than existing sources.

Coal, gas, hydroelectric, wind and nuclear plants all use dynamos to convert mechanical force into magnetic-field changes and then electricity. Chemical reactions power modern batteries and solar cells convert light to electrical current. Converting spin current into electrical current is another method.

Scientists already are developing such devices, such as a thermoelectric generator, using traditional inorganic semiconductors. Vardeny says organic semiconductors are promising because they are cheap, easily processed and environmentally friendly. He notes that both organic solar cells and organic LED (light-emitting diode) TV displays were developed even though silicon solar cells and nonorganic LEDs were widely used.

Vardeny and Boehme stressed that the efficiency at which organic semiconductors convert spin current to electric current remains unknown, so it is too early to predict the extent to which it might one day be used for new power conversion techniques in batteries, solar cells, computers, phones and other consumer electronics.

"I want to invoke a degree of caution," Boehme says. "This is a power conversion effect that is new and mostly unstudied."

Boehme notes that the experiments in the new study converted more spin current to electrical current than in the 2013 study, but Vardeny cautioned the effect still "would have to be scaled up many times to produce voltages equivalent to household batteries."

The new study was funded by the National Science Foundation and the University of Utah-NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. Study co-authors with Vardeny and Boehme were these University of Utah physicists: research assistant professors Dali Sun and Hans Malissa, postdoctoral researchers Kipp van Schooten and Chuang Zhang, and graduate students Marzieh Kavand and Matthew Groesbeck.

From spin current to electric current

Just as atomic nuclei and the electrons that orbit them carry electrical charges, they also have another inherent property: spin, which makes them behave like tiny bar magnets that can point north or south.

Electronic devices store and transmit information using the flow of electricity in the form of electrons, which are negatively charged subatomic particles. The zeroes and ones of computer binary code are represented by the absence or presence of electrons within silicon or other nonorganic semiconductors.

Spin electronics - spintronics - holds promise for faster, cheaper computers, better electronics and LEDs for displays, and smaller sensors to detect everything from radiation to magnetic fields.

The inverse spin Hall effect first was demonstrated in metals in 2008, and then in nonorganic semiconductors, Vardeny says. In 2013, researchers elsewhere showed it occurred in an organic semiconductor named PEDOT:PSS when it was exposed to continuous microwaves that were relatively weak to avoid frying the semiconductor.

But Boehme and Vardeny say the electrical current generated in that study by the inverse spin Hall effect was small - nanovoltages - and was obscured by microwave heating of the sample and other undesired effects.

"We thought, let's build different devices so these spurious effects were eliminated or very small compared with the effect we wanted to observe," Boehme says.

In the new study, the researchers used short pulses of more powerful microwaves to utilize the inverse spin Hall effect and convert a spin current to electric current in seven organic semiconductors, mostly at room temperature.

One organic semiconductor was PEDOT:PSS - the same material in the 2013 study. The others were three platinum-rich organic polymers, two so-called pi-conjugated polymers and the spherical carbon-60 molecule named buckminsterfullerene because it looks like a pair of geodesic domes popularized by the late architect Buckminster Fuller.

The carbon-60 proved surprisingly to be the most efficient semiconductor at converting spin waves into electrical current, Vardeny says.

How the experiments were performed

The Utah physicists take multiple steps to convert spin current to electrical current. They begin with a small glass slide, about 2.1-inches long and one-sixth-inch wide. Two electrical contacts are attached to one end of the glass slide. Thin, flat copper wires run the length of the slide, connecting the contacts at one end with a "sandwich" at the other end that includes the glass at the bottom, the organic polymer semiconductor being tested in the middle and a nickel-iron ferromagnet on top.

This device then is inserted lengthwise into a metal tube about 1-inch diameter and 3.5 inches long. A nonconducting material surrounds the device inside this tube, which then is inserted into a table-sized magnet that generates a magnetic field.

"We apply a magnetic field and leave it more or less constant," Boehme says. "Then we hook up the two contacts to a voltage meter and start measuring the voltage coming out of the device as a function of time."

With just the magnetic field, no electrical current was detected. But then the Utah physicists bombarded the organic semiconductor device with pulses of microwaves - as powerful as those from a home microwave oven but in pulses ranging from only 100 to 5,000 nanoseconds (the latter equal to one 200,000th of a second).

"All of a sudden we saw a voltage during that pulse," Boehme says.

Vardeny says the microwave pulses generate spin waves in the device's magnet, then the waves are converted into spin current in the organic semiconductor, and then into an electric current detected as a voltage.

Compared with the 2013 study, the use of microwave pulses in the Utah experiments meant "our power is much higher but the heating is much less and the inverse spin Hall effect is about 100 times stronger," Boehme says.

In effect, the pulsed microwaves provide a way to enhance the inverse spin Hall effect so it can be used to convert power, Vardeny adds.

The new study also showed that the conversion of spin current to electric current works in organic semiconductors via "spin-orbit coupling" - the same process found in inorganic conductors and semiconductors - even though the phenomenon in inorganic and organic materials works in fundamentally different ways, Boehme says.

This coupling is much weaker in organic than in nonorganic semiconductors, but "the big achievement we made was to find an experimental method sensitive enough to reliably measure these very weak effects in organic semiconductors," Boehme says.
Target is making a stand on the debate around what type of bathrooms transgender people can use. In a statement posted on its company website Tuesday, April 19, 2016, the discounter, based in Minneapolis, said transgender employees and customers can use the restroom or fitting room facility that "corresponds with their gender identity." (Lynne Sladky / AP)

As states and school districts grapple with laws or allowances around transgender bathroom use, one retail giant has made its stance public.

In a statement on its company website Tuesday, Target declared its commitment to "equality and equity."

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"Inclusivity is a core belief at Target," the statement said. "Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity."

The discount retailer further explained: "Given the specific questions these legislative proposals raised about how we manage our fitting rooms and restrooms, we felt it was important to state our position."

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The announcement appears to be a direct response to the controversial "bathroom bill" signed into law late March by North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory. The legislation's most contentious provision requires transgender people to use public restrooms based on the gender listed on their birth certificate.

Target is based in Minneapolis, where Gov. Mark Dayton directed state employees to "cease all nonessential state business travel to North Carolina until further notice" earlier this month.

While several large companies - Paypal, Apple and Google, to name a few - have condemned the North Carolina bill, Target may be the first major corporation to publicly outline its own bathroom policies.

Molly Snyder, a Target spokeswoman, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Tuesday's statement was not about a new policy. Rather, the company chose to be "very overt in stating it" in light of the current political climate.

This may encourage other corporations to show their hand as well.

"Target being more proactive about it could very well open - or force - the dialogue," Carol Spieckerman, a retail consultant, told the Star-Tribune. "Any time a retailer takes a more vocal stance, the microphone goes in front of all of the others."

Last August, Target transformed its toy section so that toys were no longer grouped together by gender. Previously, aisles were labeled for "Girls' Toys" and "Boys' Toys," along with accompanying colored backdrops. As The Washington Post's Jessica Contrera reported, the divisions provoked controversy online after an Ohio mom's tweet showing signage for "Building Sets" versus "Girls' Building Sets" went viral.

The company also applied similar changes to bedding departments.
AbbVie has agreed to fund collaborative cancer research at the University of Chicago, and will have the opportunity to develop the results. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Leukemia patients got a ray of hope last week when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new drug that targets a subset of leukemia patients with a genetic abnormality that makes the cancer harder to treat.

Venclexta, which could help up to 1,500 patients a year in their fight against cancer, was developed in part by North Chicago-based AbbVie  but is based on research done 25 years ago at the University of Chicago.

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Now a new collaboration between the pharmaceutical giant and the Hyde Park school aims to repeat that success, and to shrink the timeline between cutting-edge academic research and patients getting their hands on useful drugs.

Under the deal, AbbVie will pay an undisclosed amount to bankroll collaboration on cancer research at the university over the next five years and will have an exclusive option to license some of the university's discoveries.

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Alan Thomas, associate vice president of the University of Chicago and director of its tech business development arm, UChicagoTech, said the quarter-century development time of Venclexta is "an example of something we'd like to speed up by a factor of two or three" under the new deal.

While universities have long worked with drugmakers, in the past the informal ties between them meant many opportunities weren't taken advantage of as quickly as they might have been, he said, describing the deal whereby university researchers will work with the hundreds of AbbVie scientists as unprecedented for the U. of C.

Dr. Gary Gordon, vice president of AbbVie's clinical oncology department, said the deal gives AbbVie coveted access to patients for clinical trials and allows both AbbVie and the university to focus on their strengths. While the university excels at groundbreaking research, AbbVie scientists specialize in developing a drug to the point at which it can be brought to market, he said.

"We've had these stellar academic institutions in our backyard in the Chicago area for years and the question for us was, how can we work with them?" he said, adding that he hopes that cooperation between AbbVie and the university will eventually extend beyond the oncology department.

A committee of three AbbVie executives and three university leaders will consider which research projects proposed by faculty to fund, under the deal. Thomas scoffed at the idea that the deal would turn the school into the private research wing of AbbVie, or would skew the goals of its researchers.

"If you've ever worked with faculty, you'll know they have no interest in things they're not interested in!" he said. While AbbVie will retain the intellectual property rights for any of the drugs it developed that are studied under the deal, "if the university invents it, the university owns it," he said, adding that the school was "scrupulous about not compromising its publishing rate" and would not delay sharing its findings to benefit AbbVie.

AbbVie previously has announced similar deals with Yale and the University of Texas to study autoimmunity, and with Science Foundation Ireland, which it funded to do research into Crohn's disease.

kjanssen@tribpub.com

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United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz visits with the Chicago Tribune editorial board, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. As part of a deal to settle a board dispute, Munoz will not take over as board chairman until 2018, a year after initially scheduled. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

United Continental Holdings settled a very public dispute with two big investors over its board, a fight CEO Oscar Munoz faced just as he was returning to work full-time last month after a heart transplant.

The Chicago-based airline said Wednesday that three of its independent directors, including Henry L. Meyer III, the board's nonexecutive chairman, would retire from the board and not stand for re-election at the company's annual meeting. Also stepping down are directors John Walker and Charles Yamarone.

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Robert Milton, a former chairman and CEO of ACE Aviation Holdings as well as Air Canada and a recent addition to United's board, will succeed Meyer as nonexecutive chairman at the annual meeting.

That move, along with the addition of two outside directors named Wednesday and a third to be named later, settles a proxy battle with Altimeter Capital Management and PAR Capital Management, two shareholders that together own about 7 percent of the airline's stock. Last month, they detailed plans to seek six seats on the board.

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Joining the board are Edward Shapiro, PAR's managing partner and portfolio manager, and Barney Harford, former CEO of Orbitz Worldwide. Harford was on the slate of nominees originally proposed by Altimeter, as was Gordon Bethune, former CEO of Continental Airlines.

"Together, these moves put the proxy contest behind us and represent a new day for United's board," Munoz said in a letter to employees Wednesday. "And as we continue to move full speed ahead in running a great airline, our focus on taking care of each other and our customers has never been more important and our future has never looked more exciting."

As a result of the agreement, Munoz, who was scheduled to take over as board chairman in 2017, is not expected to step into that role until 2018, according to the airline.

The announcement seemingly puts another contentious issue behind Munoz, who has grappled first with labor issues and then with the two shareholders, as well as a heart attack and subsequent heart transplant, since taking over the airline in September.

Saturday, the airline announced employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers overwhelmingly ratified seven new labor contracts. It recently also negotiated labor contracts with its pilots and dispatchers, and remains in talks with flight attendants and technicians.

"United has great potential, and we're confident that these meaningful board-level changes will help the company reach that potential," Paul Reeder, PAR Capital's founder and CEO, said in a news release. "We are eager to see the new board turn its attention to creating stockholder value, improving labor relations, and enhancing customer satisfaction."

United is expected to issue its first-quarter results after the market closes Wednesday.
I am wondering why this person was merely tossed out of the church without being successfully prosecuted. He seems to have moved to another community where it's possible that people don't know about his behavior. Given the terrible history of clergy abuse, with examples of abusers simply moving and continuing to abuse people, it's best if this person's neighbor was made aware of his history. What he chooses to do with this knowledge is his business.
"I've heard from both sides frankly. Democrats yes but Republicans too. There are people on both sides who will feel the pinch of this," she told me. "But I also get phone calls from people all over the state who are not just seeing their pay delayed. Instead, they're losing their jobs, they're losing their businesses. And again I went back to 'How could this (getting a state legislative paycheck) be fair when we're putting people in peril with respect to their livelihoods?' "
Chicago Public Schools, grappling with a gaping budget deficit and the possibility of a teachers' strike, is about to be $23.5 million deeper in the hole after the state's tax collection agency said it had discovered an error in the way personal property taxes on businesses were distributed to local governments.

The error, announced Tuesday by the Illinois Department of Revenue, is part of a misallocation of $168 million that had been distributed by the state to local governments since 2014.

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The error affects about 6,500 taxing districts throughout Illinois, the agency said, and overpayment amounts are less than $10,000 for most of them. Just 10 taxing districts were overpaid by more than $1 million, including the city of Chicago, which was overpaid $19.4 million, and Cook County, which was overpaid $6.5 million.

The Chicago Park District received $5.6 million more than it should have, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District was overpaid $5 million.

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The announcement came as Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Democratic leaders in Springfield have been pushing Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner for more money for CPS, arguing that the troubled school district gets a raw deal from the state.

The revenue department said the misallocation was the result of a paperwork error and was discovered as the agency was implementing a new ledger system.

CPS referred questions to City Hall, where a mayoral spokeswoman said the administration had learned of the situation Tuesday.

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"Currently, the City has no information regarding the State's claim of overpayment," mayoral spokeswoman Kelley Quinn said in a statement. "We are working with the other impacted Chicago government agencies, along with reaching out to the State to obtain further information."

Department of Revenue Director Connie Beard said the administration would be "sensitive to the impact recouping these funds will have on some of our taxing districts."

"We will be working with the impacted taxing districts to establish a plan to recapture the funds over an extended period of time," Beard said.

The misallocation involves personal property replacement taxes, which are collected by the state and passed on to local governments to replace money that was lost to them when the 1970 Illinois Constitution abolished their ability to impose personal property taxes on corporations, partnerships and other business entities. The total amount of taxes distributed to local governments was $1.37 billion in 2014 and $1.43 billion in 2015.

Chicago Tribune's Juan Perez Jr. contributed.

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Threatened with the wrecking ball in 1988, St. John Cantius Roman Catholic Church, with its opulent baroque interior, stands as one of Chicago's many symbols of resurrection.

This past weekend, the Goose Island neighborhood parish, built by Polish immigrants in the 19th century, marshaled more than 16,000 of its fans and faithful to be voted "The Most Beautiful Church in America," edging out Cathedral of the Madeleine, the seat of the Salt Lake City Archdiocese.

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The contest, dubbed Church Madness, began as a whim of Patrick Murray, a self-proclaimed liturgy geek and consultant for Granda Liturgical Arts, a church design company in Omaha, Neb. Inspired by the NCAA basketball tournament nickname, March Madness, Murray designed a bracket of 64 architecturally alluring churches throughout the U.S. and posted them on his personal blog, which usually had about 10 views a day  "I think nine of them were from my mom."

But the introduction of the "Sacred 64" bracket quickly changed that. By April 7, four days after the contest debuted, the blog was up to 70,000 views from 3,500 visitors. It had about 7,000 visitors Saturday, the day St. John Cantius took the title.

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Collection is taken during a Latin Mass on Oct. 11, 2015, at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Chicago. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)

"I've been surprised at the emotional response," said Murray, 25, a native of Des Plaines who grew up part of the time in Northbrook and once attended St. John Cantius. "At the same time I shouldn't be. The whole point of art and architecture in these churches is to play to our emotions and lift our hearts."

The Rev. Joshua Caswell, a priest with the Canons Regular, the religious order housed at St. John Cantius, said he believes the contest provided a pleasant distraction for Catholic faithful.

"Beauty matters," he said. "Our culture is starved for beauty."

Parishioners attend an ordination May 27, 2014, at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

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He admits he didn't think about the importance of the contest at the time. But as St. John Cantius advanced to the "Theological 32," the "Stunning 16," and the "Ecclesiastical Eight," he was in it to win it, as were other competitors, he learned.

Also included in the original bracket was St. Peter's, a windowless urban art-deco church in Chicago's downtown.

"I was hoping to present a variety of styles, spotlighting the fact that beauty and creativity can come in all shapes and sizes," Murray said.

Still, he was happy to see St. John Cantius claim the title.

"It had an extraordinary impact on my faith," he said. "That was my first time ever understanding that we have this great Catholic heritage of art and tradition and liturgy that's all so important, and through baptism it's mine."

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GENEVA  As many as 500 people are feared dead after a shipwreck last week in the Mediterranean Sea, two international groups said Wednesday, describing survivors' accounts of panicked passengers who desperately tried to stay afloat by jumping between vessels.

The disaster happened in waters between Italy and Libya, based on accounts from 41 survivors who were rescued Saturday by a merchant ship, according to the U.N refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration.

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The tragedy ranks among the deadliest in recent years on the often-treacherous sea voyage along the central Mediterranean by refugees and migrants from Africa, the Middle East and beyond who have traveled in droves hoping to reach relatively peaceful and wealthy Europe.

While accounts provided by IOM and UNHCR varied slightly, both organizations said up to 200 people left the coastal town of Tobruk last week headed for a larger vessel already carrying hundreds of people in the Mediterranean.

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IOM said the 200 people had left on several small boats, while UNHCR said 100 to 200 people left in a single 30-meter boat. The discrepancy in the accounts could not be immediately explained.

UNHCR said the larger boat was already facing "terribly overcrowded conditions" before the newcomers arrived.

"Once transferred to the larger vessel  now with an estimated 500 on board  it began taking on water," IOM said, citing survivors' accounts. "The vessel started to sink and panicking passengers tried to jump into the smaller boats they had arrived in."

"The survivors told IOM that most of those aboard the larger vessel tragically died," the agency said in a statement.

It quoted an Ethiopian survivor it identified only as Mohamed as saying: "I saw my wife and my 2-month old child died at sea, together with my brother-in-law. ... The boat was going down ... down. ... All the people died in a matter of minutes."

The survivors "drifted at sea for a few days, without food, without anything," Mohamed said, adding that he thought "I was going to die." He said the travelers had intended to go to Italy, not Greece.

In its statement, IOM Athens Chief of Mission Daniel Esdras called the accounts "heartbreaking" and said the organization was awaiting investigations by authorities "to better understand what actually happened and find hopefully evidence against criminal smugglers."

No national authorities in the area have reported any bodies washing ashore. Greek authorities said a cargo ship picked up 41 people on Saturday from a wooden boat that was without steering about 95 nautical miles south of the Greek mainland. The Greek authorities did not describe them as survivors or say anything about any boat sinking.

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The survivors were then taken to Kalamata, Greece, where IOM and UNHCR staffers interviewed them. UNHCR said the survivors were 23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, six Egyptians and a Sudanese.

Barbara Molinario, a Rome-based spokeswoman for UNHCR, said details remained unclear and said its staffers didn't want to press the survivors too hard "as they are still very tried by their experience."

The statements offered the most official comment yet following repeated news reports about the incident in recent days.

Somalia's president, prime minister and parliamentary speaker issued a joint statement Monday concerning an unconfirmed report about the incident. Reports of the drownings circulated among families and on social media, but they hadn't been confirmed by coast guard authorities in Italy, Greece, Libya or Egypt.

According to IOM's Missing Migrants project, the death toll is the largest from a sinking on the central Mediterranean since another south of Lampedusa in April last year, in which 772 people died. Its largest recorded toll was an October 2013 incident in the same area, when about 800 people died. Several other accidents since then took 400 to 500 lives, its statistics show.

This year, IOM has tallied nearly 800 migrant deaths on the central Mediterranean route and cites reports of another 377 on the eastern route between Turkey and Greece. Five died on the western route between Morocco and Spain this year, the group said.

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More than 1 million migrants and refugees crossed the Mediterranean last year  mostly refugees from war in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria fleeing to Greece and the European Union, via Turkey. However, the longer Libya-Italy route has traditionally seen more deaths.

Facing internal divisions, the EU has struggled to cope with the influx, and UNHCR on Wednesday reiterated its longstanding call for more "regular pathways" to Europe, such as with resettlement and humanitarian admission programs, family reunification, private sponsorship and student and work visas.

Rights groups have repeatedly slammed a new Turkey-EU deal to curtail the flood of refugees into Europe, raising questions about the safety of Syrian refugees on both sides of the Turkish border.

Earlier Wednesday, Human Rights Watch urged Turkey to allow Syrians displaced by government shelling to cross the border to safety. The advocacy groups said the Syrian army hit two migrant camps on April 13 and April 15, triggering an exodus of 3,000 people.

Last week, the rights group said Turkish border guards had shot at Syrians escaping an Islamic State offensive. Turkey, home to 2.7 million Syrian refugees, rejects the claim and says it has an open-door policy toward migrants, but new arrivals are rare.

The rights group says tens of thousands of civilians are trapped along Turkey's border.

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Associated Press




Let's begin in twin spirits of generosity and recognition:

The latest proposal for a Lucas Museum of Narrative Art would create more open space on Chicago's lakefront than the original plan for a site south of Soldier Field. In this rendition, the museum would partly replace McCormick Place East with a building that would have a smaller footprint. Locating it farther south of the existing Museum Campus also would ease concerns about cluttering that crowded stretch of lakefront with another big structure.

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That is, the new plan would leave the lakefront looking better than McCormick Place looks now, and better than this stretch would look with a museum inserted at the first proposed location.

What this plan doesn't answer is the legal complication that has blocked the project, and could occupy federal district and appellate courts for several years.

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Mellody Hobson talks about the possibility of building her husband George Lucas' art museum on the site of the McCormick Place East building. April 15, 2015. (John Byrne/Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)

And this plan creates a new complication all its own: a financing scheme that involves borrowing nearly $1.2 billion and extending five taxes beyond their expiration dates: Tax dollars collected in 2066 still would be paying off a deal cut a half-century earlier, in 2016. Those are dollars that could stay in citizens' pockets or fund different Chicago priorities.

For Mayor Rahm Emanuel's lawyers, the legal complication may well be insurmountable. U.S. District Judge John Darrah twice has rejected City Hall motions to dismiss a lawsuit brought by an advocacy group, Friends of the Parks. The group argues that this project violates the public trust doctrine, a legal principle significantly expanded by the Illinois Supreme Court 30 years ago  after the existing lakefront museums were built.

A background point we've made before: By law both proposed museum sites are submerged lake bottom and have special protections. The state of Illinois, not the city of Chicago, holds title to the land  not with a traditional landowner's right but as a trustee with fiduciary responsibility to every resident of Illinois. If you're a citizen, you own what's called a fractional beneficial interest in this public trust land. You can use it.

Judge Darrah wrote in March 2015, citing federal case law, that the purpose of the public trust doctrine is "to police the legislature's disposition of public lands." He noted that state lawmakers can't relinquish control of such land "to satisfy a private interest." And in a February 2016 ruling, Darrah added that Friends of the Parks "have sufficiently pled that the proposed Museum is not for the benefit of the public but will impair public interest in the land and benefit the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and promote private and/or commercial interests. ... Plaintiffs have plausibly stated a claim for a violation of the public-trust doctrine."

The new plan floated by Emanuel and filmmaker George Lucas is their tacit acknowledgment that Darrah thinks this would be a private building on public trust land. City Hall further realizes that even if Friends withdraws from the court fight it's winning, some citizen of Illinois likely would take its place as a plaintiff and assert his or her interest in keeping a new private structure off the public lakefront.

Now for that financing complication: Especially in an election year, the tax extensions in the financing plan make their own big asks of state lawmakers. Yet the arguably bigger problem is the enormous public debt load that City Hall and Springfield politicians already have created for taxpayers. At every turn, debt is crushing governments and agencies such as the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, the McCormick Place overseer that's already borrowed to the hilt.

City Hall is marketing this project as a McCormick Place expansion, which certainly is creative. Less stressed thus far is the risk in such public deals: The ultimate guarantor is Tommy Taxpayer. As we've noted, Emanuel surely recalls a precedent that infuriated him: After Mayor Richard M. Daley promised that his Soldier Field debacle wouldn't cost taxpayers anything, Emanuel learned in 2011 that Chicagoans had to make up for tax revenue shortfalls  and could be stuck with huge expenses as bond payments escalate over two decades. "I don't want the taxpayers of the city of Chicago to be treated as if they're just an ATM machine," Emanuel fumed. "They're not."

Yet here's another lakefront project, and another assurance that Chicagoans won't get stuck. Will they believe it?

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We'll also see how enthused state and local pols are not only about extending taxes, but about committing tax revenues 50 years into the future. Thus do today's projects become tomorrow's constraints: As the hugely expensive commitments of the Daley years have taught Chicagoans, grasping at future decades of tax revenues forces future generations to pay for costs that their parents and grandparents incurred a half-century earlier.

So if you're keeping score:

This new plan answers one aesthetic complication of the original proposal.

It's probably a financial non-starter.

But the key issue is still the control of public trust land by a private entity. By law that's a question less of how to use property today than of how to protect it for future centuries of Chicagoans. It's a matter not only of one project, but of setting precedent for future proposals.

All of us can have our opinions about that. But let's see what Judge Darrah says.

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The bridal business looks quite different today than it did even five years ago, when the ladies at Here Comes The Dress were mapping out plans to open their boutique.

"We've seen the way brides make their decisions change, even in the last few years," owner Aubrey Rettig explains. "They will sometimes be in a dress, surrounded by family and friends while on their smartphone getting feedback from out of town friends or family via Facetime or Snapchat."

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It's also not uncommon for brides-to-be to come to their appointments armed with their Pinterest boards and lists of preferred styles. "Today's bride is well versed on the styles, color combinations and fabrics that she likes. She's done her homework and that keeps us on our toes," Rettig says.

Technology is very important today and Rettig explains that a well-designed website, engaging Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest accounts are critical. "Our brides are on every social media outlet and we must be as well," she says.

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In the ever-changing face of bridal retail, if you want to thrive as Here Comes The Dress has done, you must also stay on top of style trends. "Every few months we sit down and review our current inventory and incoming styles to make sure we're offering a selection of silhouettes, fabrics and colors the brides want," Rettig explains. She says if a particular style is not performing well, she will offer the sample for sale at a reduced price to make room for a better dress.

"Every foot of our store is valuable selling space and because we want to maintain our quaint, intimate feel, we have to utilize the space we have in the best possible way," Rettig says.

Bridal retailers must also know what doesn't work in their region. Certain styles popular in Los Angeles or New York may not work in the Midwest and you must understand the desires of your customer to dress them. "Designers can be very persuasive when it comes time for us to buy our samples and I've had to say no to certain styles that I know won't go over well with our customers," she says.

Competition has also become greater since the grand opening in 2011. "We've had a few comparable stores pop up in the area and it makes us work even harder to win the bride over," Rettig says. Customer service never goes out of style and Rettig is proud of her staff for being consistently praised by customers for their kind, patient nature and willingness to go above and beyond for the bride and their families.

"I believe bridal is an industry that you really must love what you do. We feel the same joy the bride does when it all comes together and I think that is one of the main reasons we have had the success we do," Rettig says.

While other type of brick and mortar retail stores might be losing to Internet sales, Rettig isn't concerned about bridal. "Shopping for a wedding dress will always remain a very hands-on experience. Most brides seek an emotional connection with a dress when they have it on, you can't replicate that moment with an online retailer," Rettig says.

Here Comes The Dress expanded its hours for the 2016 season and are open noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Appointments on off days are available at request. Here Comes The Dress is located at 850 E. Sidewalk Road, Ste. 101, Chesterton. For more information, call 219-728-1328 or visit herecomesthedressboutique.com.
Post-Tribune readers have selected Merrillville Jewelers as one of the top places in Lake County to buy jewelry in the 2016 Neighbors' Choice Awards.

"Thank you for voting us one of the best jewelers in Lake County," says Paul A. Groleau, owner of Merrillville Jewelers.

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For more than 37 years, Merrillville Jewelers has offered personalized service, the best quality and most affordable jewelry in today's market.

Merrillville Jewelers specialize in the finest quality diamonds at very competitive prices, many with G.I.A. or E.G.L. certificates.

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Merrillville Jewelers has been the premier buyer and seller of jewelry and precious mental in Northwest Indiana since 1978. Turn your unwanted gold or broken jewelry into instant cash. They buy gold, silver, platinum jewelry, broken scrap jewelry, watches, sterling silver (including flatware), dental gold and silver coins. Anything made of precious metal, regardless of its condition, has value.

Merrillville Jewelers has just added the Angelica Collection that lets you tell your story with style. Manufactured in the United States from recycled materials, these bangles come complete with charms and are available in gold, silver and rose for adults priced from $25 to $39. Also available is the Tween Collection, the cutest selection available today for children, priced at $29. Twenty-Five cents of every Angelica Bracelet sale will go directly to Generation Rescue to support programs that improve the quality of life for those affected by autism.

Merrillville Jewelers carries the red-hot styling of Steelx, quality jewelry made from stainless steel. The hottest fashion in men's and ladies designs at prices you won't believe.

They also carry BENTELLI brand jewelry that captures all the important factors of a brand, consisting of silver jewelry set with the finest quality diamonds at prices everyone can afford.

Dizeo is another brand the store carries. Dizeo comes from the Spanish root word "deseo" or desire. The sterling silver jewelry is hand set by craftsmen with the brilliant Deso ideal cut simulated diamonds, which is guaranteed to captivate her attention. Combined with the unique color palette of white, rose or yellow over sterling silver, the unique metal work and lustrous shine enhances the beauty of each and every piece of jewelry.

"We carry Landstrom's 'Black Hills' gold jewelry," Groleau says. "Our store is an authorized Citizen Watch retailer, where we offer you an additional 25 percent off discount from our everyday low price on all ECO Drive Watches."

Merrillville Jewelers does all custom work, quality jewelry and watch repairs, including battery replacement all at very competitive prices.

Merrillville Jewelers is located in the Strack & Van Til's Plaza at 7203 Taft St., in Merrillville. For more information, call 219-769-1911 or visit merrillvillejewelers.com.
Piatak Meats owners Leo Roccaforte, Steve Fugate and the staff would like to thank Post-Tribune readers for selecting Piatak Meats as the winner of the 2016 Neighbors' Choice Best Meat Market in Lake County.

Piatak Meats has been serving the community since 1910. The meat market relocated to Merrillville in 1959. Piatak Meats is an old neighborhood, family-owned, full-service butcher shop located in the heart of Northwest Indiana. The staff is dedicated to providing customers with premium meats and outstanding service, not available in today's supermarkets. Their goal is satisfaction guaranteed, through personal service and competitive prices.

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Here some of the frequently asked questions the staff receives.

Q: How long will meat last in the freezer?

A: Piatek Meats will allow the U.S.D.A. to answer that question extensively, but very briefly, we will say that frozen foods remain safe indefinitely.

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Q: Is meat heavier frozen then when it is thawed?

A: No, it will weigh the same whether frozen or thawed. Think about this  if you put a 7 pound bag of ice on a scale and let it melt, you would still have 7 pounds of water on the scale.

Q: What is Pink Slime and do you use it?

A: 'Pink slime,' cheap meat filler, is in 70 percent of the ground beef sold at supermarkets and up to 25 percent of each American hamburger patty, by some estimates," according to ABC News. And no, Piatak Meats never uses Pink Slime. All of the ground beef is ground fresh every day.

Q: What's Amish chicken?

A: Amish chicken, the chicken carried at the shop, is chicken that is hormone free, steroid free and preservative free.

Q: Is your meat Certified Organic?

A: No, but all of the cattle used by Piatek Meats is grass and grain fed.

Piatak Meats is located 6200 Broadway in Merrillville. For more information, call 219-980-3520 or visit piatakmeats.com.
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 Before the 1970s, presidential nominations were won in smoke-filled rooms as deals were cut between party bigwigs motivated by promises of appointments and federal largess for their states.After the New Deal, a technocratic Democrat invariably faced off against a patrician Republican in a battle of pragmatists fought in an America run under a complicit arrangement between huge corporations, organized labor, and the Cold War military machine.The dramatic 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago changed the way parties nominated presidents, democratizing the process by making primaries and caucuses critical and forcing candidates to build large and sophisticated campaigns. But the general election was still normally between ideological cousins, differentiated largely by their positions on just a handful of issues.The presidential selection process revealed American politics as narrow, at least in comparative perspective and when juxtaposed with continental Europeans who could vote for communist and quasi-fascist parties as well as center-right Christian and center-left social democrats.This year seems different. We have on display the entire breadth of America's ideological spectrum, one that looks to be getting wider all the time. If we had genuinely open access to the ballot, an electoral system based upon proportional rather than winner-take-all principles, and legislative bodies organized to welcome members of third parties, I might be talking revolution.Still, there is enough happening this year to concern the Democratic and Republican establishments. In fact, the candidates in the two parties' nomination contests reveal the existence of five distinct and vibrant ideological strains.Let's start on the Left. Sen. Bernie Sanders' unabashedly and energetic socialist campaign has, with the possible exception of the South, generated considerable support across the country. Proposing high marginal tax rates, single-payer health care, and free higher education, Sanders wants to move America to the left of France.His Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, has moved in that direction, too, but she strongly supports some of the more conventionally liberal policies of the current president, particularly Obamacare and recent financial market regulation - both of which have greatly extended the tentacles of the administrative state.Clinton is no typical old-style New Deal Democrat, however. Her campaign also is infused with the identity politics of a more modern liberalism that treats citizens as members of demographic groups rather than individuals and wishes to use government to engineer social outcomes.This year's Republican race has exposed three strains that we might place on the right-hand side of the spectrum. A focus on natural rights, free markets, and limited government has been a hallmark of GOP politics for many decades, particularly since Ronald Reagan became a national political figure.The libertarian orschool was perhaps most clearly represented in this year's race by Sen. Rand Paul, although it has played an important role in the campaigns of Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio and Gov. John Kasich.The idea that America needs a strong military and robust institutions like the family and church to provide social cohesion and transmit important values has had Cruz as its most successful champion.The third approach is somewhat new, or it has only this year gathered a level of support to make it truly competitive. It is what we might call right-wing populism, a group of ideas cohered by an appreciation for a strong state with authoritarian tendencies.It is most obviously manifest in the candidacy of businessman Donald Trump, although there were hints of it in Gov. Chris Christie's speeches. Trump generally sides with power over liberty and speaks in opposition to the free flow of capital, labor, and goods within and across national borders.He says he desires a limited government, but calls for a massive expansion in the reach and resources of several federal agencies. These policies should be enacted by a strong president without concern for the prerogatives given Congress and the states by the Constitution.The range of ideas on display provides Americans with clear choices. This is a good thing. It is the emergence of several energetic challenges to the cause of liberty that is troubling.We are used to them emanating from Democrats. But Republicans, whose politics have been guided for over a century-and-a-half by ideas based on human freedom, are starting to offer them as well.
The Ministry of Commerce yesterday dismissed claims that Chinese companies are on a global buying spree, saying the speed of their overseas mergers and acquisitions was "appropriate and normal."

"It is an overstatement to say Chinese companies are buying out the world' as such a claim confuses finalized deals with those that are pending approval," ministry spokesman Shen Danyang told a news conference.

The value of cross-border M&As in the first quarter rose 14 percent year on year to US$324 billion, while the number of deals fell 10 percent to 1,202, according to the quarterly cross-border M&A index released yesterday by international law firm Baker & McKenzie.

The decline was due to the economic slowdown in China, the potential exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, volatile equities markets and the fall in commodities prices, it said.

Shen said overseas M&A deals by Chinese companies in the first quarter of this year totaled US$16.56 billion, which was far below the US$113 billion cited in some media reports.

Bloomberg News said in a report on March 31 that Chinese firms had announced US$113 billion in overseas deals since the start of the year.

Shen also said the "rumored" US$100 billion worth of overseas M&A deals by Chinese companies last year was false, saying that the total was only US$40.1 billion, or 6.2 percent of the global total. He did not give the source of the alleged "rumor."

Meanwhile, the Baker & McKenzie report claimed that the outbound deals from China covered a number of sectors including chemicals, business services and consumer goods, revealing a desire to access advanced manufacturing techniques and technological know-how to build global brands.

The report said the biggest single deal in the first quarter was the takeover of Swiss agrochemical company Syngenta by state-owned ChemChina for US$45.8 billion.

Shen said that although Chinese companies have increased transnational acquisition in recent years, their M&A and China's overseas investments were "in the early stages."

Chinese overseas investment accounts for just 3.4 percent of the world's total, compared with 24.4 percent for the United States, he said. China also trails behind other developed economies, including the UK, Germany, France and Japan.

"We are seeing a shift in Chinese investment from emerging markets to developed economies, and from energy and natural resources to technology and financial services, as Chinese companies target brands, talent and other assets that help increase their competitiveness at home and abroad," said Zhang Danian, chief representative of Baker & McKenzie's Shanghai office. "We expect this trend to continue for the rest of 2016, as China's economy stabilizes and the country transforms from a low-end manufacturing-led economy to one that focuses on consumption and services."

Shen said the government should provide more support for firms involved in overseas M&As as they lack experience in dealing with cultural differences and policy hurdles.
A Chinese electric-vehicle company backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd and Foxconn Technology Group has hired a team of managers from BMW AG's i subbrand, according to people familiar with the matter.

Dirk Abendroth, Benoit Jacob and Henrik Wenders will join Future Mobility Corp as vice-presidents of software and connectivity, design, and marketing, respectively, according to the people, who declined to be identified before the information is made public. The executives will join Carsten Breitfeld, the former project manager for BMW's i8 plug-in sport car hired to be Future Mobility's chief executive officer.

Future Mobility, which also counts dealership group China Harmony New Energy Auto Holding Ltd as a shareholder, is one of the several electric-vehicle startups getting backed by technology companies in China as the government seeks more innovation within its auto industry. Policymakers have also earmarked new-energy vehicles, the government's term for plug-in and fully electric autos, as a strategic, emerging industry for support.

Michael Rebstock, a spokesman for BMW, declined to comment. A representative for Future Mobility, and Canny Lo, a spokeswoman for Tencent, did not respond to e-mailed requests for comment about the hires. Abendroth and Wenders said in e-mails that they're joining Future Mobility, while Benoit did not immediately reply.

Abendroth was vice-president of Process Powertrain BMW i, while Jacob and Wenders served as vice-presidents for design and product management of BMW i, respectively.

Chinese electric-vehicle startups are driving competition for experienced auto industry executives and Silicon Valley talent as they seek to produce connected, highly automated vehicles.

NextEV Inc, started by Chinese internet entrepreneur William Li, appointed Padmasree Warrior, Cisco Systems Inc's former technology chief, to lead its US operations. Faraday Future Inc, the electric-car startup backed by billionaire Jia Yueting, hired Porter Harris from Space Exploration Technologies before he left the company.

Future Mobility has previously said it plans to create a "premium brand with Chinese roots and a global reach". Besides Breitfeld, the company has hired Daniel Kirchert, the former head of Infiniti China, as chief operation officer.

The company will base research and development in Shenzhen, where it is headquartered, and have R&D units in Europe and Silicon Valley to focus on powertrain and autonomous driving, respectively, according to the people. Future Mobility also plans to have a plant in China assembling autonomous electric vehicles.

Tencent is Asia's biggest internet company, while Foxconn is a key maker of iPhones, iPads and other Apple Inc products.
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China's service outsourcing industry expanded at a faster pace in the first quarter (Q1) of 2016 despite a slowing economy, data from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) showed Tuesday.

Chinese companies inked service outsourcing contracts worth $33.9 billion, up 25.4 percent year on year, MOC spokesperson Shen Danyang told a press conference.

The growth rate accelerated from the 7.5 percent increase recorded in the first two months of the year.

Among the deals were offshore service outsourcing contracts valued at 156.3 billion yuan ($24.1 billion), jumping 44.6 percent year on year, compared with a 28.5 percent rise in the January-February period.

Cooperation in service outsourcing with the Republic of Korea saw quicker growth, with contract value surging 43.8 percent from a year earlier, Shen said.

Outsourcing of information technology-related contracts accounted for 52.2 percent of all deals fulfilled in Q1, rising 16.2 percent year on year.

Contracts carried out with countries included in the Belt and Road initiative rose 5.9 percent in value, a milder increase than in the first two months, Shen told reporters.

China's service outsourcing sector was described by the State Council as a "green industry" that will be a new engine for tertiary industry and a boon to increasing employment.
A Chinese-led group has agreed to buy Australia's most iconic cattle company in a deal valued at more than A$370 million ($288 million) after partnering with local investors.

The venture, headed by a company controlled by Shanghai Pengxin Group, will purchase 80 percent of S. Kidman & Co, according to a statement on Tuesday to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Australian Rural Capital Ltd will take a 20 percent stake.

The deal requires approval from Chinese regulators, and Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board, which last year blocked the sale of Kidman to an overseas buyer on grounds of national security.

Founded in 1899 by so-called Cattle King Sidney Kidman, the company's ranches span 101,000 square kilometers, or about 1.3 percent of Australia's total land area, and carry about 185,000 cattle. The family-owned enterprise produces grass-fed beef for export to Japan, the United States and Southeast Asia.

The offer values the company at A$370.7 million, the target and bidding consortium said in a separate statement on Tuesday.

Shenzhen-listed Hunan Dakang Pasture Farming Co, which is controlled by Shanghai Pengxin, has a 51 percent of the Chinese side of the venture, with privately owned Shanghai CRED Real Estate Stock Co holding 49 percent.

In November, the FIRB blocked the sale of Kidman, saying the proximity of its Anna Creek ranch to a weapon-testing range could compromise national security. Kidman subsequently carved that ranch from the sale to ease such concerns.

The agreement between the consortium and Kidman complies "with all requests that have been made by the FIRB," Chairman John Crosby said in the statement. "The significant investment proposed by the consortium will see an increase in production and the expansion of international markets for Kidman beef, the majority of which is already exported."

The consortium will initially invest A$46.3 million over the first 12 months, including restocking the properties, and expects to create 50 new jobs in the first year of ownership.

Treasurer Scott Morrison, who oversees the FIRB process, has 90 days from around April 26 to consider the bid, according to the statement. Morrison's office said in an e-mail it wouldn't make a "hasty decision on this very significant matter".
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China's central government will this year spend less on overseas visits, vehicles and receptions, popularly known as the "three public consumptions," said the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.

The central government will spend 6.31 billion yuan (about 970 million U.S. dollars) on such items in 2016, slightly down from last year.

This year's budget includes 2.027 billion yuan for overseas travel - an increase of 89 million yuan from 2015 -- 3.441 billion yuan for government vehicles (down 18 million yuan) and 842 million yuan for receptions (down 77 million).

In 2015, the central government avoided the use of 943 million yuan on these items compared with the budget.

Spending in these areas has long been a controversial issue because of misuse of public money.

The central government first published these figures in 2011 and has been working to increase transparency ever since.
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The Chinese minister of environmental protection on Tuesday hailed the country's sound nuclear safety record but called for enhanced regulation in the future.

Addressing a nuclear-themed work conference here in Beijing, environment minister Chen Jining said China's nuclear facilities operated in a safe and stable state throughout the 12th Five-Year Plan period, referring to the five years between 2011 and 2015.

None of the nuclear power generating units in the country suffered events or accidents rated above Level 2 under the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, he said.

Nonetheless, the minister noted that the development of nuclear energy and nuclear technologies is picking up pace at the moment, adding that risks stemming from old nuclear facilities remain.

He urged authorities to step up nuclear supervision and regulation in the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

"On the one hand, we must work to prevent a nuclear accident. On the other hand, we must improve emergency response measure," he said.
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China's Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) disclosed the fourth batch of 100 non-governmental organizations (NGO) which were registered abroad by Chinese applicants on Tuesday.

According to Chinese regulation on NGOs, social organizations established in the mainland should be registered by the country's civil affairs departments.

The exposed offshore NGOs are those registered by Chinese residents in countries outside China with low barriers to registration, the MCA said in a statement.

The ministry has so far publicized 328 offshore NGOs, including Chinese generals and ministers' painting and calligraphy academy, the investment association of China, and China financial management association.

The ministry pledged to keep exposing more offshore NGOs and encouraged the public to offer tip-offs.
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The Communist Party of China (CPC)'s top anti-graft body on Tuesday said 9,361 officials were reprimanded for violating austerity rules in the first three months this year.

Those punished, including four ministerial-level officials, were involved in 8,788 cases, the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said in a report posted on its website.

In March alone, 2,701 officials were reprimanded in 2,672 cases, the report said.

It said about one fourth of the cases involved illicit allowances and benefits. Other prominent problems include unwarranted use of public vehicles as well as offering and accepting gifts and cash in violation of regulations.
Lawsuit challenged FCC's authority to overturn state limits on municipal broadband service

RALEIGH A high-tech analyst suggests that a Federal Communications Commission rule pre-empting state laws limiting municipal broadband - including North Carolina's - could be in trouble.Berin Szoka, president of Tech Freedom, a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan technology think tank, said that while it's difficult to predict the outcome of a lawsuit solely from the oral arguments made last month to a three-judge federal appellate panel, it appeared that at two of the three judges were considering rejecting the FCC's rationale for adopting the rule.North Carolina is one of roughly 20 states with laws regulating how cities and towns can get into the broadband business. Two cities, Wilson, N.C., and Chattanooga, Tenn., asked the FCC to pre-empt state laws and allow the municipal broadband operations to expand outside their geographical areas. Tennessee and North Carolina state officials appealed the FCC pre-emption in federal court, and the two cases were joined in a lawsuit before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.Lawyers for the FCC argued that the agency has a mandate to promote the expansion of broadband services, so it can overrule the state laws in North Carolina and Tennessee. Attorneys for the states responded that a federal agency can't overrule a state law unless it has the explicit authority of Congress to do so, and in this instance the FCC doesn't have it.Will Aycock, general manager of Wilson's Greenlight broadband operation, did not respond to a request for a comment.Last summer, Aycock told Carolina Journal that the city petitioned the FCC to pre-empt North Carolina law so it could provide broadband service outside Wilson's city limits.Aycock said. Roughly 5,000 of the city's electricity customers live outside the corporate limits, some in adjacent counties, he said.Szoka said that if the three-judge panel does rule that the FCC overstepped its bounds, the FCC could appeal either to the entire circuit court or directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.Szoka said. However, with a vacancy created by Justice Antonin Scalia's death leaving the nation's highest court with four Republicans and four Democrats, a tie vote would mean that the lower court's decision would prevail.So instead of a direct appeal to the Supreme Court, the FCC might consider an "en banc" appeal to the full 6th Circuit, Szoka said.President Obama has nominated federal Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. However, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell says he doesn't plan to hold hearings on the nomination, adding that the next president should pick Scalia's replacement.Szoka said.Szoka noted that the 6th Circuit is heavily Republican, suggesting it's less likely to favor the FCC's position than a more Democratic-dominated circuit.There's another reason might want to appeal to the full 6th Circuit instead of going immediately to the Supreme Court, Szoka said. Going to the 6th Circuit would avoid potentially placing the U.S. solicitor general in an awkward position.Szoka said.Matt Wood, policy director at Free Press, which supports increased government oversight of Internet service providers and "net neutrality," said the organization hasn't followed the legal case closely.Wood said.
President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for "more tolerance and patience" toward netizens and welcomed online criticism, "whether mild or fierce", as long as it arises from goodwill.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also head of the central Internet security and informatization leading group, presides over a symposium on cyberspace security and informatization in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi made the remarks at a rare high-profile meeting as the country's 700 million internet users get more say in social governance and public events.

The president also urged speeding up legislation of a cyber-law, improving legal supervision and preventing risks caused by the internet.

The government should take constructive advice from netizens, help those who are in difficulties and explain to those who don't understand the situation, Xi said. Netizens' complaints should be addressed quickly, and wrong online attitudes should be corrected.

Government officials should get close to the people through the internet, listen to online public opinions and suggestions, and answer the public's concerns in a positive manner, he said.

The meeting was attended by entrepreneurs of internet giants such as Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu, experts on media research and officials of internet management.

Premier Li Keqiang and senior publicity official Liu Yunshan, both on the seven-member Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting as deputy leaders of the central internet security and informatization leading group. The group, headed by Xi, was established in February 2014.

During the meeting, Xi talked with 10 representatives from colleges, companies and government departments and heard their suggestions on cybersecurity, core technology and public opinions.

Noting China's large number of internet users, Xi said that cyberspace should be regulated to make it a clean place for netizens, especially adolescents.

During the meeting, the 10 representatives gave speeches and held discussions with Xi.

Xie Xinzhou, director of Peking University's School of New Media, said the government should improve its skills in communicating with the public, especially young people, since more people are using smartphones to get information, socialize and entertain themselves, he said.

Zuo Xiaodong, vice-president of the China Information Security Research Institute, told China Daily that the internet is a good platform for government officials to better understand public opinion.

In recent years, many governmental departments have established their own Weibo or WeChat accounts to post information, "but a majority of them are often silent when an emergency occurs or have concerns about saying something wrong," he said.

Some local governmental officials have banned online comments as some netizens challenged their work, which is not sensible or effective for problem solving, said Ning Jiajun, director of the Experts Committee of the State Information Center.

"For online comments, I think, we should govern them with much opener attitude, but for those that harm others or violate laws, we must crack down on them," Ning said.

Highlights of Xi's speech

Government officials:

 They should learn to get closer to the public by surfing the internet from time to time to better understand what people are thinking about and what they want.

Netizens:

 They deserve more patience and tolerance.

 Their constructive advice should be taken.

 They should be helped with their difficulties.

 Their complaints should be addressed quickly.

Online criticism and supervision:

 Online criticism of the government, whether mild or fierce, should be welcomed and taken seriously by the officials on the condition that it is made out of goodwill.
The principal of Changzhou Foreign Languages School in Jiangsu province, where hundreds of students fell ill, dismissed reports claiming the school was responsible.

A CCTV grab shows the arm of a sick student.

The school was built next to a site where former factories reportedly dumped toxic chemicals.

So far, about 500 students have reportedly been diagnosed with illnesses, including cancer, linked to toxic groundwater and soil on land adjacent to the school.

The brownfield site had previously housed three chemical plants that were demolished before the school was built.

China Central Television reported on Sunday that many students suffered adverse reactions and came down with diseases starting in December after the new campus opened in September. Some reportedly had lymphoma, leukemia and other blood abnormalities.

But Cao Hui, the principal, denied that the school is connected to the students' illnesses and claims indoor air quality, soil and groundwater were all inspected by professional organizations and met national standards.

"The student with lymphoma showed symptoms in late July, before we moved to the new campus," Cao said.

"Another student that China Central Television says was diagnosed with leukemia has not been found at the school."

Cao said stringent inspections were carried out before students relocated.

"We asked the Changzhou Environment Science Institute to inspect indoor air quality before the new campus was put into use," Cao said. "The result showed that the quality met national standards. The drinking water at the school was also checked by the local health and epidemic-prevention departments.

"We called the local government and educational bureau immediately after noticing a strange smell in the air in December.

"We have formed an emergency team to guarantee the health of our students and teachers."

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Jiangsu provincial government have set up a joint investigation team to look into health issues at the school.

The CCTV report speculated that high concentrations of toxic chemicals may be the reason for the spate of illnesses.

The chemicals reportedly found in groundwater and soil at the site include chlorobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, and carbofuran, which are known for their serious health effects, including cancer, as well as for their environmental impacts.

The school has around 2,400 students on a 153-acre campus.

According to the CCTV report, an environmental evaluation conducted before construction began suggested pollution was serious and advised that schools, housing or other public facilities should not be constructed on the site.

Some chemicals reportedly found

Chlorobenzene

A colorless, flammable liquid. It was used to produce DDT from the 1940s to 1960s. It can affect the central nervous system and irritate skin and mucous membranes. May cause kidney damage. Humans may be exposed through air, food or water, or by contact with contaminated soil.

Carbon tetrachloride

A colorless liquid with a sweet smell that can be detected at low levels. Exposure to high concentrations can affect the central nervous system, harm the liver and kidneys and may result in coma or even death. Chronic exposure can result in cancer.

Carbofuran

A pesticide with the highest toxicity to humans of any chemical widely used on crops. One-quarter teaspoon (1 mL) can be fatal. China banned the use of carbofuran in October.
After five years of construction, Asia's longest and highest bridge Longjiang Grand Bridge has finished closure in advance and passed load test on April 5. The 8,100-feet-long suspension bridge over Longjiang River, southwestern China's Yunnan province, will open to traffic on May 1, 2016.

An undated photo shows Asia's longest and highest bridge Longjiang Grand Bridge. [Photo: People's Daily Online]

The new bridge, connecting the cities of Baoshan and Tengchong, and going straight to Myanmar, hovers at a nail biting 920 feet above the valley below. It is the tallest and longest of its kind to be built across two mountains in Asia.

The central span of the bridge, which is the distance between the two main towers, will measure 3,924 feet and is only slightly shorter than that of the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

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China marked last Friday's National Security Education Day with a poster warning female government workers about dating handsome foreigners, who could turn out to have secret agendas.

Titled "Dangerous Love," the 16-panel, comic book-like poster tells the story of an attractive young Chinese civil servant nicknamed Xiao Li, or Little Li, who meets a foreigner at a dinner party and starts a relationship.

The man, David, claims to be a student, but he's actually a foreign spy who butters Xiao Li up with compliments on her beauty, flowers, fancy dinners and romantic walks in the park.

After Xiao Li provides David with internal documents from her job at a government propaganda office, the two are arrested. In one of the poster's final panels, Xiao Li is shown sitting handcuffed before two policemen, who tell her she has a "shallow understanding of secrecy for a state employee."

The poster has appeared on local governments' public bulletin boards, targeting mainly rank-and-file state employees.

A Beijing district government said in a statement that it would display the poster to educate its employees about keeping classified information confidential and reporting to state security agencies if they spot any spying activity. It said it would familiarize employees with ways to counter espionage.

National Security Education Day aims to educate people about security in China.
A man browses the Internet on his smartphone, in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 21, 2014. (Xinhua file photo)

Accessed by half of China's population, the Internet has become a major platform for public discourse, and President Xi Jinping has specifically pressed officials to use it to better understand the people.

At a symposium on cyber security and informatization on Tuesday, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, urged officials to listen to public opinion on the Internet more often, and be more tolerant and patient to Internet users.

Xie Chuntao, a professor with the CPC Central Committee Party School, considers the remarks a strong signal that the CPC leadership is fully aware of the weight of millions of people active in cyberspace, the majority of whom are young, educated and diverse.

The CPC has had a tradition to nurture close links with ordinary people. The Party considers the Mass Line a "key weapon" in China's revolutionary days and an effective governance tool in the past decades.

"The Internet is an easy way for the Party to connect with the people. Through it, the Party can deliver its messages and explain its policies while gathering what people think and how they respond to policies," the professor said. "This will greatly streamline governance."

Technology has played an increasingly important role in Party-people interactions.

One active and fruitful area has been the anti-graft campaign. The CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the top anti-graft agency, received 128,000 tip-offs through its website and mobile app in 2015, up 13 percent year on year. In the first month since the agency opened its WeChat account on Jan. 1, it was sent 16,000 tips.

The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee launched a website this year that publicizes information on the development of the CPC code of conduct education campaign, and engages Party members in online discussions.

In early 2015, three animations, themed around the CPC's Mass Line campaign and featuring Xi, went viral. In the videos, the cartoon figure of the president waves a flag bearing the message "Mass Line campaign," and wields a stick to hit a tiger, in reference to his targeting of high-ranking corrupt officials.

The videos were picked up by major video websites, shared on Weibo and WeChat, and viewed hundreds of thousands times. Netizens lauded the animations for shattering the conventional mystery around Chinese leaders and publicizing government policies in a more attractive, digestible way.

However, not everyone has adjusted to the digital age. Some officials' public faux pas and poor handling of contentious issues have put them in the firing line of savvy netizens.

Shen Yi, deputy director of the Cyberspace Governance Study Center with the Shanghai-based Fudan University, told Xinhua that many Party and government departments and their officials still need to adapt to the age of cyberspace.

"Officials should not ignore public concerns vented online but respond to them, otherwise the issue will spiral out of control. Meanwhile, they should not become online 'yes men' but remember their basic roles and responsibilities," said Shen, who attended Tuesday's symposium. "When an issue draws great attention online, deleting criticism is certainly not a solution."

President Xi has given a refined instruction on how to deal with public discourse online, Shen said.

In his speech Tuesday, Xi said officials must collect suggestions and feedbacks from the Internet, help clarify public misconceptions, dissolve public grudges and grievances, and redress incorrect perceptions.

For well-meant criticism raised on the Internet, be it at the overall work of the Party and the state, or at individual officials, be it gentle or harsh, Xi said, "we not only welcome it, but will carefully study them for future reference."

The tolerant and open attitude toward public concerns online does not go against efforts to manage cyberspace, to regulate it in line with the law and fend off harmful activities such as terrorism, violence and pornography, Prof. Xie said.

The efficient management of cyberspace will create an orderly and positive environment for people to express their opinions, he said.
Fish migration [File photo]

The amount of fish fries in the Yangtze River is less than one three-hundredth of what it was in the 1950s, and some rare fish are even dying out, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The main reason is hydroelectric dams built upstream in the river's tributaries.

Upstream in the Daning River in southwest China's Chongqing, torrential torrents disappear, giving way to dry riverbed. The hydroelectric dam blocks not only water, but also migrating fish.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the governments along the Yangtze River to put ecological restoration at a top position on their to-do list early this year in a conference on building the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Daning River originates at Dabashan Mountain in Chongqing. In the river's upstream section, a diversion was built for a hydroelectric power station. A diversion canal directly channels water from the river to a hydroelectric dam below. The amount of water flowing into the river sharply drops.

These kinds of hydroelectric stations are common in almost all the big tributaries of the Yangtze River. Yao Weizhi, a fishery researcher with Southwest University in Chongqing, said many kinds of fish would go to the upper reach of the river to spawn and then go to grow in the lower reach. But the dam blocks migration.

The other problem caused by the hydroelectric power station is a temperature drop in the river. Yao said the water temperature near the outlets in the Daning River is 10.2 degree centigrade, and the water temperature further from the hydroelectric station is 13.5 degree centigrade.

Yao said fish need proper temperature conditions to spawn. In low-temperature water, fish cannot lay eggs normally. The fish don't function normally in the new environment. For example, the river water rises in spring, and many fish tend to lay eggs in shallow-water parts. But for the purpose of flood prevention, the water in the reservoir is kept at a low level, causing the death of many fish eggs from dehydration.

Experts stress that the construction of hydroelectric stations must be prudent, given its potential impact on the environment. Hydroelectricity is clean energy. The government should keep a balance between ecological conservation and energy structural transformation.

On Xixi River, a tributary of the Daning River, three cascade hydropower stations were built, which are all diversion hydroelectric stations. According to regulations, these kinds of power stations should regularly discharge specific amounts of water into the natural downstream watercourses as an ecological compensation. However, Jiang Min, vice-manager of a hydroelectric station on the Xixi River, said that the hydroelectric station only discharges water occasionally to save on operating costs. "If we follow the environmental protection department's rules, we will lose more than 3 million kilowatts' electricity, about 1 million yuan."

Jiang said that 3 million kilowatts' power is a lot for his power station. He also said many smaller water power stations do not drain water at all. The poor supervision of ecological protection means that the environment often loses out to economic gains.

In the past decades of years, the Yangtze River and its tributaries, such as Jinsha River and Yalong River, have become important centers for hydroelectric power, transmitting hundreds of millions' kilowatts power to the eastern and central regions of China.

Experts have said that although ecological restoration needs large amounts of funding, more and more local governments in the middle and upper reach of the Yangtze River are starting to consider initiating the projects.

Fengjie County in Chongqing, home of the giant salamander, canceled construction of a hydroelectric station in 2013 and to set up a natural reserve to protect the giant salamander.

Liu Zhuming, a fishery administration official in Fengjie, said this decision is quite important to ecological protection. The losses incurred in the pursuit for temporary economic growth sometimes outweigh the gains.

Fishermen care about their futures on the Yangtze River, as wild fish become increasingly rare in China's largest river.

Zhu Dexing, a 64-year-old fisherman in Fengjie, said: "After fishing in the Yangtze River for more than 40 years, I've seen the fish become fewer and fewer. I wholeheartedly support the ecological protection of the river."
Water temperatures in the Australian state of Tasmania have been up to four degrees Celsius hotter than average over the past three months, and scientists have blamed the region's on-going extreme weather on rampant climate change.

Tasmania has already been ravaged by drought, flood and fires this summer, and on Wednesday researchers revealed the state's underwater environments had also been affected by the hotter than normal summer.

Dr Alistair Hobday, from Australia's Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), said Tasmania's seas had been heating up at an alarming rate since December.

"Tasmanian waters have been incredibly hot," Hobday told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Wednesday.

"Since satellite records began in the early 1980s we've never seen an event like this."

Despite a collection of such severe weather events having never been recorded in the state before this summer, Hobday said people could expect more of the same in coming years.

"Tasmania's had perhaps a window into the future this summer," Hobday said.

"This summer Tasmania has experienced really dry conditions that led to bushfires in the north of the state."

"Then we had really strong periods of rainfall, massive flooding in parts of Tasmania, and then off our coast this marine heatwave was occurring at the same time -- three really surprising environmental things in Tasmania."

The CSIRO believes the marine heatwave has been caused by a mixture of the East Australian Current bringing warm waters south and Australia's deepening El Nino, which the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has tipped to ease by mid-2016.

Substantial changes in water temperature can cause irreparable damage to marine environments.

Further north in Queensland, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is undergoing its third "bleaching event" in the past 18 years, which has impacted 93 percent of the ecosystem's coral.

Hobday said Tasmania's native marine life faced a similar fate.

"Some animals will be stressed and will die but we'll see new species come into Tasmanian waters," he said.
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Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Tuesday inaugurated a 135 million US dollar Kigamboni Bridge built by Chinese in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, saying the bridge will contribute to the country's economic growth.

Photo taken on April 18, 2016 shows vehicles traveling on Kigamboni Bridge Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. [Photo/Xinhua]

"The Chinese contractors have done a good job," Magufuli told the Chinese ambassador to Tanzania, Lu Youqing.

The President thanked China for the excellent job done by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) in a joint venture with China Railway Major Bridge Group (CRMBG).

The CRCEG/CRMBG project manager, Zhang Bangxu, said they employed over 5,000 Tanzanians as local foremen and technicians who have gained on-job experience.

"They can now be able to manage projects of similar proportions," said Zhang, adding that the construction of the bridge has given CRCEG and CRMBG credibility to undertake other construction works in the east African nation.

The 680 meter-long bridge, the first of its kind in east and central Africa, connects Dar es Salaam's business district to Kigamboni creek.

The bridge, measured 32 meters in width, has six lanes, three in each direction. It also has two pedestrian and cyclist lanes with a width of 2.5 meters, one on each side.

The president said the bridge was also expected to boost the domestic tourism sector in the planned Kigamboni city, making it a holiday beach.

Magufuli declined an offer to name the bridge after his name and suggested that the bridge should be named Nyerere Bridge in recognition of the country's founding leader -- Julius Nyerere.

The project was jointly funded by the Tanzanian government and the National Social Security Fund.
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The Islamic State (IS) would have sent new fighters to Belgium and Europe, Belgium's Coordinating Body for Threat Analysis (OCAM) warned Tuesday.

"The investigation into the attacks that hit Brussels took place intensively and made serious progress, but the danger is not ruled out," said OCAM head Paul Van Tigchelt at a press conference.

Tigchlet also explained that information communicated to OCAM indicated IS would have sent new fighters to Europe, including Belgium.

After an analysis of the security situation in the country on April 15, "heightened security measures have been implemented," recalled Alain Lefevre, executive director of the Belgium Crisis Center. These measures are aimed at strategic locations in Belgium, but also other places with large concentrations of people.

The OCAM also reminded the level of terrorist threat in Belgium remained at three on a scale of four. This means that the risk of a terrorist attack is possible and probable.

On March 22, twin terror attacks carried out at Zaventem airport and Maelbeek metro station in Brussels claimed the lives of 35 people.
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The latest round of Syria peace talks, aiming to broker a political end to the five-year crisis, has reached a critical phase, main Syrian opposition group High Negotiations Committee (HNC) said Tuesday.

"We are here in Geneva because we want to have a real political transition in Syria to end this crisis," HNC head Riad Hijab said in a press conference, adding "it's unfortunate that our responsiveness and cooperation has been misunderstood."

The HNC accused the government of avoiding concrete discussions on the issue of political transition, while also deploring the dire humanitarian and security situation on the ground.

"This is why the HNC has made the decision yesterday to postpone our participation in negotiations, and will not be in UN Palais while our people are still suffering," Hijab said.

He added a small team would remain in Geneva to continue with technical discussions, though the bulk of the delegation have already or are set to leave shortly.

With little progress made to date, the likelihood of reaching a common understanding between warring factions is becoming slimmer and slimmer.

The Syrian government delegation has defended the legitimacy of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule, labeling some of the groups included in the Saudi-backed HNC as "terrorists."

"We told (UN Special Envoy Staffan) De Mistura that what is being achieved in New York is being undone here in Geneva. Because while the UN Security Council has considered that the Mufti of Ahrar Ash-Sham a terrorist, this group has a representative here in Geneva who is accepted by the United Nations," said the head of the Syrian government delegation Bashar al-Jaafari.

Though the talks haven't completely broken down as they did in February, this development does not bode well for the UN's latest attempt to negotiate a political solution to a crisis which has killed over 250,000 people and displaced millions. The fate of al-Assad still remains a major sticking point, with the government delegation refusing to budge on the opposition's demands to remove him from power.

On the other end of the spectrum, the HNC has repeated that it will not compromise on its stance towards the incumbent president.

"There cannot be a political process that prolongs the life of this regime," said Hijab, calling for a clear timetable to be implemented to address the political process.

De Mistura said consultations would continue with both sides and that he would reassess the situation on Friday.

The diplomat is set to meet representatives of the Moscow-Cairo Group, the International Syria Support Group Ceasefire taskforce and members of the Internal Damascus Platform on Tuesday.

He is scheduled to meet again with the Syrian government delegation on Wednesday.
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South Africa will soon introduce legislation which will address racism and hate speech in particular, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Michael Masutha said on Tuesday.

The government is currently expanding the provisions of the draft bill which will be introduced in parliament later this year, he said in Parliament while delivering his budget speech.

This will help bolster existing legislative measures notably under the promotion of equality and prevention of unfair n discrimination act and other related laws, the minister said.

There have been growing calls for introducing legislation to deal with racism and hate speech following a racial storm early this year which saw some whites making anti-black comments and some blacks spreading hatred toward the whites on the social media.

The legislation will be amongst the concrete measures the government is embarking upon to give expression to President Jacob Zuma's call during his State of the Nation Address for the nation to focus its human rights promotion efforts this year towards the fight against racism, Masutha said.

The introduction of the legislation was in line with late President Nelson Mandela's signing of the Constitution in 1996, where he set the country on a path to build a society that respects constitutional rights and in the process, dismantling apartheid laws characterized by racial oppression, intolerance and discrimination of the majority of the citizens by the minority, said Masutha.

"In this spirit, we must all rise to deal with all forms of intolerances to consolidate our democracy.

"As a department, we will soon introduce legislation which will address racism and in particular, hate speech," he said.

The government, he said, has also developed and released with Cabinet's approval the draft National Action Plan (NAP) to combat racism, xenophobia and related intolerances for public comment.

Many sectors of society are already coming forward to share their views on the draft NAP, he said.

Masutha encouraged all South Africans to make their inputs to the draft plan.
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon received a high Dutch royal honor on Tuesday in The Hague.

Ban was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. At a ceremony in The Hague, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders handed Ban the honor on behalf of the Dutch government.

"You have worked tirelessly for peace, security, justice and development in the world," said Koenders in his speech.

"You have been the voice of people affected by natural disasters, discrimination, conflict and inequality," added Koenders.

According to the Dutch government, Ban has worked hard to prevent and resolve conflicts, has taken the initiative for the renewal of peace missions and has fought for human rights.

The Order of the Netherlands Lion is a high order of chivalry of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It has existed since 1815 and has previously been given to eminent individuals from all walks of life.

In 2006, Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general, was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion as well.
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Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Tuesday made a rare appearance at the meeting of the Communist Party of Cuba, voicing his support for Cuba's economic and social reforms.

In a surprise speech at the closing ceremony of the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), Fidel Castro backed the economic changes begun five years ago by his younger brother and the current leader Raul Castro.

"We will change what needs to be reformed in the country while maintaining our loyalty and unity just like our independence heroes Marti, Maceo and Gomez," the elder Castro told the delegates and guests present at the Convention Center of Havana, the capital of Cuba, for the closing ceremony of the four-day PCC Congress.

The elder Castro said he had not expect to live this long, referring to his upcoming 90th birthday. He said Tuesday's speech could be one of his last due to his advanced age.

"I will soon be 90 and my turn will come like everybody else. But the ideas of Cuban communists will live on to prove that, if we work with dignity and fervor, we can produce the goods needed by our nation," said an emotional Fidel Castro. This is the first time the elder Castro has referenced his eventual death in public.

He also congratulated Raul Castro on his efforts to lead the reform process.

The greatest danger facing humanity is weapons of mass destruction, which could undermine the planet's peace and order, said Fidel Castro in his speech, stressing that human beings must adapt and learn more about the reality of the world and its dangers.

At Tuesday's closing ceremony of the 7th PCC Congress, Raul Castro was reelected as PCC's first secretary for the next five years.
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The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a senior official of the Libyan self-proclaimed government in the capital city of Tripoli, citing that the person obstructed and undermined the country's peace and stability.

The U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned Khalifa Ghweil for threatening "the peace, security, or stability of Libya or obstruct or undermine the Libyan Government of National Accord," the department said in a statement.

"All property and interests in property of Ghweil that are within the jurisdiction of the United States or in the control of U.S. persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with him."

The U.S. sanction also complemented the European Union's restrictive measures against Ghweil on April 1, said the statement.

Ghweil is the prime minister and defense minister of the National Salvation Government, which is Libya's self-proclaimed government.

The UN-backed government headed by Fayez Serraj entered the capital Tripoli at the end of last month. The National Salvation Government then decided to step down earlier this month.

Libya had a political division with two rival governments and parliaments battling for dominance amid escalating violence and increased dominance of militant extremism. Last December, they agreed to create a Government of National Accord to end the political struggle.
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The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest terms" a terrorist attack in the Afghan capital of Kabul, for which Taliban claimed responsibility.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, and wherever, whenever and by whomsoever it is committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group," the 15-nation UN body said in a statement.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice," said the statement.

An explosion rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul on Tuesday morning, killing at least 28 people and wounding more than 300 others, reports said.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, ISIL (Da'esh) affiliates, illegal and armed groups to the local population, national defense and security forces, and international presence in Afghanistan," the statement said.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, the statement said.

The Security Council reiterated "that no violent or terrorist acts can reverse the Afghan-led process along the path towards peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan," it added.
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Some 178,882 maritime migrants and refugees have reached Europe through April 13 this year while 737 have died attempting to do so, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Tuesday.

The bulk of these arrivals has taken place in Greece, a country which has seen 153,625 people reach its shores since Jan. 1.

The IOM indicated that in the first three months of this year, close to 1,500 sea-borne migrants were reaching the southern European nation every day.

This number has significantly dropped over the last 10 days however, with fewer than 70 refugees and migrants arriving on a daily basis.

Italy, for its part, has seen 24,581 migrants enter its territory by sea, while 648 and 28 migrants have arrived in Spain and Cyprus respectively.

To date, 376 individuals have lost their lives crossing the Eastern Mediterranean route separating Turkey and Greece.

A further 356 people have died on the central Mediterranean passage separating North Africa and Italy, while five migrants have drowned on the Western Mediterranean and West African routes.

"Reports Monday of several hundred deaths of migrants mainly from the Horn of Africa have yet to be confirmed by IOM monitors in the region," the organization said in a statement.
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Chinese State Councilor Guo Shengkun proposed building "partnerships of win-win cooperation to jointly advance drug control efforts" at Tuesday's UN General Assembly special session on world drug problem.

Chinese State Councilor, head of China's national anti-drug commission and public security minister Guo Shengkun addresses the special session of the General Assembly on the World Drug Problem at the United Nations headquarters in New York, April 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Noting that the partnerships should be based on equality and mutual benefit, Guo said that it is important that countries honor the principle of sovereign equality as enshrined in the UN Charter and avoid injecting political factors into anti-narcotics efforts or using drug control as a pretext to interfere in other countries' internal affairs.

The international community should embrace a mindset of win-win cooperation, forge global partnerships and build a community of shared destiny for mankind in combating the drug problem, he noted.

On improving the drug control system, he said that while international drug control agencies need to play a leading role, the producer, transit or consumer countries as well as those affected by the drug menace should share the responsibility of narcotics control.

It is also important to mobilize and involve international organizations, NGOs and civil society in countering the drug problem so as to create a situation where drug control agencies play a leading role, national governments share the responsibility, and the whole society gets actively involved, Guo added.

The State Councilor also called for pursuing an integrated and balanced drug control strategy in line with national conditions and forming standardized, practical and efficient operation mechanisms.

In particular, countries should carry out joint actions to combat drug-related crimes, step up international and regional law enforcement cooperation, and establish standardized, practical and efficient mechanisms on intelligence sharing, case-based cooperation, anti-money laundering and mutual legal assistance, he said.

As for China's fight against the drug problem, Guo shared recent progress.

"For years, we have carried out the people's campaign against drugs and achieved notable progress. In the past decade, we have cracked down on more than 1 million cases of drug crime and seized 751 tons of drugs," he said.

Moreover, Guo noted that the Chinese government is firmly committed to fighting drugs and that China will continue to support the work of UN anti-narcotic agencies, take an active part in international and regional cooperation and jointly combat relevant transnational crimes.

"We stand ready to work with the international community to build partnership for mutual benefit, advance the cause of drug control, and work tirelessly for the health, safety and well-being of mankind," he said.

Guo also met with Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Paiboon Khumchaya, Justice Minister of Thailand, among others on Tuesday.

The 30th Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the World Drug Problem, which runs till Thursday, includes a plenary meeting and five separate multi-stakeholder roundtable sessions.

At the special session on Tuesday, the UN General Assembly adopted an outcome document to tackle the emerging challenges in fight against illicit drug use.
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At least 44 people were killed on Tuesday in air strikes against areas in the rebel-held province of Idlib in northwestern Syria, a monitor group reported.

The strikes targeted areas in the towns of Kafr-Nubbol and Ma'arat al-Numan in Idlib countryside, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog group said woman and children were among those killed, while tens of others were wounded.

The death toll could likely rise due to the large number of critically wounded crowds and those still stuck under the rubble, it added.

The air raids came apparently in response to the wide-scale offensive by the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on key government-controlled areas in the countryside of the coastal city of Latakia and the central province of Hama.

A Syrian military source told Xinhua on Tuesday that the military forces managed to repel the attacks, scoring more progress against the al-Qaida-linked groups in the countryside of Latakia.

The escalation on ground reflects the tensions among the Syrian delegates to the Geneva peace talks on Syria crisis.

The opposition representatives in Geneva talks are calling for suspending the talks, citing the lack of progress.

A day earlier, several jihadi groups announced a broad offensive against the government positions in Latakia and Hama, following the call by the head of the opposition delegation to Geneva, Muhammad Alloush, who urged the rebels to strike the government forces in Syria, in what he called as the breaches of a cease-fire by the government forces.

A U.S.-Russia sponsored truce went into effect in Syria last February, bringing a pause of fighting to many hotspots nationwide.

However, sporadic breaches were reported by both sides, and the lack of progress in Geneva is threatening the collapse of the deal and the return to the ground zero.
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The hefty loans and grants Kenya has secured from China have powered the East African nation's socio-economic progress and will not place a burden on citizens, a Kenyan scholar said on Tuesday.

In a commentary published by major Kenyan dailies on Tuesday, diplomacy scholar Cliff Mboya said that Kenya is better off with Chinese loans as they are "cheaper" and not tied to ideological bias.

Mboya said China's concessional loans, grants and technical aid were given with no strings attached and that the loans were easier to repay, different from those extended by Western countries and Bretton woods Institutions.

"History proves that loans from the Bretton Woods Institutions were expensive and a tool for political manipulation while facts suggest that loans from China are cheaper and not tied to conditionality.

"Unlike lenders from the West, the Chinese government has explicitly stated in policy that it does not interfere with internal affairs of recipient countries and that it fully respects their right to independently choose their paths and models of development," Mboya said.

He further said that financial aid from the West had "little impact" on the Kenyan economy as it was channeled towards "non-productive ventures".

"Besides creating dependency, loans from the West are too low to enable any meaningful progress. Critics have even coined them 'humanitarian alibi' since they have little impact on economically promising countries like Kenya," said Mboya.

He blamed the stringent conditionality imposed by Bretton Woods Institutions for the economic malaise Kenya experienced in the 1990s.

"This must be a constant reminder of Kenya's debt history and the best alternative offered by China," said Mboya while clarifying that Kenya's debt to GDP ratio was not as bad as depicted by some critics.

He also cited the books of American author John Perkins to illustrate how development aid from the West has failed to lift millions of poor African citizens from poverty.

Kenyans should not be worried about the risk of borrowing loans from China to finance infrastructure development, instead the benefit will be huge, Mboya said.

He said Chinese loans and grants, which are behind Kenya's infrastructure modernization, had transformed rather than burdened the country.

Chinese loans and grants are critical to the implementation of Kenya's industrialization blue print and pose minimal risks to its future generations, he added.

"We must look at the bigger picture and take into account the progress offered by economic engagement with China," Mboya said.
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Turkish Prime Ahmet Davutoglu defended on Tuesday, in front of 47 member state representatives of the Council of Europe (CoE), the work undertaken by Ankara to implement the agreement reached between his country and the European Union (EU), letting it be understood European countries had not taken responsibility for their part of the support for Syrian refugees.

"Turkey has fulfilled all of it commitments," affirmed Davutoglu during a long address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), specifying the number of migrant passages from Turkey toward Greece had fallen to "60 individuals or even none per day."

"All the measures have been put in place," added the head of the Turkish government. "There is no problem," he asserted, while specifying: "Turkey could speak of difficulties because the 3 billion euros (3.41 billion U.S. dollars) set aside for the Syrian refugees arriving in Turkey are still not in our hands."

As part of the compromise reached on March 18 between Ankara and the EU, Brussels promised 3 billion euros in aid to assist in the handling of refugees, on top of the 3 billion euros already pledged.

The agreement provides for the return to Turkey of irregular migrants arriving illegally to the Greek islands, including asylum seekers. In return, for every Syrian returned to Turkey, the EU must "resettle" another one within its borders.

The March 18 agreement also provides for the acceleration of negotiations for Turkish accession to the EU, which were opened in 2005. It is "the motor of our relationship," the prime minister said.

Concerning the liberalization of visas for Turkish citizens who want to travel to the EU -- another clause of the agreement which has caused controversy among Europeans -- Ahmet Davutoglu made no comment.

Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned on Monday that Turkey would annul its commitments in the handling of the refugee crisis if the compensations in the agreement weren't respected.

Tuesday morning, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker assured the PACE assembly Brussels would only liberalize visas for Turkish citizens if Ankara respected the criteria for all third countries.
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U.S. presidential front-runners Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are looking for a lift in the New York primaries on Tuesday to propel them into the general election in November as they both are desperate to score victories in a state where they have deep roots.

Preference polls showed Democrat Clinton and Republican Trump ahead by double-digit margins into the crucial New York primaries. With the Republican and Democratic races becoming extended delegate battles in an already wild campaign season, New York becomes a high-stakes prize they can't afford to lose.

CLINTON VS SANDERS: A FACE-SAVING CONTEST

On the Democratic side, it is a pivotal contest for both presidential hopefuls in New York, with 291 delegates up for grabs, after Bernie Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, won seven out of the last eight state-level Democratic nominating contests.

Sanders is chipping away at Clinton's big lead in the number of delegates needed to secure the party's nomination.

Clinton currently holds a more than 200 lead in pledged delegates which, combined with her popularity among superdelegates, represents a wide gap almost impossible for Sanders to close.

For Clinton, a resounding victory in the face-saving contest would plug up Sanders' momentum and bruise his claim that he can still catch up to her and have a real path to party nomination.

Both Democrats are campaigning hard in a state they both have ties, reaching out to New Yorkers face to face with handshakes on sidewalks and holding rallies around the fourth-most populous U.S. state till the last moment before the contest.

At a campaign event on Monday in Midtown Manhattan, where she was joined by a slate of women leaders, Clinton has tailored her message in New York to her tenure as the state' s senator for eight years, as well as her support base among women and minorities.

"Lady Liberty stands in our harbor. We are a city of immigrants, a state of immigrants and a nation of immigrants," she told the crowd.

Sanders, who was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, urged New Yorkers to "help take this country a giant step forward for the political revolution."

"My experience has been, in this campaign so far, is that we win when the turnout is high. We lose when the turnout is low," Sanders told a rally in Queens late Monday.

As the surprisingly competitive Democratic race heads into the high-stakes primaries, the two have engaged negative campaigning this month, trading personal barbs over who is more qualified to be president.

In a new development, the Sanders campaign on Monday wrote a letter to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) questioning "serious apparent violations" of campaign finance laws. The Clinton campaign called it false accusation.

Sanders and his team are attacking Clinton's character, integrity and motivations, Robby Mook, Clinton's Campaign Manager said on Tuesday, adding that "Bernie's latest attack is irresponsible and poisonous."

POISED FOR HOME STATE VICTORY

On the Republican side, Trump, who is a Queens native and built his fortune in New York's real estate market, also needs a big victory in New York to bring him closer to the nomination at the party July's convention in Cleveland.

Trump now holds a lead of 200 delegates over his closest rival, Texas senator Ted Cruz, in the now three-man Republican race. A candidate needs to grasp 1,237 delegates to become the party nominee who faces Clinton or Sanders.

Cruz, however, has cut into Trump's delegates lead by notching his fourth win in a row in the Colorado state Republican convention against the brash New York billionaire.

The Texas senator said the recent winning streak marks "a turning point" in his campaign trail.

He has been campaigning feverishly to court delegates who would be free to switch loyalties if the convention's first round of balloting doesn't determine a clear nominee.

John Kasich, the Ohio governor who has won only his home state and now trails behind Trump about 600 delegates, also struggles to compete in the behind-the-scenes battle for delegates.

Kasich also trails Trump by slightly more than 30 percentage points in New York.

The prospect of a contested convention, a extremely rare event in recent U.S. politics, looms much larger in the Republican race. If no candidate reaches that 1,237 threshold by the close of the last primary on June 7, then the convention will almost certainly be contested.

The recent string of losses in four states including highly competitive Wisconsin prompted Trump to announce a major staff shake amid Cruz's spirited campaign to force a contested convention.

Trump's national field director Stuart Jolly tendered his resignation amid shakeup on Monday afternoon.

The face-off between the two candidates in New York state's primary with 95 delegates at stake marks the start of the two candidates' final push to secure the party's nomination.

After casting his ballot on Tuesday morning at a synagogue near Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan, Trump said: "I think we'll do really well. It feels good."
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Cuban leader Raul Castro on Tuesday was reelected as the First Secretary of the Central Committee of Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) at the the final plenary session of PCC's seventh Congress, Cuba's official state news agency Prensa Latina reported.

Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro (L, front) and Cuban President Raul Castro (C, front), take part during the seventh Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), at the Palace of Conventions, in Havana, Cuba, on April 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Raul Castro won the re-election by nearly 1,000 delegates attending the meeting, including the leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro, his elder brother, said Prensa Latina.

Raul had served as the First Secretary of the PCC since its last Congress held in 2011, when he replaced his elder brother Fidel.

Fidel Castro directed PCC's political organization since its founding in 1965, but a severe illness forced him to leave his political and government duties in 2006.

The PCC Central Committee also ratified Dr. Jose Ramon Machado Ventura in his position as Second Secretary of PCC.
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Turkey's military killed 32 Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq's Mosul province Tuesday in retaliation to their attack on a Turkish tank in the Bashiqa training camp.

Ten militants were killed during the operation with an additional 22 killed as they escaped and hid in one of their buildings which was detonated, reported local NTV news citing anonymous Turkish military sources.

IS militants struck a Turkish Armed Forces tank with an anti-tank weaponry Tuesday, according to NTV news.

No casualties were reported in the attack however.

IS militants launched their first attack against the military camp on December 16 right after Turkey deployed 150 troops into the camp to train an Iraqi Sunni militia to fight the IS.

During another assault on later, five Turkish soldiers were injured.

Turkish soldiers killed 17 IS militants on January 8 as IS militants tried to sneak into the camp.

Ankara also struck IS targets on March 22 as several IS militants attempted to attack the camp.

A Turkish soldier was killed on March 26 during an armed conflict between IS militants and Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces and Turkish military retaliated by attacking IS posts.

Turkey sent 600 troops to the Bashiqa camp on December 4, 2015, claiming they were sent to train Iraqi militia to fight IS militants.

However, Iraq argued that the presence of Turkish troops in the camp violates the country's sovereignty.

Turkey subsequently withdrew a significant number of its troops from the camp.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping called for more communication and cooperation between China and the United States on Tuesday, urging the two sides to push for sustainable, healthy and steady development of bilateral relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with former U.S. Secretary of Treasury Henry Paulson in Beijing.

Xi appreciated the positive efforts of Paulson and the Paulson Institute in promoting bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

At present, China-U.S. ties have a sound development, Xi said, noting that bilateral ties and cooperation on regional and global issues shows strong vitality in the process of building a new model of major-country relationship.

Xi said he and U.S. President Barack Obama reached important consensus on further promoting bilateral ties during their meeting in Washington in March.

Xi called on the two countries to make joint efforts to strengthen communication, focus on cooperation and manage their differences to push for sustainable, healthy and steady development of bilateral ties.

Xi briefed Paulson on China's economic situation, saying that China has ensured its economic and social development keeps steady despite the downward pressure of global economy.

Speaking of the 13th Five-Year Plan, Xi said China's development will be guided by the new vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development.

China will continue to advance supply-side structural reform, promote economic development quality and efficiency to form balanced development structure, Xi said.

The president reiterated that China's reform and opening up will never stop.

"We are willing to work with the U.S. side to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in finance and economy and advance regional and global economic development and cooperation," Xi said.

Paulson noted the importance of bilateral ties, saying that the achievements of bilateral cooperation in various fields such as trade and economy, environment and climate change have played a positive role in advancing U.S.-China ties.

In the face of uncertainties in world economy, China's perseverance in deepening reform and promoting restructuring is admirable, Paulson said.

China's further reform and opening up will provide more chances to the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, Paulson said.

Paulson also urged the two sides to push ahead with the negotiations on a bilateral investment deal.
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A former New York police officer will not serve time in prison after a Brooklyn judge on Tuesday reduced the conviction from manslaughter to criminally negligent homicide.

New York City Police officer Peter Liang is led from the court room at the Brooklyn Supreme court in New York Feb. 11, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun sentenced Peter Liang, a former NYPD police officer of Chinese descent, to five years of probation and at least 800 hours community service over the death of Akai Gerley.

Liang was previously convicted in February of manslaughter in the accidental shooting death of Gerley in a pitch-dark stairwell in 2014. He is the first policeman from the New York Police Department to be convicted of homicide in the shooting of a civilian since 2005.

The reduced sentencing came after a massive rally in more than 30 U.S. cities in February over the manslaughter conviction which protests believed was too harsh and unfair to Liang.

A ricocheted bullet from Liang's service weapon accidentally killed Gurley when he was patrolling in a housing project in the New York City borough of Brooklyn in November 2014.
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Moscow on Tuesday voiced its readiness for the upcoming Russia-NATO dialogue while admitting the two sides are experiencing a period of deep mistrust.

Russian President Vladimir Putin at a government meeting in Moscow, April 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

"Russian-NATO relations are undoubtedly worrying right now and seem be forgotten ...there's probably a triumph in mutual mistrust," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov reiterated Russia's concern over the military buildup by NATO in countries neighboring Russia, which threatens Russia's national interests and security, he said.

"The alliance is unable to adjust itself to modern conditions and sticks to its original task of deterring Russia and remaining in confrontations with it," the Tass news agency quoted Peskov as saying.

He noted that the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council at the ambassadorial level, scheduled for April 20 in Brussels, would not be easy, as efforts to restore trust have been slow.

Yet the spokesman said Russia expressed satisfaction at ongoing talks with NATO, despite the alliance suspending all practical cooperation with Russia in April 2014 in response to the Ukraine crisis.

NATO on April 8 said the NATO-Russia Council meeting would discuss Ukraine and military activities with a particular focus on transparency and risk reduction.

The NATO-Russia Council, established at the NATO-Russia Summit in Rome on May 28, 2002, is a forum for consultation between NATO and Russia.

Within the Council, NATO allies and Russia work as equals and all decisions in the Council are taken by consensus.
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Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday expressed the hope that defense departments and armed forces of China and India strengthen exchanges, dialogue and communication to jointly maintain peace and stability in their border areas and create a good condition for the development of bilateral ties.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Li made the remarks while meeting Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, who held talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan on Monday.

The two countries are going to hold the 19th round of talks between special representatives on boundary issues in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday. India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will come and co-chair the talks with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

Li said China and India are important neighboring countries, whose peaceful co-existence and cooperation are conducive to both sides and the world.

China attaches high importance to the relations with India, and is willing to keep close bilateral exchanges, strengthen strategic mutual trust, expand common interests, and properly handle disputes, so as to promote a sound and stable development of the China-India relations, Li said.

Facing the sluggish world economy and unceasing regional conflicts, the cooperation and common development between the two countries will be a great engine for Asia's development and send a positive signal for world peace, Li noted.

Speaking positively of the development of India-China relations in recent years, Parrikar said he hoped the two sides could make joint efforts to properly handle relevant issues and maintain the cooperation momentum in all areas.

He said a further progress of bilateral defense relations would also push forward the two countries' economic and trade cooperation. He hoped the two countries could strengthen cooperation and friendship.
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With the news of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton winning their respective nominating contests in New York state on Tuesday, voting irregularities soon sprung up.

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer late Tuesday ordered an audit of the city's Board of Elections after it confirmed more than 125,000 people's names had been removed from voter rolls.

Hundreds of voters have complained to New York's attorney general about problems at polling places during the state's presidential primary.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's voter hotline received 562 phone calls and 140 emails by late afternoon Tuesday, a sharp increase from the 2012 general election when 150 complaints were received.

A Schneiderman spokesman said this year's total number of election complaints is "by far" the most it has handled since Schneiderman took office in 2011.

The complaints include registration problems, a lack of privacy at the voting booth, late-opening polls and poor instructions from poll workers.

Schneiderman's office said it received many complaints from people who said they were not allowed to cast a primary ballot because they had not registered with a political party.

"The people of New York City have lost confidence that the Board of Elections can effectively administer elections and we intend to find out why the Board of Elections is so consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient," Stringer said in a statement.

According to opinion polls, Clinton was projected to win handily in the Democratic primary in New York, holding off an unexpectedly fierce challenge from Bernie Sanders for the Democratic party's nomination.

Early results with 55 percent of all votes counted showed Clinton led Sanders by about 20 percent.

With her win in New York, Clinton would take a majority of New York's 247 pledged delegates, further widening her delegate lead over Sanders.

Like all other Democratic primaries and caucuses, the contest in New York allots pledged delegates proportionally.

Clinton entered the contest on Tuesday with a substantial edge over Sanders in terms of pledged delegates, with 1,411 to 1,179, according to the latest New York Times delegate count.

To win the party's nomination, a Democratic candidate needs to win over 2,383 delegates, including unpledged delegates, who at the moment overwhelmingly support Clinton.

Clinton's win in New York also ended a two-week back-and-forth attack between her and Sanders, with the latter constantly questioning the former secretary of state's judgement and accusing her of not releasing the transcripts of her paid speeches to big banks.

In a bid to derail Sanders, who with a winning streak had defeated her six times in the past seven Democratic contests before Tuesday's contest, Clinton slammed Sanders for his voting records on abortion and gun control.

On the Republican side, New York billionaire developer Trump overwhelmingly won his primary.

Trump was declared the winner by major U.S. media when all polls closed at 9 p.m. local time (0100 GMT). Early results with 40 percent of all votes counted show Trump won more than 60 percent of the vote.

Trump's handy victory in his home state came well within expectation as surveys over the past few weeks all showed that the current GOP front-runner led the Republican field by a large margin.

However, with results still coming in, it remained to be seen whether Trump would garner all or at least close to all the 95 delegates up for grabs in New York.

If voting for Trump tops the 50 percent mark statewide, Trump would take all 14 at-large delegates. The remaining 81 delegates would be allocated based on the share of votes in all of New York's 27 congressional districts.

A clean sweep of all 95 New York delegates would be crucial for Trump in his bid to garner 1,237 delegates before the contested party convention in July.

Trump entered the contest on Tuesday with 755 delegates, 212 more than his major rival Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Anti-Trump Republicans have long suggested that if Trump falls short of the 1,237 delegates, he might be stopped at the first ballot at the nominating convention in July, giving Cruz a chance to snatch the nomination from the New York billionaire developer.
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The vote in the Brazilian lower house of parliament on Sunday in favor of impeaching left-leaning President Dilma Rousseff has raised the alarm around the Latin American continent about the further weakening of socialism in the region.

The vote is seen as the latest in a string of actions that undermine socialism on the continent.

Venezuelan Vice President Aristobulo Isturiz said Tuesday that Latin America needed to "rebel" against "right-wing attacks...that serve imperialist interests."

Speaking amid celebrations of the 206th anniversary of Venezuela's proclamation of independence, Isturiz said Argentina's former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Brazil's Lula da Silva and Rousseff have all come under right-wing attacks.

The impeachment process being carried out by the right-wing opposition in Brazil is part of a broader movement to restore conservative politics to the region, Isturiz warned.

Many leftist Latin American leaders, including Cuban President Raul Castro, Correa, Morales and Maduro have all spoken up to deplore the "coup against Rousseff".

Leandro Morgenfeld, a professor of political relations at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, shared this feeling when he spoke to Xinhua on Monday.

The analyst, who has written a number of books on relations between the United States and Latin America, thinks Brazil is now seeing a coup.

"It may seem parliamentary but it is still a coup as was seen in Paraguay against President Fernando Lugo in 2012," he said. "Impeachment, without a crime of responsibility, is a coup."

"Rousseff is not accused of corruption in this case, except for having reassigned party funds without authorization from Congress. However, this has been a common practice for governments in Brazil and Argentina. None of this implies a crime. Therefore, this is a coup violating the constitution and the 54 million people who voted for Rousseff in 2014," explained Morgenfeld.

He also found it hypocritical that many Brazilian lawmakers who voted against Rousseff, starting with lower house speaker Eduardo Cunha, are accused of corruption themselves.

"A new type of coup is happening in Latin America, using the name of democracy," the professor said.

Socialists fear that the weakening of the left could favor the region's powerful neighbor, the United States.

"The conservative restoration and attacks by the U.S. to restore its regional hegemony are advancing," said Morgenfeld.
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Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (R) is greeted by a Minnie Mouse mascot (C) as he attends the opening ceremony of Grizzly Gulch, the largest themed area in Hong Kong Disneyland's expansion. [Photo/Agencies]

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort announced it was laying off around 100 employees on Friday. The theme park reported a loss of about HK$150 million last year, and visitor numbers dropped by almost 10 percent to 6.8 million, with a 23-percent decline in mainland tourists visiting the park. Shanghai Disney Resort, which is three times the size of Hong Kong Disneyland, is due to open on June 16. Hong Kong will have to make greater efforts to attract mainland tourists, Global Times commented on Monday:

Hong Kong Disneyland will face even greater challenges, as the tourism industry in Hong Kong is still experiencing a downturn. In stark contrast, Shanghai Disney Resort looks set to become the most popular theme park worldwide, with tickets sold out in advance for the first three months after its opening.

As far as Hong Kong is concerned, it shouldn't put all its eggs in one basket and rely on mainland tourists. It is located close to the mainland, which is one of its advantages. While the Shanghai theme park is likely to attract a lot of visitors from northern and central China, people in the Pearl River Delta and neighboring areas will likely still visit Hong Kong.

We must not equate the opening of Shanghai Disney Resort with a death sentence for Hong Kong Disneyland.

The fall in the number of mainland visitors to Hong Kong is partially due to the impression that Hong Kong is not welcoming of them. Hong Kong should make efforts to address this issue if it wants to compete with the mainland's developing domestic tourism industry.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) holds talks with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in Beijing, capital of China, April 18, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and New Zealand will increase agricultural cooperation and upgrade their free trade agreement to further cut tariffs and boost exchanges.

Premier Li Keqiang on Monday met with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who will end his six-day visit on Friday.

China will work to expand trade within the framework of the FTA and create conditions to begin negotiations on broadening the agreement, Li said. China will also expand cooperation with the Oceanian partner in whole industrial chains of agricultural and animal husbandry investments, food safety and other areas, he added.

In 2004, New Zealand was the first developed country to recognize China's full market economy status, and it signed a free trade agreement with China in April 2008, which took effect six months later.

Bilateral trade has seen double-digit growth over the past eight years, and China became New Zealand's biggest export market in 2014.

Key said New Zealand will enhance cooperation with China in agriculture and animal husbandry, and will work to upgrade the FTA.

The two countries' industrial complementarity will continue to increase their trade, as China, a manufacturer, needs to import many agricultural goods from the partner, said Chen Fengying, a global economy researcher at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.
A technician checks steel plates at a Han-Steel Co Ltd unit in Handan, Hebei province.[Hao Qunying/For China Daily]

China hit back at its critics over allegations that it is dumping steel products on world markets, threatening the European steel industry and causing job losses.

Tata Steel said last month it would sell most of its steel plants in the United Kingdom, putting thousands of jobs at risk. British trade unions and their counterparts in Belgium and France have claimed that the jobs are at risk due to Chinese overproduction, leading to steel products being dumped on world markets, undercutting Western European producers.

Chinese officials met representatives of more than 30 countries in Brussels this week to discuss the issue.

Shen Danyang, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, told reporters at a news conference in Beijing: "Steel is the food of industry, the food of economic development. At present, the major problem is that countries that need food have a poor appetite, so it looks like there's too much food."

Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK, said: "It is regrettable that some people in Britain blame China for what is happening in the British steel industry, and accuse China of pricing local companies out of the steel market.

"Making China the 'scapegoat' only misleads the public and contributes nothing to the solution of the problem," he said in comments published by the Daily Telegraph.

Li Xinchuang, head of the China Metallurgical Planning and Research Institute, said it was unfair to blame Chinese steel exports for causing unemployment in Europe.

"It is a natural process that companies with higher costs and weak competitiveness will be replaced by ones that can produce better products with lower costs."

Shen said China "doesn't give any subsidies to encourage steel exports.

Zhang Ji, assistant minister of commerce, told the Brussels meeting that China is now making considerable sacrifices to cut its overcapacity.

Zhang Yu contributed to this story.
Cattleman Stephen Hatward stands guard with his cattle at the Royal National Association Grounds, Brisbane, Australia, August 7, 2011. [Photo/IC]

A Chinese-led group has agreed to buy Australia's most iconic cattle company in a deal valued at more than A$370 million ($288 million) after partnering with local investors.

The venture, headed by a company controlled by Shanghai Pengxin Group, will purchase 80 percent of S. Kidman & Co, according to a statement on Tuesday to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Australian Rural Capital Ltd will take a 20 percent stake.

The deal requires approval from Chinese regulators, and Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board, which last year blocked the sale of Kidman to an overseas buyer on grounds of national security.

Founded in 1899 by so-called Cattle King Sidney Kidman, the company's ranches span 101,000 square kilometers, or about 1.3 percent of Australia's total land area, and carry about 185,000 cattle. The family-owned enterprise produces grass-fed beef for export to Japan, the United States and Southeast Asia.

The offer values the company at A$370.7 million, the target and bidding consortium said in a separate statement on Tuesday.

Shenzhen-listed Hunan Dakang Pasture Farming Co, which is controlled by Shanghai Pengxin, has a 51 percent of the Chinese side of the venture, with privately owned Shanghai CRED Real Estate Stock Co holding 49 percent.

In November, the FIRB blocked the sale of Kidman, saying the proximity of its Anna Creek ranch to a weapon-testing range could compromise national security. Kidman subsequently carved that ranch from the sale to ease such concerns.

The agreement between the consortium and Kidman complies "with all requests that have been made by the FIRB," Chairman John Crosby said in the statement. "The significant investment proposed by the consortium will see an increase in production and the expansion of international markets for Kidman beef, the majority of which is already exported."

The consortium will initially invest A$46.3 million over the first 12 months, including restocking the properties, and expects to create 50 new jobs in the first year of ownership.

Treasurer Scott Morrison, who oversees the FIRB process, has 90 days from around April 26 to consider the bid, according to the statement. Morrison's office said in an e-mail it wouldn't make a "hasty decision on this very significant matter".
People at the entrance of the China Europe International Business School. HE ZI / FOR CHINA DAILY

Hu Junyi, in his late 30s, general manager of a steel trading company in Shanghai, has made up his mind to apply for a place on an executive MBA or EMBA course this year.

His decision stands in spite of the fact that all candidates will need to take the stricter nationwide common entrance test to get admitted into an EMBA program starting 2017. In the past, business schools were free to administer their own tests to applicants.

The common entrance test is not Hu's major concern though. What bothers him instead is the prospect that he may end up sitting in the classroom discussing projects with much younger students whose work experience may be different from his own.

But he believes many like-minded businessmen prefer EMBA courses so they could share thoughts in the classrooms and learn from each other.

Hu plans to apply for the EMBA course at the Shanghai branch of the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business later this year.

But it is still not clear if the new system would allow him to pick the school and program of his choice. In other countries, performance in the common entrance test usually determines the school and the program for a student.

"The new system will probably prevent the richest from seeking EMBA programs merely to extend their social networks. But it may help experienced businessmen learn modern management skills from such courses," said Hu.

He was referring to the fact that a regular or full-time MBA spanning two-and-a-half years entails a cost of about 100,000 yuan ($15,360) for a student, but a two-year part-time EMBA costs five times that or 500,000 yuan.

The existing EMBA programs thus came to be seen as designed for the rich and the highly placed (including government officials and senior executives of State-owned enterprises), sometimes leading to a mad scramble among revenue-minded schools to tap this segment.

Such a competitive approach is believed to have led to situations where the quality of entrance tests and programs was compromised, and EMBA degrees were doled out rather easily.

"I won't give up on my pursuit of an EMBA. I'm not afraid of taking the common entrance exam, which seems to be a more fair way to evaluate my academic ability. But I don't think it'll become the only method to evaluate whether the applicant is qualified or not," said Hu.

Since their introduction in 2002, part-time EMBA programs sought to meet the educational needs of managers and executives who needed to continue working full time.

"EMBA students typically have a higher level of work experience, often 10 years or more, compared with regular MBA students. EMBA students' average age tends to be 40. They almost always share a common goal: to make as many friends as they can during the two years," said 42-year-old Shen Jia, who received his EMBA from China Europe International Business School in 2005.

"When I was at the school, I tried to learn more about practical management of my business (a computer training institute in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province) from the course and from classmates. But I didn't learn as much as I had expected," said Shen.

Shen said far too many EMBA courses have been offered by business schools over the past decade, creating doubts in his mind if the society really needed so many business managers.

The new regulation, Shen said, could help restrict the number of EMBA applicants, and prevent institutions from designing and offering courses merely to earn revenue.

However, Kathy Fu, founder of a knitting brand in Shanghai, disagrees. She said she learnt more than she had expected from her 2009-11 EMBA course at China Europe International Business School.

Fu fears any excessive emphasis on academic aspects in the new common entrance test, could dash the hopes of some experienced businessmen, who may be genuinely seeking to improve their skills and abilities.

"While the new system may help rein in money-minded EMBA institutions, bona fide universities may lose out on excellent applicants merely for want of high scores in Chinese, mathematics and English," said Fu.

She cited her own experience as an example. A decade ago, she moved from Xiamen, Fujian province, where she was the principal of the local branch of EF Education First, to Shanghai, to launch her own knitting brand. Fu lacked the management skills required to run a company. So, she enrolled in an EMBA course.

"I've been quite lucky to take up the course with a group of experienced entrepreneurs. We were taught by professional teachers who broadened my view of the business world and helped me to become a more confident and well-organized business-owner," said Fu.
BEIJING - China remains first in the world in terms of the number of trademark applications, official data showed on Tuesday.

In 2015 alone, China received more than 2.8 million trademark applications, four times the number in 2008. China has led the world in the number of trademark applications since 2002, according to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC).

The SAIC had received more than 19.1 million trademark applications as of March this year, and the number of valid trademarks registered in China totaled 10.7 million by the end of March.

Liu Junchen, deputy head of the SAIC, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the surge in trademarks was a result of China's continued efforts to protect intellectual property.

However, Liu admitted that only a small proportion of Chinese brands are recognized in the international market as Chinese enterprises still rely too much on cost advantages.

Liu said that, in the future, the SAIC will continue to safeguard intellectual property, streamline registration procedures and toughen penalties for trademark infringement.
Graduates of the first class of EMBA courses jointly hosted by Fudan University and Taiwan University pose for photos at their graduation ceremony in Shanghai.[Photo/Xinhua] Business schools set to feel the pinch of tighter regulation from next year

After 14 years of rapid and unfettered growth in China, executive MBA or EMBA courses offered by Chinese universities will come under tighter regulation from the end of this year.

Earlier this month, the China National MBA Education Supervisory Committee announced on its website that starting next year, all Chinese EMBA applicants will be required to take the national postgraduate entrance examination.

Beginning Dec 1, universities will no longer be allowed to conduct their own EMBA entrance tests.

EMBA enrollments will be subject to relevant admission criteria set by the Ministry of Education and will have to conform with the national policies concerned, according to the committee.

Tuition fees for all MBA programs will be collected in strict accordance with current regulations.

In addition, the new rule also requires stricter supervision of class attendance, performance reviews, theses and award of degrees.

Corrupt practices like lowering standards for granting academic degrees, outright purchase of degrees, and sightseeing in the name of study tours or visiting scholar programs, will be forbidden.

In the context of how the new regulation gets implemented, universities and business schools have adopted a wait-and-see approach.

Sun Rui, media relations manager of the School of Management at Fudan University, said it is too early to comment on the possible impact of the new regulation.

The enrollment of EMBA programs this year so far is progressing as usual. Business schools said they have not seen any immediate surge in applicants.

The first batch of EMBA graduates from the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, Anhui province. ZHENG JINQIANG / FOR CHINA DAILY

Charles Chen, associate dean and EMBA program director of China Europe International Business School, told China Daily that the institution learned about the new regulation via online channels.

But it has not yet received any official notification and so is unable to comment on how it might affect the recruitment of EMBA students in 2017.

Mark Dreyer, senior communications manager of the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, echoed the view. "The situation is still being finalized", so it is hard to comment now.

But some schools did say inquiries about EMBA rose ever since the new regulation was announced.

Pu Shiguo, an adviser for the enrollment to the EMBA programs at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said it is better for prospective applicants to act now, for it might be a little bit difficult to take and pass the national entrance exam next year.

"EMBA applicants have to appear for both the written exam and the interview. We offer reference materials and courses before the exams. The admission rate will likely be relatively higher," he said.

Although the tuition fee for the two-year EMBA program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University has been raised to 588,000 yuan ($90,800) this year from 568,000 yuan in 2015, competition is quite stiff. According to Pu, it is still too early to attribute this to the tightening control.

"I see the regulators have introduced the new policy to restore order to the business education market. But for us, quality always comes first. We have a very careful screening process for students. They should all have a university degree, at least eight years of working experience, among which five years should be in management positions. And, above all, they should have a higher English proficiency. Otherwise, they won't be able to understand the courses," he said.

Ma Luting, a senior researcher at the National Center for Education Development and Research, said the new regulation is probably aimed to introduce order in a particularly chaotic segment of certain courses. "The Ministry of Education is being responsible towards students."

Qian Yingyi (center), dean and professor at the School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University, holds a book about EMBA rating and development in China. SHEN YUBO / FOR CHINA DAILY

EMBAs were introduced in China in 2002 by institutions such as Fudan University and Peking University. Much efforts went into popularizing the courses. To maintain quality, the number of students was kept between 100 and 400 for each program.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, 64 Chinese universities were authorized by the Ministry of Education to offer EMBA programs.

But the actual number of schools offering such courses is much higher. Some universities and even social institutions have come up with courses in the name of EMBA training workshops.

Long Huanyi, a senior sales manager with Scania (China) Sales Co Ltd, received his EMBA three years ago. He said most of his batchmates think the new policy may result in excessive regulation of EMBA courses.

"The concept of EMBA education comes from the United States. But in the US, we don't see a common EMBA entrance test. Schools can organize their own tests. I think Chinese business schools should (be allowed to) do the same," he said.

"I understand the Ministry of Education has concerns over the quality of EMBA education. In the long run, regulations will help facilitate a more sustained growth. But I don't think a common entrance test will solve all the problems. Like US schools, Chinese schools can evaluate the candidate's written test results as well as his work experience. After all, the education is aimed at people with management background."

Tian Yu, general manager of Shanghai-based wine merchant Euro Shop, wanted to pursue an EMBA in Beijing last year but dropped the plan for want of adequate time. With regulations set to become stricter, she said she would not consider an EMBA in the short term.

"It's true some EMBA programs are overly hyped. Such courses need more regulation. But for most EMBA students, the most important goal is to expand their social network, which might help them advance their career. Under the new regime, it might be more difficult to enroll at a Chinese university in the future, but there are always private institutions such as CEIBS or CKGSB to choose," she said.

This is not the first time that the government has tightened EMBA regulations. In 2014, the central government had banned its officials and executives of State-owned enterprises from pursuing expensive EMBA courses.

Those who had already enrolled and were mid-way through the courses, were asked to drop out immediately. About 8 percent of Chinese EMBA students were government officials and SOE executives.
A customer chooses gold jewelry at a store in Beijing. CAO BOYUAN / FOR CHINA DAILY New measure could help China gain more pricing power in the global bullion market

The Shanghai Gold Exchange, the world's largest physical gold bourse, on Tuesday launched a yuan-denominated gold benchmark.

The Shanghai Gold Benchmark Price could help China gain a pricing power that matches its position as the world's top producer, importer and consumer of the precious metal.

The benchmark price will be derived from a 1-kilogram contract for gold ingots with a fineness of no lower than 999.9, traded by 18 participants on the exchange. The price will be quoted in the yuan per gram and settled via the SGE platform, according to the official website.

The price will be set twice a day based on a few minutes of trading in each session.

The London benchmark, Loco London Gold, quoted in US dollars per ounce of gold with a minimum fineness of 995, is set via a twice-daily auction on an electronic platform with 12 participants.

The bullion industry has long been dominated by London where the global spot benchmark price is currently set.

"The relationship between Shanghai Gold and Loco London Gold is non-competitive while the two complement and facilitate each other and share mutual benefits," said a whitepaper issued by the SGE.

Market players said that the new benchmark will influence both domestic and international financial markets.

"The Shanghai Gold Benchmark Price will act as a price foundation for domestic gold enterprises in both national and international business," said a research note from the China Gold Association.

"It will provide advantages to domestic gold enterprises from the aspects of raw materials, gold semi-manufactured products, various kind of gold product transactions, the import and export activities, and the negotiation and contract signing of gold investment projects," it added.

Aram Shishmanian, CEO of the World Gold Council, said the launch of the new benchmark represents another milestone both in the impressive development of the exchange and in the internationalization of China's gold industry.

"It is a steppingstone to a new multi-axis trading market consisting of London, New York and Shanghai and signals the continuing shift in demand from West to East," said Shishmanian.

"The World Gold Council continues to support the development of China's gold market, and as the market expands to reflect the growing interest in gold by Chinese consumers, so too will China's influence increase on the global gold market."

Experts said there is a strong rationale for an international effort to shift the price setting to China as it will be responsible for a large share of future growth in world gold consumption.

Commercial banks said they can take advantage in wide participation, transparent mechanism and delivery versus payment settlement of the benchmark.
Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei looks up during a G20 press conference at the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington April 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

The US needs to recognize that it and China are mutually dependent on each other and their economic cycles are intertwined, according to Finance Minister Lou Jiwei.

"We have more in common than sets us apart," Lou said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal published on Sunday.

Asked to comment on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's stance on protectionist policies, Lou said, "Trump is an irrational type."

Trump has proposed tariffs of up to 45 percent on Chinese imports to force Beijing to change its trade policies, and Lou added, "If he were to do this, it would be in violation of the rules set by the World Trade Organization.

"If the US were to do what Trump proposed, then the US would not be entitled to its position as the world's major power."

Lou cautioned against taking the rhetoric in a presidential campaign too seriously, adding, "With a new administration, US-China ties should be more or less as they are now."

Lou gave the interview on the sidelines of the G20 finance ministers' meeting in Washington during the weekend.

Leaders of the G20 will meet in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in September.

Trump, the front-runner in the Republican Party's presidential nomination race and its primary in New York State on Tuesday, said that if he is elected president, China "will learn to deal fairly and justly or we will not deal at all".

In a statement from his campaign issued on Sunday, Trump said China is "in total violation of WTO regulations" and the US "has incompetently allowed (it) to get away with this" and has failed to impose "equal or greater taxes and tariffs" on China.

At a campaign rally on Staten Island, New York, on Sunday, Trump said: "I'm not angry about China, in fact I respect them. I'm angry at our leaders for being so incompetent that they allow it to happen."

Trump's proposed 45 percent tariff has been criticized by US economists, Democrat presidential contenders and others, including his closest challenger, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who said that it would be passed on to US consumers.

Wayne Morrison, a specialist in Asian trade and finance at the Congressional Research Service, said Trump's tariff proposal would not make much sense.

"No country can on its own impose trade restrictions that would violate its WTO commitments," he said.
A worker at a steel company in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, in January 2015. [Photo/China Daily]

Blaming other countries is always an easy, surefire way for politicians to whip up a storm over domestic economic woes, but finger-pointing and protectionism are counter-productive to remedying those woes.

Last week, tens of thousands of German steel workers went on strike over steel products from China, while Indian steel giant Tata's decision to close mills in the United Kingdom saw a media flurry of accusations that China had flooded the market with products at artificially lowered prices.

It may seem reasonable at first to put the blame on China. But on closer inspection it is clearly just a lame and lazy excuse for protectionism.

Although China produces nearly half of the world's steel, the majority of its products are consumed domestically, and its exports to the UK and Germany account for only a small fraction of the two countries' imports, both in volume and sales.

Moreover, steel products from China are mostly of low added value, such as ordinary steel rods and plates, which many European countries no longer make and have to import anyway.

In fact, plenty of jobs have been created thanks to inexpensive Chinese steel products, as European companies buy these products and then use them to make goods they export.

It should be noted that overcapacity is a global challenge amid a sluggish world economy, and that China has been one of the countries hardest hit.

China has reduced its steel production capacity by 90 million tons over the past three years, and it plans to cut another 100 to 150 million tons of crude steel capacity over the next five years. And the massive layoff of workers is a great challenge.

The problem may be more marked for European countries due to union forces that keep their labor costs much higher than in many other countries. However, the last thing the world needs is a trade war over this issue. Far more jobs will be lost than gained if protectionism prevails.

The West's doubts and objections to China's market economy status might make it easier for them to accuse China of dumping products and justify the imposing of tariffs, but that won't solve the problem.

The way forward for global steelmakers is innovation and collaboration. High-end steel products are still in great demand despite the production glut, and cross-market cooperation can help allocate resources in an efficient and mutually beneficial manner.

It is time for the finger-pointing to stop, and instead, constructive reforms should be rolled out to improve competitiveness to ensure the sustainable growth of the steel sector.--Xinhua News Agency
CANBERRA - Australia fully welcomes foreign investment but the government will "very carefully" look at a bid by Chinese consortium Dakang Australia Holdings to purchase one of Australia's largest beef companies, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Wednesday.

Turnbull said it was important to encourage foreign investment, particularly from China, but admitted Australia needs to "get the balance right".

One of Australia's largest pastoral land holdings, S Kidman and Co, has received a $290 million bid from Dakang Australia in conjunction with Australian-listed firm, Australian Rural Capital Ltd, but before the sale is finalized, the bid must be approved by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).

Last November, Australia's Treasurer Scott Morrison blocked the sale of S Kidman and Co to a Chinese buyer after he determined the sale was not in the national interest.

Turnbull said some voters were uneasy about the sale of major land assets such as S Kidman and Co, which has land holdings of more than 100,000 square kilometers to foreign companies.

"We look at such sales very, very carefully," Turnbull told Adelaide radio.

"We do benefit from foreign investment (but we need to) get the balance right."

The government still needs to review the bid before it is allowed, but S Kidman chairman John Crosby told News Corp the proposal from Dakang would provide a "solid platform" for the long-term growth of the company.

"We believe Dakang Australia and ARC will be good custodians of the business and this transaction will provide a solid platform for growth and, at the same time, an opportunity for Australians to participate in Kidman's future," Crosby said.

S Kidman owns significant amounts of lands across Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the northern territory, with its major export being grass-fed beef for export to Asia and the United States.
BERLIN - German investor confidence rose for the second consecutive month in April as China's economy showed positive signs, a survey found on Tuesday.

Mannheim-based ZEW institute said its monthly economic sentiment index for Germany gained 6.9 points and reached 11.2 points in April, showing that investors and analysts were more confident about German economic outlook in six months ahead.

"Surprisingly positive economic news from China seem to have improved the sentiment amongst financial market experts," said Sascha Steffen, an economist at ZEW.

China is Germany's second biggest trading partner outside Europe. Recent data including industrial output and fixed asset investment showed signs of improvement in the Chinese economy. China's manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 50.2 points in March, above the 50 threshold, reflecting improvement in the country's manufacturing activity.

Experts in the International Monetary Fund and financial institutes including UBS, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase have all lifted their forecast for China's growth.

Steffen at ZEW said, however, that the German export industry was still under pressure due to slow growth in emerging markets.

"Furthermore, concern about Britain's possible exit from the EU seems to be having a negative impact," he added.

The German government was due to release its new forecast for economic growth on Wednesday. Last week, four leading economic institutes cut their forecast for German 2016 growth to 1.6 percent from 1.8 percent, citing a weak recovery of the global economy.

The German economy grew by 1.7 percent in 2015, driven mainly by private consumption and government spending. Exports, the country's traditional growth engine, made little contribution.
A social security card and several hundred yuan held in hand [Photo/IC]

China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and Ministry of Finance have jointly issued a notice on cutting social security premium in a latest move to reduce enterprises' burdens.

According to the notice, effective from May 1, the employers' contribution rate to the pension fund will be cut to 19-20 percent depending on conditions.

In places where the employers' contribution to the pension fund is over 20 percent of the payroll, the rate will be lowered to 20 percent.

In places where the employer's contribution is already 20 percent, the rate can be lowered to 19 percent in the next two years, provided the total balance of pension fund in the region is enough for nine-month payouts.

The requirement for the rate of unemployment insurance payment, which was cut from 3 percent to 2 percent of the payroll last year, will be further reduced to 1 to 1.5 percent, with individuals' contribution capped by 0.5 percent.

The average contributions to work injuries and childbirth insurances remain unchanged following respective cuts of 0.25 and 0.5 percentage points last year. Further, the categories of childbirth and medical insurance will be combined pending future regulations by the State Council, the notice said.

Different provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities are required to roll out specific plans accordingly.

In response to the central government's earlier call to reduce the burden on businesses, 12 provinces and municipalities had cut social security payment requirements for employers and employees as of end-March.
Potential homebuyers seek information at a property sales office in Rizhao, Shandong province. [Photo/CFP]

BEIJING - Major cities have begun to clamp down on loans for home purchase deposits to contain financing risks in a warming property market.

Beijing P2P Association asked its members, mostly online funding platforms, to stop issuing down-payment loans to home buyers and instead turn their attention to outstanding loans, according to an online document released on Tuesday.

The association will begin a special examination on the practice, the document said.

The statement follows similar moves in other cities, including the metropolises of Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, after the central authorities put illegal home loans under scrutiny.

China's property market has shown signs of warming as central and local governments relaxed restrictions to resolve a property glut, however, this had the converse effect of prompting an unexpected wave of buying, with many even borrowing for down payments.

The practice increases risks to the market and financial system, said Pan Gongsheng, vice governor of the People's Bank of China, at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session last month.

"The central bank will work with other government agencies to rectify the problem," he added.

Yan Yuejin, an analyst at E-house China R&D Institute, said regulation was necessary to prevent speculative capital from entering the sector and stabilize market expectations amid a supply shortage in first-tier cities.

Despite stringent controls, down-payment "loans in disguise" were still available from some lenders as the property market remained in an upward streak.

Analysts advised the government to strengthen its monitoring and supervising efforts and stay alert of similar activities that make use of legal loopholes.

Deposit loans expose weakness in China's regulation on informal finance, and regulators should supervise financing platforms and manage the market access strictly, said Guo Tianyong, a professor at Central University of Finance and Economics.
A stevedore works at Qingdao port in Shandong province, July 1, 2015. [Photo/IC]

The country will provide more financing support and other favorable policies to export enterprises to boost foreign trade amid sluggish global demand.

Financial institutions were encouraged to provide loans to export enterprises that have new orders and earn profits, according to an executive meeting of the State Council on Wednesday presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.

More export-credit insurance financing will be provided to exporters, and short-term export credit insurance will be increased for them, a statement released after the meeting said. Meanwhile, export tax rebate rates will be raised for some machinery and electronic products.

For the first time during the past 10 years, the 2016 Government Work Report, delivered last month by Li, did not set a growth target for foreign trade, indicating that the sector has undergone difficulties.

China's foreign trade increased by 8.6 percent year-on-year in March, and exports rose by 18.7 percent to end eight months of decline, far exceeding market expectations, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Meanwhile, new business models will be encouraged to boost foreign trade. More pilot projects will be conducted to expand cross-border e-commerce, and the government will endorse enterprises to provide comprehensive foreign trade services such as establishing overseas warehouses. In addition, the country will cultivate independent brands for foreign trade.

Last month, imports decreased by 1.7 percent year-on-year, so the meeting decided to carry out a proactive import policy with a focus on advanced equipment and technologies.

Wang Zhuilin, a professor of international business at Wuhan University in Hubei province, said the export measures are intended to ensure a capital chain for quality export enterprises and to ease their burdens.

"In this way, profitable exporters can lower their costs and save cash for innovation and technological upgrading, which will help increase their competitiveness in the global market," he added.

huyongqi@chinadaily.com.cn
JOHANNESBURG - The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), a South African state-run financial institution, pledged on Tuesday to financially support a joint venture with the Beijing Automobile Works Co Ltd (BAW).

The IDC will ensure that an automobile plant, known as BAW South Africa, receive funding from the IDC, IDC chief executive officer Godfrey Qhena told Xinhua after an inspection tour to the plant in Springs, west of Johannesburg.

The remarks came after reports of the IDC having failed so far to live up to its promise to fund the project, forcing the plant to stop production while the Chinese side has already invested billions of rand in the project.

Qhena denied allegations that the IDC was reluctant to invest in the joint venture as agreed upon.

The IDC and BAW signed an agreement to jointly fund the plant on the sidelines of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in early December last year.

Qhena said the IDC will finance the plant to ensure its sustainability.

"All vehicles will be sold out, there is no problem," he said, without divulging when the funding will come into place.

He said the IDC is committed to partnering BAW with funds to ensure that the joint venture increase its production and create more jobs.

"This is an impressive and world-class plant which does not only have a potential to localize but to create more jobs which South Africa needs. They produce vehicles which most of our people use to ensure that they get to work timeously, comfortably and safer," Qhena said.

He assured that the IDC "will support BAW with a funding mechanism with a long term partnership".

Qhena stated that South Africa and China have cordial relations and such a partnership between the IDC and BAW will add to that.

"IDC will support this and welcome the investment by the Chinese company in the country. This shows confidence in the South African economy and we welcome that. This is a partnership and we are not reluctant to fund this," he said, adding the IDC will come up with a new funding mechanism where other partners will be invited.

BAW South Africa assembles vehicles, mainly 16-seated buses for the taxi industry. The company has 32 dealers selling their cars countrywide.

The manufacturer also offers a five-year warranty for main components of the car which include the engine, gearbox and differential, assuring vehicle security for passengers. A training for taxi drivers will also be introduced to ensure road safety.

BAW South Africa has also launched a car-renting program where South Africans rent their cars and do business, thereby supporting to create employment and support business of the taxi industry. Under the program, clients can take their vehicles for free service after 15,000 km.

This service is available 24 hours a day in six service areas in different parts of the country. The program, the first of its kind in the country, also provide clients with free service for brake pads and fuel system, which makes the country's taxi industry safer.

Paul Clark, the BAW South Africa national aftersales manager, told Xinhua that the program has seen 93 percent of BAW-produced vehicles serviced, the highest percentage in the country.

"Some of our clients did not believe when we told them in the beginning but now they have their vehicles serviced in our centres scattered all over the country. This makes the taxi vehicles safter, considering that many taxi drivers never have their vehicles serviced," he said.

Bradley Buck, a BAW dealer based in Durban, said the BAW vehicles are more popular with taxi owners in the country.

"Clients are also provided with DVD, car radios, blue tooth and air conditioning at the back and front and after-sale service, which are not provided by other suppliers selling similar products. There has been great acceptance of these (BAW) vehicles," he said.

Buck said he sells about 50 BAW manufactured vehicles, named Sasuka (meaning in Zulu "start"), a month and employees 30 taxi drivers, most of them driving Sasuka.
A young woman communicates with a friend with emoticons on her smartphone in Beijing. GUAN XIN / CHINA DAILY

We know that in public speaking, correct use of gestures will help enhance our messages. Emojis that flourish in our daily non-verbal communication can serve this function too, if they are employed properly.

In recent years, I've noticed with amazement how emoticons and smiley faces have crept into my office life. Supervisors start the day with them as they issue instructions on social messaging app WeChat. Staff who are mostly in their late 20s and 30s respond with a wild variety of emojis that laugh, weep, blush or swagger. Even the secretary has instilled a personal note in her daily reminder to all for the submission of the next day's work plan, with an icon of a red rose.

At first I'd typed:) or :( to indicate what I felt in my e-mails and messages to colleagues. They worked like arms and hands in a speech that helped me emphasize a point or ensure what I said was not misunderstood. But the colons and parentheses have quickly fallen from favor, with the rise of emojis that best encapsulates the basic communication tenet that a picture is worth a thousand words.

For laughter, users can pick a face with a smile, snicker or giggle and other expressions that are too complex for a simple :) to show. The icons could also render words unnecessary in certain conversations. Last week, netizens watched two pandas mating in southwestern China and bemoaned their performance as they fell behind the record set by another pair last year. We also talked about it on WeChat, which could probably boil down to just a sweating face with raised eyebrows, which was posted by a co-worker at the end of the discussion.

But emojis, especially those pictures with Chinese characters, are not for everybody and most probably not appropriate for business communication.

Chinese emoji users are predominantly young people led by millennials who send the most emojis per day, according to Tencent Holdings Ltd, one of the most popular providers of social media including WeChat in China. In comparison, users aged 40 or older account for only a small fraction of emoji fans and they sent an emoji every three days.

Tencent found that in 2014, the top five most-used emojis were a wicked smile, anger, kissing, head beating and melancholy. Emojis favored by men tend to be nerdy and dorky while women prefer "cutesy" icons.

It's a trend that domestic emoji developers have noted and marketed as they focus on products that are vivid, exaggerated and reflect the ethos of youthful, restless and hormonal internet users.

Older users who want to be "on trend" may sometimes find they're courting embarrassment. Once I sent a new emoji with Chinese characters "I'm panicky" when we discussed a project that could fail, one of the colleagues quickly pointed out, " Even you're using it!"

And often, people disagree on what certain emojis were supposed to represent. When writing this article, I've checked with several colleagues on the meanings of some emoji stored in our cellphones, and we were surprised to realize how our understanding could differ from each other and from the emoji's actual intent.

The importance of knowing what it means hit home last Friday morning, when I sent what I assumed as a sign of prayer to a working mom who was applying for leave because her son was sick. She texted back: "The emoji technically represents a high-five, although we commonly take it as hands clasped in prayer."
Li Dongmin, general manager of Baidu Map. [Provided to China Daily]

Search engine giant Baidu Inc is gearing up to take its mapping services beyond borders with an ambitious goal to have 50 percent of its map users coming from outside of China by 2020.

The Beijing-based internet company said on Tuesday that it will launch Baidu Map in more than 150 countries and regions by the end 2016 with an initial plan to serve the navigation demand of China's more than 100 million outbound travelers.

"Then we will gradually launch mapping services in local languages and gain overseas users. The ultimate goal is to build Baidu Map into a truly globalized mapping service provider," said Li Dongmin, general manager of Baidu Map.

The internationalization plan puts Baidu Map, which has more than 300 million monthly active users in China, in direct competition with the top global mapping service provider, Google Map.

Baidu Map, which started to offer overseas services in 2014, has already expanded to 18 countries and regions, mostly in Asia Pacific, such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore.

Baidu said the surging demand from Chinese outbound travelers is the main reason for it to speed up the expansion plan.

"I have to say the requests for our mapping services are beyond our expectation," said Li, adding the company doesn't put a cap on the resources on its globalization plan.

Statistics from the China National Tourism Administration showed that Chinese travelers made 120 million outbound trips in 2015, the world's most. About 80 million of the trips were made by self-guided individual travelers, suggesting major demand for mobile mapping services.

Zhang Xu, who is in charge of transportation-related research at the internet consultancy Analysys International, said that it wouldn't be too difficult for Baidu to convert some of its existing Chinese users into users of its services overseas.

"With the number of Chinese outbound travelers keeps rising, an increasing number of them would want to use a mapping service they're already familiar with and comfortable to use in China," he said.

But whether or not Baidu Map can win the hearts of those who were born and raised outside China is still a question.

To compete with other mapping services in overseas markets, Baidu said it is working to integrate more local services, such as restaurant booking and ride hailing into the mapping service, just like it does in China.

But Zhang of Analysys International said people in other countries treat mapping services as a simple tool to help them navigate from A to B.

"The success of Baidu Map depends on how it educate overseas users," he said.
Ni Fei, co-founder and CEO of Nubia Technology Ltd, delivers keynote speech on April 19, 2016 during the brand's new product launch event held in Beijing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

More domestic smartphone makers are seeking out tycoons who are not directly connected to the industry for investments to compete in the mid-range segment.

In February last year, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd invested $500 million in Chinese smartphone vendor Meizu Technology Co Ltd, funding the expansion on retail channels and innovation.

In last December, Nubia Technology Ltd, another domestic smartphone maker originally owned by ZTE Corp, secured 1.93 billion yuan investment from Suning Investment Group, a separate investment arm of Suning Commerce Group, one of China's largest electronics retailers.

According to a report released by research company IDC, the market growth rate slowed down by 4 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, the first decline in six years. Currently, 290 brands are available in the market, while 63 present of the total shipment volume is contributed by the top five players, said China Academy of Telecommunication Research (CATR).

"The profit margins of domestic makers are weak," said CATR.

"The competition in China's smartphone market has come into the value-chain level," said Patrick Wu, senior analyst of GfK China. "Both the frequent launch of products and the integration between manufacturers, supply chains, distribution channels and telecom carriers is becoming a normal trend."

He said that applications and services based on cloud computing services have played an increasingly important role in the sector, and the collaboration based on core competences between the industrial chain's participates will be beneficial to the establishment of innovative systems.

Another trend that is about to catch on is the introduction of small-sized phones that have less than 5.2-inch screens.

By following the footstep of Apple Inc's newly launched 4.7-inch iPhone SE, two Chinese manufacturers, Meizu and Nubia, have just unveiled their 5.2-inch Pro 6 and 5-inch Z11 mini respectively within one month.

Instead of feeding the demands of phablet lovers, the companies are believed to aim at luring more travel photographers or users who remain attached to smaller display and handy experience.

According to Wu, hardware configuration is not considered as the premier factor for distinguishing different segment markets of the terminal devices. Drawing a product roadmap that aims at feeding target consumers is a must in the industry, so the key point for planning the screen size is the consumer demand.

Accompanying the upgrade of China's smartphone consumer market, handsets sold for more than 2,000 yuan ($310) will become a more valuable market. Manufacturers are keen on seeking their own value orientation so as to be competitive.
A merry-go-round in seen at the children's recreation area in Zhongshuge Bookstore in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, April 19, 2016. The local bookstore brand in Shanghai is opening its new branch in Hangzhou and will begin trial operation on April, 23- the World Book Day.[Photo/IC]
Shanghai will require companies that offer food ordering and delivery through online platforms to sign a contract committing them to unified standards of service.

The commitment, drawn up by the Shanghai food market watchdog, would require vendors to display their latest food operating license and to prepare food safely. The watchdog will keep a copy of the signed agreements to hold people accountable, according to the draft of the Shanghai Food Safety Law and Regulations that was recently submitted to the municipal legislative body for discussion.

"It will be the first time the rapidly developing online food ordering market has been brought under control through legislation in Shanghai," said Gu Zhenhua, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Food and Drug Administration. "All the vendors must register with their real names with the platforms and the platforms need to verify the qualifications of the vendors."

"If a platform finds a vendor has violated the terms, it must suspend cooperation with the vendor and report the incident to the watchdog. Otherwise, the platform will also be held accountable," he said.

Food ordering and delivery apps have been booming in recent years. Statistics from Analysys International, a Beijing-based internet consultancy company, show that the country's online food ordering and delivery transactions were worth more than 45 billion yuan ($6.96 billion) in 2015, three times higher than the previous year. The largest players - Ele.me, Meituan Takeout, and Baidu Takeout - are backed respectively by the country's internet leaders Alibaba, Tencent Holdings and Baidu Inc.

Meanwhile, complaints are rising. Statistics from the Shanghai Consumer Rights Protection Council show that, in the first half of last year, 200 complaints were received about the sector, which was a year-on-year increase of 138 percent. The complaints mainly centered on problems in food quality, delayed delivery and false advertising.

Liu Jiaxiu, a deputy to the municipal legislative body, said the sector is sorely in need of more control.

"There's so much to do with online food ordering and delivery," Liu said. "A law was unveiled in 2011 but the sector has made major strides since, and nearly 90 percent of the terms in the law are in need of revision."

The local food market watchdog earlier this year set up a team specializing in overseeing online food ordering and delivery platforms and the vendors that sell food through the platforms. More than 33,000 unlicensed active vendors were driven out of the market.

Local rules

1 Yunnan province

Highly toxic farm chemicals are prohibited from being sold or used on tea plantations, at scenic spots, nature reserves, wildlife habitats or other key areas specified by the provincial government.

2 Chongqing municipality

Those who hold family banquets in rural regions must report information, including the time of the meal, number of participants, list of the dishes, and the chef's health status to the village government at least two days ahead of the banquet. The organizer of the banquet must then keep a sample of each dish for at least 48 hours after the event.

3 Zhejiang province

Small workshops are prohibited from making food products, including dairy products, canned food or foods designed for special groups, such as infants, the elderly or pregnant women.

zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.c
Yang Jinmao and his pregnant wife He Jianxi take an afterdinner walk in reconstructed Hongxing village, Lushan county, Sichuan province, on April 18. After being injured in the magnitude7 earthquake in 2013, they have struggled to rebuild their lives, but now have a new home and have started their own furniture factory. Jiang Hongjing / Xinhua

In 2013, a small county in China's mountainous west was the epicenter of an earthquake that left more than 200 people dead and destroyed the local economy. Three years later, renovation projects are healing the devastated community. Li Yang reports from Ya'an, Sichuan province.

"Saving my sister wasn't a heroic act, something to show off about. Anyone would have done it," said Zhou Zigeng, with a casual shrug that belied his bravery.

The chubby 11-year-old was recalling the morning of April 20, 2013, when he used his bare hands to dig his 2-year-old sister out of the rubble after a magnitude-7 earthquake had destroyed their home in Lushan county, Ya'an city, in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

Zhou, a student at Luyang School in Lushan, said he didn't notice the pain from his bleeding fingers and ripped nails until his sister was being treated by local first-aiders.

He was just happy that none of his family had been killed in the quake, which claimed 217 lives, and injured 11,470 people. More than 1.5 million residents of Lushan, the epicenter of the quake, were affected, with many thousands left homeless.

Zhang Yichuan, a 24-year-old nurse at the Baosheng township clinic in Lushan, was less fortunate than Zhou. She lost her mother in the disaster.

"The memory is still fresh. Immediately after the earthquake, I received a call from my father asking me to come home. I saw my mother lying at the roadside near our collapsed home, watched over by my grieving father. She looked as though she were asleep," said Zhang, who was a nursing intern at the time of the quake.

She forced herself to control her emotions and, after bidding farewell to her father and dead mother, returned to the clinic in Baosheng, where hundreds of injured people were waiting for emergency treatment.

"Every wounded person I helped had his or her own family. My father had urged me to return to my work," she said, adding that next three sleepless days were the hardest of her career.

With the help of a government subsidy, Zhang's family built a new house. "But the new home hasn't helped my father to recover," she said.

Reluctant heroes

Although the local government bestowed many honorary titles on her, such as "The most-beautiful nurse" and "A model woman", Zhang doesn't feel that her actions made her special: "I just did my duty. Those honors make me feel pressured; it's quite stressful to live as a 'heroine'."

Like Zhang, Gao Yuhua, an English teacher at Mingshan high school in Lushan, doesn't think she deserved the media accolade, "The most beautiful teacher in China".

When the quake hit, Gao evacuated all the students in her class, and was the last person to leave the room. "All teachers in the school did this. It was just our duty. It was almost instinctive - we just did what we had practiced in our daily earthquake exercises," she said.

None of the 3,800 students and teachers was killed or injured, but the quake flattened the school. Since then, the students have been taught in makeshift classrooms, but things will change soon when the new school buildings are finished.

Gao likes to read The Beginning of Death, a poem by the Syrian writer Ali Ahmad Said Esber, to her students .

"Death rises in steps - his shoulders:

a woman and a swan.

Death descends in steps - his feet

sparks and the remains

of extinguished cities.

And the sky that was all wings, expands

and expands."

Two days after the disaster, when her students were assembled in a tent that served as a classroom, one of the children embraced Gao, prompting a round of applause from her peers.

"It was a moving scene, definitely the most memorable of my life," Gao said.

She hopes people won't forget the efforts of others in the community who provided first-aid and oversaw the arrival of rescue teams in the devastated area, especially government servants such as Yuan Chao.
BEIJING - China will ease household relocation policies in 2016 to help more migrants settle in cities, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said Tuesday.

In the 13th Five-Year Plan, the Chinese government plans to help about 45 percent of the whole registered population settle in urban areas by 2020.

To achieve the urbanization goal, around 100 million migrants need be granted with urban household registration, said Xu Lin, an official with the NDRC, at a press conference.

Currently about 39.9 percent of the total registered population are living in cities, Xu said, adding local authorities, especially major cities, have been asked to carry out more active and loosened household relocation policies this year, Xu said.

Meanwhile, the government will fully implement the urban residence permit system this year to help rural migrant workers enjoy equal public services in cities, Xu said.

China's urban areas have been expanding rapidly with many migrant workers swarming into cities after decades of economic development.

The difficulty for migrant workers to fit in cities has become a major barrier in China's human-centered urbanization and the government has prioritized the problem in its to-do list.

A top-level urban work conference held at the end of 2015 agreed that China's urbanization drive will focus on the integration of rural residents into urban areas.
Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, meets with teachers and students of Australia's Ravenswood School for Girls at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. [Photo / Xinhua]

Peng Liyuan, Chinese President Xi Jinping's wife, met with a group of students and teachers from Sydney, Australia Tuesday afternoon at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in central Beijing.

In a merry atmosphere, Peng, together with the 11 girls and five teachers, watched a video recalling her visit to the Ravenswood School for Girls in Sydney in November 2014 during Xi's state visit to Australia, and listened to the girls telling their experience over the past ten days in China.

Prior to Beijing, the girls went to Shanghai and Nanjing in east China, Chengdu in the southwest and Xi'an in the northwest.

They had conversations with students in Nanjing No.1 Middle School - a sister school of Ravenswood - took a high-speed train between Shanghai and Nanjing, saw pandas in a research base in Chengdu and the terra cotta warriors in the ancient city of Xi'an.

They also visited the Great Wall and the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, the main venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Calling their visit "fruitful and rewarding," Peng said the girls not only saw the picturesque scenery of China and had a taste of the Chinese history and culture, but also knew quite some Chinese friends.

"I hope the visit will help deepen your understanding of China," said Peng.

She encouraged the girls to make the best of their youth to study more and travel more, and continue to learn the Chinese language and culture so as to be "young ambassadors" and contribute greater share to the friendship between Chinese and Australian peoples.

Speaking highly of the booming development of education cooperation between the two countries in recent years, Peng expressed the hope that both sides can further expand two-way education cooperation in the hope of nurturing more successors to the cause of China-Australia friendship.

"As UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls' and Women's Education, I am fully aware how important education is for all girls and the world," Peng said.

"We need to work together to ensure the equal access to education for all girls in the world so that they can enjoy a happy life," she said.

The students and teachers, headed by Deputy Principal David Garner, expressed their honor to receive Peng in 2014 and their excitement to be in China.

"There is no better way to learn the language, history and culture of a country than to visit that country, " said Garner.

Chloe Verman, a 10th grader, said she loved China more than ever through the visit.

"I have great interest in learning the Chinese language and history. I think I will come back to China one day," she said in fluent Chinese.

During the gathering, the girls also sang the theme song of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in both Chinese and English.

Established in 1901, Ravenswood School for Girls is an independent day and boarding school for girls from kindergarten to grade 12.

As one of Australia's leading girls' schools, it set up a Confucius Classroom in 2014 to provide Chinese language education.
JINAN - East China's Shandong province is incentivizing cities to improve air quality by giving cash rewards to those that make progress and fining those that don't.

In the first quarter of this year, the province awarded a combined 39.37 million yuan ($6.09 million) to 15 cities under its jurisdiction in which the air quality had improved year on year.

Another two cities, Jining and Zaozhuang, were fined a combined 5.52 million yuan after their air quality worsened in the same time frame.

The carrot-and-stick approach was introduced this year as the central government makes environmental protection, in addition to economic performance, a binding criterion for evaluating local officials.

A new law also promises harsher penalties for bureaucratic inertia on pollution.

Shandong said it has seen major pollutants including small particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide reduced, but added that the reduction has been uneven among cities.

Provincial fiscal authorities said the cash rewards given to cities were proportionate to the progress they made in improving air quality. The three best-performing cities got 40 percent of the money.
A bird view of Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.

Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, the biggest airport in West China once built, is about to start construction after getting approval from the National Development and Reform Commission, reported jiemian.com on Tuesday.

With a total investment of 71.86 billion yuan (around $11 billion), the new airport is the biggest civilian airport to be built during the 13th Five-Year Plan.

The airport is set to become the biggest one in West China and the fourth largest in China when it comes into service in 2020, said Pan Gangjun, general manager of Sichuan Airports Group.

Located in Jianyang city in Southwest China's Sichuan province, the new airport is 51.5 kilometers away from provincial capital Chengdu. Once completed, the airport will have six runways and a terminal covering 1.26 million square meters, which is more than twice the size of Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, and it is able to accommodate 90 million passengers annually.

Three runways will be built in the first phase of the project which is set to be completed by 2025 and 40 million passengers will be transported annually. But it is not disclosed when the whole project will be finished.

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport first exceeded Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in passenger volume in 2015, which made it the fourth busiest airport in China.

"After the completion of Tianfu Airport, the passenger volume of Shuangliu Airport will be at around 60 million annually," said Pan.

"Built as a national aerial hub, the new airport mainly hosts international airlines, especially those flying to the Europe and Middle East," added Pan.

Chengdu is within 15 hours' flight from most cities in the world.

According to an official of Sichuan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the new airport will attract investment and push forward the joint development of Yangtze River Economic Zone and the Silk Road Economic Belt.
A national self-dependent innovation demonstration area being built at Xi'an High-tech Industrial Development Zone is aiming for an annual operating income of 5,000 billion yuan ($773 billion) by 2025, it was announced on Wednesday.

The demonstration area, in Shaanxi province, was approved by the State Council on Sept 9, 2015, alongside other areas under construction in Beijing, Wuhan, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Jiangsu, Tianjin, Hunan, Chengdu and Hangzhou-Xiaoshan.

According to the development zone's action plan, incentives will be provided to promote prosperity, entrepreneurial talent and venture capital while building more than 35 State-level incubators in order to further promote widespread entrepreneurship and innovation.

While aiming to introduce at least 200 of the world's top 500 enterprises, the demonstration area will focus on emerging industries such as the next generation of information technology and advanced equipment manufacturing.

Total import and export value is expected to reach $100 billion by 2025.

Last year, the zone speeded up its innovation and entrepreneurship development and achieved 1,270 billion yuan of annual operating income, third among China's 146 high-tech zones.

In addition, the total number of enterprises in the zone surpassed 40,000, ranking second among its peers.

On Wednesday, the administrative committee of Xi'an High-tech Industrial Development Zone split a 38.95 million yuan reward among 104 companies for their contribution to the zone's development last year.
A total of 299 foreign-invested companies registered in the Nansha area of the Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone (PFTZ) since the area adopted foreign investment management reform based on the negative list in May in 2015.

"Those companies are involved in fields which include trading, financial leasing, logistics and technological services," said Luo Jianzhong, director of administrative affairs office of Nansha district government, Guangzhou city.

Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the Nansha area establishment in Guangdong PFTZ.

The area achieved 142 items of innovation for facilitating investment in the past year, including 25 which can be adopted across Guangdong province, Luo said.

The entire Nansha district recorded 9,919 new companies in the past year, more than the total prior to the Nansha area of Guangdong PFTZ launch. The total sum of registered capital is at about 83.58 billion yuan.

The cross-border e-commerce monitoring model initiated in the Nansha area of Guangdong PFTZ is listed as one of the eight best practice cases in PFTZs across the country by the Ministry of Commerce.

Bonded imports for cross-border e-commerce business exceeded 1.38 billion yuan in Nansha, last year, nearly 45 folds over the previous year.
The Ministry of Land and Resources said on Wednesday that it will release a five-year-guidance for providing financing support and tax cut policies to mining companies that are willing to upgrade mining facilities by the end of this year.

"Companies should further seek solutions to boost mining efficiency. The nation is speeding up efforts to protect natural resources during the 13th Five Year Plan," said Yu Haifeng, director at the department of mineral resources under the Ministry of Land and Resources.

Yu said the mining companies that develop major mineral resources, such as cooper, iron and aluminum, are able to get around 40 percent of financial support towards upgrades. While companies that exploit other types of less-widely used mineral resources, are able to get 10 to 25 percent.

In the meantime, the Ministry and State Administration of Taxation will make more efforts to promote resource tax reform. This is to reduce tax burden to cash-restrained companies and encourage them to make investment to improve mining efficiency.

A sample survey conducted by the ministry earlier this year shows that natural resources' exploitation in China is gradually becoming more efficient. The recovery rate for coal mining gauges the level that can be recovered from known coal reserves increased 15 percentage points compared to the levels in 1999.
BEIJING -- Chinese mainland's population has increased to 1.373 billion by Nov 1, 2015, 33.77 million more than in 2010, when the sixth national census was conducted, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Wednesday.

According to the report of a sample survey conducted by the NBS, the annual average growth rate was to 0.5 percent over the past five years (2010-2015), lower than the 0.57-percent growth rate during the 2000-2010 period.

Males accounted for 51.22 percent of the total population, while females made up 48.78 percent, the report said. The male-to-female ratio was 105.02, lower than the 2010 ratio of 105.2.

The population living in urban areas totaled 767.5 million, or 55.88 percent of the total, up by 6.2 percentage points from the 2010 figure, while the population categorized as rural fell to 605.99 million.

The sample survey covers 21.31 million people, accounting for 1.55 percent of the total population, the NBS said.

In a separate development, authorities on Wednesday warned that China's gender ratio at birth remained high, and vowed to tighten controls on medical equipment and medicine that could be used in pre-birth gender tests and sex-selective abortions.

China has the worst gender imbalance in the world. The National Health and Family Planning Commission said last year this was a direct result of illegal pre-birth gender tests and sex-selective abortions.

Gender tests on fetuses and sex-selective abortions are a crime in China. Nonetheless, the preference for sons, and previous family planning regulations have driven both practices.

Latest figures suggested that the country's birth sex ratio stood at 113.51 in 2015, down from 121.18 more than a decade ago in 2004.
A delegation from Taiwan has arrived in Beijing to discuss a recent cross-Straits telecommunication fraud case that led to 45 Taiwan residents being deported to the Chinese mainland from Kenya, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday.

Led by Chen Wen-chi, an official from Taiwan for cross-Straits legal affairs, the 10-person delegation will discuss with the ministry joint efforts to combat wire fraud. The discussion is based on an agreement signed in 2009 by both sides of the Straits for a joint effort to fight crime and for mutual legal assistance.

Chen said in a statement on Wednesday that she hoped that both sides can "investigate together, ... and cooperate with each other". She also said she hoped a procedure could be developed for cross-Straits handling of such cases in the future.

Regarding the 45 suspects from Taiwan, Chen said: "We need to make sure they have protection of legal rights during the investigation. This is the major task of our visit."

Seventy-seven Chinese, including the 45 Taiwan residents, were repatriated to China from Africa on April 13 and are being investigated for suspected telecommunication fraud.

In the Kenya fraud cases, all the victims were from the Chinese mainland, so the mainland has jurisdiction in the case, said Ni Yongjie, deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Taiwan Studies.

Wire fraud criminals from Taiwan have obtained more than 10 billion yuan ($1.55 billion) annually from the Chinese mainland, despite repeated crackdowns launched by both sides of the Straits. Only 200,000 yuan has been recovered, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

When Taiwan suspects have been handled by the island, many were not punished, and money obtained through fraud was not paid back to victims on the mainland, the ministry added.

pengyining@chinadaily.com.cn
An HIV positive patient, not pictured, receives a blood pressure test in Weishi county, Central China's Henan province in this Nov 30, 2015 file photo. [Photo/Xinhua]

China is to make HIV self-testing kits more widely available in an attempt to diagnose as many people as possible and provide them with timely treatment.

The development was disclosed by the nation's leading AIDS specialist in an exclusive interview with China Daily.

Wu Zunyou said all possible outlets, from online shopping platforms to brick-and-mortar drugstores, would be approached in the initiative, which is scheduled to begin soon, although no starting date has been released.

Despite policy restraints, "we will pilot and then promote HIV self-testing by making the kits easily accessible", said Wu, head of the National Center for AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Disease Control and Prevention.

"Current screening practices appear to have lost momentum in detecting patients."

China's health authorities have long urged the public to seek free HIV screening at the 2,000 government-operated voluntary counseling and testing clinics nationwide.

However, many people are reluctant to be tested, fearing their HIV status will be confirmed and become widely known, which could result in discrimination.

While the number of HIV tests performed rose by more than 400 percent between 2007 and last year, the detection rate fell by about 50 percent, according to Wu, citing data from the Nationwide Epidemic Surveillance Network.

Last year, more than 100 million tests were carried out, mainly in government-run outlets, such as voluntary counseling and testing clinics and public hospitals.

Wu hopes the greater anonymity offered by the new outlets will encourage more people to be tested.

"Self-testing could provide a solution and reach out to those under the radar, helping to link them to care, such as counseling and treatment," he said.

A recent sales report by online medical provider Ali-Health, a subsidiary of e-commerce giant Alibaba, showed a substantial rise in sales of HIV self-testing kits that use oral swabs to collect saliva, particularly among men age 20 to 29. Kit prices range from 30 yuan to 200 yuan ($4.60 to $31).

However, the initiative could prove controversial, because the kits are only approved for use by medical professionals, and Wu said that selling them to individuals online remains a gray area.

"We are in discussions with the drugs authorities to fine-tune the rules and facilitate sales of self-testing kits, both online and in drugstores," he said.

Ling Yu, sales manager for the Aware brand of self-testing kits, said the products have been widely available online since 2012, and sales continue to rise. "Our major targets for individual purchases are sexually active young people who use the internet a lot," he said.

Wu said online platforms, such as social networking services, are seen as efficient tools for delivering information and support to self-testers, but further research and investigation are needed to introduce self-testing to more people.

Pilot projects in which the kits will be available at selected drugstores are underway in the Shijingshan district of Beijing and in a number of cities in Yunnan province that have a high prevalence of HIV.

The findings will be helpful in guiding further expansion nationwide, Wu said.

A gay man in Beijing, who identified himself as "Xiao Tian", said he had bought testing kits online several times.

"That freed me from going to the testing clinic. I don't want to be seen there. AIDS discrimination is still rife in China," he said, adding that he is concerned about the accuracy of the self-testing kits.

"I have had negative and positive results from two separate tests conducted with the same kit," he said.
Two children play at a newly constructed residential area of Qinglongchang village of Lushan county in Sichuan province last week.[Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese foundations doing a better job of telling the public how they have used donated money

China's charitable foundations are becoming increasingly transparent about what they do with donations received for disaster relief, according a report released on Wednesday, the third anniversary of the Ya'an earthquake.

The report said about 60 percent of charitable foundations released more information about their response to the Ya'an earthquake in Sichuan province in 2013 than they did following the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008.

And it found that information was not only greater in volume but more quickly shared and that it was disseminated through more channels.

The report was conducted by Tsinghua University professor Deng Guosheng and the China Foundation Center, an information service platform for charitable foundations in China.

It looked at 22 foundations that participated in relief work following the Wenchuan and Ya'an quakes.

As of Wednesday, a total of 357 foundations had raised 1.9 billion yuan ($294.7 million) in the three years since the Ya'an earthquake struck.

"The government's disaster relief system has greatly improved since the Ya'an earthquake," said Deng, vice-dean of Tsinghua University's Institute for Philanthropy, adding that the government has eased restrictions and done more to encourage social charity.

"More nongovernmental foundations are allowed to raise money for disaster relief," he said.

Deng noted that it is important, amid all of the extra giving, that a third-party agency, such as the China Foundation Center, be in place to collect, monitor and release information, so people know what happened to the money they donated.

The extra scrutiny has evolved in the wake of serious scandals in the past that shook the confidence of people who wanted to support charities.

One such incident happened in 2011, when a young woman named Guo Meimei appeared on social media bragging about her luxury cars and handbags. She also claimed to have been the manager of an organization associated with the Red Cross Society of China. Many people were horrified to see what they feared may have been a misappropriation of donated funds.

In the end, it was revealed that Guo had no proven links to the charity but by then the public's trust had been undermined.

Many charitable foundation "scandals" have since hit the front pages.

In April 2014, One Foundation, China's first private charitable fundraiser, was accused of embezzlement and misappropriation of donated funds intended for the Ya'an earthquake.

News reports claimed One Foundation received nearly 400 million yuan in donations but that it only spent 40 million. People questioned what had happened to the rest of the money.

One Foundation responded immediately by saying that many projects it was involved in were under construction and that money was still safe and would be paid out once the work was completed.

Li Jing, secretary-general of the foundation, said on Wednesday that the charity is always striving to establish best practices that can act as a template for other charitable organizations.

He added that professional organizations need to have systems in place to properly handle donations.

One Foundation and the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, the top two foundations in terms of donations for the Ya'an earthquake, both make five-year-plans detailing their post-earthquake relief projects.

"Some projects take more time," said Liu Wenkui, secretary-general of the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation.

"For example, to promote local tourism, we selected a village in Sichuan to join our Beautiful Village project and helped local villagers build family hostels. The villagers were concerned about where the customers would come from. We have to keep investing, stay there and continue to help them," he said.
China displayed its latest and biggest military unmanned aircraft at an industry expo that closed in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Friday, in an attempt to attract more buyers for its combat drones.

The CH-5 combat/reconnaissance drone, developed by China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, made its first flight in August, becoming the heaviest and strongest military drone in China.

Considering the unspoken rule in China's defense sector that it never publicly shows advanced weapons solely designed for the People's Liberation Army, the public debut of CH-5 at the China (Shenzhen) International Unmanned Vehicle Systems Trade Fair has an unmistakable indication: China is eager to sell it.

"We have sold the CH-3 to several foreign nations and now we plan to launch the export version of the CH-5 to the international market. It can perform air-to-ground strike, reconnaissance and transport operations," said Shi Wen, chief designer of the CH series at China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics.

Shi did not disclose which countries have introduced the CH series, but earlier reports quoted Vasily Kashin, a senior analyst with the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, as saying Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iraq have deployed drones from the CH family.

Iraq seems to be the newest buyer of the CH series drones as it released a video clip in mid-October showing the take-off of a CH-4B military drone at an airbase. Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi was shown in the video as saying that the drone was to conduct its first combat mission against militants in Anbar province.

Designers said CH-5 is made of composite materials and has a wingspan of 20 meters. With a size twice as big as its previously developed counterparts, the drone can stay in the air for as long as about 40 hours and operate at an altitude of up to 10 km.

Compared with other military drones that usually have a maximum take-off weight of less than 1,500 kg, the CH-5 is much more powerful - it is able to fly with a weight of 3,000 kg and carry 900 kg of equipment and weapons, according to engineers at China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics.

"The larger carrying capacity enables the CH-5 to have more reconnaissance equipment so it can detect any given target within a radius of 80 km," said Lan Wenbo, a chief engineer of the aircraft at the academy.

Ou Zhongming, head of the unmanned aircraft project at the academy, said the CH-5 is large enough to host an advanced radar that can penetrate thick walls or cave to find out terrorists hiding there. Currently, ground control operators need to transfer such information to drones before launching a strike, he said.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn

The CH-5 combat drone makes its maiden flight at an airport in northwestern China on Aug 26. Huang Liang / China Daily

(China Daily 11/21/2015 page3)
Russia opposes actions "internationalizing the South China Sea issue" and favors direct negotiation between the countries involved, as China aims to uphold "the authority of the law" by rejecting unilateral arbitration.

The show of support came as a tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague prepares to issue a ruling, expected in late Mayor early June, in Manila's sovereignty case against China. The tribunal was established in 2014 at Manila's request, and China has rejected the arbitration process since the request was filed.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Moscow on Monday, said Moscow supports direct negotiation by countries directly involved to resolve disputes.
Both William Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu were pioneers in using dreams as a vehicle to explore alternative aspects of the human psyche which, in both their cases, was unique at the time.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Britons will soon celebrate the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare this week across Britain, while a Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu who died in the same year, will "travel" to the bard's hometown Stratford-upon-Avon to "meet" his counterpart.

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the deaths of the two great playwrights, a series of events, including seminars, forums and performances, have been held in the two countries this year.

A highlight of those spectacle events through this year will be a project: A Midsummer Night's DEARMING Under the Southern Bough, conducted by the University of Leeds and the University of International Business and Economics, with Chinese students performing Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, while British students will act Tang Xianzu's Dreaming Under the Southern Bough.

Li Ruru, professor of Chinese Theater Studies at the University of Leeds initiated a range of events of Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu in 2014. She and her students who were selected to play Tang's work are now preparing their drama which will be shown in second half of this year.

"All the British students have never heard about Tang Xianzu before we launched the project, however, they have a common interest of loving dramas. Therefore, dramas become the bridge between British and Chinese young people, they could understand each other's history and culture through dramas," said Li.

Earlier in March, the University of Leeds also invited a Chinese expert of Tang Xianzu's works, Professor Zou Yuanjiang, to give lectures about Tang Xianzu's works at several universities in Britain. Most of students who took part in the lectures learnt Tang Xianzu and his works for the first time.
Kunqu Opera artists Shen Yili (left) and Li An perform in The Purple Hairpin. [Photo provided to China Daily]

When Liang Guyin spent 18 months' salary on tuition, to learn an episode of the play Peony Pavilion, she could never have foreseen that half a century later, she would still be performing the play.

It was the summer of 1976, and Liang was a hardworking young actress with more than a decade of training in Kunqu Opera, an ancient local art form of southern China.

Decades earlier, the play Peony Pavilion had been banned, because the love story between a man and a female spirit was unacceptable in the political environment back then.

Peony Pavilion represented the ultimate climax of Kunqu Opera, and she was determined to learn all of it even though she might never have been able to present it on stage.

To attain her dream, she was then introduced to Yao Chuanxiang, a maestro of Kunqu Opera, and wanted to learn from him a particular episode of Peony Pavilion.

In order to convince the maestro, who was known for his reluctance to teach, as well as to prove her determination and sincerity, Liang offered Yao an envelope containing 1,000 yuan ($154), which amounted to her total salary of a year and a half at the time.

"I believed it was worthwhile," she says, adding that she didn't pay any fees for learning Kunqu in school.

It was only in 1993 that Liang would perform Peony Pavilion for the first time.

Three years later Yao died in Hangzhou, in East China's Zhejiang province.

Now, Liang, 74, will join her colleagues from the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe to perform the play as part of an international tour of four classical plays known as Four Dreams in the Camellia Hall by Tang Xianzu (1550-1616), the celebrated playwright of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

She will be the lead actress for Peony Pavilion, which is by far the most recognized play of the Four Dreams performance.

"I am grateful for the love and support of the audiences, which is so much more than I deserve," she says. "I might be in heaven when I actually reach the level they praised me for."

Starting on Sunday, the tour will cover 11 cities in China, as well as Prague and New York.

Gu Haohao, the director of the troupe, says: "We've signed up for 38 shows this year. This is the largest project of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe."
Jia Pingwa. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Jia Pingwa's new novel, Ji Hua, narrates the story of a woman who is freed after three years of being abducted.

The author, who won the Mao Dun Literature Prize, China's top literary award, for his earlier novel Qin Qiang (Qinqiang Opera), has named his latest book after an imaginary flower.

Ji Hua is the tale of Hu Die, a girl from a poor rural family who accompanies her single mother to the city. But her urban dreams are soon shattered as she is abducted by a group of people, taken to a village and sold to a family. Raped by Hei Liang, a member of that family, she lives through her troubles until her mother rescues her with the help of police and a reporter.

But the seeming end of the ordeal doesn't leave her happy. She returns to the same village to reunite with her baby boy whose biological father is her former captor.

"When I wrote the ending, I wrote it as a start, another start of Hu Die's journey," Jia, 64, tells his audience at a recent ceremony in Beijing to launch his book, which has been published by People's Literature Publishing House.
Stuttgart Ballet's principal dancer Friedemann Vogel will perform Romeo with NBC's ballerina Wang Qimin as Juliet in Beijing. [Photo by Wang Chongwei/China Daily]

National Ballet of China will stage John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet from Wednesday to Sunday at Tianqiao Theater to mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. It is the second time that NBC is performing this version of the play. NBC bought the copyright of the work from Stuttgart Ballet in 2006 and premiered it in China that year.

The work, which debuted in December 1962 by Stuttgart Ballet, is arguably the best dance treatment of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev's celebrated ballet score.

When NBC's former president Zhao Ruheng visited Stuttgart Ballet in early 2006 to discuss staging the work in Beijing, Reid Anderson, its artistic director, was hesitant. His main reason: NBC wasn't known globally at the time. Also, Anderson wasn't sure whether a Chinese company would stage it properlyno Asian companies had performed the production until then.

NBC proved its ability to Anderson and staged the show that year.

Anderson also sent Stuttgart Ballet's principal dancer Friedemann Vogel to perform as Romeo with NBC's principal ballerina Zhu Yan as Juliet for the premiere.
Guqin player Chen Leiji. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A guqin concert is a key highlight of this year's Shanghai Spring Music Festival that will be held later in the month.

A stringed instrument of the zither family, guqin is one of China's oldest, and has long been favored by musicians for its fine sounds.

But many ancient instruments and their playing traditions have been forgotten in recent years due to a rise in popularity of Western music in China.

The course is now being changed with hundreds of guqin studios opening in the country.

The concert will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Jinyu Society, a city-based association of guqin lovers since 1936, and is expected to feature maestro players, among the annual festival's other musicians.

Zhao Xiaosheng, a pianist and composer, will present adaptations of guqin music on the piano at the festival that will host a total of 51 concerts and dance performances this year.

If you go

7:30 pm, April 29. Sennheiser Shanghai Concert Hall, 523 Yanan Road East, Huangpu district, Shanghai. 400-8918-182.

Related:

Beijing music fest celebrates peach-blossom beauty
A painting by Li Zhenjian [Photo provided to China Daily]

The National Art Museum of China is holding a retrospective exhibition of Li Zhenjian (1922-92), a figure painter in the field of traditional Chinese painting from East China's Zhejiang province.

On show are some 180 paintings and sketches of figures and landscapes that stand as testaments to Li's devotion to modernizing traditional ink art through several decades.

Born in a mountainous village in Zhejiang, Li's early interest in painting was encouraged by his parents who sent him to local painters to learn basic skills of Chinese painting.

Li entered the national school of art in Hangzhou, now the China Academy of Art, in 1946 to receive professional training under the guidance of ink masters such as Huang Binhong and Pan Tianshou.

He started to renovate the traditions of ink figure painting in the 1950s. He adopted a realistic approach from Western art, by which he was able to create dozens of lively figures from different social backgrounds.

His ink nude paintings are especially acclaimed. Nude had not been a division of Chinese traditional painting before he explored the motif in the 1980s. His mastery of sculpting body curves with ink brushes resulted in many pieces that reveal the beauty of human body.

The paintings on show are from the collection of the Zhejiang Art Museum, to which Li's family donated some 4,000 works and documents, as well as the Zhejiang Provincial Museum.

The exhibition runs until noon on April 26.
Artwork by a child in an orphanage in Yinchuan. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Yinchuan has launched a Mailing Love campaign, inviting people to send handmade postcards before July 5.

Located in the capital city of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, the museum is also offering blank postcards to visitors, asking them to write and draw as creatively as they can.

The museum's staff members have started selecting some works and will exhibit them at the venue later in July. The best pieces are likely to be incorporated into items to be sold at the museum's gift shop, said Yang Lan from the museum's department of public educational programs.

Artwork by a student from Beifang University of Nationalities. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Related:

Beijing museum showcases Li Zhenjian paintings
The dinner buffet offers such delicacies as butter chicken, aloo jeera potatoes and freshly made naan flatbread. [Photo by Matt Prichard/China Daily]

The idea to hold an Indian food event at the Jianguo Hotel Cafe in Beijing's Central Business District was born after travelers kept asking hotel staff where to find some good Indian food in the area.

The staff recommended The Taj Pavilion, located at the nearby China Overseas Pavilion. It is one of three outlets of the restaurant group, which has been serving the subcontinent's delicacies in Beijing since 1998.

Jasmeet Singh, deputy general manager of The Taj Pavilion, says he got to know the staff, and as they talked, they decided to bring the restaurant's food to the hotel for 10 days in April.

Opening night on Friday was crowded, with officials from India's embassy in attendance, as well as musicians and dancers, Singh says. We visited a little on the late side on the next night, and while things were more sedate, it still was a stimulating experience for the eyes and palate.

There is a reasonably complete a la carte menu for lunch and dinner through Sunday. But we chose the buffet, available only at dinner, which features a variety of Indian dishes, an array of Western items, beverages and a delectable fruit and dessert display with yummy pastries and a chocolate fountain for 188 yuan ($29) plus a 15 percent service fee. Indian teas also are available.
China Railway Corporation (CRC) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Haier Group on April 16, to further logistics cooperation and services. Sheng Guangzu, CRC general manager, and Zhang Ruimin, president and CEO of Haier Group attended the meeting.

Sheng Guangzu (L) and Zhang Ruimin (R) sign the cooperation agreeement on April 16. [Photo/peoplerail.com]

According to the agreements, both parties will cooperate in the building of "Internet Plus", which involves the integration of the Internet with traditional industries through online platforms and IT technology, strengthening information sharing and expanding mutual cultural exchange.

In March this year, a similar pilot household appliance logistics program, initiated by CRC and Haier Group, was launched in major cities across the country.

"Taking cooperation with Haier Group as an example, CRC will make full use of its advantages in coverage, transportation, goods storage, delivery time and price," said a CRC director, adding that they will continue to carry out in-depth cooperation with large and medium-sized household appliance enterprises, striving to realize greater logistic efficiency, a broader scope of business cooperation, richer service and lower costs.
LI FENG/CHINA DAILY

Taiwan police on Saturday released 20 fraud suspects who were deported from Malaysia on Friday. The 20 people, released for the "lack of evidence", were among 52 Taiwan residents who the Malaysian authorities arrested for suspected telecommunication fraud, which affected many people on the Chinese mainland as well as in Taiwan.

In response, An Fengshan, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, urged the Taiwan authorities on Saturday to give the suspects "the punishment they deserve", and emphasized that their release will only encourage fraudsters and harm cross-Straits law enforcement cooperation.

The island's unilateral decision to allow the 20 fraudsters to walk free, regardless of their misdeeds and the mainland's ongoing investigation, violates legal norms and goes against the cross-Straits agreement on fighting crimes, which came into effect in 2009.

According to the provisions of the mainland's criminal law, local judicial authorities have the authority to deal with telecom frauds that take place on the mainland and harm residents. In this respect, the release of the fraud suspects at the airport in Taiwan not only damages the credibility of the anti-crime efforts made by both sides of the Straits, but also negatively influences the shared political foundation of peaceful development.

Technically, what the telecom fraud suspects have done is often hard to trace; providing evidence against their criminal activities is even more difficult. More importantly, the prevalence of fraud rings in Taiwan has a lot to do with the light punishment fraudsters receive.

The mainland police said the island's telecom fraudsters have swindled their mainland compatriots out of at least 1 billion yuan ($150 million) in some 200 cases. But just more than 200,000 yuan of that amount has been recovered.

When it comes to frauds, the principal criminals are normally sentenced to one or two years in prison, while their accessories spend less than six months behind bars or are just made to pay a fine. Besides, some judiciary officials in Taiwan have failed to consider the losses suffered by the mainland victims, feeding the suspicion that they are "condoning criminal activities".

To respond to the public outcry for justice on the mainland as well as in Taiwan, the island's authorities should accord priority to protecting the legal interests of the fraud victims, as the 2009 agreement on jointly cracking down on crimes requires, instead of politicizing the issue. Also, judiciary officials from Taiwan need to visit the mainland and closely cooperate with local investigators, in a bid to make sure all criminals are duly punished and victims properly compensated.

The author is an associate professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian province. The article is an excerpt from his interview with China Daily's Cui Shoufeng.
A netizen registered an account for web game.[Photo/IC]

Since Monday, 20 Chinese live-streaming sites including Sina, Baidu and Sohu have implemented real-name registration for webcasting anchors and promised not to register internet anchors under the age of 18. Rednet.cn commented on Tuesday:

For some webcasters, live-streaming amounts to pornography and other illegal content. In order to end this phenomenon, some practical measures, such as real-name registration of web anchors, are being introduced.

However, the real-name registration of web anchors is not a magic bullet.

Such regulations are undoubtedly positive, as they enable the sites to restrain to a certain extent the behavior of the anchors. But some platforms may not adhere to the regulations. Faced with the numerous platforms and number of anchors, the enforcers may feel the regulation is beyond their capabilities.

To ensure the long-term effectiveness of the regulation, the punishments for wrongdoers need to be more severe.

The host platforms for the websites also need to be held jointly responsible. The platform is not just a carrier, it is a participant.

Also, after the implementation of real-name registration, the key question is how to generate appealing content.
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Cruise boats travel along the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. [Photo by Liu Junfeng, Xiong Bin and Zhu Xiyong/China Daily]

New Yorker Faith Ann Birnstein visited the Three Gorges twicebefore and after the dam was completed in 2006.

She has fond memories of the beautiful valleys and ancient towns along the Yangtze River.

"My favorite scenic spot was in the Little Three Gorges. It was peaceful and seemed so much like traditional China to me as a foreigner," she says, recalling her first trip in 2005.

"I especially was interested in the songs that were sung by the lovers across the canyons. It was so beautiful."

Birnstein, who has worked as a university instructor in Chongqing for nearly 12 years, hopped on a cruise with a cultural exchange group during her 2009 trip.

"I especially enjoyed seeing the amazing dam. I had read so much about it. It truly was a wonder."

As China's longest watercourse and the planet's third longest, the Yangtze is renowned for its long, rich history and beautiful scenery. It attracts millions of tourists from home and abroad every year.

The Three GorgesQutang, Wu and Xilingspan about 120 kilometers on the river from Chongqing's Fengjie county to Hubei province's Yichang.

Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) emperors frequently boarded wooden ships to inspect their territory.

Since the Three Gorges Damthe world's largest hydroelectric projectbegan operations, the water level has risen, making the river wider and mountains appear lower.

Some ancient temples that were to be flooded were relocated. Some scenic spots became more accessible, and river cruises became popular.

To cope with the changes, Beijing in 2004 drafted the Regional Tourism Development Master Plan of The Three Gorges, China's first national plan for regional tourism development.
Chinese visitors take pictures of the Giza pyramids in Egypt. [Photo by Du Du/China Daily]

The number of Chinese tourists in Egypt is growing steadily and rapidly, says Samy Mahmoud, head of Egypt's tourism authority. "In 2014 we had almost 64,000 Chinese tourists, but by the end of 2015 we had over 125,000 visitors from China."

The official expects that the number will rise to 200,000 in 2016 as almost 15 regular and charter flights come to Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada every week.

Mahmoud reveals that the tourism authority contacted the Chinese ambassador in Cairo and asked him to work on allowing Chinese airlines to fly to Egypt, adding "it will be a great chance for the Chinese airlines to work in the Egyptian market".

He says that most Chinese tourists visit areas such as the Giza pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and Upper Egypt's ancient temples.

Mahmoud says there are many travel agencies in Egypt working with Chinese tourism operators.

"I can say that a one-week holiday costs around $700, and I think such a price is good for Chinese people," he says.

Tourism in Egypt was dealt a heavy blow following the Russian airplane crash in North Sinai in October, after which several countries, including Britain and Russia, suspended flights to Egypt.
This year, Hainan will offer customized tours catering to tourists from different countries.[Photo/Xinhua]

China's tropical island province of Hainan saw 173,300 overseas tourists in the first quarter, up 41 percent year-on-year, official data showed.

The number of inbound tourists has climbed for five straight months, according to figures announced by the local government on Tuesday.

The inbound tourism market of Hainan experienced a downturn due to a sluggish global economy and lack of air service until November 2015, when it showed signs of recovery after about 20 international air routes to the island were launched.

From January to March, more than 16 million tourists flocked to the island for its warm climate, tropical forests and beaches, up 13.4 percent year on year. During the period, it took in 16.8 billion yuan ($2.6 billion U) in tourism revenue, up 14.2 percent from the previous year.
New York State Supreme Court Judge Danny Chun, who will sentence Peter Liang on Tuesday in the fatal shooting of Akai Gurley in the stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project, has a reputation for being objective and evenhanded, according to lawyers quoted in a recently published profile of Chun.

"He's a very contemplative, thoughtful and diligent judge - no-nonsense in his demeanor," Michael Farkas, the president of the Kings County Criminal Bar Association, told The New York Times in a story published on April 12. "There are some highly emotional feelings about this case, as everybody knows. But bottom line: I know for a fact that he will do the right thing as he sees fit."

Chun, 54, was born in Seoul, and came to New York with his family in 1973. They settled in Elmhurst, Queens, then moved to nearby Bayside, where his father worked as a real-estate broker before becoming a minister. He obtained degrees in political science and philosophy from Johns Hopkins University. Chun graduated from the Fordham University School of Law in 1987 and joined the Manhattan district attorney's office as its first Korean-American prosecutor.

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani appointed Chun to Brooklyn Criminal Court in 1999. In 2005, he was promoted to State Supreme Court, where he now handles many of Kings County's rackets and police misconduct matters.

As the city's first Korean-American judge, Chun has received petitions and letters to the court from New York's Asian-American community to show leniency to Liang, who grew up in New York's Chinatown. He attended elementary school and middle school in Chinatown. His mother was a garment factory worker and became a travel agent. His father worked as a cook.

"The undertone of race here just adds one more page to the script of how this all plays out," Arthur L. Aidala, the president of the Brooklyn Bar Association, told the Times. "But of every justice I know in New York, Chun has the background - and the backbone - to do what he feels is right."

Liang, who always dreamed of becoming a police officer, became the first New York City officer in more than a decade to be convicted in a shooting in the line of duty.

In November 2014, he was patrolling a stairwell of a public housing project in east Brooklyn. The stairwell was dark, and in accordance with police department practice, Liang had his gun drawn. It fired - how and why has been in dispute, though Liang has said he was startled by a noise.

The bullet ricocheted off a wall and hit 28-year-old Akai Gurley a floor below, in his heart. Liang didn't call for an ambulance and didn't perform CPR, which was used against him in court. A jury found him guilty of manslaughter and official misconduct.

The manslaughter conviction calls for a maximum 15-year prison term. But in a surprise move, Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson, who insisted that Liang be prosecuted, has recommended that Chun sentence Liang to only 500 hours of community service, five years of probation and six months of home confinement. NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton praised Thompson's "courage" for recommending Liang serve no jail time.

aiheping@chinadaily.com.cn
Peter Liang, left, walks out the court after the judge sentenced him to five years of probation and 800 hours of community service. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

The decision by a judge that enables former New York police officer Peter Liang to avoid jail time after shooting to death an unarmed black man was generally greeted with support from the Chinese and Asian communities and outrage in the black community.

State Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on Tuesday sentenced Liang, 28, to five years of probation and community service after Chun took the rare step of partially setting aside the jury's verdict and reducing Liang's conviction from manslaughter to criminally negligent homicide.

Liang and his partner were on patrol in an unlighted stairwell in a public housing project in Brooklyn on the night of Nov 20, 2014, when Liang testified he heard a noise and his gun went off. A ricocheting bullet struck and killed Akai Gurley, also 28, a floor below, who was visiting his girlfriend.

In February Liang was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and official misconduct and could have been sentenced to as much as 15 years in prison.

Chun said he made his decision in part after reviewing video of Liang entering the housing project where Gurley was shot.

"As I watched the video of the defendant entering the lobby of the Pink Houses, I couldn't help but feel he was entering with the serious mind of protecting the people. Shooting somebody never entered his mind. This was not an intentional act. There's no evidence that the defendant was aware of Akai Gurley's presence. I find incarceration to be unnecessary," said Chun.

Last month Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson said his office would not seek prison time for Liang, and instead he recommended that Liang receive five years of probation, including six months of home confinement.

After Chun read his decision to reduce the manslaughter conviction against Liang to the lowest level felony possible and the sentence, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Alexis, who prosecuted the case, registered his objection.

"We disagreeA jury took more than two weeks and heard all the evidence. We believe this verdict was correct and we will appeal," he said.

Leaving the courtroom, Gurley's aunt, Herntencia Peteresen, called out in the hallway: "There is no justice. Akai Gurley's life doesn't matter, black lives don't matter. But justice will be served one way or another."

"Peter Liang's sentence sends a deeply troubling message that police officers convicted of killing unarmed African Americans will be held to a different, and more lenient, standard of justice than everyone else involved in the criminal justice system," Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc, said in a statement.
Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at his New York presidential primary night rally in Manhattan, New York, US, April 19, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW YORK - Republican front-runner Donald Trump easily won New York state's presidential nominating contest on Tuesday, moving closer to capturing enough delegates to win the nomination and avoid a contested convention in July.

The New York City billionaire's big victory in his home state gave him renewed momentum in the Republican race and pushed him closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination.

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton also won in New York, which she once represented in the US Senate, blunting the momentum of rival Bernie Sanders and taking a big step toward wrapping up the nomination.

The victories for Trump and Clinton in one of the biggest state nominating contests so far set up both front-runners for strong performances next Tuesday, when they are expected to do well in five other Northeastern state primaries.

Trump had more than 60 percent of the vote with about 40 percent counted, easily beating rivals Ted Cruz, a US senator from Texas, and Ohio Governor John Kasich and putting him in position to possibly win most or all of the state's 95 delegates.

Trump could win all of the delegates if his vote total is above 50 percent statewide and in each of the state's congressional districts.

"We don't have much of a race anymore based on what I'm seeing on television," Trump told cheering supporters at a victory party at his Trump Tower in Manhattan. "We are really, really rocking."

Trump entered the New York contest with 756 delegates, while Cruz had 559 and Kasich had 144, according to an Associated Press count. The count includes endorsements from several delegates who are free to support the candidate of their choice.

Trump said his New York win would make it almost mathematically impossible for Cruz to win the Republican nomination on the first ballot at the party's national convention in July. Cruz, Kasich and establishment forces in the party have been trying to keep Trump from winning on the initial ballot.

If Trump does not secure enough delegates needed to win the nomination on the first ballot at the July 18-21 conclave in Cleveland, delegates would be allowed to switch to other candidates.

Trump remains unpopular with the Republican leaders and activists who select and serve as delegates, while Cruz has invested time and money courting them.

Some establishment Republicans have been alienated by Trump's more incendiary proposals, such as building a wall along the border with Mexico and slapping a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country.
China's then top leader Deng Xiaoping, left, meets with visiting British Queen Elizabeth II in Beijing during the queen's trip to China in October 1986. The Queen became the first British monarch ever to visit China when she paid a state visit to the country in 1986. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Queen Elizabeth II, who 30 years ago became the first-ever British monarch to visit China, turns 90 on April 21, and a series of public celebrations get under way to pay tribute to the country's longest-serving sovereign.

She met Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping during her visit to Beijing in October 1986, less than two years after China and UK agreed on the future of Hong Kong and during a time of increasing British-Chinese trade.

Over the next 30 years, the Queen welcomed three Chinese top leaders, including Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and current President Xi Jinping, on each occasion inviting them to stay as her guest at Buckingham Palace, seen as the highest honor in the complex world of royal protocol.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth and President Xi Jinping are driven by carriage along The Mall to Buckingham Palace in London, Oct 20, 2015.[Photo by Wu Zhiyi/China Daily]

One of the lasting images of President Xi's visit last October was of him smiling and waving as he rode through central London with the Queen on their way to Buckingham Palace.

"I have seen for myself how highly Her Majesty values UK-China relations and the role that she can play in furthering friendship between the two countries," Sir Christopher Hum, former British Ambassador to China, said in an interview with China Daily in London.

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the Great Wall during the state visit, in October 1986. [Photo/CFP]

During her 6-day visit with her husband Prince Philip in China in 1986, the monarch spent three days sightseeing in and around the capital, including the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the tombs of Ming emperors; she also visited Shanghai, Xi'an and Kunming in southwestern China before sailing from Guangzhou for Hong Kong aboard the royal yacht Britannia.

"It was China's desire to shape a new future which captivated us the most," the Queen recalled her visit to China in her speech at the Buckingham State Banquet when she hosted President Xi Jinping during his state visit to the UK last year. "We were struck by the energy and enthusiasm with which China's leaders were forging ahead with a new and ambitious future for the Chinese people."

President Xi Jinping with Queen Elizabeth II at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, London, during the first day of his state visit to Britain, on Oct 20, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

The Chinese president, who heralded a golden era between China and UK after his state visit to the UK last year, sent his birthday greetings to the Queen when he met her son Prince Andrew this April in Beijing.

"I understand that ... the United Kingdom will soon be celebrating the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and also the 95th... of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh," Xi said. "I'd like to wish them good health and longevity."
At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking that there are few similarities between China, a Socialist People's Republic of 1.38 billion people with a history stretching back 2,100 years BCE, and the United Kingdom, home to 64.5 million souls living in a mere 243,000 square kilometres, against China's giant landmass of 9.6 million square kilometres.

But you'd be wrong.

The common denominator is the philosophy of the bearded Chinese scholar, editor, politician and philosopher, Confuscius, who lived from 551 to 479 BCE. At that time the inhabitants of the British Isles were living in huts, painting themselves blue and trying to keep warm.

But as Britain celebrates the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, the country's longest-serving monarch, it's her devotion to her duty and her family that is taking center stage amidst all the pomp and pageantry.

In other words, she is a living example of filial piety, one of the principles propounded by Confuscius in his writings and his teachings.

Let me explain by way of looking at how she came to be queen, a story that stretches back to 1936. Next in line to the throne was the then Prince of Wales, who was to be King Edward VIII.

Scandalously, he was heavily involved with an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, and in order to marry her he abdicated in 1936 without being formally crowned king.

Under the law of succession, the crown passed to his younger brother, a career Royal Navy officer who suddenly found himself King at the age of 41. Father of two daughters, he was painfully shy and had a debilitating speech defect. (For more on this I recommend the brilliant UK movie, The King's Speech)

His wife, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, was appalled, because she knew the pressure this would have on him. But like most other members of the Royal Family, she and her husband had an extreme sense of duty to the nation and family loyalty.

And this is where filial piety, the oft-cited ethic of Confuscius, kicks in.

King George VI died in 1952, relatively young and worn out by the cares of leading his country through World War II and the cancer which killed him. Like many at that time, he was a heavy smoker.

Princess Elizabeth, who adored her father, was appalled. She immediately pledged her life as Queen to country and family, sentiments which surely will echo in Chinese people who are both proud of their country and strongly attached to family and ancestors.

The Queen, who rarely if ever expresses an opinion in public, and doesn't give interviews, is nevertheless fascinated by Asian traditions and religions.

As titular head of the Church of England  one of her titles is Defender of the Faith  she is known to be a devout Christian and as Queen has met leaders of virtually all the world's faiths.

The Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh have both shown enormous interests in Chinese religion, especially Taoism, according to Martin Palmer, who has worked with the Taoists of China over the 20 years. He is an adviser to Prince Philip.

"I remember taking a group of Chinese for a meeting with the Queen and she was just very intrigued with how these different traditions: Taoism, less so Buddhism, and Confucianism, how did they work side by side? How is it that China has never had a religious war?"

Palmer also mentioned that once he took Master Zhang Jiyu, who is the 65th direct ascendant of Zhang Daoling, a well-known Taoist figure in Eastern Han Dynasty, to meet the Queen and Prince Philip. She was fascinated that there was someone who could trace their family back further to the 2nd Century AD, further than she could trace her family back, which is to 700 AD.



"So that sense of lineage, that sense of knowing where your family has come from and what they did, good, bad and indifferent, is also an interesting point," Palmer said.

And there you have it. No wonder the Queen and President Xi Jinping got on so well during his state visit in October last year. They had a lot in common.

The writer is Managing Editor, Europe for China Daily. Contact him on chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com
An essay competition is being held to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States.

The theme of the competition is personal experiences of cultural exchanges, with participants encouraged to write about their understanding of the differences between China and US, their reflections on living and traveling in either country, or their feelings about how the Chinese dream and American dream have effected change.

Jointly-held by China Youth Daily, China CYTS Group and China CYTS Tourism Holding Co, the contest is part of the China-US Tourism Year campaign, which aims to increase travel and tourism between the two countries by enhancing the travel experience, increasing travelers' cultural understanding and expanding appreciation of natural landscapes.

Prizes up for grabs include a 10-day travel package to the west coast of the United States, four round-trip tickets from Beijing to Los Angeles, and ten coupons for one-night's free stay at a five-star-rated hotel in Los Angeles.

Anyone who participates in the contest will also receive a coupon worth 199 yuan for any tourism product to the United States on aoyou.com.

Only Chinese and English-written stories will be accepted and reviewed. The essay should be limited to 1,000 words with a 50-word introduction of the writer attached.

All essays should be submitted before Dec 31 by email to chiniausa@aoyou.com. The subject of the email should be Essay Contest of China-US Tourism Year. Participants should also provide their name, contact information, passport number, address and post code in the email.
HAVANA - Cuban President Raul Castro called for handing over power to the younger generations on Tuesday in an address at the closing of the 7th Congress of the Cuba's Communist Party (PCC).

Castro signaled that he wants top leaders to retire at 70, starting from 2021, and that the next five years would be a transition period for creating a younger generation of leaders.

Castro, who was elected first secretary for a second term, thanked the PCC Congress but said the current congress would be the last led by leaders of the 1959 Revolution.

"Due to the inexorable law of life, this Congress will be the last led by the historic generation, who will hand over the flags of revolution and socialism to its younger pillars, without sadness or pessimism," Castro said in presence of Fidel, almost 1,000 delegates and around 280 guests.

The president, 84, said that the PCC's main mission must be "to defend, preserve and continue perfecting socialism and never allowing the return of capitalism."

"I will dedicate my time to the reform process of the Constitution to make the necessary changes, after 40 years of its existence," said Castro.

Castro has served as first secretary of the PCC since the last congress in 2011, when he officially replaced his brother, Fidel, the revolutionary leader who left active political life due to health reasons. The presidency of Raul Castro is expected to end in 2018.

The PCC has transformed the island country, leading to a prosperous, sustainable and irreversible socialism, with the Revolution's principles of justice and equality enshrined, Castro said.
Delegates from 16 Arab countries, most of whom are members of political parties, are taking part in a dialogue being held this week in northwest China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.

Delegates from countries that include Egypt, Iraq, Sudan, Tunisia, Kuwait and Qatar are joining Chinese colleagues for discussion of topics including counter-terrorism.

Hosted by the CPC Central Committee's International Department, the dialogue is taking place in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, which has a population of about 6.6 million, of whom more than a third are Muslims.

Since 2010, the region has hosted the China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum three times and the China-Arab States Expo twice.

This week's dialogue aims to implement an initiative President Xi Jinping announced to the Arab League in January to invite 1,500 leaders of political parties in Arab countries to visit China, said Zhang Jianwei, deputy head of the CPC department's West Asian and North African affairs bureau.

Zhang said the event is being held at a time when political parties in Arab countries were paying increased attention to China and its development. The CPC is willing to share with them its ideas and experiences, he said.



The dialogue will include discussion of the role of political parties in implementing China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Zhang said the dialogue would abide by the CPC's principles for inter-party exchanges independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.



Relations between China and Arab countries have gained momentum since January, when President Xi Jinping visited Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and China issued a paper outlining its policies towards Arab countries.
(Photo : Getty Images) Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that agreeing on a mutually acceptable Line of Actual Control (LAC) is key to solving border disputes between India and China.

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Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently in Beijing to enhance military cooperation with China, has said that accepting the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as the final border is the only possible solution for the Sino- Indian border dispute. A stance that China has rejected in the past.



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Speaking on the issue during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan, a General with the People's Liberation Army, Parrikar said that the process of actually marking the LAC is essential for proper border management.



"Without that everything goes by perceptions, which has caused problems sometimes," Parrikar said.



However, India's defence minister ruled out any time limit for any agreement over the LAC, but stressed that any agreement on such a precarious issue would be good for entire region.



Meanwhile, China and India have made progress on establishing a hotline between military officials of the two countries. The hotline is expected to become operational in the coming months. The hotline is expected to bring down border skirmishes that keep flaring up between the two countries.



Parrikar's visit to China presented an opportunity for both countries to exchange concern on a host of critical issues. India's defence minister raised Masood Azhar issue and China's silk route and maritime programs in Pakistan, while Chinese officials raised the issue of India's growing interest in the South China Sea dispute.



Speaking specifically on the Azhar issue Parrikar said, "On the UN issue, we think it (Chinese action) is not in the right direction. We have taken it up with them."



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Tagschina, India, Manohar Parrikar
(Photo : Sandra Mu/Getty Images) Bulldozers larger than the one pictured were involved in a heavy rumble between rival construction firms.

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Bystanders at a province in northern China on Saturday witnessed a vehicle fight resembling the Transformers, only that these werent fictional, but real bulldozers fighting against each other on the streets.



A video footage that went viral showed bulldozers from two rival construction firms crashing and bulldozing each other in a street in Hebei province while other cars sped past in the heat and dust of the battle. After one of the bulldozers (a wheel loader) fell on its side, its driver is seen rushing to another bulldozer, probably asking for help raising the fallen vehicle so that it could return to the fight.



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The streets were soon filled with dust as the construction workers in vehicles kept fighting each other. Scores of bystanders and onlookers were watching the ensuing fight, which reportedly ceased only when police arrived at the scene.



While the video (and the bulldozer fight) looked amusing, it actually revealed a problem indicative of Chinas construction sector. Hebei government spokesman Xu Feng said the fight between the bulldozers was caused by an intense competition to get clients. Xu, however, could not divulge more details as an investigation is ongoing.



Many construction-related issues in China have been marked by violence. The fights were often between construction firms and local residents living in the areas that are being targeted for development. Such residents often say that government officials are conniving with developers so that they would be driven away.



Disputes between rival construction companies, on the other hand, are not as common. This incident simply indicates the growing pressure for companies in the construction industry.



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TagsBulldozers, Construction, Transformers
(Photo : Doggles.com/Getty Images) Ultraviolet rays are so harmful to the eyes that even dogs need some kind of protection, like the "doggles" pictured above.

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An ultraviolet lamp that was unintentionally left on for hours inside a classroom in an eastern China kindergarten school caused pupils to suffer from burns and pain in the eyes.



Workers at Dongyuan Kindergarten in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, said that a staff member at the school failed to turn off the ultraviolet light that is routinely turned on every morning to kill bacteria in the classroom. While it was only scheduled to be turned on for less than an hour every morning, it stayed on for the whole morning, hurting all pupils present in the room.



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At least eight children were taken to the hospital in Hangzhou for eye treatments while about 20 more were applied with eye ointments.



The staff reportedly failed to turn the light off, presumably because the switch was not fully pressed. Because the room was bright that morning, teachers failed to notice the still-on UV lamp sandwiched between two fluorescent lamps that were brightly lit.



Many pupils went to the schools headmaster, surnamed Xu, to report that their eyes didnt feel comfortable right after lunch time. After seeing the kids irritated and red eyes, as well as other symptoms, school staff asked for professional help from doctors regarding what to do. Some were then brought to the hospital.



One of the pupils mothers, who was a doctor at a local eye hospital, said that prolonged exposure to UV rays will hurt and damage the eyes, but is hopeful that the pupils will recover in three days time.



Ultraviolet Blunders



This report brings to mind a similar problem with ultraviolet lights used in classroom settings. Back in October, an unknown number of primary students from Wellington College International Shanghai were hospitalized for eye injuries sustained after using an unsuitable type of UV light for their classroom demonstration.



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Tagsultraviolet light, Dongyuan Kindergarten, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Wellington College International Shanghai, David Cook
(Photo : Getty Images) The Chinese government has released a special 16-page comic to warn local women to stay away from handsome foreigners as they could turn out to be spies.

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On the eve of National Security Education Day, which was celebrated across China on April 15, Chinese Government released a special 16-page comic across several of its government-owned bulletins.



Targeted specifically at Chinese women employed in important government offices, the 16-page comic warns them against dating good looking foreigners as they may turn out to be spies from enemy countries.



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The comic is titled as "dangerous love" and has a young civil servant, named as Xiao Li or Little Li, as leading protagonist. In one of the dinner parties Li meets David, a handsome foreigner who introduces himself as a visiting scholar.



Unaware that David is actually a spy, Li starts off relationship with David as she is too overwhelmed with his good looks and charm. David soon convinces Li to submit several sensitive documents from her office on the pretext of his personal research.



Li diligently abides David's request only to be later arrested by Chinese authorities. In the end, Li is shown handcuffed and crying in front two Chinese policemen. Clearly repenting her act.



"You show a very shallow understanding of secrecy for a State employee. You are suspected of violating our nation's law," Li is told by a policeman.



The 16 page comic is widely seen as a part of ongoing "anti spy campaign" launched by Chinese government. China has been going very tough on foreign spies under President Xi Jinping. Dozens of foreign spies have been arrested and sentenced since Xi took over the office.



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(Photo : Getty Images) Although not a claimant in the disputed South China Sea, China has sought the support of Russia in opposing the court case filed by the Philippines against Beijing in the Hague, Netherlands.

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Beijing is seeking Moscow's support in opposing an international court case filed by the Philippines regarding its claim in the disputed South China Sea.



In talks with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the two countries should come together to oppose "internationalizing" the South China Sea dispute.



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"Both China and Russia should stay on guard against abuses of mandatory arbitration," Wang said on Tuesday.



Permanent Court of Arbitration



The Philippines filed a territorial claim case against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague last year.



Wang, Lavrov, and India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj issued a communique after the talks stating that disputes among the claimant countries in the South China Sea should be resolved through negotiations and dialogues between the parties concerned.



Lavrov voiced support for China last week saying any attempts to "internationalize" the South China Sea dispute must be stopped immediately.



Neither Russia nor India has a stake in the international waterway. Observers said China's recent statements were made in anticipation of the court ruling which is expected to be handed down in May or June.



European Union



Despite China's earlier statement that it does not recognize the Hague court's jurisdiction over the matter and will not honor any judgment it will hand down, European Union (EU) countries this month urged Beijing to respect the ruling of the international tribunal.



British Minister of State Hugo Swire said the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration is "valid and binding" and China should respect the outcome of the case.



Aside from the EU, the foreign ministers of G7 nations have also expressed concern over the disputes in the South China Sea and have called on Beijing to accept the court's decision.



Diplomatic pressure



Political analysts said Wang's comments are part of Beijing's campaign to gain support as it is coming under immense diplomatic pressure from nations that side with the Philippines in the court case.



"China is almost isolated in the saga," Li Xing, an international relations professor at Beijing Normal University, said. "As strategic partners, China and Russia are taking care of each other's core interests and coordinating."



The meeting between Wang and Lavrov in Moscow this week is in preparation for the expected visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to China this year.



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TagsBeijing, Moscow, Permanent Court of Arbitration, South China Sea, claimant-countries, European Union, G-7 members
(Photo : Getty Images/ChinaFotoPress) Apple has dismissed rumors that it provided its codes to Chinese authorities.

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It is not just the US government which is at loggerheads with Apple when it comes to confidentiality. Apparently, China had also asked the Cupertino-based company to submit its proprietary source code to the authorities. However, the company's general counsel stated that the request was turned down.



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Bruce Sewell, general counsel to Apple, appeared before the members of the House energy and commerce committee, which is trying to balance data confidentiality and law enforcement. Sewell quashed the long-standing rumor that Apple provided its source code to Chinese authorities.



The news is important as China is one of the most important markets for Apple. The company reported its first quarter revenue from China at $18.37 billion, up 14 percent on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis. The rumors started floating around in 2015, when the Chinese government alluded that Apple has allowed "security checks."



Responding to a query raised by Indiana State Police, Sewell said, "We have not provided source code to the Chinese government. We did not have a key 19 months ago that we threw away." He further stated that "Those allegations are without merit."



Apple started encrypting its data stored in Chinese boundaries in August 2014. The company is fighting a tough battle with US authorities, following the San Bernardino iPhone case. The US is trying to paint Apple as a devious company which is ready to cooperate with foreign governments but not with the US.



Sewell's remark is the first high-profile instance of Apple trying to clear its name. The company had refused to build a backdoor for US authorities investigating San Bernardino case. Apple CEO Tim Cook had categorically stated that acceding to any such demand would set a worrying precedent.



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Tagsapple, china, San Bernardino, Source Code
(Photo : Ian Waldie/Getty Images) A Chinese man has been given the death sentence for giving classified documents to an unknown foreign spy agency.

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A Chinese man received a death sentence for giving away more than 150,000 documents containing classified information to an unknown foreign agency.



Huang Yu, 48, reportedly sold the classified papers to foreign intelligence agencies between 2002 and 2011, reports the China Central Television. He was able to earn a total of $700,000 for all the transactions that transpired within the period.



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Huang was a technician for a research institute in Sichuan province in southwest China. The Institute helped develop a cipher system used by both the Chinese government and the military.



However, after he was sacked in 2004 due to his bad performance, Huang contacted a foreign spy agency and offered to sell classified documents of secret cipher codes from the Communist Party.



He met with the foreign spy agency in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong for a total of 21 meetings. He was initially given $10,000 for cooperating with the agency and received a subsequent monthly salary of $5,000, in addition to receiving training in espionage-related activities.



When Huang realized that he was running out of stocks to give to his client, he then turned to his wife and brother-in-law, both of whom worked in government offices that handled state secrets. All in all, he was able to release 90 top confidential, 292 confidential, and 1,674 secret files to his client.



Huang was arrested in 2011 and was convicted for espionage. He was given the death sentence, although it remains unclear when he will be executed or if he had been executed already. His wife and brother-in-law were also arrested and convicted for negligence that led to spilling state secrets. Huangs wife was sentenced for five years in prison,while his brother-in-law was sentenced for three.



Chinas Serious Stance against Espionage



China recently celebrated National Security Education Day on Friday. To properly educate rank-and-file employees of the possible attempts at stealing state secrets, the government has released a comic-book poster that warns young female government workers to take extra caution in dating good-looking foreigners who could be spies-in-disguise.



The posters feature a female civil servant named Xiao Li, who happened to meet a foreign man named David. While their friendship quickly developed (thanks to Davids outpouring of compliments and romantic actions towards Xiao Li), the ending revealed that the foreigner was indeed a spy who built the relationship with the civil servant to steal information.



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TagsHuang Yu, espionage, spying
(Photo : Getty Images) Beijing, in a show of its determination to deal with foreign and domestic spies, has sentenced a former technician to death for selling state secrets to foreign spy agencies.

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China has sentenced a former computer technician to death for selling state secrets to foreign spies, the state media reported on Tuesday.



The convicted felon Huang Yu sold a cache of 150,000 classified documents (including military codes) from 2002 to 2011 to foreign spy agencies and pocketed $US700,000.



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Yu worked as a cryptographer in a research institute in Chengdu, a city in southwestern China, before he was arrested.



Huang's death sentence is the second case of a Chinese national receiving the capital punishment for espionage since 2008. Before him, the government had executed a science researcher and his relative who sold military secrets to Taiwan.



Secret information



National security experts said Huang sold a trove of secret information, including 90 top-secret documents, to foreign spy agencies. Huang's case is said to be one of the largest known leaks in China in recent years.



Chinese President Xi Jinping has rallied the public to help the government catch domestic and foreign spies, reminding the people that they will be amply rewarded when they coordinate with the police.



On Tuesday marked the National Security Education Day and to celebrate the occasion, Beijing has established an anti-spying hotline.



Counter-Espionage Law



President Xi has been on top of the security situation in Beijing after signing the counter-espionage law in 2014 which aims to arrest foreign spies and the Chinese nationals who assist them.



Analysts said although no reason has been given by the authorities about why Huang received the death penalty only recently, the publicity of his case was a glaring proof of Xi's tenacity to highlight the threats posed by spy agencies and the government's determination to protect the country's national security at all costs.



"The authorities are, in this way, advertising the fact that there is severe punishment available for crimes against national security," said Eva Pils, a legal scholar at King's College London.



Beijing has been tackling cases of espionage which have caught media attention in the recent years.



Chinese authorities are currently prosecuting a Canadian man and his wife, who ran a cafe near the border with North Korea, for spying and stealing state secrets.



Last year, Beijing detained four Japanese nationals on suspicion of espionage.



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TagsCounter-Espionage Law, Death Sentence, classified documents, Huang Yu, national security experts, top-secret documents, President Xi Jinping, National Security Education Day
Atheists muscle in on 'Jesus Lunch' at public park 20 April, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , |

MIDDLETON, Wisc. (Christian Examiner)  Protestors descended on a student- and parent-led lunchtime Bible discussion in a public park next to a Wisconsin high school Tuesday in an effort to stop the assembly.

For the first time since the event adjacent to Middleton High School began in Fireman's Park in 2014, the "Jesus Lunch" was met with calls for "separation of church and state" and shouts of protest about white Christians being divisive at the school.

Those students who protested, the Wisconsin State Journal claimed, were supported by the atheist Freedom from Religion Foundation (though the paper referred to FFRF as "secular").

FFRF said it was invited to the gathering by a student at the school who claims to be Christian, but who reportedly feels like the event violates the Constitution. According to FFRF, the organizers of the "Jesus Lunch" provide lunch, hand out Bibles and engage in proselytization, "all contrary to the wishes of the Midldeton-Cross Plains School District."

By law, the lease agreement between the city and the School District of Middleton does not privatize the park. Christian parents who provide a free lunch and share their religious beliefs with park visitors retain their First Amendment rights to do so, notwithstanding unfounded protests from the school district.

"In doing so, the parents are violating a city agreement that gives the district the right to decide use of the park," FFRF said in a statement.

City administrators aren't even sure that is true.

Christian Examiner spoke with Middleton's city administrator, Mike Davis, last week and in discussions about the school district's lease of the park, signed in 2000, Davis said the "peaceful coexistence" of the two groups had ended in a point of conflict the city was unsure how to resolve.

While the lease specifically mentions the school's right to apply its no drinking, no smoking and no drug use policies to the park during school hours, the question remains open as to whether the district (a government entity) can legally restrict free speech and religious liberty on the grounds of a taxpayer-funded public park when the event is organized by students on their own lunch hour.

Davis said he would be meeting with the city's attorney to look for solutions to the conflict.

FFRF's Ryan Jayne wrote in a letter to Middleton-Cross Plains Superintendent Don Johnson that the "basic rights" of the First Amendment have "reasonable limits when applied to school campuses."

"The district is well within its right to regulate large groups targeting district students, especially when those groups violate district rules and regulations," Jayne wrote.

Jayne then said FFRF would attend and planned to provide "a little fuel" to the students in the "captive audience," including chocolate cookies, brownies and cupcakes. The group also said it planned to provide some of its own literature, such as pamphlets on how women need freedom "from" religion. It also claimed it would bring copies of the rules for a student essay contest on "free thinking" that could yield up to $7,500 in scholarship money for college-bound students.

On Tuesday, FFRF made good on its promise and on its Facebook page slammed what it called the disingenuous behavior of the Christian parents.

"A loose coalition of parents, apparently evangelicals, have taken advantage of a leasing ambiguity to bribe high schoolers with a weekly free lunch virtually right outside the school back entrance, where a narrow park abuts the school grounds with a pavilion. The lunch bags invariably include a proselytizing token. Some weeks it's Jesus pencils, or Jesus wristbands. Jesus Lunchers come back into the school flaunting their Jesus items, where this has become a source of friction, hard feelings and arguments," the statement on the social media site said.

The problem, according to "Jesus Lunch" organizers, is that there is no problem with their use of the park and no infringement on any constitutional principles. Students are not required to attend, accept food or Bibles, or even to hang around to listen to discussions about religion and the Bible. The normal 3-5 minute presentation of biblical truths that normally accompanies the lunch was called off on Tuesday due to the protests.

The presence of sweets at the event drew about one-third of the students away from the "Jesus Lunch" and toward FFRF's effort, the Journal reported. Student protestors also took turns speaking against the rally.

One student, 18-year-old Joshua Biatch, told the paper the event was divisive within the student body.

"This event is designed purely for Christian students and that creates divisions between Christians and every other student," Biatch, who calls himself a Jewish-atheist, said. "People keep saying, 'Oh, this isn't a big deal. It's been blown out of proportion.' They are always white, Christian people. ... I have had to defend myself and explain myself so many times this week. People don't get it because people don't think beyond themselves."

Last week, Middleton High School Principal Steve Plank and Superntendent Johnson sent a letter to the parents claiming the lunchtime religious discussion is a violation of school policy on numerous levels, among them the use of school facilities for a religious club during school hours, the presence of unauthorized visitors to the campus, and food safety regulations.

In the letter, which claims the district is "in no way interested in opposing religious practice in otherwise legal circumstances," parent organizers of the voluntary student gathering are said to be creating an unsafe environment for the students.

Phillip Stamman, the attorney representing the students and parents who organize the lunch, said the law in the case is clear  the park remains "accessible to everyone in the public for the purposes of assembly and free speech."

"By law, the lease agreement between the city and the School District of Middleton does not privatize the park. Christian parents who provide a free lunch and share their religious beliefs with park visitors retain their First Amendment rights to do so, notwithstanding unfounded protests from the school district."
On Friday, April 15, an annual conference for college students called SOLA Conference was kicked off with a message from Chris Brown, the senior pastor of North Coast Church, who spoke about the freedom from guilt and shame that every person can experience because of what Jesus has done.

The SOLA Conference, which took place at New Life Community Church in Artesia, has been held yearly with the vision to transform collegians with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to have a high view of Gods Word, to love the Local Church, and to live out His Commission and Compassion, according to the SOLA Executive Team and Council.

The central theme for the conference this year was Light after Darkness" based on John 1:4-5, hoping to point college students to the light that the good news of Christ brings into what they may see as the darkest parts of their hearts.

Brown started off the conference on Friday evening with a message on the darkness in our hearts and in our lives, reading from John 4.

He read the passage with great animation and excitement as he explained the transformation Christ brought upon the Samaritan woman at the well. All of her past guilt and shame was exposed in front of Christ, and as she was speaking with Him, she had a change of heart. God transformed her to not be ashamed, but to be freed from her sin to go out and share with all about how God worked in her life despite her past.

"Church does a good job teaching about forgiveness, but a lousy job teaching about freedom," Brown said, addressing some 450 college students. "For God to have this moment with you at the well, you have to face and accept the truth."

"Satan's favorite weapon against you is you," he continued.

But, Brown added, the guilt and shame is part of our past, and taken care of by the blood of Christ.

"Failure is an event, and never a person," Brown emphasized, and reminded attendees of their true identity in Christ. "I am loved, cherished, and a prince in the kingdom of God."

Brown, who has had extensive experience ministering to college students while serving as a college pastor at Azusa Pacific University, said he came to the conference with hopes that each student could "walk out of the conference knowing that they don't have to do anything to be loved any more by God," and that the "love of the Creator of the universe cannot be earned, just accepted."

"I love seeing young people getting set on fire for Christ," Brown said.

Compared to when he first started ministering to college students, Brown said that the current generation has "to deal with a lot more," both in terms of wrestling with baggage from their past, as well as surrendering their dreams to God.

We want God to bless our life, but not for God to change it, said Brown, adding that God did not promise to give us great lives, but that he would allow us to come to him for healing and aid us in dealing with our guilt and shame.

Meanwhile, the SOLA Conference also featured Harold Kim, the senior pastor of Christ Central of Southern California, and Alex Choi, the senior pastor of Sovereign Grace LA, as speakers of the following two sessions.
On Monday morning, Greg Abott, the governor of Texas, announced Houston at a state of emergency as rain poured down at rates as great as four inches an hour, inundating nine counties at an accelerated rateskilling five people and trapping residents in their own homes and automobiles.

According to Judge Ed Emmet, Harris County's chief administrator, more than 1,000 homes were flooded in Harris County alone.

More than 70 subdivisions flooded in the metro area. Emergency officials said as many as 60 water rescues were used by rescue workers to save people from their homes.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner claimed that eight buildings were destroyed by the downpour and left 43,000 civilians residing in the area deprived from electricity, according to CenterPoint Energy.

The people living in Greenspoint were immediately evacuated and transported to a mall. The citys emergency operation revealed in a statement that it was still escalated a large-scale effort to help people who resided there.

In Magnolia County, just north of Houston, 50 high-water rescues had been operated since Sunday night at 10 p.m. Furthermore, dozens of horses were trapped in the flood and are being rescued.

When you get off the freeways and off the main thoroughfares, you could be in water 10 to 15 feet deep," Fire Department spokesman Jay Evans told the Associated Press on Monday.

As reported by the National Weather Service, all rail and bus services at Metro Houston were shut down as the flood rose up to 16.5 inches off the ground before noon that day.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport had recorded 8.85 inches of rain since midnight to 5:30 a.m. CDT. By 10:30 a.m. CDT on Monday, more than 400 flights were cancelled as stated in the flight-tracking website FlightAware.

The spreading flood in northwest Harris County resulted in a warning from Jeff Lidner, a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District, of a life-threatening situation [and to] stay where you are, until further notice.
Rescue and relief work continues in Ecuador in the aftermath of the most devastating earthquake in decades, which has claimed over 500 lives and injured more than 2,500, according to latest reports.

Many faith-based humanitarian agencies and different countries around the world are sending disaster response teams to Ecuador to help finding the survivors and provide food and shelter.

World Vision is one of the Christian charities that is helping the earthquake victims at the grassroots level. It has plans to reach up to 10,000 people in the most-affected areas along the country's north-western coast, and to distribute emergency items such as mosquito nets, hygiene supplies, and water treatment systems.

"This is the worst earthquake to strike Ecuador since 1979. It was a truly terrifying event felt across the country. The people of Ecuador spent a long, sleepless night worried about further shocks," said Jose Luis Ochoa, World Vision's national director in Ecuador.

"Right now, our primary concern is ensuring the needs of children and their families are met. World Vision is in the process of setting up Child Friendly Spaces where children and young people can access psychosocial care and mitigate any emotional distress," he continued.

World Vision has worked in Ecuador for the last four decades, and promptly responded to the disaster, by setting up two temporary shelters, and giving out hygiene products, food, water, and other necessities.

Samaritan's Purse, another Christian charity, is covering the devastated regions by sending specialists and medical personnel via three DC-8 cargo planes, which will also carry 40 tons of emergency supplies.

The group will build shelters to house at least 5,000 people, set up mobile hospital to see up to 100 patients a day, and will seek to bring clean water to 50,000 residents.

"The earthquake in Ecuador has caused incredible death, injury, destruction, and loss. We're responding as quickly as possible to help with emergency needs such as water, shelter, and medical care. We help in the Name of Jesus Christ and want to show people His love. Please keep them in your prayers," said Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham.

MAP International, a global Christian health and relief organization, will be supplying shelter and medical needs, including standardized emergency health kits designed specifically for disaster victims.

The international community is helping Ecuador recover from the crisis on a grand scale. Scores of countries from different regions of the world have pledged their monetary and logistic support, apart from providing for food and shelter.

The EU has released 1 million which will be contributed as humanitarian aid to earthquake victims, while the EU Civil Protection Mechanism will send urban search and rescue teams (USAR) and other expertise. Spain, France, Poland have offered their assistance.

Rescue teams from Venezuela are working to assist in pulling out victims trapped underneath collapsed buildings.

The Red Cross Society of China has donated 100,000 US dollars in cash to impart emergency assistance to Ecuador, while the Chinese government will provide satellite pictures to Ecuador for relief work, and is making a humanitarian assistance plan to help out the victims.

Palestine is also among several other nations sending aid to Ecuador in the form of medical professionals, supplies, and medicines.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa told reporters that it could take $3 billion to rebuild the country, which is 3 percent of nation's gross domestic product.

"It's going to be a long battle," he said.
Several faith leaders were asked to write brief comments about the future of Roe. I was glad to see that I was not the only person asked who sees life as beginning at conception and who is ready to see Roe overturned.
Nationwide #ProtestPP April 23 to Tell Voters: Planned Parenthood is Bad for America Contact: Monica Miller, Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, 248-444-9096, mmmillerlife@gmail.com; Mark Harrington, Created Equal, 614-419-98000 mark@createdequal.org; Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League, 773-251-8792, eric@prolifeaction.org



CHICAGO, April 20, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- On April 23, nationally coordinated protests will be held at over 200 Planned Parenthood centers throughout the United States, drawing voters' attention to the ugly side of the nation's largest abortion chain. These protests are being organized by the #ProtestPP coalition, formed in response to the undercover videos released last year showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting and selling of body parts from aborted children.



Despite the controversy created by the undercover videosincluding possible illegal activity Planned Parenthood continues to receive over $500 million from state and federal governments annually. The organizers of #ProtestPP are calling on their fellow Americans to vote for candidates this year who will promise to end this massive taxpayer subsidy for the nation's largest abortion chain.



"The undercover videos we saw last year showed the cruelty of abortion in a singular way," said Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League and one of the national co-directors of the protest day. "It's chilling to see Planned Parenthood's doctors talk about how to crush an unborn child's body in order to most effectively procure his or her organs. This organization should not be receiving any taxpayer funding for any reason."



Protestors throughout the country will also be standing in solidarity with David Daleiden, the pro-life whistleblower who is facing baseless civil and criminal charges for conducting a 30-month undercover investigation of the abortion industry's trafficking in fetal tissue. "Planned Parenthood and their powerful allies in government are trying to discredit and silence pro-lifers who are guilty of nothing more than exposing the shocking truth about their abortion practices," said protest co-director Mark Harrington, executive director of Created Equal. "As an investigative journalist, Mr. Daleiden's protected free speech is being criminalized while Planned Parenthood's criminal behavior is being entirely overlooked. On April 23, we'll be setting the record straight in communities all over the country."



The protests will also highlight the gap between Planned Parenthood's claims about their role in women's healthcare and the documented reality. "Planned Parenthood insists that poor women depend on them for basic healthcare," said Monica Miller, protest co-director and head of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, "but in fact they provide fewer and fewer services, to fewer and fewer women every yearexcept abortion. Planned Parenthood's abortion numbers keep going up. They're now responsible for nearly a third of all abortions in our country."



#ProtestPP is a coalition of state and national pro-life groups, headed by three national pro-life activist organizations: Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, Created Equal, and the Pro-Life Action League. In the wake of the coalition's two national days of protest last year, more than 20 Planned Parenthood facilities closed and nine states voted to strip the organization of state funding.



For more information, please contact:



Monica Miller, Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, 248-444-9096, mmmillerlife@gmail.com



Mark Harrington, Created Equal, 614-419-98000 mark@createdequal.org



Eric Scheidler, Pro-Life Action League, 773-251-8792, eric@prolifeaction.org



See also ProtestPP.com.

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Continente 2016 with Luis Palau Reaches Millions with the Gospel



PORTLAND, Ore., April 20, 2016 /



The Spanish television broadcast included five nights of live programming in which Palau led people every night to Christ live over the phone. Throughout the week, hundreds of people called in with queries and the Good News was proclaimed numerous times. Through online streaming, social media, and radio components, the program was amplified into a multimedia, saturation evangelism event reaching dozens of nations and millions of people.



First launched in Quito, Ecuador, in 1965, Continente is entirely in Spanish and is broadcast to more than 40 countries on 3,000 stations throughout Latin America via Enlace Television. A veteran to the world of broadcast evangelism, Palau first started counseling people on television in partnership with HCJB Global Ministries in the 1960's.



The far-reaching program was the latest outreach led by the evangelist in a season of busy ministry since the conclusion of his campaign in New York City last summer. Palau also recently shared the Good News at multiple outreaches throughout the Pacific Northwest, and has initiatives scheduled this summer and fall in British Columbia; Sacramento, California; St. Paul, Minnesota; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and Chaco, Paraguay.



Share Tweet Contact: Jay Fordice, Luis Palau Association , 503-614-1500PORTLAND, Ore., April 20, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Just months after an historic evangelistic campaign in New York City, evangelist Luis Palau reached millions of people once again with the Gospel through Continente, a televised call-in program April 4-8 in which viewers asked questions and received biblically-based advice on spiritual matters.The Spanish television broadcast included five nights of live programming in which Palau led people every night to Christ live over the phone. Throughout the week, hundreds of people called in with queries and the Good News was proclaimed numerous times. Through online streaming, social media, and radio components, the program was amplified into a multimedia, saturation evangelism event reaching dozens of nations and millions of people.First launched in Quito, Ecuador, in 1965, Continente is entirely in Spanish and is broadcast to more than 40 countries on 3,000 stations throughout Latin America via Enlace Television. A veteran to the world of broadcast evangelism, Palau first started counseling people on television in partnership with HCJB Global Ministries in the 1960's.The far-reaching program was the latest outreach led by the evangelist in a season of busy ministry since the conclusion of his campaign in New York City last summer. Palau also recently shared the Good News at multiple outreaches throughout the Pacific Northwest, and has initiatives scheduled this summer and fall in British Columbia; Sacramento, California; St. Paul, Minnesota; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and Chaco, Paraguay.
home World Calais Jungle needs to have UK consulate, suggests priest

A priest who recently visited the migrant encampment in France known as the Calais Jungle has called for England to set up a consulate in the area to help speed up the process for those who have legitimate claims for asylum in the United Kingdom.

"Nothing is straightforward, but there is one definite thing the UK Government could do: put a consulate in Calais," wrote Fr. Dominic Howarth of Basildon, Essex, in his reflection on his visit. "This would mean that the (at least) hundreds who have genuine asylum claims in the UK, with family here, would not first face a perilous and illegal journey across the Channel. It would be a statement of true justice, and integrity. Surely it is better than spending money on any more fences?"

The camp has been home to many asylum-seekers and refugees wanting to seek entry into the U.K. Early this year, the southern area of the camp was demolished and many people were evicted, but according to a volunteer, thousands are still living in the area. About 1,500 of these people are living in government-provided container housing units, while others live in tents.

"People think Calais is finished, gone," the volunteer said, as quoted in Howard's article. "They did such a good job of showing the world when so much of it was bulldozed. But 4,500 still live here. And the other 2,000 have not gone far a some to Belgium, some further along the coast."

Howarth found it hard looking at the bulldozed area, and the place, to him, is "soul-less and soul destroying." The government, it seems to the priest, sees the refugees "only as a security risk and no longer as people, as sisters and brothers who have fled war and horror."

Inspired by Seeking Sanctuary, Howarth's church in Basildon works with Secours Catholique, Auberges des Migrants, and Care4Calais to help the migrants in Calais.
home World Christian coalition opposes U.K. government's proposal for registration and inpection of church youth work

Several Christian charities are opposing plans of the U.K. government to have churches that conduct youth work be registered and inspected before they could be legally allowed to teach Christian values to the young ones. They said that this is "an unjustified restriction of religious liberty."

In a joint statement published on Monday, Christian Concern, CARE, Evangelical Alliance, Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, and The Christian Institute said: "Christians are peace-loving, law-abiding citizens who respect authority and love their neighbours. They are a major source of volunteering, and represent the best of 'British values'. To require such people to submit to registration and inspection to ensure they are not encouraging terrorism is profoundly misconceived."

The plan, announced by the department of education in 2015, says that institutions that provide teaching of more than six hours per week to youth below 19 years old will be required to register. This is part of the government's strategy to counter extremism. However, the coalition said in their statement that regardless of whether it's six hours or higher, "the principle of outlawing 'unregistered churches' from teaching children the gospel is an unacceptable overreach of the state."

In an interview with Christian Today, a CARE spokesman said that the banding together of the groups indicates how worrisome the government's plan is, as well as how determined the Christian community is "to stand up for the freedom to teach the Christian faith to the next generation without unnecessary State interference."

Prime Minister David Cameron, according to The Telegraph in a January report, promised MPs that school inspectors will not be allowed to raid Christian summer camps, meetings of boy scouts and girl scounts, and Sunday schools. The government also said Ofsted inspections of a church would be done only if there is complaint, in order to check if the institution is complying with "British values." However, the group says that in the current climate of religious illiteracy and aggressive secularism, there is a considerable scope for complaints. They also said that Christian schools have already experienced "that inspectors themselves can be ignorant of or hostile to Christian beliefs and practices."

"We do not believe Ofsted should become the state regulator of religion," the statement says.
home World Thousands demand Norway return children to their Christian family

Thousands of people around the world are demanding the Norwegian government to return the children they seized from a Christian couple.

Christian Today reported that thousands of people marched on Saturday to show their disapproval of the way the Norwegian government acted toward the Bodnariu family. In Arizona alone, hundreds of people, including a group who call themselves the "Romanian-Americans for Reunification of Bodnariu Family Coalition" and other civic, religious, and business leaders, came in droves to the Superior Court building in Phoenix. The march was led by Arizona representative Trent Franks, an advocate of child welfare in the congress.

In November last year, the Barnevernet, Norway's child welfare services, took all five of Marius and Ruth Bodnariu's kids. The husband and wife were suspected of child abuse as well as indoctrinating the children of Christianity. Prior to the seizure of the three boys and two girls, one of the daughters reportedly told her school's headteachear that her parents spanked them for discipline. As corporal punishment is illegal in Norway, schools are required to report such incidents to the government. The school principal informed the authorities because she reportedly "had concerns about how the girls were disciplined at home because the parents were 'very Christian'."

According to the Home School Legal Defence Association, a non-profit organization in Canada, the kids were aged between 3 months and 9 years old when they were taken from their parents, with the youngest still being nursed at the time. They were placed in three foster homes about two to four hours from their own home, and it was only recently that the youngest, now 7 months, was returned to his parents.

"There is no doubt in my mind that this action was motivated in large part by the family's religious faith. The Bodnarius are God-fearing, church-going folkabut this is not as common in Norway today," said Houston-based lawyer Peter Costea who visited the family. "Is it child abuse to teach children the Bible? The Norwegian government seems to think that if children believe and act according to their faith taught to them by their parents, then they are too 'rigid' or 'strong-willed.'"

The organization said in their report that more than 50 rallies were organized for the April 16 worldwide event. A petition is also online, with the signatures currently at more than 62,000, well above the target of 50,000 signatures.
Are these the Days of Noah or the Days of Elijah?

"Much of the church has acted, and still acts, as though it has been grafted into a Christmas Tree  flashing its attractive lights and decorations, but unconcerned about its loss of roots and wondering why it is spiritually drying up and dying." Those challenging words came from Chuck Colson, in his book "Roots of our Faith."

Roots are vital to our faith. Roots hold us safe and secure and dig deep into our foundations and protect us from the mudslides of life. They draw sustenance for us. Through their vital action our faith grows.

A few thousand years ago, God spoke to Noah and told him a massive flood was on the way. He told Noah to warn the people and to prepare an ark for their safety and survival. But the warning was ignored. As a result when the flood arrived only Noah and his family were rescued along with an Ark load of animals.

Noah must have felt severely pressured by the disinterest and stubborn ignorance of the people.

Despite the lack of support He put the rejection from the people behind him and chose to trust the Lord.

Jesus whose Hebrew name was Yeshua summed it up. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on account of Me." (Matthew chapter 5, verses 10, 11).

Refugee Flood

In the Middle East today there is a very obvious flood. It has already arrived and hundreds of thousands of Christians are being murdered, abused and painfully treated. This is what observant believers would see as a sign of the times.

Among the flood of refugees spreading throughout Europe and elsewhere, Christians are seeking a safe place. Strong's Concordance says that persecution means 'to pursue, follow after, or press toward.' Vine's Expository Dictionary says it is 'to put to flight or drive away.'

Yeshua specifically indicated that times to come, would be like The Days of Noah! "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew chapter 24, verses 37b to 39.

Noah knew a storm was coming. Amazing to learn, at this point in history there had never been rain. Noah could only imagine what was this thing called rain would be. Nevertheless he was certain he had heard from God, and he went about building the ark despite the negativity and derision he received.

Jesus declared: "For the a coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah." (Matthew chapter 24, verse 37) He may have simply said, "Don't miss the boat!"

We should all be living with a sense of expectancy for His return. We have never experienced such a tumultuous event before but if He said it, we can believe it.

Just like Noah wondering about the rain, when it arrived he understood why the Lord told him to build an ark.

Excuses

This story comes from the Journal of Royal Institute of British Architects It's called:

The Hopeless Story Of Noah

"And the Lord said unto Noah: "Where is the ark which I have commanded thee to build?"

And Noah said unto the Lord: "Verily, I have had three carpenters off ill. The gopher-wood supplier hath let me downyea, even though the gopher wood hath been on order for high upon 12 months. What can I do, O Lord?"

And God said unto Noah: "I want that ark finished even after seven days and seven nights."

And Noah said: "It will be so."

And it was not so. And the Lord said unto Noah: "What seemeth to be the trouble this time?"

And Noah said unto the Lord: "Mine subcontractor hath gone bankrupt. The pitch which Thou commandest me to put on the outside and on the inside of the ark hath not arrived. The plumber hath gone on strike. Shem, my son who helpeth me on the ark side of the business, hath formed a pop group with his brothers Ham and Japheth. Lord, I am undone."

And the Lord grew angry and said: "And what about the animals, the male and the female of every sort that I ordered to come unto thee to keep their seed alive upon the face of the earth?"

And Noah said: "They have been delivered unto the wrong address but should arrive on Friday."

And the Lord said: "How about the unicorns, and the fowls of the air by sevens?"

And Noah wrung his hands and wept, saying: "Lord, unicorns are a discontinued line; thou canst not get them for love nor money. And fowls of the air are sold only in half-dozens, Lord. Lord, Thou knowest how it is."

And the Lord in His wisdom said: "Noah, my son, I knowest. Why else dost thou think I have caused a flood to descend upon the earth?"

Alert

God has spoken. He has warned us, and He tells us to obey His wisdom.Are we living in the Days of Noah or the Days of Elijah?

I have no problem with joy-filled, Spirit inspired praise and worship but if we are the family of God, I believe the Lord requires that we have heartfelt concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Previously I wrote about 'the Saturday people and Sunday people.' In the second part of this series, I will attempt to reveal the evidence has become a present day reality and wise believers will not ignore the signs.

Photo - Ron Ross

Ron Ross is a Middle East consultant for United Christian Broadcasters (Vision FM). Previously he was radio news editor for Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem, Israel. His career started at WINTV (Email: ronandyvonne@mac.com) Ron Ross' previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/ron-ross.html This article is courtesy of Christian Today Australia
Are you building a kingdom of worry rather than the Kingdom of God?

I once heard someone say, 'Worry is like a rocking chairit gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere.'

Worry is a habit I've cultivated and practised throughout my life.

For example, I habitually worry about losing my job. Frequently I worry I don't read the Bible enough. Sometimes I worry that my husband doesn't get enough sleep and occasionally I worry he might realise how crazy I am.

I have become so skilled at worrying that I developed an anxiety disorder and had panic attacks. Ironically, I sometimes worry I haven't fully dealt with the anxiety disorder.

These fears feel very real to me.

A typical 'Christian' solution

In my personal experience the standard 'Christian' response to such mental health challenges is to quote scripture verses, until the person stops talking about the problem.

So, in the past, I had well-meaning people quote 2 Timothy to me: 'God did not give me a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.'

This gave me a new worrywhy didn't hearing this scripture fix my problem?

However, in my own searching, I found scripture that does help my worry. Matthew chapter 6, verse 33 says, 'Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.'

I know that if I quote this to someone it won't solve their problems.

But when I apply this verse to my life I find everything changing. My worries have less hold on my mind and my joy increases.

The Kingdom of God

The 'kingdom of God' can be a mysterious concept. It is interchangeable with the kingdom of heaven in the Bible, so it could be seen as relevant only with regard to eternal life.

But I see God's kingdom as any place where his will is done completely; bad is eliminated and good thrives. Obviously heaven is God's kingdom, but his kingdom can also be present in us and we can express this to the world.

When I seek first the kingdom I am not simply sitting on my well-padded backside, thinking about a vaguely-understood after-death life, I am actually spending time with God endeavouring to understand his will, so I can help, here on earth.

Seeking the kingdom means seeking God's plans and his desires, rather than my own. Strangely, I find that when I seek him and spend time with him, in the quiet times and in my daily life, everything I was worrying about gets taken care of anywaywithout my having to worry about it.

To seek his kingdom means getting his perspective and during time with him my thinking adjusts. I start to see the world differently, and slowly I grow and change.

It happens easily and simply; my worries fade simply as a side-effect from spending time with him. I start to get excited about what he and I can do together and I make plans for the future. My priorities change.

Hebrews chapter 11, verse 6 says, '...God is the rewarder of those who earnestly seek him.'

While this is true, strangely enough, I have found the reward for seeking God is finding him. When I find him everything else gets put into perspective and, for a time at least, my worries fall away.

My response

I've learnt not to give the standard 'Christian' scripture quote as a response to people's worries, fears or struggles. I do, however, make every effort to help them connect with God.

I can't fix their problems; but I know connection with God and in seeking his kingdom helps the problems start to fade.

As I seek to express his will on earth all my earthly needs will be taken care of, so I have nothing to worry about.

Kara Greening trained in biology, works in chemistry and wonders about the physics of the TARDIS in Doctor Who. She is passionate about exploring her faith and being wholehearted in life. She is married to a primary school teacher and they have two cats. Kara Greening's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/kara-greening.html
Church and mosque build 'beautiful relationship' after sharing building

A church and a mosque in America have developed a 'beautiful relationship', after the imam offered local Christians a home while their church waited for a new building.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lansing, in Michigan, was in need of a temporary home after delays in construction to its new building left it without a site to meet.

The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing mosque heard about the situation and offered its building to the church in solidarity, totally free of charge.

"No charge whatsoever," said Rev Kathryn Bert, pastor of the church.

"It's been a lovely story to live. It has been a beautiful relationship."

The church has been meeting in the mosque building on Sundays since April 3.

"It worked out well for us both," Sohail Chaudhry, the imam of the Islamic Society told the Lansing State Journal.

He hoped the collaboration would "provide an example to other faith-based communities around the nation".

In gratitude, the church dedicated its tithe from one Sunday to the mosque, which the mosque plans to donate to Islamic Relief USA, which works to help resettle refugees.

The church plans to move into its new building, an "upcycled school", by May this year.
'Consequences' imposed on US church by Anglican primates have been 'fully implemented' says Archbishop

The Archbishop of Canterbury has stated that the "consequences" imposed on the US Episcopal Church by leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion have been "fully implemented".

Archbishop Welby posted on Facebook in the days after this month's meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Lusaka, Zambia. Two provinces, Uganda and Nigeria, boycotted the meeting because of the attendance of delegates from the Episcopal Church.

However, for constitutional reasons those delegates were legally entitled to attend.

Archbishop Welby said the Primates' Meeting decisions had been "clearly" supported and accepted.

"No member of the Episcopal Church stood for office in the ACC or Standing Committee. The consequences of the Primates meeting have been fully implemented," he wrote.

The Anglican Consultative Council unanimously agreed a resolution backing the Primates' decisions, which were to limit participation of the Episcopal Church for three years in the wake of its decision to endorse gay marriage.

Speaking to ACNS as he prepared to fly out of Lusaka at the end of the meeting, Archbishop Welby welcomed the resolution. "The resolution clearly supports and accepts all the Primates' Meeting conclusions," he said.

In his report to the council last week, the Archbisbop reminded delegates that the Primates' Meeting has no legal authority over provinces.

Over time, he said, developments in the life of the Anglican Communion are accepted or rejected in a way that leads to consensus. "Thus, issues in 1920 around contraception, in Lambeth 1930 and 1948 around divorce were at the time seen as threatening the unity of the communion.

"We have been here before. And they were seen as as much of a serious difficulty as issues of sexuality today. Reception goes both ways. There has been a consensus against lay presidency, despite significant pressure in favour of it in the past, but the reception process ended up informally, relationally, not accepting it."

Outlining the consequences for the Episcopal Church following its decision to change Church law to permit same-sex marriage, he said: "There is a time limited restriction in governance and representative roles; the Primates said that for a three-year period the Episcopal Church should not take part in decisions on matters of doctrine or polity. They can speak but we suggested that they should not vote, nor should they represent the Communion on external bodies such as those dealing with interfaith or ecumenical matters."

The Bishop of Connecticut in the US, Ian Douglas, who had been expected to stand for election for the position of chair of the council, announced last week he would not do so. He said: "While I pray that I can continue to be of service to the Anglican Communion in some new way in the future, I believe that my not pursuing election as chair of the ACC at this time will best facilitate our walking together in unity as the Anglican Communion, and that is my highest priority and my greatest hope and prayer."

The three Episcopal Church delegates in Lusaka also said in a letter to their own church: "Because this ACC meeting was held in the shadow of the January Primates Gathering and Meeting that sought to restrict our participation as members from the Episcopal Church, we want to assure you that we participated fully in this meeting and that we were warmly welcomed and included by other ACC members."
Forced marriage in the UK: Only a fraction of cases lead to conviction

Only a fraction of investigations into forced marriage in the UK result in suspects being charged, according to police figures obtained by the Guardian.

Just five of the 51 cases investigated in West Yorkshire since June 2014 have resulted in a suspect being charged.

A boy as young as eight is among the number of children that judges fear are at risk of forced marriage, the Guardian found.

Many cases are dropped due to victims being too afraid to give evidence.

Of the 51 cases, 35 were dropped due to "evidential difficulties", 16 of which were due to "victim-based" problems.

Britain's most senior Muslim police chief, commander Mak Chishty has spoken out against forced marriage and encouraged members of the Muslim community to "no longer deny" its existence.

"My message to the community and to victims is I recognise it's underreported, I recognise it's going on. I need you  through friends, family, teachers  to come and tell me and my colleagues in policing so we can help," he told the Guardian.

"I also appeal to the wider community to say actually this practice is out of date, it is abuse and it must be stopped. That doesn't mean not practising your religion, this means conforming with human rights."

He reiterated that "it's not about disrespecting any culture", highlighting he is from a Muslim Pakistan background. "This is about a human being, their human values, their human rights and us being able to protect them," he said.

Forced marriage was officially criminalised in June 2014 under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act. It was hoped this would encourage victims to come forward.

There has been one conviction in the West Midlands under the new law.

In that case, a businessman secretly filmed a devout Muslim woman showering and blackmailed her into marriage. He was then sentenced to 16 years for multiple charges, including rape, bigamy, voyeurism and forced marriage.
Louisiana passes 'pastor protection bill' deemed unnecessary by opponents

Louisiana's House of Representatives has passed a 'pastor protection bill' aimed at ensuring ministers and religious organisations are not forced to support same-sex marriages contrary to their beliefs.

The bill is similar to those already in force in Texas and Florida, but does not go as far as controversial legislation in North Carolina and Mississippi, which allow businesses to discriminate on religious grounds. These states have faced a backlash from corporations angered by their policies, while prominent entertainers have refused to perform there. Other states, including Georgia and Indiana, withdrew or amended similar legislation because of the potential economic fallout.

The Lousiana bill has been criticised as an unnecessary piece of grandstanding that panders to conservative pressure groups, as the US constitution and an existing state religious freedom law already protect pastors from being forced to conduct same-sex marriages.

The bill was passed by the Republican house majority. However, the Democrat state governor, John Bel Edwards, has said he will not veto the bill, according to the Times-Picayune.

"I don't see anything in the pastor protection bill that causes me concern, except that it's unnecessary," he said. "I don't believe we have pastors today who are under threat of anything adverse happening to them if they don't officiate a gay wedding."

The bill's sponsor, Rep Mike Johnson, sought to assuage fears expressed by Lousiana's influential tourism and conferences lobby that the state would face a business backlash. After meeting New Orleans tourism officials, he tightened up the definition of the groups that could refuse services to same-sex couples, making it clear that the protections only apply to clergy, churches and certain religious organisations.

Edwards had previously signed an executive order providing employment protections for state employees and employees of state contractors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

It also bars discrimination in services provided by state agencies but recognises an exemption for churches and religious organisations.

"We respect our fellow citizens for their beliefs, but we do not discriminate based on our disagreements," Edwards said in a statement. "While this executive order respects the religious beliefs of our people, it also signals to the rest of the country that discrimination is not a Louisiana value, but rather, that Louisiana is a state that is respectful and inclusive of everyone around us."
MPs to debate whether to declare ISIS crimes genocide

Parliament will today debate whether to label ISIS' atrocities against Christians, Yazidis and other minorities as 'genocide'.

Christian Tory MP Fiona Bruce will bring forward the motion which, if passed, would put significant pressure on the government to change its position. The motion, signed by many MPs from different parties, asks the government to use its position on the UN Security Council to force international action.

Until now the government has refused to declare ISIS' activities a genocide and insisted it is a matter for the international legal system, not governments. However the International Criminal Court (ICC) cannot act without instructions from the UN Security Council, of which the UK is a permanent member.

The campaign to force the government to change its position has lasted many months and includes MPs from all major parties as well as a number of peers in the House of Lords. The debate today in the House of Commons marks a significant moment as it will be the first time MPs have had the opportunity to debate it fully.

A source close to the campaign told Christian Today the motion had enough support from MPs of all parties to pass. Labour's shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn indicated his support and Christian Today understands a number of Conservative MPs plan to rebel against the government's stance.

It is understood the government will not instruct MPs which way to vote but will ask all ministers' aides to abstain. This would make it easier for the government to ignore the debate, a move the source described as "constitutionally dodgy".

The debate comes after the European Parliament voted unanimously to declare genocide and the White House followed soon after.

The term genocide carries significant moral and legal obligations as the UK is a signatory to the "convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide" (CPPCG). As such it is obliged to prevent and punish genocide whenever it is recognised.

Ahead of the debate on Tuesday Bishop Angaelos, the General Bishop of the Coptic Church in the UK, entered the debate and said a recognition of genocide would allow for the "protection of the sanctity and dignity of God-given human life".
MPs unanimously declare ISIS atrocities 'genocide'

The House of Commons has voted unanimously to pass a historic motion labelling ISIS' atrocities against Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities as 'genocide'.

However the government refused to support the motion and instructed all ministers and ministers' aides to abstain from the vote that followed the three-hour debate.

After an emotive debate the remainder of backbench MPs voted unanimously by 278 to 0 in favour of the motion which called on the government to make a referral to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Foreign office minister Tobias Ellwood repeated the government's position which is that genocide is a matter for the international legal system, and not governments.

However the Christian MP Fiona Bruce, who tabled the motion, called this a "circular argument" because the International Criminal Court (ICC) cannot intervene until it is instructed to do so by the UNSC, of which the UK is a permanent member.

In his response to the debate Ellwood said the last time the UNSC referred a case to the ICC it was vetoed by Russia. However Bruce retorted this was in relation to the Assad regime which the Kremlin supports and not ISIS, which has no support on the council.

David Burrowes, Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, also criticised the government's position in the debate. He told Christian Today: "This was an overwhelming vote in favour of the motion. It sends a very clear unanimous voice of the House of Commons that the government needs to take action.

"This issue will not go away. The payroll was ordered to abstain from the vote and no doubt many of them would have supported the motion as well."

On the government's response he added: "Just because there is a prospect of a veto it does not mean you do nothing.

"It is about the principle. Once the threshold of genocide has been reached, as it clearly has, we have an obligation."

Despite calls for a free vote, nearly half of Tory MPs were barred from voting after whips told all MPs on the government payroll to abstain. A source close to the campaign in favour of declaring genocide told Christian Today this was "constitutionally dodgy" as it prevented around 40 per cent of Conservative MPs from voting.

MPs from all major parties spoke in favour of the motion including Labour MP for Ealing North Stephen Pound, who said: "If this is not genocide then what is genocide?"

Labour's faith envoy Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, said it was "difficult to deny" ISIS' atrocities amounted to genocide and Nusrat Ghani, the Tory MP for Wealden, added: "If we don't recognise these acts as genocide we effectively say we are not willing to take all actions necessary to bring them to an end."

After the debate Bruce said it was "right" parliament had passed the motion.

"It is now the Government's responsibility to make a referral to the UN Security Council as soon as possible, and we look forward to the Foreign Office confirming its intention to do this in the very near future," she added.

The vote comes after the European Parliament passed a similar motion unanimously in February and the US secretary of state John Kerry declared ISIS was "genocidal" in March.
Pope brings hope of reconciliation to war-torn Central African Republic

Pope Francis' visit to the Central African Republic inspired reconciliation in the war-torn country, according to the newly elected president.

Pope Francis and President Faustin-Archange Touadera met in the Vatican on Monday.

They focussed on the positive impact of the recent electoral process and the institutional reforms in CAR, which have been supported by inter-religious dialogue, and their mutual hope for a peaceful future for the nation.

The Pope visited the country in November 2015.

"Since the Holy Father's visit, we've felt a wind of change blowing through our country  there's been a total turnaround," the head of the CAR bishop's conference, Archbishop Nzapalainga, told The Tablet.

"He came as a messenger of mercy and urged reconciliation in our communities. This summons to peace and forgiveness was heard by former enemies and combatants and has now become something real, giving the new president a real chance for peace," he added.

The Archbishop said he sees Touadera, who was elected with a 63 per cent majority in February, as bringing great hope to the country.

"I believe the new president will gather our people from east and west, north and south, reconciling them with themselves and others," he told the Catholic News Service.

In March 2013 a rebel movement forced former President Francois Bozize out of office. Violence since the coup has forced one-fifth of the population to flee the country.

Elections to replace the interim President Catherine Samba-Panza were repeatedly delayed due to violence.
Pope Francis asks refugees' forgiveness for West's 'indifference'

Pope Francis has apologised to refugees for the lack of welcome shown them in the societies where they have sought refuge.

The Pope sent a video message to Rome's Astalli Centre, part of the Jesuit Refugee Service founded in 1981, for its 35th anniversary celebrations.

In his message to the refugees, volunteers and employees at the centre, he said that those who had been forced to flee their homes were brothers and sisters with whom we "share bread, homes and life".

"You are witnesses of how our clement and merciful God can transform the evil and injustice you have suffered into a good for all."

Francis said that every refugee "who knocks on our doors bears the face of God, the flesh of Christ. Your experience of pain and of hope reminds us that we are all foreigners and pilgrims on this earth, welcomed by someone with generosity and without reward."

He said: "Too many times you have not been welcomed! Forgive the closure and indifference of our societies that fear the change in lifestyle and mentality that requires your presence. You are treated like a burden, a problem, a cost, but are, instead, a gift."

He urged the Astalli Centre to continue its work with refugees, saying: "Continue walking alongside them in their journey. Accompany them and be guided by them: refugees know the ways that lead to peace, because they know the acrid odour of war."

Francis drew worldwide attention to the plight of refugees who had crossed the Mediterranean on dangerous small boats from Turkey when he visited a camp on the Greek island of Lesbos last Saturday. He brought 12 refugees back to the Vatican with him to be cared for by the Catholic community of Sant'Egidio.

It was a symbolic gesture to indicate Francis' solidarity with those suffering as a result of fleeing war and persecution in countries like Syria, Iraq and Eritrea. "All refugees are children of God," he said on the flight back to Rome, adding that the decision to bring the refugees with him was "an inspiration of the Holy Spirit".
The Servant Queen, the Sovereign Disciple: How the Queen models Christ

It hit me about nine months ago.

The most famous woman in the world, and probably one of the most admired, is an extraordinary example of '6M' Christian discipleship in daily life. And her fruitfulness is multi-dimensional, not only clear in her character, but displayed in a range of ways.

So the Queen does model godly character  love, joy, peace. She is patient and kind to every person she meets  even if they happen to be the 230th person at the end of a long cold day in a factory in a small town in the wilds of Yorkshire.

She makes good work, not only putting in the hours but doing so in a way that she self-consciously models on Jesus and in clear dependence on him. There to serve the interests of her people whether on a state visit to India or in the thoughtful questions she poses to Prime Ministers in their weekly meetings.

She ministers grace and love beyond the call of duty in countless acts of kindness . Visiting sick people on the Windsor estate, choosing the Sunday School prizes at the church on the Sandringham estate, arranging to fly a journalist home on the royal jet so he can get home for the birth of his child.

She seeks to mould a culture of proactive, generous service to others among her staff and more broadly in the nation and the Commonwealth. Celebrating kindness in ordinary daily life even more than she affirms excellence in any field.

She has been a mouthpiece for truth and justice in the creation and nurturing of relationships within the Commonwealth that have brought greater peace, deeper reconciliation and social stability than would otherwise have been the case.

And of course, she has been an overt, clear and winsome messenger of the gospel, pretty much every Christmas since her broadcasts began. Her approach is testimonial, not argumentative, simply expressing what Jesus means to her and what she understands the heart of the Christian gospel to be.

"Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves  from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person  neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are)  but a Saviour, with the power to forgive." (2011)

The reality is that the Queen's faith is personal, not ceremonial. It is central to her life and work, rather than peripheral. Indeed, though we know very little about what the Queen actually thinks about most things  she has chosen to tell us a great deal about what she thinks about Jesus.

And that makes the mainstream media's relative silence on the matter not merely journalistically negligent, but curiously disrespectful. It is as if one were to say to Mother Teresa, "We love your charity work but we're not interested in why you do it or who you do it for."

It is in her Christmas broadcasts that we learn most about Her Majesty's faith. Those broadcasts make it clear that for her, Christ is not just for Christmas but for all of life. So, for example, in 2014 she said:

"For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life."

It's a wonderful summary. He is both an inspiration  showing her the way and empowering her to walk it  and an anchor  offering her a secure haven.

And then in that same speech, she went on to describe him as: "A role-model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing."

Elsewhere she is very clear what aspects of Christ's life particularly inspire her. And the key theme seems to be service.

"This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ." (2011)

Indeed, for the Queen, service is both the keynote of her own life and the attitude she calls her people to. Yes, she often comes back to the Parable of the Good Samaritan but for her loving your neighbour is more than occasional acts of kindness, it is the ready giving of one's very best gifts and talents for the sake of others.

Hearteningly, the Queen is open, if not detailed, about the challenges she has faced. In 1992, towards the end of her Annus Horribilis, she famously expressed thanks for the prayers of others in helping to sustain her. But you can see this vulnerability and humility in many other places. In 2002, she said this:

"I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God."

I imagine this will resonate with most of us.

In recent weeks, lots of people have asked me why the Queen wrote a foreword for our little book about her faith  The Servant Queen and the King she serves. None of us really know, but people who know her better than I think it is for two reasons. Faith is important to her, and the book points  as she does  to the King she serves.

Mark Greene is Executive Director of LICC, and co-author of The Servant Queen and the King she serves, produced by HOPE, Bible Society and LICC. An ideal gift to develop a conversation about faith it is available from www.cpo.org.uk for 1 per copy plus P&P when bought in packs of 10.
Whole Foods to counter-sue Christian pastor over anti-gay cake claim

Whole Foods, the US-based grocery chain, is counter-suing a gay pastor who launched an action against it after he claimed an anti-gay message was iced on a cake he bought.

Jordan Brown, who is gay and the founder of the Church of Open Doors, ordered a cake and asked for the slogan 'Love Wins' to be written on it. However, he claims he noticed on his way home that an employee had added an offensive word to the lettering.

Brown is suing the company for emotional distress and for failing to respond adequately to his complaint.

However, Whole Foods rejected his claim and has now said it will counter-sue. It said in a statement: "After a deeper investigation of Mr Brown's claim, we believe his accusations are fraudulent and we intend to take legal action against both Mr. Brown and his attorney."

The statement included a detailed rebuttal of claims, noting that the barcode label appeared to have been moved from the top to the side of the cake package. Whole Foods also released security footage showing Brown looking closely at the cake at the checkout in Austin, Texas, implicitly questioning his account of noticing the offensive word only at a traffic light on the way home.

It said: "We stand behind our bakery team member, who is part of the LGBTQ community, and we appreciate the team members and shoppers who recognize that this claim is completely false and directly contradicts Whole Foods Market's inclusive culture, which celebrates diversity."
Why would you buy a portrait of someone you didnt know?

Specialist Melissa van Vliet answers this and other key questions about 18th-century portraiture

1

Why did people paint portraits? In the 18th century, Englands upper classes entered a new era of prosperity. No longer the preserve of royalty, commissioned portraits  of oneself or ones ancestors  became a coveted symbol of wealth and status. The portraits took pride of place in the home, or were given to others as gifts. This small portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds, for example, is thought to have been commissioned by Lord Edgecumbe as a gift for his lover. A much larger version was destroyed in the Second World War.

As with the selfie today, portraits were also a chance for more self-conscious sitters to be depicted in the latest fashions. The woman depicted in the portrait attributed to James Wills (below right), wears girandole earrings typical of the period, while, in her portrait by Gainsborough (below left), Lady Anne Furye wears a must-have sack-back gown.

2

Why would I buy a picture of someone I didnt know? Portraits are a slice of history. If you are able to identify the sitter, research or further reading can bring their story to life  its very different, for example, to an image of an isolated landscape. With Sir Joshua Reynolds portrait of Lord Edgecumbe (shown above), a little research offers an insight not only into Edgecumbes relationship with his lover, but the connection between painter and sitter: Reynolds and Edgecumbe were childhood friends, and the sitters father was one of the artists earliest patrons. For some, portraits are simply beautiful decorative pieces  but when you begin to discover the personal stories around the works, they become far more engaging.

3

How can you identify an unknown sitter? If you are unable to identify a portraits subject, the work itself can often provide clues: look for plaques or labels on the reverse, or along the frame, which might give a name or part of a name. Last year, we sold a portrait by George Romney that featured the artists own handwriting on a label attached to the stretcher  the wood behind the canvas. Presumed to be by Romneys hand, the text gave the name of the sitter, and the dates of each sitting.

Documents indicating the works provenance can also reveal the name of the subject, and a preliminary internet search will occasionally bring up the names of the most well-known sitters  although the search may also result in misleading information. One of the most useful resources is the Heinz Archive and Library, attached to Londons National Portrait Gallery, which offers a free enquiry service (in person or by email). It has a vast archive of portraits, and searching a single name can often pull up your portrait, or other images of the same sitter. Comparing facial features can help to confirm the subject's identity.

4

Are some sitters harder to identify than others?

If you have no leads, and the subject doesnt appear in other works, they can be very difficult to identify. The challenge can be even greater with artists such as Peter Lely, who devised compositional types that he would re-use  with similar poses, hairstyles or dresses sometimes appearing across portraits. Thus Mrs Ann Johnson might look very like Miss Ellen Smith, if there is little to differentiate their style, and few other known portraits of either.

5

Does the subjects status add value?

A well-known sitter can certainly add value to the picture, but there are other factors to consider. Its important to ask whether the work is original or a copy, and how many portraits of the sitter there are: William Beecheys portrait of King George III, for example, depicts a very famous sitter, but there are many other famous portraits of King George. Besides the sitters identity, its also important to assess the condition and quality of the painting: a painting of first-class quality in flawless condition is always more sought-after.

6

Does it matter if my portrait is a study? If you can prove a portrait is a study for a much larger work, it can increase its value  whether it is a smaller version of a much larger work, or depicts one person from a much larger composition. Preparatory drawings can also offer a fantastic insight into provenance. In our October sale, we sold an oil painting by John Downman that has a corresponding preparatory drawing in Cambridges Fitzwilliam Museum (below)  confirming beyond doubt the identity of the artist and sitter, and providing more information about the work.






While I was reviewing The Durham House recently, I couldn't help thinking of what Floyd Landry might say about the upscale spot that now occupies his raffish Cajun seafood joint, the eponymous Floyd's.

Floyd is one of the original crew of Louisiana relatives and friends who cemented the Cajun seafood oeuvre as part of Houston's dining landscape back in the 1970s  first at the wildly successful Don's, then at a string of venues including Landry's (eventually bought out in the 1980s by Tilman Fertitta), Willie G's, Magnolia Bar & Grill, Louisiana Seafood, Jimmy G's and Denis Seafood.

Floyd was the antic bad boy of the tribe. He and his partners still own a mini-empire of Floyd's Cajun seafood and steak spots stretching from Webster to points east. His restaurant in a 1909 bungalow at 1200 Durham Drive always seemed as rickety and raffish as the man himself, and I have happy memories of chowing down there on crawfish, fried oysters and the drolly named "Oilfield Trash," a cheerfully reprehensible butter-bomb of blackened crabmeat and shrimp meant to be sopped up with garlic bread. (A more politically correct version still exists on the Floyd's menus as "Floyd's Bar Trash.")

I always loved climbing the narrow wood-slatted gangplank to the front door at Floyd's on Durham, and I'll bet seeing it still in use would make Floyd feel at home. He'd gravitate to the open-air covered porch on the side, I'm betting. And he'd probably goggle at the pale, chic interior remodel of his bait-camp decor and furnishings  particularly the glossy white Tolix-chair knockoffs that look so pretty and are such hell to sit in.

I'm pretty sure he'd raise an eyebrow at the fancy oysters du jour on the halfshell with their fanciful toppings by chef Mike McElroy: thin-sliced pickled strawberries, for instance. At first I thought the big entree prices  many in the mid $30s  might freak him out. But lo, menu prices are rising everywhere, and even the democratic Floyd's mini-chain now lists a couple of big-deal fish entrees priced at $29 and $32.

What I believe Floyd Landry would understand instinctively is Mike McElroy's food. It may be served with crafted cocktails and smartly curated wines, but this is a menu informed by Louisiana backwoods soul refined by McElroy's time in rarefied New Orleans restaurant kitchens, from Herbsaint to Cochon to Commander's Palace. Such dishes as his gripping seafood gumbo and his stewed rabbit sauce piquant on jambalaya rice are a natural progression from the kind of elevated hunt-and-fish-camp cooking he was doing at D&T icehouse a couple years back.

Indeed, I took a Florida country-boy friend to The Durham House recently. He order the rabbit  not because it was trendy, but because he used to shoot, dress, cook and eat rabbits back in the day. He pronounced it "the best rabbit I've ever eaten." I imagine Floyd Landry would eat it up, too.

In my full review on houstonchronicle.com I tell you more about what McElroy is cooking at The Durham House including one dish that's 'game changer' for cauliflower.
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Burger Friday gets a charitable spin this week when chef Ronnie Killen hosts a pop-up on the pavilion of his eponymous barbecue joint.

RELATED: Killen's Barbecue lauded by the Food Network.

From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, April 22, get a taste of the coming Killens Burgers at Killens Barbecue in Pearland. A portion of all sales at both the pop-up and the barbecue spot will go to the American Red Cross to help victims of this weeks tragic floods. Diners also can make a cash donation to the Red Cross.

Personalities from Mix 96.5 also will be on hand and raffling prizes, including a pair of Carrie Underwood concert tickets, to benefit the charity.

Killens Burgers is expected to open in late May.

Killens Barbecue: 3613 E. Broadway, 281-485-2272

Browse slideshow above to see what's for lunch at Killen's Barbecue.
Police are continuing to search for the person who shot a musician Tuesday night at a nightclub near downtown Houston.

The man was shot about 9:30 p.m. outside the Status Lounge, 3708 Dowling. The gunman fled in a tan-colored, four-door sedan.

The shooting victim was taken to the Texas Medical Center with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the shoulder, Houston police said.

Witnesses told police the gunman was the owner of the nightclub. HPD officials identified him only as a 40-50-year-old black man. He weighs 220-250 pounds and is about 5 feet 11 inches.

According to the witnesses, the victim and the assailant got into an argument about how long the band was going to play that night.

HPD officials said the quarrel spilled out into the parking lot. The accused gunman struck the man with a pistol then fired several shots before fleeing.

On Wednesday, police had not confirmed whether the owner of the club was the assailant in the case. If so, he is facing an aggravated assault charge in the case, Houston police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
Residents at an assisted-living facility were evacuated Tuesday night when fire damaged portions of the building in southeast Houston.

The fire broke out about 9 p.m. at the Paul Chase Commons in the 16400 block of Moon Rock Drive, said District Chief Tim Lockwood of the Houston Fire Department.
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The orange and white stripes on Whataburger roofs served as beacons for many across Houston as the restaurant continued to serve food during the city's historic flood this week. Even Monday afternoon, when floodwater in most parts of the city still hadn't receded, the drive-thru at the Whataburger on Westpark was 11 cars deep at one point.

RELATED: Guy who won Whataburger 'for a decade' is making it rain No. 1s in Texas

Wednesday the popular burger chain found a way to help those who are helping the city. Whataburger tweeted Wednesday that they will offer free food Houston's first responders.

"Due to the recent flooding, uniformed first responders are welcome for a free meal at all Houston area locations until midnight, April 23rd," the company wrote.

There are 129 Whataburger locations across the Houston area.

>> Click the gallery above to see some things you didn't know about Whataburger
A 19-year-old woman died Tuesday night in a traffic crash in west Harris County.

The crash occurred about 6:30 p.m. in the 20300 block of Clay Road near Westfield Village Drive, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said a 32-year-old man was driving a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse eastbound on Clay Road when he turned left on a flashing yellow light at Westfield Drive. He collided in the intersection with a Toyota Corolla that was headed westbound on Clay Road and had a green light.

The force of the collision, deputies said, pushed the Mitsubishi into two other vehicles which were stopped for a red light on Westfield Village Drive.

The right front-seat passenger in the Mitsubishi was injured and was flown by Life Flight medical helicopter to Memorial Hermann - The Texas Medical Center, where she died a short time later. Her name has not been released.

The drivers of the Toyota and Mitsubishi were taken to a local hospital. Their conditions were not released but deputies said their injuries were not life-threatening.

Deputies were investigating the crash.
Tech businesses rule Glassdoors list of the highest paying companies in America. But its consulting where the biggest bucks are made.

Silicon Valley companies like Twitter, Facebook and Google all offer six-figure base salaries. But three of the top four highest paying companies in 2015 were consulting groups. The Chicago-based consulting firm A.T. Kearney topped the list  with a median base salary of $143,620 and a median total compensation of $167,534.
Muddy water from rampaging Brays Bayou Monday swamped two southwest Houston synagogues, marking the second time in less than two years that the Jewish temples were flooded.

Damaged in the flooding were United Orthodox Synagogues, 9001 Greenwillow, and Congregation Beth Israel, a Reform congregation at 5600 N. Braeswood.

The flooding occurred just days before the Jewish Passover holiday, which begins Friday.

As much as 2 feet of water filled the lowest portion of the Orthodox temple's sanctuary, said Executive Director Jeff Klein. Other portions of the building, including the library and former Montessori school, also were flooded.

The extent of the damage, however, was less than that experienced during last year's Memorial Day flooding, Klein said, in part because there was less to damage.

After the 2015 flood, Klein said, the synagogue's school was transferred to another temple, books were moved to higher library shelves and the sanctuary's theater-style seating had been replaced with temporary chairs.

As workers Tuesday vacuumed water from the the synagogue's sodden carpets, efforts were underway to assist about 30 congregation families whose Meyerland homes were flooded.

United Orthodox Synagogues' location directly across the street from Brays Bayou on several occasions has made the temple vulnerable to flooding. The most serious inundation occurred during Tropical Storm Allison, when 3 feet of water filled the building. The temple has occupied its site since the 1960s, Klein said.

Because Orthodox Jews may not drive on the Sabbath, many synagogue members live within walking distance of the temple. The same factor makes moving the temple to a more secure site difficult.

Klein said a number of flood abatement strategies have been considered, but have been discarded as ineffective or prohibitively expensive.

Klein said services will be held in the synagogue's undamaged Freedman Hall until repairs can be completed.

United Orthodox has established a fund to build a new, higher temple, he said.

Employees of Congregation Beth Israel reported their temple also was flooded, but details regarding the extent of the damage were not immediately available.
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The Harris County Medical Examiner has released the names of two more people among eight killed in flooding in the Houston area this week.

They are Claudia Melgar, 25, of Houston, and Charles Edward Odum, 56, of Pattison, in Waller County.

Details about the lives and deaths of the victims continued to emerge Wednesday

The cause of death for Odum, a Royal School District teacher with a wife and two children, is listed as drowning.

Odum, a seventh grade social studies teacher at a junior high school, was apparently trying to help his parents evacuate Sunday night when he encountered trouble.

Melgar was seen driving into water at the Galleria-area underpass exit onto South Loop 610 about 6 a.m. Monday. A tow truck driver had blocked the exit ramp and tried to get to Melgar to stop, but she drove her sport utility vehicle around the truck and and into what was estimated to be about 17 feet of water.

Austin County Sheriff's Office confirms that a woman there drowned Monday after driving her vehicle into high water on Plum Creek Road while returning from work. Her name is not yet being released, pending notification of family.

Others who died in Harris County during the flooding include:

*Pedro Rascon Morales, 61. He drowned in the cab of an 18-wheeler trapped in a flooded roadway at 800 North Sam Houston Parkway East.

*Sunita Vikas Malhara,49, drowned in the same vicinity as Melgar in the Galleria area in a sedan that was trapped in high water. Malhara was an electrical engineer. She is described on social media by friends and colleagues as a hardworking team player who played great attention to detail.

*Suresh Kumar Talluri,36, drowned in a sport utility vehicle that went under water in the Galleria area. The Katy man is survived by a wife and two children.

Like the families of some of the others who died in the flooding, Talluri's family has set up a gofundme web site in order to seek financial help.

"Anyone who knew Suresh would vouch for the ball of energy he was," the page states. " He was a dedicated professional, a dutiful son, a devoted father, and a loving husband."

The page notes that his family is enduring tough times.

"While we are all struggling to cope with the loss, it has been the most tenuous for his family," the page states."They are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy that has struck them unbidden."

German Antonio Franco,66, was found in a vehicle near 17400 Imperial Valley, in Spring, and the cause of his death remains undetermined.

Franco was born in Cali, Columbia German and later moved to New York where he started his career in the produce industry at Pathmark and then continued in the industry when he moved to Texas.

Franco's daughter, Annamaria Franco, told ABC 13 her father was a retired HEB produce manager who worked part time as a contract limousine driver. He had three children and four grandchildren.

*Teri White Rodriguez,41, drowned in a vehicle found in a drainage ditch at 1807 Briarcreek. She had gone to check on relatives that night, then headed home to be with her husband.

Rodriguez's relatives also launched a gofundme page to try and raise money.

"Teri Rodriguez was a loving and caring mother of three," notes the page. "She was loved by many and will continue to be loved long after," it continues.

The page notes that she was recently denied life-insurance and the family she left behind has nothing to help with the cost of her funeral.

"Anything at all helps because funeral arrangements are extremely expensive, stressful, and difficult," the page continues. "The entire family will be incredibly grateful and immensely appreciative of any effort to alleviate the painful situation. Please help by donating money to our humble family."

Chronicle reporters Emma Hinchcliffe, Dale Lezon, Ericka Mellon and Mihir Zaveri contributed to this report.

Please check back later for more updates to this developing story.
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First responders and rescue crews continued plucking victims from floodwaters in Harris County's inundated northwest reaches Tuesday, while much of the region saw the water slowly retreat, leaving behind a soggy mess and a long road to recovery.

A day after the nation's fourth-largest city was brought to a virtual standstill, city and county officials were assessing the damage wrought by the heaviest deluge to strike the region since Tropical Storm Allison in 2001.

At least eight people are now thought to have died in the storm, which trundled through in the early-morning hours Monday, dropping nearly 18 inches of rain in some areas and flooding at least 744 homes and 400 apartments, according to county officials.

RELATED: Body found in SUV near Westpark Tollway

More Information How to help Nonprofit organizations looking to assist in the recovery effort should call the city housing department at 832-394-6282. Individuals hoping to join in should affiliate themselves with one of these organizations through www.volunteerhouston.org. Those looking to donate money rather than time to flood victims can do so at www.houstonfloodrecovery.org. See More Collapse

That number, which includes Houston but not smaller cities in the county, is expected to rise.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said city staff would speak with all of the flood victims they could to determine how best to help each family, and local governments deployed inspection teams - 20 from the city and 12 from the county - into the field to survey flood-damaged properties.

High-water rescues continued, however, with the total calls for water rescues topping 1,800 Tuesday since the storm began, 630 of them in the unincorporated part of the county.

Many of the rescues were taking place in the northwest part of the county near Cypress Creek, which was still swollen with floodwaters.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office, the Precinct 4 Constable's Office, and other agencies spent hours plucking residents out of flooded homes and apartment complexes.

At Ravenhurst and Schroeder streets, officials with the sheriff's office and the Cypress Creek Volunteer Fire Department ferried residents from two of the worst-hit apartments, the Chasewood Apartments and the Commons Apartments in the 9700 block of Cypresswood Drive.

SCHOOL SCHEDULES: See what campuses are closed for a third day

All morning, first responders carried residents from the apartments in small launches, then shepherded them into trucks to carry them to a nearby Lowe's where they could link up with family members or officials with the Red Cross.

They had been at it since 10 p.m. Sunday.

"We've been carrying little kids, a pregnant woman, old people in wheelchairs," said one deputy constable. By noon Tuesday, first responders had plucked about 130 people from the apartments.

Measuring the damage

Elsewhere, the waters were receding, allowing officials to take a measure of the damage done.

"If we don't get any more rain, we're in recovery mode and damage assessment," said Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said.

A city report categorized the damage to 36 of the homes and all 400 of the apartments as "major," and estimated that only 30 percent of the affected structures were covered by insurance.

Nearly 350 residents had visited one of the city's six shelters as of midday Tuesday, some of whom had stayed overnight. But the situation was in flux, with some residents switching shelters or returning home in the hopes of retrieving their belongings, while others headed to the homes of family or friends.

Turner said the city was helping displaced residents to return to their homes so they could see the damage and try to salvage what they could

At the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center just northwest of downtown, volunteers were setting up the first of 80 cots for residents expected to spend the night Tuesday, as buses bearing "special" on their destination boards waited in the parking lot to shuttle people to and from their homes.

Jay Jones passed through, carrying his 14-month-old daughter, Destiny. The 30-year-old woke up Monday morning to find an inch of water on the floor of his Greenspoint apartment, ruining his clothes, a laptop and his car parked outside.

PHOTOS: Aerial photos provide a different perspective of flood damage

"It came in the back patio and then the front door," he said. "It messed up the carpet where, like, an old smell was coming out of the carpet. You could smell it, and I didn't want her breathing it."

Out of baby wipes, running low on diapers and milk and finding nearby stores closed, Jones joined other evacuees at Greenspoint Mall, then was bused to a north Houston church that had served as a shelter, then to the Acres Homes center. After Destiny's mother picks her up, Jones said, he hopes to find a place to stay with family or friends.

Red Cross volunteer Jessica Logan, who is coordinating efforts at the Acres Homes center, said the 91 families who had registered Tuesday need everything: bottled water, fresh fruit, canned food, clothes and whatever else people can spare.

As dozens of Houstonians lugged garbage bags full of clothes into the shelter on Tuesday, Turner called on flood victims who are able to do so to begin dragging damaged items out of their homes and to the curb.

Officials have not yet set the schedule on which city trucks will collect storm debris - furniture, rugs, bedding, drywall, carpeting - but Turner said neighborhood waste depositories will be open seven days a week. Harris County officials said Precinct 4 crews and county contractors would begin debris and trash removal only after the water recedes, which might not be for days.

Monday garbage collection was delayed to Tuesday, Tuesday's collections were delayed until Wednesday, and Thursday and Friday schedules are unaffected.

Following an expected federal disaster declaration, Turner said, FEMA will be able to make temporary housing vouchers available for those who cannot afford the deposit and first month's rent on a new unit. Many of the units affected in the Greenspoint area accepted federal housing vouchers.

Severely damaged buildings close to bayous may need to rebuild at a higher elevation to meet modern floodplain rules. The Houston Permitting Center is open to answer home and business owners' questions, and the city also plans to open satellite permitting offices near affected neighborhoods.

Cypress Creek trouble

Flood Control District Meteorologist Jeff Lindner said six waterways were flooded Tuesday, less than half of the 13 at the peak of the flooding Monday. All of those were concentrated in the northwest part of the county. Across the county and the city, 160 subdivisions reported flooding.

The problem spot for continued flooding Tuesday was Cypress Creek, where emergency personnel used Humvees, air boats and high-water vehicles, to reach at least one large apartment complex and several private homes. Senior citizens in wheelchairs were rescued from the Atria Cypresswood Assisted Living Facility.

County officials Tuesday identified five of the eight people who died in the storm.

Among the victims were German Antonio Franco, 66; Pedro Rascon Morales, 61; Sunita Vikas Malhara, 49; and Teri White Rodriguez, 41, according to the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office. Charles Odum, 56, died after his vehicle went underwater in Brookshire late Sunday or early Monday, Waller County Judge Trey Duhon said.

As most Houston waterways drain east into the San Jacinto River, which empties into Galveston Bay, that river continued to rise Tuesday. It is expected to crest on Wednesday and remain in flood stage through Thursday morning, perhaps creating problems for the Highlands and Banana Bend areas. The Trinity River in Liberty County, which has flooded homes in the past, is expected to crest Wednesday night. On the Brazos River, the Fort Bend County city of Simonton on Tuesday issued a voluntary evacuation notice as the river reached an all-time high of 123.4 feet Tuesday afternoon.

WILDLIFE PROBLEM: Unwanted visitors may soon be a big problem after floods

Reservoirs and tributaries in northwest Harris County also continued rising and could remain high for days, the flood control district said.

That will leave Texas 6 through Addicks Reservoir submerged, and Eldridge, Barker-Cypress and Clay roads are expected to go underwater as Addicks fills up. The same was expected for the Westheimer Parkway in the Barker Reservoir. The flood control district expects both reservoirs to reach record heights this week, breaking marks set in March 1992.

Bridge destroyed

Emmett said the county also is starting to get a picture of damage to county infrastructure, including at least one bridge over Cypress Creek that had been completely destroyed.

The Houston area's largest school districts closed for the second straight day on Tuesday, and some in the hard-hit western part of the region planned to remain shut on Wednesday as well, including Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, with 114,000 students, and Katy ISD, with more than 70,000 students.

Waller County's Royal ISD, which enrolls 2,300 students and lost one of its teachers amid the downpour, has canceled classes for the week, as has nearby Sealy ISD.

Reporters Brian Rogers, Cindy George, Ericka Mellon and St. John Barned-Smith contributed to this report.
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said Highway 6  between Clay and Park Row -- might be closed for four to six weeks because of high water that's seeping down from rain soaked north and northwest Harris County.

Emmett said at a press conference Wednesday that roadways around Addicks Reservoir  including Highway 6  and some homes could be affected as streams and waterways continue to dump water into the reservoir. Army Corps of Engineer officials said they were not yet ready to release water from the dam.
Whether you grew up in Houston or just really submerged yourself in everything the city has to offer once you got here, there's a chance you think you know this city inside and out.

Sure, you can give a good recommendation on where to eat in Houston or things to do. But do you really know the city as well as you think you do? For example, do you know what the seven sculptures that line Buffalo Bayou Park represent? Or which beloved Houston restaurant has the Cheeto Burger?
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As flooding receded across Houston, stories surfaced of the people who lost their lives in what city officials have called an 'unprecedented' flood. Seven of the eight people found dead in floodwaters since Monday have been identified.

From a well respected electrical engineer on her way to work, to a popular junior high social studies teacher who died trying to aid his parents, those who lost their lives left family members, friends and even strangers mourning them.

"I do want to send my condolences and on behalf of the city, to the families who did lose loved ones from yesterday," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Tuesday.

SUNITA VIKAS MALHARA

Sunita Vikas Malhara called her husband from the 3600 block of the West Loop South as her vehicle began to flood with water. The 49-year-old electrical engineer was hopeful she might be saved.

"They drove into water and water is everywhere," husband Rajiv Singh told KHOU." And apparently she thought she was being rescued because she saw some lights and maybe they were from a wrecker or something."

Malhara's body was pulled from her vehicle Monday.

SURESH KUMAR TALLURI

The lights from Suresh Kumar Talluri's vehicle may have been the ones Malhara was hoping belonged to a wrecker. The 49-year-old was known for being a "ball of energy." Talluri's body was found in his SUV near the flooded 3600 block of West Loop South on Monday.

Talluri is survived by his wife and two children.

CHARLES ODUM

Charles Odum was known by his seventh-grade social studies students as a dedicated, engaging teacher. The 56-year-old was trying to evacuate his parents Sunday night, Royal ISD officials said. He was found dead in his vehicle in Brookshire late Sunday.

Odum leaves behind a wife and two children.

TERI WHITE RODRIGUEZ

Teri White Rodriguez's family asked her to stay the night after she had come to check on them Monday night. She wanted to be with her husband, so the 41-year-old was on her way home when her vehicle ended up in a drainage ditch near the 1800 block of Briarcreek near Old Ranch Road in north Harris County.

The mother of three was pulled out of her flooded vehicle early Tuesday.

GERMAN ANTONIO FRANCO

German Antonio Franco's daughter, Annamaria Franco, told ABC 13 her father was a retired H-E-B produce manager who worked part time as a contracted limousine driver. He had three children and four grandchildren.

The 66-year-old was found unresponsive Monday morning in his flooded vehicle in the 17400 block of Imperial Valley in Spring.

CLAUDIA MELGAR

Claudia Melgar had texted her mother early Monday morning to say she was on her way home and asked her if she needed anything.

"That was the last we heard from her," Melgar's cousin Linda Rodriguez said Monday.

A toll road worker frantically tried to get to the 25-year-old's SUV after she drove around a barrier and into high water Monday, but he couldn't get to her in time. Her body was discovered Tuesday.

PEDRO RASCON MORALES

Pedro Rascon Morales, 61, was found Monday in the cab of an 18-wheeler in the 800 block of North Sam Houston Parkway East. According to KFOX14, Morales was from El Paso. A call to his family was not immediately returned.

WAITING TO BE NAMED

Austin County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that a woman died there Monday after driving her vehicle into high water while returning from work. Her name has not been released, pending notification of family.
A South Texas man charged with prostitution after police arrested him during a sting operation last week runs a Christian family retreat program, according to a news report.

RELATED: Police: 12 men, 2 women arrested in South Texas prostitution sting

The McAllen Monitor reported that Astolfo Cantu Gracia, a 51-year-old Mercedes man, runs a Christian family retreat program in Weslaco associated with the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville.

Gracia told the Monitor that he hasn't told church officials about the allegations, but called the Class B misdemeanor charge "an injustice against me." He said he plans to fight the charge.

"What (the police) said happened isn't what went on," Gracia told the Monitor. "I wasn't going to be with anybody, but that's the way they saw it."

Dioscese spokesperson Brenda Riojas told the newspaper that the diocese will take disciplinary action against Gracia, who is a volunteer and not a paid employee of the diocese.

RELATED: Police: South Texas woman found boyfriend with another woman, high-speed chase and shooting ensued

The McAllen Police Department announced Monday that officers had arrested two women and a dozen men, including Gracia, during a two-day sting last week.

Brunilda Vallejo, 57, and Michelle Lynn Johnson, 41, were arrested April 13 and charged with prostitution  third or more, a state jail felony, the McAllen Police Department said in a news release.

All 12 men, whose ages range from 21 to 66, were arrested April 14 and charged with Class B misdemeanor prostitution, facing a maximum 180-day jail sentence upon conviction.

RELATED: Police: 3 South Texas volunteer firefighters wanted to fight fire, so they started one

Scroll through the slideshow to see booking photos for all 14 suspects from this sting  and mugshots from past stings in South Texas.

jfechter@mySA.com

Twitter: @JFreports
SPRINGDALE, Arkansas (WLWT-TV) Cody Morris, 18, was arrested Monday for putting soda inside a water cup at a Springdale McDonald's, refusing to return the soda, according to the police report sent to 40/29 News.

The manager told police he tried to stop the suspects from driving away, but he was hit by their car, according to the report.
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A contentious Fox News radio interview made headlines Tuesday when host Sean Hannity lashed out at Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz and declared, "I'm sick of it."

The exchange centered on the delegate selection process, which is being dusted off for this GOP primary after decades of irrelevance. Cruz has dominated where the delegate game is played, and front runner Donald Trump has unleashed a series of tirades recently, calling the process "crooked" and "corrupt," even though the rules have long been in place.

In the Tuesday interview, Hannity pressed Cruz to explain the process, citing concerns from his listeners and viewers.

RELATED: After N.Y. loss, Cruz officially aims at long slog to contested convention

"With all respect, that's not what people are concerned about," said Cruz, making clear his reluctance to validate Trump's complaints by addressing them. "The media loves to obsess about process."

"It's more than a process questions," Hannity said. "It's an integrity of the election question."

"The only people asking this question are the hardcore Donald Trump supporters," Cruz said.

Then Hannity lost it.

"Why do you do this?" he asked. "Every time I have you on the air and I ask a legitimate question you try to throw this in my face. I'm sick of it. I've had you on more than any other candidate on radio and TV, so if I ask you, senator, a legitimate question to explain to the audience why don't you just answer it?"

RELATED: High-stakes delegate game heats up in Texas

Then Cruz was forthcoming with a solid explanation.

The rules of delegate selection have not changed recently  they just haven't been important in past primaries when candidates usually won the nomination long before the party's convention. This year, that likely won't happen, and delegates, not the voters, probably will choose the party nominee. And Trump is floundering badly in the battle for their support.

"All of this noise and complaining and whining has come from the Trump campaign," Cruz told Hannity. "They're screaming on Drudge and it's getting echoed. This notion of voterless elections; it is nonsense."

RELATED: Anticipation heats up for trouble at GOP convention

That was a reference to apparent support for Trump's calls by the iconic conservative news aggregator Drudge Report, which has aggressively promoted articles alleging the primary has been stolen in some states favoring Cruz.

Delegates are elected in a series of party conventions: precinct, county, district and state before going to the national convention. The Cruz campaign has been present at the local functions, helping promote delegates who swear loyalty to Cruz.

That's important, because even delegates mandated by their state primary vote to support Trump would be freed to support the candidate of their choice during successive rounds of convention voting.

"The Donald Trump campaign doesn't know what they're doing, they don't show up," Cruz said.

When the Houston Chronicle tried to track down Trump's delegate operation in Texas, no traces of one emerged.
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AUSTIN -- For the second time in a year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has blocked Texas prison officials from importing a drug intended for executions as a hedge against dwindling supplies that could thwart the use of deadly injections.

Prison officials said Wednesday the latest "tentative" ruling by the FDA to block Texas' importation of sodium thiopental will be appealed with additional filings.

In a letter received Monday, the FDA notified state officials that it will stick with a decision last year that the drug has not been approved for injection into humans and, because of that, its importation by Texas will not be allowed.

The Houston Chronicle reported last October that Texas had appealed the July 2015 seizure of 1,000 vials of the drug destined for the Huntsville prison that houses the state's execution chamber. A shipment to Arizona also was seized.

Jason Clark, spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said the agency is "exploring its options moving forward regarding the lawful importation of drugs used in the lethal injection process."

FDA officials declined comment.

Texas and other states have struggled for years to obtain execution drugs, most of them anesthetics and sedatives, as U.S. manufacturers stopped making them and European suppliers prohibited their export due to opposition to the death penalty.

Facing a shortage of sodium thiopental, Texas in 2011 switched to a new three-drug cocktail for executions and a year later went to a single lethal dose of pentobarbital, a -fast-acting barbiturate, to carry out the death penalty.

Texas has carried out half of the 24 executions in the United States this year and leads the nation with 528 executions since 1982.

As Texas and other states scrambled to find new supplies of their execution drugs, federal courts have ruled imports of thiopental illegal because it is an unapproved drug for importation. In 2011, Kentucky and Tennessee were forced to hand over supplies of the imported drug to the DEA, and the agency later seized Georgia's supply.

As states switched to alternate drugs, supplies of those have become scarce, as well.

Pentobarbital, which Texas, Arizona and other states switched to, is now so scarce that Ohio has put its executions on hold until 2017.

Texas officials said the state currently has enough pentobarbital on hand to carry out the eight executions that are scheduled through Oct. 19.

"TDCJ cannot speculate on the future availability drugs, so we continue to explore all options including the continued use of pentobarbital or alternate drugs to use in the lethal injection process," Clark said. "The current execution protocol calls for the use of pentobarbital and there are no immediate plans to change it."

At the time of the FDA seizure of the drugs at Bush Intercontinental Airport last year, officials with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice insisted they legally had imported the drug with a license they received from the FDA in January 2015. FDA officials said the drug was seized because it was not approved for its intended use.

Sodium thiopental is an older anesthetic generally no longer used in the United States but widely used in developing countries.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Eagle Pass confiscated more than 14 pounds worth of heroin in a weekend drug seizure, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

The incident occurred at 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Eagle Pass International Bridge. Agents inspected a 2002 Dodge Caravan driven by a 47-year-old female resident of Eagle Pass as it was coming back from Mexico. A Mexican citizen also was inside the vehicle, according to the news release.
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.
Express Entry Exclusive: Increasing Number of Candidates Outside Canada Selected for Immigration CIC News Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Over the second half of 2015, 39% of all invited candidates resided outside Canada

Earlier this month, CICNews.com published a series of in-depth articles covering the latest report on the Express Entry selection system for immigration to Canada. Based on all reports provided thus far, we can confirm that the number of candidates in the pool residing outside Canada who received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in the latter half of 2015 increased significantly.

The latest report, which provided data on the first 12 months (23 draws) of Express Entry, was produced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly known as CIC). It followed a similar report that was produced last July. By comparing the two reports, we can arrive at some hard conclusions:

In the first 11 draws from the pool, 85.5% of invited candidates were residents of Canada.

Over the following 12 draws, however, this figure dropped to 61%, meaning that 39% of invited candidates over that period were residing outside Canada.

As more draws occurred, a wider spread of countries of residence for invited candidates became apparent.

According to the year-end report, earlier draws from the pool selected a large number of candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This was because of the high number of foreign workers with Labour Market Impact Assessment-backed job offers who wished to immigrate to Canada permanently. Indeed, the third draw from the pool selected CEC candidates exclusively. This had the effect of inflating the relative number of invited candidates residing inside Canada who were drawn soon after the Express Entry system came into operation.

Not only were an increasing number of international candidates (i.e. not based in Canada) invited to apply as 2015 developed, but the report also states that future invitation rounds from the Express Entry pool will become the main source of applications to meet annual immigration levels targets for certain economic immigration programs under the Express Entry system as the older inventories are reduced. (The older inventories refers to applications submitted before 2015 that remained in processing after Express Entry was launched in January, 2015.)

With these factors in mind, the relative number of invited candidates residing outside Canada may continue to increase through 2016, just as it did as we moved deeper into 2015.

As stated above, the residing-in-Canada figure over the first few months of Express Entry (covering the first 11 draws) was artificially high, as IRCC/CIC selected many foreign workers already in Canada. Once these candidates were drawn, there were fewer Canada-based foreign workers in the pool left to be drawn.

Consequently, the portion of Canada-based candidates dropped into the second half of 2015. This, of course, led to an increase in the number of invited candidates who were residing in different countries around the world. Further, the spread of countries became far more varied. Over the first 11 draws, the top nine countries together made up 94.8% of all invited candidates. Over the following 12 draws, however, this figure dropped to 76.1%.

Comparing the two sets of data reveals that only two countries (Canada and the Philippines) had an absolute decrease in the number of invited candidates as we moved deeper into 2015 (and in the case of the Philippines, the change was marginal). Every other country saw an increase, and the Other portion increased dramatically.

In addition, it should be noted that the overall number of invited candidates increased as time moved on. A total of 12,928 ITAs were issued over the first 11 draws, while the following 12 draws saw 18,135 ITAs issued. Moreover, a further 10,419 ITAs have already been issued so far in 2016.

International candidates and the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The above information is very useful, but begs the question as to how this increase in international candidates (i.e. not residing in Canada) has taken place, and why. Fortunately, the data provided in the report, in addition to things we already knew, allows us to reach some conclusions.

First, it should be noted that a large number of CRS points may be awarded for language ability and level of education. Together, these factors are worth up to 310 points (out of 500 for overall core human capital) for a single applicant, and 320 points for candidates with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner. In contrast, a maximum of only 80 points (out of 500) may be awarded to candidates with Canadian work experience.

In addition, language and education are heavily in play when it comes to skills transferability, with up to 100 more points available in this area. Educated candidates with strong language skills are benefiting under the CRS.

Understanding Core CRS score

Another group of individuals that are benefiting under the Express Entry system are candidates with modest Core CRS scores. Core CRS indicates a candidates score without the additional 600 points for a job offer or a provincial nomination.

The table below shows the distribution of active candidates in the Express Entry pool and invitations issued over the course of 2015, broken down by Core CRS score. The # of Active Candidates column represents a data extract from January 3, 2016.

As depicted above, more candidates with Core CRS scores of less than 450 have been selected than candidates with 450 or more points. For many candidates in the pool, this news may come as something of a revelation, as the 450 threshold (the lowest CRS point requirement of any draw so far) is not as unattainable as it may first seem. Indeed, taking the range of candidates with Core CRS scores of 450 or below, a plurality of invited candidates had Core CRS scores in the 200249 range. In fact, more than six times as many candidates in this range had been invited to apply than were left in the pool when the data extract (or snapshot) was pulled on January 3, 2016.

Provincial Nominee Programs and Job Offers

These candidates are benefiting from the 600 additional CRS points that are available to individuals who obtain either an enhanced provincial nomination certificate or a qualifying job offer.

Over the course of 2015 and into 2016, Canadian provinces engaged more actively with the system and issued an increasing number of enhanced provincial nomination certificates, which consequently led to an increase in PNP invitations. Throughout 2015, a significant number of candidates were issued invitations under the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), while a small, but steady, number of invitations were issued under the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC).

Other proactive candidates around the world have managed to reach out to Canadian employers and promote their skills and experience, ultimately being rewarded with job offers supported by a LMIA.

Of the 31,063 ITAs issued during 2015, a total of 13,214 (42.6%) of them were issued under FSW, 11,228 (36.1%) were issued under CEC, 4,105 (13.2%) were issued under PNP, and 2,516 (8.1%) were issued under FST. The chart below shows the extent to which PNPs became a factor as provinces became more engaged with the system.

Sixty percent of all invited candidates had 600 points or more (i.e. they had either a qualifying job offer or provincial nomination certificate). For more information on draws from the Express Entry pool that have taken place so far, click here.

Canada is looking far and wide around the world

When reading the two major reports that IRCC has provided, the real story is that Express Entry has developed  and continues to develop  into a truly global immigration selection system. With hard data available, we can see that the number of candidates residing around the world who received ITAs in 2015, in both percentage and absolute terms, increased as the year went on. What began as something of an anomaly, with a large number of Canada-based foreign workers being selected around this time last year, has moved on to something far more international in scope, says Attorney David Cohen.

Additionally, the data shows that Express Entry has ultimately selected a large number of candidates who entered the pool with Core CRS scores below 450.

Consequently, there are two major takeaways: the number of candidates outside Canada selected for immigration has been going up, and the spread of Core CRS scores among invited candidates has been very wide. Therefore I would encourage individuals around the world thinking of immigrating to Canada to create an Express Entry profile in short order. Then they can attract the attention of Canadian provinces and employers, while also aiming to increase their Core CRS scores.

Express Entry

Eligible candidates may submit a profile into the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked according to the CRS. The government of Canada selects the top-ranked candidates on a priority basis when it performs one of its frequent draws from the pool.

Candidates who are issued an ITA for permanent residence then have 60 days to submit a complete e-application, from which point the government of Canada aims to process the application within six months. For more information on draws from the Express Entry pool that have taken place so far, click here.

To find out if you are eligible for any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, including the federal economic programs that are processed under Express Entry, please fill out a free online assessment today.





 2016 CICNews All Rights Reserved
As U.S. H-1B Cap is Reached, Skilled Workers Around the World May Look to Canada

As U.S. H-1B Cap is Reached, Skilled Workers Around the World May Look to Canada

As U.S. H-1B Cap is Reached, Skilled Workers Around the World May Look to Canada CIC News Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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Earlier this month, the United States department of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reached the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for the fiscal year. The filing period ended on April 7, 2016.

USCIS will use a computer-generated process, also known as the lottery, to select at random the petitions needed to meet the caps of 65,000 visas for the general category. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U.S. advanced degree exemption. Due to the high number of petitions, USCIS has stated that it is not yet able to announce the date it will conduct the random selection process.

U.S. businesses use the highly popular H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming. Demand for the program typically far outweighs the supply of visas available, and this year is no exception.

Having a back-up plan

Before the lottery is conducted, however, individuals who have made an application for a H1-B visa in the U.S. may explore back-up options, in the event that their H1-B application is not drawn. Foremost among these options is Canada.

Not only do the U.S. and Canada share a continent, but also a business-friendly environment and a culture of openness. Both the U.S. and Canada continue to receive hundreds of thousands of newcomers from around the world on an annual basis, with Canada having a per-capita immigration level far higher than the U.S. In addition, Canada welcomes foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP).

If an individual obtains Canadian permanent resident status, he or she may become eligible for Canadian citizenship after just four years (this is likely be decreased to just three years in the near future). With Canadian citizenship, a persons options for working in the U.S.  through programs such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)  become greater.

To research jobs in Canada, use the Canada Job Search Tool.

H1-B holders are strongly positioned to immigrate to Canada

Canada is actually an attractive second destination for individuals who first work in the U.S. on a H1-B visa before venturing north to Canada in search of further career and lifestyle opportunities, and it is worthwhile for current and prospective H1-B holders to explore their Canadian immigration and work options. Canadian employers have a history of being attracted to job candidates with North American training and work experience, and H1-B holders are generally in a strong position to take advantage of the various immigration and work programs offered by the government of Canada.

Express Entry

H1-B holders are strongly positioned to have a competitive profile and receive an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence through Canadas Express Entry immigration selection system. Contrary to the immigration system in the United States, most of Canadas new permanent residents arrive through economic immigration categories that award points for language ability, high levels of education, and skilled work experience, among other factors. Consequently, H1-B holders, as well as other individuals with work or study experience gained in the United States, are typically awarded a high number of points under the Express Entry system.

One major advantage of this system, relative to economic immigration systems used in other jurisdictions, is that the government of Canada aims to process applications within six months.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Canadas immigration policy is more de-centralized than the programs used by the United States. As such, Canadian provinces and territories (roughly analogous to states in the U.S.) can nominate individuals for permanent residence in Canada based on local labour market needs. Many, though not all, PNP streams place an emphasis on obtaining a job offer from a local employer.

Intra-Company Transfers

As the U.S.s largest trading partner, Canada is home to a variety of subsidiaries, parent companies, branches, and affiliates of companies that also operate in the U.S. These businesses have the option of bringing in foreign workers to Canada as an intra-company transferee. Transferees must have at least one year of full-time work experience with the foreign enterprise and be coming to Canada to perform comparable work for the Canadian affiliate, either in an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge role. These parameters are often beneficial to H1-B holders who wish to work in Canada without changing employer. Coming to Canada as an intra-company transferee can be a route towards permanent immigration to Canada.

To find out if you are eligible for any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out a free online assessment today

Individuals interested in working in Canada temporarily may send an email to wp@canadavisa.com. Please include details of any job offer you may have.

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Peste 300 de liceene s-au inscris in Startup School si sunt gata sa invete bazele antreprenoriatului tehnologic. Vezi cum a fost la evenimentul de lansare a programului national de educatie antreprenoriala
U.S. Senator Al Franken asked federal regulators and Medtronic Inc for detailed information about injuries associated with the companys bone graft Infuse following a newspaper report that Medtronic hid thousands of adverse events linked to the product.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on Sunday that Medtronic studied the outcomes of 3,600 patients who received Infuse between 2002, when the product was approved, and 2006. Doctors reported more than 1,000 adverse events.

But, instead of reporting the events to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, within 30 days of discovering them, as required by law, Medtronic hid them, the Star Tribune said.

Medtronic officials told the Star Tribune that the database of adverse events was misfiled internally and was reported to the FDA after it was rediscovered more than five years later. It said no patients were hurt by the delay.

Medtronics operational headquarters is in Minneapolis.

Franken, a senator from Minnesota, asked Medtronic to clarify what information it gave the FDA and when. He also asked for information about how staff are trained to report adverse events and more details on the nature of the previously unsubmitted data.

Medtronic said in an email it had received Frankens letter and looked forward to discussing the issues with him. It said the newpspapers claims were false.

In an extensive response to the article published by the Star Tribune on Monday, Medtronic said that once it discovered the study in 2013, it concluded that the adverse event data were consistent with those already known across a wide body of literature and clinical study.

Franken asked FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf to provide more detail on the range of injuries captured in the previously unsubmitted adverse event data.

He also asked what proportion of the injuries were related to approved versus unapproved uses of the product. Franken also asked whether the apparently high rate of injury was consistent with other data the agency had on the product before it received the unsubmitted adverse event data.

Your agencys mission is to protect patients, first and foremost, Franken wrote. The article, he wrote, suggests that we need a strong commitment from the FDA, companies, and Congress to revamp medical device surveillance in this country with a focus on improving patient safety.

A spokeswoman for the FDA, Angela Stark, said the agency had received the letter and would respond directly to Franken.

(Reporting by Toni Clarke in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
The Texas teenager who used an affluenza defense in a fatal drunken-driving wreck must serve nearly two years in jail, a judge ordered Wednesday.

Ethan Couch, who turned 19 Monday, was making his first appearance in adult court.

Initially, state District Judge Wayne Salvant said he would not immediately rule on how much longer Couch would spend in Tarrant County jail. But he reconsidered his ruling after hearing an argument from prosecutors that Couch should be sentenced not to a maximum of 120 days in jail, but for 180 days for each of four counts of intoxication manslaughter under a separate part of Texas code.

The terms will be served consecutively. It was not clear if that would include the time Couch has already spent in jail.

A juvenile court judge originally sentenced Couch only to probation, angering the families of his victims and prosecutors who had pushed for detention time.

Further sparking outrage was the contention of a defense psychologist, Dr. Dick Miller, that Couch had been coddled into a dangerous sense of irresponsibility by his wealthy parents. Miller used the term affluenza, which has stuck with the case ever since.

Couch ended up in trouble again last year after a cellphone video showed him at what appeared to be a party with alcohol. Drinking alcohol is a violation of Couchs probation. Shortly after the video surfaced, Couch and his mother, Tonya, fled to Mexico.

The two were apprehended in a Mexican resort city in December and sent back to the United States. Couch has been in custody since.

Couch lost control of his familys pickup truck after he and his friends had played beer pong and drank beer that some of them had stolen from a Wal-Mart. He veered into a crowd of people helping the driver of a disabled vehicle on the side of the road. Authorities later estimated that he was going 70 mph in a 40 mph zone.

The crash fatally injured the stranded motorist, a youth minister who stopped to help her and a mother and daughter who came out of their nearby home.

Couch was found to have had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit for adult drivers.

It was not Couchs first run-in with the law. At 15, Couch was given two citations after a police officer found him behind the wheel of a pickup truck next to a half-naked girl, with an open vodka bottle on the backseat floor.

I spoke with him at some length about the various consequences of his driving and drinking, a police officer wrote in a report, such as effects on (his) drivers license and his path in life, especially DWI and even killing someone in a DWI.

Ethans father, Fred, runs a roofing and construction company and has faced lawsuits over a $100,000 debt and allegations of sexual harassment. Tonya Couch has been charged with hindering the apprehension of a felon for helping Ethan flee to Mexico.

Miller, the psychologist who suggested Couch had affluenza, blamed Couchs parents at his sentencing for having taught him a system thats 180 degrees from rational. If you hurt someone, say youre sorry. In that family, if you hurt someone, send some money.

(Associated Press writers Reese Dunklin and Emily Schmall contributed to this report.)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
COPLEY, Ohio -- A Copley man is accused of molesting an 11-year-old girl who was playing in his neighbor's front yard.

Shamsul Howlander, 30, is charged with gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony. He is being held in the Summit County Jail on $25,000 bond after his initial court appearance on Tuesday.

The 11-year-old girl was with her family Saturday visiting friends on Kirkwall Drive. The girl, along with a 10-year-old girl, were playing a game on the front lawn with their family. Howlander was also playing, according to police reports.

Howlander left, the adults went inside to talk and the two kids kept playing in the front yard, according to police.

Howlander returned three times to talk to the girls. The final time he returned about 5 p.m. and hugged the girl on the front lawn. He also kissed her and groped her, police reports say. He apologized, thanked the girl and walked away, according to court records.

The girl went inside and told her parents what happened, then started crying, police reports say.

The girl told police that she wanted to run when Howlander groped her but got scared and said she felt like she couldn't move, police reports say.

The resident of the home went looking for Howlander. He knocked on his door but a relative said he wasn't at home. The man returned home and called Copley police.

Howlander later that called Copley police after he returned home. He told police through an Indian translator that he hugged the girl and that was it, police reports say.

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Richard Dull, 69, was found dead in his Sheffield Lake apartment Tuesday afternoon after a fire broke out, officials said.

(Chanda Neely, cleveland.com)

SHEFFIELD LAKE, Ohio - The man killed in a Sheffield Lake apartment fire Tuesday afternoon has been identified.

Richard Dull, 69, was found dead sitting in a chair in the living room of his one-bedroom apartment at The Perch on the Lake high-rise on the 5000 block of Lake Road. Dull was unable to walk, Sheffield Lake Fire Chief Tim Card said.

Sheffield Lake fire crews responded to the fire about 3:25 p.m., and it was contained by 3:30 p.m., according to a department press release. Firefighters found Dull during their search of the apartment.

Dull's official cause of death remains under investigation, but it appears he died due to smoke inhalation and severe burns, Lorain County Coroner Dr. Stephen B. Evans said Tuesday night.

The Ohio State Fire Marshal is looking into the cause of the fire, the department said. No firefighters were injured.

Damage to the apartment complex is estimated to be about $25,000, the fire department said in the release.

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Cuyahoga County Housing Recovery

A sign advertises homes for sale in Glenwillow, a suburb in southeast Cuyahoga County.

(Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Home sales bounced back in March, recovering from their February slowdown.

Buckeye State buyers snapped up more than 11,400 new and previously owned properties last month. Those transactions made for the state's busiest March since 2006, the Ohio Association of Realtors said Wednesday.

The statewide pace of sales rose by 4.4 percent from February to March and was 5.7 percent higher than a year before, based on numbers that were adjusted to account for seasonal patterns. Sales typically shoot up in the spring and dwindle during the winter.

The Ohio figures mirrored sunny statistics released Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors, which highlighted large jumps in the Midwest and Northeast. Across the country, the pace of existing-home sales climbed by 5.1 percent in March, when compared with a relatively sluggish February.

"The choppiness in sales activity so far this year is directly related to the unevenness in the rate of new listings coming onto the market to replace what is, for the most part, being sold rather quickly," Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the national Realtors, said in a written statement. "Additionally, a segment of would-be buyers at the upper end of the market appear to have been spooked by January's stock-market correction."

Nationwide sales of previously owned homes were up 1.5 percent from March 2015.

A separate report on U.S. sales of new homes will be released Monday.

"Existing-home sales have been very volatile lately and have failed to string together more than a couple months in a row of increases before stumbling again," Svenja Gudell, chief economist for real estate data company Zillow, said in an emailed statement. "We'll need to see a few more months like this before fully declaring a breakthrough ... and shaking the two-steps-forward, one-step-back routine the market has been stuck in for a while."

Prices continue to climb across much of the country, posing affordability challenges for buyers whose income isn't growing at a comparable clip.

In Ohio, the average sale price for a new or previously owned home was $153,607 in March, up 4.4 percent from a year before.

The national Realtors report median - or middle - sale prices instead of averages. The nationwide median price for an existing home was $222,700 last month, up 5.7 percent from March 2015.
Q: Costco is changing the credit card it accepts from American Express to Visa by Citi in the next couple of months. I most likely will not use the Costco American Express card any more, because I always used it for my Costco purchases. I have a MasterCard already and with the new Visa, I feel is enough for me. I no longer need the America Express card. My concern is, if I cancel or don't use the American Express card, how will it effect my credit rating?

My credit score is always in the 800's and I would not want to lose my excellent rating.



K.S., Strongsville



A: First, it's not yet clear who will receive new Costco Visa accounts and who won't.

In some cases, your AmEx account will be transferred automatically to the new Visa account. In other cases it won't. And if Visa, AmEx and Costco want to transfer your account to a new Visa card, maybe you think you don't want it because you already have a Visa that you'll be able to use at Costco.



The bigger question here: You should almost never keep a credit card that you absolutely don't want and won't use. It's silly to pay an annual fee or have an account that you need to waste your time babysitting, in order to guard against fraud.



There are a few cases when you should keep a credit card, at least temporarily, such as if:

You have anything less than a B-plus credit rating (roughly a 690 on the traditional FICO scale).

You are planning to buy a home or refinance your mortgage in the next year.

You plan to put in any other kind of credit application in the next month, such as for an auto loan or student loan.

You have only two or three credit cards and you are carrying sizable balances on your other cards relative to their limits. Remember, even if you pay off your balance every month, the balance on your statement counts as a balance.



On this last point, if you had two $5,000 credit cards and had $2,000 balances on each, that would mean you're using 40 percent of your available credit. That's not so good. Not horrible, but not good.



But if you had three cards with $5,000 credit lines (meaning $15,000 in available credit) and a total of $4,000 in balances, that would mean you were using about 27 percent of your available credit. That's much closer to the goal you should have (which is about 25 percent). This shows why you may want to avoid closing that third account.

Have a question or comment?

Murray is The Plain Dealer's personal-finance writer. Because of the volume of requests, she cannot help everyone who contacts her.

To reach Murray: moneymatters@plaind.com



Previous columns online: cleveland.com/moneymatters



On Facebook: MurrayMoneyMatters

On Twitter: @teresamurray

If your American Express card is not automatically transferred to the new Visa account and you chose not to use the AmEx card, it would not hurt you. It would actually help you. If you wanted to keep the account open, you should make sure to use it every four to six months to keep it active and make sure it doesn't get closed against your wishes.



Remember that closing a credit card account never improves your score. Ever. It may cost you a few points, dropping your credit score from, say, 820 to 810. No big deal. If your score is that high, the 10-point difference is just for ego. But if your score went from 660 to 645, that could be significant.



For those unaware, Costco last year announced it's stopping its relationship with American Express and will no longer accept AmEx cards. Starting June 20, Costco will only accept Visa credit cards, Visa and MasterCard debit cards, as well as cash, checks EBT and Costco cash cards. You don't need to do anything to apply for the new Costco Visa card.



Your question about what to do may be a moot point. American Express or Citibank may make the decision for you. AmEx says that, for some, your account won't be transferred to Citibank Visa and your card will be replaced with a different, non-Costco branded credit card from American Express. You may or may not want this AmEx card.

Even if your AmEx account is transferred to Citibank Visa, you may already have a Visa. You may or may not want another one.
Fire truck.jpg

One woman died early Saturday in a heavy house fire on Noble Road in Cleveland Heights.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Investigators are still searching for the cause of an early Saturday fire that killed a Cleveland Heights woman.

Patricia Gooch, 51, died in the blaze that broke out about 3:45 a.m. Saturday on the 2300 block of Noble Road.

The Ohio State Fire Marshal is assisting in the investigation.

The first and second floors of the house were engulfed by flames when fire crews arrived, according to the Cleveland Heights fire department.

Three adults managed to escape before crews arrived. One of those adults jumped from an upper floor and was taken to University Hospitals for treatment. Her current condition is not known.

Crews were told that Gooch was still inside the home. Firefighters tried to enter the house to rescue her, but the heavy fire and heat made it difficult for them to enter, the fire department said.

Firefighters battled the fire from the outside to get it under control before anyone could get inside the house, according to the release. Firefighters found Gooch's body on the second floor.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office will determine her official cause of death.

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AKRON, Ohio -- A former East Cleveland police detective was sentenced Tuesday to nearly six years in federal prison for his role in a scheme to rip off suspected drug dealers and steal money by filing fake search warrants.

Antonio Malone, 34, apologized to U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi for his role in the scheme, which included filing false statements in front of judges and then entering homes and taking thousands of dollars. He said he took full responsibility for his actions.

Lioi, in a strongly-worded statement, made it clear that she felt that the 71-month prison stint she gave Malone was an appropriate sentence. The sentence was at the higher end of a plea agreement Malone entered into with federal prosecutors in November.

"You used your authority and the badge and the trust we put into law enforcement officers to violate your victims' rights," Lioi said. She added that Malone was "operating as if we live in a police state," though she said it was worse in some ways because he used the money for his own gain.

The judge also ordered Malone to pay $23,333.33 in restitution to the FBI and the victims of the case.

Malone was charged in October, along with two other members of the East Cleveland street-crimes unit, for a series of raids and thefts between 2012-14. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights and Hobbs act conspiracy.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ed Feran on Tuesday said that Malone was an integral part of the scheme.

Feran said that Malone stole money outright on one occasion. In that instance, Malone stopped Mark Makupson, now in federal prison for drug trafficking, and agreed to not arrest him. Malone then arranged to tow Makupson's car, but had the drug dealer retrieve all but $3,000 that he had in his glove compartment.

"You wonder why the citizens of the United States are screaming in the streets about police misconduct," Feran said, adding that Malone engaged in the "prostituting of the Fourth Amendment" right against unlawful searches and seizures.

Michael Shaughnessy, Malone's attorney, said that Malone was serving the community every other day he was not committing these crimes.

Malone is the last of the three defendants sentenced in this case. Torris Moore, the supervisor of the street crimes unit, received a nine-year prison sentence earlier this month. Detective Eric Jones was sentenced last week to nearly four years in prison.

Malone was scheduled to be sentenced the same day as Jones, but it was postponed after Lioi was informed that Malone was wanted on a warrant in a theft case out of Maricopa County, Arizona. He has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since then and appeared shackled and in an orange prison jumpsuit at Tuesday's sentencing.

His family, including a twin brother who is also a police officer, watched from the viewing gallery.

The officers' actions caused judges in Cuyahoga County to vacate the drug convictions of three men. One defendant, Kenneth Blackshaw was in the midst of a five-year prison sentence when he was released in February.

"These three officers are a disgrace to the badge they wore and the community they swore to protect," Acting U.S. Attorney Carole Rendon said in a news release.

Updated with background and quotes from Tuesday's sentencing.

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Ohio lawmakers consider bill to ease access to prescription drugs

An Ohio legislative committee on Wednesday will take up legislation that would restrict insurers' use of step therapy, a process in which they force patients to try cheaper alternative drugs before granting coverage to medications recommended by doctors.

(Comstock Images)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cheryl Volk thought she had finally found a cure for the scaly blotches of red skin that had plagued her since adolescence.

Volk, 54, said the blotches began to disappear soon after her doctor prescribed Otezla, a drug used to treat psoriasis. Last summer, she was able to wear shorts in public for the first time in 37 years.

Then her insurer, Anthem Insurance Cos., got involved, requiring her to try an alternative called Enbrel.

Within days, Volk said, the blotches came back.

"My heart sank," said Volk, an intensive care nurse from Columbia Station. "I knew it was going to come back, and my doctor knew it, too."

Volk, who is still fighting to get coverage for Otezla, is scheduled to tell her story today to a state legislative committee that is weighing a bill that would prevent insurers from repeatedly delaying patients' access to medications prescribed by their doctors. The legislation would place limits on a practice known as step therapy, in which insurers require patients to try cheaper alternatives before granting coverage for recommended drugs.

Insurers have voiced opposition to the bill, arguing it would unnecessarily interfere in their relationships with customers. In Volk's case, the appeal process through Anthem did not reach its conclusion because she switched jobs -- and insurance -- before the company responded.

An Anthem spokeswoman said its coverage decisions are not simply based on its bottom line.

"The Anthem pharmacy review process makes benefit decisions using evidence-based research," said spokeswoman Deborah Wiethop. "Step therapy promotes the use of clinically effective medications that are safe and cost-effective for the member."

The bill under consideration in Columbus would bar insurers from putting patients through step therapy more than once, and it would require insurers to establish -- and publicly disclose -- a medically supported protocol for invoking that process.

Insurers and pharmacy benefit managers argue step therapy is necessary to help curb costs, ensure patient safety, and hold down insurance prices. And in many cases, they say, switching patients to alternatives or generic forms of medication does not compromise the effectiveness of care.

But the practice is coming under increasing scrutiny nationwide. So far, at least six states -- including Connecticut, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and Washington -- have passed laws requiring greater transparency from companies that employ step therapy. Ohio is among about a dozen others currently considering legislation.

Today's hearing before the Ohio Senate's Medicaid Committee will focus on testimony from Volk and other proponents of the legislation. Opponents will get a chance to weigh in at a later date.

Miranda Motter, chief executive of the Ohio Association of Health Plans (OHAP) said that her organization, which represents the interests of insurers, is opposed to Ohio's bill. She argued restrictions on step therapy would interfere with companies' efforts to find evidence-based medical solutions and hold down costs.

"OAHP is concerned that restrictions on step therapy increase health care costs for consumers and small business," Motter said. "Pharmaceutical advances have brought about life-saving medications that have revolutionized the treatment for certain diseases. However, the ever increasing cost of prescription drugs is putting significant pressure the health care system."

The bill to limit step therapy is co-sponsored by Senators Charleta Tavares, a Democrat from Columbus, an Peggy Lehner, a Republican from Kettering. Lehner said the bill is driven by a desire to ensure that decisions about prescription drugs are made by patients' doctors, not companies with a profit motive.

"Lots of doctors and organizations like American Cancer Society are frustrated that so many medical decisions are being made by insurance companies, with the bottom line being the driving factor," Lehner said. "It's keeping patients from having the best treatment they need as soon as possible."

The restrictions, she added, are not just being imposed on people with non-life-threatening illnesses. They are affecting people with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, cancer, and many other grave medical conditions.

"This is particularly problematic when you're dealing with mental health medications," Lehner said. "Lots of those drugs take three or four weeks to kick in. If you have to go through two or three different drugs, you could be talking months of delays before getting the drug the doctor felt was going to work best for you."

In Volk's case, the price Anthem paid for Enbrel versus Otezla is unclear, since those prices are subject to private negotiations between Anthem and the drug manufacturers. Anthem's spokeswoman said the company does not disclose pricing information.

Volk said the decision to deny the medication her doctor prescribed delayed her care by several months. She noted that Enbrel also causes suppression of a patient's immune system, which was particularly problematic at her job in an intensive care unit. "What angers me the most is that they know it has that effect, and they still pursue their agenda," Volk said of Anthem. "It's amazing to me."

Anthem did not respond directly to Volk's allegations. But Wiethop, the company's spokeswoman said, "Doctors can confirm with Anthem that a member does not react well to a certain drug as step therapy recognizes not every medication works for every member. Members also always have the opportunity to appeal drug decisions."

When Enbrel didn't work, Volk said, her doctor wrote a letter to Anthem to appeal the decision. But before she could complete the process, Volk switched to a different employer and ended up with a new insurance company.

Since then, Volk said she has worked with her doctor to get samples of the Otezla, and she is hoping to get longer-term coverage through her new insurer, Apex Health Solutions.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A small group of protesters held a provocative banner outside Sherwin-Williams' annual shareholders meeting Wednesday, part of an ongoing effort to pressure the paint company over use of lead in its products.

The group was led by San Francisco-based based Occupational Knowledge (OK) International, which aims to reduce workers' exposure to industrial pollutants in the developing world, and local non-profit Environmental Health Watch. Protesters said the paint company is poisoning children outside the United States by its continued use of lead in its industrial products and failure to adequately police licensees that make its residential paint in other countries.

The heavy metal, banned from use in residential paint in the United States in 1978 because it causes irreparable harm to the developing brains of children and can lead to learning disabilities, behavior problems, and lifelong health issues, is still used in industrial paints for durability and performance.

"We know that these paints, whether they say they're industrial or residential, they end up in homes all around the world," said David Jacobs, director of the World Health Organization's collaborating center for healthy housing in the United States. "The research is pretty overwhelming,"

Jacobs and Perry Gottesfeld, head of OK International, each bought a single share of Sherwin-Williams stock in order to attend Wednesday's meeting and question the company on the issue. Gottesfeld, who has decades of experience in lead abatement, and Jacobs, who served as director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 1995 to 2004, have testified as expert witnesses in lead paint litigation.

Jacobs said he asked when Sherwin-Williams would comply with the United Nations and World Health Organization initiative to ban the production of new lead paint, an effort the company has said it supports.

In response, Sherwin-Williams told The Plain Dealer that the protesters are deliberately misleading the public with their arguments.

In an emailed statement, the company said it does not produce lead-based residential paint for sale anywhere. That's technically true.

Sherwin-Williams stopped producing lead-based residential paint for sale in the United States in 1937, and the company doesn't now add lead to residential paint to sell abroad.

It does, however, allow 16 licensees in other countries to sell Sherwin-Williams brands of residential paint, including Dutch Boy. And these companies are in charge of picking who supplies them with ingredients for that paint.

Last year, researchers from the University of Cincinnati and IPEN, an international non-governmental organization network, found lead at 360 times the acceptable limits in the Dutch Boy residential paint produced and sold by one of those licensees, Lebanon-based ChemiPaint.

Sherwin-Williams said it subsequently tested that paint and found that five of nine samples were above acceptable limits for lead content. The company traced the lead to a pigment from a Chinese supplier that ChemiPaint had used in the Dutch Boy paint, despite an "ironclad agreement" the licensees sign saying they'll manufacture paint without adding lead.

The licensee has since agreed to no longer use this supplier, and Sherwin-Williams has tested the paint again and found it to contain no lead, or lead at acceptable levels, according to the company.

Sherwin-Williams said it tests these paints for safety and compliance "at least annually" but did not provide an exact schedule for the testing, and would not provide results for any of the other paints produced by its licensees.

The licensees are located in a number of countries, including Haiti, Thailand, Indonesia, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala, and Peru, among others.

Relying on these companies and their governments to do the right thing isn't enough, the protesters argue.

"We've dealt with families for over 35 years trying to prevent this issue," said Kim Foreman, executive director of Environmental Health Watch. "There's only so much we can do if they're going to continue to poison children globally."

Industrial versus residential

Sherwin-Williams, like many other paint companies, manufactures industrial paints that contain lead. The company says these make up a tiny portion of their overall sales, though; only 468 of their 147,000 paint formulas contain lead above the acceptable limits, and all are for industrial or automotive use.

The company, and others, also argue that this type of paint is not readily available to the public because it's expensive and is usually only distributed to specialized customers.

Protesters said it's foolish to think that paint companies have complete control over these hazardous products once they've let go of them. And studies have turned up some of this industrial paint in hardware stores in countries outside the United States, without hazard labels.

Peggy Kacerek, 77, of Bedford, joined the small group outside the shareholder's meeting because she said she's worried about exposure to lead both locally and internationally.

"They can't control where these products end up," she said. "I'm concerned that they're trying to brush it off."

Robert Wells, Sherwin-Williams' senior vice president of public relations, said that the company supports the World Health Organization's Lead Paint Alliance, which "recognizes the need for using hazardous chemicals in some industrial applications."

"The World Health Organization believes that's not where our focus should be, in trying to eliminate lead in paint," he said. "Taking lead out of industrial paints, while it may be the focus of OK International, it's not the focus of anyone else involved in protecting children from paint-based lead hazards."

Since 2010, 120 countries have signed on to the World Health Organization's alliance, whose stated goal is to phase out all lead in paint and to educate paint companies about suitable alternatives.

"I think they're basically stonewalling, saying they're not going to change, despite their record earnings and profits," Jacobs said. "There's no financial reason for them to use lead in paint, and we know that there are substitutes readily available.

"We're not going away and we intend to continue this battle, not just with Sherwin-Williams but with other paint companies that continue to persist in producing a known hazard to our children."
CINCINNATI, Ohio - A man who caused a 2015 seven-car pile-up on Interstate 71 in Cincinnati, and then ran naked down the highway, has pleaded guilty.

Tracy Martin, 45, was originally indicted on charges of five counts of aggravated vehicular assault; five counts of vehicular assault; one count of resisting arrest and one count of OVI in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, records show.

Martin pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of aggravated vehicular assault and two counts of vehicular assault, WKRC reports. He will be sentenced in May.

A state highway patrolman saw Martin speeding on Interstate 71 southbound on Aug. 5, 2015 before he sideswiped and rear-ended several cars, according to WKRC. Five people were injured in the multi-car accident.

Martin crashed his truck and ran off naked, WKRC reports. When he was arrested, Martin had illegal drugs in his system, and an officer was forced to use a stun gun to subdue him.

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Columbus police arrested a man Tuesday afternoon that is accused of killing his homeless girlfriend.

(File photo)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus police arrested a man Tuesday afternoon after a woman was found dead at a Downtown homeless camp.

Police were called to the camp, which sits across from the railroad tracks from the Mound Street dead end, about 8 a.m., Columbus police homicide Sgt. David Sicilian told the Columbus Dispatch.

Other homeless individuals at the camp quickly told police what happened; identified a male suspect and told officers where he could be found, the Dispatch reports.

"We quickly determined it was a homicide investigation," Sicilian said.

The man was arrested just before 12 p.m., according to the Dispatch.

Witnesses told police that the man accused in the woman's death was her boyfriend, the Dispatch reports. He lived with her at the camp.

Neither the deceased woman nor the male suspect's identities have been released by police. The woman's cause of death has also not been released, according to the Dispatch.

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Parents of elementary students in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, are upset after several children ages 6 to 10 were arrested and handcuffed at school.

(cleveland.com file photo)

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee -- State legislators are calling for an investigation and the city's police chief is promising a review after officers arrested 10 children, some as young as 6-years-old, at an elementary school and led them away in handcuffs.

The arrests occurred last Friday at Hobgood Elementary School in Murfreesboro, tennessean.com reports. The students, who are ages 6 to 10, were accused of not stopping a fight that occurred several days earlier off of school property.

The website says police have not said what law the children violated, but parents said the kids were charged with "criminal responsibility for conduct of another."

The arrests have led to outrage and sharp criticism of the police department from the city's residents. The department plans to complete a review of the arrest within 15 days, tennessean.com reports.

"The department is committed to assuring that its officers consistently use good judgment and act in accordance with policy," Police Chief Karl Durr said in a news release, dnj.com reports. "If we need to make changes or address issues internally, we will identify any issue and act accordingly."

WKRN.com reports that two state legislators are asking for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the arrests.

"We cannot begin to imagine the fear and confusion experienced by these young children," said State Rep. John Ray Clemmons, a Democrat. "This experience will undoubtedly remain with them as they mature into adulthood and negatively mold their views of law-enforcement officials."

Added said Democratic State Rep. Mike Stewart, "There is no explanation for such inexcusable conduct perpetrated against young children who were peacefully attending elementary school when accosted, handcuffed and jailed."

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North Royalton Council 2.JPG

North Royalton City Council approved a storm-water-management agreement with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District earlier tonight.

(Bob Sandrick, special to cleveland.com)

NORTH ROYALTON, Ohio - Earlier tonight, City Council approved an agreement that will expand the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District into all of North Royalton, but only when it comes to storm-water management.

Under the agreement, thousands of North Royalton residents and businesses will, for the first time, receive bills from the sewer district. The money will go toward the district's regional storm-water management program.

Mayor Robert Stefanik said NEORSD will collect an estimated $1.2 million a year from North Royalton property owners. The district will return 25 percent of that amount, or $300,000 annually, to North Royalton for storm-water improvements here in town.

For years, only the northeast corner of North Royalton -known as NEORSD District C - was part of the sewer district. District C property owners pay sewer bills to NEORSD. The city's own Wastewater Department serves the other 80 percent of town.

Now, all North Royalton property owners will pay storm-water fees to NEORSD, adding about 8,000 parcels to the sewer district. Nothing will change regarding sanitary service.

Tonight's council vote was 6-1. The lone dissenter was Steve Muller, who objected that NEORSD will be able to spend up to 75 percent of storm-water fees collected from North Royalton property owners on projects outside the city.

However, Councilman Dan Kasaris said if council rejected the agreement with NEORSD, the city and its residents would receive nothing, and would still have flooding problems.

"The mayor and Law Director (Tom Kelly) have brought us the best possible deal they could," Kasaris said.

Kelly said that years ago, when NEORSD first proposed its regional storm-water improvement plan, the district wanted to return only 5 percent to 7 percent of fees to the communities for local projects. He said North Royalton, after initially opposing NEORD's regional plan, negotiated the amount up to 25 percent.

At a council Finance Committee earlier Tuesday evening, Kelly said if council voted down the NEORSD agreement, residents in District C would still pay the storm water fee. Residents in the remainder of town would also pay the fee, under a 1996 ordinance.

That ordinance requires all North Royalton property owners to share sewer charges equally, regardless of whether they receive service from NEORSD or the city. So, for example, if the city charges a higher sanitary fee than NEORSD charges in District C, property owners in District C would pay more, and the rest of town would pay less, until the bills in both parts of town are equal.

The problem with rejecting the NEORSD agreement is that, due to the 1996 "equalization ordinance," total sanitary-storm charges would rise in District C, so the bills would also have to rise in the same proportion in the other 80 percent of North Royalton - even though property owners in the larger portion of town would benefit from no storm water improvement projects, Kelly said.

Kasaris asked what would happen if council rescinded the equalization ordinance.

"That would create a certain level of chaos that would be hard for the Law Department to wrestle with," Kelly said.

Kelly said District C property owners would probably sue the city, and since an appeals court years ago upheld the North Royalton's equalization ordinance, the city would probably lose that lawsuit.

Under the agreement, in exchange for storm-water fees, NEORSD will address flooding throughout North Royalton, especially in southern parts of town, which contain about 20 miles of waterways.

North Royalton property owners will probably start receiving storm-water bills in July. The residential rates are $3.09 a month for properties with less than 2,000 square feet of impervious surfaces, which including roofs and driveways; $5.15 for those with 2,000 square feet-4000 square feet; and $9.27 for properties with more than 4,000 square feet.

For nonresidential properties, the rate is $5.15 for each 3,000 square feet of impervious surfaces.
ERIE, Pennsylvania -- The man accused of abducting a woman from Oakwood Village is facing charges in connection with a violent home invasion in Erie, Pennsylvania that led to his arrest.

Kyle Johnson is being held on $500,000 bond in connection with a Tuesday attack, according to officials at the Erie County Courthouse.

Detectives said that Johnson abducted Brandi Shakir the previous day from her mother's house in Oakwood Village. Johnson then drove to Erie, where police said he broke into a Crescent Drive house and attacked the residents with a crowbar and a box cutter, according to the Erie Times-News.

Neighbors interrupted the break-in. One shot Johnson twice in the leg and abdomen, Oakwood Village police said Tuesday.

Johnson, Shakir, and the two residents were all taken to hospitals to be treated. The attack injured a man and left his wife in critical condition, the Erie Times-News said.

Johnson, 25, is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering, terroristic threats, simple assault and possessing instruments of crime, court officials said.

Shakir, 23, is in stable condition at a hospital in Erie, Oakwood Village Police Chief Mark Garratt said Wednesday.

Shakir's family is relieved she is safe, her father Wali Shakir said Tuesday in a phone conversation.

"We're all very relieved," Wali Shakir said. "We thank God she's OK."

Johnson will face prosecution in Pennsylvania before officials consider extradition to Ohio, Garratt said.

Oakwood Village detectives interviewed Johnson Tuesday and Shakir Wednesday, Garratt said. Detectives believe Johnson kidnapped her because he was distraught over their break-up, he said.

Officers learned Shakir was missing after a fire broke out at her mother's house on Lynbrook Drive. She was not found in the house.

Johnson was seen driving out of Oakwood Village at 10:35 a.m. Monday in a black 1999 Acura.

Officers in Richmond Heights obtained a warrant for Johnson's arrest after he severely injured Shakir earlier this month, Oakwood Village police said.

A Richmond Heights officer found Shakir shouting for help April 12 in a parking lot on Whiteway Drive, according to a police report. She had injuries on her face after Johnson attacked her, she told police. Johnson managed to escape before police arrived.

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Medical marijuana

The Ohio State Medical Association opposes legalizing medical marijuana but supports a few parts of the medical marijuana bill moving through the Ohio House.

(Brennan Linsley, Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio's largest physicians' organization doesn't think the Buckeye State should legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes but is not completely opposed to the bill rolled out last week in the Ohio House.

Like its national counterpart, the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, says marijuana should have to go through the Food and Drug Administration approval process, just like other medicines. But if Ohioans support medical marijuana -- which polls consistently show they do -- the association prefers legalization happen at the Statehouse instead of the ballot box.

"We realize medical marijuana is an important topic that must be fully vetted under careful consideration and we think the House process is the right approach and that physicians should remain a part of these discussions," medical association spokesman Reginald Fields said Wednesday.

House Bill 523 would legalize marijuana if an Ohio-licensed doctor recommends it. The bill would establish a nine-member commission appointed by the governor and legislative leaders. The commission would write the rules and regulations for the program, including who could obtain commercial growing licenses and whether patients could smoke marijuana.

Fields pointed to five parts of the bill that physicians support:

It could only be prescribed by a licensed physician. It prohibits growing marijuana at home. It collects data about how marijuana is prescribed -- for what conditions and whether it was an effective treatment for the condition. It promises that state lawmakers will urge Congress and the Drug Enforcement Administration to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II on the federal controlled substances schedule, which could increase medical researchers' access to the drug. It promises that state lawmakers will establish incentives for institutions of higher education and medical institutions to perform research on medical marijuana.

One man's pro is another man's con

Some of the aspects the state medical association supports are among marijuana advocates' prime concerns.

UnitedOhio, a coalition of activists that emerged after last year's recreational marijuana measure failed, raised several concerns with the bill in written testimony submitted to the House Select Committee on Medical Marijuana.

Federal law prevents Veteran's Affairs doctors from discussing medical marijuana with their patients, so Ohio's law would lock out many veterans.

Renewing a prescription every 90 days is onerous for patients and could prove difficult, especially if too few doctors register with the program.

Homegrown marijuana should be allowed because patients may not be able to afford or access marijuana that benefits them.

"By allowing a locality to prohibit or limit the number of retail dispensaries, and without access to home grow and/or a caregiver network, Ohio will put the best interest of the industry ahead of patient access," UnitedOhio member Brad White wrote.

"There is no answer"

The association didn't take a position on whether marijuana should be smoked, but Dr. Brian Santin, a vascular surgeon from Southwest Ohio, urged lawmakers to leave that option open for patients and for research. The bill currently leaves that decision to a new nine-member commission.

"There are a lot of things in medicine that may not seem like a good idea but when you actually look at the data and research that's been done it makes pretty good sense and it's hard to argue against," Santin said.

Santin, who served on the House medicinal marijuana task force, said the bill cherry-picked the best parts of other states' medical marijuana policies in the hope Ohio could be a model for the rest of the U.S. He fielded questions about impairment, about how different components of marijuana might affect patients, and about which methods of marijuana use would yield the best response.

Santin's frequent response: "There is no answer." But he warned lawmakers about enacting restrictions aimed at curbing abuse that would restrict the medical community from being able to research the whole plant and all delivery methods.

"No matter how you try and regulate or structure any system whether its car safety or how to treat a medical condition, you're still going to have those oddballs who work around the system," Santin said.

Hearings continue

The House Select Committee on Medical Marijuana plans to meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and at 11 a.m. Thursday every week until it reports a bill for a full floor vote.
John Kasich

Ohio Gov. John Kasich listens to an audience member's question during a campaign stop at Solvay Youth Center, Monday, April 18, 2016, in Syracuse, N.Y.

(John Minchillo, The Associated Press)

After New York, John Kasich's delegate chase continues. But first he has a pit stop at the Republican National Committee's spring meeting. And John McCain says he will skip the GOP convention this summer in Cleveland. Read more in Ohio Politics Roundup.

Escape from New York: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump scored home-field presidential primary wins Tuesday. And Ohio Gov. John Kasich blocked Trump from a clean sweep of Republican National Convention delegates. While it's far from a triumph for Kasich, it helps keep alive hopes of a contested convention - Kasich's only hope for the nomination.

Kasich's second-place finish also bolsters his argument that it's him - and not Texas Sen. Ted Cruz - who is best positioned to challenge Trump in the upcoming primaries. Politico looks at what Trump's commanding victory means for the GOP race.

Mission accomplished? Hours before the New York polls closed, chief Kasich strategist John Weaver told supporters in a fundraising email that "we have a real chance to gather some delegates today." It was the latest example of the campaign lowering expectations.

Kasich, writes the Cincinnati Enquirer's Chrissie Thompson, "says he and his campaign are 'copacetic' - in other words, everything is fine and turning out just as it should.

But little in the 2016 election has gone as the Kasich campaign, or anyone else, expected.

"To gauge Kasich's performance," Thompson evaluated "his campaign's words and actions" before pre-New York primaries and compared them to "what ended up happening."

What's next for Kasich: He got a head start on next week's primaries with Tuesday stops in Pittsburgh and Annapolis, Md. In Pittsburgh, near his native McKees Rocks, Kasich "offered some favorite memories ... mixed in with elements of the stump speech he has been making throughout his dark horse campaign," the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Chris Potter writes.

The coming days bring more events in Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island. All are states where Kasich's centrist politics could play well in a race against Cruz and Trump.

Today Kasich will travel to Hollywood Beach, Fla., for the Republican National Committee's spring meeting, cleveland.com's Andrew J. Tobias reports. There Kasich will schmooze with party insiders who could be helpful to him at an open convention this summer in Cleveland. Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges, a key ally helping to make introductions, believes Kasich will be the only White House candidate in town for the meeting.

Florida faceoff: "The Republican Party's arcane internal rules, recently the subject of outsize attention and intrigue, will continue their time in the limelight this week," Tobias writes.

Members will "debate whether to recommend changing the rules governing the upcoming Republican National Convention. The rules could have a huge impact on how a contested convention could play out and which candidate would emerge as the nominee in Cleveland."

Hold that bribe: Here's more from cleveland.com's Mary Kilpatrick on Ohio's law banning bribery of delegates - and its roots in a past Cincinnati convention.

Or not? "But [the law] has seldom been enforced successfully, and some Ohio lawyers dismissed it as a relic of the past," Time's Philip Elliot reports. "'It's dead letter,' said Donald Brey, an elections attorney with the Cincinnati-based Taft, Stettinius and Hollister.

"In other words, this law exists on paper, not in practice."

No McCain in Cleveland: Sen. John McCain of Arizona, "facing perhaps the toughest reelection race of his career, will skip the Republican presidential nominating convention in Cleveland in July," The Hill's Alexander Bolton writes. "McCain says he will be focusing instead on his own race against Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick.

"He also has to worry about a late primary, which is scheduled for Aug. 30."

Bern's turn? "Bernie Sanders and his supporters have been working to win over Democratic superdelegates from Hillary Clinton, but such wooing appears to have been light in Ohio so far," cleveland.com's Jeremy Pelzer reports. "Fourteen of Ohio's 17 superdelegates - party leaders and officeholders who are not elected and can support any candidate they want - have said they plan to vote for Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in July. But several of those Clinton supporters said that since Clinton won the March 15 Ohio primary, they have not been approached by Sanders' campaign nor his supporters about changing their vote."

Kasich not all-talk on rape prevention: "Gov. John Kasich might do well to avoid advice and stick to his record on tackling sexual assault on campus," the Enquirer's Jessie Balmert reports. "Because despite his comments about alcohol at parties, Kasich has led his fellow governors on sexual assault prevention and response, said local and national advocates for reducing rape and sexual harassment. ... 'I'm the one that's led the way in the country to fight this and to get justice served in these conditions,' Kasich said on CNN's 'State of the Union' Sunday.

"That's a bold claim, but Scott Berkowitz, president of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network or RAINN, said Kasich has done the work to back it up."

Fact-checking Kasich's travel: "The Ohio Democratic Party said that in 177 days on the campaign trail, Kasich's security detail cost taxpayers $350,000," PolitiFact's Nadia Pflaum notes. "Our analysis confirmed that $350,000 is most likely a conservative estimate."

Ohio's March 15 primary results are official. The final tabulation "added several thousand votes to the totals," cleveland.com's Rich Exner notes, "but John Kasich and Hillary Clinton remained big winners. Kasich defeated Donald Trump in the Republican Primary, 47 percent to 35.9 percent. ... Clinton won with 56.1 percent to Bernie Sanders' 43.1 percent."

Cuyahoga County talking with Tenex: Ohio's most populous county "plans to begin checking in voters with electronic poll books in 2017, and one of two vendors vying for the contract caused major issues in November in Cincinnati," cleveland.com's Karen Farkas writes.

"Equipment from Tenex Software Solutions led to delays and people being wrongly told they weren't registered in the November election in Hamilton County. Problems included lack of training and equipment issues, according to a report sent to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted."

The Tenex problems have been resolved, the company's president and CEO says.

PG is OK: PG Sittenfeld, the Cincinnati city councilman who ran unsuccessfully in this year's Democratic U.S. Senate primary, collapsed Tuesday at a news conference, Pelzer writes.

"By 11 a.m., Sittenfeld was up and talking to reporters. He said that he has suffered several seizures before in his life." See video of Sittenfeld's statement, courtesy of WLWT.

Video of the day: "This bus is so clean you can drink its waste," writes cleveland.com's Jackie Borchardt, who sampled the wares on camera along with State Sen. Frank LaRose, a Republican from Copley Township. "Ohio's first hydrogen cell bus hit the streets on Tuesday. The bus will serve riders on Ohio State University's campus for the next 12 months while the university's Center for Automotive Research collects data on the vehicle's performance."

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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Treasury Department today awarded Ohio $94.3 million to tear down homes that were abandoned after owners defaulted on their mortgages, and to help currently struggling homeowners pay their mortgages.

It was a disappointing sum to many, failing not only to match the need left by the foreclosure crisis but also to come even close to Ohio's request for $250 million, the maximum possible.

Multiple sources in Washington and Ohio told cleveland.com that Ohio failed to demonstrate to Treasury it was capable of spending the money as fast as federal guidelines required.

"Treasury made it crystal clear that for states to be competitive for the maximum resources, they needed to build on their past success - not an approach that puts all of their eggs in a different basket," said Bill Faith, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio. "We advocated for a more balanced approach that would have invested these funds on both demolition and foreclosure assistance to distressed homeowners."

But the state "chose to ignore that advice and squandered the opportunity" to get more money for both sides, Faith said. "This is outrageous given the fact that need is tremendous in both these areas and resources to address them rarely come available."

How the money worked out

The money came from a congressionally approved extension of the Hardest Hit Fund, created during the recession as part of a broader economic bailout. No state got the maximum possible, $250 million, in this latest round of competitive funding. Given demand and a limit of $1 billion of all funds available, that would have been impossible.

But several states got substantially more than Ohio:

Michigan ($188.1 million)

California ($169.8 million)

Illinois ($151.3 million)

North Carolina ($145.7 million)

Viewed another way, Michigan's award came to 75.5 percent of its request, California's, 67.9 percent, Illinois, 67.9 percent, North Carolina, 60.3 percent -- and Ohio, 37.7 percent.

How it will be spent

Most of Ohio's award will go toward demolition. But the state asked that 10 percent be spent on financial help for homeowners facing trouble paying their mortgages. The state's mortgage payment-assistance programs have helped thousands of Ohioans get through temporary hardships and keep their homes.

This split between homeowner assistance and demolition is a point of soreness among advocates. It played into the application process for the federal grant.

Housing advocacy groups say the need for more homeowner help is still pronounced. But blight-removal advocates say the mounting number of abandoned properties is making the problem worse by bringing down neighborhood housing values, which means homeowners could end up underwater -- owing more of their mortgages than their houses are worth.

The Treasury Department regards both approaches as useful for dealing with the foreclosure problem. But by choosing to focus so heavily on demolition with its new federal grant, Ohio brought down the overall sum for both.

The demolition problem

The problem was that blight removal can take time. Land banks working with local and state governments must get title to the properties, a sometimes cumbersome legal process, especially if there are multiple liens or legal claims against a title. In its application, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency said it wanted to use most of the requested award to demolish 25,000 homes by December 2020, when the federal Hardest Hit Fund program ends.

That was far more ambitious than the state's record to date in acquiring title and actually demolishing properties -- 2,000 so far under related state programs. The state's desire was not in question, and blight-removal advocates say the process is becoming speedier with the spread of land banks and the availability of more abandoned houses across the state.

But Treasury's application process made clear that it would base awards in part on actual experience, not future desires. According to multiple sources, this hurt Ohio's application.

The state housing finance agency has not commented on the award and its top executive, Douglas Garver, was not available for comment.

Disappointment all around

Both sides in the foreclosure-prevention divide -- those wanting more money for homeowner assistance, and those wanting more for demolition -- were disappointed with the award. So were Ohio's U.S. senators, who worked in December to get money for the overall pool.

"We secured this money at the end of last year, and I fully expected Ohio to submit a successful application and receive the full $250 million," said Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, in a statement. "I do not know why the state made the decision to disregard Treasury's instructions on its application and give up more than $100 million that could have supported Ohio jobs and communities. I am very disappointed to see Ohio leave money on the table when so much work needs to be done to clean up abandoned buildings and help keep people in their homes."

Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican, said he too was disappointed with the size of Ohio's allotment. He said he was pleased, however, that the state "will have an opportunity to re-apply for additional funds in the future."

There could be another chance

That ability will depend upon how well Ohio and other states spend their allotments. While there is not a formal re-application process in place, Treasury can revoke and reallocate parts of these awards if states fail to fulfill the promises made in their applications. Treasury demands regular performance reports for Hardest Hit Fund participants, and said in a memo that the latest funding is subject to a "use-or-lose provision," which will "periodically redirect allocated but unused funds to states with higher utilization rates."

Jim Rokakis, vice president of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy in Cleveland and a leading advocate for blight removal, said this could represent Ohio's next best chance.

Rokakis said he has no doubt the state could have met its goal of demolishing 25,000 structures, given ramped-up acquisition activity state-wide. He said he and others in Ohio will return to Treasury later with a renewed request -- and with an even more solid record, he said, of getting titles and preparing for demolition.

"We're going to go out and prove the case" that the projections are realistic, Rokakis said.
Some of the world's biggest iron ore miners are slashing ambitious production targets, a move likely to restore balance to the commodity's skewed fundamentals and fuel price gains ahead.

On Wednesday, BHP Billiton , the world's third-largest producer, lowered its 2016 output guidance by 10 million tonnes. The news comes a day after number two producer Rio Tinto cut its 2017 forecast by 20 million tonnes and left its 2016 global shipments estimate unchanged at 350 million tonnes.

Weather-related issues were broadly at fault after a cyclone hit Western Australia's iron ore mining belt, called the Pilbara, earlier this year. Stalled production at Samarco, a company joint-owned by BHP and Brazilian miner Vale , following a deadly dam collapse last year also weighed on BHP's results while Rio's performance was hampered by a delay in the deployment of its driverless train technology.

"This is quite positive for the spot price. As more major miners cut production, concerns about oversupply could finally be cooling down," Angus Nicholson, market strategist at IG, said.

The price of iron ore, a key steel-making ingredient, dropped nearly 40 percent in 2015 on the back of an enormous supply glut, but the mineral substance has since recovered most of those losses. Year-to-date, iron ore is more than 40 percent higher, having recently breached the psychologically important $60 level, on the back of improved demand from China, reflected by a 6.5 percent rise of iron ore imports in the first three months of the year.
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn was on hand Tuesday night for Donald Trump's massive New York GOP primary win.

Trump was projected by NBC to notch a "significant" victory in his home state  where he has conducted much of his real estate business. During his victory speech, the Republican front-runner celebrated the other business leaders in his crowd of supporters, including Icahn.



When asked about the relationship between the two titans of business, Trump said "we just like each other." And for his part, Icahn declared that "Trump is the only candidate who can stop the terrible gridlock in Washington and make Congress work again."
watch now

Stocks are not hitting a top, and they are not hitting a bottom. For Jim Cramer, they are in a trough. A trough indicates that the numbers for a company have finally bottomed, which was a major reason for stocks to rally recently. Cramer explained it through the use of Tina Turner, who in her version of "Proud Mary" said there are two ways to get the job done: the rough way, or the easy way. "Unlike Tina, who says 'we never do nothing nice and easy, we always do it nice and rough.' Not me. I like it easy. I look at the stock and it tells me whether we have hit trough numbers," the "Mad Money" host said. At first glance, Goldman Sachs reported a number that was absolutely hideous to Cramer on Tuesday. Given that Goldman had fewer employees and expenses reigned in, Cramer could only conclude that there was a ton of employees doing a lot of work. In pre-market trading, the stock plummeted. After the opening bell, the stock began its upward ascent. "A stock that rallies after that putrid quarter is a stock that says, look at me, the worst is over, get on board because we're ready to roll up river," Cramer said.

Read More Cramer: Hot money is flooding into...a trough



Simon Clay | Getty Images

Media stocks have been leading the charge higher since February, with the group up 13 percent on average. Considering that just last year the entire media cohort was in free-fall over television subscriber worries, Jim Cramer found this remarkable. To gain further insight on where media stocks like Disney, CBS, Time Warner and Comcast could be headed, Cramer turned to Bob Lang to look at the charts. Lang is a technician, founder of ExplosiveOptions.net and colleague of Cramer's at RealMoney.com.

Ultimately, Lang interpreted the charts to suggest that Disney, CBS, Time Warner , and Comcast all have more room to run. And if Cramer had to pick his top player, he would go with Disney based on both the technical and the fundamentals. Read MoreCramer: Media charts flashing a 'buy' signal

Cramer always keeps the strength of the packaged foods space on his radar. One thing that has stuck out to him lately is that the rally in this group now includes many laggards that have started to make a comeback. Kellogg and J.M. Smucker are two of the more established companies in the sector that have come roaring back. And Cramer doesn't think this is just a case of a rising tide lifting all ships, he thinks it is more than that. "Don't get me wrong, I believe they have more upside, I just think you should wait for more of a pullback before you start buying Kellogg or Smucker," Cramer said.



Mary Turner | Getty Images
Christoph Mueller, chief executive officer of Malaysian Airline System, speaks during an interview on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit in Singapore, on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016.

Malaysia Airlines Chief Executive and Managing Director Christoph Mueller will leave in September, well before the end of his three-year contract, the company said on Tuesday.

The airline said in a statement that Mueller was leaving because of "his changing personal circumstances".

Mueller will serve a six-month notice period to September 2016 and has expressed his intention to the Malaysia Airlines board to remain as a non-executive director, the carrier said.

"We are very disappointed to lose Christoph as CEO but we fully understand his reasons and respect his need to do this," chairman Md Nor Yusof said.
Students throw up their graduation caps in front of the U.S. Capitol. Alex Wong | Getty Images

When it comes to going to college, there is only one notification more significant than being admitted: the financial aid package. But unlike getting in, it's rarely black and white. "The reality is that a lot of colleges will negotiate, they just don't advertise this," said Eric Greenberg, president of Greenberg Educational Group, a New York-based consulting firm. Financially, there is a lot at stake. With college costs steadily increasing, tuition is a major concern when selecting a school for this year's high school seniors. At public four-year institutions, costs for the 201516 school year rose to $19,548 from $16,178 five years ago, according to the College Board. Tuition plus room and board at four-year private universities was much higher: $43,921 on average. To ease the pain of that hefty tab, appealing for more aid "could add up to tens of thousands of dollars over four years," said Kalman Chany, a financial aid consultant and author of the Princeton Review's "Paying for College Without Going Broke." Here's how to increase that initial offer.

Consider your options

The first thing families should do is look at what kind of aid they received and from what kind of school. "What may look like the largest offer might not be the best," said Rick Castellano, a spokesman for Sallie Mae, which provides loans to students. Families need to understand the difference between scholarships and loans. In other words, "what needs to be paid back and what is free money," he said. "It's about maximizing money that you do not have to pay back." Read MoreHow to win at getting college financial aid

Also, when it comes to appealing for more aid, private schools typically have more money to spend to attract high-caliber students. "They know that if they don't come in with enough money, other schools will outbid them," Greenberg said. Those schools will have the incentive, and the means, to increase their initial offer.

Prepare your argument

Are there other financial factors that increase the need for aid? If there are issues beyond what was noted in the financial aid paperwork, like an older sibling who moved back home after college, care for elderly grandparents, increased health-related expenses or the loss of a job, those should be explained to the school and documented, if possible. Read MoreWhy your backup college may be the winner

Alternatively, if the financial aid packages from other, comparable schools were better, that is also worth bringing to the school's attention. "That could incentivize the school to be more flexible," Greenberg said. Even a better school offering a lesser reward is worth noting  more so than a more generous offer from a lower-ranked school, he said. "Be subtle," Chany said. "Many schools don't acknowledge that they meet other school's offers, even though they do."

Ask the school how to proceed

The next step is to call up the financial aid office and ask if they would prefer to set up a face-to-face meeting or correspond by mail. "It's typically better to do it in person but follow the protocol the college sets up," Greenberg said. Read More These colleges are freeif you get in

Whether in person or by mail, lay out the reasons for your appeal as well as any documentation you have, including copies of the other relevant financial aid offers, Chany said. Appeals mostly happen by committee, so any new information should be presented clearly, he said. "Be succinct," Chany said.

Pick your battles
With 61 percent of American adults now advocating that "the use of marijuana should be made legal," and 67 percent of voters believing states, not the federal government, ought to be the ultimate arbiters of marijuana regulatory policy, it's no longer acceptable for the federal government to continue to be an impediment to progress.



Do you know where your federally elected officials stand?

Our Congressional Scorecard is an all-encompassing database that assigns a letter grade "A" through "F" to members of Congress based on their marijuana-related comments and voting records.
lexander Hassenstein | Getty Images

More than a quarter of U.K. internet users will be using ad-blocking software by the end of next year, a new report suggested on Wednesday, heading towards a potential "epidemic".

An estimated 14.7 million people will be using ad-blockers in the U.K. in 2017 or 27 percent of internet users, according to eMarketer's study - a sharp rise from the 5 million in 2014, 7.3 million in 2015 and expected 10.9 million this year. Ad-blocking software strips adverts from websites and its use has been on the rise, much to the consternation of advertisers and publishers who rely on ad revenue.



Some of the most common reasons people are using ad-blockers include the intrusiveness of adverts, the lack of relevancy and specifically on mobile, the fact that loading of adverts slows down web pages and uses data. "It is crystalizing to consumers just how sub-optimal the app experience is in digital," Bill Fisher, a senior analyst at eMarketer, told CNBC in a phone interview on Wednesday. "What we have seen with TV advertising, the value exchange has always been good. For half an hour of good quality content I get one interruption in the middle of that. I move into digital and I am getting bombarded with a lot of ads, they are getting in the way, there are lots of them and not very relevant to me. I think what consumers are now realizing is that they are being able to voice their concerns, saying this industry, this ad-supported free internet actually this value exchange isn't so good." The rise of ad-blocking has sparked fierce debate between companies providing the software, advertisers and publishers. Earlier this year, Roi Carthy, the CMO of Israeli ad-blocking firm Shine, said his product is "the single biggest threat in the history of advertising". Google and Yahoo both hit back calling the software a "blunt" solution that punishes users and good advertisers.
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Check out the companies making headlines after the bell Wednesday: Shares of Yum Brands jumped after beating earnings expectations as sales grew in China in the latest quarter. The parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell reported first-quarter earnings of 95 cents per share on $2.62 billion in revenue. American Express shares popped after it posted higher-than-predicted earnings amid growing customer acquisition and spending. The credit card company posted earnings of $1.45 per share on $8.09 billion in revenue, higher than the $1.35 a share on about $8 billion in revenue predicted by a Thomson Reuters consensus estimate.



Las Vegas Sands shares dropped after the casino and resort company posted earnings well below analyst estimates. LVS reported earnings of 45 cents per share, excluding items, on $2.72 billion in revenue. Analysts were expecting 63 cents per share on $2.88 billion in revenue. The company has been focused on geographic diversification as its Asian gaming hub in Macau is under pressure from Chinese regulators.

Airline United Continental 's stock dipped despite higher-than-expected quarterly earnings. United saw adjusted first-quarter earnings of $1.23 per share on $8.2 billion in revenue. Analysts had expected United Continental to report earnings of about $1.18 a share on $8.2 billion in revenue, according to a consensus estimate from Thomson Reuters. The company is in the midst of a board shake-up spurred by activist investors.

Semiconductor company Qualcomm saw shares slide briefly despite better-than-expected quarterly results. The maker of popular Snapdragon mobile processors posted $1.04 per share on $5.54 billion in revenue, above the 96 cents per share on $5.34 billion in sales that was expected by Wall Street.

Toy manufacturer Mattel traded lower after the bell after it posted better quarterly revenues than expected, but profits fell short. The company, famous for brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, posted a loss of 13 cents per share on sales of $869 million, compared to the expected loss of 7 cents per share on $861 million in revenue. Barbie sales were flat in constant currency, while other girls' toys saw a 58 percent decline in sales, the company said in a statement.

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Ant Financial, the affiliate of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba that runs Alipay, has closed a funding round of over $4 billion valuing the company at close to $60 billion dollars, a source close to the deal told CNBC.

Previous media reports had put the funding at $3.1 billion, but the latest round is significantly higher.

This makes Ant Financial the second-most valuable private technology firm behind U.S. ride hailing app Uber, which is worth over $62 billion, and ahead of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, which has a valuation of $45 billion.

The roughly $60 billion valuation is higher than the $45 billion it snagged during its previous funding round last summer.



Zhang Peng | LightRocket | Getty Images

China's sovereign wealth fund called China Investment Corporation, and China Construction Bank , one of the big four lenders in the country, led the round, according to the source.

JPMorgan , Goldman Sachs and China International Capital Corp were the advisers for the deal, which could be announced in the next few days before the Chinese public holiday on May 1, the source added.

Ant Financial runs China's biggest payments service Alipay which boasts a total of 450 million active users and processes 170 million transactions per day.

The company has been on a drive to expand Alipay beyond China, particularly to help Chinese tourists make purchases abroad using its platform.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also head of the central Internet security and informatization in China, told officials at a forum on April 19 to welcome and address online criticisms. Ma Zhancheng | Xinhua | Getty Images

Chinese president Xi Jinping has urged the country's top officials to welcome online criticism, state media Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. Speaking at a meeting with high level government and industry officials on Tuesday, Xi also encouraged Communist Party officials to use the internet to better understand the desires and grievances of Chinese citizens. If the criticism was well-meant, even it sounded harsh, "we will not only welcome them, but also carefully study them for future references," Xi said, according to Xinhua. Asking for "greater tolerance and patience toward internet users," Xi also called on officials to correct erroneous opinions promptly.

Chinese premier Li Keqiang, propaganda chief Liu Yunshan and Alibaba Group chairman Jack Ma were at the forum, Xinhua reported, as well as top brass from the People's Liberation Army. The Chinese leader's comments come amid a changing economy in China that is displacing workers and stoking social unrest. Although Xi's comments this week followed similar comments he made in December, when he said people should be able to speak freely online, they come against a recent backdrop of detention and arrests in China of people who expressed dissenting opinions, both online and offline. Most recently, a Chinese dissident living in the U.S. said his parents and younger brother were taken away by local police as part of an investigation aimed at identifying the author of an open letter calling for Xi's resignation. Staff at the news website that published the letter in March were also reportedly detained.
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The market would likely welcome the predictability of a Hillary Clinton presidency, but market watchers shouldn't expect the election to tip stocks one way or the other, analysts told CNBC on Wednesday. "The research we've done suggests that over long periods of time, the party that controls the White House doesn't have that much of an effect on the stock market," Ed Keon, managing director at QMA, told CNBC's "Squawk Box."

Overwhelming victories by Clinton and Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump in New York's primary on Tuesday put both candidates closer to clinching their party's nomination,

Markets have a bias toward the status quo, Keon said. Whether or not market participants agree with Clinton's policies, they see her potential election as providing continuity by essentially extending the Obama administration, he said.

Chuck Gabriel, president and political specialist at Capital Alpha Partners, also said stocks are likely to do well against the backdrop of certainty that a Clinton administration would provide. But he said Trump would likely fall in line with the Republican establishment and work with a GOP Congress. "I think he'd be co-opted  by a lot of the things a Republican Congress would draw him towards," Gabriel told "Squawk Box." He said Trump is a supply-side politician who is more likely to tackle tax reform than trade, despite his protectionist rhetoric on the campaign trail.
U.S. retail giant Costco is part of a consortium eyeing the assets of Woolworths ' troubled Australian hardware chain, Masters, a source familiar with the talks told CNBC.

The Australian newspaper reported on Wednesday that listed Australian property group Charter Hall and the Wesfarmers -owned hardware chain, Bunnings, had teamed up to bid for 43 Masters sites. A source told CNBC that Costco was also part of the bid group.

Reports suggest any bid could be worth up to 1 billion Australian dollars ($770 million).

In January Woolworths said it was looking at options for Masters, including selling or winding up the underperforming business. It also said it would buy the one-third stake in Masters owned by U.S. retailer Lowe's .

Bunnings already dominates the home improvement space in Australia and recently expanded with the acquisition of the UK's HomeBase, its first push offshore.

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The European Commission has accused Google of anti-competitive charges relating to its Android mobile phone operating system.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the commission  which is the executive arm of the EU - said it had informed Google that it believed the company had breached antitrust rules in the region and "abused its dominant position by imposing restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators."

The commission said about 80 percent of smart mobile devices in Europe run on Android.

In a press conference Wednesday, European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that Google had been sent a statement and would be given a chance to respond.

Vestager said Google's practices with Android could have a potential impact on a large number of companies.

"What we see is not only a restricting effect on search but also stifling competition and may be restricting innovation in the wider space," she said.

"And that is very important because a very strong motivation to innovators is that they can present their product to consumers. If that is not possible, then why bother?"

Vestager defended accusations that she was attacking U.S. firms in a bid to defend European firms.

"It is not our job to defend companies; it is our job to defend competition. That has been our job as long as can be remembered, no matter the flag of the country," she added.
A group of former U.S. Treasury secretaries, including Larry Summers and George Shultz, have stepped into the debate over the U.K.'s future in the European Union by calling for a "Europe, with Britain at the core."

In an open letter published in U.K. newspaper The Times on Wednesday, the eight ex-treasury secretaries state "a strong Britain, inside the European Union, remains the best hope in our view for securing Britain's future."



"EU membership allows banks based in London to sell their services across Europe without needing multiple regulatory approvals in each country," write the ex-White House advisers, who have served both under Democratic and Republican presidents.



"A U.K. exit is likely to disrupt and reduce trade flows at least for a while," says the group, which is made up of eight ex-secretaries of the treasury including W. Michael Blumenthal, Robert Rubin, Paul O'Neill, John W. Snow, Henry Paulson and Timothy Geithner, as well as Summers and Schultz.


Barclays

Eleven start-ups took to the stage at a venue inside London's O2 arena on Monday to pitch their companies in front of investors and enthusiasts. Hosted by Barclays and Techstars, one of the world's largest start-up accelerators, the event aimed to identify the next big companies, all with a financial technology or "fintech" focus. London has become one of the hottest hubs for fintech not only in Europe but the world. So could this group become future "unicorns"  or companies valued over $1 billion? CNBC spoke to four of the most innovative singled out by industry experts.



Cuvva

British start-up Cuvva allows users to buy car insurance for someone else's vehicle by the hour via a smartphone app. "At the moment insurance is really inflexible and you have to buy this slab of annual insurance," Freddy Macnamara, co-founder and CEO of Cuvva, told CNBC in an interview. "Why can't I just jump into a friend's car, drive it and not go to jail? It's difficult," he added, talking about the inspiration behind his start-up. Users are verified by taking a picture of their driving license and taking a selfie via the iPhone app. An Android app is on its way. Different metrics are then taken into account to offer a user the price for their hourly insurance. Macnamara wants to turn Cuvva into a marketplace platform which matches buyers and sellers, so consumers can shop around for the best price. And the co-founder said he is currently in talks with a major car insurer to allow people to buy hourly cover for their own car. Currently it's illegal in the U.K. to have an uninsured vehicle. So Macnamara said he is fleshing out details about how Cuvva could work on vehicles that people own.



Helm

Founded by an ex-JPMorgan compliance chief, Helm is a piece of software that can tell businesses when they are not meeting laws and regulation. It's essentially a giant database of different rules which can automatically notify compliance managers at organizations when there is a gap, stripping away the need for an army of lawyers, with the aim of making it easier for smaller businesses to stick to the laws. If there are gaps in compliance, Helm can link you up with a company that can fix it. "What I'm doing right now is making compliance possible for smaller companies," Paul McCulloch, founder and CEO of Helm told CNBC. "There are articles talking about how small companies can't make it and get swallowed up because if they become too competitive, big banks point regulators at them and small businesses get shut down." Helm also allows regulators to consult with institutions using the platform about upcoming regulations, so companies can give feedback about how it will affect their business. It is currently in talks on collaborating with regulators across the world. McCulloch said he is looking to raise about $1.2 million to expand.



DigiSEq

Imagine you could tap a point of sale terminal with your necklace and pay for something. This is DigiSEq's vision. The start-up, co-founded by Terrie Smith, one of the architects of Apple Pay, helps companies producing devices with near-field communication (NFC) technology in them to offer payments. "It's a platform that takes care of the complexities in your security, delivering secure application data across to a device," Terrie Smith, founder and CEO of DigiSEq told CNBC. "We partner with organizations like chip manufacturers so when a device owner comes and says we really want to do this on our jewelry and watches, they don't understand how to do it, we can bring together parts of the service needed."



Zighra

Heartbeats, fingerprints, eye scans. These are just some of the methods device makers are using to authenticate payments or unlock devices. Zighra's approach is different. It recognizes a user's unique behavioral traits such as the way they swipe the screen of their smartphone, the pressure they tap the display with and the angle they hold their phone. It is not a separate app but instead, it is built into applications created by other institutions such as banks. "What we do is we learn at an invisible layer of security. If you are making a payment, you swipe the screen. By just interacting with the screen we start generating a score and if it's a good score we know it's the user. If not we can tell if it's someone else," Deepak Dutt, CEO and co-founder of Zighra told CNBC. Dutt said Zighra is working with the top two banks in Canada and one of the top five insurance companies in the U.S. to integrate the solution into their apps. He could not name the firms due to confidentiality reasons.


Over 700,000 websites were breached between June 2014 and July 2015, according to a new study by Google and the University of California, Berkeley, which aims to improve web security.

The research showed that "miscreants" had routinely hijacked thousands of vulnerable web servers for "cheap hosting and traffic acquisition". Google recorded 760,935 "hijacking incidents" within the period but said that its direct communication with webmasters had curbed the amount of breaches.



Google's Safe Browsing Alerts work by sending notifications to network administrators when harmful URLs are detected on their networks. It said that these had increased the likelihood of a "cleanup" by over 50 percent and reduced "infection lengths" by at least 62 percent.


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Low investment, lackluster competitiveness and anemic growth rates have taken the swagger out of Europe's step in recent years and more needs to be done to get the region back on track, according to the deputy chair of Swedish investment company Kinnevik. "It's pretty clear that the investment level has been low in Europe for quite some time. We've lost out quite a lot in terms of growth opportunities and there has been too little reform," Anders Borg told CNBC on Wednesday. "I know that people are tired of austerity but the key here is competitiveness. We might have focused too much on austerity and public finances and maybe too little on entrepreneurship and the business climate," he added.



Arc of Triomphe Paris, Champs-Elysees France at night vichie81 / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Borg is the former finance minister of Sweden and as such, knows more than most about structural reforms, fiscal policy and labor markets that are required in much of Europe and particularly the euro zone. He said more work needed to be done in terms of reform. "It's pretty clear that Europe needs a lot of structural reforms if we're going to pick up. We need a change of policy, we need more flexible labor markets and better business environments."

Weak banks, growth

A lack of funding for small and medium-sized businesses has been largely blamed for the region's slow return to growth, which has been sluggish at best. The latest data in February showed that the euro zone economy grew 0.3 percent in the last three months of 2015, from the previous quarter.

Read More Driving growth? The future of Europe's car industry

Borg agreed that Europe's banking sector remained "weak" and said efforts to strengthen the region's financial system with a banking union, which means more supervision and regulations for banks, put more pressure on the sector. "It hasn't been properly recapitalized, particularly in southern Europe, the countries are weak so they can't do it. Banking union is a burden for them with tighter supervision and increasing demands. I don't think we should think about the banking sector as the one which is providing energy and growth to the economy, particularly not in southern Europe." He said the European Central Bank was "doing the right thing" in terms of providing liquidity to the region in the form of its trillion-euro quantitative easing program but that in the long-run, the banks would need to be recapitalized "and that will be very difficult." "So I don't think we should expect growth in southern Europe to be particularly vibrant. We can be happy if it's sideways and stable."
Small changes by businesses and consumers can make a big difference in saving the lives of animals worldwide, said Wayne Pacelle, chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States.

"If we just reduce our meat consumption by 15 percent, we'd save a billion animals," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Wednesday.



"It's an incremental process of enlightening people. There's so many issues ... animals raised for food, there's testing, there's wildlife management issues, the Cecil issue  the trophy hunting, there's dog fighting, there's cock fighting. I mean everything under the sun," he said.



The Cecil issue refers to the prized African lion whose death at the hands of an American hunter last year sparked international outrage. Walter Palmer, a 55-year-old dentist from Minnesota, allegedly paid $50,000 to hunt the animal.
Italian banks must tackle a 300 billion euro ($341 billion) load of non-performing loans, the co-founder of a hedge fund with a base in Milan told CNBC on Tuesday.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images

"That problem isn't going away ... I think it will be a very rocky 2016 for some of the banks," Joseph Oughourlian, cofounder of Amber Capital, told CNBC TV at the Investors Choice Awards in London. Shares in Italian banks tumbled earlier this year when the European Central Bank requested further information on their portfolios of bad debts.

"The issues with Italian banks keeps us up at night," Oughourlian told CNBC.

In light of concerns, Italy has established a fund to provide backup recapitalization for smaller, weaker lenders. The fund will use cash provided on a voluntary basis by the financial sector. Italy's finance minister has emphasized that no state aid is involved.

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Oughourlian forecast more volatility was to come for Italian banks and said it might not be the most debt-burdened banks who were worst affected. "It is not clear to me that the weakest banks from a NPL or capital structure (perspective) are going to be the main losers. I suspect they are going to suffer a great deal, but I think some of the well-capitalized banks might have issues as well, because they might be called on by the regulators and by the Italian government to help the weaker players," he told CNBC. Ernesto Lienhard, CEO of investment firm BAF added that it would be "very difficult" to improve the caliber of Italian banks. Stefano Prosperi, the CEO of Kairos Investment Management, was also pessimistic about Italy.

"Although Italy is the worst performing market in Europe we don't think now is the right time to make a macro call and go long on Italy," he told CNBC at the Investors Choice Awards on Tuesday.

'Racy' Greek banks

Rudolf Bohli, the CEO and CIO of RBR Capital, was more optimistic about investing in Greek banks. "We like financials and if you like it a little bit racy, then I think the real big upside is in Greece," Bohli told CNBC on Tuesday. "So we love Greek banks. We think they have an opportunity to triple in price from here. It might take a while, maybe two or three years, but it is a very decent upside," he added.
Jobless New York state Republicans helped give Donald Trump a big win Tuesday in his near sweep of the state, based on a CNBC analysis of county-level primary voting data.

The victory extends Trump's pattern of big wins in counties with jobless rates higher than the national average.



With jobless rates above the nation average in 46 of the state's 62 counties, New York voters gave Trump's campaign for the party's presidential nomination a big boost.

As of early Wednesday, Trump had 61 percent of the statewide GOP vote to 25 percent for Ohio Gov. John Kasich and 12 percent to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, according to NBC News.

The victory added 88 of the state's 95 delegates to Trump's count, bringing his total to 844 of the 237 needed for the Republican nomination. Cruz now has 559 and Kasich picked up three delegates to bring his total to 146.
Shares in the company closed down more than 15 percent at 733 yen, the stock's biggest one-day drop in almost 12 years.

Tetsuro Aikawa, president of Japan's sixth-largest automaker by market value, bowed in apology at a news conference in Tokyo for what is the biggest scandal at Mitsubishi Motors since a defect cover-up over a decade ago.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp said it falsified fuel economy test data to make emissions levels look more favourable, and its shares slumped more than 15 percent, wiping $1.2 billion from its market value on Wednesday.

In 2000, Mitsubishi Motors revealed that it covered up safety records and customer complaints. Four years later it admitted to broader problems going back decades. It was Japan's worst automotive recall scandal at the time.

The company said on Wednesday the test manipulation involved 625,000 vehicles produced since mid-2013. These include its eK mini-wagon as well as 468,000 similar cars it made for Nissan Motor.

It said it would stop making and selling those cars, and has set up an independent panel to investigate the issue.

Mitsubishi Motors sold just over 1 million cars last year.

Mitsubishi Motors is the first Japanese automaker to report misconduct involving fuel economy tests since Volkswagen as discovered last year to have cheated diesel emissions tests in the United States and elsewhere.

South Korean car makers Hyundai Motor and affiliate Kia Motors in 2014 agreed to pay $350 million in penalties to the U.S. government for overstating their vehicles' fuel economy ratings. They also resolved claims from car owners.

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North Carolina business leaders on Tuesday called for a repeal of a new state law they blamed for mounting economic losses as opponents cancel jobs and events over concerns that it discriminates against gay and transgender people.

The state last month became the first to require transgender people to use restrooms and locker rooms in schools and other public facilities that match their sex at birth rather than their gender identity. The call from the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce adds to growing pressure on Republican Governor Pat McCrory and lawmakers from corporations, celebrities and activist groups ahead of a legislative session that begins on Monday. "This legislation is bad for business and bad for North Carolina," the chamber said in a statement.

The group estimated tens of millions of dollars in losses since the law passed, including decisions by PayPal and Deutsche Bank to halt adding a combined 650 jobs in the state and canceled performances by Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Pearl Jam, Boston and Cirque du Soleil. An unnamed technology company canceled expansion plans that could have brought up to 1,000 new jobs to the Raleigh area and several other companies had eliminated the region from consideration due to the law, the chamber said. North Carolina Republicans have struck a defiant tone, saying the law protects privacy rights and keeps children and women safe from sexual predators. "North Carolina will never put a price tag on the value of our children," Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest told Reuters in an e-mail on Tuesday. "If a corporation wanting to do business in North Carolina does not see the worth of our children in the same light, then I wish them well as they do business somewhere else."

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Forest said, "Many businesses leaders and small business owners" support the law but were wary of expressing that in public for fear of reprimand from activist groups. Resisting pressure The stance of North Carolina Republicans represents a departure from that of states like Indiana and Georgia that amended or vetoed laws affecting gay and transgender rights after pressure from business groups. More than 160 business leaders have a signed on to a letter coordinated by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality NC asking McCrory to repeal the law known as HB2. Many of them have also reached out directly to the governor and Republican lawmakers, Human Rights Campaign said. "We've had discussions with a variety of leaders, and they are aware of our views," said Matt Miller, a spokesman for American Airlines Group Inc, which signed the letter.

spokeswoman Jenni Brewer Ligday said the drugmaker had reached out to McCrory "to express our concern that policies that impede inclusion and diversity harm North Carolina's competitive business ecosystem and hinder our ability to recruit and retain key talent." Mitchell Gold, co-founder of the North Carolina-based furniture retailer Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, has called the governor and his state representatives but not heard back. Gold plans to call the governor daily to lobby for the law's repeal. "I want to make sure he understands the harm he is causing LGBT people," said Gold. "This makes LGBT people second class citizens. This makes a 15-year-old LGBT kid feel broken."
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New Yorkers helped Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump quiet the doubters. In her adopted home state, the former first lady, senator and secretary of state defeated New York-bred Bernie Sanders by a robust margin of 15 percentage points. The significance of her victory, after a series of small-state defeats, was not the modest extension of her already wide delegate lead. It was in denying the socialist senator from Vermont the sort of lopsided victory that represents his only, flickering hope for the Democratic nomination, and allowing her to turn her attention to November.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Getty Images (l) | Reuters (r)

"We are going to keep our families safe and our country strong," Clinton said in celebration. "And we're going to defend our rights: civil rights, voting rights, workers' rights, women's rights, LGBT rights, and rights for people with disabilities. Those are, after all, New York values and they are American values."

New York Republicans similarly buoyed Trump. After his loss to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in Wisconsin two weeks ago, the bombastic billionaire faced predictions from intraparty foes of declining momentum that would deny him the 1,237 delegates he needs for the Republican nomination and lead to brokered convention.

By sweeping New York by more 30 percentage points, and winning the overwhelming majority of its vast delegate haul, Trump returned himself to a path for first-ballot victory in Cleveland. More states where he has regional strength  including Pennsylvania, Maryland and Connecticut  hold primaries on Tuesday.

With anxiety rising among the party's significant stop-Trump faction, the front-runner warned against attempts to thwart him by using Republican delegate rules.

"Even though we're leading by a lot and we can't be caught  it's impossible to catch us  nobody should take delegates and claim victory unless they get those delegates with voters and voting," Trump said in his victory speech. "And that's what's going to happen. And you watch, because the people aren't going to stand for it. It's a crooked system; it's a system that's rigged; and we're going to go back to the old way  it's called you vote and you win."
President Barack Obama landed in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to meet with King Salman  but his reception could well be a chilly one. The American president's visit comes during one of the most public rifts between the two countries in their 83-year-old alliance.

Amid ongoing strategic disagreements with Riyadh over the Obama administration's policies in the Middle East  namely the U.S.'s rapprochement with Iran and its refusal to become more involved in Syria's civil war  senior American officials have recently directed harsh public rhetoric at Saudi Arabia.

King Salman bin Abd alAziz of Saudi Arabia Getty Images

Obama himself has long referred to the Saudis as a "so-called ally," according to a recent high-profile article in The Atlantic magazine.

For decades considered one of the cornerstones of American energy policy and military strategy in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia spends billions of dollars on U.S.-made arms and armaments. More from NBC News:

Secret 28 Pages of 9/11 Report Under New Scrutiny

Two Princes Vie for Power in Saudi Arabia, Make a Mess

Family of American journalist slain by ISIS sues Syria Its role as one of the few stable governments in a volatile region made it an essential U.S. ally in the view of many analysts in the foreign policy establishment.

But progressive and conservative politicians in the U.S. are increasingly highlighting the connections between Saudi Arabia  the birthplace of Wahhabism, an austere form of Islam that the kingdom exports to other Muslim countries  and Islamist extremism.

"For all of the positive aspects of our alliance with Saudi Arabia, there is another side to Saudi Arabia than the one that faces us in our bilateral relationship, and it is a side that we can no longer afford to ignore as our fight against Islamic extremism becomes more focused and more complicated," Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator from Connecticut said in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations in January.



I think that Obama is coming to salvage a relationship that he has spent most of his time as president neglecting. Saudi student Manal Faisa

Fueled by the conviction that members of the Saudi establishment support extremism  a charge Riyadh denies  Congress is considering a bill that would allow relatives of victims of 9/11 terror attacks to sue the Kingdom directly over its perceived complicity. Not only was al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden a member of a powerful Saudi family, 15 of the 19 hijackers were from the Kingdom. Congress' moves have infuriated the Saudi Arabian government, which has threatened to sell $750 billion in U.S. assets should the bill pass.

It has also alarmed Saudi allies in the Gulf.

"If this measure goes into effect it could well be the straw that breaks the camel's back," said Khalaf Al Habtoor, a billionaire construction baron based in the United Arab Emirates who made headlines worldwide when he publicly withdrew his support for Donald Trump.

"On Wednesday, Obama is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh on a charm offensive; he will need every ounce he can muster, especially when he is responsible for rearranging the regional geopolitical deckchairs with a deal with Iran," he said in a statement emailed to NBC News before the president arrived in Saudi Arabia. Although the White House has said the 9/11 bill is unlikely to become law, it betrays the high levels of anger toward Saudi Arabia in the U.S.

"Friends do not fund jihadists that are seeking to murder us. And when it comes to Saudi Arabia, we need to have real scrutiny and real pressure," GOP presidential hopeful Ted Cruz said during a debate in February. Simon Henderson of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank said this kind of rhetoric from a presidential candidate should be taken with a grain of salt. He added that it is different for a sitting president to say negative things about the relationship. "I don't think Obama cares about Saudi Arabia," Henderson said. "I think the administration as a whole understands the relationship with Saudi Arabia needs to be carefully handled and calibrated."

He added that in Obama's worldview allies like Saudi Arabia are more trouble than they're worth in the long run. Publicly stating such views has damaged Saudi perceptions of America's commitment to regional stability. "I think the Saudis do care, because they think of their challenges on a day-to-day basis," Henderson said. "They fear he will damage the relationship more, or that Iran will take advantage of the waning days of the Obama administration to do something destabilizing." According to Manal Faisal, a Saudi student of international relations at King's College London, the harm to the relationship between the two countries may be irreparable.

"I think that he is coming to salvage a relationship that he has spent most of his time as president neglecting," the 21-year-old said in Riyadh, adding that the U.S. needed to take Saudi Arabia "more seriously as a global partner." The feeling that Saudi Arabia faces existential threats is at the heart of the unease many in Kingdom feel, according to Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"The last time I checked Yemen was a lot closer to Saudi Arabia than the United States," he said, referring to Saudi Arabia's southern neighbor where a Riyadh-led campaign to drive out Iran-allied Houthi rebels and Islamist insurgents has killed thousands.

Meanwhile, the devastating civil war in Syria, the rise of ISIS, the collapse of established regimes across the region during the Arab Spring, and this year's dramatic fall in oil prices have worsened a sense of vulnerability among Riyadh's ruling class. Many in Saudi Arabia's establishment feel the U.S. turned its back on longtime Egyptian ally President Hosni Mubarak during the 2011 popular uprising, and allowed his regime to fall.
In an interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer on Wednesday, Pulte's grandson and Pulte Capital Partners CEO Bill Pulte said "We believe that Jim and Richard are still really running the company, remember they hold chairman, CEO and lead director."

Additionally, Pulte stated that in the event that Dugas and Postl refuse to resign immediately and be replaced by direct shareholder representatives, he will vote against the entire board in this year's shareholder meeting.

In a letter released by William Pulte on Wednesday, he wrote "It is my conviction that Richard Dugas and James Postl must resign immediately from all their positions with the company."

This comes just weeks after his request for current CEO Richard Dugas to resign.

The highly public leadership dispute for PulteGroup just took another contentious turn. The company's founder, William Pulte, has called for James Postl to immediately resign from the board of directors.

We believe that Jim and Richard are still really running the company.

The request for Postl's resignation stemmed from what Pulte considered a "massively failed deal" with Centex, where William Pulte's letter stated that shareholders lost more than $1.46 billion.

"We need someone on the board to work with them constructively. We will meet with them any time, unfortunately our calls haven't been answered," Pulte said.

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When Cramer asked Pulte if he would like to become CEO of PulteGroup, he responded "Absolutely not, no. Frankly, I'm not qualified to be the CEO of the company, but at the same time I can say that Mr. Dugas with all due respect, losing $500 million doesn't qualify you to run this company."

PulteGroup is the nation's third-largest homebuilder and was founded by William Pulte in 1950. He and five friends built a house near Detroit and sold it for $10,000. Six decades later, Richard Dugas now stands as the CEO and chairman of the board of directors.

Initial stock performance under Dugas was impressive, with PulteGroup shares more than tripling in just over two years. However, shares collapsed in 2007 going into the financial crisis and have not bounced back nearly as well as other major homebuilders, such as Lennar or D.R. Horton .

The conflict of leadership was ignited by the company's founder and his family against Dugas. The spat was thrust into the public eye in April when the company announced that Dugas planned to step down in May 2017, partially due to pressure from Bill Pulte and his ally on the board of directors, Jim Grosfeld.

Additionally, the company also announced it was trying to boot Grosfeld off the board at the annual shareholder meeting. In response, Bill and William Pulte published a scathing letter to the board reiterating disappointment in Dugas. Since then, Grosfeld has resigned from the board of directors.

"I recently recommended that Pulte should buy KB Home  but while I think that would make a lot of sense, I doubt an issue this contentious will be resolved that easily," the "Mad Money" host said.

In a statement released on April 11, a PulteGroup rep said, "We are disappointed that the Pultes continue to attempt to destabilize the company's leadership and derail our successful value creation strategy through their public statements. Their attacks bear little resemblance of the facts."

PulteGroup did not immediately return calls for comment from CNBC.
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Oil prices reached 2016 highs on Wednesday, just days after oil-producing countries failed to strike an output freeze deal. Meanwhile, many market watchers considered that an oil-worker strike in Kuwait was propelling crude prices, but even after the Kuwait oil and gas industry called the strike off, prices went even higher. Still, this may not be the cause of higher prices. According to Genscape's Brian Busch, "one of the things that really turned the market today is [that] for the first time, if you net out crude and distillate, we saw the first true draw of the two together," he said in an interview with CNBC's "Power Lunch," on Wednesday. The director of oil markets and business development also noted that there's a strong sentiment in the market for higher oil prices. As news emerged that the Kuwait strike ceased, oil prices dipped, only to surge amid new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which said that crude stocks rose 2.1 million barrels last week, compared with Reuters' analysts forecasts of a 2.4 million-barrel build and industry group American Petroleum Institute's data showing a 3.1 million-barrel rise.

The agency also found that U.S. gasoline stockpiles ticked down slightly, while distillate fuel stocks fell by 3.6 million barrels. Production in U.S. oil fields continued its gradual decline, the data reflected.

The internationally traded Brent was up nearly four percent on Wednesday to settle at $45.77 a barrel, having earlier touched $45.82, its highest level since Nov. 26. U.S. oil settled 3.77 percent higher, at $42.63 a barrel. In the same vein, the oil market remains oversupplied and oil producers continue to threaten to pump more crude into the glut. Market watchers are eyeing Saudi Arabia as reports emerged that the Kingdom is issuing bonds for the first time in 25 years. John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital, told CNBC's "Power Lunch" that the Saudis are preparing for a market share battle. "I think they're certainly hunkering down for a battle  an epic battle  for market share among the U.S. and Iran," he said. "They don't know what the future holds for them or oil prices, so they're getting ahead of it  making sure they can stay liquid."
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The world's two largest smartphone makers muscled into Singapore's already-crowded mobile payment space this week, but experts say it may take a while for them to see much enthusiasm from locals.

Apple launched Apple Pay in the city-state on April 19 for American Express card holders, who can use it at selected outlets and through various apps on most Apple smartphones and some iPads.

Jennifer Bailey, the vice president of Apple Pay, said credit and debit cards from Singapore banks including DBS, UOB and Standard Chartered would work with Apple Play in the coming months. The service had previously been launched in the U.S., China, UK, Canada and Australia.

A day after Apple's announcement, South Korean electronics giant Samsung said Singapore would be the first country in Southeast Asia to receive its mobile payment system, Samsung Pay. The company said the service would launch this quarter, without giving a specific date.

Once available, the city-state will join the likes of South Korea, the U.S. and China, where the service is already up and running. In February, Samsung said its mobile payment service had about 5 million registered users, prior to its launch in China in March.



Samsung said that a February survey had showed that interest in the service in Singapore was strong. Of the 400 responses the company received, it said 71 percent were positive.

Consumers can use Samsung Pay in most retail outlets that accept credit card payment, using the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S7 and S7 edge smartphones, said Samsung.

To prepare for the roll out, Samsung said it was providing training for cashiers at partnering retailers and merchants. The company will also allow users to beta-test the service prior to the launch.

Samsung has already confirmed its partnership with MasterCard and Visa, with American Express expected to join up later. Samsung will also partner major banks in Singapore, including DBS/POSB, OCBC Bank and Standard Chartered.





A worker demonstrates fingerprint payment security on the Samsung Electronics stand at the Mobile World Congress in February 2016. Samsung has introduced multiple levels of security for its mobile payment service Samsung Pay. Pau Barrena | Bloomberg | Getty Images

But even with Singapore's phenomenal mobile penetration rate, analysts believe the uptake of both Apple and Samsung's mobile payment services may be disappointing. Data from the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore showed the city-state had a mobile phone penetration rate of 148.4 percent in 2015.

"I think that consumer adoption of both Apple Pay and Samsung Pay will be slower than expected in Singapore," a researcher at Forrester, Zhi Ying Ng, told CNBC.

Ng said while the use of contactless card payments was increasing in Singapore, and consumers were becoming more comfortable with the technology, it would take time for them to realize the additional value that digital wallets brought in terms of simplicity, security and experience.

International Data Corporation's (IDC) senior market analyst Michael Yeo told CNBC that while mobile payments were "absolutely huge in Asia" with the success of Alipay and WeChat wallet offerings in China, in Singapore, the technology had yet to take off.




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When it comes to engagement rings, some say size matters. But for one start-up, the size of the box the ring comes in matters, too. The smaller, the better, according to entrepreneur Ron Zheng, who told CNBC that when he popped the question, "I ended up just ditching the box and putting the ring in my pocket."





Soon after, Zheng and his friend, Jon Balanevsky, co-founded Parker Square. And one of the company's first products, a flat ring box, offers an alternative to what the two describe as "bulky, ridiculous $5 boxes." The founders told CNBC the box, which they call, "Secret", is about the size of a standard men's wallet. Inside the leather box, the ring sits on a rising platform that lifts the ring up into a standing position as the lid opens. Another more expensive version includes an LED light that shines on the diamond when the box is open.

The Parker Square boxes retail for $98 and $118 for the lighted versions. The company sells both boxes direct to consumers on its website. New York Angels board member Alicia Syrett asked whether the team would be able to stop others from creating a similar product. According to the founders, the box's design is patent pending, adding that they have also filed for a utility patent. Still, "Secret," already faces competition from traditional boxes offered by high-end jewelry retailers like Bulgari and Tiffany & Co., famous for its "little blue box."

"I think the [ring] box has been really overlooked. Even at Tiffany's and Bulgari, they don't spend a lot on their boxes. We're finding that the consumers are voting with their wallet, and are spending $98 to $100 on these boxes," Zheng told CNBC.

Parker Squares Secret engagement ring box. CNBC

According to the founders, the average size of the market for engagement ring boxes in the U.S. is roughly $50 million. Since January, Parker Square has sold about 1,000 boxes directly to consumers, and the company says it has 1,500 boxes on order from jewelry stores. The start-up said it has shipped to such places as Singapore, Hong Kong and London, more than 40 countries in all.

Venture capitalist David Wu, thinking outside the box, said he was curious if Parker Square considered itself a jewelry company or an innovation lab for jewelry accessories. The founders said that Parker Square is both. In addition to producing new products for the diamond industry like the "Secret" box, the start-up also sells bespoke engagement pieces and other jewelry by appointment. Parker Square is headquartered in New York City and its boxes are manufactured in the city and overseas. The start-up was bootstrapped with $2,000 and also raised upwards of $14,000 via Kickstarter to fund its "Secret" box project. The founders told CNBC Parker Square is already profitable and they have plans to grow its box sales to jewelry stores and potentially license the boxes.
Trump celebrated Tuesday's crushing New York primary victory, with the latest projections predicting the billionaire will get close to the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the nomination come convention time in July.

On the issue of who Trump might pick as a vice presidential running mate, Forbes told CNBC's " Squawk Box " the billionaire real estate mogul could do "something totally out of the box" and choose somebody like former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

If GOP front-runner Donald Trump can win most of the final primary contests, he should get the Republican presidential nomination no matter the delegate count, said Steve Forbes, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination in 1996 and 2000.

The next big primary day is set for Tuesday with five contests, including winner-take-most races in 71-delegate Pennsylvania and 38-delegate Maryland.



The final nominating contests occur on June 7, with five primaries on the docket, including winner-take-most of the 172 delegates up for grabs in California and winner-take-all 51 delegates in New Jersey.

Forbes said that coming up short at around 1,100 delegates should be enough for Trump to win, because one of the remaining candidates  Texas Sen. Ted Cruz or Ohio Gov. John Kasich  could throw their haul to Trump.

"Somebody is going to put [Trump] over, whether it's Kasich or somebody else. Those things take a dynamic of their own, especially ... [with] delegates knowing this is their last chance at 15-minutes of fame," Forbes said.

The chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media said he has not endorsed any candidate, but will support whoever gets the Republican nomination.


CEOs don't typically like to take on politicians unless it's over taxes and regulation, but that approach could leave many corporate leaders out of step with the nation. The ongoing controversy in North Carolina over a law viewed by many CEOs as discriminating against the LGBT community makes clear the rise of the CEO social activist: taking a stance on diversity is essential to workforce talent recruitment and retention, and ultimately market growth and earnings.

"There's a very interesting change in the current generation of CEOs," said Luke Visconti, CEO and founder of DiversityInc, which just released its annual index of the 50 most diverse companies. "They understand that offering no comment or opinion is a negative one. ... What I tell companies is to be purposeful about outbound communications and be ahead of the curve."



People protest outside the North Carolina Executive Mansion in Raleigh on March 24, 2016, against a South Carolina proposal to forbid transgender people from using restrooms that correspond to their gender identity. Emery P. Dalesio | AP

DiversityInc measures corporate diversity using representation on a board, in upper management, among top earners and across many corporate department and initiatives that support employee diversity, including mentoring and resource groups on specific issues.

Visconti said while its rankings can't measure a CEO's stance on a political controversy, "there's more activism to come."

Arne Sorenson, CEO and president of Marriott International (No. 9 on the DiversityInc 2016 list), has been among the CEO "activist" leaders. In one of the first state-level battles over legislation perceived as discriminatory, in Arizona in 2014, Sorenson was among the CEOs to vocally challenge then-Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Brewer vetoed the legislation. Now Sorenson finds himself in the middle of the controversy again. "I have personally received hundreds of emails in the last week complaining about the position I have taken with respect to the law in North Carolina," he told CNBC. "I think the way the law was passed was trying to drive a wedge between people who think and believe different things, as opposed to building a bridge. We end up creating a polarized and exclusionary environment with laws like that," Sorenson said.

DiversityInc Top 10

Kaiser Permanente Novartis EY AT&T PricewaterhouseCoopers Sodexo MasterCard Johnson & Johnson Marriott Prudential

The politics tied up in the North Carolina law debate should not mean it is viewed as only a political issue for corporations. "People don't just go to work from nine to five anymore. They are expected to have a huge relationship with the corporation way beyond punching a time clock. It's about protecting workers. Political issues are social issues and are completely relevant to people walking in the door to work every day," said Julie Goodridge, president and founder of socially responsible investing firm NorthStar Asset Management.

Sorenson said the ultimate goal is looking at the success of a campaign like the anti-LGBT discrimination effort and asking whether it can be duplicated in another area related to social change and a change in the business world that helps a company grow.

"I think, in many circumstances, you can have a debate over whether business has much influence, anyway, particularly in a society which has cynicism and divisiveness. But rather than be skeptical, when it's germane to our businesses, we should have an active role in addressing it," the Marriott CEO said. But he stressed, "That doesn't translate into an obligation that business leaders should speak out on every social issue."

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The DiversityInc Top 50 has highlighted a finding that is gaining more empirical support among investors: The performance of the 50 companies in the index has beaten the stock market in the past three- and five-year periods (it did not in the past one-year period). But that's just a piece of a more complex CEO performance matrix.

"Diversity is important not because a company checks all the boxes, but because the world is diverse and because consumers are diverse and not becoming any less diverse," Goodridge said. As an investing CEO who uses screens like gender and LGBT policy as a way to evaluate companies, Goodridge said she is not immune from the problem all CEOs face. "What's missing  the big, most important thing  is, are these companies protecting employees and adding value to the world in some way? Or are they meeting minimal requirements for goodness? One woman on the board or one woman of color won't make a difference."

Some critics of the North Carolina law and related state efforts say it may prove to be an outlier among social issues that inspire CEOs due to its "blatant" nature.

"Some of the activism is just around the audacity of it, the blatant discrimination of it all," said Beck Bailey, a spokesman for one of the most well-organized nonprofit groups fighting the issue: the Human Rights Campaign. Or as Goodridge put it: "What's happening is, people realize how ridiculous it is."

There's also a legal reason why this issue has attracted so much attention from businesses: while federal laws exist related to race and gender discrimination in the workplace, there is no federal law covering private workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In 29 states, there is no law that explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, and in 32 states, no similar law that covers gender identity, according to HRC data. "Sometimes politicians can be regressive," said Stephen Howe, US chairman at EY (No. 3 on the DiversityInc list). "The business world here is moving us forward by being more progressive. ... We're now employing 215,000 people around the world, so we're a significant employer in all markets and we need to be engaged on these issues. ... There is a responsibility that business has in the political and social sphere."

HRC's letter to North Carolina's governor was signed by 160 CEOs, including 10 of the 50 companies on the DiversityInc 50 for 2016.

There's a very interesting change in the current generation of CEOs. They understand that offering no comment or opinion is a negative one. Luke Visconti founder and CEO of DiversityInc
The winner of the Yahoo bidding process at least in the short term is going to be Yahoo and maybe a few of its short-term shareholders who timed their purchases right. The loser will undoubtedly be whoever buys the dwindling company.



When Marissa Mayer was named Yahoo's CEO in July 2012 I woke up at an ungodly hour and drove to a TV station in Vancouver to deliver my verdict on her for CNBC. Maybe I was giddy because it was before 5 a.m. and Starbucks wasn't open yet, but I told viewers that "Christ himself (herself) couldn't turn around Yahoo." Yahoo was a yesteryear company in secular decline.

Warren Buffett once said, "When a management with a reputation for brilliance tackles a business with a reputation for bad economics, it is the reputation of the business that remains intact." Mayer was a star at Google, I bet that she wishes she had never left, since Yahoo was doomed with or without her.

According to Tuesday's first-quarter results, revenue less TAC or Traffic Acquisition Cost was $859 million versus $1.043 billion a year ago. That's a nasty 18 percent decline.
Burning tires, riots, blocked roads. These were the scenes last year when French taxi drivers protested against U.S. ride-hailing app Uber. The incidents did little to help shake off the long-standing image of France as a hotbed if anti-innovation. But look a little closer, and the picture is very different. "France is pretty bad at communication on innovation. Often the French are stigmatized by strikes, which we tend to be seen as the champions for, and it becomes a cliche," Nicolas Brusson, the co-founder of long-distance ride sharing start-up BlaBlaCar, one of Europe's star start-ups currently valued over $1 billion, told CNBC by phone.



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In recent times France has managed to attract an increasing amount of tech investment. In 2015, French start-ups raised 960 million euros ($1.08 billion), up from 862 million euros in 2014, according to data from Tech.eu, a technology publication and research body. Some of the biggest deals last year included a $200 million round for BlaBlaCar and $110 million in funding for music streaming service Deezer. And venture capital (VC) firms have been happy to jump into the country. "I came back to Europe in 2011 after spending a significant amount of time in the Valley. One of the things that brought me back was that I really thought the ecosystem in Europe was really emerging and this was something very interesting. It felt I was witnessing the rebirth of the ecosystem," Phillipe Botteri, a partner at top pan-European VC firm Accel, told CNBC in a phone interview. Accel, often seen as a key investor to have on board by start-ups, has invested in the likes of Showroomprive and BlaBlaCar in France. "France is the number two country after the U.K. where we deploy the most capital. I think France is a very attractive market for venture and if I look at the overall trend of European tech, it has been growing, and France has been growing faster," Botteri said, adding that Accel has invested about $150 million in the past few years in French start-ups.

Still, there are some French regulations that still bug start-ups. One of the most complained-about is "social charges," where, for example, companies have to pay for health benefits of people they hire. This can mean the capital that would be used on hiring another person would need to be spent on an existing employee. But the government has introduced a tax credit scheme to try to reduce this. And France's government has been trying hard to shake off the negative image of the country and introduce new laws to foster its digital economy. Last year, lawmakers drafted the Digital Republic Bill, and opened it up for the public to add comments and annotations to it online.

A taxi drives past burning tires during a national protest against car-sharing service Uber in Nice, France, June 25, 2015. Jean-Pierre Amet | Reuters

"It was the first time in France, and probably the first time in Europe, which we co-built the bill with online citizens," Axelle Lemaire, the minister of state for digital affairs in France who spearheaded the bill, told CNBC in a phone interview. The lawmaker said that over 8,000 people wrote contributions and 80 changes were made with five new articles added to the bill. "This is positive. We are trying to find ways to reconnecting with the citizens and younger people who are not interested in politics or tempted to look at more extremist solutions, it's a positive sign and positive way of doing politics," Lemaire said. Some of the key proposals include opening up public data that start-ups can use when they are building products, new protection for "ethical hackers" that manage to hack companies and tell them about it and a legal status for e-sports gamers.


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US prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation "regarding matters" related to the 'Panama Papers' leak of documents that have revealed secret offshore bank accounts linked to the rich and powerful. Preet Bharara, US attorney for the Southern District of New York, disclosed the probe by his office in a letter to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. In the letter, which was posted on the Guardian's website and has been authenticated by the Financial Times, is seeking to speak with an ICIJ employee about the data leak. A spokesman for the US attorney's office declined to comment. In the letter Mr Bharara writes that his office has opened an investigation "regarding matters to which the Panama Papers are relevant."

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Earlier this month ICIJ and other news organisation published multiple stories based on 11.5 million files leaked from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, one of the largest offshore law firms. The stories revealed offshore accounts linked to David Cameron, a close friend of Russian president Vladimir Putin and Iceland's Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, who was toppled by the revelations. The US Justice Department has been cracking down on American citizens and the bankers, lawyers and others who helped them evade paying taxes by hiding income in undeclared offshore bank accounts for nearly a decade.

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Google and the art of monopoly maintenance In 2009 UBS paid a $780 million fine and signed a deferred prosecution agreement admitting it helped scores of Americans evade taxes. Other bank settlements followed, including a guilty plea by Credit Suisse in 2014, and dozens of individuals were charged.


Trump has to choose between two strategies. First, he could decide to name his running mate well before the convention and choose someone many of his most ardent opponents inside the Republican Party will like. Based on the bad blood between Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, and the fact that most elected Republicans don't like Cruz either, I don't see Cruz being a viable choice. Governor John Kasich is a bit more of a plausible choice, and some GOP insiders seem to think Kasich has been angling for the VP slot all along. And he offers the hint of general election help with his popularity in the crucial state of Ohio. But Kasich's many recent comments disparaging Trump and even saying he's not fit to be president are going to be hard to ignore. Still, it would be hard for Trump to do better in his attempts to appear more conciliatory than he could by finding some way to join forces with Kasich.



On CNBC Wednesday morning, Steve Forbes put forth the possibility that Trump will pick a wildcard running mate like former Secretary of State Colin Powell. But Powell has almost completely left the Republican Party and it's hard to believe the very moderate in philosophy and demeanor Powell will come back to join the bombastic and divisive Trump.


The "new normal" for U.S. oil prices could be as much as double the current $40 per barrel, but don't expect $65 to $80 crude until around 2018, long-time industry advisor Tom Petrie said Wednesday.

"We overshot on the downside, when we penetrated $30 [per barrel]," Petrie said, referring to the Feb. 11 bottom of $26.05 per barrel. Since then, WTI has surged about 45 percent. "Some of that recovery, shock though it was, was getting back into a more normal adjusted price."

In the shorter run, the American benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude could top out in the mid-$40s or low-$50s by the end of 2016, the chairman of Petrie Partners told CNBC's "Squawk Box."



"We're going to  [see] enough of a decline in North America and China and other non-OPEC sources, where by this time next year, most of the surplus if not all will be eliminated. But we still then need to pull down those inventories," said Petrie, formerly a vice chairman of Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Leslie Shaffer | CNBC

The Australian market has rallied nearly 10 percent off its bear-market low in February, but the gains are just getting started, Credit Suisse said. The market down under is seeing its traditional "gummy bear" rally, which generally follows its dips into benign bear markets, the bank said in a note Tuesday, referring to a popular sticky candy. That type of rally typically sees the index climb an average of 24 percent over the following 12 months, Credit Suisse said. But historical comparisons aren't the only reason the bank is staying positive on the market despite few expectations for a strong recovery in the long-downtrodden prices of Australia's key commodity exports. For one, Australia's stocks still look cheap based on dividend yields, with the trailing ASX 200 yield at just under 5 percent, compared with the long-term average of around 4 percent, Credit Suisse said.

"Supporting the rise in stock indices is a growing income seeking investor baseboth domestically and from abroad," it said. Indeed, in an email accompanying the research note, the bank highlighted how the extraordinary global appetite for yield allowed serial bond-defaulter Argentina to tap the global debt market for the first time in 15 years. The deal was four times oversubscribed and saw five-year bonds priced to effectively yield only around 6 percent, the bank said. Australian bank Westpac is yielding a gross of 8.9 percent, it noted. "The events in Argentina this week give us more confidence that we will see yield compression in Australia," it said, noting that at the bank's target of 6,000 for the ASX 200 , the dividend yield would fall to around 4 percent. The ASX 200 index is up around 0.3 percent at 5204.60 at Wednesday midday. To be sure, Credit Suisse noted that forward dividend estimates have been cut. "The cuts to DPS [dividend per share] have been focused amongst the commodity stocks and many are beginning to fear cuts in banks' DPS. We are more sanguine here," the bank's analysts said. "To get a meaningful rise in non-performing loans and a cut in Bank DPS, we need to see rising unemployment. But the unemployment has been falling in Australia for a year now." Additionally, the bank is relatively positive on the outlook for the commodity sector, at least in the short term, as China has pulled forward some of its infrastructure spending this year.
Car manufacturer SEAT might belong to Germany's VW Group but the company's chief executive told CNBC that it has retained its own identity and sense of innovation that has enabled it to return to profit in the region. SEAT has a long history of car manufacturing in Spain, having been founded by the Spanish government in 1950. After a long partnership with Italy's FIAT, it was bought by Germany's VW Group in 1990. After struggling during Europe's recent financial crisis, SEAT returned to profit last year for the first time since 2008. The company's Chief Executive Luca de Meo told CNBC that the company's owner had allowed it to keep and develop its own identity. "It has always been the strategy of the VW group to respect the cultural identity of each one of the brands we work with. Every brand has its own strategy, own product and branding," De Meo told CNBC on Wednesday.



The SEAT Ibiza Bloomberg | Getty Images

"The history of success of SEAT in Germany started a few years ago. Germany is actually our biggest market and not a lot of people know this. The reason for that is that we are offering a level of quality and technology that the German buyers are appreciating." Last week, SEAT told CNBC that sales were growing throughout most of Europe's main markets. Sales in Germany rose 3.8 percent in 2015, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth for SEAT in the country. "In the last three years, sales have accumulated 25 percent growth, almost 80,000 vehicles more than in 2012," the company told CNBC last week. In 2015, sales exceeded the 400,000 vehicle barrier, a result which it said was due to a recovery in Spain and Italy and its best-ever sales figures in Switzerland, Denmark and the Czech Republic. De Meo said SEAT's introduction of new products and a recovery in the wider European economy had helped the brand to return to growth. He added that the turnaround was "just the beginning" and that SEAT planned to launch four new models over the next two years.
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Wildfire levels Wooldridge amid rash of natural cover blazes

The Wooldridge fire was the most severe in a rash of natural cover blazes in mid-Missouri since Friday, including multiple in Columbia.
Crime Report Shelby County 911 - A Crime Report SHARE

By Jody Callahan of The Commercial Appeal

A Memphis Police officer accused of sexually assaulting a woman Downtown early Saturday morning has resigned, police said.

Memphis police havent released the officers name, saying they wouldnt do so until charges are filed.

According to police, the 26-year-old woman filed a complaint later Saturday morning, saying that the on-duty officer had made inappropriate sexual contact with her as she left the Purple Haze nightclub earlier that morning.

Police are still investigating.
December 04, 2014 -- The sign for movies is vacant as the large theater has been closed at the Raleigh Springs Mall. The mall in Raleigh is now a shell of its former self with most of the stores closed including an abandoned movie theater. (Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Thomas Bailey Jr. of The Commercial Appeal

The Memphis Business Journal is a newspaper for general readership, a Shelby County Circuit Court judge said Tuesday.

That conclusion triggered Judge James F. Russell's ruling that the Memphis Housing Authority must try a third time to correctly notify the public if it wants to seize the Raleigh Springs Mall through eminent domain.

The Memphis Housing Authority wants to carry out a $31.7 million redevelopment of the distressed mall property on Austin Peay Highway at Yale Road. Existing buildings would be razed and new ones built to turn the site into a mix of public functions like police services, library and community center as well as room for retailers or institutions.

But Raleigh Mall RPS LLC, which owns the main mall buildings, asked the court to invalidate the eminent domain because MHA failed to include the Memphis Business Journal among the newspapers in which it published notices of a public hearing.

Tennessee law requires that such notices be published in each newspaper of general circulation in a municipality. MHA published notices in The Commercial Appeal, The Memphis Daily News and, to be on the safe side, La Prensa Latina.

Tuesday's ruling means MHA must go through the notification-and-public-hearing process for a third time, this time including the Memphis Business Journal.

Russell said from the bench that reading the Business Journal "reveals there are legal notices... (and) the court notices there is an article about Mayor Strickland and things related to him. Another article is about a Crosstown project in news about restoration and renovation.

"... The court is of the opinion that reasonable minds can only conclude that the Memphis Business Journal is clearly a paper of general circulation,'' Russell said.

In August, Russell ruled that the first notice of a public hearing published in The Commercial Appeal "was flawed in many ways.''

After Tuesday's hearing, attorney Jonathan Hancock of Baker Donelson said his client, MHA, will take a few days to determine what to do next. Attorney Kirk Caraway of Allen Summers represented the mall owner.

If the agency sticks to its redevelopment plans and goes through the public hearing process a third time, it must publish notifications in more than just the Memphis Business Journal, The Commercial Appeal, the Memphis Daily News and La Prensa Latina.

Russell determined that the stand-alone, weekly Daily News publication called The Memphis News is also a publication of general circulation.

The state law, while amended several times, was enacted in 1945. "This court believes until the Tennessee legislature reviews and alters this notice requirement, giving more consideration to the changes in modern times, we must nevertheless comply as best we understand...,'' Russell said.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (April 16, 2016) Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Trevor Thompson, a member of the U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, parades the U.S. flag at Neyland Stadium during Knoxville's Navy Week. (U.S. Navy photo)

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By Wayne Risher of The Commercial Appeal

New York-based advertising agency Young & Rubicam Inc. (Y&R) will open a 50-person Memphis office to help the Navy Recruiting Command in Millington attract recruits.

Y&R last year won a Navy contract worth about $112.5 million in the first year and as much as $457 million over five years. The award had been tied up until last week by appeals from the recruiting command's previous advertising firm, Lowe Campbell Ewald of Detroit.

Y&R said the new Memphis office at Brinkley Plaza Downtown will work in partnership with affiliates Wunderman, Burson-Marsteller, VML and MEC. The companies are part of global giant WPP plc.

We are thrilled to officially welcome Young & Rubicam (Y&R) to the Navy team and to Memphis to formally begin our exciting partnership," said Rear Adm. Jeff Hughes, Navy Recruiting Command commander.

Y&R's arrival will boost WPP-affiliated companies to about 120 employees in Memphis, including about 60 at a Wunderman digital marketing unit at Clark Tower and eight at Burson Campaigns.

David Sable, global chief executive officer of Y&R, said, Every day we feel the importance of our mission to help the Navy recruit talent. We believe being in close proximity (to the recruiting command) will benefit the way we work together and therefore the work."

"We are also excited by the prospect of infusing our team with top talent from the region. With our partner agencies, we think we have a great complement of people that we have brought to the table and we are focused, committed and eager to do great work," Sable said.

Y&R aims to grow in Memphis, Sable said, and the Memphis office's managing director Ken Dowling is tasked with expanding its capabilities and client base.

Dowling was named global client leader for the Navy partnership. He worked for Y&R from 1985 to 1993 and recently returned after 15 years at Grey Advertising.

The Navy Times, a newspaper, reported last October that Lowe Campbell Ewald's appeals were delaying development of a new recruiting tagline to replace "America's Navy."

Y&R prevailed in competitive bidding for a comprehensive advertising and marketing program covering research, creative and production work, operation of a call center to make recruiting calls and a fulfillment center to respond to requests for information.

The Memphis office opening has been held up since last May by the Detroit firm's appeals, twice to the Government Accountability Office, and finally to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. The court granted a voluntary dismissal April 11 at Lowe Campbell Ewald's request.

An online posting by the Navy last year said the work would be performed in Memphis, 46 percent; Nashville, 27 percent; New York, 19 percent; and Chicago, 8 percent.


Bass Pro Shops opened a year ago in the 32-story Pyramid on the Memphis riverfront. (Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Ted Evanoff of The Commercial Appeal

Bass Pro Shops is bidding to buy Nebraska rival Cabelas Inc., reports the Reuters news service.

Missouri-based Bass Pro, which opened a 700-employee tourist attraction in Downtown Memphis a year ago, is teaming on the bid with the private equity fund of New York investor Goldman Sachs Group Inc., says the news service, citing unnamed sources.

Cabela's last year engaged investment bank Guggenheim Securities LLC to look at strategic alternatives including a sale, following efforts from shareholder Elliott Management Corp., a New York hedge fund, to boost earnings. Sales growth has flattened following a rapid expansion throughout the United States.

Other buyout firms are also considering Cabelas, the largest rival for Bass Pro in the outdoor sporting goods industry.

Last April, privately owned Bass Pro opened a 535,000-square-foot shopping and tourist attraction in The Pyramid on the Memphis riverfront.


Malcolm Howze, an ex-felon, and Josh Spickler, executive director of Just City

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By David Waters of The Commercial Appeal

Criminal records follow people around long after theyve done their time, paid their fines, or completed their probations.

Even a minor criminal arrest can turn into a life sentence, keeping you from getting a job, renting an apartment, getting a license or a loan, building credit, even volunteering at a childs school.

Should every sentence be a life sentence? Josh Spickler and Malcolm Howze think not.

Spickler is executive director of Just City, a local nonprofit dedicated to criminal justice reform. It has helped nearly 60 people get their Tennessee criminal records expunged.

If we dont give people an opportunity to move past their mistakes, Spickler said on the latest Talk, Memphis podcast, were limiting our potential as a community.

Howze, an ex-felon, hasnt been able to meet Tennessees high requirements for expungement.

Its a part of my life that feels like Im free, but its another part of my life that feels like Im not free, he said.

In this weeks Talk, Memphis podcast, Spickler and Howze talk about how and why the state should do more to help ex-felons re-enter society.

Feel free to talk back in the comments section.


January 28, 2016 - TBI agents bag a piece of evidence in the middle of South Parkway while they continue to investigate around the scene near where Memphis police shot and killed a man Wednesday night. Family identified the man as 32-year-old Johnathan Bratcher. TBI has taken over the investigation of the shooting and remain on the scene Thursday. (Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Richard Locker of The Commercial Appeal

NASHVILLE  Legislation announced last fall by two Shelby County lawmakers to require the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to investigate all officer-involved shootings of others and to require public disclosure of the findings has failed in the state legislature for the year.

Sponsored by Sen. Brian Kelsey, R-Germantown, and Rep. G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, the bill ran into trouble last month when the two sponsors proceeded along separate paths with differing amendments. It finally died Tuesday in the House finance subcommittee after the committee rejected another amendment by Hardaway that sought to remove a provision that increased the current $25,000 state benefit paid to survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty to $100,000.

Later Tuesday, after Hardaway ultimately withdrew the bill in the House subcommittee, Kelsey withdrew the Senate version, SB 2023, from its scheduled Senate floor vote.

As originally filed, the bill would have required TBI investigators to probe every shooting by local police and sheriff's officers statewide that resulted in injuries or death, and the disclosure of the investigative report after it is turned over to local district attorneys.

District attorneys in Tennessee have the legal authority to ask for a TBI investigation of officer-involved shootings and DAs in rural areas usually do ask for the independent state help. State law requires all TBI investigative reports, including those involving shootings by officers, to remain permanently confidential unless ordered released by a court.

Last fall, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich, Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong and Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham signed a "memorandum of understanding" with TBI Director Mark Gwyn calling for the state agency to handle the investigations of any officer-involved shootings and suspicious prisoner deaths. Both agencies have traditionally led their own investigations. The agreement does not include the any of the suburban police departments outside Memphis.

Weirich had to petition a court to order the release of the TBI's report on the shooting death of 19-year-old Darrius Stewart by a Memphis police officer after a traffic stop last July.

Testimony in a state Senate hearing in the fall indicated that Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville are the biggest Tennessee cities where local authorities will conduct such investigations on their own.
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By Daniel Connolly of The Commercial Appeal

A bill allowing students with immigration problems to pay in-state tuition at Tennessee universities has failed in the state Legislature.

Rep. Mark White, the Memphis Republican who sponsored the bill, said Wednesday he needed 18 votes in the calendar committee to move it to a floor vote.

"And I could never garner that many votes this year. For whatever reason," he said.

The bill would have impacted the students who qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a temporary protected status President Obama introduced in 2012 for young people brought to the country illegally or on visas that have expired.

In Tennessee, 7,700 young people have received approval for Deferred Action since 2012, and 713,000 have been approved nationwide, according to federal data. Nationally, most Deferred Action recipients come from Mexico.

They are eligible to receive work permits, Social Security cards and Tennessee driver's licenses but they still must pay out-of-state tuition. At the University of Memphis, for instance, they would pay $20,600 versus in-state tuition of $8,900 per year. These students are not eligible for federal financial aid and most state scholarships, making state schools extremely hard for them to afford.

The bill would have granted them in-state tuition, though not scholarships.

The group Latino Memphis issued a statement about the bill's failure this year.

"With their inaction, lawmakers effectively told tomorrow's professionals and their future employers that talent is not a priority to them ... It is a shame that the fears associated with a state and national election year (combined) with the presidential anti-immigrant rhetoric has had a bigger impact than common sense and strong bipartisan policy," the group said.

Last year, the bill gained support from business organizations including the Greater Memphis Chamber, the Tennessee Farm Bureau and the Tennessee Board of Regents, which runs tech schools, community colleges and four-year schools such as the University of Memphis.

The bill passed the state Senate by a vote of 21-12. In the state House, it won 49 yes votes versus 47 against. But that was short of the 50-vote majority needed for passage.

Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, who voted against the bill last year, argued the legislation was inconsistent with Tennessee's challenge to President Obama's executive orders on immigration. He said recently that he's sympathetic to stories of students with immigration problems, but has to see the big picture.

"At this time we're trying to expand education for children of U.S. citizens and Tennessee citizens, and that's hard enough, for starters," he said.

White hoped to move the bill forward in the second year of the legislature's two-year session. However, that required him to get enough votes in the calendar committee to bring it forward for a floor vote, and that didn't happen.

He says he'll try again.

"These young people have gone to high school in our state and grown up in our state. And having an educated mind is a lot better than not, so we'll keep fighting for them."
Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dorsey Hopson (Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

By Jennifer Pignolet of The Commercial Appeal

Shelby County Schools may tweak its plan to help students bypass the Achievement School District in the Raleigh neighborhood, but several school board members said Tuesday they favor the overall idea.

Raleigh-Egypt Middle school will enter the ASD this fall, converting to a charter under Scholar Academies. The SCS plan would turn Raleigh-Egypt High School into a school serving grades six through 12.

Students zoned to Raleigh-Egypt Middle will still be zoned to that school even when it enters the ASD. To attend the high school early, they would apply for a transfer.

"I think this just gives parents another choice," board chairwoman Teresa Jones said.

An early draft of the plan had students attending Egypt Elementary through the sixth grade and then going to the high school starting in seventh grade.

Superintendent Dorsey Hopson presented both options to the board, but said a concern with adding the sixth grade to the elementary school was a zoning issue that would leave some students attending three schools in three years. As a result, several board members said they favor the plan adding all three grades to the high school.

Hopson said the proposal came from results of a parent survey as well as community engagement meetings in the neighborhood.

Another concern with either option, Hopson said, was having middle and high school students in the same building. While all three schools already share a campus, Hopson said the principal would be methodical about separating the age groups within the building.

Board member Shante Avant asked if staggered start times were possible. Hopson said it's being considered, along with possibly making the high school an Innovation Zone school, which would add an extra hour of instruction each day.

Hopson said a vote could come at the May meeting, but board member Kevin Woods said he is concerned about the administration's ability to staff the school for the extra grades if they wait that long.

"Your best teachers are going to already have made commitments," he said.

Hopson said the district would also have to buy new supplies, including textbooks, because all of what they already own will stay with the school as it enters the ASD. That will also require a strategy to figure out as early as possible how many students would choose this option to avoid the ASD.

"This is really new territory," he said.
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By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal

Changes in Mississippi's funding formula for public schools won't come this session, and local school leaders say it's putting the squeeze on budgeting.

House and Senate negotiators were unable to reach an agreement on changes to the funding formula, which allocates state money to Mississippi's 151 school districts.

Local districts support a formula based on average enrollment rather than the current model of average attendance. Such a change would have pumped additional revenue into the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, which is $170 million short for next year's budget using the current formula. The program has been fully funded only twice since it started in 1997.

Cory Uselton, superintendent of the state's largest district in DeSoto County, said Tuesday the failure to address the funding question will continue to impact the district until something happens.

The district, with about 33,000 students in 42 schools, is using $17 million in reserve funds to cover general fund expenses based on the budget approved in June 2015, before Uselton took office.

Uselton said the district had $90 million in the general fund at the end of the 2014-15 school year. This school year, Uselton said $73 million is projected, with the $17 million in reserve funds making up the shortfall.

"This is going to put us in a dire financial situation in the upcoming years," said Uselton, elected in November to replace retiring Superintendent Milton Kuykendall.

Uselton said, so far, the district has made cuts at the district level, including about $500,000 in the district office payroll. He said he's doing everything possible to prevent cuts at the classroom level, where changes would affect teaching positions and programs.

State Sen. Chris Massey, R-Nesbit, said Tuesday the issue of rewriting the school formula never really advanced far enough this session to say whether he supported reform or not.

"There was never really anything there to take a stand on," he said. "We got bogged down on other things, and nothing happened."

Massey said he felt confident the issue would be back next session, and he knows it's important to local legislators. Massey added it would be easier if the state had more revenue available. Still, he said he knows the issue is important.

"I think there will be future bills," Massey said. "I think everybody can agree there are places (the funding formula) can be improved."
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The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is kicking off its centennial birthday celebration with a ball  a big red vinyl one.

The so-called RedBall Project, an inflated orb that is 15 feet in diameter and 250 pounds in weight, will make an appearance at 10 specially picked locations around the city, including the museum, April 29 to May 7 as part of the museum's reopening and birthday celebration.

Museum leaders, who visited The Commercial Appeal's editorial board Monday, said the RedBall is a way to stimulate public engagement about art and the museum.

As this community frets about problems such as crime, poverty, failing schools and blight, it is easy to forget how important the arts are to the city's quality of life.

As museum Director Emily Ballew Neff told the editorial board, great cities have great museums.

We certainly agree.

The Brooks reopens to the public April 29 after an extensive two-month renovation that includes several new galleries and a transformed restaurant.

The new galleries  some of which won't be open to the public until later in the year  mostly will celebrate Memphis artists.

The museum, located in Overton Park, first opened its doors May 26, 1916 .

The RedBall's creator, Brooklyn-based artist Kurt Perschke, described the ball as a "charismatic" object that opens a "doorway" to the imagination. He visited Memphis in December to scout locations for the project, which previously has been installed in such locations as New York, Paris, Sydney, Barcelona and Abu Dhabi, to name a few locations.

Typically, the huge ball squats at some places, and is squeezed into others, sometimes between buildings, so that it seems to be suspended in mid-descent.

"The RedBall does what art does  it changes your perspective. It becomes a kind of a metaphor for what a museum does. It becomes a conversation with your city," Neff said.

In the editorial board meeting, Neff also made this interesting point. When it was suggested that the exterior redesign would draw more visitors to the museum, she said the redesign is not about numbers, but rather "about the quality of what you're offering."

And the quality has been there. Neff called Brooks a treasure that is recognized by few people. It contains 5,000 years of paintings, sculpture, prints and photographs from around the world. It is the oldest and largest fine art museum in Tennessee.

And, as it turns 100 years old, it is shifting its focus to shine a light on local artists such as painter Carroll Cloar, and galleries devoted to the work of photographers Ernest Withers, who for decades chronicled African-American music, politics and culture, and William Eggleston, Memphis' most acclaimed visual artist, who revolutionized color photography.

Throughout the year, there will be a greater emphasis on works by contemporary artists, which Neff said some folks will like, others will not. But vibrant museums take risks, she said.

In our minds, it looks as if Neff and the museum's board are determined not to be a stodgy 100 years old.

They are determined to be a museum that engages its community not only with what is displayed inside, but also enhancing its programs that engage Memphians in their communities.
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By Noah Feldman

The much-awaited immigration case challenging President Barack Obama's right to waive deportation for unauthorized immigrants was argued before the Supreme Court Monday. It looks as though the administration may have a path to win  even if only on technicalities.

The argument was dramatic. Justice Sonia Sotomayor took on the Texas solicitor general in an extended colloquy that made her seem almost like an advocate for immigrants rather than a justice. And U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli said the administration was prepared to forget about granting official legal status to undocumented immigrants as long as they were protected from deportation  a step that could nullify most objections to Obama's executive order.

The two possible swing voters, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Anthony Kennedy, started out being hard on Verrilli. But later in the argument, they hinted that they might be willing to find a legal mechanism to overturn the judgment of the appeals court that blocked the administration's plan.

There are essentially two ways the Obama administration could win the suit and preserve the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans scheme the president enacted by executive order in November 2014. The first, and easiest, would be for the court to dismiss the state of Texas lawsuit that prompted the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit decision now being reviewed.

In its brief, the federal government had argued that Texas lacks the standing to bring the suit in the first place because it isn't really harmed by the law. In the oral argument, Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller countered that his state is harmed because, under its own law, it must issue drivers licenses for anyone the federal government authorizes to be in the U.S. legally. Because the president's executive order declares undocumented parents of children born in the U.S. to be "lawfully present," Texas asserted, the state would have to incur the cost of issuing drivers licenses to many thousands of people who were otherwise ineligible.

To make the case disappear, the court could simply say that issuing more drivers licenses wouldn't harm Texas enough to give it the legal standing to sue under the Constitution. Sotomayor hit this point hard. At one point in the oral argument, she told Texas' Keller that she didn't see why issuing more licenses would cost Texas anything. The state wouldn't have to add more employees, she said  applicants could just wait in longer lines. And anyway, the state charges $25 to all applicants, which might well cover any additional cost.

Justice Stephen Breyer made another argument about why Texas didn't have standing. He cited the 1923 case of Massachusetts v. Mellon, often described as the beginning of modern standing doctrine. In that case, the Supreme Court rejected the idea that any taxpayer could sue a state for an allegedly unconstitutional expense. From there, Breyer drew an analogy to the state of Texas claiming that it could challenge the executive order because it might cause the state to spend more money. Solicitor General Verrilli enthusiastically agreed that Breyer's analogy is "dead on correct."

The real targets of the standing arguments are Roberts and Kennedy, who represent votes 5 and 6 that could break a 4-4 tie. The chief justice seemed skeptical. He asked at one point, "Isn't losing money the classic case for standing?" And he added that under the court's doctrine, "we have a special solicitude for the claims of the states."

But Roberts was more sympathetic to a separate line of argument that might allow the government to win on the merits. Solicitor General Verrilli argued that the president doesn't actually need to insist that the undocumented persons are "lawfully present," as the executive order states. "We are not trying to change anybody's legal status," Verrilli said. "If the court thinks it's a problem and wants to put a red pencil through it, it's totally  fine. Really." All Obama needed to do, he asserted, was to defer deportation of the immigrants in question.

Verrilli's gamble placed Texas in a difficult position. Keller, representing the state, all but admitted that the president could choose to tell parents of children born in the U.S. that they were low priority for deportation, and even give them a document that says so. But he stuck with his insistence that the executive order was unconstitutional because it would change the legal status of the undocumented parents to lawfully present -- an action he said exceeded presidential authority.

But if the executive order doesn't actually change the person's legal status, and instead just defers deporting them, then there's nothing unconstitutional about it. Roberts seemed open to this argument. He asked the Texas solicitor general, "Why don't you go ahead and not give [undocumented people] a drivers license?" The implication was that the president hadn't yet done anything that amounted to changing the parents' legal status, and so Texas might not have to issue them licenses.

Kennedy seemed to be considering a similar possibility. He proposed that Texas might really want to challenge not the executive order itself, but an existing federal regulation that says immigrants who have been granted a deferral for deportation are entitled to work. This suggestion implied that Kennedy might be prepared to hold that the executive order didn't change anyone's legal status or confer work authorization on its own, which would be at least a partial victory for the Obama administration.

Noah Feldman, a Bloomberg View columnist, is a professor of constitutional and international law at Harvard.
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There are so many social media addicts these days and with the addiction being so real its no big surprise to discover numerous apps designed to ensure you remain unable to let go.

The ultimate social media keyboard

AIR for iPhone is the worlds only social media keyboard for iOS. When installed it pops up as an alternative keyboard that you use like these. The app offers a bunch of useful content creation and sharing features for social media addicts (or, I guess, marketers). These include image editing and watermarking, content management, typing shortcuts and more. It will connect with your social networks and address book and is a great way to quickly create compelling content for your followers across multiple platforms, take a look.

Stay informed

HootSuite has carved out a position as the leading Social Media Management tool. Use it to manage multiple Twitter, Facebook (profiles and pages), LinkedIn, WordPress, Foursquare and Google+ networks using one tool. Theres a host of features, not least the ability to schedule future posts and more, though the solution is expensive and may not be for everyone. (Free and up).

Cloze

Cloze kind of collects what your friends and contacts are doing from across all your social networks (Evernote, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and more) and combines them into an easy to manage stream. The solution also includes algorithms designed to identify and monitor your favorite people, and can also do intelligent things such as telling you exactly where you were last time you were in touch with people, providing context from Evernote, email, calls, social, documents and past meetings. Thats particularly useful in meetings when Cloze will gather this infor for you for every attendee. There are some pretty useful advanced features, too. (Free, advanced features cost up to $13.33/m)

Make your own meme

If youre both someone who has great ideas for memes and an eye for a decent image and are also insanely busy, then you may get a kick from Meme Generator. This easy to use app lets you quickly combine words with images and then share them all from within the app. The app is free but you need to cough up cold hard cash to get rid of the annoying ads. (Free ish). Other apps that may fit this ticket include Replay and Cinematic.

Telling stories, beautifully

Winner of an Apple Design Award in 2014, Storehouse does a great job equipping you with the tools you need to turn your collections of photos and videos into beautiful and shareable stories you can then inject inside your social media feeds. You can add up to 50 photos and videos taken from your Camera Roll, Instagram, Flickr & Dropbox and share them through social media, blogs or privately via SMS or email. (Free).

Control the addiction

Finally an app for social media addicts who want to bring their addiction under control. Moment tracks how you use your iPhone during the day so you can easily find out how much time you spend using the Apple device. You can set time limits to iPhone use  useful if youre one of the 44 percent of people who say they get anxious and irritable if they dont check their smartphone. (Free)

Bonus item: Check Cyfe...

At the very top end of the market, Cyfe is the key social media (and everything else) monitoring system used by the biggest brands to monitor all the ebbs and flurries of the social business and beyond. The company describes Cyfe as an all-in-one business dashboard app that monitors everything, from Website traffic to social media feeds. It also pulls data in from tools including Salesforce, creates all kinds of reports and, frankly this powerful tool seems to provide an impressive quantity of social and other stats designed to put your business ahead of the digital transformation. Available for all operating systems, mobile devices and browsers this is a powerful solution. (Free to try, $19/m premium).

Google+? If you use social media and happen to be a Google+ user, why not join AppleHolic's Kool Aid Corner community and join the conversation as we pursue the spirit of the New Model Apple?

Got a story? Drop me a line via Twitter or in comments below and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when fresh items are published here first on Computerworld. Dont forget to visit my Apple TV website.
Increasingly, the ability to effectively secure corporate and customer information and assets is a conversation that has moved from technologists up to C-level executives and the board. At the same time, approaches to corporate security are quickly evolving beyond the traditional infrastructure-based approach.

When I talk to CIOs and CISOs about security, they share a common concern: they dont know what they dont know. The most recent study we conducted with Ponemon confirms that protecting data remains a mystery to many executives. The most revealing fact from the study is that among thousands of organizations around the world, an overwhelming majority dont have any sense of their data risk. For customers who are experiencing increased pressure about their potential data vulnerabilities, I recommend first getting a sense of their data footprint.

Among the 10 petabytes or 50 petabytes of data, start by identifying how much of the data is sensitive. Know where that sensitive data is located, and where the sensitive data structure is. Then, start tracking that data and the flow of data, with the goal of understanding every move it makes. Find out who touches that data and who accesses that data with each and every hop it takes. This data footprint establishes a starting point for developing an informed point of view on an organizations security, privacy, governance, or risk.

Since the new data security landscape is unknown territory for many executives, here are three important things to keep in mind as you develop your approach to security.

1. Come to Grips with the Data Layer

Probably the single most important thing to understand in order to protect your business is this: security has moved away from the infrastructure layer and out to the data layer. Traditional, infrastructure-based security took a perspective from the perimeter, or what comes from outside, towards the companys network, server, databases, or even applications. Organizations have operated from this vantage point for a long time, and in practice, some have done a good job protecting themselves.

But, we have evolved to viewing the data itself  the valuable assets at the source and how they travel on the infrastructure  as the primary point of protection. Its taking time for this shift to fully sink in. However, more and more individuals, decision-makers, and corporate entities are coming to the realization that security has moved to the data layer. More importantly, they are acting on that realization.

2. Tools Have Limits

Acknowledging the need to shift security to the data layer has important implications for identifying effective approaches for protecting an organizations assets in their many forms. Companies have often bet on a one-trick pony; a tool-based approach in which encryption or masking or tokenization is the star of the show. However, this can be incredibly challenging and have limited effectiveness when a company tries to encrypt every piece of data they generate and exchange. By definition, its an approach that reduces access to data for users by requiring the need to encrypt, then decrypt, or mask, then unmask. Essentially, you are taxing the user and dramatically inhibiting productivity (of the individual and the organization).

3. Its a Big Picture Issue

Unfortunately, security is a broader and more far-reaching issue than many people would like to think. Wherever it lies across time zones and business units, your organization is only as secure as its weakest link. And, your weakest link is the most risky aspect of your business.

Take one of the big banks as an example. They have offices and operations of different sizes in New York, London, Singapore, and Hong Kong. There are probably thousands or even tens of thousands more locations, but those are the major hubs.

For an effective approach to security these days, the bank has to ask itself, who accesses its data in London? How is the data getting there? Where does it move from London? And, beyond the question of security, what is the privacy risk? Having this high-level, data footprint view is more important than having the best infrastructure and assuming you are safe.

In an age when minimizing data risk has become a board-level discussion, one that is inherently connected to an organizations ability to protect its brand, its revenue streams, and therefore the business itself, these are critical considerations.
Amazon Web Services is going retro to help companies deal with big data workloads. The cloud provider announced Tuesday it's launching two new volume types for its Elastic Block Store service that are powered by traditional, spinning disk hard drives.

The new Throughput-Optimized HDD and Cold HDD EBS volume types let companies store files cheaply in a way that's still useful for big data workloads like MapReduce and Kafka. The Throughput-Optimized service is aimed at apps that use data frequently, while the Cold HDD service is built for applications that reference items less frequently.

To get all of that data into AWS, customers can now call on a new 80TB Snowball storage appliance. That joins the existing 50TB Snowball, which was already available for users to order from AWS and get delivered to their data center for data transfer. Using the Snowball, users can ship their data securely from on-premises servers to Amazon's.

In addition to adding data to the AWS region in Virginia, Snowball now works with AWS's US-West region in California, as well as regions in Sydney, Australia and Dublin, Ireland. Government customers can order Snowballs to populate storage in Amazon's GovCloud region as well,

To cover users who don't need to move Snowball-sized amounts of data, Amazon also announced the S3 Transfer Acceleration service, which is designed to get moderate amounts of data transferred quickly into the AWS Simple Storage Service (better known as S3).

It uses the AWS edge network, which is also used for Amazon's Cloudfront CDN and Route 53 DNS service, along with optimized network protocols, to let users upload files to S3 up to 550 percent faster than they'd be able to with a straightforward data transfer.

These storage service moves are going to help Amazon customers get data into the cloud faster, which is particularly important for companies undergoing cloud migrations -- something that Amazon has been pushing for quite some time.
Legislation passed by the U.S. Senate could pave the way for the commercial deployment of drones in the national airspace. It also addresses safety issues by, for example, providing for a pilot program that would find ways to lock down errant drones if they are close to airports.

The new rules in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, passed Tuesday by a vote of 95-3, reflect the opportunities seen for the use of drones both for commercial and other applications such as in emergencies. They also highlight privacy and safety concerns about the reckless use of consumer drones by hobbyists.

Referring to an object, believed to be a drone, hitting a British Airways plane landing in Heathrow airport on Sunday, Senator Bill Nelson, a Democrat from Florida, said that if a drone is sucked into a jet engine, it could certainly render the engine inoperable and might start an explosion. The current bill proposes a pilot program to develop and test technologies to intercept or shut down drones when they are near airports.

Safety rules are urgently needed, and the inclusion of key provisions to require manufacturer safeguards and give the FAA clear authority to set rules for recreational use is a big step forward, said Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California. She included some of the provisions of the Consumer Drone Safety Act she proposed last year in the new bill.

The legislation, which now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration, has been largely welcomed by drone user organizations. The Small UAV Coalition, an advocacy group representing small drone users, said in a statement that the bill creates a pathway for companies to leverage small drones to deliver products to consumers, and points approvingly to steps proposed to promote beyond visual line-of-sight and night-time operations.

The FAA released draft rules in February last year for the operation of commercial drones of less than 55 pounds (25 kilograms) that would limit their flight altitude to 500 feet (152 meters) during daylight and within line of sight of the operator. But the final rules for the devices, also referred to as Unmanned Aircraft Systems, have been delayed.

While Congress addresses reauthorization, the FAA needs to use all available means to finalize the small UAS rule immediately, and without any further delays, said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, in a statement. Once this happens, we will have an established regulatory framework for UAS that will allow for more widespread commercial use of the technology.

The legislation still has some controversial points, including a provision that gives the FAA rules preemption over local and state laws governing the use of drones. A number of states have already enacted or plan laws for drones, creating a patchwork quilt of differing rules, according to the FAA, which in a note in December warned that a navigable airspace free from inconsistent state and local restrictions is essential to the maintenance of a safe and sound air transportation system.

The bill proposes that states cannot enact a law relating to the design, manufacture, testing, licensing, registration, certification, operation, or maintenance of an unmanned aircraft system, including airspace, altitude, flight paths, equipment or technology requirements, purpose of operations, and pilot, operator, and observer qualifications, training, and certification.

Feinstein has opposed provisions that would block state and local drone safety laws. The senator said on Tuesday in a statement that she has secured a commitment from the bill sponsors Nelson and John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, to work with her to address the issue when the bill is negotiated with the House of Representatives.
The European Commission on Wednesday made new antitrust charges against Google, alleging that the company foisted its search application and the Chrome browser on Android smartphones makers as a condition to license its other apps and services.

The commission also charged Google with preventing makers from selling devices running variants or forks of its Android operating system, and giving financial incentives to both phone makers and mobile network operators if they agree to preinstall Google Search on their devices.

In its contracts with manufacturers, Google has made the licensing of the Play Store on Android devices conditional on its search application being pre-installed and set as default search service, according to the commission.

The charges in the form of a statement of objections address a significant source of revenue for the company: the advertising money it earns through these services and applications that figure on most of the smartphones that offer its Android operating system.

Android had an over 66 percent share of the European mobile device market in March, according to StatCounter. Google generally holds market shares of more than 90 percent in search, licensable smart mobile operating systems and app stores for Android in each of the markets in the European Economic Area, the commission said.

This is the second set of charges against Google by the commission. On April 15 last year, it announced a statement of objections against the search giant in an investigation into charges that its Internet search in Europe favored its own comparison shopping product.

The commission announced on the same day an investigation into Googles conduct with regard to the Android operating system that would look, among other things, into whether Google had illegally hindered the development and market access of rival mobile applications or services by requiring or providing incentives to smartphone and tablet manufacturers to exclusively pre-install Googles own applications or services.

Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager on Monday indicated in a speech in Amsterdam that the commission was looking closely at Googles contracts with phone makers and operators that use the mobile Android operating system.

Our concern is that, by requiring phone makers and operators to pre-load a set of Google apps, rather than letting them decide for themselves which apps to load, Google might have cut off one of the main ways that new apps can reach customers, Vestager said.

On Wednesday, Vestager said that rival search engines, mobile operating systems and Web browsers have not been able to compete on their merits but were "artificially" excluded. "This is not good. It is one of my priorities for consumers to enjoy a wide range of mobile and innovative platforms, products and services," she said.

By European Commission rules, a statement of objections is a formal step in its antitrust investigations in which the commission informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them. The commission said it takes a final decision "only after the parties have exercised their rights of defence."

If found guilty, Google may have to pay up to 10 percent of its annual worldwide revenue in fines, which could go to as high as US$7.5 billion on its last year revenue of close to $75 billion.

"Android has helped foster a remarkable - and, importantly, sustainable - ecosystem, based on open-source software and open innovation," said Kent Walker, Google's general counsel, in a statement. He added that Google looked forward to working with the commission to demonstrate that Android benefited both consumers and competition.
EmblemHealth CEO Karen Ignagni told employees Tuesday that "several hundred" IT and operations workers will be laid off as a result of a decision to hire services firm Cognizant.

The announcement came just as IT employees at the New York-based insurer began an effort to convince the firm not to move the work to an outsourcer.

Ignagni explained her decision in a video to employees that was posted on YouTube by attorney Sara Blackwell. The Florida attorney, who is representing displaced Disney IT workers, has been helping the EmblemHealth IT employees organize.

The employees are planning a protest around noon today at the company's office in New York City.

But it seems the protest will not yield its desired effect. "This modernization is crucial for Emblem's future," said Ignagni, in the video.

Two employees, in an interview this weekend, said the IT staff was well aware of EmblemHealth's effort to move the IT work to Cognizant, a U.S.-based firm that is among the largest users of H-1B workers. But the employees also believed the contract had not been signed and there was time to convince the firm to let its own staff do the work. Ignagni, apparently, rejected the idea.

On Tuesday -- one day after the employees made their effort public -- the company notified them of the layoff.

"It is an awful day for hundreds and hundreds of EmblemHealth employees in New York," wrote Blackwell on her blog. She had been in touch with workers. "They are being fired in 90 days. Before they are fired they will have to train their foreign replacements."

In the video, Ignagni said that EmblemHealth has "come to realize that building our own technology would require hundreds of millions of dollars and require time that we didn't have."

Ignagni said Cognizant and the technology of its subsidiary, TriZetto Corp., a healthcare consulting and software firm, are already widely used in the health insurance industry.

"This move to a modernized platform will no longer require the level of staffing we now have to maintain the old system," Ignagni said. "Several hundred IT and operations positions will be eliminated," she said.

Some will be offered jobs with Cognizant, but if employees refuse to accept a job offer they will lose their severance, said employees.

In the IT services industry today, both India-based and U.S.-based firms run large service centers overseas. The contractors bring in new systems, but they also conduct much of the IT work in low-wage regions around the globe. This hybrid model -- doing some of the work in the U.S. but some of it overseas -- helps cut costs, as does the elimination of U.S. employees. This business model relies heavily on the use of H-1B workers.
Intel's rise and fall in tablets are starting to resemble the company's misadventures in netbooks less than a decade ago.

The company is quickly distancing itself from basic tablets, a market it prized as little as two years ago, to go after detachable devices, hybrids, and high-end tablets that can double as PCs.

Intel could also ax some Atom tablet chip lines that brought the company success two years ago. Intel this week laid off 12,000 people as part of a restructuring plan that could also include cuts in some product lines.

Tablet chip shipments for Intel were down 44 percent in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same quarter last year, the company said during its quarterly earnings call late Tuesday.

That translates into roughly 4 million tablet chips shipped in the quarter, according to an estimate by analyst Dean McCarron of Mercury Research.

It's a small number even in a declining tablet market. IDC is estimating worldwide tablet shipments will drop to 195 million this year, falling by 5.9 percent compared to 2015.

Intel "had the same thing with netbooks," with the company targeting the market as it rose quickly before collapsing suddenly, said Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Netbook shipments exploded in 2008, before starting to decline in 2010 after users started to move to tablets like Apple's iPad. Netbooks were criticized for being slow and small, and Intel's chips for those PCs were slowly phased out by 2013. A market for netbook-like PCs has re-emerged in recent years with Google's Chromebooks.

In the tablet market, ARM-based processors offer a better mix of performance and power efficiency, and investing in low-cost Atom chips for tablets isn't worth Intel's time if profits are a priority, McGregor said.

The failure in tablets is among a handful of recent short-sighted moves by Intel's management. Intel has invested in a number of failed efforts over the years, including WiMax and a TV service called OnCue, ultimately acquired by Verizon. Intel is now focusing on the Internet of Things, data centers, and connectivity.

Intel aggressively chased the tablet market in 2014, and the company said it would sell 40 million tablet chips that year. It subsidized its Atom chips for tablet makers, particularly small Chinese companies, which helped bring tablet prices down. The goal was to catch up with ARM, which dominated the then-hot tablet market.

Intel met its goals, selling 46 million tablet chips that year. But it lost money on the chips sold and took billions of dollars in losses in its mobile division. Realizing the blunder, Intel in the following year focused on profitability instead of volume and market position.

The results are showing. Intel sold fewer, but higher-priced, tablets, which contributed to a profit for the mobile division in the first quarter this year.

Intel is now looking to cut products as it restructures operations, and some low-cost and low-volume Atom tablet chips could be casualties. The company may elect to not release a successor or refresh its current Cherry Trail line of Atom chips, which are used mostly in mainstream tablets and some low-cost PCs.

The company hinted as much at IDF Shenzhen, where Intel emphasized its focus on tablet-PC hybrids. A new lineup of upcoming Pentium and Celeron chips called Apollo Lake will succeed the existing Atom X5 Cherry Trail line of chips, said Navin Shenoy, senior vice president and general manager of Intels Client Computing Group, during a keynote.

Apollo Lake, which will be released in the second half this year, will primarily serve as a successor to the existing line of Pentium and Celeron chips, called Braswell, for low-cost PCs and hybrids. But by merging the Cherry Trail chips with Pentium and Celeron, Intel may remove the confusion people may have about its low-end tablet and PC chip lines.

About 100 laptops and hybrids with detachable tablet screens are being designed using Apollo Lake, said Shenoy, who showed some prototypes on stage. Some of the products being designed may not ultimately ship.

Intel's Skylake-based Core M chip is looking more like the company's tablet and two-in-one chip of the future. Atom tablet chips are getting squeezed out as PC and tablet makers prefer the faster Core M chips, which offer close to the same battery life as Cherry Trail. The Core M chips are used in higher-priced tablets, a market Intel is targeting.

Cherry Trail is used in Microsoft's HoloLens headset, which delivers an estimated 3.3 hours of battery life. That's a sign that Intel could redirect its future Atom chips to headsets, wearables, and other IoT devices.

Intel also makes Atom chips for smartphones, but won't give up on that market considering the company's heavy focus on cloud hardware, McCarron said.

Intel's Atom chips are installed in just a few handsets, and the company is trying to catch up with ARM. But there is space for Intel to compete in the smartphone market, with more than a billion units shipped each year.

Intel made a valiant effort to succeed in tablets, but now it's time for them to chase more profitable markets like IoT and data centers, McGregor said.
In midtown Manhattan Wednesday, around 25 EmblemHealth IT employees and their supporters held a protest over the firm's decision to shift work to IT services firm Cognizant.

On the sidewalks next to EmblemHealth's midtown offices, they yelled "Protect U.S. jobs," "Keep jobs in the U.S.A." and, to the people passing by: "It's our jobs now, your jobs next." They waved signs and slowly moved along.

The IT employees gathered for the protest outside St. Michael's Church on 34th Street near 9th Avenue, across from EmblemHealth's office.

A small contingent of plainclothes security, dressed in suits, watched. There was never any tension or reason for security to become animated. There were a few moments of humor, particularly when everyone made way for a tiny, sunglasses-wearing poodle on a leash that walked by with its owner.

What is remarkable is that there was a public protest. IT employees faced with job loss over outsourcing usually keep their anger in the background. But the EmblemHealth employees feel betrayed, and misled by management.

One IT employee said the feeling is that the technical staff is being made to suffer because of bad decision making by the firm's management.

"Why did they keep all the upper management?" this employee asked. "You kept the people who sunk the ship."

EmblemHealth CEO Karen Ignagni told employees on Tuesday that "several hundred" IT and operations workers will be laid off as a result of a decision to hire services firm Cognizant. Labor attorney Sara Blackwell, who helped to organize the protest, posted the video on YouTube.

The picture that Ignagni painted in the video is that the firm didn't have the money or the staff to modernize and automate its IT platform, a claim the workers disagree with.

But the IT workers have no choice in the matter.

For those employees who are laid off and are rebadged to Cognizant, there's no guarantee of a career, just a short-term job. One employee said he was offered a two-year contract with Cognizant, but in this contract Cognizant has the right to relocate him to another site. He has children and can't afford to take a position that might require a very long commute.

One IT employee felt lied to by the company.

Even as it was negotiating a contract with Cognizant, employees were told by the CEO to "hang in there" and told things would improve. The goal, this employee said, was to encourage employees not to abandon the firm.
Andrew Neil presided in a debate for the BBC earlier this week with the main candidates for Mayor of London. Parts of the discussion were tiresome or even absurd  for instance there was a demand to define affordable housing. The challenge was to give a figure for the weekly rent or purchase price of a property above which the housing was unaffordable, but below which it was affordable. Yet any figure will be affordable for some but unaffordable for others. I have long felt we should ditch this meaningless term. Next question: How many can dance on the head of a pin?

What the debate did allow for was the Labour candidate Sadiq Khan to be challenged over his extremist associations. Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative candidate, was very reasonable. He was not saying that Khan himself was an extremist but that Khan had repeatedly given cover to those who were. Andrew Neil and Peter Whittle, the UKIP candidate, also asked about this. Khans response was not convincing. Specific questions met with general responses. Such as that on other occasions extremists had attacked Khan or that he wasnt going to take lessons from Whittle.

Other favoured diversionary tactics from Khan are to claim that he is simply being attacked for being a Muslim. Sometimes he would say that the attacks are smears. But most people would define a smear as an allegation that is untrue.

So are the claims from the Goldsmith campaign smears or facts? Here are the claims and the sources they are based on.

Claim: Your letter to the Guardian in the wake of 7/7, blaming terrorism on British Government policy.

Facts: Letter to Guardian of 12 August 2006, co-signed by Sadiq Khan. The letter stated: current British government policy risks putting civilians at increased risk both in the UK and abroad. Khan was quoted directly: We simply cannot ignore the fact that our countrys foreign policy is being used by charismatic [figures] to tell British Muslims that their country hates them. (The Guardian, 12 August 2006,)



Claim: Your choice to defend one of the self-confessed 9/11 terrorists



Facts: Zacarias Moussaoui pleaded guilty to involvement in 9/11 and with Al Qaeda, telling the court: I, Moussaoui Zacarias, in the interests to preserve my life, enter with full conscience a plea of guilty, because I have knowledge and participated in Al Qaeda. (New York Times, 19 July 2002)



Legal magazine The Lawyer confirmed that Khan was on Moussaouis defence team (The Lawyer, 28 July 2003)



Claim: Your choice to take on the British Government to overturn a ban against the hate preacher Louis Farrakhan.



Facts: Louis Farrakhan, according to the BBC; was (a) man who had described Judaism as a gutter religion, characterised Christianity as an oppressive faith linked to the slavery of black people and called Adolf Hitler great, although he said later that he had meant wickedly great. (BBC News website, 15 March 2002)



In 2002 Sadiq Khan represented Farrakhan in his bid to have a ban on him entering the U.K overturned  a ban that had been upheld by successive Home Secretaries since 1986. Khan told the BBC: He is preaching a message of self-discipline, self-reliance, atonement and responsibility.Its outrageous and astonishing that the British Government is trying to exclude this man. (BBC News website, 30 April 2002)



Claim: Your step-by-step legal guide on how to sue the Metropolitan Police that you now want to lead.



Facts: Khan wrote a chapter in a legal guide entitled Actions Against the Police. In the article Khan urged claimants to think laterally in looking for human rights issues; many are not obviously a breach of human rights, but have a human rights angle. He also advised claimants that aggravating features such as accusing officers of acting in a high handed manner could attract a higher level of compensation. (Challenging Racism: Using the Human Rights Act, Lawrence & Wishart, 2003 cited in Mail on Sunday, 3 April 2016)



Claim: Your decision to share a platform with an extremist who called for Jews to be drowned in the ocean and who threatened fire throughout the world. And then to dismiss that preachers words as mere flowery language



Facts: Dr Azzam Tamimi has been described as an anti-semitic hate preacher who has said: Sacrificing myself for Palestine is a noble cause I would do it if I had the opportunity. (Jewish Chronicle, 8 February 2010)



Labour MP Louise Ellman quoted Tamimi in the Commons in 2003: He told a conference in Vienna that after Israel is destroyed and replaced with an Islamic state, the Jews should sail on the sea in ships back to where they came or drown in it. (Hansard, 18 December 2003, Col. 1764).



Khan attended a rally in Trafalgar Square in 2006 where Tamimi threatened fire throughout the world. Khan later told reporters: Speakers can get carried away, but they are just flowery words. (The Sun, 8 February 2016)



Other facts:



Khan was criticised by fellow Muslim Labour MPs for self-serving revisionism post 7/7. Khan claimed Tony Blair summoned him and other Muslim Labour MPs after 7/7 and said: it was our responsibility (The Guardian, 2 July 2015)

However, the other three MPs at the meeting came out last year and directly contradicted Khan, saying his recollection was at complete odds with theirs and that the meeting ended with unanimous agreement on the need for unity. They said: To misrepresent the words of a British prime minister and to mischaracterise a significant meeting in the wake of the tragic loss of 52 lives a week earlier is frankly beyond the pale (The Guardian, 15 July 2015)



Khan repeatedly shared a platform with a group backed by al-Qaeda recruiters. He attended at least four events organised by Stop Political/Police Terror between 2004 and 2005. The organisation was backed by Anwar al-Awlaki, dubbed the bin Laden of the internet. SPT called for Muslims not to co-operate with the police and later became the notorious Cage. (Sunday Times, 7 February 2016)



Khan repeatedly joined an extremist preacher at rallies, who has called for an Islamic State. Khan shared a platform with Suliman Gani, a former Imam at the Tooting Islamic Centre in Khans constituency, on at least nine occasions between 2004 and 2013. On the night of the Paris terror attacks, Gani spoke at an event in Bradford calling for an Islamic State. Gani also urged fellow Muslims to vote for Khan in Tooting and is previously on record as saying women should be subservient to men, and questioning Britains bully tactics for preventing Muslims travelling to fight in Syria. (Sunday Times, 14 February 2016)



When asked in Parliament, Khan chose not condemn Yusuf al-Qaradawi  who justifies suicide bombings and celebrates the holocaust. When asked directly about him, Khan said: I would not believe the hype. quotes attributed to this man may or may not be true. (Home Affairs Select Committee, 8 July 2004)

At the time, Al-Qaradawi defended suicide attacks against Israeli saying: Its not suicide, it is martyrdom in the name of God. (BBC Newsnight transcript, 8 July 2004)

He also praised the holocaust and called it exaggerated and divine punishment: Throughout history, Allah has imposed upon the [Jews] people who would punish them for their corruption. The last punishment was carried out by Hitler. By means of all the things he did to them  even though they exaggerated this issue  he managed to put them in their place. This was divine punishment for them. Allah willing, the next time will be at the hand of the believers. (Daily Telegraph, 13 May 2013)



Babar Ahmad:



Ahmad pleaded guilty and was convicted for producing a website that was described as the very first real al Qaeda website which taught an entire generation about jihad according to terrorism expert Evan Kohlmann (Teaching Terror: Strategic and Tactical Learning in the Terrorist World, accessed 2 March 2016).



Azzam.com offered advice entitled How do I train for Jihad?. It published advice for would-be jihadis, encouraging aspiring terrorists to read up on AK-47 and other Soviet weapon Operating Manuals [and] sniper training (Azzam, accessed 2 March 2016).

It was also the first site to publish the 1996 declaration of war by Osama bin Laden on the West (Azzam Publications, accessed 11 March 2016)



Khan has previously claimed that Ahmad was innocent. Khan told the House of Commons that Ahmad should not just be presumed innocent until he is found guilty, but was in fact innocent. He did not go on to explain why he thought he was innocent, even though he could have done so. (Hansard, 12 July 2006, Col. 1429)



Khan described Ahmad as an affable, gentle and hardworking constituent and friend who has done a great deal for the community. Elsewhere he has described Ahman as an intelligent, articulate graduate with a lovely family (Free Babar Ahman, accessed 2 March 2016).



Ahmads sister was full of Khans praises. She said: Sadiq Khan went out of his way for Babars case and the people of Tooting should be proud to have him (Asian Image, accessed 2 March 2016).
Northern Irish Secretary denounces dangerous Remain claim

Theresa Villiers, the Northern Irish Secretary, has attacked suggestions that Brexit will destabilise Ulster as scaremongering of the most irresponsible and dangerous kind, according to the News Letter.

She claims that there is strong support for peace in the province, and that leaving the EU would not necessitate a hard border between the UK and Ireland because of long-established, bilateral agreements between the two countries.

Left unsaid, but also true, is that British foreign policy should not be directed by the threat of violence from terrorist groups.

Davies spells out Welsh Conservatives whole-life care plan

Writing in The Times (), Andrew RT Davies has put the NHS front and centre in the Tory campaign for the Welsh Assembly, promising to lead a government that delivers a health service that is fully-equipped and properly resourced, supporting our treasured staff.

This is part of a wider strategy which sees the Conservatives trying to pitch a whole-life package to voters, from improved access to childcare to capping weekly costs for elderly care.

It comes on top of a promise of tax cuts, with Wales Online reporting that Davies is aiming for a 2p cut in the income tax.

As I wrote last week, in recent polls the Welsh Tories have slipped slightly and slipped into third, behind the nationalist Plaid Cymru.

Davidson closes the gap on ailing Labour

After a slight dip a couple of months ago, the Scottish Conservatives are now back to polling neck-and-neck with Labour in a close-fought battle to become Scotlands opposition.

The Times () reports on one of a string of recent polls which show them drawing even, which will be a welcome boost to Ruth Davidsons realistic, opposition-focused campaign  which has also sought to woo unionist voters with a new campaign for the Union.

Another sign that the parties may be trading places is The Heralds discovery that the Labour brand has actually become toxic in Scotland, with support for the partys key pledges falling when voters are told whose idea it is  a position with which Tories will be painfully familiar.

Ulster Labour rebel and contest election as SDLP breakaway group mull new party

Labours long-suffering Northern Irish branch has rebelled against the London leadership and registered a new party in order to contest next months elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

According to the News Letter, the Northern Ireland Labour Representation Committee has a clause in its constitution stipulating that it will disband when Labour lifts is ban on contesting elections in the province  which it has traditionally upheld in order to maintain an alliance with the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party, which returns three MPs.

Meanwhile, a schism in the SDLP has led to reports that some ex-members might form a new group, the Belfast Telegraph reports. A clutch of members, including three councillors, have quit the partys West Tyrone branch during a dispute over candidate selections.

They currently sit as Independent Social Democrats, but are actively considering launching a new vehicle to challenge the SDLP. This week also saw Colum Eastwood, the SDLP leader, attacked in the Irish Times for anglophobia after an anti-Tory rant.

SNP clash with Labour and Greens over tax and oil

The Scottish Nationalists suffered a fresh assault on their progressive credentials this week when the IPPR Scotland, a centre-left think tank, found that Labours tax-raising plan would raise four times as much revenue as the Nationalists own.

The Herald reports that the difference over sticking to the Chancellors plans for income tax amounted to 1.2 billion for Labours proposal, against only 300 million for the SNPs, in a row which highlights how new powers are undermining the Nationalists talk left, walk centre model of government.

Nor have they been spared conflict on their side of the constitutional question. The Press and Journal relates that the SNP has been drawn into a row with the Greens, likely to be the other separatist party in the next Scottish Parliament, over the latters plan to shut down the North Sea oil and gas industry within the next two decades.

Unionists set sights on education in Stormont battle

Both of Northern Irelands main pro-Union parties have made the news with plans for education this week. Arlene Foster, the First Minister and Democratic Unionist leader, has hinted that her party might take Education as its first choice of ministry when forming the next Executive.

Previously the DUP have used their first pick to take the Finance portfolio  which would presumably now fall to Sinn Fein  but Foster claims her party is coming under a surprising level of pressure on the doorsteps over the provinces schools.

Meanwhile the Ulster Unionists have called for an end to Northern Irelands divided education system, according to the Belfast Telegraph. Mike Nesbitt, the leader, claims that the current model breeds sectarianism, and moots a single system as a virtual inoculation job against community divisions.

This comes as he prepares to lead the UUP back into the Executive, which it walked out of in August last year over the continued activities of the IRA.

Jim Allister, leader of the hard-line Traditional Unionist Voice, has called for British ministers to replace the Executive, scrutinised by the Assembly.
How enjoyable to hear Jeremy Corbyn giving voice to his conservative instincts. He quoted with approval some primary school children in his constituency who love their school and like their school the way it is.

Mr Corbyn also quoted a number of Conservative politicians who have spoken out against the Governments plan to turn all schools into academies.

The Labour leader opposed diktats from above and arbitrary changes imposed from above.

To love things the way they are, and fear that local institutions are bound to be damaged by sweeping programmes of modernisation conceived and enforced by ministers in Whitehall, are emotions many of us will share with Mr Corbyn.

David Cameron responded with a series of diversionary attacks. He said its always good to get a lecture on diktats from someone whose press secretary is an avowed Stalinist  a reference to Seumas Milne, recently profiled in these pages.

And in his final exchange with Mr Corbyn, Mr Cameron attacked the Labour Party for banning some ghastly hamburger firm from its annual conference  a decision of which quite a few old-fashioned Conservatives, who never succumbed to Manchester liberalism, might approve.

In vain I informed my children that if they ever ate at one of those hamburger joints, they would find they had been poisoned. They did not believe me, and somehow scraped together the money to go there without me, but at least I never took them there myself.

The Prime Minister later engaged in class warfare against a member of the Labour front bench who happens to be married to a knight, taking a swipe at Lady Nugee giving us the benefit of her wisdom  a reference to the admittedly ridiculous figure of Emily Thornberry, as she is known in politics, who is currently shadow Defence Secretary.

And Mr Cameron tried to damn Sadiq Khan, the Labour candidate for Mayor of London, for appearing again and again on platforms with extremists.

But on Mr Corbyns question of turning all schools into academies, the Prime Minister insisted he wanted teacher and head teachers, not bureaucrats, to be in charge; pointed out that the reform had begun under the last Labour Government; insisted several times that standards in these schools are rising in a wonderful way; and generally portrayed himself as the champion of all that is new, progressive, enlightened, uplifting and modern.

The late John Biffen MP referred to the then Conservative leader, Edward Heath, as a third-rate management consultant, and one fears that is how Mr Cameron sounds to some of his backbenchers.

Two of them, Christopher Chope and David Davis, asked the Prime Minister if he agrees with the Treasury forecast that three million more migrants will arrive in this country by 2030.

Mr Cameron did not offer much of a reply. But here, one may note, is a small-c conservative worry  the fear that this country may be changed by the admission of too many migrants  which although felt by millions of Labour voters, is never voiced by Mr Corbyn.
Giving Parliament the final say over warfare politicises the war; it means that possibly sensitive intelligence has to be made public; it removes any element of surprise, delays decision-making and, in a host of other ways, makes the effective conduct of military force extremely difficult, if not virtually impossible. Now even if you think all this may be a good thing, I would hope that you would agree it also has a devastating impact on our ability to project power for the good of the world. Diplomacy without arms is like music without an orchestra.

So wrote James Gray on this site last summer, arguing that the executive, not the legislature, should decide when to send Britains armed forces into action  in short, when to wage war. The nub of his case is that is for Ministers to act and for MPs then to hold them to account. The same case has also been put by Jesse Norman.

If Parliament itself authorises such action in advance, what then? It gives up part of its power of scrutiny; it binds Members in their own minds, rather than allowing them the opportunity to assess each Government decision on its own merits and circumstances; and instead of being forced to explain and justify their actions, Ministers can always take final refuge in saying, Well, you authorised it. Thus, far from strengthening Parliament, it weakens it and the Government: it weakens the dynamic tension between the two sides from which proper accountability and effective policy must derive.

Today, Philip Hammond is arguing that a Commons vote is not required before a thousand British troops are sent to Libya, because their mission will be a training exercise rather than a combat mission. But those who have been following developments in Libya, especially the expansion of ISIS into the country, and Ministers intentions will be in little doubt that the Government wants more intervention than a mere training mission. Michael Fallon told the Commons on Monday that it is not contemplating the deployment of ground troops there at the moment.

As matters stand, this site is against such a development, because it is impossible to see what benefit such deployment would bring without a credible plan, and there is no sign of one whatoever. Backbench Conservatives will want to be alert to mission creep.

None the less, the constitutional case put by Gray and Norman and others is right. It follows that the Government should order group troops into Libya to fight if it so decides, and that the Commons should then question its actions, debate them and vote on them. That is the right way round.

Those who are anxious about the executive being empowered to act in such a way should remember that though the Commons voted for air strikes against Syria last autumn, it voted against them in the summer of 2013. MPs made the right call both times.

In short, David Cameron may well want to send ground troops to fight in Libya. (He will have been stung by the criticism of his record there by the American President who he is hosting this week.) However, the Commons would halt any such deployment in its tracks. Jeremy Corbyn would oppose it. So would a big tranche of Tory MPs.

The lack of a proper working Conservative majority is bad for the country as a rule. But it may not be in this case. We can return to the constitutional practice that applied before Tony Blairs invasion of Iraq without a substantial risk of being sucked into war in Libya.
The Queen was born 90 years ago tomorrow at 17 Bruton Street, the London house of her mothers parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore.

The chances of the infant Princess Elizabeth ever becoming Queen seemed remote. It was expected her fathers older brother, the future Edward VIII, would get married and have children, and even if he didnt, her own parents, the Duke and Duchess of York, might have a son who would take precedence over her.

Instead of which, her parents had another daughter, her uncle remained childless and abdicated in December 1936, her father became King George VI but died in January 1952 at the age of only 56, and tomorrow the Queen will celebrate her 90th birthday, having reigned for longer than any other English or British monarch: last September, she surpassed Queen Victorias record of 63 years and 216 days on the throne.

Such longevity can baffle understanding. In the supplements marking her birthday, there is a sense, amid the beautiful but seldom unfamiliar photographs, that even the most enthusiastic royal commentators feel slightly discouraged by the awareness that they have said everything they have to say many times before.

Amid a profusion of often unilluminating detail, it is possible for some essential points to get lost. A lady born a few years after the Queen reeled off a few of these:

Shes a very dutiful monarch: she learned that from her father, George VI. Shes put her country ahead of her family, sometimes. Shes buoyed up by such a long and happy marriage. Shes steady, she doesnt gossip, she doesnt have favourites. Weve been very lucky to have her for so long.

Princess Elizabeths early life was that of an upper-class girl who learned good manners, Christian piety, how to dance and speak French, the enjoyment of games such as hide and seek, and the love of animals.

In his book about the Queen, Ben Pimlott describes home education for upper-class girls as the British equivalent of binding feet.

It is certainly true that in such homes, intellectual life was considered superfluous, if not harmful. The essential thing was to be initiated into a tradition of behaviour.

But although that tradition entailed the acceptance of constraints on freedom of action, what better preparation could there be for the role of constitutional monarch?

And as the Queens life shows, the tradition is more flexible and adaptable than its critics allow. In youth, it helped her to survive immoderate praise  President Truman described her, when she visited the White House in 1951, as a fairy princess  without becoming unhinged.

She also survived the decline and fall of the British Empire, and with it of the officer class, to which so many members of her family belonged. Her husband was obliged, at her accession, to give up the career in the Royal Navy to which he was devoted: a sacrifice for which he neither asked nor received much thanks.

At the start of her reign, the press was almost unbelievably deferential. Before long, it became almost unbelievably rude.

But even the most hardened satirist, more than ready to go for her children, tended to retire discomfited from the attempt to take a crack at the Queen. For to disrespect her was to declare oneself brazen, unkind, disreputable, a bit of a lout.

Already in Victorian times, Bagehot and other constitutional writers referred to this country as a disguised republic, whose monarchy pleased the crowds but was insignificant compared to the House of Commons and the Cabinet.

As Bagehot put it in the Economist:

The more democratic we get, the more we shall get to like state and show, which have ever pleased the vulgar.

This condescending attitude to our glittering but powerless monarchy, an institution especially popular with uneducated people, continues among modern intellectuals. They ignore the Queens role as the guarantor of the constitution.

The monarchy is one of the greatest, though least observed, checks on arbitrary power. It occupies the space a dictator would need to occupy.

Because it is unthinkable in Britain to push the monarch aside, tyranny itself becomes unthinkable. In countries where for understandable reasons the monarchy was overthrown  France in 1789, Russia in 1917, Germany in 1918  tyranny was not unthinkable.

In the United States, George III was overthrown, but the resulting void, unsatisfactory to people steeped in English habits of constitutional thought, was filled by an elected head of state.

The US is a disguised monarchy. The president promises to defend the people against the scoundrels in Washington, and having failed to do so, is replaced by someone else who promises to do the same thing.

At Westminster, the execution in 1649 of Charles I left a void. Oliver Cromwell declined two invitations to have himself crowned as king, and soon after his death, the gap was filled by the restoration of Charles Is son to the throne.

In 1688, the flight of James II left no void, because William of Orange was on hand to replace him. He became, as William III, perhaps the most underestimated of all our monarchs. No one could have been more skilful at deposing James, negotiating the terms for a monarchy acceptable to Parliament, and making the new settlement work.

I have strayed beyond the present Queen because I recently wrote a short account of all 40 monarchs since 1066, which cured me of the misconception that they were able to please themselves.

They needed, on the contrary, to please their people, and got into desperate trouble when they failed to do so.

In modern times, our monarchs have served the public by going above politics, and becoming instead a kind of hereditary umpire.

The Queen plays this role with exceptional and unwearying conscientiousness. She does not have to declare any Prime Minister out: the public elect MPs who do that for her.

But she stops the politicians, few if any of whom remain popular for long, from getting above themselves, and obliges even a convinced republican such as Jeremy Corbyn to play by the rules.

Royal ceremonial, vastly improved since the late 19th century under pressure from mass-circulation newspapers and then from television, conceals this function of umpire from many observers.

But as we congratulate the Queen on her birthday, we should recognise that she is not just a ceremonial figure: she upholds our constitution.

Andrew Gimson is the author of Gimsons Kings and Queens: Brief Lives of the Monarchs since 1066 (Square Peg, 10.99).
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The pigs have the key to cure diabetes. Swine pancreas transplant was reported to treat three patients with type 1 diabetes in China.

According to Times of India, three patients received the swine pancreas transplant between July 13 and February 2016 at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in Hunan Province in partnership with the researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia.

Professor Wang Wei stated that one of the three patients reduced the used of insulin by 80.5 percent while the other two were reduced by 57 and 56 percent after the swine pancreas transplant.

The results are reliable based on a review that was conducted by the Hunan provincial health authorities and the research is expected to resolve the problems with regards to the shortage of organs for transplant.

Meanwhile, the swine pancreas transplant is restricted due to the fears that some virus from the animal might be transferred to human. However, the Japanese Government relaxed the rules last week after no documented cases regarding the transplant were recorded, Daily Mail reported.

The transplant however, is reported to be expensive and may cause notable side-effects and needs more animal-related breakthroughs may need that would offer a more practical treatment.

Some patients in the Great Britain have undergone the human equivalent of this process where pancreatic cells from a deceased donor were implanted into the patient's liver. It is called islet transplantation

Five years ago, it was discovered that human organs could grow in pigs and can be used in transplant operations. The director of the Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Tokyo, Professor Hiromitsu Nakauchi, in 2011, found that it is possible to create animals that have organs from another species by injecting stem cells into the animal's embryo.

In 2013, on the other hand, researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University suggested that pig cells could control the diabetes by implanting it in the skin.

Type 1 diabetes usually occurs on young adults and children and was known as juvenile diabetes. Only five percent of people have this kind of diabetes.

When the pancreas stopped producing insulin, which is a hormone the breaks down the sugar in the blood, this is the time when the type 1 diabetes occurs. It will result to an increased level of blood sugar that damages the body's internal parts. Swine pancreas transplant will help the production of the insulin that would correct the type 1 diabetes.



See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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Pennsylvania has legalized medical marijuana. However, some doctors are still wondering how it will be implemented. And, if they were asked about the prescription, how would they start?

Dr. Antoine Douaihy, the medical director of addiction medicine services at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic of UPMC, is one of the doctors who have the questions when it comes to the legalization of the medical marijuana, as reported by Trib Live.

"It's kind of bizarre," said Douaihy. "If a patient comes and asks me about a prescription for medical marijuana, I wouldn't know where to start. How much can you prescribe? How are we as physicians going to apply this new law? Who is going to educate the physicians?"

Dr. Loren Robinson, the deputy secretary for health promotion and disease prevention at the Pennsylvania Department of Health has the answer to their questions.

She said that it might take two years to set up a system for medical marijuana with up to 150 assigned state-regulated dispensaries. The new law was signed by Gov. Tom Wolf on Sunday and will take effect after 30 days.

"We think we have thought it out pretty well," said Robinson. "But I'm sure as we get started, it will be a learning process, for sure."

But setting up a controlled medical cannabis program means a lot of delays for the patients if it will be under the management of state's Health Department, according to attorney Patrick Nightingale who heads the local chapter of the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws, CBS reported.

"The great concern is that the highly regulated model becomes the bogged-down overly regulated model," Nightingale said. "What we need to keep in mind at all times moving forward is that the goal of this program is to benefit Pennsylvania patients," he added.

Once the law has fully implemented, it will be a big help to different patients with 17 specific conditions which include cancer, Parkinson's, epilepsy, HIV-AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress, chronic or intractable pain and sickle cell anemia.

The patient can get an identification card after being examined by their doctor and recommended to take medical marijuana for treatment. "Once this form has been signed by a physician, the patient will submit the form to the Pennsylvania Department of Health in order to receive a patient identification card for the Pennsylvania medical marijuana program," said Dr. Robinson.

On the other hand, no insurance has covered medical marijuana at the moment and the state will regulate its price. Nightingale said that it must be cheaper than the marijuana sold at the black market to work.

Pennsylvania is the sixth largest state, and with the legalization of medical marijuana, a new billion dollar industry is about to come out.



See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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A study in the United Kingdom showed that with a pair of immunotherapy drugs, 20 percent of patients with advanced melanoma got cured and showed no signs of tumors in their body after the treatment.

Sixty-nine percent of 142 patients in a trial were still alive two years after taking the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab, the first survival data showed. The UK doctors who lead the trial said that the results were very encouraging, BBC reported.

A data from another melanoma study using on Merck's immunotherapy pembrolizumab showed an increased in survival as well. Both sets of drugs works by cutting the brakes of the immune system.

As published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, an early stage trial result showed one-third of patients survived for a year without signs of tumor growing.

The immune system is the most effective defense against infection. Built in "brakes" however, stop it from attacking the body's tissue. Cancer, which is composed of a corrupted version of healthy tissue, takes advantage of those brakes to evade the attacks. Nivolumab and ipilimumab are designed to stop those brakes.

Pembrolizumab and the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab have become the standard treatment for melanoma; however, the combination is believed to be more effective.

A trial has made where only ipilimumab was given to the patients. It resulted in 53 percent survival rates after two years and patients' tumors had not disappeared. The equivalent figures for the combination therapy showed 69 and 22 percent.

"It will be important in terms of working out the benefit of these treatments in the longer term, but nevertheless, it's a relatively small study still," Dr James Larkin said.

More than 50 percent of the patients, however, suffered severe to life-threatening side effects so they have to stop their treatment.

The combination therapy drug produces toxic side effects when mixed, according to Suzanne Topalian, a professor of surgery and oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore.

"There may be better ways to give the combination, and that is now in clinical testing," she explained.

Nivolumab has side effects which include inflammation in normal tissue in other organs. It is caused by the drug's effect on the immune system of the patient. But the side effects can be treated aggressively after an early diagnosis, as reported by Medical Xpress.

"We are now at a point where these drugs are quite safe. The risk-to-benefit balance appears to be favorable," Topalian said.



See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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Dentists are normally known as the right person to address toothaches which could lead to fillings or extractions, depending on the state of a persons dentals.

But dentists can do more than that which many may have probably come across. It goes beyond simple tooth extractions such as assessing and evaluating patients which would normally be routine when dental screening for oral care is done.

Dental screening is seen nothing more than an initial assessment through any findings on that end could be a preventive measure for worst case scenarios. That includes suspicious lesions which could be cancerous.

One person who can attest to that is Dr. Henry Ho, MD and an otolaryngologist and medical director, head and neck program at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.

Dentists and their hygienists are very good screeners for oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer. They do a thorough check of the mucous membrane and structures of the mouth for suspicious lesions and refer the patient to a head and neck surgeon if necessary, bares Ho.

The assessment will of course not be complete unless the patient fully reveals things that bother him. This is why during routine oral exams, patients are encouraged to share all that they may be experiencing.

Among the symptoms that could make a difference include:

Sores that do not heal or bleed

Lumps

Pain or numbness in the mouth or lips

Odd color changes in oral tissues

Difficulty when it comes to chewing or swallowing

Ideally, these are symptoms that folks would reveal when they visit their dentist after which a thorough check would be made to determine the root cause of it all.

The obvious one that has to be ruled out is the possible head and neck cancer which is one of the popular cases plaguing the United States to date.

And what could possibly be the root cause of these complaints?

Smoking and heavy drinking can greatly increase the risk of head and neck cancers, explains Ho. Exposure to the human papillomavirus can also increase risk, and we are seeing an increase in younger people with these cancers due to HPV.

If head and neck cancers are suspect and found to exist, the usual treatments to adjust them include surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.

It should be noted that there is no fast way to determine if one would be victim to head and neck cancer through making regular visits to the dentist and undergoing proper oral care assessment and evaluation could place that risk to a minimum.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
Empire Files Exposes What Hillary Clinton Really Represents

By Robert Barsocchini

20 April, 2016

Countercurrents.org



The above is devastating for Clinton and will further diminish her wavering support among non-oligarch US citizens, relegating her to being elected by the anti-democratic means on which she relies, from kick-backs and slush-funds to hundreds of billions of dollars in arms sales to foreign dictators. (Using and dealing in high-explosive devices is among Hillarys most prominent trademarks.)

One of the key points in the investigation is that in what we are told is the US democratic system, a set of oligarchs with corrupt financial ties to the elite-catering candidates, like Hillary, literally get to have their individual votes count as thousands upon thousands of votes.

These oligarchs, dubbed super-delegates, bribe and support the candidate that works to make them (and in turn the politician in question) even richer and more powerful, and who is fine with, or in Hillarys case gleeful about, mass-killing any unpeople (1984) who stand in the way.

Another point raised is that Hillarys first political work was campaigning for the Donald Trump of the 60s, far right Republican and corporate oligarch Barry Goldwater. Goldwater was a white supremacist reacting against the burgeoning Civil Rights movement, and Hillary was inspired. (She regularly uses white-supremacist imagery in her own political campaigns.) She later became president of the Young Republicans Club, and to many independent analysts and neo-cons today, it is obvious that Hillary is herself an ideological member of the neo-con terrorist organization.

Again in the eighties and since, Hillary strongly supported policies that top government staffers have said were designed to, and have succeeded terrifically at, imprisoning and killing vast numbers of African Americans and other impoverished or dissident groups.

Indeed, expert Roger Morris finds in his extensive interviews with Hillary/Bill staffers (Partners in Power: The Clintons and Their America) that Hillary, as one might expect from her record, harbors utter personal disdain and disgust for honest, non-oligarch US citizens, whom she is known to call red-necks and the like.

Morris further discusses the Clintons involvement in shipping money and weapons to the secret US terrorist army known as The Contras. For attacking Nicaragua with this and other forces, the US was found guilty in the worlds highest court and the UNSC and GN of international terrorism and aggression. Due to the courts inability to enforce judgments against historys biggest empire, the US simply increased its terror against the poor nation that had been, according to international agencies, making great strides in improving the lives of Nicaraguas population, which consisted predominantly of, as Hillary knew, poor people.

Since entering politics, the Clintons have increased their net worth hundreds of times over, and today have a net worth approaching two-hundred-million dollars, mainly derived from corporate bribery or, to use the touted phrase, speaking fees. You know all those guys at Goldman Sachs just think Hillary is a genius and they need to pay her five thousand dollars a minute for financial advice. But in reality, they really are interested in what she has to say, albeit for a reason that actually makes sense: they want to make sure they will get a return on their investment, hinting at why Hillary refuses to release transcripts of her speeches, and why the most intensive, comprehensive academic studies find that the US government responds only to oligarchs and swindlers, and never the actual population of the country.

While it is a widely held international and academic opinion that the US has the worlds most corrupt government because it is based on bribery and maintaining tight oligarchic control, professor David Graeber notes (Debt  The First 5,000 Years) that biased Western-run watch-dog agencies are able to lower the USs corruption ranking on the lists they create because in countries like Russia and China, bribing politicians is illegal, and thus considered corruption, whereas in the US it is rampant to the extent that the offending politicians and oligarchs simply declared bribery to be legal, and thus not counted as a form of corruption.

But not to worry: Hillary doesnt just take millions from US oligarchs. She is also flush with millions from foreign oligarchs and dictatorships, and responds to their generosity by supporting them privately and publicly, such as backing their efforts to overthrow democracies, or when she recently propagandized for apartheid Israel, just after it was declared the worlds top human rights violator by the United Nations.

Martin ends the investigation by saying US citizens can and should fight both the Republicans and the Democrats, and that she completely rejects Hillarys brand of bourgeois feminism because it leaves out millions of immigrant women, poor women, and the women [and girls] under her bombs  all unpeople who have stood, or accidentally been, in the way of expanding the corporate empire.

Robert Barsocchini is an internationally published author who focuses on force dynamics, national and global, and also writes professionally for the film industry. Updates on Twitter. Authors essay The Agility of Tyranny: Historical Roots of Black Lives Matter.










Kashmir: Killings, Curfew And The Myth Of Normalcy

By Aadil Farooq

20 April, 2016

Countercurrents.org

As the authorities lifted curfew in Kupwara and Handwara towns after days of demonstrations and subsequent killings, it seems that normalcy has returned to valley. But such arguments whose premises are laid on an ultra-myopic sense are themselves subjected to debate. What we mean by normalcy when the context is Kashmir specific.

Have Kashmir faced Handwara like situation for the first time. Have killing been done in Kashmir for the first time. It is not like that Kashmir saw it in zainakote it saw it in pulwaom, in Palhalan, in Sopore, in Veijbour, in Shopain in Chouhdhur, in Varmul, in Islambad, Bandpore, Kulgoam, Badgoam in every part of it and every bit of it, in the interiors and exteriorseverywhere. One can hardly find an area in Kashmir where blood is not spilled. The same spree was followed by the same myths of normalcy and everything was presumed to be normal devoid of identifying the brunt it was building.

The word normalcy and its obnoxious, abhorrent, disgust and continuous mortification in Kashmir is quite visible. Can things be normal when the barrel of gun is always pointing at you? Can things be normal when every Kashmiri is gazed as a suspect? Can things be normal when every phone call is tracked and traced? Can things be normal when even social media is subjected to scrutiny?

After the days of killings and curfew  and the subsequent restrictions laid by the occupational institutions  people seem to have finally moved on with their daily works and thus depicting normalcy. The mayhem of death was not an audient drama, but a reality of Kashmir which we have been facing since 90s or even before that.

Over the past three decades, especially during the 90s, Kashmir has been a witness to so many massacres. Then came 2008. There was a massive civilian uprising against the Indian occupation. Initially the authorities fired upon the peaceful demonstrations to silence the protesters. More than 60 civilians were killed. When India state saw things running out of their control, they imposed strict curfew. Things repeated in 2009 and 2010 (in 2010, 126 civilians were killed by Indian army and paramilitary forces).

So, such a situation of killings and curfew only reveal a persistent cycle of miseries that Kashmir seems to have got used to. The incidents of this kind are always followed by curfews and detention or house arrest of the resistance leaders. So in nutshell nothing  literally nothing; neither the attitude of the Indian state nor the counter strategies of the Kashmirs resistance leadership  has really changed. Indian forces keep on killing our youth; the shameless Indian mainstream media keeps of defending their rapist and murderer forces. And on the other hand Kashmirs pro-freedom leadership keep on issuing the statement of condemnation to further nurture their victimhood.

Aadil Farooq is a research student at JNU. He can be reached at aadilshah321@gmail.com










US Announces New Iraq Deployments

By Thomas Gaist

19 April, 2016

WSWS.org

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced a further escalation of the US war in Iraq to include deployment of at least 200 additional troops, along with Apache helicopter gunships and artillery.

Carters announcement, made during an unannounced visit to Iraq, is the latest in a steady drumbeat of US escalations in Iraq and Syria, which now occur on a near-weekly basis. This is despite the fact that current troop levels are already well above the Obama administrations official limit of 3,870. US forces are increasingly involved in conventional and large-scale ground combat, making a mockery of Obamas numerous vows to the contrary.

Carter made clear that the deployments are part of a generalized escalation of the US wars in Iraq and Syria, continuing into the indefinite future. Weve gotten approval from the White House every time the chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] and I have gone to ask for something that weve needed to accelerate. So that really isnt the issue for us, the issue for us is to identify more ways to accelerate the campaign.

The additional US troops and heavy weaponry are being deployed in support of a joint US-Iraqi force overseen by American advisors. This force will use the reinforcements as part of an offensive for control of Mosul, Carter said. The new US forces will perform training and advising missions, and will embed themselves in frontline combat commands.

Carters announcement must be taken as a warning: a massive escalation of war in the Middle East and beyond is being readied for the period after the US elections in November. These plansand the growing danger of world warare being deliberately excluded from the election campaigns of both major parties and all of their candidates, including the supposed socialist Bernie Sanders.

The financial-corporate elite and the military-intelligence establishment do not want the war drive to become a topic of discussion in the elections, because they are well aware of the broad antiwar sentiment of the population. The exclusion of this, the most critical of all questions, highlights the antidemocratic character of the electoral process.

The additional US soldiers, drawn primarily from the US Armys Special Forces, will link up with frontline Iraqi units as part of the preparations for a punishing battle to retake Mosul from ISIS, the Washington Post reported.

The US is also allocating an additional $400 million to fund Kurdish proxy forces in northern Iraq, which are being organized by US commandos and will be critical in retaking Mosul, Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said.

The Kurdish fighters, acclaimed by the Wall Street Journal on Monday as the USs most reliable partners in the fight against the Islamic State, began carrying out regular airborne raids throughout northern Iraq this year, under the supervision of the special targeting force announced by Carter earlier this year.

The US plans to enlist regional states to assist American forces intervening in the ISIS-held regions of northern Iraq once Mosul and other ISIS-held cities are retaken, according to the Pentagon. Over the past year, the Pentagon has repeatedly announced measures to bolster the US militarys basing arrangements in Iraq, including the new firebases announced earlier this month as part of the accelerated campaign against ISIS.

The return of US forces to major combat operations, less than five years after the official end of the Iraq war, is aimed at propping up the US puppet regime installed after the 2003 invasion and reinforcing the US military presence in the oil-rich region. Having already lost significant parts of the north and west to ISIS forces, the Iraqi government faces a spiraling crisis, fueled by the fall in world oil prices. Oil exports account for more than 90 percent of Iraqs revenues.

The decades of war crimes committed by Washington have wrecked Iraqi society nearly beyond the point of repair, according to a study by the Minority Rights Group International (MRG), which found that more than 8 million Iraqis are in dire need of humanitarian aid and more than 3 million remain internally displaced.








Iranian Teacher Racially Abuses Ahwazi Children For Speaking Arabic



By Rahim Hamid

20 April, 2016

Countercurrents.org

A Persian Iranian teacher reportedly punished two Ahwazi Arab primary school pupils for speaking with each other in their Arabic mother tongue last week by forcing them to wash out their mouths with soap and water, warning other pupils that they would face the same punishment if he heard them speaking Arabic or if they were reported to have done so in his absence.

The latest incident of overt anti-Arab prejudice from a regime official, which took place at a school in the Amaniyeh neighbourhood of the regional capital, Ahwaz, has sparked outrage among Ahwazi people, who already face extensive apartheid-style laws outlawing their Arab language, dress, and culture.

Speaking to Arabi 21, prominent human rights activist Abdul Karim Dahimi condemned the teachers heinous act, adding that such overt and shameful racism towards young children exceeds even the customary brutal anti-Arab prejudice from the regime.

Dahimi explained that Ahwazi Arabs are forbidden from speaking their native language, despite the fact that it is the language of the Quran and the mother tongue of the Arab people of Ahwaz, adding that this despicably ugly incident shows the extent of Iranian teachers hatred towards Arab language and culture since they consider all things related to Arabs to be filth.

Other activists pointed out that although the Iranian regimes constitution, specifically Articles 15 and 19, explicitly allow Ahwazi Arabs to be educated in their own Arabic language, in practice those articles of the constitution which pertain to non-Persian Iranians are disregarded by the regime, with the Persian language being forcibly imposed on the Ahwazis for decades as the sole language permitted.

Dahimi, a former teacher, told Arabi 21, In recent years, anti-Arab hatred and Iranian supremacism have trickled down from the Iranian elite to the mainstream among the Persian community, and today we see these acts and this sort of racist behaviour recurring extensively against Ahwazi people, going unchecked even in a nation which calls itself Islamic.

Talking about the latest incident involving the teachers abuse of the two children, the activist said, The parents of these children raised complaints about the Iranian teachers racist crime, but they havent seen any serious legal action by the Department of Education officials against this racist teacher. We demand that [the education department] take legal action against this teacher and bring him to trial so that Arab students cant be insulted, with legislation outlawing such abuse included in all international laws regarding crimes against children.

Ahwazi activists point out that offensive racist depictions of Arabs are common in Iranian media which show a deep contempt for Arab culture and identity and use derogatory terms throughout even supposedly serious programs. Whilst Iranian regime officials claim that their abusive anti-Arab rhetoric and media coverage is directed solely against the regimes Saudi opponents, this excuse is extremely unconvincing to Ahwazis, who have been subjected to such abuse for decades.

Rahim Hamid, a freelance journalist and human rights advocate










Clinton, Trump Post New York Primary Victories

By Patrick Martin

20 April, 2016

WSWS.org

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire Donald Trump won the Democratic and Republican primaries in New York State Tuesday, cementing their positions as the frontrunners for the presidential nominations of the two big business parties.

Clinton defeated Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders by a margin of 57 percent to 43 percent, rolling up a total of nearly 1.1 million votes compared to some 800,000 for her opponent. Democratic turnout was up about 10 percent compared to the last contested primary, in 2008, when Clinton defeated Barack Obama by nearly the same percentage margin.

In terms of delegates for the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, which were divided proportionally, Clinton won 135 and Sanders 104, increasing Clintons lead among elected delegates by 31. Media tabulations have Clinton with 1,424 elected delegates to 1,149 for Sanders, a margin of 275. When unelected superdelegatesparty officials and officeholders, who overwhelmingly favor Clintonare included, Clintons lead more than doubles to 713, with 1,893 for Clinton compared to 1,180 for Sanders. A total of 2,382 are required to win the Democratic nomination.

Clinton rolled up her majority in New York City and its suburbs, sweeping all five boroughs of the city and the five suburban counties, Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island and Westchester, Rockland and Orange north of the city. Upstate, Clinton won narrowly in Erie County (Buffalo), Monroe County (Rochester) and Onondaga County (Syracuse). Sanders actually won 49 of New Yorks 62 counties, including the rural areas and the smaller manufacturing centers like Schenectady, Utica and Binghamton, as well as the state capital, Albany.

The Sanders campaign complained that Democratic Party rules making New York a closed primarylimited only to registered Democratsexcluded as many as 3 million voters registered as independents. Nearly all of the remaining primaries, with the exception of California, the most populous state, will be conducted under similar rules, increasing Clintons chances of winning most of those contests.

Sanderss victories in 15 primaries and caucuses have been largely due to a big turnout among independent voters, particularly young people. Exit polls suggest that he has won a majority among registered Democrats in only one primary, in his home state of Vermont.

The Sanders campaign outspent Clinton by two-to-one and mobilized large numbers of young people, but Clinton had the unstinting support of Democratic Party officeholders and the bulk of the trade union apparatus in the state.

In the Republican primary, Trump won 60 percent of the vote, while his two remaining opponents, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, divided up the remainder. Kasich won 25 percent of the vote and Cruz 15 percent. The total Republican vote was up more than 20 percent compared to 2008, but still far below the total in the Democratic contest. All three Republicans combined won fewer votes than Hillary Clinton in the heavily Democratic state.

Under Republican Party rules awarding delegates on a winner-take-all basis if a candidate wins 50 percent of the vote in a congressional district or statewide, Trump won at least 90 of the 95 delegates elected Tuesday, with Kasich taking the remainder. Cruz won zero delegates, finishing a poor third in all 27 congressional districts in the state.

Trump now leads the Republican contest with 849 delegates compared to 559 for Cruz, with 1,237 required for the nomination. The New York result does not clinch the nomination for Trump, but it makes it considerably more difficult to prevent him accumulating the needed delegates in the 15 states still to vote.

Kasichs five or so delegates were the first he has won since the March 15 primary in Ohio, his home state. He has only 148 delegates, fewer even than Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who suspended his campaign more than a month ago.

The result of the New York primary is that it appears more likely that the Democratic and Republican parties will nominate as their candidates the most widely despised figures in modern American political history. An opinion poll published last week found that Trump was viewed favorably by only 24 percent, compared to 65 percent disapproving, for a net negative standing of minus 41 percent, the worst figure ever recorded for a presidential frontrunner of a major capitalist party. Clintons numbers were the second worst ever recorded: 32 percent favorable compared to 56 percent unfavorable, for a net negative of minus 24 percent. Ted Cruz was little better, with a net negative rating of minus 23 percent.

These figures reveal not just the unpopularity of these individuals, but the widespread popular hostility to both political parties and the financial aristocracy they represent and serve.

In her victory speech in Manhattan Tuesday night, Clinton sought to identify herself with what she called a progressive tradition from Franklin Roosevelt to Barack Obama, espousing bold progressive goals backed up with real plans.

While listing a litany of unmet social needs, from rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure to education, health care, the environment, systemic racism and pay discrimination against women, she gave no hint as to why the Obama administration has so signally failed to improve conditions of life in any of these areas.

As has become the pattern throughout the campaign, Clinton made no reference to foreign policy or the looming threat of war, the day after the Obama administration approved the latest escalation of US military intervention in Iraq and Syria.

Proclaiming her own campaign to be the only campaign, Democratic or Republican, to win more than 10 million votes, counting all primaries and caucuses so far, she declared that the race is in the home stretch and victory is in sight, the first time she has made such a public claim.

Clinton appealed to Sanders and his supporters, saying that much more unites us than divides us, and made no explicit criticism of her Democratic rival, instead attacking Republicans Trump and Cruz.

Both Trump and Clinton are currently leading in the polls in all five of the states with primaries scheduled for next Tuesday, all on the East Coast: Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Victory in all five would likely secure the Democratic nomination for Clinton, but would not foreclose the possibility of a contested Republican convention.

Sanderss campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, appearing on MSNBC after the dimensions of Clintons victory in New York had become apparent, said that Sanders must win at least three of the five contests on April 26 to have a path to the nomination, indicating Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island as the most likely.

Sanders addressed a rally at State College, Pennsylvania before the polls closed in New York, and then flew home to Vermont without making any public statement other than a congratulatory phone call to Hillary Clinton.

Other results from exit polls of Democratic primary voters showed results quite similar to those in previous primary states, with Sanders winning by large margins among younger voters and running even with Clinton among minority voters under 45, while Clinton won by huge margins among African-American and Hispanic voters, including 77 percent of minority voters aged 45 and over.

On the Republican side, exit polls suggested a deepening split over the candidacy of Trump. A majority of those who voted for either Kasich or Cruz, some 55 percent, said they would not vote for Trump in November if he is the Republican nominee.








Do You Remember Kunanposhpora

Book Review By Javeed Bin Nabi

20 April, 2016

Countercurrents.org

Authors : Essar Batool, Irfah Butt, Samreena Mushtaq , Munaza Rashid and Natasha.

Published by : Zubaan Publishers.

Year : 2016

It was a snowy winter the tarred cold darkness outside , a night of callousness and incarceration. Yes, it was 23 February 1991, when a group of felon colonizers conducted a dubious search operation to find out whereabouts of militants in the two twin beautiful villages Kunan and Poshpora of Kupawars district in north Kashmir.

The intense lamentable night which the five ladies of Kashmir describes wholly in this book " Do You Remember Kunanposhpora " was a full of agony , barbarism , hapless and unheard screams. The authors of the book says that night was much furious and lamentation, indeed unpardonable. They fully narrates the agony of that night by Indian army who turned themselves into beasts and left the night into barbarity and full of blatant in the two villages of Kunan and Poshpora of Kupawara.

The authors say the occupants entered in each and every home with jackboots and raped every young and old women, including several pregnant and unmarried women, Their Fathers , Brothers and husbands were incarcerated by Indian army outside their homes. But when they return to their homes after that day they haplessly found their wives , daughters and aged mothers in a pool of blood and unconscious who were being raped repeatedly by malicious oppressors in whole night. They found their women naked,torned and abased by Indian army and left them crippled and ruined.

The authors of the book describes the brutality and obliteration of Indian army in the two villages of kupwara district. They simply narrates how Indian ruthless occupants lost their conscience and became obfuscate, caught hold every women of kunan and poshpora under their vicious behaviour and gangraped them one by one, among few were raped more than ten times. The victims were screaming loudly and lament rung by rung but all got in vain, their voices were dumped and muzzled. Thus , How can a victim who faced that horrible night would forget the brutality of Indian army ? How they forgive them who vigorously spoiled their dignity, the common and innocence life ?

Since that horrible and furious tarred night of 23 February 1991, no any Indian trooper was arrested and sent behind bars who was the part of that blatant night rather court received the three word paper "The Perpetrators Untraced". So without any exaggeration it can be rightly labelled as smudge and bolt on Indian army the brutal and inhumane tragedy of Kunanposhpora of Kupwara. One worries during a gangrape in 2012 of a medical student at Delhi whole India gushed out for protest till the culprits were treated with iron hand , but for Kashmiri women its sufficient to get penned down her name in dusty files of various government offices across Kashmir.

Its not first time that Indian army committed brutality , assaulting , molestation and rape of Kashmiri women but they did it since 1989. Indeed the book is the full account of pain and tears of Victims and Barbarism ,oppression and cruelty from Indian troopers.

I pose my two questions to state maintainers !

Where is Justice ? Why Victims of Kunanposhpora were thrown beyond repairment ?

Why the Indian army rapists are roaming free ?

Javeed Bin Nabi is Studying International Relations At IUST, Awantipora.










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By Megan Erbacher of the Courier and Press

Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. textbook rental rates for next school year could stay the same for most students.

EVSC Chief Financial Officer Carl Underwood presented the proposed rates to school board members at a regular meeting Tuesday night. The school board will set textbook fees at its May 2 meeting.

Other than a 55-cent increase for third grade, all other K-5 grades  if approved  remain the same as this year. Middle and high school book rental rates vary depending on the curriculum used at individual schools and/or grade levels, as well as the classes each student takes.

The total proposed textbook rental cost for the 2016-17 school year for regular kindergarten is $76; first grade for next school year is proposed at $101.55; second grade is $95.80; third grade is $107.90, compared to this year's $107.35; fourth grade is expected to be $89.60; and fifth grade was presented at $95.60.

Grades 6-12 rental fees include netbook/laptop costs as well as accidental damage and extended warranty insurance. For students in grades 6-8, total cost is proposed at $75, the same rate as this year. And students in grades 9-12 have the same proposed rate as well at $37.50 per semester, or $75 per year.

No textbooks are used at New Tech Institute, so students there will use full laptops with special software. The laptop rental rate, which also includes extended warranty and accidental damage insurance, is proposed at the same cost as this year at $90.50 per semester, or $181 for the school year.

Free workbooks for reading, language, English honors and science are given to students in grades 6-8.

In other news at Monday night's meeting, board members heard a presentation on the 8th annual eRevolution Conference. The three-day conference is July 11-13 at North High School.

During eRev, more than 250 sessions will be available to local educators, as well as internationally known featured speakers. The workshops focus on three learning strands  digital age content and skills, teaching and learning and leadership and vision. The goal is to teach educators tips and programs to incorporate technology into the classroom.

Last year Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz said EVSC's eLearning conference, one of 24 in Indiana last summer, was the largest.

Early bird registration runs through April 30. A three-day pass for EVSC educators is $30 and non-EVSC educators pay $60 for three-day ticket. Prices increase after April 30. For more information or to register, visit evscicats.com/erevolution/attend/.
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By Susan Orr of the Courier and Press

Deaconess says it's on track to start accepting patients at its new Hospice House facility by the end of the year.

Construction began last year on the Harriet Street facility, located on the campus of Deaconess' Downtown hospital.

The $10 million facility will include 14 patient suites, designed soatients can have their loved ones stay overnight in adjoining rooms.

On Tuesday, Deaconess hosted a "topping-out" ceremony to mark a milestone in the facility's construction. A topping-out ceremony is a construction-industry tradition in which a ceremonial object is placed at a structure's highest point.

Dozens of people  most of them Deaconess employees or their children  attended the ceremony. Its focal point came when a crane operator hoisted a steel beam that will become part of Hospice House's main entryway. In days leading up to the ceremony, Deaconess invited people to sign the beam, making it both a symbolic and literal representation of good wishes and support.

"God bless all who enter," one signature read.

"In memory of Bob Strader. Mucho love!" another said.

"This is a dream by many thousands of people, and it's going to become reality soon," Deaconess Chief Executive Officer Linda White told the assembled crowd.

White said construction is only a few days behind schedule because of inclement weather. But, she said, crews are working on Saturdays to make up for lost time.

Deaconess plans to have an open house for the new facility in November, and to begin caring for patients there by the end of the year.

Deaconess currently has five hospice beds at its Downtown campus. Those beds will move across the street to Hospice House when the facility is complete. Deaconess also has hospice beds at the Charlier Hospice Center on Walnut Street as part of a joint venture with VNA Plus. The Walnut Street facility will continue to operate.

Hospice care is designed for terminally ill patients who are expected to live six months or less.

The number of patients seeking hospice care  and the number of organizations providing such care  has grown significantly over the years. According to an industry group, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, an estimated 5,150 organizations provided hospice care to 1.38 million patients in 2010. Those numbers grew to an estimate 6,100 organizations and 1.66 million patients in 2014.

Most patients use Medicare to cover the costs of their hospice care, the organization says.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a federal agency, spending on Medicare hospice benefits totaled $2.2 billion in 1998. By 2009 (the most recent year cited), that spending had risen to $12.1 billion.

Deaconess' White attributed the growth of hospice care to a couple of factors.

Years ago, White said, people were afraid to talk about end-of-life issues. That's changed, she said, and people have generally become more knowledgeable about hospice care.

More specifically, White said, people are becoming interested in quality-of-life issues for terminally ill patients. Hospice care emphasizes pain control, emotional and spiritual support and other quality-of-life measures.
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By Zach Osowski, zach.osowski@courierpress.com

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke will work with Ohio Gov. John Kasich for the upcoming Indiana primary.

Kasich's campaign announced Wednesday that Winnecke will be one of the co-chairs for the candidate's Indiana team. He will be joined by Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, Rep. Mike Karickhoff R-Kokomo, and Melissa Proffitt.

Kasich will visit Indiana on Tuesday, according to an announcement from one of his campaign consultants on Twitter. Details were not immediately available.

Winnecke said he was approached about a week ago by Kasich representatives, who asked if he would have interest in supporting their candidate.

"I've been a Kasich supporter since I became aware of him," Winnecke told the Courier & Press on Wednesday afternoon. "I like his governmental leadership (and) where he falls on a lot of important issues.

"I'm sensitive to friends in my party who have other allegiances, though."

Winnecke said the time commitment involved in his work with Kasich will be "as much or as little as I want it to be."

"We have a solid team in Indiana," Kasich said in a statement. "I appreciate all their work to share my positive-solutions driven message across the Hoosier state."

Vanderburgh County Republican Party Chairman Wayne Parke will work with Winnecke as part of the Indiana steering committee.

Kasich currently sits third in delegate count behind Sen. Ted Cruz and Donald Trump. Indiana's primary will be May 3.
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By Marc Scribner, Tribune News Service

"Take back our streets!" is a common refrain among urban activists.

No, they're not talking about reducing violent crime, as many of them reside in affluent neighborhoods.

What they want to take city streets back from is cars, which they see as a scourge that lowers their quality of life. But the alternatives they propose are much more costly and provide far fewer benefits.

When mass transit use plummeted in the 1970s, anti-car activists succeeded in distorting government transportation funding to greatly advantage transit systems over highways.

Today, even though more than 90 percent of households have cars, governments spend 28 percent of the nation's collective transportation funds on transit, with most of that money coming from state and federal fuel taxes as well as local property taxes.

Yet, despite this government gravy train, transit's market share is lower than it was in 1980, at less than 2 percent of trips made nationwide.

Even when looking only at commuting trips, where trains and buses do best, transit accounts for less than 5 percent of the market share  one-fifth of its share of funding.

The myth that mass transit can serve most people does more than just waste taxpayer funds. Reducing access to cars contributes to unemployment and poverty.

In the New York City metropolitan area, where 40 percent of all U.S. transit trips occur and where one-third of the residents take transit to work, only 15 percent of jobs are accessible by transit in less than an hour.

In contrast, New Yorkers with cars can access more than five times as many jobs in 60 minutes.

New Yorkers dependent on transit suffer from the longest commutes in America  even longer than New York drivers.

Closing some streets to auto traffic can occasionally makes sense.

New York's Times Square pedestrian plaza is often touted as a successful example. But most cities are not New York, and the nation's experiments with converting streets to pedestrian malls have mostly ended in failure.

When cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia and Sacramento tried this in the 1960s and '70s in an attempt to revive their downtowns, customers stopped coming and businesses closed.

By the 2000s, nearly all these cities had reopened their streets to auto traffic. These cities attempted to create small car-free zones, not the car-free cities envisioned by activists. Following these activists' advice and closing off most urban streets to auto traffic would be a disaster.

Environmental activists claim automobiles should be banned to curb air pollution, but that's not quite right. Yes, cars pollute, but they have become far cleaner over the last few decades and will be even cleaner still in the near future as cars achieve greater fuel efficiency.

And environmentalists don't mention the polluting impact of traffic congestion. Instead, they often promote congestion and the resulting driver misery as a way to deter driving.

Then there is the issue of traffic safety. The traffic congestion and low speeds in America's downtowns help keep serious car accidents rare relative to the rest of the country.

The majority of road fatalities occur in rural areas, where fewer than 20 percent of Americans live. The rest largely occur in the auto-oriented suburbs where most Americans reside, not urban cores.

Attempting to seriously reduce auto injuries and fatalities by banning cars in the dense cities where crashes pose the lowest risk is both an overreaction and a misapprehension of the problem.

None of this means that there aren't problems with cars in our major cities, many arising from poor highway planning in the 1950s and '60s. Introducing congestion tolls and market-rate parking are the places to start.

But 21st century problems will not be solved by trying to return our cities to the auto-free 19th century. We should work to improve technology, not outlaw it.

Marc Scribner is a research fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a free-market think tank in Washington, D.C. Readers may write him at CEI, 2, 1899 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036.
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No one knows for certain what will happen if an errant drone crashes into a passenger jet. Maybe nothing  birds collide with planes all the time with little consequence. But not always. From time to time, a little bird causes big damage to an airplane.

Who wants to find out for sure? Better to keep drones and planes well out of each other's way. One important step is for Congress to pass the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that's working its way through the Senate this month. Among many other things, the bill adopts some of the strictest regulations for commercial and hobby drones yet. It's way past time to start getting a handle on these flying robots.

Significantly, the bill would require the industry to develop new safety standards for unmanned aerial vehicles  UAVs in industry parlance  that will likely mandate technology that stops drones from flying into restricted airspace. That wouldn't be a huge hurdle for the industry; DJI, one of the major consumer drone manufacturers, has started including this capability, called geo-fencing, into its drones.

The necessity of such a step was highlighted a few weeks ago when the pilot of a Lufthansa A380 passenger jet reported that a drone passed within 200 feet of the plane as it approached Los Angeles International Airport. The plane was flying at about 5,000 feet. Drones are not supposed to fly above 400 feet. They do anyhow. Last year, hundreds of pilots reported seeing drones flying way too close for comfort.

And just days ago, although not in the U.S., a drone reportedly bumped into a passenger plane that was on final approach at London's Heathrow airport.

The drone that crossed paths with the Lufthansa plane was never identified by the FAA, but under the new rules proposed in the bill, reckless drones in the future may be. One of the provisions would require the government to develop a method to identify remotely the operators and owners of drones while they are in the air. The FAA set up a mandatory drone registration system last year, but fewer than half of the estimated drone owners have registered and there's no mechanism to identify them.

Accountability is essential, given the expected growth of consumer drone sales: An estimated 7 million consumer drones will have been sold in the U.S. by 2020. That figure includes both large, high-end drones used professionally (for such things as filming and monitoring crops) and the small, low-cost models sold at electronics stores.

The consumer drone revolution sneaked up on most Americans, turning the devices from a novelty into a nuisance seemingly overnight. Last summer, stories of drones blundering into aerial firefighting operations in California woke up the public to both the proliferation and the inherent dangers of a technology so sophisticated and powerful that anyone can have one flying thousands of feet in the air within minutes.

Not all of the drone provisions in the bill have merit. Manufacturers are legitimately concerned that the language will result in an approval process for safety standards that could create a bottleneck for new models. Another provision, preempting cities and states from adopting their own rules for drones, needs tweaking. It makes sense for Congress to preempt local rules that would create a messy patchwork of regulations over drone manufacturing, safety standards and most use of airspace. At the same time, however, there must be some recognition that cities and states have a role in determining how drones are used in their communities in the future.

As the National League of Cities and United States Conference of Mayors put it in a letter to senators, "(P)olicymakers, including those at the federal level, do not yet know what the broader use of commercial UAVs means for our cities and towns, and cannot reasonably anticipate the challenges that will arise with the expanded deployment of UAVs."

But we have a good inkling of what is to come: drones delivering pizzas, books and all manner of other consumer goods, if the likes of Amazon and Google have their way. And they probably will, which will entail the development of aerial drone thoroughfares through cities and towns. Cities and states ought to have some ability to make land-use decisions about where to place those pathways.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., whose Consumer Drone Safety Act helped shape this bill, has offered an amendment with two other senators that would limit federal preemption to drone manufacture and design. That's a good place to start. While it's important to make sure that the skies are safe today, communities must be allowed to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.

This editorial first appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
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The Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in United States v. Texas, a case that will determine whether 4 million people living in the country illegally will get a reprieve from the threat of deportation, as President Barack Obama sought to provide.

It's a contentious case framed as much by politics as law, and one that has gained even more urgency with the rise of Donald "Throw Them All Out and Build a Wall" Trump as the face of a troubling anti-immigrant populist fervor.

But the president was right in November 2014 when he issued an executive order expanding the pool of people eligible for deferrals because they were brought to the United States as children, and offering deferrals to the parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

There are at least 11 million people living in the U.S. without permission, nearly two-thirds of whom have been here for more than a decade. To track them all down and throw them out would be cruel, inordinately expensive, damaging to communities and disastrous for such businesses as construction, landscaping and food production. Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, may not be able to stomach the notion, but those "illegals" have become part of our society.

After the Dream Act died in the Senate in 2010, Obama crafted the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy to offer a reprieve to more than 1 million people living here illegally since childhood. In the wake of House Republicans' refusal to consider the bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill in 2013, Obama broadened the definition of those eligible for reprieves under his previous order, while also granting similar treatment to those in the country illegally who are the parents of citizens or green-card holders.

But Texas led a challenge by 26 Republican-dominated state governments that accused the president of failing to follow the required procedures in adopting new regulations and of violating the Constitution's requirement that the president "take care" to faithfully execute the laws Congress enacts.

Despite their weak legal arguments, a Texas federal judge issued an injunction against Obama's new deferrals, leading to Monday's arguments before the high court, which were dominated by questions about whether the president overstepped his authority and whether the states have legal standing to challenge the deferrals.

To bring a legal challenge, a petitioner must show that it has or will suffer "concrete and particularized" injury. The lower courts accepted Texas' claim that the deferrals would harm the state by increasing its costs under a state policy that allows driver's licenses for noncitizens lawfully living in the state. But the federal government doesn't order states to issue the licenses, and Texas could avoid the damage by changing its policy or setting a higher fee.

We believe the courts should be as open as possible to those seeking redress from wrongs, and should not deny standing lightly. But we also think it is wrong for elected officials to use the courts to settle political disputes rather than legal issues, as Texas and the other states are doing here. If the Supreme Court tells Texas et al that they're fighting a political battle in the wrong arena, that would send a welcome signal.

Conversely, a 4-4 split would in effect end the deferrals, which would be bad for the country and for millions of people carving out lives for themselves.

We would prefer the court to affirm that the president acted within his powers in deciding whom to target for removal and whom to give permission to work in the country  powers established in immigration law. And in the process, the justices can grant some relief to immigrant families who have become integral to the fabric of the nation.

This editorial appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
Union witch hunt & election trigger

The Dirty Double

There will be a July 2 federal election following a double dissolution after the Senates rejection of the governments attempt to re-establish the anti-union Australian Building and Construction Commission.

Parliament returned this week for a special three-week session to consider two industrial relations bills that the Senate had previously blocked and for the Budget which has been brought forward to May 3. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has opportunistically used the bills to bring on the double dissolution of Parliament in the hope of gaining control of the Senate. The trade union movement and working people of Australia now may face WorkChoices Mark II: an even more vicious onslaught on trade union rights, wages, working conditions and living standards.

The Turnbull government hopes to rid the Senate of the independent cross-benchers who cannot always be relied upon to support its legislation.

The bills that were being considered this week are the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Bill 2014 and the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 (BCIIP).

The Registered Organisations Bill applies to all trades unions. It aims to set up a special Registered Organisations Commission and Commissioner with draconian powers to regulate, monitor and impose a stringent financial accounting and disclosure regime on trade unions with far heavier penalties than those currently operating under the Fair Work Act.

In many respects it is modelled on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as if trade unions were corporations, but in some areas demands more of trade unions than corporations.

The government plans to play the union corruption card during the election campaign, drawing on Labors close links to the trade union movement.

Royal Commission

The Abbott government set up the Heydon Royal Commission into alleged trade union corruption with the aim of trying to justify the draconian, undemocratic legislation as well as to vilify trade unions and so discourage workers from joining them.

The Royal Commission ran for 20 months. During that period, in a heavily biased coverage weighted against the union movement, the media ran hot, daily reporting on alleged union corruption, violence, bikie gang links with the construction union  the CFMEU  and criminality. It did not give the same coverage when many of these allegations were proven to be false or withdrawn.

The Heydon Royal Commission made sweeping, totally unsubstantiated claims about widespread and deep-seated misconduct in the trade union movement. Its revelations were the very tip of the iceberg, offering no proof of an iceberg.

As the Guardian pointed out: It denigrated individuals and cast a stain over the trade union movement in order to undermine the legitimacy of trade unionism  all, in the final analysis, to boost profits. That was its ideological thrust. (Coward punch on workers rights, 20-01-2016, #1715)

It was an expensive, taxpayer-funded political witch hunt. Apart from trying to damage the Labor Party and boost construction company and developers profits, then Prime Minister Tony Abbott had the aim of vilifying and destroying the reputation of trade unions. This could then be used to try to justify the introduction of one of the most reactionary, undemocratic, union-busting pieces of legislation  the Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013.

The Royal Commissions findings are now being used to justify the restoration of the Howard governments Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC). But the ABCC does not deal with criminal offences such as corruption. With a few exceptions, the offences under the legislation are civil.

Abbott claims that the (BCIIP) restores the ABCC with its industry specific police force. The truth is that it goes further than the original ABCC.

ABCC Mark II

The bill replaces the Office of the Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate (Labors modified version of the ABCC) with a reincarnation of the ABCC.

Its provisions include:

Coercive investigatory powers of ABC Commissioner  require a person to attend an interrogation session, answer questions (eg repeat what their fellow workers or a union official said at a meeting) under oath or affirmation.

No right to remain silent  this basic legal right has been taken away from construction workers.

Workers would not have right to lawyer of choosing.

Criminal offences  refusal to attend, answer questions, take an oath or affirmation or answer questions is an offence punishable by six months jail.

Illegal industrial action  all industrial action is illegal with the exception of protected action. The definition of protected action here is narrower than under the Fair Work Act. If one or more non-members of the union negotiating a new enterprise agreement join the action, it is not protected.

Picketing unlawful  a new offence where organising or engaging in a picket with the aim of supporting claims against an employer is illegal. That includes solidarity and community pickets as well as pickets by employees of the company being targeted.

Coercion and discrimination  these and other clauses are designed to prevent unions gaining uniform wages and conditions across a construction site. The aim is for subcontractors to be pitted against each other in a race to the bottom reducing costs. This affects health and safety as well as wages and working conditions. They also relate to union recruitment.

Hours of work  EBAs specifying maximum hours of work would be illegal.

Penalties  for unlawful industrial action, picketing, coercion, etc are $34,000 for individuals and $170,000 for body corporates. These are five times larger than penalties for similar offences covering workers in other industries under the Fair Work Act.

Extension of definition of building worker  to include the supply and transport of building goods to building sites (including resource platforms), prefabrication of building components on and off the building site.

Reversal of onus of proof  workers who stop work because of health and safety concerns have to prove they had those concerns.

Building Code  applies to companies that contract or tender to work on Commonwealth projects and their private work. This 33-page Code removes numerous rights, restricts what can be included in enterprise agreements and makes it more difficult for unions to recruit, organise and protect wages, working conditions and safety.

It takes away shift allowances, rostered days off, the right of unions to be consulted regarding redundancies and labour, and other matters. It prohibits clauses that prevent unlimited ordinary hours worked per day, or that guarantee the right to certain public holidays.

It outlaws no ticket no start signs and show card days, restricts union logos, mottos and indicia on clothing, property or equipment. The company must not employ a non-working shop steward or job delegate.

Non-union members are not required to pay a bargaining fee for services provided by the union i.e. negotiation of an agreement.

The building and construction industry is the most dangerous industry in Australia. During the period of Howards ABCC and WorkChoices worker fatalities rocketed from an average of 2.5 to almost 5 per 100,000 employees.

The Budget is set down for March 3, the third week of the special sitting. Turnbull has until May 12 to call a Double Dissolution election which render all Senate and House of Representative seats vacant to be followed by a joint sitting of both Houses to consider the trigger bills. This clearly appears to be his aim.

In the face of such a threat, there is an urgent need for left and progressive unity on policies of struggle for the rights and needs of working people. The Your Rights @ Work Campaign succeeded in uniting community and trade union forces, and throwing out the Howard government.

A similar campaign is required now, to defeat the government and to defeat this draconian, anti-democratic legislation which breaches ILO and Human Rights Conventions.

To quote the Guardian again, The road to unity, the creation of class conscious trade unionism and solidarity will be a long and complicated one but the first steps must be taken. The alternative path of capitulation leads to fascism. (Coward punch on workers rights, 20-01-2016, #1715)
Editorial

A common struggle

Twenty-five years ago, on April 15, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1987-1991) exposed the systemic disadvantage and institutional racism that drove the high rates of imprisonment and subsequently, the high number of deaths in custody of Aboriginal people in Australia.

Key among the Commissions recommendations were those aimed at reducing Indigenous incarceration  to make prison a measure of last resort and break the vicious cycle of criminalisation and imprisonment that led to deaths in custody.

The Commission concluded that governments had to genuinely engage with Indigenous Australians to resolve this matter in any meaningful way. The reports thrust was:

Directed towards empowerment of Aboriginal societies on the basis of their deeply held desire, their demonstrated capacity, their democratic right to exercise  maximum control over their lives and communities  such empowerment requires that the broader society must make material assistance available to make good past deprivations and  approach the relationship with Aboriginal society on the basis of the principles of self-determination

Yet, Indigenous incarceration in Australian prisons have grown from 14 percent of total in 1991 to 27 percent in 2015. More than 50 percent of juveniles in detention are Aboriginal and one in three women prisoners are Aboriginal.

Indigenous Australians in 1991 were 7 times more likely to be imprisoned than non-Indigenous Australians; now they are 13 times more likely to end up in custody and jail.

While there were 99 deaths in custody in the decade before the Royal commission report, in the 25 years since there have been more than 450.

Far from being a turning point, the 1991 Royal Commission report has merely become a marker from which to measure the extent of further deterioration of Indigenous Australias relationship with mainstream society in Australia.

Even the simplest of recommended reforms, a custody notification service where police inform a local Aboriginal legal service that they have taken an Indigenous person into custody, was introduced by only one state, New South Wales, in 2007.

Yet Australian federal governments have undermined this reform since 2012 by substantially cutting funds.

Indigenous Australians have faced systemic disadvantage and institutional racism from the time of colonisation in 1788 and will continue to do so until the political status of First Nations peoples within the Australian nation state has been formally resolved, with their full engagement.

State and territory governments are implementing criminal justice policies driven by a law and order, get tough on crime agenda that puts more people than ever in jail.

Australian government closure by stealth of scores of remote Aboriginal communities is rightly seen by many Indigenous people as a land grab on behalf of mining interests.

Pat Dodson, a Yawuru man from Broome, and a member of the 1991 Royal Commission recently stated, On any measure the current incarceration is a complete and utter disgrace  accepting it permits the criminal justice system to continue to suck us up like a vacuum cleaner and deposit us like waste in custodial institutions. I would hope we are better than that  we must be better than that  there is no choice here...

The Communist Party of Australia works for unity in action to be built between Aboriginal, Islander and non-Indigenous Australians. We have a common struggle. As Karl Marx wrote: Labour in the white skin can never be free while labour in the black skin is in chains.
Return of Black Lung

How the union exposed those responsible

It started simply enough in August last year when 73-year-old retired coal miner Percy Verrall contacted CFMEU Queensland District President Stephen Smyth with suspicions that his rapid health deterioration was linked to his 29 years working in the states coal industry. Percy described a chronic lung condition and I asked him if he could give me x-rays he had taken and I undertook to send them to Dr Bob Cohen in the US, a world expert on Black Lung, to have a look at them. As it turned out Dr Cohen and his team found that Percy had Black Lung, a chronic killer disease that had gone undiagnosed in Australia.

Stephen Smyth told Common Cause that Percys diagnosis set the alarm bells ringing and along with Queensland District Check Inspectors Jason Hill and Stephen Woods, the union embarked on an investigation that led to many more cases of the deadly Black Lung being uncovered. Working miners at Vales Carborough Downs and Anglos Grasstree mines were found to be suffering from the disease. Among them is Keith Stoddart, a 66-year-old coal mining veteran who had been a smoker but given up. He went to his doctor because he was suffering from stabbing pains in his chest.

The scars on Keith Stoddarts lungs didnt look like ordinary cancer so his doctor sent him to see a thoracic specialist in Brisbane, 900 kilometres from his Central Queensland home in Middlemount.

It took two biopsies, a lung function test and an agonising wait before a phone call came with a diagnosis. Good news  no cancer. Bad news  Black Lung, Keith Stoddart told The Australian newspaper. He had been diagnosed with deadly coal workers pneumoconiosis, a disease supposedly eradicated in Australia 30 years ago. As an underground coal miner, Keiths five-yearly x-rays are supposed to be analysed by specialists who can accurately detect and report on the disease and filed with the Queensland Department of Mines and Natural Resources.

But they all failed to identify the deadly disease in Keith.

As other cases of Black Lung victims emerged it became crystal clear that the system in Queensland had disastrously failed the workforce.

Stephen Smyth told Common Cause that the union uncovered a systematic failure by mining companies along with successive state governments and their agencies. We have state government agencies responsible for the monitoring and control of dust levels in the mines and others responsible for checking on the health and safety of coal mineworkers.

They all failed and when we raised the issue we were howled down with accusations that we were using our concerns over the return of Black Lung as an industrial tactic  an accusation that is as disgraceful as it is untrue. The state government agencies went running for cover while the mining companies mouthpiece, the Queensland Resources Council, accused the union of scare-mongering.

But as we began to dig beneath the surface we discovered a shameful record of cover-ups that go back to the early 1980s when a report commissioned by the then Queensland Coal Board found 75 coal miners with Black Lung. When we asked who they were and what was done to assist them after the diagnosis, we were told there was no record of their names and no one knew if follow-up action was ever taken.

Disgrace

This is an absolute disgrace from the corrupt Bjelke-Petersen era when the government was in bed with the big mining companies who dominated our states economy and wielded enormous power.

Stephen Smyth told Common Cause that documents had also been leaked recently going back to the late 1990s indicating that more cases of Black Lung had been identified. Nobody will tell us who they were and what happened.

What we know now is that we have working coal miners as well as retired miners who have been diagnosed with Black Lung. We fear that they are only the tip of the iceberg. We need to continue to push to get to the bottom of this scandal and who is responsible.

Clearly, mineworkers have been exposed to deadly dust levels, the damage to their health has not been picked up and at present there is no adequate compensation to assist victims.

Stephen Smyth told Common Cause that in Keith Stoddarts case, he has spent thousands on medical bills, and had not yet been able to receive workers compensation. Keith has paid for all his own medical care, all his travel costs, all his cat scans, his pet scans, and all the specialists he has to see, he said.

Keiths wife Danielle told the Senate Inquiry her husbands health had deteriorated since diagnosis.

As soon as he exerts himself, like by mowing the lawn, he cant manage that. As soon as he gets up hes exhausted. Hes starting to wake up through the night with pains in his chest.

One of Keith Stoddarts fellow miners at Anglos Grasstree colliery, 34-year-old Chris Carter, told the Senate Inquiry that dust monitoring was generally undertaken once a month at the mine, on a Thursday afternoon, when his longwall crew was on a maintenance shift.

Data provided to The Australian, which the union says was leaked from Carborough Downs, shows dust levels could have exceeded four times the legal limits as far back as 2011. Back then, Ian Hiscock worked at Carborough Downs in a longwall crew.

There was always an operator in the dust constantly, Ian Hiscock told The Australian. There was that much leakage in the seals from the mines, that we just couldnt get any more air, he adds. Carborough Downs had a leakage problem in its ventilation seals.

We were always asking management for more air ... fighting for more air. Concerned about the effects on his health, Ian left Carborough Downs and after working briefly at Anglo Americas Grasstree colliery, he quit the industry at the age of 46 and now works as a prison officer.

I decided that enough was enough and my health and family came first so I quit the industry, he says. I dropped $110,000 a year but so much happier now.

However, troubled by a nasty cough, in January this year Ian Hiscock asked Vale, his former employer at Carborough Downs, to send his last x-rays to the US as part of its review. But they refused as Ian no longer works for them! The union stepped in and sent Ians x-rays off for expert analysis.

Self-regulation failure

At the Senate Inquiry, witnesses from across the industry said self-regulation of dust levels was a major factor in the return of Black Lung, and will lead to further cases of the disease.

Evidence provided by US Black Lung expert Dr Bob Cohen showed that independent monitoring was the only way to ensure procedures were being followed. He told the Inquiry: I think deregulation doesnt work. Weve had pretty good evidence. For many years our industry stated that they could just self-police, that they would you know, police themselves and do this. And it really didnt work.

Stephen Smyth summed up the scandal of the return of Black Lung at Queenslands mines: We have a health system that hasnt been looking for Black Lung in the first place and medical practitioners not qualified to recognise it anyway, we have a self-monitoring system that is refusing to look for illegal dust levels, we have government agencies that have covered up and continue to be too close to mining companies and we have non-existent compensation for victims who end up with a disease that has been inflicted on them through no fault of their own and was being ignored at every turn.

The truth is that with over 100,000 coal miners medical reports lying unexamined in storage, we dont know how many victims of Black Lung there are working in the industry or among those who have left the industry through retirements or retrenchments.

Our Union has uncovered this whole mess and we will not rest until it is fixed once and for all and that the victims who have had this insidious disease inflicted on them by criminal neglect start to get the support they need and deserve, Stephen Smyth told Common Cause.

In the meantime, the union in Queensland will continue to participate in the state governments Sims Review into the processes that failed in the Black Lung scandal.

As we pushed for a full Inquiry into all issues related to the return of Black Lung, we pointed out to Minister Anthony Lynham that the present Queensland Labor government had inherited the crisis and not been part of creating it.

We know the government is under pressure from the Queensland Resources Council and various figures in its own departmental agencies who are trying to downplay the extent of the Black Lung crisis but frankly while we welcome the Sims Review as a start, the government will be judged by its actions and we have a way to go yet to ensure the eradication of Black Lung in Queensland and win justice for its victims, said Stephen Smyth.

Common Cause

CFMEU Mining and Energy
Obituary

A simple woman with universal values

Evanthia Sgouras, who passed away in Sydney, after a long illness, on April 7, 2016, was a simple woman who held high the universal values of the working class and had a deep, unshakable conviction in the cause of the liberation of humanity from the yoke of capitalist exploitation.

Vale Evanthia Sgouras.

She was born in Salonika, Northern Greece, in 1933, the youngest child of a working class family. As a young child Evanthia went through the horrors of World War II, the occupation of Greece by the Nazis, the terror and suppression unleashed upon the Greek population by the occupying forces, and the wide-spread hunger the Nazi troops enforced on the people.

She experienced the arrest of her brother-in-law, a fine man of Russian descent, who was beheaded by the Nazis and the arrest of her older sister who was thrown into jail and died there at the age of 20.

Evanthia, even though a child, was elated at the news of the foundation of the National Liberation Front (EAM) and the formation of the Peoples Liberation Army (ELAS). These two important initiatives of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) aimed at organising and developing the resistance struggle of the people for the liberation of the country from fascist tyranny, were acclaimed by the people and received the widest possible support. Within a year of its foundation EAM had the active support of 90 percent of the people and ELAS had won some important and moral-lifting military victories against the occupying forces.

Every time the news came through for a new victory of the liberation army against the forces of occupation Evanthia would dance with joy and run to her parents to announce the news full of excitement. When finally the struggle of the liberation army drove the Germans away and units of ELAS entered triumphantly in Salonika liberating the city, in October 1944, young Evanthia was one of the hundreds of thousands of people who welcomed the resistance fighters of HELAS with flowers and revolutionary songs.

At the age of 19 Evanthia married John Sgouras, a member of the KKE and a resistance fighter who had taken part in the armed struggle against the Nazis. Their life together was a constant struggle to serve their ideals, to contribute to the cause of a new society free from exploitation and suppression and to raise a family. It was a hard struggle.

Evanthia, though she never joined the Party, exhibited an extraordinary tenacity and steadfastness in the struggle of the working class, never doubting, never questioning the necessity of continuing the struggle, even under the most difficult of circumstances.

After the military junta seized power in Greece in 1967, John, her husband, went underground to avoid arrest. The family lived in conditions of illegality, in terrible deprivation for almost a year.

They managed to migrate to Australia in 1968. Melbourne became the familys new home town and a new struggle started. The struggle for survival in a new situation with all the difficulties of migrant life, and at the same time the struggle to adapt to the conditions of the working class movement in a new, unknown environment. Both husband and wife started work in factories to earn the familys living.

Earning a living, however, wasnt enough for this couple. Evanthia possessed the unshakable conviction that in whatever country working people lived, they had to join the local struggle for a better life. It wasnt long before John joined the CPA and became active in the Democritus Club, the Greek Community of Melbourne, the Committee for Democracy in Greece.

Evanthias daughter, Xanthoula, also joined the Party at the young age of 21 and became a leading cadre of the Greek Progressive Youth of Australia (EPNA) in Melbourne. Evanthia was always the driving force encouraging her daughter and son to participate in the working class struggle and become better persons.

In 1984, due to Johns serious heart condition, the family returned to Greece. He wanted to die in his native land. He died in 1994 and Evanthia was left without her lifelong comrade. She devoted her care and affection to her children and grandchildren. She never stopped teaching the grandchildren the revolutionary songs of the Liberation Army and urging them to follow the steps of their parents and grandparents, when they grew up.

In 2003, circumstances forced the family to return to Australia. By this time Evanthia was a very sick woman, in a wheel chair, almost blind. Her mind however was as alert as ever and full of conviction for the justice of the cause of the working class.

She finished her days singing the revolutionary songs of the Liberation Army. The last song she sang was The Red Flag. After that she didnt utter another word. She passed way a few hours later.

Evanthia is survived by her daughter Xanthoula, her son Angelo, the grand children Joanna, John and Stelios and the great-grandchildren Evangelos and a young baby girl yet unnamed.

May her memory live for ever!
Tilling the soil of Cuban cooperation

Saul Berenthal and Horace Clemmons have a dream. They want to outfit the farmers of Cuba with small, customisable, easy-to-repair tractors. Cuban-born Berenthal and Alabama native Clemmons are the co-owners of Cleber LLC, an American firm which, if all goes as planned, will soon be setting up a tractor manufacturing plant in the Mariel Special Economic Zone.

The Oggun is aimed at the small farms which make up the backbone of Cubas agricultural sector.

In February, the US Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)  the body responsible for enforcing the blockade against Cuba  approved a license for Cleber to go ahead with plans to establish an assembly facility in the foreign investment area just west of Havana.

Their product, the Oggun, is named after the god of iron in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria. It is aimed at the small farms which make up the backbone of Cubas agricultural sector. Clemmons says the company is proud to be taking steps to help develop the Cuban economy and provide a means for farmers to directly benefit from their efforts.

Cleber, whether its owners completely realise it or not, is a pioneer in the effort to normalise economic relations between the United States and Cuba. It is one of the first companies to receive an OFAC licence since President Obama began his push for normalisation, and it will likely be the first US manufacturer to open up in Cuba since the 1959 revolution.

The company is the beneficiary of one of the few powers available to Obama in his effort to end the blockade. Even under the terms of the so-called embargo, the president can encourage US companies to do business with Cuba as long as they are able to meet the licensing terms set by the Treasury and Commerce departments and can demonstrate a benefit to the Cuban economy in the sectors prioritised: oil, renewable energy, or tourism.

They also have to get approval from Cuba, of course, whose foreign investment laws dont just accept any project. According to Deborah Rivas, the director general for foreign investment at Cubas Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX), Its about attracting foreign investors whose projects are in tune with our public policy.

Clebers proposed tractor facility and the negotiations around its establishment are just one aspect of the much bigger efforts underway to end the blockade. In September 2015, President Obama reauthorised the Trading with the Enemy Act so he could retain jurisdiction over Congress and take steps to weaken the blockade.

Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution gives the President the power to recommend changes to Congress, and thus exercise some authority to dismantle the blockade. The Departments of Treasury and Commerce, which are overseeing projects like the Cleber tractor plant, are part of the executive branch, and thus under Obamas direction. They are tasked with carrying out the terms negotiated through any bilateral agreement with Cuba.

Its important to remember, however, that although the approval of licences like Clebers are important steps, it is still the case that Obamas power to change economic policy toward Cuba is limited. The laws that make up the blockade prevent him from allowing US citizens to travel to Cuba for the purpose of tourism, for instance. He also cannot permit subsidiaries of US companies in third countries to do business with Cuba; nor can he lift the prohibition on commercial relations with former US properties which were nationalised during the Cuban Revolution. And finally, he has no power to end the requirement that American agricultural products sold to Cuba be purchased in cash, in advance.

The ultimate decision to fully normalise relations, of course, rests with the US Congress. The imposition of an economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba in peacetime remains an extralegal act that has no useful purpose in a global economy. Business requires two-way trade in order to benefit people on either end in the marketplace, and so far only Obama and the Cubans seem willing to do their part.

This week, Americans opposed to the blockade will be in Washington demanding that Congress step up to the plate. From April 18 to 22, a series of events including educational forums, film showings, and Congressional lobbying will take place as part of the Days of Action Against the Blockade.

It is only a matter of time before ever-wider sections of the US public demand their legal right to travel and trade with Cuba on an equal par with the rest of the world. The pressure on Congress will only increase.

The small Cleber tractors that will soon be tilling Cuban fields are hopefully the first of many more joint-venture products to come. As Berenthal told the press, Theres no reason trade cannot be re-established ... the product exists, the facilities exist, and there are people willing to invest.

The Oggun, designed in Alabama and assembled in Mariel, is just a first sample of whats possible through greater US-Cuba cooperation. Its time for Congress to get out of the way.

Peoples World
Cuba stands by principle

Last weeks Guardian (April 13) contained an article on the visit of US President Obamas visit to Cuba which highlighted the negative aspects of both the visit itself, and US foreign policy towards the island for over 50 years. The positive aspects and outcomes of the process should also be considered.

I am confident that Cuba has entered the negotiations with eyes wide open. After 55 years of history dealing with sabotage and attempts to destabilise the revolution in order to effect regime change, they are fully aware of who and what they are dealing with. I feel sure that no one expected Obama to be any different.

I noted that Obama stated in his speech that Cuba is not a threat to the USA.

I was in Mexico at the time limited to CNN and as usual a great deal was made of trivia without getting near any of the real issues. There was a lot of coverage in Granma International, including the reports of both Presidents Castro and Obama which I caught up on in Havana.

The Rolling Stones concert on March 25 was a very big deal!

This was not, at least Mick Jaggers, first visit to Cuba, and the concert was named something like the Concert Of Friendship. By all accounts in the press it was very well organised and went off smoothly.

It was free, with no entry charge and 1.3 million people attended the concert in the sporting complex neighbourhood in Havana.

Granma newspaper quoted Mick Jagger as saying that some of the worlds best musicians are in Cuba, and as a great gesture of solidarity after the concert the Cuban Institute of Music was donated a large amount of equipment and musical instruments to assist the aspiring musicians.

The fact remains that Cuba is not self sufficient in food production and while attempts are being made to reduce the amount of imports, a high percentage of its food is from other countries.

Apples, among other things, are imported from the US, but must be purchased from a third country due to the blockade, so I would respectfully suggest that comrade Fidel was speaking more in terms of not having US policies and ideology thrust on them.

The visit was quite historic due to Obama being the first President since 1928 to visit the island, and in the context of the ongoing negotiations between the two countries it could only have a positive impact.

There were some agreements made during the visit on agricultural produce and many other things, and I noticed for the first time pears for sale in the streets of Havana.

Some of the announced changes are;

An easing of the restrictions that will allow more US tourists to visit.

An increase in the number of direct flights by US airlines to Cuba.

Direct mail services between the two countries recommencing after 50 years.

According to reports from the Cuban government they have won some important victories during the negotiations, combined with pressure from international solidarity, including among other things the return of the Cuban Five and being taken off the list of countries that support terrorism.

It is important to note that during this whole process Cuba has not had to give up any of its principles.

The struggle continues to lift the Blockade and hand back Guantanamo Naval Base to the Cuban people.
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The United States' largest carrier, Verizon, has hired former IBM channel manager Sharmilla Gosai as its first channel lead for Australia.

Prior to joining Verizon, Gosai was the senior channel manager for IBM in Australia and New Zealand for just over a year.

Before joining IBM in 2014, she spent eight years in various channel roles at Microsoft including partner account manager, partner channel marketing manager and senior manager of partner technology, strategy and channel operations.

She joins alliances and partner director for Asia Pacific Greg Gibbons to co-lead the Australian channel from Sydney.

Gosai told CRN her goal was to build the most mutually rewarding channel program in the industry. Verizon plans to recruit the right channel partners and to this end, we are exploring local partnerships with resellers, systems integrators and value-added resellers to broaden our solutions and reach in the market.

It is also important that we walk the talk. As such, while we empower our partners to call the shots in how they want to work with us, we are in turn providing comprehensive training programs and marketing nous to help our partners be successful.

The appointment coincides with the Australian launch of the giant US telco's new partner program.

Verizon Asia-Pacific managing director for enterprise Australia, Japan and Korea, David Kim told CRN the company wants to funnel 70-80 percent of sales through the channel within 12 months.

While Verizon is best known as a telco, the company also provides mobile security, cloud, networking, internet of things and communications solutions both directly and to large multinational integrators.

It is not the only telecommunictions provider to revamp its Australian partner program. Only last week, CRN revealed the latest update to Telstra's channel enablement, with the addition of new partner tiers, spanning accredited, silver, gold and platinum.

Meanwhile, homegrown telco Vocus has recently begun rolling its partner program beyond Western Australia and across the country.
International Business Machines reported first-quarter revenue that beat analysts' estimates on Monday US time, but Big Blue's worst revenue in 14 years sent its shares down nearly 5 percent in extended trading.

The company's revenue fell 4.6 percent to US$18.68 billion in the first quarter ended 31 March, but beat analysts' average estimate of US$18.29 billion.

IBM also posted its 16th straight quarter of revenue decline.

Under chief executive Ginni Rometty, IBM has been moving towards areas such as cloud-based services, security software and data analytics, while trimming its traditional hardware business by exiting low-margin businesses.

However, revenue in the company's newer businesses is failing to make up for declines in its traditional segments.

Revenue from "strategic imperatives", which includes cloud and mobile computing, data analytics, social and security software, rose about 14 percent in the first quarter.

That growth was offset by revenue from the company's services and hardware segments which fell 4.3 percent and 21.8 percent, respectively, in the quarter.

Excluding items, IBM earned US$2.35 per share, beating the average analyst estimate of US$2.09.

The company also received a US$1 billion refund in the quarter that lowered its effective tax rate to a negative 95.1 percent compared to 19.5 percent last year.

The company also maintained its full-year adjusted earnings guidance of at least US$13.50 per share.

Up to Monday US time's close, IBM's shares had risen 10.83 percent this year, compared with the 2.46 percent gain in the S&P 500 index .SPX.

(Reporting by Narottam Medhora in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila, Bernard Orr)
Rhipe will distribute Acronis' suite of cloud backup and recovery, disaster recovery, file sync and share solutions to its channel of service providers.

Chris Sharp, chief strategy officer of Rhipe, said: "We're excited to announce this new partnership with Acronis; data protection and data migration to the cloud are top-of-mind big trends across Asia-Pacific customers and partners, and we're pleased to be able to support our active and growing cloud channel with Acronis data-protection solutions."

Rhipe is the second distributor to sign with the Singaporean data protection company, a partnership with Ingram Micro was announced in February this year.

Acronis has registered 30 percent business growth in Australia and New Zealand in 2015. The company had 20 percent of its worldwide revenue from cloud alone.

Acronis vice president for APAC and emerging markets Steve Goh said: "Cloud is a big thing for us. We see the growth of mobile users as a strong market for Acronis. We backup across different platforms (iOS, Android and Windows), virtual and non-virtual, on premise and cloud. Our customers have choices."

Acronis launched the Cloud Partner Program last February as an extension of its Global Partner program rolled out in 2015.

The program aims to accelerate cloud data protection services revenue with a subscription model for service providers, distributors and cloud resellers, according to Acronis. The program also features simplified partner on-boarding, free web-based sales tools and enablement programs, technical training, marketing programs and demand generation support, as well as co-op and market development fund programs.

"We are building up a strong inside sales engine. We invest a lot into marketing programs and events and we just want to make sure that we have an engine that help customers convert their leads," added Goh.

Acronis is looking for partners locally and internationally and said new partnerships will be announced soon.

Goh said the company does not want to "flood the market". Acronis wants to make sure it has enough partners that understand how to sell its solution and grow together. The company vice president also said that it is selecting partners by their commitment to Acronis and not by size.

Goh announced the company wants to venture in new markets and it's looking for OEM partners.

"Our strategy is to draw new muscles with OEM, continue with cloud, start working with our managing retailer to offer bundling and we want to start targeting few key accounts as well. We want to go deeper, together with our sales team and partners, to understand customer requirements and offer them a solution," added Goh.
Australian managed services provider Linktech has partnered with vendor Data Deposit Box (DDB) to provide cloud backup and recovery services.

Linktech Australia, headquarted in Sydney with offices in Melbourne and Dubai, was searching for a simple backup solution that would suit its SMB clients.

"We discovered the DDB solution and quickly determined that the product strategy was directly aligned to our client's backup and recovery needs," head of Linktech Australia Daniel Tymkin said.

According to the vendor, the DDB product supports end points, mobile devices, larger applications like MSSQL, VMware, Hyper-V and offers a local and cloud recovery NAS solution.

Linktech had previously deployed DDB at a few clients. said Linktech managing director Ahmed Latif: "We were impressed, hence our bid to get this as a core partnership within our partner portfolio."

The Canadian backup service vendor aims to expand its global presence as an end-to-end provider.

"We continue our aggressive global expansion strategy and are very excited to commence our new partnership with Linktech in order to continue to service and build on our Australian client base," founder and chief executive Tim Jewell said.
Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos has met with star-struck Australian staff after flying in to Sydney this week.

Social media has shown the famous internet commerce pioneer having a laugh as he met staff at the Sydney office of Amazon Web Services.

"Jeff Bezos dropped by the AWS Sydney office today, by all accounts he is an extremely humble man, leads by example!" posted AWS technical account manager David Murray on LinkedIn.

The cloud giant is holding its AWS Summit in Sydney next week, though a company spokesperson denied that Bezos would make an appearance at the conference.

Jeff Bezos meeting AWS Sydney staff [source: LinkedIn]

Bezos, worth an estimated AU$73 billion, is apparently on a tour of several sites on this side of the world, with even the Asia-Pacific boss of AWS in awe of his encounter.

"What an impressive person! Jeff, thanks for the time today at lunch," AWS Asia-Pacific managing director Shane Owenby, based in Singapore, posted last week.

Jeff Bezos with Shane Owenby [source: LinkedIn]

Bezos recently celebrated in a letter to shareholders Amazon's achievement in becoming the fastest company ever to reach US$100 billion in annual sales. This year AWS is on track to bring in US$9.6 billion.
At Bayer, we believe human ingenuity can shape the future of agriculture. For more than 150 years, weve used science and imagination to advance health and nutrition. And together, we can achieve so much more.

Whats possible begins with what we can imagine.

Were committed to a world where biodiversity thrives in harmony with humankind. Where hunger and climate change are terms relegated to history books. Where farms are more sustainable, with plants that are more adaptive and resilient, to help improve life for families and communities. In short, where agriculture is part of the solution. As a new leader in agriculture, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to grasp this moment. To continue moving humanity forward by tirelessly shaping whats possible.
Hacking Team is back in the news again. Last weekend, the person responsible for Hacking Team's meltdown posted a recap of the incident, including a detailed overview of how they hacked the Italian firm.

It's a fascinating read on its own, but the postmortem should be essential reading for anyone that supports or manages a security program.

Hacking Team is an Italian company that sells intrusion and surveillance tools to governments and law enforcement agencies. Nine months ago, their world was rocked after someone exfiltrated nearly 400GB of data form their network, including source code and contracts.

The irony is that Hacking Team developed tools that enabled hostile governments to do the exact things that were done to them, so many in the security industry experienced no small amount of schadenfreude at their expense. Over the weekend, the person responsible for the Hacking Team data breach, Phineas Fisher, outlined the hack from start to finish.

"You used to have to sneak into offices to leak documents. You used to need a gun to rob a bank. Now you can do both from bed with a laptop in hand," Phineas Fisher wrote.

"That's the beauty and asymmetry of hacking: with 100 hours of work, one person can undo years of work by a multi-million dollar company..."

To be clear, what happened to Hacking Team is a classic example of a targeted attack. Few organizations could outlast an attacker with knowledge, time, and resources. At the same time, the way Hacking Team managed and developed their network did them no favors.

Fisher took the time to reverse engineer some firmware in an embedded device and develop a new exploit. This Zero-Day vulnerability enabled persistent access, because he used it once (and only once) to plant a backdoor into the network.

Ultimately, a poorly configured iSCSI was Hacking Teams downfall, but there were other issues too  such as services deep within the network exposed to less secure subnets, MongoDB instances with no authentication, backups that had passwords stored in plaintext, as well as weak passwords everywhere  including on critical systems.

[See Also: In Pictures: Hacking Team's hack curated]

So what are some takeaways form the post-hack outline? Sarah Clarke, from infospectives.co.uk, shared some of her thoughts on the matter, including the fact that everyone's threat level just went up a bit.

"Despite being almost a decade away from the network coalface, I, without much trouble, and a little help from my friends, could do everything listed. What will stop me is fear of prosecution, ethics, and a strong analytical ability to see short, medium, long-term implications," she said.

Considering the outline and processes documented by Phineas Fisher, Clarke did what many security leaders would and searched for "what's next"  what can organizations with concerns about these types of attacks monitor for?

If your organization faced a similar attack, what would common enterprise monitoring tools spot, if configured correctly? What amendments to IDS/IPS, log monitoring, vulnerability scanning, pen test scoping, SIEM alerting, or alert analysis need to be made or augmented?

Andy Settle, head of special investigations for Austin-based Forcepoint, had some additional thoughts, which are produced below.

"The attack was targeted and had every intention of getting in. This type of threat needs to be addressed by asking 'when?' and not simply 'if?' Once inside the company network, the hacker managed to traverse the company infrastructure with little difficulty," he said.

"Protecting the soft-skinned inner workings of an organizational infrastructure is equally important. Minimizing the services within a company network is just as essential to minimizing those presented to the outside world."

Monitor & Assess:

Firewall logs can give advanced warning of these types of attacks. Network mapping, port scanning and enumeration may well be countered by the firewall and Intrusion Prevention Devices (IPS) but to not monitor and assess the data they produce is to lose the Indicators & Warnings (I&Ws) that could indicate that something was likely to happen.

Updates & Patching:

"There should be no surprise that updates and patching are essential. [Phineas Fisher] was able to exploit a known vulnerability within the network management system Nagios. Interestingly, the attacker became aware of the Nagios system only after they "spied" on the sysadmins," Settle explained.

Separation of Networks:

This attack was possible because backup and management networks that should have been segregated were not. Separation of operational and management networks is a useful technique for protecting infrastructure, especially when the management network requires administrative privileges. In this attack, [Phineas Fisher] was able to interrogate and dump the email server backup images.

Watch and Protect the Privileged:

We often say that one of the greatest challenges is monitoring those with privileged accounts. Many organizations, especially government related require security clearances to protect from the insider threat. However, what this incident teaches us that once in, the bad guys make a beeline for the sysadmins to monitor their activities in order to gain greater knowledge and understanding of the company and its infrastructure.

"There is somewhat of a mind-set change here, should we not be monitoring the privileged users and their workstations? Not because we do not trust them, but for their own protection and to ensure they are too are not being watched by network sniffers, key-loggers etc.?" he added.

Egress Monitoring:

"One final observation is that a lot of data was ex-filtrated. Why was this not noticed? This is hardly uncommon in attacks where intellectual property is the target. Implementing a Data Theft or Data Loss Prevention (DTP/DLP) solution and monitoring will lessen the likelihood and potential impact of this type of attack," Settle said.
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MILFORD  Mary Ann Wasil, a former actress who became a noted breast cancer educator after her own diagnosis, has died after a 12-year battle with the disease.

Wasil, 51, died peacefully at her home on Friday, with her family surrounding her. Calling hours and a funeral Mass will be held Saturday at St. Thomas More Chapel at Yale University, according to the Gregory Doyle Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements. Read Wasils obituary.

The nonprofit Get In Touch Foundation that Wasil began in Milford offers breast cancer awareness and education programs to girls in grades 5 through 12 in all 50 states and several foreign countries. The program instructs participants how to do breast self-exams and to get in touch with their own bodies. The programs free Daisy Wheel app is available for download on Apple and Android devices and through the Get in Touch Foundation.

Wasil was the winner of Maria Shrivers California Womens Conference publishing contest in 2010, one of the WNBA New York Liberty Women Who Inspire and a winner of the Oprah Magazine CoverGirl Giving Beautiful Back Award.

Despite being diagnosed with a relapse of breast cancer in May 2011, Wasil continued her education efforts. She was a former Connecticut police officer and actress, having spent nearly 10 years on the soap opera All My Children.

Her memoir, A Diary of Healing: My Intense and Meaningful Life with Cancer, was published in 2013.

I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to take the greatest challenge of my own life and turn it into a lifesaving educational opportunity for others, Wasil wrote on the flyleaf of her book.

A posting on Wasils Facebook page announcing her passing has drawn reactions from 400 people and has been shared 141 times.

Wasil frequently posted on social media photos of her brightly-colored shoes, many of them pink the color of breast cancer awareness.

The Facebook post on her funeral reads:  As requested by Mary Ann, please wear bright vivid colors and your fanciest shoes! Hope Lives! xo...

Friends may call Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon at Saint Thomas More Chapel at Yale University, 268 Park Street in New Haven, for a celebration of Wasils life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the chapel at noon.
FAIRFIELD  Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Fairfield Universitys Dolan School of Business the 43rd best undergraduate program in the country, making it the highest-ranked business school in the state.

Fairfields Dolan School had been ranked 58th in last years Bloomberg Businessweek survey.
BRIDGEPORT - A 70-year-old Massachusetts man was ordered for the third time to register as a sex offender after he pleaded guilty to grabbing the breast of a sleeping female bus passenger on a bus to the Foxwoods Resort and Casino.

Emil Fermo, of Medford, MA. Pleaded guilty Wednesday to fourth-degree sexual assault and was sentenced by Superior Court Judge William Holden to a 1-year suspended term followed by three years probation.

The judge also ordered Fermo, who is a registered sex offender in Massachusetts and New Jersey, to register here.

Fermo and his lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Thomas J. Paoletta, declined comment.

State police said shortly before 7 p.m. on Feb. 11 they were dispatched to the I-95 northbound rest area in Fairfield on a complaint of a sexual assault aboard a tour bus.

A female passenger on the Silverstar, which was running from New York City to Foxwoods Resort and Casino, complained to police she had been sexually assaulted by another passenger.

Police said the woman then pointed out Fermo who was standing in the back of the bus, attempting to hide something beneath his tan overcoat. The object turned out to be a pair of gloves, police said.

The 28-year-old woman then related she had fallen asleep next to her boyfriend on the bus only to awaken to a feeling of pressure on her right arm, police said. The woman glanced down and observed a hand sticking out from the seat behind her needing her right breast.

Police said the woman immediately jerked around and the arm withdrew and she yelled at Fermo, who was in the seat directly behind her, What the (expletive) were you just touching me?

Fermo pretended he was asleep but police said the woman woke up her boyfriend and told him what had occurred. The boyfriend then yelled at Fermo and threw water on him. Fermo then went to use the bus bathroom in the back while the woman called 911.

Emil stated he did not know if he touched the woman however, he was asleep and it was possible, state police said later.

Police said Fermo told them he has traveled from casino to casino on buses and had not been home to his sisters house in Medford where he also lives in a month.
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HARTFORD  Veteran-owned businesses would get a 15 percent preference on bidding for state contracts under legislation unanimously approved Wednesday in the state Senate.

The bill, which passed 35-0, next heads to the House, and would help so-called micro-businesses with annual revenue under $3 million, if the companies are at least 51 percent veteran-owned. In the bidding process, such a business could win contracts over companies with lower bids, because of the added preference.

Connecticut would have the highest veterans bidding preference in the nation if the bill becomes law, proponents said. Ten states have set-aside programs for veterans and eight have bidding-preference programs, said state Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly, co-chairman of the legislative Veterans Affairs Committee.

Our aim is to help create jobs and create a sustainable economy, and this is one of the ways were going to be able to do that, and were helping the middle class, said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk.

Sen. Carlo Leone, D-Stamford, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, said those returning from war zones need a small advantage.

Those that want to take on and become businessmen and women or even better yet, start a business, become entrepreneurial  they are very much qualified to do so, Leone said. They are taught to think on their feet, to adapt, to overcome. If they see a situation, they know how to deal with each other in teamwork, and how to deal with situations when they are the only ones left standing to take on the task at hand. Its those qualities that really put them at the forefront of being successful.

Our veterans, who have given and sacrificed so much, deserve our consideration when they come home ... and put on the uniforms of commerce and business, said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven.

Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said the idea for the legislation goes back about six years, when a veteran from his town, Anthony Pileggi, came up with a way to provide a low-cost benefit the vets.

Finally, this year we can see it come through, but unfortunately Mr. Pileggi died about a year ago, Fasano said. As we pass this bill, I think of what he did to bring awareness to this chamber and the Legislature.

In recent years the General Assembly has targeted veterans for job training, jobs in agriculture, homeless benefits, a special womens services program, income-tax breaks and on-campus services for returning college students.

Veterans in the state Senate include Leone, Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague; Sen. Edwin Gomes, D-Bridgeport; and Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven.

kdixon@ctpost.com
BRIDGEPORT  Chief Armando Perez said Wednesday an arrest warrant is being prepared for the man police say caused a fatal East Side collision.

We are keeping an eye on him, and police expect to arrest Geraldo Maldonado next week, Perez said.

On Monday, Maldonado, 20, of Forestview Road, was being pursued by police when his car crashed into a sport utility vehicle driven by David Anderson, 22, of Seymour, at the intersection of Barnum Avenue and Pembroke Street, police said.

The impact of the crash flipped Andersons SUV, and Anderson was thrown from the vehicle, police said. He suffered severe injuries to the head and died at Bridgeport Hospital, police said.

Anderson had been the states key witness in the conviction of Raashon Red Dreads Jackson and Roderick Little Ricky Rogers for the murder of one man and the wounding of four other people on Reservoir Avenue two years ago.

Perez said Maldonado fled the crash scene Monday and was caught a short time later, hiding on a mound of sand. The chief said Maldonado was brought to the Bridgeport Police Department, where a captain halted booking and ordered the man taken to the hospital for blood tests to determine whether he had been drinking or doing drugs.

That was the captains call, Perez said. He was in charge of the situation and had the right to make that decision, and thats what he should have done.

Maldonado was not under guard when he was treated at and then released from the hospital. Perez said procedure called for police to release Maldonado, then prepare a warrant for his arrest. On Tuesday, Perez said the department did not consider Maldonado to be a flight risk.

Maldonado had been free on a $50,000 bond following his arrest by Trumbull police in February on charges of first-degree burglary, carrying a dangerous weapon and interfering with police. In that case, he was arrested near his home following the lengthy foot pursuit by Trumbull police that resulted in several schools being locked down.

During the Trumbull chase, police said, Maldonado dropped a handgun. Police said the weapon was later found to be a BB gun. He is scheduled to be in court on the Trumbull case on May 3.
Your business is scaling your business.

Its a simple observation, but an important one, shared by Dermalogica CEO and founder Jane Wurwand last week at the inaugural Circular Summit in Houston. She was one of many accomplished female founders whod converged to talk about whats needed to grow women-led businesses.

Of course, theres no one route to growth. However, businesses that do scale tend to have certain traits in common. To find those traits, we polled a sampling of successful female founders at the event, from Wurwand to an 11-year-old lemonade entrepreneur who snagged a sweet offer on Shark Tank and an El Salvadoran-immigrant-turned-millionaire-waste management mogul who turns trash into treasure.

Here are 9 lessons on whats needed to scale from the Circular Summits fearless female founders.

1. Their founders make people believe.

Kelli Thomas-Drake, founder and CEO of MyPurpleFolder

Scaling comes down to showing people your heart. From there, from a genuine place, show them your value proposition, your revenue model, your financial projections and your potential. Show people the unique, problem-solving magic of your business, what it will empower them to do. Once they understand your mission and what it can do for them, others will get on board. Recruit believers in your product or service and partnership that can fuel your growth and it will follow.

Related: Fearlessness, Courage and Capital: What's Needed to Fuel the Next Stage of Growth for Women Entrepreneurs

2. They start small.

Mikaila Ulmer, founder and CEO of BeeSweet Lemonade

Grow your business locally first. Thats what we did, selling lemonade at my own stand at first, then in local stores. Then I held workshops teaching families about bees. Whole Foods asked me to do a workshop there and, five or so workshops later, they finally asked to carry my product, and it was pretty cool.

Scaling starts with growing a company that youre passionate about. If youre not passionate about it, its going to be pretty hard to get other people passionate about it. Also know that you can still be sweet and be profitable, so you can be whats called a social entrepreneur, an entrepreneur who uses their company to help solve problems in the world in ways that have measurable impact. More people will be interested in buying or carry your product, or using your service, if they are part of helping the world be a better place.

3. Their founders think big.

Felena Hanson, founder and CEO of Hera Hub

You have to have the guts to scale. Women tend to be a bit more risk-averse than men. What we need to do is challenge ourselves to go bigger. Embrace a growth mindset. Network aggressively and take part in pitch events so you can get out there in front of investors. Then find mentors who can feed it, people who have been there and done that. Bottom line: Dont be afraid to go for it and ask for what you need.

Related: 4 Calls to Action for Entrepreneurs to Unite

4. Their founders think one-step ahead.

Melanie Spring, founder and chief inspiration officer of Sisarina

Hire people before you have the money to do it. Getting an assistant is the first step in scaling because it frees you up to focus on growth, to go out there and get the big fish. Be able to get business done without imposter syndrome and without worrying about it. Show up and say, I can do this, and then figure it out, even if you sometimes doubt yourself while youre doing it. Have confidence, courage and some serious fortitude -- thats how you scale fast.

5. Theyre strategic.

Maria Rios, founder and CEO of Nation Waste, Inc.

Taking your business to a bigger level requires careful, deeply strategic planning well in advance. One smart first step you can take is to get certifications that hold weight in your industry. Many of my certifications led to being able to bid on and win state and federal projects that bring in millions of dollars for my business. Take it from me -- industry certifications unlock big doors to growth. Go after them.

As you grow, youll also want to resist the temptation to take every opportunity that comes your way. My mentor Warren Buffett reminds me that not every opportunity is a great opportunity, so pick and choose wisely. It has to be the right idea, the right fit, otherwise it could end up slowing your growth, not scaling it.

Related: Moms, It's Time to Quit Feeling Guilty

6. Their founders listen carefully.

Ali Brown, founder and CEO of We Lead and host of Glambition Radio podcast

Make connections. The more connections you have, the more access to the right information, the right advice and the right resources youll gather. The lesson there is to listen to your gut when scaling. Surround yourself with people who are very honest with you and get you to think very clearly for yourself and what you want.

From Entrepreneur | RT LaShandrow: Entrepreneur mentor and #Glambition podcast host AliBrown's advice on scaling y pic.twitter.com/chiCoxOSpV  DBA (@DBAway) April 16, 2016

7. Theyre efficient.

Grace Rodriguez, co-founder and culture conductor for Station Houston

Automate. The more tasks you can automate, the less time youll have to focus on day-to-day operations. Delegate the ones you can. Then, build an army. Create a small army of supporters, an A-team of advisors who understand your target market, your vendors, your network. These are the people who will propel your growth. Lastly, amplify your efforts. This means targeting and growing advocates and influencers online, the amplifiers of your message. Empower and welcome people to become a part of your brand and what it empowers them to do.

Related: 11 Grants for Women-Owned Businesses You Need to Know About

8. Theyre scrappy.

Jane Wurwand, founder and CEO of Dermalogica

Be resourceful. Write compelling content about your business and send it to the press. You can just call up the beauty editor at Harpers Bazaar. I did and it worked. No one does that anymore, but they should. If you cant afford a PR agency, and I couldnt when I started, go for it and reach out to the media yourself. Go old-school direct and tell them that youve started a company, and you just want 10 minutes to come and tell them about it. Youd be surprised the opportunities it opens you up to. Another key step is to hire dreamers, people who are hitching a wagon to your dream. We hired anyone we thought was crazy enough to join us and had huge amounts of energy. It was an affordable, manageable growth route that got us where we are today.

Entrepreneur: RT LaShandrow: .dermalogica founder Dermalogicajane shares advice on scaling your business CircularB pic.twitter.com/GcctMHQZ1h  Lauren Hutchison (@Lauren_Hut_SEO) April 15, 2016

Related: The Entrepreneurial Chicken-or-Egg Dilemma

9. They build the right team.

Kimberly Johnston, founder and CEO of Good Works Houston

To grow, build a team that believes in you, that believes in what youre doing. Connect and create deep, meaningful relationships with people who are committed, confident and passionate about your vision. In the end, its not financial capital that drives scalability, its human capital. Its taking the time to meet people one on one and understanding how this can be a joint, mutually beneficial relationship. If on your growth path you connect with people who arent a match for what youre trying to accomplish, stay focused and move on. Success is just up ahead.

Related:

Every Scalable Business Has These 9 Things in Common: Lessons from the Circular Summit

How To Grow Your Business Effectively

When It's Time to Grow, Sometimes You Need to Let Go



Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez are already in Havana!

Submitted by: Juana

Cinema

Havana

United States

Personalities

04 / 20 / 2016



The moment fans have been awaiting has arrived. Gradually the actors, doubles, producers and other Fast and Furious team members have arrived in Havana with great discretion, to shoot the eighth part of the famous saga on the island.

Just a day ago Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez arrived at Havanas Airport, and have shared it on their social media. The actress posted: "Returned to Havana 15 yrs later to rediscover the beauty of warm welcoming people. A little reminder of what the world is missing materials ... Heart"

Charlize Theron is expected to arrive soon, the South African actress will play a negative role and rumor has it that one of its most important scenes is a chase through the streets of this city that looks forward collisions, explosions and great special effects.



source: www.cibercuba.com


STORY LINK Mixed Forecasts for Pound Sterling New Zealand Dollar Exchange Rate Following Go-Ahead Dairy Auction Results, Profit Taking Highly Harmful

Rising Dairy Prices Forecast to Support NZD

GBP/NZD Exchange Rate Touched a Low of 2.0355

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NZD has dived lately against most of its peers, potentially on account of excessively profit taking on the part of investors. This may have been triggered by the rate positive dairy auction result.Yesterdays Global Dairy Trade auction results are forecast to provide support for the New Zealand Dollar (currency : NZD) in the short-to-medium term.The fortnightly online auction saw the Average Winning Price (AWP) increase by a heady 3.8% from the hammer price of two weeks ago; this was the second time on the trot and the third time in the last four auctions that the AWP has increased, leading some analysts to predict that global dairy prices may now have bottomed out.New Zealands number one export remains Whole Milk Powder (WMP) and yesterdays increase in the WMP fetching price of a massive 7.5% provided the Kiwi economy with a huge boost. The figure suggests that China, (New Zealands number one export destination for WMP), is beginning to experience a stabilisation in its economic conditions  a development which is likely to support the New Zealand Dollar into the medium term.The knee-jerk reaction to the dairy auction results saw the Pound Sterling New Zealand Dollar exchange rate slump to 2.0355 GBP NZD before it recovered slightly to edge back into the 2.0400s once more.Many analysts therefore forecast that there could be further losses to come for the pair, with the two to one barrier providing a natural level of support in such an instance. There is little in the way of technical levels directly below 2:1 to stop the pair falling to 1.9000 if we do see consecutive closes in the 1.9000s.However, the improvement in global dairy prices is by no means guaranteed to persist.Analysts at leading investment bank Rabobank issued a report last month forecasting a continuation of subdued trading in the global dairy markets for the remainder of 2016. Their assessment was predicated on further evidence emerging of a hard landing for Chinas economy.Such a trot of events is predicted to send the Pound Sterling New Zealand Dollar exchange rate back up into the 2.2000s during H2 of 2016, providing the UK votes to remain part of the European Union.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

TAGS: New Zealand Dollar Forecasts Pound New Zealand Dollar Forecasts Poun Forecasts
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.
Members of the Memphis Bus Riders Union protested outside City Hall Tuesday afternoon with signs and chanting, saying they wanted more money for Memphis public transit system.

Twenty people dressed in black and yellow shouted outside Memphis city hall on Tuesday in hopes to end bus budget cuts.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 713 and the Memphis Bus Riders Union protested for transit justice on Tuesday afternoon before the mayor proposed his 2017 budget plan before Memphis city council.

Both groups claim that the government does not support the bus system, and the budget cuts have caused a lack of service and run down facilities. Both groups met with Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and asked for $12 million for new buses and operating costs.

The mayor provided $7.5 million for buses in his balanced budget plan. $2.5 million is for Memphis Area Transit Authority operating budget, and $5 million to MATAs Capital Improvement Program. We are always looking for ways to be better stewards of taxpayers dollars, Strickland said. We are committed to a vibrant public transit system.

The groups also claim that riders wait for a long time for buses often without shelter and this situation can tend to lead to the riders becoming victims of crime and harassment.

The people chanted No buses. No peace. Whose city? Our city. Whose streets? Our streets. No cuts.

An officer, who wished to remain unidentified, said that this same group of people protests three times a year.

St. Louis native, Justin Davis, an English junior at Rhodes College, is a member of the Memphis Bus Riders Union and protested on Tuesday afternoon. He said that even though he does not ride the bus, he sympathizes with those who do.

Memphis is a car driven city, he said. Its important we are reaffirming good transit.

Davis hoped that they mayor would provide at least $20 million. We have a bare bone system with a lot of gaps, he stated.

In the city council meeting, Strickland said that public safety was a priority because he wants to make Memphis a more livable city, and attract more people to live in Memphis.

Poverty goes up when you dont have transit, said Bennett Foster, treasurer of the Memphis Bus Riders Union. He said that even if he did not ride the bus daily that the city should invest their money in the bus system to prevent crime instead of spending more money on police. The budget is two thirds public safety, he stated. He said that as we increase police pay we also decrease funding for public service.

Foster said even if it did not affect him, it affected those around him and that the entire community should have an equal opportunity.

In Stricklands proposed budget he said that he planned to fund public safety by increasing the polices pay and funding the Memphis police department with $3.8 million dollars. He also said that city firefighters would receive a two percent increase in pay in their $1.9 million funding.

Strickland also said that $5 million of his public safety budget was for paving streets to give Memphians the streets they deserve.

Members of the Memphis Bus Riders Union protested outside City Hall Tuesday afternoon with signs and chanting, saying they wanted more money for Memphis public transit system.

Mayor Jim Strickland watched a scene from the The Color Purple that illustrated the living conditions in community centers that are in dire need of replacement but have yet to be replaced in Tuesdays city council meeting.
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After George Osborne's apocalyptic warning that a vote to leave the EU would permanently damage the British economy and cost every family 4,300 a year, Michael Gove struck a markedly contrasting tone yesterday.

In place of scaremongering and despair, here was a message of confidence and optimism. Where the Chancellor had warned that saying No in June would be a catastrophe, Mr Gove persuasively argued it would bring 'a galvanising, liberating, empowering moment of democratic renewal'.

How refreshing to hear a politician who so passionately believes in Britain. 'Our best days lie ahead,' he said. 'This country's instincts and institutions, its people and its principles, are capable not just of making our society freer, fairer and richer but also once more setting an inspirational example to the world.'

Michael Gove persuasively argued a vote to leave the EU would bring 'a galvanising, liberating, empowering moment of democratic renewal'

In a brilliant piece of advocacy, Mr Gove carefully laid out how Britain's relations with Europe might look after Brexit and challenged the tendentious claim that leaving would be more of a risk than remaining shackled to a decaying and unstable federation of bickering states.

Mr Osborne had given us plenty of doom-laden predictions about where Britain might be in 2030 but surely the more pertinent question is, where will the EU be?

The financial problems of the crumbling eurozone remain unresolved, youth unemployment is rampant and the migration crisis worsens by the day, leading to a disturbing rise in the far-Right and razor-wire border fences springing up across the continent.

Mr Gove likened the EU to the tottering Habsburg Empire shortly before it disintegrated in 1918. (That too was a corrupt, unaccountable imperial power with a mock parliament and no mandate).

But of course, these crises have done nothing to dilute the Brussels elite's obsession with 'ever-closer union'.

Its solution is more Europe, not less and if we vote to stay, it will undoubtedly keep chipping away at what remains of our sovereignty  meddling even further in our legal, fiscal and financial systems.

George Osborne's warned a vote to leave the EU would permanently damage the British economy and cost every family 4,300 a year

Its worst nightmare is that Britain votes to leave, then makes a resounding success of going it alone. There is already a strong seam of scepticism across Europe. If Britain is seen to thrive outside, many nations may wonder what incentive there is to stay.

Even European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker admitted yesterday that more and more people are disenchanted with the 'interfering' EU. Perhaps he was seeking to mollify sceptical opinion in Britain, for he knows that if we walk, others may well follow.

As Mr Gove so aptly put it: 'There will be contagion. But what will be catching is democracy.'

Aid down the drain

Further proof yesterday that the Department for International Development has more public money than it knows what to do with and is merrily pouring much of it down the drain.

In a damning report, the Public Accounts Committee said ministers were very good at 'getting money out of the door' to meet the Prime Minister's absurd commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP on foreign aid, but had little idea where it was going.

The Public Accounts Committee said ministers were very good at 'getting money out of the door' to meet the Prime Minister's absurd commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP on foreign aid

Focusing on the 1.3billion earmarked for humanitarian crises, the report said 80 per cent of the money was simply handed to various agencies, with DfID unaware of 'how much of the taxpayer's pound is spent by which bodies and on what'. Some may have gone to terrorists, some simply stolen.
Every day, it becomes more evident that David Cameron's decision to bomb Libya and replace Colonel Gaddafi was an unmitigated disaster.

The decision by an inexperienced Prime Minister, in alliance with the strutting French President Nicolas Sarkozy, to intervene in the North African country may possibly have been well-intentioned  but it has left a country at the mercy of rampaging militias.

Even U.S. President Barack Obama, normally sympathetic to Britain and a close ally of the Prime Minister, has expressed his contempt for Mr Cameron's Libyan fiasco.

Despite all this, it now emerges that Cameron's Government is contemplating a fresh Libyan entanglement.

Every day, it becomes more evident that David Cameron's (pictured) decision to bomb Libya and replace Colonel Gaddafi was an unmitigated disaster

There have been rumours that a sizeable detachment of British troops may be sent there.

These deeply disconcerting suggestions came after a briefing from King Abdullah of Jordan was leaked last month, indicating British special forces had been sent to Libya to fight alongside Jordanian troops.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has added to the speculation this week with a surprise visit to the Libyan capital Tripoli, during which he hinted that British troops were ready to train Libyan forces.

Significantly, this was the first visit by a Foreign Secretary to Libya since William Hague went there after the fall of Gaddafi more than four years ago.

I know from experience that conditions have got a great deal worse in the meantime.

There is no doubt that Libya badly needs help. The country is a lawless hell and an increasing danger to Europe because, as I saw on a recent trip, Islamic State has taken advantage of the anarchy to establish a base in the north of the country.

It is imperative that this threat is confronted, because if not, the extremists' power will increase and the problem will get far more dangerous.

Another factor is how the problems have led to an increase by 42 per cent (compared with last year) of the number of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe from Libya. Certainly, having helped to create this unholy mess, Britain has a moral duty to help sort it out.

Muammar Gaddafi (right0, the deposed leader of Libya, was found hiding in a culvert following the Battle of Sirte and was killed shortly afterwards

However, there are profound concerns about how it might go about this.

Most worryingly, recent ministerial statements have suggested that the Government may be prepared to send British troops back to Libya  without first consulting Parliament.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told MPs this week that 'the Prime Minister and I have to take decisions about the deployment of ships and planes and troops, and we do not want, as the House will understand, to be artificially constrained in action to keep this country safe'.

Of course British troops must have flexibility to act at short notice to protect the British people, but history teaches that in practice  and particularly when it comes to warfare  a situation can escalate without warning.

Mr Fallon tried to reassure MPs by saying that ministers would seek parliamentary approval 'before deploying British forces in combat role into a conflict situation'.

However, the fact is that the British people will not be so easily convinced.

Raw in everyone's mind is the way Tony Blair was accused of leading this country into an illegal war in Iraq  even though he did get parliamentary approval first.

Indeed, we are still awaiting the publication of Sir John Chilcot's report into how Mr Blair took Britain to war, which will undoubtedly expose whether the Labour prime minister bypassed democratic processes and reveal how he fawned to Washington.

Indeed, there is abundant evidence that Mr Blair's determination to appease President Bush resulted in his government abandoning its principles and facilitating the torture of terror suspects.

There has been a 42 per cent increase in the number of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe from Libya (pictured, a boat carring some 250 migrants off the southern coast of Italy)

Since time immemorial, soldiers have found themselves drawn into combat situations without intending to be  what is nowadays called 'mission creep'.

Most notoriously, America's involvement in the terrible Vietnam quagmire began with the dispatch of a handful of advisers to help government forces in South Vietnam.

History also shows that  often for understandable reasons of official secrecy and security  governments never tell the complete truth about military operations.

So what is going on now with regard to British troops and Libya  and can we trust ministers to do the right thing when they speak about not wanting to be 'artificially constrained in action to keep this country safe'?

I'm afraid that I think the answer is 'No'.

It is not simply that Mr Cameron's first Libyan intervention, which took place with parliamentary approval, led to disaster.

Worryingly, the PM has made little secret of his frustration with the role of Parliament in derailing his much more ambitious plan to intervene in Syria in 2013 (though Parliament finally did vote for bombing raids against Islamic State two years later).

Ironically, Mr Cameron had called for Parliament's role over war-making powers to be strengthened in the aftermath of the Iraq conflict.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has added to the speculation this week with a surprise visit to the Libyan capital Tripoli

Indeed, Mr Hague, as Foreign Secretary, pledged to 'enshrine in law the necessity of consulting Parliament on military action' in 2011.

Crucially, the current mixed messages from the Government about its freedom of manoeuvre when it comes to military issues is fresh evidence of why we urgently need to see the publication of the Chilcot report, which was finally delivered to Downing Street this week.

The report is more than five years late  and never have its lessons been more desperately needed.

Ever since the disaster of our interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, there has been an uncertainty about Britain's military strategy.

There has been a wariness about putting combat troops into battle.

Instead, there has been a preference for attacking with aircraft or drones  increasing the risk of innocent civilian casualties, while reducing the risk of incurring our own casualties.

Above all, I believe that by far the biggest lesson of recent military initiatives  most conspicuously the British invasion of Iraq  is that governments must be honest about their war aims.

Evidence presented to Sir John Chilcot shows that the Blair government repeatedly lied to the British people about the reasons for going to war  meaning the Labour government took us into Iraq in what was a false prospectus.

Mr Cameron (pictured) had called for Parliament's role over war-making powers to be strengthened in the aftermath of the Iraq conflict.

If Mr Cameron's government is planning a new military involvement in Libya, it is essential that the PM  who once claimed he was the 'heir to Blair'  avoids that error.

Sadly, there are signs that his Government hasn't.

For example, the Foreign Secretary's statement to the Commons yesterday following his return from Libya contained several falsehoods and misleading statements.

He claimed that Libya had a 'government of national unity'. That is not true.

Terrifying

Also, Mr Hammond appeared to have no idea that Libya has two rival governments.

One, in the east of the country, had been regarded as legitimate by the international community  but it does not control the capital city, Tripoli, to the west.

Mr Hammond was even unable to give a convincing account of who the British soldiers would train (there is no Libyan army in the normal sense) and where the training would be done.

When I travelled to Libya shortly before Christmas, local politicians and militia leaders were unanimous on one point: if British troops do return to Libya, they will be targeted as foreign invaders.

That is what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In such terrifying circumstances, government ministers must think very hard before embarking upon such a risky enterprise again.
The phrase that beauty is pain has never been so true as a slew of experts reveal how to use sticky tape to achieve the flawless look worthy of thousands of Instagram likes.

And now one Toronto-based vlogger has shared her trick for applying strips of Sellotape above her pout to ensure she has a clean lip line.

For those willing to brave the pain of ripping the tape off at the end it promises make-up junkies perfect lipstick with no smears or unsightly mistakes.

Instagram user OliveSkinBeauty posted a tutorial where she uses sticky tape to apply lipstick perfectly

Sellotape has become a popular beauty product, with people using it to contour their face, draw on perfect winged eyeliner and even perfect their eyebrows

The Instagrammer, also known as Arzo, She carefully applies sticky tape all around her mouth, ensuring that she doesn't leave any gaps

Instagrammer OliveSkinBeauty, known as Arzo, has demonstrated her tape technique in a recent video.

Referencing another top vlogger, she wrote: 'Taking @hudabeauty 's tape contouring to another level.

'When you want that clean line, but you feel turbulence on your hands. Once again tape to the rescue.'

She carefully applies clear sticky tape all around her mouth, creating a lip line slightly outside her natural shape, particularly along her Cupid's bow.

She's very careful to ensure that no gaps are left, so that the line around her mouth is perfect and none of the liquid lip product she is using seeps through, creating an imperfect line

She then paints her mouth carefully with lip colour. However, she's not nearly as careful as you would need to be if there wasn't sticky tape surrounding her mouth, as the tape protects her from making mistakes

Arzo pays extra attention to her cupid's bow, making sure that it's covered in lipstick

Once her upper lip and the skin around her lower lip are covered in tape up to the corners of her mouth, she brandishes her lip gloss.

Usually applying lip colour of any kind demands a steady hand an eye for detail but without worrying about going over the lip line Arzo freely applies a thick layer of colour.

Then comes the tricky part - detaching the tape without hurting the skin around the mouth and smudging the lipstick.

She pulls the tape off smoothly, leaving behind a perfect pout, which she shows off with a smile.

Then comes the tricky part - detaching the tape without hurting the skin around the mouth and smudging the lipstick

She pulls the tape off smoothly, leaving behind a perfect pout which was easily and cheaply achieved

But the tutorial got a mixed reception with many users puzzled about the technique and surprised that Arzo would need it to use tape to apply lipstick correctly.

Instagram user lenlee_ said: 'HAHAHA imagine I needed to apply lipstick at a restaurant and I was sitting their putting tape on'.

Instagrammer Paigerachelle__ said: 'Or..... We could just learn to apply liquid lipstick correctly..... What a concept'.

She shows off the look by smiling. Instagram commenters were unimpressed, however, with people saying that the process would be impossible to create anywhere but at home

User Namsahai wrote: 'By the time you finished wasting all this tape I would've been done lining and filling them in'.

Another added: 'How hard is it to put lipstick on your lips?'

Other Instagram commenters were grateful for the tutorial, with user Ursulanugent saying: 'I have chronically shaky hands due to illness so this is actually a very helpful tut [tutorial] thank you love'.

Instagrammer Saralouisehxo said: 'I struggle applying some lipsticks and I have uneven lips so seeing someone come up with a solution to try and help people makes me happy'.
Although Married At First Sight Australia couple Clare Verrall and Jono Pitman are well and truly broken up, it seems as though Clare is still angered by her former groom's short fuse.

The 32-year-old property manager, from Melbourne, took to Instagram on Wednesday to take yet another dig at Jono and his stubborn ways.

Clare posted a photo of herself reading an old book titled 'Don'ts For Wives' with the caption 'Hmmm. Maybe I should have read this earlier.'

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'Maybe I should have read this earlier': Although Married At First Sight Australia couple Clare Verrall and Jono Pitman are well and truly broken up, it seems as though Clare is still angered by her former groom's short fuse

Still furious: The 32-year-old property manager, from Melbourne, took to Instagram on Wednesday to take yet another dig at Jono and his stubborn ways

She also shared snippets from the book.

'Dont argue with a stubborn husband. Drop the matter before argument leads to temper. You can generally gain your point in some other way,' one of the snippets read.

'Dont attempt to dictate to your husband on any subject. He wont stand it, and there will be trouble.'

'Dont attempt to dictate to your husband on any subject. He wont stand it, and there will be trouble': Clare shared snippets from the outdated book to take a subtle dig at her former TV beau

Happier times: In the hashtags, Clare, sarcastically, said perhaps if she had 'followed the advice of a book written in 1913 then it may have worked'

Not an ideal wedding day: Clare and Jono's dysfunctional TV marriage started off rocky with Jono admitting she was not what he 'ordered'

In the hashtags, Clare, sarcastically, said perhaps if she had 'followed the advice of a book written in 1913 then it may have worked.'

Clare and Jono's dysfunctional TV marriage started off rocky with Jono admitting she was not what he 'ordered' and although they made it through the honeymoon, things spiralled out of control as soon as they moved in together.

Jono was constantly frustrated by Clare trying to talk things out and her breathing techniques, while Clare was constantly tip toeing around Jono's short fuse and angered by his refusal to talk things out.

Honeymoon is over: Although they made it through the honeymoon, things spiralled out of control as soon as they moved in together

Terrible match: Jono was constantly frustrated by Clare trying to talk things out and her breathing techniques, while Clare was constantly tip toeing around Jono's short fuse

Support: Clare's followers praised her sarcastic post, and agreed with her take on the situation

Clare's followers praised her sarcastic post, and agreed with her take on the situation.

'Because of course in 1913 women were to be seen but never heard. Meh. You would have had a miserable life with Jono anyway, Clare. You had a lucky escape,' one woman wrote.
But the Tweed Heads resident toppled over when she landed because she has had knee

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They say age is just a number  and that is certainly the case for a daring pensioner who spent her 91st birthday jumping out of a plane.

Margaret Walton, who lives at an over-50s community on NSW's Tweed Heads, has been wanting to cross skydiving off her bucket list for years, and this week she finally took the plunge.

The former hotel receptionist parachuted 360 metres above Kirra beach on Queensland's Gold Coast, and images of Ms Walton sitting on the edge of the plane show her looking anything but scared as she took the leap of faith.

Margaret Walton prepares to skydive from 360 metres above Kirra beach on Queensland's Gold Coast on Tuesday

The pensioner decided to celebrate her 91st birthday by taking the plunge and leaping from a plane, which she has wanted to do for years

'I'm still on a high,' Ms Walton told Daily Mail Australia. 'It was a magical feeling. One minute you're waiting on the edge, the next you can see everything. I'm so thankful I did it.'

She has been wanting to take the plunge for several years, but she said it was only recently she plucked up the courage to carry through with it.

'I've been wanting to do it for a long time but I had to work up the guts. When I was 85 I signed up to do it but there were some snags with getting the green light from my regular doctor, who was away on leave.'

The experience didn't come without its hurdles though; Walton, who has had knee reconstruction, had a sandy landing on Kirra beach.

'My knees got stuck in the sand and I toppled forward a bit. That was disappointing. I wasn't expecting the sand to be so deep.'

Ms Walton said her fellow divers on the tour were impressed and asked to take pictures with her because of her age.

The former hotel receptionist told Daily Mail Australia: 'It was a magical feeling. One minute you're waiting on the edge, the next you can see everything'

The Tweed Heads resident her fellow divers other skydivers on the tour were impressed and asked to take images with her because of her age

She said she signed up to skydive when she was 85 but she had some troubles getting approval from her regular doctor, who was away on extended leave

But Walton, who has had knee reconstruction in both legs, said she was disappointed she had a had a sandy landing on Kirra beach

'Everyone was pretty excited because of my age. Now I can finally say I had the guts to do it!' she said.

Gold Coast Skydiving instructor Wayne Bishop said he was impressed with the fearlessness of his eldest female client, who made the most of the experience reports Gold Coast Bulletin.

'She surprised me. She was really switched on and embraced the whole experience,' Mr Bishop said.
The BBC's Justin Webb has confessed to installing a huge 65-in flatscreen television in his house  much to the annoyance of his wife, Sarah.

The Radio 4 Today presenter did the dastardly deed while she was away, and plans to take advantage of her next business trip to add sub-woofer speakers to the horror.

In his defence, Webb claims that disdain for large TVs 'is the last refuge of the snob', adding, 'even if I'd traded in our ten-year-old people carrier for a downpayment on an E-Type Jaguar, the move wouldn't have been so freighted with social and cultural baggage'.

The BBC's Justin Webb has confessed to installing a huge 65-in flatscreen television in his house  much to the annoyance of his wife, Sarah. The Radio 4 Today presenter did the dastardly deed while she was away, and plans to take advantage of her next business trip to add sub-woofer speakers to the horror

That, my dear Mr Webb, is because an E-Type Jaguar is a thing of style and beauty. A gigantic telly is not. It's a blot, a boil, an aberration.

Dislike for such a device has nothing to do with snobbery: it's proof that your wife is a fine woman, and that clearly, like most men, you cannot be trusted to be left alone for more than ten minutes without reverting to sad bachelor behaviour.

One of the main functions of a wife is to have a civilising influence on the male. And that includes helping them understand that happiness does not come in the shape of large cardboard boxes that say 'Made in Korea' and 'This Way Up'.

Forget mistresses, motorbikes and man-caves. The single biggest challenge to modern-day domestic bliss is technology. In fact, I'd say that 99 per cent of the arguments in our house can be traced back to some form of tech-rage.

For my children, it's the constant horse-trading over who watches what and when. For my husband, it's the fact that he can never get the Sky to work, no matter how many times my children explain it to him. And for me, it's the fact that it's all so damn ugly.

TVs are the worst. Unless you're prepared to pay a small fortune, they are almost always shiny, black and catastrophically dust-prone. There is virtually no way of making them look nice.

At least in the olden days, when they were square and took several days to warm up, they often came encased in carved wooden cabinets. You could at least integrate them into your decor, arrange a few photo-frames on top. They could even double as occasional tables.

TVs are the worst. Unless you're prepared to pay a small fortune, they are almost always shiny, black and catastrophically dust-prone. There is virtually no way of making them look nice

These days, it's just great big slabs of depressing plastic.

This is a major point of contention between me and my husband. For he is seemingly immune to the ugliness. He sees nothing wrong in making the television the centrepiece of a room. In fact, as a Scot, he grew up eating his tea on his lap in front of the telly.

Whereas I have all kinds of funny foreign notions about dinner tables, conversation and napkins, he's quite at home with a tray-table. I like the dancing light of a candle; he enjoys the flickering of cathode rays.

But what he really can't comprehend is my allergy to power cables.

As a man of a practical bent, he sees them as straightforward necessities of modern life. I see them as some toxic new species of electronic Japanese knotweed, poking out of cupboards and drawers, trailing from sockets, strangling all my attempts to create even a remotely stylish home environment.

After all, what is the point of me carefully selecting the precise shade of curtain material to compliment the sofa cushions, if the whole effect is going to be ruined by the presence of a gigantic network of murky tendrils, lurking Medusa-like behind a huge black hole sucking all light and life out of the room?

But I suppose I should be grateful for small mercies. At least our TV set doesn't measure a whopping 65in. Or have sub-woofers. Yet.

If it ever did, one of us might find themselves moving house.

SORRY, JOHNNY, WHAT A PHONEY APOLOGY

As the mother of a quasi-teenage daughter, I know fake contrition when I see it.

The short video released by Johnny Depp, 52, and his 29-year-old wife Amber Heard, allegedly apologising to the Australian authorities for attempting to smuggle their miniature Yorkshire terriers into the country, is simmering with adolescent outrage.

Depp has the dead-eyed stare of Kevin the Teenager and the slurred delivery of his famous on-screen character, Captain Jack Sparrow, while Amber projects all the authenticity of a Miss World contestant.

Both are clearly outraged by the fact that the Customs & Excise people dared treat them as ordinary folk and not as revered celebrities. And their only real regret is clearly the fact that they got caught.

The short video released by Johnny Depp, 52, and his 29-year-old wife Amber Heard, allegedly apologising to the Australian authorities for attempting to smuggle their miniature Yorkshire terriers into the country, is simmering with adolescent outrage

Intriguing that in pursuing his online romance with a woman who later turned out to be a prostitute, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale decided to pose as an arms dealer.

It says a lot about the modern politician that he would rather be seen as an international merchant of death than a member of Her Majestys Government.

KIM'S PASSION KILLER

I know Kim Kardashian has only just had her second baby (a boy, Saint, born in December), and Im sure, like most new mothers, she owes her body a rest.

But is she really so keen to avoid having a third that shes decided to wear full-body contraception? Its the only plausible explanation for this outfit.

In head-to-toe American Tan tights, white socks and beige walking boots, Id say shes not taking any risks.

I know Kim Kardashian has only just had her second baby (a boy, Saint, born in December), and Im sure, like most new mothers, she owes her body a rest. But is she really so keen to avoid having a third that shes decided to wear full-body contraception? Its the only plausible explanation for this outfit

Just a suggestion, but if the celebrity in the injunction that no one (except the rest of the world) is supposed to mention is so worried about the effect that scandalous revelations about his sex life might have on his children, he could try not having sex with persons other than the one hes married to.

Why is Carol Ann Duffy, our Poet Laureate, writing odes to gas meters (to mark the passing of traditional meters and the coming of smart meters) when she should be marking the Queens 90th birthday? Perhaps because the latter is part of her day job, while the former is a commission from Smart Energy GB, the firm rolling out the switch  and compensating Duffy for her efforts.

GHOST HAUNTING KATE

By posing alone in front of the Taj Mahal in 1992, officially the most romantic building in the world, Princess Diana made sure everyone knew just how unhappy she was in her marriage to Prince Charles.

So why on earth did William and Kate seek to recreate that moment  right down to Kates demure, finishing school pose?

By posing alone in front of the Taj Mahal in 1992, officially the most romantic building in the world, Princess Diana made sure everyone knew just how unhappy she was in her marriage to Prince Charles. So why on earth did William and Kate seek to recreate that moment  right down to Kates demure, finishing school pose?

Why always in the shadow of Diana? Its weird enough that Kate wears Williams dead mothers engagement ring; why allow the past to intrude even more on the present? By all means visit the monument. Creating some happy memories of that place would have helped lay Dianas ghost to rest.

Instead, what we have is a picture of two people haunted by an unhappy soul whose memory will for ever be synonymous with tragedy.

No wonder poor William was overcome with emotion. As for Kate, who knows? Its hard to read beyond that perfect smile. I only hope for his sake that theres more to her than meets the eye.

MADONNA'S BIG MISTAKE

As my children are fond of pointing out, I am an acute embarrassment to them both. But even I know there are some basic rules.

One: Dont try to dress like them. Two: Dont try to be their friend.

I cant help thinking that if Madonna were to observe just one of these, her relationship with son Rocco would be so much easier. Instead, we see her hanging out with him and his friends at an art gallery, dressed more like a teenager than the 15-year-old himself, in a slogan T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and shades

I cant help thinking that if Madonna were to observe just one of these, her relationship with son Rocco would be so much easier.

Instead, we see her hanging out with him and his friends at an art gallery, dressed more like a teenager than the 15-year-old himself, in a slogan T-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and shades.

When will the wretched woman grow up?

RATHER UNHOLY PR STUNT

What was the Pope thinking when, on a visit to the Greek island of Lesbos last week, he decided to take three refugee families back to Rome with him?

Its understandable, of course, that anyone faced with such suffering would want to help. But plucking 12 people out of misery is not going to solve the crisis  and will only exacerbate the suffering of those left behind.

What was the Pope thinking when, on a visit to the Greek island of Lesbos last week, he decided to take three refugee families back to Rome with him?

I expect more than knee-jerk PR stunts from the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

His job is to provide moral and spiritual guidance, not indulge in celebrity- style posturing.

Last week, political journalist Isabel Hardman, 29, caused a kerfuffle when she denounced veteran Tory MP Bob Stewart for referring to her as totty.

I can see her point, though it wouldnt have bothered me.
It's every woman's worst nightmare. Chloe Christos had her period continuously for five years.

The Perth resident suffers from a bleeding disorder that prevents her blood from clotting properly, and when she first started to bleed at 14 years old, it simply did not stop.

Day to day my life was literally being cared for by my mother, Miss Christos told Daily Mail Australia.

Raising awareness: Chloe Christos, 27, from Perth has a bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand disease

Extreme condition: The condition meant when Chloe first got her period at 14 years old, it did not stop bleeding for five years

I couldnt do anything  I was fainting a lot, I had dangerously low blood pressure, and it wasnt really a good idea for me to drive or go out.

I really love being physically active, and that is what was most frustrating for me.

Every single day I was in the sick bay at my school.

Blood condition: Chloe's condition means she has a problem with the protein in her blood that helps control bleeding, so it takes longer for her blood to clot and for bleeding to stop

Miss Christos said on average, women lose between 20 and 60 millilitres of blood throughout the course of their period.

Anything over 80mL is considered a heavy bleed, and people who lose that amount can be diagnosed with a condition called menorrhagia.

But in the space of just four days, Miss Christos could lose more than 500mL, or half a litre, of blood.

The art director and stylist told ABC News the condition saw her develop extreme anemia, and despite undergoing weekly iron transfusions, her iron level remained dangerously low.

Seeking treatment: Miss Christos also has low levels of the blood clotting protein factor VIII, a condition commonly associated with haemophilia

'I knew it wasn't quite right, but I was also embarrassed to talk about it. I felt very different and pretty alone,' Ms Christos stold ABC News.

Miss Christos, now 27, was diagnosed with Von Willebrand disease: an inherited bleeding disorder.

Day to day my life was literally being cared for by my mother. Chloe Christos, 27

People with the condition have a problem with the protein in their blood that helps control bleeding, meaning it takes longer for blood to clot and for bleeding to stop.

Miss Christos also has low levels of the blood clotting protein factor VIII, a condition commonly associated with haemophilia.

Despite her diagnosis, Miss Christos continued to suffer.

She was put on a synthetic drug that targeted the low factor levels in her blood, but even after seven years, she continued to experience 'terrible' side effects.

The drug would stop the bleeding for about 12 hours, but as soon as the drug wore off it would start again.

She continued to look for treatment options, and it was even suggested she undergo a hysterectomy - a procedure she declined.

Need for treatment: Miss Christos was placed on a synthetic drug that left her with 'terrible' side effects, and it was even suggested she undergo a hysterectomy

ABOUT: VON WILLEBRAND DISEASE Von Willebrand disorder is an inherited bleeding disorder. People with VWD have a problem with a protein in their blood called von Willebrand factor (VWF) that helps control bleeding. They do not have enough of the protein or it does not work the way it should. It takes longer for blood to clot and for bleeding to stop. VWD is the most common inherited bleeding disorder worldwide. It affects both males and females from all racial backgrounds. Source: haemophilia.org.au Advertisement

Miss Christos stopped taking the synthetic drug, but it only made her condition worsen.

'It held me back in so many ways,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

The Perth resident reached out to a haemophilia centre in Adelaide, and was given a blood product mostly prescribed to men who suffer from haemophilia.

The treatment - which she uses at the beginning of each cycle - worked, and less than one month ago she had her first regular period that lasted just four to five days.

'It's the difference between being hospitalised for two weeks of the month and taking two paracetamol and having a heat pack for one day,' she said.

While she has found a treatment that works for her, Miss Christos now aims to advocate for equal rights to quality of care and access to treatment for women with bleeding disorders globally.

Finding relief: Miss Christos was given a blood product mostly prescribed to men who suffer from haemophilia, and the treatment worked

Helping others: The Perth resident now advocates for equal rights to quality of care and access to treatment for women with bleeding disorders globally

World Federation of Hemophilia chief executive Alain Baumann told ABC News that for years people thought only men could suffer from haemophilia, while women would simply carry the gene and not present symptoms.

Miss Christos has started a Go Fund Me page as she hopes to attend the World Federation of Hemophilia World Congress in Orlando in July to further her cause.

On the page she shared her personal experience and the 'discrimination' she experienced when seeking treatment.

'When needing assistant to help control severe bleeding episodes that there is a great lack of education and awareness about bleeding disorders and that they can happen amongst women,' she wrote on her page.

'I found it particularly hard at times for even doctors to treat me equally when presenting at emergency rooms and being refused treatment altogether because I'm either a female or not taken seriously, and still do to this day.

Raising awareness: There is a great lack of education and awareness about bleeding disorders and that they can happen amongst women,' she said

'This has been mostly due to a lack of knowledge and awareness and this happens all over the world.'

Miss Christos said she would like to see the Australian government fund a data project for women with bleeding disorders.

She said it is often not known if drugs previously prescribed to men would be suitable in treating female related bleeds, and doctors are therefore reluctant to let women trial the drugs.

Getting the right diagnosis first of all is an issue in itself, she said.
As flu season approaches, people suffering respiratory illnesses are resorting to the popular healing and drug-free treatment - salt therapy - for relief.

Salt therapy is a natural technique where salt particles are inhaled with the aim of improving symptoms of lung disease, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis and eczema.

But medical experts are warning people against using the therapy to treat cold symptoms as there is no scientific evidence to support the benefits of the popular trend.

Byron Bay teenager Anna Drewe (pictured) - who was diagnosed with whooping cough - said the salt cave helped alleviate her symptoms

Last month, Marshal Rubinstein opened a 'salt cave' in the northern NSW town of Byron Bay (pictured)

WHAT IS A SALT THERAPY? There has been a boom in recent years in the availability of 'salt therapy', an alternative therapy method which claims to benefit respiratory health. 'Salt Therapy' refers to a range of techniques where salt particles are inhaled with the aim of improving symptoms of lung disease. This might be through relaxing in salt-caves, or artificial salt rooms, which are coated in salt and which have salt particles pumped into the air for visitors to inhale. Other methods use salt pipes, inhalers or other devices. Salt Therapy is said to benefit a range of conditions, from cystic fibrosis to asthma, eczema and even bronchiectasis and COPD. Source: Lung Foundation Advertisement

Lung Foundation chief executive Heather Allan told ABC News there is no the 'scientific evidence to support the benefits of salt therapy in the form of a salt cave or a salt room or the inhalation of salt'.

'There are no current medical guideline that has been developed by any credible peak body to recommend the use of salt caves or salt rooms.'

Despite there's no evidence that salt cave could cause harm, Ms Allan said warm temperatures in salt rooms could provide opportunity for the growth of various bacteria.

Without professional supervision, exposure to salt-enriched air could be potentially dangerous for respiratory illness sufferers as salt could irritate the airways.

Asthma Australia has also refused to recommend the therapy as treatment, explaining it could trigger a tightening of the airways.

Marshal Rubinstein (pictured) opened a 'salt cave' in the northern NSW town of Byron Bay after undergoing a therapy in Sydney, in which he claims helped relieved his symptoms of bronchitis

Without professional supervision, exposure to salt-enriched air could be potentially dangerous for respiratory illness sufferers

Last month, Marshal Rubinstein opened a 'salt cave' in the northern NSW town of Byron Bay after undergoing a therapy in Sydney, in which he claims helped relieved his symptoms of bronchitis.

Despite having no medical qualifications, Mr Rubinstein said he does not claim salt therapy cures respiratory illnesses but believed it could help alleviate symptoms.

Byron Bay resident Candida Baker said she took her teenage daughter Anna Drewe - who was diagnosed with whooping cough - to the salt cave after trying every treatment imaginable.

'It has definitely lessened the continuing cough that Anna had,' she told ABC News.
Going to the prom can be an expensive business, so if you see a dress you love with a reasonable price tag then it's hard to resist snapping it up.

But it all went wrong for Juliet Jacoby, 17, from Colorado when her $35 (24) dress arrived looking cheap, creased and nothing like the glamorous gown advertised in the picture.

Luckily Juliet saw the funny side and posted pictures of herself on Twitter in the monstrosity, receiving more than 1000 likes.

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Juliet Jacob, 17, from Colorado saw a $149 prom dress she loved but it all went wrong when she ordered what she thought was exactly the same dress for just $35

Juliet's dress arrived looking nothing like the glamorous gown in the picture and she took to Twitter to share an image of the fashion fail with her followers, which has received more than 1000 likes

The teenager had her heart set on a red gown with long sheer sleeves costing $149 (103) from the online retailer Wanelo.

It was beyond her budget, but her mother found what the exact same dress advertised on the website Rosegal for less than a quarter of the price.

According to Seventeen Magazine, the site promised delivery in five to seven business days, but the dress turned up a fortnight late - just a week before Juliet's junior prom.

Worse, it looked nothing like the elegant crimson gown she had ordered.

Juliet's dress looked nothing like the elegant crimson gown with lace embellished sheer sleeves that she'd ordered

Despite the disaster, Juliet was all smiles as she modelled the gown in her kitchen

The dress should have had a bustling, full skirt but the fabric looked thin and hung limply and was hideously creased. Instead of a sheer nude material on the arms, it had what resembled off white netting.

It should have had a bustling, full skirt but the fabric looked thin, hung limply and was hideously creased. Instead of a sheer nude material on the arms, it had what resembled off white netting.

The red applique lace was bulky rather than delicate and looked like it was about to fall off in a few places along her arms and shoulders.

'I tried the dress on and the zipper was broken,' Juliet explained. 'I waited in front of the garage door to see what my mom's reaction was, and all she did was stand there with the most shocked face for about five seconds, then burst out laughing.

Her Twitter followers her amused by the sight of the dress with Joe Gooding likening it to a satan Halloween costume

'My dad said I could still wear it to prom, but I was like, hell to the no! I will not wear this to prom.'

Despite the disaster, Juliet was all smiles as she modelled the gown in her kitchen, pulling the skirt wide to give a good view of the creased material.

And her twitter followers found the sight equally hilarious.

Joedujour wrote: 'I hope she didn't actually pay $149 for that. This looks like pieces of a Satan Halloween costume stitched to hairnets.'

Juliet's followers expressed their support, including a girl called Bianca who had suffered a similar experience

He added: 'I demand #JusticeforJuliet.'

Eboberg98 said she was 'crying' with a laughter while _Courtnneyy declared herself 'horrified'.

Jjacoby14 was sympathetic, saying: 'Oh wow, how disappointing. The original is a beautiful dress though. So sorry that happened to you'.

And trendylauren55 revealed that she'd almost suffered the same fate as Juliet.

'I fell in love with the same exact dress. Was gonna purchase it but decided against it,' she explained.

Not everyone was sympathetic to Juliet, saying she should have expected as much when ordering a cheap dress

However, she reassured Juliet that she still looked hot, while Cass_lyons praised Juliet for having a sense of humour about the whole thing.

MsBianka said that the same think happened to her.

'Dress was awful not like the pic and sent a size 22 instead of 1. It arrived two days before prom. Hope you get a REFUND.'

However, not everyone was quite to sympathetic.

Korloyon wrote: 'Why would you expect a prom dress for the same price as a t-shirt. You get what you pay for?'
Women have revealing the ages they first

Women have taken to Twitter to share harrowing stories of the earliest age they experienced harassment.

Their experiences shared under the hashtag #WhenIWas exposes the sheer volume of sexual harassment and abuse experienced by women around the world from a young age.

The initiative was prompted by Everyday Sexism the British feminist initiative and since yesterday morning women have been sharing their stories.

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Women have been taking to Twitter with a hashtag to write about the earliest age they experienced sexual harassment, and some of their stories are shocking

Nina Keen wrote about how young pupils at her girls-only school were told to wear vests because male members of staff were distracted by their underwear.

She said: '#WhenIWas 13 we were told we had to wear vests under school shirts no matter how hot it was bc our bras were distracting male teachers'.

Very similarly a young woman named Brie with the Twitter handle @Carouseldoll, said: '#WhenIWas ten I was sent to the office for wearing shorts that were distracting to boys. TEN.'

Amanda Tracy spoke out about how she suffered from sexual harassment at school, but was told not to raise her voice about it.

She said: '#WhenIWas 15 I was told by a teacher that I was too mouthy for boys to like me when I complained that I was being sexually harassed'.

The hashtag, #WhenIWas, highlights the sexism women face at an early age, especially when it comes to sexual harassment and objectification. Nina Keen, above, wrote about how young pupils at her girls only school were told to wear vests because male members of staff were distracted by their underwear

Many others described scenarios in which behaviour that they didn't like was brushed under the carpet.

Rachel Gibbs wrote: '#WhenIwas 13 and developed breasts all the boys would make comments and try to grope them. But it was just boys will be boys behavior [sic]'.

Some detailed much more shocking attitudes being taught to young girls, including one priest's unacceptable attitude towards rape.

User @Sadhbhzilla said: '#WhenIwas 14 a teaching priest told us in class that rape is impossible as "a letter cant be posted if the letterbox isnt open"'.

Another user, @Ohmytasha, was complimented on her figure by a male mathematics teacher at the age of only 13, while at the same time being discouraged from learning about the subject.

Since Tuesday morning women from the UK and elsewhere have been sharing their stories

She wrote: '#Wheniwas 13 my male math teacher told me I didnt need to learn geometry because I already had such good curves.'

The hashtag was also used to share very serious stories about rape, sexual assault and subsequent victim-blaming.

Lydia Hulme wrote: '#WhenIWas 16 on a school trip I was drugged by a man at a hostel. He attempted to rape me. Police said I was old enough to know better.'

@_Xalana wrote: '#WhenIWas 17 I was told in court that there's no way I was raped as I wasn't deemed attractive by my rapist. Tell me we don't need feminism.'

Jade Azim shared a story about being molested on a bus by a man who clearly knew he was doing wrong.

Jade Azim shared a story about being molested on a bus. She wrote: '#WhenIWas 13, a man next to me on a bus waited for the old lady chatting to him to get off before stroking my lap. I had to get off'

She wrote: '#WhenIWas 13, a man next to me on a bus waited for the old lady chatting to him to get off before stroking my lap. I had to get off.'

Jess Philips, an MP for Birmingham Yardley and an equality campaigner said joined in the hashtag, writing: '#WhenIWas 13 a man tired to get me into his car while I was at the bus stop in my uniform'.

It was common for many of the incidents written about to take place in public.

Kate, who tweets under @Keziaroseinked said: '#WhenIWas 12 a man yelled out of his van window that I was "miserable cow" for not responding to his whistles and horn honking.'

Helen Gardner said: '#WhenIWas 16 I was on work experience at a local tax office. Overheard two middle aged men referring to me as "jailbait"'.

Lara shared a shocking story of having her skirt lifted up by men in public so they could see her underwear.

She said: '#WhenIWas 14 walking in school uniform 2 grown men lifted my skirt up from behind. 1 said to other "pink pants, thought so" [sic].
Held in the Berners Tavern private dining room at The London EDITION, specialists from California's premiere wineries; Louis M Martini, Orin Swift , J Vineyards and MacMurray Estate, will guide guests and visitors through a selection of one-of-a-kind wines. The sessions will alternate between two themes: A Taste of California and a Louis M Martini Masterclass. Each session will provide you with insight into the wine making process and the geography in that region of the US. Experts will then be on hand to guide you on a tasting of around five to six wines. Along with some new wine knowledge, you'll also get some keepsakes to take home from the wine producers. The sessions, which run from 6pm to 8pm, are perfect for both novices and the more advanced wine drinkers. Head to the hotel's award-winning restaurant after for yet more elegant tipples and expertly prepared dishes. The next dates are October 25 and November 15.
Money will go to The Trusty Paws Clinic and Students for Animals In Need

Scottish universities are known for their raunchy fundraising attempts

A group of Scottish students have gone one further than just stripping off for a charity calendar - they have released a promotional video that reveals the story behind the photographs.

The welly-wearing final year vet trainees from Glasgow University are seen gallivanting around fields and laboratories with only farm animals to protect their modesty.

The 'making of' film was made to promote their 2017 naked calendar, which will raise money for animal charities; The Trusty Paws Clinic and Students for Animals In Need.

Glasgow vet students braved the wet Glasgow weather to raise money for animal charities

Both the calendar and the film use the universities facilities as the backdrop, their private parts cheekily concealed behind carefully placed props.

However in the video the boys appear to enjoy the shoot a lot more than the girls.

At one point the naked students are seen having a milk fight in the cow shed. And another shot shows the young men dressed only in Wellington boots and cheesecutter hats - their nether regions covered only by the grace of passing sheep.

Jess Simmonds, who stripped off for the shoot, said: 'Taking part in the calendar was great fun.

The creative future-veterinarians found theme appropriate ways to protect their modesty, like a well-placed milk churn (pictured)

Two young men found protection in passing sheep, as they stood in only Wellington boots and accessories such as suspenders

The students appeared to have a ball during the shoot, as they try to cover themselves during a milk fight

'Our year is very close, but we were definitely all nervous about getting our kit off together.

'Once we did though, it was hilarious and everyone was comfortable.

'Seeing the photos afterwards was a great confidence boost.

'It's fantastic to have something to take part in and remember our time at Glasgow by.'

A number of Scottish universities have created nude calendars over the years to raise money for charities and university groups.

The boys seemed to enjoy the shoot a little more than the girls, as they hid behind different animals and posed provocatively

Some of the female students only just covered themselves with well placed props as they stood in the laboratory

Ever resourceful, the class of 2016 worked with what they had. This time, not an animal, but a (slightly more reliable) bike.

In 2013, Aberdeen University's netball team stripped off for Cancer Research.

Back in 2004, Edinburgh University's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies bared all during a black and white shoot to raise money for their university club.

The nude calendar craze is thought to derive from the famous Women's Institute Calendar Girls whose story is told in the hit film, starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.
We all know that green is the colour of money and today Queen Maxima stuck with the theme as she stepped out in an olive dress for a financial conference.

The Argentinian-born royal looked chic in the fitted camouflage style dress, paired with emerald earrings as she gave a speech at the Global Symposium on Financial Resilience Throughout Life.

The 44-year-old Queen kept out the April chill with a charcoal-coloured cape as she made her way into the conference this morning, with her toned legs on display.

Queen Maxima looked elegant in olive today as she gave a speech at a financial conference in Amsterdam

The wife of King Willem-Alexander did not have to travel far today as the conference was held in Amsterdam where the couple live with their three daughters.

Maxima was unaccompanied today, attending the event without her husband, but seemed at ease as she gave a speech to conference attendees.

It is a subject close to the mother's heart as she is the Honorary Patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion.

Maxima attended the Global Symposium on Financial Resilience Throughout Life without her husband King Willem-Alexander

The Argentinian born royal looked chic in a fitted camouflage style dress, paired with emerald earrings

The Monarch has been tasked with raising awareness of the benefits of financial systems that also help the poor.

This means improving access to savings, insurance and credit - all of which are particularly important in countries where famine and rising food prices can hit the poorest hard and often lead to starvation and malnutrition.

Access to credit and savings also gives business a boost, and allows small farmers and entrepreneurs in poor countries to strike out on their own and move past subsistence.

The Dutch Queen was first handed her role of Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance in 2009 by Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon.

The Queen made her way up on stage to deliver a speech to attendees of today's conference
A little girl's weekly adventures in the happiest place on earth have gained her more than 20,000 followers on Instagram.

Bella, a toddler living near Orlando, Florida, is the lucky holder of a season pass to Disney World which, if her social media is any indication, she makes very good use of.

GrowingUpatDisney, the Instagram account run by 'Bella's Mommy' is described as an account of Bella's 'tiny adventures at Disney' and shares that the little girl is a 'lover of corn, gummie bears, cupcakes and all things Maleficent. Obsessed with Star Wars'.

Striking a pose: Florida toddler Bella (left) has become an social media personality thanks to her photos documenting her life growing up at Disney World

Up close and personal: The little girl's mother has a season pass for the park and a flair for dressing up her daughter as their favorite Disney characters

Kitty! Little Bella gets a monstrous hug from a Disney worker in a Sulley from Monsters Inc costume

The profile features dozens of images of the little girl in incredible costumes posing alongside her favorite Disney characters.

Bella's flair for cosplay sees her transformed into everything from Snow White's evil queen stepmother to a light saber-wielding Yoda.

Sometimes the pictures show Bella in her outfits perfectly matching the Disney characters she is posing with, including an adorable interaction between Bella in a fluffy Ewok costume and Chewbacca, or in a Darth Vader-themed tutu meeting the villain himself.

Like many little girls, Bella clearly loves getting dressed up as one of the famous Disney Princess, donning the dresses of the likes of Belle from Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella or Pocahontas.

Making it big: Bella's images, such as this one of her dressed as a Fairy Godmother meeting Beauty & the Beast's Gaston, have gained her more than 20,000 followers on Instagram

Dreams come true: Bella is a particularly big fan of Star Wars, and is the proud owner of her own adorable Ewok costume

Clowning around: A playful Bella hides under the skirts of Cinderella's step sister Drizella

Matched up: In many of the sweet photos, Bella meets characters that he outfits are inspired by

Triple threat: The good guys are not the only characters that Bella takes on, and is even often seen in the garb of evil stepmothers

However, Bella certainly doesn't limit herself to protagonists from her favorite films, even showing up to the park in outfits matching evil stepmothers, the villainous Queen of Hearts and, her personal favorite, Maleficent.

Neither does she limit herself to genders, as little Bella even has costumes that turn her into Cinderella's Prince Charming, the Beast, Tangled's Flynn Rider, Han Solo and even Aladdin.

Main characters aren't the necessary fodder for Bella's cosplay either, as she is also often seen at the resort in outfits of more obscure characters including Lady Tremaine's cat Lucifer from Cinderella or any number of Fairy Godmothers.

All up for grabs: While Bella certainly loves dressing up like a Disney Princess, she is also known to dress up as various male characters, such as Han Solo (right)

Showing her fandom: Bella looks simply adorable dressed in a furry green hood as a lightsaber-wielding Yoda

A nice moment: Bella meets Tiana from the The Frog Princess

Creative: Some of Bella's costumes cover more obscure characters or moments from Disney movies, such as this dress that captures the moment Cinderella's dress is transformed by the Fairy Godmother

And Bella herself is clearly a hit with the staff at Disney World - not least because it seems she always shows up with a package of cookies or cupcakes on offer.

With that in mind, it's no surprise that little Bella was named Fangirl of the Day recently by sci-fi clothing line Her Universe, who applauded her love of Star Wars.

'She visits Launch Bay weekly at WDW and loves to go see her favorite characters. She also loves to engage in a good lightsaber battle and has gotten pretty good with her skills,' the brand wrote.

'She loves cosplaying as her favorite characters especially in her Ewok and Yoda costumes and never wants to take them off!'

Worlds collide: Bella, dressed as a tiny Alice in Wonderland, meets a pair of giant white rabbits

A welcome guest: Bella is certainly popular among the workers at Disney, even bringing them cookies and cupcakes from the bakery

Making friends: It's no surprise that Bella's frequent visits even had her named Fangirl of the Day by sci-fi clothing line Her Universe
Middle-aged Britons are risking their health by 'pre-loading' with alcohol at home before a night out, researchers warn.

Many also round off the evening with a few nightcaps after they get back.

It means adults are routinely downing 14 units of alcohol  a bottle and a half of wine  in an evening by drinking in multiple locations, a study found. This is their maximum limit for the entire week as set out in NHS guidelines.

The study, published today, debunks the myth that pre-drinking is a habit restricted to students trying to save money on a night out.

Many adults are routinely downing 14 units of alcohol - their maximum limit for the entire week - in a single evening by drinking in multiple locations, a study found (file photo)

It will also add to growing concerns about middle-aged men and women drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol. Experts warn drinking too much increases the risk of illnesses such as cancer and heart disease  and that it is harder to keep track of your intake when drinking at home.

The researchers, from Sheffield University, looked at weekly diaries of drinking habits filled in by 60,200 over-18s between 2009 and 2011. They found that one in five had drunk at home before or after going out over the previous week.

These 'mixed location drinking' sessions made up 11 per cent of all occasions on which the participants had alcohol, while 14 per cent involved drinking only at home  when men and women typically drank 11.6 units in an evening, around four large glasses of wine.

Another 11 per cent of drinking occasions took place while out with friends and 9 per cent were going out for a meal as a couple or with family, according to the study, published in online journal Addiction. The authors also singled out dinner parties as occasions when adults drink 'very heavily'.

Dr James Nicholls, director of research and policy development at charity Alcohol Research UK, which funded the study, said: 'I was surprised it wasn't just young people doing the pre-loading.

'If you start before you go out you are more likely to be drunk by the end of the night. The amount we drink at home is usually considerably higher than we remember it being. You're pouring your own drinks and glasses are large.'

A study of 9,000 adults over 50 last year warned they were more likely to drink harmful levels than any other age group.

The paper, published today, debunks the myth that pre-drinking is a habit restricted to students (file photo)

There is also growing evidence that even moderate amounts of alcohol drastically raise the risk of cancer, heart disease and strokes as well as liver disease.

Jackie Ballard, of charity Alcohol Concern, said: 'Harmful drinking is a real issue for middle-aged and older people. Many of this group are regularly drinking above recommended limits, often in their own homes where it can be harder to keep track of how much you're consuming.'

Katherine Brown, of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, said the availability of cheap alcohol was to blame for drinking at home becoming commonplace, where it is 'very easy' to drink unhealthy levels.
Loneliness increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke by almost a third, according to research.

The effect of social isolation is similar to that of anxiety or work-related stress, according to a major review of the evidence.

British scientists analysed data on more than 181,000 people and found being lonely and isolated raised the chance of heart disease by 29 per cent and stroke by 32 per cent.

Campaigners last night called for urgent action to tackle the 'silent epidemic' of loneliness among the elderly. More than half of over-75s live alone  and about 1 million Britons are thought to suffer loneliness.

British scientists analysed data on more than 181,000 people and found being lonely and isolated raised the chance of heart disease by 29 per cent and stroke by 32 per cent

Experts have long warned social isolation takes a severe toll on mental health and wellbeing, but this is the largest study to have shown it has a dramatic impact on physical health.

The scientists, from the universities of York, Liverpool and Newcastle, examined 23 studies. Of the 181,000 patients involved, 4,628 suffered heart disease and 3,000 had a stroke.

Writing in the Heart medical journal, the authors said: 'We found an association between poor social relationships and incident cardiovascular disease comparable in size to other recognised psychosocial risk factors, such as anxiety and job strain.

'Tackling loneliness and isolation may be a valuable addition to coronary heart disease and stroke prevention strategies. Health practitioners have an important role to play in acknowledging the importance of social relations to their patients.'

Researcher Nicole Valtorta, of York University, said: 'We take risk factors like obesity and physical inactivity for granted whereas we don't yet with social isolation and loneliness. The data supports us taking it seriously.'

Dr Kellie Payne, from the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: 'The effect of loneliness and isolation on mortality exceeds the impact of well-known risk factors such as obesity and cigarette smoking and this research helps to highlight yet further the need for loneliness to be treated as a serious public health issue.

The effect of social isolation is similar to that of anxiety or work-related stress, according to a major review of the evidence

Loneliness increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke by almost a third, according to research

'Loneliness is becoming a silent epidemic in our society. It's the responsibility of our community as a whole to tackle it.'

Izzi Seccombe, of the Local Government Association, which represents councils, called for loneliness to be seen as a public health issue.

She said: 'With more than 1 million people aged over 65 believed to be suffering from loneliness, councils with their responsibility for public health see this as a major concern. In the past it may have been treated as a trivial matter, loneliness is a serious condition that can severely affect a person's mental and physical wellbeing.

'Loneliness is an issue that needs our urgent attention, and something that will become an increasingly important public health concern as people live longer lives.'
Most people think of exhaust fumes and smoke billowing from factory chimneys when they think of pollution.

But new research has found more people die every year from indoor pollution - or Sick Building Syndrome - than the more traditional type.

Toxic chemicals from smoke, building materials, spores and even cooking fumes killed 4.3 million people worldwide in 2012, compared to 4.3 million from outdoor pollution.

The indoor smog also cause headaches, shortness of breath and extreme tiredness and can come from everything from boiler fumes to air fresheners and scented candles.

Toxic chemicals from painting materials, spores and even cooking fumes killed 4.3 million people worldwide in 2012, compared to 4.3 million from outdoor pollution

But many people are ignorant of the risks, scientists said.

European and Australian and researchers, led by the University of Surrey, assessed the causes and possible ways to prevent it.

Dr Prashant Kumar, of the University of Surrey, explained: 'When we think of the term 'air pollution' we tend to think of car exhausts or factory fumes expelling grey smoke.

'However, there are actually various sources of pollution that have a negative effect on air quality, many of which are found inside our homes and offices.

'From cooking residue to paints, varnishes and fungal spores the air we breathe indoors is often more polluted than that outside.'

Air pollution from indoors and outdoors kills about 40,000 people in the UK a year and city dwellers are the most at risk as they spend 90 per cent of their time indoors.

Now air monitoring devices warning of indoor pollution in homes, schools and offices are being planned for Britain's smart cities of the future, say scientists

The low energy sensors will tell families or workers when levels of pollutants are too high.

'It is essential we are able to effectively monitor indoor air pollution so we can better understand when and where levels are worst, and in turn offer solutions to make our air healthier.

'Our work looks at the use of small, low energy monitoring sensors that would be able to gather real time data and tell families or workers when levels of pollutants are too high,' said DrKumar

Spores from mould are thought to be behind some of the 4.3 million global deaths from indoor pollution, scientists believe.

'Sometimes the solution to this will be as simple as opening a window, but without knowledge at the right time these simple steps are often skipped.

'With this research we are calling for greater importance to be placed on ensuring buildings are built with indoor pollution monitoring in mind.

'As we enter the age of smart cities this is one way in which technology will actively benefit health.'

Another paper by Dr Kumar and PhD student Anju Goel published earlier this month in the Environmental Pollution also found outdoor air pollution was at a high where buildings were located at traffic intersections.

Even where there was low traffic volume, these areas with densely built up surroundings showed twice the concentration than at open junctions.

Ground floor dwellings were exposed to twice as many harmful particles.

Added Dr Kumar: 'This has important implications for town planning and we should consider whether we really want schools, offices or hospitals to be built within these environments.

'Most people may not even consider what they or their children are breathing when they sit down at their desks each morning.

'A combination of policy and technology will help ensure that while we are hard at work our buildings are also working to protect us from harmful pollutants that affect both mind and body.'
It reduced deaths by between 15 and 20 per cent in many others

Found it cut double chances of survival in people with certain gene type

An aspirin a day could slash the odds of dying from cancer, new research has shown.

The Cardiff University super-analysis of 47 studies revealed that the humble painkiller cut the chances of dying from breast, bowel and prostate cancers by up to a fifth.

And in those with a certain gene, it doubled the odds of survival.

Other forms of the disease are also likely to be in the grasp of the pills, packets of which are found in most bathroom cabinets and cost pennies.

With aspirin already known to help stop cancer from developing in the first place and to protect heart health, researcher Peter Elwood said that it is imperative people are made aware of the benefits.

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Taking aspirin once a day can reduce the odds of dying from certain types of cancer by a fifth, British researchers have found

The professor, who first showed aspirin to help the heart more than 40 years ago, said that everyone over 50 should consider taking the drug.

However, with aspirin capable of producing serious side-effects, others say people should speak to their GP before self-subscribing.

Professor Elwood searched the medical literature for trials in which cancer patients took aspirin alongside their chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and other conventional treatments.

He said: Our review, based on the available evidence, suggests that low-dose aspirin taken by patients with bowel, breast or prostate cancer, in addition to other treatments, is associated with a reduction in deaths of about 15 to 20 per cent, together with a reduction in the spread of the cancer.

The results of six studies into other cancers, including kidney and oesophageal tumours, also suggested aspirin to boost survival.

And in bowel cancer patients with a mutation in a gene called PIK3CA, the pills almost doubled survival.

Aspirin costs less than a penny a day but has been found to be effective in cutting breast cancer deaths

The powerful effects were seen despite the 75mg or baby aspirin dose being many times smaller than that used to ease headaches.

Professor Elwood, who has taken aspirin for many years, said it is quite remarkable that such a simple drug can make such a big difference.

He said: Relatively little work is done on aspirin because theres no profit in it  you could make it in a school lab.

New drugs that come out are enormously expensive.

The breast cancer drug Herceptin cost 90,000 per course per patient when it came out, whereas aspirin costs less than a penny a day.

It is thought at aspirin uses multiple strategies to thwart cancers deadly march through the body.

These range from making it easier for diseased cells to self-destruct, to making it harder for wandering cancer cells to stick to bones or blood vessels and form new tumours.

The professor said the risks of aspirin  including potentially fatal stomach and brain bleeds have been exaggerated.

And his own work shows that while bleeds are more common, they are less dangerous than usual.

Writing in the journal PLOS ONE, he said that the benefits of taking an aspirin a day far outweigh the risks.

He added: While there is a desperate need for more detailed research to verify our review and to obtain evidence on less common cancers, wed urge patients diagnosed with cancer to speak to their doctor about our findings so they can make an informed decision as to whether or not they should take a low-dose aspirin as part of their cancer treatment.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of charity Breast Cancer Now, said: This study adds significant weight to the idea that a drug as simple and cheap as aspirin could help treat breast and other cancers.

Patients with common types of cancer, such as prostate (pictured), have been advised to speak to their doctors about whether taking a low dose of aspirin is advisable

Clinical trials are ongoing to confirm whether aspirin could be added to routine treatments for breast cancer.

Further research is needed to understand exactly which patients would benefit from aspirin and enable us to direct it to the most appropriate individuals.

Anyone considering taking aspirin on a regular basis should speak to their GP first to discuss the potential risks and benefits Breast Cancer Now

Anyone considering taking aspirin on a regular basis should speak to their GP first to discuss the potential risks and benefits.

Cancer Research UK urged caution.

Professor Peter Johnson, the charitys chief clinician, said: It's important we understand the risks as well as the possible benefits of aspirin. It's too early to jump to conclusions about this analysis.

Aspirin can have serious side effects like internal bleeding.

This study summarises previous research, analysing data from several studies carried out in very different ways.
The first case of Alzheimer's disease diagnosed in a patient with HIV highlights how sufferers are living longer, experts said.

The 71-year-old man was found to be suffering the common form of dementia after a medical scan revealed the presence of amyloid protein clumps in his brain - a hallmark of Alzheimer's.

Scientists had thought, until now, that inflammation linked to HIV prevented the formation of the plaques, therefore protecting against the disease.

Neurologist and study author, Dr R. Scott Turner from Georgetown University Medical Center, said: 'This patient may be a sentinel case that disputes what we thought we knew about dementia in HIV-positive individuals.'

A 71-year-old man has become the first HIV-positive individual to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, highlighting how people with the virus (illustrated) are now living longer enough to suffer dementia, scientists at Georgetown University have revealed

Dr Turner warned the finding suggests that some older HIV-positive patients with dementia may be misdiagnosed with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) when they may be developing Alzheimer's.

It also may be possible that some patients experience HAND and Alzheimer's a new type of mixed dementia, he speculated.

'Chronic HIV infection and amyloid deposition with aging may represent a "double-hit" to the brain that results in progressive dementia,' Dr Turner said.

'While it may be challenging to diagnose the cause of dementia in an HIV-positive patient, the diagnosis matters because HAND and Alzheimer's are treated differently.

'For Alzheimer's disease, we now have four FDA-approved drugs and more effective treatments are on the way.

'For HAND, we prescribe anti-retroviral drugs that have a better chance of penetrating the brain. So getting a correct diagnosis is important, and a critical first step in advancing the field.'

This patient may be a sentinel case that disputes what we thought we knew about dementia in HIV-positive individuals Dr R. Scott Turner from Georgetown University Medical Center

HAND will develop in 30-50 per cent of individuals with long-term HIV infections.

But HAND symptoms are identical to those with Alzheimer's, Dr Turner says.

He added: 'The medical community assumes that dementia with HIV is caused by HAND.

'Physicians haven't considered Alzheimer's, so it's possible that a number of older HIV-positive individuals may be misdiagnosed.'

Published studies to date point to only five individuals with HAND who have undergone amyloid PET scans, and all were negative.

However, the oldest of these patients was 67, Dr Turner noted.

Diagnosis of dementia in older HIV-infected individuals is on the rise.

HIV-infected adults over 55 comprise the fastest growing age group in the HIV-positive population.

Scientists had thought, until now, that inflammation linked to HIV prevented the formation of the plaques, therefore protecting against Alzheimer's disease, depicted in brain scans (file image)

According to the most recent CDC HIV Surveillance Report with data through 2013, 53,000 people in the US living with HIV are 65 and older, the age when Alzheimer's disease risk begins to escalate.

That number is expected to double in less than 10 years and doesn't include those who have not been diagnosed.

Worldwide, more than 37 million people are living with HIV.

Jeffrery Crowley, program director of the National HIV/AIDS Initiative at the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown Law, said: 'This case report reveals important new insights into the specific issue of HIV-related neurological impairment.

'This finding must lead to additional population-based studies, as well as timely clinical and programmatic interventions to better support individuals with HIV who are facing neurological decline.'

This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation.
An order tightening rules for the withdrawal of provident fund (PF) money was rolled back within hours on Tuesday as protests by trade unions escalated, and street violence rocked the tech city of Bengaluru for the second day.

The government had initially put the decision on hold for three months.

The notification issued on February 10, 2016 is cancelled. Now, the old system will continue, Union labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya said at a press conference in Hyderabad.

Garment workers torch furniture during a protest against EPF withdrawal rules in Bengaluru

I will take ratification from CBT (Central Board of Trustees of EPFO), he added.

The announcement came after garment industry workers torched several buses and attacked a police station, protesting against the tightening of rules.

Dattatreya said: The reason for rolling back the decision is the request of trade unions. The earlier decision (to tighten the PF withdrawal norms) was also taken after the opinion of trade unions. Now, when trade unions are requesting, we have rolled back the decision.

Earlier in the day, the minister had said in Delhi that the notification tightening PF withdrawal norms will be kept in abeyance for three months till July 31, 2016.

We will discuss this issue with the stakeholders.

Dattatreya said that employees and workers need not have any misconceptions in the wake of the cancellation of the notification.

Workers opposing the amendment to the EPF Act have expressed fears that the new rule would take away their right to their employers contribution to the provident fund until they reach the age of 58 years.

In February, the ministry had issued a notification restricting 100-per cent withdrawal of PF by members after unemployment of more than two months, among other things.

Following the concerns raised by trade unions and other stakeholders, the ministry decided to keep the notification in abeyance till April 30. Its implementation was again deferred till July 31 on Tuesday afternoon, but by the late evening the complete roll-back of the order was announced.

Now, EPFO subscribers who are out of a job for more than two months can file for full and final settlement of provident fund in accordance with the earlier rules which have been restored.

The withdrawal of accumulations on different grounds like the purchase of house, serious illness, marriage and professional education of children will also be allowed.

Unions have been demanding a complete roll-back of the decision tightening the PF withdrawal norms.

The decision of the government to revert to the earlier withdrawal norms came after Bengaluru went up in flames on Tuesday when thousands of workers from more than two dozen garment factories went on a rampage after blocking the national highways. Two people were injured when the police opened fire in the air to control the mob.

More than 50 vehicles, including government buses, private vehicles and police jeeps, were torched and stoned by the protesters. At least 80 people, including more than 20 policemen, were injured.

The IT clusters of Electronics City, Whitefield and Mysuru Road were the worst hit as protesters gathered in huge numbers in the morning on Hosur Road, Tumakuru Road, and Mysuru Road, to oppose the latest changes to the PF withdrawal policy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose the most appropriate gift for the Saudi king when he called on the royal personality during his two-day visit to Riyadh. The gift was a gold-plated replica of the first mosque built in India.

The thoughtful present underlined an ancient truth about this country. India has traditionally had one of the worlds most secular, non-fanatic societies because of its dominant eclectic Hindu faith. The warm welcome for the persecuted communities of Syrian Christians, Jews, and Parsees by the reigning Hindu rulers of yore is a further illustration of the pluralistic ethos of the Hindu society.

Mosque

This celebrated mosque was built in 629 AD, under a Hindu king in Kerala. This place of worship sprang up when the first Muslim from India visited the Holy Prophet in Arabia. It was the first mosque to be built outside Arabia, and that too during the Prophet Muhammads lifetime. It is known as Cheraman Jumma Masjid.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz

In 1342-47, a well-known traveller and historian, Ibn Batuta, visited the settlements of Arab commoners and noblemen, including some native royal heads on the west coast, and wrote in his travel memoirs: Muslims are the most highly honoured people.

He had travelled from the coastal port of Kozhikode to Kollam before he wrote it.

It is for the present Muslim leadership, both religious and political, to reflect on why this bonhomie between Hindu rulers and commoners and Muslims changed its character in the 10th century onwards.

As against the trade-led peaceful Arabs bringing Islam to the welcoming west coast of India, the northwest saw violent clashes between the invading Afghan, central Asian, and Persian Islamic forces, and Indian kingdoms from the 10th century onwards.

Why did the widespread tolerance for Arabs in the seventh century take an increasingly hostile turn later? Was it the rising influence of non-Arabic Islamic communities that infused an attitude of separateness within the Muslim masses that culminated in Indias Partition in 1947?

Look at Pakistan, which was created with the slogan that Islam was in danger in a Hindu majority state. Today, not a week passes without the world getting reports of the Sunni and Shia factions of Islam violently breaking into each others places of worship.

The other smaller Islamic communities like the Bohras, the Ismailites, and the Sufis, have already either been driven out or declared non-Muslims.

Mindset

Contrast this exclusivist mindset, which breeds terror, with the harmony which followed after the fusion of the new faith of the converts with their pre-conversion culture and practices.

Lighting brass lamps in places of worship is one such ancient tradition. It is prevalent in temples and in many Syro-Malabar and Orthodox churches even today.

In the first mosque built in India such a lamp has been a distinct mark of Indian-ness in a holy place.

The Indian leadership from various communities and sections, including the government and political parties, should deplore the tendency to promote exclusivity, ghetto mentality and alignment against the national mainstream through one act of symbolism or the other.

Mission

The Saudi royal family is one of the top targets of organisations like ISIS. Riyadh keeps a lynx-eyed vigil on all these ISIS sympathisers, open or underground, who may be getting through the iron curtain it has built against them among the Saudi communities.

In recent years it has handed over to Indian authorities every such identified terrorist who sought cover in Saudi Arabia against the Indian government.

Riyadhs warmth towards India and its present prime minister was evident during Modis visit to the Saudi capital. However, many analysts here have raised the issue of the same Saudi royals investing billions of their wealth in promoting what is known as Wahaabism in many countries, especially India.

Wahaabism, analysts point out, is the prime implanter of Islamic separateness and jihadi ideology, especially through lakhs of madarsas spread across the country.

The Riyadh royaltys concern for spreading true Islamic teachings is fully understood by PM Modi in his symbolic gift.

In return, can India expect the Saudis to work with its government to eradicate the seeds of exclusivism, victimhood building, and jihadi mindset?
Strategist Prashant Kishor has suggested the Congress campaign for 2017 Punjab Assembly polls should be built around state unit chief Amarinder Singh.

But the bigger challenge remains the party-infighting, which desperately needs to be curbed.

Kishor, currently an adviser to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has been roped in by the Congress to strategise for the Punjab Assembly polls next year.

The Captain: State unit chief Amarinder Singh is believed to carry the maximum clout among the voters

According to sources, during strategy sessions between Kishor and Congress leaders, the idea emerged to build the poll campaign around the persona of Amarinder Singh, the feeling being that the Captain carries the maximum clout among the voters.

However, the task may not be a smooth one for the Congress, as Amarinder is not acceptable to all the senior leaders in the state.

While Amarinder has a long-standing equation with veteran Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former state unit chief Partap Singh Bajwa may still find it hard to acknowledge him as leader.

Amarinder was made the Punjab Congress chief in place of Bajwa after he virtually threatened to quit the grand old party if not given charge of the poll-bound state.

Recently, the party had to expel another veteran, Jagmeet Brar, after a section of the Punjab Congress alleged he was making controversial remarks and lobbied hard against him.

Senior leader Lal Singh and Raj Kumar Verka are often counted as Amarinders rivals.

Strategist Prashant Kishor has suggested the Congress campaign for 2017 Punjab Assembly polls should be built around state unit chief Amarinder Singh

Recently, when Rahul Gandhi addressed a party meet along with Amarinder, his rivals were quick to spread rumours that Amarinder was not announced as the chief ministerial candidate as there were problems between him and the central leadership.

Such negative publicity hurts us, acknowledged a Congress insider.

Sources said Kishor along with Congress managers has realised the damage that infighting could do the partys prospects at the hustings.

Accordingly, he has suggested a line that while the party projects Amarinder as the face of the Congress in Punjab, his detractors are also kept in good humour so the party is able to project itself as a united team.

There is greater thrust on unity and staying together to ensure a smooth run for our campaign, a senior AICC functionary told Mail Today on condition of anonymity.

Sources say that Amarinders detractors are being told that this is not the time to fight in public and that they should sink their differences to ensure a Congress win.

This benefits everybody, the state leaders are being told as the Congress gears up for a triangular contest with the Akali Dal-BJP combine and AAP.

Everyone has a vested interest in a Congress victory, said a party veteran.

The Akali-BJP alliance has been ruling Punjab for the past two terms.

The Congress under Amarinders charge failed to defeat the Akali- BJP coalition in 2012, primarily due to infighting.

Rahul Gandhi made Bajwa the state unit chief when they lost the Moga seat, which had been its bastion, in a by-poll to the Akalis.
Authorities in Noida and a clutch of real estate developers have promised a timebound solution for thousands of flat buyers, for whom the dream of a home on the eastern fringes of teeming Delhi has turned into a nightmare.

The local administration said it will meet builders and buyers to thrash out a solution, as completion certificates remain pending for scores of residential projects due to non-payment of land dues.

Officials may also consider giving developers the option of clearing the amounts in installments.

The local administration said it will meet builders and buyers to thrash out a solution, as completion certificates remain pending for scores of residential projects.

We are planning to invite buyers and builders to assess the problem and find a solution, said Rama Raman, chairman of Noida Authority.

About 50,000 flats have been built by two dozen developers, who have failed to deposit around Rs 300 crore in land dues.

Real estate major Amrapali, which is facing the heat for non-completion of civil and electrical works at its Sapphire project, vowed to look into the complaints. Group CMD Anil Sharma said he will personally inspect the site.

We assumed that there would be no legal hurdle once the land was acquired and construction started, he said.

The move came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav intervened in the matter when buyers of one of the residential projects took to Twitter to register their protest.

Union minister and local MP Mahesh Sharma also urged the state government this week to take an immediate call to address the residents complaints against Amrapali.

According to the Group, the projects were delayed because of a raft of reasons beyond its control. It claimed that pending works in all residential projects will be completed at the earliest and a completion certificate will be obtained.

Experts say such situations lead to tapering economic growth as households with money tied up in unfinished apartments have less to spend on other things.

No equipment

Buyers of the Sapphire project have alleged that firefighting equipment has not been fitted in the buildings and this is why the completion certificate has not been issued.

This is a compromise with the safety of people living in these apartments, said Ashutosh, a homebuyer, who also pointed out that several towers do not have lifts.

The Amrapali Group launched Sapphire, a project with 1,000 flats spread across 40,000 sq metres, in 2009. It promised that the houses would be handed over in 2011. But the project wasnt delivered even after a two-year delay and buyers had to move in without occupation certificates in 2014.

Since then, residents have been complaining about failed lifts, incidents of fire and poor parking facilities. However, Amrapali is not the only company facing the heat. Real estate firm Gaursons has seen swirling protests from residents of its township project in Noida over maintenance issues.

In a meeting on Sunday with managing director Manoj Gaur, residents of a society in Gaur City complained about the upkeep of the project and demanded that a residents welfare association be set up.

Gaur said the company has given possession to more than 8,000 buyers in the township and 5,000 are already living there.

The projects were stuck after the NGT (National Green Tribunal) imposed the ban (on construction, which was lifted in September). But there are financial constraints too, he said, adding that nearly fifty-sixty thousand flats are ready in Noida and completion certificates will be issued soon.

Fund crunch

Ajit Kumar, director of the Jaypee Group, also cited fund crunch as a key reason for non-completion of its Orchards housing project.

Our contractor L&T left the project mid-way, forcing us to look for a new one. We also have bank loans and other financial problems, Kumar said, maintaining that the company had provided possession to 5,000 buyers till January.
The Delhi Police department is looking to inject young blood into its cyber crime modules, and investigators who have hit 50 may be stopped at the door.

Police commissioner Alok Verma pitched this proposal at a recent meeting, saying the older sleuths are unable to grasp knowledge, according to an official communication.

Officers say soon training sessions will be divided into two groups as suggested by the top cop. Verma has asked for an assessment in advance of those taking part in the courses.

It appears that investigators aged over 50 are unlikely to be considered for cyber crimes modules in Delhi

It has been noticed by senior officials that most of the participants at the cyber crime courses are above 50 years, and face a tough time understanding various things, a senior officer who attended the meeting told Mail Today.

The departments lumbering enforcement apparatus is running behind the increasing sophistication and elusiveness of e-criminals, who abuse and threaten victims, fake e-mail ids, hack websites, and commit financial frauds.

Every police station in the city has a cyber crime cell, but those assigned to these cases lack expert knowledge.

Now, classes will be divided into two groups. One group will have staff that is aware about the basics of cyber crime and another group will have those who dont have basic knowledge, said a senior police officer.

About 113 million Indians lost close to Rs 16,558 on average to cyber crime in addition to the emotional stress caused by personal financial data breach, a report by software security firm Norton said last year. The global average stood at Rs 23,878.

According to Delhi Police, the existing course includes new modus operandi, common trends. It also equips investigating officers to use various social networking sites.

These courses were introduced after cyber crime reached a new level, a senior officer involved in conducting these courses told Mail Today.

After an interval we refresh the structure of the course as new modus operandi evolves from time to time.

In 2014, Delhi Police introduced a cyber lab to counter online offences. The lab is also helping train police officers to deal with cyber crimes.
Lt Col Prasad Srikant Purohit has always maintained his innocence

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found no evidence to link Lt Col Prasad Srikant Purohit to the 2007 Samjhauta Express terror attack, which killed 68 people.

Purohit is not an accused in the Samjhauta case. There is no evidence to link him to the train blast, Sharad Kumar, Director General, NIA told Mail Today.

Kumar has just returned from the US, where the NIA reiterated Indias request for more information on the alleged role of Arif Qasmani, a Lashkar-e-Taiba financier designated a global terrorist by the US, in the Samjhauta blast.

The alleged role of Qasmani was just one of the several issues that were raised during the talks. Trial is already underway in the case and the NIA stands by its charge sheet, Kumar said.

In 2009 the US designated Qasmani a global terror financier for his alleged role in funding the 2006 Mumbai train serial blasts, which killed 187 people, and the 2007 Samjhauta train blast.

The NIA first sent a request seeking information about Qasmanis alleged role in the Samjhauta blast to the US in 2011.

We have only reiterated that request seeking details of the basis on which the US arrived at this conclusion. We are still awaiting their response, Kumar added.

The NIA did not name Purohit in the Samjhauta charge sheet since there was no evidence to link him to either the blast or the conspiracy. The agency wanted to interrogate him in the case, but he challenged the agencys move that was upheld by court.

However, the NIA is still probing Purohits role in the 2008 Malegaon blasts.

Terror attack: The Samjhauta Express blast killed 67 people in 2007

Lt Col Purohit was charge sheeted by the Maharashtra Polices Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) in the Malegaon blasts case. But the case was subsequently transferred to the NIA, which is still to file a charge sheet in the case. Purohit has been in jail since his arrest in 2008.

Maharashtra ATS told a Nashik court that Purohit procured 60kg of RDX from J&K in 2006.

Purohit had earlier been credited by the ATS for infiltrating terrorist organisations and passing on information to security agencies. He has always maintained that he kept his superior officers in the Directorate General of Military Intelligence in the loop while infiltrating terror organisations.

We are in the final stages of preparing charge sheet in the Malegaon case. It is expected to be filed in the next four to six weeks, Kumar said.

The NIA had sought an opinion from Mukul Rohatgi, Attorney General, on whether Purohit can be charged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

The AG put the ball back in the NIAs court, saying that charging Purohit under the MCOCA depends on the evidence available against him.
Gearing up to deal with cases of dengue, the Delhi government on Tuesday asked schools in the Capital to take preventive measures to clamp down on mosquito breeding in and around school premises.

According to a municipal report, at least seven cases of dengue have been reported in the national Capital this year, with five of them in the first 10 days of April.

Dengue is transmitted by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles.

According to a municipal report, at least seven cases of dengue have been reported in Delhi this year

Doctors say treatment is symptomatic with no specific cure, so if patients use pain medicines indiscriminately, there is a risk of them becoming resistant to them.

The government has also directed schools to display a list of dos and donts at prominent places on their premises, and generate awareness among students about dengue and preventive measures needed to curb the outbreak of the disease.

As all are aware, especially during and after the rainy season, there is high prevalence of dengue. In order to control and prevent the outbreak, it is essential to ensure there is no mosquito breeding in the school areas, the Directorate of Education (DoE) said in a communication to government-run as well as private schools.
From April 23 to May 7, the Nile basin will become the bed of not just one, but two very old and culturally rich civilisations.

With Egypt as the host, India by the Nile will celebrate the music, theatre, arts, food and dance of the civilisation born along the river Indus.

The cultural programme, which has been organised by the Embassy of India in Egypt and Teamwork Arts, will be held in Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, Ismailia, and Beni Suef in Egypt.

The India by the Nile festival will feature food, photography exhibitions, Bollywood performances (above), theatrical productions, dance performances and much more

Bollywood will also be represented through the theatrical production Love Story  A Bollywood Musical, which is a Teamwork Arts production

Renowned Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly is keen to visit the pyramids

On the performing arts front, India will be represented by none other than Indian Ocean (arguably one of the oldest bands of India), and renowned Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly.

The latter, who is looking forward to visiting the pyramids, says: You learn dance to take forward the Indian heritage abroad. It is a great honour to do that. With Egypt, the honour is even bigger since its one of the biggest and oldest civilisations began there.

Gangulys Odissi performance, which she says will feature authentic items, wont be restricted to India by the Nile. Later on, she has a dance drama planned for the Indian embassy, at the Cairo Opera House, on the occasion of Rabindranath Tagores birthday.

Other than Gangulys Odissi performance, the programme will also include a Bollywood dance workshop by Gilles Chuyen.

Bollywood will also be represented through the theatrical production Love Story  A Bollywood Musical, which is a Teamwork Arts production.

There will be a specially curated food festival by chef Vikram Udaygiri, which will run for a week at the Four Seasons Hotel, as well as a photo exhibition, on the festival of Holi, by Haran Kumar.

India by the Nile will have a healing side to it as well, where visitors will be able to interact with ayurveda and yoga experts.

India by the Nile, says Ambassador of India to Egypt, Sanjay Bhattacharyya, will bring people closer to one another, open new experiences to share and provide new opportunities to explore.

During the festival, Bhattacharyya will host an important section of India by the Nile which will feature the felicitation of prominent women in Egyptian society.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is going through the most difficult phase of his political career. First, it was the Hublot wrist watch controversy, and now the alleged scams involving his son.

Siddaramaiah may be putting up a brave face contending that the Congress high command has not sought any clarification from him on any of these issues.

But it is a fact that he has already been placed on the watch list by the leaders of the party.

Karnataka badly hit: The state is already reeling under a severe drought

Karnataka is the largest Congress-ruled state in the country, and the All India Congress Committee (AICC) cannot ignore the blunders being committed by the Siddaramaiah government.

Just because there appears to be no alternative to Siddaramaiah in the state, the Congress cannot rule out the option of replacing him.

The awarding of tenders to a company in which Siddaramaiahs son is a director for coveted projects has led to a series of speculations.

The allotment of land worth Rs 150 crore in the open market to a friend of the son of Siddaramaiah in a 20-year-old case is also a bit perplexing.

Siddaramaiah can claim that all these decisions were taken in accordance with the law, but the same courtesy was not shown to others who lost their land to the government.

Siddaramaiah came to power by exposing the BJPs misdeeds, and by promising transparency in administration. People expected him to increase the pace of development in the state. But nothing on those lines has happened in the last three years. His government is now considered ineffective, insensitive, corrupt, and poor in a crisis.

One of the biggest drawbacks of this government has been the attitude and approach of the CM himself towards issues affecting the people. For instance, when more than 1,000 farmers committed suicide last year owing to crop failure and mounting debts, it did not move the CM.

But when former chief minister SM Krishna, realising the gravity of the situation, visited the families of the farmers who committed suicide, Siddaramaiah woke up from his slumber.

Likewise, when corporates, industrialists, investors, and foreign consulate officers had concerns over the crumbling infrastructure of Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah did not take them seriously.

But when the matter reached New Delhi, the CM made a few quick announcements. Time is fast running out for the ruling party in Karnataka, and if it is to make any difference, it needs to mend its ways.

There is an acute lack in seriousness among the ministers in addressing people's issues. It is a pity that this government cannot even organise a pre-university examination properly, as question papers get leaked while deals are struck in the ministers office. If there is no course correction on a priority basis, the Congress will be handing over Karnataka to the BJP on a platter in the next assembly elections.

The BJP has appointed former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa as the head of the party in Karnataka at the right time.

Yeddyurappa is not likely to sit quiet, as he is the undisputed leader of Karnatakas largest community of Lingayats, who have been ignored by the Congress government. He is acting like a man on a mission.

He has already scored a brownie point by undertaking a trip to the drought-hit region before Siddaramaiah could do so.

The next few months will be crucial and interesting, as Yeddyurappa has vowed to expose Siddaramaiahs acts of nepotism.

Can the Congress risk further deterioration of administration or its image in Karnataka?

Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs family, including his wife Parvathamma and sons Yathindra S and Rakesh S, have rarely been seen in public life.

Pictures of his wife and Yathindra are not even available. In fact, Siddaramaiah was being appreciated by political analysts for keeping his family out of his work jurisdiction.

But now with a series of exposures involving his son, many are wondering whether it was deliberate on part of the chief minister to keep his family away from the media!



Love jihad? Stop nonsense, girls family tells BJP

None of their business? Bajrang Dal activists have opposed the Hindu-Muslim wedding (file picture)

After several unsuccessful attempts to make inroads into the Vokkaliga heartland, considered a bastion of the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka, the BJP and its Sangh Parivar affiliates is trying a new experiment - and unfortunately it is backfiring, with the police registering multiple cases against them.

Ashitha MN, a management professional, and Shakeel Ahmed, a businessman, have known each other since their school days in Mandya, which is considered the sugar bowl of Karnataka.

Later, they fell in love and decided to get married - with the consent of their parents.

But for the last two weeks, BJP workers and activists of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have made this wedding a public issue by staging demonstrations in front of Ashithas home.

They termed it love jihad and raised slogans against Ashitha. The girls family has come down heavily on the BJP for raking up a controversy unnecessarily.

Writers, litterateurs, film actors, theatre personalities and women activists of the state have expressed solidarity with the two families.

Many of them openly suggested that the BJP should not interfere in the personal matters of individuals.

On Saturday, Mandya appeared deserted with the BJP calling for a bandh opposing the wedding.

The objection to the Hindu-Muslim wedding seems to be a far-fetched idea. The police have extended protection to both families. They have also registered suo motu cases against the activists staging demonstrations in Mandya against the wedding.

Ex-CM back in the game of politics

Former CM BS Yeddyurappa, one of the senior-most BJP leaders of Karnataka, is back to lead the party

His return to Karnataka politics was widely anticipated, but none expected the BJP to make the announcement so quickly.

Former CM BS Yeddyurappa, one of the senior-most BJP leaders of Karnataka, is back to lead the party in the state.

Yeddyurappa announced his return in style, with the BJP leaders setting aside their differences and rallying behind him.

Yeddyurappa not only announced a war against the Congress government, but also declared himself the future CM. None dared to question such an announcement, which is normally not encouraged in the BJP.

The partys silence means that Yeddyurappa is here on his own terms and conditions. But what has prompted the BJP to bring him back?

The move could be attributed to the poor leadership skills shown by other seniors such as former CM Jagadish Shettar and former deputy CM R Ashoka in taking on the Congress government in the last three years.

Yeddyurappas return to the BJP is an energy booster for the BJP cadre in the state and they seem to be raring to go.
The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) on Tuesday denied bail to a teenager who allegedly ran over a 32-year-old man while driving his father's Mercedes.

The court observed that he was a repeat offender and blamed his parents for allowing him to drive at such a young age.

Sources privy to the proceedings said the board pulled up his parents, saying that they had promoted his habit of driving since he was a minor.

The Juvenile Justice Board denied bail to the teenager, who allegedly ran over a 32-year-old man with his father's Mercedes (file pic)

Repeated traffic rule violation challans failed to have any reformative effect upon the juvenile and it seemed his parents did not care, the board observed.

The JJB board criticised the boy's parents, saying they had endangered the lives of others by letting him drive the car.

The sources said the board noted that the youth was challaned four times for violating traffic rules relating to speeding, not wearing a seat belt, and involvement in a minor traffic accident at Maurice Nagar area in north Delhi.

The boy is being tried by the JJB in a hit-and-run case where he allegedly drove a Mercedes over a marketing executive, Siddharth Sharma, on April 4 while he was trying to cross a road near Ludlow Castle School.

A case under IPC Sections 304A (causing death by rash or negligent act), 279 (driving on a public way so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life), and 337 (causing hurt by an act which endangers human life) was lodged against the minor.

The police booked the juvenile for the alleged offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and he was sent to the reform home.

The youth had sought bail on the grounds that it was his right and claimed that the victim was also at fault as he was crossing the road in the 'wrong manner'.

The Delhi Police, however, opposed his plea saying he was involved in such incidents previously.
Kirpal Singh's nephew holds a photo of his uncle, who was found dead in his Pakistani jail cell

The heart and stomach of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances in a Pakistani jail, were missing when his body arrived here on Tuesday and was handed over to Indian authorities.

Dr BS Bal, Principal of Government Medical College Amritsar, told reporters after an autopsy of Kirpal Singhs body that during the postmortem, it was found that his heart as well as stomach were missing.

However, no internal or external injuries were found on his body.

Bal said: Now we have his kidney and liver and samples of these two organs would be sent outside Amritsar for laboratory tests to bring out more facts with regard to his death.

He said that during autopsy it was also found that Pakistan has not taken any samples from the kidney and liver, which were essential to find out the exact cause of death.

He said that Pakistan has not sent the autopsy report thus far.

Kirpals family members, including his sister Jagir Kaur, were present at the Wagah border to receive the body. Punjab Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam were also present.

Kirpal had allegedly crossed the Wagah border into Pakistan in 1992, and was arrested. He was then sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistans Punjab province - a charge of which he was ultimately acquitted by the Lahore High Court.
In what seemed like an indication of growing warmth between the coalition parties in Jammu & Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti heaped praise on each other on Tuesday.

While Modi lauded Mehboobas developmental vision for the state, the new J&K CM spoke about having great hope and expectations from the BJP.

The political stalemate after the death of former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7 this year, and Mehboobas delay in forming a government, had created tensions between the PDP and BJP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during a public meeting

While addressing a rally at Katra on Tuesday, Modi said that Mehbooba talked about the development of the state in every meeting with him, and that it was bound to happen when the CM has such a line of thought.

He said the Centre and the state government were working together for development in J&K, and described development as the solution to all problems.

Earlier in the day, Modi inaugurated the 230-bed Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana super-specialty hospital in Katra.

Narendra Modi unveils a plaque at the inauguration of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Super-speciality Hospital in Katra

In her first public address as CM, Mehbooba said providing a sense of security to youths in the state was one of her prime responsibilities.

With recent killings in Handwara in mind, the CM said people in Kashmir are suffering and sought the cooperation of the PM in addressing the issue so that no more innocent lives are lost to mindless violence.

We have witnessed several tragic incidents in the past, like in Baljarala in Rajouri, Chittisinghpora in Anantnag, and more recently in Handwara, where innocent people have been fatally caught in the vortex of violence. We need to take immediate steps to bring an end to this permanently, Mehbooba said.

Sharing the dais with Modi, Mehbooba said the central and state governments will have to overcome the challenge and join hands to win over the people, especially the youth.

I have great hope and expectations from my partys alliance with the BJP. My father said on many occasions that when he shook hands with Narendra Modi, he was, in fact, joining hands with a billion people of India who had reposed their faith in his leadership, she said, promising to pick up the threads from where her father had left them.

Mehbooba observed that even though J&K has been an epitome of plurality and cultural diversity, the pain and agony suffered by people of Jammu and Kashmir for the past 25 years continues to disturb her.
State authorities in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have removed Army bunkers from the Handwara main chowk, in an attempt to curb growing dissent in the Kupwara frontier.

Five protesters have been killed in the area in the past six days, after security forces opened fire on people demonstrating against the alleged molestation of a teenage girl by an Armyman.

The bunkers were removed at a time when the Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were in the state.

District authorities started the demolition work on the bunkers during curfew relaxation on Tuesday morning

Sources said the coalition government of the PDP-BJP had the full support of the Centre to remove the bunkers.

The Army had earlier said it would look into the state government's demand for their removal.

As district authorities started the demolition work during curfew relaxation on Tuesday morning, hundreds of people assembled at the chowk to express support.

Later, Sajad Gani Lone, MLA, Handwara, who is an ally of the BJP, handed over the space of the three bunkers to the Municipal Corporation, Handwara.

Supporters of Jammu & Kashmir lawmaker Sheikh Engineer Rashid shout anti-Indian slogans during a protest as they attempt to march to the residence of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufty in Srinagar

A security jawan stands guard during curfew restrictions in Srinagar

However, independent legislator Engineer Rashid said: Removal of terror bunker in the Handwara chowk and conceding to demands of locals have given legitimacy to all what people were chanting in slogans. Terror chowk has turned a victory chowk for the people of Kupwara.

For the past six days, residents of the area had been moving towards the bunkers during relaxation hours of the curfew, hoping to raze them to the ground.

The main bunker in the middle of the road was a concrete structure constructed in 1993.

The second bunker, which had been erected over a line of shops, was pulled down last week by irate residents.

The third bunker, also constructed over shops on the right side of the market, was partially damaged during the protests of last week.

On Tuesday, district authorities razed all three bunkers.

I saw several youngsters arguing with the police on April 12, demanding that the Army man be handed over to them, an eyewitness said.

They were saying the girl was molested in the bathroom behind the bunker.

However, Jammu and Kashmir Police have ruled out claims that the girl was molested by an Army staffer, and have arrested shopkeeper Hilal Ahmad Banday on charges of assaulting the teen.

Among some locals, the arrest has given rise to conspiracy theories.
It's time to fight back against the energy giants who are sitting on 1 billion of your cash.

In just minutes you can claim back hundreds but greedy energy suppliers won't give a refund unless you ask.

Yesterday the Mail revealed how eight million households are in credit after an unusually mild winter.

The warmest winter temperatures in England and Wales since records began in 1910 meant customers used less heating, leaving them 132 in credit on average.

Battle: Energy firms will eventually refund the money customers have overpaid during the mild winter - but not without a fight

Despite this, energy firms are clinging to the cash, but it should be as easy as giving them a meter reading and asking them to pay the money back.

If you are one of the 16 million who pay by direct debit, your supplier will already have your bank details. Under the regulator's rules, they can't reject you unless they have a good reason.

For example, they might claim bills are set to rocket because the weather is about to turn colder. But now winter is over and the weather is set to heat up, heating bills should only drop.

Prices may even fall in coming months if suppliers pass on the full drop in wholesale gas and electricity costs, which have tumbled 40 per cent and 30 per cent respectively since 2014.

All the 'big six' announced cuts to their gas prices at the start of the year but these were around 5 per cent on average and none of the suppliers cut electricity prices.

However, readers have told us some suppliers are offering only to reduce direct debits, rather than pay a lump sum. Don't put up with this nonsense.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR MONEY BACK STEP ONE: Take a meter reading. If you have a metric meter, ignore the numbers after the decimal point, if its an imperial meter, ignore the numbers in red and if its a clock-like dial meter, ignore the final dial. STEP TWO: Call your supplier, give them your meter reading and ask for your current balance. If you are in credit, ask for the money back and your direct debit to be lowered. STEP THREE: If you supplier says you arent entitled to the money back and that your account will even out over the rest of the year, dont be fobbed off. Remind them it is your right to ask for a refund at any time. STEP FOUR: If your provider makes it difficult to claim your money back, tell them you want to lodge an official complaint. If problems continue, call the Energy Ombudsman on 0330 440 1624 to escalate your complaint.

In fact, it's your right to demand the company does both. If you are in credit after the winter, it's a sign your monthly bill has been set too high.

'It's not in a supplier's interest to give customers their credit back,' says Mark Todd, of price comparison website Energyhelpline. 'It's effectively free cash for them to finance their business. So it's up to you to chase it.

'Your energy usage will reduce through summer so that credit is just going to get bigger. Demand it back.

'If your supplier refuses, you can switch or raise a formal complaint.'

Three in five households pay their bills by direct debit. Under these plans, your energy supplier looks at how much gas and electricity you used the previous year and estimates how much you'll spend over the coming one.

It then splits this into equal monthly or quarterly payments. In the summer, households tend to use less energy and end up in credit.

This surplus should cover winter, when usage is typically higher. At year-end, you should break even.

The moment you give a meter reading, you'll see if your supplier's estimate reflects your usage and your bills should be adjusted.

Customers checking their bills and meters now are finding they used less energy than they did last year. The average temperature was 5.5c, compared to 3.9c in 2014/15, according to the Met Office.

Sneaky: Energy firms are clinging to your cash, but it should be as easy as giving them a meter reading and asking them to pay the money back

Around half the households who pay by direct debit are likely to be owed money, according to Mr Todd. But many are being fobbed off.

Ruth Lyons, 65, lives alone in a three-bedroom cottage in Herefordshire. She only heats the rooms she uses and relies on a woodburner in the sitting room to keep warm.

In March, she found she'd built up 372 credit over the winter, so Ruth called Npower to ask for a refund and for her direct debit to be reduced from 115 to 60.

Npower said it would do so, but a week later it still hadn't. Instead, Ruth received a letter telling her that Npower was dropping her direct debit to 20 a month.

There was no mention of the 372 refund. So Ruth called again. This time she was told it would take up to two weeks to transfer the money.

But the refund never arrived and now she was 487 in credit as her March payment had been taken. So she called again.

This time a call centre worker told her he was only authorised to refund up to 250 and he'd have to escalate her request for the remainder.

She was then passed to someone else, who told her she'd have to wait another week.

Ruth, a retired massage therapist, says: 'In this day and age, money can be transferred so speedily it's unacceptable it should take this long  they just want to hang on to your money as long as possible.'

Through sheer perseverance, Ruth eventually received a 421 refund and had her monthly payments reduced to 65.
We are trying to recover money charged by O2 for calls we are supposed to have made while en route to, and in, the West Indies.

Our phone bill after the holiday was 902, but some of the calls are timed when we were in the air, flying to Barbados. On another occasion we were at sea.

There is another call relating to Norway, but I do not know anybody there.

I never used my phone while I was away and when it was not in my personal possession it was in the cabin safe. I have twice asked for the bill to be investigated but it has done nothing.

Mrs P. R., London.

Flight of fancy? One reader was horrified to receive a mobile phone bill for 902 after returning from holiday

O2 has now investigated and made a substantial refund. It also has an explanation for some of the mysterious calls  though it does not exactly tally with your contention that you did not use your phone at all while you were away.

Having seen the evidence it has presented, its case seems credible to me.

For example, you state the first two calls were made while you were on a flight to Barbados. However, O2 has checked the flight number and it appears the plane landed early at 14.25 local time.

The calls were made at 15.16, so perhaps you may have called friends or family to say youd arrived safely.

You also mention calls listed as being made in Jamaica, which you did not visit. O2 says it uses partner networks in the Caribbean that are registered in Jamaica, so this is what would show on your bill even if you didnt visit the country.

Theres even an explanation for the Norway calls: most cruise ships and ferry companies offer mobile network services, the P&O ship you were on is registered in Norway, so any calls made using the ships network would show as Norway on the bill.

There is also a call made to a London number lasting five hours and 22 minutes. This is a number you have called regularly, but it seems that on this occasion the call did not end properly.

So what has O2 done? Well, firstly it has credited you with the 443.63 cost of this call, which is almost half of your total bill.

Since then its complaints review service has increased the goodwill gesture to 665.45. This will be refunded to your bank account.

An O2 spokesman says: We have contacted Mrs R. to explain and clarify the breakdown of her bill.

We understand her concerns, so in this instance as a gesture of goodwill we have credited her mobile account with 75 per cent of the bill.

We encourage all customers to monitor mobile phone usage, especially when abroad.

I would add that anyone travelling to certain parts of the world, such as the Caribbean, should take special note of the very high costs of calling home  and be doubly sure they have disconnected the call properly.

In addition, those travelling on cruise ships should make sure they check the cost of calls.

YOU HAVE YOUR SAY - FRAUD VICTIMS ABANDONED BY BANKS AND POLICE Every week Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails. Heres what you had to say about our investigation into how fraud victims are being abandoned by banks and the police: Cyber crime is a real problem for old people  they grew up before any of this stuff existed and they just dont realise theyre being conned. A. Y., Leeds. Banks cannot escape all responsibility. They need to check with account holders when unusual transfers are being made. My bank knows my normal direct debits and those whom I pay regularly. It even texts me if I change the details. O. L., London. This happened to my 70-year-old mother. Fraudsters stole 18,000 and Halifax said it was her fault because she logged them in to her online banking. Moral of the story: never give anyone your bank details over the phone, no matter how plausible the reason may seem. A. B., Surrey. Banks encourage customers to go online and the resulting job losses in the banking industry boosts their profits. Customers now do a lot of the work themselves and get nothing for it except poor customer service  if thats what it can be called. H. K., Portsmouth. It ought to say very clearly on all internet banking sites never to give anyone any information if you receive a cold call or email. L. W., Bournemouth. If you phone your bank, it asks you security questions. When your bank phones you it still asks you security questions. Thats the problem. If anyone phones asking for ANY personal information, consider it a scam and hang up. K. N., Edinburgh. Some bank security is rubbish. One of the security questions is my mothers maiden name. E. P., Birmingham. Its about time banks started tracing where all this stolen money is moved to. Set up infrastructure that prevents outlaws from taking money anywhere. International criminals need big money to pay for their networks. W. S., Chatham, Kent.

My energy supplier, First Utility, is pestering me to take up its three-year dual-fuel tariff now, before it disappears. The email makes it sound like a fantastic deal. What do you advise?

P. M., London.

First Utility is clearly on a marketing blitz to lure people on to this three-year deal.

Many readers tell me theyve had the same email, which seems straightforward at first, but it could lead to the unwary paying higher bills (and possibly early exit charges on their existing contract).

Anyone tempted in will pay 16.84p for every kWh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity and 3.6p per kWh for gas for the next three years. This compares with the 12.88p charge for electricity and 2.7p for gas on First Utilitys cheapest one-year deal.

So it would cost a medium user household an extra 235 in the first year and, if energy prices remain unchanged, 705 over three years  though you do get a free smart thermostat.

The flipside is that if energy prices sky-rocket, theres a chance you could benefit from locking into todays rates. But theyd have to rise by a lot.

And remember: oil prices have plunged this year and big power giants are only just cutting prices in response.

So is First Utility trying to push people into an expensive deal only for its own benefit?

A spokesman says: Just like any company, we market different offers to our customers that they may find beneficial.

It makes me wonder what befuddling marketing might start to pop up if energy suppliers are allowed to contact rivals customers with details of their latest deals, as proposed by the Competition and Markets Authority last month.

My wife fell ill, so we decided to cancel her membership to a local hotels swimming club.

It is demanding the final months fee of 36 even though the terms and conditions state that 30 days notice isnt necessary if youre cancelling due to a medical condition.

Its been frustrating and stressful. The club has even contacted debt collectors. Will I have to pay?

D. E., Northampton.

What a heartless way to treat someone whos suffering from an illness. Its becoming far too common for energy providers, banks, telecoms firms and now gyms to call in debt collectors at the drop of a hat.

Your letter makes it quite clear that your wife is no longer able to use the pool due to her medical condition. Im glad you stood up to Spirit Health Club and contacted Money Mail  and I have good news.

Spirit has seen sense, read through its terms and conditions again  and agreed to drop the charges. Like most health clubs, those run by Spirit ask for a doctors note to prove illness when leaving a contract.

Its worth getting hold of one of these before you try to cancel gym memberships, phone contracts and so on for health reasons.
Warning: The Duke of Westminster's Grosvenor Group, sounded the alarm over house prices

Britain is heading for another 'bust' in the property market as the global economy lurches back into crisis, according to one of Britain's biggest landlords.

The Duke of Westminster's Grosvenor Group, which owns billions of pounds-worth of land around the world, sounded the alarm over house prices in London and the international outlook.

'It is not possible to predict with certainty when a correction will occur, but the inevitability of the property cycle's booms and busts means that it is only a matter of time,' said finance director Nicholas Scarles.

The comments came as Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England, warned that foreign investment in UK commercial property had dried up amid uncertainty over Britain's future in the European Union.

He said commercial property transactions fell by around 40 per cent in the first quarter across the country and by around 60 per cent in London.

'Such developments reflect a growing uncertainty about the UK's macroeconomic outlook,' Carney said.

Grosvenor, which dates back to 1677 and owns vast swathes of Mayfair and Belgravia in central London, reported a 23 per cent fall in profits to 527million last year.

However, the value of the Grosvenor property empire, which includes land around the world, rose from 6billion to 6.7billion and rental income increased by 6.5 per cent to 186.7million.
When James Hayward moved in 2011 he was sure the newly built, five-bedroom family house in Halifax, West Yorkshire, was a smart choice.

He'd just got engaged to fiancee Liz and, with a wedding to plan, he was keen to avoid the damp, dodgy circuitry and hidden cracks that so often taint older properties.

But the couple's plans for a settled family life closer to Liz's work in Bradford were scuppered the moment they received the keys.

As soon as they walked through the door, James and Liz discovered holes in the plasterwork, paint was missing from some of the walls, the boiler was hanging off, alarming bulges protruded from the gables and there were dents in the garage door.

Shaky foundations: With too few houses to go round  particularly in urban areas  construction companies are being asked to build more homes, faster

The developer, David Wilson Homes, an upmarket brand owned by housing giant Barratt Homes, apologised and promised to fix the problems.

The couple were assured the repairs would take only a fortnight. But 'two weeks' of dust-covered furniture and disruption quickly turned into 15.

More problems surfaced and the 15 weeks rolled into months . . . and the months into years.

Today, five years on and both now aged 35, James and Liz are still fighting for a finished home. And they aren't the only casualties in the battle to solve Britain's chronic housing shortage.

There are now ten buyers battling it out for each home. Young families scrambling to join the property ladder before prices soar out of reach face competition from buy-to-let landlords and a steady flow of immigrants.

With too few houses to go round  particularly in urban areas  construction companies are being asked to build more homes, faster.

Now, the rush to cash in appears to be behind a spike in complaints about the quality of new-build homes.

2012: The unuseable kitchen shortly after James Hayward moved in to his five-bedroom family house in Halifax, West Yorkshire

2016: Five years on James and Liz are still fighting for repairs to the house built by David Wilson Homes

The National House Building Council, an industry group which provides the warranties covering homes built by most major developers, paid out more than 87 million to nearly 11,000 homeowners in 2015.

The total was up 10 per cent, from 79 million the previous year. Ten years ago it was 37 million  less than half as much.

Experts fear that the quality of new buildings will only deteriorate further as Britain's population swells.

Young buyers often get only a glimpse of a show home before putting down a deposit  and risk later being trapped in housing that is not up to scratch.

Mr Hayward is one of thousands caught out as they struggle to get on the housing ladder

Paula Higgins, of the HomeOwners Alliance campaign group, says: 'Developers are rushing up substandard housing just to keep their shareholders happy. It's a national disgrace.

'We are inundated with complaints from buyers who hoped to find their dream home but ended up purchasing a nightmare.

'As soon as housebuilders make the sale, they see their customers as problems, not people.'

Housebuilders are under a lot of political pressure to expand the number of houses in Britain; before the election, the Conservatives pledged to build one million new homes by 2020.

It's a tall order. There were 219,000 new houses built in 2008, but numbers plummeted when the banks stopped lending so much and the recession took hold.

In 2013, the numbers hit a post-war low, before recovering to 152,000 last year. That's still far below the 250,000 new homes a year experts say are needed to meet the Government's target.

In Greater London, where average prices have hit 530,000, housing charity Shelter has recommended building into restricted Green Belt countryside to provide space for new homes. And ministers are reportedly considering forcing developers that buy publicly owned land to build on it more quickly.

The average time it takes to build a new house has jumped from 24 to 32 weeks, but the Government is desperate to slash that.

In February, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis blasted developers' efforts as 'not good enough', claiming they should be able to build a house in three to four weeks.

As developers strive to meet these targets they're struggling to find enough qualified staff. Many older, experienced builders quit the industry during the downturn, and attracting young replacements has proved difficult

A survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors says it is the industry's greatest skills crisis since 1998.

Work in progress: Scaffolding surrounds the five-bedroom property during Mr and Mrs Hayward's five-year battle to get the problems fixed

There are also 19,000 fewer building firms today than when the recession struck in 2009. It puts enormous weight of responsibility on the major developers, and their bosses admit too much is expected of them.

Pete Redfern, chief executive of major developer Taylor Wimpey, says it is 'frustrating' to be told to go faster.

He says developers are 'sometimes rightly accused of accelerating those early stages [of building] too much'.

But builders are also going at breakneck speed to satisfy profit-hungry bosses and shareholders. They know there are huge amounts of money to be made if they can meet more of the demand for homes.

Money Mail understands that the standard of workmanship can plummet when a company faces a big deadline, such as the end of its financial year.

This is when all its sales and costs must be totted up and declared to shareholders. It means buildings are sometimes finished in a rush and sold earlier than they should be.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the chief executive of one major British developer says: 'Some developers do rush to get sales completed before their deadlines. It can be a real problem.'

Not so sweet: Andy Bell and wife Victoria outside the problem home they bought from Persimmon Homes

Regrets: Andy Bell at home with his wife Victoria and daughter Sophia, 5. The 28-year-old manufacturing worker, thought a new-build house would provide a stress-free move

CUT THE COST OF OWNING A HOME WITH A BETTER MORTGAGE Getting the right mortgage is essential to making sure buying a home is as affordable as possible. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of options out there, so, as well as doing your own research, this is an occasion to search out expert opinion from a good mortgage broker. This is Moneys best buy table (right) highlights quite how low the best two-year fixed mortgages have fallen. Our mortgage calculator and best buys table can show you a full list of the best deals that suit your circumstances. Check to see if you can find a cheaper mortgage here. You can also get fee-free advice from our carefully chosen mortgage broker partner London & Country. Those on the hunt for the best rates and wondering whether to fix or track - or how long to fix for - should also read This is Money's regularly updated What next for mortgage rates?

Could it be worse depending on when in the year you buy?

The source thinks the time of year the Haywards chose to buy might have exacerbated their troubles. James and Liz bought in June, which just happens to be the final month of Barratt Homes's financial year.

Barratt declined to comment when Money Mail put this point to it.

James, a management consultant, says nothing seemed to help convince Barratt to resolve the blizzard of problems. In desperation, he set up a website called mydavidwilsonhome.co.uk to record photographs and letters from his dispute.

He is now pursuing Barratt for the money he and Liz spent on hotels (around 150 a night) when the builders were fixing their home.

James says he was offered 3,000 if he agreed to sign a gagging order to stop him speaking out. He refused and says the offer was then withdrawn.

After creating his website, James discovered Barratt had bought up a host of sites about itself, including barratthomessucks.co.uk and ihate davidwilson.com. It means other disgruntled customers cannot use these web addresses.

He feels the developer has spent more time covering its own back than addressing his problems.

'This has had a massive, long-term, negative effect on our lives,' he says. 'We got engaged. We were going to get married. We moved house in 2011, yet we only got married last year because of all the stress.'

This has had a massive, long-term, negative effect on our lives

Andy Bell ran into troubles with his first property, bought from Persimmon Homes last July.

Fed up of renting a mould-infested flat with his wife and stepdaughter, he was determined to get on the housing ladder and fell in love with a new property in Andover, Hampshire.

The 28-year-old manufacturing worker, who is doing an engineering degree with the Open University, thought a new-build house would provide a stress-free move.

He used the Help to Buy scheme and his mother gave him cash for a deposit out of her pension pot.

'I liked the layout of the area, the local school was superb and it was the ideal location for me and my work,' he says.

'The show homes were immaculate. But in terms of our own property, I didn't see it until I got the keys.'

When Andy went into his new garage, he was confronted by a building site. Tools and rubble were strewn across the floor.

Inside the home itself, there was a hole in one of the walls, a wonky window and a damaged kitchen.

His wife Victoria broke down in tears at the thought of having to move in with her five-year-old, Sophia.

'It's been a nightmare,' says Andy. 'It's put my university work behind and I've had to take time off work.'

The problems are finally being tackled by Persimmon after Mr Bell appealed to his MP and the Press, but it took nine stressful months to resolve.

John Gosling ran into problems after buying a 250,000 Barratt house in Milton Keynes in June 2010.

The 49-year-old moved into the four-bedroom home with his wife and daughter so his recently widowed mother could live with them, too.

But soon, a host of problems revealed themselves. Badly finished skirting boards and poorly fixed radiators were the first issues he spotted.

Disaster zone: John Gosling in front of the Barratt home he bought in Milton Keynes in 2010 which was plagued with problems

Then, knots started appearing in all the woodwork; John believes this is because paint was put on badly. The dishwasher leaked, too.

But the biggest problem of all was the creaking floors.

'You could be sitting downstairs, and if someone walks across the floor above you'll just hear a 'crack, crack' noise,' says John. 'They've torn the ceilings out twice to try to fix it.'

John says he has had builders in more than 20 times.

The work has taken a toll on his family. 'There's very little appreciation of what it's doing to you,' he says.

'They play this game with people where, at first, they make you think they sold you something special. They want to see how cheaply they can make the houses before too many people start complaining and they start losing money.'

You could be sitting downstairs, and if someone walks across the floor above you'll just hear a 'crack, crack' noise

The housebuilders say what happened to James, Andy and John was unusual.

Persimmon says it sold 14,572 houses in 2015 and 'the overwhelming majority' went to 'satisfied customers'.

A spokesman says: 'In the event there are issues to be resolved, such as in the case of Mr Bell's property in Andover, Persimmon's sales, construction and customer care teams work closely with the buyer to ensure these are addressed in a timely manner.

'We acknowledge that some of Mr Bell's concerns have taken longer to resolve than we would ideally like. However, throughout the process we have maintained regular communication with him.'

A spokesman for Barratt says: 'We are working closely with Mr Hayward to rectify his issues. We recognise there have been a number of them, but have always worked hard to resolve them and are doing so for the few remaining items.

'We have completed the outstanding issues for Mr Gosling as part of our new homes warranty and have fully investigated his concerns through our customer complaints procedure. There is one outstanding issue which is currently being reviewed by the National House Building Council.
Advertisement

In the Philippines circumcision is a tradition for boys who are just about to enter their teenage years. Uncircumcised boys often end up being teased by their peers but as these images show, the price of social acceptance is a painful one.

Circumcision is traditionally associated with Muslim and Jewish culture but the ritual of 'tuli' is common in the Philippines, where the majority of people are Roman Catholic.

This week 300 boys began the traditional journey into adulthood in a single mass circumcision exercise at a school in Marikina City, east of the Filipino capital Manila.

Afterwards they are encouraged to wear loose skirt-like clothing and in the local Tagalog language the swelling which follows the operation is known as pangangamatis, which translates as 'becoming like a tomato'.

The World Health Organization reports estimates 30 to 33 per cent of men aged 15 or over are circumcised but in the Philippines the figure is 93 per cent.

Five years ago 1,500 boys were circumcised on the same day in Marikina City but the Guinness Book of Records rejected an application 'due to hygiene considerations and risks'.

Be a big brave boy: A youth grimaces as a doctor in the Philippines carries out a circumcision operation on top of a classroom table at a school in Marikina City, east of the capital Manila

What have we left ourselves in for? The looks on these little boys' faces say it all. They look on in horror as one of their classmates goes under the knife. Circumcision involves the removal of the foreskin with a very sharp knife under local anaesthetic.

It will all be over soon, son: A father comforts his son a nurse performs the operation on his foreskin. Classrooms were converted into operating rooms during a school holiday for the mass circumcision in Marikana City this week

Blood brothers: Circumcision, known as tuli, is a coming of age ritual for boys in the Philippines. Although it is a Catholic country it is thought the tradition dates from the middle ages, when the archipelago was largely Muslim

The gentler sex: A doctor and a nurse perform the operation on a boy in a school building, where sheets provide a modicum of privacy. The Philippines government funds an annual Operation Tuli to ensure circumcisions are carried out hygienically

Back to school: Most of April is traditionally a holiday in the Philippines and schools are often converted into makeshift operating theatres to enable as many circumcisions as possible to be performed. Let us hope they clean up properly afterwards

A stitch in time: Traditionally those undergoing circumcision were given some guava leaves to chew but nowadays the boys are given local anaesthetics to numb the groin area

All in this together: A boy pulls a face as his classmates also undergo circumcision. The World Health Organization says circumcision can reduce the risk of heterosexual men getting HIV by 60 per cent

No classes today: School desks were converted into operating tables for the mass circumcision in Marikana City. The town, just east of Manila, is known as being the shoemaking capital of the Philippines

I can't face it: The circumcision operation can be done in only a few minutes. But it probably seems like an eternity for this young lad

Holy hell: A young boy writhes in pain as a doctor carries out the operation. Circumcision was encouraged in 19th century Britain by the Victorian authorities who believed it might discourage masturbation, which they believed to be a sin

Family support: Fathers and mothers accompany their sons as they wait their turn for the operation. Uncircumcised boys are sometimes teased by their peers so the pain is worth it for the social acceptance

Will it be over soon? The vast majority of boys are circumcised in the Philippines. But a British judge ruled this week that boys in the UK should not be circumcised until they are old enough to make the choice for themselves
The majority of those who arrived in 2014 and 2015 were Central American

But data shows 80 percent are sent to sponsors who are in the U.S. illegally

The U.S. says it places the children regardless of adults' immigration status

The vast majority of immigrant children who arrive alone at the U.S. border are placed by the government with adults who are in the country illegally, federal data has revealed.

The U.S. government has long said that it places the children with family and friends regardless of immigration status.

But since more children began arriving on the border in 2014, officials have not revealed how often those sponsors had legal papers.

The vast majority of immigrant children who arrive alone at the U.S. border are placed by the government with adults who are in the country illegally, data has shown. Pictured are migrants from Central America in Texas

In response to a Freedom of Information Act request by the Associated Press, the Department of Health and Human Services provided data showing that 80 percent of the 71,000 mostly Central American children placed between February 2014 and September 2015 were sent to sponsors who were not here legally.

Another 6 percent were placed with adults who had temporary protected status, a U.S. government program that has let some Central American citizens stay and work in the country legally for more than a decade.

Four percent were sponsored by American citizens and 1 percent by immigrants facing deportation proceedings.

Many of the others were placed with sponsors who had other forms of legal status or who have filed immigration applications.

Tens of thousands of children from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras began arriving on the border in Texas in 2014, overwhelming border officials, overflowing government shelters and further backlogging the country's immigration courts.

Once apprehended by border agents, the children were placed in the care of Health and Human Services in line with U.S. law until caseworkers could screen and select suitable sponsors to care for them.

Republican lawmakers have blamed the border influx on Obama administration policies they say encourage kids to leave their countries and come here.

They say releasing unaccompanied children to sponsors who lack legal papers encourages illegal immigration and reduces the chances the children will attend deportation hearings in immigration court.

Immigrant advocates say the minors are fleeing violence and should be granted asylum. The top priority for children, they say, is to be placed with parents or close relatives so they can get on stable footing in the U.S. Any effort to deport sponsors might spook them from coming forward and put the children at risk.

Immigrants from El Salvador who entered the country illegally walk through a bus terminal after they were released from a family detention center in San Antonio, Texas in 2015

Immigration status is not a factor in determining whether someone can sponsor a child. But sponsors are asked their status, and those in the country illegally must provide a backup plan to care for the children if they are deported.

U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, said he was not surprised by the data.

He blamed current policies for the surge on the border, but did not say whether placing children with sponsors who are here illegally created any additional problems.

'Since the president refuses to enforce our immigration laws, unlawful immigrants in the United States consistently pay criminal organizations along the border thousands of dollars to smuggle their family members into the United States,' he said in a statement.

Republican Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat from California and a Judiciary Committee member, said the government is required to find a safe home and guardian for children. Immigration status shouldn't matter, she said.

'If you were here as a legal resident or a U.S. citizen, you would petition for your child,' she said. 'Their only route is political asylum. It is not the visa system.'

During the 20-month period covered by the data, more than half of unaccompanied children were released to a parent. Many others were placed with siblings, aunts and uncles.

Potential sponsors must provide proof of identity and their relationship to the child and undergo screening and background checks. In some cases, the department's Office of Refugee Resettlement conducts a home study to determine if the placement is safe.

The vast majority of those arriving unaccompanied are from Central American countries, the data showed. File image used

The office has collected information about sponsors' immigration status since at least 2005, the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement. Sponsors who are not the children's parents also are fingerprinted.

'The safety and well-being of every child in our care is of paramount importance at every stage,' the statement said.

The statistics were culled from a database created in January 2014, according to the department.

Geyso Lemus from El Salvador said she didn't know what would happen to her 10-year-old son when he landed at a shelter in Illinois in 2014 because she didn't have legal papers, but a government social worker quickly put her at ease.

Two weeks later, she said, her son was sent to live with her in Southern California. He has since been granted asylum.
Suspect has been charged with drug possession with intent to supply

This is the moment a policeman appeared to repeatedly punch a 17-year-old suspected drug dealer while he was pinned down by four other officers.

The footage, captured near Earls Court in west London, also appears to show the officer bounce the suspect's head on the pavement.

Witnesses said the teenager, who has since been charged with drugs offences, was dragged from his moped during a chase on Saturday.

As officers tried to put him in cuffs one appeared to throw at least two punches while screaming in his face as a colleague yelled repeatedly: 'Stop resisting, now'.

Drama: This is the moment an office appeared to punch a suspect (circled) in dramatic footage captured on Earls Court Road in London just before 4pm on Saturday

Account: One witness, who did not want to be named, told MailOnline: 'The cops were very heavy-handed. The lad wasn't resisting and one of them was punching him in the face - even though he still had his helmet on'

One witness, who did not want to be named, told MailOnline: 'The cops were very heavy-handed. The lad wasn't resisting and one of them was punching him in the face - even though he still had his helmet on.'

The suspect was surrounded by police on his moped at around 4pm on Saturday - when he tried to make a getaway he was pulled off the bike.

After a two or three-minute struggle, officers opened the youth's bag and found a 'massive' amount of drugs, one bystander said.

They told MailOnline: 'I saw him try to get away and the cops just grabbed him and pulled him off the bike.

'The bike went flying and they got him on the ground and started laying into him - one of the cops gave it to him.

'I thought it was a bit much. But I could smell the weed before they even opened the bag - there was a lot there.'

Raid: The suspect was surrounded by police on his moped when he tried to make a getaway, before he was pulled of his moped

In court: The youth was arrested and charged with possession of both Class A and Class B drugs with intent to supply

The witness said there was a large bag of what appeared to be marijuana and another which contained 'white powder'.

At one point, the suspect can be heard shouting, 'I'm not resisting bruv,' after the officer appears to slam his head into the ground.

Another concerned bystander can be heard telling police 'you're hurting him'.

A Met Police spokesman told MailOnline: 'A 17-year old youth will appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court on May 9.

'The youth was charged with one count of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (Cocaine) and class B (Cannabis), following his arrest on Saturday in Earls Court Road.

'We have viewed the footage provided by MailOnline. Police officers are taught a limited number of techniques which include distraction and dysfunction strikes in order to carry out their lawful duties.

'However, as with all uses of force, officers must be able to account for their actions to show it was reasonable in the circumstances.'
In my few experiences of snowboarding hurtling vertically down a steep slope was exactly the opposite of what I wanted to achieve. I would edge my way carefully down, terrified that the slightest wrong move would result in a sore behind and a red face.

Needless to say these fears are not faced by British snowboarding superman, Jamie Barrow, 23, who recently broke the record snowboarding speed record.

At a mind-boggling speed of 94.4mph, Barrow flies down a piste in the Alpine resort of Vars in France.

Superman: Jamie Barrow, 23, recently broke the record snowboarding speed record

Zoom! At a mind-boggling speed of 94.4mph, Barrow flies down a piste in the Alpine resort of Vars in France

That's faster than the UK's maximum driving speed limit of 70mph. At at least then you're encased inside the safety of the car.

It's also faster than the winds of Storm Henry which recently wrecked the power of 2,000 British homes.

He hurtles down the mountain without any attempt to slow his speed - or indeed care for his safety as one dreads to think what could happen if it all went wrong.

The cameraman's work is also pretty impressive, keeping up with the snowboarder, collecting breathtaking footage.

Nevertheless Barrow, who broke the record last time with 94.2mph, actually hoped to surpass 100mph this time round - better luck next time.

Daredevil: He hurtles down the mountain without any attempt to slow his speed - or indeed care for his safety as one dreads to think what could happen if it all went wrong

Brave: Nevertheless Barrow, who broke the record last time with 94.2mph, actually hoped to surpass 100mph this time round - better luck next time

However, as astounded as you and I might be, this incredible record is in fact only the British one.

The world speed record on a snowboard is held by Frenchman Edmond Plawczyk.

He set an incredible 126.309mph at Vars in April last year.

But world records have far from eluded Barrow, who hails from Bath. In February he set a new Guinness World Record of 62mph for the fastest speed on a snowboard while being towed by a car in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Makes you wonder what you'd achieved by 23, hey?

Nailed it! However, as astounded as you and I might be, this incredible record is in fact only the British one. The world speed record on a snowboard is held by Frenchman Edmond Plawczyk
He says they will get long-range nuclear missiles 'if they're not stopped'

South Korea has confirmed that North Korea has successfully created miniaturised nuclear warheads as a leading US general said it is only a matter of time before Pyongyang builds long-rang missiles capable of hitting America and Japan.

General Vincent Brooks told the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was determined to build rockets that could target the United States.

He said: 'It's very clear through the parades that they've done, what systems they have and some of the attempted launches that ... over time, I believe we're going to see them acquire these capabilities if they're not stopped.'

Last month North Korean state media published this image of Kim Jong-un standing beside what it claimed was one of its first miniaturised nuclear warheads

Last month North Korean media published images showing Kim standing next to what it said was a miniaturised weapon.

Miniaturisation is achieved when the nuclear warhead weighs less than 2,200lb and the diameter of the bomb measures 35 inches or less.

Kim was also quoted as saying: 'We must always be ready to fire our nuclear warheads at any time.'

A South Korean government report has confirmed North Korea had miniaturised a 660lb nuclear warhead.

The National Assembly Research Service said the warheads could be mounted on missiles, contradicting statements put out by South Korea's defence ministry last month when they said North Korea had not reached a stage where they could mount nuclear weapons on ballistic missiles.

The Seoul Shinmun newspaper said the report concluded the North now had between eight and 20 miniaturised warheads and it said the defence ministry's estimates were 'too conservative'.

General Vincent Brooks, pictured in 2013, has warned that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is determined to build rockets that could one day reach as far as the United States

Senator John McCain, who chairs the Senate committee, asked General Brooks how concerned he was about the 'immaturity and unpredictability of the rotund ruler in Pyongyang'.

General Brooks, replied: 'I'm very concerned about the direction he's going, and it's evident that he's not yet deterred from his pursuit.'

The US has kept thousands of troops in South Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

The two Koreas technically remain at war, because the conflict ended in an armistice instead of a peace treaty.

Timeline of Kim Jong-un's progress in developing nuclear weapons

China supported the North in the Korean War but Beijing eschewed hardline communism and embraced free market economics in the 1990s and it has become increasingly exasperated by the antics of Kim, who came to power after the death of his father Kim Jong-il in 2011.

There are around 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea, who are intended as a deterrent to any North Korean adventurism.

General Brooks said of North Korea's plans to build submarine-launched ballistic missiles: 'While they have not been successful, this is like watching someone ride a bike and falling off of it, but eventually they could become a BMX champion.'

Pyongyang last week conducted a test of what appeared to be a medium-range missile, but the rocket suffered a catastrophic failure on launch.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un smiles as he visits a test firing of a new multiple launch rocket system in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) last month

Washington and Seoul are discussing deploying a sophisticated Theater High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD), to protect against ballistic missiles from the North.

The South Korean government report pointed out that it took the US seven years to miniaturise a nuclear warhead back in the 1960s while the Soviet Union took six and China only two years.

North Korea is thought to be planning another nuclear test in the run-up to its next Party Congress on May 7.

South Korean defence ministry spokesman Moon Sang-kyun said their military is on standby for any provocations.

But South Korean analyst Yang Moo-jin told CBS News that China could pressure North Korea into postponing another nuclear test.
Merritt is under electronic monitoring and is due in court next month

A judge reduced Merritt's bond to zero Tuesday, allowing him to go home

A man charged in freeway shootings that rattled Phoenix last year has been released from jail after his defense questioned the ballistic evidence used to link him to the case.

Authorities arrested Leslie Merritt Jr in September last year, saying he had committed four of the shootings.

Merritt, then 21 years old, had adamantly denied it, telling a judge: 'I'm the wrong guy.'

A judge released his bond to zero on Tuesday, allowing Merritt to go home after seven months of custody.

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Leslie Merritt Jr (pictured in November last year talking to his attorney) spent six months in custody after being arrested in connection to the freeway shootings that hit 11 vehicles in Phoenix last year

Merritt's defense said ballistic tests had shown no match linking him to the shootings according to an expert prosecution witness.

'With all due respect your honor, there's no evidence against him to show he's responsible for this,' defense lawyer Jason Lamm said. 'He is no more the I-10 shooter than, respectfully, you are.'

Merritt lifted up his shackled arms in celebration as he walked from the courtroom. Family members hugged defense lawyers and shook their hands after the hearing.

'I am just ready to go home and be with my kids,' Merritt said moments after walking out of jail.

A judge had set Merritt's bond at $1 million immediately after his arrest in September. It had been decreased to $150,000 in November.

Judge Warren Granville set a May 18 court date and told Merritt that it's important for him to show up.

'I'll be here sir,' Merritt said.

He has pleaded not guilty to drive-by shooting, aggravated assault and other charges.

Merritt (pictured after his arrest in September last year), then 21, had adamantly denied the shootings at the time. A judge reduced his bail to zero on Tuesday, allowing him to go home

The shootings caused panic on Phoenix-area freeways, where 11 vehicles were hit in August and September.

The head of the Department of Public Safety said the shootings were the work of a domestic terrorist, and authorities heightened patrols and surveillance in pursuit of a suspect.

Governor Doug Ducey declared: 'We got him!' on Twitter five minutes after Merritt's arrest in September.

An attorney for Merritt (pictured in a mugshot) questioned the evidence used to link him to the case

In court the next day, Merritt adamantly denied shooting any cars.

His lawyers immediately began raising questions about the evidence, citing ballistics information and phone records they say provided an alibi for their client.

They also pointed to road rage shootings that happened on Phoenix-area freeways after Merritt was arrested, saying the cases were proof that the culprit was still out there.

Granville has imposed a gag order on lawyers in the case, leading lawyers to say they could not discuss the evidence that prompted the shift in bond.

Arizona Department of Public Safety officials declined to comment, citing the gag order. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office did not immediately return requests for comment.

Lamm told a crowd of reporters outside the courtroom that Merritt was elated and overwhelmed.

'Our client was branded public enemy No. 1, he was called a domestic terrorist and he's been in jail in solitary confinement for seven months, Lamm said. 'Our reaction? We're thrilled.'
A woman who shares striking similarity to Ted Cruz made an appearance on the Maury talk show, prompting an internet frenzy.

The screen grab of the woman who many said resembles Republican presidential candidate Cruz was posted online by a Reddit user.

Not long after the photo was posted, Twitter users began circulating cruel comments with most of them suggesting the woman looked like Cruz in 'drag'.

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The screen grab of a woman (pictured) who resembles Republican presidential candidate Cruz was posted online by a Reddit user

Not long after the photo was posted, Twitter users began circulating cruel comments with most of them suggesting the woman looked like 'Cruz in drag'

Twitter user Abdul tweeted that the woman 'looks like Ted Cruz in drag'

Others said the woman could be Cruz's long lost sister after her appearance on the Maury Show

Others said the woman could be Cruz's long lost sister.

An Instagram account for the show also posted the photo with the caption: 'Ted Cruz @cruzforpresident in drag on Maury?

'The Lie Detector Test determined...that was a LIE! Ted's NOT that SEXY! #PrimaryDay #Maury.'

The photo was also posted on the Maury Show's website as the 'pic of the day'.

Twitter user Abdul tweeted: 'Why this looks like Ted Cruz in drag.'

Another user said that he 'just saw Ted Cruz on Maury'.

Jill Vitale tweeted asking her followers: 'Was Ted Cruz on The Maury Povich show yesterday?'

Both the Republican and Democratic primaries take place on Tuesday night.

The Texas senator, who scored a key win in Wisconsin while hauling in delegates at state conventions in North Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming, is anticipating a drubbing in the New York primary against rival Donald Trump.

Jill Vitale tweeted asking her followers: 'Was Ted Cruz on The Maury Povich show yesterday?'

Senior editor at The Daily Beast tweeted: 'Ted Cruz is one of the great character actors of our time.' And Cruz is known for his impressions of actors and cartoon characters

Cruz skipped out of New York Monday to attend events in Maryland, which holds its primary on April 26.

Ted Cruz boasted Monday morning that he has won 'landslides' in the last five states to award Republican convention delegates, even though only one of those states held a popular-vote election.

Cruz said that 'in all likelihood we're going to go into a contested convention,' predicting that Trump won't be able to collect the 1,237 delegates

'There have been a total of five states that have voted in the last three weeks,' he claimed during a town hall event on Good Morning America.

'In those states, starting with Utah, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado and Wyoming, 1.3 million people voted in those states. And he lost all five. We have won five in a row, and Donald's upset so he's throwing a fit.'

Cruz reiterated moments later that in 'five states in a row, we've won landslides over and over and over again'.

On Tuesday, Cruz is scheduled to appear at a campaign rally in Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania.

Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Connecticut all hold elections on the 26th.

Cruz said Monday on ABC that 'in all likelihood we're going to go into a contested convention,' predicting that Trump won't be able to collect the 1,237 delegates ahead of time that would constitute the slimmest possible majority.

'Donald cannot win and we do not want to nominate somebody who's a loser in November,' he boasted.

He also ruled out the possibility of joining forces with his arch-rival by accepting the vice presidential nomination on a Trump ticket.

'I have zero interest whatsoever. And there are a lot of reasons,' he said in response to a town hall quesiton.

Cruz also said that despite being known for doing impressions of actors and cartoon characters, 'I don't have a Donald impression.'
Josh Raby (pictured) tweeted about his bizarre experience at a local McDonald's in Tennessee, which he said he made up

A Tennessee man who wrote about his strange drive-thru experience at McDonalds on Twitter last week fabricated a majority of his story.

Josh Raby of Clarksville became a viral sensation when he tweeted about his 1 a.m. trip to the fast food chain to order a milkshake that took an unexpected turn when the employee reportedly told Raby he lost his wife.

Raby said that the only true element to his story is that he ordered a milkshake and that he was offered an apple pie instead since the milkshake machine was broken, according to USA Today.

'If you are wondering what I'm getting at, this is gonna be the part of the viral story where the person tells you they made a lot of it up,' Raby tweeted last Wednesday.

After Raby's story earned him thousands of new Twitter followers, it also caused panic for McDonald's employee Eric Larson who operates McDonalds locations in Tennessee.

Larson and his wife Mabel told the Tennessean that they would be reviewing store footage to test the validity of the story.

Mabel told the paper she was highly skeptical about the story being true after it first came out.

'He sounds like a yo-yo, idiot person. It sounds too crazy to believe,' she said.

Got his milkshake: Raby said last Wednesday that he finally got his milkshake along with a few laughs after his made up story about a McDonald's drive-thru experience went viral

Fake: 'If you are wondering what I'm getting at, this is gonna be the part of the viral story where the person tells you they made a lot of it up,' Raby said in one of his tweets on Wednesday

Humor: Raby tweeted that he wrote the story because he wanted to make his Twitter followers laugh. He never imagines he would gain as much traction as he did

Good sport: According to Raby's Twitter, McDonald's picked him up in a limo and took him to McDonald's to get a milkshake to show that there were no hard feelings

Invitation: 'Thanks for being such a good sport and joining us today for a ride to remember. So, sit back and relax and let's try this milkshake run one more time,' reads a note from McDoanld's

After Raby admitted to making 'writerly choices' in telling the story, Eric Larson told USA Today: 'I'm very happy the truth came out from Raby. The reputation of McDonald's, my employees, my family and my community are very important to me.'

'I'm very happy he let everyone know it was a creative writing joke,' he added.

Larson tweeted of his tall tale: 'I spent 8 minutes in a McDonald's drive-thru, I met three sweet and lovely people, and then I tried to make my 740 Twitter followers laugh. I am a man who writes funny and stupid stories about weird southern characters, I hope one day, for a living.'

He also tweeted: 'I am a man who writes funny and stupid stories about weird southern characters, I hope one day, for a living.'

Made jokes: Raby tweeted on April 13 that his story was just meant to be a joke

According to Raby's Twitter, McDonald's picked him up in a limo and took him to McDonald's to get a milkshake to show that there were no hard feelings.

'Thanks for being such a good sport and joining us today for a ride to remember. So, sit back and relax and let's try this milkshake run one more time,' reads a note from McDoanld's that he posted on his Twitter along with photos of his red carpet visit.

Josh Raby's April 10 story begins with him pulling up to order. Raby said he was greeted by the cashier on a speaker saying: ''Hey holy s*** hello, you are at McDonald's, and I am begging your patience.'

This odd opening line threw Josh off a bit and he tweeted that he wasn't sure how to respond.

'Um, OK you can have it,' he replied.

The man came back on the speaker and said: 'Praise you.'

Josh said he sat in his car for a minute before the man returned and asked what he would like to order.

'Milkshake,' Josh replied, momentarily forgetting to tell the man what kind he wanted.

The tall tale begins with a simple craving for milkshakes at 1am, which prompted Josh to drive to a Clarksville, Tennessee McDonald's

The man told Josh he needed a minute and disappeared again.

After another few moments, the man on the drive-thru speaker returned.

The man told him he couldn't do the milkshake but he instead offered an apple pie, of which he had 'many'.

'Do not ask me why I did this but the next words out of my mouth were: "Are you OK",' Josh tweeted.

After a few odd exchanges with the drive-thru worker, he tells the man he wants a milkshake but fails to mention what kind

The man told Josh he was 'not OK'.

'Would you please tell me your order so I can try to punch it in? I will be very slow, but I will get it,' the man said.

Josh tweeted: 'I tell him not to worry, I am not upset, and at this point for some reason I order a chicken sandwich.'

The chicken sandwich order confused the man at the drive thru more and it took several tries for him to punch it in correctly, Josh said.

'At one point I guess he gave up because the screen just went black for a while. I hear a deep exhale. "Dude I lost my wife",' the man said to Josh.

Taken aback by this, Josh sympathetically apologized to the man.

Strange: The drive-thru worker's bizarre demeanor causes Josh to ask if the man is 'OK', which he says he isn't

'Please describe your chicken sandwich to me again so I can succeed at one thing,' Josh tweeted the man replied.

Josh tweeted the man finally figured out the chicken sandwich order, then began to feel guilty about not being able to provide a milkshake.

He asked Josh if he could sell him an apple pie instead, again.

Josh agreed.

Josh is talked into ordering something other than his milkshake when the drive-thru worker is unable to make it

A moment later Josh said the man returned screaming into his headset.

"I FOUND HER! THANK GOD!" the man said, according to Josh.

Josh asked the man what he found and he replied: 'MY WIFE. SHE WAS WATCHING ME FROM BEHIND THE BOXES!'

Josh interjected into his tweets that he had now been sitting at the McDonald's for 22 minutes, ordered a chicken sandwich and apple pie he didn't want and did not have a milkshake.

'"Can you give me my total?" I say because honestly I don't know if I want to understand his marriage or if I even could and I just want to go,' Josh tweeted.

The man begins shouting when he says his wife has been 'found'. Apparently she was watching him the whole time

The man's wife then tried to convince Josh to buy two apple pies for a discount. Josh agreed and after a few more moments he drove to the window to find the man and his wife making out like teens.

He says the couple had to be in their mid-40s.

'I am then treated to a story about how they met at a McDonald's that is very short and is really only "we met at McDonald's in 1993",' he tweeted.

He noted he had now been at the McDonald's for 37 minutes.

Josh paid for the meal and drove up to the next window.

'So listen I get my card and drive ahead to the next window and THERE IS A WHOLE SEPARATE F****** HUMAN AT THAT WINDOW.

'He hands me my bag, leans out the window and says "you get to drive away" then promptly shuts the window and sits on a stool, head in hands,' Josh said.

The final tweet reads: 'My chicken sandwich was wrong, by the way

The wife then convinces Josh to order an extra apple pie, which he agrees to but isn't sure why he's being convinced to buy another dessert he doesn't want

When Josh drives around he sees the couple, in their mid-40s according to him, making out like teenagers

'I respectfully submit the following':Since he tweeted out the story, Josh has had to prove that the encounter happened and sent this twitpic

Josh's friend tweeted out this picture saying he 'finally got his milkshake', although it appears to be an ice coffee




Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, is urging junior doctors to reconsider completely withdrawing care due to the 'risks' and 'implications' for patients

Junior doctors are being warned by their professional regulator against an all-out strike as hospitals will 'struggle to cope'.

The General Medical Council is urging them to reconsider completely withdrawing all care due to the 'risks' and 'implications' for patients.

On Tuesday and Wednesday next week, junior doctors are due to stage the first ever all-out strike in the NHS's history and refuse to treat even emergency patients.

Yesterday, the head of their professional regulator intervened by urging them to 'pause' and consider calling off the action altogether.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the GMC, said: 'We ask every doctor contemplating further and escalated industrial action to pause and consider again the possible implications for patients.

He added that 'given the scale and repeated nature of what is proposed''some hospitals may struggle to cope..'

Mr Dickson said doctors should return to work in 'good faith' if their hospital is suddenly overwhelmed and 'patients are at risk'.

A spokesman for the GMC stressed that doctors would not breach their professional guidelines by going on strike as they have a legal right.

But if a patient died in an understaffed ward deserted by junior doctors, they could be referred to the GMC and, in theory, struck off.

British Medical Association yesterday promised to call of next week's strikes if the Government agreed not to impose their controversial new contract.

But ministers refused and said it wasn't credible for the union to try and negotiate a new deal when they had walked out of talks in the first place.

British Medical Association yesterday promised to call of next week's strikes if the Government agreed not to impose their controversial new contract

The row centres on a new contract for junior doctors that will see them working more weekend shifts, for lower hourly rates of pay.

The sticking point has been Saturday pay, with the union demanding that doctors receive premium hourly rates which are 30 per cent higher.

The BMA yesterday wrote to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt (pictured) offering to call off the action if he agreed to halt the imposition of the contract

Junior doctors have so far staged four 'emergency care only' strikes since January which have led to the cancellation of 25,000 operations.

The BMA yesterday wrote to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt offering to call off the action if he agreed to halt the imposition of the contract.

Dr Johann Malawana, chair of the Junior Doctor Committee, said: 'This is a clear offer in a bid to avert industrial action.

'Simply put, if the Government agrees to lift the imposition, junior doctors will call of next week's action.

'With preparations under way for the first full-walk out of doctors in this country, the Government cannot continue to stick its head in the sand.

'It must now listen to the many voices raising concerns about its mishandled plans and do what it has refused to for far too long: put patients first, get back around the table and end this dispute through talks.'

But Mr Hunt wrote back saying it wasn't 'credible' for the union to call for talks when they were still refusing to accept lower pay rates on Saturdays.
Fitting an overseas trip into a long weekend seems just about impossible for many Australians, but Flight Centre has put together a list of the best destinations to try when time is at a premium.

Aussie travellers often complain about the distance involved in reaching overseas destinations, but with flying times as short as two hours from Australia's east coast to Noumea, or under three hours from Darwin to Bali, a long-weekend break on foreign soil is easier than you think.

Flight Centre has collated flight duration and departure times to destinations including Hawaii, New Caledonia, Fiji and New Zealand to show how to get the maximum time on the ground over a three-day holiday weekend.

Nadi in Fiji would be an ideal long weekend break over the Anzac Day weekend for people in NSW

ANZAC DAY

Dates: Friday 22 - Monday, 25 April.

Where: Nadi, Fiji.

Time in destination: Departing Melbourne: three days, nine hours and 45 minutes; Departing Sydney: three days, 6 hours and 10 minutes; Departing Brisbane: three days and 50 minutes; Departing Adelaide: two days, nine hours and 40 minutes.

How to get there: There are direct flights to Nadi from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, but the departure times vary by city.

There are direct flights to Nadi from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, but the departure times vary by city

MAY DAY (Northern Territories only)

Dates: Friday 29 April - Monday 2, May.

Where: Bali.

Time in destination: Departing Darwin: three days, five hours and 30 minutes.

How to get there: Your flight time is about two hours, 30 minutes but you'll need to take a mixed carrier flight - Air Asia on the way over, Jetstar on the way back - to maximise the schedule to your advantage. You'll have over three full days in the destination and not need to take any time off work by catching the 8pm flight there on the Friday night that lands at 9pm local time before jetting home on the 2:30am departure on Tuesday May 3 that lands back home at 6:35am.

The flight time is an easy two hours and 30 minutes to Bali

Tourists will get three full days in Bali and not need to take any time off work

LABOUR DAY (Queensland only)

Dates: Friday, April 29 - Monday 2, May .

Where: Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Time in destination: Departing Brisbane: two days, 21 hours and 40 minutes.

How to get there: Pick up a return airfare flying Air Vanuatu with your departure time at 7:10pm on Friday 29 April getting you to Vanuatu in 2 hours and 20 minutes at 10:30pm. You will head home again close to three days later on the last service out of Vanuatu that leaves at 4:10pm on the Monday, arriving into Brisbane at 7:40pm.

Port Vila in Vanuatu is a good holiday location if you are living in Queensland

Tourists from Queensland will get nearly three days on Vanuatu

The last flight out of Vanuatu leaves at 4:10pm on the Monday, arriving into Brisbane at 7:40pm

LABOUR DAY (NSW & SA only)

Dates: Friday 30 September - Monday 3, October.

Where: Honolulu, Hawaii.

Time in destination: Departing from Brisbane: three days, two hours and 10 minutes; Departing from Sydney: three days and five minutes; Departing Adelaide: two days, 20 hours and 20 minutes.

How to get there: You'll gain time on the way there, but lose it on the way back, with all options requiring some time off work to make this international long weekend work.

You'll gain time on the way to Honolulu in Hawaii, but lose it on the way back

All options will require some time off work to make this international long weekend in Hawaii work

WA Day (WA only)

Dates: Friday 3 - Monday 6, June.

Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Time in destination: Three days, 11 hours and 35 minutes.

How to get there: This one will require the Friday off work so that you can grab one of the few direct flights of the day and not extend the travel time more than necessary. On the Friday, take the first direct flight out at 6:50am with Air Asia that lands at 12:30pm local time. You'll fly Air Asia on the way back too, again in a direct flight, but you won't need to leave until just after midnight on the Tuesday morning, landing back into Perth at 5:35am.

The Thean Hou Temple is just one attraction you can see in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia

The Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC shopping center are other sights to see in Kuala Lumpur

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY (NT)

Date: Friday 10 - Monday 13, June.

Where: Singapore.

Time in destination: Departing Darwin: three days, four hours and five minutes.

How to get there: Singapore is a great long-weekend option from Darwin, but you will need to take a split carrier flight and a half day on the Friday. We suggest jumping on the last direct flight of the day that leaves at 3:50pm with Virgin Australia and lands in Singapore at 7pm. Your return leg will be the last flight out on the Monday night (with Jetstar) that leaves at 11:05pm, landing back into Darwin at 5.10am on the Tuesday morning.

The Singapore skyline and view of Marina Bay are just some of the attractions in the city

A flight from Darwin will get you three days in Singapore over the Queen's Birthday public holiday weekend

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY (WA only)

Date: Friday 23 - Monday 26, September.

Where: Bali.

Time in destination: two days, 21 hours and five minutes.

How to get there: Return Jetstar flights are the way to go for this long weekend with the good news being you can get direct flights and the flying time is less than four hours. Jump on the 5:50pm departure on the Friday night to land at 9:25pm, then come home on the 6:30pm flight on Monday to get in at 10:10pm.

Return Jetstar flights to Bali are the way to go on the Queen's birthday weekend

GRAND FINAL FRIDAY (Victoria only)

Dates: Thursday 29 September - Sunday 2, October.

Where: Christchurch, New Zealand.

Time in destination: Departing Melbourne: two days, 15 hours and 30 minutes.

How to get there: Return Jetstar flights are best for this long weekend. Having the Friday as the public holiday means you can depart on the Thursday night (on the 11:15pm direct flight that lands the next morning at 5:35am) and won't have to leave again until the last flight out on the Sunday, departing at 9:05pm and landing home at 10:50pm.
Remains of a man found could indicate that he was attacked by a crocodile, as police await the results of a post mortem.

Syeid Alam, 33, was reported missing on April 6 after he didn't return from a fishing trip.

His remains were discovered on Saturday morning on the edge of Splitters Creek in Park Avenue, in Queensland.

His identity was confirmed at a press conference yesterday by CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Moon.

Mr Alam's car, a black Toyota Camry Grande, was found on Thomson St, just up the road.

The remains of Syeid Alam, 33, were found on Saturday morning by the edge of a creek in Park Avenue, Queensland. He was reported missing on April 6

A 'crocodile of concern' was seen in the area months beforehand and was estimate to be around 2 metres long. A project to remove the crocodile had been cancelled

Queensland Police would not comment on whether or not they were considering the idea that Mr Alam was attacked by a crocodile, but are treating the death as suspicious.

Local fisherman told The Morning Bulletin yesterday that there have been a number of sightings of crocodiles in the particular fishing area where Mr Alam's remains were found.

A crocodile declared as a 'crocodile of concern' had been spotted in the area of Fitzroy River Barrage and Moores Creek earlier this year. Believed to be more than two metres in length, the crocodile had been targeted for removal in March.

On March 9 the removal project was cancelled as wildlife officers believed the crocodile had moved on after periods of heavy rain and minor flooding caused strong flows down the Fitzroy River.

Queensland Police are treating the death as suspicious, but would not comment on whether or not they were considering the idea that Mr Alam was attacked by a crocodile

Police are urging anyone with information about Mr Alam or his black Toyota Grande with NSW registration plates to come forward

An autopsy had been scheduled for today but police couldn't confirm if it had been completed or any of its findings, they could confirm that the investigation was ongoing and urged anyone with information to come forward.
The corporate regulator will be given tougher powers and extra funding to take on Australia's big banks who have been caught up in a series of scandals and misdeeds.

Treasurer Scott Morrison is set to announce at least $120 million in additional funding for the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) as part of a suite of measures to boost the corporate regulator.

Tougher civil penalties for wrongdoing and greater powers for ASIC - including a special prosecutor and the ability to hire electronic surveillance experts - are expected as well.

Australia's big banks will be hit with increased levies to fund greater oversight of the corporate sector

Treasurer Scott Morrison is set to announce at least $120 million in additional funding for the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)

The $120 million boost will be funded by levies on banks, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Beefing up the corporate regulator is an attempt by Malcolm Turnbull's government to blunt calls for a royal commission into the banking and financial advice sectors.

The government is under pressure from Labor, voters and even its own MPs to pursue the banks over a series of banking scandals.

Despite polls showing six out of 10 voters back Labor's call for a royal commission, Finance Minister Matthias Cormann insisted people wanted action and not another inquiry that would not reveal anything new.

'They want us to take action and ASIC of course does have all of the investigative powers over a royal commission,' he told ABC TV.

On top of that it had the power to prosecute offenders.

The new system will include an extra commissioner who will have sole responsibility to prosecute banks, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The Australian Securities & Investments Commission will also be cleared to hire IT technicians versed in electronic surveillance.

Malcolm Turnbull (right) and Treasurer Scott Morrison have been under pressure from Labor, voters and even its own MPs to pursue the banks over a series of banking scandals

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten accused the government of holding 'secret' talks with the banks to nut out a plan to avoid a royal commission.

In an opinion piece penned for The Daily Telegraph he said the misdeeds of the banks included forged signatures, tampered documents, sham contracts and fake witnesses.

'Tens of thousands of Australians have been ripped off by our financial institutions - enough is enough,' he wrote.

Mr Shorten said the coalition had reduced funding to ASIC by $120 million, but acknowledged Labor had done the same while it was in government.

And while he agreed the regulator needed to be properly funded, the leader believes 'nothing less' than a royal commission into the banking sector is needed.

On Tuesday, shadow treasurer Chris Bowen says the Coalition government had spent two years with its head in the sand avoiding giving the securities watchdog greater powers.

He said the ASIC had for years been calling for the government to give it more powers, the ability to impose higher penalties, and to expand the protections available to corporate whistle blowers

Nationals senator John Williams isn't backing away from his support for a royal commission, but welcomes the government move to boost ASIC's power and funding.

'This is a step in the right direction,' he told ABC radio, adding a royal commission may be on the agenda in years to come.
The Trump campaign is using 'gestapo tactics' to get the support of Republican National Convention delegates a top surrogate for Ted Cruz's campaign said today.

Cruz surrogate Ken Cuccinelli, the former Virginia attorney general, went after one of Donald Trump's surrogates, Tana Goertz, after she claimed on CNN that team Cruz was 'stealing, lying and bribing people to become delegates.'

'I call foul and BS,' Cuccinelli said. 'Their gestapo tactics include Donald Trump calling for violence in the streets. Their team threatening intimidation of delegates at their hotel rooms, releasing their hotel rooms, death threats to the Colorado GOP chair.'

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Sen. Ted Cruz (left) and Donald Trump (right) had surrogates warring today on cable news over the delegate selection process for the Republican National Convention

Ken Cuccinelli swatted a Donald Trump surrogate and said it was The Donald's campaign that was using 'gestapo tactics' to force delegates to support them

'Threats of frivolous lawsuits from [Paul] Manafort against individual delegates and about credentials,' Cuccinelli continued.

'So they are doing these tactics while accusing others of doing them,' the Cruz supporter added.

The crux of the issue is that delegates heading to the Republican National Convention who are 'bound' to a particular candidate to show voters' will don't have to be supporters of that candidate.

The Cruz team has used this rule and superior organizing to stack the convention with allies who will choose Cruz instead of Trump if the convention gets to a second ballot.

The Washington Post conducted an analysis last week and found that Cruz will pick up, at a minimum, 130 more delegates using this strategy.

Cruz's currently being bested by The Donald by 197 delegates, according to the Wall Street Journal's count.

Even before Trump's campaign caught wind of this strategy they've complained.

Donald Trump surrogate Tana Goertz said Sen. Ted Cruz was 'stealing, lying and bribing people to become delegates'

'I think you'd have riots,' Trump said on CNN on March 16. 'I think you'd have riots. I'm representing a tremendous many, many millions of people.'

Then Trump and company discovered that Cruz supporters were chosen for every delegate slot in the state of Colorado, in which Republican voters didn't have a primary or a caucus.

Missouri voters gave Trump a slight edge and he took home a majority of the delegates, but once those delegates were selected more than half are supporters of Cruz.

GOP strategist Roger Stone, formerly with the Trump campaign who remains one of the billionaire's allies, said he would release the hotel room numbers of delegates so that Trump supporters can harass them.
Donald Trump won New York by a landslide, but one of his youngest fans had to be persuaded to back him instead of Elmo at the polling station.

One-year-old Chloe Sophia joined her father Donald Jr as he cast his ballot a few blocks away from Trump Tower on Tuesday and initially backed her favorite Sesame Street character in an adorable video posted to Instagram.

Meanwhile, Melania Trump cast her vote in Midtown Manhattan - however Ivanka and Eric were nowhere to be seen after failing to register to vote.

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One-year-old Chloe Sophia was perched on her father Don Jr's hip as he cast his ballot a few blocks away from Trump Tower on Tuesday

Don Jr filmed the moment he asked Chloe for her advice on who to back. She replied, 'Elmo'

Don Jr filmed the moment he asked Chloe for her advice on who to back. She replied, 'Elmo'.

'What! Elmo?' the 38-year-old father-of-five exclaimed, suggesting: 'What about grandpa?'

Chloe looks unconvinced, pauses then says 'Elmo'.

Eventually she shows some family support by agreeing they can vote for Donald Trump after Elmo.

Sharing the clip on Instagram, Don Jr wrote: 'They're never too young to get involved.

'Got to take Chloe to vote in today's #nyprimary as she's the only one not in school.

'As a late decider it was a close call for her with grandpa aka @realdonaldtrump edging out Elmo but if you listen close she actually says grandpa before I do and I missed it.

'Too cute.'

Chloe and Don weren't the only family members out on voting day.

Melania Trump was seen casting her vote on Tuesday, wearing sunglasses inside.

Flanked by her security detail, the 45-year-old aspiring First Lady wore a sleek ensemble of white jeans, black t-shirt, and black blazer with stiletto heels to fill out the fateful ticket.

Earlier, her husband appeared at the same voting station to put his own name in the box.

'It's a proud moment. It's a great moment and who would've thought?' Trump told reporters outside the gleaming entrance to Trump tower shortly after voting at a synagogue in midtown Manhattan.

'It's just an honor. My whole reason for doing this is to make America great again,' Trump continued. 'We're a country with tremendous problems and we are going to make America great again.'

And Ivana, Trump's ex-wife, was seen strolling about the city in a leopard print number as voting got under way.

Other members of the large extended family showed their support on social media, including Eric Trump's journalist wife Lara.

Melania Trump was seen casting her vote on Tuesday, wearing sunglasses inside

Flanked by her security detail, the 45-year-old aspiring First Lady wore a sleek ensemble of white jeans, black t-shirt, and black blazer with stiletto heels to fill out the fateful ticket

She then leaned over on the table to fill out her signature in the building in Midtown Manhattan

The 32-year-old tweeted a selfie and her ballot on Tuesday afternoon.

She included an American flag emoji, and the caption: 'Stoked to vote for my father-in-law, @realdonaldtrump today! #Trump2016 #MakeAmericaGreatAgain #TrumpTrain'

Her husband Eric cannot vote for his father because he did not get round to registering.

Nor can Ivanka, Donald's daughter, who did not register to vote either.

Nonetheless, Trump stormed his home state's primary vote against competition Ted Cruz and John Kasich.

He hadn't won a contest since the Arizona primary on March 22, as rival Texas Sen. Ted Cruz scored a key win in Wisconsin while hauling in delegates at state conventions in North Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming.

But tonight's vote swung his way.

Cruz, who came third behind Kasich, chose to spend Monday canvassing in Maryland instead, and spent Tuesday in Pennsylvania.

Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Connecticut all hold elections on the 26th.

Meanwhile Kasich, who has only won one state (his home state of Ohio), visited an oyster house in Pittsburgh.

To win all 95 of New York's delegates, Trump needs more than 50 percent of the vote as well as a majority in each of the state's 27 congressional districts.

Eric Trump's journalist wife Lara posted this endorsement for Donald Trump on Twitter on Tuesday
One of Australia's most iconic outback pubs has hit the market and is being sold with all of the odd paraphernalia left behind by those who have visited the famous watering hole.

The Daly Waters Pub, located in between Darwin and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, has been run by Lindsay Carmichael and his partner Robyne Webster since 1999.

The walls of the pub are lined with hundreds of bras, underwear, beer stickers, artificial limbs, x-rays and plaster casts, which have all been left behind by people who have stopped by the pub over the last 17 years.

The Daly Waters Pub, located in between Darwin and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, has been run by Lindsay Carmichael and his partner Robyne Webster since 1999

Mr Carmichael, who admits he still finds objects he has never seen before after all these years, said all of the paraphernalia inside the pub would be included in the sale.

'Everything inside the pub except some personal items will become the new owner's gear; they can do with it what they wish,' he told the ABC.

'We actually had some girls put some knickers up yesterday afternoon.'

The trend started back in the 1980s when a bus load of women left behind their bras after they lost a bet with their driver and has continued until this day.

'Some take them off at the bar others are a little more discreet. Many males stare with mouths open wide in wonderment at the huge assortment of cup sizes. A couple of pairs have been likened to hammocks,' the pub's website reads.

The iconic outback pub has hit the market and comes complete with all of the odd paraphernalia left behind by those who have visited the famous watering hole

The walls of the pub are lined with hundreds of bras, underwear, beer stickers, artificial limbs, x-rays and plaster casts, which have all been left behind by people who have stopped by the pub over the last 17 years

The trend started back in the 1980s when a bus load of women left behind their bras after they lost a bet with their driver and has continued until this day

Everything inside the pub except some personal items will become the new owner's gear, according to owner Lindsay Carmichael

'All the memorabilia is washed regular because the pub has no windows just screens.

'People just feel they need to leave a part of themselves here. The walls strain with other people's treasures. Who packs an Irish Hurling stick in their luggage? An Irishman.'

The sale of the pub includes a public bar, restaurant and bistro, motel accommodation, caravan park, camping ground and fuel bowsers.

It is located 600km south of Darwin and 900km north of Alice Springs.

The pub was built back in 1930 and has witnessed its fair share of 'murders, shoot outs in the main street, cattle stampeding through town and the odd drunken brawls'.

The iconic Australian pub is located 600km south of Darwin and 900km north of Alice Springs

The sale of the Daly Waters Pub includes a public bar, restaurant and bistro, motel accommodation, caravan park, camping ground and fuel bowsers

The owner Lindsay Carmichael, who admits he still finds objects he has never seen before after all these years, said all of the paraphernalia inside the pub would be included in the sale

People started leaving behind items back in the 1980s in a bid to leave their mark on the outback pub

The pub was built back in 1930 and has witnessed its fair share of 'murders, shoot outs in the main street, cattle stampeding through town and the odd drunken brawls'

Mr Carmichael said he and his partner have decided to take a break after spending 17 years working seven days a week running the pub.

'It's a lot of work and we think it's time we went off and spoiled ourselves and leave the pub in someone's capable hands and hopefully see it thrive,' he said.

'(We'll miss) the people that work here and probably the punters as well, because they're all nice people; we don't really get any dills here,' he said.

'That will be the worst thing - missing out on the everyday meeting of new people.'

The couple who own the pub, Lindsay and Robyne, have decided to sell after 17 years to take a break

The sale of the pub includes a public bar, restaurant and bistro, motel accommodation, caravan park, camping ground and fuel bowsers

The owners say all the memorabilia is washed regular because the pub has no windows just screens
As a Yorkshire farmer, David Metcalfe has long lived by the adage where theres muck theres brass.

But he never thought the day would come when dung from his prize-winning herd of cows near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, made him more money than selling their milk.

Falling supermarket prices have meant that Mr Metcalfe, in common with many other dairy farmers, now sells milk at a loss.

Falling supermarket prices have meant that David Metcalfe, in common with many other dairy farmers, now sells milk at a loss

But the inventive Dales farmer has come up with a novel way of boosting his income  by producing electricity from cow slurry.

Thanks to an ambitious 1.7 million investment, he has dramatically cut his electricity bill and is selling power to the National Grid.

He is understood to be making nearly 1,000 a day from the farm power project.

We are in a crazy situation where we are using slurry to make electricity and already making a profit whereas we are losing a lot of money on the milk because it is so cheap, he said.

But this should be a sideline or an add-on to what we do - not something that is making more money than the rest of the business.

The farm has one of the biggest herds in the area  900 pedigree Holsteins.

The cows are milked three times a day and each produces more than seven gallons of milk a day, or more than 2,500 gallons a year.

Mr Metcalfe wont disclose how much he loses from milk production, but rock bottom milk prices has meant the dairy business runs at a thumping loss.

However, the herd also creates about 100 tonnes of slurry a day, which was once only good for manure.

And for the past 18 months the slurry has been painstakingly scraped off the barn floor and piped into a 1.7m green domed anaerobic digester next to the cow shed.

But the inventive Dales farmer has come up with a novel way of boosting his income  by producing electricity from slurry produced by his herd of 900 pedigree cows

Once inside it is broken down by bacteria to produce methane gas, which in turn produces 200KW of electricity every 24 hours.

That is more than enough to run the 2,100 acre farm and the two other on-site family businesses, a heavy haulage firm and a commercial and car repair venture - together, the Metcalfe Farm group supports 160 jobs.

The surplus energy is sold to the National Grid via the power main, which goes right under the farmyard, to provide electricity for nearby homes and businesses.

The used slurry is later spread on the fields, halving the farms fertiliser bill. Plans to install a biogas boiler to heat the workshops are also on the cards.

Since the system was launched the businesses have paid 3.5p per unit of electricity, rather than 11p, while also receiving a proportion of the tariffs from surplus power sold to the National Grid.

Mr Metcalfe, 52, who runs the farm with brothers Brian, 49, and Phillip, 46, is not sure whether it is a triumph of technology or sad reflection on the state of British agriculture.

The industry is in the worst state it has ever been by a long way, he said.

We cant understand why milk is so cheap and undervalued when there is a lot more work goes into producing it than a bottle of mineral water.

The trouble is we live in an era when food is cheap and people just dont value it. If they did, they wouldnt throw so much of it away.

Laurie Norris, regional dairy adviser for the NFU, said: This project is an example of a farmer being entrepreneurial which encourages investment in the UK dairy industry.
Unsolved: Colton Levi Clark, 9, disappeared in 2006 and is believed to be dead

Prosecutors filed charges Tuesday against an Oklahoma couple in the 2006 disappearance of their nine-year-old nephew, alleging the couple beat the boy to death and coerced his brother to repeat a rehearsed story to authorities.

Rex and Rebecca Clark, who were arrested April 8 in connection with Colton Clark's disappearance, were each charged with first-degree murder, intimidation of a witness, conspiracy to commit a felony, two counts of child neglect and four counts of child abuse. The charges came on the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the day Colton, whose body has not been found, was reported missing.

The Clarks, who are in custody, maintain their innocence on all counts, defense attorney Robert Butler said Tuesday.

'They adopted these children and then inherited a horrible situation,' Butler said. He declined to comment further on the charges.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office has been searching the Clarks' property in Seminole since the arrests, but investigators have not found a body, investigator David Hanson said Tuesday evening. They were waiting for the ground to dry out from recent rains before continuing the search, Hanson said.

Authorities obtained a warrant to search the property after reopening the case late last year and conducting a series of interviews, including with Colton's older brother.

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Rex and Rebecca Clark (pictured), were arrested Friday after authorities obtained a warrant linked to the disappearance of Colton Clark. They have now been charges with their nephew's murder

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

In an arrest affidavit made public last week, authorities say the brother told investigators that Rex and Rebecca Clark would accuse the boys of stealing and then beat them, sometimes using objects like broomsticks, electric cords and cattle prods.

One night, the brother told investigators, he walked into a room and saw Colton lying motionless on the couch, face bruised from a recent beating. It was the last time he would see his brother before he disappeared, he told investigators, according to the affidavit.

After Colton disappeared, Rex and Rebecca Clark told the brother to repeat a rehearsed story to anyone who asked about the missing boy, the affidavit alleges. The brother said he feared for his life.

Police searched the Clark's five-acre property for evidence and possible human remains

The Clarks' next date in court is a preliminary hearing in June, although that date could change depending on a judge's availability, said Paul Smith, Seminole County first assistant district attorney. Smith said he could not comment on whether evidence not listed in the affidavit, such as what is being gathered at the property, might have influenced the charges.

Butler says he is beginning an investigation on behalf of his clients.

Colton and his older brother lived with their aunt and uncle after their parents terminated their rights to the boys.

Their parents, who were excluded as suspects early in the investigation, were both seeking treatment for drug addiction.

The Clarks home-schooled 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.'

Colton was reported missing on April 20, 2006, prompting a 2,500-acre search aided by helicopters and dogs. The Clarks said he wouldn't attend a counseling session, and investigators said at first the boy may have run away, since his backpack was gone.

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.

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 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.

Smith said Friday that Colton is presumed dead and that investigators were searching the couple's rural Seminole County 5-acre property, about 65 miles east of Oklahoma City, for his remains.

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.
Women with a mutated BRCA1 gene - the one carried by actress Angelina Jolie, 40 - are likely to have fewer eggs in their ovaries

Women who carry a gene that puts them at a far higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer also have a shortened window for having children, experts have found.

Women with a mutated BRCA1 gene  the one carried by actress Angelina Jolie  are likely to have fewer eggs in their ovaries.

While those who try to start a family when they are young should have no problems, those who delay until their late 30s or 40s may struggle to conceive, the scientists warn.

Even fertility treatment may fail, they said, because the problem affects a hormone that stops IVF drugs from working properly.

Women who carry faulty versions of genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 have a dramatically increased risk of developing breast, ovarian and fallopian tube cancers.

Around three in 1,000 women carry the defect. Miss Jolie, 40, had her breasts, ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to reduce her cancer risk after finding out she had the BRCA1 mutation.

The study, which was led by scientists in Australia and included British experts from Edinburgh and St Andrews universities, found the BRCA1 gene also affects fertility.

The team analysed 693 women aged 25 to 45 who had never had cancer and found those with the BRCA1 gene had 25 per cent lower levels of a hormone called AMH, which is a key marker for egg reserves.

Researcher Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips, of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, said: This means that women in their mid-30s who carry the BRCA1 mutation have, on average, ovarian reserves similar to those of non-carriers who are two years older.

Women with the BRCA1 mutation should try to avoid delaying pregnancy until their late 30s or 40s when fertility is reduced anyway because of their age. She added that the mutation is unlikely to make much difference for women trying to conceive in their 20s.

The team said the BRCA1 mutation may stop DNA being properly repaired, which increases the risk of both cancer and infertility.

Those who delay having children until their late 30s or 40s may struggle to conceive, and even fertility treatment may fail because the problem affects a hormone that stops IVF drugs from working properly (Stock photo)

The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, found no link between the BRCA2 gene and egg reserves.

Professor Scott Nelson, a fertility expert at Glasgow University, last night welcomed the research. He said even IVF may not help women with the gene because reduced AMH levels make it difficult for doctors to extract eggs.

Katherine Taylor, of research charity Ovarian Cancer Action, said the study highlights the importance of testing women who may carry the gene mutation. The NHS offers BRCA testing for those who have a family history of the gene.

Jackie Harris, of the Breast Cancer Care charity, said: Discovering you have a faulty BRCA gene can be extremely distressing  so adding potential fertility issues into the mix can only make things more complex, especially as BRCA1 gene carriers will already worry around passing the faulty gene on to their children.

Women who carry faulty versions of genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 have a dramatically increased risk of developing breast, ovarian and fallopian tube cancers (pictured human cancer cell)

A drug for head and neck cancers that could double the chance of survival was unveiled yesterday.

Some 36 per cent of terminally ill patients who took nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug which harnesses the bodys immune system to target tumours, survived for a year compared to 17 per cent of those on other drugs, a study found.

Doctors said the findings, presented to the American Association for Cancer Research, were a potential game-changer. It is available on the NHS for skin cancer but not yet for other cancers.




Proof, as if it were needed, that Damien Hirst is a toxic artist. A Royal Society of Chemistry report reveals that the tanks containing Hirst's pickled animals leaked potentially dangerous levels of formaldehyde fumes when put on display in the Tate Modern.

The three works exhibited over five months were Away From The Flock, Sausages and the Turner prize- winning Mother And Child Divided.

A Royal Society of Chemistry report reveals that the tanks containing Damien Hirst's pickled animals leaked potentially dangerous levels of formaldehyde fumes when put on display in the Tate Modern

Using sensors, investigators have established formaldehyde (FA) leakage in the atmosphere reached levels of 5 ppm (parts per million), which is ten times above the advisory limit.

'It should be noted the maximum FA level tolerated by regulatory agencies in the air of a room should be no higher than 0.5 ppm,' the report observes ominously. Formaldehyde can cause cancer and trigger or aggravate asthma symptoms.

When Hirst, 50, was commissioned by art mogul Charles Saatchi in 1991, he was advised to use an alcohol-based solution for the long-term protection of his works.

But the artist, who is worth 200 million, said he chose to use formaldehyde not for its properties as a preservative, but 'because it is dangerous and it burns your skin. If you breathe it in, it chokes you.'

The three works exhibited over five months were Away From The Flock, Sausages and the Turner prize- winning Mother And Child Divided

A spokesman for the gallery said: 'Tate always puts the safety of its staff and visitors first, and we take all necessary precautions when installing and displaying our exhibitions. These works contained a very dilute formaldehyde solution that was contained within sealed tanks.'

However, the report's findings put the Tate in an awkward pickle as Hirst's 2012 retrospective isn't the first time that the gallery has been questioned about its due diligence.

In 2010, it banned visitors from frolicking through millions of hand-painted ceramic sunflower seeds in Ai Weiwei's work after it was discovered that the dust kicked up was also potentially carcinogenic.

Doris Salcedo's artwork, which comprised a large crack in the gallery's floor, caused one visitor to hurt their foot, and several people who went down a slide which formed part of a Carsten Holler art installation were injured.

Surely it's the artist who is meant to suffer for their art, not the audience?

Ginny-voiced Business Minister Anna Soubry has admitted that she was an underage drinker. In a Commons debate on the pubs trade, la Soubry disclosed: 'I confess I started enjoying pubs at the age of 16 and I remember with great fondness the many happy bonds with my school friends that were forged in the Old Ship Inn in Worksop.'

Ginny-voiced Business Minister Anna Soubry has admitted that she was an underage drinker

Honk if you support Zac!

Most politicians are wary of hugging babies on the campaign trail and U.S. president Richard Nixon thought it made him look like a 'jerk'.

But Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith had no such reservations when he was out electioneering in London yesterday. When he came face to face with seven-month-old twins Araminta and Marina Syms, he held them both in his arms and was rewarded with an irreverent tweak of the hooter.

Let's hope he doesn't suffer a bloody nose on election day.

Zac Goldsmith came face to face with seven-month-old twins Araminta and Marina Syms, he held them both in his arms and was rewarded with an irreverent tweak of the hooter

Controversially awarded a knighthood for 'political service' in the New Year honours after masterminding the Tories 2015 General Election campaign, Lynton Crosby is also enjoying a golden era at his company, CTF Partners.

The firm, which was founded in 2010, holds 1.39 million, up 755,000 on last year. Pay for Australian Crosby is not disclosed in the accounts filed at Companies House.

Fans nickname Sir Lynton the Wizard of Oz, while his enemies call him the Lizard of Oz.
Teachers should tell children to stop fasting during Ramadan if they fear for their health, according to new advice.

The guidance also says pupils should take their studies into account when deciding how to observe the festival, as 'Islam does not require them to put their futures in jeopardy'.

It suggests teenagers should not stay up late praying during this summer's exam period because 'extra devotions in Ramadan are voluntary' and performing well at school is 'obligatory'.

The pamphlet is today published by Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which represents more than 18,000 head teachers and college leaders.

Teachers should tell children to stop fasting during Ramadan if they fear for their health, according to new advice (stock photograph)

It has been devised in consultation with Islamic scholars in preparation for this year's GCSE and A-level exams, which will coincide with Ramadan for the first time in more than 30 years.

ASCL said the pamphlet, which is the first of its kind, was for 'information' purposes and should be used 'with common sense' as each school sees fit.

Anna Cole, ASCL parliamentary specialist, said: 'This comes from a desire to support students.

'Exams are so important for the rest of your future prospects.

'Exams will decide whether or not you can go on to study further education or higher education, which institution, what jobs you can get, and are absolutely key for every young person's future.

'The scholars we spoke to were very clear that getting a good education was a duty for young Muslims.'

She said a broad cross-section of scholars had been consulted but that 'like all religions' teachings were open to interpretation.

She added: 'I imagine there will be some people who don't agree with this. Obviously there wasn't total consensus about everything within the group of people that we had the meeting with.

'That is normal. Islam, like all religions has a pluralist tradition. There are lots and lots of different views within it.'

Muslims are required to go without water and food during daylight hours, although young children are exempt.

Teachers have repeatedly raised concerns that the performance of Muslim students could be affected in exams if they are hungry or dehydrated.

Anna Cole, ASCL parliamentary specialist, insists the guidance comes 'from a desire to support students'

The guidelines say: 'Observing Ramadan may bring many benefits to individuals and communities but also has the potential to cause the individual temporary hardship through hunger and lack of liquids during fasting hours which may impact on physical wellbeing and cognitive performance.

'Young Muslims and families, particularly those sitting exams this summer, will need to balance their obligations as Muslims with their studies and the importance of examinations for their future.'

The booklet says teachers have an 'overriding safeguarding duty' to pupils and should tell them to break their fast by drinking water if they appear dehydrated.

It also states that banning fasting in primary schools can be 'legitimate'.

Late night prayers are customary among Muslims, but the guidelines stress the importance of getting enough sleep before exams.

'Young people should be made aware that Islam does not require them to put their futures in jeopardy,' the guidance says.

'Students who have important exams should be advised not to spend all night praying to avoid tiredness.'

ASCL advises teachers to handle issues sensitively and devise solutions in consultation with pupils and parents 'on a case by case basis'.

It also provides practical tips to help make fasting pupils feel more comfortable, including keeping exam rooms cool and providing spaces to sit when others are eating their lunch.

The paper is endorsed by a wide spectrum of British Muslims who come from a range of different theological persuasions, including both Sunni and Shia.

It was welcomed yesterday by experts and Muslim community leaders.

Alan Smithers, professor of education at the University of Buckingham, said: 'It is very important that schools keep their eyes on this, but not go over the top.

'Muslim parents in my experience are both devout and ambitious for their children.

'If a school notices signs of distress in pupils that they think is due to fasting or long hours of prayer they should not be afraid to have a quiet word with their parents about this.'

Khola Hasan, of the Islamic Sharia Council, who was one of the consultees, said: 'The advisory paper offers options to parents and students who are fasting and sitting life-changing exams such as GCSEs and A levels. Many Muslim students are able to keep the long summer fasts as well as revise and sit exams.

'But for those who think their performance may be affected, the paper offers options that are in accordance with Islamic guidelines.

'The Islamic tradition has an established history of discussion, debate and reasoning. There are many concessions for hardship in observing religious commandments.'
An Iraqi agent paid nearly 40,000 a year by the Ministry of Defence to gather evidence against British soldiers has been sacked in a victory for the Daily Mail.

Abu Jamal earned up to 3,200 a month plus expenses to help families of suspected insurgents who had been hurt or killed.

His job was to take statements from witnesses and ferry them to Lebanon to give evidence by video link to the Iraq Historical Allegations Team in Britain.

Abu Jamal (pictured left with his son Jamai) earned up to 3,200 a month plus expenses to take statements from witnesses and ferry them to Lebanon to give evidence to the Iraq Historical Allegations Team

On top of his work for the MoD, however, a grieving widow claimed he knocked on her door weeks after her husbands death and persuaded her to claim compensation from the British Government.

Her husbands death was one of more than 1,000 claims of wrong-doing and unlawful detention which Mr Jamal, 59, handed over to Public Interest Lawyers and Leigh Day over the past decade.

Following a Mail investigation it emerged he was also taking a cut of the compensation already handed out to his Iraqi clients.

Hundreds of soldiers were questioned on their doorsteps or handed letters asking them to give evidence about past incidents as a result of the lodged claims.

British soldiers pictured in Basra, 550 kilometers (340 miles) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, in 2007

It can now be revealed that in a significant move this month, defence minister Penny Mordaunt ordered officials to stop payments to Mr Jamal.

Asked in the Commons to confirm that no investigator used by Leigh Day or PIL is paid for by the MoD for any service, Miss Mordaunt responded: I can give the assurance that, although the Ministry of Defence does not direct the investigations of the Iraq Historic Allegations Team, it is responsible for ensuring that public money is spent well and efficiently. While we can clearly justify investigations into wrong-doing and those that exonerate our Armed Forces, we cannot justify spending money on processes that frustrate those investigations.

The idea that we encourage and help litigation after battle seems utterly ridiculous -Tory MP James Heappey

We have given clear ministerial direction that those agents are not to be paid with public money, and we have received assurances that that is the case.

A Government source said: It sticks in the craw that weve had to hand over public money to someone who profits from harvesting dubious claims against British troops. Theres obviously a conflict of interest and the minister was clear the tap should be turned off.

Tory MP James Heappey, a former major who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said: The idea that we encourage and help litigation after battle seems utterly ridiculous.

The MoD has paid out 21.77million in compensation to Iraqis after their cases were submitted to Mr Jamal in Basra  where he recruited his son Jamal Alshiraida to help with the paperwork  then passed to PIL and Leigh Day.

One man who claimed compensation said he received a payout in 2013 after he was mistaken for an insurgent and allegedly tortured.

Asked how much Mr Jamal was paid, he said: We gave him his fees. The mans brother said: He imposes a percentage from the total compensation.

Last night a spokesman from Leigh Day said: We do not employ Mr Jamal. As with IHAT, we have on occasion paid for him to assist in arranging for our clients to travel out of Iraq to bordering countries so we can interview them.
Michael Gove yesterday set out his vision for how Britain would thrive outside the EU. Here, Political Editor JAMES SLACK examines the key sections

Gove on treating voters like children

The idea that if Britain voted to leave the European Union we would instantly become some sort of hermit kingdom, a North Atlantic North Korea only without that countrys fund of international good will, is a fantasy, a phantom, a great, grotesque patronising and preposterous Peter Mandelsonian conceit. Quite the opposite. We would be starting a process, a happy journey to a better future. It will be a galvanising, liberating, empowering moment of democratic renewal.

Significance: Gove is presenting the Leave campaign as the positive force in the referendum campaign, determined to show that Britains best days still lie ahead. This is in stark contrast to the Remain camp who portray the UK as too weak to stand on its own two feet. It also provides a direct response to George Osbornes claim that every household will lose 4,300 if we dare to leave the EU.

Michael Gove yesterday set out his vision for how Britain would thrive outside the EU. Here, Political Editor JAMES SLACK examines the key sections from immigration to saving Europe

The EU taking ever more powers over Britain

If we vote to stay, the EUs bosses and bureaucrats will take that as carte blanche to continue taking more power and money away from Britain. If we vote to stay we are hostages to their agenda.

Significance: An increasingly key argument for Leave is that if Britain votes In, it will not be opting to stay in the EU as it looks today. It will be signing up to a project in which more integration on finance, law and immigration policy is inevitable. In particular, the European Court of Justice is asserting its rights to dictate anti-terror laws and who the UK can deport.

The process for leaving the EU

It has been argued that the moment Britain votes to leave, a process known as Article 50 is triggered whereby the clock starts ticking and every aspect of any new arrangement with the EU must be concluded within two years of that vote being recorded  or else There is no requirement for that to occur  quite the opposite. We can set the pace.

Significance: Opens up a huge split with the Prime Minister, who says that he would have no option but to start the process of quitting the EU as soon as the referendum is finished. In some quarters, Goves comments were interpreted as being a suggestion that David Cameron would have to step aside and leave the Brexit negotiations to somebody else.

Free trade

There is a free trade zone stretching from Iceland to Turkey that all European nations have access to, regardless of whether they are in or out of the euro or EU. After we vote to leave we will remain in this zone.

Significance: The main criticism of the Leave campaign is that it has been unable to say what a post-EU Britain would look like. Gove begins to spell it out. He says we would not join the single market, which would involve allowing free movement of EU citizens and other obligations, but make new arrangements to trade with Europe on our own terms.

Why the EU will agree to do a deal

In 2015, the UK recorded a 67.7billion deficit in the trade of goods and services with the EU, up from 58.8billion in 2014.

The idea that the German government would damage its car manufacturers  and impoverish workers in those factories  to make a political point about Britains choices; or the French government would ignore its farmers  and damage their welfare  to strike a pose; or the Italian government would undermine its struggling industries just to please Brussels, is ridiculous. Why would any of them wish to commit an act of profound economic self-harm? And if any of them did, why would the other EU nations let them?

Gove said: 'If we vote to stay, the EUs bosses and bureaucrats will take that as carte blanche to continue taking more power and money away from Britain. If we vote to stay we are hostages to their agenda'

Significance: The argument on which the speech hinges: Europe, for all its bluster, will have to do a deal with the UK post-June 23 because it needs us more than we need them. In public, other EU nations insist we will not be allowed a trade deal better than their own. But people power in Germany and elsewhere will force their hand.

Immigration

There are five more countries  Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey  in the queue to join the EU  and the European Commission, as we have just experienced ourselves during the recent negotiation process, regards free movement as an inviolable principle of EU membership. It is bad enough that we have to maintain an open door to EU nationals  from the shores of Sicily to the borders of the Ukraine  its also the case that as the price of EU membership, we have to impose stricter limitations on individuals from other nations whom we might actively want to welcome.

Significance: Immigration is fast becoming central to the whole referendum debate. Here, Gove warns that the numbers pouring in from Europe could get even greater as new members join  further shredding the Governments claim to cut net migration to the tens of thousands. He also makes the argument that, because we have to let in all EU citizens, there is less space for genuine refugees.Saving EuropeMichael Gove yesterday set out his vision for how Britain would thrive outside the EU. Here, Political Editor JAMES SLACK examines the key sections

For Europe, Britain voting to leave will be the beginning of something potentially even more exciting  the democratic liberation of a whole continent. If we vote to leave we will have  in the words of a former British prime minister  saved our country by our exertions and Europe by our example.
A Texas couple and their two children were found dead in an apparent murder suicide in their Katy area home on Tuesday morning.

The victims were identified as Jeremy Raju Srinivasan, 37, his wife, Natalie Altier Srinivasan, 35, and their children, a six-year-old girl named Siena and a two-year-old boy named MJ. Police say the cause of death was gunshot wounds.

Investigators and neighbors are trying to determine what exactly happened in the moments leading up to the family's death.

Police told KHOU that they believe Jeremy shot his wife and kids before turning the gun on himself. A motive for the killing is not known at this time.

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Police say they believe Jeremy Raju Srinivasan, 37, shot his wife Natalie Altier Srinivasan, 35, and his two children a six-year-old girl named Siena and a two-year-old boy Named MJ before shooting himself

Tragedy: Pictured here are Siena, 6, and MJ, 2, who police believe were killed by their father on Tuesday morning

Jeremys father was the one who alerted the police after he says he got a text from his son at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday reading: 'Everything is not OK. Please call police.Goodbye.'

'We're interviewing neighbors and family members and others to try to piece together exactly what took place here. We're investigating this right now as a murder-suicide, Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls said.

'Anytime you have children involved like this. It hits close. It's hard.'

Neighbor Barbara Loven told Click2Houston: 'Oh my goodness it's terrible. I've got a granddaughter in bed sobbing. A grandson upstairs just staring at the wall. Kids are just devastated. They don't understand. The chaplain has been over and that has been very helpful. It's hard to explain that to a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old when they see these kids every day and play with them.'

Jeremys father was the one who alerted the police after he says he got a text from his son on Tuesday reading: 'Everything is not OK. Please call police.' Pictured here is the home where the family was discovered

According to Jeremy's Facebook page, he is pro-gun as well as a staunch supporter of the police force and the American military. The father accused of killing his own children made several statements bashing Planned Parenthood, the Obama administration, illegal immigrants, and ISIS.

Police have not yet said whether there was a history of domestic violence or any other incidents involving the family, according to The Heavy.

Jeremy Srinivasan and Natalie Altier married on December 11, 2009, in Texas after Jeremy divorced his first wife.

Jeremy started his own company in 2013 called LED Shop of Texas which installs lights in trucks. Natalie was a former cosmetologist and stay at home mom.

Seemingly happy: Jeremy Srinivasan and Natalie Altier married on December 11, 2009, in Texas after Jeremy divorced his first wife. Neigbors say they never expected anything wrong with the family
A little girls headstone has been uncovered beneath concrete at a home seven kilometres away from the cemetery she was buried at almost 150-years-ago.

Contractors were cracking concrete at a home on Malvern Road, in Western Springs, south-west Auckland, when the headstone of 12-month old Florence Owen was uncovered.

But the discovery has been baffling because the little girl, who died 141-years-ago in April 1875, is buried at George Maxwell Memorial Cemetery in Avondale, NZ Herald reports.

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A headstone (pictured) belonging to 12-month-old little girl Florence Owen has been uncovered beneath concrete at a home about seven kilometres from her grave - 141-years after her death

The headstone has been restored and returned to the grave by council workers (pictured)

Auckland Council cultural heritage team leader Chris Mallows said her father, James Owen, was later buried in the same grave as her when he died 23-years later.

The actual headstone was removed at that point, we dont know how it ended up at the house, Mr Mallows told NZ Herald.

Thats one of the big mysteries for us, we dont know if the headstone was given back to the family.

However, the house was not built until about 20 to 25 years after Mr Owen died  almost 50 years after Florence passed away.

The headstone has been restored and returned to the grave by council workers.

Auckland Council has confirmed the discovery to Daily Mail Australia.

The shared grave of James and Florence Owen. Florence's headstone has been taken back to the grave following its discovery

The gravestone of 12-month-old Florence Owen, curiously discovered beneath concrete in a backyard

The discovery has been baffling because the little girl is buried at George Maxwell Memorial Cemetery in Avondale (pictured)
The man who claimed he was 'sexually assaulted' by Grant Hackett on a business class flight at the weekend had a titillating encounter with a reporter.

Martin Slobodnik claimed the former Olympic swimmer groped him on the chest during a trip from Adelaide to Melbourne after photos emerged of Hackett being wheeled off the plane in a wheelchair.

On Tuesday a Nine News reporter confronted the victim before bluntly asking: 'Martin, how's the nipple today'?.

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Victim of Grant Hackett's 'nipple tweak' Martin Slobodnik was asked by a Nine News reporter how his chest was feeling on Tuesday

Mr Slobodnik said he was 'sexually assaulted' by the former Olympian on board a Virgin flight on Sunday

Mr Slobodnik had nothing to say on the matter as he hid his face behind a blue hooded jacket and told the journalist he had: 'no comment'.

Earlier in the week, Hackett 'unreservedly' apologised for his 'poor behaviour' during the flight.

In a statement issued on Monday, the three-time Olympic gold medallist said he 'seriously and genuinely regret my poor behaviour' as it's understood no charges have yet been laid.

The 35-year-old who allegedly 'smelt of alcohol' during the Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide to Melbourne, was questioned by Federal Police over the altercation on Sunday.

Mr Slobodnik had nothing to say on the matter as he hid his face behind a blue hooded jacket and told the journalist he had: 'no comment'

Hackett released an apology statement on Monday over the incident

Mr Slobodnik said he was groped by Hackett and had his 'nipple tweaked'

This photo appears to show Hackett slumped over in a wheelchair after being led off the plane

Hackett reportedly spent an 'extended period' of time in the toilet during the flight, Seven News reported.

'I have stuffed up more than once and am working on these issues,' Hackett said.

'It is embarrassing to hear and read the consequences of my actions. I apologise unreservedly to the gentleman on the flight. I am trying to make direct contact with him personally.

'I know I have to front the media and discuss my actions in a more appropriate and accountable way. I just have to sort a few things first so I can be as frank and open as I need to be.

'I apologise for the inconvenience.'
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Donald Trump cruised to victory in New York on Tuesday, crushing his two remaining opponents in what could be the high water mark of his unconventional Republican primary campaign.

A triumphant Trump entered the lobby of his signature Trump Tower to speak to supporters as Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York' blared over loudspeakers.

The GOP front-runner thanked 'the people who know me best' for a resounding win over Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

The only region of the state he lost, to Kasich, was the New York City borough of Manhattan  where he and those people live and work.

Trump claimed at least 89 of New York's 95 delegates to the Republican National Convention. Kasich won three.

The final three were still undecided as midnight approached, but Trump will likely claim at least two of them.

'We're going to end at a very high level and get more delegates than anyone projected,' he boasted.

With almost 99 per cent of the votes counted, Trump had more than 60 per cent of ballots cast. Kasich had 25 per cent of the vote and Cruz brought up the rear with 14.5 per cent.

'We don't have much of a race anymore, based on what I'm seeing on television,' said Trump, as he seemed to look past the remaining primary contests with an eye toward November  although he made no mention of Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.

'Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated' from winning the GOP nomination, he claimed, observing that 'we have won millions of more votes than Senator Cruz. Millions and millions of more votes than Governor Kasich.'

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I Love NY: Donald Trump, who carried out a fierce campaign in his home state, obliterated his rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich on Tuesday. With 98 per cent of the votes counted, Trump had 60.5%. Kasich had 25.1% and Cruz brought up the rear with 14.5%

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Clean sweep: The only region of the state Trump lost, to Kasich, was the New York City borough of Manhattan  where he lives and works

Family affair: Trump was flanked by his children - including Tiffany (left) and Ivanka (in red) - and wife Melania (right) at his victory speech in Trump Tower on Tuesday night minutes after voting closed

The Donald claimed at least 89 of New York's 95 delegates to the Republican National Convention, while Kasich won three. The final three delegates were still undecided as midnight approached, but Trump will likely claim at least two of them

Eric Trump, who did not register to vote in time to support his father, was joined by his journalist wife Lara, who voted Trump

Trump clan (L-R): Campaign manager Corey Lewandowski looks behind the crowd; Eric and Lara Trump; The Donald speaks front center; Tiffany, his daughter with Marla Maples, is behind his shoulder; Vanessa Trump and Don Jr; Ivanka Trump, her husband newspaper owner Jared Kushner, and their four-year-old daughter Arabella stand far right

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, owner of the New York Observer, embrace their daughter Arabella next to Melania

After party: Ivanka, who recently gave birth, exclaims as she speaks to a member of the party next to Donald and her stepmom Melania

Ivanka (pictured laughing with her husband after her father's victory speech) has played a key role in her father's campaign, accompanying him on trails - despite being heavily pregnant - and even making several videos encouraging states to come out and cast their vote

Tiffany (pictured behind her father and her half-brother Don) has been less present on the campaign trail than her older siblings as she continues her double major in sociology and urban studies at the University of Pennsylvania, now in her senior year

The lobby of Trump Tower was packed out with fans and press after Trump was declared the winner within minutes of the vote closing

Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York' blared over loudspeakers in the lobby as Trump and his clan took to the microphone

After his speech, Donald heading through the crowds of fawning fans trying to film the triumphant moment, followed by Melania

Trump hammered home his consistent popular vote lead, throwing an elbow at Cruz for a pattern of accumulating convention delegates at statewide party meetings rather than at the ballot box.

'It's really nice to win the delegates with the votes,' Trump declared.

'Nobody should take delegates and claim victory unless they get those delegates with voters and voting. ... the people aren't going to stand for it.'

The real estate tycoon said he would be 'going to go into the convention, I think, as the winner' in July. 'But nobody can take away an election,' he warned, 'like they have done with the Republican Party.'

Television networks called the race for Trump just moments after the polls closed at 9:00 p.m.

Applause broke out while the billionaire's supporters and staff crowded into the Trump Tower lobby and watched a monitor tuned to the Fox News Channel for the announcement everyone knew would come.

Trump, meanwhile, was busy tweeting about coverage on a rival network, complaining that CNN 'is so negative it's impossible to watch.'

The moment itself was anticlimactic: No one in the marbled skyscraper expected Trump to finish without a gold medal in the state where he has matched one of the world's great cities step for step in glamour and excess.

By contrast, Clinton and Vermont's democratic socialist senator Bernie Sanders were locked in a battle that was too close to call for a half-hour.

Hillary was ultimately declared the winner by a comfortable 57-42 margin.

'With record numbers of voters viewing Hillary Clinton unfavorably, New York Democrats moved their least electable candidate a little closer to the finish line,' Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement that didn't mention Trump at all.

'Whether its her refusal to release the transcripts of her paid Wall Street speeches, her secret email server thats triggered an ongoing FBI investigation, or her flip flops on issue after issue, Hillary Clinton has shown herself unwilling to be open and honest with the American people.'

'Only a Republican president will get America back on track by strengthening our economy and restoring Americas leadership role in the world,' he said.

In a speech that touched on nearly all of his hobby-horse themes  veterans, Obamacare premiums, job losses and trade among them  Trump focused on problems he said he saw in upstate New York during a rally tour that took him to Syracuse, Rochester, Albany, Rome and Buffalo.

'New York state has problems like virtually every other state in the union,' he said. 'Our jobs are being sucked out of our states. ... We're going to stop it.'

He predicted the same dynamics that thrust him to the head of the pack in New York would play out in other states like Maryland, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

'Tomorrow morning we go back to work. ... We're going to celebrate for about two hours,' he said.

Bitter defeat: Cruz pictured speaking in Philadelphia after coming third in the New York primary with 14.5 per cent of ballots cast

Cruz fled the Big Apple and gave a brief speech in Tuesday night Philadelphia comparing himself with Presidentis John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, leaning on the theme: 'Not "Yes we can" but now, 'yes we will'

Ohio Governor John Kasich speaks with a supporter at a campaign rally in Annapolis, Maryland, after coming second in the New York vote

Kasich (pictured donning a pair of boxing gloves at campaign stop in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday) is so far behind that even if he won every remaining delegate he wouldnt have enough to win

The only question remaining on the Republican side of the ledger Tuesday night remained whether he could collect more than half of the votes cast on Tuesday  statewide and in each of the Empire State's 27 congressional districts.

He nearly ran the table, winning majorities overall and in at least 25 of those districts, an outcome beyond what even the most devoted Trump Train passengers had hoped for.

Trump sought to tamp down expectations Tuesday afternoon, telling WABC radio in New York City that out 'I think if I got 75 delegates, that would be considered a great night. Maybe I can get more.'

That's likely a low-expectations number. If Trump were to win his home state with more than 50 per cent of the vote overall and in just a dozen districts, while winning the rest with smaller numbers, he would collect 80.

'I'd like to break 50 per cent,' Trump said Tuesday, calling it 'more of a psychological number. ... If I got 50 per cent, that would be a great tribute.'

Kasich was projected to finish in second place just 20 minutes after polls closed, leaving Cruz far back in third.

A Cruz campaign official told CNN that the tea party firebrand could leave New York with no delegates at all.

'Our expectation is that we are not going to win any,' the official said. 'Anything is good; if we can get any to take any from Donald Trump that would be good.'

It wasn't to be. Cruz prevailed nowhere, giving Trump a new rhetorical weapon to hit him with in the weeks to come.

Corey Lewandowski, Trump's campaign manager, said in the atrium of his boss's towering namesake building in Manhattan that snaring 70 delegates 'would be a great night.'

But he told DailyMail.com that running the table completely in New York was 'an unrealistic expectation,' considering 'how difficult it is to win over 50 per cent in 27 individual congressional districts. Plus, in a three-way race.'

Ultimately, Lewandowski would predict only that Trump would outperform the numbers Cruz and Kasich posted in winning their home states, 43.8 per cent and 46.8 per cent, respectively.

Trump exceeded that expectation by a long shot.

Lewandowski boasted that Ted Cruz, who is in second place in the delegate counting, 'is going to be mathematically eliminated from the nomination a week from tonight,' a prediction that his boss echoed a half-hour later from behind a podium.

'If the results go well tonight, he has to win 95 per cent of the remaining delegates moving forward, which is an almost impossible task,' Lewandowski said of Cruz.

'I think it's time to unite around Donald Trump. ... We'd encourage Sen. Cruz to come join us,' Lewandowski said with a dry passive-aggressiveness.

Then he disappeared down an escalator into the food court beneath Trump Tower's lobby to join a private reception until the vote totals began to trickle in.

This was The Donald's 'thank you' message to New York after his win was declared in seconds on Tuesday night

Trump brandished his ballot at reporters as he voted for himself earlier on Tuesday

Melania Trump was seen casting her vote on Tuesday, wearing sunglasses inside. Flanked by her security detail, the 45-year-old aspiring First Lady wore a sleek ensemble of white jeans, black t-shirt, and black blazer with stiletto heels to fill out the fateful ticket

Donald Trump Jr filled out his ballot with his 18-month-old daughter Chloe near Trump Tower on Tuesday afternoon

Cruz fled the Big Apple and gave a brief speech in Tuesday night Philadelphia comparing himself with Presidentis John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, leaning on the theme: 'Not "Yes we can" but now, 'yes we will.'

His optimistic remarks, delivered in a state whose voters will weigh in on April 26, came despite early ballot numbers that showed him running a distant third in Tuesday's only electoral contest.

Exit polls across New York showed Trump winning on important questions including which candidate New York Republicans believe is best positioned to beat Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton in a general election matchup.

Trump won handily on that score among voters interviewed by pollsters. ABC News reported that 56 per cent chose him. Kasich came in a distant second with just 21 per cent.

In Wisconsin just a few weeks ago, Cruz won the primary and had the best showing on that question, besting Trump by a 43-37 margin.

Trump also appears to have the support of fellow New Yorkers in his on-again, off-again skirmishes with the Republican National Committee over what could be a squeaked-out victory over his rivals in the nomination fight.

More than 70 per cent of those polled said the Republican with the most votes in the primaries should become the party's nominee.

Just one-quarter said they would rather see a contested convention with party delegates determining the nomination if Trump can't cross the finish line.

In Wisconsin that number, too, was flipped on its head  with 55 per cent favoring a floor fight compared with 43 per cent who wanted an outcome based only on the primary voting.

New York's cache of delegates was a slam-dunk path for Trump's to regain ground lost to Cruz in the delegate hunt after the Texan carved away at Trump's lead by outmaneuvering him at a series of state Republican conventions.

Ted Cruz (left) leaves Fox studios in New York City on Tuesday morning before heading to Maryland then Pennsylvania. John Kasich spent the day eating at an oyster house in Pittsburgh (pictured right)

Trump held a 197 delegate lead over Cruz going into Tuesdays primary, 756 to 559, with 1,237 delegates needed to capture the GOP nomination outright. The outspoken businessman's total grew to 845 and could reach 848 by Wednesday morning.

As it stood before New York voted, Trump needed to win 61 percent of the remaining delegates to lock up the nomination before the July convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

But with his big win, that requirement dropped to just 57 per cent of the remaining delegates, a considerably easier feat.

Even though Cruz is on the ropes, many delegates are 'pledged' to vote for specific candidates in that first round of voting but are free to switch horses on subsequent ballots.

So the Cruz campaign has been cultivating delegates who are required to back Trump on the first ballot but plan to back the Texan on a second or third ballot if the front-runner falls short of a majority initially.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is so far behind that even if he won every remaining delegate he wouldnt have enough to win.

But he is refusing to quit the race, arguing that he would be the strongest general election candidate against Clinton in November. Some polls back him up.

Of the next batch of states to vote in seven days' time, Pennsylvania offers the richest haul with 71 delegates up for grabs.

Maryland has 38 delegates at stake, Connecticut has 28, Rhode Island has 19, and Delaware has 16.

The biggest prize remaining on the table is California, which has 172 delegates at stake on June 7, and where Trump and Cruz are gearing up for a brutal TV air war.

But before the race comes to an end, states like Indiana and Nebraska will have a say. Trump will visit Indianapolis for a rally on Wednesday.

Ed Cox, the New York state GOP chairman, predicted a fierce battle there.

'We've seen no negative advertising here in New York. You will see huge negative advertising in Indiana,' Cox told DailyMail.com.
With armfuls of alcohol and sheepish grins, they look like typical students celebrating the end of their exams.

But these three were toasting a far more impressive feat  having won this years University Challenge.

After thrashing St Johns College, Oxford 215-30, Julian Sutcliffe, Oscar Powell and Hannah Woods from Peterhouse College, Cambridge, celebrated with a well-deserved drink.

After thrashing St Johns College, Oxford 215-30, Julian Sutcliffe, Oscar Powell and Hannah Woods from Peterhouse College, Cambridge, celebrated with a well-deserved drink

Her fame has resulted in plenty of attention for the PhD student, who has had a Valentine's Day card, a marriage proposal and a bottle of gin in the post thanks to her looks, above with her team and Jeremy Paxman

Miss Woods, whose arched left eyebrow caused a storm on social media, tweeted: We found the store room for the college bar. Their other team-mate was Thomas Langley.

She has gained herself a cult following since her first appearance on the BBC quiz show last year.

So last night fans were thrilled to see Hannah Woods  famous for her 'killer' eyebrows - lead her team to victory in a heated grand final against their Oxbridge rivals.

The team, from Peterhouse College, Cambridge, took an early lead and eventually secured the title over St John's College, Oxford, by an impressive 185 points in an historic third consecutive win for Cambridge.

It was the first time a woman has been on the winning team since 2013, when the University of Manchester clinched the title.

Miss Woods' facial expressions have particularly impressed admirers over the series  many of whom refer to the 'killer arch' of her eyebrows.

The PhD student recently revealed that she has been flooded with gifts  and even a marriage proposal  from fans ahead of last night's hotly-anticipated grand final.

Miss Woods' team-mate Oscar Powell has also received a great deal of social media attention, with many fans saying they will miss his 'ridiculous' set of facial expressions, often likened to Mr Bean.

Mr Powell's animated reactions have included sticking out his tongue, pulling his mouth wide open and scrunching up his nose.

University Challenge fans were thrilled to see Cambridge's Hannah Woods - famous for her killer eyebrows - lead her team to victory in the grand final against their Oxbridge rivals. She is pictured receiving the award

Hannah Woods, captain of Peterhouse College, Cambridge, became the star of the show thanks to her one raised eyebrow. She said she has been inundated with gifts from admirers and has even received a proposal

Miss Woods (pictured) led Peterhouse to glory against a St John's, Oxford team on University Challenge

Nadia Wiseman tweeted: 'Powell's face is so wonderful. He really takes you on a journey.#universitychallenge'

Commenting on the result, host Jeremy Paxman, said: 'You can do much better than that St John's as we've seen in many a previous match, but someone has got to win, and Peterhouse, that was a storming performance. Another storming performance from you.'

Presenting the trophy was mathematician and Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, Marcus du Sautoy.

He said: 'I thought it was a phenomenal performance. But I am really impressed by how many maths questions there were.

'You're probably cursing the fact that there's a mathematician giving away the trophy, there were so many.'

Miss Woods' team-mate Oscar Powell (pictured) has also received a great deal of social media attention, with many fans saying they will miss his 'ridiculous' set of facial expressions, often likened to those of Mr Bean

Many took to Twitter to congratulate the Cambridge team. Kevin Newman wrote: 'Ladies & Gentleman, raise your glasses and an eyebrow to Hannah Woods & Peterhouse #winners #universitychallenge.'

Charlie Clegg of St John's College also became a hit over the series after jumping in fright at the sound of a colleague's buzzer, sparking delighted comments online.

Author Patrick Ness tweeted: 'Caught University Challenge. Congrats to Peterhouse! And captain Hannah Woods, who does intelligent exasperation better than anyone I know.'

Michael Dowling wrote on Twitter: 'I think oscar powell deserves his own television program #universitychallenge.'
A teenage girl thought she was going to die when she was ambushed by another girl in broad daylight, knocked to the ground and stomped on her head until she blacked out.

Kyah Larcombe, 15, was walking along a main strip on the Gold Coast suburb of Coolangatta, when she was set upon by a female school mate.

'She came after me and hit me from behind ... then she grabbed me by my hair and swung me to the ground, all I felt was her knee colliding into my head,' Ms Larcombe told Daily Mail Australia.

'I felt my head constantly banging into the ground and then I got picked back up. I kept saying "please stop" ... I was saying "I don't want to fight you" with my hands covering my face.'

Kyah Larcombe, 15, had a considerable bump on her head and abrasions along her leg after she was attacked while walking along a busy street in the Gold Coast suburb of Coolangatta

Ms Larcombe says she begged for her 15-year-old attacker to stop hitting her

Kyah was taken to the hospital with a severe concussion, bumps to her head and abrasions along her bloodied legs from scraping on the concrete ground.

She was let out after a few hours later, but four days after the sickening attack still experiences dizziness and a stinging sensation in her neck from being 'ripped back and forth.'

Her father, renowned indigenous performer and artist Stephen Larcombe, told Daily Mail Australia that there was a 'nasty circle' of violence amongst teenagers in the relaxed coastal town.

'It is a worrying culture, people are using their fists instead of words. It's really very dangerous, my daughter might not have woken up,' Mr Larcombe said.

'This is what these kids think is a normal thing to do ... they see adults around here doing the same thing, people cant talk with their words anymore so they use their fists or knees.'

He is now worried for the wellbeing of his daughter, who was released from hospital without getting any head scans.

Coolangatta Inspector Greg Baade told Daily Mail Australia they were investigating the alleged attack, and that no charges had been laid yet.

He said the case had been handed over to the Child Protection Unit as it involved minors.

Ms Larcombe experiences dizziness and a stinging sensation in her neck from being 'ripped back and forth,' four days after the incident
Its a sneaky tactic that has been driving shoppers to distraction for years.

But a fresh investigation by consumer group Which? has revealed how stingy food giants and supermarkets are still shrinking the size of popular items and increasing the price.

Everyday items in your shopping basket - from toothpaste to chocolate biscuits - are being reduced in size in what amounts to a stealth price rise for customers.

Hard to stomach for biscuit lovers: The Which? study found a packet of McVities Digestives dark chocolate biscuits has decreased in size by just over 10 per cent from 332g to 300g

Changes: These Dettol bathroom wipes (left) decreased from 36 to 32 wipes  an 11 per cent reduction, but remained at 2. And this Tropicana juice (right) dropped from 1l to 850ml but had the same price of 2.48

The underhand ploy allows brands to protect profit margins without appearing to have raised prices. The tactic infuriates millions of shoppers who are forced to pay more for less.

Chocolate digestives and toilet roll are among the latest shrinking products to be named and shamed in consumer group Which?s latest probe.

The findings will be hard to stomach for biscuit lovers. The study found a packet of McVities Digestives dark chocolate biscuits has decreased in size by just over 10 per cent from 332g to 300g.

Despite this, Tesco increased the price from 1.59 to 1.69. Dettol Power and Pure Bathroom Wipes decreased from 36 to 32 wipes  an 11 per cent reduction.

Decreasing size: A standard Andrex four pack toilet roll (left) has been reduced from 240 to 221 sheets  8 per cent less - yet the price has remained around 2, while Percol Fairtrade Guatemala Coffee (right) has dropped in weight from 227g to 200g, but has risen in price from 3.90 to 3.75 at Waitrose

Brushing up: Sensodyne Total Care Extra Fresh Toothpaste has dropped from 100ml to 75ml but is up from an offer price of 2.40 to 3.49 at Tesco

These were on sale at 2 in Tesco and on online grocer Ocado before they shrank. They remained at 2 at Tesco after the change but rose to 2.03 at Ocado.

HOW PRICES UP & SIZES ARE DOWN McVities Digestives dark chocolate biscuits From 332g to 300g (-10%)

From 1.59 to 1.69 (Tesco) Tropicana Creations Pure Premium Orange and Raspberry juice From 1l to 850ml (-15%)

Same price of 2.48 (Asda) Dettol Power and Pure Bathroom Wipes From 36 to 32 wipes (-11%)

From 2 to 2.03 (Ocado) Sensodyne Total Care Extra Fresh Toothpaste From 100ml to 75ml (-25%)

From 2.40 to 3.49 (Tesco) Percol Fairtrade Guatemala Coffee From 227g to 200g (-12%)

From 3.90 to 3.75 (Waitrose) Andrex four pack toilet roll From 240 to 221 sheets (-8%)

Same price at 2 Advertisement

It may once have boasted of being soft, strong and unbeatably long. But Andrex toilet roll also features on Which?s list of offenders.

A standard Andrex four pack toilet roll has been reduced from 240 to 221 sheets  8 per cent less - yet the price has remained around 2.

Others products to be named and shamed include Sensodyne Total Care Extra Fresh toothpaste, Percol Fairtrade Guatemala Coffee and Tropicana Creations Pure Premium Orange & Rasberry juice.

Richard Headland, Which? editor said: Shrinking products can be a sneaky way of increasing prices. We want manufacturers and supermarkets to be upfront about shrinking products so consumers arent misled.

Which? said most of the brands featured said it was up to the supermarkets to set the price.

But they refused to disclose whether they had increased the wholesale price they charged supermarkets.

The sneaky ploy has been going on for some time.

A similar study by Which? last year revealed PG Tips, Surf washing powder and Hovis Best of Both loaves all shrank despite the price remaining the same.

Chocolate lovers have been among the worst affected, with the weight of a Kit Kat chunky dropping from 48g to 40g. Cadbury angered its customers when it cut the number of Creme Eggs in multi packs from six eggs to five ahead of Easter last year.
A Wisconsin student has caused outrage after taking a class presentation while wearing a Ku Klux Klan outfit.

A photograph of the Westosha Central High School student in KKK garb quickly spread Monday with many saying they were appalled by the outfit.

Brett Sandberg, an alumnus of the school, told FOX6 News: 'Once I heard it -- I just can`t believe someone would actually put that on.

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A photograph of a Westosha Central High School student in KKK garb (pictured) quickly spread on social media Monday with many saying they were appalled by the outfit

While senior Camille Tracy said: 'I would have said something -- like maybe, instead of putting it on, I would have shown it not on myself.'

She added: 'I think it should have been shown instead of worn.'

The student - who has remained anonymous - wore the controversial costume while making a presentation about crime in the 1920s.

In response to the incident, Westosha Central High School Principal Lisa Albrecht posted a statement on the school's Facebook page: 'As any of you would be, I was appalled by the photo.

'The student in the photo, not meaning any harm, wanted to convey the message of crime during this time and the uprising of the KKK and how hateful this group of people were.

'The student, in his eagerness to do a good job, admits he failed to understand the hurtful symbolic meaning of the prop.'

The statement continues: 'The student teacher in hindsight recognizes how this incident negatively portraits on the culture of the building and apologizes for it.'

But not everyone in the community thinks the student was out of line.

Jack Harris, who lives near Westosha Central High School said: 'He`s not wearing it to recess. He`s wearing it for educational purposes.

'If that`s what his presentation was and he wanted to wear it, yeah he should.'

Westosha Central High School (picturee) Principal Lisa Albrecht posted a statement on the school's Facebook page: 'As any of you would be, I was appalled by the photo.

This is not the first time a KKK outfit has caused alarm at an education institution.

Students at Indiana University were left red-faced after mistaking a priest dressed in a long white robe for a member of the Ku Klux Klan earlier this month.

The priest had been spotted at Red Mango on the university's Bloomington campus as he stood in line for frozen yogurt.

And after one student took a picture of the man, wearing the long robes, rumors began to circulate of a KKK member on campus and many took to social media to warn fellow students to 'stay safe'
When Serafina Salucci was seven years old she played with the asbestos sheeting her father used to build the family's garage in suburban Sydney.

Thirty years later, she was diagnosed with an incurable cancer that doctors say was caused by exposure to the asbestos sheeting used to construct the building.

Ms Salucci had never worked near an asbestos factory and hadn't been in direct contact with asbestos after the event.

Serafina Salucci (pictured) was diagnosed with an incurable cancer that doctors say was caused by exposure to the asbestos sheeting used to construct her family garage

Ms Salucci was seven years old she played with the asbestos sheeting her father used to build the addition

The 41-year-old (pictured right with her family), a Sydney mother-of-four, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, at the age of 37. She said: 'Once you get told you have mesothelioma it's a death sentence'

Ms Salucci (pictured) is an Asbestos Awareness ambassador and has used her position to help increase government funding to eradicate asbestos

The only time she did handle asbestos was, like thousands of other children in the 1960s and 1970s, when she and her brothers threw it around and played frisbee with asbestos sheeting without knowing the risks.

To a young child, the white powder-like off-cuts of the sheeting was a good alternative for chalk to draw on the driveway.

But at the age of 37, Ms Salucci, who is a Sydney mother-of-four, was diagnosed with mesothelioma - a cancer of the lung lining.

'In 2007, I got a cough and a persistent cough and it wouldn't go away,' the now 41-year-old told Daily Mail Australia.

'After three or four weeks, I went to the GP [general practitioner] to get rid of it.

Ms Salucci is using her experience to lobby the Federal Government to restore $3 million worth of funding to Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency

The mother said the money had been allocated to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency in 2013 but was taken back by the government when it was not spent in the allocated time

Like many people 30 years ago, Ms Salucci's father had no idea about the risks posed by asbestos when he used the fibre to build the garage

'As a precaution she said to get a chest X-ray. That's when they found something.

'The GP originally thought it was pneumonia... and not too serious.'

After she was diagnosed, Ms Salucci took extreme measures to battle the cancer.

Not only did she go through bouts of radiotherapy and chemotherapy but she had her right lung removed in 2008 and other surgeries to remove the cancer when it came back.

Despite the hardships, Ms Salucci said she counted herself lucky as most people who were diagnosed with mesothelioma died within two years, but she had lived for nine.

'It's pretty bleak. Once you get told you have mesothelioma it's a death sentence,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'There's treatments but there's no cure. It just gives people a bit more time.'

Despite the hardships, Ms Salucci (pictured centre) said she counted herself lucky as most people who were diagnosed with mesothelioma died within two years, but she had lived for nine

Most people with asbestos-related conditions have shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, constant pain in the chest and weight loss.

Having been a victim of asbestos, Ms Salucci is using her experience to lobby the Federal Government to restore $3 million worth of funding to the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.

Ms Salucci, who is also an Asbestos Awareness ambassador, said the money had been allocated to the agency back in 2013 but was taken back by the government when it was not spent in the allocated time.

She believes the agency is important because it educates people on the dangers of asbestos, and would help implement policies and recommendations to reduce the risks of asbestos exposure.

A member of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Advisory Council, Barry Robson, told The Sydney Morning Herald they had spent a lot of time setting up and ran into a handful of issues, including those to do with staffing.

She said the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency educates people on the dangers of asbestos, and would help implement policies and recommendations to reduce the risks of asbestos exposure

Ms Salucci (second left) has made several public appearances to lobby the government for further funding to the agency. Here she is with Don Burke (second right) on Studio 10

He said getting all states and territories to sign off on the national strategy had also been time consuming.

The issue falls under the portfolio of Employment Minister Michaelia Cash who ordered a review into the agency's funding.

A spokesman for Senator Cash said the government had not cut funds to the agency and the amount of money set aside by the former Labor government had remained the same.
Parents have been left furious after receiving a letter instructing them to help their four-year-olds choose a gender before they start primary school.

Brighton and Hove City Council sent a letter to hundreds of families telling them which school their child would attend in September but asked them to respond with which gender their child preferred.

Along with the main text in the letter, there was also a note next to the tickbox for male/female explaining that the national recording system only gives two options for gender but to help their child choose a gender they most identified with.

Brighton and Hove City Council sent a letter to hundreds of families telling them which primary school their child would attend and asked parents to record which gender their child most 'identified with' (file picture)

It read: 'We recognise that not all children and young people identify with the gender they were assigned at birth or may identify as a gender other than male or female, however the current systems (set nationally) only record gender as male or female.

'Please support your child to choose the gender they most identify with. Or if they have another gender identity please leave this blank and discuss with your child's school.'

Parents have criticised the move claiming children should be allowed to 'enjoy their innocence'.

They also described it as a 'dangerous approach' since four-year-olds do not yet have an adult view of the world or fully understand gender roles.

One mother said: 'Children do not have access to an adult view of the world  they don't fully understand permanence, social structures, what is possible and what is not possible.

'Four-year-olds do not generally have fixed views and often don't fully understand that their sex, colour or even species is fixed.

'Treating children as though they are adults is a dangerous approach from a safeguarding point of view. They are not adults  let them enjoy the innocence and creativity of their childhood.'

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen also criticised the note, telling The Sun: 'Schools should be teaching kids to read and write, not prompting them to consider gender swaps.'

Schools should be teaching kids to read and write, not prompting them to consider gender swaps Tory MP Andrew Bridgen

Brighton and Hove City Council's lead member for equalities, Councillor Emma Daniel, said the change to the form was a response to families' and schools requests to be more inclusive.

She said: 'Our pupil registration form asks for a range of information from parents and carers for children and young people of all ages who are entering a new school community.

'Parents and carers are asked to state their child's gender as male or female. For the vast majority of families this is very straightforward.

'We have inserted the additional text about gender identity in response to calls from families, young people and schools to show an inclusive approach to gender.

'There are increasing numbers of children and young people nationally identifying as trans. Many trans people nationally report having been bullied when they were at school.

'By acknowledging the range of gender identities in our school communities we are helping ensure schools are safe spaces for everyone.'

The controversy comes just three months after the council sent a 'profoundly confusing' gender survey to pupils at Blatchington Mill School, in Hove, with 25 options to choose from.

As well as traditional options of 'girl' and 'boy', children aged 13 to 18 were also invited to select from a list that included 'genderqueer', 'tri-gender', 'gender fluid' and 'intersex'.

Brighton and Hove City Council's (pictured) lead member for equalities, Councillor Emma Daniel, said the change to the form was a response to families' and local primary schools requests to be more inclusive

That national survey was linked from the website of the Children's Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, and was forwarded to some schools by local councils.

But the question asking children to define their gender was criticised by the Christian Institute as 'totally misleading' and 'profoundly confusing' for girls and boys.

Spokesman Simon Calvert said at the time: 'We must not intrude on childhood by deliberately confusing schoolchildren about what makes a boy a boy or a girl a girl just to satisfy adult political agendas.

'We must protect children from being made to feel that passing phases of confused feeling about themselves, which many go through, must be turned into life-changing moral and political decisions.'

It later emerged that the survey had been withdrawn. A spokesman at Ms Longfield's office said there had been a 'clerical error' and the survey was only a draft.

The survey will now be redrafted with the question asking children to define their gender removed.

Brighton has also previously come under fire for proposing to ban titles such as Mr, Mrs, Miss and Ms in case they offend the transgender community.

In 2012, councillors discussed the possibility of removing the words from official forms and paperwork after complaints that they forced people to 'choose between genders'.

However, the proposal drew criticism from many with some branding it 'political correctness gone too far' and 'ludicrous'.
Hopes have been raised that thousands of jobs at Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant could be saved if a potential management buyout is successful - but workers may have to stump up 10,000 each.

Stuart Wilkie, managing director of Tata's Strip Products, is believed to have expressed an interest in a potential buyout of the South Wales steelworks and is canvassing workers about joining a bid.

The investment he is seeking from employees could be as much as 10,000 each, according to sources. Private investors and government support would also be needed to reach the 100million target.

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Stuart Wilkie, managing director of Tata's Strip Products, is believed to have expressed an interest in a potential buyout of the steelworks in Port Talbot, South Wales and is canvassing workers about joining a bid

Tata would not confirm the names of anyone who has expressed an interest in buying its loss making UK business, but the latest proposal is based on a 'turnaround plan' earlier rejected by the board.

The Indian conglomerate announced three weeks ago that it was selling its UK assets, leaving thousands of jobs in the balance at plants across the country and at firms supplying the business.

Mr Wilkie was one of those behind a survival plan for Tata's UK steel business which was rejected by the board in India.

The business is losing 1 million a day and although Tata has not set a deadline for the sale, time is tight for a buyer to agree a deal. It is likely to cost around 100million to return the Welsh site to a profit.

More than 190 potential investors have been approached about purchasing the business, the Indian company has said.

However, up until now, Liberty has been the only firm to express a public interest in buying the business.

Workers at Port Talbot (pictured) may be asked to invest up to 10,000 if the management buyout is a success

Liberty's executive chairman Sanjeev Gupta said he would consider taking it on only if the price was low and insisted he was not so attached to the idea that he could not walk away.

The steel magnate said that the company would not take on any plants that meant it would sustain losses as it was 'not our business model'.

The steel union Community said it would welcome 'prompt discussions with Stuart Wilkie and any management buyout option'.

The deal is likely to be similar to one in Scunthorpe, where investor Greybull Capital stepped in to support around 9,000 jobs.

Tata's UK steel operations are not making a profit, with the company losing 1million a day across all its sites including at the biggest steel plant in Port Talbot where more than 4,000 people are employed.

Tens of thousands of others rely on the industry, either through direct employment or in firms which supply or service the sector.

The sale of Tata's steelplants in the UK, announced by the Indian conglomerate three weeks ago, puts more than 15,000 jobs in jeopardy at plants (shown above) in South Wales, Yorkshire and Northamptonshire

Last week the Business Secretary raised the prospect of government involvement in the sale which surprised many in the industry.

Sajid Javid told the Commons he had been in contact with potential buyers, making clear that the Government stands ready to help and had not ruled anything out.

'This includes looking at the possibility of co-investing with a buyer on commercial terms,' he said.

On Monday he joined ministers from other countries at a meeting in Brussels to discuss the global glut of steel that has pushed British production to the brink of collapse.
But three other witnesses said last year they had seen him inside a restaurant at the time of the killings

A single witness identified Bolden as the shooter, leading to his conviction

A Chicago man who spent more than two decades in prison for the murders of two men walked free Tuesday after prosecutors dropped the charges.

Edward Bolden, who took his first steps as a free man outside the Cook County Jail, was sentenced to life in prison for the 1994 killings of Irving Clayton, 23, and Derrick Frazier, 24.

They were found shot to death in a burning car in what authorities say was a drug deal gone bad.

'I'm glad I'm out. It looks foreign. A lot of this wasn't even out here when I left,' Bolden, who is now 46 years old, said.

Edward Bolden (left), who is now 46, took his first steps as a free man after spending 20 years in prison for the murders of two men. Prosecutors dropped the charges on Tuesday

Bolden, pictured stepping out of the Cook County Jail in Chicago, was convicted after a single witness said he had shot and killed Irving Clayton, 23, and Derrick Frazier, 24

Bolden was convicted on the testimony of a single witness who identified him as the gunman. The witness was Frazier's brother and was also wounded in the shooting.

But an investigator later interviewed three witnesses who said at a hearing last year they saw Bolden playing an arcade game inside a restaurant at the time of the killings.

'Each of the witnesses said exactly what two of the witnesses had said at trial  which is that Eddie was inside a fish restaurant at the time the shootings were happening outside,' said Bolden's attorney Ron Safer.

'These three people were totally impartial. They had never met Eddie before, but they remembered that he was in there and they testified to that at the hearing.'

Circuit Judge Alfredo Maldonado ordered a new trial for Bolden in January, saying he had a 'substantial deprivation of constitutional rights' following his arrest.

Prosecutors first said they would retry him and Bolden was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

But the Cook County State's Attorney's office suddenly announced it would dismiss the case and drop the charges Tuesday.

'I knew (freedom) would come, I just didn't know when,' Bolden said. 'I didn't think it would take 22 years, but I still have my life.'

He was pictured with his adopted son, Antonio Johnson, after his release.

Bolden had his first meal as a free man at Giordano's, a Chicago joint known for its stuffed deep-dish pizza.

An investigator later interviewed three other witnesses, who said at a hearing last year they had seen Bolden (pictured with his adopted son Antonio Johnson after his release) inside a restaurant at the time of the killings

Bolden (pictured left moments after being released and right in a previous mugshot) had been held in lieu of $1 million bail after prosecutors said they would retry him. But the state's attorney's office dropped the charges

After two decades behind bars, Bolden had his first meal as a free man at Giordano's, a Chicago joint known for its stuffed deep-dish pizza. He is pictured reacting to a toast before the meal
A federal judge approved an agreement Tuesday between the city of Ferguson, Missouri, and the U.S. Justice Department that calls for sweeping changes in Ferguson, where 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry issued her ruling after a public hearing of several hours in St. Louis, where more than two dozen people spoke, and many others had submitted written comments. Perry said the settlement is a 'reasonable resolution' that avoids years of an extensive court battle.

'I think it's in everyone's best interest, and I think it's in the interest of justice,' she said.

A federal judge approved an agreement Tuesday between Ferguson, Missouri, and the U.S. Justice Department that calls for sweeping changes in Ferguson, where Michael Brown (pictured), 18, was fatally shot

Father: Michael Brown's dad (pictured center in a black jacket) attended the public hearing but did not make any comments

The settlement calls for the hiring of a monitor; diversity training for police; the purchase of software and hiring of staff to analyze records on arrests, use of force and other police matters; and the outfitting of all officers and jail workers with body cameras.

Mayor James Knowles III told Perry that the city believes the agreement 'is an important step in bringing this community together and moving us forward.'

Ferguson has been under scrutiny since Brown, who was black and unarmed, was fatally shot by white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in 2014, and Brown's death was a catalyst in the national Black Lives Matter movement.

Mayor James Knowles III (pictured on Tuesday) said that the city believes the agreement 'is an important step in bringing this community together and moving us forward'

A grand jury and the Justice Department cleared Wilson, who resigned from the police force in November 2014, but the shooting led to a Justice Department investigation.

That inquiry found alarming patterns of racial bias in policing and a municipal court system that generated revenue largely on the backs of poor and minority residents.

The Justice Department's critical report in March 2015 prompted the resignations of Ferguson's city manager, police chief and municipal judge. All three were white men who have since been replaced by black men.

Ferguson leaders and Justice Department officials spent months negotiating the settlement. But in February, after a series of public hearings, the City Council rejected it, mostly over concerns the cost could bankrupt the town. The Justice Department sued the next day.
In an interview, she reflects on her 'kind-hearted, hero' son

Georgina Whittington fears his plight is being forgotten in 60 Minutes saga

'It will be worrying him more than anything else,' Adam's mother said

The man at the centre of the 60 Minutes child snatch operation will be 'heartbroken' to miss his five-year-old son's birthday behind bars in a Lebanese jail this week, his weeping mother says.

Adam Whittington, the founder of Child Abduction Recovery International, is detained in Beirut charged over an alleged attempt to 'kidnap' Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner's two children.

Georgina Whittington broke down speaking to Daily Mail Australia this week, tearfully describing her 'loving' son as a hero.

'It (missing his son's birthday) will be worrying him more than anything else,' Mrs Whittington said.

'He'll be really upset.... He's never missed one of the kids' birthdays before'.

The Gold Coast mother said she is 'really scared' her 'very kindhearted' son - a dual British-Australian citizen who lives in Sweden - is being forgotten in Australia.

She is speaking out about her son's 'kind heart' because she believes his plight has been overshadowed by the plight of the 60 Minutes crew and veteran reporter Tara Brown.

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Georgina Whittington (back right), Mr Whittington's Australian mother, said he would be most upset about missing his youngest son's birthday

Veteran Channel Nine TV reporter Tara Brown was seen being shoved into the back of a police vehicle outside a Lebanese court this week

Mr Whittington is among seven people charged after allegedly attempting to Ali Elamine (pictured)

'It's only the last two days I've heard Adam's name on the TV,' she said.

'It's always 60 Minutes and the lady,' she said.

Mr Whittington was imprisoned for 16 weeks in Singapore for a previous operation.

He had admitted entering a foreign country illegally and claimed he had been given bad information about the job.

All he cared about at the time was getting out in time for his eldest son's birthday, Mrs Whittington said.

ADAM WHITTINGTON'S MOTHER DESCRIBES HER JAILED SON 'I'm proud of him. I'm very proud of him. 'But my god it's a hard job to do. 'He's a very loving person, he's very close to me. 'A lot of stuff he doesn't tell us. 'I go and visit him once or twice a year - he pays for that - and i stay at their place (and) I don't pay for anything.' 'He'll help anybody, he'll help his friends. 'It's just hard to explain - he is a very very kindhearted person. 'He'll give you his last dollar if he had it to help you.' Advertisement

'Even when Adam was in Singapore and he was in jail there, all he was thinking was about (his son's) birthday in November.

'And luckily enough he was out in September.

'All he was thinking about was he made it for the birthday in November.

'But now this will be killing him to know (his son) is five and he's not there.'

Mrs Whittington said she was a 'worrier' and her son did not tell her where he was until he got home safely from missions.

She first heard about his arrest from her brothers, who had seen it on the news, and contacted his wife Karin who had received a call from the embassy.

'He is a very, very kindhearted person,' she said.

'He'll give you his last dollar if he had it to help you'.

Mr Whittington served in the Australian Army when he was younger (pictured left, right)

Adam Whittington (right) is pictured with CARI colleague and Cypriot tattoo artist Craig Michael, who was also arrested as part of the alleged abduction attempt

The boys' mother was planning to tell their children what had happened to the father in case they found out at school.

Mrs Whittington said she was torn over whether she wanted him to continue with his dangerous line of work.

'Me as a mother, I'm hoping he does.

'In the other part of me... I'm hoping he doesn't because I can picture these poor kids and the way they're living and nobody should live (like that).

'Nobody should be living in filth.'

She has not heard from her son and her attempts to contact the British High Commission and Australian embassies have not been fruitful.

On Facebook, he had boasted about a previous abduction attempt to Lebanon

Mrs Whittington said she had been unable to sleep after someone on the news said he could get 20 years jail.
Uber may have taken Australia by storm but in Queensland it's under threat, with politician Bob Katter continuing his fight to have the service banned with severe penalties for drivers.

The Brisbane Times reports that the Katter Australian Party has put through a private member's bill for Uber drivers to lose demerit points each time they are caught driving for the company, and loss of licence after receiving three fines.

However, a parliamentary review committee examining current regulations for ride-sharing services including Uber did not let the legislation pass.

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Uber may be banned in Queensland due to severe penalties for its drivers

While its review into ride-sharing in Queensland is underway, members of the parliamentary committee have asked for the Government to forcibly crack down on Uber.

But the review is not due to return until August, and any legislation passed as a result will take another couple of months before it can be implemented.

Robbie Katter of KAP, Bob Katter's son, said it was not good enough and Queensland taxi owners and drivers were counting on the parliament to make the right decision and support them.

He hoped the major parties would support his call to 'enforce the laws'.

Bob Katter (left) has put through a private member's bill aiming for Uber drivers to lose demerit points each time they are caught driving for the company

The Katter party says the bill is 'about sending a message to Queenslanders'

'They'll [parliament] see the face of anger if we don't get it up because the review will still run its course. This is about sending a message to Queenslanders, pharmacy owners, hotel owners that the government is serious about enforcing the laws that we make in parliament and not allowing people to blatantly disregard those with disrespect,' he said.

'There's people who have lose hundreds of millions in investment, the same as what a pharmacist would or a hotel owner would if the government decided to turn a blind eye to policing their industry, it's terribly unfair.

'Let the review take its course, we can accept the umpire's decision there but you can't go around running an illegal activity before then just because you know you've got deep enough pockets to challenge the government.'
Hundreds of church child sex abuse cases dating back decades are being reported to police again because the victim's names were never given to authorities to properly investigate.

The Catholic church in NSW has stopped a controversial procedure known as 'blind reporting', which meant police were never given the victim's name when the church passed on a child sex abuse allegation.

The practice of blind reporting meant many abuse allegations could not be investigated.

Hundreds of child sex abuse allegations are being freshly reported to NSW police by the Catholic Church because it has scrapped a controversial procedure known as blind reporting

Documents obtained under freedom of information by NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge show NSW Police has received 1,476 blind reports of child sex abuse in NSW since 2009 - many of which relate to the Catholic church.

The church is now going back over their blind reports and giving the names of victims to police.

'By accepting the Catholic church's practice of blind reporting, police allowed victims to be denied justice and abusers to escape conviction,' Mr Shoebridge told Daily Mail Australia.

'One of the key problems with blind reports is that the police's own protocol says when they get a blind report they don't investigate it. They just file it as criminal intelligence and that means perpetrators are not being brought to justice.'

Some victims of child sex abuse told the ABC they had no idea their complaints would never be investigated due to the blind reporting.

Documents obtained under freedom of information by NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge show NSW Police has received 1,476 blind reports of child sex abuse from organisation in NSW since 2009

A victim, known only as Robert, reported his sex abuse at the hands of a paedophile priest to the Catholic church in 2011. He was told it would be passed on to police but a blind report was lodged, which didn't include his name.

'Blind reporting I think should be against the law,' Robert told the ABC.

'What's the point of telling the police about an allegation without giving them the full information so that they can't investigate?'

Criminal justice issues relating to reporting child sexual abuse, including blind reporting, is the subject of a public roundtable being held by a royal commission in Sydney on Wednesday.

Mr Shoebridge, who was involved in the roundtable, called on NSW Police to stop blind reporting.

Police have not confirmed their position on blind reporting because they say they cannot comment on an issue currently before the royal commission.
Police have released horrific dashcam footage of a stolen car chase involving three teen girls from Florida moments before they crashed and drowned in a pond.

The footage, released by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, shows deputies in a car chase with the teenagers, aged 15 and 16, who were driving in a Honda Accord they had allegedly stolen, according to ABC News.

In the video, which does not show the full incident, police can be seen pursuing the vehicle before the chase ends in a marshy pond at the Royal Palm cemetery, where 15-year-old Laniya Miller, 15-year-old Ashaunti Butler and 16-year-old Dominique Battle drowned.

Police have released horrific dashcam footage of a stolen car chase involving three teen girls from Florida moments before they crashed and drowned in a pond

The footage, released by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, shows deputies in a car chase with the teenagers, aged 15 and 16, who were driving in a Honda Accord they had allegedly stolen

Since the release of the video, the officers' statements about trying to assist the girls has been questioned. As the Sheriff's office maintains their position that the officers tried to enter the pond to save the girls, but the video only shows them standing near the pond (pictured)

'It's about two feet of the trunk left and it's going to be completely under,' one of the deputies said in the footage. 'It's going all the way down.'

'They're done. They're six, seven deep. I hear them yelling I think,' a deputy says.

The girls' lawyer, Will Anderson, told ABC News that he has questions about law enforcement statements. He said his team is in the 'process of reviewing everything'.

Anderson added that his belief is that the incident has 'been a rush to judgment' resulting in a 'smear campaign'.

On the other hand, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told ABC that deputies did everything by the book, even attempting to save the girls' lives after their car plunged into the pond.

He said he wasn't 'going to stand by and let these people cast a false narrative' adding that because the pond was 'thick with sludge', it was difficult for officers to get to the teens.

Since the release of the video, the officers' statements about trying to assist the girls has been questioned, according to ABC.

Police said the teenage girls stole a car in a Walmart parking lot on March 31, and evaded law enforcement who were pursuing them in the allegedly stolen vehicle. Pictured are 15-year-old Laniya Miller (left) and 15-year-old Ashaunti Butler (right)

A dive team located the vehicle about 60 yards into the pond. They were able to secure a tow line and pull the vehicle out (pictured) but were unable to see anything due to poor visibility

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says the driver of the Honda Accord apparently missed a sharp turn near a cemetery and went into the water near St Petersburg around 4am on March 31. The car pictured after it plunged into the pond

As the Sheriff's office maintains their position that the officers tried to enter the pond to save the girls, but the video only shows them standing near the pond.

'The officers got in the pond and just because it's not on cam doesn't mean it didn't happen,' Gualtieri said.

Dominique Battle, 16, of St Petersburg was one of the three teens who drowned in the March incident

A dive team located the vehicle about 60 yards into the pond.

Police say the teenage girls stole a car in a Walmart parking lot on March 31, and evaded law enforcement who were pursuing them in the allegedly stolen vehicle.

'They've been arrested seven times in the last year on just auto theft charges,' Gualtieri said. 'These are not good kids. These are kids who are heavily engaged in criminal activity. I didn't make it up. I didn't make it up that at 4 o'clock in the morning they were driving a stolen car.'

'My daughter was not perfect,' Natasha Winkler, mother of Laniya Miller, one of the girls who drowned, told WFTS. 'What 15-year-old is?'

Gualtieri says the driver of the Honda Accord apparently missed a sharp turn near a cemetery and went into the water near St. Petersburg around 4am on March 31.

Gualtieri says a deputy spotted the car driving without headlights and tried to stop it before the driver fled, eventually running a red light.

The deputies were not actively chasing the car and did not have their emergency lights on, Gualtieri said.

The sheriff says the pond's water was so murky that police could not find the car.

Gualtieri said the vehicle had its windows rolled up and doors closed.

'That car became a death chamber for those girls,' he said during a news conference in March.

Divers later found the car, stolen in St Petersburg the night before, in 15 feet of water, according to Gualtieri.

The sheriff said the owner of the car, 35-year-old Damian Marriott, told police he was going to give the girls a ride to a nearby Child's Park.

On the way there, he stopped at a Walmart to buy a television, leaving the car running, and when he came outside, the girls had taken off with the car, Gualtieri said.

Hours later, the car was spotted driving with its lights off but police decided not to pursue when they could not pull it over, Gualtieri said.

Gualtieri says a deputy spotted the car driving without headlights and tried to stop it before the driver fled, eventually running a red light and leading up to their tragic deaths

Gualtieri (pictured during a news conference) said deputies did everything by the book, even attempting to save the girls' lives after their car plunged into the pond. He said he wasn't 'going to stand by and let these people cast a false narrative' adding that it was difficult for officers to get to the teens

The vehicle then continued and was seen going through a stoplight, according to police.

Another deputy in an unmarked car later spotted the vehicle and confirmed it was the car stolen out of St Petersburg, police said.

The deputy monitored the car from a distance.

Later, the deputies spotted the car in a cemetery and followed it but did not give chase, he said.

Then the deputies saw the car go into a pond inside the cemetery at about 35mph, he said.

'They tried to get in there and rescue those girls, and they just couldn't do it,' Gualtieri said.

It is against department policy to actively pursue a nonviolent offender, he said.

Juvenile crime, especially grand theft auto, has been skyrocketing in recent years in St. Petersburg, Gualtieri said.

The three teens had, between them, seven arrests in just a year - most of them for grand theft auto, he said.
A slaughterhouse worker whose head was impaled on a hook, leaving him hanging in the air for an hour, has recalled the horrifying workplace injury.

Jason Matahiki, known as Whopper, was cleaning New Zealand's Rangiuru Affco meat plant in August 2014 when the 10cm hook hit his skull and came out under his eye, dragging him off his feet.

The company responsible for the plant  Affco New Zealand - was fined $55,000 on Wednesday after being found guilty of failing to follow safety rules, reports NZ Herald.

Jason Matahiki suffered the horrific injury at New Zealand's Rangiuru Affco meat plant

The 10cm prong hit his skull and came out under his eye, dragging him into the air and suspending him there for an hour

Mr Matahiki, 44, said it's been a rough road recovering from the freak accident two years ago, which nearly caused permanent brain damage.

'I have nightmares, a sore head, headaches, I hardly sleep. Sometimes I hardly eat. Sometimes the pain is so unbearable. My recovery? It was a joke.'

He was cleaning the hooks on the mutton slaughter chain conveyor - which is meant to carry a whole carcass - when the machine activated and hit him from behind.

'I don't remember much about the accident. All I know is one minute I was at work and the next minute I was in hospital and it was the next morning.'

An ambulance arrived and managed to remove the hook from the chain, and Mr Matahiki was taken to Tauranga Hospital in a serious condition.

Astonishingly, the hook did not cause any eye or brain injuries, however it was only millimetres away from causing more permanent damage.

Mr Matahiki, 44, shows where the prong - which is meant to carry a whole carcass - entered his skull when the machine activated

Mr Matahiki said he has suffered 'unbearable pain' from the injury in August 2014, but the company tried to blame him

Affco was found guilty of breaching health and safety laws and was fined $55,000 on Wednesday in Tauranga District Court

Mr Matahiki, who earned his nickname wolfing five Whopper meals in five minutes, said Affco later tried to blame him for the accident and claim he should not have been standing in the way of hook.

'I think they're gutless not to admit what had gone wrong.'

Last month Affco was found guilty of breaching health and safety laws and failing to ensure the safety of Mr Matahiki.
In addition to the sexual abuse of a minor charge, Tivy is suspected of victimizing at least five other underage youths and

met for sex in a Best Buy parking lot in the Bronx

It is not clear whether or not the plaintiff is a 15-year-old boy Tivy

Celebrity chef Matthew Tivy is accused of having a penchant for at least six young boys, according to a lawsuit filed in a Manhattan court on Tuesday.

The lawsuit comes not long after Tivy was arrested in October for allegedly having sex with several minors, including a Bronx high school student, and distributing child pornography.

It's not clear if the lawsuit was filed by the 15-year-old Bronx boy who was allegedly molested in a Best Buy parking lot in 2014 or if it was filed by another alleged victim.

Celebrity chef Matthew Tivy (pictured in 2008) is accused of having a penchant for at least six young boys, according to a lawsuit filed in a Manhattan court on Tuesday.

Fine dining: The lawsuit claims that the 54-year-old owner of Cafe Du Soleil (pictured) on the Upper West Side has a 'depraved sexual interest between himself and [plaintiff] as well as five other minors'

The lawsuit claims that the 54-year-old former owner of Cafe Du Soleil on the Upper West Side has a 'depraved sexual interest between himself and [plaintiff] as well as five other minors,' according to the New York Daily News.

The lawsuit says that the alleged victim, suffered severe injuries, including but not limited to mental, psychological and emotional trauma.'

The minor's lawyer Royce Russell said that his client continues to suffer from his alleged interactions with Tivy.

'He is a minor and he doesn't have the full capacity to understand, emotionally, what has occurred,' Russell said.

'He will be forever living with this and dealing with this.'

Documents in the case describe how Tivy first met the alleged Bronx victim when he was 14 or 15 years old and arranged a meeting with him December 30, 2014, outside a Best Buy.

Alleged crime: Documents in the case describe how Tivy first met the alleged Bronx victim when he was 14 or 15 years old and arranged a meeting with him December 30, 2014, outside a Best Buy

Tivy reportedly texted the Bronx teen, saying:'You were very bad not to tell how young you are haha but I didnt mind,' according to the complaint.

'Oh I thought I told you,' the victim replied.

In another message, the Manhattan restaurant owner allegedly stated: 'I've been with a high school guy before so it's cool.'

FBI agents also allegedly recovered X-rated videos the grown man and his underage lover had sent to one another.

According to the documents, Tivy admitted to the crime online, bragging to his friends on the app Kik that he had sex in his car with a high school sophomore.

I have one kid that I f***ed in my car. Hes a high school sophomore.

In addition to the sexual abuse of a minor charge, Tivy is suspected of victimizing at least five other underage youths from Florida, Ohio and New Jersey by distributing sexually explicit photos and videos.

More than one: In addition to the sexual abuse of a minor charge, Tivy is suspected of victimizing at least five other underage youths from Florida, Ohio and New Jersey by distributing sexually explicit photos and videos

In another online exchange, the suspect allegedly shared naked photos of a 14-year-old boy from New Jersey and boasted that he had the teen perform a sex act on him.

An analysis of the contents of his Tivy's phone also revealed images of another New Jersey teen, aged 15, and videos showing a 14-year-old from Florida, the criminal complaint stated in October.

A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Tivy opened Cafe Du Soleil on the corner of Broadway and West 104th Street in 2005.

He also owns and operates a Japanese bistro and sushi bar called Tokyo Pop that is located across the street from his popular Provencal eatery.

Tivy has appeared on at least three episodes of the Food Network show Chef Du Jour, preparing raviolis of Maine lobster with white truffle sauce, a foie gras dish and a wood-grilled sirloin with French fries.
All the women in Trump's life were by his side as his New York victory dream came true.

As the dulcet sounds of Frank Sinatra's New York New York blared over the speakers, his family cheered The Donald's strong win Tuesday night.

Daughters Tiffany and Ivanka and wife Melania watched proudly as the billionaire businessman celebrated at the podium.

He said: 'We don't have much of a race anymore, based on what I'm seeing on television.'

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Donald Trump's granddaughter Arabella left, daughter Ivanka, center and wife Melania (right) listen to him speak at his New York

Family affair: Trump was flanked by his children - including Eric (far left), Tiffany (center) and Donald Trump Jnr (right) and Ivank (far right) as well as wife Melania (far right)

Eric Trump, who did not register to vote in time to support his father, was joined by his journalist wife Lara, who voted Trump

As the dulcet sounds of Frank Sinatra's New York New York blared over the speakers, his family cheered The Donald's strong win Tuesday night

Before claiming that 'Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated' from winning the GOP nomination, observing that 'we have won millions of more votes than Senator Cruz. Millions and millions of more votes than Governor Kasich.'

With 98 per cent of the votes counted, Trump had 60.2 per cent of ballots cast.

Kasich had 25.1 per cent of the vote and Cruz brought up the rear with 14.7 per cent.

And while his success is undoubtable, the win is was not thanks to either Ivanka nor son Eric, who both failed to register as Republicans in time, therefore forfeiting the right to cast a vote for their father in today's primary.

Thumbs up: With 98 per cent of the votes counted, Trump (pictured with wife Melania) had 60.2 per cent of ballots cast.

After party: Ivanka, who recently gave birth, exclaims as she speaks to a member of the party next to Donald and her stepmom Melania

Ivanka (head turned, right) has played a very key role in her father's campaign, accompanying him on trails - despite being heavily pregnant - - and even making several videos encouraging states to come out and cast their vote

Ivanka and Eric Trump said in a statement to DailyMail.com last week that 'New York is one of the most onerous states in terms of time frame to change party affiliation for a closed primary, and the deadline unfortunately passed in October of 2015.'

Their father said hours earlier that they 'feel very guilty' about not switching their registration from independent to Republican early enough to vote for him on April 19.

But Ivanka has nonetheless played a very key role in her father's campaign, accompanying him on trails - despite being heavily pregnant - and even making several videos encouraging states to come out and cast their vote.

And just a week after she gave birth, Ivanka attended a rally for her father in Long Island.

Meanwhile, younger daughter Tiffany has been less present as she continues her double major in sociology and urban studies at the University of Pennsylvania, now in senior year.

Trump speaks to supporters with his daughter Tiffany (2nd R) and his son Donald Trump Jr, far right

She has been vocal in support of one of her parents however, sharing a heartwarming collage of photos of her with her mother together throughout her childhood after proudly visiting the 52-year-old on set during her Dancing With the Stars rehearsal several weeks ago.

But she was at her father's side Tuesday, along with brothers Donald Trump Jnr and Eric Trump and his journalist wife Lara.

And wife Melania - who accompanied Trump to the CNN Town Hall debate last Wednesday - was at her husband's side, proudly beaming as he extolled on his success.

Trump hammered home his consistent popular vote lead, throwing an elbow at Cruz for a pattern of accumulating Republican National Convention delegates at state party conventions rather than at the ballot box.

'It's really nice to win the delegates with the votes,' Trump declared.
Meet Salim's sister promoting a Mehajer family beauty business by sharing pictures of herself wearing colourful wigs with pouted, voluptuous lips.

The controversial former deputy mayor of Auburn in Sydney's west put himself centre stage last August with his self-professed 'wedding of the century'.

His little sister Khadijeh, one of eight Mehajer siblings, is set to bride at 'Sydney's next biggest wedding' while she promotes Mehajer Beauty Bar by posting images of herself in brunette, blonde, and even blue wigs to Instagram.

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Khadijeh Mehajer (pictured) is helping launch a new family beauty business on her InstagramKnown as Kat to her friends

Known as Kat to her friends, Ms Mehajer began uploading the images a few months ago using hashtags like #myweaveonfleek and #gotmybluewigon

Khadijeh (left) pictured with sister Aiisha (right), a glamorous model with an Instagram following of more than 16,000

Known as Kat to her friends, Ms Mehajer began uploading the images a few months ago using hashtags like #myweaveonfleek and #gotmybluewigon.

According to the posts on both Ms Mehajer's personal Instagram and the official Mehajer Beauty Bar page, the wigs are KMS brand and 'full lace human hair'.

Mehajer Beauty Bar is yet to launch and details of the recently registered business remain unknown  as does the date of her wedding to Ibraham Sakalaki.

'Welcoming the hottest bridal party!!! My Royal Honors [sic],' Ms Mehajer posted.

She is promoting Mehajer Beauty Bar by posting images of herself in brunette, blonde, and even blue wigs to Instagram

According to the posts on both Ms Mehajer's personal Instagram and the official Mehajer Beauty Bar page, the wigs are KMS brand and 'full lace human hair'

Mehajer Beauty Bar is yet to launch and details of the recently registered business remain unknown

Her bridal party appears to include sister-in-law Aysha, three of her five sisters  Sanna, Mary and Aiisha  along with two friends, according to Daily Telegraph.

Friends are reportedly anticipating it to be 'Sydney's next biggest wedding'.

She and her beau appear to have got matching crowns tattooed on their hands, posting an image to Instagram two weeks ago with the caption: 'Love is when we crown each other #myking'.

Of the eight siblings - Khaled, Zenah, Salim, Fatima, Khadijeh, Aiisha, Sanna and Mary  none have yet upstaged the former deputy mayor of Auburn's antics, though Khadijeh and Aiisha's names are known online for their social media presence.

Salim Mehajer's wife Aysha (left) with Khadijeh (right) in a blonde wig to promote the new family beauty business

Khadijeh wearing a blue wig with her beau Ibraham Sakalaki. The date of their wedding has been kept tight lipped

Salim (second from left) and his younger sister Khadijeh (far right) pose with his wife Aysha (far left) and the sister's fiance Ibraham Sakalaki (second from right)

Aiisha has made a name for herself as a glamour model and Instagram star with more than 16,000 followers.

'Welcoming the hottest bridal party!!! My Royal Honors [sic],' Ms Mehajer posted on Instagram with her bridesmaides

She was crowned Miss Personality in last year's Miss Lebanon Australia competition.

Mr Mehajer, who has previously announced his aspirations to become the Prime Minister of Australia, has a list of alleged misdemeanours ranging from intimidation charges to driving offences, property disputes and scrutinised business dealings.

He became a household name last August when he wed Aysha, born April Amelia Learmonth but had her name changed by deed poll to be remarkably similar to her new sister-in-law.

The wedding left Mr Mehajer with a $220 City Council fine for closing Frances Street in Lidcombe after hiring four helicopters and brought Ferraris, Lamborginis and Harley Davidsons with a reported total worth of $50 million.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mehajer Beauty Bar for further details.

Khadijeh's bridal party includes sister-in-law Aysha, three of her five sisters  Sanna, Mary and Aiisha  along with two friends (L-R Aysha, Mary, unnamed friend, Khadijeh, Sanna, Aiisha)

Khadijeh with a bouquet of white roses shortly after announcing her engagement

The date of Khadijeh's wedding to Ibraham Sakalaki remains secret, but the bride-to-be isn't afraid of posting images of the couple

Khadijeh (left) with fiance Ibraham Sakalaki (right). Salim's sister is promoting Mehajer Beauty Bar by sharing images of herself to Instagram wearing colourful wigs

Khadijeh (right) poses with fiance Ibraham Sakalaki (left). Friends are reportedly calling their upcoming nuptials 'Sydney's next biggest wedding'

She and her beau appear to have got matching crowns tattooed on their hands, posting an image to Instagram two weeks ago with the caption: 'Love is when we crown each other #myking'

Khadijeh has been sharing pictures of herself to Instagram pouting her voluptuous lips

Khadijeh is one of eight Mehajers, and is a younger sister of controversial former Auburn deputy mayor Salim

Khadijeh (right) frequently posts images of the tight knit family (pictured with Aiisha)

Khadijeh (left) with sister Aiisha (right) enjoying some time at Port Kembla beach last year

Aiisha (pictured) is newly blonde and posts about her beauty and style regime to more than 16,000 Instagram followers

Salim Mehajer, pictured with his wife Aysha before their marriage in August last year

Mr Mehajer, who has previously announced his aspirations to become the Prime Minister of Australia, has a list of alleged misdemeanours ranging from intimidation charges to driving offences, property disputes and scrutinised business dealings

He became a household name last August when he wed Aysha, born April Amelia Learmonth but had her name changed by deed poll to be remarkably similar to her new sister-in-law
An archaeological dig at the former home of Malcolm X has uncovered evidence of his life there as well as an 18th century settlement.

Experts at the Boston property, which was the activist's base in the 1940s, found 300-year-old kitchenware and ceramics during the dig, which started at the end of March.

They also found broken dishes, bits of jewelry and toys that would have perhaps been owned by Malcolm X, who was killed in 1965, or his family before the house was vandalized in the 1970s.

City archaeologist Joseph Bagley said the area is 'absolutely filled' with exciting finds.

An archaeological dig at the former home of Malcolm X (left; home, right) has uncovered evidence of an 18th century settlement

He said: 'We've come onto a whole layer, roughly two feet down and across the whole site, that's absolutely filled with stuff from the [1700s] period

'So we have this whole new research question, which is: what the heck was going on here in the 18th century?'

The two-week dig, which began on March 29, was meant to shine a light on Malcolm X's formative years in Boston as well as the home's previous owners, an Irish immigrant family who lived there through the Great Depression.

Mr Bagley said city records show the house was built in 1874 on what had then been agricultural land - but the dig's initial findings suggest there was another house on or near the site in colonial times.

City archeologist Joseph Bagley (right) digs as volunteer Rosemary Pinales (left) sifts soil for items at the house where the used to live

He added: 'This happens a lot in city digs. You look for one thing and you probably find it but then you also come across a couple of other questions that you have to figure out. It's just part of the process.'

Researchers have also found a small stone piece that may date to when Native American tribes once inhabited the city. A closer investigation to work out exactly how old the fragments are will be carried out.

The Dale Street home is the last surviving residence from Malcolm X's time as a teenager and young adult.

Artifacts recovered from the dig, which has been paused until May 16 due to bad weather in the area

Malcolm X, who dropped his last name 'Little' in favor of 'X' when he joined the Nation of Islam, was raised by his sister after his father died and his mother was committed to a mental institution.

He went onto become one of the Nation's most influential individuals before being killed at the Audubon Ballroom in February 1965.

The house is still owned by the Collins family, who are hoping they can renovate the deteriorated structure for public tours and other uses.
Along with a local water treatment plant supervisor, authorities said

Michigan's attorney general Bill Schuette will announce criminal charges Wednesday against two state regulators and a Flint employee, alleging wrongdoing related to the city's lead-tainted water crisis.

The charges, the first levied in a probe that is expected to broaden, will be filed against a pair of state Department of Environmental Quality officials and a local water treatment plant supervisor, two government officials said late Tuesday.

They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

The felony and misdemeanor charges include violating Michigan's drinking water law, official misconduct, destruction of utility property and evidence tampering, according to one official.

Michigan's attorney general Bill Schuette (pictured) will announce criminal charges Wednesday against two state regulators and a Flint employee, alleging wrongdoing related to the city's lead-tainted water crisis

The felony and misdemeanor charges include violating Michigan's drinking water law, official misconduct, destruction of utility property and evidence tampering

Dangerously high levels of lead had been detected in the blood of some residents, including children, for whom it can cause lower IQs and behavioral problems. Pictured is a child waiting outside a room where Gov Rick Snyder testified during a House Oversight and government Reform hearing

For nearly 18 months after Flint's water source was switched while the city was under state financial management, residents drank and bathed with improperly treated water that coursed through aging pipes and fixtures, releasing toxic lead.

Republican Gov Rick Snyder announced in October that the city would return from the Flint River to its earlier source of treated water, the Detroit municipal system.

But by that time, dangerously high levels of the toxic metal had been detected in the blood of some residents, including children, for whom it can cause lower IQs and behavioral problems.

The city has been under a state of emergency for more than four months and people there are using filters and bottled water.

Snyder recently vowed to drink tap water for at least a month to show residents that it's safe to use with a filter.

In January, Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette opened an investigation and appointed a special counsel to lead the probe because his office is also defending Snyder and others in lawsuits filed over the water crisis.

The state investigation team has more than 20 outside attorneys and investigators and a budget of $1.5 million.

Schuette, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, special counsel Todd Flood and other investigators scheduled a news conference for Wednesday afternoon in Flint to make a 'significant' announcement, according to an advisory distributed to the media.

Snyder (pictured) announced in October that the city would return from the Flint River to its earlier source of treated water, the Detroit municipal system. He recently vowed to drink tap water for at least a month to show it is safe to use with a filter

A lead main service line is exposed and measured as members of Eagle Excavation Inc., Goyette Mechanical Co., and Mechanical Contractors Johnson & Wood work together to dig a hole to expose, remove and replace a lead main service line in Flint, Michigan

In addition to the lead contamination, outside experts also have suggested a link between the Flint River and a deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak. There were at least 91 cases, including 12 deaths, across Genesee County, which contains Flint, during a 17-month period

In addition to the lead contamination, outside experts also have suggested a link between the Flint River and a deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak.

There were at least 91 cases, including 12 deaths, across Genesee County, which contains Flint, during a 17-month period.

The failure to deploy lead corrosion controls after the city's switch to the Flint River is considered a catastrophic mistake.

The DEQ has acknowledged misreading federal regulations and wrongly telling the city that the chemicals were not needed.

State officials were slow to respond to experts' and residents' concerns.

And after the crisis broke open, DEQ Director Dan Wyant and the department's communications director Brad Wurfel resigned.

Snyder announced the firing of Liane Shekter Smith, the former chief of the DEQ's Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance.

A district supervisor in the office, Stephen Busch, is on paid leave after being suspended earlier. Mike Prysby, a district engineer, recently took another job in the agency.

A supervisor at Flint's water plant, Mike Glasgow, testified at a legislative hearing that Prysby told him phosphate was not needed to prevent lead corrosion from pipes until after a year of testing.
The Star Casino has seen a increase in assaults since the NSW Government introduced the controversial lockout laws in 2014.

A report from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics has found that since the introduction of the laws, the number of non-domestic assaults in the Pyrmont area of Sydney increased from an average of four to five a month to seven to eight, amounting to just under two extra assaults a month.

The Star is exempt from the restrictions that ban patrons entering pubs and clubs after 1.30am in other areas of Sydney and stop bars serving drinks after 3am.

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Since the introduction of the Sydney lockout laws in 2014, The Star Casino (pictured) has seen an increase of assaults

A party goer feels worse for wear outside The Star Casino, where a BOSCAR report revealed an increase of just under two extra assaults a month

The Star Casino is exempt from the lockout laws that affect other areas of Sydney, including Kings Cross and the CBD

Pyrmont, the area where The Star Casino (pictured) is located, is the only central city suburb to see an increase in assaults since the introduction of the lockout laws

Pyrmont is the only central city suburb to see an increase in assaults since the state government introduced the lockout laws.

Almost half of the assaults in the Pyrmont area occurred near the casino, with 71 per cent of that half were found to be casino patrons, while more than one in 10 were taxi drivers.

The report by BOSCAR also showed that the Kings Cross area saw a decrease of 45.1 per cent and the CBD area, a decrease of 20.3 per cent.

The report did not find a similar increase in assaults in other nightlife hot-spots that are also exempt from the state's lockout laws like Newtown, Bondi or Double Bay.

BOCSAR director Don Weatherburn said the increase around Star Casino was far less than the reduction in violence recorded at Kings Cross and the CBD: 'But there's no doubt there has been a significant increase at The Star and its surrounds in Pyrmont,' he added.

The Kings Cross area saw a decrease of 45.1 per cent and the CBD area, a decrease of 20.3 per cent as crowds flock to The Star Casino, which is exempt from the lockout laws

The Star Casino disagrees with BOCSAR's statistics, saying its own monthly reviews show there was a reduction in assault numbers

A state government inquiry is due to report later this year into the lockout laws and whether further restrictions should be placed on venues such as The Star

The Star disagrees with BOCSAR's statistics, saying its own monthly reviews show there was a reduction in assault numbers at the casino from 2014 and 2015.

'Statistically there is one incident at The Star for every 211,000 visitors,' a spokesman told AAP.

'The Star believes one incident is one too many but we continue to work closely with the casino regulator and the NSW Police to review and minimise anti-social behaviour,' he said.
A plan by the Queensland Government to increase penalties for cannabis possession and supply so they are in line with hard drugs like heroin has been described as 'ludicrous' by a drug harm expert.

Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath is tipped to introduce drug reforms later this year following recommendations made in Michael Byrne QC's Commission of Inquiry into Organised Crime.

Among the suggestions to be adopted by the Queensland government is that current distinctions between 'hard' drugs and 'soft' drugs be scrapped.

Under the Queensland government's plan penalties for the possession and supply of cannabis would be brought in line with penalties for hard drugs like cocaine and heroin (stock image)

If passed, possession and trafficking of marijuana, a schedule two drug, would come with the same penalty as schedule one drugs such as heroin, ice and cocaine.

The changes would mean people caught supplying or growing cannabis could face up to 25 years in jail under the Drugs Misuse Act 1986.

The quantities of drugs that lead to convictions would remain the same.

Gino Vumbaca, president of Harm Reduction Australia, said the law reforms were an overreach and would do more harm than good.

'One of the greatest harms that can happen to a young person is a conviction,' he said, adding there were life-long consequences in terms of employment and travel.

He said most countries in the world were advocating a relaxation of drug laws as prohibition had proved ineffective.

'I don't see the evidence behind these recommendations,' he said.

Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath (pictured) is expected to implement drug reforms later this year

Distinctions between schedule one drugs, like ice, and schedule two drugs like cannabis would be scrapped

Mr Vumbaca said while some regular users of cannabis can develop problems, there was no link between harsher penalties and deterrence.

The government argues that streamlining drug offenses will remove any risk of inconsistency in the scheduling of substances and provide more transparency, which may 'enhance its deterrent value.'

'It also brings Queensland into line with other Australian states,' Ms D'Ath told The Courier Mail.

'It means courts can sentence on the basis of the quantity of the drug and circumstances of the offending rather than the classification of the drug itself.'

The shakeup of drug laws comes as the Queensland government looks to begin trialling medical marijuana.

Under the proposed Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill 2016 doctors will be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis as part of their patient's overall treatment.

In February, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the bill would create 'the most progressive laws in the country.'
Prince William has today defended himself over claims he is 'workshy' arguing 'duty can weigh you down at a young age'.

The Duke of Cambridge said that the Queen and his father Prince Charles are both '150 per cent supportive' about his decision to concentrate on family life rather than royal duties.

William has repeatedly been accused of laziness when it was revealed he worked just 80 hours a month as an ambulance pilot in East Anglia.

He also faced criticism for jetting off on a secret luxury ski break to the French Alps with his wife and children in March - after carrying out just three royal engagements in 2016 before then.

Defence: Prince William has today defended himself over claims he is 'workshy' saying 'duty can weigh you down at a young age'

Four generations: Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George all pose with the Queen for her 90th birthday stamps

Other full-time working royals - including William's grandmother, the Queen - will conduct 500-plus engagements each year.

The second-in-line to the throne said he was making the most of time to do another 'worthwhile job' while he could and his family was supportive.

He said: 'I take duty very seriously. I take my responsibilities very seriously. But it's about finding your own way at the right time and if you're not careful duty can weigh you down at a very early age.

'I think you have got to develop into the duty role.'

I take duty very seriously. I take my responsibilities very seriously. But it's about finding your own way at the right time and if you're not careful duty can weigh you down at a very early age. 'I think you have got to develop into the duty role William on his work-life balance

He said that his grandmother and father are still very busy with royal duties and said he will be ready to take on more when the time comes.

'My grandmother and father are 150 per cent supportive behind everything I am doing, as are Harry and Catherine.

'There's the time now and the space to explore doing another worthwhile job'.

William's public role has been subject to increasing scrutiny after it emerged that his 94-year-old grandfather, Prince Philip, undertook more official engagements than the young royals put together.

The Duke of Edinburgh clocked up 250 official duties at home and abroad in 2015, compared to the 198 conducted by William, Kate and Harry combined.

Pilot: Prince William in the cockpit of an air ambulance pilot; bosses have praised his contribution but it was claimed 'He's hardly ever on shift'

To add to the sense of unease, he inadvertently blundered into the debate over the EU in a speech recently, saying the UK's international partnerships were the 'bedrock of our security and prosperity'.

The prince has also been lambasted over his commitment to his 'day job' as an EAAA pilot, with unconfirmed sources complaining he wasn't pulling his weight and preferred to live the life of a country squire. 'He's hardly ever on shift,' it was claimed.

William, Kate and their two children live in a ten-bedroom mansion on the Queen's Norfolk estate  in addition to their taxpayer-funded Kensington Palace apartment  and it has been suggested his flying job was secured to suit his domestic arrangements.

In a series of interviews to mark Her Majesty's 90th birthday on Thursday, William has also revealed an incident from his childhood in which his grandmother the Queen gave him an 'almighty bollocking'.

Speaking to Sky News for a documentary called The Queen At 90 to celebrate the monarch's birthday tomorrow, the Duke of Cambridge recalled how a childhood telling off from The Queen has stayed with him throughout his life.

Referring to a childhood incident which landed him in hot water with Elizabeth II, William described getting into trouble with his cousin Peter Phillips after riding a quad bike at Balmoral.

He said: 'We were chasing Zara around who was on a go-cart, and Peter and I managed to herd Zara into a lamppost and the lamppost came down and nearly squashed her and I remember my grandmother being the first person out at Balmoral running across the lawn in her kilt.

'She came charging over and gave us the most almighty bollocking, and that sort of stuck in my mind from that moment on.'

William revealed that the Queen is 150 per cent behind him for allowing her and his father to carry out the majority of royal duties

Referring to a childhood incident which landed him in hot water with the Queen, Prince William described getting into trouble with his cousin Peter Phillips after riding a quad bike at Balmoral

Prince William also credited the Queen for helping him through the loss of his mother, Diana Princess of Wales, and said she has been a powerful female influence in his life.

He said his grandmother had been 'incredibly supportive' of him and been someone for him to look up to.

The Duke said: 'She's been a very strong female influence and having lost my mother at a young age, it's been particularly important to me that I've had somebody like the Queen to look up to.

'[She's someone] who's been there and who has understood some of the more, um, complex issues when you lose a loved one.

'So she's been incredibly supportive and I've really appreciated her guidance.'
After three days without water he became delusional and feared death

An experienced fisherman who found himself stranded on a remote Australian island had lost his mind, was completely naked and just hours from dying when a British documentary film crew stumbled upon him.

Jeremy Wade, of Animal Planet's 'River Monsters', was exploring the crocodile-infested waters of Barranyi North Island, an uninhabitable cluster of islands 750 kilometres south-east of Darwin, when his crew spotted a naked man emerge out of a cave waving his arms wildly in the air.

According to Lesley Garner, whose son Ashley was the tour guide chartering the five-person film crew, the castaway was a mysterious fisherman in his 40s from Queensland named Tremine.

Ms Garner said Tremine had been a family friend of theirs for over a decade, and would spend a few months every year at the tiny indigenous community of Borroloola to enjoy the fishing.

A British documentary film crew found a castaway fisherman stranded on Barranyi North Island

The crew initially spotted a cooler box floating in the crocodile-infested waters, but a man emerged out of a nearby cave waving his arms in the air

The man, a Queenslander in his 40s known only as Tremine, told the crew he had left his boat to hunt for oysters but quickly became disoriented in the heat

But his latest expedition had gone horribly wrong - after mooring his boat to search for oysters in November of last year he had quickly become disoriented in the overgrown national park.

Hed gone fishing for a few days, hed gone down a walking track on the island and it hadn't been maintained at all. He said he just lost his bearings, Ms Garner said.

Smashed by temperatures in excess of 43C (109F), Tremine had become landlocked, severely dehydrated and too weak to explore for fresh water or food.

He was almost 100 kilometres from the nearest township.

The only reason he had ventured close to the water in his feverish state was to scavenge empty bottles along the shoreline for a drop of fresh water  left behind by tourists who had visited the bay to observe turtles migrating.

He was into his third day without water, thats pretty well close to death, Ms Garner told Daily Mail Australia.

Ms Garner said Tremine had become increasingly delirious and irrational as he sought refuge from the harsh elements.

The night before, one minute he was freezing cold, the next minute he was boiling hot. By the end he had just taken his clothes off  thats a sure sign you havent got much longer to go, she said.

The film crew's director said the man was just hours from dying of dehydration when they found him

Tremine spent the night in the film crew's lodge and was violently ill, vomiting and sweating heavily

SURVIVING IN THE WILDERNESS - The typical person can last just 72 hours without water - Some people have been known to survive up to 8 days without water - Water, which makes up 65 per cent of the human body, is essential for people's survival -It flushes waste out of the body and carries oxygen and essential nutrients to cells Advertisement

Stephen Shearman, director of the episode 'Death Down Under,' told Inside Edition that Tremine was just hours from dying when they found him.

'He had said his last prayer ... He was prepared to die and meet his maker,' Mr Shearman said.

'With every hour that passed his chances of survival diminished,' Mr Wade said. 'One more day on the beach and he would have died.' He said the man was yelling, 'Give me a drink, give me a drink.'

After putting on a spare pair of shorts that were sitting in the boat, Tremine began gulping down fresh water with rehydration tablets.

But for most of that night - which he spent with the crew in their lodge - Tremine was violently ill, vomiting and sweating heavily.

When he returned, he spent the night recuperating at the Garners home.

'He was quite embarrassed by the whole thing, hes not an idiot, he's an experienced bushman who goes on fishing trips regularly' Ms Garner said.

'It just goes to show it doesn't matter how well you plan something, things can still go wrong.'

News of the miraculous rescue has quickly travelled around the small community of Borroloola, where Tremine is known by locals as the 'nice little fella that keeps to himself and doesnt bother anyone.'

A spokesperson for Top End Health Service told Daily Mail Australia that Tremine had been assessed at the local health clinic, and then transported to Darwin Hospital for further treatment.

Jeremy Wade, the host of Animal Planet's 'River Monsters,' is renowned for dealing with deadly creatures
It's known the world over as Australia's most famous beachside suburb, but a Sydney radio host has laid into Bondi Beach calling it an 'eyesore' that's 'full of tossers'.

2UE's breakfast show host Garry Linnell said Bondi was 'overrated' and in need of a 'complete hosing down' during his rant on Wednesday.

'It's one of the ugliest eyesores in this country, Bondi, this haphazard conglomeration of crappy looking buildings, tight streets, appalling traffic and a grungy, dirty beachfront which just needs a complete hosing down,' Linnell said on air.

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A photograph emerged in March of a man smoking a large bong outside a fast food store on a busy Bondi street

'Let's admit it, it's the most overrated beach in Australia, the most overrated suburb in Australia... What a bunch of tossers down there in Bondi. You know it's true.'

Linnell's remarks come after a photo emerged in March of a man smoking a large bong outside McDonald's in a busy Bondi street, apparently unaware of the stares of people around him including a small boy.

Such heavy criticism of the area comes at a sensitive time as an angry dispute brews among the community about a controversial new development to renovate the Bondi Pavilion.

2UE's breakfast show host Garry Linnell slammed the iconic vicinity, saying it was was in need of 'a complete hosing down'

Bondi Beach is known throughout the world, but Linnell said that it was' the most overrated beach in Australia' and 'the most overrated suburb in Australia'

Waverley Council voted in favour of a $38 million redevelopment of the landmark building on Tuesday night (artist's impression of the new Bondi Pavilion)

The current structure will be torn down and modern extensions will be put in their place (artist's impression of the new Bondi Pavilion)

Waverley Council voted in favour of a $38 million redevelopment of the landmark building on Tuesday night.

The current structure will be torn down and modern extensions will be put in their place, with the theatre within the original building moved, and cafes and eateries introduced.

However, the new plans have annoyed actor Michael Caton, who has lived in the area for more than 30 years, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The theatre within the original building will be moved, and cafes and eateries introduced (artist's impression of the new Bondi Pavilion)

Famous for his role as Darryl Kerrigan in 1997 film The Castle, Caton is in full support of locals fighting the plans.

Caton said the pavilion was in need of being spruced up, but that the new plans were 'over-the-top'.

Waverly Mayor Sally Betts has also came under fire over the plans, saying she has even received death threats at a community meeting recently over the new proposals.
Shaw's lover was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty last year

The execution style killing came after a previous attempt failed

at a brothel where she was working

Shyam Sam Dhody was shot 10 times in the head at close range

Former prostitute Melissa Leigh Shaw guilty of murdering her fiance

Former prostitute Melissa Leigh Shaw has been found guilty of enlisting her on-again, off-again lover to violently kill her fiance.

Bankrupt businessman Shyam Sam Dhody was found shot in the head 10 times at close range while he lay in bed at his Gilston home, on the Gold Coast, in July 2013.

The Supreme Court jury found Shaw guilty of murder and assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, but not guilty of one charge of attempted murder on Wednesday, reported the ABC.

Melissa Leigh Shaw (middle) was found guilty over the murder of her finance Shyam 'Sam' Dhody

Dhody (pictured) was found in his bed with 10 gunshot wounds to the head

The crown prosecutor likened the 30-year-old to the Trojan horse, and the court heard the couples relationship began to sour and turn violent in March 2013.

Shaw had encouraged, facilitated and assisted in the brutal attacks, effectively getting someone else to do the job.

Shaw was sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 20 years.

The victims murder came just months after he was set upon by an unknown assailant and struck repeatedly with the intent to kill, reported Seven News.

In a previous hearing, the Crown alleged Shaw's sometime lover, Adam Gooley, was the assailant in both instances.

Gooley, a mechanic, pleaded guilty to the shooting and was also sentenced to life in prison, 20 years no parole last September.

Shaw was found guilty of helping an on-again, off-again lover kill her Dhody

Crown prosecutor Dennis Kinsella (pictured) likened Shaw to the 'Trojan horse'

Adam Gooley (pictured) who carried out the murder was sentenced to 20 years in jail last year after pleading guilty

Dhody was previously attacked by a an assailant with a metal bar with intent to kill
A truck driver who may have tried to fake his own death to avoid court after fatally striking a tow truck worker has been jailed for 20 months.

Astrid Hall, who went by the name Abby, was assisting a man whose car had broken down on Perth's Roe Highway when she was flung into the air by a truck driven by 58-year-old Lindsay James Lucas on Christmas Eve in 2013.

The grandfather failed to appear in court for a trial in June and his ute was found with notes inside addressed to his family, prompting a judge to suggest Mr Lucas may have wanted people to think he had taken his own life.

Lindsay James Lucas (left) has been jailed for 20 months after fatally striking mother Astrid 'Abby' Hall (right), in 2013

He was spotted a couple of months later living malnourished in a shed near where his abandoned ute was found and has been in custody ever since.

Mr Lucas was convicted by a jury this month of dangerous driving causing the death of the 51-year-old mother.

The WA District Court heard on Wednesday that Mr Lucas had suffered serious health issues caused by the stress of the case and living in the bush where he developed a condition caused by a vitamin B1 deficiency.

He now requires a wheelchair and has difficulty with his speech and hearing.

Judge Julie Wager noted Mr Lucas had been driving at or under the speed limit, was not affected by alcohol or drugs, and his offending was at the lower end of the scale.

She also showed him mercy because of his health problems, noting prison life would be especially difficult for him.

Judge Wager said Mr Lucas, who was an experienced truck driver, was not concentrating at the time of the crash and it was perhaps due to fatigue or having his attention drawn elsewhere.

The court heard Mr Lucas veered into the emergency lane at least two kilometres before the crash.

WA's District Court (pictured) heard Mr Lucas left notes for his family which led a judge to suggest he may have wanted people to think he had taken his own life

Ms Hall was assisting a man whose car had broken down on Perth's Roe Highway when she was fatally struck by Mr Lucas in 2013

Although Mr Lucas did not show remorse, Judge Wager accepted he had no recollection of the crime.

She also noted the victim impact statements of Ms Hall's family, including her husband, who she said had lost his soulmate.

Mr Lucas must serve a minimum of 10 months behind bars, but with time already served, he could be free in two months.

He has also been banned from holding a driver's licence for four years.
It has triggered an outbreak of mass hysteria, with pupils and teachers claiming to have been possessed by an evil spirit roaming school corridors.

Now a picture has emerged that claims to have captured the 'black spectre' that has apparently been terrorising children across Malaysia.

Taken by a pupil, the image appears to show a dark figure peering out from behind a pillar in an empty school room.

The apparition has been blamed for mass hysteria 'epidemic' in which students claim they are having visions of female vampiric ghosts and are being physically pinned down by evil spirits.

This picture taken by a Malaysian student claims to have captured the 'black spectre' that has been terrorising schools, with pupils and teachers claiming to have been pinned down and possessed by an evil spirit

Called 'body possession phenomenon', one bizarre incident saw 20 female students sent home from a single school after complaining of being overwhelmed by it.

Reporters attempting to speak with students at one school were not allowed entry but heard screams coming from inside classrooms.

Education chiefs in the Kota Baru region are now using shamans and religious leaders to try and clear the schools of the supposed 'bad spirits', the Straits Times reported.

The latest school to be struck by the hysteria was SMK Pengkalan Chepa 1, which avoided spreading it by sending five female students home for the day.

More than 100 students at schools in Kota Baru (pictured), Malaysia, have been affected by the phenomenom

Those affected by the bizarre hysteria claim to be overwhelmed by bad spirits and see spirits such as the pontianak, a type of female vampiric ghost popular in Malaysian folklore.

Pontianaks are said to be the spirits of women who died while giving birth who return to prey on men.

Teacher Norlelawati Ramli, 32, even claimed she felt something pinning her down after she tended to a student who was complaining of seeing demons.
Eight Syrians including women and young children have been shot dead by Turkish border guards while trying to flee their war-torn homeland, it has emerged.

The group of refugees were trying to cross into Turkey via a mountain smuggling route when they were gunned down by Turkish forces patrolling the border.

As well as those killed, many others are said to have been injured in the firefight including one man who was shot in both of his legs while carrying his young son and another who was shot in the arm.

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Eight Syrians including women and young children have been shot dead by Turkish border guards while trying to flee their war-torn homeland. This picture shows Turkish troops standing guard at the border last summer

Abdmunem Kashkash, a lawyer from Aleppo who was with the group but managed to cross into Turkey unharmed, said Turkish border guards are 'killing unarmed people' every day.

'There was one little girl who was shot and we could not do more for her for four hours, until nightfall,' he said. 'An old man and woman are missing  they have probably been killed too.'

Those who have been injured while desperately trying to flee Syria have been taken to a hospital in Azaz - a rebel-held town next to the Turkish border where 10,000 displaced people are sheltering.

The deaths appear to confirm claims made by the Human Rights Watch last week that Turkish guards of opening fire on civilians as they approached the country's border wall with Syria.

Gerry Simpson, senior refugee researcher at Human Rights Watch, said: 'As civilians flee ISIS fighters, Turkey is responding with live ammunition instead of compassion.

'The whole world is talking about fighting ISIS, and yet those most at risk of becoming victims of its horrific abuses are trapped on the wrong side of a concrete wall.'

The Turkish Government has insisted that it is maintaining the same open-door policy at the frontier that it has since 2011, with free access for all Syrians whose lives are in imminent danger.

However, a senior official told The Times that 'certain restrictions may apply due to special circumstances'.

More than 16 migrants, including children, are said to have been killed in the past four months as they tried to cross into Turkey. There have been shootings in Azaz, Tel Abyad and Ras al-Ain along the Turkish border

Two Syrian women and a boy wait in front of Oncupinar crossing gate, near the town of Kilis, to return to Syria

The official added to the newspaper: 'It's difficult to enforce a land border and the Turkish border guard is acting with extreme care because smugglers and militants have fired on them in the past.

'But we categorically deny claims that Turkish border guards are firing on refugees.'

However, Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International's Turkey researcher, said the open-door policy had not been adhered to for some time with only those suffering life-threatening injuries allowed through.

'For the rest, irregular crossing are difficult and dangerous,' he said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights revealed last month how at least 16 migrants, including three children, had been killed in the past four months as they tried to cross into Turkey.

The true number is believed to be higher, according to a Syrian police officer and a Syrian smuggler who lives in Turkey, but it is impossible to say exactly how many because the bodies of those who fell on the Syrian side of the border were dragged back to be buried in the war zone.

The observatory details how a man and his child were killed in Ras al-Ain  on the eastern stretch of the Syria-Turkey border  on February 6. And two refugees were then shot dead at Guvveci on the western stretch of the border on March 5.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 16 migrants, including three children, had been killed in the past four months as they tried to cross into Turkey. Turkish soldiers are pictured with refugees last June

According to the smuggler, refugees who cross the border will now 'either be killed or captured'.

He added: 'Turkish soldiers used to help the refugees across, carry their bags for them. Now they shoot at them.'

The luckiest ones, the smuggler said, are those who fall on the Turkish side of the border after being shot. They are taken to a Turkish hospital for treatment and allowed to stay in the country.

The crackdown by Turkey is said to have started in December, following pressure from the West to crack down on the movement of migrants towards the EU.
IKEA has warned customers about a popular furniture range after a third child was crushed to death when a free-standing drawer toppled over.

The company was forced to issue advice about its Malm range, which is available in stores across the world including the UK and US, last year after two children were killed in separate incidents in 2014.

It has now had to urgently reiterate those warnings after 22-month-old Ted McGee was killed when a six-drawer unit fell on top of him in February.

Ted McGee (left), a 22-month-old from Minnesota, was crushed when a six-drawer Malm unit, similar to the one (right), fell on top of him in February

Ted's mother Janet McGee, from Minnesota, said she had put her son down for a nap and was checking on him every 20 minutes when she discovered him underneath the piece of furniture, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The U.S. Product Safety Commission are now reviewing the case, labelling it a 'tragic tip-over fatality'.

The warnings affect 27 million pieces, which cost between $46 and $179 in the US and 49 and 99 in the UK.

They come after two-year-old Curren Collas died when a six-drawer Malm chest fell on him and pinned him to a bed in February 2014.

Three months later, a 23-month-old child from Snohomish, Washington, was killed when a three-drawer chest also crushed him.

The latest tragedy occurred despite the company launching a free wall-anchoring programme for customers in the US and UK in a bid to avoid further home accidents.

The IKEA manual warns customers that if a dresser is not mounted to a wall that it can fall on an adult or even worse, a child, which could result in a fatal injury

Customers around the world have been reminded they have access to wall-anchoring kits for IKEA's Malm range. Curren Collas, pictured with his mother, Jackie, was one of the other children killed by the range

A spokesman for IKEA said in the McGee case the product was not attached to the wall, claiming assembly instructions would have advised the family to make sure it was.

They said: 'We at IKEA offer our deepest condolences to the McGee family.

'At IKEA, we believe children are the most important people in the world and the safety of our products is our highest priority.

'Upon being informed of this incident IKEA US immediately reported it to the authorities and an investigation is taking place.

The company, which has stores across the world, had already been forced to issue advice about its Malm range last year after two children were killed in separate incidents

'IKEA US has been advised that the product was not attached to the wall, which is an integral part of the product's assembly instructions.'

The company confirmed it was investigating, adding: 'IKEA has included restraints with our chest of drawers for decades and wall attachment is an integral part of the assembly instructions.'

The McGees' lawyer claimed the family was not aware of the issue or the campaign.

MailOnline has contacted IKEA for further comment but has not yet received a reply.
It's not quite Peru's Nazca Lines, but a school in southwest Sydney now has its own penis-shaped geoglyph visible from Google Earth.

Management at Clancy Catholic College are fuming after a vandal took schoolboy humour to the extreme and carved three giant phalluses into the playing oval.

The offender also left a crude message: 'Eat my d***'.

A prankster carved three giant phalluses and a crude message into the oval at Clancy Catholic College

The images are clearly visible from Google Earth

The images are clearly visible from Google Earth and school is now battling the tech giant to have them removed.

School principal Iris Nastasi said in an April 1 newsletter that the vandalism was 'cheap and nasty' and a scar on the school's landscape.

'It was cheap because it was anonymous and without courage, sneaky and secretive,' she wrote.

The vandalism occurred in September and was removed within hours, Ms Nastasi said.

However, despite several appeals to Google the images have remained online.

'It seemed so unfair,' Ms Nastasi wrote. 'We have worked hard to build a successful story for our College and of course, our students are our College.

'I did not want a single Clancy student to retain the slur. I did not want to give anyone the opportunity to deride anyone in our Clancy community.'

Principal Iris Nastasi described the vandalism as 'cheap and nasty' and a scar on the school's landscape

Clancy Catholic College has asked Google to remove the images from Google Earth

Google has said it does not comment on specific satellite images.

Clancy Catholic College reported the prank to the police three weeks ago and Green Valley Police Chief Inspector Steve Corry confirmed they were aware of the incident.

'It's still a criminal offence to damage a property, regardless of whether it's a prank or not,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

Ms Nastasi said that Google did not give proper notice of the flyover and criticised the company's inaction.

'In an instance like this, when your community is defamed, they don't need to apologise, resolve the issue or even respond.'

Google Earth captures images by satellite and is updated regularly. Users can be alerted to new images by using the Follow Your World tool.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Clancy Catholic College for comment.

Fairfield College in New Zealand had similar giant phallic symbols carved into its field several years ago
Presenter Tara Brown, her 60 Minutes crew and Australian mother Sally Faulkner have walked free from a Lebanese jail after the Nine network bought their freedom with a multi-million dollar payout.

The TV crew were released on bail after charges were dropped over the botched child abduction attempt in Beirut - but they were warned they could be ordered back to the country.

Wearing a blue and white striped top, Ms Brown, 48, looked calm as she was photographed leaving Baabda Central Women's Prison on Wednesday to join her three freed colleagues in a waiting car.

They have been behind bars for the past two weeks after being involved in a plot to kidnap Ms Faulkner's two children from her estranged Lebanese husband's family on a street in Beirut.

Ms Faulkner's ex-husband Ali Elamine, 32, agreed to drop the charges against the Australians in a court hearing after reaching a deal in which he was awarded full custody.

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60 Minutes presenter Tara Brown and Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner (front) were pictured walking free from jail in Beirut on Wednesday

The veteran reporter was pictured walking free from jail two weeks after the botched abduction attempt

The 60 Minutes crew including Ms Brown were pictured inside the car with Brisbane mother Ms Faulkner

Ms Brown (left) flashed a quick smile as she was released from Baabda Central Women's Prison on Wednesday

They have been behind bars for the past two weeks after being involved in a plot to kidnap Ms Faulkner's two children from her estranged Lebanese husband's family on a street in Beirut

The freed 60 Minutes team were seen hugging Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner when they climbed into the car

He told the court that he did not want his children, who will now be living with him in Lebanon, to think that he left their mother in jail.

The Australian reported that Mr Elamine is thought to have received a payout in the 'low single-digit millions'.

But Mr Elamine insisted that he 'did not sign anything, did not get anything'.

The 60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson, sound recordist David Ballment were pictured looking weary, but relieved as they sat in a car after being released.

They were seen hugging Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner when they climbed into the car.

The TV crew are expected to fly home on Wednesday night (Beirut time). Photographers on motorbikes were seen following the car as the group made their way to the airport.

Ms Faulkner has also been released on bail and is expected to remain in Lebanon for another day in order to see her children Lahela, 5 and Noah, 3.

Judge Abdullah said Mr Elamine would bring the children to his chambers on Thursday to see their mother.

The breakthrough came after Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner (pictured) and her estranged husband Ali Elamine reached an agreement which gave him full custody in return for her release

Tara Brown (pictured) has been detained on kidnapping charges with a 60 Minutes crew that filmed the 'child abduction' of Sally Faulkner's two children in Lebanon on April 7

The TV crew were released on bail after charges were dropped over the botched child abduction attempt in Beirut - but they were warned they could be ordered back to the country

Wearing a blue and white striped top, Ms Brown looked calm as she was photographed leaving prison to join her three freed colleagues in a waiting car

Ms Brown could be seen laughing and smiling in the car before the group made their way to the airport

The TV crew are expected to fly home on Wednesday night (Beirut time) and arrive in Australia on Thursday

A member of the 60 minutes television crew was seen embracing Ms Faulkner in the car

At a court hearing on Wednesday, Nine secured the release of Ms Faulkner and the TV crew by paying an undisclosed settlement.

Judge Rami Abdullah then told the Baabda Palace of Justice that the TV crew were 'free to leave Lebanon'.

He said they are still facing public prosecution charges of kidnapping and being members of a criminal gang and may be required to return if the prosecution goes ahead.

They could be tried in 'absentia' if they do not return and face being banned from the country.

Nine reported that the crew were 'elated' at the decision and said there were 'tears, hugs and a sense of enormous relief' from their families.

'Everybody is happy,' Nine Network lawyer Kamal Aboudaher said outside court on Wednesday.

Ms Brown was pictured being shoved into a police car on Monday after a court hearing was postponed

Ms Brown was caught in the middle of a frenzy outside a Beirut court earlier this week, but she said it looked worse than it was

Ms Faulkner's estranged husband, Ali Elamine, pictured leaving court on Monday, previously told reporters that he would press charges against everyone 'involved' in the failed abduction attempt

The breakthrough came after Mr Elamine agreed a deal with his ex-wife after she conceded to give him full custody of the two children in exchange for her release.

Speaking outside the court, Elamine said his estranged wife can have access to the children.

'I am glad it's over. She is their mother and I don't want them growing up and thinking 'Daddy had the option of letting Mummy off easily and he didn't,' he said.

'It sucks, the whole thing sucks. No one wins here ... I told Sally she can come and go as she wants. She is the mother. The only thing we can do is cooperate to give them a better future.

'They don't know what has been happening these last two weeks ... I couldn't tell them anything.'

Mr Elamine is still pressing charges against Briton Adam Whittington, who was allegedly in charge of the operation, as well as Craig Michael and two Lebanese people involved.

They must remain in the country to face the charges.

A sealed truck, believed to be transporting Ms Faulkner and Ms Brown, was seen driving towards Baabda Prison For Women on Wednesday

A car carrying the 60 Minutes crew from the jail was surrounded by reporters from other news outlets

The three-man 60 Minutes crew were freed from jail and left waiting in this car for Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner to emerge

He played down reports that the Nine Network paid him compensation to drop the charges.

'I didn't get paid anything, I didn't sign anything, the whole procedure isn't over, the case is still ongoing. We'll find out,' he said.

Mr Elamine also expressed some sympathy for the crew as many of them have children of their own.

'The judge was saying the crew weren't part of the kidnapping on the ground, it still isn't confirmed that they funded it ... And they have families too, they have children,' he said.

'Being a parent away from your children sucks, and that is another reason I want Sally to be out (of jail) because she has a three-month-old baby in Australia she needs to care for ... I don't want to come between them.'

Ms Brown looked as though she was being manhandled when she was led out of Baabda Palace of Justice on Monday

Tara Brown (right) and Sally Faulkner were pictured being led away in handcuffs from the Beirut court after the hearing was postponed on Monday

Sally Faulkner (pictured) travelled to Lebanon to retrieve her children, Noah, three, and Lahela, six

Ali Elamine, said he would not drop the charges against Sally Faulkner because that would mean everyone else would 'get off'

A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was too soon to comment on any conditions attached to the group's release.

'We are please to hear of the news of the release of Ms Faulkner and the four 60 Minutes crew members on bail,' the spokeswoman said in a statement.

'It is premature to comment on how soon the released Australians will be able to depart Lebanon or any conditions attached to their release.'

Mr Elamine and Ms Faulkner are set to meet the judge in his Chambers at 11am (local time) on Thursday.

The father's lawyer Hussein Berjawi said the Mr Elamine dropped the charges against his ex-wife at the request of their two children.

Police push Tara Brown's head down as she is put into a car outside Baabda Court in Beirut

A policeman holds the back of Tara Brown's hair as he puts her into the car on Monday

'It's because she is the mum of his kids,' Mr Berjawi said. 'It's based on the request of the children he will ask for her release.'

On Monday, Mr Elamine admitted that the young children 'want their mum'.

The father also told the judge that he decided to drop the charges against the TV crew because they were 'just doing their job'.

Ms Faulkner and the TV crew were arrested two weeks ago after a child recovery team seized her children from Mr Elamine's family on a Beirut Street.

They have spent the past two weeks behind bars and were facing charges of kidnapping and being members of a criminal gang, which can attract maximum sentences of up to 10 years.

These charges against the TV crew have been dropped, but members of the child recovery agency hired for the operation are believed to still be facing charges.

This means the future is uncertain for Craig Michael and Adam Whittington, who are both part of a child recovery agency.

Ms Faulkner's lawyer Ghassan Moghabghab told AAP that the warring couple negotiated an agreement which could mean the Brisbane mother's ex-husband Ali Elamine gets full custody.

When Mr Moghabghab was asked whether the deal involved a payment to Mr Elamine, he replied: 'For my part it does not involve money, I don't know about the other party (the Nine Network).'

Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Mr Moghabghab claimed Mr Elamine was holding out for money as part of a deal to ensure Ms Faulkner isn't formally charged with kidnapping

'He is waiting for money. Everything Ali is doing leads to one conclusion, that he is aiming for money,' Moghabghab told News Corp.

Lebanese authorities sought to shield Sally Faulkner and Tara Brown, ordering reporters into a stairway before leading them down a hallway out of sight

Tara Brown was pictured being forced into a police car before she was taken back to prison

Tara Brown was pictured being escorted by police officers from the court in Beirut

Mr Elamine has previously denied claims that he wants compensation, telling reporters that 'money is not an issue'.

Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner made a brief appearance before a judge at the Baabda Palace of Justice on Monday before the hearing was postponed.

Judge Abdullah adjourned the matter so lawyers for Ms Faulkner and Mr Elamine could continue talks.

The lawyers have been discussing custody arrangements for the two young children who were allegedly taken on holiday to Lebanon by their father but not returned to Ms Faulkner as agreed.

Ms Faulkner's lawyer had previously indicated she could drop her claim to custody in exchange for kidnapping charges being dropped.

Mr Elamine said on Monday he was reluctant to drop charges against his former partner if it made it more likely that the 60 Minutes crew, and others involved in the operation, would be freed too.

Ms Faulkner then said she wanted to talk directly with Mr Elamine to help strike a deal.

'I just want to go home and take my kids,' she told News Corp from her jail cell at the Baabda women's prison.

'I am not taking them away from their dad, I don't want to do what he did, and I want him to be part of the kids' lives.'

Ms Brown also insisted that the dramatic pictures of her leaving court in handcuffs on Monday and being shoved into a police car 'looked much worse than it was'.

'It looked much worse than it was,' Ms Brown told News Corp as both women spoke from inside the Baabda women's prison.

Mr Elamine admitted his children 'probably' wanted to be with their mother but hardened his stance against 60 Minutes

Adam Whittington, (pictured) the chief planner of the 60 Minutes botched 'child abduction' in Lebanon, said on Sunday that he can prove Channel Nine paid him more than $115,000 for the snatch

'They were trying to protect me from the cameras, it might have been easier for me to turn my head.'

Ms Faulkner added: 'We were laughing in the car, all we wanted to do was not get her photo taken.'

It was the first time Ms Brown was pictured since her arrest on April 7 over the attempt to snatch back Ms Faulkner's children, Lahela, 5, and Noah, 3, from their father's family on a Beirut street.

She laughed off claims that she had a blow dry before her brief court appearance, saying: 'I don't even have my hairbrush in here.'

But the 60 Minutes reporter insisted that she was being treated 'extremely well' and that all the women in the prison are generous and kind.

Ms Brown was careful not to divulge any information about court proceedings because she did not want to 'jeopardise' the situation.

Ms Faulkner issued an emotional appeal to her ex-husband after becoming distressed when she heard that he said their children wanted to see her.

She said that she did not want to take the children away from their father and that she wants him to be part of their lives.

A prison van believed to be carrying those accused of the botched kidnapping attempt in Lebanon arrived at Beirut's Baabda court on Monday

Ms Faulkner's claims her children Noah and Lahela were taken to Lebanon by her estranged husband Ali Elamine (pictured with Noah and Lahela) in 2015 and he refused to bring them back

Ghassan Mughaghab (pictured), the lawyer for Brisbane woman Sally Faulkner, said negotiations between Mr Elamine and Ms Faulkner had broken down

'I am not spiteful, I acted out of desperation,' the Brisbane mother told News Corp.

'They have had the best of us, now they have the worst of us.'

She said she was concerned that Mr Elamine may be getting influenced by his family.

Ms Faulkner's lawyer said she has been fighting to get access to her children for nine months.

The lawyer said that Mr Elamine took the two children on a three-week holiday to Lebanon and did not return them as agreed.

But an attempt to snatch them from a suburban Beirut street by a 'child recovery team', caught on CCTV, was ultimately unsuccessful.

The children were returned to their father and the 60 Minutes team were arrested.

Craig Michael and Adam Whittington, believed to be members of the child recovery agency hired for the operation, were also arrested.

Whittington claims he has receipts showing that Nine made online payments totalling $115,000 to him for the planning of the operation and recovery of the children.

'It was direct from Channel Nine, it was from their accounts department and they paid it in two instalments,' he told The Australian.

Nine has refused to comment.

For the past two weeks, Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner have been held at Baabda Central Women's Prison (pictured)

The prison is a grim, overcrowded block housing mostly murderers and drug dealers with up to 20 women per cell

'It will help everybody, I think. It will help everybody': Ms Faulkner's lawyer says that if Mr Elamine drops the personal kidnapping charges against her, it will have a favourable flow-on effect for the whole team

Sally Faulkner's lawyer has reportedly said she was paid for by the Nine Network and had used money given to her by 60 Minutes to the child recovery agency, Child Abduction Recovery International

Veteran journalist Stephen Rice (left), David Ballment (centre) and Benjamin Williamson (right) are also in custody in Lebanon

Ms Faulkner told The Australian on Friday she was doing well behind bars.

'Please tell my mum and dad how well I am and also [husband] Brendan and my in-laws,' she said. Ms Brown is also behind bars at the prison.

'I am fine but my loved ones need to know that.'

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told The Project that she is in 'constant contact' with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil regarding the case.

CCTV footage supplied by Lebanese authorities appeared to show the bungled kidnapping earlier this week




Ballerina Maria Santa (pictured) died aged just 17 from a blood clot on the brain feared to have been triggered by the pill, an inquest has heard

A 'fit and healthy' 17-year-old ballerina who had won a scholarship to a renowned 12,000-a-year ballet school died from a blood clot on the brain feared to have been triggered by the contraceptive pill, an inquest has heard.

Maria Santa, a student at the Northern Ballet School in Manchester, had complained that her head was 'about to explode' after developing severe and unexplained headaches.

Despite visiting medical centres on four separate occasions - and sometimes struggling to walk and talk - the dancer was sent home with paracetamol and antibiotics.

But, hours after her last visit to see doctors, Maria was found unconscious by her boyfriend at their apartment in Manchester. The young Romanian was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where she died two days later.

At an inquest into her death, doctors said Maria's death could have been caused by taking the pill and that the condition was so unusual that most medics would go their whole career without seeing a case.

Dr Jonathan Greenbaum, who treated Miss Santa at Salford Royal, said the dancer's illness was extremely rare and that it was 'unfortunate and bad luck'.

The hearing was also told how her own 'supreme level of fitness' probably masked how seriously unwell she was in the last few days of her life.

He told the hearing: 'She was a fit, young woman and the only risk factor was being on the oral contraceptive pill.

'Millions of women take the pill and the risk is very low. The absolute risk is tiny - it's just unfortunate and bad luck.'

The hearing was told how the teenager, originally from Cluj-Napoca in Romania, had been performing ballet since she was nine.

Last year, she won a scholarship to the 12,648-a-year dance school. She enrolled in September and her parents followed her up to Manchester from London.

But the hearing was told how she began to suffer headaches the following month.

She visited Middleton walk-in centre, Greater Manchester, three times, before being taken to North Manchester General Hospital on November 11, when her condition had deteriorated.

But the hearing was told how she was discharged the following morning even though she was struggling to walk and talk. Hours later, her boyfriend Matias Castlecano found her unconscious at their home just hours later.

Miss Santa's father, Robert Santa told the inquest that Maria first began complaining of right ear pain, headache and loss of appetite.

He said that, on her first visit to the walk-in centre on October 21, medics did 'nothing' to help, only giving paracetamol to take home.

On the second appointment on October 29, when she was feeling much worse, medics told Maria she had an ear infection, he added.

Then, on November 8 or 9, Maria started vomiting every hour, without eating or drinking. Mr Santa said she went to the walk-in centre after vomiting for two days and continuing to complain of severe head ache.

But she was given anti-sickness tablets and sent home.

Despite visiting medics on four separate occasions - and sometimes struggling to walk and talk - the dancer (pictured) was sent home with paracetamol. Hours after her last visit, Maria was found unconscious

He added: 'We went to the walk in centre for a third time. She told the doctor she found it difficult to stand or sit, all she wanted to do was lie down.

'She also said she had a severe head ache, ear pain and couldn't stand the light. She was prescribed tablets to stop her being sick.'

Mr Santa said that, on November 11, Maria complained that it felt like her head was going to explode. She also she couldn't feel her right leg and that it felt like it was moving on its own.

But Maria was prescribed some antibiotics and discharged from hospital.

He said: 'We called the emergency services and they sent an ambulance. She was seen by the same doctor. She couldn't speak and she showed him where it was hurting.

'I had to help her to walk, but the doctor told us not to worry because she was tired. Later that morning Maria's boyfriend rung saying that she was now in a coma.'

Pathologist Dr Piyali Pal told the inquest that Miss Santa had suffered from blood clots in the brain, which can be caused by dehydration, malnutrition, blood clotting or oral contraception pills.

She added: 'It's very very rare for someone so young to have this condition. It's the third case I have seen in nine and a half years.

'One woman who was a similar age was also on some form of oral contraception. She was not eating or drinking, I would imagine she was dehydrated.

'If she was on oral contraception, that could have been added. The cause of death was a naturally occurring process which had run it's course.'

The dancer, a scholarship student at an internationally renowned Northern Ballet School in Manchester (pictured), had complained that her head was 'about to explode' when she developed severe headaches

Dr Greenbaum added that it was a 'very rare' condition 'without any obvious cause'.

'I think, in hindsight - in a fit, healthy, young woman with no other problems identified - all the symptoms she gradually developed are all consistent with what we discovered at the end of her illness,' he told the inquest.

'It is a very difficult diagnosis to make because it's so rare and the symptoms can be non-specific.'

He added: 'The pill contains hormones and changing those hormones can make the blood clot. Dehydration would have been one of the factors to cause the blood clot to form or grow.'

Medical expert Dr Paul Wallman added that the case was 'quite extraordinary', particularly as Maria was an 'elite athlete'.

He said: 'Unfortunately, Maria's problem that was the cause of her passing, most emergency physicians will never see in their clinical career.

'I've been a consultant for 13 years and have never seen this diagnosis diagnosed in the emergency department.'

But he added that there had been a number of 'missed opportunities'.

'Clearly there is a raft of lessons to be learned here,' he said. 'Before she looked well or better than most but to her family they knew there was something wrong.

'It's a very very sad case, I'm sorry. Hearing what we have heard today, I think that there are a number or red flags, she should have stayed in hospital.'

Recording a conclusion of death by natural causes, coroner Simon Nelson, told Miss Santa's family: 'She had the whole world ahead of her and some tremendous prospects.
continue as police search for a motive for the murder

Police have confirmed that the suspicious death of a 33-year-old Rockhampton man was not the result of a crocodile attack after a post-mortem revealed he was murdered.

Syeid Alam was reported missing on April 6 when he didn't return from a fishing trip.

His remains were discovered on Saturday morning on the edge of Splitters Creek in Park Avenue, Queensland. His car, a black Toyota Camry Grande, was found on nearby Thomson St.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Moon said police had ruled out a crocodile attack as a cause of death: 'A post-mortem was conducted yesterday and from that investigation we've treated it as suspicious and I can confirm that we are treating this matter as a homicide', he told The Morning Bulletin.

The remains of Syeid Alam, 33, (pictured) were found on Saturday morning by the edge of a creek in Park Avenue, Queensland. He was reported missing on April 6

Police are urging anyone with information about Mr Alam or his black Toyota Grande with NSW registration plates to come forward

Detective Senior Sergeant Moon said the motive was still unknown.

Early reports indicated a possibility that Mr Alam was the victim of a crocodile attack after local fisherman said that there have been a number of sightings of crocs in the area where his remains were found.

Local fisherman said there had been a number of sightings of crocodiles in the area where Mr Alam's remains were found. Leading to the possibility he was a victim of a crocodile attack

The remains of Syeid Alam, 33, were discovered on Saturday morning on the edge of Splitters Creek in Park Avenue, in Queensland.

Queensland Police are appealing to members of the community who were in or around the Fitzroy River off Glenmore Rd on April 5 between 5pm through to the early hours of the morning of April 16.

'We understand that a number of fisherman and members of the community utilise that area and we're really keen to hear from them, particularly if they saw any activity between those hours,' they said.
The US has ramped up warnings about the dangers of Brexit ahead of an expected intervention by President Barack Obama during his visit this week.

An open letter from eight former Treasury Secretaries branded leaving the EU a 'risky bet' that could hit trade, damage the City ofLondon and undermine international unity.

The missive is the latest apocalyptic assessment as the Remain campaign mobilises key allies ahead of the referendum on June 23.

US President Barack Obama in Riyadh today with King Salman of Saudi Arabia. He is due to arrive in Britain for his visit tomorrow evening

Last night Bank of England governor said growing uncertainty over the ballot was already harming the economy - suggesting that mortgage rates could rise and house prices fall if the public votes to quit the bloc.

However, Justice Secretary Michael Gove - one of a handful of Cabinet ministers campaigning for Brexit - used a speech to dismiss fears about the country's prospects outside the EU.

Amid increasingly bitter Tory infighting on the issue, he said the UK would be better off outside the European single market, arguing that major players like Germany and France would ensure we could still trade freely.

Mr Gove argued that UK had a chance to restore 'democracy' and control immigration, urging voters to 'liberate' the continent by striking a blow against the bureaucracy.

There has already been fury over Mr Obama's plan to back the UK's membership after he arrives for his visit tomorrow.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has accused the White House of 'hypocrisy' by calling for Britain to give away sovereignty in a way America would never contemplate.

But former foreign secretary Lord Hague insisted it was a 'bit rich' for Mr Johnson to tell the president to steer clear of a topic that affected the US's interests.

The latest letter, published in the Times, was signed by Mr Obama's former Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and Larry Summers, Paul O'Neill, John Snow and Henry Paulson - who served under George W Bush. Robert Rubin, who held the post in Bill Clinton's administration, also added his name, as did predecessors Michael Blumenthal and George Shultz.

They admitted that there could be some benefits to the UK from leaving, but said they were outweighed by the dangers.

'We often found that our collective efforts benefited from having a strong Britain within Europe  often representing views we agree with, but unafraid to disagree when perspectives diverged,' they wrote.

'In more recent years, whether leading the response to the financial crisis or confronting Russian aggression in Ukraine, Britain has played a leading and critical role in building a European consensus for action.

'We also find compelling the argument of the Remain camp that a vote to leave Europe represents a risky bet on the country's economic future.

'Brexit could call into question London's role as a global financial centre. For many financial institutions, London has served as the financial springboard into Europe.

'EU membership allows banks based in London to sell their services across Europe without needing multiple regulatory approvals in each country.

President Obama and the First Lady are due to mark the Queen's birthday during their visit to the UK

'While Britain will remain an attractive centre for finance even if Britain exits, it should not take for granted its global primacy when it is no longer the gateway to Europe.'

The politicians also warned that Brexit 'threatens trade with Europe's large common market, where currently over half of the country's exports are destined'.

'A UK exit is likely to disrupt and reduce trade flows at least for a while, curtailing the scale and efficiency benefits from economic co-operation and integration,' they went on.

'Over time, Britain would no doubt be able to re-establish ties through new trade agreements, but as our own experience in the United States with trade negotiations shows it is a difficult environment to negotiate and approve agreements and the risk of accidents is real.

'The uncertainty surrounding Brexit already appears to be acting as a drag on investment and market sentiment, and a vote to leave could introduce an extended period of uncertainty that could hinder growth even further.'

The group conceded that Britain 'might benefit in some respects' from leaving.

'But the better alternative seems to us to work for progress within the confines of EU membership, without incurring the significant economic risk of Brexit: a smaller, slowergrowing British economy for years to come,' the letter added.

Europe has a similarly powerful interest in a UK vote to remain on June 23. The departure of one of the EU's strongest economies would hit its finances and boost populist anti-EU movements in other countries. Some even fear that opening this Pandora's box could be a major setback to the European project more broadly.

Europe has more work to do to complete its economic and financial union, but it is more likely to be successful with Britain inside rather than out. A UK turned inward and less engaged in Europe is less able to lead on the critical challenges Europe faces  macro and structural  and risks a difficult transition for Britain at a time of already threateningly slow global growth.
Saudi Arabia is being forced to borrow $10 billion as the world's top oil exporter seeks to fill a record budget deficit caused by low crude prices.

The kingdom had initally been seeking to raise between $6billion and $8billion through a loan lasting for five years for its first foreign borrowing in more than a decade.

But the Ministry of Finance raised the amount after drawing significant demand.

Sources said the loan should be signed before the end of April, with one saying the lenders included a mix of U.S., European and Japanese banks.

An official watches progress at a rig at the al-Howta, Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is being forced to borrow $10 billion as the world's top oil exporter seeks to fill a record budget deficit caused by low crude prices

Another said the lead arrangers included JP Morgan, HSBC and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.

Each was contributing around $1.3billion, with the remainder of the loan coming from other lenders, the source said.

JP Morgan and HSBC declined to comment and nobody was immediately available to comment from Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.

Nobody was available to comment from the Saudi central bank or the finance ministry.

Interest in offering the loan came despite Saudi Arabia's long-term credit rating being lowered by rating agencies in recent weeks.

Last week, Fitch Ratings downgraded the kingdom's credit rating to AA- from AA, noting increased tensions with long-time rival Iran and greater uncertainty over economic policy.

Crisis: Oil prices have collapsed from above $100 in early 2014, to just over $40. The fall forced Riyadh to impose unprecedented cuts in its 2016 budget and to push economic diversification

Fitch said it had revised downwards its oil price assumptions for this year and next, to $35 and $45 a barrel, which 'has major negative implications for Saudi Arabia's fiscal and external balances'.

In February another agency, Standard and Poor's, cut the kingdom's credit rating by two notches to A-, citing the impact of lower oil prices on Saudi finances.

Last month, Moody's placed Saudi Arabia and other Gulf oil producers on review for downgrades.

Oil prices have collapsed from above $100 in early 2014, to just over $40 today.

The fall led Riyadh to impose unprecedented cuts in its 2016 budget  which projects a deficit of $87 billion  and to push economic diversification.

The government has said oil income made up 73 per cent of revenue in 2015, compared with an average of 90 per cent in the previous decade.

To cope with the fiscal gap, it raised retail fuel prices by up to 80 percent in December and cut subsidies for electricity, water and other services.
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This is about as up-close and personal anyone without a death wish should get to a great white shark.

Using bait and cages, shark spotters manage to get as near as they can - without injury - to the giant marine predator in Mossel Bay, South Africa.

The great white had been lured to area by the recent baby boom among the Cape fur seals living on the nearby Seal Island, and later on, the shark was seen unleashing an explosive attack on a helpless pup.

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Taking the bait: A great white shark tears into a bait put out by spotters in Mossel Bay, South Africa

You say jump: The great white breaches the surface as the shark spotters bait it after the increased number of baby seals lured it in to Mossel Bay

No escape: Having been baited at the boat, the shark was later seen unleashing an explosive attack on a helpless baby seal

Photographer and dive tour operator Rainer Schimpf, 48, managed to capture the chase, and described the moments before the attack.

He said: 'We could see one of the seals swimming away from the island closer to the boat.

'As it swam away we all realised that this was not a good idea for the seal, because the further it swims the higher the risk of being taken by a predator.

'The seal actually turned around, it looked back to the island as though it was realising this was not a good idea. The next second the shark hit the seal and took it out.'

The gladiator arena: The other Cape fur seals watch on as the powerful great white attacked and killed the young seal pup

Staying safe: Cage diving is the safest way to get up close and personal with these magnificent predators

Coming up: This method of hunting is specific to Seal Island, many tourists visit in the pursuit of viewing this natural phenomenon

Rare killers: Seeing a White Shark breach is extremely rare due to the unpredictability of their behaviour

The wildlife photographer also explained that seeing a breach attack of this kind is extremely rare.

He said: 'The special thing is that this predation wasn't provoked, there was no decoy or artificial seal pulled behind the boat.

'There was no bait in the water so the shark wasn't provoked to be aggressive or change its behaviour at all, it was an absolutely natural behaviour and we were really privileged to be able to witness this.

'For me personally it was amazing to see, amazing to show to our clients what nature is about, and how white sharks operate.'

The Cape fur seals are safe from White Sharks sunbathing on the land, taken in Mossel Bay, South Africa

Lots of play dates: Seal Island in South Africa is home to round 64,000 cape fur seals, attracting many White Sharks
Victim Chris Wood is now searching for the good Samaritan who saved him

A man who narrowly escaped an oncoming train after being hurled on to the tracks is trying to find the heroic commuter who saved his life, as a young man is charged over the shocking attack.

Chris Wood, 36, suffered a broken leg and is currently recovering in hospital with pins holding his bones together after being punched repeatedly and thrown on to the tracks at Yarraman train station in Noble Park, a south east suburb of Melbourne on April 8.

An 18-year-old man, from Cranbourne West, handed himself into Dandenong Police Station on Wednesday where he was charged with a string of violent offences including recklessly causing injury and conduct endangering life, according to police.

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Chris Wood suffered a broken leg and is currently recovering in hospital with pins holding his bones together after being punched repeatedly and thrown on to the tracks at Yarraman train station

An 18-year-old man, from Cranbourne West, handed himself into Dandenong Police Station on Wednesday where he was charged with a string of violent offences over the attack

This comes after CCTV footage of the brazen daylight attack was released which shows a man - wearing a grey sweater, a backpack and dark shorts - start punching Mr Wood from behind.

'I got it from behind and I didn't know what was going on,' Mr Wood told Seven News on Wednesday.

Mr Wood said the man, along with two of his friends, tried to start a fight with him moments before but he had walked away thinking that would diffuse the situation.

'I didn't bump into him or anything. I didn't call him names,' he told Nine News.

The pair were at Yarraman train station in Melbourne's south-east when the assault erupted earlier this month

'I'd love to find out who he is and shake his hand,' Mr Wood said from his hospital bed

But one of the men lashed out and punched him at least three times before throwing him on the tracks in front of terrified commuters only moments before a train was scheduled to arrive.

'I went to stand up and my legs just wouldn't get up. Everyone could hear the train coming and everyone's saying, "Train, train!",' he told Seven News.

He said his attacker returned to taunt him from the safety of the platform before fleeing on a bicycle.

'He just wanted to be a hero I guess in front of his mates,' he added.

Mr Wood had shattered his knee and laid helpless on the tracks fearing for his life before a heroic commuter in an orange jumper pulled him from the tracks as his attacker fled on a bicycle.

'I'd love to find out who he is and shake his hand,' Mr Wood said.

Moments later, a quick-thinking and heroic commuter - donning a bright orange shirt - rushed to the man's aid

His mother, Mary Townsend, said she was thankful a kind stranger came to her sons aid, adding that she was heartbroken seeing her son hit from behind.

If it wasn't for him I don't think Chris would've been able to get up on that platform. I know it could've been a lot worse. I know he could have been killed, she told Seven.

For a mother to see that, it's gut-wrenching.

Mr Wood, a country boy, told Nine News that the attack has caused him to lose faith in people and question his safety when travelling to the city.

The concreter will have a major operation to repair the damage to his leg on Thursday, while his alleged attacker has been released on bail and is set to appear in Dandenong Magistrates Court on June 3.
Islan Nettles was killed by James Dixon in 2013 after he realised she was transgender

The distraught mother of a transgender woman who was beaten to death by a young thug told her daughter's killer 'I hope you die' as he was jailed for 12 years.

James Dixon, 25, was sentenced on Tuesday for killing Islan Nettles, 21, in August 2013.

In a written statement to police, he allegedly admitted descending into a 'blind fury' when he realised the woman he had been chatting to on Eighth Avenue in Harlem, New York, had been born a man.

'I hope you die, I hope you rot because you took away something that you should have no right to take away from anybody,' cried Delores Nettles at Manhattan Supreme Court.

'How can you sleep at night, how can you rest?' she asked Dixon, who refused to make eye contact with her, reports the New York Post.

She told the thug that he would be able to see his mother every day and hear the words 'I love you' while she could only see her child on a 'mantle jar'.

The 12-year sentence was a deal offered by Justice Daniel Conviser after Dixon pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and admitted to viciously pummelling Nettles into unconsciousness.

Prosecutors, who wanted to see Dixon behind bars for at least 17 years, resisted the deal and Nettles' father, Anthony Mundon, slammed it as too lenient, describing his daughter as an 'outgoing, free-spirited' aspiring fashion designer.

Dixon's lawyer Norman Williams declined to comment.

Nettles died of blunt impact injuries to the head according to ABC7. After the beating, Nettles was on life support in Harlem Hospital for five days before she died.

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Guilty: James Dixon, 25, was sentenced on Tuesday for killing Islan Nettles, 21, in August 2013

'Blind fury': In a written statement to police, he allegedly admitted descending into a rage when he realised the woman he had been chatting to on Eighth Avenue in Harlem, New York, had been born a man

Grand Marshal Laverne Cox (L) and Delores Nettles, mother of slain transgender woman Islan Nettles, at the 2014 New York City Pride March in 2014. Nettles told Dixon 'I hope you die' when he was sentenced

Courtesy NY1

In one of his statements to police, Dixon allegedly said he and some friends approached a group 'thinking they were girls'.

After chatting he asked one if 'she was a guy', before becoming enraged, pushing her over and punching her, according to pretrial testimony from Detective Heriberto Vasquez.

After the beating, Nettles was on life support in Harlem Hospital (pictured) for five days before she died

At the time, Nettles' death was mourned by the LGBT community, who gathered at a vigil for her in Harlem. Her mother took part in the 2014 New York City Pride March along with the Orange is the New Black actress and transgender activist Laverne Cox.

Commenting on the sentencing of Dixon, Lourdes Hunter, co-founder and national director of the TransWomen of Color Collective, told Rewire: 'This is not a win for the trans community,'

'James Dixon going to jail will not stop trans murders, it will not bring Islan Nettles back, it will not bring peace to Delores Nettles who for many years sat in anguish as the murderer of her child roamed the streets due to the negligence of the New York Police Department and the New York District Attorney.'
the little girl, who is now seven

A mother has been arrested for allegedly recording the sexual assault of an underage girl and uploading the footage to paedophile websites.

The woman, a 29-year-old mother from Newcastle, was arrested in March after Interpol officers in America saw the videos online and sparked an international search when they realised the accents in the footage were Australian.

It is alleged the woman sexually assaulted the young girl and she will remain behind bars until she fronts a Newcastle local court next month, 7 News reported.

A mother has been arrested for allegedly recording the sexual assault of an underage girl and uploading the footage to paedophile websites (stock image)

The young girl who appeared in the videos is now seven-years-old, but it is unknown at this stage how old she was in the footage.

The alleged offender faces one count each of using a child to produce child abuse material and three counts of aggravated acts of indecency.

'Police conduct regular operations online to detect, identify and locate people who are involved in the online exploitation and abuse of children and share that information with other agencies so offenders can be arrested and charged,' a statement from NSW police read.

'While the internet creates many opportunities for child predators to target children and connect with other offenders, it also presents many opportunities for police to detect and target them,'
The daughter of the slain principal of Sandy Hook elementary broke down in tears tonight when Hillary Clinton singled her out for praise during an emotional New York victory speech.

Describing how principal Dawn Hochsprung died protecting her students, Clinton paid tribute to her daughter Erica Smegielski's fierce campaigning on gun control reform.

Smegielski was seen crying after Clinton, her endorsed candidate for the White House, swept aside Bernie Sanders in her adopted state.

Erica Smegielski, whose mother was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, breaks down in tears as Hillary Clinton mentions her mother in reference to controlling gun violence

Smegielski has become one of the nation's foremost gun control reform advocates following her mother's death

Hillary Clinton addresses supporters after winning New York last night while her husband Bill and daughter Chelsea watch from a distance

Mrs Hochsprung was one of the first to be killed during the December 2012 massacre when shooter Adam Lanza entered the school premises.

When she saw the gunman, she shouted warnings to staff members, thereby helping save their lives. In total, 28 people died, including 20 children.

Gun control reform is one of the few areas where Clinton claims to be more progressive than her rival, and in recent days has launched repeated attacks on his record on the issue.

According to The Huffington Post, she told the crowd: 'There is a remarkable young woman here tonight. Her name is Erica, Erica Smegielski.

'Erica's mother, Dawn, was the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School, and she died trying to protect her children, her students.

'She has made it her mission to advocate for common-sense gun safety reform.

'Like the mothers of Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin and so many others, Erica has turned her sorrow into a strategy and her mourning into a movement.'

Meanwhile, Clinton emerged from New York's presidential primary closer to clinching the Democratic nomination and becoming the first woman to reach that milestone.

Republican Donald Trump strengthened his own path to the general election with a commanding victory, but has little room for error in the states ahead.

The front-runners now hope to replicate their strong showings in New York in the cluster of Northeastern states next up on the primary calendar.

Clinton was scheduled to spend Wednesday campaigning in Pennsylvania, while Trump had a rally planned in Maryland, as well as Indiana.

Following her win in New York, a jubilant Clinton made clear she was moving past her unexpectedly competitive primary battle with Bernie Sanders and setting her sights on the general election.

Sandy Hook principal Dawn Hochsprung (right) was one of the first people killed when gunman Adam Lanza (left) stormed the elementary school in 2012

Officials stand guard at the scene of the deadly shooting on the morning on December 14, 2012

State police officers patrol the areas surrounding the school after the lone gunman shot 27 people and himself

'The race for the nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sight,' Clinton declared to cheering supporters, describing Republicans Donald Trump and Ted Cruz as 'dangerous' for America.

Trump, too, is eager to move past the Republican primaries. With at least 89 of New York's 95 delegates in hand, he insisted it was 'impossible' for any of his rivals to catch him and warned party leaders against trying to take the nomination away from him at the convention.

Clinton's triumph padded her delegate lead, putting her 80 percent of the way toward clinching the Democratic nomination that eluded her eight years ago.

Appealing to Sanders' loyal supporters, Clinton said, 'There is more that unites us than divides us.'

Exit polls suggested Democrats were ready to rally around whomever the party nominates. Nearly 7 in 10 Sanders supporters in New York said that they would definitely or probably vote for Clinton if she is the party's pick.

Sanders energized young people and liberals in New York, as he has across the country, but it wasn't enough to pull off the upset victory he desperately needed to change the trajectory of the Democratic race. Still, the Vermont senator vowed to keep competing.

'We've got a shot to victory,' Sanders said in an interview with The Associated Press. However, his senior adviser, Tad Devine, said later that the campaign planned to 'sit back and assess where we are' after a string of contests next week.
This is the hilarious moment a man passes out for nine seconds on a 100mph slingshot ride - and then gets the fright of his life when he wakes up.

The man, called Cody, can be seen laughing just seconds before he faints and appears to be enjoying himself as the ride launches him high in the sky.

But after being in the air for just 19 seconds, he then 'blacks out' and tilts his head to rest on his chair as the ride keeps moving in Panama City Beach, Florida.

The man, called Cody, (right) appears to be enjoying himself as the ride shoots him into the sky at 100mph

The woman he is with, called Dannah, has no idea he passed out until he turns to her and asks: 'What happened?'

Seconds later he confesses: 'OK, I think I blacked out there.' She then bursts into laughter after finding out that he fainted during the ride.

Cody, wearing a check shirt, looks nervous before the ride as he holds on to his chair and refuses to put his hands in the air despite being asked to do so three times by the woman.

Dannah also seems apprehensive before the slingshot ride takes off as she asks Cody: 'What was I thinking?'

But the slingshot is then fired and immediately the pair begin screaming, with Dannah seeming calmer as she puts her arms in the air.

Dannah (left) seems to be having a better time as she screams and puts her arms in the air on the ride in Panama City Beach, Florida

But after being in the air for just 19 seconds, Cody 'blacks out', tilts his head and passes out for nine seconds

As soon as he wakes up the slingshot comes to a stop and Dannah clearly wants the ride to continue as she asks: 'Why are we just sitting here?'

A sheepish Cody replies: 'Better view. You can see out hotel from here.'

The video concludes with the ride coming to a stop, with Cody still visibly shaken.

The slingshot ride was invented by Troy Griffin in 1978 as an alternative to the bungee jump.

The capsule is catapulted vertically with a G-Force of 3.5 and enables passengers to experience total weightlessness.
Police have arrested 11 men after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by a gang of men at Bluewater shopping centre.

The victim says she was attacked by seven men while she was waiting for the bus home on Mother's Day.

Ten of the 11 people arrested, all aged between 16 and 22, are currently on bail as officers continue to investigate the incident on March 6. The other was released without charge

Attack: A woman has allegedly been sexually assaulted by a gang of seven men at Bluewater, pictured

The alleged assault is said to have happened in a car park at Bluewater near Dartford in Kent, formerly Britain's largest shopping centre, which has its own police station.

The woman was bundled into a van and subjected to a three-hour sexual assault, according to Kent Online.

Kent Police said in a statement: 'Kent Police is investigating after receiving a report that a woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted in a car park at Bluewater between 6.30pm and 9pm on March 6.

'As part of ongoing enquiries, 11 arrests have been made in connection with the inquiry.'

A spokesman for Bluewater said: 'Kent Police is investigating an incident that took place in a Bluewater car park on March 6.

Investigation: The attack is said to have taken place in the car park of the shopping centre, pictured

'From day one this has been a police matter and therefore we can't and don't comment on an ongoing investigation.

'The safety and wellbeing of our staff and guests is our highest priority.

'Bluewater's security procedures are regularly reviewed and tested, and we have a 24 hour security team and dedicated onsite Kent police officers.

'As well as extensive CCTV across the whole of Bluewater, our car parks are patrolled and we have security vehicles that provide a further visible presence.'

Local councillor Keith Kelly said: 'I'm absolutely horrified. If it is proven to be accurate then it is a horrifying incident in a very public place.

'Bluewater is a very safe environment. We fully support the police in their efforts to fully investigate it.'

And mother-of-four Louise Freeman, 40, who regularly shops at the centre, today spoke of her horror at the news of the alleged assault.

'I am totally shocked that this has happened,' she said. 'It would have been so busy there - even on a Sunday evening.
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The mother of schoolgirl Paige Doherty delivered a touching tribute to her daughter as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects.

Pamela Munro was joined by family, friends and members of the community as she said farewell to her daughter in a service at St Margaret's Church in Clydebank, near Glasgow, this morning.

In a poignant eulogy, Mrs Munro told the congregation how losing their 'beautiful, smiling girl' had left her husband, Paige's stepfather, a 'broken man'. Outside the church, tearful mourners dressed in bright colours bowed their heads as the coffin was carried past floral tributes to a horse-drawn carriage.

Paige, who would have turned 16 last Sunday, was found dead two days after she vanished on her way to her Saturday hairdressing job on March 19. A man has appeared in court charged with her murder.

Final journey: Stepfather Andy Munro, who raised Paige with wife Pamela, was among the pall-bearers (pictured far right in a navy suit)

Emotional goodbye: Paige's mother Pamela Munro, right, follows her daughter's coffin out of the church. Left, schoolgirl Paige Doherty

Celebrating life: Brightly-coloured floral tributes in the shape of an angel, love hears and pouting lips were laid outside the church

'Broken man': Paige's mother said her husband Andy, left, had been left devastated by the tragedy. Right, the coffin is carried from church

Final journey: The coffin was carried to Dalnottar cemetery in a white carriage pulled by horses wearing pink plumed headdresses

Mr and Mrs Munro had asked mourners to wear brightly-coloured clothes in celebration of the teenager's life.

There was standing-room only in the church as parish priest Canon Gerard Tartaglia led mourners in the funeral mass.

She told the family: 'The whole community is praying for Paige and for you - her mum, dad and dear family. I hope the support of so many, here today and beyond, really is a comfort to you while you continue to come to terms with your incalculable loss.'

Addressing the congregation, Mrs Munro urged loved ones to find a way to 'accept this tragedy' and put any anger 'into remembering our beautiful smiling girl'.

'Our daughter had a smile across her face every day and that's exactly how she should be remembered,' she said. 'There is no room for evil any more.'

She continued: 'Paige, you are now the brightest star in the sky. I can say I loved you with all my heart as did the man who raised you. He is a broken man now you are no longer here and I know you will be watching over him giving him all your strength to go on.

'He will never get to walk you down the aisle to marry the man you love but he has walked you to your final resting place and will carry you in his heart forever.'

She finished with a touching tribute to the keen dancer: 'Take a look around, this is all for you! Sleep tight our beautiful girl. Keep dancing in the sky and show heaven what an angel really is.'

Laid to rest: Mourners lined the streets as Paige Doherty's coffin was carried from the church following her funeral this morning

Moving: Paige's mother and stepfather asked mourners to wear bright colours to celebrate the life of their beloved teenage daughter

A community in mourning: Dozens of people lined the roads outside St Margaret's Catholic Church in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire

Fitting farewell: Pall-bearers carried the coffin out to the waiting horse-drawn carriage, which was decorated with vibrant floral displays

Bright and beautiful: Floral tributes spelled out sister, niece, daughter and Paige, and included an angel, rainbow, star and pouting lips

Paige's white coffin was piped from the church and carried to Dalnottar cemetery in a white horse-drawn carriage pulled by grey horses wearing pink plumed headdresses.

Family floral tributes laid outside St Margaret's and then placed on the coffin spelled out sister, niece, daughter and Paige, and included an angel, rainbow, star and pouting lips. Following the teenager's death, dozens of social media used the hashtag PoutforPaige to show their support for the family.

The order of service carried a message of thanks from the family and a pouting picture of Paige as well as an image of angel wings with the tribute 'your wings were ready but our heart was not'.

Police launched a major investigation after Paige was reported missing on March 19. Her body was recovered from bushes at the side of Great Western Road in Clydebank two days later. John Leathem, 31, has appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court charged with murder.

Remembered: This dazzling floral rainbow was among a number of bright floral tributes later placed on the coffin

Paying their respects: Mourners watched as the coffin was carried to a horse-drawn carriage, followed by Mrs Munro (right)

Dignified: The horse-drawn carriage passed through streets lined with people from the community who had come out to pay their respects

Support: Pamela Munro, right and leaving the funeral with her husband, urged the congregation to remember her daughter with a smile

Devastating loss: The priest said the entire community was praying for Paige and the family. Pictured, mourners outside the service




Four killer whales who were trapped in ice off the Far East coast of Russia have been freed after a dramatic eight hour rescue mission.

The incident happened in the Sea of Okhotsk off Sakhalin Island, where huge blocks of ice appear to have trapped the three adult whales and one calf, as a result of bad weather conditions.

Fishermen from nearby Kotovo heard the orcas' cries of distress late on the evening of April 19, and discovered them some 400 metres from the shore.

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Four killer whales became trapped in hard ice off the Far East coast of Russia, near the Sakhalin Islands, where their cried were heard by local fishermen, who said this has never happened before

The fishermen called the emergency services, who immediately sent a boat to help break up the ice, and chipped in with hooks and ropes to dislodge and move the animals successfully

Surprisingly, the incident was the first of its kind in the area, and the men from the fishing farm were caught unaware of how to respond.

However, the Ministry of Emergency Situations mobilised quickly, and sent a ship to help move the ice, and free the orcas from the perilous situation.

Three of the whales could flop in and out of the water, but one almost drowned when it became trapped underneath the ice, and couldn't get access to air. In these circumstances, the animals can drown quickly.

The rescue workers succeeded in turning it over to allow it to breathe.

Eventually, the three smallest whales were freed, but the largest one - around 7 metres in length - remained trapped for some time more.

RT reports the local emergency ministry said: 'The rescuers and volunteers that stayed near the animal at night covered it with tarpaulin to reduce heat loss and pushed away the ice floes that could hurt it.

'At around 6am local time, the rescue operation successfully ended. Willy reached the open sea.'

The rescue workers also treated one of the whales for wounds it had incurred during the ordeal.

The whales are often found in the cold waters in this region of the Pacific Northwest, off the Russian coast

Troublesome weather conditions are believed to have moved ice into the path of the animals, trapping them

Killer whales can be found in many parts of the world, but they are highly concentrated in areas of colder water, along northern Norway's coast in the Atlantic, the higher latitudes of the Southern Ocean, and in the Pacific Northwest, where this incident occurred.
Britain's borders must be tightened to keep us safe from terrorists following heightened security fears on the continent, experts warned today.

Former Metropolitan Police commissioners, an independent reviewer of terror laws, an ex-border chief and police boss said controls on EU migrants are inadequate and should be stepped up considerably.

They said the deadly terror attacks on Brussels and Paris must act as a 'wake up call' for the Government, demanding they tighten border procedures to 'make Britons safer'.

The security chiefs called on the Government to 'review security at our borders' - irrespective of the outcome in June's EU referendum.

Ex-security chiefs called on the Government to 'review security at our borders' - irrespective of the outcome in June's EU referendum.

At least one of the terrorists involved in the Brussels attacks travelled to Britain last year, while most of those responsible for the Paris attacks last November were EU nationals, meaning they could have been among the European citizens who were 'waved' through by UK border staff.

They warned that errors made by Brussels authorities before and after last month's attacks meant Britain could not rely on European intelligence and must carry out their own checks on those coming to the UK.

This internal security threat is combined with an influx of more than a million refugees arriving in the EU from warzones in the Middle East and north Africa - often with no checks on their identity.

Today's letter points to a recent report by Frontex, the EU's border force, which warned that terrorists are using the refugee crisis to 'plot atrocities across the continent'.

Today's letter points to a recent report by Frontex, the EU's border force, which warned that terrorists are using the refugee crisis to 'plot atrocities across the continent'

US Secretary of State John Kerry recently warned a similar influx this year could 'destroy Europe'

And US Secretary of State John Kerry recently warned a similar influx this year could 'destroy Europe'.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph today the seven British security experts - including former shadow home secretary David Davis, wrote: 'We would support any new measures to tighten up procedures in order to make Britons safer in an ever more uncertain world.

'These could include better sharing of intelligence about potential extremists from other EU countries, and the maintenance of proportionate communications data provisions necessary to protect Britain from attack.'

Security chiefs said the deadly terror attacks on Brussels and Paris must act as a 'wake up call' for the Government, demanding they tighten border procedures to 'make Britons safer'

At least one of the terrorists involved in the Brussels attacks travelled to Britain last year, while most of those responsible for the Paris attacks last November were EU nationals, meaning they could have been among the European citizens who were 'waved' through by UK border staff

Among the signatories were the former Metropolitan Commissioners Lord Stevens and Sir Paul Stephenson, as well as Lord Carlile, who served as the Government's independent reviewer of terror laws for 10 years.

Peter Higgins, a former UK ports director of immigration, told the newspaper that the Government only had 'restricted control of our borders'.

Warning of the risks posed by the current procedures, he said: 'The controls for EU citizens are pretty minimal. The Border Force glance at your passport and wave you on.
The wedding suit of assassin Lee Harvey Oswald is being auctioned alongside other memorabilia belonging to President John F Kennedy.

Former US Marine, Oswald, shot President Kennedy as he was driving through Dallas in an open-top car on November 22, 1963.

While making his escape, Oswald shot dead a police officer and was later arrested in a movie theatre.

The wedding suit of Lee Harvey Oswald is going under the hammer in an online auction later this month

The suit is being sold along with an unopened bottle of Haig & Haig whisky owned by the slain president

Also being sold as part of the JFK memorabilia auction is a pair of Jacqueline Kennedy's shoes

One of the most poignant lots is this 1963 Christmas Card signed by the president before his death

He was shot dead on November 24 by night club owner Jack Ruby.

The suit is being sold with a a bottle of JFK's Haig & Haig Pinch Scotch and a 1963 Christmas Card from the White House, signed before his death.

There are also a pair of shoes owned by Jacqueline Kennedy for sale.

In 2013, Lee Harvey Oswald's wedding ring was sold for $108,000. The killer had left it in a dresser on the morning he went to murder the president.
The Austrailan search team looking for the missing MH370 jet has finally recovered the 2.17million deep-water sonar detector which was lost at the bottom of the Indian Ocean in January.

The towfish equipment had been used to scour a patch of the ocean floor where the missing Malaysian Airlines passenger jet is believed to have gone down almost two years ago.

MH370 disappeared with 239 people on board during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014, sparking one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history.

Lost and found: The towfish and 14,764ft of cable - worth 2.17million - became separated from the Australian search vessel when it collided with a with a mud volcano in January this year.

The search, using a sonar detector known as a towfish, has been focused on a 46,330-sq-mile band of sea floor in the remote southern Indian Ocean.

The towfish and 14,764ft of cable - worth 4million AUD (2.17million) - became separated from the vessel when it collided with a with a mud volcano, breaking the cable.

Australian authorities have now been able to recover the towfish at a depth of 1.86miles using a remote operated vehicle.

'When the ROV arrived on the seafloor, the lost towfish was almost immediately located using the ROV's sonar and video systems,' an update issued by the search team said Wednesday.

'The towfish was found to be in good condition and floating above the seafloor, still tethered to the depressor weight at a depth of around 3,700 metres.

'The depressor weight was found to be nose-down and partly buried in sediment.'

Still missing: Malaysia Airlines' flight MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing

The expensive and extensive search mission is due to end in July this year, once the scouring of the section of the Indian Ocean sea floor has been completed

The towfish coasts around 330 feet above the sea floor, sending out sound waves diagonally across a broad strip of terrain to produce a flattened image of the seabed.

The Australian-led underwater search for the MH370 is one of the most expensive ever conducted.

The search is due to end in July this year, once the scouring of the 46,330-sq-mile band of sea floor has been completed.

Meanwhile, unique stencil codes used by Malaysia airlines prove almost certainly that two pieces of aircraft debris found in Mozambique are from missing flight MH370.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has concluded the two parts - a flap track fairing and a segment of the horizontal stabilizer - were from the doomed plane, which disappeared on March 8 2014 with 239 people aboard.

The report revealed that the code 67EB' and the words NO STEP written on the debris provided near undeniable evidence that they were from the Boeing 777.
Former Portuguese police chief Goncalo Amaral (pictured) is planning to sue Gerry and Kate McCann for compensation after winning his appeal against his court libel defeat to Madeleine's parents

Former police chief Goncalo Amaral is planning to sue Gerry and Kate McCann for compensation in a new body blow for the couple.

Missing Madeleine McCann's parents are already reeling from the shock of having their 500,000 (395,000) libel victory revoked by Lisbon appeal judges who also overturned a ban on his book The Truth Of The Lie.

Last night their heartache at the idea of a book which accuses them of faking their daughter's abduction hitting the shelves as early as next week was compounded by the threat of a lawsuit from Amaral.

His lawyer announced after the libel U-turn he would sue the McCanns for damages, claiming the couple's long-running court fight had cost his client money and harmed his reputation.

Miguel Cruz Rodrigues told respected Portuguese daily Expresso: 'We are going to advance with a compensation claim against the McCanns.

'My client has suffered years of prejudice and losses.'

He added: 'The Lisbon appeal court decision reinforces our aim to go for a claim against the McCanns for damages over what have been years of financial losses in which my client's good name has been called into question.'

His claims came just hours after Guerra e Paz, editor of The Truth Of The Lie, announced it would try to rush out new copies of Amaral's book by next week.

The nightmare scenario for the McCanns paves the way for the book, which Kate McCann has described in court as 'devastating and distressing' to go on sale throughout Europe.

The appeal judges said Amaral's right to express his opinions overruled any duty of confidentiality he had as an ex-police chief heading the Madeleine McCann investigation once the case files, made available on the Internet by Portuguese authorities, were put into the public domain.

The retired detective, removed as head of the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance in May 2007 after criticising British detectives, had always denied defamation.

The judge who ruled in the McCanns' favour last April said Amaral's constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression were conditioned by the fact he had been in charge of the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance until shortly before the publication of his book.

She concluded he played on his status as a long-serving police officer to present personal opinions and claims about the high-profile case as fact.

Madeleine McCann's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, speak to the media outside court in in Lisbon during their libel action against Amaral in July 2014. They face further heartache after the appeal judges overturned the police chief's book The Truth Of The Lie, paving the way for it to be sold again

The McCanns' Portuguese lawyer Isabel Duarte has already said she will fight the libel U-turn by appealing to the country's Supreme Court.

She has 30 days to submit the appeal.

A friend of the couple said they were 'seething' over the appeal ruling.

Spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: 'The process is not over yet. It is a matter for Kate and Gerry's lawyers to deal with.'

Ms Duarte said: 'This decision was an appreciation of the law and not the facts.

'We can appeal to the Supreme Court which we will do as we have instructions from our clients.'

Amaral is understood to have earned 400,000 (316,000) from his book before it was banned and a subsequent TV documentary.

He claimed in the book Madeleine, who was three when she disappeared from the family's Algarve holiday apartment, had died in the flat and they had faked her abduction to cover up the tragedy.

The book was released just three days after Gerry and Kate were told their status as arguidos or formal suspects had been lifted on July 21, 2008.

The McCanns told the Lisbon court staging the Amaral libel trial in the summer of 2014 they were left 'devastated and crushed' by his allegations.

Kate, 48, from Rothley, Leicestershire, said Madeleine's twin siblings Sean and Amelie, now 11, knew about Amaral's allegations.

After applying to make a statement, she told the court in July 2014: 'I believe that's what's in Mr Amaral's book and the documentary is very distressing to adults.

'To a child it could be very damaging.'

Three-year-old Madeleine (pictured) disappeared from the family's Algarve holiday apartment in May 2007

Asked by the judge how she felt after reading the book, she said: 'I was devastated. It made me feel quite desperate because of the injustice I felt towards my daughter and our family as a whole.

'It was very painful to read and I felt sad for Madeleine. I also felt anxious and fearful because of the damage I felt it was doing in Portugal.'

She went on to accuse Amaral of 'consistently smearing' her and Gerry and claimed they feared the book may have stopped people coming forward with information about their daughter's whereabouts.

The ex-police chief always denied defamation, insisting what he wrote was based on case files which had already been made public.

Amaral's lawyer Miguel Cruz Rodrigues claimed in court the McCanns had taken legal action against his client 'to rid themselves of guilt for their negligent conduct' in leaving Madeleine and her siblings alone while they ate tapas with friends nearby.

He also claimed their lack of cooperation with the Portuguese police authorities had led to the archiving of the investigation in 2008.

Portuguese prosecutors reopened their probe into Madeleine McCann's disappearance in May 2014.

Scotland Yard are conducting a separate investigation which has cost an estimated 12million so far but was recently scaled down from 29 officers to just four.

Earlier this week, Detective Chief Superintendent Mick Duthie, who supervises the force's Operation Grange hunt, said: 'There is always a possibility we will find Madeleine and we hope that we find her alive.
Barack Obama has met with the king of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh to discuss counter-terrorism and the threat of ISIS, just as fresh information emerged that appears to connect the Arab nation and the September 11 attacks.

President Obama's uncomfortable meeting came after officials revealed that the flight certificate of Al-Qaeda bomb maker Ghassan Al-Sharbi was discovered hidden in an envelope from the Saudi embassy in Washington when they arrested him in 2002.

On top of that, there is mounting pressure on Mr Obama at home to declassify a 28-page section of a Congressional report which many believe will point to Saudi involvement in the 2001 plane hijackings, which killed nearly 3,000 people and launched the War on Terror.

The claims are highly significant as President Obama arrived in Saudi Arabia this morning so he could meet with officials. He is pictured with King Salman, above

President Obama will be spending the next 24 hours in the country. This is his fourth visit while in office

Al-Sharbi, who became an Al Qaeda bombmaker, is believed to have learned how to fly with the 9/11 hijackers but did not take part in the attacks. Shortly before his arrest, he buried a bundle of documents, which is believed to have included the certificate.

The cache was discovered by US authorities and details, written in a memo known as Document 17 in 2003, were released without fanfare by investigators last year. They were only brought to the public's attention when an activist discovered them and wrote about them on his website earlier this week.

Activist Brian McGlinchey claimed the new details of the flight certificate would lead to people questioning the extent government individuals were involved, according toThe Times.

The envelope points to the fundamental question hanging over us today: to what extent was the 9/11 plot facilitated by individuals at the highest levels of the Saudi government? Activist Brian McGlinchey

He said: 'The envelope points to the fundamental question hanging over us today: to what extent was the 9/11 plot facilitated by individuals at the highest levels of the Saudi government?'

Victims' families have been pushing Congress for the right to sue Saudi Arabia over the death of their loved ones as well as calling for the declassification of the report.

Previous court decisions have ruled that there is insufficient evidence to find Saudi Arabia culpable in the terror attacks, which is why they are now calling for the release of the 28 pages from the 9/11 congressional report which is believed to show a stronger connection to Saudi funding of the attacks.

This has put Obama in a difficult position, with 9/11 families accusing him of siding with the Kingdom and Saudi officials threatening to sell hundreds of billions of dollars of American assets if Congress passes a bill that would allow the government to be sued over the attacks.

The talks between the leaders (above) are expected to address the Saudi-led military campaign against Shiite rebels and their allies in neighboring Yemen

Obama, accompanied by the Commander of 89th Airlift Wing Colonel John Millard, walks to board Air Force One on the way to Saudi

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has said his country would sell up to $750 billion in US treasury securities and other assets before the bill puts them in jeopardy.

The administration has tried to stop Congress from passing the legislation, a bipartisan Senate bill. Earlier this week, Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, indicated that President Obama would veto any such legislation.

Paul Ryan, the House speaker, has also refused to back the legislation, saying that lawmakers need to review the bill 'to make sure that we're not making mistakes with our allies'.

Fifteen of the nineteen men who hijacked four planes and flew them into targets including the World Trade Center in 2001, were Saudi citizens

The increasingly strained relationship between the two countries was laid bare in Riyadh this morning, when Mr Obama arrived at King Khalid International Airport, to be greeted by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the governor of Riyadh, as opposed to the king himself.

Saudi state television did not immediately air Obama's arrival, which was unusual since right before Air Force One landed, State TV showed King Salman greeting other senior officials from Gulf nations arriving for the Gulf Cooperation Council summit.

Mustafa Alani, a security analyst at the Gulf Research Center, said the decision to send a lower ranking official to greet Mr Obama was intended to send a clear message that they have little faith in him.

'He will find a leadership that's not ready to believe him,' he said. 'The Saudis had disagreements with previous presidents. Here you have deep distrust that the president won't deliver anything.'

Obama eventually did meet King Salman at Riyadh's Erga Palace before the six-nation GCC summit opens on Thursday.

'The American people send their greetings and we are very grateful for your hospitality, not just for this meeting but for hosting the GCC-U.S. summit that's taking place tomorrow,' Obama said, referring to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council summit.

King Salman offered similarly gracious words through a translator, saying: 'The feeling is mutual between us and the American people.'

The White House later said that the pair 'really cleared the air.'

The relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia is not helped by the Middle Eastern nation's concerns that the US is shifting its attention to improving relations with Iran.

When Obama called on Saudi Arabia to 'share' the Middle East with Iran and stop the proxy wars across the region, it infuriated the kingdom.

'I don't think any US president has ever been so outspoken about Saudi Arabia,' Toby Matthiesen, a Middle East specialist at St Antony's College, University of Oxford, told the news agency AFP. He added that it was 'embarrassing' for the Saudis.

Meanwhile Mr Obama and Ash Carter, his Defense Secretary, used the trip to appeal to other Gulf nations to do more to support Iraq economically and politically. Mr Carter asked them to help with the reconstruction of the cities of Ramadi and Hit as well as Anbar province, which have been left devastated by ISIS.

Fifteen of the nineteen men who hijacked four planes and flew them into targets in New York and Washington in 2001 were Saudi citizens, though the country has always denied having any role in the attacks.

A U.S. commission established in the aftermath of the attacks also concluded there was no evidence of official Saudi connivance. However, the White House has been under pressure to declassify a 28-page section of the report that was never published on the grounds of national security.

President Obama will decide whether to declassify the sealed documents by June. During an interview with Charlie Rose this week, he said that James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence, was nearly done with a review of the documents to ensure that whatever is made public does not damage US national security interests.

'I have a sense of what's in there', Mr Obama told Rose.

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential frontrunner, believes the pages should be released.

'I think I know what it's going to say,' Mr Trump said on Fox & Friends. 'It's going to be very, very profound, having to do with Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia's role on the World Trade Center, and the attack.'

Former US Senator Bob Graham earlier this month said Saudi officials are against the bill that would make it easier for families to sue.
Anthony Waller, 39, will spend two life sentences in prison for the rape of two young girls in the bathroom of the church where he worked

A disgraced Arkansas pastor who was charged with the rape of two girls after his wife discovered his shocking collection of child pornography on their laptop, will serve two life sentences in prison.

Anthony Waller, 39, was given no chance of parole after pleading guilty to two counts of rape on Tuesday, according to the Jonesboro Sun.

The former children's pastor committed the offences while an employee at the First Assembly of God Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas, about 70 miles north-west of Memphis, Tennessee.

The court heard Waller raped the girls in the bathroom of the church and at other locations.

In addition to the rape charges, Waller still faces 50 counts of video voyeurism and one count of child pornography.

Waller began working at the church in 1999, but his crimes were only discovered when his wife Angela found disturbing images of young girls on a computer they shared.

After confronting her husband over what she had found, Mrs Waller handed the images over to police.

Police praised the decision of Mrs Waller in what they described as one of the biggest child pornography cases they'd seen.

'She's just as caught off guard as anyone else,' Detective Brandon King of the Jonesboro Police Department told WMC Action News 5 in May last year.

'She's very hurt and very upset and honestly had no idea that anything was going on. She said it's a roller coaster, which would be expected.'

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The former pastor filmed children in the bathroom at the First Assembly Church of God (pictured) in Jonesboro, Arkansas, using a camera he'd hidden in the roof. He also faces 50 counts of video voyeurism and one count of child pornography but is yet to be sentenced

A police detective testified to finding 400,000 images of child pornography and videos of young females inside the church bathroom on an external hard drive of Waller's.

The detective says he found holes in the ceiling of the church bathroom and a place for a hidden camera nearby.
A town named as a 'Britain's most segregated' has appointed a police officer to deal exclusively with immigrants.

Boston in Lincolnshire - where one in six people are foreign-born - was rated worst for integration in analysis released by think-tank Policy Exchange earlier this year.

Now the town's police force has recruited PC Emma Carlin, who to become the force's first community beat officer who will work only with immigrant communities.

The appointment of PC Carlin, 34, who is half-Polish, comes after the 2011 Census revealed it is home to a higher proportion of eastern Europeans than anywhere else in England and Wales.

PC Emma Carlin, who is half-Polish, is to work exclusively with immigrants in Boston, Lincolnshire, which was named the most segregated town in Britain by a recent study

Police in Boston, where one in six people are foreign-born, brought in the move in a bid to 'break down barriers'

Figures show 10.6 per cent of the town's population of 65,000 comes from one of the countries which have recently joined the EU, such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia or Romania.

PC Carlin, who doesn't speak Polish, said her role was intended to 'break down barriers' between immigrants and the local population and help build up trust in the police.

She will now spend her time visiting shops, factories and residents accompanied with two interpreters who speak Lithuanian, Polish and Russian.

PC Carlin, who was born in Nottingham and has been a police officer for ten years, said: 'It does seem like quite a few people from migrant communities seem to be afraid of police and talking to the police.

'Because of this perception from themselves and their community, people don't like to be seen helping the police or getting involved.

'If you do have problems with crime in the community that people don't feel they can report it's an issue - we want people to feel confident we can help them.

'We're looking to get everyone together so people can talk to each other and break down a few barriers.'

She added: 'A lot of the first few months will be finding out what their issues are, rather than thinking we know what they are.

'At the moment, we might think we know what the issues are, but we are speaking to the people and finding out what they know.'

Figures released by the Policy Exchange think-tank unveiled the top ten most integrated places and the top ten most segregated places based on data from the 2011 census

The town's surrounding farmland has seen thousands of foreign workers move into the area and shops offering eastern European food now pepper the town centre

Many signs in the town are now written out in a number of languages, including Polish, Russian and Czech

PC Carlin is currently helping police revamp a 'newcomers' booklet' to educate people about the country's laws and customs.

It will include the law's stance on domestic violence, street drinking, drink-drive laws and laws surrounding looking after children.

But residents in the town are divided over her role, with some accusing the police of 'further ghettoising' the immigrant population.

Recruitment consultant Andrew Jenkins, 50, said: 'Boston residents are fed up to the back teeth with being the nation's go-to town for immigrants but this is a step too far.

'We are constantly being told to integrate with immigrants to help social cohesion but giving them their own police officer means they will be further ghettoised.

'If immigrants want to come here then they should be willing to learn the language, our laws and our customs and be accountable to our police force.

'What Lincolnshire Police are doing is divert resources away from the majority population who have lived here all our lives, and given it to a minority who shouldn't receive special treatment.'

Boston, where one in six of the 65,000 population is foreign-born following a huge influx of Eastern Europeans, was rated worst for integration

Police fear different attitudes to the law in other countries should be tackled in the immigrant population

Boston has also been named the murder capital of Britain after figures showed the town it had the most cases of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder per 100,000 people.

The town recorded 10 cases in the year up to September 2015, two of which were homicides and eight of which were attempted murders.

This means when adjusted for the population there were 15 cases per 100,000 people, which placed it above London and Manchester.
Identified only as Abdou I, he claims he had nothing to do with her killing

A man suspected of brutally murdering an American au pair in Vienna has claimed he had nothing to do with the crime and was not even in the city at the time of her slaying.

During a police interview, the Gambian asylum seeker - identified only as Abdou I - said he had left the city and was in Switzerland when she was killed.

Lauren Mann, 25, was found naked at her apartment on January 25 after her employers told police she had not picked up their child from school.

U.S. student Lauren Mann (pictured) was found dead at her apartment in Vienna on January 25. Her suspected killer, a Gambian asylum seeker, has denied any involvement in her death

It is believed she may have met her alleged killer on the CrowdSurfing website. Her profile (pictured) on the website shows she had three positive reviews from previous visitors

Prosecutors say Ms Mann died from 'violent suffocation' and have extradited a suspect from Switzerland

Firemen broke down the door to her flat to find her half-undressed body lying face down on a mattress and surrounded by burning candles, having been violently suffocated.

According to The Local, Abdou's sperm was found on her body and bed. He has admitted having a sexual relationship with her.

He was arrested nine days after her death at a refugee centre in Switzerland. His lawyer said he expects authorities to soon file a murder charge against his client.

Last month it was reported emerged Ms Mann may have met him via the CouchSurfing website.

According to Kurier.at, the 25-year-old was active on CouchSurfing, and her profile on the accommodation website states she had met many friends by using the service.

Her profile also reveals she had graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Music and French.

Three previous visitors were registered on her page, all of which gave her positive feedback about their stays.

Police say DNA belonging to the Gamiban man who had been in the apartment with the American was found on her body
The body of a teenage girl was found by her parents hanging from a tree after she was kidnapped and gang-raped in India.

The 16-year-old girl was walking home from school in the village of Yeturu in Andhra Pradesh state when she was attacked.

Local media reports say she was dragged into a rickshaw by three men on the outskirts of the village, which is about 50 miles north of Chennai.

The victim (pictured) was attacked while on her way home from school. Attitudes to sex crimes in India have changed markedly in recent years. There were mass protests after Jyoti Singh, 23, was raped and killed by six men on a bus in Delhi in 2012

She was then gang-raped but it is not clear how she came to be hanging from the tree.

Her parents reportedly went looking for her when she failed to return from school and found her body hanging from a tree.

Police spokesman Sathya Kishore said they had identified three suspects from the neighbouring village of Vibharinthalapadu.

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Friends and relatives of the girl comfort her distraught mother, who discovered her daughter hanging from a tree. Nobody has yet been arrested in connection with the case

Mr Kishore said the police were investigating the incident but had not yet made any arrests.

In recent years the number of reported rapes in India has been on the rise and authorities have come under increasing pressure to make sure they do not go unpunished.

According to the Indian government, at least one in 10 rape victims in the country is under-age.

There has been a change in attitudes in the country in recent years, triggered by the horrific gang-rape and murder in 2012 of 23-year-old student Jyoti Singh in Delhi.

One of her attackers died in prison and four others are appealing against their death sentences.

In May 2014 two sisters were found hanging from a tree in Uttar Pradesh state and it was reported they had been gang-raped and murdered. But six months later the police ruled they had not been attacked and had simply committed suicide.

The victim (left) posing for a photograph with relatives.The Indian government say one in 10 rape victims in the country is under the age of consent
Police have since launched an investigation and appealed for information

Tracey says she was vulnerable after losing her partner just months earlier

The mother-of-three warned against the perils of online dating and scams

Was told by 'Mark Gavin Cole' wanted to 'spend the rest of his life with her'

She was sent them by a man she met on dating website badoo.com

A woman has warned against online dating after she was coerced into sending luxury items to Bangkok by a man she met online who told her he would spend the rest of his life with her.

Tracey, 49, who did not want her surname published, received about 60 parcels to her Geraldton home, 400 km north of Perth, from a man she met on dating website badoo.com in November last year.

The mother of three adult children admitted she did not notice the warning signs when she spoke with the man who had an Asian accent, but claimed to be a Swedish national living in Sydney and working in Canberra.

The man, who's active Facebook page says that his name is Mark Gavin Cole, told her he wanted to 'spend the rest of his life with her' and that he loved her.

Tracey, 49, who did not want her surname published, received about 60 parcels to her Geraldton home, 400 km north of Perth, from a man she met on dating website badoo.com in November last year

'I'm not to sure about people anymore, it's pretty heartbreaking,' Tracey said.

'I hadn't actually met him, but the things he was saying - he was saying that he loved me, and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

Tracey said her partner of five years died eight months ago and that she had been incredibly vulnerable at the time she started talking to the man.

Contained in the parcels were large amounts of men's designer clothes, watches, backpacks and several expensive women's clothing items that the man said were gifts to Tracey.

Tracey initially agreed to receive a parcel in December after talking with the man for over a month, which she sent on to Bangkok, paying the $67 delivery fee for the package containing watches, a camera and hairclippers.

Parcels then arrived almost every day, but requests to stop the shipments were ignored.

The alarm was raised when she noticed on the shipment docket that some items were purchased by a credit card in her name when she had never possessed a credit card.

'It was the first online dating experience I'd had,' she said.

The alarm was raised when she noticed on the shipment docket that some items were purchased by a credit card in her name when she had never possessed a credit card

'He said he was going to come over and see me and come over in two weeks (to pick up the parcels).

'I was vulnerable, very, I lost my partner.

'Don't go on dating sites, learn your lesson from them. I've learnt my lesson and I don't want anyone else getting hurt.'

Tracey is one of several victims of online dating scams that have been reported in the region recently.

Consumer Protection's Karratha office, north-east Western Australia, received a report from a woman who accepted computers from a man she had met online, with instructions to send them to Malaysia.

Police have since launched an investigation after Tracey notified them of the scam earlier this month.

Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Potter of the Western Australia Police Major Fraud Squad warns victims agreeing to pass on money or goods that they could be taking part in criminal activity.

Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Potter of the Western Australia Police Major Fraud Squad warns victims agreeing to pass on money or goods that they could be taking part in criminal activity

'Victims who become involved in transferring goods or money for criminals could risk prosecution, so people should be extremely wary when people they have not met in person begin to ask for favours such as these,' Det Snr Sgt Potter said.

'This method is clearly designed to influence innocent people to unknowingly facilitate their criminal operations while the offenders remain anonymous or hide behind fake or stolen identities. We urge everyone to be mindful of this new tactic and contact authorities if they have been asked to receive and transfer goods or money.'

Western Australia Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said it was a disturbing twist to scam victims being used as mules.

'Normally scam victims are used as money mules by being asked to receive funds into their bank account and to then send the money to other accounts, usually overseas,' Mr Hillyard said.

'But the receiving and sending of goods purchased fraudulently by stolen or fake credit cards appears to be a new tactic that the community should be made aware of. Alarm bells should ring for people who are asked to receive and then pass on goods by people they don't know or have only met online.'
Scrapping the EU's passport-free Schengen agreement and re-introducing full border checks would be cheaper than allowing mass migration to continue, a study has claimed.

A report by Germany's Ifo institute says the move could reduce the EU's costs by up to nearly 0.5 per cent a year  around 65billion.

This would be 'just a small part' of the resources needed to cope with 'uncontrolled' mass migration, according to the think tank's head, Gabriel Felbermayr.

You shall not pass: Migrants face off with Macedonian riot police in a protest calling for the reopening of the border near their makeshift camp on the Greek border. A study has found that scrapping the passport-free Schengen zone and reintroducing border checks would be cheaper than allowing mass migration to continue

The Munich-based group arrived at its findings after analysing trade data before and after the introduction of the EU's prized Schengen agreement in 1995.

The pact allows passport-free travel through 26 nations, most of them in the EU, and is championed as one of the bloc's most important achievements.

Ifo found that transport costs would rise by around seven per cent if borders were shut.

But because this made up only 10 per cent of the EU's total product value, it would have a minimal impact overall, it was reported by Breitbart.

Meanwhile, the spiralling costs required to police and accommodate the migrant influx would hit economic output.

This has been seen in Sweden, one of the worst-affected countries, which is forecast to spend some 600 billion krona (50billion) to fund last year's intake of migrants, according to Stockholm University Associate Professor Jan Tullberg.

A migrant gestures towards Macedonian police through a fence. A report by Germany's Ifo institute says reinstating full border checks could reduce the EU's costs by up to nearly 0.5 per cent a year  around 65bn

The Schengen zone has been at risk of collapse since last year, with several countries erecting border fences and tougher controls to stem the migrant flow.

In one of the latest , the EU said earlier this month that it was 'very concerned' that Austria may be preparing to reintroduce controls on its border with Italy.

Austrian police said construction work has started on concrete foundations for a planned control area off the northbound motorway at the Brenner pass in the Alps.

Austria, which has adopted an increasingly hardline stance after receiving 90,000 asylum claims last year, has already stepped up border controls along its borders with Slovenia and Hungary.

Vienna said it was concerned that the closure earlier this year of the Balkan trail from Greece would open a new route across the sea from Libya to Italy and then northwards towards Austria.
A Colorado city is up in arms over a proposal to become sister cities with a Palestinian community which opponents say is too-closely linked with anti-Israel sentiment.

The plan to pair Boulder with Nablus on the West Bank in Palestine has stirred such rancor that the City Council is trying to negotiate a truce among its own residents.

Those who back the link say it would help combat misunderstandings about Palestinians, but those opposed want to avoid 'taking sides' in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The council decided on Tuesday to hire a moderator and convene a citizen panel in hopes of settling differences between two sides.

The plan to pair Boulder with Nablus on the West Bank (pictured) has stirred such rancor that the Boulder City Council is trying to negotiate a truce among its own residents

The Boulder City Council decided on Tuesday to hire a moderator and convene a citizen panel in hopes of settling differences between two sides. Pictured is a Boulder shopping mall

The council previously rejected the proposal to link with Nablus in 2013, partly due to alleged human rights violations under the Palestinian Authority, including reports of honor killings of women.

At the time, Eric Weissmann, a failed Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, called a vote for the move 'an endorsement of the anti-Semitic rhetoric... in complete disregard of the human rights situation in Nablus,' according to the Boulder Daily Camera.

And opponents told the council on Tuesday night that links with Nablus, a city of about 130,000 residents that is a commercial and cultural center for Palestinians, could appear anti-Israel.

A spokeswoman for Boulder, which is about 30 miles northwest of Denver, said the City Council has received about 200 emails, some supporting the sister-city ties, some opposed, and others commenting on whether Boulder should try to resolve the dispute.

Essrea Cherin, president of the Boulder-Nablus Sister City Project, said the entire Palestinian population is unfairly portrayed in the U.S. media as violent because of the actions of a few, and the tie would help change that.

Cherin said becoming a sister city isn't taking sides in the Middle East conflict, only working for international understanding. Boulder's rules for such relationships specifically demand neutrality, she said.

Cherin said her group has worked hard to win over their critics but encountered a surprising level of resistance: 'We were really kind of taken aback to find that they did not shift their views very much.'

Essrea Cherin, president of the Boulder-Nablus Sister City Project, said the entire Palestinian population is unfairly portrayed in the U.S. media as violent because of the actions of a few. Pictured is Nablus

The Boulder City Council rejected a similar proposal in 2013, citing community opposition and similar concerns that the city (pictured) would appear to be taking sides

The Boulder-Nablus Sister City Project has already arranged pen-pal relationships between Boulder and Nablus students, Cherin added.

The group has brought women from Nablus to learn yoga in Boulder and plans to send a yoga teacher there. The group has also arranged for cultural exchanges.

That work will continue, she said, but having a formal relationship with Nablus would allow it to expand through Sister Cities International.
The millionaire husband of Formula One heiress Tamara Ecclestone was today cleared of helping a drugs baron evade justice after the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.

Jay Rutland, 35, son-in-law to F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, was said to have assisted 66-year old crime king James Tarrant avoid capture ahead of a 2010 gun and drugs trial.

Tarrant fled overseas before ultimately being convicted in his absence and was sentenced 14 years imprisonment.

At the time, Tarrant was one of the UK's most wanted criminals before giving himself up to Dutch police last September and being returned to Britain after five years on the run.

Walking free: Jay Rutland, left, husband of Bernie Ecclestone's daughter Tamara, right, has been cleared today of helping an on the run drugs lord

High life: Yesterday socialite Tamara Ecclestone looked happy as she took her two-year-old daughter Sophia shopping in Los Angeles

Rutland was arrested in February after attending a police station with his lawyer but the case was discontinued at Thames Magistrates' Court today.

The former City trader did not attend the hearing, which lasted just two minutes.

DRUG LORD'S 5 YEARS ON THE RUN James Tarrant, 66, was arrested after cannabis, cocaine, a handgun, ammunition, body armour and around 5,000 was found by police at a house in Waltham Abbey, Essex. He was arrested and granted conditional bail in 2009. But before the case could come to trial Tarrant absconded, later handing himself in to a police station in Holland last September. He had been convicted in his absence and was returned to the UK to serve the 14-year jail sentence imposed on him. Advertisement

District Judge Sonia Sims said: 'In relation to Mr Rutland, the file will be noted as discontinued.

'Based on the evidence that is here today, there is insufficient evidence. Whether that changes in due course, I know not.'

Martin Beckett, 42, had been accused of the same offence but was also informed the matter against him would be dropped in a letter dated April 18.

District Judge Sims told Beckett: 'There is a discontinuance notice.

'So far as matters before this court are concerned, these are concluded for the purposes of today.'

Drugs kingpin Tarrant was arrested after police found cannabis, cocaine, a handgun, bullets, body armour as well as 5,000 in cash at a house in Waltham Abbey, Essex.

He was bailed in 2009 but vanished shortly after.

Tarrant gave himself up at Breda police station, near Rotterdam, last year and was detained on a European Arrest Warrant before being flown home to serve his sentence.

Rutland proposed to Tamara, 31, after a whirlwind romance in January 2013.

They married later that year in a 7 million ceremony on the French Riviera which boasted guests including Sir Elton John, Sir Sean Connery and music producer Mark Ronson.

The couple have a 23-month old daughter together.

Drug smugglers: Jamed Tarrant, 66, fled while awaiting trial for drugs offences in 2010, right, Martin Beckett, right, was cleared of helping him but is already in jail for smuggling drugs hidden in carpets

But it can now be revealed for the first time that his 42-year-old co-defendant in the case Beckett, who also had the same charge dropped today, is a convicted drug smuggler currently serving nine years and 10 months behind bars.

Beckett was jailed last month at Wood Green Crown Court for his major role within a cannabis smuggling gang who shipped 20 million worth of skunk into Britain rolled up in carpets.

Two-and-a-half tonnes of the Class B drug were imported in multiple shipments from Holland.

An investigation, code-named Operation Pepper, began last September after five rolls of carpet stuffed with drugs were shipped from Zeebrugge in Holland to Britain.

When seized by police at a wholesalers, called KB Carpets in Leytonstone, east London, cops found drugs weighing 1.8 tonnes and with a street value of around 10 million.

Beckett tried to flee the warehouse in a white van, but he and an accomplice were being watched by undercover cops.

Beckett was arrested two days later and charged with conspiracy to fraudulently evade the prohibition on the importation of goods and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B.

Beckett, of Theydon Bois, Essex, admitted conspiracy to supply the skunk cannabis, but disputed his involvement in the drug's importation.

But after a three week trial and 12 hours deliberations he was found guilty.

Couple: Formula One heiress Tamara Ecclestone and Jay Rutland (pictured together in New York just before Christmas) married in 2013 and they have a young daughter together

Mr Rutland and Tamara, 31, married in 2013 and they have a young daughter together.

Tamara is the daughter of F1 tycoon Bernie Ecclestone who has amassed an estimated 3 billion fortune.

Rutland's high-earning career in the City of London ended in shame in 2012, when he was banned from trading over 'market abuse'.

In a damning ruling, the Financial Services Authority concluded he was not a 'fit and proper person' and his behaviour demonstrated a lack of 'honesty and integrity'.

In 2013 Rutland needed treatment for facial cuts after he was ambushed by two men in a mugging when he stopped his black Ferrari - just a month after marrying Miss Ecclestone.
His gruesome death was filmed by the group then released on the internet

Mr Sotloff was beheaded by the ISIS executioner known as Jihadi John

The family of Steven Sotloff is suing Syria in a U.S. court, claiming the government of President Bashar al-Assad provided support to ISIS militants who carried out the gruesome beheading.

The lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Washington seeks $90 million in compensatory damages plus up to three times that in punitive damages from Syria for Mr Sotloff's 2014 killing.

It is far from certain, however, if Mr Sotloff's South Florida-based family would be able to collect money from a foreign government if they win the case.

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Steven Sotloff's family are suing the Syrian government in a U.S. court, claiming they supported the ISIS terrorists who beheaded him (pictured)

Mr Sotloff was kidnapped in August 2013 after crossing into Syria from Turkey, according to the lawsuit.

He was killed just over a year later on September 2, 2014, and a video was distributed around the world documenting his beheading at the hands of the British terrorist known as Jihadi John.

Another American journalist, James Foley, had been killed a month earlier by ISIS in a similar manner.

The Sotloff lawsuit contends that Syria - designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. - is liable because it provided financial, material and military support to ISIS.

It says Syria, even as a sovereign entity, can be sued in federal court as a provider of that support.

'Syria's material support for [ISIS] caused the abduction and murder of Steven Sotloff,' the lawsuit says.

Sotloff, 31, was a Miami native who reported from a number of Middle Eastern countries for publications such as Time, the Christian Science Monitor and Foreign Policy magazine.

Before his kidnapping, family and friends have said he was planning to go to Aleppo, Syria, to report on the city's humanitarian crisis.

'Steven covered the civil wars in Libya and Syria because he cared deeply about the people of those countries,' the lawsuit says.

Syria has not yet answered the lawsuit. It has previously been sued for terrorism-related claims in U.S. courts, as have countries such as Iran and Cuba.

Although sometimes these cases lead to huge damage awards, lawyers have often found it difficult to track down assets that can be seized to satisfy a U.S. judgment.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Sotloff's father, mother and sister. Their attorney declined Tuesday to discuss details of the lawsuit.
Wandering alone in the forest, this heartbroken baby elephant was rejected by his family after being reintroduced to the wild.

The three-month-old baby, called Gold, was first separated from his mother after falling into a well dug by illegal loggers 20 miles from Buon Don in Vietnam.

Rescuers spent two weeks nurturing the young animal back to health in the hope he could be reunited with its family.

Heartbroken: The three-month-old baby, called Gold, was first separated from his mother after falling into a well dug by illegal loggers 20 miles from Buon Don in Vietnam

Rescuers spent two weeks nurturing the young animal back to health in the hope he could be reunited with its family

Volunteers tried to encourage Gold to rejoin his herd (pictured) by pushing the baby towards them - and at first it seemed like his attempt had been a success

British wildlife expert Dr Jake Veasey tried to encourage Gold to rejoin his herd by pushing the baby towards them - and at first it seemed like his attempt had been a success.

But his team's joy turned to devastation when he was found alone less than twelve hours later, some distance from the area where he had been left.

Dr Veasey said that Gold's mother may not have been in the herd at all, or she may not have recognised him as he had been away for two weeks and smelt of humans and human baby milk.

'Maybe her milk had dried up and she was no longer lactating,' he added.

Gold lost his family in March after he got trapped in a well dug by illegal loggers, who cut down rainforest trees to sell timber.

While the adult elephants were large enough to reach the well's water supply with their trunks, Gold's smaller stature meant he fell in when he tried to drink.

Rescuers said that Gold's mother may not have been in the herd at all, or she may not have recognised him as he had been away for two weeks and smelt of humans and human baby milk

The team's joy turned to devastation when Gold was found alone less than twelve hours after being reintroduced to the wild, some distance from the area where he had been left

Gold lost his family in March after he got trapped in a well dug by illegal loggers, who cut down rainforest trees to sell timber

Rescue workers had to move the rest of the family away from the well to save Gold without being attacked themselves, as elephants in Vietnam are nervous around humans and view them as a threat.

Despite hopes that the herd would eventually return and find the baby, the adult elephants had been scared off by the human presence.

Now Gold is living in temporary accommodation while Animals Asia build a sanctuary to care for him and other elephants.

'Gold was so depressed and lonely that we worried he might not survive,' said Dr Veasey, who explained that the team were at first reluctant to 'smother him with affection' for fear of giving him 'a human imprint' and compromising his chances of a life in the wild.

Alone: The baby elephant was found wandering alone in the Vietnam wilderness after being rejected by its herd

Gold had been showing signs of chronic stress - pacing back and forwards diagonally - and trying to suckle everything because he misses his mother's teat

Volunteers have ordered specialist bottles for the baby elephant, and hope that when a new sanctuary is built, his health and wellbeing will improve

Currently there is just one other elephant in the temporary corral with Gold, but Veasey and his colleagues are planning on building herds there by rescuing elephants from Vietnam's tourist trade

Gold had been showing signs of chronic stress - pacing back and forwards diagonally - and trying to suckle everything because he misses his mother's teat.

But Veasey has now ordered specialist bottles for the baby elephant, and hopes that when the sanctuary is built, his health and wellbeing will improve.

Currently there is just one other elephant in the temporary corral with Gold, but Veasey and his colleagues are planning on building herds there by rescuing elephants from Vietnam's tourist trade.

'Often the females have strong maternal instincts,' he added.
A 16-year-old who injured her foot playing volleyball claims she has been told to wear one trainer and one shoe to school so she still complies with uniform regulations.

Sophie Bailey was given crutches after falling in a volleyball game and damaging the ligaments in her right foot.

Her mother said the doctor told the GCSE student that she should wear cushioned trainers while she recovers.

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Sophie Bailey, 16 (pictured left with her mother Cheryl Razzell and right) claims she has been told to wear one trainer and one shoe to school so she still complies with uniform regulations, despite an injured foot

The teenager says she has been told that she is allowed to wear a trainer on her injured foot - but that she must wear a normal shoe on the other so she does not flout the strict rules

But when she arrived at Harris Academy Falconwood, in Welling, Kent, wearing black trainers, she was allegedly excluded her from class for flouting uniform rules.

Sophie says she has been told that she is allowed to wear a trainer on her injured foot - but that she must wear a normal shoe on the other.

Her mother Cheryl Razzell, 36, claims her daughter has been 'humiliated' and 'harassed' while Sophie says the bizarre look is leaving her as a target for bullies.

Ms Razzell said: 'The doctor said she should wear cushioned trainers, because it's important that she's stable on her feet.

'So I went out and I bought her a new pair of trainers - they were completely black. Not bright or flashy in any way, but she's now been excluded.

'They asked for a doctor's note so she could wear them, but I spoke to the doctor and he said: "why do you need a letter? It's seems pretty obvious that she needs to wear trainers".'

Ms Razzell said she eventually got a note from the physician and handed it into the school.

But she claims a senior staff member disregarded the note and phoned the physician to check.

She said: 'Now they've told her that she can wear one school shoe, and one trainer - it's just crazy.

When she arrived at Harris Academy Falconwood, in Welling, Kent (pictured), wearing black trainers, headteacher Terrie Askew allegedly excluded her from class

'The headteacher has even been going over old CCTV footage and looking through to see when and where she's been wearing trainers. She feels like she's being persecuted.'

According to her mother, Sophie is 'well behaved' and at school 'all the time'. She said: 'She's a straight-A student. She's about to take her GCSEs and is predicted to get all A*s.'

But she has 'long history' of uniform disputes with the headteacher, who made her go and replace a pair of tailored black trousers with straight ones because they were 'high-street fashion'.

Ms Razzell said: 'I had to go out and buy her a cheap pair from Tesco - there is no difference apart from the fact that they've got straight legs.'

She added: 'The school is supposed to be one of the best in the borough, and I initially liked it because they are known as being very strict.

'But it's not just the teaching - they seem to be overly strict about uniform, too.'

Ms Razzell claims she has considered hiring a lawyer to deal with the situation, but says she does not want to fork out thousands of pounds just before Sophie takes her GCSEs.

The school's website has a link to their uniform policy - a 2,500-word four-page document that includes all their rules, including banning mobile phones and loose change.

It said: 'Money should be kept in purses, wallets or money belts. If students are not in full uniform they will not be able to attend lessons.

'They will work in isolation until the correct uniform is brought to them or they will be sent home to change. All items of uniform should be clearly marked or labelled.'

The 800-pupil secondary school has a number of controversial restrictions on their uniform policy, including banning burkas and birthday balloons.

The rules state: 'Hijabs worn for religious purposes and agreed by the Academy must be plain black, and must not cover either the face or uniform.

'Birthday balloons are also not permitted.'

Under their rules, school shoes must be plain black, with black laces, and should be worn on the way to and from school.
Edwina Currie has come under fire after insisting women should be happy to be called 'totty' by men in the workplace.

The former minister said 'good-looking girls' should 'make the most of' such compliments.

Ms Currie spoke out in the wake over a row over a Tory MP's comment to Spectator assistant editor Isabel Hardman.

Tory former minister Edwina Currie made the comments during a debate on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour

Colonel Bob Stewart has been named as the politician who approached Ms Hardman last week saying he wanted to 'talk to the totty'.

The journalist declined to identify the MP, but described the incident onTwiiter and reported it to party whips - responsible for disciplining MPs in Westminster.

Ms Hardman later said she had secured an apology from the 'contrite' member.

Mr Stewart appeared to acknowledge responsibility in the Commons last week, referring to reports in the media and saying he had 'decided political correctness is something that I don't particularly, necessarily agree with'.

Debating the issue on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour today, Ms Currie said she would have handled the situation with 'a little bit of good humour'.

She said while she was a minister in the last Tory government she a male MP told her she was looking 'very attractive' at the Commons despatch box.

Ms Currie - an ex-contestant on ITV's I'm A Celebrity show - said she responded that the 'gentleman looks pretty cute today himself'.

'I am all for complaining to the whips or the authorities if there is persistent harrassment,' she said.

'But Isabel Hardman, she should be too busy, she should have too much to do than fret about an elderly male MP who is actually paying her a compliment and meant no harm whatsoever.'

Pressed on whether she regarded the term 'totty' as a compliment in a working enviroment she replied: 'I would.'

'There is a very strong case for recognising compliments, or even a pass when somebody is making an approach that might be an invitation to something more,' Ms Currie went on.

'The strong case is that actually there are an awful lot of men and women who want to make a pass at you.

'If you are a good looking girl, for goodness sake make the most of it.

'Because the day will come when you are not a good looking girl any more.'

Fellow guest Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism campaign, responded: 'That is completely ridiculous.'

But Ms Currie said: 'It is not ridiculous ...

'If somebody called me totty I would be delighted, at the age of almost 70.

'That is not a terrible thing to be called.'

Ms Currie said the controversy was creating 'fear in the workplace' where ' no-one can open their mouths'.

She insisted 'good looking' people should not be discouraged from coming into work and 'making the place look better'.

But Ms Bates said: 'It is so sad in 2016 that this is the debate that we are having.'

Ms Currie responded on Twitter after being criticised for her performance on Woman's Hour

Mr Stewart, who was decorated with the Distinguished Service Order for his exploits during the Bosnian campaign and is a member of the defence select committee, has said: Im never rude to anyone ever.

Julia Hartley-Brewer, a Talk Radio host and former political editor, subsequently revealed how, in a separate incident, a very senior Cabinet minister had put his hand on her knee at a party conference several years ago.

She said she threatened to punch the then-backbench MP in the face.

Ms Hardman reported the MP to his party whip but said she would not identify him.

Not naming as no social media witch hunt ever made anything better, she wrote on Twitter.

Isabel Hardman, the Spectator's assistant editor, posted about the incident on Twitter

Answering queries on Twitter about the incident, the journalist insisted her experience in Westminster had generally been 'very positive' and that most MPs were 'normal and courteous'.

But she said she had revealed the exchange because 'sexists' should not be allowed to make such remarks to female journalists.

She tweeted: 'Last night, an MP who I've only met a couple of times actually said to me as his opening gambit ''I want to talk to the totty.''

Tory MP colonel Bob Stewart

'Have been thinking about whether or not to tweet about it, but actually that is NOT on and lobby women shouldn't have to put up with it.

'So I have passed the MP's name on to a whip. I don't betray sources. But I will betray sexists.'

She added later: 'So... whips have dealt with it + apology on its way from v.contrite MP. Not naming as no social media witch hunt ever made anything better.'

Speaking in the Commons last week, Mr Stewart said: 'In April 1993, I took soldiers into the village of (unknown) in central Bosnia. I identified a massacre where at least over 100 people had been killed.

'I decided that I had to inform the world. It was my duty under Geneva conventions and I decided I would have a press conference and identify the people that I thought were responsible, who happened to be Special Forces of the Bosnian-Croat army.

'Then I informed the Ministry of Defence, which of course was kissing goodbye to a glorious military career.'

He added: 'The generals who had given me this very severe wigging then sent another signal, totally ignoring the first one, saying ''I had acted in the highest traditions of the British Army and I was to be congratulated''.

'It was at this time that I thought perhaps our senior officers are too politically correct.

'And since that time, if you look at the Daily Mail and the Sun today, you would notice I've decided political correctness is something that I don't particularly, necessarily agree with.'
Coraleena Hunter, 36, (pictured) has been jailed for four years for seducing, robbing and humiliating a vulnerable pensioner

A woman who seduced, robbed and humiliated vulnerable pensioners while posing as their carer has been jailed for four years for her 'grotesque' crimes.

Coraleena Hunter, 36, has already served long prison sentences for using sex to prey on elderly men.

Her latest victim was an 84-year-old disabled pensioner from York, who was in her clutches until neighbours and local market traders raised the alarm.

Prosecutor Andrew Dallas told York Crown Court Hunter had invited herself to the 84-year-old man's flat one night at 10pm.

She forced herself sexually on him as he lay helpless in bed unable to move.

She slept in his bed despite him begging her to leave and stole cash from his bedside drawer when she woke.

After he collected his pension, she pounced on him in an alleyway, pushed him to the ground and stole the cash.

Branding her behaviour 'grotesque', Judge Paul Batty QC told her: 'You have shown absolutely no regard for him, his feelings, his privacy, his life.

'What you have done to him mirrors what you have done before.'

The woman bragged about being the 'carer' of the man who has learning disabilities, cannot read or write, suffers from epilepsy, recently had a heart attack and can only walk with a walking frame.

Passers by saw him reduced to tears by Hunter who rifled through his pockets or took him aside to rob him even when ordered to leave him alone by concerned neighbours.

Hunter, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to theft, robbery and two burglaries.

She was given an eight-year extended sentence consisting of a four-year prison sentence plus four years' supervision by the probation service.

She was jailed for four years in 2006 for theft and blackmail of a 70-year-old York man with cerebral palsy.

She slept in his bed and threatened to cry rape if he did not let her do what she wanted.

She also stole his money, CDs and DVDs.

In 2010, she was jailed for five years for theft and robbery of victims who were aged 72 and 85.

Shortly before she befriended the 84-year-old man, she had been released from an eight-week prison sentence for offences against a 75-year-old.

Chris Dunn, mitigating, said: 'She has been so significantly damaged by her background and her upbringing she cannot tell right from wrong.

'The only explanation for her crimes is this woman cannot help herself. That isn't her fault. She lacks the facilities we take for granted. I am asking for mercy.'

A psychological report said Hunter may have a personality disorder.

Five members of the public who helped bring her to justice will receive commendations and 100 rewards from the court.

They are neighbours Nicola Sellers, Alistair Fawcett and Oliver Darbyshire, and market traders Carmela and Jo Tolomeo who run Newgate Hog Roast.

York Crown Court (pictured) heard she forced herself sexually on him as he lay helpless in bed unable to move

Judge Batty said: 'The only good to come out of this case are the actions of the good people of York.'

He heard that Mrs Sellers helped the 84-year-old on a voluntary basis.

She had taken him home after they had had tea together, when Hunter barged into the flat, pushed the victim against the wall, claiming to be his carer.

When Hunter refused to leave, Mrs Sellers set off the warden's alarm and phoned the police as Hunter rifled through her victim's pockets.

The next morning Carmela and Jo Tolomeo tried to stop Hunter taking the 84-year-old away from their market business where he was a regular customer and had just bought his lunch.

Hunter again claimed to be his carer, saying: 'He is coming with me.'

She took him away and robbed him.

Hunter's downfall came when Mr Fawcett and Mr Darbyshire saw her barge into the man's flat, yelling: 'Get out of my house'.
David Cameron will fly to Germany on Monday crunch talks with US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on ISIS, Libya and the migration crisis.

Amid speculation Britain is ready to deploy troops to a training mission supporting the new Libyan government, the Prime Minister will also meet with French President Francois Hollande and Italian Premier Matteo Renzi.

The gathering of the 'G5' leaders will come as Europe wrestles with serious threats on its doorstep.

Barack Obama, left, Angela Merkel, centre, and David Cameron, right, will meet in Hanover on Monday to discuss ISIS, the chaos in Libya and Europe's Migration crisis

Mr Cameron and Mr Obama are also due to meet in London Friday as part of the President's farewell tour.

Confirming the meeting today, a Downing Street spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister will travel to Hanover on Monday for a meeting with fellow leaders from the so-called G5  Germany, the United States, France and Italy.

'This will be an opportunity to talk about how we work together to tackle the many shared challenges we face.

'We expect defeating Daesh, supporting a new Government in Libya, and tackling migration to dominate the agenda.'

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond yesterday confirmed Britain could send planes and warships to Libya to help defeat ISIS.

He said the UK is willing to help support the fragile Libyan government to provide air or naval support but said he did not expect a request from the new prime minister Fayez al Sarraj in the short term.

Mr Hammond promised MPs he would seek their approval before sending such support to Libya, which has been reigned by chaos since British air strikes helped oust Colonel Gaddafi in the 'Arab Spring' in 2011.

And he ruled out sending combat troops into the war-ravaged country after being warned this morning that any kind of military intervention by the West risked 'adding fuel to the fire'.

Foreign affairs committee chairman Cripsin Blunt last week raised expectation of a British troop deployment after a fact finding trip to Egypt and Algeria.

He said he had been told 1,000 British troops would join an Italian-led training mission in Libya.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond (left) met Fayez-al-Sarraj (right), the new prime minister of the new national unity government of Libya in a surprise visit to the war-ravaged country on Monday

Fresh from his surprise visit to Libya, Mr Hammond told MPs that 'now is the time to move against' ISIS, which has seized a long stretch of coastline along the Mediterranean.

'I can envisage prime minister Sarraj, if his government is successful, being able to muster enough ground forces to mount an attack on the Daesh [Isis] stronghold around the coastal port of Sirte,' he told MPs.

'It is certainly the case [that] the Libyans will not be able to develop either naval or air assets in any reasonable period to support such an operation, and it is quite possible they would seek military support from outside.'

But he insisted there was 'no appetite' in Libya for foreign combat troops on the ground. Instead, up to 1,000 British troops could be sent to help train and support government troops.

While promising MPs a vote on any move to deploy ground troops, he insisted it was 'not appropriate' to consult MPs on current plans to deploy troops in a training and technical role.

He revealed that Britain currently has 16 such training deployments across the world and he has said British troops could be sent to Libya as part of a 6,000-strong Italian-led deployment.

Mr Hammond estimated around 3,000 ISIS fighters were currently in Libya, suggesting the terrorist group was using their base in the country 'as a bolthole if they find their freedom of manoeuvre is coming under intolerable pressure in Syria'.
Police have made 69 arrests over attacks on students at Melbourne University as they battle a spate of thefts and robberies.

Most of the victims have been Chinese nationals on student visas and are targeted as they walk to trams and trains from the campus in Parkville after night time classes.

The university has since informed students 24-hour security personnel are available to escort them to their cars or nearby public transport, The Herald Sun reported.

Police have made 69 arrests over attacks on students at Melbourne University (pictured) as they battle a spate of thefts and robberies

Most of the victims have been Chinese nationals on student visas and are targeted as they walk to trams and trains from the campus in Parkville after night time classes (stock image)

Since the start of the year 13 people have been arrested for robbery and 56 for theft, according to Victoria Police.

Parents of the Chinese students who have been targeted registered complaints over the attacks on their children and the issue reached a consular level.

None of the victims have been injured during the attacks.

It is believed there have been up to 20 offenders and they have reportedly travelled to the university from the outer suburbs.

'The events have understandably been quite confronting for the victims involved,' a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

It is believed there have been up to 20 offenders and they have reportedly travelled to the university from the outer suburbs
Latvia is planning on outlawing full-face Muslim veils in public, despite less than a handful of people in the country wearing them.

The Ministry of Justice has called the ban on niqabs and burqas a 'preventive measure' to protect Latvian culture, ensuring that newly arrived Muslims adhere to the country's traditions.

It would mirror a similar ban on full-face veils in public spaces which has been implemented in France since 2011.

Preventive measure: The Latvian government is planning a ban on niqabs, despite just three people in the entire country wearing it in public

Out of the 1,000 practising Muslims in Latvia, a country with a population of some two million, only three women are believed to wear full-face niqabs in public, according to government estimates.

The proposed legislation would only cover niqabs and burqas - which covers all or a majority of the face - and not headscarves, also known as hijabs.

'A legislator's task is to adopt preventive measures,' Latvia's Justice Minister Dzintars Rasnacs told the New York Times.

'We do not only protect Latvian cultural-historical values, but the cultural-historical values of Europe.'

When the low number of niqab bearers was highlighted, Mr. Rasnacs said the law 'had more to do with ensuring that prospective immigrants respect the norms' of Latvia.

Customs: Latvia's Justice Minister Dzintars Rasnacs said the proposed law is designed to 'ensure that prospective immigrants respect the norms of Latvia'

This comes just days after France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls said he wants all forms of Muslim headscarves to be banned in universities.

In an interview with the daily newspaper, Liberation, Prime Minister Valls said France should 'protect' French Muslims from extremist ideology.

He said the headscarf, when worn for political reasons, oppresses women and is not 'an object of fashion or consumption like any other.'

Asked whether to outlaw headscarves in universities, Mr Valls is quoted as saying 'it should be done, but there are constitutional rules that make this ban difficult.'

The wearing of full-face veils in public spaces has been banned under French law since April 2011.

The 2010 'Act prohibiting concealment of the face in public space', applies not only full-face veils or burqas worn by some Muslim women, but all face-covering headgear, including masks, helmets and balaclavas.
Jihadi-turned-spy: Aimen Dean (pictured) says ISIS would see a Brexit as a victory because they believe it will signal the end of the European Union

A former Al Qaeda fighter who became a spy for Britain says ISIS would celebrate a Brexit because they see it as the beginning of the end for the European Union.

Aimen Dean, who once pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden in person, said it was likely the terror group were planning to attack the UK in a bid to convince voters to leave the EU.

He said the jihadists would be watching the referendum on June 23 with 'great interest' to see if their goal had been achieved.

This would signal a major victory for the Islamist militants who view the bloc as a successor to the Roman Empire which fought Muslims for supremacy between the 7th and 11th centuries, he added.

In an interview with TIME, Dean said the recent terror attacks in Paris and Brussels were part of a concerted effort to destroy that empire by sparking conflict between Christians and Muslims.

Several members of the ISIS cell behind the two atrocities also apparently took advantage of the refugee crisis to slip into Europe disguised as migrants.

That revelation has placed the EU's free-movement Schengen zone at further risk of collapse as nations seek to shut down their borders, destabilising an agreement viewed as one of the bloc's most important achievements.

Dean, reportedly one of the founding members of Al Qaeda, told last year how bin Laden 'welcomed me into the fold' when he swore an oath 'to fight the jihad against the enemies of God'.

He embarked on his first jihad when he went to fight with Bosnian Muslims against Serb nationalists in the former Yugoslavia in 1994.

He said he had been a 'bookish nerd' who found himself on the 'mountains of Bosnia holding an AK-47, feeling a sense of immense empowerment'.

Dean said the terror attacks in Paris and Brussels (above) were part of a concerted effort to destroy the EU which it sees as a successor to the Roman Empire which fought Muslims between the 7th and 11th centuries

Dean said he wanted martyrdom but after the bombings of American embassies in East Africa in 1998 he turned against the organisation.

He claims he was picked up by MI6 and underwent months of debriefing before going back to Afghanistan to spy for Britain.

He is believed to have worked undercover for eight years until his cover was broken in 2006.

In an interview for BBC Radio 4's The Report in May last year, he said was speaking out to 'help' those considering going to fight with ISIS.
ISIS has executed 250 women in Mosul for refusing to become sex slaves under the group's 'sexual jihad'.

The victims had all been ordered to accept 'temporary marriages' to fighters in the terror group's northern Iraq stronghold.

But when they refused the so-called sexual jihad, they were butchered - sometimes along with their families, according to an official from the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

ISIS has executed 250 women in Mosul for refusing to become sex slaves under the group's 'sexual jihad'

Said Mamuzini told the AhlulBayt news agency that 'at least 250' have so far been executed by ISIS in the city 'for refusing to accept the practice of sexual jihad, and sometimes the families of the girls were also executed for rejecting to submit to IS's request.'

Another official, from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, claimed women were barred from going out alone in Mosul and must be fully covered while in public.

They are also not allowed to choose their spouses, Ghayas Surchi told the news agency.

Mosul has been under the extremists' control since 2014.

News of the executions comes as Turkey revealed it had killed 32 suspected ISIS fighters close to the city near the Bashiqa military camp.

Mosul has been under the extremists' control since 2014. Yazidi women and their families are pictured fleeing the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar in 2014

In December, Turkey said it had sent hundreds of troops to Bashiqa to protect Turkish military personnel involved in training Iraqi fighters, sparking a diplomatic row with Baghdad.

At the time, a senior Turkish official said up to 300 soldiers and 20 tanks were deployed there, although an unspecified number were pulled back following US pressure to end the row with Baghdad.

The same month, ISIS militants attacked the camp, wounding four soldiers, and tried again in January although the Turkish military repelled them, with Ankara claiming 18 ISIS jihadists were killed. Baghdad flatly denied the claim.

Turkey says its troops are training Iraqi forces to fight ISIS extremists but Baghdad has accused Ankara of using training as a pretext to increase its influence in northern Iraq.

In October it was revealed that more than 500 Yazidi women and young girls were abducted by ISIS fighters when they stormed the Sinjar region - also in northern Iraq - in August 2014 and slaughtered more than 5,000 of their men.

Dozens have been driven to suicide by the fighters who abused them, according to the people risking their own lives to rescue them.




A toddler died of hyperthermia on Monday after being left in a daycare van for more than three hours.

LaVontae Xavier Swain, 2, was found in the back of the vehicle during afterschool pickup from Lil' Kings and Queens Daycare in Lexington, Kentucky.

The coroner later revealed that the young boy had died as a result of the heat in the van.

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Tragedy: LaVontae Xavier Swain died of hyperthermia on Monday after being left in a van for three to four hours

Grief: His mother Carless said that her son had been at a daycare run by her aunt when the incident occurred

School: The van was being operated by an employee for Lil' Kings and Queens Daycare in Lexington, Kentucky

His grieving mother, Carless Swain, spoke with WDRB, saying; 'He was my only child. I called him Vontae. I called him Daddy and King.'

The sobbing 19-year-old also revealed that the daycare her son was attending was run by her aunt.

Carless did not have custody of her son at the time of his death, and said that the young boy was living with the foster parents who had taken her in before she became pregnant with the boy.

The daycare employee who was driving the van has not been revealed, and the facility did not respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

The tragedy is one in a long line of problems at the daycare, according to WAVE, although previous violations pale in comparison to the death of LaVontae.

Those violations include accusations of 'falsifying records' in 2013, and compromising the welfare of children in 2011 by leaving out food for extended periods of time and not properly attending to children at the facility.

Just last year there were reports that the daycare was not properly tracking how long children were being kept in the van.
A relaxing paddle board outing became a unique experience when a whale decided to join in on the fun.

The lone paddle boarder got more than he bargained for as the whale breached only meters away from him, while onlookers watched in amazement.

The footage, captured by Aysean Beauchamp from Oceanside Pier in California, shows the paddle boarder moving along steadily in search of the whale, when the huge mammal surfaces in a magnificent display.

The lone paddle boarder got a whole lot more than he bargained for when the whale breached just meters away from him

Onlookers, who were waiting in anticipation to spot the whale and see something special, were not disappointed.

Before the action unfolded, Ms Beauchamp says: 'Look at that paddle boarder, he's brave.'

The skilled paddle boarder keeps his composure as the remarkable mammal appears in front of him.

He then manages to hold his balance in the aftermath as the whale retreats once again under water.

The paddle boarder remained composed and kept his balance as the whale appeared before him in a spectacular display

The crowd can be heard laughing and gushing in awe and Ms Beauchamp says: 'Oh my god, holy cow.'

She adds that she thinks the paddle boarder might be regretting getting too close to the action.

However, the man on the paddle board appears to be cool, calm and collected as he laps up the rare encounter.

Whale watching is a popular activity near Oceanside as every year from December to April, gray whales pass through San Diego's coastal waters, moving between their breeding grounds.

Fin whales, blue whales, minke whales and humpback whales are also known to pass through nearby waters, however close encounters similar to this are rare.

In the video description on Live Leak, Ms Beauchamp described what happened after all the action had subsided.

'Afterwards, the whale swam feet from us at the end of the pier and continued making its way towards Mexicos waters.

She added: 'The paddle board tried following him, but the whale was pretty fast.'

Onlookers watched in amazement as the rare moment between the paddle boarder and large mammal unfolded near Oceanside Pier, California
A mother-of-three is furious after her council installed a listening device next door to record whether her children were too noisy.

Hannah Roberts has been told the sound of Harley, 4, Brooklyn, 3, and Milly, 9, crying, shouting, playing and shutting doors needed to be monitored by Cornwall Council after a series of complaints.

Miss Roberts, 25, of Bodmin, is considering legal action saying the listening device installed in a neighbouring flat is more suited to police spying on terrorists.

The shop worker believes her human rights and those of her three children have also been breached.

Upset: Hannah Roberts says a local council has used anti-terror legislation to record the noise made by her children Harley, 4, Brooklyn, 3, and Milly, 9, (pictured left to right)

The mother-of-three claims her life had been made a misery by the housing provider, which is continuing to take enforcement action against her.

Cornwall Housing denied the recordings were covert.

She said: 'I admit my children do make a noise, like all youngsters do, and my young son does cry at night because I have to rub cream on him as he suffers from severe eczema.

HOW COUNCIL LAUNCH SPY MISSIONS 3,000 TIMES A YEAR Town halls launched an astonishing 3,000 spying missions on the public every year. The surveillance operations exploit anti-terror laws but many are targeting minor offences such as flouting the smoking ban, dog fouling and dropping litter. Council officers have also gone undercover to carry out test purchases at local escort agencies. In other cases, tactics included obtaining phone records and trapping householders putting out rubbish early by using motion-activated cameras on lampposts and inside tin cans. Families suspected of cheating school catchment area rules have been followed by council spies. Civil liberties campaigners said was clear the hugely controversial Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act was being abused. Advertisement

monitoring equipment was installed directly above my boy's bedroom a day prior to me receiving notification.

'This is contrary to and in direct breach of RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act), and I contend that Cornwall Housing has breached my right to privacy and I intend to take legal advice on both matters.

'I was outraged at the first mention of Cornwall Housing using terrorist legislation to justify monitoring the noise of my three-year-old and four-year-old children and consider that Cornwall Housing Ltd has acted illegally and in haste, bypassing procedure and safeguards at will.

'Its attitude has been unbelievable, to the extent that it contacted social services claiming my children were at risk, but the head teacher of their school sent back a glowing report on their welfare to social services.

'It's all been extremely hurtful. The continuing stress and pressure of trying to achieve the impossible, of stopping children making a noise and being set-up to fail has, and is, having a terrible effect on me.'

Cornwall Housing, a company owned by Cornwall Council, must adhere to the Environmental Protection Act when dealing with noise nuisance complaints.

Its own guidelines say noise that is unlikely to warrant action includes sounds of occupation, such as the slamming of doors and noise involving children.

Despite this, Hannah says she was told during a meeting that a device was installed in a neighbouring property directly above her son's property.

A complaint was subsequently made to social services against Mrs Roberts, claiming her children were at risk, which proved unfounded.

A spokesman said: 'While Cornwall Housing is unable to discuss the details of individual cases, our standard practice for gathering evidence after receiving numerous complaints in regards to noise nuisance, and where other avenues may have failed to reach a resolution, is to install a digital recording device into an adjourning property.

'This recording of evidence is frequently used by ourselves and Cornwall Council Environmental Health.
David Cameron reassured Eurovision fans today by saying Britain will still be in the European Song Contest even if we vote to leave the EU.

He was asked what the worst argument he had heard in the EU referendum debate was so far, responding that suggestions we would be forced out of the European-wide contest were rubbish.

He told MPs today: 'I think probably the one that we'd get out of the Eurovision Song Contest  I think that would not only be very sad but I think given that Israel and Azerbaijan and anyone anywhere near Europe seems to be able to  [even] Australia  I think we're pretty safe from that one.'

The 61st Eurovision contest will take place in Stockholm next month after last year's show was won by Swede Mans Zelmerlow (pictured), but Britain will still be able to enter the show next year even if we leave the EU

His comments - which came at Prime Minister's Questions - followed hysteria on social media earlier this year with fans questioning whether Britain would still be allowed to enter Eurovision if it quit the Brussels club in June's referendum.

But with more than half of the Eurovision entrants not in the EU - including countries as far away as Australia - Britain's future in the contest is not at risk.

The president of the UK Eurovision fan club, Alasdair Rendall, reassured fans that Britain's place would not be under threat if voters back Brexit in the June 23 referendum.

'No, we would not be barred,' he said earlier this year. 'All participating countries must be a member of the European Broadcasting Union.

David Cameron (pictured at Prime Minister's Questions today) was asked what the worst argument he had heard in the EU referendum debate was so far, responding that suggestions we would be forced out of the European-wide contest were rubbish

'The EBU - which is totally independent of the EU - includes countries both inside and outside of the EU, and also includes countries such as Israel that are outside of Europe.

BREXIT MINISTERS SHOULD ATTEND SEMINARS TO LEARN ABOUT FREE TRADE, PM JOKES IN SNIPE AT GOVE David Cameron today suggested his Tory colleagues backing Brexit should attend seminars to learn about free trade as the Tory civil war over Europe deepened further. It was a direct snipe at his close friend and Justice Secretary Michael Gove, who yesterday made a major intervention in the EU referendum campaign by setting out the case for quitting the EU and establishing our own free trade agreements. The Prime Minister was responding to former Cabinet minister Ken Clarke, who asked Mr Cameron: 'Would he contemplate... seminars for some of his senior and very respected cabinet colleagues with businessmen on the nature of international trade in todays world? 'Because some very respected figures appear to believe that you simply turn up and sell goods and services that comply with British made rules but dont have to comply with any rules agreed with the country to which you are selling.' Mr Cameron replied: I always listen very carefully to my right honourable friend [and] I will consider such seminars.' Rebutting Mr Gove's argument, the Prime Minister added: It is worth noting that although we have the friendliest relations with America, we currently cant sell beef or lamb to the United States of America. You dont just need good relations, you need nailed down trade relations.' The remarks - which came during Prime Minister's Questions today - were also directed at Tory rival Boris Johnson, who favours a Canada-style free trade agreement if Britain leaves the EU. George Osborne said this option could cost each household in Britain around 4,300 a year because it would not produce the same economic benefits as staying in the EU's single market. Advertisement

'Indeed the UK started participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957, 16 years before joining the then EEC.'

The 61st Eurovision contest will take place in Stockholm next month after last year's show was won by Swede Mans Zelmerlow.

This year's show will highlight the plight of refugees after the continent saw an influx of more than one million refugees fleeing conflicts in the Middle East over the past 12 months.

But Sweden, which was originally one of the most welcoming EU countries to refugees last year, has been heavily criticised over its decision to shut its borders and to start deporting asylum seekers. The policy could see as many as 80,000 deported.

Zelmerlow said it was 'more necessary than ever before that we united and join together' but hit out at his Government for shutting the borders, saying: 'I don't know if there's that much to be proud about' in Sweden.

Britain will be represented at this year's Eurovision contest by rock duo Jake and Joe.

Mr Cameron used Prime Minister's Questions today to take a pop at his colleagues backing Brexit.

He even suggested they should attend seminars to learn about EU trade agreements - a direct snipe at his close friend and Justice Secretary Michael Gove, who made a major intervention in the EU referendum campaign yesterday to set out the case for quitting the EU and establishing own trade agreements.

The Prime Minister was responding to former Cabinet minister Ken Clarke, who asked Mr Cameron: 'Would he contemplate... seminars for some of his senior and very respected cabinet colleagues with businessmen on the nature of international trade in todays world?

'Because some very respected figures appear to believe that you simply turn up and sell goods and services that comply with British made rules but dont have to comply with any rules agreed with the country to which you are selling.'

Mr Cameron replied: I always listen very carefully to my right honourable friend [and] I will consider such seminars.'
Amine Chahine, pictured in a CCTV image from the night he attacked a woman aged 20, has been jailed for four years and faces possible deportation

A drug-addicted Syrian asylum seeker faces potential deportation after he was jailed for a terrifying sexual assault on a young woman in Dorset.

Amine Chahine, 19, approached his 20-year-old victim as she withdrew money from a cashpoint in Bournemouth, Dorset in December last year.

When she walked away, he followed her before pinning her against a wall and indecently assaulting her, a court has heard.

His lawyers this week pleaded for a judge not to impose a sentence which could lead to his deportation - but the Home Office will consider his removal after he was jailed for four years.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that Chahine had been drinking in a bar in Charminster, Bournemouth, in the early hours of December 6 last year before leaving.

The attacker, who came to the UK three years ago, approached his victim from behind before molesting her.

The victim eventually managed to struggle free and banged on a nearby door, alerting a resident who opened a window and scared Chahine off.

The victim later told police: 'I ran really fast. I remember panicking. It felt like he was definitely running, chasing me.

'I then got out of breath and slowed down. I didn't realise he was right behind me.'

Chahine was later tracked down after a police released CCTV images, which have since been confirmed to be him.

Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, read from a victim impact statement the woman gave. He said: 'Her cuts bled for a few days afterwards and gave her a constant reminder of what had happened.

'She describes how overall she tries to pretend things are OK when they are not.'

Robert Grey, defending Chahine, read a statement from the defendant in court, which said: 'I have never done anything like this before. I hate myself.'

The court heard Chahine, who has no previous convictions, had applied for refugee status after coming to Britain, but he could not say what point his application was at.

He developed a drug problem during his time in the UK. He defence said he is learning English in prison.

Mr Grey pleaded with the judge: 'I do urge you not to pass a sentence of such length it leaves this young man from a foreign country feeling he has little hope.'

Judge Peter Johnson said: 'This was an appalling attack on a vulnerable young woman on her own at night.

'She should be free to go out and enjoy herself. You have changed that and this will live with her for many years.

'Another body will decide whether it is appropriate for you to remain in this country after you have served this custodial sentence.'

The attack happened after the victim used a cash machine outside this Tesco in Bournemouth last year

Immigration laws state the Home Secretary must make a deportation order for a foreign criminal who is convicted of a crime in the UK and given a prison sentence of 12 months or more.

However some exceptions exist, including asylum, and any asylum claim must be fully considered before a deportation order can be signed

As well as being jailed for four years Chahine was ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Dorset Police Detective Constable Neil Third said after the case: 'Amine Chahine is a dangerous man who targeted an innocent woman as she walked alone in a community she should have felt safe in.

'He subjected his victim to a terrifying attack which has caused her immense distress and has left her traumatised and feeling extremely vulnerable.
Ms Hamer said, 'Luckily, the person who took them mustn't have any class'

A thief broke into a woman's BMW and stole a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes worth 500 - only to throw them away minutes later thinking they were worthless.

The yob smashed the back window of Katie Hamer's car when it was parked outside her home in Hindley, Greater Manchester and ran off with the stiletto shoes.

But he showed that he 'didn't have any class' by dumping the Louboutins, known for their distinctive red soles, next to a river 100 yards away from her house.

Saved: Katie Hamer got her Christian Louboutin shoes back when a thief thought they were useless

Target: The yob broke the back window of Ms Hamer's BMW, pictured, and grabbed the shoes from inside

Ms Hamer, 27, said: 'Whoever they were, they clearly don't know something valuable when they see it.

'I had cash in the car from a cosmetics party I held the previous night and they've smashed through with a stone and taken the bag with the cash in it.

'My neighbour knocked on the door in the morning and alerted me to it. There was glass everywhere and I was absolutely devastated.

'I set up my own business 18 months ago and I've worked really hard. Those Louboutins were my first treat to myself.

'Luckily, the person who took them mustn't have any class. A dog walker found them by the water down the road and I've got them back.

'It's pretty funny that they didn't realise how much they're worth. I'm so pleased I got them back.'

Damage: This picture shows how glass was left all over the boot after the thief threw a rock into the window

Weapon: The large rock used to break Ms Hamer's car window and take cash as well as the shoes

The make-up artist has lived in the house with partner Gareth Booth, 30, and their two-year-old son Leo for a year, and has suffered a spate of thefts in recent weeks.

She had to spend 800 to repair the smashed window on her car, which costs 60,000 new, and had cash stolen too.

Ms Hamer added: 'The timing couldn't have been worse because I'm going to Malaga for a work thing and I've had money stolen and then had to cough up again for repairs.

'It's frightening to think someone might have followed me. It's frustrating because you work hard and then some scumbag comes along and tries to ruin it.

Relieved: Ms Hamer said she was pleased to be able to take her Louboutin shoes on holiday

'I only got in from work at 1am and I was absolutely gutted to find my entire takings were gone.

'I only had the shoes in the car because I'd been away with Gareth the previous weekend. I've only worn them once.

'At least I'll be able to take them to Spain now because this idiot left them behind.'

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: 'Shortly before 10.15am on Monday April 18, 2016 police received a report that a car had been broken into on Caldew Close in Hindley.
David Cameron was accused of 'demeaning his office' today after he repeated an attack on Labour's Sadiq Khan which has been slammed as 'racist'.

The Prime Minister launched a fierce attack on Labour's London Mayor candidate for sharing a platform with an Islamic extremist on nine separate occasions.

Mr Khan's links to Sulaiman Ghani have been raised repeatedly by Zac Goldsmith, Mr Khan's Tory rival, leading to claims his campaign has racist undertones.

But the Conservatives have insisted the repeat appearances raise real questions about Mr Khan's judgement.

David Cameron, seen at today's Prime Minister's Questions, was accused of racism after he raised questions about Sadiq Khan sharing a platform with extremist Sulaiman Ghani on nine occasions

At Prime Minister's Questions today, Mr Cameron said: 'I have to say I am concerned about Labour's candidate for Mayor of London who has appeared again and again and again...'.

After being shouted down, Mr Cameron continued: 'The leader of the Labour party is saying it's disgraceful.

'Sulaiman Ghani - the honourable member for Tooting has appeared on a platform with him 9 times. This man supports IS.

'I think they are shouting down this point because they don't want to hear the truth.

'Anyone can make a mistake about who they appear on a platform with.

'But if you do it time after time after time, it is right to question your judgement.'

Mr Khan said: 'The Tories are running a nasty, dog-whistling campaign that is designed to divide London's communities.

'I'm disappointed that the Prime Minister has today joined in.

'As Mayor, I will be the British Muslim who takes the fight to the extremists.

'I will keep focusing on keeping Londoners safe, and my positive vision for London's future  most importantly fixing the Tory housing crisis.'

After the session, Labour sources said: 'I think it demeans the office of the Prime Minister to repeat some of those allegations.

'Sadiq has been very strong on issues around terrorism.

'The people of London will decide which Mayor they want.'

No 10 faced immediate questions about Mr Goldsmith and Tory health minister Jane Ellison both being pictured alongside Ghani.

On Thursday night Mr Ghani told LBC Radio he supported the Tories in last years general election.

Mr Khan, seen on the campaign trail this week, has been rejected the Tory attacks on his record while other Labour politicians have accused the Tory campaign of being racist

Former shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'Cameron stooping to shameful new low joining Goldsmith campaign smears.'

Last week, Ms Cooper accused Mr Goldsmith's campaign of a 'racist scream' for its repeated attacks on Mr Khan's work as a human rights lawyer.

Wayne David, Labour's Caerphilly MP, said it was a 'disgraceful attack on Sadiq Khan' and added: 'Clear that Cameron will do & say anything to try to stop Lab's candidate becoming Mayor of London.'

Shadow justice minister Andy Slaughter said the Prime Minister had 'sunk into the gutter' and said: 'Shame on him.'

Labour MPs swiftly took to Twitter to barrack Mr Cameron for the remark during today's Prime Minister's Questions session in the House of Commons

Backbencher Jess Phillips said: 'Prime minister getting desperate over the mayoral election disgraceful but not unsurprising dog whistle politics.'

Senior Labour MP Chuka Umunna added: 'PM's comments seek to shift the London Mayoral campaign from housing and transport -on which Sadiq is winning - to religion. Appalling.'

But Greg Hands, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, defended the Prime Minister.

He said: 'Labour cries of 'racism' and more over PM's questioning of Khan.

'But none answers the question: why *did* he appear with extremists?'

A senior Downing Street source said Mr Ghani had made a speech on the night of the Paris terror attacks in which he called for the establishment of an Islamic state.
Court ruled he had been subjected to 'inhuman and degrading treatment'

The 37-year-old is sued Norway over his '

Mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik's human rights have been violated during his imprisonment, a Norwegian court has ruled.

Breivik won parts of his lawsuit against the Norwegian state, in which he listed being fed the same food two days in a row, and being kept in isolation, as proof of 'inhuman treatment'.

The 37-year-old's conditions at Skien prison, 87 miles south of Oslo, breached an article in the European Convention on Human Rights prohibiting inhuman and degrading treatment, Oslo district court said.

Mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik won parts of his lawsuit against the Norwegian state over his prison conditions, in which he claimed his 'human rights' had been violated

'The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society. This applies no matter what - also in the treatment of terrorists and killers,' judge Helen Andenaes Sekulic said in her ruling.

The ruling also said the Norwegian state had not violated the right of Breivik, who killed 77 people and injured 300 in the 2011 massacre, to have a private life and a family life.

In his lawsuit, Beivik had stated that he had been a 'victim of cruel and inhuman treatment' in Skien prison, where he has an entire cellblock to himself and access to a computer and PlayStation.

During court proceedings Breivik claimed to have been 'treated worse than an animal', complaining about cold coffee, having to use plastic cutlery.

'Sometimes I've been fed the same microwave meal two days in a row. It might sound comical [to you, but it's worse than waterboarding,' the Nazi terrorist told a court earlier this month.

Norwegian mass killer Breivik had sued Norwegian authorities of violating his human rights by holding him in isolation for almost five years

Making his case: Addressing the court last month, The 37-year-old listed being fed the same food two days in a row as proof of 'inhuman treatment'

'Cruel and inhuman'?: Breivik has an entire cellblock to himself at Skien prison, with three cells, access to a computer and a PlayStation, as well as a yard and permission to cook his own food

Taking the stand for his first public statement since his sentencing in August 2012, Breivik said he was the secretary of an extremist party he is trying to create, the Nordic State Political Party.

He also compared himself to anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, saying the only difference between them was that Mandela 'ordered action,' while he had been the one to 'carry out the action,' CNN reports.

Addressing the court, he vowed to fight 'to the death' for Nazism, confirming fears he would use the platform to grandstand his extremist views.

'I have fought for National Socialism for 25 years, and I will fight for it to the death,' he said of the Nazi party's political doctrine.

It was considered too dangerous to hear the case in an Oslo court, and proceedings have instead been held inside Skien prison's gymnasium, which was turned into a courtroom for the case.

Survivor Dag Andre Anderssen, deputy leader of a support group for survivors and the bereaved, called Breivik a 'unique' inmate in Norway's prison system, which is focused on rehabilitating rather than punishing criminals.

'They say that every society is measured by how they treat their prisoners so we will allow him to use the system, to try to use the system against us,' Anderssen said.

'But I think the system will say that his conditions are as good as they can be.'

Mass killer Anders Behring Breivik raises his arm in a Nazi salute as he enters the gym-turned-courtroom in Skien prison, south-west of Oslo last month

Murderer: Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in 2011, is suing Norway, claiming his solitary confinement in Skien prison, south of Oslo, is 'cruel and inhuman treatment'

Breivik's suit was heard in Skien prison's gymnasium, which had been turned into a courtroom for the day

Breivik murdered 77 people and injured more than 300 - many of them teenagers - in July 2011, by detonating a bomb in downtown Oslo and carrying out a mass shooting on Utoya Island.

The Norwegian Correctional Service denies Breivik is held in solitary confinement, preferring the phrase 'excluded from the company of other prisoners' - as he disposes of an entire block.

At Skien prison, Breivik lives in three different cells - for living, study and exercise - between which he can move freely.

He also access to a computer, which is not connected to the internet, as well as his own television and a PlayStation.

The right-wing anti-muslim extremist is also free to take walks in a yard at his leisure and he can cook his own food and do his laundry should he so wish.

'There is no evidence that the plaintiff has physical or mental problems as a result of prison conditions,' the Office of the Attorney General, the Norwegian state's legal office in civil lawsuits, wrote in a document sent to the Oslo District Court and released on Wednesday.

Breivik was sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment with preventive detention in 2012, and has been kept in isolation since his arrest.

There is no maximum time for how long he can be held in such 'extra high security', a Norwegian prison service official said.

Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik sits next to his lawyer Oystein Storrvik, right, at a makeshift court in Skien prisons gym

The Norwegian Attorney General has denied Breivik's claims, saying there is no evidence of the murderer suffering from the conditions under which he is being held at Skien (pictured)
A 15-year-old Vermilion Township boy was killed Tuesday when he was electrocuted while trying to recreate an experiment he had seen on YouTube.

Emergency crews were called to the house of Morgan Wojciechowski on the 5800 block of W. Lake Road at about 6pm, Erie County sheriff's officials told The Sandusky Register.

Wojciechowski's body had been found in the garage by his family after his parents 'heard a lot of noise,' a Sheriff's Office official told The Daily Mail.

Electrocuted: Morgan Wojciechowski of Vermilion, Ohio, was fatally electrocuted in his family's garage Tuesday while trying to recreate an experiment he saw on YouTube. His family were aware of his plan

Police and fire department crews administered treatment but were unable to save the teen, who was pronounced dead in hospital.

The official said he was trying to recreate a 'Jacob's Ladder' - an experiment in which a high-voltage arc of electricity travels upwards between two long wires.

He said the teen saw the experiment on YouTube and tried it in his garage while his family was at home.

Wojciechowski's family were aware of the video and his experiments, he said.

However, he added that police did not know at this stage of the investigation which of 'many, many' such videos on YouTube the teenager had watched.

Wojciechowski's dad, James, posted a picture of his son dressed in camouflage, apparently hunting in the woods. In a comment, he wrote, 'This is the last picture I took of him, this past weekend....I miss my boy.'

Philip M. Pempin, Superintendent of Vermilion High School, where Wojciechowski was a student, wrote on the school's Facebook page: 'Morgan was a vibrant student and athlete who was well-liked at Vermilion High School.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with Morgans family, and we continue to be available for anything they need.'

Jacob's Ladders were commonly seen in the background of 1950s science fiction movies, although they are extremely dangerous if touched.

One YouTube video warns in its description 'not to touch the outputs (or any other part of or anything connected to) a high voltage transformer while it's in operation'.

In another video, the demonstrator warns, 'You guys do make these out there, do me a favor and don't electrocute yourself. I don't want that on my head.'
A Brooklyn businessman at the center of a corruption scandal that has rocked the NYPD allegedly persuaded cops to fly police helicopters over a cruise ship to impress his wealthy friends.

Jeremy Reichberg, 42, was on the boat on the Hudson River with nearly 100 well-to-do guests last summer when two choppers performed a fly-by, sources told the New York Daily News.

He threw the exclusive catered event for neighbors in his upmarket bungalow community in Monticello, upstate New York, the sources said.

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Jeremy Reichberg (left, with former top NYPD officer Philip Banks, center, and Jona Rechnitz, right) allegedly persuaded cops to fly police helicopters over a cruise ship to impress his wealthy friends

Reichberg, 42 , was on the boat on the Hudson River with nearly 100 people last summer when two choppers (file picture) performed a fly-by, sources said

The helicopter unit is only supposed to fly during emergencies or to provide security during crowded events and costs around $400 an hour to fly.

Reichberg and Jona Rechnitz, who are both Orthodox Jewish businessmen, are at the heart of a federal corruption probe but neither have been charged with an offense.

Rechnitz, a donor to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, is accused of paying for a trip to Las Vegas for two married police officers who allegedly had sex with a prostitute dressed as a flight attendant on the plane.

The two men, named by sources as Deputy Inspector James Grant and Detective Michael Milici, were on the flight from New Jersey to Las Vegas in 2014 and had sex with the woman on the way to Sin City and while travelling home, according to The New York Post.

The woman was reportedly dressed as a flight attendant and asked the men: 'Coffee, tea or me?'

It is not clear who paid for the prostitute.

Deputy Inspector James Grant (pictured) and Detective Michael Milici allegedly had sex with a prostitute dressed as a flight attendant on a flight to Las Vegas reportedly paid for by Jona Rechnitz

The pair are being investigated after allegedly giving the NYPD money and gifts in return for favors.

Deputy Inspector Grant is among a number of officials who have been relieved of their guns and badges, and the probe is now looking into Rechnitz's and Reichberg's fundraising.

Alex Lichtenstein allegedly bragged about obtaining 150 gun licences through his NYPD connections

The probe centers on allegations that Reichberg and Rechnitz gave cash, diamonds and overseas trips to cops in return for favors - including providing security for large Jewish funerals.

Since the allegations emerged, Mayor de Blasio has returned nearly $10,000 in donations from Rechnitz and his wife.

Lawyers for Grant and Milici told the Post their clients denied the allegations. Rechnitz declined to comment.

Reichberg's lawyer told the Post: 'Jeremy Reichberg is a good man who has helped many in his community.

'He has not committed any crime and does not deserve the constant false attacks to which he has been subjected in the press.'

In further revelations, Alex Lichtenstein, a member of a volunteer safety patrol in an Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, allegedly bragged about obtaining 150 gun licences through his NYPD connections.

The 44-year-old offered to pay $6,000 per license application that he could get through the department's license division, prosecutors said.

He is charged with conspiracy and bribery.

Lichtenstein was 'no less than an arms dealer for the community of New York City', assistant U.S. attorney Kan Nawaday said in court.

The corruption probe started with New York City Correction Officer's Benevolent Association president Norman Seabrook being investigated by Manhattan attorney Preet Bharara.
A woman in Japan was shocked to find a giant insect crawling over one of the sweaters in her closet.

The beast in question was a giant Asian hornet (vespa mandarinia), which is native to the mountains of Japan.

They are known to Japanese as osuzumebachi - or sparrow bee - and possess a powerful venom that can dissolve human tissue.

Crikey: This giant Asian hornet (pictured) was spotted on a sweater in a closet. Asian hornets hibernate in the winter and begin to wake up in April. Their venom is very powerful and can kill 40 honey bees at a time

The Godzilla-sized insect, which was about three inches long, was spotted crawling along a green jumper on a clothes hanger.

Fortunately the creature did not sting the lady and she managed to dispose of it outside without injury to either side.

Asian hornets are most active between August and October but start to come out of hibernation in April and it is generally the queen that wakes up first.

Last year Asian hornets, which had arrived in Europe in a Chinese pot plant, were blamed for the deaths of six people in France.

The victims died from anaphylactic shock after being stung.

There were fears Asian hornets - which can kill 40 honey bees in one go - might hop across the Channel to Britain.

Step away from the pullover: The queens are the first of the Asian hornets to wake up in the spring so it is likely this is a queen. The woman who photographed it managed to remove it without killing it or being stung

Gotcha: She managed to catch it and remove it from her house. She tweeted a number of photographs to disprove cynics who might have thought the first picture was a fake
Frank Kavanaugh, 81, was found dead Tuesday from an apparent gunshot wound

A right-to-die advocate and his wife were found dead Tuesday inside a nursing home in what police suspect is a murder-suicide.

Frank Kavanaugh, 81, and his wife, Barbara Kavanaugh, 88, were found dead inside a patient room at the Solaris Healthcare facility in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Authorities say the couple, who died from gunshot wounds, was found dead on the floor as someone was checking on a patient, WINK News reported.

The deaths are under investigation as a murder-suicide and autopsy results are pending, The Herald Tribune reported.

Barbara Kavanaugh was suffering from dementia and had been admitted to the healthcare facility earlier this year, neighbor Gale Petrillo told WINK News.

Solaris administrator F. Stan Weyer told the Herald Tribune in a statement that he could not disclose details about their deaths.

'We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of the husband and wife involved in a tragic event that occurred at our facility,' the statement said.

Frank Kavanaugh, who was a former professor of healthcare information science at George Washington University School of Medicine, served on the national advisory board of Final Exit Network, which educates and assists people who have decided to terminate their own lives.

He used to travel around the country to speak publicly about end-of-life issues.

He recently had given up all public commitments to care for his wife, Janis Landis, president of Final Exit, told the newspaper.

The right-to-die advocate and his 88-year-old wife, Barbara, were found inside a patient room at Solaris Healthcare Facility (above) in Port Charlotte, Florida. Police suspect their deaths to be a murder-suicide

She described him as 'a true gentleman' and said that she's 'devastated' about their deaths.

'I know that Frank was completely devoted to her, and really disengaged from everything to be with her over the last few months,' Landis told the Herald Tribune.

'Most people in our organization did not know exactly what was going on. His interest was always in helping others, and he very rarely talked about the pain going on in his own life.'

She added that a murder-suicide by using gunfire is in contrast to the quiet and efficient methods that are endorsed by Final Exit.

'For people who wish to end their lives together, society does not give many choices if one of those partners is under the care of a third party,' she told the Herald Tribune.

'In cases like this, the means become very limited. Most people would choose a peaceful death if they could.'

Jim Chastain, another Final Exit member, told the Herald Tribune that Frank Kavanaugh hadn't spent a night away from his wife.

'He was spending all of his time with Barbara,' Chastain told the newspaper.

'He could never be away from home for a speech overnight. Probably for the last three or four years, he hasn't spent a night away from her.

'It's not surprising that he did what he felt he had to do. It's sad that the law leaves it that way.
Jeremy Corbyn is still not on the schedule for Barack Obama's visit to Britain this week despite the President being due to arrive tomorrow.

The Labour leader's team said they 'hoped' to be able to announce a meeting soon.

Sources at the White House have played down suggestions a meeting would take place between Mr Corbyn and Mr Obama after days of questions.

Normal practice would dictate a meeting between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, particularly for a visit spread over several days.

US President Barack Obama was in Saudi Arabia today meeting King Salman as part of his farewell tour. He will arrive in Britain tomorrow but does not yet have a meeting planned with Jeremy Corbyn

A senior US source told The Sun today: 'No meeting was offered by us.

'Don't expect to see Jeremy Corbyn on the president's itinerary any time soon.'

Labour sources today said they did not recognise the account.

They said: 'We have had discussions with the American embassy for a period of time. We are continuing to discuss whether we can get a meeting with Jeremy and Barack Obama.

'We hope to announce our final position on that very soon.'

The source added: 'We had informal discussions a few weeks ago.

'There have been informal discussions since we were advised Obama was coming to Britain and there has been discussions about whether we can get in the schedule and make a meeting happen.'

Mr Corbyn's team insisted there was nothing in the Labour leader's schedule on Saturday which might stop a meeting.

Mr Corbyn has been critical of Mr Obama's presidency - in particular his foreign policy, but he has also blasted the President for failing to close Guantanamo Bay or end capital punishment.

The Labour leader, seen piloting the Mersey Ferry this week, has his team working to secure a meeting with the leader of the free world

When Mr Obama hailed the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011, Mr Corbyn described his death as 'a tragedy' - saying the Al-Qaeda chief should have been put on trial.

Shortly before he entered the Labour leadership race last summer Mr Corbyn attacked Mr Obama for failing to deliver on his promise to release the British Guantanamo prisoner Shaker Aamer.

On a visit to Washington in May last year to lobby for Mr Aamer's release, he wrote an article along with Tory MPs David Davis and Andrew Mitchell titled 'Obama's Slap in Britain's Face'.

Mr Aamer was finally released from the Cuban prison in October - despite being cleared for release under Mr Obama in 2010.

If the meeting does go ahead it is set to be one of the most awkward diplomatic exchanges since Ronald Reagan snubbed Neil Kinnock in the Oval Office.

Air Force One, seen arriving in Riyadh today, will touch down in Britain tomorrow night

Mr Obama is set to land in Britain on Thursday night as part of a farewell tour ahead of his departure as US President later this year.

He will hold bilateral meetings with David Cameron - the only world leader he calls his 'Bro'. The pair are expected to discuss counter-terrorism issues, ISIS, Russian aggression in Ukraine, Afghanistan and growth.

Mr Obama will have lunch with the Queen on Friday to celebrate her 90th birthday.

But controversially the President is expected to make an intervention in EU referendum debate by urging British voters to stay in the EU.
Lauren Cox, 27, (pictured) is facing jail after she embarked on a six-month relationship with a teenage schoolboy

A female teacher who had sex with a 16-year-old schoolboy was warned today that she faces jail after a court heard she had been in a six-month relationship with the teenager.

Lauren Cox, 27, was teaching at a school in south London, when she embarked on the relationship with the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

She appeared at Croydon Crown Court today, where she admitted five charges of sexual activity with a boy aged between 13 and 17 while in a position of trust.

These included sexual touching on March 9th and March 16th last year as well as sexual intercourse between April and September 2015 when she was 26 and the boy was just 16.

Cox was arrested on September 16, 2015 after the pupil told his parents about what had been going on between the pair.

They then contacted the head teacher of the school, who in turn alerted social services.

Cox had first met the child when he was 13, and the victim said they formed a close relationship.

According to police, she begin a sexual relationship with the boy in January 2015.

Brian Reece, prosecuting, told the court: 'The age gap is just 10 years so this is a school teacher-pupil relationship.

'It is the Crown's case there was a build up to this relationship ahead of the victim's 16th birthday in February last year.'

Cox and the boy would meet after school and during school holidays. She would also send explicit pictures and videos of herself to the boy.

But he ended the relationship in August 2015 after his parents suspected about what was going and confronted their son who then admitted the relationship with Cox.

However, Cox continued to message the boy prompting his parents to raise the alarm.

Business studies teacher Cox, who appeared in court wearing black trousers, a jacket, and thick rimmed glasses spoke quietly in the dock as she pleaded guilty to all five charges put to her.

Cox is pictured leaving Croydon Crown Court today, where she admitted five charges sexual activity with a boy aged between 13 and 17 while in a position of trust

She previously appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court in south east London on March 23rd after being arrested last September by officers from Scotland Yard's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command (SOECA).

Ronnie Manek, mitigating, said Cox was of good character.

'There was no build up to this, there was no grooming charges on the indictment,' he said.

'There is a relationship that went on for about six months or so.

Cox was arrested after the pupil told his parents about what had been going on between the pair

'Miss Cox has seen a clinical psychologist. There's a variety of authorities to consult and these sets of facts are unique.'

But Judge Nicholas Ainley warned Cox she could go to jail for more than a year.

He said: 'Obviously she has to be aware there is a custodial penalty for these offences.

'I'm ordering a pre-sentence report, but that does not mean that because I'm granting that application there will be no custodial penalty.

'A custodial penalty may well be applied; that would be for the sentencing judge.'

Mr Manek added: 'She's aware there is a starting point of 12 to 18 months.'

Cox, from Oxted in Surrey, was bailed to return to Croydon Crown Court next month to be sentenced.

The officer investigating the case, PC Laura Davies of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command (SOECA), said: 'Cox abused her position of trust as a teacher and groomed the boy which went on to sexual abuse. The abuse has had an extremely adverse effect on the boy with his studies suffering as a result.

'Cox never once admitted the offences during police interview. She has now admitted the offences today but only because of the wealth of evidence against her.

'Cox displayed dismissive arrogance to the seriousness of the allegations against her. It's most concerning that she showed no remorse - as professionals, teachers have a specific duty of care to young people and this was abused.'
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Six British soldiers have been given full military burials more than a century after they were killed while fighting in the First World War.

Two of the men were identified as Gunners Joseph William Rowbottom and Albert William Venus, both of the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery (RFA).

The pair died in action, aged just 27 and 22 respectively, on May 24, 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) researchers have been unable to identify the four other men.

British Army Artillery soldiers carry the flag-draped casket of WWI British soldier Gunner Albert William Venus during a burial ceremony at Ypres Extension cemetery in Ypres. He and comrades have finally been given full military burials 100 years after they died fighting at Ypres

Buried with honour: Two of the six soldiers were identified as Gunners Joseph William Rowbottom and Albert William Venus, both of the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery

The coffin of First World War soldier Gunner Albert William Venus arrives at Ypres Town Cemetery in Belgium for a funeral service for him and five other soldiers killed in action in 1915

British Army Artillery soldiers carry the flag draped casket of WWI British soldier Gunner Albert William Venus during the burial ceremony

Their remains, along with shoulder titles from the North and East Riding Batteries of the RFA, were uncovered in the small Belgian town after excavations began on a new housing estate in April 2013

John Howdon, great nephew (middle), and Kathleen Grantham, great niece, (second from left) watch the coffin of their great uncle and First World War soldier Gunner Albert Venus arrive at Ypres Town Cemetery in Belgium for a funeral service for him and five other soldiers

Their remains, along with shoulder titles from the North and East Riding Batteries of the RFA, were uncovered in the small Belgian town after excavations began on a new housing estate in April 2013.

Their bodies were reinterred, in coffins draped with the Union flag, at Ypres Town Cemetery today as relatives of Gunners Rowbottom and Venus looked on in sombre silence.

Gunner Rowbottom, from Wrawby, in north Lincolnshire, had been a milkman before the war and was nicknamed Milky Joe in the local press.

He reported for an Army medical examination in August 1914 within three days of the outbreak of war  passing even though his vision was recorded as 'indifferent' because of a defective left eye.

Little more than a month after joining the North Riding Battery, he volunteered to serve overseas and was among the first line of Northumbrian Brigade Batteries to fight in France and Flanders.

Caroline Rowbottom (second right) watches the coffin of her grandfather's cousin, First World War soldier Gunner Joseph Rowbottom, buried at Ypres Town Cemetery in Belgium along with five other soldiers killed in action in 1915

Caroline Rowbottom (left) cousin twice-removed to First World War soldier Gunner Joseph Rowbottom with John Howdon (middle) and Kathleen Grantham, great nephew and niece of Gunner Albert Venus prepare to lay wreaths as they are buried together at Ypres cemetery

Family members leave red poppy wreaths at the graves of WWI British soldiers, Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom and Gunner Albert William Venus, during a burial ceremony at Ypres Extension cemetery in Ypres, Belgium

Wreaths are left for First World War soldiers Gunner Albert Venus and Gunner Joseph Rowbottom in Ypres Town Cemetery in Belgium

Gunner Venus, from Hull, enlisted in the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade in December 1914 and joined the first line Hull Batteries to complete his training as a Gunner.

He was killed in action with the Scarborough and Whitby North Riding Battery but, as a 'pool' Gunner, was badged as an East Riding Battery soldier.

Referring to a picture of Gunner Venus, RFA Chaplain Reverend Richard Hall said: 'His face staring out at us with confidence, at ease in his uniform, untroubled by what lay in front of him and his friends  that photo of Albert Venus is one of countless taken of men like him, like Joseph Rowbottom and their four unknown comrades placed on mantelpieces and bedside tables.

'For them as for so many of others, those photos would be joined after the Great War by bronze memorial plaques known as the dead man's penny.'

He said the occasion was to 'see the names Joseph Rowbottom and Albert Venus are not forgotten'.

British Army Artillery soldiers prepare to hand over the flag from the casket of British WWI soldier Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom

Caroline Rowbottom (left) cousin twice-removed to First World War soldier Gunner Joseph Rowbottom with John Howdon, great nephew of Gunner Albert Venus watch them buried together along with four unknown soldiers at Ypres Town Cemetery in Belgium

Gunner Rowbottom, from Wrawby, north Lincolnshire, had been a milkman before the war and was nicknamed Milky Joe in the local press

Gunner Venus, from Hull, enlisted in the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade in December 1914 and joined the first line Hull Batteries to complete his training as a Gunner

Emotional: Caroline Rowbottom (left) and John Howdon (right) carry the Union flag that were draped on the coffins of their ancestors

They died while firing against a German advance and were buried that evening in a grave marked with wooden crosses, Rev Hall added.

But the 'destruction and carnage' meant the graves became unmarked and the men's remains stayed in the ground for nearly 100 years.

He said: 'So we proud fellow members of the Royal Field Artillery rebury them with the full military honours they are due.'

The British ambassador to Belgium, Alison Rose, read a Bible passage.

Five troops formed a guard of honour in place of the traditional five gun salute, which did not take place due to the heightened security level in the country in the wake of the last month's terror attacks in Brussels.

Researchers traced the 2nd Northumbrian Brigade to the Ypres area on May 24, 1915 when, during the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge, a German advance using chlorine gas broke the British resistance and gained key ground, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

Kathleen Grantham, great niece to First World war soldier Gunner Albert Venus, views his headstone in Ypres Town Cemetery in Belgium

The Last Post is played during the funeral for First World War soldiers Gunner Albert Venus and Gunner Joseph Rowbottom

British Army Artillery soldiers stand behind an epitaph during a burial ceremony for six British WWI soldiers at Ypres Extension cemetery
A mass child marriage ceremony in India has been captured on camera - showing young brides crying as they are forced to wed.

The heartbreaking video was taken in Chittorgarh, a city in Rajasthan, northern India, a state in the country that is prevalent for child marriages.

In one clip a young girl of around ten-years-old is desperately crying and pleading for help as her father drags her around the customary ceremony.

Cruel: A mass child marriage ceremony in India has been captured on camera - showing young brides crying as they are forced to wed

The heart-breaking video was taken in Chittorgarh, a city in Rajasthan, northern India, a state in the country that is prevalent for child marriages

In another clip a priest - conducting the Hindu ritual - is also seen scolding the children for crying.

Six marriages took place in two days around the Akshaya Tritiya, a Hindu festival believed to be auspicious for child marriages in rural India.

One of the child brides, a five-year-old, is seen dressed in a Hindu bridal dress and is forced to walk around the fire with her child groom, an 11-year-old.

She is crying loudly but a man forces her to complete the Hindu wedding ritual, which involves walking around the fire seven times.

The identities of the others in the footage are yet to be confirmed by police, who have already registered a case against the several families that forced their children to marry but all are currently on the run and in hiding.

One of the child brides, a five-year-old, is seen dressed in a Hindu bridal dress and is forced to walk around the fire with her child groom, an 11-year-old

Six marriages took place in two days around the Akshaya Tritiya, a Hindu festival believed to be auspicious for child marriages in rural India

District Magistrate of Chittorgarh, Ved Prakash, said: As soon as we came to know about these incidents we sent teams out to find the culprits. Once they are caught the marriages of their children will be void and the court will decide strict action against them.

We have stopped several child marriages in the past but at times, fearing police, the villagers opt for a secretive venue which may be outside their district or village. Many do not report the incident to police even in fear of the social pressures.

Child rights activist Kriti Bharti, 28, and founder of Saarthi Trust, a charity for the welfare for child brides and other vulnerable children said: My heart goes out to these little children trapped in this tragedy.

'The police should have acted immediately as the video clearly shows a priest was involved. Action should not only be taken against the families but each adult involved in the ceremony including the decorators, caterers, attendees and relatives.'

Child rights activist Kriti Bharti has so far annuled 29 child marriages in Rajasthan and has stopped 850 child marriages

Ceremony: A 13-year-old is seen sobbing while exchanging wedding vows with her 15-year-old groom

A child bride stands next to her 15-year-old groom in another of the wedding ceremonies caught on camera

The legal age for girls and boys to marry in India is 18 and 21 respectively but according to UNICEF India is home to a third of the world's total child brides

Kriti has so far annuled 29 child marriages in Rajasthan and has stopped 850 child marriages.

Her work means more and more families and villages are beginning to understand that child marriages are not the way forward, but this recent mass child marriage proves there is still much work to do.

Kriti added: Our society will never improve and this cruel concept will keep continuing if strict action is not taken against these people.

'The Child Welfare Committee now needs to intervene and these victims should be taken into protective custody. Once they have protection, we will try reaching out to them and counsel them for a better life ahead of them.

'The families in these cases need equal amount of counseling as they are under a lot of societal pressures, she added.
Thomas 'Tristan' Potts', 14, is accused of killing his 12-year-old sister Teresa at the family's home in Jasper, rural Missouri in October 2015

A judge has ruled a 14-year-old boy who is accused of shooting his 12-year-old sister dead at their rural Missouri home should be tried as an adult.

Jasper County prosecuting attorney Dean Dankelson said the second-degree murder, armed criminal action and first-degree attempted arson charges filed against Thomas 'Tristan' Potts are identical to the juvenile charges he faced previously.

He was being transferred Tuesday from juvenile to adult custody.

Potts was 13 in October when Teresa Potts was killed. Dankelson said the brother and sister had been adopted out of foster care. He said he wasn't aware of any other foster children living in the home.

The boy's attorneys, Wes Barnum and Keith Pennick, didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment. Dankelson said the teen's arraignment could be as early as Thursday morning.

The new charges were filed one day after a juvenile hearing ended with a judge ruling that the teen could be tried as an adult. The Joplin Globe reports that responding deputies found the girl mortally wounded.

She had gunshot wounds to her temple and right shoulder, Chris Carriger, a detective with the Jasper County Sheriff's Department, testified at the hearing.

Potts fled into some woods after the shooting and turned up later near a shop building behind the house, close to where investigators eventually recovered two handguns. Carriger said the teen tested positive for gunshot residue on his hands.

The detective said that when he entered the house, he found the home in 'messy disarray,' with black gunpowder strewn throughout the rooms and about 500 rounds of .22-caliber bullets in two skillets in the kitchen.

Thomas 'Tristan' Potts is accused of murdering his sister at his family's home on Placid Road, Jasper, Missouri, pictured in October 2015. A judge has ruled that the 14-year-old can be tried as an adult

Carriger testified that the investigation turned up three lists that bore the fingerprints of Tristan Potts, including one titled 'Supplies for Georgia.' Investigators later learned that the boy had been in contact on Facebook with a female in Georgia. Items on the to-do-lists, including a gun and food, were found near the home's front door.
A three-year-old girl was strangled after getting caught in window blind cords while her mother was in another room tending to her two-year-old brother.

It took just five minutes for Roselynn 'Rosie' Mae Hanna to become fatally entangled in the cords on April 12, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

After finding the girl laying on the floor Rosie's mom called 911 and provided CPR while emergency services arrived - but it was too late.

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Missed: Roselynn 'Rosie' Mae Hanna (left, with mom Whitney) died of strangulation after being caught up in window-blind cords at the family's home in Gahanna, Ohio

Danger: Window-blind cords have accounted for the deaths of 20 children a year over the past 30 years, says the group Parents for Window Blind Safety. Some stores such as IKEA refuse to carry blinds with cords

Rosie was rushed to Nationwide Childrens Hospital. Her family told ABC the next day that they hoped she would get better, but she was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Her older sister, Brooklyn, had to be told of the girl's death on her sixth birthday.

Rosie was kept on a ventilator so that her organs could be donated, her great-uncle Jeff confirmed on a GoFundMe page raising money for her funeral.

Police found a ligature mark from the cord on the girl's neck - a sign that the window-blind cord had strangled her.

Tragic: Rosie had walked away from her mom, who was tending to her two-year-old son, for just five minutes before she was found strangled

Courtesy CBS 6

Tracy Mehan, who works at the research institute of Nationwide Children's Hospital, told ABC that it can take just seconds for a child to die after becoming caught in a window cord.

'It can happen very quickly and when it does it's often fatal,' she said.

And Linda Kaiser of Parents for Window Blind Safety told The Columbus Dispatch that this is a nationwide problem.

The organization's site says 600 children have died in the US due to window-blinds over the past 30 years.

'The problem is its a hazard in plain sight that parents dont think about or they trust in the safety device to keep their kids safe,' said Kaiser, who started the organization after her one-year-old daughter was killed by a window-blind cord 14 years ago.

Although safety standards for window-blind cords were set in 2012, deaths continue - and some companies, including IKEA and Target, have stopped selling blinds with cords altogether.

Several comments on the GoFundMe page were from parents who had lost their own children due to window-blind cords.

Rosie is survived by her mom, her father Roy, and her siblings Gavin, Brooklyn and Odin.
Another woman, who has not yet been named, was also discovered in her car in Austin County on Monday

Six other deaths were reported on Monday all of whom had drowned after getting trapped in their vehicles

when she drove into high water on the way back from sister's

Claudia Melgar, 25, named as eighth flood victim after her body was recovered from a submerged SUV yesterday

Officials are assessing two dams - both 20 years past their life expectancy - which are rated 'extremely high risk'

Forecaster warn more heavy rain is predicted for today while rising floodwaters have caused further

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The deadly Houston floods have claimed another victim bringing the death toll to eight for one of the worst flooding disasters to hit the area in recent years.

Claudia Melgar, a Houston Community College student, has been named as the eighth flood victim after her body was recovered from an SUV submerged under 30ft of water yesterday.

The 25-year-old was last seen leaving a local nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning and had text her mother on the drive back to ask if she wanted anything.

'That was the last we heard from her,' said her cousin, Linda Rodriguez.

Dash-cam video shows a toll road worker frantically swimming to try and reach the car, after it drove around a barricade, but after two attempts he was forced to give up for his own safety. Sadly Melgar drowned in her SUV before the officer could reach her.

Melgar was found in her white, Dodge Durango on evening Tuesday near Loop 610 and the Southwest Freeway after crews worked all day to drain the flooded tunnel in the Galleria-area.

Earlier that day, the body of 41-year-old Teri Rodriguez was pulled out of her flooded car in the 1800 block of Briar Creek, in the Cypress Creek area.

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Claudia Melgar, a Houston Community College student, (left), and father-of three, German Antonio Franco, (right), were found dead in their vehicles after the historic flooding in Houston

Charles Odum, a social studies teacher at Royal Junior High School, (left) had been trying to check on his parents when he became trapped in his car and drowned. Teri Rodriguez (right) a married mother-of-three, was just yards from her home when she drove into high water and died

Suresh Tallurri, (left) had urgently called a friend from his car, to say he wasn't able to open his door because of the water pressure outside and a broken arm. Sunita Singh, 49, (right) had also made a panicked call, this time to her husband, to say she was trapped. Both were found drowned inside their cars in the 610-59 underpass where water eventually rose to 30ft

She had been driving back from her sister's house at 3am on Tuesday morning when her car went down a flooded roadway and she became trapped. Tragically, the married mother-of-three, was just yards from her home when she drove into high water. her body was found an hour later.

'We are broken. We are devastated,' Alex Rodriguez, the victim's brother-in-law, told ABC 13 . 'She thought she could make it and she didn't.'

Six other flood-related deaths were reported on Monday in Houston where storms dumped more than 17 inches of rain. Normally, Houston sees just four inches of rain in the entire month of April.

Rajiv Singh received a panicked call from his wife Sunita, 49, on Monday who had become trapped in her car as floodwaters rose rapidly around her. Sadly, it was the last time he would ever speak to her.

'She said she's in trouble,' Singh told Khou .'They drove into water and water is everywhere. And apparently she thought she was being rescued because she saw some lights and maybe they were from a wrecker or something.'

Sunita had become stranded in rising water in the 610-59 underpass where water eventually rose to 30ft. The authorities discovered her body on Monday and that of another driver who became trapped in the same area.

Suresh Tallurri, a married father-of-two, had urgently called a friend from his car, to say he wasn't able to open his door because of the water pressure outside and a broken arm.

Pedro Rascon Morales, a trucker from El Paso, was found in a submerged 18-wheeler cab on the N. Beltway 8 frontage road near the Hardy Toll Road.

Harris County Precinct Sgt. Herbert Martinez say the 60-year-old, who was seen to drive directly into the water, may have suffered a medical emergency.

A junior high teacher from Pattison, Texas, became the fifth victim of the floods. Charles Odum, a social studies teacher at Royal Junior High School had been attempting to check on his elderly parents when he became trapped in his car by floodwater and eventually drowned. His parents were actually safe in a shelter.

His cousin, Eric Odum, described him as 'a man who valued family and invested a lot of time in those familial relationships. A good man, who cared about people.'

The devastating floods also forced more than a thousand from their homes while hundreds were rescued after becoming trapped in their vehicles or houses

Incredible aerial images reveal horror aftermath of deadly Houston floods which killed six and forced more than a thousand from their homes

Roads turned into rivers in Houston as families became marooned in their own homes by the rising floodwaters

Hundreds of residents had to be rescued yesterday and today after becoming trapped in their vehicles or homes

Families used whatever means necessary to get to safety through the rising waters in Houston, Texas

One woman floated a young girl to safety through the floodwaters in a small plastic box as the waters continued to rise today

One boy on a bicycle drags a boat with another child behind him along the water covered roads

This family used their air boat to navigate the floodwaters around their home as they passed by street lamps

On Monday afternoon a woman drove into high waters in Austin County and drowned, Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes said. The sheriff would not release the woman's name and did not provide further details about where the incident happened.

Father-of three, German Antonio Franco, was found dead in his submerged car in Imperial Valley Drive. The 66-year-old's daughter Annamaria Franco told Eyewitness News her 'beloved' father, who had four grandchildren, was a retired HEB produce manager working part time as a contracted limousine driver for the city of Houston.

The devastating floods forced more than a thousand from their homes while hundreds were rescued after becoming trapped in their vehicles or houses.

And there could be more misery to come as The Weather Channel predicts more heavy rain today.

Thunderstorms hit central and southeast Texas this morning, bringing more rainfall to the saturated region. Further storms are expected in the region this afternoon and evening, including the Houston metro area, which has been devastated by flooding.

While not as heavy as Monday' downpour, forecasters are warning of more flash flooding in southeast Texas where many rivers, creeks and bayous have already burst their banks after 10 to 20 inches of rain inundated the north side of the metro area on April 18. A flash flooding warning remains in place today.

Storms will keep battering the flooded Houston areas through Thursday although the will begin to sweep south east towards the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast.

Friday will herald bring a much-needed dry spell behind a cold front, The Weather Channel forecasts.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency in nine counties after Monday's deadly floods left residents trapped in their own homes and vehicles.

Around 200 flights were cancelled at Houston's Hobby Airport, according to the airport's Twitter account, while more than 120,000 residents were left without power. Dozens of schools, public transit and city offices were also closed Monday after the downpours.

Officials were assessing two dams on Houston's west side which were rated 'extremely high risk' .

Both the Addicks and Barker Dams are about two decades beyond their life expectancy and in a populated area. Each are expected to fill to at least 50 per cent capacity. While experts do not believe they will fail, the Chronicle warned that it could potentially cause dozens of deaths and $60 billion in damage.

Richard Long, with the Corps' project operations branch, says it will take a long time to drain the reservoirs behind the dams in controlled releases. There is about two months' worth of water to get rid of.

But as more water continues to come into the reservoirs from rivers and streams, officials expect some homes and streets near the dams to be flooded.

A school bus, which seemed undeterred by the floodwaters, pushed on ahead through the rising waters

The heavy rains forced seven of the city's many bayous out of their banks and created flooding in parts of the city that had not flooded for many years

In Harris County alone, more than 1,000 homes have been flooded with more than 1,200 residents rescued from the floods by early Monday afternoon

A man uses a submerged cop car as a temporary rest stop for him and his dog as he waded through the floods

Some areas had received as much as 17 inches of rain by Monday morning, according to the flood control district.

The heavy rains forced seven of the city's many bayous out of their banks and created flooding in parts of the city that had not flooded for many years, Turner said.

Flash flood warnings were up in about two dozen Texas counties across in the southern part of the state, including the Houston and Austin metropolitan areas.

The situation is the result of a nearly stationary area of low pressure that has stalled over the western United States, allowing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to flow into Texas over the last few days, according to CNN meteorologist Sean Morris.

In Harris County alone, more than 1,000 homes have been flooded with more than 1,200 residents rescued from the floods by early Monday afternoon.

'When you get off the freeways and off the main thoroughfares, you could be in water 10 to 15 feet deep,' Fire Department spokesman Jay Evans told the Associated Press. 'You do not want to trap yourself in these vehicles.'

Near Brookshire, citizens rescued semi truck driver Ron Bumpus from his rig after he drove into floodwaters.

The city is attempting to return to normal operations and the Metropolitan Transit Authority resumed service Tuesday, including light-rail operations.

But some parts of Houston are still suffering as rivers and creeks continue. Local reports reveal that the swollen Cypress Creek forced residents to evacuate their homes in northwestern Harris County Tuesday morning.

While Houston ISD canceled classes for another day, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph. The University of Houston's main campus was also closed Tuesday.

Six people died in historic Houston floods yesterday after a month's worth of rain fell in just one hour - as more heavy rain is predicted today (residents are evacuated from their flooded apartment complex on Tuesday)

More than 1,200 residents were rescued from floods (pictured; a rescue boat makes its way past submerged cars to pick up flooded residents)

This was the devastating scene in Houston as people struggled to save 70 horses from the floods and the human death toll reached six

At least six people have died in flooding in Houston, Texas, (pictured on Monday) where a month's worth of rain fell in just one hour

Justin Nelzen, in red vest, joins other local residents as they work to rescue up to 70 horses along Cypresswood Drive near Humble along Cypress Creek on Monday in Houston, after a Houston-area stable was inundated by floodwaters

Louis Marquez carries his rather concerned-looking dog Dallas through floodwaters after rescuing the dog from his flooded apartment Tuesday

Water received chest height in Houston after storms dumped more than a foot of rain in the Houston area, flooding dozens of neighborhoods

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner had warned drivers to take care on flooded roads.

Experts have warned that flooding may become a regular sight in Houston where the fast-growing population and building boom makes it vulnerable to high waters.

Philip Bedient, an engineering professor at Rice University, says the flooding problem can't be solved. He says, 'All we can do is a better job warning.'

The unprecedented floods have sent the city into turmoil, with residents pictured grappling to save horses from rivers that they have been washed into.

Crowds jumped in the water to rescue up to 70 horses along Cypresswood Drive near Humble on Monday, after a Houston-area stable was inundated by floodwaters.

Families have been pictured wading through waist-deep water with belongings in plastic bags, and kids on their shoulders.

More rain was projected over the next two to three days, although heavy downpours had subsided and only another half-inch was expected through Monday night, he said.

Rain gauges in parts of Harris County, which includes most of Houston, showed water levels approaching 20 inches since late Sunday night, with slightly smaller amounts elsewhere in Southeast Texas as bayous and creeks overflowed their banks.

Children took advantage of the rising water yesterday to play in flood waters in the Kelliwood Park neighborhood of Katy, Texas

Rain came down at rates as high as four inches an hour on Monday, the Weather Channel reported, saying some residents were trapped in their homes and cars

Betty Jones, center, is helped while being evacuated after the historic floods which left more than 120,000 people without power

Residents are evacuated from their apartment complex surrounded by floodwaters on Monday in Houston

Storms have dumped more than a foot of rain in the Houston area, flooding dozens of areas and forcing the closure of city offices

Families have been warned not to travel very far for fear of more intense flash-flooding

Residents of the Arbor Court apartments evacuate their flooded apartment complex in the Greenspoint area on Monday

Several shelters were established for people forced from their homes. At least 1,000 people taken from apartment complexes in the north part of the city and moved to a shopping mall were being ferried by city buses to a shelter, the mayor said.

Thousands of homes in the county outside Houston were flooded, many for the first time. At least 450 high-water rescues were conducted.

On Monday a local news reporter in Texas was captured on film saving a man from his vehicle that was submerged in the historic floods on Monday - just before the media station was going to go on live TV.

Steve Campion was preparing to go live on breaking news coverage of the flooding across the Houston area when he saw a man drive into an area of deep water near an underpass.

Campion, a reporter for KTRK , yells at the man: 'Dude, you've got to get out of the car. You've got to get out!' as the vehicle moves into deeper water.

Shortly thereafter, the man opens the passenger door and crawls out into the water as the reporter yells: 'Leave the car! Swim!'

Steve Campion was preparing to go live on breaking news coverage of the flooding across the Houston area when he saw a man drive into an area of deep water near an underpass (pictured)

He yelled at the man to get out of the car, and soon the man emerged, flustered as to what he should do next

Campion tells the man to swim to higher ground, and after pausing for a moment, worried about his vehicle, he heads toward the local news team

The driver swims toward Campion, a reporter for KTRK, who wades out into the waist-deep water and extends his hand

The driver pauses for a moment, worrying about his car, but then swims toward Campion, who wades out into the waist-deep water and extends his hand.

As the car slowly sinks under water, the driver tells Campion that he's OK and that he didn't think the water was so deep.

The man, later identified only as Andy, tried to turn back to his vehicle, which by that point was almost completely submerged, and Campion said, 'You've got to leave the car'.

Andy then moves to higher land beyond the lens of the camera.

Storms have dumped more than a foot of rain in the Houston area, flooding dozens of neighborhoods and forcing the closure of city offices and the suspension of public transit.

Jeff Lindner, a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District, told NBC News that flash flooding could cause a 'life-threatening situation' in northwest Harris County. 'Stay where you are,' he added.

The National Weather Service said the area received up to 16 inches of rain in the 24 hours through Monday morning.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said city offices will be closed on Monday and encouraged people to stay home and avoid high water areas.

'This is an unprecedented amount of rain,' Turner said. 'It's been stubborn - and it's not moving anytime fast.'

'The situation is pretty serious,' Rosie Torres, a spokeswoman for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told NBC.

The agency told residents in a statement to 'stay home and off the road'.

'If your home or apartment takes in water, DO NOT LEAVE. You are safer inside your home. Straying into deep or fast moving flood waters means certain death,' the statement said.

More than 1million students in the Houston area had a weather-related day off Monday because of storms that dumped as much as 16 inches of rain.

As Greens Bayou starts to crest its' banks, a man rescues a armadillo from flood waters in Houston, Texas, on Monday

A man rides on the outside of a dump truck through floodwaters in Houston, Texas, where storms have dumped more than a food of rain

A resident looks out from the second floor as floodwaters surround his apartment complex in Houston on Monday

A group walk from a flooded apartment complex after Greens Bayou spilled over its banks and flooded the streets on Monday

A man holds his belongings as he evaluates his submerged motorcycle after water flooded his garage space

A man paddles a kayak out of high water in the Timber Lakes Timber Ridge subdivision on Monday in The Woodlands, Texas

More than 40 districts and universities canceled school as heavy rain and flooding inundated parts of Harris County and threatened nearby areas.

The closures included the Houston Independent School District, the largest in Texas with about 215,000 students, plus Texas Southern University and the Houston Community College System.

The more than 40,000-student University of Houston cited street flooding in calling off classes. Rice University also canceled school Monday.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, the county's chief administrator, said more than 1,000 homes were flooded.

'This is a rain even that's very significant, no question about it,' he said. 'Many of those homes haven't flooded before.'

Meteorologist Tom Bradshaw said about 70 Houston subdivisions flooded. At least two interstates - I-10, the main east-west freeway, and I-45, the major north-south freeway - were underwater near downtown.

'We've seen those go under water before and they're under water again,' Emmett said.

Other major freeways, plus some feeder roads leading to the highways, were shut off by high water.

Emmett warned drivers that even if they were able to get through on the highways, 'When it's time to get off, you may not be able to'.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport officials have reported at least 335 cancellations Monday. More than 135 flights have been canceled at William P Hobby Airport.

A Houston Airport System statement says some roads are flooded near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, in the north of the state's largest city.

More than 110,000 Houston area homes and business have lost electricity during the storms, and CenterPoint Energy crews worked on Monday to restore the power lost.

Gov Greg Abbott is planning to provide an update on the state's response to the severe weather in an afternoon news conference.

Kaicee Crowley walks through floodwaters to get belongings out of her stranded car in Houston on Monday

A man helps another man out of floodwaters at the Park De Ville as Greens Bayou spills over its banks in Houston

A woman walks out of high water in the Timber Lakes Timber Ridge subdivision in The Woodlands, Texa

Taylor McKenzie holds on to his dog, Big Black, as he walks out of high water in the Timber Lakes Timber Ridge subdivision on Monday in The Woodlands

Brays Bayou floods after heavy rains hit the Houston region, Monday after 16 inches of rain fell in 24 hours

Trucks slowly drive through flood waters on North I-45 at North Main Street as White Oak Bayou comes over it's banks, flooding the freeway

Flash flood watches have been issued through Tuesday morning for Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler-Longview and as far east as Texarkana.

No deaths or serious injuries due to the storms and flooding.

Houston, at near sea level and known for its 'gumbo' soft soil, is no stranger to flooding from torrential rains, tropical storms and hurricanes.

Last Memorial Day, heavy rains caused severe flooding in the southwest parts of the city. Bayous there were quickly rising and the mayor urged residents to prepare for another round of floods.

'We have had a lot of rain to fall in a short period of time and it is taxing our system,' he said. 'If you're not presently flooded along one of these bayous, I can tell you things remaining as they are, if conditions do not change, that those areas more than likely will be flooded.'
Detectives are investigating that he sexually abused the boy, 5, and girl, 4

The children were found in Hyde Park, North Perth, an hour after missing

He is believed to have lured the children from a school holiday program

A child sex predator remains on the loose after he lured two young children from a holiday school care program in broad daylight and sexually assaulted them.

Police are investigating after a four-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy were attending a holiday program in North Perth and are believed to have wondered off with a man unknown to them shortly after 11.15am on Tuesday.

The children left the Fitzgerald Street premises with the man shortly after 11.15am and were later found in the playground of nearby Hyde Park at 12.15pm by a female member of the public.

On Thursday, police questioned a man after receiving several tips in relation to the alleged sexual assault of two children but he has since been released without charged.

Chilling CCTV footage shows two young children follow a middle-aged man in an oversized coat down a footpath.

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Child Abuse detectives are investigating that the man sexually assaulted the children at a nearby unknown location before leaving them in Hyde Park.

Western Australia State Crime division Commander Kylie Whitely told Perth Now that the school holiday facility were not aware the children were missing until after they were found.

'Obviously the parents are very distressed and no doubt the children are obviously very upset and there's a fair amount of work for them to have to navigate while we continue with the investigation,' told the news website.

The children left the Fitzgerald Street premises with the man shortly after 11.15am and were later found in the playground of nearby Hyde Park at 12.15pm by a female member of the public

'It's an absolute priority for us as an agency, we understand how the community are going to be feeling so we have every available resource working on it.'

Commander Whitely told 9 News that the children would have been 'enticed' by something to follow him.

'It's every parent's worst nightmare,' she said.

'They were enticed, offered something to leave the centre.'

The man is described as being aged late 40s to late 50s, with pale skin, with a medium build and short dark greying hair and wearing glasses at times.

He was wearing an oversized black jacket, black trousers and a black business shirt.

Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of View Street and Fitzgerald Street near the North Perth shopping precinct and Hyde Park between 11am and 1pm, who saw a man accompanied by a young boy and girl.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au
Students at an elite Paris university sparked fierce debate Wednesday by inviting classmates to wear the Muslim head scarf for a day.

The event at Paris's Sciences Po university was held to raise awareness of treatment of women who wear the hijab, but the initiative was fiercely criticised on social media and by student union representatives.

The event was held in the wake of Prime Minister Manuel Valls' controversial statement that he wished to ban all forms of religious headscarves at French universities.

The invitation from Hijab Day's Facebook page to the event which intented to highlight the discrimination women who wear the Muslim headscarf face on a daily basis - but which came under fire online

The Hijab Day Facebook page stated that the students who took part in wearing the veil for a day would 'experience the stigmatisation experienced by veiled women in France'.

'It is to raise awareness, open the debate and give the floor to women who are often debated on in public but rarely heard,' said Laetitia Demaya, one of the organisers.

The Sciences Po initiative, which trended at the top of French Twitter under the hashtag #HijabDay, drew a mixture of praise and anger.

Former agriculture minister Bruno le Maire, who now teaches at Sciences Po and is also angling for the right-wing Republicans party's presidential nomination, expressed his 'disapproval' on Twitter.

'In France women are visible. No to proselytising,' he wrote.

Community: Hijab Day organiser Laetitia Demaya said the event was designed to 'raise awareness, open the debate and give the floor to women who are often debated on in public but rarely heard'

Controversial: French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said last week that he would ideally see all forms of religious veils banned at universities in France

Philosopher and author Bernard-Henri Levy tweeted: 'Hijab Day at Sc Po. When will there be a sharia day? Stoning? Slavery?'

'This is a provocation and we denounce the religious character of the event,' Carla Sasiela, the head of the UNI student union, told The Local.

Her group said the event is a 'total contradiction of the values of the Republic and the respect for women's rights'.

Writing on its Facebook page, the student wing of the far-right National Front (FN) criticised an initiative coming from a 'Parisian middle class disconnected from social reality'.

'This initiative is particularly nauseating when women all over the world are fighting to throw off their shackles. In Iran, for example, women have acid thrown in their faces if they don't wear the veil,' it said.

The university distanced itself from the initiative in a statement on Twitter, saying the fact it was taking place on the campus 'should not be interpreted as support.'

Banned: The wearing of full-face veils in public spaces has been banned under French law since April 2011

Sciences Po's Hijab Day was held just days after France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls said he wants all forms of Muslim headscarves to be banned in universities.

In an interview with the daily newspaper, Liberation, Prime Minister Valls said France should 'protect' French Muslims from extremist ideology.

He said the headscarf, when worn for political reasons, oppresses women and is not 'an object of fashion or consumption like any other.'

Asked whether to outlaw headscarves in universities, Mr Valls is quoted as saying 'it should be done, but there are constitutional rules that make this ban difficult.'

The wearing of full-face veils in public spaces has been banned under French law since April 2011.

The 2010 'Act prohibiting concealment of the face in public space', applies not only full-face veils or burqas worn by some Muslim women, but all face-covering headgear, including masks, helmets and balaclavas.
She also endorsed the Palestinian 'resistance' and said that her own university was a 'Zionist outpost'

Elected: Malia Bouattia was today elected as the new president of the National Union of Students

A radical activist who has refused to condemn ISIS was today elected president of the National Union of Students.

Malia Bouattia has previously endorsed Palestinian 'resistance' against Israel, arguing that 'non-violent protest' is not enough, and called her own university a 'Zionist outpost'.

She was elected as Britain's most high-profile student today hours after NUS delegates argued against marking Holocaust Memorial Day, to cheers from a crowd.

The developments were condemned by Labour MPs, who said they were 'aghast' at Miss Bouattia's election and warned that the NUS 'no longer represents students well', while a leading war hero denounced her as an 'anti-semitic advocate of terrorist violence'.

Miss Bouattia, 28, who is originally from Algeria but went on to study at the University of Birmingham, defeated current president Megan Dunn by 372 votes to 328.

She previously made the news when, as the NUS officer for ethnic-minority students, she led efforts to stop the union officially condemning the Islamic State terror group in 2014.

The activist warned that speaking out against ISIS would be a 'justification for war and blatant Islamophobia', forcing union officials to clarify that 'NUS does not support ISIS'.

In the run-up to today's election, Miss Bouattia lost the support of several NUS delegates when it emerged that she had called Birmingham University a 'Zionist outpost in British higher education'.

She wrote in an article: 'It also has the largest JSoc [Jewish society] in the country, whose leadership is dominated by Zionist activists.'

And this week a video emerged in which Miss Bouattia could be seen apparently arguing that Palestinians should take up arms against Israel to end the country's occupation.

In the clip recorded 18 months ago, she said that the only reason Muslims failed to support the 'resistance' was 'internalised Islamaphobia' and 'anti-blackness'.

Controversial: Miss Bouattia is an outspoken activist who has consistently opposed 'Zionism'

Miss Bouattia said: 'To consider that Palestine will be free only by means of fundraising, non-violent protest and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement is problematic.

'It can be misunderstood as the alternative to resistance by the Palestinian people.

'The notion of resistance has been perhaps washed out of our understanding of how colonised people will obtain their physical emancipation.

'Resistance is presented as an act of terrorism, but instead of us remembering that this has always been the case throughout struggles against white supremacy, it's become an accepted discourse amongst too many.'

HOW THE NEW NUS PRESIDENT HAS SPOKEN OUT AGAINST 'ZIONISM' 'The University of Birmingham is something of a Zionist outpost in British higher education' writing about her own university 'Condemnation of ISIS appears to have become a justification for war and blatant Islamaphobia' arguing that the NUS should not speak out against Islamic State 'For me to take issue with Zionist politics is not me taking issue with being Jewish' after being accused of anti-semitism 'To consider that Palestine will be free only by means of fundraising, non-violent protest and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement is problematic' speaking about Palestinian 'resistance' Advertisement

Her election today was welcomed by Cage, a controversial human rights group whose director once described ISIS executioner Mohammed Emwazi as 'beautiful young man'.

The organisation tweeted: 'Congratulations to Malia Bouattia on being elected the NUS president!'

Miss Bouattia last week denied being anti-semitic after 57 leaders of Jewish university societies raised concerns about her remarks in an open letter.

'It seems I have been misrepresented,' she said. 'I am extremely uncomfortable with insinuations of anti-semitism.

'I celebrate the ability of people and students from all backgrounds to get together and express their backgrounds openly and positively, and will continue to do so.

'I want to be clear that for me to take issue with Zionist politics is not me taking issue with being Jewish.'

After her election, she said: 'My election was not just about NUS - it has to be about our society, and the role of our movement within it.

'We must ensure our union is at the centre of a national fight for something better, and puts liberation at the heart of all we do.'

Earlier today, the NUS conference in Brighton debated whether or not the union should mark Holocaust Memorial Day, with some speakers arguing that the NUS was 'ignoring and forgetting' other genocides.

'It suggests some lives are more important than others,' said Darta Kaleja from Chester University.

Outrage: MPs including Wes Streeting and Sir Eric Pickles spoke of their anger today

Support: The controversial human rights group Cage welcomed Miss Bouattia's election

Although the motion was eventually passed, the crowd loudly cheered the arguments against commemorating the Holocaust, prompting shock in some observers.

Labour MP John Mann said: 'The union is not doing enough to combat anti-Jewish hatred, and as such is failing in its responsibilities to its members.

'I am aghast at the new president's previous response to the concerns raised by Jewish students and expect her to meet their representatives and to build confidence that tackling anti-semitism in the NUS will be a priority.'

Wes Streeting, a former president of the NUS who is now Labour MP for Ilford North, argued that today's developments had damaged the union's reputation.

'NUS is lost I'm afraid,' he wrote on Twitter. 'It's had good leadership from Megan Dunn, but it no longer represents students well.'

Former minister Sir Eric Pickles added: 'There are some within the NUS that allow anti-semitism to flourish within their organisation.'

And Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander in Afghanistan, tweeted: 'Disgraceful yet predictable. Anti-semitic advocate of terrorist violence elected President of National Union of Students.'
Loose Women viewers were left outraged after a guest joked about 'hot' ISIS terrorists.

Stand-up comedian Shazia Mirza appeared on the ITV panel show to talk about her new tour, which addresses a number of politically-charged issues including terrorism and jihadi brides.

When asked about why she thought young girls were leaving the UK for Syria, Miss Mirza jokingly suggested they were fleeing because they thought the male jihadists were 'a bit of alright'.

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Stand-up comedian: Shazia Mirza, left with Vicky Pattison, appeared on the ITV panel show to talk about her new tour, which addresses a number of politically-charged issues including terrorism and jihadi brides

The comment was seized upon by dozens of social media users, who branded the comedian an 'idiot' for making light of the terror group on television.

Miss Mizra, from Birmingham, has said her new show, The Kardashians Made Me Do It, is inspired by three schoolgirls from Bethnal Green Academy, east London, to become jihadi brides in Syria.

The comedian, who is currently on tour in the UK, addressed some of the topics of her show on Loose Women today.

Referring to girls feeling to Syria, she said: 'I'm not being frivilous but these ISIS men, as barbaric as they are, you have to admit, they are hot. I mean, some of them are.

'They are macho, they're hairy, they've got guns. And these girls they've got are thinking "he's a bit of alright".

'And what they've done is, they have sold their mother's jewellery and bought a one-way ticket to Syria for some halal meat.'

Controversial: The comment about jihadi brides was slammed by Loose Women on Twitter

Later she quipped: 'I'm more scared of my dad than ISIS', adding that her mother wears a burka because 'she doesn't want to be seen with my dad'.

One viewer claimed she was eventually cut-off mid sentence by panelist Ruth Langford.

The comments sparked dozens of comment on social media, with viewers criticising the show's decision to feature jokes about terrorists.

One wrote: 'This is so awful to watch this lady joking about ISIS'. While another said: 'Genuinely cannot believe they just let that be aired, joking about halal, terrorism and burkas.'

Online backlash: Viewers took to social media to criticise the joke, branding it 'awkward' and 'awful'

Another tweet read: 'How dare that woman compare terrorists to butch and handsome. Isis are terrorists.'

While one offended viewer said she had to switch the channel because she 'couldn't deal with the awkwardness of the comedian joking about ISIS'.

However fans of Miss Mirza appeared to see the funny side and she even found some new supporters who wanted to buy tickets for her show.
Rafael Cruz, the outspoken father of presidential candidate Ted Cruz, laced into his son's rival by calling him worse Hillary Clinton.

On a day when Trump trounced his son in New York's primary, Cruz said his son's nemesis 'is more of a Democrat than a Republican.'

Taking a page from his son, Rafael Cruz blasted Trump for making campaign contributions to liberal firebrand Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and scandal-tarred ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner.

One more thing: Rafael Cruz says Trump 'can't win' but his son Ted can

Even as it is becoming nearly impossible for Cruz to secure the nomination by winning a majority of delegates in the remaining state elections, Cruz is optimistic about ultimately prying the nomination away from Trump.

'We feel very good about Indiana and we feel very god about California and I think that this run is going to go to the convention,' he said, mentioning two upcoming states with big caches of delegates.

'And if Donald Trump does not get 1,237 -- and I don't believe he will -- he will lose at the convention. I believe that my son will get the nomination, if not by the second ballot, maybe by the third ballot.'

To win the nomination outright, a candidate must win the support of 1,237 delegates  although many delegates are free to vote as they choose after the initial balloting.

Cruz got his clock cleaned in NY but hopes to amass enough delegates to win at the GOP convention

'Donald Trump cannot beat Hillary Clinton. That would be the dream ticket for Hillary Clinton because all the polls show that Donald Trump would lose and would lose by a landslide,' Cruz said.

The Dallas pastor is a regular surrogate for his son's campaign.

A Fox News poll last week had Clinton beating Cruz by 1 percentage point, while beating Trump by 7 points. But it was Ohio Gov. John Kasich led Clinton 49 to 40 percent.

'I am convinced that he will get the nomination,' Cruz said.

Cruz got his hat handed to him in Tuesday's primary, coming in third place and failing to take home a single delegate in the state.

The war of wives has ended, but other family members are still firing away

Rafael Cruz says his son is the one to defeat Hillary, though a recent poll says John Kasich would run stronger

In a low-point of the bare-knuckles campaign, the camps traded angry rhetoric about the candidates' spouses, after a pro-Cruz super PAC made an ad featuring a racy photo of Melania Trump.
A bishop whose church has been accused of 'aiding and abetting' illegal immigrants has claimed America is 'raping' other countries.

Minerva Carcano appeared in front of the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee in Washington to discuss immigration and border security yesterday.

The Methodist, whose church has been given federal grants to help the refugee crisis, made the comment after being accused of welcoming immigrants, regardless of their status, by Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte.

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Bishop Minerva Carcano (left), whose church has been accused of 'aiding and abetting' illegal immigrants, has claimed America is 'raping' other countries when being questioned in a subcommittee meeting by Virginia Republican Bob Goodlatte (right)

She told the subcommittee: 'Immigrants want to stay home [but] theyre not able to stay home because weve undermined their economies. We have raped their lands.'

Bishop Carcano was then asked whether she would welcome the whole world's population to the United States because it is one of the more 'successful' countries.

She continued: 'I would restate that most immigrants want to stay home but they can't feed their families.

'We're talking about Central Americans... who have come here because we have been involved in their economies in disastrous ways.

'We have been involved in politics in ways that have undermined their countries and left their societies in shambles and in poverty.'

She was also questioned on whether the church is directly discouraging immigration - but she appeared to refuse to answer, adding: 'We tell them how cruel the world is and how cruel immigration policies are in the United States as well.'

The hearing also heard the church's Board of Child Care received more than $7million in federal grants in three years so it could house unaccompanied children.

Bishop Carcano appeared on behalf of the United Methodist Church as the row over immigration continues.

President Obama has previously ramped up efforts to help refugees fleeing violence in Central America.
Nicola Boardman has been jailed for scamming her own parents out of money which she spent on drugs, a secret wedding and trips abroad

A drug-addict daughter conned her own parents out of 250,000 by telling them she was studying at Oxford.

Nicola Boardman, 34, told her mother and father Frank and Marilyn that she needed money to fund a large research project she was undertaking at the prestigious university.

But she was never offered a place at the university and wasted their money on heroin, lavish trips abroad and a secret wedding which her parents were not even invited too.

Her long trail of deceit also included telling her long-suffering family that she had a still-born child - despite terminating the baby herself several months earlier.

Mr and Mrs Boardman even sold their home to hand money to their daughter, believing her claims she would make 3million from her academic work.

She lied that her phantom PhD in social sciences at Oxford involved trips to Mongolia and Greece along others.

Boardman was jailed for three years and four months at Truro Crown Court today after a judge heard she had kept up her lies for four years and wasted every last penny of her parents' money.

The court heard she graduated from Camborne College, part of Plymouth University, with a first class social sciences degree before she embarked on the scam.

Following completion of her degree, she then proceeded to lie to her parents about becoming a successful academic.

She was paid 250,000 by her father, from 2011 to 2015, who believed she needed the cash for research abroad, rent and travelling expenses.

The court heard that Boardman, of Truro, Cornwall, underwent a drug rehabilitation programme as a youngster.

Frank Boardman, her father, told the court he had been deprived of his retirement by his daughter's lies

Following her successful degree, she told her parents that she wanted to study for a doctorate.

Her 60-year-old father drove her to both Oxford and Cambridge under the belief that she was having interviews.

Boardman later told her father, who worked for trading standards, that she had won scholarships to both but chose Oxford.

It was heard that Boardman continued to ask for money - of which 10,000 was spent on a wedding to a man from Redruth who she knew her family 'hated'.

No members of her family were invited to the London ceremony and she continued to ask for money to fund holidays and live an expensive lifestyle.

The deceit took a turn for the worst when Boardman became pregnant.

Boardman's (pictured outside Truro Crown Court) 60-year-old father drove her to both Oxford and Cambridge under the belief that she was having interviews

She told her parents that she had suffered a stillborn child and went as far as to invite them to a 'sham' ceremony where the ashes were scattered.

Boardman pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and was jailed for what the judge described as a 'prolonged' and 'sophisticated' operation which took place over four years.

A victim impact statement from her father Frank, read out in court, said: 'I personally have been deprived of my retirement that I have worked hard for, for the last 40 years.'

Sentencing her to 40 months imprisonment, Mr Justice James Dingemans said: 'From 2011 you started to deceive your parents and you have pleaded guilty to the single count on the indictment of fraud.

'Your parents paid some 250,000 for your rental expenses, your cash, your holidays.

'You continued the deceit by pretending that you had been paid for the publication of an article in March 2011 and you persuaded them to pay for the private education of your daughter.

Her father even drove her to Oxford (pictured) for interviews she claimed she was having at the university

'You pretended to have 12 pieces of academic research and you forged emails.

'Your parents having been completely deceived and decided to sell their house and move to Truro on the basis that you were pretending that academic work was valued at about 3million.
Two soldiers accused of raping a female corporal who later killed herself were cleared today - but a judge still called their behaviour 'disgraceful'.

Jeremy Jones, 28, and Thomas Fulton, also 28, were accused of attacking Royal Military Police corporal Anne-Marie Ellement at their barracks in the early hours of November 20 2009.

The men, who have since left the Army, admitted they both had sex with Cpl Ellement while stationed in Sennelager, Germany, but insist she consented.

A seven-strong board of civil servants and senior military officers found both Fulton and Jones not guilty of two charges of raping Cpl Ellement.

They had previously seen video testimony given by Cpl Ellement before her death.

She said on tape: 'I know that it's a really serious thing and the outcome affects what happens in their lives and careers.

'I don't want to get someone accused of something they hadn't done but I know that I didn't want to have sex.'

But Judge Jeff Blackett said the pair should be 'ashamed' of how they 'discarded' her after the sex and in a direct attack on Fulton said he had been cruel to call her a 'sl*g' in the aftermath.

Court martial: Thomas Fulton (left) and Jeremy Jones (right), both 28, were accused of raping Cpl Ellement in the early hours of November 20 2009 while she was serving with the Royal Military Police in Germany

Evidence: Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement said she had been raped by the men on this video taken before she was later found hanged - but they were cleared of all charges today

Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement (pictured left and right, at her passing out parade) was found almost naked and crying in an Army barracks corridor on the night in question, a court martial heard

Bulford Court Martial Centre in Wiltshire heard that Cpl Ellement, from Bournemouth, killed herself two years after alleging she had been raped.

A seven-strong board of civil servants and senior military officers found both Fulton and Jones not guilty of two charges of raping Cpl Ellement.

Critical: Judge Jeff Blackett said the men had treated the woman disgracefully after having sex with her

But despite walking free the men were criticised for the way they treated Cpl Ellement after the sex.

Judge Jeff Blackett told them: 'Thomas Fulton and Jeremy Jones: your conduct on 20 November was disgraceful.

'This is not a moral judgment and I make no comment upon sexual practices involving more than two people.

'But the way you treated Anne-Marie after your encounter was extremely unpleasant.

'After engaging in sex you effectively discarded her while you decided to go off to town without a thought for how she might be feeling or how she might get back to her accommodation safely.

'For Mr Fulton to call her those very unpleasant names including the word 'slag' was truly dishonourable.

'You may have grown up in the seven years since this incident and I hope you will never act in such an appalling way again. When you look back on what happened you must feel very ashamed'.

Witnesses described how Jones, Fulton and Cpl Ellement were flirting and touching each other and discussing whether to have a threesome.

The trio went to Jones's room at about 12.30am, where Cpl Ellement said she was raped by both men.

Cpl Ellement was discovered drunk and distressed, with her eyes rolling back in her head, in her accommodation block at 1.37am.

Colleagues found her naked apart from a long brown cardigan, with muddy feet, struggling to stand and crying.

She immediately alleged that Fulton had tried to have sex with her, later adding that Jones had grabbed her breasts.

Emma Norton, lawyer for Liberty who represents Anne-Marie Ellement's family, said: 'Today two soldiers have been acquitted of the rape of the late Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement. The verdict of the court is respected and accepted. It is now more than six years since Anne-Marie reported being raped and it is more than four years since she died.

Jeremy Jones' room at the barracks in Sennelager, Germany, where Royal Military Police corporal Anne-Marie Ellement said she had been raped. The picture was shown in court

The group had been drinking in the Corporal's Mess bar in Sennelager on the night of the sexual encounter, Fulton told the court

Pictured with her mother: Cpl Ellement, who died two years later, spent the evening drinking with several service personnel in their mess

Cpl Ellement, pictured here with sisters Kristine Swain (left) and Sharon Hardy (right) was proud of her career

ANNE-MARIE'S FAMILY SLAM THE DEFENDANTS AND THE MoD Emma Norton, lawyer for Liberty who represents Anne-Marie Ellement's family, said: 'Today two soldiers have been acquitted of the rape of the late Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement. The verdict of the court is respected and accepted. It is now more than six years since Anne-Marie reported being raped and it is more than four years since she died. 'The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the police officers that worked so hard  from the RAF Police and Bedfordshire Police  and all the lawyers from the prosecuting team. The commitment and diligence they have shown is something to which all those who report rape ought to be entitled. 'Anne-Marie was entitled to have her allegations investigated while she was still alive. As the judge himself noted in very strong terms, this case should have been heard five years ago. The family welcome the judge's comments about the extremely unpleasant and dishonourable conduct of the defendants. They share the judge's concerns about the culture within the Royal Military Police. 'The history of this case, and how it took six long years for it to come to court, reveals grave deficiencies in the policies and practices of those responsible for investigating sexual offences committed against members of the armed forces. 'Had it not been for the tenacity and strength of Anne-Marie's family and their willingness to challenge the extraordinary reluctance of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the military police and the Army prosecuting authority to investigate the allegations, this case would never have come to court. 'After such a long struggle the family now asks for time to reflect upon the verdict. Above all today their thoughts are with Anne-Marie.' Advertisement

'Anne-Marie was entitled to have her allegations investigated while she was still alive. As the judge himself noted in very strong terms, this case should have been heard five years ago. The family welcome the judge's comments about the extremely unpleasant and dishonourable conduct of the defendants. They share the judge's concerns about the culture within the Royal Military Police.

'The history of this case, and how it took six long years for it to come to court, reveals grave deficiencies in the policies and practices of those responsible for investigating sexual offences committed against members of the armed forces.

'Had it not been for the tenacity and strength of Anne-Marie's family and their willingness to challenge the extraordinary reluctance of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the military police and the Army prosecuting authority to investigate the allegations, this case would never have come to court'.

In a lengthy video interview, Cpl Ellement, then aged 28, said she had not consented to sex with Fulton or Jones.

Fulton, from Chester, told the court Cpl Ellement had consented 'at all times' to having a threesome with him and Jones.

The former soldier admitted he had sworn and shouted at her after they had sex because she was wearing his trousers and refused to take them off.

Jones, from Carmarthenshire, also insisted Cpl Ellement had consented to sex, describing the atmosphere as flirtatious and giggly.

He said Cpl Ellement became unhappy afterwards as he and Fulton planned to go to a nightclub in Sennelager.

A panel of civil servants and senior military officers was not initially told the circumstances of Cpl Ellement's death in 2011, when she was 30.

They were then read a police interview in which Fulton said: 'I am really sorry she killed herself.

'I wish something had been done to help her. I wish she had got the help she needed but it wasn't my responsibility.
A student bar has come under fire for selling a blue, white and red shot called a Paris bomb.

The Sheffield bar, named Paris, refused to back down after advertising the drink on their Instagram account, despite facing a backlash.

The club claimed they sold the drink prior to the terror atrocities which took the lives of 130 people in the French capital in November last year.

Bar managers replied to critics by saying if people did not like it, they should order something else.

A bar in Sheffield, named Paris, has come under fire for selling a blue, white and red shot called a Paris bomb and advertising it on their social media account (pictured)

The original post said: 'The new week is here. Why not try a Paris bomb tonight at Shapes - four for 10.'

One commenter named Dina Cottier said: 'Paris bomb. Really?'

The bar replied: 'Paris bombs have been around for two years but if the name is offending people feel free to suggest name changes.

'A 'bomb shot' or a 'depth charge' is a drink made by mixing two drinks (hence Jagerbomb).

'It has nothing to do with the horrendous events in France. The name was suitable before November 15.

'If you don't like it we serve a wide range of other drinks too.'

Speaking to student newspaper, The Tab, Business management student, Lewis Eyley said: 'It's just disrespectful, I can't believe they haven't changed the name.'

The bar has since deleted the Instagram post but has not responded to a request for comment.

Earlier this month a Starbucks customer in Florida was offended when he received his beverage and the words 'Diabetes Here I come' were labelled on the side.

The store apologised to the man, who claimed the message reminded him of his sister's diabetes, and was working to ensure the incident will not be repeated.
Taxpayers forked out more than 4million to pay foreigners who were unlawfully held in immigration detention centres last year, figures revealed today.

In total the Government has paid out 18million to asylum seekers over the last four years.

The detention centres - also known as immigration removal centres - hold foreign nationals the Government is trying to deport - including failed asylum seekers and foreign prisoners, with around 30,000 people passing through the centres each year.

Taxpayers forked out more than 4million last year to pay foreigners who were unlawfully held in immigration detention centres such as the Colnbrook Immigration Reception centre near Heathrow (pictured)

The taxpayer-funded compensation is paid out if judges determine the Government has detained someone unlawfully.

A high profile case in March saw Gilberto Silva Santos, a Brazilian chef, winning 136,048 in damages at the High Court for false imprisonment and breaches of EU law.

A judge ruled the Home Secretary and her officials treated him in an 'outrageously oppressive and unconstitutional way' after he was unlawfully detained for 154 days in 2012, despite being married to an EU national.

The figures - released by the Home Office after a Freedom of Information request by the BBC - found that 4.46million was paid out in 2011/12, 5million in 2012/13, 4.78million in 2013/14 and 4million in 2014/15.

A separate FOI request found that some individuals are paid up to 155,000 for being wrongly detained in the centres.

The detention centres - also known as immigration removal centres - hold foreign nationals the Government is trying to deport - including failed asylum seekers and foreign prisoners, with around 30,000 people passing through the centres each year. Above, the Dungravel Immigration Removal Centre that lies outside the small village of Strathaven in Scotland

Former Tory children's minister Tim Loughton said the figures - released by the Home Office today - were proof the system was not working as figures showed more than six in ten people who pass through the system return to their community.

He told the BBC: 'These are not prisons, they are places purely to hold people who might be at risk of absconding between getting hold of them and putting them on a plane out of the country.

Former Tory minister Tim Loughton (pictured) said the figures - released by the Home Office today - were proof the system was not working as figures showed at least 60 per cent of people who pass through the system return to their community

'I think many taxpayers would be greatly annoyed and offended that their money is going not only to look after some of these people who should not be in these detention centres, but we're actually having to pay out compensation because the courts have deemed that they've been detained wrongly as well.'

Charities said the UK is the only European country that does not impose a time limit on detention.

Jerome Phelps, director of Detention Action, said: 'Immigration detention is lawful in certain circumstances where the Home Office is intending to deport someone and there's a reasonable prospect of that taking place.

'But what we're seeing is people being detained for months, often for years, long after it becomes apparent that there's no prospect of their deportation actually taking place.'

A Home Office spokeswoman insisted detention was 'an important part of a firm but fair immigration system, helping to ensure that those with no right to remain in the UK are returned to their home country if they will not leave voluntarily'.

She said the Government was committed to treating detainees with respect and proposed reforms after an independent review would lead to a reduction in the number of detainees and the time they spend in detention.

But Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance said the figures not only revealed wasteful government spending but also exposed an affront on individual liberties.

'Taxpayers will rightly be angry that their money is being wasted as a result of avoidable errors by the authorities,' he said.

'Not only is illegal detention an affront to the freedom of those subject to it but the resulting compensation payouts are a drain on Britain's already strained public finances.

'The Home Office and all other bodies involved urgently need to review their processes and do a better job of protecting taxpayers' money.'

Britain's border security must be tightened to keep us safe from terrorists, warn security experts as EU migrants are just 'waved through' checks

Britain's borders must be tightened to keep us safe from terrorists following heightened security fears on the continent, experts warned today.

Former Metropolitan Police commissioners, an independent reviewer of terror laws, an ex-border chief and police boss said controls on EU migrants are inadequate and should be stepped up considerably.

They said the deadly terror attacks on Brussels and Paris must act as a 'wake up call' for the Government, demanding they tighten border procedures to 'make Britons safer'.

Ex-security chiefs called on the Government to 'review security at our borders' - irrespective of the outcome in June's EU referendum.

The security chiefs called on the Government to 'review security at our borders' - irrespective of the outcome in June's EU referendum.

At least one of the terrorists involved in the Brussels attacks travelled to Britain last year, while most of those responsible for the Paris attacks last November were EU nationals, meaning they could have been among the European citizens who were 'waved' through by UK border staff.

They warned that errors made by Brussels authorities before and after last month's attacks meant Britain could not rely on European intelligence and must carry out their own checks on those coming to the UK.

This internal security threat is combined with an influx of more than a million refugees arriving in the EU from warzones in the Middle East and north Africa - often with no checks on their identity.

Today's letter points to a recent report by Frontex, the EU's border force, which warned that terrorists are using the refugee crisis to 'plot atrocities across the continent'.

Today's letter points to a recent report by Frontex, the EU's border force, which warned that terrorists are using the refugee crisis to 'plot atrocities across the continent'

US Secretary of State John Kerry recently warned a similar influx this year could 'destroy Europe'

And US Secretary of State John Kerry recently warned a similar influx this year could 'destroy Europe'.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph today the seven British security experts - including former shadow home secretary David Davis, wrote: 'We would support any new measures to tighten up procedures in order to make Britons safer in an ever more uncertain world.

'These could include better sharing of intelligence about potential extremists from other EU countries, and the maintenance of proportionate communications data provisions necessary to protect Britain from attack.'

Security chiefs said the deadly terror attacks on Brussels and Paris must act as a 'wake up call' for the Government, demanding they tighten border procedures to 'make Britons safer'

At least one of the terrorists involved in the Brussels attacks travelled to Britain last year, while most of those responsible for the Paris attacks last November were EU nationals, meaning they could have been among the European citizens who were 'waved' through by UK border staff

Among the signatories were the former Metropolitan Commissioners Lord Stevens and Sir Paul Stephenson, as well as Lord Carlile, who served as the Government's independent reviewer of terror laws for 10 years.

Peter Higgins, a former UK ports director of immigration, told the newspaper that the Government only had 'restricted control of our borders'.

Warning of the risks posed by the current procedures, he said: 'The controls for EU citizens are pretty minimal. The Border Force glance at your passport and wave you on.
Fears Italy is new main entry point into EU with spike in refugee arrivals

Austria has threatened to reinforce its borders with Italy with the closure of the Balkan routes forcing migrants to use new ways into Europe.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi last week insisted his country was not facing an 'invasion' after a spike in migrant boat crossings from Libya sparked fears it could become the main entry point into Europe.

But this morning, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz warned border controls would be reintroduced if the migrant flow from the south was not drastically reduced.

Dispute: Austria has threatened to reinforce its borders with Italy with the closure of the Balkan routes forcing migrants to use new ways into Europe

Austria angered Rome last week over preliminary construction work at Brenner Pass (pictured) in the Alps to prepare for a possible new influx of migrants coming north from Italy

Kurz said Austria was still very concerned as Europe struggles to contain the worst migrant crisis the continent has known since World War II.

'Look at the figures. Austria received 90,000 migrants last year, close to one percent of the population - in terms of Italy's population that would amount to more than 600,000 people,' Kurz told Italian daily Il Messaggero.

He noted that 154,000 migrants had arrived in Italy in 2015 but that only 83,000 had filed asylum claims - a discrepancy of 71,000.

Austria, seeking to cut this year's arrivals to 37,500, sparked consternation in Rome last week over preliminary construction work at Brenner Pass in the Alps to prepare for a possible new influx of migrants coming north from Italy.

The Brenner Pass is one of the main transport corridors between northern and southern Europe.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi last week insisted his country was not facing an 'invasion' after a spike in migrant boat crossings from Libya sparked fears it could become the main entry point into Europe. Migrants are pictured clinging to an inflatable boat off the Italian island of Lampedusa earlier this week

The Brenner Pass is one of the main transport corridors between northern and southern Europe

The European Union also last week echoed Italy's concern, with European Commission spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud saying the issue would need to be discussed with Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner given the Pass is 'essential for freedom of movement within the European Union.'

Vienna worries that the closure earlier this year of the Balkan trail from Greece towards Austria means a new route across the sea from Libya to Italy and then northwards will open up.

Switzerland revealed its own concern at the crisis, saying it was ready to mobilise up to 2,000 soldiers should migrants continue to arrive.

Swiss federal authorities said they have drawn up separate scenarios ranging from 10,000 arrivals inside a month to a worst case of 30,000 inside a few days.

The latter 'would necessitate army intervention,' the government said.

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz warned border controls would be reintroduced if the migrant flow from the south was not drastically reduced

In a statement the government said it had tasked the defence ministry with putting 2,000 troops on standby for such an eventuality.

The ministry last week said that given the current shifting state of migratory routes 'Switzerland could be faced in the coming weeks or months by an influx of people seeking protection.'

Earlier this week, Italy's Coldiretti agricultural union said the reintroduction of border controls would threaten the movement of 10 billion euros ($11.3 billion) worth of Italian foodstuffs annually.

'We are aware of the historic and logistical importance of this border and we ourselves do not wish to see controls,' Kurz said.
Nicole Mittendorff called in sick on Friday, before she went missing in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia

A Virginia firefighter who has been missing for nearly a week called in sick on the day of her disappearance and downloaded mystery documents onto her cell phone.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Chief Richard Bowers revealed the fact that Nicole Mittendorff called out sick the very day of her disappearance, at a press conference on Wednesday.

Those close to her previously said she is 'extremely dedicated to her job'.

The chief urged the community to continue providing any information they might have on her disappearance to law enforcement.

'We remain hopeful and we continue to pray for Nicole and her family,' Bowers said.

Her family also wrote on Facebook that Nicole downloaded documents onto her cellphone before she went missing and that her wireless provider is now cooperating with the investigation.

Just what the documents include has not yet been revealed.

Search and rescue teams continue to comb the woods of Shenandoah National Park for signs of Nicole, whose car was found abandoned in a parking lot of the park Saturday night.

A vigil has been scheduled for 7:30pm Wednesday night at Fire Station 32.

At a Tuesday press conference, Nicole's husband Steve Mittendorff broke down in tears as he read a statement directed at his wife.

'Sweetheart, I love you. I am praying for you. Im not sure where you are but know that we are all looking for you. And I look forward to your safe return,' he said.

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On Tuesday, her husband Steven broke down in tears as he addressed members of the media about his wife's disappearance

Search and rescue teams have been combing Shenandoah for any signs of Nicole since her car was found parked there on Saturday

It is possible Mittendorf was running in the national park when she vanished, leaving state troopers and U.S. Park Police a huge area of wilderness to trawl

Family say the last time they heard from her was on Wednesday, April 13, by text.

Mittendorff is also an athlete, runs avidly and frequently explores trails to train for triathlons and other events, her family said.

It is possible she was running in the national park when she vanished, leaving state troopers and U.S. Park Police a huge area of wilderness to trawl.

Five trails in the park - Limberlost Trail, Cedar Run Trail, Cedar Run Link Trail,and Crescent Rocks Trail, The Whiteoak Canyon Trail - have been closed as police widen the search.

Police have done ground and air searches for Mittendorff, with the search concentrated near White Oak Canyon Trail, where Mittendorff's car was found, the New York Daily News reported.

Above, Nicole's car that was found parked at the national park Saturday night. Friends and family say she may have been training in the park

Mittendorff's husband Steven has expressed gratitude at the support people have sent since his wife's disappearance

On Monday afternoon, Mittendorff's father Robert Clardy posted on Facebook:

'For all those wonderful people following and offering support for Nicole, thank you. The outpouring is huge and amazing.

'For prayers, please uplift Nicole; however hard it is for us, its harder for her.

'Please also uplift the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and all the agencies searching for Nicole.

'They embody the shepherds and searchers in Luke 15, looking all over to find and return the lost.

'Please let them work uninterrupted and if you see a state trooper, policeman, or fireman speak kindly and thank them.'

Mittendorff is a firefighter and a paramedic in Fairfax County, Virginia. Friends and family knew something was wrong when she didn't show up to her job on Friday

Friends of Mittendorff's said she is 'an extremely caring person' and 'always willing to help others', which is what drew her to a career in public service.

Her loved ones also added that she had always expressed a desire to be a firefighter and that she is an 'extremely outgoing person'.

Shenandoah National Park is only 75 miles from urban Washington DC but is a huge area of wilderness, including wetlands, waterfalls and mountains.

Mrs Mittendorff is described as a white woman with blonde hair and green eyes. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 125 pounds.
Killed himself: David Guest from Berkshire still shared his home with his partner and her daughter, but the couple found it difficult to communicate

A depressed businessman who still lived in the same house as his ex-partner and only communicated with her by text message killed himself after their relationship broke down, an inquest heard today.

David Guest, 40, of Newbury, Berkshire, still shared the home with Barbara Kaye and her daughter, but the couple found it difficult to communicate as he became dominated by his emotional distress.

The project manager with a financial services firm had suffered following the death of both his parents, suffered low self-esteem due to his dyslexia and thought he had made the wrong choice when starting a new job in July 2015.

Miss Kaye found her ex-partner with a knife in him in a bedroom at their home in September last year after returning home from taking her daughter to school. He was pronounced dead at the scene, having stabbed himself.

In a statement read at the inquest in Reading, Ms Kaye described how he had been fun-loving and mischievous when she first moved into his house in August 2014, but he soon changed.

In December 2014 he left his employers and went to America to train with an American company, she said. When he came back he fluctuated between saying he was suicidal and claiming he was okay, to stating he was suicidal and then saying he was OK again.

I was worried he would crash from his high points. He did. He told me I just want to die.

The coroner heard that in May last year, Mr Guest disappeared from work  and it transpired that he had travelled from his home to Kent where he intended to throw himself off a cliff.

Place of death: His partner Barbara Kaye found Mr Guest with a knife in him in a bedroom in their home (in this area of Newbury, Berkshire) last September after returning home from taking her daughter to school

After deciding against it he proclaimed that he would start to value life from now on, but things took a turn for the worse when his employers told him they would not be renewing his contract.

Mr Guest began visiting railways, in one instance spending a whole weekend by the tracks, and considered throwing himself in front of a moving train. He told a friend that he nearly did it.

In July last year Mr Guest began a new job after narrowing down his options to two places of work, but became further depressed after realising he had made the wrong choice, the coroner heard.

A month later his relationship with Miss Kaye deteriorated to the point that they were barely speaking. She said: In August 2015 I began discussing with David selling the house.

I was worried he would crash from his high points. He did. He told me 'I just want to die' Barbara Kaye, partner of David Guest

The relationship was having difficulties at that time. We were living in the same house but we were only communicating by text.

At the end of August, Mr Guest sent his partner a number of worrying texts.

One stated: So close to taking my life this morning. I am in complete despair with things - where to go, where to live, and how to get things sorted out.

After a self-referral, Mr Guest met with a crisis team in September and told community mental health nurse Tichaona Mubaira that he had thoughts about stabbing himself and that the trigger for his episodes was the relationship problem with his partner.

As a result, Mr Guest was declared a high risk of self-harm by Mr Mubaira and consultant psychiatrist Dr James Jeffs, but a recording error meant he was listed as medium on the system.

However, two days later, a multi-disciplinary team meeting deemed him to be of low risk - despite having never met with him before - because of his engagement with the team.

Medical staff tried and failed to get in contact with Mr Guest between September 16 and the date of his death, but because he had been downgraded to low risk an unannounced visit to his home was not scheduled until September 19 - the day after he was found dead.

Following a serious incident review, it was recorded that there was no rationale behind the downgrading to low risk, and Mr Guest had been incorrectly recorded as medium prior to this.

Mr Guest's sister Helen, who attended the inquest, criticised the fact that her brother had been downgraded two risk levels in the space of two days.

She added: I am not saying he could have been saved, I am saying care should have been in place earlier than it was.

Despite taking anti-depressants and undergoing talking therapies, Mr Guest appeared unable to benefit from treatment and was described in one instance as treatment resistant.

Following his death on September 18 last year, a post-mortem examination found superficial abrasions to his neck, suspected to be from the use of the saw but the cause of death was recorded conclusively as a self-inflicted stab wound.

The fact that Ms Kaye was taken by surprise may reflect the fact they were living under the same roof but communicating only by email Berkshire Coroner Peter Bedford

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Berkshire Coroner Peter Bedford said: Events tragically unfolded when Mr Guest's estranged partner took her daughter to school and returned to be taken completely by surprise when she found Mr Guest had deliberately stabbed himself.

The fact that Ms Kaye was taken by surprise may reflect the fact they were living under the same roof but communicating only by email.

David Mark Guest died at his home address from a self-inflicted stab wound. He was under the care of a mental health team for chronic low mood and anxiety and had been treated and prescribed various medications with no apparent benefit.

He was assessed on September 13 or 14 and denied suicidal thoughts. His risk was identified as high but incorrectly recorded as medium, and then downgraded to low without him being seen further.

Subsequent efforts to contact him were not successful. I will record that Mr Guest took his own life while suffering from chronic low mood and anxiety.
Alistair Carmichael was today cleared of breaking Commons rules by leaking an official memo about Nicola Sturgeon's views on the general election after a standards watchdog chief ruled she was powerless to intervene.

Former Liberal Democrat Scotland Secretary admitted authorising a special advisor to leak the memo, which wrongly claimed Ms Sturgeon wanted the Tories to win the general election.

Mr Carmichael's admission prompted Kathryn Hudson, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Office, to launch an inquiry into whether the MPs' code of conduct had been breached.

The investigation into Alistair Carmichael was dropped today after Commons watchdog Kathryn Hudson ruled his leaking of a memo during the election campaign did not fall within her remit

But in a report issued today, Ms Hudson ruled the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the election meant the complaint could not go forward.

The break up of Parliament on March 30 meant Mr Carmichael ceased to be an MP and his aide was no longer employed by the Scotland Office.

She said the fact Mr Carmichael and his aide received the document via the Scotland Office and not Parliament also blocked her ability to act.

Ms Hudson said: 'I have established the conduct which led to my inquiry falls outside my remit. I do not, therefore, make any criticism or, indeed, any other comment on Mr Carmichael's conduct in this affair.

'However, in determining the remit questions that led this my conclusion, a number of issues of more general significance have surfaced and these are described above.'

Mr Carmichael today told the Herald: 'The investigation has been discontinued.

'The commissioner concluded it was not within her remit.

'I'm obviously very pleased it has been sorted in a fashion I always expected it to be.'

Nicola Sturgeon, pictured launching the SNP manifesto in Edinburgh today, denied the contents of the memo when it was leaked just weeks before last year's general election

Mr Carmichael was earlier cleared by an election court after activists in his Orkney and Shetland constituency tried to get his re-election to Parliament thrown out over the row.

The leaked memo between a Scottish Office official and the French consul general suggested Scottish First Minister Ms Sturgeon had told the French ambassador she would prefer David Cameron's Conservatives to win the then upcoming 2015 UK general election.

Ms Hudson said the complaint did not fall within rules on what she was allowed to investigate

Ms Sturgeon, who, along with the ambassador, denied the allegation in the memo, called for Mr Carmichael to resign as an MP after he admitted being behind the leak.

The memo was brought to the Lib Dem minister's attention by his special adviser during a flight between Copenhagen and the Faroe Islands on March 9 last year.

The memo was then given to a journalist from the Daily Telegraph on April 1, with the minister's approval.

When the story became a major incident during the general election campaign, Mr Carmichael initially denied he had any knowledge of the affair until a journalist contacted him about the memo.

Mr Carmichael later admitted he had been involved in the leak, and he was forced to forfeit his severance pay as a minister following a top-level inquiry into the matter.

The Commissioner said she did not have sufficient information from the Cabinet Office to be able to answer questions about Mr Carmichael's role in the matter at the beginning of her inquiry.

'On the same day that I initiated my inquiry, I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary to ask if he might release to me a full copy of the report of the leak inquiry carried out by Cabinet Office officials.

'On June 16 2015, the Cabinet Secretary told me that he did not think it would be appropriate to release a copy of the investigative report,' she said.
Probe: Google is being investigated by the EU's competition chief for demanding that phone makers pre-load its own apps onto Android handsets

Google has been charged with flaunting EU competition law for demanding that phone makers pre-load its own apps onto Android handsets which then cannot be deleted.

The US giant may now face a fine of ten per cent of its annual global sales, amounting to more than 5billion.

The charges are a massive blow to one of the Google's most strategic businesses and could alter a global smartphone sector that is fast taking over traditional PCs as the biggest segment in the world of computing.

Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Silicon Valley giant Google had used practices such as making manufacturers pre-install its market-leading search engine as the default in phones.

'The preliminary conclusions from our investigations is that these practices breach EU competition law,' Vestager, a former Danish economy minister, told a press conference.

She said Brussels believed that 'Google has abused its dominant position', adding: 'We have found that Google pursues an overall strategy on mobile devices to protect and expand its dominant position in Internet search.'

The case is the second attack by the EU against Google after Vestager last year formally charged the company for abusing its dominance of the search engine market in Europe.

Taking both EU cases against Google together, the company risks a fine of 10 per cent of worldwide global sales for one year, which would amount to a $7.4 billion fine (5.14billion) on the basis of 2015 revenues.

In its latest charge sheet, the EU accused Google of obstructing innovation by giving unfair prominence to its own apps, especially its search engine, in deals with mobile manufacturers such as Samsung or Huawei.

The company is also accused of restricting manufacturers from installing rival operating systems based on Android on their phones.

A spokesman for Google has defended the Android system against accusations that it crowded out rivals.

He said: 'Anyone can use Android with or without Google applications.

'Hardware manufacturers and carriers can decide how to use Android and consumers have the last word about which apps they want to use on their devices.'

European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager said she was looking closely at whether the search engine giant was shutting out rivals with its operating system contracts

He added that company remained in discussion with the Vestager team.

Vestager's speech was the biggest signal yet that the European Union will file a formal statement of objections against Google after launching a probe into Android a year ago.

The case against Android would follow a similar one against Google's search engine in which the EU has already formally charged the company for abusing its dominance in Europe, where it controls about 90 per cent of the market.

Android is by far the most used mobile operating system in the world and viewed as crucial to Google's future as customers increasingly rely on smartphones and tablets for their computing needs instead of traditional PCs.

In both cases, Google risks a fine of 10 per cent of worldwide global sales for one year, which would reach about $7.4 billion for 2015.
The father at the centre of 60 Minutes child abduction case has revealed that he dropped the charges because he did not want his children to think he left their mother in jail.

Ali Elamine, 32, agreed a deal for the immediate release of his estranged wife Sally Faulkner from a Lebanese prison after the Brisbane mother agreed to give him full custody of their two children.

Ms Faulkner walked free from jail on Wednesday along with a TV crew and reporter Tara Brown two weeks after the failed bid to kidnap her children from her ex-husband's family on a street in Beirut.

Mr Elamine said the children, Lahela, 5 and Noah, 3, would be living with him in Lebanon - but he insisted that his ex-wife would have access.

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The father at the centre of 60 Minutes child abduction case, Ali Elamine (pictured), has revealed that he dropped the charges because he did not want his children to think he left their mother in jail

Presenter Tara Brown and Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner (front) were pictured walking free from jail in Beirut on Wednesday

Faulkner and Brown in the back of a minivan as they leave Beirut prison after their release

Speaking outside Baabda Central Women's Prison, he said: 'I am glad it's over. She is their mother and I don't want them growing up and thinking 'Daddy had the option of letting Mummy off easily and he didn't.

'At the end of the day it's all for the kids. Down the line the kids might say: 'Why did you keep Mum in jail?' I don't want that upon me. It's for the best.

'It sucks, the whole thing sucks. No one wins here ... I told Sally she can come and go as she wants. She is the mother. The only thing we can do is cooperate to give them a better future.

'They don't know what has been happening these last two weeks ... I couldn't tell them anything.'

He also revealed that he dropped that charges against the 60 Minutes crew because he felt they were not personally responsible for the kidnapping at the southern Beirut bus stop.

'They were just doing their job,' Mr Elamine said.

Mr Elamine said the children, Lahela, 5 and Noah, 3, (pictured with their mother) would be living with him in Lebanon - but he insisted that his ex-wife would have access

Ms Brown (left) flashed a quick smile as she was released from Baabda Central Women's Prison on Wednesday

The 60 Minutes crew including Ms Brown were pictured inside the car with Brisbane mother Ms Faulkner

Mr Elamine, 32, agreed a deal for the immediate release of his estranged wife Sally Faulkner from a Lebanese prison after the Brisbane mother agreed to give him full custody of their two children

'The judge was saying the crew weren't part of the kidnapping on the ground, it still isn't confirmed that they funded it ... And they have families too, they have children,' he said.

'Being a parent away from your children sucks, and that is another reason I want Sally to be out (of jail) because she has a three-month-old baby in Australia she needs to care for ... I don't want to come between them.'

He also said he felt 'a man-to-man kinship' with cameraman Ben Williamson and sound recordist David Ballment, according to The Australian.

'Ben (Williamson) was a bit emotional and the sound recordist too and I put myself in their place: Ben was frustrated because he wasn't seeing his own kids and I felt bad about that,' Mr Elamine said.

Ms Brown, her 60 Minutes crew and Ms Faulkner were released on bail after charges were dropped over the botched child abduction attempt in Beirut.

The Australian reported that Nine bought their freedom with a multi-million dollar payout.

Mr Elamine is thought to have received a payout in the 'low single-digit millions' - but he insisted that he 'did not sign anything, did not get anything'.

The 60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice, Mr Williamson and Mr Ballment were pictured looking weary, but relieved as they sat in a car after being released.

They were seen hugging Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner when they climbed into the car.

Mr Elamine, 32, is believed to have been told about his estranged wife Sally Faulkner's (pictured) arrival in Lebanon as soon as she stepped off the plane

On Monday, 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown is pictured being forced into a police car in handcuffs as she was taken back to a Lebanese jail. She was expected to appear in court but the case was adjourned

Judge Rami Abdullah told reporters the matter would be adjourned until noon on Wednesday

Brown (right) and Sally Faulkner were pictured being led away in handcuffs from the Beirut court after the hearing was postponed

The TV crew are expected to fly home on Wednesday night (Beirut time).

Ms Faulkner has also been released on bail and is expected to remain in Lebanon for another day in order to see her children.

Judge Abdullah said Mr Elamine would bring the children to his chambers on Thursday to see their mother.

Mr Elamine is still pressing charges against Briton Adam Whittington, who was allegedly in charge of the operation, as well as Craig Michael and two Lebanese people involved.

They must remain in the country to face the charges.

Ms Faulkner's lawyer said she has been fighting to get access to her children for nine months.

The lawyer said that Mr Elamine took the two children on a three-week holiday to Lebanon and did not return them as agreed.

The father of the two children, Ali Elamine (above), involved in the 60 Minutes botched child abduction in Lebanon has spoken out, saying 'if the tables were turned I'd be called a terrorist and shot on the spot'

Reporter Tara Brown (pictured) has been detained on kidnapping charges with a 60 Minutes crew that filmed the 'child abduction' of Sally Faulkner's two children in Lebanon on April 7

But an attempt to snatch them from a suburban Beirut street by a 'child recovery team', caught on CCTV, was ultimately unsuccessful.

It has been reported that Mr Elamine cut off communications with Ms Faulkner after discovering emails on the family iPad exposing her plans.

Ms Faulkner's lawyer has claimed that the Brisbane mother sent 150 emails to Mr Elamine which went unanswered.

Fairfax reported that it was this lack of contact which prompted her to hire Adam Whittington's child recovery agency to retrieve her children from Lebanon.

Police were able to track down the 60 Minutes crew, including veteran reporter Tara Brown, after Ms Faulkner sent Mr Elamine a message confirming that the children were safe with her.

The children were taken to a safe house south of Beirut but Ms Faulkner and the recovery team were soon arrested along with the 60 Minutes crew who were filming the operation.

Mr Elamine admitted his children 'probably' wanted to be with their mother but hardened his stance against 60 Minutes

Ms Faulkner's claims her children Noah and Lahela were taken to Lebanon by her estranged husband Ali Elamine (pictured with Noah and Lahela) in 2015 and he refused to bring them back

For the past two weeks, Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner have been held at Baabda Central Women's Prison (pictured)

The prison is a grim, overcrowded block housing mostly murderers and drug dealers with up to 20 women per cell

Sally Faulkner's lawyer has reportedly said she was paid for by the Nine Network and had used money given to her by 60 Minutes to the child recovery agency, Child Abduction Recovery International




This is the shocking moment two thugs bumped fists after launching a fatal attack on the youngest British soldier to serve in Afghanistan, who they murdered in his home town.

Connor Hammond and Liam Laing were both jailed for life today for murdering Dave Curnow, 20, who had survived a six-month deployment to Helmand Province, only to die while on Army leave in Redruth, Cornwall.

Now, chilling CCTV footage has emerged of the moments before the vicious attack, and the pair congratulating each other as the young soldier lay, out of shot, bloodied on the floor.

This is the shocking moment Connor Hammond (green arrow) and Liam Laing (yellow arrow) bumped fists after launching a fatal attack on the youngest British soldier to serve in Afghanistan, who they murdered him in his home town

Connor Hammond and Liam Laing were both jailed for life today. Hammond, 21, was jailed for life and told to serve a minimum of 16 years in jail, while Laing, 21, had previously pleaded guilty to murder, and was told he would serve at least 13-and-a-half years in prison

Hammond, 21, of Redruth had denied murdering Mr Curnow in the early hours of September 20 last year but was found guilty today at Truro Crown Court. He was jailed for life and told to serve a minimum of 16 years in jail.

Liam Laing, 21, of Chacewater, Cornwall had previously pleaded guilty to murder, and was told he would serve at least 13-and-a-half years in prison.

After the case, police said the CCTV footage became a central element of the investigation.

Dave Curnow, 20, who served in the 4th Batallion, The Rifles, survived a six-month deployment to Helmand Province, only to die while on Army leave in Redruth, Cornwall

The moments before the attack. Laing is shown with a yellow arrow, Hammond with a green, Mr Curnow with a blue and a witness with pink

Mr Curnow had been on a night out, but violence erupted after he came across vodka-swigging Hammond and Laing outside of a kebab shop

The video clip also shows Laing and Hammond's handshake, or fist bump, after the brutal attack

The video clip shows Laing, highlighted with a yellow arrow, and Hammond, shown with a green arrow, moments before the first attack on Mr Curnow, who is seen with a blue arrow. The pink arrow relates to a witness.

It also shows Laing and Hammond's handshake, or fist bump, afterwards, and Laing acting out a stamping motion to his friends, after the final attack.

Mr Curnow, who served in the 4th Batallion, The Rifles, had been posted to Afghanistan just days after his 18th birthday in March, 2013, making him one of the youngest soldiers to be deployed there.

He was on leave and enjoying an evening out with his girlfriend, Kay Derry, 20, and some friends, but violence erupted after the victim came across vodka-swigging Hammond and Laing outside of a kebab shop.

The footage shows Laing acting out a stamping motion to his friends, after the final attack

The victim was found unconscious on the ground following the assault at 2.45am. Pictured is Laing, apparently boasting of the attack

During the trial the jury were shown the video that featured Laing appearing to punch, kick and stamp on Mr Curnow, before leaving him for dead.

Hammond admitted punching the soldier after wrongly accusing him of hitting his girlfriend but denied kicking him and said he did not intent to cause Mr Curnow serious injury.

Earlier in the trial, Simon Laws, QC, told the court, the duo had killed Mr Curnow in a 'team effort' of 'unnecessary violence' and they had already started trouble at the Cornish nightclub, The Zone, before their encounter with the victim.

He said: 'It was very much a team effort. Each participated in a joint assault intending to cause David Curnow serious harm and he died as a result.'

The court heard that Dave's jaw was broken in two places and that an examination showed that one of the arteries that supplied blood to his brain was damaged.

Mr Curnow's coffin is carried out of Truro Cathedral by his comrades after his funeral last autumn. He was buried with full military honours

Hammond (left) admitted punching the soldier after wrongly accusing him of hitting his girlfriend but denied kicking him and said he did not intent to serious injury. Laing had previously admitted murdering the soldier

Mr Laws added that 'kicking' could have caused the damage.

The victim was found unconscious on the ground following the assault at 2.45am. He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Cornwall Hospital before being transferred to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth where he died the following day.

Following a week long trial, the jury returned its guilty for Hammond shortly after 2pm today.

After the case, Detective Inspector Ben Beckerleg of Major Crime Investigation Team, said: 'Offences like this are exceedingly rare in this area.

'This was not a case of a fight between young men but rather an unprovoked and cowardly attack by the two defendants upon the victim David Curnow.

'Both defendants carried out a violent, repeated assault that included kicking and punching David while he lay prone on the floor.

The victim's father Michael Curnow, 53, said he worried about his son (pictured) constantly in Afghanistan - but never thought he would lose his life on a street in his local town

'David's family and friends have been extremely dignified throughout the investigation and the police wish to express their up-most condolences for the tragic loss of David.'

After his death, Mr Curnow was given a funeral with full military honours at Truro Cathedral.

The victim's father Michael Curnow, 53, declined to comment after the sentencing, but previously spoke of his son's dreams to serve in the army from the age of 12.

He said he worried about his son constantly in Afghanistan - but never thought he would lose his life on a street in his local town.

He said: 'I thought he would grow out of it, but he never did.

'He just felt he was doing the right thing and joined the army at 16, straight out of school, and was offered a place at Harrogate.

'When he was in Afghanistan I was constantly worried about him.

'While he was out there he got in some fire fights, but his outlook and general balance was very strong and he came back unscathed.
major internet providers will be forced to block the website

Industry leaders who claim piracy websites 'show a complete disrespect for the value of music' are making moves to block Australians from accessing popular networks like Kickass Torrents.

Major music labels Warner, Sony and Universal, along with local company J. Albert & Son filed an injunction in the Federal Court of Australia to have Kickass Torrents and websites like it blocked under the Copyright Act, which was amended to include online infringement in June last year.

The music industry leaders, who hold rights to music freely downloaded on torrent websites, have demanded that major telecommunications companies, like Telstra, Optus and TPG, stop Australians from accessing the illegal networks as their primary purpose is to 'facilitate the infringement of copyright', according to The Age.

Major music labels have filed an injunction in the Federal Court of Australia to have Kickass Torrents and websites like it blocked under the Copyright Act

Websites like Kickass Torrets function similarly to controversial piracy network The Pirate Bay and allow Australians to search for files which are hosted by other users and then shared via 'torrenting'

Jenny Morris, chair of the Australian Performing Right Association, said online infringement is a 'major threat' to the sustainability of Australia's music industry.

'Illegal offshore sites like Kickass Torrents show a complete disrespect for music creators and the value of music,' she told The Age.

Websites like Kickass Torrets function similarly to controversial piracy network, The Pirate Bay, which Foxtel have also moved to stop Australians from accessing.

Kickass users are able to search for files, like television shows or music, that are being hosted by other users. They are then able to download the files from their peers via 'torrenting'.

Major music labels Warner, Sony and Universal, along with local company J. Albert & Son have been involved

The group made their application in the Australian Federal Court, which is expected to be heard in June

If successful, major teleco providers - like Optus, Telstra and TPG - will be forced to block the sites

'Illegal offshore sites like Kickass Torrents show a complete disrespect for music creators and the value of music,' chair of the Australian Performing Right Association Jenny Morris (pictured) said

Legislation passed in June allows copyright holders to make an application to the courts to force internet providers to block access to websites that facilitate copyright infringement.

The first application was made in February by a consortium of major film labels, including Village Roadshows.

Following that Foxtel sought to block access to websites The Pirate Bay and SolarMovie, according to The Age.

A Foxtel spokesperson told the Daily Mail Australia that the television company had applied for a Federal Court injunction to block access to four websites that provide 'unauthorised access to content created by and for Foxtel.'

'These sites enable people to steal shows such as Wentworth, A Place to Call Home and Open Slather, depriving the writers, directors, actors, editors, costume designers and many others of the right to be appropriately rewarded for their creative efforts,' the spokesperson said.

Foxtel, which screens Game of Thrones, has applied to the Federal Court to have four websites blocked

Foxtel have targeted The Pirate Bay which allows users to to easily download illegal content

Foxtel, which has exclusive rights to screen big-name shows like Game of Thrones, as well as Australian programs like Wentworth, targeted The Pirate Bay, which allows users to to easily download illegal content.

While Village Roadshow, which produced movies like The Matrix trilogy, the Ocean's trilogy, and The Great Gatsby, have specifically targeted streaming site SolarMovie.ph.

'Initially we're addressing SolarMovie because they're a particularly vicious bunch of thieves,' Graham Burke, the co-chief executive of Village Roadshow, told the ABC.

'They're making illicit millions with their disgusting advertising. I mean, if your kids go to that website they're encouraged to gamble with no age limit; there's sexual ads there.'

If the court cases are successful, access to piracy sites will likely be blocked by DNS blocking and 'cache poisoning', according to the ABC.

Graham Burke, the co-chief executive of Village Roadshow, called SolarMovie a 'vicious bunch of thieves'

SolarMovie helps internet users watch movies free online by providing links to other streaming content

DNS, which stands for Domain Name System, links website names (like the dailymail.co.uk) to numerical IP addresses.

If a website is on a blocking list, DNS blocking prevents web servers from converting requests to access website names to IP addresses.

Cache poisoning redirects web traffic away from websites by returning an incorrect IP address.

Previous attempts by the government to block websites have gone awry, particularly in 2013 when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission blocked a quarter of a million websites when only one IP address was meant to be targeted, according to reports.

Laurie Patton, chief executive of Internet Australia, said it would be impossible to tackle elusive torrenting websites that constantly change their IP address to avoid detection.

Laurie Patton, chief executive of Internet Australia, said it would be impossible to tackle elusive torrenting websites that constantly change their IP address to avoid detection

'It's called whack-a-mole: you close down one site and it reopens somewhere else, either at a different IP address or with a different name.'

He said internet speeds could decrease while costs to consumers could rise under the site-blocking method.

It is believed Australians who use a virtual private network, or VPN, which hides a users location from their internet provider, will be able to dodge the blocks, while those who use smaller independent providers who have not been named in the injunction will not be affected.

Applications from Foxtel and Village Roadshow will be heard in May, while the application against Kickass Torrets is set for June.
The FBI and NYPD has made 36 gang-related arrests in East Harlem after storming three housing buildings in a series of pre-dawn raids.

The men and women, aged between 19 and 51, are alleged to have been involved in drug trafficking and were part of two heavily armed inner city gangs, CBS New York reported.

Police say they were responsible for sales of crack cocaine, prescription pills and marijuana, while they were also linked to assaults, robberies, and the death of NYPD officer Randolph Holder last year.

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A woman is led from one of the housing estates in Harlem during the predawn raids earlier this week

Soldiers patrol the area following the raids in which 36 people were arrested by the NYPD and FBI

Police said those arrested were members of gangs that were dealing drugs in their communities

The officers swamped the Washington Houses, the Metro North Plaza Houses and the Lexington Houses yesterday morning, according to the New York Post.

A source told the paper the raids were the culmination of a year-long investigation carried out by the two agencies.

Preet Bharara , a U.S. attorney, announced the indictments, stating: 'For far too long, NYCHA residents have had to live with drug dealing and violence as part of their everyday lives,' NBC News reported.

He claimed the alleged gang members sold drugs at schools and hospitals, and 'protected their lucrative businesses with guns and violence'.

Randolph Holder, 33, was killed in the line of duty on October 20 last year as police responded to reports of gunshots fired and an armed man fleeing on a pedestrian overpass in East Harlem.
Hackett has been suffering from uvulitis, condition of inflamed mouth

Olympian seen apparently drunk on a domestic flight when it happened

It comes just days after the he was accused of pinching a man's nipple

Grant Hackett has checked into a hospital just days after he was seen apparently intoxicated on a domestic flight and accused of pinching a man's nipple.

The Olympian admitted himself to a Benowa private hospital on the Gold Coast due to an infected growth on his throat, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Hackett, 35, has reportedly been suffering uvulitis, a condition that leaves the uvula at the back of the mouth inflamed and can be caused by infection or trauma.

The Olympian admitted himself to a Benowa private hospital on the Gold Coast due to an infected growth on his throat

The health drama follows an altercation last weekend when an allegedly intoxicated Hackett pinched the nipple of a man sitting in front of him on a domestic flight

The champion swimmer's manager confirmed to the newspaper that Hackett had been admitted to hospital.

The health drama follows an altercation last weekend when an allegedly intoxicated Hackett pinched the nipple of a man sitting in front of him on a domestic flight.

In a statement issued on Monday, the three-time Olympic gold medallist said he 'seriously and genuinely regret my poor behaviour' as it's understood no charges have yet been laid.

The 35-year-old who allegedly 'smelt of alcohol' during the Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide to Melbourne, was questioned by Federal Police over the altercation on Sunday.

The 35-year-old who allegedly 'smelt of alcohol' during the Virgin Australia flight from Adelaide to Melbourne, was questioned by Federal Police over the altercation on Sunday

Hackett reportedly spent an 'extended period' of time in the toilet during the flight, Seven News reported.

'I have stuffed up more than once and am working on these issues,' Hackett said.

'It is embarrassing to hear and read the consequences of my actions. I apologise unreservedly to the gentleman on the flight. I am trying to make direct contact with him personally.

Hackett reportedly spent an 'extended period' of time in the toilet during the flight

'I know I have to front the media and discuss my actions in a more appropriate and accountable way. I just have to sort a few things first so I can be as frank and open as I need to be.

'I apologise for the inconvenience.'
Theres a new movie currently in the works at Warner Brothers which will pitch two legendary monsters against each other: King Kong and Godzilla.

King Kong, of course, was a gigantic, snorting, chest-beating gorilla which never felt a single shred of empathy for anyone in its life and was viewed, depending on who you ask, as either a rampaging monster or an anti-hero.

Godzilla was a pre-historic, roaring, very strategic, fire-breathing lizard-like cross between a gorilla and a whale which saw itself as a driving force to restore balance to nature wherever that balance is disrupted  saving the world from other monsters in the process.

A perfect analogy, you may think, for the current state of the U.S. presidential race.

It now seems almost certain, after their thumping wins in the New York primary, that Donald Trump will battle Hillary Clinton to be leader of the free world.

New York royalty: Donald Trump, who carried out a fierce campaign in his home state, obliterated his rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich on Tuesday, securing 60 per cent of the vote

The former was depicted on the front page of todays New York Post as King Kong. The latter has for years been dubbed Hillzilla by her enemies.

Now, these two hugely contentious New York beasts are likely to be pitted against each other to scrap it out for the greatest prize of them all.

Its hard to imagine a more deliciously exciting clash.

Nor one that is harder to call, given the revitalised natures of both candidates and their campaigns.

All hail the king: The New York Post's front cover depicted Trump as the gigantic, snorting, chest-beating gorilla seen either as a rampaging monster or an anti-hero, depending on who you ask

Hillzillas had to fight off an email scandal which has constantly threatened to derail if not her jail her, a pumped-up Bernie Sanders, and constant conjecture about her ailing health. But she looks more focused and energised now than Ive seen her for months.

King Don, whose success so far has been built mainly on bombastic inflammatory rhetoric, seems to have finally learned the steely self-discipline necessary to move from candidate to nominee to president.

His New York campaigning was far more measured, calm and strategic than weve seen from him before. As Ive always thought, hes considerably more politically moderate than his mouth sometimes suggests.

Two controversial, much maligned people, then, who are peaking just when it really matters.

Everyone seems to assume that in a straight fight, Hillzilla would comfortably vanquish King Don.

She, after all, has all the political experience, the ground game, and the adored ex president husband.

He, by contrast, has little experience in the political arena and is thus prone to dropping endless clangers  witness his incredibly awkward 7/11 gaffe the other day.

But runaway favourites in presidential races have an unnerving habit of crashing and burning. Just ask Thomas E Dewey, Michael Dukakis or John Kerry. Or even Hillzilla herself, who was already measuring up her old White House curtains when a young upstart named Barack Obama crashed the party.

And I think America could be in for another massive shock come November.

The day King Don entered this race back in June last summer, he was widely mocked by almost everyone in Washington and the U.S. media.

He was branded a pathetic joke who wouldnt last until Christmas as a candidate, and thats if he was lucky.

I took a different view  based on a decade of knowing him on a personal and professional level - and wrote a DailyMail.com column at the time warning it would be very dangerous to underestimate him.

Today, the very same mocking cynics in Washington and the U.S. media have emerged from the wreckage of their collective predictive humiliation to state with equal confidence that King Don hasnt got a hope in hell of beating Hillary in a general election.

Hmmm.

Once again, I urge extreme caution in this gleeful stomping on his supposed impending political grave.

Family affair: Hillary Clinton was joined on stage by her daughter Chelsea, husband Bill and son-in-law Marc Mezvinsky after beating Bernie Sanders in New York; she is almost certain to be the Democratic nominee

Hill-Zilla Resurgence! Now, these two hugely contentious New York beasts are likely to be pitted against each other to scrap it out for the greatest prize of them all

King Dons proven himself to be a brilliant anti-politician, someone who to date has resolutely refused to play by any of the normal rules of engagement in such races.

Hes said and done things which would have killed any other campaign stone dead. But hes got away with them because of the way hes said and done them.

Trump, for better or worse, is his own man and many millions of Americans like that.

Whether its short-term Muslim bans, Mexican walls or John McCains prisoner-of-war record, he says what he thinks, even if others find it offensive, and he hardly ever backs down or apologises.

Hes also very astutely tapped into the genuine fears and concerns of the average American: immigration, terrorism, Wall Street abusing its power at the expense of the little guy.

Its not been pretty, and occasionally hes gone way over the top. But its been undeniably effective.

His inspired slogan Making America Great Again has resonated powerfully from New York to Texas.

At his heart, and this is key to understanding him, King Dons a businessman whos trying to close two deals  one for the Republican nomination, the other for the presidency.

Theyre the two biggest deals hell ever do in his life, but theyre still just deals.

And if theres one thing King Don is good at, its closing a deal.

His book Art of the Deal is one of the biggest selling business tomes in American publishing history.

Hillzilla, by contrast, has proven herself to be very bad at closing deals.

As King Don will doubtless spend the next few months reminding her, she lost a nominee battle to Obama  someone who he will categorise as the worst president in history. Hell also remind us all that her tenure as Secretary of State was irrevocably tarnished by the Benghazi scandal. And that she remains shamelessly in the pocket of bankers like Goldman Sachs.

In King Dons eyes, therefore, Hillzillas a loser and hes a winner.

That could be as difficult a negative tag to dismiss as his crushing taunts that Jeb Bush was as dull as ditchwater and Marco Rubio was too small.

The showdown between King Don and Hillzilla will be brutal, bloody, vicious and utterly compelling.

The TV debates alone will smash all ratings records, and I for one cant wait to watch them.

Id never rule out a Clintons ability to find a way to beat an opponent. But Hillzillas no Bill.
Russia accused the United States on Wednesday of intimidation by sailing a US naval destroyer close to Russia's border in the Baltics and warned that the Russian military would respond with 'all necessary measures' to any future incidents.

Speaking after a meeting between NATO envoys and Russia, their first in almost two years, Moscow's ambassador to NATO said the April 11 maritime incident showed there could be no improvement in ties until the US-led alliance withdrew from Russia's borders.

'This is about attempts to exercise military pressure on Russia,' the envoy, Alexander Grushko, said.

'We will take all necessary measures, precautions, to compensate for these attempts to use military force.'

The altercation comes as Russia increases its patrol of borders using attack submarines.

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Russia accused the United States on Wednesday of intimidation by sailing a US naval destroyer close to Russia's border in the Baltics. Above two Russian planes fly over USS Donald Cook April 12 in the Baltic Sea

Russia Moscow's ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushkos (above) said the maritime incident showed there could be no improvement in ties until the US-led alliance withdrew from Russia's borders

Grushkos said: 'This is about attempts to exercise military pressure on Russia. We will take all necessary measures, precautions, to compensate for these attempts to use military force'

US Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute pressed Russia about the incident, warning it had been dangerous.

The United States has said the guided missile destroyer USS Cook was on routine business near Poland when it was harassed by Russian jets.

'We were in international waters,' a NATO diplomat reported Lute as telling Grushko during the NATO-Russia council meeting.

Last week Secretary of State John Kerry said the Navy ship could have opened fire on the Russian military jets that buzzed around it.

Kerry made the statement in remarks to CNN Espanol in Miami and condemned Russia's actions.

He said that 'under the rules of engagement (it) could have been a shoot-down'.

Despite what officials said was a calm and professional meeting, the public comments highlighted the state of tension that persists between the sides since Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 and its support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

The United States has said the guided missile destroyer USS Cook was on routine business near Poland when it was harassed by Russian jets. Above a Russian helicopter flies low near USS Cook in the Baltic Sea April 12

A NATO diplomat reported US Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute telling Grushko during the NATO-Russia council meeting that 'We were in international waters.' Above a Russian aircraft flies near the USS Cook

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the NATO member states had, during the meeting, rejected Grushko's account of the crisis in eastern Ukraine, where 9,000 people have died since April 2014.

Stoltenberg said while there were 'profound disagreements' over how to handle Europe's security, each side urgently needed to talk more and to use existing rules to reduce military risk.

Stoltenberg suggested revamping a Cold War-era treaty known as the Vienna document, which sets out the rules for large-scale exercises and other military activity, as well as telephone hotlines and other military communication channels.

'We have to use our lines of communication,' he said.

Meanwhile, Russian attack submarines are increasingly patrolling the coasts of Scandinavia and Scotland, the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic.

Adm Mark Ferguson, the US Navy's top commander in Europe, said that patrols had increased by almost 50 per cent in the past year.

Russia's chief concern is NATO's biggest modernization since the Cold War, which is likely to include a military build-up in eastern Europe with a rotating, multinational force in Poland and the Baltics.

NATO says the plans are a proportionate response to Russian aggression following Moscow's annexation of Crimea, and the alliance had no forces in eastern Europe before the Ukraine crisis.

Poland and other NATO members in the Baltics worry about an increase in the Russian military presence in its Kaliningrad enclave, where Russia is positioning longer-range surface-to-air missiles.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (above) suggested revamping a Cold War-era treaty known as the Vienna document

The Vienna document sets out the rules for large-scale exercises and other military activity, as well as telephone hotlines and other military communication channels. Stoltenberg said: 'We have to use our lines of communication'

The session of the NATO-Russia Council, which last met in June 2014, had been called in part to assuage Russia's concerns that it feels threatened by NATO. But core differences clearly remained afterwards.

NATO envoys had expressed concern about Russia's so-called snap exercises, where thousands of Russian troops carry out war games without any prior warning. 'That is clearly destabilizing,' a NATO diplomat said.

Stoltenberg said NATO members had rejected Grushko's description of the crisis in eastern Ukraine as a civil war.

'In the meeting, it was re-confirmed that we disagree on the facts, on the narrative and the responsibilities in and around Ukraine,' Stoltenberg said after the meeting.

'Many allies disagree when Russia tries to portray this as a civil war.

This is Russia destabilizing eastern Ukraine, providing support for the separatists, munitions, funding, equipment and also command and control,' he said.

'So there were profound disagreements,' he said.

Russia denies any direct involvement in eastern Ukraine.
The former governor of the Bank of England has dismissed the Treasury's 'simple minded' assessment of the risks from Brexit.

Lord Mervyn King said the report, which predicted that leaving the EU could cost every houshold 4,300 was an example of the exaggerated rhetoric coming from both sides.

The comments come after the peer's successor at the Bank, Mark Carney, told members of the Lords economic affairs committee the official dossier was based on 'sound' evidence.

Ex-Bank of England governor Lord King

But Lord King said the issues in the referendum battle 'cannot be reduced simply to the simple-minded level of a cost-benefit analysis'.

'One should be very cautious of precise, numerical estimates of what the consequences would be,' he told Bloomberg TV.

He suggested there was unlikely to be a 'dramatic difference' from either staying in the EU or leaving.

'I think it's very important that people should not exaggerate the impact, either of staying in or of leaving,' he added.

The former central bank boss called for a 'calm and reflective debate about the role of Britain in Europe, our relationship with a continent which we have struggled with for several hundred years'.

He is the latest figure to wade into the row over the Treasury report, which claimed the UK economy would shrink by 6% by 2030 if Britain left the EU.

'I do worry that people on both sides treating this as a public relations campaign rather than as a debate on the future of our country are inclined to exaggerate because they feel they are selling a position,' he said.

He added: 'I'm old enough to remember the referendum in Britain in 1975 on exactly the same issue. The one thing that both sides of the argument then were wrong about was that it would make a dramatic difference. It didn't.'

In his House of Lords appearance, Mr Carney warned that the economy is already beginning to suffer from uncertainty over the referendum.

He also cautioned that a Brexit vote could drive up mortgage rates and damage London's position as a key global financial centre.

A Cabinet minister today suggested that nerves over the June 23 referendum are to blame for a rise in unemployment.

Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb said uncertainty among companies and investors was having an 'impact' as he responded to the latest figures.

Unemployment has increased for the first time in almost a year, with the jobless total jumping by 21,000 between December and February to 1.7 million - the first rise since last summer.

The number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits increased by 6,700 in March to 732,100, the first monthly rise since last August.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) also reported that employment increased by 20,000 in the latest quarter to 31.4 million, the smallest rise for almost a year.

Brexit campaign chief's spat with committee chair

The director of the official Brexit campaign has traded blows with a senior MP in a bad-tempered committee appearance.

Treasury Committee chairman Andrew Tyrie accused Dominic Cummings of claiming there would be an 'Aladdin's Cave' of extra funding for public services if the UK left the EU.

But Mr Cummings insisted there would be 'billions' more for the government to spend if we did not have to pay into Brussels coffers or follow bureaucratic regulations.

Vote Leave campaign director Dominic Cummings gives evidence to the Treasury Select Committee today

The session in parliament got off to a stormy start when the Vote leave campaign director apparently told Mr Tyrie on arriving that he might have to cut the hearing short.

And the pair soon cross swords when the cameras started rolling, with Tory MP Mr Tyrie - who has not declared whether he supports UK membership because of his position - asked a series of questions about the figures produced by the Brexit campaign.

Mr Cummings denied any knowledge of a leaflet the chairman said had been distributed direct to hospitals promising to boost NHS spending with funds currently handed to the EU.

Labour MP Wes Streeting revealed the meeting got off to a tetchy start before cameras started

Mr Tyrie also took issue with the claim that 350million a week extra in contributions could be channeled into the health service after leaving.

Mr Cummings admitted that the figures being produced by both sides would not stand up to scrutiny by 'physicists'.

'All of these numbers and all of these statistics on all sides of the campaign ... the methodology behind of this is questionable,' he said.

But he insisted aside from the UK's direct contributions billions of pounds could be freed up through reducing regulation in areas like climate change.

'We could certainly give the NHS a very large proportion of that,' he said.

'But remember there is all the other money we have saved as well.'

Mr Tyrie shot back: 'Billions! This sounds like an Aladdin's Cave to me.'
See more on the Democratic primary at www.dailymail.co.uk/DemPrimary

Sanders still thinks he can win; his team has its eye on Pennsylvania, which votes next Tuesday, and contests in May

the well for the young people and independents he so proudly boasts he's bringing into the fold

Hillary Clinton's campaign has but one request of Bernie Sanders as his candidacy goes into free fall: don't bring the Democratic Party down with you.

Clinton's team is confident that Sanders will not win five states that vote next Tuesday by the margins he'd need to in order to even the score with their candidate.

At worst, the former secretary of state's aides believe the contests will be a 'wash.' If all goes according to plan she'll pad her lead with dozens more pledged delegates.

So the question moving forward 'is not who is going to be the nominee,' Clinton national press secretary Brian Fallon told reporters on Tuesday. It's whether Sanders intends on 'going scorched earth' in the final weeks of the race.

Hillary Clinton's campaign has but one request of Bernie Sanders as his candidacy goes into free fall: don't bring the Democratic Party down with you

The Democratic front-runner's team is concerned about Sanders' sharp attacks this month, not just on Clinton, but on the party apparatus and its allies.

The independent senator who became a Democrat to seek the presidency has skewered Clinton for accepting giant checks from wealthy donors loyal to the party, some of whom operate in industries Clinton has promised to regulate if elected.

And he's repeatedly referred to progressive organizations like Planned Parenthood that have endorsed Clinton as part of the 'establishment' and implied that they're part of what's wrong with the system.

His legal team sent the Democratic National Committee a letter on Monday suggesting impropriety in the way it operates a joint fundraising account with Clinton.

The money-raising entity is not unique, nor was it Clinton's idea. John Kerry and Barack Obama worked hand-in-hand hand with the national party when they ran to simultaneously raise money for themselves and other Democrats.

The same arrangement is available to Sanders, but he elected to go his own way.

His campaign alleged in a fundraising email on Monday that Clinton was 'bending campaign finance rules to their breaking point so Wall Street fat cats' and other wealthy people 'can get away with giving hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single contribution to benefit the Clinton campaign.'

Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, denied that any rules had been broken and told reporters on a call, 'As the race seems to be turning against him he has decided on a new strategy of false attacks like this on Secretary Clinton's character that we think have dangerous implications for the race ahead.'

Mook said that mathematically, it is very 'hard to see how Senator Sanders can possibly be the Democratic nominee.'

'We expect at this point that Secretary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee,' he bluntly stated.

The Sanders campaign can feel the walls closing in. 'That seems to be why they've taken this more negative tone in the race,' Mook assessed.

'And they face a choice moving forward, either they want to continue to run a campaign that consists largely of personal attacks or whether they want to get back to the campaign that they were running that is more based on the issues.'

Fallon told reporters gathered at Clinton's national headquarters in Brooklyn on the day of New York's primary that the argument over the fundraising committee is part of a 'persistent theory' that the Sanders campaign has that the Democratic Party 'is rigged or corrupt.'

'And I think that that message in particularly is poisonous,' the Clinton spokesman said.

Clinton's team is confident that Sanders will not win five states that vote next Tuesday by the margins he'd need to in order to even the score with their candidate and that he won't convince superdelegates to jump ship. She's seen here last night at her victory rally in New York City

Sanders' message to super delegates is that only he can put together a winning coalition in November, he pointed out. The 74-year-old senator has rightly noted that Clinton hasn't had the same appeal to independents and young people as he has. He's pictured above at a Penn State rally last night

Sanders' message to super delegates he wants to jump ship is that only he can put together a winning coalition in November, he pointed out.

The 74-year-old senator has rightly noted that Clinton hasn't had the same appeal to independents and young people as he has.

Fallon said, 'It would be a tremendous disappointment if the ultimate outcome of his campaign was for those people to just fall away because Sanders himself did not emerge as the nominee, as opposed to inspiring those people to channel their energies behind the Democratic nominee.'

'If hes acting like the Democratic Party itself is corrupt and this is not an appropriate vessel,' Fallon said, 'that hurts the goal of trying to expand the reach of the party and build a bigger tent that gives us a winning coalition in the fall.'

Republican front-runner Donald Trump has piggybacked off of Sanders' charges against Clinton, calling her 'crooked Hillary' over the weekend over the money she's received from special interest groups both as a candidate and as a private citizen.

Sanders denied on Monday that his criticisms of Clinton were tantamount to saying she's 'crooked,' too. Yet later that day his campaign blasted the Hillary Victory Fund for 'skirting' the law and said its practices should be investigated.

Clinton's spokesman acknowledged yesterday that he fears Sanders is adding credibility to Republicans' main argument against his candidate, and it will hurt her down the line.

He insisted that the campaign has not tried to backchannel with Sanders to relay that message, though - the campaigns have very little contact at all.

Sanders and his aides rarely call to concede victory, Fallon said, revealing how strained relations are between the two campaigns.

The Vermont senator indicated Tuesday night that he has no intention of leaving the race at this time or dialing down his assaults on Clinton.

He told his supporters this morning in a fundraising email, 'We still have a path to the nomination, and our plan is to win the pledged delegates in this primary.

'Next week five states vote, and there are A LOT of delegates up for grabs. I am going to keep fighting for every vote, for every delegate, because each is a statement of support for the values we share.'

The Democratic front-runner's team is concerned about Sanders' sharp attacks this month, not just on Clinton, but on the party apparatus and its allies, and want him to tone it down

Clinton added another 33 delegates over Sanders to her reserve yesterday with a mammoth win in New York.

Her overall pledged delegate count now rests at 1,428. Sanders is at 1,151.

Neither candidate is likely to reach the finish line with the required 2,382 delegates based on pledged delegates alone.

With the help of the party officials known as superdelegates, one of the candidates could go into the convention with an assured victory, however.

More than two-thirds of them have already committed to Clinton, and none have said publicly are considering switching their allegiance.

For that matter, Sanders would need to beat Clinton by roughly 59 percent in the upcoming states of Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut Delaware and Maryland.

His campaign is looking for a win in Pennsylvania in particular and jumped ahead to the Keystone State yesterday.

A Monmouth University poll released today shows Clinton with a 13-point lead of 52 percent to Sanders' 39 percent.

Even the Clinton campaign expects the polls to tighten. But it wont be enough, Fallon said, to change the outcome of the nomination.

'I don't see an opportunity for him to win by the margin he needs to to be on pace,' he said.

Sanders' manager, Jeff Weaver, said Tuesday night on MSNBC that the campaign's math wasn't based just on Pennsylvania and the other states that vote on April 26.

'We don't have to win all of them,' he said, while admitting that Pennsylvania is now 'very important' to their route.

Weaver claimed the campaign's internal polls are 'much better' than some of the public surveys.

The Vermont senator indicated Tuesday night that he has no intention of leaving the race at this time or dialing down his assaults on Clinton. He told his supporters this morning in a fundraising email, 'We still have a path to the nomination, and our plan is to win the pledged delegates in this primary'

He also contended that once the calendar turns to May and one state votes a week, 'We have the possibility of winning every state in that month, every single week in that month.'

Confronted with the likelihood that Sanders will fall shorter of Clinton in pledged delegates than his campaign is professing, Weaver said, 'I don't think that that's the case, we're going to go to the convention.'

Weaver said the superdelegates will want to flip because 'they are going to want to win in November. and if the polling continues to show that Bernie Sanders is a much stronger candidate.'

Sanders top strategist, Tad Devine, seemed to back off from the Philadelphia or bust strategy in an interview with the Associated Press last night and left the door open for an earlier than anticipated withdrawal from the nomination battle.

'We have to win most of the states. We have to win enough delegates to make up the difference,' he said of the April 26 contests.
A Philadelphia nun who claimed she couldn't remember crashing into a New Jersey building because she had taken a sedative with a glass of altar wine has been convicted of drunk driving.

Washington Township Municipal Court Judge Martin Whitcraft told Sister Kimberly Miller, 41, on Wednesday to pay a $257 fine plus fees, and suspended her license for 90 days.

Miller was arrested in November 2015 after backing into the glass door of a Meinke Auto Repair shop while trying to turn her car around.

Convicted: Sister Kimberly Miller (pictured on April 13), a Philadelphia nun, has been convicted on a DUI charge after backing her car into a New Jersey building in November 2015

The nun, who is a librarian and theology teacher at Little Flower Catholic School in Philadelphia, said she doesn't remember anything before waking up in handcuffs.

That, she claimed, was because she had taken an Ambien with a glass of altar wine earlier in the night to help her sleep.

The judge questioned the credibility of her story, the Philly Voice said, and she admitted to drinking two more glasses of wine earlier in the evening, after a meeting involving a popular writing program that she ran.

That wine, she said, came from the partially drunk bottle in the back of her car.

She also testified that she sleepwalks and has a dissociative disorder, the Voice said.

Police claim that Miller was staggering, and had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes when she left her car, still dressed in her blue habit and black veil.

They also said she had a blood alcohol level of .16, twice the legal driving limit, but the judge threw out that claim on a technicality.

He said that police had failed to observe Sister Miller for 20 continuous minutes as is required by law, as she had left their sight for less than three minutes.

However, he agreed with prosecutors that there was no evidence she had gone to the convent to take the Ambien, NBC reported, and that the prescription was one year old.

He also cited case law that said 'sleep driving' is not a legal defense.

Miller refused to speak to reporters after the conviction, leaving through a back door.

However, her attorney, Jeff Lindy, told NBC: 'She's obviously very upset. She's in tears, she's crying and she's upset because she knows what happened that night.

'I think the conviction doesn't bother her as much as the judge not believing her -- I think that that hurts her.'

Miller has been on administrative leave since the charges were filed.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia spokesman Kenneth Gavin was not immediately available when contacted by Associated Press.
While others criticized saying her kids could be scarred by the experience

Opinion has been divided over the post with some

A reality star and mommy vlogger has branded herself the 'meanest mom ever' after she decided to throw away her children's ice creams for failing to say thank you.

Jaime Primak Sullivan, who features in Bravo's Jersey Belle, had shared her recent trip to Dairy Queen with her three children on Facebook.

The 38-year-old's post on teaching her kids, Charlie, 5, Max, 7 and Olivia, 8, a hard lesson about manners has since gone viral with more than 310,000 likes.

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Jaime Primak Sullivan, who features in Bravo's Jersey Belle, had posted on Facebook about her recent trip to Dairy Queen with her three children, Charlie, 5, Max, 7 and Olivia, 8, (all pictured together)

Sullivan, who lives in Birmingham, Alabama, described how her children had ordered their ice creams but failed to say 'thank you' to the Dairy Queen server or their mom when they arrived.

She said she had followed her kids outside, calmly collected their ice creams and dumped them in a nearby trash can.

'All three launched into mass hysteria,' she said. I waited. Quiet. Calm. When they realized I had something to say, they quieted down.

'I explained that one day, if they were lucky, they would work a job like that young lady. And I would hope that people would see them. Look them in the eye and say thank you.

'We are too old at 8/7/5 to move through our days without exercising manners and honestly basic human decency.

'So today, I am the meanest mom in the world.'

The Facebook post, which has also been shared more than 35,000 times, has divided opinion in the comments.

The 38-year-old's post on teaching her kids, Charlie, 5, Max, 7 and Olivia, 8, a hard lesson about manners has since gone viral with more than 310,000 likes

Sullivan, who lives in Birmingham, Alabama, described how her children had ordered their ice creams but failed to say 'thank you' to the Dairy Queen server or their mom when they arrived

She said she had followed her kids outside, calmly collected their ice creams and dumped them in a nearby trash can

Many parents have praised the 'tough love' approach to teaching manners.

Waitress Jennifer Snow, who said she is often rudely ignored by her customers, thanked Sullivan for 'instilling into your children manners and plain human decency!'

Delaire Harris Tibbetts added: 'I think you're a great mom! I would have done the same thing. Then marched them back inside to apologize.'

But not everyone agreed.

Ronni Kolsky-Prokoff warned that her children may be scarred by the experience.

'I thought that was a bit over the top,' he wrote. 'I would have made them go back in the ice cream place and apologize for not saying thank you.

'They are great kids, and this was quite harsh and this memory will really stay with them, even though I know you were trying to make a point.'

It is not the first time Sullivan, an author, has had her parenting criticized online.

Last year, the mommy vlogger came under fire for posting videos of her children on social media.

Sullivan hit back at her 'mommy shamers' with a powerful essay about parenting in the public eye.

Writing for Yahoo Parenting, Sullivan, also known for her daily CawfeeTawk series, explained just why she is happy to let her three children appear in YouTube videos watched by tens of thousands of people every day.

Last year, the mommy vlogger came under fire for posting videos of her children on social media

Sullivan hit back at her 'mommy shamers' with a powerful essay about parenting in the public eye (her three children pictured with their father)

The 38-year-old vlogger had begun her essay - made as a part of the #NoShameParenting social media campaign - by recounting the moment a fan stormed over to the family while they were enjoying a day out at the pool.

'When she got to me, she took a deep breath and I saw tears fill her eyes,' remembered Jaime. ''I just want you to know that my father is dying - he's dying in hospice right now,' she said. 'And your videos of Charlie are the only thing that make my mother smile.' Then she threw her arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder as she thanked me.'

But the touching moment was instantly marred as Sullivan turned to see her mother-in-law giving her a withering look because she was 'concerned that I'm guilty of 'oversharenting,' or sharing too much about my kids on social media',' the vlogger said.

Sullivan insists the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to her kids' online presence

'The kids are too young as yet to have their own social media accounts and are therefore shielded from the possibility of direct cyber threats' and, she adds: 'Research shows that there is virtually no risk of pedophiles coming to 'get' kids that they've seen online.'

'Most things our children do come with potential risks: We can either put our fear and the potential risks to center stage and allow our lives to be controlled by them, or we can focus on the joys those activities also bring and hope for the best,' she says.

She adds that she is always careful to not embarrass her children on the site, only including them in ways that would be relateable to other mothers. 'And I never post if they ask me not to,' she says, adding that the reason her older children are not seen as often in the videos is because they choose not to be.

Last year, Jaime posted a video confronting 'mommy shamers' who commented on her videos to criticize her about her parenting, and even questioned her love for her older children because of their frequent absence from the videos.

Jaime's response was viewed over 80,000 times, and saw her saying: 'Don't put your shame on my shoulders! No, no. Mothering and parenting is hard enough. I don't want your shame. I won't hold it for you, I will drop it on the floor right at your feet like a ton of bricks.'
Last night spelled a yuuuge win for Donald Trump and an embarrassment for Ted Cruz, who came in third behind John Kasich and even lost one district to Ben Carson, who dropped out.

But the Cruz campaign remains convinced that the Republicans' nominating process will extend into the July convention giving him a chance to win.

'I think it's very, very likely  if not a certainty at this point, that this will be a contested convention,' said Ron Nehring, Cruz's national spokesman, to Fox News Channel's Megyn Kelly.

The Trump people, on the other hand, counter that's not true.

'There's not going to be a second ballot,' said Trump's convention manager Paul Manafort on Hannity last night. 'So it's not going to be an issue.'

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It's gonna be me: The Donald Trump (left) campaign says the candidate will clinch the nomination before this summer's Republican National Convention, something Ted Cruz's (right) folks counter

Donald Trump's convention manager Paul Manafort noted there are several ways for The Donald to lock up the nomination before the Republicans' July convention in Cleveland

'We have several ways to get to 1,237 by early June,' Manafort said.

Trump's win certainly gave him some much-needed momentum after losing to Cruz in Utah and Wisconsin and Cruz's team picking up all of Colorado's delegates through a strategic ground game deployed at a series of party nominating conventions.

But as far as the numbers go, it's a bit more complicated.

'We don't have much of a race anymore,' Trump said during his victory speech last night at Trump Tower in Manhattan. 'Sen. Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated.

Josh Voorhees at Slate crunched the numbers and did find that Cruz would need to win 109 percent of the remaining 620 bound delegates up for grabs in order to secure the nomination  which is mathematically impossible.

Cruz hit that impossibility with Trump's win in New York last night.

But knowing it was coming, the Texas senator's campaign had already solely been focusing on a contested convention strategy.

'Donald Trump does something everyday to alienate even more people, and that's why the Republican Party is absolutely not going to consolidate behind him,' Cruz's spokesman Nehring said last night. 'Donald Trump is trapped in his own brand that he created.'

Nehring also boasted that there's a 'zero chance' Trump will be able to secure a victory at the Republican National Convention if it's contested.

That's not quite right.

Right now, as it stands, with one New York congressional district's tally still out, Trump has 845 delegates.

There are 731 more delegates to be allocated, though only 620 of those will be 'bound' to the candidate who has won a primary or caucus.

When just looking at those bound delegates, Trump will need 63 percent of them to clinch the nomination before Cleveland, which is possible, but an uphill battle.

Right now, Trump is ahead by 20 points in Connecticut, 14 points in Maryland, 28 points in New Jersey and 15 points in Pennsylvania, according to all the most recent polls.

A win in New Jersey could be helpful as that state's delegates are winner-take-all.

A victory in Pennsylvania, where voters head to the polls next week, only ensures the winner 17 delegates of the state's 71.

The remaining delegates, three to a congressional district, have their own names on the ballot, which doesn't show which candidate they're behind.

In previous instances where a serious ground game has been needed, Cruz's team has systematically smothered Trump.

While Manafort talked about sewing up the nomination by early June, before the convention, there's a way Trump could get enough support at a 'contested' convention without the vote going to a second ballot.

If he's within 100 delegates of the nomination, he could find support among the 200 or so unbound delegates that will be milling around.
Chericia died from her injuries and later Brown killed their two infant children and himself after a car chase and shoot out with the police

Dorton, a mother of three, is critically hurt in an Orlando, Florida,

Caroline Dorton, 45, a mother of three, tried to help a woman who had been stabbed in the parking lot of a Chili's in St Mary, Florida, before she was run over by the attacker

A Florida paramedic is in critical condition at a hospital days after being run over while assisting a woman whose husband had just stabbed her.

Caroline Dorton, 45, a firefighter-paramedic since 2009, was having dinner at a Chili's restaurant Sunday night when she heard someone had been stabbed.

According to her colleagues the mother-of-three did what has always come naturally to her - she came to the aid of someone in need.

'She wouldn't hesitate to help anyone in any situation. When she's here she's always willing to help everybody.

'She's always the first person to suggest helping out around here.

'I feel like it was something she would have done no matter where she was,' fellow firefighter-paramedic Brian Jankowski told The Daytona News-Journal on Tuesday.

Dorton had been having a relaxing Sunday off with her fiance when the stabbing happened around 10pm.

Henry Ramone Brown, 30, had hidden in the trunk of his wife's car which was parked outside a Sanford Chilis, in Lake Mary, armed with a knife.

When Chericia Brown, 31, returned to her car, her husband jumped out and stabbed her multiple times, according to police reports.

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Dorton has been a firefighter-paramedic since 2009 and colleagues and friends say she is very compassionate and always tries to help people who are in need of aid

Dorton was dining in this central Florida Chili's when Henry Ramone Brown, 30, stabbed his wife Chericia with a knife. Dorton rushed out and tried to help before being run over by Brown

Brown also ran over his estranged wife Chericia (pictured with their son Henry) on Sunday before killing his children and himself

People ran into the Chili's shouting that a stabbing had happened, causing Dorton's training to kick in.

Outside Dorton found Chericia on the ground, bleeding from stab wounds inflicted on her by her husband.

Ronnie Mitchell was at the Chili's when the attack happened and witnessed the stabbing.

He ran outside, chased Brown in the parking lot and tried to get the attention of an officer who had just arrived on scene.

But Brown was able to get in his car and drove over Chericia, Dorton and a man who was also helping the stabbed woman.

'When he ran them over, it sounded like gunshots, just snapping, and it was horrific. It was horrible,' Mitchell told WFTV.

The unidentified man, believed to be a nurse, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where Dorton was transported to as well, but was later released.

A hospital spokesperson was unable to comment on Dorton's condition on Wednesday.

Friends said this isn't the first time Dorton has tried to help someone in need while off duty.

Orange City Fire Department Lt. Scott DeVito said he has known Dorton since she started with the department in 2009, The Daytona News-Journal reported.

He told the paper: 'She's very compassionate and caring. What she did the other night is absolutely her character.'

Henry Brown (left) is thought to have married Chericia, (right) an operations clerk, in 2012 who gave birth to his son Henry Brown IV that same year

The couple are said to have split in December after a domestic violence incident and records show Chericia claimed Brown had threatened to kill her before

He added that if she sees car accidents while off-duty, she will stop and help.

Brown fled the scene and police say he swapped vehicles before driving to pick up his two children, aged one and four, from a babysitter in Altamonte Springs.

The 30-year-old, who was armed with a gun, then drove to Orlando Regional Medical Center where his wife had been transported after his attack.

He arrived at around 12.20am, in an attempt to find Chericia, but was quickly recognized by police.

Brown opened fire on officers, and hospital security staff, and managed to escape back to his Ford pick-up truck.

After Brown stabbed and ran over his wife, he fled the scene and collected his two young children (pictured) from the babysitter

The 30-year-old then was chased by police as he fled with the children, aged one and four, who he later shot dead

He managed to escape back to his Ford pick-up truck but police chased him and were able to track down Brown on Interstate 4, using 'stop sticks' to disable the vehicle.

When deputies approached the truck, they found the suspect had shot dead his two young children inside the car, before turning the gun on himself.

The Sheriffs Office could not confirm if the father had murdered his children before he arrived at the hospital or afterwards.

The investigation is ongoing.

Henry Brown married Chericia, an operations clerk, in 2012. She gave birth to his son Henry Brown IV that same year.
The Conservative Party today admitted it failed to declare more than 38,000 in hotel bills connected to its battle bus tour at the 2015 general election.

David Cameron's party blamed an 'administrative error' for the problem and denied claims the receipts would have broken local spending limits.

The Tories insist the expenses all related to a national battle bus tour and the amount was not enough to breach national spending limits during the election.

But the Electoral Commission tonight told Channel 4, who exposed the failure to declare the receipts, that bussing in activists to campaign for candidates in a specific constituency should be seen as local spending.

The Conservative Party today blamed an 'administrative error' for a failure to declare 38,000 of hotel bills linked to the tour of 2015 battle bus, pictured in London

Channel 4 said if the money had been declared locally, 24 of 29 constituency campaigns visited by the battle bus would have breached spending limits - in 22 cases in seats won by Tory candidates.

A Conservative spokesman told the programme: 'CCHQ campaigned across the country for the return of a Conservative Government.

'Such campaigning would be part of the national return, not local return, as the Electoral Commission has said.

'As is apparent from our National Return, the Party declared expenditure related to our CCHQ-organised Battlebus.'

The spokesman added: 'However, due to administrative error it omitted to declare the accommodation costs of those using the vehicles.

'This is something we have already brought to the attention of the Electoral Commission in order to amend the return.

'The Party always took the view that our national Battlebus, a highly-publicised campaign activity, was part of the National Return - and we would have no reason not to declare it as such, given that the Party was some millions below the national spending threshold.

'Other political parties ran similar vehicles which visited different Parliamentary constituencies as part of their national campaigning.'

An Electoral Commission spokesman said: 'If activists were being bussed in to particularly campaign for a candidate, then according to the guidance that we provide, a candidate would have had to make a fair and honest assessment of this  and include that in their spending return.'

David Cameron, left in Downing Street today, faces potential embarrassment over the accusations about the battle bus tour pioneered by key aides including Lord Feldman, left in right hand image

The Electoral Commission is already investigating Conservative spending in a series of by-elections in the last Parliament.

Spending on hotel bills for activists during the 2014 by-elections in Newark, Clacton and Rochester & Strood are all being probed.

The investigation will now look into whether the bills counted as campaign spending incurred by the Conservative Party which should have been reported to the Commission.

And it will consider whether spending on the by-elections was reported correctly as part of the party's spending returns for the last European Parliament election and the general election, in accordance with regulations.

Parties are required to report any campaign spending during the so-called "regulated period" before a national election, during which expenditure is capped.

The Newark by-election fell within the regulated period for the 2014 European poll, while the other two by-elections took place during the general election regulated period.
Jeremy Corbyn is recruiting for a new spin doctor but the job advert states the role is 'only' for as long as he remains Labour leader - 'or until December 31, whichever is sooner'.

The advert - which was distributed internally among party staffers - has been described by Labour insiders as 'bizarre' and has sparked speculation about Mr Corbyn's future.

Mr Corbyn already employs two spin doctors - the Guardian journalist Seumas Milne and Kevin Slocombe.

But with parliamentary and assembly elections in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, English local elections and the London mayoral vote next month - followed by June's EU referendum - the Labour leader is beefing up his spin operation.

The new recruit will be paid 41,774.11 a-year and comes with a 1,003 'fixed sum allowance'.

The advertisement - revealed by the Politico website - states that the Labour party is 'looking to recruit to the role of Media Spokesperson for the Leader of the Opposition.'

The role involves 'providing media support, communicating with media outlets and overseeing press and broadcasting media enquiries.'

Jeremy Corbyn already employs two spin doctors - the Guardian journalist Seumas Milne (left) and Kevin Slocombe (right)

A senior Labour party staffer told Politico: 'It basically says the job is only yours until the end of the year  or earlier if Jeremy is sacked. It's completely mental.'

The successful candidate must have knowledge of regional and national broadcast, the 'ability to manage competing priorities' and 'the ability to work proactively with a variety of stakeholders and experience of writing briefing documents and press releases'.

Dan Jarvis - a former soldier - has been tipped as a potential leadership challenger to Corbyn

The deadline is Sunday May 1 but bizarrely the ad states that the job will last 'for the period only that Jeremy Corbyn is the Leader of the Labour party, or until 31st December 2016, whichever is sooner'.

There has been mounting speculation in Westminster over the possibility of a leadership challenge to Mr Corbyn this summer, with a number of high profile names tipped as launching a coup.

Any challenger would need the backing of 50 Labour MPs but moderates fear that it would end in failure so soon into Mr Corbyn's leadership as he would likely be voted back in by Labour members and registered supporters.

Mr Corbyn's allies want to clarify party rules to ensure that the leader automatically gets onto the ballot before the vote goes to the party's membership.

Dan Jarvis - a former soldier who is popular among Labour moderates - delivered a series of wide-ranging speeches earlier this year, which sparked further speculation of a possible coup.

Other names linked to a leadership challenge include one-time leadership candidate Chuka Umunna and Rachel Reeves, while Yvette Cooper or Andy Burnham - who lost out to Mr Corbyn in the leadership election last summer - could also mount a challenge as a 'uniting' candidate.

Anger at the leadership is growing, with Labour MP John Woodcock openly calling for his party to oust Mr Corbyn as leader.
Nick Clegg tonight claimed voting to stay in the EU was the 'patriotic' choice in a sharp rebuke to Brexit campaigners demanding a return of British sovereignty.

Speaking at Princeton University in the US, the former Deputy Prime Minister warned quitting the EU would ruin Britain's 'special relationship' with America.

But Vote Leave tonight branded the former Liberal Democrat leader a 'liar' and said voters would not be influenced by a politician with 'more broken promises than there are Lib Dem MPs left in Parliament'.

Nick Clegg, pictured with Barack Obama in Downing Street while he was deputy prime minister, tonight said staying in the EU was the patriotic choice

In his speech, Mr Clegg argued Britain's relationships with both America and the EU were 'intimately linked'.

He warned: 'The stronger both of those relationships are, the stronger and more successful Britain is. But if one is weakened they both are weakened.'

Mr Clegg, a long-time pro-European who took part in TV debates with Nigel Farage ahead of the last EU Parliament elections, said Vote Leave wanted to return to a 'sentimental, nostalgic vision of Britannia'.

And he said: 'Membership of the European Union is profoundly in our national interest.

'Thats why it is so galling to see the advocates of Brexit cloak themselves in the language of patriotism.

'There is nothing patriotic in seeing your country diminished. Withdrawal and isolation is a betrayal of our national interest.'

Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive of Vote Leave said: 'Nick Clegg lied about tuition fees to get himself into Government six years ago.

'He promised a referendum but then backtracked on it. He used to warn wed disappear off the map if we didnt join the euro.'

Mr Clegg took his pro-EU case into a series of TV debates with Nigel Farage in 2014 but was widely seen as coming of the loser in the contests

Mr Elliott contined: 'Now hes telling us it would be a disaster if we Vote Leave, along with his backers at Goldman Sachs.

'Voters will be in no mood to be lectured by a politician with more broken promises than there are Lib Dem MPs left in Parliament.

We should Vote Leave and take back control of the 350 million the EU takes from UK taxpayers each week.

US President Barack Obama will visit Britain this week and firmly endorse David Cameron's campaign to keep Britain in the EU.
Majority of potential victims were female, with the youngest aged nine

A boy aged just eight was believed to be under threat from forced marriage, new figures reveal (file pic)

A boy aged just eight was believed to be under threat from forced marriage, new figures reveal.

Nearly 40 children under 18 have been deemed to be at risk of forced marriage in West Yorkshire since June 2014.

But only five of the 51 forced marriage cases in the region have led to anyone being prosecuted.

Meanwhile, in the West Midlands, 19 of 31 investigations have resulted in no one being charged.

In most of these cases, a suspect was named but the victim did not support further action or no suspect was named by the victim.

Out of the 67 given a forced marriage protection order in West Yorkshire, the majority of the potential victims were female. The youngest was aged nine.

Detective Superintendent Darren Minton, from West Yorkshire Police, said: 'In these types of cases, the views of the victim are taken seriously as to whether to prosecute and can ultimately be a deciding factor.

'We often see that victims do not want to prosecute their family, but our aim is to make sure the victim has the necessary support and above all, is safe.'

He added that police were working to raise awareness about the issue of forced marriage.

'We are trying to get the message across that, regardless of what someone may have been told by their family, everyone has the right to choose and forcing someone to marry against their will is a crime,' he said.

'It is encouraging that we have seen more people coming forward over the last year to report incidents to us.'

A Cardiff businessman became the first person to be prosecuted under new forced marriage laws in Britain in June 2015.
Michelle Obama had some kind words to say about Hillary Clinton on Wednesday, as she spoke with a group of children at the White House.

The first lady sat down for a question and answer session with children of Executive Office workers on Wednesday, as part of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

When one 14-year-old boy stood up to ask what Mrs Obama's opinions were on the presidential candidate, Mrs Obama put politics aside and appeared to speak from the heart.

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Michelle Obama (left) called Hillary Clinton (right, on Tuesday) a 'phenomenal' and 'impressive' woman on Wednesday, as she spoke to children at the White House

'I think Hillary Clinton is a phenomenal woman and I've gotten to know her and I think she's made some pretty major contributions over the course of her life.

I think Hillary Clinton is a phenomenal woman...and I think she's made some pretty major contributions over the course of her life.

'She's devoted her life to public service - as have many people who are seeking the presidency...Hillary is an impressive woman,' she said.

The youngster also asked Mrs Obama if she would ever follow in Hillary's footsteps and run for president herself.

'I will not do what she has done. I will not run for president. But there are other things I want to do to stay involved with public service,' Mrs Obama added.

The comments come just a week after DailyMail.com revealed details from a new book that paints the fellow first ladies in a frostier light.

Kate Anderson Brower writes in her new book, 'First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies,' that the 2008 presidential primary 'left deep and lasting scars on both the Clinton and the Obama camps, and they are still shockingly fresh.'

When a 14-year-old boy asked Mrs Obama if she had ambitions for running for president herself, the first lady said she did not, but will continue to work in public service in some other capacity

The first lady spoke about Hillary Clinton during a question and answer session with children invited to the White House for Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

Children of Executive Office workers, members of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, children with School Talk and the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency took part in the festivities

Mrs Obama was all hugs as she greeted the smiling schoolchildren at the White House on Wednesday

A child, near a painting of Martha Washington, asks first lady Michelle Obama a question during the annual White House Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day event on Wednesday

While Hillary was Secretary of State under Obama, Mrs Obama reportedly didn't set up any couples dinners at the White House, and she was allegedly hoping Vice President Joe Biden would run in this primary to take down Hillary's second presidential bid.

'When Michelle Obama views the Clintons, I don't want to say she's looking down her nose at them  but she kind of is', a former Obama adviser confided to the author.

'Recent charges of corruption and messy contributions to the Clinton's Global Initiative, the family's $2 billion foundation' have fired up the enmity between both parties.

'It fits into the narrative about the Clintons that they come off as just trying to claw their way towards success and money'.

The first lady has been participating in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day events for several years.

In addition to the children of Executive Office workers, the White House also invites young people from the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, SchoolTalk and the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency to participate in the day.

These students include foster children, youth with disabilities and children who might not have a parent with a job that lets them participate in 'Take Your Kid to Work Day'.

'This is a joint effort between the White House Council on Women and Girls and My Brother's Keeper Initiative to provide additional work-based learning opportunities to young people across the country,' the White House said in a statement.

While Mrs Obama chatted it up with the children at the White House on Wednesday, President Obama was busy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, meeting with the King of the Saudis and other Gulf leaders to discuss stability in the region.




Ms Prokhavtilova, who has now flown to Russia, plans to lodge an appeal

He earns less than the 18,600 threshold required for spouse to stay in UK

A husband will have to live more than 2,000 miles away from his new Russian wife after authorities ruled she could not stay in the UK.

Nelsinio Aquini, 43, from Brighton, earns less than the 18,600 threshold required for spouses to remain in the country, meaning wife Vera Prokhavtilova, 33, has been forced to leave.

The couple, who met online, got married in October last year after Ms Prokhavtilova was granted a six-month tourist visa to come to the UK.

Newlyweds Nelsinio Aquini, 43, and Vera Prokhavtilova, 33, will be forced to live in different countries

Mr Aquini, from Brighton, earns less than the 18,600 threshold required for spouses to remain in the UK

Despite the tourist visa running out in September, she was given permission from the Home Office to remain in Britain to marry Mr Aquini.

But her application to stay permanently was rejected and she was told she must leave within 28 days, or face deportation.

The couple left for Russia yesterday but Mr Aquini, an artist and chef who has lived in England for 16 years, says he has to return home in a week.

He has criticised the Home Office for their decision and said his wife will lodge an appeal from Russia.

Mr Aquini, who is originally from Italy, said: 'This is distressing beyond belief for both of us, and we simply cannot believe that this has happened.

'When I called the Home Office they said that if Vera did not leave the police would come round and arrest her. How could I put my wife in such a position?

The couple, who met online, got married in October after Ms Prokhavtilova was given a six-month tourist visa

'So we have made the decision that she will go back home to her family in Russia and we will lodge an appeal from there. This is the last thing that we wanted.

'We had made plans for our future, we want to be together forever. But now they have split us up - that cannot be right.'

SPOUSE VISA RULES Under UK law, the British spouse must have available funds equivalent to a minimum gross annual income of 18,600. This rises to 22,400 for families with a child. The government says the minimum income rule, which was introduced in July 2012, is to prevent unqualified spouses coming to the UK and becoming dependent on the state. Advertisement

Ms Prokhvatilova added: 'The only words I can use to describe what we are going through are awful, painful, and totally devastating.

'We have done everything we were asked to do.

'We are very happy as a couple and we thought that my application would be approved.

'We knew there would be a wait but we didn't expect this, it is a killer.'

A spokesman for the Home Office confirmed that Ms Prokhvatilova was told to leave the country because of the minimum income rule.

He confirmed that she has the right to appeal once she is back in Russia, her home country.
A baby with a cyst that resembled a second head has survived a high-risk six hour operation to remove the huge growth, which doctors had initially said was untreatable.

Yamanoor Naranal, who is just five-months-old, was born in India with occipital encephalocele - a rare condition in which brain fluid bulges out of the skull bone.

Parents Karriappa Naranal, 35, and his wife Shridevi Naranal, 28, from the village of Tavariyara, in the southern state of Karnataka, were told there was no hope of treatment shortly after their baby's birth.

A baby with a cyst as big as his head has survived a six hour operation to remove the huge growth. Doctors had initially said Yamanoor Naranal's (pictured with his mother Shridevi Naranal) condition was untreatable

Yamanoor, who is just five-months-old, (pictured before the operation) was born in India with occipital encephalocele - a rare condition in which brain fluid bulges out of the skull bone

The baby's parents, from the village of Tavariyara, in the southern state of Karnataka, were initially told there was no hope of treatment for their son (pictured after the successful operation)

The devastated couple visited a government hospital on numerous occasions asking for help, but after they were repeatedly turned away lost hope of their son ever receiving treatment.

When a health care worker suggested the parents taken Yamanoor to a better hospital in Bangalore the parents jumped at the chance - which led to the near-miraculous removal of the cyst after risky surgery.

Mr Naranal, who works as a daily wage labourer on construction sites and earns the equivalent of just 2 a day, said: 'Many doctors told me there was a 90 per cent chance my baby would die if he had surgery. Doctors said not to risk it because successful surgery was impossible.

'But then we got a ray of hope in Bangalore when a doctor said there was a 50-50 chance of survival so we went for it.

Yamanoor was treated at Sapthagiri Hospital, in Bangalore, last month, and after a six hour operation doctors successfully removed his cyst, which measured around 20 cm in diameter.

Dr Hariprakash Chakravarthy, a neurosurgeon at the hospital, said: This condition is born to those mothers who suffer a deficiency of folic acid.

'This deformity is known as occipital encephalocele, and happens when theres a gap between two bones of the skull, and as the skull develops it grows into a bulge filled with fluid.

When a health care worker suggested the parents taken Yamanoor to a better hospital in Bangalore the parents jumped at the chance

Yamanoor was treated at Sapthagiri Hospital, in Bangalore, last month, and after a six hour operation doctors successfully removed his cyst, which measured around 20 cm in diameter

Scans show the extremely large growth on the back of the baby's head, which had grown from birth

We had very low expectation about the success of the surgery since a young baby cannot afford to lose a lot of blood.

'Even a 10 ml to 20 ml loss of blood can cause the heart to stop. When we cut the protruding part of the brain it resulted in some blood loss but thankfully nothing bad happened and the little baby survived.

The baby boy was discharged from hospital four days ago - almost a month after his treatment - and is now at home recovering.

But he will have to have another operation next month and have regualr check-ups, every three months.

Mr Naranal thanked doctors for operating on his son and said: 'Now hes doing fine I am so thankful to that care worker. My son will need a check up every three months but all is well.
The incident occurred on the 17th anniversary of the Columbine shooting

Schools in the city of Clatyon are keeping students indoors, but will finish at the usual time

One person from uni Tweeted that it was a 'drive by,' two people were hit

Helicopter footage shows cops looking at a car with bullet holes in its hood

Cops say they don't yet have a motive, and t he suspect fled in a black SUV

The university was locked down from 1:36pm to 2:45pm

St. Louis's Washington University was locked down Wednesday afternoon after a shooting on Forsyth Boulevard left one person hospitalized and a car seemingly riddled with bullet holes.

Students, staff and faculty of Washington University were urged to find a 'safe place' after the shooting near the Danforth campus's Mallinckrodt Center, with some building barricades against classroom doors.

The victim, a woman who has not been named, was said to have been hit in the arm and has been taken to hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Lockdown: Washington University, St Louis, went into lockdown from 1:36pm to 2:45pm Wednesday after a woman was shot in the arm at a road (pictured) on campus. Her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening

Motive: Helicopter footage showed police inspecting what appeared to be bullet holes in a silver car. No motive has been identified by police, who say the suspect fled in a black SUV

Clayton PD and campus authorities shut down the intersection at Forsyth and S. Big Bend boulevards, Fox 2 reported.

The station's helicopter footage showed police inspecting a silver car with what appeared to be bullet holes in the hood.

Other images from the copter showed police evidence markers on the ground, numbering up to 12.

The University sent an alert to all on campus at 1:36pm telling them to find shelter after a 'person with a weapon' had been spotted.

As the incident unfolded, social media lit up.

'Anyone hear those like ten gunshots at @wustl?' asked @statusfro.

A reply to him from @_nana_booboo said that the shooting was a 'drive by' in which a Cherry Tree worker was hit in the arm.

She later Tweeted that two people were hurt in the incident. Police have not yet confirmed a second victim.

Noah Cohan, a Lecturer in American Culture Studies at the university, barricaded his classroom after the announcement, a Tweet showed.

Barricade: Noah Cohan, a Lecturer in American Culture Studies, Tweeted the barricade he erected in his classroom

'Drive by': @_nana_booboo, who is at the university, said it was a 'drive by'

Two victims: She later claimed that two people were hit. Police have not yet confirmed a second victim

That emergency was then lifted at 2:45pm.

Details on why the shooting took place have still not emerged.

A suspect was reported fleeing the scene in a black SUV, the St- Louis Post-Dispatch said.

As well as the university's lockdown, all schools in the university's town of Clayton also suspended recess and outdoor activity to keep students inside during the incident.

Police notified the schools at 2:30pm that the campuses were in no immediate danger.

Teachers decided to keep the kids indoors anyway but would end school at the usual time, the Post Dispatch said.

The shooting occurred 17 years to the day after the tragic Columbine High School shooting, in which two youths killed 12 students and one teacher in the Colorado town.
A Staten Island man was convicted of sexual abuse after he molested a woman sleeping next to him on a 13-hour flight by rubbing hand lotion all over her body and private parts.

Nadeem Quraishi, 43, was found guilty Wednesday by a federal jury of rubbing down the 25-year-old New Jersey woman when they sat next to each other on an Emirates flight from Dubai to Kennedy Airport last October.

'I'm a very strong believer in karma (so) I'll see him at sentencing,' the victim, identified only by her first name Stephanie, said after the verdict, according to the New York Daily News.

Quraishi, who is married, faces up to 10 to 16 months in prison for the sexual abuse and assault convictions.

But since he is not a U.S. citizen, he could also be deported to Pakistan, where he is a legal resident.

Guilty: Nadeem Quraishi, 43, from Staten Island, was found guilty of sexual contact without consent after he rubbed lotion on a female plane passenger and molested her on a flight last October

The 25-year-old New Jersey woman who was molested by Quraishi while she slept on a 13-hour flight testified Monday that 'I love you, you're pretty' was whispered in her ear by him

She said she woke up and found her body covered in lotion. In court on Monday, she had to identify the dress and the thong underwear she had been wearing as well as the bottle of Nivea lotion (file photo above)

Assistant Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Nomi Berenson had urged for the jury to convict him based on him admitting to the crime to a NYPD detective.

Quraishi said: 'Yes I did that, I used her lotion.'

In a videotaped interview after his arrest that was played for jurors Tuesday in court, Quraishi told authorities that he was hallucinating and thought the woman was his wife.

'I was disturbed,' he told a detective, according to the Daily News account. 'I went into a hallucination state of mind, I was like feeling like I'm traveling with my wife.'

On Monday the woman testified in court about the horrifying incident while having to identify the dress and thong underwear she had been wearing as well as the bottle of Nivea lotion, the Daily News reported.

Stephanie, who had taken an anti-anxiety medication after boarding the plane and fell asleep, said that Quraishi sat in the seat next to her on her right side.

She testified that 'I love you, you're pretty' was whispered in her ear before she woke up. He also asked her if she had 'slept well.'

'My entire body felt sticky. I could smell the lotion,' she testified in Brooklyn Federal Court according to the Daily News. 'I was shocked. My heart dropped into my stomach.'

She immediately got up and went to the bathroom on the plane, where she noticed that her thong had been pushed aside as lotion covered her shoulders, breasts, arms, inner thighs, calves and vagina.

In addition, she said that her 'vaginal area was sore', according to court filings.

When she returned to her seat, the woman asked Quraishi where her lotion was. When the man handed her to bottle, she alerted the crew that something happened to her while she slept.

The court documents stated that when flight attendants asked Quraishi about what happened, he allegedly admitted to rubbing lotion on his fellow passenger's 'arms, shoulders, and legs, and used the lotion in her vaginal area.'

Quraishi, who reportedly managed a Subway eatery, allegedly told the cabin crew he thought the woman 'needed it' and 'enjoyed it.'

She testified in Brooklyn Federal Court on Monday that her entire body felt sticky and that she could smell the lotion. She said: 'I was shocked. My heart dropped into my stomach'

'The defendant also told the flight attendants that he liked it and that it happened to him as a child,' the complaint read.

During the court session on Monday, his defense lawyer Mark Macron questioned Stephanie about the medication she had taken on the flight and how it was possible for his client to rub lotion on her body while she wore a belted dress, was covered by a blanket and had her seat belt on.

However, Gunjon Mangia, a flight attendant working during the flight, testified on the stand that Quraishi admitted that he applied the lotion on the victim's body, the Daily News reported.

'When I asked him why he did such a thing, he said, 'Well, I thought she needed it and she didn't offer any resistance so I thought she enjoyed it,'' Mangia said in court.
A lesbian couple has reportedly been refused the chance to be crowned their Colorado high school's prom junior princesses, despite having received a majority of the votes in a landslide win.

Now some students at Niwot High School in Boulder County are upset as they claim a teacher in charge of the prom committee has objected to letting the two girls win because it is 'not traditional.'

'[The teacher] said that it was untraditional,' sophomore student Zander Born, who is on the school's student council, told KDVR.

'It was untraditional for a lesbian couple to be the prom junior princess and prince.'

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A lesbian couple at Niwot HIgh School (pictured) in Colorado has reportedly been refused the chance to be crowned their school's prom junior princesses, despite having received a majority of the votes

Now some students at the school are upset as they claim a teacher in charge of the prom committee has objected to letting the two girls win because it is 'not traditional'

Born noted that at his school 'it's not a big deal to be gay, lesbian or transgender or bisexual' and that it has a large LGBTQ community, according to the station.

Each year, a prom junior prince and princess are crowned and the winners are determined by a write-in ballot, according to students.

But this year, the students claim the teacher in charge of the prom committee objected because a male and female student are usually crowned, according to KDVR.

A St Vrain Valley School District released a statement saying in part that 'school leadership consulted with the students, empowered them and supported their decision moving forward,' the station reported.

'[The teacher] said that it was untraditional. It was untraditional for a lesbian couple to be the prom junior princess and prince,' sophomore student Zander Born, (picured) who is on the school's student council

'Out of respect for student privacy, we cannot comment further on the specifics of this matter,' executive director for communications for the district, Damon Brown, said in the statement.

Born told KDVR that after the district was questioned, the next day the teacher in charge of the committee said the school might reconsider how it chooses prom royalty and its voting process.

'I think given more time, they definitely would have made the right decision. But it was definitely rash and I don't think they were really prepared for it at all,' Born told KDVR.

However, it remains unclear if the girls, who classmates described as popular students who love each other, will be crowned prom junior princesses.
Tee-total Royal Marine recruit Carlo Nicholson (pictured) told a court martial he was waterboarded with cider as part of a humiliating initiation ceremony which saw others being sexually assaulted

A tee-total Royal Marine recruit told a court martial that he was waterboarded with cider as part of a humiliating initiation ceremony which saw others being forced to sexually assault one another.

Carlo Nicholson, who says he has never drunk alcohol, said after undergoing waterboarding he saw the bottles and recognised the Strongbow labelling.

The alleged waterboarding was part of a series of tasks and punishments which formed an initiation ceremony into 45 Commando, based at Royal Marine Condor, Arbroath, Scotland.

Portsmouth Military Court, Hampshire, today heard Mr Nicholson and other new recruits were made to fight while naked and covered in cooking oil and eat dog food out of a mess tin.

Other tasks included lying in a pool of urine and vomit, run around camp naked and eat lard and dessert spoons of cinnamon, chilli or curry powder.

Mr Nicholson said if he came last in any of the tasks set he was 'reefed' - struck with a leather belt, and then later on in the initiation, with a second implement made of rubber.

The court heard all new recruits took part in the initiation ceremony tasks.

Fiona Edington, defending ex marine Ryan Logan, who is accused of 'reefing' Mr Nicholson when he failed a task and also of waterboarding him, said: 'To confirm you say he hit you with a belt once, and hit you with a new implement three times.

'And he had the bottles of cider when you were waterboarded.'

Mr Nicholson replied: 'Yes, of course. He was standing literally within touching distance standing with two bottles of cider. I could not see through the towel to see who was pouring the liquid.'

He said the large bottle of cider was poured onto a towel on his face by other Marines and when he got up he believed the bottles were 'half empty'.

Mr Nicholson said: 'When I got up from the bench they were half empty, I think their tops were off and they looked like they were empty.

Marine Ian Tennet, 32, left, is accused of subjecting a recruit to a degrading initiation ritual, while ex-Marine Ryan Logan, right, is accused of 'reefing' Mr Nicholson when he failed a task and also of waterboarding him

'I first saw the bottles when the towel was removed and Logan was holding them. They had their tops off and looked light in his hands.

'The bottles were dark brown in colour. It was Strongbow, I could not see the liquid inside the bottles.'

Mr Nicholson, who joined the marines in January 2014, told the court martial had spoken to someone about possibly leaving the corp shortly before the humiliating initiation on May 7, 2014.

He left the marines in December 2014 and told the court the initiation ceremony 'destroyed' his dreams of a military career.

The court heard that prior to the initiation ceremony he had seen a mental health worker in regards to stress.

He said: 'We were discussing ways to pick up my mindset, what would make things better in my mind. We were talking about getting out of the marines. That was their recommendation.'

Marine Ian Tennet, 32, is accused of the ill-treatment of a subordinate, namely Mr Nicholson.

Ex-Marine Logan, 25, is on trial for battery and disgraceful conduct of a cruel kind.

The court heard how during the initiation trial there were four 'strikers' who helped to set up tasks and told new recruits what to do but were not in control of the ceremony.

Mr Nicholson said for the majority of the tasks he could not say which 'striker' was involved.

Mr Nicholson (pictured left), who joined the marines in January 2014, told the court martial had spoken to someone about possibly leaving the corp shortly before the humiliating initiation on May 7, 2014

When asked about the roll mat and finger fighting where recruits were made to fight naked, Mr Nicholson said: 'I would rather be beaten.'

He told the court yesterday: 'As a group we were split into two halves. I was lucky because I was in the roll mat fighting group.

'You roll up a roll mat and put your arm through the centre and then you have to scrap with another bloke. We were on our knees to do that.

'Then the strikers poured cooking oil on us, so it was slippy.'

He added that he was one of the 'lucky' ones as the other group 'had to do a finger fight' which saw them fighting, with the loser being forced to undergo a humiliating sexual assault.

Kathy Bradshaw, defending Marine Tennet, said: 'At any stage did you say to the crowd or your opponent "I do not want to do this" in regards to the roll mat fighting.'

Mr Nicholson answered: 'I said to the bloke who I was fighting I didn't want to do this but you have to when you in that situation, you have to do it.

'He said something back along the lines of "crack on" or something. At the same time he was drunk.'

Mr Nicholson told board members Marine Tennet handed him a spoonful of chilli and cinnamon, which Miss Bradshaw said she did not accept.

Mr Nicholson added: 'I cannot specifically say Tennet put the dog food in my mess tin, but I saw him put it in a tin.

'It was Tennet who gave us stuff to eat, like the lard. I was on my knees after eating dog food and I looked up and saw his face.

'He said something like 'it is time' or 'crack on with that'. I did not tell them I did not want to do it.'

When asked about having to drink liquid from a funnel, Mr Nicholson said: 'I have no idea what was poured in after Ribena.

'At the start it was Ribena. They said 'do not worry' but it was a blend of something, I could not tell you what it was.

'I've never drank alcohol in my life, I am tee-total. I recognised the Ribena just through the taste but nothing else.'

Miss Edington told the court Logan, who is also tee-total, denies waterboarding Mr Nicholson.

She said Mr Nicholson had been reefed only once with a belt by ex-Marine Logan.

The court also heard Mr Nicholson has a claim pending against the Ministry of Defence, on the basis of the initiation ceremony or 'joining run'.

Marine Tennet denies one charge of ill treatment of a subordinate.

Ex Marine Logan denies four counts of battery and one charge of disgraceful conduct of a cruel kind.
The number of refugees granted asylum in Britain soared by 26 per cent last year as the migration crisis engulfed Europe.

A total of 17,920 people were given sanctuary in the UK  or nearly 50 a day. It was up a quarter on the 14,065 who successfully applied for refuge the previous year, and thought to be the highest recorded since 2002.

The increase coincided with a record 1.25million asylum seekers arriving in the EU last year.

Many are fleeing humanitarian disasters in Africa and the Middle East, but others are economic migrants attracted to the UK by lavish benefits, housing and illegal work.

The number of refugees granted asylum in Britain soared by 26 per cent last year as the migration crisis engulfed Europe

The latest rise has also been fuelled by chaos at Calais, where up to 7,000 living in a squalid makeshift camp are making desperate attempts to sneak across the English Channel (migrants pictured attempting to cross to the UK through the Channel Tunnel)

They were able to make their way across the continent unhindered once they had made it to the EUs passport-free Schengen zone.

New figures compiled by the EUs statistical arm Eurostat showed Britain granted protection to the fifth most asylum seekers in the EU.

Only four EU nations  Germany (148,215), Sweden (34,470), Italy (29,630) and France (26,015)  took more.

Spain, one of the most populous countries in the EU with 46 million people, gave asylum to just 1,030 applicants last year and Poland  with a population of 38 million  took just 695.

Ireland took 710 while Portugals figure was 195. Romania, which has a population of 20 million, granted refuge to just 525 people.

In addition the UK also resettled more refugees than any other country in Europe. It accepted 1,864 migrants  1 in 5 of the 8,155 migrants given homes in the EU.

The Government has pledged to resettle 20,000 vulnerable Syrian refugees in Britain by 2020, at a cost more than half a billion pounds.

Campaigners and MPs warned the figures were the tip of the iceberg because more than half of the asylum seekers making it to the EU had yet been given a decision.

Of those arriving in the UK, 2,085 came from conflict-torn Syria  none of them through Government schemes to rescue displaced people from the war. Some 2,470 were from Sudan and 2,385 fleeing persecution in Iran.

New figures compiled by the EUs statistical arm Eurostat showed Britain granted protection to the fifth most asylum seekers in the EU. Only four EU nations  Germany (148,215), Sweden (34,470), Italy (29,630) and France (26,015)  took more

Last year, there were 38,080 applications for asylum, including spouses, children or other family members  almost 50 per cent higher than the 25,870 people who sought refuge in 2014.

Only 47 per cent were granted asylum or alternative protection, meaning nearly six out of ten failed in their claim, including because they were considered economic migrants who came to the UK to work.

However, the number of asylum seekers remained a fraction of the record 84,000 who arrived in the UK in 2002 under Tony Blair.

The latest rise has also been fuelled by chaos at Calais, where up to 7,000 living in a squalid makeshift camp are making desperate attempts to sneak across the English Channel.

It is a blow to David Cameron who vowed to cut net migration to the tens of thousands. It is now 323,000.

The figures will be a fresh concern to the Prime Minister who is facing mounting demands from Tory Eurosceptics to wrest control of Britains borders from the EU.

Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of think-tank MigrationWatch, said: These figures are only the start. The number are certain to continue to build, probably quite quickly, unless we can find a way to stabilise the war in Syria.

A total of 17,920 people were given sanctuary in the UK  or nearly 50 a day. It was up a quarter on the 14,065 who successfully applied for refuge the previous year

Keith Vaz, Labour chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said: This represents a large increase in the number of people granted asylum and is nearly 20 per cent of the Governments own net migration target.

The question has to be asked why so many more people are coming here and why our EU partners are not doing more to ensure those who come via the EU claim asylum in the first country they arrive in.

Overall, EU member states granted protection to more than 333,350 asylum seekers last year, an increase of 72 per cent on the 185,000 the year before.

But the figures highlight how total asylum numbers are already shared unequally across member states.

Eurostat said that since 2008, nearly 1.1million asylum seekers have been granted protection in the EU.

Allan Hogarth, of Amnesty UK, said: These stats have to be placed in the grim context in which they belong.
Presenter Tara Brown, her 60 Minutes crew and Australian mother Sally Faulkner have walked free from a Lebanese jail after the Channel Nine bought their freedom with a $1 million payout.

Brown told 9News she was glad to be going home as the group drove away from the prison.

'I had a chance to say "hi" to [husband] John. I was ordered to call home straight away. But [I have] not [talked to] the kids yet,' the 60 Minutes presenter said.

'I can't wait to speak to them obviously though they have no idea about any of this. It's great to talk to home. It's great to be going home.'

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60 Minutes presenter Tara Brown and Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner (front) were pictured walking free from jail in Beirut on Wednesday

The veteran reporter was pictured walking free from jail two weeks after the botched abduction attempt

The 60 Minutes crew including Ms Brown were pictured inside the car with Brisbane mother Ms Faulkner

Ms Brown (left) flashed a quick smile as she was released from Baabda Central Women's Prison on Wednesday

The TV crew were released on bail after charges were dropped over the botched child abduction attempt in Beirut - but they were warned they could be ordered back to the country.

Wearing a blue and white striped top, Ms Brown, 48, looked calm as she was photographed leaving Baabda Central Women's Prison on Wednesday to join her three freed colleagues in a waiting car.

They have been behind bars for the past two weeks after being involved in a plot to kidnap Ms Faulkner's two children from her estranged Lebanese husband's family on a street in Beirut.

Ms Faulkner's ex-husband Ali Elamine, 32, agreed to drop the charges against the Australians in a court hearing after reaching a deal in which he was awarded full custody.

He told the court that he did not want his children, who will now be living with him in Lebanon, to think that he left their mother in jail.

The Australian reported that Mr Elamine is thought to have received a payout in the 'low single-digit millions'.

Faulkner in the mini van as she leaves the Beirut jail after her release with the 60 Minutes crew

Ms Faulkner's ex-husband Ali Elamine, 32, agreed to drop the charges against the Australians in a court hearing after reaching a deal in which he was awarded full custody

They have been behind bars for the past two weeks after being involved in a plot to kidnap Ms Faulkner's two children from her estranged Lebanese husband's family on a street in Beirut

The freed 60 Minutes team were seen hugging Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner when they climbed into the car

Australian sound recordist David Ballment and cameraman Ben Williamson after their release from jail

A detail of the legal sentence for the case involving the 60 Minutes crew and Faulkner

Brown and her 60 Minutes crew at a Lebanon airport after their release waiting for their flight home

Mr Elamine speaks to journalists outside Beirut court after the Australians' release

The breakthrough came after Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner (pictured) and her estranged husband Ali Elamine reached an agreement which gave him full custody in return for her release

Tara Brown (pictured) has been detained on kidnapping charges with a 60 Minutes crew that filmed the 'child abduction' of Sally Faulkner's two children in Lebanon on April 7

The TV crew were released on bail after charges were dropped over the botched child abduction attempt in Beirut - but they were warned they could be ordered back to the country

Wearing a blue and white striped top, Ms Brown looked calm as she was photographed leaving prison to join her three freed colleagues in a waiting car

Ms Brown could be seen laughing and smiling in the car before the group made their way to the airport

The TV crew are expected to fly home on Wednesday night (Beirut time) and arrive in Australia on Thursday

A member of the 60 minutes television crew was seen embracing Ms Faulkner in the car

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE LEBANON KIDNAP CASE THE MUM, THE TV CREW AND THE KIDNAPPING CASE Brisbane mum Sally Faulkner and a Channel Nine TV crew made up of reporter Tara Brown, producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson and sound recordist David Ballment have walked free from a Beirut jail after the child kidnapping and assault charges against them were dropped. FREED, BUT COULD STILL FACE CHARGES The 60 Minutes crew have already left Lebanon while Faulkner is still in the country for another day to bid farewell to her children. While the Australians are free to leave, they could still be ordered back to the country to face public prosecution charges of kidnapping and being members of a criminal gang if the state decides. A deal was struck in court on Wednesday in which Faulkner gives up custody to gain release but her estranged husband Ali Elamine says she can see the children. Elamine played down reports the Nine Network paid him compensation to drop the charges. WHAT HAPPENED? The Australians spent a fortnight in a Beirut jail after being arrested for a child abduction on April 7. The 60 Minutes crew was filming Faulkner's attempt to recover her children Noah, three, and Lahela, five, from Elamine. Faulkner has spent nine months trying to regain custody of her children, who were taken to Lebanon for a three-week holiday and not returned, she says. Professional agency Child Abduction Recovery International (CARI) was hired to snatch the children. Two of its members, Adam Whittington and Craig Michael, are still facing charges. THE ABDUCTION Security camera footage shows masked men jumping out of a car and snatching the kids from their grandmother and another woman on a Beirut street. The grandmother claims she was hit on the head with a pistol and suffered internal bleeding. THE CHARGES Faulkner faced kidnapping charges. The 60 Minutes crew was accused of hiding information, forming an association with two or more people to commit a crime against a person, kidnapping or holding a minor even with their approval and physical assault. The offences carry penalties of three to 10 years in jail Advertisement

But Mr Elamine insisted that he 'did not sign anything, did not get anything'.

60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson, sound recordist David Ballment were pictured looking weary, but relieved as they sat in a car after being released.

They were seen hugging Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner when they climbed into the car.

The TV crew are expected to fly home on Wednesday night (Beirut time). Photographers on motorbikes were seen following the car as the group made their way to the airport.

Ms Faulkner has also been released on bail and is expected to remain in Lebanon for another day in order to see her children Lahela, 5 and Noah, 3.

Judge Abdullah said Mr Elamine would bring the children to his chambers on Thursday to see their mother.

At a court hearing on Wednesday, Nine secured the release of Ms Faulkner and the TV crew by paying an undisclosed settlement.

Judge Rami Abdullah then told the Baabda Palace of Justice that the TV crew were 'free to leave Lebanon'.

He said they are still facing public prosecution charges of kidnapping and being members of a criminal gang and may be required to return if the prosecution goes ahead.

They could be tried in 'absentia' if they do not return and face being banned from the country.

Nine reported that the crew were 'elated' at the decision and said there were 'tears, hugs and a sense of enormous relief' from their families.

'Everybody is happy,' Nine Network lawyer Kamal Aboudaher said outside court on Wednesday.

The breakthrough came after Mr Elamine agreed a deal with his ex-wife after she conceded to give him full custody of the two children in exchange for her release.

Speaking outside the court, Elamine said his estranged wife can have access to the children.

'I am glad it's over. She is their mother and I don't want them growing up and thinking 'Daddy had the option of letting Mummy off easily and he didn't,' he said.

'It sucks, the whole thing sucks. No one wins here ... I told Sally she can come and go as she wants. She is the mother. The only thing we can do is cooperate to give them a better future.

'They don't know what has been happening these last two weeks ... I couldn't tell them anything.'

Mr Elamine is still pressing charges against Briton Adam Whittington, who was allegedly in charge of the operation, as well as Craig Michael and two Lebanese people involved.

They must remain in the country to face the charges.

Ms Brown was pictured being shoved into a police car on Monday after a court hearing was postponed

Ms Brown was caught in the middle of a frenzy outside a Beirut court earlier this week, but she said it looked worse than it was

Ms Faulkner's estranged husband, Ali Elamine, pictured leaving court on Monday, previously told reporters that he would press charges against everyone 'involved' in the failed abduction attempt

A sealed truck, believed to be transporting Ms Faulkner and Ms Brown, was seen driving towards Baabda Prison For Women on Wednesday

A car carrying the 60 Minutes crew from the jail was surrounded by reporters from other news outlets

The three-man 60 Minutes crew were freed from jail and left waiting in this car for Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner to emerge

He played down reports that the Nine Network paid him compensation to drop the charges.

'I didn't get paid anything, I didn't sign anything, the whole procedure isn't over, the case is still ongoing. We'll find out,' he said.

Mr Elamine also expressed some sympathy for the crew as many of them have children of their own.

'The judge was saying the crew weren't part of the kidnapping on the ground, it still isn't confirmed that they funded it ... And they have families too, they have children,' he said.

'Being a parent away from your children sucks, and that is another reason I want Sally to be out (of jail) because she has a three-month-old baby in Australia she needs to care for ... I don't want to come between them.'

Channel Nine has announced a review into the botched operation to be led by former 60 Minutes boss Gerald Stone.

Nine CEO Hugh Marks sent an email to staff on Thursday outlining the plan.

'Nine will conduct a full review that will be headed by Gerald Stone, with David Hurley and General Counsel Rachel Launders, to ascertain what went wrong and why our systems, designed to protect staff, failed to do so in this case,' said Mr Marks.

'We will task the review with recommending the necessary actions to ensure that none of our colleagues are put in a similar position in the future.'

'It is important to reiterate that at no stage did anyone from Nine or 60 Minutes intend to act in any way that made them susceptible to charges that they breached the law or to become part of the story that is Sally's story.

'But we did become part of the story and we shouldn't have.'

Ms Brown looked as though she was being manhandled when she was led out of Baabda Palace of Justice on Monday

Tara Brown (right) and Sally Faulkner were pictured being led away in handcuffs from the Beirut court after the hearing was postponed on Monday

Sally Faulkner (pictured) travelled to Lebanon to retrieve her children, Noah, three, and Lahela, six

Ali Elamine, said he would not drop the charges against Sally Faulkner because that would mean everyone else would 'get off'

A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was too soon to comment on any conditions attached to the group's release.

'We are please to hear of the news of the release of Ms Faulkner and the four 60 Minutes crew members on bail,' the spokeswoman said in a statement.

'It is premature to comment on how soon the released Australians will be able to depart Lebanon or any conditions attached to their release.'

Mr Elamine and Ms Faulkner are set to meet the judge in his Chambers at 11am (local time) on Thursday.

The father's lawyer Hussein Berjawi said the Mr Elamine dropped the charges against his ex-wife at the request of their two children.

Police push Tara Brown's head down as she is put into a car outside Baabda Court in Beirut

A policeman holds the back of Tara Brown's hair as he puts her into the car on Monday

Lebanese authorities sought to shield Sally Faulkner and Tara Brown, ordering reporters into a stairway before leading them down a hallway out of sight

Tara Brown was pictured being forced into a police car before she was taken back to prison

'It's because she is the mum of his kids,' Mr Berjawi said. 'It's based on the request of the children he will ask for her release.'

On Monday, Mr Elamine admitted that the young children 'want their mum'.

The father also told the judge that he decided to drop the charges against the TV crew because they were 'just doing their job'.

Ms Faulkner and the TV crew were arrested two weeks ago after a child recovery team seized her children from Mr Elamine's family on a Beirut Street.

They have spent the past two weeks behind bars and were facing charges of kidnapping and being members of a criminal gang, which can attract maximum sentences of up to 10 years.

These charges against the TV crew have been dropped, but members of the child recovery agency hired for the operation are believed to still be facing charges.

This means the future is uncertain for Craig Michael and Adam Whittington, who are both part of a child recovery agency.

Ms Faulkner's lawyer Ghassan Moghabghab told AAP that the warring couple negotiated an agreement which could mean Mr Elamine gets full custody.

When Mr Moghabghab was asked whether the deal involved a payment to Mr Elamine, he replied: 'For my part it does not involve money, I don't know about the other party (the Nine Network).'

Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Mr Moghabghab claimed Mr Elamine was holding out for money as part of a deal to ensure Ms Faulkner isn't formally charged with kidnapping

'He is waiting for money. Everything Ali is doing leads to one conclusion, that he is aiming for money,' Moghabghab told News Corp.

Tara Brown was pictured being escorted by police officers from the court in Beirut

Mr Elamine has previously denied claims that he wants compensation, telling reporters that 'money is not an issue'.

Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner made a brief appearance before a judge at the Baabda Palace of Justice on Monday before the hearing was postponed.

Judge Abdullah adjourned the matter so lawyers for Ms Faulkner and Mr Elamine could continue talks.

The lawyers have been discussing custody arrangements for the two young children who were allegedly taken on holiday to Lebanon by their father but not returned to Ms Faulkner as agreed.

Ms Faulkner's lawyer had previously indicated she could drop her claim to custody in exchange for kidnapping charges being dropped.

Mr Elamine said on Monday he was reluctant to drop charges against his former partner if it made it more likely that the 60 Minutes crew, and others involved in the operation, would be freed too.

Ms Faulkner then said she wanted to talk directly with Mr Elamine to help strike a deal.

'I just want to go home and take my kids,' she told News Corp from her jail cell at the Baabda women's prison.

'I am not taking them away from their dad, I don't want to do what he did, and I want him to be part of the kids' lives.'

Ms Brown also insisted that the dramatic pictures of her leaving court in handcuffs on Monday and being shoved into a police car 'looked much worse than it was'.

'It looked much worse than it was,' Ms Brown told News Corp as both women spoke from inside the Baabda women's prison.

Mr Elamine admitted his children 'probably' wanted to be with their mother but hardened his stance against 60 Minutes

Adam Whittington, (pictured) the chief planner of the 60 Minutes botched 'child abduction' in Lebanon, said on Sunday that he can prove Channel Nine paid him more than $115,000 for the snatch

'They were trying to protect me from the cameras, it might have been easier for me to turn my head.'

Ms Faulkner added: 'We were laughing in the car, all we wanted to do was not get her photo taken.'

It was the first time Ms Brown was pictured since her arrest on April 7 over the attempt to snatch back Ms Faulkner's children, Lahela, 5, and Noah, 3, from their father's family on a Beirut street.

She laughed off claims that she had a blow dry before her brief court appearance, saying: 'I don't even have my hairbrush in here.'

But the 60 Minutes reporter insisted that she was being treated 'extremely well' and that all the women in the prison are generous and kind.

Ms Brown was careful not to divulge any information about court proceedings because she did not want to 'jeopardise' the situation.

Ms Faulkner issued an emotional appeal to her ex-husband after becoming distressed when she heard that he said their children wanted to see her.

She said that she did not want to take the children away from their father and that she wants him to be part of their lives.

A prison van believed to be carrying those accused of the botched kidnapping attempt in Lebanon arrived at Beirut's Baabda court on Monday

Ms Faulkner's claims her children Noah and Lahela were taken to Lebanon by her estranged husband Ali Elamine (pictured with Noah and Lahela) in 2015 and he refused to bring them back

Ghassan Mughaghab (pictured), the lawyer for Brisbane woman Sally Faulkner, said negotiations between Mr Elamine and Ms Faulkner had broken down

'I am not spiteful, I acted out of desperation,' the Brisbane mother told News Corp.

'They have had the best of us, now they have the worst of us.'

She said she was concerned that Mr Elamine may be getting influenced by his family.

Ms Faulkner's lawyer said she has been fighting to get access to her children for nine months.

The lawyer said that Mr Elamine took the two children on a three-week holiday to Lebanon and did not return them as agreed.

But an attempt to snatch them from a suburban Beirut street by a 'child recovery team', caught on CCTV, was ultimately unsuccessful.

The children were returned to their father and the 60 Minutes team were arrested.

Craig Michael and Adam Whittington, believed to be members of the child recovery agency hired for the operation, were also arrested.

Whittington claims he has receipts showing that Nine made online payments totalling $115,000 to him for the planning of the operation and recovery of the children.

'It was direct from Channel Nine, it was from their accounts department and they paid it in two instalments,' he told The Australian.

Nine has refused to comment.

For the past two weeks, Ms Brown and Ms Faulkner have been held at Baabda Central Women's Prison (pictured)

The prison is a grim, overcrowded block housing mostly murderers and drug dealers with up to 20 women per cell

'It will help everybody, I think. It will help everybody': Ms Faulkner's lawyer says that if Mr Elamine drops the personal kidnapping charges against her, it will have a favourable flow-on effect for the whole team

Sally Faulkner's lawyer has reportedly said she was paid for by the Nine Network and had used money given to her by 60 Minutes to the child recovery agency, Child Abduction Recovery International

Veteran journalist Stephen Rice (left), David Ballment (centre) and Benjamin Williamson (right) are also in custody in Lebanon

Ms Faulkner told The Australian on Friday she was doing well behind bars.

'Please tell my mum and dad how well I am and also [husband] Brendan and my in-laws,' she said. Ms Brown is also behind bars at the prison.

'I am fine but my loved ones need to know that.'

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told The Project that she is in 'constant contact' with Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil regarding the case.

CCTV footage supplied by Lebanese authorities appeared to show the bungled kidnapping earlier this week

The breakthrough came after Mr Elamine agreed a deal with his ex-wife after she conceded to give him full custody of the two children in exchange for her release.

Speaking outside the court, Elamine said his estranged wife can have access to the children.

'I am glad it's over. She is their mother and I don't want them growing up and thinking 'Daddy had the option of letting Mummy off easily and he didn't,' he said.

'It sucks, the whole thing sucks. No one wins here ... I told Sally she can come and go as she wants. She is the mother. The only thing we can do is cooperate to give them a better future.

'They don't know what has been happening these last two weeks ... I couldn't tell them anything.'

Mr Elamine is still pressing charges against Briton Adam Whittington, who was allegedly in charge of the operation, as well as Craig Michael and two Lebanese people involved.
See more on the Democratic primary at www.dailymail.co.uk/DemPrimary

counties that did him in

The Brooklyn-born lawmaker won all but 13 of New York's 62 counties - it was the New York City boroughs and

Hillary Clinton squashed Bernie Sanders in New York yesterday with an impressive 15 percent margin of victory.

The former New York senator won 1,054,083 votes to Sanders' 763,469, the best available tally shows.

And yet, Sanders did not do as poorly in the state as the numbers suggest. The Brooklyn-born lawmaker won all but 13 of New York's 62 counties.

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Hillary Clinton squashed Bernie Sanders in New York yesterday with an impressive 15 percent margin of victory. The former New York senator won 1,054,083 votes to Sanders' 763,469, the best available tally shows

And yet, Sanders did not do as poorly in the state as the numbers suggest. The Brooklyn-born lawmaker won all but 13 of New York's 62 counties

The map for Sanders was reminiscent of the 2012 presidential election when country was a sea of red for Mitt Romney except for the major city centers that made Barack Obama the victor

For Sanders, it was likewise New York City and the surrounding counties, including Westchester, where Clinton owns a home, that did him in

The map for Sanders was reminiscent of the 2012 presidential election when country was a sea of red for Mitt Romney except for the major city centers that made Barack Obama the victor.

For Sanders, it was likewise New York City and the surrounding counties, including Westchester, where Clinton owns a home, that did him in.

Sanders lost all five boroughs, though he put up a good fight in Queens and Staten Island.

He had strong support in Long Island City, where he held his final rally on the eve of the election, and Astoria, data collected by the New York Times indicates.

But the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood that both candidates had offices went solidly for Clinton

A close look at the map shows Sanders lost his old stomping ground in the Madison neighborhood, where his family lived in an apartment on 26th Street during his formative years, but did well in the nearby Marine Park.

In no neighborhood in NYC metropolitan did Sanders break 64 percent, indicating just how strong Clinton's support was in the sprawling city.

By comparison, Clinton's top-performing neighborhood - the upper east side - gave her 80 percent of its votes.

She also ran strong in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn boroughs in general.

It wasn't just the NYC area that cost Sanders the election, though.

He also fell short in the counties that contain populous cities of Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.
A New York socialite says she didn't notice that a Picasso painting valued at $1million had disappeared from her home for seven years until she discovered it was for sale in a Miami art gallery.

Court papers filed by billionaire Manhattan socialite Wilma 'Billie' Tisch, 88, say that she last saw the 1928 painting, titled 'Tete,' in December 2009, when it was being valued by Christie's in her Manhattan apartment.

Tisch, who has a net worth of $1.41 billion, only noticed it was missing this month, the New York Post reported.

Lost: Wilma Tisch (left, pictured with son Thomas), who is worth $1.41billion, realized her $1million Picasso painting 'Tete' (right) had vanished this month - after last seeing it in December 2009

When she searched for the 14-inch-by-7-inch canvas, which depicts Picasso's mistress Marie-Therese Walter, Tisch discovered that it was now in a Miami art gallery owned by Kenneth Hendel.

The painting had been put up for auction by Sotheby's in 2013 but was never sold

According to the auction house's catalog, Laurence Tisch - Wilma Tisch's husband - had sold it to a private collector, Mahmoud Antar of Miami, before dying in 2003.

The catalog doesn't say when exactly it was transferred, but Antar then sold the painting to gallery owner Kenneth Hendel for $500,000.

Now Tisch, who says she has no record of the sale, is suing Hendel, an established Warhol dealer who told the Post he had checked a stolen property registry and read police reports before buying the painting.

'Im an innocent bystander,' he told the paper, adding: 'When is too rich too rich to not notice youre missing a Picasso for 10 years?'

Tisch is trying to stop Hendel from moving or selling the piece, but Hendel says he'd already moved it to a secure location.

The painting was given to Laurence Tisch by the artist in 1965.

Tisch also owns a larger work by Picasso titled 'Femme assise' ('Woman Sitting'), which was valued at $2.5 million in 2009.

The Tisch family owns the Loews holding corporation and have a total value of $21billion. Their wealth comes from two Brooklyn brothers, Bob and Larry Tisch, who invested heavily in hotels in the mid-1990s.
See more news on Obama as he is to meet legalization lobbyists at www.dailymail.co.uk/obama

In states such as Minnesota where the drug is not legal,

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Members of Obama's administration will hold a meeting with marijuana activists on Monday, it was announced on Wednesday, or '4/20,' which is widely known as a day to celebrate marijuana and stoner culture.

An organization created in 2013 that is pushing for the legalization of pot in the District of Columbia, DCMJ, will meet with an unnamed political aid after being denied meetings two times before, according to the Huffington Post.

'DCMJ appreciates greatly the invitation by the Obama administration to begin an educated and passionate dialogue into the need to remove cannabis from the list of Schedule One drugs,' DCMJ co-founder Adam Eidinger said in a statement.

Corey Coka smokes marijuana during the annual 4/20 marijuana gathering at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. Fans of the drug have long marked April 20 as a day to enjoy pot, especially at 4:20 p.m.

That's not fog! The Obama administration announced on Wednesday that they plan to meet with marijuana activists next week Pictured here are revelers in Canada blowing smoke into the air

Smoking up: People gather to smoke marijuana during the '420 Toronto' rally in Toronto on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Scores also gathered in the U.S. to celebrate the holiday

A woman exhales while smoking marijuana during the annual 420 marijuana rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, in Canada on Wednesday. Pot has been legal in Canada for medical use since 2001

Destiny Sneed smokes marijuana during the annual 4/20 marijuana gathering at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Public consumption remains illegal under the state's recreational pot law, which was passed in 2012

Legal fun: Jerry Ludke sells weed necklaces during the 420 celebration at Civic Center Park in Denver where recreational marijuana is legal.

Califonria blazing: Shane Kinoshita from San Francisco smokes marijuana in Golden Gate Park in the area unofficially known as 'Hippy Hill' in San Francisco on Wednesday

Sebastian Rosales from Richmond, Calif., smokes in Golden Gate Park. People descended on the park to smoke pot for the annual 4/20 celebration, in what may be the last year marijuana is illegal in California

'Thanks to Schedule One of the Controlled Substances Act, Americans, especially people of color, are needlessly incarcerated, and critical medical research into the healing properties of cannabis is placed on hold for no good reason,' he added.

In October 2014, press secretary Josh Earnest said that Obama's policy on marijuana would not change. Obama has said in the past that he believes marijuana legalization should be in the hands of the states.

'The position of my administration has been that we still have federal laws that classify marijuana as an illegal substance, but were not going to spend a lot of resources trying to turn back decisions that have been made at the state level on this issue,' Obama said of marijuana legalization last year. 'My suspicion is that youre gonna see other states start looking at this.'

A woman smokes marijuana during the annual 4/20 marijuana gathering at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. Public consumption of the drug is not legal in Denver but she joined a crowd of people smoking the substance

Lots of laughs: Ilana Glazer, Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs of Comedy Central's 'Time Traveling Bong' celebrate 4/20 at Chelsea Plaza on April 20, 2016 in New York City

Jade Seitz, from South Lake Tahoe, Calif., hula hoops in Golden Gate Park. her leggings are adorned with marijuana leaves in celebration of 4/20 on which people enjoy smoking pot

Fighting for pot: Protestors gather in front of Christ Lutheran Church neat the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, April 20, 2016 for a rally held at the at the state Capitol and also at the nearby church

Eidinger said he'll use the Monday's meeting to encourage the White House to host a summit on cannabis before Obama leaves office and that he'll also ask the White House to put cannabis under the interstate commerce clause as well as legalize personal cultivation of the drug.

DCMJ's other co-founder Nikolas Schiller who will be present at the meeting said that he will try to convince the Obama administration that pot should not be in the same category as deadly drugs under the Controlled Substances Act since it also has 'medical purposes.'

Scores of people across America donned drug paraphernalia and took a puff on some weed on Wednesday in states where the increasingly decriminalized drug is legal.

Natalie Rice, left, and Lee Rice, right, are married by Locq Fortune beneath a canopy of faux marijuana plants during a ceremony at the Cannabis Chapel, on Wednesday in Las Vegas. Natalie and Lee Rice were the first couple to marry at the marijuana themed chapel

Gannon Castner, right, helps a customer at the Harvest Medical Marijuana Dispensary in San Francisco. Obama's administration announced it will be meeting with marijuana activists next week

A screen shows different strains of marijuana for sale at Blum in Las Vegas. members of the DCMJ group will be with an unnamed political aid on Monday to push for marijuana legalization

Thousands descended on San Francisco's Golden Gate Park to smoke pot for the annual 4/20 celebration, in what may be the last year marijuana is illegal in California.

Fans of the drug have long marked April 20 as a day to roll weed or munch on pot-laced brownies  especially at 4:20 p.m.  and call for increased legal access to it.

Crowds with gather in states with legal recreational pot and those where voters and lawmakers are considering it.

In California, this year's unofficial pot holiday could be the last that users have to call for legalization, with an initiative expected on the November ballot. The drug's use for medical purposes got approved in 1996.

Voters in Nevada, Arizona and Massachusetts also are expected to consider marijuana legalization measures. And the Vermont Legislature is discussing a proposal to legalize the possession of up to 1 ounce.

A flag with pot leafs on it hangs at Civic Center Park in Denver, on April 20. Obama in the past said he believes that the legalization of marijuana should be up to the states

Customers buy products at the Harvest Medical Marijuana Dispensary in San Francisco on Wednesday. Activists argue pot should not be in the same category as deadly drugs since it has medical purposes

Recreational use already is legal in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

Protestors gathered in front of a Christ Lutheran Church neat the Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota on Wednesday for a rally held at the at the state Capitol and also at the nearby church involving several of Minnesota's pro-cannabis groups who marched and rallied to end cannabis prohibition in Minnesota.

The 4/20 pot holiday that some say has its roots in the San Francisco Bay Area will bring more police, park rangers and other officials this year to make sure it's safe for the 15,000 revelers expected to flood the park's Hippie Hill, Board of Supervisors President London Breed said.

'Because we, as a city, welcome folks from all over the world, we are doing everything we can within our capacity to keep the community as safe and as clean as possible,' Breed told the San Francisco Examiner.

The unsanctioned event costs the city between $80,000 and $100,000 per year because agencies are called in to help ensure safety, control heavy traffic and collect trash.

Crews have cleaned up more than 5 tons of trash in previous years, Breed said.

The origins of the number 420 as a code for marijuana are murky. Some say 420 was once used by Southern California police to denote marijuana use.

But others say the number became a code in the 1970s among high school students in San Rafael, north of San Francisco, who used it as a meeting time to gather to smoke marijuana after school.

Voices: Protestors stand outside Christ Lutheran Church after marching to a rally at the state Capitol.The rally involved several of Minnesota's pro-cannabis groups who marched and rallied to end cannabis prohibition

Costumes: Andy Schuler wears a costume for a protest and rally near the Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., to end cannabis prohibition in Minnesota

Luke Heime talks with construction workers over their lunch break as the rally to legalize marijuana begins near the state Capitol in Minnesota where marijuana is not legal
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It is a portrait not only of a monarch, but of a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother too.

Taken by renowned American photographer Annie Leibovitz at Windsor Castle last month, this remarkable picture  which, in its lighting and composition, echoes the great royal oil paintings of the past  has been released by Buckingham Palace to mark the Queens 90th birthday today.

It was, said one who was involved in the process, a deliberate decision by the sovereign. For as much as this day has become a national celebration, it is also very much a family event too. After all, Elizabeth is a proud great-grandmother five times over.

The Queen is seen for the first time cuddling the youngest of her family, 11-month-old Princess Charlotte, in the picture which was taken just after Easter in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor.

Taken by renowned American photographer Annie Leibovitz at Windsor Castle last month, these remarkable pictures have been released to mark the Queens 90th birthday today. The first (pictured) shows Her Majesty surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Cheeky little Mia Tindall can be seen proudly holding up her great-grannys 1,000 Launer handbag in a moment, says one who was there, that was totally unscripted.

The moment with Mia was completely spontaneous, it was not staged at all. She just picked up her great-grannys handbag and that was it, they said.

It was, they revealed, a happy, chaotic, warm afternoon with the parents of the children all present and trying to catch their offsprings eye.

Taking pictures of children is like herding cats but for that split second, it just worked. Annie [Leibovitz ] has children of her own and knows her stuff.

The group portrait is one of three released today, the other two being of the Queen and her beloved dogs, and a rare and surprisingly warm shot of the Queen with her daughter Princess Anne.

There was a very definite idea behind the set, said a royal aide. The Queen wanted a portrait of the youngest members of the family, the other end of the generational spectrum. You have the two youngest grandchildren, who are quite a lot younger than the others, and the great-grandchildren.

It was a happy, nice, relaxed afternoon. There was a lovely feeling to it. All the parents were helping to get the shot right  a classic composition, rather like an Old Master but with a modern twist.

Family: The Queen wanted a portrait of the youngest members of the family - her two youngest grandchildren, who are quite a lot younger than the others, and the great-grandchildren. Pictured left to right: James, Viscount Severn, Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor, Mia Tindall, the Queen, Princess Charlotte, Savannah Phillips, Prince George and Isla Phillips

The children surrounding the Queen in this image are:

1. James, Viscount Severn, the eight-year-old second child of the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Born at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, he is currently tenth in line to the throne.

He was, in 2008, the first to be christened in a replica of the gown originally used by Queen Victoria for her children, commissioned by his grandmother the Queen, which has since been handed down the generations.

A slightly shy and cautious child by nature, as demonstrated by his sweet but awkward hands-in-pockets pose, James, like his sister Louise, goes to a small local school close to his parents Surrey home.

2. Lady Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor, Jamess protective elder sister who, despite a traumatic premature birth, is maturing into a confident and pretty young girl.

Louise, 12, who is 11th in line to the throne, was a much longed-for child for Edward and Sophie.

She was born four weeks prematurely in an emergency caesarean operation during which her life was in peril. She now bears an uncanny resemblance to her grandmother at the same age.

Last year her mother Sophie revealed that premature babies can often have squints because they are the last thing in the baby package to really be finalised. Louise required surgery to correct it but now she can see perfectly.

Modern family: The Queen is pictured at Princess Charlotte's christening along with Prince William, Prince George, and the Duchess of Cambridge, holding the little princess. Standing, from left: Michael Middleton, Pippa Middleton, James Middleton, Carole Middleton, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke of Edinburgh

3. Mia Tindall, the chubby-cheeked toddler proudly holding up her Gan-Gans handbag, is the daughter of former royal rebel Zara Phillips and her England rugby player husband Mike Tindall.

The two-year-old is no stranger to the world of horses thanks to Olympian Zara and was sitting on her first pony even before she could walk.

More used to jeans and wellies, here she wears a rose-pink knitted cardigan, jean skirt and smart party shoes with pretty frilled socks and her hair swept to one side.

4. Princess Charlotte, sitting on the Queens lap, is the newest addition to the Royal Family and fourth in line to the throne.

She appears as ladylike as her doting father, Prince William, says she is, sitting bolt upright and crossing her legs.

She is wearing a flowered dress made by Spanish boutique m&h, which costs 21 and was a gift from her nanny, Maria Borrallo.

Her 11 pale pink tights are by Amaia and the outfit is completed by a cardigan matching Mias. Charlottes brunette hair is swept to one side in a pretty pink bow, and she appears to be holding a plastic toy horse.

5. Savannah Phillips, elder daughter of Peter Phillips and his Canadian wife Autumn, is the eldest of the Queens great-grandchildren and 14th in line to the throne.

Savannah, five, who was not given any title at birth at the request of her parents, lives in what has been called the family commune at Gatcombe Park.

She enjoys a hugely carefree existence, running around Princess Annes vast grounds, and was christened privately at a small Gloucestershire church.

Perched proudly on a pile of foam blocks, but holding daddy's hand just in case, Prince George poses for his very first postage stamp alongside his father, his grandfather  and the great-grandmother in this picture which was released by the Royal Mail yesterday

6. Prince George hides a delightfully mischievous nature. Indeed, on their recent tour to India, his parents apologised for not bringing him but said they couldnt have risked his running around, while his father frequently describes him as a cheeky little monkey.

Although George, two, is a future king, his parents send their son to Westacre, a small Montessori nursery school close to their Norfolk home.

The prince is wearing a pair of burgundy shorts, believed to be by Rachel Riley, with a Peter Pan-collar shirt and a blue cardigan. On his feet are 7 Amaia Kids navy socks and smart blue shoes. His blond curls have been firmly swept to one side.

7. Isla Phillips, standing to her cousin Georges left, is Savannahs three-year-old sister.

Today the Queen will officially mark her birthday with a walkabout in Windsor and an evening event with Prince Charles in which she will light the first of 1,000 beacons across the globe.

This will be followed by a private dinner at the castle for 60 of her closest friends and relatives, thrown by the Prince of Wales.

Picture that reveals the unique bond between a devoted mother and daughter

Most Royal Family photographs are charming, innocuous and, often, a teeny-weeny bit predictable. But once in a while an official picture comes along that is not just unusual, it is also revealing.

Just such a photo has emerged to mark the Queens 90th birthday with this remarkable portrait of mother and daughter  unusual because most family photos show the Queen surrounded by the men in her life, particularly her sons and grandsons, and revealing because of the message it conveys.

Here the smiles are soft and open and the eyes of both Princess Anne and her mother are appealing. This, you instinctively feel, is how the two women see one another.

Anne, so often portrayed as the imperious, haughty, glove-wearing Princess Royal, looks soothingly benign. And the Queen? Her contentment suggests theres no one else shed rather have by her side.

The second portrait is a rare and surprisingly warm shot of the Queen with her daughter Princess Anne in the Palace's White Drawing Room

That just might be the truth of this stunning photograph. For away from the formalities of royal life, the two women are exceptionally close.

Just look at the way Annes arm runs protectively along her mothers back and how the Queen nuzzles into her daughters shoulder, both a reassuring presence in each others life. They are relaxed.

Yet over the years it has become almost obligatory to discuss the influence of Prince Charles, his brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, and Prince Philip, of course, on the Queen.

Perhaps it was the way the fiercely independent Anne just got on with things and didnt bring her problems home to Mummy. Even when her first marriage (to Captain Mark Phillips) went so catastrophically wrong, there was no emotional hand-wringing of the injustice of it all, as there was with the Prince of Wales at his marital woes.

There was no need for the Queen to indulge Anne, as she has had to indulge Andrew, her favourite son, through his gaffe-strewn years.

The Queen with her daughter Princess Anne in March 1960 - away from the formalities of royal life, the two women are exceptionally close

Nor has there been any requirement to mollycoddle her daughter as she has, on occasions, had to nursemaid Prince Edward over his errors of judgment.

Of all the royal children, Anne has always been the most relaxed and, in private, the most ordinary, a princess who wears her royal pedigree lightly and has never viewed it as a burden.

For all the testosterone that has surrounded our monarch, from her sons to the almost exclusively male senior courtiers at Buckingham Palace, the Queen has always relied on the counsel of women.

Until 2002 it was fulfilled by two significant figures, her mother and her sister.

But the death of Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother within six weeks of one another deprived the Queen of a critical support.

Of all the royal children, Anne has always been the most relaxed and, in private, the most ordinary, a princess who wears her royal pedigree lightly and has never viewed it as a burden

In the 14 years since, she has turned increasingly to her no-nonsense daughter. They speak plainly and warmly to each other.

And it is Anne, who many years ago, admitted with rare royal candour that she knew she was not everyones idea of a fairytale princess, who embodies many of her mothers ideals.

Everyone knew what she was getting at  here was a real princess not blessed with conventional chocolate box prettiness. But all the same, a truly professional royal, not a pleasure-seeking hanger-on.

At 65 she has been married twice, has enjoyed international sporting success as a horsewoman and, thanks to her children Peter and Zara, has become a grandmother three times over.

There has also been talk of affairs and yet for four-and-a-half decades in public life she has scarcely put a foot wrong and her restrained but enthusiastic commitment to her official duties has earned the gratitude of the nation.

From the moment she decided with the birth of Peter almost 40 years ago not to handicap her children with royal titles, Anne has demonstrated her own ideas of what a modern monarchy should look like. There was never any standing on ceremony in the Phillips household.

Peter and Zara helped with the cooking in the kitchen and helped with mucking out the horses in the stables.

They were not smacked  though Anne threatened them often  but neither were they spoiled. They even went to the local village school. No wonder Anne later remarked how pleased she was at the way they had turned out.

The same could surely be said by the Queen about her daughter  often described as the best king we never had.

Within the Royal Family, of course, it is known how pivotal the Princess Royal is.

It is for this reason that whenever courtiers air Prince Charless plans to reduce the size of the family Annes name is never mentioned.

While Andrew and Edward have become accustomed to their older brothers whims which will see their roles diminished, Anne is likely to have an enhanced position under a future King Charles.

This accords with the Queens wishes, too. The special relationship between mother and daughter was forged in the heat of the Charles/Diana marriage calamity.

Anne was a calming and steady influence for a Queen at her wits end over the Waleses.

Sometimes she would escape to Annes little flat in Dolphin Square where the princess would prepare her mothers favourite dish of cheese souffle.

But more usually she was on the end of the phone as the Queen regaled her with the latest episode in Charles v Diana.

As she fretted over the future of her throne she saw in Anne the perfect foil to a Prince of Wales who looked during those crisis-filled days of the 1990s as if he would reign alone.

As the dramas dissipated in the early years of this century and with Charles happily remarried, mother and daughter have continued to enjoy the most affectionate of relationships.

That is the message of this photograph.

When the Queen poses with her son, grandson and great-grandson as she did earlier this week, it is all about the future of the monarchy. Its also formal and its serious.

Posing with her daughter is about the present.

It is also about acknowledging Annes unique closeness  and signalling it to the world.

When the Queen poses with her son, grandson and great-grandson as she did earlier this week, it is all about the future of the monarchy. But posing with her daughter is about the present. It is also about acknowledging Annes unique closeness  and signalling it to the world

Always at her side, her most loyal little courtiers of all

They are as much a part of her cherished family as her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

And when she is with her beloved corgis and dorgis, the Queen is seldom happier or more relaxed. Smiling on the steps of Windsor Castle, a long way from the stiff formality of official portraits in glittering staterooms, she looks truly comfortable in the company of her four-legged companions.

Photographer Annie Leibovitz captured this touching vignette of Her Majesty with her two corgis, Willow and Holly, and two dorgis  corgi-dachshund crosses  Candy and Vulcan.

Smiling on the steps of Windsor Castle the Queen looks truly comfortable in the company of her four-legged and loyal companions

With one hand tucked in the pocket of her pale blue coat, the Queen could scarcely look more contented as she pauses on the stone steps at the East Terrace of the castles private grounds.

The canine quartets starring role in one of the monarchs 90th birthday portraits is a fitting tribute to all 30-plus corgis who have shared her life for more than seven decades.

Lest anyone underestimate their place in her world, the Queen once proclaimed: My corgis are family.

The then Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) with two of her pet corgi dogs at her home in London in July 1936

Dr Roger Mugford, an animal psychologist who has dealt with canine discipline problems at Buckingham Palace for more than 20 years, recently observed: When shes talking about her dogs or her horses you see a completely different side to her: she relaxes. Dogs are great levellers, and theyre not influenced by social status, which must be a great relief to her. No wonder she enjoys being around them.

Some have suggested it is the corgi breeds natural unruliness  in contrast to the highly formal life she has to lead  that underlines her lifelong fondness for them.They have served as a refuge from the solemn convention she must follow in her public role, as well as providing her with an unending source of love and affection.

And as this extraordinary portrait shows, their loyalty to their mistress seems just as potent. With the exception of Candy, sniffing around near her feet, the dogs are all facing obediently in the right direction at least, as the camera shutter clicks.

The Marquess of Salisbury once remarked that the Queen is the most remarkable controller of dogs ... she is a genius for it.

Not always, of course, as many a footman, prime minister, lady-in-waiting or diplomat whose heels have been nipped may testify.

Former royal butler Paul Burrell was once knocked unconscious when he was dragged over the steps of Sandringham House by nine leashed corgis.

And the Queen herself needed three stitches and a tetanus jab when she was bitten on the hand in 1991 while trying to break up a fight between six of her corgis and two of the Queen Mothers. But at dinner times, the corgis and dorgis always know their place, sitting obediently around Her Majesty as she feeds them a dinner of boiled chuck steak, poached chicken or liver and rabbit.

Holly and Willow, aged 12, are thought to be the 14th generation descendants of the Queens first corgi, Susan.

They, along with one of Her Majestys then corgis, Monty, were the pets that appeared in the James Bond sketch the sovereign recorded with Daniel Craig for the London Olympics opening ceremony.

The Queen was devastated when Monty, who was 13, died a couple of months later.

She is no longer introducing new pets or breeding corgis. Courtiers said she worried about lively young dogs around her feet and the danger she might trip over one.

But a more poignant reason emerged last year, when it was said she does not want to leave any behind when she dies.

At one stage she had some 13 corgis  who have an average lifespan of 12 to 13 years  but now there are just two, plus the two dorgis. Many of the Queens dogs have been descended from Susan, who was an 18th birthday present from her parents and even accompanied the then Princess Elizabeth on her honeymoon in 1947.

The breed became a firm favourite after her father George VI, then the Duke of York, bought a Pembroke Welsh corgi called Dookie in 1933. A second corgi, called Jane, joined the family soon afterwards.

The royal dorgis were introduced when one of the Queens corgis, Tiny, was mated with a dachshund called Pipkin which belonged to Princess Margaret.

Within Buckingham Palace, the approach of the Queen is sometimes heralded by the sight of her dogs scurrying around ahead of their mistress  a sight described by Princess Diana as a moving carpet.

And as the Queen celebrates her remarkable 90 years, her loyal dogs will no doubt remain faithfully at her side.

Within Buckingham Palace, the approach of the Queen is sometimes heralded by the sight of her dogs scurrying around ahead of their mistress  a sight described by Princess Diana as a moving carpet (Pictured: Left, the Queen and her pets in 1980, and right, in 1994)
The father at the centre of the 60 Minutes child abduction case has revealed why he thought his two children were better off with him than their Australian mother.

Ali Elamine, 32, told KIISFM's Kyle Jackie O he had a problem with Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner's parenting and relationship decisions.

'[My daughter] Lahela kept on telling me "Mummy's friend" would sleep in the same bed as us... and stuff like that. I just wasn't okay with all of that,' Mr Elamine said.

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The father at the centre of 60 Minutes child abduction case, Ali Elamine (pictured), has revealed the reason why he thought his two children were better off with him

Presenter Tara Brown and Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner (front) were pictured walking free from jail in Beirut on Wednesday

Brown and her 60 Minutes crew at a Lebanon airport after their release waiting for their flight home

The father of Lahela, 5, and Noah, 3, and Ms Faulkner are still married but have been separated for about a year.

Mr Elamine also claims he had been deceived into leaving his children in his mother's care so the abduction could take place.

'I own a surf school in Lebanon, it's called Surf Lebanon,' he said.

'The night before [the abduction] I got a Facebook message asking me if I could be down there at 7 o'clock in the morning to give a lesson.

'I said: "Listen I have to drop my kids off, I could do it 8." [But] they kept on insisting.

'I usually do that [drop off the kids] in the morning [but] my mum from time-to-time, if I'm busy at work, she drops them off.'

Ms Faulkner and Brown in the back of a minivan as they leave Beirut prison after their release

Ali Elamine, 32, said he had a problem with Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner's parenting and relationship decisions

Mr Elamine said it was his mother who had been attacked during the child abduction, and she had 'a concussion' and 'internal bleeding in the head from three different hits'.

'She's a 70-year-old lady who got chucked around like she's in a bag of chips.'

The father also denied he had been given a '$1 million payout' in exchange for dropping kidnapping charges brought against Brown, the 60 Minutes crew and Ms Faulkner following the botched child abduction.

When radio host Jackie O asked him if he had been paid by Channel Nine, Mr Elamine replied: 'Negative.'

But he did add: 'I'm really hoping I get something.'

Mr Elamine agreed to a deal for the immediate release of Ms Faulkner from a Lebanese prison in exchange for full custody of their two children.

Ms Faulkner embraces producer Stephen Rice after their release from jail following a two-week ordeal

The 60 Minutes crew including Brown were pictured inside the car with Brisbane mother Ms Faulkner

After Brown, Ms Faulkner and the 60 Minutes crew were released, Mr Elamine said Lahela, 5 and Noah, 3, (pictured with their mother) would be living with him in Lebanon. He insisted that his ex-wife would have access

Ms Faulkner walked free from jail on Wednesday along with Brown and her crew two weeks after the failed bid to kidnap her children from her ex-husband's family on a street in Beirut.

Mr Elamine said the children would be living with him in Lebanon but he insisted that his ex-wife would have access.

Speaking outside Baabda Central Women's Prison, he said: 'I am glad it's over. She is their mother and I don't want them growing up and thinking "Daddy had the option of letting Mummy off easily and he didn't".

'At the end of the day it's all for the kids. Down the line the kids might say: "Why did you keep Mum in jail?" I don't want that upon me. It's for the best.

'It sucks, the whole thing sucks. No one wins here... I told Sally she can come and go as she wants. She is the mother. The only thing we can do is cooperate to give them a better future.

'They don't know what has been happening these last two weeks... I couldn't tell them anything.'

Mr Elamine agreed to a deal for the immediate release of Ms Faulkner (right with Brown) from a Lebanese prison in exchange for full custody of their two children

Australian sound recordist David Ballment (left) and cameraman Ben Williamson (right) inside the minivan

A detail of the legal sentence for the case involved Brown, Ms Faulkner and the 60 Minutes crew

He also revealed that he dropped that charges against the 60 Minutes crew because he felt they were not personally responsible for the kidnapping at the southern Beirut bus stop.

'They were just doing their job,' Mr Elamine said.

'The judge was saying the crew weren't part of the kidnapping on the ground, it still isn't confirmed that they funded it ... And they have families too, they have children,' he said.

'Being a parent away from your children sucks, and that is another reason I want Sally to be out (of jail) because she has a three-month-old baby in Australia she needs to care for ... I don't want to come between them.'

Mr Elamine also said he felt 'a man-to-man kinship' with cameraman Ben Williamson and sound recordist David Ballment, according to The Australian.

'Ben [Williamson] was a bit emotional and the sound recordist too and I put myself in their place: Ben was frustrated because he wasn't seeing his own kids and I felt bad about that,' Mr Elamine said.

Brown, her 60 Minutes crew and Ms Faulkner were released on bail after charges were dropped over the botched child abduction attempt in Beirut.

The Australian reported Nine bought their freedom with a multi-million dollar payout.

Mr Elamine is thought to have received a payout in the 'low single-digit millions' - but he insisted that he 'did not sign anything, did not get anything'.

On Monday, 60 Minutes reporter Brown was pictured being forced into a police car in handcuffs as she was taken back to a Lebanese jail. She was expected to appear in court but the case was adjourned

Judge Rami Abdullah told reporters the group were facing very serious charges

Brown (right) and Ms Faulkner were pictured being led away in handcuffs from the Beirut court after the Monday hearing was postponed

Brown (pictured) was detained on kidnapping charges with a 60 Minutes crew that filmed the 'child abduction' of Ms Faulkner's two children in Lebanon on April 7

The 60 Minutes producer Stephen Rice, Mr Williamson and Mr Ballment were pictured looking weary, but relieved as they sat in a car after being released.

They were seen hugging Brown and Ms Faulkner when they climbed into the car.

The TV crew are expected to fly home on Wednesday night (Beirut time).

Ms Faulkner has also been released on bail and is expected to remain in Lebanon for another day in order to see her children.

Judge Abdullah said Mr Elamine would bring the children to his chambers on Thursday to see their mother.

Mr Elamine is still pressing charges against Briton Adam Whittington, who was allegedly in charge of the operation, as well as Craig Michael and two Lebanese people involved.

They must remain in the country to face the charges.

'Someone did that [hurt my mother] and someone has to suffer for what they did,' Mr Elamine told Kyle and Jackie O on Thursday after Ms Faulkner and the 60 Minutes crew's release.

Previously, Ms Faulkner's lawyer said the mother had been fighting to get access to her children for nine months.

The lawyer said Mr Elamine took the two children on a three-week holiday to Lebanon and did not return them as agreed.

Ms Faulkner's claims her children Noah and Lahela were taken to Lebanon by her estranged husband Ali Elamine (pictured with Noah and Lahela) in 2015 and he refused to bring them back

For the past two weeks, Brown and Ms Faulkner have been held at Baabda Central Women's Prison (pictured)

But an attempt to snatch them from a suburban Beirut street by a 'child recovery team', caught on CCTV, was ultimately unsuccessful.

Mr Elamine had cut off communications with Ms Faulkner after discovering emails on the family iPad exposing her plans.

Ms Faulkner's lawyer has claimed the Brisbane mother sent 150 emails to Mr Elamine which went unanswered.

'I could see the communications and I stopped because I could see she was trying to orchestrate a kidnapping,' Mr Elamine told Kyle and Jackie O.

'I told her: "Please stop what you are doing. You are jeopardising our safety... the kids' safety, my safety." She was trying to pinpoint our every move.'

Fairfax reported that it was this lack of contact which prompted her to hire Adam Whittington's child recovery agency to retrieve her children from Lebanon.

Police were able to track down the 60 Minutes crew after Ms Faulkner sent Mr Elamine a message confirming that the children were safe with her.

The children were taken to a safe house south of Beirut but Ms Faulkner and the recovery team were soon arrested along with the 60 Minutes crew who were filming the operation.

The prison is a grim, overcrowded block housing mostly murderers and drug dealers with up to 20 women per cell

Sally Faulkner's lawyer has reportedly said she was paid for by the Nine Network and had used money given to her by 60 Minutes to the child recovery agency, Child Abduction Recovery International




This is probably the last thing you would wish for, or even think about, after using the loo.

A woman got her foot stuck inside a squat toilet after using a public bathroom in the city of Nanning, China, on April 18, the People's Daily Online reports.

Firefighters had to attend to the scene and used cooking oil to ease her leg out of the contraption.

Stuck in the loo! The woman got her foot trapped in a toilet in the city of Nanning, China, on April 18

How embarrassing! She somehow managed to get her leg wedged in the squat toilet and became trapped

The woman had become stuck up to her ankle in the toilet and her leg was twisted in such a way that she was beginning to complain of numbness in her legs.

She had her mobile phone on her at the time and allegedly managed to call emergency services who sent out a fire team.

Unfortunately the fire team weren't too prepared when they arrived, possessing only a crowbar.

One of the firefighters came up with the idea of using oil to help ease out her leg.

They used cooking oil and worked together to help free her from the toilet.

The incident reportedly took place in a dormitory for workers in a factory.

Getting a body part stuck in the toilet is apparently a common occurrence in China.

In 2014, a man got his arm stuck down a toilet for six hours after he tried to rescue his mobile phone which he had dropped.

The man was talking to a friend while the phone slipped out of his hand and fell.

Good thinking! The firemen used cooking oil and covered her leg in it before easing it out of the toilet
Shocking footage has emerged of a doctor smoking while undertaking an X-ray scan of a patient in hospital.

The doctor was an employee of the main hospital in Xinyang, central China's Henan province, the People's Daily Online reports.

The video filmed on April 14 has caused outrage on China's social media sites.

Not allowed: A doctor in China has been suspended after footage of him holding a cigarette was posted online

The footage was posted to Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter, by a user named 'SZ-Ping'er' on April 18.

The post read: 'At the Maji Clinic of Huaibin County in Xinyang, Henan, an elderly patient suffered from intestinal infarction and wished to undergo a scan. The doctor was having a cigarette in his hand.

'Does this clinic allow staff to smoke in front of patients during work hours?'

'SZ-Ping'er' later told a reporter from Dahe Daily that the incident took place on April 14.

'SZ-Ping'er', whose identity was not revealed, said: 'My grandfather has intestinal infarction and was sent to hospital for treatment. At first, he was lying in bed as doctors ignored the pain and just sat in the side and talked with colleagues.

We reminded them many times that my grandfather needed examining. From the beginning to the end of the examination, the doctor had a cigarette in his hands.'

Poor conduct: The clinic has suspended the doctor involved for one week along with fining him 2,000 Yuan

According to a statement from the hospital, they have informed radiology staff that smoking violates the ban and that the video has had a negative impact on the hospital's reputation and caused the concern of many families.

They extended their sincere apologies and suspended the doctor involved for one week along with fining him 2,000 Yuan (215).

On China's social media site Weibo, Chinese users have been blasting the man's behaviour.

'Zao'an Wang Xiao Jie' said: 'No matter what check-up it is, it's ridiculous [for doctors] to smoke in the hospital. It's so unprofessional.
A Chinese tycoon has allegedly flashed his cash with the help of his eight robotic maids who carried his purchases for him.

Photos released show the robots waiting and carrying his belongings while he looks for jewellery, the People's Daily Online reports.

The unidentified man, who is reported to be a rich businessman, was pictured with his faithful servants in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong province.

Rich and not afraid to show it: The unidentified man picks out some jewellery with his robots behind him

Thanks! The unidentified man visited a store with his robot servants in tow to help carry his goods for him

The man was spotted at a shopping centre with his faithful servants buying goods such as jewellery

The robot followers carried his belongings around for him along with the new and rather expensive looking items he purchased.

There have been countless stories in Chinese media of the country's rich often referred to as Tuhao (meaning people of wealth).

In October 2015, video footage showed a wealthy woman hitting a jewellery shop attendant in the face with money to prove that the was rich.

While earlier that year, a rich Chinese boy proposed to his college girlfriend by arranging a fleet of 11 luxury cars forming a heart shape.

They were even spotted in the shopping mall's parking lot however it's unclear where they went next

The man was seen in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong province helping the man

In recent years, China has stepped up its game in developing humanoid robots.

This week, Chinese scientists unveiled what they claimed the most realistic humanoid robot, Jia Jia.

Dubbed the 'robot goddess', Jia Jia is designed with natural eye movement, speech that is syncs with its lip movements and refers to its male creators as 'lords'.

She made her public debut in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province together with her inventor Chen Xiaoping and his colleagues at the University of Science and Technology of China.

Dubbed a 'robot goddess', Jia Jia has the long flowing locks and rosy red cheeks as a human, but it's being taught deep learning abilities. This life-like cyborg is the brain child of Chen Xiaoping and his colleagues at the University of Science and Technology of China
This is the shocking moment a woman scolds a street cleaner after she was told not to litter.

The video, thought to be taken in a park in Xiamen, China, has caused outrage since its appearance on the Chinese social media yesterday, according to People's Daily Online.

The woman can be heard saying 'if I don't litter, you will be out of job' before throwing banana skin towards the street cleaner.

Outrageous: Footage has emerged on Chinese social media showing a woman screams at a street cleaner after she is caught littering

The 50-second clip is believed to be taken at Zhongshan Park in Xiamen.

At the beginning of the video, the woman, who remains unidentified, appears to be sitting on a bench eating sunflower seeds, a Chinese snack.

She is seen spitting the shells of the seeds on the ground.

A man, appearing to be a street cleaner who is sweeping the floor, tells the woman: 'Please throw the shells over there.'

The woman keeps littering, so the man tries to take away the bag of snack she has.

In a fit of rage, the woman stands up and throws what appears to be banana skin towards the man.

She can also be heard saying: 'If I don't litter, you will be out of job!'

The web user who shared the footage told a local reporter that she filmed the footage at around 9am yesterday at Zhongshan Park.

Shocking behaviour: At one point, the woman appeared to throw banana skin at the sweeper while saying: 'If I don't litter, you will be out of job'

Ms Liu said: 'The street cleaner requested the woman a few times [not to litter], but she didn't listen.

'I was too angry at the time so I decided to film the scene with my phone in secret.'

Ms Liu also said the woman carried on eating seeds after the street cleaner left.

The footage has caused a public outcry on Chinese social media, with many users posting messages to condemn the woman.

On Weibo, a user called 'zsw534' said: 'We must track her down and publish her.'

While 'Mu Wei Xi' said: 'We should throw her out like rubbish.'

However, some also doubt the authenticity of the video.

The authority of the park is yet to release a statement to comment on the matter.

So is the Siming Cleaning Firm, the company that is in charge of maintaining the park.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk calls Apple 'the Tesla Graveyard', because those who leave the car maker usually end up at the iPhone maker.

Now, it has been confirmed that the software giant has recently snatched up one of their top executives.

Chris Porritt, Tesla's former vice president of vehicle engineer, reportedly joined Apple to work on 'special projects' - believed to be the firm's electric car.

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it has been confirmed that the software giant has recently snatched up one of their top executives. Chris Porritt, Tesla's former vice president of vehicle engineer, reportedly joined Apple to work on 'special projects', which is also known as 'Project Titan'  the firms electric car

This announcement follows four months after news spread about Steve Zadesky, the alleged leader of Project Titan, leaving Apple.

But according to sources involved in this matter at Apple, Porritt will be joining the team as 'special projects group PD administrator', reports Electrek who confirmed the new Apple hire.

If 'special projects group PD administrator' is code for vice president of product design, Zadesky's former position, then Porritt would be an experienced candidate for the position with vast experience.

Porritt spent three years at Tesla, where he reportedly had a hand in the Model S, Model X and Model 3.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk calls Apple 'the Tesla Graveyard', because those who leave the car maker usually end up at the iPhone maker. According to a Tesla spokesperson, Porritt left the car manufacturer in September 2015.

This announcement follows four months after news spread about Steve Zadesky, the alleged leader of Project Titan, leaving Apple. But according to sources involved in this matter at Apple, Porritt will be joining the team as 'special projects group PD administrator'

And prior to working at the electric automotive company, he spent 16 years as chief engineer at Aston Martin where he helped design the One-77 supercar.

Electrek did confirm that senior Apple engineers will be reporting to Porritt directly and have already started.

According to a Tesla spokesperson, Porritt left the car manufacturer in September 2015.

The timeline suggests that Porritt didn't necessarily leave Tesla for Apple, as there are a few months in between.

This isn't the first time an employee from the automotive giant transitioned over to the software tycoon.

'We always jokingly call Apple 'the Tesla Graveyard', said Musk.

'If you don't make it at Tesla, you go work at Apple'.

There are also numerous Apple directors and VPs that are currently working for the automotive firm.

Other sources say the Curpentino company has hired about 20 automotive industry workers under the codename 'Titan' in Belgium, which is where they have a secrete R&D lab.

Apple has yet to officially announce that it is working on a car, but Musk has said it was 'obvious'.

'It's pretty hard to hide something if you hire over a thousand engineers to do it,' he told BBC.

'Tesla will still aspire to make the most compelling electric vehicles, and that would be our goal, while at the same time helping other companies to make electric cars as well.'

2017 IPHONE TO USE NEW GLASS CASING, NOT ALUMINIUM KGIs Ming-Chi Kuo, a reliable Apple analyst, says the new handset will drop the aluminium casing for a new all glass casing. It will also use an AMOLED screen, which are thinner and offer better picture quality than the mainstay liquid crystal display screens. Kuo believes that Apple will be moving to an all-glass enclosure, dropping aluminum completely as it will no longer appear 'modern or fresh' in 2017. 'Apple used glass for the iPhone 4/4s front and back, but this was sandwiched together with a stainless steel band,' said 9to5Mac. 'Its currently unclear how an iPhone could be constructed primarily out of glass.' The reports point ot the fact this years handset, expected to be called the iPhone 7, will not see a radical overhaul - although it is expected to see the firm dump the headphone socket for a thinner phone. Advertisement

Apple keeps its high-tech electric car in the same bucket with health and medical applications for the Apple Watch called 'special projects'.

The iCar is expected to hit the market in either 2019 or 2020 and the only inclining Apple has made about it was a concept video from earlier this year and the extensive team of automotive experts it is building.

The clip suggests it is 'more than a car', with connectivity to other Apple Devices.

The concept by Luca Wrede shows a build that mirrors the minimalist design common to Apple products.

A wraparound dashboard screen shows speed, traffic predictions, and answers calls.

Apple keeps its high-tech electric car in the same bucket with health and medical applications for the Apple Watch called 'special projects'. The iCar is expected to hit the market in either 2019 or 2020 and some images are floating around of what it could look like, but nothing has been confirmed

The vehicle can pull up Apple Maps, Safari, and Siri, which are indicated all on the interactive dashboard.
This goes against earlier theories, which suggest it was a unique event

The first people to set foot onto the Americas were likely descendants of modern humans who originated in Africa.

This is according to new analyses from an international team of researchers, which indicate that these early migrants were a part of humans global dispersal, rather than a single unique event.

In order to prove the hypotheses, the researchers plan to examine ancient DNA samples and archaeological simulations in a bid to solve the mystery of how humans dispersed across the globe.

The first people to set foot onto the Americas were likely descendants of modern humans who originated in Africa. This is according to new analyses from an international team of researchers, which indicate that these early migrants were a part of humans global dispersal, rather than a single unique event

THE SPREAD OF HUMANS Modern humans began to venture from Africa at least 50,000 years ago. But, its been thought that the settlement of the Americas occurred separately, stemming from a small group of Eurasians that came to the Western Hemisphere less than 15,000 years ago. Recent discoveries, however, have shown that humans inhabited Beringia earlier than 30,000 years ago, during the Last Glacial Maximum. According to the new analyses, the first people to set foot onto the Americas were likely descendants of modern humans who originated in Africa. These early migrants were likely a part of humans global dispersal, rather than a single unique event, the researchers say. Advertisement

In an article published this month to the journal Evolutionary Anthropology, researchers investigated the original migration to the Americans, along with the occupation of Beringia.

This region was once the land bridge between Alaska and Siberia.

While earlier studies have suggested migration to the Western Hemisphere occurred independently from the global movement, the new research indicates this may not be so.

We have always assumed that the initial peopling of the Western Hemisphere was a single, unique and independent event, said Dennis ORourke, a KU Distinguished Foundation Professor in Anthropology.

By seeing it as part of a larger global process, everything we learn about other dispersals into geographic areas out of Africa within the last 50,000 years or so are relevant to our understanding of the American case.

Modern humans began to venture from Africa at least 50,000 years ago.

But, its been thought that the settlement of the Americas occurred separately, stemming from a small group of Eurasians that came to the Western Hemisphere less than 15,000 years ago.

Recent discoveries, however, have shown that humans inhabited Beringia earlier than 30,000 years ago, during the Last Glacial Maximum.

ORourke explains that this is the last period in Earths climate history when ice sheets reached their greatest extension.

Linking the process of peopling near the time of the LGM brings the idea of refugia, which we see for populations elsewhere at this time, into sharper focus as a possible mechanism for source populations in the Americas and the role that may play in structuring the genetic variation we see early in the record, ORourke said.

In order to better understand the spread of humans throughout Beringia, ORourke explains that it would be ideal to find ancient DNA from northeast Siberia, between 15,000 to 30,000 years old.

This map shows the outlines of Siberia, left, and Alaska, right, with dashed lines. The broader area in darker green represents the Bering Land Bridge used by Siberians to travel into North America. The latest linguistic research, however, suggests some Siberians may have returned home, taking their language with them

BERINGIAN STANDSTILL MODEL The model suggests that Native Americans descended from people who migrated from Asia to Beringia. This was the vast Bering land bridge that once linked Siberia and Alaska. It argues they spent up to 10,000 years in Beringia before moving rapidly into the Americas beginning at least 15,000 years ago. By showing that both genetic lineages lived so far north so long ago, the study supports something known as the 'Beringian standstill model.' Advertisement

Augmenting the paleoecological record across the Bering Sea basin, and expanding the archaeological record around the western and southwestern coasts of Alaska, would be quite useful, he said.

In a 2015 study, ORourke and colleagues examined DNA from an infant and fetus buried in Central Alaska roughly 11,500 years ago.

Information of this kind gives researchers a better picture of of the genetic diversity of these populations.

Along with DNA, the researcher explains that new data can be used to create simulations and models of alternative scenarios, helping to test the emerging hypotheses.

ORourke is now helping to create a new ancient DNA facility so future researchers can continue to closely investigate the dispersal of ancient peoples.

Not only will we be able to analyse ancient human DNA as samples become available for study, ORourke said, but we are already using proxy organisms  from human prey species to human pathogens  to gain broader insights into the nature of human movement, behaviour and adaptations in these early populations.
Nasa's Dawn spacecraft has dipped closer than ever to Ceres, capturing the most detailed images yet of the mysterious bright spots on the dwarf planet.

The latest images capture two giant craters up close, called Haulani and Oxo.

They show evidence the impacts that formed them are fresh - and even show the giant landslides at the crater's rim they caused.

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Ceres' Haulani Crater, with a diameter of 21 miles (34 kilometers), shows evidence of landslides from its crater rim. This image was made using data from NASA's Dawn spacecraft when it was in its high-altitude mapping orbit, at a distance of 915 miles (1,470 kilometers) from Ceres.

THE HAULANI CRATER With a diameter of 21 miles (34 kilometers), the Haulani Crater shows evidence of landslides from its crater rim. Smooth material and a central ridge stand out on its floor. An enhanced false-color view allows scientists to gain insight into materials and how they relate to surface morphology. This image shows rays of bluish ejected material. The color blue in such views has been associated with young features on Ceres. Advertisement

In its lowest-altitude mapping orbit, at a distance of 240 miles (385 kilometers) from Ceres, Dawn has provided scientists with spectacular views of the dwarf planet.

It showed off the Haulani Crater, with a diameter of 21 miles (34 kilometers), shows evidence of landslides from its crater rim.

Smooth material and a central ridge stand out on its floor.

An enhanced false-color view allows scientists to gain insight into materials and how they relate to surface morphology.

This image shows rays of bluish ejected material.

The color blue in such views has been associated with young features on Ceres.

'Haulani perfectly displays the properties we would expect from a fresh impact into the surface of Ceres.

'The crater floor is largely free of impacts, and it contrasts sharply in color from older parts of the surface,' said Martin Hoffmann, co-investigator on the Dawn framing camera team, based at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Gottingen, Germany.

The 6-mile-wide (10-kilometer-wide) crater named Oxo Crater is the second-brightest feature on Ceres. Only Occator's central area is brighter. Oxo lies near the 0 degree meridian that defines the edge of many Ceres maps, making this small feature easy to overlook. NASA Dawn spacecraft took this image in its low-altitude mapping orbit, at a distance of 240 miles (385 kilometers) from the surface of Ceres.

Researchers say the crater's polygonal nature (meaning it resembles a shape made of straight lines) is noteworthy because most craters seen on other planetary bodies, including Earth, are nearly circular.

The straight edges of some Cerean craters, including Haulani, result from pre-existing stress patterns and faults beneath the surface, they believe.

The new images also show off a second crater called Oxo.

Described as a 'hidden treasure on Ceres' it is 6-miles-wide (10-kilometer-wide).

This makes it the second-brightest feature on Ceres (only Occator's central area is brighter).

Oxo lies near the 0 degree meridian that defines the edge of many Ceres maps, making this small feature easy to overlook.

The straight edges of some Cerean craters, including Haulani, result from pre-existing stress patterns and faults beneath the surface, they believe.

Oxo is also unique because of the relatively large 'slump' in its crater rim, where a mass of material has dropped below the surface.

Dawn science team members are also examining the signatures of minerals on the crater floor, which appear different than elsewhere on Ceres.

'Little Oxo may be poised to make a big contribution to understanding the upper crust of Ceres,' said Chris Russell, principal investigator of the mission, based at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Nasa's Dawn spacecraft has dipped closer than ever to Ceres, capturing the most detailed images yet of the mysterious bright spots on the dwarf planet. Taken from just 240 miles above the surface, these close-up images may be the most precise view the craft achieves before its mission comes to an end

WHAT'S CAUSING THE SPOTS? Spectral measurements made last year suggest these bright areas are likely to be composed of hydrated magnesium sulphates. These are an inorganic salt containing magnesium, sulphur and oxygen, which is an ingredient in Epsom salt on Earth. Examining the floor of the crater Occator, which is about 57 miles (92km) wide and 2.5 miles-deep (4km), astronomers found it contains a pit covered by bright material. This material displays evidence for water-ice sublimation - when a material changes from a solid to a gas - resulting in haze clouds, which are probably made up of ice or dust particles and originate from inside the crater. The results imply Ceres is the first known large body in the asteroid belt to 'display comet-like sublimation activity - or creating jets of icy particles. It marks a U-turn, since scientists said in April, the spots were likely not ice. Experts previously said the bright spots could be ice, salt deposits, volcanic flows or geysers Advertisement

Earlier images reveal a rare, detailed look at the 57-mile-wide Occator Crater, and its intricate features suggest there has been recent geologic activity.

Additional data collected by the spacecraft reveal evidence to support the presence of ice and volatiles below the surface, researchers say.

The Occator Crater was once thought to be one large, bright area.

Data captured by the spacecraft reveal a more complex makeup, containing the brightest area on Ceres.

At the bright centre of the 2.5-mile-deep crater, the new images reveal a dome sitting inside a smooth-walled pit.

The top and sides of the dome are marked with fractures and other linear features, along with similar fractures seen surrounding.

These also run thorough smaller bright areas inside of the crater.

'The intricate geometry of the crater interior suggests geologic activity in the recent past, but we will need to complete detailed geologic mapping of the crater in order to test hypotheses for its formation,' said Ralf Jaumann, planetary scientist and Dawn co-investigator at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Berlin.

Along with the images, the researchers also released an enhanced colour map of the dwarf planet's surface.

Jaumann explains that colour differences on Ceres revealed by the data are the result of complex interactions, providing evidence for ice and volatiles below the surface.

The bright spots of Occator Crater shown in enhanced color. The Occator Crater is the brightest region on Ceres, and it was once thought to be one large, bright area. Now, data captured by the spacecraft reveal a more complex makeup

Along with the images, the researchers also released an enhanced colour map of the dwarf planet's surface, pictured above. Jaumann explains that colour differences on Ceres revealed by the data are the result of complex interactions, providing evidence for ice and volatiles below the surface

This is supported by data from Dawn's Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector, which found fewer neutrons near the poles than at the equator.

Variation indicates a higher concentration of hydrogen near the poles, meaning water ice could be present close to the surface in these areas.

'Our analyses will test a longstanding prediction that water ice can survive just beneath Ceres' cold, high-latitude surface for billions of years,' said Tom Prettyman, the lead for GRaND and Dawn co-investigator at the Planetary Science Institute, Tuscon, Arizona.

New data from the visible and infrared mapping spectrometer (VIR) also revealed variations in Ceres' subsurface composition.

From 240 miles above the surface of the dwarf planet Ceres, Nasa's Dawn spacecraft has captured images of mysterious bright spots within a massive crater. The new images reveal a rare, detailed look at the 57-mile-wide Occator Crater, pictured above, and its intricate features suggest there has been recent geologic activity

A portion of the northern hemisphere of Ceres with neutron counting data acquired by the gamma ray and neutron detector (GRaND) instrument. Variation indicates a higher concentration of hydrogen near the poles, meaning water ice could be present close to the surface in these areas

Tracking the reflections of various wavelengths of sunlight off the surface, the researchers are able to identify the particular minerals in the region.

At Haulani Crater, scientists noticed a different proportion of surface materials than its surroundings, suggesting there may be a layer of mixed materials underneath.

The new data, in particular the detailed view of the Occator Crater, has given scientists a deeper look into the makeup of Ceres, allowing them to further the investigation of its origins.

'We're excited to unveil these beautiful new images, especially Occator, which illustrate the complexity of the processes shaping Ceres' surface,' said Carol Raymond, deputy principal investigator for the Dawn mission, based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.

'Now that we can see Ceres' enigmatic bright spots, surface minerals and morphology in high resolution, we're busy working to figure out what processes shaped this unique dwarf planet.

'By comparing Ceres with Vesta, we'll glean new insights about the early solar system.'
They have some of the most sensitive noses in the animal kingdom, capable of sniffing out explosives or drugs in luggage and even catching the whiff of cancer on someone's breath.

Now dogs could have their sense of smell made even better with tiny particles of zinc that enhances their scent detecting abilities.

Scientists have found spraying nanoparticles of the metal can triple a dogs sensitivity to odours, meaning it could be used to give them a 'supersense' to spot terror threats at airports for example.

The sensitive noses of sniffer dogs (stock picture) could be enhanced by giving them a spray of zinc nanoparticles. Researchers have found their ability to detect scents and can triple the activity in the smell centres of the brain when canines sniff an odour

The technology could even lead to ways of improving the human sense of smell, with fragrance companies expressing interest in the technology.

By adding the zinc nanoparticle to popular perfumes or air fresheners, it would allow smaller amounts of the expensive liquid to be used to greater effect.

HOW ZINC ENHANCES SMELL Researchers discovered mammalian blood naturally contains metal nanoparticles of between 40 and 300 atoms in size. When they they isolated some of the nanoparticles and added them to tissue taken the noses of rodents, the electrical activity in the tissue tripled when in the presence of an odour. The particles are through to increase the responsiveness of chemical receptors on the surface of olfactory cells, which detect the tiny airborne chemical traces that form smells. This causes them to produce a greater electrical response, which in turn sends amplified signals to the brain. When the researchers tested zinc nanoparticles on dogs while they were inside magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners, they found it caused the activity in their brain in response to an odour to triple. Advertisement

In sniffer dogs it could be used to improve their ability to detect illicit material in luggage or trace missing people during police searches and rescue missions.

Dr Gopikrishna Deshpande, an engineer at Auburn University, in Alabama, who took part in the study, said improving dogs' sense of smell with zinc nanoparticles would also help improve security at airports and public spaces.

He said: 'Even though dogs have very good olfactory capabilities, they can miss detection of explosives which are intentionally concealed to not give out odor.

'I am sure you can envision such a scenario in the national security context and using zinc nanoparticles in that context will be useful.'

The researchers discovered the ability of zinc nanoparticles to enhance the sense of smell by chance while investigating their ability to kill cancer cells.

They discovered animal and human blood naturally contains many different types of metal nanoparticles - between 40 and 300 atoms in size.

When they isolated some of the nanoparticles and added them to tissue taken the noses of rodents, they tripled the electrical activity in the tissue when in the presence of an odour.

The researchers gave dogs a dose of zinc nanoparticles before giving them scents attached to the end of sticks while they were in an MRI scanner (pictured). It showed the animals' brain activity tripled in the areas related to smell. The research could lead to better

The technology could help enhance the ability of search and rescue dogs to sniff out people trapped under rubble (stock image) or allow police dogs to detect illicit material

In their new study, which is published in the journal Chemical Senses, the team placed 14 dogs inside magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners to see if the activity produced nose was transmitted the brain.

The dogs were given masks through which they were given small amounts of the zinc nanoparticles along with an odour or just the odour alone.

The researchers tested a number of odours including a chemical that gives cloves their powerful smell, another that smelt of spearmint and a third which occurs in many fruits.

They found the nanoparticles tripled the activity in the dogs' brains in areas related to smell when they were given an odour.

Professor Vitaly Vodyanoy, a veterinary physiologist at the University of Auburn who led the study, said it appears the nanoparticles increase the activity of sensory receptors in the nose.

'The enhancement lasts about 10 seconds,' he said. 'After 10 seconds, the next sniff of pure odorant without nanoparticles produces a normal response.

'If the nanoparticles are added to the odorant, the enhancement appears again.

'It can be repeated many times. This is practically very important property. The effect is not long-lasting and does not modulate olfaction for a long time.'

The researchers say preliminary tests have suggested the zinc nanoparticles work on humans too, which means they could be used to enhance the odour of perfumes (stock picture)

The researchers tested the zinc nanoparticles on 14 dogs while they were in an MRI scanner (pictured)

The researchers are now in talks with a number of companies - including a firm that makes dog food - who have expressed interest in the technology.

They are also working with one of the largest fragrance companies in the world - International Flavours and Fragrances - to conduct tests with humans.

Professor Vodyanoy said he had already tried it himself and found it enhanced his sense of smell, but proper panel tests need to be conducted.

'It can work with many odorants,' he added. 'The aerosol with zinc nanoparticles can be sprayed on many things and enhance their aromas.
China has set its sights firmly on Mars and is aiming to launch a mission to the red planet by 2020, a top official has revealed.

Long-regarded as a secretive branch of the country's vast military, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) has been considered something of a lone wolf in the increasingly cooperative space race.

But the chief designer of lunar and Mars missions for the CNSA has opened up about the agency's plans for planetary exploration and future collaboration in a rare interview.

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China wants to reach Mars by 2021, according to the chief designer of lunar and Mars missions for the CNSA. The top official opened up about the agency's plans for planetary exploration and future collaboration

In an interview with the BBC, Wu Weiren said the agency's short-term goal is to orbit and land on the moon as well as bring back lunar samples.

However, the agency's long-term goal is to explore and settle on the lunar surface, with manned missions staying longer on the surface and even establishing a research base.

The secretive agency has changed tack in recent years, releasing more data and images to the world, and publicising its successes.

Earlier this year a full set of images from the agency's lunar lander and rover  Chang'e 3 and Yutu or 'Jade Rabbit'  were made publicly available, providing some of the most detailed images of the lunar surface ever to have been released.

According to the mission chief, China plans to set a course for Mars, launching as early as 2020. It hopes to land a rover on the planet by the end of 2021. If successful, the Chinese would join the US (Nasa's Curiosity rover pictured), European and Indian space agencies in reaching the red planet

Earlier this month, China launched its SJ-10 satellite mission (pictured) which sent a number of experiments into low-Earth orbit. Included was a breakthrough experiment carrying mouse embryos, which were able to develop in microgravity, making the Chinese the first group in the world to successfully do so

In addition to the lunar base, Mr Wu revealed that the Chinese want to venture to the little-explored far side of the moon. Although whether this exploration will relate to mining activities, in order to tap the moon's potential veins of uranium, titanium and minerals.

CHINA'S MOON SHOT AND BEYOND In an interview with the BBC, mission chief Wu Weiren said the Chinese space agency's short-term goal is to orbit and land on the moon as well as bring back lunar samples. However, the long-term goals are to explore and settle on the lunar surface, establishing a research base. It is unclear as to whether this exploration will extend to mining activities, to tap the moon's potential veins of uranium, titanium, minerals and radioactive helium-3. According to the mission chief, China plans to set a course for Mars, reaching the planet by the end of 2021. If successful, the Chinese would join the US, European and Indian space agencies in successfully sending a probe to the red planet date. Advertisement

Previously, the agency has stated the importance of helium-3 to the future of its space programme, a radioactive isotope which may be abundant on the far side of the moon.

Mr Wu told the BBC: 'It's quite challenging to land there, but according to research, there might be water or ice because of the lack of sunlight.'

But the biggest surprise was the openness surrounding military-led agency's plans to visit Mars. According to the mission chief, the CNSA plans to set a course for the red planet in 2020.

However, he admitted that the agency could have started its Mars mission earlier, instead of flagging behind the US, European and Indian agencies.

Alluding to the stringent nature of national decision-making in China, he said 'finally the country has given its approval.'

'We will orbit Mars, land and deploy a rover  all in one mission,' Mr Wu confidently told the BBC.

Current and future planned missions are showing there are clear benefits to be gained from collaborative efforts in space exploration.

But while China may be seeking cooperative ventures, Nasa will not work with the CNSA due to its military status.

In an apparnet move towards increased data sharing, a full set of images from Chinese lunar lander and rover  Chang'e 3 and Yutu or 'Jade Rabbit' (pictured)  were made publicly available this year, providing some of the most detailed images of the lunar surface ever to have been released

While China may be seeking cooperative space ventures, Nasa will not work with CNSA due to its military status. CNSA has been largely successful in its space missions, launching its first female astronaut Liu Yang (pictured left) to the Chinese space station in 2012

The US senate has frequently rejected calls for closer collaboration between the two agencies, with a 2011 agreement banning the US space agency from engaging in bilateral agreements with the Chinese, with vocal opponents in the US government referring to China as 'an evil empire'.

SPURRED ON BY INDIA One of CNSA's rocket scientists, Yuan Minhui, was recently quoted by People's Daily saying the agency was spurred on after being 'defeated' by India's space agency in the race for an Asian probe to reach Mars. China partnered with Russia to launch a Mars-bound probe previously, but it failed to make it out of Earth's low orbit. India's Mars Orbiter Mission, called 'Mangalyaan', proved successful, reaching the red planet in 2014. Meanwhile, Nasa and Esa have launched another mission, called ExoMars, the first stage of which will taste the Martian atmosphere for methane, which could be a sign of geological activity, and even life. Advertisement

The European space agency has had limited collaborated with CNSA, working on a sun-focused satellite, called Double Star, which launched in 2001.

And the Chinese have already collaborated with the Russian agency Roscosmos on a failed Martian moon probe, which failed to make it out of low Earth orbit.

Commenting on the barriers ahead, Mr Wu said: 'We would like to cooperate with the US, especially for space and moon exploration. We would welcome this very much.'

He added: 'We have urged the US many times to get rid of restrictions, so scientists from both countries can work together on future exploration.'

To date, Nasa, Esa and Isro  the Indian space research organisation  have successfully sent probes and landers to Mars.

According to China Daily, CNSA plans to launch reach the red planet by the end of 2021.

A space scientist and political advisor Ye Peijian told the news outlet: 'There are many challenges in front of us...but I think it is likely we will send the probe to Mars given our all-out efforts, the know-how we gained from past missions and everybody's support.'

China is expected to reveal more details about its mission to Mars this week.
They had to queue outside and wait for the dominant baboon to leave

Most of us have had to wait in line to buy a coffee or to pay for our dinner in the supermarket, but it appears we are not the only species to adhere to this strange social behaviour.

Baboons have been filmed queuing to have their turn to eat at a national park in Namibia.

Researchers say the apes' behaviour is revealing important information about the social make up of baboon societies and may also shed light on our own evolution.

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New research found lower-ranking, shyer and younger baboons could not access food, they wait in queues outside of the food patch for their turn to eat. Adult males tend to monopolise food patches (pictured) while lower ranking adult females and juvenile males and females queuing just outside the area for their turn

Baboons live in complex societies, with close bonds that made stronger through play and grooming.

WHY DO BABOONS QUEUE? This is not the first time baboons have been seen queuing, they queue for resources in other situations, like access to water. Higher-ranking baboons prevent lower-ranking baboons from accessing the food because of their higher rank. The other baboons then line up outside where the food is to wait their turn. They seem to wait in the order of their rank and social bond with the dominant individual in the food patch. Advertisement

A group of biologists at the University of Cambridge studied two troops of baboons at Tsaobis Nature Park, Namibia between May and June 2014.

'We were interested in testing whether information flowed through baboon social networks as it does in human networks,' Dr Alecia Carter, lead author of the research told MailOnline.

'We showed that individuals who were better socially connected than others were more likely to acquire information.

'But, when it came to using the information, lower-ranking, shyer and younger baboons could not access the food, they had to queue outside of the food patch and wait for the dominant individual to leave.'

The behaviour has been published in videos alongside the study in eLife.

They seemed to wait in the order of their rank and social bond with the dominant individual in the food patch, the researchers said. Then they entered the patch in the same order in which they were queuing

The troops lived in two different habitats, woodland and open terrain.

The researchers followed the baboons day and night, gathering information about how many interactions each had, in order to try and unpick the way information is shared.

The first video shows an adult male monopolising the food patch, with adult females and juvenile males and females queuing to check the patch after the male leaves.

Two lower ranking adult females apparently got bored waiting, leaving the area after queuing without entering the patch (pictured) demonstrating these females' unwillingness to apply the social information they had acquired, the researchers say

They then entered the patch in the same order in which they were queuing.

'Two lower ranking adult females leave the area after queuing without entering the patch, demonstrating these females' unwillingness to apply the social information they had acquired after patch depletion,' the authors said.

The second video shows an adult female discovering a food patch, just after she was startled by a higher-ranking male foraging behind her.

The second video shows an adult female discovering a food patch, just after coming within 3.3 feet (1 metre) of the patch (pictured). This was directly after she was startled by the higher-ranking male foraging behind her, the researchers said

The pair then both feed in the patch (pictured) before the juvenile male vocally protests with pant-grunting. The study shows the use of social information is a process with several stages from acquisition, to application, through to exploitation

The pair then both feed in the patch, before the juvenile male vocally protests with pant-grunting.

'Higher-ranking baboons prevent lower-ranking baboons from accessing the food because of their higher rank,' Dr Carter told MailOnline.

'As such, the baboons line up outside of where the food is to wait their turn. They seem to wait in the order of their rank and social bond with the dominant individual in the food patch.'

While perhaps suggesting baboon society is far more ordered than we would initially believe, the study also reveals complex details about the way baboons share information.

It shows the use of social information is a process with several stages from acquisition, to application, through to exploitation.

'These results are important because they show that patterns of information flow in baboons are similar to what we see in birds and fish,' Dr Jo Setchell, member of the Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Research Centre at Durham University, who was not involved in the study, told MailOnline.

'So they suggest that very different species show similar patterns.'

'It's a very careful study that breaks down the way in which animals get information from one another, and use it, into steps, then looks at the factors that influence each step,' she said.

'They show that an animal might be able to access information, but then not be able to use it.

'The queuing video is a good example of how several animals know that there is food available, but only one can get at it, because he's dominant,' she added.

The next step is to figure out whether different types of social information, whether short- or long-lived, easy to acquire or more complex, flow through the same networks and have the same personal constraints on who can use them.

'We are going to change the type of information that the baboons can learn about to see whether this affects through which social network the information is transmitted,' Dr Carter said.
But this will change and by 2100, 88 per cent will have worse weather

For years scientists studying climate change have issued doom-laden warnings about the catastrophic results of burning fossil fuels and emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

But four out of five Americans are experiencing far better weather now than they did forty years ago thanks to global warming, according to a new study.

Researchers say because of this most US citizens believe global warming is beneficial - but they also warn the good weather is not going to last.

Winter temperatures have risen substantially throughout the US since the 1970s, but at the same time, summers have not become more uncomfortable. Pictured, Janet Hurley-Quackenbush waterskis on Christmas Day 2015 at Goodyear Lake in Colliersville, New York, dressed as Santa

Winter temperatures have risen substantially throughout the US since the 1970s, but at the same time, summers have not become more uncomfortable.

This means the weather has shifted toward a temperate year-round climate that most Americans say they prefer.

The study showed that 80 per cent of US citizens live in places where the weather has improved over the last forty years.

HOW US WEATHER HAS CHANGED January maximum daily temperatures, have increased by 0.58 C (1.04 F) per decade since 1974. By contrast, daily maximum temperatures in July rose by only 0.07 C (0.13 F) per decade. Humidity in the summer has also declined since the mid 1990s. Advertisement

This is one of the reasons it has been difficult to motivate US citizens to tackle global warming, the authors of the new study have said.

'Weather patterns in recent decades have been a poor source of motivation for Americans to demand policies to combat the climate change problem,' said Professor Megan Mullin from Duke University, co-author of the study.

'But without serious efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, year-round climates ultimately will become much less pleasant.'

Professor Mullin and Professor Patrick Egan from New York University studied 40 years of daily weather data, from 1974 to 2013, on a county-by-county basis to evaluate how the population's experience with weather changed during this period, which is when climate change first emerged as a public issue.

A leaf makes ripples as it is blown across the surface of water on the skating rink in Bryant Park, New York, on Christmas Eve, 2015. Americans on average have experienced a steep rise in January maximum temperatures, an increase of 0.58 C (1.04 F) per decade since 1974

'The United States is one of the most influential countries in global policymaking, and one of the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases,' said Joacim Rocklov, professor in epidemiology at Umea University, Sweden. He says many citizens will not realise that the beneficial effects it has had on weather so far are going to change

They found that Americans on average have experienced a rise in January maximum temperatures, an increase of 0.58 C (1.04 F) per decade.

By contrast, daily maximum temperatures in July rose by only 0.07 C (0.13 F) per decade.

2015 WAS HOTTEST ON RECORD Last year was the warmest on record by a considerable margin, according to figures released by a number of different agencies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's figures show 2015 was the hottest year in 136 years of record keeping. Its figures showed 2015's temperature was 14.79C (58.62F), passing 2014 by a record margin of 0.29 degrees. That's 1.62 degrees above the 20th-century average. Meanwhile, Nasa, which measures differently, found 2015 was 0.23 degrees warmer than the record set in 2014. The dataset produced by the Met Office Hadley Centre and the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia found global mean temperatures reached 1C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. It said the year's average global temperature was the highest ever recorded. Advertisement

Humidity in the summer has also declined since the mid 1990s.

This means, winter temperatures have become warmer for virtually all Americans while summer conditions have remained relatively constant.

'Rising temperatures are ominous symptoms of global climate change, but Americans are experiencing them at times of the year when warmer days are welcomed,' Professor Egan said.

But this is not going to continue.

Climate change models predict that under all potential levels of future warming, average summer temperatures will end up rising at a faster rate than winter temperatures.

If greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate, 88 per cent of the US public will experience weather in 2100 that is less preferable than current weather, the study finds.

'It matters globally if US populations feel that they have benefited from the effects of climate change up to now,' said Professor Joacim Rocklov, an epidemiologist who looks at the health impacts of climate change at Umea University, Sweden, who was not involved in the research.

'The United States is one of the most influential countries in global policymaking, and one of the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases.'

Many Americans may not recognise that the beneficial effects global warming has had on their weather so far will change in future, he says.

They also may not realise that 'even if emissions are reduced now, it will be a long time, not until roughly the middle of the twenty-first century, before climate alters in response.'

Summer temperatures have also not become uncomfortably hot even though winter temperatures have risen (stock picture of people sunbathing in Central Park, New York)
this type of technology will become

A pair of wealthy Americans are looking for brain implants on the black market that will allow them to communicate with each other using the power of thought.

That's according to presidential candidate Zoltan Istvan who believe that in a few decades, we could all be plugged into an AI 'matrix'.

'Eventually, this type of technology will allow us to be connected 24/7 to the internet and on social media,' he told the DailyMail.com.

'This is the beginning of the hive mind, where everyone is interconnected to one another.'

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A pair of wealthy Americans are looking for brain implants on the black market that will allow them to communicate with each other using the power of thought. That's according to presidential candidate Zoltan Istvan who believe that in a few decades, we could all be plugged into an AI 'matrix' (stock image used)

HOW WILL THE IMPLANTS WORK? The technology works by using the basics of electroencephalogram (EEG), which can read electrical signals produced by the brain. 'But it will also have technology that can stimulate your brain back, likely through tiny electrical signals it can administer, that allows one to "feel" what the device's input is,' said Istvan. 'If a machine creates this input, then true communication with a machine - or AI -in this case has been created.' Advertisement

Istvan, leads the Transhumanist party, which believes that technology has the power to achieve immortality and physical perfection.

He revealed to the Mirror that two men are currently trying to find a doctor willing to perform the dangerous procedure.

One of the pair will go to a doctor in Honduras, whilst the other will journey to Eastern Europe, Istvan said.

They have been planning the trip for three years.

However, he has not named the men, for fear they may be stopped from travelling aboard to undergo surgery.

And despite the risks, such procedures on the black market may become more popular.

'This practice is very new, but nearly all biohackers have shown interest in brain implants and neuroprosthetics,' Istvan said.

'The ability to commune with AI is almost like the Holy Grail for the community.'

Istvan says he's volunteered to be put on a list to have this type of surgery done. He already has an implant in his hand.

'The more connectivity we have, the more peaceful and prosperous our world will become,' said Istvan.

'Eventually, this type of technology will allow us to be connected 24/7 to the internet and on social media,' Zoltan Istvan told the DailyMail.com. 'This is the beginning of the hive mind, where everyone is interconnected to one another'

The technology works by using the basics of electroencephalogram (EEG), which can read electrical signals produced by the brain.

'But it will also have technology that can stimulate your brain back, likely through tiny electrical signals it can administer, that allows one to "feel" what the device's input is,' said Istvan.

'If a machine creates this input, then true communication with a machine - or AI -in this case has been created.'

'It's rudimentary right now, but in 5 or 10 years, this type of technology could become widespread.'

Transhumanists believe we can do this through technologies such as mind uploading, cyborg body augmentation, and genetic manipulation.

IS THE WORLD HEADING TOWARDS A POST-HUMAN FUTURE? British astrophysicist, Sir Martin Rees, believes we are facing an 'inorganic post-human era' Artificial intelligence is progressing at a frightening pace leading humanity towards its ultimate destruction. This is according to British theoretical astrophysicist, Sir Martin Rees, who believes we are facing an 'inorganic post-human era'. By some estimates, he says, the process will begin in the next 25 years as robots begin to achieve intelligence rivalling that of humans. Sir Martin, who is one of the world's most eminent astronomers, says that while Earth has existed for 45 million centuries, this century is special. Over nearly all of Earth's history, threats have come from nature, but from now on, the worst dangers come from us  and specifically artificial intelligence. He says that by any definition of 'thinking', the amount and intensity that's done by organic human-type brains will, in the far future, be swamped by the intelligence of AI. 'There are chemical and metabolic limits to the size and processing power of organic brains,' wrote Sir Rees, in an opinion piece for the Telegraph. 'Maybe humans are close to these limits already. But there are no such constraints on silicon-based computers.' Advertisement

While these technologies might sound far-fetched, various companies are already making huge strides in achieving transhumanist goals.

Istvan says another Transhumanist vision is to upload parts of his personality to a machine so that future generations can reconstruct a realistic avatar that recreates his being.

What happens is you take a complete scan of the brain with incredible detail using technology that is already available to some extent, he said.

Then in 20 or 30 years when the technology arrives, we upload these detailed scans to a machine, which reconfigures the brain circuitry using sophisticated algorithms.

If all goes well, it may be possible to have an uploaded consciousness that exactly resembles someones personality.

From this point, he says, people could transform themselves as an avatar and live in virtual reality.

By then, robotics would be so advanced that you wouldnt necessarily be able to tell the difference between who is a real human and who is a machine.

The technology allow humans to plug into a real life Matrix. 'It's rudimentary right now, but in 5 or 10 years, this type of technology could become widespread,' said Istvan.

In a more far-fetched application, it could even give humans new features such as tails.

That may not be needed, however, if cyborg body augmentation delivers on its promises.

I believe within 10 years, a quadriplegic is going to be able to put on an exoskeleton suit, tie it to his skeleton, and run faster than the fastest sprinter on planet Earth, he says.

In the 20 year window, I'm almost positive that artificial intelligence will be here, that will be such a crisis and potential benefit of human kind.

People will electively start taking out one eyeball and putting in a robotic eye. It will allow us to see germs on each other and poisonous gases.

Istvan admits he doesnt think hell win the presidency his own, but he is hoping to get a significant presidential candidate's attention, like Libertarian Gary Johnson, and run as vice president  and perhaps raise the profile of transhumanism along the way.

When you think about yourself just bear in mind that were dealing with a universe that almost 14 billion years old.

Were also dealing with the fact that there is probably 20 billion habitable planets out there. Weve got to see ourselves in a very long form of evolution happening.
Construction work on the Panama Canal in Central America has unearthed a handful of tiny teeth, similar to those of capuchin monkeys.

But these were no ordinary monkey teeth.

According to researchers, they provide the first fossil evidence to suggest monkeys thrived in the jungles of the North American continent far earlier than previous thought.

The teeth also show mammals may have forged a path onto the continent millions of years earlier than previously believed, at a time when North and South America were separated by a sea suggesting they may have swam or even rafted across.

Researchers have uncovered fossilised teeth in Panama which suggest monkeys thrived in the jungles of the North American continent far earlier than previous thought

According to the team, led by researchers at the University of Florida, the discovery provides evidence that monkeys were found around the Caribbean Sea by that time.

But absence of their spread further into North America could be explained by a lack of suitable tropical forests, as today, rather than any substantial differences in climate or geographical barriers, says the team.

The teeth were collected during an expansion project on the Panama canal.

As construction teams used dynamite to blast away the rock and widen the canal, researchers followed close behind, analysing the rock fragments and sediment, and finding the fossilised teeth.

The fossilised teeth (pictured) were collected during an expansion project of the Panama canal. As construction teams used dynamite to blast away the rock and widen the canal, researchers followed close behind, analysing the rock fragments and sediment, and finding the fossilised teeth

The teeth are believed to belong to an ancient relative of capuchin (pictured left) and spider monkey (right) which lived in the forests of Central America millions of years before the Panamanian landmass joined the two American continents together

Analysis suggests they date back to almost 21 million years ago, after the point at which New World monkeys had branched off into the five main families which exist today  including capuchins and spider monkeys which live in the forests of South and Central America.

NEW WORLD MONKEY RELATIVE UPSETS FAMILY TREE Fossil teeth discovered in Panama point to an ancient species of New World monkey which made it to North America long before Panama formed. The new species of monkey has been named Panamacebus transitus, and based on the fossils, the researchers believe the animals weighed 2.7 kg (5.9 lbs) and were related to modern capuchins and spider monkeys, which live in the forests of South and Central America today. Researchers explain that before the discovery, New World monkeys were thought to have evolved in isolation on the South American continent, cut-off from North America by a wide sea until 3.5 million years ago, when Panama formed and joined the two. But analysis of the fossil teeth suggests they date back almost 21 million years ago, after the point at which New World monkeys had branched off into the five main families which exist today, and long before Panama formed. It remains unclear how the monkeys were able to cross the body of water, but as the distance would have been too far to swim, it is likely they hitched a ride on rafts of vegetation. Advertisement

However, around this time South America was cut off from the North American continent by a sea.

Evidence suggests that the two continents remained separated until around 3.5 million years ago, by which time the Panama land mass had risen out of the sea, bridging the gap between the two.

Genetic analysis suggests that new world monkeys didn't arrive in Central America until around this point as well, so the fossil teeth must belong to an earlier ancestor which may have lived on the other side of the sea before the continents joined.

It remains unclear how the monkeys were able to cross the body of water, but as the distance would have been too far to swim, it one likely option is that they hitched a ride on rafts of vegetation.

The new species of monkey has been named Panamacebus transitus, and based on the fossils, the researchers believe the animals weighed 2.7 kg (5.9 lbs)

'We suggest that Panamacebus was related to the capuchin  also known as 'organ-grinder' monkeys  and squirrel monkeys that are found in Central and South America today,' said Jonathan Bloch, curator of vertebrate palaeontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History and lead author of the study.

'Prior to this discovery, New World monkeys were thought to have evolved in isolation on South America, cut-off from North America by a wide seaway.'

Analysis suggests the fossils date back almost 21 million years, when South America was cut off from the North American continent by sea. The two continents remained separated until around 3.5 million years ago, by which time the Panama land mass had bridged the gap between the two (illustrated on map)

According to the study, either monkeys from South America (spider moneky pictured) were better adapted to life in the South American-derived forests than those more characteristic of Northern Central America or they may have been more widely dispersed throughout Central America, and the evidence is yet to be found

Dr Bloch told MailOnline: 'What we have found is unambiguous evidence that a population of South American monkeys, representing a species new to science, somehow managed to do what no other mammal could do at that timeget across the Central American Seaway into tropical North America 21 million years ago.'

In addition, the teeth also precede the earliest known fossil evidence for mammal migrating from South to North America, which are fossils of giant sloths dating back 8.5 to 9 million years ago.

According to the authors, there may be two possible explanations: Either monkeys from South America were better adapted to life in the South American-derived forests found in Panama and Costa Rica than those more characteristic of Northern Central America.

The alternative, is that they may have been more widely dispersed throughout Central America, and the evidence is yet to be found.

Dr Bloch added: 'We don't really know how long this first colonization of the tropical parts of North America by monkeys lasted.

'It's possible that this was just a short-lived population, but it is also possible that with increased fossil collecting efforts in the New World tropics we may yet find evidence that New World Monkeys had a longer history on this continent than is currently understood.'
Researchers may be narrowing in on the location of the mysterious Planet Nine.

Using data from the Cassini spacecraft, a pair of astronomers has worked out the possibility of several orbits for the mystery world.

Their results suggest the ninth planet is lurking near the constellation of Cetus, somewhere in relatively small area of the sky.

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Researchers may be narrowing in on the location of the mysterious Planet Nine. Using data from the Cassini spacecraft, a pair of astronomers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics has opened up the possibility of multiple orbits, as opposed to just one, to create a combined X marks the spot'

HOW THEY 'FOUND' PLANET NINE Researchers inferred Planet Nine's presence from the peculiar clustering of six previously known objects that orbit beyond Neptune. They say there's only a 0.007% chance, or about one in 15,000, that the clustering could be a coincidence. Instead, they say, a planet with the mass of 10 Earths has shepherded the six objects into their strange elliptical orbits, tilted out of the plane of the solar system. Advertisement

The unknown world, dubbed 'Planet Nine' or 'Planet X,' is thought to be 10 times more massive than Earth and the furthest planet from the sun.

But, since its existence was first proposed, Nasa has warned that claims of a new planet lurking in our solar system are premature.

In a paper published this month, Matthew Holman and Matthew Payne describe the new method that could accelerate the search for Planet Nine.

The researchers are analysing data from the Cassini spacecraft in a way that considers multiple orbits as opposed to just one, Payne explained to New Scientist.

Through this analysis, the team has been able to tighten predictions for the position, distance, and mass for a possible distant planet at the edge of our solar system.

The research pins the location of Planet Nine to two stripes, which were then overlapped with the favoured orbit of Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown, two Caltech planetary scientists who proposed the existence of the ninth planet earlier this year.

We put Planet Nine at a while different slew of locations  all different possibilities on the sky, different distances, different masses  and tried to find out whether that constrains things even more, Payne told New Scientist.

When you put those together its kind of like X marks the spot.

Based on their analysis, the researchers suggest the ninth planet may be toward the constellation of Cetus, in a small area of the sky that makes up just 20 degrees in radius.

And, researchers with the Dark Energy Survey are coincidentally investigating this zone as well, New Scientist points out.

The researchers are analysing data from the Cassini spacecraft, artist's impression pictured above, in a way that considers multiple orbits. Through this analysis, the team has been able to tighten predictions for the position, distance, and mass for a possible distant planet at the edge of our solar system

CASSINI AND DARK ENERGY SURVEY Last month, evidence from Nasa's Cassini spacecraft, orbiting Saturn, might have helped close in on the missing planet. Researchers at the Cote d'Azur Observatory in France checked whether a theoretical model with the new addition of Planet Nine could better explain slight perturbations seen in Cassini's orbit. They found a 'sweet spot' for Planet Nine, 600 astronomical units away towards Cetus, that can explain Cassini's orbit quite well. If the planet is where they think, other instruments might also be able to help find it. The Dark Energy Survey is a Southern Hemisphere observation project designed to probe the acceleration of the universe that started in 2013. It was not designed to look for a ninth planet, but by chance it is already looking in the right direction, according to the Cassini data. Advertisement

Since the mysterious planet was predicted in January this year, data from Nasa's Cassini spacecraft has helped narrow down the search.

A paper published in March this year, which has now been accepted for publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, suggests that small fluctuations in the orbit of Cassini could be used to narrow down an area of space where the planet could be.

Nasa, however, has dismissed claims that an unexplained object is 'tugging' on the Cassini, and the agency added that even if it did, the tugs would not be caused by a planet.

'An undiscovered planet outside the orbit of Neptune, 10 times the mass of Earth, would affect the orbit of Saturn, not Cassini,' said William Folkner, a planetary scientist at JPL.

Folkner develops planetary orbit information used for Nasa's high-precision spacecraft navigation.

'This could produce a signature in the measurements of Cassini while in orbit about Saturn if the planet was close enough to the sun.'

But, the researchers involved have told MailOnline the Nasa scientists are incorrect in their dismissal of the paper.

While the proposed planet's existence may eventually be confirmed by other means, Cassini mission navigators said they have observed no unexplained deviations in the spacecraft's orbit since its arrival there in 2004.

The six most distant known objects in the solar system with orbits exclusively beyond Neptune (magenta) all mysteriously line up in a single direction. Such an orbital alignment can only be maintained by some outside force, according to the Caltech researchers who predicted Planet Nine in January

Based on their analysis, the researchers suggest the ninth planet may be toward the constellation of Cetus, in a small area of the sky that makes up just 20 degrees in radius. Pictured above is a map of Cetus. Yellow dashed lines indicate the constellation boundaries

If the planet is where the French researchers predicted, other instruments might be able to help find it.

The Dark Energy Survey is a Southern Hemisphere observation project designed to probe the acceleration of the universe that started in 2013

It was not designed to look for a ninth planet, but by chance it is already looking in the right direction, according to the Cassini data.

'It turns out fortuitously that the favoured region from Cassini is smack dab in the middle of our survey footprint,' said David Gerdes, who is working on the cosmology survey.

'We could not have designed our survey any better.'

NASA WARNS IT'S TOO EARLY TO CONFIRM IF PLANET NINE REALLY EXISTS In January, Nasa warned claims of a new planet lurking in our solar system are premature. The space agency said the controversial Caltech paper claiming a ninth planet exists beyond Pluto was 'just a prediction'. It called for caution - but pledged 'if it's there, we'll find it.' In a YouTube video, Jim Green, director of planetary science at Nasa addressed the new findings. 'The January 20 paper in the Astronomical Journal is fueling our interest in planetary exploration,' Green said. 'Stimulating a healthy debate that's part of the scientific process. 'It is not, however, the detection of a new planet. It's too early to say with certainty that there's a so-called 'Planet X' out there. He pledged Nasa experts would take part in the process to try and find it. 'It's all about starting the process that could lead to an exiting result. 'If Planet X is out there, we'll find it together. Alan Stern, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute who is the principal investigator for NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond, was also sceptical. 'This is about the fifth or 10th prediction like this.  Not one has panned out,' he said 'If they do find it, it'll be more like Number 19, not Number 9,' he told GeekWire in an email. Advertisement




People have been visiting the site and posting photos of themselves posing dangerously near the edge of the cliff

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If you don't have a head for heights then you may not want to see evidence of the latest travel trend in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - posing on the edge of a 2,769ft-high rock.

Pedra da Gavea, a mountain on the outskirts of the city, has become a hot new spot for tourists to hike to.

But simply scaling its peaks is no longer enough as it seems tourists are pulling increasingly nail-biting stunts that will have some of us feeling the effects of vertigo without even being there.

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Tens of thousands of people have been flocking to Pedra da Gavea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to take nail-biting images like this one of Gabrielle Rodrigues and her boyfriend (above)

Some visitors, like Lucas Mattos, got dangerously close to the edge for the perfect photo opportunity. Often, these images have hundreds if not thousands of likes on Instagram

Most of the images show people sitting down, like Renan Serrano (left). But some, like Flavia Kozlowsky, pretended to jump off (right)

A quick search on Instagram has revealed thousands of posts involving people posing in precarious positions on the mountain, which is one of the highest coastal mountains in the world, according to Australian Traveller.

Their daring pictures are getting hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of likes and being shared on other accounts on the site.

The majority of people, like Lilian Carvalho and Renan Serrano, preferred standing or sitting near to the edge of the cliff-face.

But some are even more daring.

Wellerson Boldrini, for example, is pictured lying down on the rocks, looking as if though he's about to slide off into the abyss below.

On some of the other photos posted on the mountain, he is even seen leaping into the air and standing right next to the top of a jagged edge.

Viviane Mota took the opportunity to pose for photos while standing and lying down near the edge of the cliff-face.

When Flavia Kozlowsky visited the site, she took the opportunity to pose as if though she's about to charge off the edge of the cliff.

Rather humourously, she's written in the captions: 'Super Girl. I forgot the red cape. I will bring it next time.'

Gabrielle Rodrigues hiked up to the top of Pedra da Gavea with her boyfriend Igor Carmo to get a photograph of the two of them together.

They're sitting side by side but all you see is their feet dangling over the side of the cliff-face with the beach very far below them.

Lucas Mattos also took a moment to admire the views, with his legs dangling over the sides, when he reached the top of the mountain.

The daredevil also shared a gut-wrenching shot of himself hanging off a ledge using just one arm to support himself - a true testament to how far travellers will go to get the perfect shot.

The cliff-face is a staggering 2,769-foot above the beaches below it, and is one of the highest coastal mountains in the country, but that doesn't seem to faze Wellerson Boldrini (left) or Lilian Carvalho (right)

Tens of thousands of people have been sharing their version of the image on Instagram with many adopting different poses, like Viviane Mota (pictured left and right)

Hugo Goncalves grins as he hangs off the cliff with one arm, using his spare hand to take a photo with his selfie stick

A daredevil hiker called ggabrielaraujo hangs off the overhanging cliff with just one arm to bring him back to the top of the mountain

Instagrammer Mayara Andrade grins for the camera as she gestures to the view below from a perch on the cliff

Outdoor lover Julianna Oliveira captioned this picture of herself straddled on the cliff side, 'Be brave' on Instagram

Instagrammer Carol Pierre dangles her legs off the side of the mountain as she smiles for the camera in the popular spot

A daring position from Carlos Miguel sees him sitting on the front side of the mountain overlooking the city below

Fitness lover Morena Capixaba can't stay from the mountain - her Instagram is littered with pictures of her on the treacherous overhang

Engineering student Bruno Mello swaps books for adrenlin during a hike up the Pedra da Gavea

Aquarian Photographer Helyz Carioca stares out into the distance from her viewing platform on the mountain

Adriano Melo takes a well-earned rest after climbing his way to the top of the mountain
More than 1,500 planes have been targeted in laser attacks in the last year, putting passengers and crew at risk of disastrous consequences, say Britains top eye specialists.

Attacks involving handheld lasers are on the rise in the UK, with an average of four a day in the past 12 months, according to an editorial published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The countrys leading eye specialists warned that there could be devastating consequences if a laser is pointed at the cockpit of a plane or helicopter and the pilots are blinded.

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An average of four planes a day are targeted in laser attacks at British airports, say top eye specialists

The experts said lasers can dazzle pilots who almost certainly will be distracted'.

If pilots are distracted at a critical time, such as during landing or take-off, the result could be disastrous.

But there is no evidence to suggest that lasers damage pilots' eyesight, said the editorial authored by Professor John Marshall of the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London, John O'Hagan, head of the Laser and Optical Radiation Dosimetry Group at Public Health England, and John Tyrer, professor of optical instrumentation at Loughborough University.

There has only been one case of alleged retinal damage in a pilot as a result of laser targeting of aircraft, they said, but the suspect case is questionable because of the distances involved.

Last February a Virgin Atlantic flight to JFK Airport in New York was forced to return to London Heathrow Airport as a precautionary measure after a laser was pointed at the cockpit.

Just nine days later a British Airways flight from Amsterdam was affected when a laser was aimed at the aircraft as it headed to Heathrow.

That same month, laser attacks gained international headlines when Pope Francis' plane was targeted on approach to Mexico City's airport.

Incidents have led to calls for all but the lowest-powered lasers to be restricted or even classified as potential weapons, like knives.

Many handheld lasers are now stronger and can cause serious eye damage, the experts warned

When the incidents occur the distance between the person holding the laser and the plane is usually hundreds to thousands of metres.

To dazzle the pilots the lasers need to penetrate the cockpit windshield, but the beam is usually scattered due to scratches on the glass, said the eye specialists.

They wrote: In this situation, the systems are operating over a long range  typically hundreds to thousands of metres and the laser beam has to pass through the atmosphere before traversing a cockpit canopy or windshield.

These are usually pitted or scratched and will serve to scatter the primary beam and may result in the generation of secondary and tertiary beams.

In these situations, pilots tend to self-focus on a sudden bright light in the cockpit environment and may be dazzled, resulting in an after-image and almost certainly will be distracted.

Obviously, if such a distraction occurs at a critical time such as during landing then the result could be devastating. Fortunately, these exposures are at irradiances that are incapable of producing irreversible retinal damage even at distances of 100m.

Former RAF and BA pilot Stephen Landells, flight safety specialist at the British Airline Pilots' Association (Balpa), said: People need to realise that shining a laser at an aircraft endangers the passengers, the crew and people on the ground.

Pilots understand there are some important uses for lasers but can't see any good reason why people should be allowed to carry one when there is no obvious purpose for doing so.

Balpa has called for all but the lowest-powered lasers to be restricted and wants them recognised in law as potential weapons in the same way knives are. This would mean police would have improved powers to search people they suspect are carrying a laser, confiscate it and arrest them unless they have a good reason for having it.

Shining a laser at a plane is a criminal offence in the UK and a conviction can carry a maximum of five years in prison.

Eye experts warn of the 'devastating' consequences possible if lasers are aimed at aircraft cockpits

Its not just handheld lasers that pilots have to worry about these days. Remote control drones are also causes problems at airports.

Last weekend, calls for tougher rules increased after a BA flight from Geneva collided with a drone as it approached Heathrow.

Despite the collision, the plane landed safely. However, flight safety experts warned that drones pose a major threat to the safety of passengers and crew, and could cause a plane to crash.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, but no one has been arrested.

Meanwhile, between half and one million laser pointers, pens, and key rings are thought to have been in circulation over the past decade, said the eye specialists.

In the last eight years the nature and supply of handheld lasers have changed dramatically.

In the past, many commercially available pointers were Class 2 laser products, which are not really strong enough to cause extreme damage because they do not have sufficient energy to pass into the eye before the targeted person blinks and turns their head away.

But many of the devices are now stronger and can cause serious damage, the experts warned.

Some are being mislabelled and should be classified as Class 3B laser products, which are not suitable for sale to the general public.

Some Class 4 devices are available online and are capable of causing irreversible retinal damage if directed into the eye over short ranges.
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A dream internship has popped up from a travel company for an individual to trial luxury holidays in paradise.

There is only one requirement to meet - you have to be over 60.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is not only a great way to travel in style, but a chance to learn new skills, as Robert De Niro's character did in Hollywood comedy The Intern, when he worked at a trendy e-commerce company under boss Anne Hathaway.

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Forget sitting in an office, an intern will be trialling luxury holidays in paradise and posting their journey to the social media pages of Luxury Escapes

The lucky candidate will spend two days training at Luxury Escapes' Sydney office, and then undertake 10 days of luxury travel in Bali (pictured)

Similar to The Intern starring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro, Luxury Escapes is seeking a senior candidate to work for them

Travel company Luxury Escapes will send the successful candidate off on the trip-of-a-lifetime and teach them blogging, vlogging, social media and marketing skills so they can tell the world about it.

The lucky candidate will spend two days training at Luxury Escapes' Sydney office, and then undertake ten days of luxury travel in Bali.

While there, they will trial and review five-star properties including Grand Hyatt Bali and Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali for the company, and share their entire journey across social media.

This will include experiencing and reviewing spa treatments, poolside cocktails and day excursions - all expenses paid.

Similar to The Intern (left), candidates will learn a range of skills during their time. Luxury Escapes will provide the chance for the work experience participant to not only be trained in blogging, vlogging, social media and marketing, but also to get to stay in luxury hotels like the Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali (right)

If spending time in paradise wasn't enough, all meals will be provided, along with airport transfers and a AUD$100 (54) daily allowance

Fancy waking up here? Another of the luxury hotels that is set to be trialled by the successful candidate is the Grand Hyatt Bali

If this wasn't enough, all meals will be provided, along with airport transfers and a AUD$100 (54) daily allowance.

'An internship is no longer just for young university graduates trying to break into an industry  it's a great way to upskill if you're keen on changing careers or simply want to keep learning new things,' said Livinia Nixon, ambassador for LuxuryEscapes.com.

'We are hoping the senior internship will help us understand this demographic's preferences and needs when it comes to researching and booking travel online, and staying at five star resorts around the world.'

Positions are open for couples or single-travellers and candidates can apply on the website.

The experience will include trialling and reviewing spa treatments, poolside cocktails and day excursions - all expenses paid
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A photographer has captured mesmerising images of London whilst hanging out of a helicopter

German Timo Lieber, took to the skies of the capital to photograph some of the city's most iconic sites from a new angle.

Lieber's aerial photos reveal the beauty of London at night with a skyline illuminated by lights. His collection takes viewers on a breath-taking journey around the Big Smoke from on high - with shots of well-known landmarks including Oxford Circus, London Bridge and the O2 Arena.

Aerial photographer, Timo Lieber, took to the skies of London to photograph some of the city's most iconic sites from a new angle. Pictured: The Shard

Lieber said he is proud of the city he lives in and wants viewers of his pictures to admire the sights of London just as much as he does. Pictured: Piccadilly Circus

Lighting up a pitch black Hyde Park in London is the annual Winter Wonderland fair that opens to the public for Christmas each year

The 36-year-old photographer likes simple, striking compositions and he relies on light to be the key ingredient in his images, be it in bright daylight or at different times of night.

Lieber, who uploads all of his shots to his website, said: 'I am always on a look out for strong geometrical elements to photograph and London's somewhat chaotic street pattern throws in a perfect challenge.

'I took the photographs from a helicopter with open doors. I needed special permission to fly to all the locations above central London at night and was required to use a fairly large, twin-engine helicopter.

Knightsbridge pictured in November 2015. Lieber hovered over the street, which is home to Harrods, in a helicopter to take this shot

The 36-year-old, who is originally from Germany, likes simple, striking compositions and he relies on light to be the key ingredient in his images, be it in bright daylight or at night. Pictured: London City skyline with the river Thames and Tower Bridge in the background

'Although captured in every finest detail, the subjects of my large-scale photographs are often shrouded in mystery. It is important for me to draw the viewer's attention and keep them guessing or discovering hidden details and layers of the image.'

Lieber is proud of the city he lives in and wants viewers of his pictures to admire the sights of London just as much as he does.

The photographer said: 'I want people to be in awe of London - 'my town' and one of the most visited cities in the world.

Veins of the city: Roads wind through the city's historic heart in this image of Bank. Lieber said: 'London has grown into what it is today over centuries and that is what is so exciting about it, yet hard to photograph'

Lieber took the photographs from a helicopter with open doors. He said he needed 'special permission' to fly to all the locations above Central London at night. Pictured: Hyde Park - Winter Wonderland

Hovering in a large, twin-engine helicopter, Lieber snapped away at the lit up London Bridge station during a cold November evening

'It is such a vibrant and exciting place - with very different faces depending on which part of town you go to - that I wanted to show it from a different angle.

'I love London's chaotic busyness which hopefully comes across in the images as well. You won't find New York-style, perfect grid patterns throughout the city but rather the opposite!

'London has grown into what it is today over centuries and that is what is so exciting about it, yet hard to photograph.'

Lieber's photos capture the beauty of the capital at night and take viewers on a magical journey around the Big Smoke from on high- with iconic shots of Oxford Circus, London Bridge and even the O2 Arena (pictured)
It was an earnest apology delivered like a scene from a movie as Hollywood stars Johnny Depp and wife Amber Heard spelled out their regret at smuggling their pet pooches into Australia.

And after it was slammed for its exaggerated sincerity - Australian deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce likened it to an audition for the Godfather -Today hosts Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford mimicked it.

Struggling to contain their laughter, the duo mix up the actors' voices with Hoda Kotb mimicking Amber but in Pirates Of The Caribbean star Johnny's voice.

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And...action! Today hosts Hoda Kotb (L) and Kathie Lee Gifford (R) mimic Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's apology for smuggling their pet pooches into Australia but mix up actors' voices

Cracking up: The double act struggle to contain their laughter as they mock the actors' filmed apology

'You're supposed to be doing Amber,' barked Kathie at Hoda as they both collapsed laughing at their desks.

'I'm doing Amber,' insisted Hoda, prompting Kathie to retort: 'But you're speaking with Johnny Depp's voice.'

The pair gaffaw as they film their version of the clip on Hoda's mobile phone after she earlier described the videoed apology played out in court as 'so disingenuous and weird.'

Losing it: The pair gaffaw as they film their version of the clip on Hoda's mobile phone after she earlier described the videoed apology played out in court as 'so disingenuous and weird'

The filmed apology: Johnny and Amber deliver cringeworthy video saying they are 'truly sorry' for sneaking their Yorkshire terriers into Australia

The offenders: Actor Johnny's pet dogs Pistol and Boo

In the clip, the stony-faced Hollywood pair pleaded for leniency in the so-called 'war on terriers' case after they smuggled in their dogs Pistol and Boo last year.

The clip was shown to a Gold Coast court on Monday before a magistrate served the actress with a one-month good behaviour bond and a $1,000 fine over the debacle.

Amber, 29, who reached a deal with prosecutors, pleaded guilty to one count of falsifying border protection documents after they dropped two charges of illegal importation.

Preparing for their next role: According to reports, the couple filmed the video on Sunday after arriving in Australia

Agriculture minister Mr Joyce added: 'At the end of it, we've got a message that is going all around the world right now - it's going off like a frog in a sock - telling people that if you come into this nation and you don't obey our laws, you're in trouble.

'Going off like a frog in a sock,' by the way, is Australian slang for 'going crazy.'

In the video the couple talk about about the importance of protecting Australia's biodiversity by respecting the country's strict quarantine laws.

Beloved pooch: Amber, pictured carrying one of her Yorkshire Terriers, pleaded guilty to one count of falsifying border protection documents

Bringing pets into Australia involves applying for a permit and quarantine on arrival of at least 10 days to prevent the spread of diseases such as rabies.

'Australia is a wonderful island,' Amber begins earnestly, adding, 'with a treasure trove of unique plants, animals and people.

'Australians are just as unique - both warm and direct,' Johnny adds. 'When you disrespect Australian law, they will tell you firmly.'

Quip: In the video, Johnny appears to joke about the couple's rough treatment at the hands of authorities

The clip quickly began trending on Twitter, with many - including British-born comedian Ricky Gervais - comparing it to a hostage video.

Others questioned whether the couple's cringing delivery was a deliberate swipe at the Australian government.

Mr Joyce sidestepped questions about the origins of the video on Monday, saying he didn't know if the agriculture department had helped with the script.

The department later confirmed it had 'provided input concerning the offense and biosecurity messaging,' but said the video came about after Amber herself offered to publicly apologise for flouting Australian law.

The video's production was part of negotiations between her defense team and the prosecution, the department said in a statement.
She has been jetting back and forth between Los Angeles and Sydney as she pursues a career in Hollywood.

And but despite her globetrotting lifestyle, actress Tessa James told Daily Mail Australia that she is enjoying her busy schedule.

The ex-Home and Away star, 25, revealed at Tuesday's launch of Mon Purse by Jodi, held at the Roslyn Packer Theatre on Walsh Bay: 'I've found a really nice balance'.

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Busy schedule: Ex-Home and Away star Tessa James told Daily Mail Australia at the Mon Purse by Jodi event on Walsh Bay on Tuesday that she's 'found a really nice balance' working in both Sydney and Los Angeles

Tessa recently celebrated one-year anniversary being cancer free after receiving treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, which she was diagnosed with in 2014.

And the Melbourne-born star has resumed her career with enthusiasm, and confirmed to Daily Mail she is currently trying out for roles in the States.

'I just came from LA, which was really fun, revealed Tessa. I'm just auditioning, which is really good'.

That's a wrap! The 25-year-old recently shared this Instagram photo of the cast of Spin Out, her new Australian romantic comedy scheduled for a September release

But when it comes to balancing life back home and chasing her Hollywood dream, it would appear Tessa is taking it all in her stride.

'I really enjoy it,' she confessed. 'I think I've found a really nice balance. I'm loving what I'm doing and I think that's the most important thing.'

Meanwhile, Tessa stars in new Aussie romantic comedy Spin Out - which is scheduled for release in September.

Moving forward: It would seem Tessa has resumed her acting career with enthusiasm after battling Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood cancer that affects the lymph nodes, which she was diagnosed with in 2014

'Working with this one again': Tessa reunited with former Home and Away co-star Lincoln Lewis (pictured) last year to film Spin Out

She will be reunited with former co-star Lincoln Lewis in the film - after they played lovers Nicole Franklin and Geoff Campbell in Home and Away.

Tessa departed the long-running soap in March 2011, and Lincoln, 28, left the previous year to pursue other roles.

'It was amazing,' Tessa said of their upcoming on-screen reunion. 'He's great fun'.

Together at last! Tessa and Lincoln played lovers Nicole Franklin and Geoff Campbell in Channel Seven's soap
Milla Jovovich suffered a bit of a wardrobe malfunction while attending the Baby2Baby luncheon in West Hollywood on Tuesday.

The gorgeous 40-year-old flashed a hint of her black lacy bra while posing with fellow actresses and mothers, Selma Blair and Michelle Monaghan.

It was likely an intentional fashion choice by the Kiev-born beauty, who paired her flirty yellow blouse with a seersucker blazer, flared jeans, and wedges.

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Popping out of her top: Milla Jovovich suffered a bit of a wardrobe malfunction while attending the Baby2Baby luncheon in West Hollywood on Tuesday

All good in the hood: The gorgeous 40-year-old flashed a hint of her black lacy bra while posing with fellow actresses and mothers, Selma Blair and Michelle Monaghan

Former model: It was likely an intentional fashion choice by the Kiev-born beauty, who paired her flirty yellow blouse with a seersucker blazer, flared jeans, and wedges

For her next film, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Jovovich endured four-hour prosthetic make-up sessions to transform into 'old Alice.'

Her husband Paul W.S. Anderson wrote and directed the sixth (and final) installment of the viral zombie franchise, which comes out next year.

Between takes of the apocalyptic splatterfest, the Zoolander 2 diva cuddled her one-year-old daughter Dashiel.

Milla - born Milica Jovovic - and her 51-year-old British beau are also parents to eight-year-old Ever, who's enrolled in Tae Kwan Do classes.

'#nomakeup JK!' For her next film, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Jovovich endured four-hour prosthetic make-up sessions to transform into 'old Alice'

'I get the feeling I'm being watched': Her husband Paul W.S. Anderson wrote and directed the sixth (and final) installment of the viral zombie franchise, which comes out next year

'Me and the Smush on set today!' Between takes of the apocalyptic splatterfest, the Zoolander 2 diva cuddled her one-year-old daughter Dashiel

'We're all plugged in and ready to fly home!' Milla - born Milica Jovovic - and her 51-year-old British beau are also parents to eight-year-old Ever, who's enrolled in Tae Kwan Do classes

Meanwhile, 43-year-old Selma also teased a hint of bra beneath her sheer white T-shirt, black pleated leather trousers, and loafers.

The American Crime Story actress gave the 40-year-old Golden Globe nominee a big bear hug at the Chateau Marmont bash.

Both Michelle and designer/stylist Rachel Zoe opted for statement trousers - a pleated silver style and white palazzo pants.

Blair - who has a son Arthur, 4, with ex-partner Jason Bleick - also took a duck-faced selfie with Barely Famous star Sara Foster.

See-through: Meanwhile, 43-year-old Selma also teased a hint of bra beneath her sheer white T-shirt, black pleated leather trousers, and loafers

I think a selfie face is evolutionarily in the works. How do we all make this face? I don't think I look much better with this face? Why is my four year old making this face? Or is he sad, actually? His ice cream does look awfully skimpy next to mine. Poor ducked faced duo. #bluemonday A photo posted by Selma Blair (@therealselmablair) on Apr 18, 2016 at 8:14pm PDT

Shiny hair: The American Crime Story actress gave the 40-year-old Golden Globe nominee a big bear hug at the Chateau Marmont bash

Outrageous: Both Michelle and designer/stylist Rachel Zoe opted for statement trousers - a pleated silver style and white palazzo pants

Spent the last few hours talking about how we can continue to best serve LA kids-in-need. Learn more @baby2baby  pic.twitter.com/pvEkUN3Gx2  Michelle Monaghan (@realmonaghan) April 18, 2016

Sunday style and silliness with my little princes #brotherlove #bestfriendforlife #motherofboys XoRZ A photo posted by Rachel Zoe (@rachelzoe) on Apr 17, 2016 at 11:58pm PDT

The 35-year-old reality star rocked cropped jeans with a brown cardigan, while former model Molly Sims got leggy in a black maxi-dress.

The 42-year-old lifestyle blogger has two children - Brooks, 3, and Scarlett, 13 months - with her husband, Ted 2 producer Scott Stuber.

The Baby2Baby event on the Sunset Strip was hosted by the non-profit's president Kelly Sawyer clad in a navy bomber jacket and leather shorts.

Hey girl! Blair - who has a son Arthur, 4, with ex-partner Jason Bleick - also took a duck-faced selfie with Barely Famous star Sara Foster

Aspen extreme A photo posted by Sara Foster (@iamsarafoster) on Apr 5, 2016 at 5:37pm PDT

Blonde moms: The 35-year-old reality star rocked cropped jeans with a brown cardigan, while former model Molly Sims got leggy in a black maxi-dress

All smiles: The 42-year-old lifestyle blogger has two children - Brooks, 3, and Scarlett, 13 months - with her husband, Ted 2 producer Scott Stuber

Leggy: Molly flashed her pins as her wrap number blew open in a breeze outside the bash

Super chic: The blonde looked gorgeous in her effortlessly elegant ensemble

Morning muffins  A photo posted by Molly Sims (@mollybsims) on Apr 16, 2016 at 11:16am PDT
As Jodi Anasta worked through her split from husband of three years, Braith Anasta, she was surrounded by supportive family and friends,

And another person who has been steadfastly there for the model has been close pal and celebrity make-up artist Max May, who admits the pair have become even closer over the past months.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the launch of Jodi's new Mon Purse handbag collaboration on Tuesday in Sydney, Max confessed: 'I'm always there for Jodi and I love her to death'.

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'I'm always there for her': Celebrity make-up artist Max May (left) was by Jodi Anasta's (right) side on Tuesday as he supported the actress at the launch of her new handbag collaboration with Mon Purse in Sydney

'I wish her all the best,' he also said, before adding: 'So it's exciting times'.

The Giorgio Armani Ambassador has also been enjoying bonding with Jodi and Braith's two-year-old daughter Aleeia.

'Aleeia and I are a little bit obsessed with each other at the moment, she's like heaven,' Max gushed.

'I think I spent more time doing Aleeia's top knot than I did for the entire look on Jodi,' he added of the tiny tot's cute ballerina hair-do to match her tutu and feathered dress for the evening.

Jodi, 31, looked flawless in a simple hair and make-up look to keep her ivory satin one shoulder mini-dress centre of attention at the event.

The mother-of-one told Daily Mail Australia at the event she was excited to show her little girl about achieving goals and working hard, as she juggles work while adjusting to life as a single mum.

Keeping it simple: The Giorgio Armani Ambassador admitted the pair have become closer in the past few months since her split with husband of three years, Braith Anasta

'Aleeia and I are a little bit obsessed with each': Uncle Max, as he's known to Jodi's daughter Aleeia, has been enjoying spending time with the two-year-old and confessed he spent more time on her hair than Jodi's look

Support system: The former Home And Away star has had a great support system of family and friends over the past few months in particular

'She understands what my job is, she'll pick up a magazine or if it's on TV and (she'll) go "mummy mummy!"

'I just like to think that she sees me as a hard working mother doing the best I can in a world where it's not always easy to work.'

Max and Jodi have been friends for a long-time, regularly appearing on each other's Instagram and social media pages.

The pair even appeared to ring in the new year together with Jodi posting a cosy snap of the pair on a boat on social media, captioning it: 'This guy'.

Close pal: The trio regularly pose together for selfies on social media as they enjoy time together

In another snap the firm friends are seen with five others in a group shot, captioned: 'NYD doesn't get any better.'

A testament to his support is clearly visible on Jodi's Instagram page, which includes a number of photos with the makeup artist in the past four months.

Max, who boasts Jesinta Campbell, Lara Bingle, Nicole Trunfio and Jessica Gomes among his many celebrity clients, has been seen by Jodi's side on a number of occasions including in Melbourne during November's Spring Racing season - a place occupied last year by her husband.

Mucking around: Max and Jodi posed for a photo with Tessa James ahead of the Cosmo awards in October

They have also attended the Cosmopolitan Woman Of The Year awards together where they posed arm in arm on the pink carpet, while they made a similar appearance together at the Elle Style Awards at the end of October.

In December, Jodi and Braith announced their 'trial separation' after three years of marriage but said in a statement they would continue to co-parent their daughter.

In a joint statement, the couple said: 'We are going to continue to support each other and remain best of friends, we only want the best for each other and more importantly our amazing daughter Aleeia'.
Ex Bachelor Blake Garvey has spoken of the collapse of his relationship with Louise Pillidge blaming intense public scrutiny for contributing to its demise.

In an emotional interview with Today Tonight, the 33-year-old auctioneer from Perth, who is still living with blogger Louise, 28, says persistent public scrutiny followed their relationship and affected their mental health.

Speaking with tears in his eyes, Blake says: 'Ive gone through bouts of depression and I know weve both gone through some acute anxiety,' as Louise reassuringly rubs his leg.

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Frank: Blake Garvey has spoken of the collapse of his relationship with Louise Pillidge blaming intense public scrutiny for affecting their mental health and ultimately contributing to their demise

Self conscious: The 33-year-old said wherever they went they were stared and pointed at by members of the public

He went on: 'You get looks and you know that youre starting a series of conversations in the room just because youve entered it. That and many [other] factors make you really self conscious.'

Speaking haltingly at times, he added: 'We love each other so much... weve got so much respect for each other, weve been through the worst of the worst when it comes to it.

'I cant think of many couples who have been that scrutinised and the bond that that has formed between us has been amazing.'

'We love each other so much': The Perth born reality star says public scrutiny has drawn them closer

The way it was: The Bachelor is said to have called the shots after 18 months with Louise

For her part Louise says she is 'still processing' the break-up and considering relocating from Perth, where she lives with Blake, to Sydney to be closer to family and friends.

'I always believe you dont regret things, you just learn from them,' she said. 'I am very sad that it has happened this way.'

The pair announced their breakup on Monday to New Idea after 18 months together.

They got together in unusual circumstances when Blake ditched chosen one Sam Frost on the Bachelor show insisting he had made a mistake and was in love with Louise Pillidge whom he had earlier rejected.

Happier times: The auctioneer found love with Louise non The Bachelor 2014. Pictured with show host Osher Gunsberg

Happier times: Blake and Louise attend the Swisse Marquee on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse in 2014

TIMELINE OF EVENTS October 2014: The couple met on reality show the Bachelor where Blake had originally rejected Louise Pillidge in favour of Sam Frost to whom he proposed October 2014: That same month Woman's Day confirmed Blake and Louise were dating in an exclusive interview with couple November 2014: Louise and Blake spend the bulk of their time living in Perth despite plans to move to Sydney January 2015: Louise officially moves from her Brisbane home to live with Blake in a two-bedroom house February 2016: As Louise celebrated her 28th birthday, Blake was noticeably absent in the pictures but their joint publicist insisted there was no discontent between the pair February 2016: Couple begin relationship counselling which lasts last three months March 2016: Louise holidays in Hawaii with her mother and Blake does not join them April 2016: They confirm split Advertisement

He told the magazine he and Louise could not work out their differences after undergoing three months of counselling saying: 'We were walking on eggshells around each other, always trying to say the right thing...

She added: 'It feels surreal and since then I have gone through so many emotions. Ive been crying, numb and angry'.

The towering star of the Bachelor 2014 is said to be cut up over the demise of their relationship telling the publication they have been unhappy for some time.

Both had displayed a united front on their respective Instagram accounts in recent weeks but behind closed doors matters were clearly very different.

As Louise celebrated her 28th birthday in February, Blake was noticeably absent in the pictures but their joint publicist told Daily Mail Australia at the time there was no discontent between the pair.

The following month she holidayed in Hawaii with her mother and, again, Blake was nowhere to be seen.

Louise tells the magazine it was Blake's decision to call it quits - a claim he now rejects - and admits she struggled to come to terms with the fact she was not his first choice.

Happier times: The pair appeared in love after meeting a friend for coffee in Subiaco, Perth, where they live. Pictured in last October

Blake had proposed on air and on a bended knee to Sam Frost only to change his mind six weeks after the cameras stopped rolling.

Sam, was left scratching her head and in a moment of anger Tweeted: 'People need to stop asking why we broke up.

'Trust me, I'm just as in the dark as you all are.. Blake is the one calling all the shots here.'

The following week during an interview on The Project, Sam told host Carrie Bickmore she wished Blake Never proposed.

Hand-in hand: They were often seen putting on displays of affectionate

'I'm so annoyed he proposed ... when he called it off, I said "How dare you propose to me!" How dare you take that moment away from me because I want to be engaged once, and get married once.'

But Blake remained tight-lipped and swiftly went into hiding jetting off to Thailand only to emerge weeks later to give Woman's Day an exclusive interview.

He revealed in the article he was in fact dating Louise after writing her a letter declaring his love and spelling out his mistake.

Single again: Blake had proposed on air on a bended knee to Sam Frost only to change his mind after the cameras stopped rolling

The circumstances in which they got together meant the couple solicited a barrage of hatred from show fans which meant they began their romance on soft soil.

Unsurprisingly Blake's label as a 'love rat' has stuck with him ever since, and in August 2015 he was even painted as such a villainous character in the Celebrity Apprentice Australia advertisements.

Furthermore the media personality owned up to the title himself in promotional clips which revealed him back in familiar stomping ground: branded Australia's biggest love rat, donning a tuxedo and posing with a glass of bubbles in hand.

First choice: Blake originally chose Sam Frost on the show

'Let's make some magic,' he whispered to the camera, using his notorious reputation to flog his new role on the Channel Nine reality show.

On Monday, hours after news emerged of the split, Sam, who went on to find love with Sasha Mielczarek on The Bachelorette Tweeted: 'All breakups are awful and sad. Let alone having to do it in the public eye...'

Meanwhile, the fairytale continues for Bachelors before him, chiropractor Tim Robards and his lawyer girlfriend Anna Heinrich.

And Bachelor Sam Wood and Snezana Markoski are already engaged and set to wed imminently.

Will you marry me? The towering hunk proposed on a bended knee

Going strong: Bachelor 2013 Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich are still dating
She's currently getting some much-needed rest-bite in Miami after a stressful few weeks filming her debut TOWIE series.

And Megan McKenna continued to induce body and holiday envy as she soaked up the sun poolside at her five-star hotel on Tuesday.

The latest addition to the ITVBe cast was as keen as ever to document her relaxing break as she shared a pouty poolside selfie with her Instagram followers during her stay at The Ritz-Carlton in South Beach.

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Water babe: Megan McKenna flashed a glimpse of her perky assets as she pouted up a storm in this poolside selfie, posted on her Instagram page on Tuesday

Megan, 23, unveiled a glimpse of her perky chest as she snapped a selfie at the edge of the water with her assets pressed up against the wall.

She pouted like she meant business as she showed off her golden glow and high-fashion Celine sunglasses while her choice of skimpy swimwear was hidden for a change.

'Celine day,' the pouty picture was captioned.

All white on the night: Megan, 23, shared another posed-up selfie of her evening attire - a white dress and blazer combo - before heading out

Shining bright: The former CBB contestant literally glowed in the dark as she lathered herself in shimmering fake tan and bronzer for her evening out

The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant seems to be loving life across the pond as she shared her excitement ahead of a night out later on in the day.

She slipped into an all-white ensemble which intensified her bronzed skin and simply captioned the pouty self-portrait: 'Miami nights.'

Her sun-drenched vacation follows on from her admission that her ex-beau and Ex on the Beach co-star Jordan Davies lied about the cost of the engagement ring he proposed to her with during an episode of the series.

Peachy keen: The TOWIE star has been putting in the hours on the sun lounger and it's certainly paid off as her skin boasts a deep bronze shade

She exclusively told MailOnline: 'I was angry (he proposed) on camera, I wish he didn't do it, I think it's embarrassing. He embarrassed me.

'He lied to me about the ring price for a start... He makes me out to be bad all the time but he needs to realise he's a liar.

'I actually blocked Jordan on everything when we broke up because he wasn't a very good boy.'
Dame Judi Dench has played a starring role in many productions of his many plays.

So she is the perfect choice to co-host a Countryfile special marking the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death.

Dench, 81, will join the BBC One show's presenter John Craven in the episode which will see the co-hosts retrace the English playwright's steps in an effort to give viewers an insight into his love for the Great British outdoors.

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The perfect guest presenter: Dame Judi Dench turns expert rambler as she retraces Shakespeare's footsteps in a Countryfile special marking the 400th anniversary of his death, alongside the show's presenter John Craven

Dench and Craven will follow the path of Shakespeare's acting troupe - The Kings Men - who toured the countryside performing his plays.

The pair will travel by foot and boat as they hope to discover where Shakespeare performed during his time with the acting group.

They start their venture in a bluebell wood in Fordwich, Kent, where they will discuss her appreciation of his works and how they resound with audiences today.

Time to reflect: Dame Judi, 81, who has appeared in Macbeth, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet to name but a few, discusses her appreciation of the late playwright's works in the one-off episode

A perfect match: While the actress said her experience on the show was 'lovely', John, 75, branded her 'a delightful companion'

Dench said of her experience: 'Im a huge fan of Countryfile. It was lovely to be part of it, and it was wonderful to learn that Shakespeare had toured with his company.'

While Craven, 75, described her as a 'delightful companion and added: 'Her life-long passion for Shakespeares work really shone through.'

A personal highlight for him was standing in a 16th-century hall where Shakespeares touring company once played and playfully re-enacting part of the famous balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet with the legendary actress.

Just one of her many stand-out performances: Dame Judi as Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the Rose Theatre, Kingston upon Thames, in 2010

Having made her professional debut as Ophelia in Hamlet with the Old Vic Company in 1957, Dame Judi has also starred in Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, Twelfth Night and many more.

Also on the programme, Ellie Harrison tracks down the forest believed to have inspired As You Like It, and Matt Baker searches for the secret cave in the Brecon Beacons rumoured to be the location for A Midsummer Nights Dream.

Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, aged 52.

Countryfile is on BBC One on April 24 at 7pm
He is currently rocking the red swimming trunks while filming for Baywatch.

But Zac Efron showed off his ripped body in a much different outfit in the same colour.

The 28-year-old actor shared a promo clip on Instagram Tuesday of himself wearing a dress for Neighbors 2.

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Looking good: Zac Efron shared a promo clip on Instagram for Neighbors 2

That's one way to turn heads: In it the 28-year-old actor wore a red dress

The short video begins with a pair of sequined heeled boots as the camera begins to pan up to slender legs.

The clinging red leather mini dress is revealed then things take a turn when a muscular forearm holding a coffee is shown.

Zac's muscular but hairy chest could be seen through a laced-up portion of a dress along with his bulging biceps.

Once the camera reaches his face, the former High School Musical star turns to the camera with a smirk.

Ooh la la: The clip began with a pair of heeled sequined booties

Interesting: The camera panned up and showed slender legs

Getting there: It then showed the gemline of the red mini dress

He then sighs before saying: 'Sorry mom!' Then a Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising logo pops up revealing it was all for promotion.

It has been quite a busy few weeks for Zac as he has juggled filming for Baywatch while promoting Neighbors 2 and Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates.

Last week, he joined Mike And Dave co-stars Adam Devine and Anna Kendrick at CinemaCon 2016 - Big Screen Achievement Awards at Las Vegas on Thursday.

Racy: The leather was shown off as the camera made it's way up the torso

Not what we were expecting: Then Zac's ripped chest and bulging biceps were shown

'Sorry mom': He had a cheeky response when the camera got to his face

The three funny people did not come home empty handed as they took home the award for Best Comedy Trio.

Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates also stars Aubrey Plaza, Stephen Root, Sugar Lyn Beard, Branscombe Richmond and Wendy Williams. It is set for release on July 8.

Last week Zac even posted a photo with Neighbors 2 co-star Chloe Grace Moretz as they each flashed peace signs.

He captioned the image: '@chloegmoretz this movie's gon b ridiculous #neighbors2.'

Busy man: He joined his Mike And Dave Need Wedding Dates co-stars Adam Devine (left) and Anna Kendrick at CinemaCon 2016 - Big Screen Achievement Awards at Las Vegas on Thursday

Already golden: The three funny people did not come home empty handed as they took home the award for Best Comedy Trio

The film is a sequel to the 2014 comedy and will be centred around a couple who ask for help from a former rival after a debauchery sorority moves in next door.

Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne will also be reprising their roles as they will be joined by Chloe, Selena Gomez, Ike Barinholtz, Dave Franco, Lisa Kudrow, Abbi Jacobson, Hannibal Burress, LL Cool J an Ciara Bravo.

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising is set for release in the US on May 20. It will hit cinemas in the UK even sooner - as Bad Neighbours 2 - on 6 May.

Peace: Last week he posted this selfie with Neighbors 2 co-star Chloe Grace Moretz
Doris Roberts was to star in the road trip flick Old Soldiers and had top billing before her death on Sunday at the age of 90.

The passing of the former Everybody Loves Raymond veteran has thrown the movie currently in pre-production 'in turmoil,' according to TMZ.

Doris is the third elderly star to die before the film even gets off the ground, following Mickey Rooney who died in 2014 at age 93 and James Best who died last year at age 88.

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She was a trooper: Doris Roberts - pictured on October 29 last year - passed away on Sunday at the age of 90 which leaves production of her movie Old Soldiers in a toss up

Now the film's producer says he is hesitant to re-cast Doris' part because he doesn't want to 'jinx anyone else,' as TMZ reports.

Dave Rotan admits his 'window of opportunity is quickly closing' on replacing those roles left vacant.

However, he tells TMZ he isn't giving up on the movie and still has Rance Howard, 87, Hugh O'Brian, 91, and Clifton James, 94, on board.

Old Soldiers: The veteran actress becomes the third elderly star to die before the film gets off the ground with Rance Howard, Clifton James and others still on board, producer Dave Totan tells TMZ

Gone but not forgotten: Mickey Rooney - pictured in 2014 - was initially cast in the road trip comedy Old Soldiers until his death two years ago at age 93

The Duke: James Best - pictured far right with his co-stars from the original Dukes Of Hazzard Ben Jone, Sonny Shroyer and Catherine Bach- left another part vacant in Old Soldiers when he died last year at age 88

Old Soldiers tells the story of three aging veterans who decide to take a road trip to see the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., which has their worried families up in arms.

Meanwhile, Roberts, who played the cantankerous mother in Everybody Loves Raymond, died in her sleep of natural causes at home in Los Angeles on Sunday.

During her 64-year career, she swept up five Emmys - four for Raymond, one for the TV hit St Elsewhere in 1982.

She is survived by her son Michael Cannata Jr and three grandchildren.

Ray Romano, who played Raymond in the nine-season sitcom, led tributes to his former co-star on Monday, gushing about her admirable spirit and energy.

Famous role: Roberts won five Emmys during her celebrated career and four were for perhaps her most iconic role as the mother of the eponymous character in Everybody Loves Raymond

Star: Roberts received her star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in February 2003

Force to contend with: The actress played the cantankerous mother in Everybody Loves Raymond and when she spoke 'everybody' listened

'Doris Roberts had an energy and a spirit that amazed me,' Romano said in a statement.

'She never stopped. Whether working professionally or with her many charities, or just nurturing and mentoring a young, green comic trying to make it as an actor, she did it all with such a grand love for life and people and I will miss her dearly.'

Roberts had recently completed four projects - one TV movie, two movies, and a short film - which will be released posthumously.
James Franco has said he is 'a little gay.'

The actor addressed speculation over his sexuality as he discussed his art career and public image in a cover story for New York Magazine.

The 38-year-old admitted he was 'a gay cock tease' when asked about his previous statement that he was 'a little bit gay in my work.'

Speculation: 'Yeah, Im a little gay, and theres a gay James,' actor James Franco has said

The writer-artist-director described himself as 'a little gay' but says he doesn't define that to mean he sleeps with men.

'There is a bit of over focusing on my sexuality, both by the straight press and the gay press, and so the first question is 'Why do they care?'' said the Spring Breakers star.

'Well, because Im a celebrity, so I guess they care who Im having sex with. But if your definition of gay and straight is who I sleep with, then I guess you could say Im a gay cock tease. Its where my allegiance lies, where my sensibilities lie, how I define myself.

'Yeah, Im a little gay, and theres a gay James,' he said.

Red carpet: James with actor Amber Heard, writer-director Pamela Romanowsky and actor Wilmer Valderama at the premiere of his new movie The Adderall Diaries in Hollywood on April 12

The 11.22.63 star has played a number of gay characters on-screen, including in the films Milk and I Am Michael.

His new movie King Cobra is about a murder in the world of gay porn, and he played gay poet Hart Crane in his NYU student film The Broken Tower. James also directed the film Interior. Leather Bar, inspired by the explicit 1980 film Cruising.

And last year the busy actor published a book of poetry titled Straight James/Gay James, which included an interview between 'Straight James' and 'Gay James' discussing his sexuality.

Two sides: James at a signing for his book of poetry Straight James/Gay James in Los Angeles on March 6

'Well, I like to think that Im gay in my art and straight in my life,' he wrote in a recreation of that conversation in FourTwoNine magazine last March.

'Although, Im also gay in my life up to the point of intercourse, and then you could say Im straight. So I guess it depends on how you define gay. If it means whom you have sex with, I guess Im straight.

He pointed out: 'In the twenties and thirties, they used to define homosexuality by how you acted and not by whom you slept with.'

Diverse roles: The actor has played a number of gay characters, including starring with Zachary Quinto in I Am Michael

The 29-year-old also told New York Magazine that people often compare him to fellow actor-turned-artist Shia LaBeouf.

James, who penned an empathetic op-ed in The New York Times about Shia's antics in 2014, said he could relate to Shia.

'Not to his work, but the experience he had,' he explained. 'A male actor in his late 20s whos feeling like his career is out of his hands.

'Here he is doing these Transformers films that make his career, but hes feeling like, I don't have credibility, and I'm part of this machine.'
Scheana Shay has been sued by a neighbor over allegedly excessive marijuana smoke.

The 30-year-old Vanderpump Rules star was sued by a man who shares a wall with her unit in a Los Angeles area high-rise apartment, according to an article on Tuesday by TMZ.

The lawsuit claimed the man's wife and young children have been getting nauseous from the pot smoke.

Neighbor lawsuit: Scheana Shay, shown in February in Las Vegas, has been sued by a neighbor over allegedly excessive marijuana smoke

The neighbor also complained in the lawsuit about the noise from partying in Shay's apartment.

The reality star's black cat also was mentioned in the lawsuit.

Shay allegedly leaves the cat outdoor with its food, which attracts ants to her neighbor's kitchen, bedroom, closet and bathrooms, according to the lawsuit.

Hawaiian vacation: The reality star and husband Mike Shay are shown earlier this month on vacation in Hawaii

The lawsuit filed against Shay and building management was seeking a discount on rent and damages.

Shay has been a main cast member of Vanderpump Rules since it premiered on January 7, 2013.

She married longtime boyfriend Michael Shay in July 2014.

Reality star: The Vanderpump Rules star and husband Mike are shown at a club in February in Las Vegas

The recently concluded fourth season of Vanderpump Rules showed her holding an intervention for her husband at their apartment to deal with his addiction to pain killers.

The brown-eyed beauty during a November episode handed her husband a drug testing kit but said she would still let him drink moderately and smoke marijuana.

The couple recently shared snaps from their Hawaiian vacation and last month posted pictures during a trip to Europe.
They star together as unlikely best gal pals on Girls.

But Allison Williams and Lena Dunaham's real life relationship seems to be much more healthy.

The two talented actresses cosied up on the red carpet while arriving at the 8th Annual Blossom Ball in New York City on Tuesday night.

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Girls' night out: Allison Williams and Lena Dunham posed together on the red carpet of the 8th Annual Blossom Ball in New York City on Tuesday night

Bringing their A-game: The two Girls stars brought their best looks to the star-studded event at Pier 60 for the charity event benefiting the Endometriosis Foundation of America

The two shared an embrace and a few laughs as they arrived at Pier 60 for the charity event benefiting the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

Allison, 28, showed off her svelte figure in a lacy, see-through navy maxi dress over a matching bandeau.

She wore her long brunette tresses down in a middle-part as she had pink blush on her cheeks with a swipe of bright red lipstick.

Cosying up: They certainly seemed to be getting along better than their on-screen counterparts

Wow factor: Allison, 28, showed off her fabulous figure in a see-through navy gown

Gorgeous: The dress had a lacy detailing as she showed off her matching navy bandeau

Pretty: She wore her brunette tresses down in a middle-part as her make-up featured pink blush and bright red lipstick

Racy in lace: She proudly showed off the back of her dress inside the event

Lena, 29, looked stylish in a white blazer over a matching blouse with a perforated detailing around the collar and a cutout just under the chest on the torso.

She also sported a striped pair of Tanya Taylor SS/16 'Tilda' trousers along with white leather heels.

Her medium-length brunette tresses were swiped to the side as she sported natural make-up on her face topped off with shiny lip.

Chic: Lena, 29, wore a white blazer over a matching perforated top, a striped pair of Tanya Taylor SS/16 'Tilda' trousers, and white leather heels

Three's a crowd: The two Girls actresses were joined by Padma Lakshmi who was one of the Endometriosis Foundation of America founders hosting the event

Just the two of us: Lena and the 45-year-old stunner also posed for a snap together

Shimmering: The Top Chef presenter looked fantastic in a sequined silver number

Shiny: Before arriving at the event, Padma showed off the backless cutout of her dress

The two ladies even stopped for a picture with television personality Padma Lakshmi who was one of the Endometriosis Foundation of America founders hosting the event.

The 45-year-old host of Top Chef shimmered in a sequined silver number featuring a low-cut collar which showed off her ample cleavage.

Pretty: Rose Byrne was also seen heading to the event in a royal blue sequined midi dress with shiny gold heels

Old Hollywood glamour: She had her brunette tresses in a retro beehive as her make-up featured plenty of smokey eye make-up

The cause is definitely close to Padma's heart as she suffered from the little-known disease and has championed the cause for several years through the foundation along with Dr Tamer Seckin, MD.

Rose Byrne was also spotted heading to the event in a shiny royal blue sequined midi dress along with shiny gold heels.

The gorgeous 36-year-old Australian stunner oozed of old Hollywood glamour as she had her brunette tresses up in a retro beehive do as she carried along a blue leather clutch.

Monochrome madness: Bre Blair wore a chic black and white jumpsuit with strappy black heels

Va va voom: Television personality Sonja Morgan showed off her cleavage in a low cut black number

In the spotlight: Allison was one of the presenters at the chaarity event

Helping hand: She was all smiles as she spoke about the cause and presented her gal pal with an award

Honoured: Lena accepted the award and gave a moving speech

Gal pals: The two ladies posed for a snap together as Lena proudly held up the prize

Hanging out: Susan Sarandon was also at the event as she posed with Padma

Speaking out: Susan also accepted an award during the ceremony
Susan Sarandon admitted she 'knew what it was to be lonely' during yet another whirlwind day of promoting her film, The Meddler, on Tuesday.

The 69-year-old Oscar winner 'hasn't found anybody yet since' splitting a year ago from her SPiN club co-owner and live-in toyboy, Jonathan Bricklin.

'My daughter [Eva Amurri Martino] keeps telling me, "Just be open,"' Susan said after a Manhattan screening of The Meddler on Monday - according to People.

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Discussing dating: Susan Sarandon admitted she 'knew what it was to be lonely' during yet another whirlwind day of promoting her film, The Meddler, on Tuesday

'And I keep saying, "I'm open, I'm open. I've been open!"'

The divorced grandmother is still hopeful she'll find love the old-fashioned way rather than use dating apps like Tinder or Hinge.

'One of the reasons that I love New York is that the serendipity is just so thick here,' Sarandon - born Tomalin - continued.

'So you can go out on the street and just see things you didn't count on and you don't have to swipe left or right.'

Her last beau: The 69-year-old Oscar winner 'hasn't found anybody yet since' splitting a year ago from her SPiN club co-owner and live-in toyboy, Jonathan Bricklin (pictured in 2014)

Susan revealed after a Manhattan screening of The Meddler: 'My daughter [Eva Amurri Martino] keeps telling me, "Just be open." I keep saying, "I'm open, I'm open. I've been open!"' (pictured January 30)

Posing with little Marlowe: The divorced grandmother is still hopeful she'll find love the old-fashioned way rather than use dating apps like Tinder or Hinge (pictured April 2)

The Burning Man enthusiast looked sharp in a plunging black pantsuit, despite her leg brace from a sprain after hiking on a Colombian mountain.

Susan was joined at the BMCC John Zuccotti Theater by her blue-clad, glamorous co-star in The Meddler, Rose Byrne.

In the mother-daughter dramedy, the About Ray actress plays newly widowed Marnie Minervini, who moves in with her newly single daughter Lori (Byrne).

The Meddler - hitting US theaters Friday - also features J.K. Simmons, Michael McKean, Cecily Strong, and Lucy Punch.

Sarandon continued: 'One of the reasons that I love New York is that the serendipity is just so thick here. So you can go out on the street and just see things you didn't count on and you don't have to swipe left or right'

Not letting an injury stop her: The Burning Man enthusiast - born Tomalin - looked sharp in a plunging black pantsuit, despite her leg brace from a sprain after hiking on a Colombian mountain

Australian beauty: Susan was joined at the BMCC John Zuccotti Theater by her blue-clad, glamorous co-star in The Meddler, Rose Byrne

Commiserating: The 36-year-old Golden Globe nominee was likely telling Susan about her two-month-old son Rocco with babydaddy Bobby Cannavale

Supporting each other: In the mother-daughter dramedy, the About Ray actress plays newly widowed Marnie Minervini, who moves in with her newly single daughter Lori (Byrne)

From New Jersey to Los Angeles: The Meddler - hitting US theaters Friday - also features J.K. Simmons (R), Michael McKean, Cecily Strong, and Lucy Punch

After the Tribeca Film Festival, Sarandon accepted an award at the Blossom Ball, which took place at Pier 60.

The eight-time Golden Globe nominee made sure to sit next to her gal pal Padma Lakshmi at the Endometriosis Foundation of America benefit.

Susan and the 45-year-old Top Chef host later posed with Girls co-stars Allison Williams and Lena Dunham, who also took home a Blossom Award.

The outspoken Bernie Sanders supporter will next appear on Wednesday's episode of CBS morning programme, The Talk.

Honoree: After the Tribeca Film Festival, Sarandon accepted an award at the Blossom Ball, which took place at Pier 60

Hey girl! The eight-time Golden Globe nominee made sure to sit next to her gal pal Padma Lakshmi at the Endometriosis Foundation of America benefit

Halloween 2013 with my Dia De Los Muertos bride @padmalakshmi. #TBT A photo posted by Susan Sarandon (@susansarandon) on Oct 29, 2015 at 11:17am PDT

'Raising awareness about #Endometriosis!' Susan and the 45-year-old Top Chef host later posed with Girls co-stars Allison Williams and Lena Dunham, who also took home a Blossom Award

On the panel: The outspoken Bernie Sanders supporter will next appear on Wednesday's episode of CBS morning programme, The Talk
Fans of Australian cooking shows won't be left struggling for their foodie fix after Channel Seven's My Kitchen Rules wraps up on Tuesday.

Because just five days later, MasterChef Australia season eight will premiere on rivals Network Ten.

Network Ten confirmed the start date of Sunday May 1 on the official MasterChef Twitter account on Wednesday.

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Delicious news! Network Ten announced airdate of MasterChef season eight as Sunday May 1. It will feature Matt Preston (right), George Calombaris (second from left) and Gary Mehigan (left) and Nigella Lawson

This follows weeks of 'coming soon' teasers for the long-awaited series, which will feature celebrity guests Nigella Lawson, Heston Blumenthal, and Marco Pierre White.

As the story broke, fans of MasterChef took to social media to respond to the new series trailer - which highlighted an impressive array of dishes and exotic locations.

Twitter user @MUFCW10 wrote: 'When a great day gets even better. Bring on May 1!!!!'

Domestic goddess: British celebrity chef Nigella, 56, cuts a glamourous figure in the MasterChef trailer

Tough judges: Celebrity guests Heston Blumenthal (left) and Marco Pierre White (right) will offer their words of wisdom in the upcoming series of Network Ten's popular cooking show

And @lukeyook tweeted: 'Watching the trailer for the new season of #MasterChefAu. The audition dishes are now looking like season finale dishes! Wow!'

Meanwhile, @MummyDiva said: '@channelten Can't wait for season 8 #MasterChefAu to start, and watch #Nidhi', referring to one of the previously announced contestants.

Also @paulfenwick compared MasterChef's approach favourably to My Kitchen Rules, which concludes next week on Seven.

Twitter response: Fans of the show took to social media to offer their thoughts on the new series

'Can't wait for season eight!' It would seem many TV fans are excited for MasterChef's long-awaited return

Rivals? Even though My Kitchen Rules and MasterChef will not compete in the ratings, many Twitter users were comparing the two cooking shows on Wednesday

'First time I ever watched #MKR I thought it could be good,' he wrote. 'Now it's officially a joke, get finished and bring on #MasterChefAu much better'.

Meanwhile, judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan will be returning to the kitchen, helping contestants turn their dreams into reality.

And chef Shannon Bennett will also join as guest mentor for the series, guiding the skilled home cooks through difficult challenges.

Tasty! On social media user noted that 'the audition dishes are now looking like season finale dishes'

Raising the bar: In the newly-released trailer, judge George Calombaris spoke highly of the quality of the food

Network Ten promises the upcoming season will 'bring more amazing food, remarkable stories, inspirational contestants and incredible results.'

The trailer for the new series also features several dramatic moments, including Marco Pierre White declaring of a mystery dish: 'This without question is the greatest dessert I've ever eaten in MasterChef.'

'People's expectations are extremely high,' said judge George Calombaris. 'Who would have thought we could get better food, better contestants, better people?'

Making an entrance! Nigella puts on a typically glamourous display in the MasterChef trailer in a figure-hugging purple dress that highlights her hourglass figure and ample bosom

Sharp dressed chef! Fans will be pleased to discover Matt keeping up his habit of wearing flamboyant, brightly coloured suits and cravats

There also appeared to be some light-hearted touches in the upcoming series, as Nigella joked in the trailer: 'I'm wearing something stretchy, I can eat a lot!'

And it would also appear the participants are travelling beyond Australia in the pursuit of culinary greatness, as at least one episode will take place in San Francisco, California.

Meanwhile, rival cooking show My Kitchen Rules airs its final episode on Tuesday night, which will see one of the remaining five couples scoop the $250,000 prize.

MasterChef Australia begins on Network Ten on Sunday 1 May, at 7.30pm and is broadcast Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm
He's already conquered British reality TV appearing on Geordie Shore, Celebrity Big Brother and Ex On The Beach but now Ricci Guaraccio is taking over Australia television too.

The 29-year-old has been named as the host of new reality show 'Australia's Ultimate Worldie' and he's set to host the MTV series alongside former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton.

Speaking about his new project Ricci, who was once engaged to Vicky Pattinson, said he's looking forward to scouring the country for the hottest girls saying that Aussie girls are genetically blessed.

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Celebrity crush: Geordie Shore's Ricci Guaraccio has revealed he loves Australian women and he has a thing for Hollywood star Margot Robbie

Ricci, who has been living Down Under since last November told Daily Mail Australia: 'Australian girls are naturally pretty. Everybody properly looks after themselves here, so they're all in great shape.'

And speaking about which famous Australian beauties he rates he explained:' Margot Robbie is the full package, she's so hot.'

Ricci and Melody will visit 20 cities on a mission to find a male or female who they will crown Australias Ultimate Worldie.

New show: Ricci, who says he loves living in Australia is teaming up with former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton for a new MTV reality show 'Australias Ultimate Worldie'

The reality star explains: 'A 'worldie' for those that don't know it's not just looks, it's the charm, charisma. It's the full package, so an epic human being'

This isn't the first time that Ricci has done the tour and he's feeling confident in his about his ability to pick a winner.

'I've done the competition before, but it was much shorter last time and this is the first on film. I'm really excited to travel around and meet lots of new people - there's always a lot of drama. Me and Melody have the same management and we get on really well, so it's going to be a lot of fun.'

The local production, which is set to film throughout June, will premiere on MTV in Australia mid-2016.

She was upset: Ricci revealed he recently spoke to Charlotte Crosby after she found out Gaz Beadle was appearing on Ex On The Beach

Ricci also spoke out about returning to the Geordie Shore house for the 5th year anniversary show - which sees a whole host of faces return to Newcastle to celebrate.

The Durham-born reality star said of the show, which was filmed late last year,: 'It's double the people, double the arguments, double the chaos. It'll be the best show yet.'

While viewers will see Ricci reunited with the likes of Charlotte Crosby, Gaz Beadle and Jay Gardner, his former fiancee Vicky Pattinson was absent from filming the celebratory show. It appears there is no love lost.

'I don't speak to her no and I wouldn't talk to her if I saw her. I wouldn't be rude, but no.'

And speaking about their acrimonious break up in 2013 he said: 'She got to give her side of the story in her autobiography, but I want to in the future give me side, the correct, factual side.'

Reunion: Ricci will star in the special 5th anniversary series of Geordie Shore - pictured with Holly Hagan, Sophie Kasaei and James Tindale

Not amicable: Ricci, pictured with ex Vicky Pattinson in 2012, says that she's been with 'every reality star' and wouldn't talk to her if he saw her

Touching on her most recent, albeit brief, relationship - with none other than MIC star Spencer Matthews that ended last week - Ricci said: 'She's been around everyone, every reality star, she has'.

Ricci revealed that he's recently been in touch with Charlotte and was checking she was OK after learning that Gaz would be appearing on the next series of Ex On The Beach.

He said: 'I was speaking to Charlotte the other night - she was upset about Gaz going back into Ex on the Beach I was like - look if you're meant to be together you will be.'

'There needs to come a time - they've been off and they've been on for five years now they are getting to an age now where they should give it a full go or leave it.

They are both my friends and I wish them well but they've been more off and on than a light switch and it's been five years.'

Next month Ricci will be attending Sydney's Sexpo which will see greatest adult athletes mingle with the public at the event dubbed 'the greatest show on Earth.'

Speaking about his experience at the show last year Ricci said: 'Me and Jay went last year and it was really fun.'
On Tuesday night viewers watched her become a blushing bride when her onscreen character Ricky Sharpe from Home And Away walked down the aisle.

And it seems it could soon be a case of life imitating art for Bonnie Sveen.

The 27-year-old Australian actress was spotted wedding dress shopping at bridal store George Elsissa in Sydney's Haberfield earlier this month.

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Life imitating art? Bonnie Sveen was spotted wedding dress shopping at bridal store George Elsissa in Sydney's Haberfield earlier this month

The blonde beauty appeared in good spirits as she met up with two pals to try on gowns.

Upon entering the store, Bonni greeted her friends before they began chatting excitedly.

The trio were lucky enough to even secure face-time with the designer who greeted the Aussie starlet with a warm hug on her entry into the appointment-only bridal boutique.

It is unknown whether the shopping expedition means that Bonnie could soon be headed for a real-life happily-ever-after with boyfriend Nathan Gooley.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted a representative for Bonnie in relation to the sighting.

Special occasion? The blonde beauty appeared in good spirits as she met up with two pals to try on gowns

Old friends? The trio were lucky enough to even secure face-time with the designer who greeted the Aussie starlet with a warm hug on her entry into the appointment-only bridal boutique

For the special outing, the Logie Award-winning actress opted for a laid-back ensemble, consisting of a bright yellow A-line skirt, a black singlet top, and black ankle boots.

She carried a huge backpack over one shoulder.

Bonnie appeared to be makeup free for the spot of shopping, as she showcased her innate beauty, even tying her hair off her face into a low bun to clearly reveal her pretty features.

Relaxed: For the special outing, the Logie Award-winning actress opted for a laid-back ensemble

Laid-back: Bonnie wore a bright yellow A-line skirt, a black singlet top, and black ankle boots

Practical: She also carried a huge backpack over one shoulder

Despite shopping for wedding gowns, Bonnie recently said she has no immediate plans to marry Nathan.

Bonnie - who has confirmed she is quitting the long-running soap after playing mother-of-one Ricky Sharpe for three years -has been in a relationship with the shows assistant director since last year.

My own wedding feels a bit far off for me to imagine, she confessed to OK! Magazine, admitting that the latest scenes were exciting to shoot.

Despite making every effort to keep their relationship out of the spotlight, the couple haven't been able to hide their affection for each other during a series of recent outings.

Natural beauty: Bonnie appeared to be makeup free for the spot of shopping

Warm embrace: Bonnie appeared in good spirits upon entering the store

On Tuesday night, viewers saw Ricky tie the knot with handsome doctor Nate, played by Kyle Pryor.

In the lead up to the episode, viewers were left on tenterhooks waiting to see if Ricky would get cold feet after receiving a text from former beau Brax.

The wedding has been a long time coming, the actress explained. I was never sure how this love triangle would end up.

I think Nate provides a happier and more secure future for Ricky and Casey, she added. Braxs life is full of troubles and hes not someone she can always depend on.

'But the love between them is there.

Wedding jitters? Bonnie was seen chatting excitedly to her pals outside the store

Exciting appointment: The Home And Away star wore her blonde locks down at one point

Waiting game: Bonnie cut a casual figure as she waited for her friends outside the appointment only boutique

On Wednesday evening, Bonnie surprised fans when she confirmed that she was leaving Summer Bay as she prepares for her new role, The Secret Daughter.

The popular star took to Instagram to announce the news and thanked colleagues for her time on the programme.

Posting a photograph of herself on set with make-up artist Sherri Meissner, she wrote: 'It is with a sad but proud heart I announce the end of my Home & Away journey.

New venture: On Wednesday evening, Bonnie surprised fans when she confirmed that she was leaving Summer Bay as she prepares for her new role, The Secret Daughter

'I carry every bond that was forged': The popular star took to Instagram to announce the news and thanked colleagues for her time on the programme

'If someone had told me 10 years ago that I'd be playing a staunch, surfy chick in Summer Bay (and that it would bring me more joy than I could imagine) I wouldn't have believed them.'

Bonnie went on to thank co-stars and crew 'for the banter, the laughs and the lessons', and added that taking on the character had 'shaped' her 'forever'.

'I carry every bond that was forged and so many fond new memories into the new beginning. Very excited about what creative exploration the future holds,' she concluded.

The big day: On Tuesday night, Home And Away viewers saw Ricky tie the knot with handsome doctor Nate, played by Kyle Pryor
She spent last week enjoying a sun-soaked holiday.

However Charlotte Dawson resumed her normal duties back in London as she was spotted leaving the Ham Yard Hotel on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old looked relatively demure compared to her usual risque ensembles as she struck a pose in a figure hugging pink turtleneck and matching leather skirt.

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Night out: Charlotte Dawson resumed her normal duties back in London after a sun-soaked holiday as she was spotted leaving the Ham Yard Hotel on Tuesday night

The high-waisted skirt featured a zip down the middle and hugged her curvy figure, whilst her top uncharacteristically hid her ample assets.

Charlotte- who is the daughter of late comic Les Dawson- opted to place an emphasis on her long tanned legs, as she stood tall in a pair of silver encrusted heels.

Sticking to the feminine colour scheme, the glamorous brunette flaunted her long pink manicure which matched her plump pout.

She also stuck with her signature make-up look- covering her face in heavy bronzer and lashings of mascara as her long luscious mane hung past her chest.

Suddenly shy? The 23-year-old looked relatively demure compared to her usual risque ensembles as she struck a pose in a figure hugging pink turtleneck and matching leather skirt

Signature look: She also stuck with her go-to make-up look- covering her face in heavy bronzer and lashings of mascara as her long luscious mane hung past her ample assets

Earlier on in the night, the model was spotted arriving at the venue in a thick multi-coloured fur coat, which cemented her bold style chops.

Whilst her look for the night was comparably timid than her usual skimpy ensembles, she didn't miss giving on-lookers a show as she stuck one of her legs out the car window, whilst flaunting a huge grin.

The star is undoubtedly confident in her figure and took to social media to show off her impressive curvaceous figure in all it's glory on her recent holiday.

Old habits die hard! Whilst her look for the night was comparably timid than her usual scanty ensembles, she didn't miss giving on-lookers a show as she stuck out one of her legs from the car window

In one snap she looked stunning in a pink bikini which featured a barely-there top held up by a delicate halter string with a tie back - all of which drew attention to her cleavage.

In one skimpy bikini show, she captioned the photo: 'cyaaaaa in a month insta don't miss meh too much lolz!', although she posted a few photos the day after.

The caption may have referred to the reports that she is set to enter MTV's Ex On The Beach.

Well-honed: The star is undoubtedly confident in her figure and took to social media to show off her impressive curvaceous figure in all it's glory on her recent holiday

Is she, isn't she? She is yet to confirm reports that she will be entering MTV's Ex On The Beach

A source told Daily Star On Sunday: 'Charlotte has signed the dotted line and will fly out to a secret location for filming within weeks.

'She had some meetings with producers and decided the show will be perfect for her. She won't hold back if there is a guy she fancies. She isn't exactly shy so she will be perfect for the show.'

Taking all opportunities to strengthen her presence on the reality television scene, Charlotte is also said to be heading into ITV's Love Island too - a slightly less surprising turn, as she is best pals with last year's winner Jessica Hayes.

Holiday envy: She looked stunning on her recent holiday in a pink bikini which featured a barely-there top held up by a delicate halter string with a tie back - all of which drew attention to her cleavage




She was recently booted from Dancing With The Stars.

But Mischa Barton was still showcasing her dance-honed legs as she was pictured grabbing a bite to eat in California on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old looked stylish in a red blazer-style jumpsuit as she strutted her way out of Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills alongside Eva Cavalli.

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Red hot: Mischa Barton was still showcasing her dance-honed legs as she was pictured grabbing a bite to eat in California on Tuesday

The former The O.C. star put her toned legs on display in the chic ensemble as she added height to her pins with nude heels.

Accessorising with a large black handbag and cat eye shades, the actress seemed to be in good spirits as she made her way out of the eatery.

Her blonde locks were styled in light waves, while she opted for fresh-faced make-up.

Leggy lady: The 30-year-old looked stylish in a red blazer-style jumpsuit as she strutted her way out of Spago restaurant in Beverly Hills alongside Eva Cavalli

Simply chic: The former The O.C. star put her toned legs on display in the chic ensemble as she added height to her pins with nude heels

In great shape: Accessorising with a large black handbag and cat eye shades, the actress seemed to be in good spirits as she made her way out of the eatery

The fashion fan was spotted giving Eva kisses on the cheek as they bid farewell and went on with their days.

Mischa had an unsatisfyingly short run on the new season of Dancing With The Stars, after being eliminated in the second week of the show, which is now on its 22nd season.

She and her partner Artem Chigvintsev were booted out after performing a disappointing samba, but she hadn't performed well since the beginning of the reality series.

Ta-rah: The fashion fan was spotted giving Eva kisses on the cheek as they bid farewell and went on with their days

Meanwhile, she recently spoke out about dropping out of hit drama series The OC - the show that made her a household name in her younger days - in 2008.

'I felt like I was in a machine and I couldn't really get off, so I went back to England,' recalled the star, who had fallen into hard partying ways and ended up on a psychiatric ward.

Mischa will next be seen on the big screen in director-writer Ashley Avis's Deserted in which she stars as 24-year-old Jae who has just been released from prison for killing her mother.

She returns to her childhood home in small-town Ridgecrest but, anxious to escape, she joins her brother on a road trip to Death Valley.
She is famed for her incredible legs, but Amy Willerton showed she had tum-ting to shout about too as she showed off her toned torso as she left LA for London.

The I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here star, 23, looked effortlessly glam in her loose fitting white shirt as she headed for Blighty after her trip to sunny California.

The blonde beauty looked chic ahead of her long-haul flight and cut a stylish figure in blue skinny jeans and cream cowboy hat at LAX airport on Tuesday.

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Amy Willerton, 23, flashed her toned tum in cropped shirt and cream cowboy hat as she headed to London after her stint in LA on Tuesday

The former beauty queen who recently relocated to LA, was dressed casually in a floaty white shirt - that gave a glimpse of her toned midriff as she made her way to departures.

With her honey brown tresses worn to the side in soft curls, the Bristol born beauty relished laid-back appearance as she beamed along the way.

She showed off her slender legs in blue skinny jeans and looked hot to trot in her western style get-up, including a cream felt hat with matching ribbon.

These boots are made for walking: Amy put her best foot forward in a pair of flat brown boots

Style queen: Amy nailed her airport glam in this cool western combo

Easy does it! Amy balanced her phone and her passport as she navigated through the airport

The statuesque beauty gave her feet a well earned rest and put her best foot forward in a pair of flat brown boots.

She carried a stylish black handbag over her shoulder and looked cool with a grey holdall over her shoulder.

Ever the superstar she completed her look with a pair of dark shades as she worked her airport style.

Picture perfect: The natural beauty kept her make-up simple with a touch of foundation - and a slick of pink tinted lipgloss on Tuesday

Toned: Amy gave onlookers a glimpse of her tanned torso on arrival at the airport

Bags of fun: Amy was happy to push her own luggage as she arrived at the airport

The natural beauty kept her make-up simple with a touch of foundation - and a slick of pink tinted lipgloss on Tuesday.

She let her natural beauty shine through making sure her eyebrows were on point and perfectly shaped.

A simple and chic heart-shaped necklace completed her elegant look as she made her way through LAX.

Happy days: Amy beamed as she headed back to Blighty. She looked stunning with a multi-coloured scarf over her shoulder

Homeward bound: Amy was all smiles as she pulled up at the airport ready for her return journey

Meanwhile Amy relocated to the US last year in a bid to crack the lucrative US market.

The TV presenter took a step closer to enjoying the American dream after turning heads at a string of high profile events.

The beauty certainly made waves as she worked her red carpet magic at a screening of Delicate Thins at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Los Angeles earlier this month.

Amy originally found fame on Katie Price's model search show Signed by Katie Price in 2011.

Back in Blighty: Amy was all smiles as she arrived at Heathrow airport

Fresh-faced: The model looked picture perfect as she was escorted to her waiting car
She enjoyed a sun-drenched honeymoon with her husband Justin Scott in Barbados earlier this year.

So it only seemed fitting that Kimberley Walsh launched the British Airways Caribbean Campaign at Gatwick Airport on Wednesday morning.

Despite the grim London weather, the 34-year-old posed in front of a British Airways 777 in an extremely plunging cut-out yellow dress, showcasing her impressive figure.

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Time for a holiday: Kimberley Walsh, 34, wore a daring plunging dress as she launched the British Airways Caribbean Campaign at Gatwick Airport on Wednesday morning

Take a seat: The former Girls Aloud beauty then made her way into the airplane and made herself comfortable in a business class seat. She changed in to a flowing floral maxi dress

The short bright mini-dress by The 8th Sign drew attention to her impressive cleavage and showcased a slither of her toned upper abs- pulling her in with two belt straps.

Flaring out, the garment went on to showcase her lean toned pins as she stood tall in a strappy tasselled pair of open-toe beige heels.

The star looked optimistic as she held on to an umbrella and seemingly day-dreamed about the awaiting sunny locations the new campaign would offer.

Sunny disposition: Despite the grim London weather, the 34-year-old posed in front of a British Airways 777 in an extremely plunging cut-out yellow dress- showcasing her impressive figure

The West End star's make-up looked fresh and glowing whilst her tousled mane was fittingly the epitome of beachy waves.

The former Girls Aloud beauty then made her way into the airplane and made herself comfortable in a business class seat.

Sprawled in her luxurious surroundings, Kimberley stuck to the same holiday inspiration and changed into a flowing floral maxi dress- which yet again, accentuated her ample assets with a deep plunge and a cinched in waist.

Accessorizing with a large sunhat and pink heels, the stunner looked utterly at ease in her own skin, which is the result of shedding three stone since giving birth to her son Bobby in September 2014.

Speaking to Fit & Well magazine, she said: 'For me, it's not about being thin. I like having shape and definition.'

She also revealed that it was down to a balanced lifestyle, eating healthily and exercising with a personal trainer at home while she looks after her son Bobby.

As the ideal family woman, Kimberley has made sure that she still finds time to enjoy herself at industry events.

Earlier this month, she drew in acting inspiration from Glenn Close's West End debut Sunset Boulevard and the week prior was stunned at Dynamo's live magic show.
They're not averse to fleeing the UK for sunnier shores.

And retired jockey AP McCoy and his stunning wife Chanelle appeared to be in high spirits as they enjoyed a romantic break in Barbados.

Heading out for for a romantic stroll along the beach, the 41-year-old and Chanelle , 39, appeared to be loved-up as they walked hand-in-hand beside the sea.

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A romantic break for two: Retired jockey AP McCoy and his bikini-clad wife Chanelle appeared to be in high spirits as they enjoyed a romantic break in Barbados

The couple - who married in 2006 - looked the picture of happiness as they paddled through the surf on one of the Caribbean island's beaches.

And while the weather back home in the UK is still as changeable as ever, AP - real name Tony - and Chanelle looked delighted to be basking in the sunny climes of Barbados.

Chanelle - who has two children: Archie and Eve - with the jockey, looked to be enjoying a break from the rigours of motherhood.

Opting to wear a plunging halterneck bikini, in blue, the businesswoman chose to showcase her slender curves in the tiny two piece.

All loved-up: Heading out for for a romantic stroll along the beach, the 41-year-old jockey and his wife, 39, appeared to be all loved-up as they walked hand-in-hand beside the sea

The pharmaceutical director opted for a pale blue two-piece, which allowed Chanelle to showcase her ample assets and toned tummy.

And it looks as though the couple had coordinated the beach wear, as the former champion jockey sported a pair of sky blue swimming shorts.

Having retired from racing at the end of the racing season in 2015, AP looks to have kept his fitness up in the past year, as the award-winning sportsman sported an impressive set of abs.

Arm in arm: The couple - who married in 2006 - looked the picture of happiness as they paddled through the surf on one of the Caribbean island's beaches

And though the couple have been candid about the ups and downs of their marriage in the past, the two looked happier than ever as they strolled down the beach with their arms wrapped around each other.

Chanelle recently opened up about the couple's fiery two decades together, admitting to You Magazine that she wasn't attracted to the jockey when they were first introduced:

I thought he was funny and a nice guy, but the chemistry wasnt there, she said. He was a grower. A girl cant grow on a guy  he either likes you or he doesnt  but a guy can grow on a girl.

She added the dynamic of their relationship has changed since AP's retirement from racing, explaining: 'The truth is he can be stubborn, selfish and totally self-absorbed and for as long as he was riding, it was never going to be as much about me as it was about him.
She recently told of her plans to launch a blog about hair styling.

And former Bachelor star Lana Jeavons-Fellows seemed eager to test run one particular look on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old raised eyebrows at the Glue Store Denim Party in Sydney where she arrived with her brunette locks partially plaited down the middle.

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Serious business: Lana Jeavons-Fellows showed off a bizarre new hairstyle as she attended The Glue Store Denim Party in Sydney on Wednesday

Leaving the rest of her tresses to fall freely in loose waves, Lana opted for a natural make-up look to accompany her hairstyle.

Dressing for the occasion, she slipped in to a pinstriped denim playsuit which revealed a glimpse of her toned legs.

Wearing a black t-shirt beneath it and sporting a thick black joker, she was on trend at the jean-inspired event.

Style: The 28-year-old former Bachelor contestant showed off her legs in a thigh-skimming denim playsuit

Winning smile: The brunette opted for a natural make-up look with a slick of black eyeliner and mascara

Project: Lana recently revealed hopes to launch a hair blog to give fans tips and advice on styling

Excited: Lana took to Instagram to share this selfie for the event on Wednesday night

She finished her look with some black ankle boots and added a stylish black clutch bag.

Her outing comes after she teased fans over speculation she might soon appear on screens as The Bachelorette, telling Daily Mail Australia when asked: 'You never know!'.

Lana found fame on the last series of The Bachelor starring Sam Wood, coming second place to Snezana Markoski.

She has since maintained a visible presence in Sydney's social scene, regularly attending glittering events.

Model behaviour: Georgia Gibbs showed off her model credentials in some black skinny jeans and a denim shirt

On brief: DJ Tigerlily stuck with the denim theme in a shirt and some trousers of the same material

At the YSL Beauty Night Out last week she revealed hopes to launch a blog to offer fans hair and beauty tips after receiving compliments on her look throughout the show.

She was joined at The Glue Store party on Wednesday by former X Factor Australia star Jacinta Gulisano who opted for denim overalls.

Young Talent Time star and Disney presenter Georgia May Davis was elegant in a black camisole and skinny jeans while model Georgia Gibbs was casual in a denim shirt and black trousers.

DJ Tigerlily showed off her green hair in some slouchy trousers with a matching shirt while blogger Melissa Whitelaw was daring in a busty crop-top and jeans.

Daring to bare: Blogger Melissa Whitelaw opted for a more risque ensemble of a transparent body and jeans
The first trailer for The Magnificent Seven remake is here - and it promises plenty of action.

The much anticipated clip was released on Wednesday morning, a day after fans got their very first look at images from the movie.

Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington) and Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt) are seen teaming up with five fellow gunslingers as they prepare for the 'impossible' task of taking on Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard).

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It's here!: The first trailer for The Magnificent Seven remake starring Denzel Washington (L) and Chris Pratt was released on Wednesday

One of the townspeople (played by Haley Bennett) comes to Sam for protection after the murderous Bartholomew wreaks havoc on her town.

'Sir, I have a proposition,' she is shown telling him. 'Were decent people being driven from our homes. Slaughtered in cold blood.'

Denzel's character tells her that she seeks 'revenge', and she replies: 'I seek righteousness, but I'll take revenge.'

In between plenty of clips of some of the movie's gunfights, Sam is shown recruiting six outlaws and hired guns to join him.

Much anticipated: The film is a remake of the 1960 movie of the same name

'You seek revenge': Sam Chisolm (Washington) is asked to help protect a desperate town from Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard)

Action packed: The film promises plenty of shoot-outs, and pays homage to the original western movie

The seven: Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), Jack Horne (Vincent DOnofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier) round out the seven

Josh asks him if the job will be 'difficult', to which he simply replies: 'Impossible.'

Once Denzel manages to round up his team, Ethan Hawke's character Goodnight Robicheaux admits: 'This is not going to end well.'

Making up the rest of the seven are Jack Horne (Vincent DOnofrio), Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier).

Mission impossible: Denzel's character recruits the gunslingers, telling them it's not going to be easy

Big shoes to fill: Chris is taking on the character that was made famous by Steve McQueen in the 1960 movie

'Is it difficult?': His character Josh Farraday is the first to be recruited by Sam

'I didnt like them then and now I get it': The actor has admitted that he only recently became a fan of westerns

The film is based on the 1960 western of the same name, with Denzel taking on the role of the group's leader which was originally played by Yul Brynner.

Meanwhile Chris has big shoes to fill as he is playing the character that Steve McQueen took on in the original.

This is the first time in Denzel's career that he has starred in a western.

A ragtag band of misfits: The group are made up of outlaws and hired guns

Desperate: One of the townspeople (played by Haley Bennett) comes to Sam for protection after the murderous Bartholomew wreaks havoc on her town

'I seek righteousness, but I'll take revenge': Haley's character will do whatever it takes for justice

'This is not going to end well': Ethan's character does not have a good feeling about their task

The movie reunites the actor with his The Equalizer and Training Day director Antoine Fuqua, who said he fully embraced his first venture into the genre.

'He had it with him all the time, even when he wasnt on the set,' Fuqua told USA Today of Denzel's Colt .45, adding that he also took horse riding lessons.

'Wed have meetings and hed be spinning and twirling his gun while we were talking. He used to walk around his house spinning guns, go to restaurants. Obviously, people knew it was for his character.'

'We're decent people being driven from our homes': Haley's character says the townspeople are being 'slaughtered in cold blood'

Explosive: The film reunites Denzel with his The Equalizer and Training Day director Antoine Fuqua

'These are people you want to be with, or you want to protect you': The director recently spoke about the film's characters

Speaking about the film's characters, the director said: 'These guys are gunslingers, and when they walk into the room, you notice them.

'These are people you want to be with, or you want to protect you.'

Chris has admitted that he only recently became a fan of westerns, although his father loved watching them.

Coming soon: The Magnificent Seven is due for release in the US and UK on September 23, 2016

Back to the old west: The trailer's release comes a day after fans were treated to the first images from the movie

The way they were: The cast of the original The Magnificent Seven read like a who's who of Hollywood leading men and included Steve McQueen, far left, Yul Brynner, second from left, and Charles Bronson, far right

'I didnt like them then and now I get it, like country music,' he said, according to TheWrap.com.

The release of the teaser for the movie comes after the first footage debuted at CinemaCon in Las Vegas last week.

The Magnificent Seven is due for release in the US and UK on September 23, 2016.

In a movie icon's footsteps: Debzel stars as the leader of the ragtag bunch, a role played in the 1960 original by Yul Brynner, right
James Franco turned 38 on Tuesday and he decided to celebrate his big day and pay tribute to music legend David Bowie at the same time.

The actor partied at Disneyland with some friends dressed as Bowie's alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

He wore a flame red wig, blue blazer and the signature blue and red Ziggy lightning bolt painted across his face.

Birthday boy: James Franco was spotted dressed as David Bowie's alter ego Ziggy Stardust as he celebrated his 38th birthday on Tuesday at Disneyland

He added a frilled dress shirt and piano keyboard tie and white slacks.

His pals on the outing also channeled the late Bowie's Ziggy by painting their faces.

After hearing of the British rock star's death on January 10, Franco had tweeted a picture of the music legend and the caption: 'Just the Best.'

Spinning around: The actor enjoyed plenty of rides including the rotating Tea Cups from the Mad Hatter's Tea Party as he hit up the California theme park with friends

Capturing the moment: Franco's pals also wore Ziggy make-up and the actor made sure to take plenty of selfies using a disposable camera

Hands in the air: Franco and pals took on Splash Mountain with gusto

Young at heart: He then changed tempo by taking a turn on the Alice In Wonderland ride with one of his female friends

The prolific actor and filmmaker and his group of about half a dozen male and female friends certainly made the most of their outing to the 'happiest place on earth.'

They were seen enjoying plenty of rides including the spinning teacups from the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, the Alice In Wonderland ride, Splash Mountain, It's A Small World and Haunted Mansion.

Franco even got his very own birthday button from the theme park showing Mickey Mouse holding a cake with candles and his name written on it in black ink.

Special: The star of The Adderall Diaries and Oz The Great And Powerful proudly wore his Disneyland birthday button with Mickey Mouse holding a cake with candles and his name written on it in black ink

Squad: Franco visited the theme park with about a half dozen male and female companions

Channeling Bowie: In addition to the Ziggy lightning bolt painted across his face, the actor wore a flame red wig with matching red sunglasses, a blue blazer with frilly dress shirt and piano keyboard tie and white slacks

His motley crew certainly turned plenty of heads as they strolled through Disneyland and the adjoining Califorina Adventure

The group were also kitted out with disposable cameras and were seen taking selfies as they enjoyed the rides at Disneyland and the adjoining California Adventure, in Anaheim, California.

It's unusual to see the New York-based actor and filmmaker spending time on the West Coast.

But Franco is in Los Angeles shooting a new movie with Bryan Cranston and Zoey Deutch called Why Him?

Iconic ride: Franco and friends had a blast on the newly revamped Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in frontierland

Good time: He was seen chucking as he went round and round in the spinning tea cups as a pal took photos
She's spent nearly a week working on her tan by the pool in Miami.

And on Wednesday, reality TV star Megan McKenna showed off yet another bikini from her extensive swimwear collection.

The TOWIE newbie, 23, flaunted her slim physique in a cranberry and gold two-piece as she relaxed outside her hotel.

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Beach babe: Reality TV star Megan McKenna showed off yet another bikini from her extensive swimwear collection on Wednesday

Healthy glow: Megan has spent nearly a week working on her tan by the pool in Miami

Check me out: Megan appeared to be impressed by her own bikini figure as she gave herself an approving look

Bottom's up :She looked flawless from every angle as she sashayed around the pool with her bottoms being swallowed by but butt cheeks

Tummy goals: The Essex native boasted an incredibly flat stomach and the definition was only highlighted by her golden skin tone

Poolside poser: Megan turned Baywatch pin-up as she proudly paraded every inch of her fit figure

Sit back and relax: Even as she sat up, her stomach looked impossibly toned

The Ex On The Beach star teamed her sexy bikini with a pair of oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses, wisely opting to remove her jewellery.

Megan has been sporting a different two-piece every day as she's been on vacation, which has been heavily documented on her Instagram and Snapchat accounts.

Known for her love of heavy fake tan, Megan's been replacing with the spray with the real thing as she soaked up Florida's hot spring weather.

Shady lady: The Ex On The Beach star teamed her sexy bikini with a pair of oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses

The reality babe continued to flash plenty of flesh in a racy snapchat, which saw her showcase her tan, as well as her skills with the clip sharing App.

And in another selfie, taken earlier on Tuesday, the TOWIE newcomer - who is dating Pete Wicks - pouted and preened for a selfie.

She unveiled a glimpse of her chest as she snapped a selfie at the edge of the water with her assets pressed up against the wall.

Tan and tanner: Known for her love of heavy fake tan, Megan's been replacing with the spray with the real thing as she soaked up Florida's hot spring weather

Another day, another bikini: Megan has been sporting a different two-piece every day as she's been on vacation

You can take the girl out of Essex: The reality star was almost luminous thanks to a generous application of fake tan

Tan lines, be gone: Megan was pictured loosening her bikini top as she set up camp on a sun bed

Oi oi-ly: Megan was lathered in baby oil to give the impression that she'd just been for a dip

And, as usual, Megan pouted like she meant business as she showed off her golden glow and designer Celine sunglasses.

The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant seems to be loving life across the pond as she shared her excitement ahead of a night out later on in the day.

She slipped into an all-white ensemble which intensified her bronzed skin and simply captioned the pouty self-portrait: 'Miami nights.'

Her sun-drenched vacation follows on from her admission that her ex-beau and Ex on the Beach co-star Jordan Davies lied about the cost of the engagement ring he proposed to her with during an episode of the series.

Enjoying the limelight: Megan's fame has ascended in recent months after she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and The Only Way Is Essex

She exclusively told MailOnline: 'I was angry (he proposed) on camera, I wish he didn't do it, I think it's embarrassing. He embarrassed me.

'He lied to me about the ring price for a start... He makes me out to be bad all the time but he needs to realise he's a liar.

'I actually blocked Jordan on everything when we broke up because he wasn't a very good boy.'

Girls' trip: The TOWIE star was joined by a pal for her sunshine vacation

Moving on: Megan is now dating TOWIE co-star Pete Wicks after a brief engagement to Jordan Davies last year
After some time out of the limelight, Jonathan Rhys Meyers is back doing what he does best.

The award-winning actor was joined by Spanish screen star Antonio Banderas as the pair filmed scenes for Black Butterfly in Subiaco, a small town in Rome Italy, on Wednesday.

Jonathan, 38, looked happy and healthy as he got into character while the hair and make-up team ensuring he was camera-ready at all times.

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Partners in crime: Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Antonio Banderas were pictured sharing a joke on set as they filmed Black Butterfly in Rome on Wednesday

The Irish favourite plays a drifter who's taken under a screenwriter's (Banderas) wing in the upcoming psychological thriller.

The Bend It Like Beckham heart-throb was dressed in a pair of slim-fitting jeans, a plain grey T-shirt, a khaki bomber jacket and a pair of leather lace up boots for the initial scenes.

His hair was slightly shaved at the sides with a suave quiff forming on the top of his head.

Camera ready: Jonathan, 38, looked happy and healthy as he got into character while the hair and make-up team ensuring he was camera-ready at all times

Keeping it casual: The Bend It Like Beckham heart-throb was dressed in a pair of slim-fitting jeans, a plain grey T-shirt, a khaki bomber jacket and a pair of leather lace up boots for the initial scenes

The new co-stars seemed in good spirits as they were pictured sharing a joke in between takes.

Antonio, 55, sported a brown wax jacket and a black cap which protected his identity somewhat.

Black Butterfly is directed by Brian Goodman and is based on the French film Papillon Noir which was written by Herve Korian and released in 2008.

The plot sees Jonathan's character take Antonio's hostage after he offers him a place to stay.

It turns out the stranger is deranged and forces the screenwriter to write which draws light on some of their most hidden secrets.

Jonathan is set to star in three additional titles this year - The Rising, London Town and Shadow.
She has been keeping busy shooting her new film in Paris.

And it seems the long hours are taking their toll on Cara Delevingne as she rocked a bizarre grey sleeping cushion wound around her head while heading to work on Wednesday.

The supermodel, 23, went especially off-piste with her choice of headgear - which resembled a prop from her upcoming futuristic flick Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets.

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Hats off to her! Cara Delevingne rocked a bizarre grey hairpiece as she headed to filming in Paris on Wednesday

The Burberry model shielded her brunette tresses in the grey tube of material which wound round her head several times.

She kept the rest of her outfit fairly low-key, donning a navy jumper and slinging a studded backpack over her shoulder.

The Paper Towns star is currently filming the Luc Besson directed Valerian, which also stars Ethan Hawke, Rihanna, Clive Owen and Dane DeHaan.

See Cara Delevingne updates as she rocks bizarre hairpiece that resembles futuristic prop

You can leave your hat on: The Burberry supermodel, 23, prop from her upcoming futuristic film Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Coming soon: Cara Delevingne dons a futuristic bodysuit as she stars alongside co-star Dane DeHaan and director Luc Besson in the first official still for upcoming sci-fi Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Set for release in July 2017, the movie centres around two spatio-temporal agents tasked with the mission to protect the interests of the human species.

The film sees Valerian (DeHaan) and Laureline (Delevingne) travel to the city of Alpha where they discover a threat to the ever-expanding metropolis.

Based on Pierre Christin's comic series, the tale is set in the 28th century and also focuses on the budding relationship between the agents.

It was also announced last October by Luc that Rihanna has a major role in the film, he tweeted: 'RIHANNA is in VALERIAN!!!!!....and she has a big part!! I'm Sooo excited!!!'

Besson's most famous work to date is between Leon and The Fifth Element, while his most recent offering Lucy, starring Scarlett Johanson, is seldom considered his best work.

Off-beat fashion choices: Cara - who is dating US musician St Vincent - shielded her brunette tresses in the grey headgear which wound round her head several times and kept the rest of her outfit fairly low-key

And French director Luc, 57, has been keeping fans more than entertained ahead of the film's release with behind the scenes snaps on his Instagram page.

Capturing Cara at her finest, one shot saw the British beauty reclining over two chairs and showing off some seriously futuristic footwear.

He captioned the snap simply: 'End of 3rd week' with a smiling emoji.

Sitting pretty: Valerian's French director Luc Besson shared a sweet snap of Cara reclining in between filming

Mind-bending: The model leaned over backwards and giving a piercing glare to the camera on the set of the sci-fi flick

One mind-bending shot saw Cara - who is dating American musician St Vincent - leaning over backwards and giving a piercing glare to the camera.

Clad in what appeared to be sensory-covered gear, the pretty actress was at odds to the blue screen and camera behind her.

Meanwhile another snap showed Cara in a full-on futuristic suit that clung to her lithe model figure.

The enigmatic shot, capturing her from behind allowed her to be recognisable thanks to her glossy chestnut locks.

Futuristic: The Paper Towns star went full science fiction in the skintight bodysuit which hugged her lithe model figure
She's yet to speak about becoming a first-time parent.

But Jaime Winstone's face said it all as she made her first pubic appearance since welcoming a baby boy into the world earlier in the year at a star-studded event on Wednesday evening.

The London-born actress was a vision of health and happiness as she stepped out to support good friend and one-time co-star Suki Waterhouse at the Magnum Double ice cream launch in her hometown.

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Out of hiding: Jaime Winstone cut a radiant figure as she stepped out for the first time since becoming a parent in London on Wednesday evening

Jaime, 30, beamed from ear-to-ear as she made a confident entrance into the glamorous bash.

The Love, Rosie star highlighted her trim post-baby body in a pair of skin-tight skinny jeans which she teamed with a funky-printed shirt.

She clashed the pattern with a navy pinstripe blazer while a floral-emblazoned clutch bag added another eye-catching element.

Party pals: Jaime caught up with model pal Suki Waterhouse, who was hosting the event

New-mother bliss: Jaime, 30, was a vision of health and happiness as she stepped out to support good friend and one-time co-star Suki Waterhouse at the Magnum Double ice cream launch in her hometown

Jaime stomped into the venue in a pair of blue velvet platform heels which featured a delicate ankle strap.

She favoured a less is more theme when it came to her make-up, allowing her natural new-mother glow take centre stage, while her brunette hair was curled and tied into a creative updo.

All in all, Jaime looked thrilled to be having a night off from mothering duties and the chance to socialise with her Primrose Hill posse.

Yummy! Jaime looked thrilled to be able to make her own Magnum ice cream

Mis-matched: The Love, Rosie actress looked effortlessly cool in a pair of skin-tight skinny jeans, a funky-printed shirt and a pinstripe blazer

The Made in Dagenham star confirmed she had indeed become a mother - and her boyfriend James Sucking a father - by sharing an image depicting her breastfeeding her newborn on her Instagram page last week.

While a large portion of her naked breast was visible in the image, only a glimpse of the tot's head could be seen.

'Morning #mamalife,' the candid snap was captioned.

Tale of motherhood? Jaime entertained Suki as they chatted over champagne
The Kardashian sisters all swear by Dr. Simon Ourian when it comes to getting cosmetic dermatology treatments.

And in an interview with Khloe for her subscription based website khloewithak.com, the doctor discusses his work on the youngest of the siblings, Kylie Jenner.

The star may be just 18 years old, but she has been working with Dr. Ourian for some time, and he divulged that she knows exactly what treatments she wants.

See Kylie Jenner updates as her doctor discusses her 'amazing metamorphosis'

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'She has been going through an amazing metamorphosis': The doctor behind Kylie Jenner's changing face has spoken about what it's like to work on her. She is seen left on Sunday and right in 2012

'Kylie has become very wise in what she wants to have done and she has been going through an amazing metamorphosis over the past couple of years,' he told Khloe.

Kylie finally admitted to having lip fillers in May of last year, which Dr. Ourian gave her at the age of seventeen.

Speaking to the New York Times in September, the reality star said: 'Hes the best, and hes super natural about it. I was going to somebody before, and it was just looking crazy.

Meanwhile, Khloe was quick to tell fans that the facial fillers she recently admitted to getting were not the cosmetic dermatologist's work.

Growing up fast: The star, pictured earlier this month, may be just 18 years old, but she has been working with Dr. Ourian for some time, and he divulged that she knows exactly what treatments she wants

Sharing his secrets: Dr. Simon Ourian did an interview with Khloe Kardashian for her subscription based app

'My sisters and I have been going to him for years for laser treatments and skin care at Epione, and he has seriously made my skin perfect,' she wrote. 'He even removed my tramp stamp!

'A while ago, I made a comment about how some doctor f**ked up my face with fillers and I need the world to know that it wasn't Dr. Ourian, LOL!!! After that experience, I went back to Dr. Ourian and he totally dissolved the fillers and fixed me. He's the BEST.'

Khloe asked Dr. Ourian to tell her fans how they met, and he explained that Kim recommended him to her, so she went in for a consultation.

'We talked about a few procedures and even though you seemed wary of cosmetic treatments, I found you to be down to earth and personable like the rest of your family,' he said.

Bottoms up!: In an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians which aired last year, the doctor gave the reality star laser treatment to get rid of cellulite on her bottom, while Kim and Kendall looked on

'We got along and started talking and joking, and I felt like I had known you forever. I thought you were quick-witted and had a great sense of humor and, needless to say, that you were beautiful.'

Dr. Ourian also shared a funny anecdote about what it was like removing the tattoo on the 31-year-old's lower back.

'I realized you were able to spew out more four letter words than most sailors,' he recalled. 'In fact, it was so entertaining that I was looking for more tattoos to remove.'

'Some doctor f**ked up my face': The 31-year-old (pictured in November) was quick to point out the Dr. Ourian wasn't the one to give her facial fillers

Dr. Ourian featured on an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians which aired last year, and saw Khloe getting laser treatment to remove cellulite on her bottom while Kim and Kendall looked on (while eating snacks).

The doctor told Khloe that he also enjoys working with Kim, because she always knows what treatments she wants.

'Kim is very detail-oriented and knows exactly what she wants and needs, so when I work on her, it is like working with a colleague and I really enjoy it,' he shared.

'Kim knows exactly what she wants': Khloe's big sister introduced her to Dr. Ourian, who runs Epione in Beverly Hills

Dr. Ourian added of Khloe: 'I love all of you and working on you is all about fun. You are very dedicated to anything you are involved in.

'You are intrigued by all the new and exciting things we can do and I love the transformation you have had with all your own hard work and a little help from me.'

Dr. Ourian also counts the likes of Sofia Vergara, Iggy Azalea, Lisa Vanderpump, Lisa Rinna and Kim Zolciak as clients.
Court documents from the dog smuggling case reveal Johnny Depp was under 24-hour medical care after he returned to Los Angeles from the Gold Coast last year.

The Hollywood actor received treatment for an injury to his right hand while filming the latest instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise.

In a sworn affidavit lodged the day before his wife Amber Heards trial in Southport Magistrates Court this week, the actress revealed she returned from New York to Los Angeles on April 18, 2015, to find her husband under 24-hour watch.

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Precautionary help: Johnny Depp was under 24-hour medical care after he returned to Los Angeles from the Gold Coast last year, according to court documents

When I returned to LA Johnny was on a considerable amount of medication and had 24-hour medical care, she wrote in the official documentation. The whole situation could be described as crazy and I wasnt sure if we were going to leave for Australia.

My recollection was it wasnt until shortly before we left that I became aware we were returning to Australia. The timing for his return was very uncertain.

The American star reportedly snapped his wrist during a go-karting session on a private track at MotoGP world champion Mick Doohans luxurious Coomera property in March last year.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted representatives for the stars to comment.

The married couple flew in to Australia last week for their hotly anticipated court appearance, where Amber admitted to falsifying court documents to smuggle her pet dogs into the country last year.

Oh dear: The Hollywood actor received treatment for an injury to his right hand while filming the latest instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise, according to court documents

On Monday, the starlet received a $1,000 fine and a one-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to one count of falsifying border protection documents when entering the country last May.

Amber, 29, failed to declare pet dogs Pistol and Boo when arriving in Australia where Depp was filming for Pirates of The Caribbean.

The Hollywood duo were swarmed by fans and photographers as they arrived at Southport Magistrates Court in Southport, Queensland.

Within minutes of their arrival Heard admitted the charge. Two others of illegally importing animals were dropped due to lack of evidence.

Moving on: On Monday, his wife Amber Heard received a $1,000 fine and a one-month good behaviour bond at Southport Magistrates Court

Tough time: Depp was allowed to smoke on a balcony at the courthouse as crowds of fans and media gathered outside for the hearing

During his wife's hearing, Depp was spotted smoking a cigarette on one of the courthouse's balcony - a breach of the rules under normal circumstances.

A source told Daily Mail Australia that court clerks made an exception for the star to stop him from leaving the building where hordes of fans awaited their departure.

As part of the hearing a judge was shown a cringe-worthy video produced by the couple in which they apologised for not declaring their two Yorkshire terriers during the 2015 journey.

In the clip a stony-faced Heard described Australia as a 'wonderful island' which boasts a 'treasure trove of unique plants, animals and people'.

Bizarre: During the hearing, a video of the pair in which Heard apologised for not declaring the dogs was shown

'Australia is free of many pests and diseases that are commonplace around the world. That is why Australia has to have such strong biosecurity laws.

'I am truly sorry Pistol and Boo were not declared. Protecting Australia is important.'

An equally sombre Depp added: 'Australians are just as unique - warm and direct. When you disrespect Australian law they will tell you firmly.

'Declare everything when you enter Australia.'

The clip was widely mocked on social media with some commentators describing it as a 'hostage video'.

Scandal: The row began last May when it emerged the pair's dogs, Pistol and Boo, were in the country seemingly having bypassed normal procedures

Jet set: Heard had flown in to Australia with the couple's dogs to visit Depp while he filmed Pirates of The Caribbean

Heard and Depp were ordered to remove their dogs from the country last year or risk having them put down after they appeared at a grooming salon in Queensland having seemingly bypassed the proper protocol for animals entering the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce professed at the time that allowances should not be made for celebrities entering the country, fuming: 'If we start letting movie stars  even though they've been the sexiest man alive twice  to come into our nation (with pets), then why don't we just break the laws for everybody?'

He dismissed the pair's video this week, questioning its authenticity and Depp's acting skills.

'What I can say is although I don't think he'll get an Academy Award for his performance, the fact that he did it  he looked like he was auditioning for the Godfather,' he told the AM.

He admitted that the scandal had brought global attention to the issue of Australia's strict bio security laws, adding: 'At the end of it we've got a message that is going all around the world right now, it's going off like a frog in a sock telling people that if you come into this nation and you don't obey our laws, you're in trouble.'
Seven killed in Boko Haram attack in Chad

Seven civilians were killed in an attack in Chad blamed on Nigerian Boko Haram rebels, officials said Monday.

The Islamist militants ambushed people on their way to a market in Tchoukou Telia near Lake Chad on Friday, Dimouya Souapebe, the deputy prefect of Baga Sola told AFP.

Some of the victims had their throats cut while others were shot, he said.

Chadian soldiers pose with their arms near Malam Fatori, after the town in north-eastern Nigeria was retaken from Boko Haram by troops from Chad and Niger on April 3, 2015 Philippe Desmazes (AFP/File)

Improvised mines were later discovered along the road between Tchoukou Telia and Ngouboua close to the Nigerian border, which Boko Haram also raided in recent weeks.

The Chadian army is taking part in an regional offensive against the insurgents along with troops from Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon.
US reaffirms support for 'paused' Syria peace talks

The United States insisted Tuesday that UN-mediated peace talks remain the best hope for Syria, despite mounting violence and an opposition walk-out.

Suspected Syrian government air strikes on markets killed at least 44 civilians Tuesday and opposition envoys have "postponed" negotiations in Geneva.

But despite the apparent breakdown in the talks, State Department spokesman John Kirby said Washington still believes a cessation of hostilities is in place.

UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy (4th L) attends an internal Syrian opposition delegation meeting in Geneva on April 19, 2016 Mohammad Hannon (POOL/AFP)

And, while blaming Bashar al-Assad's regime for most of the recent ceasefire violations, he urged the opposition camp to return to the negotiations.

"We continue to believe in the political process, in the importance of these talks," Kirby said.

The US spokesman cited UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura's estimate that, while violence is rising, attacks remain 70 percent lower than before the truce.

"Where it had been 80 to 90 percent reduction in violence, it's now about 70," he told reporters.

"The trend lines are not going in the right direction but it is still a noteworthy reduction in violence.

"So we still believe the cessation is in place, that it is still largely holding and that it is important to keep it in place and to keep it going."

The latest in a long series of talks to end Syria's five-year conflict failed to get off the ground this week.

The partial truce, brokered by the United States and Russia, led to a drop in violence across Syria.

But a recent surge in fighting, especially around Syria's opposition-held second city Aleppo, has sparked fears of its total collapse.
US envoy says Burundi government is 'driver' of crisis

A senior US official accused Burundi's government of being behind the central African country's prolonged political crisis, saying Tuesday that the administration was doing everything possible to stop Washington helping civilians.

Burundi has been in turmoil since April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term, which he went on to win in July, with violence leaving hundreds dead.

"The government of Burundi is the driver, not the victim of this current crisis, whether it's on the political side or the economic side," Thomas Perriello, US special envoy for Africa's Great Lakes region, told a press conference in the capital Bujumbura.

Burundi has been in turmoil since April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a third term, which he went on to win in July Carl De Souza (AFP/File)

"The government is doing everything it can to make it impossible for us and other partners to continue to support the Burundian people and the Burundian economy."

The opposition, as well as civil groups and some of Nkurunziza's own supporters, accuse him of violating the constitution and the Arusha peace deal that ended Burundi's 1993-2006 civil war -- a conflict that claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.

Violence over the past year has left more than 400 people dead and forced more than 250,000 people to flee Burundi, and watchdogs have repeatedly sounded the alarm.

On Monday, UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said his team had recorded at least 345 cases of torture and ill-treatment in Burundi since January and nearly 600 over the past year, and warned that the actual numbers were probably higher.

"These shocking figures are a clear indicator of the widespread and growing use of torture and ill-treatment by government security forces," Zeid said.

Perriello said there had been "concrete pledges from the president himself, just a few weeks ago, about the release of political prisoners -- we have not seen that.

"We saw a pledge from the president himself about 200 African Union monitors, and there continues to be games played," he added.

The US envoy said there was "systematic documentation" of torture and extrajudicial killings "at a time where the government says they are committed to making sure that Burundians feel safe for returning to their country".

"This is the kind of double speak that doesn't build confidence in the government or the path forward," he added.

"A lot of the cards are in the hands of the government, whether or not they are interested in trying to solve the economic and political crisis by delivering on the pledges that they've made on the highest level."

Perriello was in Burundi after a tour that took him to France, Switzerland, Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He is set to meet in the coming days with former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa, who has been appointed a mediator in the Burundi crisis by the six-nation East African Community.

Perriello expressed support for Mkapa's efforts to find a resolution to the crisis, including the establishment of a dialogue between the government and the exiled opposition.
Yahoo logs loss as it courts potential buyers

Yahoo reported a quarterly loss on Tuesday as the struggling Internet pioneer continued to court potential buyers and examine other strategic options.

Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer said the company has "made substantial progress toward potential strategic alternatives" while working to trim costs and drive growth.

The company reported a net loss of $99 million in the first quarter, compared with a $21 million profit a year earlier.

Yahoo President and CEO Marissa Mayer, pictured on February 18, 2016, said the company has "made substantial progress towards potential strategic alternatives" Stephen Lam (Getty/AFP/File)

Revenues slumped to $1.09 billion compared to $1.23 billion in same period a year earlier.

Yahoo chief financial officer Ken Goldman said the results were "at the high end or above our guidance ranges," and that company continued to look at "the strategic alternatives process as a top priority."

The firm offered no specifics, saying its board committee and legal advisors had talks "with interested strategic and financial parties."

Yahoo shares rose 1.4 percent to $36.84 in after-hours trade following the release.

"While slightly better than expectations, Yahoos results point to a gradual decline in most financial indicators over time and against key competitors," said Warwick Business School's Sotirios Paroutis, who has studied Yahoo.

"What parts of the business will be sold to whom and at what price are the next strategic decisions for Yahoos management."

- Courting bidders -

US telecoms giant Verizon has emerged as a leading contender to take over Yahoo as other big names reportedly drop out, according to US financial media.

Chances for Verizon Communications have climbed as Google parent Alphabet, Time Inc. and US broadcasting and cable television group Comcast all decided against making an offer, the Wall Street Journal said, citing unnamed sources, just before a reported deadline for submissions passed on Monday.

Bloomberg News, also citing unnamed sources, said Verizon is now vying for Yahoo's core business against at least two other bidders: TPG, a private equity firm, and YP Holdings, the online advertising business of what was previously called Yellowpages.com.

Daily Mail and General Trust, the parent group behind British tabloid Daily Mail, revealed last week that it was in talks with "a number of parties" over a potential bid for Yahoo, but it is unclear whether the negotiations resulted in an offer.

Although Mayer declined to reveal who was in the bidding for Yahoo and what offers, if any, had been made, she did say during an earnings call with analysts that management takes part in daily calls or meetings with the review committee or its consultants.

"We are moving expeditiously," she said.

- Mayer's Mavens -

Meanwhile, workers inside Yahoo are pursuing a plan to revive the company despite the "external noise," Mayer said.

Yahoo has been working to separate its core business from its valuable stake in Chinese Internet colossus Alibaba, and any deal is likely to be only for the declining "core" operations.

Although Yahoo is one of the best-known names on the Internet, used by around a billion people, it has fallen behind Google in web searches and been steadily losing ground in online advertising.

In February, Yahoo said it was cutting 15 percent of its workforce and narrowing its focus as it explored "strategic alternatives."

Mayer has simultaneously been working to revive growth and made priorities of what she refers to as "Mavens" -- mobile, video, native advertising and social media.

Revenue from Mavens was on track to top the company's $1.8 billion forecast for this year, Yahoo said.

Mayer's loyalists maintain that Mavens are a hidden success story at Yahoo, blossoming while the company's legacy business withers.

But some shareholders are impatient, and one activist investment group has launched a bid to gain control of Yahoo's board, calling the transformation efforts a failure.

Industry tracker eMarketer forecast that digital ad revenue this year at Yahoo will fall nearly 14 percent to $2.83 billion while money raked in by Silicon Valley rivals Google and Facebook will rise.
EU stresses Golan position after Netanyahu comments

EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini stressed that the European Union does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the annexed territory would "forever" remain in his country's hands.

"The EU recognises Israel within its pre-1967 borders, whatever the government's claims on other areas, until a final settlement is concluded," Mogherini said.

"And this is a common consolidated position of the European Union and its member states," she added ahead of a meeting in Brussels for international donors supporting the Palestinian economy.

The wreckage of a tank in the Israeli-occupied sector of the Golan Heights, along the border with Syria Jalaa Marey (AFP/File)

Netanyahu's cabinet on Sunday held its first meeting in the Golan Heights, territory seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War.

"The Golan Heights will remain in the hands of Israel forever," Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting, in comments broadcast on public radio.

Bashar al-Jaafari, Syria's envoy to the United Nations, denounced the meeting as an "irresponsible provocation", while Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi called it an "escalation".
Panama president denies country is tax haven

Panama has been "wrongly" labelled a tax haven, President Juan Carlos Varela said in an interview with a Japanese news agency, defending his country amid the global "Panama Papers" scandal.

Panama is scrambling to avert redesignation as a tax haven that assists money laundering after the disclosure of the offshore dealings of many of the world's wealthy, famous and infamous.

They came to light when millions of documents covering nearly 40 years of business were leaked from the archives of the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela (L) speaks with his Economy and Finance Minister Dulcidio de la Guardia during an investment seminar in Tokyo on April 19, 2016 Toshifumi Kitamura (AFP)

The revelations have had far-reaching political consequences, already bringing down the Icelandic prime minister and Spain's industry minister, while forcing others to explain their financial dealings.

"Wrongly, we have been labelled a tax haven," Varela said in the interview in Tokyo on Tuesday with Jiji Press.

"Panama is a country respectful of laws."

In the interview, Varela said that his country will establish a high-level commission, to be composed of six to eight internal and external members, within six months in order to improve transparency of its financial system.

The members are slated to include Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, Jiji reported.

Varela, who arrived in Japan on Sunday, also called for global efforts to tackle the scandal on Tuesday, insisting it is not a problem just for his country but the international financial system as a whole.

In an investment seminar in Tokyo, Varela said Panama is willing to cooperate with an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development initiative to share tax information, saying: "We have the door open to do it in a multilateral way."

Varela said he plans to announce a bilateral taxation scheme with Japan under OECD standards on Wednesday following his meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Panamanian president's visit to Japan comes after the world's leading economies took a step last week toward denying tax evaders and money launderers the ability to hide behind anonymous shell companies.

Acting in the wake of the scandal, finance chiefs of the Group of 20 meeting in Washington on Friday supported proposals requiring authorities to share the identities of shell companies' real owners.

They also backed creating a blacklist of international tax havens that do not cooperate with information-sharing programmes.
Battle over calls to boycott Israel goes global

When word spread that the Ahava cosmetics firm would move its factory from the occupied West Bank, it set off alarm bells among Israelis for reasons nothing to do with its products.

There were suspicions that Ahava, which sells Dead Sea minerals and mud around the world, had made the decision because of mounting pressure to shift its operations from the Palestinian territory.

The beauty products company said in a statement that it would "establish an additional plant" inside Israel, but has yet to explicitly confirm the West Bank factory will close.

An Israeli woman reaches for an AHAVA Dead Sea cosmetic product manufactured in the Israeli Kibbutz settlement of Mitzpe Shalem, in the occupied West Bank Gali Tibbon (AFP/File)

Yet activists are seeing it as a victory for their campaign known by the initials BDS -- or Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions -- that calls for a boycott of Israel until it withdraws from the occupied territories.

The campaign is a decade old, but recent moves like Ahava's have raised the question of whether it has now gained steady momentum.

It has become an increasingly global fight, with skirmishes taking place not only in the West Bank but in courtrooms, parliaments and university campuses in New York, Paris and London.

Supporters of the campaign point to past moves by companies like SodaStream, which pulled out of the West Bank in September 2015, and British-Danish security giant G4S, which will leave Israel altogether.

But at the same time, some companies in the West Bank are proudly expanding, defying pressure not only from BDS but also the European Union, which recently began requiring products from Israeli-occupied territory to be labelled.

Israel is not taking BDS lightly, with officials calling it a "strategic threat" and budgeting 118 million shekels ($31 million) to fight it this year.

Both sides recently held strategy conferences and, perhaps unsurprisingly, both claim to be winning.

Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan told the pro-Israeli conference his government was seeking to "be able to thwart (criticism) in real time and even be one step ahead of BDS."

- 'Never leave this place' -

BDS has sought to use the anti-apartheid campaign in South Africa in the 1980s as an example.

Israelis and others however accuse it of going beyond legitimate criticism into anti-Semitism, claims campaigners deny.

"They can't respond in the traditional way... to accuse of being terrorists or funded by terrorists. It is easy for the world to see this is not true," Jamal Juma, a member of the BDS executive committee in Ramallah, told AFP.

"(So) they are trying internationally to criminalise the movement."

Even the Palestinian government does not support a total boycott of Israel, though it does urge bans on products made in settlements on occupied land.

Some 2.8 million Palestinians live in the West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem in near constant tension with more than 500,000 Israeli settlers.

Israeli settlements and industrial zones in the Palestinian territory, which receive significant government subsidies, are considered illegal under international law.

The anti-occupation NGO Gush Shalom estimates a glut of companies have left the West Bank in recent years, and even smaller firms face pressure to depart.

The Psagot winery now produces 250,000 bottles a year, but founder Yaakov Berg says he turned down a multi-million-dollar investment in the firm as the investors wanted him to relocate to inside Israel.

"I would never leave this place," he said.

The wider impact on Israel's economy so far seems limited.

Settlements represent only two-to-three percent of Israel's trade and the Yesha Council, which represents Israeli settlements, said the number of factories in settlements grew from 680 in 2011 to 890 in 2015.

But while smaller, ideologically motivated firms such as Psagot are unlikely to change course, some analysts say larger ones are feeling the pressure.

Ofer Zalsberg of the International Crisis Group think-tank said major firms that would have happily invested in the West Bank five years ago are now wary of doing so.

- Moving the goalposts? -

Israeli officials fear BDS's influence is slowly moving the goalposts.

In October, the European Union introduced labelling on products from the West Bank, while the US ambassador has been unusually outspoken in his criticism of Israel's West Bank policies.

Zalsberg said the Israeli government fears becoming delegitimised, as well as further measures such as excluding West Bank settlers from the automatic visas to European countries granted to Israelis.

Ben-Dror Yemeni, an Israeli journalist who campaigns against BDS, admitted they may never win the battle for public support in some countries.

"Right now the battlefield is public opinion in the West and I think they might prevail -- the BDS supporters," he said.

"It is so easy to sell this anti-Israel propaganda."

Israel has instead increasingly focused on measures limiting BDS legally.

Ron Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, said they first brought together 40 Jewish lawyers two years ago to develop a legal strategy.

"On the legal front, we are winning," Lauder recently told Israel's largest ever anti-BDS conference.

Events of recent months appear to bear out his claims.

In France, in October the high court effectively banned BDS in a ruling that has had a devastating impact.

In the United States, so far seven states have adopted resolutions condemning BDS, organised largely by evangelical Christian groups.

In Britain, the government has introduced new measures to prevent local government boycotts, while the Canadian parliament recently condemned BDS.

However, boycott movements on university campuses, have sought to keep up the pressure on Israel.

Arab-Israeli colleagues react before the departure of the last Palestinian employees of the Israeli SodaStream drinks firm on February 29, 2016 after they were laid off due to a work permit battle at the plant in the Israeli city of Rahat Jack Guez (AFP/File)

British-Danish security giant G4S is planning leave Israel altogether Adrian Dennis (AFP/File)
Kuwait to restore full oil output after strike ends

Kuwait's state oil firm said Wednesday it expects to restore full production within three days after workers ended a strike in a surprise about-turn that triggered a renewed slide in world prices.

The walkout by thousands of staff of Kuwait Petroleum Corp. (KPC) and its subsidiaries on Sunday in a dispute over planned pay cuts had slashed the emirate's output from 3.0 million barrels per day to 1.5 million and prompted a brief rally in world prices.

But early on Wednesday the Kuwait Oil Workers Union announced its members were returning to work after what it called an "extremely successful" strike that had made the government pay attention to their concerns.

Kuwait's crude production fell from 3.0 million barrels per day to just 1.5 million bpd during a three-day strike of petroleum workers Yasser Al-Zayyat (AFP/File)

Staff were already returning to work in response to the union's call, KPC said, adding that operations at its installations were resuming.

Company spokesman Sheikh Talal Khaled al-Sabah said a gradual return to normal production of 3.0 million bpd "would take around three days".

The union's surprise announcement, which came just hours after its leaders had vowed to continue the strike until all their demands were met, quashed hopes the disruption could help ease a persistent supply glut and saw oil shed nearly a dollar on world markets.

Around 1100 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in May was down 91 cents at $40.17 a barrel, and Brent North Sea crude for June delivery fell 70 cents to $43.32.

Prices "are coming under pressure again... after oil workers in Kuwait agreed to end their strike against wage and job cuts and work to return output to pre-strike levels", said analyst Craig Erlam at trading firm Oanda.

The climbdown by the union came after an appeal by acting oil minister Anas al-Saleh on Tuesday night for staff to return to work so that negotiations could be held on their demands.

"We cannot sit at the negotiating table while the strike is still going on. Return to work and come and negotiate," he told the private Al-Rai satellite television.

Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah met on Wednesday with the union's leaders after they called off the strike.

They discussed "the negative impact of the strike and halting production at the vital oil facilities in addition to losses" caused by the industrial action, said an official statement.

The premier said the government would fully respect any right for employees under the law but it was not possible to "respond to any demands under the pressure of work stoppage and disruption to vital interests," said the statement quoted by the official KUNA news agency.

- Union demands -

The union has yet to comment on the talks.

The workers' demands include dropping plans to cut some benefits in the face of falling oil prices and excluding the sector from a new payroll scheme for public employees.

Saleh, who is also finance minister, said the government had not yet implemented any decision regarding oil workers' pay.

The prime minister said KPC did not plan to cut its workers' wages or their end of service indemnities.

But he added that the company had decided to reduce future pay rises in line with spending cuts adopted in other state organisations.

He said that average monthly pay for oil sector staff in Kuwait was around $22,000, compared with about $4,200 for civil servants.

Saleh said that KPC planned to cut the annual pay rise received by its staff from 7.5 percent of their basic salary to 5.0 percent.

Kuwait posted budget windfalls for 16 consecutive fiscal years due to high oil prices but posted a budget deficit in the 2015/2016 year which ended March 31.

For the 2016-17 fiscal year, it projects a record deficit of $38 billion, equivalent to 30 percent of gross domestic product.

Kuwait has liberalised the price of diesel and kerosene and is considering cutting subsidies on other services.

But it is facing difficulties in cutting spending which has increased more than fourfold since 2006, mostly on wages and subsidies.

Kuwaiti oil workers sit at the union's headquarters in Al-Ahmadi on April 19, 2016, the third day of strikes over pay and privatisation plans Yasser AL-Zayyat (AFP)

Thousands of staff of Kuwait Petroleum Corp. and its subsidiaries walked out on April 17, 2016 in a dispute over planned pay cuts and plans to privatise parts of the oil sector Yasser Al-Zayyat (AFP/File)
Delayed take-off for China's own regional jet

China's homegrown regional jet should have made its first commercial flight weeks ago, but the ARJ21 has still not flown any fare-paying passengers, dealing yet another setback to the country's ambitious plans for domestically produced planes.

Chengdu Airlines received the aircraft from manufacturer the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) in November, already years behind schedule, and it made several "demonstration" flights without passengers in January.

It was scheduled to ferry passengers from its home base in southwest China to commercial hub Shanghai on February 28, according to media reports, but has yet to do so. Neither the jet's maker nor the airline were willing to say why.

China's home-grown ARJ21 jet has still not flown any fare-paying passengers, dealing yet another setback to the country's ambitious plans for domestically produced planes Wang Zhao (AFP/File)

"The Civil Aviation Administration of China is still doing preparation work for the first flight, so maybe it hasn't finished," a COMAC spokesman told AFP, referring to the government regulator. "The airline and CAAC have the final say."

A CAAC spokeswoman referred questions about the issue to the airline.

Chengdu Airlines, whose fleet consists of 21 A320 aircraft made by European consortium Airbus and the single ARJ21, declined to give a date. "There is no exact time," a spokesman said.

When the ARJ21 -- which stands for Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st century -- finally takes to the skies for commercial flights, it will be the culmination of a programme that has so far taken 14 years.

First formally approved by the government in 2002, journalists were shown the body of the plane five years later, when officials confidently predicted deliveries in late 2009.

Some Chinese see it as their patriotic duty to fly on the homegrown aircraft.

"Support the domestically made plane! I would take it!" said an online posting.

But first COMAC must win over customers and passengers about the ARJ21's quality and reliability. The aircraft still lacks the crucial US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification that would allow it to fly in US skies.

Some potential passengers expressed worries. "It's not that I am unpatriotic. To be honest, I don't dare take the plane. It's still Boeing and Airbus (for me)," said an online post by Tang Kanyang, who identified himself as a lawyer.

- A competitive threat? -

The plane can seat 78-90 passengers and has a range of 2,225-3,700 kilometres (1,380- 2,294 miles). State-owned COMAC has claimed more than 270 orders for the ARJ21, mainly from domestic customers, and has bigger plans too.

In November, it rolled out the C919, China's first domestically developed narrow-body passenger plane, the next step up in size. Officials said at the time that it would make its first test flight this year, though reports say it might also be delayed.

The Shanghai-based company will partner with US aircraft maker Boeing to set up an interior completion centre in China, and aims to produce an even larger wide-body jet in cooperation with Russia's United Aircraft Corp. whose products include the Sukhoi Superjet 100.

The ARJ21 was also a no-show at China's major show for corporate jets in Shanghai last week, though it does have a business version and could potentially compete against some of the foreign brands that were displayed on the Hongqiao Airport runway.

COMAC restricted itself to display miniatures of the ARJ21 at Asia's premier air show in Singapore in February.

"They (Chinese officials) are looking at these market segments thinking: How can we do what Boeing and Airbus have done?" said Jeff Lowe, managing director of aviation services provider Asian Sky Group.

But most manufacturers do not view the COMAC plane as a competitive threat yet, even though the Chinese commercial aircraft market is already Asia's largest and crucial to their plans over the next decades.

"They have a product. We have ours," said Fernando Grau, director of marketing and product strategy for executive jets of Brazil's Embraer in China.

The ARJ21 is comparable in seating capacity to Embraer's E170 and E175, parts of a family of aircraft with more than 1,100 deliveries.

Foreign jet makers can offer a far more extensive product line and industry executives said COMAC was seeking to develop what took other manufacturers decades to do.

"Currently, we don't see anything that competes with us in terms of a traditional business jet," said Scott Neal, senior vice president for worldwide sales and marketing for Gulfstream of the United States.

"It's taken us 60 years to gain the position we have and the expertise in designing and building high-technology, high-performance corporate aircraft."

Asked whether China could one day field a rival, he said: "Time will tell."

Neither the jet maker COMAC for Chengdu Airlines are willing to explain why the first flight carrying pasengers to Shanghai on February 28 has been delayed Ng Han Guan (AFP/File)
Sanctions uncertainty hinders investor return to Iran

Iran may technically be open to foreign investors after a nuclear deal with Western powers, but many sanctions remain, deterring potential business partners who fear the US could hit them again with punishing fines.

In January, the United States and other Western powers lifted sanctions related to Tehran's nuclear programme, mostly on oil exports and financial transactions.

But it remains on Washington's sanctions list in other areas, notably for allegedly supporting terrorism and its human rights record.

An anti-US banner inspired by American photographer Joe Rosenthal's iconic World War II photograph "Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima" displayed on a building in Tehran, Iran Atta Kenare (AFP/File)

"Iran sanctions are still very much alive," Farhad Alavi, a US-based lawyer specialising in sanctions application, told AFP.

This echoes remarks by John Smith, acting director of the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), to a congressional panel in February that "broadly, the US primary embargo on Iran is still in place".

Most importantly, the Islamic Republic remains on an international blacklist owing to its alleged sponsoring of what Washington and its allies regard as terror groups.

This means that US banks, or major foreign banks with US-based operations, are fighting shy of handling Iranian funds, fearful they could suffer a repeat dose of fines totalling some $15 billion (13.2 billion euros) over the past five years handed down by US regulators.

- Gorilla in the room -

"As we offer banking services through our US operations we are required to continue to restrict business activity with Iran," Barclays chief executive Jes Staley said.

The biggest fine for sanctions violations, at $8.9 billion, was slapped on BNP Paribas but the likes of HSBC and Commerzbank also suffered.

Still, since an agreement nine months ago limiting Tehran's nuclear programme to "exclusively peaceful" purposes, followed by "Implementation Day" in January, both sides have been exploring a revival of business links.

President Hassan Rouhani's visit to France in January was followed by trips of the Greek and Italian leaders to Tehran. More recently EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini headed a high-level delegation to Iran to discuss energy, trade, investment and also the Syrian migration crisis.

Progress is real and tangible, said Sanam Vakil, Middle East specialist and lecturer at Johns Hopkins University.

"Technically, Iran is open for business without a doubt," Vakil told AFP.

"An overall thaw and loosening is evident," added Alavi, but "the 800-pound gorilla in the room is that the US and Iran have still not reconciled" politically, he told AFP.

- 'Willingness to start cooperating' -

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which sets international standards to combat money laundering and terrorism finance, said after its recent annual meeting in Paris it remains "exceptionally concerned about Iran's failure to address the risk of terrorist financing and the serious threat this poses to the integrity of the international financial system".

The FATF therefore continues to bracket Iran with North Korea as a non-cooperative jurisdiction with "strategic deficiencies (which) pose a risk to the international financial system".

That means Washington will not be throwing out its 2012 Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act just yet.

Even so, FATF executive secretary David Lewis told AFP that Tehran does want to engage.

"They have approached us. They have shown a willingness to start cooperating with us (and) we will be engaging with them in the near future on that," said Lewis.

Nigel Coulthard, former president of Alstom in Iran and chairman of the Paris-based Cercle Iran Economie association, said political change is tangible, even if "the regime still has a firm grip on things".

For Alavi, "economic globalisation has forced a sea change in thinking on both sides, especially in Tehran. The necessities of pragmatism dictate" a lasting improvement.

But Coulthard also cited ongoing frustration in Europe over "American pressure" to force European firms "to be over-compliant in even the most legitimate business" inside Iran.

Iran may technically be open to foreign investors after a nuclear deal with Western powers, but many sanctions remain, deterring potential business partners Atta Kenare (AFP/File)
In style and politics, Kosovo women see Clinton as role model

A boutique in Kosovo's capital leaves no doubt about its favoured candidate in the US presidential race -- the clues are right in its name and on the racks of smart trouser suits.

Pristina's Hillary boutique and its sister shop, Hillary 2, are a testament to Kosovo's enduring love not only for the United States but particularly for the Clinton couple.

"We wanted to honour the Clinton family in our business," said owner Elda Morina-Ymeraga, 33.

Pristina's Hillary boutique and its sister shop, Hillary 2, are a testament to Kosovo's enduring love not only for the United States but particularly for the Clinton couple. Armend Nimani (AFP)

Her family's first store is on Bill Clinton Boulevard near a huge statue of the former US president, both commemorating his support during the Kosovan struggle for independence from Serbia.

And Hillary, 68, offers a strong role model for women in Muslim-majority Kosovo, which can already claim the Balkans' first elected female president and upholds gender balance -- in law if not in practice.

"She is not only a person who, with her family, has helped Kosovo enormously but she also has unique taste in clothing," Morina-Ymeraga told AFP in the Hillary 2 store, set in a shabby communist-era block from the former Yugoslavia that jars with its sharp suits, bright blouses and elegant dresses.

"This was why we started to promote Hillary's style in Kosovo, offering clothes to women that are identical to those worn by Hillary."

In 2010, Morina-Ymeraga had the surprise -- and publicity boost -- of a lifetime when the then US secretary of state paid her main store an unexpected visit during a trip to Pristina.

Framed photos hang proudly on the shop walls, recalling the meeting that gave the retailer a "simply incredible feeling".

"Every local customer first comes out of curiosity to ask what I discussed with Hillary. And that curiosity continues after all these years," she said.

- 'Need for change' -

Morina-Ymeraga's father set up the first Hillary store in 2002, a few years after the 1998-1999 war between Serbia's armed forces and the separatist ethnic Albanian rebels in its southern province.

Serbia withdrew from Kosovo after an 11-week bombing campaign by NATO, backed by then president Bill Clinton. He later gave strong support to Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence in 2008 -- a move still unrecognised by Belgrade.

Bill Clinton was "the first who emphasised the need for change in Kosovo and the need to ban Serbia's rule over Albanians", said Morina-Ymeraga, who imports most garments from Turkey but hopes to create her own "Hillary" label.

Promoting the former First Lady as fashion icon -- notably her beloved trouser suits -- caught on with Kosovo's female civil servants, politicians and other professionals who make up the store's main clientele.

Choosing a red mix-and-match outfit -- jacket, skirt and trousers for 50 euros ($56) a piece -- financial consultant Miradije Salihu, 46, said she wanted clothes that would double as work and evening wear.

"If (Clinton) can successfully run all of her campaign wearing the same style of outfit throughout, why would I not do the same while running my business?"

- Women at the top -

If Clinton wins the November race she will be the first woman in charge of the White House, whereas Kosovo chose its first female president, 41-year-old Atifete Jahjaga, five years ago. Her term ended this month.

The top diplomatic job, ambassador to the United States, is currently held by a woman and the secular constitution sets a 30 percent quota for female MPs -- putting Kosovo ahead of even Britain and France in parliamentary gender balance.

But gender equality is still a far-off goal: a labour force survey conducted in 2014 showed that only 21.4 percent of Kosovo's working age women held jobs, compared with 61.8 percent of men.

Ulpiana Neziri-Lama, a sociologist, foreign ministry official and former TV news anchor, said the problem was greater in rural parts of Kosovo. But even in cities women faced discrimination.

"The public space is contaminated by sexist comments," she told AFP, stressing that "this is very widespread."

As Kosovan women strive for more openings, Clinton's determined bid for the White House has struck a chord.

"All women of Kosovo should take her as an example," said 22-year-old student Mimoza Nishori outside the Hillary store. "She is a woman with a lot of energy and does her work with competence."

Elda Morina-Ymeraga had the surprise -- and publicity boost -- of a lifetime when the then US secretary of state paid her main store an unexpected visit during a trip to Pristina. Armend Nimani (AFP)

And Hillary, 68, offers a strong role model for women in Muslim-majority Kosovo, which can already claim the Balkans' first elected female president and upholds gender balance -- in law if not in practice. Armend Nimani (AFP)
Syria opposition chiefs leave Geneva talks after market strikes

Syrian opposition leaders started leaving Geneva after air strikes on markets in the northwest killed at least 44 people, saying they could not take part in peace talks while civilians were dying daily.

In some of the deadliest violence since a ceasefire took effect in February, a suspected regime bombing raid on Tuesday hit a market in the city of Maaret al-Numan, killing at least 37 civilians, a monitor said.

Footage showed bloodied bodies scattered among twisted metal stalls in a street strewn with fruit and vegetables.

In some of the deadliest violence since a ceasefire took effect in February, a suspected regime bombing raid hit a market in the city of Maaret al-Numan, killing at least 37 civilians Mohamed al-Bakour (AFP)

Another strike on a fish market in the nearby town of Kafranbel killed seven civilians, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group.

The strikes were in Idlib province, which is under the control of Al-Qaeda's Syrian offshoot Al-Nusra Front.

Like the Islamic State group, Al-Nusra is excluded from the ceasefire and regime forces have continued offensives in areas under its control.

The main opposition High Negotiations Committee condemned the strike on Maaret al-Numan as a "massacre" and clear violation of the truce.

"It is a dangerous escalation of an already fragile situation, showing contempt for the whole international community at a time when there is supposed to be a cessation of hostilities," said spokesman Salem al-Meslet.

The raid was "Assad's response" to the HNC's decision to suspend its formal participation in negotiations.

"Our decision to postpone our participation in the Geneva talks was taken to highlight the cynicism of the regime in pretending to negotiate while escalating the violence... The world must not ignore this challenge," said Meslet.

- UN insists talks go on -

The troubled talks -- the latest in a long series of efforts to end Syria's five-year conflict -- failed to get off the ground this week despite hopes brought on by the ceasefire.

The partial truce, brokered by the United States and Russia, led to a dramatic drop in violence across Syria but a recent surge in fighting, especially around second city Aleppo, has raised fears of its total collapse.

The opposition announced Monday it was putting its participation on hold to protest escalating violence and restrictions on humanitarian access.

HNC coordinator Riyad Hijab said Tuesday that he and other delegates were beginning to leave Geneva.

"I will be travelling today along with some of my colleagues from the HNC. Some people left yesterday and today and they will keep leaving gradually until Friday," he said.

"It is not suitable, neither morally nor on the humanitarian side, to be part of negotiations when Syrians are dying daily from sieges, hunger, bombings, poisonous gases and barrel bombs."

The UN has insisted the talks have not collapsed, with its envoy Staffan de Mistura saying they would continue through the week.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also insisted the talks were "not frozen" while US State Department spokesman John Kirby said "we continue to believe in the political process, in the importance of these talks".

- 'Price of time is blood' -

This week's negotiations were meant to focus on Syria's political future, as the UN pushes a plan involving a transitional authority, a new constitution and eventual elections.

But Assad's fate has been the key sticking point, with the opposition insisting he must go and the regime refusing.

Speaking in Moscow, Lavrov said: "No one can win the war. All experts recognise this.

"There are some external players who dream about deposing the regime by force and try to do everything including disrupting the talks in Geneva."

The regime's lead negotiator reiterated Tuesday that Assad's fate remained off-limits but said Damascus was prepared to discuss the creation of a new unity government.

"A broader unity government is the only topic of discussion here," said Bashar al-Jafaari, Syria's ambassador to the UN.

World powers have backed the ceasefire and talks as the best hope yet to end a conflict that has devastated Syria, killed more than 270,000 people and forced millions from their homes.

But the rising violence in recent weeks has lowered expectations of a breakthrough.

Hijab called for international observers to be sent in and for ceasefire violators to be held to account.

He warned against wasting time, saying: "For Syrians the price of time is blood."

Danish lawmakers, meanwhile, approved a plan to commit F-16 warplanes and 400 military personnel, including special forces, to expand the country's fight against IS from "mid-2016".

Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the jihadist group "should meet a powerful response from the outside world".

The main opposition High Negotiations Committee condemned the strike on Maaret al-Numan as a "massacre" and clear violation of the truce Mohamed al-Bakour (AFP)

The troubled talks -- the latest in a long series of efforts to end Syria's five-year conflict -- failed to get off the ground this week despite hopes brought on by the ceasefire Mohamed al-Bakour (AFP)

The partial truce, brokered by the US and Russia, led to a dramatic drop in violence across Syria but a recent surge in fighting, especially around Aleppo, has raised fears of its total collapse Thaer Mohammed (AFP/File)
China spurs ships to use Arctic shipping route: report

China is looking to exploit the Northwest Passage, the fabled short-cut from the Pacific to the Atlantic, state-run media said Wednesday, with the world's biggest trader in goods publishing a shipping guide to the route.

The seaway north of Canada, which could offer a quicker journey from China to the US East Coast than via the Panama Canal or Cape Horn, was sought by European explorers for centuries, including by the doomed Franklin expedition of 1845.

Even now it remains ice-bound for much of the year, but global warming and the retreat of Arctic sea ice are making it more accessible, and Beijing sees it as an opportunity to reshape global trade flows.

The Northwest Passage could offer a quicker journey from China to the US East Coast than via the Panama Canal or Cape Horn Clement Sabourin (AFP/File)

China's Maritime Safety Administration earlier this month published a 356-page, Chinese language guide including nautical charts and descriptions of ice conditions for the Northwest Passage, said the China Daily newspaper, which is published by the government.

"There will be ships with Chinese flags sailing through this route in the future," it quoted administration spokesman Liu Pengfei as saying.

"Once this route is commonly used, it will directly change global maritime transportation and have a profound influence on international trade, the world economy, capital flows and resources exploitation," he added.

Last year, Chinese shipping company COSCO said it plans to launch regular services through the Arctic Ocean to Europe by way of the "Northeast Passage", another Arctic shipping route north of Russia.

COSCO ships travelled that route in 2013 and 2015. State-owned COSCO has since merged with another company, China Shipping Group.

"Many countries have noticed the financial and strategic value of Arctic Ocean passages. China has also paid much attention," Wu Yuxiao, one of the co-authors of the new guide, was quoted by China Daily as saying.

China does not border the Arctic and has no territorial claim to any of it, but joined the Arctic Council as an observer two years ago.

Observers say Beijing recognises the area's potential for scientific research and its strategic value.
India accused of flipflop on Koh-i-Noor diamond

India's government has said it will make "all possible efforts" to get back the Koh-i-Noor diamond, part of the British Crown Jewels, sparking accusations of a u-turn after the solicitor general said the priceless gem was given to Britain.

The spectacular 108-carat gem, which came into British hands during the 19th century, is the subject of a historic ownership dispute and has been claimed by at least four countries including India and Pakistan.

On Monday India's Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the Supreme Court it had been given to Britain and not stolen, as many Indians believe.

A replica of the 'Koh-i-noor' diamond -- a spectacular 108-carat gem which was given to Britain in 1850 Deshakalyan Chowdhury (AFP)

The transfer of ownership formed part of a peace treaty signed in 1850 after Britain gained control of the Sikh empire of the Punjab, now split between Pakistan and India.

Sikh king Ranjit Singh in turn had taken it from an Afghan king who had sought sanctuary in India. It is now set in the crown that was worn by Queen Elizabeth's mother until her death in 2002 and is on public display in the Tower of London.

Kumar's statement, in response to a private lawsuit brought by the All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front, a non-government organisation, sparked outrage among many Indians including Sikhs.

In a statement released late Tuesday, the government said it would "make all possible efforts to bring back" the diamond "in an amicable manner".

It said Kumar had merely been explaining the history of the diamond to the Supreme Court as well as previous administrations' views on the gem being a gift.

"The government of India remains hopeful for an amicable outcome whereby India gets back a valued piece of art with strong roots in our nation's history," it said.

- 'Forcibly snatched' -

The lawyer who brought the Supreme Court case, Nafis Siddique, welcomed the government's statement.

"The Koh-i-Noor is of Indian origin. It should be returned to India," he said.

But the main opposition Congress party, which also supports the gem's return, accused the government of a flipflop.

"On #KohinoorDiamond, #ModiSarkar has not just done a flip-flop. It has done a full flop," Congress party spokesman Sanjay Jha said on Twitter, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

The diamond had been an heirloom of the Afghan monarchy and before then was in Persian royal hands, but its true origins remain a mystery.

Its name translates as "Mountain of Light" and it is traditionally worn by a queen -- it is said to bring bad luck to any man who wears it.

The circumstances that led to it falling into British hands remain disputed.

The Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, the religion's highest authority, said this week that Britain had "forcibly snatched" the stone from the teenage son of Ranjit, known as the Lion of Punjab, after his death.

"The poor things were in no position to bargain," said Indian historian Narayani Gupta.

"It was a peace treaty which was dictated."

A leader of the Hindu nationalist RSS, the ideological fountainhead of Modi's ruling party, declared the diamond "India's property".

In 1976 Britain refused a request to cede the diamond, citing the terms of the Anglo-Sikh peace treaty.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron has also said he would oppose returning the diamond.

"If you say yes to one you suddenly find the British Museum would be empty," he told NDTV television in 2010.
Yemen rebels to join delayed peace talks in Kuwait

A delegation of rebels left Yemen's capital on Wednesday to join delayed peace talks in Kuwait after the United Nations assured them pro-government forces would abide by a ceasefire.

Representatives of the Huthi rebels and their allies had boarded an Omani plane bound for Kuwait via Muscat, said Sanaa airport director Khaled al-Shayef.

The UN-brokered talks had been set to open in Kuwait on Monday but were put off after the Iran-backed insurgents failed to show up over alleged Saudi violations of the ceasefire, which took effect on April 11.

A Yemeni man waves the national flag at a protest against the ongoing conflict, on the eve of the UN-brokered peace talks in Kuwait, on April 17, 2016 Ahmad Al-Basha (AFP/File)

Kuwaiti officials said the talks -- the most important attempt yet to resolve Yemen's devastating conflict -- had been rescheduled to open on Thursday.

A Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes in Yemen 13 months ago after the rebels, who had seized control of Sanaa in 2014, advanced in other parts of the country.

President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government fled to main southern city Aden but its members still spend most of their time in Riyadh.

The loyalists have managed since July to reclaim large parts of the south, including temporary capital Aden, but have been unable to dislodge the Huthi rebels and their allies from Sanaa and other key areas.

On Tuesday UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had urged Hadi's government and the rebels to work with his envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed "so that talks can start without further delay".

The rebels' Al-Masirah television quoted Huthi representative Saleh al-Sammad as saying they agreed to join the talks after receiving assurances from the UN envoy and ambassadors that loyalists would respect the ceasefire.

A Western diplomat in Kuwait said representatives of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council sent a message to the rebels saying they "understand their fears" and urging them to "quickly join" the talks.

The rebels had been assured the agenda for the talks would be "clear and tackle issues that could help achieve peaceful solutions," said Mahdi al-Mashat, a representative of rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi.

- Ceasefire monitors deploy -

Writing on Facebook, Mashat warned however that "we will have the right to suspend our participation" if the assurances are not met.

A representative of the rebel-allied General People's Congress party, Yasser Alawadi, had said on Twitter that his delegation would travel to Kuwait on Thursday.

The GPC is led by former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who ruled the country for 33 years until 2012 and has joined forces with the Huthis.

Yemeni sources close to the talks say the insurgents are demanding the lifting of UN sanctions against Saleh and Huthi leaders.

Yemen's internationally recognised government is demanding the Huthis abide by a Security Council resolution calling for a political process and for the rebels to withdraw from cities they seized while surrendering their weapons.

Clashes have continued despite the ceasefire.

A military officer said Wednesday that 16 rebels and three pro-government fighters had been killed over the previous 24 hours in clashes in the Nahm region northeast of Sanaa.

There were intermittent clashes in Nahm and Marib, east of Sanaa, on Wednesday, local sources said.

Committees formed jointly by the rebels and loyalists to monitor the ceasefire deployed on Wednesday in both areas, said Ahmed Rabie, a spokesman for pro-government members of the committees.

The conflict has raised tensions between Sunni Arab states led by Saudi Arabia and its main regional rival, Shiite powerhouse Iran.

US President Barack Obama travelled Wednesday to Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to discuss the wars in Yemen and Syria with Gulf leaders.

The United States has provided precision-guided weapons and intelligence support to the Saudi-led coalition, which has faced mounting criticism for the number of civilian deaths from its air strikes.

The United Nations says more than 6,400 people have been killed in the conflict and almost 2.8 million forced from their homes.

Yemeni supporters of the southern separatist movement rally in Aden on April 17, 2016 Saleh Al-Obeidi (AFP/File)

Yemeni loyalist forces at the scene of a suicide attack in Aden on April 17, 2016 that killed four soldiers Saleh Al-Obeidi (AFP/File)
Israeli forces destroy home of Palestinian attacker

Israeli forces destroyed the home of a Palestinian assailant who stabbed a woman to death in January before being shot dead by a security guard, the army said on Wednesday.

The demolition provoked clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians at the Qalandia refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian media reported.

Israeli media reported two soldiers lightly wounded. Israel's military had not responded to requests for information on the reported clashes.

A boy walks through the demolished home of Hussein Abu Ghosh, a Palestinian who stabbed a woman to death in January in the Israeli occupied West Bank Abbas Momani (AFP)

It was the latest such demolition carried out by Israel as a deterrent, but which human rights groups say amounts to collective punishment.

The demolition occurred overnight at the apartment of Hussein Abu Ghosh in Qalandia, near Ramallah, with the walls inside destroyed.

Residents told an AFP journalist that Abu Ghosh's family left the apartment about a month ago.

The January 25 attack saw Abu Ghosh, 17, and another Palestinian, Ibrahim Allan, 23, stab two women in the West Bank settlement of Beit Horon, northwest of Jerusalem.

One of the women, Shlomit Krigman, 24, later died from her wounds. Both of the assailants were killed by the security guard.

Krigman was stabbed near her home while the other woman was attacked outside a grocery store.

Israeli authorities also said at the time that they had found and defused three pipe bombs the two had thrown at the grocery store.

The attack was part of a wave of violence that erupted in October and which has killed 201 Palestinians and 28 Israelis.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ramped up demolitions of attackers' homes in a bid to halt the unrest.

The level of violence has steadily declined in recent weeks, though a bomb explosion on a Jerusalem bus on Monday raised fears of another surge ahead of the Jewish Passover holiday, which begins on Friday evening.
Google faces new EU anti-trust charges

The European Union opened a new anti-trust battle with Google on Wednesday, charging the US tech giant with abusing the dominance of its Android mobile phone operating system.

The charges, which come one year after Brussels took on Google over its search engine, come as a huge blow to one of the company's most strategic businesses and could change the face of the global smartphone sector.

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Silicon Valley giant Google had used practices such as making manufacturers pre-install its market-leading search engine as the default in phones.

In April the European Union last month opened a new anti-trust battle with Google, charging the US tech giant with abusing the dominance of its Android mobile phone operating system

Vestager, a former Danish economy minister, said Brussels believed that "Google has abused its dominant position".

"The preliminary conclusion from our investigations is that these practices breach EU competition law," she told a news conference.

The Android operating system accounts for about 80 percent of the world market for mobile phones, far ahead of Google's closest rival, Apple.

In its latest charge sheet, the EU accused Google of obstructing innovation by giving unfair prominence to its own apps, especially its search engine, in deals with mobile manufacturers such as Samsung or Huawei.

The company is also accused of restricting manufacturers from installing rival operating systems based on Android on their phones.

And in an unexpected charge, the EU accused Google of offering phone-makers financial incentives to exclusively install its search engine on devices.

The case is the second attack by the EU against Google after Vestager last year formally charged the company for abusing its dominance of the search engine market in Europe.

Taking both EU cases against Google together, the company risks a fine of 10 percent of worldwide global sales for one year, which would amount to a $7.4 billion (6.5 billion euro) fine on the basis of 2015 revenues.

- 'Android is good' -

Google now has 12 weeks to answer the charges, either by fighting them comprehensively and risking a huge fine or proposing remedies to satisfy Brussels.

Google said it would work with the EU to show that consumers benefitted from Android.

"Android has helped foster a remarkable -- and, importantly, sustainable -- ecosystem, based on open-source software and open innovation," Kent Walker, senior vice president and general counsel of Google, said in a statement.

"We look forward to working with the European Commission to demonstrate that Android is good for competition and good for consumers."

The case against Android resembles one against Microsoft in which the EU in 2013 fined the software giant 561 million euros ($634 million) for failing to offer users a choice of web browser on its Windows operating system.

FairSearch, an umbrella group for plaintiffs against Google including Nokia and Tripadvisor, "applauded" the charges.

"Virtually every phone maker using Google Android in the European Union has bowed to Googles demands, suppressing competition by other app makers and preventing free choice for consumers," said Thomas Vinje, a legal counsel for FairSearch.

The EU's tough line comes despite the fact that Canada on Tuesday closed its own investigation into allegations Google abused its dominance in online search advertising, following in the tracks of the US.

Vestager rejected suggestions that Brussels was unfairly targeting US companies in her competition cases, with Apple, Amazon and McDonald's also in the EU's crosshairs.

"If dominance is abuse then we have an issue... that has been the task no matter the flag of the company or the ownership," Vestager said.

US-based INTEL, the world's biggest chipmaker, was in May 2009 fined 1.06 billion euros, the EU's biggest fine ever.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, the European competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, told journalists she had reached a preliminary view that Google was in breach of EU law
Motorcycle gunmen have shot dead seven policemen guarding a polio vaccination team in Pakistan.

A team of eight carried out the killings in two waves of attacks in the Orangi Town area of Karachi in the south of the country.

The brazen attack in Pakistan's economic hub left three officers lying dead in the street before a further four were gunned down in a police mobile van a few streets away.

Pakistani relatives mourn the death of policemen killed in an attack by gunmen, outside a hospital in Karachi

Abdul Kareem, an official in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where the bodies were taken, also confirmed the casualties.

The polio workers, who were unharmed in the attack, were on the third day of an immunisation drive.

Provincial home minister Sohail Anwar Siyal told the private Dunya TV channel: 'The policemen sacrificed their lives to protect the polio workers.'

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar late Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack.

'We claim responsibility for this attack on police in Karachi, this was a part of ongoing attacks on police and law enforcement agencies,' said group spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan in a statement sent to AFP by email.

Islamist outfits including the Pakistani Taliban say the polio vaccination drive is a front for espionage or a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.

Police and rangers later cordoned off the areas where their colleagues had been killed.

Pakistani security personnel gather around a police van after an attack by gunmen on officers guarding a polio vaccination team in Karachi

Pakistani security personnel on the streets of Karachi after gunmen shot dead seven policemen guarding a polio vaccination team

The interior of the police van was heavily soaked with blood, with an officer's cap lying on the front seat.

Speaking to the media, provincial police chief Allah Dino Khawaja announced a $50,000 reward for the arrest of the gunmen, as well as $20,000 compensation to each of the victims' families.

Pakistan is one of only two countries in the world where polio, a crippling childhood disease, remains endemic.

Attempts to eradicate it have been badly hit by militant attacks on immunisation teams that have claimed more than 100 lives since December 2012.

In 2014 the number of polio cases recorded in Pakistan soared to 306, the highest in 14 years, before falling to 54 in 2015.

The most recent attack came in January, when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a polio vaccination centre in the southwestern city of Quetta, killing 15 people -- two civilians and 13 security officials.

Authorities want to vaccinate 35 million children under the age of five, wiping out the disease by the end of 2016.

In Karachi, a heaving metropolis of around 20 million, authorities have enlisted 2,500 female 'neighbourhood vaccinators' drawn from local communities to support the programme.

Islamist opposition to all forms of innoculation grew after the CIA organised a fake vaccination drive to help track down Al-Qaeda's former leader Osama Bin Laden in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad.

The terror chief was killed during a US special forces raid in 2011.
Two burned alive in Zambian riots

Two local people were burned to death in Zambia during riots that targeted Rwandan-owned shops following allegations that foreigners were behind a string of ritual killings, police said Wednesday.

The violence erupted earlier this week in slum areas of the capital Lusaka after the recent murders of at least seven people, whose body parts such as ears, hearts and penises had been removed.

Hundreds of residents stoned houses and shops owned by foreign nationals, with some foreigners seeking refuge at police stations as looters took food, drinks, refrigerators and other electrical appliances.

Zambian police apprehend an alleged looter in the Zingalume Compound on April 19, 2016 Salim Dawood (AFP/File)

"The official number of people who have died from the time the looting started is two. These are the ones who were burned to death on 18 April 2016 in Kanyama," police spokeswoman Charity Chanda said in a statement, adding that 62 shops had been looted.

Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila told parliament that the victims had been identified as Zambians who died "in the confusion" as riots tore through the shantytowns.

The victims were burned with firewood and vehicle tyres, according to police.

Mwila has blamed the riots on false allegations that a suspected ritual killer of foreign nationality had been released from police custody.

He said that more than 200 people had been arrested.

"Elements in Lusaka with criminal intent took advantage of the pain and grief we all felt over the suspected ritual killings," Mwila said in a television address on Monday evening.

Several thousand refugees from Rwanda, which was embroiled in genocide in 1994, live in Lusaka.

They run many of the shops in the affected parts of the city, and residents have accused them of using the body parts for witchcraft.

No rioting was reported overnight or on Wednesday morning, with police reinforcements on street patrol in trouble-hit areas.

In South Africa last year, mobs in Johannesburg and in the port city of Durban targeted migrants, ransacking their homes and burning shops.

At least seven people died and thousands were displaced, with citizens from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique among those affected.
IS tightens noose on regime enclave in eastern Syria: monitor

The Islamic State group has tightened the noose on a regime-held enclave in eastern Syria, overrunning part of the city of Deir Ezzor and advancing on its vital airbase, a monitor said Wednesday.

"IS seized the Al-Sinaa neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor on Tuesday evening and fighting is continuing on the edge of the airport," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

An estimated 200,000 civilians are believed to remain in government-held districts of Deir Ezzor, where they have been living under siege by IS since March 2014.

A devastated street in Deir Ezzor, where some 200,000 civilians are believed to remain since the Syrian town came under seige by IS in March 2014 Ahmad Aboud (AFP/File)

The jihadists, who also control nearly all the surrounding province, have made repeated attacks on the government enclave and in January seized the suburb of Al-Bgheliyeh.

But their efforts to capture the city's airbase have so far been repulsed by elite regime troops.

There has been growing concern for the besieged civilian population and, in January, Russia announced that it had equipped Syrian military transport aircraft to carry out aid drops to the city.

On April 10, the World Food Programme said it had carried out its first ever successful high-altitude airdrop, to deliver 20 tonnes of food aid to government-held neighbourhoods.

A previous attempt by the UN agency to drop aid to Deir Ezzor failed in February, when some of the pallets missed the drop zone and others were damaged due to their parachutes failing to function properly.

The UN has carried out three successful air drops so far but has only reached a small fraction of the population.

Elsewhere in Syria, government air raids on a rebel-held district of the battleground northern city of Aleppo killed seven people, the Observatory said.

The strikes on the eastern neighbourhood of Salaheddin were the latest salvo in a flareup of violence in and around Aleppo that has tested a Russian- and US-brokered ceasefire that went into force in late February.

Opposition delegates walked out of peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday in protest at what they said was an escalation of violence by the regime.

Later on Tuesday, suspected regime air strikes on two Al-Qaeda-held towns in northwestern Syria killed at least 44 civilians in markets, the Observatory said.

Al-Qaeda, like IS, is not party to the February ceasefire.
South Sudan rebel delay fans fears for peace

Fragile hopes for an end to South Sudan's civil war are being tested by the rebel leader's failure to return to the capital to form a unity government.

International pressure is growing after Riek Machar, a former rebel leader turned deputy president who was fired, became a rebel leader again and has now fought his way back to the vice presidency, failed to appear in Juba as expected on Monday or Tuesday.

"The agreement is at risk," said Festus Mogae, head of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) established to supervise an August 2015 peace deal that calls for the forming of a so-called unity government led by President Salva Kiir, with Machar as first vice president.

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar has failed to turn up in Juba to form a unity government Isaac Kasamani (AFP/File)

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening Mogae urged both sides to "urgently demonstrate flexibility."

The UN and US also weighed in.

The UN Security Council expressed "serious concern", with its members calling for "all parties to quickly form the transitional government and fully implement the peace agreement," said Chinese Deputy Ambassador Wu Haitao, whose country holds the council presidency.

"The United States is extremely disappointed that Riek Machar has not fulfilled his commitments under the peace agreement and returned to Juba as he stated publicly he would," said US Deputy Ambassador David Pressman late Tuesday.

The latest sticking point appears to be Machar's desire to return to Juba with a large armed entourage which the government said contravenes the peace deal.

Under that agreement, Machar is to join Kiir in a new 30-month transitional government leading to elections. The deal specifies that only 1,370 armed rebels and 3,420 government troops will be permitted within 25 kilometres (15 miles) of the capital.

Tens of thousands of people have died in the fighting since December 2013 and more than two million have been driven from their homes in a conflict characterised by extreme brutality and human rights violations that has split the country along old ethnic fissures.

Fighting has continued despite the signing of the peace agreement which remains largely unimplemented. Machar's homecoming is seen by many as an important step towards shoring up the fumbling deal.

South Sudan's information minister Michael Makuei said Tuesday that the government had blocked Machar's flight because he wanted to bring "machine guns and laser-guided missiles" as well as additional troops.

"This is a stalemate," Makuei said.

On Wednesday Machar in turn blamed the government for the delays saying his 260 additional security personnel are only carrying "light weapons, personal weapons and light machine guns".

"I want to go to Juba," Machar told Al Jazeera. "They are obstructing us."

Mogae, a former Botswanan president who heads the internationally-backed JMEC body said he hoped Machar's return, "could be rescheduled within days, without further conditions."

Fighting has continued in South Sudan despite the signing of a peace agreement
New fears for press freedoms as Hong Kong editor sacked

The sacking of a respected Hong Kong newspaper editor triggered a furious backlash from journalists and pro-democracy campaigners Wednesday, in what was seen as the latest blow to press freedoms in the city.

Keung Kwok-yuen was fired overnight Tuesday from investigative newspaper Ming Pao, whose former chief editor was stabbed by masked attackers in the street two years ago.

Fears are growing in the semi-autonomous city that China is tightening its political grip in a number of areas, including pressurising and influencing local media.

The newspaper Ming Pao (top L) is a respected Hong Kong publication Anthony Wallace (AFP/File)

Keung's sacking coincided with Ming Pao publishing a front-page story Wednesday linking top Hong Kong businessmen and politicians to new revelations from the Panama Papers leak.

The trove of Panama Papers documents, released by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists this month, has exposed how Panama law firm Mossack Fonesca helped China's rich and powerful funnel their wealth into tax havens.

Ming Pao's Wednesday front page reported that pro-Beijing actor Jackie Chan and high-profile Hong Kong politicians including Henry Tang, a former leadership candidate, have offshore accounts.

According to a statement by the Ming Pao Staff Association, Keung was fired in the early hours of Wednesday in what was billed as a streamlining exercise.

"The association is dubious over the incident, and questions the company's surface reason of saving resources," it said.

"It is penalising editorial personnel with different opinions," it said, adding that members were "extremely angry and dissatisfied".

Reporters said the decision to sack Keung was taken by Malaysian chief editor Chong Tien Siong, who is seen as pro-Beijing.

Chong was brought in two years ago to replace veteran investigative journalist Kevin Lau, triggering protests by newspaper staff.

Soon after, Lau was stabbed in the street leaving him severely wounded, sparking major concerns over reporting freedoms.

"The decision (to sack Keung) has set all the alarm bells ringing," said Emily Lau, chairwoman of Hong Kong's Democratic Party.

"The whole profession is trembling like a leaf because of political and economic pressures."

The Hong Kong Journalists Association said reporters were in shock over Keung's sacking and described the reasons as "far-fetched".

"We are deeply worried and unsettled about the space and degree of freedom for local news," it said in a statement.

In a new report Wednesday, campaigning NGO Reporters Without Borders said Hong Kong's press freedoms had dipped slightly in 2015 -- it is now ranked 69th in the world.

Its report said Hong Kong media could still cover sensitive stories but "the need to fight to protect their editorial positions from Beijing's influence is increasingly noticeable".

Staff of Ming Pao marched in 2014 in Hong Kong after its editor at the time was stabbed in the street, sparking major concerns over reporting freedoms Philippe Lopez (AFP/File)
New Laos leaders take office as communists welcome world

Laos' new leaders took office Tuesday, according to state media, as the secretive communist nation prepares for a period of unusually frenetic diplomacy culminating in a landmark visit by a US President.

One of Asia's least developed nations, Laos has been tightly ruled by its communist leaders since the 1975 end of the Vietnam War, which saw it blanketed by bombs in secret missions led by the CIA.

Leadership reshuffles take place every five years in carefully choreographed gatherings by the country's politburo and rubber stamp National Assembly.

In secretive communist Laos, Bounhang Vorachith (C), pictured here in 2006, has taken office as the country's new president and party secretary general Hoang Dinh Nam (AFP/File)

In late January, vice president Bounnhang Vorachith was elected to the presidency and party secretary general, replacing 79-year-old Choummaly Sayasone.

Thongloun Sisoulith, a Soviet Union-educated politburo member and former foreign minister, was elected Prime Minister.

Both apparatchiks were officially appointed to their positions on Tuesday at a ceremony in Vientiane, the state-run Lao News Agency reported.

The internal operations of the powerful party are largely kept secret under a regime that bars a free press, rarely grants access to international media and severely restricts freedom of expression.

But analysts predict the current politburo is unlikely to loosen the government's repressive grip or open its economy.

A foreign diplomat in Vientiane told AFP they expected "no major changes".

"The speeches from Bounnhang and Thongloun promised the same policies. Thongloun appears to be a good choice in terms of Laos balancing its foreign relations," the diplomat said, requesting anonymity.

Laos is currently chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, hosting a slew of diplomatic meetings that could open the hermetic nation up to greater scrutiny.

Barack Obama will also be the first US president to visit Laos when he attends an ASEAN summit in the capital this summer, an arrival tinged with historical significance given the CIA's secret carpet bombing of the landlocked nation.

Leaders from China and Japan are also expected to attend.

Though for many years neighbouring Vietnam was the most powerful foreign player in Laos, China has poured money into the country recently, becoming its largest foreign investor in 2014.

But Washington is also increasingly courting the isolated state as part of President Barack Obama's so-called "pivot" to Asia.

Rights groups have urged ASEAN and the US to pressure Laos this year over its poor human rights record.

On Tuesday, Reporters Without Borders released its annual report, ranking Laos one of the worst countries in the world for press freedom at 173 out of 180.
Coca-Cola earnings dip on strong dollar

Coca-Cola reported a dip in first-quarter profits Wednesday as the strong dollar weighed on results in some of its overseas markets.

Net income for the quarter ending April 1 was $1.5 billion, down 4.8 percent from the year-ago period.

Revenues fell 4.0 percent to $10.3 billion.

Coca-Cola has reported a dip in first-quarter profits Scott Olson (Getty/AFP/File)

Revenues rose in North America, helping to offset steep declines in Latin American and Eurasia and Africa, where the strong dollar dented sales most heavily.

Volumes of Coke and other sparkling drinks were flat compared with the year-ago period, while volumes of still beverages such as bottled water jumped seven percent. Coca-Cola has relied more on bottled water and juices as worries about obesity and other health effects from soda have risen.

Chief executive Muhtar Kent said the company was well positioned to face a "challenging global macro environment."

Coca-Cola projected full-year earnings per share growth of four to six percent, excluding currency effects.

Earnings for the quarter translated into 45 cents per share, a penny above analyst expectations.
Rodin lovers sculpture up for sale for $8-12 mn

An exceptionally rare Rodin marble sculpture of embracing lovers goes on offer in New York next month valued at $8 to $12 million, a highlight in Sotheby's impressionist and modern art spring sale.

The auction house said it was the first time that a sculpture in this medium and of this subject -- for which the French artist is perhaps most famous -- comes under the hammer in more than two decades.

Conceived in 1884 and carved in 1901-02 from one block, Sotheby's said it expected "Eternel Printemps" to set a new record for a Rodin sculpture in marble.

Jeremiah Evarts, Head of Evening Sales of Impressionist & Modern Art at Sotheby's New York speaks during a interview about the marble sculpture L'eternel Printemps by Auguste Rodin on April 19, 2016 Kena Betancur (AFP)

"This is the highest quality marble sculpture by Rodin ever to appear at auction certainly in recent years," said Jeremiah Evarts, head of evening sales for the impressionist and modern art at Sotheby's.

Other marbles from this series are in institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The sculpture is 31.5 inches (80 centimeters) long, 17 inches wide and 26 inches tall, and weighs 339 pounds (154 kilograms).

It was commissioned by German diplomat Hellmuth Baron Lucius von Stoedten who was a close friend of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, who played a role in the commission of the piece from Auguste Rodin.

Rodin said later that he was listening to Beethoven's 2nd Symphony when he first conceived of "Eternel Printemps."

Evarts told AFP that he thought the sculpture might reflect the passion and love Rodin felt for Camille Claudel, one of his great loves and apprentices whom he met in the mid-1880s.

The marble is one of a limited edition of 10, each unique. Evarts said this one was distinguished by the quality of the carving of the hands, feet, faces and the tension between the supple female and more robust male figure.

Sotheby's said the price estimate of $8 to $12 million was based on demand for the artist's work. The sculpture will be sold on May 9, as part of the spring art season sales, and goes on public display in New York on April 29.

"Rodin one of most important sculptors of the 19th century," Evarts said. The sensuality of this particular piece will attract modern and contemporary collectors as well, he added.
Australian mother, TV crew freed on bail in Lebanon abduction case

An Australian woman and four journalists accused of kidnapping her children from their Lebanese father in Beirut were released on bail Wednesday after he dropped the charges against them.

Sally Faulkner and the Australian television crew were charged last week for reportedly abducting Faulkner's two young children from their father, Ali al-Amin, in the Lebanese capital.

"I have agreed to release the Australian crew and the mother on bail after the children's father and grandmother dropped the personal charges against all five of them," judge Ramy Abdallah told a packed courtroom.

Tara Brown (back) and Sally Faulkner (front) were released from a prison in Beirut on April 20, 2016 Anwar Amro (AFP)

Faulkner and the crew from Channel Nine's "60 Minutes" programme were seen being released late Wednesday afternoon.

Faulkner and reporter Tara Brown looked relieved as they walked out of Lebanon's women-only jail northeast of the capital into a nearby van.

Her producer, cameraman and sound recordist were released from the courthouse in Beirut.

According to Channel Nine's chief correspondent Tom Steinfort in Beirut, the crew "is in a van headed for Beirut airport".

The crew and Faulkner still face charges by Lebanon's public prosecutor, but they can be sentenced in absentia.

Speaking to journalists after the hearing adjourned, Amin said Faulkner would be able to see the children, but said that he had full custody.

"I told her, you're their mother and you'll stay their mother. This is their country just like Australia is their country," said Amin.

- Faulkner 'regrets' operation -

He said he had not told his children that their mother was in jail, but that she was travelling.

Asked whether he was angry with the Channel Nine crew, Amin said: "They're people, just like everyone. They were probably just doing their job, they probably didn't expect it to go that way."

His lawyer Hussein Berjawi said Faulkner's bail had been set at one million Lebanese pounds (about $660).

Amin has not dropped his charges against two Britons and two Lebanese who allegedly helped in the abduction, Berjawi told AFP.

Faulkner's lawyer Ghassan Mughabghab told journalists his client had struck a deal with Amin granting him full custody of the children in line with Lebanese law.

His client "regrets" what she did, Mughabghab said.

Faulkner has said that Amin, from whom she is divorced, took them for a holiday to Beirut and then allegedly refused to return them to Australia.

She had been reportedly working with a child recovery agency to bring back the children, and the TV crew was recording the operation.

A grainy video of the April 6 incident released by Lebanon's Al-Jadeed television showed the children walking with an elderly person said to be their grandmother.

Several figures jump out of a nearby car and snatch and carry the children into the vehicle, which then speeds off.

The television crew was arrested the following day and Faulkner was later found with the two children at a home in Beirut.
Do more in Iraq, US Pentagon boss tells Gulf

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter pleaded Wednesday for greater Gulf financial and political involvement in Iraq, which is battling both Islamic State jihadists and an economic crisis.

Carter made the comments after meeting in Riyadh with his counterparts from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.

"I encourage our GCC partners to do more, not only militarily as the Saudis, as the UAE have been doing -- and I really appreciate that -- but also politically and economically," Carter told reporters after the talks.

Saudi Defence Minister and Deputy Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman (R) and with US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter (L) pose in Riyadh, on April 20, 2016 Fayez Nureldine (AFP)

He said Sunni support for "multisectarian governance and reconstruction" will be critical to ensuring the defeat of IS, the Sunni extremist group which has seized large parts of Shiite-majority Iraq, and Syria.

Shiite paramilitary forces dominated by Iran-backed militias have helped push back the jihadists.

Iraqi Kurds, mostly Sunnis who have an autonomous region in the country's north, have received training to fight IS from a US-led coalition whose warplanes are bombing the jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations are part of that coalition but Carter called on them to exert diplomatic support as well, by re-opening embassies in Baghdad.

Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Iraq presented his credentials in January, re-establishing relations a quarter-century after they were cut following ex-president Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait.

The United States would like the oil-rich Gulf monarchies -- although they themselves are facing falling revenues from collapsed crude prices -- to help in Iraq's reconstruction.

This could be through contributions to the United Nations or even non-profit organisations, he said.

The question of support for Iraq is expected to be on the agenda Thursday when Carter joins President Barack Obama at a GCC summit in Riyadh.

They will gather in an atmosphere of tension with Gulf leaders offended by Obama's perceived reluctance to get involved in the region's problems, and in particular his tilt towards Iran, their Shiite-dominated regional rival.

The Sunni Gulf monarchies are worried after the lifting this year of international sanctions against Tehran under an agreement with major powers to curb Iran's nuclear programme.

Riyadh and its neighbours fear the US-supported deal will only embolden Iran which they accuse of interference throughout the Middle East.

From the US perspective, greater Gulf involvement with Baghdad will counter Iranian influence.

"We say: 'Do more to help the politics work out'", a senior American defence official said.

Before the Gulf states assist Baghdad they want guarantees over minority Sunni representation in parliament and their access to national financial resources, he said.

Iraq is confronting a serious economic crisis caused by low global oil prices and years of mismanagement and corruption.
Syria relief efforts intensify even as peace talks falter

Aid groups launched their largest humanitarian delivery yet in war-torn Syria on Thursday after the UN evacuated hundreds of besieged residents, intensifying relief efforts even as peace talks falter.

The two operations were a rare sign of humanitarian progress in Syria, where the brutal five-year war has left 270,000 dead as a partial ceasefire hangs by a thread.

The dire humanitarian situation had even stalled UN-backed peace talks in Geneva, with the opposition walking away in frustration at sieges and attacks on civilians.

A truck from the Red Crescent and International Committee of the Red Cross carrying international aid arrives in the rebel held village of Teir Maalah, on the northern outskirts of Homs, on April 21, 2016 Mahmoud Taha (AFP)

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura told reporters in Geneva that Thursday's developments showed "modest but real progress".

"If humanitarian aid increases, as there should be, and the cessation of hostilities goes back into what we consider a hopeful mood, that would certainly help the political discussions," he said.

Aid groups began delivering medical and food aid to 120,000 people in and near the besieged rebel-held town of Rastan.

"The people have suffered terribly," said Majda Flihi, who led a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross into the area.

"Peoples' livelihoods, especially farming and raising livestock, have been severely affected. Damage to the town's irrigation infrastructure has made the situation even worse," she said.

The ICRC said items for the provision of clean water were also part of the aid delivered in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the United Nations.

"More aid should be delivered in the coming days," it said.

ICRC spokesman Pawel Krzysiek said it was "the largest joint humanitarian convoy we have done in Syria so far".

The last ICRC delivery was in 2012, the same year rebels seized the town in central Homs province.

- Major medical evacuation -

Both the rebels and regime have used besiegement as a weapon of war in Syria, and more than four million people live under siege or in hard-to-reach areas.

On Thursday, the UN completed a major evacuation of hundreds "in urgent need of life-saving medical attention" and their families, from four other besieged towns.

The carefully synchronised operation began late Wednesday and lasted throughout the night.

It saw 250 evacuees brought out of the rebel-held towns of Madaya and Zabadani near Damascus and then transported to Idlib city.

The same number left Fuaa and Kafraya, pro-government towns under siege by Islamists, and travelled to the regime's coastal bastion in Latakia.

Jihadist factions like the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda are not party to an increasingly strained truce between the government and non-jihadists rebels.

The "cessation of hostilities" came into force on February 27 and initially saw a significant reduction in bloodshed.

Although none of its signatories have officially declared the truce dead, violence has surged in recent weeks, particularly in Idlib province and the battleground northern city of Aleppo.

On Tuesday, suspected government strikes on the Idlib province towns of Maaret al-Numan and Kafranbel hit two markets, killing at least 44 civilians, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The strikes drew a furious reaction from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) which said they vindicated its decision to suspend its participation in the Geneva talks.

- 'Shred of humanity' -

The Britain-based Observatory reported new air strikes on Thursday -- some involving barrel bombs infamous for their indiscriminate nature -- against rebel-held towns in Homs province that are covered by the truce.

The UN as well as Russia and the United States -- which brokered the truce -- are desperate to see it hold long enough to secure a negotiated settlement of the five-year conflict.

But the HNC walkout has left a political solution increasingly distant, and has emboldened the government delegation to take a tougher line.

The HNC's members were set to all leave Geneva by Friday, an opposition official told AFP.

HNC chief negotiator Mohammed Alloush said the regime would have to "stop its massacres and release thousands of detainees so that it could have a shred of nationalism and humanity."

"Then, the talks can start again," he told journalists as he left his hotel in Switzerland.

The government's chief representative in Geneva, Bashar al-Jaafari, said his delegation would stay the course but that only opposition members "who reject terrorism (and) who do not work for the sake of a foreign agenda" would be permitted to join a "broad-based unity government".

That would appear to rule out the HNC, which he described as a group of "extremists, terrorists and mercenaries" working for Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the opposition's main backers.

Syria's hard-to-reach areas

More than four million in Syria live in besieged or hard-to-reach areas, with limited or no access to food or medical supplies Mahmoud Taha (AFP)

A Syrian family waits at a shelter after a convoy transporting wounded civilians and rebels from the villages of Zabadani and Madaya arrived in Idlib on April 21, 2016 Omar haj kadour (AFP)

A Syrian family drives on a scooter alongside Syrian Arab Red Crescent lorries carrying aid as they arrive in the town of Saqba Amer Almohibany (AFP)
Family of reporter slain by IS sues Syrian government

The family of US journalist Steven Sotloff, who was beheaded by the Islamic State group, has sued Syria on grounds it provided material support to the jihadist organization.

In a suit filed Monday in US District Court in Washington, Sotloff's parents and sister seek $90 million in damages from the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

It is not clear how the plaintiffs would collect the money if they win the case.

The family of US journalist Steven Sotloff, who was beheaded by the Islamic State group, seek $90 million in damages from the government of President Bashar al-Assad on grounds it provided material support to the jihadist organization

Sotloff entered Syria in August 2013 from Turkey and was abducted while traveling to the northern city of Aleppo. About a year later, he was beheaded and a video of the atrocity was released by the Islamic State group.

A few weeks earlier another American journalist, James Foley, was also beheaded by the Islamic State group.

The Sotloff lawsuit argues that Syria helped create and later assisted the Islamic State group as a "sham opponent" in the Syrian civil war, so as to bolster Assad's negotiating power with Western powers that wanted him to resign.

The murder of journalists such as Sotloff helped Assad because it shifted Western attention away from getting rid of Assad to defeating the Islamic State group, with Assad as "a necessary ally," the lawsuit states.

"Syria's material support for Daesh caused the abduction and murder of Steven Sotloff," the lawsuit says, using an acronym for the group that comes from its name in Arabic.

The suit says Syria has provided the jihadist group with financial support, materiel, and military air support, and with direct instructions through embedded intelligence officers.

The suit includes as footnotes quotes from US and British officials asserting that Assad and the Islamic State group are in fact in collusion financially, even as they ostensibly fight each other. Assad buys stolen oil from IS militants, and this exchange of cash for crude suits each side, this argument goes.

The lawsuit asserts that Syria can be sued in US federal court.
Senior IS figure in Iraq targeted in US-led raid

A senior Islamic State figure in Iraq has been targeted in a US-led commando raid, the Pentagon said Wednesday, as Kurdish officials claimed he had been killed.

The assault late Sunday, the latest raid by US special operators on a mission to kill or capture IS leaders, occurred at an undisclosed location in northern Iraq and targeted Suleiman Abd Shabib al-Jabouri, Baghdad-based US military spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said.

He worked as "one of ISIL's military emirs and an ISIL war council member," Warren told Pentagon reporters in a phone call, using an acronym for the IS group.

Kurdish officials claim ISIL's military council member Suleiman Abd Shabib al-Jabouri was killed in northern Iraq Safin Hamed (AFP/File)

"Al-Jabouri's removal will degrade ISIL's leadership network and impact their ability to coordinate attacks and defend ISIL strongholds," he added.

Warren declined to comment on whether Jabouri was killed, but in a statement to AFP on Wednesday the Kurdish regional security council said he died.

"Al-Jabouri, also known as Abu Saif, was a member ISIL's military council, supervising the group's activities in South Mosul and Makhmour. In the joint operation, two of his aides were also killed," the statement read.

The raid was conducted by Kurdish fighters and elite US special operations troops deployed to Iraq as an "Expeditionary Targeting Force," or ETF.

Military officials keep the ETF's whereabouts secret, saying that discussing missions puts the elite fighters at risk.

The group works extensively alongside local Kurdish fighters.

Last month, Pentagon officials announced the ETF had captured a "significant" IS operative whose detention was expected to yield intelligence leading to the apprehension of other IS targets.

The United States has for the past 20 months led an international coalition against IS fighters in Iraq and Syria.
Israeli intel cooperation with Egypt at 'unprecedented' level

Israel has seen "unprecedented" intelligence cooperation with Egypt and Jordan as the fight against the Islamic State group nudges them to work together more closely, a military chief said Wednesday.

Major General Yair Golan said "there is a strong feeling in the region... that we have to put aside past animosities and concentrate on mutual interests and working together" to deal with the jihadist threat.

The Israeli military's deputy chief of staff spoke of an "unprecedented level of cooperation" mainly regarding intelligence.

Israeli soldiers patrol the northern Israeli-Lebanon border on December 21, 2015 Jack Guez (AFP/File)

"But that's between defence establishments, and I wouldn't describe that as some sort of reconciliation between the people," Golan said at a news conference for foreign journalists.

"But it is a good starting point, and I'm quite optimistic concerning that."

Egypt and Jordan are the only Arab countries that have signed peace treaties with Israel, but relations between them remain delicate, particularly over their support for the Palestinian cause.

Jihadists in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula pledged allegiance in November 2014 to IS, which controls parts of Iraq and Syria and also has a presence in conflict-ridden Libya.

Jihadist fighters have long used Sinai as a base and launched an insurgency after the military overthrew Egypt's Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Jordan, which borders Iraq and Syria, has for years struggled with homegrown extremists and is part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS.

In a sign of the sensitivity in Egypt-Israeli relations, Egypt's parliament in March dismissed a deputy after he held talks with Israel's envoy to Cairo during a dinner at his home.

Tewfiq Okasha's hosting of Israeli ambassador Haim Koren sparked outrage in parliament, where one lawmaker hit him with a shoe.

- Risk of 'full-scale war' -

Golan also spoke of the threat Israel says Iran poses in the region, saying it is determined to spread its influence through the Middle East.

Israel will closely monitor whether Iran complies with the nuclear deal it struck with world powers last year, which the Israeli government strongly opposed, he said.

"Look at their involvement in Iraq, their involvement in Syria, in Lebanon, in Yemen, in Sudan and other places," Golan said.

"Just unbelievable. You can find Iran today everywhere."

Iran has backed Israeli enemy Hezbollah, and Golan said the Lebanese Shiite militia's improving capabilities deeply concerned Israel.

He said that could result in "full-scale war", including a harsh response from the Israeli military.

"Comparing that to anything we've experienced before, no doubt, this is the most severe threat we've ever experienced before," Golan said.

Of a possible future crisis, he said "we're not going to see small war in Lebanon. It's going to be decisive. It's going to be full-scale war ..."

He said that because of the presence of Hezbollah fighters in civilian areas, "there is no other way to take out this threat without really creating large damage to the Lebanese infrastructure, to Lebanese houses and other civilian facilities."

In the summer of 2006, Israel and Hezbollah fought a devastating war in Lebanon that killed nearly 1,200 Lebanese, mostly civilians, and about 160 Israelis, mostly troops.
Algeria official in Libya in fresh support for unity gvt

Algeria hopes to reopen its Libya embassy soon, the country's minister of Maghreb affairs said Wednesday as he visited Tripoli in the latest show of support for the UN-backed government.

Algeria hosted several rounds of UN-brokered Libyan peace talks that helped paved the way for a December power-sharing deal under which the Government of National Accord was formed.

"An Algerian ambassador will be appointed for Libya very soon," Abdelkader Messahel told a Tripoli joint news conference with GNA deputy premier Ahmed Maiteeq.

Algeria's Minister Delegate for Maghreb and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel (L) gives a press conference with Libyan deputy prime minister of the Government of National Accord, Ahmed Maiteeq, in Tripoli, on April 20, 2016

"I hope that Algeria will be the first country to reopen its embassy" in Libya, he added.

Libya has been in turmoil since the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi and the jihadist Islamic State group has set up a bastion in the oil-rich country.

It further descended into chaos in August 2014 when a militia alliance overran Tripoli following fierce clashes, forcing the recognised government to flee and setting up its own administration.

As a result many embassies and international organisations pulled out of Tripoli, some relocating in neighbouring Tunisia.

Algeria, which also shares borders with Libya, also closed its Tripoli embassy after a bomb attack in January 2015 killed three people, including a security guard, and caused damage to the building.

After the arrival in Tripoli of the unity-government at the end of March, several European countries as well as Tunisia have indicated their readiness to reopen their embassies in the Libyan capital.
One-time slave Harriet Tubman to be new face of US$20 bill

The one-time slave turned abolitionist Harriet Tubman was named Wednesday as the new face of the $20 banknote, the first time an African American has featured on US currency.

A sweeping redesign of the US bills to be unveiled in four years will also protect Alexander Hamilton's central place on the $10 note, once thought threatened until Broadway's hit hip-hop musical "Hamilton" made the 18th century US finance chief a modern-day star.

Hamilton's latter-day successor, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, announced the changes slated for the $5, $10, and $20 notes after more than a year of lobbying and polling, with heavy pressure for a female figure to take place on a US banknote.

A recently-found photograph of escaped slave, abolitionist and Union spy Harriet Tubman that was acquired by the Smithsonian is displayed in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill June 17, 2015 in Washington, DC Chip Somodevilla (Getty/AFP)

An open poll of more than 600,000 people had strongly favored Tubman, a hero to African Americans for her escape from slavery in Maryland in 1849 to help run the legendary Underground Railroad that helped thousands of slaves flee to freedom in the 19th century.

The announcement brought widespread cheers.

"A woman, a leader, and a freedom fighter. I can't think of a better choice for the $20 bill than Harriet Tubman," tweeted Hillary Clinton, the Democrat seeking to become the country's first female president.

Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, Bernie Sanders, echoed: "I cannot think of an American hero more deserving of this honor than Harriet Tubman."

- 'Role model' -

The plan originally was to revamp the $10 note in 2020, possibly having a woman share it with Hamilton, while the $20 bill, one of the world's most circulated banknotes, would wait another decade for redesign.

But the grassroots group Women On 20s launched a powerful campaign to get the $20 note revamp sped up, with a woman featured, in time for 2020, the 100th anniversary of American women receiving the right to vote.

"The decision to put Harriet Tubman on the new $20 was driven by thousands of responses we received from Americans young and old," Lew said.

"I have been particularly struck by the many comments and reactions from children for whom Harriet Tubman is not just a historical figure, but a role model for leadership and participation in our democracy."

Lew also came under pressure over the talk of changing the $10. Hamilton is a hero in the Treasury as the architect of the US financial system.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of "Hamilton", lobbied Lew when the official attended the musical in New York. Miranda later said Lew had assured him his fans would be happy with the decision.

Women and African Americans will feature more broadly in the remakes of all three bills. US currency traditionally has featured a president or one of the founding fathers like Hamilton on the front and a monument on the back.

Women have only featured twice before: first president George Washington's wife, in 1886, and the native American folklore heroine Pocahontas in 1875.

The new $10 note will depict a historic 1913 protest for women's suffrage at the Treasury and several women, black and white, involved in that campaign.

The backside of the new $5 bill -- which features president Abraham Lincoln on one side -- will depict a number of historic events at his memorial in Washington, including Martin Luther King's 1963 "I have a Dream" speech for racial equality.

The choice of Tubman pushed Andrew Jackson, a southern slave owner and general who was US president from 1829 to 1837, to the backside of the $20 note.
Gangsters release 24 Pakistani policemen, surrender to army

The Pakistani military on Wednesday rescued 24 policemen who had been held hostage by a gang of heavily armed criminals on an island stronghold.

The ringleader and 13 other gang members surrendered unconditionally following a raid, military spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said on his official Twitter account.

Police in Pakistan's Rajanpur district began an anti-criminal operation against the group on April 1, officials said, with police confining the gang members to an area of the island in southern Punjab province.

A Pakistani policemen stands in a bunker as he takes part in an operation against alleged criminals in the Rajanpur district of southern Punjab province on April 14, 2016 Hussain Shah (AFP/File)

The hunt to find the remaining criminals is continuing, with more than 100 still at large.

The operation involved about 1,500 officers attempting to raid the gang's base and the 24 policemen were taken hostage on April 14 while the mission was still ongoing.

Gangsters killed six policemen the following day as they tried to reach the island on boats to help their colleagues.

That same day the Pakistani army deployed 150 soldiers to help with the rescue effort.

Bajwa said family members of the gangsters were recovered safely from the island including 24 women and 44 children.
Criminal charges filed in Flint tainted water scandal

Michigan filed the first criminal charges Wednesday in the scandal over lead contamination of Flint's water supply, accusing a city official and two state regulators of falsifying tests and tampering with evidence.

State attorney general Bill Schuette said the three knowingly misled local, state and federal officials about lead levels in the water supply of Flint, an economically depressed majority black city of 100,000 where people have resorted to using bottled water.

More than 8,000 children are believed to have drunk the tainted city water -- which unbeknownst to the public had soaring lead levels for months before it was discovered -- triggering fears about a sickened generation in Flint.

Demonstrators demand action about the water crisis in Flint on March 3, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan Chip Somodevilla (Getty/AFP/File)

"So many things went so terribly wrong and tragically wrong in Flint," Schuette said in announcing felony and misdemeanor charges against state regulators Stephen Busch and Michael Prysby and Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow.

The charges, which carry up to five years in prison, were the first produced by the state and federal probes launched after the high lead levels were disclosed by citizen activists in October.

The tainted water stemmed from a decision to shift Flint's water source from the Detroit River to the Flint River as part of cost-cutting measures ordered by state Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican who has consistently resisted calls to quit.

Experts believe the chemical-laced Flint River water corroded lead pipes, allowing large amounts of the chemical element to leach into the city's water.

Todd Flood, the special assistant attorney general who is investigating, warned that more charges were likely.

"We will turn over every stone. We'll go down every rabbit hole. This is just the first wave," he said.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said it was time "to stop the finger-pointing between the state and federal government" and get the city help.

"We haven't been able to drink our water. We haven't been able to cook with it and bathe with it," she said.

"You start thinking: are we not American citizens? Aren't we worth this?"

- 'Altered test results' -

Experts say it will take years to replace the corroded water pipes in Flint, which has been blighted by high crime and a dwindling population since its auto industry collapsed from the late 1980s onwards -- a far cry from its heyday as the home of General Motors.

Snyder said "people deserved the truth," but denied wrongdoing.

"I have not been questioned or been interviewed at this point in time," he told a press conference. "People deserve the answers. They want accountable government and they should get it."

"If these accusations (against the three) are correct, this will take it to a whole new level," he added.

Schuette accused the two state regulators of "intentionally tampering with evidence of lead levels on certain water samples in homes of residents of Flint."

"We allege and we'll prove that Mr Busch and Mr Prysby altered test results, which endangered the health of families and citizens of flint," he said.

Prysby received an additional felony charge of authorizing the operation of the Flint water treatment center "knowing that the plant would fail to provide clean and safe drinking water to families of Flint."

"They had a duty to protect the health of families and citizens of Flint. They failed, they failed to discharge their duties," he said.

Glasgow, a supervisor at the Flint water treatment plant, was charged with "felony tampering with evidence by falsifying and altering reports" to the state's Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

He also received a misdemeanor charge of "willful neglect of duty."

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announces that he filed 13 felony charges and 5 misdemeanor charges against two state officials and one city official as a result of their actions in the City of Flint's lead water contamination crisis Bill Pugliano (Getty/AFP)
German experts develop new method for predicting India's monsoon

Climate researchers in Germany said Wednesday they had found a way to more accurately predict the Indian monsoon, which could help maximise the subcontinent's food and hydro-power supplies.

Improved forecasts of when the heavy summer rains start and end could help millions of farmers plant crops at the right time, and allow energy providers to estimate when dams and reservoirs fill up, they said.

Global warming already affects monsoon stability and will make accurate forecasting ever more important, as deviations can spark droughts and floods, said the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

Indian commuters travel through a waterlogged road after heavy monsoon rains in Allahabad on August 16, 2015 Sanjay Kanojia (AFP/File)

"The timing of Indian summer monsoons, on which the livelihoods of many millions of people depend, is likely becoming more erratic," said project leader Juergen Kurths. "This makes early and accurate forecasting ever more crucial."

The scientists said they had developed a novel prediction method based on a network analysis of regional weather data, and would propose their model to the Indian Meteorological Department.

"We can predict the beginning of the Indian monsoon two weeks earlier, and the end of it even six weeks earlier than before -- which is quite a breakthrough, given that for the farmers, every day counts," said Veronika Stolbova of PIK and Zurich University.

"We found that in North Pakistan and the Eastern Ghats, a mountain range close to the Indian Ocean, changes of temperatures and humidity mark a critical transition to monsoon," said Stolbova in a statement.

Usually the focus has been on southern India's Kerala region, said Stolbova, lead author of the study published in the scientific journal the Geophysical Research Letters.

- 'Like Facebook' -

The team said it used an advanced mathematical approach called network analysis of complex non-linear systems, combined with subtle statistical analyses of the early warning signals for the monsoon onset and withdrawal.

"These precursor phenomena are often buried by huge piles of weather data and hence get overlooked," said PIK guest scientist Elena Surovyatkina of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Space Research Institute.

Kurths said they had looked at the climate system "as a network, just like the social networks so many people are using in their everyday life".

"On Facebook or Twitter, you can follow how news is spreading, one posting leading to many others. In the climate system, not people but geographical regions are communicating -- admittedly in a quite complex way."

Like Facebook postings or tweets that get shared again and again, the scientists explained, temperature and humidity get transported from one place to another by atmospheric flows such as winds.

Information about monsoon timing is key for Indian farmers, who usually grow all-important crops like rice, soybean and cotton during the June-September monsoon season.

The scientists said they had tested their method with historical monsoon data and achieved correct predictions in more than 70 percent of cases for the start of the monsoon, and in more than 80 percent for its withdrawal.

The authors said their method could improve the time horizon of monsoon prediction compared to that now used in India -- both during relatively normal times, and in years when the El Nino phenomenon affects the rainy season.

Indian children play on a flooded street in Kolkata on August 3, 2015 STR (AFP/File)
Last known Ebola patient discharged in Guinea

Guinea's health authorities and the medical charity treating the last known Ebola patient in the country said Wednesday he had been discharged after successfully recovering from the disease.

The elderly man, named as Gbana Kalivogui, was shown smiling broadly in images released by the ALIMA medical charity, which treated him at their dedicated unit in the southern city of Nzerekore.

"The last current confirmed case of Ebola hospitalised in Nzerekore left last night (Tuesday) fully recovered, and has gone home," said Fode Tass Sylla, a spokesman for Guinea's Ebola response unit.

Guinea now no longer has any known Ebola patients, but a spate of recent cases despite the announcement of the end of the main outbreak in west Africa has demonstrated the difficulty of managing its aftermath Carl de Souza (AFP/File)

Guinea now no longer has any known Ebola patients, but a spate of recent cases despite the announcement of the end of the main outbreak in west Africa has demonstrated the difficulty of managing its aftermath.

"There are no more current confirmed cases in hospital and no suspected ones admitted to the centre for the moment," ALIMA said in a statement.

The World Health Organization announced the reappearance of Ebola in a Guinean village near the Liberian border on March 17, the same day it said a similar flare-up had ended in Sierra Leone.

Since then a little over 1,500 people have been vaccinated after potentially coming into contact with the 10 known cases recorded in Guinea.

The deadliest period in the history of the feared tropical virus wrecked the economies and health systems of the three worst-hit west African nations -- Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia -- after it emerged in December 2013.
Republicans lose Supreme Court battle on Arizona voting map

Republicans lost a battle Wednesday at the US Supreme Court, which rejected their claims that a new voting map for the southwestern state of Arizona illegally favored Democrats.

A ruling in favor of the challengers could have impacted redistricting efforts that affect elections around the country.

But in a unanimous decision, the eight justices upheld a federal court decision upholding Arizona legislative districts drawn by the state's Independent Redistricting Commission following the 2010 US Census.

In a unanimous decision, the eight US Supreme Court justices upheld a federal court decision upholding Arizona legislative districts drawn following the 2010 US Census Don Emmert (AFP/File)

The commission was created years earlier by a 2000 voter initiative, and it led to overpopulated Republican-leaning districts and underpopulated Democratic ones.

Citing the one person, one vote doctrine, the challengers had claimed that the end result was diluted Republican votes in the overpopulated Republican districts.

The state legislature is controlled by Republicans in both houses.

In delivering the court's opinion, Justice Stephen Breyer stressed that the US Constitution "does not demand mathematical precision" when it comes to delimiting legislative districts, which must be of nearly equal population.

The ruling rejected Republicans' claim that the plan would favor Democrats.

"We believe that appellants failed to prove this claim because, as the district court concluded, the deviations predominantly reflected Commission efforts to achieve compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act, not to secure political advantage for one party," Breyer wrote.
Ivory Coast deploys rangers to protect dwarf elephants

Ivory Coast has deployed teams of rangers to protect the country's last surviving dwarf elephants from extinction, the head of the national park service told AFP Tuesday.

The elephants live in the Mount Peko national park in the country's west, a 34,000 hectare (131 square mile) area threatened by rampant deforestation driven by the country's booming cocoa industry.

Up to 70 percent of the park is occupied by cocoa farmers from neighbouring Burkina Faso, according to the head of the country's office for parks and reserves (OIPR) colonel Adama Tondossama, who accused them of destroying the area's flora and fauna to make way for their crops.

Elephants live in the Mount Peko national park in the Ivory Coast's west, a 34,000 hectare (131 square mile) area threatened by rampant deforestation driven by the country's booming cocoa industry Sia Kambou (AFP/File)

"These incursions for agricultural reasons have caused the forest canopy to almost disappear and have threatened endemic species like the dwarf elephant," said Tondossama.

The park, a rugged area with rich biodiversity is located alongside the Ivory Coast's cocoa producing region. The country is the world's largest cocoa exporter.

An armed group headed by Amade Oueremi occupied the Mount Peko forest for years and was arrested there in May 2013 by Ivorian authorities.

He is suspected of committing a range of crimes during the post-election violence that rocked the country in 2010-2011.

The OIPR has now begun a major operation to "liberate" the Mount Peko park, prohibiting any new clearings with dozens of forest rangers, trained in 2015, deployed to the region to enforce the ban.

"If the Mount Peko park disappears, agricultural production will fall in two years because the park creates a micro-climate that generates strong rainfall," said Tondossama.

The park is also significant for the Krahn people, a local tribe who use wood from the forest to make traditional masks.
Kurds, regime in deadly clashes in northeast Syria

Deadly clashes between Syrian pro-government fighters and Kurdish forces raged on Wednesday in the northeastern city of Qamishli, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

Loud blasts from rocket fire and heavy machineguns could be heard throughout the city into the evening as warplanes screeched above, the reporter said.

Qamishli is under the shared control of the Syrian regime and Kurdish authorities, who have declared zones of "autonomous administration" across parts of north and northeast Syria.

Kurdish fighters take position during clashes in the northwestern Syrian town of Qamishli on April 20, 2016 Delil Souleiman (AFP)

The clashes broke out between government forces and the local Kurdish police force, known as the Asayish, at a checkpoint earlier on Wednesday, a Kurdish security source told AFP.

"Then, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) joined on behalf of the Asayish and the pro-government National Defence Forces joined on the side of the regime," the source said.

He said "a number of our comrades" had died but would not give a specific number.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four NDF fighters were killed and another 20 were arrested by Kurdish forces.

The Britain-based monitor said three Asayish members were also killed in the fighting and several others were wounded.

Syrian troops and seasoned Kurdish fighters have coordinated on security in Hasakeh province where Islamic State group jihadists have tried to advance.

But tensions have built up between the sometimes-rival authorities, often over their individual military conscription services.
Gulf states back Morocco on WSahara

Gulf monarchies on Wednesday voiced support for Morocco's claim over Western Sahara during a joint summit in Riyadh, where Moroccan King Mohammed VI spoke of a "dangerous" situation.

"We stress our support to all political and security causes that are important for your brotherly country, mainly the Western Sahara," Saudi King Salman said at the opening of the summit of leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the North African nation.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Morocco's King Mohammed VI waves from his car on November 6, 2015, in Moroccan-annexed Western Sahara's main city of Laayoune Fadel Senna (AFP/File)

King Salman stressed the GCC's "categorical rejection of any harm to the interests of Morocco" over the disputed territory, where the Algiers-backed Polisario Front demands independence.

Morocco's monarch urged Gulf monarchies to stand by his country to protect it from "plots against its territorial integrity," adding that the UN Security Council's annual Western Sahara discussions in April were being used "to blackmail Morocco".

He accused UN chief Ban Ki-moon of being used in a "war by proxy" against Morocco through his "biased statements".

"The situation is dangerous this time. It is unprecedented in the dispute" over the desert territory, he said.

Morocco was infuriated when Ban last month referred to the "occupation" of Western Sahara during a visit to a Sahrawi refugee camp in Algeria.

Morocco rejected an explanation from Ban's office that his remarks were not deliberate and that he regretted the "misunderstandings."

The United Nations has been trying to broker a Western Sahara settlement since 1991 after a ceasefire was reached to end a war that broke out when Morocco deployed its military in the former Spanish territory in 1975.

Local Sahrawi people are campaigning for the right to self-determination, but Morocco considers the territory as part of the kingdom and insists its sovereignty cannot be challenged.

Morocco is a close ally of Saudi Arabia.

In 2011, the GCC had proposed that Morocco and Jordan, both fellow monarchies, join the bloc. The project failed but the organisation set up a $5-billion fund for the two countries.
VW to offer US owners $5,000 over emissions scandal

Embattled German carmaker Volkswagen will offer $5,000 to each US buyer of its diesel cars which were installed with emissions-cheating software in a bid to avoid a major court case, Die Welt newspaper reported in its Thursday edition.

The US cases have been consolidated in a federal court in San Francisco under Judge Charles Breyer who had given Volkswagen until April 21 to come up with a plan to deal with some 600,000 cars which had their engines rigged to make them appear less polluting.

According to German daily Die Welt, the deal, agreed with the US authorities, doesn't resolve all the issues but would leave Volkswagen picking up the cost of recalling and modifying the offending vehicles as well as paying out $5,000 (4,400 euros) to each of the affected owners.

Volkswagen will reportedly offer $5,000 to each US buyer of its diesel cars which were installed with emissions-cheating software Josh Edelson (AFP/File)

If the deal is not accepted by the plaintiffs then the case could go to trial.

The US deal is just "a kind of memorandum of understanding," which will have to be worked on in the coming months, the newspaper quoted one of the participants in the negotiations as saying.

Volkswagen has been engulfed in a global scandal since it was revealed last year that the German automaker had installed software into 11 million diesel engines worldwide that intentionally skewed emissions values during testing.

German litigation lawyer Christopher Rother told Die Welt that the US deal is likely to serve as a reference point for damages for European VW clients.

Investors on Wednesday welcomed the attempt by Volkswagen to avoid a mass court action, and VW shares rose 6.61 percent on the Frankfurt market.

The total costs of the controversy are still incalculable but are expected to run into many billions as a result of fines and lawsuits.
Ethiopia troops cross into South Sudan in hunt for abducted children

Ethiopian troops have crossed into South Sudan in search of children abducted by armed men from across the border last week, a government spokesman said Wednesday.

"The army has been conducting reconnaissance missions in South Sudan and they have a clear idea of where the children are," Ethiopia's Communications Minister Getachew Reda told AFP.

"We have sought approval of the government of South Sudan to conduct these operations, he added.

Children jump rope in the Kule refugee camp near the Pagak border entry in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia on April 2, 2014 Zacharias Abubeker (AFP/File)

More than 200 people were killed and 102 children abducted by armed men from South Sudan in a cross-border raid into Ethiopia on April 15.

The assailants, armed with Kalashnikov rifles killed anyone who opposed them, according to witnesses. They also stole over 2,000 livestock.

Ethiopian officials blame Murle tribesmen from South Sudan for a series of deadly attacks on Ethiopian villages in the western Gambella region.

The Murle, a tribe from South Sudan based in the eastern Jonglei region close to the Ethiopian border, often stage raids to steal cattle and abduct children but rarely on such a large or deadly scale.

The Addis Ababa government had already said that its army was in pursuit of the attackers, but had not previously revealed that its troops crossed the border to hunt for them.

According to Ethiopia's Fana radio, the army has already encircled the area where the abducted children are being detained and begun operations to rescue them.

Reda didn't confirm these reports however.

Last week's deadly raid has unleashed a wave of anger and boosted fears that the civil war raging in South Sudan could spill over the border.

Ethiopia has been heavily involved in the South Sudan peace process, partly because of the risk that the conflict could destabilise Gambella, 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the frontier.

After winning independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan descended into war two years later, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that have split the poverty-stricken country along ethnic lines.

Tens of thousands have been killed and over two million people forced to flee their homes.
The Latest: ACLU Attorney says ruling supports NC lawsuit

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  The Latest on a federal appeals court ruling that a Virginia high school discriminated against a transgender teen by forbidding him from using the boys' restroom (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

The lead attorney in a lawsuit challenging a North Carolina law limiting protections for the LGBT community says Tuesday's appeals court ruling affirms a key argument.

ACLU attorney Chris Brook said the ruling makes it clear that the North Carolina law violates Title IX, but he declined to discuss what his legal team's next steps might be.

University of North Carolina law professor Maxine Eichner said the Title IX decision would govern federal court decisions about North Carolina's public schools, but it's not clear how quickly it would be applied.

She said the plaintiffs could seek an order blocking the provisions requiring transgender students in the state's public schools to use bathrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate. Eichner said other provisions of the sweeping North Carolina law fall outside of Title IX, such as those regarding discrimination in workplaces, hotels and restaurants.

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5 p.m.

Gavin Grimm says he was sound asleep at noon Tuesday, making up for a couple of nights of insomnia, when the telephone rang with news: A federal appeals court had ruled in his favor in a lawsuit over restroom access at his Virginia high school.

The transgender 16-year-old said it was the best news he could remember ever receiving, although he's not sure what it means for the immediate future. The Gloucester County School Board could appeal the ruling by a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, keeping Grimm out of the boys' restrooms for a while longer. Grimm says he's just going to take things one day at a time.

Grimm was born female but identifies as male and wants to use the boys' restrooms. The appeals court said in a 2-1 ruling that a school board policy barring Grimm from doing so violates the federal law against sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funds.

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4 p.m.

North Carolina's governor says a federal appeals court ruling overturning a Virginia school district policy on restroom use by a transgender student "puts a whole new dynamic" on a state law he signed addressing bathroom use and limiting LGBT discrimination protections.

Gov. Pat McCrory spoke to reporters Tuesday just after a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined the Gloucester County School Board policy requiring students to use public restrooms corresponding with their biological gender is discriminatory.

The North Carolina legislature approved legislation similar to the policy for schools, public universities and government buildings. Fourth Circuit rulings also apply to North Carolina.

McCrory anticipates the Virginia case will be further appealed but says he'll implement whatever the outcome is from the court rulings. He says the question will be whether North Carolina will have to comply with the policy during the appeal.

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1:35 p.m.

A federal appeals court has overturned a policy barring a transgender student from using the boys' restrooms at his Virginia high school.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the Gloucester County School Board policy is discriminatory. A federal judge had rejected Gloucester High School student Gavin Grimm's sex discrimination claim.

The appeals court's ruling establishes legal precedent in the five states in the 4th Circuit, including North Carolina, which faces a lawsuit challenging a new state law requiring transgender public school students to use the bathroom that corresponds to the sex on their birth certificate.
GOP leader vows retribution for transgender 'blackmail'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  The Republican leader in the Tennessee House vowed retribution Tuesday for companies that spoke out against a transgender bathroom bill, suggesting that lawmakers should consider limiting tax incentives and grants to them.

"All these companies who tried to blackmail us for this thing, when they come for their corporate welfare checks next year, we need to have a list out and keep an eye on them," Rep. Gerald McCormick said to applause.

The bill would have required students in public schools and universities to use bathrooms and locker rooms that matched the gender listed on their birth certificates. Supporters said it would have protected the privacy of students.

FILE - In this March 8, 2016, file photo, House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, speaks during a House Finance Committee hearing in Nashville, Tenn. McCormick on Tuesday, April 19, vowed retribution for companies that spoke out against a transgender bathroom bill, suggesting that lawmakers should consider limiting tax incentives and grants to them. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig, File)

Tennessee's proposal is part of a wave of legislation across the country that opponents say is discriminatory toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Rep. Susan Lynn, a Republican who sponsored the bill in the state House, said Monday that she was withdrawing the bill while waiting to see how legal challenges play out in other states. On Tuesday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a Virginia high school's policy barring a transgender student from using the boys' restrooms is discriminatory.

In Tennessee, the leaders of 60 businesses, including the chief executives of Williams-Sonoma, Hilton Worldwide and T-Mobile signed a letter urging lawmakers to reject the bathroom bill.

McCormick's comments came in response to an email he received from the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. The group opposed the bill because it said it would make it more difficult to attract and retain business and tourism.

"Simply put, the legislation is bad for business, bad for Chattanooga and Hamilton County, and bad for Tennessee," according to the email from David Steele, the chamber's vice president for policy and education.

McCormick said the backlash from the business community didn't help lawmakers seeking to derail the legislation.

"They did nothing to help, and they added nothing to the conversation," McCormick said after the floor session. "They got their hand out for corporate welfare on the one hand, and then they're trying to give us orders on the other hand.
Judge dismisses class-action lawsuit in Flint water crisis

FLINT, Mich. (AP)  A class-action lawsuit over Flint's contaminated water was dismissed Tuesday, with the judge saying constitutional claims by residents are barred by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

U.S. District Judge John Corbett O'Meara said he wasn't making a decision on the merits of the lawsuit, which is one of dozens filed over lead in Flint's drinking water. But he said residents can't pursue a remedy for civil rights violations in the matter, due to federal law and rulings by higher courts.

Residents accused Flint and state officials of violating their rights by providing contaminated water and requiring payment. The city, under a state-appointed manager, switched from using Detroit's water source to the Flint River but didn't add corrosion controls, causing lead to leach from old plumbing.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder fills jugs with filtered Flint, Mich., tap water at Cheryl Hill's house Monday, April 18, 2016, on the city's east side. Gov. Snyder says he will drink Flint's water for roughly a month to show residents it is safe. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

"Plaintiffs' allegations are addressed by regulations that have been promulgated" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under federal water law, O'Meara said.

A message seeking comment was left with residents' attorney, William Murphy Jr.

Also Tuesday, Flint Mayor Karen Weaver she is not impressed by Gov. Rick Snyder's pledge to drink Flint tap water that's run through a government-approved filter for a month.

"Lucky for him that he can drink filtered water, because we've been dealing with this for two years, and we were drinking it when it wasn't filtered," Weaver said, adding that she believes  despite the state's reassurances  that it's too early to tell city residents it's OK to drink filtered tap water.

"If the governor really wanted to know what it's like to deal with the situation we're in ... he needs to come and stay here for 30 days and live with us and see what it's like to have to use bottled or filtered water when you want to cook and when you want to drink and when you want to brush your teeth," Weaver said.

Snyder made his pledge Monday. He told reporters Tuesday during a tourism conference in Lansing that Weaver "has her own perspective" and is "entitled to her opinion."
Stepfather accused of toddler's murder waives extradition

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A man charged with murdering his missing 2-year-old stepson has waived extradition from North Carolina to California.

Tieray Jones told a Wake County judge Tuesday that he understands he faces a homicide charge. Jones said he was anxious to get the process moving. He appeared in court wearing an orange-and-white striped jail jumpsuit, with his wrists and ankles shackled.

Jones was arrested in Rocky Mount. Police questioned him after the 2002 disappearance of Jahi Turner, his wife's son. Authorities said new evidence led to the arrest but declined to give specifics.

Jones said the boy disappeared from a playground when Jones went to buy a soda.
Texas, New Mexico oil producers push for import limits

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Oil drilling companies and royalty owners from the Texas Panhandle to New Mexico's stretch of the Permian Basin are embarking on a grass-roots campaign to limit foreign oil imports, salvaging what they say is a major sector of the U.S. economy.

"American oil is competing against a cartel of government operators which has a stated initiative of driving an American industry out of business," said Tom Cambridge, one of the Panhandle producers leading the campaign.

The grass-roots movement is pushing for the next president of the United States to issue a proclamation setting quotas for imports  something that hasn't been done in more than four decades.

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2016 file photo, Chance Lang descends toward the water pool attached to Robinson Drilling rig #4 in Midland County, Texas. Oil drilling companies and royalty owners from the Texas Panhandle to New Mexicos stretch of the Permian Basin are embarking on a grass-roots campaign aimed at salvaging what they say is a major sector of the U.S. economy, and their target is foreign oil imports. (James Durbin/Midland Reporter-Telegram via AP, File)

"It's not that this is the first time but this is a more concerted, deliberate effort and I think it's gaining ground," said John Yates Jr., a member of a well-known family that is a leader in the industry and has over the last century developed some of New Mexico's largest and most significant oilfields.

Under the plan unveiled by the Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association and other supporters, import quotas could be imposed within the next administration's first 90 days in office. Canadian and Mexican oil would be exempt.

Quotas on heavy crude oil would be phased in and imports would eventually be limited to around 10 percent of total demand.

Supporters say they're drawing a line in the sand after more than a dozen oil-rich nations failed to agree during a recent meeting in Saudi Arabia to freeze production. They blame Middle East producers for flooding the market and fueling the price war as a means to stifle domestic production.

Oil fell in the past two years from above $100 a barrel to touch 12-year lows under $30 a barrel earlier this year, and U.S. production has dropped by as much as 700,000 barrels a day and the number of rigs in the field has sunk to historic lows.

By 2017, crude oil production is forecast to average around 8 million barrels per day, nearly 1.5 million less than in 2015, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency.

Oilfield equipment along one of the two-lane highways that link West Texas and southeastern New Mexico sits idle in company yards, and local governments and schools are feeling the pinch as severance taxes and royalties dwindle.

"Service companies, restaurants, real estate, the people building motels and hotels  there are a lot of impacts," said Yates told The Associated Press.

Daniel Fine with the Center for Energy Policy at New Mexico Tech has been commissioned by the quota supporters to bring the idea before lawmakers and other elected leaders.

"The idea is to support domestic energy sources against import reliance and the risks that come with that," said Fine, who is also an energy policy adviser to Gov. Susana Martinez's administration and a former MIT research associate.

Supporters acknowledge that some in the industry aren't in favor of quotas and refineries would likely oppose reductions in cheaper imports.

The effort launched this week with forums in Amarillo, Texas, and Artesia, New Mexico.

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Follow Susan Montoya Bryan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/susanmbryanNM

FILE - This Feb. 17, 2016 file photo shows a water pool attached to Robinson Drilling rig #4 in Midland County, Texas. Oil drilling companies and royalty owners from the Texas Panhandle to New Mexicos stretch of the Permian Basin are embarking on a grass-roots campaign aimed at salvaging what they say is a major sector of the U.S. economy, and their target is foreign oil imports. (James Durbin/Midland Reporter-Telegram via AP, File)
Dispute deepens over GOP delegates for US Virgin Islands

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  A dispute over which Republican delegates from the U.S. Virgin Islands will be sent to the upcoming national convention has grown increasingly unruly.

Party members said Tuesday that a fight broke out during a weekend meeting of the Republican Territorial Committee, which was held at a gun range.

Dennis Lennox told The Associated Press that he used his cellphone to make a video of what he called the "uncivil and unbecoming conduct" of some people at Saturday's meeting. He accused disqualified delegate Gwendolyn Brady of throwing a cellphone at him shortly after he started recording. Brady, the island's banking and insurance commissioner, did not return a message for comment.

Other members said that Brady was physically assaulted by another delegate and that police arrived after the incident, which is the latest in the fight over delegates.

"It's just turned into madness, total madness," said Herbert Schoenbohm, the party's former chairman and a committee member who was at the meeting.

He told the AP that party chairman John Canegata was carrying a gun and used an artillery shell for a gavel as he threatened to have people arrested if they didn't leave after the meeting.

Canegata declined to comment except to say that the committee complied with party rules during the meeting. He was quoted by local media as saying that he was carrying a concealed weapon and that he had forgotten his gavel.

The incident came just weeks after the U.S. territory's Republican Party announced it was disqualifying six delegates chosen in March because they violated party rules. Among those disqualified were Brady and John Yob, a political strategist from Michigan who wrote a book titled "Chaos: The Outsider's Guide to a Contested Republican National Convention."

The six disqualified delegates are uncommitted. Of the six alternates, four are uncommitted, one supports Sen. Ted Cruz and the other Donald Trump.

Saturday's incident prompted Schoenbohm and other committee members to take a no-confidence vote against Canegata.

"The chairman is obviously going to ignore that," Schoenbohm said. "The next steps are lawsuits."

Brady, Yob and other delegates recently filed a lawsuit against Canegata accusing him of acting unilaterally when he disqualified them. Canegata called the lawsuit frivolous and an "act of desperation."

"The law of the land is clear: Republican Party rules  not courts  govern Republican Party procedure, according to established U.S. Supreme Court precedent," he said in a recent statement.

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Left, right join forces against nationalists in German state

BERLIN (AP)  Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right party is joining forces with the environmentalist Greens and the center-left Social Democrats to freeze out a nationalist party in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Merkel's Christian Democrats came first in last month's election with nearly 30 percent of the vote. But the upstart Alternative for Germany, or AfD, came a surprise second with more than 24 percent, shocking the established parties.

AfD has seen a surge in support amid disquiet among some Germans over Merkel's immigration policy.

Social Democrat Burkhard Lischka described the three-party agreement as a "marriage of convenience" Tuesday.

It is the first time that a coalition composed of those three parties has been formed at the state level.
Democrat attacks policy on China, Republican defends it

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Barack Obama's policy on the disputed South China Sea came under attack Tuesday from a fellow Democrat, and in an unusual twist, it was a Republican adversary who leapt to the administration's defense.

State Department officials were testifying before a House foreign affairs subcommittee, requesting an increase in their budget for East Asia and the Pacific, which Obama has made a strategic priority even as he has been sidetracked by turmoil in the Mideast.

Rep. Brad Sherman of California, the panel's top-ranking Democrat, accused the administration of exaggerating the importance of uninhabited islands in the region's contested seas. He contended that the Pentagon was also playing up the threat posed by China, which has territorial disputes with several of its neighbors.

"While we all agree that the region is important, I think we are going down the wrong path because we are being war hawks about some islets that remain uninhabited to this day. That's how useless they are," Sherman said.

Daniel Russel, top diplomat for East Asia, responded that the U.S. was standing up for international norms and had a "vital" economic and security interests there.

"It's not about the rocks, it's about the rules. We profit when we live in a rules-based world," Russel said.

Rep. Matt Salmon of Arizona, Republican chair of the panel, agreed. He said if the islands have no value, "then why is China building runways on them?"

"It's causing our allies in the region great, great, great concern," he said.

Tensions have risen in the last two years in the South China Sea, and although the U.S. does not claim territory there, it has become a major source of friction with rising power China.

China has reclaimed land on disputed reefs and islets that could be used to project its military might far from the Chinese mainland. The Philippines, which is a U.S. ally, as well as Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have territorial claims there. China has a separate dispute with Japan over uninhabited islands lying further north.

Although Salmon is a staunch critic of higher spending on most U.S. government programs, he was fulsome in his support of the administration's budget request for $1.5 billion for U.S. foreign operations and assistance for East Asia, for the fiscal year starting in October  an 11 percent increase over fiscal 2015.

"What you all do is keep us out of war. For less than 1 percent of the total budget, the job that you do is incredibly worth it," Salmon said, referring to the proportion of the federal budget spent on global foreign operations.

Salmon was also strongly supportive of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional free-trade pact championed by Obama. It was signed in February by the U.S. and 11 Pacific rim nations, including Japan, but has yet to be ratified by Congress.
Maine could be 1st state to OK medical pot to treat addicts

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  Maine could become the first state to add addiction to opioid prescriptions and illegal narcotics like heroin to its list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana.

Nearly 30 medical marijuana caregivers and patients told state regulators at a public hearing on Tuesday that marijuana eases the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and offers a healthier alternative to the prescription painkillers that can lead to addiction.

Joseph Legendre, 50, of Mount Vernon, choked back tears as he spoke about the pain he endured after hurting his back 26 years ago at construction site and how marijuana finally eased that pain. Britney Lashier, 23, of Saco, said smoking marijuana helped her break a heroin addiction she picked up in Morocco while studying in college.

A crowd listens to speakers at a public hearing Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Augusta, Maine. Speakers describe how marijuana helped them recover from their addiction to opioid drugs and illegal narcotics like heroin. More than 60 people attended the hearing held by the state Department of Health and Human Services. (AP Photo/Tom Bell)

"Marijuana saved my life for sure," she said.

Supporters say it has been prescribed for opiate addiction in other states that have few restrictions on medical marijuana, including California and Massachusetts. But Maine would be the first to specifically add opiate addiction as a qualifying condition, according to the Maine Medical Association.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Serves held the hearing in response a petition from a caregiver. The department now has 180 days to respond.

Representatives of Maine's medical establishment spoke in opposition, saying there is no scientific evidence backing up claims that marijuana effectively treats addiction.

Leah Bauer, a psychiatrist and medical director at the Addiction Resource Center at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, said the petition would encourage addicts to use another toxic and habit-forming substance.

"In fact, using marijuana may be like pouring gasoline on the fire," she said

Darrell Gudroe, 39, of Boothbay, said drug addiction should be included in the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana because it's the best way to help people fight their addiction to opioids.

"There's not a better way to get off them I've seen," said Gudroe, a board member of Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine.

Darrell Gudroe, 39, of Boothbay, Maine, a board member of Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine, speaks at a public hearing Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Augusta, Maine. Gudroe said he thinks drug addiction should be included in the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana because it's the best way to help people fight their addiction to opioids. Nearly 30 people spoke at the hearing held by the Department of Health and Human Services. (AP Photo/Tom Bell)
Colorado lawmakers target edible pot in fruit, animal shapes

DENVER (AP)  Pot-infused lemon drops and other marijuana edibles that resemble fruits could be coming off Colorado shelves, the latest front in a battle by lawmakers to eradicate retail pot products that could appeal to kids.

A committee in the state House of Representatives advanced the bill that also would ban infused edibles shaped like animals or people. Edible pot makers already are preparing for new regulations starting this fall that will require each piece of food to carry a symbol with the letters THC, marijuana's intoxicating chemical.

Marijuana manufacturers say the latest measure goes too far, with the Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce warning it could shut down a big part of the edibles industry.

FILE - This April 18, 2014, file photo shows edible marijuana products on display at a medical marijuana dispensary in Denver. Colorado's marijuana experiment is under threat by the very popularity of eating it instead of smoking it, so the pot industry is joining health officials and state regulators in studying the problem of consumers eating too much too quickly. Pot-infused lemon drops and other marijuana edibles that resemble fruits could be coming off Colorado shelves, the latest front in a battle by lawmakers to eradicate retail pot products that could appeal to kids. The bill up for its first hearing in the state House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, also would ban infused edibles shaped like animals or people. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File)

"It really comes down to the adult, the parent, to keep it out of the hands of children, just like alcohol, just like cigarettes," said Dave Maggio, who works for manufacturer Cheeba Chews.

Many pot producers have agreed to stop making candies that resemble animals or people but oppose the bill because it could be interpreted to ban shapes that unintentionally look like fruits, such as an orange-colored circle.

The measure's supporters, including the governor and Colorado's chief medical officer, say marijuana candies are like modern-day candy cigarettes and send a dangerous message to kids.

"Children are more likely to consume products that resemble familiar foods," Dr. Larry Wolk told lawmakers Tuesday.

Many of the 24 states and Washington, D.C., allowing marijuana for medical or recreational use do not allow the sale of edible marijuana.

In Colorado, where the state constitution authorizes marijuana in any form, pot regulators have been ratcheting up limits on edible marijuana ever since recreational pot became legal in 2012.

First, lawmakers limited the potency of serving sizes, then required each serving size to be individually wrapped because some consumers were eating too many servings.

A Wyoming college student fell to his death from a Denver hotel balcony in 2014 after eating six servings of marijuana in a cookie. The same year, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd wrote of becoming sick after eating too much pot.

The ban on certain shapes of edible marijuana comes late in Colorado's lawmaking session, which concludes next month. The bill's chances are not clear. It has a long list of bipartisan sponsors in the Democratic-controlled House but only one sponsor in the Republican Senate.

The bill, passed 10-2 by the committee, now awaits a vote by the full House.

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Online:

House Bill 1436: http://goo.gl/v7FKhR .
Police: Michigan radio host killed by husband

ROYALTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP)  Authorities say a southwestern Michigan morning radio show host and her husband have been found dead in a suspected murder-suicide.

Michigan State Police released a statement saying the bodies of WSJM host Denise Bohn-Stewart and Eric Stewart were found in their home Tuesday. The release says investigators believe Stewart killed his wife before killing himself. Details weren't released.

Lt. Mike Dawson says the couple's three children were at the Royalton Township home, and one called 911. Dawson says the children  ages 10, 9 and 8  weren't injured and were taken to a safe location.

St. Joseph-based WSJM posted a statement on its Facebook page saying, "We have lost a member of our family." The 45-year-old Bohn-Stewart previously worked at WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana.
US lawmakers want Indian PM to address Congress

WASHINGTON (AP)  Top lawmakers overseeing U.S. foreign policy are urging the House speaker to invite India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address Congress on a visit slated for June.

Four lawmakers, including the top-ranking Republican and Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Reps. Ed Royce and Eliot Engel, say that Modi is expected to visit Washington June 7 and 8.

They wrote Tuesday to the Republican speaker of the House, Paul Ryan. They say that given the depth of U.S.-India relations, the visit would be an "ideal opportunity" to invite Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress.

The Obama administration has yet to announce the visit. Modi first visited Washington months after he took power in 2014. Relations have improved during his tenure.
'Hard choices' in Texas as oil bust, costly lawsuits collide

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  The oil bust already shrinking Texas' coffers is colliding with the possibility of the state getting socked with multibillion-dollar verdicts in major lawsuits, budget officials said Tuesday, which could test years of Republican resistance to cracking the state's emergency piggybank.

No lawmakers or budget-crunchers raised the potential of spending cuts or a shortfall when the Legislature returns in 2017. But state Comptroller Glenn Hegar urged caution, even as he rejected comparisons to financial reckonings unfolding in other oil-producing states like Oklahoma and Louisiana.

On top of imminent court rulings over school finance and tax refunds that could cost the state billions, Texas is piling up unpaid bills over Medicaid and most recently will have costs from this week's flooding in Houston that has killed at least five people.

"There's going to be some hard choices that need to be made when we come back in January," said Ursula Parks, director of the state Legislative Budget Board, testifying to House budget writers at the Capitol.

Hegar said Texas has lost more than 100,000 jobs, mainly in the oil and gas sector, since energy prices began tumbling and the price of crude dropped at one point below $30 a barrel. This week began with the oil prices hovering around $40 a barrel, still well below highs that exceeded $100 a barrel in 2014 and left Texas flush with money to spend and put into a rainy-day fund that now holds nearly $10 billion.

Because of the oil downturn, Hegar already has taken off the table nearly $3 billion he originally projected Texas would have available to spend. The oil and gas industry accounts for about 13 percent of Texas' gross state product, down from nearly 20 percent during the boom of the 1980s as the Texas economy has grown more diversified and resilient.

But forthcoming court decisions could sting as much as dried-up oil patches. The most expensive could be a ruling from the Texas Supreme Court over how the state funds public schools, many of which sued after lawmakers cut $5.4 billion from classrooms in 2011 to close a budget shortfall following the Great Recession.

Hegar told lawmakers the state also could lose $4 billion if that same court sides with oil drillers in a long-running lawsuit over whether certain oil equipment should be exempt from sales taxes.

Then there's a lawsuit filed by the parent company of AMC movie theaters, which is also in a legal squabble over taxes that Hegar's office has said could cost the state more than $1.5 billion a year.

Those potential liabilities come as Texas lawmakers are also under pressure to put more money into the state's foster system, which a federal judge in December ruled was violating the rights of youngsters in long-term care and Gov. Greg Abbott wants overhauled.

"There are challenges on the horizon that will require significant fiscal resources from the state," Republican House Speaker Joe Straus said in a letter to budget-writers Tuesday.

One option, raised again on Tuesday, could involve tapping the state's emergency fund  which Republicans have fiercely guarded for years with a mix of political pride and purported necessity for maintaining the state's high credit rating.

Hegar still insisted that Texas' situation was not as dire as neighboring states that are grappling with steep shortfalls in the wake of the oil collapse. Oklahoma has ordered state agencies to reduce budgets for the current year while looking at a $1.3 billion shortfall next year.

"Everyone wants to lump us with our sister states," Hegar said. "But we're not in the same situation."

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Last Mormon missionary hurt in Brussels bombing back in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  The family of a 66-year-old Mormon missionary who suffered severe burns on more than a third of his body in the Brussels airport bombing said Tuesday he faces a long recovery but is happy to be back in Utah and improving slowly.

Pam Norby said they find joy in even the small milestones of her husband Richard Norby's recovery.

On Monday, after yet another surgery to deal with second- and third-degree burns and severe shrapnel injuries, Richard Norby ate a surprisingly hearty meal: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a banana, ice cream and chocolate milk.

"It doesn't get much better than that," said Pam Norby, smiling alongside their oldest son, Jason Norby, at a news conference in Salt Lake City. "We celebrate all those little landmarks that are huge for us."

Norby flew back to the U.S. on Saturday after doctors in Belgium determined he was fit for travel. He's now receiving treatment at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Richard Norby was standing with three young missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when bombs went off in the airport March 22.

He remembers what happened, but the family said he's working through those memories and declined to share what he's told them.

Richard and Pam Norby, of Lehi, Utah, were serving a Mormon mission together in Brussels. Pam Norby credits her Mormon faith for giving her the strength to handle the situation and never lose faith, even when her husband was put into a medically-induced coma for a period and suffered a setback while hospitalized in Brussels when he came down with a serious infection.

She and her son Jason Norby gushed about the outpouring of support and help from people in Belgium and the United States.

Two of the four missionaries injured in the blast have returned home while Norby and one other remain hospitalized.

Joseph "Dres" Empey, 20, has returned to his home in southern Utah, and Fanny Clain has been released from the hospital and is resting with her family in France. Clain was at the airport on her way to serve a mission in the United States.

Mason Wells, 19, is still at a Salt Lake City hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.

Dr. Stephen Morris of University of Utah Health Care said Richard Norby will remain in the hospital for many more weeks. Richard Norby will have lasting effects from the injuries but should be able to walk again, Morris said.
Man paroled in conspiracy to photograph senator's ill wife

JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A Mississippi blogger is out of prison after serving several months for sneaking into a nursing home to shoot unauthorized video of the ailing wife of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran during the Southern Republican's hard-fought 2014 campaign.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections confirmed to The Associated Press that 30-year-old Clayton Kelly was paroled March 17. The release was first reported Tuesday by The Clarion-Ledger daily.

Kelly pleaded guilty to conspiracy in June 2015 and was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.

Nonviolent inmates in Mississippi may be considered for parole after serving at least one-fourth of a sentence. Adding the days Kelly was in custody before conviction, he served nearly 10 months.

"There were no violations on his record," Parole Board chairman Steven Pickett said of Kelly's time in prison, also confirming the release. He added that Kelly was released to his home in a suburb of Jackson, the state capital, and must find a job as a condition of his parole.

Rose Cochran had dementia, and images of her appeared briefly online during the contentious primary Cochran ultimately won over a tea party-backed state senator, Chris McDaniel.

Investigators said Kelly was one of four people who conspired to produce a video suggesting Thad Cochran was having an affair. Cochran's campaign denied the allegation.

Cochran, who served six years in the House before winning a Senate seat in 1978, defeated McDaniel in the June 2014 primary just weeks after the images had emerged. Cochran went on to victory that fall in what was his hardest-fought re-election effort. He regained his position as Senate Appropriations Committee chairman as the GOP took the Senate majority in the 2014 election.

Rose Cochran died in December 2014. The senator married a longtime aide in May 2015.

Chuck Harrison, the Madison police officer who led the investigation, testified during Kelly's sentencing hearing that Kelly gave officers full access to his computers and passwords. Kelly acknowledged during a videotaped interview with police that he had gone to the nursing home three times to try to obtain video of Rose Cochran, Harrison said: He didn't get in the first two times but got in and shot the cellphone video on Easter Sunday in April 2014.

Harrison read part of Kelly's interview in court, including a portion in which he told officers, "'After I took the video, I was sick to my stomach.'"

Kelly, who had a blog called Constitutional Clayton, told police that he debated with himself about whether to post the image of Rose Cochran because he thought she was being exploited, Harrison said. Kelly chose to post it, in part, to make a name for himself as a journalist, Harrison testified.

Circuit Judge William Circuit Chapman said during the sentencing: "I don't believe any responsible journalist would have been involved in any kind of activity like this."

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Outsider tag boosts Trump; Clinton seen as best Trump foil

WASHINGTON (AP)  Voters who say they want to see an outsider inhabit the White House propelled Donald Trump to victory in the Republican primary in his home state of New York on Tuesday night.

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won with the support of voters looking for a continuation of President Barack Obama's policies.

Democratic voters saw Clinton as the candidate best suited to beat Trump, while New York Republicans said the same of Trump in a competition with Clinton.

Poll worker Tahmina Banu, center, instructs an identified voter, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in the Flushing neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York. Banu is originally from Bangladesh. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

As New York voters headed to the polls, Democrats were more likely than Republicans to say they have been energized by the primary battles within their parties. GOP voters say their party has been divided by the sparring among Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

According to exit polls conducted for The Associated Press and television networks by Edison Research, a majority of GOP voters say the candidate with the most votes going into the convention should be the party's presidential nominee.

Other exit poll highlights:

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TRUMP THE OUTSIDER

Nearly two-thirds of New York GOP primary voters want the next president to be a political outsider_the most that have said that in any state so far. About 6 in 10 also saw Trump as the best candidate to beat Clinton in November.

Trump also benefited from 6 in 10 voters who say they'd be concerned about or scared of a Cruz presidency. About a third said the same about Trump.

Still, 7 in 10 Republican voters said they cast their vote because they like their candidate, while less than 3 in 10 said they voted for a candidate because they didn't like their other options.

Of those who cast a protest vote, nearly 4 in 10 supported Kasich. More than half of his supporters said they wouldn't vote for Cruz in the general election, and over two-thirds said the same of Trump.

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CLINTON THE TRUMP SLAYER?

Two-thirds of New York Democrats say Clinton is the candidate better suited to beat Trump in a general election. Nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters think the party's nominee will eventually be Clinton.

More than half of Democratic primary voters want the next president to continue Obama's policies while only 3 in 10 want more liberal policies. Three-quarters of those who want a continuation supported Clinton.

New York Democrats were slightly more likely to see Clinton than Sanders as most inspiring. But Sanders was more likely to be seen as honest. Eight in 10 say Sanders is honest while 6 in 10 say that of Clinton.

About 6 in 10 Democratic primary voters say Clinton would do the best job handling gun policy.

The exit polls also show that the vast majority of New York Democrats would support either Sanders or Clinton in the general election.

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LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE

Nearly 7 in 10 GOP voters say the candidate with the most votes in primary contests should be the Republican presidential nominee. Conversely, less than 3 in 10 voters say the delegates sent to the convention in Cleveland should decide.

So far, Trump is likely to go into the convention with the delegate lead over Cruz and Kasich. But the billionaire may not have enough delegates to win the nomination outright.

And voters say the tough primary slog is taking its toll.

Almost 6 in 10 New York Republican voters say their party has been divided by the nomination process, while only 3 in 10 Democratic voters say the same about their party's primaries. Less than 4 in 10 GOP voters say they've been energized, exit polls show, compared with two-thirds of Democratic voters who say that about their side.

Four in 10 Republican primary voters say they wouldn't vote for Cruz in November. About a quarter say that about Trump.

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WALL STREET AND THE ECONOMY

Large majorities of New Yorkers  Democrats and Republicans alike  are concerned about the direction of the U.S. economy. And many in both parties are worried about the influence of Wall Street.

About 6 in 10 Democrats regard Wall Street as detrimental to the U.S. economy, with the majority of those voters siding with Sanders. About 3 in 10 say the New York City financial sector helps the economy, and those voters went overwhelmingly for Clinton.

GOP voters were also slightly more likely to say Wall Street hurts rather than helps the economy.

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The exit poll was conducted by Edison Research for The Associated Press and the television networks. Interviews were conducted with 1,391 Democratic voters and 957 Republican voters at 35 precincts throughout New York State. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 4 percentage points for each contest.

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Follow on Twitter: Chad Day at https://twitter.com/chadsday and Emily Swanson at http://twitter.com/EL_Swan

Darling Diaz, left, talks with poll worker Jamie Williams-Rivera before voting in the Flushing neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. The sign includes instructions in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Bengali. Diaz is originally from the Dominican Republic. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a New York primary night campaign event, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Virginia AG backs legality of governor's execution plan

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Virginia's attorney general says he doesn't believe a proposal to allow the state to obtain lethal injection drugs from anonymous compounding pharmacies would violate federal law.

Republican Del. Jackson Miller had asked Attorney General Mark Herring for an opinion before lawmakers reconvene Wednesday to consider Gov. Terry McAuliffe's proposal.

In his opinion released late Tuesday, Herring rejected the argument that federal law allows pharmacies to compound drugs only with a valid prescription.

Herring said it's "settled law" that lethal injection drugs don't constitute a practice of medicine, "rendering a prescription unnecessary and unavailable." He added that no court has ever invalidated a state's lethal injection protocol on those grounds.
New Mexico rescinds firing of guards on duty during escape

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  State officials have withdrawn firing notices for two guards who were transporting inmates across New Mexico last month when two escaped from the back of a prisoner transport van, a representative for the prison guards union said.

However, the internal probe into the March 9 escape of Joseph Cruz and Lionel Clah  both violent felons  remains active more than a month after the pair's getaway, with officials leaving open the possibility that state officials could still fire the guards at a later date.

"All options remain on the table  including termination, pending the outcome of the investigation," Rose Bobchak, a Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said Tuesday.

The Santa Fe New Mexican first reported Monday (http://bit.ly/1YFRNgT) that the union learned of the state's decision to rescind its initial firing notices  which are considered a first-step in the administrative process for terminating an employee based on performance of work duties.

The guards, Taracina Morgan and Michael Ortega, have been on leave since the escape.

Miles Conway of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said the union's own review so far has pointed to findings that the state's system for transporting inmates was not up to standard before the escape.

The comment comes in contrast to Bobchak previously saying that an independent analysis of the escape suggested the officers failed to follow security protocols.

"From our perspective, the Corrections Department was very hasty to scapegoat these two officers and place the responsibility on them for the escape of the two inmates," he said.

Morgan and Ortega both logged shifts longer than 10 hours in the days leading up to the escape and worked more than 18 hours the day the inmates managed to flee during a fuel stop in Artesia, a small desert town along a southern New Mexico highway.

A supervising officer, recognizing that the guards were fatigued, suggested they take naps, with one guard sleeping while the other drove, Conway said.

"That totally flies in the face of policy," he said.

Corrections Department policy requires transport officers to guard prison vans at all times.

Since the escape, state officials have faced tough questions  amid a prison staffing shortage crisis  over what missteps may have allowed Cruz, a convicted murderer, and Clah, who is serving time for armed robbery and shooting at a police officer, to slip away.

The inmates said they picked their handcuffs and hitched a ride to Albuquerque as the escape went undetected for four hours.

Both were shackled when they escaped and apprehended days later in Albuquerque, with authorities arresting Cruz near the University of New Mexico, and Clah surrendering to police at an apartment complex.

Authorities have since begun assigning "chase cars" to follow the transport vans, raising questions as to why such a safety measure wasn't in place before.

"It's sort of a recognition that there were flaws in the system previously," Conway said.

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Turkey abduction lands 2 California college students in jail

ORANGE, Calif. (AP)  Tim the Turkey's abduction did more than ruffle a few feathers.

It landed two California college students in jail Monday after the bird was found wandering a street reeking of beer and suffering from a broken toe, missing feathers and other injuries.

The Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/22MmFNM) reports Tim was being treated by a veterinarian Tuesday.

In this Monday, April 18, 2016 photo, Tim the turkey, center, stands next to a cow at the Orange High School farm in Orange, Calif., after it was returned to the school, as it went missing over the weekend. (Sam Gangwer/The Orange County Register via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

Orange High School agriculture teacher Patti Williams says Tim vanished from his pen sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

After she circulated his photo several people found him wandering on a street and corralled him.

County Jail records show Chapman University students 23-year-old Steven Koressel and 21-year-old Richard Brenton were released on their own recognizance.

Their phone numbers are unlisted and it couldn't be determined if they had retained attorneys.

Kimberly Stockwell, a farmhand at the Orange High School farm, sits with Tim the turkey in the yard in Orange, Calif., after it was returned to the school as it went missing over the weekend. (Sam Gangwer/The Orange County Register via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Latest: Salt Lake City votes to name road for gay leader

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  The Latest on the proposal to rename a street in Salt Lake City after pioneering gay leader Harvey Milk (all times local):

8:30 p.m.

Salt Lake City will name a street after pioneering gay leader Harvey Milk.

FILE - This file photo from April 1977 shows San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk in the mayor's office during the signing of the city's gay rights bill in San Francisco. A proposal to name a street after pioneering gay leader Harvey Milk is the latest display of Salt Lake City standing out as a blue dot in a deep-red state where the prevailing Mormon faith still has a fraught relationship with the LGBT community. (AP Photo/File)

The unanimous vote on Tuesday highlights the city's identity as a blue dot in deep-red Utah, where the prevailing Mormon faith still has a fraught relationship with the LGBT community.

Several Salt Lake City residents spoke against the idea, saying Milk had no ties to Utah and isn't as well-known as civil rights icons with streets bearing their names, like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. But supporters say he set the tone for the modern gay rights movement and inspired a generation of activists. They say the street is a welcoming sign.

Milk became the first openly gay person elected to public office in the U.S. when he won a seat on San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was assassinated the following year.

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8 a.m.

Salt Lake City is considering naming a street after pioneering gay leader Harvey Milk.

The move shows the city's identity as a blue dot in a deep-red state where the prevailing Mormon faith still has a fraught relationship with the LGBT community.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposal Tuesday night and may also take a final vote.

Supporters say that Milk set the tone for the modern gay rights movement, and the street honoring him would be located near thoroughfares honoring civil rights icons like Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez.

Milk became the first openly gay person elected to public office in the U.S. when he won a seat on San Francisco's Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was assassinated the following year.

FILE- In this file photo from June 26, 1978, San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk is seen in San Francisco's seventh annual gay freedom parade in San Francisco. A proposal to name a street after pioneering gay leader Harvey Milk is the latest display of Salt Lake City standing out as a blue dot in a deep-red state where the prevailing Mormon faith still has a fraught relationship with the LGBT community. (AP Photo, File)

Cars ride along 900 South, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City Council has voted to hold a public hearing on whether to name a street after pioneering gay leader Harvey Milk alongside thoroughfares honoring civil rights icons like Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Ohio Supreme Court examines issue of rape DNA testing delay

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The Ohio Supreme Court is considering a request by prosecutors and advocates for rape victims to reinstate charges against a Cleveland man accused of attacking a woman in 1993.

The groups say a lower court's dismissal of the charges creates a legal precedent that could jeopardize thousands of unsolved rapes being re-investigated thanks to improved DNA testing.

At issue is the 2013 indictment of Demetrius Jones for a 1993 rape based on evidence found when an old rape kit was tested.

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections shows Demetrius Jones, a Cleveland man accused of a 1993 rape based on evidence found when an old rape kit was tested. The Ohio Supreme Court has scheduled arguments Wednesday, April 20, 2016, from Jones' attorneys and from prosecutors and advocates for rape victims seeking to reinstate charges against him. (Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections via AP, File)

Jones' attorneys say investigators knew from the beginning that Jones was a suspect and closed the case after a limited investigation.

They say prosecutors never questioned Jones' mother, a key witness for him who died before the new charges were brought.
Cuba's aging leaders to remain in power years longer

HAVANA (AP)  The former guerrilla fighters who founded Cuba's single-party government will hold power for years to come after a twice-a-decade Communist Party congress kept President Raul Castro and his hardline deputy in the top leadership positions.

Fidel Castro, who held power for nearly five decades before ill health led him to make way for his brother, delivered a valedictory speech to the congress Tuesday and called on it to fight for his communist ideals despite the fact that he is nearing the end of his life.

"I'll be 90 years old soon," Castro said in his most extensive public appearance in years. "Soon I'll be like all the others. The time will come for all of us, but the ideas of the Cuban Communists will remain as proof on this planet that if they are worked at with fervor and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need, and we need to fight without a truce to obtain them."

Fidel Castro sits as he clasps hands with his brother, Cuban President Raul Castro, right, and second secretary of the Central Committee, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura moments before the playing of the Communist party hymn during the closing ceremonies of the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party, in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Raul Castro, 84, said he would remain the party's first secretary and Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, 85, would hold the post of second secretary for at least part of a second five-year term.

Castro currently is both president and party first secretary. The decision means he could hold a Communist Party position at least as powerful as the presidency even after he is presumably replaced by a younger president in 2018. Castro indicated that he and Machado may also step down before the next congress in 2021, saying this year's session was the last to be led by Cuba's revolutionary generation.

Machado Ventura, who fought alongside the Castro brothers to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959, is known as an enforcer of Communist Party orthodoxy and voice against some of the biggest recent economic reforms.

Despite the ascension of five younger party officials, including three women, to the party's powerful 17-member Political Bureau, the day's events disappointed many Cubans who had been hoping for bigger changes at the top of the single-party state.

"I would have liked younger people with fresh minds," said Luis Lai, a 31-year-old printing-company worker. "The same party, but able to articulate ideas of people of my generation. Older people should retire."

Fifty-five years after Fidel Castro began installing a single-party system and centrally planned economy, younger Cubans complain bitterly about low state salaries of about $25 a month that leave them struggling to afford food and other staple goods. Cuba's creaky state-run media and cultural institutions compete with flashy foreign programming shared online and on memory drives passed hand-to-hand. Emigration to the United States and other countries has soared to one of its highest points since the revolution.

Limited openings to private enterprise have stalled, and the government describes capitalism as a threat even as it appears unable to increase productivity in Cuba's inefficient, theft-plagued networks of state-run enterprises.

The ideological gulf between government and people widened last month when President Barack Obama became the first U.S. leader to visit Cuba in nearly 90 years. He gave a widely praised speech live on state television urging Cubans to forget the history of hostility between the U.S. and Cuba and move toward a new era of normal diplomatic and economic relations.

The Cuban government offered little unified response until the Communist Party's Seventh Party Congress began Saturday, and one high-ranking official after another warned that the U.S. was still an enemy that wants to take control of Cuba. They said Obama's trip represented an ideological "attack."

Shortly after the congress ended, government-run television showed rare images of 89-year-old Fidel Castro at the dais in Havana's Convention Palace, dressed in a plaid shirt and sweat top and speaking to the crowd in a strong if occasionally trembling voice. State television showed at least one delegate tearful with emotion, and the crowd greeting the revolutionary leader with shouts of "Fidel!"

"This may be one of the last times I speak in this room," Fidel Castro said. "We must tell our brothers in Latin America and the world that the Cuban people will be victorious."

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Michael Weissenstein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mweissenstein

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Associated Press writer Andrea Rodriguez contributed to this report.

Fidel Castro is applauded by his brother, Cuba's President Raul Castro, right, and the second secretary of the Central Committee, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, left, during the closing ceremonies for the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Cuba's President Raul Castro, right, embraces his brother Fidel as he leans over to speak with him during the last day of the 7th Cuban Communist Party Congress in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Fidel Castro attends the last day of the 7th Cuban Communist Party Congress in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

Fidel Castro, left, clasps hands with his brother, Cuba's President Raul Castro, center, as they sing the communist party anthem during the closing ceremony for the 7th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Fidel Castro formally stepped down in 2008 after suffering gastrointestinal ailments and public appearances have been increasingly unusual in recent years. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)
Ecuador hikes taxes as deadly quake compounds economic pain

QUITO, Ecuador (AP)  President Rafael Correa announced Wednesday night that he is raising sales taxes and will charge a one-time levy on millionaires to rebuild cities devastated by Ecuador's worst earthquake in decades.

In a televised address, Correa said damages from the 7.8-magnitude quake will likely run into the billions of dollars, adding to already heavy economic hardships in this OPEC nation triggered by the collapse in world oil prices.

The task of rebuilding shouldn't fall only to communities along the coast in the quake's path but will require sacrifices from all segments of Ecuadorean society according to their ability to contribute, Correa said.

Neighbors Carlos Bardales, left, and Cesar Filay, share a mattress as they sleep outside their collapsed homes damaged by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, in Manta, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Ecuadoreans began burying loved ones felled by the country's deadliest earthquake in decades, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

"I know we're at the most-difficult stage right now but it's just the beginning," he said.

Using authority granted by the state of emergency he declared after Saturday night's quake, Correa said sales taxes would increase to 14 percent from 12 percent for the coming year.

People with more than $1 million in assets will be charged a one-time tax of 0.9 percent on their wealth, while workers earning over $1,000 a month will be forced to contribute a day's wages and those earning $5,000 a month the equivalent of five days' pay.

Taxes on companies will also go up, and Correa said he will look to sell certain state assets that he didn't specify. He is also drawing on $600 million in emergency credits from the World Bank and other multilateral lenders.

The tax hikes come as the scale of devastation continues to sink in. A helicopter flyover of the damage zone Wednesday showed entire city blocks in ruins as if they had been bombed.

Late Wednesday, the government raised the death toll to 570. Officials listed 163 people as missing while the number of those made homeless climbed over 23,500. The final death toll could surpass casualties from earthquakes in Chile and Peru in the past decade.

Even as authorities turn to restoring electricity and clearing debris, the earth continued to move. A magnitude-6.1 aftershock before dawn Wednesday set babies crying and sent nervous residents pouring into the streets. Local seismologists had recorded more than 550 aftershocks, some felt 105 miles (170 kilometers) away in the capital of Quito.

Rescuers who have arrived from Mexico, Colombia, Spain and other nations said they would keep searching for survivors, but cautioned that time was running out and the likelihood of finding more people alive grew smaller with the passage of every hour.

Among the survivors, the situation was growing increasingly tense. While humanitarian aid has been pouring in from around the world, distribution is slow. In Manta on Wednesday, people waited for hours under the tropical sun for water and food supplies. Soldiers kept control with fenced barricades.

"They looted the store. I'm taking out what little remains," Jose Encalada said as he cleaned up his paint store in Pedernales, one of the hardest-hit towns.

Making it harder for Ecuador to get back on its feet is an adverse economic environment for oil producers.

Unlike the deadly earthquake that ravaged Chile in 2010, when commodity prices were at a high and most of South America was booming, Ecuador must rebuild with prices of oil, the lifeblood of its economy, near a decade low. Manufacturing is also suffering because the economy is dollarized, depriving companies in Ecuador of the same jolt the rest of South America has experienced from devalued currencies.

Even before the quake, Ecuador was bracing for a bout of austerity, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting the economy would shrink 4.5 percent this year.

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Associated Press writers Marko Alvarez in Pedernales, Ecuador, and Joshua Goodman in Bogota, Colombia contributed to this report.

A framed print of The Last Supper hangs in the earthquake-damaged kitchen of Rene Macias, in Manta, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Ecuadoreans began burying loved ones felled by the country's deadliest earthquake in decades, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Maria Victoria, 89, is comforted by her daughter Mariana in Estancia Las Palmas, Ecuador, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Maria Victoria was injured when a column fell on her after 7.8-magnitude earthquake collapsed her home. The strongest earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades flattened buildings and buckled highways along its Pacific coast, sending the Andean nation into a state of emergency. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A man playfully poses for a picture holding up a hand-shaped object, which he found while looking for recyclable items in a field of post-earthquake debris, in Manta, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. A fresh tremor rattled Ecuador before dawn Wednesday, a magnitude-6.1 magnitude jolt that set babies crying and adults pouring into the streets, fearful of yet more damage following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake over the weekend. It was the strongest aftershock yet following Saturday's monster quake that killed more than 500 people. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A relative kisses a photo of Kexly Valentino affixed to her coffin, in Montecristi, Ecuador, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Kexly died along with her mother Gabriela and her brother Alex during the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Ecuador's Pacific coast on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Residents look at a rift in the highway created by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, in Chacras, Ecuador, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. The strongest earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades flattened buildings and buckled highways along its Pacific coast, sending the Andean nation into a state of emergency. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Earthquake survivor Pablo Rafael Cordova Canizares smiles as he rests at the Verdi Cevallos Balda hospital in Portoviejo, Ecuador, Monday, April 18, 2016. Cordova's wife had given up on ever seeing him again after the five-story Gato de Portoviejo hotel collapsed on him Saturday, pancaked by the magnitude-7.8 earthquake like the rest of downtown. (AP Photo/Emilio D. Garcia)

Soldiers stands guard heavy machinery removes the rubble of a collapsed building in the business district of Manta, Ecuador, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. The strongest earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades flattened buildings and buckled highways along its Pacific coast, sending the Andean nation into a state of emergency. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Two women begin to stir from their sleep in the bed of a pickup, parked outside their earthquake-damaged home in Manta, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. A fresh tremor rattled Ecuador before dawn Wednesday, a magnitude-6.1 magnitude jolt that set babies crying and adults pouring into the streets, fearful of yet more damage following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake over the weekend. It was the strongest aftershock yet following Saturday's monster quake that killed more than 500 people. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Kuwait oil unions end 3-day strike over government cutbacks

KUWAIT CITY (AP)  Oil unions in Kuwait ended a three-day strike over government cutbacks, authorities said Wednesday, though it remained unclear what concessions may have been granted to the workers amid low global crude prices.

The state-run Kuwait News Agency reported that the unions ended the strike by praising the country's ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, and saying their action showed their "ability to affect the production process."

The unions "entrusted his highness, the emir, (with) the protection of rights of the employees in the oil sector," the unions said, according to KUNA. It said workers wouldn't be disciplined for taking part in the strike.

Adel al-Fadhel, a spokesman for the Kuwait Oil Company Workers' Union, confirmed workers would go back to work Wednesday. He said Sheikh Sabah spoke to the head of one of the unions Tuesday by telephone to assure his support for the workers.

"We're glad to announce that the strike has succeeded in preserving the rights of the workers in the oil sector," al-Fadhel told The Associated Press. "His highness, the emir, intervened and guaranteed to preserve the rights of the workers according to the law."

Al-Fadhel did not elaborate. The emir's court later denied Kuwait's ruler spoke to any union official regarding the strike. Al-Fadhel declined to immediate comment on the denial.

Workers began the strike Sunday over cuts in their pay and benefits packages after failing to reach an agreement with the Oil Ministry.

Kuwait, an OPEC member, on average pumps 3 million barrels of oil a day. It may take Kuwait as many as three days to regain that production, government oil spokesman Sheikh Talal al-Khaled Al Sabah said in a KUNA report, an acknowledgment that the strike did affect output.
Clinton close to nomination prize; Trump strengthens hand

WASHINGTON (AP)  Hillary Clinton, the nearly unstoppable Democrat, and Republican front-runner Donald Trump accelerated Wednesday toward upcoming primaries on an increasingly direct path to presidential nominations after trouncing party challengers in New York.

Clinton, now 81 percent of the way toward clinching the Democratic nomination that eluded her eight years ago, can lose every remaining contest and still prevail. Her sweeping victory in the New York primary called into question the durability of Bernie Sanders' rival campaign and left him with severely limited options for overtaking her.

While Trump strengthened his hand, he is still not in the clear.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton waves to supporters as she enters the room with daughter Chelsea Clinton and son-in-law Mark Mezvinsky after winning the New York state primary election Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Trump is focused heavily on clinching the Republican nomination through voters' balloting in state primaries, thus avoiding a contested national convention in Cleveland in July. The businessman's win in his home state keeps him on a path to securing the 1,237 delegates he needs, though he'll have to perform well in the round of primaries in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware on Tuesday and in California's huge contest on June 7.

His chief rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, has no mathematical path to getting the nomination through primary voting. But he sees a window to snatch the nomination from Trump at the convention, and his campaign is working feverishly to line up delegates who would support him if Trump fails to prevail on a first ballot.

The side-by-side Republican efforts at this late stage  with Trump amassing primary victories while Cruz digs for the support of delegates who could settle the nomination  are unprecedented in recent presidential campaigns and add to the deeply uncertain nature of the race.

Meanwhile, Republican leaders gathered at an oceanside resort in Florida for the Republican National Committee's spring meeting. Trump has argued that the complicated state-by-state presidential nomination process is "rigged" against him.

Clinton's win in New York, a state she represented in the Senate for eight years, halted Sanders' recent string of victories and put her in a stronger position heading into the next contests. She could lose them all and still win the nomination  if she did well enough to win some delegates.

Sen. Sanders' advisers offered no signs of giving up before the Democrats' Philadelphia convention.

Sanders decamped to his home in Vermont but planned to campaign in Pennsylvania on Thursday and Friday, Clinton was holding events in the Philadelphia area, joining former Attorney General Eric Holder to outline her plans to curb gun violence.

On the Republican side, both Trump and Cruz are urging Republicans to unify behind their campaigns, but many party leaders are torn. Trump is seen by some as a threat to the party's very existence. Others fear the party would implode anyway if Cruz were to overtake Trump through a bitter and complicated delegate struggle in Cleveland.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the only other Republican left in the race, picked up at least three New York delegates but still has only one primary win  his home state.

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Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, Steve Peoples and Thomas Beaumont in Hollywood, Florida, and Mark Scolforo in Hershey, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.

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Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and Ken Thomas at http://twitter.com/KThomasDC

Devin Branham runs with flags outside of Blue Ribbon Pavilion before a speech by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a rally, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, Pa. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Attorney general won't seek hearing on leaked FBI recordings

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP)  Attorney General Kathleen Kane has dropped a court motion that accused prosecutors of leaking FBI recordings in her perjury and obstruction case to a newspaper.

Kane's lawyers also decided Wednesday to file a prosecutorial misconduct motion in public next week rather than seek to file it under seal.

Defense lawyer Gerald Shargel, after a brief hearing, said the issue had become "a distraction" and added that he doubted they could ever find the culprit behind the leak to the Morning Call of Allentown. He said he had not filed the motion with the intent of dropping it.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, center, departs after a pretrial hearing in her grand jury leak case, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Montgomery County courthouse in Norristown, Pa. Kane is accused of leaking secret grand jury information to the press, lying under oath and ordering aides to illegally snoop through computer files to keep tabs on an investigation into the leak. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

"I'm not a game player," said Shargel, a prominent New York criminal lawyer. "The defense in a criminal case is a fluid proposition."

Montgomery County Circuit Judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy noted that the defense had initially sought "significant relief" over the leaked FBI tapes: a change of venue, the disqualification of District Attorney Kevin Steele's office, the quashing of the recordings and the possible dismissal of the case. She put Kane under oath to be sure she agreed with the new strategy announced by her four lawyers.

Kane assured the judge she was on board with the decision.

Kane, a first-term Democrat, is accused of leaking grand jury material to a Philadelphia newspaper to embarrass rivals and then lying about it before a separate grand jury. Shargel also plans to appeal the judge's pretrial ruling that upheld the charges.

Steele calls the claim that his office leaked the FBI phone tapes to an Allentown newspaper "meritless." The tapes include phone calls made by Kane's political consultant, Josh Morrow.

Kane remains in office but, with her law license suspended, won't seek re-election this year.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane departs after a pretrial hearing in her grand jury leak case, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Montgomery County courthouse in Norristown, Pa. Kane is accused of leaking secret grand jury information to the press, lying under oath and ordering aides to illegally snoop through computer files to keep tabs on an investigation into the leak. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane departs after a pretrial hearing in her grand jury leak case, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Montgomery County courthouse in Norristown, Pa. Kane is accused of leaking secret grand jury information to the press, lying under oath and ordering aides to illegally snoop through computer files to keep tabs on an investigation into the leak. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, center, accompanied by her attorney Gerald Shargel, left, departs after a pretrial hearing in her grand jury leak case, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Montgomery County courthouse in Norristown, Pa. Kane is accused of leaking secret grand jury information to the press, lying under oath and ordering aides to illegally snoop through computer files to keep tabs on an investigation into the leak. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, right, accompanied by her attorney Gerald Shargel, center, departs after a pretrial hearing in her grand jury leak case, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Montgomery County courthouse in Norristown, Pa. Kane is accused of leaking secret grand jury information to the press, lying under oath and ordering aides to illegally snoop through computer files to keep tabs on an investigation into the leak. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, center, accompanied by her attorney Gerald Shargel, left, departs after a pretrial hearing in her grand jury leak case, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Montgomery County courthouse in Norristown, Pa. Kane is accused of leaking secret grand jury information to the press, lying under oath and ordering aides to illegally snoop through computer files to keep tabs on an investigation into the leak. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane arrives for a pretrial hearing in her grand jury leak case, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Montgomery County courthouse in Norristown, Pa. Kane is accused of leaking secret grand jury information to the press, lying under oath and ordering aides to illegally snoop through computer files to keep tabs on an investigation into the leak. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Court document: Newtown teacher carried loaded gun in school

DANBURY, Conn. (AP)  Court documents show a Newtown middle school teacher who was arrested on a weapon possession charge was carrying a loaded .45-caliber pistol in a holster inside the school.

A Danbury Superior Court judge on Wednesday entered an initial not-guilty plea for 46-year-old Jason Adams before continuing the case to May 25.

Adams was arrested April 6 after a school employee saw the pistol and notified authorities.

Police say Adams had a valid pistol permit, but Connecticut state law prohibits possession of firearms on school grounds.

Adams was placed on administrative leave. He has not responded to messages left at his home.

Newtown Middle School is less than 2 miles from the site of the December 2012 shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School that killed 20 first-graders and six educators.

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Better preemie pain relief sought amid new call for action

OAK LAWN, Ill. (AP)  It happens every day to the most vulnerable infants in hospital intensive care units: fragile babies born way too soon are poked, prodded and jabbed as part of medical care meant to help them survive  and it can be heart-wrenching to watch.

Heel sticks for blood tests, inserting IV tubes, adjusting breathing machines  even the gentlest jostling to remove a bandage from translucent skin can cause kittenlike whimpers and tiny arms and legs to suddenly jerk. Sometimes there's no sound at all  just a dip on the heart rate monitor.

It used to be thought that these infants were too young to feel pain. But even now, experts say, pain relief for newborns and especially preemies is often inadequate, despite evidence that low-tech comforting methods and medication can both be effective.

In this Tuesday, March 15, 2016 photo, parents Bryan Niedermeyer and Angelica Juarez visit with Olivia Niedermeyer their preemie daughter after she and twin sister Evelyn underwent eye exams at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago. Olivia and Evelyn Niedermeyer are part of recent research showing benefits from low-tech pain management alternatives during necessary procedures on these fragile babies that are poked and prodded as part of medical care meant to help them survive, but can be painful. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

The American Academy of Pediatrics has new advice  and an admonishment.

Pain in newborns "continues to be inconsistently assessed and inadequately managed," the academy says. Remedies "are currently underused for routine minor yet painful procedures."

Preventing and reducing pain, particularly in preemies, is important because of the potential consequences for infant development, the academy said in a policy issued in February.

Research suggests repeated bouts of pain leave infants prone to potential long-term ill effects including changes in nerve structures and brain development, and hypersensitivity to touch and stress  and it's the smallest and sickest babies who experience the greatest number of painful procedures.

Pain assessment can be a significant challenge in preemies, said newborn specialist Erin Keels, the policy's lead author and a nurse at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Preemie's pain cues aren't always obvious. They often have multiple health problems that need attention, and in busy intensive care units, pain relief for every day minor procedures can sometimes get overlooked, she said.

The new guidance was prompted in part by recent research showing benefits from alternatives to medication, Keels said. These include sugar-dipped pacifiers, tight swaddling and skin-to-skin contact with moms and dads. Newer ways to measure infant pain also are being tested, including measuring brain waves and electrical impulses in the skin.

Pain management during surgery and other major procedures typically requires medication, often opioids including morphine. Short-term side effects of these drugs may include a slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, and drug dependence. Some small studies have linked use of these drugs in extremely premature babies with slowed weight gain, smaller head size and behavior troubles later in childhood, but research on appropriate doses and potential long-term effects "is woefully lacking," the academy says.

It urges more research on using these drugs and other medications in infants.

"While we want to manage pain appropriately, we also have to pay attention to not going too far in the other extreme," said Dr. William MacKendrick, medical director of the infant special care unit at NorthShore Evanston Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. He was not involved in the policy.

U.S. hospitals are required to assess patients' pain in order to be accredited, and it's an issue newborn specialists are increasingly paying attention to.

At Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois, tiny twins Evelyn and Olivia Niedermeyer are helping find answers.

The babies were born more than a month early, in January, weighing less than 3 pounds. They're enrolled in a study comparing infants' reactions to two different tiny devices used to detect retinopathy, an eye disease that can cause blindness in very premature babies.

The metal devices prop eyelids open so doctors can look beyond the eyeballs' surface into the retina. The hospital is trying to find out which of the two devices causes less discomfort, said Debra Skopec, a newborn intensive care nurse and the study's leader.

Skopec wraps the babies' legs into a little ball and holds them tightly during the exams, and swaddles them after: "confinement" meant to be comforting. Immediately after the tests, she watches for any changes in vital signs shown on wall-mounted monitors.

The twins squeal during the exam, and it all makes their mom, Angelica Juarez, feel pretty helpless.

"I want to cry," she said during a recent hospital visit, fighting back tears. "And I don't want my babies to hurt."

Juarez said she agreed to take part to help future babies experience less pain.

"It's scary, but it's necessary," she said.

___

Online:

American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap/org

___

Follow AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner at http://www.twitter.com/LindseyTanner . Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/lindsey-tanner

In this Tuesday, March 15, 2016 photo, neonatal outcomes nurse Debra Skopec, center, swaddles preemie Evelyn Niedermeyer as advance practice nurse Phyllis Lawlor-Klean records the child's vitals, after an eye exam was performed on her at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago. Twins Olivia and Evelyn Niedermeyer are part of recent research showing benefits from low-tech pain management alternatives such as wrapping preemies during, and swaddling after necessary procedures on these fragile babies that are poked and prodded as part of medical care meant to help them survive, that can be painful. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

In this Tuesday, March 15, 2016 photo, parent Bryan Niedermeyer holds Evelyn, one of his twin preemie daughters after they underwent eye exams at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago. Olivia and Evelyn Niedermeyer are part of recent research showing benefits from low-tech pain management alternatives during necessary procedures on these fragile babies that are poked and prodded as part of medical care meant to help them survive, but can be painful. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

In this Tuesday, March 15, 2016 photo, parents Bryan Niedermeyer and Angelica Juarez, left, visit with their preemie daughter Evelyn after she and twin sister Olivia underwent eye exams at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago. Olivia and Evelyn Niedermeyer are part of recent research showing benefits from low-tech pain management alternatives during necessary procedures on these fragile babies that are poked and prodded as part of medical care meant to help them survive, but can be painful. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

In this Tuesday, March 15, 2016 photo, neonatal outcomes nurse Debra Skopec, center, swaddles preemie Evelyn Niedermeyer as advance practice nurse Phyllis Lawlor-Klean records the child's vitals, after an eye exam was performed on her at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago. Twins Olivia and Evelyn Niedermeyer are part of recent research showing benefits from low-tech pain management alternatives such as wrapping preemies during, and swaddling after necessary procedures on these fragile babies that are poked and prodded as part of medical care meant to help them survive, that can be painful. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

In this Tuesday, March 15, 2016 photo, a nurse measures preemie Olivia Niedermeyer after the baby underwent an eye exam at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago. Twin preemies Olivia and Evelyn Niedermeyer are part of recent research showing benefits from low-tech pain management alternatives during necessary procedures on these fragile babies that are poked and prodded as part of medical care meant to help them survive, but can be painful. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

In this Tuesday, March 15, 2016 photo, hospital staff prepare Olivia Niedermeyer to undergo an eye exam at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago. Twin preemies Olivia and Evelyn Niedermeyer are part of recent research showing benefits from low-tech pain management alternatives during necessary procedures on these fragile babies that are poked and prodded as part of medical care meant to help them survive, but can be painful. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

In this Tuesday, March 15, 2016 photo, Dr. Ben Ticho performs an eye exam on preemie Evelyn Niedermeyer at Advocate Children's Hospital in Chicago. Twins, Olivia and Evelyn Niedermeyer are part of recent research showing benefits from low-tech pain management alternatives during necessary procedures on these fragile babies that are poked and prodded as part of medical care meant to help them survive, but can be painful. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Sushi alert: Grim outlook for bluefin tuna

TOKYO (AP)  The latest scientific assessment paints a likely bleak future for the Pacific bluefin tuna, a sushi lovers' favorite whose population has dropped by more than 97 percent from its historic levels.

A draft summary of a report by the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean seen by The Associated Press shows the current population of bluefin tuna is estimated at 2.6 percent of its "unfished" size. A previous assessment put the population at an already dire 4.2 percent.

Overfishing has continued despite calls to reduce catches to allow the species to recover. In some areas, bluefin tuna is harvested at triple the levels considered to be sustainable.

FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2015, file photo, Kiyoshi Kimura, president of Kiyomura Co., poses a bluefin tuna at his Sushi Zanmai restaurant near Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. The latest assessment by scientists paints a likely bleak future for the Pacific bluefin tuna, the favorite of sushi-lovers whose population has dropped by more than 97 percent from its historic levels. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

"The situation is really as bad as it appears," said Amanda Nickson, director for Global Tuna Conservation at The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Limits imposed after the previous estimates actually allowed some countries to up their catches, she said.

"If those managers again fail to act in a conservation-minded way this time, it may be time for other actions, such as an international trade ban or complete fishing moratorium," Nickson said.

The independent scientists who compiled the report said improved data make them more confident in their latest estimates than in previous ones. The report is due to be reviewed by the committee in July.

The report estimated that in 2014, the total recruitment level of the fish, or the percentage of new fish that survive each year, was below 3.7 million fish, the second lowest level ever.

Under current levels of reproduction and management of the fisheries in the Pacific, the likelihood of rebuilding stocks to healthy levels is only 0.1 percent, the report says.

Cutting catches by a fifth would improve those odds to only 3 percent.

Japanese eat about 80 percent of all bluefin tuna caught worldwide, and stocks of all three bluefin species  the Pacific, Southern and Atlantic  have fallen over the past 15 years as demand for the luscious, buttery pink-to-red fleshed fish has soared globally.

Organizations charged with helping to manage bluefin fisheries have set a goal of rebuilding the species' population to 6.4 percent, or 42,592 metric tons, of unfished levels by 2024.

But 6.4 percent levels for a species like the Pacific bluefin, which can live for up to 40 years, are no guarantee of a recovery. Many experts believe 20 percent of historic levels is the minimum size for a sustainable fishery.

The international body that monitors fisheries in most of the Pacific Ocean, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, was unable to reach consensus last year on either short-term or long-term measures to help restore the bluefin population.

In Europe, officials have agreed last month on implementing a recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

A next step by conservationists could include efforts to get Pacific bluefin tuna banned from international trading.

Pacific bluefin tuna are spawned in the western parts of the northern Pacific but migrate throughout the ocean, complicating management of catches. The population of the species is estimated to have peaked in 1960.

An earlier estimate put the 2014 population of the bluefin at 26,000 tons. The most recent reduced that estimate by 9,000 tons, to 17,000 tons.

If the population of Pacific bluefins drops much further, it may no longer be economically feasible to fish for them.

At that point, "Pacific bluefin would be considered commercially extinct," Nickson said.

___

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www.twitter.com/ekurtenbach

http://bigstory.ap.org/content/elaine-kurtenbach

FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2016, file photo, a prospective buyer inspects the quality of fresh tuna before the first auction of the year at Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. The latest assessment by scientists paints a likely bleak future for the Pacific bluefin tuna, the favorite of sushi-lovers whose population has dropped by more than 97 percent from its historic levels. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
Freeway shooting suspect released amid doubts about evidence

PHOENIX (AP)  A man charged in freeway shootings that rattled Phoenix last year has been released from jail amid questions about the evidence that authorities say links him to the crimes.

The release of Leslie Merritt Jr. on Tuesday came after a judge reduced his bond to zero and said he can return to his home under electronic monitoring.

"I am just ready to go home and be with my kids," Merritt said moments after walking out of jail.

FILE - This Nov. 16, 2015 file photo suspected Phoenix freeway shooter Leslie Allen Merritt Jr., right, talks with his attorney Ulises Ferragut during a motion to modify his release at Superior Court in Phoenix. A judge on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 allowed Merritt charged in freeway shootings that rattled Phoenix last year to be released from jail amid questions about evidence authorities say links him to the crimes. The judge overseeing the case reduced Merritt's bond to zero and said he can return to his home under electronic monitoring. (Michael Schennum/The Arizona Republic via AP,File) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT. NO MAGS. NO SALES. MANDATORY CREDIT

The reduction of the bond  once $1 million  was a major victory as defense lawyers contend that ballistic tests cast doubt on the claim by authorities that Merritt was behind four of the freeway shootings.

"With all due respect your honor, there's no evidence against him to show he's responsible for this," defense lawyer Jason Lamm said. "He is no more the I-10 shooter than, respectfully, you are."

Merritt lifted up his shackled arms in celebration as he walked from the courtroom. After the hearing, family members hugged and shook the hands of defense lawyers.

Merritt has pleaded not guilty to drive-by shooting, aggravated assault and other charges.

Judge Warren Granville has imposed a gag order on lawyers in the case. As a result, lawyers said they could not discuss the evidence that prompted the shift in bond.

Arizona Department of Public Safety officials declined to comment, citing the gag order. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office did not immediately return requests for comment.

Lamm told a crowd of reporters outside the courtroom that Merritt was elated and overwhelmed.

"Our client was branded public enemy No. 1, he was called a domestic terrorist and he's been in jail in solitary confinement for seven months. Our reaction? We're thrilled," Lamm said.

The shootings caused panic on Phoenix-area freeways, where 11 vehicles were hit in August and September. The head of the Department of Public Safety said the shootings were the work of a domestic terrorist, and authorities heightened patrols and surveillance in pursuit of a suspect.

Detectives took Merritt into custody on Sept. 18, prompting Gov. Doug Ducey to declare "We got him!" on Twitter five minutes after the arrest.

In court the next day, Merritt adamantly denied shooting any cars, telling the judge, "I'm the wrong guy."

His lawyers immediately began raising questions about the evidence, citing ballistics information and phone records they say provided an alibi for their client.

They also pointed to road rage shootings that happened on Phoenix-area freeways after Merritt was arrested, saying the cases were proof that the culprit was still out there.

Granville set a May 18 court date and told Merritt that it's important for him to show up.
Clean air advocate: California has nation's dirtiest air

FRESNO, Calif. (AP)  Millions of Californians live in places with dirty air, according to an annual report card issued Wednesday that ranks two major urban areas in the state as the nation's most polluted.

Bakersfield tops the list for having the most unhealthy days from airborne particles spewed by highway traffic, diesel trucks, farm equipment and fireplaces, the American Lung Association's State of the Air 2016 report says. Los Angeles remains the nation's leader in harmful ozone pollution from car tailpipes emitting smog, the report says.

Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, heart attacks, lead to lung cancer and cause premature death.

FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2015, file photo, a person walks past pump jacks operating at the Kern River Oil Field in Bakersfield, Calif. California regulators on Monday expanded their list of thousands of state-permitted oil and gas wells where below-ground injections may be contaminating drinking-water reserves. Californians breathe some of the nation's dirtiest air, according to a report card issued Wednesday, April 20, 2016, that gives failing grades to communities in the Central Valley's farming region and Los Angeles area. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

"California is making tremendous progress," said Bonnie Holmes-Gen, senior director of air quality and climate change at the American Lung Association in California. "But we have a lot more work to do."

Eight out of 10 Californians  32 million people  live in counties with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution some time during the year, says the report, using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data for three years ending in 2014.

Salinas was the lone California community on a short list of cities across the nation reporting no days of unhealthy air quality. The others were: Burlington, Vermont; Elmira, New York; and Honolulu, Hawaii. Salinas likely benefits from coastal breezes, the association said.

California cities improving air quality were El Centro, Sacramento and Visalia, each reporting the fewest unhealthy ozone days since the report was first issued in 2004.

Los Angeles remains the city with the worst ozone pollution, but the report said the nation's second-largest city also achieved its best overall air quality score of all those years.

Bakersfield and several Central Valley communities are fighting the bowl-shaped topography hemmed in by mountain ranges. Drought and high temperatures have made the air even more stagnant in recent years, association representatives said.

Seyed Sadredin is in charge of cleaning the air as executive director and air pollution control officer for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. He said the report doesn't consider the great strides the region has already made.

Local businesses have spent $40 billion since 1992 when the district was formed to modernize and cut air pollution. Pollutants that form ozone and particulate matter have been reduced by 80 percent since 1980 levels, he said.

"We've thrown the kitchen sink at the problem," Sadredin said. "The standards are very tight, and we have a lot of work ahead of us."

FILE - In this Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, file photo, Porter Ranch resident Tera Lecuona holds a protest sign over a gas leak at the Southern California Gas Company's Aliso Canyon Storage Facility during a hearing in the Granada Hills section of Los Angeles. Californians breathe some of the nation's dirtiest air, according to a report card issued Wednesday, April 20, 2016, that gives failing grades to communities in the Central Valley's farming region and Los Angeles area. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2016, file photo, protestors carry a photo of Gov. Jerry Brown and demand a shut down of the Southern California Gas Company's Aliso Canyon Storage Facility near Porter Ranch in Los Angeles. Californians breathe some of the nation's dirtiest air, according to a report card issued Wednesday, April 20, 2016, that gives failing grades to communities in the Central Valley's farming region and Los Angeles area. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)
Germany asks Belgium to take 2 nuclear reactors offline

BERLIN (AP)  The German government is asking neighboring Belgium to take two nuclear reactors offline temporarily because of safety concerns.

Germany, which plans to switch off all of its own nuclear reactors by 2022, is sensitive to concerns about plants outside the country. Berlin already has called on France to shut down its oldest plant, at Fessenheim on the German border, as soon as possible.

Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks urged Belgium on Wednesday to take its Tihange 2 and Doel 3 reactors offline "until open safety questions are cleared up." German officials have cited concerns over the safety of the reactor pressure vessels.
NY exit poll: Heated primaries energize Dems, divide GOP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Democrats in New York were energized by the fiery primary contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. But Republican voters saw their party being divided by a contest featuring months of barbs and heated rhetoric among billionaire Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Exit polls on Tuesday showed the vast majority of Democrats willing to back either of their candidates in November, while significant chunks of GOP voters saw some candidates in the field that they flat wouldn't support.

For Trump, Republican voters who say they want to see an outsider inhabit the White House propelled him to a commanding victory in his home state. Clinton, the former secretary of state, won with the support of voters looking for a continuation of President Barack Obama's policies.

Poll worker Tahmina Banu, center, instructs an identified voter, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in the Flushing neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York. Banu is originally from Bangladesh. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Democratic voters saw Clinton as the candidate best suited to beat Trump, while New York Republicans said the same of Trump in a competition with Clinton.

Exit polls conducted for The Associated Press and television networks by Edison Research found a majority of GOP voters say the candidate with the most votes going into the convention should be the party's presidential nominee.

Other highlights from the exit polls:

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TRUMP THE OUTSIDER

Nearly two-thirds of New York GOP primary voters want the next president to be a political outsider the most that have said that in any state so far. About 6 in 10 also saw Trump as the best candidate to beat Clinton in November.

Trump also benefited from 6 in 10 voters who say they'd be concerned about or afraid of a Cruz presidency. About a third said the same about Trump.

Still, 7 in 10 Republican voters said they cast their vote because they like their candidate, while less than 3 in 10 said they voted for a candidate because they didn't like their other options.

Of those who cast a protest vote, nearly 4 in 10 supported Kasich. More than half of his supporters said they wouldn't vote for Cruz in the general election, and over two-thirds said the same of Trump.

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CLINTON THE TRUMP SLAYER?

Two-thirds of New York Democrats say Clinton is the candidate better suited to beat Trump in a general election. Nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters think the party's nominee will eventually be Clinton.

More than half of Democratic primary voters want the next president to continue Obama's policies while only 3 in 10 want more liberal policies. Three-quarters of those who want a continuation of Obama's policies supported Clinton.

New York Democrats were slightly more likely to see Clinton than Sanders as most inspiring. But Sanders was more likely to be seen as honest. Eight in 10 say Sanders is honest while 6 in 10 say that of Clinton.

About 6 in 10 Democratic primary voters say Clinton would do the best job handling gun policy.

The exit polls also show that the vast majority of New York Democrats would support either Sanders or Clinton in the general election.

___

LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE

Nearly 7 in 10 GOP voters say the candidate with the most votes in primary contests should be the Republican presidential nominee. Conversely, less than 3 in 10 voters say the delegates sent to the convention in Cleveland should decide.

So far, Trump is likely to go into the convention with the delegate lead over Cruz and Kasich. But the billionaire may not have enough delegates to win the nomination outright.

And voters say the tough primary slog is taking its toll.

Almost 6 in 10 New York Republican voters say their party has been divided by the nomination process, while only 3 in 10 Democratic voters say the same about their party's primaries. Less than 4 in 10 GOP voters say they've been energized, exit polls show, compared with two-thirds of Democratic voters who say that about their side.

Four in 10 Republican primary voters say they wouldn't vote for Cruz in November. About a quarter say that about Trump.

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WALL STREET AND THE ECONOMY

Large majorities of New Yorkers  Democrats and Republicans alike  are concerned about the direction of the U.S. economy. And many in both parties are worried about the influence of Wall Street.

About 6 in 10 Democrats regard Wall Street as detrimental to the U.S. economy, with the majority of those voters siding with Sanders. About 3 in 10 say the New York City financial sector helps the economy, and those voters went overwhelmingly for Clinton.

GOP voters were also slightly more likely to say Wall Street hurts rather than helps the economy.

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The exit poll was conducted by Edison Research for The Associated Press and the television networks. Interviews were conducted with 1,391 Democratic voters and 957 Republican voters at 35 precincts throughout New York State. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 4 percentage points for each contest.

___

Follow on Twitter: Chad Day at https://twitter.com/chadsday and Emily Swanson at http://twitter.com/EL_Swan

Darling Diaz, left, talks with poll worker Jamie Williams-Rivera before voting in the Flushing neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. The sign includes instructions in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Bengali. Diaz is originally from the Dominican Republic. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton reacts on stage at her victory party after winning the New York state primary election, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Trump rails against delegate system; Clinton looks to Pa.

WASHINGTON (AP)  Hillary Clinton, the nearly unstoppable Democrat, and Republican front-runner Donald Trump accelerated Wednesday toward Northeast primaries on an increasingly direct path to presidential nominations after trouncing party challengers in New York.

Clinton, now 81 percent of the way toward clinching the Democratic nomination that eluded her eight years ago, can lose every remaining contest and still prevail. Her sweeping victory in the New York primary called into question the durability of Bernie Sanders' rival campaign and left him with severely limited options for overtaking her.

While Trump strengthened his hand, he is still far from in the clear.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign stop, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Trump is focused heavily on clinching the Republican nomination through voters' balloting in state primaries, thus avoiding a contested national convention in Cleveland in July. The businessman's win in his home state keeps him on a path to securing the 1,237 delegates he needs, though he'll have to perform well in the round of primaries in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware on Tuesday and in California's huge contest on June 7.

His chief rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, has no mathematical path to getting the nomination through primary voting. But he sees a window to snatch the nomination from Trump at the convention, and his campaign is working feverishly to line up delegates who would support him if Trump fails to prevail on a first ballot.

The side-by-side GOP efforts at this late stage  with Trump amassing primary victories while Cruz digs for the support of delegates who could settle the nomination  are unprecedented in recent presidential campaigns and add to the deeply uncertain nature of the race.

Trump basked in the glow of his victory at a rally in Indianapolis, where he drew several thousand people to a packed building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. He railed against the Republican nominating system, pointing to Louisiana, where he was outmaneuvered by Cruz in the fight for delegates, and Pennsylvania, where the statewide winner gets 17 delegates outright and the rest "are up for grabs."

"They can take the delegates, they can put 'em in airplanes and fly 'em to resorts, they can have dinners with them, they can put them in hotels. Essentially what they're saying is they can buy the election," Trump said.

Indiana votes on May 3.

Cruz campaigned in Hershey, Pennsylvania, trying to brush off his Tuesday shellacking in New York, where he failed to pick up a single delegate. With trademark sarcasm, he played down Trump's win, saying the mogul hoped to convince people that "Pennsylvania is a suburb of Manhattan."

"Donald, with a characteristic display of humility, declared this race is over," Cruz said. "Manhattan has spoken. And if the rest of the voters would quietly go home now and allow him to give the general election to Hillary, all would be better."

Later, Cruz conceded to reporters covering the Republican National Committee's spring meeting in Florida that he cannot win the GOP nomination before the convention but insisted Trump couldn't either. He said it was clear "that we are headed to a contested convention."

While the messy nomination fight will be a focus of the RNC meeting, party leaders are painfully aware that any rule changes could fuel Trump's charges of an unfair system. Party chairman Reince Priebus has discouraged such action this week.

Clinton's win in New York, a state she represented in the Senate for eight years, halted Sanders' recent string of victories and put her in a stronger position heading into the next contests. She could lose them all and still win the nomination  if she does well enough to win some delegates.

Sanders' advisers offered no signs of giving up before the Democrats' Philadelphia convention.

Sanders decamped to his home in Vermont but planned to campaign in Pennsylvania on Thursday and Friday. Clinton held events in the Philadelphia area, joining former Attorney General Eric Holder at a forum in which she pointed to her differences with Sanders on measures to curb gun violence.

On the Republican side, many party leaders are torn. Trump is seen by some as a threat to the GOP's very existence. Others fear the party would implode anyway if Cruz were to overtake Trump through a bitter and complicated delegate struggle in Cleveland.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the only other Republican left in the race, picked up at least three New York delegates but still has only one primary win  his home state.

Trump's campaign has struggled to keep up with Cruz in working the delegate system, deepening the urgency around his team's efforts to clinch the nomination before the July convention.

Mindful of a need to avoid errors like the ones that plagued his campaign in recent weeks, Trump has hired a more professional political staff, been more careful on social media and infused his victory remarks in New York with flashes of policy proposals.

___

Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, Steve Peoples and Thomas Beaumont in Hollywood, Florida, Jill Colvin in Indianapolis and Mark Scolforo in Hershey, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC and Ken Thomas at http://twitter.com/KThomasDC

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton accompanied by former Attorney General Eric Holder, speaks during a campaign stop, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at St. Paul's Baptist Church in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump signs autographs for supporters during a campaign stop Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, left, talks to media members as he leaves a news conference, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at the Republican National Committee Spring Meeting in Hollywood, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Attendees cheer for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as speaks at a campaign stop, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to the overflow crowd during a campaign event at Stephen Decatur High School, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Berlin, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign stop, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at Stephen Decatur High School, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Berlin, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets supporters after speaking at a campaign event at Stephen Decatur High School, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Berlin, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Turkish teacher gets 508 years in prison for child abuse

ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  A Turkish court sentenced a teacher Wednesday to more than 508 years behind bars for sexually abusing 10 boys under his care at two religious foundations.

The state-run Anadolu Agency said the teacher was sentenced at the first hearing of a case that traumatized the country and led to accusations of a cover-up. He was convicted of the charges of sexually abusing the children, restricting their freedoms, malicious injury, and forcing them to watch pornographic imagery, the agency reported.

The 54-year-old man, named only as "M.B.," was charged with assaulting the boys, aged between 10 and 12, at boarding homes, one of which was run by a foundation linked to Turkey's ruling party.

The man denied the accusation during the trial, claiming that the boys had sexual relations with each other, the private Dogan news agency reported. He also maintained that he had earlier confessed to the crime under police pressure. He was escorted out of the courthouse protected by police holding up shields.

The country's minister for family affairs, Sema Ramazanoglu, sparked an outcry after she described the assaults as a one-time event and accused opposition parties of trying to besmirch the government-linked Ensar Foundation.

The minister later survived a censure motion in parliament submitted by the opposition, which accused her of negligence in preventing violence against women and children.
Prince William rejects criticism he is 'work shy'

LONDON (AP)  Prince William has rejected criticism that he doesn't put enough time into royal duties in interviews before Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday on Thursday.

Dismissing the moniker of "work-shy William," the second-in-line to the throne said in an interview broadcast Wednesday that he's balancing his royal duties with those of a husband, father and air ambulance pilot. William says when the queen is ready to hand over tasks, he'll be the "first person to accept them."

"I think, in the queen I have an extraordinary example of somebody who's done an enormous amount of good and she's probably the best role model I could have in front of me," he told the BBC.

Britain Prince William, centre and, Britain's Prince Harry look at Star Wars character the droid C3P0 as they visit the creature and droid department at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London on Tuesday April 19, 2016. Prince William, and Prince Harry are touring Pinewood to visit the production workshops and meet the creative teams working behind the scenes on the Star Wars films. (Adrain Dennis, Pool Via AP)

In another interview with Sky News, he offers tribute to the queen and credits her with helping him through the loss of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The interviews mark a moment of celebration for the family as the monarch celebrates a milestone, but also underscore that the young royals will carry on what is sometimes described as the "Firm,"  the family business. William was peppered with questions about what he would ultimately like his reign to be like and whether he plans to modernize the monarchy.

"I think the royal family has to modernize and develop as it goes along and it has to stay relevant," William said. "And that's the challenge for me ... I have no idea when that's going to be, and I certainly don't lie awake waiting or hoping for it, because it sadly means that my family have moved on and I don't want that."

William was asked if his son, George, has any sense yet that he's not part of an ordinary family  whether William and his wife, the former Kate Middleton, have begun to prepare him to accept the fact that he's in the line of succession.

"Well, as far as we're concerned, within our family unit we are a normal family," William said. "I love my children the same way any father does, and I hope George loves me the same way any son does to his father, so we are very normal in that sense.
Top lawmaker: North Carolina rights law will stay in place

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A North Carolina legislative leader said Wednesday he doesn't see the need to repeal or revise a law that limits protections for the LGBT community.

At a news conference on the upcoming legislative session, state Senate leader Phil Berger referred to the law as "our commonsense bathroom safety bill" for its measures governing transgender bathroom access in many public buildings.

Gender identity and sexual orientation are also excluded from statewide workplace and public accommodation protections in the law, which triggered widespread criticism from equality advocates and business leaders nationwide.

FILE This Tuesday Aug. 25, 2015 file photo shows Gavin Grimm on his front porch during an interview at his home in Gloucester, Va. A U.S. appeals court has overturned a policy barring a transgender student from using the boys' restrooms at his Virginia high school. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday, April 19, 2016 that the Gloucester County School Board policy is discriminatory. A federal judge had earlier rejected Grimm's sex discrimination claim. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

But Berger, a Republican, said he doesn't think the law enacted in March needs to be altered when lawmakers return next week.

"I don't know that I would at any point be ready to say we are going to make any changes. I just don't see the need for it," he said.

Gov. Pat McCrory, also a Republican, has urged lawmakers to restore the ability to use state law to file workplace discrimination lawsuits, which was disallowed by the legislation.

Asked multiple times for his response to McCrory's request, Berger said simply: "We will listen to the governor's proposal."

The law also requires transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificate in state government buildings as well as public schools and universities. Supporters say the law protects privacy and safety in public bathrooms.

Berger's remarks came a day after a federal appeals court sided with a transgender student who argued that his Virginia school district violated federal education discrimination laws by forbidding him from using the boys' bathroom. The appeals court's territory includes North Carolina.

The ruling threatens the provision of the North Carolina law concerning transgender bathroom access in public schools and universities.

"While the decision is troubling, it is not the last word on this issue," Berger said.

McCrory said he's seeking an evaluation from state lawyers whether public schools can continue to implement the law while the Virginia defendants decide whether to appeal.

Provisions of North Carolina law that fall outside the federal law known as Title IX  such as those regarding discrimination in workplaces, hotels and restaurants  wouldn't be directly affected by Tuesday's ruling, experts said.

Also this week, the British government issued a travel advice update that LGBT citizens pay special attention when traveling to North Carolina and Mississippi.

"The US is an extremely diverse society and attitudes towards LGBT people differ hugely across the country," said the advisory posted on a British government website Tuesday. "LGBT travellers may be affected by legislation passed recently in the states of North Carolina and Mississippi."

Public rebukes of the law have included concert cancellations by such acts as Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen, and condemnation by scores of business leaders. Local tourism boards cited millions of dollars in lost economic impact because of cancelled conventions and business meetings.

In the Virginia case, a three-judge panel of the appeals court ruled 2-1 in favor of Gavin Grimm's argument that the Gloucester County School Board's policy violated Title IX.

Grimm was born female but identifies as male. He was allowed to use the boys' restrooms at the school for several weeks in 2014. But after some parents complained, the school board adopted a policy requiring students to use either the restroom that corresponds with their biological gender or a private, single-stall restroom.

Last month in North Carolina, a transgender student and employee in the state's university system filed a lawsuit arguing that the new law violated Title IX. Maxine Eichner, a law professor at the University of North Carolina who's not involved in the case, said the plaintiffs could use Tuesday's ruling to win an injunction blocking the law's provisions on bathroom access in public schools.

Chris Brook, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union guiding legal challenges to the North Carolina law, declined to discuss his next moves in detail. Yet he said the appeals court's decision confirms one their key argument that the North Carolina law violates Title IX.

"If you are a recipient of federal education funds you cannot discriminate," he said.

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Associated Press writer Emery P. Dalesio in Raleigh contributed to this report.
Israel says it arrests 6 settlers who attacked Palestinians

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli security officials announced Wednesday the arrest of six young Israeli settlers from what it called a "Jewish terror" group suspected of carrying out attacks against Palestinians and their property last year, in what officials said was a victory in its campaign to reduce extremist Israeli attacks against Palestinians.

Also Wednesday, an Israeli hospital spokeswoman said a man who was critically wounded in a Jerusalem bus bombing this week has died. Later in the day, Gaza's militant Hamas group said the attacker behind the bus bombing was a Hamas member, but stopped short of claiming responsibility for the attack.

The Shin Bet security agency said the six arrested suspects  two minors, a 19-year-old soldier and three others in their early 20s based in the West Bank settlement of Nahliel  acted with intent to harm and kill Palestinians. They were arrested this month and will soon be charged in court, Shin Bet said.

A Palestinian man inspects the damaged house of Palestinian Hussein Mohammed Abu Ghosh that was demolished by the Israeli army, in the West Bank refugee camp of Qalandia, Ramallah, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The Israeli military says it has demolished the home of Abu Ghosh who carried out a lethal stabbing attack in a West Bank Jewish settlement in January. In the attack, Abu Ghosh and another Palestinian stabbed two women and were killed by an Israeli guard. One woman later died of her wounds. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

It said members of the group were responsible for attacking a Palestinian farmer with rods and tear gas, injuring him. It also accused group members of throwing firebombs into a Palestinian home in November while family members slept, and lobbing Israeli army gas canisters into another home in December while a Palestinian couple and baby slept. None were injured in the home attacks, the Shin Bet said. The settlers scrawled graffiti on the homes calling for revenge.

The suspects told interrogators, according to Shin Bet, that their actions were inspired by a deadly Israeli arson attack on a West Bank home last July that killed a Palestinian couple and their toddler. Group members were connected to members of another ring of Jewish extremists recently apprehended and accused of a series of attacks on Palestinian and Christian targets, Shin Bet said.

While Israel has been dealing with a wave of vigilante-style attacks by suspected Jewish extremists in recent years, the deadly 2015 firebombing sparked soul-searching across the nation. The attack was condemned across the Israeli political spectrum, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged "zero tolerance" in the fight to bring the assailants to justice.

Also Wednesday, the Israeli military demolished the home of a Palestinian who carried out a lethal stabbing attack in a West Bank Jewish settlement in January.

In the January attack, Hussein Mohammed Abu Ghosh and another Palestinian armed with knives and improvised explosive devices stabbed two women near a supermarket in the settlement of Beit Horon and were killed by an Israeli security guard, the military said. One woman, Shlomit Krigman, 23, later died of her wounds.

The home demolition took place in the Qalandia refugee camp, which straddles the area between the West Bank and Jerusalem's municipal boundaries. Israel says demolitions are meant to deter attacks, but critics say the tactic is collective punishment.

Palestinians threw rocks and firebombs at Israeli forces during the demolition, the military said. Forces tried to disperse the crowd, the military said, then fired live bullets at what it called the "main instigators." Two soldiers were lightly injured, and Ramallah Hospital said eight Palestinians were injured.

There has been a seven-month wave of Palestinian attacks  mostly stabbings, shootings and vehicular attacks  against Israeli civilians and security forces. Police are still investigating the bus bombing, which wounded 21 people. The hospital spokeswoman, Shoham Ruvio, said the man who succumbed to his wounds had not been identified, but Israeli media said he may have been the attacker behind the blast.

Since mid-September, 28 Israelis and two Americans have been killed. At least 189 Palestinians have also been killed. Israel says most of the Palestinians killed were attackers, with the rest killed in clashes with security forces.

Israel says the violence is fueled by a campaign of Palestinian incitement compounded on social media sites that glorify and encourage attacks. Palestinians say the violence is due to a lack of hope for gaining independence after years of failed peace efforts.

Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians seek the territory for an independent state.

A defaced poster with a picture of Palestinian Hussein Mohammed Abu Ghosh hangs in his house that was demolished by the Israeli army, in the West Bank refugee camp of Qalandia, Ramallah, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The Israeli military says it has demolished the home of Abu Ghosh who carried out a lethal stabbing attack in a West Bank Jewish settlement in January. In the attack, Abu Ghosh and another Palestinian stabbed two women and were killed by an Israeli guard. One woman later died of her wounds. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Ibrahim Abu Ghosh, 9, the brother of Palestinian Hussein Mohammed Abu Ghosh, searches through the rubble at his house that was demolished by the Israeli army, in the West Bank refugee camp of Qalandia, Ramallah, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The Israeli military says it has demolished the home of Abu Ghosh who carried out a lethal stabbing attack in a West Bank Jewish settlement in January. In the attack, Hussein Mohammed Abu Ghosh and another Palestinian stabbed two women and were killed by an Israeli guard. One woman later died of her wounds. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

A Palestinian man inspects the damaged house of Hussein Mohammed Abu Ghosh, that was demolished by the Israeli army, in the West Bank refugee camp of Qalandia, Ramallah, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The Israeli military said it demolished the home of Abu Ghosh who carried out a lethal stabbing attack in a West Bank Jewish settlement in January. In the attack, Abu Ghosh and another Palestinian stabbed two women and were killed by an Israeli guard. One woman later died of her wounds. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
The Latest: Ecuador to raise taxes to fund quake recovery

MONTECRISTI, Ecuador (AP)  The latest on the impact of the Ecuadorean earthquake (all times local):

8:20 p.m.

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa says he will increase taxes to raise badly need funds to pay for rebuilding from the weekend's devastating earthquake.

A man stands on an earthquake-damaged building in Pedernales, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Ecuadoreans began burying loved ones felled by the country's deadliest earthquake in decades, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

In a televised address Wednesday night, Correa said he will use emergency decree powers created in the wake of the quake to raise sales taxes by 2 percentage points for a single year.

Taxes on millionaires and businesses will also be increased, while everyone earning more than $1,000 a month will have a day's wages deducted from their paycheck to help pay for reconstruction efforts.

Correa says the government will also look to sell some state assets.

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7:40 p.m.

Ecuador's president says the death toll from the weekend earthquake has risen to 570.

The number reported by President Rafael Correa was 17 higher than earlier in the day. He says 526 of the known dead have been identified.

Correa says the number of people unaccounted for is still 163 and the number of injured remains at 7,015.

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4:15 p.m.

A Spanish plane has loaded up with supplies at a military base near Madrid and is carrying 13 tons of aid to Ecuador's earthquake zone, including drinking water for 18,000 people.

Also aboard the jet Wednesday were tents, blankets, electrical generators and personal hygiene products like towels and soap so people in the affected areas can stay clean and help avoid the outbreak of disease.

Rafael de Prado, director of emergency services at the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, says, "The main risk at this point is for those who are in the affected areas to have access to clean water and sanitation to avoid illnesses due to (lack) of hygiene in the next couple of days."

Ecuadorean Ambassador to Spain Miguel Calahorrano Camino says the quake's toll has been hard.

In his words, "Our people are fighting, hardworking people and we hope that this bravery and the hard work of our people will be able to overcome this catastrophe."

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3:55 p.m.

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa is readying emergency economic measures to help his country pay for rebuilding from this weekend's earthquake.

Appearing at a news conference Wednesday in Quito, Correa said that among the measures being considered to raise badly needed funds is the sale of bonds. He also urged congress to approve pending legislation raising taxes on cigarettes, sugary drinks and alcohol.

Correa has said it could cost tiny Ecuador $3 billion, or about 3 percent of gross domestic product, to rebuild from the quake. But funding will be hard to come by with the economy expected to shrink 4.5 percent this year because of falling oil prices.

On Wednesday, the Inter-American Development Bank said it had extended Ecuador a $300 million credit line and provided a $200,000 donation to help Ecuador cope.

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1 p.m.

The death toll from Ecuador's major earthquake continues to rise.

Ecuador's attorney general said Wednesday that 553 people were killed during the quake. The previous report put the number of dead at 525.

Another 4,065 people are injured and about 100 remain missing following Saturday evening's magnitude-7.8 quake along the Pacific coast.

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11:50 a.m.

The U.N. humanitarian chief says hundreds remain missing after Ecuador's earthquake and that 21,000 people "need shelter immediately."

Stephen O'Brien spoke to reporters Wednesday by telephone from the country. He stresses the "real need" for drinking water in the affected areas.

He calls the quake a massive one "with devastating consequences."

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10:45 a.m.

Pope Francis has sent another message of encouragement to victims of Ecuador's massive earthquake.

Francis told a crowd of Roman Catholics at the Vatican that that his prayers are with the victims of the tragedy.

He expressed "our closeness and our prayers in this time of grief" for Ecuadorans.

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6:55 a.m.

The Cuban government says three of its doctors have died in Ecuador's big earthquake.

The Public Health Ministry says the three were inside a building in the city of Pedernales that collapsed when the magnitude-7.8 quake hit on Saturday evening.

It praises them as "examples of altruism and the solidarity that characterizes our people."

The ministry says 742 Cuban health workers are laboring in Ecuador, which is an ally of the Cuban government.

The report was published Wednesday on the government's Cubadebate website.

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3:55 a.m.

The U.S. Geological Survey says that a tremor of magnitude 6.1 has rattled Ecuador.

The tremor was centered offshore, 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Muisne, at 3:33 a.m. local time.

There were no immediate reports of damage.

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3:45 a.m.

Ecuador's National Prosecutors Office says the death toll from the weekend earthquake has risen to 525, up from a previous official toll of 507.

The office said on its official Twitter account Wednesday that there were at least 11 foreigners among the dead.

It said 15 of the dead remained unidentified but none was foreign.

The office said 435 of the dead were found in the Manta, Portoviejo and Pedernales areas.

The Defense Department reported Tuesday that more than 200 people were still missing following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake Saturday.

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3:00 a.m.

Ecuadoreans began burying loved ones felled by the country's deadliest earthquake in decades, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found.

In the small town of Montecristi, near the port city of Manta, two children were among those buried Tuesday. The funeral had to be held outside under a makeshift awning, because the town's Roman Catholic church was unsafe from structural damage. Family members wailed loudly and one man fainted as the children were laid to rest in an above-ground vault.

Scenes of mourning multiplied all along Ecuador's normally placid Pacific coastline, where the tremor flattened towns.

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Associated Press writers Joshua Goodman in Bogota, Colombia, Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador and Ciaran Giles in Madrid, contributed to this report.

Residents comb through a field, salvaging recyclable material from post-earthquake debris, in Manta, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Ecuadoreans began burying loved ones felled by the country's deadliest earthquake in decades, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Residents recover their belongings days after an earthquake in Pedernales, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Ecuadoreans began burying loved ones felled by the country's deadliest earthquake in decades, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Vendors sell fish in a makeshift market, set up near the business district which was severely damaged by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, in Manta, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Businesses are slowly opening, although electricity and running water are still scarce in the Pacific coastal city. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Residents wake from their slumber, outside their collapsed homes damaged by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, in Manta, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Ecuadoreans began burying loved ones felled by the country's deadliest earthquake in decades, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

With the aid of a digger shovel, municipal workers cut an electrical cable in an earthquake-damaged area of Manta, Ecuador, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Ecuadoreans began burying loved ones felled by the country's deadliest earthquake in decades, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Maria Victoria, 89, is comforted by her daughter Mariana in Estancia Las Palmas, Ecuador, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Maria Victoria was injured when a column fell on her after 7.8-magnitude earthquake collapsed her home. The strongest earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades flattened buildings and buckled highways along its Pacific coast, sending the Andean nation into a state of emergency. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Residents look at a rift in the highway created by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, in Chacras, Ecuador, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. The strongest earthquake to hit Ecuador in decades flattened buildings and buckled highways along its Pacific coast, sending the Andean nation into a state of emergency. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
NATO, Russia meeting fails to bridge differences

BRUSSELS (AP)  The first meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in nearly two years ran over schedule Wednesday but failed to do much to improve relations between Moscow and the U.S.-led alliance, at their lowest ebb since the Cold War.

"NATO and Russia have profound and persistent differences," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who chaired the council, told reporters afterward. "Today's meeting didn't change that."

"It's better to talk than not to talk," said Russian Ambassador Alexander Grushko, who met with counterparts from NATO's 28 member states.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg addresses the media after a NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday April 20, 2016. The NATO-Russia Council is meeting for the first time since 2014, with the U.S.-led alliance planning to object to what it deems provocative and dangerous actions by the Russian military. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesdays meeting should discuss improving mechanisms of risk reduction related to military activities. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

But Grushko said that for the Kremlin, "it's absolutely clear that without real steps on NATO's side to downgrade military activity in the area adjacent to the Russian Federation, it will not be possible to engage in any meaningful dialogue on confidence-building measures."

Stoltenberg said the meeting, which lasted 3  hours, or 90 minutes longer than planned, was the occasion for "frank and serious" exchanges about the situation in Ukraine, issues relating to military activities of Russia and NATO, and the security situation in and around Afghanistan, including the threat of extremist violence region-wide.

The NATO-Russia Council was founded in 2002 as a forum for consultations between the former Cold War foes, but before Wednesday, had last met in June 2014, when the Kremlin's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine sent relations with the West into a tailspin.

The latest session at NATO headquarters led to no decisions, not even a firm commitment to reconvene, but Stoltenberg observed that "since we never suspended the council, I expect that we will meet again."

The NATO chief said all alliance members and Russia had agreed on one thing: the need for swift and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreement designed to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

For some, the mere fact NATO and Russia were sitting down at the same table again was a positive.

"Today was an important acknowledgement by both sides that they need to be talking to each other," said Ian Kearns, director of the European Leadership Network, a London-based think tank. Kearns said he expected the conversation to continue, in large part because the U.S. and Russia are in favor.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose country is one of NATO's most important European members, said the talks in Brussels weren't expected to be simple or harmonious.

"But given the large number of difficult issues, this dialogue has a value in itself and should be continued," Steinmeier said in a statement. "That is the only way we can develop a common understanding of problems and the necessary solutions."

NATO has suspended practical cooperation with Russia because of the Crimean annexation and what it views as Russia's support for the armed insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Stoltenberg said the NATO-Russia Council meeting didn't mean the alliance was returning to "business as usual" with Moscow, but that it was vital to keep open the channels of communication.

"Especially when tensions are high, political dialogue is necessary to discuss our differences and to reduce the risk of military incidents," Stoltenberg said.

The meeting failed, however, to deliver tangibles in an area the NATO chief had singled out as a priority: agreeing on mechanisms to reduce security risks caused by Russian or NATO military activities.

In one recent incident, U.S. officials accused Russian warplanes of repeatedly buzzing a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Baltic Sea last week, coming as close as 30 feet (9 meters).

Grushko on Wednesday rejected the U.S. complaints, telling reporters his country's aircraft "were acting fully in line" with international agreements and accusing NATO of attempting "to exercise military pressure on Russia."

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Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow, and Geir Moulson in Berlin, contributed to this report.

Russian ambassador to NATO, Alexander Grushko, talks with journalists after a NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday April 20, 2016. The NATO-Russia Council is meeting for the first time since 2014, with the U.S.-led alliance planning to object to what it deems provocative and dangerous actions by the Russian military. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesdays meeting should discuss improving mechanisms of risk reduction related to military activities. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg addresses the media after a NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday April 20, 2016. The NATO-Russia Council is meeting for the first time since 2014, with the U.S.-led alliance planning to object to what it deems provocative and dangerous actions by the Russian military. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesdays meeting should discuss improving mechanisms of risk reduction related to military activities. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Russian ambassador to NATO, Alexander Grushko, talks with journalists after a NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday April 20, 2016. The NATO-Russia Council is meeting for the first time since 2014, with the U.S.-led alliance planning to object to what it deems provocative and dangerous actions by the Russian military. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesdays meeting should discuss improving mechanisms of risk reduction related to military activities. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg addresses the media after a NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday April 20, 2016. The NATO-Russia Council is meeting for the first time since 2014, with the U.S.-led alliance planning to object to what it deems provocative and dangerous actions by the Russian military. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesdays meeting should discuss improving mechanisms of risk reduction related to military activities. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg addresses the media after a NATO-Russia Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday April 20, 2016. The NATO-Russia Council is meeting for the first time since 2014, with the U.S.-led alliance planning to object to what it deems provocative and dangerous actions by the Russian military. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesdays meeting should discuss improving mechanisms of risk reduction related to military activities. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Markets Right Now: Asian shares rise on oil price, US gains

NEW YORK (AP)  The Latest news on global financial markets (all times local):

00:30 a.m.

Asian stocks rose in early trading Thursday, buoyed by a rise in U.S. stocks following an uptick in oil prices. A weakening of the Japanese yen pushed Tokyo's benchmark higher.

New York Stock Exchange floor governor Rudy Maas, left, calls out prices during the IPO of MGM Growth Properties on the floor of the NYSE, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. U.S. stock indexes are narrowly mixed in early trading on Wall Street as investors absorb the latest round of company earnings reports. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 2.0 percent to 17,236.37, as exporters' shares were lifted by the weaker yen, which can boost their profits. Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 1.8 percent to 21,610.86. The Shanghai Composite index added 0.1 percent to 2,976.02. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.1 percent to 5,339.10. South Korea's KOSPI was up 0.7 percent to 2,018.81. Southeast Asian markets were higher.

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4:00 p.m.

Stocks are closing with modest gains on Wall Street after a midday rally lost steam.

Banks and energy companies rose more than the rest of the market Wednesday. Both sectors got some relief after the price of crude oil turned higher. Banks have been in the doldrums as investors worry that loans to struggling oil companies could go bad.

Chesapeake Energy jumped 5 percent. Discover Financial rose 8 percent.

The price of crude oil shook off an early slide and closed up 4 percent.

Coca-Cola fell 5 percent after reporting another decline in revenue.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 42 points, or 0.2 percent, to 18,096.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index edged up a point to 2,102. The Nasdaq composite climbed seven points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,948.

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12:30 p.m.

European stock markets closed higher as the oil price continued its grind higher.

Among the main indexes, Germany's DAX rose 0.6 percent to 10,421.29 while the CAC-40 in France ended 0.6 percent higher at 4,591.92. Britain's FTSE 100 index rose 0.1 percent at 6,410.26.

Oil prices have helped drive stock markets this year and their rebound this week has been viewed as a sign of greater investor confidence in the global economy.

European stocks had traded lower for much of Wednesday's session when oil prices were in retreat. But the subsequent rise in oil prices following U.S. inventory data saw European stocks push ahead. The benchmark New York crude rate was up 72 cents at $43.18.

The main focus on Thursday in European markets will be the policy meeting of the European Central Bank. Though the bank is not expected to announce any further stimulus measures for the 19-country eurozone, its president, Mario Draghi, is widely tipped to suggest more may be forthcoming if needed.

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11:45 a.m.

Stocks are turning higher on Wall Street in midday trading, led by gains in energy companies as the price of oil climbs.

Williams Companies jumped 5 percent Wednesday and Southwestern Energy tacked on 4 percent.

The price of crude oil shook off an early slide and was up 2 percent at about $42 a barrel in New York.

Health care companies were also doing well. Intuitive Surgical was up 4 percent and UnitedHealth Group was up 3 percent.

Coca-Cola fell 5 percent after reporting another decline in revenue.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 57 points, or 0.3 percent, to 18,107.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up five points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,106. The Nasdaq composite climbed 20 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,960.

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9:35 a.m.

U.S. stock indexes are narrowly mixed in nearly trading on Wall Street as investors absorb the latest round of company earnings reports.

Coca-Cola fell 4 percent in the first few minutes of trading Wednesday after the company reported another decline in revenue.

Aircraft maker Textron was up 5 percent after its results beat analysts' forecasts. Software maker VMWare was also higher.

The price of crude oil fell after a solid gain the day before.

The Dow Jones industrial average was little changed at 18,049.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped a point to 2,099. The Nasdaq composite edged down 10 points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,930.

Bond prices didn't move much. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note held steady at 1.78 percent.

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1:20 p.m.

Wall Street is set to open on a steady note following cautious trading in both Europe and Asia that had its roots in a drop in oil prices.

Dow futures and the broader S&P 500 futures are set to open around 0.2 percent higher at the bell.

Market observers said the pause was likely following a stellar start to the week. Both the Dow and S&P closed at 2016 highs on Tuesday.

Joshua Mahony, market analyst at IG, said "the ability to maintain such an intense pace of stock market gains was always questionable."

In Europe, the main stock markets were trading in narrow ranges, with Germany's DAX 0.2 percent higher at 10,368 and the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares down 0.2 percent at 6,395.

Oil prices have been at the heart of stock market moves this year and their rebound this week have been viewed as a sign that the global economic outlook has improved. On Wednesday, the benchmark New York rate was down 61 cents at $41.86 a barrel.

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10:20 a.m.

European stocks are down in morning trading, tracking their Asian counterparts, as a recent improvement in investor sentiment appeared to run out of steam.

Britain's FTSE 100 was down 0.4 percent at 6,382.19 on Wednesday while Germany's DAX dropped 0.2 percent to 10,324.79. France's CAC 40 was down 0.4 percent at 4,549.32.

Investors in Europe will be gradually turning their attention to Thursday's meeting by the European Central Bank. It is not expected to provide more stimulus, after having announced a raft of measures at its last meeting in March. But analysts say that the bank's president, Mario Draghi, will be keen to convey the message during his news conference that more stimulus is possible and available, as needed.

Traders also seem to be reacting to mostly downbeat corporate data, including weak earnings for banks and a 15 percent slide in the shares of Mitsubishi, which said it found evidence its employees falsified fuel mileage test data for several models of vehicles.

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7:30 a.m.

Asian shares were mostly lower by mid-afternoon Wednesday, as sharp declines in Chinese benchmarks and a relapse in oil prices renewed concern over the recent failure of producing nations to agree on capping output.

The Shanghai Composite index sank by nearly 4 percent to 2,922.51 in a late-in-the day sell-off that market players said had no obvious apparent cause.

Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.2 percent to 16,906.54 and the Australian S&P/ASX 200 added 0.5 percent to 5,281.20. Most other benchmarks in the region were lower.

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5:00 a.m.

Asian stocks meandered Wednesday, though sentiment was lifted by Wall Street's strong day, as investor attention turned to upcoming remarks from a European Central Bank official.
Protests, political turmoil over pardons issued in Macedonia

SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP)  Thousands of people have been protesting almost nightly in the Macedonian capital, Skopje, since President Gjorge Ivanov announced a decision last week to grant presidential pardons that halted criminal proceedings against dozens of people, including high-ranking politicians, accused in a wiretapping scandal that has roiled Macedonia for months.

In an attempt to resolve the crisis, the country's main political leaders agreed several months ago to hold elections in June, two years ahead of time. But the latest move by the president has reignited the simmering political turmoil.

Here is a look at the developments in Macedonia:

FILE - This is a Monday, April 18, 2016 file photo a man waves a red flag as people protest in front of the parliament building in Skopje, Macedonia. Thousands of people have been protesting almost nightly in the Macedonian capital, Skopje, since President Gjorge Ivanov announced a decision last week to grant presidential pardons that halted criminal proceedings against dozens of people, including high-ranking politicians, accused in a wiretapping scandal that has roiled Macedonia for months. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski, File)

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WHAT'S HAPPENING?

Thousands of people from across the political spectrum have been protesting, and Ivanov's move has also drawn criticism from the European Union, which Macedonia has been hoping to join for years. The protests began in the capital but have spread to other cities, with demonstrators demanding Ivanov's resignation. Last week seven people, including five police officers, were injured and 13 arrested when demonstrations in Skopje turned violent.

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WHY DID THE PRESIDENT ISSUE THE PARDONS, AND WHY NOW?

Ivanov has explained his decision as a move to defuse the political crisis before the June 5 election, saying he wants to "defend national interests" and ensure elections are held in an "atmosphere without pressure and blackmailing." He has called for national reconciliation, saying the wiretapping scandal that sparked the crisis "has resulted in endless (acts) of hatred and recrimination." But critics at home and abroad view the step as an attempt to prevent politicians from being brought to justice.

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WHAT IS THE WIRETAPPING SCANDAL?

Last year, opposition leader Zoran Zaev alleged that the governing conservatives, led by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, had illegally wiretapped about 20,000 people, including judges, police, politicians, foreign diplomats and journalists. He regularly released sound recordings of what he said were the wiretaps, saying they were passed to him by a whistleblower. Gruevski strenuously denied he had anything to do with the taps, and accused Zaev of plotting a coup to overthrow his government.

The leaked conversations appeared to show corruption at the highest level, triggering investigations against government officials, including former ministers of the interior and transportation. They deny the charges.

In an attempt to resolve the ensuing political crisis, the country's top politicians agreed to an EU-brokered deal under which Gruevski stepped down, paving the way for June's elections. A special prosecution office was also formed under the deal, to look into allegations of wrongdoing.

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WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED, WITH WHAT, AND WHY?

The government gazette has published a list of 56 people who benefit from the presidential pardon, but doesn't specify what charges they faced. Among them are Gruevski, who stepped down in January as part of the political deal, and Zaev. The list also includes former Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska, transportation minister Mile Janakievski and former intelligence chief Saso Mijalkov. Former Macedonian president Branko Crvenkovski as well as mayors, businessmen, a judge and prosecutors are also on the list. Many of them  including Gruevski, Mijalkov, Zaev and Crvenkovski, have said they don't accept the pardon and have asked for it to be revoked for them so they can clear their names in court.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

European Union mediators have invited Macedonia's arguing politicians to talks Friday in Vienna in a bid to defuse the political crisis.

Zaev has made Ivanov revoking his presidential pardons a condition of the talks.

Ivanov has insisted he will not revoke the pardons. But 80 groups organizing the protests in Skopje say they will continue their demonstrations demanding his resignation, the postponement of the early elections and a caretaker government to be formed to prepare for free and fair elections.

Even Ivanov's own VMRO-DPMNE party, as well as the opposition Social Democrats, has said it wants the criminal investigations to continue. "Our position is clear, everybody who committed crimes has to be punished," VMRO said.

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WILL THIS AFFECT THE ELECTIONS?

It might. The elections were originally scheduled for April 24, but the date was postponed after the opposition complained the main conditions for a free and fair vote were not met. The Social Democrats have said they will boycott the election because they say those conditions  including ensuring an up-to-date voter registry, preventing intimidation and the pressuring of voters, and ensuring fair media coverage  have still not been met. EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, who mediated the talks, has warned Macedonia's leaders that "if they do not work together and not stay focused to have free elections, the new government will not be internationally accepted."

The opposition Social Democrats say the deal is "buried" because it failed to secure free and fair elections. On the other hand, the governing conservative VMRO-DPMNE insists elections must be held on the agreed June 5 date.

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WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MACEDONIA?

This is one more step back for Macedonia's hopes to join the European Union and NATO. Apart from the deep political crisis, the country has also struggled to cope with being on the refugee route, with about a million people transiting through its territory. Macedonia has had EU candidacy status since 2005 and was invited to join NATO in 2008, but was blocked by neighboring Greece because of a dispute over the name "Macedonia," which Greece sees as representing territorial claims over its own province of the same name.

FILE - This is a Monday, April 18, 2016 file photo of protestors chant No justice, no peace while marching in front of the parliament building in Skopje, Macedonia. Thousands of people have been protesting almost nightly in the Macedonian capital, Skopje, since President Gjorge Ivanov announced a decision last week to grant presidential pardons that halted criminal proceedings against dozens of people, including high-ranking politicians, accused in a wiretapping scandal that has roiled Macedonia for months. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski, File)
Prince George, 2, gets boost from foam blocks in royal photo

LONDON (AP)  Britain's Prince George gets a boost in a photo for a new British stamp set  thanks to some foam blocks and duct tape.

The toddler prince is pictured alongside his father Prince William, grandfather Prince Charles and great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in stamps issued to mark the queen's 90th birthday on Thursday.

The adults are seated, but a smiling George stands atop four foam blocks secured with tape so that his head is at roughly the same height as the others. The blocks can't be seen on the stamp, but a full-length version of the image by photographer Ranald Mackechnie was released by the Royal Mail on Wednesday.

In this image released by the Royal Mail on Wednesday April 20, 2016, Britain's Prince George stands on foam blocks during a photo shoot for the Royal Mail in the summer of 2015 in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in London for a stamp sheet to mark the 90th birthday of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. The image features four generations of the Royal family, from left, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George and Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge. (Ranald Mackechnie/Royal Mail via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

The group photograph has been issued as a sheet that divides into four stamps, one for each of the royals.
Yemen's rebels reverse course, head to peace talks in Kuwait

SANAA, Yemen (AP)  Yemen's Shiite rebels have reversed an earlier decision to boycott U.N.-sponsored peace talks designed to find a way to end the war in the impoverished Arab nation and their delegation was on its way Wednesday, heading to the negotiations due to take place in Kuwait.

The peace talks will begin on Thursday in Kuwait, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon, told reporters later Wednesday.

Representatives of the rebels, also known as Houthis, and their allies left the capital, Sanaa, to neighboring Oman en route to Kuwait.

Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, attend a protest against Saudi-led airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, April 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

In a statement issued late Tuesday, senior Houthi leader Mahdi al-Mashat said the movement has received assurances from Kuwait and Oman that there will be no more violations of a week-long cease-fire by the Saudi-led coalition, which has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis.

"We reserve the right to suspend our participation if the promises are not kept," said al-Mashat. He and Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdel-Salam are the most senior delegates in the rebel team.

"The forces of aggression then will have to assume full responsibility for the consequences of their failure to honor their commitments," al-Mashat added.

The talks, which had originally been scheduled to get underway Monday, are aimed at finding ways to resolve the year-long conflict between Yemen's internationally recognized government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the Houthis and their allies.

A U.N.-brokered cease-fire announced earlier this month has sought to facilitate the negotiations in Kuwait, though it has repeatedly been breached by both sides.

Along with Sanaa, the cities of Taiz, Marib and Jouf have seen most of the cease-fire violations. Security officials said Wednesday that coalition warplanes bombed Houthi positions in Taiz and the province of Marib at dawn Wednesday. There were no reports on casualties and damage immediately available. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Yemen's war has killed thousands and displaced 2.4 million people while the Houthis still retain control in much of the country's northern regions  including the capital, Sanaa. The conflict has also fueled secessionist aspirations among the Southerners' for independence, which they had before Yemen was unified in 1990.

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Australian TV outlet to review role in Beirut kidnap case

SYDNEY (AP)  An Australian media outlet on Thursday launched an internal investigation into its involvement in a bungled attempt to take an Australian woman's children from their Lebanese father, shortly after the woman and the Australian TV crew were released on bail from a Beirut jail in a dramatic climax to the international child custody battle.

Hugh Marks, CEO of Australia's Channel 9, said the company would conduct a review to determine what went wrong and why the channel failed in its duty to protect its four-person "60 Minutes" team, which was in Lebanon to cover Australian mother Sally Faulkner's bid to get her two young children back.

"It is important to reiterate that at no stage did anyone from Nine or 60 Minutes intend to act in any way that made them susceptible to charges that they breached the law or to become part of the story that is Sally's story," Marks said in a statement. "But we did become part of the story and we shouldn't have."

Australian TV journalist Tara Brown, second left, and Sally Faulkner, center, the mother of the two Australian children, sit in a mini van between the three crew members of Channel 9 Australian TV, after they released from the Lebanese jail, in Baabda east of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday April 20, 2016. An Australian mother and TV crew caught up in a high-profile child custody battle and detained in Beirut amid a botched attempt to take the woman's two children from their Lebanese father have been released on bail. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

The release of Faulkner and the TV crew came after Faulkner's estranged husband and the father of their two children, Ali al-Amin, announced he had dropped attempted kidnapping charges against the five because he "didn't want the kids to think I was keeping their mother in jail."

Lawyers and the judge involved in the case would not comment about whether any compensation was involved.

Faulkner and the crew left a jail in Baabda, a Beirut suburb, in a white van, escorted by an Australian Embassy car. Once inside the vehicle they embraced one another.

"I'm just so glad to be out of there," Faulkner told Channel 9 in an interview filmed inside the van.

Their release was the latest in an international saga that included a controversial "child recovery agency" and gripped headlines in Australia and the Middle East.

The five Australians are implicated in the operation to seize the children from al-Amin two weeks ago. Two Britons and two Lebanese have also been charged, and they remain in jail.

Faulkner has previously said al-Amin moved the children, aged 3 and 5, from Australia to Lebanon without her permission. On Wednesday, she surrendered any custody claims in Lebanon as part of a deal struck with al-Amin in front of a judge, her lawyer said.

"She will accept that the children will stay with their father," said the attorney, Ghassan Moughabhab, who acknowledged that al-Amin had received a judgment earlier in his favor from a Lebanese religious court. "Taking into consideration the Lebanese law, he's in the right."

The scandal has been a public relations disaster for Channel 9, which has faced intense backlash in Australia from the public and the media. Many have questioned the station's ethics for involving itself in a criminal act and over accusations the channel funded the child-snatching operation.

"60 Minutes" has a long history of paying sources for interviews, but the head of the child recovery agency said Channel 9 went much further in this case, directly paying his company to finance the operation. Nine has declined to comment on the allegation.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull expressed relief at the release of Faulkner and the crew and thanked Lebanese authorities for their help, but issued a warning to Australians traveling overseas.

"All Australians, regardless of what they do or who they work for, should recognize that when they are outside of Australia, they must obey the laws of the country in which they are visiting," Turnbull told reporters.

Al-Amin said he would raise the children in Lebanon and would allow Faulkner to visit them. Faulkner is expected to meet Ali and their children at the courthouse Thursday, before leaving the country the day after.

Investigative Judge Rami Abdullah said the state still has to review whether to drop public charges against the suspects, but added that Faulkner and the journalists were free to leave Lebanon once they posted bail. They will be expected to return to Lebanon to stand trial if the public charges are not dropped, he said.

Others detained in the case were still behind bars. British-Australian Adam Whittington, who heads the Britain-based agency Child Abduction Recovery International and is alleged to have masterminded the operation, remains jailed, along with another Briton, Greg Michael.

Their lawyer said their outcomes should be tied to the fate of the TV crew.

"Both of them came here based on instructions from Channel 9, who paid for their program," said the attorney, Joe Karam.

According to Whittington, Channel 9 deposited over $100,000 in fees to his agency's account to finance the operation.

Two Lebanese men also remain jailed. Sahar Mohsin, attorney for Mohammad Hamza, said her client was simply hired to drive the getaway vehicle, and was unaware of any illegal plot when he joined the crew. Al-Amin dismissed that claim, challenging Mohsin outside the court: "Ask (Hamza) how long he was sitting outside my building, observing me."

The children at the center of the case were snatched from their grandmother  al-Amin's mother  and a domestic worker while on their way to school in Beirut two weeks ago. Security camera footage showed assailants knocking the grandmother to the ground before driving off with the children. A man was seen filming from the car.

According to reports, the children were promptly united with Faulkner, and she placed a call to al-Amin to inform him they were safe and in her custody.

Whittington, who according to his lawyer was not physically present at the scene, had arranged to smuggle Faulkner and the children to Cyprus by boat, and had one waiting at a resort on the Beirut coast. But they were detained before they made it to the resort.

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Issa reported from Beirut.

Australian Sally Faulkner, right, the mother of the two Australian children, escorted by Lebanese policeman, left, waves as she leaves the prison after she released from jail with TV journalist Tara Brown and other crew members of Channel 9 Australian, in Baabda east of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday April 20, 2016. An Australian mother and TV crew caught up in a high-profile child custody battle and detained in Beirut amid a botched attempt to take the woman's two children from their Lebanese father have been released on bail. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Australian kidnapping suspect Australian TV presenter Tara Brown leaves a women's prison in the Beirut southeastern suburb of Baabda, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The Lebanese judge in the high-profile child custody battle says the Australian mother and accompanying TV crew will be free to leave Lebanon once they post bail. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Australian kidnapping suspects Australian TV presenter Tara Brown, left, and Sally Faulkner, right, the mother of two Lebanese-Australian children, leave a women's prison in the Beirut southeastern suburb of Baabda, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The Lebanese judge in the high-profile child custody battle says the Australian mother and accompanying TV crew will be free to leave Lebanon once they post bail. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

kidnapping suspect Australian Sally Faulkner, right, the mother of two Lebanese-Australian children, leaves a women's prison in the Beirut southeastern suburb of Baabda, Lebanon, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The Lebanese judge in the high-profile child custody battle says the Australian mother and accompanying TV crew are free to leave Lebanon once they post bail. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

A Lebanese policeman escorts Australian TV presenter Tara Brown, who is seen handcuffed, as she is taken from a Lebanese courthouse where she was questioned by an investigative judge over suspicion of taking part in an abduction attempt of two Lebanese-Australian children, in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday April, 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

A man walks down the stairs of the Lebanese courthouse where nine people were questioned by an investigative judge over suspicion of taking part in an abduction attempt of two Lebanese-Australian children, in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday April, 18, 2016. The Lebanese father of two children at the heart of a high-profile custody dispute says he will not drop the attempted kidnapping charges against his estranged Australian wife, who tried to take the children from him two weeks ago. The Arabic sign reads, "Palace of Justice." (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

A Lebanese plainclothes policeman prevents Australian TV presenter Tara Brown from looking towards journalist as she was taken from a Lebanese courthouse where she was questioned by an investigative judge over suspicion of taking part in an abduction attempt of two Lebanese-Australian children, in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday April, 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
Barack Obama met with King Salman of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday amid increasing clamor for 28 pages of a congressional report into 9/11 to be declassified, which is believed to show a Saudi connection to the hijackings.

The visit to Riyadh comes against the backdrop of increasingly strained relations with the Saudis, who remain deeply opposed to President Obama's outreach to Iran and skeptical of his approach to Syria.

Stepping off the tarmac at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Obama was greeted on a red carpet by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the governor of Riyadh, as opposed to the king himself.

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Strained ties: President Obama speaks with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia at the Egra Palace in Riyadh on Wednesday

President Obama is visiting Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Gulf leaders to talk about stability in the region. Above, the president walks with King Salman in the Egra Palace, after landing Wednesday morning

President Obama smiles as he is greeted by Saudi officials, but not King Salman in a calculated snub, at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Wednesday

The president's trip to Saudi Arabia comes amid new efforts to declassify 28 pages from the 9/11 congressional report, which are said to show Saudi backing of the terror attacks

Saudi state television did not immediately air Obama's arrival, which was unusual since right before Air Force One landed, State TV showed King Salman greeting other senior officials from Gulf nations arriving for the Gulf Cooperation Council summit.

Mustafa Alani, a security analyst at the Gulf Research Center, said the decision to send a lower ranking official to greet Mr Obama was intended to send a clear message that they have little faith in him.

'He will find a leadership that's not ready to believe him,' he said. 'The Saudis had disagreements with previous presidents. Here you have deep distrust that the president won't deliver anything.'

He [Obama] will find a leadership that's not ready to believe him. The Saudis had disagreements with previous presidents. Here you have deep distrust that the president won't deliver anything Mustafa Alani, a security analyst from the Gulf Research Center

Obama's first stop in Saudi Arabia was a one-on-one meeting with King Salman at Riyadh's Erga Palace on Wednesday before the six-nation GCC summit opens on Thursday.

Under crystal chandeliers, Obama was greeted in a grand foyer at Erga Palace where they walked slowly to a reception room.

'The American people send their greetings and we are very grateful for your hospitality, not just for this meeting but for hosting the GCC-U.S. summit that's taking place tomorrow,' Obama said, referring to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council summit.

King Salman offered similarly gracious words through a translator, saying: 'The feeling is mutual between us and the American people.'

This is the president's fourth visit to the kingdom since taking office.

The talks come at a critical time in the U.S.-Saudi relationship, with 9/11 victims' families again pushing Congress for the right to sue Saudi Arabia over the death of their loved ones.

Previous court decisions have ruled that there is insufficient evidence to find Saudi Arabia culpable in the terror attacks, which is why the families are now calling for the release of 28 classified pages from the 9/11 congressional report which is believed to show a stronger connection to Saudi funding of the attacks.

This is President Obama's fourth visit to Saudi Arabia while in office. Obama was slated to spend little more than 24 hours in the Saudi capital before heading on to visits to London and Hannover, Germany

This week's talks are expected to address the Saudi-led military campaign against Shiite rebels and their allies in neighboring Yemen. Above, the president and Saudi king at the Erga Palace on Wednesday

This has put Obama in a difficult position, with 9/11 families accusing him of siding with the Kingdom and Saudi officials threatening to sell hundreds of billions of dollars of American assets if Congress passes a bill that would allow the government to be sued over the attacks.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has said his country would sell up to $750 billion in US treasury securities and other assets before the bill puts them in jeopardy.

The administration has tried to stop Congress from passing the legislation, a bipartisan Senate bill. Earlier this week, Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary indicated that President Obama would veto any such legislation.

FRESH EVIDENCE LINKS SAUDI GOVERNMENT TO 9/11 Fresh information allegedly connecting the government of Saudi Arabia and the 9/11 terror attacks has been released. Officials have revealed that the flight certificate of Al-Qaeda bomb maker Ghassan Al-Sharbi was discovered hidden in an envelope from the Saudi embassy in Washington when they arrested him in 2002. Al-Sharbi is believed to have learned how to fly with the hijackers but did not take part in the attacks. Shortly before his arrest, he buried a bundle of documents, which is believed to have included the certificate. The cache was discovered by US authorities and details, written in a memo known as Document 17 in 2003, were released without fanfare by investigators last year. They were only brought to the public's attention when an activist discovered them and wrote about them on his website earlier this week. Advertisement

Saudi Arabia's resolve to actually deliver on the threat is dubious, according to the New York Times, since selling off those assets would be technically challenging and would damage the dollar, against which the Saudi national currency is pegged.

Under the current U.S. law, foreign nations have a degree of immunity from being sued in American courts.

The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 is one of the reasons why families of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks largely failed to bring to court the Saudi royal family and charities over suspicion of financially supporting the attacks.

Fifteen of the 19 men who hijacked four planes and flew them into targets in New York and Washington in 2001 were Saudi citizens, though the country has always denied having any role in the attacks.

A U.S. commission established in the aftermath of the attacks also concluded there was no evidence of official Saudi connivance.

President Obama will decide whether to declassify the sealed documents by June.

During an interview with Charlie Rose this week, he said that James Clapper, his director of National Intelligence, was nearly done with a review of the documents to ensure that whatever is made public does not damage U.S. national security interests.

'I have a sense of what's in there', Mr Obama told Rose.

Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner, believes the pages should be released.

'I think I know what it's going to say,' Mr Trump said on Fox & Friends. 'It's going to be very, very profound, having to do with Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia's role on the World Trade Center, and the attack.'

The pages are currently locked away in a secure basement room at the Capitol and although they can be read by members of Congress, the pages which are rumored to expose Saudi Arabia's connection to the attacks, remain classified.

It's believed the 28 pages could shed more light on the money and connections used to finance the attacks and are said to include information 'suggesting specific sources of foreign support for some of the September 11 hijackers while they were in the United States,' according to the chapter's introduction in the report.

Officials in Saudi Arabia have told the Obama administration they will sell off hundreds of billions of dollars of American assets if Congress passes a bill that allows the Saudi government to be held responsible for 9/11

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are participating in the regional summit, which the White House said would focus on regional stability, counterterrorism including the fight against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, and Iran.

Talks are also expected to address the Saudi-led military campaign against Shiite rebels and their allies in neighboring Yemen.

U.S. officials have expressed hope the latest meeting will build on last year's Camp David summit, though they acknowledge differences remain between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

The Sunni Muslim-ruled kingdom - the world's biggest oil exporter and the largest buyer of American-made weapons - sees Shiite-led Iran as its main rival.

Saudi leaders are concerned that concessions granted to Iran in last year's nuclear deal will embolden it to pursue what the Saudis view as aggressive meddling throughout the region.

Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing sides in the civil war in Syria and in the conflict in Yemen, where the U.S. military is providing refueling and other logistical help to the Saudi-led war effort.

Obama was slated to spend little more than 24 hours in the Saudi capital before heading on to visits to London and Hannover, Germany.

Joining the Gulf leaders was Moroccan King Mohammed VI, who was invited to take part in Thursday's summit by the Saudi monarch. Defense ministers from the six Gulf states held talks earlier in the day with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
30 years after blast, labor to clean Chernobyl's traces

CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER STATION, Ukraine (AP)  Thirty years after the world's worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl power plant is surrounded by both desolation and clangorous activity, the sense of a ruined past and a difficult future.

The plant is derelict. After the No. 4 reactor exploded in the early-morning hours of April 26, 1986, its other reactors were gradually taken out of service and the sprawling complex hasn't produced a watt of electricity since 2000. Just a few hundred meters (yards) away from the hulk, hundreds of workers labor to construct a vast and remarkable structure that is to be the first step in removing the tons of radioactive waste that remain.

The 2-billion-euro ($2.3 billion) New Safe Confinement project, funded by international donations and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is a race against time  though, unsettlingly, how much time can't be known. After the explosion and the fire that spewed a cloud of fallout over much of northern Europe, Soviet workers constructed a so-called sarcophagus over the reactor building, a concrete and steel structure aimed at keeping waste from escaping into the atmosphere.

This photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016 shows abandoned apartment buildings in the town of Pripyat near Chernobyl, Ukraine, with a chimney, left, at the destroyed reactor and a gigantic arch-shape confinement to cover the remnants of the exploded reactor, in the back, at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Thirty years after the worlds worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is surrounded by both a hushed desolation and clangorous activity, the sense of a ruined past and a difficult future. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

The rush-job construction, completed in just five months, was designed to last only about 30 years and has shown signs of serious deterioration.

When the new structure, which resembles a 30-story Quonset hut, is finished, it is to be slowly moved on rails over the sarcophagus and reactor building. After that, robotic machinery inside the structure will begin dismantling the sarcophagus and the destroyed reactor and gather up the wastes to be transported to a nearby storage facility. Under current plans, that process is expected to begin in 2017.

"The arch is now at its full height, full width and full length  108 meters (354 feet) tall, 250 meters wide and 150 meters long. It will act as a safe confinement over the No. 4 reactor, and it's planned to last 100 years ... to give Ukraine a chance to dismantle the No. 4 reactor and make it safe forever," said David Driscoll, director of safety for the French consortium Novarka that is building the shelter.

Not far away from the shelter project, the growl of heavy vehicles and the clatter of construction tools fade in the silence enveloping the ghost town of Pripyat.

Four kilometers (2.5 miles) from the power plant, Pripyat was built for the plant's workers. Opened in 1970, it was a model of the Soviet ideal  orderly blocks of soaring apartment towers, the focal point a large plaza flanked by a sizeable hotel and the Energetik Palace of Culture. The 50,000 people who once lived there were hastily evacuated after the explosion; today the only human sounds are the tourist groups who come to marvel at the baleful remains, including a rusting Ferris wheel that was to start taking paying customers a few days after the blast.

After the disaster, authorities established the so-called Zone of Alienation around the plant  a 2,600-square-kilometer (1,000-sq. mile) tract where no one is supposed to live. But life of a sort continues in the village of Chernobyl, where workers who maintain and monitor the plant live on a short-term basis, often two weeks on and then two weeks away to minimize their exposure to the fallout that poisoned the soil. And a few hundred people who were evacuated from the zone eventually trickled back, more attached to their homes than concerned about radiation.

If the desolation of the Chernobyl area is dramatically visible, the suffering of people affected by the accident is often near-invisible. About 600,000 people were conscripted into becoming "liquidators," those who labored to put out the fire  sometimes able to work for only a minute before having to flee the radiation  or move contaminated vehicles to a dumping ground or otherwise clean up.

The liquidators still alive 30 years later suffer widespread health problems. A Ukrainian Health Ministry report suggested only about 5 percent of them could be considered truly healthy.

But the dimensions of what happened to their health because of the Chernobyl blast are elusive. The Chernobyl Forum report headed by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2005 said the radiation-related deaths among the 600,000 liquidators was likely to be about 4,000. The U.N. health agency has said more than 9,000 would die of radiation-related cancer and some groups, including Greenpeace, have put the numbers 10 times higher.

The mental effects are clearly troubling decades later.

"Many of those who took part, especially in the first months and days, got radiation doses incompatible with life," former liquidator Oleksandr Zhyzhchenko told The Associated Press. "The liquidation . well, local residents, those who lived in Pripyat, called this tragedy with one short word: War."

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Svetlana Kozlenko in Kiev, and Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this story.

This photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016 shows a storage of the nuclear waste taken from the 4th unit damaged by the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Chernobyl, Ukraine. Thirty years after the worlds worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is surrounded by both a hushed desolation and clangorous activity, the sense of a ruined past and a difficult future. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016, a laboratory worker checks the radiation level on samples taken from the 4th unit destroyed by explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Chernobyl, Ukraine. Thirty years after the worlds worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is surrounded by both a hushed desolation and clangorous activity, the sense of a ruined past and a difficult future. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016 workers build an arch-shape confinement that will be installed over the sarcophagus and reactor building damaged by explosion, at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine. Thirty years after the worlds worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is surrounded by both a hushed desolation and clangorous activity, the sense of a ruined past and a difficult future. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016 workers build an arch-shape confinement that will be moved on rails over the sarcophagus and reactor building damaged by explosion, at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine. Thirty years after the worlds worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is surrounded by both a hushed desolation and clangorous activity, the sense of a ruined past and a difficult future. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016, a worker passes by a storage facility under construction for nuclear waste at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine. When a new structure will be installed over the sarcophagus and reactor building, robotic machinery inside the structure will begin dismantling the sarcophagus and the destroyed reactor and gather up the wastes to be transported to a nearby storage facility. Under current plans, that process is expected to begin in 2017. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016, constructors work close to the old sarcophagus, in the background, at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine. Thirty years after the worlds worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is surrounded by both a hushed desolation and clangorous activity, the sense of a ruined past and a difficult future. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016, workers build an arch-shape confinement that will be moved on rails over the sarcophagus and reactor building damaged by explosion, at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine. Thirty years after the worlds worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is surrounded by both a hushed desolation and clangorous activity, the sense of a ruined past and a difficult future. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

This photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016 shows the old sarcophagus, right, over the reactor building damaged by explosion and a new confinement, left, under construction at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Chernobyl, Ukraine. When the new structure, which resembles a 30-story Quonset hut, is finished, it is to be slowly moved on rails over the sarcophagus and reactor building. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

This photo taken Wednesday, March 23, 2016 shows a monument to workers of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, who died in the 1986 catastrophe, at the entrance to the plant, Chernobyl, Ukraine. Thirty years after the worlds worst nuclear accident, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is surrounded by both a hushed desolation and clangorous activity, the sense of a ruined past and a difficult future. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Hungarian teachers strike against government, demand reforms

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP)  Thousands of teachers in Hungary held a one-day strike on Wednesday against Prime Minister Viktor Orban's centralization of the education system.

The strike, the first major one against Orban's conservative government since its return to power in 2010, was announced by the country's largest teachers' union.

Union leader Piroska Gallo said nearly 25,000 teachers in 1,185 schools had taken part, or around 20 percent of all teachers and schools.

Striking teachers have a light moment in the staff room of Krudy Gyula Secondary School during a nationwide strike of Hungarian teachers in Nyiregyhaza, 245 kms east of Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Thousands of teachers in Hungary are holding a one-day strike against Prime Minister Viktor Orban's centralization of the education system. (Attila Balazs/MTI via AP)

Many of the striking teachers, who are expected to lose a day's pay, wore checkered shirts  a symbol of their protests. Marches and two shorter strikes were also held in recent months.

"This is a way to put pressure" on the authorities, said Eva Gombos of the ELTE Agoston Trefort Training Gymnasium. "It could be munition for those who are negotiating."

Gombos and some of her colleagues gathered at the school said overburdened students, the lack of choice in text books and the inflexible curriculum were among their biggest concerns.

"We are not doing this for ourselves but for the future generations," teacher Kati Elteto said. "We want it to be better for the youth."

Student activist Mate Szabo was disappointed that few of his schoolmates had walked out of class but said the teachers' action was justified.

"I see a kind of commitment from teachers," said Mate Szabo. "This is the third time they are standing up for themselves and I think this is going to continue."

The government has promised some concessions, including fewer classes for students and a reduction in administrative work. The centralized education authority, known by its acronym of KLIK, is also slated to be eliminated.

Education officials say the differences with teachers need to be resolved through negotiations.

Teachers chat in the staff room in Herman Otto Secondary School during a nationwide strike of Hungarian teachers in Miskolc, 174 kms northeast of Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Trade unions of teachers called upon the one-day strike among others to force the government to restructure the education system and to reduce the teachers' compulsory classroom hours. (Janos Vajda/MTI via AP)

Inscriptions on a door announce a teachers' strike and tell that pupils are looked after also during the strike as a man enters Herman Otto Secondary School during a nationwide strike of Hungarian teachers in Miskolc, 174 kms northeast of Budapest, Hungary, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Trade unions of teachers called upon the one-day strike among others to force the government to restructure the education system and to reduce the teachers' compulsory classroom hours. (Janos Vajda/MTI via AP)
10 Things to Know for Thursday - 21 April 2016

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday:

1. WHO'S DISPLACING ANDREW JACKSON ON $20 BILL

Harriet Tubman will become the first African-American on U.S. paper money and the first woman to be depicted on a bill in 100 years.

President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia's King Salman walk to President Obama's motorcade after meeting at Erga Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The president began a six day trip to strategize with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, England and Germany on a broad range of issues with efforts to rein in the Islamic State group being the common denominator in all three stops. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

2. FLINT WATER CRISIS BECOMES CRIMINAL CASE

Two state regulators and a city employee are charged with official misconduct, evidence-tampering and other offenses over the lead contamination that has alarmed the nation.

3. WHAT MESSAGE TRUMP, CLINTON ARE SENDING TO FOES

Plunging into campaigning for the next string of presidential primaries, both front-runners insist that their rivals can't possibly catch them.

4. VW REACHES DEAL WITH US IN CHEATING SCANDAL

The automaker will spend just over $1 billion to compensate owners of diesel-powered cars that cheat on emissions tests, a person briefed on the matter tells the AP.

5. WHOSE HELP OBAMA IS SEEKING IN BATTLING EXTREMISTS

The president meets with Saudi King Salman as the U.S. pushes reluctant Persian Gulf nations to step up the fight against the Islamic State group.

6. HIGH TOLL FEARED IN LATEST MIGRANT DISASTER

As many as 500 people are believed to have drowned after a shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and Italy.

7. WHY MORE CUBANS ARE FLEEING TO AMERICA

Fear is rampant that the U.S. will end preferential immigration for Cubans now that relations between the two countries are being normalized.

8. STUDY EXPLORES AMERICAN VIEWS ON GLOBAL WARMING

Warming has mostly made the weather more pleasant for Americans over the last 40 years  which may explain why much of the public doesn't rank climate change as a major threat.

9. JENNIFER ANISTON IS PEOPLE'S 'MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN'

"I thought, 'Oh my God,'" the 46-year-old actress tells People in this week's cover story upon hearing the news. "There was this sort of very excited, teenage-y kind of moment."

10. ESPN FIRES CURT SCHILLING

The termination follows comments on Facebook about transgender people posted by the network analyst and former Boston Red Sox pitcher.

FILE - In this Aug. 24, 1994 file photo, Cuban refugees stranded on a makeshift raft float in the open sea about halfway between Key West, Fla., and Cuba. While more than 50 years of enmity between the United States and Cuba is slowly vanishing, the renewed relationship is sparking fears on the communist island nation that the U.S. could also erase a unique immigration policy that favors Cubans. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk, File)
Gunmen kill 7 Pakistani policemen during polio campaign

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP)  Gunmen on motorcycles shot and killed seven Pakistani police officers involved in a polio vaccination campaign in two separate attacks Wednesday in the port city of Karachi, police said.

A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban that calls itself Jamat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attack later Wednesday.

The slain officers had been deployed to protect health workers administering polio vaccinations. No health workers were harmed in the attacks in Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province, local police official Mohammad Ijaz said.

A Pakistani police officer looks at a police vehicle attacked by gunmen in Karachi, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The slain police officers had been deployed to protect health workers administering polio vaccinations. No health workers were harmed in the attacks in Karachi, local police official Mohammad Ijaz said. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

Another senior police officer, Feroze Shah, said authorities had no plans to suspend the polio campaign despite the attacks.

Earlier, provincial Home Minister Suhail Anwar told the Pakistani Geo news network that the attacks that killed the seven officers were minutes apart. He said the attackers targeted police deployed in the city for the campaign to vaccinate children.

Hours later, Ahsanullah Ahsan, a spokesman for the Jamat-ul-Ahrar militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack. In an email to reporters, he said Wednesday's attack in Karachi was part of the group's campaign against security forces.

However, Islamic militants have in the past targeted vaccination efforts both in Pakistan and in neighboring Afghanistan, based on conspiracy theories that they are a cover for a Western-led sterilization campaign.

The Pakistani military has launched multiple offensives against militant hideouts in the tribal regions and elsewhere, but the insurgents have proven resilient.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned Wednesday's "terrorist attack" Karachi. In a statement, he said police officers sacrificed their lives to secure the future of our coming generation. Polio, which can cause paralysis and death, remains endemic in Pakistan.

Also Wednesday, the Pakistani army said troops had freed 24 police officers captured by a criminal gang earlier this month in the eastern Punjab province.

Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa said the gang leader and his men surrendered during the police operation in Rajanpur district. The development came days after a notorious criminal gang, the Chutto, killed six policemen when police raided its hideout.

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Associated Press Writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.
Turkey denies entry to Russian news agency official

ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  A Russian news agency says its general manager for Turkey has been barred from entering the country, days after Turkish authorities blocked access to its website.

State-owned Sputnik quoted Tural Kerimov as saying Wednesday that he was informed after landing at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport that he has been barred from entering Turkey and would be forced to return to Russia on the first available plane.

Sputnik said no reason was given. It said his press card and residence permit were confiscated.

A day earlier, a German reporter was prevented from entering Turkey and sent back to Cairo where he is based.
Up to 500 feared dead in Mediterranean shipwreck last week

GENEVA (AP)  As many as 500 people are feared dead after a shipwreck last week in the Mediterranean Sea, two international groups said Wednesday, describing survivors' accounts of panicked passengers who desperately tried to stay afloat by jumping between vessels.

The disaster happened in waters between Italy and Libya, based on accounts from 41 survivors who were rescued Saturday by a merchant ship, according to the U.N refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration.

The tragedy ranks among the deadliest in recent years on the often-treacherous sea voyage along the central Mediterranean by refugees and migrants from Africa, the Middle East and beyond who have traveled in droves hoping to reach relatively peaceful and wealthy Europe.

Two men set a tent at a camp for migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

While accounts provided by IOM and UNHCR varied slightly, both organizations said up to 200 people left the coastal town of Tobruk last week headed for a larger vessel already carrying hundreds of people in the Mediterranean.

IOM said the 200 people had left on several small boats, while UNHCR said 100 to 200 people left in a single 30-meter boat. The discrepancy in the accounts could not be immediately explained.

UNHCR said the larger boat was already facing "terribly overcrowded conditions" before the newcomers arrived.

"Once transferred to the larger vessel  now with an estimated 500 on board  it began taking on water," IOM said, citing survivors' accounts. "The vessel started to sink and panicking passengers tried to jump into the smaller boats they had arrived in."

"The survivors told IOM that most of those aboard the larger vessel tragically died," the agency said in a statement.

It quoted an Ethiopian survivor it identified only as Mohamed as saying: "I saw my wife and my 2-month old child died at sea, together with my brother-in-law. ... The boat was going down ... down. ... All the people died in a matter of minutes."

The survivors "drifted at sea for a few days, without food, without anything," Mohamed said, adding that he thought "I was going to die." He said the travelers had intended to go to Italy, not Greece.

In its statement, IOM Athens Chief of Mission Daniel Esdras called the accounts "heartbreaking" and said the organization was awaiting investigations by authorities "to better understand what actually happened and find hopefully evidence against criminal smugglers."

No national authorities in the area have reported any bodies washing ashore. Greek authorities said a cargo ship picked up 41 people on Saturday from a wooden boat that was without steering about 95 nautical miles south of the Greek mainland. The Greek authorities did not describe them as survivors or say anything about any boat sinking.

The survivors were then taken to Kalamata, Greece, where IOM and UNHCR staffers interviewed them. UNHCR said the survivors were 23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, six Egyptians and a Sudanese.

Barbara Molinario, a Rome-based spokeswoman for UNHCR, said details remained unclear and said its staffers didn't want to press the survivors too hard "as they are still very tried by their experience."

The statements offered the most official comment yet following repeated news reports about the incident in recent days.

Somalia's president, prime minister and parliamentary speaker issued a joint statement Monday concerning an unconfirmed report about the incident. Reports of the drownings circulated among families and on social media, but they hadn't been confirmed by coast guard authorities in Italy, Greece, Libya or Egypt.

According to IOM's Missing Migrants project, the death toll is the largest from a sinking on the central Mediterranean since another south of Lampedusa in April last year, in which 772 people died. Its largest recorded toll was an October 2013 incident in the same area, when about 800 people died. Several other accidents since then took 400 to 500 lives, its statistics show.

This year, IOM has tallied nearly 800 migrant deaths on the central Mediterranean route and cites reports of another 377 on the eastern route between Turkey and Greece. Five died on the western route between Morocco and Spain this year, the group said.

More than 1 million migrants and refugees crossed the Mediterranean last year  mostly refugees from war in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria fleeing to Greece and the European Union, via Turkey. However, the longer Libya-Italy route has traditionally seen more deaths.

Facing internal divisions, the EU has struggled to cope with the influx, and UNHCR on Wednesday reiterated its longstanding call for more "regular pathways" to Europe, such as with resettlement and humanitarian admission programs, family reunification, private sponsorship and student and work visas.

Rights groups have repeatedly slammed a new Turkey-EU deal to curtail the flood of refugees into Europe, raising questions about the safety of Syrian refugees on both sides of the Turkish border.

Earlier Wednesday, Human Rights Watch urged Turkey to allow Syrians displaced by government shelling to cross the border to safety. The advocacy groups said the Syrian army hit two migrant camps on April 13 and April 15, triggering an exodus of 3,000 people.

Last week, the rights group said Turkish border guards had shot at Syrians escaping an Islamic State offensive. Turkey, home to 2.7 million Syrian refugees, rejects the claim and says it has an open-door policy toward migrants, but new arrivals are rare.

The rights group says tens of thousands of civilians are trapped along Turkey's border.

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Associated Press writers Dominique Soguel in Istanbul, Elena Becatoros in Athens and Frances D'Emilio in Rome contributed to this report.

A woman holds her baby as she walks by a tent blown by a strong wind at a camp for migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The EU, left, and Greek flags tied together tower over migrants and refugees gathered at a railway station at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A man is wrapped up in his sleeping bag at a makeshift camp for migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Migrants and refugees gather at a gas station turned into a makeshift camp at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A child walks through tents blown by a strong wind at a makeshift camp for migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Russian election chief calls off vote in Moscow suburb

MOSCOW (AP)  The new chief of the Russian Election Commission on Wednesday called off a vote for the local legislature in a Moscow suburb, responding to allegations of fraud.

Ella Pamfilova on Wednesday cited concern about widespread early voting but stopped short of calling it fraud.

The decision came a day after four candidates who are associates of anti-corruption crusader Alexei Navalny announced they were standing down in the face of what they described as electoral fraud during early voting. The candidates documented hundreds of people with recent voter registration who were bused to the village to vote. The number of people who turned out to vote could be equivalent to 30 percent of the possible turnout, the campaigners said.

Navalny welcomed the decision which he said was a result of his allies' boycott.

"It was a right political decision to demand the election be scrapped," he said on his blog. "No one believed it would be possible except us, and our guys did it."

Navalny's candidates got registered to run in the village of Barvikha after Pamfilova, a former presidential human right ombudsman was appointed last month in a sign of the Kremlin's willingness to clean up the elections. They said their goal was to test whether she would be willing to prevent election fraud.

Vote-rigging in the 2011 parliamentary elections under the notorious Election Commission chairman Vladimir Churov spilled into the biggest anti-government protests in a decade.

Under Churov, straightforward election fraud came hand in hand with election authorities refusing to register independent candidates under flimsy pretexts.
Michigan lawmaker forced out in scandal seeks elected post

LAPEER, Mich. (AP)  A former Michigan lawmaker who faces charges stemming from an extramarital affair with a fellow lawmaker and an alleged attempt to cover it up is running for a county prosecutor's post.

Todd Courser resigned from the Michigan House last year right before it voted to expel the other lawmaker, Rep. Cindy Gamrat. He said in a statement Tuesday that he decided to run for Lapeer County prosecutor "after much prayer and consideration."

The county clerk's office confirmed he submitted the paperwork to challenge incumbent Tim Turkelson in August's Republican primary.

FILE - In this Sept 8, 2015 file photo, state Rep. Todd Courser, R-Lapeer, listens during a legislative hearing in Lansing, Mich. The Lapeer County clerk's office says Courser, who resigned from the state House in September of 2015 over an extramarital affair and cover-up scheme, is among the challengers to incumbent County Prosecutor Tim Turkelson in the Republican primary in August of 2016. (Dale G. Young/Detroit News via AP) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Turkelson told the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News he was surprised by Courser's filing.
The Latest: Black protesters disrupt Clinton rally in Pa.

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on campaign 2016 following the New York state primary (all times Eastern Daylight Time):

8:30 p.m.

Several black protesters were escorted out of a Hillary Clinton rally in North Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign stop, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The protesters chanted, "Don't vote for Hillary! She's killing black people!" as they were led out of the Fillmore Theater.

Later in her speech, Clinton said: "I know we've got a lot of political disagreements in our country. That's the American DNA."

But she added: "What we cannot abide is breaking ourselves into groups where we don't even talk or listen to each other, like what we just saw, right?"

Earlier this month in Philadelphia, Clinton's husband was confronted by protesters over the crime bill he signed into law more than 20 years ago. Former President Bill Clinton later said he had regrets about the exchange and said both sides talked past each other in the moment.

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8:15 p.m.

Donald Trump, fresh off a rout in his native New York, is predicting more wins in a series of East Coast states that are holding their primaries next week.

During a rally Wednesday night in Berlin, Maryland, he joked that he was also poised to do well in neighboring, tax-friendly Delaware "because I have so many corporations registered in Delaware."

That drew laughs, but Trump's praise for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady drew loud boos in Baltimore Ravens country.

Trump also suggested for the first time that the back pay he wouldd demand from NATO nations could be used to be pay down the national debt.

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8 p.m.

Donald Trump is comparing himself to Babe Ruth.

Trump mentioned the famed slugger, who was born in Baltimore, during a rally at a high school on Maryland's Eastern Shore on Wednesday night. Trump said his own "instinct" for creating jobs was akin to the Yankee legend's ability to slug home runs.

Trump was in an apparently very good mood after his resounding win the night before in the New York primary. He peppered his speech with jokes and saluted a member of his staff who went to the high school where the rally was being held.

He once again complained the Republican delegate process was "rigged" but reassured the crowd that he had a big enough lead to withstand any political chicanery and would emerge with the nomination.

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7:40 p.m.

Donald Trump is promising that his supporters are "going to enjoy watching" him trounce Hillary Clinton in the general election.

Trump, kicking off a rally in Berlin, Maryland, is predicting Clinton will be "allowed to run" despite questions that are swirling around her use of a private email server.

But the Republican front-runner says that if he is elected, he'll order his administration to "take a second look" at the issue.

Trump's rally Wednesday night began his push through Maryland ahead of the state's primary next week. More than 1,300 people crammed into a high school gymnasium and another hundred filled an overflow room.

Outside the school, some of the nearly 100 protesters exchanged harsh words with some of the Trump backers who couldn't fit inside.

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5:43 p.m.

Former presidential candidate Marco Rubio says Donald Trump's charge that the GOP primary is "rigged" is wrong and that, despite his differences with the billionaire businessman, he would support him if he wins the party's nomination.

In an interview on Miami radio station WIOD Wednesday, the Florida senator says Trump's argument of a rigged primary is wrong because "he knew the rules, or should have, going in."

As for backing him if he becomes the Republican nominee, Rubio says "I've always said I'm going to support the Republican nominee and that's especially true now that it's apparent that Hillary Clinton" is going to win the Democratic nomination.

Says Rubio: "Hillary Clinton would be a disaster for America."

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4:45 p.m.

Ted Cruz is conceding he cannot win the Republican presidential nomination before the party's national convention this summer.

But the Texas senator insists that GOP front-runner Donald Trump can't clinch the nomination before the convention either.

Cruz addressed reporters on Wednesday at the site of the Republican National Committee's spring meeting in Florida.

He says, "What's clear today is that we are headed to a contested convention."

Party leaders are convening this week to discuss the rules governing the messy nomination process. Trump is accusing GOP leaders of a rigged system that's allowing Cruz to collect delegates even though he's losing the popular vote in some states.

Cruz says the nomination will ultimately be decided at the party's national convention in July.

He says, "I believe we have a tremendous advantage in that battle."

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4:11 p.m.

Donald Trump is basking in the glow of his New York victory as he campaigns in Indianapolis on Wednesday.

He's telling thousands of supporters at the Indiana State Fairgrounds that his Tuesday victory over John Kasich and Ted Cruz is "a great feeling."

Indiana doesn't vote until May 3, but Trump's campaign team sees the state as key to denying rival Ted Cruz any pathway to the nomination.

Trump met with the state's governor, Mike Pence and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, ahead of the rally.

Aides to Pence, who has not endorsed a candidate, said Trump requested the private meeting. Pence will share a stage with Cruz on Thursday at an Indiana Republican Party fund-raiser.

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4:00 p.m.

A small crowd of protesters outside Donald Trump's Indianapolis campaign rally are targeting both the Republican presidential front-runner and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

The group of about 75 people chanted anti-Trump and anti-Pence slogans for about an hour at the Indiana State Fairgrounds where a few thousand Trump supporters attended the rally.

Fifty-six-year-old Jay Johnson says Trump "is pandering to the worst common denominator" and is a product of the corporate word that is the real problem for the country.

There was little interaction between Trump supporters and the protesters before the campaign rally, with only a few instances of shouting at each other.

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2:30 p.m.

Donald Trump picked up 89 of New York's 95 delegates, putting him on a narrow path to clinch the nomination by the end of the primaries  if he keeps winning.

John Kasich won four delegates and Ted Cruz was shut out.

The last two delegates will have to wait until the absentee votes are counted.

Trump has won 47 percent of the delegates awarded so far. He has to win 57 percent of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination and avoid a contested convention.

Cruz and Kasich can only hope to block Trump, forcing a convention in which no one has a clear majority of the delegates.

The AP delegate count:

Trump: 845.

Cruz: 559

Kasich: 148.

Needed to win: 1,237.

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2:27 p.m.

Donald Trump supporters arriving to hear him speak at an Indianapolis campaign rally say they remain worried the Republican Party leaders are trying to block him from winning the presidential nomination.

A few thousand people gathered in an Indiana State Fairgrounds hall for the rally Wednesday, a day after Trump's big Republican primary win in New York.

Sixty-year-old Scott Sheffield of Indianapolis says he thinks Trump will win Indiana's May 3 primary and expose how the GOP establishment is trying to grab the nomination from him.

Trump's Indiana campaign stop will be followed by a Ted Cruz speech on Thursday at a state Republican Party fundraiser in Indianapolis.

Thirty-four-year-old Jay Derbes of Indianapolis says he thinks Indiana voters are independent enough that Trump's "message will resonate."

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2:12 p.m.

The Maryland State Education Association is asking the Worcester County school system to keep Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from using a school for a rally.

System spokesman Carrie Sterrs tells The Baltimore Sun that the campaign's lease of the gym Wednesday night at Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin will go ahead.

Union President Betty Weller said in a statement Tuesday that "Trump and his divisive, fear-mongering rhetoric have no place in the halls of Maryland's public schools." She also says his "eagerness to bully minorities" would be unacceptable behavior from students.

Sterrs says the system isn't endorsing Trump. She says the appearance is "just a facility rental," as the system does for other organizations.

She says Trump is paying almost $5,000 to use the gym.

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1:19 p.m.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he would back Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee, even though he endorsed Ted Cruz.

Walker told reporters Wednesday that he will support whoever is the nominee, even if it's Trump. Trump criticized Walker and his record as governor while campaigning in Wisconsin, a state that Cruz won by 13 points.

Walker endorsed Cruz the week before Wisconsin's April 5 election, cut a television ad and campaigned alongside him.

Walker had repeatedly said before he endorsed Cruz that he would support whoever gets the GOP nomination. His spokesman Joe Fadness said Tuesday that nothing had changed.

On Wednesday Walker stressed that he remains a big backer of Cruz, but that any Republican would be preferable to Democrat Hillary Clinton as president.

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11:30 a.m.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is heading to Indiana for political meetings with Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump.

New Jersey Republican Party spokesman Pete Sheridan said Wednesday Christie will participate in political meetings with Trump, but did not give further details.

Christie is scheduled to return to New Jersey later Wednesday and appear on his monthly regular radio interview program.

Christie last appeared with Trump on the trail in March, missing the funeral of a New Jersey state trooper and drawing criticism. Christie responded saying the criticism was expected and that he planned to attend a groundbreaking elsewhere in New Jersey even if he were in the state.

Christie said earlier this week if Trump asks for his help and he is able to go, he would.

A statement from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's office said Wednesday that Pence will be meeting with Trump on ahead of his Indianapolis rally.

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10:45 a.m.

Supporters at a Pennsylvania rally for Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz say they aren't overly concerned about his third-place finish in the New York primary.

Several people waiting Wednesday morning for the Texas senator to arrive at an event inside the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, attributed the results to Donald Trump's home state support.

Nathan Herr of Washington Boro says Cruz hardly campaigned in New York and it was "a foregone conclusion" that Trump would do well there.

Military veteran Wendell Ritchie says he sees Cruz as "a straight shooter" who doesn't pull punches, and hopes Cruz will "keep being real."

Cruz can continue "to pull support from these little towns," says 36-year-old Jessica Neiger of Stevens, Pennsylvania, who brought her seven children under age 12 to the rally.

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7:15 a.m.

With her New York win, Hillary Clinton's support among superdelegates puts her on track to clinch the Democratic nomination outright before the national convention  even before results from the California primary, which Bernie Sanders was counting on winning to stand a chance.

Clinton added 33 new endorsements over the past month, according to an Associated Press survey, expanding her overwhelming support among the party officials who can back any candidate, despite Sanders' recent string of victories in Wisconsin and the West. Sanders picked up seven.

The AP count, including New York:

 Based on primaries and caucuses: Clinton leads, 1,428 to 1,151.

 Including superdelegates: 1,930 to 1,189.

Sanders must win 73 percent of the remaining delegates and uncommitted superdelegates to get the nomination. It takes 2,383 to win.

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3:00 a.m.

Hillary Clinton emerged from New York's presidential primary closer to clinching the Democratic nomination and becoming the first woman to reach that milestone. Republican Donald Trump strengthened his own path toward the general election with a commanding victory, but has little room for error in the states ahead.

The front-runners hope to replicate their strong showings in New York in the cluster of Northeastern states next up on the primary calendar. Clinton was scheduled to spend Wednesday campaigning in Pennsylvania, while Trump had a rally planned in Maryland, as well as Indiana.

Following her win in New York, Clinton made clear she was focusing on the general election after her unexpectedly competitive primary battle with Bernie Sanders.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at Stephen Decatur High School, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Berlin, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, second right, accompanied by Maria Hamilton, left, Nicole Bell, Tanya Brown Dickerson, listens to Geneva Reed-Veal speak, right, during a campaign stop, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at St. Paul's Baptist Church in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
IOM: Panicked migrants leaped off sinking smugglers' ship

STRASBOURG, France (AP)  The Latest on Europe's response to the wave of migration from Syria and other countries (all times local):

6:05 p.m.

The International Organization for Migration says it is confirming reports that hundreds of people died in a shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea last week, describing survivors' accounts of panicked passengers desperately trying to stay afloat by jumping between vessels.

Two men set a tent at a camp for migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The U.N. refugee agency says up to 500 people are feared dead in a shipwreck last week in the waters between Libya and Italy.

The IOM says its staffers met Tuesday with survivors of the incident who were rescued Saturday by a Filipino cargo ship off the Libyan coast. The group said some 200 migrants left the Libyan coastal city of Tobruk on several small boats, each carrying between 30 to 40 people and bound for a larger vessel on the high seas.

IOM said the larger vessel, which was already desperately overcrowded with about 300 people, "began taking on water" when the newcomers got on. As the larger vessel began to sink, "panicking passengers tried to jump into the smaller boats they had arrived in."

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4:35 p.m.

A witness to a refugee camp fire in northern Greece says the blaze was sparked by a woman trying to cook for her children inside her tent. About a dozen tents were burnt, and police said three people were treated for smoke inhalation at a nearby hospital.

About 100 refugees in the Diavata camp near the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki held a brief protest after the fire was extinguished, complaining that firefighters took about half an hour to arrive. They also called for European borders to be opened.

Ahmed el Bohisi, a 25-year-old Palestinian from Gaza who was among the protesters, said a cooking fire inside a tents caused the blaze. He says, "The only thing we want is for the borders to open," he said.

Just over 2,300 refugees live in the camp.

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3:25 p.m.

The U.N. refugee agency says up to 500 people are feared dead in a shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea last week.

UNHCR says the disaster happened in the waters between Italy and Libya, based on accounts from 41 survivors who were rescued on April 16 by a merchant ship.

The survivors said they had been among 100 to 200 people who left a town near Tobruk, Libya, on a smugglers' boat last week. The agency says Wednesday that "after sailing for several hours, the smugglers in charge of the boat attempted to transfer the passengers to a larger ship carrying hundreds of people in terribly overcrowded conditions."

The agency says "at one point during the transfer, the larger boat capsized and sank."

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3:20 p.m.

The U.N. refugee agency says up to 500 people are feared dead in a shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea last week.

UNHCR says the disaster happened in the waters between Italy and Libya, based on accounts from survivors rescued on April 16.

The 41 survivors  37 men, three women and a 3-year-old child  were rescued by a merchant ship and taken to Kalamata, in the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece. Those rescued include 23 Somalis, 11 Ethiopians, 6 Egyptians and a Sudanese.

3:10 p.m.

A fire broke out in a refugee camp in northern Greece Wednesday, burning more than a dozen tents and sparking a protest by refugees. Police said at least two people were taken to a hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The blaze started from a tent in the Diavata camp, near the northern city of Thessaloniki, and spread to others, leaving at least 13 dwellings burnt. It was not immediately clear what sparked the fire, which firefighters extinguished. The fire sparked a protest by about 100 people in the camp, with half of them spilling out onto the road and attempting to block traffic.

Just over 2,300 refugees live in the camp. About 54,000 refugees and migrants are stranded in Greece after Europe closed its land borders to the massive refugee flow.

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2:40 p.m.

Austria's president has told lawmakers that his country received more asylum applications in 2015 than it saw births, highlighting the demographic fears driving Europe's chaotic response to mass migration from the Middle East and elsewhere.

In a speech Wednesday to the Council of Europe, President Heinz Fischer says there were 88,000 asylum applications last year, which would be about 1 percent of the small Alpine country's population of 8.5 million people. Austria's statistics body put the number of live births at roughly 82,000 in 2014.

Fischer says that "cannot become a permanent state of affairs."

Austria has sparked a domino effect of border closures across the Balkans, prompting a pileup of migrants in Greece that sparked a recent European Union deal with Turkey to combat the migrant influx.

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1:50 p.m.

The European Union says Turkey must meet a number of conditions within two weeks if it wants to secure visa-free travel in Europe for its citizens before July.

The EU's migration commissioner, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said Wednesday that "if we continue working like this most of the benchmarks will be met."

The offer of visa-free travel by the end of June is one of several incentives the EU has offered Turkey to stop migrants coming to Europe.

Turkish leaders have said the whole migrant deal will collapse if the EU fails to grant a visa waiver.

The European Commission is to present a new visa liberalization report on May 4. If Turkey has met the requirements by then the Commission will propose that it be put on the visa-free list.

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1:15 p.m.

The European Union's statistics agency says that EU countries granted asylum to more than 330,000 applicants last year, as more than 1 million people arrived in search of sanctuary or jobs.

Eurostat said Wednesday that 333,350 people were granted international protection, a 72 percent increase over 2014.

Around half of them  166,100 people  were Syrian citizens, while 27,600 came from Eritrea and 23,700 from Iraq.

Germany, Sweden, Italy and France approved most applications. Germany took in 60 percent of the Syrians, the agency says.

Eurostat did not say how many of the approved asylum applications were made before 2015, nor did it say how many applications from last year are still pending.

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12:25 p.m.

Human Rights Watch has urged Turkey to allow Syrians displaced by government shelling to cross the border to safety.

It says the Syrian army hit two migrant camps on April 13 and 15, triggering an exodus of 3,000 people.

Last week, the rights group said Turkish border guards had shot at Syrians escaping an Islamic State offensive. Turkey, home to 2.7 million Syrian refugees, rejects the claim and says it has an open-door policy toward migrants, but new arrivals are rare.

Rights groups have repeatedly slammed a new Turkey-EU deal to curtail the flood of refugees into Europe, raising questions about the safety of Syrian refugees on both sides of the Turkish border.

The rights group says tens of thousands of civilians are trapped along Turkey's border.

A woman walks through tents and a sign that reads: "Greece-Macedonia" at a railway station turned into a migrants and refugees makeshift camp at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A woman holds her baby as she walks by a tent blown by a strong wind at a camp for migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

A child walks through tents blown by a strong wind at a makeshift camp for migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The EU, left, and Greek flags tied together tower over migrants and refugees gathered at a railway station at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Migrants and refugees gather at a gas station turned into a makeshift camp at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Human Rights Watch says the initial round of deportations of migrants from Greece to Turkey under a new European Union-Turkey deal were "rushed, chaotic and violated the rights of those deported." (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Prima Ballerina of the St Petersburg Ballet Company, Irina Kolesnikova holds a baby at the Tabanovce refugee camp in Macedonia near the Serbian border on Wednesday April 20, 2016. Kolesnikova has teamed up with Oxfam to raise awareness of the children caught up in the refugee crisis. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT

Prima Ballerina of the St Petersburg Ballet Company, Irina Kolesnikova holds a baby at the Tabanovce refugee camp in Macedonia near the Serbian border on Wednesday April 20, 2016. Kolesnikova has teamed up with Oxfam to raise awareness of the children caught up in the refugee crisis. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT
Over 200 arrested in Zambia amid anti-Rwandan attacks

LUSAKA, Zambia (AP)  Police in Zambia arrested over 250 people for allegedly attacking Rwandan nationals and looting their shops in the capital in violence that police said Wednesday killed two Zambians.

Some Lusaka residents had been protesting a spate of ritual killings blamed on Rwandans. The ritual killings started in March with several bodies, mainly of men, found with parts missing. Police say about 11 people have been arrested in connection with ritual murders of at least seven people.

At least two Zambians have died since Monday when the riots started, police spokeswoman Charity Munganga Chanda said.

In this photo taken Thursday, April 7 2016 a burnt out vehicle lays on it's roof in Lusaka, Zambia. On Wednesday April 20, 2016 police arrested over 250 people for alledgedly attacking Rwandan nationals and looting their stores in violence that police said killed two people in ritual killings that started in March. (AP Photo/Moses Mwape)

Abel Buhungu, Rwanda's High Commission in Zambia says 20 people have sought refuge at the embassy since the rioting began.

The riots started on Monday in densely populated areas with resident looting shops owned by Rwandese nationals. About 62 shops were destroyed. Youths stood by a car that had been overturned and burned. The suspicion that Rwandans were behind ritual killings was started by a rumor human body parts were found in a refrigerator in one of the hops. However, police dismissed this as unfounded.

Most of the Rwandans were refugees following the 1994 genocide. Most of the 6,500 Rwandans in Zambia trade goods in shops and are often better off than Zambians, creating friction.
EU executive pushing for visa liberalization for Ukrainians

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union's executive wants to grant Ukraine citizens visa-free travel for up to 90 days in the 28-nation bloc, rewarding the east European nation for judicial and security reform.

Ukraine has long sought such access to the EU and it became even more important as a palpable sign of cooperation during its standoff with Russia over the past two years.

EU Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said Wednesday that he was "very satisfied with the progress achieved" in Kiev's reform and called it "an important achievement for the citizens of Ukraine. "
Austrian president voices doubts over Russia sanctions

PARIS (AP)  Austria's president says he believes the sanctions imposed on Russia after its annexation of Crimea could be relaxed next year if there is progress in peace talks between Moscow and Kiev.

In comments to lawmakers at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, Heinz Fischer said that sanctions were not "an end in themselves" and that both Russia and Europe would be better off if ties were normalized.
Backup flame for Rio lit in birthplace of ancient Olympics

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, Greece (AP)  Fire spurted from the concave mirror as a priestess, kneeling in her long, pleated dress before a ruined Greek temple, focused the blazing sun's rays on her metal torch.

Come rain or shine on Thursday's official lighting ceremony, Rio de Janeiro has now secured its Olympic flame, which will burn in the main Olympic stadium throughout the Aug. 5-21 games.

About 2,500 people attended Wednesday's dress rehearsal for the meticulously-choreographed ceremony in Ancient Olympia, southern Greece, where the Olympics of antiquity were held for more than 1,000 years.

High Priestess Katerina Lehou stands in front of a line of priestesses during the dress rehearsal for the lighting of the Rio Olympics flame, in Ancient Olympia, southern Greece, on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The meticulously choreographed ceremony will be repeated Thursday in the ruined birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece, in the presence of top International Olympic Committee and Rio organizing officials. That will touch off a relay that will conclude with the Rio Games opening ceremony in August. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

The flame lit before the Temple of Hera will be kept as a backup, in case cloudy skies derail Thursday's ceremony, which will be attended by top International Olympic Committee officials and Rio organizers.

High Priestess Katerina Lehou holds a pot containing a backup flame for this summer's Rio Olympics, which she lit earlier in a dress rehearsal, in Ancient Olympia, southern Greece, on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The meticulously choreographed ceremony will be repeated Thursday in the ruined birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece, in the presence of top International Olympic Committee and Rio organizing officials. That will touch off a relay that will conclude with the Rio Games opening ceremony in August. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

High priestess Actress Katerina Lehou, right, rises a torch as a priestess holds a pot with the Olympic Flame, during the final dress rehearsal of the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the Aug. 5-21, 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

A priestess releases a white pigeon during the final dress rehearsal of the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the Aug. 5-21, 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Priestesses dance during the final dress rehearsal of the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the Aug. 5-21, 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Actress Katerina Lehou as high priestess, holds a pot with the Olympic Flame, during the final dress rehearsal of the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the Aug. 5-21, 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Actress Katerina Lehou, right, as high priestess, lights the Olympic Flame, during the final dress rehearsal of the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the Aug. 5-21, 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Actress Katerina Lehou, right, as high priestess, lights a pot with the Olympic Flame, during the final dress rehearsal of the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the Aug. 5-21, 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Actress Katerina Lehou, right, as high priestess, lights a pot with the Olympic Flame, during the final dress rehearsal of the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the Aug. 5-21, 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Actress Katerina Lehou, right, as high priestess, lights a pot with the Olympic Flame, during the final dress rehearsal of the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the Aug. 5-21, 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Actress Katerina Lehou, right, as high priestess, lights a torch with the Olympic Flame, during the final dress rehearsal of the lighting of the Olympic flame at Ancient Olympia, in western Greece on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. The flame will be transported by torch relay to the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, which will host the Aug. 5-21, 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Clinton on track to capture Democratic nomination

NEW YORK (AP)  Hillary Clinton can lose every remaining primary in the coming weeks and still clinch the nomination.

With Clinton's double-digit win in New York and more than two dozen new superdelegates joining her camp, rival Bernie Sanders now faces a far steeper path.

Before New York's contest, Sanders needed to win 68 percent of remaining delegates and uncommitted superdelegates to catch Clinton.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to supporters after winning the New York state primary election, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Now to capture the nomination, Sanders must win 73 percent. That means that Clinton can lose all remaining contests and still win. The campaign shifts to primaries Tuesday in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware.

"He will be out of real estate on Tuesday night even if these states are all close, even if he wins a couple, even if we win three," said Clinton senior strategist Joel Benenson. "He's got to win them big, he's got to win them by landslide and I don't see that happening."

If Clinton does as well as expected in next week's primaries, she's on track to clinch the nomination with help from superdelegates, the party insiders who can back either candidate, on June 7.

Based on primaries and caucuses alone, the latest AP delegate count, including New York, shows that Clinton leads by 1,428 to 1,151.

Including superdelegates, the race stands at 1,930 to 1,189, for Clinton. She needs just 27 percent of the remaining delegates and uncommitted superdelegates to reach the magic number, 2,383.

Clinton is moving quickly to cast herself as the all-but-certain nominee.

"The race for the Democratic nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sight," she told supporters at her victory party in Manhattan on Tuesday night.

Clinton added 33 new endorsements from superdelegates over the past month, according to a new Associated Press survey, expanding her already overwhelming support, despite Sanders' recent string of victories in Wisconsin and the West. Sanders picked up just seven such endorsements.

Democratic allies of the Clinton campaign say there are dozens more who back her. Some say privately that they don't want to make their support public because they fear aggressive online attacks from certain Sanders backers, who've harassed some superdelegates with threatening calls and emails.

The Sanders campaign contends that if he can close the gap with Clinton among delegates chosen in primaries and caucuses, the superdelegates will flock to his side to avoid overturning the will of the party's voters. While superdelegates are free to switch their vote, Sanders would need to flip dozens to catch up to her.

Looking at just superdelegates, Clinton has 502, while Sanders has 38.

So far, none has switched to Sanders and there's little indication many would defect.

"She's the person I think who can continue to lead this country in the right direction," said Democratic National Committee member Valarie McCall, of Cleveland, now for Clinton. "I don't know how much more qualified one can be."

Both campaigns had cast the New York primary as one that would either put Clinton on a clear path to the nomination or bolster Sanders after a string of primary wins.

Sanders aides are now saying they will re-examine the campaign's position in the race after delegate-rich primaries in five northeastern states Tuesday.

"Next week is a big week," said senior adviser Tad Devine. "We'll see how we do there and then we'll be able to sit back and assess where we are."

Still, few in the Democratic Party expect Sanders to exit the race formally before the final contests in June. He continues to attract tens of thousands to rallies - addressing more than 28,000 in Brooklyn two days before the primary. And he continues to raise millions of dollars, giving him fodder for a persistent fight.

In New York, Sanders spent $6.5 million on television ads compared with $4.2 million for Clinton according to CMAG's Kantar Media. The ad onslaught has come with a more negative tone going after her character - the issue Republicans want to put front and center in the fall election - and that has frustrated Clinton and her team.

The longer the race goes on, the more her negative ratings have risen. Fifty-six percent of people surveyed had a negative view of her, an all-time high, according to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll earlier this week.

Robby Mook, Clinton's campaign manager, said Sanders must decide whether he wants to continue to "make casualties" of the likely nominee and the Democratic Party.

But the success of Sanders, a decades-long independent, also underscores her weaknesses with critical segments of the Democratic coalition. She's struggled with younger voters and liberal activists, whose enthusiasm will be necessary to fuel her general election bid.

While she stopped short of declaring victory on Tuesday night, Clinton has increasingly sprinkled her remarks with pleas for party unity.

"To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us," she told the cheering crowd.

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Yen reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Dan Sewell in Cincinnati and Ken Thomas in Washington contributed to this report.

Flanked by supporters, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, second from left, celebrates after winning the New York primary election, Tuesday night, April 19, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Jennifer Aniston is People's Most Beautiful Woman

NEW YORK (AP)  She'll be there for you. People Magazine has named Jennifer Aniston its "World's Most Beautiful Woman" of 2016.

The 47-year-old actress graces the cover of People's 27th annual "World's Most Beautiful" double issue.

"I thought, 'Oh my God,'" Aniston tells People in this week's cover story upon hearing the news. "There was this sort of very excited, teenage-y kind of moment."

FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2016, file photo, Jennifer Aniston arrives at the 21st annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. People Magazine has named Aniston its Worlds Most Beautiful Woman of 2016. The 47-year-old actress graces the cover of Peoples 27th annual Worlds Most Beautiful double issue. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

The actress, who gained fame as Rachel on "Friends," also tells the magazine that she's learned to embrace her appearance over the years, and feels her best when she's healthy and strong. She says she became motivated to take care of herself early in her career, when her agent told her she didn't get a part because she was too chubby.

"It's funny, it's a really quick transition from, not a care, and now all of a sudden, we've got to really be mindful of what we put inside our bodies," she says. "And how we sleep and take care of ourselves. You can get away with a lot in your 20s."

Asked what she has learned to accept over the years about her appearance, the actress replies laughingly: "Well, I've never loved my butt. It's sort of a thing. I used to have a bubble butt and was teased. Now people are paying money to get things injected."

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Online: http://www.people.com/mostbeautiful
OJ Simpson's son, Justin, has spoken out about his quiet life in Florida, where he and his sister now work in real estate

OJ Simpson's son has spoken out about his quiet life in Florida, where he and his sister now work in real estate.

Justin Simpson, 27, is now living in St Petersburg and has cast aside the shadow of his father, who was cleared of murdering their mother but is serving a 33-year jail sentence for armed robbery and kidnap.

The respected realtor is enjoying life in the Sunshine State, even if work appointments regularly keep him busy until 10.30pm.

'It's a great place to live, why not St. Pete? It's gorgeous here.' Justin told the Tampa Bay Times.

He has made a name for himself with realtors Coldwell Banker Homes, where he is known for his 'dominating customer service'.

Justin's description on the company's website says: 'Having spent years in multi-family renovation and income properties, Justin has turned focus to helping others succeed as he has.

'Having a family immersed in hospitality, Justin sets himself apart by dominating customer service and his communication/negotiation skills give his clients the competitive edge.'

Justin has worked for the firm for six months, before which he was a realtor in Atlanta, Georgia, for nearly three years.

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He has one three-bedroom property on his books at the moment - on the market for $226,000 - but is yet to make a sale.

Sydney Simpson, 30, also lives in the area and works in real estate, but is not an agent like her brother.

Celebration: Justin and Sydney were spotted at their cousin's wedding earlier this year but otherwise stay out of the limelight

The siblings were photographed sitting in the front row during the ceremony in Newport Beach, California

She moved to St Petersburg in 2014, snapping up a $84,000 duplex.

She has since bought another duplex for $35,000 and a larger home for $109,700, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The siblings made a rare public appearance at the wedding of their cousin, Sean, in February.

The two were photographed sitting in the front row during the ceremony in Newport Beach, California, and were seated next to their aunt Denise and grandmother Juditha.

Sydney and Justin, then aged just eight and five years old, were asleep in their Los Angeles home when their mother, Nicole Brown, and Ronald Goldman were found brutally murdered on June 12, 1994.

Days later, their father was charged with the murders, but he was acquitted following a televised, eight-month court case that gripped the world and became known as the 'trial of the century'.

Sydney and Justin (pictured, below, in 1994) were asleep in their LA home when their mother, Nicole Brown (center), and Ronald Goldman were found brutally murdered. OJ Simpson (left) was acquitted of their murders

The court case was back in the public eye recently thanks to the FX series American Crime Story: The People V. OJ Simpson.

In 1996, OJ Simpson successfully petitioned to gain full custody of the children despite the objections of the Brown family.

A year later, Simpson was found liable for the deaths in a civil suit filed against him by the families, with a jury awarding the Browns $25million and the Goldman family $8.5million.

In 2008, Simpson was found guilty of kidnapping, armed robbery and other charges in what he said was an attempt to retrieve memorabilia and personal items from two sports collectibles dealers in a casino hotel room.
Police ID man fatally shot after firing from balcony

GREENBELT, Md. (AP)  Police in Maryland are identifying the man they say was fatally shot by an officer after he fired at police from a third-floor balcony.

Greenbelt Police identified the man in a news release Tuesday as 28-year-old Rico Don Rae Johnson of Greenbelt.

Police spokesman George Mathews says officers were called to an apartment complex Monday for a report of a person firing a gun. When officers arrived, Mathews says the man fired at them. He says an officer shot the man, who continued firing intermittently. A tactical unit took Johnson into custody and he died at a hospital.
UAE tycoon launches largest Arab education fund with $1.14B

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  A billionaire businessman from the United Arab Emirates launched the Arab world's largest education fund on Wednesday, setting aside $1.14 billion (4.2 billion dirhams) in grants for underserved youth from the region.

The Abdulla al-Ghurair Foundation for Education said it plans to provide scholarships for 15,000 Middle Eastern students over the next 10 years. The recipients will be students in need of financial assistance who also qualify for entrance to the region's top universities.

Fund Chairman Abdul Aziz al-Ghurair said his family has allocated a third of their wealth for the initiative. He said the endowment is likely to grow over the coming years as the family's business revenues increase, with the scholarship fund intended to continue well beyond its initial 10-year mark.

Chairman of the Arab Youth Fund Abdul Aziz al-Ghurair speaks to The Associated Press Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Dubai. The multibillionaire businessman from the United Arab Emirates has launched the Arab world's largest education fund, setting aside $1.14 billion (4.2 billion dirhams) in grants for underserved youth from the region. He says his family has allocated a third of their wealth for the endowment. (AP Photo/Malak Harb)

"It has to be significant in size. It has to make an impact in the region," al-Ghurair told The Associated Press, describing the foundation as a "perpetual endowment."

The al-Ghurair family has stakes in a number of businesses, including the Dubai-based Mashreq Bank, as well as in iron and steel, packaging, cement and insurance companies.

In the presence of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the foundation signed its first agreements Wednesday with The American University in Cairo, The American University of Beirut, The American University of Sharjah and Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi.

The first batch of students will be receiving scholarships as early as this upcoming fall semester, said the fund's CEO Maysa Jalbout.

"We're looking to have young people who are well-rounded, who can think critically, who are creative," Jalbout told the AP. "We're hoping to help them enter the top universities, both in the region and globally, so that they can be competitive and be able to compete on a global level for the jobs of the future."

More than half of the 369 million people living in the Middle East are under 25 years old, but unemployment runs high in part because many do not have access to quality education or jobs.

According to a Brookings Institute paper co-written by Jalbout and Columbia University doctoral candidate Samar Farah, Arab governments have struggled to meet the needs of young people, with the pace of development trailing behind.

The Middle East had the world's highest youth unemployment rates in 2014, with 46 percent of women and 24 percent of men unemployed, according to the International Labor Organization.

The paper notes that in Sudan, for example, 39 percent of youth were either unemployed, not in education or not receiving training. In recent years that rate was around 28 percent for Egypt and the Palestinian territories, and roughly 25 percent for Joran and Tunisia. The figure for Saudi Arabia was 19 percent, despite the kingdom having the region's largest economy and spending billions to boost education.

Additional challenges face 640,000 Syrian refugee children, and those from Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Yemen who do not have access to education due to war.

According to the Brookings paper, "youth are held back from achieving their next milestones, such as finding employment, getting married and buying a house." In some areas, despair and a lack of opportunity has made Arab youth susceptible to radicalization and extremist recruitment.

Al-Ghurair said the fund is essentially about providing a better future for the region's youth because "the prosperity of the Arab world can only come through proper education."

"Our legacy is we made our wealth from this region, from the UAE, and we want to contribute to the society," he said.
Stratford-upon-Avon marks 400 years since Shakespeare died

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, England (AP)  "All the world's a stage," wrote William Shakespeare, who died 400 years ago this week. But he played out much of his life in one small English market town: Stratford-upon-Avon.

"It's the home of one of the greatest writers who's ever lived, whose works are translated into all the world languages ... and it's therefore a magnet to come to understand a little bit about what made William Shakespeare, what formed him, to find out about the history of his time, and to celebrate his on-going legacy," said Dr. Paul Edmondson, head of research at Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Shakespeare was born here in 1564 in a half-timbered house in Henley Street. The home has been restored to look as it would have when Shakespeare was 10. His father John, who was appointed mayor of the town in 1568, had a glove-making workshop that's been recreated downstairs, while the room where Shakespeare was believed to have been born is upstairs.

This April 12, 2016 photos shows a bust of William Shakespeare which sits above the famous British playwright's grave at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. 400 years after his death, Shakespeare's fame continues to take Stratford-upon-Avon to new heights. (AP Photo/James Brooks)

"Childbirth is always difficult, but even worse 400 years ago and baby Shakespeare was lucky to survive, because there was plague in the town the year he was born and the parish register is rammed full with burials for that year," said Edmondson.

Some 2 million tourists visit the town annually but it's not just Shakespeare's Birthplace that they come to see.

Around 5.5 kilometers (3 miles) away in the village of Wilmcote, tourists travel back in time to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a 16th century Tudor farm. It was here that Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, grew up. It's thought Shakespeare would have spent some of his childhood helping with tasks around the farm. Literary experts believe Wilmcote makes an appearance as "Wincot" in Shakespeare's comedy "The Taming of the Shrew".

"He was always in some way a country lad at heart. He loved this town, he perhaps hated this town a little bit, obviously forging his career in London with the professional theaters," said Edmondson.

During the late 1580s and early 1590s, Shakespeare left Stratford to seek fame and fortune in London. In 1597, he gained enough success to purchase a new family home in Stratford-upon-Avon called "New Place," where he's believed to have written many of his famous plays.

This year is an important one for Stratford-upon-Avon and its 26,000 residents. The town is marking 400 years since Shakespeare's death on April 23 with new exhibitions, theater performances and a colorful parade through its busy streets.

"The buzz around this has been incredible, even greater than we had for the 450th anniversary of his birth which was literally only two years ago," said Helen Peters, chief executive of Shakespeare's England.

Much attention will be focused on Stratford-upon-Avon's Holy Trinity Church, a parish church on the banks of the River Avon. Church records show he was baptized there on April 26, 1564 and buried there on April 25, 1616, two days after his death.

Rev. Patrick Taylor, the vicar, says visitors initially behold "a beautiful medieval parish church ... But once they've made their way up here into the chancel, then they can see Shakespeare's grave on the floor just in front of the high altar, then his bust up on the wall there which put in by his relatives, shortly after his burial."

Above Shakespeare's grave, a warning is inscribed on his gravestone: "Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones."

Shakespeare is buried flanked by his wife, Anne Hathaway, who died in 1623, and Thomas Nash, the first husband of his granddaughter Elizabeth.

"There's a lot of interest in this place, the final resting place of Shakespeare," Taylor said. "People seem to have a connection with this playwright who wrote about human emotions and human experiences that people over the world relate to."

Mark Kimmons, visiting with his family from Anchorage, Alaska, says he grew up being taught Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. "I was thinking that he was famous in his day," Kimmons said, "but not nearly as famous as he is now, so many years after his death."

This April 12, 2016 photos shows two pairs of children's shoes on display inside the "Birth Room" at Shakespeare's Birthplace, a restored 16th century home in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, where it's believed William Shakespeare was born in 1564. Today, Shakespeare's restored family home is presented as it would have looked during the 16th century when William was aged ten-years-old. (AP Photo/James Brooks)

This April 12, 2016 photo shows Shakespeare's Birthplace exterior, a restored 16th century home in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, where it's believed William Shakespeare was born in 1564. Today, Shakespeare's restored family home is presented as it would have looked during the 16th century when William was aged ten-years-old. (AP Photo/James Brooks)
Man accused of shooting Philadelphia cop held without bail

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  A man accused of shooting a Philadelphia police officer in the leg after fleeing from a carjacking has been ordered held without bail.

Online court records show 23-year-old Scott Griffin was arraigned early Wednesday on attempted murder, robbery and related charges.

He's accused of shooting Officer James McCullough on Sunday. McCullough and his partner were flagged down by a woman who reported being carjacked by two men.

This undated photo provided by the Philadelphia Police Department shows Scott Griffin, who authorities say is a 23-year-old Philadelphia resident arrested Monday, April 18, 2016, after he was identified as the man suspected of shooting police officer James McCullough on Sunday. McCullough, shot while trying to stop a carjacking, was released from the hospital Monday. He was arraigned early Wednesday on attempted murder, robbery and related charges.(Philadelphia Police Department via AP)

Police say as the officers pursued them, Griffin turned and shot McCullough.

Police say the other suspect, 20-year-old Samir Coyett, was arrested, but Griffin fled and was arrested Monday.

Coyett faces charges of attempted murder, robbery and related offenses.

McCullough has been released from the hospital.

No lawyers were listed for either man in online court documents.

This undated photo provided by the Philadelphia Police Department shows Samir Coyett, who authorities say is a Philadelphia resident arrested after police officer James McCullough was shot while trying to stop a carjacking Sunday, April 17, 2016. Coyett was identified by investigators as one of the robbers, but not the shooter. Coyett faces charges of attempted murder, robbery and related offenses. (Philadelphia Police Department via AP)
6 British soldiers reburied over century after death in WWI

YPRES, Belgium (AP)  Six British World War I soldiers have been reburied more than 100 years after they fell in a battle on Flanders Fields.

The bodies were discovered in 2013 in the city of Ypres, Belgium, and then embarked on a long journey of identification, some of it based on DNA provided by relatives. Only two of the six were identified. They were reburied on Wednesday.

The bodies of the unidentified will rest in the same Ypres Extension cemetery next to their comrades but in graves marked only as 'A Soldier of the Great War'.

British Army Artillery soldiers prepare to hand over the flag from the casket of British WWI soldier Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom to the family during a burial ceremony at Ypres Extension cemetery in Ypres, Belgium on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Six WWI British soldiers were laid to rest on Wednesday, more than 100 years after they fell in battle on Flanders Fields. Two soldiers, Gunner Albert William Venus and Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom were both found in Ypres in 2013 and identified through DNA, the other four soldiers remain unidentified. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

The men had originally been buried and marked with a wooden cross but the graves disappeared in subsequent fighting.

Thousands of soldiers still remain buried deep in the mud in the battlegrounds of western Belgium.

Family members John Howden, center, and Caroline Rowbottom, right, hold flags from the caskets their relatives, WWI soldiers Albert William Venus and Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom, during a burial ceremony at Ypres Extension cemetery in Ypres, Belgium on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Six WWI British soldiers were laid to rest on Wednesday, more than 100 years after they fell in battle on Flanders Fields. Two soldiers, Gunner Albert William Venus and Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom were both found in Ypres in 2013 and identified through DNA, the other four soldiers remain unidentified. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Relative Caroline Rowbottom, left center, holds the flag from the casket of her relative, WWI British soldier Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom, during a burial ceremony at Ypres Extension cemetery in Ypres, Belgium on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Six WWI British soldiers were laid to rest on Wednesday, more than 100 years after they fell in battle on Flanders Fields. Two soldiers, Gunner Albert William Venus and Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom were both found in Ypres in 2013 and identified through DNA, the other four soldiers remain unidentified. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

A WWI British soldiers burial ceremony is reflected into a musical instrument at Ypres Extension cemetery in Ypres, Belgium on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Six WWI British soldiers were laid to rest on Wednesday, more than 100 years after they fell in battle on Flanders Fields. Two soldiers, Gunner Albert William Venus and Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom were both found in Ypres in 2013 and identified through DNA, the other four soldiers remain unidentified. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

British Army Artillery soldiers stand behind an epitaph during a burial ceremony for six British WWI soldiers at Ypres Extension cemetery in Ypres, Belgium on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Six WWI British soldiers were laid to rest on Wednesday, more than 100 years after they fell in battle on Flanders Fields. Two soldiers, Gunner Albert William Venus and Gunner Joseph William Rowbottom were both found in Ypres in 2013 and identified through DNA, the other four soldiers remain unidentified. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
Israel opposition chief under fire for 'Arab lovers' remarks

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's opposition leader Isaac Herzog has come under fire for saying his party can't be perceived as "Arab lovers" if it wants to reach more voters.

Lawmaker Ayman Odeh from the Joint Arab List posted on Facebook Wednesday that Herzog should step down to make way for a "real and brave alternative" to the current nationalist government.

Other lawmakers from across Israel's political spectrum also slammed Herzog's comments from a party event on Tuesday. Herzog discussed how his centrist Zionist Union could appeal to increasingly right-leaning Israelis "without giving a feeling ... that we are always Arab lovers."
Ask Kent Burgess about his legacy at St. John's Lutheran Ministries, and you're likely to hear more about how much he loves the place than anything else.

Instead of listing individual accomplishments or awards, he rattles off the myriad services the organization provides to older Montanans and youth alike and beams when describing the work of the more than 650 staff members at the Billings-based senior living and health care community.

"There's no place I'd rather be than St. John's because it is the happiest place, and it is full of life," Burgess said.

It's also a place where, with the announcement that he'll retire on May 1 after 25 years as St. John's CEO, his role is changing.

While he might be quick to defer credit, Burgess' years at the helm have given him a front-row seat to impressive growth throughout the organization and an integral hand in shaping it into an innovative leader within the senior living industry.

'Hope, dignity and love'

Founded in the 1960s with a stated mission of "providing living opportunities within nurturing environments of hope, dignity and love," St. John's mostly provides services for the elderly  independent and assisted living, nursing home and home health care, transitional care that includes a rehab center and the like  but it also runs a licensed, 137-child day care and and a statewide adoption agency.

When Burgess joined in 1991, he took over an organization that had one building on its campus, which sits near Rimrock and Shiloh roads, and 200 or so employees. Today, it has expanded to include at least 14 buildings in four cities and employs 650 people.

"He has spent his career in long-term care, and that is probably one of the most challenging areas of health care," said Carol Beam, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Health Network, St. Vincent Healthcare's accountable care organization, and a 20-year colleague of Burgess'. "It's one that he has made into such a successful mission for himself and for the people who work for him. It's almost like he was called to end up at an organization like St. John's."

During his time at St. John's, Burgess brought in a number of innovative programs that have become models for other organizations across the country.

Included in that list are the cottages at St. John's, which are a group of smaller houses for a dozen or so assisted-living or skilled-nursing residents. They provide a more home-like environment, complete with individual bedrooms, dining rooms and common and family areas.

St. John's became in 2005 just the second organization to offer the cottage model, after staff visited the first in Tupelo, Miss., and liked the idea.

Burgess said the success of those is evident when he can walk into any one on Thanksgiving and see residents and their families gathered in the open kitchen and dining rooms, having a full family celebration.

"I know that's something different," he said.

One of his favorite additions was a small, century-old church in Box Elder that he helped get loaded onto semi trucks and hauled to Billings, where it now sits, fixed up and in use, on the St. John's main campus.

He's also helped bring together a pair of senior living, continuing care retirement communities in Mission Ridge on the West End and the soon-to-open Wyndstone in the Heights.

Community

But, for all of the expansion, Burgess said his time at St. John's has been about more than just growing the campus and services.

"It's not so much the building development as much as it is the people development," he said.

That might be best shown in the man who has been tapped to replace Burgess, current COO David Trost.

Burgess described Trost as "my first major recruiting success," after bringing him into the organization in 1995 and watching him take a role in most of St. John's major projects, and day-to-day operations.

"You'll find his hand prints on almost all of it," Burgess said. "He's a gifted administrator with a big heart, and I would say it's the big heart that counts the most."

Trost said that Burgess has been the biggest influence on his career and that he learned from him that the St. John's mission and the people who work there are what makes it work so well for the people it serves.

That, he said, is no easy task.

"We're trying to bring a nurturing environment," he said. "The problems are beyond money. The problems are about human connections and human relationships, and that can be hard work."

Broad influence

Throughout Burgess' tenure, he's made sure St. John's brought in interns from a number of schools, and today at least four are serving in administrative positions at St. John's, while others have moved on to careers in the field around the country.

Colleagues said that Burgess' influence has spread far beyond the St. John's campus and into the realm of health care throughout Montana and the region.

He has served on the Montana Hospital Association board of directors, worked with national post-acute care nonprofits and collaborated with health care organizations across the state.

Dr. Nicholas Wolter, Billings Clinic CEO, has worked alongside Burgess for several decades, including on the clinic's collaboration with St. John's and Big Sky Senior Services on Senior Independence Montana, a home health agency in Yellowstone County that provides skilled nursing and therapy services in home settings.

He described Burgess as "an incredibly strong leader" and a key driver in developing health care policy regarding post-acute care whom he respects greatly.

"He's been one of the major health care leaders in our region over the years and is going to leave an indelible stamp on it when he leaves," Wolter said.

Burgess first started working in senior care as a college student in the 1970s at Boise State University in Idaho.

It's an experience that quickly left a mark on him and, in some ways, ended up shaping the rest of his career, showing him that caring for someone when they needed it made a big impact.

"I found out I didn't have to do all that much to make people really happy," he said. "Forty-two years later, I'm still hanging out, and I've found I still don't have to do all that much to make people happy."

Future relevance

He sees new challenges that Trost and the rest of the staff will face in the coming years at St. John's, due largely to a combination of an upcoming surge of baby boomers getting to the age where they'll need more care and a lack of people in the front-line workforce to assist.

"The demographics just don't work, and we're beginning to see the tip of that iceberg today," he said.

That's something Trost said he's taking seriously and something he expects to work on for years to come.

"How does St. John's continue to be relevant in the community?" he said. "What does the community want? How can we be relevant for the next 50 years? It's not as much about my vision. It's about the vision of those we're accountable to. How we care for our staff is how our staff will care for others."

Burgess said he decided to retire because "25 years just felt like enough time to subject anyone to my leadership," and that he hopes to explore Montana with his wife, who also recently retired.

But, after a break, he suspects he'll also be around to provide a bit of advice and volunteer on a regular basis on the grounds he loves and helped to build.

"I'm retiring as CEO of St. John's," he said. "I'm not retiring from the community of St. John's. I look forward to that. What I look forward to is coming back to St. John's."
Norwegian court: Mass killer Breivik's rights were violated

STAVANGER, Norway (AP)  Norwegian authorities have violated the human rights of mass killer Anders Behring Breivik by holding him in solitary confinement in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise, a court in Oslo ruled Wednesday.

In the surprise decision, the Oslo district court said the isolation that Breivik faces in prison for killing 77 people in a bomb-and-gun massacre in 2011 is in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

"The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society," the court said. "This applies no matter what  also in the treatment of terrorists and killers."

FILE - In this Tuesday, March 15, 2016 file photo of Anders Behring Breivik enters a courtroom in Skien, Norway. A court ruled on Wednesday April 20, 2016 that Breivik's human rights have been violated during his imprisonment for terrorism and mass murder. (Lise Aserud, NTB scanpix via AP, File)

The court ordered the government to pay Breivik's legal costs of 331,000 kroner, about $41,000. However, it dismissed Breivik's claim that his right to respect for private and family life was violated by restrictions on contacts with other right-wing extremists.

Breivik, 37, had sued the government, saying his isolation from other prisoners, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed during the early part of his incarceration violated his human rights. During a four-day hearing last month at Skien prison in southern Norway, where he is serving his sentence, he also complained about the quality of the prison food, having to eat with plastic utensils and not being able to communicate with sympathizers.

The government rejected his complaints, saying he was treated humanely despite the severity of his crimes and that he must be separated from other inmates for safety reasons.

"We are surprised," government attorney Marius Emberland told The Associated Press after the verdict. "We are not in agreement with the court."

He said his team would study the verdict carefully before deciding whether to appeal.

Breivik has been held in isolation since the July 22, 2011, attacks. The court said it couldn't see why he can't be allowed to meet other inmates in the high-security section under the supervision of prison guards and why he cannot see his lawyer without a glass wall separating them. The court noted that Breivik has behaved in a "peaceful, courteous and accommodating" manner, despite a 2013 letter in which he wrote he knew how to "neutralize" prison guards and how to make 10-15 deadly weapons from materials in his cells.

It also said authorities hadn't given enough attention to his mental health when determining his conditions in prison.

"After an overall assessment of the facts of the case, the court has reached the conclusion that the imprisonment regime represents an inhuman treatment of Breivik," the court said.

Breivik's lawyer, Oystein Storrvik, told the AP his client was satisfied with the ruling and that prison authorities must now lift some of his restrictions.

"I expect them to do something about isolation and allow him to meet other people," Storrvik said. "I am confident that he will not do any violence in the prison."

Bjoern Ihler, who survived Breivik's shooting massacre on Utoya island, said he respects the court's decision, though he thought other survivors might be angry and upset.

"It is important that we stick to the principles of the Norwegian system," Ihler told the AP.

After months of meticulous preparations, he set off a car bomb in 2011 outside the government headquarters in Oslo, killing eight people and wounding dozens. He then drove to Utoya, where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labor Party's youth wing. Sixty-nine people there were killed, most of them teenagers, before Breivik surrendered to police.

International observers were stunned by how far Norwegian authorities went in accommodating him during his 2012 trial. He was even allowed to use the stand as a pulpit to profess his extremist views.

He was convicted of terrorism and mass murder and sentenced to 21 years in prison, Norway's maximum sentence. However, the sentence can be extended for as long as he's considered a menace to society.

At the time of the attacks, Breivik claimed to be the commander of a secret Christian military order plotting an anti-Muslim revolution in Europe. Investigators found no trace of the group. He now describes himself as a traditional neo-Nazi who prays to the Viking god Odin, saying his earlier crusader image was just for show. He made a Nazi salute to journalists at the start of his human rights case in March.

Professor Kjetil Larsen of the Norwegian Institute of Human Rights said he expected the verdict to be met with "considerable surprise" both internationally and in Norway. Larsen said he thought it was clear from the start that Breivik's treatment doesn't violate his human rights.

"I thought that what came out during the trial made that even clearer," he said.

Larsen said the government will probably appeal the ruling and that prison authorities won't be obliged to change Breivik's imprisonment conditions until there's a final judgment.

Only a handful of survivors and victims' family members followed the proceedings. Others ignored the case, saying they didn't want to give Breivik any attention.

Breivik has three cells to himself in the high-security wing of Skien prison. The cells are equipped with video game consoles, a television, a DVD player, electronic typewriter, newspapers and exercise machines. He also has daily access to a larger exercise yard. He is allowed visits from family and friends, but hasn't received any except for his mother before she died.

The court that convicted him in 2012 found him criminally sane, rejecting the prosecution's view that he was psychotic. Breivik didn't appeal his sentence. He has been trying to start a fascist party in prison and reached out by mail to right-wing extremists in Europe and the United States. Prison officials seized many of those letters, fearing Breivik would inspire others to commit violent attacks.

___

Karl Ritter reported from Stockholm.

Attorney General Marius Emberland gives a statement to the press outside his office in Oslo, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Norwegian authorities have violated mass killer Anders Behring Breivik's human rights by holding him in solitary confinement in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise, a court in Oslo ruled in a surprise decision Wednesday. In a written decision, the Oslo district court said Breiviks solitary confinement for killing 77 people in 2011 bomb-and-gun massacres breached the European Convention on Human Rights. The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society, the court said. This applies no matter what - also in the treatment of terrorists and killers.. (Cornelius Poppe/NTB scanpix via AP) NORWAY OUT
Panama's finance minister to France next week

PARIS (AP)  French Finance Minister Michel Sapin will meet with his Panamanian counterpart Dulcidio de la Guardia on Monday in Paris to discuss tax information exchange.

France this month placed Panama on a list of countries that are uncooperative in sharing financial information. The move came in the wake of the so-called Panama Papers revelations, a leak of millions of documents detailing the offshore accounts of people and companies.

Sapin's office said Wednesday the two ministers will discuss tax cooperation issues.

France has opened investigations into individuals or companies linked to the Panama leaks.
University of Alaska Southeast students and teaching assistants have arrived back in Juneau from a remote mountaineering class that was cut short when one of their professors was mauled by a brown bear.

They said Tuesday night that they were tired and not yet ready to talk about Forest Wagner, 35, who was teaching the class on Mount Emmerich near Haines when he was attacked by the brown bear sow on Monday.

Wagner's condition meanwhile has been upgraded from critical to serious in the wake of the attack and his is being treated at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

Victim: Forest Wagner (above) was with a group of students when a bear attacked him near Haines, Alaska on Monday

Home: University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield (above) smiles after greeting a group of students Tuesday

Alaska State Troopers' spokeswoman Megan Peters said she still did not have details about the brutal attack that almost left Wagner dead.

'From what it sounds like, they were spread out,' said Peters.

'I don't know if anybody actually witnessed the mauling except for the person that was mauled.'

A student hiked into cellphone range to report the attack, and it took several hours to get Wagner from the mountain to the hospital. Troopers were called just before noon, but Wagner didn't arrive at the Providence Alaska Medical Center until past 4pm, because of the rural conditions.

Wagner was transferred between two helicopters and was first reported to be headed to Juneau before he was taken to Anchorage, roughly 500 miles away.

Peters said the delay is unavoidable when dealing with accidents in rural Alaska.

'People are used to being in urban places where it takes a matter of minutes to get that help,' she said.

None of the students were injured, but they were evacuated from the mountains.

University Chancellor Rick Caulfield was waiting at the Juneau ferry terminal when the students arrived late Tuesday evening.

An Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist planned to interview the students upon their return to Juneau, spokesman Ken Marsh said.

Wagner is the second man attacked by a bear in Alaska within days.
Illinois prosecutor files for dismissal of 1957 slaying case

SYCAMORE, Ill. (AP)  Formal steps by a state's attorney in Illinois to permanently dismiss the case against a man he believes was wrongly convicted in a 1957 killing have not deterred the victim's brother from seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor.

The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/1VBT8HW ) that Charles Ridulph has hired an attorney to help him pursue a special prosecutor to defend the conviction.

Jack McCullough was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 in the killing of Maria Ridulph in Sycamore. But a new state's attorney, Richard Schmack, says his review of the investigation found flaws and determined McCullough's alibi was solid.

FILE - In this April 15, 2016 file photo, Charles Ridulph, the brother of Maria Ridulph who was found slain in 1957 in Sycamore, Ill., speaks with family and friends at a court hearing in Sycamore, after a judge vacated the murder conviction and released Jack McCullough. McCullough was convicted in 2012 and sentenced to life in prison for the killing. Ridulph has hired an attorney to help him pursue a special prosecutor to defend the conviction. (Danielle Guerra/Daily Chronicle via AP, File) MANDATORY CREDIT, CHICAGO TRIBUNE OUT

A judge vacated the conviction and McCullough was released Friday.

Schmack filed a motion Tuesday asking the judge to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning it couldn't be refiled.

___
Egypt opposition figure sues president over islands uproar

CAIRO (AP)  An Egyptian opposition figure who ran in the presidential elections against Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi is suing the president over his decision to hand over two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, according to a copy of a document obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The announcement on the handover of the islands, which have been under Egypt's protectorate, sparked demonstrations last week.

Hamdeen Sabahi, the leader of the Egyptian Popular Current, submitted a 10-page complaint to an administrative court in Cairo over the case, calling for the deal to be suspended immediately.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, listens to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during their meeting at the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, Pool)

The document claims the Tiran and Sanafir islands are "part of Egypt's sovereign control" and cannot be relinquished without a referendum. It also says the surrender of the two islands threatens Arab and Egyptian national security and also endangers Egypt's relations with Saudi Arabia.

Egypt's government says the islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba belong to Saudi Arabia, which asked Cairo in 1950 to protect them from Israel.

Tiran, the larger of the two islands and closer to Egypt's southern Sinai coast, is in the minds of many older Egyptians associated with their country's four wars against Israel, between 1948 and 1973, a time of nationalistic fervor and patriotism. More recently, Tiran has become a popular destination for tourists.

Sabahi was a member of parliament during ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak's years in office. He ran against el-Sissi in 2014 as the sole alternate candidate but was crushed in a landslide victory for the former military chief.
Kenya prepares to burn ivory to protect elephants

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Kenyan wildlife officers Wednesday started stacking 105 tons of ivory and 1 ton of rhino horns to make 12 towers which are to be torched at the end of the month to encourage global efforts to help stop poaching of elephant and rhino.

Under a grey sky and amid mud from rains the night before, media and conservationists gathered to witness the unloading of 11 shipping containers full of ivory transported from stockpiles around Kenya.

Workers carried the tusks through the mud onto around 12 metal structures built specifically for burning the ivory and other confiscated endangered materials such as the skins of colobus monkeys, rhino horn, and wood from African sandalwood trees.

Workers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) carry elephant tusks from shipping containers full of ivory transported from around the country, as they stack it into pyres in Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Around 105 tonnes of ivory and other endangered animal products are due to be burned next week, the largest single destruction of ivory in history according to the KWS, to coincide with the Giants Club summit for the protection of elephants which will be held in Kenya April 28-30. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

There is a real threat of elephants becoming extinct in the next 50 years mainly because of poaching bankrolled by the illegal trade in ivory which is why there is need for dramatic action, said Kenya Wildlife Service Director Kitili Mbathi.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to set the pyres on fire April 30, according to the wildlife service. Last year Kenyatta lit on fire 15 tons of ivory.

Proponents of the trade in ivory say that rather than destroy it, the sale of ivory stockpiles could fund conservation efforts. Kenya has consistently opposed the trade in ivory saying it would encourage the poaching that has decimated the elephant and rhino populations.

"We strongly believe elephant (ivory) has more value on a living elephant than outside it because humankind can do without ivory. They can do without it, it is not medicine, they use it for bangles," said Patrick Omondi, deputy director of the Kenya Wildlife Service. "You kill (an elephant of) 7 tons to make a bangle, it is madness."

Workers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) pass elephant tusks along a line, from shipping containers full of ivory transported from around the country, as they prepare to stack it into pyres in Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Around 105 tonnes of ivory and other endangered animal products are due to be burned next week, the largest single destruction of ivory in history according to the KWS, to coincide with the Giants Club summit for the protection of elephants which will be held in Kenya April 28-30. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Workers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) carry elephant tusks from shipping containers full of ivory transported from around the country, as they prepare to stack it into pyres in Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Around 105 tonnes of ivory and other endangered animal products are due to be burned next week, the largest single destruction of ivory in history according to the KWS, to coincide with the Giants Club summit for the protection of elephants which will be held in Kenya April 28-30. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) stack elephant tusks into pyres, after carrying it from shipping containers full of ivory transported from around the country, in Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Around 105 tonnes of ivory and other endangered animal products are due to be burned next week, the largest single destruction of ivory in history according to the KWS, to coincide with the Giants Club summit for the protection of elephants which will be held in Kenya April 28-30. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

A ranger from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) climbs up to stack elephant tusks into pyres, after carrying it from shipping containers full of ivory transported from around the country, in Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Around 105 tonnes of ivory and other endangered animal products are due to be burned next week, the largest single destruction of ivory in history according to the KWS, to coincide with the Giants Club summit for the protection of elephants which will be held in Kenya April 28-30. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) stack elephant tusks into pyres, after carrying it from shipping containers full of ivory transported from around the country, in Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Around 105 tonnes of ivory and other endangered animal products are due to be burned next week, the largest single destruction of ivory in history according to the KWS, to coincide with the Giants Club summit for the protection of elephants which will be held in Kenya April 28-30. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Workers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) pass elephant tusks along a line, from shipping containers full of ivory transported from around the country, as they stack it into pyres in Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Around 105 tonnes of ivory and other endangered animal products are due to be burned next week, the largest single destruction of ivory in history according to the KWS, to coincide with the Giants Club summit for the protection of elephants which will be held in Kenya April 28-30. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
Cubans fleeing in high numbers despite new diplomatic ties

WASHINGTON (AP)  While more than 50 years of enmity between the United States and Cuba is slowly vanishing, the renewed relationship is raising concerns among some on the communist island nation that the U.S. could also erase a unique immigration policy that favors Cubans.

Those fears are largely unfounded, yet tens of thousands of Cubans have fled since President Barack Obama announced the normalization of relations between the countries in late 2014. The rush to leave has led to the highest number of people trying to make the dangerous sea crossing in the past eight years, according to internal Homeland Security Department documents obtained by The Associated Press.

"The perception is that the time is now. Given all that is going on, I could see how that perception would exist," said Coast Guard Capt. Mark Gordon.

FILE - In this Aug. 24, 1994 file photo, Cuban refugees stranded on a makeshift raft float in the open sea about halfway between Key West, Fla., and Cuba. While more than 50 years of enmity between the United States and Cuba is slowly vanishing, the renewed relationship is sparking fears on the communist island nation that the U.S. could also erase a unique immigration policy that favors Cubans. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk, File)

The rapprochement between the Cold War foes could have benefits for people in each country. But Cubans worry that once U.S. tourists and businesses flock to Havana, American politicians will move to end an immigration policy that basically allows any Cuban who can make it to U.S. soil to stay.

Cubans can get permanent resident status after living in the U.S. for a year and can later become a citizen as part of the decades-old Cuban Adjustment Act. No other immigrant community is afforded the same on-arrival treatment. Most foreigners trying to come to the United States without a visa try to cross the Mexican border illegally, and typically are arrested and face deportation.

The special treatment for Cubans has long been a draw, but attempts to get to the U.S. by sea have recently reached worrisome levels.

During the 2015 budget year, more than 4,400 Cubans set out for the U.S. by sea, a 20 percent increase over the previous year, according to Coast Guard figures. The agency has had to step up its presence in the Florida Straits to deal with more people on overcrowded, makeshift rafts or barely seaworthy boats. Between October 2015 and this March, more than 4,300 people tried to make the dangerous trip.

Would-be immigrants caught at sea are returned to Cuba, so the rush has made people more desperate, with some actually wounding themselves with knives or guns in the hopes they will be taken to a hospital in the U.S. instead of sent back. Others try to flee rescuers and refuse life jackets.

More than 25,800 other people have also arrived at ports of entry, the bulk of them crossing the border in Laredo, Texas.

Lourdes Mesias, who leads the refugee program for Lutheran Services Florida, said newly arriving immigrants have described harrowing trips, both at sea and over land through Latin America and into Mexico.

"As Cubans we don't see any changes on the horizon," said Mesias, who came to the United States from Cuba 17 years ago.

Instead, she said, the economic conditions on the island "are worse and worse every day" and human rights have yet to improve.

"That's the reason why they are putting themselves in those very high risk situations," Mesias said. "They are trying for hope. For something better."

Though migration has been a topic of discussion between the two countries, changes to U.S. immigration laws have not been formally proposed by either government.

Since October 2014, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has processed nearly 75,000 Cubans who arrived at ports of entry, many of them in Laredo. During the same period, more than 131,800 families and unaccompanied children, mostly from Central America, have been apprehended at the border in the Rio Grande Valley. The Cubans were allowed into the United States while the families and children were almost all ordered to appear in immigration court.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, said "there's just something unfair" about the special treatment of Cubans.

Cuellar and Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, have introduced legislation to end the preferential treatment. Cuellar said he doesn't expect the bill to pass ahead of the presidential election in November, but said the issue needs to be addressed.

"I don't want to take anything from Cubans, but it's a matter of a sense of fair play and how we treat each other," Cuellar said.

Republicans, including GOP presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, have balked at making any changes to the U.S. relationship with Cuba.

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Online:

Cuban Adjustment Act: http://tinyurl.com/zcrdypt

___
Massive nuclear plant plan near Everglades delayed by court

MIAMI (AP)  A massive nuclear plant expansion proposed by Florida's largest electric utility must be redone to meet environmental and other concerns near Everglades National Park, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday.

The 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami reversed a 2014 decision by Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet to approve construction of two nuclear reactors by Florida Power & Light at its Turkey Point plant near Homestead. The project, costing up to $18 billion, would add about 2,200 megawatts of electric power or enough to supply 750,000 homes.

A three-judge panel ruled the governor and Cabinet failed to account for environmental regulations meant to protect the Everglades and endangered birds that make their home in the wetlands. Part of the plan includes erecting about 90 miles of transmission lines that would skirt the eastern edge of Everglades National Park and slice through several cities.

FILE- In this Feb. 26, 2009 file photo, the Turkey Point nuclear plant south of Miami is shown. An appeals court has ruled, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, that a massive nuclear plant expansion proposed by Florida's largest utility must be redone to meet environmental and other concerns. The 3rd District Court of Appeal reversed a 2014 decision by Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet to approve construction of two nuclear reactors by Florida Power & Light at its Turkey Point plant. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

The court found that Florida Power & Light should be required to bury the power lines at the utility's expense; that a proposal to fill in about 137 acres of right-of-way would affect critical water flow; and that proposed access roads would have to be elevated at some points.

"FPL presented no competent substantial evidence that the project could satisfy the environmental performance standards" of Miami-Dade County rules, Judge Ivan Fernandez wrote for the panel. The county, the city of Miami and other nearby cities had challenged the project at the appeals court.

Scott and the Cabinet determined there would be no impact on endangered birds. But the appeals court found the opposite, noting that species such as the wood stork and snail kite would be greatly affected through loss of foraging habitat and collisions with transmission poles and lines.

The project envisioned ways to prevent birds from perching on poles and lines and avoiding them in flight, but the judges said those ideas also fall short.

"The mitigation technique presumes that some of the species are going to die. And that simply is not the standard," Fernandez wrote.

The court ordered Scott and the Cabinet to reconsider the project in light of its ruling. Florida Power & Light spokesman Peter Robbins said the company was disappointed in the decision and was reviewing its legal options.

One of the major failings of the 2014 decision, the judges found, was that it did not apply local development regulations and considered the proposal more of a zoning matter than an environmental one.

"The east Everglades is a unique section of land with a biologically diverse ecosystem," the order says. "The ultimate purpose of the (county Everglades ordinance) is to protect the environment of the Everglades."

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is holding public comment meetings on the reactor plan later this week, one in Homestead and one at Florida International University. Opposition has focused on such concerns as how the reactors would handle rising sea levels, if evacuation plans are adequate and whether the reactors might threaten waterways and drinking supplies.

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Israeli general warns of 'devastating war' with Hezbollah

JERUSALEM (AP)  A top Israeli military leader on Wednesday issued a stern warning to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, saying any future war between the two enemies will unleash "devastating" damage on Lebanon.

Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, Israel's deputy chief of staff, told foreign journalists that Hezbollah has developed capabilities that present "unprecedented" threats to Israel. Israel estimates the group has over 100,000 rockets and missiles in its arsenal.

Golan said any future war will be "much harsher" than anything experienced in the past 20 years.

FILE - In this Sunday July 16, 2006 file photo, black smoke rises from the demolished headquarters of Hezbollah in the suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, following Israeli air strikes. A top Israeli military leader on Wednesday April 20, 2016, issued a stern warning to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, saying any future war between the two enemies will unleash devastating damage on Lebanon. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

"In any future crisis, they are not going to see a small war in Lebanon. It's going to be decisive. It's going to be full-scale war," he said.

"That could create devastating damage to Lebanon," including in civilian areas, where he said Hezbollah hides and operates. "There is no other way to take out this threat without ... creating large damage to the Lebanese infrastructure, to Lebanese houses and other civilian facilities."

Israel and Hezbollah fought a monthlong war in the summer of 2006 that ended in a stalemate.
Brazil court suspends meeting on Silva's Cabinet post

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday suspended a meeting that was to decide whether former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva can be his successor's chief of staff.

The delay came three days after the lower house of Congress voted to begin impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff. She is accused of using accounting tricks in managing the federal budget.

Rousseff appointed Silva to the chief of staff job March 16 to help her battle the impeachment effort.

Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures to the crowd while arriving to a rally of Social Movements for Democracy, in a camp set up by supporters of President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, April 16, 2016. The lower chamber of Brazil's Congress on Friday began a debate on whether to impeach Rousseff, a question that underscores deep polarization in Latin America's largest country and most powerful economy. The crucial vote is slated for Sunday. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

But last month, Supreme Court Judge Gilmar Mendes temporarily banned Silva's nomination to the Cabinet post, saying it was an attempt to shield him from possible detention in corruption probes. Under Brazilian law, only the Supreme Court can authorize the investigation, imprisonment and trial of Cabinet members and legislators.

On Wednesday, Justice Supreme Court Justice Teori Zavascki requested that two other motions also banning Silva from assuming a Cabinet position be judged tougher with Mendes' earlier ruling.

Chief Justice Ricardo Lewandowski said a new date will be set to rule on Silva's appointment. The full court will make the final decision.

Also on Wednesday, Judge Maria Thereza de Assis Moura of the Supreme Electoral Court authorized federal police to gather evidence to back investigations of alleged irregularities during Rousseff's re-election campaign in 2014.

The country's main opposition party last year asked the court to investigate whether Rousseff's campaign was financed by illegal money, including donations originating from the huge kickback scandal that has engulfed state-run oil company Petrobras.

If the court finds illegal funds were used in her campaign or other irregularities, it could invalidate Rousseff's election as well as that of Vice President Michel Temer, leading to new elections.

After the Chamber of Deputies voted Sunday in favor of Rousseff's impeachment, the matter was sent to the Senate for a possible trial.
The Bighorn Basin Sage Grouse Working Group will hold a meeting on April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Big Horn Federal Bank (643 Broadway) in Thermopolis. The public is welcome to attend.

The primary purpose of the meeting is to review projects for funding in order to implement local conservation plans.

The local conservation plan, Conservation Plan for Sage-grouse in the Big Horn Basin, Wyoming, can be viewed at: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/WGFD/media/content/PDF/Habitat/Sage%20Grouse/SG_BHB_CONSERVPLAN.pdf
Guatemala ex-president's port-contract bribe case postponed

GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Former President Otto Perez Molina and his then vice president appeared at a court hearing Wednesday to determine whether they will face trial in a corruption case, but the proceeding was halted before it could move forward.

Judge Miguel Angel Galvez postponed the hearing because defense lawyers were not up to date on all aspects of the case and needed time to prepare before the hearing resumes Monday.

Prosecutors say Perez Molina and former Vice President Roxana Baldetti were at the head of a network of government officials, business executives and private citizens that took at least $30 million in bribes to award a contract to build a port terminal. The former president and vice president are alleged to have pocketed $4.2 million each.

Guatemala's former President Otto Perez Molina and former Vice President Roxana Baldetti waits for the start of a court hearing in Guatemala City, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Perez Molina and Baldetti are appearing in court to determine whether they will face trial in another corruption case. Prosecutors say the former president and his then-vice president collected at least $30 million in bribes to award a contract to build a port terminal. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Prosecutors say that in exchange, Terminal de Contenedores Quetzal, a Guatemalan subsidiary of Spain's Grupo TCB, got to build the terminal at Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific coast with a 25-year operating concession worth $255 million.

Perez Molina, who resigned last year amid a separate corruption scandal, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he is innocent. He accused prosecutors of mounting a case against him "with testimonies but without proof."

Perez Molina signed the contract with the firm in 2013 while he was president.
The Latest: Man charged after missing priest was found dead

ATLANTA (AP)  The Latest on a Florida priest Rev. Rene Wayne Robert whose body was found dead in Georgia after being reported missing since April 12. (all times local):

2 p.m.

Authorities in South Carolina say a man has been charged in connection with a missing Florida priest whose body was found in Georgia.

Aiken County Sheriff's Office Capt. Eric Abdullah released an arrest warrant Wednesday saying that 28-year-old Steve James Murray of Jacksonville, Florida, has been charged with possession of firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of a violent felony, and with receiving stolen goods.

Police say Murray knew the Rev. Rene Wayne Robert of St. Augustine, Florida, and led authorities to the body in woods near Waynesboro, Georgia.

Murray was arrested in South Carolina while driving the priest's Toyota Corolla.

The arrest warrant says Murray possessed several firearms including a double-barrel shotgun, a pump-action rifle and several BB guns. Murray also had jewelry, cash, medication and merchandise that had been reported stolen.

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10:33 a.m.

An autopsy is planned in Georgia on remains believed to be those of a missing Florida priest.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the examination is scheduled for Wednesday on a body believed to be that of Rev. Rene Wayne Robert of St. Augustine, Florida.

Police say they have arrested a man who knew the 71-year-old missing priest and led authorities to the body in woods near Waynesboro, Georgia.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 28-year-old Steve James Murray of Jacksonville, Florida. He was arrested in South Carolina while driving the priest's Toyota Corolla, and police are deciding on possible charges.

Police say Robert may have been trying to help Murray, who was recently released from jail.
Regional leaders consider who should access Great Lakes

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP)  A push for expanded access to water from the Great Lakes is at a key point as a regional regulating group meets in Chicago this week to consider a request from a Milwaukee suburb to draw from Lake Michigan.

The upcoming recommendation from the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body regarding Waukesha's appeal could have major implications for future requests from other cities that might want to tap into the Great Lakes someday. Environmental groups opposed to the access request have lined up to push back.

The regional group will meet Thursday and possibly Friday to seek a consensus opinion that it would forward to the eight governors of Great Lakes states, who would then accept or reject Waukesha's plan. With governors' representatives involved in this week's talks, it's likely a thumbs-up or thumbs-down declaration from the regional body  which includes two Canadian provinces  would stick.

FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2013 file photo, the Fox River flows through downtown Waukesha, Wis. A push for expanded access to water from the Great Lakes is at a key point for the city of Waukesha. A regional regulating body meets in Chicago Thursday, April 21, 2016, to consider a request from the Milwaukee suburb to draw from Lake Michigan. The group's upcoming recommendation promises to have major implications for future requests from other cities that might want to stick a straw in the Great Lakes someday. (AP Photo/John Flesher, File)

Waukesha's drinking water is tainted with naturally occurring radium, and the city is seeking a new source. Officials say Lake Michigan, about 20 miles away, is the best alternative, and they've petitioned for access.

Under a landmark 2008 agreement that bans most diversions of Great Lakes water outside its natural boundary, communities within the watershed can tap the lakes, but others can't. Since Waukesha is part of a county that straddles the line, it's among the communities that can apply for an exception, but it needs permission from the governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. One "no" vote scraps the pitch.

It's the first request to get this far, and critics say the plan involving a $200 million system to pump and later return 16.7 million gallons a day from Lake Michigan would set a bad precedent and jeopardize one-fifth of the world's fresh water supply. Dozens of groups have emerged as opponents, saying Waukesha has asked for more water than it needs and hasn't proved there are no better alternatives.

Jennifer Caddick, Alliance for the Great Lakes spokeswoman, says Waukesha can remove the radium for less than the cost of its diversion system and that its request could prompt "death by 1,000 straws" for the lakes, since other communities could line up and ask for a share.

"One little dip may not cause massive harm immediately," Caddick said. "But the application by Waukesha is absolutely precedent-setting."

Waukesha officials, meanwhile, say the water they're requesting amounts to putting a teaspoon into a large pool and that each day they would replace what they remove with treated wastewater.

"We're going to return 100 percent of the water we're drawing from the Great Lakes," Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said.

He added that the city's request "wouldn't open the floodgates for water to go anywhere," such as drought-stricken areas of the West. Waukesha's exception is based on geography and need, and only communities in similar situations would stand to benefit, he said.

"The argument that this will allow water to go to Arizona is being made by people who haven't read the compact or are purposefully misrepresenting," Reilly said.

The regional group's meeting  which involves representatives from the Great Lakes states, plus Ontario and Quebec  could extend into Friday if the body can't reach a unanimous agreement on whether Waukesha's plan meets approval standards.

The talks come after years of study and work from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Waukesha officials who have concluded this plan would be the most efficient and cause the least environmental impact.

If the meeting ends without consensus, the regional body would try again in May. If there is still no consensus, the group would present a mixed declaration.

"It's our hope and intention that consensus is reached," said Peter Johnson, deputy director of the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers.

After receiving the opinion, the governors would meet to vote on whether to approve Waukesha's plan.

"That vote," Johnson said, "is binding."

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Follow Greg Moore at https://twitter.com/writingmoore .
US warns of links between Islamic State, Boko Haram

N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP)  At "Ground Zero" in Africa's counterterrorism fight, senior U.S. officials warned of deepening links between the Islamic State and Boko Haram and prodded Chad's ruling strongman to introduce reforms for the sake of long-term stability.

But in a rare appearance before foreign journalists at his presidential palace, Chadian President Idriss Deby indicated he wouldn't help in the U.S.-backed effort to install a unity government in Libya, his country's northern neighbor, a former foe and an incubator for Muslim extremist groups.

The visit to Chad by America's U.N. envoy, Samantha Power, and top U.S. military officials such as Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc, commander of special operations in Africa, highlights the country's precarious position dealing with a multitude of hostile militant groups and unstable neighboring governments. It also underscores the impoverished, land-locked country's growing geopolitical value.

Chad President Idriss Deby Itno speaks to members of the media after meeting with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power at the presidential palace in N'Djamena, Chad, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Power is traveling to Cameroon, Chad, and Nigeria to highlight the growing threat Boko Haram poses to the Lake Chad Basin region. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Boko Haram has launched attacks on Chad's territory from its base in Nigeria to the southwest. The Islamic State and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb lurk in chaotic and lawless Libya to the north. To the east is Sudan's Darfur region; to the south is the Central African Republic, still recovering from years of interethnic conflict

The Boko Haram-IS nexus may pose the greatest immediate threat. Although Boko Haram pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State last year, the operational connection has been unclear.

Bolduc said the groups clearly share "tactics, techniques and procedures," from the way they conduct complex ambushes and set improvised explosive devices like roadside bombs, to how they undertake high-profile attacks on hotels.

Suggesting the relationship is expanding, he said Chad on April 7 intercepted a "large cache of different types of weapons" sent from Libya and intended for the Lake Chad region. These included small arms, machine guns and rifles.

"You can, I think, draw a conclusion," Bolduc told reporters. The implication was that the weapons were sent by the Islamic State, which has established a foothold along Libya's Mediterranean coast, near the city of Sirte.

Given the range of threats here, he said the "Lake Chad Basin region is Ground Zero" in the fight against extremism in Africa.

Maj. Gen. L.O. Adeosun, head of the five-nation African force fighting Boko Haram, expressed a more muddied picture.

Adeosun cited "information," but not confirmation, of Islamic State members embedded within Boko Haram. But he said intelligence suggests Boko Haram still hasn't satisfied certain conditions set by the Islamic State for greater operational cooperation. He didn't elaborate.

At a briefing at the Multinational Joint Task Force's headquarters in Chad's capital, Adeosun showed reporters gruesome photos of the victims of Boko Haram attacks and the types of weapons employed.

One picture showed a bird with an explosive strapped on its back, demonstrating "a lot of ingenuity," Adeosun said.

Stressing the civilian aspect to defeating Boko Haram, a once indigenous Nigerian militant movement whose rebellion has morphed into a regional force, Power stressed the need to bolster economic development, job opportunities and political inclusiveness.

The message carried added weight, coming less than two weeks after Chad held elections that are widely expected to return Deby for a fifth term as president. Deby has led the country since 1990. Election results haven't yet been announced.

"We noted how far Chad has come from the dark days of dictatorship to today," Power said.

But she expressed displeasure with a "crackdown on freedom of protest" and a government decision to shut down the Internet and text messaging throughout Chad for several days around the time of the vote.

Deby rejected opposition claims that some 60 security forces who voted against him in the elections have since disappeared.

"There are no disappearances," he stated. "They will be presented on television, in front of the world."

As Power's delegation arrived in Chad, U.S. embassy staff warned accompanying journalists numerous times about rules prohibiting unauthorized photography in the country. They also told reporters not to ask Deby any questions.

But a somewhat reclusive Deby, who has survived at least a dozen coup plots and assassination attempts during his quarter-century in power, welcomed the opportunity to speak his mind.

The 63-year-old Deby, who seized power himself in a coup after helping Chad defeat Libya in the 1980s, said Washington and other powers were partly to blame for the Boko Haram-IS threat. He said they are destabilizing Libya through their effort to install a functioning government.

"The international community is imposing a unity government from outside Libya that will fail," Deby said.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, left, listens as Chad President Idriss Deby Itno, center, answers questions from members of the media through an interpreter at the presidential palace in N'Djamena, Chad, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Power is traveling to Cameroon, Chad, and Nigeria to highlight the growing threat Boko Haram poses to the Lake Chad Basin region. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, left, greets Multinational Joint Task Force Commander Maj. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun as she arrives at their headquarters in N'Djamena, Chad, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Power is traveling to Cameroon, Chad, and Nigeria to highlight the growing threat Boko Haram poses to the Lake Chad Basin region. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

United States Special Operations Command Africa Commander Brig. Gen. Donald Bolduc, right, accompanied by U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Secretary for African Affairs Bruce Wharton, speaks to members of the media outside the U.S. Embassy in Chad in N'Djamena, Chad, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Power is traveling to Cameroon, Chad, and Nigeria to highlight the growing threat Boko Haram poses to the Lake Chad Basin region. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
El Salvador deploys anti-gang force to rural areas

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  A force of 1,000 soldiers and police officers is being deployed to fight gangs in rural areas of El Salvador, the government said Wednesday.

El Salvador's street gangs are mainly an urban phenomenon, but in the face of government raids, gang members have been operating more in rural areas and on the outskirts of cities in recent months.

Police commissioner Marco Tulio Lima said the force will go after an estimated 100 leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 gangs.

A special forces soldier of the the El Salvador army stands at attention during a presentation to the press, in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, April, 20, 2016. The government of El Salvador is deploying a force of 1,000 soldiers and police to fight gangs in rural areas. The force will operate with helicopters, night-vision devices and machine guns and it will go after an estimated 100 leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 gangs. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez)

The force will operate with helicopters, night-vision devices and machine guns.

The gangs are also believed to have heavy armament.

El Salvador's murder rate reached 103 homicides for every 100,000 residents last year. The government blames the gangs, which have expanded their territory.

El Salvador army special forces try on their night vision goggles during a presentation to the press as part of a new stepped-up phase in the government's fight against gangs in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, April, 20, 2016. The government of El Salvador is deploying a force of 1,000 soldiers and police to fight gangs in rural areas. The force will operate with helicopters, night-vision devices and machine guns and it will go after an estimated 100 leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 gangs. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez)

El Salvador army special forces march during a presentation to the press as part of a new stepped-up phase in the government's fight against gangs in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, April, 20, 2016. The government of El Salvador is deploying a force of 1,000 soldiers and police to fight gangs in rural areas. The force will operate with helicopters, night-vision devices and machine guns and it will go after an estimated 100 leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 gangs. (AP Photo/Salvador Melendez)
Man faces charges connected to missing, possibly dead priest

ATLANTA (AP)  Multiple charges have been filed against a man described as a "career criminal" who led authorities to a body believed to be that of a missing Florida priest, authorities said Wednesday.

Steve James Murray, 28, of Jacksonville, Florida, is charged with possession of firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of a violent felony and with receiving stolen goods. Aiken County Sheriff's Office Capt. Eric Abdullah released the arrest warrant Wednesday.

Police say Murray knew the Rev. Rene Wayne Robert of St. Augustine, Florida, and led authorities to the body in woods near Waynesboro, Georgia.

Murray was arrested in South Carolina while driving the priest's Toyota Corolla.

The arrest warrant says Murray possessed several firearms including a double-barrel shotgun, a pump-action rifle and several BB guns. Murray also had jewelry, cash, medication and merchandise that had been reported stolen.

Meanwhile, an autopsy on the remains was planned Wednesday in Georgia, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.

Robert, 71, a Roman Catholic priest, was reported missing April 12 after not showing up for an appointment. He was a priest for the Diocese of St. Augustine.

Robert had dedicated his life to working with prisoners and society's downtrodden, a calling that police say put him in contact with his killer. Police said Robert may have been trying to help Murray, who was recently released from jail.

Authorities believe the suspect kidnapped the priest, took him to Georgia in his own car and killed him there, but the motive for the slaying remains unclear. It's believed that Robert was introduced to Murray by a young woman the priest had been counseling.

Murray was arrested April 13 and returned to St. Augustine two days later on charges of fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement officers and on being a fugitive. He then was transported to Georgia but it was not immediately clear to what jail.

Officials say Murray likely will face murder charges in Georgia, where Robert's body was found.

St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar in Florida called Murray a "career criminal." He was released from the Duval County Jail in Jacksonville on April 6 following a March 22 arrest for operating a vehicle with a suspended license. Shoar said Murray also broke into homes in South Carolina before his arrest, and was found with multiple guns including a rifle with a scope.

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Grassley uncertain on going to convention, citing hotel cost

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Sen. Charles Grassley is concerned with how much value he gets for his money  just not whose face is on the bills.

The Iowa Republican told home-state reporters on a conference call Tuesday that he hasn't decided whether to go to the Republican National Convention in July. Part of his concern, he said, is that he doesn't want to have to pay for a hotel room for five days if he's not going to be staying that entire time.

"I will do something different and maybe stay in hotels or motels I can buy a night at a time," said Grassley, who's known for his frugality.

FILE - In this April 11, 2016 file photo, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa walks to the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington. Grassley is concerned with how much value he gets for his money _ just not whose face is on the bills. Grassley told home-state reporters on a conference call that he hasnt decided whether to go to the Republican National Convention in July. Part of his concern, he said, is that he doesnt want to have to pay for a hotel room for five days if hes not going to be staying that entire time. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Grassley's also up for re-election in November, and though he's widely expected to win, he said campaigning at home should be a top priority. It's common for senators who are up for re-election to skip the presidential convention. Because of GOP divisions over front-runner Donald Trump, there's additional focus this year on which Republicans are steering clear.

Grassley also remarked that he's attended every convention since 1980. "I've always said at the end of the convention I'm never going to do that again, but I've always ended up doing it again," Grassley said.

On the same conference call, Grassley was asked about the Treasury Department's just-announced decision to replace Andrew Jackson's image on the $20 bill with that of Harriet Tubman. The decision came after much controversy over the original proposal to boot Alexander Hamilton from the $10, but Grassley said he wasn't even sure who was on the $20. When he looks at a bill he only pays attention to the denomination, he said.

"I don't even know whose picture is on it except for George Washington and Abraham Lincoln," Grassley said.

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Al Franken, former "Saturday Night Live" star, comedian and actor, generally leaves the jokes behind now that he's a Minnesota senator. He made an exception, though, to poke fun at Senate colleague and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz.

At an event last week sponsored by home-state publication MinnPost, the Democrat said Republicans are in a bind, as their "best hope for stopping Donald Trump is a guy who is the love child of Joe McCarthy and Dracula."

Franken went on: "Ted Cruz can be really hard to get along with, but I understand that in a couple of weeks he's planning to launch a charm offensive. He's working on it. He's having a little trouble with the charm part but he's got the offensive part down cold."

He's not the first senator to spell out his dislike of Cruz. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican, once called his party's choice between Cruz or Donald Trump for the nomination to be like choosing between being "poisoned or shot." Graham has half-heartedly backed Cruz.

After his bit on Cruz, Franken went on to mock House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has repeatedly said he wouldn't accept the Republican nomination should his party's Cleveland convention wind up in gridlock.

Assuming the role of Ryan as an "18th Century fop," Franken protested with an English accent, "Ask all you like, I shan't run. No, no, no."

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Details about the 3 officials charged in Flint water crisis

The first criminal charges have been filed in Flint's lead-tainted water crisis, including allegations that two state regulators and a Flint water plant supervisor tampered with evidence and that the state regulators knowingly misled U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials and the county health department.

The Michigan city switched from Detroit's drinking water system to the Flint River in April 2014 as a cost-saving measure, but failed to treat river water with corrosion-control chemicals  an omission that allowed lead to leach from aging pipes and fixtures and contaminate tap water for 18 months.

Here's who was charged Wednesday and their connections to the crisis:

In a July 22, 2013 photo, Michael Glasgow, laboratory water quality supervisor, tests water for bacteria and pH levels, among other tests, at the Flint water plant in Flint, Mich. Glasgow was charged Wednesday, April 20, 2016, with tampering with evidence for changing lead water-testing results and willful neglect of duty as a public servant, in the Flint water crisis. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP)

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MICHAEL GLASGOW, Flint utilities administrator:

He testified last month before a state legislative committee that he intended to treat the Flint River water with anti-corrosive chemicals but was overruled by state Department of Environmental Quality engineer Michael Prysby, who told him a year of water testing was required first.

On April 17, 2014, eight days before the switch, Glasgow wrote to a DEQ official complaining that his supervisors were prodding him to move too quickly and that his staff needed more training.

"If water is distributed from this plant in the next couple weeks, it will be against my direction," wrote Glasgow, then the city's laboratory and water quality supervisor. "I need time to adequately train additional staff and to update our monitoring plans before I will feel we are ready ... I will reiterate this to management above me, but they seem to have their own agenda."

Glasgow, who was placed on leave Wednesday, is charged with tampering with evidence for changing lead water-testing results and willful neglect of duty as a public servant. It was unclear if he's getting paid while on leave.

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MICHAEL PRYSBY, former district engineer in the DEQ's Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance:

Prysby misinterpreted federal drinking-water rules and told Flint officials that the plant didn't need to add chemicals to prevent lead from leaching into water from old service lines.

He took another job within the DEQ on March 28, the day before Glasgow testified. The DEQ has said his switch was not a forced transfer.

Prysby, who was suspended without pay Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to charges of misconduct in office, conspiracy to tamper with evidence, tampering with evidence  including manipulating monitoring reports  and violations of water treatment and monitoring laws.

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STEPHEN BUSCH, former district supervisor in the DEQ's drinking water program:

After the EPA began questioning the DEQ about the use of corrosion-control chemicals, Busch said in a February 2015 email that Flint had "an optimized corrosion-control program."

Busch also knew about a surge in Legionnaires' disease potentially linked to the water switch long before the governor reported the increase to the public in January, but downplayed any connection. There were at least 91 cases, including 12 deaths, in Genesee County, where Flint is located, during a 17-month period.

In a March 13, 2015, email to a Genesee County Health Department official, Busch said it was "highly unlikely that legionella would be present in treated water" and that any evidence to the contrary appeared "premature and prejudice (sic) toward that end."

He was suspended without pay Wednesday. He previously was on paid leave from his position as the state Office of Drinking Water's Lansing and Jackson district supervisor after being suspended in January.

Busch pleaded not guilty to charges of misconduct in office, conspiracy to tamper with evidence, tampering with evidence and violations of water treatment and monitoring laws.

State Department of Environmental Quality employee Michael Prysby stands as his defense attorney Richard Hillman, right, puts in a plea of not guilty during an arraignment related to the Flint water crisis Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Flint, Mich. Two state employees facing charges related to the Flint water crisis are accused of refusing to order chemical treatment that could have prevented the release of lead in old plumbing. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

In this Jan. 21, 2015 photo, members of the Flint community listen to Michigan Department of Environmental Quality employees, including, Michael Prysby, far left, and Stephen Busch, address issues with the water quality in downtown Flint. Prysby, a DEQ district engineer, and Busch, who is a supervisor with the DEQ's Office of Drinking Water, were both charged with misconduct in office, conspiracy to tamper with evidence, tampering with evidence and violations of water treatment and monitoring laws. Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow was charged with tampering with evidence for changing lead water-testing results and willful neglect of duty as a public servant. (Sam Owens/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Defense attorney Mark Kriger, left, goes over charges with his client, state Department of Environmental Quality employee Stephen Busch, before an arraignment Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Flint, Mich. Two state employees facing charges related to the Flint water crisis are accused of refusing to order chemical treatment that could have prevented the release of lead in old plumbing. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Judge Mark McCabe resides over two arraignments in relation to the Flint water crisis for state Department of Environmental Quality employees Stephen Busch and Michael Prysby, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Flint, Mich. Two state employees facing charges related to the Flint water crisis are accused of refusing to order chemical treatment that could have prevented the release of lead in old plumbing. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Prosecuting attorney LeAnne Dao listens to defense attorney Mark Kriger during an arraignment related to the Flint water crisis Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Flint, Mich. Two state employees facing charges related to the Flint water crisis are accused of refusing to order chemical treatment that could have prevented the release of lead in old plumbing. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

State Department of Environmental Quality employee Michael Prysby waits in the gallery before his arraignment Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Flint, Mich. Two state employees facing charges related to the Flint water crisis are accused of refusing to order chemical treatment that could have prevented the release of lead in old plumbing. (Jake May/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT
Creator of malware used to drain bank accounts gets 9 years

ATLANTA (AP)  The Russian creator of a computer program that enabled cybercriminals to infect millions of computers and drain bank accounts in multiple countries was sentenced Wednesday to serve 9  years in federal prison.

Aleksandr Andreevich Panin, 27, who went by aliases "Gribodemon" and "Harderman" online, pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud in January 2014 after reaching a deal with prosecutors. He created SpyEye, which prosecutor Steven Grimberg said was a pre-eminent malware from 2010 to 2012 and was used to infect more than 50 million computers and cause nearly $1 billion in damage to individuals and financial institutions around the world.

A second man, Hamza Bendelladj, a 27-year-old Algerian known online as "Bx1," was sentenced to 15 years Wednesday afternoon. Both he and Panin will likely be deported after serving their sentences.

SpyEye was a type of Trojan virus that secretly implanted itself on victims' computers to steal sensitive information, including bank account credentials, credit card information, passwords and PIN numbers. Once it took over a computer, it allowed hackers to trick victims into surrendering personal information  including data grabbing and fake bank account pages. The information was relayed to a command and control server to be used to access victim accounts.

Panin conspired with others to advertise SpyEye in online cybercrime forums and sold versions of the software for prices ranging from $500 to $10,000, FBI Special Agent Mark Ray testified.

SpyEye was more user-friendly than its predecessors, functioning like "a Swiss army knife of hacking" and allowing users to customize it to choose specific methods of gathering personal information, Ray said. Panin is believed to have sold it to at least 150 clients.

Bendelladj had pleaded guilty but didn't have a deal with prosecutors. His attorney, Jay Strongwater, said he plans to appeal.

While Panin developed and sold the malware and knew what it would be used for, Bendelladj also used it himself to steal financial information.

Grimberg argued that Panin and Bendelladj are legends in cybercrime communities and that hefty sentences would send a message to other cybercriminals.

"That cyber underworld is watching to see what will be the consequences," he told U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg.

U.S. Attorney John Horn said the significance of this case can't be overstated because of SpyEye's predominance at its height.

"The sentences that were imposed reflect the magnitude of the harm," he said.

Panin told the judge he feels deep regret.

"I want everyone in this courtroom to understand my actions were inexcusable and inexplicable," he said.

Bendelladj also said he regrets what he did and knows it was wrong.

"I assure you it won't happen again," he told Totenberg. "I have learned my lesson."

Jon Clay with IT security firm Trend Micro, which helped the FBI investigate SpyEye, said the program wasn't the most sophisticated but had good code and was reasonably priced.

"He had definitely created some capabilities that were not available in some of the other banking Trojans at the time," Clay said. "That's why he was pretty popular among the cybercriminal underground."

Panin and Bendelladj were indicted in December 2011. Authorities said Bendelladj operated a SpyEye server in the Atlanta area; he was arrested in January 2013 in Bangkok. Panin was arrested later that year when he flew through Atlanta's airport.

Ray's testimony offered a glimpse into the world of online marketplaces where cybercriminals advertise, buy and sell malicious software, using aliases to avoid arrest.

Panin advertised SpyEye as early as June 2010 on Darkode.com, a cybercrime forum dismantled by the FBI last July. Before it was taken down, Darkode.com was the most sophisticated of the cybercrime forums, frequented by the cybercrime elite with access limited to those with a trusted connection, Ray said.

With the cover of anonymity and payments made through online currency servers, reputation is extremely important on cybercrime forums, Ray said. After Panin's June 2010 posting as Gribodemon, Bendelladj  posting as Bx1  wrote a comment saying he'd worked with him before and vouched for him.

The use of aliases can be frustrating to those who track them, said Willis McDonald, a senior threat researcher at security firm Damballa, which helped the FBI with its investigation. Frequently, a cybercriminal "will disappear into the background and come up with a new alias and a new piece of malware so that trail you've been trying to follow to track them down vanishes and they pop up under a new name and you have to start all over again trying to figure out who they are," he said.
3 charged with crimes in US city water crisis

FLINT, Michigan (AP)  The Flint water crisis became a criminal case Wednesday when two state regulators and a city employee were charged with official misconduct, evidence-tampering and other offenses over the lead contamination that has alarmed the nation and brought cries of racism.

For nearly 18 months, the poor, mostly black city of 100,000 used the Flint River for tap water as a way to save money  a decision made by a state-appointed emergency manager  while a new pipeline was under construction. But the water wasn't treated to control corrosion. The result: Lead was released from aging pipes and fixtures as water flowed into homes and businesses.

Gov. Rick Snyder didn't acknowledge the problem until last fall, when tests revealed high levels of lead in children, in whom the heavy metal can cause low IQs and behavioral problems.

FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2014 file photo, Attorney General Bill Schuette speaks at the Detroit Police Officers Association in Detroit. Michigans attorney general Schuette will announce criminal charges Wednesday, April 20, 2016, against two state regulators and a Flint employee, alleging wrongdoing related to the citys lead-tainted water crisis, according to government officials familiar with the investigation. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

The crisis  and state officials' slow and dismissive response to complaints about the water from experts and Flint residents  led to allegations of environmental racism, emerged as an issue in the presidential race during Michigan's Democratic primary in March, and sent other cities around the U.S. rushing to test their water, particularly in older neighborhoods that still use lead pipes.

"This is a road back to restoring faith and confidence in all Michigan families in their government," Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said in announcing the charges, months after officials conceded a series of bad decisions caused the disaster.

He warned there will be more charges  "That I can guarantee"  and added: "No one is off the table."

Michael Prysby, a district engineer with the state Department of Environmental Quality, and Stephen Busch, a supervisor in the department's drinking water office, were charged with misconduct, conspiracy, tampering with test results and misdemeanor violations of clean-water law. The felonies carry maximum penalties of four to five years in prison.

They were accused of failing to order anticorrosion chemicals added to the water to coat the pipes and prevent them from releasing lead.

Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow also was charged Wednesday with tampering with evidence for allegedly falsifying lead water-testing results and with willful neglect of duty.

The three could not immediately be reached for comment. It wasn't known if they have lawyers.

Busch is on paid leave. Prysby recently took another job in the agency.

"They failed Michigan families. Indeed, they failed us all," Schuette said. "I don't care where you live."

For months, people in Flint have been relying on filters and bottled water. Some still do not trust what comes out of their taps, even though the city rejoined the Detroit-area water system last fall and anticorrosive phosphates are being added to the water.

The governor filled a few jugs of filtered Flint tap water this and pledged to drink it for 30 days to show it's safe.

"It's a good first step but it's a small step," Flint resident Melissa Mays said of the criminal charges. "These are lower-level people, and I want to know who was instructing them to do what they did. I think it's important that we can see some form of accountability being laid out, but at the end of the day we still can't drink or bathe in our water safely."

The Flint debacle exposed a problem that extends well beyond the one-time industrial powerhouse.

An Associated Press analysis of EPA data found that nearly 1,400 water systems serving 3.6 million Americans exceeded the federal lead standard at least once between the beginning of 2013 and last September.

Most U.S. cities stopped installing lead pipes in the 1930s to carry water from main lines under the streets and into homes. But a survey by the American Water Works Association found that 6.5 million of these pipes are still in use.

Some researchers question whether chemical treatment and routine testing for lead in the water are enough, arguing that the only way to remove the threat is to replace the pipes. But the cost could easily be hundreds of millions of dollars or more.

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Associated Press writer David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan, contributed to this report.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette addresses the media, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Flint, Mich. Months after officials conceded that a series of bad decisions had caused a disaster, charges were filed against a pair of state Department of Environmental Quality employees and a local water treatment supervisor and stem from an investigation by the office of the attorney general. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

In this Jan. 21, 2015 photo, members of the Flint community listen to Michigan Department of Environmental Quality employees, including, Michael Prysby, far left, and Stephen Busch, address issues with the water quality in downtown Flint. Prysby, a DEQ district engineer, and Busch, who is a supervisor with the DEQ's Office of Drinking Water, were both charged with misconduct in office, conspiracy to tamper with evidence, tampering with evidence and violations of water treatment and monitoring laws. Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow was charged with tampering with evidence for changing lead water-testing results and willful neglect of duty as a public servant. (Sam Owens/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) LOCAL TELEVISION OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, center, shakes hands with Flint Councilman Eric Mays after addressing the media, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Flint, Mich. Months after officials conceded that a series of bad decisions had caused a disaster, charges were filed against a pair of state Department of Environmental Quality employees and a local water treatment supervisor and stem from an investigation by the office of the attorney general. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Populations of salmon, flounder added to overfishing list

PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  The federal government has added several populations of economically important food fish, including stocks of salmon and flounder, to its list of fish stocks that are being subjected to overfishing.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Wednesday that three regional populations of Chinook salmon and one regional population each of Coho salmon, summer flounder, yellowtail flounder and winter flounder are suffering from overfishing.

NOAA produces an annual update of its list of fish that are either subject to overfishing or have been overfished to the point where populations are too low. The report informs conservation and management efforts.

FILE - In this June 27, 2012, file photo, a Chinook salmon, second from the bottom, swims with sockeye salmon at the Bonneville Dam fish-counting window near North Bonneville, Wash., on the Columbia River. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration listed Chinook salmon and several others as being subjected to overfishing Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Overall, the number of fish on the "overfishing" list climbed from 26 to 28, and the number on the "overfished" list rose from 37 to 38.

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SALMON IN JEOPARDY

The Chinook salmon populations that are being added to the overfishing list are along the Washington coast and in the Columbia River Basin of the Pacific Northwest. The Coho salmon population also is located along the Washington coast.

Both are popular as wild-caught fish. The Chinook fishery was worth more than $70 million in 2014, and the Coho fishery was worth nearly $55 million that year.

Alan Risenhoover, the director of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Sustainable Fisheries, said climate condition such as drought have affected the fish.

"Hopefully measures will be in place to help those stocks," he said.

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SOME SPECIES RECOVERING

Two species were added to the "rebuilt" list of fisheries. They both are Pacific species  the canary rockfish and Petrale sole.

Fishermen caught more than 5.2 million pounds of Petrale sole in 2014, the most since 2006. The canary rockfish fishery is much smaller, accounting for only about 41,000 pounds that year.

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A THORNY ISSUE

One species that is being removed from the overfishing list, the thorny skate, is up for potential protection under the Endangered Species Act. Risenhoover said the fish's new status will be taken into account during the review process.
Virgin Galactic returns to Spaceport America for exercises

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  It was nothing but clear, blue skies as the sleek, jet-powered plane approached the runway at Spaceport America in southern New Mexico, only to briefly touch down and then thrust off again.

Over and over again, Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo was put through the paces as the pilots, ground crew and mission control specialists checked off some of the numerous ground and air exercises scheduled this week as the team prepares for future commercial space flights.

A special cargo plane of sorts, the aircraft is designed to carry the company's rocket ship  called SpaceShipTwo  to high altitudes where it will detach and take paying tourists the rest of the way to the edge of space.

FILE - In this Oct. 17, 2011, file photo, the new Spaceport America futuristic hangar backdrops the spacecraft White Knight Two in Upham, N.M. A team of pilots, ground crew and mission control specialists are at the spaceport for a week of air and ground testing in preparation for future commercial space flights at the remote patch of desert in Sierra County. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

While Virgin Galactic chief executive George Whitesides wasn't willing to put a firm date on when flights might begin, he said the company is on track with its internal schedule and is making progress with testing of its new spaceship in California.

"I think getting the vehicle in test flight is a key milestone and this time around we're doing all that internally with our own staff so we hope we'll be able to make rapid progress," he said while standing on the tarmac as WhiteKnightTwo landed after an hour of touch-and-go's.

After years of development, Virgin Galactic appeared to be nearing the goal of turning ordinary civilians into astronauts when the first SpaceShipTwo broke apart on Oct. 31, 2014, during its fourth rocket-powered flight over the Mojave Desert, killing the pilot.

Its new spaceship finished up a round of electronic and aviation testing just last week, and Whitesides said he hopes test flights for that craft will begin soon.

Back in New Mexico, the hanger at Spaceport America is full this week with a model of the spaceship, the massive carrier plane and other aircraft that are aiding in the exercises.

"It really feels like an active hangar, which is what we've all been waiting for," Whitesides said. "It feels really good to have all of these real aircraft in the building and being used."

A team of about 20 people joined the group already stationed at the spaceport, situated in a remote stretch of desert less than an hour east of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

The plan calls for a full mission simulation for WhiteKnightTwo on Thursday. The team is going over every detail, including the best locations for tie-downs and other connections used when the plane is being prepped for missions.

"This is a very important step along the journey to the first flight of the Virgin Galactic commercial spaceline," said Christine Anderson, head of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority. "You cannot over train or over exercise. Nothing is taken for granted."

Anderson said she's hopeful for more activity in the coming months.

The crew at spaceport has been helping to coordinate the use of airspace from their mission control center not far from the futuristic hangar occupied by Virgin Galactic.
CIA expands survivor benefit tied to overseas terror attacks

WASHINGTON (AP)  The CIA is expanding survivor benefits for agency employees and contractors killed in the line of duty overseas in acts of terrorism.

The change is retroactive to 1983 and was applauded Wednesday by Barbara Doherty, the mother of Glen Doherty, a CIA operative killed in the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic facility in Libya. The CIA has agreed to pay a death benefit even though the family was not entitled under a standard federal insurance policy Glen Doherty held that pays a survivor benefit only to spouses and dependents.

Barbara Doherty issued a family statement calling the expanded benefit "symbolic justice." Her son was killed, along with three other Americans, in the attack on the facility in Benghazi. He was divorced and had no children.

FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2012, file photo photo, Barbara Doherty, mother of slain former Navy SEAL Glen Doherty, is escorted from the Church of St. Eulalia in Winchester, Mass., after his funeral. Doherty was a CIA operative killed in the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya. His mother says the spy agency has agreed to pay a death benefit even though his parents were not entitled under a standard federal insurance policy he held that pays a survivor benefit only to spouses and dependents. Barbara Doherty, on April 20 called the expanded benefit "symbolic justice." (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Orca tagging stops after dead whale found with fragments

SEATTLE (AP)  Federal biologists have temporarily stopped tagging endangered killer whales in Washington state's Puget Sound after a dead orca was found with pieces of a dart tag lodged in its dorsal fin.

Researchers use a dart projector to fire the small satellite-linked transmitters into the animals to track where they go in the winter and how they find food. An initial exam of the 20-year-old whale found floating off Vancouver Island last month did not find a clear cause of death, but some advocates fear tagging injures the animals and say there are less invasive ways to monitor the small population of whales.

The transmitter is the size of a 9-volt battery and attaches to the orca's fin with two titanium darts about 6 centimeters long. It's designed to detach over time and leave nothing behind in the whale.

In this Feb. 23, 2016, photo provided by NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, an orca whale known as L95 swims in the Pacific Ocean near La Push, Wash., shortly before being fitted with a satellite tag. Federal biologists have temporarily stopped tagging endangered killer whales in Washington states Puget Sound after a dead orca was found with pieces of a dart tag lodged in its dorsal fin. (NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center via AP)

A necropsy of the dead orca found fragments remained in its dorsal fin when the tag fell off but "revealed no apparent localized or tracking inflammation," Canada's Department of Fisheries and Ocean said last week.

Though there were no signs of infection, veterinarians were investigating whether the tagging area may have provided a pathway for one, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. A final report is expected in several weeks.

NOAA researchers were assessing what went wrong with the transmitter and how to prevent it from happening again, said Brad Hanson, an agency wildlife biologist who leads the orca tagging program.

The researchers' federal permit requires dart tagging to stop if the devices break, and tagging can't resume until NOAA authorizes it. Problems have forced a redesign of the device two previous times.

"Go back to the drawing board. Apply it less invasively," said Kenneth Balcomb, senior scientist with the Center for Whale Research, who called the devices "overly barbaric." ''It's injuring the animals, and they're leaving pieces of hardware stuck in them that festers and causes tissue damage."

Hanson defended the program but said he understood the concerns.

"It's provided us with a tremendous amount of information in a relatively short amount of time," he said. "I personally am concerned for the whales, but we're also charged with providing the best available science for our colleagues to make management decisions."

Southern resident killer whales are listed as endangered in the U.S. and Canada. NOAA is considering whether to expand habitat protections for the orcas to include offshore areas from Washington to Northern California.

The male orca known as L95 was tagged in late February off Washington's coast. The whale appeared to be in good health, and researchers said they did not observe any breaking when firing the transmitter. The device provided data for four days before the signal was lost. Several weeks later, the animal was found dead.

Researchers worked with tag manufacturers to redesign the device in 2013 after it separated and left a piece of dart in another endangered orca. There also were previous problems when the tag was used on four transient killer whales.

"We have detected issues, and we tried to make the changes," Hanson said.

NOAA noted that the tag has been used 533 times on whales and other marine mammals, and parts of the dart remained in the animals in only 1 percent of the cases.

Of eight Puget Sound orcas that have been tagged, two have had problems, Hanson said. The others have had minor issues, such as scarring similar to what they would encounter naturally.

Several advocates say they understand the value of the data being collected but that the federal government has enough information to protect the animals.

"Right now, the federal agency has robust science about where the killer whales travel, and there are already good tagging studies to identify habitat that needs protection," said Miyoko Sakashita with the Center for Biological Diversity.

FILE -- In this file photo taken Jan. 18, 2014, a satellite-linked transmitter is visible on the dorsal fin of L87, an orca from the southern resident group of killer whales, while swimming in Puget Sound west of Seattle. Federal biologists have temporarily halted the satellite tagging program after another endangered Puget Sound orca was found dead, with pieces of a dart tag lodged in its fin. Canada's Department of Fisheries and Ocean says the initial exam of the 20-year-old whale found off Vancouver Island last month found no clear cause of death. (AP Photo, Elaine Thompson, File)

In this Feb. 27, 2016, photo provided by NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, an orca whale known as L95, right, swims with other whales from the L and K pods in the Pacific Ocean near the mouth of the Columbia River near Ilwaco, Wash., days after being fitted with a satellite tag. Federal biologists have temporarily stopped tagging endangered killer whales in Washington states Puget Sound after a dead orca was found with pieces of a dart tag lodged in its dorsal fin. (NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center via AP)
Officer's sentence in stairway killing leaves divide, dismay

NEW YORK (AP)  From the start, the case of a rookie police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man in a public housing stairwell never fit neatly into the national debate over police brutality and minorities.

And Officer Peter Liang's sentencing this week to probation and community service  after a judge downgraded his manslaughter conviction  left dismay and questions on all sides, particularly among police accountability activists who had seen the case as a sign of progress. Liang was the first New York City officer convicted in an on-duty shooting since 2005.

"We're never going to be satisfied if we're looking for societal justice in a criminal prosecution," said Peter Moskos, a John Jay College of Criminal Justice sociology professor. "The jury or the judge is not supposed to be judging society."

Former police officer Peter Liang makes a statement in court during his sentencing in New York, Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Liang, convicted in the accidental shooting death of an unarmed man, Akai Gurley, in a darkened stairwell was spared prison time Tuesday, and a judge reduced his manslaughter conviction to a lesser charge. (Jesse Ward/The Daily News via AP, Pool)

Lang's 2014 shooting of Akai Gurley came just months after the deaths of Michael Brown in Missouri and Eric Garner in New York prompted protests and a nationwide discussion of police killings. After grand juries declined to indict the white officers who killed Brown and Garner, activists demanding accountability looked to Liang's trial.

But Liang's case was different in significant ways. Liang is himself a minority who didn't see his victim. He was a rookie patrolling a pitch-dark stairwell with his gun drawn while Gurley, 28, headed down to the lobby. Liang said he was startled by a noise, fired accidentally and didn't immediately realize his bullet had hit someone.

"How can you raise a claim that this is emblematic of police officers gunning down black people without warrant?" said David Klinger, a University of Missouri-St. Louis criminal justice professor.

Prosecutors argued Liang was reckless with his weapon and callous afterward: He didn't try to revive Gurley, standing by while Gurley's girlfriend frantically did. Liang, 28, later explained he thought it better to wait for professional help.

A jury convicted him of manslaughter, but Brooklyn state Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun said prosecutors hadn't proven key elements of that charge and reduced it to criminally negligent homicide, a lowest-level felony, and there was no need for prison "to have a just sentence in this case."

While Chun announced his decision, Liang and Gurley supporters waited outside the courthouse, on opposite sides of a street and separated by police barriers, in a sign of the divisive outpouring the case has aroused.

"By escaping jail time, Peter Liang faces no meaningful legal accountability for killing Akai," Gurley's mother, Sylvia Palmer, said in a statement Wednesday. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund called for "an examination of the deference and privileges afforded to police officers that are not extended to other defendants."

But Liang's supporters felt he was unfairly singled out for prosecution to make a political point.

"If Peter should get charged, then his partner should get charged, too," said Jerry Chan, 43, who was among organizers of large demonstrations protesting Liang's conviction this winter. Liang's partner wasn't charged and testified during the trial. Like Liang, he was fired after the verdict.

The activism around the case split along complicated fault lines, pointing up its complexities. Few police officers  who often come to court en masse to support accused officers  appeared in the audience at Liang's trial. And while 10,000 mostly Chinese-Americans rallied in New York and elsewhere to support Liang, other Asian-Americans said they were taking on the wrong fight by supporting an officer who killed an innocent man.

The sentencing may not be the last word in the case: Liang is appealing his conviction, and prosecutors plan to appeal its reduction. Meanwhile, Gurley's family is pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Gurley's domestic partner, Kim Ballinger, said the most difficult question the case has left for her is how to explain it to their 3-year-old daughter.

"How do I tell her the man who killed your father was never really punished for it?" she asked.

___

Associated Press Writer Deepti Hajela contributed to this report.

___

Reach Jennifer Peltz on Twitter @jennpeltz.
American Express' earnings fall, but still beat estimates

NEW YORK (AP)  American Express's first-quarter profits declined 8 percent from a year earlier, as the company continues to spend heavily to retain customers being lured away by aggressive competitors.

However the company's results beat analysts' expectations and the company saw both more card spending and more account openings in the quarter, which helped push AmEx's shares higher in post-market trading.

The credit card company said Wednesday it earned a profit of $1.39 billion, or $1.45 a share, in the first quarter, after payments to preferred shareholders. That's down from $1.51 billion, or $1.49 per share, in the same period a year earlier. The results exceeded Wall Street expectations, with the average estimate of 12 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.36 per share.

FILE - This Jan. 21, 2015, file photo, shows a sign for American Express outside a New York business. American Express reports financial results, Wednesday, April 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

In prepared remarks, AmEx CEO and Chairman Kenneth Chenault said the quarter's results "reflected strong, underlying growth in our lending portfolio, along with higher Card Member spending and fee income."

AmEx continues to spend heavily on marketing and promotions to keep the customers it had under the JetBlue and Costco credit card programs. AmEx lost its exclusive contract with Costco early last year to Visa and Citigroup, which was a major blow to the company since it represented a sizeable chunk of AmEx's total card spending and loans. The deal forced AmEx to sell its credit card portfolio to Citigroup, and Costco will be transitioning its credit card payment processing to Visa later this year.

Since then, the company has been trying to retain those customers by selling them new AmEx-branded cards. So while revenue at the company rose 2 percent to $8.09 billion in the quarter, expenses rose 5 percent to $5.47 billion.

Those efforts appear to be working, at least so far. The company added roughly 5.4 million new credit card accounts in the U.S. and globally compared to a year earlier. AmEx executives have said they will continue to spend heavily to keep those customers.

American Express customers spent $253.8 billion on their cards in the quarter, up 6 percent adjusting for currency fluctuations. The amount spent on AmEx's cards is a closely watched metric for AmEx, since the company makes most of its money from charging merchants a fee every time an AmEx card is used.

AmEx reaffirmed their full year guidance, saying it still expects to earn $5.40 to $5.70 a share in 2016 and at least $5.60 in 2017.
Insurance group: Texas hailstorm caused record $1.36B damage

SAN ANTONIO (AP)  An insurance industry group says a hailstorm that hit the San Antonio area last week proved to be the costliest in Texas history, with damage estimated at nearly $1.4 billion.

The Insurance Council of Texas says hailstones as large as grapefruit caused about $560 million in estimated insured losses to motor vehicles, while damage to homes and businesses was expected to reach $800 million.

Robert Crosby, executive director of Independent Insurance Agents of San Antonio, said uninsured losses were also expected to high.

FILE - In this April 13, 2016, file photo, Rodney Rodriguez checks the damage to his 2008 Ford Escape in the Woodlake neighborhood in San Antonio, after a severe hailstorm hit the area the night before. The Insurance Council of Texas says a hailstorm that hit the San Antonio area last week proved to be the costliest in Texas history, with damage estimated at nearly $1.4 billion. (Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News via AP, File) MAGS OUT NO SALES SAN ANTONIO OUT

The $1.36 billion damage estimate beats the $1.1 billion in damage caused by a hailstorm that hit Fort Worth on May 5, 1995.

No injuries were reported in storm that pummeled northern San Antonio and northwestern Bexar (BEAR) County the night of April 12.
Half-mile tunnel found on US-Mexico border, cocaine seized

SAN DIEGO (AP)  U.S. authorities said Wednesday that they discovered a cross-border tunnel that ran a half-mile from a Tijuana house equipped with a large elevator to a lot in San Diego that was advertised as a wooden pallet business, resulting in seizures of more than a ton of cocaine and seven tons of marijuana.

It was the 13th sophisticated secret passage found along California's border with Mexico since 2006, including three on the same short street in San Diego that runs parallel to a border fence with a densely populated residential area on the Mexican side. The unusually narrow tunnel was only about three feet wide, equipped with a rail system, lighting and ventilation.

The tunnel was unusual because it was used for cocaine, not just marijuana, said Laura Duffy, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California. Tunnels are often built for marijuana because its bulk and odor make it more difficult to escape border inspectors' scrutiny than cocaine and other drugs.

Border Patrol Special Operations Supervisor Cesar Sotelo looks on next to the entrance of a tunnel leading to Mexico from a lot along the border, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in San Diego. Officials announced the recent discovery of the nearly half-mile-long tunnel Wednesday, along with the seizure of more than a ton of cocaine and seven tons of marijuana. Six people were also arrested. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

The elevator, which was big enough for eight to 10 people, was located in the closet of a Tijuana house whose floors were strewn with mattresses, Duffy said. The tunnel zig-zagged for 874 yards to the fenced commercial lot in San Diego, where the exit was covered by a large trash bin.

Other tunnels that have ended in California were inside houses and warehouses.

"It's a rabbit hole," Duffy told reporters. "Just the whole way that it comes up and that it comes up out right into the open, it is a bit ingenious, I think, and it's something completely different than what we've seen."

Investigators didn't know when the tunnel was completed. Margarita Ontiveros, who works at a law office next to the San Diego lot, said the tenants arrived about a year ago and often bought and sold wooden pallets.

"They loaded and unloaded a lot of pallets," Ontiveros said. "They sold very cheap."

Investigators began to monitor the lot daily last fall after Border Patrol agents assigned to the area saw heavy traffic and grew suspicious, said Duffy. The prosecutor said she was "fairly confident" that the first drug load was sent earlier this month but didn't rule out the possibility that some got through undetected.

Six people were arrested in the San Diego area Friday on drug- and tunnel-related crimes, including one U.S. citizen, two Cubans who were granted asylum and three Mexicans who were legally entitled to be in the country, Duffy said.

Authorities saw a trash bin forklifted on to a truck at the San Diego lot on April 13 and followed it to a parking lot in San Diego, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations investigator said in a criminal complaint. Two days later, San Diego County sheriff's deputies stopped a truck after it left the parking lot, seizing 2,240 pounds of cocaine and 11,030 pounds of marijuana.

Marijuana found in the tunnel and trash bin brought the total pot haul to more than seven tons, authorities said.

The discovery demonstrates the enduring appeal of tunnels to smugglers, despite the significant time and money required to build one. Dozens have been found along the U.S.-Mexico border in recent years, mostly in California and Arizona. Many are found incomplete.

The San Diego-Tijuana region is popular because its clay-like soil is relatively easy to dig with shovels and pneumatic tools, and both sides of the border have warehouses that provide cover for trucks and heavy equipment.

U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy speaks during a news conference in a lot alongside the border with Mexico Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in San Diego. A nearly half-mile-long tunnel leading from Mexico to San Diego was discovered and more than a ton of cocaine and seven tons of marijuana was seized, the U.S. attorney's office said Wednesday. Six people were arrested. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

U.S. Border Patrol agents look on during a news conference in a lot alongside the border with Mexico Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in San Diego. A nearly half-mile-long tunnel leading from Mexico to San Diego was discovered and more than a ton of cocaine and seven tons of marijuana was seized, the U.S. attorney's office said Wednesday. Six people were arrested. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Underdog presidential candidates spend heavily to catch up

WASHINGTON (AP)  Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders continued to outpace rival Hillary Clinton in fundraising  and spending  last month, new Federal Election Commission filings show.

Sanders' record March haul of almost $46 million topped Clinton by about $19 million. Yet he vaporized that cash advantage by spending roughly $17 million more than she did. Sanders shared the numbers on his campaign website, but his report wasn't available through the FEC by early Thursday.

While racking up wins in recent primary states, except New York this week, Sanders has failed to nudge Clinton off her apparent path to the party's presidential nomination.

U.S. Senator and Democratic Party presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks during a rally at Penn State University in State College, Pa., Tuesday, April 19, 2016. (Sean Simmers/PennLive.com via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

She began April with $29 million, and he with $17 million.

On the Republican side, front-runner Donald Trump offered his biggest campaign loan yet: $11.5 million. That made up the bulk of his $13.8 million in March spending, and brought his total personal campaign investment to about $36 million.

Meanwhile, his two GOP rivals struggled to keep pace financially.

Other highlights from the filings:

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KASICH FAILS TO LAUNCH WITH DONORS

Ohio Gov. John Kasich scored a must-win primary in his home state last month, but the victory only modestly helped his campaign coffers. He raised $4.5 million in March, only about $1 million more than the previous month.

That's despite his assertion that he's the most electable Republican in a general election. Donors don't appear to see that as enough of a reason to give.

The main outside group working to help him also fared relatively poorly, filings show. The super PAC New Day for America brought in $2.8 million in March  even less than it raised a month earlier, before his Ohio win.

Six-figure backers included hedge fund manager Stanley Druckenmiller, who gave $400,000. Quicken Loans founder and chairman Dan Gilbert and hedge fund manager David Tepper, president of Appaloosa Management L.P., both gave $250,000.

New Day had $1.2 million cash on hand as this month began, while Kasich's campaign had about $1 million.

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CRUZ OUTLAYS

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who was denied any delegates Tuesday in the New York primary, continued to romp Kasich when it comes to fundraising, taking in $12.5 million in March.

Like Kasich, Cruz cannot win the GOP nomination outright; however, he has amassed far more delegates than the governor, putting him in a stronger position if the nominee is chosen this summer at a contested convention.

Cruz's campaign spent almost as much as it brought in last month, largely on television advertisements and prospecting for new donors. Even so, Cruz began April with about $8.8 million cash on hand.

Cruz can also count on a bevy of super PACs that continue to rake in new dollars.

Missouri-based Herzog Contracting Corp, an asphalt and pavement contractor founded by Bill Herzog, donated $1 million, and so did Richard Uihlein, CEO of shipping supply distributor Uline Inc.

In addition, Cruz's top financial supporter, hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer, ponied up another $2 million in March, bringing his total investment in Cruz's efforts to $13.5 million.

Trusted Leadership and three of the most active groups it is synced with began April with $11.6 million left in the bank, FEC filings show.

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CASH AGAINST TRUMP

Our Principles PAC, a group established solely to oppose Trump's presidential run, brought in about $8.4 million including a $200,000 donation from the Cruz-aligned Keep the Promise I super PAC, which is funded by Mercer.

Other six- and seven-figure checks came from hedge fund investors Paul Singer and Cliff Asness, who had backed Marco Rubio's 2016 bid. Cruz supporter Uihlein gave $2 million.

The group was initially funded with a million-dollar investment from the Ricketts family, whose patriarch founded TD Ameritrade. They've now given $4.5 million.

But Our Principles quickly tore through that money, spending more than $11.2 million in March and ending the month with just under $425,00s0 cash on hand. The group's filing shows that the bulk of the money went into anti-Trump ads, research and voter contact.

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WHAT PRIMARY? CLINTON ALLIES EYE NOVEMBER

On the Democratic side, an outside group helping Clinton is looking ahead to the general election, even as Sanders remains in the primary.

Priorities USA, a super PAC that says it plans to pour $125 million into ads supporting Clinton, reported taking in $11.7 million in March, bringing the group's total haul this election cycle to more than $67 million.

So far, data from Kantar Media's advertising tracker show the group has reserved more than $64 million in television ads scheduled to air from Aug. 2 through the day before the general election.

The group also said it will start airing other TV ads in June and plans to spend heavily on digital advertising to support Clinton and attack Cruz and Trump.

At the start of April, Priorities reported more than $44 million cash on hand. A group spokesman also says it has lined up an additional $49 million in "commitments" from wealthy donors.

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THE CARSON MONEY TRAIN

Ben Carson may have dropped out of the race for president on March 4, but his campaign kept right on paying political consultants.

According to FEC filings, Carson spent $157,000 on political strategy consulting and an additional $103,000 on travel for his political consultants in the weeks after he ended his bid. The campaign also spent an additional $39,000 on travel for various employees and consultants and reported spending on payroll right up until March 31.

The spending continued a trend uncovered last month by The Associated Press. Carson, who raised more than $63 million this election cycle, paid at least $16 million to fundraising and marketing firms owned by a pair of his top consultants, the AP found.

And federal filings show the campaign was still sitting on a considerable amount of cash. At the end of March, Carson America reported $3.4 million in cash on hand. That's more than Kasich, who remains in the race.

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Follow Chad Day and Julie Bykowicz on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChadSDay and https://twitter.com/bykowicz

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at Stephen Decatur High School, Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Berlin, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Republican presidential candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich talks with people following his remarks during a campaign stop in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, April 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton listens during a campaign stop, Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at St. Paul's Baptist Church in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
DC teen accused in Metro slaying faces new murder charge

WASHINGTON (AP)  District of Columbia police say a 17-year-old who's already been charged in a fatal shooting at a Metro subway station is now facing charges in the unrelated shooting death of an off-duty Secret Service officer.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier said Wednesday that 17-year-old Maurice Bellamy has been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of 30-year-old Arthur Baldwin on Dec. 15. Baldwin was a uniformed Secret Service officer who'd been suspended from duty after he was charged in a domestic dispute. Bellamy is the second person charged in Baldwin's death. Lanier says robbery was the motive.
The Clerk of District Court in Yellowstone County has removed a comment from her re-election Facebook page, saying it could be interpreted as her calling half the district judges corrupt.

On Clerk of District Court Kristie Boelters re-election Facebook page, a comment by Boelter implied the longest standing judges in Yellowstone County used tactics of intimidation to further the corruption of the court.

She said she deleted the comment because it didnt reflect what she meant.

5 years of search warrants sealed after clerical error leads to accidental release Search warrants going back five years have been sealed after a clerical error resulted in a 

Boelter is running for her second term as court clerk and posted on her Facebook page Friday that one of her opponents was running a negative campaign and makes "fictional statements."

Her message is a constant dig at me and my administration, Boelter wrote.

In response, a supporter of Boelter's wrote that her challenger, Terry Halpin, a judicial assistant for District Court Judge Russell Fagg, was a tool at the judges finger tips and their intimidation tactics make the clerks office look disorderly.

Boelter complimented the commenter, adding 1/2 judges are newer and, as I see it, seem to understand that and are trying not to get intimidated themselves into being part of that corruption.

I was welcome with open arms until some of them found out I knew the truth, Boelter wrote. The truth was explained to me by another district court judge from another county in Montana. He said, district court judges need the clerk of court. The clerk of court does not need district court judges.

Boelter clarified that when she said the judges were "part of that corruption," she meant they were corrupting the way her office was run by interfering. Her office must deal with six different judges and six different ways of doing things. She is trying to standardize how documents come through. She cant always customize the files the way the judges ask her to.

In the past, Boelter and the judges have had a contentious relationship.

In a Sept. 22, 2014, letter from the judges to Boelter, they wrote, it continues to be a problem that files are not current, minute entries are not current and documents are not placed in files in a timely manner. The judges are unable to conduct business with incomplete or inaccurate records.

The letter was one of three the judges have sent between 2013 and 2014.

Boelter said the letters were sent early in her tenure when things were still a little rocky. She said she and the judges now work well together.

In the first letter, dated July 22, 2013, the judges complained documents were being misplaced because they werent being scanned into the computer system immediately. They suggested scanners on the counters of the clerks office. This was not a viable plan, Boelter said, because they sometimes process documents up to 100 pages long. It would ruin the customer service of the office, Boelter said.

If minutes are missing from the record, Boelter said it would be from several clerks who quit without completing their minutes, and her office is working to correct that issue.

Manpower is the number-one problem in the court system, Boelter said. ...They need more judges, is it not feasible that if theyre growing, were growing.

She said last week her office lost another clerk and is hiring for the position.

Boelter took responsibility last Tuesday for the accidental public release of a search warrant in a homicide case that was ordered sealed by a judge to protect the investigation. After the release, Boelter, with the agreement of Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito, sealed five years worth of search warrants. Boelter promised to look through the warrants and make sure they were all properly filed.

When asked about the suggestion of corruption in the court, Judge Gregory Todd said he could not comment because judges are required to stay neutral in partisan political elections.

Former Montana Bar Association President Mark Parker said the Clerk of Court position is imperative to maintaining accurate court records.

The Supreme Court demands it because theyre called upon sometimes to review the work of the judge and if its not in the record then where do they go, Parker said.

In addition, the public has a similar right to know, Parker said. Media outlets cant have someone at the courts all the time, Parker said. The documents must be accurate so they can report to the public.

Boelter won her seat in 2012, beating incumbent District Court Clerk Carol Muessig. Muessig beat Laura Brent in 2008. Brent and the District Court judges at that time also clashed over the way she handled her office, including going over budget. It got to the point where judges suggested Brent could be held in contempt of court.

This year's Clerk of District Court election will be in June.

Nancy Sweeney has been Lewis and Clark Clerk of District Court for 37 years and is the former president of the Montana Association of Clerks of District Court. She said the clerk is a county position and has complete autonomy. While their general duties dictate the basic functions of a Clerk of District Court's job, things like "keeping the minutes of the court" does not have any direction as to what the content of those minutes must be.

The clerk maintains the state records of district court, grants marriage licenses, handles child support payments, processes divorces and parenting plans, and do more than just maintain the record, Sweeney said. Still, if all the court needed to maintain a record was a court transcript, there would be no need for a Clerk of District Court, Sweeney said.

"It is to our benefit to work hand-in-hand, in the interest of justice, with the Attorney General's office, the Public Defender's Office, the judges and the media," Sweeney said.
The Latest: Top lawmaker: N. Carolina law will stay in place

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The Latest on a law that limits protections for gay, lesbian and transgender people (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

The leader of North Carolina's state senate says he doesn't see the need to amend a law that limits protections for the LGBT community during the upcoming session.

FILE This Tuesday Aug. 25, 2015 file photo shows Gavin Grimm on his front porch during an interview at his home in Gloucester, Va. A U.S. appeals court has overturned a policy barring a transgender student from using the boys' restrooms at his Virginia high school. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday, April 19, 2016 that the Gloucester County School Board policy is discriminatory. A federal judge had earlier rejected Grimm's sex discrimination claim. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Sen. Phil Berger said at a news conference Wednesday that he would listen to a proposal from Gov. Pat McCrory seeking to allow people to use state law to sue over workplace discrimination. The session starts on Monday.

But Berger also said: "I don't know that I would at any point be ready to say we are going to make any changes. I just don't see the need for it."

Both Berger and McCrory are Republican.

Berger also said that a federal court appeals court ruling that threatens a key measure of the law is "troubling," but he argues it's not the final word.

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4:30 a.m.

A federal appeals court ruling on transgender bathroom access in public schools threatens a key provision of a North Carolina law limiting protections for the LGBT community. The decision prompted swift condemnation from the state's Republican leaders.

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond sided Tuesday with a transgender teen's arguments that a Virginia school board violated Title IX by forbidding him from using the boys' restroom. The appeals court's interpretation of the federal education law directly affects North Carolina.

Maxine Eichner is a University of North Carolina law professor who's an expert on sexual orientation and the law. She says the court's ruling imperils a provision of the North Carolina law that requires transgender students in public schools and universities to use bathrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificate.

FILE - This Aug. 25, 2015 file photo shows the front sign of the Gloucester County High school in Gloucester, Va. The school board had prevented a transgender student from using the boys bathroom. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday, April 19, 2016 that the Gloucester County School Board policy is discriminatory. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
British hiker found dead after going missing in Peruvian Andes

A British hiker has been found dead almost a fortnight after he went missing in the Peruvian Andes.

Harry Greaves was last seen on April 7 when he set out on a solo mountain hike, two days before his 29th birthday.

The experienced outdoorsman was expected back three days later but did not return. His body was found by police and volunteers in a 40-metre crevasse on Tuesday.

Harry Greaves has been found dead after going missing two weeks ago (Lucie Blackman Trust/PA)

His family described him as "one of the most loveliest men you could ever wish to meet" and said he was an "extremely genuine and caring person".

"Our dearest Harry has been found," they said in a statement.

"It is with great sadness that we announce that his smile will no longer give such light, he will no longer give calm through his touch, and wisdom through his words.

"Thank you to everyone who has helped us find our beloved Harry. His spirit will always be with us. From his loving family."

Mr Greaves, a furniture-maker from near Oswestry, Shropshire, flew to Peru on February 20 and was visiting friends in Pisac, near Coscou.

His friends and family, assisted by the Lucie Blackman Trust, launched a search of the area by land and helicopter in an attempt to find him.
London riots compensation ruling 'will save taxpayers 80m'

Tens of millions of pounds of taxpayers' money is likely to be saved as a result of a Supreme Court ruling on compensation following rioting nearly five years ago, a lawyer said.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and a number of insurance companies have been in dispute over compensation for profit and rent lost in the wake of damage to buildings during rioting in August 2011.

Five Supreme Court justices on Wednesday ruled in favour of Mr Johnson.

Smoke rising from the Sony distribution warehouse in Enfield, north London, following a huge fire after rioting in the area in 2011

They concluded that the mayor's office - which funds the Metropolitan Police - should not have to pay compensation for lost profit and rent.

A lawyer involved in the case said the decision could save the taxpayer more than 80 million.

The dispute centred on damage caused to a Sony warehouse in Enfield, north London, and the provisions of a piece of Victorian legislation - the 1886 Riot Damages Act.

Mr Johnson asked for a Supreme Court ruling following hearings in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Judges were told that the 1886 legislation said compensation for ''damage by riot'' should be paid out of police funds.

A number of insurance companies argued that the destruction and looting of the Sony warehouse fell into that category but Mr Johnson disagreed.

A High Court judge ruled that the Sony warehouse was damaged during ''widespread civil disorder''.

Mr Justice Flaux said losses had arisen out of damage caused by ''persons riotously and tumultuously assembled'' and should be paid for out of police funds.

But he decided that there was a limit to liability - and said ''consequential losses'', including loss of profit and rent, were not ''in principle recoverable''.

Insurers challenged his decision on the ''extent of liability'' and the Court of Appeal ruled in their favour.

Appeal judges concluded that legislation provided a right to compensation for consequential loss.

But five Supreme Court justices overturned that appeal court decision - after analysing argument at a hearing in January - in the wake of a challenge by Mr Johnson.

They concluded that the Riot Damages Act did not "extend to cover consequential losses".

Chris Owen, head of disputes at law firm TLT, which represented the Metropolitan Police at the Supreme Court hearing, said the ruling would save millions of pounds of taxpayers' money.

"With many claims for consequential loss dependent on the outcome of this case, today's Supreme Court decision will likely save the UK taxpayer upwards of 80 million," he said.

"The law was unclear in this area and largely written for a different era.

"The Supreme Court ruling today has clarified that the compensation payable by the Metropolitan Police is limited to the costs of repairing the damage done to property during the 2011 London riots."

He added: The legislation is in the process of being updated."
Conor McGregor pulled out of Nate Diaz fight after UFC retirement claim

Conor McGregor appeared to have announced his retirement from UFC, with sport boss Dana White later saying the Irishman had been pulled from his Las Vegas showdown with Nate Diaz.

Twenty-seven-year-old McGregor caused confusion on Tuesday evening when he sent a tweet saying he was quitting.

"I have decided to retire young. Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya's later" he wrote.

Conor McGregor says he has retired

When no follow-up tweet arrived it appeared that McGregor's claim could well be genuine, and UFC president White later said McGregor had been pulled from UFC 200 - his keenly-anticipated rematch with Diaz because of a reluctance to promote the fight.

A story on UFC's official website said: "McGregor informed UFC officials that he would not participate in any promotional activities, including a commercial shoot and press conferences."

McGregor signed for the rematch with Diaz last month in the wake of his shock loss to the American on March 5.

It was McGregor's first loss in the UFC when he was choked into submission.
WWF 'still waiting' for David Cameron's cleaner, greener government

A decade after David Cameron posed with huskies in the Arctic to show his green credentials, environmentalists say they are still waiting for "cleaner, greener" government.

The trip to Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic in 2006 saw the Prime Minister, then leader of the opposition, taking a husky- pulled sled to a retreating glacier to see "in sharp relief and first hand" the effects of climate change.

He talked about the need to tackle global warming and to have "green growth" as he sought to bolster the Conservative Party's environmental credentials and encourage people to "vote blue to go green".

David Cameron walking on the Scott Turner Glacier 10 years ago in Svalbard, Norway

But on the 10th anniversary of the visit, environmental group WWF-UK, which organised the trip, urged Mr Cameron to show he meant what he said.

Mr Cameron has faced repeated criticism from green groups that he has not lived up to his promise on entering Number 10 to lead the "greenest government ever".

In recent months the Government has been attacked for cutting support for renewables, home energy efficiency and low carbon technology, and backing fossil fuel development such as shale gas.

The call from WWF-UK comes after figures showed global temperatures were at record highs in March for the 11th month in a row and winter sea ice coverage in the Arctic hit a record low.

Last year air temperatures over land in the Arctic averaged 1.3C (2.3F) above long-term norms, while in broad areas of the region averages between October 2014 and September 2015 were 3C (5.4F) warmer than normal.

WWF-UK's head of climate and energy Emma Pinchbeck said: "A decade ago David Cameron joined WWF in the Arctic to raise awareness of the pressures facing our planet and to position the Conservatives as champions of the environment.

"Ten years have changed many things - including the fragile Arctic - but we are still awaiting the 'cleaner, greener' environment Cameron pledged.

"David Cameron can still show he meant it in 2006. Last year, the UK helped broker a strong climate agreement in Paris.

"In 2016 a bold plan of action from the UK on carbon reduction will send a strong signal to the markets, the public and the body politic that 'going green' is not a slogan, but an economic necessity."

The Paris Agreement - agreed in December by countries around the world to drive down greenhouse emissions to curb rising temperatures and avoid "dangerous" climate change - opens for signing this week at the United Nations in New York.
Google abusing dominant position of Android operating system, says EC

Google has been accused by the European Commission of "stifling competition" by abusing the dominant position of its Android operating system.

The EU Anti-Trust Commission has alleged the technology giant has breached competition rules by preventing consumers from "having as wide a choice as possible".

In a statement of objections, the commission said Google was making manufacturers pre-install Google Search and the Chrome browser.

The commission said Google was making manufacturers pre-install Google Search and the Chrome browser

It said the tech firm also made manufacturers set Google Search as a default service on their devices to gain access to certain Google-owned apps.

It added that Google was giving financial incentives to manufacturers and mobile network operators if they exclusively pre-installed Google Search on their devices, while blocking some manufacturers from selling smartphones which ran on "competing operating systems based on the Android open source code".

The commission said it was concerned that these moves could stop other mobile browsers from being able to compete with Google Chrome in the rapidly growing smartphone market.

Margarethe Vestager, commissioner in charge of competition policy, said a "competitive mobile internet sector" was becoming more important for consumers and businesses in Europe.

She added: " Based on our investigation thus far, we believe that Google's behaviour denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players, in breach of EU anti-trust rules.

According to the EU Commission, Google is a dominant force, holding more than 90% of the market for general internet search, licensable smart mobile operating systems and app stores for the Android mobile operating system.

It added that about 80% of smartphones across the world run on the Android operating systems developed by Google.

The rebuke from the commission comes after Google faced criticism earlier this year for the amount of tax it pays in the UK.

The company has agreed to pay the Treasury 130 million in back taxes and interest dating back to the previous decade, but has been criticised over the amount.

Kent Walker, Google's senior vice president and general counsel, said: "Android has helped foster a remarkable - and, importantly, sustainable - ecosystem, based on open-source software and open innovation.
Jeremy Hunt urged to accept BMA's offer to avert junior doctors' strike

The Government should accept the British Medical Association's offer to call off the junior doctors' strike, leading medics have said.

The presidents of m edical royal colleges and faculties across the UK have urged Jeremy Hunt to remove the threat to impose a new contract on junior doctors and resume negotiations to avert the first all-out strike in the history of the NHS.

The strike is scheduled to start next Tuesday morning and will see thousands of junior doctors across England withdraw full labour - even emergency care.

If the dispute is not resolved, thousands of junior doctors across England will withdraw full labour - even emergency care - from Tuesday

On Tuesday, the BMA said it was making a "clear offer" to the Health Secretary, saying it will call off next week's strike if he removes the threat to impose a new contract.

But Mr Hunt said it is not possible to "change or delay" the introduction of the controversial contract.

Now, leaders from across the medical spectrum have called on the Health Secretary to change his mind.

A statement from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges said: " The BMA has offered to call off the all-out strike planned for April 26-27 if the Government will lift imposition of a new junior doctor contract and return to the negotiating table. We urge the Government to accept this offer.

"Both sides must show a genuine commitment to reaching a negotiated settlement."

The BMA's junior doctor committee chairman, Dr Johann Malawana, requested an urgent meeting with Mr Hunt on Tuesday and said the key to ending the strike is in Mr Hunt's hands.

Dr Malawana added: "With preparations under way for the first full walkout of doctors in this country, the Government cannot continue to stick its head in the sand.

"It must now listen to the many voices raising concerns about its mishandled plans and do what it has refused to for far too long: put patients first, get back around the table and end this dispute through talks."

In his letter to Dr Malawana, Mr Hunt wrote: "It is not now possible to change or delay the introduction of this contract without creating unacceptable disruption for the NHS.

"It is clear that the industrial action you plan will put patients in harm's way. The first step to averting this must be serious recognition of the offer that Sir David made, so that we can have talks about the many other areas where training and quality of life can be improved for junior doctors."

Junior doctors will fully withdraw labour between the hours of 8am and 5pm on April 26 and 27. I n previous strikes, junior doctors provided emergency care cover.

The major sticking point in the dispute has been over weekend pay and whether Saturdays should attract extra "unsocial" payments.
Government to send 'clear message' with plan to combat money launderers

Suspected money launderers could be forced to declare their wealth under aggressive proposals set to be unveiled by the Government.

Those who fail to satisfy authorities will face having their property and cash seized.

The crackdown could also see the creation of a new offence to target public officials who have a "significant and inexplicable" increase in their assets, and powers to designate companies as being "of money laundering concern".

The Government is set to unveil new measures to tackle money laundering

They are among the proposed measures in what is billed as the most significant shake-up of the money laundering regime in more than a decade as ministers attempt to make the UK a more hostile place for those seeking to move, hide or use the proceeds of crime or corruption.

The potential new powers will be set out in a consultation to be launched by Home Secretary Theresa May on Thursday.

She said: "Britain's world leading financial system is at risk of being undermined by money laundering, illicit finance and the funding of terrorism.

"The laundering of proceeds of crime through UK institutions is not only a financial crime, it fuels political instability around the world, supports terrorists and extremism and poses a direct and immediate threat to our domestic security and our overseas interests.

"This action plan sends a clear message that we will not tolerate this type of activity in our financial institutions."

Among the steps being considered is the introduction of Unexplained Wealth Orders, which would require those suspected of money laundering to declare their wealth.

There would be a linked forfeiture power for cases where the answers provided are unsatisfactory, or where the individual in question fails to respond. These would both be civil measures.

Meanwhile, an "illicit enrichment" offence could be used when a public official has a significant and inexplicable increase in assets.

Under the reforms a new administrative power to designate an entity as being "of money laundering concern" is also being considered. This would require those in the "regulated" sector - such as banks, legal and accountancy firms - to take "special measures" when dealing with them.

Other proposed measures include reforming the suspicious activity reports regime, under which suspicions of money laundering are reported.

Billions of pounds of international criminal money is estimated to be laundered through the the country every year.

In October an official national risk assessment said that taken as a whole, money laundering " represents a significant threat to the UK's national security".

It said there are "significant intelligence gaps" in particular in relation to "high-end" money laundering and also warned that terrorists were suspected to have used bogus identities to open bank accounts.

Transparency International previously concluded it is "too easy" to launder illegal wealth through Britain and that the regime for seizing corrupt assets is "not fit for purpose".

Responding to the new proposals, the organisation's executive director Robert Barrington said: "There are some excellent ideas here, but the proof of the pudding will be in whether they are put into action.

"The powers that are envisaged could make a real difference and, while it is important they are properly debated in parliament to allay any concerns over civil liberties, it is equally important that they are not watered down by self-interested lobbying during the consultation process."

He added: "We are particularly supportive of unexplained wealth orders, an illicit enrichment offence and reform of the AML supervisory regime.

"While the mood music is positive, giving the law enforcement agencies sufficient resources will be a fundamental part of making this work."
Gulf-backed Yemeni forces seize city from al Qaeda - source

ADEN, April 15 (Reuters) - Yemeni forces backed by Apache helicopters from a Saudi-led coalition wrested the city of Houta from al Qaeda fighters after a gun battle on Friday morning, a local military official said.

Their recapture of Houta, the regional capital of Lahj province which has been held by the militants since last summer, is one of the embattled Yemeni government's most important inroads yet against al Qaeda forces who have taken advantage of more than a year of war to seize territory.

Government troops began their attack at daybreak and succeeded after several hours of air strikes and heavy combat, the military official told Reuters.

"The campaign to control Houta has been completed and it has been cleansed of al Qaeda and extremist elements," he said. Several people were killed and injured on both sides and 48 militants were captured, he added.

Saudi Arabia and its mostly Gulf Arab allies entered Yemen's civil war on March 26 last year in support of Yemen's internationally recognised government after it had been pushed into exile by the Iran-allied Houthi group.

Amid impoverished Yemen's security chaos, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) seized the port city of Mukalla and extended its area of control and influence about 600 km (370 miles) along Yemen's southern coast toward the government seat at Aden.

A Reuters investigation this month revealed that the group earns up to $2 million every day by taxing imports of basic goods and fuel.
WASHINGTON  The Obama administration asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to uphold a federal law aimed at people who have been convicted of repeated acts of domestic violence on Indian lands.

The case argued at the high court tests whether the law and its stiff prison terms can be used against defendants who did not have lawyers in earlier domestic violence convictions in tribal courts.

The U.S. appeals court in San Francisco threw out a 46-month federal prison term for defendant Michael Bryant Jr. because his earlier domestic violence convictions were handled without a lawyer in tribal courts on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana.

Several justices seemed skeptical of the argument of Bryant's lawyer, Steven Babcock. Bryant never challenged his earlier convictions or prison sentences of up to a year. Congress has put limits on prison terms imposed by tribal courts.

"So if it's a valid conviction, why can't you use it?" Justice Stephen Breyer asked.

Babcock said the use of the earlier convictions in prosecuting Bryant on new charges violated his constitutional right to a lawyer.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees an attorney for criminal defendants in state and federal courts. Under the Indian Civil Rights Act, defendants have the right to hire their own attorneys in tribal court but are not guaranteed that one will be retained by the court for them.

Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth Prelogar said Congress, in 2005, provided for prosecutions in federal court and lengthier penalties for repeat offenders "in response to the epidemic of domestic violence in Indian Country."

Bryant has more than 100 tribal court convictions on his record, including five domestic violence convictions between 1997 and 2007, the government said. In 1999, he attempted to strangle his live-in girlfriend and hit her over the head with a beer bottle, the government said. In 2007, Bryant beat up his girlfriend and kneed her in the face, breaking her nose, the government said.

In 2011, federal agents arrested him under the law at issue on charges he beat two women in the span of several months.

Prelogar said the appeals court was wrong to rule in favor of defendants like Bryant "who have abused and battered their intimate partners again and again."

A decision in U.S. v. Bryant, 15-420, is expected by late June.
Frontrunner in Philippines presidency race apologises for rape remark

By Manuel Mogato

MANILA, April 19 (Reuters) - A Philippine mayor who built a reputation for fighting crime apologised on Tuesday for a rape comment that caused a political storm and could dent his chances of winning the presidency in an election three weeks away.

Rodrigo Duterte, who opinion polls show as the frontrunner, issued a statement saying he regretted the remark about an Australian woman who was raped and killed in a prison riot in 1989. The video of his comment, made at a recent rally, appeared on YouTube at the weekend and he had until Tuesday refused to apologise.

His comment sounded like a joke when he spoke of the attractiveness of the rape victim and it caused a public outcry that experts said could cost him votes.

"I apologise to the Filipino people for my recent remarks," said Duterte, who is the first presidential candidate from the southern island of Mindanao.

"There was no intention of disrespecting our women and those who have been victims of this horrible crime. Sometimes my mouth can get the better of me. My life is an open book. I am a man of many flaws and contradictions," he added.

Independent pollster Pulse Asia released on Tuesday a survey taken before the remark, which showed Duterte had widened his lead over his nearest rival to seven points.

Duterte was the top choice of 32 percent of the 4,000 respondents in the April 5-10 survey, up two points from the last poll in late March.

"We still don't know what will be the effect on his numbers in the next survey after his rape comments," Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes told Reuters.

"Definitely, it will have an impact, so it is still premature to predict a winner."

The survey showed Senator Grace Poe in second place with 25 percent and Vice President Jejomar Binay had 20 percent. Both were unchanged from the previous poll.

President Benigno Aquino's hand-picked successor, Manuel Roxas was at 18 percent, dropping one point.

Pulse Asia plans four more surveys, including one a week before the May 9 elections, Holmes said.

"By that time, we will have a clearer picture on who may be the next president."
Indonesia calls for joint regional maritime patrols after kidnappings

JAKARTA, April 19 (Reuters) - Indonesia has called for joint maritime patrols with the Philippines and Malaysia, a military spokesman said on Tuesday, after a spate of kidnappings in waters near the southern Philippines by suspected militants.

Around 14 Indonesians and four Malaysians have been abducted in recent weeks by groups with suspected links to militant network Abu Sayyaf.

"We are trying to set up cooperation on coordinated patrols between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines," Indonesian military spokesman Tatang Sulaiman told Reuters.

"If there is some kind of disturbance or security threat, it could be overcome in (our) respective areas," Sulaiman said, adding Indonesia had already sent two warships to the area.

Abu Sayyaf, known for kidnappings, beheadings, bombings and extortion, is one of the most hardline Islamist militant groups in the Muslim south of the largely Christian Philippines.

The group is holding other foreigners, including one from the Netherlands, one from Japan, one from Norway and two from Canada.
Spain targets slower deficit cut to preserve growth

By Sarah White

MADRID, April 19 (Reuters) - Spain's caretaker government on Tuesday said it aimed to cut the public deficit this year and next at a slower pace than originally agreed with Brussels, after a wide miss on 2015 targets left it scrambling to plug a budget gap.

Madrid wants to whittle down the deficit to 3.6 percent of economic output in 2016 from a previous target of 2.8 percent, which would have met the 3 percent threshold recommended by the European Commission.

It projects that goal will now only be reached in 2017, with a deficit at 2.9 percent of gross domestic product instead of the 1.4 percent previously forecast.

The acting centre-right government - in place since an inconclusive national election in December left parties short of a majority and unable to agree on a coalition - said sticking to the original targets could hurt an economic recovery.

"It would have required a very significant budget adjustment," acting Economy Minister Luis de Guindos told parliament.

He confirmed Spain was lowering its annual growth forecasts for 2016 to 2.7 percent from 3 percent previously, and citing a slowdown in the world economy.

"The new budget plan is in line with the situation we had at the end of 2015 and will allow us to reduce the deficit without putting the pace of growth at risk," he said.

In spite of spending cuts by the previous People's Party (PP) administration and a rebound over the past two years after a prolonged recession, Spain has struggled to bring its public deficit in line with Brussels' demands.

Tax cuts brought in months before the December election partly contributed to a wide deficit miss last year.

Spanish regions, which manage their own budgets in areas such as education and healthcare, also overspent, driving the deficit to 5 percent of gross domestic product rather than the 4.2 percent target agreed with the European Commission.

In a joint statement with the European Central Bank, the Commission warned on Tuesday that Spain's efforts to cut the deficit, one of the highest in the euro zone, had dwindled.

"The needed progress on fiscal consolidation has come to a halt, with part of the structural adjustment implemented in earlier years being reversed," they said.

Further reforms were needed to rebalance the economy, they added, in a country still suffering from one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, at 20 percent of the workforce.

The political stalemate has stifled momentum for further structural changes this year, however, and the prospect of fresh elections at the end of June if parties cannot agree on a government this month would suppose more delays.

Brussels has yet to formally sign off on the new deficit goals envisaged by Madrid.

Spain's acting government has also tweaked forecasts for its public debt to GDP ratios, elevating the 2016 target to 99.1 percent of output from 98.5 percent previously, and the 2017 goal to 99.0 percent from 96.5 percent.
MIDEAST STOCKS-Saudi earnings, oil boost Gulf, Egypt breaks chart barrier

By Andrew Torchia

DUBAI, April 19 (Reuters) - Gulf stock markets rose on Tuesday as several Saudi companies beat first-quarter earnings estimates and oil prices held up better than feared after the failure of Sunday's Doha meeting to agree on an output freeze.

The Saudi stock index climbed 1.7 percent as Saudi Basic Industries, the biggest petrochemical producer, gained 2.3 percent.

SABIC reported a 13.2 percent drop in net profit to 3.41 billion riyals ($909.4 million) after analysts had on average forecast 2.84 billion riyals.

In addition, its acting chief executive told Reuters SABIC was seeking acquisitions to strengthen its fertiliser business and could announce purchases in the chemicals and polymers sectors by the end of the third quarter, while it might sell some Asian or U.S. assets.

The Saudi construction sector has also been hit hard by low oil prices, but major builder Khodari rose 1.6 percent. Its profit plunged 70.6 percent to 4.11 million riyals but beat the estimate of EFG Hermes, which had forecast a loss of 6.25 million riyals.

Mouwasat Medical Services jumped 6.7 percent after posting a 27.2 percent rise in profit to 71.1 million riyals, beating an average forecast of 60.7 million riyals.

Jarir Marketing Co rose 1.8 percent even though it said it was cutting its first-quarter cash dividend to 1.75 riyals per share from 2.25 riyals.

Dubai's index added 1.1 percent, helped by a 1.4 percent rise in Emaar Properties after chairman Mohammed Alabbar told reporters that its performance in the first quarter looked good because of better-than-expected sales and cost-cutting. The company has not yet announced first-quarter earnings.

But Dubai Parks and Resorts fell 0.7 percent to 1.38 dirhams after announcing details of a 1.68 billion dirham ($457.4 million) rights issue to finance the development of its Six Flags-branded theme park. The company will issue shares at 1.0 dirham each.

Abu Dhabi rose 1.0 percent. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank soared 9.5 percent in unusually heavy trade after Bloomberg reported it planned to open its shares to 25 percent foreign ownership. After the close, the bank said it had no plans for such a change.

Qatar rose 0.6 percent as Widam Food jumped its 10 percent daily limit after reporting a 77 percent leap in first-quarter net profit.

In Egypt, the index surged 2.6 percent to 7,864 points in active trade, breaking above technical resistance on the October peak of 7,716 points. Exchange data showed foreign investors were again net buyers.

Juhayna Food Industries gained 2.4 percent, continuing to rise after it reported on Sunday a first-quarter net profit of 80.4 million Egyptian pounds ($9.05 million) versus 65.2 million pounds in the same period last year.

TUESDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

SAUDI ARABIA

* The index surged 1.7 percent to 6,532 points.

EGYPT

* The index jumped 2.6 percent to 7,864 points.

DUBAI

* The index rose 1.1 percent to 3,563 points.

ABU DHABI

* The index gained 1.0 percent to 4,602 points.

QATAR

* The index rose 0.6 percent to 10,297 points.

KUWAIT

* The index climbed 0.7 percent to 5,328 points.

OMAN

* The index added 0.9 percent to 5,709 points.

BAHRAIN

* The index edged up 0.03 percent to 1,127 points.
China frustrated over N. Korea but limiting action - U.S. general

WASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - China is frustrated over North Korea's behavior, including its nuclear advances, but is unwilling to apply pressure that could threaten the viability of North Korea's regime, the U.S. general nominated to lead U.S. forces in South Korea said on Tuesday.

General Vincent Brooks, now the commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, also said he was "not optimistic" about the direction North Korea was headed, noting leader Kim Jong Un's willingness to execute and sideline senior officials.
Britain's FTSE hits four-month high as miners rally

By Sudip Kar-Gupta and Alistair Smout

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - Britain's benchmark stock market index rose to its highest level in four months on Tuesday, lifted by stronger mining and banking stocks.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index was up 51.83 points, or 0.4 percent at 6,405.35 points, having hit a high of 6,418.25 - a new peak for 2016 and its highest level since early December 2015.

Mining stocks such as Anglo American, Antofagasta and Glencore advanced 7.5 to 8.5 percent, on economic signals coming from China, the world's second-biggest economy and the leading global consumer of metals.

Rio Tinto rose 2.8 percent even though it cut its 2017 production guidance from its Australian iron ore mines. Investors took comfort from an 11 percent rise in overall iron ore shipments.

Precious metals miner Fresnillo was up 5 percent, benefiting from silver hitting a ten-month high.

"We've had a commodity-driven rally since February. However, there is a danger that there may be a pullback soon, given the lingering uncertainty over the Brexit vote in June on Britain's membership of the EU," Thames Capital Markets' chief strategist Nav Banwait said.

The FTSE 100 is up 2.6 percent since the start of 2016, but remains 10 percent below a record high of 7,122.74 points reached in April 2015.

The index dipped from its high and underperformed euro zone shares, however. Sterling rallied against the euro and the dollar after two polls showed a healthy lead for the "In" campaign ahead of a June 23 referendum on Britain's EU membership.

That made British shares more expensive for holders of other currencies and crimped stocks with global exposure.

"A weak dollar definitely has an impact, and a lot of FTSE companies have a lot of business outside the UK," said Mark Foulds, sales trader at ETX Capital.

HSBC's shares rose 1.3 percent, contributing over four points to the index's advance, after the bank's chief executive said HSBC was considering a share buyback, with rival banks such as Standard Chartered and Barclays also climbing.

"They tend to follow the big ones, and you don't get much bigger than HSBC. So if they go for a buyback, others might," said ETX Capital's Foulds.

ADVISORY- Reuters plans to replace intra-day European and UK stock market reports with a Live Markets blog on Eikon (see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets for site in development). In a real-time, multimedia format from 0600 London time through the 1630 closing bell, it will include the best of our market reporting, Stocks Buzz service, Eikon graphics, Reuters pictures, eye-catching research and market zeitgeist. Breaking news and dramatic market moves will continue to be alerted to all clients and we will continue to provide a short opening story and comprehensive closing reports.

If you have any thoughts, suggestions or feedback on this, please email mike.dolan@thomsonreuters.com.
EU mulls crackdown on banks offshore tax advisers after Panama Papers

By Francesco Guarascio and Jan Strupczewski

BRUSSELS, April 19 (Reuters) - European Union countries should consider taking tougher measures against banks and tax advisers who help their clients to hide money offshore, an EU Commission paper says.

The document will be discussed at a meeting of EU finance ministers in Amsterdam on April 22-23, where tax evasion has been added to the agenda following the Panama Papers leaks.

"The Panama Papers have highlighted how certain European financial intermediaries and other providers of tax advice appear to have actively helped their clients to conceal money offshore," the document, seen by Reuters, said.

Banks are already subject to financial sanctions and a possible withdrawal of their operating licences if they breach EU anti-money laundering rules.

The Commission wants finance ministers to consider "more effective disincentives" for lenders and other tax advisers who assist in tax evasion schemes, the document said.

The EU executive is reviewing anti-money laundering rules and is expected to make legislative proposals by June.

Under consideration are also plans to increase transparency on the ultimate "beneficial" owners of companies and trusts, which often are hidden, thus allowing tax evasion.

Current rules oblige EU states to set up registers of firms' owners, but do not require public disclosures. Trusts are at the moment subject to lower transparency requirements.

"It would be worth considering whether improvements are possible to enhance accessibility of beneficial ownership registers, to clarify the registration requirements for trusts," the EU Commission paper said.

The Commission this year proposed measures to tackle tax dodging, urged large companies to reveal their tax data and called for a EU list of tax havens which should be subject to common sanctions.
U.S. says N.Korean remittances at risk if it conducts nuclear test

By Arshad Mohammed and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - A fifth North Korean nuclear test could trigger new sanctions including an effort to choke off hard currency earnings by its workers abroad, the top U.S. diplomat for the Asia-Pacific region has said.

"Like a regimen of medicine, the dosage can be upped when the effects fall short of what's required," Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Danny Russel told Reuters on Tuesday.

Russel made clear he was speaking about the possibility of fresh sanctions by the U.N. Security Council, by the United States on its own, or by a group of like-minded states from the European Union and Southeast Asia, along with the United States.

North Korea conducted a fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch the following month, triggering expanded U.N. sanctions aimed at starving it of funds for its atomic weapons program.

Some experts expect North Korea to conduct a fifth nuclear test in the near future, possibly before a ruling party congress in early May, following an embarrassing failure of a test of an intermediate-range missile last week.

Estimates of North Korean workers abroad vary widely but a study by the South's state-run Korea Institute for National Unification put the number as high as 150,000, primarily in China and Russia, sending back as much as $900 million annually. North Koreans are known to work abroad in restaurants and on construction sites, and also as doctors.

The effectiveness of current, or any new, sanctions depends heavily on them being fully implemented by China, North Korea's neighbor, the closest thing it has to an ally and by far its largest trading partner, U.S. officials and analysts say.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said all sides should refrain from doing or saying anything to worsen tensions, and remain calm and exercise restraint to get the talks process back on track.

"I don't want to answer a hypothetical question," she told a news briefing on Wednesday, when asked if China would support new, tougher sanctions in the event of another nuclear test.

If the North were to test a fifth nuclear device, the United States and its allies South Korea and Japan could also take unspecified "defense-related measures," Russel said.

"As the threat grows, then our defensive capabilities need to adjust as well," he said, stressing that there was also a diplomatic route that the North could take by reviving long-dormant negotiations on curbing its nuclear program.

MORE WEIGHT ON SANCTIONS

South Korean Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee downplayed the prospect that an upcoming visit to New York by North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong to attend a U.N. climate conference would create an opening for engagement.

"At a time when the North is talking of more provocation, I think it's time to put more weight on sanctions rather than dialogue," Jeong told a briefing in Seoul on Wednesday.

Russel laid out what he called the possible "universe" of how the U.S. government and others might respond to a fifth test and he acknowledged that sanctions have failed to deter North Korea, which tested its first nuclear device in October 2006. He stressed that no decisions had yet been made and said he could not preview a response to an event that has yet to occur.

U.S. General Vincent Brooks, whom President Barack Obama has nominated to lead American forces in South Korea, said on Tuesday that China was frustrated over North Korea's behavior, including its nuclear advances, but was unwilling to apply pressure that could threaten the viability of Kim Jong Un's government.

Brooks also said Kim appeared more "risk-tolerant, arrogant and impulsive" than his father, Kim Jong Il. He was more aggressive in ignoring international concerns while advancing the North's nuclear program, the general said.

Russel said it would take time to judge how well the latest sanctions were being enforced, but Beijing had "exhausted traditional options of encouraging and cajoling and persuading the North Koreans and they have clearly shifted to the application of pressure."

"There is an argument to be made that serious and sustained pressure on North Korea has never before been undertaken," he said. "The degree to which the North Korean economy depends on China and access to China is such that this stated resolve on the part of China, I think, constitutes something of a new ball game."

However, Frank Jannuzi, a former Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer for East Asia and the Pacific, voiced skepticism that China had had a change of heart and was now willing to apply much more significant pressure on the North.

"The Chinese are the one country that still has economic leverage but they are reluctant to put it to full use because they don't think it'll work and they are worried about the costs," he said, citing long-standing Chinese fears that severe sanctions could trigger "conflict, or refugees, or turmoil."
Brazil's Rousseff slams impeachment drive as 'sexist'

By Anthony Boadle

BRASILIA, April 19 (Reuters) - Brazil's left-leaning President Dilma Rousseff said on Tuesday she had been singled out for impeachment by a male dominated Congress partly because she is a woman and warned that the campaign to oust her was fuelling hatred and intolerance.

Rousseff, Brazil's first female president, once again said there were no legal grounds for her ouster on charges of breaking budgetary laws, after the lower house of Congress backed her impeachment on Sunday.

That vote, in an overwhelmingly male chamber, was marked by tussles and shouts of "goodbye dear" by a number of congressmen as they cast their votes to impeach Rousseff.

"There has been, mixed in all of this, a large amount of prejudice against women," Rousseff said at a news conference with international media in Brasilia. "There are attitudes toward me that there would not be with a male president."

Latin America's largest country has more female than male voters but just 45 of the 513 deputies in the lower house are women.

In the business world, a study by Corporate Women Directors International published last year found that women make up just 6.3 percent of board members at major Brazilian companies.

Rousseff's impeachment case now moves to the Senate where the opposition is expected to win the simple majority required to suspend her and start a trial that could last six months.

Rousseff would become the first Brazilian president to stand trial in more than 20 years.

Senate speaker Renan Calheiros said a 21-member committee that will report on the impeachment case would be selected on Monday, which could delay the start of a trial until mid-May.

That raised protests from Rousseff opponents who demanded it be set up immediately. Rousseff's supporters on the other hand are pushing for delays in an attempt to win the required support in the 81-seat Senate.

The crisis has paralyzed the government as it struggles to revive the economy from its worst recession in decades, copes with an outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus and scrambles to prepare to host the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

"Rousseff must be removed immediately. Eight ministries have no head and the economic crisis worsens day by day. We cannot wait eight days," Senator Ricardo Ferraco of the centrist PSDB party said in the chamber.

ACCUSERS FACE CHARGES THEMSELVES

Rousseff's ouster would mark the end of 13 years of Workers Party (PT) rule, which has mobilized labor union and leftist social movements to defend the leftist leader, raising the risk of heightened unrest.

The Workers Party warned it would give no quarter to Rousseff's successor if she toppled.

"Our opposition will go far beyond Congress. We are telling society that an illegitimate government will have no peace, there will be a fight," said PT leader Rui Falcao at a news conference in Sao Paulo with party founder Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at his side.

Brazil's largest oilworkers union federation FUP said it will debate a walkout and is exploring with other unions a plan for a general strike to oppose Rousseff's impeachment which they fear will undermine labor rights and hand over Brazil's oil to foreign multinationals.

Rousseff stands accused of a budgetary sleight of hand employed by many elected officials in Brazil in order to boost her re-election campaign in 2014: borrowing money from state lenders and delaying repayment in order to artificially lower the budget deficit.

Rousseff on Tuesday lashed out at her political opponents, noting that unlike her, many of them were facing criminal charges for corruption.

More than half the lawmakers who decided her fate on Sunday are under investigation for graft, fraud or electoral crimes, according to Congresso em Foco, a prominent watchdog in Brasilia.

Rousseff singled out for attack her vice president, Michel Temer, for conspiring against her, and speaker of the lower house Eduardo Cunha, who faces charges of corruption and money laundering.

She said Cunha set the impeachment in motion out of revenge after her Workers Party refused to help him avert an ethics committee on whether he lied to Congress about having undeclared Swiss bank accounts.
U.S. court rules for Virginia student on transgender bathroom access

By Gary Robertson

RICHMOND, Va., April 19 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday ruled for a Virginia transgender student seeking access to the bathroom of his gender identity in a case that could impact the national bathroom wars playing out between gay rights activists and social conservatives.

The ruling by the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals sent back to a lower court a widely watched case weighing protections for transgender students under the 1972 Title IX Act, which prohibits sex-based discrimination by schools receiving federal funding.

Student Gavin Grimm was barred from using the boys' bathroom at his local high school in Gloucester County, Virginia. Grimm was born a female but identifies as a male.

After drawing community complaints for allowing Grimm to use the boys' bathroom for a time, the school district approved a policy in December 2014 requiring students to use single-stall unisex restrooms or restrooms associated with their physical sex.

The appellate court reversed a district court's dismissal of the student's Title IX claim and said he could proceed with his lawsuit, which contends that the policy was discriminatory.

"Today's decision gives me hope that my fight will help other kids avoid discriminatory treatment at school," Grimm said in a statement, calling the ruling a relief and vindication.

The superintendent of Gloucester County Public Schools, Walter Clemons, declined to comment.

U.S. President Barack Obama's administration filed a brief in support of Grimm.

In its ruling, the appellate court noted that federal education officials have interpreted Title IX to extend to transgender students and said the lower court did not appropriately defer to the regulations.

The decision, marking the first time a federal appeals court has found such protections for transgender students under Title IX, could have wide impact.

"The Fourth Circuit decision is truly unprecedented," said Matt Sharp of the non-profit Alliance Defending Freedom, which advocates for conservative positions on religious liberty.

"Schools are going to be told that you have to allow biological males to share bathrooms and locker rooms and other private facilities with females," he said in a phone interview.

The court's jurisdiction includes North Carolina, which recently became the first state in the nation to restrict bathroom access to an individual's sex at birth.
HELENA  A Kalispell attorney put a lien on a client's property for nonpayment of fees, pursued foreclosure and then anonymously bought the property for well below market value at a sheriff's auction, the state's Office of Disciplinary Counsel said.

The office filed seven counts of professional misconduct against David Tennant, alleging Tennant continued to represent his client in a divorce case even after filing the lien in February 2012, creating a conflict of interest.

Tennant told The Associated Press on Tuesday he hadn't represented the man for two years before he sought foreclosure on the property and that his contract with the man included provisions for collection efforts.

The charges allege Tennant filed a lien for $24,000 against two residential lots near Columbia Falls the man received in the divorce case. He illegally added to the lien $2,300 in fees the client owed him from an earlier case, the office said. He then billed his client $3,200 for attorney fees incurred while he tried to collect his fees in the divorce case.

The foreclosure suit ended in May 2013 with a $34,000 judgment against Tennant's client.

The Office of Disciplinary Council filed the misconduct counts Friday. It said Tennant used inside information about his client's financial circumstances and created a limited liability corporation to buy his client's property for $34,000 in September 2013. The two lots were put on the market for $80,000 each. If they sell, the disciplinary council claims Tennant will have charged an excessive fee in addition to those already levied against the client.

The ODC alleges Tennant didn't withdraw as the man's client until July 2015 and didn't inform the man that he might want to seek independent legal counsel with regard to the property sale.

Tennant's client filed an ethics grievance in September 2015.

In his response, Tennant didn't indicate his LLC bought the property and instead referred to the buyer as "the purchaser." He said his firm incurred another $1,400 in fees dealing with his client's "recent illogical emails and this latest complaint filed with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel," and suggested the property wasn't worth much more than $34,000.

However, the complaint said Tennant knew the listing price of the property.

"The foreclosed property is on the market," Tennant said in an email to the AP on Tuesday. "If the previous owner wants them back, all he needs to do is contact me (and) arrange to pay what he owed."

Tennant said that total includes his attorney's fees, nearly $7,000 paid to his client's ex-wife for child support after she also filed a lien on the property, along with about $7,600 in past and current property taxes.

Tennant has 20 days after being served with the complaint to file a response. A formal hearing will then be scheduled before the Commission on Practice's adjudicatory panel, which will recommend any disciplinary action it believes is warranted.
U.S. judge approves court, police accord for Ferguson, Missouri

April 19 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Tuesday approved an agreement between the U.S. Justice Department and Ferguson, Missouri, to reform the city's police department, a pact prompted by the 2014 shooting of an unarmed black teenager that sparked violent protests.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry of Missouri's Eastern District approved the 129-page accord, which also outlines the revamping of the St. Louis suburb's municipal law code.

The Justice Department and Ferguson recognize "that the ability of a police department to protect the community it serves is only as strong as the relationship it has with that community," the consent decree signed by Perry said.

The agreement requires Ferguson police officers to undergo bias-awareness training and the department must implement an accountability system.

The city also agreed that police must ensure that stop, search and arrest practices do not discriminate on the basis of race or other factors protected under law.

The largely black community of Ferguson erupted into violent protests in 2014 after a grand jury chose not to indict white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of unarmed 18-year-old African-American Michael Brown.

The city council in Ferguson approved the agreement in March after receiving assurances from the Justice Department that it would work with Ferguson to ensure it would not cripple city finances.

A number of U.S. cities have entered into police reform pacts, including Seattle, Washington and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The decree came the day that a white St. Louis police officer shot and killed a black carjacking suspect about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Ferguson.
Kuwait oil, gas workers end 3-day strike -union

DUBAI, April 19 (Reuters) - Kuwaiti oil and gas workers have ended a three-day strike that had temporarily cut the OPEC member's crude production by nearly half, the trade union said in a statement posted on its Twitter account.

"In honor of his highness the Emir ... we have decided the following. First, the cancellation of the general strike and the attendance of all oil sector workers at their places of work beginning at seven in the morning on Wednesday 20 April 2016," the Oil & Petrochemicals Industries Workers Confederation wrote.

The union further pledged "to make every effort to immediately return production to its previous level."

News of the strike's end came just hours after Kuwait's oil minister had ruled out negotiations with the employees until they stopped their action, while one of the union leaders said the thousands of workers would hold out until planned public sector pay cuts were canceled.

U.S. oil prices fell slightly after the news. Oil markets had rallied this week as the strike forced Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) to cut output to as little as 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd), down from a normal level of about 3 million bpd. By Tuesday output had recovered to around 1.5 million bpd.

Workers fear reduced salaries, benefits and staff layoffs will be part of a planned government overhaul of the payroll system in the public sector.

In an interview with Kuwaiti TV channel al-Rai, Kuwait's acting oil minister, Anas al-Saleh, said production would continue and that no talks would proceed during a strike.

"We cannot sit down at the negotiating table with the unions during a strike. We will achieve the impossible to continue to operate the oil sector despite the strike," Saleh said.
U.S. pledges $40 mln to countries affected by Boko Haram

YAOUNDE, April 19 (Reuters) - The United States will give $40 million in humanitarian assistance to countries bordering Lake Chad fighting Islamist militant group Boko Haram, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said on Tuesday.

The money was to help about seven million people affected by the insurgent group that has killed around 15,000 people. It takes total U.S. aid to the sub-region since 2014 to $237 million, she said.

Power was in the capital of Cameroon and met President Paul Biya and attended a ceremony to burn 2,000 tusks in a bid to end elephant poaching. The trip includes visits to Chad and Nigeria.

"We discussed the monstrous threat posed by Boko Haram and we agreed, and he was very forceful on this point, that the military response alone could not succeed in defeating Boko Haram in the long-term," she said of her meeting with Biya.

Respect for human rights, good governance, economic and forest development and a focus on civil society were essential components of the campaign, she said.

Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad are contributing forces to fight the group. Power has been scheduled to visit the region's Multinational Joint Task Force, which is staffed with troops from the three nations as well as Niger and Benin.

The United States has sent troops and drones and offered to send a special operations mission to the fight against Boko Haram, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

On Monday, a vehicle in her motorcade that was carrying United Nations and Cameroonian officials struck a young boy. Medics in the convoy treated him but he died of his injuries.

"I joined the (Cameroonian) governor of the area ... the leading U.N. official who manages the humanitarian and development response and Ambassador Hoza, and we visited with the boy's family to offer our profound condolences," Power said in a speech.
On Oklahoma bombing anniversary, a pitch for Garland for Supreme Court

By Jon Herskovitz

April 19 (Reuters) - Victim advocates and former prosecutors used the anniversary of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing on Tuesday to lobby the U.S. Senate on behalf of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, who oversaw the prosecution of bomber Timothy McVeigh.

The group, which also includes law enforcement officials, said in a letter to Senate leaders that Garland, a federal appeals court judge picked by President Barack Obama for the Supreme Court, is a man of "integrity and brilliance" who proved his mettle in obtaining the conviction of McVeigh.

"Twenty years ago, the nation could not find a better lawyer to manage the investigation and prosecution of what was then the worst crime ever committed on American soil. Today, our nation could not find a better judge, nor a more honorable man, to join its highest court," the group of 15 connected to Garland through the case said in the letter.

It was the latest effort by Garland supporters to put pressure on the Republican-led Senate to act on his nomination to fill a vacancy created by the Feb. 13 death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia.

Republicans who control the Senate are refusing to advance the nomination, prompting Democrats to accuse them of obstructionism and of ignoring their constitutional obligations.

Republicans insist the next president, to be elected on Nov. 8 and take office Jan. 20, fill the vacancy, hoping a Republican will win the White House and choose a conservative rather than the centrist Garland.

McVeigh used a fuel and fertilizer bomb to turn Oklahoma City's Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building into a tomb of rubble on April 19, 1995, killing 168 people. More than 680 people were injured in the attack.

McVeigh was later executed.

In the letter that included former Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick, Garland's boss at the time of the McVeigh trial, the group credited him with running an intricate and complex operation to secure a conviction that would stand up to any sort of appeal.

"The pressure to get it right was unyielding - and Judge Garland's support was critical. He was not just a supervisor; he was a mentor, a counselor, and a friend," the letter said.

In Oklahoma City on Tuesday, the remembrance ceremony was held in a church near the blast site and marked with prayers and 168 seconds of silence for the victims.
Yemen delegations pledge to leave for peace talks in Kuwait

KUWAIT, April 20 (Reuters) - Members of warring Yemeni factions who had stayed in the capital Sanaa two days past the start date of United Nations-backed peace talks announced they would travel to the negotiations in Kuwait on Wednesday, saving the process from impending collapse.

"We will be leaving tomorrow afternoon, God willing," Mahdi al-Mushat, a representative of the Houthi movement, wrote on his Facebook page.

"We confirm that we will leave for Kuwait, carrying all the worries, wounds, aspirations and hopes of the great Yemeni people," Yahya Duwaid, a representative of the ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, wrote on his account.

Envoys from Yemen's Houthi movement and Saleh's party had refused to talk peace amid ongoing ground combat and air strikes by a Saudi-led military coalition which they say violated a truce agreed a week before.

But concerted pressure from regional and international diplomats has succeeded in bringing the factions to the table with their enemies from Yemen's government which they ousted from the capital in March of last year.
North Carolina business leaders demand repeal of transgender law

By Colleen Jenkins and Jilian Mincer

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C./NEW YORK April 19 (Reuters) - North Carolina business leaders on Tuesday called for a repeal of a new state law they blamed for mounting economic losses as opponents cancel jobs and events over concerns that it discriminates against gay and transgender people.

The state last month became the first to require transgender people to use restrooms and locker rooms in schools and other public facilities that match their sex at birth rather than their gender identity.

The call from the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce adds to growing pressure on Republican Governor Pat McCrory and lawmakers from corporations, celebrities and activist groups ahead of a legislative session that begins on Monday.

"This legislation is bad for business and bad for North Carolina," the chamber said in a statement.

The group estimated tens of millions of dollars in losses since the law passed, including decisions by PayPal Holdings and Deutsche Bank to halt adding a combined 650 jobs in the state and canceled performances by Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Pearl Jam, Boston and Cirque du Soleil.

An unnamed technology company canceled expansion plans that could have brought up to 1,000 new jobs to the Raleigh area and several other companies had eliminated the region from consideration due to the law, the chamber said.

North Carolina Republicans have struck a defiant tone, saying the law protects privacy rights and keeps children and women safe from sexual predators.

"North Carolina will never put a price tag on the value of our children," Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest told Reuters in an e-mail on Tuesday. "If a corporation wanting to do business in North Carolina does not see the worth of our children in the same light, then I wish them well as they do business somewhere else."

Forest said, "Many businesses leaders and small business owners" support the law but were wary of expressing that in public for fear of reprimand from activist groups.

RESISTING PRESSURE

The stance of North Carolina Republicans represents a departure from that of states like Indiana and Georgia that amended or vetoed laws affecting gay and transgender rights after pressure from business groups.

More than 160 business leaders have a signed on to a letter coordinated by the Human Rights Campaign and Equality NC asking McCrory to repeal the law known as HB2. Many of them have also reached out directly to the governor and Republican lawmakers, Human Rights Campaign said.

"We've had discussions with a variety of leaders, and they are aware of our views," said Matt Miller, a spokesman for American Airlines Group Inc, which signed the letter.

GlaxoSmithKline Plc spokeswoman Jenni Brewer Ligday said the drugmaker had reached out to McCrory "to express our concern that policies that impede inclusion and diversity harm North Carolina's competitive business ecosystem and hinder our ability to recruit and retain key talent."

Mitchell Gold, co-founder of the North Carolina-based furniture retailer Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, has called the governor and his state representatives but not heard back. Gold plans to call the governor daily to lobby for the law's repeal.

"I want to make sure he understands the harm he is causing LGBT people," said Gold. "This makes LGBT people second class citizens. This makes a 15-year-old LGBT kid feel broken."

Tourism bureaus in Charlotte and Raleigh said the two cities have lost more than $5 million in visitor spending due to canceled or relocated events.

Dennis Donovan, a partner at corporate location advisory firm Wadley Donovan Gutshaw Consulting, said the North Carolina law could prompt quiet decisions by technology firms and other companies to place jobs elsewhere.
OAS anti-graft body to probe Honduran scandal dogging president

TEGUCIGALPA, April 19 (Reuters) - An anti-graft mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Honduras said on Tuesday it will investigate a multi-million dollar corruption scandal that has dogged the president of the Central American country, Juan Orlando Hernandez.

Critics of Hernandez staged mass protests last year urging him to resign over his links to the $200-million fraud at the Honduran Institute of Social Security, where companies, some formed by institute officials, overcharged for services.

The OAS Mission to Support the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) was announced by Hernandez last September after weeks of demonstrations, though it fell short of what many of his opponents had hoped for.

Still, MACCIH spokesman Juan Jimenez, a former Peruvian minister of justice, said the fraud would be on its list.

"We're in no doubt that we have to take on that case to support the attorney general's office, to support the justice system," Jimenez told a news conference.

Hernandez has admitted his 2013 presidential campaign took about $150,000 from companies involved in the scandal, but said he and his party were unaware of where the money came from.
London copper drifts from near 3-week high touched on China outlook

By Melanie Burton

MELBOURNE, April 20 (Reuters) - London copper drifted from near a three-week high on Wednesday after a reversal in crude oil prices dented sentiment, but a stream of encouraging signals on China's economy fostered a less bearish outlook on prices.

China's industrial output surprised to the upside last month, while rising property prices suggested an economic recovery is taking root.

"Overall, everyone is still looking at China - the March results are quite good you can see signs of economic stabilization," said analyst Helen Lau of Argonaut Securities in Hong Kong.

"The USD weakness and oil price rebound were probably the two major drivers for yesterday's move in copper prices. On the demand side, we think it will be sustainable through second quarter."

Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange slipped by 0.2 percent to $4,927 a tonne by 0800 GMT, having earlier chimed in at the highest since March 29 at $4,953, and following an advance of 2.3 percent from the previous session. A close above the 200-day moving average has also brightened its technical picture.

Shanghai Futures Exchange copper traded at 37,360 yuan ($5,779) up 1.2 percent but down from an intraday high.

The U.S. dollar held near 10-month lows against some commodity currencies on growing appetite for risky assets after it lost further ground to the euro after weak U.S. economic data reinforced views that Federal Reserve monetary policy would remain dovish.

U.S. housing starts fell more than expected in March and permits for future home construction hit a one-year low, suggesting some cooling in the housing market in line with signs of a sharp slowdown in economic growth in the first quarter.

A reversal in the oil price soured sentiment towards commodities.

Crude futures fell on Wednesday, following a more than 3 percent gain in the second before, after Kuwaiti oil workers ended a three-day strike that had cut the nation's crude output by around half, with worries about an over-supplied market returning to the fore.

Elsewhere, confidence among Japanese manufacturers rose in April but is expected to worsen again in the coming three months, a Reuters poll found on Wednesday, reflecting concerns about the yen's rise and tepid overseas demand.

In news, mining giant BHP Billiton followed rival Rio Tinto in trimming its iron ore output guidance on Wednesday, helping to ease pressure on an oversupplied market.

Also the total net long position of funds trading copper on the LME fell to 28,694 lots last Friday from a net long position of 30,092 lots the previous week, the LME's Commitments of Traders Report (COTR) showed on Tuesday.

PRICES

Three month LME copper

Most active ShFE copper

Three month LME aluminium

Most active ShFE aluminium

Three month LME zinc

Most active ShFE zinc

Three month LME lead

Most active ShFE lead

Three month LME nickel

Most active ShFE nickel

Three month LME tin
Communist Laos appoints new president, prime minister

By Juarawee Kittisilpa

BANGKOK, April 20 (Reuters) - Laos's National Assembly on Wednesday appointed Communist Party chief Bounnhang Vorachit as the country's new president and named foreign minister Thongloun Sisoulith as prime minister.

The picks are seen by many analysts as a continuation of the status quo in secretive Laos, where the communists have ruled since the end of the Vietnam War.

State television broadcast a meeting of the single-chamber National Assembly, at which lawmakers listed the virtues of Bounnhang, who was appointed Communist Party leader in January.

"The National Assembly has approved Bounnhang Vorachit as president, with more than two-thirds of the votes," said assembly chairwoman Pany Yathotou.

The 149-member assembly completed the process of nomination and voting for both candidates in around an hour.

In his acceptance speech, Bounnhang said he would strive for "peaceful international policies, unity, friendship and cooperation".

One of the fastest-growing economies in East Asia, landlocked Laos has averaged GDP growth of 7 percent over the past decade, with increasing use of natural resources contributing a third of output growth, the World Bank says.

This has boosted incomes and access to electricity, telecoms and healthcare for its mostly rural population of 6.7 million.

Laos has close political ties to communist Vietnam and mirrors its political system.

Communist neighbour China has been vying aggressively for influence in Laos, however, providing loans, aid and infrastructure investment.

Laos is still struggling to rid itself of the painful legacy of the Vietnam War, when it became the most heavily bombed country in history after the U.S. and its allies dropped about two million tons of ordnance from 1964 to 1973.
Poland - Factors to Watch April 20

Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Wednesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 2 hours):

COAL

Trade unions at Poland's troubled state-run coal miner Kompania Weglowa (KW) reached a deal with the government on Tuesday that paves the way for the company's restructuring and partial debt conversion, the energy minister said.

EURO CONVERGENCE

Poland plans a 2017 fiscal deficit at 2.86 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), the finance ministry said on Tuesday in its update to the country's euro convergence plan.

The ministry also said it expects the economy to grow by 3.9 percent in 2017, and by 4 percent in 2018 and 4.1 percent in 2019.

PGE

Electricity production at Poland's biggest power producer fell in January-March period to 13.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) from 14.5 TWh a year earlier, the company said on Tuesday.

PKO

Poland's No.1 lender PKO BP will be continuing its development on foreign markets by establishing further branches to support Polish business in countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, and Britain, Chief Executive Zbigniew Jagiello told Gazeta Polska Codziennie newspaper.

ALIOR

Merger between Alior Bank and its smaller peer Bank BPH may be delayed due to problems at one of BPH's investment fund, which lost almost all of investors' money, Parkiet daily said.

KGHM

Unions at Poland's KGHM demand further talks about changes to the way their yearly bonuses are calculated after workers reached the deal with the management over pay rises, Parkiet daily reported.

****Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.****
MISSOULA  A trial for Scott Austin Price, one of two people charged in the killing of one Missoula woman and the assault on another in December, will begin in October.

During a hearing on Tuesday, Missoula District Court Judge Robert Dusty Deschamps scheduled Prices jury trial to begin Oct. 3. The estimated four-day trial will also include Oct. 5-7.

Price, as well as Sarah Rae McKnight, are charged with killing Lonette Keehner at the Super 8 motel on Brooks Street shortly after stabbing a woman in the parking lot of a nearby grocery store on Dec. 21. The defendants were arrested the next day in Idaho.

In January, the pair pleaded not guilty to all charges. Each face a felony count of deliberate homicide, conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. In addition, Price pleaded not guilty to solicitation to commit theft and attempted deliberate homicide, and McKnight pleaded not guilty to theft and accountability for deliberate homicide.

McKnights jury trial is set for Aug. 8-12.

Price is also charged with the Dec. 14 stabbing death of Ed Martin, a 78-year-old man who lived in Miles City, as well as allegedly assaulting and kidnapping Martins wife, who was found beaten and locked in the basement.

McKnight also faces federal counterfeiting charges in Montana, although prosecutors in that case have said they will allow state proceedings against her to conclude before moving forward.

Both suspects remain in custody on $1 million bail.
Iran struggles to find enough ships for oil exports

By Jonathan Saul and Parisa Hafezi

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - Iran faces a struggle to increase oil exports because many of its tankers are tied up storing crude, some are not seaworthy, and foreign shipowners remain reluctant to carry its cargoes.

Tehran is seeking to make up for lost trade to Europe following the lifting of EU sanctions imposed in 2011 and 2012, which deprived it of a market that accounted for over a third of its exports and left it relying completely on Asian buyers.

Iran has 55-60 oil tankers in its fleet, a senior Iranian government official told Reuters. He declined to say how many were being used to store unsold cargoes, but industry sources said 25-27 tankers were parked in sea lanes close to terminals including Assaluyeh and Kharg Island for this purpose.

Asked how many tankers were not seaworthy and needed to go to dry docks for refits to meet international shipping standards, the senior official said: "Around 20 large tankers ... need to be modernised."

A further 11 Iranian tankers from the fleet were carrying oil to Asian buyers on Tuesday, according to Reuters shipping data and a source who tracks tanker movements. That was broadly in line with the number consistently committed to Asian runs since sanctions were lifted in January, putting more strain on the remaining available fleet.

This means foreign ships are needed for a big export push to Europe and elsewhere, said the industry sources, as Iran looks to meet its target of reaching pre-sanctions sales levels this year. But many owners, who are not short of business in a booming tanker market, are unwilling to take Iranian cargoes.

The main reason is that some U.S. restrictions on Tehran remain in place and prohibit any trade in dollars or the involvement of U.S. firms including banks - a major hurdle for the oil and tanker trades, which are priced in dollars.

Eight foreign tankers, carrying a total of around 8 million barrels of oil, have shipped Iranian crude to European destinations since sanctions were lifted in January, according to data from the tanker-tracking source and ship brokers.

That equates to only around 10 days' worth of sales at the levels of pre-2012, when European buyers were purchasing as much as 800,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the OPEC producer.

So far no Iranian tankers have made deliveries to Europe, according to data from the tanker-tracking source.

'PLENTY OF OTHER BUSINESS'

Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of leading international oil tanker company Euronav, said at present there was "no great urgency to do business in Iran".

"There is not a premium to do business in Iran and there is plenty of other business - the markets are busy, rates are good. So there is no stress on wanting to do it," he told Reuters.

"I don't really want to set up a euro bank account in Dubai in order to trade with Iran - that would crazy."

Michele White, general counsel with INTERTANKO, an association which represents the majority of the world's tanker fleet, said: "We have witnessed a reluctance by our members generally to return to Iranian trade given the prohibition on use of the U.S. financial system - essentially no U.S. dollars."

The senior Iranian government official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, acknowledged his country was finding it difficult to hire foreign tankers.

"We are working on the problems. There are various issues involved, financial, banking and even insurance. It has improved a little bit since the lifting of sanctions but we still face serious problems."

Asked if this and the need to modernise some of the domestic fleet was holding back exports, he said: "Of course it does."

The strain on Iran's fleet is partly because it has struggled to gain access to land storage sites around the world, as sanctions shut it out of the international financial network, making it more reliant on floating storage than many oil-producing rivals including Saudi Arabia.

The problem has been compounded by a global oversupply of oil, and the industry sources estimated Iranian tankers were storing 45-50 million barrels of unsold crude.

POLITICAL RISK

Two other sources with other leading oil tanker operators echoed the concerns of Rodgers and White, and said they were not doing Iran deals at the moment.

One of the two sources said with a new U.S. president to take office in January, tanker owners were unsure whether there could be any change to the nuclear deal Washington and other world powers agreed with Iran which led to the end of sanctions.

"It does not appeal to them to take on the risk and the uncertainty of the U.S. connection and future U.S. political policy that would come into play," said the source, who declined to be named, citing sensitivity over potential Iranian trade.

Gavin Simmonds, of the UK Chamber of Shipping trade association, said of the U.S. presidential timing and the global oil oversupply: "Iran is rejoining the market at the worst possible time."

Before 2012 Iran exported around 2 million bpd, with more than half going to Asia, mainly China, South Korea, India and Japan. Tehran has been banned from selling oil to the United States for decades.

The tanker industry has cited other problems posed by Iranian business. Ship insurers have plugged a shortfall in cover that had been caused by U.S. reinsurers being restrained by Washington's sanctions, although tanker owners say it comes with risks and it could also be withdrawn if, for instance, wider sanctions are reimposed.

"Shipping insurance is still a problem. We see many buyers in the market still avoid buying from Iran," Fereidun Fesharaki, founder of energy consultancy FGE, wrote in a note.

Tanker industry sources also pointed to reports that Iran's arch rival Saudi Arabia had banned Iranian-flagged ships from entering its waters with. Separate reports indicated Saudi ally Bahrain had imposed a ban on any vessels that visited Iran as one of its last three port calls.
Slovak Republic - Factors To Watch on April 20

BRATISLAVA, April 20 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Slovak financial markets on Wednesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Slovak Republic: GMT + 1 hours) =========================ECONOMIC DATA======================== Real-time economic data releases................... Previous stories on Slovak data............ Overview of economic data and forecasts......... ==========================EVENTS================================ BRATISLAVA - The Automotive Industry Association (ZAP) will release official output numbers for last year and an outlook for this year. Related news: BRATISLAVA - Centre for labour will release unemployment data for March. Related news: For Instant Views of key economic data click on For summary of economic data and forecasts For diary of forthcoming Slovak events For calendar of east European economic indicators TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch For real-time stock market index quotes click in brackets: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX News editor of the day: Jan Lopatka on +420 224 190 474 E-mail: prague.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (Reporting by Prague Newsroom)
South Sudan peace deal "at risk" after Machar delayed return - monitors

By Denis Dumo

JUBA, April 20 (Reuters) - Peace deal monitors in South Sudan said an unexplained delay of a rebel leader's return to the capital Juba to form a unity government with his rival President Salva Kiir was endangering an agreement aimed at ending more than two years of violence.

Riek Machar was due to arrive in Juba on Monday and sworn in as first vice president under a deal signed in August. But a spokesman for his rebel group on Monday said logistical reasons had delayed his return, causing the United States and the United Nations to express concern.

Kiir's decision to sack Machar as his deputy in 2013 precipitated the crisis that erupted into conflict in December that year. Fighting often ran along ethnic lines, pitting Kiir's dominant Dinka ethnic group against Machar's Nuer.

"The agreement is at risk. Having come so close to the formation of the transitional government of national unity, all parties must ensure that the spirit of reconciliation, compromise and dialogue embodied by the agreement should be protected," Festus Mogae, chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), said in a statement late on Tuesday.

The JMEC includes members of the South Sudanese government opposition, the African Union, United Nations, European Union, and representatives from South Africa, China, and the United States.

Thousands have been killed and more than two million people in a nation of 11 million have been driven from their homes since the conflict began barely two years after South Sudan's independence.

The JMEC statement said Mogae had expressed his disappointment at Machar's failure to fly to Juba from Pagak near the border with Ethiopia despite a chartered flight being offered on April 18 and 19.

"The chairperson expressed his hope that the flight of the First Vice President-designate could be rescheduled within days, without further conditions, to ensure the timely formation of the transitional government of national unity," the statement said.

It added that JMEC was to hold a meeting on April 21 to further discuss the matter.

JMEC comprises members of South Sudan's government opposition, rights groups, the African Union, United Nations, European Union, regional grouping IGAD.
Slovenia revises 2015 deficit up to 2.9 pct of GDP

LJUBLJANA, April 20 (Reuters) - The Slovenian statistics office revised its calculation of the 2015 general government deficit to 2.9 percent of gross domestic product from the 2.2 percent it reported in March.

The office said the deficit was revised because a new methodology had been adopted that was in line with Eurostat methodology.

Most of the increase occurred because of the deficit reported by the Bank Assets Management Company, a state-owned bad bank that took over a large portion of bad loans from local banks in the past three years.

The 2015 deficit is still in line with the government's target. The deficit this year is expected to fall to 2.2 percent of GDP, the office forecast last month.
Australian mother, TV crew released from jail in Lebanon

BEIRUT, April 20 (Reuters) - An Australian mother and television crew charged with kidnapping the woman's children in Beirut were released from jail on Wednesday, after an out-of-court settlement was reached with the children's Lebanese father.

Sally Faulkner and the four-member Australian "60 minutes" television crew were charged on April 12 with involvement in kidnapping after the two children, aged five and three, were snatched off the street.

CCTV footage broadcast on Lebanese television appeared to show several people grabbing the children from their grandmother and bundling them into a car. The children were returned to their father after Faulkner was arrested.

Faulkner and TV presenter Tara Brown walked free from a women's prison in Baabda, just outside Beirut, and the three-man TV crew emerged from a nearby courthouse jail, after the father, Ali Zeid al-Amin, dropped the charges.

Australia's Channel Nine television network has said its crew was not connected to the people who grabbed the children, Australian media reported. Two British men remain in custody in connection with the case.

Amin has told Reuters he previously lived with Faulkner and the children as a family in Lebanon, but that Faulkner had moved back to Australia with the children without his consent. He said Faulkner had agreed that he could take the children back to Lebanon last year.
Rouhani clashes with Iranian police over undercover hijab agents

DUBAI, April 20 (Reuters) - Iran's president criticised the use of thousands of undercover morality police in Tehran to report on young women who are not wearing a full Islamic hijab or those who play loud music in their cars.

Some 7,000 men and women officers began reporting such violations in Tehran, Iran's capital, on Monday. The head of police said the officers were not authorised to arrest anyone; they can only send reports of violations by text messages to police headquarters.

Asked about the undercover morality police, President Hassan Rouhani said such decisions should not be made by the government and he would keep his promise to preserve citizens' freedom.

"Our first duty is to respect people's dignity and personality. God has bestowed dignity to all human beings and this dignity precedes religion," Rouhani was quoted as saying by the news agency ISNA on Wednesday.

Iranian police are part of the armed forces and supervised by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the government has a say in their policies through the Interior Ministry.

The morality police in Iran usually detain women on the street for wearing bright clothes, a loose hijab or make-up, and men for "unacceptable" hair and clothing styles. They have sealed off barber shops for giving Western haircuts and cafes in which boys and girls were not observing Islamic law.

Rouhani came to office in 2013 mainly on the votes of young people, and he has disagreed with strict Islamic rules. Many young Iranians hoped that his presidency would be accompanied by an easing of cultural restrictions.

But hardliners have moved to block any relaxation of the Islamic Republic's social rules, warning of the "infiltration" of Western culture. They harshly criticized Rouhani last year for saying the police should enforce the law rather than Islam.

In 2014, he said "you can't send people to heaven by the whip," a comment that brought a reaction from the Supreme Leader.
South Sudan and rebels say deal reached for Machar's return

By Denis Dumo

JUBA, April 20 (Reuters) - South Sudan's government and rebels said on Wednesday a deal had been reached to let rebel leader Riek Machar return to the capital to form a unity government, resolving differences that led to a delay this week that had worried peace monitors.

Rebel spokesman James Gatdet Dak told Reuters by telephone from Nairobi that Machar, who had been due to return early this week before the latest in a series of delays since last year's peace deal, was now expected to fly into Juba on Thursday.

Machar and his rival, President Salva Kiir, signed an agreement in August to end a two-year conflict in which thousands of people have been killed and more than two million forced to flee their homes. But clashes have flared since then.

The United States and the U.N. Security Council have both voiced concern over the latest delay to the return of Machar, who is due to take up the post of First Vice President next to Kiir as part of a power sharing deal.

The body monitoring the peace deal, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), which includes Western powers, African representatives and others, also said it was worried.

"I'm happy to announce to you that we as a government have accepted that Riek should come with 195 (members of his) forces accompanying him and his chief of staff," Peter Bashir Gbandi, acting foreign minister, told a news conference in Juba.

A government official earlier said Machar was held up because he had wanted to bring equipment and troops into Juba in excess of what was agreed with Kiir's camp. Machar told Al Jazeera television the government was creating "obstacles".

"We have given him clearance also for all the three planes that are coming with him," Gbandi said, without giving a timing.

Kiir's sacking of Machar as his deputy in 2013 precipitated the crisis that led to a conflict in December 2013. Fighting has often run along ethnic lines, pitting Kiir's dominant Dinka ethnic group against Machar's Nuer.

The conflict, which erupted barely two years after South Sudan's independence in 2011, has hammered the economy and left swathes of the 11 million population without enough food.
Textron profit beats on steady demand for business jets

By Radhika Rukmangadhan

April 20 (Reuters) - Textron Inc, the maker of Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft and Bell helicopters, reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit as demand for business jets remained steady.

The aircraft maker's shares rose as much as 5.7 percent to $40.23 in morning trading after the company surprised analysts with its performance in a tough market for business jets and helicopters.

"We view 1Q16 as solid and as evidence that Textron's management team has the potential to deliver despite challenges in the business jet and helicopter markets," J.P.Morgan analyst Seth Seifman wrote in a note to clients.

Textron's stock has fallen about 16 percent in the past year amid concerns that low oil prices and weak emerging market economies would hurt demand for business jets.

Although demand for business jets was weak in the first two months of the year, it recovered in March and April, Chief Executive Scott Donnelly said on a conference call with analysts.

The company gets about 13 pct of its revenue from Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa, according to the company's latest filing.

The company said on Wednesday it delivered 34 business jets and 26 King Air turboprops in the quarter, compared with 33 jets and 25 King Airs in the same period last year.

Revenue in Textron's aviation division, which includes Beechcraft and Cessna but not the helicopter business, rose 3.8 percent to $1.09 billion in the first quarter ended April 2, accounting for about 34 percent of total revenue.

Sales in the Bell division were nearly flat at $814 million as higher defense revenue made up for weak sales in its commercial business.

"I think that the commercial market is still challenging for sure on the helicopter side and exchange rates, US dollar doesn't help us particularly," CEO Donnelly said.

The Providence, Rhode Island-based company also makes unmanned aircraft systems, weapons and sensors.

The company reaffirmed its full-year earnings forecast of $2.60-$2.80 per share. Analysts on average expect profit of $2.71 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Textron's total revenue rose 4.2 percent to $3.2 billion, beating the average analyst estimate of $3.15 billion.
Ukraine central bank gets tough with owners of private banks

By Natalia Zinets

KIEV, April 20 (Reuters) - Ukraine will closely track assets belonging to owners of banks to stop the offering of sweetheart loans to shareholders - a practice that helped bankrupt 40 percent of the banking sector, a deputy governor of the central bank said.

So far the regulator has been praised for its clean-up of banks, required under a $17.5 billion IMF-led bailout programme, which since early 2014 has closed 70 insolvent lenders that had become little more than personal piggy banks for their owners.

The progress made in revamping the banking sector is one of the rare bright spots in Ukraine's otherwise lacklustre reform progress, which has stalled over political infighting and corruption allegations to the dismay of Kiev's Western backers.

The central bank has now decided to analyse the business activity of the owners of Ukraine's remaining 110 banks annually to increase the transparency and prudence of lending practices.

"Almost all the shareholders have some kind of business and we will track and evaluate this so that in the case of any negative elements we can prevent risks developing," the central bank's Kateryna Rozhkova said in an interview with Reuters.

She pointed to the case of Bank Khreshchatyk, which went bust in April.

A postmortem of the bank's finances showed that over 80 percent of its loans were to its own shareholders, compared with the recommended limit of 25 percent. Its two main owners controlled 60 percent of the company through offshore firms.

"Lending to shareholders is risky for a bank, because often the terms are not based on market conditions, without sufficient collateral, and if negative trends emerge these loans are not repaid," Rozhkova said.

Khreshchatyk could not be reached for comment.

OFFSHORE OWNERS

An IMF-backed programme to diagnose the financial health of Ukraine's 20 largest banks, which account for 86.5 percent of the sector, was completed at the start of 2016 and showed that non-performing loans accounted for over 40 percent of their combined portfolio.

The central bank has now given the banks until Jan. 1 2019 to bring down lending to shareholders to 25 percent of capital, Rozhkova said.

It has also imposed new rules requiring owners of banks to establish supervisory boards of independent directors to monitor lending to shareholders and other beneficial transactions.

In 2015 the central bank managed to establish the main shareholders of almost all the banks, nearly a third of whom are owned through multiple offshore companies, according to Reuters calculations based on central bank data.

Understanding who owns what offshore will also help the central bank stem the flow of capital overseas, Rozhkova said.
Serbian prime minister plans new privatisation push after election

By Aleksandar Vasovic

NOVI PAZAR, Serbia, April 20 (Reuters) - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic plans a new push to privatise loss-making state firms if he wins Sunday's election and will do everything needed to secure IMF approval for his economic policies, he told Reuters in an interview.

Polls indicate Vucic will secure a new four-year term in the general election, called two years early after the conservative leader said he needed a fresh mandate to pursue reforms and to complete recently started talks on joining the European Union.

The International Monetary Fund, in its last review in February of Serbia's compliance with the terms of a 1.2 billion euro ($1.3 billion) loan, praised Belgrade's economic programme but said big challenges remained to reduce the over-staffed public sector and restructure loss-making state firms.

Vucic said that, if his Progressive Party is re-elected, it would press ahead with reforms of state-owned companies.

"The situation is somewhat better but not enough. We also want to complete the process of privatisation, speed up (private) investments and above all to spur the entrepreneurial spirit of the people," he said.

Vucic said he would do everything needed for a positive outcome when the IMF returns for its next review after the election.

"Without a positive IMF review it would be very difficult for me to be the prime minister," he said, speaking at the 12th century Djurdjevi Stupovi monastery in southwestern Serbia during a break in campaigning.

Vucic's attempts to privatise large state companies, many of which have bloated payrolls and big debts, met little success until this week when China's Hebei Iron & Steel agreed to buy a loss-making Serbian steel mill.

In December, Serbia rejected as too low all offers for a majority stake in telecoms provider Telekom Srbija , a decision Vucic later said he regretted.

The three big state firms that are leading candidates for privatisation or downsizing are Telekom, the RTB Bor copper mining and smelting complex and the Resavica coal mine.

The government wants to avoid potentially heavy job losses.

"Telekom will be much easier (to tackle) than RTB Bor and Resavica, but we will be fighting for Bor and Resavica," Vucic said.

"Resavica will be toughest to tackle. RTB Bor will not be easy but I believe we can manage this and I believe RTB Bor can be a very successful company and that we will manage to salvage and keep most of the workers in Resavica," he said.

Vucic said he will fight resurgent ultra-nationalist parties if they get in to parliament on Sunday.

"That would not be the greatest news for the country because I am afraid that some would want to present us in the future as European or global lepers. That's the last thing Serbia needs," said Vucic, who broke with former nationalist colleagues in 2008 to adopt pro-EU policies.
CASPER  An Evansville man is facing an assault charge for allegedly hitting his girlfriend repeatedly at their home Saturday, according to a police report.

Andrew Rayburn is charged with aggravated assault, a felony carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Rayburn, 22, was being held in the Natrona County Detention Center as of Tuesday afternoon.

The victim underwent surgery at Wyoming Medical Center following the assault for a laceration to her ear, the police report states.

Police responded to the hospital about 7 a.m. Saturday. The victim told officers she had gone to her car during the night to retrieve something and that Rayburn had been hiding in the vehicle, according to the report. He began to yell at her, she said, and an argument ensued.

The two continued to argue inside their home on Lathrop Road and Rayburn kneed the woman in her chest and face, the report states.

The woman ran into her childrens bedroom but Rayburn followed her inside and continued to strike her, according to the report. The children were present during the assault. The woman said Rayburn pushed her into the closet and continued to hit her on her face and body.

Officers found blood on the walls of the closet and on toys inside the closet, the report states.
Obama, Saudi king discuss strained alliance, Middle East conflicts

By Roberta Rampton

RIYADH, April 20 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama met Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Wednesday to seek joint action on security threats including Iran and Islamic State - and to talk through tensions between the two allies that have been laid bare in recent weeks.

Obama's fourth and likely last visit to the world's top oil exporter has been overshadowed by Gulf Arab exasperation with his approach to the region, and doubts about Washington's commitment to their security.

Most of the Gulf Arab monarchies have in private been sorely disappointed by Obama's presidency, regarding it as a period in which the United States has pulled back from the region, giving more space to their arch rival Iran to expand its influence.

Obama met for two hours with Salman and a group of top princes and officials at the opulent Erga palace, a meeting that had been forecast to be awkward.

Obama was recently quoted in a U.S. magazine interview commenting on the "complicated" nature of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, and describing some some Gulf and European states as "free riders" who called for U.S. action without doing enough themselves.

The White House said the leaders exchanged views on a series of regional conflicts where the allies disagree, and also explored U.S. concerns about Saudi human rights issues.

"The two leaders reaffirmed the historic friendship and deep strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia," the White House said in a statement.

Obama has spoken of his desire to persuade Gulf states to arrive at a "cold peace" with Iran that would douse sectarian tensions and allow all sides to focus on what he sees as a greater threat emanating from Islamic State.

"More broadly, the president and King discussed the challenges posed by Iran's provocative activities in the region, agreeing on the importance of an inclusive approach to de-escalating regional conflicts," the White House said.

Obama praised the king's pledge of humanitarian aid to Yemen after a Saudi-led military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi group - and talked about the need to help parts of Iraq hit hard by Islamic State fighting.

They also talked about the need to reinforce a cessation of hostilities between Syrian government and opposition forces, and their support for a political transition in the war-torn country, the White House said.

The White House did not say whether the leaders had discussed a bill proposed in the U.S. Congress that, if passed, could hold the kingdom responsible for any role in al Qaeda's Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The attack was mounted by al Qaeda, then based in Afghanistan. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals, although no U.S. investigation to date has reported finding evidence of Saudi government support for the attacks.

Obama has said he opposes the bill because it could expose the United States to lawsuits from citizens of other countries.

LOW-KEY ARRIVAL

Obama arrived too late for the pomp of a televised official welcome for Gulf rulers at the airport, making a low-key entrance before being whisked off by helicopter to the palace.

He later met privately at his hotel with Abu Dhabi's crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan and discussed the need to find a political settlement for the Yemen conflict, and to head off the "actions of potential spoilers" for Libya's nascent government.

Earlier, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter had talks with his Gulf Arab counterparts on ways of countering Iranian influence and fighting the Islamic State group.

They agreed on joint cooperation towards improving Gulf missile defence, special forces and maritime security, but no new deals were announced.

The GCC secretary general said the bloc and the United States would stage joint maritime patrols to stop weapons smuggling to Iran. American officials said these were already taking place and did not represent a new step.

On Thursday, Obama will attend a summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a group of monarchies comprising Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Apart from Oman, they are ruled by Sunni Muslim dynasties who see revolutionary, Shi'ite Iran as a threat to their security and say its involvement in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen has fuelled conflict and deepened sectarian divisions.

That tension surfaced again on Wednesday when Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei attacked Riyadh's attempts to isolate its ally, Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, in a series of fiery Tweets.

"Hezbollah is shining in the Muslim world. It doesn't matter if a corrupt, dependent and hollow government with the use of petrodollars condemns it in a statement. To hell with it," he wrote.
India calls on developed world to tax coal for climate fund

By Mayank Bhardwaj

NEW DELHI, April 20 (Reuters) - Developed countries should raise taxes on coal production to help raise money for a $100 billion-a-year fund that is supposed to help poorer countries tackle climate change but are short of cash, India's environment minister said on Wednesday.

An agreement to finance the fund was a major part of the landmark Paris climate change accord forged in December after four years of fraught negotiations, but Prakash Javadekar told Reuters rich countries were failing to stick to their part of the bargain while asking countries such as India to do more.

India, which wants to double its coal output by 2020, in February raised the tax on mining coal to $6 per tonne from $1 in a bid to make it more expensive to consume the dirty fuel.

Javadekar said India's tax was the highest in the world and that developed countries should follow suit.

"If they follow India and levy a tax of $5-$6 a tonne on coal production, $100 billion can easily be mobilised," Javadekar said in an interview at his New Delhi home. "Today only $10 billion is available on the table. Even a country like America is promising only $3 billion ..."

This week Javadekar will travel to New York, where the United States, China and other leading economies will formally accede to the Paris agreement.

The accord proposed a $100 billion annual fund until 2025 to help poor countries like India counter the threat of climate change.

India, the world's second-most populous country after China, is home to 17 percent the world's population but consumes less per capita coal than the United States.

But while countries such as the United States are cutting coal consumption, India's appetite is surging, raising questions about its willingness to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS

Javadekar, who is responsible for reviewing applications on genetically modified (GM) crops, said his ministry had yet to decide on whether to allow the commercial launch of a transgenic mustard variety developed by a group of Indian scientists.

The government has held three meetings on the mustard variety in the past four months, he said.

India does not allow the cultivation of GM food crops, but supporters say high-yielding GM mustard seeds could cut India's annual edible oil import bill of more than $10 billion.

"We're considering it but the safety of food is a very important aspect of India's ethos," Javadekar said. "Every country takes its decision as per its national policy. We're not stopping science from progressing."
Thai cash-and-carry chain Siam Makro to open more stores in SE Asia

By Manunphattr Dhanananphorn

BANGKOK, April 20 (Reuters) - Thai cash-and-carry chain Siam Makro Pcl plans to invest up to 9 billion baht ($258 million) this year to open stores at home and overseas, Chief Financial Officer Saowaluck Thitaphant said on Wednesday.

Its parent CP All Pcl, Thailand's largest convenience store chain, plans to reduce its 97 percent stake in Siam Makro and said on Wednesday it had appointed Siam Commercial Bank as financial advisor for the public share sale.

It did not disclose the size of the stake for sale but Umroong Sanphasitwong, director of CP All, said the parent aims to retain ownership of more than 50 percent. The timing of the sale would depend on market conditions but the shares would be offered at not less than 42 baht a share, Umroong told reporters, well above Siam Makro's share price of 34 baht on Wednesday.

Siam Makro, whose main customers are hotels, restaurants and small convenience stores, plans to spend 6 billion baht to open 20 stores in Thailand this year, and spend 3 billion baht to expand elsewhere in Southeast Asian, possibly in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, Saowaluck told reporters.

It is also interested in investing in India, but will hold off about opening a store in Myanmar until the political climate is clearer following recent elections in the country, she added.

Siam Makro expects revenue to rise by less than 10 percent this year but would be helped by new stores and the government's stimulus measures, which are offsetting the impact from weak domestic consumption, Saowaluck said. Profit growth will be lower than revenue growth, she said.

CP All, controlled by billionaire Dhanin Chearavanont's Charoen Pokphand Group, operates 7-Eleven stores in Thailand. It has said it will use the proceeds to repay debt and share sale will increase the number of tradable shares in the market.
Humanitarian evacuations under way from besieged Syrian towns

By Lisa Barrington

BEIRUT, April 20 (Reuters) - The humanitarian evacuation of 250 people from two Syrian towns besieged by pro-government forces and another 250 from two towns blocked off by rebels began on Wednesday, coordinated by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

The towns blockaded by pro-government forces are Zabadani and Madaya, near the Lebanese border. Those blockaded by rebels are al-Foua and Kefraya in the northwestern Idlib province, both predominantly Shi'ite and loyal to the government.

Some 500 people - including the sick, wounded and their family members - are being evacuated and some urgently need life-saving medical attention, a U.N. official said.

"Nine of them need transfer by ambulance, others are being bussed either to Damascus or Idlib," another U.N. official in Geneva told Reuters.

Jan Egeland, chairman of a U.N. humanitarian task force on Syria, said last week he was disappointed by a slowdown in aid access, largely due to blockages by government-backed forces.

But he voiced hope that the evacuation of 500 people from the four towns would happen this week.

A Syrian Arab Red Crescent car leaving Madaya and Zabadani came under rebel fire earlier on Wednesday but there were no casualties, a witness told Reuters.

The Lebanese TV station al Mayadeen also reported the Red Crescent convoy had come under rebel fire.

Residents of Madaya and Zabadani will be taken to the rebel-held Syrian town of Idlib, the witness said.

Coaches with Red Crescent markings lined up for inspection before heading to al-Foua and Kefraya, a Reuters witness said.

Pro-opposition TV station Orient News said residents from al-Foua and Kefraya would be taken to the government-controlled city of Latakia and to the Damascus area.
Turkish government rejected ceasefire with PKK -opposition politician

ISTANBUL, April 20 (Reuters) - The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group wanted a ceasefire with the Turkish government a few months ago but it was rejected by Ankara, the leader of Turkey's pro-Kurdish opposition party said on Wednesday.

"A few months ago, we were in contact with Qandil (PKK) in an effort to return to the negotiating table. The government knew that we were working for this but the government rejected it," Selahattin Demirtas, co-head of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), said at a news conference in Istanbul.
Germany confirms growth forecast despite weaker exports

By Michael Nienaber

BERLIN, April 20 (Reuters) - The German government on Wednesday stuck to its economic growth forecast of 1.7 percent for this year, despite a slowdown in emerging markets, as strong domestic demand is replacing exports as the main pillar of Europe's largest economy.

Robust private consumption, helped by record-high employment and rising real wages, as well as higher state spending on refugees have become the biggest growth drivers in Germany, leading to an economic expansion of 1.7 percent in 2015.

"Germany's economic upswing will continue this year and next," Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel told a news conference to present updated German growth forecasts. "Our growth model has become more domestically driven."

Gabriel pointed to the introduction of a national minimum wage last year and the highest increase in pension entitlements in more than two decades this year.

"With this, we have reduced dependencies from external economic risks and created the basis for stable growth also under more difficult global conditions."

German imports are expected to rise at a faster rate than exports this year and next, the minister said, adding other euro zone countries were benefiting from Germany's strong domestic demand which was drawing more foreign goods.

Turning to monetary policy, Gabriel defended the European Central Bank, saying it was time to stop bashing ECB president Mario Draghi and reach agreements on measures to boost growth .

WEAKER PROSPECTS

The government predicts economic growth to slow to 1.5 percent in 2017, partly because of extraneous effects such as more public holidays falling on normal week days, Gabriel said.

But he also cited weaker demand from major export destinations such as China and countries in Latin America.

The government expects employment to reach a record of 43.5 millions this year and nearly 44 millions in 2017. That should further propel domestic demand and push up tax revenue, enabling the government to increase state spending.

"Thanks to its strong economic position, I'm confident that Germany will master the challenges of accommodating and integrating the refugees," Gabriel said.

Looking ahead, Gabriel urged more investment in education. "Schools in difficult neighbourhoods, where a lot of young people are dropping out, have to become the lighthouses, the cathedrals in our country," said Gabriel, who is also leader of Chancellor Angela Merkel's junior partner, the Social Democrats.

The German government has run a balanced budget since 2014 and the state, including social funds, is heading for an overall surplus of some 11 billion euros ($12.4 billion) this year.

The coalition has agreed to stick to its goal of a balanced budget until 2020. Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said Germany must lead by example when it comes to budget discipline.
Syrian government says "serious" in talks, opposition walkout may ease solution

GENEVA, April 20 (Reuters) - The Syrian government stood its ground at Geneva talks on Wednesday, saying it was engaged "seriously" and that a decision by the opposition to step away might help find a solution, because the opponents did not represent the Syrian people.

After meeting with the U.N.'s Deputy Syria envoy Ramzi Ezzedine Ramzi, Syria's Bashar Ja'afari said he had discussed with him amendments to a U.N. guiding principles document, the idea of a broad based government and provocations by Israel in the Golan Heights.
Israel police arrest diamond dealer on suspicion of embezzlement

TEL AVIV, April 20 (Reuters) - Israeli police said on Wednesday they had arrested a diamond dealer on suspicion of embezzlement after a complaint was filed by members of the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE).

A police spokeswoman identified the suspect as Hanan Abramovici, head of Hanan Abramovici Diamonds Ltd., saying: "The suspect is under arrest and we are currently questioning him on suspicion of embezzlement." She gave no further details.

The IDE said several of its members alleged the Abramovici firm owed them "tens of millions of dollars" for gems that it purchased but never paid for.

Adi Carmeli, a lawyer for Abramovici, confirmed his client was under arrest and said he denied any connection to criminal activity. He added that Abramovici filed for bankruptcy in late 2015.

The exchange's board of directors "will show zero tolerance to any who bring harm to other bourse members," IDE managing director Eli Avidar said in a statement.

Israel is a world centre for diamond cutting and polishing. Its diamond industry has traditionally been secretive but Avidar said a new board at the exchange has adopted a policy of full disclosure and transparency.

"The Israeli diamond industry has been undergoing difficulties in the past several years and unfortunately we have seen cases where some factors have exploited this situation," he said.

Israel's net polished diamond exports fell 20 percent in 2015 to $5 billion due to weaker demand in Europe, Hong Kong and the United States and as prices for rough diamonds rose while polished diamond prices dropped.
More than 1,000 Hungarian schools go quiet as teachers strike

By Marton Dunai

BUDAPEST, April 20 (Reuters) - Staff of more than 1,000 Hungarian schools held a one-day strike on Wednesday to demand more freedom, more financing and lighter workloads for themselves and their students.

Teachers have been protesting for months against moves by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban to strip schools of much of their autonomy and increase central planning and management.

Talks between government and unions have been unsuccessful and nearly 25,000 of about 150,000 teachers in some 1,200 of Hungary's 5,000 schools walked out on Wednesday, according to data from the Teachers' Union and the Central Statistics Office.

"The government seems determined not to give much more money to education. That spells bad times for us, and the children," Tamas Szecsodi, who teaches literature at the elite St. Stephen Grammar School in Budapest, told Reuters.

"Teachers are thoroughly exhausted and exasperated by now."

The government will dedicate an extra 100 billion forints ($368 million) for education in 2017, Human Resources Ministry state secretary Bence Retvari told broadcaster TV2. In 2016 the education budget ran to around 550 billion forints.

"That will ease nearly all financing problems," Retvari said. "Justified complaints about excessive bureaucracy have also been honoured."

He acknowledged the government did not see eye to eye with teachers about pay, saying the government had prioritised a health sector wage hike this year.

The government has offered a one-time bonus to education staff of 70,000 forints this year, which teachers said was too little.

Teachers said they would keep up the pressure.

"People understand now that this is not a teacher problem," said teacher Katalin Torley at Budapest's Kolcsey Grammar School, where she hung a patchwork "Strike!" sign on the fence.

"We don't just want better conditions for ourselves," she said. "We have shown how each demand of ours affects children."

Teachers complain that the centrally-prescribed curriculum overburdens school students.

Teachers' Union Chairwoman Piroska Gallo told the daily Magyar Nemzet that a stalemate was likely as recent talks only addressed minor issues and the government was unlikely to make crucial concessions.

"Regaining autonomy for the schools would be a great step forward," she said. "It would also mean the government admits the obvious: its education policy has failed."
Houthis head for delayed Yemen peace talks starting Thursday

By Mohammed Ghobari

KUWAIT, April 20 (Reuters) - Negotiators from Yemen's Houthi group and their allies left the capital Sanaa on Wednesday for delayed U.N-backed peace talks in Kuwait with the Yemeni government after a dispute over a shaky ceasefire was resolved.

The talks to end the year-long war were meant to start on Monday but representatives of the Iran-allied Houthi group and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh did not turn up.

They accused the Yemeni government and its military allies led by Saudi Arabia of violating a temporary ceasefire, including with air strikes that had killed at least two civilians. They also said the agenda of the Kuwait meeting had been altered without consulting them.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed the talks would begin on Thursday.

Talks to end the war that has killed at least 6,200 people and caused a humanitarian crisis, are expected to focus on creating a more inclusive government and restoring state authority over the country, which is now divided between the Houthis and President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's administration.

Yemen's government has also accused the Houthis of violating the truce and said on Wednesday it was running out of patience with the other side.

"If the session does not begin tomorrow...the delegation would be compelled to leave," it said in a statement published on Yemen's Sabanew agency.

The government had given the Houthis "full opportunity" to negotiate and had been patient enough despite continued ceasefire violations and attacks in Yemen, it said.

Mahdi al-Mashat, a senior Houthi official, said on Tuesday his group had received assurances that the ceasefire would be upheld and the peace talks agenda would "reflect the issues that are likely to lead to peaceful solutions to end the status quo".

The talks' delay prompted U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the five permanent Security Council members to intervene.

Sources at Sanaa airport said 14 delegates representing the Houthi's Ansarullah group and Saleh's General People's Congress (GPC), were seen boarding an Omani plane.

They were expected to change planes in Muscat before continuing on to Kuwait, where delegates from Hadi's government have been waiting since earlier this week for the talks to start.

"We confirm that we will leave for Kuwait, carrying all the worries, wounds, aspirations and hopes of the great Yemeni people," Yahya Duwaid, a representative of Saleh's GPC party, said on the group's website.
CASPER, Wyo.  A judge sentenced a Casper woman to probation Tuesday for embezzling more than $11,000 from the Internet service provider she worked for.

Faye Marie Jenson should serve three years of supervised probation for stealing money from Mountain West Technologies, Natrona County District Judge Thomas Sullins ruled. Jenson could spend between four and six years in prison if she fails to complete her probation.

The judge also ordered Jenson to pay back the money she took from the tech company.

Jenson used a credit card belonging to Mountain West Technologies to buy things for herself and her family, according to a police report.

She previously pleaded guilty to felony theft as part of a plea agreement with state prosecutors.

Sullins said he was considering rejecting the attorneys recommendation for probation because Jenson has convictions for prior theft-related offenses. He also said the owner of the company had expressed extreme anger over what happened.

The owner called police June 22 to report the fraud. He told police Jenson had been hired five months earlier and was provided a company credit card in April to purchase office supplies for the business, the police report states. The owner had recently tried to use the card and was denied due to excessive daily use.

He analyzed the companys bank records and found numerous purchases to Amazon, Wal-Mart, eBay and other companies. The purchases had been shipped to Jensons personal residence in Evansville, according to the report.

The owner found Jensons day planner, in which she had written down the names and passwords of other employees. Jenson used the information to access accounting records and authorize her purchases, the report states.

The purchases included kids and adult clothing, furniture, pet food, kitchen utensils and cleaning supplies.

The owner confronted Jenson about the fraudulent activity and fired her from her position. He offered to allow Jenson to pay the debt back immediately and would in exchange not call the police, the report states. Jenson said she was not able to pay and wrote an apology letter to the owner. Accompanying the letter was a two-page document listing the fraudulent charges.

When confronted by police, Jenson admitted to using the company credit card to make unauthorized purchases, according to the report. She said she did not know why she did it, the report states.
Syrian peace talks in quagmire as rebels prepare for more war

By John Irish, Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Perry

GENEVA/BEIRUT, April 20 (Reuters) - Syria's fragile peace talks might not resume for at least a year if they are abandoned now, a senior Western diplomat warned on Wednesday, as the opposition urged more military support for rebels after declaring a truce was over.

Intense fighting has left Syria's partial ceasefire in tatters. The truce was brokered by the United States and Russia to pave the way for the first peace talks attended by rebel factions since the crisis began five years ago.

Those talks, taking place under U.N. auspices in Geneva, also appear to have collapsed this week. The opposition says it has called a "pause" to negotiations, although it is reluctant to accept blame for the collapse by walking out altogether.

"If this ends now, it will be over for at least a year ... The Russians will steamroll -- taking advantage of a U.S. vacuum," the Western diplomat said, referring to fears Washington will be preoccupied by November's U.S. presidential election.

"There will be three million more refugees and thousands more dead," said the diplomat, who declined to be identified while describing a scenario world powers still hope to avoid. "If we all leave Geneva, I don't see the process continuing."

Damascus negotiators say the presidency of Bashar al-Assad is non-negotiable while the opposition sees removal of the president as a prerequisite and complains of no progress on an end to violence, humanitarian access and political detainees.

The Geneva talks aim to end a war that has killed more than 250,000 people, created the world's worst refugee crisis, allowed for the rise of the Islamic State group and drawn in regional and major powers. Russia's intervention in the conflict beginning late last year has swayed the war in Assad's favour.

The already widely violated truce began fraying more quickly some two weeks ago near Aleppo, where the Syrian army accused rebel groups of taking part in assaults by Islamists who are not covered by the ceasefire. Rebels say they were defending themselves from attacks by the army and its Shi'ite militia allies.

A total collapse of the Geneva talks would leave a diplomatic vacuum that could allow a further escalation of the war that is being fuelled by rivalries between foreign powers including oil producers Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Seeking to ease that rivalry, U.S. President Barack Obama met Saudi Arabia's King Salman on a visit to Riyadh on Wednesday and discussed the need to reinforce the partial truce in Syria and support a transition from Assad's rule.

France said it would consider with other European powers and the United States on Monday the idea of convening a ministerial meeting of major powers in the next two weeks to work out the next steps for Syria.

GIRDING FOR MORE BATTLE

As fighting raged and air strikes on rebel-held areas intensified, the opposition urged foreign states to supply them with the means to defend themselves, a thinly veiled reference to the anti-aircraft weapons long sought by insurgents.

Air strikes killed around 40 people in a crowded market on Tuesday in what may have been the worst incident of its kind since the cessation of hostilities took effect in February.

France said the government was rushing "headlong" into violence and showing its refusal to negotiate a political solution. Syrian state TV cited a military source denying any air force raids on residential areas.

Anas Al Abde, president of the Turkey-based opposition Syrian National Coalition, said the Geneva talks were "futile" and there was no hope in discussing political transition.

Speaking in Istanbul, he urged "qualitative support" for rebel groups, and said the solution must be a "political-military" one.

U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura has come closer than any mediator so far in bringing the warring sides to peace talks which began last month, after the implementation of the partial truce brokered by the Washington and Moscow.

But the sides have yet to narrow their differences on issues like the fate of Assad, and it will be difficult to lure the opposition back to the table if fighting resumes unchecked, with the government taking advantage of Russia's firepower.

On Wednesday experts were meeting in Geneva but the opposition's Riad Hijab, chief coordinator of the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC), had quit the talks with senior delegates while de Mistura had left for personal reasons. About half of the HNC delegation remained.

The Syrian government negotiator Bashar Ja'afari poured contempt on the opposition for its partial walkout, accusing it of sulking and political immaturity.

"By leaving they may be taking away a major obstacle that will allow us to reach a solution," he told reporters.

The U.S. State department rejected that view. "We do not believe that the way forward is any removal by the opposition from these talks. In fact, quite the opposite," spokesman John Kirby said in Washington.

Russia said the opposition was incapable of reaching a deal. "By issuing ultimatums, the Riyadh group, it seems, is trying to mask the fact it has no concrete and realistic proposals," the foreign ministry said.

Kirby called on the government delegation to explain what it meant by its proposed broad-based government of national unity.

Randa Kassis, who heads up a Moscow-backed opposition group, said both sides wanted to impose their view. "The solution will have to come from outside: Russia, the U.S. and the Security Council," she said. "It will take a lot more time."

Western-backed rebel armed groups appear to be girding for more war. Fares al-Bayoush, a colonel who heads the Northern Division told Reuters: "Our situation on the frontlines is acceptable, but we await the increase of the support, or as the states promised ... so we can force it (the regime) to resort to the political solution."

He said there would be no return to negotiations "soon".

States opposed to Assad have been channelling military support to vetted rebel groups via both Turkey and Jordan, in a programme that has included military training overseen by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

GRAVE CONCERNS AT NEW REFUGEE EXODUS

The United Nations expressed deep concern on Wednesday over the fate of Syrians who have fled fighting near the northern city of Aleppo.

More than 40,000 people in camps, residential areas and settlements have been displaced due to fighting in recent days, mostly pushed eastwards towards the strategically vital border town of Azaz, as well as the Bab al-Salam and Sijjou camps for internally-displaced, the United Nations said.

"Taking into account the previous influx of over 75,000 internally displaced people into the Azaz sub-district in January and February, humanitarian needs are expected to rise exponentially," the U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in an overnight update.

Previous rebel losses in the area near the Turkish border have made it difficult for international aid agencies to reach civilians, making it one of the areas of greatest concern for those trying to protect Syria's civilians from harm.

The opposition accuses the government of violating the cessation of hostilities to capture Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before the war, which has been divided between government-controlled and rebel-held zones for years.

The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontiers said there were now more than 100,000 people trapped on the Syrian side of the Turkish border, with 35,000 having fled in the past week from camps that had been taken over by Islamic State fighters or had become too close to the front line.
Germany asks Belgium to switch off nuclear reactors

By Caroline Copley and Robert-Jan Bartunek

BERLIN/BRUSSELS, April 20 (Reuters) - Germany has asked Belgium to take two nuclear reactors temporarily off the grid while questions about their safety are cleared up, an unusual diplomatic move that underscores German concerns about the plants.

Production at Belgium's Tihange 1 nuclear reactor was halted for about 10 days in December because of a fire. Staffing has also been reduced to minimise the risk of unauthorised personnel gaining access to the plants after the November attacks on Paris and the March attacks on Brussels.

Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks said on Wednesday that the decision to request another shut down of the Tihange 2 and Doel 3 reactors came after Germany's independent Reactor Safety Commission advised that it could not confirm the reactors would be safe in the event of a fault.

Deputy Environment Minister Jochen Flasbarth telephoned the Belgian Interior Minister on Hendrick's behalf on Tuesday to request a shutdown pending further safety investigations. Officials did not specify a timeframe.

The core tanks at the 33-year-old Doel 3 and Tihange 2 reactors were built by Dutch company Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij, which has also built reactors in other countries.

The two reactors, both with about a gigawatt of capacity, were closed in 2012 and again in 2014 after a brief restart, after inspections unveiled tiny cracks in their core tanks.

But the Belgian regulator authorised a restart in November 2015 after finding that the cracks were hydrogen flakes trapped in the walls of the reactor tank and had no unacceptable impact on the plant's safety.

"I consider it right that the plants are temporarily taken offline at least until further investigations have been completed. I have asked the Belgian government to take this step," Hendricks said in a statement.

She added the move would send a strong signal to reassure Germany and show that Belgium is taking the concerns of its neighbours seriously.

Belgian nuclear regulator FANC expressed surprise at the German minister's remarks, saying in a statement that it had explained the issue with the reactors at a meeting of international experts.

"The nuclear reactors at Doel 3 and Tihange 2 fulfil the highest security standards," the agency added.

Spurred by the disaster at Japan's Fukushima plant in 2011, Germany pledged to abandon nuclear power generation completely by 2022 in favour of other power sources.

Hendricks' comments are the highest profile criticism of the Belgian nuclear reactors so far in Germany, with the region around Aachen and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia having previously voiced concern.

Last week, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia said it would join a lawsuit brought by the Aachen city region against the Tihange 2 reactor, which is roughly 65 kilometres (about 40 miles) away from the west German city.

Germany has long been nervous about the safety of the reactors and a working group of officials met earlier this month to discuss the issue. Flasbarth told reporters talks with Belgian authorities had been constructive.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Iran bank's bid to avoid payout to attack victims

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that almost $2 billion in frozen Iranian assets must be turned over to American families of people killed in the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.

The court's 6-2 ruling dealt a setback to Iran's central bank, finding that the U.S. Congress did not usurp the authority of American courts by passing a 2012 law stating that the frozen funds should go toward satisfying a $2.65 billion judgment won by the families against Iran in U.S. federal court in 2007.
UK financial regulator yet to get its hands on Panama Papers

By Kirstin Ridley

LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) - Britain's financial regulator has not begun to examine the leaked Panama Papers, which have been combed through by media organisations for news stories, because it has yet to gain full access to the contents.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has unveiled a new task force of Revenue and Customers officials, the National Crime Agency, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to probe documents that allegedly show how the world's elite exploit secretive offshore tax regimes.

The Panama Papers -- more than 11.5 million confidential digital files leaked from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca -- are at the centre of an investigation published this month by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and other news organisations.

But FCA enforcement head Mark Steward told a London conference on Wednesday that he had not yet seen the files.

"Most of us on the law enforcement side haven't seen what the media has seen," he said.

The FCA has asked 20 banks and other financial firms to check by April 15 if they have any ties to Mossack Fonseca.

SFO head David Green, who shared a panel with Steward at a conference hosted by law firms Brown Rudnick and Outer Temple Chambers, said the papers "are being and will be accessed" for evidence of wrongdoing such as fraud and illegal tax schemes.

He called the cache an "interesting source of information" that had yet to be fully analysed.

In an effort to show he is closing tax loopholes, Cameron has said he is introducing legislation this year to make companies criminally liable for failing to prevent employees from facilitating tax evasion.

Cameron is among politicians around the world to have been hit by the leak, which showed his late father had set up an offshore fund. The revelations forced him, along with other politicians, to publish tax records in an attempt to draw a line under questions about his personal finances.
Roaring population growth outpaces Nigerian investment spree

By Ulf Laessing

LAGOS, April 20 (Reuters) - Waiting at a crowded bus stop for a ride to work, Osheme Antoine dreams of raising a big family one day. Such dreams, shared by millions, mean Nigeria's bus queues are likely to get even longer in decades to come.

President Muhammadu Buhari's budget plan for this year boosts investment in new roads, railways and power supply in the hope of dragging his nation of 188 million out of deep poverty.

But in Lagos, home to 23 million, spending is quickly outpaced by the growth of the city's population by thousands every day, from both a high birthrate and the migration of people from rural areas looking for work.

Some 1.2 million commuters head into Lagos each day. The three connecting bridges from the vast slum districts on the mainland are jammed until late morning.

"There are too many unemployed people," said Antoine. But while complaining about the crowds, the 37-year-old wants plenty of children himself.

"My parents had 12 so don't expect me to go for two children only, but rather six or seven," he said.

Buhari plans capital expenditure of $9 billion this year, three times more than in 2015. But with the national population growing annually by 3 percent, Lagos alone needs to spend $50 billion in the next five years, said Ashade Jeremiah, Lagos state commissioner for budget and planning.

"But our (2016) budget is just 3 billion," he said.

UNEMPLOYED

The country will have 300 million people by 2030, according to the U.N., and 20 years later it will be the world's third most populous nation after China and India, with 400 million.

To cope Nigeria would need to double the numbers of schools, hospitals and roads, said Osaretin Adonri, Assistant Representative at the U.N. Population Fund in Nigeria.

The country's big oil revenues have enriched only an elite, but account for 70 percent of state revenue. Government income crashed by around half in 2015 because of the collapse in world crude prices and looks unlikely to recover much soon, analysts say.

Analysts say Nigeria's economy would need to grow at double-digit rates for years to provide sufficient jobs. But for 2015, the International Monetary Fund expects it to slow to 2.3 percent after 2.8 last year.

Some unemployed are easy recruits for Boko Haram, fighting a violent campaign to set up an Islamic state in the northeast.

"We have a pool of young persons that are probably not very educated and those who are educated do not have jobs," said Adonri. "They become a ready army for the kind of insurgencies and the disturbances we are seeing in parts of the country."

Many of the poor head for Europe, travelling overland to Libya from where smugglers ship them to Italy.

The European Union saw the number of Nigerian asylum seekers triple last year compared to 2014. Most say they are fleeing Boko Haram but officials describe many as economic migrants.

SURVIVAL

Global banks say the country is a potentially huge market for everything from TV sets to textiles and cars.

But for most Nigerians life is about mere survival, as 70 percent live on $1 a day or less.

Adding to the pressure on Lagos, Boko Haram is driving people south.

Buhari's predecessor Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, called for unspecified birth control policies but abandoned the idea amid public outcry. Buhari, a Muslim, has steered clear of the subject.

The population issue is inflamed by cultural rivalries. The country is divided between Christians, mainly in the south, and Muslims in the north. Each community often says it makes up the majority.

Last month, the governor of the northern Muslim state of Borno said 70 percent of Nigerians would be Muslims in a few years - a claim dismissed by southerners.

The U.N. Population Fund is trying to improve health facilities in the hope that reducing infant mortality rates will lead women to have fewer children.

"There should be a kind of family planning in Nigeria because jobless people keep having children," said Amaka Roselin, a Christian mother of one child, after getting off her bus from the mainland with a swarm of other commuters.
U.S. top court rules Iran bank must pay 1983 bomb victims

By Lawrence Hurley

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that almost $2 billion in frozen Iranian assets must be turned over to American families of people killed in the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut and other attacks blamed on Iran.

The court's 6-2 ruling dealt a setback to Iran's central bank, finding that the U.S. Congress did not usurp the authority of American courts by passing a 2012 law stating that the frozen funds should go toward satisfying a $2.65 billion judgment won by the families against Iran in U.S. federal court in 2007.

Bank Markazi had challenged a 2014 ruling by the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the assets, bonds held in a trust account overseen by former federal judge Stanley Sporkin, should be handed over to the more than 1,000 American plaintiffs.

With the legal questions resolved, lawyers for the plaintiffs said all that is left is for a federal judge to allow Sporkin to distribute the funds.

The lead plaintiff was Deborah Peterson, whose brother, Marine Lance Corporal James Knipple, died in the Beirut bombing. Peterson said for her the legal fight has never been about the just money.

"The mission was for those responsible for the bombing to be held accountable and for the world to understand what happened in Beirut," Peterson said.

Ted Olson, the lawyer for the victims who argued the case before the Supreme Court, said the ruling brings "long-overdue relief to more than 1,000 victims of Iranian terrorism and their families, many of whom have waited decades for redress."

Jeffrey Lamken, the Iranian bank's attorney, declined to comment.

The plaintiffs have waged a long legal battle seeking compensation for attacks they say Iran orchestrated. Congress inserted itself into the dispute by passing the law to help the plaintiffs obtain the Iranian funds.

The plaintiffs accused Iran of providing material support to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shi'ite Islamist political and military group responsible for the 1983 truck bomb attack at the Marine compound in Beirut that killed 241 U.S. service members.

They also sought compensation related to other attacks including the 1996 Khobar Towers truck bombing in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 U.S. service members.

Caragh Fay, a lawyer representing the victims of the Beirut attack, said it could take from three months to a year for the funds to be dispersed to plaintiffs, depending in part on recommendations Sporkin first has to make to the judge.

Money will go to the estates of service members who died in the attack, their families and to those who survived the attacks. Payouts will range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, Fay said.

GINSBURG AUTHORED RULING

The ruling, written by liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, said the U.S. Congress did not violate the separation of powers principle enshrined in the U.S. Constitution giving specific authority to the government's executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Ginsburg said the 2012 law was "no threat to the independence of the judiciary" because it did not apply simply to one case, but rather "multiple civil actions" against Iran by numerous plaintiffs.

The law simply set a new legal standard and left it to the courts to determine how that standard should be implemented, Ginsburg said. She also noted that courts generally give Congress and the White House greater leeway in foreign affairs.

Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, criticized the ruling, saying Congress was "commandeering the courts to make a political judgment look like a judicial one." Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined his dissent.

The ruling came during a delicate period in U.S.-Iranian relations, following January's implementation of a landmark accord reached last year by the United States and five other world powers to lift economic sanctions in exchange for Iran accepting limits on its nuclear program.

Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, who authored the 2012 legislation in question, called the ruling "a long-awaited victory for justice."

"So long as Iran continues its support for terrorism, its regime will be held liable for its actions," Menendez said.

The Obama administration filed court papers backing the families.
Turkey rejected return to talks with Kurdish rebels - opposition leader

By Ayla Jean Yackley

ISTANBUL, April 20 (Reuters) - Militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) wanted a return to talks with the Turkish government a few months ago amid the worst violence in decades but Ankara rejected the overture, an opposition party leader said on Wednesday.

A 2-1/2-year peace process between the outlawed PKK and the government broke down last July and fighting since then has claimed thousands of lives, including around 500 civilians.

Chairman Selahattin Demirtas said his Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which has Kurdish origins, had persuaded PKK leaders based in the Qandil mountains of northern Iraq to return to the negotiating table.

"A few months ago, we were in contact with Qandil in an effort to return to the negotiating table. The government knew that we were working for this, but the government rejected it," Demirtas told a news conference in Istanbul.

"Qandil said it was ready for talks, but Ankara said there would be absolutely no return to the table. As long as it says this, can there be a one-sided negotiating table?"

President Tayyip Erdogan, who spearheaded the historic peace process before it collapsed last year, has publicly ruled out a return to negotiations and has vowed to crush the PKK, which has been waging a fight for greater autonomy since 1984 in a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.

Erdogan accuses the HDP of being the political wing of the PKK, which Demirtas denies.

Broadcaster CNN Turk, quoting the armed forces, said on Wednesday Turkish warplanes had struck PKK targets in northern Iraq. The Turkish military frequently strikes camps in Qandil.

Separately, the military said it had concluded operations in the town of Yuksekova on Wednesday, killing 196 PKK members since mid-March. Turkey, along with the United States and the European Union, considers the PKK a terrorist group.

'CRIMES'

Demirtas said the loss of civilian life and the brutality of security operations in southeast Turkey violated international conventions on war crimes, including collective punishment.

His party is collecting evidence it hopes one day can be used to prosecute Erdogan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and other officials, including the heads of the army and police.

The government denies any targeting of non-combatants and says the deaths of almost 400 soldiers and police since July are due in part to their efforts to minimise the loss of civilian life. It blames the deaths of civilians on the PKK for staging its fight in urban centres.

Demirtas cited eyewitness accounts including the killing of wounded civilians and destruction of homes. He said the HDP had been unable so far to find a prosecutor "brave enough" to investigate the allegations.

"Everyone responsible for this massacre will absolutely be tried one day. They need to know they cannot escape this. The president continues to give the same orders (such as) shelling civilian areas by the armed forces, which is a direct violation of the Geneva convention and a crime against humanity."
Ivory Coast to seek over $7 bln from donors for development plan

ABIDJAN, April 20 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast will seek to raise 4.425 trillion CFA francs ($7.65 billion) during a meeting with donor partners next month to help fund an ambitious 5-year development programme, the government's spokesman said on Wednesday.

The West African nation is aiming to invest a total of around 30 trillion CFA francs from 2016 to 2020 as part of efforts to foster economic development and reduce poverty.

Around 18 trillion CFA francs is expected to come from private sector investment with the government's contribution making up the remaining 11 trillion CFA francs.

Bruno Kone said that an advisory group headed by President Alassane Ouattara will meet in Paris on May 17 and 18.

"It will aim to mobilise the sum of 4,425 billion francs for public investments planned for the period of 2016-2020," he said. "This is part expected from external partners."

Having emerged from a decade of political turmoil following the civil war in 2011, Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower and French-speaking West Africa's largest economy, is increasingly turning the heads of foreign investors.

Under the stewardship of Ouattara, who won re-election in a landslide victory in October, its economy has expanded by an average of around 9 percent in each of the past three years.
Some Indonesian coal ports ban ships to Philippines after hijackings

By Bernadette Christina Munthe

JAKARTA, April 20 (Reuters) - Authorities from at least two Indonesian coal ports have blocked ships from leaving to the Philippines due to security concerns after a spate of ship hijackings in the southern Philippines, an Indonesian government official said on Wednesday.

The growing frequency of maritime attacks by Islamist militants is for the first time affecting coal trade between the Southeast Asian neighbours. Indonesia, the world's largest thermal coal exporter, supplies 70 percent of the Philippines' coal import needs.

"The situation in the Philippines is considered not safe and some of our ships were hijacked," Umar Aris, Indonesia's acting director general of sea transportation, told Reuters.

Shipping permits to the Philippines were no longer being approved at the ports of Banjarmasin and Tarakan in Indonesia's Kalimantan, an area home to some of the biggest coal mines operated by Adaro Energy and Bumi Resources.

It was not clear how much of Indonesia's coal exports were affected by the shipping restrictions at the two ports.

"Tomorrow, I'll have a meeting with the Navy and State Intelligence Agency to further discuss the matter. We're trying to find the best solution," Aris said.

Indonesia has already called for joint maritime patrols with the Philippines and Malaysia following the attacks.

A total of 18 crew members from Indonesia and Malaysia have been taken captive in three separate attacks on tugboats in Philippine waters close to maritime borders with the two countries.

Among those kidnapped were 10 crew members on a vessel carrying coal from Banjarmasin, the main port in South Kalimantan province, said the Kompas newspaper.

Indonesian media reports on Tuesday quoted an Indonesian minister as saying a Taiwanese firm would pay to free the 10 crew members held by Abu Sayyaf rebels.

The Abu Sayyaf, known for kidnappings, beheadings, bombings and extortion, has demanded 50 million pesos ($1.1 million) for the freedom of the Indonesian crew. The al Qaeda-linked group is one of the most hardline Islamist militant groups in the Muslim south of the largely Christian Philippines.
Kazakh oil firm under pressure from state-owned parent

By Olzhas Auyezov and Mariya Gordeyeva

ALMATY, April 20 (Reuters) - Minority shareholders in Kazakhstan's biggest listed oil company, Kazmunaigas Exploration and Production, say the state-owned parent company is impinging on their interests in a drive to squeeze cash out of the firm.

The dispute is part of a global pattern of oil producing states quarrelling with foreign investors as low oil prices leave a dwindling pot of money for them to share out.

Floated 10 years ago, Kazmunaigas Exploration and Production (KMG EP) enjoys a high degree of autonomy from its parent, national oil company Kazmunaygaz (KMG NC), because it has three powerful independent directors on its board.

KMG NC, fully owned by the government, has a 58 percent stake in KMG EP, while minority shareholders, including China's sovereign fund, China Investment Corporation, and funds run by managers such as BlackRock, own 34 percent.

The heavily indebted parent narrowly averted default last year, when Kazakhstan's central bank effectively printed the equivalent of $4 billion to bail it out. Meanwhile, upstream-focused KMG EP was sitting on a cash pile worth more than $3 billion accumulated during a decade of high oil prices.

According to people close to two minority shareholders in the listed firm, the parent company is using a variety of tactics to squeeze the operations and finances of KMG EP.

"They see the company has money and they want to take it. Of course, this is not how partners are supposed to behave," said one minority shareholder who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Kazmunaygaz did not reply to a request from Reuters for comment. China Investment Corporation and BlackRock declined to comment.

PRESSURE

Tensions emerged last November, when the parent company proposed amending the special relationship agreement with its subsidiary. It also said it would support a buyback of shares from any shareholder who wished to sell their equity within two months after the endorsement of the revised agreement.

Kazmunaygas wanted the subsidiary's board to vote on the amendment in January but that vote has still not taken place.

"Negotiations on the issue of reviewing the relationship agreement continue, we will notify the market as soon as there is clarity in this regard," KMG EP said a written response to questions from Reuters.

In one of a series of steps that minority shareholders say have put pressure on the subsidiary, KMG NC this year slashed the prices at which it buys oil from KMG EP.

The subsidiary is obliged to sell about 30 percent of its output on the domestic market.

Previously, such sales were made at a price which covered KMG EP's costs plus a three percent margin. In January, KMG NC said it would pay only a fraction of that, forcing KMG EP to switch to a new processing scheme from April, although it still ends up getting less money than before.

"They are essentially channelling the profits out of the publicly traded subsidiary through non-market arrangements, but doing it in a less apparent manner - through government regulatory bodies," said the minority shareholder in KMG EP.

In another setback for KMG EP minority shareholders, directors representing the parent company voted last month to pay no dividend for 2015, for the first time since the company's flotation, citing low oil prices.

Independent directors voted against that and even proposed an additional special dividend but were outnumbered. KMG EP's net profit jumped five-fold last year because of foreign exchange gains from the tenge's sharp devaluation.
A Mexican citizen who admitted having nearly a pound of pure methamphetamine in a vehicle when he and a companion were arrested near Laurel last year will spend 10 years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters on Wednesday sentenced Alejandro Marquez Gonzalez, 37, to the minimum mandatory term for his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute. The judge dismissed other counts under the terms of a plea agreement.

Watters also said Gonzalez, a Mexican national, is likely to be deported after serving his sentence.

Gonzalez has entered the United States illegally at least seven times, the prosecution said. His criminal record included mostly drunken driving offenses.

Both the prosecution and defense attorneys recommended the minimum mandatory term. Gonzalez faced up to a little more than 11 years under the guidelines.

Mexican citizen illegally in U.S. for 17 years sentenced for meth A Mexican citizen who has been in the United States illegally for 17 years will spend anothe

Assistant Federal Defender Gillian Gosch said in court records that Gonzalez had been living in Royal City, Wash., with his common law wife and their five-year-old son, and had worked at a farm and as construction laborer prior to his arrest.

Gonzalez, and his co-defendant, Ignacio Figueroa Rodriguez, 37, were indicted on drug charges last fall after a Montana Highway Patrol trooper pulled over their vehicle on July 27 for having an obscured license plate. The truck had Washington plates.

The trooper saw Gonzalez, the passenger, move a plastic bag containing a white substance to between the seats, and Rodriguez, the driver, was acting nervous and his hands were shaking badly, the prosecution said.

Rodriguez consented to a search of the truck. While executing a search warrant, law enforcement found a 9 mm handgun and 435 grams, or 15.2 ounces, of pure meth.

Rodriguez told agents he had bought the meth in Moses Lake, Wash., and that Gonzalez had paid for half of it.

Two Mexican citizens deny federal meth, gun charges Two Mexican citizens suspected of possessing methamphetamine after being stopped by the Mont

Watters also recently sentenced Rodriguez, a Mexican national who has been in the country illegally for 17 years, to a minimum mandatory 10 years in prison for his conviction on possession charges.
Gang holding Pakistani island surrenders after army operation

ISLAMABAD, April 20 (Reuters) - An armed Pakistani gang that held 24 policemen hostage on an Indus River island has surrendered, army spokesman said on Wednesday, ending a gripping two-week standoff that has embarrassed the country's police.

The operation with more than 2,000 police and paramilitary forces stumbled early on after at least six police officials were killed and two dozen officers kidnapped in an initial bid to take back the island in the southern part of Punjab province.

The army took control of the fight against the so-called "Chotu Gang" on April 16 after a slew of embarrassing headlines for police in local newspapers.

"Chotu with his 13 gang members surrendered unconditionally," army spokesman General Asim Bajwa said on Twitter, referring to gang leader Ghulam Rasool, also known as Chotu.

Bajwa added that all 24 hostage policemen were rescued safely and families of the gunmen being held there were also freed. The presence of those wives and children, who were used as human shields, complicated efforts to retake the island.

The battle to dislodge the gang was launched as part of a sweeping crackdown on lawlessness in Punjab after a Taliban suicide bombing killed 72 people in Lahore, the provincial capital, last month.

On Tuesday, the army deployed troops, artillery and helicopter gunships in an unprecedented use of force by the military in Punjab, the political power base of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Chotu gang is blamed for hundreds of cases of kidnapping for ransom, murder and robbery. For the standoff, it built bunkers on the 10-km (six-mile) long island near Rajanpur, one of the poorest districts in Punjab.

Local TV channels showed footage of helicopter gunships targeting the island late into Tuesday.

While Pakistan's attention has for years been focused on the Taliban and al Qaeda threat along the Afghan border in the northwest, militants and criminals have quietly expanded their influence and won recruits in the country's heartland of Punjab.
U.S. Supreme Court upholds Arizona legislative districts

By Lawrence Hurley

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously upheld the state legislative districts in Arizona drawn by an independent commission, rebuffing complaints that the electoral maps diminished the clout of Republican voters.

The court, in its 8-0 ruling, said the commission that draws legislative boundaries did not violate the U.S. Constitution's principle of "one person, one vote."

The case focused on state legislative districts drawn for the 2012 election based on 2010 census numbers. The challengers said the new districts favored Democrats over Republicans by packing Republican voters into certain districts in a way that would minimize their influence in neighboring districts while enhancing the sway of Democratic voters.

In mapping out the state legislative districts, Arizona's independent commission carries out a function that in most other states is handled by state legislators.

Writing for the court, liberal Justice Stephen Breyer said the deviations in numbers between district populations was not significant enough to be legally troubling, particularly as the state's redistricting commission was trying to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act, which protects minority voters.

The challengers "have not shown that it is more probable than not that illegitimate considerations were the predominant motivation behind the plan's deviations from mathematically equal district populations," Breyer wrote.

A federal court in Arizona upheld the districts in a 2014 ruling, saying the commission had made a "good faith attempt" to comply with the Voting Rights Act. The group of Republican voters who brought the case then appealed the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The case was the second in as many years concerning Arizona's independent commission. In June 2015, the court rejected another challenge to the commission's role in drawing congressional districts.

In that decision, the court found that the ballot initiative that set up the commission did not violate the U.S. Constitution's requirement that state legislatures set U.S. House of Representatives district boundaries.

Wednesday's ruling was the second by the court this month touching upon the issue of "one person, one vote."

On April 4, the justices also ruled unanimously in a Texas case to uphold the method all 50 states use in drawing legislative districts by counting every resident and not just eligible voters. In that case, the justices rejected a conservative challenge that could have diminished the influence of urban Hispanics.
EU-Turkey deal is only partial solution to migrant crisis, Lithuania says

BERLIN, April 20 (Reuters) - Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said on Wednesday that a deal reached between the European Union and Turkey that aims to end the chaotic arrival of migrants and refugees was only part of the solution to the crisis as new routes were opening up.
Israel says gives Jordan, Egypt intelligence help against Islamic State

JERUSALEM, April 20 (Reuters) - Israel provides Jordan and Egypt with intelligence assistance in their fight against Islamic State, a senior Israeli military officer said on Wednesday, describing the U.S.-backed Arab neighbours as stable despite the insurgent threat.

Egypt made peace with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan in 1994. They are the only Arab countries to have treaties with Israel, a matter unpopular with many Egyptians and Jordanians and which generally keeps Amman and Cairo quiet about the ties.

Major-General Yair Golan, deputy commander of the Israeli armed forces, said in a briefing that the countries were working with Israel as they try to beat back Islamic State.

"Egypt fights the Islamic State in the Sinai peninusula. Jordan is terrified by the presence of the Islamic State in Jordan's cities and towns. And we try to work with them in order to contribute something to their security," he said.

The help, Golan told the Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem, came "mainly by providing our intelligence, and you do know that while fighting all sorts of insurgency, intelligence is the most important element in the whole system".

Despite deeming this military cooperation as unprecedented, Golan cautioned: "I wouldn't describe that as some sort of reconciliation between the people. But it is a good starting point and I'm quite optimistic concerning that."

The Israeli general described Jordan as stable, though it has seen major refugee influxes from Syria and Iraq even as it watches those frontiers for Islamist militant infiltration.

Egypt's large population and economic struggles during recent political chaos present a greater challenge, he said.
Zambia's planned IMF package dulls impact of Moody's downgrade

By Chris Mfula

LUSAKA, April 20 (Reuters) - A ratings downgrade by Moody's would have little impact on Zambia as it was already negotiating a programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), officials and analysts said.

Moody's downgraded the southern African nation's long-term issuer rating to B3 from B2 late on Tuesday and changed the outlook to negative from stable, due to anticipated fiscal slippages in 2016 and prospects of further debt deterioration.

Presidential spokesman Amos Chanda said Zambia's budget deficit would not worsen because of austerity measures.

"There will be progressive removal of subsidies and the government is drawing up plans to significantly reduce subsidies on electricity, fuel and fertiliser," Chanda told Reuters.

The kwacha weakened 1.5 percent to 9.3900 per dollar, as sentiment for commodity-linked currencies waned with copper prices backtracking after a 3-week rally as well as a dent to broader investor confidence after Moody's downgrade.

"In essence, it means that there are few alternatives open to the sovereign other than to adopt the policy prescriptions of the Fund," Standard Chartered Bank Africa chief economist Razia Khan said in response to an email from Reuters.

"The downgrade nonetheless serves as a reminder of the many challenges that Zambia faces."

Zambia and the IMF began talks in March on an aid programme after agreeing that the country's budget deficit was not sustainable.

Moody's said Zambia was likely to face liquidity pressures and find it difficult to finance the budget deficit.

In February, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda had told parliament the 2016 budget deficit would be contained at around 3.9 percent of GDP.

Zambia's economy is expected to grow at 3.7 percent in 2016, up from 3.6 percent last year, due to shrinking demand of its main export copper, the central bank said in February.

Moody's said Zambia's debt could exceed 60 percent of GDP by 2018.

University of Zambia analyst Chrispin Mphuka said the debt issue would be addressed by the IMF programme which is expected to kick in after general elections in August.
Mozambique assured all financing disclosed to IMF - source close to Russia's VTB

MOSCOW, April 20 (Reuters) - A source closed to Russia's second-largest bank VTB said on Wednesday that the bank was assured by Mozambique's finance ministry that all its financing were disclosed to the International Monetary Fund.
More than 30 Gambian protesters still in custody, 15 freed - opposition

DAKAR, April 20 (Reuters) - More than 30 protesters remain in custody in Gambia nearly a week after their arrest for demanding free speech and electoral reform, though authorities have released 15 others, opposition sources said on Wednesday.

Security forces in the small West African nation made the first wave of arrests during a small demonstration near the capital Banjul last Thursday and then made a second round-up of opposition politicians on Saturday.

In all, 50 were arrested, according to sources in the United Democratic Party (UDP), the country's main opposition party, in what the United Nations and the United States have condemned as a severe over-reaction to the protests.

Three of those arrested, including a leading UDP member, Solo Sandeng, are feared dead, the party has previously said.

The Gambian government has not commented on the arrests. It has also not confirmed the release of any protesters or the reported deaths. Gambian police sources last week confirmed there had been some arrests but gave no number.

UDP leader Ousainu Darboe is among those still held in custody. A lawyer for Darboe, Antouman Gaye, has filed a request for the release of him and other leading party members with the Supreme Court.

The demonstrations were a rare act of defiance in Gambia and occurred while President Yahya Jammeh was in Turkey attending a summit of Islamic countries.

Jammeh, who seized power in a 1994 coup, is regularly denounced by rights groups and foreign governments for ruthlessly stamping out political dissent in the nation of two million people.
Up to 500 migrants may have drowned in Mediterranean tragedy -UNHCR

ROME, April 20 (Reuters) - Up to 500 migrants might have drowned in the Mediterranean last week when human traffickers crammed people onto an already overcrowded ship, causing it to sink, the U.N. refugee agency said on Wednesday.

If confirmed, it would be the worst such tragedy in 12 months and bring the total number of migrant drownings in the southern Mediterranean to nearly 800 so far this year.

The UNHCR agency said 37 men, three women and a three-year-old child had survived the disaster after being rescued by a merchant ship. The group, which was brought to Greece on April 16, included Somalis, Ethiopians, Egyptians and one Sudanese.

The survivors recounted that they had been among 100 to 200 people who had set sail from Libya last week headed for Italy. After several hours at sea, the traffickers tried to move them onto a bigger ship that was already packed with migrants.

This ship sank before the survivors could board it.

An Ethiopian man named Mohamed told the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that his wife, two-month-old child and brother-in-law had died in the sinking.

"The boat was going down, down. All the people died in a matter of minutes. After the shipwreck we were drifted at sea for a few days, without food, without anything," the IOM quoted him as saying.

UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler said the eyewitnesses estimated that up to 500 people might have perished.

"We don't know exactly how many were there on that boat and they have now disappeared from the face of the earth," he told Reuters television said. "This is another example of what is happening almost in a daily basis in the Mediterranean."

The Somali government said on Monday that it believed that some 200 of the dead were from Somalia. It also said that the capsized boat had originally set sail from Egypt.

News of the disaster emerged on the first anniversary of one of the worst disasters in the Mediterranean, when an estimated 800 migrants drowned off the Libyan coast after the fishing boat they were sailing in collided with a mercantile vessel that had been attempting to rescue them.

Some 150,000 migrants reached Italy by boat in 2015, the vast majority sailing from Libya. So far this year, about 25,000 migrants have arrived, an increase of 4.7 percent over the same period last year, according to Interior Ministry data.
UK parliament condemns Islamic State violence as genocide

By Alex Whiting

LONDON, April 20 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - British MPs voted unanimously on Wednesday for a motion declaring that Islamic State violence against ethnic and religious minorities in Syria and Iraq was genocide, and urging the government to do more to bring IS fighters to justice.

The government has held back from describing the violence carried out by the Sunni militant group against Yazidis, Christians and Shi'ite Muslims in the Middle East as genocide, saying this was a question for an international court.

But the International Criminal Court (ICC) cannot make a judgment on whether violence amounts to genocide unless it is asked to do so, said MP Fiona Bruce, who proposed the motion.

"That is why supporting this motion is so important," she told parliament.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the U.S. House of Representatives, the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have all described the Islamist militant group's actions as genocide.

The parliamentary motion also called on the British government to ask the U.N. Security Council immediately to give the International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction over the issue "so that perpetrators can be brought to justice".

"It is about doing justice and about seeing justice being done," Bruce said.

Recognition of genocide brings with it obligations on behalf of the international community to prevent, punish and protect people, she said. "Recognition of genocide ... is a crucial step."

The motion was passed unanimously, by 278 votes to zero.

Islamic State has openly said it wants to eliminate the Yazidi religion, and has killed, raped and enslaved thousands of people from this and other minority groups.

The Sunni militants consider the Yazidis to be devil worshippers. The ancient Yazidi faith blends elements of Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Islam.

Islamic State enslaved an estimated 7,000 women and girls in 2014, mainly Yazidi women and children, and is still holding 3,500 as slaves, according to the United Nations.

The group has also attacked Christians and Shi'ite Muslims in the region.

UK rights activists welcomed the parliamentary vote.

"It's hugely significant because the UK thus far has been unwilling to use the term genocide ... and it's starting to be a very lonely place being a country that's unwilling to use that term," Robert Clarke, legal counsel at religious rights group ADF International, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"The UK should be taking a leading role in recognising the ongoing genocide in the Middle East in order to ultimately bring it to an end," Clarke added in a statement.

"We have an obligation to prevent and punish this 'crime above all crimes' under the 1948 Convention on Genocide. We cannot remain silent," he said.

Clarke said using the term genocide could deter young Europeans and Americans who are considering joining Islamic State.

If the group is condemned universally as genocidal, and the international community is committed to justice for the victims and accountability for the offenders, "then we might be able to say we are doing all that we can to stem the flow of Brits and others to Iraq, to Syria," he said in an interview.

"What's going on here isn't just rape, or murder or kidnapping, or sexual slavery or forced sterilisation, as serious as all those things are," Clarke said.
Portugal banking law decision questioned by centre-right opposition

LISBON, April 20 (Reuters) - Portugal's centre-right opposition accused the Socialist government on Wednesday of interfering in negotiations between Spain's Caixabank and Angolan investor Isabel dos Santos over their stakes in Banco BPI.

The statement by the Social Democrats showed that the decision by the government to change a law on shareholder voting limits, that favoured Caixabank, is wading into politics in a move that could complicate the Spanish bank's bid for BPI.

"This situation is strange and, therefore, the Social Democrats requested clarification from the prime minister, which never came," said Antonio Leitao Amaro, deputy head of the Social Democrats in parliament.

"The way in which this was legislated is doubtful, if the way of passing a law which is supposed to be general and abstract is actually designed to resolve one concrete case," he told journalists.

The government was not immediately available to comment but Prime Minister Antonio Costa has said the law change was directed at the entire banking sector.

The change in the law prompted Caixabank, which has been trying to take control of Banco BPI for more than a year, to launch a takeover bid on Monday after talks with dos Santos broke down over the weekend. Dos Santos, the daughter of Angola's president, has opposed Caixabank's attempt to control BPI.

Dos Santos called the change in the law "unprecedented and clearly partial."
Billings casino and tavern owners remain vigilant after a string of armed robberies this month, but there may be little they can do to prevent future incidents.

And robbers are hard to catch.

The planning involved in the crime makes them tough to investigate, said Billings Police Lt. Casey Hafner.

If they know what theyre doing, theyre gloved up, theyre wearing bandannas over their faces. They arent giving us much information, Hafner said.

Investigators rely on video surveillance and eyewitness accounts. The quality of video varies from business to business, and sometimes detectives are left with nothing more than blurry images. Typically arrests are made only after a tip rolls in from the public.

Just 1 of 14 armed robbery arrests in 2015 was made in connection to a stickup in a Billings business, according to the Billings Police Department. Last year there were 69 reported armed robberies, including incidents in businesses, residences and on the street.

Five Billings businesses were robbed at the beginning of April, including three casinos, a bar and a convenience store. Despite the release of security footage and images, there have been no arrests.

Larry Davidson owns the Crystal Lounge and Casino and monitors 30 cameras inside the business. He is fortunate to operate downtown, in a location less likely to get robbed because of high traffic, lots of pedestrians and good lighting.

I got burglarized once a long time ago, and thats when I put in all the security measures," he said. "So I guess I learned the hard way, too."

Davidson, who serves on the board of the Gaming Industry Association of Montana, said there are resources for bar and casino owners wanting to better protect their businesses.

The Montana Tavern Associations annual convention takes place in Great Falls this September and among other things will cover how to stop employee theft and setup a security system. Davidson said its common to give advice on robbery protection to new casino owners.

I believe every person in the business is more than happy to help with that, he said.

Jay Zygmond, owner of Billings Alarm Co., started installing security systems more than 35 years ago.

Before VCRs, Zygmond installed cameras in banks that relied on film to record robberies. At the time, bank employees had to trigger the cameras before they began filming.

The quality of the footage relied on how well the cameras were set up beforehand. The slow installation process included sending film to the manufacturers to be developed before making adjustments.

Zygmond said his company installed many of the security systems in bars and casinos around Billings. The newest equipment is a far cry from the hardware he worked with in the 1980s. Owners monitor video feeds from their smartphones, and high-definition cameras record in increasingly sharper resolution.

Whether it helps you or not is another story, because you still have to identify the person on camera, Zygmond said.

He said camera systems are more helpful for business owners to protect themselves against employee theft or dishonest gamblers tampering with machines. But after one of his customers was robbed, he used an image from one of his cameras to make a poster with a promise of a reward to anyone who could provide a name.

Well guess what, for $500 bucks people will talk, and they actually caught the guy, Zygmond said.

Most businesses dealing with cash adopted security systems years ago, but many havent been updated. Zygmond said systems that predate color cameras arent uncommon, even though digital recording equipment is becoming more affordable. A digital video recorder initially cost as much as $5,000, but a complete four-camera system can be had for around $3,000 today.

Zygmond said customers often want cameras in parking lots. They can be useful in robbery situations to record transitions like entering and exiting vehicles or putting on and taking off masks. But recording outdoor areas can be difficult.

Most robberies occur at night, and even a high-definition color camera records black and white images without good lighting. Camera placement is also an issue. To capture an entire parking lot, a camera needs to be mounted high or have a wide angle lens. In either case, subjects appear small and detail is lost.
Several killed in rare violence between Kurdish and Syrian govt groups

BEIRUT, April 20 (Reuters) - Rare violence erupted on Wednesday between Kurdish groups and Syrian government forces in northeast Syria in which several people were killed, a monitoring group said.

Kurdish groups control most of Qamishli city, near the Turkish border, but government forces still hold the airport and a few areas of the centre.

The fighting, one of the most serious flare-ups yet between the two sides in the city, began after the Kurdish internal security forces, called the Asayish, stopped a car carrying an officer of the Syrian national defence forces, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Two Asayish members were later killed, a Kurdish YPG official told Reuters.

"Syrian regime forces targeted a patrol of the Kurdish Asayish forces in Qamishli and two Asayish members died," the official told Reuters.

The Observatory said three members of the Asayish forces and four Syrian national defence members died as the fighting escalated.

Violence was continuing late on Wednesday and more than 20 members of the Syrian national defence forces had been taken prisoner by the Asayish, said the Observatory, which monitors the five-year-old conflict through a network of sources inside Syria.

Kurdish forces encroached into territory previously held by Syrian government forces in the city, the Observatory said. The fighting kept shops closed all day.

The Asayish is an internal security force set up by the autonomous Kurdish administration that runs large areas of northern Syria.
Nigeria to hold off new MTN talks until parliament concludes probe

ABUJA, April 20 (Reuters) - Nigeria will hold off new talks with South Africa's MTN over a $3.9 billion fine for missing a deadline to disconnect unregistered SIM card users until parliament concludes a probe, its communications minister said on Wednesday.

Last month, the House of Representatives launched a probe into whether Nigeria can reduce the fine, which had originally amounted to $5.2 billion. In December, telecoms regulator NCC cut the fine to $3.9 billion.

The probe has hindered efforts by MTN to launch new talks aimed at getting the fine reduced further.

"As soon as the ongoing (parliamentary) investigations are concluded we will sit down with them (MTN)," communications minister Adebayo Shittu told reporters.

The House launched its investigation after MTN angered lawmakers by snubbing an invitation to its Nigeria Chief Executive Ferdi Moolman to appear at the telecoms committee, according to MPs.

MTN offered in March to pay $1.5 billion, according to a document seen by Reuters. And it dropped a legal case against the regulator as the first step in its efforts to reach an out of court settlement.

Last year, Nigeria imposed a deadline on mobile operators to cut off unregistered SIM cards, which MTN missed, amid fears the lines were being used by criminal gangs, including militant Islamist group Boko Haram.
Singapore slams calls for 'soft approach' to drugs at UN meeting

By Louis Charbonneau

UNITED NATIONS, April 20 (Reuters) - Singapore on Wednesday blasted widespread calls to make the worldwide fight against illicit drugs less punitive, using a major meeting at the United Nations to argue that a "soft approach" would cause a flood of narcotics to the island state.

Singapore is well-known for punishing drug-related offenses with harsh penalties including death. In contrast, European delegates railed against the idea of executing people for drug infractions.

"We believe that drugs will destroy our society," said Singapore Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam. "With 200 million people traveling through our borders every year, and given Singaporeans' purchasing power, a soft approach will mean our country will be washed over with drugs."

Shanmugam was addressing a special three-day session of the 193-nation General Assembly called by Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico to discuss the global war on drugs, which Latin American countries say has failed. It is the first major U.N. review of the issue since 1998.

No major decisions are expected this week. But many delegates hope to nudge the world a few steps closer to an anti-drug strategy that stresses human rights and public health rather than repression.

Latin American and European delegates said Singapore, China, Thailand, Iran and Russia were among the strongest opponents of the trend toward decriminalizing illegal substances like marijuana. One senior European diplomat said a shrinking minority of countries supported a continued hard line.

After Shanmugam left the U.N. podium, Danish Health Minister Sophie Lohde blasted the idea of executing people for drug offenses and complained that a declaration adopted by the assembly on Monday did not explicitly call for an end to capital punishment in such cases.

"The government of Denmark deeply regrets that the outcome document does not address the abolition of the death penalty for drug-related crimes," she said. "Denmark is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances."

Lohde's attack on capital punishment received a burst of applause and was echoed by other European delegates.

On Monday, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto told the U.N. gathering his country would soon legalize marijuana for medical purposes.

Shanmugam insisted that Singapore's tough approach has yielded positive results, and dismissed claims by Latin American and European delegates that scientific evidence showed the futility of harsh drug policies.

"Singapore is relatively drug-free, and the drug situation is under control," he said. "There are no drug havens, no no-go zones, no drug production centers, no needle exchange programs."
Investors want answers from Mozambique, banks over loan mystery

By Karin Strohecker

LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) - Investors holding Mozambique's recently restructured 'tuna bond' are demanding answers from the government and its bankers over what the International Monetary Fund says are previously undisclosed loans that could exceed $1 billion.

The revelations have rocked the relationship between one of the world's poorest countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which last year agreed to lend Mozambique $286 million to cushion its economy following deep declines in commodity prices and the value of the metical currency.

Only last month investors met Mozambican officials and agreed to swap an outstanding $697 million of the dollar-denominated tuna bond, issued in 2013 by state-owned fishing-company Ematum, for a sovereign issue.

The deal was seen widely as investor friendly and accepted by holders representing more than 80 percent of the issue. Ratings agency Standard and Poor's defined the restructuring as "tantamount to a default".

The original $850 million bond has been controversial from the start: when it was launched, it was presented to investors as funding for "fishing infrastructure" but it quickly became apparent most of the cash was for defence.

Under IMF pressure, the government re-allocated $500 million of the debt to its defence budget. The subsequent bond rescheduling was part of efforts to clean up and rebuild trust for the southern African nation, under pressure from donors to improve the transparency of its finances.

However, last Friday the IMF said it believed Maputo borrowed $1 billion more than previously disclosed.

The Fund's Africa Director, Antoinette Sayeh, said the additional loans appeared to have been borrowed from Credit Suisse and Russia's VTB Bank and allocated to Mozambique's defense and security sector.

Credit Suisse and VTB Bank were also joint dealer managers on the exchange offer launched in March.

Mozambique's Finance Minister Adriano Maleiane was quoted on Sunday saying the country had no hidden loans and that this was down to "some confusion".

Investors say if found to be true, the IMF allegations could greatly damage the country's reputation and ability to raise funds.

"At this stage, things are really up in the air until we hear from the various parties of what is really going on," said one fund manager, who holds the bond but declined to be named.

"If this is additional debt which was not included in the overall debt stock it completely changes the overall relationship with the international financial institutions' community, the IMF, the donor community and it changes the market relationship. There is a lot of harm created in the short term."

Details of the alleged new loans are sketchy and have not been disclosed in the prospectus to holders of the new bond issue.

However, a February 2013 Credit Suisse document obtained by Reuters outlines a $372 million loan to Proindicus, a company owned by the Ministries of Interior and Defence and the State Security and Intelligence Service. According to the document, the funds are to be spent on high-speed naval interceptors, radar stations, off-shore patrol vessels and aircraft. Credit Suisse declined to comment on the document.

The Ematum bond swap prospectus seen by Reuters also notes under "conflicts of interest" that the dealer managers may make loans or be involved in other transactions to Mozambique.

Marco Ruijer, portfolio manager at NN Investment Partners, who also holds the bond said he had addressed questions to Credit Suisse.

"It was perhaps not prudent of Credit Suisse to say we are doing restructuring to extend maturity from 2020 to 2023 when they themselves have a loan on the books which is maturing before 2023," said Ruijer. "Now they get money back earlier than the bondholders."

A Credit Suisse spokesman declined to comment on whether the bank had arranged loans for Mozambique in addition to the Ematum bond.

A source closed to VTB said the bank was assured by Mozambique's finance ministry that all its financing had been disclosed to the IMF, and that the total debt spelled out in the prospectus included all outstanding direct and publicly guaranteed debt.

Mozambique has seen its foreign debt spiral in recent years.
Islamic State in retreat around east Libyan city - military

By By Ayman al-Warfalli

BENGHAZI, Libya, April 20 (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters retreated from long-held positions around the port city of Derna on Wednesday, military forces in eastern Libya said, as troops loyal to the government in the region pressed on with an offensive in Benghazi.

If the retreat around Derna is confirmed, it could mark a significant shift in the alignment of forces in the area.

Islamic State gained territory in Libya as two rival governments and a range of armed factions battled to control the country in the past two years. But it has also faced resistance from other local armed groups on the ground.

Derna has a history of Islamism and was an early bastion for Islamic State. The militant group lost control of the city last June to rival armed Islamists grouped under the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council, but retained positions around the outskirts.

Derna and its suburbs had been "completely liberated from the apostates", the council said in a statement.

Eastern security forces, which are allied to a government based in the east, have carried out occasional strikes against Islamist rivals around Derna in recent months.

Military spokesman Abdulkarim Sabra said Islamic State had retreated from Derna's 400 neighbourhood and al-Fatayeh, 20 km (12 miles) south of the city, and its forces were trying to head towards the militant group's Libyan stronghold of Sirte when they were intercepted.

The military was providing air support for troops, he said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Pictures circulating on social media showed some Derna residents celebrating and waving Libyan flags on the streets.

Eastern military forces have also been involved in heavy fighting around 250 km (155 miles) to the west in Benghazi, where they have taken several neighbourhoods from fighters loyal to Islamic State and other groups.

Clashes continued there on Wednesday, and the military said it had nearly full control of the southern district of Guwarsha. It said one commander had been killed in the fighting and four soldiers were wounded.

The eastern government was set up after armed opponents took control of the capital, Tripoli, in 2014, and installed a rival administration. Both are backed by alliances of former rebels who once fought together to oust Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but have slowly turned against each other.

Last month, a U.N.-backed unity government arrived in Tripoli, where it has been trying to establish its authority. The West sees the new government as the best chance of ending Libya's political divisions and uniting its armed factions to take on Islamic State.

But the government has yet to win approval from Libya's eastern parliament, which received international recognition and has repeatedly failed to hold a vote on the issue.

Lawmakers in the east who support the new government say they have been threatened and physically impeded from holding a vote, including when they tried to convene on Monday.

They have been opposed by allies of eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar, who are concerned about losing control of military appointments if the unity government takes full power.

In an apparent attempt to break the ice with the eastern military, the unity government's leadership released a statement on Wednesday congratulating it on its advances in Benghazi.

The Presidential Council said it would "provide all necessary support to Benghazi and other affected cities for reconstruction," and that it was committed to "supporting the institution of the army".
Nicaragua president favorite to win third term in a row - poll

MANAGUA, April 20 (Reuters) - Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is favorite to win a third consecutive term in November elections, which could put him in office until 2020, according to a poll published on Wednesday.

Ortega's leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) was more than 40 points ahead of its rivals with 50.2 percent of votes, compared to just 5.9 percent for the entire opposition, according to the survey by M&R Consultores.

The remaining 43.9 percent of Nicaraguans polled said they were independent, undecided or chose not to respond.

The poll of 1,700 people was conducted between March 30 and April 11 and had a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points.

Divisions among the opposition and their attacks on each other have contributed to voters' disenchantment with alternatives to the ruling party, Raul Obregon, head of the polling firm, told a news conference.

The parties opposing Ortega come mostly from the right, such as the Constitutionalist Liberal Party (PLC) and the Independent Liberal Party (PLI). Neither has yet announced its candidate.
Venezuela proposes non-OPEC observers at June meeting, urges deal

CARACAS, April 20 (Reuters) - Venezuela's proposal "for now" is that non-OPEC producers who participated in the recent Doha meeting to try to address a global oil glut attend a June OPEC meeting as observers, the South American country's oil minister said on Wednesday.
Brazil corruption investigators vow to keep digging

By Brad Brooks

CURITIBA, Brazil, April 20 (Reuters) - In a Brazil deeply divided by the battle to oust President Dilma Rousseff, one sentiment unites ordinary people on both sides of the impeachment fight - outrage against corruption.

Some worry a historic investigation uncovering huge graft scandals at state oil firm Petrobras could be quietly quashed if, as expected, the Senate votes to put Rousseff on trial next month for breaking budget laws.

Rousseff will be suspended by mid-May if the trial goes ahead and the party set to take over, the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), is as heavily implicated as her ruling Workers Party (PT) in the Petrobras kick-back schemes.

But those leading the investigation insist they will not allow it to be hobbled or run out of steam.

"Federal prosecutors and our own task force will fight ferociously for this investigation to continue to the end," Carlos Lima, a lead prosecutor for the Petrobras case, told Reuters this week in his modest, shared office in Curitiba.

"We will not remain silent in the face of any attempts to strip us of this investigation."

As part of its efforts, the anti-corruption task force is stepping up its calls for the public to defend the investigation, code named 'Operation Car Wash'.

They are also demanding constitutional changes to hand the federal police more independence.

Prosecutors, federal police and crusading federal Judge Sergio Moro have worked out of Curitiba to uncover a vast cartel of construction firms that conspired for years to siphon billions of dollars worth of kickbacks from Petrobras.

Some of the money ended up in the hands of Rousseff's allies and high-profile members of the PMDB, which was until recently part of the ruling coalition.

Rousseff has not been linked to the payment of bribes and her impeachment last Sunday was not connected to the probe, although it has battered public support for her government.

Across the street from the federal court in Curitiba, where most of the case has played out, Marilza Scheidt, a 58-year-old housewife, has erected a small camp.

Like many in Brazil, while she openly disdains Rousseff, she says those who may take her place are complicit in corruption. Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a photo of Moro, Scheidt hands out "I Support Car Wash" bumper stickers to passersby.

"Car Wash opened Brazil's eyes, and regardless of political divisions I truly believe we all want one thing - a clean country," she said. "We must demand justice for the corrupt, or they will get away with it all."

POLICE FORCE VULNERABLE

The Car Wash probe has been politicized and Rousseff's government accuses investigators of being part of a plot to bring her down.

The institution most vulnerable to politicians' retribution is the federal police, responsible for the bulk of the investigations. Under Brazil`s 1988 constitution, it lacks the same autonomy as federal prosecutors and the judiciary.

Justice Minister Eugenio Aragao last month threatened to dismantle the Car Wash team if he got even a "whiff" they were responsible for a series of high profile leaks to the media.

He warned that he required no actual proof to transfer police working on the case for years.

"We've already seen threats against the investigation," said Carlos Sobral, president of the National Association of Federal Police. "We'll see political interference in our investigations if we don't have a constitutional amendment giving the federal police autonomy."

A measure to do that has been before Congress since 2009 but has been ignored by successive governments. In the meantime, Sobral said, a new government could change the federal police team at will and even dismiss the head of the force.

"We need the support of the Brazilian public to help protect us," Sobral said.

For Lima, the achievements of Operation Car Wash will guarantee its survival.

"This inquiry is spreading and will spread throughout Brazil," he said. "There will be an untold number of operations that derive from this work, that will follow this new model of investigation. It won't stop."

Vice President Michel Temer, who will take over from Rousseff if she is removed from office, has said his government would not interfere with Operation Car Wash.

Carlos Pereira, a professor of public administration at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, said strong public support for the probe would curtail the ability of politicians to undermine the police and judiciary.

And Temer himself has weak support. Polls show that about 60 percent of Brazilians want him impeached too.
The search for a 13-month-old girl who authorities believe was abducted from her home in Poplar ended Wednesday with the discovery of her body and a female taken into custody for questioning.

Kenzley Ava-LeAnn Olson was found dead in Poplar on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation after she was last seen Tuesday morning, the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

The name of the detained person was not released, and the statement had no further details. The person was being questioned and the FBI was leading the investigation, authorities said.

Law enforcement officers were searching for additional people on Wednesday in connection with the death, said Roosevelt County spokesman Lee Allmer.

"There may be others that are detained at some point," he said. "No charges have been brought to my knowledge."

A cause of death had not been determined.

An Amber Alert was issued for Olson early Wednesday. Authorities initially said she was believed to be with a man and woman from North Dakota but later determined neither was involved.

The Fort Peck Reservation is home to the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes and has a population of about 10,000 people.

Another alert

Olson's death followed the Feb. 26 abduction of a 4-year-old girl from a public park in Wolf Point, a town about 20 miles west of Poplar also in Roosevelt County. An Amber Alert also was issued in that incident.

The girl was found alive on Feb. 28, and John William Lieba has been charged in Fort Peck Tribal Court in the incident.

Lieba, 20, pleaded not guilty on March 1 to charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault of a minor.

Judge Marvin Youpee ordered him held without bail.

Federal charges also are anticipated in that case, said FBI Special Agent Todd Palmer.
An art professor at Piedmont Virginia Community College has won the 2015 Chancellors Award for Teaching Excellence.

Beryl Solla was honored at a ceremony last week. Every year, the award goes to one faculty member within the Virginia Community College System who represents teaching excellence, according to a news release from PVCC.

Solla has led numerous initiatives that helped revitalize the colleges arts program, according to the release, including the popular Let There Be Light exhibit, which draws thousands of visitors every year. She also started an arts club at PVCC and created Arts Day, an event in which local high school students are invited to participate in arts classes at the colleges Albemarle County campus.

To be eligible for the award, faculty members must be teaching full-time, must have at least five years of full-time teaching experience within the VCCS and must be recommended by the president of the employing institution.
Theres nothing cuter in the spring than an 8-day-old kid.

Multiply that by four, and youve got all kinds of fun. A first-time mother goat named Climber gave birth to quadruplets April 12 on a ranch east of Billings, Climbers owner, Willis McCall, said Tuesday.

The sun shining outside Tuesday morning, the kids alternated between lying in a pile in one corner of their pen or gingerly wandering around the barn, sniffing all the new smells in their burgeoning world.

Two of the females and the lone male have markings similar to the doe, McCall pointed out. The smallest female, who was so tiny when she was born that she had to be bottle-fed, more closely resembles the purebred-Nubian buck, called Josh.

This is the first time Willis McCall and his wife, Alicia, have owned a goat that had a litter. They moved back to Montana last June.

The couple previously lived in Montana, and Willis McCall worked as a police officer in Big Horn County. They left the state in 2006 so he could attend seminary.

He initially served a congregation in Texas. And then the McCalls and their children returned to Big Horn County so Willis McCall could become pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hardin.

The family rents a 22-acre spread near Huntley. They own a couple of hogs, a calf and three goats: Climber, Josh and a second female thats expected to give birth any day.

The McCalls are uncertain what breed of goat Climber is, since she was given to them. They think she might be part-Boer, and her small ears might signal that she has some LaMancha or alpine in her.

Last Tuesday, Willis McCall was getting a pen ready in the barn for Climber to give birth, filling it with fresh straw. But Climber had other ideas.

I heard her outside, so I went out and she was starting to have the first one, which was a little boy, he said.

The runt came next, a female so wobbly that she couldnt stand up, and McCall feared she wouldnt make it.

And I thought twins  weve got to be done,  he said. And then she kept going and two more came out.

A check with the American Goat Federation revealed that quadruplets are pretty common among Boer goats. McCall said he checked with a friend, a commercial goat breeder in Texas, who said none of his goats have ever had quadruplets.

He said usually, the first time, they have one, maybe two, McCall said.

Climber has had no problem feeding the three bigger kids.

"We were kind of worried that might be too many for her," he said. "But she's been doing good."

McCall brought the littlest one into the house, and family members have taken turns bottle-feeding her. Shes still smaller than the other three kids, but shes growing stronger every day, he said.

McCall's children have named her Sleeper. The male is Rocky and theyre calling another of the females Phyllis.

They named her after their grandma, he said.

Friends have claimed two of the kids, and McCall thinks that with the relationship the children have developed with Sleeper, she probably will stay on the ranch. The fourth one will likely be given to a child who is looking for a 4-H project, he said.
A Fairview man on Wednesday admitted selling methamphetamine to law enforcement agents in the Sidney area as part of drug trafficking activities.

Jerry Ray Degolyer, 51, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth as charged in an indictment.

Prosecutors said in court records that in early 2014, an informant introduced law enforcement to a meth dealer in Sidney and that Montana drug agents bought two grams of meth from the dealer, establishing a relationship for future deals.

In another transaction a few days later, the agents followed the distributor to the distributors sources house located outside Sidney, where the distributor took the agents money and went out of sight, the prosecution said.

Degolyer then approached the agents vehicle and said hed like to deal directly with them in future. The distributor then returned with an eight-ball of meth for the agents.

In March, the agents twice bought meth from Degolyer.

When agents interviewed the distributor later, the distributor admitted selling meth and identified Degolyer as his supplier.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters ordered Degolyer to remain in custody pending sentencing on Aug. 25. Degolyer faces a minimum mandatory five years to 40 years in in prison and a $5 million fine.
HELENA  An oil and gas company faces criminal charges for a 2011 oil spill that prosecutors said went unreported for a month, in which time the spill spread nearly a mile downhill and polluted a stream in northwestern Montana.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed Tuesday charged FX Drilling Co. and field supervisor Quay Geza Torok with negligent discharge of oil into waters of the United States and failure to immediately notify federal authorities of the spill.

Torok discovered a 3-inch line connecting two oil wells had broken on an oil field on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation on June 12, 2011, according to the indictment. The line was fixed, but the company did not take steps to clean up the oil and production fluid that had already leaked, prosecutors said.

Over the next month, up to 840 gallons spread down a drainage and into a tributary that flows into Cut Bank Creek, which empties into the Marias River. A boater discovered the spill and reported it to Blackfeet tribal officials.

It was unclear how much oil made it to the stream, but the company had 24 hours to notify federal authorities once it did, Environmental Protection Agency officials said at the time. Even after it was made aware of the spill, the company did not contact federal officials, leaving Blackfeet officials to do so, according to the indictment.

The spill took six weeks to clean. FX Energy, the Salt Lake City-based parent company of FX Drilling, spent $321,000 on the cleanup, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Attorneys representing the company and Torok said Wednesday there is no evidence the spill actually reached the stream. Torok attorney Kevin Evans said he doubted the boater's initial report of a spill on the river, and added that natural seepage of oil frequently occurs in the area.

Evans questioned the decision to bring criminal charges under the federal Clean Water Act for failing to clean up and remove oil from the leak once the ruptured line was fixed.

"That might be a civil action, but it's not a crime," Evans said.
COKEVILLE  Authorities say a woman who was killed in a crash in southwest Wyoming was not wearing a seat belt and might have been texting at the time.

Sgt. David Wagener with the Wyoming Highway Patrol said 45-year-old Kerri Keller, of Thayne, was driving on U.S. Highway 89 north of Cokeville on Monday morning when her truck went off the road and rolled multiple times in a ditch. Keller died at the scene.

The crash marked the 13th highway fatality in Wyoming this year, compared to 30 fatalities during the same time period last year.
CASPER, Wyo.  The states 2,012 Realtors are endorsing Republican Tim Stubson for Wyomings lone seat in the U.S. House.

Stubson, a state representative from Casper and the third-ranking Republican in the Wyoming House, has sponsored more than a dozen bills in state Legislature that are important to the Wyoming Association of Realtors, which represents the states largest group of licensed real estate agents, said Laurie Urbikit, the groups government affairs director.

Stubson said Tuesday morning he was thrilled about the endorsement.

Its significant to me for a couple of reasons, he said. One, it reflects the fact that Ive been working on issues important to Wyoming and the people of Wyoming for a long time. Weve worked on these issues of personal property rights and economic development, and through that work Ive built up a relationship of trust with Realtors across the state, and I think thats whats really reflected in the endorsement.

There are 12 people in the race for the open House seat. The Realtors group sent questionnaires last month to 11 of the 12 candidates. Urbikit said the group didnt have contact information for independent John Meena. Everyone who responded interviewed with the groups leadership Friday. Republican Mike Kosnmo and Democrat Ryan Greene didnt respond to surveys, she said.

The group has a political action committee, but it is registered with the state rather than the federal government, and cannot cut checks to federal candidates. But the association also contributes to the National Association of Realtors PAC, and will ask it to make a contribution to Stubsons campaign.
Wife of Kirpal Singh showing their photographs before arrival of his dead body Attari-Wagah border. (Photo: PTI)

Attari (Amritsar): The heart and stomach of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances in a Pakistani jail, were missing when his body arrived here on Tuesday and was handed over to Indian authorities.

Dr B S Bal, Principal of Government Medical College Amritsar, told reporters after an autopsy of Kirpal Singh's body that "during the postmortem examination, it was found that his heart as well as stomach were missing. However, no internal and external injury was found on his body".

BSF personnel and relatives of Kirpal Singh receiving his body from Pak Rangers at Attari-Wagah international border. (Photo: PTI)

Bal said, "Now we have his kidney and liver and samples of these two organs would be sent outside Amritsar for laboratory tests to bring out more facts with regard to his death".

He said that "during autopsy it was also found that Pakistan during autopsy has not taken any sample from kidney and liver which were essential to find out the exact cause of death".

Further, he said that Pakistan has not sent the autopsy report as of now.

Relatives of Kirpal Singh mourn after arrival of his dead body Attari-Wagah border. (Photo: PTI)

Earlier in the day, the body of Kirpal arrived in the presence of tearful family members.

Kirpal's family members, including his sister Jagir Kaur, Punjab Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam, besides other senior officials, were present at the Joint check post at the Wagah border to receive the body.

Dalbir Kaur, sister of another Indian Sarabjit Singh, who too had died in a Pakistani jail in May 2013, was also present.

Kirpal Singh had allegedly crossed Wagah border into Pakistan in 1992 and was arrested. He was subsequently sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Kirpal was found dead in his cell last Monday at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. Kirpal, from Gurdaspur, had reportedly been acquitted in the case by the Lahore High Court but his death sentence could not be commuted because of unspecified reasons.
KOZHIKODE: Legal hurdles remain for the return of four Bangladeshi women, three in Mahila Mandiram and one in Girls Home, while seven males, including a boy, arrested for travelling without valid documents, can go back. The police submitted release petition to the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Thamarassery, the other day.

Interestingly, they filed the charge-sheet even after the home ministry intervened consequential to the Bangladesh government intervention through diplomatic channels. Arrested in August 2014, the males were languishing in prison without trial for more than one and half years, which could be considered as punishment period.

Koduvally circle inspector Premjith A. said they were completing legal formalities. I hope by tomorrow we would be able to book tickets for the all seven including the boy in the juvenile home, he told Deccan Chronicle. However, Anoop G. heading Arm of Joy, the organisation which was instrumental in bringing their plight to the limelight said each moment was precious as the date of travel permit expires on April 25.

I am afraid whether we would be getting reservations in trains. They should be at Kolkata one day before the last date of the travel permit, he told DC. There are cases registered against the three women in Mahila Mandiram, at the Manjeri police station and for the underage girl another case is pending in Bangalore. The women were trafficked eight years ago when they were aged 12, 13 and 14.
However, the main parties like TRS, Congress and TD are not yet prepared to announce candidates.

Hyderabad: The Election Commission on Tuesday announced the bypoll schedule for the Palair Assembly seat in Khammam district that fell vacant following the death of senior Congress MLA Ramreddy Venkata Reddy.

Polling will be held on May 16 and votes would be counted on May 19, the EC said. However, the main parties like TRS, Congress and TD are not yet prepared to announce candidates.

We will field a member of late Venkata Reddys family. We have sent a word to the family members to name their choice, we are awaiting their response, TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy told DC.

He said that after zeroing in on the candidate, the Congress will formally appeal to other parties, especially the ruling TRS, not to contest the bypoll.

However, TRS sources said that efforts were on to reach out to Sucharita Reddy, wife of Venkata Reddy to join the TRS and contest as its candidate. In case she doesnt want to contest on TRS ticket, and if she is willing to contest as an Independent, we may still prefer her and support but much depends on how she will react, said a key source in the TRS.

Elsewhere, TS TD chief L. Ramana said that he has sought a report from the Khammam district unit on the political situation in Palair. After getting the report we will decide whether TD will contest, Mr Ramana said.

Palair is the second bypoll caused due to the death a sitting Congress MLA.

Earlier, the TRS had brushed aside the Congress request and contested the Narayankhed bypoll.
This is not the first time that police deployed for security of polio workers have come under attack from insurgents opposed to the campaign. (Representational image)

Islamabad: At least seven policemen  guarding an anti-polio team - were killed in Pakistans Karachi city on Wednesday when attackers targeted them in Organi Town area.

Banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the carnage. Officials said two police parties were targeted in Bangla Bazar area of Orangi Town where eight gunmen on motorbikes fired shots on patrolling vehicles.

The policemen were guarding polio teams in the restive locality of Karachi where several polio teams have been attacked in the past.

The deceased were guarding health workers engaged in a four-day anti-polio campaign started on Monday. This is not the first time that police deployed for security of polio workers have come under attack from insurgents opposed to the campaign.

At least 14 people were killed and several others were wounded in a blast near a polio centre in Quettas Satellite Town in January this year.
The bodies of two Syrian children, killed by shelling, lie on the street near Dar al-Shifa hospital in Aleppo, Syria. (Photo: AP)

Beirut: Ten children have been killed by rebel shelling on Syrias largest city this weekend, as the UN warned of desperate conditions inside a war-ravaged Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus.

The violence underscores the fragility of the cease-fire in Syria, which has unraveled in the north despite ongoing peace negotiations.

Rebel shelling killed sixteen people in Aleppo  including six adults, and three young siblings  a monitoring group said on Sunday. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that airstrikes killed another six people in the opposition-held parts of the citys old quarters.

Syrias state news agency, SANA, said at least five of the sixteen dead in the government-held areas were killed by rebel snipers and said a further ten were injured.

Syrias warring factions have returned to violence in recent weeks, spoiling a period of relative calm brought about by a partial ceasefire that went into effect in late February.

The UN warned that humanitarian conditions are desperate inside a Palestinian refugee camp home to about 10,000 civilians in the capital, Damascus.

The UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, said violent battles between extremists have left residents of the Yarmouk camp without food or water for more than a week.

Civilians in Yarmouk are facing starvation and dehydration alongside the heightened risks of serious injury and death from the armed conflict, said UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness.

The camp, a built-up neighbourhood once home to an estimated 150,000 people, has been ravaged by fighting between the Islamic State group and al Qaedas Syrian affiliate, the Nusra Front, while government forces regularly shell it from outside.

Air strikes near Jisr al Shughour in opposition-held Idlib province killed three civilians, the Observatory reported. Pro-government forces intensified their shelling and bombing on an opposition-held pocket north of Homs, the countrys third-largest city, according to the Local Coordination Committees, an activist network.

Government and opposition delegations have been engaged in indirect peace talks in Geneva since Wednesday as the UN looks for ways to bring an end to the countrys five-year conflict but the oppositions chief negotiator urged insurgents to strike at pro-government forces. Dont trust the regime and dont wait for their mercy, Mohammad Aloush wrote in a post on Twitter Sunday.

More than 250,000 people have died in the conflict, which began in 2011 as a popular uprising demanding government reforms.
Two people were injured after police opened fire to quell the protests by garment factory workers which turned violent for the second consecutive day here on Tuesday.



A 44-year-old marketing manager with a courier firm, Manjunathappa, suffered grievous injury on his left chest when the police opened fire near Bommasandra. His condition is said to be critical.



A 19-year-old BCom student, Preethi Ninge Gowda, was injured on the right thigh when police opened fire near Hebbugodi.



Traffic on three major entry points to the city from Mysuru, Tumakuru and Hosurcame to a grinding halt after nearly 1.25 lakh garment workers took to the streets against the Centres new rule on provident fund withdrawal.



At Peenya, Jalahalli, Hebbugodi and Bommanahalli, the epicentres of Tuesdays protests, the police first fired tear gas shells and then fired rubber bullets. But as the situation seemed to be going out of control, they resorted to firing in the air and then below the knee.



The police have not ruled out the possibility of anti-socials joining protesters in Peenya and Jalahalli, and have clamped prohibitory orders for three days in all trouble-hit areas.



So far, 116 people have been arrested and 38 cases have been registered. More arrests are likely after analysing videos, said Bengaluru City Police Commissioner N S Megharikh.

Two companies of the Rapid Action Force have been called in from Coimbatore to provide additional security.




A sailor lost his leg while two others were injured in an oxygen cylinder explosion on board an Indian naval ship.





Incident occurred on April 16 on board INS Nireekshak and the Navy, which had remained tight lipped till now, has ordered an inquiry.



The explosion took place while a diving bailout bottle, a small 12-inch oxygen bottle which is carried by divers in their diving helmet, was being charged, a Navy official said.



He said that such an incident has never happened in history of the Indian Navy.

"The explosion happened while the crew was working on the deck of the ship," he said.



Three sailors were injured, including one who sustained serious injuries and his right leg has been amputated from just above the knee.



Two other sailors received splinter injuries in the stomach region and legs.

They were admitted in Military Hospital, Trivandrum as ship was on it way to Mumbai from Visakhapatnam.



The sailors were stated to be in a stable condition and have now been shifted to Mumbai.
A 26-year-old American woman today filed a lawsuit against an Indian Bishop for reinstating a Catholic compatriot priest accused of sexually abusing her during his posting in the US between 2004 and 2005.



Attorney Jeff Anderson filed the federal lawsuit in Minnesota against Bishop Amalraj for reinstating Joseph Jeyapaul to ministry after consulting with the Vatican.

The victim said she felt "abused, degraded and re-victimised all over again" when she learned that Amalraj had lifted Jeyapaul's suspension in February.



She told reporters at a news conference in Minnesota that the reinstating the Indian priest would endanger kids in India.



Jeyapaul who served as a priest in the Crookston city of Minnesota in 2004 and 2005 was arrested in India in 2012 and extradited to the US in charges of sexually abusing two girls in a congregation.



He was later deported to India after serving his sentence.

On January 16, with the permission of Pope Francis, Bishop Amalraj lifted the suspension of Father Joseph Jeyapaul.



"It may be the most irresponsible Vatican move we've ever seen: Catholic officials in Rome have lifted the suspension of a recently convicted predator priest. We are stunned and saddened by such blatant recklessness and callousness," Barbara Dorris of St Louis, Outreach Director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), an advocacy group of which the victim is also a member of, said yesterday.



"On January 16, 2016, with the permission of Pope Francis, Bishop Amalraj lifted the suspension of Father Joseph Jeyapaul," the group said, adding that in 2015, after his extradition from India, Jeyapaul plead guilty to criminal sexual conduct involving the sexual abuse of a minor girl while he worked in the Diocese of Crookston in 2005.



The victim yesterday said she will file a lawsuit against the priest and his church in India.
After nine trips by a 10-wagon water train, a 50-wagon water train carrying 25 lakh litre water reached parched Latur today.



The train, christened 'Jaldoot', left Miraj in western Maharashtra at around 11 PM last night, for drought-hit Latur city, a distance of around 342 kilometres.

So far, 70 lakh litre water has been delivered by train to Latur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.



The train had previously made nine trips, each time carrying 5 lakh litres of water, to the parched city.



The 50-wagon train received a grand welcome at the Latur Railway Station on its arrival. Latur city mayor Akhtar Mistry, welcomed the 'Jaldoot Express', which was specially commissioned from Kota in Rajasthan to transport water to the 5 lakh people of Latur.



The train is a big relief for Latur citizens who have been struggling to get drinking water, the mayor said.



The 'Jaldoot' first made its trial run on April 11. The train initially faced several clearance issues due to the single line section from Miraj to Latur.



As a result the first train had reached Latur in 17 hours.



However, the railways then pulled all stops to ensure that the train was given all the clearances during the journey. Subsequently, the train took just 8-9 hours to reach Latur.Once it arrived in six and a half hours.



The Solapur division of Central Railway ensured that 'Jaldoot' Express navigated the tracks without any hitch, and the Pune division of the Central Railway took care of the loading of water at the Miraj Railway station.



At Miraj, the water is first pumped through a 4 km closed pipeline from the railway jackwell located on the banks of Krishna river to the water treatment plant at Miraj railway station.



From the plant it goes to Haider Khan well, which is at a distance of 2.5 km and from the well to yard, the water travels through a closed pipeline into the waiting wagons.



Latur District Collector Pandurang Pole said they were re-filtering the water before supplying to the citizens through tankers.



Krishnat Patil, operational manager, Pune division, said they plan to run the train every day till the onset of monsoon.



"Every day, civic body has pressed into service 450 trips by tankers. Each 'Jaldoot' trip will take care of the daily drinking water needs of the city," Pole said.



Latur Municipal Commissioner Sudhakar Telang said the civic body supplied drinking water to a particular area only after 8-10 days, but that is set to change once the water is transported regularly to Latur.



"After getting 25 lakh litre water, the tanker trips will go up and we will be in a position to provide water after at least every four days," he said.



Latur city used to get water directly from Manjara dam through a closed pipeline. Water was provided once every 8-10 days since the last monsoon.



However, after the Manjara dam ran dry, civic body officials then started lifting water from three other smaller dams whose water-levels are also fast depleting.



At the Latur railway station, the water is decanted from the wagons into an 850 metre long RCC pipeline. It is then released into the a nearby well and from the well, it is lifted through a high density plastic pipeline and loaded into waiting tankers. From there it is sent to water filtration plant.



BJP activist Makrand Deshpande, a member of the Railway Committee, from Sangli, said, "When I first mooted the idea to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at our party meeting in Nashik, the CM asked me to remind him later.



"When I reminded him, the CM immediately sent Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse to Sangli to announce the project on April 5," he said.



Fadnavis spoke to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu who immediately gave green signal to the plan, Deshpande said.


India and China today held the 19th round of talks to resolve the vexed border dispute amid a growing discord between the two nations over Beijing blocking India's bid to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.



National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held the annual talks with Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to discuss the road ahead to resolve the dispute which has bedevilled bilateral ties.

Besides the border issue, Doval and Yang, the designated Special Representatives, also have a larger mandate to discuss all contentious bilateral, regional and international issues.



Considering their mandate, the second attempt by Beijing in an year to block India's bids to get the Pakistan' terror group's leaders banned is expected to figure in the talks.

Last month, China had vetoed India's bid to get the Pathankot attack mastermind designated as terrorist by the UN Sanctions Committee, maintaining that the case "did not meet the requirements" of the Security Council.



The Chinese action evoked a strong reaction in India which said that it was "incomprehensible" that while Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM) was banned by the UN, its chief was not.



Indian officials say while Azhar's listing was cleared by the four other UN Security Council permanent members, China has put a "technical hold", like it did in the case of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi earlier.



Since China, the veto wielding UNSC member, put a technical hold on Azhar issue, India has voiced its protests.



While India's UN Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin spoke of "hidden veto" at a UNSC open debate on 'Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts' in New York on April 16, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called for a review of China's decision to strike a common stand against terrorism.



For its part, China continued to stick to its stand saying that its decision is based on facts and fairness.



Defending the stand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying yesterday said "we oppose double standard in counter terrorism campaign."



"We have been dealing with the listing (of terrorists by UN) matter in accordance with the facts and relevant resolutions. We are also in sound communication with all relevant parties including the Indian side," she said.



Considering the heat generated over it, the issue was expected to figure prominently between Doval and Yang.
Warning against being "euphoric" about India being the fastest-growing economy, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan today sought to contextualise his "one-eyed king" remarks about India's growth and said the country has a long way to go before it claims to have arrived.





"As a central banker who has to be pragmatic, I cannot get euphoric if India is the fastest growing large economy," he said.



Seeking to explain his 'one-eyed king' comments, Rajan said his comments were "hung out to dry out of context" and even offered an apology to the visually-impaired for hurting them by the use of the proverb.



Stating that the per-capita income of Indians remains lowest among BRICS, Rajan said, "We have a long way to go before we can claim we have arrived. We need to repeat this performance (economic growth) for 20 years before we can give each Indian a decent livelihood."



He also said India's global reputation holds great promise, but is seen as a country that has under-delivered and that it should "implement, implement, and implement" the structural reforms.



Speaking at the convocation of National Institute of Bank Management, Rajan said India is yet to achieve its potential growth though it is on the cusp of that and a substantial pick-up in growth can be achieved with pending reforms.



Making a reference to his last week's interview to a foreign publication where he likened India being the fastest-growing major economy to a case of the one-eyed man being king in the land of the blind, Rajan said his comments were interpreted as having denigrated the country's success rather than emphasising on the need to do more.



"... Every word or phrase that a public figure speaks is intensely wrung out of meaning. When words are hung out to dry out of context as in the newspaper headline, it only becomes a fair game for anyone who wants to fill in, meaning to create mischief," he said.



Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had rebutted Rajan's remarks, saying compared with the rest of the world, the Indian economy is growing much faster and, in fact, the fastest.

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman too had not taken Rajan's remarks lightly, saying better words should have been used.



Rajan today said commonly used words or proverbs can "most easily and deliberately be misinterpreted".



"If we are to have a reasonable public dialogue, we should read words in their context, not stripped of it," he said.



He, however, apologised to the visually-impaired whose association had criticised Rajan for using the proverb.



"I do want to apologise to a section of the population that I did hurt with these words, that is the visually impaired, or the blind," Rajan said.



Queried for his take on India being the 'bright spot', Rajan during last week's interview had said: "I think we have still to get to a place where we feel satisfied. We have this saying 'In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king'. We are a little bit that way."



Rajan further said: "We are often compared with China but the Chinese economy, smaller than us in the 1960s, is now 5 times our size. The average Chinese citizen is over four times richer than the average Indian".



But the Governor was quick to add that this was not to disparage what has, and is, been done. "The Centre and states have been creating a platform for strong and sustainable growth, and I am confident the payoffs are on their way, but until we have stayed on this path for some time, I remain cautious."



Stating that he was misunderstood with his usage of the phrase 'andhon mein kanha raja'...('In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king') he said he "used the phrase andhon mein kanha raja...which the proverb has a long, multinational history."



The RBI Governor added: "My intent in saying it, and it was an off-hand comment, was to signal that our outperformance was accentuated by the world's weak performance. But we are still hungry for more growth. I then explained that we are not yet at our potential, though we are at the cusp of a substantial pick-up in growth given all the reforms that are underway."



Calling for a culture of better and more rational public dialogue, he said, "but few read beyond the headlines. The interview became moderately controversial, with the implication that I was denigrating our success rather than emphasising that we need to do more."



Rajan's comments had created some uneasiness in the government with Jailtey asserting that the Indian economy is the fastest growing large economy in the world.



The Finance Minister also forecast a 8-8.5 per cent growth this year if the monsoons are normal.


Tata Steel UK's senior staff are believed to be finalising plans to bid for a management buyout of the Indian group's troubled Welsh steelworks.



Stuart Wilkie, managing director of Tata Strip Products UK, is heading the buyout team which is on the hunt for private investors and government support for an official bid for the Port Talbot plant, which employs around 4,000 people.



The team's rescue plan reportedly centres around keeping the blast furnaces going, in contrast to a plan drafted by Indian-origin tycoon Sanjeev Gupta who is working on a bid for the unit by his Liberty House group.



According to UK media reports, Wilkie's bid is based on a "turnaround plan" presented to and rejected by the Tata Board in Mumbai earlier this year.



That plan will require a cash injection of around 100 million pounds and could involve Tata employees investing in the business.



Steel union Community said it was open to "discussions" with Wilkie and any management buyout option.



The option has support among a section of workers and others campaigning to save thousands of jobs.



Tata has already sold its Long Products Europe business at the Scunthorpe plant to Greybull Capital, which is also eyeing other units of the groups UK business such as Tata's specialty steels arm based in Sheffield, northern England.



Tata Steel employs nearly 15,000 people in the UK at its plants across Port Talbot, Rotherham, Corby and Shotton.



The company decided to exit its UK business last month after suffering losses of up to 1 million pounds a day, largely due to Chinese steel exports forcing down prices in the steel market.



The UK government has been holding talks to find a solution and has indicated the possibility of co-investing with potential buyers, side-stepping calls to fully nationalise the steel industry.



The Tata Group has set a May 28 deadline to find buyers and has said over 190 potential investors have been approached about purchasing the business but kept the details confidential.



Earlier this week, it had announced the appointment of Standard Chartered bank as an additional adviser to run and manage the global sale process, to work alongside KPMG LLP.


Spelling fresh trouble to former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa within days after he was made the state BJP chief, the Congress government in Karnataka has decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against his acquittal in a raft of corruption cases by the High Court.





An order had been issued on February 24 on filing the appeal, which the state anti-corruption ombudsman Lokayukta had also recommended, Law Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here.



"Lokayukta had also recommended it. In that background, the Home Department has taken action and issued the order," he said, adding, the appeal would be in relation to 15-16 cases against Yeddyurappa.



The Siddaramaiah government's move comes almost within two weeks after Yeddyurappa made a fiery return as the state BJP president for a fourth time, setting an ambitious target of winning 150 of the 224 Assembly seats in the 2018 polls.



His appointment to revive the fortunes of BJP had come after the Lingayat strongman got a breather from the High Court in January this year, when it quashed the proceedings against him in relation to 15 FIRs registered by the Lokayukta police over denotification of lands in alleged violation of rules.



After Yeddyurappa's return as BJP chief, Siddaramaiah had indicated recently that the government was mulling filing the appeal and the Law Department would take a decision.

Yeddyurappa was forced to step down as Chief Minister in 2011 over graft charges, following which he quit the party to form his own outfit, Karnataka Janata Party, which failed to make a mark except to cause damage to BJP in 2013 polls.



He returned to BJP following the announcement of Modi as party's prime ministerial candidate ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Biding his time, Yeddyurappa had made no secret of his desire to become the state BJP President and got the post recently with no challengers to him with his pan state image and combative style.



With Yeddyurappa already going on the offensive against the Siddaramaiah government after taking over the mantle of presidentship, the new development is expected to raise the political temperature in the state.
Scores of students today staged a demonstration here demanding release of the girl who is at the centre of the Handwara molestation row in which five civilians were killed during violent protests last week.



Carrying placards, the students staged the protest at Press Enclave in the heart of the city this afternoon alleging that the girl had been "illegally" detained along with her family members.



The protest was organised by All India Students' Association (AISA). "We demand the immediate release of the girl and her family members from police custody and their unhindered access to legal help," Essar Batool, a girl student, told reporters.



The girl was taken into preventive custody after alleged molestation by a soldier triggered violent protests at Handwara town, 80 kms from here, leading to firing by security forces which left three persons including a woman dead in Kupwara district last week.



Two more persons were killed over the week in similar protests against the incident. The girl had in her statement later denied that she was molested by a soldier.



Some of the placards read "the minor girl needs our support not our criticism", "end denial of legal assistance to her", "end surveillance and control over the movement of the girl and her family" and "end character assassination of the girl". They also demanded action against those responsible for the killing of five persons.


Breaking gender barrier, seven women officers of Short Service Commission batch of 2008-09 have been granted permanent commission by Indian Navy.





Navy is the last of the three wings of the armed forces in the country to allow permanent commission for women.



While the Army and Air Force allow permanent commission for them, the Navy had limited women officers only to short service commission of 14 years.



"Recognising the importance of providing equal opportunities to women officers, seven women officers from the batch of Short Service Commission officers of the Education branch and Naval Constructor cadre, who joined in 2008-09, have been granted permanent commission," a statement issued by the Navy said.



It added that the Navy is also finalising a policy for women officers to serve on select warships that have appropriate facilities for women.



Defence sources said the women officers will have to meet four main conditions for permanent commission including being medically fit and having a good annual confidential report, besides the vacancy available for the post.



The women officers will have to also opt for permanent commission as this will not be an automatic route.



Based on a government order in 2008, the Navy had decided to grant such commission only to women who joined after that year and that too only in the education, law and naval architecture branches.



A separate case is on in the Supreme Court, filed by a group of women who had retired after their Short Service Commission ended in 2006.



The navy had in October filed a Special Leave Petition in the apex court challenging an order of the Delhi High Court asking it to grant permanent commission to 17 women officers.



Meanwhile, the navy has written to three retired women naval officers asking them to come for a medical check-up for reinstatement.



The other officers are awaiting further hearing on the matter in the Supreme Court.

The Navy in the statement said additional avenues for employment of women officers have also been opened up.



Starting in 2017, women officers can choose to join as pilots of maritime reconnaissance planes as also in the Naval Armament Inspectorate cadre.



Thus, a total of eight branches or cadres will be opened for women officers in the Navy.



A crew of six naval women officers including the skipper, is meticulously preparing for the first, all-women, circumnavigation of the world in 2017 by an Indian team, in an indigenously-built ocean sailing vessel, Mhadei II.


After Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh's helicopter trip in drought-hit Maharashtra kicked up a storm with a BJP worker alleging that 10,000 litres of water were used to prepare a makeshift helipad.





The matter came to light after Dayanand Nene, a BJP worker and president of the Alert Citizens Forum of India, wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urging him to put a stop to such "colossal wastage" of water during VIP helicopter visits at a time when the state in facing acute scarcity of water.



In an e-mail to Fadnavis, he said the helipad was prepared on a ground using gallons of water brought by tanker for the minister's chopper to land when Singh came to attend a programme of Gram Kisan Abhiyan in Bhiwandi on Monday.



Nene also attached photographs of the tanker spraying water on the ground, the welcome arch, the minister being received and the hoarding of the programme, and also the chopper carrying the minister making a landing.



In his letter, Nene said, "As I too am a BJP activist, I had gone there one day earlier. And what I saw was terribly disturbing. Gallons of water through tankers were being poured on a huge piece of land, which later I understood was a makeshift helipad being put in place for (Singh's) helicopter to land."



"It is estimated that over 10,000 litres of water was used for the same. On one hand, the government is trying its best to deal with the drought condition in the state. On the other hand nobody pays attention to such colossal wastage of water during official visits by VIPs."



He urged the CM to issue a directive to all as to not to use helicopters to visit places where there are no proper helipads.



"They can go to the nearest place where a helipad is available and then drive down to the site. In this case, the Minister could have flown in to Thane--where there is a proper helipad and driven down to Bhiwandi which is just 20 minutes away--and it would have saved 10,000 litres of water --very important as the entire area is reeling under a 60 per cent water cut," he said, adding that Ulhasnagar township here is doing without water since last 45 days.



Incidentally, the convenors of the programme which was attended by hundreds of farmers were BJP MP from Bhiwandi Kapil Patil and Murbad party MLA Kisan Kathore.



Last week, Eknath Khadse faced flak for taking a chopper to a village in drought-hit Latur district, leading to wastage of nearly 10,000 litre water for a special helipad.



Meanwhile, Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said the water that was used to prepare the makeshift helipad was drawn from a mine and could not have been used for any other purpose.



"The water that was used for the helipad had been stored in a mine and its condition was that it could not have been used for any other purpose. The person (Nene) who has written a letter to the Chief Minister also knows the truth," he told PTI.



"Yet, facts have been twisted to garner media attention. The BJP government at the Centre and in the state is working diligently to counter the problems faced by Maharashtra due to the drought. Our opponents have no point left to criticise, so false news is being spread," he said.


Islamic State militants disguised as beach vendors selling ice creams or T-shirts may attack holiday resorts of Mediterranean coast in Europe this summer, according to a German media report.





German security sources said 'Bild' newspaper that they fear Islamic state terrorists disguised as beach vendors selling ice cream or T-shirts could bury bombs in the sand under sunloungers.



According to the 'Daily Mirror', Britain's Special Air Service (SAS) troops could be drafted in to protect British tourists at holiday hotspots abroad.



One intelligence source told the newspaper: "It could be a whole new dimension of terror. Holiday beaches cannot be protected. Targets are said to include resorts in southern France, Spain's Costa del Sol and both east and west coasts in Italy."



Security officials are also investigating links between terrorists in Britain and those in Belgium and France that go back more than 15 years. These include some with ties to Molenbeek, the Brussels suburb which has been at the heart of the recent bombings and shootings in Europe.



Western European intelligence officers believe that the links set up a decade and half ago between extremists in the UK and those on the wider European continent have been maintained and have become more active since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
It was not just his personality but also his style of presentation that has made Saad Khan a known face in the field of filmmaking.



The filmmaker and entrepreneur is known for his Hindi feature film Station. The founder and creative head of Centerstage, a media production company, he has created a live comedy show called The Improv. Saad is also the host of the show. His team was the only Indian team invited to the Sweden International Improv Festival 2016.

While he is known for his quirky sense of humour, his second feature film, Love And She, which is an indie Hollywood drama, is about postpartum depression experienced by a couple after miscarriage and stillbirth.



He uses his creative style to direct ad films on a regular basis and teach acting and has appeared in many funny online videos with RJ Danish Sait. The online videos highlight Saads sarcastic side and satirical observations on social topics.



1 | Author

Douglas Adams



The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, written by Douglas Adams, is one of my favourite reads. The writing is very quirky. The author has delved into many forms of writing and shown his prowess in everything he does. He is a great satirist and Im a big fan of drama mixed with satire. The whole idea of the book being a narrative about a surviving human is enticing. He has an eccentric style of writing which also blends travel into it. The writing is detailed and yet changes over the pages. I even love the narrative and how the characters are shaped in the book.



2 | Music

Coldplay



3| Theatre

Jean-Louis Trintignant



International actor Jean-Louis Trintignant, who was in the French film Amour, is

someone who has baffled me with his talent. He has won many accolades for his performance but what is striking about him is that

he is open to learning. Filmmaking, theatre

or any art form is a continuous learning process and to see a performer like him

raising the bar every time is just phenomenal. Amour made me not want to age at

all, and that kind of effect which I cannot

get over is the success of the actor. He

was also in a movie called A Man and A Woman. He has been a big part of theatre too and his talent is well represented in

each role he plays.



4 | Travel

Nice, France



I love travelling in Europe, especially in the Western part of Europe. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is one of my favourite films and the reason is the places it is shot in. I cant handle the heat and I love cool places at any given time. Of the places I have been to, Nice in France is my favourite. Just like the name is spelt, it is a nice place. The Mediterranean Sea circumferences the place. When I was there, I would walk around the city without realising how much I have walked. The place has a beautiful weather. The white sand with the blue-green sea is a magical sight. I have been wanting to visit Ireland and it is on my to do list.



5 | Cuisine

Fish fry and rice



Ghar ka khana is always my favourite. I love my mothers cooking, just like any other loving son would. My favourite food is the white rice and fish fry she prepares. I love dal and rice too. I am not a pizza person though.



6 | Inspiration

Maaz Khan



My younger brother, Maaz Khan, who is also a partner at Centerstage, is my biggest inspiration. I could safely say that he is everything I am not. He has supported me through my movement. He is patient and diligent. I feel indebted to him for almost everything. From handling all aspects of the business, like forming new partnerships to respecting old ones, he is a peoples person. I would never be able to do the things he does, as beautifully. In every industry, with people reacting over anything that is said to them, it is very important to manage people and Maaz does this perfectly. My mother, Sabiha Zubair, is a close second. She has been there with me in everything I have been through.



(As told to Tini Sara Anien)
Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela today pledged that his country will stand at the forefront of a global push for greater financial transparency in the wake of the "Panama Papers" scandal.





Panama is scrambling to avert redesignation as a tax haven that assists money laundering after the disclosure of the offshore dealings of many of the world's wealthy, famous and infamous.



They came to light when millions of documents -- the so-called Panama Papers -- covering nearly 40 years of business were leaked from the archives of the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.



The revelations have had far-reaching political consequences, already bringing down the Icelandic prime minister and Spain's industry minister, while forcing others to explain their financial dealings.



"Our goal is to cooperate actively and to lead the efforts of the international community on the topic of the global problem," Varela said during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.



Varela, who arrived in Japan on Sunday, also said that Panama has agreed "to advance discussions for negotiating a bilateral taxation scheme with the Japanese government" under Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development standards.



At an investment seminar yesterday, he said that Panama is willing to cooperate with an OECD initiative to share tax information.



Varela also defended his country while in Japan, saying in an interview with Jiji Press yesterday that Panama has been "wrongly" labelled a tax haven. "Panama is a country respectful of laws," he said.

Varela also told Jiji that Panama will establish a high-level commission, to be composed of six to eight internal and external members, within six months in order to improve transparency of its financial system.



The members are slated to include Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, Jiji reported.



The Panamanian president's visit to Japan comes after the world's leading economies took a step last week toward denying tax evaders and money launderers the ability to hide behind anonymous shell companies.



Acting in the wake of the scandal, finance chiefs of the Group of 20 meeting in Washington on Friday supported proposals requiring authorities to share the identities of shell companies' real owners.



They also backed creating a blacklist of international tax havens that do not cooperate with information-sharing programmes.
A search for a great uncles grave site seven years ago led a Bismarck man to help others investigate their family tree via an international online website where he has contributed thousands of pictures.

Brian Backes, 57, said he stumbled across the online link Find A Grave, and he found the resting place of his grandfathers brother at St. Marys Cemetery in Bismarck.

That got me started. I thought I can help others do their genealogy, said Backes, who has contributed 53,000 pictures and added 37,000 graveside names to the website  mostly from central North Dakota.

On Thursday evening, he presented his information at the Bismarck Public Library.

Backes has visited 125 graveyards ranging in size from forgotten overgrown sites of only two visible graves to as large as the Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan. His mission has taken him to cemeteries in Burleigh, Kidder, McLean, Renville, Emmons and Ward counties.

I want to help people find their ancestry like I did. I get email from people all over the world, even Australia, thanking me, said Backes, adding the website gives credits to photographers.

Backes said he simply submits the basic information of birth, death, name of the individual and location of the cemetery and plot location. If family members get permission, more vital data can be added.

People can reach the link at www.findagrave.com.
Nethravathi Rakshana Samyukta Samiti activists will stage a silent protest against Yettinahole project, by covering their mouths with black cloths, at Suratkal Junction on April 21.





Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lay foundation for road widening project and Suratkal market on April 21.



Samiti Convener Satyajit Suratkal said on Wednesday that the protest will be held even if permission for the project is withdrawn, as it is the right of the citizens to register the protest. They are ready to be arrested for the sake of the right, he insisted.



He urged the government to scrap the project. A Dakshina Kannada district river conservation authority should be formed, to protect the water rights of the people here. The coastal districts should be declared as fisheries industry zone. An integrated irrigation project should be implemented in the district. The expenditure of Rs 2,000 crore so far, in the name of the Yettinahole project, should be justified by the government, he demanded.



He alleged that the state government has been showing step motherly attitude towards Dakshina Kannada district. M B Patil, the minister of water resources, is holding meetings in other districts, but he has not chaired any meeting in Dakshina Kannada, which shows the negligent attitude of the government towards the district. It seems that legislators from the district have no say in the functioning of the government, he expressed dissatisfaction.



Advisory board member M G Hegade said that the Nethravathi Samyukta Rakshana Samiti is the consolidation of all committees which are fighting for the common cause of protecting River Nethravathi and urging the government to stop the Yettinahole project. In the new committee, Ajit Kumar Rai Maladi, Jaya C Suvarna, Rajiv Kanchan, Mohammed Masood and Fr J B Crasta are the honorary presidents, while Vijay Kumar Shetty is the president. The advisory board vice presidents, legal and technical advisory committee general secretaries, secretaries, conveners and others are experts in various fields, who will fight against the project, he explained.



Satyajit Suratkal warned that if any leader speaks for the project, he or she will be opposed regardless of the party.



Ramachandra Baikampadi, Yogish Shetty Jeppu, Shashiraj Shetty Kolambe, Pruthviraj Rai, Vasudev Boloor, Anant Adyar, Dinakar Shetty were present.




Following their emphatic victories in New York primary, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump have moved closer to bagging their respective parties presidential nomination, but the Republican Party in all likelihood is headed for a contested convention.





This is because, political pundits here believe, Trump despite having the largest number of delegates (845) in his kitty is still far short of the magical figure of 1237 delegates he needs to have before the Cleveland convention in July to become the Republican presidential nominee.



Trump, a real estate tycoon, is now eyeing at the Republican primaries next Tuesday in the States of Maryland (38), Pennsylvania (71), Connecticut (28), Delaware (16) and Rhode Island (19), where 172 delegates are at stake. Latest polls indicates that Trump is leading in most of these states.



Well aware of the high stakes, the Republican front- runner is scheduled to campaign heavily in these states. Even if he does not do so, in all likelihood he would enter the July Convention with the largest number of delegates.



The entire strategy of Trump's two remaining rivals Senator Ted Cruz (559 delegates) from Texas and Ohio Governor John Kasich (147) is to prevent Trump from hitting the target of 1237 delegates. Both of them are unlikely to cross this mark.



By doing do, the Cruz and Kasich campaigns hope that given Trump's rhetorics and his antipathy with the establishment, the delegates would vote against him thus opening up opportunities for them.



On the Democratic side, Clinton appears to be all set to become the party's presidential nominee after her victory in her home state of New York.



Clinton, who was the former First Lady, former New York Senator and former secretary of state, would thus be the first woman presidential nominee of a major party in US history.



Clinton now has 1,428 delegates from the primary elections and another 502 super delegates, who are mainly party officials, have pledged their support to her. But they can change their vote even at the last moment.



However, with pledged super delegates, her total is 1930 and she needs 2382 delegates. Her sole rival Senator Bernie Sanders has won 1151 delegates during the primary season and has support of just 38 super delegates.



Sanders campaign believes that they can still manage to get the necessary delegates in the rest of the states to win the partys nomination. The campaign managers argue that they are short of just 277 delegates and once they overcome this gap, the super delegates can switch sides to go with the popular mandate of the party.



Latest polls show, Clinton is leading in most of the Democratic primaries to be held in states of Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan clarified on his comments about the one-eyed man being the king stating that the country has not yet achieved its potential in terms of growth.





My intent was to signal that our outperformance was accentuated because world growth was weak, but we in India were still hungry for more growth.



I then explained that we were not yet at our potential, though we were at a cusp of a substantial pick-up in growth given all the reforms that were underway, Rajan said, while speaking at 12th NIBM Convocation in Pune.



Speaking to a foreign journalist recently, who asked Rajan about what it felt like to be the bright spot in the world economy, Rajan had used the phrase Andhon mein kana raja or In the Land of the Blind, the one-eyed man is king.



Rajan also stated that his words were perhaps taken out of context by the media as also offered apology in case his statements hurt the blind.



I do, however, want to apologise to a section of the population that I did hurt, the blind. After all, the proverb suggests that a one-eyed man is better than a blind one. A moments thought suggests this is not true.



For the blind can develop capabilities that more than make up for their disability. Indeed, the sheer willpower and hunger to succeed of the disabled can help them become over-achievers in a seeing mans world.



Moreover, because their other faculties such as touch, smell, and hearing, are more finely honed, the blind may add new perspectives and new variety to our world, making it richer and more vibrant. So I am indeed sorry for implying the blind were otherwise than capable, Rajan added.



Every word or phrase a public figure speaks is intensely wrung for meaning. When words are hung to dry out of context, as in a newspaper headline, it then becomes fair game for anyone who want to fill in meaning to create mischief. Worst, of course, are words or proverbs that have common usage elsewhere, because those can be most easily and deliberately misinterpreted. If we are to have a reasonable public dialogue, everyone should read words in their context, not stripped of it. That may be a forlorn hope, Rajan said.




In past decades, when faced with plebiscites on whether to embrace further European integration, voters across the continent had a habit of slamming on the brakes  though in several instances they later changed their minds.





So Britains vote June 23 on whether to exit the European Union, a process often referred to as Brexit, could have huge ramifications. Those who favour leaving say Britain would have stronger control over its borders if it left the union, and that it could negotiate trade deals on its own.



Their opponents warn that leaving the worlds largest trading bloc will have dire economic consequences. Most economists say that leaving the European Union will have a negative effect in the short term, but that the longer-term consequences are less clear.



Simon Tilford, deputy director of the Centre for European Reform, a research organisation in London, noted that referendums in Europe had often fallen prey to over simplification, base appeals to emotions and scaremongering on both sides.



Lots of people will not consider the issues carefully, but will instead allow their frustrations with immigration and globalization, or fears over loss of sovereignty, to influence how they vote, he said.



June 5, 1975: Britain says yes to Europe. Britain joined the European Economic Community, a forerunner of the European Union, in 1973, during the Conservative government of Prime Minister Edward Heath. The Labour Party, which took power the next year, submitted the matter to a public vote. The yes camp won a resounding victory (67%) with the backing of Prime Minister Harold Wilson.



The differences between then and now are striking. The bloc had 9 members then, compared with 28 today. It was the Labour Party in 1975 that was deeply divided over Europe, and the Conservatives, led by Margaret Thatcher, who supported British membership.



Today, the Conservatives are the most deeply torn over Europe. And Britain was economically downcast in 1975  the sick man of Europe, a laggard behind West Germany and France  while today it is flourishing relative to other European countries.



June 2, 1992: Danes Reject Maastricht Treaty, at first. In February 1992, 12 European nations signed a treaty in the medieval Dutch city of Maastricht, forging common foreign and defence policies and paving the way for a single currency, the euro.



Four months later Danish voters narrowly rejected the treaty, which needed all member states to approve it. Opponents of the treaty preyed on fears that Denmarks economy would be subsumed by Germanys and would be captive to a remote bureaucracy in Brussels.



After the Danish government secured the ability to opt out of aspects of the treaty  including the single currency  57% of voters approved a second referendum held on May 18, 1993.



September 20, 1992: France Approves Maastricht Treaty, barely. The Continent was shaken when only 51% of French voters said yes to the Maastricht Treaty.



The thin margin laid bare the deep unpopularity at the time of President Francois Mitterrand, who had called the referendum. And it exposed concerns over French economic stagnation and fears that greater unity could lead to a new wave of immigration.



June 8, 2001: Irish Oppose EU Expansion, initially. Generous European subsidies transformed the small country in the 1990s into an economic powerhouse.



Nevertheless, Irish voters rejected the Nice Treaty, which intended to clear the way for 12 new members, mostly from the former communist countries of Eastern and Central Europe. Turnout was low. Opponents of the treaty feared the loss of sovereignty; warned that expansion of the EU could draw Ireland, which has a tradition of military neutrality, into world conflicts; and stoked fears of poor migrants from Eastern Europe flooding the country.



In a second vote a little more than a year later, voters approved the treaty, swayed by, among other things, a guarantee that Ireland could opt out of military operations.



Sept. 14, 2003: Sweden Refuses the Euro



The assassination of Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, a proponent of the euro, days before the vote rattled Sweden, but it did not change the outcome. (Denmark, the other Scandinavian member of the EU, also kept its own currency, and Finland has been part of the eurozone since its inception in 1999. Iceland and Norway are not members of the European Union.)



May 29, 2005: France deals a decisive blow to a proposed charter. A former president of France, Valery Giscard dEstaing, helped draft a European Constitution of the European Union, a 300-page document that sought to pave the way for a common bill of rights and to reduce the ability of member states to veto decisions in areas like asylum and immigration.



But the French rejected the proposed constitution, dealing a fatal blow to the charter as unanimous approval of member states was needed for it to go into effect. The French rejection was spurred, among other factors, by a revolt against President Jacques Chirac and his stewardship of a faltering economy, and concerns that the vaunted French social model was under threat.



Series of rejections



June 1, 2005: Dutch voters also reject the Constitution. Just days after the French rejected the European constitution, the Dutch did the same. Like France, the Netherlands was one of the 6 founding nations of what became the EU, but Dutch voters were angered that their country was, at the time, the largest net contributor per capita to the EUs budget, even though it was not the richest country in the bloc. Opponents of the Constitution also stoked fears by equating ratification with the acceptance of Turkey, a longtime candidate for bloc membership.



June 12, 2008: Another Irish no vote, followed by a flip-flop. The Lisbon Treaty was a blueprint intended to rein in the blocs cumbersome bureaucracy and to enact some of the changes in governance that voters had rejected in the proposed constitution.



Yet voters rejected the treaty after opponents adroitly played on fears, particularly acute in smaller countries like Ireland, that even the watered-down changes would undermine national self-determination. It did not help that the treaty  which would give the European Council, a decision-making body made up of the member states leaders, a full-time president and would change the voting system so that fewer decisions would require simple-majority votes  was seen as opaque.



But 16 months later, the Irish reversed themselves and voted in favour of the treaty, as an economic crisis helped tame resistance to the European project. The flip-flop echoed Irelands flip-flop on EU expansion.



April 6, 2016: Dutch rebuff accord with Ukraine. Supporters of European integration suffered their most recent blow when Dutch voters overwhelmingly rejected a trade and cooperation agreement between the EU and Ukraine. Coming less than 3 months before the British referendum on EU membership, the Dutch vote was a painful reminder of the fragility of popular support for the European Union.



The vote was officially nonbinding, but the government had said it would not disregard the results if turnout exceeded 30%  a threshold that was narrowly achieved. Negotiations over the accord are continuing.
A new committee has been constituted to probe into the recent unrest on the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar campus.





The committee comprising two members from outside the institute will do the fact finding now and submit its report to the institutes board of governors by May 15, the institute announced on Wednesday.



Uploading a note on its website, the institute also announced that all national festivals will now be celebrated on the campus but did not specify the list of such festivals.



You see, every thing is very clear in our note. There should not be any requirement for clarity, NIT-Srinagar Director Rajat Gupta told DH, when requested to clarify which are the festivals to be celebrated on the campus as national festivals hence forth. This comes a day after a group of NIT-Srinagar students, accompanied by the ABVP held a three hour-long meeting with the senior officials of the HRD Ministry and submitted a 19-point memorandum of demands.



Hoisting of a full-size national flag either by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or HRD Minister Smriti Irani at the highest mast of the institute campus was one of the main demands of the students.



While putting forth this demand, students told the ministry officials that it was necessary not only to instil a sense of security among the outstation students but also to reiterate the message that Kashmir is an integral part of India.



Many of the students claim that neither Republic Day nor Independence Day is celebrated in the institutes campus. Moreover, they also claim, the institute allows them to celebrate festivals like Holi and Diwali only after their proposal is cleared by the majority vote of the institutes administration members.



I have been there for more than three years. I never saw either Republic Day or Independence Day being celebrated, a fourth year student of the institute told DH.



The committee will continue to function as a grievance redressal system for the students, particularly those from outside Jammu and Kashmir, as students had complaints that their grievances were never addressed.




Member of Parliament Anantkumar Hegde said on Wednesday that he would resign from his post, if the charges against him are proved.





Hegde was reacting to reports that his name figures in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining, with regard to the case of missing ore from the Belekeri port.



Claiming that the charges were false, the MP said that it was not clear in the report as to whether MLAs or MP took money from Adani Enterprises. Hegde said that the MP or MLAs from Uttara Kannada district were not so poor that they have to receive a bribe of Rs 2 lakh.
Indian Navy on Wednesday opened up more branches for women officers who can join as pilots of maritime reconnaissance aircraft and in armament inspectorates.





Starting 2017, women officers can choose to join as pilots of maritime reconnaissance planes like Boeing P8I and Dornier, as also in the Naval Armament Inspectorate cadre. With this, a total of eight branches will be open for women officers in the Navy, said a Navy official.



Currently, women officers in the Navy can fly only as observers in the surveillance aircraft. In fact, the ill-fated Dornier-228 surveillance aircraft that crashed off Goa in March last year had a women observer on-board, Lt Kiran Sekhwat, whose body was recovered after 48 hours.



The Navy currently has more than 500 women officers including about 50 observers and close to 250 doctors. Women are now allowed as pilots, air traffic controllers and in branches of education, law, meteorology, naval construction and logistics.



Indian Navy mooted the proposal to allow women to pilot the surveillance aircraft almost the same time last time, when the Indian Air Force permitted women to fly the fighter jet. The first batch of three IAF fighter pilots would pass out from the IAF academy in June 2016. In the IAF, women were permitted to fly transport aircraft and helicopters, but the same was not allowed in the Navy because flying naval helicopters involves landing on the decks of warships, where women are still not allowed.



The Navy is also finalising the policy for women officers to serve on select warships that have appropriate facilities for women, said the official.



Since surveillance aircraft operate from shore-based naval air stations, it would not be a problem to allow women officers flying these aircraft.



Last year, Delhi High Court asked the Navy to grant permanent commission to women in the ATC and logistics branches, which didn't happen earlier.



Navy officials claimed the primary reason behind not granting the permanent commission to women at least in the logistics and flying branches are absence of women-specific facilities on-board in the old generation ships.



Only from INS Shivalik, inducted in 2010, onwards indigenous ships are coming out with these women-specific facilities.



The Defence Ministry is not only in the process of opening up more branches for women, but also considering expansion of permanent commission for them in several areas in the three services, which are not allowed at the moment.



Navy official: Starting 2017, women officers can choose to join as pilots of maritime reconnaissance planes like Boeing P8I and Dornier, as also in the Naval Armament Inspectorate cadre .


Due to the odd-even scheme, a bridegroom from Rajasthan on Wednesday hired a cab for himself from Gurgaon to reach the wedding venue in North Delhi.





Munesh, the bridegroom, also asked his wedding party members to board the Metro to reach the venue. The group of revellers accompanying him reached Huda City Centre Metro station in a fleet of cars of odd and even numbers and parked their vehicles at the station before entering Delhi.



As per the odd-even rules, private vehicles having odd-numbered registration plates can ply on Delhi roads on odd dates and even-numbered cars are allowed on even dates.



People coming to Delhi to attend social gatherings have been parking their vehicles in NCR and taking Metro to reach their destinations in view of the second phase of the car curbs scheme.



We took Metro after parking our odd-numbered car at the Huda City Centre metro stations parking facility. We will get down at Pul Bangash station on the Red Line and take a taxi to reach the marriage venue, said Vinod Kumar, father of the bridegroom.



We have decided that the women will be taken to the venue in our even-numbered cars whereas we have arranged a cab for Munesh and his cousins to reach the banquet hall, said Vidhya Devi, the bridegrooms mother.



Its a hassle for us to get our cars to the venue after the odd-even restrictions are relaxed for the day. If the Delhi government wants to implement the odd-even scheme throughout the year, it has to provide an alternative mode of transport for people attending social gatherings, said Kumar Hariom, a guest from the grooms side.




University of Mary students serving in the military can receive a scholarship from the school to help pay for their undergraduate education.

A six-figure donation from A. Kirk Lanterman, a retired business executive, will provide a $2,400-per-semester scholarship to any student currently serving in the military, whether through the National Guard, active military or military reserve. Any student eligible who applies is guaranteed the scholarship.

Lanterman said it's not often he finds a cause to support that's Catholic, educational and relates to the military.

"This was really a homerun for me," he said at a press conference Wednesday. "Those are the three things since I have retired that I have tried to assist in."

Lanterman graduated from Bismarck High School in 1950 and served with the North Dakota National Guard as a combat medic during the Korean War. He later became CEO and chairman of the Holland America cruise line.

"The military for me was a very important transition from being an 18-year-old kid in North Dakota to moving into the competitive world," he said.

Dave Anderson, coordinator for Military Student Services at U-Mary, said the donation allows the school to extend scholarships to undergraduates in the military for the first time.

Graduate students in the military already receive funding from the college to cover the difference between tuition and tuition assistance provided through their branch of the military.

Anderson thanked Lanterman for his generosity, calling his gift a "great opportunity."

"It's a great benefit for our soldiers," he said. "They are the first line of defense."
Designed to decongest, the KR Puram cable-stayed bridge had instead turned traffic stopper years ago. The bridges poor architecture meant the Outer Ring Road would abruptly squeeze to a traffic bottleneck of chaotic proportions at this critical junction. A late, desperate attempt is now proposed to rescue the commuters and ease the ORR traffic flow.





Heres what is in the pipeline: A flyover to link the existing ORR grade separator at Benniganahalli near Tin Factory to the Ring Road flyover that lands at Lowry junction, the intersection with ITPL main road. Once this comes up, ORR vehicles from Hebbal side could entirely bypass the KR Puram bridge and continue their Ring road journey towards Marathahalli and beyond.



Currently, vehicles that descend from Benniganahalli flyover move on Swamy Vivekananda Road to the left of the bridge, and turn right under the bridge towards the ORR leading to Marathahalli. The trigger for the extreme congestion under the bridge is the KR Puram railway station. Absolute chaos during peak hours effectively breaks the ORR completely at this point.



To tide over this taxing bottleneck, the city traffic police had suggested a flyover that cuts across the Old Madras Road before the bridge, leading to the ORR on the right. Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is ready with a design, although actual construction could take years. The extension of the Namma Metro East-West line from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield under Phase 2 at this point could also complicate matters.



Study findings



A recent study under the CMs Outer Ring Road Improvement Project had indicated the bus stop right at the ascent of the bridge as a key cause for congestion. A bus bay a few metres ahead of the bridge is under utilized since buses hardly stop there. This often leads to pedestrian crashes and vehicular queues at the bridge, slowing down the ORR traffic in the process.



Unauthorised parking under the bridge is another factor. A bus stop at this point catering mainly to alighting passengers from KR Puram railway station builds queues of about a kilometre during peak hours. Absence of a refuge island also creates pedestrian-vehicle conflict at this point, the study notes.



At the Lowry junction of ORR and ITPL main road, the study shows a clear lack of pedestrian facilities. There are no refuge islands or continuous footpath along the corridor. A flyover linking Benniganahalli with Lowry junction could potentially bypass these issues, as former Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, MA Saleem put it.
The state Cabinet on Wednesday decided to make it mandatory for owners of all buildings in Bengaluru to adopt rainwater harvesting structures, irrespective of their sital area.





Presently, rainwater harvesting is mandatory for only newly constructed buildings measuring 30x40 ft and above.



Briefing reporters after a meeting in Bengaluru, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said Section 72A of the Bengaluru Water Supply Sewerage Act, 1964, would be amended to implement the new rule.



Integrated townships



The Cabinet also decided to revive setting up of Ramanagaram, Solur, Nandagudi and Sathanur integrated townships in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region.



The government had initially decided to set up these townships in 2006 as part of its plan to decongest Bengaluru. However, the project was shelved as there were no takers to take the project forward.



The previous BJP government had withdrawn a 2006 notification which disallowed conversion of agricultural land for residential and commercial activities in these towns. Jayachandra said the Cabinet had given in-principle approval to revive the project and that further details would be worked out shortly.



The Cabinet gave its nod for the implementation of Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana in Badami town.



No purchase of KIA shares



The Cabinet also decided not to purchase 33% of equity shares held by GVK Group in Kempegowda International Airport Limited. Jayachandra said GVK Group had decided to sell its shares and as per rules, the first offer has to be made to the state government, he added.
Chinese dissidents from around the world will assemble in India next week to hold an international conference seeking transition to democracy in the communist country.





New Delhi not only gave its go-ahead to the organisers to hold the conference in India, but also granted visas to Chinese dissidents, including the World Uyghur Congress leader, Dolkun Isa, who has been dubbed as a terrorist by Beijing. The conference will be held from April 28 to May 1 at Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh  the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Dalai Lama, who has been leading Tibetans struggle against Chinese rule in Tibet, will receive the delegates and address them.



New Delhis move, which is likely to raise hackles in Beijing, comes at a time, when India is upset over Chinas decision to block the proposal to impose United Nations sanctions on Pakistan-based terrorist leader Moulana Masood Azhar.



Isa, the chairman of the executive committee of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), told DH from Munich that he had already been granted visa by the Indian government to attend the conference in Dharamsala. However, he would take a final call only after assessing his security in India, as China got a Red Corner Notice issued against him by Interpol, he said.



Isa is a front-line leader of Uyghurs struggle for greater political and religious freedom in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. He was jailed repeatedly for his activism against Chinese rule in what Uyghurs call East Turkestan. He fled China in 1997, sought asylum in Europe and finally became a citizen of Germany in 2006. He has been campaigning against atrocities on Uyghurs and human rights violation by the Chinese government and its security forces.



Beijing got a Red Notice against Isa alleging that he was a terrorist and the vice-president of separatist East Turkestan Liberation Organisation. He, however, denied having any link with any terrorist organisation.If Isa does not travel to India, the WUC vice-president Omer Kanat and president of Uyghur American Association Ilshat Hassan will attend the conference in Dharamshala.



This is the first time a delegation of World Uyghur Congress is visiting India. We are aware of New Delhis positive attitude towards the struggle for Tibet. India has been hosting Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan refugees since 1959, Isa said on Wednesday.



We hope India, which is the largest democracy of the world, will also speak up in support of Uyghurs non-violent struggle for political and religious freedom, democracy and human rights.



The conference  titled Strengthening Our Alliance to Advance the Peoples Dream: Freedom, Justice, Equality and Peace  is being organised by a US-based organisation Citizen Power for China (CFC), which is led by well-known exiled Chinese dissident and a 1989 Tiananmen Square activist, Yang Jianli. The participants will include Chinas pro-democracy activists, representatives of the communist countrys ethnic and religious minorities like Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, Muslims and Buddhists as well as delegates from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.



The CFC, which earlier held similar conferences in Boston, California, Taipei and Washington, stated that the annual conclaves turned into the single most important united forum for planning and pursuing a peaceful transition to democracy in China.


A firm stand by the government, and requests by students and their parents made the PU lecturers blink first and withdraw their protests on Tuesday.





A H Ningegowda, general secretary, Karnataka State PU Lecturers Association said that there was a general feeling among lecturers that they did not want to be the villains, robbing students of their future.



We did not want to be seen as people who are only after money and salaries, he said. He further added that a number of students and their parents had visited the lecturers and asked them to withdraw their protests.



The governments stand is, however, slightly different. A senior official said that the association had thoroughly misinterpreted the G Kumar Naik Committee report and many of its recommendations on lecturers salaries.



Some of the benefits they talked about are not even mentioned in the report. The association had misunderstood the report and the recommendations made therein. I would like to believe that they realised their mistake and withdrawn the protest. Better sense prevailed, said the official.



When asked if it was the pressure built up by the government by issuing notifications and making an alternative arrangement that did the associaton in, the official said, The government has a responsibility that they are supposed to perform. It has to find another instrument if things do not work out in the set direction.



On Tuesday, the agitating lecturers ended their 17-day-old protest without giving any reason while rejecting the one increment offered by the government.



One increment is fine



The PU lecturers association might have withdrawn their protest and made a call to reject the one hard fought increment offered by the government, but PU lecturers, however, are not in the mood to give up the money easily.



A principal of a government college in Kolar said: I have been working for the past 28 years. When I started, my salary was on par with a tahsildar and the government engineers. Now, there is a huge disparity. The one increment that we got has come in writing and has been issued as a government order. I do not think one can withdraw it so easily.



A lecturer of a government college from Gauribidnaur said that he is quite happy with the an increment as it would mean an additional income.



The lecturer further explained that the one-time increment would mean Rs 600 for a new lecturer, around Rs 1,000 for a senior lecturer and Rs 1,200 for a principal. This is quite a good amount, he said.



Discontent continues



The office-bearers of the Karnataka State PU Lecturers Association, however, submitted a letter to the Department of Pre-University Education making their rejection formal. We submitted the letter on Wednesday and are firm on our decision to reject the increment, Ningegowda, general secretary of the association said.



An official said that the ball is in the lecturers court whether or not to accept the increment. It is left to individuals. We cannot prevent anyone from not taking the benefit.
After two days of violent protests in the industrial hubs by garment workers, it was an incident-free day on Wednesday in Bengaluru.





Fearing a backlash, all garment units in Peenya, Jalahalli, Yeshwanthpur, Bommasandra, Hebbagodi and Hulimavu remained shut.



Hundreds of workers who turned up for work had to return home after reading a notice on the gates announcing the closure. Sources said factories may remain shut till Monday to ensure that there is no unrest, though a few said that they will open on Thursday. The police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) conducted flag marches on Hosur Road, Tumakuru Road and Mysuru Road to instil confidence among local residents.



Till Wednesday evening, the City Police had made 156 arrests, while the rural police have arrested 21. The police have also stepped up patrolling in and around the industrial areas.



Except garment units, other factories in the area remained open and even business establishments like hotels, petrol bunks were functioning as usual.



Bengaluru City Police Commissioner N S Megharikh told DH: We made massive security arrangements and the situation was peaceful and there was no law and order problem on Wednesday. A Karnataka State Reserve Police personnel deployed at the Provident Fund office in Yeshwanthpur said: The situation is completely under control. Though the area returned to normalcy on Tuesday evening, we continued to be here till further orders.



The prohibitory orders will expire on Friday and the police will review the situation and take a decision if the orders need to be expanded.



The commissioner said the protesters did not have a leader and refuted claims that there was coordination problem between the City Police and the rural police. R Shankar, deputy commissioner, Bengaluru urban district, has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the firing in Hebbagodi where two people were injured. One Manjunathappa was critically injured and is still battling for his life.



Speaking to DH, Shankar said Assistant Commissioner (Bengaluru south sub-division) L C Nagaraj will conduct the inquiry.



HC slams cops



The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the police department for their inability to handle the agitation in Bengaluru and other parts of the state, reports DHNS. Details on Page 2


The High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against Orchids The International School, Jalahalli, which is accused of cheating more than 900 students by falsely claiming affiliation to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).





The school, run by Goutham Academy of General and Technical Education Society, came under the scanner in October 2014 when a three-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a staff member.



An investigation by the Department of Public Instruction showed that the school had permission to run only class 1 to 5 in Kannada medium, though it was running pre-nursery, LKG, UKG and up to class 7 in English medium claiming CBSE affiliation.



H B Manjunath, Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Bengaluru North, lodged a complaint at the Jalahalli police station on October 23, 2014, accusing the management of running the school by flouting the rules.



Kurre Radhakrishna Reddy, secretary, Surendra Babu U, deputy secretary, and Durga, president, were booked for cheating under sections 418 and 420 of the IPC and section 18(5) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which talks about imposing fine on institutions which run without obtaining the certification of recognition.



The case is pending before the 1st Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. The school approached the High Court seeking quashing of the proceedings in the magistrate court. It cited a 2014 ruling of the Supreme Court which gives parents the right to chose the medium of instruction for their child. The state cannot contend that it has the power to prescribe the medium of instruction, it argued.



The government advocate argued that the school didnt not have any certification of recognition to run CBSE classes. It admitted 900 students without disclosing its lack of affiliation to the CBSE. Parents are confused about continuing their childrens education in the same school.



Prima facie material



Justice Pradeep D Waingankar said that prima facie material collected by the Investigation Officer showed complicity of the management in running an English-medium school by obtaining a permission to run a Kannada-medium school. The bench observed that the management didnt have permission to run an English-medium school when it was opened in 2013.



This is nothing short of cheating the innocent parents and playing with the future of the children in the process of making easy money... If this kind of misrepresentation by the persons who are running (an) educational institution is allowed to continue, the career of the innocent budding students would be jeopardised.



The court said there was no merit in the criminal petition filed by the school and dismissed it on March 31, 2016.
A 25-year-old person, who was plotting to loot a bakery, died after falling down from the roof of the bakery near RV College under Kengeri police limits in the early hours of Wednesday.





According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Siddaraju, a native of Channapatna. On Wednesday around 4.30 am, he climbed atop Sri Sai Bakery, owned by Muniswamy, to loot the bakery.



He removed the asbestos sheet and while trying to climb down, he fell down inside the bakery and died. Muniswamy, who was sleeping inside the bakery, woke up from his sleep after hearing a thud sound.



Muniswamy switched on the lights and found that Siddaraju was lying on the floor lifeless. He found a few phone numbers in Siddaraju's pocket and called his relatives to inform that Siddaraju is dead, said the police.



Around 6 am, the police, who got the information visited the spot and shifted the body for postmortem. They contacted the relatives who told that he was staying in a friend's house in Kumbalgodu.



But he had not gone to his friend's house nor their house in Channapatna for over six months, and was leading a life of a vagabond. We have taken his fingerprints to check if he his involved in any other crimes.



The bakery owner has been booked for not shifting Siddaraju to the hospital immediately, said a senior police officer. A case has been registered at the Kengeri police station and investigation is on.



Woman electrocuted



A 46-year-old housewife was electrocuted while trying to fill water into the sump at her residence in the police quarters on Mysuru Road on Tuesday noon.



According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Jayalakshmi, a native of Tumakuru and wife of a Central Armed Reserve (CAR) head constable. She was residing with her husband and two sons, also working with traffic police.



Around 3 pm on Tuesday, Jayalakshmi connected the water tap with a pipe and connected it to an electric motor so that water is drawn forcefully. While doing so, her clothes got wet, she suffered electric shock as she came in contact with the motor.



The neighbours who heard her screams rushed to her rescue and switched off the motor. Jayalakshmi, who was lying on the floor, was taken to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead. The police shifted the body for post-mortem.
Local body byelections in areas hit by two days of violence by garment employees will be held on schedule.





The district administration, which has been preparing for the elections to the four new City Municipal Councils (CMC) and one Town Municipal Council (TMC) on April 24, was initially concerned as the violence threatened to go out of control. But with the situation returning to normal, district authorities are all geared up to conduct the elections.



Caught in violence



Assistant commissioner of Bengaluru South sub-division L C Nagaraj and Anekal Tahsildar S M Shivakumar were on their way to Anekal on Tuesday for election preparations when they were caught in a wave of violence.



Nagaraj somehow managed to reach the taluk office, which also was affected by violence. But Shivakumar was held up at Bommasandra. His vehicle was among those belonging to the police and district administration that were vandalised by protesters.



Recently, Chandapura, Jigani, Bommasandra and Attibele were elevated to City Municipal Councils and Hebbagodi to a Town Municipal Council owing to increase in population. After the change in their status, elections were announced.


The vice chairman of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents has apologized for questioning whether declining enrollment at one college is due to its diversity. Steve Sviggum said in a statement issued late Tuesday that hes willing to learn and must do better, referring to his comment about falling student numbers at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Sviggum said during a board meeting last week that he has received a couple letters from friends who decided not to attend Morris because it is too diverse. He said the prospective students just didnt feel comfortable there. Sviggum wrote that he was truly sorry too those he offended. He added that his question was meant to encourage discussion about enrollment, which is down 50% from its peak.
The evolving science of juvenile brain development has had a major influence on attitudes toward crime and punishment  and for good reason. Juveniles are more impulsive and process information differently from adults. Its not always fair to hold them accountable in quite the same way as adults.

As a result, Colorado in 2006 eliminated a sentence of life without parole for juveniles convicted as adults of first-degree murder, six years before the U.S. Supreme Court declared such sentences unconstitutional. We supported that change a decade ago, and have been harping ever since about the need to apply the updated law, with its potential for parole after 40 years, retroactively to those convicted earlier.

However, a bill that is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday in the state Senate goes way beyond applying the 2006 law to juveniles previously convicted as adults for murder. Senate Bill 181 is a fairly radical revision of sentencing, and some of it goes too far.

It begins by slashing by nearly one-third the time when a juvenile murderer  past or future  might be eligible for parole. It does this by allowing earned time in prison to be subtracted from the current minimum of 40 years.

And for the 48 inmates sentenced to life without parole between 1990 and 2006, the bill goes further. It offers the option of a 24- to 48-year sentence when a court finds extraordinary mitigating circumstances. As the Colorado District Attorneys Council points out, this sentence range is only slightly more severe than the range for second-degree murder and other Class 2 felonies.

And since parole is typically an option at 75 percent of a sentence, the actual requirement for time served, with earned time, could drop to as low as 12 to 24 years.

This might be a defensible option for those few inmates on the list who participated in a crime but didnt do the actual killing  felony murder, as it is called. But its a short sentence for the cold-blooded taking of a life, even when a teenager is involved.

And why should only those convicted between 1990 and 2006 benefit from this option? Or will lawmakers be back in a year or two with a bill to extend it to all?

Its worth remembering the types of crimes that landed these 48 inmates in prison when they were teens. Many were stunningly savage. Reading through the details of their cases is truly sobering  as is the degree to which a number of the offenders failed to register normal emotion during and after the event.

And while some were fairly young  15 or 16, for example  others were not far from 18.

If lawmakers approve SB 181, theyll be moving toward a future in which two teen friends who go on a murderous spree  one just over 18 and the other just under  would get radically different sentences when both were tried as adults. That wouldnt be justice. It would be more like a travesty.

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The state Senate has given preliminary approval to a bill to double the amount of time sexual assault victims can seek charges from 10 to 20 years.

Senators gave the measure unanimous approval. One lawmaker pointed out that there is no statute of limitations on forgery.

The bill was inspired by two Colorado women who claim Bill Cosby assaulted them decades ago. The women recently testified that the bill would empower traumatized victims by giving them more time to come forward.

Cosby has denied assault allegations made by women across the country.

Several states are looking at sex assault statutes of limitations in response to the allegations against Cosby and others.

The measure has already passed the House.
A teacher in Colorado Springs has been arrested for an alleged sexual assault of a juvenile student.

The Ambassador Academy charter school teacher has been identified as Kenyada Lattimore, 40, according to a Colorado Springs Police Department media release.

An investigation into the allegations began Wednesday and Lattimore was arrested on Thursday, police said.

Lattimore was booked on suspicion of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust.

The school teaches students from kindergarten to 12 grade.

An investigation is ongoing, police said.

Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or @kierannicholson
By Micheal OCallaghan

18 January 2012 Forty years ago, a group of Scientists investigated what the world would look like if we continued on our path of exponential economic growth, with a continued growth in population, pollution and industry. The study resulted in the publishing of the eye opening book, The Limits to Growth, which would surely cause discomfort to even the most ardent of believers in the might of our growth dependent economic system. The team of scientists inputted various sets of data, based on differing predictions relating to population, pollution and economic growth into the World 3 computer model, which made calculations about the future trajectory of economic growth, in relation to any potential limits to such growth and the consequences of surpassing these limits. In almost all models, where growth continued exponentially, population and industry went into sharp decline following peak. The most revealing aspect of these models was that where growth continued, it eventually hit the natural and ecological limits to growth, where after it would undergo a steep rather than gentle and gradual decline, otherwise called a collapse. Collapse resulted even in models where an account was made for a potentially greatly increased use of renewable and nuclear energies, as well as higher farm yields or greater birth control. The underlying cause of this resultant collapse was the system of inter related feedbacks between the various aspects of the globalised system. For example, even when there was a great increase in renewable energies, collapse would eventually manifest itself due to increased population, soil erosion and general pollution. A particularly realistic aspect of these models was that it factored in the delayed response of individuals to the signs of imminent limits, as it accounted for the probability that people would continue to consume and pollute past the sustainable limits of the particular model. Of course, in the real world, many people will continue to consume until it is no longer possible. Could the models have predicted the true extent of the inaction that we have witnessed in the face of the grave threats of climate change, peak oil and bio  diversity loss? However, the study was not all doom and gloom. In a number of models, population and industrial growth were constrained, and as a result growth did in fact level out, rather than continue exponentially, resulting in a global collapse. The underlying message of the book was one of caution, as well as presenting a call of action to society. It showed the grave risks associated with continued, un  tapered, economic growth, but it presented a positive alternative where, if certain controls were put in place, people could live within the natural means of the planet and continue to benefit from the many advancements and developments of the industrial revolution, without the worry of impending collapse. According to the book, this collapse, if growth continued as it was then, could be expected within 100 years. Of course, forty years on, based on the books predictions, we can expect this collapse to manifest itself at some (uncertain) point in the next sixty years. Has anything changed, and have we managed to divert from the path towards collapse in the intervening forty years? Pause and think about this for a second. It doesnt take a lot of analysis to realise that little has changed since the first publication of The Limits to Growth. Our economic system is still entirely dependent on the need for long term economic growth to survive, our food, economic and social structures are less resilient than ever before, the effects of Climate Change are becoming more prevalent with increased natural disasters, and we are teetering on the brink of global peak production of oil, the very life blood of our globalised, growth dependent system. All the while, our political leaders continue dither to about fairly weak, verbal agreements to do something about this predicament. The recent talks in Durban were a clear example of this, with politicians stating that they will agree the terms of a new Climate Agreement by 2015 with it coming into effect by 2020. Effectively they are saying, Yeah this is important, but lets not deal with it right now. This is in spite of the fact that the International Energy Authority, has recently stated that we have five years in which to act to avoid irreversible Climate Change. The new treaty, if they ever agree on one, wont even have taken effect within five years!! The team of Scientists behind The Limits to Growth have stated that they will not be engaging in a sequel to their study, as starting from current conditions, there is now no plausible assumptions other than over shoot. So, it doesnt look particularly rosy in terms of avoiding collapse. However, there is still much that can be achieved to lessen the severity of our current predicament. While it may no longer be possible to attain a sustainable and manageable tapering off of growth levels, there is still much that we can do to lessen the severity of the collapse. []
POPLAR, Mont.  A 13-month-old girl who was abducted from her home in Poplar on Tuesday night has been found dead.

Lee Allmer, Roosevelt County public information officer, said authorities found Kenzley Olson dead in Poplar on Wednesday.

One person is in custody in connection with the death and officials from the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is in charge of the investigation, are on scene and looking into the girl's death.

No further details were available as of 2:30 p.m.

The Montana Department of Justice cancelled an Amber Alert issued early Wednesday for the girl and referred further questions to the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said theyve ruled out two persons of interest earlier named in an Amber Alert issued for a 13-month-old girl abducted from a home in Poplar. The child is still missing.

The Amber Alert was issued Wednesday morning, reporting that Kenzley Ava-Leann Olson was taken at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

The initial alert named a man and woman as persons of interest and said they may be headed to Minot, N.D., in a silver 2006 Chrysler 300C.

The woman and the Chrysler were located in Minot on Wednesday and the people were ruled out as suspects. Police were still searching for Olson.

Poplar is a town of about 850 people on U.S. Highway 2 in northeastern Montana, on the edge of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

According to the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office, the Fort Peck Tribal Police and the FBI are assisting in the search for Olson.

Anyone with information regarding Olsons disappearance or location can call 911 or contact the Roosevelt County Sheriffs Office at (406) 653-6240.
DEVILS LAKE  The city of Devils Lake is preparing for possible legal action against a food container production company in an effort to recover a $2 million economic development investment.

Ultra Green, a Twin Cities, Minn., company that converted wheat-straw pulp into biodegradable food containers and other products, used the $2 million investment to purchase and equip the former Noodles by Leonardo pasta plant in Devils Lakes west end industrial park.

However, the factory closed about a year ago after operating for less than three years and falling far short of employment goals outlined in its agreement with the city.

The Devils Lake City Commission this week authorized Forward Devils Lake, the communitys economic development group, to proceed with legal action if necessary.

The Forward Devils Lake board will meet Thursday to discuss its options, Executive Director Rachel Lindstrom said.

Weve been trying to work with them, she said. Its starting to get the point where we need to take some action. We have to be mindful of the residents. This is their money and we are working to try to get that back.

Under the financial package, the city agreed to pay Ultra Green $1,000 per job createdabove the initial 100 jobs  annually for 10 years.

The company estimated it would employ 100 employees by the end of its first year of production, and 300 to 350 within three to five years. However, employment peaked at about 40. When it closed, it had about 20 employees.

Ultra Green was established in 2007, originally contracting with factories in China to produce eco-friendly pizza boxes, takeout containers and other paper-like products from sugar cane and bamboo.

In 2012, the company announced it would move its plant to Devils Lake, switching the raw material from sugar cane to wheat straw, which it would purchase from farms in the region.

At its maximum production, the company had estimated it would process 25,000 to 40,000 bales of wheat straw annually.
Copenhagen, Denmark, Apr 20, 2016 Comcores ApS, a leading provider of IP cores for wireless networks today announced immediate availability of an ultra-compact Ethernet Switch IP with support for both 1G and 10G ports.

The design includes features like 1588 bypass and VLAN functionality and is suited to deliver on your Ethernet switching requirements.

Being able to configure the Ethernet switch with four (4) 10G ports and up to fourty (40) 1G ports it provides tremendous flexibility for manufacturers of Cloud RAN equipment, DAS equipment and next-generation LTE Advanced radio base stations that wants to distribute high speed data streams of 10G to several 1G data streams.

With this component Comcores offer a unique components that brings compactness while keeping flexibility at a maximum. The IP enables dramatically shortening of design cycles, while cutting costs and mitigating the risks associated with designing from scratch. To demonstrate the switching abilities a 10G to four 1G ports switch has successfully been established and tested on a Xilinx based VC709 evaluation platform.

Were pleased to release a central component to handle routing of C&M data in Cloud RAN switches, said Thomas Noergaard, CEO of Comcores. Our optimized Ethernet Switch core is a perfect match for any company seeking a solution for C-RAN switching. It delivers the exact performance needed  not more  not less  hereby enabling Ethernet switching on FPGA based CPRI IQ switches. Altogether, this puts a concrete solution in the hands of customers for making the C-RAN vision a reality for next-generation fronthaul design and deployment.

Among the technical features of the new design from Comcores are:

 Up to 4 10G ports non-blocking switch

 Up to 40 1G ports non-blocking switching

 Support for advanced features like VLAN and 1588 by-pass

 Number of ports and rings within the switching fabric are configurable at compile time

 XGMII and GMII blocks included in the design

 Xilinx based VC709 demonstration platform available for test of functionality

About Comcores

Comcores is a market leader for state-of-the-art IP-cores for wireless communication. The company is a leading provider of modular blocks and components for connectivity and radio functionality in existing and next generation mobile infrastructure networks. Comcores offers leading IP cores solutions, expertise in research and development as well as custom design solutions.

For more information please visit www.comcores.com






European regulators have charged Google with violating antitrust rules by unfairly using Android to promote its own services, such as search and the Chrome browser. Google has abused its dominant position, Margrethe Vestager, Europes competition chief, said. Googles behavior has harmed consumers by restricting innovation in the wider mobile space. More specifically, the officials say that paying subsidies to telecommunications providers and smartphone manufacturers who promoted Google services was uncompetitive.

Google now has several months to respond to the charges. If it is eventually found guilty of breaking European rules, it faces fines up to 10 percent of its global revenue.

The search giant is denying the charges. We take these concerns seriously, Kent Walker, Googles general counsel, said in a statement. But we also believe that our business model keeps manufacturers costs low and their flexibility high, while giving consumers unprecedented control of their mobile devices.

View article
Human rights group Licadho has criticised the Cambodian Telecoms Law that came into effect in December of last year, saying it poses a severe threat to freedom of expression.

The Cambodian government had said the passing of the Telecoms Law was aimed at promoting the growth of the countrys telecoms sector and contributing to development, but Licadho said various provisions of the law undermined free speech and violated individual privacy.

According to the human rights group, the law contains no reference to the right to freedom of expression or its protection, and targets not only online public expression but also any private communications made using telecommunications devices.

Its most egregious provisions allow the government to secretly intrude into the private lives of individuals, destroy evidence before criminal trials, and seize control of the entire telecoms industry if arbitrarily deemed warranted, Licadho said in a legal briefing.

Its excessive measures, particularly those creating new criminal offences, reveal the true intent of the law: to intimidate individuals, punish the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms and quash individual and group dissent.

Cambodian are set to vote in both local and national elections in the next two years, with Licadho saying it believed the Cambodian government has with the Telecoms Law equipped itself with a whole new arsenal with which to threaten and obstruct civil society.

The group has objected to various specifics of the law, such as Article 6, which obliges telecoms service providers to provide data on their users to government authorities without the need for a judicial warrant. Article 97 allows for secret surveillance with the approval of a legitimate authority, which Licadho says is too vague.

The laws stated purpose is regulation of the telecommunications industry and yet it contains provisions that give the government powers to secretly monitor the telecommunications of individuals without any accountability and to punish those individuals if their communications are deemed to be criminal, Licadho said.
Indian telecoms firm Reliance Jio has announced the launch of its 8,100km Bay of Bengal Gateway cable system, which it claims is the first dark fibre system to be lit at 100 Gbps.

The cable system, which has been put together by a consortium that also includes Dialog Axiata, Etisalat, Omantel, Telekom Malaysia and Vodafone, will interconnect with existing cable systems to boost connectivity in the country.

The Bay of Bengal Gateway system utilises high-speed fibre optic technology and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), which allows for its capacity to be increased at will without any additional submarine intervention. Its initial equipped capacity is 9Tb/s, while it has a design capacity of 55Tb/s.

We are excited about the launch of BBG as it offers not just direct connectivity in and out of India through Chennai and Mumbai but also acts as a state-of-the-art 100Gbps extension of Jios 100Gbps core network, said Reliance Jio president Mathew Oommen.

This global connectivity brings key international content hubs closer to our customers, delivering a much richer experience as an important part of driving Indias broadband adoption, enabling consumers to shift away from the current high-cost low value propositions.

The aim of the cable system is to provide low latency connectivity and support bandwidth growth between the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and Southeast Asia. It lands in India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, while a terrestrial network runs from Malaysia to Singapore points of presence (PoPs).
MINOT  A former school superintendent pleaded guilty Tuesday to multiple sex crimes, putting him in prison for 35 years.

Charles Soper, 51, was working as the superintendent in Sawyer, about 15 miles southeast of MInot, when he was arrested last May and accused of having sex with a 15-year-old boy.

A plea deal calls for Soper to be sentenced to 50 years in prison, with 15 years suspended, on the most serious charge  gross sexual imposition, a class AA felony.

The sentences on five other related crimes to run concurrently, meaning if the deal is accepted as presented, Soper would spend 35 years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation and a lifetime of registering as a sex offender.

The human trafficking charge was dropped.

In court Tuesday, Soper made a statement saying he pleaded guilty for several reasons including the desire to avoid the possibility of even longer incarceration if found guilty in a trial, and to avoid a trial he said would be exploitative and disheartening for his family and friends and the victims and their families.

His guilty pleas mean Soper is admitting having sexual contact with boys under age 15, although in his statement to the court he said the boys had said they were 18.

Judge Doug Mattson ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

No official sentencing date has been set.
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by Kathleen Gilbert BEIJING, September 7, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com)  Escaped Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng is leading international opponents of forced abortion in calling upon the worlds largest company to end compliance with the Chinas one-child policy. Family planning police have targeted employees (569)

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Church Militant, we need to band together to protect our religious liberties and win the culture war!
Researchers have identified the underlying mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), which could lead to new drug therapies.

Diabetes is linked to neuropathy, which can be caused by prolonged hyperglycemia. Neuropathy affects people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes and makes the feet particularly vulnerable, which is why it is important to maintain good quality of foot care and skin care.

A lack of understanding about peripheral neuropathy has restricted the developments of treatments for the condition, which can also be caused by chemotherapy, traumatic injury, heredity and other conditions.

In this new study, researchers at the MDI Biological Laboratory, Maine, United States used zebrafish larvae to model peripheral neuropathy. Because zebrafish larvae embryos develop rapidly and are translucent, they were ideal to study the progression of nerve degeneration in live animals.

The research team, led by Sandra Rieger, Ph.D, exposed zebrafish to paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent used for treating ovaria, lung, breast and pancreatic cancers.

Paclitaxel induced the degeneration of sensory nerve endings by damaging the epidermis, which is supplied by free sensory nerve endings that establish direct contact with skin cells.

This degeneration was found to be caused by an increase in matrix-metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), an enzyme which degrades the collagen between the cells. Riegers team reported this increase in MMP-13 activity can be triggered by oxidative stress, which is also a sign of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

When the zebrafish were treated with pharmological agents that reduce MMP-13 activity, the chemotherapy-induced nerve damage was reversed and the skin defects were improved.

Rieger added: The general thinking is that no single drug can be effective for the treatment of all peripheral neuropathies, which stem from multiple causes. But our research indicates that there may potentially be a common underlying mechanism for some neuropathies affecting the sensory nervous system that could be manipulated with drugs targeting a single enzyme.

Kevin Strange, Ph.D., president of the MDI Biological Laboratory, added: [The] research has advanced [the] mission by elucidating a mechanism underlying peripheral neuropathy, opening the door to the development of therapeutic agents that can reverse nerve damage linked to chemotherapy, and possibly diabetes and other conditions.

The researchers now plan to study the effect of MMP-13 on peripheral neuropathy in mammalian animals, while Mayo Clinic scientists are investigating the clinical relevance of these new findings in humans.

The findings appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
These bots are powered by Microsoft's Cortana and looks to enhance the Skype experience bringing a new dimension into Skype chats.

Last Month, Microsoft had announced Skype Bots for Android and iOS at the recently held Build 2016 conference in San Francisco. The Cortana and Skype demonstration showed how Cortana, your personal digital assistant, can help you get things done directly in your Skype chats. For example, Cortana will help you find information, manage your calendar and connect to other Bots that are relevant to you, all without leaving Skype.



Now, Skype has announced the introduction of these bots for Mac and Web. In a recent blogpost, Team Skype wrote, "Weve been working hard to bring this new experience to more users, and today were pleased to release preview Skype Bots on two additional platforms: Mac and Web."

To get started on Mac, tap on the Contacts from the menu and select Add Bot. to search for or view a list of available Bots. If youre using Skype for Web, select Discover Bots on the left toolbar to see a list of available Bots.



Skype Bots for Mac

Skype has also been introducing previews of new Skype Bots over the past couple of weeks. These include:

Murphy, a Bot to find and create images for when questions cant be answered by words alone

Summarize, a Bot designed to give an overview of a web page if you dont have time to read the whole thing

Preview Bots are available in the latest versions of Skype for Windows Desktop,Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Web. These preview bots are currently available in Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Singapore, and the US.
One of Japans carmakers was in the firing line on Wednesday, after admitting its falsified fuel economy data for more than 600,000 vehicles sold on the domestic market.

Mitsubishi Motors shares plunged in late trading to close down more than 15% in Tokyo, after initial reports surfaced that one of its models had failed a fuel economy test.

At a press conference after markets closed, the company admitted tyre pressure figures were falsified by employees to improve mileage in the tests.

It confirmed 157,000 of its own vehicles and 470,000 made for competitor Nissan were involved in the scandal, all of which were destined for the Japanese market.

The company said it was investigating where data was altered for vehicles sold overseas.

Mitsubishi bosses bowed deeply at the beginning of the conference.

The wrongdoing was intentional. It is clear the falsification was done to make the mileage look better. But why they would resort to fraud to do this is still unclear, said president Tetsuro Aikawa.

I feel responsible, he said, although he claimed to be unaware of the irregularities.

The issue was apparently first flagged by Nissan, when it noticed irregularities between the Mitsubishi data and its own tests.

Mitsubishi confirmed the issue had been reported to the countrys transportation ministry, and Nissan dealers were instructed to stop selling the cars immediately.

The news came as a major blow for the Japanese carmaker - which holds a significant markets share in Japan and Pacific Rim markets.

It had been rocked by a defects scandal in the early 2000s, in which problems such as failing brakes, faulty clutches and detaching fuel tanks were covered up.
Britain will move outside the EUs single market and instead join Bosnia, Serbia, Albania and Ukraine in a European free-trade zone if voters choose Brexit in Junes referendum, according to a vision outlined on Tuesday by Michael Gove. The pro-Brexit justice secretary for the first time confirmed that the Leave camp did not want Britain to remain part of the EUs tariff-free bloc of 500m consumers in which British-based banks can trade under a passport scheme. He insisted the UKs financial services sector would thrive in this new environment.  Financial Times

Apple said on Tuesday that it had rebuffed a Chinese government request to hand over the proprietary source code for its operating system. We have been asked by the Chinese government and we refused, Bruce Sewell, Apples general counsel, told members of the House energy and commerce committee, adding that the request came within the past two years.  Financial Times

Thousands of British steel jobs could be saved after managers at Tatas UK steel unit stepped up ambitious plans to buy the business from its Indian parent. Bosses led by Stuart Wilkie, who heads Tatas strip steel business in Britan, called in staff on Tuesday to brief them about a possible management buyout.  Telegraph

As was always inevitable, the EU referendum is shaping up to be a straight fight between the alleged economic costs of leaving and the politics of immigration; and as was always equally inevitable, it is the perceived threat to peoples pockets which is winning the argument. Yet in so doing, it is ripping the Tory Party apart, threatening a deeply unstable and divided administration when normal government resumes after June 23. You cannot go around accusing your cabinet colleagues, as well as two former Chancellors, of economic illiteracy - as George Osborne did on Monday - without lasting political damage.  Telegraph

Proposals by the UK government to stop collecting information showing how the wealthy pass on their assets from one generation to another have been condemned by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, a leading tax and spending thinktank. The IFS said Britain was in danger of allowing a misleading picture to emerge of its richest families, the top 1% whose wealth is at least 1.4m including the value of their home, that underestimates their wealth.  Guardian

The French president, Francois Hollande, is expected to hold a meeting of government ministers at the Elysee palace on Wednesday to discuss whether or not the construction of the 18bn Hinkley Point nuclear power plant in Britain will go ahead. The French government is not yet expected to reach a final decision on the controversial plans for Frances state-controlled utility EDF to build two nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point. But the president and top ministers are expected to consider the various financing options for the project.  Guardian

One of the countrys oldest and largest landlords has called an end to the boom in high-end commercial and residential property in the UK, saying that it is planning for a correction in prices in the near future. Grosvenor Group, which manages 6.7 billion of property assets across the world for the Duke of Westminster, 64, Britains richest man, said it was only a matter of time before the market turns after years of double-digit growth.  The Times

There were signs last night of the toll that a long price war against Americas shale oil producers is taking on Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is raising $10 billion from a consortium of international banks as it moves to boost financial reserves that have been depleted by falling revenues from lower oil prices.  The Times
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Two North Dakota men and a Minnesota man are challenging laws that make it a crime to refuse a blood, breath or urine test during a DUI arrest in the U.S. Supreme Court today, arguing that the laws violate their right to reject a warrantless search.

Lawyers will make oral arguments in Washington, D.C., this morning in Birchfield v. North Dakota, a consolidated North Dakota and Minnesota case challenging laws that criminalize refusal to take a chemical test. The courts decision could affect North Dakota and Minnesota, along with 11 other states with similar laws.

Birchfields lawyers argue that, under the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, every person has a right to reject a blood or breath test without the threat of criminal penalties, unless law enforcement has a search warrant. Even when a person has been arrested and law enforcement has probable cause to believe they were driving drunk, the right remains.

North Dakota argues, by contrast, that in return for using the public roads, drivers consent to taking a chemical test when they are arrested for drunken driving. Government interests in deterring drunken driving far outweigh the limited interference with an arrestees right to require the police to secure a warrant before conducting the search, the state argues in its brief.

North Dakota passed the law in 2013 as part of a larger package of legislation meant to curb drunken driving and resulting fatalities. A first refusal is a class B misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses can be charged as A misdemeanors and C felonies.

North Dakota argues that the law is an important enforcement tool. In 2011, 18.8 percent of people arrested for DUI refused a chemical test, according to the states brief, making the cases difficult to prosecute.

The drivers argue there are better ways to reduce drunken driving, including creating an electronic warrant system, sobriety checkpoints, alcohol abuse treatment and alcohol ignition interlocks for convicted drunken drivers.

There are three plaintiffs in the case, two from North Dakota and one from Minnesota. Each was affected by a law criminalizing refusal of the test in a different way.

Danny Birchfield, of Glen Ullin, drove his vehicle into a ditch in Morton County and refused a blood test. He pleaded guilty to the charge, reserving his right to appeal, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail with 20 suspended, probation and participation in the 24/7 program.

In the second case, Steve Michael Beylund, of Bowman, agreed to a blood test after he was told he would face criminal penalties. He got his drivers license suspended for two years, partly because of evidence from the test.

Finally, William Bernard, of Minnesota, was charged with refusing a chemical test after he told police he was drinking, but denied driving the truck to which he held the keys.

The Birchfield case was appealed from the North Dakota Supreme Court, which upheld his conviction in January 2015, deciding the law did not violate a persons Fourth Amendment rights. The search was reasonable, because law enforcement had probable cause to believe he was intoxicated, the court decided. Also, a person gives implied consent to be searched when he or she gets behind the wheel, according to the court.

Driving is a privilege, not a constitutional right, and is subject to reasonable control by the state under its police power, North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Lisa McEvers wrote in an opinion signed by all five justices.

Several parties have joined in the case on both sides. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Civil Liberties Union have submitted briefs in favor of striking down the law. The Solicitor General of the United States, attorneys general of 18 states, including South Dakota, and the National District Attorneys Association have submitted briefs in favor of upholding the law.

Birchfields lawyers expect a decision to be delivered by the end of June.
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.
WATFORD CITY  Residents of a McKenzie County township urged county leaders Tuesday to help them in their fight against an oilfield waste landfill that could be the first in the state to accept radioactive waste.

The board of Tri Township opposes a proposal from IHD Solids Management LLC to accept radioactive waste at its facility between Alexander and Williston along U.S. Highway 85.

The waste, a byproduct of oil development, is currently trucked out of state, but new North Dakota Department of Health rules allow licensed facilities to accept waste with radioactivity levels up to 50 picocuries per gram.

IHD is the first facility in North Dakota to submit applications to health officials to accept the waste, but a landfill in Williams County also has recently applied.

Tri Township supervisors say they worry the IHD location, which is adjacent to the highway, residents homes and water pipelines that serve surrounding communities, poses a risk to residents.

Were asking you to stand up to them and protect the residents of McKenzie County, said Larry Novak, chairman of Tri Township.

B.J. Lindvig, vice chairwoman of the township, said shes concerned about how allowing radioactive waste there could affect townships future.

I feel a lot of people will move out, Lindvig said.

Residents of other areas of McKenzie County also packed the commission room, several holding signs opposing radioactive waste. Township leaders said theyd prefer more oversight of oil activity at the local level rather than the state.

The mistrust of any agency in Bismarck to effectively control anything going on in the oil industry is another big concern, Novak said.

County commissioners pledged to do their own research on the proposal and participate in the health departments public comment period.

We should be engaged in the process because its in our county, said commissioner Vawnita Best.

Its unclear what authority the county would have related to permitting the landfill or if the health department has sole authority.

The county has previously granted the landfill a conditional use permit, but at the time the landfill was accepting waste with radioactivity level no higher than 5 picocuries per gram. Commissioners Douglas Nordby said he planned to research what local authority the county could have in this case.

IHD has asked the health department to put its proposal in pause mode to give residents more time to learn about the type of radioactivity that would be accepted at the facility, said Chris Kreger, environmental manager for the facility, who did not attend Tuesdays meeting.

The health department has scheduled three educational sessions on radioactive waste for May 10, 11 and 12 in Dickinson, Watford City and Williston that are open to the public.

Kreger said the potential risk of the facilitys proposal is very low and he encourages people to attend the sessions to learn more about technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material, or TENORM.

Meanwhile, the health department also is reviewing a proposal from Secure Energy Solutions to accept radioactive waste at its 13-Mile Landfill northwest of Williston.

After the health department does an initial review of the applications, officials will hold public hearings and accept comments. Scott Radig, director of the Division of Waste Management, estimates it will be mid- to late summer before a public hearing is held on either proposal.
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TACOMA (AP)  A China-backed consortium has canceled plans to build a $3.4 billion methanol plant in Washington state.

Northwest Innovation Works said Tuesday that it is ending its lease with the Port of Tacoma. The company had proposed building a facility to convert natural gas to methanol at the site of a former aluminum smelter.





. . .
Charleston Reservists provide tactical airlift at Saber Junction 16

Three Reserve aircrews from the 315th Airlift Wing flying two Charleston C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided airlift support to paratroopers and their heavy equipment at Saber Junction 16 in Europe earlier this month.



Airlift was a joint mission provided by multiple C-17s and C-130 Hercules aircraft from various Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units flying paratroopers and cargo.



Charleston aircrews included pilots and loadmasters from the 300th Airlift Squadron, 317th AS and 701st AS as well as flying crew chiefs from the 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.



"Mobility Air Forces are fully capable of conducting joint, combined operations across the full spectrum of conventional, unconventional and hybrid warfare," said Lt. Col. Stephen Hodge, 317th AS pilot. "Exercises such as Saber Junction are great opportunities for our mobility team -- from planners to aerial porters to aircrews -- to demonstrate this capability."



The Charleston Reservists flew to Aviano Air Base, Italy where they conducted static load training with members of the Armys 173rd Airborne Brigade Army to help familiarize the Soldiers with the C-17, and they joined the Army in a large hangar for a Rehearsal of Concept drill where they walked through the airlift sorties over the training area which was represented by taped off areas of the floor.



The biggest takeaway from participating in the exercise was, The ability to deploy a small group to execute the Armys mission in Europe while integrating with C-130s, said Maj. Mike Parker, 701st AS pilot. It was a great experience.



The C-17s delivered paratroopers, heavy cargo (including HUMVEEs, large 155mm howitzers and other equipment) and door dropped pallets of MREs over a training drop zone in southeastern Germany.



Tech Sgt. John McNiece, 701st AS loadmaster, worked as the ramp control loadmaster for the exercise on the ground in Italy. His job was to coordinate everything for the C-17s with all the involved agencies.



McNiece said participating in exercises like Saber Junction is particularly valuable to loadmasters because it reinforces everything they do in training back in Charleston and at North Auxiliary Field. "In Charleston we do pretty standard training as loadmasters, so whenever we have the opportunity to airlift war fighters and their equipment in an overseas setting like this, it's a testament to our training when we are able roll with the changes and challenges that come up and exceed the expectations of our customers -- in this case the 173rd Airborne Brigade."



The U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade hosted the exercise which focused on large, multi-national airborne jumps and heavy equipment drops on multiple landing zones. Each coordinated effort allows the partners to connect -- personally, professionally, technically and tactically -- to build stronger, more capable forces.



Nearly 5,000 service members from 16 NATO and European partner nations participated in the month-long exercise, Saber Junction 16, held at the U.S. Army Europe's Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, which evaluated and certified the mission readiness of the 173rd to conduct land operations in a joint combined environment and to promote interoperability with Allied and partner nations.



The exercise is the U.S. Army Europe's 173rd Airborne Brigade's combat training event to certify their mission to conduct unified land operations. The training is executed in a multinational environment to promote interoperability with the nearly 5,000 participants from NATO and European partner nations.



(Airman 1st Class Cary Smith, 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs contributed to this story.)
Sponsors of a proposed ballot measure aimed at full legalization of marijuana in North Dakota and a separate measure to legalize medical marijuana are looking for a lift from 4/20 events planned in several cities Wednesday, the unofficial National Weed Day.

Supporters will collect signatures in Fargos Island Park and at a concert in Mandan by the band Texas Hippie Coalition, while Minot will see a Spring Budding event in Moose Park and organizers in Valley City will host their first VC 4/20 Rally at the Barnes County Courthouse  starting at 4:20 p.m., of course, with 420 having become a common slang term for marijuana.

I think one way or another were going to get a pretty good quantity of signatures tomorrow between all of the events, said Eric Olson of Fargo, chairman of the full legalization sponsoring committee.

Backers each need at least 13,452 signatures by July 11 to get their respective measures on the November ballot.

Olson said he had 856 signatures in hand Tuesday and another 2,900 that volunteers had collected but hadnt turned in yet. Their goal is 20,000 signatures.

I think well manage to get there, he said. It is a lot to do because were doing an entirely volunteer effort.

Rilie Ray Morgan of Fargo, who chairs the medical marijuana committee, said more than 3,500 signatures were turned in so far, with another 6,000 or so that volunteers say theyve collected. Sponsors are aiming for 15,000 signatures to ensure their measure, dubbed the Compassionate Care Act, ends up on the ballot.

Im pretty confident. Weve still got 90 days, but were not going to sit on our hands and wait until the last minute, he said.

If approved by voters, the measure would make it legal to possess up to 3 ounces of medical marijuana. State-licensed facilities would dispense it, but people living more than 40 miles from the nearest dispensary could grow up to eight marijuana plants in an enclosed, locked facility after notifying law enforcement.

The full legalization measure would make it legal for those over age 21 to grow, possess, use and distribute marijuana and would prevent the state from requiring a license to do it. Marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia couldnt be taxed at more than 20 percent.

Supporters of both measures planned to gather signatures at most of the events Wednesday.

Allison Trenbeath, who wants access to the THC in medical marijuana to help her 15-year-old daughter who suffers from a rare seizure-causing condition called Dravet syndrome, said she will speak at the Minot event and hopes the attention around 4/20 will help her fill petition sheets.

Im definitely hoping to get a lot of signatures, she said.

Medical marijuana sponsor Mary Rennich of Bismarck said she didnt expect a volunteer at the Mandan concert. Instead, theyll be setting up in Bismarcks Sertoma Park on April 30 to coincide with a walk for multiple sclerosis.

We are for medical, and were to help people who are suffering, and 4/20 historically represents pot smoking and represents weed day, and that is not our measure, she said. We didnt want to muddy the line between their measure and our measure.

Both Morgan and Olson said confusion between the two measures hasnt been a big issue, though Olson noted, You get some people who havent paid attention to which one theyve signed.

Morgan said his group has committee members gathering signatures for both measures.

The medical is a little easier sell, he said. Its apples and oranges.
The US Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the widespread international tax avoidance schemes exposed by the Panama Papers leak, first published by The Guardian and other journalistic partners. Preet Bharara, the US attorney for Manhattan, said he had ''opened a criminal investigation regarding matters to which the Panama Papers are relevant''. Bharara has written to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which coordinated the unprecedented leak of 11.5 million files from offshore law firm Mossack Fonseca, to ask for further information to assist with his criminal investigation. The inquiry comes after President Barack Obama described the revelations from the leaks  which have caused political tumult across the world  ''important stuff'' and global tax avoidance as a ''huge problem''. ''There is no doubt that the problem of global tax avoidance generally is a huge problem,'' Obama told reporters in an unscheduled appearance in the White House briefing room earlier this month. ''The problem is that a lot of this stuff is legal, not illegal. ''A lot of these loopholes come at the expense of middle-class families, because that lost revenue has to be made up somewhere.'' The US president said the leak from Panama illustrated the scale of tax avoidance involving Fortune 500 companies and running into trillions of dollars worldwide. ''We shouldn't make it legal to engage in transactions just to avoid taxes,'' he added, praising instead ''the basic principle of making sure everyone pays their fair share''. The US attorney general's office was unable to provide any further details about the criminal investigation because it is ongoing. Bharara investigates

Bharara, who as US attorney general for the southern district of New York has led several crusades against criminal wrongdoing in the financial sector, is already investigating several of the more than 200 US citizens named in the papers. Among them is Wall Street financier Benjamin Wey, who has been charged with securities fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering for using family members to help him amass ownership of large blocks of stock in companies through so-called ''reverse merger'' transactions between Chinese companies and US shell companies. He made tens of millions of dollars of illegal profit by manipulating the companies' stock prices, according to the indictment. The Panama Papers leak shows that Mossack Fonseca helped set up the offshore companies used in the stock manipulation. ''Ben Wey fashioned himself a master of industry, but as alleged, he was merely a master of manipulation,'' Bharara said when he announced the indictment against Wey in September. Wey, the chief executive of New York Global Group, denies the charge. The release of the Panama Papers has sparked public outrage across the world, including the resignations of the prime minister of Iceland and Spain's industry minister following revelations about their offshore tax arrangements. David Cameron, the British prime minister, has also been forced to defend his family's tax arrangements after disclosures about an offshore fund established by his late father. He also has taken the unprecedented step of publicly releasing details from his tax returns. The offices of Mossack Fonseca in El Salvador were raided by police officers last week on the orders of the country's attorney general in an attempt to ''establish the use of the firm for illicit activities'' (See: Panama papers: El Salvador raids Mossack Fonseca offices). Mossack Fonseca is the world's fourth biggest offshore law firm. It specialises in incorporating companies in offshore jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands. WB, IMF concerned

The leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have warned that the industrial scale of international tax avoidance revealed by the Panama Papers represents a ''great concern'' for the global economy and is having a ''tremendously negative effect on our mission to end poverty''. Jim Yong Kim, the president of the World Bank, said last week that the revelations that many of the world's richest and most powerful people are avoiding paying millions in taxes by hiding money from the taxman in offshore havens is a ''great, great concern'' and ''very, very damaging'' to the bank's ''mission to end extreme poverty''. ''When taxes are evaded, when state assets are taken and put into these havens, all of these things can have a tremendous negative effect on our mission to end poverty and boost prosperity,'' he said. Christine Lagarde, managing director of the IMF, said the world's financial regulators had long been ''alarmed'' about Panama's lax approach to taxation and corruption but failed to take action. In her strongest comments yet addressing the scandal exposed by the Panama Papers, Lagarde said, ''In the case of Panama there had been alert and alarm raised, but there had not been the level of implementation that was expected.'' She said the leak showed that ''the [international tax] rules appear to be skewed towards'' the global rich. ''Clearly what has resulted from the review of these Panama Papers indicates that however important [international tax rules to prevent] base erosion and profit shifting it is unfinished business,'' she said in an opening address to the meeting.










A Donegal family found an ancient hammer that may date back many thousands of years to the Bronze Age.

The Doherty family discovered the hammer in the Bridgend area and Charlie Doherty and his children, Aoife and Michael, brought it to the Donegal County Museum.

Were always delighted to receive archaeological objects, Caroline Carr, deputy museum curator, said.

The county museum is a Designated Museum under the National Cultural Institutions Act 1999, which means artefacts turned into the museum can be kept there.

No longer does material have to go to Dublin, Caroline said. It comes to us and stays in the county for the people of Donegal.

The piece the Dohertys brought the museum is a nice, intact example, Caroline said. The handle of the hammer would have been made of bone or some organic material, and would have deteriorated naturally.

You can see it has been used, Caroline said. The piece will be authenticated before being put on display.

It was nice to find it, Charlie said. It was nice to be able to hand it in as well for everyone to see.

It is actually in very good shape, he said. Charlie was out working with a hammer and had tossed his hammer away; coincidentally he was looking for his own hammer when he came across its much older predecessor.

It was just stuck in the ground  a circle with muck in the middle, Charlie said. When he found he could push his finger through the centre of the piece, he realised its significance and looked it up.

Anyone who finds an artefact of archaeological interest is obligated to turn it in, under the National Monuments Act. Under the act, these objects are deemed to belong to the state, even if an artefact is found on a persons own property.

Caroline said all artefacts and other archaeological finds help paint a fuller picture of the county and its history.

When she visits Donegal schools to speak about the museum and its collections, she defines archaeology in this way: Its a giant jigsaw puzzle with no picture on the front of the box and loads of pieces missing.

Theres no end to it, she said.

Caroline pointed to analysis of an archaeological revealed last month as an illustration of the impact that archaeological discoveries can have on our understanding of history.

The new information came from an animal bone discovered in a County Clare cave nearly a century ago, but only studied last month. The recent analysis has resulted in a 2,500-year adjustment in the date that archaeologists believe humans arrived in Ireland.

A knee bone from a brown bear had been stored at the National Museum of Ireland since the 1920s, long before radiocarbon dating could be used to determine the age of artefacts. However, as part of a recent project to document the museums animal bone collections, radiocarbon dating was used to determine the age of that bone and others.

Tests determined that it was 12,500 years old, and that it sustained visible cut marks made to the bone at the same point, which would indicate the presence of humans.

But prior to the study, the Mesolithic site at Mount Sandel, County Derry, was thought to be evidence of the earliest human occupation in Ireland, and that dates back about 10,000 years.

Dr Marion Dowd, a lecturer at Institute of Technology, Sligo, told The Irish Times that scientists had been seeking evidence of humans on the island in the Paleolithic period since the 1860s.

Caroline said people who come across an artefact may not be aware of its significance. You might not think its very significant, but it is because it adds another piece to the big mystery jigsaw puzzle of the history of Donegal, she said.
Dothan police investigators arrested the former superintendent of the Daleville City Schools system on Monday on two domestic violence charges.

Dothan Police Investigator Bryan Tate said he served two warrants against Andrew Roland Kelley, 60, of Dothan, on Monday, and charged him with misdemeanor domestic violence harassment and misdemeanor domestic violence harassing communications.

Tate said now that Kelley has been charged with two misdemeanor domestic violence crimes if a third is filed it will become a felony regardless of the circumstances involved.

Tate said the victim of both charges was Kelleys former wife. Court records show the harassing communications charge involved Kelley sending numerous emails and a handwritten letter to the victim, along with going to her place of employment after being told to have no contact with the victim.

Bail for the harassing communications charge was set at $6,000.

Tate said a protection order filed by the victim was also served on Kelley on Monday.

Kelley retired as Daleville City Schools superintendent in February, but was retained on a consulting contract by the Daleville City School board. Dianne Flournoy is the interim superintendent.

Dale Marsh, Daleville City School Board attorney, said Kelley is not on campus or performing duties at this time.
Depending on ones perspective, Alabamas Medicaid program is either heading for disaster or carrying expendable services costing tens of millions of dollars that could be better used elsewhere. Until those two perspectives converge, the states taxpayers will bear the cost.

Medicaid, the state-funded health care program, provides services to about 1 million poor residents of Alabama. Each year those costs increase, and the program has become one of the most costly expenditures in the General Fund budget.

This year, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley told lawmakers the program would need an additional $100 million to maintain the level of service it provided in 2015, and vowed to veto any budget without the increase. Lawmakers increased the Medicaid funding by $15 million; Bentley vetoed, and lawmakers overrode the governors action.

Now the House and Senate general fund budget committees have scheduled a series of joint hearings on Medicaid, which should be informative to all who choose to attend. The first of a series of hearings is scheduled for today.

Among those should be budget committee members, House and Senate leadership, Gov. Bentley and members of his staff, Alabamians who would suffer under Medicaid budget cuts, any other stakeholders, and as many lawmakers as can fit in the room.

While its important for lawmakers and the public to hear firsthand from Medicaid officials why the cost of the program has grown to exceed $700 million a year, its also important to understand the needs it meets for poor Alabamians. If there is to be a strategy to reduce costs, understanding the mission is a necessary first step.
Its a war that even a pacifist could get behind.

Students in Paula Shutes culinary arts class at Dothan Technology Center are competing in a Cupcake War, a cupcake-making contest to see who can make the best baked goods.

The contest is being judged by professionals from Gigis Cupcakes. The winning recipe will be sent to the companys corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee. If it passes muster, it could be included among the companys menu. Regardless of how well the winning cupcake fares at the corporate level, it will be featured in the local shop.

Shute said the competition encourages students to do their best applying what theyve learned.

This is a good way to end the semester with something fun, she said.

Ahteja Childress took the culinary arts class because she enjoys the independence and experimentation that cooking offers. Childress said theres actually a lot of ways students can vary cupcakes, including different types of icing and visual designs. Childress said she was excited about the opportunity to make a cupcake that might be featured at Gigis.

Its one of the best places in Dothan, she said.

Dewayne Gosha refers to his cupcake creation as the La-La-La cupcake.

When you eat it, youre just like Oooh-la-la, he said. You want more.

Gosha said one of the biggest motivations he had for taking the culinary arts class was the opportunity to learn to cook better breakfasts for his grandparents. He also likes the team effort applied to many projects in class.

We make stuff together, he said.

Gosha said one of the best things about Shutes class is the opportunity to learn about different cultures food. Gosha said he recently made Portugese steaks.

The most important thing about it is the flavors and vegetables you include, he said.
Alicia Duke has been making a difference in Dothan ever since she was in high school. Now a junior at the University of South Alabama, Duke has continued to contribute to the community by heading up a program providing meals to food insecure families in the city.

Duke, the National Child Awareness Ambassador for Alabama, led and organized The Little Heroes, a program that will provide food for about 40 children at Cloverdale Elementary School whose families have food needs. The students will be sent home with four boxes of food, enough to last about two weeks. Duke hopes the program will draw more support and that shell be able to provide more food to the students in the future. Various organizations in the community contributed food to the program.

Duke began work on The Little Heroes back when she was president of Dothan Highs Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter. The program finally got off the ground this year when grant money was awarded to support it.

Im a person who knows where I came from and when I see a need, I try to do my best to see that need is met, said Duke, who plans to become a pediatric occupational therapist.

Many students in the Dothan City Schools participate in the free and reduced lunch program. However, they may not receive the food they need when theyre not at school. Duke said about one in four children in Alabama come from families that experience food hardships.

Not getting enough to eat can impact students academic performance and behavior, as well as their health.

According to the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, food insecurity and insufficiency among 6 to 12-year-olds is associated with poorer mathematics scores, grade repetition, absenteeism, tardiness, visits to a psychologist, anxiety, aggression, psychosocial dysfunction, and difficulty getting along with other children. Research by the organization also found that among teens, food insecurity and insufficiency is linked to depressive disorders and suicide symptoms, as well as other problems.

Sidra Coleman, a counselor at Cloverdale, said a program at Cloverdale already exists that sends students home with food for the weekend, when they arent at school. Coleman said ensuring students receive enough food on the weekend will help them be better prepared to learn when Monday rolls back around.

Chris Payne, faculty sponsor of Dothan Highs SADD chapter, said ensuring students are adequately fed will improve their chances of success.

The last thing we want them to think about when they come to school is being hungry, he said.
A Dothan Police sergeant and his wife returned Kai, the pit bull dog who survived a single-vehicle car crash over the weekend, to her owners family in Arkansas.

Dothan Police Sgt. Jonathan Whaley, one of the first officers to respond to the collision, and his wife, Ashley Whaley, took Kai the pit bull dog who survived a motor vehicle crash over the weekend back to her owners family in Arkansas.

Kais owner, 19-year-old McKenzie Amanda Catron, succumbed to her injuries in the motor vehicle crash, which happened around 3 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of Ross Clark Circle and South Park Avenue.

But according to Dothan Police Lt. Scott Long the passenger in the vehicle remained in serious condition at a local hospital.

Kai the bull dog had been missing after escaping the motor vehicle crash. But search and rescue team led by a local attorney Benjamin Irwin helped find her on Monday afternoon. Whaley and his wife volunteered to return Kai her owners family in Arkansas.
For William Chuck Nogowski, of Bismarck, being able to see places and experience things few others get to as a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker pilot during the Vietnam War was a rewarding period of his life.

I think it matured me. You learn how to work under pressure, Nogowski said.

Nogowski, 70, is retired but does part-time work for the North Dakota Department of Transportation and also drives a bus for Capital Area Transit.

He graduated from high school in Ellendale. After spending two years in college at Valley City State University, he transferred to North Dakota State University to complete his degree in business economics.

Prior to his May 1968 graduation, Nogowski said he knew he was going to be drafted so he went to the campus recruiting center to head it off.

I applied for flight school. Five of us took a written test. I was the only one who passed, Nogowski said.

After nearly a year of physicals and psychological exams, he entered the U.S. Air Force in June 1969. His basic training and officer training were at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. In October of 1969, he went to Craig Air Force Base near Selma, Ala., to complete pilot training. He was one of 32 of a class of 65 who successfully completed the course by October 1970.

That was about average for every class, Nogowski said. Its a rigorous course. You just have to acclimate your reaction times.

After graduating from flight school, he put in for training to be a refueling tanker pilot. He was trained on the KC-135 Stratotanker, which took him to Grand Forks Air Force Base. In December 1970, he was sent to Castle Air Force Base in California briefly. After being certified, he was sent to survival school for three weeks at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Wash.

After that, he returned to Grand Forks, where he was assigned to the 319th Bombardment Wing.

He served two six-month stints overseas during the Vietnam War. The first time was in the latter half of 1971. The other tour was in 1973, returning from Vietnam in August of that year.

It was just something I wanted to try. I knew I wanted to do something I could get something out of. It was a tremendous experience. I got to see things and go places in the world not a lot of people get to go to, Nogowski said of his experience.

The majority of his time in his first tour was spent taking off from a base in Thailand and flying over Laos, refueling other aircraft involved in bombing. Shifts lasted from four to 10 hours, depending on the level of activity.

During his second tour, he was at Okinawa, Japan, where he again spent his days refueling aircraft that were on bombing missions.

Though he was never involved in any serious incidents which may have resulted in getting shot down, Nogowski said he witnessed various times in which aircraft he was refueling were close to running out of fuel or had technical problems when attempting to land.

Following his exit from military life, he briefly considered becoming an airline pilot but eventually opted against it.

Nogowski and his wife moved to Kansas City for a short time in 1974, where he went through a management training program for Farmland Industries. They moved back to North Dakota in early 1975, living in Cooperstown until 1977.

He moved to Fargo in 1977 and joined Metropolitan Federal Bank. In 1987, he moved to Bismarck, where he continued his career in banking until his retirement in 2006.

Nogowski looks back at his pilot days fondly as an experience that helped shape his life.

I think it matured me. You learn how to work under pressure. William Chuck Nogowski, Vietnam veteran
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.
Honda has announced pricing for its all-important new Civic range.

The small sedan's prices start from $22,390 for the base VTi, $24,490 for the VTi-S, $27,790 for the VTi-L, $31,790 for the new RS and $33,590 for the VTi-LX with all the fruit, all prices exclude on-road costs.

The small car will be the most connected Civic yet, coming with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth on the menu. However, Honda has yet to reveal full specifications.

Honda's VTi-L, RS and VTi-LX variants will be powered by a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 127kW and 220Nm.

The VTi and VTi-S will carry-over the brand's 1.8-litre four-cylinder from the previous model.

All models are offered with CVT transmission only.

The sedan variant which launches in June will be followed by the hatch in early 2017 and the return of the Type-R later in 2017.

Honda is looking to press its case against Australia's favourite small cars, the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla, with sportier styling, the latest in technology and more advanced, fuel efficient engines.

"We are starting to get our mojo back, and it all revolves around new product," Honda Australia director Stephen Collins, says.

"It all started with HR-V and now continues with Civic. For us, it is probably the most important model we are ever going to launch to get us back to that position."

2016 Honda Civic sedan prices (plus on road costs)

VTi $22,390

VTi-S $24,490

VTi-L $27,790

RS $31,790

VTi-LX $33,590
The Niagara Escarpment, shown here at Rattlesnake Hill in Lockport, is one Niagara County geographic oddity that will be discussed at the next Niagara History Center family night, May 10. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)



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Niagara County's "hidden history" will be the topic of the next segment of the Niagara History Centers continuing series explores Geographic Oddities of Niagara County from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. May 10.The free program -- thanks to Yahoo! -- will begin with a pizza and beverage supper, followed by hands-on, all-ages activities based upon tonights theme.Niagara County boasts unusual natural features that geographers, geologists and all the rest of us consider odd. Interpreters and naturalists from the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will start our evening, presenting a brief program on geographic and geologic quirks in the county. Well find out why the Niagara Escarpment is here and how Niagara Falls was formed.After their program, its time for Rock in a Bag, a chance for you to explore local geology with your own mystery sample. Youll learn about where and how your rock originated in Niagara County and finally identify it. Well finish with make-and-take Fossil Imprints, a keepsake craft project similar to gravestone rubbings.Interpreters from NYSPRHP work out of the DeVeaux Woods State Park in Niagara Falls, which is home to a small forest of old growth trees, another natural phenomenon in this area.This series is funded through the Yahoo! Community Benefit Fund in conjunction with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, which awarded the Niagara County Historical Society a grant to offer this program on the first Tuesday of the month throughout 2016. The Niagara History Center is celebrating 2016 as The Year of the Family by emphasizing programs children and adults can enjoy together.Each Family Night has a different theme relating to a little-known, unusual or mysterious aspect of Niagara County history. Family Nights are inspired by our popular childrens history programs. Weve created activities that both children and adult family members can enjoy together. Family Nights are most appropriate for children ages 5 and up, who must be accompanied by an adult.The Family Night program is open to all Western New York families, regardless of residence, but reservations are required by calling 434-7433, where more information can also be obtained.
New York State Police are asking the public's assistance in identifying this woman as part of a larceny investigation. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)



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TOWN OF LOCKPORT -- New York State Police are asking the public for help in identifying a woman in connection with a larceny investigation.According to police, the larceny took place around 4:30 p.m. April 8 at the Walmart on South Transit Road.Anyone with information on the woman shown or the larceny is asked to call NYSP at 585-344-6200.
The private sector needs an enabling state

Behind the EBRDs work with the private sector lies another area of engagement  policy dialogue with governments and other partners to get the balance between state and private sector right.

With experience as a transition bank stretching back 25 years, the EBRD has learned important lessons about the process of transition to well-functioning markets in countries with different starting points, histories and cultures.

EBRD at 25 We celebrate 25 years of investing for change



Alan Rousso, Managing Director, External Relationships and Partnerships, has been involved in the Banks policy dialogue work since 2001. The key lesson, he says, is that in all countries strong institutions and an effective state are needed for markets to function well and for investments to flow.

Clear rules are crucial. There needs to be a level playing field for both state agents and private business. Businesses cannot thrive where the state does not provide essential public goods  sound regulation, market-supporting laws that are implemented fairly and a transparent procurement system. Trust cannot be established without a means to address abuses by public officials for private gain  in other words, corruption. The private sector needs an enabling state.

Alan Rousso traces the history of the Banks focus on helping fine-tune that boundary back to its early days and focus on creating a sound legal framework for markets, especially through the work of the Legal Transition Programme. The publication of the EBRDs 1999 Transition Report Ten Years of Transition was a milestone. It was the first Bank study to focus on how the quality of governance  both political and economic  affects transition. It drew on the results of what became a joint EBRD and World Bank product, the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey or BEEPS.

BEEPS asks firms questions on access to finance, perception of high-level and petty corruption, quality of infrastructure, crime, competition and enterprise performance measures. The first BEEPS was a vital tool to advance analytical understanding of corruption in the EBRD region and to steer policy engagement towards improving governance.

Direct, firm-level data from regional businesses spawned a rich new strain of academic and policy papers which would affect thinking about governance, reflecting growing interest in the concept of state capture  the buying by companies of state influence  and making it possible to quantify concepts like a bribe tax and time tax on firms performance.

These ideas took the governance world by storm, recalls Alan Rousso. The World Bank had a head-start in working on governance and corruption globally, starting around the mid-1990s, but the EBRD was the first to identify and diagnose mid-transition issues, and think about how to get around them. And it all started here and with the BEEPS.

After that there was a period when we were looking for a niche, he adds. We were good at analysis and we deepened our understanding of the business environment through further rounds of the BEEPS and other studies, building up analytical and policy advisory capacity in public procurement reform, corporate governance, judicial capacity building and other aspects of legal transition, and anti-money-laundering - but it was not very joined up.

However, the importance of making sure investments and policy reform were indeed joined up came with the publication of the EBRDs 2013 Transition Report Stuck in Transition?.

In that report, the Bank analysed why the transition process had slowed significantly. The loss of momentum was visible in areas such as the rule of law, control of corruption, regulatory quality and government effectiveness. Policy work was identified as a major priority for the EBRD.

In January 2014, the Bank approved an initiative to help reinvigorate transition  the Investment Climate and Governance Initiative (ICGI). It designs tailored country programmes to strengthen the economic governance framework and promote a level playing field for private business. A key element has been enhancing public-private dialogue, for example through investment councils and business ombudsmen, an area where the EBRD is uniquely positioned to make a difference.

The ICGI aims to enhance transparency in business reporting and to streamline regulation to reduce the administrative burden on firms. It targets the enforcement system by enhancing both the commercial courts and through the development of alternative mechanisms for dispute resolution amongst firms and between firms and the state.

The initiative draws together work carried out by different teams so that the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts. The ICGI also engages institutional partners such as the European Union, other international financial institutions and intergovernmental organisations, civil society and the business community.

One element is the Anti-Corruption Initiative agreed in May 2014 for Ukraine, a key country for the Bank, by international and Ukrainian organisations. The Bank has devised a structure for the Business Ombudsman office there, which is led by former EU tax commissioner Algirdas Semeta. Drawing on this, the ICGI team has developed a template that can be deployed in other countries. Several countries have already asked the Bank to help set up similar institutions, recognising the impact this can have on the business environment.
HTC this week unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the HTC 10.

The phones camera is outfitted with new, larger sensors and 12 million new-generation UltraPixels. Both the front and rear cameras sport the worlds first optically stabilized, larger-aperture f/1.8 lenses on, the company said.

The rear camera also has a faster laser autofocus. The front UltraSelfie camera has a wide-angle lens and screen flash. Both cameras take sharp, high-resolution photos, even in low light, according to HTC.

Is it a good camera? Yes. Is it a sexy style? Of course, said Ramon Llamas, a research manager at IDC.

HTC deserves credit for makes its 10 one of the best camera phones on the market today, but mass-market consumers are not rushing into stores for snazzy camera phones, and they remain niche differentiators for now, remarked Neil Mawston, an executive director of research at Strategy Analytics.

We expect the HTC 10 to sell reasonably well in the United States and worldwide, but it isnt an iPhone killer or an HTC savior, he told TechNewsWorld.

Standout Features

The HTC 10 is the best phone HTC has ever produced, and it has a few standout features, noted Ville-Petteri Ukonaho, a senior analyst with Strategy Analytics.

Among them are its camera, the BoomSound feature, materials used for the body, and a UI that differs it from the competition and offers more customization than before, he said.

Brushed aluminum certainly is better than the LG G5s painted aluminum, Ukonaho told TechNewsWorld.

The camera, with its UltraPixel setup, is similar to that in the Samsung Galaxy S7, he pointed out. Both are 12 MP cameras with similar apertures, and their pixel count is quite close. The wide-angle lens on the HTC 10s front camera makes for better selfies, though.

BoomSound has been around for a while now, Ukonaho observed. Now the dual-speaker setup returns, with the secondary speaker acting as a subwoofer.

The K.I.S.S. Principle at Work

Apart from the camera, the HTC 10s simplified app drawer captured the attention of Daniel Gleeson, a senior analyst with IHS.

Cutting down on app clutter is a huge plus, and should make the device very easy for new users to adjust to, he told TechNewsWorld.

People want less bloatware, less confusion and greater clarity as to whose apps they should be using, IDCs Llamas told TechNewsWorld. The HTC 10 echoes that higher approach of simpler is better and easier.

Missing the Wow Factor

The HTC 10 is a me-too Android rectangle and is unlikely to turn around the companys fortunes, noted Strategy Analytics Mawston. The hardware design looks very similar to most other smartphone models on the market, while its core specs, features and apps are little different to many of its rivals, like the Galaxy S7.

HTC will have two versions with different Qualcomm Snapdragon CPUs.

That strategy is the same one adopted by LG and others, Ukonaho said. It saves the main chipset supply for the most important markets.

Offering two versions allows HTC to reuse marketing assets  and should help streamline the manufacturing process, keeping down costs, IHS Gleeson said. That should help it compete against white-box Chinese manufacturers.

Still, the HTC 10 lacks the wow effect that would make customers buy it, Ukonaho noted. That, and the bad reputation it got with last years overheating model, require heavy marketing efforts for HTC to succeed with the 10.

HTC is feeling pressured both from Apple and Samsung at the high end and from Huawei and Lenovo at the mid- and low end of the market, Gleeson said. Without any clear differentiating factor, it will be very tough for the HTC 10 to recover the market share HTC has lost in recent years.

IHS has predicted that HTCs shipments will fall by nearly half this year, and the companys long-term future is not in the smartphone market, Gleeson said. Its very much dependent on the success of its virtual reality product, the HTC Vive.
It appears that the Obama administration will refrain from giving its outspoken support to any legislation that aims to compel high-tech companies to help law enforcement agencies crack mobile phone encryption.

On the other hand, it wont level any outspoken opposition either.

Introduction of such a bill  sponsored by Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee  is expected soon. Although the White House has reviewed a draft of the measure and offered feedback, it is expected to provide minimal public input, Reuters reported Thursday.

The bill gives federal judges broad authority to compel tech companies to assist government agencies, but it doesnt prescribe what the businesses have to do or the circumstances under which they could be ordered to help. Penalties for not complying with the law also appear absent from the draft measure.

The White House did not respond to our request for comment for this story, but earlier this month at a press gaggle on Air Force One, Press Secretary Josh Earnest shed doubt on the ability of Congress to tackle the encryption issue.

I continue to be a little skeptical of Congress ability to handle such a complicated policy area, given Congress recent inability to handle even simple things, he told reporters.

Lack of Understanding

More public discussion is needed before Congress starts to act on encryption, maintained Jonathan Katz, director of the Maryland Cybersecurity Center.

We need to see where the public stands on how much they value privacy of their communications versus the ability to track terrorists. The public hasnt been given chance to think through the issues and understand whats going on, he told TechNewsWorld.

Nor, for that matter, have a lot of the politicians who have come out with opinions about this. I think they dont fully understand the technical issues either, Katz added. Its worthwhile for them to really understand these issues before they start passing laws that relate to them.

White House Unclear

If the White House opposes what Feinstein and Burr are cooking up, its not being very clear about it.

It seems that theyre not actively backing the legislation, but theyre not opposing it either, Katz said.

Congress isnt alone in trying to grapple with the encryption issue. The states are taking action, too, and while Feinstein and Burr seem to be stopping short of forcing tech companies to weaken their encryption to accommodate government agencies, proposed laws in states like California and New York do not.

I predict that one side will always be unhappy, and well eventually see the U.S. Supreme Court weigh in on the issue, vThreat CTO Marcus Carey told TechNewsWorld.

Weak Encryption, Weak Solution

If theres a solution to the conflict between law enforcement and the tech companies, it doesnt lie in weaker encryption, maintained Steve Kelly, president of Intego.

A tech companys first responsibility is to the consumer, so its correct to make products as impenetrable as we possibly can, he told TechNewsWorld.

When you create any backdoor to your encryption, you ultimately open it up to attackers who will exploit it, Kelly explained, and compromise the security and personal information of consumers.

While tech companies shouldnt weaken their encryption, they shouldnt refuse to help law enforcement when they can, he added. Its in the tech companies best interest to do everything they can to help the government, because public sentiment could turn against them very quickly in the wake of a large-scale terrorist attack.

FBI Show and Tell

Meanwhile, the FBI visited Capitol Hill to brief Feinstein on how it gained access to the data in the iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino killers, Syed Farook.

Since the agency has not shared the technique with Apple, the move could be interpreted as a slight to the Cupertino company, which refused to help the FBI crack the phones password.

However, that may not be the case.

The move to brief Congress wasnt an ego stroke, maintained Mark Longworth, CEO of Shevirah.

There are legislators who are sympathetic and have proposed amendments and bills to give the FBI greater technical access to modern, encrypted communications like they have with CALEA (the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act ), he told TechNewsWorld.

The FBI is simply supplying those legislators with ammunition on how difficult and costly the methods they have are, said Longworth, as well as how important it is to get to the data in cases like San Bernardino.
A U.S. District Court judge last week sentenced Matthew Keys to two years in prison after he was found guilty of conspiring with the hacker group Anonymous to break into the Los Angeles Times website and modify a news story.

Keys had been site administrator forKTXL Fox 40, which was owned by Tribune, the same company that owned the Times.

He was charged under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller ordered Keys to surrender June 15 to begin serving his sentence.

His lawyers are expected to appeal the sentence and file a motion for bail pending appeal.

The Case Against Keys

Keys was dismissed from KTXL Fox 40 in 2010 and took credentials he had secretly created with him, according to the prosecution.

He used those credentials to steal a list of email addresses of KTXL Fox 40 viewers who had signed up for an affinity program, sent anonymous harassing emails to viewers and former colleagues through a proxy server, and launched an eight-day campaign of accessing the content management system to lock his replacement out of that system, prosecutors said.

Keys later created a backdoor for the Tribune CMS, gave that to Anonymous and told them which Tribune properties to target. He also repeatedly urged Anonymous to attack the Los Angeles Times.

One Anonymous member finally did hack into the Times and deface one of its stories.

The Rationale for Keys Sentence

A jury found Keys guilty in October.

His offense was serious enough to require a substantial prison sentence, the prosecutors argued, adding that he targeted the justice system following the verdict. The prosecution recommended a sentence of five years.

Pointing out that the Probation Department had called for an 87-month term and describing that as reasonable and the best way to promote sentencing uniformity, the prosecution suggested that five years was sufficient, but not greater than necessary to comply with the purposes of sentencing.

Keys retweeted the comments of people who thought the sentence was too harsh.

Two years for a Web defacement lasting 40 minutes, Edward Snowden tweeted.

and so, any lingering sympathies regarding my subscription to @latimes dies today, tweeted dexterdyne.

What happened to [Matthew Keys] is mind-blowingly scary, tweeted Saina Behnejad. And ridiculous. Priorities?!

Electronic Frontier Foundation spokesperson Karen Gullo pointed the E-Commerce Times to anEFF blog post on the case.

A donation site for Keys legal fund has been set up.

Was the Sentence Just?

Justice is relative, but I do think the punishment is within the realm of acceptable discretion, observed Yasha Heidari and attorney at theHeidari Power Law Group.

Keys intent played a heavy hand in his punishment and the prosecution of the case, he told the E-Commerce Times. Its one thing to negligently forget your employers keys while at Starbucks; its quite another to deliberately hand over the keys in a sketchy part of town to some hoodlums and provide them a map to the employers office.

Keys lack of remorse probably played a part in the sentence, Heidari remarked. Considering he was found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, I dont think he did himself any favors by proclaiming his innocence.

The sentence is relatively lenient compared to other high-profile CFAA prosecutions such asAndrew Auernheimer, observed Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

Keys is lucky in the sense that the case was tried by a judge who understood how thin the charges against him really were, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Its entirely reasonable to look at this from the other side  that Keys crime was so trivial that prosecutors were forced to inflate its effects in order to charge him and take the case to trial, King said, but that also casts light on the remarkable flexibility the CFAA grants to police and prosecutors. I expect prosecutors were really interested in sending a signal about the repercussions of supporting the activities of Anonymous.

The person who actually hacked the Times website  allegedly a hacker with the moniker Sharpie, who lives in Scotland  has not yet been charged, although prosecutors reportedly have known his identity since at least 2015.
Facebooks WhatsApp last week announced it would roll out end-to-end encryption for its users to better protect their privacy, but the move could make the service more attractive to spammers, too.

While encryption can safeguard information from data thieves, it also can block data protectors from detecting malicious activity on their networks.

WhatsApps encryption policy is a win for privacy advocates, but it will not stop the growth of spam on the platform and could make the problem worse, said Simeon Coney, chief strategy officer forAdaptiveMobile.

WhatsApp has always had limited spam control in place, he told TechNewsWorld, and encryption will make detecting spam and malicious links with malware that much more difficult.

Spam Magnet

Over the last three to four years, mobile carriers have made it harder for spammers to deliver their junk messages, Coney noted. Thats prodded them to look for greener pastures.

Weve seen spammers move from services like SMS, MMS and RCS to services like WhatsApp, he said.

Not only does it cost spammers less to spew their rubbish on WhatsApp, but its easier to find targets there.

WhatsApp is a very friendly service to spammers because it allows them to validate phone numbers to see if they have a WhatsApp account, Coney explained, so they can upload large number ranges to test who has a WhatsApp account and just send bulk messages to them.

Because end-to-end encryption prevents protection systems from seeing whats in a spam message, they cant guard against malicious activity like phishing, account hijacking, spam and malware.

Its simple economics, Coney said. As certain channels get closed off to these spammers, theyre finding other ways to reach their targets. They only make money if they get their messages through and they get a reasonable conversion rate.

Making Sense of Mossack Fonseca Data

If youre a journalist and someone drops 2.6 TB of hot data in your lap, where do you begin to make sense of it?

For theInternational Consortium of Investigative Journalists, the answer wasNuix.

Nuix provides services for turning large pots of data into searchable pools of information.

With its software, which the company donated to the ICIJ and the German newspaper Sddeutsche Zeitung, the investigative journalists were able to process, index and analyze the Panama Papers, 11.5 million documents taken from the Panama offices of Mossack Fonseca, an international law firm and a major player in the offshore asset industry.

Much of the data in the dump was scanned documents, which were turned into searchable information with Nuixs optical character recognition software. Other Nuix analytical tools helped identify and cross-reference Mossack Fonseca clients throughout the document cache.

1,500 Data Types

Nuixs search technology was developed in 2000 at the request of the Australian government. They had a huge cache of Lotus Notes emails, and they didnt have a way to tag them, format them and make them easily searchable, said Keith Lowry, Nuixs senior vice president of threat intelligence and a former chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Defense.

Over the years, we have been able to absorb a lot more types of information, he told TechNewsWorld. It has grown to the point where we can natively ingest over 1,500 different file types and flatten the data and make it presentable to whomever is analyzing the data.

Although 2.6 TB of data is immense by journalistic standards, its only a medium-sized data set compared to some Nuix has been enlisted to massage in its e-discovery and regulatory investigative work. On any given day, our software is sorting through petabytes of data, Lowry said.

Nuix gave the ICIJ and Sddeutsche Zeitung technical assistance in processing the data stolen from Mossack Fonseca, but no employees ever handled the data, the company said.

We didnt participate in the collection of the data, Lowry said. We just processed it for them.

iPhones Secure Enclave

Maybe the FBI just wanted to impress legislators of the urgency for action on the Going Dark issue or maybe it just wanted to thumb its nose at Apple, but last week it began demonstrating to lawmakers how it cracked the security on the iPhone 5c of San Bernardino, California, gunman Syed Rizwan Farook.

The first legislator on the agencys demo list was Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who, with colleague Richard Burr, R-N.C., is drafting legislation to compel companies like Apple to extract data from their products or provide technical assistance to government authorities to extract the data when ordered to do so by a judge.

Feinstein and Burrs bill is a response to a recent tussle between the FBI and Apple. The FBI wanted Apple to write code that the agency could use to brute force the lock code on Farooks phone. Apple refused to do so, saying such code could be used to undermine the security of all iPhones.

Eventually the FBI found a way to access the data on the phone, but its believed the method wont work with newer model iPhones. Thats because Apple added another chip  called the Secure Enclave  to the latest models of its mobiles.

What it does is lock up all the encryption keys, said Matthew Green, a professor specializing in cryptography at Johns Hopkins University.

Even if you can hack the phone itself  which is what the FBI did  the encryption keys will still be locked up, he told TechNewsWorld.

Panic Room in a Phone

The secure enclave  where high security functions, including login, are handled  is a separate environment from the iPhone as a whole, noted Georgia Weidman, founder and CTO ofShevirah.

If someone, be it a security researcher, the FBI or a malicious attacker, discovers an exploitable vulnerability that allows them to attack the latest iOS release, they will need another, likely more sophisticated exploit to take that access to the next level to also exploit the secure enclave, she told TechNewsWorld.

Think of it like a panic room at a celebritys home, Weidman continued. There are walls, security guards, and all other manner of industry standards of home security on the house. A very skilled burglar may bypass them, but they will have to work even harder, basically starting again, to get into the panic room.

It was bad form for the FBI to show legislators how it compromised Farooks iPhone while keeping Apple in the dark about it, she added.

As security researchers, when we find security issues we practice something called responsible disclosure. We inform the vendor of the issue we found so it can be fixed, Weidman said.

By refusing to share the technique they used with Apple so it can be fixed, she continued, the FBI is moving into the territory of black hat hackers, or hackers for evil, keeping the vulnerability open so they can use it again as it suits them in other cases as they arise.

Breach Diary

April 3. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists publishes first article in series on the Panama Papers, a trove of 11 million files stolen in a data breach of Mossack Fonseca, an international law firm headquartered in Panama and a major player in the offshore industry, which is used by some of the worlds rich to hide assets and facilitate a number of unsavory and illegal activities.

April 4. Ponemon Institute releases a survey that finds 37 percent of businesses do not believe their third-party vendors would notify them of a data breach; 73 percent doubted that a fourth-party vendor would alert them of such a breach.

April 4. Security blogger Brian Krebs reports banking sources are telling him that for the second time in less than a year, fraudsters have compromised the Trump Hotel Collection payment card system.

April 4. Hackers post to the Internet personal information of nearly 50 million Turkish citizens, exposing them to possible identity theft and fraud.

April 5. KSN-TV in Wichita, Kansas, reports tax information of 1,357 employees at Hutchinson Community College is at risk after their W-2 data was emailed to an unauthorized third party.

April 6. Trend Micro reports that a data breach at the Philippines Commission on Elections has exposed on the Internet personal information, including passport and fingerprint data, of 55 million voters.

April 6. U.S. District Court Judge R. Gary Klausner approves a multimillion-dollar settlement of a lawsuit against Sony Pictures Entertainment that will give some 437,000 people identity theft protection from the time a data breach was discovered in 2014 through 2017. An exact figure for the settlement cant be determined yet because the deadline hasnt passed for workers to sign up for the protection services.

April 6. Whiting-Turner, a Baltimore construction company, files breach notification letters with California and Vermont stating that tax information of its employees and their children is at risk because of a security incident at a vendor hired to provide tax services for the builder.

April 7. The National Childbirth Trust, a charity in the UK, alerts 15,085 new and expectant parents that their email addresses, usernames and passwords have been compromised by a data breach.

April 7. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins rejects a motion by health insurer Anthem to inspect the computers of former customers in connection with a lawsuit resulting from a data breach in February that compromised the records of as many as 80 million customers.

April 7. Einstein Healthcare Network in Pennsylvania alerts some 3,000 patients their personal information is at risk because a database at the providers website inadvertently was exposed to the Internet.

April 7. The Hill publishes a discussion draft of a bill by U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., to force companies to provide information or data to the government in an intelligible format when served with a court order.

Upcoming Security Events
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Thursday issued a warning to remove Apples QuickTime for Windows. The alert came in response to Trend Micros report of two security flaws in the software, which will never be patched because Apple has ended support for QuickTime for Windows.

Computers running QuickTime are open to increased risk of malicious attack or data loss, US-CERT warned, and remote attackers could take control of a victims computer system. US-CERT is part of DHS National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center.

We alerted DHS because we felt the situation was broad enough that people having unpatched vulnerabilities on their system needed to be made aware, said Christopher Budd, global threat communication manager at Trend Micro.

Apple has not discontinued security updates for QuickTime on Apple computer systems. It is not clear why Apple made the decision to end Windows support.

Apple has posted a link that instructs users how to remove QuickTime for Windows. The instructions advise those using a QuickTime 7 Pro registration key to save the key before uninstalling.

Zero Day Warning

Trend Micros Zero Day Initiative learned about the vulnerabilities from researcher Steven Seeley of Source Incite, who is named in the warning, Budd told TechNewsWorld. ZDI then issued advisories detailing the critical vulnerabilities:

The Apple QuickTime moov Atom Heap Corruption Remote Code Execution vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of QuickTime. The problem first came to ZDIs attention late last year. The number of users at risk is unknown at this time.

The QuickTime Atom Processing Heap Corruption Remote Code Execution Vulnerability allows an attacker to write data outside of an allocated heap buffer by providing an invalid index.

Software makers regularly retire applications, so it was not unusual that QuickTime would be vulnerable, Budd said.

However, it was odd that Apple did not issue a public statement about ending its support for QuickTime for Windows and that the software was still available for download, he added.

Increasing Software Vulnerability

QuickTime joins a growing list of software that is not supported any longer, Budd noted in a Trend Micros Thursday call to action. That list includes Microsoft Windows XP and Oracle Java 6, which means users of those operating systems increasingly will be vulnerable to attack.

DHS didnt have any comment to add to its alert, said spokesperson Scott McConnell, who referred questions to Apple. Apple did not respond to our request to comment for this story.

The warnings come amid a spate of recent reports about computer system vulnerabilities, including one issued just days ago about a vulnerability in Adobes Flash Player that could leave computers open to ransomware, which can lock up entire systems until an attacker is paid to release control.
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HO CHI MIHN - Inditex, the world's largest fashion retailer, recently met with unions officials in Vietnam to discuss the possible creation of a national Inditex trade union network. The Spanish company is working with Industriall Global Union on the creation of a global framework agreement (GFA) and the meeting brought together union leaders from the Southern provinces of Vietnam to discuss how to implement the existing GFA, and ensure that international labour standards are followed in the more than 100 Inditex suppliers and sub-contractors.
(UN New York)Photo: UN Photo / Manuel Elias

Terrorists must never be allowed to destroy centuries of peaceful co-existence of Muslims and Christians in the Middle East region, the Vatican envoy has told a special session of the UN Security Council.

"Too many individual citizens and groups have suffered and continue to suffer death and all forms of violence and discrimination because of their religion, ethnicity or political beliefs," said Archbishop Bernardito Auza.

The Holy See's U.N. representative said April 14, "In the Middle East, in particular, terrorists must never be allowed to destroy centuries of peaceful co-existence of Muslims and Christians in the region."

The archbishop is the apostolic nuncio leading the Holy See's Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, and spoke in the Security Council's open debate on threats to international peace and security.

Any long-term solution to foil violent extremism and terror must consider the importance of sacrosanct human dignity and rights, irrespective of race, religion, political belief and difference.

Archbishop Auza said violent extremism does not know any border.

"Recent terror activities in Lahore, Beirut, Paris, Brussels, Aden, and before that Moscow, Barcelona, London, New York and whole regions in Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Kenya and Somalia illustrate that fundamentalist terror is a transnational phenomenon," he said.

The archbishop explained the terrorists show a total disregard for civilian immunity, killing and maiming women, children, the elderly and the handicapped, and "commit unspeakable crimes against women and girls."

Bearing the brunt of their brutality are religious and ethnic minority groups.

"The utter barbarity of their behaviour and crimes leaves us dismayed and asking how the human heart can plan and carry out such horrible acts," said Auza.

30,000 FOREIGN FIGHTERS

He noted the 30,000 foreign fighters from 100 U.N. member states who have entered Islamic State-controlled territory.

"Once trained and completely indoctrinated in the most warped and violent ideologies, they travel to sow terror in other countries," he said.

"No one of whatever religion or culture must ever be allowed to carry out acts of violence and oppression in the name of that religion or culture or under whatever pretext," said the papal envoy.

Terrorism is "a fundamental threat to our common humanity," said the archbishop noting that the fight against it needs "a shared commitment from all nations and people of good will."

He said that using the legal tools and resources together to stop citizens becoming foreign terrorist fighters, governments should engage with civil society to tackle at risk communities from radicalization and recruitment and to attain their social integration.

The papal representative urged engagement to end the internet recruiting new supporters to terrorist groups and an end to internet funding for these groups.

The Security Council needs to have harsh penalties against arms suppliers.

"Collaboration with terror groups, whether for profit or for ideological complicity, must be outlawed. Member states that abet violent extremism or shelter terror groups must be rigorously challenged by this Council," said Auza.
(Photo: Photo:  Peter Kenny / Ecumenical News)The Holy See's representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Archbishop Siavano Tomasi, speaking at a side-event on Syria during the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on Sept. 17, 2015.

GGENEVA - The Vatican has told an international gathering of Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations that the "respect and promotion" of international humanitarian law is "increasingly ignored and violated."

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, Permanent Representative of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, was speaking at the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

The conference is held every four years and among its aims is to bolster international humanitarian law now that is under threat in conflict zones such as Syria, Somalia, Iraq, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Yemen.

"Focusing on current and protracted conflicts, the international community should remain vigilant and tireless in calling attention to the needs of people who find themselves in the midst of humanitarian emergencies," said Tomasi.

"The short attention span of the communications media, and of many others in the international community, should be challenged by regularly calling attention to the ongoing emergencies that seem to be multiplying in intensity and complexity."

The Vatican envoy proposed a comprehensive definition for "neighbor", since all persons are equal members of the one human family and should be in mutual solidarity.

'EQUAL DIGNITY'

"All of us are created with equal dignity and therefore are entitled to equal access to the goods of this world," he said. "Moreover, all persons should have an equal say in the formulation of policies and decisions that will affect their own lives and that of future generations."

Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said, "We have entered an era in which armed conflicts are greater in complexity and numbers of actors, longer in duration, wider in their regional impact, broader in tactics and weapons used and, above all, more atrocious in the human suffering they cause.

"It is an era of protracted armed conflicts, which add up to a world at war."

Maurer noted that "indiscriminate violence in the form of terrorist attacks around the world" in placed such as Yola, Bamako, Paris and Beirut have "created a widespread feeling of insecurity."

It has "led to increasingly robust State responses. It is important to note in this context that all intentional attacks against non-combatants and all attacks aimed at spreading terror are prohibited in International Humanitarian Law."
The annual convention of the Alabama Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood will be April 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham.

The convention is hosted by local Birmingham chapters D, T, and AK. More than 200 P.E.O. members from across the state are expected to attend. The convention is open to all active P.E.O. members, with special events planned for invited guests.

This year's convention theme is P.E.O ... talk about it, selected by Alabama State President Nancy Sites of Chapter AB, Daphne. The Convention Chair is Shannon Bencomo McFall, Chapter D and the Steering Committee is Jolene James, Chapter D, Holly Fondots, Chapter T and Merrily Newton, Chapter AK, all of Birmingham.

The keynote speaker is Patricia (Patti) Brolin-Ribi, Organizer, International P.E.O. Chapter. Patti is a native of western Montana and now resides in Sun Valley, Idaho where she is a member of Chapter AM, Idaho. She has been a P.E.O. for 39 years and has served in many leadership roles. She volunteers with numerous community groups, enjoys many outdoor activities and is a trustee emeritus of the University of Montana Foundation.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood, founded Jan. 21, 1869, at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is a philanthropic and educational organization interested in bringing increased opportunities for higher education to women. There are approximately 6,000 local chapters in the United States and Canada with nearly a quarter of a million active members. There are 39 P.E.O. chapters throughout Alabama with over 1,300 members.

The educational and philanthropic purposes of P.E.O. are accomplished through international, state and local philanthropic projects. The six educational projects supported by the P.E.O. International Chapter are P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund, P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, P.E.O. Scholar Awards, P.E.O. Star Scholarship and Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri.

For more information on the P.E.O. Sisterhood, visit www.peointernational.org.
Many of the nations charter schools set up shop in low-income urban areas hoping to propel students who may struggle to finish high schoollet alone go to collegeinto higher education.

But even among the students who make it to college, national statistics paint a grim picture of what happens after they get there: Just 11 percent of low-income, first-generation college-goers graduate in six years, according to the Pell Institute, a research group that focuses on access to higher education.

Even though many charters name homerooms after universities and hang college pennants in the hallways, their alumni still face a range of challenges once they reach college, from cultural to academic.

In recent years, however, charter schoolsin particular, charter school networkshave started investing heavily in supporting their alumni beyond high school graduation.

To be quite honest, my first semester was rough, said JRemi Barnes, a 2015 graduate of Sci Academy, a charter school in New Orleans. Barnes is a freshman at Grinnell College in Iowa. At Sci, they make sure you have the material down before you leave class, and if you dont have it, they make you go to a tutoring session. Here, its on you.

Besides, he added: Going from crawfish to corn, thats not totally ideal.

Completion Is the Goal

Although studies have shown that low-income, first-generation college students are much more likely to drop out than their wealthier peers, there is little research that has looked at college persistence among charter school graduates like Barnes.

One study, published this month in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, found that, at least for students in Florida, attending a charter had a positive effect on their college persistence and later income. Charter graduates were more likely to stay in college and earn higher salaries than their district school peers, even though their test scores were no better.

When KIPP, the nations largest charter school network, first took a hard look at its alumnis college-persistence rates in 2011, it saw similar results. Ten years after completing a KIPP middle school education, students were significantly more likely than their low-income peers nationally to stick with college. Even so, the outcome was still far from stellar: Only 33 percent of KIPP students graduated from a four-year university.

We wanted to shift the debate away from focusing on college acceptance and move the debate in the charter school community and beyond to college completion, said Steve Mancini, a spokesman for KIPP. At that time, there were a lot of charter schools and district schools putting out press releases saying we have 100 percent graduation rates or 100 percent college-acceptance rates.

More recently, in 2014, KIPP released a second batch of data showing that its alumni graduating from a four-year college had risen to 44 percent, but that the rate was still far south of its ambitious 75 percent goal.

To increase college persistence among alumni, KIPP has focused more on teaching nonacademic skills such as perseverance and providing intensive counseling in high school and beyond.

The network has also entered into partnerships with more than 70 universities. The universities commit to taking groups of eight to 10 students from KIPP or similar schools, so the students have peers from similar backgrounds to lean on. The schools also agree to give those students additional support on campus, such as assigning a point person for them to go to with questions or problems.

Its often smaller challenges that can derail low-income, first-generation college students, like navigating a complex university administration without guidance, or not having the money to cover textbooks or travel costs home.

We tend to focus a lot on the big things, but paying attention to the lived experience of students and the smaller struggles that we can help them with makes a big difference, said Jenny Nagaoka, the deputy director of the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. If youre accepting low-income students and you really want them to graduate, its not enough to give them a full financial-aid package; there are a lot more specific things that institutions need to be paying attention to and providing.

No Excuses Mantra

Many network charter schools that place a heavy emphasis on getting into college are characterized as college prep or no excuses.

Beyond festooning their buildings with college-themed decor, those schools also typically have strict rules for behavior: Students must wear uniforms, follow teachers with their eyes at all times, and walk along taped lines when changing classes, to name a few examples.

Those policies have been criticized, not only because they can lead to ballooning suspension rates, but also because they might undermine a students ability to meet different expectations of a college setting.

The big thing that happens to children when they go to college is theyre more called upon to be independent learners, said Gary Miron, a professor of education at Western Michigan University. For some charter schools when they have this very rigid discipline [and] incredible behavioral modification, everything is really scripted. Preparing students for the ups and downs of collegeand not just the academicshas become key to New Orleans Collegiate Academies college-persistence efforts.

Ninety-eight percent of graduates from the networks three schools, which include Sci Academy, are accepted into college, according to Collegiate Academies. But many of its alumni drop out, especially between their first and second years in college. Today, Barnes is among about half the networks alumniwhich so far includes graduates from four classeswho started college and are still attending. Were definitely working to make that less of an issue, said Lauren Katz, the director of college completion for the network. There is always some sort of college transition. What we try to do is gradually instill more independence and leadership so that when they go to college, they are more prepared.

See Also Follow JRemi Barnes path through New Orleans charter system to college. College Is My Ticket Out

All seniors at Sci Academy are required to take a special course focused on building skills such as good study habits and financial literacy. Staff members teach students how to calculate their GPA to see if theyre at risk of losing their scholarships, and they provide assistance to them as they fill out housing and financial-aid forms.

As a major part of her job, Katz also visits graduates on their college campuses to check on them and refine the networks college-prep programming back in New Orleans.

I had a few students talk about how, in their college math classes, their professors will just run through a few practice problems instead of explaining the concept, said Katz. So, I talked to the head of our math department, and then our senior-year math teacher started incorporating that into her classroom.

Amassing Knowledge

Nagaoka, the University of Chicago researcher, said some charters have amassed crucial knowledge on how to help poor students through college.

Nagaoka has doubts that many traditional school districts would be able to muster the resources to offer similar supports. But, she said, the programming and ongoing supports that some charter networks have refinedand their positive resultscould spur broader interest in college persistence among nonprofits and foundations. That could, in turn, benefit larger groups of students.

Still, there are issues that specialized college persistence programs can only do so much to tackle.

Students may still have to adjust to different cultures. And they still get homesicksomething that Barnes worried about as he prepared to leave for college last summer.

Barnes is attending Grinnell on a Posse Scholarship, a national program that groups scholarship recipients into cohorts from the same city and sends them to college together. He said his posse has helped him adjust to life at a small, private liberal arts school.

Its a culture shock, he said. Im coming from New Orleans where its majority black, most of the community Ive seen and interacted with is black, and then you come to Grinnell, and its just different.

Having my posse here, ... I was never alone, he said, even when I was struggling with my schoolwork, I could lean on my posse.

But, Barnes said, he doesnt think his situation is unique.

From what my adviser said, he said everyone struggles in that first semester, so I shouldnt worry about it too much. So, Im guessing it happens to just about everyone.
With the 2016 state legislative season fast nearing its halfway point, testing and related issues continue to fuel legislative debate, as well as tensions between lawmakers and state education officials in a number of places.

Legislators across the country had proposed nearly 600 bills as of last week that would affect the way state education departments administer and use standardized tests, up from just six such bills proposed five years ago, according to an analysis by Dan Thatcher, a researcher with the National Conference of State Legislatures.

And in a particularly heated corner of the testing debate, more than 100 bills were proposed this year that would bolster the rights of parents to opt out of standardized tests or would force schools to notify parents of their rights to opt out, according to Thatchers analysis.

Among the measures that have made it across the finish line so far:

 South Dakota passed a bill limiting testing time to just 2 percent of the school year. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, a Republican, signed the bill into law last month.

 Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Pencewho once made testing central to his education reform agendain January signed a bill placing a moratorium on the states use of test scores on teacher evaluations.

 Arizonas GOP governor signed a bill that will allow districts to choose which tests they want to use next year.

 Georgia lawmakers passed legislation, yet to be signed by that states governor as of last week, to cut back on testing time and to limit the weight that test scores have on teacher evaluations.

Im a firm believer in evaluations and assessing student achievement, said Lindsey Tippins, the chairman of Georgias Senate education committee, who successfully pushed through that states testing legislation. But I think sometimes the testing we had mandated on us ... took up an undue amount of instructional time with very little return on investment.

Midway Marker

As of last week, 21 of the nations 45 states holding legislative sessions this year were on track to finish by the end of the month.

Testing, though, hasnt been the only K-12 issue taking up lawmakers time.

Hot Topics Though the final scorecard has yet to be filled in, state lawmakers grappled with a range of education governance and testing issues in the 2016 state legislative season. Teacher Evaluations

At least half of the nations states this year were considering legislation that would decouple teacher evaluations from state tests. Utah earlier this month became one of the first states to pass a bill that would do so. Highlights: Indiana and Alaska placed moratoriums on test scores factoring into teacher evaluations. Testing Time

In reaction to parent and teacher angst about overtesting, several bills were proposed that would limit the amount of time students spend on standardized tests this year. Legislators said they wanted to assure that the preparation and administering of state assessments didnt hamper teachers creativity in the classroom. Highlight: South Dakotas Gov. Dennis Daugaard, a Republican, signed a bill that would limit testing to 2 percent of the school year. ESSA Task Forces

Most legislatures are waiting until the U.S. Department of Education irons out the rules under ESSA before they begin proposing and passing laws that would affect their authority over key aspects of education policy. But some already are positioning themselves to take the reins. Highlights: Indiana and Alabama passed laws establishing task forces that will come back at the end of the year to advise them on how to address ESSA. Legislative Powers

At least 60 bills have been proposed that would alter who in a state is in charge of setting standards and assessment. So while the task has traditionally been left to state boards of education, legislators are feeling pressure from their constituents to be more involved in the process. Highlight: West Virginia lawmakers passed a billlater vetoed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblinthat would have thrown out standards approved by that states board and removed the state from the Smarter Balanced assessment consortium. Education Spending

Most states either have increased their education spending in the coming fiscal year or poised to do so. But there are plenty of wrinkles in the budget process. Illinois and Pennslvania are considering new funding formulas after legislators failed to agree on ways to distribute millions of dollars in state aid. And Kansas and Washington are under strict court orders to add millions more dollars to their education spending. Highlights: Alaska, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Wyoming cut millions of dollars out of their budgets after coal and oil revenue fell far short of what government officials predicted. SOURCE: National Conference of State Legislatures

After widespread protests, South Dakotas governor vetoed a controversial bill that would have forced transgender students to use public school bathrooms that match their sex at birth. North Carolina Republican Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill into law that included similar measures for that state.

Fiscal issues have dominated in a number of states, even as 41 states have poured more funding into their education budgets, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers.

Pennsylvanias Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf ended a months-long budget stalemate with his GOP-dominated legislature last month. The resolution provides school districts with just half the $400 million funding increase Wolf originally had sought. It will distribute $6.6 billiona 3 percent increase in statewide spendingwithout raising taxes.

But Illinois legislators are at odds over a new funding formula Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed.

And a handful of states heavily reliant on natural resources, including Alaska, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Wyoming, cut tens of millions of dollars out of their education budgets after coal and oil revenue dipped below projections.

Legal Showdowns

Washingtons legislature, under a strict state supreme court order to provide their districts with additional funding, passed a plan for a plan that will force it to come up with a new funding formula next year. Washingtons legislature also amended its laws to allow for the expansion of charter schools after the states supreme court ruled them unconstitutional.

Kansas supreme court ruled this year that the legislatures education funding formula leaves poor districts with far fewer dollars than wealthier districts. The legislature passed a bill that adds $2 million to the states funding formula. The court will decide soon whether the law is sufficient.

The court is telling us how much money we should spend and where it should go, which is none of their business, quite frankly, said Republican Ron Highland, the Kansas House chairman. K-12 receives over 50 percent of our budget. Were saying there is no more money, but they dont care. We have a big crisis down the road.

Highland says he has lost faith in the public school system.

Such a view doesnt surprise Jeffrey Henig, a professor of political science and education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

I think part of whats going on is a kind of decades-long erosion of confidence in education professionals who in prior years, certainly before the 1980s, were more likely to be seen as neutral appliers of professional expertise, Henig said. For a lot of reasons, they have now come to be seen as self-interested organizations looking out for adult interests instead of kids interests.

Mandatory testing has been swept into that vortexput on the hot seat as a result of factors that include a tenacious testing opt-out movement and a series of online technical glitches this spring that resulted in botched test scores and server meltdowns during the middle of tests.

A bill in Louisiana would allow parents at a school to vote on whether they want their children to take the state exam at all.

And in at least 25 states, legislators proposed bills that would permanently decouple test results from teacher evaluations.

Evaluating Teachers

Utah passed a bill earlier this month that would separate its teacher evaluations from test scores, after thousands of students opted out of the states Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence test last year.

If you had multiple students opting out, you werent getting the total picture of student learning, said Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh, the president of the Utah Education Association, which is affiliated with the National Education Association. Overall, it was just problematic. People want a fair, viable evaluation. To measure with test scores is anything but that.

The bill passed in Georgia reduces the weight that test scores have on teachers evaluations to 30 percent from 50 percent, removes mandated testing for certain grade levels and subjects, and requires that tests be given as close to the end of the school year as possible.

ESSA Preparation

And while many states are still waiting for the federal government to more clearly define the rules and regulations under ESSA before they design their new accountability plans, some state legislative bodies already have appointed task forces to come back with recommendations for legislation next spring.

One of those task forces was created in Indiana, part of the fallout from problems with that states standardized-testing program, which suffered widespread technical glitches. Local superintendents alleged that the test scores from the exam were botched this year. Although students will take the exam next year, the results wont count against teachers evaluations because of a yearlong moratorium.

The states governor appointed a task force of teachers, administrators, parents, business officials, and legislators to study the role assessments should play in the ESSA era and what a statewide exam will look like.

The [ESSA] law still says we have to have an assessment, said Indiana state board member Byron Ernst, who was appointed to serve on the task force last week. Were going to look at our options as to how we can reduce the amount of time were spending on testing while at the same time remain committed to providing parents and the education system with the information about how their students are performing.
To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020.
Alabama Family Trust, a pooled special-needs nonprofit 501(c)3 trust established by the state in 1994 to invest and protect assets of persons with disabilities, is growing with a new executive team, a new office in Vestavia and future plans to expand trust offerings nationwide to families with special needs.

AFT's planned expansion outside of Alabama is expected to begin by the end of 2016.

AFT, which operated on the campus of UCP of Greater Birmingham for more than six years, branched out recently to its new office in the Berry Building on Columbiana Road in Vestavia Hills. It recently held an open house in March where community leaders, chamber members, nonprofit and health care professionals, area judges, elder law attorneys, corporate executives and AFT partner, BancorpSouth, toured the new headquarters during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The Alabama Family Trust funds are invested at BancorpSouth Asset Management and Trust, typically by the family of those with special needs to cover costs above what is provided through core governmental benefits, such as Medicaid and SSI, and to give them the financial ability to improve their overall quality of life.

AFT has 627 active trusts with a market value of $19.3 million as of March 31, 2016 with the opportunity to invest in one of nine investment strategy funds with BancorpSouth. All trusts are actively managed or index-based. The minimum cost to set up a trust at AFT is $1,500. The average trust at AFT is $31,000.

In 2014, AFT board members appointed a new executive team. Melanie Bradford, with extensive trust and elder care law expertise, was named Executive Director, and Doug Marshall was named CFO and Chief Taxation Officer. Shannon Brubaker was named Chief Administrative Officer in 2015.

This week, Marshall was named Director of Community Relations for AFT, and Lesley Byars was hired as Chief Taxation Officer.

Bradford said AFT plans to expand its reach to offer special needs trusts to more clients in Alabama and soon across the country that is unique to the Birmingham based nonprofit.

"AFT is truly a special organization, perhaps the best kept secret in Alabama because we only serve those with special needs

AFT's growth is strategic and well planned. It has also begun conversations with private and nonprofit entities to form new relationships and forge new joint ventures. In addition, AFT has taken key progressive steps by building partnerships with Birmingham companies and nonprofit organizations. AFT, for example, offers education and training to Alabama based clients of American Behavioral.

AFT has also begun working with the Exceptional Foundation and KultureCity to assist families of their clients with disabilities to better understand the complexities and benefits of establishing a special needs trust.

"We needed an organization like AFT to work with our special needs families because of our significant and expected new growth," said Tricia Kirk, Executive Director of the Exceptional Foundation.

"Alabama Family Trust gives families peace of mind knowing their disabled loved ones will be taken care of financially through sound investing to ensure they have an excellent quality of life," said Julian Maha, founder of KultureCity, a nonprofit organization that serves the autism community nationwide. "We look forward to AFT working with our clients across the country in the future."

AFT had an unusual start. It began operating in a small office in the Alabama Department of Mental Health in Montgomery until UCP of Greater Birmingham Executive Director and AFT Board member, Dr. Gary Edwards, brought AFT to its campus in Birmingham in 2008. The nonprofit incubator he envisioned and implemented was a crucial and invaluable step that allowed AFT to get on solid footing during its formative years.

THE AFT EXECUTIVE TEAM

Melanie Bradford, Executive Director, was appointed to serve as an AFT board member in 2014 and previously served as an advisory board member from 2011-2013. For the past 11 years, Bradford has practiced law exclusively as an elder law and estate planning attorney. She is on the Caregiver Task Force appointed by the Alabama Senate; a member of the Elder Law Section of the Alabama State Bar (past president); and a member of the planning committee for the annual Alabama Elder Law Conference.

Doug Marshall, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Community Relations, previously served as Chief Taxation Officer of the Alabama Family Trust, CFO of UCP of Greater Birmingham, Vice President and Controller of Alagasco with direct responsibility over a substantial part of Operations, and Director of Tax for Energen. He is also a CPA and previously worked for E&Y (formerly Arthur Young).

Shannon Brubaker, Chief Administrative Officer, worked for nearly 10 years with the Jackson County (Alabama) Department of Human Resources as a Child Welfare Worker and was later promoted to a Child Welfare Supervisor before joining AFT. Brubaker is primarily responsible for working with families to set up new trusts and helping facilitate disbursements for the needs of their disabled loved ones.

Lesley Byars, Chief Taxation Officer, has more than 35 years of tax experience that includes Partner with Fiduciary Tax Services, LLP in Florence, Vice President and Trust Tax Manager of Wells Fargo (formerly SouthTrust Bank) in Birmingham, and Vice President and Trust Tax Officer of BBVA Compass in Birmingham (formerly Central Bank of the South). Byars is a CPA and also worked with PriceWaterCoopers (formerly Price Waterhouse) in New York City.
An explosion rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul on Tuesday morning -- the apparent work of Taliban militants targeting a security team that protects government VIPs, a police official told local media.

Kabul's police chief said at least 28 people died. More than 300 were wounded, according to authorities.

Despite the target, most of the victims were civilians -- including women and children, Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said.

A suicide bomber detonated a vehicle filled with explosives in a private parking lot behind the compound, destroying the back wall of a building, according to Sediqi. A second attacker then entered the building. That attacker died in a gunbattle with security forces less than two hours later, Sediqi said. The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

"First a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-laden lorry on the gate of the department and then other armed attackers went in and started shooting on the rest of the enemies," the statement said.

Witnesses said they continued to hear gunfire after the explosion, which occurred in a busy part of Kabul near the Afghan Defense Ministry and presidential palace.
Ely, Cambridgeshire is best known for its majestic cathedral dubbed the 'Ship of the Fens' because it dominates the flat landscape. The city, which is the second smallest in England, is about 14 miles north-northeast of Cambridge and about 80 miles by road from London.

08:11, 22 OCT 2022
New website will allow victims to report crime online

Using more technology to help in the fight against crime will not diminish a commitment to traditional 'face to face policing'.

That's according to Superintendent Simon Lowe - yesterday the Isle of Man Constabulary launched a new-look website in a bid to bolster its digital presence.

Police say giving out information, advice and support in this way will mean neighbourhood officers can spend more time on patrol.

In the future victims will also be able to report crimes through the website - Superintendent Lowe says it's about giving people a better service:

Media

Simon Lowe
Fossils of a 13-million-year-old extinct crocodilian from the Peruvian Amazon suggest that South American and Indian species evolved separately to acquire protruding, "telescoped" eyes that helped the animals conceal their bodies underwater while scanning the river's edge. The new study, published today in the journal PLOS ONE, provides a long-sought insight about the extremely long and slender-snouted gavialoids--one of the three major types of crocodilians, along with alligators and crocodiles--that are represented today by just one living species, the Indian gharial.

"The extraordinarily well-preserved fossils of this new 13-million-year-old gharial document how independent, parallel evolution of long-snouted animals with specialized visual systems occurred across continents," said John Flynn, Frick Curator of Fossil Mammals at the American Museum of Natural History and an author on the paper. "Continued paleontological exploration of the Amazon Basin is essential for discovering fossils that reveal more about the origins and history of tropical South America's extraordinarily rich modern biological communities and habitats."

Known for their elongated, narrow snouts, and sharp, piercing teeth, gavialoids are a diverse group of mostly extinct crocodilians that lived in an array of tropical regions including in South America and India. Many of the evolutionary relationships between these species remain unclear. Fossils of gavialoid crocodilians from South America and the modern Indian gharial, Gavialis gangeticus--the sole survivor of the lineage--have similar telescoped eyes, but it was not known how these features evolved.

Flynn has been co-leading prospecting and collecting expeditions with Peruvian paleontologist Dr. Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi and other colleagues at fossil outcrops of the Pebas Formation in northeastern Peru since 2002. These outcrops preserved a wide variety of ancient life from the Miocene era, and the group recently uncovered a hyper-diverse assemblage of at least seven different species of crocodilians in the Amazon bone bed, the largest number of croc species ever found co-existing in one place in any time in Earth's history.

Among these extraordinary fossils, the researchers found this new species. The oldest-known gavialoid crocodilian from the Amazon, it is named Gryposuchus pachakamue after Pachakamue, a pre-Hispanic South American "storyteller" god thought to have knowledge about the origins of South American life. The area where the researchers discovered the new gavialoid once contained a massive wetland system, filled with lakes, embayments, swamps, and rivers that drained north toward the Caribbean, before the eastward-draining Amazon River formed there. This distinctive habitat implies that the early gharial had a lake-dwelling lifestyle.

"Gryposuchus pachakamue was distinct from all the other crocodiles living in the vast Pebas Mega-Wetlands of northern South America," said Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi of the University of Montpellier in France and the Natural History Museum in Lima, Peru, and the lead author of the study. "This new gavialoid was the only long-snouted species within a hyper-diverse crocodile community dominated by blunt-snouted, clam-eating caimans."

The new analysis suggests that Gryposuchus pachakamue represents the ancestral condition from which the South American lineage evolved protruding eyes. This means that the distinctive eyes of gavialoids evolved in parallel in South American and Indian groups, at first showing just slight telescoping as seen in Gryposuchus pachakamue but eventually becoming fully telescoped during the evolution of other members of the lineage. Species of both the South American and Indian lineages later adopted a river-dwelling lifestyle, and it is likely that telescoped eyes were adaptive, helping them to catch fish in these habitats. Although further research is needed, this study provides an important foundation for furthering scientists' understanding of the evolution of all gavialoid crocodilians.

The American Museum of Natural History's new exhibition Crocs: Ancient Predators in a Modern World, which opens on May 28, features a photo of Flynn and Salas-Gismondi collecting a skull of Gryposuchus pachakamue in the field, along the banks of the Amazon River.

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Other authors of the paper include Patrice Baby, University of Toulouse and Convenio IRD-PeruPetro; Julia Tejada-Lara, Museum of Natural History, Universidad Nacional Mayor San Marcos, Peru, Columbia University, the American Museum of Natural History, and University of Florida; Julien Claude, University of Montpellier, France; and Pierre-Olivier Antoine, University of Montpellier, France.

Funding for this work was provided by the American Museum of Natural History's Frick Fund; the Escuela Doctoral Franco-Peruana en Ciencias de la Vida, the Projects-Sud of the ISEM, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement, and CampusFrance.

PLOS ONE paper: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152453

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (AMNH.ORG)

The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, is one of the world's preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses 45 permanent exhibition halls, including the Rose Center for Earth and Space and the Hayden Planetarium, as well as galleries for temporary exhibitions. It is home to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, New York State's official memorial to its 33rd governor and the nation's 26th president, and a tribute to Roosevelt's enduring legacy of conservation. The Museum's five active research divisions and three cross-disciplinary centers support approximately 200 scientists, whose work draws on a world-class permanent collection of more than 33 million specimens and artifacts, as well as specialized collections for frozen tissue and genomic and astrophysical data, and one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, it is the only American museum authorized to grant the Ph.D. degree and the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Annual attendance has grown to approximately 5 million, and the Museum's exhibitions and Space Shows can be seen in venues on five continents. The Museum's website and collection of apps for mobile devices extend its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs to millions more beyond its walls. Visit amnh.org for more information.

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Women are forgotten victims, and killed by violence, and lack of available care

Deaths from violent conflict and lack of available care are major causes of mortality among pregnant women in war zones, warn doctors in an editorial published in The BMJ today.

More needs to be done to protect women from violence in conflicts, and to provide appropriate medical care required, they argue.

"In times of war, the focus is usually on the male soldiers", they explain, but an estimated 140,000 women die in conflict every year.

An unknown proportion of these women are pregnant at the time of death, and contribute to the estimated 303,000 women already expected to die in pregnancy and childbirth.

"In international humanitarian law, pregnant women should be protected," they explain, "but this rarely happens, and militant perpetrators are difficult to hold to account."

Violence is directed specifically against pregnant women, for example, through torture and rape--both used as weapons of war--in countries such as Syria, Nigeria, and Congo.

"Those lucky to survive are at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, which negatively affects maternal functioning, parenting, and compliance with medical therapies," they explain.

Sexual health services are generally non-functioning, and prevent access to contraception, safe abortion, and treatment for sexually transmitted disease.

Furthermore, health services can be destroyed in wars, as seen in the recent massacre of 11 Medecins Sans Frontieres health workers in Syria, and the bombing of Kunduz trauma hospital in Afghanistan.

"The cumulative effects of these problems can be devastating for women in war zones--and in turn take their toll on their children, families, and communities," they warn.

"All too often the only option is for women to attempt the dangerous escape from the war zone and seek refuge in other countries."

They suggest a number of solutions, but urge that "the final answer must lie in political settlements to resolve the root cause of the conflict. Warring parties should be educated about international humanitarian law to tackle the underlying ignorance."

"But while the conflict continues, care needs to be provided," and they outline the health services that are crucial for pregnant women, such as a safe place for birth, with emergency obstetric and neonatal care.

"A functioning operation theatre is also vital," they say. Of over 18,000 operations carried out 'in the field' by MSF Brussels in 2014, 21% were caesarean sections and 6% other gynaecological or obstetrical procedures.

But the authors conclude that "only peace will allow a true resumption of effective reproductive health services. A focus on women's health could, in some cases, provide an area of common interest between sides seeking to find political solutions."

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In The BMJ today, leading experts debate whether the food industry should fund health research, and if so, under what circumstances.

The food industry is crucial, fulfills key societal needs, and employs more people than any other sector in the UK, argue Paul Aveyard, professor of behavioral medicine at the University of Oxford, and Derek Yach, executive director at the Vitality Institute in New York.

"For these reasons, government policies seek to support the industry," they say, and "from this perspective, it would be absurd for health policy researchers to shun collaborating with the food industry."

Even though "industry promotes products that undermine public health, in many cases food industry and health goals clearly align and co-funding in-kind or in direct payment from industry is appropriate."

Leading manufacturers are investing billions of dollars to improve the nutritional quality of their products well in excess of public research investment, for example.

And if strong safeguards are in place to prevent bias, the integrity of collaboration research should not be doubted, they argue.

They recommend that researchers should be responsible for the design and conduct of the study, and have no commercial interest in the product.

Independent statisticians should carry out the analyses, and all results should be published regardless of outcome.

Payments of funding should be made to the organisation, not directly to the researchers, and reflect only the cost of the research.

"There are excellent examples of best practice in industry-funded food research," they explain. "The alternatives are that the research is not done, that it is done by the company itself, or that the public pay."

But Anna B Gilmore and Simon Capewell, both professors of public health at the University of Bath and University of Liverpool respectively, say that food industry funding biases research, and "seriously constrains" the fight against the obesity epidemic.

Evidence suggests that industries manipulate evidence, influence public and political opinion, and minimise regulation and legal liability.

And while the food industry is diverse, they highlight the clear conflict between ultra-processed food and sugary soft drinks companies, and public health, and similar evidence is now emerging for these.

For example, industry funding distorts the research agenda by "enabling corporations with vested interests to determine what research is done, and crucially, what is not done."

And results of industry-funded research have "uniquely favourable outcomes," they explain, adding that "even well-meaning scientists are often subconsciously biased, even by small gifts."

Disclosure and peer review are often cited as a sufficient redress to these criticisms, but studies show these are not sufficient.

More radical funding models are needed to enable industry to fund research while protecting research from their influence, they explain, such as manufacturer taxes, license fees or legally mandated contributions.

However, "change will not occur until public health researchers refuse to take the ultra-processed food industry money," they explain, which is a "surprisingly small proportion of total research funding, less than one-tenth in the UK or US."

"It worked for tobacco; in the early 1990s all bar one UK medical school took tobacco industry funding. That is unthinkable today," they conclude.

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Behaviors that enable bullying--a significant public health problem for adolescents--were reduced among students who completed a new online anti-bullying program, according to a new study from Case Western Reserve University.

"Part of convincing schools to use technology to address bullying is proving its effectiveness," said Jane Timmons-Mitchell, a senior research associate with the university's Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education at the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. She led a research team evaluating the program, known as StandUp.

After completing the program--which addresses verbal, physical, sexual and cyberbullying--students reported significantly reduced odds of bystander passivity to both emotional and physical bullying. Use of healthy relationship skills also increased significantly.

Most anti-bullying programs are taught as a curriculum in-person and have proven to be a hard sell to schools pressed to complete compulsory coursework and testing. They have also yielded mixed results but have been especially ineffective for non-white students and students in eighth grade and higher.

"We have to go where the kids are, instead of telling them where they should be," said Timmons-Mitchell. "We do that by using new technology."

In a 2013 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20 percent of high school youth said they had been bullied on school property in the last year alone. Overall, 14 percent to 54 percent of students in the United States report involvement with bullying, according to previous academic research.

All states have laws and/or policies that require schools to provide a mechanism to address bullying.

"Any participation in bullying can affect youth negatively. Being both a bully and a victim can lead to depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts," said Timmons-Mitchell, adding that perpetrators of bullying are more likely to commit crimes as young adults.

How it works

StandUp consists of three half-hour sessions taken three months apart. The program is designed to present different tracks if a user identifies as a bully, as a victim of bullying, or a passive bystander--or as a combination of the roles.

Video clips of dramatized bullying situations in schools are interspersed, prompting responses--for example: "What do you think the bystander should do?"

Users are given individualized guidance matched to their bullying experiences, including an emphasis on six healthy relationship skills:

Using calm, nonviolent ways to deal with disagreements (leaving the room to cool down, for example);

Respecting the boundaries of others;

Communicating feelings and needs clearly and respectfully;

Making decisions in social situations that are right for each person;

Respecting the feelings and needs of other people;

How to appropriately take a stand to stop bullying.

Studies have shown that adolescents especially respond more honestly to questions delivered by computers than on paper, Timmons-Mitchell said.

"Computers make it easier to deliver a strong message to adolescents," she said, "that continuing down a negative path could land you in serious trouble and endanger the well-being of others."

The producer of StandUp, Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc., is revising the program for additional testing in schools based on researchers' findings. Later this year, a clinical trial in schools is planned in Rhode Island.

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The research was funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under H98MC26260 "Project CARE for Epilepsy," to Tatiana Falcone, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, at Cleveland Clinic.

Co-investigators of the project and co-authors of the paper "Pilot Test of StandUp, an Online School-Based Bullying Prevention Program," (doi: 10.1093/cs/cdw010) published in the journal Children & Schools, are: Deborah A. Levesque, chief science officer at Pro-Change Behavior Systems Inc. and main author and creator of StandUp; Leon A. Harris III, a research assistant with the Begun Center; Daniel J. Flannery, the Semi J. and Ruth W. Begun Professor at the Mandel School and director of the Begun Center; and Falcone.
BAR HARBOR, MAINE - The MDI Biological Laboratory has announced that it has received a grant to support a new course on aging that will draw internationally renowned scientists to Bar Harbor, Maine, to examine fundamental questions about our ability to repair and regenerate tissue as we age.

The $20,000 grant from the Glenn Foundation For Medical Research will be used to help offset the cost of tuition for an intensive two-week research training course entitled "Comparative and Experimental Approaches to Aging Biology Research" to be held at the institution June 19 to July 3.

The course will emphasize molecular approaches to aging biology research using comparative approaches and models. Four animal models will be studied: roundworms (C. elegans), fruit flies, mice and African turquoise killifish.

The use of multiple animal models reflects the MDI Biological Laboratory's unique approach to the study of aging and regenerative biology. Rather than studying aging in isolated cells or in a single animal model, the institution's scientists use diverse animal models ranging from roundworms to mice. This approach provides insight into evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of aging, as well as differences between animal models and humans that can be potentially exploited to improve human health and extend healthy lifespan.

"We believe the study of molecular pathways in diverse animals that share many of their genes with humans offers valuable insight into the degenerative diseases of aging such as heart disease and Alzheimer's," said Kevin Strange, Ph.D., president of the MDI Biological Laboratory. "We are grateful for the support of the Glenn Foundation, which shares our mission of translating aging biology research into treatments."

The MDI Biological Laboratory, located in Bar Harbor, is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution that develops solutions to human health problems through research, education and ventures that transform discoveries into cures. The institution is focused on increasing healthy lifespan and harnessing our natural ability to repair and regenerate tissues damaged by injury or disease.

Scientists working in the institution's Kathryn W. Davis Center for Regenerative Medicine study tissue repair, regeneration and aging in a diverse range of organisms, including those with a robust ability to regenerate tissue such as zebrafish and salamanders.

The course is unique in offering both hypothesis-driven research using the latest experimental techniques and training in the use of software for the analysis of large datasets. In addition, the interaction between graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early stage independent investigators and world-renowned scientists in the field of aging biology creates opportunities for professional development and networking.

"We see the collaboration fostered by this course serving as a catalyst for discovery," said assistant professor Aric Rogers, Ph.D., course director. "The study of the fundamental molecular processes of aging is one of the most exciting areas of inquiry in biology today, but its advancement depends upon the sharing of information and techniques. We thank the Glenn Foundation for helping to make this possible."

Plans call for the course, which is being held for the first time this summer, to be repeated on a biennial basis. The grant in support of the aging biology course is the first awarded to the MDI Biological Laboratory from the Glenn Foundation For Medical Research, which also supports research through the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging at Harvard Medical School, MIT, the Mayo Clinic, Stanford Medical School, the Salk Institute for Biological Sciences and other prestigious educational and research institutions. The course is also being supported by INBRE and COBRE grants awarded to the MDI Biological Laboratory by the National Institutes of Health.

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The Mount Desert Island (MDI) Biological Laboratory, located in Bar Harbor, Maine, is an independent, non-profit biomedical research institution focused on increasing healthy lifespan and increasing our natural ability to repair and regenerate tissues damaged by injury or disease. The institution develops solutions to complex human health problems through research, education and ventures that transform discoveries into cures. For more information, please visit http://www.mdibl.org.

The mission of the Glenn Foundation For Medical Research, established in 1965 by Paul F. Glenn, is to extend the healthy years of life through research on mechanisms of biology that govern normal human aging and its related physiological decline, with the objective of translating research into interventions that will extend healthspan with lifespan. For more information, please visit http://www.glennfoundation.org.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Much of the world may cringe as lemurs are hunted and killed or when entire forests are burnt and harvested for charcoal. However, if local residents don't perceive the actions as crimes or they believe there's a low risk of getting caught, then poaching and deforestation will continue.

A new study led by Michigan State University and featured in the current issue of PLOS ONE provides a crucial missing piece to solving this policy puzzle - empirical evidence documenting local people's attitudes toward the risks of breaking laws and the value of preserving their environment.

"Global illegal wildlife trade has increased dramatically in the last decade," said Meredith Gore, associate professor of fisheries and wildlife and lead author of the study. "Our research is the first to explore local perceptions of illegal biodiversity exploitation and environmental insecurity. Understanding local perception of policies can help predict buy-in for current and future risk-management strategies."

Environmental insecurity means not having enough food, water and natural resources to live. The definition also can be influenced by the absence of a reliable or stable government to protect natural resources or not having the ability to recover from natural disasters, such as tsunamis or earthquakes.

Growing environmental insecurity can fuel increases in wildlife crime, which has many ramifications outside of nature. Wildlife crimes can be politically destabilizing, subvert the rule of law, undermine sustainable development investments and generate funds for other organized crime and conflict.

"It's an important issue to address, but traditional methods to stop these activities take a top-down approach, and they don't always play out as planned at the local level," said Gore, who's also part of the School of Criminal Justice. "To improve efforts, taking a grassroots approach by factoring in local attitudes and behaviors should be included as part of the policies."

For example, recruiting local people to monitor illegal activities may make sense. However, underestimating social norms to protect relatives conducting criminal activities may do little to protect the resources or the broader communities that have access to them, Gore added.

The study was conducted in Madagascar, which holds the distinction of being one of the world's biodiversity hotspots while having 75 percent of its population living in poverty. Here and elsewhere, poaching can be highly localized yet directly feed the global wildlife trafficking supply chain.

"It's against the law to hunt lemurs in Madagascar," Gore said. "But many local residents' don't necessarily see it as a crime, perceive the activity as risky or see it as exploiting the area's biodiversity."

Communication and outreach directed specifically to changing locals' attitudes could be one possible tool in solving this disconnect, she added.

"If the goal is to reduce deforestation and charcoal production in a protected area, it is essential to focus on the psychological aspects of the associated risk perception," Gore said. "This approach could be more effective than focusing on the socio-environmental dimensions such as access to land to grow food or having a reliable source of clean drinking water."

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The research team included Michelle Lute, University of Nebraska; Jonah Ratsimbazafy, Groupe d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar; and Andry Rajaonson, Malagasy Biologist Association.

Gore's research is funded in part by MSU's AgBioResearch.

Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

For MSU news on the Web, go to MSUToday. Follow MSU News on Twitter at twitter.com/MSUnews.
Computers have helped revolutionize the commercial world and transformed the lives of the general public through the development of the Internet and mobile technologies like the iPhone. But, practically speaking, they have done little for the good of our planet.

This troubled Carla Gomes, a computer science professor at Cornell University, and led her to embark on an effort to develop computational methods that can help cultivate a more sustainable world.

Gomes and an interdisciplinary team of programmers, theorists, applied mathematicians, economists, biologists and environmental scientists have helped create a new field, computational sustainability, addressing challenges that computer scientists have not traditionally handled. Together, they tackle a range of issues from wildlife management to poverty-reduction.

"Computational sustainability can't be achieved with piece-meal research efforts," Gomes said. "It requires truly interdisciplinary teams, where computer scientists work directly with researchers from different sustainability areas."

Between 2008 and 2013, Gomes led a large collaborative team that developed fundamental computing tools for sustainability, supported by a $10 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Expeditions in Computing award. The award catalyzes far-reaching research that is motivated by deep scientific questions and has the potential for significant societal benefits.

Using these tools, the team has gone on to solve pressing ecological and economic problems, from protecting endangered animals to helping poor rural herders in Africa, showing the benefit that computing can bring to real-world problems.

Bear corridors

Land development often results in the reduction and fragmentation of natural habitats, making wildlife populations more vulnerable to extinction. One way to alleviate the negative impacts of land fragmentation involves creating conservation corridors -- continuous areas of protected land that link zones of biological significance.

However, determining the best approach to design these corridors, which often involves buying or preserving land on a limited budget, can prove tricky.

Gomes and her collaborators developed a modeling technique for wildlife corridors that has proven more effective at allowing animals to traverse contested terrain than previous approaches, often at a fraction of the cost.

The researchers initially implemented the technique in a study of grizzly bear corridors in the Northern Rockies, and later extended its use to include wolverines and lynx across multiple national parks.

"Using our computational approach, we were able to find corridors that improved the movement of species over hand-designed corridors at a substantial fraction of the cost, considering trade-offs for multiple species," Gomez said.

In 2013, the secretary of the environment of the Quito Municipal District established an ecological corridor and conservation program for the endangered Andean bears in Ecuador's mountain forests. A research team led by Cornell professor Angela Fuller -- a wildlife ecologist and the leader of the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit who works with Gomez -- provides scientific support and applying computational sustainability solutions to expand the ecological corridor there.

The team's approach has been shown to reduce corridor cost dramatically, allowing often contentious projects to proceed without too much expense and in a manner that helps the animals as much as possible.

"A key advantage of using advanced computational methods in designing wildlife corridors is that such methods enable us to simultaneously optimize dozens of factors, incorporate large amounts of data about the landscape and environment under consideration, and at the same time consider social-economic factors, which is something quite infeasible for corridors designed by hand," Gomez said.

State of the birds

Citizen scientists provide critical information about bird populations, as part of projects like eBird and the Great Backyard Bird Count. However these amateur ornithologists can lack the accuracy of professionals and their sightings may not be equally dispersed throughout the country, skewing the results.

To address these shortcomings, NSF-funded researchers at the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology and other Expeditions in Computing team members have developed new algorithms that can compensate for biases in the distribution and misidentification of citizen scientist birders and assist in accurately determining bird populations for conservation efforts.

They did so, in part, by developing a machine learning system using an active learning feedback loop between humans and machines. The system provides observers with immediate feedback on the accuracy of their observations. This improves the expertise of the observers, while simultaneously refining the quality of the data the machine learning system uses to make decisions. The loop continually augments the effectiveness of the system as a whole.

The Department of the Interior applied these approaches to its 2011 and 2013 "State of the Birds" report, which used high-performance computing techniques to produce the first systematic set of year-round species distributions at the finest spatial resolution to date. The research team is assisting with the forthcoming 2016 report.

Recently, the team implemented a new incentive system called avicaching (akin to geocaching, where people search specific sites for small treasures) in order to gather more observations from under-sampled places. Birders who travel to under-reported locations and identify birds earn points that allow them to enter a drawing for binoculars.

"Since the inception of avicaching in March 2015, 19 percent of the eBird observations in our pilot counties shifted from traditional locations to locations with no previous observations," Gomes said. "This has enabled scientists to refine their bird distribution models. We're currently experimenting with additional incentives, as determined by our computational model, to obtain data that is even further removed from traditional observation areas."

If successful, the team will roll out their avicaching system nationwide.

"It is exciting to see our computational methods help guide human observers, leading to improved data that is then used to refine predictive computational species distribution models," Gomes said.

Apps for African grasslands

The tools and methods that Gomes and her team have developed can help people as well as animals. For many years, the team has explored ways to improve the lives of nomadic herders or pastoralists in Kenya. The pastoralists inhabit a large area of arid and semi-arid lands in East Africa and move frequently to find the grasses needed to sustain their herds.

Gomes and her team first developed a model to simulate the complex movement patterns of herders over a landscape that shows the typical unpredictable dynamics of African dryland ecology.

The models they designed capture the choice processes of herders -- how individuals decide where to go and when -- which is crucial for policy-making concerning sustainable development.

To augment this information, the researchers developed a mobile phone app called GrazeIt that crowdsources information about vegetation submitted by herders and combines it with information from satellite images to help herders find forage for their animals.

Simple icons displayed on a cell phone allow African pastoralists to report the condition of the vegetation they observe. Tapping an icon can report "no grass," "some grass" or "a lot of grass."

"In the first six month, we were able to collect 124,000 surveys of forage conditions from 112 pastoralists-citizen scientists," Gomes said. "We successfully used a dynamic incentive system in order to induce greater submission rates from undersampled regions, increasing the value of information collected by the project and reducing the number of redundant submissions. In addition, we used new experimental methods for monitoring and training to identify cost effective approaches to improving data quality."

This is just one example of the many ways in which computer scientists are optimizing limited resources to benefit people across the globe. The work was presented at the 2016 American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting in February.

Motivating a community

Beyond the individual tools and applications developed by the Expeditions in Computing team, the project's biggest accomplishment may be kickstarting the new field of computational sustainability and inspiring others to dedicate their efforts and expertise to address sustainability questions.

Initial funding from NSF has led to more than $80 million in support from other agencies and organizations, according to Gomes, and has helped stimulate the field. Computational sustainability is now taught at many universities and has its own dedicated research track at several scientific conferences.

In January 2016, NSF announced its support for the next phase of the project -- the development of a Computational Sustainability Network -- through a second, five-year, $10 million Expeditions in Computing award. The network includes a diverse range of new and continuing partners, from the Nature Conservancy to the Trans-African Hydro-Meteorological Observatory to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

"Our new NSF Expedition is charged with growing and expanding the horizons of the nascent field of Computational Sustainability," Gomes said. "Advances in computational sustainability will lead to novel strategies to help herders and farmers in Africa improve their way of life, save endangered species and scale renewables up to meet 21st century energy demand.

"Without this research, inefficiencies in terms of resource use and inaccuracies in data models will literally cost lives and reduce the richness of our natural world, potentially threatening future generations."

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Scientists analyzing the data from seismic networks are becoming better at detecting volcanic activity and at depicting the source and structure of the "plumbing" beneath the world's volcanoes. But a critical question remains: Can these data help predict when a volcano is close to erupting?

In a session at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the Seismological Society of America (SSA) held April 20-22 in Reno, Nevada, researchers will describe how they are using new and repurposed tools to zero in on the sequence of events that precedes a volcanic eruption. The seismologists are looking for patterns of seismic activity to compare with past eruptions to determine when one particular volcano might erupt, as well as larger patterns that could be used to predict when volcanoes of a certain type might erupt.

"In the last ten years, there have been a lot more seismometers placed on volcanoes," said Weston Thelen, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey. "We're now looking for eruption signals from earthquakes that others might cast off as too small to bother with, but we want to use all the different signals that are out there."

At the SSA meeting, USGS scientist Randall White will present information on a "progression of seismicity" before an eruption that he and others have gleaned from studying more than 35 eruptions at 24 dormant volcanoes over the past 20 years. More than 90% of the eruptions at these dormant volcanoes are preceded by significant (magnitude 3 or larger) volcano-tectonic earthquakes on faults near but not under the volcanoes, they note. Other waves of low-frequency seismicity follow, as magma intrudes into rock and interacts with different parts of the earth's crust.

At Washington State's Mount St. Helens volcano and at Little Sitkin Volcano in Alaska's Western Aleutians, researchers are taking a closer look at the swarms of repeating small earthquakes that appear to precede many eruptions. These swarms can come and go underneath a volcano without being connected to an eruption, however, so seismologists would like to learn more about what each kind of swarm might indicate about the direction and speed of moving magma. At Mount St. Helens, University of Washington researchers are developing an open-source tool called REDPy (Repeating Earthquake Detector in Python) to look at swarms at the volcano in near real-time, to calculate how the number and size of the earthquake clusters might relate to eruption timing. At Little Sitkin Volcano, Alaska Volcano Observatory seismology Matthew Haney and colleagues are analyzing the seismicity surrounding a 2012 swarm there to learn more about how magma is moving between reservoirs under the volcano.

A 2014 swarm beneath Mammoth Mountain in California allowed USGS scientist David Shelly and his colleagues to trace the complex relationship between fluid movement and fault activation at the heavily monitored lava dome. Their analysis yielded a set of more than 6000 precisely located earthquakes that helped to trace a wave of earthquake propagation along multiple faults during the swarm sequence.

Another presentation in the SSA session will discuss how seismic data were used in 2015 to detect a massive magma chamber under the Yellowstone supervolcano, connecting an earlier-known upper crust magma reservoir with the mantle plume that fuels the supervolcano.

Seismic studies such as the Yellowstone report that help to define the structure of magma chambers and movement are key to connecting seismic activity with the timing of a volcanic eruption, said Thelen. "For many volcanoes, we're still trying to figure out where the magma lies, and where the hydrothermal systems are," he said. "When we understand that better, we can interpret the seismicity better when it comes up."

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On the YouTube video, the fire appears first as a small white dot among the trees, then as an unmistakable wisp of smoke curling up over a ridgeline. Wilderness high-definition (HD) cameras have caught the spark of a lightning strike in the Tahoe Basin, and are transmitting this time-lapsed live view to firefighters via a network built to detect earthquakes.

The same 21st century communications network used for real-time seismic monitoring in Nevada and parts of California can provide high-quality images like that of the Tahoe strike to help first responders catch fires before they grow costly and dangerous, says Graham Kent, director of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory (NSL) and professor in seismology at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Kent will be the featured public policy speaker at the Seismological Society of America's (SSA) 2016 Annual Meeting held April 20-22 in Reno, Nevada. He said that seismic networks in place to provide earthquake early warning, if designed to sustain multi-hazard monitoring, can provide a robust data backbone for fire cameras that pan, tilt and zoom as they monitor wildfires and other extreme weather events like remote floods. And for Kent, the project is a bit personal: he's had two homes--one in California and one in Nevada--burned over or threatened by wildfires.

The dual system has already been a success throughout parts of Nevada and eastern California, Kent said in a recent interview. During last year's fire season in the state, the AlertTahoe platform and another platform in north-central Nevada helped to discover or provide early intelligence on more than 25 fires. This summer, AlertTahoe and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wildland fire camera programs will add 15 to 20 new HD cameras to increase its coverage of these areas.

According to Kent, the technology has the potential to remake firefighting in the West, moving away from massive "war-like" operations to more tactical suppression. "The old style of firefighting is like storming the beach at Normandy," he said, "but if you can get on a fire early, with special tools, then it becomes more like a Special Forces situation."

For seismologists, "all-hazards" networks like AlertTahoe represent a chance to fund and expand a robust and reliable earthquake early warning system. "If you build a network that's putting out fires six months out of the year--a lot of them--that essentially pays for the deployment of the entire earthquake early warning network and operation costs for a decade or more in just one fire season," Kent said.

"We feel like we're doing a sustainable network design that allows you to monitor extreme weather, wildfires and earthquakes," he added. "And of interest, about half of the damages that are estimated for a large earthquake event, like a major rupture on the San Andreas fault, are fire-related; so these camera systems can have a large impact after a damaging quake as well."

The private, microwave-based seismic networks attached to the cameras offer an advantage over other communication networks such as cellular-based systems, which can become clogged with traffic during critical emergencies. The cameras and their installation are funded by both public sources like the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service, and private donations through the Tahoe Prosperity Center.

The BLM, the U.S. Forest Service, the Camino Interagency Command Center, Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center, and local fire departments use the cameras routinely, and the public can also access the real-time images and on demand time-lapse images through the NSL website. Other agencies such as the National Weather Service use the cameras to monitor cloud formation (thunderstorm development) to track large and potentially damaging storms. The network is also monitoring climate along several critical transects in Nevada.

The fire cameras save time and especially money,since they give firefighters a chance to assess the size and potential growth of fires at early stages, before any people or equipment are sent to the fire. For instance, fire-spotting planes in the Tahoe Basin can cost up to $25,000 each time they take flight, Kent said. And resources and manpower can be stretched thin, especially during the summer fire season when firefighters may be deployed throughout the West.

"This allows you to scale your resources appropriately," he noted. "Firefighters have to be careful that they don't overrespond on one fire, and then have another larger fire within the hour or so and be positioned in the wrong place. Fire cameras help you understand how bad a fire is, and see how aggressive it is."

Kent and his colleagues are also testing "machine vision" for the smart cameras, using computer programs that learn how to sift through the camera images to find signs of fire and smoke. The algorithms being developed use wintertime controlled burns in the Tahoe Basin to train their detection capabilities.

The Nevada Seismological Laboratory at the University of Nevada, Reno, manages the Nevada and eastern California networks. NSL is a partner with the University of California, San Diego on a larger project to build a common platform for early fire detection networks in other parts of the western U.S. The NSL project is an updated version of a California fire camera project, begun in 2002 by UC San Diego seismologist Frank Vernon and built on a large-scale wireless network in southern California called HPWREN.

The Southern California project, now dubbed AlertSoCal, is using the unique on-demand time-lapse interface developed for AlertTahoe fire cameras in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties. Kent is also working with fire fighters in Idaho and Montana to potentially pair seismic networks and fire cameras in those states beginning in 2017.

The cameras even have their eye trained on urban areas, observing house and apartment fires in Reno. Information gleaned from these images could help researchers learn more about how fires move from rural to urban areas, and how urban areas might respond during earthquake-related fires.

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Seven fossil teeth exposed by the Panama Canal expansion project are the first evidence of a monkey on the North American continent before the Isthmus of Panama connected it to South America 3.5 million years ago. A team including Carlos Jaramillo, staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), published this discovery online in the journal, Nature today. They named the new monkey species Panamacebus transitus in honor of Panama and the monkey's movement across the ancient seaway that divided North and South America.

The 21 million-year-old teeth were found in the Las Cascadas Formation during a five-year intensive fossil salvage project by field crews from STRI, the University of Florida and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Most of the mammal groups represented in the Las Cascadas formation have North American origins, despite the fact that South America is much closer, supporting the idea that Central America and western Panama represented a long peninsula extending south from North America.

During the salvage project, researchers rushed in behind engineers as they dynamited the steep canal banks. The researchers collected exposed fossils and described each location before heavy rains and fast-growing vegetation obscured evidence of the dramatic tectonic events that lifted the land bridge out of the sea to connect North and South America.

"I asked my boss for a million dollars to dig a hole in the ground," said Jaramillo. "Then the Panamanian people voted for the Panama Canal Authority to spend $5.6 billion dollars to expand the Canal and unlocked a treasure trove for us, containing this new monkey species and many other fossils."

"We suggest that Panamacebus was related to the capuchin (also known as "organ-grinder" monkeys) and squirrel monkeys that are found in Central and South America today," said Jonathan Bloch, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History on the University of Florida campus and lead author on the study. "Prior to this discovery, New World monkeys were thought to have evolved in isolation on South America, cut-off from North America by a wide seaway."

Before the monkey teeth were discovered, the oldest evidence of movement of a mammal from South to North America are 8.5--9 million-year-old fossil remains of giant sloths. The authors of this report suggest two explanations: 1) that mammals from South America were more adapted to life in the South American derived forests still found in Panama and Costa Rica than to other forest types characteristic of Northern Central America or 2) that the lack of exposed fossil deposits throughout Central America means that evidence of these dispersals has yet to be revealed.

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The U.S. National Science Foundation contributed $3.8 million as part of the Panama Partnership for International Research and Education led by researchers from the Florida Museum of Natural History. As the expansion nears its completion, the tally of fossils identified so far includes bats, horses, squirrels, small camelids, crocodiles, turtles and ferocious bear dogs. The new, wider third lane of the Panama Canal will open for business June 26.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is a part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Institute furthers the understanding of tropical nature and its importance to human welfare, trains students to conduct research in the tropics and promotes conservation by increasing public awareness of the beauty and importance of tropical ecosystems. STRI website. Promotional video.

Bloch, J.I., Woodruff, E.D., Wood, A.R., Rincon, A.F., Harrington, A.R., Morgan, G.S., Foster, D.A., Montes, C., Jaramillo, C.A., Jud, N.A., Jones, D.S., MacFadden, B.J. 2016. First North American fossil monkey and Early Miocene tropical biotic interchange. DOI:10.1038/nature17415
For a majestic animal that looks equally at home as the monarch of the glen or astride the great American Plains, the wapiti's call is somewhat disconcerting. Sounding more like the shrieking cries of a Lord of the Rings Ringwraith, their haunting high-pitched screeches can carry great distances. 'Larger animals tend to have deeper resonances and lower voices', says David Reby, from the University of Sussex, UK, explaining how the pitch of an animal's voice tends to be a good indicator of its size: animals from larger species have larger larynges that vibrate at a lower pitch than animals from smaller species. However, the wapiti's extraordinary bugle calls would be more at home coming from the body of an animal the fraction of the size of these impressive red deer. The paradox had puzzled scientists for decades, but when Megan Wyman returned from a trip recording deer bellows in New Zealand, Reby knew that they might have a chance to finally lay the mystery to rest. The team publishes their discovery that wapitis whistle while simultaneously roaring through their vocal chords to produce their distinctive calls in Journal of Experimental Biology at http://jeb.biologists.org.

Visualising the spectrum of the eerie shrieks that Wyman had collected, Reby could clearly see the unnatural sounding high-pitched shriek at frequencies up to 4000 Hz. However, there was another band of lower pitched sound around 150 Hz, the frequency at which Reby would expect the male deer's vocal folds to vibrate. And when Reby and Daniella Passilongo investigated a series of the calls, they realised that the high and low pitched sounds shifted independently: sometimes the high-pitched wail rose and fell while the tone of the lower pitched roar remained constant. So the vocal folds were vibrating and producing a call that matched the animal's size while the deer simultaneously produced a high-pitched, high-volume, wraith-like cry by whistling.

Having realised that the deer were using two mechanisms to produce their eerie calls, Reby and colleague Ben Charlton wanted to confirm that the lower pitched vocalisation was produced by the vibrating vocal folds. So, when Yann Locatelli contacted Reby to let him know that one of the wapiti males in the herd at France's Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle reserve had died, this was Reby's opportunity to take a close look at the structure of the deer's throat to learn more about their sound production. After CT scanning the head and throat of the animal in the position that they assume when calling, Reby could see that the vocal folds were ~3.5 cm long, the ideal length for producing the low pitched component of the call. And when Roland Frey investigated the structures in the deer's throat, he noticed that there were two possible routes for the animals to produce the high-pitched shriek. In the first scenario, the wapiti could whistle through their nostrils and adjust the wailing pitch by flaring and contracting their nostrils. However, he noticed that deer's soft palate - known as the velum -- descended far down in the animals' throat, separating the nasal tract from the oral cavity, possibly allowing the deer to blow air into the nasal cavity through the glottis. And when physicist Joel Gilbert calculated how the air might vibrate in the oral cavity, Gilbert realised that the jet of air from the glottis could hit the velum in much the same way that air in a flute vibrates, to produce a whistle that matched the wapiti's call at frequencies around 2600 Hz.

So the wapiti are being honest about their size. However, the low-pitched roar that accurately reflects their stature is drowned out over longer distances by their strident whistle and Reby is keen to discover what other messages are communicated by these wraith-like shrieks.

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REFERENCE: Reby, D., Wyman, M. T., Frey, R., Passilongo, D. , Gilbert, J., Locatelli, Y. and Charlton, B. D. (2016). Evidence of biphonation and source-filter interactions in the bugles of male North American wapiti (Cervus canadensis). J. Exp. Biol. 219, 1224-1236.

DOI: 10.1242/jeb.141135

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U.S. veterans who screened positive for sexual trauma in the military had a higher risk of postdeployment homelessness, with male veterans at greater risk than female veterans, according to an article published online by JAMA Psychiatry.

Military sexual trauma (MST) is defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans of Affairs as "psychological trauma, which in the judgment of a mental health professional employed by the Department, resulted from a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment which occurred while the veteran was serving on active duty or active duty for training."

About 25 percent of female and 1 percent of male veterans report having experienced MST during their military service. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) started MST screening for all veterans seeking care in any of its medical facilities in 2004.

Adi V. Gundlapalli, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., of the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System and the University of Utah School of Medicine, and coauthors used administrative data in their study of 601,892 veterans deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan who separated from the military between 2001 and 2011 and subsequently used VHA services. The average age of the veterans was nearly 39 and most of them were male, white and enlisted in the Army.

Veterans are generally screened once for MST when receiving VHA services. The screening is considered positive if a veteran answers in the affirmative to either of the following questions: "While you were in the military ... (a) did you receive uninvited and unwanted sexual attention, such as touching, cornering, pressure for sexual favors, or verbal remarks? (b) did someone ever use force or threat of force to have sexual contact with you against your will?"

Of 603,495 veterans screened for MST by a VHA clinician, 583,822 screened negative and 18,597 veterans screened positive. Veterans who responded "decline" were excluded from the study sample, according to the study.

Among the veterans who screened positive for MST, rates of homelessness were 1.6 percent within 30 days, 4.4 percent within one year and 9.6 percent within five years, which were more than double the rates of veterans with a negative MST screen at 0.7 percent within 30 days, 1.8 percent within one year and 4.3 percent within five years, the results indicate.

"A positive screen for MST was significantly and independently associated with postdeployment homelessness," the study notes.

The study also suggests a greater risk for homelessness among men with a history of MST than women.

The authors acknowledge limitations to their study, including a reliance on self-reported MST status. Also, because a positive screen for MST is associated with increased service use, there may be more opportunities to detect homelessness among veterans with a positive screen.

"In addition to the independent association of MST screen status with homelessness, results from this study indicate that MST status provides clinically important information as an early indicator for adverse postdeployment outcomes. ... Future research focusing on the temporal associations among sexual trauma, mental health diagnoses and treatment could yield important information on effective prevention and intervention of postdeployment homelessness," the authors conclude.

(JAMA Psychiatry. Published online April 20, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0101. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com.)

Editor's Note: The article contains funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

Editorial: Preventing Veteran Homelessness by Reducing Military Sexual Trauma

"If we consider MST to be preventable in military veterans and an unnecessary cost of military service, results of the present study suggest several possible solutions to reduce postdeployment homelessness. First, it is imperative to promote a culture within the military in which there is zero tolerance for the perpetration of MST and in which the reporting of MST is facilitated, supported and encouraged," the authors conclude.

(JAMA Psychiatry. Published online April 20, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0136. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com.)

Editor's Note: The article contains funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

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Journal JAMA Psychiatry

To contact study corresponding author Adi V. Gundlapalli, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., call Jill Atwood at 801-582-1565 ext 4094 or email Jill.Atwood@va.gov . To contact corresponding editorial author Jitender Sareen, M.D., email jitender.sareen@umanitoba.ca
Increasing specialist community services like crisis resolution, helping make the transition to adult services smoother for young people, and implementing clinical guidelines are just some of the service changes that are linked to significantly reduced suicide rates in mental health services in England over the last 16 years, according to new research published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal.

The study by researchers at the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness at the University Manchester also finds that suicide rates were higher in mental health trusts with higher levels of staff turnover, suggesting that organisational factors may be equally important in preventing suicide.

Previous studies examining which aspects of mental health service provision are most effective in preventing suicide are scarce, have been inconsistent in their findings, and limited in scope. This is the first study to look at the impact of specific mental health service improvements in a range of organisational contexts, on suicide rates.

In this study, the authors analysed the impact of 16 recommendations and service changes [1] in all National Health Service (NHS) mental health services across England on patient suicide rates between 1997 and 2012. They also looked at whether suicide deaths were related to the way mental health services were organised (using measures such as staff turnover, staff and patient satisfaction, patient complaints)[2]. The research included data from 19248 individuals who died by suicide in England over the 16-year period and were in contact with mental health services in the 12 months before they died. This represents over a quarter of all suicide deaths in England during this time. The researchers compared suicide rates before and after these recommendations and service changes were introduced.

By 2012, 58 services (94%) had implemented at least 10 of the service changes and 34 (55%) had implemented all 16. The individual service changes that were most widely implemented were removal of noncollapsible ligature points on wards, policies to reduce absconding on in-patient wards, and a mechanism to implement National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

The five mental health service changes linked to the biggest falls in suicide were: increasing the availability of specialist community services like crisis resolution and home treatment; better management of patients with dual diagnosis (ie, drug or alcohol misuse as well as major mental illness); reviews and information with families after suicide; introducing policies to help manage the transition to adult mental health services for young people; and implementing the NICE guidelines on depression (figure 1).

The researchers found that implementing recommendations and service changes was associated with significantly lower suicide rates. Each of the 16 recommendations and service changes were linked with 20-30% decrease in the suicide rate (from around 12 suicides per 10000 contacts with mental health services to approximately 9; table 1).

The study also linked suicide rates to some wider organisational factors including higher levels of non-medical (e.g. nursing) staff turnover and reporting of patient safety incidents. However, other factors like staff sickness and patient satisfaction did not appear to affect suicide rates (table 2).

Importantly, implementing the five most promising changes had a greater impact in mental health services with low levels of non-medical staff turnover and higher levels of overall reported safety incidents (table 3). "A workforce that is constantly changing is likely to affect the continuity of care and this could compromise safety," explains Professor Nav Kapur, lead author and Head of Suicide Research at the Centre for Suicide Prevention at the University of Manchester in the UK. "High numbers of safety incidents might suggest a culture of openness in which staff and the organisation learn from adverse incidents, but they may also be a warning that there are real patient safety issues."[3]

According to Professor Kapur, "Our study suggests that many of these interventions may prevent suicide and save lives. The data also show that at least as important as these initiatives might be the organisational context in which they are introduced. These are important findings for mental health services worldwide, particularly in those countries where there is a focus on community care such as the USA, Europe, and Australasia."[3]

Professor Louis Appleby, Director of the National Confidential Inquiry and one of the co-authors of the study added: "This study shows that how clinical staff work can make a difference to patient suicide risk. Mental health trusts with low staff turnover, and where staff reviewed suicide deaths with families had lower suicide rates suggesting that healthy, learning organisations may also be safer."[3]

Writing in a linked Comment, Dr Matthew Spittal and Dr Marie Bismark from The University of Melbourne in Australia say, "Although the research took place in England, health services worldwide are looking for better ways to identify, assess, and safely care for people at risk of suicidal behaviour. Following the tragedies of many preventable deaths, numerous inquiries have recommended that more attention should be paid to implementing guidelines, sharing information with families, training staff, providing crisis and community care, and addressing substance misuse. Kapur and colleagues give added weight and urgency to these recommendations and remind us of the benefits of lifting our gaze from treating individual patients to addressing the broader determinants of care."

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

This study was funded by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.

When covering a suicide-related issue, please consider following Samaritans' media guidelines on the reporting of suicide, due to the potentially damaging consequences of irresponsible reporting: http://www.samaritans.org/sites/default/files/kcfinder/files/press/Samaritans%20Media%20Guidelines%202013%20UK.pdf In particular the guidelines advise including links to sources of support, such as Samaritans, for anyone affected by the themes in the article, and emphasising that suicide is preventable.

[1] The researchers surveyed the medical directors of all mental health services in the NHS to establish the extent to which implementation of suicide prevention recommendations and service changes reduced suicide rates. The survey examined 16 key recommendations for safer services from the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by people with Mental Illness (NCISH) including: ward safety (eg, removing ligature points), availability of community services (eg, an assertive outreach team to provide community support to patients), staff training (eg, in suicide risk management), adoption of specific policies (eg, policy regarding response to inpatients who abscond), and adoption of NICE guidelines (eg, on depression and self-harm).

[2] They used data from annual reports, national databases, and staff and patient surveys to measure staffing characteristics (eg, staff turnover and sickness), patient satisfaction (eg, complaints), and service configuration (eg, safety incidents, length hospital stay).

[3] Quotes direct from authors and cannot be found in text of Article.

[4] Professor Kapur is Professor of Psychiatry and Population Health at the University of Manchester and an Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust

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Specific combinations of gut bacteria produce substances that affect myelin content and cause social avoidance behaviors in mice, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published today in the medical journal eLife. This research suggests that targeting intestinal bacteria, or their metabolites, could be one way to treat debilitating psychiatric disorders and demyelinating diseases, like multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by damage to myelin, the insulating sheath around the axons of nerve cells that allows for faster electrical impulse conduction. Myelination is critical for everyday brain function. Damaged myelin results in altered synaptic transmission and clinical symptoms. Previous research from the Center of Excellence for Myelin Repair at The Friedman Brain Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine reported a thinning of myelin and a reduction of myelinated fibers in preclinical models of depression, thereby providing a biological insight for the high rate of depression in MS patients.

This current study led by Patrizia Casaccia, MD, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience, Genetics and Genomics, and Neurology, and Chief of the Center of Excellence for Myelin Repair, and post-doctoral fellow Mar Gacias, PhD, identifies bacteria-derived gut metabolites that can affect myelin content in the brains of mice and induce depression-like symptoms.

Researchers transferred fecal bacteria from the gut of depressed mice to genetically distinct mice exhibiting non-depressed behavior. The study showed that the transfer of microbiota was sufficient to induce social withdrawal behaviors and change the expression of myelin genes and myelin content in the brains of the recipient mice.

"Our findings will help in the understanding of microbiota in modulating multiple sclerosis," says Dr. Casaccia. "The study provides a proof of principle that gut metabolites have the ability to affect myelin content irrespective of the genetic makeup of mice. We are hopeful these metabolites can be targeted for potential future therapies."

In an effort to define the mechanism of gut-brain communication, researchers identified bacterial communities associated with increased levels of cresol, a substance that has the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier. When the precursors of myelin-forming cells were cultured in a dish and exposed to cresol, they lost their ability to form myelin, thereby suggesting that a gut-derived metabolite impacted myelin formation in the brain.

Further study is needed to translate these findings to humans and to identify bacterial populations with the potential to boost myelin production.

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Virginia Commonwealth University and BERG Health contributed to this study.

The National Institutes of Health (Award# R37NS042925) provided funding. This research does not represent the official views of the NIH.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services--from community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care.

The System includes approximately 6,100 primary and specialty care physicians; 12 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the highest in the nation in National Institutes of Health funding per investigator. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked as one of the nation's top 10 hospitals in Geriatrics, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and Gastroenterology, and is in the top 25 in five other specialties in the 2014-2015 "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked in seven out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 11th nationally for Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel is ranked regionally.

For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
In their controversial 2014 book, "The Triple Package: How Three Unlikely Traits Explain the Rise and Fall of Cultural Groups in America," legal scholars Amy Chua and her husband, Jed Rubenfeld, attempted to explain why some groups "do strikingly better than others in terms of wealth, position and other conventional measures of success."

Using primarily anecdotal evidence, the authors (both professors at Yale Law School), theorized that people deemed to be extraordinarily successful shared three dominant cultural traits: a superiority complex, personal insecurity and impulse control. Further, they asserted that highly successful people belonged to one of eight groups: Cubans, East Asians, Indians, Jews, Lebanese, Mormons, Nigerians and Persians.

The theory received widespread attention, in part because Chua had touched off an intense debate earlier with her bestseller, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother."

But a new study by two Union College psychology professors finds there is little evidence to support the idea of the so-called triple package.

Instead, Joshua Hart and Christopher Chabris counter that intelligence, conscientiousness and economic advantage are the most likely elements of success, regardless of ethnicity.

The researchers conducted two separate online surveys of nearly 1,300 adults. Participants were asked a series of questions designed to measure their impulsiveness, ethnocentrism and personal insecurity. They also completed a test of their cognitive abilities. Finally, participants provided their income, occupation, education and other awards and achievements.

After analyzing the data in a number of ways, Hart and Chabris concluded that Chua and Rubenfeld's theory of a triple package failed scientific scrutiny, according to the study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.

"We tried hard to find evidence for something resembling the triple package theory, and it just wasn't supported by the data," said Hart, the lead author of the study. "Instead, we found evidence for the benefits of a different sort of triple package: People who were more successful tended to be more intelligent, harder working and luckier (they had more educated parents)."

The researchers also found that the most interesting and counterintuitive part of the triple package theory--that "personal insecurity" would create success among people who also have a sense of group superiority and impulse control--was directly contradicted by the study.

"We found that emotional stability, not insecurity, was associated with more success," Hart said.

The study mirrors previous research showing that cognitive ability, conscientiousness and socioeconomic status give people advantages on the path to success.

"It is appealing to think that a simple set of success-engendering traits can be inculcated in anyone and that parents need only to create a belief that their family comes from a special stock and to be strict with their children to endow them with grit and a sense that their efforts are never quite good enough," the researchers write.

"Perhaps there is a formula of learnable personality traits that increases individuals' chances of succeeding in Western culture above and beyond what is contributed by native ability and the advantages of socioeconomic status. If so, the formula remains undiscovered--and we have found no evidence that the one proposed by Chua and Rubenfeld is it."

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Irvine, Calif., Apr. 20, 2016 -- Four University of California, Irvine faculty in law, philosophy, chemistry and physics have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which recognizes leaders from the academic, business and government sectors who are responding to challenges facing the nation and the world.

"Congratulations to these four brilliant individuals, who exemplify the innovation and excellence that are the hallmarks of the research, education and outreach in which AAAS plays an important role," Chancellor Howard Gillman said. "This is another wonderful measure of the tremendous strength of the UCI faculty."

The new fellows will be inducted at a ceremony on Oct. 8, 2016, in Cambridge, Mass.

Those from UCI are:

Erwin Chemerinsky, founding dean, Distinguished Professor and Raymond Pryke Professor of First Amendment Law at the School of Law, for his distinguished contributions to education and policy in constitutional law, notably free speech, civil rights and civil liberties and appellate litigation. He frequently argues cases before the nation's highest courts, and serves as a legal commentator for national and local media.

R. Benny Gerber, chemistry professor emeritus, for his distinguished contributions in Atmospheric and Environmental chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics and Theoretical and Computational chemistry. His team's work on vibrational spectroscopy, among the main tools of physical chemistry, helped many other researchers. Separately, he made major discoveries on the formation dynamics of novel rare-gas compounds.

Margaret P. Gilbert, professor and chair in moral philosophy, for her distinguished contributions to the field of philosophy, particularly her founding contributions to the philosophy of social phenomena. Her theoretical approach to how the world comes into being through the activities in which we regularly engage has had applications within moral, political and legal philosophy and social and political science.

Steven R. White professor of physics, who published a pioneering algorithm that helped crack quantum mechanics conundrums and led to a new field of computational physics. Building on that, he successfully modeled a quantum spin liquid, a new state of matter invisible to the naked eye, that could be key to understanding superconductivity and building quantum computers.

With this year's class, UCI has 32 living AAAS fellows.

Also elected this year in humanities and the arts was UCI alumnus Yusef Komunyakaa, M.F.A. '80, who won the 1994 Pulitzer Prize for his collection of poetry, Neon Vernacular.

The full list of the 236th class can be found at http://www.amacad.org/members

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About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 30,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. Located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities, it's Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $4.8 billion annually to the local economy.

About the American Academy of Arts and Sciences: Founded in 1780, AAAS is one of the country's oldest learned societies and independent policy research centers, convening leaders from the academic, business, and government sectors to respond to the challenges facing the nation and the world. Current Academy research focuses on higher education, the humanities, and the arts; science and technology policy; global security and energy; and American institutions and the public good. The Academy's work is advanced by its elected members, who are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs from around the world.

About AAAS: The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the worlds largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science as well as Science Translational Medicine, Science Signaling, and a digital, open-access journal, Science Advances. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes nearly 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world. The non-profit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to advance science and serve society through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For the latest research news, log onto EurekAlert!, www.eurekalert.org, the premier science-news Web site, a service of AAAS. See www.aaas.org.
URBANA, Ill. - Twenty-five years ago, waterhemp was virtually unknown to Illinois farmers. Today, the broadleaf weed blankets corn and soybean fields across the state and the Midwest, causing yield losses from 40 to 70 percent.

As it marched through the region, waterhemp began to develop resistance to the most commonly used herbicides of the day. A relatively new type of resistance to a class of herbicides called HPPD-inhibitors was discovered in waterhemp populations in Illinois and Iowa in 2009. Now, thanks to a new University of Illinois study, we know that some of those populations are also resistant to alternative herbicides, making them even harder to kill.

"We looked at the response of a McLean County, Illinois, population to a number of HPPD-inhibitors and several herbicides of six other classes in the field and in the greenhouse," says University of Illinois weed scientist Aaron Hager.

The researchers looked at whether it was possible to control plants with higher application rates of HPPD-inhibitors. But it turned out that, even with twice the label rate of some HPPD-inhibitors, the plants were able to recover after two weeks.

"When we did our first greenhouse work with this, no one had ever seen this kind of recovery before. When we looked at the plants seven days after spraying with HPPD-inhibitors, they were very injured. But, by 12-14 days, you could see that new, healthy tissue was emerging from the plants," Hager recalls.

The researchers also evaluated the timing of post-emergence herbicide application.

"The idea was that perhaps a smaller plant size might be more sensitive than a larger plant," Hager explains. "The level of injury of small, 1- to 2-inch plants was more than what we recorded on larger plants, but it was still less than an acceptable level of control. So, really, application timing is not going to be something that a farmer could use to overcome HPPD-resistance."

When waterhemp was treated with herbicides from different classes, there was more bad news.

"We essentially confirmed that we can't control this population with three classes of herbicides, the HPPD-inhibitors, the ALS-inhibitors, or the PSII-inhibitors. The weight of everything together points to the fact that this population is using resistance mechanisms that we haven't seen before," Hager says.

That said, the McLean County population is not the only waterhemp population that is resistant to multiple herbicide classes. In fact, Hager says that it's rare to find a population that is resistant to only one class.

"What's changed over time is the number of different classes to which it's resistant. In 2000, we first found a population that had three-way resistance. Then we found one with four-way resistance. Those are individual plants with resistance to two, three, or four different classes of herbicides," Hager notes.

There are some herbicides that are still effective, at least on specific populations. The McLean County population is sensitive to glyphosate, glufosinate (a GS-inhibitor), and multiple PPO-inhibitors, such as fomesafen.

Hager cautions that, with certain resistance mechanisms, the ability to predict which herbicides will be effective on any given population has been lost, and that chemical control alone is not the answer. If a farmer switches to a class of herbicides that works today, it is unlikely to work for very long before waterhemp develops resistance.

"Ultimately, we know how to win the battle," Hager says. "If we attack waterhemp at the most vulnerable stage in its life cycle--the seed--we could beat this thing in five to seven years."

Hager recommends that farmers let seeds germinate, then mechanically work the soil before planting the crop.

"You've just reduced your seedbank by millions, maybe hundreds of millions, and it didn't cost you a dime," Hager notes.

Farmers should repeat this strategy for multiple years until the seedbank is diminished. Another key is pulling out any stragglers before they go to seed.

"Let's say it's late July, and you see a few of these things popping up. Don't let them go to seed," Hager warns. "It's not fun. At that time of year, it's hot, sticky, and miserable, but the ultimate goal is to reduce the seedbank. You can't let female plants go and make hundreds of thousands of seeds and then run a combine through at the end of the year. You're going to reseed that whole field."

According to Hager, no new herbicides are being developed that are likely to work on waterhemp long-term.

"We've got to get people off this idea that we've got a chemical solution for waterhemp, because in some cases, we don't," Hager adds.

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The article, "Responses of a waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) population resistant to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides to foliar-applied herbicides," is published in Weed Technology. Lead author, Nicholas Hausman, along with co-authors Patrick Tranel, Dean Riechers, and Hager, are from the University of Illinois. Financial support was provided by Syngenta Crop Protection.

The paper can be read at http://www.wssajournals.org/doi/full/10.1614/WT-D-15-00098.1.
EUGENE, Ore. -- April 20, 2016 -- Oregon's complex property tax system sometimes computes to problems for eighth-graders who rely heavily on teachers for shaping their skills as they enter advanced math courses.

A study led by two University of Oregon undergraduate economics students has found that math scores go down 5 percent in the first year of a budget cycle hit when tax-compression rules are triggered in local school districts. The problem is funding unpredictability that disrupts planning and teacher assignments.

"I was stunned," said co-author Joe Stone, professor emeritus, who supervised the research of Matthew Davis and Andrea Vedder in an honors economics course. "Because there is so much going on, how could you pull out this one thing from something that can barely be explained -- tax compression? It is about timing of knowing how much money you have to work with."

Their paper in the winter 2016 issue of the Journal of Education Finance emerged from research based mostly on data collected from 2006 to 2012 by the Oregon Department of Education.

Tax compression is complicated and is tied to voter-approved measures in the 1990s. Measure 5 put a cap of $5 per $1,000 on property taxes based on real market value for education. Measure 50 set a 3 percent annual limit on the growth rate of properties' assessed values, which for many homes eventually created a gap between the taxable assessed value and true market value.

An example of a district facing tax compression, Stone said, is when voters approve a new tax levy for education, but if local taxes are already at one of the caps, local schools do not receive full funding from the levy. In short, only tax revenue up to one-half of one percent of a property's assessed value is collected and distributed to schools, no matter how high of a levy the voters approve or how much the property might be worth on the market.

"There are multiple limits that apply in different circumstances," Stone said. "Basically, taxes are compressed when a local district is affected by one of those limits, revenues are curtailed and school districts receive less money than the public generally perceives."

Davis and Vedder initially found a correlation between tax compression and math test scores. Districts with the most-compressed taxes were the ones that had the lowest scores. Stone challenged his students to look deeper to find out why, since the preliminary analysis also showed that compression, overall, didn't affect district budgets over the whole cycle.

Davis and Vedder looked at each year of budget cycles to see if they could the cause. They found it: School districts dealing with tax compression in the first year of a budget cycle don't know how much funding they will receive from the state until the school year is well underway.

State budgets are approved usually in early summer. Districts dealing with compression receive updates from the state from July to well into October, and they don't know their funding totals until calculations are completed.

"This is not much help in planning your school year," Stone said, and the allocations of district resources must be decided before school begins. His students found examples of district decision-making tied to these notifications.

In one urban school district, budget uncertainty prompted the reassignment of hundreds of teachers to outside of their subject areas to meet other needs to make an expected budget work. When final word on their allocation arrived, district administrators learned they had a better budget than projected.

"In essence," Stone said, "the students found that school districts that are confident are better able to move forward with their planning, but those that are not confident must make decisions based on what information they have been given. It's the first year when this is important. By the second year, budgets are better settled."

###

Davis and Vedder have graduated. Davis is director of civic engagement for the League of Conservation Voters in Washington, D.C., and Vedder is a contracts assistant for Writers House, a New York City-based literary agency.

Sources: Joe Stone, professor emeritus of economics, 541-346-1305, jstone@uoregon.edu; Matt Davis, mattdavis503@gmail.com; and Andrea Vedder, andrea.e.vedder@gmail.com

Note: The UO is equipped with an on-campus television studio with a point-of-origin Vyvx connection, which provides broadcast-quality video to networks worldwide via fiber optic network. There also is video access to satellite uplink and audio access to an ISDN codec for broadcast-quality radio interviews.

Links:

Paper: http://muse.jhu.edu/article/613776

Stone faculty page: http://economics.uoregon.edu/profile/jstone/

Department of Economics: http://economics.uoregon.edu
PHILADELPHIA (April 20, 2016) - During the past two decades, vitamin D status, defined as serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, has emerged as a predictor of key clinical outcomes including bone health, glucose metabolism, cardiovascular health, immune health and survival. Now, a University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) team, including senior author Terri Lipman, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, the Miriam Stirl Endowed Term Professor of Nutrition, Professor of Nursing of Children and Assistant Dean for Community Engagement, has examined the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and diabetes control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

The results demonstrate the high prevalence of patients with low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, specifically in healthy weight and Caucasian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes-- patients previously considered at no or low risk of having low levels of vitamin D. These data underscore the importance of vitamin D screening in all children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The team's findings have been published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.

"To our knowledge this is the first study that has been adequately-powered to examine the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and HbA1c (a measure of diabetes control) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes," said Lipman and colleagues. "These data suggest the need for monitoring of vitamin D in all youth with this disorder."

The study included about 200 children and adolescents from the Diabetes Center for Children at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, who were recruited during regular follow up visits. Non-fasting blood samples were collected from the participants to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D and blood glucose levels. HbA1c and other key variables were abstracted from patients' medical records.

###

The research team included: Charlene Compher, PhD, RD, LDN, FASPEN, Professor of Nutrition Science; Alexandra L. Hanlon, PhD, Research Professor of Nursing; and was led by Sarah Al Sawah, PhD, a former doctoral student at Penn Nursing and currently a Research Scientist at Eli Lilly and Company. This study was supported, in part, by funding from the Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society. Preliminary data from this study were presented at the Annual Conference of the Pediatric Endocrinology Nursing Society Meeting in 2012.

Editor's Note: There are no conflicts of interest to report.

About the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is one of the world's leading schools of nursing, is consistently ranked as one of the top graduate nursing schools in the United States, and is among the nation's top recipients of nursing research funding from the National Institutes of Health. Penn Nursing prepares nurse scientists and nurse leaders to meet the health needs of a global society through research, education, and practice. Follow Penn Nursing on: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube.
New maps identifying sections of the Great Barrier where management actions are more likely to help maintaining the reef ecological integrity are expected to result from a State Government-funded fellowship to a University of Queensland (UQ) researcher.

Dr Juan Ortiz, a postdoctoral fellow in UQ's School of Biological Sciences was today awarded one of 19 Queensland Government Advance Queensland Research Fellowships made to UQ researchers.

His project will also develop a new monitoring program and an interactive tool that can be used by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Government to maximise the effectiveness of management interventions.

"Our research will significantly benefit Queensland by improving the ability of organisations in charge of managing the Great Barrier Reef," he said.

"We're developing a multidisciplinary toolkit to manage the GBR, that will help ensure its existence for future generations."

Dr Ortiz said the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) had been subjected to a multitude of local and global stressors jeopardising its ecological integrity.

"The complexity of these stressors combined with the limited number of local management alternatives available make the management of the GBR one of the main environmental challenges confronted by the Queensland Government," he said.

"We'll be using a multidisciplinary approach that expands and integrates the most recent developments in our understanding of the physiological, ecological and evolutionary functioning of GBR corals.

Dr Ortiz said coral reefs had suffered significant degradation worldwide in the past 50 years.

In the case of the Great Barrier Reef, recent studies had identified continuous declines in ecosystem state (mainly coral cover) over the past 30 years.

"This decline is geographically variable with reefs in the northern part of the GBR suffering minimal declines, while reefs to the south of the GBR suffering declines of up to 80 per cent of their coral cover," he said.

"Different disturbances have been identified as partially responsible for this decline including Crown of Thorn Starfish outbreaks, coral bleaching, cyclone frequency and intensity and decline in water quality.

"Even though climate change (coral bleaching and ocean acidification) appears to have played a relatively small role in the observed degradation to date, future projections of global warming under different scenarios of reductions of carbon emissions suggest that it will soon become the main driver of coral reef degradation in the GBR."

Dr Ortiz will work with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on the project.

###
Making people safer from explosive devices is the aim of a University of Queensland research project awarded funding under a scheme supporting original research that will have positive impacts on Queensland.

The project is one of 19 awarded to UQ today under the Queensland Government's Advance Queensland Research Fellowships Scheme, which will fund projects over three years, up to $100,000 per year.

Dr Paul Shaw, of UQ's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences (SCMB), is a sensor team leader working on a sensitive, reliable and selective technology for detecting explosives by their vapours.

"Personal security is a matter of increasing concern to our overseas troops and our communities at home," he said.

"Hidden explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) represent a constant danger to large public gatherings, transport hubs and land-based military operations.

"Providing security for major international events such as the G20 Brisbane summit and the upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2018 highlights the important role that detection technologies play in providing security.

"There is also an increasing incidence of home-made explosives being discovered by police officers, which potentially places them at grave risk."

Dr Shaw said a number of technology and operational solutions for detecting IEDs were currently used, notably trained dogs and instruments such as spectrometers.

"However, there is no totally effective 'golden bullet' to this complex problem and each field scenario presents a range of unique challenges," he said.

"Being able to combine selectivity and sensitivity in a device capable of non-contact detection, for example, without resorting to swabbing, has proved very challenging."

Dr Shaw said the broad aim of his project was to develop a compact detector that could detect the vapours released by explosives with both high sensitivity and selectivity.

The project builds on an existing collaboration between COPE and Australian company Arborescent Pty Ltd to develop and commercialise a portable detector for explosives, known as Arbsense,for field use.

The key technology behind Arbsense is a thin layer of a luminescent (light-emitting) molecules known as dendrimers, which are coated onto glass and can detect the vapours from explosives.

Dr Shaw is a postdoctoral research fellow in the School's Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics (COPE), a joint initiative between SCMB and the UQ School of Mathematics and Physics.

COPE researchers have been working with Arborescent to develop the detector technology for sensing the vapours emitted by hidden explosives and improvised explosive devices.

Arborescent and COPE secured funding in 2009 through the Australian Research Council Linkage program to develop a prototype detector for explosives based on the sensing materials developed at COPE.

This collaboration culminated in the development of the current Arbsense prototype, which features a compact, lightweight detector unit that is controlled wirelessly with a phone-based application.

The technology was a finalist last year in the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science for Safeguarding Australia.

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GPS tool has pinpointed origin of Yiddish speakers

Yiddish is thought to have been invented by Iranian and Ashkenazic Jews as they traded on the Silk Road

Findings provide opposing theory to the view that Yiddish is an old German dialect

The origin of Yiddish, the millennium old language of Ashkenazic Jews, is something which linguists have questioned for decades.

Now, a pioneering tool - the Geographic Population Structure (GPS) - which converts DNA data into its ancestral coordinates, has helped scientists pinpoint that the DNA of Yiddish speakers could have originated from four ancient villages in north-eastern Turkey.

The research, led by Dr Eran Elhaik from the University of Sheffield, suggests the Yiddish language was invented by Iranian and Ashkenazic Jews as they traded on the Silk Road.

The ancient villages, identified by the GPS tool, are clustered close to the crossroads of the Silk Roads and are named Iskenaz, Eskenaz, Ashanaz, and Ashkuz - names which may derive from the word "Ashkenaz."

"Language, geography and genetics are all connected," said Dr Eran Elhaik from the University's Department of Animal and Plant Sciences.

"Using the GPS tool to analyse the DNA of sole Yiddish and non-Yiddish speakers, we were able to predict the possible ancestral location where Yiddish originated over 1,000 years ago - a question which linguists have debated over for many years."

He added: "North east Turkey is the only place in the world where these place names exist - which strongly implies that Yiddish was established around the first millennium at a time when Jewish traders who were plying the Silk Road moved goods from Asia to Europe wanted to keep their monopoly on trade.

"They did this by inventing Yiddish - a secret language that very few can speak or understand other than Jews. Our findings are in agreement with an alternative theory that suggests Yiddish has Iranian, Turkish, and Slavic origins and explains why Yiddish contains 251 words for the terms 'buy' and 'sell'. This is what we can expect from a language of experienced merchants."

Yiddish, which incorporates German, Slavic and Hebrew, and is written in Aramaic letters, is commonly thought to be an old German dialect.

However, an alternative theory proposed by Professor Paul Wexler from the University of Tel Aviv and also an author on the study, suggests that Yiddish is a Slavic language that used to have both Slavic grammar and words but in time shed its Slavic lexicon and replaced it with common and unfamiliar German words.

The findings of the study, published today (Wednesday 20 April 2016) in Genome Biology and Evolution, led researchers to believe that towards the end of the first millennium, Ashkenazic Jews may have relocated to Khazaria before moving into Europe half a millennium later after the fall of the Khazarian Empire, and during a time when the international trading networks collapsed.

As Yiddish became the primary language of Ashkenazic Jews, the language began to acquire new words from other cultures while retaining its Slavic grammar.

Dr Elhaik said: "Yiddish is such a wonderful and complex language, which was inappropriately called "bad German" by both its native and non-native speakers because the language consists of made-up German words and a non-German grammar.

"Yiddish is truly a combination of familiar and adapted German words using Slavic grammar. In a sense the language uses the same premise as Yoda from the Star Wars movies. For example, Yoda's language consists of common and made-up English words like 'Wookie' or 'Jedi' but the grammar is different - the words are used in a different order to what we are familiar with."

He added: "Utilizing the GPS ancestry technology and applying it to the DNA of sole Yiddish speakers and non-Yiddish speakers allowed us to find the ancestral origins of their DNA. The GPS tool indicates where ancient Ashkenaz could have existed over 1,500 years ago."

Professor Paul Wexler, from the University of Tel Aviv, said: "The linguistic data used are from Yiddish, which we assume was invented in Western Asia as a Slavic language with a largely German-like lexicon and a significant Iranian component on all levels of the language.

"The genetic data presented here appear to corroborate the linguistic hypothesis."

###

Additional information

To view the full paper please visit: http://gbe.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2016/03/03/gbe.evw046.full.pdf+html

The University of Sheffield

With almost 27,000 of the brightest students from over 140 countries, learning alongside over 1,200 of the best academics from across the globe, the University of Sheffield is one of the world's leading universities. A member of the UK's prestigious Russell Group of leading research-led institutions, Sheffield offers world-class teaching and research excellence across a wide range of disciplines. Unified by the power of discovery and understanding, staff and students at the university are committed to finding new ways to transform the world we live in. Sheffield is the only university to feature in The Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For 2016 and was the voted the number 1 university in the UK for Student Satisfaction by Times Higher Education in 2014. In the last decade it has won four Queen's Anniversary Prizes in recognition for its outstanding contribution to the United Kingdom's intellectual, economic, cultural and social life. Sheffield has five Nobel Prize winners among former staff and students and its alumni go on to hold positions of great responsibility and influence all over the world, making significant contributions in their chosen fields. Global research partners and clients include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Unilever, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, Siemens and Airbus, as well as many UK and overseas government agencies and charitable foundations.

For further information, please visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk

For further information please contact: Amy Pullan, Media Relations Officer, University of Sheffield, 0114 222 9859, a.l.pullan@sheffield.ac.uk

To read other news releases about the University of Sheffield, visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news
MSFT speaks about its collaboration at launch of the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology

Leading scientists and directors from Microsoft's quantum computing program are visiting Australia to speak at the launch of the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (AINST) and its headquarters, a new $150m building where electrons are manipulated at temperatures of just above -273.15C - colder than deep space.

For more than a decade, Microsoft has been undertaking theoretical quantum research through Station Q at the University of California, Santa Barbara, with an eye towards one day building a scalable universal quantum computer. Now the blue-sky investment is ramping up as the world's largest software maker extends its efforts with experimental research that could usher in a new digital revolution.

A select and very small collection of labs worldwide are collaborating with Microsoft on quantum computing by doing revolutionary engineering and physics, including the Quantum Nanoscience Laboratory at the University of Sydney headed by Professor David Reilly - whose group is world-leading in understanding the interface between quantum physics and the grand engineering challenges of building reliable quantum machines.

Visiting Australia from Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, Washington, with a colleague from the Quantum Architectures and Computation group (QuArC), is distinguished scientist and Managing Director of MSR NexT: Special Projects Dr Norm Whitaker.

Dr Whitaker arrived in Sydney this week and was scheduled to spend a couple of days touring the new Sydney Nanoscience Hub - the first purpose-built facility for nanoscience in Australia co-funded with $40m from the Australian government - before addressing a meeting of leading businesses as part of the official launch proceedings.

"We are extremely pleased to have the University of Sydney as a partner on this journey," said Dr. Whitaker. "The group here represents the rare combination of world-class research abilities with a pragmatic, can-do enthusiasm."

Microsoft Research Station Q Director and Fields Medallist Michael Freedman said: "The Microsoft quantum program pushes to the very edge of physics and engineering in its goal of harnessing topological effects for computation.

"To succeed, we have made a worldwide search for the most dynamic and innovative collaborators; In David Reilly and his team at the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, we have found such a partner."

As part of the work leading Station Q Sydney, Professor Reilly said his focus in the next few years would be to scale up, constructing specialised electronic systems that operate both at room and cryogenic temperatures and go well beyond the specifications of off-the-shelf technology.

"Building a quantum computer is a daunting challenge; it's something that will only be realised in partnership with the world's biggest technology companies and we've been fortunate to partner with Microsoft," Professor Reilly said.

"To build a quantum computer you need more than just the [quantum] qubits; more than just the elementary constituents of matter - the electrons and so on. You also need a range of electronics and classical control technology that is pushing the limit of what's available today.

"So we've been focusing on both aspects in parallel and our plan is over the next few years to see these classical and quantum streams meet up in order to be able to build quantum machines."

University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence said: "Sydney's membership in this highly exclusive international team represents a significant endorsement of our capacity in this area, focusing on long-term research, which can also have shorter-term spin-offs."

###

As part of the AINST launch, some 10 scientists from across the globe will address a scientific meeting 20-21 April; details via http://www.sydney.edu.au/nano.

Read about the AINST launch via http://www.sydney.edu.au

Resources:
Study involved assessment of performance in participants being placed on 28-hour days to shift the sleep-wake cycle out of phase with the brain (circadian) clock

Performance was more affected in women than in men

Research has significant implications for female nightshift workers such as nurses, security guards and police officers

A new study from the Surrey Sleep Research Centre at the University of Surrey, published today in the journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) has found that shifted sleep-wake cycles affect men and women's brain function differently.

Researchers placed 16 male and 18 female participants on 28-hour days in a controlled environment without natural light-dark cycles, at the Surrey Clinical Research Centre. This effectively desynchronised the sleep-wake cycle from the brain's 24-hour (circadian) clock, similar to jet lag or a shiftwork scenario.

Every three hours during the awake period, participants performed a wide range of tests, including self-reported assessments of sleepiness, mood and effort, and objective tests of cognitive performance which included measures of attention, motor control and working memory. Brain electric activity (EEG) was monitored continuously during sleep. The results revealed that in both men and women self-reported assessments were more sensitive to the effects of time awake and circadian clock than the many objective measures of performance. However, crucially, the circadian effect on performance was significantly stronger in women than in men such that women were more cognitively impaired during the early morning hours, which in the real world typically coincides with the end of a night shift.

Co-author, Dr Nayantara Santhi from the University of Surrey, said, "We show for the first time that challenging the circadian clock affects the performance of men and women differently. Our research findings are significant in view of shiftwork-related cognitive deficits and changes in mood. Extrapolation of these results would suggest that women may be more affected by night-shift work than men."

Senior author, Professor Derk-Jan Dijk, continued, "These results show that in both men and women circadian rhythmicity affects brain function and that these effects differ between the sexes in a quantitative manner for some measures of brain function."

"Overall the findings illustrate how important it is to include both men and women in research studies and to use a wide range of subjective and objective indicators of brain function," added Professor Dijk.

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Find out more about the Surrey Sleep Research Centre at http://www.surrey.ac.uk/fhms/research/centres/ssrc/ and for programmes available within the field of Biosciences and Medicine.

Media enquiries:

Peter La

Media Relations Office at the University of Surrey

Tel: 01483 689191

E-mail: p.la@surrey.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

The research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

About the University of Surrey

The University of Surrey is one of the UK's leading professional, scientific and technological universities with a world-class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefit to all spheres of life - helping industry to maintain its competitive edge and creating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space science, the environment, communications, defence and social policy. Programmes in science and technology have gained widespread recognition and it also boasts flourishing programmes in dance and music, social sciences, management and languages and law.

In addition to the campus on 150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runs the Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 110 companies employing 2,750 staff. The University of Surrey was recently named University of the Year by the Times and Sunday Times, both overall and for 'Student Experience', and has achieved a top-ten ranking in all three major national university league tables.

For more information about the University and its work, visit http://www.surrey.ac.uk
Written by ACM

*Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- CoE's PanEuropean Organisation for Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, strongly stressed Today that Turkey is Not a "Safe" Country, particularly as far as Political or War Refugees' Freedoms and Protection are concerned, affecting a Key part of the Controversial EU - Turkey Deal, adopted in Brussels on 18 March 2016, under notoriously Heavy Pressure from Ankara's regime and by the Unprecedented "Tsunami" of more than 1 Million of Mass Asylum Seekers/irregular Migrants comming through Turkey to tresspass EU's (and Shenghen's) External Borders via Greece, (Comp., .ex. : ....).

This Conclusion was exceptionaly Voted Twice by CoE's PanEuropean Parliamentary Assembly, and clearly Confirmed by 2 successiv, Absolute Majority Votes, on the occasion of the Adoption of 3 Resolutions based in 3 relevant Reports, and particularly those focused on "The Situation of Refugees and Migrants under the EU - Turkey Agreement of 18/3/2016", and for "A Stronger European Reponse to the Syrian Refugee Crisis".

Significantly of the Importance that CoE's MEPs give to that crucial point is also the Fact that this was the Only Hotly Contested Issue (among various Others, f.ex. on the recent Closure of the Balkan route, etc), which was clearly Settled with a Twice Repeated Vote, in 2 Successive and Different Occasions, provided by the Original Text and attempts to Amend it, in the 2 above mentioned Draft Resolutions, where, even the Number of the Winning Majority of MEPs Votes increased spectacularly from the 1st towards the 2nd Vote, considerably Strengthening the Final Result, (which was also confirmed evenmore by the Final Adoption of the entire Resolutions which contain that Key point).

This practicaly means, that, according to the CoE, that controversial "EU - Turkey Agreement raises several Serious Human Rihts Issues", and, "in particular", that European Countries should Not routinely "Return ... Asylum Seekers, whether Syrians or Not, to Turkey, as a (so-called) "Safe Third Country", because this is "Contrary to European Union and/or International Law, as Turkey does Not provide them with the Protection" required by several basic Legal Human Rihts Instruments, (while "there have been" also "reports of onward refoulement, of both Syrians and non Syrians").

CoE's PanEuropean Organisation is 47 Member States - strong. It has been officialy given a crystal-clear Mandate, at the Highest Political level, on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, particularly specified by the 2004 Heads of State/Government Summit in Warsaw (Poland : Comp. "Eurofora" co-founder's NewsReports from the spot, then). And it includes the European Court of Human Rights, whose Judgements are Legaly Binding, and to which EU itself should normaly accede, according to the Lisbon Treaty.

(../..)

***

(Brief Flash "DraftNews", due to be Completed and finalized asap).

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While much of the drama around fintech today hangs on the inherently pleasing prospect of new entrants disrupting the large, powerful and deeply unloved incumbent banks, less attention has so far focused on the potential to disrupt institutional asset management and hedge funds.

However, that is a market ripe with inefficiency, poor customer value and high charges to reward vested interests and subsidize inefficiencies.



Murshid Ali,

Huddlestock

So keep an eye on Huddlestock, a Norwegian-based crowd-investing platform now in beta testing that aims to launch this summer. It intends to provide a new way for investment strategists to freelance their best ideas, away from the hedge funds and established institutional asset managers where many now toil to make the key men wealthy, by building a distribution capacity to reach retail investors.

Murshid Ali, chief executive of Huddlestock, who took his PhD in economics at the University of Stavanger, tells Euromoney: We will invite small investors to put their money into ideas rather than into stocks or funds where the transaction and friction costs are so high.

Investors will not pay a penny unless they make money out of backing a strategists ideas, and then they will pay a percentage of any profit.

There will be no equivalent of the hedge funds two, but there will be some variant of the 20, if perhaps closer to 10% to 12%.

Alis colleague, chief investment officer Michel van Tol, who holds a PhD in financial econometrics from the University of Maastricht, says: While we believe that asset management, hedge funds and wealth management are ripe for disruption, we are not Robin Hood.

The best strategists will develop followings of investors and get well paid for their intellectual property, though they will have to be competitive both on quality of ideas and on fees. What we are doing is perhaps more reconfiguring asset management, rather than disrupting it. Were not trying to push people out. But, in the end, we believe in a meritocracy.

Demographic

Huddlestock states it will be highly transparent on fees. Its target customer demographic, for now, is 18 to 34 year olds, with small amounts of money to put to work.

Ali says: Today if you try to put 500 into a stock you can pay 35 in fees on either side of a trade. We have to be very price competitive because our aim is to open up investing to people who are now locked out of the institutional asset management market.

The essential idea is that pooling lots of small investors, each with maybe a few hundred pounds to put into investment ideas, will derive scale benefits.

The founders of Huddlestock have talked to many investment strategists who today sell ideas to managers of hedge funds and institutional funds who would dearly love to reach the man in the street directly but cannot do so because the industry structure makes them too small to cover.

Ali says: Trust me, there are plenty of bright people, now at hedge funds and institutional asset managers, who would love to provide strategies to retail investors if they could find the appropriate infrastructure.

Often when those people leave a fund, they are ambitious to set up their own shop. They then find that as well as the challenge of convincing small numbers of very wealthy investors each to give them large sums of money to manage, it can also take six to nine months to get regulated, set up the legal structures and the rest of it.

Huddlestock will run its operating company from London, under a regulatory licence from the Financial Conduct Authority. Part of its task is to perform due diligence on the investment ideas proposed by strategy vendors before posting these to investors.



Michel van Tol,

Huddlestock



We will review how the strategy performs in a live environment before opening it up to customers, says Van Tol. Initially, a strategy vendor might only disclose that the strategy is based on fundamental signals that have identified an underpricing of, say, a British telecom stock, or the overvaluation of a whole European market, while laying out the risks and opportunities, before then offering the idea to investors.

It may then finally put their money to work by going, for example, long Vodafone or short the Oslo market.

Investors on the platform can track the performance of strategy vendors and their ideas. If it has 100 vendors each providing three strategies, the idea is for investors to comb through and find the ones they like. Not everyone will have the same investment portfolios.

It is not a fund distribution platform but the hope is that investors come to form huddles around either successful vendors or successful strategies, and almost become virtual funds.

Ali says: A key piece of the value will come from huddling, so having teams of friends or professional traders group together and giving them the ability to open their huddles to co-investors, is clearly something that is missing in the market today.

Huddles are a good example of how we intend to remove barriers while leveraging our user base to attract investment professionals.

Huddlestock will take its cut from the strategy vendors, and so is strongly incentivized to find good ones. It did a first fundraising in 2014, mainly from family offices in Norway, and is now talking to venture capitalists about a second round of funding that it hopes to complete before a launch in the summer.
Scientific American has actually published a column that supports proper morality. And by Michael Shermer, no less!

Shermer identifies Malthusianism as one of the most destructive forces ever to infect science. From Why Malthus Is Still Wrong:

On the negative side of the ledger are the policies derived from the belief in the inevitability of a Malthusian collapse. The power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race, Malthus gloomily predicted. His scenario influenced policy makers to embrace social Darwinism and eugenics, resulting in draconian measures to restrict particular populations family size, including forced sterilizations.

Shermer accepts the revisionist history of eugenics as conservative.

We think of eugenics and forced sterilization as a right-wing Nazi program implemented in 1930s Germany. Yet as Princeton University economist Thomas Leonard documents in his book Illiberal Reformers (Princeton University Press, 2016) and former New York Times editor Adam Cohen reminds us in his book Imbeciles (Penguin, 2016), eugenics fever swept America in the early 20th century, culminating in the 1927 Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell, in which the justices legalized sterilization of undesirable citizens.

Actually, the Nazi Nuremberg laws were based on Californias eugenics law.

Indeed, eugenics was an actively progressive political and social movement, supported enthusiastically by the likes of Margaret Sanger, George Bernard Shaw, and Helen Keller (!), funded bounteously by progressive foundations such as the Carnegie Institute. It was opposed by the dreaded Catholic Church.

Shermer identifies the best way to protect against over population:

The solution to overpopulation is not to force people to have fewer children. Chinas one-child policy showed the futility of that experiment. It is to raise the poorest nations out of poverty through democratic governance, free trade, access to birth control, and the education and economic empowerment of women.

But the people Shermer hangs out with work at cross-purposes with that agenda.

They would rather control economies centrally and tilt ideologically against global warming, and for those reasons pursue policies that keep the destitute areas of the world mired in poverty.

Image: Thomas Malthus, by John Linnell [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

Cross-posted at The Corner.
Wooten presentation.jpg

Mayor Gordon Gollott, at left, presents a plaque of appreciation to former Gautier Planning Commission Chairman David Wooten, who was accompanied by his wife, at Tuesday night's meeting. In background from left, are: Councilmen Casey Vaughan, Hurley Ray Guillotte and Johnny Jones.

(Joanne Anderson/Gulflive.com)

Gautier, Mississippi --- With little discussion, Mayor Gordon Gollott and the city council addressed a nuisance on Tuesday night when it amended the animal ordinance to regulate beekeeping within city limits.

Residents had come before the council in recent months to complain about beekeeping colonies that were threatening children at play and their enjoyment of their private yards.

The ordinance amendment regulates beekeeping within the corporate city limits and becomes effective 30 days from passage.

Requirements set by the amendment include:

The number of colonies a beekeeper may have is limited to the size of the tract upon which the apiary is situated, ranging from no colonies for less than one-fourth acre to eight colonies for one acre or larger.

Bees must be kept in Langstroth-type hives with removable frames in sound and usable condition.

If bee colonies are kept within 50 feet of any exterior boundary of the property on which the hive, stand or box is located, the beekeeper shall install and maintain a barrier that will prevent bees from flying through it, no less than five feet high, along the exterior boundary of the tract. The barrier must extend 10 feet beyond the colony in each direction.

Beekeepers must provide a convenient source of water available to the bees at all times to prevent the bees from congregating at swimming pools, pet watering bowls, bird baths, or other water sources that may draw cause human, bird or domestic pet contact.

The amendment does not prohibit beekeeping in a hive, stand or box, located or kept within a school or university building for the purpose of study or observation.

Beekeepers must apply for permits at City Hall and will be subject to a public hearing with notification to residents who own parcels within 250 linear feet of the bee colonies. The amendment will be enforced in municipal court with fines ranging from $75 to $250, plus any assessments.

Councilmen Adam Colledge and Rusty Anderson noted the public notification will be a benefit to those who have bee allergies.

In other action, the council:
John P. Murtha.jpg

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock John P. Murtha (LPD 26) recently completed sea trials and is set for May delivery to the U.S. Navy.

(Ingalls Shipbuilding)

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock John P. Murtha (LPD 26) recently completed six days of sea trials and is on track for delivery to the U.S. Navy next month.

"This was a significant test at sea for LPD 26, and the ship performed well," said Kari Wilkinson, Ingalls' LPD 26 program manager. "The logistical performance it takes for our test and trials team to execute all of these events while underway is nothing short of phenomenal.

"Once again the Navy will be receiving a quality Ingalls-built ship that will be mission-ready and able to achieve whatever tasks the sailors and Marines require."

The Murtha is Ingalls' 10th-San Antonio-class ship. The 11th, the Portland (LPD 27) is under construction and will be christened May 21 and Ingalls has received procurement funding for the 12th ship in the class, LPD 28.

During the Murtha's sea trials, more than 200 trial events including both in-port and underway portions, were conducted during the six days under the guidance of the test and trials team.

Major evolutions during acceptance trials includde the anchor-handling and ballast/deballast demonstrations, detect-to-engage exercise, running the ship at full power and steering.

"It took a lot of work for the folks to complete these sea trial evolutions and the ship answered every task and performed well," said George S. Jones, Ingalls' vice president of operations. "Every single skill needed to build this amphibious ship was on display for the INSURV board to see.

"Our people and this ship did not disappoint. I would also like to thank our partners at Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast for this joint effort."

LPD 26 is named in honor of the late John P. Murtha, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District from 1974-2010.

In addition, Murtha served 37 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and reserves, earning a Bronze Star with combat "V," two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his performance in the Vietnam War. He retired as a colonel in 1990.

The San Antonio class is the latest addition to the Navy's 21st century amphibious assault force. The 684-foot-long, 105-foot-wide ships are used to embark and land Marines, their equipment and supplies ashore via air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey.

The ships support a Marine Air Ground Task Force across the spectrum of operations, conducting amphibious and expeditionary missions of sea control and power projection to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions throughout the first half of the 21st century.


The government of New Zealand has announced a package of measures designed to make it easier for Chinese people to visit the country and Australia is also making visa changes for Chinese nationals.The package includes the introduction of eVisas for Chinese nationals applying online and a Chinese version of the RealMe logon service, meaning there is now a complete online Chinese language application process, from registration to approval.Later this year applicants will also be able to pay for online visa applications using China UnionPay debit and credit cards."China is New Zealand's second largest and fastest growing tourist market. Last year, over 355,000 Chinese citizens visited New Zealand and contributed over $1.6 billion to our economy," said Minister of Immigration Michael Woodhouse."The Government has been looking at ways to make it easier for Chinese travellers to visit New Zealand and ensure they have a positive experience when they come to our country. These measures deliver on that by providing an easy, streamlined visa application and approval process for Chinese nationals," he added.Other changes already in place to make travel to New Zealand easier for Chinese visitors include doubling the length of the multiple entry visa to two years and introducing a three year multiple entry business visa.Australia is also set to make changes to visa applications for Chinese people in a bid to entice more of them to visit the country for pleasure and business and to study. The number of visa categories could be reduced from eight to two to make it easier for Chinese students to study in Australia.The plan could also see visas for Chinese nationals valid for 10 years and applications provided in mandarin, the first time this will be done in a language other than English.Figures show that China is currently Australia's more valuable tourism market, contributing $8.3 billion to the Australian economy. There were more than a million visitors in 2015."We're making it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Australia. Eight student visa categories will be reduced to two, to make it more straightforward and easier for students to apply to come and study in Australia," said Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on a visit to Shanghai."For the first time, we are trialling applications, visa applications, in a language other than English in Mandarin Chinese. And there will be online visa applications from China, again for the first time," he pointed out."We're also trialling 10 year validity visas. Again for the first time here in China. This shows the commitment of Australia to strengthen this vitally important tourism relationship and of course it's a very important part of our economic story. But it is also a key element in bringing our two countries and our two peoples closer together," he explained."The more Chinese come to Australia, Australians go to China, the closer we become together, the better we understand each other, the more opportunities for further engagement at every level. Social, academic, economic, commercial," he added.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Ocean Springs High School has been named one of the three best public high schools in Mississippi and one of only four in the state to earn "silver medal" status in the annual rankings of all U.S. high schools by U.S. News & World Report, released Wednesday.

Ocean Springs was the only Jackson County school to make the rankings or earn gold, silver or bronze medal status. Along the coast, Pass Christian High School was rated the state's best and also earned silver medal status, while Bay High, although unranked, did earn Bronze Medal status.

"It is imperative that schools prepare students who are ready for the world and the opportunities of the future," said Ocean Springs superintendent Bonita Coleman-Potter. "This ranking shows that we are doing this here in Ocean Springs, and I look forward to seeing how we compare to schools, not only in Mississippi, but around the nation, in the future."

DeSoto Central High School ranked second in the state, with Lewisburg High School in fourth -- the only other Mississippi school to be ranked. In order to achieve a state ranking, schools must earn either gold or silver medal status. Six other schools were awarded bronze medal status and listed among "other notable schools" in Mississippi.

The remainder of Mississippi's 250 public high schools are listed alphabetically.

Ocean Springs and the other three Mississippi schools to earn a ranking were among 6,218 high schools nationwide to receive national recognition from U.S. News. Those schools graduate their students at rates averaging 15 percent higher than other schools across the country.

"A high school education is imperative for success in both college and a career, and a school's graduation rate is a key indicator of whether students are being effectively prepared for both paths," said Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News.

U.S. News examined data from more than 21,000 public high schools in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Gold, silver and bronze medal status was awarded on the basis of performance on state assessments, graduation rates and preparing students for college.

Locally, Ocean Springs had a teacher-pupil ratio of 15:1, a graduation rate of 84 percent and a college readiness index score of 21.4 (out of a possible 100) -- easily the highest in Jackson County. The college readiness score came on the basis of 31 percent of seniors taking Advance Placement tests, with a passing rate of 18 percent.

Here's how other Jackson County schools fared:

East Central

Teacher-pupil ratio: 17:1

College Readiness Index: n/a

Graduation rate: 77 percent

Gautier

Teacher-pupil ratio: 15:1

College readiness index: 13.1 (31 percent testing; 7 percent passing)

Graduation rate: 85 percent

George County

Teacher-pupil ratio: 15:1

College Readiness Index: 5.0 (9 percent testing; 4 percent passing)

Graduation rate: 69 percent

Moss Point

Teacher-pupil ratio: 15:1

College Readiness Index: n/a

Graduation rate: 65 percent

Pascagoula

Teacher-pupil ratio: 18:1

College Readiness Index: 16.2 (31 percent testing; 11 percent passing)

Graduation rate: 75 percent

St. Martin

Teacher-pupil ratio: 17:1

College readiness index: 5.5 (11 percent testing; 4 percent passing)

Graduation rate: 76 percent

Vancleave

Teacher-pupil ratio: 17:1

College Readiness Index: 6.0 (10 percent testing; 5 percent passing)

Graduation rate: 78 percent

To achieve a state or national ranking, schools had to pass through a four-step process. Schools making it through the first three steps had to then meet a minimum graduation rate of 68 percent to continue in the process. Among local schools, only Moss Point did not meet that criteria.

Ocean Springs High School ranked 2,570 nationally among the 6,218 schools nationwide which are performing well enough to earn a ranking in the report.

"I'm proud of the ranking of our high school," said OSHS principal Vickie Tiblier. "While we will enjoy this ranking, we will continue to seek out ways to improve as we guide our students on their quest to college and career readiness."
Hi,



I'm planning to visit Canada. I have my uncle and Auntie who lives in Ottawa. I am currently working and living here in London and I am non visa national.

I just want to know what are the requirements in applying a tourist visa to canada.



Thank you!
pakigirl said: I tried the point calculator and i could max make 319 points. I would like to apply for immigration( permanent residency) Click to expand...

If you cannot get ajob offer or Provincial Nomination, then you'll have to find some other way to boost your CRS rank score to450 or more, otherwise youqualified to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker and will have to find some other route through which you qualify to come to Canada.
In my book, I offer a firsthand account of a memorable case in 2013, where we rescued nearly 400 dogs from a multistate dogfighting ring. One of the defendants in this case received seven years and nine months in prison, the maximum sentence he could receive under federal guidelines. Photo by Kathy Milani/The HSUS

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Dogfighting is a big, global business  legal, if you can believe it, in more than 120 countries. Its an example of the old, inhumane economy at work, still staked in the ground in these nations. The toll of this enterprise is inflicted foremost on innocent animals, but there are many indirect costs as well, including the heavy costs to charitable animal organizations and to agencies of government that must respond and care for the animals.

Dogfighting is, of course, severely criminalized in the United States. In fact, its a felony in every state and a federal felony, too. Yet, each year, the HSUS Animal Rescue Team works with law enforcement to save countless animals caught up in this bloody and vicious enterprise, reminding us that the enactment of legal prohibitions against cruelty does not mark the end of the story.

In the following excerpt from my book, The Humane Economy: How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers Are Transforming the Lives of Animals, I offer a firsthand account of a memorable case in 2013, where we rescued nearly 400 dogs from a multistate dogfighting ring. I am glad to report that one of the defendants in this case received seven years and nine months in prison, the maximum sentence he could receive under federal guidelines.

Breaking the Chain on Dogfighting

When the lead member of the SWAT team made his first few attempts to break down the front door, he quickly realized something more than a firm kick was in order. Robin Stinson, a convicted felon and a suspected dogfighter, had reinforced the doors with steel in his refurbished double-wide, green-paneled white trailer, and then dropped wooden planks across the doors to impede forced entry. Apparently, he suspected he might draw some uninvited guests, whether angry dogfighters, rival drug dealers or perhaps even a SWAT team like the one massed outside his home that morning. The man had good reason to be concerned about the last group, since the county sheriffs office, acting on a tip, had obtained a search warrant two years earlier and turned his trailer inside out. Deputies didnt uncover enough evidence to bring charges then, but they had a feeling there would be another visit.

Unbowed, or maybe just unaware of law enforcements interest in him, Stinson persisted in fighting dogs at pits throughout the South and continued to keep dogs on his property. On the morning we showed up alongside the sheriffs deputies, 18 pit bulls strained on 6-foot-long metal chains staked into the dirt. Most of the dogs had a small rudimentary wooden enclosure, providing just the barest relief from southern Alabamas late August sun.

I had set my alarm for 3 a.m., as had about fifty other HSUS personnel and volunteers assigned to this site and six others for possible raids in Alabama and southern Georgia. Our team met downstairs at 3:30 a.m. at a Hampton Inn in Dothan, all of us in our blue Animal Rescue Team jackets. We drove about 20 minutes to the outskirts of town to an old peanut warehouse that now serves as a staging area for the Houston County Sheriffs Office. We waited for clearance to proceed to the site an hour away, heading through the early morning fog as we passed over the Pea River and into Elba until we found Stinsons home.

The fortified door proved only a temporary problem. A battering ram would do. While some members of the SWAT team were knocking down the door, others broke through a large-frame window, throwing flash grenades into the bedroom to disorient the suspect as the teams rushed in behind. Stinson was thought to be armed and dangerous.

He started to run, but with a dozen officers drawing weapons he quickly figured out the situation and surrendered. By 6:30 a.m., he was in the custody of U.S. Marshals and on his way to Montgomery for booking.

After police secured the premises, our HSUS team moved in to handle and seize the dogs. I mapped the property. At the center was the house trailer, with its large wraparound patio. A cedar fence extended almost to the outer reaches of the property. In the yard were an aboveground swimming pool, a satellite dish and scattered mounds of junkrusting chairs, stacks of wooden pylons and metal pipes. According to the sheriffs deputies who had been on the site two years earlier, Stinson had recently upgraded his home. The trailer had doubled in size, with six freshly painted bedrooms. All of the fencing was new. It wasnt opulent, but it wasnt too bad for a guy without a regular job.

The chained dogs were at the rear of the property, where the fence made them invisible from the road. The chains were not long enough for any of the dogs to interact, and that was by designafter all, they had been bred and trained to fight. The fencing wasnt quite finished, so you could see some of the tethered dogs from the road if you were in just the right spot. Two little dogs were kept in rabbit hutches with feces piled up beneath them.

Despite years of neglect and suffering in such disgraceful conditions, the dogs greeted us with ears down and wiggling rear ends and tails. A few of them were hyper, starved for attention after having been denied affection for so long. Seeing the men and women who had come to rescue them, they seemed to instantly know that here was a different breed of person, clearly unlike what they were used to. Every one of them welcomed clean water, since the metal bowls within reach of their chains contained two inches of stagnant, fetid, discolored slurry. The dogs couldnt dispense enough kisses or get close enough to the volunteers. The ones I bent down to pat wagged their tails; even their tongues seemed to be wagging too. My colleagues all got into the act, taking a little time to comfort the animals before we started documenting the scene, taking pictures of the dogs and then delivering each one to our vet teams stationed out front.

We didnt need a diagnosis from the vets to conclude that many of the dogs were undernourished. The older dogs had scars on their faces and forelimbs. Fleas covered other body parts. One sickly looking, emaciated older dog had been eating his own vomit. Another had to be rushed directly to a veterinary hospital.

My colleagues joined law enforcement agents at six other locations that morning for arrests and dog seizures. All told, at the thirteen sites raided by police, The HSUS, the ASPCA and other animal welfare groups rescued 367 dogs. It is thought to be the second-largest dogfighting bust ever in the United States. (The biggest one was an eight-state operation centered in Missouri in July 2009, where we joined law enforcement teams and other animal groups in seizing more than 500 dogs.) By the time every lead had been chased down, using evidence gathered in the initial raids, wed helped to rescue more than 400 dogs.

Ten suspects, including Stinson, were arrested and indicted on felony dogfighting charges. Federal and local officials also seized firearms and drugs, as well as more than $500,000 in gambling proceeds. And they discovered the remains of dead animals on some properties where dogs were housed and allegedly fought. The lowest places in hell would be reserved for those who would commit cruelty to animals, said George L. Beck, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, when he announced the indictments.

Throughout that morning, my mind raced with thoughts. If the dogs werent too damaged, we could turn their lives around with veterinary attention and behavioral work, and get them rehabilitated and then adopted. I also reflected on how quickly fortunes could change, even in the lonely life of an abused dog. They had all been destined for life at the end of a heavy chain, untethered only when they entered a dogfighting pit. But thanks to the SWAT teams and our Animal Rescue Team, theyd experienced, perhaps for the first time, sustained human kindness. At the very least, theyd never see the inside of a dogfighting pit again.

In a different way, this operation would also turn around the lives of the dogfighting suspects. These men had believed they were beyond the reach of the law and that they would suffer no consequences for profiting from animal cruelty. After they had chained and penned up the animals, now the state had a pen of its own for them. Even when their families or friends visited, there would be a wall between them. Was the dogfighting business so lucrative and exhilarating that Stinson and other suspects would risk their freedom for it? Would a taste of confinement make them think about the far worse punishments they had inflicted on those dogs?
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The sharply divided U.S. Senate is poised to pass comprehensive energy legislation for the first time in nearly a decade, forging a rare bipartisan compromise  even if the result is far less ambitious than energy packages of years past.

Its probably not going to be known for the sweeping changes it makes to the U.S. energy system, said Sarah Ladislaw, director of the energy program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. But it is a big deal because it shows bipartisan energy policy is still possible. In this Congress, in energy policy, that matters.

Crafted by Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, and the panels top Democrat, Maria Cantwell of Washington, the bipartisan measure seeks to upgrade the nations aging pipeline and power infrastructure, boost energy efficiency in federal buildings and streamline applications for exports of liquefied natural gas.

Its not as far-reaching as the energy packages that cleared Congress in 2005 and 2007  which boasted hallmark programs such as the Renewable Fuel Standard  but its passage would be milestone for a Senate known for gridlock.

Legislation is back and forth, give and take, Murkowski said of the compromises that she made to get a bill to the floor. Nevertheless, I think theres recognition that what we have built is a substantive, solid package.

The chamber last passed a broad energy measure during the George W. Bush administration, clearing a bill that aimed to increase U.S. energy independence by cutting reliance on imported oil and boosting fuel economy standards for cars. Since then, the U.S. energy landscape changed, as shale production made the country the worlds largest oil and gas producer and cut reliance on imports. And, under President Barack Obama, energy bills have stalled over partisan differences about climate change.

Murkowski and Cantwell, aiming to avoid a political morass, drafted a bill that addresses some of the nations most pressing energy issues while skirting those most likely to provoke partisan debate. Nowhere in the bills 424 pages is there a provision about ethanol or greenhouse-gas emissions from the power sector, two of the most politically charged issues.

Still, its advocates faced their share of hurdles. The bill first came to the floor in January, and lawmakers began working through a series of amendments. In those rosy days, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, called the legislation the latest reminder of whats possible with cooperation in this Senate.

But within weeks, the bills momentum stalled, waylaid by Democratic efforts to craft an aid package for Flint, Michigan, and concerns over offshore drilling. Murkowski says she worked senator by senator, to free her signature legislation of parochial interests and objections. Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow dropped her insistence on including Flint in the energy package; Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy dropped an offshore revenue-sharing measure opposed by Floridas Bill Nelson.

Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.

After a series of amendments votes, final passage in the Senate is expected this week.

More than 160 companies and business groups reported lobbying on the bill in 2015, and dozens of companies stand to benefit from provisions calling for expedited LNG permitting and hydropower licensing. If the legislation were enacted, American Electric Power Co., Duke Energy Corp. and Entergy Corp. also could gain from a provision to streamline the approval process for electric transmission lines. Right now, more than 20 transmission-line projects are queued up in a federal program designed to speed permitting but, of those, most have been waiting seven years for approval, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Cheryl Wilson.

Companies such as Siemens AG, General Electric Co. and Johnson Controls Inc. also could see new business opportunities as agencies seek contractors to meet updated federal efficiency requirements.

The next question is how the House will respond. The House-passed version triggered a veto threat from the Obama administration and garnered little Democratic support. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton said the two bodies will work out the differences.
Philly Wine Week

Allegro was one of the regional wines represented at the kickoff party to Philly Wine Week on April 3. Penns Woods and Chaddsford were the two other PA wineries pouring that night at Stratus Rooftop Lounge in Old City.

(Paul Vigna / pvigna@pennlive.com)

One of the big complaints of most regional wineries has been the difficulty in getting their product into surrounding restaurants. It's a lament that seems pretty universal, with a number of restaurants falling back on a diverse list of national and international wines that tend to be easier recognized, available in more quantities and in general at a more amenable price point.

It's a subject I covered in a piece for Central PA magazine in the January/February 2014 issue, one that included this quote from Brian Confair, the beverage manager at Hotel Hershey. "The value is tough to get by when you have those mass producers out of California making the same sweet, fruity wine for half the price," he said at the time. "And it's a value-conscious world right now, you know. We're looking for a deal, and a lot of Pennsylvania wines are not cheap. They're expensive."

And it's one that was on the minds of regional winery owners, who gathered for a summit at a winery in Berks County last summer to hear Nectar sommelier Scott Zoccolillo talk about how to get their wines into restaurants. Price competition is important for emerging regions such as Pennsylvania, especially in restaurants, he told them, noting that restaurant customers generally feel more comfortable paying more for a glass or bottle of wine that they already know possesses the quality or taste they prefer. He also said that many of the local red wines were a harder sell for restaurants, as their starting price goes into $40+ per bottle. "I can work with that bottle better [in a restaurant] if it's around $30," he said, highlighting that this is where the consistency - in quality and price - of the local white wines have been so successful at restaurants.

The subject has come up for discussion again regionally, thanks to a recent blog post on the Old Westminster Winery site. Family member Drew Baker, who handles marketing among his many roles there, promised to address issues regarding regional wine on this blog when he talked to me last month, and the most recent one dealt with what he termed the elephant in the room, the idea of so many farm-to-table and other regional restaurants exclude regional wines.

He also wrote a companion piece for marylandwinecellars.com, the contract winemaking and consulting company that Old Westminster recently created. Here are three major reasons, he wrote, why local restaurants don't carry local wines.

1. Some folks don't see wine as a local farm product.

Delicious wine is grown on real farms. At Old Westminster Winery, we pour our hearts and souls into producing great American wines on our little slice of this planet. It all starts in the vineyard. We only have two goals in our winery: 1) produce a balanced wine that reflects both the vineyard and the vintage; 2) don't screw up what we've grown - count it as sacred.

2. Restauranteurs aren't feeling any pressure from their customers.

Don't you think it's time for "farm-to-table" restaurants to put their menu where their message is? We do. No more free passes for the elephant in their dining room: a purely International wine list.

Now don't get me wrong, we all love Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy. And I also recognize the differences between a local tomato and a local bottle of wine. But just like any other ingredient, the best local wines are worth seeking out and deserve a place on any wine list.

3. Inconsistency plagues many local wineries.

Local wineries aren't without any fault. For every great wine being made, there are others that aren't serviceable. Our industry needs to start taking its own reputation seriously and cater to thoughtful consumers. Growing world-class wines locally starts with a committed winegrower thoughtfully farming a good vineyard site. This formula yields grapes fit for the production of remarkable wines. It's time we celebrate producers taking this task seriously and cut bait with the others.

I should note that he recognized his wineries and other haven't been totally shut out, thanking "the numerous and prestigious wineries in our region that do feature our wines."

All of this ties nicely into a couple of conversations I've had, once a couple years ago before state viticulturist Mark Chien left for California and the other last month with beverage manager Steve Wildy for the Vetri Family Restaurants in Philly.

Chien spent years working in Oregon before coming east to PA to serve almost 14 years as the viticulture educator for the Penn State Cooperative Extension. He insisted that one way for PA wineries to raise their profile was to get into Philadelphia restaurants, basing that opinion on what he saw take place on the West Coast.

"That was my experience in Oregon; you know, in order for the new guy to come on the block, you gotta get a core group of devoted followers and the only way you can do that at this point is to get people to taste the wine," he said. "The restaurants are key, in other words, the new wines have to be poured by the glass so people can taste them and develop a level of confidence that they're willing to pay for a whole bottle of the stuff. Until we crack the Philadelphia market with that, and also Allentown and Harrisburg, I don't think that [the profile of the Pennsylvania wine industry] is going to happen.

"And that's what happened in Portland. You had in the early days, like the early 1990s, before Oregon Pinot Noir was known very much, some adventurous restaurateurs in Portland started pouring Oregon Pinots by the glass and, lo and behold, all of a sudden there was like an epiphany."

While the Vetri restaurants only carry a couple of regional wines, most notably Montgomery County's Karamoor, Wildy in just a brief conversation showed he's quite familiar with the industry evolution going on to his north, west and east. What he's seeing, he said, is more of an investment and a concerted move toward serious winemaking.

"I think Karamoor is a real cool example or that," he said, and I think Karamoor and Va La are great examples of two guys that are coming at it from a different approach, but both show the same ability to really strut their stuff when the consumer is s curious and as engaged and educated as they are now. I really like a lot of Galen Glen that I've tried. Gruner, I think, that's a perfect example. Growing Gruner in Pennsylvania makes a lot of sense. That's smart decision making. I don't think that could have happened [and] I don't think those wines would have been as well-received 10 years ago as they are now with people getting more curious and more excited to try new things."

He mentioned three of the handful of regional wineries that one can find at Philly restaurants and wine bars. Pinnacle Ridge, Manatawny Creek and Penns Woods have also made inroads, and Allegro, Stargazers, Paradocx, Chaddsford and New Jersey's Auburn Road were all part of the recent Philly Wine Week.

Told Chien's comments about the important to the statewide industry of getting into Philly restaurants, Wildy agreed and disagreed. Restaurants in urban settings, he said, "do a lot to really set the tone on what people drink and where." What's cool to drink, he continued, usually starts with restaurants and it gets to the publications later. "And so in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Portland, you'll see the wine market change based on what restaurants do. [But] Pennsylvania's tough because [we're] more hamstrung a lot by the way we buy wine in this state. And so it makes restaurant lists less relevant. It makes the consumers' connection to wine from what restaurateurs and what wine bars and sommeliers are doing a little bit more diffused. There's a degree of separation here. It's tough to get past, it's definitely an obstacle in establishing the restaurant as a trend setter or a tone setter."

And there's no sign of anything changing soon, with the legislature preparing to begin talks on the 2016-17 budget with so many pieces, priorities and agendas in play. Where does privatization or wine shipping fit in the puzzle? Nobody knows. But until the laws change, Wildy sees less urgency for regional wines to push into Philly eateries and wine bars. At this point, he said between the lines, what's important in PA and NJ is the same as in MD, for the overall quality of the winemaking to increase to a point where more customers are asking for them.

"I think if Pennsylvania was more an open market in terms of the way restaurants bought wine, then Philadelphia could quickly become a world-class wine city," hye said. "If that happened, I think you'd see a lot more coverage on what soms are about, what they like to drink, on what wine buyers are focusing on in the restaurants, and a lot of that is local wineries right now. Then I think you'd see the consumer connect to it quicker. I don't think it's necessarily unique to how long it takes restaurants to get other people excited about wines they are into. I think it's a Pennsylvania specific thing."
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HOUSTON  As more than a foot of rain deluged the nations fourth-largest city, inundating homes, shutting down major highways and leaving at least six people dead, Houstons mayor said there was no immediate solution.

Heavy flooding has become nearly an annual rite of passage in the practically sea-level city, where experts have long warned of the potential for catastrophe and have criticized city leaders for not doing more to address the problem.

A lot of rain coming in a very short period of time, theres nothing you can do, Mayor Sylvester Turner said Monday.

A day after nearly 18 inches fell in 24 hours, the National Weather Service had the area under a flash flood watch through this morning.

Harris County's medical examiner on Tuesday released the identity of one of the eight victims believed killed in Monday's floods.

Pedro Rascon Morales, 60, was found in the cab of an 18-wheeler in a flooded portion of roadway in the 800 block of North Sam Houston Parkway East. He is believed to have died about 3 p.m. Monday.

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The specific cause of death remains pending, as do the causes of death for four other people also found dead in flooded roadways in Harris County and a man found dead in Waller County.

Scores of subdivisions were flooded and most schools remained closed although the city itself was returning to normal. Outside the city and into the suburbs of northwest Harris County, runoff from Mondays rains forced creeks over their banks and forced more people to evacuate their homes overnight.

In addition to its location, Houstons gumbo soft soil, fast-growing population and building boom that has turned empty pastures into housing developments all over the citys suburbs and exurbs make it vulnerable to high waters.

Harris County has seen a 30 percent jump in population since 2000. Its surrounding counties have almost grown more than 10 percent since 2000, according to the Greater Houston Partnership, a business group.

Some of the resulting developments include adequate greenspace for water runoff, but not all of them do, said Philip Bedient, an engineering professor at Rice University.

Could we have engineered our way out of this? Bedient said. Only if we started talking about alterations 35 or 40 years ago.

Samuel Brody, director of the Environmental Planning & Sustainability Research Unit at Texas A&M University, has called Houston the No. 1 city in America to be injured and die in a flood.

He said Tuesday that mounting damages from flash floods point to a woeful lack of planning in a city that added 90,000 people last year alone and is a major cog in the national economy. He suggested the city should offer buyouts to homeowners in areas that chronically flood and turn the land into open space. The city should also upgrade its building code to mandate elevating structures in flood-prone areas, he said.

To throw up your hands and say were going to be vulnerable and have hundreds of millions of dollars of impact every year in Houston just because it rains a lot is not the attitude we need to take, Brody said.

Rainstorms last year over Memorial Day weekend caused major flooding that required authorities to rescue 20 people, most of them drivers, from high water. Drivers abandoned at least 2,500 vehicles, and more than 1,000 homes were damaged in the rain.

The year before, flash flooding in Houston and suburban counties left cars trapped on major highways.

Those storms still pale in comparison to the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Ike in 2008 and Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, which left behind $5 billion in damages.

The National Weather Services chief meteorologist for Houston, Jeff Evans, said Mondays soaking and the 2015 Memorial Day deluge were the second- and third-biggest rain events on record after Allison, which dumped more than 30 inches of rain on parts of the sprawling city over two days.

Evans said rain fell in some places Monday at a rate of 3-4 inches an hour.

No matter what drainage system you build, anything will struggle with that kind volume in that short a time, he said.
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Thousands of Fiesta fans from across San Antonio and the area enjoyed unlimited carnival rides at the Alamodome on a day reserved just for them.

Maria Espinoza gasped as she watched a striped car carrying her daughter and granddaughter, click- click-click up the looping rails of the Super Cyclone roller coaster at parking lot C.

When the car zipped down and around the metal maze Tuesday morning, Espinoza, 59, thought, Oh, my God! But her 6-year-old granddaughter, Mia, who has a sensory disorder, grinned with each plunge and bank along the tracks.

When the car stopped, Espinoza greeted the pair with open arms as they walked down the ramp that led to other dizzying rides, such as the Himalaya, Sizzler and the Mega Drop. Josie Espinoza said the ride allowed her daughter to soar above crowds that usually cause her discomfort.

Its a nice atmosphere, its very calming, Espinoza said. She wouldnt get on any rides if it was regular business hours.

The Espinoza family members were among the thousands of guests that attended Fiesta Especial Celebration Day, which offers inclusive activities in an accepting environment for children and adults with cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities.

This is important to the community, said Melanie Cawthon of Reaching Maximum Independence, the nonprofit that sponsors the event. It allows individuals with all types of disabilities to engage in our communitys largest celebration of history, heritage, culture and diversity that is Fiesta.

Among the carnival rides and food kiosks, youngsters explored art, reading, science and math at booths staffed by students of Texas A&M University at San Antonio. And there was a shoebox float parade, with entries decorated by students in four categories: My Favorite Book, The Culture of Fiesta, Totally Scientific and Group Effort.

RMI offers educational outreach for children and helps adults with developmental disabilities live and work independently.

Nineteen school districts, 1,060 special education students, 110 student helpers and 600 volunteers attended Tuesdays event.

Cawthon, RMIs outreach and development vice president, said the event is free with Wade Shows underwriting the rides and lunches.

The celebration, created by students at River City Christian School in 2003, became an official Fiesta event three years later.

The event has grown to include a royal court, 5K Run and parade. This years run and parade will be held Saturday in Windcrest. Information about the run is at their Facebook page.

Tuesday, the crowd parted as 2016 Fiesta Especial Royalty, Queen Lindsey Moharam and King Adam Vela, made their across the grounds. Every few steps, groups asked the smiling pair to pose for photos and selfies.

Moharam, 13, raised $5, 813 for children and adults with disabilities in the San Antonio and neighboring areas. Vela, 14, raised $2,573.

As they passed the miniature floats, 20-year-old Dylan Kennedy held up his box decorated in honor of the San Antonio Police Department.

I respect what they do, Kennedy said, of SAPD. They keep our city safe. I wanted to dedicate the float to the police officers.

Amber Pacheco, a nurse with Behavioral Support Nurse Services, was among the medical staff on hand to help if needed.

Our concern is for them to have fun, Pacheco said, and that theyre feeling good.

vtdavis@express-news.net
One man is dead after San Antonio police say he was shot by an auto dealer who chased him down after he allegedly used a fraudulent check to buy a car.

Police spokesman Officer Douglas Greene said the suspect, who faces a murder charge, was arrested after he shot the 35-year-old victim about 5:50 p.m. Tuesday in the parking lot of a Jack in the Box near the intersection of Loop 410 and Ingram Road.
The citys Zoning Commission on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected a proposal by District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg to rezone an undeveloped 36-acre tract now owned by a California investor, despite appeals from neighboring homeowners who supported it.

The commissions decision sets up a difficult obstacle for Nirenberg, who now must capture a supermajority vote at the City Council next week to rezone the property because the propertys owner objects to the zoning change. That means persuading eight others to vote with him.

The councilman said he will spend the next week shoring up votes.

Im going to try to win the case on its merits. I think that every council member has a similar conversation in their communities about whats in the best interest of their neighborhoods, Nirenberg said. In this case, we have the authority, we have the right of ownership, and we followed the procedures that any other private property owner is entitled to.

Opponents of Nirenbergs proposal  including representatives from the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the Greater San Antonio Builders Association and the Real Estate Council of San Antonio, among others  argued that the zoning change would constitute a taking, by reducing the value of the property due to reduced development opportunities, and would be detrimental to future investments in San Antonio.

More Information Read more about the history behind the Northwest Side property



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Members of the development and real estate communities have made clear how important this case is to them, which can have implications in next years council elections and campaign funding.

Supporters, mainly residents of nearby neighborhoods, lauded the proposed down-zoning. They argued that the development, currently zoned for apartments with up to 33 units per acre, would add more problems on top of the already-strained infrastructure. They say the citys recommendation to reduce the zoning to a category that would allow single-family homes and duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes would help the area.

The proposal came about early this year, when Nirenberg learned that the U.S. Treasury Department had seized the property from an alleged money launderer of a Mexican drug cartel and planned to auction it off to the highest bidder. Before the auction, Nirenberg won unanimous council approval on a resolution to conduct a land-use study.

That study was underway when the feds held the property auction Jan. 21, and potential bidders were notified that the zoning was in question  though there are competing accounts of how, exactly, the notice was given. The property was owned by the feds  taxpayers, Nirenberg points out  when the process for a zoning change began. Its a key point in his argument.

Ultimately, the property ended up in the hands of a Beverly Hills, California, investor doing business here as Babcock Riverwalk LLC. Opponents of the zoning change say the investor bought the property thinking its zoning was for high-density apartments.

It was publicly owned property, and we began a land-use review in a transparent process while it was publicly owned, just as any other landowner is entitled to with his or her property, Nirenberg said.

Honestly, I have no sympathy for an out-of-town speculator losing an opportunity to profit on the backs of San Antonio neighbors because he wasnt paying attention. We followed the letter of the law, just as were required and everyone else is required. I find it very disturbing that we would stop a public process at the will of the highest bidder, he said.

Nirenberg will likely also ask council members to continue with a long-standing tradition to defer to the council member whose district contains the zoning case. Its incredibly infrequent that the council goes against the wishes of a council member on a case in his district, but its not unprecedented.

When then-Councilwoman Ivy Taylor was first elected to represent District 2, she lost a contentious zoning case over a halfway house. She opposed the change, but her council colleagues broke from her and voted to approve it.

Now mayor, Taylor said she considered that old case when she spoke with Nirenberg about his.

What I would say is, it gives me pause to go against him for that very reason, Taylor said. I know what that feels like, but when I was in that situation, I worked really hard to try to find a compromise, and when a compromise was not available, thats when I stood up for the community. I dont know that the councilman has done the same thing.

Taylor said her inclination now is to reject the zoning change.

Im not inclined to support the request for the rezoning, she said. From what Ive seen so far, it seems like a bad precedent.

Whether eight other council members will side with Nirenberg remains unclear. Hell try to convince them that the zoning change wont set a precedent and that approving it is in the best interest of neighborhoods and their residents.

Council members such as Mike Gallagher, known as an ardent supporter of neighborhoods, will have to weigh the Zoning Commissions recommendation against the change with strong neighborhood support.

What kind of message do we send to people who would be investing in San Antonio in the future? Gallagher said. Without question, I always have supported neighborhoods  if a majority of them have a specific position on an issue.

Meanwhile, Francine Romero, Nirenbergs zoning commissioner, is holding out hope that a compromise still might be reached. She abstained from voting Tuesday, noting concerns about some aspects of the proposal. She said she doesnt see a substantive reason to down-zone, which is a prerequisite for her consideration. Still, Romero said theres still time for the property owner and adjacent residents to reach an agreement  perhaps a less-dense multifamily zoning that would allow for up to 25 units per acre on one portion of the property, and 18 units per acre on the rest.

I do believe that as this goes to council, theres still a chance for compromise, she said.
Hillary Clinton has had dramatic highs and crushing lows in her political career and in her latest presidential campaign. But since she first ran for office 16 years ago, New York has always been the state that loved her back, and on Tuesday it delivered one of her biggest boosts yet toward becoming the first woman to capture the Democratic Partys nomination for president.

Today, today, you proved once again, theres no place like home, she told a jubilant crowd of more than 2,500 on Tuesday night, after taking the stage to the song Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys and Jay Z.

In this campaign, weve won in every region of the country, from the North to the South to the East to the West, Clinton added. But this one is personal.

Advisers to rival Bernie Sanders had said beating Clinton in her adopted home state represented one of their campaigns best opportunities to damage her candidacy and sow doubts about her strength as a general-election nominee. On Tuesday, however, Clinton drew deep support among women and blacks  two groups that have been essential for her in many states  while Sanders was outpacing her among men and people under 45, according to exit polls.

Bernie Sanders got very negative attacking Hillary Clinton and dividing the party in New York, and I think he now has to ask himself if he wants to keep going down that path, said Jay Jacobs, a Clinton supporter who is the Democratic chairman in Nassau County on Long Island. After New York, were moving into a phase of the campaign where we have to start uniting the party.

Sanders and his team spent Tuesday looking past New York and trying to cast the results in the best possible light.

We are going to do a lot better than people thought we would, Sanders said.

The Vermont senators advisers expressed optimism that he would perform strongly in next Tuesdays primaries in Pennsylvania as well as in Rhode Island and Connecticut. The other two states voting next week, Delaware and Maryland, are widely seen as Clinton strongholds.

Clintons New York triumph was an echo of her victory in 2008, when she defeated Barack Obama by 17 points. But this year the New York primary came later and, after a string of victories by Sanders in smaller states, had far more bearing on the direction of the race. With two-thirds of the delegates now pledged, Clinton leads Sanders by more than 200.

In the two weeks since her April 5 loss in Wisconsin, Clinton ran a classic street-level campaign to win New York. As Sanders stuck largely to a strategy of holding large rallies, drawing tens of thousands to Washington Square Park and Prospect Park, Clinton echoed her first Senate campaign and kept many of her appearances targeted and intimate.

And for a candidate sometimes criticized as aloof and wooden, Clinton, in New York, seemed carefree, or as carefree as a cautious presidential candidate can be.

On Friday, as Sanders visited Vatican City, Clinton toured an apartment in the Edward Corsi Houses, an affordable-housing complex for older adults in East Harlem.

She wiggled her shoulders and threw up her arms when she bested a trio of men playing dominoes at the complexs recreation center. You play good! Oh my God, one of the men exclaimed. Im taking dominoes to the White House! a swaggering Clinton replied.
RICHMOND, Va.  A high school discriminated against a transgender teen by forbidding him from using the boys restroom, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday in a case that has implications for a North Carolina law that critics say discriminates against LGBT people.

The case of Gavin Grimm has been closely watched since North Carolina enacted a law last month that bans transgender people from using public restrooms that correspond to their gender identity. It also bans cities from passing anti-discrimination ordinances, a response to an ordinance passed in Charlotte.

In the Virginia case, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals  which also covers North Carolina  ruled 2-1 to overturn the Gloucester County school boards policy, saying it violated Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination in schools.

The court said a federal judge who had rejected Grimms discrimination claim ignored a U.S. Department of Education regulation that transgender students in public schools must be allowed to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

Maxine Eichner, a University of North Carolina law professor who is an expert on sexual orientation and the law, said the ruling  the first of its kind by a federal appeals court  means the provision of North Carolinas law pertaining to restroom use by transgender students in schools that receive federal funds also is invalid.

The effects of this decision on North Carolina are clear, she said, adding that a judge in that state will have no choice but to apply the appeals courts ruling.

Eichner said the rulings impact will be broad. The court wrote a long and well-considered opinion that sets out the issues, she said. It will be influential in other circuits.

Appeals court Judge Paul Niemeyer wrote in a dissenting opinion that the majoritys opinion completely tramples on all universally accepted protections of privacy and safety that are based on the anatomical differences between the sexes.

The school board could appeal the decision to the full appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court. David Patrick Corrigan, attorney for the school board, did not immediately respond to a telephone message.

On another issue, the appeals court ordered the trial judge to reconsider his refusal to issue an order that would let Grimm use the boys restrooms immediately.

Grimm was allowed to use the boys restrooms at the school for several weeks in 2014. But after some parents complained, the school board adopted a policy requiring students to use either the restroom that corresponds with their biological gender or a private, single-stall restroom  a policy Grimm called stigmatizing. School officials said the policy respects all students privacy.

I feel so relieved and vindicated by the courts ruling, Grimm said in a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union. Todays decision gives me hope that my fight will help other kids avoid discriminatory treatment at school.
The San Antonio Zoning Commission dealt a deafening blow Tuesday to local hairstylist Andrew Guerra by unanimously opposing the zoning change he needs to operate his Mahncke Park salon in a residential neighborhood.

Commission members said they were sympathetic to Guerra, who spent $350,000 to renovate a dilapidated bungalow for his salon. Several of them called him a nice guy. But they denied his request, citing neighbors concerns about businesses encroaching into the residential neighborhood. Residents have also complained about Guerras business, which was operating for months without the proper zoning or business licenses. Hes since closed the business.

If the citizens of this area want this area to remain residential then I think its incumbent upon us to really, really look at that carefully and stop allowing the changes, commission member Cecilia Garcia said.

The commissions decision followed an hour and a half of intense and sometimes emotional testimony from supporters and opponents of Guerra. Members of the Mahncke Park Neighborhood Association have forcefully opposed other developments, including a coffee shop and a parking lot for the DoSeum. The group said rezoning Guerras salon would set a bad precedent, encourage other businesses to open shop without the proper zoning and lead the way for more businesses to disturb their quiet neighborhood just off the busy Broadway corridor.

More Information Read more about the dispute over the hair salon

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This case is not about a single house  its about zoning in SA, neighborhood resident Carlynn Ricks said. Im terrified now that someones going to put a 7-Eleven next to my house because city staff says its appropriate.

Guerras supporters said a hair salon was a good use for the property, at 143 Perry Ct., which is next to a three-story apartment building and two doors down from a University of the Incarnate Word residence hall. They said they were concerned that a developer would buy Guerras lot for another multi-family project.

If he is denied this application, eventually we will get another apartment building, said Collin Stone, who owns a property on Perry Court. These properties are not desirable as single-family houses.

For his part, Guerra made a speech so passionate that Zoning Commission member William Shaw told him twice to calm down. Guerra said he was an inexperienced property owner whose hand got stuck in the cogs, saying he didnt know he would have zoning problems when he bought the house.

The tension these guys have, man, they have to get a massage, he said, referring to his opponents in the neighborhood. Compromise, give me some compromise, thats all Im asking.

At its previous meeting on April 5, the Zoning Commission voted to give Guerra two more weeks so that he could attempt compromise with his opponents in the neighborhood. Members of the neighborhood association turned down a compromise offer made later by Guerras lawyer. City Council will vote on the case at an upcoming meeting.

Mahncke Park, like other neighborhoods on the fringe of downtown, has been embroiled in other property skirmishes in recent years. In 2014, some residents opposed a zoning change allowing for a coffee shop at 118 Davis Court after a city employee mistakenly labeled the property commercial on a zoning map. Last fall, the City Council approved a request by the DoSeum to add parking by demolishing two houses in the neighborhood despite opposition.

Neighborhood residents butted heads a few years ago over whether it should become a historic district, with supporters saying it would help protect it from development while opponents said it would create headaches for property owners trying to improve their homes.

After the meeting, Guerra he still thinks he can find a way to operate a business in the bungalow.

I love them. Theyre fantastic people. Im going to embrace them, he said of his opponents. Were hoping to still come to some kind of agreement.
The ability for a company to sell its products and services worldwide has never existed in the way it has this past decade-and-a-half where widespread internet use, app stores and company ecosystems provided by companies like Salesforce have allowed a company to quickly reach a worldwide audience. With this international growth however comes challenges. In some markets like tech, you might try to force all your customers to speak English. Even then however, some companies feel the need to localize in order to appeal to specific countries such as Germany, France or Japan to name a few.

My colleague at TMC, Paula Bernier broke the story today that SYSTRAN has a new cloud-based API for multilingual app development. This follows up on news in January that the company signed a License Agreement with Kingsoft, Chinas Largest Office Software Company. To learn more I conducted an interview with Craig Stern, SYSTRAN Software Marketing Manager, Americas which is being done in conjunction with the All About The API conference to be held this July in Las Vegas.

What APIs do you have available?

SYSTRAN.io is a set of APIs that enable real-time translation and natural language processing of 50 languages in web, mobile and enterprise applications.

SYSTRAN.io is based on the same language translation technology that powers SYSTRANs enterprise offering used by Symantec, Cisco, Airbus, Ford, Toyota, BNP Paribas, Accenture, Daimler, Barclays, defense and security organizations such as the U.S. intelligence community, NATO, Interpol and language service providers.

What are the benefits/ solutions they help provide?

Today, companies are born global. Language plays an important role in business and commerce. Cross-language customer communication, multilingual real-time intelligence and sentiment analysis of user generated content across the globe provides companies with a competitive edge.

SYSTRAN.io allows software developers, customer experience (CX) companies, multi-national marketing departments, social media and marketing technology companies, and online gaming developers to access the same software to develop multilingual applications that were once only available to large, international companies.

What new business opportunities do they potentially open up for your partners?

For customer support teams, real-time translation of complaints, customer feedback or service outages reduce call volumes and increase customer satisfaction. The aggregation and translation of this data using SYSTRAN.io can also result in better anticipation of localization needs and plans to better serve customers across the globe.

SYSTRAN.io is redefining global social networking by making real-time language translation the new standard. For social media technology companies, the ability to aggregate data and quickly measure sentiment analysis across 50 languages enables them to offer truly global services.

SYSTRAN.io is a natural solution for collaboration platforms and team messaging apps such as Slack, which offer simplified communication with team members around the world. A real-time language translation tool ensures that virtual team members who speak different languages are being heard for true collaboration. In todays need-it-now environments, theres simply no time to click a drop-down box to choose a language or cut and paste. SYSTRAN.io is easily integrated into collaboration platforms for real-time translation.

Why should developers/ decision makers choose to be part of your ecosystem?

SYSTRAN.io is a hosted 50-language toolkit that provides the flexibility of a modular platform and customization capabilities. Now companies of all sizes can develop multilingual applications that were once only available to large enterprise companies.

SYSTRAN.io features include:

Real-time text to text translation

Voice to text recognition and transcription

Data extraction and restructuring

Dictionary Management

Anonymization

Capabilities include:

Deep learning through language analytics

Sentiment analysis of user generated content

Understand and react to a universe of data in multiple languages

What are some of the cooler solutions that have been developed using your APIs?

One software developer from San Diego recently developed a mobile app that enables real-time translation of text messages in 50 languages. You simply write the text, select a language from a drop down and it instantly converts the message to that language. The app is currently in beta.

How do you market your APIs?

Currently the API is being made available grass roots with no advertising. We feel adoption will be rapid. The API can be accessed by visiting our website. To attract application developer interest, the API will allow 1 million characters to be translated free each month to early adopters for a limited time.

Who is the customer for your APIs?

Software developers, customer experience (CX) companies, multi-national marketing departments, social media and marketing technology companies, and online gaming developers. Anyone who wants to develop multi-lingual applications based on 48 years of language technology from SYSTRAN Software.

Come see the multilingual, international world of APIs at All About The API. The event will feature a variety of intensive hack-a-thons, in-depth company-focused workshops helping attendees understand the value propositions from key vendors, powerful keynotes, daily and nightly networking opportunities plus an exhibit hall full of companies demonstrating the latest innovations in todays market place. Every business has to pay attention to the new opportunities they are presenting or potentially be displaced. We hope to see you July 18-21 2016 in Las Vegas!
WHEN JEFF GOLDBLUM arrived on set for his cameo in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, he was close to camera-ready. Id FaceTimed the costumer from my closet and brought some of my own clothes to mix and match, said Mr. Goldblum, 63, who plays a talk-show shrink on the Netflix comedy. I never want to feel like Im wearing a costume.

Thats true in real life too, said the actor, who describes himself as open-minded about fashion but still shuns the overtly trendy for classics with the odd surprise. His well-edited walk-in closet, for example, holds slim Acne jeans (in white), Lanvin cotton pique polos and a Saint Laurent varsity jacket. He considers himself a minimalist and is finicky about fit, from the retro cut of a Schaeffers Garment Hotel T-shirt to suits tweaked and tailored to perfection. He winnows down his wardrobe so its a spare and pruned-down bouquetfinding one thing that makes four others obsolete is a joyous occasion. Mr. Goldblum, who wears snappy hats, often dons a natty bow tie when singing with his jazzy band, the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.

Long before he became The Fly in David Cronenbergs 1986 horror classic, the actor was just another teenager in 60s Pittsburgh finding his sartorial footing. Inspired by the Monkees in their Carnaby Street-garb, he wore a $30 Nehru jacket, a turtleneck and a medallion. I was a department-store hippie, he said. His groovy days are assuredly over, but the Independence Day: Resurgence star is still open to taking risks, finding models of offbeat elegance in jazz greats and French New Wave films. Here, a close-up of Mr. Goldblums well-scripted style.

Image: long bridesmaid dresses

Straight, No Chaser

Im inspired by jazz greats like Thelonious Monk. Boy, I see old photographs of musicians from the 50s and 60s that always kill me.

Movie-Star Move

I like to button this gray Prada polo all the way up. It reminds me of one Cary Grant wouldve worn.

Cream of the Crop

When I got my black tuxedo from Tom Ford, I saw this and treated myself. I wore it to my wedding. His wife Emilie Livingston gave birth to their son on July Fourth last year.

Kinky Specs

The costume designers on Grand Budapest Hotel had fun pictures of a Freudian character with 30s-style glasses but hadnt found the perfect ones. I came back with a pair from a vintage shop in Hollywood. Ive still got them in a drawer.

Stretchy Situation

I have several pairs of Carhartt Work in Progress pants called the Sid. Theyre slim, but stretchy too, so I sometimes work out in them. Theyre rugged enough to throw in the wash.

Devil-May-Care Hair

Every few weeks I get my hair cut by Jason Simao at The Cut By barber shop in L.A. What I do [then] is a bit Zen: I brush my hair and leave it alone. Otherwise Im reminded of myself in seventh grade, trying to style it, and I feel psychologically doomed.

Not-Your-Average Hat Trick

Nick Fouquet does custom hats at a place near Venice Beach. Theyre not fedoras, so the brim doesnt slope but sticks out all around. Ive got them in camel and gray. He puts a matchstick in the bandits his trademark detail thats not overly conspicuous.

Tropical Punch

For dress shirts, I mainly stick to solid colors, but I do have a couple of pretty things I like to wear without a tie. I have an interesting Hawaiian shirt by Visvim, a sophisticated Japanese brand, that I got at Union, which is a store on La Brea in Los Angeles with a very curated selection.

All-Weather Walkabouts

Saint Laurent leather Chelsea boots arent too heavy; theyre like any-weather shoes to me.

See More: coral bridesmaid dresses uk
COLUMBUS  Retired United Producers CEO Dennis Bolling will receive the cooperative communitys highest honor May 4, when he will be inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame.

Bolling, who retired as president and CEO of United Producers Inc. at the end of 2015, had been with the cooperative since 1989. United Producers is an Ohio-based livestock marketing, finance and member services cooperative serving farmers in the Midwest.

Co-op career

Bolling has spent close to four decades serving the cooperative sector, starting in 1980, when he began working at the Louisville Bank of Cooperatives, a predecessor institution to CoBank. There, one of his accounts was Producers Livestock Association, the organization that later became United Producers Inc.

When he joined the organization in 1989, Bolling helped then Producers Livestock Association emerge from the economic downturn that plagued the agriculture sector throughout much of the 80s. In 1999, he oversaw a series of mergers that doubled the co-ops size and expanded its services to producers in 10 states.

In late 2001, Bolling steered UPI through a complex, eight-year legal and financial labyrinth in the wake of a Ponzi scheme that left it bankrupt and $80 million in debt. Under his leadership, UPI not only survived what was widely seen as a crippling setback, but its members emerged protected and its operations undamaged. Today, UPI is the largest livestock marketing cooperative in the U.S., serving 45,000 members, marketing 3 million head of livestock and recording annual sales of $1.2 billion last year.

Industry passion

Once UPI was stabilized, Bolling turned his attention to his lifelong passion  cooperative education and development. An advocate of strong board governance, he developed a board certification program and used the Farm Credit Services leadership modules to provide advanced governance training to co-op boards.

At a time when the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives education program was on the brink of disappearing, Bolling helped reinvent it and ensure its broad support. To build a more engaged and efficient workforce, he created UPI University, which includes company orientation, sales and management training courses.

Bolling was instrumental in creating numerous cooperative education organizations, including the Center for Cooperatives, Business and Community Education and Development at Ohio State University and the Mid America Cooperative Council.

Bolling serves on the executive committee and as chair of the education committee at NCFC, and also chairs the board of the NCFC Foundation.

Also being inducted this year are Dennis A. Johnson, former president and CEO of the St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives; and Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice.
By Joyce L. Ritchie

JEROMESVILLE, Ohio  Members and guests of the Ashland County Cattlemens Association held their annual meeting at Hillsdale High School April 7.

Diana Clark, of Certified Angus beef was the special guest speaker. She offered an informational slide presentation focused on meat grading for quality and yield and how and why these are vital to the beef producers pursuit.

Nan Wertz gave the treasurers report and Christina Fisher read the minutes of the last meeting. OCA District 6 Director Pam Haley stated the industry is doing well across the state, with a record year for the Ohio Beef Expo.

Feed directive

She urged the countys producers to consider broadcasting the upcoming FDAs Veterinary Feed Directive Program (VFD) that will become in effect Jan. 1.

The directive will include all species of animals and her concern is that the new or young producers of particularly small animals will not be fully informed of the need of the veterinarians written statement to authorize the use of any medically important antibiotics used in feed.

These feeds will no longer be available at the local feed store without this VFD document. Additional information on this topic can be found on the FDA website.

Scholarships presented

Two area graduating seniors, Stetson Bryson and Kate McGovern, were presented with the Carl and Thelma Stitzlein Scholarship, each receiving $1,000 certificates redeemable after specified requirements are met during their first year of schooling in pursuit of their careers in agriculture.

Elected as the associations new officers was Matt Stewart, president; Jared Wynn, vice president; and Nan Wertz, secretary/treasurer. The cattlemen will continue to offer their food trailer at local events to maintain funds for educational opportunities and scholarships
Wagtail Cottage

Accommodation Details

On the ground floor is a very large and spacious kitchen/dining room with fitted pine units, hob, oven and microwave. There is a useful cloakroom for muddy boots with a toilet and washbasin. Also there is separate sitting room. leading off it.



The divided stairway leads, on one side, to a double room and bathroom with bath and washbasin. The other side leads to a twin room and a bunk bedroom with an en suite shower.

Accommodation Location




Legal ruling set to have implications for farm inheritance rows
Mr Tubby said a significant part of the scholarship program is the opportunity to select an individual study program through countries of the scholar's own choice, tracking down innovation and ideas to inform their own business, industry and communities.
"Over the coming months, we will be asking Wheatbelt residents to make the elephant their own and think about what they can do in their local area."
Fayetteville mother says four charged in son's killing were his friends

The mother-of-two is struggling to understand not just how her son could be gone so quickly, but why his friends turned on him.
How do you follow an act like the successful Nightingales series? After seven novels, I felt it was time for a change. I wanted to step outside the gates of a London hospital in the 1930s and 40s, to explore a different set of characters living in a different time and place.

The Nurses of Steeple Street

But at the same time I knew I wanted to stay within the medical world, because it's one I'm familiar with, I know my readers enjoy reading about it and I certainly love writing about it because there's so much potential for drama.

The idea of district nurses appealed immediately. Unlike hospital nursing, where the nurses are involved with the patient only for the duration of their stay, district nurses live among their patients, they remain involved in their families' lives from cradle to the grave.

I wanted to set the book outside London, so I immediately decided on Leeds, because it's close to where I live, and there are such a variety of different types of community to be found there, from the inner city to the outlying pit villages and rural areas. I also decided to set it in the 1920s, which was a period of great social change. The war had been over for a few years but the after effects were still being felt. A whole generation of young men had been wiped out, and those who had come home were suffering physically and mentally. There was also a generation of women who suddenly found they had to frame a life for themselves, whether out of necessity (because they were widowed or there was simply no one left to marry) or because they didn't want to give up the independence they had enjoyed during the war.

One such woman is Agnes Sheridan. She is a bright, ambitious hospital nurse with a promising future ahead of her, until a single, tragic mistake brings her whole world toppling down. In an effort to redeem herself, she comes to Steeple Street to retrain as a district nurse.

As far as Agnes is concerned, district nursing consists of little more than giving bed baths and changing dressings. Her rather high-handed attitude does little to endear her to the other nurses, especially the uncompromising Assistant Superintendent Bess Bradshaw. They have a prickly relationship from the start, which doesn't get any better when Agnes is assigned to Bess' patch at Quarry Hill, a notorious area of rundown slums. Bess thinks it won't be long before fastidious Agnes gives up and heads off back to London. But Agnes knows she has no other option but to stick it out. And as she gets to know the people of Quarry Hill, she learns there is more to district nursing - and to herself - than she ever imagined.

Of course, I couldn't leave the Nightingales forever, and I'm currently back in 1940s London, writing my eighth Nightingale novel, to be published at the end of the year. But I hope it won't be long before I'm paying another visit to Steeple Street to check how my new characters are getting on!

by Lucy Moore for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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1) Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen:

This may come as a shock, but when it comes to Austen literary heroes, I actually have more love for Willoughby than Darcy. I know he's a rotter and breaks Marianne's heart (not to mention that other unfortunate business, ahem), but he's just so dashing. And romantic. And darn sexy! I think it's my devotion to him that makes his final letter to Marianne all the more poignant. We all know what it feels like to love someone who no longer loves you back, and when Willoughby returns Marianne's letters and lock of hair and informs her that he's marrying snotty old Miss Grey, my heart still breaks every single time.

Isabelle Broom by Connie Heale

2) Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen:

There are lots of letters in this classic tale, but the most pivotal for me has always been the one Elizabeth Bennett receives while in the company of Darcy, informing her of her sister Lydia's elopement with Mr Wickham. As well as being an utterly juicy plot nugget, I think it's also the moment that Elizabeth realises she loves Darcy after all. Nothing quite like the thought of losing someone to make you want them like mad - and we're all still going through the same nonsense nowadays!

3) Atonement - Ian McEwan:

This book had such a profound effect on me when I first read it. The plot isn't overcomplicated, but I think if anything that adds to the novel's impact. Robbie's letter to Cecilia, which he writes during a moment of lust-fuelled madness, is never meant to be seen by anyone other than him. But of course it gets into the wrong hands, and the results are nothing short of devastating. It's a perfect illustration of just how powerful the written word can be, and how much depends on interpretation.

4) Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone - JK Rowling:

No matter how many times I read and re-read the Harry Potter books (there have been a lot, I assure you), I still get a thrill when I reach the part where Harry finally gets his magical mitts on that letter from Hogwarts. No matter how old you are when you read these books for the first time, there's a small part of you that believes JK Rowling's world could, just might, be real, and it's this desire to believe in magic that makes the books so tremendously enjoyable. Harry's letter from Hogwarts marks the beginning of both his and our journey into a new world. Simply magical!

5) 84, Charing Cross Road - Helen Hanff:

This beautiful story is told through the letters exchanged between British bookshop employee Frank Doel and US author Helen Hanff, and was later made into an equally beautiful film starring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft. What starts as professional correspondence about rare books develops over time into a genuine friendship, with the two writing to each other for 20 years about all sorts of things. The fact that it's a true story just makes it all the more touching, and I've always loved the fact that it was the pair's passion for books that bonded them so inextricably.

6) Into The Wild - Jon Krakauer:

This true story charting the life of Christopher McCandless, a young man from Virginia, America, who took off "into the wild" and tragically died from starvation aged just 24, broke my heart the first time I read it. Here was a man who was struggling to find his place in a world that he saw as oppressive, a man who had ideals that many would call foolish, but that he truly believed in, and he'd ended up dying a lonely death away from his loved ones. It was while Chris McCandless was in Alaska that he fell ill, and each day he would head out from his makeshift home inside an abandoned bus to forage for berries. As his health deteriorated, the young man wrote a letter and fixed it to the bus while he was out. It includes the words, "I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out of here. I am all alone. This is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me." I have never been able to forget those words.

7) We Need To Talk About Kevin - Lionel Shriver:

This is a book that always springs to mind whenever anyone mentions the subject of epistolary novels, but while I was actually reading it for the first time, I remember forgetting that I was reading a series of letters. Lionel Shriver has managed to make the first-person narrative just as thrilling as any crime novel you'd pick up, but it's this personal angle that makes the book so unforgettable. There's a real sense of dread from the very opening page, and when you reach <that> chapter, the pay-off does not disappoint. It's a chiller in every sense of the word - and a huge achievement.

8) PS I Love You - Cecelia Ahern

It still makes my jaw hit the desk whenever I'm reminded that this book was Cecelia Ahern's debut, and just glancing at the cover gets me teary. The letters that Gerry leaves behind for Holly after he dies are the epitome of heartbreaking romance, but at the same time they manage not to be corny. It's 12 years old now this book, and it still feels so fresh and original. I absolutely love it, and I think it demonstrates perfectly just how powerful the written word can be. Gerry loved Holly enough to know exactly what she'd need and when she'd need it - he's one of the ultimate romantic heroes of all time. Perhaps it's no great surprise, then, that my romantic hero ended up being Irish

9) A Place Called Winter - Patrick Gale

This was one of my favourite books of last year, and it was one of those miraculous novels that I opened with absolutely no expectation and ended up utterly entranced. Set in turn-of-the-century Edwardian England and the colonised Canadian prairies, it tells the story of Harry Cane, who is forced to leave behind his family and his home and move abroad after a scandal. Harry has a younger brother, Jack, who he adores, and when he receives a letter from his estranged sibling informing him that due to the scandal surrounding Harry's departure from England, he can no longer have any contact with him. For Harry, who has already lost his parents, wife, child and a huge chunk of his dignity, it's almost too much to bear. It was this part of the book, and this letter, that really made me fall for the character and his plight.

10) The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce

I adore this charming and hugely uplifting tale of retired Harold Fry, who gets a letter one day informing him that a friend has cancer, only to end up embarking on a journey across the country to visit her. He only means to send a note back in reply, but when he gets to the first postbox, he has second thoughts and walks on to the next, and so on. I don't want to give away too many details or spoilers, but suffice to say that it is this initial letter that changes Harold's life and acts as the catalyst he's been waiting for, similarly to the letter my character Holly receives at the start of My Map Of You. Sometimes what you need to make a change is someone giving you permission to, and this is exactly what happens in both these cases.
Michael Shannon is set to join forces with Kevin Spacey this summer as Elvis & Nixon hits the big screen.

Elvis & Nixon

Shannon will take on the role of Elvis Presley while Spacey is on board as President Richard Nixon as two of the most famous men come face to face.

Elvis & Nixon marks the return of Liza Johnson to the director's chair for her first feature since Hateship Loveship back in 2013. This is only the fourth feature of her directing career and looks set to be her most successful.

The brand new UK trailer for the film has been unveiled and we have it for you to take a look at:





Shannon and Spacey are two of the most exciting actors around and I really cannot wait to see them come face to face and share the screen.

The duo is joined on the cast list by Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Knoxville, Colin Hanks, Evan Peters, Sky Ferreira, and Tracy Letts.

On the morning of December 21st, 1970 the world's biggest star, Elvis Presley (Shannon) arrived on the White House lawn to request a meeting with the most powerful man in the world, President Richard Nixon (Spacey).

Elvis & Nixon tells the astounding true story of this meeting between two men at the height of their powers.

If you are not a huge fan of the blockbuster summer that is on the horizon, Elvis & Nixon could well be the film for you and will be a great alternative to all of the CGI-driven films that will be coming our way.

Elvis & Nixon is released 24th June.

by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Travis will perform songs from their new album 'Everything At Once' live for the first time on April 30.

Travis

The 'Sing' hitmakers will debut the tracks from their follow-up to 2013 LP 'Where We Stand' at an intimate gig at HMV on London's Oxford Street ahead of their UK tour next month.

This time round the band - compromised of Fran Healy, Andy Dunlop, Dougie Payne and Neil Primrose - decided to be "frugal" with the length of each track on the record so they could be precise in illustrating their sound.

Frontman Fran said: "We have learnt to be frugal with our writing. You can say everything you want to say. You don't need four minutes to do it."

The indie rockers' new album was recorded at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany, where David Bowie made 'Heroes' and Iggy Pop's 'The Idiot' and 'Lust For Life'.

The lead single '3 Miles High' features rising Norwegian star Aurora, who shot to fame after covering Oasis' 'Half The World Away' for the 2015 John Lewis Christmas advert.

Travis will release 'Everything At Once' on Friday April 29 through their own label Red Telephone Box via Caroline International.

Tickets are available at Hmv.com/hmvlive/travis for the Scottish group's concert and 'Everything at Once' album signing.

Travis UK tour dates are as follows:

Fri. April 29 Tampa Raymond James Stadium

May 6, Glasgow, The ABC SOLD OUT

May 7, Manchester, Albert Hall SOLD OUT

May 9, London, O2 Shepherds Bush

May 12, Birmingham, O2 Academy

May 13, Newcastle upon Tyne, O2 Academy

May 14, Leeds, O2 Academy & Underground

May 16, Leicester, De Monfort Hall

May 17, Bournemouth, O2 Academy

May 18, Bristol, Colston Hall

May 19, Norwich, UEA
Britain's Prince William wants to "develop" into his royal duties.

Britain's Prince William

The 33-year-old royal - who has two-year-old son Prince George and 11-month-old Princess Charlotte with his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge - has hit back at claims he is work shy, insisting he takes his duty "very seriously".

He said: "I take duty very seriously. I take my responsibilities very seriously. But it's about finding your own way at the right time and if you're not careful duty can sort of weigh you down an awful lot at a very early age and I think you've got to develop into the duty role."

And the Duke of Cambridge has praised his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth - who celebrates her ninetieth birthday tomorrow (21.04.16) - for being a "real guiding example" to him.

He told BBC News: "I think the Queen's duty and her service, her tolerance, her commitment to others - I think that's all been incredibly important to me and it's been a real guiding example of just what a good monarch could be.

"And it's been incredibly insightful for me growing up, watching her leadership in that role.

"I think it's important to grow into a role with the right characteristics and the right qualities, and I think she's exemplified that in everything she's done."
Britain's Queen Elizabeth is looking for someone to manage her social media accounts.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth

The royal household is recruiting a Head of Digital Engagement to take on the role of "finding new ways to maintain The Queen's presence in the public eye and on the world stage" and is promising a 45,000 wage in return.

The advert reads: "It's about never standing still and finding new ways to maintain The Queen's presence in the public eye and on the world stage. This is what makes working for the Royal Household exceptional ...

"Whether you're covering a state visit, award ceremony or royal engagement, you'll make sure our digital channels consistently spark interest and reach a range of audiences ... The reaction to our work is always high-profile, and so reputation, brand and impact will be at the forefront of all you do. And having your work shared around the world will be the biggest reward."

The advert goes on to explain the importance of the job in "engaging a worldwide audience", with the British Monarchy's Twitter account currently at over 2.1 million followers.

It continues: "The role of Royal Communications is to engage a worldwide audience with the public role and work of The Royal Family. Joining this fast paced and dynamic team, your challenge will be to lead on and develop our digital communications strategy, and ensure that we make effective use of a range of digital platforms to support these aims."
SGS, a Switzerland based testing, inspection and certification company, opened a textile testing laboratory in Semarang, Indonesia recently to support the textile and apparel manufacturing companies in Central Java.

The presence of this laboratory will strengthen the local apparel industrys ability to meet global standards and acceptability, according to a press statement released by the company. It will assist in the local manufacturers need to comply with international regulations and requirements, and will cater both domestic and international clients.

Complimenting SGSs existing testing laboratory in Jakarta, this new laboratory is ideally placed for Semarang, Solo and Yogyakarta, the centre of textile industry, and Surabaya, the centre of footwear and leather industry.

SGS opened a textile testing laboratory in Semarang in November 2015 to support the textile & apparel manufacturing co in Central Java.#

Indonesia is a hub for textile and ready-made garment exports to USA, European and Japan markets with total exports of USD 9.27 billion last year, the release said.

SGSs state-of-the-art facility is fully equipped to address these requirements as well as sustainability management in the apparel and footwear industry for physical and chemical testing service, according to the release. (MCJ)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk
Capital market regulator Sebi's has given its approval to Coimbatore-based SP Apparels for raising around Rs 215 crore through an initial public offering (IPO).The company which had filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with Sebi in December 2015 for launching the IPO, received clearance from the regulator on April 5, according to an agency report

Capital market regulator Sebi's has given its approval to Coimbatore-based SP Apparels for raising around Rs 215 crore through an initial public#

It aims to mop up to Rs 215 crore through fresh issue of shares, while its existing shareholders will offload 9 lakh equity shares, as per the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) filed with Sebi.SP Apparels which was set up in 1989, manufactures and exports knitted garments for infants and children. The firm also manufactures and retails menswear in India under the brand 'Crocodile'.Proceeds from the fresh issue will be utilised for repayment of debt, expansion and modernisation of manufacturing facility at Salem in Tamil Nadu and opening of new stores for the sale of 'Crocodile' products.The funds raised will be also used for addition of balancing machineries for its existing dyeing unit at Sipcot, Perundurai in Tamil Nadu and other general corporate purposes. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) in the US has hailed the introduction of legislation in the House of Representatives that sets forward a path for a new Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB)."RILA applauds the introduction of the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016, which sets forth a process to reduce or eliminate duties on certain imports into the United States," Hun Quach, Vice President for International Trade , said in a statement.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) in the US has hailed the introduction of legislation in the House of Representatives that sets forward#

"The miscellaneous tariff bill (MTB) will enhance the competitiveness of American businesses. We commend Representatives Brady, Levin, Reichert, and Rangel for helping American businesses and consumers to spur economic growth and support more American jobs. We urge the House of Representatives to approve the legislation as quickly as possible."The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016, introduced by Representatives Brady, Levin, Reichert, and Rangel, would set forth a process to eliminate trade distorting tariffs in the US tariff code on imports critical to American businesses. The MTB would help enhance global competitiveness of those businesses by cutting production costs in the US, without harming other US producers. The last MTB passed by Congress expired on December 31, 2012.RILA is the trade association of the world's largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
American fashion house Calvin Klein, Inc. has announced a new global creative strategy for the company, which will unify all Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision. Francisco Costa, Women's Creative Director, Calvin Klein Collection, and Italo Zucchelli, Men's Creative Director, Calvin Klein Collection, will be leaving the company.The strategy comes as part of a global evolution in the direction of the Calvin Klein brand, which began with the reacquisition of its jeans and underwear businesses in 2013. As the company continues to build itself into a $10 billion global retail sales business, this undertaking will further solidify the brand's positioning worldwide and pave the way for future long-term global growth. The new brand direction will ultimately follow one creative vision across all categories of the business. An announcement will be made in due course, it said in a press release.

American fashion house Calvin Klein, Inc. has announced a new global creative strategy for the company, which will unify all Calvin Klein brands#

Steve Shiffman, CEO of Calvin Klein, Inc. said, This creative strategy marks the beginning of another significant chapter in Calvin Klein's brand legacy since Klein's retirement. I would like to thank Francisco and Italo for their unwavering commitment to the Calvin Klein brand and their accomplishments over the past decade. They have both contributed immensely to making Calvin Klein a global leader in the fashion industry, and they have done so with dedication, focus and creativity.Calvin Klein, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PVH Corp., is one of the leading fashion design and marketing studios in the world. It designs and markets women's and men's designer collection apparel and a range of other products that are manufactured and marketed through an extensive network of licensing agreements and other arrangements worldwide. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Tuesday launched and eco friendly jute bag initiative in New Delhi to combat the threat of pollution by polythene bags, according to a Textiles Ministry press release.Residents of Delhi now have a choice and can themselves restrict use of plastic bags by using eco-friendly, biodegradable and low-cost jute bags. Mother Dairy, National Jute Board (NJB) and Birds Jute & Exports Ltd. (BJEL) have joined hands in this green venture, to provide attractive, low cost jute bags at the thousand-odd booths of Mother Dairy/Safal in Delhi  NCR.

Textiles Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Tuesday launched and eco friendly jute bag initiative in New Delhi to combat the threat of pollution by#

The venture is promoted by NJB, bags are manufactured by BJEL and supplied to Mother Dairy for distribution at its booths.Through this scheme, one can purchase one's daily requirement of perishables from reliable outlets of Mother Dairy and Safal, along with the option of buying environment friendly, attractive, low cost jute bags too. Available in the price range of Rs 25 to Rs. 35, these bags are strong, washable and can be used several times over, making them cost effective.These bags are provided at Mother Dairy and Safal outlets by BJEL, a PSU under the administrative control of the Textiles Ministry.Gangwar had launched Common Facility Centre Scheme of the National Lute Board on September 1, 2015 at Kolkata, under which 5 CFCs were to be set up. Out of the five CFCs, two CFC's at Hoogly & 24 Parganas are being run by BJEL under which different Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs)/ micro entrepreneurs manufacture Jute Diversified Products. The Mother Dairy jute bags will provide such WSHGs a regular market and sustained means of livelihood.Mother Dairy has placed an initial order of 20,000 jute bags - 10,000 units each for Mother Dairy and Safal. Based on the response of residents of Delhi/NCR, repeat orders shall be placed. These bags are being supplied by BJEL on cost to cost basis; any profit earned in future will be passed on to the artisans and members of the WSHGs.Gangwar urged the people of Delhi to make a smart choice by opting for the jute carry bags. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
World 2015-16 cotton production is projected at 99.8 million bales, 16 per cent below last season. India and China account for over half of the global crop, with India contributing 27 per cent and China supplying 24 per cent of the 2015-16 production, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has estimated.World cotton production has followed global cotton prices lower, with a fourth consecutive crop decline this season. Harvested area is estimated at 30.9 million hectares, the lowest since 2009-10. The global yield is projected at 702 kg/hectare, compared with 762 kg/hectare last season and 2013-14's record of 799 kg/hectare.

World 2015-16 cotton production is projected at 99.8 million bales, 16 per cent below last season. India and China account for over half of the#

USDA's April decrease of 420,000 bales in the 2015-16 world production estimate - largely in Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, and Brazil - pushed the global crop below 100 million bales for the first time since 2003-04. Of the major producing countries in 2015-16, only Australia's crop is expected to be higher than the year before.Global cotton consumption in 2015-16 is estimated at 109.6 million bales, less than 1 per cent (600,000 bales) below the preceding season but similar to the previous 3-year average. With crop shortfalls around the globe this season, world cotton mill use will exceed production for the first time since 2009-10.China - the leading cotton spinner - is forecast to use 32.5 million bales of raw cotton in 2015-16, slightly below a year ago as yarn imports remain an important component for the textile industry. On the other hand, India's mill use is projected unchanged in 2015-16 at 24.5 million bales after rising for three consecutive seasons. However, consumption is expected higher in Bangladesh and Vietnam, where 2015-16 mill use is forecast near 5.8 million bales and 5.1 million bales, respectively. Textile and apparel expansion in these countries has continued as production costs - mainly labuor  remain relatively low.World cotton trade is projected at 34.8 million bales for 2015-16, about 2 per cent below the previous season and 25 per cent lower than 2012-13's record of 46.5 million bales. Lower imports by China have largely reduced the amount of raw cotton that has been traded over the last several seasons, although increases by a number of other countries have partially offset China's reduction. In 2015-16, China is forecast to import only 5 million bales of raw cotton, compared with 24.5 million bales 4 years ago. Bangladesh , on the other hand, is expected to become the leading cotton importer this season (with imports near 5.7 million bales) as the country 's textile industry continues its expansion.
Turkey's decision to impose anti-dumping duties on American cotton imports will drive up costs for its own textile producers, hurting the competitiveness of their exports, the head of an industry group said on Tuesday, according to a Reuters report On Sunday, Ankara announced 3 per cent duty on US cotton imports, claiming that imports were hurting domestic cotton production. US cotton farmers have said they will fight the decision through the World Trade Organization and Turkish courts.The spat is likely to strain on trade relations between one of the world's top fibre growers and one of its biggest customers at a time of weak global prices and demand."This is a decision that will increase raw material costs of textile producers by 2-3 per cent and will somewhat affect price competitiveness of Turkish exports," Ismail Gulle, head of the Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Union, whose members account for 70 per cent of Turkish textile exports.

"US cotton has specialty uses, it is not something we could give up using, the industry will shoulder the costs."



Turkey is the second-biggest buyer of American cotton, with shipments ranging from 1.5 million to 2 million bales per year.

Turkey exported $17 billion worth of garments and ready-to-wear clothing last year, and $8 billion of textiles and raw materials, according to industry data.



The move had been widely expected since February, when Turkey's economy ministry said US cotton was hurting the domestic cotton industry.



"It was determined that the material damage to local production branch has been the result of dumping in imports," the government said in its official gazette on Sunday while announcing the move. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Karl Mayer, a leading manufacturer of warp knitting machines, continues its close cooperation with Texion's software systems ProCad and ProFab for life-like fabric simulation and real-time display of processes and machine status.

Texion's software ProCad, a range of Computer Aided Design (CAD), and ProFab, a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for all types and generations of warp knitting machines, can be used to develop new products by automating production, said Karl Mayer in a press release.

ProCad is perfect for the design departments of textile producers. The high-end ProCad software developer enables multibar and jacquard raschel patterns to be developed and processed. The ProCad warpknit can handle warp-knitted spacer textiles, tricot and raschel fabrics. The new 3D fabric simulation system can produce large lace, jacquard and tricot patterns extremely quickly based on two important new innovations  newly developed 3D algorithms and a wide range of new yarn models.

Karl Mayer, a leading manufacturer of warp knitting machines, continues its close cooperation with Texion's software systems ProCad and ProFab for#

Fully integrated into the machine control systems, ProFab can access all the machine data and all the planning data simultaneously. The guaranteed real-time networking of the machines into the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems provides an accurate view of the status of the machines at all times, the machine utilisation, the status of the job, as well as quality reports and analyses. (HO)

Karl Mayer
A Chinese consortium led by Apex Technology and PAG Asia Capital has snapped up print giant Lexmark in a deal valued at $3.6 billion including debt, as Chinese investors continue their outbound buying spree snapping up brand names all over the world.

The all-cash transaction values Lexmark at $40.5 per share, representing a 16.8% premium to its Tuesday closing share price of $34.66 in New York, the company said late on Tuesday in a statement.

The takeover is the latest in a string of cross-border acquisitions by Chinese companies that are actively expanding overseas and purchasing established foreign assets for their know-how and new markets amid China's economic slowdown.

Chinese buyers have splurged $104 billion on 251 foreign deals so far this year, with 66 tech-related deals contributing $17.5 billion, according to data provider Dealogic. The total volume so far this year is also close to last years record annual volume of $107 billion.

The Lexmark takeover is also the second largest Chinese outbound acquisition in the tech sector since 2013. The only deal bigger, according to Dealogic, is the $6 billion takeover by Tianjin Tianhai Investment, a subsidiary of Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, of US technology distributor Ingram Micro. That deal, agreed in February, has not yet been completed.

Besides Apex Technology, a Shenzhen-listed Chinese manufacturer of inkjet and laser cartridge components, and PAG Asia Capital, the private-equity buyout arm of PAG, a Hong Kong-based investment firm, the consortium also includes Legend Capital, the venture capital unit of Legend Holdings.

Like its peers in the printing industry, Lexmark has seen difficult times due to weakened demand for printing products as consumers shift from using personal computers to mobile devices and digital documents.

Lexmark reported $3.55 billion of revenue last year, down 4.5% from one year earlier, while its net loss of 2015 reached $40.4 million, compared with net income of $80 million year-on-year.

In October, the company said it had hired Goldman Sachs to help explore strategic alternatives, including a sale.

Shares in Lexmark gained 11.3% to $38.57 in Tuesdays after-hours trading on the news of takeover.

With the consortiums resources, we will be able to continue to invest in and grow the business to more fully penetrate the Asia-Pacific market, Lexmark chairman and chief executive officer Paul Rooke said in the statement.

The acquisition, which is subject to antitrust clearance in various jurisdictions as well as approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS), is expected to be completed in the second half of 2016.

After the close of the deal, Lexmark will keep its headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, and Paul Rooke will stay at the helm of the company, according to the statement.

The deal will be financed through equity contributions from the consortium and debt financing.

Lexmarks sole financial adviser was Goldman Sachs while Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz was the companys legal counsel.

Moelis advised the consortium financially along with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and King & Wood Mallesons as legal counsel.
Beneficiaries won't get hit with a 50% penalty for not making withdrawals in 2021 and 2022  an unexpected move by the IRS. But questions still remain.
Real estate on independent advisor workstations is now reaching stratospheric values, triggering an all-out battle among industry heavyweights for market share and control of distribution.

Clearly, advisor technology is now ground zero in the battle plans of the industrys giants as they look to deploy integrated, bundled systems to capture more mind- and wallet-share of independent advisors.

The growth of the independent sector, most notably independent RIAs, has shifted the power structure in the wealth management industry away from captive, employee models. As a result, product manufacturers, custodians and broker-dealers are being forced to find new ways to get their revenue generating products and services in front of advisors to better control their distribution needs.

What this means for independent advisors is that the technology they use on a daily basis to operate their business and provide advice to investors -- CRM, portfolio management, rebalancing, financial planning, client portals -- is now in play as the strategic lever the big firms are using to better position their brands and products to independent advisors.

Case in point: Schwabs failed attempts to deploy an integrated technology strategy through Salesforce. (Editor's note: Welsh has consulted with organizations competitive with Schwab and Salesforce.)

A TROJAN HORSE?

Due to the ginormous costs of deploying, customizing and supporting Salesforce for an advisors business, Schwab attempted to create an integrated bundle, the Schwab OneView Integrated Office, that would attract advisors to their platform in order to better control those advisors access to the investment products and services Schwab sells to subsidize their custody services.

After six years, I believe Schwab gave up on this strategy not only to stem the financial bleeding from offering a subsidized bundled offering -- only 150 firms are subscribed -- but also to focus on ways they can better control the ways advisors operate their businesses directly through their own software, and not a third party and potential new competitor.

Salesforce recently announced their own integrated bundle called the Financial Services Cloud -- which conspiracy theorists (myself among them) view as Salesforces version of a Trojan horse to control the advisor desktop and then charge basis points back to the custodians, asset managers and broker dealers for access to advisors through their technology pipes.

(When contacted by Financial Planning's managing editor Suleman Din, Brian Shenson, vice president of Schwab Advisor Services, says the decision to end the bundled offering was unconnected to Salesforce's entry into the platform space. Firms in the plan were always expected to graduate from the bundled offering, which started at $10,000 for access to two users, to more customized solutions as they became more established, Shenson says. He adds a good working relationship remains between Schwab and Salesforce and that there are still other ongoing efforts between them. In response to inquiries, Salesforce states: "Schwab continues to be a great partner of Salesforce.")

BATTLE CASUALTIES

So, while Schwab and Salesforce make nice in public, it is clear that they are eyeing each other with dubious thoughts of becoming future competitors under the covers. Similar to how Google, Apple and Facebook seem to dominate different industry segments, they all acknowledge that they are in direct competition with each other for consumers eyeballs, devices and purchasing power.

Unfortunately, when there are battles among the heavyweights, there will be casualties.

In this case those 150 advisory firms are now under the gun to find a replacement CRM along with the other systems that were part of the bundle before the end of April in order to inform Schwab of their plan. Otherwise, they will have to continue to pay Schwab for a system that is on life-support only for another three months when it will be officially killed on July 31.

This task of completely re-doing an advisors back office systems is daunting, requires a tremendous amount of research and will be completely disruptive for 150 advisory firms by the end of the month -- thanks Schwab!

(Shenson tells Din at Financial Planning that the 150 firms subscribed to the offering were given notice months in advance of Schwab's decision, and those remaining with their service providers outside of the bundle would be provided with discounted pricing "to offset what would be perceived as a more expensive soltuion" as well as discounting some of Schwab's costs for portfolio management.)

Industry experts and consultants are recommending that these firms abandon Salesforce and move to purpose-built systems such as Junxure Cloud or Grendel, that do not require consultants, customization and high costs just to get them to work for a wealth management business.

PLATFORM BLOAT

In the meantime, the drumbeat of integration and platform bloat continues on, driven by the other independent industry goliaths. The most recent example is Fidelitys mind-boggling, billion dollar initiative called the Total Advisor Platform. Fresh off the acquisition of eMoney, Fidelity is putting that new asset to work as part of an impressive attempt to replicate all of the systems advisors need to run their businesses.

The Fidelity TAP is taking the idea of controlling the advisor desktop to the highest level, as it will ultimately provide every piece of advisor software needed to run an independent wealth management business. Even for advisors using multiple-custodians, Fidelity insists that the TAP will provide all aspects of the tools and third party systems currently mission critical to advisory firms.

According to Tom McCarthy, head of the Fidelity TAP, who I spoke to at the recent T3 Advisor conference, With this capability, advisors will no longer need traditional portfolio accounting systems anymore.

This statement sent off an alarm bell and warning to the advisor technology sector that now wakes up to a new competitor offering up every piece of advisor software in the form of one integrated bundle from one of the largest financial institutions on the planet. Good luck with that!

TECHNOLOGY WAR

While the custodians are going all-in on technology strategies to battle it out for supremacy, other institutions are not sitting still in this war for the advisor desktop. Consider Envestnets acquisition strategy over the last several years.

They too are aggressively pursuing a total desktop approach through their nearly billion dollar spending spree buying portfolio management, rebalancing and CRM platform Tamarac, financial planning software maker Finance Logix, robo advisor Upside and data aggregator Yodlee for a stock-crushing $600 million.

Also, not sitting idling by is Morningstar, which is quietly building their own advisor desktop bundle through acquisitions of data aggregator By All Accounts, portfolio rebalancer TRX, robo advisor Hello Wallet -- all of which will go nicely with their already robust and popular portfolio management system, Morningstar Office.

THINK TWICE

So given this technology war being battled around them, what should advisors do?

Clearly, after the Schwab-Salesforce debacle, advisors should think twice about going with any custodial bundle and pushing for open architecture. Controlling your own systems means controlling your own destiny. The last thing advisors want is to be at the whims of a massive institution that may or may not decide to keep a system, trash it, or even worse, stop innovating with it.

Advisors are independent for a reason, and so should their software. Along these lines, there are excellent examples of institutions embracing that spirit, such as TD Ameritrade Institutional, with their Veo Open Access initiative that has over 90 different technology integrations -- and no bundles.

The good news for the advisor industry is that given its success and growth, outside investments in technology continue to pour in. As the more the custodians and asset managers attempt to make independent systems proprietary, the more innovation is created to find better, more efficient ways to support advisors.


With the Labor Department's fiduciary rule finalized, are some advisors now a target for lawsuits?

Experts suggest that the threat of litigation  which exists because the rule provides clients with the right to legal action  could push some firms to change business models and spur some advisors to exit the business.

"Litigation is one area where firms are particularly concerned," says Chris Joline, partner PricewaterhouseCoopers, financial services compliance and regulatory.

Joline, speaking during a Financial Planning webinar on the fiduciary rule's impact, says he thinks some firms may move more assets into a fee-based platform. And, in addition to litigation concerns, he also notes that there are stiff disclosure requirements in the rule regarding fees.

"When people really start to look at the rule, more and more firms will conclude that they do not want to comply with all of this because it's a minefield of trouble," he says.

While the Obama administration backed the Labor Department's efforts to craft a new fiduciary rule, the department did not get a boost in resources to police the rule. However, the rule does allow clients to sue firms for breach of fiduciary duty and also to launch class action lawsuits.

"I think that, knowing that there was a limit to their ability to enforce, that there would be a private right to action," says Dan Bernstein, a principal at Hamburger Law Firm.

A version of the fiduciary rule was first proposed in 2010, but only finalized earlier this month. Lawyers, chief executives and compliance officers have been pouring over the rule's more than 1,000 pages. Ron Rhoades, professor and director of the Financial Planning Program at the Gordon Ford School of Business at Western Kentucky University, says he spent more than 40 hours reading it over the course of a weekend.

REPUTATIONS AT RISK

Some firms may view the threat of litigation as a cost of doing business, Rhoades, a past NAPFA national board member, says. "But as an advisor, your situation is completely different."

The reputational risk could be deadly for an advisor, Rhoades says. "You don't want to view it, from the point of view of your practice, as a cost of doing business. You want to run a clean practice."

Rhoades says he thinks that the rule will encourage more firms to move clients onto fee-based platforms  a direction that the industry has been moving towards for some time. However, he rejects suggestions made by others that pressures created by the rule could force advisors out of the business.

"I think most advisors die at their desks For a small subset, this will probably change their mind about retirement. But for most, I think they will say, 'I still love this business and I still want to be giving advice when I'm 80,'" Rhoades says.

Read more:




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.
SHANGHAI, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.("JinkoSolar"), a global leader in the solar PV industry, today announced that it has supplied DST Enerji Elektrik Uretim A.S ("DST Enerji ") with 7 MW of PV solar modules in Turkey.

After 19 years' working at power producer companies at top management level, Mr. Ali Can Takunyaci established his own company, DST Enerji, in April 2014. Following a solar power plant project development period, the first EPC project of the company became the Ortakonak-1 solar power plant with an installed capacity of 7 MW. This plant is located in the Konya province, which is at the central Anatolian region of Turkey, within a land area of 137.000 m2.

The contract has been signed with the investor GNCR Holding in March 2015. Following design, project approval and land development periods, DST Enerji started site work in September 2015. The company has chosen the JKM260PP poly crystalline modules from JinkoSolar for its important first project.

After an intensive site works period, the temporary acceptance with TEDAS (Turkish Electricity Distribution Company Inc.) was signed in early March 2016, and the plant got into commercial operation.

"We have added our engineering during construction of this plant to minimize shadowing losses, cabling losses, transformer losses, and mismatch losses. String planning and seasonal tilt angle adjustment steel structure were also applied," Mr. Takunyaci explained and added. "The Energy yield results of the first month shows that Ortakonak-1 solar power plant will become one of the most efficient solar power plants in Turkey. I would like to thank my team, the investor and to our solution providers for their contributions to this wonderful project."

Arda Kristaporyan, Country Manager Turkey at JinkoSolar, commented, "We are very proud of becoming a partner of DST and developing such unique projects in terms of design, engineering and construction. Our flexibility, reliability and technical strength matched well with their requirements for a module supplier which enable us to have sustainable and exceptional partnership for the future. We are extremely pleased to see outstanding field performance of our partners using our PID Free modules which link us stronger with our partners and maintain our leading position in the market."
SAN RAMON (dpa-AFX) - Island Energy Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of One Rock Capital Partners, LP, said that it has signed an agreement to acquire from Chevron U.S.A. Inc. certain refining, distribution and retail assets located in Hawaii, including the 58,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Kapolei, Chevron's interests in a network of 58 retail service stations, four product distribution terminals on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island, pipeline distribution systems and other related downstream assets statewide. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The agreement is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed during the second half of 2016. 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.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian dollar weakened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday. The Australian dollar fell to a 2-day low of 1.4605 against the euro, from yesterday's closing value of 1.4535. Against the U.S. dollar and the yen, the aussie dropped to 0.7783 and 84.80 from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7812 and 85.29, respectively. The aussie edged down to 0.9883 against the Canadian dollar, from an early high of 0.9909. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.49 against the euro, 0.75 against the greenback, 81.00 against the yen and 0.97 against the loonie. 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.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The New Zealand dollar weakened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Wednesday. The NZ dollar fell to 0.7008 against the U.S. dollar and 76.38 against the yen, from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7039 and 76.87, respectively. Against the euro, the kiwi dropped to 1.6209 from an early 3-month high of 1.6095. The kiwi edged down to 1.1118 against the Australian dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 1.1076. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.67 against the greenback, 73.00 against the yen, 1.65 against the euro and 1.13 against the aussie. 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.
Asetek will release its financial results for the first quarter 2016 on Wednesday, 27 April at 7:00 AM CEST.

In connection with this, the company will give a presentation at 8:30 AM CEST which can be followed through a webcast or a conference call. CEO Andre Eriksen and CFO Peter Dam Madsen will give the presentation.

In order to follow the presentation of the results use one of the following channels:

a. Webcast audio and slide presentation

A link to the webcast will be released on the company's investor website in due time before the presentation. Please refer to asetek.com/investor-relations/reports-presentations .

b. Conference call audio only

Dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the start time using the phone numbers and confirmation code below:

Oslo, Norway +47 2350 0486 Copenhagen, Denmark +45 3848 7513 London, United Kingdom +44(0)20 3427 1903 New York, United States of America +1 646 254 3365 Confirmation Code 2159347

Material: The interim report and presentation material will be made available on www.asetek.com and www.newsweb.no, as well as through news agencies.

Q&A: The conference call lines will be opened for participants to ask question at the end of the presentation.

A recorded version of the presentation will be available on www.asetek.com after the broadcast has concluded.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160419006924/en/

Contacts:

Asetek

Peter D. Madsen, +1 408-813-4147

Chief Financial Officer

investor.relations@asetek.com


BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - Lexmark International Inc. (LXK), a printing and imaging solutions provider, late Tuesday announced that it has agreed to be bought by a consortium of investors led by China's Apex Technology Co., Ltd. for $40.50 per share in cash. The enterprise value of the deal would be approximately $3.6 billion, net of cash.



Including unfunded pension liabilities and disclosed restructuring costs, the enterprise value would be approximately $4 billion.



Along with Apex, a Chinese supplier of aftermarket printer consumables, the consortium includes PAG Asia Capital, affiliated to Asian private equity firm PAG, as well as Legend Capital Management Co., Ltd.



According to PAG, the deal would enable Lexmark to continue to focus on strategic initiatives and substantially expand its access to vast market opportunities in Asia.



The deal represents a 30 percent premium to Lexmark's undisturbed closing stock price on October 21, 2015, the date prior to the news of Lexmark's exploration of strategic alternatives becoming public.



Lexmark's Board also declared its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.36 per share of Class A Common Stock. The dividend is payable on June 17, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 3.



The merger, which has been unanimously approved by Lexmark's Board of Directors, is expected to close in the second half of 2016, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.



Upon the close of the deal, Lexmark's common stock will cease to be publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.



Following the transaction, the Consortium intends to maintain Lexmark's corporate headquarters in Lexington, Ky., and its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul Rooke would continue to lead the firm. Lexmark's operations are expected to continue unaffected, including two business groups and its regional and country operations.



The merger will be financed through equity contributions by the Consortium and debt financing. The merger is not subject to a financing condition.



In the transaction, Goldman, Sachs & Co. is acting as the exclusive financial advisor to Lexmark, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is acting as the company's legal counsel.



On the NYSE, Lexmark shares gained 0.96 percent on Tuesday and settled at $34.65.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
Revenue in the first quarter increased by 18 per centFirst quarter-- Revenue increased by 18 per cent to SEK 1,000.1 (847.4) million. Revenue was burdened by SEK 44.7 million due to exchange rate fluctuations. -- Europe-Bet's online business increased 37 per cent in constant currency. -- The strong organic growth in the consumer brands amounted to 21 per cent in constant currency. -- Revenue from Sportsbook reported organic growth of 27 per cent in constant currency, and 58 per cent of the turnover was generated from mobile devices. -- Operating income amounted to SEK 250.1 (238.0) million and the operating margin amounted to 25.0 (28.1) percent.Operating income was affected by unfavourable exchange rate fluctuations amounting to SEK 34.7 million. -- Income before tax amounted to SEK 248.9 (236.4) million. -- Net income amounted to SEK 234.0 (224.1) million, corresponding to SEK 1.69 (1.62) per share. -- During the quarter, the number of active players was 538,077, which corresponds to growth of 45 per cent. -- Customer deposits in all of Betsson's gaming solutions amounted to SEK 3,516.6 (3,173.6) million, an increase of 11 per cent. -- Gross turnover in the Sportsbook amounted to SEK 6,717.7 (6,054.4) million, corresponding to growth of 11 per cent. -- The CasinoEuro, Eurocasino, Sverigeautomaten and Norgesautomaten brands were migrated during the quarter to the shared technology platform, Techsson. This means that all brands except the one that was most recently acquired, Europe-Bet, generate income from a shared technical platform. -- Europe-Bet contributed SEK 93.9 (-) million to revenue in the quarter, and SEK 35.3 (-) million to operating income. -- Betsson has gained a license in Ireland and assumes good potential for strong growth in the country.Continued profitable growth and strong underlying activity"Organic growth continues to be strong. This is the eighth consecutive quarter where growth in constant currency has exceeded market growth in our core markets. Betsson's consumer brands are doing particularly well, with organic growth in constant currency of 21 per cent, and Sportsbook is growing, despite low historical margins, with organic growth of 27 per cent in constant currency. The underlying activity continues to be strong, with growth of 45 per cent in active customers, which during the quarter was 538,077. The "old" Betsson has now been fully migrated to the shared technical platform, which further strengthens the possibilities for good growth." Ulrik Bengtsson, Betsson's President and CEO said.Presentation of the Interim ReportToday, Wednesday, 20 April, at 9:00 AM CEST, Betsson's CEO, Ulrik Bengtsson, will present the Interim Report from Betsson's office at Regeringsgatan 28, and through webcast on www.betssonab.com or http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/zciv3u2s or by phone on +46 (0)8 505 564 74 (Sweden), +44 (0)203 364 53 74 (UK), or +1 (0) 855 753 22 30 (US). The presentation will be held in English and will be followed by a question and answer session.Attachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=557134
UPDATED

Washington

After eight days of negotiations and countless proposals, a panel of educators, advocates, and officials from the U.S. Department of Education came to agreement Tuesday on assessment regulations under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Those rules are now on their way to becoming official, after theyve been published in the Federal Register.

But the panel was unable to reach accord on a sticky spending issue called supplement-not-supplant which essentially deals with how federal funds are supposed to be used relative to local and state spending. That means the Education Department will write its own rules on this issue.

And its possible that whatever the department comes up with will be challenged in court, or halted through new legislation. U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., an architect of ESSA, recently told U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr., that his departments proposal amounts to an attempt to rewrite the law . Its unclear if there will be big changesa department spokeswoman said the discussion helped advance the agencys thinking on the issue.

In a statement released Wendesday, Alexander thanked the ESSA negotiators, and in particular praised those who rejected the departments proposed supplement-not-supplant rule.

Im grateful for the hard work of the negotiators who believe the Education Department should follow the law that Congress wrote. Im sure they are frustrated not to reach a consensus, but they deserve everyones thanks for protecting our nations classrooms from unelected bureaucrats in Washington who seem determined to act as a national school board for 100,000 public schools. And they have my promise that Ill use every tool at my disposal to back up their hard work and see that the law is implemented the way Congress wrote it, Alexander said in the statement.

Assessments

The toughest part of the assessment negotiation was on tests for students with severe cognitive disabilities. Under ESSA, states are only supposed to give those tests to 1 percent of their students overall, or about 10 percent of students in special education. Individual districts, however, can exceed that cap. And states can get a waiver from the department if they need to go over the 1 percent.

After hours of back-and-forth, the negotiators eventually rejected an attempt to have a common definition of what exactly the law means by severe cognitive disabilities. Instead they agreed to require states to define the term on their own.

But the regulations set strong parameters for the definition states come up with, at the behest of civil rights advocates on the panel. For instance, states cant identify a student as having a severe cognitive disability just because that student doesnt do well in school, or only because that student is an English-language learner.

And states have to take into account both students adaptive behavior (how they handle being in school) and their cognitive abilities (their academic potential) in writing their definition.

There was also much back-and-forth on what conditions states must meet to get waivers from the 1 percent cap. Ultimately, the committee embraced much of the Education Departments proposed language .

Under the agreement, states will have to explain how they eventually plan to comply with the cap. And theyll have to show that they are testing 95 percent of their studentsboth overall and among students in special educationin order to get a waiver from the 1 percent requirement.

Some folks on the panel, especially Lynn Goss, a paraprofessional representing the National Education Association, werent fans of that provision. But all negotiators ultimately decided they could live with it.

I cant believe we got there, said Ron Hager of the National Disability Rights Network, who was representing the disability community on the panel. He likes the parameters states must consider in cooking up their definitions, even though he wishes that the panel could have set an enforceable definition for every state.

Hager is disappointed that language originally proposed by the department requiring states to make sure that poor and minority students arent disproportionately identified as having a severe cognitive disability came out. But overall, hes happy with the assessment agreement.

So is Tony Evers, the state superintendent of Wisconsin. He had previously said the requirements to get a waiver from the 1 percent testing mandate were even more onerous than the requirements to get a waiver from NCLB.

But he was satisfied with the compromise. States were never going to get full flexibility from the 1 percent cap, he said. After all, Its in the law, he said.

Negotiators also agreed on a definition of a nationally recognized test that would allow tests used for college placement or entrance to count, without specifying which tests are in the mix. (Education department officials said that SAT, ACT, PARCC, and Smarter Balanced are contenders, however.) And the compromise made it clear that states are responsible for providing students in special education and English-language learners with the accommodations they need for any test taken during the school day for accountability purposes, including the ACT or SAT.

District officials on the panel, including Derrick Chao, a school board member from Los Angeles, tried to get districts the flexibility to slowly phase in the new tests. Chao said the requirement that an entire district use the same nationally recognized test unfairly penalizes big districts, while making life easier for little districts, with just one high school, or charter schools. But his proposal did not fly with the department. Patrick Rooney, who represented the agency on the panel, said he would block agreement if it was included.

The panel was also able to come to accord on computer-adaptive tests, and how tests for students taking advanced math in 8th grade should work.

Its important to note that this is just a tentative agreement. The Education Department will still need to publish these regulations in the Federal Register and get comment on them before they are truly final. There could still be minor tweaks.

Supplement-not-Supplant

The departments proposed regulations would have required districts to look at the actual local and state dollars going to schools that get federal Title I money for disadvantaged students vs. those that dont get Title I dollars.

That means they would have had to take teachers salaries into account, as opposed to just making sure all teachers are on the same salary schedule, as districts do now. (Deeper explanation of this issue from Andrew here .)

During discussion Tuesday, opponents of the language, including Alvin Willbanks, the superintendent of the Gwinnett County School District in Georgia, essentially agreed with Alexander, saying the departments proposal flies in the face of what Congress wanted.

I dont believe this is in the law, he said. This is an overreach.

Evers said such language would call for districts to take money from one school, and give it to another, lead to forced teacher transfers, and would generally be a nightmare for state departments of education to regulate on.

Well have to monitor the salaries of every teacher in Wisconsin, he said. Im not trying to be an obstructionist here. The bottom line is that if you dont meet greater than or equal to average cost, then youre out of compliance.

Liz King, of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said, its important to flag that the disruption were talking about would be disrupting inequity. ... There is an inequitable system, and in order to get from inequity to equity there will be disruption.

To be sure, the panel did try to tweak the departments proposal. For instance, Thomas Ahart, the superintendent in Des Moines, attempted to insert language that would have allowed states to look at how many full-time-equivalent staff they had in meeting the requirement. And representatives of teachers on the panel tried to insert language that would have made it clear that districts would still have to adhere to collective bargaining agreements. But those proposals ultimately didnt fly with all negotiators, including the department.

Still, the discussion has informed the departments view of supplement-not-supplant, however, said Dorie Nolt, a spokeswoman.

The panels deliberations have helped to advance our thinking on these issues, she said. The Department will continue to take their input into account as we move forward with the regulatory process. (Just how much has it shifted? Well find out when we see the departments next proposal.)

Want to see the full agreement on testing? The department will release it later this week.
ENTEROME Bioscience SA, a pioneer in the development of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics based on the gut microbiome, announces that it has raised 14.5 million in a Series C financing round. The round was led by existing investors, such as Seventure (including from its new Health for Life Capital fund) and Lundbeckfond Ventures, and included new investors. Nestle Health Science also participated in the round as a new strategic investor. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Enterome will use the funds raised to advance the development of its lead drug candidate EB 8018 into first clinical studies during 2016 as a potential treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). EB 8018 is a novel small molecule FimH antagonist licensed from Vertex that specifically targets Adherent Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) proliferation in the gut, one of the main causes of inflammatory colitis in IBD sufferers. AIEC is an opportunistic pathogen able to thrive in the dysbiotic gut microbiome that results as IBD develops, prolonging and exacerbating the symptoms. EB 8018 acts to restore the dysbiotic microbiome to a normal state via a novel mechanism of action whereby the adhesion of AIEC to the gut wall and its proliferation is prevented.

In the diagnostics space, Enterome will pursue its development efforts in IBD and other microbiome-related diseases, where its unique technologies and insights can be leveraged on its own or under partnerships with diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies. Enterome will also use the funds to advance therapeutic programs in Immuno-Oncology.

Pierre Belichard, CEO, said: "We are pleased that our existing investors have taken the decision to make a further financial commitment to Enterome. We are also delighted that Nestle Health Science has become a new strategic investor in the company to support our development programs. We anticipate that access to their expertise and broader capabilities will be valuable in helping us achieve our ambitions. With these new funds we anticipate making further significant progress towards our goal of creating new treatments for patients suffering from conditions where the gut microbiome plays a key role.

Greg Behar, CEO of Nestle Health Science, said: "The microbiome is a fast developing and new health frontier. Enterome has recognized expertise in identifying novel microbiome diagnostics. Our strategic investment in Enterome enables us to expand our microbiome portfolio ranging from diagnosis (Dx), to therapeutics (Rx) and nutritional therapies (Nx). We are excited to working with them.

About Enterome : www.enterome.com

About Nestle Healthcare : www.nestlehealthscience.com

About Seventure Partners: www.seventure.com

About Lundbeckfond Ventures: www.lundbeckfondventures.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160419006458/en/

Contacts:

PR Contact :

Cindy Taverne, 33 1 53 63 27 27

ctaverne@yucatan.fr
LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the German newspaper Bild, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on a recent visit to Germany wore a coat decorated with details resembling the Nazi swastika. However, another German newspaper, the Rheinische Post, disagreed, saying the pattern more closely resembled the Buddhist symbol for eternity.

"The ProSwastika Alliance supports both the queen of the Netherlands and the Danish designer who made the dress," said Thomas Kaenzig, Raelian Guide and president of the ProSwastika Alliance. "The swastika was an ancient, honorable symbol thousands of years before the Nazi era, and it can be found all over Europe. That includes Denmark, where it can be found on ancient stones dating from 800 CE." (http://proswastika.org/news.php?item.81.6)

Many official buildings in Germany are decorated with pre-Nazi era swastikas, Kaenzig pointed out.

"Those in Germany who got upset about the queen's attire should first ask their own president to remove the swastikas from his residence (http://proswastika.org/news.php?item.101.6)," he said, adding that people often know very little about the ancient and honorable pre-Nazi history of the symbol.

"Fortunately, people are becoming more and more aware of its original and beautiful meaning: good will and peace," Kaenzig said. "For example, in Japan the government at first wanted to remove the swastika symbol that indicates temples on their tourist maps. But they decided to keep it after getting feedback from informed people around the world, including many Raelians. We were very active in giving our support for keeping this symbol that is so dear to many Japanese."




Strengthens organization ahead of the US Launch of its Novel Regenerative Facial and Cranial Implants in 2017 Uppsala, Sweden, 20 April, 2016OssDsign AB, a Swedish designer, manufacturer and distributor of next generation implants for cranial and facial repair, today announced the appointment of Simon Cartmell as Chairman of the Board. Mr Cartmell is an experienced entrepreneur in the life-sciences industry and a Non-Executive Director/Chairman of a number European medical device companies.Mr Cartmell was previously the CEO and architect behind the commercial success of ApaTech, a British medtech firm that developed ACTIFUSE, a novel bone void filler used to treat bone defects resulting from orthopaedic and spine surgery or traumatic injury. ApaTech was acquired by Baxter International in March 2010 for $330 million."I have been very impressed by both OssDsign's cutting-edge regenerative implants and the team behind the technology," says Mr Cartmell, "OssDsign has clearly differentiated products, a very promising technology platform and is about to enter an exciting phase in its development. I see many similarities with my previous successes in the medtech sector, and I am looking forward to working with the rest of the board and the newly expanded management team to make OssDsign's regenerative implants a global success.""We are extremely happy to have Simon join OssDsign," says Dr Victor Drvota, Chief Investment Officer at Karolinska Development, the founding investor in the company. Dr Drvota continues: "His experience of global, and in particular, US commercialization within the field of orthopedic biomaterials gives us an important strategic edge. We regard Simon's decision to become OssDsign's Chairman as a clear endorsement of the benefits that company's regenerative implants deliver and their significant commercial potential."OssDsign is now entering a phase of global expansion and anticipates its first US product launch in the first quarter of 2017. OssDsign has already successfully commercialised its lead products OSSDSIGN Cranial and OSSDSIGN Facial on the UK, German and Scandinavian markets. OssDsign raised 9.6 million to support its growth ambitions in November 2015.As part of the rapid transformation into a globally operating company, OssDsign also welcomes Rick Thomas to the new role of VP Global Commercial Operations. Mr Thomas brings invaluable experience from previous positions in sales and marketing at Medtronic, ApaTech and Baxter, where he last served as International Sales Director.Further key recruitments to OssDsign include Claes Lindblad, Chief Financial Officer; Henrik Hjort, Marketing Director; and Ulrik Birgersson, Head of Clinical Engineering.Anders Lundqvist, CEO of OssDsign, commenting on today's announcement said, "I am delighted that Simon has agreed to become our Chairman as we enter a key period for OssDsign. With our strengthened management team, all of whom have broad backgrounds within the international medical device industry, I believe we are now well placed to successfully transition from a development stage company into a business with commercial operations in the US and Europe that will allow us to drive the sales of our unique regenerative implants."About OssDsignOssDsign is a Swedish medtech company dedicated to creating regenerative implants for improved healing of bone defects and deficits in skull, facial and other types of surgery. OssDsign has successfully launched its first patient specific products OSSDSIGN Cranial and OSSDSIGN Facial in Germany, the UK and the Nordic countries, and further global market expansion is ongoing.By combining clinical insight with proprietary material technology and patient adapted design, OssDsign supplies an expanding range of tailored solutions for cranial repair and facial bone reconstruction. OssDsign's technology is the result of collaboration between clinical researchers at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, and material science experts at the Angstrom Laboratory at Uppsala University. Main investors in OssDsign are Karolinska Development, SEB Venture Capital, Fouriertransform and Almi Invest. For more information: http://www.ossdsign.comAttachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=557088
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - GKN plc (GKN.L) reported that its Management sales for the three months ended 31 March 2016 were 2.18 billion pounds, compared to 1.94 billion pounds, last year. The Group said the 12% increase comprised 1% organic growth, 8% acquisition growth and 3% beneficial currency translation. The Group said its Automotive businesses continues to outperform the market and Aerospace business has traded in line with its expectations, against a strong comparative period. Nigel Stein, Chief Executive, GKN plc, said: 'Our overall performance in the first quarter was in line with our expectations. With end markets delivering as forecast and customers continuing to award us good levels of new and repeat business, we expect to grow in 2016 and beyond, helped by the contribution from Fokker, whose performance and integration is on track.' 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.


CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Commodity currencies such as the Australian, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars weakened against their major counterparts in the Asian session on Wednesday, as oil prices fell after the news that Kuwaiti oil workers called off a three-day strike that had cut output from the Middle Eastern country. Meanwhile, data from industry group American Petroleum Institute showing rising U.S. stockpiles also weighed on oil prices.



Crude oil for June delivery are currently down $0.93 to $41.54 a barrel.



Kuwaiti oil and gas workers called off a three-day strike to protest cuts in pay and benefits as Middle Eastern crude exporters reduce subsidies and government handouts.



Data from API showed that U.S. crude stocks increased to 3.100 million barrels last week, from the 6.223 million barrels recorded in the preceding week



Tuesday, the Australian, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars rose against their major rivals, as investor sentiment improved amid rising risk appetite following the stabilization in crude oil prices as Kuwait oil workers went on a strike.



The Australian dollar rose 0.86 percent against the U.S. dollar, 1.14 percent against the yen and 0.39 percent against the euro. The NZ dollar rose 1.39 percent against the U.S. dollar, 1.78 percent against the yen and 62.43 percent against the euro. The Canadian dollar rose 0.89 percent against the U.S. dollar, 1.63 percent against the yen and 0.56 percent against the euro.



In the Asian trading, the Australian dollar fell to a 2-day low of 1.4605 against the euro, from yesterday's closing value of 1.4535. The aussie may test support near the 1.49 area.



Against the U.S. dollar and the yen, the aussie dropped to 0.7783 and 84.80 from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7812 and 85.29, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.75 against the greenback and 81.00 against the yen.



The aussie edged down to 0.9883 against the Canadian dollar, from an early high of 0.9909. On the downside, 0.97 is seen as the next support level for the aussie.



The NZ dollar fell to 0.7008 against the U.S. dollar and 76.38 against the yen, from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.7039 and 76.87, respectively. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.67 against the greenback and 73.00 against the yen.



Against the euro, the kiwi dropped to 1.6209 from an early 3-month high of 1.6095. The kiwi is likely to find support near the 1.65 region.



The kiwi edged down to 1.1118 against the Australian dollar, from yesterday's closing value of 1.1076. On the downside, 1.13 is seen as the next support level for the kiwi.



The Canadian dollar fell to 1.2712 against the U.S. dollar and 85.69 against the yen, from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.2669 and 86.16, respectively. If the loonie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.32 against the greenback and 83.00 against the yen.



Against the euro, the loonie edged down to 1.4456 from yesterday's closing value of 1.4377. The loonie may test support near the 1.47 region.



Looking ahead, the German PPI for March is due to be released in the pre-European session at 2:00 am ET.



U.K. unemployment data for February and Swiss ZEW economic expectations index for April are slated for release later in the day.



At 6:00 am ET, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi is expected to speak at the ECB Generation Euro competition, in Frankfurt.



In the New York session, Canada wholesale sales data for February, U.S. existing home sales data for March and U.S. crude oil inventories data are set to be published.



At 9:00 am ET, Bank of England External BOE MPC Member Ian McCafferty is scheduled to speak at the Bank of England, in London.



At 4:15 pm ET, Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz and Deputy Governor Carolyn Wilkins will testify before the House of Commons Senate Banking Committee, in Ottawa.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
Agreement covers analysis of CHUV NGS data in research and clinical applications for endocrinology, metabolism and diabetes

Saphetor SA, a Swiss precision medicine company working at the cutting edge of clinically meaningful genome-scale analysis based on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), announced today that it has signed a collaboration agreement with the department of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism of the Lausanne University Hospital (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois or CHUV), headed by Prof. Dr. Nelly Pitteloud. Under the agreement, Prof. Pitteloud's department will use Saphetor's precision medicine platform in research and clinical applications.

Prof. Pitteloud said: "The genetics underlying the multiple endocrine disorders that we research, diagnose and treat are extremely complex. The vast amount of NGS data that we generate through our research holds the key to significantly advance our understanding of these diseases, our ability to diagnose them, and contributes to the development of improved and tailored treatments. We believe that the analytical capabilities of Saphetor's powerful and sophisticated next generation sequencing platform will help us find the key to many of these underserved diseases."

Prof. Pitteloud focuses on translational research in the neuroendocrine and gonadal control of human reproduction, and the links between metabolism and reproduction. Her work on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency has led to a number of landmark studies in the New England Journal of Medicine, the British Medical Journal, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and several specialized research journals.

Andreas Massouras, CEO of Saphetor, said: "We are proud to start working with Professor Pitteloud, who is a leader in her field, and look forward to enable her team to further elucidate the genetic causes of GnRH deficiency and other endocrine disorders."

Saphetor develops software and sophisticated analytical processes, using proprietary algorithms and trade secret know-how to identify genetic variants with greater accuracy and to give its clients access to seamlessly integrated data from a rapidly growing collection of genetic databases. To date, Saphetor has already aggregated more than 20 leading databases, representing more than 13 billion genetic variant annotations. Saphetor's competitive advantage is its unique ability to combine data integration with annotation and interpretation in an interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate.

About Saphetor

Founded in 2014, Saphetor is a precision medicine company at the cutting edge of genome-scale analysis based on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Capitalizing on the emerging trend in NGS to use large "panels" of genes, exomes, or whole genomes, Saphetor's suite of services offers clinicians intuitive, data-driven solutions to make faster, more accurate diagnoses, and informed decisions for the selection of the best therapies, especially for cancer and difficult to diagnose conditions, such as rare diseases or cognitive impairment. For more information: www.saphetor.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005183/en/

Contacts:

Saphetor SA

Andreas Massouras, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

+41 21 693 8925

andreas.massouras@saphetor.com

or

Hans Herklots (media)

Capricorn One

+41 79 598 7149

capricorn1@bluewin.ch
Technology leaders from Disney, IBM, Ticketmaster, Pearson and Salesforce among the first to join the premier DevOps Enterprise event speaker lineup

PORTLAND, Oregon, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IT Revolution (http://itrevolution.com), the industry leader for advancing DevOps, today announced its first round of speakers for DevOps Enterprise Summit London (DOES16), the premier industry conference for the leaders of large, complex organizations implementing DevOps in the UK and Continental Europe (http://events.itrevolution.com/eu/). Tickets for the conference, which is scheduled for June 30-July 1 at the Hilton London Metropole, can be found at: (http://bit.ly/doesldnreg). Early Bird registration ends May 2 and is highly encouraged, as the popular DevOps Enterprise Summit San Francisco event has sold out the past two years, while doubling in attendance.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160322/346968LOGO

The first speakers to be included in the DOES16 London program include:

Antony Collard , Deputy Director at HMRC

, Deputy Director at HMRC Jason Cox , Director, Systems Engineering at The Walt Disney Company

, Director, Systems Engineering at The Walt Disney Company Justin Dean , SVP, Platform and Technical Operations at Ticketmaster

, SVP, Platform and Technical Operations at Ticketmaster Robin Hughes , Head of Development Services at LV=

, Head of Development Services at LV= Chris Jackson , Director of Cloud Product Engineering at Pearson

, Director of Cloud Product Engineering at Pearson Finbarr Joy , Group CTO at Lebara

, Group CTO at Lebara Amy Philipps , Head of Test at Songkick

, Head of Test at Songkick Rosalind Radcliffe , Distinguished Engineer, Chief Architect for DevOps for Enterprise System at IBM

, Distinguished Engineer, Chief Architect for DevOps for Enterprise System at IBM Gareth Rushgrove, Senior Software Engineer at Puppet Labs, Inc; ex-UK GDS

Jeremy Waite , Chief Digital Strategist at Salesforce

"The speakers assembled at the DevOps Enterprise Summit are technology leaders who are pioneering the practices of how large, complex organizations transform and deliver software," said Gene Kim, founder of IT Revolution and co-author of "The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win." "They have all overcome immense challenges to help their organizations win in the marketplace, and we can all learn from their experiences."

IT Revolution and Premier Sponsor HPE Software are excited to present the inaugural DOES16 London event this summer. As a vendor-neutral conference, DevOps Enterprise Summit curates stories from the enterprise point-of-view. Most of the presentations follow a very specific "experience report" structure-each speaker describes their organization and their industry, the business problem they faced, where they started their transformation, what they did, and the business outcomes. It's a simple yet powerful format that reveals solutions to shared problems and new practices that can be used in other business contexts.

For more information about DOES16 London, please visit: (http://events.itrevolution.com/eu/).

Share This: DevOps Enterprise Summit Announces Invited Speakers http://bit.ly/doesldnreg @DOESsummitEU DOES16 DevOps

About IT Revolution

IT Revolution assembles technology leaders and practitioners through publishing, events, and research. Our goal is to elevate the state of technology work, quantify the economic and human costs associated with suboptimal IT performance, and to improve the lives of one million IT professionals by 2017.

Contact:

Jeremy Douglas

Catapult PR-IR

303-581-7760, ext. 16

jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com
LUXEMBOURG, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ConvaTec Inc., a leading global medical products and technologies company, announced today that the Regional German Court of Dusseldorf affirmed that a competitor's product infringes the European patent EP 1 547 639 B1 owned by ConvaTec Technologies Inc. The patent is related to ConvaTec's Flexi-Seal' Fecal Management System, a temporary containment device, indicated for bedridden or immobilized, incontinent patients with liquid or semi-liquid stool.

Amongst other rulings, the judgment ordered the competitor to cease and desist from placing on the market its product; to recall its product; and to compensate ConvaTec.

"We are pleased by the Court's ruling," said Mads Haugaard, Vice President and General Manager of ConvaTec's Continence & Critical Care business. "The decision validates the solid patents we have protecting our innovative portfolio and enables us to continue our focus on advancing the standard of care for patients everywhere. In that context, respect for our important intellectual property remains a core principle that we continuously and vigorously defend."

About the Continence & Critical Care Business at ConvaTec

Flexi-Seal' Fecal Management System (FMS) is a temporary containment device, indicated for bedridden or immobilized, incontinent patients with liquid or semi-liquid stool. It is designed to effectively contain and divert fecal matter, which may help to protect patients' wounds from fecal contamination and may help to reduce both the risk of skin breakdown and spread of infection. This easy-to-use system provides an excellent alternative to traditional methods of managing fecal incontinence such as pads, diapers, fecal pouches, and rectal tubes.

More information about the company and its products can be found at www.convatec.com

About ConvaTec ConvaTec is a global medical products and technologies company with leading market positions in wound therapeutics, ostomy care, continence and critical care, and infusion devices. Our products provide a range of clinical and economic benefits, including infection prevention, protection of at-risk skin, improved patient outcomes and reduced total cost of care. ConvaTec is owned by Nordic Capital and Avista Capital Partners.

Flexi-Seal is a trade mark of ConvaTec Inc.

 2016 ConvaTec Inc.

AP-016340-MM

Contact:

Punnie Donohue

ConvaTec

336-297-3087

punnie.donohue@convatec.com
PARIS, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Availpro has been nominated in the Europe's Leading Hotel Booking Solutions Provider 2016 category

Availpro, a leading European e-bookings solution for the hospitality industry, today announces that The World Travel Awards (WTA) revealed on April 7th the nominees for its Grand Tour 2016, and nominated Availpro in the Europe's Leading Hotel Booking Solutions Provider 2016 category.

As mentioned by World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke: "Revealing the nominees for our annual Grand Tour is always an exciting time of year for World Travel Awards. We have carefully selected the leaders in international hospitality, be that hotels, airlines, destinations, or operators, and offered our voters a chance to select the very best among them."

WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Vote for Availpro as the European's Leading Hotel Booking Solutions Provider 2016!

http://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-europes-leading-hotel-booking-solutions-provider-2016

"Availpro is very proud to be nominated for the second consecutive year. This is a huge recognition for us, as we keep innovating to deliver best-of-breed solutions to our customers allowing them to increase their occupancy and revenue in such a competitive market," says Philippe Lamarche, President of Availpro.

About Availpro

Founded in 2001, Availpro is a leading provider of e-booking software solutions which allows hotels to increase their occupancy and revenue while saving costs. Availpro provides innovative and critical tools to help managers operate their on-line distribution, maximise commission-free bookings from their official website and facilitate decision-making processes regarding price optimisation and guest satisfaction.

Availpro partners with more than 300 companies around the world including largest OTA's, meta-search portals, Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and PMS & CRS providers.

Availpro has 10 offices in Europe and North America and more than 6,000 customers trust in the solutions to increase their revenue.

For more information, go to: http://www.availpro.com, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn



Availpro press contact:

Manuela Joulageix, Marketing & Communication Director

manuela.joulageix@availpro.com


LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Waterman Group is pleased to welcome Richard Wilson as the new director of building services to spearhead their business interests in Birmingham and the Midlands region.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357615 )



Wilson joins Waterman from Midlands based MEP consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes where he spent the past 15 years. He has a wealth of design and contracting experience with specialist knowledge in healthcare and manufacturing.

Neil Lewis, Managing Director of Waterman Building Services, commented: "I am delighted to welcome Richard aboard. His appointment will play a key role in our strategic plans to launch a strong building services business in the region. This is an exciting time for us with great growth potential to further develop our presence in this field."

Waterman has had a presence in Birmingham for over 30 years and the team has provided engineering and consultancy services on many high profile projects across the Midlands including Grand Central Birmingham, Bull Ring Birmingham, Touchwood Solihull, MIRA, Telford Shopping Centre, West Midlands Highways Alliance, Elliot's Field Retail Park and the Manufacturing Technology Centre at Ansty Park. The most recent is the Temple Court office development for Legal & General, now starting on site.

About Waterman Group

Waterman Group is a multidisciplinary consultancy providing sustainable solutions to meet the planning, engineering design and project delivery needs of the property, infrastructure, environment and energy markets. Founded in 1952 and listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1988, Waterman has grown into a leading engineering and environmental consultancy with offices throughout the UK, Europe and Australia. Waterman works with government agencies, local authorities, government-regulated industries and private sector clients to provide innovative, sustainable and economic solutions across a wide spectrum of business activities.The firm has extensive experience in property and buildings, environmental consultancy, power and energy, roads, highways and rail infrastructure, urban and regional planning. Award winning teams provide professional services throughout the complete life cycle of the asset starting from initial surveys and concept planning, through to design, delivery, project management, supervision and on-going maintenance. See more information onhttp://www.watermangroup.com
The intersection of decades of education, housing, and transportation policy has left the nations schools at a crossroads, U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. said Tuesday.

Even as the nations population of students is increasingly diverse, public schools are becoming more segregated, with a majority of black and Latino students attending poor-performing, racially isolated schools with high concentrations of poverty. This has happened despite research showing that students do better academically in racially and socioeconomically diverse schools.

School attendance zones that snake through neighborhoods, housing policies that isolate the poor, and transportation policies that limit access to jobs have all played a role, King said. While acknowledging the past, he said policies that isolate children in poor-performing schools arent etched in stone.

The decisions were a set of choices weve made. Just as they were made, they can be changed, King said while delivering the keynote at a forum hosted by The Century Foundation, a left-leaning think tank in Washington.

Since his appointment last fall, King has championed diversity as a route to produce better outcomes for all students, arguing that more racially and socioeconomically balanced schools can help address big gaps in resource equity. During Tuesdays forum he touted Stronger Together, the Obama administrations proposed $120 million competitive-grant program aimed at helping schools become more socioeconomically diverse.

The grant program would aim to help districts, or groups of districts, that have big achievement gaps between white and non-white students and problems with socioeconomic integration. With the extra funding, districts would develop plans to address the problems or to implement a strategy thats already been devised.

As previously explored by Education Weeks Politics K-12 team, the emphasis on school integration pops up several times in President Obamas budget request. Obama also wants $115 million for magnet schools, up from $96 million currently, in part for competitive grants to support desegregation efforts.

The Century Foundation has released two reports in 2016 examining the potential benefits of racially and socioeconomically diverse schools, including a study that identified 91 school districts and charter schools across 32 states that have policies designed to foster diversity within their schools .

Related Stories

U.S. School Enrollment Hits Majority-Minority Milestone

John King Calls for Emphasis on Education Equity in New ESSA Era

Obama Budget Doubles as Policy Document
MANCHESTER, England, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The aviation industry is heading to Poland for the 11th annual Routes Europe forum in Krakow this weekend to plan future European air services (23-26 April).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150730/250177LOGO )

Routes Europe was first held in Warsaw in 2006 to bring together airlines, airports and tourism authorities to discuss air services to, from and within Europe. Krakow Airport will host this year's event for 1,200 delegates from 110 airlines, 310 airports and 40 tourism authorities at the EXPO Krakow convention centre.

Since joining the European Union (EU) in 2004, the Polish aviation industry has been boosted by the free movement of people and goods. Air passengers in Poland increased by 12.5% to 30.6 million in 2015, with much of the expansion being driven by the low-cost carriers that have entered the Polish market.

Krakow and the surrounding MaAopolska region are known for their historical and cultural attractions which drew almost 14 million visitors in 2015. The tourism industry has helped to fuel the 11% increase in Krakow Airport's passenger numbers which reached 4.2 million in 2015 (the highest in the airport's history) and they are expected to peak at 4.6 million this year.

With its booming tourism and travel industries, Krakow is an ideal destination for Routes Europe 2016. The location has attracted most of Europe's major airlines including Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines and low-cost carriers Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Vueling, Wizzair and Jet2.com.

Airlines from outside Europe such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, Qatar Airways, Etihad, All Nippon Airways and China Southern Airlines will also be present.

Delegates will also get the chance to hear from industry leaders at the conference element of Routes Europe, theStrategy Summit. The speakers who will explore the latest airline issues and trends include Fernando Estrada, Chief Strategy Officer at Vueling; Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair; and Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer at BMI Regional.

Adrian Newton, Group Director of Aviation and Transport at UBM EMEA (the owner of Routes), said: "The Polish market is important to the aviation industry because it is continuing to develop significantly. This is in the wider context of a mature European market which does not have the same capacity to grow.

"As this year's Routes Europe host, Krakow Airport is in a strong position to gain more new services which will increase its international route network."

Dr Jan PamuAa, President of the Board at Krakow Airport, said: ""Routes Europe 2016 is an opportunity to present ourselves as a modern, dynamically growing airport, boosting the attractiveness of the city and the region. We will also show the delegates around the most beautiful sites of Krakow and MaAopolska."

For more information about Routes Europe, go to: http://www.routesonline.com/events/181/routes-europe-2016-/

Routes Europe 2016, 23-26 April, EXPO Krakow, Krakow, Poland.

Notes to Editors

Media are invited to attend Routes Europe 2016 and can register by emailing Karen.Reeves@ubm.com.

An opening press conference will be held at EXPO Krakow on 12.30pm on Sunday , 24 April. Please email Karen.Reeves@ubm.com to register.

About Routes

Routes events are unique forums dedicated to the development of new air services which bring together airlines, airports and destinations to meet, plan, discuss and negotiate new and existing flights.

'Regional' route development forums are held between February and July in the Americas, Asia , Europe and Africa . The flagship World Routes event will take place in September in Chengdu, China . http://www.routesonline.com

, and . The flagship World Routes event will take place in September in . http://www.routesonline.com The events revolve around pre-scheduled meetings and an exhibition and conference which are delivered in partnership with host stakeholders. Hosts tend to be a collaboration between airports, tourism authorities and investment partners (the bidding process takes place two to three years before the event takes place).

Routes is part of the UBM EMEA division of UBM plc.

For further information please contact:



Karen Reeves

Communications & Content Marketing Manager

Routes, UBM EMEA

T: +44(0)161-234-2721

M: +44-(0)796-6405-105

E: Karen.Reeves@ubm.com





Urszula Podraza

PR Manager

Krakow Airport

T: +48-12-639-33-03

M: +48-664-404-486

E: urszula.podraza@krakowairport.pl




20 April 2016



HARBOURVEST GLOBAL PRIVATE EQUITY ESTIMATED NET ASSET VALUE INCREASES 3% DURING MARCH



* ESTIMATED NAV IS $16.99 (11.83) PER SHARE, A 3% INCREASE FROM 29 FEBRUARY 2016 * HVPE RECEIVED $19 MILLION IN REALISATIONS AND INVESTED $35 MILLION IN MARCH * $1.1 BILLION INVESTMENT PIPELINE OF FUTURE COMMITMENTS * GEARING REMAINS AT ZERO, AND HVPE HOLDS $194 MILLION OF CASH ON ITS BALANCE SHEET



HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited ('HVPE' or the 'Company'), a closed- end investment company, today announces its estimated Net Asset Value ('NAV') at 31 March 2016.



HVPE provides a complete private equity solution for public investors, managing the portfolio through four phases of the private equity cycle to create value: Commitments, Investment, Growth, and Realisation.



Commitments



The Company did not make any new HarbourVest fund commitments during March. HVPE's existing HarbourVest fund commitments continued to make new investments.



HVPE's Investment Pipeline (unfunded commitments) of $1.10 billion decreased on a net basis by $29.9 million during February based on capital funded and foreign currency movement.



Investment



During March, HVPE invested $35.0 million in HarbourVest U.S., global, and international fund-of-funds and a global direct co-investment fund.



Growth



At 31 March 2016, HVPE's estimated Net Asset Value (NAV) per share is $16.99 (11.83), a $0.44 per share increase and a 0.06 decrease from the 29 February 2016 estimate of $16.55 (11.89). This change resulted from increases to the estimated 31 December 2015 valuations for HarbourVest funds as final results were received from underlying investments, increasing values for publicly-traded holdings, and positive foreign currency movement and was partially offset by operating expenses. The GBP/USD rate as of 31 March 2016 was 1.436, while the rate as of 29 February was 1.3917.



Realisation



HVPE received $19.1 million in realisations from HarbourVest U.S. and international fund-of-funds, a global secondary fund and secondary co- investment, and a global direct co-investment fund during March. During the month, there were a total of 44 liquidity events across HVPE's underlying portfolio.



Balance Sheet and Credit Facility



HVPE has no drawings on its credit facility. At 31 March 2016, HVPE's cash ($193.7 million) and available credit ($500.0 million) total $693.7 million.



Additional detail about HVPE's NAV and investment diversification can be found on HVPE's website, in the Monthly Update for 31 March 2016.



Enquiries:



HarbourVest



Richard Hickman Tel: +44 (0) rhickman@harbourvest.com 20 7399 9847



Laura Thaxter Tel: +1 (617) 348 3695 lthaxter@harbourvest.com



FleishmanHillard Fishburn



Henry Adams Tel: +44 (0) henry.adams@fhflondon.co.uk Simon Anderson 20 8618 2975 HVPE@fhflondon.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 8618 2804



Notes to Editors:



About HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited: HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited ('HVPE') is a Guernsey-incorporated closed-end investment company which has a dual listing on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam. HVPE is registered as an investment institution with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. HVPE is designed to offer shareholders long-term capital appreciation by investing in a private equity portfolio diversified by geography, by stage of investment, by vintage year, and by industry. It invests in and alongside HarbourVest-managed funds which focus on primary fund commitments, secondary investments, and direct co- investments in operating companies. HVPE is advised by HarbourVest Advisers L.P., an affiliate of HarbourVest Partners, LLC.



About HarbourVest Partners, LLC: HarbourVest Partners, LLC is an independent private markets specialist, providing investment programs and customized solutions focused on venture capital, buyout, mezzanine debt, credit, and real assets through primary fund investments, secondary purchases, and direct co-investments. HarbourVest has more than 300 employees in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. In more than 30 years of investing in private equity, the team has committed more than $29 billion to newly-formed funds, completed over $12 billion in secondary purchases, and invested $4 billion directly in operating companies. The firm's clients include pension funds, endowments, foundations, and financial institutions around the globe.



This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in any jurisdiction and should not be relied upon in connection with any decision to subscribe for or acquire any Shares. In particular, this announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in the United States or to US Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended ('US Persons')). Neither this announcement nor any copy of it may be taken, released, published or distributed, directly or indirectly to US Persons or in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions), Canada, Australia or Japan, or any jurisdiction where such action would be unlawful. Accordingly, recipients represent that they are able to receive this announcement without contravention of any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions in the jurisdiction in which they reside or conduct business. No recipient may distribute, or make available, this announcement (directly or indirectly) to any other person. Recipients of this announcement should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal requirements in their jurisdictions.



The Shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act') or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and, accordingly, may not be offered, sold, resold, transferred, delivered or distributed, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to US Persons. In addition, the Company is not registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 'Investment Company Act') and shareholders of the Company will not have the protections of that act. There will be no public offer of the Shares in the United States or to US Persons.



This announcement has been prepared by the Company and its investment manager, HarbourVest Advisers L.P. (the 'Investment Manager'). No liability whatsoever (whether in negligence or otherwise) arising directly or indirectly from the use of this announcement is accepted and no representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, is or will be made by the Company, the Investment Manager or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers, representatives or other agents ('Agents') for any information or any of the opinions contained herein or for any errors, omissions or misstatements. None of the Investment Manager nor any of their respective Agents makes or has been authorised to make any representation or warranties (express or implied) in relation to the Company or as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of this announcement, or any other written or oral statement provided. In particular, no representation or warranty is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of, and no reliance should be placed on any projections, targets, estimates or forecasts contained in this announcement and nothing in this announcement is or should be relied on as a promise or representation as to the future.



Other than as required by applicable laws, the Company gives no undertaking to update this announcement or any additional information, or to correct any inaccuracies in it which may become apparent and the distribution of this announcement. The information contained in this announcement is given at the date of its publication and is subject to updating, revision and amendment. The contents of this announcement have not been approved by any competent regulatory or supervisory authority.



This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, 'forward looking statements'. These forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology, including the terms 'believes', 'projects', 'estimates', 'anticipates', 'expects', 'intends', 'plans', 'goal', 'target', 'aim', 'may', 'will', 'would', 'could', 'should' or 'continue' or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts and include statements regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of the Company. By their nature, forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and may be beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. More detailed information on the potential factors which could affect the financial results of the Company is contained in the Company's public filings and reports.



HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited is registered with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets as a collective investment scheme which may offer participations in The Netherlands pursuant to article 2:66 of the Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht). All investments are subject to risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Prospective investors are advised to seek expert legal, financial, tax and other professional advice before making any investment decision. The value of investments may fluctuate. Results achieved in the past are no guarantee of future results.



This announcement is issued by the Company, which is registered with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and whose registered address is Ground Floor Dorey Court Admiral Park St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 2HT.



 2016 HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited. All rights reserved.



This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of GlobeNewswire clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.



Source: HarbourVest Global Private Equity Limited via GlobeNewswire [HUG#2004906]



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Rapid Resolution, Increased Uptime and Improved Service Keep Customers Coming Back

HORSHAM, Pennsylvania, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Astea International Inc., the leader in service management and mobile workforce solutions, and Cumulocity, the global leading provider of 'Internet-of-Things' (IoT) software and solutions, have teamed up to offer the most advanced and comprehensive end-to-end service management solution available today. The integration between Astea and Cumulocity will enable companies to offer new business models, shift from being reactive to proactive to predictive, increase revenues, and ultimately elevate customer satisfaction and retention levels.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160212/332698LOGO

Whether on-premise or in the cloud, Astea is a leading global solution provider offering all cornerstones of service lifecycle management: customer management; service management; asset management; forward and reverse logistics management; third party vendor management; and mobile workforce management with enhanced workforce planning, scheduling and optimization.

As service delivery grows more complex and competitive, companies committed to achieving service excellence require a comprehensive solution that delivers results. The availability of low-cost sensors, higher-bandwidth wireless networks, more robust batteries, cloud computing infrastructure, location-awareness technology, and analytics will move the traditional service delivery model beyond the simple alert-dispatch-repair applications to a more proactive, predictive outcomes-based service model. The connected, end-to-end solution will enable service organizations to immediately leverage the latest technology advancements to more accurately predict equipment failures, create usage-based maintenance schedules, reduce the number of truck rolls, improve inventory utilization, and meet greater service level agreement (SLA) commitments with fewer resources.

Rapid Results

Specific benefits for customers include:

Significantly lower service costs . Field and call center technicians are armed with the information they need to rapidly identify and resolve problems on the first contact.

. Field and call center technicians are armed with the information they need to rapidly identify and resolve problems on the first contact. Greater customer satisfaction & retention. Proactive problem detection often resolves issues before they affect the customer, dramatically increasing product uptime.

Proactive problem detection often resolves issues before they affect the customer, dramatically increasing product uptime. Increased service revenue. Rapid resolution and superior on-demand customer service drive opportunities for increased revenue through new service offerings and business models.

"Customers are demanding greater responsiveness, improved first-time fix rates, and guaranteed equipment uptime. These are areas where service organizations are competing to retain and grow business. The next generation of service delivery will be more proactive/predictive instead of primarily reactive," said Deb Geiger, VP Global Marketing, Astea International. "Simply adding more data is not necessarily beneficial and can be somewhat overwhelming for many organizations. In order to leverage IoT technology, service organizations must marry that connectivity with robust service solutions and analytics. The data has to be accessed and processed in a useful and meaningful way by leveraging solutions that can combine data from connected devices with other valuable data sources in order to provide a higher level of intelligent automation via filters, triggers, workflows, alerts, and insights."

"We are excited to be working with Astea as their strategic partner for IoT. With this integration, enterprise service organizations will be able to take advantage of real-time information provided by their assets in the field in ways that will improve service, reduce costs, and create new service revenue opportunities and differentiated offerings," says Jari Salminen, Managing Director at Cumulocity.

Astea will be holding a free webinar, featuring Cumulocity and demonstrating the powerful benefits that this joint solution can offer for service organizations interested in unlocking the potential of IoT. Be among the first to get an exclusive demonstration on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, at 10:30am EST/4:30pm CEST to reserve your spot please visit: Simplifying The Internet of Things for Field Service.

About Astea International

Astea International is a global provider of software solutions that offer all the cornerstones of service lifecycle management, including customer management, service management, asset management, forward and reverse logistics management and mobile workforce management and optimization. Astea's solutions link processes, people, parts, and data to empower companies and provide the agility they need to achieve sustainable value in less time, and successfully compete in a global economy. Since 1979, Astea has been helping more than 600 companies drive even higher levels of customer satisfaction with faster response times and proactive communication, creating a seamless, consistent and highly personalized experience at every customer relationship touch point.

www.astea.com. Service Smart. Enterprise Proven.

About Cumulocity

Cumulocity is the leading independent Application Enablement and Device Management platform for the Internet-of-Things (IoT) - since 2010. Cumulocity is an open platform that provides a complete feature set for rapidly developing and deploying IoT solutions. The key features include Data collection and Storage, Real-Time Analytics, Real-Time Visualization and Device Management. Our open and publicly documented APIs and the open UI framework, enable our partners and customers to configure and extend the platform to their unique needs.

Scalability, security and reliability are critical in IoT solutions - and our origins as part of Nokia Siemens Networks, the world's mobile broadband specialist, gives us the experience of securely managing millions of devices without service interruptions. And being available both as Cloud and On-Premise deployments, Cumulocity enables enterprises to start small and scale out to millions of devices with the deployment model fit for their business.

For more information and to start your free trial visit www.cumulocity.com.

 2016 Astea International Inc. Astea and Astea Alliance are trademarks of Astea International Inc. All other company and product names contained herein are trademarks of the respective holders.
LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

First Names Group, a leading independent provider of trust, corporate and fund administration services, has chosen Touchstone CRM to implement their global CRM programme. It begins with the successful launch of a sales tool to manage contact information collaboratively for their intermediaries across the organisation.

First Names Group has experienced exceptional growth in the last few years. Their success is largely due to their focus on long-term client relationships and a highly personalised approach, delivered by an experienced and expert global team. First Names Group selected the Microsoft Dynamics CRM platform, demonstrated by the Touchstone team. The cloud-based hosting was a key factor, ensuring that the latest Microsoft updates are installed seamlessly, for optimum future capability. Dynamics CRM's wide range of off the shelf features offers a robust, secure and future-proof solution that can grow cross-functionally with First Names Group's needs.

Phased CRM pilot rolled out

A ten-day pilot project demonstrated conclusively that Microsoft Dynamics CRM could deliver all that First Names Group wanted. The follow-on implementation project to launch the sales tool was complete in four months. First Names Group's focused project team worked with Touchstone's consultants and developers to specify and customise the solution and migrate data securely. A phased rollout will equip 175 users with a mix of Microsoft Dynamics CRM basic and professional licenses, saving First Names Group money by paying only for those capabilities required for the user's role.

Matt Haynes, Group Business Development Director at First Names Group said, "Touchstone's team combined sector knowledge with CRM expertise making communication of our needs easy. We valued their flexibility and responsiveness throughout the project, incorporating minor changes as we went along. The solution does what was promised."

Touchstone Project Manager and CRM Consultant Lucy Money said, "Because First Names Group has invested in three platforms - for development, testing and live - they have eliminated risk and can constantly improve and add features without any impact on everyday user operation. Microsoft Dynamics' extensive out-of-the-box capability keeps bespoke coding to a minimum, so the business development benefits are realised in a short timeframe. First Names Group's approach has been exemplary, with high-level sponsorship and dedicated staff working alongside Touchstone team members to achieve a smooth and successful deployment."

About Touchstone CRM:

Touchstone CRM's consultants design, implement and support innovative CRM technology solutions that deliver measurable business value to clients in a broad range of sectors. Touchstone CRM is a division of the Touchstone Group, one of the UK's largest suppliers of integrated business software and business consultancy services for midsize and large enterprises.

For more info, please visit http://www.touchstonecrm.co.uk

About First Names Group:

First Names Group is a global, independent provider of trust, corporate and fund administration services, with more than 700 employees and offices in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Cyprus, Switzerland, the USA, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Ireland, the UK, the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

Visit http://www.firstnames.com/



Nick Birch

Marketing Executive

TouchstoneCRM

nick.birch@touchstone.co.uk

+44(0)800-466-1024
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the Canadian Press picture wire via Marketwired.

Heritage Education Funds Inc. ("Heritage"), a leading Canadian provider of group Registered Education Saving Plans ("RESPs"), is excited to announce the winners of the 2015 Annual RESP Contest -- 8 people have been awarded a share of $20,000 in RESP contributions! The draws for the prizes have been completed and the lucky winners are:

- Saadia Adolf of Montreal, QC

- Michelle Lloyd of St. Catharines, ON

- Erin Richards of Airdrie, AB

- Vivian Whitty of Conception Bay South, NL

- Selina Cudmore of Langley, BC

- Tracy Gilchrist of Toronto, ON

- Shiela Dingal of Saskatoon, SK

- Christelle Vidal of Vancouver, BC

To view and download all the winners' photos associated with this press release, please visit the following link:

http://www.heritageresp.com/press-release-2015-resp-giveaway-contest-winners-announcement

Each winner has received a $2,500 RESP contribution towards a new or existing Heritage RESP.

"We would like to thank everyone who participated in our annual RESP draw," said Jason Maguire, president and chief executive officer of Heritage Education Funds Inc. "We're so pleased to see this contest was well-received. Post-secondary education is an expensive undertaking for families, and an RESP can be a great way to help make it more affordable -- provided you start early and contribute often."

Congratulations to all our winners! Heritage is proud to award these prizes, as they will assist these families in saving for the post-secondary education of their children. "As parents, we are responsible for nurturing our children's talents and potential from an early age, so they can truly realize their dreams in the future," added Maguire. "Here at Heritage, we deeply believe education is the key to success."

Don't miss out! Heritage is accepting entries towards the 2016 draw. Visit HeritageRESP.com/WinAnRESP for details.

About the Annual RESP Draw

The Annual RESP Draw runs throughout the length of the calendar year, ending on December 31st. Last year's contest ended December 31, 2015, with the 2016 edition of the contest already underway. More details can be found at HeritageRESP.com/WinAnRESP.

About Heritage Education Funds Inc.

Heritage Education Funds (Heritage) is a leading and trusted Canadian provider of Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), with over 50 years of RESP experience. Focused on offering value to its clients, Heritage is also the distributor of the Heritage and Impression Plans. Heritage's objective is to encourage parents, grandparents and others to save for a child's post-secondary education through a planned education savings program. For more information about Heritage and the Heritage Registered Education Savings Plans, visit HeritageRESP.com or contact a local Dealing Representative today. Head Office: 2005 Sheppard Ave. E., Suite 700, Toronto, ON M2J 5B4. Local: 416.502.2500. Toll-free: 1.800.739.2101.

Heritage RESPs are scholarship plans issued under the sponsorship of the Heritage Educational Foundation. Units of the Heritage RESPs are offered by prospectus only, a copy of which can be obtained from the registered dealer, Heritage Education Funds Inc. at HeritageRESP.com. These securities may not be appropriate for all investors and are subject to certain risk factors. See the prospectus for details. Heritage Education Funds is the tradename of Heritage Education Funds Inc.

Join the Conversation:

Facebook.com/heritagefunds

Twitter.com/heritagefunds

Youtube.com/user/heritageresp

Blog.HeritageRESP.com

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20160419-1051325e_800.jpg

Contacts:

MEDIA CONTACT:

Michelle Korson

Director, Marketing

Direct: 416.992.6855

michelle.korson@heritagefunds.ca




Reaping the benefits of the strategy it introduced in 2015, Qatar First Bank (QFB), Qatar's leading Shari'ah compliant bank, has been named exclusively 2016's 'Best Up-and-Coming Islamic Financial Institution' in Global Finance magazine's ninth annual awards for the World's Best Islamic Financial Institutions.

QFB won the prestigious award after Global Finance had extensive consultations with bankers, corporate finance executives and analysts throughout the world.

In selecting the world's top Islamic Financial Institutions, Global Finance considered a wide range of quantitative factors including growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and product innovations, as well as informed subjective criteria such as reputation, customer satisfaction, and the opinions of analysts and industry experts.

The esteemed global award comes on the heels of QFB several milestones across all its business lines, while reporting continued profitability for the bank's seventh full year of operation, as released in March.

Commenting on winning the acclaimed award, Mr. Ziad Makkawi, QFB's Chief Executive Officer, said:

"We are honored to be named 2016's 'Best Up-and-Coming Islamic Financial Institution' by the renowned, authoritative Global Finance magazine. The prized global award is a translation of QFB's winning strategy and innovative approach to Islamic Finance."

"Our strategy focuses on the bank's role as a trusted advisor, a gateway for investors who wish to tap into innovative, Shari'ah-compliant, financial solutions and investment opportunities in local, regional and global markets. We are at the beginning of a new era for our bank and have already started reaping the benefits of our ambitious strategy, as each area of the Bank performed well, bringing growth and generating new recurring income. This celebrated global award is a confirmation that QFB is on the right path, as it continues to identify and seize new, attractive opportunities, deliver excellence for both private and corporate clients, build a strong brand, and provide shareholders with robust returns," Makkawi added.

Last year was a milestone year for QFB. The bank confirmed its strategy and streamlined its businesses to offer Shari'ah compliant services including alternative investments with a focus on private equity and real estate, as well as corporate institutional banking, private banking wealth management, and treasury investments.

A full report on the Global Finance World's Best Islamic Financial Institutions selections will appear in the June issue of the magazine and online at GFMag.com. The Winners, including QFB, will also be honored at an Awards Ceremony conducted in October during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, DC.

*Source: ME NewsWire

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005620/en/

Contacts:

Grey doha

Denise Yammine Chouity, +974-333-18761

Denise.yamine@greydoha.com
Iceland's growth strategy in the tourism industry has become a benchmark for the global tourism industry. It reflects, amongst other things, the results of Iceland utilizing the opportunity that presented itself through the unexpected volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in 2010 that "shut down" Europe and Iceland for days. The tourism industry used the volcanic eruptions as an opportunity to create a global campaign called "Inspired by Iceland" that boosted the inflow of tourists, now estimated to reach 1.7 million this year, up from 500 thousand in 2010. Tourism has grown to be one of the most important industry in Iceland, generating more foreign revenue than any other industry.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005627/en/

Graph Tourists to Iceland (Photo: Business Wire)

Ragnheidur Elin Arnadottir, Iceland's Minister of Industry and Commerce, will visit the IMEX exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 19th 2016. The Minister will chair the Politicians Forum as well as take part in an open debate on topics relating to the international meetings industry. IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany, is one of the largest tourism exhibits and conferences in the global tourism industry.

"Iceland has over the past few years enjoyed growth far beyond any forecasts and the sector is expected to continue to grow. Last year 1.3 million tourists visited Iceland, a 30% increase from 2014. This year 1.7 million tourists are expected to visit the country, more than five times Iceland's population", said Ragnheidur Elin Arnadottir Minister of Industry and Commerce as she opened the IMEX Politician Forum in Frankfurt. "This increase represents a challenge for us, as tourism has historically been very seasonal but we have been able to change that picture and attract more visitors during the off-season period and can therefore be optimistic for the future of the industry."

The increase in the number of tourists and the growth in revenue is [image] partly due to the award-winning Inspired by Iceland marketing campaign, where the focus has been on promoting Iceland as a destination for all seasons. Also more frequent flights and increased general interest in what Iceland has to offer during the winter season, including the Northern Lights as well as music, art and design festivals draw thousands of guests all year round to the country. Surveys show that 95% of those who visit Iceland are satisfied with their trip and 84% say they would like to return.

Iceland is primarily a nature destination, both summer and winter, but it also has a strong offering when it comes to the MICE market (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). This market represented 7% of Iceland's tourist market in 2015, an 11% increase from 2014. The growth of the MICE market supports the overall objectives for Icelandic tourism to even the distribution of guests throughout the year as well as to encourage higher spending levels overall. It also contributes to better utilization of resources and long term positive economic impact and growth for the destination.

Let's meet in the middle

Iceland is well located, only 5 hours away from North America's East Coast and 3 hours away from mainland Europe. Around 25 airlines operate from Keflavik International Airport during summer, serving over 80 destinations around the world. To put this in context, there are more weekly departures out of Iceland to North America than from the capitals of Norway, Sweden and Finland combined. This puts Iceland in a unique position when it comes to access to the country and for connecting people from all over the world in international meetings and conferences.

Tourism has played a major role in Iceland's economic growth in recent years and generated thousands of new jobs. Today the tourism industry generates more foreign revenue than any other industry in Iceland. Iceland also ranks high on the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Index, being 18th out of 141 countries in the category "tourist services".

About IMEX in Frankfurt:

3,500 exhibitors come to IMEX each year (including tourist boards, convention bureaus, international hotel chains, airlines and destination management companies). They're poised to do business with the 9,000 visitors (including almost 4,000 hosted buyers) who attend during three energetic and very inspirational days. IMEX buzzes with activity, sound and energy, driving business with the force of global opportunities. Web: http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/

Facts about Iceland:

Iceland or the Republic of Iceland is one of the Nordic Countries. It has a population of 332,529 and an area of 103,000 km2 making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. The capital and largest city is Reykjavik. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle. The currency is Icelandic Krona. The President is Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, the Prime minister is Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson and the Parliament is considered to be the oldest Parliament in the world..The country expects about 1.7 million tourists in 2016 and it has been one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe for the last few years. Iceland ranks high on the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Index, being 18th out of 141 countries in the category "tourist services".

Web: www.government.is and www.islandsstofa.is

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005627/en/

Contacts:

For further information or interviews:

For contact with the minister:

Ragnheidur Elin Arnadottir

Iceland's Minister of Industry and Commerce:

Ingvar Gudbjornsson, the Minister's Political Advisor

by e-mail ipg@anr.is or phone +354 699 1799

Web: www.government.is and www.anr.is

Photo: Ragnheidur Elin Arnadottir, Iceland's Minister of Industry and Commerce

https://eng.atvinnuvegaraduneyti.is/ministers/nr/6748

or

For more about Iceland:

Jon Asbergsson, Managing Director

Islandsstofa/Promote Iceland

mobile +354 824 4379

e-mail: jon@islandsstofa.is

or

Director, Tourism and Creative indsutries

Inga Hlin Palsdottir

mobile +354 824 4375

e-mail: inga@islandsstofa.is

or +354 511 4000

Web: www.islandsstofa.is

or www.inspiredbyiceland.com
LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Sexual Advice Association Aims to Overcome the Communication Barriers Around Discussing Sexual Problems; 50% of People will Experience Sex-Related Problems in Their Life

The Sexual Advice Association, a UK charity focussed on improving sexual function and wellbeing, today announced the launch of a free smartphone app designed to allow people to ask the questions about their sex lives that they didn't feel comfortable asking before. The SMART app provides an option for people to get expert advice to address their concerns about sexual problems, in their own time and in complete privacy.

Designed by health professionals for use by men and women anywhere in the world, the SMART app provides anonymous access to a range of validated tests and questionnaires to assess people's concerns about their sexual health and provide information, guidance and sound advice. Completely secure, it covers issues such as lack of sex drive, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, and can be used by individuals, couples together or by one partner on behalf of another.

Sexual problems will affect around 50% of men and women in the UK at some point in their lives, and can be an early indicator of underlying health problems, but only about a quarter of people with a problem seek help from a health professional.

"The fact is that the British people are still not comfortable talking about sexual health," said Mike Kirby, SAA Trustee and professor of men's health at the University of Hertfordshire and the London Prostate Centre. "Not only does this have a negative impact on relationships, but sexual health issues like erectile dysfunction can also be indicators of underlying health issues like heart disease and diabetes. The SMART app gives people a new option for addressing their concerns privately and securely."

"The SMART app lets people take the first steps in addressing sexual health issues in the privacy of their own home, and helps remove the doubt and misinformation associated with searching the internet," said Victoria Lehmann, SAA Trustee and sex and relationship therapist at London Urology Associates. "It can also help reassure people that nothing may be wrong and can also help give them the right words if they do need to seek professional help."

The SMART app:

Contains comprehensive information and advice relating to a wide array of sexual issues affecting men, women and couples.

Is PIN protected, so people can explore their sexual health concerns in complete privacy.

Is completely private. All information entered into the app is anonymous, so personal data is fully protected.

Can be downloaded for free and used across the world by anyone with an iOS or Android smartphone.

Is available for download from the App Store and Google Play.

About the Sexual Advice Association

Founded in 1995, the Sexual Advice Association is a charitable organisation created to help improve the sexual function and wellbeing of men and women, and to raise awareness of the extent to which sexual conditions affect the general population.

As the only national patient association of its kind, the Sexual Advice Association is committed to helping and supporting people, and partners of people, with all forms of sexual problems by raising awareness about sexual functioning and wellbeing; providing information and education on male and female sexual problems, and; improving the public's understanding of the seriousness and causes of male and female sexual disorders. The charity runs a confidential helpline and email enquiry service: +44 (0)207 486 7262 or info@sexualadviceassociation.co.uk

For more information, or to download the app, visit http://www.sexualadviceassociation.co.uk

Media contact:

Danny Sullivan

OOKII Company

danny@ookii.company

+44 (0)772 497 4255


CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - April 20, 2016) - TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) announced today the formation of its new Government Advisory Board. The advisory board will provide TransUnion with valuable perspective and key insights into the unique needs of the public sector.

"We are pleased to bring together a group of leaders from both the public and private sectors to help ensure we are providing the resources most needed by government organizations," said Jonathan McDonald, executive vice president of TransUnion's government information solutions business unit. "The new advisory board will help TransUnion gain a deeper understanding of the issues faced by government agencies, and it also demonstrates our continued commitment to help government agencies meet their mission now and in the future."

Led by Jonathan McDonald, the six-member board also includes Charles Alsup, president of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA); Roger W. Baker, consultant at Roger Baker Consulting LLC; W. Ralph Basham, partner at Command Consulting Group; Jim Hodges, partner at McGuireWoods LLP and senior advisor at McGuireWoods Consulting LLC; and James M. Myers, sector vice president, global operations at Northrop Grumman Corporation.

TransUnion's Government Information Solutions division provides fraud, benefit eligibility verification, continuous evaluation services, identity authentication, data breach response, investigation services, and other key solutions to federal, state and local government agencies in the U.S. TransUnion's solutions help both private and government sector organizations manage risk and reduce costs.

For more information about the TransUnion Government Advisory Board and its members, please visit https://www.transunion.com/about-us/government-advisory-board. Additional information about TransUnion's Government Information Solutions division can be found at https://www.transunion.com/government.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

Information is a powerful thing. At TransUnion, we realize that. We are dedicated to finding innovative ways information can be used to help individuals make better and smarter decisions. We help uncover unique stories, trends and insights behind each data point, using historical information as well as alternative data sources. This allows a variety of markets and businesses to better manage risk and consumers to better manage their credit, personal information and identity. Today, TransUnion has a global presence in more than 30 countries and a leading presence in several international markets across North America, Africa, Latin America and Asia. Through the power of information, TransUnion is working to build stronger economies and families and safer communities worldwide.

We call this Information for Good. http://www.transunion.com/business

Contact

Dave Blumberg

TransUnion

dblumberg@transunion.com

312-985-3059
Mississippi could join a growing number of states to create statewide school districts to take over low-performing schools.

A bill headed to Gov. Phil Bryants desk would establish a statewide district that would take over schools that receive an F grade for two straight years or districts with an F rating for two out of three years, the Associated Press reported.

Under the new bill, schools would stay under state control until they receive a grade of C or higher for five years. The schools or districts taken over by the state could be run by charter schools. In that case, they would not be required to return to their original school board after their academic standing improves.

Charter schools are relatively new to Mississippi. The state legislature only approved its charter school law in 2013, and the states first two charter schools opened in 2015.

The state currently has a system of conservatorship, but that kicks into gear in cases where districts are in trouble financially, there is political discord between the school board and the district superintendent, or there are violations of state accrediting standards, according to the AP.

The head of this new statewide district would report to the State Board of Education, which would maintain oversight of the new district.

In recent years, many states have createdor moved to createstatewide districts modeled on Louisianas Recovery School District. They include Tennessee, Michigan, and Nevada. Georgians are likely to vote in November on a constitutional amendment to establish a similar state takeover model, called the opportunity school district.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Bemis Co., Inc. (BMS), a supplier of flexible and rigid packaging, announced Wednesday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the medical device packaging operations and related value-added services of SteriPack Group. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close effective April 29, 2016. This acquisition includes a facility in Ireland as well as packaging production assets in Malaysia and the United States. These operations recorded annual net sales of approximately $65 million in fiscal 2015. Following the deal, SteriPack Group will continue to independently own and operate its contract manufacturing services business. William Austen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bemis, said, 'This acquisition supports Bemis' strategy to grow our healthcare packaging business. We expect this acquisition to be modestly accretive to earnings per share in 2016.' XMS Capital Partners, LLC is acting as financial advisor and Squire Patton Boggs LLP is acting as legal advisor to Bemis. 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.
Experts from Everest Group and London School of Economics to deliver online presentation on market and potential of automation in the enterprise

Blue Prism, the developer of scalable, enterprise-strength software robots and pioneer of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software, will host a free webinar for senior IT, operations and shared services executives seeking to learn how to gain productivity through RPA.

What: Sarah Burnett, global lead for automation research at analyst firm Everest Group, will share her analysis of the automation market, the technology adoption trends and the outlook for the future. London School of Economics Professor Leslie Willcocks and Professor Mary Lacity from the University of Missouri will also present their research on early adopters of RPA-many of whom are Blue Prism customers-collected in their new book, Service Automation: Robots and the Future of Work. When: Wednesday, April 20, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. EDT To Register: Visit Blue Prism's registration site.

During this webinar, Sarah Burnett will explain and define the automation market, providing clarity around its boundaries and a view into where it will evolve in the future. Professors Willcocks and Lacity will then provide a view into what RPA looks like in the enterprise based on their in-depth research on how 14 early adopters have used automation to increase productivity and streamline their back-office processes.

"As workplace technology advances, robotic process automation is becoming a prominent part of the conversation," said Pat Geary, Blue Prism CMO. "As a company committed to helping organizations increase efficiency and reduce their spend, we think it's important to help industry professionals explore all of the options available to them."

About Blue Prism

Blue Prism is the developer of scalable, enterprise-strength software robots which can be combined in to a Virtual Workforce of Digital Labor, the first administrative alternative to human workers. With offices in Manchester, London, Miami and Chicago, Blue Prism has pioneered robotic process automation software which is transforming businesses through mass automation. The company's technology is used to automate back office tasks in sectors ranging from banking, telecoms, energy, BPO, government, financial services, retail and healthcare sectors. For more information, visit www.blueprism.com/, or follow Blue Prism on Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005008/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Version 2.0 Communications for Blue Prism

Melissa Mahoney, 617-426-2222

blueprism@v2comms.com


OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Fortis Inc. (FTS.TO) announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with GIC Private Limited, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, to acquire a 19.9% equity interest in ITC Holdings Corp. (ITC) for aggregate consideration of US$1.228 billion in cash upon the closing of the acquisition.



The definitive agreement follows the announcement on February 9, 2016 that Fortis will acquire ITC in a transaction valued on announcement at approximately US$11.3 billion. With the definitive agreement for the sale of 19.9% of ITC to GIC, Fortis has completed a significant component of the ITC acquisition financing.



The financing of the ITC acquisition has been structured to allow Fortis to maintain an investment-grade credit rating and is consistent with maintaining Fortis' existing capital structure. Financing for the cash portion of the acquisition purchase price will be achieved primarily through this minority investment sale, as well as through the issuance of approximately US$2 billion of Fortis debt.



Upon closing of the acquisition, GIC will be granted certain customary minority rights in connection with its investment in ITC.



The closing of the acquisition of ITC is expected to occur in late 2016, and is subject to ITC and Fortis shareholder approvals, certain regulatory and federal approvals and other customary closing conditions.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Talent Board, a non-profit organization focused on the elevation and promotion of a quality candidate experience, today announced details of its 2016 Candidate Experience workshop series and new podcast, The CandEs Shop Talk.

Best known for the annual Candidate Experience (CandE) Awards and Benchmark Program, this is the second year that Talent Board is offering its Candidate Experience workshops across North America and Canada. The half-day Candidate Experience workshop format includes a keynote presentation featuring previous CandE Award winners in addition to networking opportunities and tabletop discussions.

One recent event, hosted by back-to-back CandE Award winner Delta Air Lines, had more than 100 registrants from a number of multi-national corporations. One of the largest workshops to date, this event helped shine a light on best practices in talent acquisition as well as the relationship between candidate experience and the business bottom line.

Glen Johnson, director - Talent Acquisition for Delta, commented, "We were proud to host Talent Board's CandE workshop. The event generated a lot of interest and the attendees represented incredible brands from around the country who are focused on improving the experience their candidates have when pursuing opportunities within their respective organizations."

Each event is limited in size and offers an interactive look at recruiting practices; registration is complimentary for talent acquisition and recruiting professionals. Upcoming events are scheduled to take place in Gaithersburg, Md.; Boston; New York City and Toronto.

In addition to the workshops, Talent Board recently introduced an additional resource, The CandEs Shop Talk podcast. Hosted by Kevin Grossman, Talent Board vice president - North American Program, each episode explores the business impact of HR, talent acquisition, recruiting technology and improving the candidate experience. Featured guests include CandE Award winners, talent acquisition leaders, industry influencers and technology providers.

"Now in our fifth year, the Candidate Experience Awards and Benchmark Program continues to expand our offerings to include resources developed specifically for the talent acquisition community," said Grossman. "Interest in the candidate experience grows with each year of new Talent Board research, prompting the need to provide increased access to information about best practices and industry trends. The workshops and podcast both exemplify the Talent Board's mission and commitment to innovating and being a critical resource in talent acquisition space."

Information about Candidate Experience workshops can be found at: http://www.thetalentboard.org/events. To access The CandEs Shop Talk podcast, visit: https://soundcloud.com/candeshoptalk.

About Talent Board

Talent Board is a non-profit organization focused on the elevation and promotion of a quality candidate experience. The organization, awards program and its sponsors are dedicated to recognizing the candidate experience offered by companies through the entire recruitment cycle and to forever changing the manner in which job candidates are treated. More information can be accessed at www.thetalentboard.org.
DULLES, VIRGINIA and MIAMI, FLORIDA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- ATPCO and Farelogix have partnered to bring to market an Ancillary Offer Engine that will enable airlines to deliver merchandising offers to an airline's direct and indirect distribution channels using an NDC web service. The solution combines the power of Farelogix' industry leading FLX Merchandise engine with ATPCO's comprehensive Optional Services data, enabling airlines to easily distribute airline-controlled offers across multiple channels including GDS, agency, and corporate booking tools, as well as airline websites and mobile channels.

Using the Ancillary Offer Engine, any airline, GDS, OTA, or CBT can access ancillary services specific to the passenger's itinerary and passenger details, augmenting the current pricing offer with ancillary services. The solution enables airlines to use ATPCO's Optional Services solution as the single point to manage all their ancillary data, ensuring that data is consistently applied across channels and providing choice and control over distribution of ancillary products. The NDC web service deployment eliminates the expensive and lengthy development process for airlines and aggregators that want to implement a single-sourced merchandising solution across all sales channels.

The solution offers an upgrade path to the enterprise FLX Merchandise solution, which allows sophisticated business rules, dynamic conditional logic, and even real-time inventory management to be applied to the baseline ancillary data filed with ATPCO. It also allows for the integration of ancillary data with the shop process for dynamic branded fares and fare families.

"ATPCO has worked closely with the airline industry for many years to support ancillary services," said Tom Gregorson, Managing Director of Product Strategy and Development at ATPCO. "During our discussions with both airlines and systems, it became apparent that an ancillary offer engine deployed as a web service was a fundamental industry need. ATPCO is focused on all methods of distribution, including both the current data subscription process and NDC. This partnership will enable airlines to easily use the distribution method of their choice."

ATPCO developed and deployed Optional Services, the industry-designed data solution that enables airlines to offer ancillary services beyond the ticket price, in 2008. More than 140 airlines utilize this data subscription solution to differentiate and enhance their product offering in both the direct and indirect channels so that passengers can select products and services that add value to their travel experience.

"Every airline is at a different point in its merchandising strategy," said Jim Davidson, President and CEO of Farelogix. "Having the core capability to price an ancillary offer - such as those powered by the Ancillary Offer Engine - is a solid first step to achieving consistent, value-added offers across channels. Using the Ancillary Offer Engine positions the airline to further expand and refine its strategy using conditional business rules for personalization and dynamic offers, such as those enabled through the FLX Merchandise enterprise platform, which is offered as a seamless upgrade path for cross-channel merchandising."

The Ancillary Offer Engine will be marketed and sold by ATPCO, supported by both ATPCO and Farelogix, and is ready for production deployment today.

About ATPCO

ATPCO is the world leader in the collection and distribution of fare and fare-related data for the airline and travel industry. Its products and services organize fares into established formats that seamlessly integrate with global distribution systems, pricing systems, computer reservation systems, governments and related travel organizations. In doing so, ATPCO creates efficiencies in the overall fare management process. ATPCO currently works with more than 460 airlines and carriers worldwide, and it supplies more than 99 percent of the industry's fare data to all the major airfare pricing engines. Find out more at www.atpco.net.

About Farelogix

Farelogix is a leading provider of lower-cost, high value distribution and merchandising technology to the global travel industry. Farelogix counts among its customers several of the world's leading airlines and travel companies. Farelogix is a privately held company with offices in Miami, Toronto, Dubai, and the United Kingdom. For additional information, visit www.farelogix.com.

Contacts:

ATPCO

Betsie White-Hummer

(+1) 703 661 7464

bwhite@atpco.net



Farelogix

Jodi Echakowitz, Echo PR

(+1) 905 709 9700

press@farelogix.com




DONG Energy will release its financial results for the first quarter of 2016 on 27 April. DONG Energy will release its financial results for the first quarter of 2016 on 27 April. The results will be released around 8.00 (CET).A conference call for investors and analysts will be held at 10.30am (CET) on the same day with the following dial in numbers: Denmark: +45 3544 5583 International: +44 203 194 0544The conference call can be followed live: http://www.dongenergy.com/conferencecallPresentation slides will be available prior to the conference call: http://www.dongenergy.com/presentationsFor additional information, please contact:Media Relations Martin Barlebo +45 9955 9552Investor Relations Henrik B. Lund +45 9955 9769This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any shares or other securities of DONG Energy A/S or affiliates thereof. The announcement is not directed to any person resident in any jurisdiction in which the submission or distribution of this announcement would contravene the law of such jurisdiction. This announcement may not be distributed to persons resident in any such jurisdiction. Accordingly this announcement may not be distributed in any jurisdiction outside Denmark if such distribution would require any registration, qualification or other requirement. Any person acquiring possession of this announcement is expected and assumed to obtain on his or her own accord any necessary information on any applicable restrictions and to comply with such restrictions.DONG Energy is one of the leading energy groups in Northern Europe, headquartered in Denmark. Around 6,700 ambitious employees are engaged in developing, constructing and operating offshore wind farms; generating power and heat from our power stations; providing energy to residential and business customers on a daily basis; and producing oil and gas. Group revenue was DKK 71bn (EUR 9.5bn) in 2015. For further information, see www.dongenergy.comAttachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=557270
HKTDC Communication and Public Affairs Department Joe Kainz Tel: +852 2584 4216 Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

HONG KONG, Apr 20, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - The 31st HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the seventh HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair opened today. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the four-day fairs continue through 23 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The concurrent events have attracted a total of more than 2,400 exhibitors from 32 countries and regions to showcase the latest houseware, and home textiles and furnishing products."Facing the global economic challenges, the Hong Kong Houseware Fair, being the largest houseware event in Asia, takes up the mission of providing a platform for exhibitors to seek new buyers and more orders," said Benjamin Chau, HKTDC Acting Executive Director. "Besides striving to excel in areas such as exhibition design, product zoning and networking events, the HKTDC is also committed to attracting more overseas buyers to source products in Hong Kong. A total of 125 overseas buyer missions are organised this year to bring more than 7,000 buyers to the twin fairs, creating more business opportunities for the industry."Close to 80 renowned houseware brands featuredTo match the growing demand for branded houseware, the Hall of Elegance at the Houseware Fair features nearly 80 renowned local and international houseware brands. Local names include the fashionable ceramics brand Topchoice, the innovative kitchenware and tableware brand Kool, renowned silverware brand Regent as well as new fair participants such as Diamond, which specialises in high-tech household water filters; kitchenware brand Kinox, and Jia, with its Chinese-style designs. International brands are also captivating buyers with their eye-catching designs, including, from Japan, Like-it with products that blend fun and practicality, and Interform, with its classic and subtle designs of wall clocks, indoor lighting, storage and bathroom items. The fair also welcomes renowned kitchenware brand Happycall from Korea, the French kitchenware brand Emile Henry with its red tagines, as well as the popular and vogue Italian kitchenware brands Pedrini and TVS.Nowadays, dining at home is increasingly seen as an enjoyable and healthy lifestyle choice. As a result, the demand for top-quality kitchenware and tableware is growing. Consumers are willing to pay more for products that are easy to use and beautifully designed, seeing such purchases as an investment in their quality of life. At the World of Fine Dining zone, more than 300 exhibitors from all over the world have brought a wide range of cookware, kitchen and dining products, such as the famous glassware brand Glasslock, the local kitchenware design brand Konstar, and Wilmax with their quality ceramic whiteware, to fit the trend of fine dining at home.New zones for interior furnishing materials and baby productsThe Houseware Fair this year features 23 themed zones with clear product categorisation for convenient sourcing. Two new zones are launched this year, including the Interior Furnishing Materials zone that features home furnishing materials, hardware and DIY tools, and the Baby Products zone with a comprehensive offering of baby products. The World of Pet Supplies zone features a range of pet products, such as cages, a smart feeder with Internet of Things (IoT) applications, pet fitness equipment and grooming supplies, all of which serve the needs of pets and their owners. Meanwhile, a group of celebrity Shiba dogs, known by the stage name WE5, is helping to demonstrate pet products at the Home Essentials Parade. The Avenue of Inspiration spotlights the creativity of local designers, including licensed products such as cartoon characters designed by local illustrators, a range of innovative bamboo-made green houseware, indoor aromatherapy and body care products and 3D printing services for houseware items.Building a cozy homeHeld concurrently with the Houseware Fair, the Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair gathers household and hotel textile items such as furnishings, bedding products, curtains and carpets from around the world. The premium Hall of Glamour features a series of top-quality branded products. Renowned exhibitors include J-Tex with its bedding series of licensed brands from Disney and Hallmark, the top-quality bath towel brand Terry Palmer from Indonesia and The Home Fashion from Beijing.The Chinese mainland and three Indian textile organisations have set up their own pavilions at the fair. Nantong city in Jiangsu Province, dubbed "the Hometown of Textiles," has also established a pavilion to showcase its time-honoured quality textiles. New to the show this year, Portugal has set up a pavilion to present its high-quality textiles.Taking the pulse of the marketBesides providing a platform for the industry to source products and explore business opportunities, the HKTDC is also staging a series of seminars and networking events to help industry players keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in the houseware and home textiles markets.Events include a seminar led by trend forecaster WGSN under the theme of "WGSN TrendTalk: 2017 Houseware & Home Textiles 2017 Forecast" as well as industry forums on different geographical markets as well as the pet supplies market. Parades and Product Demo & Launch Pad sessions are also organised so that buyers can view products from a variety of exhibitors at the same time. At 12:30 pm on the first three days of the fair, the International Kitchenette features Chinese, Korean and European dishes prepared by chefs using the latest kitchenware. Invited by the local kitchenware brand Kinox, local celebrity Akina Fong introduced the company's newest products at the Houseware Fair today.Fair WebsitesThe HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair: http://www.hktdc.com/hkhousewarefairThe HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles & Furnishings Fair: http://www.hktdc.com/hkhometextilesfairPhoto Download Link: http://bit.ly/1rjb2mrMedia Registration: Media representatives wishing to cover the event may register on-site with their business cards and/or media identification.To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tcAbout HKTDCA statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Google+, Twitter @hktdc, LinkedIn.Google+: https://plus.google.com/+hktdcTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/hktdcLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/hong-kong-trade-development-councilSource: HKTDCContact:Copyright 2016 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
GATINEAU, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Nouveau Monde Mining Enterprises Inc. ("Nouveau Monde") (TSX VENTURE: NOU)(OTC PINK: NMGRF)(FRANKFURT: NM9) is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), to help fund one of its ongoing research and development projects. The $25,000 grant, approved under NSERC's ENGAGE program, was awarded last week to Dr. Mohamed Siaj, Professor at the Department of Chemistry at the Universite du Quebec a Montreal (UQAM) and Director of the NanoQAM Research Centre. Dr. Siaj, in partnership with Nouveau Monde, is spearheading the project titled: Development of a Chemical Process for Low-Value Graphite Ore Transformation to Value-Added Graphene-Based Electroactive Materials.

Nouveau Monde has been working with Dr. Siaj since 2014 with the goal of creating value-added products relating to natural flake graphite ore. As part of this collaboration, Nouveau Monde will be entitled to the Intellectual Property which could be developed during the course of the project.

Eric Desaulniers, President and CEO of Nouveau Monde, stated: "We are proud to be recognized by NSERC in this way. Our high purity flake Matawinie graphite project is continuing to demonstrate strong characteristics amenable to generating high-value-added products, particularly in the lithium ion battery market. This recent grant helps to identify additional long-term opportunities for Nouveau Monde in regard to potentially generating more value-added products that can be used in the developing graphene market."

About Prof. Mohamed Siaj

Prof Mohamed Siaj received his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Laval University under the supervision of Peter McBreen, a world leader in Surface Science. Following postdoctoral training at the Colin Nuckolls group at Columbia University, New York, a leading institution in graphene research, Siaj joined the Department of Chemistry at UQAM as an Assistant Professor in 2008, and now holds the rank of Associate Professor. Prof. Siaj has extensive experience in different areas of surface science and nanomaterials-based graphene from a chemistry perspective. Siaj's group activities focus on the growth, synthesis, processing and characterization of advanced nanostructured electroactive materials and their integration into carbon electrodes for chemical and biosensors applications.

This press release was reviewed by Eric Desaulniers, M.Sc., P.Geo., President and CEO of Nouveau Monde.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) has in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction or approved or disapproved the contents of this press release.

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated by such statements. Nouveau Monde will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Nouveau Monde.

Contacts:

Nouveau Monde Mining Enterprises Inc.

Eric Desaulniers, M.Sc., P.Geo.

President and Chief Executive Officer

(819) 923-0333




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) announced Wednesday that its Board has elected Robert Milton Non-Executive Chairman, effective immediately. He succeeds Henry Meyer III, the current Non-Executive Chairman, who will be retiring and will not stand for re-election at the 2016 Annual Meeting. The company also announced a settlement agreement with Altimeter Capital Management, LP and PAR Capital Management, Inc. Under the settlement agreement ,two of their designees, Edward Shapiro, Managing Partner and portfolio manager at PAR, and Barney Harford, former Chief Executive Officer of Orbitz Worldwide, Inc., will immediately join the UAL Board. The settlement agreement among United, Altimeter, and PAR will be filed shortly with the Securities and Exchange Commission. United will also add a mutually agreed independent director to the Board within six months. Altimeter has withdrawn its notice of intent to nominate directors at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and agreed to certain 'stand-still' provisions. As of the 2016 Annual Meeting, seven of the Company's 14 directors - and five of the 11 independent directors - will be new to the Board since March 1, 2016. Further, Oscar Munoz, United's President and Chief Executive Officer, has decided to amend his employment agreement to defer from the 2017 Annual Meeting to the 2018 Annual Meeting the anticipated time at which he would assume the additional position of Chairman of the Board. 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, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

On 20April2016, the District Court of The Hague allowed the challenge brought by the Russian Federation to the landmark 2014 arbitral award ordering the Russian Federation to pay over $50billion to the former majority shareholders of Yukos Oil Company.

In its decision, the District Court held that the award could not stand on the ground that the Russian Federation was not bound by the provisional application of Article 26 of the Energy Charter Treaty containing the offer to arbitrate, despite Russia having consented to its provisional application pursuant to Article 45 of the Treaty.

Tim Osborne, director of GML, the company that indirectly owned the majority of Yukos' shares, commented on the decision: "We fully stand by the unanimous award received in 2014 for the politically motivated destruction of Yukos. We will appeal this surprise decision by The Hague Court and have full faith that the rule of law and justice will ultimately prevail."

Marnix Leijten, partner at the Amsterdam-based firm De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, who acts on behalf of the claimants in the Hague court proceedings, said: "The District Court incorrectly applied the provisional application mechanism of the Energy Charter Treaty, as well as the relevant Russian law provisions. I am confident that this decision will be corrected in due course."

Emmanuel Gaillard, Head of the International Arbitration Group at Shearman & Sterling LLP, who acted as lead counsel in the arbitration proceedings, added that: "The arbitral tribunal was composed of three international law experts of the highest calibre who were unanimous in their reasoning. I am confident that today's decision will be reversed on appeal."

Yas Banifatemi, the partner in charge of Shearman & Sterling LLP's Public International Law practice, said: "The claimants will continue moving forward with their worldwide efforts to enforce the Russian Federation's international obligations, as recognized by the arbitral tribunal. Under the 1958 New York Convention, enforcement courts will be at liberty to assess the award for themselves, irrespective of what the Dutch courts have to say on the matter."

Immediately following the decision, the claimants confirmed that they will be exercising their right of appeal to the Court of Appeal in The Hague and in the meanwhile, recognition and enforcement proceedings for the award are ongoing in various jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany and India.

Note to Editor :

On 18July2014 an arbitral tribunal sitting in The Hague under the auspices of the Permanent Court of Arbitration held unanimously that the Russian Federation had breached its international obligations under the Energy Charter Treaty by destroying Yukos Oil Company and appropriating its assets, awarding over $50billion in compensation to the former Yukos majority shareholders. It was, and remains, by far the largest award ever rendered by an arbitral tribunal.

The expropriation of Yukos was achieved through a series of steps, which included paralyzing the company (notably through the arrest, imprisonment and harassment of its management and employees), manufacturing a pretext for the taking of the company's assets (namely, the fabrication of over USD24billion in tax debt), using that pretext to take Yukos' assets piece by piece (beginning with Yuganskneftegaz, Yukos' crown-jewel asset), and later transferring all the company's prize assets to Russian state-owned company, Rosneft. The Russian Federation's actions culminated in the liquidation of Yukos in November 2007, and the complete and total deprivation of the Yukos claimants' investments.

In the words of the arbitral tribunal, "Yukos was the object of a series of politically-motivated attacks by the Russian authorities that eventually led to its destruction," the Russian Federation's aim being "to bankrupt Yukos, assign its assets to a State-controlled company, and incarcerate [Russian businessman and former Yukos chairman Mr.Mikhail Khodorkovsky] who gave signs of becoming a political competitor."

The arbitral tribunal was chaired by Yves Fortier, a leading arbitrator and formerly Canada's Representative on the UN Security Council and President of the Council. The Russian Federation appointed Judge Stephen Schwebel, former President of the International Court of Justice, and the claimants appointed Dr.Charles Poncet, partner at CMS von Erlach Poncet Ltd. in Geneva.
UPDATED

Sixty-three percent of people responding to an annual poll on public education in New Orleans said they believed that charter schools had improved public education in the city.

When asked whether public schools were getting better, worse, or staying the same, 36 percent of those who responded said that schools were getting better; 31 percent said they were staying the same; and 19 percent said they were getting worse.

Caucasians were more likely to think the schools were getting better, with 43 percent of white voters saying that the schools were improving. In contrast, 31 percent of African-Americans thought the schools were getting better and 23 percent thought they were getting worse. Only 15 percent of white voters thought the schools were getting worse.

Forty-three percent of respondents gave the citys public schools a C grade, while 23 percent gave them a B. Seventeen percent gave them a D.

Those are some of the findings from What Happens Next? Voters Perceptions of K-12 Public Education in New Orleans, released Tuesday by The Cowen Institute at Tulane University.

The latest poll results come more than 10 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city and upended the local school system. In the hurricanes wake, the state expanded the Recovery School District, which eventually assumed control of the majority of public schools in New Orleans.

Today, the Recovery School District oversees 52 schools, all of which are charters, while the Orleans Parish School Board runs six schools and oversees 18 charter schools.

Last year was the first year that any charter school in the Recovery School District voted to return to the Orleans Parish School Board. Five others are debating whether to do so in the next academic year, according to the report. And what school governance would look like in the city in the future is a subject of debate in policy circles and the legislature.

According to the poll, 38 percent of respondents said that they would like the RSD schools to return to the Orleans Parish School Board by 2018. Among African-Americans, that number was 43 percent. Thirteen percent of all respondents said the return should be after 2018, and 32 percent would keep the status quo.

Whites were more likely to want to keep the current system, with 40 percent of Caucasian respondents saying they wanted to maintain the status quo.

Forty-one percent of respondents said they believed that the Orleans Parish School Board was capable of effectively managing all of the citys public schools and the common enrollment system that was designed to make applying for, selecting, and enrolling in schools easier for families. The RSD is currently responsible for overseeing the common enrollment system. Thirty-five percent did not believe that the Orleans Parish School Board could do so. Twenty-four percent of respondents were not sure.

The poll also captured residents opinions on the common enrollment system (62 percent said they believe the policy had a positive effect on public education), voters perception of both school systems, among others. You can access the full report here.

The telephone survey of 600 voters was conducted between March 31 and April 5. The sample included both public school and private school parents.

Education Week asked residents similar questions last year for its package on the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

Image Source: What Happens Next? Voters Perceptions of K-12 Public Education in New Orleans
SUGAR LAND, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Reported by Annette Kreuger, Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) -- It is that time of year again, when the Pharmaceutical-Biotech Industry holds its annual INTERPHEX event in New York City. For anybody involved in the industry, the hot venue will be the Jacob K. Javits Center, which will be hosting INTERPHEX 2016 for its annual three-day run, April 26 to 28. Sponsored by the Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) and open only to the trade, INTERPHEX is a comprehensive show, covering 300,000 square feet of space.

For details, view the entire article by subscribing to Industrial Info's Premium Industry News, or browse other breaking industrial news stories at www.industrialinfo.com.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. To contact an office in your area, visit the www.industrialinfo.com "Contact Us" page.

Contact

Brian Ford

(713) 980-9393






WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALNY), reported complete 18-month data from its ongoing Phase 2 open-label extension or OLE study with patisiran, an investigational RNAi therapeutic targeting transthyretin or TTR, for the treatment of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (hATTR-PN), also known as familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP).



The company is presenting the new clinical data in an oral talk at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology being held April 15 to 21, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.



The company noted that complete 18-month data from the study provide continued evidence that patisiran has the potential to halt neuropathy progression in patients with hATTR-PN.



Eric Green, Vice President, General Manager, TTR Program said, 'We are pleased to see continued evidence for potential halting of neuropathy progression after 18 months of treatment in the ongoing Phase 2 OLE study with patisiran. The mean 0.8-point decrease in mNIS+7 is an encouraging finding, as the change in mNIS+7 from baseline to 18 months is the primary endpoint in our ongoing APOLLO Phase 3 trial with patisiran.'



In the first reported exploratory analysis of its kind, the degree of TTR knockdown observed in patients was shown to correlate with improvement in neuropathy impairment scores. Further, in this Phase 2 OLE trial, patisiran was found to be generally well tolerated with up to 25 months of treatment.



The company is continuing dosing in the patisiran Phase 2 OLE study, and plans to report initial 24-month data from the trial in mid-2016.



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ATLANTA (dpa-AFX) - Coca-Cola Co. (KO) reported a profit for the first-quarter of 2016 that declined 5 percent from the prior year, while quarterly operating revenues decreased 4%. But, adjusted earnings per share topped analysts' expectations.



In the pre-Market trade, KO is currently trading at $45.67, down $0.93 or 2.00 percent.



Net income attributable to shareowners of the company for the quarter decreased 5 percent to $1.48 billion from the prior year's $1.56 billion, with earnings per share declining to $0.34 from $0.35 last year.



Comparable earnings for the quarter were $1.99 billion, or $0.45 per share, down from $2.10 billion, or $0.48 per share in the prior year. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.44 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.



Items impacting comparability decreased reported earnings per share by a net $0.11 and were primarily related to noncash charges related to refranchising certain territories in North America and costs associated with previously announced productivity, integration and restructuring initiatives.



Net operating revenues dropped 4 percent $10.28 billion from $10.71 billion in the previous year. Wall Street expected revenues of $10.29 billion.



Organic revenue growth of 2% in the quarter was driven by concentrate sales growth and 1 point of positive price/mix. Concentrate sales growth was negatively impacted by one less day in the quarter. After adjusting for the one less day in the quarter, concentrate sales were in line with unit case sales. Price/mix was driven by solid underlying pricing partially offset by 1 point of segment and geographic mix. Acquisitions, divestitures and structural items primarily include the impact of refranchised territories, as well as the net impact of the brand transfer agreement associated with the closing of the transaction with Monster Beverage Corporation in 2015 and the expanded distribution of Monster's beverage products.



First quarter cash from operations was $604 million, negatively impacted by contributions to U.S. pension plans of $471 million, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and one less day in the quarter.



For the second quarter of 2016, the company estimates that based on the current spot rates, currency will be a 2 to 3 point headwind on comparable net revenues and an 11 point headwind on comparable income before taxes, including the impact of hedged position.



The company continues to expect organic revenue to be up 4% to 5% in 2016, in line with our long-term target. The net impact of acquisitions, divestitures and structural items on comparable net revenues is expected to be a 4 to 5 point headwind and based on the current spot rates, currency is expected to be a 2 to 3 point headwind, including the impact of hedged positions for the full year.



The company expects comparable currency neutral income before taxes (structurally adjusted) to grow 6% to 8% in 2016, in line with our long-term target, as strong operating profit growth is expected to be partially offset by increased interest expense. The net impact of structural items is expected to be a 3 to 4 point headwind and based on the current spot rates, currency is expected to be an 8 to 9 point headwind, including the impact of hedged positions for the full year.



The Company expects full-year comparable currency neutral earnings per share growth to be 4% to 6% including the impact of 3 to 4 points of structural headwind, primarily due to refranchising, on comparable currency neutral income before taxes. Based on the current spot rates, currency is expected to be an 8 to 9 point headwind, including the impact of hedged positions for the full year.



Wall Street currently is looking for fiscal year 2016 earnings of $1.95 per share on annual revenues of $42.40 billion.



The company targets full-year 2016 net share repurchases of $2.0 billion to $2.5 billion.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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DUBLIN, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "3D Printing Market by Printer Type, Material Type (Metals, Plastics, Ceramics & Others), Material Form (Powder, Liquid, Filament), Process, Technology, Software, Service, Application, Vertical and Geography - Global Forecast to 2022" report to their offering.

The global 3D printing market is expected to grow from USD 4.98 Billion in 2015 to USD 30.19 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 28.5% between 2016 and 2022 The market is expected to be driven by factors such as ease of developing customized products, benefits of 3D printing, and government investments in 3D printing projects.

The market for desktop 3D printers is expected to grow at a high rate during the forecast period due to the declining prices of printers as well as technological advancements pertaining to printers. Introduction of multijet printers allows more than one material and color to be used at time and availability of open platform to design objects such as Photoshop by Adobe and Spark by Autodesk are other major reasons increasing the demand of desktop 3D printers for personal use.

Aerospace & defense, healthcare, industrial, and consumer products comprised the major industries that accounted for the major share of the 3D printing market in 2015. However, the market for the education, printed electronics, energy, and jewelry industries is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period.

North America dominated the 3D printing market in 2015. 3D printing is used in the major industrial manufacturing, aerospace & defense, and healthcare companies located in the U.S., which is driving the market in this region. GE uses laser-powered 3D printers to make parts and products for aircraft. Continuous technological advancements and financial support from the government are also propelling the growth of the North American 3D printing market. However, the market in APAC is expected to grow at a faster rate between 2016 and 2022. Government initiatives, funding in R&D, and extensive industrial base are the major factors that make APAC a dynamic region for 3D printing, with Japan and China being the major contributors.

Scope of the Report:

Market, by Printer:

-- Desktop

-- Industrial

- Market, by Material:

-- Metals

-- Plastics

-- Ceramics

-- Others

Market, by Material Form:

-- Powder

-- Liquid

-- Filament

- Market, by Process:

-- Material extrusion

-- Material jetting

-- Binder jetting

-- Sheet lamination

-- Vat photopolymerization

-- Powder bed fusion

-- Directed energy deposition

Market, by Technology:

-- Stereolithography (SLA)

-- Fuse deposition modeling (FDM)

-- Selective laser sintering (SLS)

-- Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)

-- Polyjet printing (MJP)

-- Inkjet printing

-- Electron beam melting (EBM)

-- Laser metal deposition (LMD)

-- Direct light projection (DLP)

-- Laminated object manufacturing (LOM)

-- Others

Market, by Software:

-- Design

-- Inspect

-- Scan

-- Printer software

- Market, by Service:

-- Custom design & manufacturing

-- After-sales

- Market, by Application:

-- Prototyping

-- Tooling

-- Functional parts

Market, by Vertical:

--- Automotive

--- Aerospace & defense

--- Healthcare

--- Architecture & construction

--- Consumer products

--- Education

--- Engineering

--- Energy

--- Printed electronics

--- Jewelry

--- Food & culinary

Market, by Geography:

-- North America

-- Europe

-- Asia-Pacific (APAC)

-- Rest of the World (RoW)

Companies Mentioned

- 3D Ceram

- 3D Systems Corporation

- 3Dponics Inc.

- ARC Group Worldwide, Inc.

- Afinia 3D

- Alcoa Inc.

- Amazon.Com, Inc.

- Arcam Group

- Arevo Labs

- Arkema S.A.

- Autodesk, Inc.

- Beijing Tiertime Technology Co., Ltd.

- Canon Inc.

- Concept Laser GmbH

- Cookson Precious Metals Ltd.

- Dassault Systemes SA

- EOS GmbH

- Envisiontec GmbH

- Evonik Industries AG

- Formlabs Inc.

- General Electric Company

- Graphene 3D Lab Inc.

- Groupe Gorge

- HP Inc

- Hoganas AB

- Koninklijke DSM N.V.

- Leapfrog 3D Printers

- Luxexcel Group BV

- Materialise NV

- Mcor Technologies Ltd

- Microtec Gesellschaft Fur Mikrotechnologie Mbh

- Nano Dimension

- Natural Machines

- Neotech Amt GmbH

- Optomec Inc.

- Organovo Holdings Inc.

- Oxford Performance Materials Inc.

- Printrbot Inc

- Proto Labs

- Renishaw PLC.

- Reprap

- SLM Solutions Group AG.

- Sciaky Inc

- Scuplteo

- Shapeways, Inc.

- Shenzhen Hueway Technology Co., Ltd.

- Solidoodle LLC

- Sols Systems

- Stratasys Ltd.

- TLC Korea Co., Ltd.

- Taulman3D, LLC

- The Argen Corporation

- The Exone Company

- Ultimaker BV

- Voxeljet AG

- Wiivv Wearables Inc.

- Xyzprinting

- Zhejiang Flashforge 3D Technology Co., Ltd.

For more information visit

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/plz7bz/3d_printing

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- VeloCloud Networks Inc., the Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN company, today announced it has been named a "Cool Vendor" in the "Cool Vendors in Enterprise Networking, 2016"(1) report by Gartner, Inc.

To get a copy of the full report, click here: http://www.velocloud.com/sd-wan-resources/white-papers/gartner-cool-vendors-2016

VeloCloud Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN enables enterprises to simplify remote and branch office deployments while delivering secure optimized access to applications in cloud and private datacenters. Service providers are able to deploy SD-WAN as a value-add revenue generating service and deliver elastic transport, performance for cloud applications, in both on-net and off-net cases. Both enterprises and service providers benefit from the multi-tenant cloud gateway architecture and ability to support real-time applications over ordinary broadband links.

According to Gartner, "Changing application architectures and the proliferation of cloud services dramatically impact the way networks are designed, built and managed. We continue to see substantial vendor innovation applied to enterprise WAN challenges, and we anticipate rapid enterprise adoption of software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) products."(1)

"Gartner is highly regarded in the industry and we are elated to be named a Cool Vendor in Enterprise Networking for 2016," said Sanjay Uppal, VeloCloud Co-founder and CEO. "With over 150 customers, we believe recognition such as this continues to validate our Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN architecture built from the ground up on cloud and virtualization, zero touch automation, and multi-tenancy as first principles."

Disclaimer

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Note 1 - "Cool Vendors in Enterprise Networking, 2016" by Andrew Lerner, et al. April 13, 2016.

About VeloCloud

VeloCloud, the Cloud-Delivered SD-WAN company and winner of Best Startup of Interop, simplifies branch WAN networking by automating deployment and improving performance over private, broadband Internet and LTE links for today's increasingly distributed enterprises. VeloCloud SD-WAN includes: a choice of public, private or hybrid cloud network for enterprise-grade connection to cloud and enterprise applications; branch office enterprise appliances and optional data center appliances; software-defined control and automation; and virtual services delivery. VeloCloud has received financing from investors including NEA, Venrock, March Capital Partners, Cisco Investments and The Fabric, and is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. For more information, visit www.velocloud.com and follow the company on Twitter @VeloCloud.

VeloCloud and the VeloCloud logo are registered trademarks of VeloCloud Networks, Inc., in the United States and other countries. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Contact:

Dan Spalding

Email Contact

(408) 960-9297




Award Presented at PAYMENTS 2016 in Phoenix

VocaLink announced today that it has been selected as the recipient of the 2016 George Mitchell Payments System Excellence Award. The award is given annually by NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association

The award is named after former vice-chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, George Mitchell, an early proponent of electronic payments. It honors an individual or organization that has shown superior leadership in the development, implementation or advancement of domestic or international electronic payments.

Cara O'Nions, Marketing and Customer Insight Director, at VocaLink commented: "We are thrilled to have won such a prestigious award. The global payments market is evolving fast and it's great to be recognised for the key part we have played in its innovation and development.

"We are committed to becoming the leading real-time payment infrastructure provider globally and our work in collaboration with central banks, banks and other payment providers in Singapore, Thailand and the US takes us closer to this goal. As the US is the world's largest payment area, the deal with The Clearing House is a particularly important milestone in reaching this vision. Over the coming year we will continue to focus on innovating our core business, expanding our existing platforms, developing new products based on customer needs and expanding our offering to international markets."

VocaLink received the award for leadership in growing and advancing global payments, according to NACHA. Through innovation, expansion, and development of products supporting faster payments and mobile payments, VocaLink has helped to increase payments access, efficiency and security across the globe. It has successfully achieved this via collaborations with banks and other payment providers globally.

"NACHA is proud to recognize VocaLink as the recipient of the George Mitchell Payments System Excellence Award," said Janet O. Estep, president and CEO of NACHA. "VocaLink has found innovative ways to meet the needs of a changing payments industry while demonstrating just how important and integral electronic payments are to everyday life."

The award is part of NACHA's Payments System Awards, which recognize the highest degree of achievement in the development, implementation and advancement of electronic payments. These prestigious awards celebrate excellence, outstanding accomplishments and superior leadership in innovation to further the ACH Network.

VocaLink and other recipients of the 2016 Payments System Awards will be recognized during the Payments System Awards Luncheon, sponsored by TD Bank, N.A., at PAYMENTS 2016, which is being held now through April 20at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

PAYMENTS 2016 is the premier educational event for the payments industry. Financial institutions of all types and sizes, solution providers who are changing the market, corporate decision makers and government end-user customer organisations gather annually at the conference to move the payments industry forward.

To learn more, visit payments.nacha.org.

About VocaLink

We're VocaLink. A global payments partner to banks, corporates and governments. We design, build and operate world-class payment systems.

We believe that sustainable economies are powered by easy access to and movement of money. Our award-winning platforms and payment industry expertise make it easier for people to make payments confidently and securely. Last year we processed over 11 billion transactions with a value of 6 trillion. In the UK, we process over 90% of salaries, more than 70% of household bills and almost all state benefits. Every business and person in the UK benefits from our technology.

In the UK, our high availability, resilient payment systems power the Faster Payments Service on behalf of the Faster Payments Scheme, the Account Switching platform, Bacs and the Direct Debit Scheme. We also connect the world's busiest network of over 70,000 ATMs through the LINK scheme.

Our proven capability of implementing real-time payment systems in the UK has led to the development of immediate payment solutions for other countries such as Singapore and the United States. Our vision is to be the leading real-time payment infrastructure provider globally, creating a positive impact on society by shaping the payments landscape worldwide.

Our approach to designing world-class payment systems is driven by the voice of our customers. Their needs are at the centre of everything we do and we strive to deliver a flawless experience every single time.

We're VocaLink. Powering economies, empowering people.

For payment news and insight from Vocalink visit CONNECT -http://connect.vocalink.com/

PAYMENTS 2016

PAYMENTS 2016, which is taking place April 17-20 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona, is a proven, well-respected, and powerful event that provides attendees with the latest research, industry pilot results, insights, trends and forecasts to support and drive payments innovation. Information is delivered through interactive educational sessions and workshops with renowned speakers from financial institutions, corporations, government agencies, legal and regulatory bodies, consulting and research firms, service providers and more. Content is organized along six newly identified tracks- ACH: Now Next; Surety: Rules, Regs Risk; Impact: Trends Technology; Strategy: Plan & Position; Experiences: Corporate Consumer; and Buzz: Disrupt Debate to address the topics of today that are impacting the payments space. In addition, a dynamic Exhibit Hall of industry leaders features top products and services shaping the future of payments. Registration is now open. To learn more about PAYMENTS 2016, visit payments.nacha.org.

NACHA The Electronic Payments Association

Since 1974, NACHA The Electronic Payments Association has served as trustee of the ACH Network, managing the development, administration and rules for the payment network that universally connects all 12,000 financial institutions in the U.S. The Network moves money and information directly from one bank account to another. Through its collaborative, self-governing model, education, and inclusive engagement of ACH Network participants, NACHA facilitates the expansion and diversification of electronic payments, supporting Direct Deposit and Direct Payment via ACH transactions, including ACH credit and debit payments, recurring and one-time payments; government, consumer and business transactions; international payments, and payments plus payment-related information. Through NACHA's expertise and leadership, the ACH Network is now one of the largest, safest, and most reliable systems in the world, creating value and enabling innovation for all participants. Visit nacha.org for more information.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160419006575/en/

Contacts:

For VocaLink

Charlie Ansdell/Paula Nugent

Redleaf

+44 (0) 20 7382 4762

vocalinkcomms@redleafpr.com
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA--(Marketwired - April 20, 2016) - Prof. Cesare Greco, Associate Professor of Cardiology, Sapienza University of Rome consulting with renowned Prof. Carlo Gaudio of the Policlinico Umberto 1, Rome, Italy successfully performed the first-ever NobleStitch' EL PFO closure in the country. Reported in (http://m.ilmessaggero.it/primopiano/articolo-1640429.html). This marks the official sales launch for HeartStitch and its structural heart products in Italy.

HeartStitch VP of Sales and Marketing Dirk Segers, working in conjunction with Kardia, Milano, brought Dr. Michael Mullen, Cardiologist St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London and member of the HeartStitch clinical advisory board, to Rome to proctor the Italian team of interventional cardiologists at the famed Policlinico Umberto 1 Cardiac Center. The center had previously used large metal implants to treat Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) -- a condition that is associated with strokes, severe migraine, and chronic fatigue. These implants are known to have several potential complications, albeit rare, that can lead to stroke, erosion, migration, perforation, and death. To avoid these potential side affects many patients prefer to go untreated; HeartStitch technology leaves nothing but a surgical suture to close the PFO tunnel.

Prof. Cesare Greco, Chief of the Department of Heart and Big Vessels at Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, commented, "This system is revolutionary. It allows secure PFO closure without implanting the Nitinol disc that would have been 2.5cm in the atria of the heart, to be left forever in the patient. This 45-minute procedure also avoided the need for the 2 antiplatelet drugs we would have had to use with the metal implants; this is an important advance."

Dr. Michael Mullen commented, "I am grateful to Prof. Gaudio and Prof. Cesare Greco, his colleagues and staff for the opportunity to work with them on this historic first case in Italy. We achieved successful closure in a 52-year-old-female who had a very short PFO tunnel -- a condition that in the past we would not have attempted with this technology. However, with the new techniques we have developed over the last year, I was confident that we could achieve closure in this case. Successfully closing the PFO without a metal implant in a patient who had already suffered a previous stroke at her age was a victory for the patient. She will not have the concern of side affects associated with the metal implants, and will not have to take the regiment of antiplatelet drugs that would have been mandatory with a metal implant."

Dirk Segers, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for HeartStitch, stated, "It was a pleasure to bring the NobleStitch' technology to Italy, and to work with such a great team. This is our first sale in Italy, and we look forward to growing our experience here at the Policlinico Umberto 1 with Prof. Gaudio and his collogues, and to expand throughout Italy."

Professor Anthony Nobles, CEO of HeartStitchstated, "We continue to grow our distribution throughout Europe, and Italy was a crucial step for us in our sales plan. We continue to learn from our growing customer base, and with each case we improve our training techniques and expand the indications for our suture technology. I am personally proud to be able to bring NobleStitch' to Italy, a country that has been a big part of my life -- and of the development process of our suturing technology."

About PFO Closure

A PFO is a relatively common heart defect characterized by an unsealed tunnel between the right and left atria of the heart. This defect has been known to be present in anywhere between 27%-38% of people. However, in a number of cases, it is benign.

The PFO is formed as a trace of the fetal circulation. When the chambers of a human heart begin to develop, a tunnel is made between the right and left atria, allowing blood to flow directly from the venous circulation to the arterial circulation, circumventing the non-functioning fetal lungs. Following birth, the pressure differential between the right and left atria changes with newly operational blood flow to the fully functioning lungs. Because of this, the tunnel eventually closes completely within the first few months.

However, in some patients, the foramen ovale fails to seal and stays "patent." In patients with a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), the tunnel can reopen under elevated atrial pressure, such as coughing, or straining.

A key issue with PFO is that it gives a pathway for blood clots to pass directly to the arterial circulation without being filtered out by the capillary bed of the lungs. A PFO can also let deoxygenated blood and certain chemicals to cross over to the arterial side. The presence of a PFO has been linked to a number of clinical issues, mainly stokes, migraines and chronic fatigue. Developments are being made to solidify the link between PFO and strokes or migraines, and to identify patients that would benefit from PFO closure.

About HeartStitch:

HeartStitch, Inc. was founded by Prof. Anthony Nobles with the intent of leveraging its technologies in the structural heart marketplace. HeartStitch is focused on the innovative suture-based systems for remotely providing suture repair of structural heart defects and other vascular structures.

The HeartStitch TA and HeartStitch MR are FDA cleared for vascular suturing in the United States. HeartStitch manufactures and markets the NobleStitch' EL under and exclusive license. The NobleStitch' EL is FDA cleared for vascular suturing in the United States and CE Marked for cardio-vascular suturing and PFO closure in the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan, respectively.

HeartStitch is a registered trademark of HeartStitch, Inc.

NobleStitch' EL for PFO closure

Covered by or for use under U.S. and international patents including one or more of U.S. Patent Nos. 5860990, 6117144, 6245079, 6551331, 6562052, 6733509, 7004952, 7090686, 7803167, 8197497, 8197510, 8246636, 8348962, 8372089, 8469975, 8496676, 8709020, and 9131938.

For more on HeartStitch visit www.HeartStitch.com

For more information, please contact shareholder representatives:



Dru Dobbs

P. +1714 427 6348

F. +1714 427 6343

ddobbs@heartstitch.com



In Kazakhstan

Kazbek Aubakirov

P. + 7 777 5009005

kaubakirov@heartstitch.com
DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - April 20, 2016) - HempTech Corp (OTC PINK: BLDWD), a provider of advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with sophisticated automation and analytical tools for the cultivators of legal cannabis, announces today that its board of directors has approved major investments in Southern Colorado by constructing advanced cannabis grow facilities using Company's proprietary container based grow pods, grow.droid II, on leased land. The grow.droid II grow pods or containers are the fastest, the most efficient and the most cost effective way to launch and expand a licensed grow facility. It provides Plug & Play grow solution that streamlines the start-up process and begins generating revenue in less time than conventional grow or greenhouses.

HempTech, in partnership with local license holders, will initially fund two grow.droid II grow pods and expand as the regulations allow. HempTech will participate in the revenue through facility lease fees and management fees. The grow.droid facilities will also second as demo units for our sales force in Colorado.

HempTech will be leasing its land in Colorado for its grow pods, grow.droid II, from FutureLand Corp (OTC PINK: FUTL) on a five-year term. With a successful implementation in southern Colorado, HempTech may consider other locations in other legal States for further development.

Since 2014, HempTech Corp, a subsidiary of FutureWorld Corp (OTC PINK: FWDG), in cooperation with FutureLand Corp (OTC PINK: FUTL), has spent substantial amount of resources to develop state-of-the-art automation technologies for the growers and cultivators in the burgeoning cannabis industry.

With Intelligent Automation Technology engineered for agricultural operations featuring CognetiX Cultivation Automation & Analytic Software, which drives improvement in productivity, efficiency and quality, small to large size cultivators will have access to industrial grow technology not yet available in the Cannabis market. HempTech's goal is to provide cost effective and efficient cultivation of indoor cannabis through intelligent technologies and process control platforms.

About HempTech Corp

HempTech Corp (OTC PINK: BLDWD), a Nevada corporation, is a provider of advanced Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with sophisticated automation and analytical tools for the cultivators of legal industrial hemp and cannabis. We design and engineer specialized products using advanced sensors, process control techniques, big data aggregation, analytics and security solutions so cannabis growers can easily and effectively control every aspect of their operation. Through HempTech technologies, virtually every component of the plants' vegetative growth matrix and flower harvest is automated, documented and available in visible format both in real time and historically. This simplifies operations and ensures that the baselines set by the master grower are adhered to by the cultivation staff.

HempTech's mission is to establish a reputation in the cannabis industry as a one-stop-shop that provides all the infrastructure elements required by growers in a manner that is fully integrated, state-of-the-art, and secure. Products include the SPIDer' (Secure Perimeter Intrusion Detection), SmartSense', SmartEnergy, and analytics dashboard Cognetix' through which HempTech Corp. provides growers unparalleled data analysis capabilities to Know Your Grow! HempTech -- America's Future Taking Root Today.

To request further information about HempTech, please email us at info@hemptechcorp.com, log onto our website at http://www.hemptechcorp.com or visit us at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hemptechcorp or on Twitter @hemptechcorp.

About FutureWorld Corp.



FutureWorld Corp (OTC PINK: FWDG), a Delaware corporation, is a leading provider of advanced technologies and solutions to the global cannabis industry. FutureWorld, together with its subsidiaries, focuses on the identification, acquisition, development, and commercialization of cannabis related products and services, such as industrial Hemp. FutureWorld, through its subsidiaries, provides personal and professional THC and HTD test kits, pharmaceutical grade HTD oil solutions, SafeVape vaporizers, smart sensor technology, communication network, surveillance security, data analysis for smart cultivation and consultation for the industrial hemp and legal medicinal cannabis. Our wireless agricultural smart sensor networks offer precision to the agriculture, irrigation systems, and greenhouses for the global cannabis and hemp industry. FutureWorld and its subsidiaries do not grow, distribute or sell marijuana. As the only Cannabis Technology Accelerator, FutureWorld will incubate and fund leading technologies, products, and services for Cannabis industry (Industrial Hemp) for foreseeable future; bringing value to its core and its shareholders.

To request further information about FutureWorld, please email us at info@futureworldcorp.com, log onto our website at http://www.futureworldcorp.com or visit us at our Facebook page facebook.com/futureworldcorp or on Twitter @futureworldinc.

Forward-Looking Statements



This press release may contain forward-looking statements covered within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, plans and timing for the introduction or enhancement of our services and products, statements about future market conditions, supply and demand conditions, and other expectations, intentions and plans contained in this press release that are not historical fact and involve risks and uncertainties. Our expectations regarding future revenues depend upon our ability to develop and supply products and services that we may not produce today and that meet defined specifications. When used in this press release, the words "plan," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current expectations. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in technology and changes in pervasive markets. This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approval for anticipated actions.

Contact:

Media Contact

HempTech Corp.

Http://www.hemptechcorp.com

info@hemptechcorp.com

(727) 474-1810

Twitter - @hemptechcorp

Facebook - hemptechcorp
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Alithya, Quebec's largest privately-held strategic consulting and IT services firm, today reported financial and operational highlights for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 ("Fiscal 2016").

Revenues increased 100% to approximately $120 million on an annual basis, driven by acquisitions, strategic partnerships and organic growth. During the year, Alythia expanded its service offering and geographic footprint with the addition of over 500 IT professionals, mainly in Canada, bringing its international team nearly 1,200.

"We achieved strong top line growth again in Fiscal 2016 and we have tripled revenues over the past four years. Our success is based on forging long-term relationships with existing clients while attracting new clients and talent," stated Paul Raymond, CEO of Alithya.

"Our objective is to more than double the size of Alithya over the next three years through further expansion in Canada and by entering the U.S. market. Our track record to date demonstrates our growing ability to compete with major global players. With the support of our key partners-TELUS, Desjardins and Investissement Quebec-and our seasoned management team, we are well-positioned to be an agent of change and a consolidator in the IT consulting industry," concluded Mr. Raymond.

A pivotal acquisition

In late 2015, Alithya acquired Montreal-based Groupe conseil OSI to become Quebec's largest privately-held IT consulting firm and a prominent player in Canada. This acquisition increased Alythia's critical mass by contributing talent, clients and enhancing the service offering. The transaction also brought in development capital investment fund Capital regional cooperative Desjardins, and Investissement Quebec as investors in the Firm.

A client-partner of choice

Alithya also grew organically throughout Fiscal 2016 by securing additional mandates from several new and existing clients in both the private and public sectors.

-- Alithya was awarded a strategic mandate with a Canadian scope from TELUS Health to develop major system applications. -- The Firm was mandated to provide business architecture, studies and project management services to the Government of Quebec's health insurance board (RAMQ). -- Alithya consolidated its partnership with Air France by providing the airline additional application development services and broader technical support across their IT applications. -- The Firm's relationship and mandates with CN also continue to grow, for whom Alithya provides a suite of various IT services.

Strategic relationship expanded

In early 2015, Alithya struck a long-term partnership with TELUS, a long-standing strategic customer, to grow its suite of information and communication technology services with a focus on managed infrastructure solutions for business customers. Through this partnership, Alithya further strengthened its team with the addition of close to 100 TELUS Professional Services employees. As a result of the partnership, TELUS acquired a stake in Alithya.

Continued market expansion

Alithya has also cemented its national presence across Canada with six locations spanning from Vancouver-the newest Canadian office-to Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa/Gatineau, Montreal and Quebec City. Its footprint in France was expanded with the opening of a fourth office in Toulouse earlier this year to better serve its growing client base in this market. Alithya also has offices in Paris, Aix-en-Provence and Sophia-Antipolis.

About Alithya

Alithya is Quebec's largest privately-held strategic consulting and IT services firm, with a presence across Canada and in France. Founded in 1992, we have grown by partnering with our clients to provide high-quality strategy and IT consulting services that help them achieve their business objectives. We serve clients mainly in the financial services, telecommunications, transportation, healthcare and government sectors. With 10 offices in Canada and France, our consulting team is now over 1,200 strong. To find out more, visit www.alithya.com

Contacts:

Melanie Tardif, CPA, CMA

Vice President, Communications and Marketing

514.285.5552

melanie.tardif@alithya.com




The DECT Forum is delighted to announce that a prestigious jury has selected a short-list of candidates for the DECT Awards 2016. The DECT Awards for end products will be presented at the 20th Anniversary DECT World Conference on May 31, 2016 in Barcelona.

The DECT Awards are open to products in four categories of Design, Innovation Enterprise and ULE. In each category the following will be awarded: Winner, Runner Up, Highly Commended. Representatives of short-listed companies are invited to attend the exciting event of the Awards ceremony end of May in Barcelona.

The Awards 2016 jury is prestigiously staffed with Walter Tuttlebee (Wireless Technology Innovation Strategy), Caroline Gilbey (School of Fashion, Ravenbourne), Manek Dubash (Journalist) and has selected the following candidates from an impressive number of applicants:

DECT Awards Short-list 2016 (company, product name, category):

ball-b: bb1401 Bait Protection (ULE)

bb1401 Bait Protection (ULE) Binatone : Smart75 (Innovation)

: Smart75 (Innovation) CCT : Opera (Innovation)

: Opera (Innovation) Cobs : Smart1 (Enterprise)

: Smart1 (Enterprise) Crow: DECT ULE SMK (Design, ULE)

DECT ULE SMK (Design, ULE) Deutsche Telekom: Speedport Smart (Innovation)

Speedport Smart (Innovation) Gigaset: CL750 (Design)

CL750 (Design) Livassured: Nightwatch (ULE)

Nightwatch (ULE) NEC: Smart Guide (Enterprise)

Smart Guide (Enterprise) Orange: NEO Retro (Design)

NEO Retro (Design) Panasonic: KX-HNS 104 Glass Break Sensor (ULE)

KX-HNS 104 Glass Break Sensor (ULE) Sennheiser: SpeechLine (Innovation), TeamConnect (Design, Enterprise)

SpeechLine (Innovation), TeamConnect (Design, Enterprise) SGW: Video Door Bell (Design, Innovation)

Video Door Bell (Design, Innovation) Sinotech: ONEsurround (Innovation)

ONEsurround (Innovation) Vtech : ErisStation Conference Phone (Enterprise)

: ErisStation Conference Phone (Enterprise) Winmate: E430RM4 Handheld (Design)

"We are very pleased about the great number of participants from the industry, giving a real challenge for the jury to conclude on a short-list of candidates", says Andreas Zipp, Chairman of the DECT Forum. "This year has seen a burst of innovation and showing how the technology can be applied to new vertical markets."

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005577/en/

Contacts:

DECT Forum

Roland Schmidt

T. +49 89 5166 2456

M. +49 176 2535 0007

roland.schmidt@dect.org
In a decision that could have far-reaching implications for schools around the country, a federal appeals court has sided with a transgender student who sued his school after it prohibited him from using the boys restroom because he was born a girl.

A district court judge in Virginia erred when it did not defer to the U.S. Department of Educations interpretation that Title IX applies to gender identity as well as biological sex, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit said in a 2-1 decision Tuesday.

The Fourth Circuit panel sent the original case back to the lower court to reconsider its denial of a preliminary injunction that would allow Gavin Grimm, a high school student in Gloucester County, Va., to use the boys restroom.

The fourth circuit notably includes North Carolina, which recently became the first state in the country to require public schools to restrict restroom access for transgender students. Gov. Pat McCory said he is studying the ruling, which could leave his states schools with the difficult decision between violating a new state statute or violating Title IX at the risk of losing millions of dollars of federal funding.

The ruling cited precedents which said that, in cases where there is ambiguity in interpretation of a federal laws, courts should give deference to an agencys interpretation of those laws.

Although [Title IX] may refer unambiguously to males and females, it is silent as to how a school should determine whether a transgender individual is a male or female for the purpose of access to sex-segregated restrooms, the ruling says. We conclude that the regulation is susceptible to more than one plausible reading because it permits both the Boards readingdetermining maleness or femaleness with reference exclusively to genitaliaand the Departments interpretationdetermining maleness or femaleness with reference to gender identity.

The Obama administration has long argued that the federal civil rights law applies to gender identity, but many state and local policymakers have disagreed with that interpretation. In November, the departments office for civil rights found an Illinois district in violation of the law because it would not grant a transgender girl unrestricted access to the girls locker room. Under threat of penalties, including a possible loss of federal funding, the district hung privacy curtains in the locker room and agreed to allow the student to use it.

School law experts have waited for a federal court ruling on the issue to provide greater legal clarity.

The ruling may come into play in the ongoing controversy over state bills that restrict restroom access for transgender students. North Carolina is the only state to have such a measure become law, though many others have considered them. South Dakotas governor vetoed a similar measure earlier this year, and Tennessee lawmakers delayed a school facilities bill there after the states attorney general said the proposed legislation may put its schools at risk of violating federal law and, consequently, losing millions of dollars in federal funding.

In an amicus brief filed in Grimms case in December, leaders of six states, including North Carolina, argued against the Obama administrations interpretation of Title IX and said the school district has offered an adequate accommodation by giving Grimm access to a single-stall restroom.

G.G. was born a baby girl. G.G. has two X chromosomes, not an X and a Y chromosome, the brief said It is also undisputed that G.G. has the female sexual and reproductive organs, and lacks the male sexual and reproductive organs. In short, there is no disagreement that G.G. is biologically of the female sex. That simple truth suffices to resolve this case.

Photo: Gavin Grimm stands on the front porch of his home in Gloucester, Va., in 2015. The high school student, who was born female but identifies as male, says its discriminatory to make him use the girls room or a single-stall unisex restroom at school. --Steve Helber/AP-File

Related reading on transgender students and Title IX:

Follow @evieblad on Twitter or subscribe to Rules for Engagement to get blog posts delivered directly to your inbox.
LITTLE ROCK, AR -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Inuvo, Inc. (NYSE MKT: INUV), an advertising technology and digital publishing company, today announced the Company will release its 2016 first quarter financial results on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Mr. Richard Howe, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Wally Ruiz, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call the same day at 4:15 p.m. (ET).

Conference Call Information:

Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Time: 4:15 p.m. ET

Domestic Dial-in number: 1-888-500-6950

International Dial-in number: 1-719-325-2491

Live webcast: http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=119279

A telephone replay will be available through May 11, 2016. To access the replay, please dial 1-877-870-5176 (domestic) or 1-858-384-5517 (international). At the system prompt, enter the code 4727148 followed by the # sign. You will then be prompted for your name, company and phone number. Playback will then automatically begin.

About Inuvo, Inc.

Inuvo, Inc. (NYSE MKT: INUV) is an advertising technology and digital publishing business that serves millions of income generating ads monthly across a network of websites and apps serving desktop, tablet and mobile devices. To learn more about Inuvo, please visit www.inuvo.com or download our app for Apple iPhone or for Android.

Contact:

Inuvo, Inc.

Wally Ruiz, Chief Financial Officer

501-205-8397

Email Contact

or

Investor Relations

Capital Markets Group

Alan Sheinwald or Valter Pinto

914-669-0222

Email Contact




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Dividend Select 15 Corp. (the "Company") declares its monthly distribution of $0.06758 per Equity share. The distribution is payable May 10, 2016 to shareholders on record as of April 29, 2016.

Under the distribution policy announced in September 2014, the monthly dividend payable on the Equity shares is determined by applying a 10% annualized rate on the volume weighted average market price (VWAP) of the Equity shares over the last 3 trading days of the preceding month. As a result, Equity shareholders of record on April 29, 2016 will receive a dividend of $0.06758 per share based on the VWAP of $8.11 over the last 3 trading days in March, payable on May 10, 2016. Effectively, the actual amount of monthly distributions paid will vary with the market price, but the current yield will remain stable at 10% (based on the VWAP) under this distribution policy.

Since inception (November 18, 2010) Equity shareholders have received a total of $4.19 per share inclusive of this distribution.

The Company invests in a portfolio of 15 Canadian companies selected from the following 20 company universe which are among the highest Canadian dividend yielding stocks.

Bank of Montreal Great-West Lifeco Inc. TELUS Corporation BCE Inc. Husky Energy Inc. The Bank of Nova Scotia CIBC National Bank of Canada The Toronto-Dominion Bank CI Financial Corp. Power Corporation of Thomson Reuters Canada Corporation Enbridge Inc. Royal Bank of Canada TMX Group Inc. EnCana Corporation Loblaw Companies Limited TransAlta Corporation Sun Life Financial Inc. TransCanada Corporation

-------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution Details: Equity Share (DS): $0.06758 Ex-Dividend Date: April 27, 2016 Record Date: April 29, 2016 Payable Date: May 10, 2016 --------------------------------------------------------------------

Contacts:

Investor Relations:

1-877-478-2372

Local: 416-304-4443

www.dividendselect15.com

info@quadravest.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Express Employment Professionals released new survey results today revealing why open jobs go unfilled.

The findings come from a survey of 340 businesses. Respondents were asked, "What is the primary reason that your open jobs go unfilled?"

The number one answer, given by 41 per cent of respondents, was "lack of available applicants."

Another 26 per cent chose "lack of experience," while 15 per cent said "lack of hard skills."

These results track closely with the results from each quarter of 2015 except for the percentage of respondents who chose "lack of available applicants." That number was seven percent higher than the first quarter of 2015.

"This is a common theme we have heard for a while-even when the unemployment rate was higher. Too often, business can't find the right people, and as this survey suggests, sometimes they just can't find people at all," said Bob Funk, CEO of Express.

"In some ways, this is good news. It suggests that more people are going back to work. But it also reaffirms a troubling trend: the mismatch between the skills people have and the skills employers need. Not only does that keep workers unemployed, it can also drive some to give up on looking for work altogether-and that's tragic."

To view an image associated with this release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1051299_graph.jpg

The survey of 340 businesses, which are current and former clients of Express Employment Professionals, was conducted in December 2015.

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Kellie Major at (613) 222-7488.

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than 6 million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals and Express in Canada

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.02 billion in sales and employed a record 500,002 people in 2015. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. Express launched in Canada in July 1996, with a franchise in London, Ontario, and since then, has expanded and grown across Canada significantly. There are currently 37 Express franchises in Canada - six in British Columbia, five in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan, 23 in Ontario and one in Nova Scotia.

Contacts:

Media Contacts:

Kellie Major

613.222.7488

kellie@mapleleafstrategies.com



Sherry Kast

405.717.5966

sherry.kast@expresspros.com



@ExpressPros

CanadaEmployed

www.ExpressPros.com/CanadaEmployed




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Cordoba Minerals Corp. ("Cordoba" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: CDB), is pleased to announce the appointments of Peter Meredith, Govind Friedland and Tony Makuch to its Board of Directors.

Board of Director Appointments

Peter Meredith, who will assume the role as Chairman of the Board of Cordoba, is an experienced and well respected mining executive. Mr. Meredith has been a Director of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. since 1998. Mr. Meredith is the former Deputy Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (now Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.), where he was involved in overseeing Ivanhoe's business development and government relations. Prior to joining Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Mr. Meredith spent 31 years with Deloitte LLP, chartered accountants, and retired as a partner in 1996. Mr. Meredith is a Chartered Accountant and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.

Tony Makuch was the Chief Executive Officer of Lake Shore Gold prior to the recent acquisition by Tahoe Resources. Since joining Lake Shore Gold in 2008, Mr. Makuch had overseen the company's progression from exploration to annual production of approximately 180,000 ounces of gold. He is a professional engineer (Ontario) with over 25 years of management, operations and technical experience in the mining industry, having managed numerous projects in Canada and the United States from advanced exploration through production. Mr. Makuch holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours Applied Earth Sciences) from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, and both a Masters of Science Degree in Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration from Queen's University in Ontario. Mr. Makuch holds the Institute of Corporate Directors designation, ICD.D.

Govind Friedland is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of GoviEx Uranium and a principal and co-founder of Ivanhoe Industries, the parent company of I-Pulse Inc., a hi-tech company providing innovative solutions for mining, oil & gas, and advanced manufacturing sectors based in Toulouse France. He earned his degree in Geology and Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 2000 with a focus on Exploration Geology. Mr. Friedland also was the former Business Development Manager for Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. based in China and has significant experience in emerging markets.

"We are delighted to have Peter, Tony and Govind join our Board," commented Mario Stifano, CEO of Cordoba. "They each bring a wealth of experience in exploring, developing and operating mines throughout the world. Their extensive leadership experience and mining knowledge will be an extremely valuable asset as we look to advance our San Matias Copper Gold Project in Colombia."

Mr. Meredith, Mr. Makuch and Mr. Friedland will replace three existing directors; Beatriz Uribe, William Katzin and Tod Turley who have decided to resign from the Board.

"The Company and the Board would like to express its sincere thanks to Mrs. Uribe, Mr. Katzin and Mr. Turley for the valuable contributions that they made during their tenures as directors with the Company," said Mr. Stifano.

Management Team Additions

In addition, Charles Forster and Luis Fernando De Angulo have been appointed Special Advisors to Cordoba's Board of Directors and CEO while Sarah Armstrong is joining Cordoba as Vice President and General Counsel.

Charles Forster, P. Geo., has more than 45 years of diversified mineral exploration experience in Canada, United States, Sub-Saharan Africa, Portugal, China and Mongolia. Mr. Forster was formerly the Senior Vice President of Exploration at Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia for Ivanhoe Mines (now Turquoise Hill Resources) from early 2001 to June 2008. During this time, he led a team of multi-national and Mongolian geologists in the discovery and delineation of the world-class Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold porphyry deposit. The discovery of the massive, high-grade Hugo Dummett underground deposit at Oyu Tolgoi was subsequently recognized by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, which in 2004 named Mr. Forster a co-recipient of the inaugural Thayer Lindsley Medal awarded for the International Discovery of the Year.

Luis Fernando de Angulo is a sustainability, human rights and social standards professional. Mr. De Angulo started his career with the Cerrejon Coal project in Colombia where he was involved with a variety of issues in relation to community development. Most recently Mr. de Angulo was the worldwide corporate social responsibility (CSR) Director for Occidental Petroleum, with responsibility for operations in three continents. Currently, he is a founding partner of Gestion Responsible, a sustainability consultancy to the Oil and Mining Industries. Mr. De Angulo is a native of Colombia, educated in Bogota, the US (Harvard) and The Netherlands (Institute of Social Studies).

Sarah Armstrong is also the General Counsel at High Power Exploration Inc., Cordoba's joint-venture partner at the San Matias Project. Sarah previously worked at Linklaters and Xstrata and has nine years' experience in emerging markets having worked on, and led transactions in, Asian and Latin American countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Mongolia, China, Philippines Chile, Peru and Colombia ranging from mining projects, structured capital market transactions, M&A, take-overs, joint ventures and earn-ins and international arbitration proceedings. Sarah is admitted as a legal practitioner in Australia (Supreme Court of New South Wales and Supreme Court of Queensland) and a registered foreign lawyer in Hong Kong.

Mario Stifano, CEO of Cordoba commented: "I am extremely pleased with the additions to Cordoba's management as we move the San Matias Copper-Gold Project to the next phase. Charles' wealth of experience at Oyu Tolgoi, one of the world's largest copper-gold discoveries, will be a vital contribution to our team as we expand our exploration programs at San Matias. Luis Fernando's CSR expertise will enable Cordoba to continue building upon its strong community relations in the San Matias region where the Company has been formally recognized by the Colombian government for its social work in the region. Sarah Armstrong, who will be based in Colombia, was instrumental in negotiating and completing the acquisition of the Alacran Project by Cordoba."

Cordoba is also announcing that it has granted 1,925,000 incentive stock options to certain directors, officers and consultants pursuant to the Company's stock option plan, at an exercise price of $0.85 per share, expiring on April 19, 2026. This stock option grant is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Cordoba Minerals

Cordoba Minerals Corp. is a Toronto-based mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and acquisition of copper and gold projects in Colombia. District-scale alteration and an abundance of mineralized showings at San Matias shows similarities to other world-class tier one copper-gold porphyry deposits. The project is located near operating open pit mines with ideal topography in the Department of Cordoba. For further information, please visit www.cordobaminerals.com.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the potential of the Company's properties are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Cordoba Minerals Corp.

Mario Stifano

President and CEO

+1 416-862-5253

info@cordobamineralscorp.com

www.cordobaminerals.com




Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 20, 2016) - Frontline Gold Corporation (TSXV: FGC) ("Frontline" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it obtained an unsecured loan ("Loan") in the amount of $250,000. The Loan is being advanced by two private groups who are both non-arm's length investors ("Investors") of the Corporation. The Loan will be used primary to allow the Company to expedite production from its tailings projects at Kambertepe and Keban, as highlighted in its April 7, 2016 press release ("Frontline Acquires Fully Permitted Keban and Kambertepe Tailings Projects "www.stockwatch.com/News/Item.aspx?bid=Z-C%3aFGC-2361062&symbol=FGCion=C).

The proceeds from the $250,000 loan as defined in the Loan agreement will be used for the following:





a minimum of $200,000 will be used for developing the Tailings Projects. Work at the Kambertepe copper tailings, up to 6,000 tonnes, is underway. Preparation for work at Keban started as well; up to $12,500 can be used to fund the pursuit of additional tailings projects that exist in Turkey, and; up to $37,500 can be used to make option payments and advance exploration on the Company's Red Lake and Rainy River projects.

Commentary

Mr. Walter Henry, President and CEO of Frontline commented, "This is a marquee funding transaction for Frontline. Given the current difficulties of raising equity in the junior mining sector Frontline is very fortunate to have secured this Loan. Given Frontline's balance sheet signing an unsecured loan with 1) no debt or working capital covenants, and 2) a six-month principal and interest holiday is an excellent opportunity to fund and expedite work at Kambertepe and Keban. With both projects being fully permitted for exploitation, Frontline is in an excellent position realize revenue from Kambertepe within the next 60 days. Additionally, with the signed transportation agreements and based on the current negotiations, including concessions, on the processing agreements, we created an opportunity to generate revenue in the very near term."

"As previously noted the revenue from the tailings projects will enable us to: 1) organically advance our other projects in Turkey, Mali and Red Lake; 2) allow Frontline to capitalize on other strategic acquisitions; and 3) seek opportunities and regulatory approvals to restructure Frontline's capital structure."

Highlights of the Loan:

Will be unsecured and no debt or working capital covenants. Will be fully advanced by April 30, 2016 and will be for a term of 18 months. Will bear interest at the rate of 12%, payable monthly in arrears. FGC shall start repaying the Loan at the end of November 2016, by way of 12 monthly payments. FGC will pay to the Investors 2% of the net proceeds (calculated as gross revenue less excavating and transportation costs and processing costs), received from the Keban and Kambertepe tailings projects in Turkey. FGC to issue a total of 5 million common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants"). The Warrants shall have an exercise price of 2 cents and term of 3 years from the date of issue. The Warrants are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. FGC shall use its best effort to obtain regulatory approval to issue the Warrants with an exercise price of 2 cents, but if it is unable to do so, then FGC shall, within a year, use its best efforts to cause its common shares to be consolidated on a 5-1 basis, subject to shareholder approval, and the Warrants shall be issued with an exercise price of 10 cents. If, during the term of the Warrants, the shares of FGC trade at 5 cents or higher for a period of 30 consecutive trading days, then FGC shall be entitled to give notice that the Warrants has been accelerated to a date not less than 20 business days after such notice has been provided. FGC shall provide the Investors with a two-year right of first refusal ("ROFR") to provide financing to FGC in connection with any additional tailing deposits acquired by FGC in Turkey.

The loan and warrants remain subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals, including approval of the Toronto Stock Venture Exchange.

Prossessing Agreements

Negotiations on the processing agreements continues with a number of experienced processing companies within the region of Elazig, Turkey. Frontline is confident that the agreements will be executed within the next two-weeks. Based on current discussions, these agreements will include processing concessions, payment holidays, and reductions in processing rates in exchange for meeting certain processing volumes and giving up rights to certain residual tailings from Kambertepe and Keban.

Keban Tailings Project

Located approximately 45 km northwest from the city of Elazig, via paved highway, which is fully permitted, which includes the exclusive rights to process a minimum 114,000 tonnes of mineralized milled tailings stored in two areas within the property boundary. The regional government of Elazig retains the responsibility for remediation of this site.

An independent comprehensive report, including a metallurgical assessment of the mineralized tailings, was completed by Dr. Sasmaz, Phd, Geologist, Firat University, dated June 2015. Per the report, 40 assay samples were collected at Keban and assays completed, for 34 element ICP - MS analysis, by Bureau Vertias Mineral Laboratories in Vancouver, Canada on behalf of the Firat University in Elazig.According to the Bureau Vertias assayed analysis, the Firat University report of June 2015 noted that all the assays averaged Au 1.78 g/t, Ag 96 g/t, Pb 2.94%/t and Zn 0.63%/t.

Kambertepe Tailings Project

Located approximately 100 km east from the city of Elazig, via paved highway, includes the exclusive rights to process approximately up to 6,000 tonnes of mineralized tailings, with the following average reported grades per tonne of tailings: 2.1% Copper, 21 g/t Silver, 1.9% Zinc, 0.5% Titanium and over 50% Iron, as noted from a Firat University report on the project dated March 15th, 2016.

Frontline did not complete the work required to verify the historical mining estimates noted above and is not treating these historical estimates as being compliant with current standards under NI 43-101 and as such these historical estimates should not be relied upon. Caution should be used when evaluating these resources as they were calculated prior to NI 43-101 existing and a qualified person has not done work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

Frontline continues to actively seek additional investor/partner(s) in order to continue to expedite the full tailings and contained metal recovery at both the Keban and Kambertepe tailings projects. To contact Frontline, please call Walter Henry at 416-414-5825 or visit the company's website.

The technical information herein was reviewed by Mr. Greg Isenor, P. Geo., who acts as Frontline's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Frontline Gold Corporation

Frontline is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with an experienced discovery team and a proven record of accomplishment. The Company's principal properties include the Menderes gold project in the Izmir province of Western Turkey, the Flint Lake and Sandhill Lake gold projects which are adjacent to Chalice Gold's Cameron Lake Gold Deposit in Ontario and the Niaouleni gold project in southern Mali in the heart of West Africa's prolific gold belt. Other Canadian exploration properties include its Red Lake (gold) property groups that include the Whitehorse Island Mining Patents.

Further information about the Company is available on the Company's website, www.frontlinegold.com , or our social media sites listed below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Frontline Gold Corp./

Twitter: https://twitter.com/frontlinegold

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results, programs and financial position could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company's control. These factors include: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimations, receipt and security of mineral property titles; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, fluctuations in metal prices; currency fluctuations; and general market and industry conditions.

Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.



"Walter Henry"

Walter Henry, President & CEO

FRONTLINE GOLD CORP.



Contact: Walter Henry

Telephone: (416) 362-9100

Fax: (416) 362-9300

Email: info@frontlinegold.com

Website: www.frontlinegold.com



Frontline Gold Corp. (TSXV: FGC)

1 Toronto Street, Suite 201

Toronto, Ontario M5C 2V6



NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Continues growth with human viewable ad technology and expansion into UK and European markets

Sovrn Holdings, Inc., advocate and partner to independent publishers who represent more than 80,000 websites, has completed the acquisition of UK-based OnScroll. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction, which closed on April 18, 2016, brings to Sovrn OnScroll's innovative in-view ad technology as well as international expansion with a highly experienced London-based team.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005890/en/

Sovrn acquires UK-based OnScroll, bringing to Sovrn innovative in-view ad technology and international expansion. (Graphic: Business Wire)

OnScroll's patent pending technology appeals to both publishers and advertising buyers. Publishers using OnScroll earn more by providing ad inventory that is 100% viewable while the reader is actively engaged; meeting or exceeding premium buyer's viewability requirements. Moreover, publishers get a wealth of information related to reader activity and engagement with their content.

Buyers can utilize their specific viewability requirements and buy with confidence. Knowing that an ad impression has been viewed by an active and engaged person provides advertisers with assurance that their campaign will hit its mark.

The OnScroll team has a substantial base of independent, high-quality, professional publishers in the UK and will instantly provide Sovrn a large European market presence with proven leadership. OnScroll co-founder Andy Evans will lead Sovrn's team in the UK and Europe as Managing Director. Co-founder Babac Vafaey will assume the role of Vice-President of Business Operations for the UK and Europe.

"With this deal, Sovrn gains an incredibly smart and dedicated group of people committed to helping publishers capture more value from the attention they create," said Walter Knapp, CEO of Sovrn. "Andy, Babac, and the entire OnScroll team have created a fantastic product and perhaps even more importantly they are 100% culturally aligned to our mission of helping professional publishers succeed." OnScroll's viewability and reader engagement solutions will be available to publishers and advertisers across the entire Sovrn network.

"The opportunity to join Sovrn gives OnScroll the ability to provide thousands more publishers with the added benefit of OnScroll viewable and engagement ad technologies," OnScroll co-founder Andy Evans said. "The entire OnScroll team is elated to join a company that we've had an excellent and collaborative working relationship with for some time. We have a matching culture that fits brilliantly. We are also very excited to bring Sovrn's range of publisher solutions into Europe."

Sovrn will integrate the OnScroll technology into the its Meridian platform so all publishers can access OnScroll technology for display, video and mobile advertising inventory as well as reporting on active reader engagement.

Publishers and advertisers who want to learn more about how they can use the OnScroll in-view ad technology can contact Sovrn at onscroll@sovrn.com or visit www.sovrn.com/onscroll.

About Sovrn

Sovrn believes content creators and publishers are the soul of the Internet. Their content is what makes the Internet great. That's why we give content creators tools to make money, access to distribution and scale to grow their audience, and a massive data commons for extraordinary insights. At Sovrn we don't just plug into the online advertising ecosystem. We own operate a proprietary ad technology stack with direct connections to every major buyer in the world. Sovrn is headquartered in Boulder, Colo. with offices in Denver, New York and now London. For more information, please visit http://sovrn.com or follow on Twitter @SovrnHoldings

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005890/en/

Contacts:

Sovrn Holdings, Inc.

Mark Piquette

720-266-5119

mpiquette@sovrn.com
Honda Aircraft Company recently delivered the first HondaJet into Europe. The announcement was made during a ceremonial delivery at AERO 2016, which is taking place in Friedrichshafen, Germany from April 20-23.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005898/en/

Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino participates in a ceremonial delivery with Johannes Graf von Schaesberg, chairman and CEO of Rheinland Air Service. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Delivering the first HondaJet in Europe is a significant milestone in our journey to bring new value to the light jet market," said Honda Aircraft Company President and CEO Michimasa Fujino. "Our first customers who have made their commitment to fly the HondaJet are taking Honda skyward in a bold way. It has been rewarding to see the joy in their faces as they take delivery of their aircraft."

The first HondaJet to enter service in Europe will be operated by Rheinland Air Service, the exclusive HondaJet dealer for Central Europe.

"For more than 40 years, Rheinland Air Service has been serving the European business aviation market with superior aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities, as well as aircraft sales, support and fueling," said Johannes Graf von Schaesberg, chairman and CEO for Rheinland Air Service. "We are honored to be partners with Honda Aircraft Company and to serve as the exclusive HondaJet dealer for Central Europe. With the delivery of our HondaJet, we look forward to showcasing its class-leading performance and fuel efficiency to our customers."

The HondaJet was developed from a clean sheet design and incorporates advanced technologies and innovations. The HondaJet Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, natural-laminar flow wing and composite fuselage were developed from long-term Honda research activities. These innovations combine to make the HondaJet the fastest, most spacious and most fuel-efficient jet in its class.

The HondaJet is manufactured at Honda Aircraft Company's world headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. The HA-420 HondaJet received FAA type certification in December 2015 and immediately began customer deliveries in North America.

For more information about the HondaJet, visit www.HondaJet.com.

About HondaJet

The HondaJet is the fastest, highest-flying, quietest, and most fuel-efficient jet in its class. The HondaJet incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including the unique (OTWEM) configuration that dramatically improves performance and fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag. The OTWEM design also reduces cabin sound, minimizes ground-detected noise, and allows for the roomiest cabin in its class, the largest baggage capacity, and a fully serviceable private aft lavatory. The HondaJet is equipped with the most sophisticated glass flight deck available in any light business jet, a Honda-customized Garmin G3000 The HondaJet is Honda's first commercial aircraft and lives up to the company's reputation for superior performance, efficiency, quality and value.

About Honda Aircraft Company

Honda Aircraft Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 2006, Honda Aircraft's world headquarters is located in North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation. The challenging spirit upon which Mr. Soichiro Honda founded Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is alive today as Honda Aircraft fulfills one of Honda's longstanding dreams to advance human mobility skyward.

Note to editors: High-resolution images of the HondaJet are available via the Honda Aircraft media portal. Register here for access.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005898/en/

Contacts:

Honda Aircraft Company

Amanda Wilcox, 336-387-0736

Amanda_Wilcox@haci.honda.com


MAPLE GROVE, MN --(Marketwired - April 20, 2016) - For the month of March employees of TopLine Federal Credit Union exchanged donations of food and cash to the Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP) and Keystone Community Services food shelves for the chance to wear jeans on Fridays and Saturdays. When the program ended, TopLine's 102 employees and many generous members had donated nearly 550 pounds of food and over $1,100 in cash to help restock the local agencies' food shelves.

"The need for food assistance continues to grow and TopLine employees and members once again demonstrated their support to help ensure that their neighbors in need do not go hungry," said Tom Smith, TopLine Federal Credit Union President and CEO. "Every contribution helps as food shelves are still seeing a rise in families needing food shelf services, and our employees and members continue to eagerly help serve our community."

For more than 30 years, Minnesota FoodShare has coordinated the March Campaign, the annual grassroots food and fund drive that provides more than half the food distributed by 300 food shelves throughout the state. The March Campaign is the only statewide effort where every dollar donated goes directly to fighting hunger locally.

CEAP showed a record breaking month as they raised $147,000 and over 198,000 pounds of food for families in need for Hennepin and Anoka counties. Keystone is also proud to share that they received nearly $88,000 and over 65,000 pounds in food donations to help Ramsey county families in crisis.

Each year during the month of March CEAP and Keystone participate in the statewide food and fund drive to restock pantry shelves. For donors' efforts, a portion of every dollar and pound of food raised is matched by Minnesota FoodShare. And for every two dollars donated, the food shelves are able to purchase $25 in groceries.

TopLine employees were able to participate by donating money and/or food to the food drive in exchange for a "Denim Days" sticker, allowing them to wear jeans to work on Fridays and Saturdays during the four-week program.

CEAP (Community Emergency Assistance Programs), serving Hennepin and Anoka Counties, is a community-based, non-profit agency that partners with other resources to assist people in need. The mission of CEAP is to stabilize individuals and families in financial distress and to maximize their ability to live independently and with dignity. Visit www.CEAP.com to learn more.

Keystone Community Services is a community-based volunteer organization in St. Paul that helps thousands of low-income individuals and families in the East Metro Area. Keystone's mission is to strengthen the capacity of individual and families to improve their quality of life. Visit www.keystoneservices.org to learn more.

TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota's 13 th largest, with assets of more than $370 million. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit cooperative offers a complete line of financial services, as well as auto and home insurance, from its five branch locations -- in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth and in St. Paul's Como Park -- as well as by phone, mobile app and online at www.TopLinecu.com. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties and their immediate family members.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/4/20/11G094265/Images/TopLine_Food_Drive_March_2016-a0245818e688a80a9826ae7c9075a55b.JPG

CONTACT:

Vicki Roscoe Erickson

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

verickson@toplinecu.com

763.391.0872
TEL AVIV, Israel, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

HexaTier, which offers a comprehensive database security and compliance solution for cloud-hosted databases and Database as a Service (DBaaS) platforms, today announced that ClickSoftware, a leading provider of automated mobile workforce management and service optimization solutions for the enterprise, is using HexaTier to protect sensitive enterprise information.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160125/325331LOGO )



ClickSoftware helps enterprise customers manage mobile workforce operations more efficiently. To ensure privacy in the ClickSoftware cloud service, the company dynamically masks columns of Personal Identification Information (PII), which reside in databases on the cloud. ClickSoftware provides this service in real-time by utilizing HexaTier's patented database reverse proxy approach, which shields the database from unauthorized user access and provides security and compliance.

"Data privacy is crucial to our customers, and HexaTier's solution is the most robust and effective one we've seen," said Marius Aharonovich, Cloud Security Architect at ClickSoftware. "In addition, because HexaTier's solution is software only, we can be up and running within hours and have the ability to scale up according to our growth and needs."

"Industry leaders like ClickSoftware are increasingly turning to HexaTier to meet their data security and compliance needs," said Dan Dinnar, CEO of HexaTier. "Our solution is ideal for companies in any phase of their transition to the cloud, from those taking their first steps to organizations with a mature cloud infrastructure."

For more information, visit http://www.hexatier.com

About HexaTier

Established in 2009, HexaTier (formerly GreenSQL) sets the industry standard for database security and compliance in the cloud with its unified solution that provides database security, dynamic data masking, database activity monitoring (DAM) and discovery of sensitive data. Utilizing purpose-built, patented Database Reverse Proxy technology, the company protects against both internal and external security threats. Backed by leading investors such as JVP, Magma VC and Rhodium, HexaTier is the first and only company to provide security for cloud-hosted databases and DBaaS platforms through a streamlined and simple solution. Headquartered in Tel Aviv with offices in Irvine, CA and Boston, MA. HexaTier secures databases for nearly 200 organizations globally.

About ClickSoftware

ClickSoftware is defining field service engagement, empowering the world's most customer-centric and demanding organizations to optimize the full potential of every service interaction. With ClickSoftware, field service becomes the new competitive lever to drive differentiation and business value. The Click Field Service Edge Platform arms field service leaders with the smartest technologies, a limitless technology-forward platform, and the knowledge gained from a global community of best practices.

Exclusively focused on field service since creating the market over 20 years ago, ClickSoftware has managed billions of service engagements and is relied upon by nearly a million field service professionals every day. The company is the recognized market and technology leader by analyst firms including Gartner, IDC, Forrester, and Frost & Sullivan. Additionally, ClickSoftware is the field service solution of choice for Salesforce, SAP and top systems integrators around the world. More than 350 global enterprises across 20+ industries tap into ClickSoftware for the world's smartest thinking in field service. ClickSoftware, The field service leader.

Media Contact:

Dror Haliva

VP Marketing | HexaTier

+972-54-443-7444

Dror.haliva@hexatier.com


The record date and the last date for attendance notification in the notice for the annual general meeting published on April 11 were incorrect. The correct record date and the last date for attendance notification are May 6, 2016. A corrected notice is included below.Revised notice to attend the Annual General Meeting in Auriant Mining AB (publ.)The shareholders in Auriant Mining AB (publ.) ("Company"), 556659-4833, are hereby given notice to attend an Annual General Meeting on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 2.30 p.m. in Naringslivets Hus, Storgatan 19, 114 85 Stockholm. Registration for the meeting commences at 2.00 p.m.NOTICEShareholders wishing to participate in the meeting must:(i) Be entered in the shareholders' register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB (the Swedish Central Securities Depositary & Clearing Organization) on the record day Friday May 6, 2016. Shareholders who have had their shares registered in the name of a nominee must, well in advance of May 6, 2016, through the nominee, temporarily register the shares in their own name in order to be entitled to participate in the meeting.(ii) Notify the Company of their attendance no later than 4 pm on May 6, 2016, via email at the address agm@auriant.se, via tel 08-624 26 80 or via letter to Auriant Mining AB, Box 55696, 102 15 Stockholm, Sweden. Notification must include full name, personal ID number or corporate registration number, address and telephone number and, if applicable, information about proxy, representative and assistant.In order to facilitate entry to the meeting, notification should, when appropriate, be accompanied by powers of attorney, registration certificate and other authorization documents. Forms for power of attorney can be downloaded from the Company's website www.auriant.com. A person representing a legal entity must present a registration certificate, not older than one year, or equivalent documentation indicating the signatory right.Number of shares and votesAt the time of issuing the notice to attend the Annual General Meeting, the Company has a total 17,802,429 registered shares, with one vote per share.Shareholders' information rightAccording to Chapter 7 section 32 of the Swedish Companies Act (2005:551), shareholders present at the Annual General Meeting have the right to request information regarding the matters on the agenda or the company's financial situation.PROPOSED AGENDA1) Opening of the Annual General Meeting.2) Election of the chairman of the meeting.3) Preparation and approval of the voting register.4) Approval of the agenda.5) Election of one or two persons to attest the minutes of the meeting.6) Determination of whether the meeting has been duly convened.7) Presentation of the annual report and audit report and the consolidated accounts and group audit report and in connection with this:a) address by the chairman of the board and report on the board's work;b) address by the CEO;c) report by the auditor regarding the audit work.8) Resolution on:a) adoption of profit and loss account and balance sheet and consolidated profit and loss account and consolidated balance sheet,b) allocation regarding the Company's profit/loss in accordance with the adopted balance sheet,andc) discharge of liability for the board members and the managing director.9) Report regarding the work of the nomination committee.10) Resolution on the number of board members and deputies.11) Resolution on remuneration to the board of directors, deputy and the auditor.12) Election of board members, deputy and chairman of the board.13) Election of auditors.14) Resolution on nomination committee.15) Resolution on guidelines for remuneration to executive management.16) Closing of the Annual General Meeting.PROPOSALS BY THE NOMINATION COMMITTEEThe nomination committee consisting of Erik Wigertz, chairman of the committee (representing Bertil Holdings Ltd), Bernt Plotek (representing Svea Lands S.A.) and Lord Peter Daresbury, chairman of the board of directors of Auriant Mining AB, have submitted the following proposals:2. Election of the chairman of the meetingThe nomination committee proposes that advocate David Andersson be appointed chairman of the meeting.10. Resolution on the number of board members and deputiesThe nomination committee proposes that the board shall consist of three (3) members with one (1) deputy board member.11. Resolution on remuneration to the board of directors, including deputies, and the auditorThe nomination committee proposes that the remuneration to the chairman of the board Lord Peter Daresbury shall be SEK 400,000, to the ordinary board member Ingmar Haga SEK 250,000, and SEK 200,000 to the ordinary board member Preston Haskell. The nomination committee further proposes that the remuneration to the deputy board member shall be SEK 100,000. If any committee is established by the board, it is proposed that remuneration to each member of the committee shall be paid in the amount of 25,000 SEK per annum for participation in it.The nomination committee proposes that the auditor's fees be approved in line with agreement between the company and the auditor.12. Election of board members, deputies and chairman of the boardThe nomination committee proposes re-election of Lord Peter Daresbury, Preston Haskell and Ingmar Haga as members of the board, and re-election of James Provoost Smith as deputy board member. The nomination committee proposes that Lord Peter Daresbury be elected the chairman of the board.13. Election of auditorsThe nomination committee proposes re-election of the accounting firm Ohrlings PricewaterhouseCoopers AB and Martin Johansson as principal auditor.14. Resolution on nomination committeeIt is proposed by the nomination committee that it shall consist of the chairman of the board and three members, each representing one of the three owners with the largest voting power. The selection of the three largest shareholders shall be made on the basis of the share register of the Company kept by Euroclear Sweden AB as of the last banking day in September 2016. At the earliest convenient date after the end of September 2016 the Chairman of the Board shall contact the three shareholders with the largest number of voting rights, as determined above, and will request that they each appoint a member to the nomination committee. If any of the three shareholders with the largest voting power decline their right to appoint a member to the nomination committee, the shareholder with the next largest voting power shall be provided with the opportunity to appoint a member. If such shareholder also declines its right to appoint a member to the nomination committee or does not respond to the request within a reasonable time then the nomination committee shall be constituted by the remaining members. Unless the nomination committee members decide otherwise, the chairman of the nomination committee shall be the member that represents the shareholder with the largest voting power in the Company. If a member leaves the nomination committee before its work is completed and if the nomination committee considers that there is a need to replace this member, then the nomination committee shall appoint a new member.The nomination committee shall prepare the following proposals to be submitted to the 2017 Annual General Meeting for resolution:a) proposal regarding chairman of the Annual General Meeting,b) proposal regarding the number of board members,c) proposal regarding election of board members, deputies and chairman of the board of directors,d) proposal regarding directors' fees for each of the directors and deputies as well as remuneration for committee work,e) proposal regarding election of auditors,f) proposal regarding auditor's fees, andg) proposal regarding nomination committee.No remuneration shall be paid to the members of the nomination committee. The nomination committee may charge the Company reasonable costs for travelling and investigations.PROPOSALS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS8b. Resolution on allocation of profit/loss for 2015The board of directors and the managing director propose that the Company's non-restricted equity of SEK -38,432,897.94 is carried forward and that no dividend is paid for the financial year.15. Resolution on guidelines for remuneration to the executive managementThe board of directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting approves the guidelines for remuneration to the executive management of the Auriant Mining group ("Group"), essentially containing the following:The guidelines shall apply to remuneration and other employment terms and conditions for the managing director and other members of the Group's management ("Group Management") and shall apply until the Annual General Meeting of 2016.GuidelinesThe guidelines shall apply to all employment contracts which are entered into after the meeting's resolution and in those cases where amendments are made to the existing terms and conditions after that point in time. The Company shall aim to offer a total remuneration, which is reasonable and competitive based on the circumstances in the individual country and in that respect shall also be able to offer a so-called "Sign on" bonus in order to recruit the best personnel. The remuneration shall vary in relation to the performance of the individual and the Group. It is proposed that the total remuneration to the Group Management shall consist of the components stated below.Fixed salaryThe fixed salary ("Base Salary") shall be adjusted to the market and be based on responsibility, competence and performance. The fixed salary shall be revised every year.Variable salaryThe variable salary shall relate to the Company's return on production result, reserves and production goals, and specific goals within each executive's area of responsibility. The variable salary shall be paid annually and shall amount to a maximum of one annual Base Salary.Long-term incentivesThe board of directors intends, on a regular basis, to assess the need of long-term incentive programs that shall be proposed to the general meeting.Insurable benefitsOld-age pension, healthcare benefits and medical benefits shall, if applicable, be prepared in a manner that reflects the rules and practice in the home country. If possible, the pension plans shall be premium determined. In individual cases, depending on the tax and/or social insurance laws which apply to the individual, other adjusted pension plans or pension solutions may be approved.Other benefitsThe company shall be able to provide individual members of the Group Management or the entire Group Management with other benefits. These benefits shall not constitute a substantial part of the total remuneration. The benefits shall further correspond to what is normal on the market.Termination and severance payNotice of termination of employment shall be no more than twelve months upon termination initiated by the Group and no more than six months upon termination initiated by a member of the management. Severance pay may only be paid out upon termination by the Company or when a member of the Group Management resigns due to a significant change of his/her working conditions, which means the he/she cannot perform adequately.Derogation from the guidelinesThe board of directors shall be entitled to derogate from these guidelines if special reasons exist in an individual case.Available documentsAccounts, audit reports, statement of the auditor and complete proposals for resolutions will be available at the offices of Advokatfirman Vinge at Smalandsgatan 20, 111 87 Stockholm and at the Company's website www.auriant.com as of April 21, 2016 and will be sent in connection therewith to the shareholders who so request and state their postal address. The documents will also be available at the Annual General Meeting.Stockholm in April 2016Board of DirectorsAttachment:https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=557312
Missouris state board of education Tuesday approved a new set of standards that replaces the controversial Common Core State Standards, according to the Associated Press .

The new Missouri Learning Standards , which emphasize cursive handwriting and research in language arts, will go into effect this fall, but students wont be tested on the new standards until the spring of 2018, according to the AP.

These are true Missouri standards, developed by Missourians, and we should be proud, State Board President Charlie Shields said in a statement posted on the departments website.

The standards were developed by a task force made up of parents, educators, and business leaders that met throughout last year and made recommendations last October. Several local media outlets reported that the meetings were sparsely attended and sometimes devolved into shouting matches.

The board replaced the standards at the request of legislators who criticized the common-core standards as being imposed on them by the federal government without local input. The legislature also voted in 2014 to pull the state out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment consortium.

Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics.
NINGBO, China, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Risen Energy Co., Ltd, a leading global Tier 1 manufacturer of high-performance solar photovoltaic products and provider of total business solutions for power generation, today announced the primary order placements of 175MWp Solar PV Modules by Mytrah Energy Ltd for dispatch during 2016.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357620

Mytrah's financial pipeline was recently reinforced with the approval of a US$175 million direct loan facility from Asia Development Bank (ADB). Further details have also emerged in relation to the specifics for materials supply during 2016; 175MWp and an option on a further 50MWp of Risen high-performance solar PV modules. This confirmation subsequently allows both parties to tactically approach their commitments to providing clean energy in line with government expectations, whilst simultaneously challenging the misconception that the solar PV supply chain needs to be a war of attrition.

"Clearly Mytrah is delighted with the recent developments," said Mr. Ravi Kailas, Mytrah's Chairman. "This is another significant milestone in the development of the Company. The involvement of the ADB is further evidence of the growing maturity of our business, and after extensive review of potential suppliers, their quality, and capabilities, our contract with Risen is an exciting development in our solar division."

"Risen would like to congratulate Mytrah as its credibility is once more underlined with the ADB loan approval," said Mr. Bypina Veerraju Chaudary, CSMO of Risen. "Having interacted diligently with Mytrah's personnel over the last nine months, exploring the total cost of ownership for energy generation systems, it is obvious that Mytrah is well inside the 'serious league'. Mytrah's severe selection process looks acutely into technological, quality, state of the art manufacturing facilities, service, communication, financial stability, and commercial foci, and we are pleased to have measured up to their severe criteria."

The projects will utilise Risen high-performance solar PV modules, in 72 and 60 cell configuration, with the installations spread across the Indian sub-continent allowing further environmentally secure, commercially viable benefits to end users, and all parties concerned.

About Risen

Risen Energy is a leading global Tier1 "AAA" credit rated manufacturer of high-performance solar photovoltaic products and provider of total business solutions for power generation. The Company, founded in 2002 and publicly listed in 2010, compels value generation for its chosen global customers. Techno-commercial innovation, underpinned by consummate quality and support, encircle Risen total Solar PV business solutions which are among the most powerful and cost effective in the industry. With local market presence, and strong financial bankability status, we are committed, and able, to building strategic, mutually beneficial collaborations with our partners, as together we capitalise on the rising value of green energy.
PUNE, India, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new market research report, "Managed Mobility Services Market by Function (Device Management, Application Management, Security Management, and Maintenance & Support), by Organization Size (SME and Enterprise), Industry Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Managed Mobility Services (MMS) market is expected to grow from USD 4.56 Billion in 2016 to USD 19.40 Billion by 2021, at a high Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 33.6%.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )

Browse 68 market data Tables and 50 Figures spread through 154 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Managed Mobility Services Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/managed-mobility-service-market-176912020.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

The Managed Mobility Services Market growing and is expected to rise considerably due to the enhancement and innovation of technology in this sector. Moreover, the demand for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is increasing among workforce to access business information through personal devices, which is encouraging organizations to adopt MMS for managing enterprise mobility. There has been a rise in the demand of MMS solutions that can be optimized on real-time basis, so that the needed information can be accessed and completed without any delay. Therefore, MMS plays a significant part in mobility value chain and is being implemented by most of the organizations globally.

"Device Management segment (Device and System Management, Mobile Service Management, and Sourcing and Logistics Management) is expected to gain market prominence during the next five years"

The device management segment by function is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. More than half of the total Managed Mobility Services Market revenue is contributed by device management and the trend is expected to continue during the entire forecast period. This is mainly due to significant rise in the adoption of BYOD among organizations to gain competitive advantage. The mobile device management is expected to grow due to the extensive usage of mobile devices for accessing business content. The security management is also projected to show great growth opportunities with a high CAGR during the forecast period.

Request a sample copy: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=176912020

"The market in APAC is expected to be grow the fastest-"

Considering the regional trends of the Managed Mobility Services Market, North America is projected to hold the largest market size. The market in APAC is the fastest growing regional MMS market. This is mainly attributed to the presence of many developing countries and infrastructure in this region. The Latin America and MEA regions also depict great potentials in terms of adoption of MMS security management services.

The major players offering MMS are AT&T, Fujitsu, IBM Corporation, Wipro, Orange S.A., Hewlett Packard, and others. Moreover, there are various key innovators in the market that provide innovative MMS.

The market on the basis of function is segmented into Device and System Management, Mobile Service Management, and Sourcing and Logistics Management. On the basis of organization size, the market is classified into SME and Enterprise. Further, the MMS market is also segmented based on industrial verticals and regions. The scope of the report covers detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the Managed Mobility Services Market, such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. A detailed analysis of the key industry players has been done to provide insights into their business overview, products and services, key strategies, and competitive landscape associated with the MMS market.

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Managed Security Services Market by Service Type, Organization Size (Small and Medium Enterprises, Large Enterprises), Deployment (Cloud Deployment and in-Premises Deployment), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/managed-security-services-market-5918403.html

Healthcare Mobility Solutions Market by Products & Services (Mobile Devices, Mobile Apps, Enterprise Platforms), Application (Patient Care, Operations, Workforce Management), End User (Payers, Providers, Patients) - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-mobility-solutions-market-1295547.html

Enterprise Mobility Management Market by Solution (Mobile Device Management, Mobile Content Management, Mobile Application Management), by Services (Maintenance & Support, Professional Services)- Global Forecast to 2019

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/enterprise-mobility-management-market-31847012.html

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFM) said it will counter-sue a pastor, who has alleged that a cake he purchased from the grocery chain had gay slur written on it.



Pastor Jordan Brown, who has filed a lawsuit against Whole Foods, said that the cake received by him from the Whole Foods flagship store in Austin, Texas, had an offensive word, used as a slur against homosexuals.



In a video uploaded to YouTube, the openly gay pastor said he ordered a cake from Whole Foods meant to read 'Love Wins' written on it, but the icing on the cake included a homophobic slur when he received it.



Brown, a pastor at the Church of Open Doors in Austin, said he did not look at the cake until he got into his car after leaving the store.



However, commenters on social media wondered why Brown did not immediately notice the slur. They also accused him of altering the cake and being a liar.



Whole Foods also said that after a deeper investigation of Brown's claim, it believes his accusations are fraudulent and it intends to take legal action against both Brown as well as his attorney.



Whole Foods said that its bakery team member, who is part of the LGBTQ community, wrote 'Love Wins' at the top of the cake, which was visible to Brown through the clear portion of the packaging.



The company noted that Brown has admitted he was in sole possession and control of the cake until he posted his video, which showed the UPC label on the bottom and side of the box.



Whole Foods said in a statement, 'After reviewing our security footage of Mr. Brown, it's clear that the UPC label was in fact on top of the cake box, not on the side of the package. This is evident as the cashier scans the UPC code on top of the box.'



Whole Foods said it stands behind its bakery team member. The company added that the pastor's claim is completely false and directly contradicts Whole Foods Market's inclusive culture, which celebrates diversity.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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BURNABY, Canada, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Rising government initiatives to promote modern agricultural practices, increasing food grain demand and growing adoption of micro irrigation technologies to drive the global water soluble fertilizers market

According to TechSci Research report "Global Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021", the global water soluble fertilizers market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% during 2016-2021, on account of rising population, growing demand for food grains, and rising concerns related to depleting ground water resources. Water soluble fertilizers are also being extensively used in order to increase yield, as they are easy to apply and require less amount of fertilizers and water usage. Water soluble fertilizers dissolve faster, have a higher utilization rate and are absorbed quickly as compared to conventional chemical fertilizers.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140117/663730 )



Browse 24 market data Tables and 202 Figures spread through285 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Water Soluble Fertilizers Market"

http://www.techsciresearch.com/report/global-water-soluble-fertilizers-market-forecast-opportunities-2021/611.html

Globally, demand for water soluble fertilizers is surging due to rising need for increasing agricultural output in order to address increasing global food requirements. Additionally, rising investments by government and private players, increasing research & development activities and new product developments are projected to steer growth in global water soluble fertilizers market through 2021. Horticulture and ornamental plants are the two major application areas for water soluble fertilizers. With global fruit production increasing from 676.9 million tons in 2013 to over 720 million tons in 2015, water soluble fertilizers market is expected to witnessing increasing consumption from the fruit production segment as well over the next five years.

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"In 2015, global per capita food consumption was 2860 kcal/person/day, which is expected to increase to 2960 kcal/person/day by 2030. Global demand for fertilizer nutrients was 191 million tonnes in 2015, which is expected to reach 194 million tonnes by 2016. With increasing levels of per capita food consumption as well as fertilizer nutrients, the global demand for water soluble fertilizers is forecast to grow through 2021. In 2015, Europe dominated the global water soluble fertilizers market, followed by North America; however, Asia-Pacific is forecast to witness the fastest growth in demand for water soluble fertilizers over the next five years." said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director, with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

"Global Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021" has analysed the potential of water soluble fertilizers market, provides statistics and information on market sizes, shares and trends. The report will suffice in providing the intending clients with cutting-edge market intelligence and help them in taking sound investment decisions. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes emerging trends along with essential drivers and key challenges faced by the global water soluble fertilizers market.

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Iran Fertilizers Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2020

http://www.techsciresearch.com/report/iran-fertilizers-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2020/225.html

India Water Soluble Fertilizers Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2019

http://www.techsciresearch.com/report/india-water-soluble-fertilizers-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2019/161.html

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Global Equity International Inc. (OTCQB: GEQU) and its fully-owned subsidiary Global Equity Partners Plc. ("GEP" - www.gepartnersplc.com), a specialist consultancy firm with offices located in Dubai and London, are excited to announce that Sov Gulf Partners Limited (www.sovereigngulf.com), a leading advisory and corporate finance firm based in Dubai, were formally appointed by GEP to assist with sourcing up to US$230 million of capital funding for its client Deutsche Oel & Gas S.A. (www.deutsche-oel-gas.com/), a producing Oil and Gas company with offices in Germany and various other parts of the world.

The capital funding required by our client, Deutsche Oel & Gas S.A., will allow the company to increase its already existing production and also realize substantial value in its South Alaskan assets located in the Cook Inlet.

On April 10, 2016, Global Equity Partners Plc. was formally engaged and contractually agreed with Deutsche Oel & Gas S.A., a cash success fee between 4% and 5% of the total capital funding sourced.

Peter Smith, CEO of Global Equity International Inc., said, "We looked for a substantial partner for this transaction in order to be able to source the funding in a timely manner and work efficiently. Deutsche Oel & Gas SA is a gas producing company who receive much higher tariffs from the Alaskan energy utility companies via a contractual arrangement that came into force in 2015. The tariff received is multiple times higher than the standard gas price making this a very commercially viable project. In engaging with Sov Gulf Partners we have included one of our premier partners who have an excellent pedigree in structured finance. This joint venture operation should see us accelerating the time from contract to close to the satisfaction of all involved."

Interesting videos and information regarding Deutsche Oel & Gas SA.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLSvktt5-XFOJHcD4EzrfCQ

About Global Equity International Inc.

Global Equity International Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary Global Equity Partners Plc., advises worldwide business leaders with their most critical decisions and opportunities pertaining to growth, capital needs, structure and the development of a global presence. With offices in Dubai and London, Global Equity has developed significant relationships in the US, UK, Central Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia to assist clients in realizing their full value and potential by bringing them to external capital and resources that place an emphasis on collaborative thinking. Furthermore, because Global Equity has offices in key financial centres of the world, they are able to introduce their clients to a unique opportunity of listing their shares on any one of the many stock exchanges worldwide. Global Equity International Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary Global Equity Partners Plc., holds significant long-term equity positions in the companies that it represents.

About Sov Gulf Partners Limited.

The Company's principals have over 25 years' experience in Investment Banking and have built divisions for major banks. Their expertise covers international markets such as the United Kingdom, US, Europe, Japan, the Middle East as well as Emerging Markets.

Sov Gulf Partners Limited advises international clients that are seeking capital, to tailor their offering to fit with the requirements of institutional investors.

Safe Harbour Statement

This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to anticipated revenues, expenses, earnings, operating cash flows, the outlook for markets and the demand for products. Forward-looking statements are no guarantees of future performance and are inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon, among other things, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management, including management's own knowledge and assessment of the Company's industry and competition. The Company refers interested persons to its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other SEC filings for a description of additional uncertainties and factors, which may affect forward-looking statements. The company assumes no duty to update its forward-looking statements.

Mr. Peter James Smith

Director and officer of Global Equity International Inc.

Tel. (Dubai) + 971 (0) 42 76 75 76

Email: peter@gepartnersplc.com



Mr. Enzo Taddei

Director and officer of Global Equity International Inc.

Tel. (US) + 1 (321) 200-0142

Email: enzo@gepartnersplc.com




ICA Gruppen's 2016 Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, 20 April at Friends Arena, in Solna. Approximately 400 shareholders and guests were in attendance at the meeting, which was chaired by Claes-Goran Sylven, Chairman of the Board of ICA Gruppen.

Regulatory News:

ICA Gruppen's Annual General Meeting (AGM) approved the proposed dividend of SEK 10.00 per ordinary share for the 2015 financial year. 24 April 2016 was set as the record date to receive a dividend. Dividends are expected to be paid via Euroclear Sweden AB on Wednesday, 27 April 2016.

The AGM resolved in favour of re-election of board members Peter Berlin, Goran Blomberg, Cecilia Daun Wennborg, Andrea Gisle Joosen, Fredrik Hagglund, Bengt Kjell, Jeanette Jager, Magnus Moberg, Jan Olofsson and Claes-Goran Sylven. Claes-Goran Sylven was re-elected as Chairman of the Board.

Total directors' fees were set at SEK 4,850,000, of which SEK 1,025,000 to be paid to the Chairman of the Board and SEK 425,000 to each of the other AGM-elected directors. In addition, it was resolved that SEK 1,125,00 shall be allocated for committee work. The auditors' fees shall be paid in accordance with approved invoice.

The chartered accounting firm Ernst Young Aktiebolag was re-elected as auditor. Ernst Young Aktiebolag has announced that it will appoint Erik Astrom as chief auditor.

The AGM adopted the income statements and balance sheets for the Parent Company and the Group, and granted discharge from liability for the members of ICA Gruppen's board of directors and CEO for the 2015 financial year.

The AGM resolved in favour of principles for appointment of the Nomination Committee, in accordance with the proposal from the Board of Directors and the Nomination Committee.

The AGM resolved in favour of principles for remuneration and other terms of employment for senior executives, which essentially correspond to the principles adopted at the 2015 Annual General Meeting. Remuneration shall comprise a base salary, pension, and two variable remuneration systems in the form of a cash bonus, of which one has a term of one year and the other a term of three years. Senior executives are expected each year to invest in ICA Gruppen shares for a sum amounting to between 5% and 10% of their gross salary. After twelve months, the executives have the right, under certain conditions, to receive a net sum equivalent to half of their sum invested.

A recorded version of CEO Per Stromberg's address to the Annual General Meeting will be available at www.icagruppen.se/arsstamma-2016.

ICA Gruppen discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication at 16.45 CET on Wednesday, 20 April 2016.

ICA Gruppen AB (publ) is a leading retail company with a focus on food and health. The Group includes ICA Sweden and Rimi Baltic which mainly conduct grocery retail, ICA Real Estate which owns and manages properties, ICA Bank which offers financial services and Apotek Hjartat which conducts pharmacy operations. The Group also includes the companies Hemtex and inkClub. For more information see icagruppen.se

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420006020/en/

Contacts:

ICA Gruppen press service

telephone number: +46 10 422 52 52
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Facing a tough re-election fight, Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., indicated Tuesday he will not attend the Republican National Convention in July. McCain told reporters he may skip the convention to focus on his race against Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., as well as an upcoming primary challenge. 'I have to campaign for re-election, and I have always done that when I'm up,' McCain said. 'We have a late primary in Arizona.' The Republican convention in Cleveland is scheduled for July 18th through 21st, while the Arizona primary is scheduled for August 30th. McCain is facing primary challenges from state Senator Kelli Ward, businessman Alex Meluskey, and radio host Clair Van Steenwyk. However, McCain's claim that he always skips the GOP convention when he is up for re-election does not appear to be true. A report from MSNBC noted that the Arizona Senator spoke at the convention in 2004, the last time he was up for re-election during a presidential election year. McCain easily won the race. McCain's decision to skip this year's convention may reflect his tight race with Kirkpatrick, with a RealClearPolitics average of polls showing the race virtually tied. Other Republicans facing tough re-election fights have also suggested they will skip the convention, including Sens. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., and Richard Burr, R-N.C. The GOP convention could be a tumultuous event if presidential frontrunner Donald Trump fails to secure the delegates needed to avoid a contested convention. 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.
IRVING, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation (OTC PINK: MHRC) and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company" or "Magnum Hunter") today announced that the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has confirmed Magnum Hunter's chapter 11 plan of reorganization. Confirmation of Magnum Hunter's chapter 11 plan is a critical and near-final step toward its emergence from chapter 11, which will conclude a balance sheet restructuring process that de-leverages substantially all of Magnum Hunter's pre-bankruptcy funded indebtedness and converts 100% of its post-filing debtor-in-possession ("DIP") financing into equity pursuant to a consensual debt-to-equity exchange.

Magnum Hunter filed for chapter 11 protection on December 15, 2015. Prior to commencing the chapter 11 cases, Magnum Hunter entered into a restructuring support agreement with lenders holding 75% in aggregate principal amount of its pre-bankruptcy funded debt claims, pursuant to which the lenders agreed to support Magnum Hunter's chapter 11 process and convert 100% of their debt claims to equity in the reorganized Company. The Company's plan was overwhelmingly accepted by creditors entitled to vote. Magnum Hunter anticipates that the plan will become effective and it will emerge from bankruptcy on or before May 3, 2016. The effectiveness of the plan is contingent on the Company's satisfaction of a number of conditions that are set forth in the plan and the order of the Bankruptcy Court confirming the plan. Magnum Hunter's balance sheet restructuring is the result of the Company's diligent efforts to meet the required milestones under the Restructuring Support Agreement with the goal of achieving the best possible outcome for all of the Company's constituents. Following confirmation, Magnum Hunter will work cooperatively with its constituents to emerge from bankruptcy as a stronger company.

Court filings and other information related to the restructuring proceedings are available at a website administered by the Company's claims agent, Prime Clerk, at https://cases.primeclerk.com/magnumhunter, or via telephone at 844-276-3026 (toll free) or 917-962-8497 (international).

PJT Partners LP is serving as financial advisor to Magnum Hunter, Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel, and Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC is serving as restructuring advisor. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Houlihan Lokey are serving as legal counsel and financial advisors, respectively, to an ad hoc group of holders of the Company's second lien debt in their capacity as prepetition lenders and postpetition DIP lenders. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Centerview Partners are serving as legal counsel and financial advisors, respectively, to an ad hoc group of holders of the Company's senior unsecured notes in their capacity as prepetition lenders and postpetition DIP lenders.

About Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation

Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, production, exploration, and development of onshore natural gas and oil properties in the United States. The Company's current operations are principally located in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale regions of the Appalachian Basin, located in in Ohio and West Virginia. The Company also has interests in acreage and production in Kentucky and has primarily non-operating leasehold working interests in the Williston/Bakken Shale region of North Dakota. For more information about Magnum Hunter, please visit www.mhr.energy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary significantly from those expressed or implied in such statements and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Although Magnum Hunter believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Magnum Hunter can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that affect operations, financial performance, and other factors as discussed in filings made by Magnum Hunter with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially are those risks discussed in the periodic reports filed by Magnum Hunter with the SEC, including Magnum Hunter's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended after such fiscal year. You are urged to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements and other disclosures made in those filings, specifically those under the heading "Risk Factors." Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, and Magnum Hunter does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.

Anthony D. Andora

Investor Relations

Magnum Hunter Resources

aandora@mhr.energy






WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - If Saudi Arabia decides to sell off U.S. assets worth $750 billion in protest against a controversial legislation that would allow 9/11 victims to sue the kingdom, it would destabilize the global financial markets, the White House has warned.



The warning comes a day after the White House indicated that President Obama would veto a legislation allowing relatives of the victims of 9/11 to sue the Saudi government or other foreign entities who were shown to be directly involved in the 9/11 attacks.



The White House has said it is not sure if Obama is going to address the issue during his ongoing tour of Saudi Arabia.



White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest was asked at his daily news conference Tuesday if he has any sense about if the Saudis follow through on their threat to sell $750 billion in U.S. assets, what kind of damage that would do to the U.S. economy and to the United States generally.



He replied: 'What I'll just say in general is our concern is that a hypothetical transaction or series of transactions like this would destabilize the global financial markets. And that kind of instability and that kind of volatility is not in the interest of any of the advanced economies around the world. Both the United States and Saudi Arabia would be in the category of advanced economies that would not benefit from a situation like that.'



Earnest expressed doubt 'how seriously something like that is being considered there.'



Given our shared interest in protecting the stability of the global financial system, I suspect it's not something that would be considered for long, he told reporters.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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ST. PAUL (dpa-AFX) - Insurer Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV) is due to release its first-quarter numbers before the bell on Thursday, April 21, with analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimating earnings of $2.55 per share on revenue of $6.00 billion. Moving ahead , the company expects the auto business in 2016 to continue to grow in both policy accounts and premium volume although at a more moderated percentage than 2015 as the portfolio grows. Travelers Companies claims that the market response from both agents and consumers to Quantum Auto 2.0 remains incredibly strong and the portfolio is positioned to generate financial returns within its long term target range. Q4 Overview Net income for the quarter declined to $866 million or $2.83 per share from $1.04 billion or $3.11 per share in the year-ago period. Operating income per share was $2.90, while it totaled $3.07 per share last year. Analysts expected earnings of $2.65 per share. Total revenues dropped 2% to $6.67 billion from $6.78 billion last year. Net written premiums edged up to $5.86 billion from $5.84 billion reported last year. Analysts expected revenues of $5.94 billion. Underwriting gain declined to $773 million from last year's $866 million. Combined ratio was 86.6%, up from 85.0% last year, and reflected strong underwriting results in each business segment. 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.
A new research study has found that students perform better in math classes held in the morning than those held in the afternoon.

The Review of Economics and Statistics published Nolan Popes paper, How th e Time of Day Affects Productivity: Evidence from School Schedules , last month.

Popes study found a significant difference in math scores for students who took the subject earlier in the day as compared to students who took it toward the end of the day.

If a student took a math class at the beginning of the day in the first or second period compared to the end of the day, the fifth or sixth period, they performed significantly better on their math GPA and their math test scores, said Pope, a graduate student in economics at the University of Chicago.

Students who took math in the first or second period scored an average of 309.8 on the math portion of the California Standards Test, or CST, while students who took math in the last two periods scored an average of 304.5.

Those with early morning math classes averaged a 2.02 grade point average in math, while those who took the subject late in the day averaged a 1.91 grade point average in math.

The study involved nearly 2 million 6th through 11th grade students in the Los Angeles Unified School District who went to schools with six class periods. Pope examined the students class schedules, grades, and state exam scores from 2003 through 2009.

Popes study also found that students who took English during the first or second period had higher grades in English than those who took the subject during the fifth or sixth period. But taking the class earlier in the day did not affect their standardized test scores.

So where does this all fit in with the research showing adolescents perform better when the school day begins later?

Pope says his work doesnt contradict that.

These students, whether they went to school at 8 or 9, it shows that they decreased their performance throughout the school day, said Pope. It doesnt say anything about whether school start times should go up or down.

Recommendations for Schools

Pope says schools may want to adjust their schedules to make sure as many students are taking math in the morning as possible.

For example, he suggests swapping a course that doesnt seem to be affected by scheduling late in the day with a math course.

If PE was later in the day and math was earlier in the day, then you could see these benefits with math without really having any negative effects on PE, said Pope.

He also says administrators may want to schedule whichever courses they deem most important in the mornings whether that be math or something else because overall students seem to be more productive when they first get to school.

Possible Causes

Pope theorizes that as the school day wears on students are just getting tired.

Or, is it that teachers are losing steam?

He says he plans to study that next.

Right now, its unclear whether its the teachers that are getting tired throughout the day or whether its the students, said Pope. It would be nice to be able to separate that.
Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recentcoconut water market in Europe 2016-2020 report. This research report also lists 19 prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period.

Competitive vendor landscape

The coconut water market in Europe has grown from a small segment in the soft drinks market to a market with huge growth potential. The concept of packaged coconut water was relatively new a few years ago in almost all the markets, but a few vendors have realized its potential and they now dominate the market. Currently, there are over 250 vendors of packaged coconut water worldwide. Vita Coco dominates the market (in Europe and globally) in terms of revenue.

According to Vijay Sarathi, lead analyst at Technavio for non-alcoholic beverages research, "The low capital cost involved in setting up a bottling plant for coconut water is attracting small-scale industries to the coconut water market. However, pioneer vendors control most of the market share."

Request sample report: http://goo.gl/cs6Ens

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Atlanta, US. The company manufactures, distributes, and markets a variety of non-alcoholic beverages. It sells 1.9 billion beverage units every day in more than 200 countries.

The company sells its coconut water under the brand name Zico. Coca-Cola took a minority share in Zico's business in 2009 however, it completed the majority acquisition by 2013. Zico was launched by Mark Rampolla in 2004, Zico had global sales of around USD 115 million in 2014 and is poised for further growth in Europe and rest of the world.

Green Coco Europe

Green Coco Europe is headquartered in Prinzregentenufer, Nuernberg, Germany, and was established in 2002. The company sells its product in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Morocco, the Ukraine, and Australia. It manufactures it products as per EU fruit juice regulations and IFS standards in Germany and Austria.

The company's offerings in the coconut water market in Europe include natural juice, coco juice with a natural flavor, and coco juice with juice. The company sells these products in glass and PET bottles and Elopak with screw caps.

PepsiCo

PepsiCo was established in 1898 and is headquartered at New York, US. It is a global provider of beverages and food. Their key businesses include Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay, and Pepsi-Cola.

PepsiCo retails its coconut water under the brand names Kero Coco, Naked Juice, and O.N.E. The three brands generated total global sales of around USD 455 million in 2014. In 2014, Naked juice was launched in supermarkets in the UK, competing head on with Zico and Vita Coco.

Vaivai

Vaivai was founded in 2010 and is headquartered at Paris, France. The company offers a full range of coconut products including, coconut water, coconut oil, and coconut chips. The company has long-term relationship with several coconut producers around the world.

The company's product offerings include, coconut water, coconut water passion fruits, cooconut chips, virgin coconut oil, and deodorized coconut oil.

Vita Coco

Vita Coco was founded in 2004 and has its headquarters in New York, US. The company manufactures and distributes coconut water primarily in the US market. It also has operations in Europe and Asia. It uses its network of retail stores, independent grocery stores, and retailers in universities and airports for selling its products. It also sells through online stores such as amazon.com.

The company offers a range of fresh and pure coconut water in a variety of flavors like pineapple, lemonade, peach and mango, and orange.

Browse related reports:

Global Coconut Water Market Market Research Report 2015-2019

Global Maple Water Market 2016-2020

Bottled Water Market in APAC 2015-2019

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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 media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005041/en/

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- FinancialForce.com, the leading cloud ERP provider on the Salesforce App Cloud, today announced the finalists for the company's fourth annual, global 360 Customer Excellence Awards which recognize outstanding FinancialForce customer achievements across all solution lines.

Winners will be featured on-stage at FinancialForce Community Live, the company's annual, exclusive event for FinancialForce customers only. 2016 marks the first year where there will be two conferences: FinancialForce Community Live will be a 2-day event taking place on May 10th and 11th at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and will be followed by FinancialForce Community Live in London on May 18th.

The 2016 FinancialForce 360 Customer Excellence Award categories and customer finalists include:

Best Customer Experience: This award recognizes customers who have demonstrated initiative, excellence and creativity in how they utilize FinancialForce solutions, on top of the Salesforce App Cloud, to improve their customer's experience. Winners will be selected based on how they have included FinancialForce applications as part of their customer-centric strategy, and the impact the front and back office integration has made on their business. Finalists: Camfed, io Oil and Gas, Snowden Mining

Exemplary Use of Platform: Recognizes customers who use two or more FinancialForce solutions and have demonstrated a strong belief in how multi-app usage is a game-changer for the success of their business. Winners will be those who have a vision for leveraging applications across Salesforce App Cloud to underpin the future of their work. Finalists: Jacobus Consulting, Fruition Partners (a CSC company), Force3, Himagine Solutions

Community Champion of the Year: Recognizes individuals who are the most actively engaged within the FinancialForce Community, regularly initiating and participating in the top discussions and influencing and supporting other members with their comments, feedback and ideas. The winners will be those who hold the highest reputation levels and have been instrumental in driving forward the Community and in helping other Community members to strive for excellence with FinancialForce applications. Finalists: Jessika Botruff of Revolution Group, Lynne Stroyne of Summa Technologies, Justin Wheatley of New Voice Media, Jawed Neshat, Restless Development

Excellence in Financial Management: Recognizes customers who have demonstrated innovation, greater efficiencies and improved effectiveness in business processes, customer service, supply chain/inventory control, financial reporting, revenue management and other financial management best practices while leveraging the power of FinancialForce Financial Management and the Salesforce App Cloud. Finalists: iSoftStone Inc., NewVoiceMedia, Restless Development

Excellence in Human Capital Management: Recognizes customers who have demonstrated innovation and success in human capital management including onboarding, recruiting, benefits management, records management, talent management and driving employee engagement while leveraging the power of FinancialForce HCM and the Salesforce App Cloud. Finalists: nCino, Ashoka, CRI Devices

Excellence in Professional Services Automation: Recognizes customers who have demonstrated dramatic improvements and innovation in professional services productivity, utilization, customer service, cross departmental visibility, resource management, and other professional services best practices while leveraging the power of FinancialForce PSA and the Salesforce App Cloud. Finalists: App Dynamics, CodeScience, Manhattan Associates







Winners will be selected by this year's judges panel including: Jeremy Roche, President & CEO of FinancialForce, Kevin Roberts, Director of Platform Technology at FinancialForce, Martin Veitch, Editorial Director of IDG Connect and Zoli Erdos, Publisher and Editor of CloudAve and Enterprise Irregulars.

Visit http://communitylive.financialforce.com/ for more information and to register for Las Vegas and London events.

About FinancialForce.com

Founded in 2009, FinancialForce is the leading cloud ERP vendor with apps built entirely on the Salesforce App Cloud. The company's Financial Management, Professional Services Automation (PSA), and Human Capital Management (HCM) offerings provide services-centric businesses with a platform that organizes sales, services, finance and HR entirely around their customers. Headquartered in San Francisco, FinancialForce is backed by Salesforce Ventures, Technology Crossover Ventures, Advent International and UNIT4. For more information, go to www.financialforce.com/

Media Contact:

Allie Rosenberg

FinancialForce

PR Manager

arosenberg@financialforce.com




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - After presidential frontrunners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton scored big victories in their respective New York primaries, the results of a Quinnipiac poll suggest they are also likely to perform well in neighboring Connecticut. Trump is the preferred choice of 48 percent of likely Connecticut Republican primary voters, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich comes in a distant second at 28 percent and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., is in third at 19 percent. Only 5 percent of Republican voters are undecided, although 25 percent of those who named a candidate said they might change their mind before the primary next Tuesday. 'Connecticut Republicans have gone for outsider candidates such as Linda McMahon and Tom Foley. They continue that trend with Donald Trump,' said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD. 'The conventional wisdom that Sen. Cruz is too conservative for Connecticut looks true, as he comes in a distant third in the Republican primary,' he added. 'Kasich clearly is outpacing Cruz for second, but running well behind Trump.' The poll also showed Clinton with a significant 51 percent to 42 percent lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on the Democratic side. Clinton benefits from strong support among women and black voters as well as Democrats that describe themselves as somewhat liberal, moderate or conservative. 'Clinton wins on all the most important issues to voters, except for income inequality,' Schwartz said. 'Sanders wins on honesty, values, and empathy. But Clinton wins by bigger margins on leadership, electability, and experience.' The Connecticut primaries will be held on Tuesday, April 26th, the same day as contests in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The Quinnipiac survey was conducted April 12th through 18th and included 823 likely Republican primary voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points and 1,037 likely Democratic primary voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. (Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore) 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.
NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- MasterControl Inc. (INTERPHEX booth #1455), a leading global provider of enterprise quality management software (EQMS) and quality consulting services for regulated businesses, will offer valuable information at this year's INTERPHEX on what the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries should address in Quality by Design (QbD). Also at the expo, MasterControl will introduce their new EQMS user interface (UI).

On Wednesday, April 27 (2:15-3 p.m. EST on the Technical Conference Stage 3, Exhibit Hall), industry expert Walt Murray will address QbD during his presentation "Establishing Design Parameters to Validate Final Product Specifications Using a Risk-Based Phased Design Control Approach." http://www.interphex.com/en/Sessions/18970/Establishing-Design-Parameters-to-Validate-Final-Product-Specifications-Using-a-Risk-Based-Phased-Design-Control-Approach QbD is a set of design processes for the explicit conversion of information/documentation using good critical thinking skills. These processes must now include the explicit condition of technical transfer as a formal review step to manufacturing assembly. Murray, President and CEO of ARC Experts and essential part of the MasterControl. Quality and Compliance Consulting (QCC) services team, is a globally recognized compliance and risk consultant.

MasterControl will also share a few details about the impending launch of their new EQMS version 11.5 UI. This new UI promises to greatly increase user ease of access, controls and customization -- which have been common hurdles for users across all competitive solutions in the market. The MasterControl cloud-based systems have always been pioneering, but this new highly intuitive UI will drastically increase ease of use in core modules like CAPA, document control and training, thereby helping users optimize high priority and time-sensitive tasks and better manage compliance, policies and regulations.

INTERPHEX (International Pharmaceutical Expo) is running April 26-28 in New York and is sponsored by Parenteral Drug Association (PDA). The expo serves the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries by highlighting product develop life cycle solutions, so pharmaceuticals can be safely and cost effectively developed.

About MasterControl Inc.

MasterControl is a committed team of quality, regulatory and software experts who work to empower regulated companies to get their products to market faster. For almost 25 years MasterControl's quality management software solutions (EQMS) have been reducing overall costs, increasing efficiency and accelerating compliance, all creating a significant competitive advantage for customers. Drawing upon unparalleled industry experience, MasterControl offers a suite of seamlessly integrated and scalable software solutions for quality management, document control, product lifecycle management, supplier management, audit management, training management and much more. MasterControl's complete quality management solution is designed for easy implementation, validation and use, continually improving on the promise of "Compliance Accelerated." For more information about MasterControl, visit MasterControl or call 1.800.825.9117 (U.S.); +44 (0) 1256 325 949 (Europe); +81 (03) 5422 6665 (Japan); or +61 (3) 9717 9727 (Australia).

Media Contact

Theresa Gubler

Springboard5

801-208-1100

Theresa.Gubler@springboard5.com




CALGARY, Alberta, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Pembina Pipeline Corporation ("Pembina" or "the Company") (TSX: PPL; NYSE: PBA) is pleased to announce that that the Company has completed its previously announced acquisition (the "Transaction") of certain sour natural gas processing assets (the "Assets") from Paramount Resources ("Paramount").

"I am very pleased to add these large-scale, newly constructed and integrated assets to our Cutbank Complex," said Jaret Sprott, Pembina's Vice President, Gas Services. "These assets will substantially increase Pembina's service offering through the addition of sour processing and strengthens our strategic positioning in one of our core areas. Furthermore, these assets will support some of the most economic geology in North America and are underpinned by a 20 yeartake-or-pay commitment."

The Transaction was funded through net proceeds from the Company's previously announced common share offering, which closed on March 29, 2016, as well as existing capacity under the Company's recently increased $2.5 billion credit facility.

For additional information on the Transaction, including a description of the Assets acquired, please see Pembina's website at www.pembina.com.

About Pembina

Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corporation is a leading transportation and midstream service provider that has been serving North America's energy industry for over 60 years. Pembina owns and operates an integrated system of pipelines that transport various products derived from natural gas and hydrocarbon liquids produced in western Canada and North Dakota. The Company also owns and operates gas gathering and processing facilities and an oil and natural gas liquids infrastructure and logistics business. Pembina's integrated assets and commercial operations along the entire hydrocarbon value chain allow it to offer a full spectrum of midstream and marketing services to the energy sector. Pembina is committed to working with its community and aboriginal neighbours, while providing value for investors in a safe, environmentally responsible manner. This balanced approach to operating ensures the trust Pembina builds among all of its stakeholders is sustainable over the long-term. Pembina's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under PPL and PBA, respectively. For more information, visit www.pembina.com.

Forward-Looking Statements & Information

This document contains certain forward-looking statements and information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of applicable securities legislation that are based on Pembina's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "expects", "will", "shall", and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance.

In particular, this document contains forward-looking statements, pertaining to, without limitation, the following: the Transaction, including the anticipated benefits of the Transaction to Pembina; financial results related to and growth opportunities associated with the assets acquired pursuant to the Transaction; the economics associated with the areas surrounding the Assets; the ongoing utilization and expansions of and additions to Pembina's business and asset base, growth and growth potential.

These forward-looking statements and information are being made by Pembina based on certain assumptions that Pembina has made in respect thereof as at the date of this news release, including: that favourable growth parameters continue to exist in respect of current and future growth projects (including the ability to finance such projects on favourable terms); future levels of oil and natural gas development; potential revenue and cash flow enhancement; future cash flows; and that Pembina's businesses will continue to achieve sustainable financial results.

Although Pembina believes the expectations and material factors and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that these expectations, factors and assumptions will prove to be correct.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: non-performance of agreements in accordance with their terms; the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transaction following closing due to integration issues or otherwise; the impact of competitive entities and pricing; reliance on key industry partners, alliances and agreements; the strength and operations of the oil and natural gas production industry and related commodity prices; the continuation or completion of third-party projects; regulatory environment and inability to obtain required regulatory approvals; tax laws and treatment; fluctuations in operating results; lower than anticipated results of operations and accretion from Pembina's business initiatives; reduced amounts of cash available for dividends to shareholders; the ability of Pembina to raise sufficient capital (or to raise capital on favourable terms) to complete future projects and satisfy future commitments and certain other risks detailed from time to time in Pembina's public disclosure documents including, among other things, those detailed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Pembina's management's discussion and analysis and annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2015, which can be found at www.sedar.com.

Accordingly, readers are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted, forecasted or projected. Such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by the above statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. Pembina does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information contained herein, except as required by applicable laws.

The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Pembina Pipeline is a registered trademark of Pembina Pipeline Corporation.

Investor Inquiries: Scott Burrows, Vice President, Finance and CFO, (403) 231-3156, 1-855-880-7404, e-mail: investor-relations@Pembina.com, www.pembina.com; Media Inquiries: Tanis Fiss, Supervisor, External Communications, (403) 817-7131, e"mail: media@Pembina.com








MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

Talk With Our Kids About Money Day (TWOKAM), enthusiastically supported by BMO, has achieved an important milestone. British Columbia and Newfoundland Labrador have joined the rest of the provinces to help young Canadians learn more about money and personal finances. Approximately 600,000 students across every province in Canada are participating in this national program.

Talk With Our Kids About Money Day was launched in 2013 in Toronto- and Montreal-area schools. Since then, the program has expanded to 4,000 schools across the country. In addition to the 'money talks' in classrooms and homes across Canada, Money Fairs and other special events are taking place today in Montreal QC, Richmond BC and Fredericton NB to celebrate 'Talk Day'.

"CFEE congratulates the large numbers of schools, teachers, parents and kids that are participating in the TWOKAM program across Canada," said Gary Rabbior, President of CFEE. "The program is making a real difference by getting teachers and parents engaged, letting them see that they are able to talk with their kids about money - and that they can make a difference in their kids' financial futures. Many are going beyond the one day and doing much more."

"We're thrilled to enter our fourth year with CFEE in a partnership that continues to deliver resources to parents and teachers so that they can creatively teach children about financial literacy," said Kelly Harper, Director, Customer and Employer Brand Learning Experience, BMO Financial Group. "We believe that fostering financial literacy is a responsibility financial institutions share with teachers and parents across Canada and at BMO, we're committed to providing these stakeholders with the tools and resources they need to ensure that money-savvy kids become money-savvy adults."

The TWOKAM program encourages parents and teachers to have conversations with youth about money and personal finances. Parents and teachers can visit www.talkwithourkidsaboutmoney.com for access to free and easy-to-use activity plans and lesson plans.

Highlights of the TWOKAM School Program:

For teachers, easy-to-use, complete lesson plans that are cross-curricular and make it easy for teachers to integrate money topics into a broad range of subject areas including social studies, math, science, environmental studies, music and art. (The plans are developed for grade 7 teachers, but any teacher of any subject at any grade is encouraged to participate). In addition, the program offers:

-- Group discussion and debate ideas -- Resources and interactive tools for teachers -- Links to other resources and programs -- Links to background material on financial literacy and research results

Highlights of the TWOKAM Parent Program:

Free online access to fun and engaging activities that are easy to do and comfortably set up opportunities for parents to have a talk about money with their children, provoke their curiosity and stimulate questions that lead to learning, resources are organized by child's age range, for example age 5-7, 6-9, and so on, up to the "Transition Years" when youth are moving out on their own. The program also provides:

-- A wide variety of activities including movies to watch, books to read, songs to listen to, crafts to make, local trips to take, and more -- Helpful links and resources for parents, including a variety of articles offering different views on allowances

About CFEE

CFEE is a federally chartered, non-profit, non-partisan organization, founded in 1974, that works to improve economic and financial literacy and enterprising capability. CFEE works collaboratively with ministries and departments of education along with school boards, schools, educators, and teacher associations. CFEE also engages in activities to support and assist newcomers and past immigrants to Canada, and the general public including print resources, videos, workshops, and online resources. Overall, CFEE aspires to help Canadians of all ages be better prepared to undertake their economic roles, responsibilities, and decisions with confidence and competence.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $699 billion as of January 31, 2016, and close to 47,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link:

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20160420-bmo_cfee_pic01_apr20_e.jpg

Contacts:

Media Contacts:

Canadian Foundation for Economic Education

Joseph Clark

JClark@cfee.org

(416) 893-8772 / (416) 968-2236



Canadian Foundation for Economic Education

Brian Smith, Montreal

bsmith@cfee.org

(514) 817-3941



BMO Financial Group

Michelle Agnelo

michelle.agnelo@bmo.com

(416) 867-3996



BMO Financial Group

Valerie Doucet, Montreal

valerie.doucet@bmo.com

(514) 877-8224



Internet: www.bmo.com

or www.cfee.org

or www.talkwithourkidsaboutmoney.com

Twitter: @BMOmedia or @_CFEE or @TWOKAMday




PUNE, India, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The report "Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market by Technology (Constant Bottom Hole Pressure, Dual Gradient Drilling, Mud Cap Drilling, Return Flow Control Drilling, by Application (Onshore & Offshore) and by Region - Global Trends and Forecasts to 2021" published by MarketsandMarkets, The Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market is expected to cross USD 4.60 Billion by 2021, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 65 market data Tables and 55 Figures spread through 183 Pages and in-depth TOC on"Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/managed-pressure-drilling-services-market-142692594.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

Growing energy demand coupled with declining production in onshore fields would drive the demand for new drillings, particularly in the offshore region. Apart from this, the success of managed pressure drilling in fields that were earlier considered uneconomical to drill would increase the demand for managed pressure drilling services. The global Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market has been analyzed based on type, application, and region. The report covers regions including North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.

Offshore segment is expected to lead the market

Managed pressure drilling is mainly used in offshore drilling because of high-cost associated with it. Meanwhile, increasing exploration activities in deep water and ultra-deep water regions, mainly in Europe and Africa, where recent oil & gas discoveries have been in offshore are contributing to the growth of the Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market.

Constant bottom hole pressure is the most used technology of managed pressure drilling

The CBHP method is mainly used for drilling wells with high uncertainties on the pressure limits and a narrow mud weight window with kicks/losses. CBHP technology is used extensively in the North American continent for drilling offshore wells in the Gulf of Mexico, where drilling conditions are tough. Drilling in the fractured carbonate formations of the Gulf of Mexico typically poses many challenges as significant nonproductive-time is wasted by lost circulation and/or gas influxes in the high-pressure formations, and a host of related problems. CBHP technique enhances well site safety by controlling the annular pressure while drilling and detecting kicks and fluid losses early.

North America: the largest market for managed pressure drilling services

North America is projected to be the largest market for managed pressure drilling services till 2021. Within North America, the U.S. is the largest market, accounting for the maximum share. Meanwhile, Canada is also expected to show reasonable growth, given its development of unconventional sources, such as tar sands and tight oil. Meanwhile, Africa is the fastest growing within the Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market, due to the recent discoveries occurring offshore in countries such as Angola, Tanzania, and Mozambique, among others. In addition, offshore developments in the Red Sea region by countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE is expected to drive the growth of the Middle East Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market.

Make an Enquiry: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=142692594

The report covers major market players such as Schlumberger Limited. (U.S.), Halliburton (U.S.), Archer Well Services (U.K.), Weatherford International (Ireland), and Baker Hughes (U.S.) among others. These companies together occupy more than three-fourth of the Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market.

The report covers both applications (onshore & offshore), technologies (Constant Bottom Hole Pressure (CBHP), Dual Gradient Drilling (DGD), Mud Cap Drilling (MCD), and Return Flow Control Drilling (RFCD), and regional trends. It defines and segments the Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market with analysis and forecast of the global E&P revenue and applications. It also identifies driving and restraining factors for the Managed Pressure Drilling Services Market, with an analysis of trends, opportunities, burning issues, and winning imperatives.

Browse Related Reports:

Offshore Support Vessel Market by Type (Anchor Handling Tug Supply, Platform Supply Vessel, Multipurpose Support Vessel, Standby & Rescue Vessel, Crew Vessel, & Others), by Depth (Shallow & Deepwater), & by Region - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/offshore-support-vessel-market-1212.html



Drilling Waste Management Market by Service (Treatment & Disposal, Containment & Handling, & Solids Control), Application (Onshore & Offshore), & Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East, & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2020

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/drilling-waste-management-market-1242.html

About MarketsandMarkets:

MarketsandMarkets is the world's No. 2 firm in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors.

M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers.

We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository.

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LONDON, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Henley & Partners is looking for individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution towards improving the global community and creating a more understanding, more tolerant world. Nominations for the prestigious annual Global Citizen Award have now opened and the 2016 laureate will be honored at a gala fundraising dinner for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in London on 11 November. As global leaders in residence and citizenship planning, Henley & Partners has joined forces with the UNHCR to assist with the registration and documentation of those at the other end of the global mobility spectrum.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160122/324963LOGO )



The annual laureate is chosen by an Award Committee, an independent body of seven distinguished individuals including:

Her Royal Highness Princess Firyal of Jordan

Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of the Republic of Malta

Senator Joelle Garriaud-Maylam, Secretary of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces, Senate of France , Paris

, Professor Dr. Khalid Koser OBE, Executive Director of GCERF and Vice-Chairman of the Advisory Council on Migration, World Economic Forum, Geneva

Leigh Foster , Chief of Events, Campaigns and Goodwill Ambassadors, UNHCR, Geneva

, Chief of Events, Campaigns and Goodwill Ambassadors, UNHCR, Dr. Marek Urban CSsR, Councilor of the Henley & Partners Foundation, Krakow

Namira Salim , Global Explorer and Artist, Monaco

Leigh Foster of the UNHCR says the committee is looking for inspirational individuals who demonstrate extraordinary vision, courage and commitment. "Ideally we want to honor those whose work is innovative and visionary. A candidate's work should also have a positive impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in society," explains Foster.

The selection process is confidential and made by a majority decision. The award itself consists of a specially made commemorative medal, an Award Certificate signed by the President of the Award Committee and a USD 50,000 monetary prize, of which USD 25,000 is donated to UNHCR.

Christian H. Kalin, a leading international immigration and citizenship law specialist and Group Chairman of Henley & Partners, says the registration of refugees is the first critical step towards ensuring their protection. "More than 60 million people worldwide are currently displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, generalized violence and human rights violations. Registering refugees and providing them with an identity document is the first critical step towards ensuring they get the assistance and protection they need, dramatically improving their chances of survival. Without documentation papers, uprooted people lose their identity and are unable to access the fundamental UNHCR services necessary to take control of their lives again and begin the process of tracing their families," explains Kalin.

Last year, the Global Citizen Award was presented to German entrepreneur Harald Hoppner who founded the refugee aid project Sea Watch. The non-profit organization has rescued thousands of refugees from capsized boats during their patrols of the Mediterranean Sea. "Over the past fifteen years, more than 23,000 people have died trying to reach Europe's shores. Our teams of highly professional, motivated and dedicated volunteers have already saved hundreds of lives. We recently started working between Lesbos, a small Aegean Greek island, and the Turkish mainland to prevent further deaths in this part of the Mediterranean Sea, which recorded the highest number of drowned refugees last year," says Hoppner.

To submit nominations for the 2016 Global Citizen Award, please visit https://www.henleyglobal.com/the-global-citizen-award/. Nominations close on 1 July 2016.

Notes to Editors

About Henley & Partners

Henley & Partners is the global leader in residence and citizenship planning. Each year, hundreds of wealthy individuals, families and their advisors rely on their expertise and experience in this area.

The concept of residence and citizenship planning was created by Henley & Partners in the 1990s. As globalization has expanded, residence and citizenship have become topics of significant interest among the increasing number of internationally mobile entrepreneurs and investors who work with Henley & Partners.

The firm also runs a government advisory practice, and have been involved in strategic consulting and the design, set-up and operation of several of the world's most successful residence and citizenship programs which attracted have more than USD 4.8 billion in foreign direct investment to date.

henleyglobal.com

Media Images

To view and download a selection of images relating to Henley & Partners, the Global Citizen Award and our partnership with UNHCR, please visit: henleyglobal.com/press-images

Media Contacts



For further information and interview requests, please contact:



Sarah Nicklin

Group Public Relations Manager

sarah.nicklin@henleyglobal.com

Landline: +27-21-850-0524

Mobile:+27-73-150-9525


Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recentglobal chlorinated paraffin market report from 2016-2020. This research report also lists nine prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period.

Competitive vendor landscape

Chlorinated paraffin manufacturers based in North America and Europe have to comply with environmental regulations governing the manufacture and use of chlorinated paraffins. As a result, the exports from Europe are mainly to South America, North America, and MENA. However, companies in the emerging industrialized countries are not subject to any restrictions on the manufacture or export of products containing chlorinated paraffins.

"The supply to Southeast Asia, China, and North East Asia is dominated by local manufacturers who have set up production capacities spread across Taiwan, China, India, and Japan. The local manufacturers offer products at a lower cost, posing difficulties for European manufacturers," says Chandrakumar Badala Jaganathan, lead analyst at Technavio for metals and minerals research.

Request sample report: http://goo.gl/pRdu0e

Ajinomoto Fine-Techno

Ajinomoto Fine-Techno was established in 1942 and is headquartered in Kawasaki-Ku, Kawasaki-shi, Japan. The company manufactures electronic materials, functional materials, and activated carbon.

The company through its functional chemical product category provides chlorinated paraffin used in flame retardants under the brand REOFOS and EMPARA.

Caffaro Industrie

Caffaro Industrie was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Torviscosa, Udine Province, Italy. The company produces basic and fine chemicals for diverse applications. Its product portfolio includes middle- to long-cuts chlorinated paraffin and fine chemicals such as ketones, polycarbonate diols, and special esters. It operates as a part of the Caffaro Group.

The company produces linear and chlorinated paraffin through the plant located in Udine province, Italy. These paraffin products are used for application in the plasticizer, tanning, and metalworking applications.

Dover Chemical

Dover Chemical was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Dover, Ohio, US. It manufactures specialty chemicals such as alkylphenols, polymer additives, chlorinated paraffin, and flame retardants. It also produces liquid and solid antioxidants, including organophosphates, additives for water and oil-based metalworking fluids, and drilling fluid additives.

The company provides chlorinated paraffin products under the Chlorez, Paroil and Doverguard brands. Its portfolio of the chemical features flames retardancy, high adhesiveness, emulsion stability, antioxidant properties, and water and chemical resistance.

Its product offering includes Chlorez resinous chlorinated paraffin, Doverguard brominated flame retardants, Paroil liquid chlorinated paraffin, and Doversperse water dispersed chlorinated paraffin.

INOVYN ChlorVinyls

INOVYN ChlorVinyls was formed in 2015, as a 50:50 joint venture between INEOS and Solvay. It is headquartered in London, UK. ChlorVinyls operates 18 manufacturing facilities in eight countries.

The company produces organic chlorine derivatives and general purpose and specialty vinyls for diverse industries, including paints and adhesives. These products are used in the automotive, building and construction, personal care, paper and pulp, and water treatment industries. The company is one of the largest producers of chlorinated paraffin under the CERECLOR brand.

JSC Kaustik

JSC Kaustik was founded in 1961 and is headquartered in Moscow, Russia. The company operates as a subsidiary of the NikoChem Group, a leader in the chemical industry. The company produces chlorine, caustic soda, synthetic hydrochloride acid, solid calcium chloride, chlorinated paraffin, and other chemicals. It offers its products to the petrochemical, chemical, mineral resource, agricultural, pharmaceutical, food, light, and pulp and paper industries.

The company provides chlorinated paraffin products through its chloroorganic product category which are used for application in flame retardants, all types of plastics and filled (co) polymer composition and in the production of insulation blankets.

Browse related reports:

Metal Working Fluids (MWF) Market in APAC 2015-2019

Global Packaging Coatings Market 2015-2019

Leather Chemicals Market in Europe 2015-2019

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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.

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www.technavio.com
BORDEAUX, France, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The Board of Directors of Europlasma, having met on 20 April 2016, unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Yann Le Dore to the position of independent director, replacing Mr Erik Martel.

This appointment will be submitted for ratification to the shareholders at the next general assembly meeting scheduled on 8 June 2016.

An international expert in the field of waste and pollution control, Yann Le Dore has spent his entire career in the leading international environmental service groups, including CGEA where, in particular, he created ONYX (now Veolia Proprete) which he took in 6 years to second place in the sector worldwide.

The appointment of Yann Le Dore involved replacing Erik Martel, permanent representative of Masdar Venture Capital, whose mandate would have expired at the end of the next general assembly meeting. This change has no impact on the capital structure of the group.

Yann Le Dore stated, "Europlasma provides an innovative technology that finds areas of application in multiple sectors and addresses increasingly important environmental needs. I am particularly pleased to put at the service of Europlasma my experience as a developer of companies and my knowledge of the waste market in France and internationally to support the operation of its technology portfolio and the expansion of its target markets."

Jean-Eric Petit, CEO of Europlasma said, "We are very proud to welcome Yann Le Dore onto the Board of Directors. His experience and expertise in the waste sector and environmental issues will represent a very relevant contribution to our organisation and future strategic decisions.

Furthermore, on behalf of the entire Board, I would like to warmly thank Erik Martel for his involvement and contribution to the work of the Council during his two terms."

Erik Martel added, "I was very proud to accompany Europlasma since 2010 in the Council, at a pivotal time in its development. I am convinced of the potential of the company and confident in its ability to continue its transformation into a major player in environmental issues."

Subject to ratification, the composition of the Board of Directors is now as follows:

Pierre Catlin , Chairman

, Chairman Henri Arif , permanent representative of Credit Suisse Asset Management, Director

, permanent representative of Credit Suisse Asset Management, Director Kim Ying Lee , Independent Director

, Independent Director Yann Le D ore , Independent Director

, Independent Director Francois Marchal , Director

, Director Jean-Eric Petit , Director and CEO of Europlasma

About EUROPLASMA

At the heart of environmental issues, EUROPLASMA designs and develops innovative plasma solutions for renewable energy generation and hazardous waste recovery, as well as related applications for multi-sector companies wishing to reduce their environmental footprint.

EUROPLASMA is listed on Alternext (FR0000044810-ALEUP). For more information: http://www.europlasma.com .

Contact :

Anne Borderes - Communication Manager

Tel: +33-(0)556-497-000

contactbourse@europlasma.com


To increase the publics respect for the teaching profession, Argentina leaders have proposed a law that would make attacking a teacher a greater crime with harsher penalties, versus an attack on any other citizen, according to BBC News .

We knew we needed to raise the image of teachers in our society. Slowly, but steadily, their image had fallen, education minister Esteban Bullrich told the BBC. There were increased cases of disrespect from parents and students and even aggression towards teachers. Thats when the idea of distinguishing teachers in our penal code came up.

Under the law, if adopted by Argentinas congress, any attackverbal or physicalagainst a teacher would be an aggravated offence with higher penalties than an attack on another citizen. The plan, developed by Bullrich and Argentina President Mauricio Macri, would include a 25 percent longer prison sentence or a 25 percent increased fine, and would apply to students and parents.

According to the BBC, if the law is adopted, it would likely be the first time teachers have a special legal status under laws governing assaults.

In the United States, however, several states have recently made efforts to better protect teachers and staff from physical assault.

Earlier this month, Minnesota lawmakers proposed a bill that would give teachers the authority to remove any student deemed a safety threat. In North Carolina, a bill that has stalled in a House committee after passing the state Senate last year would have made it a felony for students aged 16 or older to assault a teacher. Under a Texas bill proposed last year that has also stalled in committee, teachers would be able to protect themselves from threatening students without fear of lawsuits or job loss.

If you hit or shout at a teacher, then you are doing so towards the most important member in our society, Bullrich said. Without teachers we would not have ministers or presidents, we would not have the world today. Let us grant them that respect and distinguished treatment.

More on teacher safety:
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Magellan Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: MNM) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received the regulatory approvals necessary to proceed with its previously announced debt settlement transaction involving the exchange of $500,000 of liabilities due to certain members of management for, among other things, the Company's interest in its Brazilian subsidiary, Magellan Minerais Prospeccao Geologica Ltda. ("Magellan Brazil"). Magellan's primary property, Coringa, and the adjacent Mato Velho project are held by its subsidiary, Chapleau Exploracao Mineral Ltda., and are not affected by the proposed transfer.

The Company obtained disinterested shareholder approval for the debt settlement at its annual general meeting on December 2, 2015. The Company will complete the transfer of its interest in Magellan Brazil prior to the closing of its arrangement with Anfield Nickel Corp. which is expected on or around May 6, 2016, as the completion of the transfer of its interest in Magellan Brazil is a condition precedent to the arrangement. Further information with respect to the divestiture of Magellan Brazil can be found in the Company's news releases dated December 3, 2015 and February 29, 2016 and in the information circular for the Company's most recent annual general meeting (filed on SEDAR on November 4, 2015).

The Company also announces that it has agreed to issue a total of 4,084,730 common shares of the Company in connection with the following:

-- 2,202,377 common shares of the Company to be issued in full satisfaction of debt in the total amount of $187,202 owed to an arm's length third party. This shares for debt transaction is also subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange -- 1,000,000 common shares of the Company to be issued as a finder's fee to an arm's length third party in connection with its previously announced agreement with Troy Resources Ltd., pursuant to which the Company will acquire the Andorinhas processing plant and mining fleet -- 882,353 common shares of the Company to be issued to an arm's length third party in connection with financial advisory services provided to the Company.

The Company also announces that it will pay finder's fees in the amount of $29,064 in connection with the Company's US$350,000 convertible debenture financing which closed in December 2015 (see the Company's news release dated January 19, 2016).

The Company further announces the resignation of Ken Nilsson as a director of the Company. The Board wishes to thank Mr. Nilsson for his efforts on behalf of the Company and wishes him every success with his future endeavours.

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

News release #2016-8

Contacts:

Alan Carter

President and CEO

604.676.5663

info@magellanminerals.com




SAN DIEGO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- At the Courtyard San Diego Downtown, visitors will encounter chic contemporary design, architecture dating back to the 1920s and, during the month of April, an inspired and inspiring commitment to fighting autism.

As the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the country, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects as many as 1 in 68 children in the country. Such staggering statistics represent a tenfold increase over the past 40 years and explain the need for immediate and effective treatments.

That's where this hotel near the Gaslamp Quarter enters the picture. On April 2, 2016, it launched a month-long campaign to raise awareness and funds for Autism Speaks. This is the second year in a row the downtown San Diego property has participated, and its efforts have already garnered more than $1,300 for the cause.

Guests and associates alike have joined forces to combat ASD in creative ways, from raffles and contests to the sale of privileges. Visitors, for example, can pay $1 per guess as to how many candies are in the jar behind the front desk. Or associates can wear blue any day in April for just $1 per day.

Other activities include:

Competition to win a two-night stay in Las Vegas: The associate to collect the most donations wins!

Blue drink specials with proceeds benefitting Autism Speaks

$1 and $5 donations earn blue lollipops and bracelets, respectively

Bake sale and garage sale

Pie-A-Manager will also make a highly-anticipated return from last year's fundraising efforts. And further distinguishing the property among downtown San Diego hotels is one associate's determination to wear his participation loud and proud. If the hotel earns the most donations in its region, hotel associate Marco will dye his hair blue.

With the current annual cost of ASD estimated at around $137 billion per year in the U.S., the need for fundraisers like these has never been greater. The enthusiasm with which both staff and guests have embraced the cause speaks to the hope of the future.

About the Courtyard San Diego Downtown

Discover a new Courtyard experience at the Courtyard San Diego Downtown! Built within a 1920s-era bank building, the hotel features sophisticated design and practical amenities that business and leisure travelers alike can appreciate. THE LOBBY, the hotel's striking public space and restaurant, sets the tone for the rest of the property where guests will enjoy 24-hour business and fitness centers, an on-site Starbucks and guest rooms outfitted with free Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, luxury bedding and 37-inch, flat-screen televisions. While there's plenty to indulge in on property, the allure of San Diego awaits just beyond the front doors. Located near the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, the hotel's address offers enviable access to San Diego's most iconic attractions for a stay that provides an unparalleled taste of this oceanfront city.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2995620



CONTACT:

Courtyard San Diego Downtown

530 Broadway

San Diego, California 92101

1-619-446-3000

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sancd-courtyard-san-diego-downtown/




EVANSTON, IL--(Marketwired - April 20, 2016) - North Carolina manufacturing employment climbed for a fourth straight year, reports the 2016 North Carolina Manufacturers Register  , an industrial database and directory published by Manufacturers' News, Inc. (MNI) Evanston, IL. According to MNI's database of manufacturers, North Carolina gained 5,964 manufacturing jobs from January 2015 to January 2016, a 1.1% increase.

North Carolina is now home to 10,026 manufacturers employing 568,674 workers. MNI reports the state has so far added more than 19,000 industrial jobs or 3.5% since January 2011, recovering about 21% of losses suffered during the recession.

"With its skilled labor pool and top-notch incentive programs, as well as its low business costs and abundance of shovel-ready sites, North Carolina has wide-ranging appeal for manufacturers," says Tom Dubin, President of the Evanston, IL-based publishing company, which has been surveying industry since 1912. "However, like much of the nation, a stronger dollar is putting a dent in growth, with job gains not as strong as in previous years."

For the full report, including specific company news, click here or visit http://www.mni.net/news

MNI reports North Carolina's top three industrial sectors all added jobs in 2015. The industrial machinery sector ranks first in the state for factory jobs, employing 68,446, up 1.9% over the year. Jobs rose a half percent in second-ranked food products to 58,948 jobs, and increased 1% in third-ranked textiles/apparel, now employing 56,428.

Other industries in North Carolina that added jobs included electronics, up 5%; transportation equipment, up 3.4%; chemicals, up 2.1%; rubber/plastics, up 1%; and lumber/wood, also up 1%.

MNI's regional data shows employment gains were spread out across North Carolina's four regions, with the Northeast gaining 1.2% to 146,317 jobs; the Southwest adding 1.1% to 112,014 workers; and the Northwest gaining 1.1%, to 251,568. The Southeast saw a half percent gain, accounting for 58,775 of the state's manufacturing jobs.

MNI reports Charlotte is North Carolina's top city for manufacturing employment, accounting for 43,335 jobs, virtually unchanged over the year. Industrial employment rose 4% in Raleigh, 2.7% in Greensboro, and 1.8% in Research Triangle Park.

Established in 1912, Manufacturers' News, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest publisher of industrial information. MNI offers a variety of tailored solutions to help customers connect with 430,000 manufacturers and suppliers. MNI's industrial database subscription service EZ Select (www.ezselect.com) allows users to tap into a live interactive database of manufacturers, while its industrial search engine IndustryNet (www.industrynet.com) connects buyers and suppliers and allows users to view profiles and obtain competitive quotes. For more information, contact Manufacturers' News, Inc. 847-864-7000. http://www.mni.net or follow MNI on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mfrsnews

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/4/20/11G094312/Images/NC_2016-1e0f6eafe36db129bf187f17a223d996.jpg

Contact:

Jennifer Ratcliff

Manufacturers' News, Inc.

(847) 864-9440 ext. 241

jratcliff@mni.net
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 --

-- Revenue before fuel surcharge from continuing operations up 1% to $866.7 million -- Adjusted net income from continuing operations(i) of $31.5 million, or $0.32 per diluted share(i), versus $27.5 million last year, or $0.26 per diluted share -- 32 % increase in free cash flow from continuing operations(i) to $24.7 million, or $0.25 per share(i) -- Sale of Waste Management business for $800 million generating a pre-tax gain of $559.2 million -- Proceeds from the sale of Waste Management used to reimburse $705.4 million in debt and repurchase $63.6 million in common shares (i)This is a non-IFRS measure. For a reconciliation, please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section below.

TransForce Inc. (TSX: TFI)(OTCQX: TFIFF), a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016. In 2015, TransForce ceased its U.S. rig moving operations and completed the sale of its Waste Management segment on February 1, 2016. Results for these activities are accordingly presented as discontinued operations in the Company's financial statements. Data for corresponding periods of the previous year have been restated.

"The first quarter of 2016 produced mixed results for TransForce. We recorded higher volume in the Package and Courier (P&C) segment driven by increased e-commerce activity in the United States, but a weak Canadian economy continues to restrain organic growth in other business segments. While lower volume negatively affected operating income, optimization initiatives to adapt supply to demand resulted in higher profitability in the P&C and Less-than-Truckload (LTL) segments. We sold our Waste Management operations for $800 million generating a pre-tax gain of $559.2 million. The proceeds were used to reimburse a significant amount of debt and to repurchase 2.9 million common shares during the quarter. TransForce now has greater financial flexibility and will use free cash flow to further reimburse debt, repurchase shares or proceed with selective acquisitions," said Alain Bedard, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransForce.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Financial highlights Quarters ended March 31 (in millions of dollars, except per share data) 2016 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total revenue from continuing operations 934.2 963.6 Revenue before fuel surcharge from continuing operations 866.7 858.0 Operating income from continuing operations(1) 40.3 44.0 Net cash from continuing operations 40.2 47.4 Free cash flow from continuing operations(2,3) 24.7 18.7 Adjusted net income from continuing operations(2,4) 31.5 27.5 Per share - diluted(5) ($) 0.32 0.26 Net income from continuing operations 15.3 13.0 Per share - diluted ($) 0.15 0.12 Net income(6) 503.6 14.0 Per share - diluted ($) 5.09 0.13 Weighted average number of shares outstanding ('000s) 97,619 102,376 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Net income from continuing operations before finance income and costs, and income tax expense. (2) This is a non-IFRS measure. For a reconciliation, please refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section below. (3) Net cash from continuing operations, less additions to property and equipment, plus proceeds from sale of property and equipment. (4) Net income from continuing operations excluding amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions, net changes in the fair value of derivatives, net foreign exchange gain or loss and items not in the Company's normal business, net of tax. (5) Adjusted net income from continuing operations divided by the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding. (6) Includes net income from discontinued operations of $488.3 million, mainly attributable to a $490.8 million after-tax gain on the sale of the Waste Management segment.

FIRST-QUARTER RESULTS

Total revenue from continuing operations reached $934.2 million, down 3% over last year. Net of fuel surcharge, revenue from continuing operations rose 1% to $866.7 million. This increase reflects acquisitions completed in the previous twelve months and the effect of local currency appreciation on U.S.-dollar denominated revenue. Before fuel surcharge and acquisitions, revenue decreased due to lower LTL volume and reduced activity in specialized Truckload (TL) divisions servicing the oil and gas industry.

Operating income from continuing operations totalled $40.3 million, compared with $44.0 million last year. As a percentage of revenue before fuel surcharge, operating income stood at 4.6% of revenue in the first quarter of 2016, versus 5.1% a year ago. The reduction in operating income reflects lower revenue and margins in the TL and Logistics segments, partially offset by improvement in the P&C and LTL segments resulting from optimization measures.

Net income from continuing operations reached $15.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, up from $13.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, a year ago. Adjusted net income from continuing operations, which excludes amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions, net changes in the fair value of derivatives, net foreign exchange gain or loss, and items not in the Company's normal business, net of tax, was $31.5 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, up from $27.5 million last year, or $0.26 per diluted share. Considering the gain, net of taxes, on the sale of Waste Management operations, net income amounted to $503.6 million, or $5.09 per diluted share, versus $14.0 million last year, or $0.13 per diluted share.

Reflecting disciplined capital investment, free cash flow from continuing operations amounted to $24.7 million, or $0.25 per share, in the first quarter of 2016, up from $18.7 million, or $0.18 per share, a year earlier.

SEGMENTED RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in millions of dollars) Quarters ended March 31 2016 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ $ Revenue(i) Package and Courier 319.5 286.6 Less-Than-Truckload 172.7 183.3 Truckload 334.7 342.5 Logistics 54.4 62.4 Eliminations (14.6) (16.7) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 866.7 858.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ % of Rev.(i) $ % of Rev.(i) Operating Income (Loss) Package and Courier 17.9 5.6 14.7 5.1 Less-Than-Truckload 4.2 2.4 3.0 1.7 Truckload 20.6 6.1 25.6 7.5 Logistics 4.2 7.7 5.6 8.9 Corporate (6.5) (5.0) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 40.3 4.6 44.0 5.1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: due to rounding, totals may differ slightly from the sum. (i) Revenue before fuel surcharge

FINANCIAL POSITION

During the quarter, TransForce completed the sale of the Waste Management segment for $800 million. The Company used proceeds from this transaction to reimburse $705.4 million in long-term debt and to repurchase up to 2.9 million common shares for a consideration of $63.6 million, mostly as part of a substantial issuer bid program completed on March 28, 2016. As a result, TransForce's long-term debt to equity ratio as at March 31, 2016 stood at 0.61, compared with 1.57 as at December 31, 2015.

OUTLOOK

"Looking ahead, the U.S. economy remains healthy driven by resilient consumer spending, which bodes well for the P&C and TL segments. In Canada, the economy remains depressed by low oil prices, while the effects of a weak currency have yet to provide a significant boost to the manufacturing sector. In this context, TransForce's decentralized and diversified business model will allow the Company to rapidly benefit from market opportunities as they arise. In addition, our disciplined capital management ensures that we invest in initiatives that generate superior returns, meet our main objective of generating cash flow and create lasting value for shareholders," concluded Mr. Bedard.

CONFERENCE CALL

TransForce will hold a conference call for analysts and portfolio managers on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, to discuss these results. Business media are also invited to listen to the call. Interested parties can join the call by dialling 1-877-223-4471. A recording of the call will be available until midnight, May 4, 2016, by dialling 1-800-585-8367 or 416-621-4642 and entering passcode 78110912.

ABOUT TRANSFORCE

TransForce Inc. is a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry operating across Canada and the United States through its subsidiaries. TransForce creates value for shareholders by identifying strategic acquisitions and managing a growing network of wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. Under the TransForce umbrella, companies benefit from financial and operational resources to build their businesses and increase their efficiency. TransForce companies service the following segments:

-- Package and Courier; -- Less-Than-Truckload; -- Truckload; -- Logistics.

TransForce Inc. is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: TFI) and the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. (OTCQX: TFIFF). For more information, visit http://www.transforcecompany.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for historical information provided herein, this press release may contain information and statements of a forward-looking nature concerning the future performance of TransForce. These statements are based on suppositions and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of future events. Such factors may include, without excluding other considerations, fluctuations in quarterly results, evolution in customer demand for TransForce's products and services, the impact of price pressures exerted by competitors, and general market trends or economic changes. As a result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected results.

NON-IFRS MEASURES

Adjusted net income from continuing operations, adjusted earnings from continuing operations per share, free cash flow from continuing operations and free cash flow from continuing operations per share are financial measures not prescribed by IFRS and are not likely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management considers these to be useful information to assist investors in evaluating the Company's profitability, liquidity and ability to generate funds to finance its operations. These measures do not have any standardize meaning under IFRS and could be calculated differently by other companies. These measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted net income from continuing operations Quarters ended March 31 (unaudited, in thousands of dollars, except per share data) 2016 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income 503,631 14,045 Amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions, net of tax 8,093 6,996 Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax 6,226 6,935 Net foreign exchange loss, net of tax 1,616 447 Tax on multi-jurisdiction distributions 195 127 Net income from discontinued operations (488,309) (1,055) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted net income from continuing operations 31,452 27,495 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted EPS from continuing operations - basic 0.32 0.27 Adjusted EPS from continuing operations - diluted 0.32 0.26 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free cash flow from continuing operations Quarters ended March 31 (unaudited, in thousands of dollars, except per share data) 2016 2015 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash from continuing operations 40,244 47,426 Additions to property and equipment (29,122) (37,032) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 13,544 8,316 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free cash flow from continuing operations 24,666 18,710 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free cash flow from continuing operations per share(1) 0.25 0.18 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1 )Free cash flow from continuing operations divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

Note to readers: Consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis are available on TransForce's website at www.transforcecompany.com.

Contacts:

Investors:

Alain Bedard

Chairman, President and CEO

TransForce Inc.

(647) 729-4079

abedard@transforcecompany.com



Media:

Rick Leckner

MaisonBrison Communications

(514) 731-0000

rickl@maisonbrison.com




CORK, Ireland, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyco (NYSE: TYC) announced today that the Tyco Cares Foundation will provide donations to local, national and global organizations through its Community Grants Program. These funds will help the organizations raise awareness for firefighter initiatives, support youth engagement projects, and engage women and girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357821LOGO

"At Tyco, we feel a deep responsibility to communities where we live and work," said Art Jones, Vice President, Global Public Affairs, and President, Tyco Cares Foundation. "We are committed to creating safer and smarter communities by supporting youth development and fire service programs in local communities around the world."

The organizations receiving community grants include:

24-7 Commitment ( Lewis Center, Ohio ) to support events that help build stronger relationships between firefighters and their spouses;

) to support events that help build stronger relationships between firefighters and their spouses; D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation ( Washington, D.C. ) to support injuredfirefighters and provide meals, lodging, and instructors for those taking part in a week-long burn survivor camp;

) to support injuredfirefighters and provide meals, lodging, and instructors for those taking part in a week-long burn survivor camp; Dress for Success - Cork ( Cork, Ireland ) to help local women find jobs by providing resume writing skills and job interview-appropriate clothing;

( ) to help local women find jobs by providing resume writing skills and job interview-appropriate clothing; Firefighter Cancer Support Network ( Burbank, Calif. ) to provide support to firefighters and their families after a cancer diagnosis;

) to provide support to firefighters and their families after a cancer diagnosis; International Society of Fire Service Instructors ( Centreville, Va. ) to train additional fire service members onnew safety techniques;

) to train additional fire service members onnew safety techniques; IWISH ( Cork, Ireland ) to encourage young women to pursue STEM careers and enable additional students to attend the 2016 IWISH Conference;

) to encourage young women to pursue STEM careers and enable additional students to attend the 2016 IWISH Conference; Junior Achievement ( Cork, Ireland ) to fund in-class programs for 250 students;

) to fund in-class programs for 250 students; Junior Achievement of New Jersey ( Princeton, N.J. ) to enable additional students to participate in programs that teach about finances, economics, and entrepreneurship;

) to enable additional students to participate in programs that teach about finances, economics, and entrepreneurship; Military Firefighter Heritage Foundation ( San Angelo, Tex. ) to fund scholarships for family members of the Department of Defense Fire Emergency Services;

) to fund scholarships for family members of the Department of Defense Fire Emergency Services; Solutions For At Risk Youth ( Santa Clara, Calif. ) to provide support to firefighters and other role models who will coach, mentor, and inspire young people to graduate from high school and pursue higher education;

) to provide support to firefighters and other role models who will coach, mentor, and inspire young people to graduate from high school and pursue higher education; Troops to Firefighters ( Atlanta, Ga. )to recruit and train military veterans to become fire service members;

)to recruit and train military veterans to become fire service members; Youth Venture ( Fitchburg, Mass. ) in partnership with United Way, to expand this program, which helps young people develop leadership and project ownership skills.

Tyco employees are also deeply engaged in their local communities and support these organizations through volunteer hours, mentoring roles, and speaking opportunities. For example, 73 employees from Tyco's U.S. headquarters in New Jersey donated 438 volunteer hours in support of four Junior Achievement programs that impacted 617 students last year. Tyco will continue to support these events in 2016 and plans to exceed those participation levels.

For more information about Tyco's commitment to communities, visit the Tyco Cares pages on the company's website.

About Tyco

Tyco (NYSE: TYC) is the world's largest pure-play fire protection and security company. Tyco provides more than three million customers around the globe with the latest fire protection and security products and services. Tyco has over 57,000 employees in more than 900 locations across 50 countries serving various end markets, including commercial, institutional, governmental, retail, industrial, energy, residential and small business. For more information, visit www.tyco.com.

About Tyco Cares

The Tyco Cares Foundation is focused on creating safer and smarter communities and protecting what matters most. In particular, the foundation is committed to saving lives, creating resilient communities, improving access to employment and educational opportunities, and inspiring youth engagement.
CHICAGO, IL and LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM and SINGAPORE -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Many say success is a journey, not a destination, but according to JLL's latest report -- the destination is everything. JLL's Destination Retail report, which looks at the top cities worldwide for retailing, shows 50 major global cities have risen to the top of the list for mainstream, premium and luxury retailers' expansions. While the list is dominated by cities in Asia Pacific, those in the Middle East are coming on strong, propelled by an ever-increasing array of international retailers. In a battle between historic, established markets versus modern newcomers, JLL indexed the global cross-border retailer activity and attractiveness of 50 meccas and found:

London stands at the forefront of international retailing as a global retail powerhouse, and the #1 retail market

One-third of the top 15 global retail cities are located in the Middle East (Dubai #4, Kuwait City #9, Abu Dhabi #11 and Jeddah and Riyadh tied for #12)

Asia Pacific outranks all regions with 18 cities making the cut driven by sheer market size

Cities in the United States make up just over one-quarter (26.4 percent) of the top 50 cities, with only one city (New York #5) in the top 15

"Structural change is sweeping the retail industry as technology and e-commerce platforms become more sophisticated; however, demand for the right physical space, in the right location, is stronger than ever," said James Brown, Director of Global Retail Research for JLL. "Borders are becoming less of an issue for retailers pursuing opportunities overseas and we're seeing the global retail landscape shifting fast to accommodate the change."

JLL's report examines the presence of 240 international retail brands and 140 international cities, including the drivers of their growth, opportunity and barriers, and also ranks and assesses the vitality and attractiveness of cities.

European Retail Powerhouse, London, Ranks as No. 1 Retail Destination

London has the highest presence of international retailers compared to its global peers, and edges out Hong Kong in terms of international luxury brand presence. London continues to be a magnet for new brands thanks to its unique blend of market size, maturity and high degree of transparency. The UK capital has a long history of success, driven by a diverse base of locals and tourists, and many retailers regard London as the entry point to Europe, including recent entrants J.Crew, Arc'teryx, Club Monaco, Kit and Ace, and John Varvatos.

The Middle East Franchise Model Creates a Hotbed for Retail Growth

The Middle East's top cities, including Dubai, Kuwait City, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and Riyadh are emerging as business and travel hubs, and are increasingly catching the eye of global retail brands. The cities' strong in-place tourism plays an important role in increasing the flow of foreign money, a key driver for retail spend. The markets each have large quantities of affordable retail space, supported by franchise structures, which present viable options for international retailers and reduce their operational risk at entry. Additionally, the domestic retail market in the Middle East is not as mature as other regions, allowing international brands to enter without too much competition from domestic brands. JLL's report found that pent up shopping demand across the region has spurred some of the highest sales volumes for retailers.

Asia Pacific Lures Retailers with Sheer Size

Asia Pacific's leading cities' sheer market size, in terms of population and economic might, is one of the most compelling drivers for retailers' expansion into the region. Many Asian markets benefit from a burgeoning middle class and growing levels of affluence, which are attractive in particular to a wide-range of retailers. The cities also benefit from large amounts of new, fit-for-purpose modern retail space. Hong Kong remains Asia's leading shopping destination, with top brands from luxury to fast fashion competing for prime locations. Across the region, cities are catching up to modern retail markets in Europe and the United States. China is the second largest economy in the world, and its key cities, Shanghai and Beijing, have undergone a transformation in the last two decades driven by a swelling middle class and high concentration of high-net-worth individuals. Both are now firmly on international retailers' maps as key locales for tremendous brand exposure and test markets. Key cities outside of Greater China that are also gaining attention from international retailers include Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul, Osaka and Bangkok.

U.S. Stars, Stripes and Strong Sales

While the Americas region only captures one-quarter of the top 50 cities for attractiveness, 15 out of the 16 cities identified are located in one country, the United States. The Land of Opportunity has more retail space than any other country with 12.8 billion square feet, and presents retailers with several options for entry, either in malls, shopping centers, power centers or general retail space. While the U.S. remains one of the most advanced retail markets globally, with significant amounts of retail spend, the market overall is daunting to international retailers. The portal cities of New York, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles remain robust with global brands, but the 137 remaining key markets are largely untapped by international retailers.

"Expansion into new markets is catching on quicker than ever, but not without risk. International retailers that are focused on measured and balanced growth will find that the world's mega-retail cities are a productive opportunity," said David Zoba, Chairman of JLL's Global Retail Leasing Board.

The acceleration of international brand expansion across the world's best and most attractive cities in the next decade will continue, driven by fast-growing middle classes, new powerhouse economies and rising tourism. Retailers who succeed in acquiring the right space and at the right time are expected to benefit from successful and profitable growth.

JLL's new report, Destination Retail 2016, examines the presence of 240 international retail brands across 140 retail cities, giving insights for international retail expansion. The 140 cities make up 36 percent of the world's GDP, 13 percent of the global population and 33 percent of total consumer spending. In today's increasingly global retail market, international expansion is becoming a focus for JLL's retail clients, as they seek sustainable growth. To learn more, register to receive JLL's full Destination Global Report: http://bit.ly/DestinationGlobalLandingPage

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a professional services and investment management firm offering specialized real estate services to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying and investing in real estate. A Fortune 500 company with annual fee revenue of $5.2 billion and gross revenue of $6.0 billion, JLL has more than 230 corporate offices, operates in more than 80 countries and has a global workforce of more than 60,000. On behalf of its clients, the firm provides management and real estate outsourcing services for a property portfolio of 4.0 billion square feet, or 372 million square meters, and completed $138 billion in sales, acquisitions and finance transactions in 2015. Its investment management business, LaSalle Investment Management, has $56.4 billion of real estate assets under management. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit www.jll.com.

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Contact:

Katie Sershon

Phone: +1 312 228 3127

Email: katie.sershon@am.jll.com




THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Benton Capital Corp. (TSX VENTURE: BTC) ("Benton" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors have unanimously agreed to refocus the Company's efforts toward a 100% green-energy exploration and development company. The main focus will be the acquisition and development of high quality Lithium and Graphite projects which the Company considers to be the necessary metals of the future as demand and growth continues worldwide driven by green technology. This includes lithium ion batteries used in electric cars, smart phones, tablets, and home and industrial power storage along with many other applications. Companies such as Tesla launched their home storage lithium-based Powerwall battery system which sold out in August 2015 and Tesla has said it will aim to source raw materials locally in North America where responsible mining laws are in effect which will reduce the environmental footprint.

Pursuant to this new direction and subject to regulatory approval, Benton will subsequently change its name to Alset Energy Corp. and in is the process of applying for a new trading symbol.

Given the Company's new focus it would also like to announce that it has acquired by staking a 100% interest in the Wisa Lake Lithium deposit located 80km east of Fort Frances, Ontario. The property is connected to Highway 11 (Trans Canada) located 65 kilometres north via an all weather paved road that crosses the centre of the project. The property is comprised of 2 claims totaling 30 units and covers the Wisa Lake deposit that is host to a historical resource of 330,000 tonnes grading 1.15% Li2O (Lexindin Gold Mines Ltd., Manager's Report, 1958; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6285, Report of Activities 2012). In 1956 Lexindin completed a total of 20 drill holes (packsack and AQ-sized core) over a strike length of 335m and to a depth of approximately 65m to outline the Wisa Lake lithium mineralization. The diamond drill log of the most easterly hole intersected 6.4m containing 20% of the lithium-bearing mineral spodumene suggesting the mineralization is open at depth and to the east. It should be noted that the historical resource estimate for the deposit was calculated prior to CIM National Instrument 43-101 guidelines and as such should only be considered from a historical point of view and not relied upon. A qualified person has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources. Further diamond drill programs are required to bring the mineralization into a proper NI 43-101 compliant category.

The Company has also agreed to acquire a 100% interest in the Champion Graphite project from Benton Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: BEX) (a company related by common directorships) for a payment of 1 million shares to Benton Resources Inc. and subject to a 2% NSR. Benton Capital will have the option to buy back 1% of the NSR for $500,000. The Champion Graphite project represents a non-core asset of Benton Resources Inc. and the related party directors of each of the respective companies abstained from voting to approve the acquisition. The retained NSR provides Benton Resources Inc. with the opportunity to participate in any future success of the project. The Champion Graphite project is located north of Kenora, Ontario and consists of 29 units in 2 claims. The ground covers a large concentration of airborne electromagnetic anomalies hosted in metasediments. The airborne survey was conducted by Dighem Surveys & Processing Inc in 1989 on behalf of Champion Bear Resources Ltd. Dighem describes the anomalous area as consisting of numerous sub-parallel bedrock conductors of variable strength associated with a highly complex magnetic unit (MNDM assessment files). A year prior to the airborne geophysical survey, historical trenching was conducted by Bellwether Resources Ltd. in 1988. The trenching uncovered graphite occurrences where channel samples returned weighted average grades of up to 1.76% carbon over 25.0m (MNDM assessment files).

Stephen Stares, Company President and CEO stated "we are excited to embark on this new strategic course aimed at providing shareholder value and growth. The importance of exploration and development of metals used in green technology cannot be understated and Benton looks forward to acquiring and developing quality assets in this space".

All of the above transactions are subject to TSX.V and regulatory approvals.

Benton Capital is well funded with approximately $1 million in cash.

Clinton Barr (P.Geo.), V.P. Exploration for Benton Capital Corp., is the qualified person responsible for this release and has reviewed and approved all scientific and technical data and disclosures in this release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Capital Corp,

Stephen Stares, President

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

Contacts:

Benton Capital Corp.

Stephen Stares

(807)475-7474

(807)475-7200 (FAX)

www.bentoncapital.ca




DOUGLAS, Isle of Man, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

To celebrate Her Majesty the Queen's 90th birthday a specially commissioned stamp sheetlet and cover will be released by Isle of Man Post Office on 21 April 2016, complementing the recently launched stamp collection titled "Long to Reign Over Us".

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160420/357905 )



The special cover and sheetlet will be released with a birthday wish from The Sun's royal photographer, Arthur Edwards MBE, to the Queen. Both items incorporate a selection of photographs taken by the renowned photographer on the 20th April 2016 during the Queen's birthday celebrations in Windsor, together with two of the post office's favourite stamps from the "Long to Reign Over Us" collection; the 77p stamp depicting a stunning image of the Queen at the State Banquet in 2011 and the 93p stamp featuring an image of the Queen from her Golden Jubilee tour in 2002. In addition, the special cover features a unique postmark celebrating the date and has a bespoke birthday greeting.

Arthur, who has travelled the world for 40 years photographing the Queen, says: "It's a great honour to be taking pictures for such a super souvenir to mark the Queen's birthday."

He continues: "I've brought every lens I own to Windsor to make sure I get the perfect picture of this special day for this collection."

Maxine Cannon, Isle of Man Stamps & Coins General Manager said: "Her Majesty the Queen, Lord of Mann, looked so happy in the photos taken today by Arthur as she celebrated her 90th birthday in Windsor ahead of turning 90 tomorrow. The Queen looks magnificent wearing a beautiful floral print dress with a stunning fuchsia coat and matching hat. Seeing the photos taken earlier brings back memories of when Her Majesty visited the Island in 2003. We at the Isle of Man Post Office are delighted to wish Her Majesty the Queen, a very happy 90th birthday and are pleased to mark the occasion with our special cover and sheetlet."

To add to this, Isle of Man Post Office is sending a personal birthday message to the Queen, Lord of Mann.

The sheetlet and cover are a must have for any royal enthusiast or collector, to view these along with the full "Long to Reign Over Us" collection please click here.

Notes to Editor

Keep up-to-date with the latest news on Twitter: @IOMstampscoins

Visit our Media Centre where you can freely download copy, latest news, copyright free and approved images http://www.iompost.com/media-centre/login/

Contact: Sarah Read, PR & Communications Manager, Isle of Man Post Office, Email: sarah.read@iompost.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - While real estate tycoon Donald Trump cruised to victory in the New York Republican primary on Tuesday, exit polling suggests the contentious primary season has been divisive for the GOP. Exit polls conducted by Edison Research found that 57 percent of New York primary voters think the campaign has divided the Republican Party. Thirty-nine percent said the race has energized the party. The results seem to reflect the ongoing battle between Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, R-Tex., that could ultimately result in a contested convention. Trump picked up a significant number of delegates with his wide margin of victory in New York, although it remains to be seen if he can get to the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the nomination. Meanwhile, the exit polls showed that the Democratic Party has been more energized by the race between Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sixty-eight percent of New York Democratic primary voters said the race has energized the party, while just 27 percent said the campaign has divided the party. 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.
Kanye Tricked Fans to Save the Life of Tidal, According to Lawsuit

Kanye West makes many wild claims and who can blame him? He gets a lot of attention and people do listen, as evidenced by a recent lawsuit filed against him in federal court in San Francisco. The suit targets Kanye and the music streaming company Tidal, demanding $5 million in damages, and saying the defendants tricked 2 million people into subscribing to the service.

Early this year, Kanye and Tidal promised prospective users a free one-month trial and that his latest album, The Life of Pablo, would be on the streaming service exclusively. But six weeks after its release, the album was available for download on Apple's iTunes and on Kanye's own website, and Tidal now has valuable data on millions of people lured by Kanye's false promise. The plaintiffs call this a bait and switch tactic.

The Life of Tidal

The Life of Pablo, Kanye's latest album, caused a sensation in great part because he makes noise and he said it would only be available on Tidal. The music streaming service, which Jay-Z bought last year and in which Kanye is invested, was ailing financially. So, initially, the move was seen as shrewd -- within a month of the album's release the service reportedly tripled its subscriber base.

Tidal's claim to fame is that it is owned my pop's mega-stars but the company has not managed to inspire music listeners, who are perhaps not as concerned as the stars themselves about how much money musical royalty makes. Kanye's fans wanted to get their hands on the album and the only way to do it was Tidal ... or so it seemed. But then he started selling The Life of Pablo everywhere, contradicting his initial promise.

Now he is being sued by people who feel he fooled them. Their attorney, Jay Edelson, told Rolling Stone, "Kanye has the power to send one tweet out into the world and get 2 million people to act on it. This suit is about holding him accountable when he abuses that power."

According to the plaintiffs' filings, Jay-Z's S. Carter Enterprises, which owns Tidal, never intended for TLOP to be a Tidal exclusive, nor did Kanye himself. They were trying to get consumers to prop up the company. "To the contrary, they -- knowing that Tidal was in trouble but not wanting to invest their own money to save the company -- chose to fraudulently induce millions of American consumers into paying for Tidal's rescue."

Follow FindLaw for Consumers on Facebook and Twitter (@FindLawConsumer).

Related Resources:
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Alithya, Quebec's largest privately-held strategic consulting and IT services firm, is pleased to announce its 2016 Branham300 rankings, the definitive listing of Canada's top public and private Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies, as ranked by revenues:

-- Ranked 7th in Top 15 Growth Companies (first listing) -- Ranked 9th in Top 10 ICT Staffing Companies (first listing) with new business unit Hiring Solutions -- Ranked 16th in Top 25 Movers and Shakers Companies (first listing) -- Ranked 17th in Top 25 Canadian ICT Professional Services Companies (up from 25th in 2015) -- Ranked 55th in Top 250 Canadian ICT Companies (up from 74th in 2015)

"We are proud to have been identified as 1 of only 15 Canadian growth companies in our sector and to make both the Top 10 Staffing Ranking and the Top 25 Movers and Shakers. We are equally pleased with the continued climb of our ranking in the Top 25 Canadian ICT Professional Services and Top 250 Canadian ICT Companies listings. This progress is a reflection of our continued revenue growth and stronger leadership position in Quebec and Canada. We will continue to be an agent of change in the industry while supporting our clients in the pursuit of innovation and excellence," stated Paul Raymond, CEO of Alithya.

The Branham300, now in its 23rd year, is the most comprehensive and widely referenced listing of Canada's top public and private ICT companies.

About Alithya

Alithya is Quebec's largest privately-held strategic consulting and IT services firm, with a presence across Canada and in France. Founded in 1992, we have grown by partnering with our clients to provide high-quality strategy and IT consulting services that help them achieve their business objectives. We serve clients mainly in the financial services, telecommunications, transportation, healthcare and government sectors. With 10 offices in Canada and France, our consulting team is now over 1,200 strong. To find out more, visit www.alithya.com

Contacts:

Melanie Tardif, CPA, CMA

Vice President, Communications and Marketing

514.285.5552

melanie.tardif@alithya.com

www.alithya.com




Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recentglobal military robots market 2016-2020 report. This research report also lists five other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period.

Competitive vendor landscape

The global military robots market is highly competitive, and vendors compete based on cost, product quality, reliability, and aftermarket service. In order to survive and succeed in such an intensely competitive environment, it is crucial for vendors to provide cost-effective and high-quality military robots with latest technology and materials.

"Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are the two leading vendors in the market. Their focus is primarily on the implementation of lightweight materials, electric technologies, and robust systems," says Abhay Singh, lead analyst at Technavio for defenseresearch.

Request sample report: http://goo.gl/CJimtS

Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, US. It engages in the development and engendering works related to robotics, as well as designs and develops software that is used for human simulation and training. The company operates as a subsidiary of a US-based multinational technology company, Google since December 2013.

Boston Dynamics began its operations as a spin-off from a US-based private research university, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It manufactures advanced robots with improved mobility, dexterity, agility, and speed. It uses sensor-based computation and control to enhance the capabilities of complex mechanisms.

The company has developed a quadruped robot, namely BigDog, for the US Army with funding received from the DARPA as a part of its Biorobotics Program initiated in 2002.

General Dynamics

General Dynamics was incorporated in 1952 and is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, US. It along with its subsidiaries engages in aerospace and defense businesses globally.

The company's subsidiary, General Dynamics Robotic Systems (GDRS), engages in the manufacture and supply of a broad array of tactical robotics and advanced automation systems that are used in military, as well as commercial applications. The GDRS' product portfolio includes tactical robotics, building obscurant systems, unmanned systems, autonomous navigation systems, mobile detection assessment and response systems, ground standoff mine detection systems, portable gun systems, trauma pod-life saving technologies, organic air vehicles, and unmanned surface vehicles.

It also designs and develops sophisticated sensors, command and control, sensor processing, and electro-mechanical systems that facilitate autonomous vehicle operations.

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin was established in 1995 and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, US. It engages in the R&D, production, and supply of advanced technology systems, products, and services to global defense and aerospace industries.

The company develops robotic technologies that are capable of safeguarding and assisting soldiers at the battleground. Lockheed Martin develops robotics technologies that can augment the accuracy and effectiveness of troops in their respective combat missions by establishing a collaboration with a robot and its human operators.

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman was established in 1939 and is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, US. It provides systems, products, and solutions focusing on aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services for the government and commercial customers across the globe. Its robotic solutions are used for military, law enforcement, EOD, and other emergency applications.

Remotec, a subsidiary, of the company, was founded in 1980, and it is headquartered in Clinton, Tennessee, US. It provides mobile robot systems that are used for various hazardous duty operations.

Thales Group

Thales Group was established in 1893 and is headquartered in Paris, France. It provides solutions primarily to the aerospace and defense industries globally.

Thales Group engages in the design, development, and supply of robotics technologies for defense and security force applications. It has developed a fully autonomous local surveillance UAV, namely Spy Arrow that captures and transmits real-time video for surveillance operations. The company also offers a multi-role autonomous mini UAS, namely Spy Copter.

Browse related reports:

Global Exoskeleton Robots Market 2016-2020

Global Research and Development Spending in the Robotics Industry 2016-2020

Global Unmanned Sea System Market 2016-2020

Purchase these 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 enquiry@technavio.com 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 media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160420005063/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 630 333 9501

UK: +44 208 123 1770

www.technavio.com
This report gives detailed information about the product value chain right from the beginning which includes raw materials till end-use. The market is evaluated based on the key attributes such as the power in the hands of producers and consumers, analysis on the degree of competition, and threats from substitutes and new entrants. The study includes the demand of this particular market on a global and regional scale for a six year period of 2014-2020, both in terms of volume (KT) and revenue ($ million). Nanocellulose is used in various applications such as paperboard and plastics, automotive, aerospace, food packaging, pharmaceutical and biomedical, paints and coatings, electronics, water-treatment and others. Geography wise, nanocellulose market is segmented into four key regions namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Rest of the world (ROW). North America nanocellulose market is divided into three countries namely U.S., Mexico and Canada. North America is the major market and is expected to be the market leader for the next five years. Europe is divided into Germany, U.K., France and others which are the main countries having major market share in terms of volume and revenue. Asia Pacific is further divided into China, Japan and India.

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.
DUBLIN, April 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Coating Additives Market: By Formulation (Water Based, Solvent Based & Powder Based Systems) By Type (Defoamers, Preservative, Rheology Modifiers, Others) By Application - Forecast (2015 - 2020)" report to their offering.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160330/349511LOGO )





Coating additives are chemical formulations which are mixed with paints or coatings to improve their workability by enhancing their performance. These additives are used for variety of purposes which include better stabilization, wettability, dispersion of coatings and many more. The main factors owing to the growth of this industry include an upsurge in the building and infrastructure, furniture and automotive industries. Another important reason for the rise in coating additives industry is the property of protection of industrial metals from corrosion. New additives are being invented for this purpose. There are different technologies and materials being used for achieving this purpose; UV curing coatings is one important evolution in this field.



The overall market is also presented from the perspective of different geographic regions and the key countries in each region. The market has been segmented into four regions North America, Europe, Asia-pacific and Rest of the World. Competitive landscape for industry and market players are profiled with attributes of company overview, financial overview, business strategies, product portfolio and recent developments. Market shares of the key players for 2014 are provided.

Companies Mentioned:

Allnex Belgium SA/NV

Arkema SA

BASF SE

BYK additives and instruments, Altana AG

Cabot Corporation

Croda International Plc

Dynea AS

Elementis PLC

Encore Coatings

Evonik Industries

Michelman, Inc.

Munzing Chemie GmbH

Solvay Novecare

The Dow Chemical Company

The Lubrizol Corporation

Report Structure:



1. Coating Additives Market- Market Overview

2. Executive Summary

3. Coating Additives Market- Market Landscape



4. Coating Additives Market- Market Forces



5. Coating Additives Market- Strategic Analysis



6. Coating Additives Market: By Formulation



7. Coating Additives Market- By Type



8. Coating Additives Market: By Application



9. Coating Additive Market: Geographic Analysis



10. Market Entropy



11. Company Profile



12. Appendix

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/388gmj/coating_additives





Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- (TSX: RBN.UN) Investors and investment advisors are invited to listen to an update on Blue Ribbon Income Fund (the "Fund"), hosted by Paul Bloom of Bloom Investment Counsel, Inc. A link to the replay of the update recorded on April 13, 2016 has been posted to the Fund's website at www.blueribbonincomefund.com. The Fund is available for purchase on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RBN.UN.

The Fund invests in a portfolio consisting primarily of dividend-paying Canadian high income equities. The investment objectives of the Fund are to provide unitholders with monthly cash distributions and the opportunity to participate in gains in the value of the Fund's investment portfolio. The Fund has a current distribution of $0.60 per unit per annum, representing a cash distribution rate of 7.1% based on the April 13, 2016 TSX closing price. Since inception, the Fund has paid cash distributions of $17.13 per unit. The Fund also offers a distribution reinvestment plan ("DRIP") which provides unitholders with the ability to automatically reinvest their distributions and realize the benefits of compound growth of their investment.

You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell units of the investment fund on the Toronto Stock Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an "exchange"). If the units are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying units of the investment fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the Fund in the public filings available at www.sedar.com. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this press release and to other matters identified in public filings relating to the Fund, to the future outlook of the Fund and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the Fund. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Contacts:

Brompton's Investor Relations Line

416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001)

info@bromptongroup.com

www.blueribbonincomefund.com




CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Veresen Inc. ("Veresen") (TSX: VSN) announces that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend for April 2016 of $0.0833 per common share. The dividend will be paid on May 20, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 29, 2016. This dividend is designated an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes.

The dividend is eligible to be reinvested by shareholders, at a 5% discount, in common shares of Veresen ("Common Shares") under the dividend reinvestment component of the Premium Dividend and Dividend Reinvestment Plan of Veresen ("Plan") to be held for their account under the Plan. Shareholders may have these additional Common Shares delivered to a designated plan broker in exchange for a premium cash payment equal to 102% of the reinvested amount under the Premium Dividend component of the Plan.

Registered shareholders of Veresen who have not previously enrolled in the Plan and wish to enroll in the Plan with respect to the April 2016 cash dividend and future cash dividends declared by Veresen, must deliver to Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Plan Agent, a completed enrollment form which is available at www.computershare.com/investorcentrecanada, at or before 5:00 pm (ET) on April 22, 2016. A copy of the enrollment form may also be obtained by calling Computershare Trust Company of Canada at 1-800-564-6253, or from Veresen's website at www.vereseninc.com.

Beneficial shareholders of Veresen who have not previously enrolled in the Plan and wish to participate in the Plan with respect to the April 2016 cash dividend and future cash dividends declared by Veresen, should contact their broker, investment dealer, financial institution or other nominee to provide appropriate enrollment instructions and to ensure any deadlines or other requirements that such nominee may impose or be subject to are met.

About Veresen Inc.

Veresen is a publicly-traded dividend paying corporation based in Calgary, Alberta that owns and operates energy infrastructure assets across North America. Veresen is engaged in three principal businesses: a pipeline transportation business comprised of interests in the Alliance Pipeline, the Ruby Pipeline and the Alberta Ethane Gathering System; a midstream business which includes a partnership interest in Veresen Midstream Limited Partnership which owns assets in western Canada, and an ownership interest in Aux Sable, which owns a world-class natural gas liquids (NGL) extraction facility near Chicago, and other natural gas and NGL processing energy infrastructure; and a power business comprised of a portfolio of assets in Canada. Veresen is also developing Jordan Cove LNG, a six million tonne per annum natural gas liquefaction facility proposed to be constructed in Coos Bay, Oregon, and the associated Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. In the normal course of business, Veresen regularly evaluates and pursues acquisition and development opportunities.

Veresen's Common Shares, Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series A, Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series C, and Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series E trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols "VSN", "VSN.PR.A", "VSN.PR.C" and "VSN.PR.E", respectively. For further information, please visit www.vereseninc.com.

 denotes trademark of Canaccord Genuity Corp.

Contacts:

Mark Chyc-Cies

Investor Relations Director

Phone: (403) 213-3633

Email: investor-relations@vereseninc.com




Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 20, 2016) - ChroMedX Corp. (CSE: CHX) (OTCQB: MNLIF) (FSE: EIY2) (the "Company"), a developer of in vitro diagnostics and point-of-care testing (POCT) is pleased to announce the engagement of Conductive Technologies Inc. (CTI) of York, Pennsylvania to assist with biosensor development on the Company's HemoPalm technology.

ChroMedX has previously reported on the collaboration with Polygenesis on the development of the biosensor system and associated components which are key aspects of the HemoPalm system.

"We are pleased to announce that Conductive Technologies Inc. (CTI) of York, PA have now joined this collaborative programme. Our biosensor development programme with Polygenesis Corp. has progressed as expected with basic electronics being established and testing of biosensors currently taking place. CTI supplied the initial gold electrode array deposited on polymeric substrate to ChroMedX and is now fully engaged developing production methods for the manufacture of the ion-specific electrodes.", said Dr. Wayne Maddever, President & CEO, ChroMedX Corp.

A critical component in the production method is CTI's equipment and expertise for automatic deposition of minute volumes of liquid on tiny portions of the gold electrodes which subsequently solidify to become ion-specific membranes.

Dr. Matthew Musho, President of Conductive Technologies Inc., said. "We are pleased to be a part of this exciting development programme with ChroMedX. CTI continually looks for new applications for its biosensor technology and the HemoPalm system holds great promise as a diagnostic tool."

About Conductive Technologies Inc.

Conductive Technologies was founded in 1948 and is a leading global developer and manufacturer of electrochemical sensors and printed electronics. The company operations in York, PA include over 100 employees in over 100,000 square feet of operating space. CTI is EN ISO 13485, ISO 13485 & ISO 9001 certified

About ChroMedX Corp.

ChroMedX Corp. is a medical technology company focused on the development of novel medical devices for in vitro diagnostics and point-of-care testing. The devices are protected by the Company's issued and pending patents, dealing with blood collection, analysis and plasma/serum processing.

Follow ChroMedX Corp.:

Facebook: facebook.com/ChroMedXcorp

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChroMedXcorp

Investor Relations:

Shawn Overton

d. 647-528-9344

o. 647-872-9982 ext. 2

TF. 1-844-247-6633 ext. 2

soverton@ChroMedX.com

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.
Weekly net asset value ("NAV") is calculated as of the close of business on each Tuesday and posted on the following business day. In the event that Tuesday is not a business day, the Company will calculate the close-of-business NAV as of the business day immediately preceding that Tuesday. The end-of-month NAV is calculated as of the close of business on the last day of the month and posted on the following business day. For weeks that include a month-end NAV report, PSH will provide only the month-end NAV and not report the Tuesday NAV. Monthly NAVs are published in accordance with the Decree on Conduct of Business Supervision of Financial Undertakings under the Wft (Besluit Gedragstoezicht financiele ondernemingen Wft).

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.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Polycom Inc. (PLCM) reported adjusted net income of $25.7 million or $0.19 per share for the first quarter of 2016. On average, five analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of $0.19 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. The company reported that its first-quarter net income decreased to $3.3 million or $0.02 per share from $21.2 million or $0.15 per share, last year. Total revenues decreased year-over-year to $290.07 million from $330.70 million, last year. Analysts expected revenue of $301.40 million for the quarter. Peter Leav, CEO, said: 'We were pleased with the performance of our new solutions, particularly Polycom RealPresence Trio, which exceeded our expectations again this quarter.' 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.
EL SEGUNDO (dpa-AFX) - Mattel Inc. (MAT) Wednesday reported a first-quarter loss that widened from a year ago, hurt largely by lower sales reflecting weak Barbie doll shipments and a stronger U.S. dollar. The toy maker's loss for the quarter were higher than what Wall Street analysts were expecting. El Segundo, California-based Mattel's first-quarter loss widened to $73.0 million or $0.21 per share from $58.2 million or $0.17 per share last year. Adjusted loss for the quarter were $0.13 per share, wider than last year's $0.08 per share. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimated loss of $0.07 per share for the quarter. Net sales for the quarter dropped 6 percent to $869.4 million from $922.7 million last year. Analysts had a consensus revenue estimate of $861.1 million. The company's Fisher-Price and Hot Wheels products helped bolster sales. This helped offset a decline at its American Girl unit. 'Our results in the quarter reflect very solid progress, particularly in light of significant headwinds we faced at the outset of 2016,' said Christopher Sinclair, Chairman and CEO of Mattel. Gross margin decreased 410 basis points, driven mainly by the negative impact from changes in currency exchange rates. North American gross sales fell 2 percent, while international gross sales dropped 11 percent due to strong dollar. Brand-wise, sales for Mattel Girls & Boys brands declined 13 percent to $527.9 million with Barbie sales down 3 percent. Sales for Fisher-Price brands, which includes the Fisher-Price Core, Fisher-Price Friends and Power Wheels brands, rose 3 percent to $272.6 million. Sales for American Girl brands, which offers American Girl-branded products directly to consumers, slipped 12 percent to $93.3 million. Construction and Arts & Crafts brands, which includes the MEGA BLOKS and RoseArt brands, surged 62 percent to $61.9 million. MAT closed Wednesday's trading at $33.04, down $0.87 or 2.57%, on the NYSE. The stock further dropped $1.29 or 3.90% in the after-hours trade. 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.
5 Job Benefits to Keep Your Employees Happy

It's not enough just to offer someone a great job, or even just great pay. Employees in this market are looking at their careers more holistically, and seeking benefits beyond pay and the possibility for advancement. So how do you attract talent and keep your employees happy?

There are some standard benefits that you could increase or extend. And there are some not-so-standard benefits that your small business might think about implementing. Here are five that are sure to keep your employees working hard on your projects, rather than on their resumes:

1. Paid Parental Leave

Want to show your employees you care about their families as well? Want to be like Etsy, Spotify, and Facebook? Want to demonstrate how progressive your small business is? Give your employees -- both male and female -- parental leave. Make it paid, and make it last. (Especially if you're located in San Francisco.)

2. Telecommuting

No, you don't need to send your entire staff to Cambodia for a month. And you don't even need to let them telecommute full-time. But giving workers some flexibility on where they work from on a limited basis can increase their overall job enjoyment.

3. Tuition / Loan Reimbursement

Perhaps you're aware that Americans have amassed over $1.3 trillion dollars (and rising!) in student loan debt. Some of these Americans are your employees and, chances are, they're having trouble paying off their student loans. A tuition or student loan reimbursement or aid program could be huge for, especially if it increases over the course of employment.

4. Health Plans

Sure, you could just let Obamacare pick up the slack, but wouldn't you rather save your employees the time and show them you're there to take care of them? Offering great health care coverage can set you apart from other employers, and it has the added benefit of keeping employees healthy and in the office.

5. Retirement Plans

Offer your employees a great retirement package, and they'll stay with your company until they do. A standard IRA or 401(k) is pretty much mandatory for employers nowadays, but if you're feeling especially generous, a Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP) IRA (with only employer contributions and limited tax reporting requirements) is the gold watch standard.

You want to take care of your employees, but you also want to do it right. If you want help setting up or expanding benefits for your employees, talk to an experienced employment law attorney today.

Follow FindLaw for Consumers on Google+.

Related Resources:
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- There have been many advances in dentistry over the last several decades, and Dr Duncan Copp, a Sydney dentist, suggests that laser technology may be one of the most exciting. At his dental practice, The Paddington Dental Surgery, he and his team offer multiple laser-based procedures, including gum reshaping and periodontal disease treatment. Lasers, he explains, can help speed up the process, reduce downtime, and enhance patient comfort. Furthermore, Dr Copp says lasers can be used to sterilise the teeth and gums during treatment, minimising the risk of infection.

Gingivitis, or gum disease, affects as many as 47 per cent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr Copp says that adding laser treatment to scaling and root planing, a technique designed to remove plaque and smooth teeth, can improve the procedure in several ways, including:

Reduce swelling and bleeding

Eliminate the need for stitches

Minimise discomfort

Speed up recovery

Shorten procedure time

Reduce risk of infection





Additionally, Dr Copp indicates that laser technology can be used in cosmetic dentistry as well. Gum reshaping, also known as gum recontouring, is a technique that is designed to improve the balance between the gums and teeth for a more aesthetically appealing smile. Without a laser, he says this treatment can be slightly uncomfortable; however, laser technology can provide a virtually painless experience for many patients.

Dr Copp and his team are dedicated to patient care and results, and they say that laser technology can enhance treatment at every stage. They encourage patients interested in laser dentistry to discuss their goals with a dental professional who is highly experienced in using this equipment. For those fearful of the dentist, Dr Copp adds, this approach can help make the experience more comfortable and quicker than ever before.

About The Paddington Dental Surgery

Led by Dr Duncan Copp, The Paddington Dental Surgery offers a comprehensive selection of general, restorative, and cosmetic procedures for the whole family. Based in Sydney, the well-equipped practice is staffed with a highly trained team of dental professionals, including Dr Natalie Dumer, Dr Mark Brycki, and Dr David Cipriani, as well as skilled hygienists. Offering laser technology, holistic treatments, and sedation dentistry, the innovative office is committed to providing an exceptional patient experience and to achieving unsurpassed results.

For more information about The Paddington Dental Surgery, please visit thepaddingtondentalsurgery.com.au and plus.google.com/+ThepaddingtondentalsurgeryAu.

To view the original source of this press release click here:

http://www.thepaddingtondentalsurgery.com.au/practice-news-and-information/sydney-dental-practice-reveals-benefits-of-laser-dentistry

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=2993525



The Paddington Dental Surgery

263 Glenmore Road

Paddington NSW 2021

Sydney, Australia

(02) 9331-2555



Rosemont Media

(858) 200-0044

www.rosemontmedia.com




OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation today welcomed the introduction of the proposed Bank Recapitalization "Bail-in" Regime legislation.

Bail-in is an important tool that would allow CDIC, as the resolution authority for Canada's systemically important banks, to ensure failing institutions remain open for Canadians, while losses are covered by shareholders and certain investors.

"Bail-in would not change the deposit protection offered by CDIC," said Michele Bourque, President and CEO of CDIC.

"We think it is important that Canadians understand their hard-earned savings remain protected by CDIC, as they have been for nearly a half century."

As Canada's resolution authority, CDIC takes the lead in handling the failure of its member institutions - from the smallest to the largest - to protect eligible deposits.

Ms. Bourque noted that adopting bail-in would be consistent with global standards set out by the Financial Stability Board, which include ensuring the continuity of essential financial services in failure.

Since it was created in 1967, CDIC has dealt with 43 member failures affecting some 2 million Canadians. No one has lost a dollar of deposits under CDIC protection.

Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) is a federal Crown corporation that contributes to the stability of the Canadian financial system by providing deposit insurance against the loss of eligible deposits at member institutions in the event of failure. Eligible deposits are automatically covered to a limit of $100,000 per insured category at each member institution. CDIC members can include banks, trust and loan companies, federally regulated credit unions, and associations governed by the Cooperative Credit Associations Act that take deposits. CDIC is funded by premiums paid by member institutions and does not receive public funds to operate.

Contacts:

Brad Evenson

Director, Communications and Public Affairs

613.943.4395

media@cdic.ca




CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 04/20/16 -- Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust (the "REIT") (TSX VENTURE: ED.UN) announced today that it intends to release its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 before the opening of the TSX Venture Exchange on Monday May 30, 2016.

Kelly Hanczyk, President and Chief Executive Officer of the REIT, and Robert Chiasson, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call at 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday May 30, 2016 to review the financial results and operations.

To participate in the conference call, please dial 416-340-2216 or 1-866-223-7781 (toll free in Canada and the US) at least 10 minutes prior to the commencement of the call and ask to join the Edgefront REIT conference call.

A recording of the conference call will be available until June 6, 2016. To access the recording, please dial 905-694-9451 or 1-800-408-3053 (toll free in Canada and the US) and enter passcode 4686659.

The REIT also announced today that it will make a cash distribution in the amount of $0.01333 per unit, representing $0.16 per unit on an annualized basis, payable May 16, 2016 to unitholders of record as of April 29, 2016 and will also make a cash distribution in the amount of $0.01333 per unit, representing $0.16 per unit on an annualized basis, payable June 15, 2016 to unitholders of record as of May 31, 2016.

The REIT has adopted a distribution reinvestment plan ("DRIP") whereby residents of Canada may elect to have all or a portion of the cash distributions of the REIT automatically reinvested in additional units of the REIT. Eligible unitholders who so elect will receive a bonus distribution of units equal to 4% of each distribution that was reinvested by them under the DRIP. Full details with respect to the DRIP can be found on the REIT's website at www.edgefrontreit.com.

The REIT also announced today that it has paid outstanding retainer fees payable to independent trustees of the REIT in the amount of $33,125, net of applicable payroll withholding taxes of $6,020, through the issuance of 17,032 units of the REIT ("Trust Units") at an average price of approximately $1.59 per Trust Unit. The Trust Units were issued under the REIT's Non-Executive Trustee Unit Issuance Plan.

The Trust Units are subject to a four month hold period expiring on August 20, 2016. The transaction constitutes a related party transaction pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The REIT is exempt from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 in reliance on Section 5.5(b) and Section 5.7(a), respectively, of MI 61-101.

About the REIT

Edgefront REIT is a growth oriented real estate investment trust focused on increasing unitholder value through the acquisition, ownership and management of industrial properties located in primary and secondary markets in North America. The REIT currently owns a portfolio of 19 properties comprising approximately 1,030,000 square feet of rentable area.

The REIT has approximately 34,697,921 units issued and outstanding. Additionally, there are 5,528,354 Class B LP units of subsidiary limited partnerships of the REIT issued and outstanding.

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

SOURCE Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust

Contacts:

Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust

Kelly C. Hanczyk

President and CEO

(403) 817-9497



Edgefront Real Estate Investment Trust

Rob Chiasson

CFO

(403) 817-9496

www.edgefrontreit.com




Captiv8, a San Francisco, CA-based data-driven influencer marketplace, raised $2m in funding.

Investors included Social Capital, United Talent Agency (UTA), Subtraction Capital, Liquid 2 Ventures, Social Starts, Lone Wolf, and Jason Calacanis Launch Fund.

Founded in 2015 by Krishna Subramanian, Captiv8 provides brands with Marketplace, an artificial intelligence platform to discover and match with talent based on real-time audience data across social platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Vine, YouTube, and Facebook. The analysis includes factors such as geography, household income, ethnicity, age, and gender to predict which Influencers will generate the maximum result for brands.

Marketplace is complemented by Insights, a SaaS platform which allows brands to understand their audience, optimize content, benchmark against competitors, and grow their fan base across social platforms.

Captiv8 works with over 125,000 Influencers, with a combined reach of over 2.1 billion fans, including top creators such as Zach King, Casey Neistat, iJustine, and Christian DelGrosso.

Customers include Fortune 500 brands such as Johnson&Johnson, Adobe, Microsoft, and Amazon.

The company also has offices in Los Angeles, and New York.

FinSMEs

20/04/2016
Deutsche Bank has opened an innovation lab in Silicon Valley.

The lab in Palo Alto will enable the bank to evaluate emerging technologies from Silicon Valley and apply them to enhance its products, services and internal processes. It also aims to further strengthen its ability to innovate, while deepening its relationships with startups.

The lab, along with the Berlin and London ones launched in 2015, forms the Deutsche Bank Labs, which represents a digital element of the Banks Strategy 2020, which plans to spend up to 1 billion on digital initiatives over the next five years.

Deutsche Bank is working in partnership with IBM, which is contributing resources, expertise and relationships to the efforts. The companys innovation lab team has been active in Silicon Valley since 2014, previously working from a local accelerator centre meeting with more than 500 startups in the Valley, introducing those with the most promising ideas to representatives from Deutsche Banks business divisions to trial and develop technology solutions.

FinSMEs

20/04/2016
Invenias, a Reading, United Kingdom-based provider of software for executive search and strategic recruitment, raised 2.8m in equity and debt financing.

The round included a $1.1m equity funding round led by MMC Ventures and $1.7m of debt from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank.

The company intends to use the funds to expand in North America, into new markets, invest in R&D and support its expanding customer base.

Founded in 2005 and led by David Grundy, CEO, Invenias provides a cloud-based desktop and mobile platform which enables executive search firms, specialist recruitment companies and in-house executive talent acquisition teams to run their business by delivering assignments, as well as building relationships with clients and candidates.

The company serves thousands of users in over sixty countries across the globe via additional offices in Europe, the US, Australia and Malaysia.

FinSMEs

20/04/2016
PeptiMimesis, a Strasbourg, France-based biopharma company, closed a 0.5m ($0.6m) first tranche of a 1.2m ($1.4m) funding round.

The investment was made by Cap InnovEst, a regionally-based seed fund.

The company will use the funds to initiate its research activities on the design and characterization of transmembrane peptides.

Created in October 2015 and led by president Marjorie Sidhoum, PeptiMimesis is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of transmembrane therapeutic peptides. The companys proprietary platform aims to deliver a set of drug candidates that act on validated targets in the field of immuno-oncology, oncology and immune diseases.

FinSMEs

20/04/2016
Xing AG (O1BC/ISINDE000XNG888), the online business network in German-speaking countries, acquired BuddyBroker AG, a Zurich, Switzerland-based provider of eqipia, an intelligent and automated employee referral program.

The purchase price is set at CHF 3.2m. An earn-out payment of up to CHF 4.8m may also take effect if the operative goals are reached.

Co-founded by Flurin Muller (30) and Patrick Mollet (39), who will stay on board to led the products further development, BuddyBroker provides eqipia, an employee referral program that analyzes employees networks, which it can access via their Xing profiles, and identifies suitable colleagues using a matching algorithm. These potential candidates can then be contacted automatically via the tool, reducing the workload in HR. The employees concerned receive all the information about the vacancy and can pass this on to their contacts. HR departments then receive reports about the success of the recruiting tool and also have the option of awarding a bonus for the referral of a contact.

eqipia is currently used by companies like Migros, Swisscom, SBB, Zuhlke, BKW (Bernische Kraftwerke) and EMC.

The eqipia ReferralManager is available immediately as a part of Xings e-recruiting suite at recruiting.xing.com/eqipia.

Founded in Hamburg, Germany, in 2003 and led by CEO Thomas Vollmoeller, Xing is the online business network in German-speaking countries with more than 10 million members. Publicly listed since 2006, the company has almost 800 employees at offices in Hamburg, Munich, Aschaffenburg, Barcelona and Vienna.

FinSMEs

19/04/2016
Travel Alert: EU Lawmakers Approve Air Passenger Data Sharing

Last week European lawmakers approved the Passenger Name Record (PNR) act, a scheme to keep and share airline passenger information, including credit card data, for five years. The move came after mounting pressure following terrorism in Paris last year and more recently in Brussels.

The hope is that nations will track foreign fighters and Europeans who are training or fighting in conflict areas, people who might pose a danger, reports the Associated Press. But critics say that authorities in the 28 European Union member nations already have plenty of information and were aware of many of the people linked to the attacks.

The Friendly Skies

PNR is passed by 461 votes to 179, with nine abstentions, and it is reportedly the result of years of wrangling over the proper balance between security needs and privacy rights. But critics of the new legislation say that this scheme unnecessarily encroaches on the privacy rights of innocent citizens, is costly, cumbersome to operate, and ignores law enforcement realities.

Any flight entering or exiting the EU will be affected by the new rules reportedly. PNR requires airlines to collect and share traveler details -- including names, travel dates, itineraries, and credit card details -- with 28 law enforcement agencies. The information will be held for five years, however, after six months many of the identifying details will be "masked out" to "protect people's identities."

The idea behind this is that police information sharing will improve, making for better communication between law enforcement and intelligence authorities in the 28 European Union states. The EU already has data sharing agreements in place with the US and Canada.

What's Next?

Although PNR passed with a wide majority of support, the law must still be approved by individual member states. This is reportedly a "rubber stamp" process and is considered a formality.

For passengers the law should have not have a discernible impact, certainly not for now. First, it has to be passed finally and implemented. As for data privacy protection concerns, they have been, for the time being, outweighed by fear of future terrorist attacks in European cities and capitals.

"PNR will be a precious tool for boosting the security of European citizens by helping to detect early the movement of jihadi terrorists that take air transport throughout Europe, but also between Europe and other regions of the world, to prevent them taking action," said France's Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

Related Resources:
Zyncd, a London, UK and Munich, Germany-based digital platform that activates customer networks for corporations, closed a funding round of undisclosed amount.

The round was led by J&T Ventures with participation from Texas Atlantic Capital (TAC). In conjunction with the funding, Adam Kocik from J&T Ventures and Marcus Englert from TAC joined Zyncds Board of Directors, which is chaired by Barry Libert, a US serial entrepreneur and angel investor.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth.

Led by Simon Schneider, CEO, Zyncd provides a digital platform that activates customer networks for corporations by offering a plug-in extension for webpages and communication channels. The core feature of the solution is a Q&A functionality where customers ask questions to receive answers from the community, this knowledge exchange leading to higher engagement, customer loyalty, and better quality content for SEO placement.

The company started out in the Wayra accelerator of Telefonica in Munich where its first customer platform was installed. Telefonica recently purchased a larger ZYNCD license to power its Open_Future user platform.

FinSMEs

20/04/2016
HONG KONG/LONDON Battling against sceptical Western investors, HSBC (HSBA.L) 005.HK, is on a mission to explain why its push into a slowing China is good for the global banks future growth.

HSBC which reported flat annual pre-tax profit in 2015, is betting that the Pearl River Delta region in southern China is succeeding in rapidly upgrading its economy from low-value manufacturing to high-growth industries, creating big opportunities to provide banking services.

But overall negative sentiment towards China has meant its shares, have dropped 26 percent over the past year.

In the run up to its annual shareholder meeting in London on Friday, HSBC took analysts and investors on a three-day tour of the Pearl River Delta, an area with 60 million people just across the border from Hong Kong. It's UK-based board went on a similar tour of the region last year, according to people familiar with the situation.

HSBC, which is the largest bank in Hong Kong and currently has 65 bank outlets in Guangdong province, which includes the Pearl River Delta, is hoping to produce $1 billion a year in pre-tax-profit from the area. But some investors are doubtful given the economic slowdown in China and a spike in Chinese bad bank debt.

HSBC's growth plan envisages adding 4,000 employees to the Pearl River Delta area over the next three-to-five years, and it also plans to redeploy capital from other regions into Asia, though it is unclear how much of that will target southern China. It currently has around 1,500 bank employees and 13,000 IT and support staff in the Pearl River Delta.

Citi analyst Andrew Coombs, who was on the trip, says HSBC is looking to grow its branch network in the region to 100 outlets, but HSBC will not comment on that.

"The banks Pearl River Delta strategy is perfectly sensible," said Ian Gordon, who heads bank research at Investec bank and was on the trip. "However it will likely be three-plus years before we see any meaningful incremental contribution. It does nothing to soften the impact of near-term headwinds."

Last year, HSBC made 83.5 percent of its unadjusted pre-tax profits in Asia and 52 percent in Hong Kong alone. Its mainland China banking profits, excluding associates, stood at $1.05 billion.

FROM OLD TO NEW

The Pearl River Delta, which has played a crucial role in China's opening up to the world since the late 1970s, accounts for one quarter of the nation's trade and has been known as the 'workshop of the world' for its production and export of massive amounts of garments, electronics and other products.

The region, particularly around the city of Shenzhen, is now turning into a hub for innovation and technology, as well as developing a services sector that includes law, design and accounting. Its $1.1 trillion in annual gross domestic product is already bigger than Indonesia's.

During the road show, participants were introduced to local HSBC clients such as appliances maker Medea (S1663.MC) and telecoms giant Huawei 002502.SZ, according to the trip's agenda.

Other HSBC customers in the region include DJI, a Shenzhen-based manufacturer that supplies three quarters of the global market for commercial drones thanks to its Phantom model.

"The Pearl River Delta is a natural area for (HSBC) to be operating in," said Joost de Graaf at Amsterdam-based Kempen Capital Management, which owns shares in HSBC. "But the issue that the majority of investors will have is that (China) is not a transparent market, and the lack of bankruptcy law or formal procedure to repossess assets when clients default, makes it hard for people to truly judge the health of the financial system."

Citi, which rates HSBC as its top pick among UK banks, says HSBC currently only makes $100 million in the Pearl River Delta. HSBC is the biggest foreign player in China, where collective market share by foreign banks remain below 2 percent.

DIVIDEND

To retain investors and attract funds that focus on dividend-paying stocks, HSBC distributed about $10 billion of its 2015 profit in dividends, offering a chunky 8 percent yield, one of the highest in the global banking world. Gulliver told Hong Kong shareholders at the bank's informal annual meeting on Monday that the bank is also studying the possibility of a buy back of its shares, which are now trading below book value.

"My major concern, as I am sure it is to other investors, would be whether they are able to maintain their dividend policy and balance sheet ratios during the Asian Pivot," said Tony Jordan at EFG Asset Management (UK), which owns HSBC shares.

A securities joint venture due to be launched in China, which HSBC will majority own, will give it the chance to offer services ranging from investment banking and domestic securities trading, where it faces stiff competition from local lenders.

For some Asian-based investors with a long-term view, HSBC's focus on China is precisely the reason to invest in the bank.

"We re-entered HSBC with our Asian funds four years ago on the basis of its return to its Asian roots," said Hugh Young, managing director at Aberdeen Asset Management Asia.

"The China strategy is important. But for many of the investors, who don't look at it that closely, it may be too esoteric."

(Additional reporting by Rachel Armstrong in London; Editing by Martin Howell)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
NEW DELHI Developed countries should raise taxes on coal production to help raise money for a $100 billion-a-year fund that is supposed to help poorer countries tackle climate change but are short of cash, India's environment minister said on Wednesday.

An agreement to finance the fund was a major part of the landmark Paris climate change accord forged in December after four years of fraught negotiations, but Prakash Javadekar told Reuters rich countries were failing to stick to their part of the bargain while asking countries such as India to do more.

India, which wants to double its coal output by 2020, in February raised the tax on mining coal to $6 per tonne from $1 in a bid to make it more expensive to consume the dirty fuel.

Javadekar said India's tax was the highest in the world and that developed countries should follow suit.

"If they follow India and levy a tax of $5-$6 a tonne on coal production, $100 billion can easily be mobilised," Javadekar said in an interview at his New Delhi home. "Today only $10 billion is available on the table. Even a country like America is promising only $3 billion ..."

This week Javadekar will travel to New York, where the United States, China and other leading economies will formally accede to the Paris agreement.

The accord proposed a $100 billion annual fund until 2025 to help poor countries like India counter the threat of climate change.

India, the world's second-most populous country after China, is home to 17 percent the world's population but consumes less per capita coal than the United States.

But while countries such as the United States are cutting coal consumption, India's appetite is surging, raising questions about its willingness to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS

Javadekar, who is responsible for reviewing applications on genetically modified (GM) crops, said his ministry had yet to decide on whether to allow the commercial launch of a transgenic mustard variety developed by a group of Indian scientists.

The government has held three meetings on the mustard variety in the past four months, he said.

India does not allow the cultivation of GM food crops, but supporters say high-yielding GM mustard seeds could cut India's annual edible oil import bill of more than $10 billion.

"We're considering it but the safety of food is a very important aspect of India's ethos," Javadekar said. "Every country takes its decision as per its national policy. We're not stopping science from progressing."

Any win for the mustard variety will also help the cause of U.S. firm Monsanto, which is also developing GM corn varieties to be sold in India if allowed.

(Additional reporting by Tommy Wilkes; editing by Krishna N. Das and David Evans)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
New Delhi: The government on Wednesday gave its nod to move amendments to a bill which paves the way for expeditious utilisation in a transparent manner of over Rs 40,000 crore earmarked for forest land which is lying unspent.

The bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the second half of the budget session which will start from 25 April.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi today gave its approval to move official amendments in the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015," an official statement said.

The legislation will ensure expeditious utilization of accumulated unspent amounts available with the ad hoc Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) which is presently around Rs 40,000 crore and...

....fresh accrual of compensatory levies and interest on accumulated unspent balance, which will be of the order of approximately Rs 6,000 crore per annum, in an efficient and transparent manner, the statement said.

Apart from facilitating timely execution of appropriate measures to mitigate impact of diversion of forest land, utilisation of these amounts will also result in creation of productive assets and generation of huge employment opportunities in the rural areas, especially the backward tribal areas.

Javadekar had yesterday said,"We have received report of standing committee. Suggestions given by the committee has been incorporated. The Bill will be tabled in the Parliament in the coming session. We hope that all parties will support it," Javadekar said.

The amendments include deleting some of environmental services for which credible model to assess their monetary value does not exist while it also provides for prior consultation with states for making a rule under it.

The amendments provide for use of monies realised from the user agencies in lieu for forest land diverted in protected areas for voluntary relocation from protected areas.

It also provides for including secretaries of Ministries dealing with Space and Earth Sciences as members of governing body of the National Authority while it also increases the number of expert members in governing body of National Authority from two to five.

The amendments in the bill increases the number of expert members in executive committee of National Authority from two to three while it provides for the inclusion of an expert on tribal matters or representative of tribal community as a member in both steering committee and executive committee of a state authority.

The amendments also provide for laying of the annual report and the audit report along with memorandum of action taken on recommendations contained in the State Authority constituted in Union Territories having no legislature before each House of Parliament.

The legislation will extend to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, it said.

Government introduced the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015 in the Lok Sabha on 8 May 2015.

On 13 May 2015, Lok Sabha referred the Bill to the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests.

On 26 February, this year, the Committee submitted its report to the Parliament. The Central government after examination of the report of the committee proposed to move official amendments in the Bill.

PTI
Lucknow: Political strategist Prashant Kishor, who has been engaged by the Congress to plan its electoral campaign in UP, will hold meetings with leaders of various frontal organisations of the party on Lucknow on 21 April and 22 April. Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are due in 2017.

Kishor, along with AICC general secretary incharge of the state Madhusudan Mistry and UPCC president Nirmal Khatri will meet leaders of Minorities cell, Women's cell, NSUI, Sewa Dal, Youth Congress and SC/ST cell, primarily to take feedback from them as part of the preparation for devising electoral, a Congress spokesman said.

Kishor, who had successfully handled the election campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and Nitish Kumar in the last year's Bihar poll, was roped in by the Congress for crucial UP polls.

He had earlier visited Lucknow on 11 March and listened to suggestions and views of senior party leaders.
On 30 October two years ago, friends and relatives of Mohammad Shafi Wani rushed to his home after they read 'news' on a Facebook page about his sudden demise. As a group of anguished relatives reached his house in South Kashmirs Anantnag district, they were left somewhat bewildered. Wani was not dead. Instead, he was watering plants in his lawn.

The 'news', announced on a Facebook page called 'South Kashmir News', had spread far and wide. Wani, who works as a clerk, had reportedly refused to do some favour for the brother of a 'Facebook journalist'. Angered by the refusal, the 'journalist' avenged the 'humiliation' by declaring Wani 'dead'.

Can such an irresponsible person call himself a journalist? Worse still, a lie was spread on similar pages that children were dying because of polio vaccine, Wani, 47, told Firstpost over phone on Tuesday.

In January, all of Kashmir was on the streets after a false rumour on a Facebook News page claimed that children were dying after being administered polio vaccine gained currency in public imagination. It prompted panic-stricken people to pull their kids out of hospitals across the Valley, creating chaos in the streets.

In an hour, the Valleys sole paediatric hospital in summer capital Srinagar swelled with panic-stricken parents. When informed that it was a false rumour, no one believed them. Instead, scuffles were reported between staff and agitated people at many hospitals while infrastructure was also damaged at some places.

The Kashmir police registered six cases in different police stations against the rumour-mongers and arrested a youth in Pampore for posting false news on his Facebook page. What happened to those FIRs though? No one knows. At that time, Kashmir's inspector-general of police, SJM Gillani has said that the police is looking towards the 'regulation' of such pages.

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was 'killed' nine times on similar Facebook pages before he actually passed away on 7 January at Aiims. On WhatsApp groups, he was declared dead dozens of times and no one ever apologised for circulating or posting fake news.

A few days ago, when protests erupted in Handwara town after allegations of molestation by an Army solider, two people died and a women was hit by a bullet. Before Raja Begum actually died during the night at a Srinagar hospital, she was killed many times on these 'news' pages.

The very next day, a youth was killed in a village in nearby Handwara and another was critically injured. However, on WhatsApp and Facebook pages, they both were declared dead. The false news posted by such groups led to confusion with two prominent newspapers falling for the trap on two occasions, only to retract later.

These WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages started cropping up in Kashmir after the 2009 unrest over the rape and murder of two girls in Shopian. Most of these Facebook pages are liked by lakhs of people. With no way to sift fact from fiction, false information often gets peddled as 'news'.

A killing here, a road accident there, an encounter in south or a firing in north, people of Kashmir want news to be delivered to them at lighting speed. So if one news organisation publishes a report, most of these pages copy and paste it without giving credit to the source, just to maintain their credibility.

Twenty pages Firstpost traced on Facebook have a subscriber count ranging from two to five lakhs. In the towns of Kashmir, people who runs these pages are loathed, but cited by district officials and even by police officers. There is no revenue generated by managing these pages and most of them have been found blackmailing and extorting money from politicians, common people and public servants, as a means of generating revenue for their ventures.

But the other side of the story is that most of these pages are promoted by government officials for the sake of 'publicity'. The amount of influence these journalists wield is tremendous and in most of the cases, in districts of Kashmir they have become demigods who can get away with anything, said Iqbal Ahmad, a student of mass communication.

Vijdan Mohammad Kawoosa, who ran a Facebook page called 'J&K Now' says that although groups like his are not answerable to any government or administration, but they feel a sense of responsibility towards ordinary people.

Even if publishing wrong news does not come with legal consequences, it would surely demean our good image among the people  which would be detrimental for its (the website's) future. Kawoosa, a postgraduate student whose page has more than two lakh 'likes', said in an email conversation.

But he says he had to move on from an SMS service to a Facebook page, and now to a website for revenue-generation. "But there are many people who run these pages who haven't even completed Class X and have no idea about reporting or journalism," he said.

That may be the reason the divisional commissioner of Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Monday asked his field officers to chalk out measures for curbing rumour-mongering. He also directed the operators of social media news agencies to obtain proper permission from the concerned deputy commissioners for posting news on social media news groups along with sources.

But it is unlikely anyone will follow the orders because at the end of the day, those law enforcing agencies and its officer too want 'publicly'. However, when we spoke to Dr Samoon, he said it is being done to curb rumour-mongering, and not what happens if someone decides to deliberately exacerbate a situation.

Kawoosa however says it is a good decision to curb rumour-mongering but if the Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to regulate even the professional journalists who publish news online, then it is a step towards curbing the freedom of the press.

But a journalist in Srinagar said even the government  by registering such groups and pages  is trying to legally turn rumour-mongers into journalists. These are thugs, blackmailers and have not an iota of idea what journalism means. They do it for promoting people, making transfers in government departments and shielding the corrupt," the journalist said under condition of anonymity.

If you search Facebook for news on Kashmir, you will find that almost every other national and international media brand has a version in Kashmir these days. For example, CNN has CNN Kashmir, NDTV has NDTV Kashmir, IBN has four groups in its name and then there are entities like Sach News, Fast Kashmir, Live Wire and hundreds of others who have subscribers between 10,000 to four lakh.

In April 2015, the Kashmir police registered a case against more than dozen groups for posting incorrect frivolous and fake information on social networking sites particularly Facebook. But later no action was taken against these groups. Some of them include Kashmir News Agency, Loving Kashmir, Youths of Downtown-Kashmir, 24X7 Breaking News, Kashmir Banega Pakistan, Pahallan the city of Hurriyat G, Ganderbal News Agency, All (J&K) Breaking News Alert, True Muhajid, Election Boycott Bandipora, Voice of Kashmir Youth, Youths of Down Town and Voice of Unspoken Kashmir.

However nothing indicates that action was taken against anyone.

Majid Hyderi, a journalist wrote on his Facebook page after the government asked Facebook news pages to register with the government.

Finally, the government has decided to close down the news-hatching farms on Facebook and WhatsApp, where news-telling was simpler than cracking jokes. But what about the fate of unregistered news websites? he asked.
Terror Victims Win $2B Supreme Court Case Against Iran

Victims of Iranian-sponsored terrorism won big in the Supreme Court this morning. Today, in a 6-2 ruling authored by Justice Ginsburg, the Court upheld a law giving terror victims an explicit right to collect a court judgment against Iran. That 2012 law, passed as federal courts were considering the same question, did not overstep the separation of powers between Congress and the courts, the Supreme Court ruled.

The ruling opens up a $2 billion judgment against Iran, making the money available to the more than 1,000 victims and families of victims of Iranian-sponsored terrorist attacks, including a 1983 bombing of Marine barracks in Beirut and the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia.

Suing Over Terror

The case, Bank Markazi v. Peterson, began when terror victims sued Iran for backing certain terrorist attacks. The victims fall within 16 discrete groups, though the two largest attacks underlying the litigation were the 1983 Beirut bombing and the 1996 Saudi Arabia attacks. In the Beirut bombing, which occurred during the Lebanese Civil War, two truck bombs were set off outside buildings housing American Marines and French military, killing 299 people.

The second, an attack on the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, destroyed an eight-story building housing U.S. Air Force personnel. Nineteen U.S. service members were killed and nearly 500 people were wounded.

That litigation led to a $1.75 billion default judgment against Iran.

Congress Acts, Before the Courts Decide

Now here's where the current case comes in. Turnover proceedings for the nearly $2 billion judgment began in 2008. As a result, $1.75 billion in bond assets owned by Bank Markazi, the Iran's Central Bank, were frozen, while parties awaited the final resolution of the proceedings.

Then in 2012, Congress passed the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act. As the Supreme Court notes, the act "is an unusual statute." It designates specific assets and opens them to liability and damages judgments, referring even to the enforcement proceeding's docket number.

That sort of interference in an ongoing judicial matter, Bank Markazi argued, violated the separation of powers doctrine; Congress had impermissibly interfered with the right of the courts to dispose of the case.

Revisiting Klein, 144 Years Later

It was 1872 when the Supreme Court last found that Congress had interfered with the judicial branch by legislating a solution to a pending case. But that opinion, United States v. Klein, technically remains good law.

In Klein, the estate of V.F. Wilson, a Confederate supporter, sought restitution for confiscated property, arguing that Wilson had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Union, postbellum, receiving a pardon from President Lincoln. The courts agreed, but soon after, Congress passed a law prohibiting the use of presidential pardon to claim proceeds from seized property. That, the Supreme Court ruled, had exceeded Congress's powers, attempting to limit the pardoning power of the executive branch, and attempting to prescribe judicial outcomes.

But that Civil War era decision has languished since 1872, and in 2016 it remained unpersuasive to today's Supreme Court. Section 8722, Justice Ginsburg wrote, "does not transgress restraints placed on Congress and the Constitution." Further, "Klein does not inhibit Congress from 'amending applicable law,'" the Court explained. Rather, the statute in Klein "attempted to direct the result without altering the legal standards governing." Here, Congress has changed the legal standards, something well within its powers.

Onwards to Saudi Arabia?

The case comes just as Congress is considering further legislation targeted at state-sponsors of terror. The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act would allow victims of the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon to hold the government of Saudi Arabia liable in U.S. court.

Saudi Arabia's involvement in the September 11th attacks has long been disputed. The government denies any role in the attacks, though the 9/11 Commission left open the possibility that some Saudi officials might have played a role. President Obama has opposed the bill, and the Saudi government has vowed to sell off $750 billion in U.S. assets if it passes, which some analysts have described as an empty threat.

Related Resources:
Srinagar: Scores of students on Wednesday staged a demonstration here demanding release of the girl who is at the centre of the Handwara molestation row in which five civilians were killed during violent protests last week.

Carrying placards, the students staged the protest at Press Enclave in the heart of the city on Wednesday afternoon alleging that the girl had been "illegally" detained along with her family members.

The protest was organised by All India Students' Association (AISA).

"We demand the immediate release of the girl and her family members from police custody and their unhindered access to legal help," Essar Batool, a girl student, told reporters.

The girl was taken into preventive custody after alleged molestation by a soldier triggered violent protests at

Handwara town, 80 kms from here, leading to firing by security forces which left three persons including a woman dead in Kupwara district last week.

Two more persons were killed over the week in similar protests against the incident.

The girl had in her statement later denied that she was molested by a soldier.

Some of the placards read "the minor girl needs our support not our criticism", "end denial of legal assistance to her", "end surveillance and control over the movement of the girl and her family" and "end character assassination of the girl".

They also demanded action against those responsible for the killing of five persons.
This was the last glass ceiling in the Indian military and it was broken on Wednesday with the Indian Navy announcing that women officers completing seven years in the service will get permanent commission.

Navy is the last of the three armed forces in the country to allow permanent commission to women.

Last year, the Indian Air Force announced induction of women in its fighter stream, the first of the three forces to allow women in combat role. The IAF's decision, however, is on "experimental basis" for five years.

"Recognising the importance of providing equal opportunities to women officers, seven women officers from the batch of Short Service Commission officers of the Education branch and Naval Constructor cadre, who joined in 2008-09, have been granted Permanent Commission," said a Ministry of Defence release.

The release said that from 2017 women officers can choose to join as pilots of maritime reconnaissance planes like the Boeing P8I, Dornier, among others. They will also be allowed to join in the Naval Armament Inspectorate cadre, it added. With this, a total of eight branches/cadres will be opened for women officers in the navy.

"The navy is also finalising the policy for women officers to serve on select warships that have appropriate facilities for women," the defence ministry said.

While the Army and Air Force allow permanent commission for women, the Navy has limited women officers only to short service commission of 14 years.

In September last year, a Delhi High Court bench of justices Kailash Gambhir and Najmi Waziri also allowed the women naval officers' plea seeking retirement benefits like pension. Women naval officers were not eligible for pension as it required 20 years of service.

Although the decision is now touted as one of the "progressive initiatives by Indian Navy" in "empowering women officers", the force in October 2015 had challenged the Delhi High Court order which directed that 17 women officers who retired after their short service commission ended in 2006 should be granted permanent commission.

"A total of 17 short service commission women officers had moved various writ petitions seeking permanent commissions," a report in The Hindustan Times report said.

The Supreme Court in 2014 had prevented the navy from releasing these officers.

With input from IANS
Pune: City Guardian Minister Girish Bapat has drawn flak after he attended a function where a controversial builder, whose company has been booked for cheating over a "misleading" newspaper ad for cheap housing, was also present, and allegedly evaded the police by fleeing on a scooter.

However, Bapat, who had earlier ordered a collector-level inquiry against the company, Maple Shelters, after it carried his picture along with that of the Prime Minster and Chief Minister in its advertisements falsely suggesting that it was part of a government scheme, claimed that he was not aware of the presence of the accused Sachin Agarwal at the seminar organised a TV channel on Tuesday.

Agrawal, promoter of Maple Shelters, was caught on camera by mediapersons allegedly fleeing on a scooter riding pillion while the police arrived at the venue, even as the minister was explaining to reporters that he had nothing to do with the controversial project.

"I was present at the function. But I came to know much later that Agarwal too was present there sitting in another room. I had no knowledge of his presence when he left the place after police came searching for him," said Bapat, who finds himself in the soup over the row.

Asked as to how Agarwal was allowed to leave the function venue on Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Tushar Joshi told PTI that policemen had gone to the spot for some other reason and not to nab the builder.

"The case against Maple and its partners has been handed over to economic offences wing which will decide as to when Agarwal's interrogation will take place. Our policemen went to the spot last night after getting a call that there was a commotion during the function," he added.

Activists of Raj Thackeray-led MNS demonstrated before Guardian Minister Bapat's residence in Kasabapet area demading his resignation for alleged "connivance with the builder".

The builder who is facing charges of various economic offences for circulating misleading advertisements to attract booking by offering one bedroom houses for Rs five lakh on the outskirts of Pune has been booked by Shivajinagar police for cheating in addition to other sections of IPC.

The central and state governments have clarified that the Maple project in Pune had no sanction or endorsement under Pradhanmantri Avas Yojana.

The booking for the scheme has been stopped by an order by the state government after Pune Collector submitted a report to Chief Minster Devendra Fadnavis.

The MNS activists vandalised Maple Shelter's office in the city on Tuesday forcing the staff to stop enrollment for the scheme that was going on despite the authorities distancing themselves from the project.
Bombay High Court should not have allowed the BCCI to hold an IPL fixture in Pune on 1 May, after earlier having ordered that all matches be shifted out of Maharashtra after 30 April. The state was reeling under acute water scarcity and HC allowing leeway to BCCI does not bode well for the state. The BCCIs plea was that after a 29 April match, it was not practical to shift to another venue within a day.

Had it remained firm on its earlier order asking that 13 matches scheduled to be played in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur be shifted, it would have enforced respect for water-scarcity across the country, which has affected 33 crore people. It cannot be that water is treated as a commodity to be wasted.

The very fact that the BCCI did not approach the Supreme Court with an urgent special leave application could well have been the fear of being blasted off their feet. The apex court is in the midst of hearing a case regarding the drought situation in some dozen states, including Maharashtra.

Despite the High Courts order, the politicians themselves seem to have no problem with water being wasted in their sake. At least three cases have emerged of water being used to spray make-shift helipads for ministers. One is of course the infamous spraying in Latur district, where water is being sent by trains from Western Maharashtra so people can have something to drink.

Here are the other brazen use of water in drought-hit parts of the country: One, what was done for Eknath Khadse in Latur, the same was done for Karnatakas chief minister, Siddaramaiah. The CM was to garland a statue while on a tour to study drought in Bagalkot district. The district administration deployed two tankers of 5,000 litre capacity to spray the road so the visiting VIP doesn't have to encounter dust.

Uttar Pradesh too has regions under water scarcity conditions. Akhilesh Yadav, chief minister, took a helicopter to Bundelkhands Lalitpur. The spot where he was to land, a helipad was prepared, and you guessed it right, sprayed with water. Bundelkhand is, according to reports, running a water conservation project to save, what else, water. It is as if there is an epidemic of defiance of the concept of respect for water which Bombay High Court was enforcing.

On Monday, union agricultural minister Radha Mohan Singh visited Bhiwandi, just an hours drive from Mumbai in a fast car with police escort, to attend Kisan Gram Sabha on Tuesday as chief guest. He chose to use a helicopter, despite the sharp public reaction to the insensitivity displayed in Latur. These politicians defend the use of helicopters by saying that choppers are time-savers. Right now, the urgent need is to save water if it could be found. But that does not seem to have been understood by the VIPs.

However, our very important community of leaders who time and again visit drought-hit areas to study its impact, fail to understand that unavailability of water is the reason for the situation. They neednt go there to know this, but if they have gone to study how well the administration was handling measures to ameliorate the impact, we dont know if that was their priority at all.

If Khadse and politicians like him explain the use of helicopters, and therefore implicitly the use of water to keep them dust-free, chances are the district administrations are not going to knocked on their knuckles from the states headquarters. Imagine any chief secretary from Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Lucknow marshalling the gumption to pull up the district collectors who were, after all, keeping the chief ministers happy.

And they are the people who have to facilitate water to the people. It is one thing that Latur has become the image of water scarcity, but any number of villages are in dire straits. And the ministers haven't helped their cause one bit.
Amritsar: The body of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under suspicious circumstances in a Lahore jail last week, arrived in India on Tuesday. His family members alleged that his body bore injury marks and foul play led to his death, but doctors who conducted an autopsy denied this.

Alleging foul play in his death, Kirpal's family members said the body bore injury and blood marks.

Contrary to the claims, the medical board which conducted the post-mortem examination here after his body was brought back to India on Tuesday, said there were no external or internal injury marks on the body.

Ashok Sharma, head of the three-member medical board, however, told the media after the post-mortem examination that the cause of death has not been established yet.

The doctor said some organs from his body were missing, as an autopsy has already been done (in Pakistan).

"In the post-mortem examination, it was found that there was no external or internal injury on the body. Post-mortem of this body has already been done (in Pakistan) because stitches were present on the body and the head.

"When we opened the body, we found that some of the organs were missing because when post-mortem is done, some organs are taken to test to find out whether there is any disease or not," Sharma said.

"... rest of the organs which were present, we took out portions of those organs and we sent them for testing (to know) about diseases as well as poisoning. I can say with 100 percent accuracy that the wound marks which are inflicted during life, they cannot be removed. The cause of death has not been established yet," the doctor added.

After being handed over to the Border Security Force at the Attari-Wagah joint check post, Kirpal's body was immediately taken for post-mortem examination in Amritsar after which it was taken to Gurdaspur district for cremation in his native village.

His family members alleged that he was murdered either by fellow prisoners or prison officials in Pakistan.

Close relatives and residents from Kirpal Singh's village were present at Attari, 30 km from here, when the body was brought back to India.

The body, in a coffin, was carried by porters on the Indian side even as family members showered flowers on the coffin.

Close family members were allowed to see the body to identify Kirpal Singh's mortal remains.

Pakistani authorities have attributed his death to heart attack, but his family has alleged he was murdered in prison.

"He has been murdered by the Pakistanis under a conspiracy. He was the sole witness to the murder of Sarabjit Singh in the Lahore prison. We want a thorough inquiry and post-mortem to know the truth of his death," Kirpal's nephew told the media outside the hospital mortuary.

Kirpal Singh, the family has maintained, had inadvertently crossed into Pakistan and was arrested and charged with spying by Pakistani authorities.

His family had met union home minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi last week to seek immediate repatriation of his body to India.

The Punjab government has offered to extend all help and relief to Kirpal's family on the same lines as given to another Indian prisoner, Sarabjit Singh, who was murdered in the same prison in Lahore in April 2013.

Kirpal Singh, a former serviceman, was lodged in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat prison since 1992. He died on April 11.

Pakistani authorities had labelled him a spy and got him convicted for terror attacks inside Pakistan. He was initially sentenced to death which was later converted to 20 years' imprisonment.
MOGADISHU/ROME Somalia's government said on Monday about 200 or more Somalis may have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to cross illegally to Europe, many of them teenagers, when the boat they were on capsized after leaving the Egyptian shore.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella had said earlier on Monday that several hundred people appeared to have died in a new tragedy in the Mediterranean, after unconfirmed reports spoke of up to 400 victims of capsizing near Egypt's coast.

More than 1.2 million African, Arab and Asian migrants have streamed into the European Union since the start of last year, many of them setting off from North Africa in rickety boats that are packed full of people and which struggle in choppy seas.

"We have no fixed number but it is between 200 and 300 Somalis," Somali Information Minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir told Reuters by telephone when asked about possible Somali deaths in the latest incident.

Another Somali government statement, which offered condolences, put the number at "nearly 200", saying they were mostly teenagers. It said the boat they were on had capsized after leaving Egypt.

"There is no clear number since they are not travelling legally," the minister said, adding that he understood the boat might have been carrying about 500 people, of which 200 to 300 were Somalis "and most of them had died".

He did not give a precise timing for the incident.

One year ago, an estimated 800 migrants drowned off the Libyan coast when the fishing boat they were travelling in collided with a mercantile vessel that was attempting to rescue them - the most deadly Mediterranean shipwreck in decades.

Egyptian, Italian and Greek officials had earlier been unable to confirm the report of a new sinking.

A U.N. refugee agency official told Swiss broadcaster SRF he knew of 40 survivors from what appeared to be the same incident.

"We know there are 40 survivors and that as many as 460 people may have been on the boat who sailed from Egypt," the UNHCR's Beat Schuler told the broadcaster in what it said was a report from Malta.

In an article on the Somali National News Agency (SONNA) website, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on Monday "sent his heartfelt condolence on his behalf and on behalf of the citizens of Somalia to the families who lost their loved ones".

The president urged Somalis to stand together in helping "stop such hazardous trips to overseas".

Somalia has a large diaspora, with many Somalis in Europe and the United States, after fleeing two decades of conflict. The Western-backed government is seeking to rebuild the Horn of Africa nation but is still battling an Islamist insurgency.

Islamist al Shabaab rebels often carry out gun and bomb attacks, particularly in the capital Mogadishu, where some hardy Somalis business people are returning to from abroad to invest.

(Reporting by Edmund Blair in Nairobi, Abdi Sheikh in Mogadishu, Gavin Jones and Steve Scherer in Rome, Michele Kambas in Athens, Michael Georgy in Cairo and Michael Shields in Zurich; Editing by Alison Williams)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The Thane police on Tuesday arrested a 16-year-old and his three accomplices near Kalyan for murdering and then raping a of a 22-year-old engineering graduate at her residence on 14 April.

According to Mid Day, the accused, identified as Nitin Wagh (19), Nitesh alias Nitya Bhagwan Bhoir (20) and Ravindra alias Ravi Wagh (20), and their 16-year-old leader, are tribals from Bandarpada in Kalyan.

The victim, who had recently appeared for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exam, was sleeping in the hall when the accused broke in through the kitchen window. When she tried to raise an alarm, the 16-year-old allegedly struck her on the head with a sword, a move that proved fatal for the victim, reported Mumbai Mirror.

It is alleged that they even raped her corpse before decamping with the victim's laptop, cellphone and jewellery.

The gang had begun their criminal lives with minor thefts, before moving on to more serious crimes. The Asian Age reported that a few months ago, the youngsters had formed a gang to snatch cellphones.

"Apparently, the 16-year-old boy became a gang leader by taking initiative while breaking into houses or attacking victims. According to sources, he did not think twice, which gave confidence to the other gang members," DNA quoted a Thane crime branch officer as saying.

Even though the gang leader is a minor, the police want him to be tried as an adult. According to The Times of India, Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh said that they will request the court to try him as an adult because of the gravity of the crime and the reign of terror the gang had unleashed in the Shahad-Kalyan belt.

This is the first time since the amendment of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act in 2015 that the police are set to seek the trial of a minor as an an adult.

Section 18 (3) of the amended law empowers the board to try a child as an adult if he/she has committed a serious offence.
There seems to be some confusion over the Centre's decision on a plea put forth by the Tamil Nadu state government seeking the release of the seven prisoners convicted of killing Rajiv Gandhi. The Hindu reported that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs denied the plea, telling Tamil Nadu that since the case is in the Supreme Court, it has no authority to take a decision in the matter.

However, the MHA spoke to News18 and denied the report, explaining that the decision has not yet been taken. "The process of consultation with the Law Ministry on Tamil Nadu government request is still on," News18 quoted the MHA as saying.

The latest installment in this saga began on 2 March when in a letter to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K Gnanadesikan said the state government has received petitions from the seven convicts requesting their release as they have spent over 24 years in jail.

The seven convicts are V Sriharan alias Murugan, his wife Nalini Sriharan, T Suthendraraja alias Santhan, AG Perarivalan, Jayakumar, Robert Payas and Ravichandran.

Gnanadesikan said the death sentences imposed on Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan were commuted to life sentence on the orders of Supreme Court.

All seven have been in prison since 1991, the year a woman Tamil Tiger suicide bomber blew up former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at an election rally in Sriperumbudur near Chennai on 21 May.

Gnanadesikan said the state government had proposed to remit the life sentence and release all the seven convicts and had written to the UPA central government to indicate its views on 19 February, 2014.

However, the UPA government approached the apex court against Tamil Nadu's decision.

Gnanadesikan said a three-member bench of the Supreme Court framed seven constitutional/legal questions for consideration of a five-judge bench.

According to Tamil Nadu's chief secretary, the apex court five-member bench answered the questions and the writ petition filed by the central government was directed to be posted to the three-member bench.

Gnanadesikan said the case is yet to be listed before the three-member bench.

He said, keeping in mind the circumstances, it has become necessary to request the central government to communicate its views on the Tamil Nadu government's decision to release all the seven convicts.

Gnanadesikan also said his letter was sent to the central government without prejudice to the Tamil Nadu government's right to move the Supreme Court to review its judgment dated 2 December, 2015, where it had held the term 'consultation' under Section 435 of the Criminal Procedure Code means 'concurrence' of the central government.

The Supreme Court on 2 December, 2015, ruled that the Tamil Nadu government could grant remission and release the convicts only in consultation with the central government in cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Incidentally, The Hindu reported that the Union Home Ministry conveyed its decision to the state government on 2 March, two days before the model code of conduct for the 16 May elections came into effect.

However, on 3 March, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had told the Lok Sabha that the government is examining the plea seeking the release of the convicts. "We have received the letter yesterday (2 March) and the government is examining it. The apex court has already given its decision on the matter. Now it is the constitutional and moral responsibility of the government to abide by the decision of the apex court," Rajnath Singh had said.

The same day, when a TV channel asked Rahul Gandhi, son of the slain prime minister, about his thoughts on the matter, he said, "The issue has come to the Centre and the government has to decide. The ball is in the Centre's court. As a son, I would not like to express my opinion."

On 19 March, 2008, Rajiv Gandhis daughter Priyanka Vadra met Nalini in Vellore prison. Confirming rumours about her visit a month later, she said that it was her way of coming to peace with the violence and loss she has experienced. "It was a very personal visit and completely on my own individual initiative. I would be deeply grateful if this could be respected," she said. "I do not believe in anger, hatred and violence and I refuse to allow these things to overpower my life."

With inputs from agencies
Indore: Eminent Urdu poet and lyricist Rahat Indori said on Tuesday that he was denied a visa by the US to attend a programme in Texas next month for "failing to convince" officials that he will return.

"The US Consulate called me for interview after I had applied for a non-immigrant visa. After the interview, the Consulate returned my passport, saying I will not get a visa to visit the US this time," Indori told PTI.

The poet said the officials handed him a paper which said he failed to convince them that he will return to India after

the event.

"The gist of whatever written on the paper is that my application stands dismissed because I failed to convince the US officials that I will return to India after the stipulated time for which a visa is sought.

"They denied me a visa on the baseless assumption that I will not return to India after the event...the US Consulate officials are perhaps afraid that I will get settled down in the US by leaving India permanently," said the 66-year-old said.

"I am known in the world as an Indian. I can never even dream of leaving my motherland for another country. I enjoy prestige here, I have a family here. I regret to say that all this does not matter to the US authorities," he said.

Indori said he had travelled to the US 11 times in last 10 years.

"The Consulate officials should have gone through my previous record before dismissing my application. I had participated in more than 100 'mushaiyras' during my 11 trips to that country. There is not a single mistake on my part during these tours," he said.

The programme  "Jashn-e-Indori"  is being organised in his honour on 7 May in Dallas city, he said.
I'll be honest with you  I wasn't too excited about sitting down to watch 'Justice League vs Teen Titans'. While the recent 'Batman'-driven titles in the DC Universe have been pretty solid, the 'Justice League' movies haven't been, with the exception of Gods & Monsters, which was an alternate-universe story. So, I wasn't expecting a whole lot going into this one...and I was surprised that the movie turned out to actually be pretty good.

One of the main reasons 'Justice League vs Teen Titans' works is because of Damian Wayne/Robin (voice of Stuart Allan). Yes, I know he's a character that can easily alienate fans, as he's pretty abrasive at times and not exactly respectful to his fellow superheroes  particularly his father, Bruce Wayne/Batman (voice of Jason O'Mara). But Damian has grown on me in the several 'Batman' releases he's been in, and here gets the chance to grow a little more, as he's thrown into the ranks of a younger group of heroes, the Teen Titans.

The reason Damian gets sent to the Titans is due to an opening battle between the Justice League and the Legion of Doom, where Damian  against Batman's instructions, of course  takes matters into his own hands. He manages to (albeit recklessly) help end the fight, but Batman sees the need for more growth and has Nightwing (aka Dick Grayson) deliver Damian to Teen Titan headquarters (a building shaped like a big 'T', which doesn't seems to be the best of construction designs). There he meets leader Starfire (voice of Kari Wahlgren), and teen superheroes Beast Boy (voice of Brandon Soo Hoo), Blue Beetle (voice of Jake T. Austin), and  most importantly  Raven (voice of Taissa Farmiga), whose character plays a major role in the plotline of this release.

As it turns out, not only is Raven the daughter of a bad guy...he's a really bad guy named Trigon (voice of Jon Bernthal), who is pretty much the Devil incarnate. He wants his daughter back and loyal to him and is willing to do anything to achieve it  primarily destroying the human world she holds so dear. As villains go, Trigon isn't a particularly interesting one, but he does serve to show us how lonely and haunted the character of Raven is  which, naturally, sparks an attraction from Damian, since he sees a lot of himself in her.

As for the big showdown that the title of the movie promises? Well, it's a bit of a cheat, as the only reason the Justice League squares off against any of the Teen Titans is because Trigon has sent demons into their bodies to take control of them. Even then, it's primarily Superman (voice of Jerry O'Connell) who reels his fellow League members back to the good side of things in the movie's climatic conclusion.

Fan love/hate for this release is going to largely depend on how they feel about the Damian character and their response to the character of Raven. I liked them both here and actually enjoyed the quieter moments of this movie a lot more than the action sequences (the title also isn't afraid to add some humor to the mix, which is nice considering how dark Raven's past proves to be). If you're going into this one looking for a big battle between the two teams of heroes, you're probably going to come away disappointed. If, however, you're more into these DC releases to see how these characters are growing and developing, I think you'll enjoy this one quite a bit.

The Blu-Ray: Vital Disc Stats

'Justice League vs Teen Titans' dukes in out in HD by arriving in an eco-friendly Elite keepcase, which houses the 25GB single-layer Blu-ray, the dual-layer DVD, and an insert containing a code for an UltraViolet copy of the movie. There are no front-loaded materials on the Blu-ray, but the DVD is front-loaded with trailers for 'LEGO Scooby-Doo! Haunted Hollywood' and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The main menu is the standard Warners' design, with a still image of the box cover and menu selections running horizontally across the bottom of the screen.

In addition to this version, there are a number of different releases from which to select. First, available at all retailers if you can find it is a Limited Edition Gift set in which the same Blu-ray case of of the standard release is housed inside a larger box (featuring the same artwork) that also contains a figurine of Robin. This release is limited to 57,000 copies, and each is numbered. This is actually the version Warners sent me for review, so now everyone knows where #153 of this set wound up. As usual, there's also some retailer exclusives. Target is offering up a steelbook version of this release (sans the figurine), while Best Buy has an exclusive version of the gift set (with the figurine) that also comes with the 'Teen Titans' graphic novel, 'Blinded by the Light'.

The Blu-ray in this release is region-free.
Ahmedabad: Jailed quota agitation leader Hardik Patel on Wednesday handed over a letter in a sealed cover to Patel leaders who are working as mediators between agitators and the government, asking them to deliver it to Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.

Hardik handed the letter in a sealed cover so its content was not known, said Mahesh Savani, one of the mediators.

Savani and another mediator, Mukesh Patel met Hardik at Lajpore jail in Surat.

"After our meeting with the ministers at Gandhinagar, we met Hardik in jail today at Surat. He gave his nod to continue peace talks with government and handed over this letter," he said.

Apart from this letter, Hardik handed over an open letter for members of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) which has been leading the agitation for reservation for Patels under the OBC quota.

"In this letter, Hardik has asked PAAS members to refrain from making irresponsible statements before the media as it adversely affects the agitation and vitiates the peaceful atmosphere in the state. He warned PAAS members not to make any statement which can help BJP or Congress," said Savani.

Hardik has also named PAAS conveners who are authorised to give statements to the media, he said.

Meanwhile, Congress MLAs Harshad Ribadiya and Mahesh Patel on Wednesday visited Lalji Patel, president of another agitating Patel outfit, Sardar Patel Group, at a hospital in Mehsana.

Lalji was admitted to ICU at the hospital after he was injured while "courting arrest" agitation on 17 April.
Jaipur: Rajasthan government has decided to recommend a CBI probe into the death of a dalit girl under mysterious circumstances last month, conceding the demand of her family members days after Rahul Gandhi met them and extended his support.

A senior official said that Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje gave the direction in this regard to the home department on Tuesday following which remarks of the Director General of Police (DGP) were sought on Wednesday.

"After the directions from the chief minister's office, a letter was sent to the DGP seeking his remarks today. A proposal will now be forwarded to the CBI," Jagdeep Singh, Deputy Secretary of Home Department, told PTI.

DGP Manoj Bhatt said, "I have also made my remarks on the letter".

The girl's family had said that they have no faith in the investigation being conducted by the state police.

Congress had taken up the issue, with party Vice President Rahul Gandhi comparing it to the case of alleged suicide by Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad central university and had accused the BJP government of discriminating against the dalits.

He visited the family members of the girl in Barmer district on 13 April, where the girl's father said that he wanted a CBI probe into the matter.

Gandhi, who also addressed a Dalit conference in Jaipur on that day, had said that the father of the girl has no faith in the

government and the state police and wanted a CBI inquiry.

PCC President Sachin Pilot, Leader of Opposition Rameshwar Dudi and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had also raised the demand of CBI inquiry.

The girl, who belonged to Bikaner and was persuing BSTC, a teacher training course, in a private educational institute of Bikaner, was found dead in a water tank on 30 March on the institute premises.

In the intervening night of 28-29 March, she was allegedly found in the room of physical trainer and instructor Vijendra Singh by the hostel warden.

Singh was arrested after the girl was found dead.

The hostel warden and principal were also arrested for not informing the police when she was allegedly found in the instructor's room.
Once perpetually pursed in arrogance or supreme confidence, his lips tremble as he speaks now. The face, so famously contemptuous of the opposition's 35 seats to the Left Front's 235, now reflects visible signs of age. The white hair has lost its sheen. Comrades never retire, so an ailing Buddhadeb Bhattacharya still drags his infirm frame from his Palm Avenue residence to the party office on Alimuddin Street.

Once the cynosure of all eyes, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal has become bit of a recluse.

But even in his eremitical existence, the CPIM patriarch was still sharp enough to understand that on its own, the decimated, dejected Left Front had not a hope in seven hells to mount a challenge against the ruling Trinamool Congress. And the septuagenarian ideologue was still crafty enough to convince the party's inflexible politburo to form an unprecedented alliance with the Congress for the 2016 Assembly elections.

Though an existential threat necessitated the coming together of two forces on the verge of obliteration, that the Left Front-Congress alliance has quickly shaken off its initial apologetic awkwardness and now looks to take the fight to an increasingly edgy TMC owes in no small measure to the man who engineered it in the first place.

Even in his infirmity, Bhattacharya has been the alliance's technical director. The silent puppeteer of Left Front's campaign. Pulling invisible strings to cobble together a force that can match and give Mamata Banerjee a run for her money. But all along, even while correcting campaign speeches or drawing up electoral strategies, the former Chief Minister had remained a shadowy figure in Alimuddin's backroom.

Not anymore though.

On Tuesday, as dusk fell on a city under the yoke of merciless heat, an old red sun rose in its south as an ailing, 72-year-old comrade brought Kolkata streets to a screeching halt, triggering a tidal wave of scarlet so ferocious that it seemed to have taken even the man who was at the centre of it, by surprise.

It took Bhattacharya's open-hooded jeep nearly four hours to traverse an eight-km stretch from Dhakuria Bus Stand to Garia More because his 'roadshow' in favour of three CPIM candidates was swept away by a tsunami of people.

A surging, impromptu, restless crowd of nearly 25,000 marched along, cheering and solganeering away while people waved from windows, balconies or simply lined up the streets with some youngsters fishing out mobile phones to capture selfies. The number of young in the parade, which grew as the convoy went past Jadavpur University campus, indicated that many students had also joined in.

At times it became difficult to believe that five years back in 2011, Bhattacharya became the state's only second sitting Chief Minister after Congressman Prafulla Chandra Sen to suffered an electoral defeat.

Two more things were noticeable. One, for a regimented party like the CPIM where even the workers' smiles are synchronized, Tuesday's rally marked a crucial departure. The indiscipline, impulsiveness and plain enthusiasm among the cadres and party workers, clad in red caps, red tees and waving red flags, was hard to miss.

Denim-clad youngsters and women led the procession, a decision which apparently was part of a plan. "This was a conscious decision. We want to convey to people that these sections will be decision-makers. Both Satarup (Ghosh) and Madhusa (Sen Roy) represent the youth," the Times of India quoted a CPIM leader as saying. Ghosh and Sen Roy, along with Sujan Chakraborty are the leaders in favour of whom Bhattacharya had taken part in the roadshow.

Second, around 200 Congress flag-bearers were also part of the roadshow, a situation unthinkable even at the start of the year. It indicated that the alliance is working. This, more than anything else, has increased TMC's blood pressure whose chief, the incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, let slip her anxiety while addressing a rally on Tuesday in Howrah's Sankrail, asking supporters not to be worried or scared about rivals because TMC will return to power on 19 May.

Even though the veteran leader didn't go beyond uttering an unlikely "inquilab" a couple of times, the thousands who marched along frequently broke into "Gali gali mein shor hai, Trinamool chor hai" or "poriborton er e ki moja, shilpa shudhu telebhaja (what a wonderful change it is where only industry is one of roadside fried fritters). It left even cynical comrades with a smile.

But crucial questions remain. After Tuesday's successful rally, the CPIM has apparently revised its earlier stance and now plans to field their ace weapon in a few more rallies in the run up to the remaining three electoral phases. Bhattacharya, who has been consciously avoiding all calls for active campaigning citing ill health, may relent.

It points to a serious lack of charismatic personalities amid the alliance fold in general and CPIM in particular. If the party has to fall back on a visibly unwell veteran  who amid even Tuesday's all-pervasive enthusiasm looked a little bemused and detached  to inspire its rank and file, it doesn't speak too highly of the current leaders.

It is clear, even more so after Tuesday, that no one including the alliance's chief ministerial candidate Surya Kanta Mishra can match the former Chief Minister in terms of personal appeal or magnetism and the septuagenarian Bhattacharya remains CPIM's sole crowd-puller to take on the still considerable might of Mamata Banerjee. The roadshow may have gladdened the hearts of comrades but it should worry them even more.

The Left Front may be making a mistake if it believes that the outpouring of emotion in Tuesday's rally, vociferous as it was, is an iron-cast signal for resurgence. Even in his stunning defeat from Jadavpur in 2011, an area his convoy crossed amid much fanfare on Tuesday, Bhattacharya remains a popular figure in Bengal politics. His appeal had no doubt taken a beating, but the reticent leader who was hardly seen in public sphere since the reverse suffered by Left Front had been the Chief Minister for 11 years (2000-2011) and still inspires curiosity. The scramble to take a selfie with him may not translate into votes.

Young generation needs young leaders. Buddhababu may still be the CPIM's best batsman, but at the twilight of his political career the leader who led Left Front to their first defeat in three decades and got himself bruised in the process, may not be the answer the alliance is looking for.
Injustice and exclusion flow along various axes  gender, language, caste, religion and so on. In the politics of the Indian Union, dismal representation of women, especially women from socio-economically depressed communities, has been a persistent feature. While proper representation is not an automatic cure for such injustice and exclusion, it is an essential component that cannot be bypassed.

Representation is a necessary precondition in the fight against exclusion. In the West Bengal elections, sexual violence against women has been an important charge that opposition parties have hurled against the Trinamool, to claim that women are extremely unsafe under Trinamool rule. With this context in mind, its important to look at some of these issues of political representation and sexual crimes against women through numbers.

Let us first look at representation. The parties of the Left Front are altogether fighting 209 seats. There are 25 women candidates in those 209, which is about 12%. This works out to be lower in comparison to 15% representation in the Trinamool candidate list. There are 44 women candidates that the Trinamool has put up in the 294 seats it is contesting. These numbers are in line with the prominence that women have in Trinamool vis-a-vis the Left Front in the top political leadership, not counting Mamata Banerjee. Like most political parties that have an aggressive religious divisive ideology, the women's representation in the BJP list is lower than both the Trinamool and the Left Front  standing at slightly under 10% with its 28 women candidates in 291 seats.

The difference becomes even more starker when Muslim women are concerned, especially in a state like West Bengal where Muslims form upwards of 27% of the population. So a good measure of Muslim representation among women candidates will tell us something, in spite of the under-representation of Muslims across genders in general in the party candidate list, with significant variations. In the Trinamool women's candidate list, Muslim women form about 23% (10 out of 44), not too different from the percentage of Muslims in the general populace. That percentage for the Left Front is 8% (2 out of 25 ) and that for BJP is at slightly less than 4% (1 out of 28).

As far as sexual violence against women go, Mamata Banerjee's government and the certain comments by Mamata Banerjee herself (Shajano ghotona  a set-up event) when she made light of the now well-known Park Street rape incident. The Kamduni rape incident and Mamata Banerjee's initial conduct when she went to meet the family of the raped and murdered victim at Kamduni also was a source of serious charges brought about by the opposition about her being insensitive in case of sexual violence against women. This theme has played in media outside Bengal too as matter of fact that the state under Mamata Banerjee's chief ministership has really plunged in terms of women's safety from sexual violence. It is important that we look at data here to assess some of these things because lived experience of people are still far bigger deciders in election outcomes than media narratives about people's experiences.

One rape is a rape too many. No one disagrees on that. However, difference in rate of rapes gives us some hint about women's public safety issues in a certain area in the context of sexual violence. West Bengal, being the fourth largest state in terms of population is among the highest in terms of any crime in terms of absolute numbers. But its not absolute or total number that matters. Its the rate, that is, the number of incidents per a certain fixed number of women, that matters. In terms of number of reported rapes as per official data of National Crime Records Bureau, New Delhi, West Bengal actually has a lesser number compared to most states. It is clearly less than the India-wide average, while the CPM rules Tripura state score quite high up. This is true for the years of the post 2011 period.

While there is surely under-reporting of rape cases, there is no evidence to show that rape under-reporting is particularly different or high in West Bengal. Kolkata, in the same way, has been branded by sections of media and opposition as being particularly unsafe for women with a steep deterioration in the safety of women from sexual violence and rape. It is important that we then do a comparison here of Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in terms of reported rapes per 1 lakh women population, as per NCRB data for 2013 and 2014. What about the rate of reported rapes which speaks in a strong way to the question of safety. In comparison to Kolkata, the number of rapes per 1 lakh women is 47 times more in Delhi, 14 times more in Mumbai, 6 times more in Hyderabad, 5 times more in Bengaluru. Has the media narrative for the past 2-3 years around Kolkata given us an inkling of this picture? If perhaps important to understand what structures and interest groups in media build and sustain certain narratives and why and how does that happen. On the question of Kolkata getting unsafer by the day, the number of reported rapes have decreased in Kolkata from 2013 to 2014 and increased in each of the above-mentioned cities. These crime rates of West Bengal and Kolkata are broadly comparable with the Left Front era. However, I do have a disclaimer. In any context of discussing sexual crimes against women, we must remember that a stupendous majority of such crimes have family members or previously known people as perpetrators.

It is possible that there is a broader truth out there that these numbers don't capture and if that is true, I, that might find expression against the Trinamool. On the other hand, the Trinamool has launched a series of exclusively women, especially young women and girl child targeted schemes that the ruling party claims has benefited millions. Which of these narratives are true will be known when the West Bengal Assembly elections results are out. Women form roughly half the number of eligible voters. That is a fact everyone agrees on. Whether the women agree on what is being told about them is unfolding in the ballot boxes as you read.
Washington: The ties between the US and Saudi Arabia are characterised by extensive counter-terrorism cooperation, the White House said, moments before President Barack Obama left for the Kingdom.

"It is a relationship that is characterised by extensive counter-terrorism cooperation. That cooperation enhances our national security and makes the American people safer. The Saudi government happens to think that it enhances the national security of their country as well and makes the Saudi people safer as well. That is why we are able to cooperate," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on Tuesday.

On Tuesday,Obama along with his top officials left White House from the Andrews Airforce Base for his six-day three nation tour starting with Saudi Arabia. The UK and Germany are the other two countries where he will visit.

"It does not mean that there are not differences between our two countries. There are substantial differences between our two countries. And the President does not hesitate to raise his concerns about those differences as well.

"I am confident he will do that in the context of the meetings that he is preparing for later this week. I think that is the point. That is the essence of our concern and that is the essence of our proposal for how these kinds of situations can be resolved moving forward," Earnest said.

Earnest also responded to a question on the opposition of the White House to a legislation tabled in the Senate which if passed would allow victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack to sue Saudi Arabia. US media has reported that Saudi Arabia has threatened to withdraw its $ 750 billion investment in the US if such a legislation is passed. The White House has indicated that Obama will veto such a bill.

The Speaker of House of Representatives Paul Ryan indicated that he atleast had some more concerns with the way that this bill is structured because of the consequences it could have for the US relationship not just with Saudi Arabia but with countries around the world, he said.

"I think that taking a step like this would significantly enhance the risk to the US not in the context of our relationship with Saudi Arabia necessarily, but the concern that we have is much broader than that. Our concern is with our ability to do business in countries around the world. And sometimes it is not just related to economic business, but actually to the business of our national security, to the business of the functioning of the state - whether that relates to national security operations, or in some cases, even humanitarian operations," Earnest added.
When a production is "troubled," it's hard not to view the final film through the goggles of suspicion and curiosity. On one hand you legitimately hope that the movie somehow managed to survive the chaos and come out on top. On the other hand, you can't help but wonder if the film is a dramatic train wreck of 'Fantastic 4' scale. Actress and producer Natalie Portman's passion project 'Jane Got a Gun' is one such troubled production. While not a complete train wreck, the final film isn't nearly as good as it very easily could have been.

Jane Hammond and her young daughter are in a tight spot. When her peaceful yet outlaw husband Bill (Noah Emmerich) arrives back at their rural New Mexico ranch with four bullets in his back, Jane knows trouble is coming for them and his name is John Bishop (Ewan McGregor). Bill used to be a part of John Bishops' outlaw band, but in order to rescue Jane after she was sold to a whorehouse and her daughter presumably murdered, he had to kill four men and a $5,000 bounty was put on his head. The last few years have been peaceful as Jane and Bill settled in together and brought up a child of their own, but now John has an idea where Jane and Bill are and he's hellbent on putting a bullet into the back of his former friend and partner.

With a husband riddled with holes and a small daughter to defend, Jane turns to the one man she knows she can trust, her former fiance Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton). Even with the bad blood and painful history between them, Dan sets his wounded heart aside to help the woman he once loved. As a famed war hero, Dan has a deadly knack for combat strategy, knowing full well where and how a battle is fought is more valuable than the number of men you have on your side. With only one way to the property, Jane and Bill's home becomes the perfect outpost to let John and his gang of marauders ride up to the slaughter. Even with the best possible preparations made, Jane, Bill, and Dan will have to work together if they hope to survive John's villainous designs.

Before I get into my analysis of 'Jane Got a Gun,' I feel it's important to detail the goings on of the troubled shoot. Just when Natalie Portman was just about to get her passion project off the ground, her costar Michael Fassbender who was to play Dan Frost quit the film due to frequent clashes with original director Lynne Ramsay. As a result, Joel Edgerton who was originally supposed to play John Bishop took over the role of Dan Frost and Jude Law signed on for the John Bishop role. The day shooting of the film was to commence, Director Lynne Ramsay didn't show up for filming and quit the project because of issues with producer Scott Steindorff. Because Ramsay quit, so did Jude Law. Without a director or an actor to play the villain, Joel Edgerton busied himself doing rewrites of the script and brought in his frequent collaborator Gavin O'Connor to direct. Once Ewan McGreggor signed on to play John Bishop, the production was back up and running. That was in 2013. For three years this film sat on a shelf and was finally released in limited distribution before arriving on home video.

I detailed all of that information about the production of 'Jane Got a Gun' because it would have made for a more interesting movie than the final result. That isn't to say that 'Jane Got a Gun' is a bad film, it isn't, it's just not nearly as interesting or dramatic as the story of what it took to get the film made in the fist place ultimately is. Part of what drags 'Jane Got a Gun' down is there isn't any sort of character arc for Natalie Portman's Jane. When we meet her she's a hardened frontier woman with a history. She knows how to use a gun, she knows how to defend herself, she knows that bad winds are coming her way and she does what she has to do to survive. Granted, through frequent flashbacks we do get to see Jane's life before things got so bad when she was so madly in love with Dan, but that material is irrelevant to the story we're seeing. It's implied, it isn't something we need to see, and yet the film repeatedly stalls the buildup of tension to feed us another flashback.

At a slim 98 minutes in length, there is a lot of buildup for a big final showdown that never really materializes in a satisfying way. It's over just as soon as it starts and left me wanting a lot more movie than I got. Part of that problem is we never really get to know anyone beyond the surface material nor are we really given a reason to care whether or not Jane, Dan, or Bill even make it out of the fight alive. We are also given so little information about Ewan McGregor's John Bishop or why he is evil that we never really feel him as much of a threat. His status as an outlaw is also confusing and opens up a whole can of plot holes that aren't resolved in a satisfying way. Perhaps the best way to describe 'Jane Got a Gun' is by picturing 'Open Range' without the time spent getting to know and like Boss and Charley or without having a reason to fear Denton Baxter and his gun hand Butler so the big final showdown would be without any weight or suspense. We want Boss and Charley to live. In 'Jane Got a Gun' we're left rooting for characters we don't really know and it makes it difficult to care about them. 'Jane Got a Gun' is a well-meaning film that tries very hard to be something, but the final result just isn't special. It isn't terrible, it has its moments, but it doesn't rise above an unfortunate level of mediocrity.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

'Jane Got a Gun' arrives on Blu-ray thanks to Anchor Bay. Pressed onto a BD25 disc, the disc opens up to a trailer for 'The Hateful Eight' for other Anchor Bay releases before arriving at the main menu featuring standard navigation options. The disc is housed in an eco-friendly Blu-ray case that comes with a Digital HD Ultraviolet voucher slip.
Beijing: India and China on Wednesday agreed to adhere to "peaceful negotiations" to settle the vexed border issue and reach a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution", amid negativity over Beijing's blocking of India's bid in the UN to ban Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar.

The decision was taken during the annual 19th round of boundary talks here between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi to discuss the way forward to resolve the dispute which has bedevilled the relations between the two countries.

Both the leaders had an "extensive, deep and candid" discussion on the 3,488 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC), which remains undemarcated resulting in tensions between the two sides.

Both sides agreed to adhere to "peaceful negotiations to settle the boundary question". They will make efforts to reach a "fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution", according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.

Besides the border issue, Doval and Yang, the designated Special Representatives, also have a larger mandate to discuss all contentious bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual concern.

Welcoming Doval, Yang in his opening remarks at the meeting said: "Your visit fully signifies the importance Indian side attaches to this meeting and the efforts to further promote the strategic partnership between China and India.

"China-India relations carry special significance. China stands ready to use this important occasion to have a broad-ranging in-depth and candid discussion with Indian side on the bilateral relations, boundary question, regional and international issues and other issues of shared interest."

Doval in his response spoke about the importance of informal talks between him and Yang, saying "not talking from the mind but also from the heart".

The statement, carried by state-run Xinhua news agency, said that the two sides will properly manage differences and safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas so as to create favourable conditions for development of their ties.

Both sides shared the view that China-India relations have broad prospects and Beijing and New Delhi have far more common interests than differences.

Bilateral ties have entered a new era of comprehensive and rapid development since Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful visit to India in 2014 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to China in 2015, it said.

Both sides should implement the important consensus between the leaders, enhance high-level interactions, tap the potential of cooperation, and promote China-India relations to a higher level, it said.

The issue of China putting technical hold on India's recent bid to bring about a UN ban on Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Azhar for his involvement in the Pathankot terrorist attack was also said to have figured during the talks.

Terming 2015 during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China as a "very positive year" in bilateral ties between the two countries, Doval said: "It started a process about which we feel very satisfied. There has been an improvement in the bilateral exchanges between the two countries in various fields."

He also conveyed greetings by Modi to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Barring the opening remarks, officials maintained total secrecy on the proceedings and Doval himself declined to speak to the media.

Ahead of the talks, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar -who concluded his visit to China today - highlighted India's stand that there should be clarity about the LAC.

It was highlighted by Modi both during Xi's visit to India in 2014 and his own trip here last year. But China was averse to accept it and for its part suggested a code of conduct.

Last year, Deputy Director General of the Asian Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry Huang Xilian highlighted China's reservation on the clarification of LAC, saying "whatever we do in the border area it should be constructive. That means it should be a building block for the process of negotiations, not a stumbling block."

In the meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Monday, Parrikar said clarity over LAC will bring down tensions between the troops on both sides which aggressively patrol the areas to assert their control.

"We are insisting it should be done in order to really ensure a very stable border as all the issues take place because of perception," he said.

Marking the LAC is "one of the preconditions of smooth border operations. Without that everything goes by perceptions, which has caused problems sometimes", he told the media here.

Parrikar also highlighted India's concerns over China's projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) especially the USD 46-billion Economic Corridor going through the disputed territory. This issue too reportedly figured in the Doval-Yang talks.

On the border dispute, officials on both sides say the protracted boundary talks made progress and that they also made attempts to avert tensions along the disputed border.

While China says that the boundary dispute is confined to 2,000 kms, mainly in Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered the whole of the LAC including the Aksai Chin occupied by China during the 1962 war.

When the Special Representatives were appointed in 2003, the two sides set off a three-stage process.

The two countries first reached an agreement on the guiding principles and setting political parameters for the settlement in 2005.

Officials say the two sides are currently in the second stage which focusses on working out a framework of settlement to be followed by final step drawing the boundary line based on framework agreement.

On the 19th round boundary talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said yesterday that "we have been working to resolve territorial disputes through negotiations and consultation. China completely settled territorial disputes with 12 of the 14 land neighbours".

Regarding Azhar, India's UN Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin spoke of "hidden veto" at a meeting at an open debate in UNSC on 'Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts' in New York on April 16, while External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called for a review of China's decision to strike a common stand against terrorism.

For its part, China continued to stick to its stand, saying that its decision is based on facts and fairness.

Defending China's stand, Hua said that "we oppose double standard in counter terrorism campaign. We have been dealing with the listing (of terrorists by UN) matter in accordance with the facts and relevant resolutions.

"We are also in sound communication with all relevant parties including the Indian side," she said.

Significantly Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in his meeting with Parrikar yesterday said disputes should be handled properly and ties with New Delhi to be boosted, state-run China Daily reported today.

China will properly manage disputes while boosting bilateral cooperation with India, making contributions to Asia's economic growth, Li said.

Doval is scheduled to call on Li tomorrow which makes it a rare occasion for a Chinese premier to meet two top officials in such short time.

Doval and Yang are also reported to have discussed a range of issues including India's concern over USD 46 billion trade deficit with China in about $70 billion bilateral trade.
Brussels: Swedish national Osama Krayem, charged in connection with the Brussels bombings, has also been charged over the Paris attacks, Belgian media has reported citing prosecutors.

Krayem, 23, was charged on 9 April with "terrorist murders" over last month's suicide blasts in the Belgian capital, but the new charges reflect growing links between the attackers and those who carried out November's jihadist carnage in Paris.

"His fingerprints were found at several hideouts used during preparations for these attacks," Flemmish television station VRT reported yesterday.

Belga news agency confirmed the fresh charges, citing prosecutors. The prosecution service and Krayem's lawyers were not immediately reachable by AFP, but prosecutors are due to hold a news conference on Wednesday.

The coordinated bombings at Brussels airport and a metro station near European Union headquarters, claimed by the Islamic State group, left 32 people dead months after the Paris attacks killed 130 people.

The authorities suspect Krayem, a Swede of Syrian origin, of buying the bags used for the Brussels bombings. He was filmed on CCTV with Maalbeek metro station bomber Khalid El Bakraoui minutes before the bomb went off.

Krayem's lawyer Vincent Lurquin told reporters last week that his client had also planned to blow himself up but decided not to go ahead with it.

Investigators are still looking for the backpack Krayem was wearing that day.

Three men detonated suicide bombs in Belgium's worst-ever terror attack: brothers Ibrahim and Khalid El Bakraoui and Najim Laachroui.

A fourth man, Mohamed Abrini, the so-called "man in the hat" who accompanied the two airport bombers but did not detonate his own device, was arrested in Brussels on 8 April. He has also been charged over the Paris attacks.

Initial investigations suggest that the Brussels attackers had planned to hit France, but with police on their trail, decided Belgium was an easier target.
SANTIAGO Health authorities in Chile have for the first time in decades found a specimen of the mosquito species responsible for spreading the Zika virus and say more are likely to appear.

Chile eradicated the Aedes aegypti mosquito species in 1961 on its mainland and the World Health Organization has said it does not expect the Zika virus to spread to the country.

The mosquito specimen was found dead in a home in the city of Arica, located some 1,033 miles (1,663 kms) north of capital city Santiago in the Atacama desert next to the border with Peru, health authorities said.

"The mostly likely scenario is that it isn't just one (specimen) because it was captured as an adult and it probably came here in an egg; it's easier to transport that way," Health Undersecretary Jaime Burrows said on Tuesday.

"Now we're in the process of counting them, seeing how many larvae there are, where they are found," said Burrows.

Large parts of Latin America and the Caribbean have been affected by the Zika outbreak, with Brazil hardest hit so far. It is likely to spread to all countries in the Americas except Canada and Chile, the WHO has said.

There have been no reported cases in mainland Chile of mosquitoes infecting people with the Zika virus. In March the country reported its first case of the Zika virus being sexually transmitted.

U.S. health officials have concluded that Zika infections in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies.

The World Health Organization has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults.

The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last fall in Brazil, which has now confirmed more than 1,100 cases of microcephaly that it considers to be related to Zika infections in mothers.

(Reporting by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Andrew Hay)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Santiago: Patricio Aylwin, a lanky law professor who played a decisive role in restoring Chile's democracy after 7 years of brutal dictatorship and was later elected president, died on Tuesday. He was 97.

Interior Minister Jorge Burgos said the former president's health had deteriorated in recent days but did not give a cause of death.

Aylwin was at the center stage of Chilean politics for over half a century, and despite being president, senator and seven times head of his centrist Christian Democratic Party he often insisted he didn't see himself as a leader.

Chileans, however, viewed him as a key figure in efforts to prevent the bloody military coup that brought Gen Augusto Pinochet to power and they later elected him as the first president to follow the 1973-90 dictatorship.

President Michelle Bachelet declared three days of national mourning and said Aylwin will receive a state funeral.

"Chile has lost a man who always knew how to place the unity of democrats above their differences, which helped him build a democratic country once he assumed the presidency and in this sense we owe a lot to don Patricio," Bachelet said.

The legacy of his 1990-94 government includes strong economic growth and the continuation of Pinochet's free-market policies, but with more government control "because the market is cruel," as well as his efforts to learn the truth about the human rights violations that bloodied Chile.

Aylwin appointed the independent commission that found that 3,197 people were killed for political reasons under Pinochet. The report opened the way for the first trials of military men for abuses, which years later would reach Pinochet himself.

"I hereby ask for forgiveness from the victims and their relatives in the name of the Chilean state," Aylwin said in a broken voice, with tears in his eyes, as a presented the findings on national television.

Still, when Aylwin stepped down, he said one of his main frustrations was that he had not made greater progress in the human rights field.

Born 26 November, 1918, Aylwin trained as a lawyer. An avowed democrat, he was an opposition leader during 1970-73 government of Salvador Allende, the Western Hemisphere's first freely elected Marxist president.

Despite opposing Allende, he took part in intense, last-minute negotiations for an agreement that sought to prevent the Marxist's overthrow and death on 11 September, 1973, in Pinochet's military coup.
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump were favoured to win their parties' U.S. presidential nominating contests in New York state on Tuesday, but voting was overshadowed by official confirmation that more than 125,000 people were missing from New York City voter rolls and reports of other irregularities.

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer ordered an audit of the city elections board after it confirmed the names had been removed from voter rolls. The city has roughly 4 million voters considered active for the presidential primaries.

Stringer complained in a letter to the board that it was "consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient." He cited faulty ballot scanners, late-opening polling stations and scant staffing.

Opinion polls in New York put Clinton, 68, a former U.S. senator from the state, ahead of Brooklyn-born U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, 74, of Vermont in the Democratic race. The state has been the scene of some of their harshest exchanges during a long campaign.

Clinton hopes to recapture the momentum she lost to Sanders, winner of seven of the last eight state-by-state nominating contests.

"Any double-digit win would really reassure everybody that the (Clinton) campaign is reaching the voters who are going to be the people in November that are going to carry her to victory," said Dan Fass, a longtime Democratic donor in Rye, New York.

Last week, after the Democratic candidates debated in Brooklyn, Clinton aide Jennifer Palmieri sought to play down expectations by expressing skepticism about the accuracy of some polls showing Clinton with a double-digit lead.

"We are always cautioning people to not put a lot of stock into public polls and particularly ones that show big leads," Palmieri said.

Clinton has 1,758 of the 2,383 party convention delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination to Sanders' 1,076 delegates, according to an Associated Press tally. A total of 291 delegates are up for grabs in New York, and a big Clinton win there could make her delegate lead nearly insurmountable.

During the Democrats' July 25-28 convention, the delegates will select the party's nominee to the Nov. 8 presidential election.

In Democratic nominating contests, pledged delegates are awarded proportionate to the support a candidate receives in each state, while superdelegates, who make up a smaller proportion, can support any candidate.

TRUMP LOOKS PAST NEW YORK

Trump, 69, a New York billionaire businessman, already was looking past New York to future contests by sending Paul Manafort, who is charged with chasing the delegates needed to win the Republican nomination, to meet with lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.

Manafort "feels that there are four or five different pathways to 1,237," Congressman Scott Desjarlais of Tennessee said, referring to the number of delegates a candidate needs to secure the Republican nomination.

Trump, front-runner for months in the Republican race, has 744 delegates, while U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, 45, of Texas has 559 and Ohio Governor John Kasich, 63, is trailing far behind with 144, according to an Associated Press count. The count includes endorsements from several delegates who are free to support the candidate of their choice.

Opinion polls show Trump has a double-digit lead in New York, where the "winner takes most" primary carries 95 delegates. But a big win for Trump in the state York would not erase his vulnerabilities.

If Trump does not secure enough delegates needed to win the Republican nomination outright at the party's July 18-21 convention in Cleveland, delegates would be allowed to switch to other candidates.

Trump remains unpopular with the Republican leaders and activists who select and serve as delegates, whereas Cruz has invested time and money courting them.

Some establishment Republicans have been alienated by Trump's more incendiary proposals, such as building a wall along the border with Mexico and slapping a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country.

Trump has sought to mend fences with new hires and through contacts with party leaders in Washington.

Congressman Lou Barletta of Pennsylvania said Manafort told House lawmakers the Trump campaign has an "open door."

"It is good that they are reaching out to members here, to get policy ideas, and bounce ideas off," said Barletta, who has endorsed Trump.

(Reporting by Edward Krudy and Susan Cornwell; Additional reporting by Amanda Becker, Emily Flitter, Steve Holland, and Luciana Lopez; Writing by Amanda Becker and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Frances Kerry and Howard Goller)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Kabul: The death toll from a Taliban suicide attack in Kabul has more than doubled to 64, officials said Wednesday, making it the deadliest militant assault in the Afghan capital for years.

The brazen attack on Tuesday on a security services office in the heart of Kabul is seen as the opening salvo in this year's Taliban spring offensive, launched last week.

A powerful Taliban truck bomb tore through central Kabul and a fierce firefight broke out, sending clouds of smoke billowing into the sky and rattling windows several kilometres away.

"It is with regret that I announce that 64 people were killed and 347 others wounded in yesterday's Kabul attack," ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told reporters. "Most of them are civilians."

The ministry had earlier put the death toll at 30.

"The victims of (the) terrorist attack are all fathers, brothers or children of people," Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Twitter.

"We will avenge every drop of Afghan blood."

The Taliban claimed three "martyrdom seekers" carried out an attack on the National Directorate of Security, the main spy agency. One of them, it said, managed to slip away alive.

Afghan authorities insisted the building, used by NDS in the past, housed an elite security agency charged with protecting top government officials.

Mourners in Kabul held emotionally charged funerals on Wednesday for the victims of the attack, one of the deadliest in Kabul for years.

"The government is unable to stop these attacks on the people," said Abdul Basir Mobasher, a relative of a security official who was killed in the attack.

"The people will be forced to rise up in revolt if these attacks don't stop."

'War crime'

The attack underscores concerns raised in a new United Nations report, which highlighted a spike in civilian casualties during the first three months of the year due to an increase in urban warfare.

"The Taliban exposed the hollowness of their recent vow to 'safeguard and protect the lives and properties of the civilian people', by launching a massive suicide attack in central Kabul," Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

"Those responsible for deliberately carrying out such an attack committed a war crime."

The Taliban on Tuesday last week announced the start of their spring offensive, even as the government tries to bring them back to the negotiating table to end the drawn-out conflict.

The insurgents warned they would employ "large-scale attacks" across Afghanistan during the offensive -- dubbed Operation Omari in honour of the movement's late founder Mullah Omar, whose death was announced last year.

The Taliban's resurgence has raised serious questions about the ability of Afghan forces to hold their own and prompted calls for the US to reconsider its troop withdrawal schedule.

There are currently 9,800 American troops in the country, set to fall to 5,500 by 2017.

Peace talks which began last summer were abruptly halted after it was revealed that Mullah Omar had been dead for two years, a disclosure which sparked infighting within insurgent ranks.

A four-country group comprising Afghanistan, the United States, China and Pakistan has been holding meetings since January aimed at jump-starting negotiations, though their efforts have so far been in vain.

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Tuesday announced he was postponing his upcoming trip to Pakistan after "initial evidence of today's suicide attack".

Kabul has fraught relations with Islamabad, which it blames for sponsoring the Taliban insurgency.
Kathmandu: Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will be visiting India from 9 May on her first foreign visit since assuming the office of the head of the state in October 2015.

Initially, the president had expressed interest in attending the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh. This was communicated to the Indian side which, wishing to play host to the Nepali head of state, converted the visit to an official one, officials privy to the matter told IANS.

Bhandari would, therefore, be visiting India on the invitation of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

Preparations are underway for her India visit, said officials, adding that the two back-to-back visits  by President Bhandari in May and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in March  are expected to boost bilateral ties that touched a new low after the promulgation of the new constitution in September last year.

There could be two reasons behind making the visit official: one because she is the first woman president of Nepal and the second that she was elected to the top office post-promulgation of the new constitution.

In her two-leg visit, she will reach New Delhi on 9 May and the following day would be meeting senior Indian officials and leaders, said sources.

She would meet President Pranab Mukharjee on 10 May at Rashtrapati Bhawan, according to the preliminary itinerary.

On the same day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other Indian leaders will call on President Bhandari in New Delhi.

After her meetings and engagements in New Delhi, the Nepal president will fly to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, to take part in the Simhastha Kumbh Mela where state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other senior officials will meet her.

The details of the visit, size of the delegation and other preparations are yet to be worked out, said officials.

The previous president, Ram Baran Yadav, paid two official and one state visit to India but none of the Indian presidents has visited Nepal since 1998.

KR Narayanan was the last president to visit Nepal in 1998.
RIYADH President Barack Obama and Abu Dhabis crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan discussed a series of regional conflicts in the Middle East in a private meeting ahead of a summit with Gulf leaders on Thursday, the White House said.

Obama and the Crown Prince agreed on the need for a political settlement for the Yemen conflict, and the need to rally international support for Libya's nascent government and to head off the "actions of potential spoilers" there, the White House said.

(This version of the story has been refiled to correct headline to show it was Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, not UAE)

(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; editing by John Stonestreet)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Washington: US President Barack Obama has embarked on a three-nation six-day tour of Saudi Arabia, the UK and Germany to discuss the fight against ISIS, defence and global economy among others with some of America's key allies in the Gulf and Europe.

"The President will be meeting with some of our key allies and partners in the world in both the Gulf and in Europe," Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said.

It is a very important chance for him to coordinate US approaches on issues ranging from the counter-ISIL campaign to efforts to promote regional stability in the Middle East, to the support for Ukraine and its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to efforts to promote global economic growth, he told reporters ahead of Obama's departure on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia will be the first stop of Obama on 20 April.

"This will be a summit between the United States and the Gulf nations, following up on the summit that we had last year, the first of its kind at the head-of-state level at Camp David," he said.

Obama will begin on Wednesday afternoon by having a bilateral meeting with King Salman of Saudi Arabia.

Then on 21 April, he will have the summit with the GCC leaders, and that summit will be broken into three different sessions - one on regional stability, one on defeating ISIL and al-Qaeda and counterterrorism cooperation, and then one on Iran and regional security and our efforts to prevent destabilising actions across the region, Rhodes said.

Obama is scheduled to fly to the UK from Saudi Arabia.

"On Friday, 22 April, the President will have a lunch with Queen Elizabeth. This visit coincides with her 90th birthday," Rhodes said.

Noting that the US President has very much enjoyed his engagements with the Queen over the years, Rhodes said as a general matter, Obama felt that in his final year in office it would be very important for him to visit his close ally, the UK, given the special relationship and all the work that they do together around the world.

US First Lady Michelle Obama would join the President during the Britain leg of the trip.

Following the lunch with the Queen, the President will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron.

"We work very closely with the United Kingdom on a host of issues around the world to include the counter-ISIL campaign, counterterrorism efforts, our efforts together in Afghanistan, our efforts, again, to respond to Russian aggression in Ukraine, and our collaboration in terms of promoting global economic growth. So a broad agenda to discuss with Prime Minister Cameron," Rhodes said.

On Saturday, Obama will have a town hall meeting with young people, at Lindley Hall in London, where he will have the chance to talk about the special relationship between the US and the UK, the agenda that they share together, and the world, and his vision for the future of the cooperation between the two countries.

On Sunday, he will be in Germany for the Hannover Messe.

"The President felt it was very important that he has the opportunity to go to Germany in his final year in office. Chancellor Angela Merkel has been a close partner for his entire time in office, and we are working together with Germany on a host of issues, including our commercial ties and the economic collaboration that is represented by the Hannover Messe," Rhodes said.

On Sunday, Obama will have a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel. The two leaders will open the Hannover trade show that evening.

"They will each be making remarks as a part of that program. Then that night, we expect that the President and Chancellor Merkel will both have an opportunity to have dinner together with a group of American and German business leaders," he said.

On Monday, 25 April, Obama and Merkel will have an opportunity in the morning to tour the trade show on the Hannover Messe fairgrounds to see some of the work that is being done and displayed in Hannover, after which the President will deliver a speech.

"This speech allows him to step back at a time when the US and Europe together are dealing with a range of challenges, from counter-ISIL and the threat of terrorism, to the current refugee crisis and our efforts to address both the humanitarian aspects and the migratory aspects of that crisis.

"Besides, to our shared commitment to Ukraine and its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to our shared efforts to combat the headwinds in the global economy and promote sustainable growth," Rhodes said.

In Germany, Obama will address the challenges facing democracies in the US and Europe, have a chance to look at the range of different issues confronting these countries, but also review what they have done over the course of the last seven and a half years of his presidency and look ahead to what we need to be doing going forward.
RIYADH President Barack Obama and Saudi Arabia's King Salman discussed the ties between their nations during a two-hour long meeting on Wednesday, a conversation that touched on conflicts around the Middle East and U.S. concerns about human rights in the kingdom.

"The two leaders reaffirmed the historic friendship and deep strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia," the White House said in a statement, noting the leaders discussed Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, among other issues.





(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Dominic Evans)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
NEW YORK Republican front-runner Donald Trump easily won New York state's presidential nominating contest on Tuesday, moving closer to capturing enough delegates to win the party's White House nomination and avoid a contested convention in July.

The New York City billionaire's big victory in his home state gave him renewed momentum in the Republican race and pushed him closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination.

He was hoping to win more than half of the vote in New York against rivals Ted Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas, and Ohio Governor John Kasich. Trump could win all of the state's 95 delegates if his vote total is above 50 percent statewide and in each of the state's congressional districts.

Fox News, CNN and NBC projected the win for Trump. Fox also projected that Kasich would finish in second place, ahead of Cruz.

With 23 percent of the vote in, Trump had 65 percent of the ballot, to 21 percent for Kasich and 14 percent for Cruz.

Trump's victory sets him up for a potential strong performance next Tuesday, when five other Northeastern states hold nominating contests that he expects to do well in.

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton also sought a big victory in New York, which she once represented in the U.S. Senate, to blunt the momentum of rival Bernie Sanders and take a big step toward wrapping up the nomination.

There were no immediate projections in the Democratic race. With 16 percent of the vote in, Clinton led with 61 percent of the ballots, and Sanders had 39 percent.

The voting in New York was marred by irregularities, including more than 125,000 people missing from New York City voter rolls. The city has roughly 4 million voters considered active for the primaries.

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer ordered an audit of the city elections board after it confirmed the names had been removed from voter rolls. He told the board in a letter it was "consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient."

"It is absurd that in Brooklyn, New York, where I was born actually, tens of thousands of people as I understand it have been purged from the voting rolls," Sanders told supporters at a rally in State College, Pennsylvania.

Trump entered the New York contest with 756 delegates, while Cruz had 559 and Kasich had 144, according to an Associated Press count. The count includes endorsements from several delegates who are free to support the candidate of their choice.

If Trump does not secure enough delegates needed to win the Republican nomination outright at the party's July 18-21 convention in Cleveland, delegates would be allowed to switch to other candidates.

Trump remains unpopular with the Republican leaders and activists who select and serve as delegates, whereas Cruz has invested time and money courting them.

Some establishment Republicans have been alienated by Trump's more incendiary proposals, such as building a wall along the border with Mexico and slapping a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country.

(Additional reporting by Megan Cassella and Alana Wise in Washington, Luciana Lopez in New York and Emily Stephenson in Pennsylvania; Writing by John Whitesides; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Zabadani: Twenty-five men were evacuated from a rebel-held stronghold west of Damascus, capital of Syria on Wednesday as part of a UN-backed evacuation of 500 people from four besieged towns.

The reporter said 15 of those evacuated from Zabadani were young men and the rest were elderly in need of medical attention.

Once their bus had cleared Zabadani's outskirts, the men stepped out to be checked by medical teams.

A total of 500 people were to be simultaneously evacuated Wednesday from four towns: Zabadani, nearby Madaya, which is also in rebel hands, and the government-held towns of Fuaa and Kafraya in northwest Idlib province.

Zabadani and Madaya are besieged by government forces, and Fuaa and Kafraya are surrounded by Islamist rebel groups.

A local activist group in Madaya announced on its Facebook page that wounded residents and "their companions" were boarding buses to leave town.

"They will head first to Damascus, then to Idlib," said the group, the United Relief Organisation in Madaya and Zabadani.

And a Syrian security source said a first bus carrying about a dozen people -- including "wounded and their families" -- had also left Fuaa and Kafraya.

A UN source in Damascus told AFP that the identity of every evacuated person was being checked against a pre-approved list.

"We are evacuating injured or sick people from the four besieged towns," the source said.

The United Nations announced on April 7 that it was planning "a very major" medical evacuation in the four towns.

"Altogether it could be up to 500 people," Jan Egeland, who heads a UN-backed humanitarian taskforce for Syria, told reporters in Geneva.

Aid deliveries to the four towns are always simultaneous and equal: the same numbers of aid convoys must enter the different towns at the same time.

A similar stipulation applied for those being evacuated.

More than 270,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted in 2011, and millions have been forced to flee their homes.
The New York primary results are still being tallied, but Trump has won the GOP vote, and Hillary Clinton is emerging as the Democratic party winner. Widespread reports of voting irregularities have Bernie Sanders' campaign and some elected officials calling the state's primary voting system "a disgrace." New York City officials were quick to blame the city Board of Elections for stripping more than 125,000 Democratic voters from the rolls.

"It is absurd that in Brooklyn, New York  where I was born, actually  tens of thousands of people as I understand it, have been purged from the voting rolls," said Sanders during an evening campaign rally at Penn State University. Sanders spokesman Karthik Ganapathy called the state's handling of the primary a "shameful demonstration," in an email to a CNN reporter.

"From long lines and dramatic understaffing to longtime voters being forced to cast affidavit ballots and thousands of registered New Yorkers being dropped from the rolls, what's happening today is a disgrace," Bernie Sanders campaign rep Ganapathy told CNN.

Election Justice USA, a voter rights organization, told CNN it will go to Federal District Court in Brooklyn on Wednesday morning as part of an effort to have provisional ballots from voters disenfranchised by the Board of Elections counted before the primary results are certified. Earlier in the day, a federal judge denied a temporary restraining order filed by the group that would have opened the polls to New York Democrats claiming they were unlawfully listed as Republican or unaffiliated.

A little before the polls here closed at 9 p.m., the polling site coordinator at Brooklyn Borough Hall estimated that about 10% of those who showed up to vote on Tuesday were previously removed by the board of elections. More than 2,800 people had voted at the location. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Hillary Clinton supporter, called for major reforms to the Board of Elections as a series of snafus continued to bubble up, including reports of the errant "purge" in Brooklyn.

"Sanders campaign, New York officials cry foul after New York voters report issues" [CNN]

Says The New York Times editorial board to candidates Sanders and Kasich: Don't Stop Believin'.
Tupac knew what was up. In a previously unreleased interview with the rap icon shot in 1992, Tupac Shakur concisely and accurately analyzes Donald Trump's greed.

"If you want to be successful, if you want to be like Trump," he says about the GOP candidate who won the New York primary tonight. "Gimme, gimme, gimme. Push, push, push, push. Step, step, step. Crush, crush, crush. That's how it all is, it's like nobody ever stops."

In the 1992 clip published today by MTV, Tupac "passionately explains his views on generosity and responsibility, traits he feels some people with extreme wealth like Donald Trump lack."

TUPAC CALLS OUT TRUMP'S GREED IN THIS UNSEEN 1992 MTV INTERVIEW [MTV]
Samsung Galaxy Galaxy C7 (SM-C7000) surfaced on AnTuTu yesterday that detailed most of the specifications of the phone. Now the C5 (SM-C5000) has surfaced in GFXBench that reveals most of the specifications that are almost similar to the Galaxy C7. This comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 SoC and packs 4GB of RAM as revealed in the Geekbench listing.

[HTML1]

Cases for the smartphone have also surfaced. This reveals loudspeaker placement on the bottom, along with earpiece and USB port. The 3.5mm audio jack is on the top, SIM/microSD slot is present on the left, and the power and volume buttons are on the right.

Samsung Galaxy C5 (SM-C5000) rumored specifications

5.2-inch / 5.5-inch (19201080 pixels) Full HD display

Octa-Core Snapdragon 617 (4 x 1.5GHz + 4 x 1.2GHz) processor with Adreno 405 GPU

4GB RAM, 32GB Internal Storage, expandable memory via micro SD card

Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)

16MP rear camera with LED flash

8MP front camera

Fingerprint sensor

4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac (Dual Band), Bluetooth v 4.1, GPS

The Samsung Galaxy C-Series smartphones are expected to come with a metal unibody design and is expected to be announced in China next month.

Source

[Update: The smartphone has also surfaced on AnTuTu, confirming the specifications.]
Richard Payne, director of Douglas County School District security, spent $12,000 on 10 Bushmaster semi-automatic long rifles that will be given to the district's in-school security guards.

Payne took the step without school board consultation. He also plans to have each guard train for 20 hours in the rifles' use. The rifles are meant to be kept locked in the guards' cars.

Colorado has been the site of several high-profile mass shootings, including shootings in schools, most notably, the 1999 Columbine school shooting.

There is no indication of how this will affect the school's insurance underwriting. Insurers are generally reluctant to insure schools whose staff carry guns.

Opposition to such moves is widespread, however, with risks being highlighted, such as armed teachers mistakenly thinking a student is carrying a gun, police being unable to differentiate between a perpetrator and a teacher who has a weapon drawn, as well as the risks to students who find themselves in the midst of a gunfight. "Some [insurance providers] are saying this is so high risk we're not going to touch it," Kenneth Trump, the president of National School Safety and Security Services, which discourages districts from implementing concealed-carry policies, told The New York Times. "Others may say this is so high risk that you're going to pay through the nose."

Colorado school district to arm security staff with military-style rifles (+video)

[Jason Thomas/Christian Science Monitor]

(via Naked Capitalism)
What: Crude oil prices jumped 3% today, which fueled a big rally in oil stocks. Several were up by double digits, including Transocean (RIG 5.59%), ENSCO (VAL), EP Energy (EPE), Noble (NEBLQ), and Seadrill Partners (SDLP).

So what: Crude oil was driven higher by an oil workers' strike in Kuwait. The strike, which is now in its third day, has caused roughly 1.5 million barrels per day of production in that country to go offline. That's more than half of its daily output and roughly the amount of oversupply currently in the oil market.

Higher crude prices always seem to provide a lift to oil stocks, even if the reason behind crude's move is unrelated. Today, for example, the bulk of the biggest movers are offshore drillers Transocean, ENSCO, Noble, and Seadrill Partners, which don't see the immediate boost from rising oil prices that a producer like EP Energy would. Instead, these companies need crude to move meaningfully higher -- think $75 a barrel or more -- before producers will start pouring more money into new offshore wells, which would enable offshore drilling contractors to put some of their idle rigs back to work. That said, crude will likely only go that high once the oil market is back in balance due to improving market fundamentals, not because of a temporary supply issue such as the one caused by striking workers in Kuwait.

Now what: While the oil workers' strike in Kuwait is providing a boost to both crude oil and oil stocks today, it's likely a short-lived one. Instead, offshore drillers need to see supply and demand rebalance naturally in order to drive the oil price high enough to create the need for new offshore developments. We're still at least a year away from that happening, which suggests that there's still a lot of volatility and uncertainty ahead for these oil stocks.
His tool of choice: a DIY wrench lure. It's a wrench, string, and two fishing hooks. With only this tool, Florida man Ryan Hein was able to reel in a 400-pound Goliath grouper while fishing in the St. Petersburg area.

Dude's a mechanic.

"A lot of mechanics know that you don't really use an 11 for anything," Hein told a local news reporter. "At least I never have."

"Some jigs can cost $20," he said. "I was just looking for a way to make a jig without spending so much money."

WFTS news in Florida reports below.
A few weeks back, I was at the annual Game Developers Conference . GDC kicked off this year with its first-ever VRDC, two days of all-VR, all the time. On top of that, there was VR programming sprinkled across the main event schedule, too: its launch year for the much-touted Big Headsets.

This is pretty normal: new tech being talked about at a tech-centric conference. But, the VRDC Summit was so popular that the lines for the talks went round the internal blocks of the Moscone, and the talks had overflow roomsthat had overflow rooms. On the second day, management had to move the entire Summit to a space twice the size: a first, in all the 15 years that I've been going to GDC.

It was a developer frenzy.

What's going on? VR isn't brand new, we're on version 2.0 here; has it finally evolved to where somehow, suddenly, it looks like it might be beginning to work? Or is this industry desperation?

When VR didn't work, it was a grubby arcade-alike with a faint smell of puke. Now, with the top end gear just-released to the early adopter crowd, it has the hallmarks of some kind of possible game changer. As is common in new tech hype, the possibilities in VR are being touted as the next major shift in how Things Get Done. The next major tech paradigm.

OK, some traditional signs of possible near-future mini-doom: a growing lurch of VC investments into VR & AR (over $1.1bn already in 2016) which will pile on the pressure to succeed, as big and as fast as possible. Then there's the issue that VR isn't something you can easily do on the bus, or at work when the boss isn't looking. VR isn't very sociable yet, either  and if we've learned any lessons from the growth of Facebook games and then Mobile games, it's that social, bus-time and sneaky-work-play are killer use cases.

But there are so many pros. VR's potential could easily stretch to defense (urgh), tourism, communication, leisure  as you may be reading in all the headlines. We heard all that before with Second Life, or more recently too even with 3D Printing, but there's a difference with VR: this time we have a phalanx of huge companies visibly on board, very publicly "long play" invested: Facebook, Samsung, Google, Valve, Sony.

And IKEA!

If this billion-dollar bunch don't want to see VR fail, it makes me think maybe that's enough support-cash buffer to ride out any shorter term post-hype jitters. Microsoft have Hololens for AR, and they'll undoubtedly release a VR set soon too, they're honestly just not that hard to make. And of course everyone's wondering: what is Apple doing, will they jump in soon? I hear rumours from excellent sources that they're on it.

Because VR is just so damn riveting when it's done well. There are experiences in this tech that we haven't begun to fully explore yet, as VR seems to harness the brain in equally terrifying and exciting ways that other experiences don't:

You'll hear the term "presence" a lot: because VR + your brain = Real Feelings. Vertigo, wonder, adrenaline, butterflies. You feel them. It's visceral.

Watching someone try virtual reality is the opposite of its promise: awkward to the point of alienating. (Hence, some of the reaction to TIME's VR cover story last year.) But, like stepping through the looking glass, what you find on the other side is as destabilizing as it is impossible to sufficiently describe. Words can't express what it feels like to fake out your visual cortex this totally. The only way to grok virtual reality is to try it yourself.

Zuck has set the timeline for discovery: 5-20 years. Alibaba thinks you'll do your shopping in VR. Shopify's already built a thing. Real estate people want to sell homes through VR (sigh). Kids in classrooms will be able to travel the world in VR. There's free porn for VR. Educational uses. Long-distance team comms uses. Et cetera.

Big brains are working on the social aspects. I can only imagine the fitness uses, especially as I walked past a lady jogging on a treadmill in her garage last week: visibly bored and mostly stationary, what a perfect opportunity). So many possibilities, it's like a second life: although SL's actual Wagner James Au thinks this is definitely the Metaverse hype-crash all over again.

So this is now, the early-adopter period, when the headsets are huge, ugly, clunky, often tethered, heavy. It can't be that long before they're shaped like Boba Fett's helmet, or your AR rig is an X-Wing Fighter Pilot lid; it's not like Disney doesn't know how to make toys, or VR. Imagine when Apple does decide to get its design team in gear on this one, and how much Google has learned already to pour into its more grown-up Cardboard (coming soon, I'm told).

Importantly, too, back to the developers: it doesn't have to be expensive to make VR experiences: with middleware like Unity, and app stores it all feels very familiar to a hungry/starving game development industry, most of whom bear scars from missing the previous gold rushes in Facebook and the App store(s). It's cheap and easy enough to take part  as long as you get in there early and establish a foothold.

New platforms are a land grab.

Here's what's next, for sure: some inevitable but mild post-launch-hype weariness, especially as gamers wait for triple-A content to turn up. Sony's Playstation bundle arrives in fall (their presales sold out in seconds); that'll be the next audience-size jump. Then comes Oculus Touch, and the chunk of freebie Gear folks arrive (even though Gear and Cardboard probably only appeal to kids/casual browsers in the early days). Design nerds begin to turn their eye towards the lumpen headsets, and improvements begin to flow.

Over a few years, a handful of companies will luck out in the VR app stores, by figuring out the native game or app design style that wins out, like social did for Facebook and free to play did for Mobile; then they'll out-buy the audience acquisition channels and force the majority of the industry out of the arena.

So everyone else swift-swivels/pivots/slowly turns towards AR as the Next Big Thing. The money starts to flow away from VR and towards the next tech hype, assuming that the tech investment bubble hasn't burst by then. Google releases Glasses 2.0, and Disney releases a Leia-Yourself Hologram Kit

I would do a timeline, but that's just asking for trouble. You: team Definite-Overhype, team Tech-Evolution-as-Usual, or team Long-Overdue-Arrival-of-the-Life-Changing-Metaverse?

Thoughts, comments and hey-you-missed-this pointers: in the comments below. Go.



(Image: Woman Using a Samsung VR Headset at SXSW 2015 (2015-03-15 14.10.24 by Nan Palmero), Nan Palmero, CC-BY)
Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG) CEO Matt Levatich said Wednesday the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which has been a subject of debate on the campaign trail, should help the motorcycle maker as it pursues growth in Asian markets.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, was signed by a dozen nations earlier this year, including the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Japan and Vietnam. The agreement needs the approval of Congress. Both frontrunners in the presidential race, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, have expressed opposition to the deal.

In an interview on FOX Business Networks Mornings With Maria, Levatich said international regions, especially Asia, are important to Harley-Davidson. The Milwaukee-based company currently has dealers in 90 countries.

The big opportunity for Harley, growth-wise, is in Asia, and a lot of the work with the TPP addresses some of the barriers that are in the way of our growth in Asia, Levatich said. We are a U.S. company manufacturing almost all of our products here in the United States, which is good for America when we can have freer trade.

Harley-Davidson reported first-quarter earnings on Tuesday. Although the companys profits narrowed year-over-year, earnings and revenue both beat Wall Streets expectations.

Sales in America slipped 0.5%, and Harley-Davidsons market share ticked lower to roughly 51%. The iconic motorcycle maker continues to grapple with competition from Japanese and European brands who, due to a strong dollar, can undercut prices from Harley-Davidson and other American brands like Polaris-owned (NYSE:PII) Indian Motorcycle.

Thats why weve really stepped up our efforts to be more competitive, Levatich said.

On Tuesdays earnings call, Chief Financial Officer John Olin said Harley-Davidson will compete with rivals by driving equity into the brand, rather than getting into a price war. Executives have maintained that discounting would hurt Harley-Davidsons profit margins and its position as a high-end brand.

We still have a very strong leadership position in the U.S., Levatich said, noting that Harley-Davidsons market share remains above its historic average of 45%.

Levatich also noted that Harley-Davidson showed strong results internationally, as sales outside the U.S. grew 4.5%.

He said the quarter reflects the pivot Harley-Davidson has made to drive demand. Over the course of the full year, the company plans to invest $70 million in marketing campaigns, a 65% increase versus 2015.

While core customers are a key driver for Harley-Davidsons sales, Levatich said the brand is investing in advertising, dealer training and new products that resonate with younger riders and women. Those efforts have moved the needle. Non-core customers account for 39% of sales, up from 34%, according to Levatich.
One defining trait of successful investors is their ability to simply stay the course.

"The reason Buffett is successful is not because he has a magic stock wand, but rather his unbelievable ability to stick to his style."--Mebane Faber

It may not come as any surprise that chronically second-guessing ourselves has been shown to have negative effects on our mental health. But what about our monetary wealth?

Historically, the S&P 500 has delivered a positive annual return 70% of the time. Sounds great, right?

Unfortunately, it tends to be the remaining 30% that causes investors to wonder where we went wrong. Psychologists call this a "negativity bias." Humans simply tend to anchor on the negative more than the positive.

When thinking about these ebbs and flows of investing, it's easy to understand why we may have a variety of voices in our head pulling our thoughts in multiple directions. As it turns out, the ability to tune out said voices may be the key to success for one of the world's greatest investors -- Warren Buffett.

Mebane Faber, cofounder and chief investment officer of Cambria Investment Management, recently analyzed the annual returns of the top 10 holdings of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A)(NYSE: BRK-B)since 2000. What he found was that they underperformed the index in nine of the 16 years in question.

Yes, Warren Buffett's top 10 investments have underperformed the broad market in more than half of the years of the new millennium. Clearly, he's lost his touch, right?

Wrong!

Sure, Buffett's top 10 may have lost an inning or nine, but if you take all 16 years in aggregate, they turned $10,000 into right around $40,000. You'd take a 300% return in 16 years, right?

So how did that Buffett-beating index do? Well, it lost -- and not by just a little bit, either. It would have not quite doubled your original $10,000, falling short of Berkshire's return by more than $20,000.

How'd he arrive at that impressive outperformance? He stuck to his guns.

In 2000, Berkshire's largest five holdings included American Express, Coca-Cola, Gillette (now Proctor & Gamble), The Washington Post Co., and Wells Fargo. Turning the page to February 2016, Berkshire's largest 10 holdings still included all but The Washington Post Co (now Graham Holdings). A big reason for this is that Warren Buffett essentially traded 1.6 million shares of Graham Holdings for a wholly owned subsidiary of Graham Holdings, which included a Miami-based television station.

Several acquisitions during that time made up the remainder of Buffett's top 10. It hasn't necessarily evolved because of divestitures like the portfolios of many individual investors. To put it simply, he lets his winners do just that -- win. Unfortunately, we mere mortals often do the opposite, succumbing to the "disposition effect," selling our winners and holding on to losers.

Here at The Motley Fool, we try to emulate Buffett by emphasizing buying more of your winners instead of selling them. After all, they must be winning for a reason, right? Unfortunately, that's not always easy.

To this point, my fellow colleague Jason Moser offered up his thoughts on a recent Million Dollar Portfolio podcast: "Adding to your winners is not the easiest thing to do if you've never done it before, but the more you do it, the easier it gets is what I found personally. I think that we will do more of that as we see a number of our winners pan out here."

Apparently, Uncle Warren has become quite accustomed to this habit. I know I've personally been working on it.

The article Investors: Staying True to Yourself Isn't Always Easy originally appeared on Fool.com.

Taylor Muckerman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Berkshire Hathaway and Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool has the following options: short May 2016 $52 puts on Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool recommends American Express, Coca-Cola, and Procter & Gamble. 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.
Meet Model X event in Denver. Image source: Author.

Tesla's Model X has issues. Make no mistake, some early units of the all-electric SUV are fraught with a wide range of quality issues, including malfunctioning falcon wing doors, misaligned body panels, or seat glitches. Tesla Motors Club forum members have shared a handful of stories, detailing flawed vehicle deliveries for the past few months.

These issues have been known for some time within Tesla's enthusiast community, but the broader media is now catching wind. The influential Consumer Reports detailed some of the issues earlier today, which is partially why shares are down.

To be clear, reading some of these stories can be enough to test the patience of even the most bullish investors, including myself. Some of these deliveries sound downright nightmarish. But how should an investor think about the X quality issues?

Anecdotal evidenceWhile acknowledging how negative some of these experiences have undeniably been, investors need to consider if they represent the average or if they're rare instances. As of the end of the first quarter, Tesla had delivered about 2,600 Model X SUVs, but was producing them at a rate of 750 per week.

Without trying to diminish what these customers have endured, the number of bad stories we've heard is a fairly limited sample size. They're also being shared on an enthusiast forum, where average consumers are unlikely to wander. Shortly after any product launch from any company, early customers will point out flaws on enthusiast forums, although most of the time we're talking about a $500 smartphone instead of a $100,000 car.

Still, we should assign an appropriate weight to these reports. Considering investor reactions, the market might be overweighting these issues.

Lessons learnedBeyond the quality issues themselves, there are two other direct considerations.

First off, is Tesla addressing the issues promptly enough and to the customer's satisfaction? Is the experience negatively affecting the customer's overall perception of the company? Will customer loyalty be harmed? At least in some cases, the X buyers are explicitly stating that they are still very satisfied with the company's response overall, even if the issues are incredibly frustrating.

Second, how quickly can Tesla iterate on its production methods to incorporate this new feedback? If Tesla can adapt its tooling to address the underlying manufacturing challenges going forward, then that should mitigate the overall impact of these early X issues.

Will this affect Model 3?Remember that Tesla's current lofty valuation is not primarily predicated on Model X. Of course, investors expect the company to deliver 80,000 to 90,000 vehicles this year combined (S and X), but Tesla's valuation is far more reliant on Model 3 execution over the next couple of years than anything else.

The most important takeaway from these X issues is whether or not they will affect Model 3, since build quality problems will scale just as fast with unit deliveries. Some areas simply do not apply, such as the complexities and challenges that the unique falcon wing doors present. Model 3 is specifically designed to be easy to manufacture, unlike the overly complex Model X.

But it's still disconcerting to see Tesla experiencing problems with things like moldings and body panel alignments, since those should be fairly basic and Tesla should have enough experience by now to avoid elementary mistakes. Investors need Model 3 to be simple.

The article Will Tesla's Model X Quality Issues Translate to Model 3? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Evan Niu, CFA owns shares of Tesla Motors, andhas the following options: long January 2018 $180 calls on Tesla Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Tesla Motors. 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: Getty Images.

While many companies' shares are risingpast their fair values right now, others are trading at potentially bargain prices. The difficulty with bargain shopping, though, is that you may be understandably hesitant to buy stocks wallowing near their 52-week lows. In an effort to separate the rebound candidates from the laggards, it makes sense to start by determining whether the market has overreacted to a company's bad news.

Here's a look at three fallen angels trading near their 52-week lows that could be worth buying.

This specialty drug distributor could pack a value (and growth) punch

Topping the list of intriguing value stock candidates this week is specialty drug distributor Diplomat Pharmacy (NYSE: DPLO), which was raked over the coals last week after reporting disappointing third-quarter results.

For the quarter, Diplomat Pharmacy announced revenue of $1.18 billion, a 25% increase from the prior-year period, though organic and dispensed prescription growth came in at a tamer 12% and 9%, respectively. Net income wound up dropping by nearly 50% to $5.4 million or $0.08 per share. Both figures wound up falling well short of Wall Street's consensus, and not surprisingly Diplomat also lowered its full-year forecast.

Image source: Getty Images.

A big component of the disappointment was weakness in the hepatitis C pricing market. Larger gross-to-net discounting has reduced margins for both the drugmakers and distributors. On the other hand, other aspects of Diplomat's specialty distribution business grew quite nicely. For example, revenue generated from oncology grew 57% inclusive of acquisitions and 36% on an organic basis. Considering the immense dollar sum being thrown at oncology, rare disease, and other specialty therapeutics, the adverse effect from hepatitis C pricing probably isn't a long-term concern.

Mergers and acquisitions are another clear avenue of growth for Diplomat Pharmacy. Earlier this year Diplomat purchased TNH Advanced Specialty Pharmacy. TNH specializes in oncology drug distribution, and it gives Diplomat a presence in the California and Texas markets. In February 2015, Diplomat gobbled up BioRx for $315 million in a cash-and-stock deal. BioRx's specialty relates to infusion services for ultra-rare, rare, and chronic diseases. With healthy cash flow from operations ($31.4 million in Q3), Diplomat should have enough in the tank to continue to make bolt-on acquisitions as it sees fit.

Given that specialty drugmakers have a laundry list of pricing advantages, and taking into account Congress's history of sweeping drug reform discussions under the rug, Diplomat's business model appears quite attractive over the long run. Currently value at 15 times forward earnings, but sporting a sub-one PEG, which signifies its exceptionally fast growth rate, Diplomat Pharmacy is worth a closer look by both value and growth investors.

The sun is shining on this opportunity

Consider this one of those rare double-down considerations. It wasn't long ago that I suggested to value investors that solar panel manufacturer First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) could be worth a look. Shares of the company rebounded modestly since that suggestion, but like Diplomat the company was taken to the woodshed after releasing its quarterly earnings report.

In the third quarter, First Solar witnessed its net sales decline to $688 million from $1.27 billion in the prior-year period as a number of key projects wound down. On an adjusted basis, when factoring in restructuring charges and a foreign tax benefit, the company earned $1.22 per share in Q3, which trounced Wall Street's expectations. Unfortunately, the company also shaved $1 billion off of its GAAP revenue guidance for 2016. With solar panel pricing down by double-digits, and revenue from the California Flats and Moapa projects now being recognized in 2017, not 2016, First Solar made the move to adjust its top-line guidance. Wall Street was none too pleased.

Image source: Getty Images.

Nonetheless, there are reasons to believe that this best of breed solar company could be worth owning for the long-term. For starters, it has arguably the best balance sheet within the industry. Whereas most solar companies are mired in debt, First Solar is expected to have between $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion in net cash by year's end. This essentially means that as much as $1.5 billion of its $3.5 billion valuation is entirely comprised of cash. It also means that if First Solar sees an attractive product or company within the rapidly consolidating industry, it has the finances to acquire it.

Longer-term, First Solar's business model appears destined for success. Developed countries around the world are pushing initiatives and credits for businesses and individuals who switch to alternative energy platforms, of which solar is probably the most practical. Yes, lower pricing can hurt First Solar's margins, but it could also help improve the company's backlog by making projects all the more affordable.

Assuming First Solar can continue to improve the efficiency of its panels and retain its superior balance sheet, then its current valuation at approximately 60% of book value could be too enticing to pass up.

The cure for value investors' ills

Lastly, value stock investors may want to give national hospital operator Tenet Healthcare (NYSE: THC) a closer examination.

As you may have rightly surmised, Tenet, like the rest of this week's value stocks, recently plummeted after reporting its quarterly results. During the third quarter, Tenet recorded a $9 million net loss from continuing operations, which was about half of what it lost in Q3 2015, while net operating revenue dipped about 0.4% to $4.16 billion. After adjusting for certain items, Tenet earned $0.16 per share, which was $0.02 below what Wall Street was expecting. The company's profit guidance for the fourth quarter was also well below the consensus.

Image source: Getty Images.

As with the other value stocks above, investors can't be faulted for feeling disappointed. However, as we've seen with the other two companies, there's a long-term growth story that can't be overlooked. During its "bad" quarter, Tenet also announced a drop in its doubtful accounts revenue to $367 million, or 7% of total revenue, from $371 million, or 7.3% of total revenue in the year-ago period. This means more people that are walking through its doors are insured, which in turn should mean that Tenet has more operating cash flow to work with in the coming years that it can use to either differentiate its hospitals from those of its peers or use for M&A purposes.

Short-sighted investors may have also overlooked the fact that same-hospital revenue grew 5.3% year-over-year, with same-hospital exchange admissions rising 16.9% during Q3 from the prior-year period, and same-hospital exchange outpatient visits rocketing 32% higher. The data suggests that as the uninsured rate falls, consumers are feeling more comfortable heading to hospitals or specialty care facilities for medical care.

With health insurance remaining a critical issue during this election cycle, it's likely that Tenet will continue to benefit from steadily falling uninsured rates. Now sporting a forward P/E of less than nine, Tenet Healthcare could be an attractive addition to your portfolio.

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Sean Williamshas no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen nameTMFUltraLong, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle@TMFUltraLong.

The Motley Fool recommends Diplomat Pharmacy. 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.
Image source: Pixabay.

No one knows for certain how the term "420" came to be associated with marijuana use, but each and every year, April 20 (i.e., 4/20) is celebrated universally as the day marijuana users and supporters recognize their love for the still federally banned substance.

Acknowledging 4/20 with four impressive marijuana accomplishments This year could prove especially sweet for marijuana supporters, with the 2016 elections looking to add perhaps a dozen or more new state approvals for medical and/or recreational marijuana. But it's marijuana's impressive accomplishments since its first approval for medicinal use 20 years ago in California that's really on display in 2016.

With this in mind, and in honor of 4/20, let's look at four of marijuana's most impressive accomplishments over those past 20 years.

1. Nearly half of all states have approved medical marijuanaSince California's compassionate-use approval in 1996, 23 other states have also legalized the use of medical marijuana. The latest of those is Pennsylvania, which became the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana this past Sunday. What's most interesting about Pennsylvania's approval is that it came about wholly through legislative proceedings (i.e., no resident voting), implying that certain state legislatures view marijuana as an important medical alternative for some patients.

Further, President Obama has suggested that as more states approve marijuana's use, the more Congress will be compelled to seriously consider decriminalizing or legalizing the drug at the federal level.

2. Marijuana's real-world medical benefitsBuilding on the prior accomplishment, we're also seeing real-world medical benefits from marijuana, even if the federal government still lists the substance as illicit.

Image source: GW Pharmaceuticals.

For example, GW Pharmaceuticals has launched Sativex, an oromucosal spray derived from two cannabinoids (CBD and THC), in 15 countries outside the U.S. to treat spasticity related to multiple sclerosis. However, even more encouraging is the work GW Pharmaceuticals has done in childhood-onset epilepsy, namely Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, with experimental therapy Epidiolex. In midstage clinical trials, Epidiolex reduced seizure frequencies of patients with both types of epilepsy by greater than 50%.

Marijuana or its cannabinoids have also shown promise in treating type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, to name a few ailments.

Image source: Flickr user Cannabis Culture.

3. Legal recreational marijuana is now a thingA decade ago, the concept of legal recreational marijuana would have been laughable. Today it's a real thing in four states -- Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.

The approval of recreational marijuana serves two key purposes for the marijuana industry. First, these states provide real-world experiments for federal lawmakers to follow to see if recreational marijuana could be in the cards on Capitol Hill at some point in the future (assuming no adverse societal changes coincide with its use, such as increased crime rates). Secondly, like medical marijuana's expansion, it puts pressure on Congress to reconsider its stance on marijuana.

According to Gallup's October poll, 58% of respondents favor the full legalization of marijuana, and those are tough numbers to ignore.

4. Colorado's legal sales top $1 billion on a trailing-12-month basisFinally, marijuana sales, when taken as a whole, continue to soar, especially in Colorado. In February, Colorado's recreational sales totaled $58.2 million, a 17% year-over-year increase, helping to push total marijuana sales for the month to $92.7 million. More impressively, after selling $996.2 million worth of marijuana in Colorado in 2015, the $92.7 million in sales for February puts the industry over the $1 billion mark for the trailing-12-month period.

This isn't just a Colorado story, either. ArcView Market Research foresees the industry growing by 30% per year through 2020, making it one of America's fastest-growing industries.

Image source: Flickr user Carlos Gracia.

Challenges remain, but investors are excited about the futureOf course, inaction on Capitol Hill still creates some industry concerns. Most marijuana businesses have little to no access to basic banking services, forcing them to deal solely in cash, while the IRS hammers home the federal government's ban on marijuana by not allowing marijuana businesses to take normal deductions on their taxes. Maybe the worst insult is the licensing fees and taxes marijuana businesses pay, which can make it tough to compete with the black market.

Nonetheless, investors remain excited. Medical studies imply there could be new treatment options available for chronic disease sufferers, recreational sales in legal states are soaring, and tax money generated by marijuana is helping add revenue to education and law enforcement for select state and local governments. This is an investment trend that could very well be worth a closer look, but only if the federal government changes its current stance on marijuana.

The article 4 Impressive Marijuana Accomplishments Over the Past 20 Years 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.
Image source: iStock/Thinkstock.

The more you dig into Bank of America's numbers, the more you come away thinking that its shotgun marriage eight years agoto Merrill Lynch can't last. This is particularly apparent when you consider how much Bank of America has had to deleverage since the financial crisis relative to Wells Fargo .

In 2007, Bank of America was leveraged by a factor of 9.8:1. For every $1 worth of common stockholders' equity, the North Carolina-based bank owned $9.80 worth of earning assets. Fast forward to today, and its leverage has fallen to 7.8:1. That's still a lot of leverage relative to a nonfinancial company, but it's nevertheless 20% less than Bank of America used before the crisis.

Compare that to Wells Fargo. In 2007, the California-based bank was leveraged by a factor of 9.5:1. Today, the figure is 9.2:1. Wells Fargo's leverage dropped, but only by 2.7%.

Data source: Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Chart by author.

The impact on Bank of America's profitability has been substantial. Holding all else equal, its return on common equity would have been 10.8% last year if it employed the same amount of leverage as it did in 2007. But because it didn't, its return on common equity was only 6.8%.

Under the former scenario, one could argue that Bank of America is creating value for shareholders because its hypothetical 10.8% return on equity is at least in the same ballpark as its cost of capital. But under the latter scenario, it's impossible to avoid the conclusion that the bank is eroding shareholder value when you factor in the risk of owning its stock, as well as the opportunity cost associated with forgoing the return from safer alternative investments.

What does Merrill Lynch have to do with any of this? In the first case, Bank of America's acquisition of Merrill Lynch increased its size, which subjects the bank to even greater regulatory scrutiny given that it's now considered a global systematically important bank, or GSIB. This alone may have had little impact, as Wells Fargo more than doubled in size as a result of its 2008 acquisition of Wachovia. But the devil is in the details.

The difference is that Wachovia, like Wells Fargo, was a commercial bank. It focused on collecting deposits and making loans. Merrill Lynch, on the other hand, is a major investment bank that plays a significant role in global capital markets. This exposes Bank of America to more risk, and increases its interconnectedness with the global financial system.

The net result is that, under the heightened regulatory and capital regime of the post-crisis period, Bank of America must hold more capital relative to its assets than Wells Fargo does. You can get a sense for this by looking at their respective GSIB buffers, which tie how much leverage a bank can use to its role in the global financial system. Bank of America's GSIB buffer is 3%, while Wells Fargo's is only 2%.

On top of this, Bank of America's capital-markets business seems to require it to maintain more liquidity than Wells Fargo. In 2014, regulators finalized two liquidity risk-related standards that tie the amount ofunencumbered high-quality liquid assets -- namely, cash and U.S. government-backed securities -- a bank must hold to the estimated net cash outflows the institution could encounter over a 30-day period of significant liquidity stress. The principal rule is known as the liquidity coverage ratio, or LCR.

There are two reasons to believe that the LCR takes an especially onerous toll on large universal banks such as Bank of America. First, as we saw with Bear Stearns during the last crisis, a bank's Wall Street operations, and particularly its prime brokerage, is often the first place that bleeds liquidity during a crisis. Second, as we saw this month with the results of the Federal Reserve's resolution plans, one of the main reasons whyJPMorgan Chase and Bank of America both failed to satisfy regulators is because of the way that they managed liquidity.

It's worth noting, moreover, that we may soon know exactly how much more stringent the liquidity requirements are for Bank of America than for Wells Fargo. This is because the Federal Reserverecently proposed a rule that would require large bank holding companies to publicly disclose, on a quarterly basis, certain quantitative and qualitative information regarding the LCR calculations.

Either way, it's clear that Bank of America operates with much more liquidity than Wells Fargo. Only 41% of its assets at the end of the first quarter consisted of loans, which are the most lucrative, but illiquid, type of asset a bank can hold. Wells Fargo, on the other hand, allocated 51% of its asset portfolio to loans last quarter. "Simplistically, the more loans to common equity [a bank holds] the higher the return on equity," observed Richard Bove of Rafferty Capital Markets in an email.

Data source: Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Chart by author.

You can see the impact of this on the amount of money the two banks generate from their income-earning assets. The annualized yield on Wells Fargo's portfolio of earning assets was 3.22% in the first quarter. Bank of America's was only 2.59%. That may seem like a negligible difference, but when you consider that Bank of America had $1.8 trillion worth of earning assets, the difference between the two figures amounts to $11 billion in annual interest income.

The point is that Bank of America's union to Merrill Lynch appears to require it to hold more capital than stand-alone commercial banks, as well as to increase the liquidity of its balance sheet. And while Merrill Lynch gives Bank of America the opportunity to cross-sell services to both consumer and commercial customers, there is little compelling evidence that the bank is particularly good at this, or that doing so will more than make up for the downside of being as big and globally interconnected as the combined institutions now are.

"Bank of America should be able to make up the return gap with contributions from Merrill's non-capital intensive operations, but it is not happening," says Bove.

None of this changes my thesis that Bank of America's shares are trading for an unconscionable discount to book value, which is why I'm bullish on its stock. But it does lead me to think differently about how the value from an investment in the $2.2 trillion bank may be unlocked in the years to come.

The article Can Bank of America and Merrill Lynch Afford to Stay Together? originally appeared on Fool.com.

John Maxfield owns shares of Bank of America and Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool has the following options: short May 2016 $52 puts on Wells Fargo. The Motley Fool recommends Bank of America. 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.
General Dynamics has high hopes for the Gulfstream G650 aircraft. Image source: General Dynamics.

General Dynamics' first-quarter 2016 earnings report is still two weeks off -- April 27, to be precise -- but already, the news is not looking great.

In an April 11 announcement, General Dynamics boasted of hitting "program milestones" on each of its G500 and G600 business jets, with the former recently hitting a flight test top speed of Mach 0.995 en route to FAA certification in 2017 (and entry into service a year later). The G600 is just a year behind. Yet according to one analyst at Deutsche Bank, General Dynamics' Gulfstream program is already hitting some turbulence.

In a write-up last month, Deutsche warned that Gulfstream's new flagship aircraft, the G650, has hit a stretch of slow sales that have seen for-sale inventory of the aircraft more than double in number over the past six months. Meanwhile, slow sales are forcing General Dynamics to lower its asking price on the G650, to $66 million, plus or minus $5 million.

Deutsche notes that the "sizable" deposit General Dynamics demands to place an order for a G650 is dissuading buyers from actually canceling existing orders. But new orders aren't coming in as fast as General Dynamics would like. Indeed, Deutsche estimates that "production may be 20%-30% above actual demand over the medium term."

That's creating a big overhang of unsold inventory on a not-inexpensive aircraft, a trend that Deutsche has watched developing for "the last few months," and that it calls "alarming." While it's difficult to break out data on civilian-use Gulfstreams from General Dynamics' more dominant defense business, S&P Global Market Intelligence data shows that overall company inventories have swelled 16.5% over the past couple of years, while overall company sales are up less than 2%. Chances are, unsold Gulfstreams make up a sizable portion of that unsold inventory.

How big is Gulfstream?As already alluded to, General Dynamics is primarily a defense business. But even so, Gulfstream makes up a not-inconsequential proportion of the company. Gulfstream sales dominate the company's Aerospace division, which made up 28% of sales last year -- and contributed nearly 41% of company profit. As such, the success or failure of Gulfstream does have the potential to move the needle at General Dynamics -- in a good way but also in a bad way.

While it's gratifying to see General Dynamics confirm that it's making progress on its G500 and G600 models, therefore, Deutsche warns that "the G650 ... drives 2/3rds of the [Aerospace] unit's profit." Thus, bad news on General Dynamics' new flagship plane could outweigh good news on its smaller aircraft.

Put it all together, and Deutsche thinks the news is bad enough to subtract 5% from profit estimates for the company in 2017, and 10% in 2018. With earnings day less than two weeks away, this isn't a problem that will show up in the earnings results immediately -- but it could weigh on guidance.

Long story short? The less emphasis investors place on General Dynamics' past performance, and the more they place on its predictions of future success, the worse that could be for General Dynamics' stock.

The article Gulfstream G650 Glut Could Be Bad News for General Dynamics Stock originally appeared on Fool.com.

Rich Smith does not own shares of, nor is he short, any company named above. You can find him on Motley Fool CAPS, publicly pontificating under the handleTMFDitty, where he's currently ranked No. 315 out of more than 75,000 rated members.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.
Bank of America's struggles to earn a respectable profit since the financial crisis underscore the role that liquidity plays in bank earnings. Image source: iStock/Thinkstock.

As someone who reads, thinks, and writes about banks almost every day, I'm still getting my head around the lasting impact that the increasingly burdensome post-financial crisis regulatory regime will have on the industry's profits going forward. It's still too early to predict what things will look like once all the rules and regulations passed in the wake of the crisis are fully implemented, but a glance at Bank of America's balance sheet shows one important way that profitability has been impaired.

The concept of liquidity is central to banking. Banks earn money first and foremost by borrowing funds from depositors and wholesale lenders, and then investing those funds into higher-yielding assets, such as loans and debt securities (i.e., bonds). The yield a bank earns on a particular asset class is determined in part by liquidity -- that is, the ability to convert them into cash quickly. Assets that are less liquid, like loans, yield more than assets that are more liquid, like money that's on deposit at the Federal Reserve.

In Bank of America's case, its loan portfolio yielded 3.67% last year. That compares to the 0.27% yield that it earned on money deposited at the Fed and other central banks around the world.

Asset Type Average Yield (2015) Cash 0% Deposits at the Federal Reserve, non-U.S. central banks, and other banks 0.27% Federal funds sold and repurchase agreements 0.47% Debt securities 2.41% Trading account assets 3.30% Loans 3.67%

Data source: Bank of America's 4Q15 financial supplement, page 13.

One way for Bank of America to increase its revenue and earnings, in turn, is to decrease the liquidity of its asset portfolio. This is done by increasing the percentage allocated to loans and debt securities relative to cash and money on deposit with other banks. This makes a bank riskier, as loans aren't as safe as cash, but it also makes a bank more profitable.

The problem insofar as liquidity goes, however, is that the post-crisis regulations require the nation's biggest banks, including Bank of America, to do just the opposite. In an effort to stave off future bailouts, federal regulators now require banks to not only hold much more capital than they did before the crisis, but also to allocate a larger share of their asset portfolios to highly liquid assets.

You can see this change by comparing the allocation of Bank of America's earning assets in 2007 to last year:

Type of Earning Asset As a Percent of Cash and Earning Assets-2007 As a Percent of Cash and Earning Assets-2015 Change Cash and deposits 3% 9% + 6 percentage points Fed funds sold and repurchase agreements 11% 11% No change Trading account assets 13% 7% - 6 percentage points Debt securities 13% 21% + 8 percentage points Loans 55% 47% - 8 percentage points Other 5% 3% Not important

Data source: Bank of America and author's calculations.

There are two trends to note here. The first is that Bank of America decreased the proportion of its asset portfolio that's allocated to trading account assets by six percentage points. As opposed to reinvesting the proceeds, it deposited them at the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks around the world, where it earns a mere 0.27% on the funds as opposed to the 3.30% yield generated by its trading account assets.

Second, Bank of America decreased the proportion of earning assets allocated to loans. In 2007, loans accounted for 55% of its cash and earning assets. By 2015, the percentage dropped to 47%. The funds were then invested into debt securities, which yielded an average of 2.41% last year compared to a yield of 3.67% on its loans.

The net result is that Bank of America is safer today than it was in 2007, as its asset portfolio is much more liquid, but it's also less profitable, given the lower yields associated with the heightened liquidity of its asset portfolio.

The article Here's Why Bank of America Is So Much Safer Today (and Less Profitable) originally appeared on Fool.com.

John Maxfield owns shares of Bank of America. The Motley Fool recommends Bank of America. 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.
If you're an automotive investor, especially one of General Motors and/or Toyota Motor Co. , it's easy to understand having anxiety after reading initial headlines over the past few days. After all, GM's massive recall only a couple of years ago slashed the company's earnings significantly for half a year, and earthquakes crippled Toyota's production and sales significantly during 2011.

And wouldn't you know it, history is indeed repeating itself. But it appears the impact from two recent events shouldn't be anywhere near as bad as before.

Deja vu Toyota was already having a tougher time keeping pace with the U.S. industry's new-vehicle sales in 2016, and now another deadly earthquake is going to shut down nearly all of Toyota's production in its homeland for at least the next week. That means there will be less supply of some of the Japanese automaker's most popular, and likely most profitable, products, such as the Lexus RX and NX crossovers, as well as its namesake brand's RAV4, which has been the ninth best-selling vehicle in the U.S. through March.

But one of the factors that intensified Toyota's problems during the earthquake's aftermath in 2011 is happening again. Renesas Electronics Corp., which supplies microchips that power key components such as airbags for multiple automakers, was down for months during 2011, and it will again halt operations -- though it's unclear for how long production will be halted this time. The length of time Renesas' plants are halted will probably be much shorter than in 2011, as damage isn't as significant and many factories have been reinforced since the previous disaster.

On the bright side, after 2011's supply chain crunch, Toyota has taken more control over its supply chain, which should also help limit the impact of the hindered Renesas' production. There's no official word yet from Toyota on how many units of production will be lost during its shutdown, and officials will meet within a few days to determine if its halted production can begin again as soon as April 25. However, according to Automotive News, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley analyst Koichi Sugimoto estimates lost production to reach 56,000 units total from Toyota and Lexus. That would equate to a hit of about 30 billion yen, or $277 million, to operating profit during the quarter.

GM's Chevrolet Silverado. Image source: General Motors.

Nothing to see here In terms of current events, Toyota probably has more in common with historic events than GM's does. General Motors is recalling more than a million units worldwide for the model year 2014-15 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups in the U.S. market. The problem stems from a flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the vehicle that could potentially fatigue and separate over time. While it is indeed a recall, there are a few differences to note when comparing with the previous massive recall.

It's worth noting that GM performed this recall voluntarily, and that the number of units recalled is substantially lower than the roughly 30 million recalled across the globe in 2014. Also, the repair appears to be much simpler for trucks already in the field than the ignition switch recall was, with dealers instructed to enlarge the side shield opening and install a pusher bracket on the tensioner.

In all, this recall was reported during General Motors' second quarter, so it wouldn't affect the automaker's first-quarter results due out later this month anyway. That said, it won't affect the second-quarter results, either, because the recall cost isn't significant enough to consume GM's normal warranty reserves.

For investors of both automakers, while the headlines might have grabbed your attention -- and supply-chain disruptions and recalls should grab your attention -- these events are much less damaging for the two automakers than similar recent disasters, and only Toyota will notice a small hit to quarterly profits.

The article How Will Recent Events Negatively Affect General Motors' and Toyota's Profits? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Daniel Miller owns shares of General Motors. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. 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 being forced to cut its guidance on multiple occasions from late 2014 through 2015, Spirit Airlines has returned to its winning ways. In January, the company dramatically boosted its Q4 margin guidance, offering hope that the unit revenue declines seen throughout 2015 were starting to moderate.

On Monday, Spirit offered up more evidence of a turnaround in unit revenue. It still has to make up a lot of ground to return to unit revenue growth, but revenue came in ahead of expectations for a second straight quarter, leading to a better-than-expected operating margin in Q1.

Spirit boosts its guidance againIn Q1 2015, Spirit Airlines achieved a remarkable 22.7% adjusted operating margin during what is traditionally the weakest quarter for the airline industry. However, revenue trends weakened throughout 2015 as airline capacity grew faster than demand and industry giants like Delta Air Lines and American Airlines started matching Spirit's low fares.

Spirit's unit revenue fell steeply in 2015. Image source: Spirit Airlines.

As a result, when Spirit provided its Q1 guidance back in February, it projected a profit decline. The company's operating margin forecast of 19%-20.5% was nothing to sneeze at, but it implied that earnings would be down about 10% year over year.

Fortunately, revenue trends improved over the course of the quarter. Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) still fell about 14% year over year, but management had warned in February that TRASM could fall 16%, in line with Spirit's Q4 unit revenue decline.

As a result, Spirit now expects to post a 21.5% operating margin when it reports earnings next week. That will still be down a bit compared to last year. However, this will be offset by higher revenue. The net result should be earnings equal to or better than last year's results.

Looking aheadIn this week's investor update, Spirit reiterated that "fares in our markets remain low": something that the company has stated repeatedly in the past six months. Thus, investors shouldn't expect a miraculous revenue recovery in the next quarter or two. Nevertheless, I do expect substantial sequential improvements going forward.

One source of improvement will be easier comparisons. Spirit's TRASM fell 9.9% year over year in Q1 2015, but the TRASM declines accelerated to 17.5% by Q3.

These declines reflected -- at least in part -- the increase in price-matching activity at American Airlines and Delta Air Lines during the course of 2015. While price-matching appears to be here to stay, the year-over-year impact will be much smaller by the second half of 2016.

Second, operational snafus related to unusually severe weather last June cost Spirit $5 million of revenue in Q2. The storms also drove up costs by $15 million. Under new CEO Bob Fornaro, Spirit Airlines is laser-focused on improving reliability, which should hopefully allow it to avoid similar problems this year.

Third, numerous airlines -- including American and Delta -- have estimated that industry capacity growth will slow noticeably as the year progresses. This should lead to better unit revenue trends.

Delta's domestic unit revenue is on the verge of returning to growth.

In fact, in the domestic market -- which represents most of Spirit's capacity -- Delta recently stated that fares for advance bookings have turned positive on a year-over-year basis. Most of the international markets that Spirit serves (such as Mexico and the Caribbean) are also seeing relatively favorable revenue trends. This bodes well for Spirit's performance in the months ahead.

Keeping profit moving in the right directionThanks to a relatively easy comparison, Spirit is likely to project modest margin expansion for Q2 in its guidance next week. Profit growth will be tougher in the second half of the year. Spirit expects non-fuel unit costs to rise in Q3 and Q4, and it will probably have a smaller benefit from fuel cost savings then.

Still, based on the projections from Delta and American for slowing industry capacity growth, Spirit's unit revenue trends may improve dramatically by the time the peak summer season rolls around. That would keep earnings moving steadily higher.

Spirit Airlines stock jumped 6% on Tuesday following the bullish investor update. But given Spirit's massive growth opportunities and its still-modest valuation of 12 times trailing earnings, there's clearly a ton of upside left here for investors.

The article Spirit Airlines Beats Expectations Again originally appeared on Fool.com.

Adam Levine-Weinberg owns shares of Spirit Airlines and is long Jan. 2017 $40 calls on Delta Air Lines, long Jan. 2017 $30 calls on American Airlines Group, and long June 2016 $30 calls on Spirit Airlines. The Motley Fool is long Jan. 2017 $35 calls on American Airlines Group. The Motley Fool recommends Spirit Airlines. 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.
We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. While our brains may be at capacity in terms of storage, our noggin space looks void compared to the digital organization throughout the electronics we work on. Finding a safe home for all those files is challenging READ THE REST
Toyota's Miyata factory will need more time to reopenafter a series of earthquakes. But nearly all of the company's otherJapanese plants will be up and running next week, the company said on Wednesday. Image source: Toyota.

Well, that was quick: Three days after warning that it would shut down nearly all of its assembly lines in Japan in the wake of a series of earthquakes, Toyota said on Wednesday that it will be able to resume production at most of those plants next week.

What Toyota said: With a few exceptions, the plants that were forced to close this week will be able to resume production between April 25 and 28, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

Toyota said, however, that a few plants would not yet be able to restart. Those include the Motomachi and Miyata factories, both of which make Lexus vehicles. Toyota's Miyata facility, a key Lexus plant, is close to the earthquake zone. Earthquakes rattled the area around Kumamoto city, on the southwestern Japanese island of Kyushu, on April 14 and 16.

What it means: Back in 2011, Toyota's domestic production was largely suspended for months after major earthquake and tsunami crippled key suppliers' factories. The company (really, the entire Japanese auto industry) made major changes to its supply chains after that disaster, hoping to reduce or eliminate the need for shut-downs in the future.

Did it work? Mostly. While Toyota's factories were forced to close due to parts shortages, nearly all of them will be up and running after just a few days' closure. That should allow Toyota to make up the lost production -- if not by the end of April, then almost certainly by the end of the second quarter. Toyota's agreements with Japanese labor unions allow for considerable flexibility around overtime scheduling, meaning that the company can schedule extra production when needed without too much hassle.

Toyota supplier Aisin had two factories knocked offline in the wake of the April 14 earthquake. One remains without power, but the second, a die-casting factory, is preparing to restart, according to an Automotive News report. In the meantime, Aisin has been importing parts for Toyota from other factories in China and Mexico, and is in the process of shifting some production to other plants in Japan, away from the quake zone.

The upshot: Investors concerned about the effects of the earthquakes on Toyota's bottom line can probably breathe a qualified sigh of relief. Most of the company's Japanese assembly plants will be back up and running by the end of next week, and Toyota should be able to make up lost production.

The still-closed Lexus plants represent a concern, but I expect that Toyota will have those up and running before long as well. Stay tuned.

The article Toyota's Earthquake Prep Pays Off as Plants Prepare to Reopen originally appeared on Fool.com.

John Rosevear 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.

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General Motors (NYSE: GM) will report its second-quarter earnings result before the market opens on Wednesday, July 25. Here's a look at what to expect.

What Wall Street expects

Wall Street analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect GM to report adjusted earnings of $1.81 per share, on average, down a bit from the $1.89 it earned on the same basis in the second quarter of 2017.

The analysts also expect GM to report revenue of $36.86 billion, also down a bit from its year-ago result of $36.98 billion.

Strong SUV and truck demand in the U.S. should help earnings

GM's U.S. sales rose 4.6% in the second quarter. The revamped lineup of crossover SUVs continued to do well, with sales of the group up 5.8%. The company also sold a lot of profitable pickups (up 21.2%) as it began the sell-down of Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras, ahead of the arrival of all-new models at the end of 2018.

Despite the truck sell-down, GM was able to get strong pricing in the U.S. in the second quarter. Edmunds estimates that GM's average transaction price rose 3.7% from a year ago, to $40.569. Its incentive spending was also up from a year ago (by 8.1%, to $4,125 per vehicle), according to Edmunds' estimate.

The increased incentive spending is no surprise given the truck sell-down, and I don't think it's a worry for investors. The strong average transaction price, which takes incentives into account, suggests that GM was probably able to maintain good profit margins.

An overall gain in China, despite a drop in Buick sales

In China, GM weathered a surprising slump in Buick sales to eke out a 0.7% sales gain in the second quarter. Strong sales at its Chevrolet, Cadillac, and low-cost Baojun brand were just enough to offset a 16% decline in sales of its historically best-selling Buick brand.

GM is likely to tell us that it expects its China sales to pick up as the year goes on. It released a revamped version of its Buick Excelle (a compact sedan that has long been one of its China best-sellers) at the end of June, and it has 10 more new or revamped models coming to China between now and year-end. Several are SUVs, including the compact luxury Cadillac XT4 -- a model that could hit a sales sweet spot in China.

What to watch for: News about Cruise

Is GM planning to spin off Cruise Automation, its self-driving subsidiary -- and if so, will that be announced during the second-quarter earnings call? Some recent moves offer tantalizing hints at the possibility:

In May, SoftBank Group 's (NASDAQOTH: SFTBF) Vision Fund agreed to invest $2.25 billion in Cruise in exchange for a 19.6% stake.

's (NASDAQOTH: SFTBF) Vision Fund agreed to invest $2.25 billion in Cruise in exchange for a 19.6% stake. Last month, GM shuffled the responsibilities of its top executives to give its president, Dan Ammann, more time to focus on Cruise. Ammann led the effort to acquire Cruise in 2016; Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt reports to Ammann.

Cruise just hired its own communications director, John Taylor, away from SpaceX.

Cruise is almost certainly significantly undervalued as part of GM. On its own -- or with its own tracking stock, at least -- its value might be more fully recognized by the market. Such a spinoff would be big news for GM investors: It's a safe bet that GM shareholders would receive shares in Cruise, a potential windfall.

It's also a safe bet that it'll be big news if and when it's announced.

The upshot: GM should have a good day on Wednesday

Regardless of whether my guess about a Cruise spinoff turns out to be right (or whether it gets announced this week), GM looks likely to have a good day on Wednesday. Assuming that GM's cost-management efforts continued to be as effective in the second quarter as they have been in the recent past, I suspect the good crossover and truck sales will have given the company enough to beat Wall Street's estimates by a bit. We'll find out on Wednesday morning.

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Nathan Aldaco suffers from a rare congenital heart defect, but his health condition hasnt prevented him from fulfilling his wish to become a U.S. Marine.

The Marines of the 7th Engineer Support Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif., recently gave the 12-year-old his own combat uniform for the trip, which Make-a-Wish Foundation made possible. They also gave him and his family a tour of an explosive ordinance disposal compound to show the boy the explosives they disarmed, Sgt. Laura Guana wrote on Facebook. Next, he traveled through a demolition range in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, and the team showed him their EOD robots, detonated TNT, C4, dynamite and blasting caps.

The bombs were cool, Aldaco said in an interview with the Marines official website. I like working with robots. It was fun controlling them and picking stuff up with them.

As a child, Aldaco was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, in which the left heart is severely underdeveloped. Hes undergone various surgeries and is thriving, according to a report by the Marines.

Make-a-Wish contacted his family earlier this year, and the organization forwarded his list to the Marines, who made his dreams come true on March 24.

"It's a true honor to do this for Nathan," 1st Lt. Ernesto Gaudio, 2nd platoon commander, Bravo Company, 7th ESB, 1st MLG, told the Marines website. "We wanted to make him feel like he was a part of the Marine family. We are in service to the United States of America, and Nathan is a citizen of the United States. We were just making his wish come true."

Nathan also helped drive some of the battalions largest vehicles before he was honored in a special award ceremony the last wish on his list.
Phoenix Werners family said he was never into the drug scene and just wanted to fit in, but without their knowledge, the 14-year-old boy had been huffing spray deodorant to get high a choice that cost him his life.

As Werners family raises money for his funeral, they and health officials in Australia, where Werner lived, are warning other parents about the risks of inhalants, news.com.au reported.

Its often done in secret, so its very important for adults, teachers and parents to be aware of whats happening to their teenagers and also the community about the risks of drug use, including inhalants, Bronwyn Milne, a staff specialist at Childrens Hospital at Westmead, in a suburb of Sydney, told news.com.au.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), individuals may use inhalants by sniffing or snorting fumes from containers, spraying aerosols into the nose or mouth, inhaling fumes from a bag (bagging), huffing from an inhalant-soaked rag stuffed in the mouth, or inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons. People who use inhalants often huff substances multiple times to prolong the fleeting high they draw from the action. The NIH estimates that among American teenagers in 2015, nearly 5 percent of eighth graders, 3 percent of 10th graders and 2 percent of 12th graders used inhalants in the year prior.

[Teenagers] may think that, these are just products anybody can buy, so how can it be dangerous? John Malouff, an associate psychology professor at the University of England, told news.com.au. Anybody can buy a nail too, but if you drive it into your head, its going to cause big problems for you.

Inhalants can cause similar effects to alcohol, as well as hallucinations. But in the long term, they can cause serious brain damage, as well as health problems like asphyxiation, choking, seizures, suffocation or cardiac arrest as was the case for Werner.

At a Geelong, Australia, home about 50 miles southwest of Melbourne where Werner died Friday, police found several spray deodorant cans strewn about.

Chelsea OKeefe, Werners oldest Cousin, told news.com.au that she thinks peer pressure compelled him to begin huffing.

This was not the type of person he wanted to be. He didnt want to be involved in the drug scene, he just wanted to fit in, she told the Geelong Advertiser, according to news.comau. Unfortunately he paid for it with his own life.

OKeefe has started a GoFundMe.com page to help cover Werners funeral expenses.
After nearly two decades of making hangover-inducing cocktails for Manhattan boozehounds  Iggy Pop among them  at joints such as Le Souk, Jules Aron became a juicehead in the best sense of the word.

Burned out on bartending, fatigued by the hours, tired of deflecting peer pressure to drink and sick of being surrounded by drunk people, Aron retreated to a cabin in upstate New York, where she struck upon the idea for her new healthy cocktail book Zen and Tonic (The Countryman Press).

The guide to body-friendly inebriation features recipes for punch made with marigold petals, vodka offset by kiwi, and gin sweetened with carrot juice.

There are no artificial flavors and no [added] sugars, says Aron, 42, who now splits her time between Merritt Island, Fla., and New Berlin, NY, a town near Syracuse.

The resulting drinks are flavorful without being sickly sweet, tastier than boring vodka soda  and far less likely to give you a hangover.

A yoga enthusiast, Aron first dabbled in health-conscious cocktails while tending bar at the Delancey on the Lower East Side, where she muddled berries for martinis, infused whiskey with rosemary and eschewed sugary margarita mixes.

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Going under the knife in March for her first breast augmentation didnt scare 29-year-old Jessica Wilson. After all, the Brooklyn, N.Y., woman had vicariously experienced countless similar surgeries for months before her own on her plastic surgeons Snapchat.

I would do it again, Wilson told FoxNews.com. If I had another surgery, Id definitely let him Snapchat it.

Celebrity doctors are nothing new, but the man who operated on Wilson, Dr. Matthew Schulman, is part of a growing handful of Internet-famous surgeons cropping up on the social media app Snapchat. Fortune estimated in January that more than 7 billion videos are shared through the app daily.

I was always looking for a way to broadcast my surgeries and get it out there, and interact with patients and future patients, Schulman, 42, a board-certified plastic surgeon who has his own practice in New York City, told FoxNews.com. I started [using Snapchat] about a year ago.

Snapchat may be best known as the app that allows users to share brief video clips and photos that disappear 10 seconds or less after theyre opened. But in October 2013, Snapchat introduced stories, a feature that chronicles videos and photos that users can elect to post their media to for 24 hours before it vanishes.

I think thats what revolutionized things for me as a plastic surgeon, said Schulman, who has been practicing plastic surgery for 10 years.

Schulman estimated he performs 35 to 40 surgeries per month, and that about 90 percent of patients allow him to broadcast their surgeries on Snapchat. He said he has several hundred thousand followers with upwards of about 450,000 views daily. Unlike Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, the number of a users followers are private, even for that users followers.

Usually Schulman will have his nurse or a medical assistant film while he operates.

Any surgeries that I do I will broadcast, said Schulman, whose Snapchat handle is nycplasticsurg. I traditionally do breast and body surgeries. We also broadcast non-surgical procedures like Botox fillers, facials and chemical peels.

Schulman also uses Instagram, Twitter and Facebook as education tools for his patients and marketing platforms for his practice.

Id say about 80 to 85 percent of the people who come in for a consultation are active followers on Snapchat, he said.

Prior to surgery, Schulmans patients sign a consent form detailing where and how he may use footage from their procedure, if at all, or if he may share their before and after surgery photos online. Most of his patients like him to conceal identifying features like tattoos or their faces, as they would like to remain anonymous.

Wilson chose the most open option, permitting Schulman to do whatever he wished with the media gathered from her surgery, including pre- and post-op.

I let him run with it, she said.

Lipo by Dr. Schulman.To see live surgeries like this, follow on #snapchat #bodybySchulman nycplasticsurg pic.twitter.com/MnbjQ5Kflr  Matthew Schulman MD (@nycplasticsurg) April 11, 2016

A friend referred Wilson to Schulman, but watching Schulmans Snapchats when she was looking for a plastic surgeon helped her make a final decision. She said she agreed because she wanted to do the same for other patients.

Technically youre at your most vulnerable state youre under complete general anesthesia, but if you see it from a medical standpoint more than an aesthetic sort of thing, it only makes sense for someone to make their decision based on what you see [on Snapchat], said Wilson, whose family even followed along with the surgery while they left the clinic to get a bite to eat.

I got to watch [the surgery] afterwards, which is even cooler, she said.

Schulman said he knows of a few other plastic surgeons who are gaining fame for premiering their surgeries on Snapchat, and he thinks the trend will rise in the immediate future.

I think plastic surgeons are recognizing its an important social media platform, but I dont think every plastic surgeon has the patience or the desire to do this because it does take some effort, he said, adding that many other surgeons hes followed try too hard by dancing or having their staff dress up in costume.

Im educational, but were not over the top, he said.

Wilson follows the Snapchats on Schulmans story every day and makes her friends watch them too.

Once youre a plastic patient, youre always a plastic patient, so to speak, Wilson said, so you keep looking, and maybe one day Ill have another surgery.

I think with the trend, she added, its something thats gonna keep growing because obviously people are interested.


Bi-vocational pastors be warned  what you say from the pulpit on Sunday could get you fired from your public sector job on Monday.

Dr. Eric Walsh, a renowned public health expert who also serves as a lay minister, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Georgia Department of Public Health alleging he was terminated for delivering sermons on issues ranging from homosexuality to evolution.

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No one in this country should be fired from their job for something that was said in a church or from a pulpit during a sermon, said First Liberty attorney Jeremy Dys.

First Liberty, one of the nations largest law firms defending religious liberty, is representing the Seventh Day Adventist lay minister.

They contend that the Georgia Department of Public Health assigned workers to investigate sermons Dr. Walsh delivered on health, marriage, sexuality, world religions, science and creationism. He also preached on what the Bible says about homosexuality.

He was fired for something he said in a sermon, Dys told me. If the government is allowed to fire someone over what he said in his sermons, they can come after any of us for our beliefs on anything.

First Liberty has accused the government agency of religious discrimination and retaliation.

I dont believe I did anything wrong, Dr. Walsh told me in an exclusive interview. This has been very painful for me. I really am a strong believer in the Constitution. But now I feel like maybe all these ideals and values that I was raised to believe  the ideals they country was founded upon  no longer exist.

A spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) did not return telephone calls nor did they respond to email inquiries.

First Liberty said Walsh was hired as a district health director on May 7, 2014. A few days later, DPH officers and other government workers began investigating his religious activities.

DPH officers and other employees spent hours reviewing these and other of Dr. Walshs sermons and other public addresses available online, analyzing and taking notes on his religious beliefs and viewpoints on social, cultural and other matters of public concern as expressed in the sermons and other public addresses, the lawsuit states.

The behavior of the DPH was so egregious that its own counsel twice warned them on May 15 that under federal law Dr. Walshs religious beliefs could play no role in any employment decision by DPH.

But on May 16, the DPH announced it had rescinded the job offer that Dr. Walsh had already accepted.

Todays action by the department follows a thorough examination of Dr. Walshs credentials and background as well as consultation with the six local boards of health which comprise the district, spokesman Ryan Deal said in a news release.

And the Department of Public Health wasn't the only organization concerned about the pastor's sermons.



The Georgia Voice reported that the Health Initiative, an Atlanta-based group committed to LGBT health issues, strongly opposed Welshs hiring.

Dr. Walshs public displays of anti-gay propaganda and religious rhetoric will become symbols of the department and will further isolate an already vulnerable population. We believe this hire is detrimental to the wellbeing of our community, as well as to the effectiveness of the Department to conduct meaningful outreach to LGBT Georgians, Executive Director Ellis told the publication.

Based on documents First Liberty obtained through a FOIA request, it is clear there was some internal concerns about how Dr. Walsh had been treated.

In spite of the DPHs internal witch hunt against Dr. Walsh, at least one unnamed staffer wrote a memo warning that the entire controversy had been blown impossibly out of proportion.

Not only is there no smoking gun, there is every reason to believe, even from his detractors own words, that he is the excellent health director we believed he would be, the staffer wrote in a document obtained by First Liberty through a FOIA request.

If we do not hire this applicant on the basis of the evidence of job performance and disqualify him on the basis of discrimination by those who seek to advance their own agenda and do him harm, I believe we are no better than they are, the staffer concluded.

The unnamed staffers concerns were ignored and Dr. Walsh was terminated.

Dr. Walsh was catapulted into the national spotlight earlier in 2014 when he was invited to deliver the commencement address at Pasadena City College in California.

Walsh, who was then the director of the citys public health department, came under fierce scrutiny from LGBT activists and students. He backed out of the speaking engagement. But critics persisted and he was forced to resign his post  after reaching a financial settlement with the city.

Dys tells me that what happened to Dr. Walsh should give every American the chills.

The idea of those government employees dividing up the sermons is unthinkable, he said. Religious liberty means we should be able to find sanctuary in our own sanctuary.

In recent days, the state of Georgia has become a battleground over religious liberty.

Governor Nathan Deal, a Republican, vetoed legislation that would have provided protection for pastors and other faith-based organizations from attacks by LGBT activists. The veto was levied under fierce pressure from big business bullies like Disney and Coca-Cola.

Its unclear whether such a law would have protected Dr. Walsh.

Any law a state passes that helps protect religious liberty  especially a law that allows pastors the right to preach and not lose their jobs  is a law we would certainly apply in this case, Dys said.

Its becoming clear to me that people of faith  people like Dr. Walsh -- will not find safe refuge in the state of Georgia.

First, they silenced the sheep  and now they are trying to silence the shepherds.


Thursday, when he attends Gulf Co-operation Council in Saudi Arabia, will be the last time President Obama meets the Gulf monarchs. Its his last chance to speak out against the repressive leaders who have committed brutal human rights abuses with the apparent assumption that the Obama administration would say and do little to nothing in response.

Since 2011 the president and his aides have been largely silent about beheadings in Saudi Arabia, torture in Bahrain, and disappearances in the United Arab Emirates.

The United States looks increasingly like the subservient partner in these bilateral relationships, cowed into accepting that widespread violent repression is just how things are. This week it emerged that the Saudi government is threatening economic reprisals against the U.S. if Congress passes a bipartisan bill allowing victims of 9/11 to sue foreign governments.

Its not just the Saudis who bully the U.S. Denied a fair trial and tortured, Americans Kamal Elderat and his son Mohamed have been in jail in the UAE for nearly two years. The State Department responded to pleas for help from their family only after many months of prevarication and stalling. The U.S. government still hasnt done enough to help them, or the many other people routinely disappeared and tortured by the Emirati security apparatus.

Since 2011 the president and his aides have been largely silent about beheadings in Saudi Arabia, torture in Bahrain, and disappearances in the United Arab Emirates.

Secretary Kerry visited Bahrain last week and publicly praised the very strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the kingdom while the countrys prisons bulge with political prisoners, credible reports of torture continue to come from detainees, and its leading human rights defenders face false charges and prison time.

A few weeks before last years summit meeting with the GCC leaders at Camp David Obama promised a tough conversation with the Gulf leaders about how their repression was dangerously fueling the grievances that feed violent extremism. It never happened.

Time and again those of us raising Gulf human rights issues with the Obama administration officials are told we don't have leverage, or you cant criticize these partners publicly.

Actually, you can. On one rare occasion in 2011 when Obama publicly called out the Bahraini government for bulldozing its Shia mosques, the attacks stopped within days. And when his administration joined an international chorus of outrage that year over the treatment of 20 medics tortured and then sentenced to long prison terms, the Manama regime immediately ordered retrials, resulting in acquittals and reduced sentences.

But such interventions have been too few and too weak. Obama rightly describes ISIS publicly beheading captives as as an assault on all humanity, but when his friends the Saudis do it he loses his voice.

He should use this chance to tell them, publicly, that a stable future for the Gulf and for the wider region depends on new inclusive form of government, that their fueling of sectarianism has contributed to the rise of ISIS, and that the world cant afford their brutal rule by absolute monarchy. And he should point out that imprisoning leading human rights lawyers such as Waleed Abu al-Khair makes their country and the region less safe.

The president should also use the visit to meet with what threads of civil society are left in Saudi Arabia, those brave people who risk jail and worse for daring to peacefully voice dissent against the regime.

At the same time, Mr. Obama should tell the Saudis and Qataris how they could help Syrians. Ive been meeting Syrian human rights activists this week in Gaziantep, on the Turkish side of the Syria border. While many are angry with the American governments failure to better support the Syrian opposition against the repressive Assad regime, they also think President Obama should encourage his GCC allies to play a more positive role in Syria.

They suggest that he urge Saudi Arabia and Qatar stop the inflammatory rhetoric inciting sectarian violence that come from their media outlets and to press the armed groups they control to respect the ceasefire. One of these groups, Jaish al Islam, kidnapped prominent human rights lawyer Razan Zaitouneh and three other activists in December 2013. President Obama should seek to secure their release and tell Saudi Arabia and Qatar to stop supporting sectarian groups that are committing abuses and helping to fuel conflict in Syria.

The American Eldarats are due to receive the verdict on their sham trial in the UAE on May 30. On Thursday Obama should call on the Emirati leaders to release them unconditionally and immediately. Such a statement would signal to GCC leaders that the U.S. government has belatedly found some spine in standing up to their dictatorships. And it would suggest that the presidents celebrated 2009 Cairo speech championing human rights in the Middle East wasnt as hollow as it now seems.


There are two ways to analyze Donald Trumps decisive win in New Yorks presidential primary.

First, its the acknowledgment of a big run for Trump this week and next during which the GOP frontrunner will amass delegates at a faster clip than any of the other three Republicans in the race  in the process, stretching his lead over Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and pumping up the volume that the Republican nomination is deservedly The Donalds regardless of where the delegate tally stands going into Julys national convention in Cleveland.

Trumps argument will look good  on paper, at least.

After New York, hes two-thirds of the way to the 1,237 delegates required by the GOP and a guaranteed first-ballot win in Cleveland.

If hes smart, Trump will use the rest of April and May to keep driving home one word: inevitability.

For arguments sake, lets give Trump roughly 100 of the 172 delegates up for grabs next Tuesday (all the action occurring in his mid-Atlantic backyard of Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island).

Once the five states holding GOP contests in May apportion their combined 199 delegates, Trumps total should enter four-digit territory. Per this Associated Press breakdown, a first-ballot scenario remains feasible.

If hes smart, Trump will use the rest of April and May to keep driving home one word: inevitability. Backed up by this exit poll data showing that an overwhelming number of New York Republicans saying the candidate with the most primary votes should be the partys nominee.

Now, the other takeaway from New York: the Sinatra question.

To paraphrase that other Chairman of the Board, if Trump can make it there  winning big in the Empire State in a closed Republican primary  can he make it anywhere with three-fifths of a primary electorate that hasnt bought into his candidacy?

The answer: no (not in every primary, at least) . . . and stay tuned.

May will not be the friendliest of months for Trump, what with a first-Tuesday primary in Indiana that could spell more Midwestern trouble (perhaps a repeat of his meltdown in Wisconsin).

After that: a winner-take-all contest in Nebraska that likely will go to Cruz (draw a line from Texas to North Dakota and it runs through states Cruz has won). Finally, Oregon and Washington awarding their delegates proportionally.

Not much of a buzz there.

However, there is an opportunity for Trump to take a major step forward  in a way having nothing to do with bean-counting and convention arcana. And that would be courting those skeptical Republicans still waiting for a Trumpian pivot from angry rhetoric and juvenile social-media insults to a more dignified tone and statesmanlike persona.

The news that broke on the same day as New Yorks results  that Trump is shaking up his senior campaign staff and empowering his team to spend aggressively to win in May and June  is a first step in that direction.

The next step: breaching divides within the GOP.

According to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 63 percent of Republican primary voters say they could be satisfied with Trump as the GOP nominee.

The good news: its better than the 49 percent Trump received back in the March exit polls.

Not so good: it cries of work to be done  specifically, shoring up support among conservatives uneasy of Trumps past policy inconsistencies and his unwilling in this campaign to take on entitlement spending and the federal budget dragon.

Four years ago, conservatives accounted for 35 percent of that years presidential turnout, the highest share since pollsters first began recording that statistic back in 1976; 82 percent of them voted for Mitt Romney. Four years previously, conservatives were 34 percent of the turnout; only 78 percent voted for John McCain.

In theory, Cruz has a chance of repeating those percentages, if not improving on them. Can Trump? Only if he starts speaking the language.

Such is the unusual nature of this Republican contest. In late April of 2012, after 43 Republican primaries and caucuses had voted, Romney had distanced himself from the field to the point where he could travel to New Hampshire and deliver this speech with an eye on the general election. Romney promised a new campaign to unite every American who knows in their heart that we can do better . . . the beginning of the end of the disappointments of the Obama years and the start of a new and better chapter that we will write together.

Trumps not in that position at present  and he may not be until the final night of the Republican National Convention.

Then again, hes not the only candidate going through hard times these days.

The same NBC/WSJ poll that gave Trump a historically awful 24 percent positive/65 percent negative approval rating and had Hillary Clinton weighing in at 32 percent positive/56 percent negative. Cruz recorded a 26 percent positive/49 percent negative: Kasich came in at 31 percent positive; 19 percent negative.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the democratic socialist and Clintons chief tormentor these days, received grades of 45 percent positive/36 percent negative, suggesting that the American electorate is not only sour on the political class, but sorely in need of a week in Caracas for a reality check on how a socialist county fares under Bernie Vision.

Will Trump take advantage of Mays light pace to transition from temper tantrums to a style more tempered? Its the practical thing to do. Especially when confronted with national poll numbers that, for now at least, are practically awful.
Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton regained their stride in the presidential race Tuesday night, winning their respective primaries in New York  and sending a message to their rivals that their campaigns are back on track after recent stumbles.

Trump, in his home state, notched what appeared to be his biggest victory yet. Speaking to cheering supporters Tuesday night at Trump Tower, he declared: We dont have much of a race anymore.

[Texas] Senator [Ted] Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated, Trump claimed. Were really, really rockin. Indeed, Cruz's poor showing left him with no mathematical chance of clinching the nomination before the Republican convention in July, though Trump could still end up short of the needed 1,237 needed to seal victory before the gathering.



With 94 percent of precincts reporting, Trump had garnered 60 percent of the vote, his highest total in any state. He had claimed at least 89 of New York's 95 Republican delegates.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich finished second in the state with 25 percent of the vote, leaving Cruz to finish third with 15 percent. Kasich was awarded at least three delegates, leaving Cruz in danger of getting shut out.

As of Tuesday night, Trump had 845 delegates. Cruz had 559, and Kasich had 147.

Cruz, who infamously panned Trump's "New York values" earlier in the primary, had been bracing for a tough showing in the Empire State and showed no signs of throwing in the towel. The Texas senator was already looking ahead, turning his attention to Pennsylvania, where he delivered a speech calling on Americans to join together to move the country forward.

"It is time for us to get up, shake it off and be who we were destined to be, he said.



In the Democratic race, Clinton soundly defeated Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in her adopted home state, which she represented in the Senate for eight years. Despite the Brooklyn-born Sanders hard-fought attempt at an upset, the former secretary of state successfully staved off that possibility Tuesday night. With 94 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton had 58 percent to Sanders 42 percent.

Theres no place like home, Clinton said at her victory rally.

Clinton claimed the race for the Democratic nomination is now entering the home stretch and victory is in sight. In an apparent bid to bridge divides in the party amid an increasingly bitter primary, she directed a message to Sanders voters: There is much more that unites us than divides us.

Clinton and Trump both were seeking rebound victories Tuesday after recent setbacks. Cruz had complicated Trump's path to the nomination by winning recent contests like Wisconsin and getting allies elected to state delegate slates. On the Democratic side, Sanders had been on a winning streak up until Tuesday  winning seven of the eight prior contests.

Whether Trump and Clinton's performance Tuesday will help either wrap up the race in the coming weeks remains an open question. The campaigns head next to five Eastern states that vote next Tuesday: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware.

Its potentially friendly territory for the front-runners. But unless Trump can drive Kasich and Cruz out of the race, the billionaire businessman still may have to fight all the way to the final primary contests on June 7  including delegate-rich California, which may end up being the deciding race  to see if he can clinch the nomination.

On the Democratic side, Clinton could easily attain the necessary 2,383 delegates to win by June. The question is whether Sanders would accept it  as her tally includes the support of party insiders known as superdelegates, and the Sanders campaign has suggested they shouldnt count toward that 2,383-delegate threshold.

As of Wednesday morning, Clinton had 1,893 total delegates, compared with Sanders 1,180.

Sanders also campaigned in Pennsylvania Tuesday. He hammered his campaign themes about a rigged economy and corrupt campaign finance system, while urging voters to join him in challenging the status quo.

Were gonna win this election, Sanders vowed. However, his senior adviser Tad Devine told the Associated Press that the campaign planned to "sit back and assess where we are" after a next week's contests.



According to an Associated Press tally, Clinton won at least 135 of New York's 247 delegates. Sanders had won 104, with eight delegates outstanding.

The importance of every last delegate has increased in recent weeks as Cruz has appeared to outmaneuver Trumps campaign in the behind-the-scenes preparations for Julys convention.

Cruz has been laying the groundwork for a contested convention  one in which where no candidate has the required number of delegates  by getting allies elected as delegates. That way, if voting extends to a second round, some of those pledged to Trump on the first round could peel off and support Cruz. This has heightened the pressure on Trump to clinch the nomination before the convention.

A Kasich campaign memo, meanwhile, touted the Ohio governors chances in the upcoming state contests  and his prospects for securing delegate support in the event of a contested convention.

The next 7 days are absolutely critical," the memo concluded. "Its now or never to stop Trump and save the Republican Party."

The primary-day voting was not without its problems in New York. Voters ran into an array of polling-site glitches earlier Tuesday as they tried to cast ballots  with some locations opening late and others using broken machines.

The Wall Street Journal reported that some voters waited hours to cast ballots at a site in Brooklyn, where workers apparently did not have the keys when it was supposed to open Tuesday morning. Elsewhere in the borough, voters reportedly were turned away due to technical problems.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also responded Tuesday to reports that thousands of registered Democrats have been dropped from the rolls, especially in Brooklyn. In a statement, the mayor called for major reforms to the election board and voiced support for an audit -- which the city comptroller has ordered.

It has been reported to us from voters and voting rights monitors that the voting lists in Brooklyn contain numerous errors, including the purging of entire buildings and blocks of voters from the voting lists, he said in a statement. I am calling on the Board of Election to reverse that purge and update the lists again 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
George Osborne, the Tory chancellor of David Cameron's UK government, has amended the Bank of England and Financial Services Bill to exempt the families of "Politically Exposed Persons"  Members of Parliament and other elites  from money laundering investigations.



The amendment was introduced by Tory MP Charles Walker, who refuses to publish his tax return. He compared the mandatory publication of MPs' tax returns to a law that banned curtains.

UK's Osborne Exempts Members of Parliament, Other "Politically Exposed Persons" From Money Laundering Oversight [Yves Smith/Naked Capitalism]
Donald Trump scored a huge victory in New York, as did Hillary Clinton. But lets face it, that was already priced into their stock.

It does nothing to diminish the magnitude of Trumps win, even on his home turf, to say that it was obvious he would clobber Ted Cruz after two weeks of polls that had him over 50 percent. The only lingering mystery was whether he would win around 90 of the state's 95 delegates, which he did, moving him that much closer to 1,237.

Everyone in the media is fixated on the math, and thats understandable, but I think Trump is also up against a cultural war. That is evident in much of the media coverage, and in the way that Hollywood types denounce Trump in apocalyptic terms, but also in the political precincts.

Case in point: Politico reports that some GOP operatives are getting the message that if you work for Trump, youll never work in this town again. Says anti-Trump Super PAC chief Katie Packer: I would never hire or want to work with somebody who tried to help Trump. It would be disqualifying.

A blacklisting threat speaks volumes about the Republican Party view that employment by Trump amounts to going over to the dark side. Perhaps those sending such signals should ask themselves why Trump has won 2 million more votes and far more contests than Cruz.

And the candidates who had highly credentialed consultantsJeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Scott Walker, Chris Christie, Rick Perry, and othersare no longer in the race. So this sounds more like bitterness than anything else.

Of course, if Trump wins he will begin to control much of the party machinery, and those making the threats could be the ones angling to get work from the nominee.

Another aspect of this culture war is not just that Trump gets waves of negative media attention, which might be explained by his record as a provocative and controversial candidate. Its that he gets hammered with equal intensity by commentators on the left and the right.

I cant remember a presidential contender who drew so much vitriol from both ideological corners, even as he continued to pile up victories. And you dont have to look far for evidence.

These stories were on Salons home page yesterday:

Neanderthals for Trump

The Mad King of New York: Why the Empire State Lies at the Heart of Trumps Sinister Appeal

Big Top Trump: His Yearning for Showbiz Quality at RNC Hilariously Illustrates How Donald Trump Has Turned the Party into a Circus

And these stories were on National Reviews home page yesterday:

Trumps Counterfeit Masculinity (depicting him as a caveman dragging a woman off by her hair)

Women Really, Really Dislike Donald Trump: Take Note, Republicans

No, I Will Never Come Around to Supporting Trump (thats by Jonah Goldberg)

So love him or hate him, there really is a new political force emerging, which we can call Trumpism. Its not rooted in the political base of either party. Rather, its an organic, personality-based movement that appeals to many voters on a gut leveland breeds fear and resentment among his detractors.

Cruz warned the other day that a Trump nomination would lead to a bloodbath and hand the election to Hillary Clinton. Its that kind of rhetoric that makes clear the Republican Party will be fractured if Trump wins in Clevelandand if he doesnt.

A number of things have to fall into place for Trump to convert his political success into an actual nomination. And one of them, in my view, is overcoming the cultural resistance that depicts him as a danger to his party and his country.

But every time he wins big in a state like New York, that doomsday message becomes harder to sell.
The Treasury Department announced Wednesday that abolitionist Harriet Tubman will replace former President Andrew Jackson on the new $20 bill  while Alexander Hamilton will remain on the front of the $10 note.

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew formally announced an array of design changes to Americas currency, largely geared toward honoring the contribution of women in the countrys history.

Our currency will now tell more of our story, Lew said.

In being featured on the front of the $20 bill, Tubman will be the first African American on U.S. paper money ever, and the first woman in 100 years.

Lew called it a powerful message, and described Tubmans life as the essential story of American democracy. Jackson, the nation's seventh president and a slave owner, will be pushed to the back of the bill.

Lew said the back of the $5 bill also will be changed to reflect historical events at the Lincoln Memorial  including Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream speech and black female singer Marian Andersons famous 1939 performance. The back of the $10 note, he said, will honor heroes of the campaign for womens right to vote.

But on the front of that bill will remain Hamilton, whom Lew described as the architect of our economic system.

Lew is hoping to unveil the new bills in 2020.

Lews announcement follows a heated debate ever since he said last summer the government planned to incorporate a woman on the $10 bill.

That set off a firestorm of protests from supporters of Hamilton, the first Treasury secretary. They argued the founding father had molded the nation's financial architecture and should not be removed from his rightful place on the currency.

Hamilton fans got a boost from the interest generated by the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton." Earlier this year, Lew was personally lobbied by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the author and star of "Hamilton," during a meeting at Treasury.

Treasury all together received more than 1.5 million responses to Lew's request for suggestions on the currency redesign. That prompted him to delay an announcement, which he had originally said would be made by the end of 2015.

Meanwhile, an online group, Women on 20s, campaigned for a woman on the $20 bill. Jackson's critics say he should not be on U.S. currency because of the part he played in the relocation of Native Americans. And in a poll conducted last year by Women on 20s, Tubman, the African-American abolitionist and one of the leaders of the Underground Railroad, was the top vote getter to replace him.

Still, the change is likely to inflame lawmakers from Tennessee, which Jackson represented in Congress before becoming president. The state also generally claims the former president was born in an area that is now part of Tennessee.

The last woman featured on U.S. paper money was Martha Washington, who was on a dollar silver certificate from 1891 to 1896. The only other woman ever featured on U.S. paper money was Pocahontas, from 1865 to 1869. Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea are on dollar coins.

A woman, a leader, and a freedom fighter. I can't think of a better choice for the $20 bill than Harriet Tubman: https://t.co/YcsZC4ZrKg -H  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 20, 2016

I cannot think of an American hero more deserving of this honor than Harriet Tubman. https://t.co/GL64NPrOL1  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 20, 2016

The Democratic 2016 presidential candidates both hailed the decision announced Wednesday.

Fox Business Networks Jennifer Schonberger, Fox News' Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The nations largest health insurer, fearing massive financial losses, announced Tuesday that it plans to pull back from ObamaCare in a big way and cut its participation in the programs insurance exchanges to just a handful of states next year  in the latest sign of instability in the marketplace under the law.

UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley said the company expects losses from its exchange business to total more than $1 billion for this year and last.

Despite the company expanding to nearly three dozen state exchanges for this year, Hemsley said the company cannot continue to broadly serve the market created by the Affordable Care Act's coverage expansion due partly to the higher risk that comes with its customers.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. said it now expects to lose $650 million this year on its exchange business, up from its previous projection for $525 million. The insurer lost $475 million in 2015, a spokesman said.

UnitedHealth has already decided to pull out of Arkansas, Georgia and Michigan in 2017, and Hemsley told analysts during a Tuesday morning conference call that his company does not want to take the financial risk from the exchanges into 2017.

"We continue to remain an advocate for more stable and sustainable approaches to serving this market," he said.

The state-based exchanges are a key element behind the Affordable Care Act's push to expand insurance coverage. But insurers have struggled with higher-than-expected claims from that business.

A recent study by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association detailed how many new customers nationwide under ObamaCare are higher-risk. It found new enrollees in individual health plans in 2014 and 2015 had higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, depression, coronary artery disease, HIV and Hepatitis C than those enrolled before ObamaCare.

On the heels of Tuesday's announcement, Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said in a statement its a sign of the Presidents broken promise that families would have more choices under ObamaCare.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, in an analysis on the prospect of United's exit, said the effect on insurer competition could be significant in some markets  particularly in rural areas and southern states if it is not replaced.

In the most extreme scenario, If United were to leave the exchange market overall, 1.8 million Marketplace enrollees would be left with two insurers, and another 1.1 million would be left with one insurer as a result of the withdrawal, the analysis said.

UnitedHealth had moved slowly into the newly created market by participating in only four exchanges in their first year, 2014. But the company then expanded to two dozen exchanges last year and said in October it would add to that total. It currently participates in exchanges in 34 states and covers 795,000 people

A month after announcing its latest exchange expansion, UnitedHealth started voicing second thoughts. The insurer said in November that it would decide by the first half of this year whether to even participate in the market for 2017.

Insurers say they have struggled, in particular, with customers who have signed up for coverage outside regular enrollment windows and then dumped expensive claims on their books, a problem the government has said it would address.

A dozen nonprofit health insurance cooperatives created by the ACA to sell coverage on the exchanges have already folded, and the survivors all lost millions last year.

Other publicly traded insurers like Aetna have said that they have lost money on this business as well. But some companies, like Molina Healthcare, have said they have managed to turn a profit from the exchanges.

Analysts expect other insurers to also trim their exchange participation in 2017, especially if they continue to struggle with high costs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Obama began his Saudi Arabia trip on Wednesday with a one-on-one meeting with King Salman amid growing tensions between Washington and Riyadh over what appears to be a shrinking U.S. footprint in the region.

The Saudi monarch greeted Obama at Erga Palace, where the two walked slowly to a reception room as the smell of incense wafted in the air. The two offered polite smiles as they sat down side by side for pictures at the start of their private meeting.

"The American people send their greetings and we are very grateful for your hospitality, not just for this meeting but for hosting the GCC-U.S. summit that's taking place tomorrow," Obama said, referring to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council summit that starts Thursday.

Salman, speaking through a translator, offered similarly gracious words for the president, who is making his fourth trip to the Kingdom for face-to-face meetings and photos with royal rulers since becoming president.

"The feeling is mutual between us and the American people," the king said.

The president was slated to spend little more than 24 hours in the Saudi capital before heading on to visits to London and Hannover, Germany.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are participating in the regional summit, which the White House said would focus on regional stability, counterterrorism including the fight against the Islamic State and al-Qaida, and Iran. Talks are also expected to address the Saudi-led military campaign against Shiite rebels and their allies in neighboring Yemen.

Stepping off of Air Force One earlier at King Khalid International Airport, Obama was greeted on a red carpet not by King Salman but by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the governor of Riyadh. Before Obama landed, Saudi state television did not immediately air Obama's arrival, but showed the king greeting other senior officials from Gulf nations arriving for the summit.

U.S. officials have expressed hope the latest meeting will build on last year's Camp David summit, though they acknowledge differences remain between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Obama's recent comment that the Saudis and Iranians should "share the neighborhood" roiled officials in Riyadh.

The Sunni Muslim-ruled kingdom -- the world's biggest oil exporter and the largest buyer of American-made weapons -- sees Shiite-led Iran as its main rival. Saudi leaders are concerned that concessions granted to Iran in last year's nuclear deal will embolden it to pursue what the Saudis view as aggressive meddling throughout the region.

Salman's reign has overseen a more assertive foreign policy, with Saudis venturing into Yemen and pushing the U.S. to take more aggressive moves to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Saudi Arabia and Iran back opposing sides in Syria's civil war and in the Yemen conflict, where the U.S. military is providing refueling and other logistical help to the Saudi-led war effort.

Ahead of Obama's trip, a group of U.S. senators called on the president to press Saudi Arabia on human rights issues during the visit and raise the cases of two imprisoned advocates, blogger Raif Badawi and a man who defended him, rights activist Waleed Abu al-Khair. Also behind bars is Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh, who was sentenced to death for apostasy but later had his sentenced reduced on appeal to prison and lashes.

The White House said concerns about inclusive government and improved rights were on his agenda for the visit.

Saudi Arabia in early January carried out its largest mass execution in years, putting 47 people to death, including prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. That move trigged an angry reaction from Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia's Shiite rival Iran, where protesters set fire to two Saudi diplomatic missions inside Iran. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies responded by severing or downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran.

Maya Foa, death penalty director for the human rights group Reprieve, said Obama's visit "comes amid a huge surge in repression in the kingdom." The London-based group is urging the president to raise the case of Al-Nimr's nephew, Ali al-Nimr, and two other men on death row who were arrested while under 18 during protests in the kingdom's oil-rich east.

Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the kingdom's defense minister, said ahead of Obama's visit that the Gulf and the U.S. must work together to confront challenges including terrorism, instability and what he described as Iranian interference into regional countries' affairs.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz campaigns vowed to fight all the way to their respective party conventions despite losing big in Tuesdays New York primaries  rebuffing taunts from their rivals that theyre just about mathematically eliminated from the race.

Indeed, after coming in a distant third in New York, Cruz has no real path to overtake Donald Trump in the Republican race before the July convention. On the Democratic side, Sanders would have to win 73 percent of the remaining delegates and uncommitted superdelegates to catch Hillary Clinton.

Clinton could actually lose every remaining primary in the coming weeks and still clinch the nomination. Next up are primaries in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware next week. Clinton moved quickly to cast herself as the all-but-certain nominee.

"The race for the Democratic nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sight," she told supporters at her victory party in Manhattan on Tuesday night. A campaign aide, on the sidelines, said Sanders has no mathematical chance of a comeback.

Trump declared at his own victory party across town, We dont have much of a race anymore.

Yet Cruz and Sanders were recalibrating their approach and their rhetoric, seemingly preparing to press on.

Appearing to acknowledge he could no longer clinch the nomination pre-convention, Cruz said Wednesday: We are definitely headed to Cleveland. And in Cleveland, the people are gonna prevail.

His campaign is likely back to concentrating on the delegate-selection process in order to strengthen its position going into Cleveland.

If Cruz  and Ohio Gov. John Kasich  can hold Trump under the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the nomination before then, the Texas senator aims to have delegate allies in place from across the country who would peel off from Trump and support him after the first round of voting. Further, his campaign is courting unbound delegates in several states  most recently in Pennsylvania, which votes next week and does not bind most its delegates to the primary results  in hopes they would also flock to him in the event of a floor fight.

The maneuvers have only strengthened Trumps resolve to go on a huge winning streak in the coming weeks, racking up delegates in hopes of reaching the 1,237 threshold and ruling out the possibility of a contested convention. According to The Washington Post, an internal Trump memo projects Trump would get more than 1,400 delegates on the first round of balloting to secure the nomination.

Right now, Trump has 845 delegates, Cruz has 559 and Kasich has 147.

Meanwhile, Sanders, presuming he cannot clinch the nomination himself before the Philadelphia convention, is pursuing a tricky strategy.

"We're going to go to the convention, campaign manager Jeff Weaver said on MSNBC. But the Sanders campaign seems to be relying on the prospect of winning over superdelegates, the party insiders and officials free to support whomever they want.

Clinton holds an overwhelming lead among them and is well-positioned to reach the 2,383 total delegates needed by the end of primaries in June, counting both superdelegates and pledged. Sanders officials seem to be raising the bar, though, suggesting she would need 2,383 pledged delegates to truly clinch the nomination.

But Clinton aide Jennifer Palmieri said the former secretary of state will continue to hold the pledged-delegate lead as well. And after a campaign period marked by an increasingly bitter tone between the two campaigns, she accused Sanders of going down a destructive path during the New York race.

Including superdelegates, the race stands at 1,930 for Clinton and 1,189 for Sanders.

Sanders, though, has given some mixed signals on the heels of his New York loss.

He took a day off from the campaign trail Wednesday to return to Vermont.

And senior adviser Tad Devine, calling next week a big week, said: "We'll see how we do there and then we'll be able to sit back and assess where we are."

But Sanders continued to claim in fundraising memos they could still win.

He told reporters after landing in Burlington, Vt., that hed get recharged in Vermont, and thinks he can do well in the five primaries next week. He plans to return to the campaign trail in Pennsylvania on Thursday.

Few in the Democratic Party expect Sanders to exit the race formally before the final contests in June. He continues to attract tens of thousands to rallies -- addressing more than 28,000 in Brooklyn two days before the primary. And he continues to raise millions of dollars, giving him fodder for a persistent fight.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Buzz Cuts:

 Trump tries out for new role: Presumptive nominee

 Power Play: Kasichs big test

 Hillary jumps ahead in the home stretch

 Hippies booted Bernie from their commune

 Fragile manhood

TRUMP TRIES OUT FOR NEW ROLE: PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE

The Republican nominating process has evolved for a moment just such as this: helping a damaged frontrunner stave off a challenge from a conservative insurgent and avoiding the threat of a chaotic convention.

What nobody knew was that the frontrunner this year would be Donald Trump.

And as Trump showed both in his remarks after his resounding victory in his home state and the promise of big money for the Republican consultant class, he is willing to try to play the part that was written for another player: Mr. Inevitability.

And with a quintet of states from his region set to vote next week, he is at the threshold of fully assuming the role. If Trumps New York knockout is reflective of how he will fare in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland on Tuesday  and a new Connecticut poll out today suggests it could be  you will see the weakening resistance to Trump perhaps not shatter, but complete its shift from mainstream effort to the more traditional conservative insurgency.

Now, Trump isnt close to where his Democratic counterpart Hillary Clinton stands after her bell ringer of a New York win. She was already the apotheosis of Democratic establishmentarianism. With her rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, retreating to Vermont and his senior advisor saying the members of Team Sanders would "sit back and assess where they are after next weeks contests, Clinton is already passing over into that Valhalla of every weak frontrunner: the dispiriting of her partys base.

A week from today we could see Clinton be presumptive no more but actually take the coveted modifier inevitable.

For Trump, its more complicated.

Like the human immune system, political parties have antibodies that attack pathogens. Party rules, the nodding and whispered assents of the mandarin class, the flow of campaign cash and the availability of top staffers all add up to a defense system to keep parties healthy, at least for those who populate their broad establishments.

This week in Florida, Trumps newly acquired consultants will be making two cases to party elders at the RNCs spring meeting. First, that Trump can behave himself and wouldnt be the general election catastrophe that poll after poll after poll suggests. Second, that the only remaining options for Republicans are to accept Trump as inevitable and help him win on the first ballot or face riots and inevitable general election catastrophe.

Its not the easiest argument to make, but for now, all Team Trump needs is for Republicans to do nothing. The time will come when Trump will need the corrpupt system to swing in behind him and shut off Sen. Ted Cruzs crew before the first ballot. But for now, agnosticism about the new K Street-friendly, more mannerly Trump is all the frontrunner needs.

And if Trump sweeps next weeks primaries, the argument will get far easier. Especially since Trumps counterpart would be playing to type. Many in the party had already cast Cruz as conservative insurgent and bitter ender. The grandees may never have seen Trump as the wounded frontrunner to be shepherded through, but they will have no trouble seeing Cruz as the enemy.

Every candidacy, like every movie or novel, requires some degree of the suspension of disbelief. Highly ideologically motivated  or in the case of Trump, attitudinally motivated  voters are the most willing to suspend their disbelief. A Ron Paul delegate in 2012 would have greeted theories about a convention fight and a ricochet nomination with the kind of credulity that a Star Wars fan would explain how a 300-year-old Wookie can fight a space octopus.

Trumps effort to get party elders to suspend their own disbelief for him in the same way they did prior frontrunners will not be as easy as it was for those who came before him. But of the alternative is to face the threatened riots and violence from Trump supports, a chaotic convention and inevitable defeat in the fall anyway, they might be quite willing to believe  at least for a little while.

Power Play: Kasichs big test - John Kasich won a single congressional district in New York Tuesday, but it is next weeks contests that hes hoping will propel him forward as a candidate at a contested convention. What does he need to do in the five East Coast states voting next Tuesday? Chris Stirewalt explains it all in just 60 seconds. WATCH HERE.



Trumps new honcho reportedly digging for dirt on predecessor - NY Magazine: The 67-year-old operative [Paul Manafort], whom Donald Trump hired last month to oversee the campaign delegate-getting operation, has displaced Corey Lewandowski, Trumps embattled campaign manager. According to interviews with five sources, Manafort is now firmly in charge of all major aspects of Trumps campaignIn the meantime, Lewandowski will continue to travel with Trump and focus on advance work, the task for which hes most qualified. But sources say things could get rough for him in the weeks aheadEvery expenditure that Corey approved is being reviewed, one source said. The speculation, sources close to the campaign say, is that they may be looking for ammo to take to Trump to show him that Lewandowski mismanaged expenses. People who know Trump best say theres probably one thing he dislikes most: wasting money.



[GOP delegate count: Trump 845; Cruz 559; Kasich 147 (1,237 needed to win)]

WITH YOUR SECOND CUP OF COFFEE

Wealthy patrons have long used so-called concierge physicians  doctors retained to provide basic care and serve as guides through the sometimes bewildering world of health care. But as the nature of insurance changes and the cost of care keeps climbing, middle class families are starting to find concierges of their own. Boston Globe: For nine years, Dr. Jeffrey Gold was the quintessentially overworked family physician: too many patients, too much paperwork, too little time to really provide careBut Gold did something most of his colleagues have not: He ditched a job at a Partners HealthCare physicians group and launched his own practice, using an uncommon but emerging business model known as direct primary care. Gold has stopped accepting health insurance. He charges a flat monthly fee for up to a dozen visits a year and is easily reached by e-mail and cellphoneadvocates of the direct model say patients should pay separate fees for primary care while saving the insurance for emergencies and big expenses. They liken it to how consumers use car insurance: Pay out-of-pocket for an oil change, but tap the insurance after a fender-bender.

Got a TIP from the RIGHT or the LEFT? Email FoxNewsFirst@FOXNEWS.COM

POLL CHECK

Real Clear Politics Averages

National GOP nomination: Trump 40.3 percent; Cruz 31.3 percent; Kasich 21.5 percent

National Dem nomination: Clinton 47.7 percent; Sanders 46.3 percent

General Election: Clinton vs. Trump: Clinton +9.3 points

Generic Congressional Vote: Democrats +1

HILLARY JUMPS AHEAD IN THE HOME STRETCH

WaPos Dan Balz with the best take on the meaning of the New York Primary for the Dems: Hillary Clinton got what she needed in New York, a solid victory that stopped Bernie Sanderss weeks-long winning streakBy the end of next weeks contests in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware, her lead in pledged delegates in all likelihood will be insurmountable[By May] turning around public perceptions will be crucial if she hopes not just to win the presidency but to be able to rally the country behind her agendaTrumps problems do not diminish the fact that, standing alone, Clinton looks much weaker than recent nomineesThe damage to Clinton from her battle with Sanders is borne out in the latest NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll. The longer this race has gone on, the more she has shown vulnerabilities. The top-line number that caught the eyes of so many analysts shows her now in a dead heat with [Bernie] Sanders nationally  ahead of him by just two percentage points, 50 to 48 percent.

Hillary says victory in sight - In her speech Tuesday on the heels of her resounding New York win, Clinton said: The race for the nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sightBecause of you, this campaign is the only one, Democrat or Republican, (which has) won more than 10 million votes.



Hippies booted Bernie from their commune - Washington Free Beacon: Bernie Sanders was asked to leave a hippie commune in 1971 for sitting around and talking about politics instead of working, according to a forthcoming book. We Are As Gods by Kate Daloz, scheduled for release April 26, chronicles the rise and fall of the Myrtle Hill Farm in northeast VermontSanders idle chatter did not endear him with some of the communes residents, who did the backbreaking labor of running the place. Daloz writes that one resident, Craig, resented feeling like he had to pull others out of Bernies orbit if any work was going to get accomplished that day. Sanders was eventually asked to leave. When Bernie had stayed for Myrtles allotted three days, Craig politely requested that he move on, Daloz writes.

[Dem delegate count: Clinton 1893; Sanders 1180 (2,383 needed to win)]

CONSERVATIVE GROUP HOLDS CALL ON OBAMACARE FUNDS

Today, conservative group Freedom Partners hosts a media call with Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., on the divergence of funds from the Treasury Dept. to fund Obamacare exchanges. RSVP to media@freedompartners.org to participate.



FRAGILE MANHOOD

UPI: A town in France has seemingly found a solution that will prevent locals from vandalizing a statue of Greek hero Heracles. The town of Arcachon has decided to create a prosthetic removable penis that can be attached to the statue of Heracles, or Hercules, in Parc Mauresque after years of vandals stealing the appendage. Considering Heracles fragile manhood weve chosen to give him a removable prosthetic that we can add to the statue before each ceremony, deputy mayor said, according to The Local. This is the best solution, otherwise you just end up constantly chasing after the anatomy of Heracles. A number of unsolved cases of thefts of the statues penis have been reported in the area throughout the years and Mayor Yves Foulon decided it was time to put the systematic issue to rest.

Chris Stirewalt is digital politics editor for Fox News. Sally Persons contributed to this report. Want FOX News First in your inbox every day? Sign up here.
British officials said Monday that "Boaty McBoatface" is unlikely to be the name of the countrys newest polar research vessel.

The suggestion topped an online poll with 124,109 votes, more than three times the total of its nearest rival, RRS Poppy-Mai.

Former BBC radio host James Hand, who suggested the name, apologized for causing the uproar. Hand later said he voted to name the ship after naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough.

The Times even supported the name, arguing that Boaty McBoatface would keep people interested in the research that the ship will undertake.

The Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) had asked for help finding a name reflecting the $284 million ships mission and celebrating British naval history.

Science Minister Jo Johnson said the vote was advisory and said that the imaginative suggestions would all be reviewed. But he said the vessel's name should capture "the spirit of scientific endeavor."

Thats why we want a name that lasts longer than a social media news cycle and reflects the serious nature of the science it will be doing, Johnson said, according to The Guardian.

There are many excellent suggestions among the 7,000 names put forward by members of the public and well make a decision as to which one should be put forward for the royal warrant when weve had a chance to review them all, he added.

NERC chief executive Duncan Wingham will have the final say in choosing a name, but hes being urged to stick with Boaty McBoatface over the publics interest in the story.

"Its a childish name, so its an opportunity to engage with a younger generation, social media strategist Michael Tinmouth told The Guardian. If I was them, I would get a team of designers and brand experts together and do something like develop a cartoon or a project for younger children which features a character called Boaty McBoatface, even if the boat isnt actually called that.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from The Guardian.
The month of March broke temperature records, making it the eleventh month in a row to do so, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association reported Tuesday, with North America having the warmest March ever since records began in 1910.

Globally in March, the average temperature across the land and oceans smashed the record, measuring 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average, NOAA said. That measurement breaks last years record for March by over half a degree Fahrenheit, making it the warmest average temperature for the month across the globe since 1880.

Related: West Antarctic ice sheet could collapse, causing significant sea level rise, experts warn

The mercury climbed to near-historic highs across the world last month. Both Asia and Africa had their third-warmest Marches on record since 1910, South America had its seventh-warmest March, and Australia had its hottest March.

In the Arctic last month, the extent of the sea ice was 7 percent smaller than average, the second-smallest it has been for the month since 1979, when satellite records began.

"It's absolutely disturbing, Jason Furtado, an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology, told the Associated Press. We're losing critical elements of our climate system."

The year continues to break records so far, according to NOAA. The average temperature across the worlds oceans and continents during the first three months of 2016 was just over 2 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the 20th-century average, which is the highest its been since 1880. That measurement breaks last years record by half a degree.

Related: Temperatures hit another record, with February off the charts

Scientists attribute the warming temperatures to both El Nino and human-caused global warming, according to the Associated Press.

Skeptics have largely dismissed fears over mans impact on global warming, saying climate change has been going on since the beginning of time. They also claim the dangers of a warming planet are being wildly exaggerated and question the impact that fossil fuels have had on climate change.
New NASA images reveal the bright craters on dwarf planet Ceres in stunning detail.

The pictures from NASAs Dawn mission were taken 240 miles from the planets surface offering an incredible view of Ceres Haulani Crater. Evidence of landslides is clearly visible, as is a central ridge and smooth material on the crater floor.

NASA notes that an enhanced false-color view gives scientists insight into Ceres.

"Haulani perfectly displays the properties we would expect from a fresh impact into the surface of Ceres, said Martin Hoffmann, co-investigator on the Dawn framing camera team, based at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Gottingen, Germany, in a statement. The crater floor is largely free of impacts, and it contrasts sharply in color from older parts of the surface.

Related: NASA releases stunning Ceres close-up images

NASA says that the crater's polygonal nature (meaning it resembles a shape made of straight lines) is interesting because most craters seen on other planetary bodies, such as Earth, are nearly circular. The straight edges of some Cerean craters, including Haulani, result from pre-existing stress patterns and faults beneath the surface, it explained.

The space agency also described Ceres 6-mile-wide Oxo Crater, which is the second-brightest feature on the dwarf planet, as a hidden treasure. Scientists are examining the signatures of minerals on Oxos crater floor, which appear different than elsewhere on Ceres.

"Little Oxo may be poised to make a big contribution to understanding the upper crust of Ceres," said Chris Russell, principal investigator of the mission, based at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Related: Scientists begin to unravel mystery behind bright spots on Ceres

Ceres lies between Mars and Jupiter. The dwarf planet has an average diameter of 590 miles and is the largest body in the main asteroid belt.

Dawn successfully entered Ceres' orbit on March 6 2015, making history as the first mission to achieve orbit around a dwarf planet

Sicilian astronomer Father Giuseppe Piazzi spotted Ceres in 1801 and was the first object discovered in our solar systems asteroid belt.

Related: Could the dwarf planet Ceres support life?

Initially classified as a planet, Ceres was later called an asteroid, and designated a dwarf planet in 2006.

The spacecraft will remain at its current altitude for the rest of its mission, and indefinitely afterward, according to NASA. The end of the prime mission will be June 30, 2016.

A host of organizations are involved in the Dawn mission. UCLA, for example, is handling overall mission science, while the German Aerospace Center, the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, the Italian Space Agency, and the Italian National Astrophysical Institute are involved as international partners.

The Dawn spacecraft was built by Dulles, Va.-based Orbital ATK.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Want to boost the social media profile of one of the most famous people on the planet? Then Buckingham Palace has just the job for you.

The British monarchy is looking for someone to lead its digital engagement efforts, presenting an opportunity to tweet for the Queen. It's about never standing still and finding new ways to maintain The Queen's presence in the public eye and on the world stage, explains the job ad on the monarchys website. This is what makes working for the Royal Household exceptional.

The ideal candidate has experience managing social media networks for a high profile organization, according to the ad, and knows how to design digital content for different audiences.

Related: Twitter wins the rights to live stream Thursday night NFL games this fall

Whether you're covering a state visit, award ceremony or royal engagement, you'll make sure our digital channels consistently spark interest and reach a range of audiences, the ad explains.

The head of digital engagement will be based in Buckingham Palace and paid a salary between $65,000 and $72,000. Free lunches will be provided.

The royal family has ramped up its social media presence in recent years. The British Monarchy Twitter account launched in April 2009  Queen Elizabeth sent her first personal tweet from the account in 2014 when she opened a gallery at Londons Science Museum.

Related: JK Rowling tweeted some of her rejection letters to encourage new authors

The British Monarchy, Kensington Palace and Clarence House have, respectively, 2.16 million, 630,000 and 533,000 followers on Twitter.

Don't forget to tweet us your birthday wishes for The Queen using #Queenat90 #HappyBirthdayYourMajesty pic.twitter.com/zHG6SKhryt  BritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) April 20, 2016

Kensington Palace is the official London residence of Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Clarence House is the official London residence of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Queen joined Facebook in 2010 with the launch of the British Monarchy Facebook page, which has since racked up more than 2.6 million likes. The monarchy made its first Instagram post in 2013  the account now has 305,000 followers.

Related: Twitter celebrates a decade of tweets

Queen Elizabeths 90th birthday on Thursday is being celebrated in social media with the hashtag #Queenat90.

The British sovereign and her family are not the only royals to harness the power of social media. When King Juan Carlos of Spain abdicated in 2014, the Spanish monarchy shared the news via Twitter.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Two brothers wanted in the disappearance and presumed slayings of a Washington state couple have been charged with first-degree murder, and authorities believe they may be heading for the Mexican border.

Detectives found a car in Phoenix that had been driven by John Blaine Reed and his brother, Tony Clyde Reed, and they said two friends of the brothers gave them a different car  a gold Acura sedan  and $500, knowing they were on the run from police.

A license plate reader captured the Acura's plate near Calexico, California, on Monday, authorities said.

The brothers are wanted in the disappearance of John Reed's former neighbors, Patrick Shunn, 45, and his wife, Monique Patenaude, 46, who were reported missing a week ago. Investigators say they found evidence the couple were killed.
A Chicago man who spent more than two decades in prison for the slayings of two men was released Tuesday after Cook County prosecutors dropped the murder charges against him.

Edward Bolden, who walked out of the Cook County Jail on Tuesday afternoon, was sentenced to life in prison for the killings of Irving Clayton, 23, and Derrick Frazier, 24. The victims were found shot to death in a burning car on January 29, 1994, in what authorities say was a drug deal gone bad.

"I'm glad I'm out," Bolden said. "It looks foreign. A lot of this wasn't even out here when I left."

Bolden was convicted on the testimony of a single eyewitness who identified him as the gunman. The witness was Derrick Frazier's brother and was also wounded in the shooting. But an investigator later interviewed three witnesses who testified at a hearing last year that they saw Bolden playing an arcade game inside a restaurant at the time of the killings.

"Each of the witnesses said exactly what two of the witnesses had said at trial  which is that Eddie was inside a fish restaurant at the time the shootings were happening outside," said Bolden's attorney Ron Safer. "These three people were totally impartial. They had never met Eddie before, but they remembered that he was in there and they testified to that at the hearing."

Circuit Judge Alfredo Maldonado in January ordered a new trial for the 46-year-old Bolden, saying he had a "substantial deprivation of constitutional rights" following his arrest.

Bolden was being held in lieu of $1 million bail after prosecutors initially said they would retry him. But the Cook County State's Attorney's office Tuesday suddenly announced it would dismiss the case and drop the charges.

Bolden expressed anger that he lost more than 20 years of his life for a crime he didn't commit.

"I knew (freedom) would come, I just didn't know when," he said. "I didn't think it would take 22 years, but I still have my life."
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump scored major victories in New Yorks primary.

Hillary Clinton got 58% over Bernie Sanders 42%.

Donald Trump got 60%. Kasich was a distant number two with 25%.

Clinton got at least 135 more delegates than Sanders and made his path nearly mathematically impossible. Trump got at least 89 delegates.. making the possibility more likely that he can get the delegates he needs before the convention.

Clinton said, "The race for the nomination is in the home stretch, and victory is in sight."

The Washington Post reporters Abby Phillip, John Wagner, and Anne Gearan write today:

Clinton's decisive victory is certain to increase questions about whether Sanders risks damaging the party's chances in November if he continues to campaign as aggressively against Clinton.

Sanders has vowed to stay in the race through the July convention, and his ability to raise money online from his legions of loyal supporters should enable him to do that.

Before the New York results were announced, Sanders flew to his home town of Burlington, Vt., without the traveling press corps that usually accompanies him.

"Today we took Secretary Clinton on in her own state of New York and we lost," Sanders told reporters in Vermont after landing. "There are five primaries next week. We think we're going to do well."

Gerald Seib (who is our guest today) writes in the Wall Street Journal:

On the Democratic side, Mrs. Clinton took care of business in the state she once represented in the Senate. Her victory added to what appears to be her insurmountable lead in delegates -- provided the hundreds of party leaders who hold "superdelegate" status and can vote as they please at the convention stick with her.

Yet New York will be remembered as the state where the Democratic race went from healthy contest to ugly grudge match. The bad blood between the Clinton and Sanders campaigns, and the candidates themselves, worsened.

Both probably suffered damage in the process. Mr. Sanders's attacks on Mrs. Clinton -- which now all but proclaim that she is a servant of special-interest money -- appear to be helping drive up negative feelings toward the former secretary of state, and not just among Republican voters.

Independent voters and Sanders supporters that Mrs. Clinton would need as the party's nominee also appear affected.

Sanders is taking a day off the campaign trail after going home to Vermont.

Jenna Johnson and Philip Rucker write in the Washington Post today about Mister Trump:

Donald Trump easily trounced his opponents in Tuesday's Republican presidential primary here in his home state of New York, notching his biggest win yet and pulling further ahead of Ted Cruz and John Kasich in the delegate count.

Trump's blowout victory - which was propelled by voters' overwhelming desire to elect a political outsider who could bring change - positions the billionaire mogul for a hot streak in five East Coast primaries next week and brings him closer to securing the nomination with an outright majority of pledged delegates.

The next big primaries are Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island next Tuesday.

The rains have moved out of the Houston area, but not before flooding killed six people and caused massive damage.

The Senate is expected to pass a major energy bill today.

At 1pm.. the Michigan attorney general is set to hold a news conference and make a major announcement on the lead crisis in Detroit.

1300EDT -- MI Atty Gen Bill Schuette, joined by Genesee Cty Prosecutor David Leyton, Special Counsel Todd Flood, Chief Investigator Andy Arena, and Deputy Chief Investigator Ellis Stafford, holds a press conference to make "a significant announcement" resulting from the ongoing Flint Water Investigation. Riverfront Banquet Center, Flint, MI. WJBK LIVE via LiveU

President Obama has arrived in Saudi Arabia for a series of meetings with leaders there. The alliance has been strained by a series of recent events. A bill in Congress is gaining ground that would force the declassification of documents related to the 9/11 terror attacks. Those documents appear to show high-ranking Saudi support and funding for many of the 9/11 terrorists. The bill would also expose the Saudis to legal responsibility for the attacks. They are threatening economic punishment for the U.S., but any financial sanctions would be likely to spite their nose to save their face.

A cease-fire in Syria is crumbling as the dictatorship launches air strikes.

89-year-old Fidel Castro spoke publicly.. telling the Cuban congress that he would soon die. Raul Castro  his brother  will lead for at least part of another five year term.

France has extended emergency powers for the government after terror attacks killed more than 130 in November. The powers are in place now through Julys Tour de France.

The death toll has risen to 525 in a massive earthquake over the weekend in Ecuador. There was another huge aftershock overnight  a 6.1 quake.

The death toll from several huge quakes in Japan has risen to 48.

A big blow for Obamacare. UnitedHealth will leave the exchanges in several states. It says its losing too much money with Obamacare patients. It made 1.6 billion in the first quarter.

Intel is cutting 12,000 jobs or 11% of its work force.

Its looking like a down day on Wall Street. Oil prices down again, and Chinese stocks were lower. We get existing home sales data today. We also get more earnings reports including Coca Cola.

Yahoo! has received low-ball bids of between $4 and $8 billion from Daily Mail and TPG. Yahoo! has been struggling and was looking to sell.

Mitsubishi may have its own fuel economy scandal to deal with. There are newly uncovered improprieties in tests.

For more news, follow me on Twitter: @ClintPHenderson
Terrorists and drone manufacturers are locked in a high-stakes technology war, with jihadis trying to transform unmanned aerial vehicles into flying weapons and drone companies working to thwart the Islamists, experts told FoxNews.com.

The conflict came to the forefront this week after a drone collided with a British Airways flight landing at Londons Heathrow Airport on Sunday afternoon. Although no one was hurt and officials have not called the incident an act of terrorism, the following day, SITE Intelligence Group reported that terrorists were using a secure messaging app to encourage the use of drones to take out commercial planes.

But Adam Lisberg, the corporate communications director of Drone giant DJI Technology, told FoxNews.com a drone-on-plane attack is just a terrorist delusion.

It would be like trying to hit a bullet with a bullet, Lisberg said. It would be incredibly difficult. It would be an unprecedented act of marksmanship to fly one of our consumer drones deliberately into a moving aircraft at high speed.

Even if a terrorist isnt an eagle-eyed operator, however, theres still the potential to create havoc simply by flying a drone close to an aircraft. The Department of Homeland Security issued a terror warning concerning drones after pilots at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York spotted three drones in three days in August. In two years, there have been more than 240 near-collisions between drones and planes nationwide, according to a December report from the Federal Aviation Administration.

You should never look at a technological solution as a panacea for anything.  Adam Lisberg

And despite its confidence in the odds, even DJI isnt about to merely trust chance.

Thats why the company installs advanced geofencing software in its drones to prevent inadvertent incursions. The software, which ensures the vehicle cannot be operated in certain sensitive spaces, is able to be updated based on changing circumstances. For instance, when the pope or another visiting dignitary visits a city, DJI can send out instructions limiting flights in the area. If fire crews are using planes and helicopters to extinguish forest fires out west, DJI can create a boundary around the fire zone so no drones inadvertently interfere with emergency responders efforts.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced legislation last year to mandate geofencing for every drone sold in America, but the bill didnt pass.

Savvy terrorists, too, can be expected to try to find a way to disable geofencing software for their nefarious ends.

Ask people who work in computer security  no matter what you come up with, some clever kid will try to find a way to defeat it, Lisberg said. You should never look at a technological solution as a panacea for anything.
Four people were killed Wednesday when a small airplane crashed just north of Anchorage, the fire chief said.

The Cessna 172 crashed shortly after 9 a.m. near Chugiak, a bedroom community about 20 miles north of downtown Anchorage, fire Chief Denis LeBlanc said.

The plane was carrying four people when it crashed under unknown circumstances, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said in an email.

Few other details were immediately released, including whether the plane was taking off or landing when it went down.

Clint Johnson, head of the Alaska division of the National Transportation Safety Board, said an investigator was en route to the site.

Police said the crash happened near a dog mushing trail.

LeBlanc said the fire was contained to the site and didn't spread to nearby woods.

Police got a call from a citizen who said they thought they heard a plane crashing near a road.

"A few moments later, they observed smoke," Anchorage police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said.
A McDonald's customer in Arkansas accused of emptying his cup of water and filling it with soda now faces a robbery charge, police said Tuesday.

The restaurant manager said the suspect was one of three people who asked for water at the drive-thru window in Springdale. The customers parked and walked into the store before dumping out the water and pouring soda into the cups, KHBS/KHOG-TV reports.

The manager spotted the three and told them to return the soda. Only 18-year-old Cody Morris refused, police say.

The manager even ran out and tried to block Morris' car from leaving, but the suspect reportedly drove his vehicle in reverse and hit the worker twice before speeding away.

Police arrested the driver after they said they found his car at a nearby bowling alley. It's unclear whether he'll face any additional charges aside from felony robbery.

Springdale is roughly 8 miles north of Fayetteville.
Authorities say a Northern California man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he drove to the California Highway Patrol office to report a crash he had been involved in over the weekend.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat newspaper reports an officer who spoke to Donald Gendron in the station's lobby said he smelled strongly of alcohol. The CHP says in a statement Gendron's eyes were red and watery.

Gendron told officers he had driven himself to the CHP office in Corte Madera. He was booked into Marin County jail after failing a sobriety test. There was no publicly listed phone number for Gendron.
The U.S. Coast Guard on Wednesday called off its own search for an Army soldier pulled out to sea off a Southern California beach as other crews continued looking for him, KNBC reports.

Friends and family members identified the man as 25-year-old D.J. Jeffries of Hawthorne, KCBS reported. Jeffries was with friends in the water off Manhattan Beach when they said they lost sight of him Tuesday afternoon.

He was about 50 yards into the water at the time, Los Angeles County Fire Department lifeguard specialist Lidia Barillas told KTLA-TV.

Helicopter crews, divers and lifeguards quickly scoured the area. Lifeguards from Redondo Beach and crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department assisted in the search.

"Just pray -- that's all I can say. There are no words I can say to show what we're all going through right now," the soldier's friend Edwin Rivas told KNBC.

Click for more from Fox 11.
Police were on the hunt for a shooter in a black SUV after gunfire erupted in what authorities say may have been a road rage incident at Washington University in St. Louis Wednesday, that wounded one person.

Officers gave an all-clear a few hours after urging students, faculty and staff to "shelter in place."

The woman was shot in the arm, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It was unclear Wednesday evening what sparked the shooting, but Clayton Police Chief Kevin Murphy said the shooting victims "indicated that this was a road rage incident."

"We are investigating that as a possibility," Murphy said, according to the Post-Dispatch.

Aerial video showed police investigating a silver car that appeared to be pierced by bullets, Fox 2 reports.

Paramedics rushed the woman to the hospital, and officials say they expect her to survive.

The shooting unfolded Wednesday afternoon on the school's Danforth campus, near its Mallinckrodt Center, a student union and performing arts building.

Vice Chancellor Jill Friedman said that "no students were involved." She referred additional questions to police in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton who are investigating the shooting. A Clayton police spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A news conference was scheduled for later Wednesday.

By mid-afternoon, activity had resumed on campus, with students walking to and from class. Many talked on their cellphones, assuring their parents that they were OK.

Freshman Jordan Isikow said she was finishing a psychology experiment when people ran inside the building and said there was a shooting right outside.

"Everybody else was freaking out," she said.

Sophomore Alessandra Silva said she was in the middle of campus when she heard several shots ring out.

"It rang out across the Quad," Silva said. "We looked up like, 'Is it thunder? Was it a skateboard?' But seconds later, a siren sounded alerting students to go to a safe place."

She took shelter in the student center. "I was pretty scared," she said.

Click for more from Fox 2.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Texas prison officials are reviewing what they call the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's tentative decision to block it from importing a drug that could be used in executions.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice had appealed the FDA's impounding last year of a sodium thiopental shipment, which the federal agency says has no legal uses in the U.S.

The FDA decision came in an April 15 letter to the department.

Sodium thiopental previously was part of a three-drug mixture used for executions in Texas, the nation's busiest capital punishment state. Since 2012, the state has been using a lethal dose of pentobarbital, another powerful sedative, as its execution drug.

Prison spokesman Jason Clark said Wednesday that the department is "exploring its options" regarding the lawful importation of execution drugs.
Law enforcement officers from as far away as Colorado joined thousands of mourners at funeral services for an Ohio police officer who was killed when a man opened fire on a SWAT team.

Columbus SWAT Officer Steven M. Smith was shot during the April 10 standoff and died two days later. Authorities said the SWAT team was trying to arrest Lincoln Rutledge when Rutledge began shooting.



Funeral services for the 54-year-old Smith were held Tuesday at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Westerville, a Columbus suburb.



A ceremony following the main service included a 21-gun salute. A flag was given to Smith's family.



Rutledge is charged with aggravated murder in the slaying. A public defender assigned to the 44-year-old Rutledge has declined to discuss the charges.
A case published this year from a family court in New Jersey reminds us why traditional family models are best. It serves as a stark reminder that when the wishes of adults are considered before the needs of children, chaos inevitably ensues.

From a case named D.G. v. K.S., 2016 WL 482622, the real-life drama transpired this way.

Back in 2006, three friends  Charles and Tom, two gay men who were married, and their single female friend, Becky (all names changed)  came up with an idea. They were all close friends and they all wanted a child. So why not have a child together, the three of them, and form a new family model they would call tri-parenting?

What seemed so rosy in the beginning, when their little girl Taylor was born in 2009, ended up in New Jersey family court four years later.

The three adults in the New Jersey case may all be excellent parents individually, but they should not have tried to create a family together, Amy Ridenour, chairman of the National Center for Public Policy Research, told LifeZette. Surely they knew at the outset that their family had unequal support for one of the three adults and was inherently unstable as a result. Possibly their enthusiasm for raising a child caused them to overlook this fact, but it could not be overlooked for 18 years.

So how did all this work, logistically?

Using Becky's egg and Charles' sperm, the three friends became parents to a little girl using an artificial insemination method.

In the beginning, things worked seamlessly, according to The Washington Post; the three friends formed a little cocoon of love and cared for the new baby on the New Jersey shore. They all moved into Becky's home in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, for the infant's first summer, all of them working as a team to meet the baby's needs. Becky worked at her family's restaurant, Charles was running a business, and Tom was a New York City schoolteacher.

After that idyllic summer, reality set in, and parenting time between the three began to fluctuate. Becky owned a home in Costa Rica, reports the Post, and she would take the little girl there for varying amounts of time. The three parents had no written agreement at the time, and felt they were creating a brave new family model. They even began soliciting media attention, the Post noted, and ended up in a feature article in Marie Claire magazine. They were also on "The Nate Berkus Show," espousing the values of tri-parenting.

But when the girl was about four years old, things changed. Becky had fallen in love with someone who lived in California, and she wanted to relocate there with the child. Becky requested a "parenting meeting" with Tom and Charles. Several months later, the tri-parenting relationship deteriorated, reported the Post, and legal documents regarding parenting time and custody determination were filed by Tom and Charles.

The court found Tom could not be named a legal parent, as he was not a biological parent and there was no current legal model for three legal parents. But he was a "psychological parent"  important to the little girl's welfare. The family court found that Becky, though a loving parent, was not stable in her living situation or her future plans  and that Charles and Tom had the means and stability to raise the little girl effectively.

The court ruled that the three would share custody of the girl, saying they all loved and cared for her equally. Becky was not allowed to move to California with the child, and the child would reside with Charles and Tom during the week, with Becky having the lion's share of parenting time on school breaks, according to the Post.

This was doomed for failure from the start.

"The New Jersey court was wise not to attempt to establish a new 'tri-parent model,'" said Ridenour. "Such an institution is unnecessary and largely unworkable, and because it is unworkable, is not in the best interest of children. Parenting is and should be about the welfare of children."

A divorced father from Kansas told LifeZette, "It's hard enough to be divorced and answerable to one person  my ex-wife  when it comes to my daughter, but answerable to two other people? This tri-parenting should not be attempted again. Exactly where is the child in all this?"

Ridenour agreed. "The New Jersey case gives a perfect example of why 'tri-parenting' is a flawed model. In a traditional family home, with two married parents and children in the same residence, the needs of all family members can be met with parents and children having constant access to one another. This is of tremendous importance to the children, who deserve and need the psychological support of their parents  part of which is simply knowing that parents who love and care for them are physically present."

"In a traditional household, parents can meet their own needs for emotional support from another, physically present adult, while sharing the responsibilities of parenthood," Ridenour continued. "But in a three-person parental agreement, as in the New Jersey case, one is left out. Someone was going to suffer in this case. As adults do tend to pair up, and we live in a mobile society, this was entirely predictable. Tri-parent arrangements will overwhelmingly tend to have a third wheel."

The child, once a dream of three friends, became the object of tension and discord, and eventually part of a court case. Could Becky, Tom, and Charles really not see, back when a child was just a shared dream, where this was eventually headed if they made it a reality? Their dream was all about them  not the child they would bring into the world.

The traditional family, looking to the future and secure in its bond, works best for a reason.

As Ridenour concluded, "That which is not broken need not be fixed."
Two California college students were jailed Monday after a turkey they allegedly stole was found wandering in the street reeking of beer and suffering from a broken toe, missing feathers and other injuries.

The Orange County Register reported Tuesday that Tim the Turkey was being treated by a veterinarian. The paper also reported the turkey had trouble breathing and suffered several other injuries.

Steven Koressel, 23, and Richard Brenton Melbye, 21, were arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail, according to police and inmate records. They were released on their own recognizance.

Orange High School agriculture teacher Patti Williams said the turkey vanished from his pen sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning. After she circulated his photo, several people found him wandering on a street and corralled him.

Koressel and Brenton both play lacrosse at Chapman University, KTLA reported. A university spokesman confirmed the two arrested students were members of the lacrosse team, but couldnt identify them under student privacy laws.

"Two Chapman students have been identified and arrested by the Orange Police Department in the incident in which the turkey was abducted from Orange High School. The University will also undertake the appropriate disciplinary actions according to our Student Conduct Code," according to a university statement.

"The University will not tolerate any instances of theft, animal abuse or cruelty, is appalled by this behavior, and takes this issue extremely seriously."

Williams said the turkey is a sweet part of our program and petting zoo.

Tim the Turkey is an American heritage Slate turkey. According to Heritage Foods, the turkey was nearly extinct by the late 20th century.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Media freedom around the world has suffered a "deep and disturbing decline" due to by pressure from governments and businesses, an international media watchdog said Wednesday.

The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said in an annual report that many of the world's leaders have developed "a paranoia" about journalism and are clamping down on the media, while coverage in privately-owned outlets is increasingly shaped by corporate interests.

"The climate of fear results in a growing aversion to debate and pluralism," said Christophe Deloire, secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders. "Journalism worthy of the name must be defended against the increase in propaganda and media content that is made to order or sponsored by vested interests."

While Europe has the freest media, according to the report, some countries, such as Poland fell sharply on the press freedom index by tightening government control. In Hungary, the government has also sought to impose restrictions on press freedoms.

Journalists in the Middle East and Africa fell victim to terrorism, armed conflict and intimidation by authorities. In Latin America, reporters were constrained by organized crime, violence and corruption. In the United States, they faced cyber-surveillance.

The decline in media freedom was also observed in east Asian democracies such as Japan and South Korea, while in China, "the Communist Party took repression to new heights," the study said.

In post-Soviet countries, freedom has declined steadily, with many countries following the example of Russia, where government critics face persecution. Ukraine was a notable exception, seeing an improvement due to a decline in violence in the separatist conflict in the east of the country and some reform, though many problems still remain.

The index measures media pluralism, independence, the legal framework and the safety of journalists in 180 countries. It is based on a questionnaires filled out by experts around the world as well as on quantitative data on abuses and acts of violence perpetrated against reporters.


An Australian mother and TV crew caught up in a high-profile child custody battle and detained in Beirut amid a botched attempt to take the woman's two children from their Lebanese father were released on bail on Wednesday.

Ali al-Amin, the father of the two children, ages 3 and 5, said he dropped attempted kidnapping charges against his estranged Australian wife Sally Faulkner and the Channel 9 TV crew, because he "didn't want the kids to think I was keeping their mother in jail."

Faulkner and the four-person TV crew, led by prominent Australian TV journalist Tara Brown, hugged each other outside a jail in Baabda, a Beirut suburb, before they were driven off in a white minivan. They were escorted by an Australian Embassy vehicle.

The release of the five was a climax in a family drama  complete with the involvement of a prominent television crew  that has gripped headlines both in Australia and the Middle East.

The five Australians are implicated in the operation to seize the two children from Al-Amin two weeks ago. Two Britons and two Lebanese have also been charged in the case but they remain in jail.

Faulkner surrendered any custody claims to the two children in Lebanon as part of a deal struck with al-Amin in front of a judge Wednesday, her lawyer said.

"She will accept that the children will stay with their father," said the attorney, Ghassan Moughabhab, who acknowledged that al-Amin had received a judgment earlier in his favor from a Lebanese religious court. "Taking into consideration the Lebanese law, he's in the right."

Al-Amin said he would raise the young children in Lebanon and would allow Faulkner to visit them. He said he could imagine taking the children to visit their mother in Australia, but only at some point in the future.

"When everything cools down and we come to our senses in regards to all this, then yes," said the father.

"There's still a bit of tension but at the end of the day, we have to come to some sort of balanced relation between her and I," he added.

Investigative Judge Rami Abdullah said the state still has to review whether to drop public charges against the suspects, but that Faulkner and the camera crew would be free to leave Lebanon once they post bail.

"There is a crime that happened, and everyone has a role in the affair," said Abdullah.

The judge also said Faulkner and the TV crew will be expected to return to Lebanon to stand trial if the public charges are not dropped. He said his office will review the case. Last week, he said the nine suspects face up to 15 years in prison if tried and convicted of the charges.

The suspects also face charges filed by al-Amin's mother, who was struck and knocked to the ground during the incident two weeks ago. Al-Amin said she suffered a head injury but was recovering.

Faulkner has a three-month old child with another father, in Australia.
Austria saw more asylum applications in 2015 than it saw births, President Heinz Fischer announced Wednesday, in a dramatic new perspective on the impact of the refugee crisis.

Fischer said Austria received 88,000 applications last year, while the number of live births was estimated at 82,000 in 2014.

"[This] cannot become a permanent state of affairs," he told the Council of Europe.



The announcement comes one week after Austrian police charged eight suspects with assault after a fight broke out at a play sympathetic to refugees. Police say protesters in the audience carried banners saying "multiculturalism kills."

Austria sealed its borders to refugees in early March, sparking a domino effect of border closures across the Balkans that resulted in a pile-up of migrants in Greece. The influx led to a recent European Union deal with Turkey to combat the crisis.

Also Wednesday, the European Union's statistics agency announced that EU nations granted asylum to more than 330,000 applicants last year, as more than 1 million people arrived in search of sanctuary or jobs. According to Eurostat, thats a 72 percent increase over 2014.

Around half of that number, or 166,100 people, were Syrian citizens, while 27,600 came from Eritrea and 23,700 from Iraq. Germany, Sweden, Italy and France approved most applications. Germany took in 60 percent of the Syrians.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
He was caught not red-handed, but white-footed.

A burglar in Britain was busted after he knocked over a can of white paint and left a trail leading from the crime scene back to his home, the BBC reports.

Police quickly arrested 27-year-old Andrew Mark Connor after they followed his footprints in Durham.

White footprints lead police to catch burglar in #Easington - 27 year old given community rehabilitation order pic.twitter.com/KLAhdWNf5I  Heart NE News (@HeartNENews) April 18, 2016

Connor admitted to the crime and was forced to pay a $144 fine. The stolen property  which was not identified  turned up in his backyard, the BBC reports.

"Some offenses of burglary are more challenging to solve than others, in this case the offender really put his foot in it and left some very obvious clues, Detective Constable Darren Cresswell said.

Click for more from the BBC.
Angry parents have blasted a council that wants kids as young as four to choose the gender they most identify with before starting school.

It wrote to parents urging them to support their childs choice of gender identity in a letter confirming primary school places this week.

And it asked them to leave the gender section of a form blank if their child had another gender identity altogether. The letter was sent to thousands of parents preparing to send kids to new schools later this year.

Brighton and Hove City Council wrote: We recognise that not all children and young people identify with the gender they were assigned at birth or may identify as a gender other than male or female, however the current systems (set nationally) only record gender as male or female.

Please support your child to choose the gender they most identify with.

Or if they have another gender identity please leave this blank and discuss with your childs school.

Many parents were appalled by the letter. One mother said: Children at school should be free to develop their identity.

They are not adults  let them enjoy the innocence and creativity of their childhood.

Click for more from The Sun.


Recently declassified information that a flight certificate of an Al Qaeda operative linked to 9/11 turned up in an envelope from the Saudi embassy in Washington is raising fresh questions about the Kingdom's ties to the terror attack.

The certificate was for Ghassan al Sharbi, an extremist captured in Pakistan and sent to Guantanamo Bay. Al Sharbi, who went to flight school with the 9/11 hijackers but did not take part in the attacks, buried a cache of documents near where he was staying in Pakistan, including an envelope from the Saudi embassy in Washington D.C. containing his flight certificate.

The certificate and other revelations were laid out in a 47-page work plan prepared for the FBI in June 2003 but not declassified until last July. The documents sought to verify the credibility of an FBI informant "with whom 9/11 hijackers Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar resided. The hijackers, both Saudi citizens, crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon.

The documents list other prominent Saudis and potential links to the attacks, including:

Abdullah bin Laden  Usama bin Ladens half-brother who had been assigned to the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C. as an administrative officer.

Hamad Alotaibi  Assigned to the Saudi Embassy Military Division in Washington D.C. and possibly visited by a 9/11 hijacker.

Mohammed Fakihi  A Saudi diplomat assigned to the embassy in Berlin. His business card was found in the possession of an associate of the hijackers in Germany.

Mohammed Al-Qudhaeein and Hamdan Al-Shalawi  Saudi students suspected of participating in a dry run for the 9/11 attacks during a 1999 flight. The pair said they were travelling to Washington D.C. to attend a party at the Saudi embassy and that the embassy had paid for their air fare.

The declassified document is gaining new attention as lawmakers are pressuring President Obama, currently visiting the Kingdom, to declassify the remaining 28 pages of the 9/11 Commission Report. Those 28 pages supposedly detail Saudi connections to the plot.
The German government is asking neighboring Belgium to take two nuclear reactors offline temporarily because of safety concerns.

Germany, which plans to switch off all of its own nuclear reactors by 2022, is sensitive to concerns about plants outside the country. Berlin already has called on France to shut down its oldest plant, at Fessenheim on the German border, as soon as possible.

Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks urged Belgium on Wednesday to take its Tihange 2 and Doel 3 reactors offline "until open safety questions are cleared up." German officials have cited concerns over the safety of the reactor pressure vessels.

Hendricks said in a statement that taking the reactors offline "would be a strong precautionary signal and would show that Belgium takes the concerns of its German neighbors seriously."
Sightings of a mysterious black figure reportedly caused fear and panic across a school in Malaysia over the last week.

Several students and teachers began seeing the black figure last Monday at SMK Pengkalan Chepa 2 secondary school in the city of Kota Bharu, according to The Telegraph.

Sightings continued to be reported over the next two days. More than 100 people also claimed to be affected by some sort of supernatural experience. The school was closed Thursday, while everyone from scholars to witch doctors carried out prayer sessions and exorcisms, according to The Telegraph.

Free Malaysia Today reported that the school reopened Sunday, but screaming and shouting was still heard throughout the halls.

A figure, supposedly of the apparition, caught on camera by a SMK Pengkalan Chepa 2 student #Hysteria pic.twitter.com/SGUOyR87KC  Philip Golingai (@PhilipGolingai) April 18, 2016

Our students were possessed and disturbed, a school official told BBC. We are not sure why it happened. We dont know what it is that affected us.

Norlailawati Ramli, a teacher, told a local news channel that she was affected by the spriit.

When I was holding one of the pupils, my arms felt extraordinarily heavy. I recited the istighfar. Things were truly out of control at this time. But after the pupil recovered and went home, I then felt as though someone was hanging onto the left side of my body. I saw flashes of black, like a black figure, she said.

Robert Bartholomew, a sociologist, downplayed the event. He told BBC that this type of mass hysteria can happen if a small group all suffer delusions at the same time.

Bartholomew said that because Malaysian people believe in several kinds of spirits, panic and fear like the one seen at the secondary school may happen.

Dr. Wan Zumsni Mustapha, a professor who had taught in Keleantan for about 13 years, told BBC the hysteria was blown out of proportion.

It could have been brought on by heat, stress or the haze, Mustapha added.

Local authorities are expected to send counselors to the school this week.

Click for more from The Telegraph.
Despite President Obama's call Monday urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to maintain a fragile cease-fire in Syria, Russia has shifted the bulk of its fire power to areas outside Aleppo where a new offensive to recapture Syrias largest city is poised to take place soon, a U.S. defense official tells Fox News.

In addition, "hundreds" of new Iranian troops have been seen in Syria, according to officials briefed on the latest intelligence in the region.

Russia continues to ignore repeated requests from the administration to stop backing the Syrian regime after five years of a civil war that has killed a quarter of a million people.

The defense official says the relocated Russian weapons include rocket-propelled artillery. "They have shifted everything from Palmyra up north," the official added.

Russian-backed Syrian forces recently recaptured the historic city of Palmyra from the Islamic State terror group in central Syria.

Russian and Syrian jets also have been striking rebel-held towns around Damascus and Homs despite the cease-fire agreement reached in late November. The cease-fire does not apply to terror groups including ISIS and the al-Qaeda affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria.

Earlier this week, the main Syrian opposition group walked out of peace talks held in Geneva, brokered by the United States and Russia.

U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura told reporters Monday that the humanitarian situation around Aleppo had deteriorated where fighting has resumed in the past few days.

The State Department said Monday the cease-fire in Syria had been largely successful, despite reports of resumed Russian and Syrian bombing of rebel held areas.

More Syrian people are living better lives as a result of the cessation than they were before, State Department spokesman John Kirby said Monday.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters President Obama did not raise the issue of Russias dangerous close-range "flybys" of a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Baltic Sea, or a Russian aircraft's barrel roll over a U.S. Air Force spy plane also in the Baltic. The incidents, "while provocative and concerning, are not particularly unusual," Earnest said.

The Wall Street Journal was first to report Russia's movement of artillery to northern Syria.
A top Swedish government official is under fire for referring to the 9/11 attacks as accidents in a live TV interview Tuesday.

Environment Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Asa Romson, of the Green Party, made the comment while talking about fellow party member Mehmet Kaplans resignation as housing minister a day earlier.

Romson said when Kaplan was the chairman of a Muslim youth organization he faced difficult situations like the Sept. 11 accidents and such. Romson was talking on SVTs show Gomorron Sverige (Good Morning Sweden), according to the Local.

Kaplan resigned Monday after comparing Israels treatment of Palestinians to Nazi oppression of Jews.

Romson was quickly scrutinized for her words.

Did Romson just call 9/11 the September 11th accidents on SVT?? In that case, talk about reducing (the significance) of one of the worlds biggest terror attacks, tweeted defense expert Johanne Hildebrandt, according to the New York Post.

Asked to explain her choice of words, Romson condemned the attacks and told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet she meant they brought misfortune to Swedish Muslims.

The word for misfortune and accident is the same in Swedish.

Let there be no doubt: the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11 2001 were one of the most vile acts of terror and disastrous violations of the open, free and democratic society in modern history, she said. The tragedy for the world and the families of the almost 3,000 human beings who perished as a result of the attack cannot be overstated.

Romson's word choices have raised eyebrows before, including when she compared the Mediterranean migrant crisis to the Auschwitz death camp.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Anago Cleaning Systems Celebrates Opening Of Winnipeg, Manitoba Master Franchise Territory

Commercial cleaning industry leader fuels international expansion with development throughout Canada

April 20, 2016 // Franchising.com // Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  A testament to the continued resilience of the 100 billion dollar commercial cleaning segment, Anago Cleaning Systems (Anago), a leading commercial cleaning franchise with more than 2,400 Unit Franchisees throughout the U.S. and internationally, is pleased to welcome new Master Franchise Owner Rafiq Punjani, who will open Anago of Manitoba, the brands second Canadian location. The new business is located at 1004 Pembina Highway in Winnipeg, and will service the entire Manitoba province.

Were thrilled to expand our brand further into the Canadian market, said Adam Povlitz, President of Anago Cleaning Systems. We know Rafiq will spearhead growth of the brand in the area and follow Anago Cleaning Systems fundamental philosophies as stated in the vision, mission, and values of our organization.

A permanent resident of Canada, Punjani moved to Winnipeg in 2013. After spending over 15 years working with Fortune 500 companies, he has chosen to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. Rafiq brings Anago to Manitoba providing low cost entrepreneurial opportunities to individuals and families with visions of becoming their own boss.

Anago provides great opportunities for its Franchisees and treats both Franchisees and clients like family, said Punjani. My family has a long history of involvement with social services and community work. With Anago of Manitoba, I aim to continue that culture of helping people to achieve their passion of owning their own business.

The new opening highlights the growth of the commercial cleaning segment, which is a top business sector in high demand. Master Franchise Owners, many of whom have sales and marketing experience or come from executive leadership positions, have the potential to create many small businesses within their community through the Unit Franchise concept. The Unit focuses his business on cleaning office buildings, retail stores, and just about any other commercial property. The Master Franchisees handle the administrative tasks, including everything from finding clients and coordinating cleaning contracts to billing and collections.

Today, the company has grown to 37 Master Franchise locations, with over 2,400 Unit Franchisees worldwide. As further verification of its success over the past year, Anago was ranked 39th on Entrepreneur Magazines 2016 Franchise 500 list, up over 40 spots from their previous ranking. Additionally, the company was named #1 in the Janitorial Franchises category and #4 overall franchise by FranchiseRankings.com.

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Anago, contact Judy Walker, Vice President of Marketing for Anago, at 800-213-5857 or judy@anagocleaning.com or visit www.AnagoMasters.com.

About Anago Cleaning Systems

Anago Cleaning Systems is a commercial cleaning franchise system supporting over 35 Master Franchises and 2,400 Unit Franchisees in the U.S. and internationally. After years of refining procedures and creating duplicable systems created in his large commercial cleaning service, David Povlitz founded Anago in 1989 to help other entrepreneurs open their cleaning businesses. Today, its program sets the standard worldwide in commercial cleaning. Anago was ranked the 10th fastest-growing franchise in 2013 and #39 on the Franchise 500 by Entrepreneur magazine in 2016 and 2013. Additionally, Anago was ranked the #1 Janitorial Franchise by Franchise Rankings in 2016 and ranked by Franchise Business Review as one of the best franchises in franchisee satisfaction for nine consecutive years. Inc. Magazine has also listed Anago as one of the top privately-held companies in the U.S. For further information, visit its website or www.AnagoMasters.com.

SOURCE Anago Cleaning Systems

Media Contact:

Erin Baker

Director of Public Relations

Nymbus Public Relations

(954) 732-6053

erin@nymbuspr.com

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Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Announces First Quarter Fiscal Year 2016 Results Release Date, Webcast and Conference Call

ST. LOUIS - April 19, 2016 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW), today announced that it will report results for its first quarter fiscal year 2016 ended April 2, 2016, on May 3, 2016, prior to the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company will host its quarterly investor conference call to discuss the results at 9 a.m. ET on the same day.

The dial-in number for the live conference call is (201) 493-6780 (domestic and international). The access code is Build-A-Bear. The live Internet broadcast may be accessed at the Companys investor relations Web site,http://IR.buildabear.com. The call is expected to conclude by 10 a.m. ET.

Replays of the conference call will be available via the Internet and telephone. The replay of the conference call webcast will be available at the investor relations Web site for one year. A telephone replay will be available beginning at approximately 12 p.m. ET on May 3, 2016, until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 10, 2016. The telephone replay is available by calling (858) 384-5517. The access code is 13634730.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear, a global brand kids love and parents trust, seeks to add a little more heart to life. Build-A-Bear Workshop has approximately 400 stores worldwide where guests can create customizable furry friends, including company-owned stores in the United States, Canada, Denmark, Ireland,Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom, and franchise stores in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Mexico and theMiddle East. The company was named to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the eighth year in a row in 2016. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) posted a total revenue of $377.7 million in fiscal 2015. For more information, visit the Investor Relations section of buildabear.com.

SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Contact:

Voin Todorovic

Build-A-Bear Workshop

314-423-8000 x5221

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Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Plots Growth across Northeast

Popular Mexican Eatery Expected to Increase Footprint 20 Percent by 2017; Seeks Qualified Franchisees for Further Development

April 20, 2016 // Franchising.com // Portsmouth, NH  Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, an award-winning New England Mexican dining concept known for its fresh Mexican cuisine and vibrant decor, plans to significantly expand its presence across the Northeast with the goal of opening at least ten new franchised and corporate locations in the coming years. This comes on the heels of last months debut of a fresh restaurant redesign in Waltham, Mass., which will serve as a prototype for future locations.

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant is a leading full-service Mexican restaurant chain with 25 locations throughout New England and Pennsylvania. Through a combination of existing franchise deals and corporate-owned restaurants, the company expects to add five new restaurants to the system, increasing its footprint 20 percent by 2017. Margaritas is currently seeking additional franchise partners to expand the brands presence in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Southeastern New York.

Weve built a reputation for offering one of the best Mexican dining experiences in the region, said Hugo Marin, President of Margaritas Mexican Restaurant. With such high brand recognition, we are eager to open more locations to meet the demand seen throughout the Northeast. Pennsylvania, Maryland and Southeastern New York are areas that exemplify this demand and were looking to partner with the right people to bring Margaritas Mexican Restaurant to these communities.

Last month in Waltham, Mass., the chain unveiled a new restaurant design, featuring a more spacious floor plan centered on a large, wrap-around bar finished with reclaimed wood and ornate tiles. The redesign also lends itself to displaying the larger, more intricate artwork sourced directly from Mexico.

Founded in 1986 by John Pelletier, Margaritas Mexican Restaurant has built a strong reputation on its freshly made food rich with flavors from Mexico, family-friendly atmosphere and hand shaken, made-to-order margaritas. Margaritas owners and managers frequently travel to artist communities and manufacturing towns in Mexico to fill the restaurants with hand-selected crafts, tiles, pottery and carved furniture meant to evoke the excitement of the Mexican culture.

As part of Margaritas commitment to bringing multicultural experiences to the local communities it serves, the company developed The Margaritas Education Outreach Program in 1999 to integrate cultural events with local schools and cultural institutions. Biannually, the restaurant brand brings Mexican artists, carvers, weavers and sculptors to the Northeast to share their talents with students and Margaritas guests.

Throughout the past 30 years, weve developed a loyal guest base by refining and focusing on our four core objectives: quality food, serving the best margaritas, providing value and offering an entertaining authentic Mexican atmosphere, said Founder John Pelletier.

Margaritas seeks relationships with highly experienced, multi-unit operators that have a strong community presence and the infrastructure in place to support high-volume, full-service restaurants. The total investment for a full-service Margaritas restaurant ranges from $1.5 to $2.5 million and varies based on location and square footage. For more information about Margaritas franchise opportunities, visit www.margs.com/franchising/overview.

About Margaritas Mexican Restaurants

Founded in 1986 by John Pelletier, Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Group has 25 locations throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. From colorful authentic decor to a commitment to community relations through field trips and visiting artist demonstrations, Margaritas provides an atmosphere rich with the culture and flavors of Mexico. Margaritas Mexican Restaurants have earned numerous awards and honors, including being named the Best Mexican Restaurant in both New Hampshire and Connecticut. For more information on Margaritas and its franchising opportunities, visit margs.com.

SOURCE Margaritas Mexican Restaurants

Contact:

Ellen Panther

Fishman Public Relations

(847) 945-1300

epanther@fishmanpr.com

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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

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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.

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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.
Palm Beach Atlantic University Announces Formation of the Titus Franchising Center, First in Florida

April 20, 2016 // Franchising.com // WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.  Palm Beach Atlantic University today announced it has received a major financial commitment that will give students an introduction to and training in franchising and a launching pad for careers in the industry. The program would be the first of its kind in Florida.

William M. B. Fleming, Jr., Palm Beach Atlantics president, announced the $1.5 million commitment from Ray Titus, CEO of United Franchise Group to establish the Titus Franchising Center at the University. Beginning in fall 2017, the Center will offer academic coursework in the Rinker School of Business to cover all aspects of franchising, an internship program and opportunities for job shadowing and training at United Franchise Group (UFG) global headquarters located on Vista Parkway in West Palm Beach.

Franchising captures the entrepreneurial spirit of Marshall E. Doc Rinker, the business pioneer who founded Rinker Materials and the namesake of our business school, President Fleming said this morning at the Business Development Board offices in West Palm Beach. The Titus Franchising Center characterizes that spirit and the ideals of free enterprise that are foundational principles of Palm Beach Atlantic University.

United Franchise Group is investing in Palm Beach Atlantic University with the creation of the Titus Franchising Center to educate and promote the importance of this business sector as a viable and global career opportunity for students, said Ray Titus, CEO, United Franchise Group. Our company and key employees will be involved in every aspect of the Centers operations. It became obvious to me that we wanted to expand and cement our relationship with PBA for a few reasons: our son A.J. graduated with an International Business degree, we founded the JJs Entrepreneurs Business plan contest, UFG has hired some great alumni, and the Universitys Christian values also match my familys values. UFG looks forward to hiring many future PBA graduates who, with the opening of this Center, will come to us already trained in the world of franchising!

Led by CEO Ray Titus, United Franchise Group is the Global Leader for Entrepreneurs and offers a broad range of industry leading franchise opportunities and development services with 30 years of experience and 1,400 franchise locations in over 80 countries. Brands include Signarama, EmbroidMe, Transworld Business Advisors, SuperGreen Solutions, Experimac, Straetus, Jon Smith Subs and VentureX. World Headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida. To learn more, visit www.unitedfranchisegroup.com or call (561) 640-5570.

Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, independent university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees in West Palm Beach, Orlando, Wellington and online. The University is dedicated to the integration of Christian principles to prepare students for learning, leadership and service.

About United Franchise Group

Led by CEO Ray Titus, United Franchise Group houses a successful group of business-to-business franchise systems. United Franchise Groups concepts specialize in personalized business services including signs, embroidery, business brokerage and outdoor advertising. With nearly three decades in the franchising industry and more than 1400 franchisees throughout the world, United Franchise Group offers unprecedented leadership and solid business opportunities for entrepreneurs. United Franchise Groups brands include Signarama, EmbroidMe, Transworld Business Advisors, SuperGreen Solutions, Experimac, Jon Smith Subs and VentureX.

SOURCE United Franchise Group

Contact:

Becky Peeling

APR, AVP for University Relations & Marketing

561-803-2018

becky_peeling@pba.edu

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Real Living Real Estate Achieves Record High 97% Nationwide Customer Satisfaction Rating

Buyers and Sellers Across the Nation Give Real Living Real Estate Record High Marks

IRVINE, Calif. - April 19, 2016 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Real Living Real Estate, the first national real estate franchisor to give clients the power to rate their customer experience, announced today that in 2015 its agents had achieved a 97% satisfaction rating from buyers and sellers across the nation. This sets a record high satisfaction rating for Real Living Real Estate agents, following seven consecutive years of 96% customer satisfaction ratings. These ratings from actual buyers and sellers have been verified by an independent research firm, Quality Service Certification, Inc. (QSC).

Through the Real Living 360 ServiceSM program, the network asks customers to candidly rate the performance of their real estate professional. QSC administers and validates these customer service satisfaction results following closed transactions for participating agents. The fact that actual customers complete the surveys gives the results an authority and authenticity that online, anonymous ratings lack.

The record high survey results are extremely gratifying, but theyre not surprising to anyone who works with our agents, said Robert McAdams Jr., president of Real Living. Our network of Trusted Advisors has made service its cornerstone value for more than 10 years now. Real Living 360 Service is more than a program. Its our culture, and the performance of our professionals across the nation truly sets them apart from the rest of the industry.

These results from thousands firmly set Real Living at the top of the real estate industry for customer satisfaction. Additionally, Real Living agents consistently ranked higher than the national industry average for repeat customers and customer referrals. A full 95% of sellers said they would use their Real Living agent again or recommend him or her to others while 96% of buyers said they would use their Real Living agent again or recommend this agent to others.

Steve Hayes, a top-producing broker at Real Living 1st Choice Real Estate Services in Loveland, CO, said that the Real Living 360 Service program is a key element in the networks service achievements. A lot of real estate companies say they offer great service, but if you cant back it up with real survey results, its just talk, Hayes said. Our agents are proud that their ratings and reviews come from real customers. Every survey offers an honest opportunity to learn, and every new customer offers a new opportunity to provide even greater satisfaction.

Gino Blefari, CEO of HSF Affiliates, congratulated Real Living on the networks record results. Real Living agents have exceeded even their own high service expectations this year. Their dedication to serving their customers deserves to be admired, said Blefari. You only really know if youre successful if you keep an accurate scorecard. A 97% Customer Satisfaction rating is a success by any metric.

About Real Living Real Estate

Real Living Real Estate is a full-service real estate brokerage franchise company with a comprehensive and integrated suite of resources for franchisees and their sales professionals, as well as for consumers who work with them. The Real Living brand and its innovative concepts were recognized by Entrepreneur magazine; have won Inman Innovator Awards, and been named the Most Promising New National Brand by the Swanepoel TRENDS Report. Real Living Real Estate is a network brand of HSF Affiliates LLC, majority owned by HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. For more information, visitwww.RealLiving.com.

SOURCE& Real Living Real Estate

Contacts:

Kevin Ostler

For Real Living Real Estate

949-794-7980

kevinostler@hsfranchise.com

Matt Kaufman

224-532-7631

mattkaufman@hsfranchise.com

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Uncle Maddios Pizza Sponsoring MVP Awards at 2016 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference

CEO and Founder Matt Andrew to Present Award Winners

April 20, 2016 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA, Ga.  Uncle Maddio's Pizza will sponsor the Most Valuable Performer (MVP) Awards at the 2016 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference in Las Vegas on April 26-29. Uncle Maddios CEO and Founder Matt Andrew will be in attendance to present the award winners. Newly appointed Chief Development Officer Jocelyn Blain will also attend the conference for the pizza franchise.

The conference is presented by Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine, which started the MVP Awards to honor franchisee excellence. The awards recognize the best and brightest franchisees who have demonstrated outstanding performance in growing both their organization and their brand.

The Multi-Unit Franchising Conference is the best of its kind for restaurant franchisees across the country, said Matt Andrew, Uncle Maddios CEO and founder. At Uncle Maddios, our franchisees are our most valuable asset and we wanted to recognize all franchisees with our sponsorship of the MVP Awards.

The Multi-Unit Franchising Conference is the only event of its kind that focuses on the critical concerns of today's franchisees. Going into its 16th year, the conference continues to be the premier event for franchisees looking to expand their businesses. It is designed to be a platform for continued education and sets the stage for upcoming trends that can inspire franchisees with new ideas to immediately apply to their business.

Since launching its aggressive growth plan in 2008, Uncle Maddio's has signed franchise agreements with 67 different entities in 18 states. Many of Uncle Maddio's franchisees have previous multi-unit experience with Jimmy John's, Firehouse Subs, Dairy Queen, McDonalds, Burger King, Krystal, Papa John's, Domino's and Golden Corral.

For information on Uncle Maddios Pizza, visit www.unclemaddios.com. Interested franchisees can visit unclemaddiosfranchise.com or contact Jocelyn Blain at franchising@unclemaddios.com.

About Uncle Maddio's Pizza

With more than 1,350 Pizza Makers making more than 5,000,000 pizzas a year, Uncle Maddio's Pizza is category leader of the create-your-own, fast casual pizza restaurants. Operating almost 50 locations in 15 states, Uncle Maddio's has more than 250 units in development. Uncle Maddio's pizzas are customizable, made-to-order, and served up fast for about $8. With four pizza sizes, three types of crusts (including gluten free), six sauces and 48 fresh toppings, Uncle Maddio's has the freshest and largest menu in the category. The restaurant's unique fast bake ovens offer the most throughput in the industry and can produce 200 pizzas per hour. Uncle Maddio's also serves Foldwiches and salads. Uncle Maddio's 'Served with Love' philosophy and restaurant is for everyone - children and families, college students, the young and the young at heart - and includes extensive community involvement. Based in Atlanta, the Uncle Maddio's management team has 50 years combined experienced in the fast casual category. www.unclemaddios.com

Twitter: @UncleMaddios

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unclemaddios/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/unclemaddios/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unclemaddios

SOURCE Uncle Maddio's Pizza

Media Contact:

Ellen Hartman

678-399-3335

ellen@hartmanpr.com

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After a decades-long search, scientists announced early this year that they had detected gravitational waves probably coming from the merger of two black holes back in September. Now, a team of scientists using NASAs Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope say they spotted a brief flash of gamma rays that occurred less than half a second after that long-sought gravitational wave signal.

The gamma-ray outburst, described at the American Physical Societys April meeting in Salt Lake City, has not been definitively linked to that first gravitational wave signal, and scientists werent able to pinpoint its exact originjust that they came from the same general area. But if other astronomers begin to find a similar pattern, the results do raise the intriguing possibility that such high-energy events might not be quite as invisible as we thought.

Obviously the question that everyone has is, are our observation and LIGOs observations coming from the same objectand we cannot say definitively right now, Adam Goldstein of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama said at a briefing. But this will likely soon be answered in the next couple of years.

The first gravitational wave signal rolled through the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory on Sept. 14, hitting the Louisiana detector first and then the one in Washington state seven milliseconds later, telling researchers that the signal must have come from the southern hemisphere.

The Fermi space telescope also picked up an odd signal coming from the same direction. The spacecraft observes about 70 percent of the sky at the same time, allowing it to pick up on sudden and brief events that might be missed otherwise. The problem in this case is that the signal appears to essentially have come from beneath the camera and at a sharp anglenot an ideal viewing situation.

Gamma rays are extremely high-energy bursts of light, higher in energy than even X-rays, that are thought to be produced by the highest-energy phenomena in the universe, from supernovas to pulsars.
RICHMOND  Virginia Republican lawmakers failed to override several of Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffes vetoes Wednesday on coal-related tax credits, legislation related to clergy opposed to same-sex marriage and other issues.

Lawmakers returned to Richmond for a one-day legislative session to vote on McAuliffes vetoes and amendments to legislation passed earlier this year. Heres a look at some of the most-watched actions:

COAL TAX

Despite a lengthy and impassioned debate on the merits of coal-related tax credits, Republicans in the state Senate were unable to get the two-thirds majority necessary to override McAuliffes veto of legislation extending the credits for several years.

GOP lawmakers from the states coal country in Southwest Virginia said the credits provide vital relief to an area hard-hit by coals decline.

Utilities using coal and coal mine operators claimed $37 million worth of tax credits in fiscal 2015, according to state records.

McAuliffe said the credits havent worked and are an expensive giveaway to coal company executives.

Both chambers of the General Assembly approved the legislation by veto-proof margins earlier this year, but some Democrats in the Senate changed their minds to help uphold McAuliffes veto.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

The Senate upheld another of McAuliffes vetoes on a highly charged issue.

The governor vetoed legislation that states clergy and religious organizations cannot be penalized for declining to participate in same-sex marriages.

Similar legislation has been proposed in states across the country to protect those whodue to religious beliefsdecline to employ or serve certain people.

Recent laws denounced as discriminatory in North Carolina and Mississippi has prompted a growing backlash from opponents. Supporters say the legislation protects religious freedom.

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam has sought to make the issue a talking point for the 2017 campaign.

SEXUALLY EXPLICIT BOOKS

The Republican-led House fell one vote short of overturning a measure that sought to force schools to warn parents if their children will be assigned books with sexually explicit content.

ETHICS

Lawmakers rejected proposed changes by Gov. Terry McAuliffe to the states new ethics law, saying they were unnecessary.

McAuliffe had sought to tighten some of the limits on gifts lawmakers can accept from lobbyists and others. Lawmakers agreed to a $100 cap on gifts in last years session, but passed legislation this year that makes exceptions for certain kinds of gifts, including food and drinks under $20.

The governor also wanted to prohibit lobbyists from bundling gifts together from multiple clients to avoid exceeding the $100 cap.

Brian Coy, the governors spokesman, said McAuliffe was disappointed that lawmakers voted against amendments closing a loophole in the states ethics laws that could expand the practice of wining and dining public officials. Coy said the governor will review whether to veto the legislation following the General Assemblys rejection of his amendments.
RICHMOND  A Virginia high school discriminated against a transgender teen by forbidding him from using the boys' restroom, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday in a case that could have implications for a North Carolina law that critics say discriminates against LGBT people.

The case of Gavin Grimm has been especially closely watched since North Carolina enacted a law last month that bans transgender people from using public restrooms that correspond to their gender identity. That law also bans cities from passing anti-discrimination ordinances, a response to an ordinance recently passed in Charlotte.

In the Virginia case, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals  which also covers North Carolina  ruled 2-1 to overturn the Gloucester County School Board's policy, saying it violated Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination in schools. A federal judge had previously rejected Grimm's sex discrimination claim, but the court said that judge ignored a U.S. Department of Education regulation that transgender students in public schools must be allowed to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

"We agree that it has indeed been commonplace and widely accepted to separate public restrooms, locker rooms, and shower facilities on the basis of sex," the court wrote in its opinion. "It is not apparent to us, however, that the truth of these propositions undermines the conclusion we reach regarding the level of deference due to the department's interpretation of its own regulations."

In March 2015, in a separate case, the Stafford School Board ruled a transgender student at Hartwood Elementary School will have to use a single-stall restroom, staff bathroom or the restroom of the students biological gender.

Maxine Eichner, a University of North Carolina law professor who is an expert on sexual orientation and the law, said the ruling  the first of its kind by a federal appeals court  means the provision of North Carolina's law pertaining to restroom use by transgender students in schools that receive federal funds also is invalid.

"The effects of this decision on North Carolina are clear," she said, adding that a judge in that state will have no choice but to apply the appeals court's ruling.

Other states in the 4th Circuit are Maryland, West Virginia and South Carolina. While those states are directly affected by the appeals court's ruling, Eichner said the impact will be broader.

"It is a long and well-considered opinion that sets out the issues," she said. "It will be influential in other circuits."

Appeals court Judge Paul V. Niemeyer wrote in a dissenting opinion that the majority's opinion "completely tramples on all universally accepted protections of privacy and safety that are based on the anatomical differences between the sexes."

The school board could appeal the decision to the full appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court. David Patrick Corrigan, attorney for the school board, did not immediately respond to a telephone message.

On another issue, the appeals court ordered the trial judge to reconsider his refusal to issue an order that would allow Grimm to use the boys' restrooms immediately.

Grimm was born female but identifies as male. He was allowed to use the boys' restrooms at the school for several weeks in 2014. But after some parents complained, the school board adopted a policy requiring students to use either the restroom that corresponds with their biological gender or a private, single-stall restroom.

Grimm called the policy stigmatizing. School officials said the policy respects the privacy of all students.

"I feel so relieved and vindicated by the court's ruling," Grimm said in a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents him. "Today's decision gives me hope that my fight will help other kids avoid discriminatory treatment at school."

Grimm, 16, said he started refusing to wear girls' clothes by age 6 and told his parents he was transgender in April 2014.

Grimm's parents helped him legally change his name, and a psychologist diagnosed him with gender dysphoria, characterized by stress stemming from conflict between one's gender identity and assigned sex at birth. Grimm began hormone treatment to deepen his voice and give him a more masculine appearance.
As we enter the mid-terms, and begin ramping up for the upcoming presidential election, we would all do well to get to know Mark Noll.
Rock N Roll Artist Greg Piper Announces CD Syncs Perfectly To The Wizard Of Oz

Unsigned Records Multimedia Announced The Latest Rock N Roll / Alternative Release From Greg Piper Of The Tooners Entitled 'I Wish You'd Love Me' Syncs Up Perfectly To The Wizard Of Oz.

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For Rock N Roll / Alternative fans looking to get their hands on the latest Greg Piper of The Tooners release, the wait is over. Unsigned Records Multimedia has announced that 'I Wish You'd Love Me', which syncs up to The Wizard Of Oz will be available on April 20, 2016. Full details, including video proof can be seen on the artist's web page, http://www.unsigned-records.com/iwish.html

Word has been circulating since 1995 that the music to Pink Floyd's album "The Dark Side Of The Moon" syncs up to the 1939 classic movie The Wizard Of Oz both musically and visually. More recently, the world wide web has revealed that The Dark Side Of The Moon also syncs up to The Force Awakens ... the seventh installment of the Star Wars series.

"I've never been able to make that happen", says Greg Piper of the L.A. multimedia rock band The Tooners. "But The WIZARD OF OZ syncs up perfectly with our CD, ROCKTASIA. Our CD is 101 minutes long, the exact running time of The Wizard Of Oz. The consequence was so eerie and disturbing it went to our sound tech's head, thinking it was a sign from God, who consequently quit to become a monk. Furthermore, my guitarist and keyboardist have quit touring with the band, no longer willing to play the songs live, so I now perform the show as a solo artist"

Greg Piper of The Tooners' Rock & Roll Rehab Show, (The Twelve Step Program For The Control Of Rock N Roll) will be celebrating 420 and performing live at The California Institute of Abnormal Arts, 11334 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA on April 20 (4/20).

Unsigned Records Multimedia produces unique and creative concepts for marketing and promotional endeavors. Businesses interested in partnership or media opportunities can learn more on the company website http://www.unsigned-records.com.

For more information about us, please visit http://www.unsigned-records.com/iwish.html

Contact Info:

Name: Neal Warner

Email: info@unsigned-records.com

Organization: Unsigned Records Multimedia

Address: 5805 White Oak Ave #16194 - Encino, CA 91416

Phone: (818) 850-0669

Release ID: 111134

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New Injury Lawyer Office to Expand Legal Access for Brampton Accident Victims

Accident victims often forget to claim just compensation. However, beyond injuries, substantial financial impacts are often another consequence. Finding an experienced local personal injury lawyer in Brampton can be challenging. To alleviate the issue, seasoned injury firm Himelfarb Proszanski opens new offices in Brampton.

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For victims of accidents, or other personal injuries, pursuing compensation is often the least of their concerns. However, with healthcare bills mounting, days absent from work climbing and all the usual costs of living adding up, dealing with a severe injury becomes a battle for survival. Unfortunately, finding an experienced, efficient, personal injury lawyer in Brampton is not always as straightforward as it should be. Seasoned personal injury firm Himelfarb Proszanski believes opening new local offices is the key to help address the issue.

While many legal practises offer personal injury claim advice, the most experienced personal injury law firms are based in Toronto, placing those who live in the surrounding cities at something of a disadvantage when it comes to convenient access to local expert knowledge. Seeking to redress the balance, specialist personal injury law firm, Himelfarb Proszanski has announced the opening of new offices in Brampton, Ontario, having already expanded the firm earlier, with new satellite locations in Hamilton, Kitchener and Oshawa.

"At times of injury we are at our most vulnerable," David Himelfarb, Managing Director for Himelfarb Proszanski, comments. "Stress levels are understandably high, leaving accident victims feeling overwhelmed. The role of the personal injury lawyer is to lift that stress, and make the claims process run as fast, efficiently and smoothly as possible.

"Unfortunately, for many people the mere act of finding effective local representation for their personal injury case can be a headache in and of itself. This is particularly important because when building a successful case time is of the essence. Evidence needs to be gathered while it is still fresh, leaving a very small window of opportunity. If a victim is unable to find an experienced lawyer to work with quickly, that window often closes."

With their new Brampton offices, Himelfarb Proszanski are bringing their recognised industry expertise to local accident and injury victims. So far, the firm has successfully settled more than 3,000 cases in the fight to defend their clients' rights, obtaining more than 1/2 billion dollars in welcomed settlements on behalf of their clients. The new offices allow Brampton accident and injury victims to access top personal injury representation without delay or need to travel. Ultimately, this will enable more people to find and get the justice they deserve both in and out of the courtroom.

After an accident or injury, getting compensation can be an integral part of the healing process. For a huge number of victims, their claim is not only about monetary compensation; it's about finding closure for their experiences. In providing local access to experienced personal injury legal representation, Himelfarb Proszanski aids that healing process by increasing the chances of building a winning case necessary to get accident victims the settlement and medical care they deserve.

For more information, interviews and quotes, please contact John Ioannidis at (905) 595-6760 or visit http://www.himpro.ca.

For more information about us, please visit http://www.himpro.ca

Contact Info:

Name: John Ioannidis

Organization: Himelfarb Proszanski

Address: 2 County Ct Blvd, Suite 400, Brampton (Ontario) L6W 3W8

Phone: (905) 595-6760

Release ID: 111442

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Denver Real Estate Agents Sell Home Fast Service by Expert Agent Match

Expert Agent Match releases information on the upcoming launch of its new Denver Real Estate Agents Sell Home Fast service. Further information can be found at http://expertagentmatch.com.

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Expert Agent Match today announced the official launch date of its upcoming Denver Real Estate Agents Sell Home Fast service. Rumors are already starting to circulate among observers and die-hard fans within the home sellers and buyers world, as the 'Live' date of the Denver Real Estate Agents Sell Home Fast service draws near. Expert Agent Match has also released three things fans, reviewers and critics can expect beginning April 21, 2016.

The first thing folks should expect is a big improvement in getting the best price for their home. Expert Agent Match makes this happen by connecting sellers to the best real estate agents in Denver. This is to be expected from a business who places this much value on the extensive amount of home sales research they do.

As well as that, Expert Agent Match will celebrate the live day event by providing home sellers with a 2 minute form to get matched so they can interview 1-3 top expert agents. It is their hope that this will help motivated sellers to recognize the value in working with top experts when listing their home and try out the free service.

Finally, for die hard fans of the industry, they'll be interested to know what went into the creation of the Denver Real Estate Agents Sell Home Fast service. It has taken over a year and a half to put together, from start to finish, from the initial idea to fully implementing the service.

David Domm, Founder at Expert Agent Match also wanted to add "Expert Agent Match is a 100% free service to the home seller that connects home sellers and home buyers with expert real estate agents in their neighborhood and agents love working with EAM because they don't pay an up-front fee and are only asked to pay a fee when a transaction takes place, which means a deal is done and everyone wins. EAM partners with expert agents in local areas from top companies like Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Century 21, and many more."

For further information about Expert Agent Match or the new Denver Real Estate Agents Sell Home Fast service, it can all be discovered at Expert Agent Match

For more information about us, please visit http://expertagentmatch.com

Contact Info:

Name: David Domm

Organization: Expert Agent Match

Phone: 8188352392

Release ID: 111497

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A Dedicated Anti-Piracy Service For The eLearning Industry Has Launched

A new anti-piracy service created specifically to prevent piracy of eLearning and information products has been launched contactable at +1 315 636 5291. The Marketers Copyright Circle takes down illegal free downloads and listings on fraudulent online product shop fronts.

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A new bespoke anti-piracy service, The Marketer's Copyright Circle, has launched geared to the info product and eLearning sector. The new service has been created by Takedown Czar, a piracy protection agency with a strong track record of developing dedicated anti-piracy solutions designed to address the specific challenges faced by individual industries. Their new program protects the products and brands of information marketers with a highly skilled team of online investigators using cutting edge methods to take down illegal free downloads and deeply discounted products from fraudulent "eLearning shop fronts".

More information can be found on the Takedown Czar website at: https://www.dmcatakedownczar.com.

The eLearning and information product industry has suffered significant sales leakage in recent years from fraudulent vendors selling eLearning courses and information products at significant discounts over the regular price at the product's official website.

These vendors are operating without the product owners' consent and their websites are often hosted in countries with little or no copyright legislation to support the claims of the legitimate copyright holders.

The Marketer's Copyright Circle aims to address these issues head on.

Instead of just removing infringements from the search engines as other companies do, the new service removes product listings directly from the infringing websites.

This process has proven to be highly effective with The Marketer's Copyright Circle removing 97% of all infringing reseller links during their beta testing phase.

They are proud that this new service helps protect the time and effort legitimate information product and eLearning vendors have put into creating their products and ensures the only place their products are available is their official sales page.

The service is already used by dozens of large eLearning publishers, celebrated copyrighters and established online marketers. These companies have invested countless hours cultivating their online brand and put their faith in Takedown Czar to protect and safeguard their hard work. The service offers complete customization to ensure the individual needs of every eLearning and information product vendor are met. Takedown Czar can be contacted via their website https://dmcatakedownczar.com or their customer service line: +1 315 636 5291.

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US boutique Perella Weinberg Partners is to launch its North America Equity Long/Short fund in a Ucits format later this quarter.

The vehicle is being marketed to wealth managers and will launch on the Fidante Ucits platform, the alternative strategies facility overseen by former Dalton Strategic Partnership chief executive Magnus Spence.

The fund is based on an existing strategy that has run for over a decade in the US, and which Fidante said had produced a positive performance in every year including 2008.

As with the existing product, the daily dealing Ucits fund will be managed by David Baker and his team. Mr Baker, former head of Deutsche Banks global equity proprietary trading group, has run the portfolio since inception in 2005.

It will aim to return between 8 and 10 per cent a year, net of fees, and will operate with an annual volatility target of between 6 and 8 per cent.

The company plans to launch the fund with around $100m (71m) of seed and founder share capital.

The founder share class will charge a preferential management fee of 0.75 per cent, compared with the standard 1 per cent, and a preferential performance fee of 10 per cent  versus a standard 17.5 per cent.

The funds additional expenses will be capped at 0.4 per cent.

The long/short basis for the strategy will be combined with an event-driven portfolio seeking to take advantage of temporary mispricing of stocks following disruptive events such as mergers and acquisitions. Behavioural tools, such as technical and sentiment indicators, will also be used.

The portfolio will maintain a low net market exposure in a bid to limit its correlation to equity indices.

Fidantes Ucits platform was launched last summer by alternatives boutique Dexion Capital. Dexion was acquired by Fidante last July and rebranded under its parent companys name in March.
HM Treasurys head of business lending has admitted the Innovative Finance Isa has been slow to get off the ground, but said he is confident the rules are ready to include crowdfunding in the Autumn.

Announced in the 2015 Summer Budget as a way to spark investment in small businesses, the Innovation Isa allows savers to invest in peer-to-peer lending arrangements without paying tax on the gains.

But its launch on 6 Apil was mired in criticism, with 80 peer-to-peer lending platforms still waiting for approval from the Financial Conduct Authority a fortnight after the Isa had been officially introduced.

Speaking during a conference hosted by the Tax Incentivised Savings Association, HM Treasurys Fayyaz Muneer admitted with such a large number of firms still waiting for approval, the Isa has not exploded in the way the industry thought it would.

Problems with access to the Isa have been coupled with unease among advisers about reccommending products investing in unknown, unlisted companies, as they are liable for the due diligence and suitability of the diverse range of P2P investments.

FTAdviser asked Mr Muneer whether the government should give the existing rules time to bed in before introducing crowdfunding as another eligible investment in the Innovation Isa later this year.

He said the Treasury would hope there was enough time between now and Autumn for the existing arrangements to settle.

Fresh rules announced by the chancellor in his Autumn Statement mean debt securities offered by crowdfunding platforms will also be allowed in the new Isa alongside peer-to-peer loans later this year.

Referring to the delays in authorisation for firms wanting to offer the Innovation Isa, Simon Turner, lead technical adviser at HM Revenue & Customs savings office, pointed to confusion over the rules.

First draft regulations did not say P2P lending platforms needed full permissions to offer the new Isa. However, this was amended to restrict firms offering the new savings product on interim permissions, with the risk being that investors might lose their entire Isa investment.

Mr Turner said this would not have been a palatable start to the scheme, adding HMRC took the view that was not a sensible way to launch.

He also highlighted the regulatory framework which peer-to-peer lending platforms come under, known as Article 36H, was recently redrafted.

The fact this was given a major redraft so late in the day meant we couldnt finalise our regulations because the definition we wanted to pin to was in a state of flux.

Colin Hodges, head of investor operations at P2P giant RateSetter, said: Getting the plan right at the outset would have been very helpful.

He said RateSetter received guidance from the FCA as recently as December outlining the risks of only having interim permissions to offer the new Isa.

Someone somewhere has the responsibility for not having planned this process particularly well, and its a shame for consumers.

katherine.denham@ft.com
This survey is conducted annually and provides both market and competitor information (only available to survey subscribers).

With this news, Tim Stoves, interim managing director for Canada Life Group Insurance, says: Canada Life became the number one group risk provider in 2013.

We are delighted to have retained this position for the third year in a row, with more employers and employees covered, and consequently the largest market share by premiums, than any other insurer. We continue to strive to be easy to do business with and provide a market-leading service with CLASS continuing to be the flagship of SME group risk. The industry should align to ensure these increasingly important benefits take front and centre of the health and wellbeing focus of many organisations Tim Stoves

The report shows that our marketplace has had some great success with another increase in employee numbers showing genuine employer need for group risk benefits. There are some clear challenges, specifically in attracting new employers to our marketplace.

There are 1.8m employers going through Automatic Enrolment. The good news is that there are an additional 1,525 new Registered Group Life schemes but with only 42,848 schemes this evidences what a significant market growth opportunity there is.

A feature of the death benefit market is the additional 1,236 policies and 99,473 new employees that are covered under Excepted Group Life policies. The reduction in the Lifetime Allowance to 1m may drive the popularity of this type of scheme.

Looking at the Group Income Protection market we note that, despite an additional 27,644 employees being covered, 8 fewer employers are now in the market. In effect we are stuck at around 17,100 employers. It seems the messages about the great services being offered by insurers, including day-one absence referrals, second medical opinion, employee assistance programmes etc., are not getting across.

The industry should align to ensure these increasingly important benefits take front and centre of the health and wellbeing focus of many organisations. As State Disability Benefits get smaller and increasingly hard to obtain this is an issue on which we should all be capitalising.

Conversely there has been significant growth in the group critical illness market with a further 71,426 employees covered, mostly within flexible benefit schemes. Growth of 7.8 per cent by scheme numbers is excellent but with only 3,062 schemes in place, as with Group Life, there is plenty of room for new schemes to be quoted and we are here and ready to support that.

In summary while we are delighted with our business performance and appreciate the support shown by our loyal customers and advisers, we are under no illusion there are still many opportunities to expand the group risk market.

You can expect Canada Life to lead in all of these product areas and to address the challenges by continuing to invest in technology, service and product development.
We should be proud of our retail investment fund industry. Really proud.

Over the years, it has helped millions of investors build long-term wealth. In some instances, investors have become Isa millionaires. It is an example of an industry that has put the great in Great Britain.

Great brands  the likes of Invesco Perpetual, Jupiter and Schroders (and many more besides). Great iconic fund managers  none better than Neil Woodford.

Of course, the industrys success has made scores of its most impressive investment fund managers and executives seriously rich along the way.

Indeed, many of them live in upmarket Kensington in west London whose gold-paved streets I tread every day on my way to work (they occasionally greet me with a royal wave before revving up their Porsche Cayenne and dashing off to work in a plume of exhaust fumes).

Providers of certain investment platforms have also prospered  and well done I say (not an ounce of envy in me).

Yet, no sector, however successful, is ever immune from close scrutiny  or from pressure to change. The retail investment fund industry is no exception.

In recent years, the industrys reliance on active fund management  breathing humans at the wheel rather than computers  has increasingly come under the spotlight. As has the charges it heaps on investors, either disclosed or hidden from view. The cry for more passive investment management becomes louder by the day.

I was made fully aware of this a few days ago when I tweeted an article I had written on Douglas Brodie, a shrewd investment manager at investment house Baillie Gifford.

The Edinburgh-based investment house is perceived as conservative with a small C from the outside, but it is radical in pursuit of investment performance. Its managers are bred to stock pick. Index tracking, closet index tracking, are an anathema.

Mr Brodie manages the Global Discovery Fund, and he does it with aplomb. Through astute stock picking, he has delivered three-year returns double those of the average global investment fund and way in excess of the FTSE All Share Index (the benchmark all investment funds should be measured against).

Yet my review of Mr Brodies intelligent investment approach  hunting down the business stories of the next decade  did not go down well with some financial experts. All kinds of brickbats were hurled my way.

All flipping coins, said one expert, describing what he thought active funds managers bring to the investment party. Some of them will have six heads in a row. In other words, active fund management is all about luck rather than shrewd investment judgement.

Another was more acerbic. Why, Jeff, why? he asked. Helping to perpetuate the myth that lead can be turned into gold. Shame on you. Translated, this read: active management bad, passive management good.
Convicted fraudsters Jeffrey Revell-Reade and Anthony May were ordered to pay 11m in compensation, at Southwark Crown Court yesterday (19 April).

At a hearing overseen by Judge Gledhill QC, Jeffrey Revell-Reade, 51, was ordered to pay a 10.75m confiscation order and Anthony May, 60, was ordered to pay a 250,000.

Both men are serving sentences for what is believed to be one of the largest boiler room fraud schemes ever pursued by a UK authority.

The pair sold shares in US-listed companies from Madrid, but when investors came to sell the shares after the expiry period, many found they were unable to as they were worthless; either placed in shell companies or companies not operating at all.

Their convictions were linked to seven other individuals, also convicted and sentenced following a seven year investigation by the Serious Fraud Office.

Mark Thompson, head of the SFOs proceeds of crime division, explained that these individuals benefited substantially from their crimes.

Their lavish lifestyles featured numerous overseas properties, wine collections and a luxury yacht. We welcome these orders which the pair now need to pay or face a further period of imprisonment.

Both men were given three months each to pay the orders, or face an additional prison sentence in default of payment  10 years imprisonment for Revell-Reade and three years for May.

It was ordered that the sums paid towards the confiscation orders are to be returned to the victims in the case.

In June 2014, the mastermind of the fraud Revell-Reade was sentenced to a further eight years and six months in prison (having already served the equivalent of a year in prison overseas whilst contesting extradition) while May was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison.

The SFO had been seeking to recover 43m from Revell-Reade, which would have been the biggest order it had ever obtained in such a case. After extensive negotiations with his legal team, the SFO accepted there were no hidden assets.

Revell-Reades solicitor Ben Holden called it an extraordinarily complex case and pointed out that the burden of proof is on the defendant to satisfy the prosecution he does not have the hidden assets they claim he owns.

A team of five has worked on the case for 19 months and, thanks to their hard work, we were able to satisfy the SFO that our clients assets were worth a lot less than they first thought

peter.walker@ft.com
Prudential is closer to recouping millions of pounds in tax after HM Revenue & Customs tax treatment of dividends received by UK companies was found to be in breach of European law.

HMRC had taken a previous ruling to the Court of Appeal last month, but the judge, Lord Justice Lewison, threw out the tax offices arguments.

According to court documents published yesterday (19 April), Judge Lewison praised the previous judgement as a masterpiece of exposition and reasoning.

A spokesman for the tax office said HMRC is extremely disappointed with the judgment.

Nothing is payable immediately as a consequence of these decisions and we plan to robustly defend our position through future appeals.

This case is one of many long-standing court battles where firms are trying to claim back tax after UK tax rules violated European law by treating dividends paid by UK companies more favourably than those paid by foreign firms.

If Pru successfully secures the tax refund this could mark the start of a string of payouts to other insurers, reportedly refunding 100m in tax.

The case first came to light in 2013, when High Court judges said HMRC had taken too much tax on thousands of dividend payments from overseas companies within the insurers investment portfolio between 1990 to 2007.

Overpayment of tax on overseas dividends reduced the returns both with-profit policyholders and shareholders recieved on their investments.

The Court of Appeals decision honed in on the tax credit, which it said must be at least equal to the amount paid in the member state of the company making the distribution.

Whether the interest paid is calculated using compound or simple interest will also affect the size of the refund.

katherine.denham@ft.com
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Oregon State Police were on the scene investigating the crash. The front right side of the vehicle sustained damage and there were multiple passengers in the car, but no serious injuries were reported, according to authorities. The vehicle was towed away at around 10:15 p.m. and the intersection was cleared to traffic at around 10:30 p.m.
A move to new office space has provided some needed elbow room for Samaritan Health Plans after a period of rapid growth.

Samaritan Health Services purchased the former CH2M Hill building at 2300 N.W. Walnut Blvd. in Corvallis in August for $11.5 million. Last month, after about $1.7 million in renovations, Samaritan relocated more than 300 employees from its insurance division to the newly christened Samaritan Plaza from Samaritan Square (the former Avery Square-Cannery Mall complex on Northwest Ninth Street), which had been bursting at the seams with more than 800 Samaritan employees from a variety of departments.

Our plan is to have almost 400 people here, said Kelley Kaiser, CEO of Samaritan Health Plans, during a tour of the new building this week. We are using the whole space.

While the 90,000-square-foot Walnut Plaza is filling up fast, its a lot less crowded than the old location. In addition to private offices for executives and cubicles for rank-and-file employees, there are spacious break rooms, multiple conference rooms and private meeting areas for one-on-one sessions with clients.

One of our goals was to have more room to work, some additional meeting rooms and some collaborative space, and I think we accomplished that, Kaiser said.

Another big attraction of the new building: plenty of parking spaces. Parking is at a premium at the Ninth Street location, which shares a lot with the Linn-Benton Community College Benton Center, where enrollment has risen sharply in recent years.

The move frees up both parking and office space at Samaritan Square, where about 500 Samaritan Health Services employees still work.

Now the other departments that work there will be able to spread out, Kaiser said.

Samaritan Health Services has been growing steadily since 1997, when Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis merged with Lebanon Community Hospital and began building a regional health care network that now includes five hospitals, multiple medical clinics and a number of other operations in a three-county area.

A significant share of that growth has come in the insurance division, which includes the nonprofit corporations own employee self-insurance plan, a Medicare Advantage product (Samaritan Advantage), commercial policies for employer-sponsored health plans and the InterCommunity Health Network Coordinated Care Organization, which administers Medicaid coverage for Oregon Health Plan members in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties.

Altogether, its about 80,000 lives that we cover, Kaiser said.

Thats a far cry from 1995, when Kaiser first came on board with Samaritan.

We had maybe 1,000 members, she recalled. I was in an empty hospital room at Good Sam.

Samaritan Health Plans is still growing, with the current focus on expanding commercial medical insurance lines to small and large business customers. In spite of that, however, Kaiser doesnt foresee another move anytime soon.

We think this building is a good size, she said. It should be adequate to meet our needs.

For Samaritan Health Services president and CEO Larry Mullins, the move buys a little breathing room in the never-ending chess game of space planning. The next step will be to decide exactly how to fill the openings created at Samaritan Square by the insurance divisions relocation.

Were going to have a quiet period now and let things settle down over at the Square, Mullins said. Well do some future planning of how we use that space.
Members of OSU Divest, the on-campus group that wants the Oregon State University Foundation to end its investments in fossil fuel companies, will get a second chance to persuade the foundation to change its policy.

The foundations Advisory Committee, which was created in 2013 to give community groups a forum in which to address the foundation, will meet with OSU Divest at 11 a.m. today. The meeting is closed to the public.

The committee and OSU Divest met in April 2014 to discuss the issue, with the foundation rejecting the suggestion via an August letter that cited the impact on the foundations portfolio.

Leading up to the 2014 meeting, the OSU Faculty Senate and the Associated Students of Oregon State University Senate both passed resolutions in favor of divestment, although the ASOSU House voted narrowly against a divest measure.

More recently, about 40 OSU Divest activists marched to the foundation office in February and a divestment advisory measure on the recent ASOSU election ballot received support from 78 percent of student voters.

OSU Divest organizers said they hope the student backing will help their cause.

This is the students choice because this planet is where we will raise our children and watch our grandchildren blossom. This is our future and we choose in favor of the divestment of fossil fuels because we simply cannot afford the alternative, said student Amy Hickey.

We hope to reiterate the students demand for divestment, especially following the student vote, said student Jesse Pettibone. I think the foundations willingness to meet with us is positive and could be a sign that things have changed on their end.

Molly Brown, senior director of communications and stewardship for the foundation, noted that groups that meet with the committee are encouraged to show significant research supporting their arguments, including how any investment shift will advance the foundations fiduciary responsibility to produce above-average, long-term total returns for the endowment while maintaining a prudent level of risk.

The presentations also should demonstrate broad support from OSU community stakeholders, including faculty, students, alumni and donors.

Brown is a member of the Advisory Committee, which also includes senior leaders and trustees of the foundation. The committee will make a recommendation to the foundation boards Executive Committee, which will make a final decision.

Brown said the foundation currently manages $667.4 million in assets with $37 million, or 5.6 percent, in fossil fuels.
Yes, we know that we recently counseled you (like, in yesterdays editorial) to be cautious when approached by someone seeking your signature to push an initiative onto the ballot.

But some of the ideas on some of those clipboards being waved in your face are worth a second look. Heres one of them:

State Rep. Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, and Blair Bobier, a Corvallis attorney who cofounded the Pacific Green Party of Oregon, are working to get a proposal for so-called ranked-choice voting on the Benton County ballot this November. The group behind the measure, Better Ballot Benton County, was scheduled to start gathering signatures last weekend.

If the measure were to be approved by voters (and thats a big if, since this kind of proposed ballot reform has been routed routinely by voters), party primaries would still be conducted in the traditional way. In the general election, however, the ranked-choice system would be used to choose the sheriff and county commissioners. (Since the proposed measure would amend Benton Countys charter and not the citys charter, city elections would not be affected.)

Heres how the general elections would work under the ranked-choice system: Instead of casting a vote for a single candidate, voters would rank all the candidates for each position in order of preference. If one person received a majority of first-place votes, that candidate would win outright.

If nobody wins more than half the first-place votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The second-place votes of the people who picked the defeated candidate then are counted, and the process is repeated until a winner emerges. (By the way, this is similar to the process used now to select the winner of the Best Picture Academy Award.)

In races with just two candidates, the ranked-choice system would be no big deal. But in races with more than two candidates, the system might end up allowing a third-party candidate who campaigned hard to break through. (This is part of the reason why folks with close ties to the Democratic or Republican parties deeply distrust this sort of voting reform.)

Proponents of ranked choice say the system leads to better campaigning and compels candidates to focus on the issues. Foes say the twists and turns of the process (in particular, the vote-transferring between each round) sometimes can result in a voters ranking order having an effect other than what the voter intended.

But plenty of people already feel as if theyve been shut out of the process, that their vote doesnt matter. Were not certain yet that were completely buying into the ranked-choice voting idea, but its intriguing enough to merit a second or third look at that magic moment when the signature-gatherer catches your eye.
This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County Sheriffs Office and Oregon State Police. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise.

Corvallis Police Department

MONDAY, APRIL 18

THEFT: 10:11 p.m., 746 N.W. Kings Blvd. Officers at 7-Eleven identified Christopher Michael Adams, 29, of Corvallis as having an outstanding warrant. During a consent search, officers allegedly found a Macbook Pro laptop which had been reported stolen the previous day on Oregon State Universitys campus, and gift cards stolen in a reported car prowl on campus. Adams was arrested and charged with first-degree theft and third-degree theft.

SUNDAY, APRIL 17

CAR THEFT: 11:54 p.m., 600 N.W. Harrison Blvd. Officers stopped Kevin J. Graham, 53, no address listed, for a traffic stop after allegedly witnessing Graham driving a Ford F-150 going 45 mph in a 25 mph zone. After questioning, Graham allegedly stated that the truck wasnt his, he didnt know the owner, he didnt know where he got it and he didnt know who gave him permission to drive it, but somebody did. Officers later spoke with the owner of the truck, who had reported the vehicle stolen out of Polk County. Graham was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and first-degree theft.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

LOUD NOISE: 6:27 a.m., 224 N.W. 26th St. Officers responded to a report of a disturbance at Sigma Phi Epsilon. Officers arrived and reported that about 80 people were on the roof of the building yelling. The president of the fraternity was issued a citation for loud noise.

Benton County Sheriffs Office

MONDAY, APRIL 18

NUDE WOMAN IN PARK: 3:15 p.m., 24750 Highway 99W, Monroe. Deputies responded to Monroe City Park for a report of a naked woman. Deputies reportedly located the woman, Kayla Faye Brooks, 20, of Monroe and arrested and charged her with second-degree disorderly conduct. Brooks had recently been released from the Benton County Jail on another matter: On Friday, April 15, deputies were dispatched to a Monroe location to perform a welfare check on Brooks, who was located and later arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine.
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.
University of Bonn : Poppelsdorf campus on track

BONN Three bright and shiny new buildings will soon become part of the University of Bonn.

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If everything goes according to plan, the three new buildings of the University campus in Poppelsdorf will be finished this summer. So far, everything appears on track. Workers are currently constructing a road to lead from Carl-Troll-Strae to the campus with its 40,000 square meters of land.

A brand new building housing the Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (B-IT) now sits where land was once used as testing fields for the agricultural faculty and students. Also situated there is the Institute for Numeric Simulation (INS) and the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences (IEL) as well as the main auditorium.

Costs of the whole project are estimated at 75 million euro. The project began at the end of 2013 when the foundation was laid. The campus is expected to continue growing in the coming years.
GIABA Holds the 25th Plenary Meeting of its Technical Commission in Praia

The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), will be holding the 25th Plenary Meeting of its Technical Commission in Praia, Cabo Verde, from 2nd to 6th May, 2016. The meeting will enable officials from member States (MS), to discuss issues relating to threats and challenges associated with Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (ML/TF) in the region. The GIABA Plenary also provides an opportunity for member States to share experiences on the effective implementation of Anti-money laundering and countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures.

The Plenary will be preceded by several preliminary meetings such Evaluation and Compliance Group (ECG), Risks, Trends and Methods Group (RTMG), Technical Assistance Forum and Heads of FIU Forum. The Evaluation and Compliance Group (ECG) will be discussing Follow-up reports on the implementation of the recommendations emanating from the Mutual Evaluation Reports of member States. The follow-up process is a platform for helping member States to resolve the deficiencies identified in their AML/CFT regimes in order to ensure compliance with acceptable international AML/CFT standards. At the Plenary in Praia, the ECG will be discussing the Follow-up Reports on the Mutual Evaluation Reports of Benin, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome & Principe and Togo.

The Risks, Trends and Methods Group (RTMG) will, among other things, discuss update on the proposed Typology on Money Laundering from the illicit trade of pharmaceutical products in the sub-region; and update on typologies project on terrorist financing in West Africa. Other issues at the RTMG will include initiatives to fight against terrorism financing and the information gathering exercise, etc. In addition, the RTMG consider progress reports by member States on the conduct of their national risk assessment. Finally, other major activities and agenda items at the Plenary are the Regional Forum of Financial Intelligence Units (FFIU); the Round Table on technical assistance with GIABAs technical and financial partners; the presentation of the Director Generals Activity Report,.

The 25th Plenary Meeting of the GIABA Technical Commission, taking place in Praia will be officially declared opened by His Excellency, Mr. Ulisses Coreia e Silva, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cabo Verde on Thursday, May 5, 2016.
GIABA Holds the 16th Meeting of its Ministerial Committee in Praia

The 16th meeting of the Ministerial Committee of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), will be holding in Praia, Cabo Verde, on Saturday, May 7, 2016.

The GIABA Ministerial Committee (GMC) is the key decision-making body of the institution. It comprises the Ministers of Economic Development and Finance, Internal Affairs or Security and Justice in each of the Member States. The Committee is chaired by one of the three GIABAs line Ministers whose country is current chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. In this regard, this 16th Meeting of the GIABA Ministerial Committee will be chaired by Senegal.

The Meeting will consider and adopt the GIABA Director Generals Activity Report, the Institutions Draft 2016-2020 Strategic Plan and approve the Report of the 25th Plenary Meeting of the Technical Commission.

The Opening Ceremony of the GMC will be presided over by His Excellency, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, President and Head of State of the Republic of Cabo Verde.
Carter: Next Steps in Iraq ISIL Fight Include More Troops, Military Equipment

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2016  Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced the next phase of the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant during a troop talk yesterday in Baghdad.

The next steps in the anti-ISIL fight were authorized by President Barack Obama and coordinated with Haider al-Abadi, Iraqi prime minister, and Masoud Barzani, president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, as well as other leaders, Carter told the troops.

"First we're going to place additional advisers with the Iraqi security forces, now down to brigade and battalion headquarters levels. Second, we're going to make available attack helicopters in support of the [Iraqi forces] and ongoing efforts to envelop and then retake Mosul. It's an important capability," he said.

Carter is on an extended international trip that has included India, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. The secretary also will visit Saudi Arabia and participate in the U.S. Gulf Cooperation Council defense meeting.

Supporting the Mosul Fight

DoD also will send more high-mobility artillery rocket systems, or HIMARS, to support the Iraqi ground offensive to retake Mosul, and will provide a $415 million package of financial assistance to the Peshmerga in response to a request from the Kurdistan regional government for economic assistance.

Carter said the Peshmerga have been one of the most effective fighting forces against ISIL.

Yesterday, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said the timing of the distribution of Peshmerga funds is still to be determined, and that "it's part of ongoing U.S. support for all Iraqis in the fight, which has included $3.1 billion in assistance to the Iraqi government to support its counter-ISIL efforts."

In Baghdad yesterday, Carter said the new actions against ISIL are coming "on top of what we're already doing. We're providing air power, command and control, other fire, training, sustainment [and] logistics," and he noted that as part of the next steps, coalition troops -- those already in Iraq and the 217 new troops coming in -- will be used in different ways.

Flexible Logistics

During a media briefing yesterday in Baghdad, Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said the character of the operation in Iraq is evolving into a maneuver fight.

"For us to enable that maneuver fight will require us to be able to have a little bit more flexibility, and one of those ways will be logistically," he said. "The Iraqi security forces are going to be operating at extended distances from their bases, their depots  so we're going to have to provide them with a different kind of logistics support to keep their vehicles rolling and operational as they close with the enemy."

He said the 217 new advisers would be doing "largely what we've been doing all along, which is providing the kind of military advice and access to enablers that help our partners on the ground against the enemy -- so access to coalition fires and logistics support, things of that nature."

On the upcoming fight to take Mosul back from ISIL, MacFarland said Mosul will differ from operations that took place around the retaking of Ramadi.

Linear Operation

"Ramadi was what we call a non-contiguous battlefield, and we were operating out of  forward operating bases like Taqaddum and Al-Asad. The Iraqi security forces headquarters are all located in those facilities, which were largely surrounded by enemy-held territory and received occasional indirect fire as a result," the general explained.

Mosul, he said, will be "more of a linear type of an operation -- more contiguous -- and therefore those headquarters are pushed out of those bases, and in order to continue to provide the kind of assistance that we have been providing we have to be able to go to them."

Also, Mosul is four or five times the size of Ramadi and a lot farther away from Iraqi bases that provide logistics support, MacFarland added.

"It's an order of magnitude more challenging than Ramadi was, so obviously we were able to take Ramadi back without the additional enablers. Mosul is going to be more difficult," the general said, "hence the additional support."

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Carter Thanks U.S. Troops During Baghdad Visit

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2016  The men and women of the United States military have made enormous progress toward defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told troops in Baghdad yesterday.

Carter thanked the troops for their service during a stop at Baghdad International Airport as part of a visit to the region to discuss accelerating the defeat of ISIL.

"The whole world watches; a proud country watches," he said. "We're confident that you're on the path to a lasting defeat of ISIL. We have to do that and we are confident that you will do it."

As part of his trip to the region, Carter was also visiting the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Presentation of OIR Campaign Medals

While in Baghdad, Carter presented the first Operation Inherent Resolve campaign medals. He awarded the medals to five service members who represent the joint force, but noted that everyone serving there will receive the award.

The campaign medal is something that the service members will wear for the rest of their lives, he said. The recipients can know they've helped to defeat ISIL, recaptured territory and liberated people from the terrorists.

"Right here, right now, you were part of the culmination of that process. I'm confident of that," he said.

"You'll look back with great pride upon what you did. I don't have to look back. I look out right now and I feel that pride in you," he said. "Thanks for what you are doing today."

Carter announced the creation of the Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal last month. The award, retroactive to June 15, 2014, is for service members based in Iraq or Syria, those who flew missions over those countries, and those who served in contiguous waters for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, officials said at the time.

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Release

No. NR-138-16 April 19, 2016

Readout of Secretary Carter's meeting with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following readout:



Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met today with Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Secretary and the Deputy Crown Prince affirmed the longtime security partnership between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. They discussed a range of issues related to mutual security interests, including checking Iranian destabilizing activities in the region and countering violent extremism from groups like ISIL.



Building on commitments made at Camp David last May, and in advance of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit to be hosted by President Obama in Riyadh, Secretary Carter identified several areas where the United States and Saudi Arabia can deepen their security cooperation for the benefit of both countries, such as enhancing training for special operations and counterterrorism forces, integrating air and missile defense systems, bolstering cyber defenses, and strengthening maritime security.



The Secretary and Deputy Crown Prince agreed to continue these constructive discussions at the U.S.-GCC Defense Ministerial, which they will co-host Wednesday in advance of the U.S.-GCC Summit the following day.

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/737807/

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Future USS John P Murtha Completes Acceptance Trials

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160419-29

Release Date: 4/19/2016 3:57:00 PM

From Team Ships Public Affairs

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- The Navy's future amphibious transport dock John P. Murtha (LPD 26) successfully completed Acceptance Trials April 15.

The Acceptance Trials consisted of a series in port and underway tests and trials that validate the functionality of ship's systems. The trials are conducted by the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) over a six-day period.

"The INSURV team provided a detailed assessment of the ship's readiness through a rigorous schedule of test events," said Capt. Darren Plath, LPD 17 Class program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships. "This included several systems new to the LPD 17 Class to include the SPS-48G air search radar and the Navy Multiband Terminal satellite communications system. Overall, LPD 26 performed very well and will soon be another highly capable, combat ready ship delivered to the U.S. Fleet."

The dockside checks demonstrated the functionality of key systems prior to the underway period. While at sea the future USS John P. Murtha completed a number of demonstrations including a full power run, self-defense detect-to-engage exercises, steering checks, boat handling, anchoring and rapid ballast and de-ballast demonstrations. The tests conducted during the underway period certified that all systems including main propulsion, ship control, combat, communications and damage control were fully inspected and validated for operational tasking.

"It's been two and half years since Ingalls last conducted LPD acceptance trials," said Supervisor of Shipbuilding Capt. Joe Tuite. "The team did an excellent job preparing the ship for a successful trials period. The ship was cleared for sea on the morning of the second day, the earliest of any of the previous nine LPDs."

John P. Murtha will be the tenth ship of the LPD 17 San Antonio class to join the fleet. The ship is scheduled to be commissioned in Philadelphia this fall, and will be homeported in San Diego.

The principal mission of LPD 17 San Antonio-class ships is to deploy combat and support elements of Marine expeditionary units and brigades. With the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion or conventional landing craft and augmented by helicopters or MV-22 vertical take-off and landing aircraft, these ships support amphibious assault, special operations, and expeditionary warfare missions.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.

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John P Murtha First Ship to Successfully Test New Technology Afloat

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160419-31

Release Date: 4/19/2016 4:04:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (EXW) Timothy Wilson, PCU John P. Murtha (LPD 26) Public Affairs

GULF OF MEXICO (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the Pre-Commissioning Unit John P. Murtha (LPD 26) successfully tested the Navy's first High Frequency Distribution Amplifier Group (HF DAG) system during Builder's Sea Trials March 1-3 and Acceptance Sea Trials April 13-15 in the Gulf of Mexico.

During these trials, the HF DAG system successfully transmitted and received transmissions between LPD 26 antennas and established contact with other vessels, such as the USS Montgomery (LCS 8) afloat. In addition, communication with naval shore stations more than 200 miles away in Mayport, Florida, proved the dependability of the system.

"The John P. Murtha is leading the Navy by employing this new communications system and that is ground breaking," said Lt. Jonathan Saewert, LPD 26 Combat Systems officer. "When coupled with other radio gear, we have double the radio capability of a typical Navy ship."

HF DAG is a user-friendly system that utilizes touch screen technology compatibility with commercial equipment, which saves the military substantial financial cost, Saewert said. The Navy will not have to develop a unique system to accomplish the same task.

"Previously, a Sailor on watch could only listen to one channel at a time on a single radio," Saewert said. "Now, with HF DAG in conjunction with other radio gear, the Sailor can listen and monitor four channels at one time on four different radios. It's keeping our Sailors at the forefront of technology."

Nathaniel Panis, HF DAG In-Service Engineer attached to Space and Naval Warfare Command and who assisted in the Builder's Sea Trials, said several types of communications methods are employed by the military.

One example is digital mobile radio (DMR), which provides multiple wavelength, waveforms and information security for voice and data communications.

"We accomplished the Navy's first afloat over-the-air transmission through several series of rigorous testing," Panis said. "HF DAG uses DMR, ultra-high frequency (UHF), very high frequency (VHF), line of sight and satellite radio technologies, so the combining of all these is very beneficial effective naval communication."

Ensign Eric Barkley, LPD 26 information systems officer, said these events are a clear victory for John P. Murtha.

"We had an incredible amount of shipwide testing during these Builders Sea Trials and Acceptance Sea Trials - the HF DAG test was without a doubt a complete success," he said. "We are saving space on the ship with less equipment performing more efficiently and saving the Navy money with increased capability with this cutting-edge technology."

John P. Murtha will commission later this fall.

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'Yemeni people deserve no less,' says Ban, urging start of peace talks

19 April 2016  United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged all parties to the peace process in Yemen to "engage in good faith" with his envoy, so that talks can start without further delay.

"The Secretary-General is convinced that seizing this opportunity to move the process forward will help resolve outstanding issues and bring the end of this prolonged conflict closer. The Yemeni people and the region deserve no less," said a statement attributable to the UN chief's spokesperson.

The Secretary-General noted that the Yemeni Government delegation has arrived in Kuwait and looks forward to the participation of the Ansar Allah and representatives of the General People's Congress in the talks.

He also recalled the commitment of all parties to a cessation of hostilities, which took effect on 10 April, and to the convening of inter-Yemeni talks in Kuwait.

Yesterday, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, announced that the start of the peace negotiations had been postponed.

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Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIL in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, April 20, 2016  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack and remotely piloted aircraft conducted three strikes in Syria:

-- Near Manbij, a strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece.

-- Near Mara, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions and damaging a third ISIL fighting position.

Strikes in Iraq

Bomber, ground-attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 21 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

-- Near Fallujah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL cache and denied ISIL access to terrain.

-- Near Habbaniyah, a strike produced inconclusive results.

-- Near Hit, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun.

-- Near Kirkuk, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL bulldozer and an ISIL assembly area.

-- Near Kisik, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units, destroying an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL assembly area, 24 ISIL rocket rails and an ISIL fighting position and denying ISIL access to terrain.

-- Near Mosul, nine strikes struck an ISIL staging area, an ISIL-used power plant and four separate ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL assembly areas, three ISIL supply caches, an ISIL mortar system and two ISIL vehicles and denying ISIL access to terrain.

-- Near Sinjar, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL supply cache and five ISIL asphalt steamrollers.

-- Near Tal Afar, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.

In addition, officials said, coalition military forces using attack aircraft also struck inoperable coalition equipment Near Ayn Isa in Syria, in support of coalition operations, denying ISIL access to it.

Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

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Spruance, Decatur Join Momsen on Pacific Surface Action Group Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160420-06

Release Date: 4/20/2016 12:55:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Curtis D. Spencer, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Decatur (DDG 73), with embarked Destroyer Squadron 31 staff, departed their homeport of San Diego, April 19.

The destroyers will join Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) in the waters off Southern California before heading to the Western Pacific as the Pacific Surface Action Group, or (PAC SAG).

Momsen departed her homeport in Naval Station Everett, Washington, April 15.

The ships deployed with the "Devil Fish" and "Warbirds" detachments of embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49.

U.S. 3rd Fleet ships, aircraft, and submarines operate regularly and routinely throughout the Western Pacific in accordance with international law. Unlike previous deployments of 3rd Fleet units, the 3rd Fleet commander will maintain operational control for the entirety of the PAC SAG deployment as part of a new Pacific Fleet initiative called 3rd Fleet Forward. By maintaining operational control, the 3rd Fleet commander will direct ship movements and activities.

Historically, the U.S. 7th Fleet commander would assume control of ships that cross the international date line into the Western Pacific. The initiative provides more operational flexibility to the combatant commander by applying the command and control capabilities of both numbered fleets based on specific missions rather than geographic areas.

As more units deploy as part of this initiative, 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet forces will complement one another seamlessly in support of security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The PAC SAG will conduct routine patrols, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation activities to enhance regional security and stability. It also expected to also participate in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI). OMSI is a Secretary of Defense program leveraging Department of Defense assets transiting the region to increase the Coast Guard's maritime domain awareness, ultimately supporting its maritime law enforcement operations in Oceania.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

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Yemen's Houthis to join peace talks in Kuwait

Iran Press TV

Wed Apr 20, 2016 10:18AM

Yemen's Houthis say they will be joining talks with representatives of the country's former government in Kuwait after previously avoiding participation due to truce violations by Saudi Arabia.

They agreed to join the UN-mediated talks after receiving assurances from the UN special envoy to Yemen that the ceasefire would be respected, head of Houthis political council Saleh Ali al-Sammad said Wednesday.

Mahdi al-Mashat, a representative of Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi, said the fighters had been assured that the agenda for the talks would be "clear and tackle issues that could help achieve peaceful solutions."

"We will have the right to suspend our participation" if the assurances are not fulfilled, he warned.

A representative of the Houthi-allied General People's Congress party, Yasser Alawadi, said on Twitter that his delegation would travel to Kuwait on Thursday.

A Western diplomat in Kuwait has said the assurances had been given by representatives of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

They had sent a message to the Houthis, saying they understand their fears" and urging them to "quickly join" the talks, the French news agency AFP reported.

The talks had been scheduled for Monday, but the Houthi delegation did not participate, citing violations by Saudi Arabia.

The kingdom has been bombarding the impoverished country since last March to shore up the former Yemeni regime and undermine Ansarullah.

More than 9,400 people have been killed and at least 16,000 others injured since the onset of the Saudi aggression.

The chance of a major breakthrough was missed during talks in the Swiss city of Biel last December, and the negotiations ended with nothing more than an agreement on prisoner exchange amid Saudi violations of a previous ceasefire.

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NATO Chief Says 'Profound Differences' Remain Between Alliance, Russia

April 20, 2016

by RFE/RL

The first meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in almost two years was "frank and serious," and reasserted deep disagreements over the Ukrainian crisis, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said after the talks in Brussels.

The April 20 meeting of the council, which serves as a forum for cooperation between the two sides, ran more than 90 minutes over schedule.

The two sides also discussed military activities of the alliance and Russia, and the security situation in and around Afghanistan, Stoltenberg told a news conference.

"NATO and Russia have profound and persistent differences," Stoltenberg said. "Today's meeting did not change that."

"In the meeting, it was reconfirmed that we disagree on the facts, on the narrative, and the responsibilities in and around Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

Practically all civilian and military cooperation between the alliance and Moscow was suspended in April 2014 following Russia's unrecognized annexation the previous month of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

The council has met only once -- in June 2014 -- since Russia annexed Crimea. However, Stoltenberg has met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on several occasions in recent years and the alliance has stressed that while cooperation had been halted, channels of communication were open.

The April 20 meeting was presented as an opportunity for the two sides to continue their political dialogue, but came amid continuing disagreements over Russia's role in Ukraine, heightened tensions over Moscow's air campaign in Syria, and recent incidents involving the U.S. military and Russian planes in the Baltic Sea.

Following the meeting, Stoltenberg highlighted NATO's differences with Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

"Many allies disagree when Russia tries to portray this as a civil war," he said. "This is Russia destabilizing eastern Ukraine, providing support for the separatists, munitions, funding, equipment, and also command-and-control."

"So there were profound disagreements," he said.

However, the NATO chief also said the meeting was a potential step toward repairing relations, and stressed the need for dialogue.

The allies and Russia "hold very different views but we have listened to what each other has to say. I think we had a very frank, serious, and actually good meeting," Stoltenberg told a news conference.

Ahead of the talks, Stoltenberg had stressed that "dialogue is more important when times are difficult and tensions are high," while also saying that the meeting did not mean that "we are back to business as normal."

Russia's permanent representative to NATO, Aleksandr Grushko, sounded a skeptical note after the meeting.

"If the situation turns toward a positive agenda," Grushko said, "then why not hold another meeting? The problem is that, at this point, we have no positive agenda."

High on the agenda on April 20 were incidents this month involving the Russian and U.S. militaries in the Baltic Sea.

U.S. military officials said that, on April 12, two Russian military jets carried out "aggressive" overflights near a U.S. guided-missile destroyer in "simulated attack profiles" in international waters off the coast of Russia.

The U.S. officials said the Russian Su-24 jets were not armed, but flew so close to the U.S. destroyer and at such a low altitude that they created a "wake in the water."

On April 18, the Pentagon reported what it described as an "unsafe" maneuver by a Russian fighter jet that flew close to a U.S. reconnaissance plane.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said a Russian Su-27 flew less than 15 meters from the wingtip of the U.S. plane in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on April 14.

The council was set up in 2002 as a consultative body. NATO froze formal meetings and some cooperation under the council's auspices in 2008 due to what it called Russia's "disproportionate military action" in Moscow's brief war with Georgia.

With reporting by dpa, AFP, Reuters, and AP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/nato-russia- council-meeting-high-level-talks/27685995.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Officials: Death Toll in Taliban Assault in Kabul Rises to 64

by Ayaz Gul April 20, 2016

Afghan officials said the death toll from Tuesday's Taliban suicide attack in Kabul has risen to at least 64, adding another 347 people were injured.

The latest casualty figures indicate the Tuesday attack was the deadliest insurgent strike in the Afghan capital since the Taliban was ousted from power in 2001.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told a news conference in Kabul Wednesday a high-powered investigation is still underway to determine the circumstances leading to the deadly assault in a high security zone.

The attack targeted an office of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency located in the middle of the city, not far from the presidential palace and the sprawling American embassy.

Officials said the ensuing intense gunfight between the assailants and Afghan security forces, which lasted for several hours, left all the attackers dead, with some blowing themselves up.

Sediqqi said investigations are under way to determine details about the number of attackers but admitted security lapses led to the deadly assault.

A Taliban spokesman swiftly claimed responsibility, saying three heavily armed suicide bombers conducted the raid, calling it "one of the brutal and inhuman organs" of the Kabul government.

Explosives-packed minibus

The spokesman said one of the bombers detonated his explosives-packed minibus in a parking lot outside NDS's VIP Protection Unit Department, making way for the other two to enter the building.

Sediqqi said initial investigations suggest the coordinated attack was jointly conducted by the Taliban and the militant Haqqani network.

The deadly attack is being widely condemned by Afghan and world leaders.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms," saying it "clearly shows the enemy's defeat in the face-to-face battle" with Afghan security forces.

During a White House briefing in Washington Tuesday, Press Secretary Josh Earnest called the suicide bombings a "cowardly attack on Afghan forces and civilians." He said the United States remains committed to supporting the Afghan people and government.

The United Nations Security Council also condemned "in the strongest terms the terrorist attack" in Kabul, expressing in a written statement their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of Afghanistan.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice," the statement said.

It urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities.

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NATO Chief: Differences with Russia 'Profound and Persistent'

by VOA News April 20, 2016

The NATO-Russia Council met Wednesday for the first time since 2014, but the two sides failed to overcome their disagreements over key issues.

Ambassadors from the 28 NATO countries attended the meeting in Brussels, along with a Russian delegation.

The talks were "frank, serious and actually good," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters after the meeting.

Still, he said NATO and Russia "have profound and persistent disagreements"' and that Wednesday's meeting "did not change that."

Stoltenberg said the NATO members made clear during the meeting that "they stand firm in their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and "do not recognize Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea."

He said they also stressed that the "increase in cease-fire violations in eastern Ukraine in recent days" and a recent incident targeting Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitors there were "deeply disturbing."

However, the NATO chief added that all 29 council members agreed "on the need for a full and rapid implementation of the Minsk agreements" signed in 2014 to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Earlier Wednesday, before the council met, Stoltenberg said the meeting would be especially important because of last week's incidents in which the United States accused Russian warplanes of flying extremely close to a U.S. Navy warship in the Baltic Sea.

Russia's ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko, who attended Wednesday's NATO-Russia Council meeting, said the Russian planes had buzzed the USS Donald Cook because it sailed near Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on northern Europe's Baltic Sea coast.

The ship's presence there, he said, was an "attempt to exert pressure on Russia," adding that Russia would "take all necessary precautionary measures in response to this attempted use of military force."

Relations between Russia and NATO members froze after Russia annexed part of eastern Ukraine and an armed conflict began between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russia separatists.

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Fidel Castro Ruz

Cuban President Raul Castro announced on 26 November 2016 that former Cuban President Fidel Castro had died at the age of 90.

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro returned to the main political stage on 19 April 2016, a decade after an intestinal disease took him from power. Castro, 89, appeared before the plenary session of the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC). He pronounced a statement that also sounded like a farewell to the Congress. Soon I should turn 90, said the former president, who was greeted with standing ovations and cheers of Fidel, Fidel by the more than 1,000 delegates and guests. Fidel said, Our turn will come to all of us, and added, Perhaps this will be of the last times I will speak in this hall. Fidel Castro expressed his confidence in the legacy of the Cuban communists during his speech. The former president said he voted for all candidates of the more than 100 members of the new Central Committee and 17 members of the Politburo presented. The ideas of the Cuban communists will remain as proof that, on this planet, if people work with fervor and dignity, they can produce material and cultural goods that humans need and we must fight relentlessly to obtain them, he said. Fidel Castro said that the meaning word 'communist' had been the most distorted and maligned concept of history by those who had the privilege of exploiting the poor.

The Communist leader was born Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz on the 13 August 1926 in Biran, an eastern province of Cuba. He was born into a wealthy landowning family. Growing up in a predominantly Catholic nation, Castro received a Jesuit education. After graduating from high school in 1945, he graduated from Havana University as a lawyer.

In 1945 he was actively involved with student political fights at the University of Havana. After two years, he grew spirited about the lack of social justice in the Cuba. As a result, Castro joined the Partido Ortodoxos which had been newly formed by Eduardo Chibas, a mentor of Castro. In 1947 he joined the organized expedition to fight against the rule of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina, also know as the "trujillista" in the Dominican Republic. In April of 1948, he participated in the popular insurrection in Bogota Colombia, disturbing anti-American literature and partook in violent clashes throughout the city. As a result of his rhetoric and violence he was wanted by Colombian authorities. Castro sought cover, and found it at the Cuban Embassy in Bogota.

Though well educated and raised in a well-to-do family, he was shaken by the contrast between his own comfortable lifestyle and the poverty of so many around him. He thus devoted his life to the Marxist-Leninist school and became a revolutionary. He graduated from law school in 1950 and began practicing law in Havana, where he attempted to represent the poor and underprivileged throughout Havana and Cuba. This prompted him to enter as a candidate for the Cuban parliament. Despite his aspirations to enter parliament, they were soon dashed when General Fulgencio Batista led a bloodless coup d'etat in 1952, over throwing President Carlos Prio Socarras. Batista seized power in a bloodless coup three months before the election was to take place, suspended the balloting, and began ruling by decree.

Fidel Castro, who was running for a seat in the Chamber of Representatives, circulated a petition to depose Batista's government on the grounds that it had illegitimately suspended the electoral process. On 26 July 1953 Castro led a failed attack on the Moncada (one of Batista's largest garrison) army barracks near Santiago de Cuba. Castro and other surviving members of his group managed to escape to a part of the rugged Sierra Maestra Mountains east of Santiago where they were eventually discovered and captured. Castro and other members were jailed and subsequently went into exile in Mexico. While in Mexico, Castro organized the 26th of July Movement with the goal of overthrowing Batista, and the group sailed to Cuba on board the yatch Granma landing in the eastern part of the Cuba in December 1956. Shortly after the arrival most of Castro's men were killed, arrested or they dispersed throughout various regions in southeastern Cuba, particularly the Sierra Maestra Mountains. Castro, with the aid of his brother Raul Castro and the famous revolutionary Che Guevara, among others, staged guerrilla warfare against the Batista government and troops, directed from their hide-outs in the mountains.

Batista's dictatorial rule fueled increasing popular discontent and the rise of active urban resistance groups, a fertile political environment for Castro's 26th of July Movement. Faced with a corrupt and ineffective military itself dispirited by a U.S. Government embargo on weapons sales to Cuba and public indignation and revulsion at his brutality toward opponents, Batista fled.

When Batista and his closest allies escaped to the Dominican Republic in the early hours ofJanuary 1, 1959, power lay in the streets. Of the several groups that fought the Batista regime, the Twenty-Sixth ofJuly Movement had an almost undisputed claim to fill the vacuum left by the dictator. Castro's charisma and his revolutionary prestige made him, in the eyes of the Cuban people, the logical occupant of Batista's vacant chair; he was the man of the hour, the new messiah. The other insurrectionary organizations lacked the mystique, the widespread support, and the organized cadres of Castro's movement.

Castro had unquestionable qualities of leadership. Endowed with an extraordinary gift of oratory and an exceptional memory, he would speak extemporaneously for hours. Like Marti had done years earlier, Castro lectured the Cubans on the evils of their society and the need for profound and rapid changes. The overwhelming majority of the Cubans accepted his leadership enthusiastically. The atmosphere of gloom that had prevailed during the Batista era was now converted into euphoria and hope for the future. Even those who had failed to participate in the anti-Batista struggle ferventlyjoined the revolutionary ranks with a feeling of guilt for their past behavior.

Within months of taking control, Castro moved to consolidate power by marginalizing other resistance figures and imprisoning or executing opponents. As the revolution became more radical, hundreds of thousands of Cubans fled the island. Castro declared Cuba a socialist state on April 16, 1961. For the next 30 years, Castro pursued close relations with the Soviet Union until the demise of the U.S.S.R. in 1991. Relations between the U.S. and Cuba deteriorated rapidly as the Cuban regime expropriated U.S. properties and moved towards adoption of a one-party Communist system. In response, the United States imposed an embargo on Cuba in October 1960, and broke diplomatic relations on January 3, 1961. Tensions between the two governments peaked during the Bay of Pigs Invasion of April 1961 and the October 1962 missile crisis.

Castro was quoted as saying that "There is not Communism or Marxism, but representative democracy and social justice in a well-planned economy." He believed that his ideology was first and foremost Cuban, and could not be branded anything other than such.

On 17 April 1961, the US attempted to topple the Castro government by recruiting a private army of Cuban exiles to invade the island. There were approximately 1,400 members of the CIA-trained Cuban exile force that landed at the Bay of Pigs. Of that 1400, approximately 1000 were captured or killed.

Later that year, in a nationally broadcast speech on December 2, 1961, Castro declared that Cuba was adopting Communism. Futhermore, on February 7, 1962, the US imposed an embargo against Cuba.

Though an embargo was enacted in early 1962 which raised tensions, relations got much worse later that year. In the fall of 1962, a US - U2 reconnaissance plane discovered Soviet missiles on their way to sites in Cuba. To make matters worse, in a personal letter to Khrushchev dated 27 October 1962, Castro pressed him to launch a first strike nuclear attack against U.S. if Cuba were invaded. Though an invasion never materialized, fortunately for the world if that invasion did occur, Khrushchev rejected any first strike response against the U.S. Eventually the situation difused and the Soviets withdrew the the missiles from Cuba, in exchange for a secret withdrawal of US weapons from Turkey.

As a result of the incident, Fidel Castro had become America's worst enemy. The embargo was expanded and assassination attempts against Castro, were conducted and supported by the CIA many times. Since the embargo was strictly enforced in the U.S., with the help of other aligned nations, the Soviet Union transfered vast sums of money into Cuba. The Soviets purchased large amounts of the island's sugar harvest and in exchange for desperately needed goods

Things began to change in the 1980's. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev began cutting trade with Castro. As a result the Cuban economy went into a steady decline and many fled Cuba and went to the U.S., literally by the boat load. Even though the country had been hurt economically, he had been able to hold on to power. He was both beloved and despised throughout his nation, usually impressing the later because the country and himself had survived, despite great pressure from the US. Additionally, a lightly bound 'socialist club' united Castro with the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez. Both leaders were known for their ranting anti-American rhetoric.

The Cuban leader was notorious for his insistence on personally controlling even minute details of programs in policy areas that interest him. During the two years he spent waging his own insurgency against the Batista regime, for example, Castro was known to have a running account of the exact number of bullets his guerrillas had in stock. Later he drove audiences into stupefaction by reciting for hours myriads of statistics and technical details about such subjects as artificial insemination, sugar cane genetics, and soil chemistry. In the 1980s, among many other topics, he endlessly lectured audiences about arcane medical procedures and health trivia, perhaps growing preoccupation with his own mortality and declining vigor.

The regime announced on 31 July 2006 that Fidel Castro was too ill to lead the country and that Raul Castro would be "temporarily" in charge. By January 2007 Fidel Castro appeared very weakened and cachectic, and it was reported publicly that he lost 20 kilograms in just six weeks from his 28 July 2006 emergency abdominal surgery due to hemorrhaging. His 28 October 2006 appearance, in a five-minute video, showed him in an over-sized jogging suit and walking two-three steps as if he were a marionette swinging his arms robot-style to somehow show strength. But it was so obviously overstated as to almost be comical. Although his diagnosis is a "state secret," it appeared that he was terminally ill -- having lost over ten percent of his body weight in such a short time and not being strong enough to walk. Some observers believed that Fidel Castro's non-appearance at 02 December 2006 anniversary events commemorating 50 years of the rebel army and 80 years of his life was the best indicator that he was probably near death.

On 1 August, 2006 an announcement was made that Fidel had temporary ceded power to his brother, Raul after the Cuban leader suffered from health issues which arose from strain while traveling abroad. On 12 September 2006 Cuban Economy Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez announced that Cuba would not follow the Chinese model of communism, opening itself up to private business. "In the hypothetical case that Commandante Fidel remains ill would there be a change in Cuban policy toward a market opening? I can categorically say that is not foreseen, the Cuban people do not want that..."

Castro replaced his brother Fidel Castro as chief of state, president of Cuba, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces on February 24, 2008. The first Communist Party Congress (CPC) since 1997 was held in April 2011, where Raul Castro was officially named first secretary of the Communist Party. Castro made his last public appearance on January 8, 2014 when he participated in a gallery opening for a longtime friend, Cuban artist Alexis Kcho Leyva, also in the capital.

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro made his first public appearance for more than a year in early 2015. The 88 year-old met a Venezuelan delegation which had traveled to the island. Pictures showed Castro shaking supporters hands through the window of a vehicle. Castro made the appearance on 30 March 2015; however, it was only reported by Cuban state media on 04 April. It was the first time that the former Cuban president has been officially seen in public in 14 months.

The announcement of Fidel's death would probably not alter the local security situation in any significant way. Government officials would most likely manage the death announcement and subsequent funeral arrangements, etc., in great detail with a view towards putting the best face on the situation, both domestically and to the world. Utmost care will be given to ensuring that the Cuban public understands that Raul and the rest of the government remain in firm control. The event will be treated with appropriate solemnity, but also designed to achieve maximum propaganda value. It is probable that no announcement will be made until the GOC feels confident that all preparations have been made in accordance with the preceding.

The announcement of Fidel's death would probably not spark either violent demonstrations or a quick surge in migration. The security arrangements and the Cuban people's generally conservative nature after 50 years of repression, combined with still significant admiration for Fidel personally, argue against short term disturbances. Far from generating a surge in migration, the announcement of his death could cause a drop in such activity as Cubans wait to see if Fidel's passing brings any change to the island.

Cuba's aging revolutionary Fidel Castro signaled his continued resistance to smoother relations with the United States, telling Washington, "We do not need the empire to give us any presents." The 89-year-old Castro stayed out sight during US President Barack Obama's March 2016 visit to Cuba, the first by a sitting American leader in nine decades. In a piece titled "Brother Obama," Fidel Castro quoted Obama's declaration that "it is time, now, for us to leave the past behind." But the man who seized power in Cuba in 1959 and ruled it for decades, said, "I imagine that any one of us ran the risk of having a heart attack on hearing these words from the president of the United States."

Fidel seemed irked by the renewed business ties, saying, "No one should pretend that the people of this noble and selfless country will renounce its glory and its rights. We are capable of producing the food and material wealth that we need with work and intelligence of our people."





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Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on 08 September 2022 at her Balmoral residence in Scotland, capping 70 years on the throne and becoming as a result Britain's longest-serving monarch to date.

Elizabeth was born at 17 Bruton St on 21 April 1926 and christened on 29 May 1926 at Buckingham Palace. The Queen's real birthday is 21 April but was officially celebrated in June. Official celebrations to mark Sovereigns' birthday have often been held on a day other than the actual birthday, particularly when the actual birthday had not been in the summer. King Edward VII, for example, was born on 9 November, but his official birthday was marked throughout his reign in May or June when there was a greater likelihood of good weather for the Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour.

Princess Elizabeth was educated at home with Princess Margaret, her younger sister. When her father succeeded to the throne in 1936 after the abdication of King Edward VIII, she became heir presumptive. She started to study constitutional history and law as preparation for her future role. Princess Elizabeth also studied art and music, learned to ride, and became a strong swimmer.

In 1940, at the height of the Blitz, the young Princesses were moved for their safety to Windsor Castle, where they spent most of the war years. In 1947, Princess Elizabeth married Lieutenant Mountbatten, now His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was the son of Prince Andrew of Greece and a great-great-grandson of Queen Victoria. They had four children. Prince Charles, now The Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the throne, was born in 1948, and his sister, Princess Anne, now The Princess Royal, two years later.

In February 1952, while visiting Kenya, Princess Elizabeth received the news of her father's death and her own accession to the throne. The young Princess flew back to Britain as Queen. She was greeted by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and other officials at the airport.

Succeeding her father, George VI, on February 6, 1952, Elizabeth II, at the meeting of the Accession Council on February 8, 1952, declared: "I shall always work as my father did ... to uphold constitutional government and to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples," and "I pray that God will help me to discharge worthily this heavy task." Most will concede that she has lived up to her earlier declaration. Not only had she faithfully carried out her constitutional duties, but she made the monarchy an accepted and popular institution. The high level of interest in the royal family and in royal events is an indicator of the special place that the Queen and her family held in modern life.

The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. In the 1960s, Queen Elizabeth gave birth to Prince Andrew (1960) and Prince Edward (1964). They were the first children to be born to a reigning monarch since Queen Victoria.

In 1979, Elizabeth suffered a great personal loss when Lord Mountbatten, her husband's uncle, died in a terrorist bombing. Mountbatten and several members of his family were aboard his boat on August 29, off the west coast of Ireland, when the vessel exploded. He and three others, including one of his grandsons, were killed. The IRA (Irish Republican Army), which opposed British rule in Northern Ireland, took responsibility for the attack.

The rocky marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana made headlines for years before the couple announced plans to divorce in 1992. Prince Andrew's union with Sarah Ferguson ended up in the tabloids as well, with photos of Sarah and another man engaged in romantic activity splashed across the front papers. And the queen's own husband has inspired numerous public relations headaches with his off-the-cuff, edgy comments and rumors of possible infidelities.

In 1977, Britain and the Commonwealth celebrated the Queens 25 years on the Throne  her Silver Jubilee. These were followed by celebrations marking her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002 and her Diamond Jubilee (60 years) in 2012. In September 2015, The Queen overtook Queen Victoria and become Britains longest reigning monarch.

In her traditional Christmas message to the nation, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II reflected on her bittersweet memories of 2002. It was a year filled with festivities marking her half-century on the throne. But it was also a year which saw the death of the queen's mother, The Queen Mother, and her younger sister, Princess Margaret.

High-spirited and unconventional, Princess Margaret did it her way. And it was her individuality that was remembered most by the British. In many ways, she was the Princess Diana of her generation. In the '50s and '60s, she loved going out on the town, rubbing shoulders with the showbiz set. But heavy smoking and drinking would take their toll in her later years. In the mid-80s Princess Margaret had part of a lung removed following a cancer scare, and a series of strokes over the years all but took her out of the public spotlight.

The Queen carried out all of her duties against the backdrop of a full personal life which saw her raise four children and welcome grandchildren, and then great-grandchildren to the Royal Family. The Duke of Edinburgh was  in her own words  her strength and stay during her reign, whilst other members of the Royal Family offered vital support through their work in the UK and overseas.

Elizabeth II ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a much loved and respected figure across the globe. Her extraordinary reign saw her travel more widely than any other monarch, undertaking many historic overseas visits. Known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service, she was an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social change.

Her Majesty continued to carry out a full programme of engagements, from visits to charities and schools, to hosting visiting Heads of State, to leading the nation in Remembrance and celebratory events - all supported by other members of the Royal Family.

The Queen saw public and voluntary service as one of the most important elements of her work. The Queen has links - as Royal Patron or President - with over 600 charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations. These varied from well-established international charities to smaller bodies working in a specialist area or on a local basis only.

Her patronages and charities covered a wide range of issues, from opportunities for young people, to the preservation of wildlife and the environment. Having Her Majesty as Royal patron or president provided vital publicity for the work of these organisations, and allowed their enormous achievements and contributions to society to be recognised.

As Sovereign The Queen had important and distinct constitutional relationships with the Established Churches of England and Scotland, dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. As Head of the Nation and Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty also recognised and celebrated other faiths in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth.

The Sovereign holds the title 'Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England'. These titles date back to the reign of King Henry VIII, who was initially granted the title 'Defender of the Faith' in 1521 by Pope Leo X. When Henry VIII renounced the spiritual authority of the Papacy in 1534 he was proclaimed 'supreme head on earth' of the Church of England. This was repealed by Queen Mary I but reinstated during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was proclaimed 'Supreme Governor' of the Church of England.

The Queen's relationship with the Church of England was symbolised at the Coronation in 1953 when Her Majesty was anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and took an oath to "maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England".

The Queen was, of course, associated with the Corgi. The breed was introduced to the Royal Family by her father, King George VI, in 1933 when he bought a Corgi called Dookie from a local kennels. The animal proved popular with his daughters and was described as unquestionably the character of the Princesses delightful canine family and a born sentimentalist. A second Corgi was acquired called Jane who had puppies, two of which, Crackers and Carol, were kept. For her eighteenth birthday, The Queen was given a Corgi named Susan from whom numerous successive dogs were bred. Some Corgis were mated with dachsunds (most notably Pipkin, who belonged to Princess Margaret) to create Dorgis. The Queens corgis traveled with her to the various residences, with Her Majesty looking after them herself as much as possible given her busy schedule.

Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, died 09 April 2021 at Windsor Castle near London. He was 99 years old. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, had returned to Windsor Castle on March 16 after spending a month in hospital, where he underwent a heart procedure. Prince Philip, a great-great-grandchild of Queen Victoria, was born into the Greek royal family. He married Queen Elizabeth in 1947 before her accession to the throne. The couple had four children, including Prince Charles. Prince Philip participated in many official duties with the Queen and supported her for more than 70 years. His frank remarks sometimes caused controversy, in contrast to the Queen, who is famous for her prudence. In a speech she gave to mark the 50th anniversary of their marriage, Queen Elizabeth said of her husband, "He has been my strength, and I and his whole family owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know." The Duke of Edinburgh retired from all official duties in 2017. He rarely made public appearances after that time.

In her dispatch for the New York Times about the riches-to-rags-to-riches arc of Philips life, former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown avoided any reference to the princes documented, unflattering history of nastiness, intolerance and racism and wrote a love story about a poor refugee and a shy, besotted princess. It was a love match from the start, Brown wrote of the courtship between the rootless prince and the English princess. Alas, by her own account, the love match may not have endured, since, cliche alert, the devastatingly handsome prince often strayed. Though his eye was rumored to rove, his devotion to the queen cannot be questioned, she wrote.

Absent from the Netflix drama The Crown was Philips unapologetic fondness for demeaning one-liners about women and people of color. Prince Philips disagreeable habit of making reactionary gaffes were widely excused as the unfortunate musings of an irascible curmudgeon who, according to Tina Brown, was simply impatient with fools. During a visit to China in 1986, the irascible prince shared the following definitely not racist advice with a British student: If you stay here much longer, you will go home with slitty eyes. In 1994, the jolly elderly prince made this definitely not slanderous remark to his Cayman Island hosts: Arent most of you descended from pirates? While on a royal tour to Papua New Guinea in 1998, the cheeky, but definitely not racist prince, asked one lucky Brit : You managed not to get eaten then? As if to prove that his penchant for ugly stereotypes extended to his loyal subjects in Scotland, the prince posed this definitely not racist question to a local driving instructor: How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to pass the test?

Hamid Dabashi, the Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, noted that Prince Philips racism was actually quite priceless because it came so naturally to him. He was not faking it. He was not trying to offend anyone. He was offensive. This was who he was  and the long panoply of his racist, sexist, elitist, misogynistic, class-privileged and unhinged prejudices was a mobile museum of European bigotry on display. The Duke of Edinburgh had done the world an extraordinary service by being who he was, by staging generous servings of his bigoted disposition. His xenophobic bigotry was pure, his sense of class entitlement undiluted, unencumbered, uncensored, liberated from any inkling of bourgeois inhibitions. The kind of bigotry that Prince Philip exuded and staged was considered rude and vulgar, old-fashioned and outmoded. The Prince was the repository of all the colonial past and all the class privileges of the present.

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9/11 Bill That Angers Saudi Arabia Finds Support in Congress

by Michael Bowman April 19, 2016

One day before President Barack Obama is to arrive in Saudi Arabia, U.S. senators of both parties indicated varying levels of support for legislation that has infuriated Riyadh and drawn criticism from the White House.

The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act would make it easier for families of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks to sue foreign governments deemed to have aided al-Qaida. Although the bill's language singles out no individual country and could be applied to any terrorist group, it is widely seen as targeting Saudi Arabia, the nation of origin of many 9/11 plotters.

"We should use every means available to prevent the funding of terrorism. And the victims of terrorism in our country should be able to seek justice," said Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who wrote the bill with New York Democrat Chuck Schumer.

"It is my hope that this legislation will serve as an effective deterrent and make foreign governments think twice before sending money to terrorist groups who target our homeland," Cornyn added in a floor speech Tuesday.

The White House is warning of unintended consequences, saying the bill undermines an international legal norm that has benefited the United States on the world stage.

"The whole notion of sovereign immunity is at stake. And it is one that has more significant consequences for the United States than any other country," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Monday.

Saudi Arabia has long denied any role in the 9/11 attacks. Last week, The New York Times quoted Saudi officials as saying they would sell off hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. assets if the Cornyn-Schumer bill becomes law.

The legislation was approved in committee earlier this year and could be taken up by the full Senate at any moment. For now, even some of the president's most loyal Democratic lieutenants in the chamber are on record supporting the bill or say they are inclined to do so.

"I would lean in favor of it, but I'm going to read the 28 pages before I make a definitive decision," Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer of California told VOA.

The "28 pages" refers to a classified portion of a congressional report on the 9/11 attacks widely believed to have delved into possible ties between Saudi elements and the hijackers who in 2001 committed the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

Boxer indicated she is not swayed by the White House's opposition to the bill.

"I'm not the president of the United States. I'm a member of the Senate, and my job is to look out for the rights of the people of this country," she said.

In an unusual twist, one of Obama's toughest foreign policy critics said  in this case  the White House's concerns are valid.

"Groups that we see as terrorists, other countries see as allies," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told VOA.

Graham said the bill must make clear that only direct backing for terror operations  not generalized support for a terrorist group  can be the subject of a civil lawsuit in U.S. courts. If the legislation's language is too broad, international protections the United States enjoys could be eroded.

"We want to make sure this thing [the bill] is as tight as it can be," the senator said. "During Bosnia, we hit the Chinese embassy. We hit a Doctors Without Borders hospital [in Afghanistan]. We don't want to put our soldiers and our diplomats at risk by setting a precedent that could come back to haunt us."

Even so, Graham expressed confidence that the bill's language can be clarified to alleviate his concerns and earn his support.

The legislation is one of many thorny topics likely to arise during Obama's trip to Saudi Arabia.

"The Saudis see the administration's engagement with Iran as a threat to them," said Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, adding that, while the administration continues to call Saudi Arabia an important ally, "[U.S.] actions, they feel, belie those words."

"The administration is going to be going into some difficult meetings. The president has a real challenge in assuring the Saudis that we are truly going to be a continuing ally," Menendez said.

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Saudi 9/11 legislation hits roadblock in US Congress

Iran Press TV

Wed Apr 20, 2016 2:19PM

Legislation allowing Americans to hold the Saudi ruling family accountable in US courts for any role in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has encountered significant obstacles in the US Congress.

The bill, proposed by Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer and Republican John Cornyn, if passed, would take away immunity from foreign governments in cases "arising from a terrorist attack that kills an American on American soil."

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a co-sponsor of the legislation, on Tuesday announced that he had placed a hold on it, despite the willingness of some Democratic senators to defy President Barack Obama, who has indicated that he would veto the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act."

Meanwhile, Republican Speaker Paul Ryan publicly voiced concerns about the bill, dramatically slowing the momentum for it in the House of Representatives.

The Republican moves could boost the Obama administration, which has struggled to convince lawmakers that the bill could put Americans at legal risk overseas if other nations were to pass reciprocal laws that remove foreign immunity in their courts, and damage relations with Saudi Arabia.

The White House praised Republican legislators for not pushing for the bill.

"I was gratified to see Speaker Ryan indicate his shared concern about the potential unintended consequences of this bill," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Tuesday.

"We're obviously gratified that there are other Republicans who have taken a close look at this legislation," he added.

Meanwhile, several Democrats indicated on Tuesday that they are willing to support the legislation despite strong opposition from the White House.

"I support it, and most everyone in the caucus supports it," Minority Leader Harry Reid told reporters. "I think we should move forward on this legislation."

Senator Schumer acknowledged that President Obama probably is not "on board."

"These families lost loved ones through terrorism. If the Saudis were complicit  if the Saudi government was complicit in that terrorism  they should pay the price," he said.

"I don't know what [Obama's] analysis is based on, but I think this is an appropriate change in the law," Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said.

The September, 11, 2001 attacks, also known as the 9/11 attacks, were a series of strikes in the US which killed nearly 3,000 people and caused about $10 billion worth of property and infrastructure damage.

US officials assert that the attacks were carried out by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists  15 of them were Saudi citizens -- but many independent researchers have raised questions about the official account.

They believe that rogue elements within the US government orchestrated or at least encouraged the 9/11 attacks in order to accelerate the US war machine and advance the Zionist agenda.

Analysts argue that Saudi Arabia only played a minor role in 9/11, but the operation was essentially carried out by Israeli and American intelligence agencies to destroy the seven countries in five years, that were enemies or threats to the Zionist regime.

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US Supreme Court upholds ruling to seize Iranian assets

Iran Press TV

Wed Apr 20, 2016 4:30PM

The US Supreme Court has upheld Congress and President Barack Obama's actions to hold Iran financially responsible for the 1983 bombing that killed 241 Marines at their barracks in the Lebanese capital city of Beirut.

The 6-2 ruling on Wednesday allowed the families of the Marines and victims of other attacks that courts have linked to Iran to seize some $2 billion in assets held in New York's Citibank, belonging to Bank Markazi, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), which has been blocked under US sanctions.

The Supreme Court determined that a law passed by Congress did not dictate to the courts how to handle the dispute despite appeals by the CBI.

In 2012, Congress passed a law that specifically directed the American bank to turn over the Iranian assets to victims' families. Obama also entered the battle in an effort to force the payments on Iran.

Iran, however, argued that Obama and Congress were intruding into the business of federal courts, a practice banned by the US Constitution.

"The US judicial apparatus, with the support of the country's administration and Congress, has been issuing and enacting rulings against the Islamic Republic of Iran for years, violating basic principles of international law with recourse to unsubstantiated and baseless allegations," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said in December last year.

Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg rejected the view on Wednesday, saying the legislation "does not transgress restraints placed on Congress and the president by the Constitution."

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, with Roberts stating that "the authority of the political branches is sufficient; they have no need to seize ours."

The case involves over 1,300 plaintiffs, who have demanded compensation over several attacks, namely the Beirut bombing, and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia.

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Obama, Salman meet in Riyadh amid 9/11 controversy

Iran Press TV

Wed Apr 20, 2016 3:5PM

US President Barack Obama has met with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on a trip aimed to mend increasingly strained ties with the long-time Middle Eastern ally.

Obama met King Salman shortly after arriving in the capital Riyadh on Wednesday, kicking off two days of tense talks with the Saudis and Washington's other Persian Gulf allies.

"I and the Saudi people are very pleased that you, Mr. President, are visiting us here in the kingdom," the monarch said at the beginning of the meeting at Riyadh's Erga Palace.

Obama in response thanked Salman for hosting him and arranging the upcoming [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) summit which is slated to be held on Thursday.

"The American people send their greetings, and we are very grateful for your hospitality," Obama said.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of a growing fight in Washington over whether to publicly release documents that may implicate the Riyadh regime in the planning of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York.

Riyadh has threatened to sell off $750 billion in US assets if Congress passes a bill that would allow American citizens to sue the Saudi government for any role it may have had in the attacks that killed 3,000 people.

If the bill is passed by the Republican-dominated Congress, Saudi assets in American could be frozen upon court order.

The White House has indicated that Obama would not hesitate to veto the legislation.

The Obama administration has also come under pressure by a bipartisan group of lawmakers to release 28 pages of a 2002 congressional report on 9/11.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers involved in the attacks were Saudi citizens but the monarchy has long denied any role in the attacks.

Meeting with Persian Gulf allies

Obama will also attend the annual [P]GCC summit tomorrow to discuss the military campaign against the Daesh Takfiri group in Iraq and Syria.

Washington has long sought to convince its Arab allies to step up their contributions to the US-led coalition that has been targeting alleged Daesh position in Syria and Iraq since 2014.

Leaders from Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will also be attending Thursday's summit.

The American head of state will be joined at the summit of the six-nation alliance by Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Secretary of State John Kerry.

Carter met with his Saudi counterpart Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday, affirming the longtime security partnership between their countries.

The Fifth Fleet of the US Navy protects shipments in the Persian Gulf, including the oil tankers carrying Saudi crude.

Saudi Arabia is the largest buyer of US military hardware, and those arms sales have expanded under Obama, with more than $100 billion approved in 2015 alone.

The US continues to support the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has left nearly 9,400 people dead, including 4,000 women and children.

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Obama, Saudi King Meet as Disagreements Persist

by Mary Alice Salinas April 20, 2016

U.S. President Barack Obama has met with Saudi Arabia's King Salman in Riyadh amid increasingly tense relations and persistent differences over how to combat terrorism and regional conflicts.

They offered warm greetings before their two-hour closed meeting Wednesday at Erga Palace.

Salman told Obama he and the Saudi people are "very pleased" about the visit, the U.S. leader's fourth as president.

Obama responded, "The American people send their greetings." He also thanked the king for hosting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit on Thursday.

The United States and its Arab partners will address pressing issues facing the region at the summit, which will be attended by the GCC alliance of six Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

It appears fundamentally different priorities and strategies on combating terrorism and bringing stability to the region will keep Washington and Riyadh at odds on a range of key challenges.

Competing priorities

The United States and much of Europe see Islamic State and al-Qaida as the top threats in the region and around the world. For many of the Gulf states, though, the main threat is Iran and the people and groups Tehran supports, like Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Shi'ite Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Sunni-majority Saudis have led a costly military intervention against the Houthis.

The White House said Obama and GCC leaders will look at ways to step up cooperation, and "align" their policies and approaches in areas of mutual interest, such as countering terrorism and promoting peace and stability in places like Yemen and Syria.

Speaking Wednesday at the GCC Defense Ministerial at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said the United States and GCC nations were "building on that strong partnership" that has lasted for decades.

A senior defense official said the two major focuses of Carter's visit are countering Iran's destabilizing activities and defeating the Islamic State.

In an interview that raised questions about the state of U.S.-Saudi relations, Obama referred to the Saudis as "free riders" in the battle against Islamic State, implying Riyadh benefits from the U.S. security umbrella without sharing the burden.

'Nature of threat'

Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said, "The nature of the threat from ISIL [Islamic State] is not restricted to the targeting of one nation."

Rob Malley, White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, says sectarian fights, like the one in Yemen, shift the focus away from the coalition's battle against Islamic State and al-Qaida. So, he said, the White House is seeking to de-escalate those conflicts.

Saudi Arabia, which faces shrinking revenues with the downturn in oil prices, is working to build up its missile systems as regional rival Iran continues to bolster its military capabilities.

"Iran does not stop improving its air, missiles and naval capabilities to threaten traffic through the Gulf," said Anthony Cordesman, who holds the Arleigh Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Mutual interests, cooperation

Despite philosophical differences, the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is solid, according to Fahad Nazer, a senior political analyst with JTG Inc. and former adviser at the Saudi embassy in Washington.

"The two countries continue to support each other in the military campaigns that each of them is leading," Nazer said. "Not only has Saudi Arabia been participating in the ongoing U.S.-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."

He pointed to U.S. intelligence and logistical support to the Saudi-led campaign against Houthi rebels.

"I think that many of the myriad mutual interests that have sustained this relationship since the 1940's will sustain it for the future," Nazer predicted.

White House officials agreed the two sides would continue to work as partners to combat terrorism, help secure the region and counter Iran's destabilizing actions.

"I don't think that there can be any confusion or ambiguity about who is our partner in the region and who isn't," Malley said.

Summit outcomes

After the summit, officials are expected to announce new defense assistance for the GCC and increased cooperation.

White House officials say the assistance will include a simplified process for transferring defense capabilities to Gulf nations, plans to boost the GCC's ballistic defense missile defense system and increased defense against cyber threats.

Expectations for significant outcomes from this summit are low, especially during a presidential election year.

"The Saudis obviously are looking at a situation where you have presidential candidates that as yet have not really provided any clear indication as to what the United States will be as an ally in the future," Cordesman said.

Cecily Hilleary in Washington contributed to this report.

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What's Behind Saudi Arabia's Changing Foreign Policy?

by Cecily Hilleary April 20, 2016

As President Obama begins talks in Saudi Arabia, U.S. lawmakers are questioning the expanded Saudi military role in the region as well as Washington's longstanding alliance with Riyadh.

"I'm increasingly worried the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen is not supporting U.S. national security interests," said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), who has introduced a bill to halt munitions sales to Riyadh, believing the chaos in Yemen has made it easier for jihadists to operate.

Separately, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is pushing a bill that would allow families of 9/11 victims to sue foreign sponsors of terrorism in federal courts. Victims' families also are demanding the release of 28 pages removed from a congressional report on 9/11 that some believe would reveal Saudi involvement in the attacks.

But are they misreading the Saudi position?

Triad of power

In the year since he assumed the throne, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz has instituted a series of economic and policy reforms designed to manage two threats:

"One is the rise of Iran as a regional power, to prevent it from dominating the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East in general," said Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. "And the second is to counter the regional and especially domestic internal threat coming from Salafist jihadist groups  ISIS and al-Qaida."

King Salman dismissed the former crown prince and replaced him with nephew Mohammed bin Nayef, the first of the younger generation of princes in line for the throne. Formerly chief of counterterrorism, Prince Mohammed successfully fought al-Qaida inside the kingdom and was viewed as well-placed to fight Islamic State.

The king also named his son Mohammed bin Salman as deputy crown prince and defense minister, giving him significant power over oil and military policies.

Together, the three have taken actions and initiatives widely perceived as aggressive:

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and regional allies launched military strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and began building a new naval base in Jazan near the Yemen border.

In October 2015, it announced a new defense policy "to defend the homeland, protect Saudi citizens, secure national interests, bolster defense of partner states and strengthen inter-agency partnerships."

A month later, Saudi Arabia announced it had formed a 34-country (mainly Sunni) Islamic Military Alliance to coordinate efforts to fight and defeat terrorism.

In January, Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shi'ite cleric, and when protesting Shi'ites burned the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, Riyadh broke diplomatic relations with Iran.

Defensive, not offensive

Ibish doesn't view the Saudi actions as "aggressive" so much as "pro-active" in the face of rising Iranian and jihadist influence in the region.

"I think the Saudis feel really exposed," Ibish said. "They used to look across the Gulf and see this large Iraqi army as a buffer, but it's not there anymore. They see Iran's influence expanding into Yemen, into Bahrain and eastern Saudi Arabia, and they see the Syria crisis as basically an Iranian victory backed by the Russians."

At stake are Saudi Arabia's political influence in the Middle East, control of shipping in the Gulf and enormous oil reserves.

He also says Saudi Arabia believes it can no longer count on its traditional ally, the U.S., to defend or arm it. This is due in part to the Obama administration's widely touted "Asia pivot," shifting attention and resources to the Asia-Pacific.

The U.S. failed to act on the declared "red line" of chemical weapons use in Syria, which Saudis viewed as evidence it had turned its back on its Sunni allies.

And the Iran nuclear deal was the final straw for the Saudis, who feared the lifting of sanctions would strengthen Iran's hand in the region.

Fahad Nazer, senior political analyst with JTG, Inc., said in an email that, "While President Obama appears to believe that the national interest of the United States is best served by keeping some distance from the turmoil in the Middle East, the Saudis seem to have concluded that their national security interests are best served by assuming a leadership position in the region. This new approach is also not averse to the use of force when necessary."

Economic reform

But force costs money. Saudi Arabia spent $87 billion on its military last year, beating out Russia to become the world's third biggest military spender. But that's money it can ill afford to spend, given plunging oil prices.

Now, the kingdom must find ways to make up a $98 billion budget shortfall and fund its military ventures.

In a recent interview, Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the kingdom will shortly launch a plan to move away from dependence on oil and encourage investment. He said it will involve selling shares in Aramco, the state-owned oil company, privatizing government services, beefing up tourism and imposing taxes.

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Opposition does not represent Syrian nation: Syria's chief negotiator

Iran Press TV

Wed Apr 20, 2016 2:54PM

Syria's chief negotiator in peace talks says the so-called opposition group High Negotiations Committee (HNC), which suspended its participation in the negotiations, does not represent the Syrian people.

"To begin with, they (the HNC) do not represent the Syrian people," Bashar al-Ja'afari said on Wednesday, adding, "Quite on the contrary, by leaving, they may be taking away a major obstacle that will allow us to reach a solution."

Ja'afari, who also serves as Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, made the remarks at a news conference in the Swiss city of Geneva after meeting with Ramzy Ezzedine Ramzy, the UN's deputy special envoy to Syria.

His comments came one day after some leaders of the Saudi-backed HNC left the latest round of the peace talks, which began in Geneva on April 13, to protest at what they called escalating violence and restrictions on humanitarian access in Syria.

HNC coordinator, Riyad Hijab, said he was leaving Geneva along with some of his colleagues from the opposition group, adding that the process will continue gradually until Friday.

Ja'afari noted that his meeting with UN official shows the Syrian government's "serious and positive" engagement in the Geneva talks

A political solution to the crisis in Syria consists of the formation of a national unity government, an amended constitution and parliamentary elections, he added.

Any group that thinks otherwise is "living an illusion" and is "wasting their time and ours," the Syrian diplomat went on to say.

Opposition not serious in settling Syria crisis

In a relevant development on Wednesday, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad said the suspension of participation in the talks by the Riyadh-backed opposition delegation is part of their "acrobatic moves."

The opposition's move proved their lack of seriousness in reaching a political solution to the conflict gripping the Arab country, Syria's official news agency, SANA, quoted Mekdad as saying upon his arrival in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

He added that the opposition does not make its own decisions, as it holds allegiances, particularly to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar.

Syria has been grappling with a deadly conflict it blames on some foreign states for more than five years. The militancy has left over 470,000 people dead so far, according to a February report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research.

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Turkey rejects PKK calls for negotiations: Opposition leader

Iran Press TV

Wed Apr 20, 2016 4:19PM

The Turkish government has rejected a call made a few months ago by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group to return to negotiations with Ankara, a pro-Kurdish opposition leader says.

"A few months ago, we were in contact with Qandil (PKK) in an effort to return to the negotiating table. The government knew that we were working for this but the government rejected it," Selahattin Demirtas, co-leader of the pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), said at a press conference in Istanbul on Wednesday.

A ceasefire between the outlawed PKK and the Turkish government collapsed last July. Since then, attacks by PKK militants against Turkish forces have increased.

Ankara has been also engaged in a large-scale campaign against the PKK in its southern border region in the past few months. The Turkish military has been conducting offensives against the positions of the militant group in northern Iraq as well.

The Turkish military operations began in the wake of a deadly July 2015 bombing in the southern Turkish town of Suruc. More than 30 people died in the attack, which the Turkish government blamed on the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

After the bombing, the PKK militants, who accuse the Ankara government of supporting Daesh, engaged in a series of attacks against Turkish police and security forces, prompting the Turkish military operations.

The PKK launched its insurgency against Turkey in 1984. So far, more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

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Pittsylvania County Schools is considering drug testing its student-athletes. While nothing has been decided, school board members have asked the superintendent to investigate a testing program.

The Virginia General Assembly allows local school districts to drug test student-athletes, and the Virginia Department of Education has rules for the procedure.

We know its there, but I dont think we have a problem more than anywhere else, school board chairman Calvin Doss said.  Its going to have to be a budget expense because its a substantial amount of money.

As a condition of making the team, student-athletes would have to agree to be randomly tested. If the test was positive, they could be kicked off the team, but they still could go to school. Students would have a chance to appeal a positive test.

At this point, wed like to know what the danger is  students using illegal drugs, legal non-prescription drugs, prescription drugs used legally or illegally or what are called performance-enhancing drugs.

And if a student-athlete tests positive, shouldnt testing be combined with some sort of post-test treatment program?

Doss is correct this could wind up being costly for a cash-strapped public school system. But at this point, were just not sure how bad the problem is.

Board member George Henderson  who has experience as a youth and college umpire  first brought the idea to other board members.

Weve got a problem. We might as well face it, Henderson said during the boards meeting April 12.

Doss believes the earliest a drug testing program could be started is the 2017-18 school year, but before that happens, he would want to know how many drug-related discipline issues occur in county schools and  more importantly  Doss wants meetings with parents.

Those are good first steps, of course. No one wants school children using illegal drugs or even using legal drugs illegally. But wed like to know how much of a problem this is in Pittsylvania County.

Todays high school students dont have long before their future employers will want to drug test them when they apply for a job.

Its a part of life.

But it also can be expensive and wind up finding far fewer kids with a problem than what once was suspected. Pittsylvania County Schools is right to take a slow path to this change. In the absence of hard evidence to the contrary, were just not sure of the value of testing student-athletes for drugs.
To the editor:

I read the Danville Register & Bee on a regular basis, and at least two times recently I have seen the trash or solid waste of Pittsylvania County mentioned, so of course, this must be irritating to the editors since they say myself and Supervisor Tim Barber helped create a budgetary mess, (County has no real plan yet for trash fee shortfall, April 10, page A10).

Lets see if we cant help straighten this out. First, I have been on the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors starting my fifth year, and I realize the solid waste fee must be removed due to the cost to the citizens of Pittsylvania County and the Callands/Gretna District. It is no secret the solid waste fee has brought hardship and devastation to campgrounds, trailer parks, real estate and businesses in the Callands/Gretna District and Pittsylvania County.

So this brings up another item from Section 15.2-2159 of the Code of Virginia, which says the Solid Waste Fee shall not exceed the actual cost incurred by Pittsylvania County (the County) in procuring, developing, maintaining and improving its Landfill and for such reserves as may be necessary for capping and closing such Landfill in the future.

The amount the solid waste household fees collected for:

 2013, $1.72 million;

 2014, $1.54 million;

 2015, $1.6 million; and

 2016 (up to Feb. 29) $835,371.

The total collected for less than four years was $5.63 million. If I were a county administrator, I could assure all persons I would not want to lose that money either. How easy my job would be.

Now, let me touch on your statement, It wasnt known how the board of supervisors would make up the money from loss of defeating the Solid Waste Fee.

The newest members of the Board of Supervisors had not taken office yet, but I had received information before the election that Pittsylvania Countys share of tax money from the installation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline would come to $1.8 million per year, and I informed the supervisors this during an open meeting of the board of supervisors Sept. 8, 2015, when I requested from our county administrator the amount of taxes from the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Since the highest amount we had received from the solid waste fee was approximately $1.7 million per year, we actually would equal that money and save in excess of $30,000 per year. This would certainly make up the difference in the solid waste fee removal.

The facts above are simple and truthful due to citizens in the meeting room who taped and videoed the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors meeting Sept. 8. Elton Blackstock and Jessie Barksdale both were present at the meeting.

Was this budget a farce to obtain more tax dollars? Actually, this was the meeting Elton Blackstock raised his hands in the air stating he was running for office also and he was voting against the solid waste fees, and he wasnt forced to do that.

So, Mr. Editor, you asked how we could make up the lost money from the solid waste fee, and Ive listed one way, but there are other ways to make that money up. How about cutting wasteful spending? I think it would be wise to have all the information before you print it.

JERRY A. HAGERMAN

Gretna
City of Danville leaders gathered Tuesday to dedicate a propane autogas fueling station that will service a growing fleet of propane-powered vehicles.

So far, the fleet includes eight light-duty service trucks, one sport utility vehicle and one mass transit bus. The City will add more vehicles as the budget allows.

We are experiencing many successes in our city, from our downtown River District and its many milestones to this initiative in energy in our city, Saunders said at the ceremony. Danville is on the move, and I am proud to be a resident of Danville.

Vice Mayor Gary Miller and council members John Gilstrap, Alonzo Jones and Lee Vogler joined Saunders at the ceremony, which officially marked Danvilles status as one of a growing number of localities across the nation in the use of alternative fuel to power vehicle fleets.

With the use of propane, the City is achieving a greener fuel initiative while saving on costs.

Currently, the City is purchasing 200 to 300 gallons of propane a week at $1.10 a gallon. That price is 35 to 40 percent less than the current cost of gasoline. Later this year, the City plans to install an 18,000-gallon tank in order to purchase propane in bulk. By purchasing in bulk, the cost of propane will drop to 60 cents a gallon or less.

The commitment to converting a portion of the Citys fleet to propane began after a lengthy investigation into powering vehicles with alternative fuels. Public Works Administrative Division Director Barry Doebert said the first alternatives studied were electric drive vehicles and compressed natural gas-powered vehicles.

We looked at running our sedans and light duty trucks on electricity, but it was prohibitive because of the low mileage that each charge provided, Doebert said. To use compressed natural gas, we would have had to spend $1 million to install a fueling facility. That was just too cost prohibitive.

At City Councils request, Doebert said staff explored the use of propane. We found that the startup costs were not that high, Doebert said.

The City began purchasing conversion kits, which cost about $7,500 per vehicle. The fueling station was installed in November at a cost of $30,000.

Of the 10 current propane-powered vehicles, nine were converted from gasoline-only fuel. The conversion kits installed on these vehicles allow them to operate on propane as well as regular gasoline. Doebert said no issues have developed since their conversion.

Two weeks ago, Danville Transit placed into service its first propane only-powered mass transit bus. This bus primarily is used for the Reserve A Ride service. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation provided the money to purchase the bus.

Transportation Director Marc Adelman said a second propane-powered bus is scheduled to arrive this summer. It will be a 28-passenger bus for use in fixed route service. The state agency also will pay for the purchase of this bus.

Over the next three years, it is possible that more than half of the Danville Transit fleet could be propane-powered vehicles, Adelman said at the ceremony. The transit service is proud to operate low carbon vehicles that help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I think our passengers are going to enjoy the propane-powered vehicles. It is a much quieter ride than the diesel vehicles we use.

Adelman also said the propane-powered vehicles will require less maintenance than diesel engines.

In addition to Danville Transit, the Public Works Department later this month will evaluate bids for the purchase of two heavier duty vehicles that will run on propane. These trucks will be equipped with clamshell buckets for use in collecting discarded household furniture and appliances, debris and yard waste.

The City currently operates and maintains a total fleet of about 350 vehicles.
Pre-Tax NPV5% of $104 million, IRR of 74%, and Pre-Production Capex of $20 million

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Apr 20, 2016) - Pure Gold Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE:PGM) ("Pure Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") on its 100%-owned Madsen Gold Project ("Madsen") in the Red Lake mining district of Ontario, Canada. The PEA provides a base case assessment of developing a portion of the mineral resources by utilizing existing mining infrastructure, including the permitted mill and tailings facilities.

"Madsen is a unique Canadian gold project with a long history of high-grade gold production. The base case PEA provides an ideal foundation for targeted growth as we look to expand the potential economics through an accelerated exploration program," stated Darin Labrenz, President and CEO of Pure Gold. "The study demonstrates the value of the existing permitted infrastructure, outlining a low capital option with attractive returns based solely on a portion of the existing mineral resource. It provides a blue print for expansion, and our primary focus now is on mineral resource growth near the historic mine site with a view to increasing the existing resource and enhancing the robust base case economics."

PEA HIGHLIGHTS

Base case parameters assume a gold price of US$1,175/oz and an exchange rate (US$ to C$) of 0.80.

All currencies are reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.

Pre-Tax NPV 5% and IRR of $104 million and 74% respectively with a 1.5 year payback period

and IRR of $104 million and 74% respectively with a 1.5 year payback period After-tax NPV 5% and IRR of $76 million and 62% respectively with a 1.5 year payback period

and IRR of $76 million and 62% respectively with a 1.5 year payback period Mine life of 6.5 years with average annual gold production of 47,191 ounces and peak annual gold production of approximately 58,000 ounces

Life of mine ("LOM") diluted head grade of 8.3 g/t gold

Mine plan considers only a portion of the existing mineral resource that is within 600 metres of surface and accessible via the existing ramp

Pre-production capital cost estimated at $20.1 million with a 12 month pre-production period

LOM sustaining capital costs estimated at $39.2 million

LOM cash cost of US$571/oz(1) and LOM cash cost plus sustaining cost of US$692/oz

(1) Cash cost includes mining cost, mine-level G&A, mill and refining cost

The PEA was prepared by Nordmin Engineering Ltd., Mining Services Division of Sudbury, Ontario ("Nordmin"). Nordmin reported on the scoping-level capital costs, operating costs, and project economics associated with the potential development of the Madsen mineral resource.

The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that PEA results will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

All figures are stated in Canadian Dollars ("C$") unless otherwise noted. The Technical Report pursuant National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 guidelines for the Preliminary Economic Assessment will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days.

PEA OVERVIEW

PEA Details

The PEA envisions an underground mining operation utilizing the existing mining, milling, and tailings management infrastructure at Madsen. The existing McVeigh portal is approximately one kilometre from the existing mill, and currently provides ramp access to the top 150 metres of the mine workings. The PEA mine plan includes further development of the ramp to a depth of 600 metres to access the upper 12 levels of the mine.

PEA Parameters

Gold Price US$1,175/oz Exchange Rate (US$ to C$) 0.80 Total Resource Tonnes Mined / Milled 1.063 million Processing Rate 550 tpd Diluted Head Grade 8.3 g/t Gold Recovery Rate 92% Mine Life 6.5 years Total Gold Ounces Recovered 259,551 ozs Average Annual Gold Production 47,191 ozs Peak Annual Gold Production 57,958 ozs Pre-production Capital Cost $20.1 million Sustaining Capital Cost (Life of Mine) $39.2 million Unit Operating Costs (per tonne processed) Mining Costs $104/tonne Processing Costs $31/tonne G&A $40/tonne LOM Average Cash Cost(1) US$571/oz LOM Cash Cost plus Sustaining Cost US$692/oz Royalties None Corporate Income Tax / Ontario Mining Tax 25% / 10%

(1) Cash cost includes mining cost, mine-level G&A, mill and refining cost

PEA Sensitivities

Gold Price (US$/oz) $1,025 $1,075 $1,125 $1,175 $1,225 $1,275 $1,325 Pre-Tax NPV 5% (C$mm) $65 $78 $91 $104 $118 $131 $144 After-Tax NPV 5% (C$mm) $49 $58 $67 $76 $86 $95 $104 Pre-Tax IRR 49 % 58 % 66 % 74 % 83 % 91 % 99 % After-Tax IRR 42 % 49 % 56 % 62 % 69 % 75 % 82 %

Mineral Resource

The Madsen mineral resource estimate, prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., is based upon a geostatistical block model that incorporated over 550,000 individual assays from 13,624 core boreholes (816,367 metres), 4,446 historic underground stope chip samples, and 27 levels of geologic mapping and sampling. Historic underground boreholes were typically drilled perpendicular to development drifts on all levels of the mine, usually at 25 feet (7.6 metres) spacing. Historic drilling was validated by 764 boreholes completed since 1999 by modern operators following best practices guidelines.

Mineral Resource Statement for Madsen Gold Project*

Resource Classification Tonnes Grade

(Au g/t) Contained Gold (oz.) Indicated 3,236,000 8.93 928,000 Inferred 788,000 11.74 297,000

* Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. All figures have been rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Mineral resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 5.0 g/t gold based on US$1,000 per troy ounce gold and gold metallurgical recoveries of 94 percent.

Capital Costs

Pre-production capital costs are estimated at $20.1 million with the majority of the costs associated with mill refurbishment as well as ramp and surface development. Additional capital cost requirements include surface installations and a new ventilation and pumping system which will utilize the existing shaft. Pre-production capital will be minimized by utilizing existing infrastructure, including a 500 tonne per day mill with carbon-in-pulp (CIP) circuit and tailings management facility. The existing McVeigh portal will be further developed from its current access of 150 metres, down to a total depth of 600 metres. Existing workings will be rehabilitated as access development.

Underground mining and haulage is anticipated to be completed by contract mining companies using their own equipment, conducted 365 days per year. Electrical grid power will provide the power to the project over the life of the mine. The site is currently serviced by 44 kV power.

LOM sustaining capital costs are estimated at $39.2 million with the majority of the costs associated with ramp development, slashing existing workings, and new access development.

Capital Costs Pre-Production Sustaining Total Surface Infrastructure $4.7 - $4.7 Mining Infrastructure $5.5 $0.5 $5.9 Mobile Equipment $1.4 $1.4 $2.8 Development and Capital Operating Costs (5%) $2.4 $32.6 $35.1 Electrical $1.3 - $1.3 Mill and Tailings Management Refurbishment $2.0 $0.6 $2.7 Diamond Drilling $0.5 $2.3 $2.7 Subtotal $17.8 $37.4 $55.3 Contingency % 15% 5% 7% Contingency $2.3 $1.9 $4.1 Total Capital Costs $20.1 $39.2 $59.3

* in C$millions, numbers may not add due to rounding

Mining

The PEA mine plan envisages that mechanized cut & fill, shrinkage, and long-hole mining methods would be employed to extract the mineralized material. All three of these methods have been used historically with success at the Madsen mine over its 38 year mining history.

Mining Methods in PEA Mine Plan

Mining Method Tonnes % Total Tonnes % Mining Dilution Cut & Fill Stope 533,008 50.1 % 5 % Shrinkage Stope 390,880 36.8 % 15 % Long-Hole Stope 139,370 13.1 % 20 % Total 1,063,258

Total mineralized material mined over the course of the mine life is 1.063 million tonnes of which 82% is indicated and 18% is inferred. The following table summarizes the mineral resource accounting for 5 to 20% mining dilution, dependent on mining method, and 92% mill recovery.

Mineral Resource (Mine Diluted) Included in PEA Mine Plan*

Resource Classification Tonnes Grade

(Au g/t) Recoverable

Gold (oz.) Indicated 868,773 8.55 219,826 Inferred 194,485 6.91 39,726

* Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. All figures have been rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Initial disclosure of mineral resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 5.0 g/t gold based on US$1,000 per troy ounce gold and gold metallurgical recoveries of 94 percent. For the purpose of the PEA, mine diluted mineral resources are reported with a variable cut-off grade dependent on individual stoping areas, a US$1,175 per troy ounce gold, and gold metallurgical recoveries of 92 percent.

All ramp and level waste development would be performed by mining contractor using two boom electric hydraulic drill jumbos, 3.5 cubic-yard bucket LHD's, 20 tonne haul trucks, scissor lift/bolters and other rubber tired dieselpowered support equipment. Total LOM waste development is summarized below.

Waste Development in PEA Mine Plan

Waste Development Metres Tonnes Ramp 2,968 128,237 Slash 5,759 159,221 Ventilation Raise 223 1,985 Access Development 3,768 162,788 Total 452,231

All mine manpower except for technical and support staff would be contracted employees. Total personnel on-site, including contractors, is estimated at 150 people. This estimate includes mine and surface employees, mine site management, as well as engineers and geology personnel. The direct mining personnel totals approximately 89 persons at peak. Technical and support staff are expected to be based in the Red Lake community.

Processing

The PEA considers refurbishing the existing mill and tailings management facility which have been on care and maintenance since 1999. Mill production of 550 tonnes per day is assumed to be achievable by modernizing controls and instrumentation of the reagent and grinding circuits. Mill and tailings dam refurbishment, inclusive of contingency, is estimated at $3.1 million, of which $2.3 million is included as a pre-production capital cost item and the remainder is sustaining capital.

The mill consists of a single stage crushing circuit and a two stage grinding circuit, which is then followed by cyanide leaching. The leached gold is collected in a CIP circuit which is subsequently stripped using mild caustic and collected on stainless steel mesh cathodes by electrowinning. The product from electrowinning is refined into dore bars in an induction furnace.

A 92% gold recovery was assumed for the PEA, based on the historical average recovery rate of the mill when it operated intermittently from 1997 to 1999.

The Company's existing permits, including the Environmental Compliance Approval, allows for operation of a 1,089 tonne per day mill and CIP circuit with discharge of treated tailings to the existing tailings facility. Further work is required to determine maximum optimum processing rates.

Operating Costs

Operating Costs $/t processed $/oz US$/oz Mining Cost $104 $424 $339 Processing Cost $31 $126 $100 G&A Cost $40 $164 $132 Total Cash Cost(1) $174 $714 $571 Sustaining Capital $37 $151 $121 Cash Cost plus Sustaining Capital $211 $865 $692

(1) Cash cost includes mining cost, mine-level G&A, mill and refining cost; numbers may not add due to rounding

Project Opportunities

The PEA supports that Madsen has the potential to be economically viable. While the PEA only considers the extraction of approximately 25% of Pure Gold's existing mineral resource tonnes, opportunities exist to expand the base case scenario through project exploration and resource growth. Pure Gold has been successful in intersecting mineralization below the shallow mine workings in the McVeigh horizon in close proximity to the proposed ramp development, including hole PG16-071 which intersected 11.0 g/t gold over 5.9 metres, approximately 80 metres below historic mining(2). The Company currently has two rigs on site targeting high grade gold mineralization within the McVeigh horizon which remains open for expansion below a depth of 230 metres. Pure Gold is also pursuing additional exploration opportunities on the property including at Russet South which is located approximately 1.5 kilometres west of the permitted infrastructure, where the Company recently completed 2,700 metres of diamond drilling in 20 drill holes. The Company recently announced results from the first six holes of the program, including an intercept of 56.2 g/t gold over 1.3 metres from hole PG16-067(3).

Additional opportunities to be investigated include:

Optimizing mine plan to consider mineral resources currently outside of the scope of this PEA;

Review optimization of mill processing rates as well as potential increases to throughput rate under the existing Environmental Compliance Approval which allows for operation of a 1,089 tonne per day mill and CIP circuit;

Further metallurgical test work to optimize gold recovery; and

Conversion of inferred resources to measured and indicated (no certainty they will be converted)

(2) See press release dated April 4, 2016 for further details (3) See press release dated April 11, 2016 for further details

Qualified Persons and 43-101 Disclosure

Darren O'Brien, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for the Company, is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same.

Glen Cole, P.Geo, of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., is an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. Mr. Cole supervised the preparation of the Mineral Resource estimate with an effective date of April 20, 2016.

Kevin Niemela P.Eng., General Manager/Manager of Mining Services for Nordmin Engineering Ltd., is an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. Mr. Niemela is responsible for Financial Analysis, Mine Planning and Development, Operating Costs and overall Project Lead.

John Folinsbee, P. Eng, of Heads Ore Tails Metallurgical Consulting Inc. is an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. Mr. Folinsbee is responsible for Mineral Processing and Metallurgy.

ABOUT PURE GOLD

Our mandate is pure and simple. To dream big. To colour outside the lines. To use smart science and creativity to unlock the next major discovery at the Madsen Gold Project in Red Lake, Ontario. And become Canada's next iconic gold company.

Additional information about the Company and its activities may be found on the Company's website at www.puregoldmining.ca and under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Darin Labrenz, President & CEO

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the amount of mineral resources, the amount of future production over any period, net present value and internal rates of return of the proposed mining operation, capital costs, including start-up, sustaining capital and reclamation/closure costs, operating and working capital costs, strip ratios and mining rates, the proposed implementation schedule, mine life, metal price assumptions, cash flow forecasts, projected capital and operating costs, metal or mineral recoveries, mine life and production rates. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Material risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements include unsuccessful exploration results, accidents or equipment breakdowns, the risk of undiscovered title defects or problems with surface access, labour disputes or inability to attract the necessary work force, the potential for delays in exploration activities, the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, and those risks described in the Company's most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs as well as various assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management regarding the assumed long-term price of gold, the presence of and continuity of metals at the Madsen project at modeled grades, the capacities of various machinery and equipment, the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at estimated prices, exchange rates, metals sales prices, appropriate discount rates; tax rates, and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining operation; financing structure and costs; anticipated mining losses and dilution; metal recovery rates, reasonable contingency requirements; the negotiation of satisfactory terms with impacted third parties including local communities, access to financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour.

Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, such assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are made assuming the correctness of other forward-looking statements, such as statements of net present value and internal rate of return, which are based on most of the other forward-looking statements and assumptions herein. The cost information is also prepared using current values, but the time for incurring the costs will be in the future and it is assumed costs will remain stable over the relevant period.

This news release may use the terms "measured", "indicated" and "inferred" as these terms are defined under Canada's National Instrument 43-101. U.S. Investors are advised that, while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, they are not recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and may not be comparable to similar information for United States mining or exploration companies. As such, certain information contained on this news release concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources under Canadian standards is not comparable to similar information made public by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits described in these categories will ever be converted into proven or probable reserves, as defined in the SEC's Industry Guide No. 7.
GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Apr 20, 2016) - Nouveau Monde Mining Enterprises Inc. ("Nouveau Monde") (TSX VENTURE:NOU)(OTC PINK:NMGRF)(FRANKFURT:NM9) is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), to help fund one of its ongoing research and development projects. The $25,000 grant, approved under NSERC's ENGAGE program, was awarded last week to Dr. Mohamed Siaj, Professor at the Department of Chemistry at the Universite du Quebec a Montreal (UQAM) and Director of the NanoQAM Research Centre. Dr. Siaj, in partnership with Nouveau Monde, is spearheading the project titled: Development of a Chemical Process for Low-Value Graphite Ore Transformation to Value-Added Graphene-Based Electroactive Materials.

Nouveau Monde has been working with Dr. Siaj since 2014 with the goal of creating value-added products relating to natural flake graphite ore. As part of this collaboration, Nouveau Monde will be entitled to the Intellectual Property which could be developed during the course of the project.

Eric Desaulniers, President and CEO of Nouveau Monde, stated: "We are proud to be recognized by NSERC in this way. Our high purity flake Matawinie graphite project is continuing to demonstrate strong characteristics amenable to generating high-value-added products, particularly in the lithium ion battery market. This recent grant helps to identify additional long-term opportunities for Nouveau Monde in regard to potentially generating more value-added products that can be used in the developing graphene market."

About Prof. Mohamed Siaj

Prof Mohamed Siaj received his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Laval University under the supervision of Peter McBreen, a world leader in Surface Science. Following postdoctoral training at the Colin Nuckolls group at Columbia University, New York, a leading institution in graphene research, Siaj joined the Department of Chemistry at UQAM as an Assistant Professor in 2008, and now holds the rank of Associate Professor. Prof. Siaj has extensive experience in different areas of surface science and nanomaterials-based graphene from a chemistry perspective. Siaj's group activities focus on the growth, synthesis, processing and characterization of advanced nanostructured electroactive materials and their integration into carbon electrodes for chemical and biosensors applications.

This press release was reviewed by Eric Desaulniers, M.Sc., P.Geo., President and CEO of Nouveau Monde.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) has in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction or approved or disapproved the contents of this press release.

Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated by such statements. Nouveau Monde will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Nouveau Monde.
2

THUNDER BAY, Apr 20, 2016 - Benton Capital Corp. (TSX VENTURE:BTC) ("Benton" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors have unanimously agreed to refocus the Company's efforts toward a 100% green-energy exploration and development company. The main focus will be the acquisition and development of high quality Lithium and Graphite projects which the Company considers to be the necessary metals of the future as demand and growth continues worldwide driven by green technology. This includes lithium ion batteries used in electric cars, smart phones, tablets, and home and industrial power storage along with many other applications. Companies such as Tesla launched their home storage lithium-based Powerwall battery system which sold out in August 2015 and Tesla has said it will aim to source raw materials locally in North America where responsible mining laws are in effect which will reduce the environmental footprint.Pursuant to this new direction and subject to regulatory approval, Benton will subsequently change its name to Alset Energy Corp. and in is the process of applying for a new trading symbol.Given the Company's new focus it would also like to announce that it has acquired by staking a 100% interest in the Wisa Lake Lithium deposit located 80km east of Fort Frances, Ontario. The property is connected to Highway 11 (Trans Canada) located 65 kilometres north via an all weather paved road that crosses the centre of the project. The property is comprised of 2 claims totaling 30 units and covers the Wisa Lake deposit that is host to a historical resource of 330,000 tonnes grading 1.15% LiO (Lexindin Gold Mines Ltd., Manager's Report, 1958; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6285, Report of Activities 2012). In 1956 Lexindin completed a total of 20 drill holes (packsack and AQ-sized core) over a strike length of 335m and to a depth of approximately 65m to outline the Wisa Lake lithium mineralization. The diamond drill log of the most easterly hole intersected 6.4m containing 20% of the lithium-bearing mineral spodumene suggesting the mineralization is open at depth and to the east. It should be noted that the historical resource estimate for the deposit was calculated prior to CIM National Instrument 43-101 guidelines and as such should only be considered from a historical point of view and not relied upon. A qualified person has not completed sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources. Further diamond drill programs are required to bring the mineralization into a proper NI 43-101 compliant category.The Company has also agreed to acquire a 100% interest in the Champion Graphite project from Benton Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:BEX) (a company related by common directorships) for a payment of 1 million shares to Benton Resources Inc. and subject to a 2% NSR. Benton Capital will have the option to buy back 1% of the NSR for $500,000. The Champion Graphite project represents a non-core asset of Benton Resources Inc. and the related party directors of each of the respective companies abstained from voting to approve the acquisition. The retained NSR provides Benton Resources Inc. with the opportunity to participate in any future success of the project. The Champion Graphite project is located north of Kenora, Ontario and consists of 29 units in 2 claims. The ground covers a large concentration of airborne electromagnetic anomalies hosted in metasediments. The airborne survey was conducted by Dighem Surveys & Processing Inc in 1989 on behalf of Champion Bear Resources Ltd. Dighem describes the anomalous area as consisting of numerous sub-parallel bedrock conductors of variable strength associated with a highly complex magnetic unit (MNDM assessment files). A year prior to the airborne geophysical survey, historical trenching was conducted by Bellwether Resources Ltd. in 1988. The trenching uncovered graphite occurrences where channel samples returned weighted average grades of up to 1.76% carbon over 25.0m (MNDM assessment files).Stephen Stares, Company President and CEO stated "we are excited to embark on this new strategic course aimed at providing shareholder value and growth. The importance of exploration and development of metals used in green technology cannot be understated and Benton looks forward to acquiring and developing quality assets in this space".All of the above transactions are subject to TSX.V and regulatory approvals.Benton Capital is well funded with approximately $1 million in cash.Clinton Barr (P.Geo.), V.P. Exploration for Benton Capital Corp. , is the qualified person responsible for this release and has reviewed and approved all scientific and technical data and disclosures in this release.On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Capital Corp.,Stephen StaresPresidentTHE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.Stephen Stares(807)475-7474(807)475-7200www.bentoncapital.ca
The Capital Brewing Company - Nick Hislop, Laurence Kain, Tom Hertel, Wade Hurley, Rich Coombes and Ian Stott Photo: Supplied

Canberra's vibrant craft beer scene is getting more colourful with the launch of Capital Brewing Co - a new beer company that will bring a bit of southern California flair to the capital.

The new brewer joins our four existing players - the Wig and Pen, Zierholz, BentSpoke, and Pact Beer Co.

Capital is owned by Tom Hertel and Laurence Kain, who own Civic bar Hippo Co and previously owned Honky Tonks.

They began planning the brewery in June last year with Rich and Sam Coombes, who founded the Batlow Cider Co. The Coombes brothers supplied their cider to Honky Tonks and Hippo.

"The name is a reference to the area," Hertel says. "We grew up here and we love Canberra. It's a great place to live".

They've produced three beers so far - the Coast Ale, an IPA called Evil Eye Red and a Trail pale ale.

And they have plans to build their own brewery at Dairy Flat Road in Fyshwick in September or October this year.

Unlike brewpubs which sell most of their beer on site, Capital Brewing Co intends to produce and distribute beer with a distinct Canberra identity.

Hertel says they have been "gypsy brewing" at a couple of places in Sydney - renting out tanks and facilities so they can create their beers. "This isn't the same as contract brewing, where someone else brews from your recipe. We rent tanks and have total control," he says.

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They are inspired by the San Diego craft beer scene and brought California brewer Wade Hurley on board to head their Canberra brewing team.

The beers being released on April 21 show a distinct California influence - strong, hoppy beer styles of the kind which are now being brewed globally.

Hertel describes their pale ale as having an American style, rich in malt and hops. The Evil Eye Red IPA ratchets up the malt and hops even more. And the Coast Ale, he says, provides lighter, easier drinking, "Like a California common. It's a beer you'd take down the coast."

The Batlow connection gives Capital Brewing Co access to a national distribution network, but more excitingly for drinkers, it also gives them direct access to one of the holy grails of brewing: a secure supply of hop flowers.

Rich Coombes says the Batlow Fruit Cooperative commenced hop growing a couple of years back. It was the first hop grower in NSW and received a NSW government grant to send its orchard manager Andrew Desprez on a study tour of US and New Zealand hop-growing regions.

Coombes says the cooperative harvested its second crop this year and, "Capital takes all of the US Cascade and Chinook varieties".

Like other brewers, says Coombes, Capital uses pelletised hops. But it also has access to Batlow's fresh hop flowers at harvest (used this year in the Eye Red IPA) and a year-round supply of dried hop flowers, preserved in a cold store at 2C.

Initially, Capital plans to sell kegged beer into the Canberra market, beginning with the launch on April 21. But they'll ramp up production when the Fyshwick brewery opens.

"It's a 1000-square-metre warehouse", says Hertel. "We'll have a large brewery, canning and bottling machines and a touch-and-feel tasting bar where people can watch the whole process."

Running the brewery with brewer Wade Hurley will be two other partners, Ian Stott and Nick Hislop, who have backgrounds in brewery, cider-making, and sustainability.

Hertel and Kain recently sold their Honky Tonks bar. However, they retain Hippo and Co and will offer the three new beers on tap there from April 21. They eventually expect other outlets to offer the beers.

See capitalbrewing.co.
16West

Leather armchairs, dusk blue walls with crisp white panelling, dove grey sofas to sip cocktails. This smart new Civic venue is aimed at Canberra's gay, lesbian and transgender community. Heteros welcome too. 16 West Row, Civic.

Vibe: Camp but classy.

Bar Rochford

An upstairs bar with a slightly retro, laidback, lived in feel. Potted ferns, booths upholstered in pale green, vinyl records and lots of light from panelled windows overlooking London Circuit.

Vibe: A glass of wine and chilling out.

The Highball Express

Climb the outdoor staircase to this airy, tropical Cuban-themed bar with aged rum cocktails. Grab a caipirinha and a seat on the balcony overlooking the trees of Alinga Street.

Vibe: Tropical Saturday nights.

White Rabbit

A flower filled Alice in Wonderland themed bar complete with cocktails, desserts and DJ. There's a cocktail high tea on weekends. 65 Northbourne Avenue, Civic.

Vibe: A girls' night out.

The Aviary

A shipping container bar perched high above the lake at Westside Acton Park, filled with bright yellow and turquoise accents. Get a workout up the stairs, admire the view.

Vibe: Something a little different with great views.

Molly

Underground speakeasy in an old bank vault amid the law offices of Civic. Slide into one of the big booths and order a charcuterie platter and cocktails.

Vibe: Cosy and intimate.

Parlour

Chesterfield sofas, gilt framed mirrors and cosy sofa nooks surrounded by greenery on the outdoor terrace, this bar and restaurant is beautiful and a bit luxurious.

Vibe: Classy date night drinks.

Joe's Bar

Small bar with eclectic modern decor - fuchsia walls, gold accents and a concrete curtain - and great Italian food at East Hotel in Kingston.

Vibe: Intimate Parliamentary triangle post work drinks.

Akiba

Buzzing, trendy and packed on Saturday nights for pan Asian bites, washed down with a giant mystery punch bowl for 10 if you're in a group.

Vibe: Dinner and cocktails before hitting town.

Suke Suke

Hip new little Japanese basement bar in the Civic bus interchange where you can start the night with sake and whisky - and even order food to match from a cheerful restaurant upstairs.

Vibe: Small groups and dates.

The Hutch

Canberra's tiniest bar is a shipping container at The Hamlet in Braddon where you can grab a beer or three inside (there's a bar stool) or from the window.

Vibe: Squishy. (But you can take the beers to your table at the Hamlet.)

La De Da

This upstairs bar on Lake Ginninderra brings grunge and graffiti cool to the northern suburbs, with serious views over the water for weekend afternoon gatherings.

Vibe: Arty and vibrant.

Bacaro

Tucked away at the back of Italian and Sons is this slick little marble clad bar with low seats and a fireplace - a bit of an oasis from the bustle of Braddon.

Vibe: A classy spot for pre dinner drinks and a snack

Polit Bar

A small bar upstairs in Manuka where low booths are sectioned off by curtains of metal chains and dangling pendants lights cast a soft glow. Look out for burlesque, trivia and "naked girls reading".

Vibe: Intimate post work drinks.

Lucky's

Enter through the QT Hotel barbershop to a spacious speakeasy where a glowing central bar is surrounded by bar tables and long couches. There are big banquettes screened by drapes which can be reserved for private parties.

Vibe: Good for groups.

Hippo

A whisky bar above the crowds in Garema Place with plenty of flavour in the cocktail list and mood lighting. Take a seat on the glass fronted balcony to watch the nightlife passing below.

Vibe: A chill Saturday night

Honky Tonks

Upbeat Garema Place watering hole where drinkers spill out into a big alfresco seating area in summer. Throw in a basket of tacos and you're set for a night out.

Vibe: Big groups and mingling.

Playground

A fun little bar with an outdoor area filled with tiny colourful furniture, while inside converts to a dancefloor early in the night.

Vibe: RnB and hip hop.

Knightsbridge

The original Saturday night playground for Canberra's young and dancy. Cocktails here are a chance to sit down and refresh yourself in between bouts of carving up the dancefloor.

Vibe: Nightclub.

Treehouse

A narrow but chic bar with a striking tree filled with fairy lights, an upstairs loft and a small dancefloor where DJs turn up the noise on weekends.

Vibe: A more grownup Saturday night with a chance of dancing.

Mint Bar

An alfresco courtyard bar outside Sage Dining in Gorman House where the trees are twined with fairy lights - grab a pizza and a glass of wine and perch at a high bar table.

Vibe: Casual post work or pre art show drinks.

Monster

Who knew a hotel foyer could be so cool? Settle into a couch in front of the fireplace or grab a window seat for a postprandial sip or a catchup.

Vibe: Relaxed but high end.

Benchmark

A place for wine connoisseurs - this bar tucked away on a corner on Northbourne Avenue is calm and relaxed with white linen tables and a great list.

Vibe: Take a serious wine lover for quiet drinks.

Helix Bar

The hotel at Canberra's airport features a serene, modern bar with curving sofas around open fireplaces and high tables in a central atrium.

Vibe: For nervous flyers or if you want to give someone a champagne sendoff.
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Company asks council for $505,000

By Monique Ching

The city has balked at paying a contractor who says his company saved the city millions of dollars in health benefits costs.

In a brief presentation at Tuesday's City Council meeting, David Toomey, president of Compass Care Engineering, asked to be paid for work his company has done for the city.

"I'm here to ask for your approval finally. It's been over two years ... I just want to be paid," Toomey said, with emotion in his voice. "That's all I'm asking you to do, is honor the commitments you made to me and my company."

Toomey said his company saved the city almost $3.9 million and that the city agreed two years ago to pay Compass a percentage of the savings.

The city's contention is that there is no documentation that it ever authorized the company's service.

In 2011, the city had a contract with Holmes Murphy, a national insurance brokerage firm that had been San Angelo's benefits consultant for some years, said Lisa Marley, director of human resources. The council instructed the consultant to lower overall health benefits costs without decreasing benefits and without increasing premiums.

At the time, the city was told Holmes Murphy had an affiliate called Accountable Care Accountable Patient, or ACAP, that could help in negotiations with health providers, Marley said.

Toomey, a former principal with ACAP, said that company was a wholly-owned division of Holmes Murphy. Part of the division merged with Compass in January 2013, and Toomey now is president of Compass.

"We thought that was just something Holmes Murphy was doing for us," Marley said, but after ACAP presented an insurance plan with a projection of savings, the company asked to be paid a percentage of the savings.

"(The city) asked us to move forward with this and that it would be an addendum" to the Holmes Murphy contract, Toomey said. "That's why we moved forward ... we confirmed and reconfirmed."

In February 2012, Marley received a request from ACAP to get the situation ironed out and include an addendum to the Holmes Murphy contract, she said.

"We talked (with Holmes Murphy) about a long-term agreement," said Harold Dominguez, the city manager at the time, who was contacted in Colorado on Wednesday. "It wasn't an official contract. ... I can't do that without council's permission. And they knew that. ACAP knew that."

Dominguez said he also felt the 30 percent of the savings ACAP was asking for was "way too high" and he still was in negotiations with ACAP in March 2012 when he left to become city manager in Longmont, Colo.

Discussions then dropped off, Marley said.

The item went before the council in May 2012 and the council at the time gave staff the go-ahead to negotiate a shared savings contract with ACAP, which means it would be paid a percentage of the money it saved the city.

"But we wanted to wait for the new city manager, and it just drug on and drug on," Marley said.

When City Manager Daniel Valenzuela began working for the city in fall 2012, he was on board with a shared savings arrangement.

"He thought it was good. It seems like a win-win," Marley said.

But two issues further delayed the talks.

"The people at ACAP would never budge from 30 percent," Marley said. "For many months we've been unable to come up with an agreeable contract."

ACAP also was requesting to be paid based on projected savings from 2012 to 2014, which it estimated to total $3.89 million. A 30 percent payment of savings would cost the city about $1.66 million, but Texas law does not allow payment for a retroactive contract ? there was no written agreement at the beginning of that period.

"State law prohibits us to use taxpayer money to pay for something in the past," Marley said.

Toomey said he understands that the city has to abide by state law, but contends that staff could have formalized the contract as soon as the council approved it, and ACAP could be paid for services from that point on.

"I don't understand why they couldn't have made it effective June 1," he said. "That's what I'm questioning ? why they were disregarding the City Council's direction to move forward."

When Valenzuela came on board, staff continued negotiating with ACAP, Marley said.

"For many months we've been unable to come up with an agreeable contract," she said.

When staff asked ACAP to put a dollar amount on its services in negotiating with health providers, Marley said ACAP said $505,000.

This was the number Toomey presented to the council Tuesday as a settlement option, which would be 13 percent of total projected savings. Toomey showed a detailed breakdown to prove that ACAP's plan had saved the city the amount it claimed.

However, when the ACAP division merged with Compass in January 2013, the city's legal department found that it would have to draft an entirely new contract, because ACAP was no longer a subsidiary of Holmes Murphy.

In addition to private entities, Compass works with about 60 government entities across the nation, Toomey said, including Mesquite, Frisco and Plano.

"When they authorized me to move forward, there was no communication for four or five months. It's very disappointing," Toomey said. "If issues need to be resolved, address the issues. Don't avoid it."

The city manager is not authorized to negotiate a new contract without the council's permission, Marley said, so staff suggested Toomey present his case before the council, which he did Tuesday.

"They contend that (Dominguez) agreed to it. Our position is that he didn't have the authority to agree to it," she said. "It's disappointing, I'm sure ? they did the work."

After Toomey's presentation, San Angelo Mayor Dwain Morrison asked for all documentation of negotiations between Holmes Murphy and ACAP relating to this situation.

"I appreciate the opportunity to go before the council," Toomey said. "Obviously I'm anxious to hear the next steps."

Morrison said the council will deliberate as more information is presented.

"I want to see a signed contract, if he has paperwork that says we approved ?X' amount of work," Morrison said. "I just want to see that in writing."

There was a lot of verbal negotiating with ACAP, Marley said, but little hard documentation. City staff will bring whatever paperwork it has back to the council at a future meeting, she said.

"I'm pulling any information we have, including (work) with Holmes Murphy," Marley said. "It's in the council's hands now. They will make a decision on how to handle it."
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By Samantha Bomkamp Chicago Tribune (Tns)

CHICAGO  Jars of Walgreens Nice! brand peaches and mixed fruit have been pulled from shelves nationwide over concerns the jars may contain pieces of glass.

The Food and Drug Administration said Monday that there has been one consumer complaint about the peaches but no complaints related to the mixed fruit. The 8-ounce jars were distributed by Milky Way International Trading Corp. of Salt Lake City.

The recall is limited to certain production codes, printed on the neck of the jar. The lot number on the jars is 3700/01069.

Consumers who bought the jars of fruit are being asked to return them to Walgreens for a refund. Walgreens, based in suburban Chicago, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2016 file photo, Brian Johnson, left, and Angus Young perform with AC/DC on the Rock or Bust Tour in Chicago. Johnson says hes not retiring from music after doctors told him that he risks substantial hearing loss if he continues to perform in large arenas and stadiums. Johnson said in a statement released through his publicist on Tuesday, April 19, that he intends to continue to record in studios and will continue treatment to improve his hearing. The Back in Black singer will be replaced by Guns N Roses singer Axl Rose for the Rock or Bust World Tour beginning May 7 in Lisbon. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)

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By David Ng, Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Brian Johnson, the longtime lead vocalist of AC/DC, has detailed the hearing loss that led him to withdraw from the remainder of the bands Rock or Bust world tour, but denied rumors that he is retiring, adding that he will continue to record in studios.

After consulting in March with physicians, I was advised that if I continued to perform at large venues, I risked total deafness, Johnson, 68, said in a statement released Tuesday. While he found the news horrifying, I had for a time become aware that my partial hearing loss was beginning to interfere with my performance on stage.

He called the diagnosis the darkest day of my professional life.

Johnson continued: Our fans deserve my performance to be at the highest level, and if for any reason I cant deliver that level of performance I will not disappoint our fans or embarrass the other members of AC/DC.

The Australian band confirmed earlier this month that Axl Rose will join them for the remainder of the Rock or Bust world tour.

In March, AC/DC said it had been forced to reschedule 10 upcoming dates on the U.S. leg of the tour after Johnson was advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss.

The announcement led to a number of rumors, including one that Johnson was retiring after being kicked out of the group by band cofounder Angus Young.

But Tuesday, Johnson said in his statement that my doctors have told me that I can continue to record in studios and I intend to do that.

He said he is focused on medical treatment to improve my hearing  While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic. Only time will tell.

Johnson, who is British and has been with AC/DC since 1980, said that he was personally crushed by the medical development.

The emotional experience I feel now is worse than anything I have ever in my life felt before, he said. The one thing for certain is that I will always be with AC/DC at every show in spirit, if not in person.

AC/DC is set to resume the tour in Europe next month. The rescheduled U.S. dates will be announced later, the band said on its official website.
Cristina M. Fletes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS Stewed Rice. (Cristina M. Fletes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS)

SHARE Coffee Cake Caramel Pie Coffee Cake. (Cristina M. Fletes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS) photos by Cristina M. Fletes/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS Bean Soup

Beans, soup, sweets buffered the Depression

By Daniel Neman, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (TNS)

The 1930s are eternally, irrevocably associated with the Great Depression.

Other things happened in the decade, of course, many of them good news. The Hoover Dam was built, a stunning achievement of engineering that brought water and electricity to residents as far away as Los Angeles. Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The first around-the-world telephone conversation was held. And it was the golden age of movies.

But it was the Great Depression that stands out most in our imagination and our memories. The stock market collapsed, banks failed and between 13 million and 15 million people lost their jobs  about 25 percent of the working population. Meanwhile, dust storms ruined crops across the Great Plains, and millions of people moved north or west, looking for greener pastures.

Despite the widespread hardships, though, the Depression was not a time of starvation. People went hungry, but few if any of them died of it.

There were many reasons that people could generally find food. Advances in canning and other technology made food available for little money throughout the year, and many folks took to growing some of their own produce. Soup kitchens opened up across the country, providing nourishing meals for free, and many homeowners were happy to share their food with anyone who knocked at the back door. And a host of government programs gave employment to more than 10 million people who otherwise could not find it.

Americans were eating, although the food they were eating may not have been of the finest quality. Beans  cheap and nutritious  were a part of many meals, and so was soup, for the same reasons. And at least one cookbook printed in the 1930s included a recipe for baked opossum, plus several more requiring squirrel.

Other dishes of the day were more savory, though perhaps not much. Cooks of the time loved dishes that were jelled or in a loaf, giving rise to something called a jellied veal loaf. A chicken mousse loaf, which was said to be a specialty of Missourians, was an oval loaf of chicken mousse decorated with what was supposed to resemble a poinsettia on top, with a parsley stem and blossoms made from pimentos around a center made from a slice of hard-cooked egg.

A dish called chicken a la tartare, I am happy to report, involved cooking the chicken. But roast groundhog was, in fact, a roasted groundhog  garnished with yams, of course. It, too, was said to be a favorite in Missouri.

In setting out to cook some of the foods of the 1930s, I decided to stick with perhaps more ordinary dishes. My source was the "New York World's Fair Cook Book," which came out in 1939 to accompany the New York World's Fair. The book contained recipes gleaned from all 48 states, including those dishes supposedly from Missouri that gave me pause.

I began with breakfast, a coffee cake that actually has coffee in it. Already it's guaranteed to taste great with coffee, but this recipe from Michigan raises the stakes with brown sugar and a lot of molasses  a whole cup (though the resulting cake is quite large).

A stick and a half of butter doesn't hurt, either. Allspice and cinnamon bring out the best of the coffee, and raisins and currants add just the right amount of sweet moisture.

The cake is a bit dense, but utterly delicious  and decidedly unlike the coffee cakes we eat today. When you try it, you may be tempted to think that things weren't so bad during the Depression.

They were, of course, and the next two dishes I made show creative ways to work within the frugality of the decade.

Because of the prevalence of both beans and soup in the dishes of the day, I decided to make bean soup. This soup is different from most in that it uses only black beans. These are cooked with the expected onions and celery, and a couple of unexpected cloves.

The cloves make the dish, more even than the hard-cooked egg yolk mashed with dry mustard and pepper and mixed into the soup. A small amount of roux contributes a rich thickness, and this texture is enhanced by pureeing the soup before serving it. It is hearty and surprisingly good.

Because rice is just as inexpensive as beans, and thus as appropriate for the Depression, I next made stewed rice. This is rice that is slowly cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, peas and potatoes  yes, that's starch with starch, perfect for filling a hungry belly.

In keeping with the aesthetic of the day, the dish is then packed into a mold, so that when it is served it is presented in a beautiful or unusual shape. Intriguingly, you can then serve the rice dish in slices or wedges.

It has a well-balanced taste, but it also takes a lot of work to create it. The effort-to-flavor ratio is a little high on this one. On the other hand, it made wonderful leftovers, especially mixed in with eggs.

I finished with dessert, a caramel pie. This is the kind of dessert that helps you forget your economic circumstances. You make what is technically a caramel pudding out of egg yolks, milk, brown sugar and vanilla, thickened with flour. This mixture is then placed in a baked pie crust; homemade is best, of course, and more in keeping with the original concept, but use frozen if you must.

Then, best of all, you top it with a meringue and bake it. The meringue makes the pie sweeter, yes, but it also goes incredibly well with the caramel.

The 1930s was a tough, tough decade for most Americans. It is nice to know that good food made the tough times a little better.

COFFEE CAKE

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon allspice

3 eggs, beaten

11/2 sticks (3/4 cup) butter, melted and somewhat cooled

1 cup cold coffee

1 cup molasses

1 cup raisins

1 cup dried currants

directions

1 Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

2 Blend flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and allspice, sifting the ingredients twice. Mix together the eggs and the cooled melted butter, and add about 1/3 of the mixture to the dry ingredients, and blend. Add  of the coffee and  of the molasses, and blend. Add another 1/3 of the egg-butter mixture, and blend. Add the remaining coffee and molasses, and blend. Add the remaining egg-butter mixture, and blend. Stir in the raisins and currants.

3 Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and cook until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Recipe from "New York World's Fair Cook Book" by Crosby Gaige, 1939

BEAN SOUP

Yield: 7 cups

ingredients

2 cups dried black beans (about 1 pound) or 3 (15-ounce) cans

2 tablespoons chopped onion

2 ribs celery, sliced

2 whole cloves

2 teaspoons salt

2 quarts chicken or vegetable stock

1 hard-cooked egg yolk

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons sherry, optional

7 tablespoons sour cream, optional

directions

1 If using dried beans, soak them in water overnight.

2 Drain beans and rinse in cold water. Add to a large pot with the onion, celery, cloves, salt and sufficient stock to cover the other ingredients by an inch or 2. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are soft or for 1 hour if using canned beans.

3 Puree in batches in a blender or with an immersion blender (or, if you want to be true to the 1930s, push the beans through a strainer). Add sufficient stock or water to make the consistency of thick cream. Mash the egg yolk with pepper and mustard, and stir into the soup mixture.

4 Mash the flour into the butter with a fork and cook over medium heat in a small skillet or pot until golden brown. Thin with a little stock and stir into the soup. Cook for 5 minutes; if too thick, add water. Add 1 teaspoon sherry or 1 tablespoon sour cream to each bowl just before serving, if desired.

Adapted from "New York World's Fair Cook Book," by Crosby Gaige, 1939

STEWED RICE

Yield: 8 cups

ingredients

1/2 pound rice (about 1 1/4 cups dried)

3 cups boiling water

1/4 cup olive oil

1 large onion, minced

3 whole cloves garlic

1 cup tomatoes, diced (canned is fine)

1 cup green peas (frozen is fine)

1 cup potatoes, diced 1/4 inch

1 teaspoon minced parsley

4 cups water

- Salt

directions

1 Cover rice with boiling water and let soak, off the heat, for 15 minutes. Wash with cold water and drain well.

2 Heat olive oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet with a lid or pot, and brown onion and garlic. Remove garlic when brown. Add rice, stirring constantly, and brown evenly. Add tomatoes, peas, potatoes, parsley and the 4 cups of water. Salt liberally, and cook at a low simmer for 55 minutes. For the full 1930s experience, pack the mixture firmly into a well-greased mold or pudding dish. Serve warm.

Adapted from "New York World's Fair Cook Book," by Crosby Gaige

CARAMEL PIE

Yield: 8 servings

ingredents

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 eggs, separated

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 stick(1/4 cup) butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 pie crust, baked

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

directions

1 Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Use a little of the milk to dissolve the flour. Beat the egg yolks well (reserve the egg whites).

2 In a medium pan over medium heat, mix together the rest of the milk, the beaten egg yolks, brown sugar, butter, vanilla and dissolved flour. Cook until thick, and pour into the baked pie crust.

3 With a mixer or by hand, whisk together the egg whites, granulated sugar and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Spread this meringue on top of the pie and bake until meringue is set and golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning. Cool on a wire rack before serving.

Adapted from "New York World's Fair Cook Book," 1939, by Crosby Gaige
<p>Michael Franzese, a former mobster, has made a movie about his life; daughter Julia plays the role of her mother. (Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register/MCT)</p>

SHARE MCT photo Michael Franzese, a former mobster, has made a movie about his life; daughter Julia plays the role of her mother. Michael Franzese, a former mobster, has made a movie about his life; daughter Julia plays the role of her mother. (Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register/MCT)

By Art Marroquin

ANAHEIM, Calif.  After countless menial tasks to prove loyalty, Michael Franzese pledged his life to the Colombo crime family on Halloween in 1975.

Six men took the oath that night inside a Brooklyn catering hall.

Of those, Franzese is the only one alive today  a feat that the born-again Christian attributes to a loving wife, turning away from the mob and dedicating his life to God.

When we take the oath and violate the policy, then we pay with our life, said Franzese, a former New York mobster now living in Anaheim Hills.

Franzeses life as a captain in La Cosa Nostra and his subsequent redemption are chronicled in God the Father, released last month in 20 cities across the country.

The biographical film is premiered on the 39th anniversary of his induction into organized crime  a coincidence, Franzese said. But it reminds that the past haunts his present life.

Franzese, 63, got another death threat just recently.

I dont think too many people are going to be happy about this movie coming out, Franzese said while sipping bottled sparkling water at his favorite Italian restaurant, Baci di Firenze Trattoria in Anaheim.

Im not worried about it, but neither do I sell my associates short, he said. I dont take anything for granted.

Forget Goodfellas, Donnie Brasco and The Sopranos. Rather than glorifying life as a mobster, Franzese said he wanted to tell his story through the prism of atonement.

Documentary-style interviews, stock news footage, dance sequences and recreations tell Franzeses tale in the 103-minute movie, shot over two years in Bulgaria, Israel and Baton Rouge, La.

Animated scenes display graphic violence and some of the things that might have occurred, Franzese said.

His 16-year-old daughter, Julia Franzese, plays her mother in the movies dance sequences.

I was never really aware of my fathers past, because I never really took the time to think about it, she said. Watching the movie has been a real eye-opener into his life. But I think my father had to go through all that to be the man and the father that he is now.

During the early 1970s, Franzese gave up pre-med studies at Hofstra University on Long Island to follow in the footsteps of his father, John Sonny Franzese, an underboss for the Colombo crime family.

Michael Franzese said he quickly rose through the ranks to become a capo, or captain, bringing in close to $10 million per week by pocketing state and federal taxes through a bootleg gasoline operation.

Because he brought in so much cash, Franzese said that he wasnt asked to kill anyone.

I was one of the guys who earned money, and there were other guys who did this kind of work, Franzese said carefully. But, I cant say that Im not responsible in a way, because I was a part of it, if you understand what Im saying.

When he met Camille Garcia on the set of a movie he produced, Knights of the City, in 1984, Franzese was instantly smitten with the dancer from Anaheim and came back to Orange County to meet her family.

I had an idea that he was in the Mafia, but I didnt know how much he was involved, Anaheim community activist Seferino Garcia said about first meeting his future son-in-law.

I knew my daughter loved him, and he loved her, and they were very sincere about how serious they were, Garcia said. But my wife and I made an ultimatum: He had to quit the mob if they were going to get married.

Franzese said he tried to distance himself from a life in organized crime by the time the couple married in July 1985. Five months later, he was imprisoned after pleading guilty to racketeering and extortion charges connected to the gasoline-tax scheme.

After serving 43 months of a 10-year federal prison sentence, Franzese returned to Anaheim to be with his wife  and so that the authorities could not accuse him of violating parole by associating with the Colombo family.

Franzese was arrested again in 1991 for violating his probation.

They came up with a minor charge, mainly because I wouldnt testify against the Colombo family, Franzese said.

He was thrown in the hole and kept isolated for his safety during most of that three-year sentence. The solitude gave Franzese time to reflect on his life while reading the Bible and about 300 books about religion sent by his wife.

My faith penetrated my heart and my mind while I was in the hole, Franzese said. I honestly believe that if I didnt go back to jail for a second time, then I would probably be dead or behind bars forever.

Franzese has led a relatively quiet life in Anaheim Hills since his last release from prison in 1994, writing several books about his life and working as a motivational speaker for athletes, law enforcement officers and students.

He regularly attends Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim. Pastor Gene Appel said that Franzeses life story is so compelling.

Theres a fascination we have about the Mafia, but hes one of the few guys who actually lived it, managed to walk away, and lived to tell about it, Appel said.

His story gives hope to anyone who really wants to change and not be doomed by the actions of their past.
Customers enjoy a drink at the Brasserie Za of French designer Philippe Starck in the new Les Halles shopping mall Friday April 8, 2016 in Paris. Amid great fanfare, Paris' Mayor Anne Hidalgo has unveiled the long-awaited 1 billion U.S dollar revamp of the city's dilapidated main shopping and metro complex Les Halles, that might help restore the former royal food market to its old glory. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

SHARE French Chef Alain Ducasse, left, and his Executive Chef Pascal Feraud, test the Cheese and Lobster Bisque Souffles prior to the opening of Ducasse's Brasserie Champeaux in the new Les Halles shopping mall Friday April 8, 2016 in Paris. Amid great fanfare, Paris' Mayor Anne Hidalgo has unveiled the long-awaited 1 billion U.S dollar revamp of the city's dilapidated main shopping and metro complex Les Halles, that might help restore the former royal food market to its old glory. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) FILE - This is a Sept. 15, 1944 file photo of a general view of the vegetable market at Les Halles in Paris. Amid great fanfare, Paris' Mayor Anne Hidalgo has unveiled the long-awaited 1 billion U.S dollar revamp of the city's dilapidated main shopping and metro complex Les Halles, that might help restore the former royal food market to its old glory. (AP Photo, File) Bar person Marjolaine Arpin, from Quebec, Canada, prepares a cocktail at French Chef Alain Ducasse's Brasserie Champeaux in the new Les Halles shopping mall Friday April 8, 2016 in Paris. Amid great fanfare, Paris' Mayor Anne Hidalgo has unveiled the long-awaited 1 billion U.S dollar revamp of the city's dilapidated main shopping and metro complex Les Halles, that might help restore the former royal food market to its old glory. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) The high-tech glass-and-metal undulating "canopy" roof are reflected on thewindows of the Brasserie Za of French designer Philippe Starck in the new Les Halles shopping mall Friday April 8, 2016 in Paris. Amid great fanfare, Paris' Mayor Anne Hidalgo has unveiled the long-awaited 1 billion U.S dollar revamp of the city's dilapidated main shopping and metro complex Les Halles, that might help restore the former royal food market to its old glory. Behind is Saint Eustache church. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

By THOMAS ADAMSON, Associated Press

PARIS (AP)  Swapping burgers for lobster souffle and rusty welding for a state-of-the-art canopy roof, Paris' mayor this month unveiled a $1 billion revamp of the city's dilapidated main shopping and transport complex, Les Halles.

Paris authorities view the building project  which made central Paris a construction site pockmarked with cranes for seven years  as an opportunity to gentrify the 70s complex that was often voted among the city's the biggest eyesores by disgruntled Paris residents, and also attract a share of the millions of tourists who visit the city every year.

The previous incarnation of Les Halles became associated more with the myriad gangs of youths who traveled in on regional trains from the less-affluent suburbs to hang out there than it was for its rich past  as the gilded food market and shelter the French king would use to impress merchants in the 12th century and the culinary heart of the city that 19th-century novelist Emile Zola famously called "the belly of Paris."

Today, a giant, green high-tech glass-and-metal undulating "canopy" roof designed by architects Patrick Berger and Jacques Anziutti sparkles in the spring sunshine.

And 35 new stores and restaurants hope to restore the site its culinary and cultural prowess, including a posh brasserie by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse and a literary eatery designed by Philippe Starck with the slogan "Feed Your Mind."

But not everyone is convinced that the attempted gentrification of Paris' main artery to the poorer regional suburbs will work.

"I think it's a bit patronizing," said Paris resident Alice Betout, 31. "It feels a bit like Paris is trying to give culture to the masses, so to speak. When young people come here from the suburbs on the train they just want to hang out. What are they going to do with a literary cafe, foie gras and garlic snails?"

For others more amenable to the new structure, it still seems like an expensive gamble.

"This is a working-class place ... and so the shops which are here ... were conceived to do cheap business," said 71-year-old pensioner Jacques Merlino, nostalgic about the old Les Halles, a market he remembers from before it was torn down in the 70s.

"Ducasse, Starck and all that are in opposition to that (profile). So will this become chic, with a working-class edge?" he asked. "History will answer this question."

The new canopy is a stark contrast to its predecessor  a hangout so engrained in youth and urban culture that Les Halles is even cited in French rap songs.

But Ducasse  whose restaurants include London's Dorchester and Paris' Plaza Athenee hotels, where dinner can cost $500-$1,000  says the new brasserie, Champeaux, is not out of touch with its surroundings.

He believes it will be popular with those who frequent Les Halles, since the brasserie prices remain surprisingly affordable. Some have called it "democratic gastronomy."

"What we do can never be disconnected to the economic reality of where you are. It's a young and busy place with a big traffic of  I'd say  the working-class chic," said the chef as he admired his restaurant's view onto the magnificent 16th-century Saint Eustache church.

A deviled egg will set you back 6 euros ($6.70), a hand-cut steak tartare 20 euros ($22.50) and lobster souffle a mere 22 euros ($24.80).

"We want any customer to be able to come into Champeaux and ... dine, have a drink, nourish himself. You can also spend more! But it's an important access key," he added.

Ducasse said that Champeaux was named after a restaurant that used to occupy the historic grounds in the 19th century, which was pulled down at the advent of World War I.

Opposite, the high-tech eatery "Za" has more bookish ambitions.

Designed by Starck, diners come in and order organic delights, with the aid of an iPhone application, that are delivered to the customer on a conveyor belt to the table.

Za's owners struck a deal with three French publishing houses to print out books while clients dine, thanks to a huge printing press at the side of the cafe.

Any book  maybe Zola's 1873 novel "The Belly of Paris" or George Orwell's "Down and Out in Paris and London"  can be printed off in under 10 minutes, to be collected as the diner leaves the restaurant.

"It was a slightly mad idea we had to create this combination of quick, chic and hipster because we don't know if it will work yet," said Za owner Philippe Amzalak, who said that the rise in real estate prices in the surrounding areas might attract clientele with more spending power.

"The areas around have evolved a lot ... (but) it's a mix and a gamble at the same time to see if the upgrade renovation will work," he added.

A waitress at Za, 23-year-old Juliana Abessole, who comes to work from the suburbs on an RER suburban train and used to hang out in Les Halles, said that the literary cafe attracts a completely different profile of person to the mall than she's used to seeing.

"When you work in the suburbs you won't see the same people as here. The people are classier, and have another standard of living than us," she said.

"In the suburbs, we have another language."

___

Thomas Adamson can be reached at: http://twitter.com/ThomasAdamsonAP
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By Staff Report

The Concho Valley Branch American Association of University Women is hosting the presentation "Turn Texas Teal! A Coordinated Community Response to Sexual Assault" at 6:30 p.m. Monday, following a brief business meeting at 6 p.m.

The presentation will be held in the second floor conference room of the Wells Fargo building, 36 W. Beauregard Ave. Both events are open to the public.

For more information, call 325-234-7784 or email sroehrig@astate.edu.
SHARE William Wolfe

By Staff Report

Angelo State University's Department of Computer Science will host its annual ASU Code Camp for junior high and high school students June 6-17 in the Mathematics-Computer Science Building, 2200 Dena Drive.

The two-week camp is open to students interested in computer science and coding and will be directed by William Wolfe, chairman of the Computer Science Department. Activities will run from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, June 6-10 and 13-17, in Room 100 of the MCS Building, according to an ASU news release.

Registration is $30 per person, and advance registration is required. Attendees will learn to design, implement and test computer code using the Java programming language and the Unity3D Game Engine. They will also learn the basics of computer science as they work in groups to implement a variety of applications. No programming experience is required, and students with prior programming experience or who have attended previous ASU Code Camps will work on more advanced projects, the release stated.

To register for the Code Camp, call 325-942-2101 or email computer.science@angelo.edu. For more information, email william.wolfe@angelo.edu.
Cardenas

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By Michelle Gaitan of the San Angelo Standard-Times

Daniel Cardenas is no stranger to city politics and is looking to take a step back into the mix by vying for the Single Member District 3 seat on San Angelo's City Council against opponent Harry Thomas.

"I am the most qualified individual running in District 3," Cardenas said, a factor he is counting on to outshine his competitor. "I've served on City Council 12 years in the past and I feel that qualifies me to represent the district."

Cardenas said his tough but fair approach helps him deliver on whatever he sets out to accomplish on behalf of his constituents, and his accomplishments show his commitment to his district and city.

"I had the City Council and school board meetings televised to better inform the people  my constituents  of how I represent them on the council," he said, referring to actions he took during his term on the council.

Now, as more issues move to the forefront of city priorities, Cardenas said if elected he wants to make sure the city has a plan to have adequate water, improve infrastructure and retain jobs for younger generations.

"I think we should continue doing research on resources on how we can get more water to provide for the citizens of San Angelo," he said. "I would depend on experts who have the knowledge in that area to provide information to us in which I can make a more intelligent decision. I am not an expert on water issues; that's why we depend on experts."

When it comes to infrastructure, Cardenas said the city needs to re-establish a long-range plan to move in a direction where viable solutions to the problems can be found.

"We have to continue expanding ourselves to provide jobs for our youth so they can remain and stay in San Angelo instead of moving on to San Antonio and Dallas," Cardenas said. "We have to be more active in that, (and) we have to extend offers or incentives to companies that are looking at San Angelo and make it look attractive."

Cardenas said he plans to be prepared, do the research and be proactive in bringing about change that will benefit the city and his constituents.

"I am a believer in what I set out to do," he said. "There is just so many things.  If you talk to some of my constituents they'll tell you 'Daniel's on top of things.'  I am a person who's concerned about what's going on in the community."

When it comes to issues such as water rates, taxes or fees that affect residents and taxpayers, "I am one that will always think, and I will always ask my colleagues on the council, 'How is this going to affect those with middle income and low income and fixed incomes?' That's my concern more than anything," Cardenas said.

"I am not one to stand by the sidelines."

The Daniel Cardenas file

Office sought: San Angelo City Council, Single Member District 3

San Angelo City Council, Single Member District 3 Age: 61

61 Occupation: Entrepreneur, owner of Joachim Construction Co.

Entrepreneur, owner of Joachim Construction Co. Experience: Former member of the San Angelo City Council, board member of the San Angelo ISD and the citys Zoning Board of Adjustments.



WHAT HE SAID

On city government: I believe City Council should be transparent.  We had the opportunity to vote on a decal for city vehicles but not on the trash contract. I want to serve you, and you will have a voice.

I believe City Council should be transparent.  We had the opportunity to vote on a decal for city vehicles but not on the trash contract. I want to serve you, and you will have a voice. On the budget: I am a very, very conservative person. ... We need to start trimming the budget.

I am a very, very conservative person. ... We need to start trimming the budget. On responsibility: The city manager is only as good as the City Council is.

The city manager is only as good as the City Council is. On the water supply: I am open to any resource that we have.

I am open to any resource that we have. On the city solid waste contract: I really have a problem with this contract being negotiated behind closed doors. ... (By renegotiating it) the city could gain $8-10 million over 10 years.

I really have a problem with this contract being negotiated behind closed doors. ... (By renegotiating it) the city could gain $8-10 million over 10 years. On his abilities: My experience has given me the lead in Single Member District 3. I can communicate in English and Spanish. Im not for whats proper, Im not there to be loved, Im there to be respected.

Quotes from the San Angelo Candidate Forum on April 14. To view a video of the forum, see bit.ly/1qD5pOZ.
SHARE Cortez Jr.

By Staff Report

A 37-year-old San Angelo man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after leading police on a brief vehicle chase in North San Angelo, according to a news release from the San Angelo Police Department.

San Angelo police were called to assist other agencies with serving a federal parole warrant on wanted felon Noe Cortez Jr., the release stated.

Just before 1:30 p.m. police saw Cortez driving a blue 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer near North Chadbourne and 14th streets. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but Cortez kept driving and a short vehicle pursuit ensued through the area, police said.

Members of SAPD's Patrol and Intelligence Division, along with state and federal agents, converged on the vehicle after it pulled into a residence in the first block of East 11th Street.

Cortez was taken into custody without incident.

During a search of the vehicle, officers found a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, the release stated. Cortez was arrested on his outstanding warrant and booked into the Tom Green County Jail. Additional charges are pending further investigation.
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By Staff Report

The San Angelo Police Department sent out the following news release Tuesday:

"The San Angelo Police and Fire departments are expected to be without email access through Thursday.

"The departments' email server irreversibly failed April 14. The Police and Fire departments are in the process of acquiring a new server.

"Citizens seeking to contact either department are advised to telephone them. The San Angelo Police Department's main number is 325-657-4498. The San Angelo Fire Department's main number is 325-657-4355. More contact information is available for the Fire Department at cosatx.us/fire and for the Police Department at sanangelopolice.org."
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By Staff Report

The concert will feature well-loved music performed by the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra and high-definition film clips from some of Disney's most popular movies.

Tickets are $20-$35, available at the Symphony office in City Hall, 72 W. College Ave.; Blair's Wester Wear, 4230 Sherwood Way; In Vino Veritas, 2007 Knickerbocker Road; Legend Jewelers, 18 E. Concho Ave.; and Elite Physique, 2802 Southwest Blvd.

For more information, call 325-658-5877 or visit sanangelosymphony.org.
Ted Krey, retired Marine and a first responder during the bombing recovery effort, carries flags to the memorial chars of Marine Cap. Randolph A. Guzman and Sgt. Benjamin LaRanzo Davis following the 21st anniversary remembrance ceremony for the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Oklahoma City, Okla.(Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman via AP)

SHARE Louis Hernandez and daughter Sarah Hernandez carry seedlings from the Survivor Tree following the 21st anniversary remembrance ceremony for the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Sarah survived the bombing in the YMCA day care center across the street. (Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman via AP) Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin speaks at the 21st anniversary remembrance ceremony for the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman via AP) Mickey Paul Maroney, son of bombing victim Mickey B. Maroney, is consoled by his girlfriend Christi Jacob beside a memorial chair following the 21st anniversary remembrance ceremony for the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Oklahoma City, Okla. (Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman via AP) Jason Webster, friend of the family of bombing victims Chase and Colton Smith, listens to the National Anthem and holds stuffed animals for the Smiths during the 21st anniversary remembrance ceremony for the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Oklahoma City, Okla.(Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman via AP)

By Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Hundreds turned out on a rainy day for the memorial service on the 21st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Tuesday's service was moved inside First Church, across the street from a memorial constructed on the site of the attack, because of the rain.

The service included a letter from President Barack Obama praising the resilience and inspirational people of Oklahoma City. Gov. Mary Fallin and Mayor Mick Cornett also spoke.

The ceremony included 168 seconds of silence and the reading of the name of each of those killed.

A bomb blew up the federal building in April 19, 1995. Timothy McVeigh was convicted of the bombing and was later executed. Terry Nichols was convicted of conspiracy in connection with the bombing and is serving a life in prison sentence.
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By James G. Neuger, Bloomberg News (TNS)

BRUSSELS  NATO will admonish Russia over provocative military maneuvers after a spate of close calls in the Baltic Sea last week in which Russian warplanes buzzed U.S. forces.

Allies plan to bring up the "unprofessional and unsafe behavior of Russian planes" in a meeting with Russia's ambassador on Wednesday, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Luxembourg on Tuesday.

Russian tactics that risk an accidental confrontation "just underline the importance of open military lines of communication, of predictability and risk reduction," he said.

Russia and the U.S.-led alliance have eyed each other warily since the Kremlin's seizure of Crimea and intervention in Ukraine in 2014 brought back memories of the Cold War standoff.

Russia has stepped up military drills on its western borders and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has rotated forces into Eastern Europe to protect allies like Poland that were once under Soviet dominion.

A Russian SU-27 fighter veered within 50 feet of a U.S. reconnaissance jet over the Baltic late last week, days after other Russian attack planes and a helicopter made low passes over the guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook, the Pentagon said.

Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz pointed to the "long-term threat" posed by Russia's military concentrations along its European frontiers and in Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave wedged between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea.

"These are offensive forces which far outnumber NATO capabilities in this region," Macierewicz told Rzeczpospolita newspaper. Poland is spearheading calls for an additional allied military commitment to Eastern Europe at a NATO summit it will host in Warsaw in July.

Russia says the West started it. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday that Russia feels threatened by "very unfriendly actions of the alliance in terms of capacity-building at our borders."

Wednesday's meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels is the first since June 2014, shortly after Russia took Crimea from Ukraine.

NATO has regularly accused Russia of risky military practices since then, with warplanes frequently testing allied air defenses. In the most notable incident, Turkey in November shot down a Russian combat jet that crossed into its territory.
Graphic Illustration

SHARE Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, right, looks at one of special prosecutors during a pretrial motion hearing at the Collin County courthouse on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in McKinney, Texas. Paxton is accused of encouraging wealthy investors to pump more than $100,000 into a tech startup called Servergy without revealing he was being paid by the company. (Jae S. Lee/The Dallas Morning News Via AP, Pool)

The following editorial appeared in Sunday's Corpus Christi Caller-Times:

Even the most committed partisan Texas Democrat should find no joy or humor in the situation Republicans walked into, eyes wide open, when they elected Ken Paxton attorney general and Sid Miller agriculture commissioner. There is nothing for Texans of any political persuasion to gain from the damage being done to our state as long as these two remain in office.

Republicans should drop party-loyal pretense and repudiate these two for the sake of all Texans. It may be too early to demand Miller's resignation but Paxton's should have been solicited long ago. Miller at least deserves a round of denouncements from top party officials.

The Paxton situation could be seen coming before he made the primary runoff in 2014. Already he had admitted that he recommended investments without informing investors that he received compensation if they invested. That's not just a technical error and it's not just dishonest. It's the dishonesty of someone who used self-righteous piety as a career steppingstone.

Paxton's admission was attempted damage control in which he thought he could pay a fine and move on. But last year he was indicted on criminal charges, and last week the Securities and Exchange Commission piled on with federal charges mirroring the state's charges.

Never mind that the established facts should preclude his being attorney general regardless of whether they result in a conviction. As a practical matter, he's too distracted by his criminal defense, and how to pay for it, to be a full-time attorney general.

He can't use campaign funds or make the state pay his legal fees because the charges have nothing to do with the official duties of the elected offices he has held. Also, he's too ethically compromised to represent the state in ethics cases.

Miller went into office clean but didn't stay that way. Since taking office, Miller took two trips that initially were booked as state business but that afterward he had to reimburse because no state business was conducted.

He went to Oklahoma, chatted up some officials who weren't expecting him and got a controversial painkiller treatment known as the "Jesus shot," purporting to end pain for life without first having to die. He went to Mississippi, where he competed in a rodeo, which is easier to do pain-free. He has claimed that his intended visits with Mississippi agriculture officials fell through. The Texas Rangers are investigating these two trips. ...

Right now we should be extolling Republicans for having denounced these two. Not only has repudiation not been forthcoming, but Paxton also has benefited from a cult of defenders who choose to denounce his accusers as witch-hunters with political agendas. It's a left-wing conspiracy, don'tcha know. What really happened was that a grand jury in Paxton's extremely conservative Collin County indicted him after the Texas Rangers, not known as a haven for lefties, investigated Paxton, who had the intimidating benefit of being a state senator at the time.

In this overwhelmingly Republican-run state, the party is replete with honorable people who could replace these two. It had safe, ethical options during the 2014 primary. The party needs to quit acting like getting rid of Miller and Paxton would be a Democratic victory and stop rewarding Paxton, in particular, for having chosen the winning team. Policing its own would be a Republican victory. It would be what's best for all Texans.
State Oil and Natural Gas Rig Counts

Following a sharp decline in oil severance tax revenues, Alaska lawmakers are considering bringing back the states personal income tax for the first time in nearly four decades to help close an estimated $4 billion budget deficit. Earlier this year, North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple similarly ordered 4 percent budget cuts for most state agencies to make up for a $1 billion shortfall. In Louisiana, which had its credit ratings downgraded by two rating agencies, lawmakers are debating several proposed cuts and tax increases to balance the budget.Given their struggles, a Brookings Institution report published this week calls on states to rethink how theyre collecting and spending severances taxes derived from natural resources. States can do a better job, the report authors say, of channeling oil revenues to stable trust funds that better weather the boom-and-bust cycle.Most states rely little on severance or extraction taxes  usually less than 2 percent of total tax collections. But for the states with the largest oil reserves, the drop in oil prices has wreaked havoc on budgets.The consequences of inaction are especially visible now, said Brookings senior fellow Mark Muro, who co-authored the report. The bust period is the right time to look at this.Several state legislatures have weighed proposals to modify severance taxes or initiate new fees in recent years.The Brookings report recommends that a portion of states annual severance tax revenues be diverted to permanent trust funds, which encompass different types of investment products and are intended for long-term use. Fund earnings can be used to fund projects or programs, while spending the principal is typically restricted. Along with those tied to severance taxes, trust funds have also taken the form of land grant funds to support public school systems in the U.S.Eight states have established trust funds supported by severance taxes. For the most part, however, fund balances remain small relative to the amount of production thats occurred in states over a number of years. Consider the North Dakota Legacy Fund, which has a market value of approximately $3.2 billion, or Alabamas $2.5 billion fund.In two oil-rich states that levy little or no severance taxes  Ohio and Pennsylvania  not much discussion has occurred around new trust funds as governors have targeted tax increases to fund policy priorities.Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has called for a severance tax to boost education funding. The state is the only major oil-producing state without a severance tax, although it does impose an impact fee. Wolf, a Democrat, initially proposed a 5 percent severance tax and an additional charge based on the volume of natural gas that would have raised an estimated $855 million in fiscal 2016-17 and $933 million the following year, according to the states Independent Fiscal Office The issue, however, has divided lawmakers along partisan lines in the state legislature, where Republicans control both chambers. If a tax were passed, its unlikely that enough money would be raised to both finance meaningful education initiatives and establish a trust fund given low tax revenues, said John Hanger, who served as Gov. Wolfs secretary of policy and planning until earlier this year.In Ohio, Republican Gov. John Kasich has sought to raise the states low severance tax to fund income tax cuts. Currently, drillers pay 20 cents per barrel of oil and 3 cents per 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas in severance taxes and regulatory assessment fees  far lower than other states.The issue isnt as partisan as it is in Pennsylvania as Republicans hold large majorities in both the state House and state Senate. But lawmakers have resisted proposals for a few years now, instead forming a commission to study the states tax policy last year.The legislature has had ample time to understand this issue and no shortage of recommendations, said Wendy Patton, a senior project director for Policy Matters Ohio.Under Kasichs plan, the bulk of the additional revenues raised would fund income tax cuts. Patton, though, says the funds would be better spent on infrastructure and other long-term investments. Policy Matters Ohio advocates for a 5 percent severance tax and, when markets are strong, an additional 2.5 percent tax for a permanent trust fund.Personal income tax is far more stable than the severance tax, Patton said. You dont want to swap out one for the other.The oil and natural gas industry has pushed back against proposed tax hikes in states, arguing they cant afford the added expense at a time when prices are low.New taxes, coupled with duplicative and onerous regulations, will only exacerbate the difficult fiscal challenges facing the natural gas industry and the thousands of men and women whose livelihoods are dependent upon it, said Marcellus Shale Coalition president David Spigelmyer in a news release earlier this year.Trust fund revenues, the Brookings report argues, can further play a role in better diversifying states economies so they arent as vulnerable to economic shocks. Investments in tech-based industries and renewable energy, for instance, are much less volatile than oil and natural gas.Theres an opportunity to develop economies that deliver prosperity for a broader range of the state over time, Brookings Muro said.Despite falling oil prices, Texas has weathered the boom-and-bust cycle better than other major oil-producing states as its economy is more diversified. By contrast, Alaska, North Dakota, Louisiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wyoming all recorded declines in total employment last year despite overall job growth nationally.The report authors further outline a series of recommendations for states that have already established trust funds. They include a solid governance framework, clear investment strategy, transparency standards and well-defined fiscal rules, such as when money can be withdrawn. While some state trust funds reviewed had some features, none had implemented all recommendations.One trust fund cited in the report as an example to follow is Montanas coal tax trust fund . Half of annual coal severance tax revenues are diverted to the fund, and its revenues cannot be appropriated without approval from three-quarters of the state legislature.Oil production has slowed across the country as prices have fallen. Select a state to view changes in numbers of oil and natural gas rigs over time.
Florida health officials confirmed three new cases of Zika virus in Miami-Dade on Tuesday, raising the statewide total to 91 people infected by the disease since February -- most in the nation -- as President Barack Obama signed legislation fast tracking the regulatory process for developing a vaccine.The bill signed by the president prioritizes review of Zika virus within the Food and Drug Administration., allowing officials to test a vaccine for Zika more quickly.Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health has said the agency hopes to have a possible vaccine ready for human trials in early fall.Zika virus has hit Florida harder than any other state. Among at least 15 Florida counties affected by Zika virus, Miami-Dade is home to the greatest number of cases with 39 people affected, according to the state's count.Of the cases confirmed in Florida, four cases are still exhibiting symptoms, which include fever, joint pain, rash and red eyes lasting seven to 10 days, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Florida has reported Zika infections in five pregnant women, who are considered to be at greatest risk from the infectious disease because of a conclusive link between the virus and congenital microcephaly, a condition in which a newborn's head is smaller than expected, which can lead to developmental issues.The CDC recommends that women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant postpone travel to affected areas where Zika is locally transmitted, including much of Latin America and the Caribbean.Nearly all of Florida's cases were acquired by people traveling outside the country, except for one case of sexual transmission in Polk County.Last week, U.S. officials recommended deferral of blood donors in U.S. areas where Zika is actively transmitted until blood donations can be screened. Puerto Rico is the first U.S. area to need to comply with the guidance from the FDA.There have been 358 confirmed cases of Zika in the continental United States as of April 13, including 31 pregnant women, according to the CDC. Seven of the cases were sexually transmitted, and at least one led to Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder.
Businesses selling vapor products such as electronic cigarettes and liquid nicotine in Washington will soon be regulated by statewide rules.Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 6328 into law on Tuesday. It will create a set of policies for businesses selling the smoking alternatives, such as requiring them to purchase licenses through the state's Liquor and Cannabis Board and display signs reminding customers that buying the product is illegal for people under the age of 18.Under existing law, there are few rules governing the sale of vapor products in the state. It's illegal to sell an e-cigarette to people under the age of 18, but the law is difficult to enforce, according to some who worked to pass the new regulations and the state Department of Health. The licensing will put money toward enforcing the age requirement.Among other new rules contained in the bill, vaping products will now need labels warning users of their health effects, and liquid nicotine containers will need child-proof packaging. It also bans vaping in many public places such as schools, elevators, playgrounds, school buses and more.Mary McHale, a policy expert in the state for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said the regulations are perhaps the strictest among states in the nation, and are aimed at preventing youths from vaping.
Dueling States

The Fear Factor

As U.S. Supreme Court justices weigh whether President Barack Obama has the power to grant legal work status to about 3.5 million undocumented immigrant parents, states are weighing the costs of the decision. And they are divided on whether they will be helped or hurt economically  regardless of how the justices rule.Justices on Monday heard arguments in the case, in which the Obama administration seeks to overrule a lower court order halting the policy. Texas and 25 other states challenged the presidents 2014 executive action to give deferred deportation and legal work status to parents of U.S. citizens in a plan called DAPA, Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, also called Deferred Action for Parental Accountability.One in four Hispanic children has an undocumented parent, according to a new study by the National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families.Only parents here since 2010 and who havent been convicted of a felony or repeat misdemeanors would qualify to stay without immediate threat of deportation if DAPA is allowed to go forward.But if the policy is struck down, parents could face the threat of deportation for being here illegally  though many of their children, an estimated 4.5 million, could remain legally because they were born here and therefore are citizens.There is a pressing humanitarian concern in avoiding the breakup of families that contain U.S. citizen children, U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli argued before the court.In seeking to overturn the policy, Texas argued that it would cost the state millions of dollars to give the immigrants drivers licenses because state law requires that people authorized to work be eligible for licenses. The administration argued that Texas cant sue just because it would lose money issuing licenses when its free to deny licenses to DAPA recipients or raise fees.In its court brief, Texas said total unauthorized immigration costs it $59 million in extra education costs and $717 million in health care costs annually. Other states also claimed costs from unauthorized immigration with deferred deportation status, such as $9 million in Arizonas Maricopa County for law enforcement and $571,000 in Wisconsin for unemployment benefits.But lawyers for 16 other states, led by Washington, argue they would be better off economically if DAPA was upheld. They said granting legal work status for these parents would bring in more tax revenue as they get better jobs, and prevent costly foster care for children left behind should their parents be deported.Overall, unauthorized immigrants already pay $11.6 billion annually in state and local taxes, according to a February study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a tax policy think tank in Washington, D.C. That includes $1.5 billion in Texas and $3.2 billion in California, states with the most undocumented immigrants.DAPA-eligible parents alone add $210 billion to the overall economy, a UCLA study in 2014 estimated. Combined with an existing policy that allows immigrants who arrived here as children to avoid deportation and work legally for two years, California could reap an additional $900 million in state taxes over five years if DAPA is implemented, a 2015 report by the left-leaning Center for American Progress estimated. That report also estimated additional tax receipts of $347 million for Illinois, $184 million for New York and $25 million for South Carolina.DAPA was halted by an injunction before it started, and that injunction was upheld by an appeals court in November. In the case argued Monday, the Obama administration asked the Supreme Court to lift the stay on the policy and allow DAPA to start enrolling parents who qualify.Advocates say the policy needs to move forward as soon as possible, citing recent research that indicates that children fall behind in school when their parents fear deportation.One thing the Texas lawsuit does not challenge is the deportation priorities that took effect in 2015, which made most law-abiding undocumented immigrants a low priority for deportation. The Migration Policy Institute estimates the policy protects 87 percent of the unauthorized people in the country, or 9.6 million, from deportation though the government retains the right to make exceptions.But while unauthorized immigrant parents may not face immediate deportation if DAPA doesnt go forward, they may remain in constant fear of it.The justices arent expected to rule until June. And the divided court, with only eight justices following the death of Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, could rule a number of ways: In addition to ruling for or against Texas on whether the president has the power to authorize DAPA, it could be deadlocked 4-4, which would allow the lower court decision to stand and block the policy in at least part of the country. Or it could decide that Texas didnt have legal standing to sue, which could allow the policy to go forward.Texas based its case on drivers license processing costs, saying the state loses more than $130 on each license it would be forced to offer DAPA parents, a potential cost of up to $60 million that gives the state standing to sue, it says.Washington and the states, along with the District of Columbia, that want DAPA to go forward called the Texas argument distorted and said delaying the policy is preventing our state and millions of our residents from receiving substantial economic, social welfare and public safety benefits.Along with increased taxes from the better earnings immigrants could gain from legal work status, the proponents argued states will benefit from lower law enforcement costs as more immigrants cooperate with police. States could also avoid unnecessary foster care cases that arise when children are separated from their deported parents, they argued.An estimated 5,100 foster care cases are created nationally each year by deportation, which costs states $132 million, the pro-DAPA states argued, citing a 2011 study by the Applied Research Center, a racial justice advocacy group now called Race Forward.They also argued that states would have fewer traffic deaths because all drivers would be licensed, pointing to a January study by the Commonwealth Institute For Fiscal Analysis, a think tank focused on low- and moderate-income earners, which suggested that driver training and testing of undocumented immigrants helped lower the number of traffic deaths in states where licenses are issued regardless of immigration status.We are convinced that it will create more tax revenue, but more importantly, it will keep families together, said Noah Purcell, Washingtons solicitor general.Some states are split. In Maine and New Mexico, Democratic attorneys general signed on to the Washington brief supporting DAPA, but their Republican governors joined the other side. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed one anti-DAPA brief, along with New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, while Maine Gov. Paul LePage signed another.Conversely, Nevadas Republican attorney general joined the Texas lawsuit, while Gov. Brian Sandoval, also a Republican, said he does not support the challenge. Nevada has the nations highest share of schoolchildren with an unauthorized immigrant parent, at 18 percent, according to Pew Research Center estimates. (The Pew Charitable Trusts funds the Pew Research Center and Stateline.)Although deportation priorities may have minimized the threat of parent deportations, the deferred deportation and permission to work conferred by DAPA is important for immigrants peace of mind, said Randy Capps, a demographer at the Migration Policy Institute.Raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in January targeted only 121 people who had crossed the border recently or failed to show up in immigration court, but they scared everybody, Capps said.As a result, information-sharing networks have sprung up on social media to help immigrants stay alert for roadblocks and raids that could separate them from their children. But they can also be a source of worrisome rumors, Capps said.Thats why the work authorization is so important: It allows people to step out in the open and work without being afraid. It makes a big difference for the well-being of their children, he said.According to estimates by Capps group, the areas with the most potential DAPA beneficiaries are California, with almost 1.1 million eligible parents, and Texas, with about 560,000. Other states with more than 100,000 are Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina.Fear of deportation can cause parents to worry and sometimes fail to get services that help their U.S.-born children in even the most immigrant-friendly parts of the country.In Baltimore, where Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has welcomed immigrants regardless of status, the January raids caused widespread concern among parents, said Adonia Simpson, managing attorney for immigration legal services at the Esperanza Center, part of Catholic Charities of Baltimore. In February, the center helped dozens of parents create power-of-attorney files in case theyre separated from their children by deportation.It does provide a little peace of mind for people to have a plan in case the worst happens, Simpson said. At least you have someone you can call on who can manage your money and take care of your kids.Until recently in South Carolina, immigrant children of undocumented parents were denied in-state college tuition rates and state scholarships even if they were U.S. citizens. The state has agreed to stop the practice in a move toward settling a lawsuit, said Tammy Besherse, a staff attorney for the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center, which advocates for low-income people.The three students who sued have now been enrolled with in-state tuition and financial aid, Besherse said, but theres no telling how many students quietly accepted the policy and decided against going to college.
RA-US-4th-Circuit-rules-for-transgender-teen-in-Va-bathroom-case-0419-20160419A transgender teen persuaded the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that banning him from using the boys' bathroom at his high school in rural Virginia is a case that should be heard in court.The 2-1 ruling, which came Tuesday afternoon, could shape the fight over House Bill 2 in North Carolina and have an impact on a lawsuit filed in March by two transgender people and a lesbian law professor.North Carolina, like Virginia, is part of the Fourth Circuit.The teenager who brought the case, Gavin Grimm, 16, and his attorneys argued before a U.S. Court of Appeals panel in January and adds clarity to how the appeals court plans to interpret the question of whether bathroom assignment should be based on the gender on a student's birth certificate or the gender with which a person identifies.The federal Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights sent an opinion letter dated Jan. 7, 2015, that stated it was OK for schools to permit the provision "separate toilet, locker room, and shower facilities on the basis of sex" as long as the facilities provided for one gender were comparable to what was provided to the other. "When a school elects to separate or treat students differently on the basis of sex... a school generally must treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity."The Department's interpretation resolves ambiguity by providing that in the case of a transgender individual using a sex-segregated facility, the individual's sex as male or female is to be generally determined by reference to the student's gender identity," Judge Henry Floyd wrote in Tuesday's majority opinion.In reversing the lower court in Virginia, the 4th Circuit panel said the judge had used the wrong legal standard in denying the student a request to halt the bathroom ban while his case pended in court. Grimm, whose case has brought national attention to the LGBT fight over public restrooms, was born with female anatomy, according to his court filing, but came out to in high school as a transgender male.The Tuesday ruling also reverses a lower court ruling in which a judge agreed to dismiss the Grimm case upon request from the Gloucester County, Va., school board.The 4th Circuit is the highest court to consider a question about whether bathroom restrictions, such as those in North Carolina's controversial House Bill 2, constitute sex discrimination and a violation of Title IX, the federal law governing gender harassment and discrimination. The decision could have reach beyond Virginia.In response, the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of North Carolina, and Lambda Legal released a joint statement shortly after the ruling."Today's ruling makes plain that North Carolina's House Bill 2 violates Title IX by discriminating against transgender students and forcing them to use the wrong restroom at school," the organizations stated. "This mean-spirited law not only encourages discrimination and endangers transgender students -- it puts at risk billions of dollars in federal funds that North Carolina receives for secondary and post-secondary schools. House Bill 2 exposes North Carolinians to discrimination and harm, is wreaking havoc on the state's economy and reputation, and now more than ever, places the state's federal education funding in jeopardy. We again call on Governor McCrory and the General Assembly to repeal House Bill 2 and replace it with full nondiscrimination protections for LGBT people."Gov. Pat McCrory filed a so-called "friend of the court" brief in support of the bathroom ban in Virginia.
Description

GIS - 20 April 2016: Mauritius is an etat de droit where the fundamental rights and freedom of any individual are guaranteed by our Constitution. Indeed, Section 3 of the Constitution guarantees the right to the protection for the privacy of ones home and other property which includes the privacy of communication made within the home including any communication requiring the use of telephone apparatus, said the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, yesterday in the National Assembly in reply to a Parliamentary Question (PQ).

The PQ pertained to the issue of telephone tapping, and whether the National Security Service or any other specially formed cell is resorting to such a practice under the direct orders of the Executive.

According to the Prime Minister, Section 12 of the Constitution makes provision for interference with our fundamental rights under certain circumstances, such as in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health.

Sir Anerood Jugnauth also recalled that where information is required for the purpose of enquiry and criminal proceedings, an application is made before a Judge in Chambers, to intercept, withhold or disclose to the Police, a communication message. Thereafter, the Judges order is forwarded to the public operator directing the latter to disclose the name and address of the alleged offender, he pointed out.
Before SoCalGas plugged the methane leak at its Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility in Los Angeles earlier this year, state officials made clear the company would have to pay to counteract the damage: 107,000 tons of methane emissions released into the atmosphere, which statewide emissions by 20 percent during the four months the leak was active.It was the largest methane leak in U.S. history, a study published in the journallater found. It caused Gov. Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency. More than 6,000 households had to be relocated to get away from the leaks harmful effects.A state agency has released its plan for SoCalGas to offset the damage the methane leak caused. While the company is now battling with that agency over particulars, the plan itself is built on an innovative concept. The premise is that offsets should be geared towards making long-term environmental changes for the state.David Clegern, spokesman for Californias Air Resources Board, said there are two waves of changes the agency is asking from SoCalGas. The first relates to the leaks immediate effects.The second wave is to do things that would be transformational for the industry, to put something in place that gets major reductions long-term.That is, the agency wants SoCalGas to pay for projects that wont just result in one drop in emissions. It wants the natural gas provider to pursue projects that will tip the incentives for the largest methane producers  farmers  so theyll choose to invest in emissions-reducing projects on their own.Clegern said doesnt know the cost of the programs it is asking SoCalGas to pursue  even a general estimate. The program is geared towards reaching a benchmark reduction in methane emissions. And all of the reductions need to come from new initiatives  neither the board nor SoCalGas can latch on to existing programs and count them as mitigation. Essentially, the hope is that from disaster can come innovation.But the debate about the specifics continues. In a January emergency proclamation, Gov. Jerry Brown declared the company would be responsible for funding a program to mitigate the methane leaks emissions.The company at the time told local media it planned to do just that  pay for all costs of plugging and mitigating the leak, at no expense to ratepayers.The states Air Resources Board released its formal mitigation plan at the end of March, but SoCalGas has taken issue with some of the programs elements.The company reacted to the program with a letter objecting to the Air Resources Boards emissions estimate and to the mitigation standard to which it held the company.That latter issue gets to the heart of the disagreement. ARB measured the contribution of the methane leak on a 20-year time-horizon. SoCalGas contends a 100-year horizon is more appropriate. Because the worst effects of methane play out quickly, a shorter time frame would amplify the impact of the leak, on paper, and a longer time frame would make it appear less devastating.Driving the legal dispute over the proper regulatory standard, though, is a matter of money, Clegern said.They want us to use a 100-year measure because it will save them a lot of money, he contents. SoCalGas executives say they just want the state to use the same standards its used in the past.When Brown issued his executive order, he specifically directed the ARB to focus on the shorter timeframe.This mitigation program shall be funded by the Southern California Gas Company, be limited to projects in California, and prioritize projects that reduce short-lived climate pollutants, he wrote.Representatives from SoCalGas did not respond to a request for comment.In any case, Clegern said ARBs plan would have SoCalGas make investments that in future years would tip incentives for farmers and landfill operators to change the way they handle methane emissions.For instance, SoCalGas may be responsible for funding a project that would cover an existing landfill that seeps methane  such as the Sunshine Canyon Landfill, which is near the Aliso Canyon leak  and route its methane into a converter that burns it into electricity and taps it into the power grid.Likewise, the company could be forced to fund projects that would allow dairy farmers  an industry responsible for 45 percent of the states methane emissions  to capture their methane emissions and feed them back into the grid.What were trying to do is create a system where its worth a farmers while to scrape their manure into a digester and convert it into energy, instead of just throw it in a (container) and emit methane, Clegern said. Thats critical because its virtually unregulated right now.Currently, some farmers capture methane emissions for their own energy. The missing piece is infrastructure that takes the emissions from the farm and tapping them into the grid, Clegern said. Solving that issue  and potentially with the costs covered with SoCalGas  holds the promise of changing farmers decisions of whether its a worthwhile investment. If it is, the implications may extend beyond California.The energy grid in the West is changing dramatically anyway, simply because it has to, Clegern said. Were trying to work in way that integrates this so that the momentum from cleanup will continue.
Kimi Raikkonen says it is too early to get involved in the 2016 driver 'silly season'.

Many experts are predicting a frenzied round of negotiations later this year, as key potential vacancies at Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Williams and elsewhere open up.

2007 world champion Raikkonen could be central to those moves as his Ferrari contract is expiring, but the Finn insists it is too early to worry about it now.

Asked in China if the presence of president Sergio Marchionne was a good opportunity to begin talks, Raikkonen answered: "I met with him at the end of last year and already this year, as it's always interesting to speak with him.

"But we are at only the third race," he is quoted by the German newsmagazine Focus. "Let's see what the future holds."

(GMM)
FTA awarded the FY 2015 funds after a competitive review process that prioritized transit agencies and bus manufacturers with strong records in building, deploying, and operating clean buses and infrastructure. The projects selected in this round of Low-No funding are:

The US Department of Transportations Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the latest project selections for the Low and No-Emission Vehicle Deployment Program, known as Low-No. Seven transit providers in five states will receive a share of $22.5 million toward transit buses and related facilities that utilize battery-electric, fuel cell, and other innovative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve operating efficiency.

Fiscal Year 2015 Low and No-Emission Vehicle Deployment Program Projects Project sponsor Description Funding LACMTA under Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) will receive $4,275,000 toward five battery-electric zero-emission buses, as well as eight charging stations. This electric bus infrastructure will serve the Metro Orange Line bus rapid transit corridor in the City of Los Angeles. LACMTA will also partner with the Southern California Regional Transit Training Consortium to include workforce development in support of zero-emission technology. $4,275,000 Foothill Transit under Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Foothill Transit will receive $1,310,000 toward electric charging facilities that will support the agencys ongoing electric bus program, which includes an electric-only bus line. This program will help expand Foothill Transits electric bus capabilities. $1,310,000 AC Transit Under the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) will receive $1,551,611 toward five battery-electric buses and related equipment. AC Transit has experience deploying zero-emission buses, including battery-electric buses and fuel cell electric buses. This project will expand AC Transit's clean vehicle infrastructure in addition to providing valuable data comparing battery-electric to fuel cell technology. $1,551,611 Stark Area Regional Transit Authority The Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) will receive $4,015,174 toward three zero-emission American Fuel Cell Buses (AFCBs). This project will build on SARTAs successful, existing fuel cell bus program, which has already established hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure and will soon deploy five AFCBs in Stark County. $4,015,174 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will receive $2,585,075 toward the purchase of 25 zero-emission all-electric buses and related equipment. These vehicles will be deployed on bus routes in South Philadelphia, and an associated workforce development program will further contribute to the project's economic impact. $2,585,075 Utah Transit Authority (UTA) The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) will receive $5,427,100 toward five battery-electric zero-emission buses. Partnering with the University of Utah, these buses will serve the route connecting the campus to Salt Lake City. This program builds on UTAs extensive commitment to low and no-emission vehicles and technology. $5,427,100 King County King County Metro will receive $3,336,040 toward eight battery-electric zero-emission buses, which will allow two routes to be operated using entirely zero-emission vehicles. $3,336,040 TOTAL $22,500,000

The FTAs Low or No Emission Vehicle Deployment Program was established under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and re-authorized in the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. FTA previously awarded $55 million to 10 projects in February 2015 under the first round of funding made available through this program.

The FAST Act also made the Low-No program, previously funded and managed under FTAs research programs, a subset of the larger competitive bus program. Interested parties currently have the opportunity to apply for $55 million in FY2016 Low-No funding, for which the application period closes in May 2016.

The Low-No program focuses on commercializing the cleanest and most energy-efficient US-made transit buses to help reduce emissions such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The program builds on the success of FTAs National Fuel Cell Bus Program, which invested in the research, development and testing of alternative fuels and related equipment for the transit industry.
In a statement, MMC said that with respect to the fuel consumption testing data submitted to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), MMC conducted testing improperly to present better fuel consumption rates than the actual rates; and that the testing method was also different from the one required by Japanese law.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has admitted to manipulating fuel consumption testing data for some 625,000 mini-cars it manufactured for sale in Japan by itself and partner Nissan. Nissan was the one who identified the discrepancies.

The affected cars are four mini-car models: the eK Wagon and eK Space manufactured by MMC; and the Dayz and Dayz Roox manufactured by MMC and supplied to Nissan Motors Corporation (NM) since June 2013. Up until the end of March 2016, MMC has sold 157,000 of the eK Wagon and eK Space and supplied 468,000 units of the Dayz and Dayz Roox to NM.

Because MMC developed the applicable cars and was responsible for obtaining the relevant certifications, MMC conducted fuel consumption testing.

In the process of the development for the next generation of mini-car products, Nissan examined the fuel consumption rates of the applicable cars for its own reference and found deviations in the figures.

Nissan then requested MMC to review the running resistance valuethe rolling resistance mainly generated by the tires and the air resistance while the vehicle is in motionset by MMC during tests by MMC.

Mitsubishi said that during the course of this review, it learned that the running resistance value used for testing provided more advantageous fuel consumption rates than the actual rates.

Mitsubishi Motors has stopped production and sales of the applicable cars. Nissan also has stopped sales of the applicable cars, and MMC and Nissan will discuss compensation regarding this issue.

Mitsubishi Motors also said that during its internal investigation, it found that the testing method which was different from the one required by Japanese law had been applied to other models manufactured by MMC for the Japanese domestic market.

Mitsubishi is also beginning an investigation into products it manufactured for overseas markets. In order to conduct an investigation into these issues objectively and thoroughly, it will set up a committee consisting of only external experts. The company said it will publish the results as soon as the investigation is complete.
Sales of the Nissan LEAF and e-NV200 in the fleet market in Europe rose for a fourth consecutive year in fiscal year 2015, up 45% on the previous fiscal year. Nissan sold more than 7,500 LEAFs and e-NV200s to fleet operators and municipalities in Europe, commanding a 28% share of the pure electric fleet market. More than 20,000 Nissan EVs have been sold to fleet customers across Europe since launch.

In addition to the low operational cost (~0.03 per kilometer), owners benefit from low maintenance costs. With fewer moving parts, Nissan EVs provide estimated maintenance costs up to 40% lower than gasoline or diesel alternatives. Furthermore, many European fleet owners can also benefit from varied incentives offered by governments across the continent.

Postal services are among the service providers that have taken advantage of the benefits associated with switching to electric. Osterreichische Post AG, the Austrian state postal authority, already utilizes 160 e-NV200s and has recently confirmed an order for 100 additional units.

In the UK, Nissan has sold more than 350 EVs to public entities and the

City of Bari in Italy has just launched a car sharing service in cooperation with ACI Global using 30 Nissan LEAFs.

In the UK, Nissans total EV fleet sales for FY15 were up 43% compared with FY14, with 2,573 combined LEAF and e-NV200 sales versus 1,806 for the previous financial year. Electric vehicles now make up around 3% of all fleet sales with an increasing number of major contracts including West Midlands Police renewing its fleet of 30 Nissan LEAFs and upgrading to the new 30kWh model.

Almost 220,000 LEAFs have sold worldwide since introduction. In FY15, 16,916 Nissan LEAFs were sold in Europe, securing a new annual record.
Paice ( earlier post ), an early developer of hybrid vehicle technology, has filed a complaint against the Volkswagen Group with the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The complaint alleges patent infringement by VW, Audi and Porsche and asks the ITC to issue an exclusion order that would prohibit the companies from importing certain hybrid vehicles, including the VW Jetta Hybrid, Audi A3 e-tron Hybrid, Audi Q5 Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, and Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid.

In December 2015, Paice reached an agreement to license all of its hybrid vehicle technology to Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp, ending its legal action against those companies. Paice has now licensed all or part of its hybrid vehicle technology portfolio to Toyota, Hyundai/Kia, and Ford.

(Paice is currently involved in a patent infringement lawsuit against Ford, which signed a limited licensing agreement in 2010 that applied only to Paices first patent. When the companies were unable to reach a licensing agreement on subsequent patents, Paice was forced to pursue legal action in 2014. That lawsuit has been stayed pending the resolution of inter partes review proceedings before the US Patent Office.)

In the complaint against the Volkswagen Group, Paice said that from 2001 to 2004, Paice engineers spent more than 350 days in Germany sharing its patented hybrid technology with Volkswagen. Paice performed extensive modeling and provided VW all of Paices computer modeling and control algorithms. Paice said that VW abruptly ended the collaboration and never licensed Paices technology.

Now that the VW Group has been forced to stop selling its current diesel vehicle models in the US, it has committed to focusing a large part of its future development on hybrid vehicles for the VW, Audi and Porsche brands, Paice said. Given its refusal to license Paices technology, Paice believes VW, Audi and Porsche must be excluded from importing hybrid vehicles into the US.

The Volkswagen Group said in response to a query that We do not comment on ongoing litigation matters.

Paice is the creation of inventor Dr. Alex Severinsky, who founded the company in 1992 with the support of the University of Maryland incubator program. Paice has been awarded 29 US and foreign patents on hybrid technologies.
The image of five guys, sitting at a table having lunch together isnt something that would raise a lot of eyebrows.

If those five are elected officials serving on the same board, as is the case with the Sweetwater County Commissioners, the situation can get a bit more murky. The group has had lunches together during days theyre meeting for official county business for the past several years. With the exception of Randy Wendlings election in 2014, the boards makeup has been the same since 2010, when Commissioners Wally Johnson, Reid West and John Kolb were elected and Commissione...
The Mission at Castle Rock Convalescent Center will see some changes in the near future. Planning and preparation for the Villa portion of the center to be converted into an assisted living facility is underway.

Two years ago when Mission took over the Villa and Castle Rock Convalescent Center, Missions goal for the facility was to do what they could to make the center a viable option for the community and Mission still intends to do that, President and CEO of Mission, Gary Kelso said.

At the time Mission stepped in two years ago, there werent enough residents residing at the Villa...
One dollar can still buy a few items in todays society. Even less items sell for less than a dollar. A dollar and some odd cents can buy a few more items. Most of these items come from a dollar store, some snack options from a convenient store, or food items on a fast food value menu.

Another item one can buy with a lone dollar is a singular issue of the Green River Star newspaper. I as a newspaper reporter think this is a great price, considering all the effort and hours of work that is put into a single newspaper edition by the people who create it.

Some would say one dollar is too mu...
A Green River Marine may have been honored by the city, but he claims one Green River volunteer is the real hero.

During a recent Green River Council meeting, retired Lt. Col., Pete Bailiff was presented with a plaque. Although he was touched by the recognition for his 30 years of service, that did not stop him from taking the opportunity to recognize Green River resident Harry Holler.

Bailiff presented Holler with an American Flag flown by an AH-1W Supercobra during a combat mission to provide air support for Marines in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, by Marine Light Attack Squadron 267. H...
When Western Guilford High School launched its piano class at the beginning of the school year, some of the keyboards were outdated and sat on cafeteria tables.

The tables we used were rickety and unstable, some way too high and others way too low, so our posture was bad, senior class member Cicely Campbell said.

Not anymore.

Thanks to three grants students wrote through Donors Choose, with piano teacher Jancie Reinbolds assistance, the class has several new keyboards and keyboard stands.

Now I can record what Im playing and see if Im on beat, and they are much louder and easier to hear, Campbell said of the keyboards.

The adjustable stands allow students to have correct hand position, posture and level for reading music.

Reinbold petitioned for a piano class at Western after several students in her chorus class expressed interest.

We study music theory, and learning the piano helps students understand the correlation of the keyboard to key signatures and the circle of fifths, Reinbold explained. Piano requires many levels of coordination with reading two different clefs at a time and doing different things in each hand simultaneously.

Reinbold went to work securing grant money to make the class a reality.

It is important for Western to offer an elective which can become a lifelong learning skill, a skill they can take with them to be creative individuals, Reinbold said. Students have shown interest in having this skill and want this experience.

In addition to two grants she received the past two years from ArtsGreensboro for new keyboards, Reinbold and her students were able to secure more than $1,000 in grant money and equipment for the new class, including several new stands and another new keyboard. They also bought a Yamaha digital piano, which gives students the opportunity to use pedals. Reinbold has 18 students enrolled in the new class, and they are excited about their new equipment.

The old ones (keyboards) were more or less pieces of junk, said senior Francis Bolmer, who enrolled in the class because he wanted to try something new. Ive always liked the sound of the piano, and it seemed like a fun class to take.

A beginner who had never taken a piano lesson before enrolling in the class, Bolmer described himself now as semi-competent.

I like seeing myself develop, and I want to keep playing, he said.

Campbell had been in chorus for four or five years and said she enrolled in piano because she wanted to be able to play and sing at the same time, as well as play for her family and teach them and others how to play. She enjoyed learning to play Jingle Bells during the holidays, and is excited about learning Mozart and more challenging music this spring.

The challenges make me want to keep working, Campbell said. So many dont get the opportunity to do something like this.

Only one of the 18 students in the class had studied piano before, and Campbell said all of them have reached at least the intermediate level. While this years class is mainly composed of juniors and seniors, with one sophomore, Reinbold hopes to open it up to freshman next year and offer two piano classes.

My students have grown so much musically, and we have become a family, Reinbold said.

Westerns piano students will give a spring recital at 4 p.m. Saturday at Steinway Piano Gallery in Jefferson Village, with a reception following.

This piano gallery allows piano recitals without charge and gives the students the opportunity to perform on beautiful and expensive Steinway pianos, Reinbold said. My goal is to expand Westerns piano program, which will lead to more community performances.
Regarding Bruce Nichelsons letter (April 6), the oath of office of the state attorney general reads, I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as Attorney General, so help me God.
GREENWICH  The Greenwich Distinguished Teachers Awards Committee announced Wednesday the recipients of this years 2016 Distinguished Teachers Awards:

ANA CHEJIN-DANIELSEN, New Lebanon School, TESOL-Bilingual

JULIE COFONE, North Mianus School, Grade 5

SARAH GOLDIN, Greenwich High School, Science-AVID-Innovation Lab

SARAH HARRIS, North Mianus School, Kindergarten

JEANNINE MADOFF, International School at Dundee, Media

IAN TIEDEMANN, Greenwich High School, Social Studies

After an eight-month review process, the districts Distinguished Teachers Awards Committee chose the Distinguished Teachers, based on nominations made by colleagues, parents, students, administrators and/or community members.

The Distinguished Teachers will be recognized at the Board of Educations next meeting, Thursday at 7 p.m., at Riverside School.

The awards ceremony for the Distinguished Teachers is scheduled for May 3, at 4 p.m., in the Greenwich High School auditorium.
GREENWICH  Parents of elementary-school students continue to express their opposition to scheduling changes in the district that would significantly affect their children, with more expressing their opposition to such shifts at a meeting Tuesday at the Boys & Girls Club.

The seven scheduling alternatives to the current schedules that school officials are considering for the 2017-18 school year would start the elementaries as early as 7:30 a.m. and as late as 9:45 a.m. The districts 11 elementaries now begin at 8:15 a.m. or 8:45 a.m. and finish at 2:45 p.m. or 3:15 p.m.

While many Greenwich High School students and parents want the high school to start later than its current 7:30 a.m. kick-off, many elementary parents have said that a later high-school schedule should not come at their childrens expense.

Its not fair to solve the problem for our high-schoolers on the backs of our elementary-school children, Mieke Duxbury, who has a second-grade son at Old Greenwich School, told an audience of about 50 parents. Were not factoring in that elementary school kids arent feeding themselves, and theyre not getting themselves dressed, and they frequently have younger brothers and sisters. So for me to get my second-grader to school at 7:30 would also mean that I would need to get my 4-year-old and 2-year-old dressed and fed and out the door.

Clare Kilgallen, whose three sons attend New Lebanon School, said that she was worried about the potential impact of new elementary schedules on before-school and after-school programs.

We need to appreciate that there are impacts, especially with the earlier start times, Kilgallen said. What happens to those critical before- and after-(school) academic enrichment programs?

Alexandra Stevens, a media specialist at Greenwich High who has a son at Cos Cob School, said that major changes for the elementaries would not work well for families.

Having kids go to school or leave for school and be at bus stops in the dark is just completely unacceptable for a 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-year-old, Stevens said. Having our kids get out of school at 4:15 means that would affect after-school activities and family dinners and family time and getting them to bed a lot later.

Some elementary parents said an earlier start for their children could work if the shifts were not drastic. Masis Yaterian suggested considering an 8 a.m. start for the elementaries

I dont think its such a bad fit to get the elementary-school children in a little earlier, Yaterian said. These kids get up earlier anyway.

The districts start-time committee, which is advising McKersie, last fall recommended taking off the table elementary starts before 8 a.m. But McKersie has said that a number of scenarios need to be reviewed again before he makes his recommendation, although he said 7:30 a.m. starts for elementary students are unlikely to be implemented.

A survey that includes the seven scheduling alternatives was sent out Monday to all district families. About 1,000 have responded so far to the survey, according to McKersie.

I am not going to recommend anything that does this on the backs of our elementary schools, McKersie said. I need hard data that those early options are off the table.

McKersie is set to present a recommendation on schedules to the Board of Education on May 12, followed by a board vote on June 14.

pschott@scni.com; 203-625-4439; twitter: @paulschott
UPDATE: According to the state's attorney, the case against Janeth Medina was dismissed.

GREENWICH  Janeth Medina, 56, of East Putnam Avenue, Cos Cob, is facing felony charges of theft and fraud in connection with a workers compensation claim she filed last year.
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GREENWICH  The Greenwich political expert leading the get-out-the-vote campaign at a local senior living center is barely old enough to cast his own ballot.

Spurred by his longtime interest in politics and current events, Brunswick School junior Reid Robbins has taken advantage of a rowdy presidential election year to mobilize voters through presentations Monday and last month at the Atria Rye Brook senior residential complex in Rye Brook, N.Y., down the road from his schools main campus.
Cohen and Greenfield. Photo: Courtesy of Ben & Jerrys

Outspoken Bernie backers Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield ran into some trouble with the law while protesting a very Sanders-esque cause Monday in Washington, D.C. The ice-cream-makers joined up with several hundred others for Democracy Awakening, an event on the Capitols steps to protest money in politics that Capitol Police ultimately broke up. About 300 participants were charged with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, then released to (lets be honest here) go brag about their new crimes on social media.Which is exactly what Ben & Jerrys did following the incident: The company blogged that the duo were just guilty of putting a little walk with their talk (The history of our country is that nothing happens until people start putting their bodies on the line and risk getting arrested), then tweeted a few shots of the two in action:

Our co-founders, board members, & employees participating in direct action on Capitol steps for #DemocracyAwakens pic.twitter.com/n2EKrqJZUA  Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 18, 2016

Not that either co-founder ever runs from controversy  theyve proudly sold the 4/20-friendliest ice cream of all time, renamed their Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor I Dough, I Dough after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, and even laughed at earnest claims that Hazed & Confusion was evil because it was procollege hazing. Cohen has been particularly active this election cycle trying to convince fence-sitters to support his home-state senator, a goal he probably hoped an arrest would help. He whipped up a homemade batch of an unofficial flavor he calls Bernies Yearning thats got a giant solid-chocolate layer over the top. It represents all the wealth thats gone to the top 1% of the population over the past 10 years, and hes explained the way you get past the chocolate is by whack[ing] it with your spoon, then you mix it around.

[CNN, Ben & Jerrys]
Putting its $45 million in funding to good use. Photo: Melissa Hom

Youve heard it before: the three waves of coffee, says Todd Carmichael, the founder of coffee chain and industry leader La Colombe. Hes referencing the major shifts in coffee culture. First, it was an everyman beverage. Next came the proliferation of coffee shops specializing in drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Finally, the third wave was marked by operators who treated coffee, and the actual beans, as proper ingredients instead of commodities, and specialized in harvesting, direct-trade sourcing, and micro-roasting. Now, Carmichael says, another major change is about to happen: The third wave wasnt as big as No. 1 or No. 2 because it was so intellectual, he explains. But the fourth wave is different. Its cold and portable coffee. Thats it. It will be the biggest one of all.

Now that most of the biggest names in the third-wave coffee movement have been bought by larger companies  Peets Coffee purchased both Intelligentsia and Stumptown; the founder of Chobani is now a major investor in La Colombe; Blue Bottle has received more than $45 million in funding, largely from high-profile internet players  theyre taking steps toward becoming megabrands that appeal to the masses. This is why Carmichael and his competitors are now embracing the ready-to-drink-coffee market  canning and bottling their beans, and pushing them into retail stores all across America. Consider it the gourmet alternative to Starbuckss bottled Frappuccinos.

After seeing the in-store success of his draft latte, a cold, Guinness-esque milk-and-coffee drink, Carmichael figured out a way to re-create the experience of, in his words, a textured craft beverage in a nine-ounce aluminum can, with cold-pressed espresso, milk, a touch of cane sugar, and even a layer of foam on top. When youre a company like La Colombe, your aim is to make as many people happy as you can, he says. I first thought that meant opening a shop on every corner. But instead of having the world come to you, you can go to them.

In fact, theres something of a portable-coffee arms race happening: Last month, around the same time that Carmichael introduced his product, Blue Bottle launched its own canned cold brew  an eight-ounce, $4 aluminum can of water and coffee. Both Blue Bottle and Stumptown have also been selling iced coffee in milk cartons for years: Blue Bottles New Orleansstyle iced coffee comes with whole milk and cane sugar, and Stumptown even has a vegan flavor with coconut cream. But the sleek, compact can, which is recyclable and, the companies claim, better for the environment, is the latest hot innovation.

Carmichael, whos charging $10 for a four-pack, realizes now is the time to seize the moment. I do and dont feel a sense of competition, he says. My competition is not the other coffee companies, as much as Apple or Nike. Ive got to settle into the idea that its not a footrace here. All of our products will be very different. James [Freeman, of Blue Bottle] is James, Duane [Sorenson, of Stumptown] is Duane. The cold brew is the base ingredient. But it doesnt achieve what my company wants to achieve, which is to change the world.

If Carmichael has any clear competitor, its Starbucks  or, actually, PepsiCo, which has produced the mermaid-branded, sugar-laden bottled Frappuccinos since 1994. The entire market of ready-to-drink coffee is compressed, he says. Right now the Frappuccino is doing $2 billion a year domestic. And you know the hummus market does $2 billion a year? This is Americas favorite beverage, and were drinking as much of that as were eating hummus, which is not Americas dip. Whats going on here? Theyve been working for 20 years to get it to $2 billion. Then you look to Mexico, which isnt really a coffee-drinking country, and their [ready-to-drink] coffee is at $4.7 billion. How do you explain that? I dont think weve found a product that were satisfied with  and if you correct this, its an $8.5 billion market. Someones sitting on it. Its a market waiting for its market leader.

So far, so good: Carmichael claims that he received his first 10,000 orders within the first 47 minutes of putting his product on sale, and that he has met with every major retailer in America. You can expect to soon see the packaged lattes almost everywhere  Whole Foods, Wegmans, Acme, and even the tiniest of convenience stores, where individual cans will sell for about $2.89. La Colombes output will greatly increase over the next 90 days, after Carmichael receives a delivery of 5 million cans in the beginning of August. Hes currently working out of a pilot production plant in Philadelphia, and eyeing dairy farms in upstate New York. (The problem is that there arent enough cows.) Eventually, hell expand the flavors to mocha, vanilla but with real vanilla, an intense triple latte, and a pure-black variety, without milk. Im experimenting with every other flavor, Carmichael says. I want to find my Pumpkin Spice.

To coffee snobs, this might seem like a curious way of thinking, since most serious shops exist in direct opposition to things like bottled Frappuccinos and Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but its hard to hate on the idea of making good coffee more accessible and convenient than ever before. This is the most exciting time to be alive in coffee, ever, Carmichael promises. It doesnt get better than this. Its going to be a tsunami.
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Sony's iconic Stamina battery saving mode marks a return in the latest Marshmallow update rolled out by Japanese carrier NTT docomo. The new firmware is arriving as we speak on current flagship models Xperia Z5, Z5 Compact, and Z5 Premium, as well as on the Xperia Z4 (a Japanese-exclusive name of the global Xperia Z3+).

Earlier Sony Marshmallow builds had the feature removed, instead letting Android do the dozing on its own. Putting inactive apps to sleep is only part of what Stamina does, though - turning off functions like Wi-Fi and mobile data to save power is also among its abilities.

From the screenshots it doesn't look like Ultra Stamina mode is making a comeback. That used to be a basic mode of sorts which only allowed access to a handful of features like dialer, contacts and messaging, to let you get the absolute longest endurance.

So far Stamina has made it to Sony Marshmallow builds for the above four models, and only in Japan. We should expect it to arrive in other regions in the near future.

Via
Interim President Jocelerme Privert has announced his intention to move forward with the creation of an electoral verification commission. But the commission faces significant pushback from Washington and its allies, who provide the bulk of the funding for Haitis elections, and from Haitian politicians connected to former president Michel Martelly. Responding to the unanimous expression of civil society and political leaders, Privert declared on Apr. 11 that a new round of consultations would be held, aimed at establishing common terms of reference and identifying potential members for a verification commission. [Three of the five have now been selected. - HL] The body, which has yet to be formally organized, would be tasked with reviewing previous election results and electoral court decisions before moving forward with the as-yet-unfinished electoral process. A verification process is necessary, Privert said, to establish confidence and encourage players to trust the [electoral council] and to participate in the upcoming elections. Political and civil society leaders have long demanded a verification commission, after earlier elections in 2015 were marred by violence and widespread reports of fraud. Official results from the first round of voting put then-President Martellys handpicked successor, Jovenel Moise, in first place, followed by Jude Celestin in second place. Celestin joined with other opposition candidates, demanding a verification and other changes to the electoral system before agreeing to participate in a runoff. On Apr. 6, the coordinator of Celestins party LAPEH told the Haitian press that they would not participate in any second-round election without a verification commission first being established. In response to Priverts announcement of the commission, supporters of Jovenel Moise have taken to the streets to denounce the move. They argue that the process will be used as a smokescreen to remove their candidate from the race. Moises hostility to a verification is shared by the U.S., the European Union and United Nations, all of which have come out against the verification commission and have urged Haitian authorities to complete the electoral process as soon as possible. Thats one reason why the U.S. did not want to hear about verification  they know it will create fears among Martellys supporters, an international official involved in the electoral process told me. On Apr. 7, some 60 leaders and organizations in the Haitian diaspora wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry, urging the U.S. to support a verification. We believe  a new assessment, or even verification, is not necessary, U.S. Ambassador Peter F. Mulrean told the Haitian daily Le Nouvelliste in early April, adding that additional financing for Haitis electoral process would be reassessed after seeing how the question of a verification commission was answered. The last card to avoid a verification: no money, said the international official. International donors have also withheld budget support from financial institutions like the Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank. The stance of the international powers leaves many in Haiti puzzled. Pierre Esperance, the director of a prominent human rights organization and head of a local electoral observation mission team, wondered, how can Haiti go to the second round without a verification? Trying to push forward without a verification is likely to lead to a repeat of the street protests that rocked the capital almost daily in late 2015 and early 2016, and that contributed to the elections cancellation in the first place. The verification process must take place. There is an awful lot of suspicions that there was fraud in that election process, and it would not suit any government that is elected without a verification process because there would always be that suspicion, Sir Ronald Sanders, an Antiguan diplomat, told the Miami Herald last week. Sanders led an Organization of American States (OAS) mission to Haiti that helped broker the political accord in early February, though he made it clear he was not speaking on behalf of the organization. In 2010, a similar OAS special mission had overturned the election results, putting Martelly into the second round and eventually the presidency. If we go ahead and force Privert to hold elections without it, an election that is not ultimately acceptable to the majority of Haitians, we are courting trouble, Sanders added. We are going to let a possibly fraud process deliver a government? In which country would we accept that? Can you tell us the U.S. would allow that? The English-speaking Caribbean? Ambassador Mulrean has tried to reassure skeptics by arguing that Haitis elections have already been verified by an evaluation commission appointed by Martelly in late December, making a second verification unnecessary. Yet the conclusions of the report were hardly reassuring: accreditations passes had been used to cast multiple fraudulent votes and some 50 percent of voting booth tally sheets contained what the commission deemed grave irregularities, including missing voter signatures and identification and evidence of tampering. The commission called for a further examination of the records and warned that accepting the outcomes of elections tarnished by major irregularities would further aggravate the political crisis and instability of the country. But before the recommendations could be adopted, Martelly issued a decree scheduling the final round of elections for January 2016. That date was also indefinitely postponed and a political agreement designed to fill the constitutional void was signed on Martellys way out of office, which resulted in Privert becoming provisional president. Rony Desroches, the head of a local election observation mission primarily funded by the U.S. and Canada was a member of that initial commission. We did not have enough time to determine if the results were acceptable, he told me during an interview in early February. He anticipated a further investigation would be necessary before elections could be held. We asked for an investigation two days after the October 25 election, Pierre Esperance noted. The international community resisted at the time, but now, they cant say, we were wrong. Esperances organization, along with a number of other prominent civil society organizations have put forth their recommendations for what the verification commission should be tasked with doing and a timeline for achieving the completion of the elections. The groups believe the conditions will not be in place to do so until the end of 2016, with a new government taking office in February 2017. Yet such a long timetable would require either a new political agreement or an extension of Priverts term past its May 14 expiry date, something the Martelly-aligned legislature is not likely to grant. Behind closed doors, according to the international elections official, it was becoming increasingly clear that a verification would take place, with the terms of reference being the main sticking point. Given their stance throughout Haitis electoral crisis, the international powers in Haiti can be expected to fight for the verification process to be as quick and as superficial as possible. If you need a verification commission, have it and do it quickly, U.S. State Department Special Coordinator Ken Merten explained Apr. 13, reacting to the new reality on the ground. If this verification commission takes time  it will force us to reconsider the support we give to elections. An earlier version of this article was first published on CEPRs Haiti: Relief and Reconstruction Watch blog.






Haiti - News : Zapping politics...





The Ambassador of Haiti in DR recalled

In office since November 2015 Magalie Jeanty Magloire, Ambassador of Haiti to the Dominican Republic was recalled to Port-au-Prince after only 4 months, one month less than the term of his predecessor Daniel Supplice.



According to our sources a new ambassador is about to be appointed to replace her. Among the names circulating, that of Idalbert Jean, a former Ambassador of Haiti in Spain, seems most likely.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16050-icihaiti-social-the-haitian-students-in-dr-thanked-ambassador-of-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15928-haiti-politic-the-embassy-of-haiti-in-dr-intervenes-in-favor-of-haitian-students.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15833-haiti-diplomacy-magalie-j-magloire-presented-her-credentials.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-15679-haiti-diplomacy-magalie-j-magloire-new-ambassador-of-haiti-in-dr.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13501-haiti-education-more-than-56-000-haitian-students-in-dominican-schools-and-universities.html



Demonstration of PHTK less peaceful

On Tuesday, thousands of supporters of the Haitian Party Tet Kale (PHTK) and of its presidential candidate, Jovenel Moise, marched through the streets of the metropolitan area, to reject the government's plan to create a new electoral Verification Commission and require the organization of elections and respect of the political agreement of February 6. The demonstration was less peaceful than usual, some violent action have been reported as well as the erection of barricades of burning tires. The protesters have declared their intention to block the country in the coming days if President Jocelerme Privert, creates this new Verification Commission.



Privert left the country for New York

This Wednesday morning the President a.i. Jocelerme Privert, left the country for the United States to attend the official signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement (COP21) to the United Nations in New York, Friday, April 22 2016.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16042-haiti-environment-michaelle-jean-welcomes-the-agreement-of-the-cop21.html



PM convinced that the agreement is still valid

Tuesday speaking in the lower house on respect for the dates of the agreement of 5 February, the Prime Minister said to be always in agreement with a simple variant at the level of scheduled dates, convinced that the agreement is still valid.



Resumption of the electoral tribunal in early May

Leopold Berlanger, President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced that the National Office of Electoral Disputes (BCEN) called to judge 93 disputes relating to municipal elections "will start functioning at the beginning of May, with new judges, in another context and with more transparency."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17150-haiti-flash-93-decisions-of-communal-electoral-litigation-contested.html



Desras will travel to the USA

Simon Dieuseul Desras, the Minister of the Environment will join in New York President a.i. Privert for the signature of the Agreement on the climate (called Paris Agreement, adopted December 12, 2015) to be held symbolically at United Nations Headquarters Friday, April 22, 2016, on the occasion of World Earth Day.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















What is the favourite part of your job?

Making a positive impact on organisational and leadership behaviours, authentically engaging our employees and keeping our people at the heart of our brand is the favourite part of my role. Kyosei is Canons corporate philosophy and lies at the heart of our brand, business and sponsorship activities. Kyosei is a Japanese word that means living and working together for the common good  a principle that is embraced by all Canon employees. It shapes our mission and our values, the way we treat our people and conduct our business. I like having the opportunity to be brave and implement initiatives that are real and impactful with our people at the centre of everything we do.

Which part of your role has proven the most challenging?

Of course there are times where difficult conversations need to be had which can be challenging, however, at the same time it can be extremely rewarding if you can solve a conflict or difficult situation and come out the other side in a better place than where you began. Interpersonal skills often get overlooked but these soft skills are the foundation to building authentic and trusting relationships that survive in courageous situations and through difficult conversations.

What do you feel is your biggest professional achievement to date?

My greatest professional achievement was to be lucky enough to transition from my finance profession into the HR profession and to utilise my business acumen skills in all of my HR roles. I am very proud of HR programs that have made a measureable difference to an organisations culture and people as well as the companys financial success.

At Canon I am proud of my involvement in the implementation of a high performance working program at Canon. The world of work has shifted and this was the catalyst for change at Canon, as we realized that the business needs to be built around our employees and the tasks they do, not the other way around and importantly that the way we work should reflect our brand. The change initiative offered our workforce the chance to develop and build an environment that best suits the way they work. Employees are at the heart of the Canon brand and our workplace revolution was driven by the understanding that business culture, reputation, innovation and prosperity lies in the hands of our employees. Most importantly, we recognise that everyone works very differently, and our workplace culture needs to reflect that.

What attracted you to a career in HR?

I have always believed that HR programs and interventions, when built fit for purpose, have a huge impact on the success of an organisation and have a profound positive affect on peoples lives. I have been fascinated by psychology, what makes people tick, what motivates them and makes them go that extra mile to drive real business impact, productivity and job satisfaction. Im passionate about creating a work environment that is enjoyable, where employees trust their leaders and are enabled to work in a way that best suits them and that allows them to bring their three-dimensional self to work and be themselves.

What are some of the challenges particular to Canon?

Like any industry, crafting and establishing pragmatic HR programs that cater to business and people needs and are measurable in terms of the qualitative and quantitative impact on success is a multifaceted task.

At Canon we undertook research that identified three different types of employees; focused, balanced and mobile. The entire office space was constructed with the three working styles in mind. Desk formation, meeting rooms and common areas were tailored to support Canons new hybrid working environment philosophy. Employees were also provided with a desk setup and technology to support their preferred style. Navigating these differences and respecting everyones preferences is something that weve been working really hard on.
By Jessica Isaacs | [email protected]

Head to Watauga High on April 30 for some good, clean family fun at a comedy stage show featuring hypnotist Cheryl Q! Tickets are on sale for $10 or less per person, and all proceeds will benefit the media center at Bethel Elementary School.

Tucked away in the hills of Sugar Grove, Bethel is one of the smallest schools in the Watauga County system and sits at the heart of a quiet, rural community. It serves approximately 170 students in kindergarten through eighth grades, with just one classroom per grade level.

I came from very large schools in Winston-Salem with over 1,000 students in the middle schools alone, said John Downs, instructional technology facilitator for Bethel and Mabel schools. When I arrived at Bethel, I immediately saw how tight-knit the community is here and how important the school was in this setting.

The school is a centerpiece of the community and many activities around it. The same can be said for the media center. It also is a centerpiece of activity and learning, and so much goes on here in addition to reading books.

Bethel Schools Media Center

Media Coordinator Jnanama Ishaya, known to her students as Ms. Jay, said Bethels media center is so much more than a library.

We are encouraging the youth of our community to develop an engineering mindset: a will-do attitude that asks, How can I make this happen? Ishaya said. Our students are actively engaged in innovative activities that challenge them to create, to do, to learn, to explore.

Bethels media center is the only one in the county to offer an active MinecraftEdu program and was one of the first to establish a Makerspace, an environment dedicated to creative learning and expression. It offers a Pre-K reading program for rising students and a dynamic STEM/Robotics class. Its thriving library commons, complete with computers, iPads, laptops and Makerspace materials, provides its students a chance to start the day with a morning full of exploration and creativity.

Ishaya said the schools commitment to innovative media programs continues to yield positive results.

As we show successful results with our programs, the advantages to running similar programs become evident. Weve been involved in MinecraftEdu EdChats, for example, that have had positive impacts on other educators across the country, she said. One of our GearUp representatives told me that hes used our little Bethel Schools program as an example of the positive impact on students that a Makerspace program such as ours can have.

The school may be small, but theres no doubt that big things are going on in the media center at Bethel. It takes a lot of work to keep those programs going, however, as well as a lot of money.

While the state provides adequate funding to the schools, the programs we run could never be implemented without additional funding, said Downs. Ms. Jay has written and been awarded a number of grants that have allowed us to expand our media services, but it is an ongoing effort to maintain programs. We rely on community support to keep our programs sustained.

Thats where you come in!

April 30 Comedy Show Fundraiser

Ready to contribute? Lucky for you, theres a fun way to help on the horizon.

The stand-up comedian and published author known as The Amazing Cheryl Q will take the stage at Watauga Highs Ross Auditorium at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 for a benefit performance that will support Bethels media center.

Tickets are on sale now at just $10 for adults and $6 for Watauga County students. Get yours at the WCS Central Office, at Bethel School, at Mabel School or at the Mast General Stores in Boone and Valle Crucis.

Need more information? Call 828-297-2210.

Watauga High is located at 300 Go Pioneers Drive in Boone.

We love our community and our wonderful children. Were committed to giving them the best learning experiences we possibly can through our media center and would like to expand our activities to provide even deeper and broader learning opportunities for all our students, said Ishaya. Were also committed to opening the Makerspace to our community, as soon as we have the resources to do so. Were very committed to improving and expanding our collection of books to better meet our students needs, but that, too, takes money.

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The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature.

The horizon seems endless from the vistas of the High Country. The panoramic views of nearby mountains including Grandfather, Beech, Roan, Table Rock, and Hawksbill, as well as views of the distant Black Mountains including Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the east, never cease to inspire and amaze. For over twenty years Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) has been working to protect the lands that preserve the High Countrys unique charm.

BRC recently purchased 245 acres on Peak Mountain in Watauga and Avery counties from BH Land Acquisition, LLC. The property is highly visible from Seven Devils, the NC Hwy 105 corridor, Grandfather Mountain, Hanging Rock and other mountains and ridges in the vicinity. Its close proximity to other protected lands, such as Grandfather Mountain, Bear Paw State Natural Area, and Otter Falls Trail adds to the conservation significance.

Peak Mountain is a well-defined ridgeline running from southwest to northeast through the center of the property. The northern boundary adjoins Hawksnest Resort. The land is entirely forested dominated by mixed hardwoods. Topography is steep, mountainous land with elevations ranging from 3,680 to 4,760 feet.

Scenic landscapes endow communities with significant benefits, such as higher property values and increased tourism revenue. Protecting prominent vistas from unwise development allows a community to attract positive growth in the area.

Blue Ridge Conservancy is guided by the principle advocated by Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote in his essay, Nature None of us owns the landscape, but everyone owns the view.

The goal of scenic protection also often overlaps with other conservation goals such as protection of open space, wildlife habitat, forests, or water resources. The conserved property lies within the Dun Vegan Mountain Natural Area as designated by the NC Natural Heritage Program (NHP). According to NHP, Dun Vegan Mountain supports a good example of the rare High Elevation Rocky Summit natural community, as well as good examples of Rich Cove Forest and High Elevation Red Oak Forest. The High Elevation Rocky Summit community supports an assemblage of rare plants.

Valley Creek, a tributary of the Watauga River, flows along the northeastern portion of the boundary and is designated Trout Waters by the NC Division of Water Resources.

Funding to purchase this property came from a generous donation from Fred and Alice Stanback.

About Blue Ridge Conservancy

BRC is a private, non-profit, non-governmental organization incorporated in North Carolina. BRC has protected over 18,500 acres in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey Counties. In addition to protecting working farmland, BRCs efforts have resulted in the creation of state natural areas like Beech Creek Bog, Bear Paw State Natural Area and Bullhead Mountain. We continue to help Elk Knob State park expand its borders and established Pond Mountain Game Land in Ashe County. More information about Blue Ridge Conservancy is available at www.blueridgeconservancy.org.

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Support is growing for Democrat Roy Cooper in his bid to unseat incumbent Republican Pat McCrory in North Carolinas 2016 gubernatorial election, according to the latest Elon University Poll.

Cooper, the states current attorney general, leads McCrory 48-42 percent among registered voters  his largest lead since the Elon University Poll started asking respondents about a hypothetical match-up.

Nearly 43 percent of registered voters said they approved of the job the attorney general is doing, compared to almost 27 percent who disapprove. Thirty percent of respondents said they didnt know or were unsure about the job Cooper is doing.

About 37 percent of registered voters approve of the job McCrory is doing, compared to 49 percent who said they disapprove of the way he is handling his job. Nearly 14 percent said they didnt know or were unsure of their assessment of the governor. This is the lowest approval rating for the governor observed by the Elon Poll since April 2014.

The live-caller, dual frame (landline and cell phone) survey of 692 residents of North Carolina was conducted from April 10-15, 2016. Of those respondents, 621 said they were registered to vote. Survey results in this news release present responses from those self-identified registered voters and has a margin of error of 3.93 percentage points.

HB2

North Carolinians were polled as the state made national news for legislation known as HB2, a state law overturning the city of Charlottes recent efforts to allow transgender people to use public restrooms that align with their gender identities. McCrory signed the legislation and has since issued an executive order that attempts to mitigate some of the criticism state leaders received because of the law.

However, nearly half of registered voters in North Carolina said they believe state lawmakers should prohibit cities from passing ordinances such as those allowing transgender people to use bathrooms that best match their gender identity, according to the latest poll.

At the same time, only 39 percent of registered voters say cities should be allowed to pass those policies. Eleven percent dont know how they feel about the topic.

Q: Recently the city of Charlotte passed an ordinance allowing transgender individuals to use public facilities, such as bathrooms, that best match their gender identity. The state then passed a law prohibiting such local ordinances. In terms of governmental authority, should cities be allowed to adopt such policies or should the state government ban such ordinances?

 State should prohibit cities from passing such ordinances: 49 percent

 Cities should be allowed to pass such policies: 39 percent

 Dont know: 11 percent

While more North Carolinians say they believe the state legislature acts within its rights on ordinances like HB2, the opposite is true when it comes to the minimum wage. Half of registered voters indicate that cities should be able to set a local minimum hourly wage above that established by the state  and 44 percent favor state law requiring cities to have the same wage.

HB2 prohibits local municipalities from setting their own minimum wages.

Q: Should cities and municipalities in North Carolina be able to create a local minimum hourly wage that is above the states minimum? Or should state law require all cities to have the same minimum wage?

 Cities should be able to raise minimum wage: 50 percent

 State law should require cities to have the same wage: 44 percent

 Dont know: 6 percent

And 65 percent of registered voters say that wage should be more than $10 an hour, the poll found.

Not only does HB2 prohibit local governments from expanding nondiscrimination laws to include transgender individuals, but it also bans cities from setting a minimum wage higher than the states, said Assistant Professor Jason Husser, assistant director of the Elon University Poll. Most voters oppose such local minimum wage bans and believe cities should be able to create a minimum wage that reflects the cost of living in that city.

HB2 ATTITUDES BY RELIGION, GENDER & EDUCATION

Nearly two-thirds of born-again Christians  more than any other group of religious faithful  support state lawmakers in prohibiting cities from passing ordinances such as Charlottes bathroom bill. Forty-nine percent of Catholics support the states prohibition, followed by 46 percent of other Christians.

Meanwhile, 63 percent of those who self-identify as not religious believe cities should be allowed to pass their own ordinances with state government interference.

Differences in support also break along educational attainment. Only those with a graduate degree were more likely to oppose the states position. At least 50 percent of each other group, from those with less than a high school education to those who have earned a college bachelors degree, said the state should prohibit such ordinances.

Support for the state also is stronger among men. Fifty-four percent of men believe the state should prohibit cities from such ordinances, while 45 percent of women said likewise.

Although over 60 percent of registered voters believe the state government has intruded into areas of law and regulation that are better left to the municipal governments, more voters said the state should ban cities from passing ordinances allowing transgender individuals from using bathrooms that best match their gender identity, said Assistant Professor Kenneth Fernandez, director of the Elon University Poll.

NORTH CAROLINAS U.S. SENATE RACE

Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Burr holds a 37-33 percent lead over his Democratic challenger Deborah Ross in this falls U.S. Senate election. Both command strong support from their respective party bases; Independents are currently breaking in Burrs favor (34-27 percent, with 15 percent saying they dont know who theyll support).

Burrs job approval rating stands at 29 percent while his disapproval is at 41 percent. Twenty-nine percent of respondents didnt know how they felt about the way he handles his job as U.S. senator.

North Carolina has a history of not reelecting its U.S. senators, Fernandez said. Democrat Kay Hagan lost in 2014 and it was Hagan who had made Elizabeth Dole a one-term senator before that. Several others had all lost reelection bids and were one-term senators prior to Dole.

Burr is one of the few senators in recent history, besides the late Jesse Helms, to have won reelection, and many political analysts believe he has a good shot at repeating that in 2016.

RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE

The Elon University Poll also asked respondents about their favored candidates in the 2016 presidential election.

While former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won North Carolinas Democratic presidential primary in March over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, it was Sanders who would today defeat both Republican frontrunner Donald Trump by 51-38 margin, and Sen. Ted Cruz by a 49-39 margin, in hypothetical general election match-ups in North Carolina. Sanders draws his biggest levels of support from Independents, women and African-Americans in those head-to-head match-ups.

Clinton, too, would defeat Trump by a 45-39 percent spread in a hypothetical general election match-up. However, she wouldnt defeat Cruz, who holds a 44-41 percent edge.

OTHER PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES

The Elon University Poll asked likely voter respondents about a variety of public policy issues. Pollsters read several statements and asked whether respondents strongly agreed, agreed, disagreed, or strongly disagree with the statement. Among the questions:

The state should provide aid to low-income college students, even if I have to pay more taxes.

Strongly Agree: 12 percent

Agree: 47 percent

Disagree: 30 percent

Strongly Disagree: 6 percent

Dont Know/Unsure: 6 percent

I would be willing to pay more taxes to increase money for public schools.

Strongly Agree: 18 percent

Agree: 50 percent

Disagree: 24 percent

Strongly Disagree: 5 percent

Dont Know/Unsure: 3 percent

The state should reduce taxes, even if this means spending less on social programs like healthcare and unemployment benefits.

Strongly Agree: 7 percent

Agree: 22 percent

Disagree: 48 percent

Strongly Disagree: 18 percent

Dont Know/Unsure: 5 percent

North Carolina should invest more in local roads, even if I have to pay more taxes.

Strongly Agree: 9 percent

Agree: 46 percent

Disagree: 33 percent

Strongly Disagree: 6 percent

Dont Know/Unsure: 5 percent

Attacking or victimizing a person because of their gender or sexual identity should be a hate crime.

Strongly Agree: 35 percent

Agree: 45 percent

Disagree: 12 percent

Strongly Disagree: 2 percent

Dont Know/Unsure: 5 percent

North Carolina should open up more of its lands and waters for energy development, such as oil and gas.

Strongly Agree: 9 percent

Agree: 37 percent

Disagree: 32 percent

Strongly Disagree: 15 percent

Dont Know/Unsure: 7 percent

ABOUT THE ELON UNIVERSITY POLL

The Elon University Poll conducts frequent statewide surveys on issues of importance to North Carolinians. Information from these polls is shared with media, citizens and public officials to facilitate informed public policymaking through the better understanding of citizens opinions and attitudes.

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I am writing this piece on an airplane, leaving behind the mayhem and magic of Delhi. This largest and most populous city in the country is rich with cultures and diversity, full of monuments and history. It is also known as the heart of India. What better moment and place than this to reflect on the past few years of working with forward-looking, technologically savvy Indian companies whom we have helped to achieve a competitive edge, join the Finnish business community and create success in the capital region of Finland.

When you look at what kind of companies have been visiting from India and what Finland has to offer them, the match seems like a no-brainer. Technology companies with a strong background in innovative software know-how find in Finland a great launch pad for developing solutions to the next level and building them into globally successful products. Companies include the likes of GrayMatter, an expert in business intelligence and data analytics, and Rsmart, which creates cloud-based solutions for enterprise resource planning for ground handling. Both companies cater to the aviation industry. A truly unique case is Aggrigator, which is building the worlds first app-based "aggregated on-line marketplace" for sellers and buyers of fresh local produce.

In addition to leveraging Finlands robust ICT ecosystem, the cleantech offering is also a compelling point of attraction for Indian companies. To take one example, a company called VayuGrid is transferring their research and development to Finland. Transforming unproductive wastelands into productive bioenergy assets, they are making a positive environmental, social and economic impact on the globe.

All of these companies are either in various stages of setting up or have already begun operating their research and product development units in Finland. According to our Indian clients, the Helsinki region boasts some clear strengths as a business environment with its innovation, world-class ecosystems and exceptional talent base. Loyalty and good work ethic are attributes associated with the Finnish workforce, and these are very much appreciated. As the Indian innovations are further developed in Finland, they also gain a made in Finland brand image. This gives the products a high status in terms of quality, making them more attractive and better recognized, and thereby warranting higher pricing. This, in turn, leads to better business and higher profits.

With its partners, Helsinki Business Hub has been helping to facilitate the set-up and success of Indian companies in Finland. Finding the right funding alternatives, offering world-class talent for hire and providing an investor-friendly location has enabled companies to reach the next steps in product development and success globally.

Although ease of doing business and creating positive business results are key, quality of life is equally important. In addition to hiring Finnish experts, these Indian companies need to relocate Indian personnel and their families to Finland. The many lakes, parks, bike lanes, great transportation, clean air and overall ease of living are clear positives. Many Indians are happy with their lives in Finland and feel welcomed.

Indeed, it has been great experience working with inspiring, technologically advanced Indian companies and helping them leverage all the best that Finland has to offer. Building value for client companies from India, my country of origin, while at the same time creating jobs that have a positive impact on the economy of Finland, my home for more than 30 years, makes this job exciting and fulfilling.

The plane has begun its descent. Excited about working with inspiring Indian companies in the future, I am also looking forward to returning to springtime in Helsinki, with the days growing longer, the people warmer and the streets busier.

http://www.helsinkibusinesshub.fi/
The Prosecutor's Office of Inland Finland revealed in a press release yesterday that a total of 55 officials have been charged with violation of official duty and, secondarily, of negligent violation of official duty on grounds that they had no work-related reason to access the information.

Officials at several police departments have been charged for snooping into the details of Anneli Auer, the main suspect in the death of her husband until her acquittal last December by the Supreme Court of Finland.

Some of the suspects have been charged secondarily for leaving the data connection open or unsupervised after getting off the computer, thus possibly allowing a third party to use their credentials to access information about Auer, the press release reads.

Related posts: - Anneli Auer cleared of murder charges after six years (21 December, 2015)

A decision not to prosecute was made in the cases of 26 additional officials, 17 of which were made on grounds of lack of evidence, 7 on grounds of reasonability and 2 on grounds of low degree of severity.

Most of the suspects have denied all criminal accusations.

The press release also indicates that an internal police inquiry confirmed that the credentials of officials at various police departments across the country were used to make a number of information requests with the name or personal identity code of Auer in 2011. Most of the information requests were made following news reports about the detention of Auer.

A group of prosecutors from the Prosecutor's Offices of Salpausselka, Oulu, Western Finland and Helsinki was assigned to the case in 2014.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Sari Gustafsson  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
Nearly 300 phone calls and texts were exchanged between a detective garda and a woman who posted a package containing a bullet, underwear and a Valentines card to one of his colleagues, it has been alleged.

According to prosecutors, two mobile phones that they say are linked to Detective Garda David OBrien and the sender of the package were in contact with each other in an eight-week period at the time the package was sent.

Dublin District Court was told that some 291 communications passed between the phones between February 1, 2011 and March 26, 2011.

Some 187 calls and texts were allegedly sent from Det Gda OBriens phone, with 104

returned from the other phone.

Detective Sergeant Michael Buckley received the package at his workplace at the cold case Serious Crime Review Team at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, in Harcourt Square, on February 21, 2011.

In a statement to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) Det Gda OBrien, who worked under him, denied any involvement and said he had not spoken to the woman who allegedly sent the envelope in 15 to 20 years.

Threat

The GSOC complaint was made by Det Sgt Buckleys wife Briege, who claimed her husband was being bullied, and intimidated, and she felt the bullet was a threat to her and her two sons.

Mr OBrien has pleaded not guilty to giving false or misleading information to GSOC on September 10, 2012.

Judge Bryan Smyth ruled yesterday that Meteor and Vodafone records obtained by GSOC investigators were admissible in evidence. Defence barrister Kathleen Leader, BL, had objected to the records on several legal grounds.

The court heard officers from the commission requested mobile phone records for two phones that the prosecution maintains are attributable to the accused and the sender of the envelope.

Ms Leader said the phone records would make or break the investigation, and the only reason they were sought was to establish whether Mr OBrien was lying.

She argued the law did not allow for their use in prosecuting the summary offence of making a false statement.

Tony McGillicuddy, BL, for the prosecution, said the telecom request was in relation to serious potential offences  unlawful possesion of a bullet and harassment.

He said the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011 did not prevent the records being used to prosecute the false statement charge.

The trial continues.
ESB workers at the Bluebell site inspect the damage caused by the massive blaze on Sunday night

An organised crime gang of Romanian nationals are the chief suspects in the theft of copper wire from an ESB substation that sparked a massive fire causing 10m worth of damage.

Sources said the gang are believed to be highly organised and have been operating in Ireland for two years.

It is understood that the copper they steal is smuggled back to their home country or sold on the black market here.

The ESB said in a statement that it did not know the exact value of the damage caused in the incident that left 120,000 customers without power.

However, it is estimated to be around 10m.

The fire broke out at the Bluebell substation on Sunday when thieves tried to steal the copper.

ESB head of distribution Senan Colleran said the thieves "put people's lives at risk".

Speaking on Today FM's The Last Word, Mr Colleran said Tallaght Hospital lost its power supply during the blaze.

"Not only did they put their own lives at risk, they put other people's lives at risk too," he said.

"We did everything possible. We do operate a smart network which meant we could distribute power to those who had lost it."

Mr Colleran said that to date one person has been killed and a number of people have suffered serious burns as a result of copper stripping.

Valuable

"These people took their lives into their own hands in trying to steal copper from control cables and inadvertently started a fire," he said.

"Copper is a scarce commodity worldwide and it is very valuable.

"They sell it on to the metal traders. I'm not sure where it ends up, but it's sold on into the trade."

The criminals involved in the thefts that led to the weekend fire were targeted by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau last year after the Government held a special National Emergency Coordination meeting to discuss the rise in thefts of ESB power lines.

Since 2012, more than 150km of copper valued at 3m has been stolen. ESB Networks has spent 28m replacing it.

The public have been urged to call the emergency services if they see people either climbing ESB poles or using heavy machinery to reach cables at unusual hours.

Separately, two Romanian brothers, Danie and Sorin Geageac, who are aged in their 20s, were jailed last month for three years each after being convicted at Naas Circuit Court of theft, fraud and criminal damage.

They operated by climbing electrical poles in the middle of isolated bogs and removing the copper wire.

They were arrested in Rathdangan, Co Kildare, last August.
A teenager who drove a stolen car on three wheels while leading eight patrol cars and a garda helicopter on a highspeed chase is to be sentenced for dangerous driving. (Stock picture)

A teenager who drove a stolen car on three wheels while leading eight patrol cars and a garda helicopter on a high-speed chase is to be sentenced for dangerous driving.

Gda Kieran Kilcoyne told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that Sean Rausch had been spotted driving a Hyundai and refused to stop for gardai.

The chase lasted for 31 minutes, during which Rausch ran 24 sets of traffic lights, crossed over green areas, drove around three roundabouts the wrong way and drove on the wrong side of a national road for 2km.

Eight patrol cars were involved in the chase. Nine minutes into it the Hyundai spun out of control, bursting the rear drivers side wheel, yet Rausch continued to drive.

The garda air support unit was called in and the chase ultimately came to an end after gardai used a stinger  a portable spiked device  to puncture its tyres. Rausch was taken from the car and arrested.

Fiona Murphy, prosecuting, said Rausch (18) was unlawfully at large at the time, having previously been arrested for his part in a mugging and an attempted mugging of two groups of schoolboys.

Chase

Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to two-and-a-half years for the robberies, but adjourned the case to July to determine what sentence to impose for the garda chase.

Rausch pleaded guilty to two attempted robberies in Old Bawn Tallaght last April 22; two robberies at The Square Shopping Centre, Tallaght, last April 29, 2015; and taking possession of a Hyundai Santa Fe knowing it was stolen, handling stolen car keys, driving against

the traffic and dangerous divining in the Tallaght area last May 26.

He has 42 previous convictions which were all dealt with in the district court and include 14 for robbery, burglary, sexual assault and assault.

Kieran Kelly, defending, said Rausch  of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght  was now remorseful and was hoping to rehabilitate.

Judge Greally said it was shocking to see the number of convictions recorded by someone so young, but acknow-

ledged that Rausch had known some difficulties in the past.

Dealing with the robbery convictions, the judge said the schoolboys were set upon and subjected to an unprovoked and gratuitous episode of violence.

Judge Greally noted that at the Square Shopping Centre, Rauschs accomplice had instigated the thefts, but he had elbowed one boy and burst his lip.

Sentence

She said the sentence for the dangerous driving offence must be consecutive to the two-and-a-half years she was imposing for the robberies.

Judge Greally adjourned the case to July to allow for the preparation of a probation report as she said the sentence would have to incorporate

an appropriate regime for Rauschs re-introduction into society, otherwise there is a high likelihood that he will re-offend.
The family of an Irish nun injured in the Ecuador earthquake have said they are relieved she survived but devastated that another Irish member of her order died.

Sr Therese Ryan (36), who was born in Limerick but grew up in Monaghan town, has been discharged from hospital after breaking her ankle in the weekend quake.

Her friend, Sister Clare Crockett (33) from Derry city, was killed.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has been liaising with the Ecuadorian authorities on behalf of Sr Clare's family.

"We were overjoyed to hear Therese had survived," said her sister, Patricia, "but it was also a feeling of devastation at the loss of Sr Clare and the five other nuns who died.

"I met Sr Clare a few times and she was the most wonderful person. Her death is shocking for the order and for her family."

Sister Therese joined the Order 16 years ago.

"She has been in Ecuador for the past five years and loves her work there," said Patricia, one of a family of six.

"We keep in touch by phone and email, but we haven't met since she went out there.

"As a family we are relieved for Therese. We haven't been able to speak to her yet, but we've been in constant contact with the order in Spain. They have assured us that she is well and that she was able to leave hospital on Sunday. She is being taken care of.

"We are hoping to talk to her over the next few days, but there's no way of reaching her at the moment."

Patricia said Sr Therese and the other nuns were involved in "wonderful work" in Ecuador.

Rebuild

"From what we've seen, it looks like the earthquake has caused an enormous amount of damage, but hopefully they can rebuild and move on. It's such a shock for all of them."

Sr Therese, Sr Clare and the five Ecuadorian nuns were on the third floor of a four-storey school building in Playa Prieta in the province of Manabi when the 7.8 magnitude quake struck on Saturday night.

Five postulates, or trainee nuns, also died when the building collapsed.

The were named by their Home of the Mother Order as Sisters Jazmina, Mayra, Maria Augusta, Valeria and Catalina.

Two other nuns were rescued, Sr Estela Morales (40), the superior from Spain, and Sr Merly Alcybar (34), from Ecuador, who survived a wall falling on her.

Sr Theresa, the head of the Order based in Cantabria in northern Spain, told the Herald: "Everyone is still in shock at what happened and are recovering from their ordeal."

The order has been liaising with the families of the dead and injured.

The nuns had been working in the school, but had also been carrying out "significant humanitarian work" in the area following recent floods that had already caused huge devastation.

There were no students in the school at the time of the quake.

Nuns at another school in Guayaquil organised lay members to help transfer the surviving nuns to their school.

The earthquake has left at least 415 people dead and caused billions of dollars worth of damage in western Ecuador.
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn.  Concerns about a market monopoly, higher pricing, limiting physician opportunities and universal access to electronic medical records topped a Tuesday listening session for the proposed merger of the regions two health care systems.

A 12-member panel of regional leaders  appointed by the Tennessee Department of Health  heard from more than 20 speakers, including many independent physicians and leaders of physician groups, during an event at Northeast State Community College. The committee is charged with developing a series of measures to grade the pluses and minuses of a merger between Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance.

Physicians  many independent of the two health systems  expressed reservations.

"The merger, to me, will create a monopoly," Dr. Peter Platzer of Kingsport said. "Although it may sound great, I am very distrustful of monopolies and, in my practice, most of my patients are distrustful of the merger coming in."

Platzer said his concerns primarily involve rising costs and limited wages for health care workers.

"If there is no competition there is no incentive to keep costs down. When the hospitals can negotiate for higher reimbursement [rates], that will get passed directly to the patients," Platzer said. "My second perception of monopolies is there is a tendency to suppress innovation."

Courtney Pearre, senior director of government relations for Amerigroup, a subsidiary of Anthem and one of three managed care organizations that administers the TennCare program for the states indigent, also voiced concerns.

"The bedrock of any Medicaid program is choice. Medicare members must have choice as to payers and as to providers," Pearre said. "It is crucial, if the COPA is granted, the merged entity be required to assure access to needed services by TennCare patients and such access be closely monitored and included in any index."

Pearre said TennCare rates are negotiated, unlike many other states.

"It is crucial, if the COPA is granted, that the index requires the entity to keep its prices constrained for its TennCare patients. If the COPA is granted, its creating a monopoly and monopolistic rates are regulated like public utilities and the index needs to be specific in that regard," Pearre said.

Officials of Holston Medical Group and Highlands Physicians  regional doctor organizations  expressed concern about how the merger could affect the practices of its members.

"We have watched very closely the application COPA and the issues regarding the discussion of the merger," said Anthony Seaton, president of Highlands Physicians. "Its already been asked, how many staff positions may be lost? How will repurposing potentially affect our community? How will the monopoly that will be produced by this potentially exclude non-employee physicians and potentially cause physician migration? How might all of those issues affect the quality, access and value of health care in our region?"

Seaton said his group doesnt oppose the merger but wants a series of satisfaction surveys included in the index.

Several speakers urged the committee to require a merged entity to work with other providers on a universally accessible medical records system, since there are already multiple systems currently in operation.

The committee is now scheduled to begin creating the index during an April 26 work session at the Sullivan County Regional Health Department.

"The committee will recommend an index that shows the positive benefits of the merger versus the disadvantages of the monopoly," Chairman Gary Mayes said. "The committee will take input we received from the public  which has been outstanding  and synthesize the information into a measurable index. It is a large task but there is a lot of expertise on this committee."

The committee will make no decisions regarding the application but forward its work to the Tennessee Department of Health.

Two meetings are scheduled, but it may take more, Mayes said. All sessions are open to the public.

"We will meet as often as we have to, to get the job done," Mayes said. "We have a meeting scheduled May 17 to present the index but it may take longer and I wouldnt be surprised if it did."
Thousands of acres of forestland have burned in recent days in the Mountain Empire and authorities are warning citizens not to set fires until conditions improve.

Ed Stoots, regional forester for the western region of the Virginia Department of Forestry, said Tuesday that nearly 2,000 acres have burned since Friday. There have been a number of blazes in Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Wise, Scott and Pulaski counties, Stoots said, and about 100 firefighters are battling them.

More VDOF resources from other areas of the state are being sent to Southwest Virginia, Stoots said. He added that local fire departments are also assisting and local resources are being used to protect structures, none of which have been lost.

In addition, a firefighter in Scott County suffered from heat exhaustion Monday and was taken to Holston Valley Medical Center for treatment.

In Buchanan County, officials closed Hurley High School as a precaution on Tuesday because two large fires were burning near the school, according to Stoots.

Three investigators are in the region to determine how the fires were set. They are suspicious in nature and charges may be pending, he said.

We would urge the public not to burn, Stoots said.

There has been an increase in the last month in the number of fires compared to previous years, Stoots said. Dry, humid and windy weather has caused the fires to ignite.

We are nearing the end of spring wildfire season in Virginia, but the number and size of several wildland fires in far southwest Virginia are presenting a challenge, said John Miller, VDOF director of resource protection. Were moving some resources from our central and eastern regions to augment the folks in our western region who have been fighting a number of large wildfires, several of which appear to be the result of arson.

Woods arson is a crime, and officials with the VDOF are offering up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible for starting these wildfires. Anyone with information is urged to call the anonymous Arson Tip Line at 1-434-220-9053.

In Northeast Tennessee, a fire totaling around 400 acres continued to rage Tuesday in the Roan Mountain area, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The fire led officials to close a portion of the Appalachian Trail in Carter County.

A fire in Sullivan County, known as the Flatwood Road Fire, has grown to about 40 acres. There were 11 Tennessee Department of Forestry employees working the fire on Tuesday.

A portion of the trail has also been closed in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, according to VDOF. More than 2,000 acres of forest has burned in the national park.

The U.S. Drought Monitor lists most of Southwest Virginia in the abnormally dry category. Drought conditions do not currently persist in the Northeast Tennessee, according to the drought monitor.

There is a chance of precipitation in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service office in Morristown, Tennessee. A slight chance of showers is possible tonight and Thursday. A 60 percent chance of showers is possible Thursday night through Friday night. There is also a 30 percent chance of showers on Saturday. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 70s through the weekend.

Although rain is in the forecast, Stoots said he isnt sure it will be enough to help with the fires.
BRISTOL, Tenn.Believe in Bristol is one of six communities that will receive the first round of Tennessee Main Street Entrepreneur Grants of $50,000 each.

The grants will be used to provide startup space and training for entrepreneurs throughout Tennessee. The states Main Street program serves as a statewide resource for communities seeking to revitalize and manage their traditional downtowns.

BIB Executive Director Christina Blevins said she found out about the grant award Tuesday afternoon.

Its a lot of money, she said. We are so excited to get one of the grantsover a dozen Main Streets applied and we were one of the top six.

Blevins believes Bristol was picked because BIB submitted three projects for consideration.

We will provide a nine-week course for entrepreneurs investing in downtown Bristol, she said. Its called CO.STARTERSwhere a facilitator will help prepare entrepreneurs to write a business plan. We will also host a business pitch daykind of our own Shark Tank that will include local independent community investors and developers. We will also make improvements to our existing office by adding an IdeaSpace, a podium and a sound system.

Blevins said the money is designated for 2017 so the programs wont start until October or November.

The other grants will go to: Morristowns Crossroads Downtown Partnership; Main Street Cleveland; Jackson Downtown Development Corporation; Savannah Main Street; and Columbia Main Street.
BRISTOL, Tenn.A dozen preschool-aged children placed about 100 blue and silver pinwheels into the mulch in front of the Wellmont Child Development Center on Tuesday to celebrate healthy, happy children.

This is a national program to celebrate all of our healthy, happy kids in our country and in the state of Tennessee, said Margaret Fields, trauma program manager at Bristol Regional Medical Center.

An organization, Prevent Child Abuse America, introduced the pinwheel in 2008 as the national symbol for child abuse prevention. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

We also want to raise awareness of child abuse, which is still an issue in our area and our country, but today were here with all of these beautiful children to celebrate their happiness and well being, Fields said.

She added that anyone who suspects that child abuse is occurring should contact local authorities, such as the police department or child protective services.

If you suspect something, you should really go ahead and report it to protect the children, Fields said.

There are about 100 children at the child development center, said Director Tracy Barbour.

I think its very important to promote healthy, happy children, Barbour said. Thats our primary goal here at the child development center and I think that putting these out definitely symbolizes that.

Barbour added, For our children, we set this up as an opportunity to put the pinwheels in the ground because they are something all children can relate to. Pinwheels are a happy part of childhood.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2012, state and local child protective services received an estimated 3.4 million referrals of children being abused or neglected. The report says 686,000 children, 9.2 per 1,000, were victims of maltreatment. In 2012, 27 percent of victims were younger than 3 years, 20 percent were ages 3-5 years, with children younger than 1 year having the highest rate of victimization, 21.9 per 1,000 children.
UPDATE 6 P.M.: The U.S. Forest Service reports a wildfire in eastern Sullivan County at Holston Mountain has grown to more than 100 acres.

Public Information Office Alice Cohen said about 30 crew members were working on the fire, as well as the Tennessee Department of Forestry, local volunteer fire departments and the sheriff's office.

No structures are in danger in the fire, which was nearly contained early Wednesday, Cohen said.

"It's still really dry out there and we ask people not to burn anything," Cohen said. "The forest needs a really good soaking."

A chance of rain is in the forecast later this week, but Cohen said officials are not sure whether it will be enough to help fire conditions in the region.

The fire in the Hickory Tree community started Monday, Cohen said. A resident on Weaver Creek Road told the Bristol Herald Courier that the fire approached her home early Wednesday so she called 911. The fire had creeped down the mountain and reached a creek. Fire lines have been set up to keep the fire from reaching residents, she said.

Anyone with information about the fire or a larger forest fire in Roan Mountain is asked to call the Arson Hotline at 800-762-3017.

Wildland fires continue to rage in the Mountain Empire and officials say they are not issuing any burn permits.

Thousands of acres of forests have burned since Friday in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, according to state and federal authorities. The largest fire, which has grown to nearly 1,500 acres, is currently raging in Carter County, Tennessee. Winds and low humidity continue to make the fire difficult to fight, according to the Tennessee Department of Forestry.

Another fire continues to grow at Holston Mountain in Sullivan County. The Flatwood Road Fire has grown to more than 50 acres, according to the Tennessee Department of Emergency Management.

TDOF reported that it was not issuing burn permits for any of the 22 Counties in the Northeast Tennessee Region. Several local municipalities, including Bristol, Tennessee, also announced they were not permitting any burns due to dry conditions.

A number of local fires are considered human-caused and arson investigations are ongoing, authorities said.
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Its the election season in Tamil Nadu and poll promises are galore from political parties in the state.

It is common for parties to promise the moon to the voters. However, some try to follow a bit of logic while making these lofty promises and they also thrash out a way to implement them.

And actor-turned-politician Vijayakanths Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagams (DMDK) election manifesto has created a record of sorts for the promises it made to the voters.

Vijayakanth, or Captain as he is called by his fans, is the chief ministerial candidate of the DMDK-Peoples Welfare Alliance (PWA) alliance for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls. The PWA has four major parties, namely the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, CPI and CPI (M).

However, both have different manifestos.

Some of the promises made by the DMDK The party says if voted to power it will bring down the prices of petroleum products among other things. The price of petrol will be fixed at Rs. 45 and that of diesel will be fixed at Rs. 35. There are no ways and means explained for this. The toll at the toll plazas will be halved and if required toll companies will be nationalised. The simple truth is that toll collecting companies are contracted with the National Highways Authority of India and the question that how can a state government nationalise a central government undertaking is glossed over. The income of a family of each of the 12,620 villages will be increased to Rs. 25,000 per month. How will Vijayakanth do this? Very simple. The government will set up shopping complexes in each of the 224 taluks in the state and each complex will have 200 to 500 shops and three to five theatres. With this Captain will build 1120 theatres and 1,12,000 shops. But the cost requirement and the manpower needed for the project are not mentioned at all. The government will get firms to build houses for those who are in need at a cost of Rs. 2,000 to Rs.5,000 per sq feet. It is a very high cost for constructing the houses given the fact that these will be simple ones and not lavish bungalows. Shops like Nallys and Pothys will be allowed to open their branches in other states and even in other countries. There was no explanation as to why a private textile shop would need the permission to open its branches outside the state and the country. A thousand girls schools will be converted to evening ladies colleges with 100 teachers per college and 10 lakh students will graduate from these new institutes. Nothing has been mentioned about the revenue allocation for this and its less said the better about this promise. Mahatma Gandhis autobiography will be introduced as a subject for students at the school level. The Captain forgot that Gandhijis autobiography has been in the school curriculum for ages.

Now why did Vijaykanth make these promises? Is it sheer ignorance or is it a purposeful one to hoodwink the people?

Experts and political observers say such promises are made by politicians who disrespect voters and do not consider themselves politically responsible to their constituency.

It is the politics of irresponsibility. For these sorts of politicians, political society is irrelevant. They think that they can say anything and get away with it. For them, there is no need to discuss this with anyone. There is no space for accountability for these sorts of politicians. They dont recognise people and respect them as a political constituency and they dont recognise that they are responsible to that constituency, Ramu Manivannan, professor of political science at Madras University, told HT.

Read: Is Vijayakanth really a deciding factor in Tamil Nadu elections?

Those who have been closely watching Vijayakanth ever since he took a plunge into active politics in 2005 agree with this theory.

Vijayakanth is least bothered about intellectuals and those who are criticising these sort of promises. For Vijayakanth, those who criticise these promises were neither in the past nor in the present nor in the future his vote bank. His intention is to create an image which is I am for the poor and not at all bothered about the consequences of these promises. Pro-poor image is very important. Not at all bothered about the impracticability of the implementation of these promises  Ravindran Duraisami, a political observer and a lawyer, said.

He also wants to send across the message which is I am ready to break the law for the welfare of the poor It is an everlasting cunning political move and Vijayakanth is deliberately cheating the people, he added.

Duraisami further says there are people around him who know very well about the impractical nature of his poll and that there will be

Read: Captain vs Superstar: Vijayakanths statements irk Rajinikanths fans

Observers also say the voters themselves are to be blamed for this.

In a way, the people should also be responsible for these sort of absurd promises emanating from political parties because these promises betray the political awareness of the masses  It lacks political integrity  they have eroded the system  the whole atmosphere is nauseating  these sort of manifestos shows the lack of political integrity  Manivannan says.

In the past 10 years, election manifestos have brought in huge dividends to political parties in Tamil Nadu.

In 2006, the DMK promised free colour television sets and in 2011 the AIADMK promised free laptops, mixer-grinders, and ceiling fans and both of them reaped the benefits.

It is now the Captains turn to try his luck with his lofty promises.

Read: Political blockbuster: 10 times Vijayakanth bashed up rivals alone
In the run-up to and during the assembly elections, Mamata Banerjee has easily emerged as the most widely travelled politician in West Bengal.

Banerjee was supposed to address over 100 public meetings between April 4 and May 5, the dates for the first and last phase of the polls.

LIVE Follow the Leader: Mamata Banerjees election rallies in Basirhat

Its not surprising as she has much at stake. She is aiming for a second stint in power and finds herself in a situation that can be described as the most important political challenge to Banerjee, the administrator.

She holds at least three meetings every day and crisscrosses the entire state in helicopters and by road even in the oppressive and sultry heat of lower Gangetic plains. Wherever she speaks, Banerjee has one refrain -- No matter whoever is the candidate in your constituency, please remember you are voting for me.

Banerjee, the first woman chief minister of West Bengal, is regarded as a maverick who has little respect for customs and protocol, and that is precisely one of the drivers of her popularity. She is popularly referred to as Didi in the state as well on the national level. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi refers to her as Didi.

Banerjee started her political career with the Congress in the 1970s. On January 1, 1998, she formed the Trinamool Congress and has led the opposition against the Left rule in the state.

She became one of the youngest parliamentarians in Lok Sabha by beating CPIM veteran Somnath Chatterjee from the Jadavpur parliamentary constituency in south Kolkata in 1984. Since then she has been elected to the Lok Sabha a number of times and has headed several ministries including the minister of state for human resource development, youth affairs and sports, and women and child development.

Also Read | Bhawanipore: Mamata Banerjees constituency is Trinamools citadel

In 1999, she joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and was allocated the railways ministry. Mamata, however, opted out of the NDA government in 2001 and allied with the Congress in the state elections to topple the Left. The alliance, however, failed.

She opted out of the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh as well in September 2012.

Her political career gained momentum in 2006 when she launched two agitations. The first one was to prevent the acquisition of 997.11 acres of land by the Left Front government in fertile Singur of Hooghly district to set up the Nano plant of Tata Motors.

A few months later in the same year, she launched a campaign to stop a Special Economic Zone at Nandigram in East Midnapore. That movement culminated in fierce resistance by the villagers to the police and on May 14, 2007, as many as 14 villagers died when the police opened fire.

The anti-incumbency waves that were generated by the Left government eventually resulted in the rout of the 34-year old government in May 2011.

But before that the firebrand opposition leader sounded the death knell for the seemingly invincible Left Front by leading her party in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls to grab 19 seats out of 42 in the state.

There was no looking back since then and two years later she toppled the Left regime.

As opposed to the Left leaders who were mostly stickler for rules, Banerjee was a major deviation. She not only mixed with all classes of the society with equal ease but also could pull off things that are considered quite unthinkable.

On the one hand, she could mimic Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on live television and on the other she could order industrialists present in an investment meeting to stand up and sing.

She is known for speaking her mind and does not think twice before attacking institutions such as the Election Commission and even the judiciary.

Politically, however, she is facing one of the most challenging chapters in her life in the current assembly polls.

Hemmed in by the Saradha scam, Narada video sting, and a flyover collapse, Banerjee has to summon all her charms and aggression to drive home her point with the electorate.

Assembly elections 2016: Full coverage

West Bengal polls: Full Coverage
Two people died due to the heat and exhaustion at an election rally in Salem, Tamil Nadu addressed by chief minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday.

With this, the death toll at the AIADMK general secretarys election meetings has touched four. On April 11, two people lost their lives at a rally addressed by Jayalalithaa.

2 ppl died at CMs afternoon rally in Salem due to heat & exhaustion. ADMK sacrificing lives of TN ppl for comfort of its leader, DMK Treasurer M K Stalin tweeted.

While Jayalalithaa began her speech around 4 pm at Salem, around 340 km from state capital Chennai, two people became unwell and were taken to a government hospital where they were declared dead.

According to police, they were identified as S Pachiannan and M Periyasamy.
Polling for the crucial third phase of West Bengal Assembly election for 62 seats, including seven constituencies in Kolkata, will be held on Thursday.

Over 1.37 crore electorate will seal the fate of 418 candidates, including 34 females, who are in the fray during third phase of elections for 62 seats spread over Murshidabad, Nadia, Burdwan districts and north Kolkata.

Key candidates in this phase include Trinamool ministers Shashi Panja and Sadhan Pande, BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha, five-time Congress MLA Md Sohrab, CPI-M MLA Anisur Rahman and retired IPS officer Nazrul Islam.

All 22 constituencies are going to the hustings in Murshidabad, regarded as a bastion of the Congress, and particularly of its state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Besides, the entire lot of 17 constituencies in Nadia will also be up for grabs. Seven seats in north Kolkata and 16 in Burdwan complete the list.

Murshidabad is a crucial test for the newly formed Congress-Left Front alliance, with the partners locked in a fight among themselves in 10 of the 22 constituencies.

Read | Confident of Bengal polls win, Mamata aims to capture Delhi in 2019

Congress candidates are up against Revolutionary Socialist Party nominees in five constituencies, and take on Communist Party of India-Marxist contestants in four and the All India Forward Bloc in one seat.

Close fights are also on the cards at Nadia, where the alliance has achieved unity in all but the Krishnaganj seat -- that pits the Congress against the CPI-M.

The erstwhile red fort of Burdwan, that collapsed like a pack of cards in the Trinamool surge in 2011, when the Left Front was ousted from power in the state, is also likely to witness a see-saw battle between the alliance and the Trinamool. Nine constituencies of the district had voted on April 11.

Read | Bengal assembly polls: BJP woos voters in Modis words... and voice

The Trinamool Congress is hoping big on the seven seats in Kolkata north, but the alliance is also keen to pull up some surprises.

In the assembly polls in the 62 constituencies five years back, then allies Trinamool and Congress had captured 45 seats, with the Trinamool taking 29 and the Congress 16.

Among the Left Front partners, the CPI-M had won 14, and the Revolutionary Socialist Party, Samajwadi Party and All India Forward Bloc one each.

Of the 418 candidates in the fray, 61 are crorepatis, 80 have criminal cases against them, with 65 of them declaring serious criminal offences like murder and rape against their name.

Read | WB polls: 128 out of 418 candidates have criminal records

Central Force Jawan stand guard inside a polling booth on the eve of 3rd phase of Assembly Polls in Burdwan district of West Bengal on Wednesday. (PTI)

Security arrangements

A tight security ring of one lakh security personnel, including 75,000 central paramilitary forces, has been deployed in election-bound areas.

Election Commission officials said 714 companies of central armed police force, comprising around 75,000 personnel, have taken their positions.

As per instruction, central forces are doing route marches as part of area domination exercise to instil confidence among voters.

Some of the personnel who were posted for the fourth phase have also been shifted to the areas going to the polls on Thursday.

So far, voters in 105 of the total 294 constituencies have exercised their right to franchise on three dates -- April 4, 11 and 17 -- in the first two phases.

West Bengal is having a staggered six-phase election. Polling for the remaining phases will be held on April 25, 30 and May 5.

Read | West Bengal polls: 80% turnout in largely peaceful second phase
Sudheer Babu, a Telugu actor who will make his Hindi film debut with Baaghi, has only good things to say about his co-star Tiger Shroff.

Tiger gets inspired seeing me in the film, but in real life Ive got inspired seeing him. Fighting is not about hitting each other, its also like dancing; you need to get the timing correct, Sudheer said, at his special unveiling for media.

He always made sure he doesnt hit the opposite person.. for me I hit him once, but he was very calm and he didnt even complain about it. I was the one who stopped the shot and said sorry, but he didnt stop the shot, he said.

Sudheer in a still from Baaghi. (UTV)

Tiger is one bundle of energy, before the shoot or after the shoot, he used to work out. Even during the shoot he is doing some movement, some dance move or some kick hell be practising. I used to feel that the only time hes resting is while hes sleeping, the actor added.

Sudheer is the brother-in-law of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and had made his debut as a full-fledged hero with Siva Manasulo Sruthi in 2012.

Read: Shraddha, Tiger to appear on Kapil Sharmas show

In Baaghi, he is the villain of the film who abducts Shraddha Kapoors character, for which Tiger has to go to Thailand to rescue her. He will be seen showcasing his Kalaripayattu moves in the film, and has a very chiselled and bulky physique like it can be seen in the trailer.

When Im doing Telugu films, there wasnt much competition from the opposite side, but right now I have Tiger opposite to me, so it was really tough, really needed to work very hard to match up with him, he said.

Watch trailer:

About getting slotted in the villain bracket? I wanted to be recognized as a very good actor, thats my first priority, and Ive seen that there is a lot of scope for performance in the character I play.

Baaghi is directed by Sabbir Khan and releases on April 29.
Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut will finally record her statement with Cyber Crime police in connection with an FIR filed by superstar Hrithik Roshan. The two have been having a running feud, that an online impostor has been sending e-mails under his guise to his fans.

We have communicated the date (April 30) to the cyber crime on Saturday last, as that is the earliest when all three of us - Kangana, her sister Rangoli and I will be available - for recording of the statement, Kanganas lawyer Rizwan Siddiqui said on Tuesday.

Read: Hrithik Roshan and his women- Kangana Ranaut wasnt the only one

He said Kangana and her sister will record their statements at the actress residence in a western suburb.

Kangana and Hrithik worked together on Krissh 3.

Dismissing reports that Kangana was summoned by the police, Siddiqui said police merely requested the actress to record her statement as a witness regarding the FIR filed by Hrithik last month.

The FIR stated that a fake email-ID has been created and an impostor has been operating it under Hrithiks guise and misleading many of his fans, including Kangana.

Hrithiks lawyer had earlier claimed that Kangana had not recorded her statement to assist in the investigations and hence the proceedings in the legal battle between the two were stalled.

Read: Hrithik Roshan, Kangana Ranauts star wars- How love led to legal mess

Kangana and her rumoured former beau Hrithik have been at loggerheads since the Queen star had hinted at Hrithik being her silly ex.

The feud between Hrithik and his Krrish 3 co-star turned nasty after they slapped legal notices on each other.

42-year-old Hrithik, who was the first to send the legal notice to Kangana, has demanded that she apologise in a press conference and clear the air about their alleged affair which he firmly refutes.

A defiant Kangana, 28, had said she was not a dim-witted teenager and refused to apologise. She instead shot off a counter-notice to Hrithik warning him to take back his notice or face a criminal case.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
The Bollywood actor-director due of Ranbir Kapoor and Anurag Basu arrived in Darjeeling on Wednesday to shoot for the comedy-drama Jagga Jasoos, roughly four years after the runaway success of Barfi.

For Kapoor, it was more of a home coming. He arrived to a warm welcome at the Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling on Wednesday afternoon and went about reliving the Barfi days. The management had reserved the Little Peppers suit for him. Hotel sources said Kapoor insisted on staying in this suite as he had put up in the same during the Barfi shoot.

The first thing Kapoor did on arriving was to order pork momos- the Tibetan delicacy that the actor is in love with. During the Barfi shoot, Basu and Kapoor had undertaken numerous late night trips to the famous eateries in town serving momos, craftily managing to evade the prying eyes of fans. Jagga Jasoos is on an exciting subject. I as Jagga attended school in Darjeeling, hence we are here for the shoot, stated Kapoor. The actor was all praise for the Queen of the Hills.

Read: Ranbir Kapoor best star actor this country has seen: Sayani Gupta

Read: Katrina Kaifs mother is In India but not to meet Ranbir Kapoors mother

It is calm, beautiful and with friendly people. It is also a great visual palate. The weather is excellent and I am looking forward to the shoot here, remarked Kapoor. The film is being directed by Basu and is jointly produced by Basu and Kapoor.

Dada (Anurag Basu) has a strong connection with Darjeeling. Whichever film he makes Darjeeling occupies an important part, said Kapoor.

Read: Will Ranbir, Katrinas Jagga Jasoos release on time?

Read: How Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor avoided each other at Auto Expo

Barfi was a milestone in Kapoors career and won many national and international accolades. The film was shot extensively in Darjeeling in June 2011 and February 2012. The locations included Sukna, Tindharia, Chowrasta, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Station at Ghoom, Windamere Hotel, Keventers and Planters Club.

Ranbir is staying in the same hotel he stayed during the Barfi shoot. (HT Photo)

When questioned whether Darjeeling was lucky for the duo, Kapoor replied Luck is an unknown thing hence it cannot be attributed to luck. I would say that it is love for Darjeeling that makes us come back.

Basu spent the whole day scouting for shooting locales. Shooting starts from Thursday.

Its a six day shooting schedule in Darjeeling out of which I will be shooting for 4 days, said Kapoor.

The film has already been shot in South Africa. In Darjeeling town the film will be shot in Chowrasta, Bhutia Bustee and St. Pauls School. The movie will be shot 3 days in Darjeeling town, 1 day at Mirik and 1 day at Sukna, said Paras Chettri, line producer.

Watch: Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra in this soulful Barfi song

The film is also scheduled to be shot in Morocco. The film stars Govinda, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Adah Sharma, in lead roles, and tells the story of a teenage detective in search of his missing father.

Reports say strained relations between Kaif and Kapoor have delayed the shoot. Kaif will not be shooting in Darjeeling.

Follow @htshowbiz for more.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan on Wednesday sought to explain his recent remark where he compared the Indian economy to a one-eyed king in the land of the blind, saying that criticisms on his comments on not getting carried away by the current rate of growth were made out of context.

In our news-hungry country, our domestic papers headlined the phrase I used. To be fair, they also offered the surrounding context, but few read beyond the headline. So the interview became moderately controversial, with the implication that I was denigrating our success rather than emphasising the need to do more, the governor said while addressing students at the convocation of the National Institute of Bank Management in Pune.

Rajan used the phrase one-eyed man is a king in the land of the blind in the US last week to describe how India may be best placed with strong growth among struggling global economy despite its weaknesses. The remark, which some saw as dismissive of the progress made by India, drew strong criticism, even from finance minister Arun Jaitley, who said that in any other country, a growth rate of 7.5% would have been celebrated.

At an event last Monday, minister of state for finance Jayant Sinha also said he did not agree with the RBI governor. We are the shining star, Sinha said. Commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman, too, had countered saying I may not be happy with his (Rajans) choice of words..

Apologising to the visually impaired for any grievance caused, Rajan said: More generally, every word or phrase a public figure speaks is intensely wrung for meaning. When words are hung to dry out of context, as in a newspaper headline, it then becomes fair game for anyone who wants to fill in meaning, to create mischief. Worst of course, are words or proverbs that have common usage elsewhere, because those can be most easily and deliberately misinterpreted. If we are to have a reasonable public dialogue, everyone should read words in their context, not stripped of it. That may be a forlorn hope!

I used the phrase andhon me kana raja (in the land of the blind, the one-eyed is the king)My intent in saying this was to signal that our outperformance was accentuated because world growth was weak. I explained that we were still not at our potential, though we were at the cusp of a substantial pick-up in growth given the reforms that were underway.

As a central banker who has to be pragmatic, I cannot get euphoric if India is the fastest-growing large economy. Our current growth certainly reflects the hard work of the government and the people of the country. but we have to repeat this performance for the next 20 years before we can give every Indian a decent livelihood, he added.

Without citing specific instances, Rajan also said previous governments had become too complacent by periods of high growth. We cannot get carried away by our current superiority in growth, for as soon as we believe in our own superiority and start distributing future wealth as if we already have it, we stop doing all that is required to continue growing... This movie has played too many times in Indias past for us to not know how it ends.
China has come to a stage where anything that happens to its economy has global reactions. HT gives you some key indicators that explain why the country has such an influence on the world.

GDP: $10.3 trillion

The size of the Chinas GDP in 2015. India: $2 trillion

China is the worlds third largest economy behind the US and the 28-member European Union. The countrys GDP has grown at an average rate of around 10% since 1991.

The problem, however, is that China is slowing down. In 2015, the countrys GDP grew at 6.9%, faster than every major economy except India, but slowest in 25 years.

China is one of the biggest importers of raw materials such as minerals, and also the biggest market for companies, including Apple .

A slowdown reduces consumption, hurting those dependent on China to sell their products.

Industry: 45%

Share of industry in Chinas GDP. India: 30%

Manufacturing PMI  an indicator of growth in manufacturing activity  rose for the first time in March this year after falling for seven months. Despite the monthly increase, the index did not grow year-on-year.

The manufacturing powerhouse is currently reeling under excess capacity, primarily in the steel, coal and real estate sectors. The stagnation has meant China is importing less raw materials.

For example, Chinas coal imports dipped 30% in 2015, according to Bloomberg. This would have hurt Australia, which accounts for 40% of Chinas coal imports.

Imports: $1.6 trillion

Chinas imports in 2015.India: $450 billion

China, which is the worlds second-largest importer after the US,saw a 7% drop in import volumes in 2015.

The top three products that China imports are crude oil, integrated circuits and iron ore  accounting for 30% of the total imports. China processes these goods into products such as petrol, electronic goods and steel.

Interestingly, unlike coal, imports of crude oil, integrated circuits and iron ore increased in 2015. This would generally counter the argument that the economys slowing down, but problem is that much of the goods are produced using these imports end up being exported.

Exports: $2.2 trillion

Chinas exports in 2015.India: $310 billion

China is the worlds biggest exporter of electronic devices ($215 billion) and steel ($30 billion).

Big companies, including Apple and Microsoft, prefer to manufacture in China due to low costs.

The problem is not much with exports as with underpriced exports, which are termed dumped by importing countries. Dumping is claimed to damage domestic industries.

China exports its excess capacity because domestic consumption has been hit. The problem is exacerbated when China devalues its currency to make its low-priced exports even more attractive.

Renminbi

Exchange rate of yuan against $. India: Rs 66.65

Over the past year, the RMB  or yuan  has depreciated by over 6% against the US dollar.

Devaluation of the yuan makes Chinas exports more attractive. These exports crowd out those from other countries, which can prompt them to devalue their currency, triggering currency wars. This is why a yuan devaluation causes global markets to tank.

Read: Currencies yawn over yuan: Chinese slowdown worries world economies

Most countries do not devalue their currencies because it makes imports costlier. These countries, such as India, generally run a trade deficit. But with forex reserves of $3.2 trillion, China does not have to worry much about this.

Forex reserves: $3.2 trillion

Chinas foreign exchange reserves. India: $366 billion

China has built this war chest by being a net exporter for the past two decades. Forex reserves help a country control its currency. Chinas huge pile means that capital outflow  people taking their money out of the country  do not affect China much.

Forex reserves also come in handy to pay off debt. At present, China is sitting on a total debt of $28 trillion, which is half of the world total. Out of this close to a $1 trillion is off-shore debt  loans taken from overseas sources.

A slowdown in China puts this debt at risk. In case it defaults on even part of this debt, it will have a drastic impact globally.

Read: China economy slowing but wont suffer hard landing: PM Li Keqiang
Stuart Wilkie, managing director of Tata Steels strip products, is reportedly putting together a management buyout package that includes significant contribution from workers at Port Talbot and the British government.

No details of the package are available, but reports from Wales said the Community trade union welcomed discussions with Wilkie to buy the strips steel business that employs nearly 5,000 people.

The Tata board recently decided to sell all its assets in Britain after losses mounted to 1 million a day over the past year. The firms steel business in the UK is based around the Port Talbot works in Wales.

Wilkie had submitted a rescue plan for Port Talbot to the Tata board a month ago but it did not get the green signal since it required an order of investment that the board was unwilling to commit to, besides questions about the plans success.

Welsh Labour MP Stephen Kinnock said the management buyout plan is the right way to go, but industry circles cautioned that a post-Tata Steel scenario would need an overhaul in basics, including not retaining the blast furnaces.

Business secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons last week the government could look at the possibility of co-investing with a steel buyer on commercial terms. On its part, the government has appointed consultant EY for the purpose.

He said: Ive been in contact with potential buyers, making clear that the government stands ready to help. This includes looking at the possibility of co-investing with a buyer on commercial terms.

One potential buyer for Tata Steels assets is Sanjeev Guptas Liberty Group.

Kath Ringwald, a senior lecturer at the University of South Wales, told BBC that there were enormous difficulties ahead but Wilkies buyout plan would be welcomed by everyone.

It is a very different plan; for example the Liberty plan is talking about no redundancies, she said.

Whether or not this plan could succeed on the same basis we dont know but it is a very difficult time in market conditions to be tabling an ambitious plan for re-investment.

A Tata Steel statement on the buyout proposal said: Tata Steel Europe welcomes credible expressions of interest for Tata Steels UK operations. It is our policy that we are not naming, confirming or commenting on any potentially interested investor or bidder at this point.

All expressions of interest, including any management buyout proposals, will be considered when received. In the interests of all stakeholders every credible expressions of interest will enter the same rigorous assessment process to ensure the best value and prospects of sustainability.

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Some years ago, when Sharad Pawar was still the Union agriculture minister, he was rather rattled by Uddhav Thackerays lack of rural understanding. Uddhav had been lamming the UPA government for not declaring remunerative prices for kapaashi and being obsessed with paraati instead. Pawar described that as an asinine remark, for, paraati was a common word for cotton in the villages  rather like ruiee and kapaas in Hindi.

He has now minced no words in stating that Uddhav does not know if groundnuts grow on trees or beneath the soil. Pawar is upset at the current governments inability to handle the agrarian crisis  both ruling parties are urban oriented and have not taken rural distress seriously. So, senior journalist Kumar Ketkar is equally tart when he says, Ask anyone in the state cabinet, including the chief minister, and no one will be able to tell you the difference between a drought and a famine. They think it is one and the same thing.

But now what horrifies me is that the urban-educated Pankaja Munde, a medical professional who represents a rural constituency, does not know the difference between a draught (sic!) and a drought. Moreover, she was most insensitive while touring the drought-affected areas of Latur as she tweeted her selfies with the parched farmers of the area as proof that she is doing good work. I am stunned that the daughter of Gopinath Munde, who was among the best grassroots politicians, could be so disconnected with the masses  and would not know the difference between compassion and self-aggrandisement.

Jansatta, a local Hindi newspaper, has also reported that while she was touring the districts, she even complained about her make-up getting smudged because of the heat and dust. That self-obsession is something I cannot swallow. Over my long career, I have travelled with and closely observed generations of women politicians. Pratibha Patil always wore full-sleeved white blouses with her Ikats and Balucharis but she never complained about the discomfort in the heat on her tours. Former deputy chief minister Shalinitai Patil was known for her crisp Nagpuri and Kolhapuri cotton sarees and her huge Jijamata style red, round bindi. But while I saw sweat streaking down her face on occasion, she never cared how that might destroy her image. Closer to the times was Dr Vimal Mundada, who started as Gopinath Mundes close aide in the BJP, then ended up as a minister in the Congress-NCP government for two terms. I toured extensively with her as she set about improving maternal and child mortality rates in the remote areas. But never once did she care about fixing her face for the cameras that followed her.

Perhaps it is a thing of the times because recently Supriya Sule, Pawars daughter, unabashedly spoke about how she and other women MPs admire and exchange notes about their sarees. But, then, there is the example of Varsha Gaikwad, of an age with Pankaja, and minister for child and women welfare in the previous government. When I toured with her the Naxal-affected areas of Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Gondia to study the diminishing female ratios and stem female foeticides, I did not see her complain even about the lack of toilet facilities for herself. She returned to Bombay and quietly began the process of building toilets for women on waysides much before the scheme became popular.

Pankaja then lets down all these women who worked hard without bothering about smudged make-up or selfies. She also lets down her father who never needed a camera for his good work.

The author tweets as @sujataanandan

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It was a breezy, clear day with little traffic on the highway out of Srinagar when the driver of my Tata Sumo taxi veered to the edge of the road and stopped. Army convoy, he said, suddenly tense, pointing to a line of trucks hogging the centre of the road. A soldier in the lead vehicle popped out of the roof, waving a red flag. Another, opposite the driver, leaned out of the truck and waved a long lathi. We must give way.

As an Indian and the son of a police officer, I was brought up with an agreeable view of men and women in uniform, even living a year in a paramilitary camp. As an Indian with a somewhat idealisticif naivenotion of living in a democracy where no one had special privileges, the Kashmiri drivers fear was irksome. I certainly knew things were different in Kashmir, but I could not accept the loss of my democratic privilege. Keep driving, I insisted. No one can force us off the road like this. He did not respond. The convoy was upon us. The soldier with the lathi leaned further out and violently thwacked our roof. I was startled, the driver flinched. You see, he said, and pulled off the road entirely.

Read | Tracking attacks on Kashmiri students outside the valley

I felt humiliated and angry. Could the army be this arrogant elsewhere in India? My little footnote was nothing, of course, compared to the humiliation and violence ordinary Kashmiris  terrorists or stone-throwers aside  experienced. I remember a colleagues husband, bureau chief of a national television channel, describing how two CRPF troopers stopped his car at a checkpoint near the Dal Lake and said chal murga banja, hold both ears, squat and hop. Like me, he was used to certain privilege and was enraged. Then, he realised that the road was deserted--and that he was Kashmiri. Anything could have happened, and no one would have known, he said. He became a murga. The incidents I narrate unfolded during the summer of 2010, the year 112 mostly young Kashmiris were shot dead during clashes with security forces.

As the summer of 2016 kicks in, the hitherto calm town of Handwara in north Kashmir has erupted into a familiar cascade of riot, death, riot, death. There is calm now with four army bunkers removed, which means they werent needed. In one of the worlds most militarised lands  first-time visitors are always startled by soldiers and weapons everywhere alienation continues to grow, which is a bit of a non sequitur, considering that the resentment is decades old. Denying Kashmiris rights due to all Indians is now standard practice. Imagine the outrage if you were asked for get a licence to run a WhatsApp group  as the government proposed this week, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Kashmirs youth to dream to do something. Whatever the government in Delhi, the hand extended to Kashmir has usually been clad in an iron glove.

Read | NIT Srinagar fallout: Kashmiri students assaulted in Jodhpur

That is why I found it ironic when the Congress P. Chidambaram wrote last week in the Indian Express that as home minister he believed a militaristic approach would only exacerbate the [Kashmir] conflict. During his tenure Kashmiris were increasingly denied the right of democratic protest, and draconian laws were ruthlessly enforced. After the torrid summer of 2010, when I met Chidambaram and explained how everyday humiliation was alienating more people, he dismissed these as stray cases.

I noted then that India faced an angrier generation quietly taking over the Kashmiri street and mind from older separatists. To be sure, the behaviour of security forces wasnt the only reason: Many stone-throwers then admitted to being paid, meaning the pot was frequently stirred; and Wahabbi Islam was displacing Kashmirs gentler sufism. In 2016, the ill-treatment of Kashmiris outside the Valley and the rise of the Hindu right further hardens the uncompromising nature of young people. As one recently said on his Facebook page, sympathetic Indians believe they have no problem with the chant: Hum kya chahate? Azaadi! They forget  or ignore  the Kashmiri said, that we also say: Azaadi ka matlab kya? La ilaha illallah, implying, freedom for Allahs  and Islams  glory.

Despite a relatively calm 2015, the new generation is so widely inimical to India that engineers and post-graduates have taken to the gun, and disconcerted soldiers have seen  for the first time  locals swarming into the line of fire to help terrorists escape. Swelling attendance at burial marches of terrorists indicates the extent of separation.

Read | Friendships take a blow as politics breeds hatred on NIT Srinagar campus

Five have died, so far, in this years rioting, sparked by what now appears to be a dubious accusation of a soldier molesting a school girl, although  as is so often the case in Kashmir  agendas often obscure facts. Indias shaky credibility in the Valley was instantly dented when officials released an illegal video  made at a police station  that revealed the young womans identity. Kashmiris are only too aware that security forces often fudge facts, extra-judicial killings have gone largely unpunished and that soldiers legally get away with rape and murder. The girl says no soldier touched her, but it wont make a whit of difference to the young men who relentlessly attack security forces any chance they get.

An argument I often hear is, What about the human rights of security forces? I do not envy the armed representatives of the Indian State in Kashmir. But the security forces are there to secure not just Indias boundaries but the idea of India as a composite democracy that appreciates diversity of opinion, race, language and creed. As Kashmiris question both the boundaries and idea of India with greater vehemence, it is incumbent on the security forces to demonstrate vastly greater maturity and restraint (which some do) than the stone-throwers. To equate the security forces with disaffected young men only questions the training and competency of soldiers, demeans Indias democracy and confirms to Kashmiris that India wants their land, not them.

Samar Halarnkar is editor, Indiaspend.org, a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit

The views expressed are personal

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Uttarakhand Police horse Shaktiman died on Wednesday, a month after losing its left hind leg in a thrashing allegedly by a BJP legislator, sparking a political blame game in the state.

The 14-year-old horse was injured at a rally in Dehradun on March 14, where BJP workers clashed with police and party MLA Ganesh Joshi beat up Shaktiman, triggering widespread condemnation.

The animals leg was amputated three days later but doctors said it couldnt adapt to the prosthetic leg attached to the limb.

Senior Superintendent of Police Sadanand Date told HT the horse was given anesthesia but didnt wake up after the shot was administered on Wednesday.

Read: Dehradun: BJP MLA attacks police horse with lathi, breaks its leg

Shaktiman was a police officer on duty; person who ultimately killed him should be arrested for killing a police officerHorses should no longer be part of our police systems; they serve no purpose #RIPShaktiman, Union women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi tweeted.

The Congress attempted to blame the BJP for the death of the horse, pointing out that police had registered a case against Joshi for hitting Shaktiman.

I am shocked, cant explain my feeling in words, former chief minister Harish Rawat said, noting that Shaktiman died during Presidents Rule in the state.

State BJP president Ajay Bhatt said the horse died because of mistakes made by the previous Harish Rawat government and lack of proper treatment. Joshi said he was saddened by Shaktimans death but was not guilty. If found guilty then cut my leg, he told news agency ANI.

Read: Injured police horse in isolation as netas rush for photo ops

Shaktiman grabbed national headlines in March when a video surfaced that purportedly showed Joshi attacking a policeman and beating up the white horse.

The alleged attack occurred during a BJP rally as party workers tried to jump over barricades prompting security personnel, including the mounted police, to swing into action.

The horse had to undergo surgery on March 15 and then experts decided to amputate his leg on March 17.

Officials said the horse took its feed in the afternoon and died around 4.30pm. Police staff and veterinarians were clueless about its condition for few minutes and concluded its death.

A permanent prosthetic leg from the United States was fitted on Shaktimans amputated leg last week. But the horse didnt adapt well to it and was made to rest for hours. Laminitis-an inflammable tissue disease -- started to develop in its left hind leg because of excess pressure on that limb.

During the course of the month-long treatment, the horse received sympathy on social networking websites where wildlife lovers from across the world posted tweets and comments.
The Delhi government has impounded 50 vehicles run by app-based taxi aggregators for charging fares more than the prescribed rates during the odd-even car rationing period, officials said on Wednesday.

With this, the total number of vehicles which have been seized has gone up to 75.

Earlier in the day, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that surge pricing by taxi aggregators is day light robbery and no responsible government can allow that it. Surge pricing is a business practice in which companies charge higher rates than normal to encourage more drivers to offer rides when demand for taxis outstrips supply.

Read | Surge pricing is daylight robbery, wont allow it: Kejriwal

In a series of tweets, Kejriwal said the government will not allow them to surge price, without naming any company.

Some taxis saying they will not provide cab if they are not allowed to loot. This is open blackmailing n govt will not let that happen (sic), the CM had posted.

We are not against taxi aggregators. We fully support them. They provide imp service to people. But they will have to follow law. Overcharging, diesel cars, drivers without license/badges n blackmailing by taxi aggregators wont be allwed (sic), he tweeted.

The government had impounded 25 Ola and Uber vehicles on Tuesday - the fifth day of its odd-even experiment - for surge pricing and other offences. The crackdown on Tuesday afternoon led to a paucity of taxis across the city. Many commuters complained they could not get any cabs.

On Monday, Ola and Uber had suspended surge pricing after Kejriwal ordered strict action, including permit cancellation and impounding, against overcharging by taxis during the odd-even car rationing period.

Ola said they were suspending it to support the governments odd-even measure.

Read | Odd-even should be the last resort: What Delhi can learn from Beijing

We have temporarily suspended the surge-in-price option but this is not for the entire two weeks of odd-even. We will be closely working with the government to see how to serve customers better, an Uber spokesperson said.

Uber had informed its customers on Tuesday that the temporary suspension of surge pricing may result in fewer cabs on Delhi roads.

Also read | With surge pricing gone, wait for cabs goes up in New Delhi
Putting a knife to his daughters throat, a man threatened his wife and asked her to reveal her alleged lovers name. When she refused, he slit the 13-month-old daughters throat and attacked his wife.

The 27-year-old man was arrested from his home in northwest Delhis Azadpur near Adarsh Nagar in the early hours of Wednesday.

The toddler died on the spot and her mother, who suffered multiple injuries, is battling for life at Babu Jagjivan Ram Hospital, the police said.

After attacking his wife Sushiliya, and killing his daughter Sakshi, the accused, Krishna Kumar, called the police control room and confessed to the crime.

He surrendered before the police team that visited the crime scene.

Kumar, who works as an electrician, was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he committed the crime.

Vijay Singh, deputy commissioner of police (Northwest), said that the couple had a love marriage two-and-a-half years ago. Kumar is a native of Chhapra in Bihar and his wife belongs to Assam.

The crime came to our notice at 2.20 am when Kumar called the police control room and informed us that he had killed his daughter. We reached the crime scene and found his wife and daughter in a pool of blood. They were rushed to a nearby hospital where the child was pronounced dead on admission, said Singh.

We registered a case of murder and attempt to murder and arrested Kumar, he said.

In her statement, Sushiliya told the police that her husband suspected her of cheating on him.

The issue had become a reason for frequent arguments. They often argued over Kumars suspicion that Sushiliya was having an affair with somebody in the locality. Sushiliya alleged that Kumar often used to keep her and Sakshi locked in their house to torture her.

On Tuesday night, Kumar returned home in an inebriated condition and entered into an argument with his wife over the same topic. Suddenly, he picked up a knife and attacked Sushiliya. Hearing her screams, their daughter woke up and started crying, said a police officer.

Kumar then kept the knife at his daughters throat and threatened to kill her. He asked his wife to reveal her boyfriends name and she refused. Before Sushiliya could react, Kumar slit Sakshis throat, the officer said adding they recovered the knife from the crime scene.
Piles of leaf and garbage are burnt with impunity in Delhis parks and landfills, filling the air with foul smoke containing dangerous levels of carcinogens and carbon dioxide that is blamed for stoking weather extremes.

The fumes of burning rubbish, a major source of pollution that goes unchecked, undermine the Arvind Kejriwal governments odd-even road rationing formula to reduce air toxicity.

Penalties to offenders in the past year  north and south municipal corporations 26 challans and their east counterparts 191  show how much importance is given to the green watchdog in New Delhi that the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks as the worlds worst city for air pollution.

The National Green Tribunal had banned in April 2015 the practice of burning leaves and trash in the city  a ritual followed almost religiously in the absence of a robust garbage disposal system and a strict monitoring system.

Delhis never-ending stream of traffic contributes 8% to air pollution in summer, which is just 1% higher than the burning of garbage, an IIT-Kanpur study found.

Smoke from leaf and trash burning releases PM10, a coarse particle that can embed deep in the lungs. Studies have shown PM10 leads to respiratory and heart problems, especially in children.

We regularly monitor leaf burning to curb the practice, North Delhi municipal commissioner PK Gupta said.

A civic official defended the relatively low compliance, saying garbage is burnt mostly before dawn or after sunset.

Another official said wood and leaf piles were burnt by poor people to keep warm in winter. These people cant pay the lowest fine amount, which is Rs 5,000.

But at the root of such man-made emissions is the lack of an effective waste management system.

Errant municipal employees find it easy to burn garbage, mostly of biological origin  from horticulture waste to food  than taking the rubbish to dumping sites.

Sanitation workers, especially those on contract, indulge in this practice on the sly. It becomes hard for enforcement officials to catch them because they escape after lighting the waste, said an official.

Green activist demanded more accountability, saying burning does not make the waste disappear but transforms it into a formidable pollution problem.

It requires vigilance to catch offenders. Communities should be involved to ensure the burning doesnt happen in their neighbourhood  the municipal agencies must work to provide a solution to the problem of waste disposal, said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Often residents were clueless about a garbage fire until smoke enters their homes.

In such a scenario, the sanitation staff, local officials and even residents must be held responsible to ensure accountability, said Bharti Chaturvedi of Chintan, an NGO.
Senior IPS officer JK Sharma stepped down as Tihar prisons chief, hours after being given the appointment order by the Delhi home department on Tuesday.

Sharma, a 1982-batch IPS officer  presently posted as director general (Home Guard)  was given additional charge of prisons in the afternoon, an order which was reportedly passed without consulting the lieutenant governor.

In Delhi, the transfer and appointment of all gazette officers is approved by the lieutenant governor. However, Sharmas appointment to Tihar was signed by an additional secretary of the home department.

Taken by surprise, L-G Najeeb Jung is said to have nullified the order, a move that can become another flashpoint in the tussle between Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Jung. The two have been at loggerheads since the appointment of joint commissioner of police Mukesh Meena as the Anti Corruption Branch chief in June last year.

Read: Jung again: AAP govt names prisons chief, L-G terms order null & void

By Tuesday evening, Sharma returned the charge to the earlier officer as the appointment was not approved by competent authority. Prison sources said Sharma took the decision when he learned that the home department passed the appointment without Jungs approval.

IPS officer JK Sharma refused his appointment as Tihar prisons chief on Tuesday, hours after the delhi government appointed him.

The Delhi home department appointed JK Sharma, a 1982 batch IPS officer presently posted as director general (Home Guard), as Tihar Prisons chief on Tuesday afternoon. The appointment however was given without the lieutenant governors knowledge.

In a letter issued under the DG (Prison) credentials, Sharma further said he will be happy to resume the above mentioned charge on approval of competent authority.

The countrys largest prison has been without a chief since February 28, when DG Alok Verma was made Delhi Police Commissioner.

Read: Play by the rules or resign: Delhi CM Kejriwal warns babus

Delhi is in the unique position of being governed by a chief minister and his cabinet as well as the Centre through a lieutenant general, the constitutional head of the National Capital Region. Among the issues that have brought the two sides in conflict has been the issue of law and order coming under Jungs purview; Kejriwal has time and again sought to bring the police department under the Delhi governments ambit.

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School of Social Science of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidhyalaya (DAVV), Indore has been selected under Centre with Potential for Excellence in a Particular Area (CPEPA) scheme of University Grants Commission.

DAVV is the only state university in Madhya Pradesh to clinch the status.

After UGC invited a team from the varsity, professor Ganesh Kawadia presented DAVVs proposal in the first round. A team of professors Kanhaiya Ahuja, AK Singh and Rajneesh Jain presented their proposal on behalf of DAVV on December 16, 2015 in the second round.

With Centre with Potential for Excellence (CPE) status, the Commission will sanction a grant of minimum `5 crore for the university for research purposes. DAVV has requested for a grant of Rs 8.18 crore for research spanning across the coming five years.

The institute plans to conduct research focussed on inclusive growth in rural areas. Departments namely School of Social Sciences, School of Economics and School of Education will collaborate on the theme. Malwa and Nimar tribes feature among topics to be researched.

Earlier, DAVV had a CPE status in e-management, but its period expired and was not renewed by UGC after university officials failed to justify utilisation of Rs 3 crore as grant sanctioned under the scheme.

A DAVV spokesperson said the varsity will apply for University with Potential Excellence (UPE) status in 2016.

The institute failed to get a UPE status despite securing top grades from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2014 as it lacked a CPE status.
Is life going to get easier for aspiring doctors who now take at least 44 exams to get into a medical college and pay about Rs 2 lakh as exam fees? The Supreme Court (SC), on April 11, recalled its 2013 judgment that scrapped the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). NEET is a single window competition for entrance to multiple medical institutes.

Following the April 11 order, NEET is likely to be reintroduced again, putting a question mark on the validity of state and private entrance tests for admission to medical colleges.

The 2013 SC judgment had said that NEET did not ensure a level-playing field for candidates because of disparity in educational standards in different parts of the country. The order is related to a Medical Council of India (MCI) versus Christian Medical College case and will be heard afresh by SC. Recalling the 2013 judgment, the Bench said: After giving our thoughtful and due consideration, we are of the view that the judgment delivered in Christian Medical College needs reconsideration. We do not propose to state reasons in detail at this stage so as to see that it may not prejudicially affect the hearing of the matters.

Read more: SC allows common entrance test for admission to pvt medical colleges

NEET, first introduced in 2012, was scrapped a year later. Academic experts feel reintroducing the test will be a good move. Dr SS Agarwal, national president, Indian Medical Association, says, NEET is a boon for aspirants aiming to join the medical profession. Merit determined by NEET will be the basis of admission to colleges. This will alleviate the hardships of physical, mental and financial burden on the students who are the ultimate beneficiaries of any admission processes. It is our common knowledge that students are being forced to cough up thousands as fees for appearing in multiple exams and also for travel expenses. Students are robbed of the opportunity to stake admission claim to different colleges due to clash of exam days. A single entrance test such as NEET will lower the burden of expenditure, it will encourage students to work in rural and far flung areas.

Dr Jayshree Mehta, president, MCI, says that the concept of NEET was the brainchild of MCI. The council had, in June 2009, recommended that the Central government approve it under Section 33 of the IMC Act 1956. The Central government gave its approval in November 2010 after the Supreme Courts intervention.

Despite reports of some state governments like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh expressing reservations about their ability or willingness to conduct NEET, MCI is hopeful that all states will reintroduce the test.I am optimistic that ultimately considering the interest and welfare of the meritorious students and young generations as a whole, they need to fall in line sooner or later, says Dr Mehta.

Does the court order mean that all states will have to accept NEET? The state legislature has to yield to the Union legislature and NEET in any way is not interfering in the reservation ratio or their financial incentives. Article 371-D makes special provisions with respect to the state of Andhra Pradesh, says Dr Agarwal. NEET can be implemented across the country as the necessary structures are already in place.

In fact, it will easily achieve its major aim of saving students from being at the mercy of the private/deemed universities. NEET does not violate any fundamental or legal right of an institution/organisation in respect of its running or admission. It is about making a system on how they should admit deserving students. Moreover, only a student who is good at studies is keen to join the medical profession. I strongly believe that standard of education depends on and includes conduct of examination, says Dr Agarwal.

Interestingly, Justice Anil R Dave, who has written last weeks SC recall order, had a dissenting opinion in the 2013 judgment. He had pointed out that there was no discussion among the members of the bench before the ruling. He had also termed NEET as a boon for aspiring medical students.

Read more: Is that a NEET idea?

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Robert Downey Jr is not trying to appear snobbish to his fans. The Hollywood actor who rose to superstardom with the Iron Man franchise says that he has come to love the suit he wears on the movie.

Downey Jr. was appreciated as the American superhero in the Iron Man trilogy. The trilogy might be over, but Iron Man still lives on the big screen through The Avengers series.

Downey Jr. will be making his comeback as the superhero with the release of Captain America: Civil War. The film also features Chris Evans as Captain America.

Actors Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans attend the Disney Premiere of Captain America: Civil War at El Capitan Theater, in Hollywood, California. (AFP)

When asked about wearing the suit again, he said that he has nothing to complain about and absolutely loves the suit.

Read: Captain America: Civil War reviews are here to wash away that BvS taste

Well, what I realised is that there is safety, fun and relief in numbers. For instance I am sure Chris could tell you that hes in every shot of movie practically, now I am on the poster, but still whenever you put the suit on and they have improved it over time, Downey Jr. said in a statement.

Robert Downey Jr. signs autographs as he arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Captain America: Civil War" at the Dolby Theatre on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) (Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

I thought rather than do that typical thing that most fortunate people complaining about their circumstances, I have come to love the suit, he added. Downey Jr. revealed his inclination towards the suit in the video of the making of the Disney and Marvel film.

He also shared that he often sees things from a childs eye view given the immense popularity of the superheroes amongst the younger audience.

He said: I do (look at thing from childs view) also now there are kids visiting the sets for a bunch of reasons and back on the second Avengers: Age of Ultron. We did before this, my son Axen was visiting the sets and he was going bananas from the hawk eye stuff and he is kind of over it now because he knows dads deeply invested in it so its a little bit less luminous to him now.

The actor also asked fans of the superhero film to brace up as he said expect the unexpected from Captain America: Civil War. The superhero team-up movie is scheduled to release in US and India on May 6.

Watch Captain America: Civil War trailer:

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Jared Leto really, really wants you to like him as Joker. The actor is trying everything there is in the book and everything that isnt to prepare for his role as the villain in upcoming superhero movie Suicide Squad. He has now revealed that he spent time with psychopaths as well as doctors and psychiatrists for it.

The 44-year-old actor pulled out all the stops to ensure his version of the character was suitably complex, reported Female First.

Jared Leto in a still from the movie. (Warner Bros)

Talking about his research, he said, (I met) people that were experts, doctors, psychiatrists that dealt with psychopaths and people who had committed horrendous crimes ... I spent some time with those people themselves, people who have been institutionalised.

Read: I was terrified of Jared Leto, thinking is he crazy?, says Viola Davis

Leto remained in character throughout the filming process and was determined his version of the Joker would go in a different direction to that of the late Heath Ledgers portrayal in 2008 motion picture The Dark Knight, and Jack Nicholsons version in 1989s Batman.

There had been such great work that we knew we had to go in a different direction, the actor said.

Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis and Jai Courtney are also set to star in the movie.

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Princes William and Harry battled with lightsabers and hugged a Wookie Tuesday during a visit to the set of the next Star Wars movie.

The royals were given a tour of the set at Pinewood Studios near London by British actress Daisy Ridley, who plays heroine Rey in the sci-fi reboot.

Britain's Prince William is hugged by Chewbacca during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London, Britain. (REUTERS)

Watch: Luke Skywalker announces Star Wars Episode VIII, makes our day

The brothers met director Rian Johnson and cast members including London-born John Boyega, who plays Finn, and Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker. They also dueled with lightsabers, saw roly-poly robot BB-8 and met 7 foot 6 inch (2.3 metre) Chewbacca, who gave the princes a furry hug.

Unsure, Harry? Did I mention that I'm A Jedi KNIGHT? The Clown PRINCE of Crime? I eat COUNT Chocula? #EmpireEnigma A photo posted by Mark Hamill (@hamillhimself) on Apr 19, 2016 at 3:35pm PDT

Pitching my case to #TheRoyals "See Fellas-Son of LORD Vader & QUEEN Amidala-brother of PRINCESS Leia-Am I #DukeLuke? A photo posted by Mark Hamill (@hamillhimself) on Apr 19, 2016 at 3:38pm PDT

Prince William is president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and Kensington Palace said Tuesdays visit was intended to salute the British creative talent involved in the Star Wars films, which have used UK-based studios, actors, craftspeople and technicians since the 1970s.

Britain's Prince Harry and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge try out light sabres during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studios in Iver Heath, west of London on April 19, 2016. (AFP)

Read: Prince William and Kate visit Taj Mahal

The seventh instalment in the series, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, was released last year. Episode eight, whose title has not been released, is due for release in 2017.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
More than a year after an Indian worker was allegedly beaten to death by his Saudi employer, the Delhi High Court has directed the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to ensure that the body is transported to India without any delay.

Justice JR Midha directed the Indian Embassy to inform the authorities concerned in Saudi Arabia to ensure that Mohammed Afsars body is not buried there by his employer. Afsars Saudi employer was allegedly angry at him for seeking to return to India and had assaulted him, resulting in his death.

The court order came on a plea by Afsars 25-year-old widow asking for its intervention in bringing back the body of her husband, which has been lying in a mortuary in Riyadh for over a year.

Noushaba Bano from Jharkhand, filed the petition in the first week of April after the Centre failed to act on the Delhi High Courts earlier order in December, directing the government to ensure that Afsars body was transported to India within four weeks. That order had come on a separate petition by Bano.

Saudi Arabia has the largest number of Indian passport holders outside India, most of them employed as blue collar workers. It has often been criticised for gross human rights violations and difficult working conditions for migrant workers. The Saudi government denies the charges.

Afsar was working as a bulldozer operator in Riyadh for two years before he was allegedly assaulted by his employer, leading to his death on March 3 last year.

In her petition, Bano quoted her husbands co-workers as saying they were shown a video in which the employer was beating him mercilessly.

By showing the said video, he threatened them of consequences which they (co-workers) may face if they ask for any leave, she said in her petition.

Banos lawyer Jose Abraham said the Indian Embassy had issued a no objection certificate (NOC) to the employer, instead of the family, for release of the body from the mortuary.

The family fears the employer may bury the body of the deceased in Saudi Arabia in order to erase further evidence related to his death, Abraham added.

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ED has attached assets worth Rs 9 crore of the directors of a firm in connection with its money laundering probe in an alleged loan fraud case perpetrated against the Vijaya Bank.

The agency has attached 11.7 acres of land and other assets in Tamil Nadus Trichy district in the name of the directors of the company, identified as Ms Sangam Organics and Chemicals Limited, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The directors of the company had entered into a criminal conspiracy among themselves and cheated Vijaya Bank, Trichy by producing forged and bogus documents and obtained term loans, cash credits and thus caused wrongful loss to the tune of Rs 10.55 crore to the bank, the agency said.

ED registered the case under PMLA based on an earlier CBI FIR in the case.

During investigation, it was found that the directors were involved in money laundering and the proceeds of the crime were traced to be in the form of three immovable properties -- land to an extent of 11.7 acre at Sooraiyur Village, Trichy valued at Rs 9 crore which have been acquired by the directors and their family members in benami names by laundering the proceeds of crime, it said.

An attachment order under PMLA is aimed at depriving the accused from obtaining benefits of their alleged ill-gotten wealth and the accused can appeal against the order before the Adjudicating Authority of the Act within 180 days.
Under fire from political opponents and pressure from trade unions, the government withdrew on Tuesday its new rules on provident fund withdrawal after violent protests against the PF restrictions erupted in Bengaluru.

Thousands of garment factory workers in Bengaluru blocked traffic and set vehicles on fire on Tuesday to protest against changes in provident fund rules that are perceived to puncture the only social safety net for Indians.

Within hours of announcing the decision to withhold the rules till July 31, labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya declared that the proposed move has been rolled back.

Read more: Bengaluru violence forces rollback of restrictions on PF withdrawals

We are cancelling the notification issued on February 10. The old system will continue, he told a press conference in Hyderabad on Tuesday night.

Dattatreya said the employees, whenever they want, can withdraw employers contribution of 12%.

The decision marks the governments second u-turn on changes to the pension fund. In March, the government withdrew a plan to tax EPF withdrawals after an outcry from salaried workers.

Here is all you need to know about the controversy:

1. Discontent has brewed ever since the government announced its decision in February to put curbs on withdrawal from the retirement fund, a major source of instant money for the five crore-odd PF subscribers.The new norms restricting 100% PF withdrawal by members out of job for more than two months were to come into effect from May 1. Every month, salaried individuals contribute 12% of their pay to the EPF account and the employer matches this.

2. Several labour unions including the RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh have been demanding complete rollback of the decision.

In Bengaluru, thousands of garment factory workers launched protests on Monday against the governments proposal, allegedly panicked by reports which said the new norms bar PF withdrawals completely. A massive strike by thousands of garment workers on Tuesday turned violent in Bengaluru, leading to burning of buses, as police caned and arrested many of them.

3. Police had to resort to lathicharge and fire teargas shells to disperse violent protesters.

4. Officials said about 25 policemen, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police, suffered injuries in the violence and they are undergoing treatment at a hospital. At least two Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses and one of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation were set on fire.

5. Incidents of stone-pelting on buses and other vehicles were reported from different parts of Bengaluru such as Bannerghatta and Jalahalli cross, as also near the Electronics City, the hub of IT firms.

6. Traffic jams were reported at various entry and exit points in the city like Hosur Road, which leads to Electronics City and Tumkur Road, which has a large concentration of garment units.

7. Workers opposing amendment to Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act expressed fear that the new rule would take away their right over the employers contribution of provident fund till they attain 58 years. Trade union leaders said that they are of the view that the curbs on withdrawal are unnecessary as the quantum involved is just 3.67% of the employers contribution

8. Police even issued prohibitory orders banning assembly of more than 10 people across Bengaluru for three days from Wednesday after protests turned violent.

9. The decision to impose the ban was taken at a high-level meeting of top police officials, including Director General of Police Om Prakash, by state Home Minister G. Parameshwra to restore normalcy in the aftermath of violence and arson that rocked the citys southern and northern suburbs since Monday.

10. The governments rollback decision is expected to be ratified at a meeting next month of the central board of trustee of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the government body which manages the funds.

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A Catholic priest who was deported to India after completing his jail sentence in Minnesota for sexually abusing a child is the subject of a new lawsuit against a diocese in India that allegedly returned him to ministry with Vatican approval.

Attorney Jeff Anderson filed the lawsuit in federal court in Minnesota on Monday on behalf of Megan Peterson, who says the Reverend Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul, a native of Tamil Nadu, abused her starting in 2004 when she was 14 or 15 and he was a priest at her church in the northern Minnesota town of Greenbush. Her lawsuit seeks unspecified damages in excess of $75,000 from the Ootacamund Diocese in Tamil Nadu.

This is not only shocking, its a total break of the pledge Pope Francis has made that he will not return to the practices of the past, Anderson said.

Peterson said at a news conference on Tuesday that she felt abused, degraded and re-victimized all over again when she learned that Bishop Arulappan Amalraj lifted Jeyapauls suspension in February after consulting with the Vatican.

Children deserve to be protected in India and nobody is doing this at this point, Peterson said.

Anderson said the Ootacamund Diocese was responsible for the anguish Peterson feels from knowing that he has access to children again. He said the federal court has jurisdiction to consider the case because the Indian diocese sent the priest to Minnesota and supervised him, so it did business in the state of Minnesota, but he also acknowledged that enforcing any judgment could be tricky.

Officials with the diocese in India did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Jeyapaul fled the United States after he was charged, but was arrested in India and eventually extradited to Minnesota. He pleaded guilty last year to molesting one girl, whose name hasnt been made public. Under a plea deal, charges of molesting Peterson were dismissed. Jeyapaul was sentenced to a year in jail, but was freed because he had served almost three years in jail fighting extradition and awaiting trial.

The Associated Press doesnt normally name victims of sex crimes but Peterson has gone public in hopes of empowering other abuse survivors.

Both women reached settlements earlier with the Diocese of Crookston in Minnesota.
The Centre on Wednesday denied media reports that it has rejected a proposal by the Tamil Nadu government to free seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Reacting to a report published in The Hindu, the ministry of home affairs told CNN-IBN that no such decision has been taken because it was still consulting the law ministry in this regard.

The Hindu reported on Wednesday morning that the Centre has turned down the Jayalalithaa governments proposal to free seven convicts  namely V Sriharan, AG Perarivalan, T Suthendraraja, Jayakumar, Robert Payas, Ravichandran and Nalini. It quoted ministry officials as saying that as the matter is sub-judice in (the) Supreme Court, it has no authority to release the prisoners.

Read: Centre rejects TN govts proposal to release Rajiv Gandhis killers

Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and 14 others were killed on May 21, 1991, when a suicide bomber from the The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam blew herself up after touching his feet at an election rally in Sriperumbudur near Chennai.

The state government, in its letter to the Centre, stated that it has decided to remit the life terms of the convicts as they have already served imprisonment for 24 years.

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa sought that the life terms of the convicts be remitted because they have already spent 24 years in jail. (HT file photo)

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy had accused the AIADMK chief of being perfidious and unpatriotic for requesting that the seven convicts be released. Swamy told ANI that the request was against the nation because the people booked for Gandhis assassination were terrorists who should not be spared.

Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India and the LTTE is a foreign organisation... its a terrorist organisation. They come to India, say they dont like Rajiv Gandhis policy and kill him. Is it that simple? Can we accept that? It is the most unpatriotic thing if anyone says anything in this regard, said Swamy.

Read: Swamy praises Rajiv Gandhis noble efforts to resolve Ayodhya row

The BJP leader went on to remind Jayalalithaa that 18 policemen had also died in the attack. Jayalalithaa does not have a drop of patriotic blood in her... she is a very selfish women who only thinks of herself. This is against the nation. The Tamil people dont want this... they will reject it, he said.

The Congress party also condemned Jayalalithaas plea, stating that she was trying to interfere with the countrys criminal justice system. The Tamil Nadu government is trying to interfere with criminal justice in this country, when the matter is sub-judice.... (the fact that it pertains to) a martyr who died at the hands of terrorists is unfortunate, said Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan.

(With ANI inputs)
The Centre rejected the Tamil Nadu governments proposal to release seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case for a second time on Wednesday.

The Tamil Nadu government had first written a letter to the centre in February 2014, during the UPA governments tenure, seeking remittance of the sentence.

The ministry of home affairs (MHA) response in the matter was that since the matter is sub judice in the Supreme Court, it has no authority to release the prisoners.

The letter was sent to the ministry by chief secretary K Gnanadesikan on March 2, two days before the model code of conduct came into effect in Tamil Nadu, which goes to the polls on May 16.

Last year, the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution seeking the release of the convicts after the Supreme Court commuted the death sentences of three of the convicted to life terms, citing inordinate delay in deciding mercy pleas.

The former prime minister was killed while campaigning in an election in Tamil Nadus Sriperumbudur city in 1991 by a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant political group in Sri Lanka banned in India. The attack was in revenge for Gandhis decision to dispatch Indian troops to aid Sri Lanka in its fight against the separatist militant group demanding secession. The Sri Lankan government finally won the bloody civil war that lasted for almost three decades in 2009.

A total of 26 people were found guilty of conspiring to kill Gandhi, but 19 of them were later acquitted amid a wave of sympathy for the killers, who were seen to have been fighting for the Tamil cause in the island nation.
A police jawan was killed and another one sustained critical injuries during a gun battle with Maoists that took place in the dense forests of the insurgency-hit Sukma district in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

The face-off took place in the forests of Marjoom village that falls under Tongpal police station limits, when a joint squad of security forces was carrying out an anti-naxal operation in the bordering region of Sukma-Dantewada districts, a senior police official told PTI.

Composite squads of STF (Special Task Force), states District Reserve Group (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and district force had launched the operation from Katekalyan police station area of Dantewada district, located around 450km away from the state capital, last night, he said.

When one of the parties reached near Dhruvapara in Marjoom area this afternoon, a group of armed Naxals opened indiscriminate firing on them leaving a DRG jawan dead and another one injured, he said.

A heavy gun-fight broke out between both the sides that lasted for about two hours, he added.

The deceased jawan was identified as constable Shyamlal Atami, while another constable Rajesh Satam sustained critical injuries in the incident, the official said adding that the deceased as well as the injured jawans belonged to the DRG.

Reinforcement has been rushed to the spot and efforts are on to evacuate the injured jawan from the forests, he said adding that more details on the incident are awaited.
Schoolchildren, especially those studying in government-run institutions, are among those hit the hardest by a heatwave sweeping across the country.

Lacking in basic amenities such as fans, drinking water and proper toilets, its a tough lesson these kids are being taught in the scorching heat.

In Jharkhand, for instance, over 60% of state-run schools lack electricity. So the government is relying on local fixes to keep classrooms cooldrinking water in earthen pots, bamboo-and-straw mats on windows panes and charcoal coolers, charcoal kept in cubic wooden structures is sprayed with water that provides evaporative cooling when warm air passes through it.

Last week, the government fixed schools timings from 6.30am to 11am. Schools in Jamshedpur, which saw the mercury rising to 45 degrees Celsius, were told to dismiss classes by 10.30am.

Read | Heat wave alert for central Maharashtra

Since electrification of all schools will take at least two years, schools have been instructed to keep children indoors, ensure availability of drinking water in earthen pots and use local techniques to keep the classrooms cool, said Aradhana Patnaik, state school education and literacy secretary.

In neighbouring Bihar, state teachers association claims nearly 70% state-run schools dont have drinking water facilities.

Expecting ceiling fans is sheer wishful thinking, said Mithilesh Sharma of the association.

Rajkishore Singh, acting headmaster of a girls middle school at Punaichak in Patna, said, There is so much emphasis on mid-day meals but none on providing drinking water to students.

Odisha, which saw mercury levels crossing 46.3 degrees Celsius, initially changed the timing of schools in early April but decided to shut classes till April 26 as temperatures soared.

Read | Updates every 3 hours on how hot it is: India gets its first heat index

We will take a call if the closure should be further extended, state special relief commissioner PK Mohapatra said.

Already, 45 suspected sunstroke cases have been reported from Odisha, which has over 6.3 million students in 69,000 primary and secondary schools.

Further south, the Telangana government advanced summer holidays from April 23 to April 16 after its maximum temperature crossed 40 degrees Celsius.

Uttar Pradesh has fixed school timings from 7am to 12pm until the temperature hovering around 42 degrees Celsius  drops. But its is not enough.

It becomes difficult for students to study because of the erratic power supply. Also, there are no generators at our schools, said RP Mishra, principal of the Queens Anglo Inter-College.

A government school student said the administration should close all the schools by advancing the summer vacations. Instead, the schools can start early in the third week of June  once the monsoon arrives, he said.

Read | Heat wave claims more than 100 lives in Telangana and Andhra
Improving military ties between India and China and properly handling disputes will have a positive impact on the two countries economic and trade cooperation, Premier Li Keqiang has said, adding that good Sino-India relations are important in a conflict-ridden world with a sluggish economy.

Li made the comments as the two countries get ready for the 19th round of boundary talks in Beijing on Wednesday between designated Special Representatives - Indias national security adviser, AK Doval, and state councilor Yang Jiechi from China.

At a meeting with defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday, Li said he was optimistic that the armed forces of the two countries will strengthen exchanges and communication to maintain peace and stability in the long and disputed border areas.

Parrikar is on his maiden visit to China after assuming office and is the first defence minister to visit China in three years with AK Antony being the last to visit in June 2013.

Read: China to sidestep LAC mapping in border talks with NSA Doval

China, which has the biggest armed forces in the world, and India have frequent stand-offs along the disputed boundary because of differing perceptions on the dividing line or the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Touching on the military aspect of bilateral relations, Premier Li was quoted by state media as saying that he hoped the defence departments and armed forces of China and India strengthen exchanges, dialogue and communication to jointly maintain peace and stability in their border areas and create a good condition for the development of bilateral ties.

China attaches high importance to the relations with India, and is willing to keep close bilateral exchanges, strengthen strategic mutual trust, expand common interests, and properly handle disputes, so as to promote a sound and stable development of the China-India relations, Li said.

Facing the sluggish world economy and unceasing regional conflicts, the cooperation and common development between the two countries will be a great engine for Asias development and send a positive signal for world peace, the Premier added.

The boundary dispute - currently the longest land boundary problem in the world -- has impaired relations between two of the worlds largest economies acting as an impediment to better economic relations and creating a lack of mutual trust.

We raised the actual marking of the LAC. It was one of the processed for a real, smooth border (situation). Otherwise, there is only the perception of the border and so it causes problems. We have concerns about the issue, Parrikar told his counterparts during his meetings in Beijing on Monday.

Read: India attaches highest importance to China ties: Parrikar in Beijing

The defence minister said because of the lack of demarcation of the border, soldiers from both sides transgress the LAC. Both countries, he said, were close to setting up a military-to-military hotline to quickly resolve such incidents.

Neither of the two parties expect the dispute to be resolved anytime soon but will focus on maintaining peace along the border and reducing the incidence of incursions by border troops on both sides.

The two countries fought a brief war along parts of the disputed border in 1962 which saw Chinese forces defeat the Indian military before withdrawing from captured territories.

The war, in turn, impacted relations between the two countries with New Delhi and Beijing having little official contact for decades.

Both border security forces have once again been disturbed by face-off eventualities in the grey areas along the disputed border. In this regard, only thorough military-to-military high-level dialogues can address such mutual suspicions and eventualities.

So, the militarys mutual trust is of the most significant one in bilateral relations, Hu Shisheng, noted South Asian expert at the influential China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), told HT.
A decision on a petition challenging the imposition of Presidents rule in Uttarakhand is expected on Wednesday.

The Uttarakhand high court is hearing deposed chief minister Harish Rawats petition challenging Presidents Rule that was imposed on March 27, a day before Rawat was asked to prove his majority in an assembly floor test.

In the last two days, a division bench, comprising Chief Justice KM Joseph and Justice VK Bisht, heard arguments of attorney general Mukul Rohtagi and Harish Salve, who are representing the Centre, and counsels of Rawat.

Read more | No govt will survive if graft is used to bring Prez rule: Uttarakhand HC

The courts verdict could shape the political future of Uttarakhand which has been in a deadlock since nine rebel MLAs from the ruling Congress helped pass an appropriation bill on March 18. The rebels, backed by the BJP, were demanding a voice vote that was denied by the Speaker who ruled the bill as passed. The BJP and rebel legislators denied the claim.

As conflict continued, the governor asked Rawat to prove majority on the floor of the assembly on March 28 but days before the vote, a sting operation surfaced that purportedly showed the chief minister offering money to the rebel MLAs. Within hours, the speaker disqualified the MLAs under the anti-defection law.

Citing constitutional breakdown, the Centre moved to impose the Presidents rule, deposing Rawat, who challenged the imposition.

A single bench of Justice UC Dhyani asked Rawat to seek a trust vote on the floor of the House on March 31. However, the centre approached the division bench, leading to the decision being stayed. The case has been dragging in court ever since, leaving Uttarakhand in a state of political uncertainty.

Attorney general Rohtagi argued that it will be unfair to give another chance to Rawat to prove majority in a floor test. However, the court on Tuesday commented, There have been instances of thick-skinned governments in India lingering on. Besides the option of Presidents rule, is the floor test not the best option to check whether they enjoy majority or not.

Read more | Ukhand: Cong campaigns on the front foot as court battle stretches

The Rawat-led ruling Congress remained optimistic, with state president Kishor Upadhyay saying the party had full faith in the judicial system. We are hopeful that truth will prevail, he said.

The Congress is currently left with 27 MLAs of its own and is supported by the six-member Progressive Democratic Front, taking its number to 33 in the assembly. The BJP, on the other hand, has 27 MLAs of its own besides the nine rebel Congress legislators.

If the Uttarakhand high court revokes their suspension, the BJP will have a definite edge over Congress in an event of a floor test as its number will rise to 36, the majority mark in the 70-member House.
Actor Amitabh Bachchan, whose name figures in the Panama Papers scandal, on Wednesday said questions regarding the controversy should be directed to the government, not him.

Leaked documents from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca showed Bachchan was among 500 Indian entities who owned firms and accounts in offshore tax havens.

On the Panama disclosures, I wish to state that queries continue to be sent to me by the media. I would humbly request them to kindly direct these to the GOI where I, as a law abiding citizen have already sent, and shall continue to send, my responses. I stand by my earlier statement on the misuse of my name in the matter and in any event the press reports do not disclose any illegal act committed by me, a statement by the actor said.

Earlier this week, there were reports that the Panama Papers had weakened the actors chances of being picked as the face of the tourism ministrys Incredible India campaign.

A source in the ministry said the government had put Bachchans name on hold and was now looking at other celebrities.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal warned bureaucrats against playing politics, saying they could resign and turn to politics if they wished but cautioned them from impeding the governments functioning.

Inviting administrators to be a part of his honest, transparent and good governance system, Kejriwal also sounded a warning to those unwilling to work for the people.

If any officer wants to do politics then resign and please come to the election battlefield. We will fight in the open. But if you do politics as a bureaucrat, we know how to deal with it, he said, addressing bureaucrats at the Delhi Secretariat on Civil Services Day on Tuesday.

A video of the speech has been uploaded on Youtube.

The flashpoint

Kejriwals government has had several confrontations with its administrative arm given the division of functioning between the chief ministers office and the lieutenants governors office.

Delhi witnessed the first major conflict between the political executive and the city bureaucracy when senior officers went on a day-long mass leave on December 31. The officers were protesting the suspension orders given to two officers of the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS). The special secretaries in the home department were accused of insubordination. The order was however overturned by the lieutenant governors office later.

Read: Delhi officials behaving like B-team of BJP: Kejriwal on babu protest

Talking about the strike, Kejriwal said that it was the first time since 1947 that IAS officers had taken such a step. Citing from his own experience as a bureaucrat, he said when he had a problem, he could have the freedom to raise an objection, but ultimately did what was asked of him if his superiors insisted.

If an additional or a special secretary says he will not abide by the cabinet decision, then the government cannot function. Most dharnas have been done by our party and we know about protests. If you want to protest against somebody, then talk to them and then give them in writing (your problem). If they do not agree, you give a warning, and then do dharna. Those officers went on strike without talking to us, he said.

Read: AAP suspends 2 officers, Delhi babus protest by going on mass leave

Stating that people were happy with his government, Kejriwal also told bureaucrats that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government would likely stay in power for another decade given the historic mandate.

The people of Delhi chose us. Fifty-five percent of people voted for us. Even Rajiv Gandhi had not managed to get so many votes. We are here to stay for 10-15 years. The officers should follow the AAP governments mandate. If you have a problem, get yourself transferred to Central government or resign.

Unke pass koi chara nahin hai (They have no option).

Urging that they work together, Kejriwal made it clear that focus should be on fulfilling promises made to the electorates.

Read: Kejriwal-Jung showdown: CM warns babus not to bypass government and ministers

My government is fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Delhi. They have expressed faith in us by giving us massive and historic mandate. I would certainly expect from the bureaucracy to support the government with regard to implementing its policies and programmes, he said.
In Delhi, everyone knows we have a pollution problem. Citizens who weren't aware of it before the AAP government's odd-even traffic scheme, are definitely aware of it now.

But if you ask the average person what the air quality is like right now, in the places where he or she lives, works, and plays, very few will be able to answer you. And if you go outside of Delhi, where pollution has been a headline issue for two years, insight into India's widespread air quality crisis is much more limited.

At Hindustan Times we believe that credible, relevant, and actionable data empowers you to make decisions about your health and to hold public representatives accountable for the policies that they adopt and implement.

Unfortunately, when it comes to air pollution, that kind of data has historically been hard to find, hard to make sense of, or just plain missing. To fill in some of the gaps, we have built a new platform to bring you timely, reliable, information. To do that, we have built an online map, which captures regular inputs from all of the government's air-quality monitoring stations across the National Capital and around the country in one, easy-to-access website, which also works well on mobile phones.

Monitoring this data will also aid you to spot any sudden changes in air quality, and follow up with action - putting on a certified mask, turning up your air purifier, or demanding action from authorities. It will also enable our newsroom teams to spot problems, identify trends, and investigate causes.

To achieve these objectives, the government data alone will not be enough. There simply aren't enough stations to create a detailed picture, and at times the provision of data may be delayed at some locations. For that reason, we have designed our platform to accommodate multiple sources of reliable air quality numbers. In the coming days these will include low-cost but accurate sensors that we have deployed around the city, networks of sensors deployed by citizen groups, and data from research institutions. By combining all of these we will be able to provide the most comprehensive and meaningful real-time picture available of air quality in India.

You will be able see the Air Quality Index at a glance. AQI is a number which captures the overall level of pollution and gives you an immediate picture of its potential health impact. You can also drill into the data, and check the level of the tiny, dangerous, particles known as PM 2.5 that pose such a serious risk to inhabitants of Delhi and other cities.

How did we develop this map?

We explored all the possible sources of air quality data available in public domain and determined that the major issues are in terms of accessibility and user interaction.

We started with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) which comes under the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. They have installed approximately 60 automated air quality monitoring stations across India., with 9 stations in Delhi.

There are also the State Pollution Control Boards like Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, which monitor the data in their respective states and comes under the purview of CPCB.

The United States Embassy is also monitoring air quality at its offices and their data is easily accessible.

Finally, inexpensive but accurate devices that both HT and citizen groups have deployed, are being added to the platform and will be contributing data in the coming weeks.

Once we had a process to bring all of these numbers onto one platform, we worked hard to make it easy to find and use, with a simple interactive map, and tools for investigating the numbers at locations that matter to you.

How can you use the map?

When you visit the platform, you can select a city of your choice and the map will show you the level of air quality at several stations. You can skip selecting a particular city and instead see a pan-India map as well. You can also choose different cities from the dropdown menu.

Map showing Delhis air quality (Screengrab)

Once you select any city, you will see colour-coded boxes showing different values for particular locations. The value in these represents the AQI (Air Quality Index) at that place. You can refer to the legend on the map. If you click on the box, you will see a card which shows the values of major pollutants like PM2.5, PM10 etc. Apart from reporting these raw pollutant values, we are also converting it to the AQI (Air Quality Index) so readers can make sense of them. Unlike some international apps, we use the Indian AQI framework.

Desktop card for air quality at R K Puram and Mandir Marg in Delhi. (Screengrab)

Mobile card for air quality at R K Puram and Mandir Marg in Delhi. (Screengrab)

At the bottom of the card, you will see a graph of AQI for the last seven days. This is very important as it gives us a clear picture of how the air quality has been in the last few days. Sometimes in the graph, you might see the data for only one or two days. This is because the data may not be available for the other days. If you open the map on mobile, you will be able to decide if it will be healthier for you to go out for a walk or if you need an air pollution mask to go out. This is our effort to make the data more meaningful and actionable.

Is it perfect?

No. Data from some stations may lag, or drop out entirely. Where that happens, we've added an asterisk (*) sign on the AQI label on the card and shared the time of last update at the bottom. Adding more independent monitoring devices will help to make this problem less serious.

We are still developing the platform to improve user experience and will be adding more features, so you may face some bugs. We encourage you to report any problems you may face so we can make our platform better.

We hope that our small effort will go a long way in improving the awareness on this issue, making information accessible.

Click here to view the real-time air quality map.

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Unauthorised religious structures near drains and on roads were an insult to God, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, coming down heavily on states for failing to inform it about the action taken against such constructions.

Everyone has the right to walk. God never intended to obstruct the path meant for the people. Why shouldnt these structures go? asked a bench of Justice Gopal Gowda and Justice Arun Misra, hearing a petition on the matter.

The bench criticised the state counsel for not filing an affidavit in compliance with its March 8 order that sought details of how many illegal religious constructions have been razed.

Do we give our orders to be kept in cold storage? Your chief secretaries do not respect our orders. We will show them what we can do for not obeying, the court said. It ordered chief secretaries of all 29 states and seven Union Territories to submit details on the matter within two weeks.

This attitude of the state administration is not correct. Let the chief secretaries come to the court. You bother only when we call them to the court, the bench said, when advocates apologised for non-compliance.

The SC had in September 2009 ruled no unauthorised construction shall be permitted in the name of temple, church, mosque or gurudwara on public streets, public parks or places.

For unauthorised construction of religious nature that had already taken place, the court said, the state administration shall review on a case-to-case basis and take appropriate action.

Reiterating its order, the SC had in 2011 restrained state governments from granting permission to install a statue or erect any structure on public roads, pavements and sideways and other public utility places.

Since then, the top court reviews the progress states have made in implementing the order. The last status given to the court was in 2013.

Construction of temples and mosques near drains and kiosks selling tobacco products is an insult to God. This is not due to faith but because people want to make money. The states must remove them, the judges told additional solicitor general PS Patwalia, appearing for the Centre. It said the case will be heard in May second week.

Justice Misra referred to a Jabalpur HC order that led to the relocation and demolition of unauthorised structures. If it can happen in one state then why not others, he asked Patwalia.

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India ranks abysmally low at 133 among 180 countries, in the latest annual World Press Freedom Index which says Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to the threats posed to journalists.

The 2016 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), is led by Finland, which retained its top spot for the sixth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands and Norway.

India jumped three spots from the 136th position it had in 2015. Journalists and bloggers are attacked and anathematised by various religious groups that are quick to take offense, the report said.

At the same time, it is hard for journalists to cover regions such as Kashmir that are regarded as sensitive by the government, it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to these threats and problems, and there is no mechanism for protecting journalists, the report said.

Instead, in a desire to increase control of media coverage, Modi envisages opening a journalism university run by former propaganda ministry officials, it alleged, without substantiating what it refers to.

Among Indias neighbouring countries, Pakistan ranks 147, Sri Lanka (141), Afghanistan (120), Bangladesh (144), Nepal (105) and Bhutan (94). China is ranked 176.

The United States is ranked 44th and Russia, 148.

The report shows that there has been a deep and disturbing decline in respect for media freedom at both the global and regional levels.
Before the Prakash Singh committee, probing the acts of omission and commission on part of the police and civil officials, has submitted its report, Haryana Police have got cracking on action against more than 100 policemen of various ranks for failing to perform their duties in violence-hit districts of Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonepat and Hisar during the Jat quota agitation.

Of these, 16 cops, including inspectors, sub-inspectors, head constables and constables, have been placed under suspension by Rohtak superintendent of police (SP) Shashank Anand for dereliction of duty and other serious lapses, whereas departmental inquiries are underway against 48 others. They include station house officers (SHOs) of areas that saw protesters having a free run or whose police stations were ransacked, burnt down and robbed of weapons during the violence in the state in February, according to police sources.

Read more: Many Jat cops deserted posts as quota agitation raged on: Panel report

Inspector Ram Niwas, who has been placed under suspension, was the SHO of the Meham police station which was robbed of weapons and then set afire by miscreants. Similarly, inspector Yogwinder, SHO of Kalanaur police station, has been placed under suspension for failure to check arson and violence in the town, according to a police spokesman.

Sub-inspector Balkishan, SHO of the Urban Estate police station, and assistant sub-inspector Ashok, in-charge of a police chowki, have been suspended for failing to stop arson and loot at finance minister Captain Abhimanyus house in Rohtak.

Another four constables posted at Abhimanyus house have been suspended for abandoning their post.

Read more: Jat violence: Police inaction had a caste tinge, says Prakash Singh

Rohtak district, the epicentre of the quota agitation, had witnessed the worst-ever violence and complete failure of law and order machinery during the stir, as rampaging mobs indulged in widespread violence and burnt down shops, schools, malls etc, selecting their targets on purpose.

In Hisar also, SP Ashwin Shenvi has initiated departmental inquiries against 37 police personnel for desertion of duty during the quota agitation two months ago. I have ordered departmental inquiries against them. The process is on, Shenvi told HT.

The inspector general of police (IGP), Hisar range, had also given a notice to the district radio officer (DRO) asking him to disclose details of the calls received and their response during the stir. Similarly, the SPs of Sonepat and Jhajjar have also placed under suspension or initiated departmental inquiries against several policemen, but details are not available.

Resentment among cops

While the role of several senior police officers has come under question, suspensions and departmental inquiries against policemen at lower levels have led to resentment among the police personnel in Rohtak district who are claiming that they did not get orders to take action to control the violence. Why arent they taking action against personnel of the paramilitary forces or the army who were deployed the district when all this was happening? Why are the policemen being targeted? Humko orders hi nahin the, hum kya karte? (We didnt have orders. What could we have done?), asked a policeman, who didnt want to be named.

The Haryana Police Association, whose members had met the Prakash Singh committee in Rohtak, said they had drawn its attention to attempts to put the entire blame on policemen. Can policemen, irrespective of their caste, refuse to obey the orders of the SP or IG? The top cops are blaming their juniors to cover their own misdoings, claimed SI Rajender Tomar, president of Haryana Constables and Head Constables Association. When asked, IGP, Rohtak range, Sanjay Kumar refused to comment on statements of the association, calling it an unrecognised body.

Yet to compile report

Former IPS officer Prakash Singh, who heads the one-member inquiry committee, said on Tuesday that he was yet to compile the inquiry report. He said he would submit the inquiry findings before May 4. The report has not been prepared yet. And, all the documents and evidences pertaining to the inquiry are in my custody, he told HT. Singh had earlier said that deliberate police inaction during the quota violence had a caste tinge to it.

The probe committee has heard over 2,200 persons, including officials, during the past month-and-a-half and recorded their statements. The inquiry proceedings, including the testimonies of the officials were video-graphed by the committee. The state government, which has been under fire for its failure to deal with the violence, had last week replaced the state director general of police and the CID chief. The quota stir had resulted in loss of lives, violence, road blockades, including national highways, and extensive damage to public and private properties in several districts.

Read more: Jat quota: HC dismisses petition, decks cleared for notifying new law

(With inputs from Chandigarh and Hisar).

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A woman was found holding on to the body of her deceased daughter in Jadavpur on Tuesday.

The body of Sangbrita Chakraborty (22) was recovered from her house in Reagent Colony area of Jadavpur in Kolkata this morning after neighbours called the police and complained of a stench emanating from the premises, a senior police officer said.

Sangbritas mother Sujata Chakraborty held on to the body, saying her daughter is sleeping and will wake up after some time, the officer said.

The daughters post mortem report suggested that Sangbrita died due to a cardio-vascular stroke and the death was at least 2-3 days before they were found.

But her mother was reluctant to believe that Sangbrita had died. She was not allowing us to take the body away. It seems the mother is not mentally stable. We couldnt judge her age initially because the dead body was decomposed but after talking to her mother, her actual age was found, the officer said.

It was learnt that Sangbritas father Nimai Chakraborty had left the family a few years back because of some family issues and the mother and daughter were staying alone.

Sangbritas elder sister, who left the family after getting married years ago, could not be contacted because the mother failed to provide any details of her, the officer said.

Whether Sangbrita was a student or was working could not be ascertained because of Sujatas disjointed statements, he said.
A 12-year-old girl died of heat stroke at Sablkhed village in Maharashtras drought-hit Beed district on Tuesday afternoon, after repeated trips to a hand pump to fetch water.

An NDTV report said Yogita Ashok Desai, a Class 5 student, was dehydrated after making her fifth trip to the pump at the request of family members.

As the schools were closed, she went to the nearby hand pump to fetch water for us. We are facing extreme water scarcity, Ishwar, the girls uncle, told ANI.

Read: Water train brings 25 lakh litres of water to drought-affected Latur

But she fell unconscious on her way. We took her to the nearest hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Last month, a 10-year-old Dalit girl from Pimpalgaon village in Beed district fell into a well while trying to draw water.

Yogita Ashok Desai, who died of heat stroke at Sablkhed village in Beed on Tuesday. (ANI photo)

Beed is in the Marathwada region, which is said to be worst hit by drought.

The relief and rehabilitation department says nearly half of the 4,356 drinking water tankers sent to Maharashtra till mid-April were earmarked for Marathwada.

Many reasons  ranging from cultivation of the water-guzzling sugarcane crop to indiscriminate digging of borewells  have been cited for worsening the drought situation in the Marathwada region, which has seen three deficient monsoons in a row.

Read: Maharashtra: Drought-hit Latur to get water supply through goods train

Read: Maharashtra drought: Drinking water situation worsens
The state government has appointed advocate Pradeep Gharath as special public prosecutor in the Maharashtra Sadan Construction scam case.

Gharath, who was also the special prosecutor in the drunk and drive case against Bollywood actor Salman Khan, will represent the Anti-Corruption Bureau in the case against former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and other government officials.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau had, in the first week of April, filed charges against Bhujbal for violating norms in the construction of Maharashtra Sadan. It alleged that Bhujbal misused his official position to ensure gains to the contractor, which caused a huge loss to the state exchequer.

The ACB, in its charge sheet, cited government norms which clearly states that a contractor should not earn profit exceeding 20% the project he has been allotted. However, the agency alleged that in the case, the contractor earned 81.9% profit.
A local court on Wednesday convicted industrialist Vijay Mallya in a cheque-bouncing case filed against him by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd.

The court, however, did not pronounce the quantum of punishment as the Rajya Sabha MP, who left the country last month, was not present in the court, Mallyas lawyer H Sudhakar Rao said.

The quantum of punishment is expected to be pronounced on May 5 by the court, GMR lawyer Ashok Reddy said.

Two cases pertaining to cheque-bouncing were going on against Kingfisher Airlines in the court and the matter was posted for arguments. After the arguments today, the court convicted Mallaya, Kingfisher and a senior official of the airline under section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act.

Because Vijay Mallya was not here, the sentence has not been pronounced...only conviction has been recorded. Since no accused have appeared before the court, only conviction has been recorded, Sudhakar Rao told PTI.

The court had earlier issued a non-bailable warrant against the Kingfisher Airlines, its chairman Vijay Mallya and another senior official of the company for allegedly dishonouring of a cheque of Rs 50 lakh given to GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) which operates the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad.

GHIAL had in October, 2012, withdrawn a case over `bounced cheques against Mallya after the airline agreed to pay the outstanding amount due to the airport operator.

However, Kingfisher made only a part of the payment and defaulted on the rest, prompting the airport operator to approach the court.

The ministry of external affairs recently suspended Mallyas diplomatic passport for a period of 4 weeks on the advice of Enforcement Directorate which two days ago obtained an NBW against him from a Mumbai court in a money-laundering case.

The Kingfisher Airlines, promoted by Mallya, has defaulted on repayment of over Rs 9,000 crore of bank loan.
From sending in trains laden with water to preventing further depletion of groundwater, central and state authorities have adopted a slew of measures to aid drought-affected districts across the country.

The Railways have launched a 50-wagon train capable of transporting 25 lakh litres of water to Latur in Maharashtras drought-hit Marathwada region. The Jal Doot arrived in Latur from Miraj Junction on Wednesday morning.

The Maharashtra government banned digging of borewells below 200 feet in the region to safeguard its depleted water table. Officials said any violation of the rule was likely to invite stringent punishment  including fines and jail terms.

This decision came close on the heels of the state governments April 17 decision to reduce water supply to industrial units, including breweries, in Aurangabad district.

Read: Maharashtra drought: Child goes to fetch water, dies of heat stroke

The ruling BJP government in the state witnessed internal rumblings as a party activist urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to stop the VVIP helicopter tourism of state and central ministers to drought-hit areas. In a letter to Fadnavis, BJP activist Dayanand Nene complained that over 10,000 litres of water was wasted to prepare a temporary helipad to receive helicopters of various state ministers when Bhiwandi  which was driving distance from Thane  had a regular helipad.

A Maharashtra irrigation official said dams across the state have only 19% water left, compared to 32% at this time last year. Eight of the Marathwada regions 11 major dams are at the 3% level, which means that water from the reservoirs cannot flow out.

Many reasons  ranging from cultivation of the water-guzzling sugarcane crop to the indiscriminate digging of borewells  have been cited for worsening the drought situation in Marathwada, which has seen three deficient monsoons in a row.

A farmer sits on a dried-up bed of a water body on the outskirts of Hyderabad. (File photo/AP)

Down south, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah continued to counter charges over two tankers of water (about 5,000 litres) being emptied on roads to prevent dust from rising during a visit to drought-hit areas of Bagalkot district. When criticised by the state opposition, he promised to ask the deputy commissioner to look into it.

The Centre, meanwhile, faced a different kind of heat when the Supreme Court questioned its handling of the drought-like situation in the country. It is the responsibility of the Centre to inform and warn that these states will receive less rainfall, it said.

Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have sought increased central assistance for relief from drought and drinking water scarcity.

Read: Water train brings 25 lakh litres of water to drought-affected Latur

Hyderabad is facing an unprecedented water shortage, with all the four reservoirs catering to the city drying up for the first time in 30 years. As it is now banking completely on the Krishna and Godavari rivers for its needs, the Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board has been able to supply only 335 million gallons of water per day against the demand for 660.

In an interview with PTI, Indian Space Research Organisations former chairman G Madhavan Nair said that the solution to the countrys water scarcity problem lay in conserving each raindrop and putting in place an efficient resource management system. He also suggested that check-dams be built on riverbeds to improve the groundwater level and prevent rainwater from flowing into the sea.

(With agency inputs)
The Indian Navy said on Wednesday it has begun granting permanent commission to women officers while also considering a policy to allow them on warships, the latest gender barriers to come down in the countrys male-dominated military.

Seven women officers from the batch of short service commission officers who joined in 2008-09 have been granted permanent commission, an official statement said.

The navy allows women officers in short service commission with a maximum tenure of 14 years, rendering them ineligible for pension that comes with at least 20 years of service. The army and air force already have permanent commissions for women.

Defence sources said women officers will have to meet at least four conditions for permanent commission, including medical fitness and a good annual confidential report. Women officers will also have to opt for permanent commission at the start of their service.

The announcement came on the eve of a three-day naval commanders conference in New Delhi, which will be addressed by defence minister Manohar Parrikar.

Long a male bastion, the Indian military has, of late, been removing some glaring gender barriers, both in terms of service rules and the nature of their jobs.

Last year, the Indian Air Force began allowing women to fly combat planes, keeping with a global trend of opening up the defence forces to female officers.

The government said starting 2017, women will be eligible to join as pilots of reconnaissance planes, one of the eight branches to be opened up to female officers.

The question of permanent commission for women reached the Supreme Court last year when the navy challenged a Delhi high court order granting permanent commission to 17 female officers. That case is still to be decided by the top court.

(With PTI inputs)

Also read: IAFs permanent commission harder for woman officers
The Uttarakhand HC brushed aside the Centres argument on Tuesday that the hill state was brought under Presidents rule because of corruption, saying no government in India will survive five years if that is the case.

The division bench of Chief Justice KM Joseph and Justice VK Bisht turned to English poet-playwright John Lylys all is fair in love and war to respond to another argument that giving deposed chief minister Harish Rawat a chance now to prove his majority would be unfair. In the past five years, every government has been sharing blames for corruption ... Can the central government invoke Article 356 against all the governments in the country, the court wondered, hearing counter-arguments against Rawats petition challenging central rule in the state.

The judges asked the Centres counsels if the government was taking sides. There have been instances of thick-skinned governments in India lingering on. Besides the option of Presidents rule, is the floor test not the best option to check whether they enjoy majority or not? the court said.

Read: How clash of titans, ambitions of leaders led to crisis in Uttarakhand

The state was brought under central rule on March 27, a day before Rawat was to take a floor test to prove his majority as nine dissident MLAs sided with the BJP to protest against the finance bill. The speaker later disqualified the rebels under the anti-defection law.

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat addresses the media in Dehradun. (PTI Photo)

The court questioned the grounds on which Article 356 was imposed and sought to know the urgency since the Congress government was to prove its majority barely 24 hours later. What was the collateral purpose and emergency to invoke Article 356? the Chief Justice asked the governors counsel Harish Salve.

Read: The story of Uttarakhand is a failure of six institutions

Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Centre, said the real floor test was conducted on March 18 when 35 MLAs, including the nine Congress rebels, asked for division of votes over the money bill. The assembly speaker dismissed the demand and kept afloat a minority government, he argued.

But the judges were not convinced. How can you be sure that the nine MLAs in question would have voted for the BJP?

Wednesday, despite being a holiday, will be a crucial day in the proceedings as the court might reserve its order.
India and China on Wednesday held protracted discussions on resolving their border dispute amid concerns that the long-standing issue coupled with Beijings block on a bid to sanction JeM chief Masood Azhar at the UN could cool bilateral ties.

National security adviser Ajit Doval flatly declined to share details of the two-hour talks with state councilor Yang Jiechi at Diaoyutai state guest house.

The talks went well, Doval told Hindustan Times without elaborating late on Wednesday evening.

China was not forthcoming either.

The two countries had an extensive, deep and candid discussion on boundary issues, a brief statement from the Chinese foreign ministry said late on Wednesday night.

Both sides agreed to adhere to peaceful negotiations to settle the boundary question. They will make efforts to reach a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution, the statement added.

Read | China willing to keep close India ties, handle disputes: Premier Li

This was the 19th round of border talks that Doval and Yang held on Wednesday under the Special Representatives (SR) framework. The last round was held in New Delhi in March last year.

The delay was probably on Dovals mind when, in his opening remarks at the consultation, he said the meetings after the last one with Yang did not go as planned.

We had very useful SR-levels talks in March 2015 and since then we have met at different occasions, he said. But not in the way we had decided that we will take time to have more informal and more relaxed interactions, not only talking from the mind but talking from the heart.

Doval said: But we do hope that what we couldnt do in 2015, we will try and make up for that in 2016. There has been improvement in bilateral exchanges between the two countries in various fields.

Read | China to sidestep LAC mapping in border talks with NSA Doval

Doval will meet Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday before returning to India.

On his part, Yang said: China-India relations carry special significance. The Chinese side stands ready to use this important occasion to have broad ranging, in-depth and candid discussions with the Indian side on bilateral relations, the boundary question and regional and international issues and other issues of shared interests.

Candid discussions are indeed needed between India and China to resolve outstanding issues  especially the boundary problem.

China, which has the worlds biggest armed forces, and India maintain two of the largest militaries and their border patrols are frequently involved in stand-offs along the disputed boundary because of differing perceptions on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The talks are expected to carry forward protracted discussions on the boundary dispute  currently the longest land boundary problem in the world. It has impaired relations between two of the largest economies, acting as an impediment to better economic relations and creating a lack of mutual trust.

Read | India attaches highest importance to China ties: Parrikar in Beijing

Neither of the two sides expects the dispute to be resolved anytime soon but they have focussed on maintaining peace along the border and reducing incursions by border troops.

The two countries fought a brief but vicious war along parts of the disputed border in 1962, which saw Chinese forces defeat the Indian military before withdrawing from captured areas. The war, in turn, impacted relations between the two countries, which had little official contact for decades.

Both border security forces have once again been disturbed by face-off eventualities in the grey areas along the disputed border, Hu Shisheng, noted South Asian expert at the influential China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told HT.

In this regard, only thorough military-to-military high-level dialogues can address such mutual suspicions and eventualities So, the militarys mutual trust is of the most significant one in bilateral relations.

On Monday, defence minister Manohar Parrikar raised the issue of demarcating the LAC during meetings with top officials in Beijing.

It was one of the processes for a real, smooth border (situation). Otherwise, there is only the perception of the border and so it causes problems. We have concerns about the issue, he said after his interactions.

We are insisting that this needs to be done to really ensure a very stable border... all the issues take place because of perception.

Parrikar said because of the lack of demarcation of the border, soldiers from both sides transgress the LAC. Both countries, he said, are close to setting up a military-to-military hotline to quickly resolve incidents along the LAC.
The Rajasthan government has decided to recommend a CBI probe into the death of Delta Meghwal, a Dalit girl who was found dead under mysterious conditions last month, conceding the demand of her family members days after Rahul Gandhi met them and extended his support.

A senior official said that chief minister Vasundhara Raje gave the direction in this regard to the home department on Tuesday following which remarks of the Director General of Police (DGP) were sought on Wednesday.

After the directions from the chief ministers office, a letter was sent to the DGP seeking his remarks today. A proposal will now be forwarded to the CBI, Jagdeep Singh, Deputy Secretary of Home Department, told PTI.

DGP Manoj Bhatt said, I have also made my remarks on the letter.

Meghwals family had said that they have no faith in the investigation being conducted by the state police.

Congress had taken up the issue, with party vice president Rahul Gandhi comparing it to the case of Rohith Vemula, and had accused the BJP government of discriminating against Dalits.

He visited the family members of the girl in Barmer district on April 13, where the girls father said that he wanted a CBI probe into the matter.

Read: Dalit educators death pushes Barmer village back in time

Gandhi, who also addressed a Dalit conference in Jaipur on that day, had said that the father of the girl has no faith in the government and the state police and wanted a CBI inquiry.

PCC President Sachin Pilot, Leader of Opposition Rameshwar Dudi and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot had also raised the demand of CBI inquiry.

Meghwal, who belonged to Bikaner and was pursuing a BSTC, a teacher training course, in a private educational institute of Bikaner, was found dead in a water tank on March 30 on the institute premises.

Read: Rajasthan Dalit girl case: Rahul demands CBI probe, says like Vemula

In the intervening night of March 28-29, she was allegedly found in the room of physical trainer and instructor Vijendra Singh by the hostel warden.

Singh was arrested after the girl was found dead.

The hostel warden and principal were also arrested for not informing the police when she was allegedly found in the instructors room.
A Sikh-American teenager, who penned a book about bullying of children from the community, was forced to remove his turban by airport personnel in the US state of California, according to a media report.

Karanveer Singh Pannu, an 18-year-old high school student from New Jersey, had gone to talk about his book Bullying of Sikh American Children: Through the Eyes of a Sikh American High School Student as an inspirational speaker to address the kids participating in the annual Sikh Youth Symposium in Bakersfield, California.

After going through the metal detector at the airport, I was asked to do a self-pat down of my turban and a chemical swab test for explosive material. After a positive swab test, I was taken to a secondary screening room to be given a full pat down and was asked to remove my turban to be further scanned, Pannu was quoted as saying by NBC.com.

I refused at first but when they threatened me that I could not fly, I agreed, provided they gave me a mirror to retie my turban, he added.

Before I removed my turban, Agent Hernandez asked the dreaded asinine question, Is there anything we need to be aware of before you remove your turban? I politely answered that there is a lot of long hair and something called the brain underneath.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) declined to comment on the specifics of any individual passengers screening experience, but that all TSA officers and contracted screeners are trained to treat all passengers with dignity and respect and receive periodic training regarding cultural and religious sensitivities, A TSA spokesperson told the network.

When additional screening requires the removal of religious apparel, officers offer a private room. In 2007, TSA revised its screening procedures for head coverings based on discussions with the Sikh community, the spokesperson said.

Pannu said he felt utterly humiliated, shaken, distraught by the experience.
A political blame game started on Wednesday evening following the death of Shaktiman, an Uttarakhand Police horse, days after it got a prosthetic limb. The horse had lost a leg allegedly in an attack by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator last month.

The accused, BJP leader Ganesh Joshi, defended himself by saying that he has nothing to do with Shaktimans unfortunate demise.

Very sad. I already said that I am not at fault, if found guilty then cut my leg, Joshi said to ANI on Wednesday.

Joshi, the legislator from Mussoorie, allegedly attacked and severely injured Shaktiman during a BJP protest against the Harish Rawat government at Dehradun on March 14.

Read | Police horse Shaktiman, injured in alleged attack by BJP MLA, dies

BJP MLA Ganesh Joshi pays tribute to police horse Shaktimaan (ANi)

Blame game starts

However, the Congress blamed Joshi for Shaktimans death. Like Modi ji murdered democracy, a BJP MLA made fatal attack on Shaktimaan. Unfortunate, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

Animal rights activists, too, have reacted sharply asking the government to take action against the accused BJP leader Ganesh Joshi.

PETA India chief executive Poorva Joshipura said that the country should frame more stringent laws against animal assaulters so that people like Joshi refrain from being cruel to them.

We urge the government to act fast to ensure other animals are spared from cruelty and horrific deaths by strengthening the penalties for cruelty against animals, Joshipura told IANS.

Unfortunate & sad. It was a painful death for him. Animal laws must be tightened PETA activist Bhuvneshwari told ANI.

The BJP, on the other hand, blamed the Uttarakhand government for the death of the animal.

The state government is to be blamed for Shaktimaans death, the medical treatment was inadequate, Uttarakhand state BJP president and leader of opposition Ajay Bhatt told the reporters.

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi hailed Shaktiman as a police officer who died on duty and said that those who killed the horse must be arrested.

The culprits should be arrested for killing a police officer (Shaktiman), Gandhi told ANI.

The minister also said that horses are no more relevant in todays police system as they serve no purpose.

Paying tribute to the police horse former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat said the state has lost one of her sons. Shaktiman is not less than a martyr for us. He was a soldier who lost his life in the line of duty, he said.

Death unexpected , say doctors

Doctors who operated on Shaktiman said the death was unexpected and all measures were taken to save the brave horse.

It was unexpected as Shaktimaan was recovering well. A brave horse has died and we must respect it, Dr Phiroze Khambatta, Equine Ortho Surgeon of Mumbais Mahalaxmi Racecourse said. Khambatta operated on Shaktimans leg after the injury.

We are very sad. Everybody did everything possible, what happened today is sad, said Jamie M Vaughan, a US expert who treated Shaktiman in Dehradun last month.

Former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat paid tribute to the horse in person. I am shocked, cant express my feeling in words, we all thought Shaktimaan was recovering well, he said.
A group of women devotees was allegedly assaulted and denied entry inside the inner sanctum of the Trimbakeshwar temple on Wednesday by local residents of Trimbak in Maharashtras Nashik district.

The Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust had decided last week to allow women into the Lord Shiva temples sanctum sanctorum for an hour every day, but with a rider that they must wear wet cotton or silk clothes while offering prayers in the core area.

The temple trust took the decision following an agitation by Pune-based Swarajya Mahila Sanghatana, headed by Vanita Gutte. The women activists, however, had refused to follow the conditions.

Read: Women activists reject Trimbakeshwars rider for entry, file complaint

Members of the Sanghatana alleged that when they reached the temple early on Wednesday, they were asked by officials of the temple trust to come in wet cotton cloths.

When we returned to the temple after having a bath, we were told that the time to enter the inner sanctum is now over. When we resisted, the local residents assaulted us right in front of the god, a woman devotee said.

The police have booked some 150 persons for assaulting the women seeking entry inside the garbha griha.

This the second time Sanghatana activists have tried to enter the temples inner sanctum. Last Thursday, Gutte and fellow campaigners refused to enter the core area of the temple on Thursday morning wearing wet clothes and got into an argument with several local priests over the rule.

The women then lodged a complaint with police against the trust members and local people for purposely obstructing their entry into the temple.

Read: Police stop women trying to enter Maharashtras Trimbakeshwar temple

Based on a complaint by Gutte, police filed complaints against nearly 250 people, including members of the temple trust, some local priests and temple workers, under relevant sections.

Activist Vidya Bal said the temple trust has violated the Bombay high court order by not allowing women inside the sanctum sanctorum.

Its high time government intervenes in this matter and ensure women seeking entry at religious places are allowed to go.

On March 30, the HC while hearing a petition filed by Bal and Neelima Vartak had ruled that entering a temple is a fundamental right of women and that government is duty bound to protect this right.

While the Shani Shingnapur temple trust, after initial resistance, had allowed women to enter the temple, the Trimbakeshwar trust had said women will be allowed at the inner sanctum only between 6am to 7am.

Temple priest and residents, however, have opposed this decision.

The ancient temple, located 30 km from Nashik, is a major Lord Shiva shrine of the country, which has one of the 12 jyotirlingas, drawing devotees from far and wide.

(With PTI inputs)

Read: Trimbakeshwar temple trust revokes ban on mens entry in sanctum
India has ranked abysmally low at 133 among 180 countries in the latest annual World Press Freedom Index which says Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to the threats against journalists.

The rankings, which are released annually, are an indicator of the independence afforded to scribeds in different countries and also reflect the intensity of attacks on journalistic freedom during the past year.

Scandinavian countries have consistently ranked well in terms of press freedom, with Finland retaining its top spot for the sixth consecutive year. Norway, Denmark and Sweden all rank in the top ten as well.

In the 2016 World Press Freedom Index report, which was released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), India witnesses an improvement of three spots from the 136th position it held last year.

Journalists and bloggers are attacked and anathematised by various religious groups that are quick to take offense, the report said.

"Most of the movement in the World Press Freedom Index is indicative of a climate of fear and tension combined with increasing control over newsrooms by governments and private-sector interests." - the RSF website

At the same time, it is hard for journalists to cover regions such as Kashmir that are regarded as sensitive by the government, it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems indifferent to these threats and problems, and there is no mechanism for protecting journalists, the report has said, Instead, in a desire to increase control of media coverage, Modi envisages opening a journalism university run by former propaganda ministry officials.

Read: Chhattisgarh: Journalist held for inflammatory WhatsApp message

The report shows that Europe has the freest media. Interestingly, Africa has for the first time overtaken the Americas, a region where violence against journalists is on the rise, the RSF says.

Journalists in North Africa/Middle East still fare badly and are subject to restrictions of every kind.

Among Indias neighbouring countries, Pakistan ranks 147, Sri Lanka 141, Afghanistan 120, Bangladesh 144, Nepal 105 and Bhutan 94. China is ranked at a very low 176 -- one of the worst in the world.

(With PTI inputs)

Read: Twelve recent attacks by Islamist radicals in Bangladesh
Tatiana, a 31-year-old graphic designer from Russia who prefers to be called by her Indian name, Tapasvi, is one of 20 foreign disciples of Pilot Baba who are in Ujjain for the Simhastha Kumbh.

I am in India for peace and tranquillity, she said. I met Pilot Baba for the first time in 2010 and have been visiting his ashram every few months.

Pilot Baba earned this sobriquet because of his time in the Indian Air Force, during which he fought in three wars  1962, 1965, and 1971. He shunned worldly pleasures to become a sadhu in 1972, and today has ashrams in Haridwar, Vrindavan, Nainital and Gangotri.

Another of Pilot Babas disciples, Alexandria, who goes by the name Ashupriya, is from Ukraine. For me, visiting India was like a dream come true. I got a strong desire to enrich myself spiritually. When I met guruji, from that moment I knew that he was the master, she told to HT.

Ashupriya has toured India widely and been to Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Nainital and the Himalayas. I have come alone, but I call my mom every few days to let her know that I am well, she said.

Tatiana and her fellow disciples have had little trouble in adapting to Indian culture and cuisine, but the hot climate is another story.

It can be tough at times. I take electral [oral rehydration salts] and dont go out in the sun from 11am to 3pm, Tatiana said. [But] I like spicy Indian food and most other things about India.

How well do they get along with their Indian counterparts?

Even if you dont speak the same language, you can understand each other, said Tatiana. Our day starts with Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) and then we do meditation and then some work for the ashram such as painting and then again we do jaap (chants).

This simple life is more than just a fascination and some even would gladly settle in India.

I am coming and going. I would like to stay but I have to take care of my parents in Russia, said Tatiana.

With the month-long Simhastha fair set to commence from April 22, the excitement of these disciples is palpable. I have not visited Kumbh in Allahabad, and so I am looking forward to this event, said Alexandria.

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The pet industry in India is booming and pet owners are spending loads of money to bring home exotic breeds, but how feasible is this? Breeds such as St. Bernards, Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, originally bred to be in extremely cold weather, are being kept in the harsh hot climate of Delhi that crosses 45 degree Celsius in summer. The result: Most develop ailments or end up being abandoned, if the owner is unable to take care of the dogs special needs.

Breeds such as St. Bernards, Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, originally bred to be in extremely cold weather, are being kept in harsh hot climate of Delhi that crosses 45 degree Celsius in summer (iStock)

Last week, we rescued an abandoned St. Bernard who was suffering from tick fever and had dangerously low platelet count, says Shreela Debi, who rescues dogs in distress. These breeds have such heavy fur that its like humans wearing a thick overcoat in summer. While some owners of these breeds do their best and try keeping them in an air-conditioned environment, 24x7, but the dog is being kept in unnatural surrounding and is hardly getting any exercise. You might give it air conditioning throughout the day, but it has to be walked and that means going out in this weather. A heavy set coat in a tropical environment leads to tick infestation and they become prone to tick fever.

St. Bernard puppies for their cute and cuddly looks and Siberian Huskies for their blue eyes and thick fur have become a rage. Bought for all the wrong reasons, many pet owners arent able to handle the rise in cost incurred to take care of these breeds such as providing air condition, 24x7, increased visits to the vet since the dog is in the wrong environment and rise in cost of feeding these large breeds. This leads to them being abandoned without a second thought. Most perish but some are lucky to be rescued.

Read: Chief cuddling officer-- How pets ease stress in offices

Veterinarian Dr Vinod Sharma says, Every breed has a different characteristic. Breeds such as St Bernards, Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamute are not meant for this climate. They are born in snow and meant to be in that kind of climate. Even if they survive, which many do, they arent happy. The harsh summer leads to many health complications. They get prone to heat stroke, stop eating and suffer from dehydration, weakness and gastroenteritis. Some even develop heart ailments.

Sharma adds, What people often end up doing, is shaving off the heavy coat of the dog, thinking that it will make the dog feel cool. The fur is there for a purpose and it protects them from harmful UV rays. The moment you remove the fur, they get exposed to these UV rays.

Dogs are mans best friend but keep one only if you have the time, space and money, Sharma adds.

ADOPTION APPEAL:

Zorro a St Bernard is looking for a loving home.

Zorro, a St Bernard who is 3 to 4 years old, was kept tied up outdoors day and night in Delhi heat. Rescued from the hell hole, he was sent to a foster home in Dharamshala for a few days where he was very happy. He now needs a compassionate master and loving home. He is tall, a little underweight for his age (50 kg), but otherwise healthy. Since he is rarely walked and always confined he has so much pent-up energy that he is sometimes hard to control when greeting you or when out on walks.

He needs human attention and will react well to training as he seeks their approval. He is extremely loving and loyal to those who care for him. He is also very protective of those he sees as his human companions and may jump on people he sees as threats. He wasnt socialised well at a young age and is aggressive towards male dogs. However he seems to get on much better with puppies and female adult dogs. He needs a large outdoor space and a cool, AC room in summer, or better still a farm in the hills with a patient family or even a dedicated caretaker with an experience of giant breeds who will not tie him up.

Read: Flashy collars to rescue apps- How people are embracing stray dogs

He hates being left alone for long periods. He is not a very big eater but needs to put on some weight and he needs daily walks. He needs to be trained in certain house manners. Anyone who can spare the love, time and resources needed to care for such a special dog and has experience of handling St Bernards will find that love amply rewarded with unswerving loyalty and untiring devotion. Call 09871233919 or email moutussi@yahoo.com.

Pre-adoption house checks and other adoption formalities are mandatory. It is best if he is neutered but you have to take the final call. The operation if needed can be done at his current place.

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The Rs22,000-crore Dharavi redevelopment project, which aims to transform Indias largest slum into a plush township, suffered a major setback on Wednesday with no developer willing to bid for it. This comes as a shock as 16 developers had participated in the pre-bid meeting hosted by the DRA.

Read more: Dharavi revamp exposes great divide among residents

Will revamp end Dharavis bustling industry?

Nirmal Kumar Deshmukh, CEO, Dharavi Redevelopment Authority (DRA), said, We did not get any response as the real estate market is going through a slowdown.

The Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI), the apex body of developers, put the onus on the overall uncertainty prevailing in the realty market.

Today, in this environment of uncertainty, no developer is willing to take the risk, said Dharmesh Jain, president, MCHI.

Ironically, the first global tender for the revamp project floated in 2009 attracted 101 developers of which 19 were shortlisted. However, over a period of time, owing to the governments indecisive stand on the project, most developers pulled out following which the state government scrapped the project. The problem was the lack of clarity in the eligibility as well as the role of the government in implementing the scheme, said a leading developer, who had bid the last time.

Subsequently, the government floated the current global tender on January 30, 2016, for four sectors of Dharavi  comprising 178 hectares  where developers will have to set up new infrastructure on this area apart from rehabilitating slum dwellers in new apartments.

Dharavi residents, however, blame the state government. The government should discuss the scheme with the residents and infuse confidence among developers. Both these were not done. Hence, developers are unwilling to bid, said Raju Kode, president, Dharavi Bachao Samitee.

Whats stopping developers

Developers bidding for the Dharavi revamp project have to deposit Rs24 crore as Earnest Money Deposit (EMD), while the winning bidder has to deposit Rs250 crore to Rs300 crore as bank guarantee deposit.

With developers facing a monetary crisis, no developer is willing to pump in such huge amounts.

According to the government, 59,165 slum dwellers will have to be rehabilitated, residents point out that the number exceeds 2 lakh.

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htmetro@hindustantimes.com

While the city is reeling under a 20% water cut, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena are in the midst of a blame game over the crisis.

On Wednesday, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya blamed the city mayor, standing committee chairman and Sena leaders for not tackling the growing tanker mafia and demanded an inquiry by municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta.

The senior BJP leader said, in the past four months, only 9,181 municipal water tankers were supplied to the city, compared to 38,999 private water tankers. These tankers are specifically for drinking purpose in residential areas in case of emergency. But the BMC has supplied water to private tankers and, in turn, helped the builders. The Sena leaders should have taken up the issue with the administration. Why didnt they do it, asked Somaiya.

He alleged the BMC sells water to private tankers at 1 paisa a litre, who then sell it in the market at Rs1 a litre.

Of the 38,999 tankers, Somaiya alleged 13,424 private tankers were issued from the M-East ward, which includes Mankhurd, Govandi and Deonar, while only 915 municipal tankers were supplied in the ward in the past four months.

Somaiya said the BMC is not allowed to transport water from wells, tube wells and bore wells, which is meant for use in building premises.

Refuting Somaiyas statements on the Sena, Trushna Vishwasrao, leader of the house and senior Sena leader in the BMC, said, What does he [Somaiya] know about the issues taken up by us? We have been demanding an investigation on the tanker mafia. What have the BJP corporators done till date?

A senior civic official from the hydraulic department of BMC, who was present at the meeting, said, The commissioner has asked for details from the authorities before taking a decision.
Union minister for food processing and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal slammed the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for spreading misinformation campaign among people over the Satluj-Yamuna Canal link.

Harsimrat said this during one of the sangat darshan programmes held at Raike Khurd, Bhambiha and Raike Kalan villages of the district on Wednesday.

She was accompanied by a battery of senior district administration officials. She said the people of Punjab should give a befitting reply to these political parties that are against Punjab.

The people of Punjab should differentiate between bad and good so that pace of development in the state could be accelerated, Harsimrat said.

The union minister said nobody had rights over the waters of Punjab and not even a single drop of water would be spared for other states.

As per the riparian principle only Punjab has the right over water. The Congress had hatched a conspiracy to snatch the water of Punjab but the SAD-BJP government is ready to make even the biggest of sacrifices to safeguard our waters, Harsimrat said.

On being asked about the arrival of wheat produce in market and payments, she said that payments have got delayed as the previous Congress government had stopped pending amount of the Punjab.

The farmers will start getting the payments very soon, he said.

Answering a media query on the Kohinoor diamond lying in custody of Britain, Harsimrat said the diamond is a great piece of heritage from Maharaja Ranjit Singhs time and it should remain with Punjab.

Besides Kohinoor, other heritage items of that time should be returned too, the Bathinda MP claimed.
Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday addressed NRIs in Chicago, assuring them that they should visit Punjab without any fear.

He assured the members of the Punjabi community that they should not feel apprehensive while coming to Punjab just because they held particular views about particular political parties, a spokesman of the Punjab Congress here said.

Amarinder made these assertions while responding to the NRIs concerns and apprehensions while interacting with him in Chicago. Amarinder told the NRIs that he was aware of their problems and the persecution they faced in Punjab at the hands of Akalis, the spokesman said.

I guarantee you that irrespective of the political opinions you hold, your interests will be watched at all costs, Amarinder told the gathering. Just because you may differ with me on certain issues does not mean you should face any hostility or persecution, he said.

The NRIs had asserted that though they were doing well in countries like the US and Canada, they were still concerned about what was happening back home, the spokesman said.

Amarinder told the NRIs that it was not only them who were being persecuted, even the locals in Punjab were also targeted since they did not succumb to Akalis pressure, the spokesman said.

Earlier, Amarinder got a rousing reception in Chicago during his first leg of the 20-day tour to the US and Canada.
After getting a clean chit from the education department, Budha Dal Public School management is now using the testimony of parents of a girl student, who was allegedly among children present in the library on April 12, to up the ante against the protesting parents.

Claiming the allegation that the school had detained children in the library was false, the management has decided to move court, seeking criminal proceedings against those protesting against the school.

The school authorities on Tuesday held a media briefing, where Chitwant Singh and Mandeep Kaur, parents of a girl student, claimed that their daughter was visiting the library when the protesters, who had barged into the school, took her along outside the school gate for the protest.

The parents said they had already paid the fee and had nothing to do with the protesting parents.

School principal Amrit Aujla said the matter had been blown out of proportion by a few parents, who had vested interest in defaming the school.

School president Baba Balbir Singh said the protesting parents were trying to arm-twist the management into giving them fee concession, and the school had done nothing illegal.

He said the school would file a defamation case against the parents association and also urge the court for the registration of a criminal case against them.

Earlier, on Monday, an inquiry report submitted to the Patiala deputy commissioner by a five-member team had given the school a clean chit. Deputy commissioner Ramvir Singh on Monday said the team had recorded statements of students who were inside the library at the time of the alleged incident besides some parents. Nobody claimed that the children were detained in the library, he had said.

SCHOOL MANAGEMENT MISGUIDING ADMINISTRATION

Reacting to the media briefing, members of the parents association said they had never contacted or seen the parents who gave the testimony.

Association adviser JS Sodhi said the school management was misguiding the administration with the testimony of parents of a child who was not even a part of the protest.

The association has called a press conference on Wednesday to counter the allegations of the school management.

The association has been claiming that on April 12, the school authorities separated some students, whose parents had submitted a petition in the high court against capitation fee being levied by the school, and detained them inside the library. After the parents came to know about the incident, they barged into the school around 11am. Later, they protested outside the school.
Is the chaos at Coffee with Captain creating a positive buzz for Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh? For the poll strategists of Amarinder any news is good news.

As he fine-tunes the partys poll strategy in Punjab, unity, Captains accessibility and visibility sans coterie seem to top the list of challenges for Prashant Kishor. Amarinder reaching out to the youth and fielding even their uncomfortable questions is simply the partys poll strategy at work, never mind the negative publicity.

Though many in the party are questioning his mandate to do so, Kishor has been meeting disgruntled senior leaders to forge unity in the party. He had met both Bir Devinder Singh and Jagmeet Brar before they were expelled by the party earlier this month. But since he was not able to prevent their outbursts, Amarinder sent a clear message to his detractors--indiscipline would not be tolerated.

Kishor had also met former Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar, who was feeling short-changed by Amarinder over Rajya Sabha nominations, to make him agree to share the stage with Amarinder at the Talwandi Sabo rally to present a picture of unity. What had worried the party was an angry Jakhar getting feelers from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Though he admits to Kishor meeting him, Jakhar refuses to comment on whether he has buried the hatchet with top state and central leaders. He had openly accused party general secretary in-charge of Punjab, Shakeel Ahmad, and secretary Harish Chaudhary of sowing seeds of dissension in the party during the Rajya Sabha nominations.

To contain the damage that Bir Devinder could inflict on Amarinder and the party through his revelations on the Amritsar Improvement Trust scam, though expelled, he is learnt to have been assured that his concerns would be addressed. When questioned on his silence on Amarinder now, Bir Devinder said he is no longer in the Congress and could not say anything on the party.

For me, the Congress chapter is over. I do not know what the party plans to do over a period of time. I am a whistle-blower and was penalised for speaking the truth. I am in touch with my supporters and will fight the elections, he said. In case of Brar, the damage from his ouster was calculated to be of much less risk than letting him fire salvos at Amarinder from within the party and he has been forsaken after the expulsion.

AAP campaign fizzling out

After returning from his North America tour, Amarinder will continue with his youth interactions, while also reaching out to farmers as the wheat harvesting season will be over, followed by other sections such as traders and industrialists. Though the AAP has a headway in its door-to-door campaign, the Congress strategy is not to launch its grassroots programme 10 months before election. The AAPs Parivar Jodo campaign, too, is fizzling out. Its workers and volunteers are no more roaming in villages as one cannot sustain such a momentum till election. The Congress will pan out in Punjab villages at the right time before election, party sources said.

While Amarinder has to be visible, a conscious strategy is also to slowly distance him from his coterie. At rallies and interactions of Amarinder, MLAs, party leaders and aides seen usually by his side have been keeping out of frame. Instead, it is senior leaders such as Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Lal Singh, Sunil Jakhar and CLP leader Charanjit Channi who are posing as one big, happy family.

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The Punjab Congress on Wednesday lodged a complaint with the state vigilance department to seek a first-information report (FIR) against chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his cabinet for Rs 12,000-crore food-grain scam.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have concluded in their reports that it is a case of misappropriating central funds and diverting stock, former state Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jakhar has mentioned in the complaint filed at the vigilance departments Phase-8 police station here. The complaint says that the state procurement agencies  Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, Punjab Agro Food Corporation, Pungrain and Punsup  had provided CAG with the registration numbers of the vehicles that transport food grains; and of the 3,319 trucks that CAG had selected for random checking, it could not trace 3,232, while of the 87 traced, 15 had turned out to be scooters, motorcycles, and cars etc.

He said that of the 16 district offices of the Punjab agencies, seven had not given CAG the vehicle data for the years 2009-10 to 2013-14, while the other offices had released incomplete information about 41,033 vehicles related to 146 grain markets. Even the RBI has asked banks not to give Punjab any credit for buying food-grain stocks under the MSP (minimum support price) system, as stock worth more than Rs 12,000 crore is missing from the states custody, the complaint mentions.

Besides Badal and his cabinet, the Congress leader has also demanded action against the officials concerned and the heads of the departments involved in the theft pointed out by two constitutional bodies of India. The CAG and RBI reports corroborate each other and, prime facie, evidence exists to register a case, he has added.

The Badal government begins its countdown to the jail yatra from here, Jakhar told the media after taking along SAS Nagar legislator Balbir Sidhu and party leader Deepinder Dhillon to submit the complaint.

Jakhar works out math of Rs12,000-cr scam

Based on data from the CAG report and statistical abstracts published by the Punjab government, Congress leader Sunil Jakhar claimed that CAGs audit of PAFC (Punjab Agro Food Corporation) accounts revealed that its outstanding dues had increased from Rs 1,160 crore to Rs 2,799 crore between 2011 and 2014; and an FCI (Food Corporation of India) notification of December 20, 2012, mentioned interest rate of 11.79% charged on the difference.

Consequently, the interest component turned out to be Rs 942 crore in three years and embezzled amount Rs 697 crore (2,799-942-1,160). Taking the average MSP of wheat and paddy combined (2012-13 to 2014-15) to be Rs 1,320 per quintal or Rs 13,200 per metric tonne as in the statistical abstract of 2015, the total annual procurement of food grains by the PAFC was 26-lakh MT and per-year embezzlement by it 1.76-lakh MT, or 5.28-lakh MT in three years, said Jakhar.

The embezzlement percent per year at the PAFC was 6.87% of procurement and extrapolating this to total wheat and paddy procured in Punjab between 2010-11 and 2014-15, the figure turns out to be 83-lakh MT a year, Rs 10,956 crore over five years, and more than Rs 12,000 crore after including interest, he said.
After Baisakhi celebrations in the Ontario legislative assembly of Canada, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has heaped praise on provinces lesbian premier Kathleen Wynne whom it had denied a siropa (robe of honour) at the Golden Temple earlier this year.

We can call it a historic day for Sikhs, as it was for the first time that Baisakhi was celebrated and the parkash of Guru Granth Sahib was done in the Ontario assembly. It was also for the first time that the Sikh communitys saffron flag, Nishan Sahib, was hoisted atop the assembly building, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar stated here on Wednesday.

Read: Premier Wynne joins Baisakhi celebrations at Ontario assembly in Canada

Wynee and her cabinet colleagues had joined Sikhs in performing kirtan in the Ontario assembly. Dressed in salwar-kameez and with her head covered, she had praised Sikhs for integrating into Canadas multi-cultural society while maintaining their cultural identity. In her address later, the premier said she was happy that Sikh scripture had been brought to the legislative assembly for the first time, and hoped that it would happen more often.

Wynne, who has never hidden her lesbian status, was unpopular among Sikhs for her pro- gay policies and strict laws on immigration. Her visit to the Golden Temple in February started to give her acceptability in the Sikh community of her state. She had found the shrine to be a beautiful and serene place and said she was overwhelmed by the sense of volunteerism there.

Read: Ontario premier at Golden Temple today amid gay row

The SGPC chief said at the Golden Temple, Wynee had been brief about the Sikh customs, traditions, religious symbols, and their importance. The visit had turned controversial when Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, head of Sikh faiths highest temporal seat, had declined to honour her with a customary siropa owing to her views on same-sex marriages, which Sikhism prohibits. The SGPC took a cue, and though she received a model of the Golden Temple along with a set of books on Sikh religion and history at the shrine, she didnt receive any official robe of honour.

Makkar also appreciated the Wynees asking her party legislator Vic Dhillon to move a motion in the assembly on the Komagata Maru incident of 1914, through which the assembly will tender an apology for it and ensure that no immigrant is ever discriminated in Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Tudeau had only a few days ago apologised for the Komagata Maru incident.
Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) on Wednesday rescheduled the dates of MSc zoology entrance exam which was clashing with that of Punjab University (PU).

HPU has scheduled the exam to June 14. Earlier it was on June 11 and on the same date PU is also conducting common entrance tests, including that of zoology.

Right oriented Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) had raised the issue and demanded to reschedule the exam.

He had said that due to the clash in dates, several students would be deprived of the entrance test in both the institutions. Students had filled the form but clash of dates is going deprive them of appearing in either of the exams. HPUs decision is a welcoming step, ABVP leader Prashant Kashyap said.

PU had announced the dates for entrance test before HPU.
The mortal remains of Kirpal Singh, the Indian prisoner who died in Lahores Kot Lakhpat Jail under mysterious circumstances on April 11, were consigned to flames at his hometown in Mustafabad, Gurdaspur, amid a sombre environment on Wednesday afternoon.

Hundreds of people from the village and nearby areas joined the mournful family members, relatives and friends of Kirpal during the cremation to bid farewell to him.

Gurdaspur is about 220 km from Chandigarh.

Kirpals sister Jagir Kaur and other family members were tearful and inconsolable at the cremation. Dalbir Kaur, sister of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, who was murdered in the same Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore in 2013, also joined the mourners.

Kirpals body was brought to his hometown on Wednesday morning after it was handed over to the Indian officials at the Wagah Border on Tuesday.

The mystery over his death, however, continues as the post-mortem examination conducted at Amritsar Medical College could not arrive at a conclusion over the cause of this death.

Read more: Sarabjits sister smells conspiracy, demands thorough probe

The autopsy, which was conducted by a team of three doctors, said there were no external or internal injury marks on the body. However, the heart and stomach were missing as they had been taken out during the first autopsy conducted at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore.

Doctors have preserved the viscera and sent it for lab tests to rule out poisoning.

Pakistani officials have claimed that Kirpal died of a heart attack but Indian authorities suspect that he was murdered. India has also vowed to raise Kirpals death in Pakistan at the top level.

Kirpals family has alleged murder and has demanded the autopsy report be presented to them.

Kirpal Singh, 54, a former serviceman, was lodged in Kot Lakhpat Jail since 1992. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pakistani authorities for allegedly spying and conducting terrorist activities in Pakistan.

Pakistan also alleged that he was involved in a bombing at Faisalabad Railway Station in 1991.

As per reports from Pakistan, Kirpal was transferred to a hospital as his health deteriorated, after which he succumbed to a heart attack.

Kirpals death has been compared with the unfortunate and tragic death of Sarabjit Singh. While in the same prison as Kirpal, Sarabjit was attacked by a few of his inmates, six days after which he died in a Pakistani hospital on May 2, 2013 at 49.
With the post-mortem examination revealing that Indian prisoner Kirpal Singhs vital organs - heart and the liver - were missing, Dalbir Kaur on Wednesday said her doubts had turned out to be true and urged external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to ensure a thorough investigation into the matter.

Dalbir, the sister of Sarabjit Singh, who died in Lahores Kot Lakhpat jail in May 2013, said she suspected that the Pakistan jail authorities would remove Kirpals heart in the similar manner in which they removed the vital organs of her brother.

I had suspected that they might remove Kirpals heart the way they removed Sarabjits heart. I had expressed this to Sushma Swaraj too. My doubts turned out to be true. Kirpals heart was also removed as it could have been used to test if poison was given, Kaur told the media here.

She said she had Swaraj to form a committee, which should visit the Pakistani jails and probe the matter without the interference of the concerned authorities from the other side of the border.

Read more: Sarabjits sister claims Indian prisoners in Pak jails are in danger

They claim Kirpal died of a heart attack. Its their conspiracy. This matter should be thoroughly probed. If the government is not serious with the other prisoners in Lahore and Peshawar jails, they might face the same outcome as Kirpal and Sarabjit, she added.

Kirpals body was cremated at his hometown in Mustafabad, Gurdaspur, after it was brought in on Wednesday morning.

His body was handed over to the Indian officials at the Wagah Border yesterday.

Read more: Kirpal Singh cremated at native village in Gurdaspur
Deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to file a caveat in the Supreme Court before it passes a judgment on a public interest litigation (PIL) demanding the return of the Kohinoor to India.

The SGPC would represent the Sikh community and demand that the diamond, which is presently a part of the crown jewels of England, be returned to the religious body, Sukhbir said in a statement here.

This assertion is being made on the basis that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the head of the Khalsa Raj that had possessed the Kohinoor. In the absence of any such system now, the diamond belongs to the SGPC, he said.

Read: Now, SGPC stakes claim to Kohinoor

He said an Akali delegation would meet external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to make a representation on behalf of the Sikh community to highlight the wrong version given to the apex court earlier. The SAD delegation will tell Swaraj that Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh sovereign ruler of Punjab, was robbed of the Kohinoor, and the SAD feels this aspect has not been put before the apex court, he added.

The SAD would present the facts to the external affairs ministry detailing how Maharaja Duleep Singh was forced to present the Kohinoor to Queen Victoria after being Christianised, he said.

There is no doubt that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the absolute owner of the Kohinoor and that after its death it was taken away by the British in a deceitful manner. The SAD feels that this wrong can only be corrected by the return of the diamond to the Sikh community, Sukhbir added.
The odd-even policy of vehicle currently followed in Delhi is affecting the city residents as taxi services have hiked charges to go to the national capital. The surge in demand has meant that the city- based taxi owners are increasing their fares between Chandigarh and Delhi.

Around 50% hike in fare is reported. Against the usual fare charge of `1,500-1,800 between Chandigarh and Delhi for one way, the local taxis bearing the yellow plates are found charging over `3,000 now for same one way. The scheme came into effect on April 15 and is on till April 30 in New Delhi.

The taxi owners have admitted that owing to the odd-even policy, an upsurge in their business is registered all of a sudden. The residents have no option but to hire taxis or travel by other modes, as per their convenience.

One of the owners of the city-based taxi service Chandigarh-Delhi taxi, Jaswinder Gill said, All of our cars are bearing the yellow number plates which are not barred to enter Delhi, irrespective of odd or even number because its only the private numbers which are being stopped on the basis of the policy.

However when asked that if they have raised the taxi charges, Gill said, Rs 3,000 for one way is a normal rate while for the two-way ride we are charging Rs 4,800. If one has to stay back and come the next day, we are charging `5,800, which are common rates.

Meanwhile, another taxi service owner from Safe tours and travels said, The Chandigarh-Delhi rate for one-way at present is Rs 3,000 inclusive of toll tax from Chandigarh till Delhi airport and if the passenger wishes to come back the same day, then the charges are worth Rs 5,500.

Tejas Gupta, a Sector 21 resident who is a student and goes to Delhi by his own car every weekend said, Last weekend I had to return to Chandigarh on Sunday due to an urgent work but couldnt come by my own car due to the odd-even policy so I came by my fathers car and now for this week this car will remain with me, which is an inconvenience for my father.

Similarly another resident Sanchit Nayyar said Due to this policy, it is impossible for me to take my own car to Delhi anytime I wish to. I will have to plan my schedule according to the policy.

Meanwhile, Nidhi Arora a city resident said, We are affected, but I believe its for the good. I will prefer travelling via car pooling, cab or by train instead of taking my car alone to Delhi.
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research medical superintendent (MS) Dr AK Gupta has been chargesheeted for disobeying the then Union health ministers order and continuing his three-month assignment with the Worth Health Organization (WHO) in Nepal in 2014. He has been asked to file his reply within 10 days stating that why action should not be taken against him.

Dr Gupta has recently applied for the post of PGI director and senior administrative officials claimed that he was now ineligible for the job.

His application will be cancelled as a person against whom a chargesheet has been issued is not eligible for the post of director, a senior administrative official claimed.

The issue

In 2014, Dr Gupta had taken an extraordinary leave of three months from September 15 to December 15 without the consent of the governing body. At a meeting of the body in October 2014, the then Union health minister Harsh Vardhan had reportedly expressed surprise as to how Dr Gupta had gone to Nepal on a WHO assignment as a hospital management specialist, without taking consent from the ministry.

Vardhan cancelled Dr Guptas leave and the message was conveyed to the doctor on September 29, 2014. However, instead of following orders and coming back, he chose to stay back and filed an appeal with the ministry seeking permission, but he got no reply.

PGI wrote to ministry in September 2015

The issue was never closed then, but sources have told HT that in September 2015, the PGI again wrote a letter to the ministry, forwarding Dr Guptas file for reconsideration of his request to accept the WHO assignment in Nepal.

In reply, the ministry issued a letter to the director seeking regular departmental proceedings against the MS. The ministry had also said that action may be initiated against Dr Gupta for not adhering to the requirement of depositing part of the consultancy fees he earned during the assignment.

Dr Gupta had earned around Rs 28 lakh during the trip. Under the department of personnel and training (DoPT) norms, if a doctor earns money by offering services to UNO agencies, then he/she need not deposit the money with the institute. Hence, he was not chargesheeted for not depositing the fee earned, said a PGI official.

The MS has been chargesheeted for not obeying orders of the health ministry. He not only completed his three-month leave, but also took 15-day extra leave. He can be dismissed from service for disobedience, the official added.

Talking to HT, Dr Gupta said, The PGI director has powers to sanction leave for 180 days to his faculty. I applied for leave in June 2014. On September 13, he sanctioned my leave and two days later, I left for Nepal. On September 29, I was informed of the ministrys order. I filed an appeal with the ministry to allow me to complete my trip, but got no reply.

He added, When the director had all powers to sanction a leave, then why was the file sent to the ministry? I have been illegally chargesheeted for providing consultancy to Nepal under a WHO project.

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After days of uncertainty, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday sanctioned a cash-credit limit (CCL) of Rs 17,523 crore to the Punjab government, bailing it out of the procurement crisis.

The move comes 20 days after the start of the procurement season. The state government has set a target to procure 120 lakh tonnes of wheat in the current season for which it had sought a CCL of Rs 20,093 crore. The remaining amount is expected to be released next month.

Read: Sukhbir blames Union food ministry for delay in payment to wheat farmers

The RBI had delayed the CCL as huge stocks of food grains were allegedly missing from Punjab godowns. This also delayed payment to the farmers who are waiting at the grain markets for their produce to be lifted at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 1,525 per quintal.

A communique from RBI reads: We hereby authorise a credit limit of `17,523 crore under new account for the rabi-2016 season for procurement.

State food and civil supplies secretary Raj Kamal Chaudhary said: Its good news for the state as the situation will ease now.

The RBI also directed the Punjab government to regularise the procurement accounts of the rabi and kharif seasons and sought the audited statements of food credit accounts of the 2015-16 season and credit outstanding at the end of the March 2016.

Read: Badal meets Modi amid Rs 20,000-cr credit logjam

Payment to begin from Friday

The state government said it would start clearing farmers dues from Friday. The state agencies have already procured more than 49 lakh tonnes of the wheat and owes Rs 8,500 crore to the farmers. Funds are not a problem now. We have a system in place to deposit Rs 10,000 crore in commission agents accounts in one go who will make payments to the farmers, said a state government official.

The state government was under fire for not being able to pay the farmers for their produce. On Monday, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal accompanied by food and civil supplies minister Adaish Partap Singh Kairon and officials rushed to Delhi and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding immediate release of the Rs 20,000 crore CCL.

Earlier, the agencies have been asking the state government to settle the gap in the CCL received in previous years and the grain handed over to the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The RBI asked the State Bank of India (SBI), the lead bank, to send a report on good practices adopted by state in procurement process. However, the state officials were not quick to reply forcing the SBI to delay the release of the CCL.

Accounts in mess

The trouble started in 2014 kharif season when the centre asked Punjab to settle the outstanding amount of Rs 42,000 crore and refused to release funds for paddy procurement. After much persuasion, the state managed to get funds, but it became a routine exercise for state officials to convince the Centre for release of procurement funds. Even before 2014, the Centre had repeatedly asked the state government to settle accounts.

Read: Cong to file FIR against Badal govt for theft of Rs 12,000-cr grains

Read: Tardy wheat procurement: Grain markets brimming but Punjab coffers empty
The Punjabi film industry has grown over the years and today it has reached a level that audiences are coming back to watch the Punjabi movies in theatres, said actor-turned producer Jimmy Sheirgill, who, along with the entire star cast of his upcoming film Vaisakhi List, was here on Tuesday to promote the movie.

Punjabi filmmakers and stars have a lot to offer to the audiences, which is a positive sign, said Sheirgill.

Its a matter of pride that a Punjabi movie has been able to get censor boards approval without any cuts or changes, said the actor-turned producer Jimmy on his upcoming venture. This is also Sheirgills first venture with director Smeep Kang.

Talking about his character in the movie, Sheirgill said, I play the role of a prisoner who plans to get back into the prison after escaping from it. It is a comedy film with a bit of drama and emotion. The story line is strong and script has been very well written.

The movie, being directed Smeep, also stars actor Shruti Sodhi, popular comedian Sunil Grover. It is a story of two friends who have escaped from the jail, but want to return back, as they find out that they were among the prisoners to be released by the government on the occasion of Vaisakhi.

Coming back to the Punjabi film industry, Sheirgill said, The industry is growing. Earlier, we never used to get many prints. But now the numbers have increased. It is a positive sign.

Meanwhile, elaborating on his directorial venture, Smeep said, I have tried to offer something unique to the audiences. It has a story and portrays various emotions like drama, romance, and action. It is a complete family movie.

SUNIL GROVERS DEBUT IN PUNJABI CINEMA

The movie also marks the debut of Comedy Nights with Kapil fame Sunil Grover into the Punjabi movie industry

Sunil, while interacting with HT, said, I knew Smeep for a long time and I could not refuse the offer after hearing the script. I am really happy that I am debuting with this movie.

This movie made with a budget of Rs 8 crore also features popular Punjabi actor Jaswinder Bhalla , Rana Ranbir, Nisha Bano, Binnu Dhillion and would releases on April 22.
Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal on Tuesday blamed the Union ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution for delay in payment to wheat farmers, saying it had not reconciled accounts with Punjab since 1997.

There is no issue of missing food grains. Its all about the mismatch in calculations. Since accounts have not been reconciled since 1997, there is a mismatch. There is no laxity on the part of the Punjab government in maintaining the cash-credit limit (CCL), Sukhbir told the media after distributing cashless health insurance cards to traders under the Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojana at Adampur.

He also distributed health cards to traders in Ludhiana, Pathankot and Muktsar.

Read more: Punjab govt should have taken CCL issue with Centre earlier: Bhattal

He hoped that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would soon release the Rs 20,000 crore cash-credit limit to the state following chief minister Parkash Singh Badals meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday.

On the admission by state food and civil supplies minister Adaish Partap Singh Kairon that Rs 800 crore was diverted from the CCL account in 2010 to run the Atta-Dal scheme, the SAD chief said only Kairon can give a suitable reply. No money has been diverted from the CCL account by the Punjab government, Sukhbir claimed.

Replying to a query why the BJP-led Modi government at the Centre was taking a tough stance against Punjab on financial issues, he said: Even the Congress-led governments at the Centre had stopped the CCL on the same issue and the CM had to meet then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a few occasions.

Speaking on reports of the drug abuse shown in the upcoming Bollywood movie Udta Punjab, Sukhbir said such movies would further defame Punjab. The movie says 70% of the population of Punjab is hooked to drugs. We will see the film promos before making any strong statement. Till now, its only hearsay, said Sukhbir on the possibility of banning the film in Punjab.

Admits to shortcomings

Cautioning the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) not to play with the sentiments of the people of Punjab on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, he urged the people not to fall into AAP convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals trap as he has been proven to be the enemy of Punjabis.Ek cheez deyan rakho... apne apne hunde ne... sade vich 100 kamiyan hongian, but assi thuade apne haan (we may have many shortcoming, but we are your own people), he said.

Roads in Haryana are the worst

Claiming that Punjab has seen unprecedented development in the nine-year regime of the SAD-BJP government, Sukhbir said the government had focussed on road in rural areas, besides upgrading grain markets.

Go to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, you will see roads in rural areas are in a bad shape. What to talk about more, roads in rural Haryana are the worst. Go 10 kilometres off the main road in Haryana, and you wont find any road, said Sukhbir. On reported annoyance of Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh, Sukhbir said he had recently met him and all is well with Pargat and the SAD.

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Drashti Dhami will exit her prime-time show, Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, soon, within nine months of it going on air. The reason is an impending leap in the story, which would require her to play the role of a mother. The young actor says she decided to opt out, as she wasnt convinced about the role. It was a tough choice to make. I had to quit the show, as my character would change after the leap. I was asked to play a mother, and I am not comfortable doing so at the moment, she adds.

So, the actor decided to part ways amicably with the makers of the period love-drama, which she says is close to my heart. I am feeling bad that my journey ending on the show, as I loved working with everyone in it, says Drashti.

Read: No one quits a successful show without reason: Shilpa Shinde

In her eight-year-long career, the actor has been part of hit shows like Dill Mill Gayye, Geet and Madhubala. Talking about serials that go on for years, Drashti feels that makers choose what is best for their product. She says, Every show has a destiny, and every actor works hard on a show. When makers want to bring in a new twist to a story or change its direction, alterations have to be made.

The actor has now planned to go on a long vacation in June, and is looking forward to the break. She says, I will be going to Europe for 20 days. I have planned an itinerary that covers many cities, including Prague (Czech Republic), Budapest (Hungary), Berlin (Germany), Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Paris (France). I will go with some of my friends, and the weather will be wonderful in June.

Drashti, who has been married for a year now, calls it a blissful time. The last year has been perfect, as has my married life. It feels like I am still dating him (Neerja Khemka, husband), she says with a laugh. .

Read: Sad day for Castle fans: Stana Katic is leaving the show for good

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The Bombay High Court on Wednesday admitted a writ petition filed by the parents of television actor Pratyusha Banerjee, who committed suicide earlier this month, seeking that the probe in the case be transferred to the crime branch.

Read: Pratyusha was not pregnant when she died, says boyfriend Rahul

Read: Pratyusha was pregnant, may have undergone abortion: Medical report

Banerjees parents mentioned their plea before a division bench on Wednesday afternoon and the bench is likely to take it up for consideration on Thursday. The petitioners counsel advocate KT Thomas claimed before HC that the ongoing probe into Bannerjees suicide was misleading and that the police seemed to be in collusion with Banerjees boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh, the accused in the case.

Read: Pratyusha suicide: Rahul Raj threatens to jump off hospital building

Read: Rahul is to blame for her death: Pratyushas mom writes to CM for probe

Thomas also submitted that even though Banerjees parents had alleged that Singh was responsible for their daughters suicide, the police registered an FIR against Singh only two days later. A young girl ended her life. Her distraught parents deserve a fair probe, advocate Thomas said.

Follow @htshowbiz for more.

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Swedish national Osama Krayem, charged in connection with the Brussels bombings, has also been charged over the Paris attacks, Belgian media reported on Tuesday citing prosecutors.

Krayem, 23, was charged on April 9 with terrorist murders over last months suicide blasts in the Belgian capital, but the new charges reflect growing links between the attackers and those who carried out Novembers jihadist carnage in Paris.

His fingerprints were found at several hideouts used during preparations for these attacks, Flemmish television station VRT reported.

Belga news agency confirmed the fresh charges, citing prosecutors.

The prosecution service and Krayems lawyers were not immediately reachable by AFP, but prosecutors are due to hold a news conference on Wednesday.

The coordinated bombings at Brussels airport and a metro station near European Union headquarters, claimed by the Islamic State group, left 32 people dead months after the Paris attacks killed 130 people.

The authorities suspect Krayem, a Swede of Syrian origin, of buying the bags used for the Brussels bombings.

He was filmed on CCTV with Maalbeek metro station bomber Khalid El Bakraoui minutes before the bomb went off.

A Facebook image of Swedish national Osama Krayek, holding an AK-47 rifle and posing in front of an Islamic State flag. (Image Courtesy: Swedish Media)

Krayems lawyer Vincent Lurquin told reporters last week that his client had also planned to blow himself up but decided not to go ahead with it.

Investigators are still looking for the backpack Krayem was wearing that day.

Three men detonated suicide bombs in Belgiums worst-ever terror attack: brothers Ibrahim and Khalid El Bakraoui and Najim Laachroui.

A fourth man, Mohamed Abrini, the so-called man in the hat who accompanied the two airport bombers but did not detonate his own device, was arrested in Brussels on April 8. He has also been charged over the Paris attacks.

Initial investigations suggest that the Brussels attackers had planned to hit France, but with police on their trail, decided Belgium was an easier target.
The death toll from Ecuadors major earthquake continues to rise. Ecuadors attorney general said on Wednesday that 553 people were killed during the quake. The previous report put the number of dead at 525.

Another 4,065 people are injured and about 100 remain missing following Saturday evenings magnitude-7.8 quake along the Pacific coast.

A fresh tremor rattled Ecuador before dawn on Wednesday, a magnitude-6.1 jolt that set babies crying and shaken residents pouring once again into the streets.

It was the strongest aftershock yet following Saturdays quake. Some people in Portoviejo abandoned their homes, even those with no apparent damage, and headed through the night toward a former airport where temporary shelters have been set up.

Meanwhile, scenes of mourning multiplied all along Ecuadors normally placid Pacific coastline as people began burying loved ones and hope faded that more survivors will be found. Funeral homes were running out of caskets, and local governments were paying to bring in coffins from other cities.

Residents get potable water in Manta. (AFP)

In the small town of Montecristi, near the port of Manta, two children were among those buried Tuesday. They were killed with their mother while buying school supplies when the big quake struck.

The funeral had to be held outside under a makeshift awning, because the towns Roman Catholic church was damaged and unsafe. Family members wailed loudly and one man fainted as the children were laid to rest in an above-ground vault.

The final toll could surpass casualties from earthquakes in Chile and Peru in the past decade.

Among the survivors, the situation was growing increasingly tense. While humanitarian aid has been pouring in from around the world, distribution is slow. In Manta on Wednesday, residents waited for hours under the tropical midday sun for water and food supplies. The army kept control behind fenced barricades. Yet even as grief mounted, there were glimmers of hope.

People look through debris in search of survivors in Pedernales. (REUTERS)

In several cities, rescuers with sniffer dogs, hydraulic jacks and special probes that can detect breathing from far away continued to search for survivors among the rubble. At least six were found in Manta early Tuesday.

One of the most hopeful tales was that of Pablo Cordova, who held out for 36 hours beneath the rubble of the hotel where he worked in Portoviejo, drinking his own urine and praying that cellphone service would be restored before his phone battery died. He was finally able to call his wife Monday afternoon and was pulled from the wreckage soon after by a team of rescuers from Colombia.

Cordovas wife had given up on ever seeing him again and managed to buy a casket.

They were organising the funeral, but Ive been reborn, Cordova said Tuesday, grinning from beneath his bushy mustache in a provincial hospital. I will have to give that coffin back because I still have a long way to go before I die.

Rescuers who have arrived from Mexico, Colombia, Spain and other nations said they would keep searching for survivors Wednesday, but cautioned that time was running out and the likelihood of finding more people alive grew smaller with the passage of every hour.

Even as authorities begin to shift their attention to restoring electricity and clearing debris, the earth continued to move. Local seismologists have recorded more than 400 aftershocks, some felt 105 miles (170 kilometers) away in the capital of Quito.
The registration of Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trumps sleek Cessna jet, which he uses to make campaign stops in the US, has expired.

The Federal Aviation Administration records show the aircrafts registration lapsed on January 31, the New York Times reported.

Laura J Brown, a spokesperson for the administration, said the planes registration was not in good standing and the owner had not renewed it.

With a few exceptions, aircraft must be registered in order to fly. Trumps plane could be grounded for days, or even months, while the issue is being sorted out.

The FAA could fine or assess other penalties against the owner, the operator or both. Trump owns the plane through a limited liability company.

Though it is unlikely that the agency would seek the maximum penalty, flying with no registration could result in a civil penalty of up to $27,500, a criminal fine of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to three years, it said.

Hope Hicks, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, declined to answer several questions about the planes registration or use, saying the renewal process is just about complete.

Read more: US elections: Trump, Hillary win New York primaries

As of late Tuesday, the FAA had not received a registration renewal application for the Cessna, according to Brown, the agency spokesperson.

Trump can still fly; most candidates typically charter a private plane.

Trump has four other registered aircraft: A Boeing 757 and three Sikorsky helicopters, a fleet that has become a critical part of the billionaires image he has sought to project on the campaign trail.

Trump often presses the 1997 Cessna 750 Citation X, which was designed to seat eight people, into action.

It has made hundreds of flights since he announced his plan to seek the Republican nomination in June 2015, according to FAA records reviewed by the New York Times.

Dozens of those flights were made after January 31, when the planes registration expired.

The administration warned Trump that the Cessnas registration was set to expire, records show.

The registration for Trumps other aircraft and three helicopters are current, records show.

Registering an aircraft is cheap: It costs only $5, and the registration is valid for three years.

Donald Trump, an American tycoon is a US presidential hopeful .
The death toll from a Taliban suicide attack in Kabul has more than doubled to 64, officials said on Wednesday, making it the deadliest militant assault in the Afghan capital for years.

The brazen attack on Tuesday on a security services office in the heart of Kabul is seen as the opening salvo in this years Taliban spring offensive, launched last week.

A powerful Taliban truck bomb tore through central Kabul and a fierce firefight broke out, sending clouds of smoke billowing into the sky and rattling windows several kilometres away.

It is with regret that I announce that 64 people were killed and 347 others wounded in yesterdays Kabul attack, ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told reporters. Most of them are civilians.

The ministry had earlier put the death toll at 30.

The victims of (the) terrorist attack are all fathers, brothers or children of people, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Twitter.

We will avenge every drop of Afghan blood.

The Taliban claimed three martyrdom seekers carried out an attack on the National Directorate of Security, the main spy agency. One of them, it said, managed to slip away alive.

Afghan authorities insisted the building, used by NDS in the past, housed an elite security agency charged with protecting top government officials.

Mourners in Kabul held emotionally charged funerals on Wednesday for the victims of the attack, one of the deadliest in Kabul for years.

The government is unable to stop these attacks on the people, said Abdul Basir Mobasher, a relative of a security official who was killed in the attack.

The people will be forced to rise up in revolt if these attacks dont stop.

- War crime -

The attack underscores concerns raised in a new United Nations report, which highlighted a spike in civilian casualties during the first three months of the year due to an increase in urban warfare.

The Taliban exposed the hollowness of their recent vow to safeguard and protect the lives and properties of the civilian people, by launching a massive suicide attack in central Kabul, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

Those responsible for deliberately carrying out such an attack committed a war crime.

The Taliban on Tuesday last week announced the start of their spring offensive, even as the government tries to bring them back to the negotiating table to end the drawn-out conflict.

The insurgents warned they would employ large-scale attacks across Afghanistan during the offensive -- dubbed Operation Omari in honour of the movements late founder Mullah Omar, whose death was announced last year.

The Talibans resurgence has raised serious questions about the ability of Afghan forces to hold their own and prompted calls for the US to reconsider its troop withdrawal schedule.

There are currently 9,800 American troops in the country, set to fall to 5,500 by 2017.

Peace talks which began last summer were abruptly halted after it was revealed that Mullah Omar had been dead for two years, a disclosure which sparked infighting within insurgent ranks.

A four-country group comprising Afghanistan, the United States, China and Pakistan has been holding meetings since January aimed at jump-starting negotiations, though their efforts have so far been in vain.

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Tuesday announced he was postponing his upcoming trip to Pakistan after initial evidence of todays suicide attack.

Kabul has fraught relations with Islamabad, which it blames for sponsoring the Taliban insurgency.
Nato and Russia begin their highest level talks after nearly two years on Wednesday, in a bid to ease military tensions over the Baltic Sea and the simmering violence still gripping eastern Ukraine.

The meeting of the Nato-Russia Council will be the first since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, when the alliance cut off all practical ties with Moscow in protest.

Relations have worsened over Moscows air campaign in Syria and tensions have flared in the past week after two incidents involving the US military and Russian planes in the Baltic Sea.

Ambassadors from the 28 countries that make up Nato will meet Russian officials in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, improving military cooperation and the war in Afghanistan.

We are not afraid of dialogue, said Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg, who will hold a press conference at 1000 GMT.

High on the agenda will be an incident this month when Russian warplanes flew within metres of an American missile destroyer in the Baltic Sea in what the US called a simulated attack.

Two days later, a US air force plane was intercepted by a Russian fighter, prompting Stoltenberg to accuse Russias military of unprofessional and unsafe behaviour.

Fears that the two sides could become embroiled in violence have grown since Russia started a bombing campaign in Syria, particularly after alliance member Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet on the Syrian border in November.

Russia blames Nato for increasing the risk of conflict by building up its troops in eastern European countries, many of which have been lobbying for more Western support.

Russias representative at the talks, Alexander Grushko, has said he will use the meeting to protest at Natos activities close to its western borders.

Today we are having a military build-up in the Baltic area, which from our point of view is absolutely unjustified, he said last week. The shape of Nato-Russia relations is very bad.

The talks will also focus on implementing the Minsk ceasefire accords in Ukraine, which were supposed to herald a broader settlement and return control of the eastern border with Russia to Kiev.

The deal has produced a tenuous calm in eastern Ukraine, parts of which are controlled by Moscow-backed rebels but the truce has been threatened by a recent upsurge in clashes.

Crimeas future remains highly uncertain with Russian President Vladimir Putin insisting it will never be given up and Nato equally insistent it will never recognise its annexation.
President Barack Obama held talks with Saudi Arabias King Salman on Wednesday as he began a two-day visit hoping to ease tensions with the historic US ally.

Riyadh and its Sunni Arab Gulf neighbours have bristled at what they see as Washingtons tilt towards their regional rival Shiite Iran after Tehrans landmark nuclear deal with world powers.

Obama, making probably his last visit to Riyadh as president, attends a summit of Gulf leaders on Thursday hoping to focus on intensifying the fight against the Islamic State group and resolving the wars in Syria and Yemen.

King Salman, 80, greeted the arriving Gulf leaders at a central Riyadh airbase but was not present when Obama landed at King Khalid International Airport in the citys north.

It was a more low-key reception than for Obamas previous trip to the kingdom, after the death of King Abdullah in January 2015.

Then, Salman along with his crown prince and deputy crown prince greeted Obama as a military band played.

After waving and walking down a red carpet on the stairs from Air Force One, he was greeted this time by Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the governor of Riyadh, and Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

Saudi state news channel Al-Ekhbaria did not broadcast Obamas arrival although it did have live coverage of the Gulf leaders landing.

I and the Saudi people are very pleased that you Mr President are visiting us, Salman said at his Erga Palace before a two-hour meeting with Obama, who responded that the United States was very grateful for your hospitality.

The kingdoms official Saudi Press Agency gave no detail of the talks but said they included combating terrorism.

Obama was to meet later with Abu Dhabis Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to see how to reinforce cooperation to defeat the Islamic State group, the White House said.

Tensions between Riyadh and Washington have increased sharply due to what Saudi Arabia sees as Obamas disengagement from traditional US allies in the region and opening towards Iran.

Alliance-building effort

Though the visit is being touted as an alliance-building effort, it will just as likely highlight how far Washington and Riyadh have drifted apart in the past eight years, Simon Henderson, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, wrote in Foreign Policy magazine.

For Obama, the key issue in the Middle East is the fight against the Islamic State... For the House of Saud, the issue is Iran.

Irans emergence from international isolation after the nuclear deal has raised deep concerns among Gulf Arab states, who oppose Tehran indirectly in a range of Middle East conflicts.

The weeks before the visit were marked by Saudi outrage over Obamas comments published in the April edition of US magazine The Atlantic.

He said the Saudis needed to share the Middle East with their Iranian rivals, because competition between Riyadh and Tehran has helped to feed proxy wars and chaos in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

Arab News columnist Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi on Wednesday became the latest Saudi commentator to lament the United States disengagement from assisting in resolving the regions problems.

Also clouding the visit is congressional draft legislation that would potentially allow the Saudi government to be sued in US courts over the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, in which nearly 3,000 people were killed.

Cloud cast by 9/11 bill

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in the attacks claimed by Al-Qaeda were Saudi citizens. No Saudi complicity has been proven and the kingdom has never been formally implicated.

Obama, making his fourth trip to the kingdom, has stated his opposition to the draft legislation.

Ahead of the visit the White House emphasised the strength of an alliance that has endured more than 70 years.

Despite worries in the Gulf, Washington remains a major weapons supplier and has bases in the region.

Obama will be joined at Thursdays summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council by Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and Secretary of State John Kerry.

The Pentagon chief in Riyadh on Wednesday pleaded with his Gulf counterparts for greater economic and political involvement in Iraq, which is battling both IS jihadists and an economic crisis.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations are part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq, where the Sunni extremists seized swathes of territory.

I encourage our GCC partners to do more, not only militarily, Carter said after the talks.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and members of his inner circle went into a huddle on Wednesday following the army chiefs comments on the need for across-the-board accountability to root out corruption from Pakistan.

Finance minister Ishaq Dar, a close aide of Sharif, told the media after the meeting in Islamabad that the government will soon introduce anti-corruption legislation in parliament.

Hectic political activity was witnessed in Islamabad after Sharif returned from a brief personal visit to Britain on Tuesday. Political observers said there were fears the anti-corruption watchdog, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), will launch an investigation against all Pakistani nationals linked to the Panama Papers leaks.

Around 220 Pakistanis, including Sharifs two sons and daughter, have been named in the massive leak of documents from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca about offshore holdings.

Sharifs visit to London  ostensibly for a medical check-up  led to rumours that he was leaving the country to escape the heat generated by the Panama Papers. Army chief Gen Raheel Sharifs remarks about the need to root out corruption increased the pressure on the prime minister. .

On Tuesday, Raheel Sharif told an army event in Kohat: Across-the-board accountability is necessary for the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of Pakistan. Pakistans armed forces will fully support every meaningful effort in that direction, which would ensure a better future for our next generations.

In response, defence minister Khawaja Asif told the media the army chiefs remarks were not restricted to the Panama Papers leaks.

The prime minister has already rejected allegations of money laundering, saying his children have legitimate businesses abroad.

Nawaz Sharif has ordered the setting up of an inquiry commission to probe the issue, but most opposition parties have rejected the move, saying the terms of reference and the choice of person to lead the commission are not acceptable to them.

Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has called for a judge of the Supreme Court to head the body, a call that has been rejected by the government. Khans party met on Wednesday to chalk out its line of action to pressure the government.

Opposition leader Khurshid Shah told journalists the government will have to listen to the objections of other parties before any sort of consensus can be reached.

The main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party earlier proposed the name of the chairman of the Senate, Raza Rabbani, to head the commission. But Rabbani refused to accept the position, citing personal reasons.

The choice of who will head the commission is crucial, said one observer. But that will depend on what powers are given to the commission.

So far, the belief in Islamabad is the commission will remain toothless and not be in a position to challenge the holdings of the prime ministers family. Despite the passage of around two weeks since the Panama Papers became public, the government is still unclear about finalising the mechanism of the inquiry.
Philippine presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte, at the centre of a storm over an offensive gaffe about a rape victim, has expressed doubts about his daughters statement that she was a rape victim and described her as a drama queen.

The presidential election in the Philippines could go down to the wire after Duterte, who opinion polls show as the frontrunner, caused outrage with his remarks about a 1989 prison riot in which an Australian missionary was raped and killed.

I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful. I thought, the mayor should have been first, Duterte, the mayor of Davao city, was heard saying in a clip that appeared on YouTube over the weekend.

On Monday, Dutertes daughter Sara Duterte said she was a rape victim but did not take offence at her fathers comments about the Australian missionary. She said the rape took place a long time ago and she did not tell anyone about it, especially her parents, according to news reports in the Philippines.

I am asked by people to comment on the rape joke of (Duterte). I am just saying I went through it and I do not feel offended by the rape joke, Sara told the media.

Duterte told reporters on Tuesday that he did not believe his daughter was raped and described her in jest as a drama queen, the Inquirer.net reported.

She cant be raped, she carries a gun, Duterte was quoted as saying at the University of the Philippines Visayas, where he delivered a speech. He said he had no previous knowledge of his daughters claim and did not want to comment further as it was a personal matter with her.

During the speech too, Duterte expressed doubt about his daughters comments and jokingly called her a drama queen.

Duterte apologised on Tuesday for the rape comment that could dent his chances of winning the presidency in an election three weeks away.

Representatives of womens groups filed a complaint on Wednesday with the Commission on Human Rights against Duterte for his remark on the rape of the Australian missionary. The complainants said he violated a law protecting womens rights through a string of actions, including his rape comment.

Our complaint stems from the string of actuations as shown in print and video by Mr. Duterte, showing his callous, derogatory and insulting treatment of women, leaders of nine women and workers groups said in their complaint.

Australian ambassador Amanda Gorely tweeted on Sunday that rape and murder should never be joked about or trivialized and violence against women and girls is unacceptable anytime, anywhere.

A rival candidate called Duterte a crazy maniac who was not fit to lead the nation.

(With agency inputs)
Every four years, people in the United States elect a new president on a Tuesday followed by first Monday in November. This year the date falls on November 8, 2016.

The American election system is not straightforward, as mere votes do not win one the presidency.

Here is how the system works starting from who can become a presidential candidate to the day a newly-elected president is inaugurated in five steps:

1. The requirements

If you want to contest for the presidency you have to fulfil the following criteria:

* You should be a natural born US citizen

* You have to be 35 years of age

* You must be a US resident for the past 14 years

2. Primaries and caucuses

Each candidate is backed by a party and each party has its own believers. The primaries and caucuses help bring these like-minded candidates and believers of a party together to choose a candidate who will represent the party in the general elections.

In a way, these are elections before elections where one candidate of each party is selected by party believers before they go on to face the general elections.

In Indian scenario, this is equivalent to a party nominating a prime ministerial candidate.

Primaries are straight-forward voting systems where party believers vote for a particular candidate. They are run by state and local governments.

During caucuses, voters divide themselves into groups according to who they support in the party. They then discuss and give speeches to convince the others to join their group. Finally, votes are called in and the winner is chosen.

These are private meetings organised by political parties.

Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at his New York presidential primary night rally in Manhattan, New York, U.S., April 19, 2016. (REUTERS)

3. Delegates

At the end of every primary or caucus, the candidates of different parties pick up delegates. Each candidate of a party has to pick up a pre-determined number of delegates to win the nomination.

If one wants to become a Democratic party candidate one has to be pick up 2,383 of 4,765 delegates. To become a Republican party candidate one has to pick up 1,237 of 2,472 delegates.

The question of why the delegates target is different for each party needs a long-winding explanation. If you are interested, you can go through what Kevin J Coleman, an analyst in elections, has to say.

Delegates are of two types - pledged and unpledged.

4. National conventions

Parties hold national conventions to announce the candidate, who has picked up the required number of delegates, as the partys nominee for the general elections.

If no one has achieved the magic number then the convention becomes a brokered or contested one. The pledged delegates and unpledged delegates come into the spotlight.

Democratic US presidential candidates Hillary Clinton (L) and Senator Bernie Sanders speak at the same time during a Democratic debate hosted by CNN and New York One at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York April 14, 2016. (REUTERS)

Contested convention is equivalent to the election of a pope. Because there was no consensus in the primaries and caucuses, another round of voting is conducted. Wherein pledged delegates usually have to vote for the candidate they were awarded to in the first round of voting, while unpledged delegates dont.

Pledged delegates may be allowed to choose any candidate in subsequent rounds of voting. The voting continues until a consensus emerges and a nominee is finalised.

5. General elections

US citizens vote to choose their presidents during general elections. But here too they do not choose the president directly. The US follows an indirect method called electoral college to choose the president. Under this system, citizens vote for a group of people known as electors. And the electors, in turn, choose the president.

Who are these electors?

In the electoral college system, each state gets a certain number of electors based on its representation in the Congress. There is a total of 538 electoral votes.

Each political party nominates electors who are state-elected officials, party leaders or persons who have a personal or political affiliation with the presidential candidate.

Each selected elector casts one vote following the general election and the candidate who crosses the 270 mark wins.

The newly-elected president is inaugurated in January.

Data source: www.usa.gov
The United States provided assistance to Bangladesh in its investigation that unearthed the plot to abduct and kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas son in the US, a senior American official has said, a day after the police claimed to have uncovered the conspiracy.

The United States Department of Justice responded to the Government of Bangladeshs request for legal assistance related to this case, the official told PTI.

The remark was made in response to a query about reports that the Justice Department and the FBI provided evidence of links of opposition BNP mouthpiece Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman to the plot to kill Hasinas son Sajib Wazed Joy, 44.

The official, however, refused to give further details of the nature of the assistance provided to Bangladesh.

As a general matter, when the US government shares law enforcement information as part of a request for legal assistance, we do not comment on it, the official said.

For questions about the Government of Bangladeshs investigation, Id refer you to the Bangladeshi authorities, the official said.

Bangladesh police on Tuesday claimed to have found evidence about links of two detained pro-opposition senior journalists to abduction and murder plot of Hasinas son in the US.

Journalist Shafik Rehman, 81, an editor and an adviser to ex-premier Khaleda Zia, has been detained over the plot and is being quizzed by the police.

For 62-year-old Mahmudur, in jail since 2013 under several other charges, legal procedure is underway to secure a court order for his remand for interrogation, police has said.

In 2015, a New York court convicted US-based BNP leader Mahmud Ullah Mamuns son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar for bribing former FBI agent Robert Lustyik to get information about Joys activities in the US.

According to media reports, middleman Johannes Thaler and the FBI agent were convicted by the US court after Caesar admitted that he intended to scare, kidnap and hurt Joy.

There are also allegations that some top leaders of the BNP and its allies met in the UK, the US and in the capitals Paltan and other parts of the country before September 2012 and conspired to abduct and kill Joy.
A group of students from the University of Alaska Southeast taking a mountaineering class had an intense, firsthand outdoors experience Monday as their professor, 35-year-old Forest Wagner, was attacked and mauled by a bear.

Immediately after the attack, one of the students trekked down the mountain to find cellular reception and call for help.

Wagner, an assistant professor of outdoor studies at the university, was leading 11 students and two teaching assistants through an area between Mount Emmerich and Chilkat River near Haines, on Alaska's panhandle, when the incident happened. The bear that attacked the professor was spotted with her cubs.

According to initial reports filed by the police, Wagner sustained serious injuries to his leg. Local police then coordinated with a helicopter company that helped airlift the injured professor to a medical facility.

The assistant professor was eventually taken to Providence Hospital in Anchorage, where he remains in stable condition. His family has also been contacted.

After the professor was airlifted, the mother bear allegedly came back to the area, prompting a trooper to provide extra security to the remaining students and teaching assistants. It was then that the university chancellor decided to evacuate the entire mountaineering group. In order to get the rest of the group out of the area, another helicopter was called in.

None of the students were injured in the incident.

Though it is indeed unfortunate that Wagner was attacked by a bear during the mountaineering class, University of Alaska Southeast professor Kevin Krein stated that the professor, together with the students, acted in a commendable manner during the situation.

"Forest, the teaching assistants and the students were great in the situation. They applied their medical and wilderness training, worked together and responded effectively. I am very proud of them," he said.

Rick Caulfield, the school's chancellor, agreed with Krein, extending thanks to everyone who took part in the rescue of the professor and the extraction of the remaining students and teaching assistants.

"I commend the students for their quick action in responding to this situation and appreciate the prompt response from Alaska State Troopers, Haines Police, Temsco Helicopters and medical staff in Haines and in Juneau. Our thoughts are with faculty member Forest Wagner as he recovers from this incident, and we are thankful that all involved are safe," he said.

Wagner has been working as an outdoors instructor since 2006, teaching various courses such as outdoor leadership, ice climbing, backcountry navigation, rock climbing, glacier travel, crevasse rescue and mountaineering.

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NASA may have captured a solar flare from two different spots in space. The new findings may tell scientists a bit more about these bursts of light and how they may impact Earth.

Solar flares are eruptions on the sun that eject radiation in all directions. The strongest solar flares can actually impact the ionized part of Earth's atmosphere, called the ionosphere. This, in turn, can interfere with our communications systems, such as radio and GPS. It can also disrupt onboard satellite electronics.

Unlike other space weather events, solar flares travel at the speed of light. This means that scientists get no warning when they're coming. That's why researchers are working on pinning down the process that creates solar flares.

A current sheet is a very fast, very flat flow of electrically charged material. It's defined in part by its extreme thinness compared to its length and width. Current sheets form when two oppositely aligned magnetic fields come in close contact, creating high magnetic pressure.

"The existence of a current sheet is crucial in all our models of solar flares," said James McAteer, an astrophysicist at New Mexico State University and one of the researchers involved in the study. "So these observations make us much more comfortable that our models are good."

In this case, researchers used a wealth of instruments from three solar-watching missions to see a sheet in December of 2013. These instruments included NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, NASA's Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory, and Hinode. All of these together gave three views of the same event.

Because the current sheet in this event was so well observed, the researchers could confirm the event's temperature, density, and size over the course of the event. More specifically, they found that it was consistent with a current sheet.

The results may tell researchers a bit more about current sheets and solar flares. This is especially important moving forward, since it may allow researchers to predict these particular events in the future, which is especially important due to the fact that these events can wreak havoc on communications.

The findings were published in the April 19 issue of the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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It turns out that embryos can grow in space. Scientists have found that after launching mouse embryos in China's first microgravity satellite, SJ-10, they continued to grow and successfully develop in space during a 96-hour period.

Currently, all sorts of research is being done on how microgravity impacts animals and even plants. This is especially important as space agencies prepare missions to Mars. Scientists are currently studying how the body is impacted by space in order to prepare for long-term space travel.

"The human race may still have a long way to go before we can colonize space but, before that, we have to figure out whether it is possible for us to survive and reproduce in outer space like we do on Earth," said Duan Enkui, a professor at the Institute of Zoology affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who was involved in the latest space experiment. "Now, we have finally proven that the most crucial step in our reproduction-early embryo development-is possible in outer space."

The embryos developed all the way into blastocysts, the point at which they implant themselves into the cell wall to continue growth. This means that the early stages of development are actually possible in microgravity.

In this latest experiment, 6,000 mouse embryos were blasted into outer orbit inside a self-sufficient, enclosed chamber. Researchers then monitored the development of the cells from Earth through photos that were beamed back to our planet every four hours.

This is the first time since NASA that this has been attempted. NASA's STS-80 Spacecraft in 1996 sent 49 mouse embryos to see what would happen. However, none of them fully developed.

""Since space experiments are expensive, no one attempted to develop embryos again in the decade following NASA's failure," said David Elad, a professor of biomedical engineering at Tel Aviv University in Israel.

The new findings reveal a bit more about how bodies react to the environment of space. As agencies gear up for longer term space missions and with the potential to create colonies on other planets, it's important to understand how the environment of space impacts health.

SJ-10 is currently expected to land back on Earth in Siziwang Banner in Inner Mongolia at some point next week.

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Nearly five years after a federal jury found them guilty of either gunning down unarmed civilians or covering up the incident, five former New Orleans police officers pleaded guilty to the 2005 shootings on Danziger Bridge in the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina.

The ex-officers - Kenneth Bowen, Robert Gisevius, Robert Faulcon, Anthony Villavaso and Arthur Kaufman - entered the guilty plea today in return for reduced prison time. In exchange, the judge cut up to 33 years off each of their sentences.

These guilty pleas herald an end to a contentious case that has lingered for a decade. On Sept. 4, 2005, six days after Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans in shambles, the officers opened fire on unarmed people on the bridge, leaving two dead and four others injured. They then tried to cover it up by planting a gun, fabricating witnesses and falsifying reports.

In 2011, they tried to argue that they were responding to a radio report of another officer getting fired at when they themselves came under fire, but after hearing from five dozen witnesses and examining 400 pieces of evidence during a month-long trial, a federal jury convicted the officers for opening fire and trying to cover it up.

The convictions were supposed to mark the end of the case, with Bowen receiving 40 years in prison, Faulcon receiving 65, Gisevius getting 40, Villavaso getting 38 and Kaufman getting six. All of the men -except for Kaufman, who was accused of being the cover-up mastermind - had direct involvement with the shootings and had started serving their sentences.

However, a scandal involving Justice Department employees in 2013 caused the convictions and sentences to be thrown out by U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt, who had presided over the original trial. He ordered a new one the same year, citing "grotesque" misconduct on the part of federal prosecutors who posted anonymous comments about the case online.

That decision prompted a back-and-forth between Engelhardt and federal prosecutors, who accused the judge of "overstepping his bounds and exaggerating the impact" of the online comments. However, fast-forward nearly two years later and the three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Engelhardt's decision, setting the stage for the guilty pleas that were accepted today.

As a result, Bowen had his sentence lowered to 10 years, Faulcon had his lowered to 12, Gisevius had his lowered to 10, Villavaso to seven and Kaufman to three. In addition, the plea deal calls for them to get credit for time served, meaning they could be released from prison anywhere from the next one to six years.

"It is unfortunate that New Orleans has had to relive this dark chapter in our city's history, and I hope that the decision today will allow us to finally turn the page and begin to heal. Police misconduct and abuse will not be tolerated," New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said.

Even with these plea deals, the five former officers aren't out of hot water just yet. Civil lawsuits filed by the victims' families are still ongoing.

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Scientists discovered seven 21-million-year-old monkey teeth fossils that were exposed due to the Panama Canal expansion project and mark the first evidence of a monkey on the North American continent prior to the connection of the Isthmus of Panama to South America 3.5 million years ago.

The team, which includes Carlos Jaramillo, staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), named the new monkey species Panamacebus transitus in honor of Panama and the monkey's journey across the ancient seaway that separated North and South America.

The teeth fossils were discovered in the Las Cascadas Formation during the joint five-year fossil salvage project that was conducted by the STRI, the University of Florida and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.

Although South America is much closer to the Las Cascadas formation, most mammal groups represented in the area have North American origins, suggesting that Central America and western Panama formed a long peninsula that made its way south from North America.

After the team of engineers dynamited the steep canal banks, researchers collected the exposed fossils that were revealed and made notes of each location before they were covered by heavy rains and fast-growing vegetation. The notes were taken to provide evidence of the tectonic events that raised the land bridge - which eventually connected North and South America - out of the sea.

"I asked my boss for a million dollars to dig a hole in the ground," Jaramillo said. "Then the Panamanian people voted for the Panama Canal Authority to spend $5.6 billion dollars to expand the Canal and unlocked a treasure trove for us, containing this new monkey species and many other fossils."

"We suggest that Panamacebus was related to the capuchin (also known as "organ-grinder" monkeys) and squirrel monkeys that are found in Central and South America today," said Jonathan Bloch, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida and lead author on the study. "Prior to this discovery, New World monkeys were thought to have evolved in isolation on South America, cut off from North America by a wide seaway."

Prior to the current findings, the oldest evidence of mammal movement from South to North America resided in 8.5- to 9-million-year-old giant sloth fossils.

The team believes that their findings suggest that either mammals from South America were more adapted to Panama and Costa Rica forests that bore similarities to South American forests, or the lack of exposed fossil deposits in Central America has simply hidden these dispersals.

The findings were published in the April 20 issue of Nature.

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N ow in its 36th year, and attracting a quarter a million entrants into the draw, the London Marathon is one of the most famous distance races in the world in which top-class athletes compete alongside thousands of keen amateurs.

Around 38,000 runners are expected to turn up and will a follow a route that starts in Greenwich Park, next to the Greenwich Observatory, founded by Charles II in 1675 and home of the Greenwich meridian. After making their way through Woolwich, they will pass the Thames Barrier - which frequently saves London from flooding - and the Cutty Sark, the clipper ship that held the title of the fastest wool ship to Australia for a decade, returning in 73 days in one voyage.

At the 12-mile point, competitors will cross Tower Bridge, which sported a giant 13-ton set of Olympic rings during the London Games in 2012, before they turn right towards Canary Wharf, the capital's second financial district.

By the time the runners hit the 20-mile point at Limehouse, many will likely be too focused on trying to finish the race, but they will pass the Tower of London, where the Kray twins were among the last prisoners to be held in 1952 after being arrested for failing to turn up for National Service. The route then goes past the Houses of Parliament and Nelson's Column - which was scaled by Greenpeace activists this week, who fitted him with a smog mask - before passing Buckingham Palace and finishing to the applause of a crowd of thousands on Birdcage Walk.

Although most landmarks on the route are most definitely not for sale, increasing numbers of famous buildings in the capital are being developed for residential use. Apartments at one of the capitals most recognisable buildings  BBC Television Centre  go on sale this weekend, priced from 550,000. Part of a new White City media village where the corporation will continue to have a presence, the new homes celebrate the iconic architecture of the famous Fifties complex of studios and offices, and offer a chance to buy into the sites rich and colourful history.

TAKE A VIDEO TOUR OF THE NEW TELEVISION CENTRE FLATS

TODO: define component type brightcove

But its not the first time, and wont be the last, that a London landmark gets turned into homes. Numerous other projects are under way or in the pipeline, including seemingly unlikely candidates such as Holloway Prison, Walthamstow dog track and New Scotland Yard. Even defunct Brompton Road Tube station in South Kensington is in line for new homes.

A sell-off of public buildings and the abolition of planning permission for office-to-residential conversions in some areas is fuelling the trend. London Undergrounds historic Victoria headquarters, 55 Broadway, a listed Art Deco gem with relief sculptures by Jacob Epstein and Henry Moore, is set to be transformed into 89 flats.

Last week, listed Millbank Tower, a Sixties high-rise next to Tate Britain, got the green light for conversion into 207 homes.

Battersea Power Station, where a new phase of two-bedroom apartments priced from 1.2 million has been unveiled, is perhaps the most spectacular current example. Planners stipulated that the four much-loved chimneys had to be dismantled and rebuilt, and this two-year process is part of the 750 million restoration. One of the chimneys will have a new viewing platform more than 300 feet up, allowing panoramic views of London. Call 020 7501 0678.

Some developers complain of over-zealous heritage police, but the payback for maintaining the integrity of a historic building is usually worth it in terms of the premium charged for the new homes.

"Media village": the first 432 new homes at the BBC Television Centre are being created in the Grade II-listed circular block

At Roehampton House, which English Heritage describes as among the capitals most historically important residential buildings, refurbishment and reinstatement was four times more expensive than a conventional new-build project.

The rare Palladian mansion, built in 1712 and enlarged in 1910 by renowned architect Edwin Lutyens, has been split into 24 apartments. It was a 300-year old jigsaw puzzle that we had to put together again, says Sean Ellis, chairman of developer St James.

Precious wood panelling had to be numbered, removed, restored and reassembled. English Heritage will not accept false history, so anything that is reinstated has be as true to the original as possible.

Preston Hall, a Jacobean mansion near Aylesford, Kent, has a colourful history, not least as a secret love nest for Catherine Howard, the executed wife of Henry VIII. In Victorian times the house was enlarged by railway baron Edward Betts, and in the First World War it served as a hospital for traumatised soldiers. Later it became part of the NHS and was left empty in 2012. Now it is 36 apartments, where Weston Homes, the developer, has rescued historic features such as hammer-beamed ceilings, wood-panelled walls, stained-glass windows and coats of arms. The three-storey great hall with its original oak staircase, gallery and glass cupola is a communal space for residents.

Battersea Power Station: a new phase of homes has been unveiled with apartments priced from 1.2 million

Historic homes

The mansions network of tunnels and wine cellars, dating back to Tudor times, has been brought back into use. Even two cherished stone lions, sculpted in 1838 and later stolen from the estate, have been returned to their historic plinths at the entrance to the manor house, while a restored Versailles-style stone fountain with four mermaids is the focal point of the two-and-a-half-acre grounds.

Grade-I listed properties, the top heritage rating, are rare, comprising only 589, or about three per cent, of the 18,835 listed buildings in London. Of these only 54 are in residential use, including Buckingham Palace. Most are so cherished that conversion is forbidden by planners, or too daunting for developers to tackle.

In Mayfair, homes are being carved from blue plaque embassies and consulates. Handsome 20 Grosvenor Square, Dwight Eisenhowers military HQ during the Second World War and for decades the US Navys London home, is being converted into 41 luxury apartments, due for completion in 2018. Call developer Finchatton on 020 7349 1120.

Ten Trinity Square, former headquarters of the Port of London Authority, is a Beaux Arts masterpiece across the road from the Tower of London. The building, opened by prime minister David Lloyd George in 1922, is being converted into a deluxe hotel and 41 luxury flats. Recently it played a starring role in the James Bond movie Skyfall.

A Beaux Arts masterpiece: Ten Trinity Square has apartments starting from 5 million

Corinthian columns, original mouldings, oak panelling and a grand, sweeping staircase have been restored. The showpiece is a magnificent ballroom where the inaugural meeting of the United Nations was held in 1946. Prices for the apartments start at 5 million. Call Strutt & Parker on 020 7318 5198.

In the 1990s, closure of County Hall, which was then the seat of London government, paved the way for a generation of high-profile conversions that have helped to establish the South Bank as a top address, continuing now with redevelopment of the Shell Centre. Thirty Casson Square is the latest phase of this 790-home, five-acre project. The 29-storey tower is named after Sir Hugh Casson, director of architecture at the 1951 Festival of Britain, which put the area on the map as a highbrow cultural quarter. Two-bedroom apartments start at 1.2 million. Call 020 7001 3600.

South Bank Tower is a stylish refurbishment and extension of a nearby Sixties office skyscraper designed by architect Richard Seifert, better known for brutalist Centre Point. The tower now offers 173 flats priced from 1.8 million. Call CBRE on 020 7182 2477.

Concrete-clad

Few buildings in London are as conspicuous as 33-storey Centre Point, looming over a scruffy, traffic-clogged patch by Tottenham Court Road Tube, itself set to be transformed by a new Crossrail interchange.

The Pop Art skyscraper was listed in 1995 and is now being converted into 82 flats, with its distinctive concrete-clad exterior kept. A new public square will have shops, cafes and restaurants. Prices from 1,825,000. Call 020 7182 2477.

Listed Blake Tower is a former YMCA hostel, an original part of Barbican Estate, now being turned into 74 flats. Arguably, it offers Barbican lovers the best of both worlds: sleek, up-to-date interiors in a renovated wrapping. So prized is the concrete facade that English Heritage insists on five-year maintenance inspections.

Each flat retains an original bush-hammered concrete wall, while interior architects Conran + Partners have opted for a softer mix of white surfaces, bespoke joinery, concealed lighting, brass and terrazzo fittings and fixtures redolent of the Sixties. The original entrance lobby is being upgraded and a concierge reception installed.

Prices from 725,000. Call Redrow on 020 3538 3719.
Many of the restaurant industry's brightest young brands are seeking private equity partners in a search for rapid growth. Led by a founder's passion and capital commitment by private equity, this partnership has allowed for unprecedented growth with many brands serving as disruptors to the major chains. Done well, this dynamic duo can offer unprecedented results, but regrettably many founder-private equity relationships are turning adversarial due to a lack of clarity concerning how and when a founder should let go of the leadership reigns.

Regardless of industry, research reveals that over 85% of founders are "forced" to step down as CEO at a certain point in time. Watching this unfold first-hand we can tell you that often negative effects infect both the cohesiveness and effectiveness of senior leadership as well as the broader organizational culture when the transition is not handled with finesse. Without due consideration and tact, the atmosphere degrades from collaborative and optimistic to territorial and emotionally-charged  all leading to conflict, poor decision-making and stunted growth. To better understand and address the dilemma it is necessary for all senior team members and capital investors to recognize the very distinct competencies of a founder versus seasoned CEO.

Source: AETHOS Consulting Group

The "Right Brain" Founder Mindset

The mentality of a founder is similar to that of an artist striving to articulate and share their personal dreams and visions with others. Such creative types exude passion but also a host of other traits that can induce conflict. For instance, Professor yvind L. Martinsen at BI Norwegian Business School recently published a study in the Creativity Research Journal that validates the attributes we have seen in Founders during the course of our advisory work. This study found seven key traits of creative personalities:

Associative orientation: Imaginative, playful, have a wealth of ideas, ability to be committed, sliding transitions between fact and fiction.

Need for originality: Resists rules and conventions. Have a rebellious attitude because of a need to do things no one else does.

Motivation: Have a need to perform, goal- oriented, innovative attitude, stamina to tackle difficult issues.

Ambition: Have a need to be influential, attract attention and recognition.

Flexibility: Have the ability to see different aspects of issues and come up with optimal solutions.

Low emotional stability: Have a tendency to experience negative emotions, greater fluctuations in moods and emotional state, failing self-confidence.

Low sociability: Have a tendency not to be very considerate, are obstinate and find faults and flaws in ideas and people.

Also similar to what we have frequently observed with Founders, Professor Martinsen further noted that, "creative people are not always equally practical and performance-oriented." Fortunately, this is where professional CEOs can add value.

The "Left Brain" CEO Mindset

Based on the latest psychometric findings in AETHOS' book, The Loneliness of Leadership, it is clear that the CEO mindset markedly differs from that of a founder. It is tempting to characterize CEOs as purely left brain in their attitude and demeanor, but the reality is more nuanced. Today's CEOs are strong generalists and intellectual bridge-builders. This competency set promotes multi-tier thinking via an ability to appreciate and simultaneous mesh together big-picture strategy and critical details in execution and implementation. We believe top leaders show general competency across People, Execution and Cognitive skills, with noteworthy spikes in scores specific to Creativity and Sense of Humor." This translates to strengths in "Vision and Perspective."

Effective leaders today set a common mission, and combine that with optimism, charisma and playfulness  a leadership profile grounded in high emotional intelligence and an inclusive people perspective. Indeed, CEOs can be aspirational but usually with focused through the lens of ROI. Stated more plainly, "founders dream, while CEOs scheme."

The Solution  Operating as Two Halves of One Brain

Organizations in high-growth transition don't necessarily have to make the black-or-white decision of "moving forward or not with a founder." Instead, many case studies prove the theory that the big winners are companies that successfully appreciate and integrate the two mentalities to gain internal alignment, maximize resources, sharpen brand definition, and drive enterprise value. In the example of Chop't Creative Salad Company, Tony Shure and Colin McCabe were the founders and creative force and soul of the organization (right brain), while Nick Marsh joined them to be the strategic force of the organization and authority to execute the growth strategy (left brain). While implementation of this strategy can seem straight-forward, nothing is simple when the seemingly competing forces of passion, ego, intellect and intuition all collide.

It will be interesting to see how quickly and effectively the industry adapts to this unspoken dilemma between Founders and CEO mentalities. Many organizations facing this challenge will achieve alignment only via sharp injections of sobering reflections and frank conversations among founders, Boards and other senior leadership. This means that all stakeholders need to be self-aware, humble, transparent and empathetic. This is where most organizations currently fail without guidance and collective dedication around the simple and core principle of role allotment: Founders are the creative force and soul of organizations (right brain), while CEOs are the strategic force and authority of organizations (left brain).

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Airbnb, the world's leading community-driven hospitality company, has unveiled the next chapter in its mission to change the way people travel, offering an alternative to mass produced tourism. Beginning today, Airbnb is rolling out an updated app, with a range of new features, and launching a global brand campaign that will encourage people to change the way they experience the world around them.

With over two million homes, Airbnb is already one of the world's largest accommodation providers; more than 80 million people worldwide have already had a unique experience by staying in someone's home when they travel. Having opened the doors to homes around the world, these new developments will go further in helping travelers live like a local in the neighborhoods around them.

The newly updated Airbnb mobile app has personalization at its heart, created with a brand new design language. The new product includes an innovative matching system designed to understand travelers' preferences and then match them with the homes, neighborhoods and experiences that meet their needs. A new Guidebooks feature will unlock local insights, giving travelers access to millions of insider tips from Airbnb's global community of hosts.

Airbnb is also launching its largest brand campaign to date called Live There, designed in response to the growing dissatisfaction and disappointment with standardized tourist offerings that have become the hallmark of modern tourism.

In an online poll of US travelers commissioned by Airbnb, it becomes clear how much modern tourism misses the mark when it comes to globe-trotting. Respondents said they felt overwhelmed with the crowds at tourist attractions with people finding it as stressful as going to the dentist (48 percent) or doing their taxes (52 percent). Something is clearly missing from modern tourism as only a quarter (26 percent) of travelers felt their last vacation exceeded their expectations.

"The number one reason people chose to travel on Airbnb is they want to live like a local. They don't want to be tourists stuck in long lines, fighting with the crowds to see the same thing as everyone else," said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. "Our hosts offer more than just generic hospitality - they welcome travelers from around the world into their communities. Today is the start of an exciting journey to help people not just go somewhere, but truly live there."

Bespoke Matching

Travel is more than just seeing and doing. It's the feeling of truly living somewhere. With this launch, Airbnb has reengineered its search functionality to be more personalized for hosts and guests. When looking for homes, each traveler will see different results based on their unique preferences and the best match to a host. The new app starts a conversation with travelers about their ideal trip and, based on their preferences, Airbnb will reveal the hosts, homes, and neighborhoods that will give travelers a sense of truly living in a destination. The app is constantly learning and adapting to find out what types of properties a traveler is interested in from cabins to castles, the type of experience they want and will even prompt people with additional filters such as pools, price range, and other suggestions to create the perfect trip.

Get to Know Neighborhoods

The new app features an innovative neighborhood matching system that will find the right neighborhood to make any traveler feel like they are living like a local. Launching with 691 neighborhoods in 23 cities around the globe, Airbnb will showcase the spirit of a neighborhood through rich photography and content. When booking a trip to London for example, travelers who want to stay with their family somewhere residential might be matched with a neighborhood like Kensington. Or, if a traveler is looking for interesting nightlife, the system might match them to Soho or Camden.

Guidebooks - Authentic Recommendations

To help travelers break free of the limits of cookie-cutter travel, Airbnb is launching Guidebooks, created by Airbnb hosts, to showcase local tips on the very best their neighborhoods have to offer, including the best restaurants and bars, attractions, off the beaten track ideas and more. Instead of checking off a To Do list, Guidebooks help travelers find local gems not only in every city, but on every city block. Guidebooks give travelers a passport to local culture, such as how travelers should join local runners in Somerville, MA to enjoy a pint at Olde Magoun's Saloon.

Distinct Design

Airbnb offerings have always been on the forefront of design, and the reimagined app is no different. The new app is built with a proprietary Design Language System, which simplifies the process of developing features by giving designers ingredients to compose an app interface. The new system creates consistent, yet iconic designs that can enliven apps across all devices.

Introducing Live There - Airbnb's Largest, Global Brand Campaign

Airbnb is also launching its largest brand campaign to date called Live There. The new campaign throws out the notion that people want templated experiences that dull the senses and prevent people from seeing the world with a fresh perspective. Instead, Airbnb will inspire travelers to reimagine what it is to travel, showcasing the authentic and magical experiences made possible through Airbnb and its community of over two million homes. At the heart of the campaign is Airbnb's antidote to commoditized travel, including living in the heart of local neighborhoods, experiencing the hospitality and local expertise of hosts, and enjoying the comfort of every home.

The global campaign will launch today, April 19, and will feature :15, :30 and :60 second TV spots, as well as digital, out-of-home, and print creative. The spots will showcase Airbnb's community while contrasting standard tourism with the Airbnb experience and language that suggests that when people head to Paris, they don't just go to Paris, and don't tour Paris, but they instead live in Paris.

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals across over 220 countries and regions. Travel on Airbnb keeps more of the financial benefits of tourism with the people and places that make it happen. Airbnb has generated billions of dollars in earnings for Hosts, most of whom are individuals listing the homes in which they live. Among Hosts who report their gender, more than half are women, and one in five employed Hosts are either teachers or healthcare workers. Travel on Airbnb also has generated more than $4 billion in tax revenue around the world. Airbnb has helped advance more than 1,000 regulatory frameworks for short-term rentals, including in 80% of our top 200 geographies. In late 2020, to support our continued expansion and diversification, we launched the City Portal to provide governments with a one-stop shop that supports data sharing and compliance with local registration rules. We continue to invest in innovations and tools to support our ongoing work with governments around the world to advance travel that best serves communities.

About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc."s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org"s charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows Hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, Hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.
MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- Today, The Pinnacle Companies, in a joint venture with The Hampshire Companies and investment partner Circle Squared Alternative Investments, announced the groundbreaking of "The MC" hotel, the first full-service hotel to open in Montclair since the Hotel Montclair closed in 1938. Located at the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Orange Road, the 120,000-square-foot hotel will have 151 rooms and suites.

When open, the hotel will become part of the Autograph Collection, Marriott International's exclusive portfolio of independent hotels. The luxury boutique hotel will include a rooftop bar, farm-to-table restaurant, a 12,000 square foot conference and event space, as well as a public art atrium and plaza.

"Montclair has long been known as a cultural destination where visitors can experience the best in art, music and fine cuisine," said Montclair's Mayor Robert D. Jackson. "The MC boutique hotel will soon afford visitors and locals the opportunity to take advantage of all we have to offer with an extended stay at a world-class hotel in a culturally rich and vibrant community." Other features will include a covered porte-cochere entryway with valet parking, a lobby library, available board rooms and a state of the art fitness center. An express elevator will take visitors up to the rooftop bar offering panoramic views of Manhattan to the east and the Eagle Rock Reservation to the west. An outdoor public plaza connected to a two-story glass atrium creates a four-season gathering place for the community.

"We're delighted to break ground on this one-of-a-kind hotel that will create a new gateway to downtown Montclair," said Brian M. Stolar, President and CEO, The Pinnacle Companies. "The MC is the result of planning and coordination with Township leaders for over five years to create a new hospitality amenity for the public that will dramatically increase the economic vitality of the Township."

The MC hotel development team will work with the community to develop a wide range of cultural activities for the rooftop bar area, such as morning yoga, programs with Jazz House Kids and the Montclair Film Festival. The hotel will feature art exhibitions in the two-story art atrium. The MC hotel also expects to collaborate on numerous hospitality opportunities and events withMontclair State University, which has 20,000 students just 2.5 miles away.

"Montclair's rich history and culture is what drew us to this project and The MC hotel will be a destination that attracts visitors but will also emerge as a favorite place for locals to gather," said Norman A. Feinstein, Vice Chairman of The Hampshire Companies. "This iconic project would not have been possible without the tremendous support of Mayor Robert D. Jackson, members of Montclair's council, Circle Squared Alternative Investments, our investors, and our partner, The Pinnacle Companies, whose presence in Montclair and decades of development experience helped make this development a reality."

"The MC is truly an exciting opportunity and project. The town's energy and Marriott International selecting it as part of its renowned Autograph Collection portfolio showcases what a special place Montclair is to live and visit," said Jeffrey Sica, Founder and President, Circle Squared Alternative Investments. "Together The Hampshire Companies and The Pinnacle Companies will strive to bring this marquee project to life, becoming part of Montclair's rich history and community."

The MC will be located at the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and Orange Road on the western end of Montclair's central business district. An affluent suburb of New York City, Montclair is located approximately ten miles northwest of NewarkInternational Airport and 13 miles west of Manhattan.

The hotel is expected to be complete by early 2018.

For news and updates on the hotel follow The MC on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheMCmontclair) and Twitter (@theMCmontclair).

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,100 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy, its highly awarded travel program. Connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
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Compared with March 2015, the U.S. hotel industrys occupancy was nearly flat (-0.4% to 66.4%). However, average daily rate for the month was up 3.2% to US$124.37, and revenue per available room increased 2.7% to US$82.60.

The U.S. hotel industry reported mostly positive results in the three key performance metrics during March 2016, according to data from STR.

Compared with March 2015, the U.S. hotel industrys occupancy was nearly flat (-0.4% to 66.4%). However, average daily rate for the month was up 3.2% to US$124.37, and revenue per available room increased 2.7% to US$82.60.

After talking about the Easter shift and the corresponding softness in RevPAR, it finally happened, said Jan Freitag, STRs senior VP for lodging insights. But RevPAR was up 2.7%, and given that we started the year with +2.4% and +2.8% in January and February, respectively, the March data was really not that bad. Or maybe the data was only as bad as expected and not worse. Hitting expectations and not underperforming them is a good thing these days. Obviously, business travelers stayed away from the Easter weekend and group occupancy was down 9.6%.

Freitag also noted that RevPAR has now grown year over year for 73 consecutive months and that demand hit an all-time high for March with more than 1.2 million roomnights sold.

Among the Top 25 Markets, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia, recorded the only double-digit increase in occupancy (+10.5% to 58.7%) as well as the largest year-over-year increase in RevPAR (+17.5% to US$48.55). ADR in the market was up 6.3% to US$82.77.

Los Angeles/Long Beach, California, posted the only double-digit rise in ADR (+12.2% to US$172.01) and was the only other market to see double-digit RevPAR growth (+16.5% to US$147.17).

Overall, 16 of the Top 25 Markets reported an increase in RevPAR for the month.

Houston, Texas, experienced the steepest decline in occupancy (-9.6% to 69.2%) and the only double-digit drop in RevPAR (-10.7% to US$77.16). ADR in the market was down 1.3% to US$111.47.

Of the six markets to report a drop in ADR for the month, New Orleans, Louisiana (-2.4% to US$156.65), and Chicago, Illinois (-2.0% to US$121.98), reported the largest decreases in the metric.

It is worth pointing out that supply growth in the Top 25 Markets was +1.5%, so 50% higher than the rest of the U.S. (+1.0%), Freitag said. Demand grew 1.9% in the larger metros, and 11 of the Top 25 Markets had occupancies above 80%. Despite the large influx of rooms, the larger cities seem to be able to hold performance quite well, and their ADR increased 3.6%. This increase is much healthier than the rest of the U.S., where ADRs only increased 2.8%.

View monthly U.S. hotel performance review

About STR

STR provides clients from multiple market sectors with premium, global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 10 countries around the world with a corporate North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and an international headquarters in London, England. For more information, please visit str.com.
Mvenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Tahlia to Open 2017 in Jeddah

Movenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Tahlia will be located next to Jameel Square, a Grade-A office building also developed by the Hadia Abdul Latif Jameel Group, that is occupied by local and multinational blue-chip corporate tenants.

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts (MHR) has revealed plans to open its first hotel and apartment property in Jeddah in 2017 in a bid to meet strong demand for branded extended-stay accommodation in Saudi Arabia's booming seaport city.

The Swiss hospitality firm has signed an agreement with prominent real estate and investment company, Hadia Abdul Latif Jameel Group, to manage the 164-unit Movenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Tahlia Jeddah, which will command a sought-after location on Hail Street, close to Jeddah's major commercial, financial, consular and shopping districts.

With the modern-day corporate traveller in mind, the property, part of a high-profile mixed-use development, features predominantly suites, an all-day-dining outlet, a casual fine-food Indian restaurant, a gym with two spa treatment rooms, and four meeting rooms.

"It's a flexible hotel and apartment model that caters to both short- and long-stay clients, capitalising on the gap in the market for branded extended-stay accommodation," explained Mr. Andreas Mattmuller, Chief Operating Officer, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts Middle East and South Asia.

Movenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Tahlia will be located next to Jameel Square, a Grade-A office building also developed by the Hadia Abdul Latif Jameel Group, that is occupied by local and multinational blue-chip corporate tenants.

"This modern property with its prime location and efficient design, will provide Jeddah's growing corporate community with a fresh new concept that caters to their business and leisure needs right on their doorstep." added Mr. Osama Al Haddad, President, Hadia Abdul Latif Jameel Group.

Signing Movenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Tahlia helps to consolidate MHR's position as a market leader in Jeddah where the company currently operates two properties, but now has three pipelined, taking its total number of keys in the city to 923 across five hotels by 2018.

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts plans to increase its KSA footprint by one-third, from a current 10 properties (3,907 keys) to 15 (5,204) by 2018. Upcoming projects include Movenpick Hotel City Star Jeddah, opening this year, Movenpick Residences Al Khobar (2017), Movenpick Hotel Financial District Riyadh (2017) and Movenpick Hotel Heraa Jeddah (2018).
Auberge Resorts Collection announced yesterday that C. Scott Rohm will join the company as Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Rohm will oversee global operations and ensure the performance of the collections existing resorts and residences continues to uphold best-in-class standards. Rohm also will play a key role in the curating of new hotels and resorts as the company expands.

With extensive experience at leading international hospitality brands, Scott will bring practiced acumen to our Auberge family, said Reid. His impressive track record of business and brand development and his passion for organizational culture will make him a valuable leader as we continue to grow."

Rohm joins Auberge Resorts Collection with more than 30 years of hospitality and development experience. He most recently served as President of SH Group, a start-up brand and management affiliate of Starwood Capital Group. While there, he led the launches of high-profile hotels such as Baccarat New York, 1 Hotel Central Park, 1 Hotel South Beach and the pre-opening development of four additional hotels. His responsibilities also included the recruitment of senior leadership at each hotel, employee development and public relations efforts.

Prior to joining SH Group, Rohm served as President of Turnberry Hotel Group in Florida, where he led the development of corporate culture and introduced strategic-planning and quality systems across the nine-hotel portfolio. He earlier served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Partner at West Paces Hotel Group (currently Capella Hotel Group).

Rohm holds a Bachelor of Science Hotel and Restaurant Management degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Properties in the Auberge Resorts Collection include: Auberge du Soleil and Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley, Calif.; Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Hotel Jerome, Aspen, Colo.; Malliouhana, Anguilla; Nanuku, Fiji; The Auberge Residences at Element 52, Telluride, Colo.; Hacienda AltaGracia, Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica; VieVage, Napa Valley; VieVage, Los Cabos; and Auberge Beach Residences and Spa Fort Lauderdale, with several others in development.
The West Sands Resort and Villas in Phuket

The West Sands Resort and Villas in Thailand's Phuket has attracted strong investment interest from Singapore, Hong Kong and Mainland China since it was put for sale earlier this month, according to JLL Hotels and Hospitality, who is leading the sale.

The West Sands Resort and Villas in Thailand's Phuket has attracted strong investment interest from Singapore, Hong Kong and Mainland China since it was put for sale earlier this month, according to JLL Hotels and Hospitality, who is leading the sale.

The only resort on the Island with it own Integrated Water Park, the West Sands Resort and Villas occupies a prime freehold 113 Rai or 18 hectare beachfront site at Mai Khao Beach near the newly expanded Phuket International airport.

"The strongest interest to date has been from Singapore, Hong Kong and Mainland China as well as domestic Thai groups who know better than anyone the scarcity of West Coast beach front real estate in Phuket," says Mike Batchelor, Managing Director of JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group. "The potential to secure a Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) privilege, which would allow 100-percent foreign ownership of the hotel and the land, was also of great appeal to the foreign investors reviewing the opportunity."

"The enquiries signaled the healthy investment appetite for hotel assets in Asia Pacific," he adds.

The master-planned resort, with its large land holdings, provides numerous expansion opportunities for both the existing hotel and waterpark with the original plans for a development of up to 1,000 keys. The hotel asset currently has 575 keys. The site could be further developed to include condominiums and villas, fractional or vacation ownership or a senior living component.

According to Batchelor, the completion of the new airport terminal in June will be a game changer for the popular Island resort destination. Phuket currently has direct flights to 14 countries and 43 cities around the world, including 19 cities in China and has been operating at capacity for some time. The new terminal, which is scheduled to open later this year, will be able to handle five million additional passengers annually. It is expected to ease passenger traffic at the airport, which has been handling 6.5 million passengers annually - twice the number for which it has been designed.

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and its tourism industry has benefitted from increased international arrivals, in particular those from Mainland China. Chinese inbound arrivals into Thailand have grown at a rate of 47.7 percent annually over the last five years.

"The Tourism Authority of Thailand aims to further grow arrivals to Phuket by targeting first time visitors from established European markets as well as emerging Eastern European countries. We expect visitors arrivals to increase, facilitated by the expansion of the airport," says Batchelor.
Riviera will be hitting screens in 2017

Sky Atlantic have confirmed details of Riviera, a sumptuous thriller set in the South of France, which is co-written by Neil Jordan and John Banville and based on an idea from former U2 manager Paul McGuinness.

The 10-parter stars Jason Bourne and Dexter actress Julia Stiles who enthuses: What attracted me to Riviera is the setting, a romantic and glamorous world where not everything is as it seems, and the opportunity to explore a character who is also not as she appears. Georgina is the classic anti-hero, ultimately a good person, but compromised by the corruption around her."

Adds Skys Head of Drama, Anne Mensah: Neil Jordan has created the most audacious show in the most exquisite and luxurious of settings. We couldnt have asked for a more perfect actress for the role of Georgina than Julia Stiles. This show is the perfect thriller for a Sky Atlantic audience  ambitious, compelling and clever. Quite simply, you wont have seen anything like it on television before.

According to the press blurb: Georgina (Julia Stiles) is newly married to billionaire Constantine Clios when he is killed in a yacht explosion. She is shocked to discover the fortune that maintained his immaculate, ever-so-tasteful lifestyle is tainted with dishonesty, double-dealing, crime, and ultimately murder.

Helped by Constantines first wife, Georgina will undergo an education in lying, double-dealing, outright theft and shocking criminality. She has to learn fast to maintain the Clios mansion and save the family from its enemies and from itself. Hiding her bloodstained fingers inside Chanel gloves, she soon reveals herself to be an A-plus student in the brutal art of survival.

Premiering in 2017, Riviera will be shot this summer with Generation War and SSGB man Phillip Kadelbach directing.
Prepare to wallow in classic Britpop nostalgia!

Britpop legends Space do the resurrection shuffle when they bring their Give Me Your Future tour to the Empire, Belfast (May 6) and the Grand Social, Dublin (7).

Expect to hear such massive hits as Female Of The Species, Neighbourhood and The Ballad Of Tom Jones plus tunes from Attack Of The Mutant 50ft Kebab, the Liverpudlians first album for nine years.
Ten years ago, as the second wave of Brit-pop reached its zenith, The Kooks were at the top of the pile, being feted with all manner of accolades and gongs, including MTV and Brit Awards. The previous couple of years had been a whirlwind rollercoaster of success for the band, who formed when they met at Croydons famed Brit School.

Named after a track on David Bowies Hunky Dory album, the Brighton lads traded defiantly and unashamedly in classic pop, releasing a brace of catchy, melodic, indie-lite anthems, storming the charts for several years over. Their two million selling debut album, Inside In/Inside Out, featured instantly hummable hits such as Naive, Ooh La and arguably their most recognisable chart-topper, She Moves In Her Own Way. Their second album, Konk, named appropriately after the studio owned by Kinks legend Ray Davies, consolidated that success, debuting at number one while the band became regular festival headliners throughout Europe.

It seemed like the perfect rock n roll dream come true but looking back at those heady days frontman Luke Prichard is more than a little philosophical.
Iran is putting Saudi Arabia's brash young prince to the test, and how he reacts will reverberate through the energy markets.

Russia, Saudi Arabia and 16 other major oil producers gathered in Qatar on Sunday to signal they would freeze oil production at January levels and hopefully boost prices. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi was a key negotiator of the draft plan, so the deal to exempt Iran from the freeze seemed assured.

After a 12-hour meeting, though, the deal fell apart. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak blamed Saudi Arabia for shifting positions at the last minute and demanding that Iran stop increasing its oil exports. Iran's oil minister, Bijan Zanganeh, rejected the demand, saying that Saudi Arabia was asking Iran to put economic sanctions on itself.

The Saudis' last-minute turnabout was ordered by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Blowing up the deal at the last minute was just the latest power play by the Saudi king's 30-year-old son, who has generated a reputation for bold, and some say rash, decision-making. Salman was also the architect of Saudi's disastrous invasion of Yemen.

After a little more than a year in power, Salman is breaking the mold of the discreet, inscrutable Saudi royal who quietly plays the long game without making waves. His more muscular foreign policy, and his enmity toward Iran, do not bode well for the region's politics or the oil business.

Salman undermined his oil minister by announcing Saudi Arabia's new position in an interview with Bloomberg News while al-Naimi was headed to Doha. The collapse of the Doha talks is proof that the 81-year-old al-Naimi is no longer in charge of oil policy and that a generational leadership transition is underway.

More surprisingly, though, Salman claimed that Saudi Arabia could boost production by 1 million barrels a day immediately if it wished and add another 1 million barrels a day by the end of the year without much effort. The current surplus of 1 million barrels a day has kept global prices below the cost of production for most companies, so Salman's threat to add another 2 million barrels a day has three far-reaching implications:

Iran has said it won't agree to a production freeze at January levels because that was before international sanctions were lifted. Tehran wants to boost exports by 1 million barrels a day by year's end to regain the market share it held before sanctions cut exports in 2012. Its plan is to meet the increase in demand that is forecast for 2016 as U.S. producers go offline due to low prices.

Salman is suggesting that Saudi could keep prices below levels that would allow Iranian and U.S. oil companies to resume production and independently accommodate any increase in global demand.

He is signaling he will use oil price as a weapon against Iran, even if it threaten's Saudi's economy and plunges OPEC members Venezuela and Nigeria into chaos. Many experts will question whether Saudi really can add 2 million barrels a day to the market, but simply making the claim is both politically provocative and could suppress prices rather than boost them.

Global markets will be watching Saudi to see if Salman boosts production to compete with Iran for Asian oil contracts.

After decades of watching the Saudi royal family, it's hard to imagine the older generation acting so brazenly and with disregard for markets and traditional allies. Rumors persist that Salman's father, the king, suffers from chronic health problems and has given his son an enormous amount of authority, which would explain the sudden shift in policy and tone.

President Barack Obama will get a chance to ask the king and his son about their strategy toward Iran and the oil markets in a private meeting on Wednesday. The next day, Obama and the Saudis will attend a summit with the leaders of other Sunni gulf countries to discuss how to deal with political extremists and Iran.

Obama is at a disadvantage. Islamic State Group and al-Qaeda have triangulated regional interests by layering politics, sectarianism and ethnicity in a way that creates conflicting priorities that prevent coordinated action on oil or anything else.

Arab leaders fear the extremists, who seek to overthrow the royal families. But those same leaders must accommodate the Sunni clerics and wealthy citizens who support those groups fighting in Syria and Libya. Arab leaders will publicly denounce the extremists to please the United States, but then fail to take any substantive action against them.

Iran, meanwhile, has deployed troops to Iraq and Syria, where they fight the extremist groups that are dedicated to exterminating the Shiite branch of Islam. That leaves Salman to decide which is the greater threat, the extremists or Iran, which is seeking greater regional influence.

Obama will spend much of his time trying to convince Arab leaders that the deal to ease sanctions on Iran is not a betrayal, and that Middle East cooperation is not a zero-sum game.

But that will be a hard sale to Salman, who prioritizes hurting Iran over fighting extremists or boosting the price of oil.

Oil prices did not plummet following the diplomatic dust-up on Sunday because traders are focused on the fundamentals of rig count, production totals and demand curves. But Salman's rejection of the Doha agreement signals that geopolitics will play a greater role in oil markets than it has for the last 18 months.

The events in Doha are a warning that personalities can have a big impact on oil prices, and Saudi Arabia has a new leader who is not afraid to act unpredictably.
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TOWANDA, Pa. - Jami Patel spends long hours behind the front desk of a nearly empty motel, desperate for someone, anyone, to check in. Hardly anyone ever does, not since the once-booming natural gas industry pulled up stakes amid a prolonged, severe slump in energy prices.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold on," lamented Patel, 43. "If it continues like this, the business is going to be dead."

That's the last outcome Patel would have envisioned after she and her husband spent more than $1 million on renovations a few years back.

Times were good then; the 50-room Rodeway Inn was routinely filled with some of the legions of gas workers who helped turn Pennsylvania from a bit energy player into the nation's No. 2 natural gas-producing state, after Texas.

But with the number of rigs drilling for oil and gas falling to all-time lows across the nation last week, Patel and other residents and business owners in Pennsylvania's vast Marcellus Shale gas field are adjusting to life after the boom - while hoping for the eventual return of an industry that pumped billions of dollars into the economy.

When they were here, the drillers made a lot of people feel flush.

Landowners with mineral rights commanded signing bonuses of thousands of dollars per acre. Landlords hiked rents. Restaurants were packed. Even the craft store had to add staff as the gas industry's impact rippled throughout Towanda, a northeastern Pennsylvania town in the heart of the gas region.

The drilling frenzy came with its share of headaches, too. Drillers contaminated some residential water wells with methane, traffic was horrendous and some locals complained that most of the rig jobs went to out-of-state workers.

But there's no dispute that shale gas was good for business.

"It got really crazy around here for quite a while, quite a few years. A good crazy," said Angie Maynard-Cott, 61.

The self-described "cleaning lady" once got so many calls from drilling workers that she had to take her phone off the hook. The rig guys would give her $100 to clean a "little bitty trailer," she said, and another $75 to do their laundry.

Those big-spending workers are mostly gone now, and it's back to the way it was before.

"I could go shopping for clothes any time I wanted to, and now, all the sudden, I'm thinking 'Eh, I better not go to Peebles today. I better be careful,' " Maynard-Cott said.

Their story is playing out everywhere the drillers are leaving or have left, places in Texas, Wyoming, North Dakota and Oklahoma, where there have been massive job layoffs at energy company headquarters.

The natural gas downturn has blown a big hole in the Pennsylvania budget, leading to funding cuts to schools, prisons and other services.

In Pennsylvania, state and local revenues from an "impact fee" assessed on drillers are projected to fall 17 percent.
UnitedHealth Group made good on a threat and announced it was withdrawing all its 2017 health insurance offerings from the Affordable Care Act's exchanges in most states, including Texas.

Stephen Helmsley, CEO of the nation's largest health insurer, said in an earnings call to investors on Tuesday that the company would only operate in a "handful" of states next year because of losses it had sustained in the individual market in exchange plans.

The Minnesota-based company has predicted it will lose $650 million this year on the exchanges.

"The smaller overall market size and shorter-term, higher-risk profile within this market segment continue to suggest we cannot broadly serve it on an effective and sustained basis," Helmsley told investors. "We will not carry financial exposure from exchanges into 2017," he added.

The insurer would not specify where it will halt exchange plans but an April 15 letter to the Texas Department of Insurance obtained by the Houston Chronicle confirms UnitedHealth will be leaving the state as of Jan. 1, 2017.

"We will be requesting additional details on their plans to withdraw," said Ben Gonzalez, a spokesman for the state's insurance department.

Neither UnitedHealth nor the Texas Department of Insurance would disclose how many customers stood to lose plans in Texas.

However, a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis shows that UnitedHealth plans are currently being offered this year in 30 Texas counties.

Cynthia Cox, associate director for health reform and private insurance at Kaiser, said it does not appear UnitedHealth has a significant footprint in Texas and was not typically one of the lower cost options.

More striking, she said, is that the exit could dramatically reduce competition between remaining insurers and potentially drive prices up as choices go down, especially in rural areas.

Once UnitedHealth leaves Texas, 10 of the 30 counties would be left with only one or two choices of insurance company, her analysis shows.

The company is the nation's overall largest health insurer but has never had a strong presence in the ACA exchanges, entering them later than competitors. It covers only 795,000 out of the roughly 13 million who have signed up for exchange plans in 2016.

But when Helmsley warned his company might pull out of the exchange entirely last November, it sent shock waves through the health care industry.

Policy watchers called the threat a symbol of the growing unhappiness insurers felt toward the ACA individual market as they lose money insuring people who are sicker and use more health services.

The ACA mandates insurers can no longer deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.

So far, it is the only large carrier to announce it will leave the marketplaces in multiple states.

The Obama administration down played the exit. Ben Wakena, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement that millions have obtained insurance through the exchanges, which are "a growing business for insurers."

He added that, "The marketplace should be judged by the choices it offers consumers, not the decisions of any one insurer."

The company reported Tuesday its net income climbed to $1.61 billion in the first quarter, with adjusted earnings totaling $1.81 per share.
A college student speaking in Arabic on a cellphone is the latest victim of the biases of Southwest Airlines employees, according to the New York Times.

A Southwest flight attendant ordered Khairuldeen Makhzoomi off a flight from Los Angeles to Oakland on April 6, the senior at the University of California at Berkley said. He had called an uncle in Baghdad to brag about seeing U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Makhzoomi said the attendant interrogated him about why he was speaking Arabic, and when the student complained about anti-Islamic bias, the attendant turned him over to the FBI.

The official comment from Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Brandy King is what stumps me. She said the company was unable to comment on the conduct of individual employees, but does not condone or tolerate discrimination.

That's funny, since Dallas-based Southwest Airlines prides itself on the autonomy enjoyed by employees "to do the right thing." But those employees have a habit of allowing their personal biases to influence who they throw off airplanes.

Three days before the Los Angeles incident, another Southwest attendant kicked a Muslim woman off a plane in Chicago for switching seats with another passenger. Since the airline does not have assigned seating, the move is likely tied to her traditional headscarf.

Speaking a foreign language or wearing religious clothing are not the only things that can get you taken off a Southwest flight. You have to also meet the attendant's standard for modesty, since several women have been denied permission to board because they exposed too much cleavage.

Also, t-shirts with profanity will get passengers removed.

In 2011, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant tossed lesbian television star and rock singer Leisha Hailey off a plane for kissing her girlfriend. After that incident, Salon.com asked, Does Southwest Airlines Overpolice Its Passengers?

The better question is whether Southwest polices employees enough. There is a disturbing pattern of empowered Southwest workers allowing their biases to decide who flies and who doesn't.

Be careful criticizing Southwest employees, though. Last year, a Southwest gate attendant in Denver took a passenger off a plane until he agreed to delete a tweet complaining about her.
SAN ANTONIO - H-E-B is joining the growing number of major U.S. grocery chains that are moving toward selling only cage-free eggs - eventually.

The San Antonio-based grocery chain quietly announced last week that it is working toward selling only cage-free eggs by 2025. It's following the lead of competitors such as Brookshire's, Kroger and Wal-Mart, which announced two weeks ago that it also plans to make the transition by 2025.

"H-E-B will continue to work closely with suppliers to move toward 100% cage-free eggs by 2025, provided we have adequate supply, sufficient consumer demand and pricing is affordable for our customers," the company said in a posting on its website Friday.

"We recognize that the transition costs for our egg farmers to migrate to cage-free systems are significant and will require time to implement," H-E-B says on its website.

Animal rights groups such as Mercy for Animals and the Humane Society of the United States have been pressuring H-E-B to switch to cage-free eggs only. Such eggs have also grown in popularity amid growing public concern over antibiotic use in commercial egg production as well as increasing distaste for the living conditions of hens highlighted in documentaries like the 2005 film "Earthlings."

H-E-B's policy on its egg suppliers has been under review for at least seven years as consumers increasingly demanded and were willing to pay higher prices for cage-free eggs, H-E-B spokeswoman Dya Campos said.

Maintaining the affordability of eggs is a priority for the grocer, however, and cage-free eggs are more expensive than standard eggs, she said.

"We made the commitment to study this and move in this direction by 2025 as long as it doesn't impact the affordability of eggs for Texans," she said. Eggs are an important source of protein for many families, and some food assistance programs, like the Women, Infants and Children program, don't cover the cost of cage-free eggs in Texas, she said.

The Humane Society notified the company that it planned to run an ad Tuesday in H-E-B's hometown newspaper, the San Antonio Express-News, criticizing the company's practices, said Matthew Prescott, the organization's senior director of food policy. The ad, which didn't run, called the company "one of the only major grocery chains in America that's allowing its egg suppliers to continue locking chickens in cages indefinitely."

Mercy for Animals also ran ads on Facebook criticizing H-E-B's egg policy, handed out leaflets in front of the chain's stores in the U.S. and Mexico and started a petition on Change.org.

Company executives never met with either group, Campos said, adding that the policy change wasn't a result of their campaigns. "The change of the wording on our website has nothing to do with this group," she said. "They probably took notice to that yesterday and are trying to take credit for it today."
Residents were being evacuated Wednesday from a flooded areas in north Harris County.

The evacuations began about 7:30 a.m. at the One Westfield Lake Apartments at 2800 Hirschfield near Aldine Westfield Road, according to Harris County fire officials. The complex is near the rain-swollen Schultz Gully and not far from Spring Creek.

About 6 feet of water stood in the complex parking lot Wednesday morning after floodwaters began slowly rising during the last few days. Firefighters from as far as Austin helped the National Guard and local fire departments ferry the residents to safety in boats and high-profile trucks.

Officials said between 70 and 100 people needed evacuation. Many of them were taken to a nearby shelter to get help.

Other residents were ferried to safety Wednesday from their flooded neighborhoods just north of FM 1960 and just west of Interstate 45 not far from Cypress Creek.

The residents at One Westfield Apartments had watched the floodwaters rising slowly for the last few days at the complex. They had waded through the shallow water and stayed in their apartments. Good Samaritans had helped them. But by Wednesday they knew it was time to leave.

Sofia Hart, a 29-year-old bartender, said she got to her apartment about 3 a.m. Monday. By the time she woke up at 7 a.m., the entire parking lot had flooded. But she remained.

"We've just been having a hard time," she said with a smile.

Hart said she waded through the water on Tuesday to visit a friend who also lives in the complex. On Wednesday, she pondered the rising water, planning her next move and how she could get back to her apartment to pick up her dog, a French chihuahua named Tiny.

"I'm about to walk back in and get my dog,"she said. "I'm not going to let it starve."

While residents had hoped to ride out the flooding at the complex, volunteers brought them groceries and other supplies.

Jacqueline Moreno, 34, was among those who helped the stranded residents. A teacher at nearby Hirsch Elementary School, she had received a phone call from the parents of one of her students who told her the family had no food.

"We waded in and found out what they needed," Moreno said.

She said she and others found other students and helped bring them food as well.

"A lot of students were scared, and needed supplies. Once they saw food and water, it calmed them down a little," Moreno said.

As the residents were evacuated Wednesday, District Chief Kevin Wiseman of the Spring Fire Department warned them not to brave the floodwaters to return to their apartments.

"I simply don't have the resources," Wiseman said. "If you want to go, now is the time."

READ MORE: Rain begins hitting flooded areas of Houston again

The rescue effort comes a day after people were evacuated Tuesday when they became stranded in rising floodwaters at two apartment complexes and a motel near swollen Cypress Creek in northwest Harris County. Also on Tuesday, residents were evacuated from an assisted-living center in north Harris County when floodwaters rose around the building.

HIGH WATER: Take a look at which roadways are still flooded

More flooding may be possible Wednesday as thunderstorms are expected to drench the Houston region, according to the National Weather Service. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday.
You walk a gangplank of sorts to enter The Durham House. Narrow, undulant, this aerial pathway climbs alongside the wood-frame Heights cottage, with an errant horsetail fern or three poking through its skinny wooden slats.

In the old days, this gangplank led to the suitably raffish Floyd's, the unpretentious seafood joint run by everybody's favorite Cajun bad boy, Floyd Landry. Later, it ushered diners into the similarly casual Mardi Gras Grill and Woodrow's.

Since October, this memorable entryway has landed in a posher, pricier world of whitewashed pales and pearly grays, set with glossy white metal chairs that are chic, if not comfortable. The bar serves ambitious cocktails these days, and the menu lists entrees priced mostly in the $30 range. Floyd's devotees might roll their eyes, but this unrepentant Floyd's fan is here to tell you that the food by chef Mike McElroy has deep Creole soul to go with its modern chef-bro swagger.

About that swagger: With its bent for charcuterie, mighty meats, fermentation and Gulf Coast traditions, The Durham House's closest Houston equivalents are Southern Goods and Randy Rucker's Bramble. At their best, McElroy's dishes more than hold their own in such company.

More Information (no stars) restaurant cannot be recommended at this time. x a good restaurant that we recommend. xx very good; one of the best restaurants of its kind. xxx excellent; one of the best restaurants in the city. xxxx superlative; can hold its own on a national stage. The Durham House xx 1200 Durham 713-864-5600 Hours: L&D: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday; brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday Credit cards: all major Prices: starters $7-$18; entrees $29-$37; (lunch $25 for 3 courses prix fixe, $7-$18 a la carte); desserts $7-$9 Reservations: taken; walk-ins welcome Noise level: quiet to moderate thedurhamhouse.com See More Collapse

His tempura-fried smoked cauliflower alone is a game-changer for that humble vegetable: the smoke flavor clear as a temple bell, the fry job graceful, the spunky remoulade sauce a model of the genre. And McElroy's stewed rabbit gets a brilliant sauce picante treatment, its meat tender on its bed of andouille-spiked jambalaya, its sauce a jumpy meld of tomato and peppery spice.

McElroy's work in the postage-stamp kitchen at D&T icehouse a couple of years ago reminded me of a savvy backwoods camp cook, with smart touches that conjured up his experience at New Orleans restaurants including Cochon, Herbsaint and Commander's Palace. So I was delighted when he took over the Durham House kitchen in January after the departure of the opening chef, and curious to see how this tall, bearded fellow with the full-sleeve tattoos and big motorcycle would fit into young restaurateur Raj Natarajan's upscale vision.

Surprisingly well, it turns out. An offering or two seems strained, like the fried bone marrow "tots" with frisee salad that are such a hilarious idea, but that arrived one night too solid inside, with none of the shivery quality that is well-rendered marrow's great lure. A crab salad with pickled mirlitons (aka chayote squash, or vegetable pear) would have been a huge hit with some tweaking: fresher crab and a bit less of the edgy mirliton would have played better with the dish's lively fresh mint, preserved Meyer lemon and cured egg yolk.

But there's no denying the mastery of McElroy's scallop appetizer, in which satin-rich disks of the mollusk are fried to a deft bronzy crunch, set upon a gentle green-pea puree, and surrounded by a tumble of roasted turnip and potato cubes treated like some sublime species of hash browns. Add a jitter of beurre blanc laced with old-school green peppercorns, and it adds up to a dish that this particular scallop skeptic could eat again and again.

I feel the same about McElroy's seafood gumbo, a thin wild glossy potion as dark as midnight, with peppery spice and umami for days - not to mention perfectly dewy curls of shrimp and crawfish, added at just the right moment. Whether by the ample cupful or by the bowl, this stuff is major league.

So is the lavender-smoked duck breast dish on the new spring menu: the tall squares of rare duck capped with snappy, well-rendered skin, escorted by silky little cubes of crisp-edged semolina pudding, and given a double whammy of tart blood orange puree plus a squiggle of burnt caramel scented with star anise. Together with intense local mushrooms, it all works in concert to produce one of the very best duck dishes in the city.

I wanted to love the cane-brined smoked pork chop with red-eye gravy - a fine idea - but it came to the table too dry and overcooked last month. (On the spring menu, the chop comes with maque chop, roasted pipettes, apple-onion jam and shallots fried in Crystal hot sauce, which demand to be tasted. So I hold out hope.) Yet it's all too easy to overcook fried whole fish, and that same evening the kitchen handled a whole snapper with aplomb, sending it out standing upright and scored, crisp-skinned and pearly inside, lit up by a simple beurre blanc.

Charcuterie options are as big and bold as McElroy's style would suggest, including a lamb headcheese and a country-boy crepinette of "blood boudin" (boudin noir) with picked tomato. My favorite is the lush coppa di testa of rolled and cured meat from the pig's head. Sliced very thin and rimmed with delicious fat, it is dressed with Texas olive oil, sea salt and a piercing arrow of pickled watermelon. I ordered it twice, just to see if lightning could strike twice.

It could.

Can't do charcuterie? Pull a seat up to the bar for market-priced oysters on the half shell and a glass of Cremant from the interesting wine list superintended by the dapper Natarajan, who is usually on hand to help guests with their choices. The main list is augmented by delightfully long rosters of by-the-glass special features, all served at cellar temperatures and in good condition, thanks to an argon replacement system. It's a treat to order a glass of white Chateauneuf du Pape, or a glass of gorgeous Barolo, without having to commit to a whole bottle. The specials change frequently, and they're a real plus.

The thoughtful, carefully made cocktails are, too, on a list founded by Aaron Lara and carried on in style by James Caronna. Service is amiable and attentive, if occasionally a little green; and there is a real sense of welcome at the door, whether they know you or not. I've seen everybody here from a formally dressed couple toasting in the dining room to a bunch of Harris County Democrats celebrating "Equal Pay Day" (hurrah to that) on the covered porch, from barstool snackers to serious multicourse diners.

Okay, maybe the desserts need some polishing up (pot de creme stiff from the refrigerator cannot be redeemed by a frisky note of ancho chile), but Meyer lemon mousse had a nice bite, and foie-gras-tinged semifreddo with an unctuous blob of chocolate ganache showed a sense of humor.

I get the sense that McElroy is just getting started here, and that any rough edges will smooth out over time. His half-shell oysters with pickled strawberry may need just a slice, not a whole pavement of the invigorating berries, but the fun is there - just as it is with half-shells splashed with white sangria vinaigrette; or spangled with herby, pickled mustard seeds. All of them make me want to see what's next.
AUSTIN -- A comprehensive review of safety and security at the University of Texas' flagship campus that was ordered after the first murder on campus in 50 years will be complete in August, UT President Gregory Fenves has announced.

In a statement, Fenves said the Texas Department of Public Safety is expected to complete by fall the first overall examination of security -- covering everything from electronic security systems and keys to campus lighting and security video systems to the role and activities of security personnel.
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The stereotype is so old that its enmeshed in popular culture: College students arrive on campus to find a surplus of food  enough for food fights in dining halls or to pack on the infamous freshman 15.

But lately, college administrators have discovered that some of their students face a different reality. Many are struggling to find enough to eat.

As a result, universities across the state have begun offering a different kind of meal option. All-you-can-eat dining halls are still a mainstay for students who can afford them. But now, campuses are also opening free food pantries to serve their needier students.

In recent years, at least 14 colleges in Texas and hundreds across the country have opened food pantries, according to the College and University Food Bank Alliance. They range from big public schools like Texas Tech University and the University of North Texas to community colleges like Tarrant County College and Amarillo College. Most were created after administrators or students realized that food insecurity was a growing problem at their schools.

We want our kids to go to college, but a lot of them cant afford nutritional and healthy foods, said Ashlee Taylor, a graduate student at Texas Tech who worked with classmates to open a pantry there this semester.

The reasons for opening them vary, but many campus officials cited two key factors. For one, the average cost of tuition and fees has increased more than 95 percent statewide since 2004, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Meanwhile, the number of college students from low-income families has grown. Many of those students get all or part of their tuition paid for, but with little or no financial support from their families, they struggle to keep up with other living expenses.

Often, when choosing between paying for a meal or paying for tuition, healthy eating habits will be sacrificed.

A lot of students are pretty much just one step away from being food insecure because there is not much of a cushion there, said Debra Reed, a professor of nutritional sciences at Texas Tech.

At the University of North Texas, the office of the dean of students opened a food pantry a little over a year ago after noticing a number of students were skipping meals. Some were attending school while homeless  they couch surfed in friends living rooms to get by, said Associate Dean of Students Rodney Mitchell.

Our stance here at UNT is that, with all of our students, we want to address all their needs, Mitchell said.

The pantry at UNT is similar to most of the others in the state. It is set up in a small room within the student union. Students can set an appointment or show up during open hours to pick through canned or dry foods, plus personal hygiene products and bottled water. There are no refrigerators, so fresh or frozen foods arent available.

This academic year, students have visited the pantry about 500 times, Mitchell said.

Many of the pantries are supplied by donations and staffed by volunteers. Maintaining them costs little, if anything. But their operations can provide a lifeline for students who may otherwise have to halt their education.

The Texas Tech pantry opened last month and mostly caters to international students. Those students, many of whom come from Asia, are unfamiliar with the culinary offerings of Lubbock. Some have families that they need to feed but have visas that dont allow them to work off-campus jobs.

Most graduate students make well below the poverty level, said Taylor, who is president of the Techs Graduate Student Advisory Council.

But as the pantries proliferate, their creators say they still need to work on convincing students to use them. Students may feel embarrassed or believe that struggling to put food on the table is a rite of passage for people in college.

They need to understand that eating enough and staying healthy will help them succeed, said Catie McCorry-Andalis, dean of students at the University of Texas at El Paso, which opened a pantry about a year ago. And the food banks try to discretely give them that help, she said.

We need to make sure that there are virtually no obstacles and barriers to a student pursuing their education, McCorry-Andalis said.

Matthew Watkins writes about higher education and the business of college sports for the Texas Tribune. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://www.texastribune.org/2016/04/19/college-costs-rise-texas-schools-open-food-pantrie/.

Disclosure: Texas Tech University is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. The University of Texas at El Paso was a corporate sponsor of the Tribune in 2012, and The University of North Texas was a sponsor in 2014. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

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Melissa Ginsburgs new novel, Sunset City, has all the elements of a hard-boiled mystery: a violent and inexplicable murder, a troubled but sincere protagonist, an attractive detective, and suspects ranging from socialites to porn stars.

And acting almost as a character itself is the city of Houston, the setting for Ginsburgs dark foray into exploitation, drugs, and murder.

I think Houston is perfect for noir," Ginsburg says, "because it is a very easy place to hide, to stay lost if you want to. Theres so much space in between everything, and a lot of privacy because of that. People tend to stay in their air conditioning, so if you exist in the in-between spaces, you can get away with nearly anything. Its perfect for crimes!

Her first-person narrator, Charlotte Ford, self-medicates with drugs and sex as a way of dealing with the loss of her most significant childhood friend, the beautiful but self-destructive Danielle Reeves. Intent on finding Danielle's killer, Charlotte weaves her way through the city with lyric descriptions that Houstonians will appreciate. One minute, Charlotte is in River Oaks, where It was getting dark. The outside air vibrated all around me. Cicadas whined in the trees, and a slow wet breeze signaled summers beginning. The city felt gentle and open. The next, she is flying down a freeway, floating through the endless neighborhoods of identical houses, the cul-de-sacs lined with progressively younger trees.

It's obvious that she knows the city deeply. Growing up in Houston was great in many ways," she says. "The schools I went to were really wonderful, and I had access to art classes, the museums. I grew up exposed to the ballet, the symphony, all the arts. I went to HSPVA for high school and studied visual art, and I could not have asked for a more ideal situation. Even as a teen I knew how lucky I was to be at that school.

Yet at times, the city could be lonely. When I was a kid, I felt pretty isolated in Houston. I remember feeling trapped and bored a lot, unable to go anywhere on my own. I went to magnet schools, so I didnt have friends in my neighborhood, ever. My friends and I used to get rides to the Galleria and watch other people buy things. I also read a lot, spent a lot of time by myself. It was lonely, and I wanted to leave. Everyone I hung around with in the '90s talked about leaving, moving to Austin or New York or San Francisco, someplace that seemed more hip and vibrant.

But Ginsburg stayed. Studying English at UH was incredibly valuable because I was able to take a class with poet Marie Howe," she says. "I hung around the MFA and Ph.D creative writing students, I went to lots of readings, and I took poetry workshops offered by Inprint.

Book signing What: Melissa Ginsburg will sign and discuss Sunset City (Ecco Press; $25.99) When: 6:30 p.m., Thu., Apr. 28. Where: Murder By The Book, 2342 Bissonnet See More Collapse

After that, Ginsburg attended the Iowa Writers Workshop, where she studied poetry. Iowa taught me to think about my work in a different context, to hold it to a higher standard," she says. "Rather than thinking about writing for myself or my contemporaries, I thought about writing for Keats, for Emily Dickinson, for Hopkins.

Shifting to from poetry to fiction was difficult. "It took me a long time to write Sunset City," she says, "because I had no idea how to write a novel. When I started the book I was very comfortable with language, character, setting, even crafting a scene, but I found plot really difficult to understand. In my poetry, I did not deal with the rules or structure of narrative, I did not have to deal with cause and effect relationships or logic, or how time works. I dont naturally think that way. So I had to teach myself how to do it. I wrote hundreds of pages that I cut because they didnt make sense, or didnt move the way I wanted the book to move. I worked on it off and on for about 8 years.

Added to the mix was the fact that Ginsburg had not lived in Houston since 2003. In many ways the Houston of Sunset City is the Houston of my childhood in the '80s and '90s. I wrote the book while living in other places  Iowa, Los Angeles, Mississippi  so much of it is based on memory rather than direct observation. Its fictionalized.

After she left, Ginsburg felt homesick in lots of unexpected ways. Houston is a great city, and its gotten more interesting since I left. She now teaches at the University of Mississippi at Oxford, but her sister and some of her extended family still live here.

Asked what she looks forward to when she visits, Ginsburg responds, Eating Vietnamese food! And I almost always go to the Menil when I come in town. I also love driving in Houston  I feel more like myself on a Houston freeway than in any other situation.

That theme shows up in Ginsburg's book, too. At one point, heroine Charlotte Ford admires her friend Audrey's ability to just drive around. Charlotte says that she, personally, can't do that: "I have to know the next turn."

"There's not much to it," Audrey replies. It's the set-up for a perfect Houston noir line: "If you don't care, you can't make a mistake."

Doni M. Wilson is an English professor and writer in Houston and has a high schooler named Christopher. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Its not easy, being a Houstonian. Here we sit, soaked in our soggy bayou homeland, scraping the contents of the neighbors float-away trash cans from our front lawns and wondering if theres an automotive potpourri strong enough to mask Flooded Car Smell, thinking the thoughts that only Houstonians can think: The rain isnt over. The Astros' slow start concerns me. Are those noises in the attic waterlogged squirrels or waterlogged rats? And the Rockets, ohhhhh, the Rockets.

Houston is frequently like a sophomore-level philosophy class, Existentialism and The Hopelessness of Human Experience. Even in this throbbing, teeming, unreasonably large city  these numbers are based solely on a recent unhappy experience driving from Pasadena to Cypress, but Houston is approximately 2.4 billion people, occupying an area roughly the size of Montana, whose freeway system was designed by the guy responsible for those Mad Max movies  its easy to feel abandoned and alone.

We need something to unite us, something to fill us with a sense of community, a feeling that, to quote Zac Efron, Were All In This Together. And Im not talking about another charming H-E-B commercial, where J.J. Watt is dressed in a toga or J.J. Watt is having a cookout or J.J. Watt is making supper with his mom. Sure, J.J. Watt is A Shining Example of Wholesome American Manhood, but hes also a Houston Texan, and we all know, deep in the pit of our souls, that the only reason the Houston Texans exist is to break our hearts, which puts us right back in that sophomore philosophy class, dressed in a ratty Nirvana T-shirt and feeling morose. We need something hopeful, something happy, something that says to Houstonians everywhere, Kingwood to Alief, Acres Homes to River Oaks, Meyerland to Champions Forest, that we are united, we are Houston.

We need a new flag.

Our old city banner, an enormous white star on a field of blue, the city seal nestled in its center, has been around since 1915. The seal, which features a horse-drawn plow and a steam locomotive, was adopted in 1840. Back in 1840, steam locomotives and farm implements announced Houston as a cutting-edge, forward-thinking boom town, poised confidently on the cusp of greatness. Today, a steam locomotive and farm implement-adorned city crest is a little like listening to your grandfather spouting off about how there aint a dame in todays Hollywood who can hold a candle to Delores Del Rio: Its dated. Its out of touch. Its a little weird.

The flag has to go. But what should replace it? Houston is so vast, so diverse, so many things to so many people. Is it possible to find a symbol that speaks to every Houstonian, that unites us in an Efron-esque sense of goodwill and shared purpose?

This weeks historic rainfall (shake it off, TV weather people: if it happens once, its historic. If it happens every single year, its just rain) gave us the perfect symbol. Youve seen it  its all over the Internet. Somewhere in our Xanadu on the Bayou, an intrepid Houstonian was spotted, knee-deep in rainwater and soaked to the skin, a yellow slicker hanging haphazardly on his shoulders, surrounded by flooded cars and floating debris, toting a waterlogged armadillo to safety.

Thats it. Thats our new flag. Because wherever you live in this far-flung metropolis, you know what it feels like to be soaked to the skin and up to your knees in rainwater, carrying a stranded armadillo to safety. Weve all been there, havent we? Its the closest thing we have to a universally Houston experience.

There will have to be some changes. Flags are like heavy metal band logos: If a ninth-grader cant easily reproduce it on the cover of his science notebook, it isnt any good. The image needs cleaning up. And Armadillo Dude is wearing an Air Jordan t-shirt, which isnt Houstonian enough. Well need to change it to something more representative of the local zeitgeist, an silkscreened AK-47 above the legend COME AND TAKE IT, perhaps, or better yet, a Number 8 Texans jersey, because you cant obsess over your dark places, but you cant completely ignore them, either. And there needs to be an inspiring motto, something in Latin maybe, to add some class, the vexillological equivalent of Rothko Chapel or the Menil, something we never use but were really proud of, something like Ipsum humidum. Amicos armadillos. (Very wet. Friends of armadillos.)

Imagine the Armadillo Banner, draped behind Mayor Turner as he holds next years round of flood-related press conferences, its very presence a gentle reminder that this has happened before, and we got through it then, and well get through it now, because were Houstonians, and we endure. Imagine all 2.4 billion of us, crammed onto the 290, hurtling toward Cypress. Well still be driving like maniacs and making obscene gestures at each other, but well be more sociable maniacs, making friendlier obscene gestures, knowing that were all just people, trying to make it in this crazy world, secure in the knowledge that sooner or later, every one of us is going to be knee-deep in flood, giving the rescuers gift to a confused armored rodent. Were Houstonians. Thats what we do.

Cort McMurray is a Houston-area businessman and a frequent contributor to Gray Matters.

Check out more Gray Matters. It's a potpourri strong enough to mask Flooded Car Smell.


Houston has a lot of great characteristics. It is open to new people, new ideas. It encourages entrepreneurs. Its energy-based economy is strong, despite the slowdown. But one big flaw is our failure to organize local government to protect homeowner investments, a big share of life savings for most of us.

The latest example of what this flaw leads to: Hundreds of homes flooded April 18. It was not a one-off event, a freak of Nature, as we have been assured. It will happen again, to more people, as more and more land is paved over without developers' controlling their excess runoff.

We can live without zoning. We've proved that. What we cannot live without, especially in a no-zoning environment, is sufficient regulation and administrative municipal clout to make sure commercial development is done in a way that doesn't harm its neighbors.

Politicians and bureaucrats excuse themselves for repeated flooding, blaming flat terrain, tropical rain and semi-permeable soil. This amounts to hiding behind Mother Nature's skirts in a city with a tradition of overcoming natural challenges  digging a ship channel to the Gulf, putting a man on the moon, building the Astrodome and finding oil in impossible places.

Commercial developers are able to summon the technical imagination and political will to get the water off their property. Why can't the city  why can't we  do more to keep developers from dumping their excess runoff into our homes?

While homeowners spend their time making a living and raising families, the city's developers, engineers, contractors and their hired minions lobby  and fund campaigns  to keep city development rules weak. We need a leading developer to recognize his or her enlightened self-interest in protecting neighborhoods that house the people who shop and work in developer-built malls and office buildings.

There have been feints in the direction of improvement. Houston in recent years enacted rules that, to the casual reader, require developers to create detention basins to keep from flooding their neighbors. But there are loopholes that developer lawyers use to avoid doing so. They can cite previous development of a plot to get it "grandfathered," exempting it from detention requirements.

These loopholes offend common sense. If we really want to master our special Gulf Coast environment and topography, if we really want to have meaningful flood prevention, we should require detention under all commercial developments and redevelopments, even if the plot were previously paved over completely.

Why is this essay more focused on detention than on bigger pipes and ditches, although we need them, too? It is because our bayou-based drainage system is overtaxed. The U.S. Corps of Engineers and Harris County Flood Control District say flow rates into Buffalo Bayou are maxed out. The bayou cannot accept runoff any faster than it already does. That doesn't mean it can't accept more water over time. It can. But detention is needed to slow the rate of discharge and allow more time for the bayou to drain.

Developers who want to avoid responsibility, of course, oppose stiffening detention requirements because that adds cost and cuts into profits. They'd rather just push the water off their land and let nearby neighborhoods, in effect, serve as involuntary detention ponds. They deny that this is their intention, but this is what they're doing.

We often hear stricter regulation would hurt growth. It's not going to happen. Our economy is too attractive. We will keep growing.

We have a history of failing to leverage boom-time prosperity to improve land-use regulation and infrastructure planning to solve these problems. Then, when busts come, we say our hands are tied because we need growth at any price.

This is foolish, and I think stems partly from Houston's historic sense of inferiority, the mindset that we somehow are not good enough to have a better quality of life. Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin have stronger planning and regulation, and they seem to be doing just fine.

Bruce Nichols is a retired journalist who spent 39 years in Houston writing for various media outlets, often focusing on urban trends.

Check out more Gray Matters. It's read by the city's developers, engineers, contractors and their hired minions.
Crews responded to reports of a body being pulled from a flooded SUV in the Galleria area on Tuesday evening.

The body, near the Westpark Tollway and Loop 610, will go to the medical examiner's office for confirmation. There are no further details at this time.

Earlier Tuesday, Harris County's medical examiner on Tuesday released the identity of one of the eight victims believed killed in Monday's floods.

Pedro Rascon Morales, 60, was found in the cab of an 18-wheeler in a flooded portion of roadway in the 800 block of North Sam Houston Parkway East. He is believed to have died about 3 p.m. Monday.

READ MORE: Death toll increases as more storms loom

The specific cause of death remains pending, as do the causes of death for four other people also found dead in flooded roadways in Harris County and a man found dead in Waller County.

Morales and two other men, and two women, were found in their vehicles, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the agency responsible for conducting county autopsies.

RISING WATERS: More flooding possible as reservoirs

Two of the people - a man in an SUV and a woman in a sedan - died about 3 p.m. at the Westpark Tollway exit ramp to Loop 610 South at U.S. Highway 59. Another man who drove into the water at the ramp is still missing and presumed dead.

Earlier Monday, a man was found dead in floodwaters about 9:25 a.m. in the 17400 block of Imperial Valley Drive.

DRAMATIC RESCUE: Rising waters lead to dramatic scenes in northwest Harris County

And in Waller County, a teacher with the Royal Independent School District was found dead in his vehicle about 11:30 p.m. Sunday in Brookshire, officials said.

Charles Odum, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at the junior high, was apparently trying to help his parents evacuate Sunday night when he apparently got into trouble, according to Royal school Superintendent Ryan Steele.

Odum had worked in Royal ISD for about six years, Steele said. He is survived by a wife and two children  a daughter who attends Royal High School and a son who graduated.

"He loved Texas history  loved being able to impart that history onto the kids," Steele said. "He's the type who would do anything for you. He did the clocks at our games. He always had a presence so the kids knew that he cared about them."

The coroner's office did not release details on a woman found dead early Tuesday in north Harris County.

The body of the 43-year-old woman was found in a car submerged in a flooded ditch in the 1800 block of Briarcreek near Old Ranch Road, said Harris County Precinct Four Constable Mark Herman. Authorities had been alerted at 4 a.m. about a car underwater in the drainage ditch.

Details were likewise not released about another fatality was reported in Austin County.
A day after the storm that flooded the Houston region with the most rain since Tropical Storm Allison, officials pressed on in rescue efforts while launching on the long road of recovery and assessing damage.

Judge Ed Emmett said for much of the day, the county has been in rescue mode, as the sheriff's office, volunteer fire departments and other agencies are in Humvees, air boats and high-water rescue vehicles made their way along flooded Cypress Creek, which was creating the most problems a day after the rains.

Flood Control District Meteorologist Jeff Lindner said six waterways were flooded Tuesday, less than half of the 13 when flooding peaked yesterday. All of those were concentrated in the northwest part of the county. Across the county and the city, 160 subdivisions reported flooding.

County officials could not provide immediate estimates of how many people had been evacuated, but rescuers hit at least one large apartment complex and several private homes, as well as the Atria Cypresswood Assisted Living Facility, where several seniors on wheelchairs were being shipped out to a nearby church and then to a Comfort Suites and eventually to other assisted living facilities.

He said the county is also starting to get a picture of damage to county infrastructure, including at least one bridge over Cypress Creek that had been completely destroyed.

"If we don't get any more rain, we're in recovery mode and damage assessment," Emmett said.

Twelve county damage assessment teams were scouring the area, focusing on parts of the county they could access first.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said city staff will interview the nearly 350 residents who stayed in one of five local shelters overnight to determine how best to help them recover their possessions and their lives after Monday's widespread flooding.

Turner also asked residents whose homes or businesses flooded to report the damage to the Houston 311 help line at 713-837-0311. That information will help officials submit the formal report needed to qualify for federal disaster assistance.

TAX DAY FLOODS: Death toll continues to rise from Houston's "unprecedented" floods

The mayor said he expects to submit information to the governor's office today as part of that effort, noting there are 20 city team inspection teams in the field surveying damage to single-family homes -- at least 183 homeowners have reported damage but that figure is expected to rise, Turner said -- while additional building inspectors gauge whether the large Greenspoint-area apartments and other flooded structures are habitable.

"The plan today, working with Metro, is to shuttle people back, for example, to their apartments or to their homes so they can take a look and try to maybe even reclaim some things, any personal items that they may want, or just to be able to see their properties themselves and then we'll shuttle them back to the shelters," Turner said. "We want to ease people's anxieties as much as possible."

BINDING TOGETHER: Residents rescued from floodwaters in NW Harris County

Monday garbage collection was delayed to Tuesday, Tuesday's collections are delayed until Wednesday, and Thursday and Friday schedules are unaffected.

The city is asking flooded residents to drag water-damaged items -- furniture, rugs, bedding, drywall, carpeting -- and drag it to the curb. Officials have not yet set the schedule on which city trucks will collect storm debris, but Turner said neighborhood waste depositories will be open seven days a week.

"What I don't want is a lot of debris building up in front of people's homes," the mayor said. "We want to move as quickly and efficiently as possible to clean up the area."

EMOTIONAL PHOTOS: Greenspoint, horses, rescues and other top photos from the Houston floods

Nonprofit organizations looking to assist in the recovery effort should call the city housing department at 832-394-6282. Individuals hoping to join in should affiliate themselves with one of these organizations through www.volunteerhouston.org. Those looking to donate money rather than time to the flood victims can do so at www.houstonfloodrecovery.org.

Turner said the first informational meeting for flood victims will be held Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Harvest Time Church, 17770 Imperial Valley Drive, in Greenspoint area. A Meyerland meeting will follow, he said.

PHOTO PROJECT: Abandoned, flooded roads show city's eerie side

The Red Cross is prepared to operate its shelters for at least another five days, Turner said, but he wants a plan for each affected resident by the end of the day. Housing officials, through the Houston Housing Authority, the Greenspoint District, the Houston Apartment Association and the city housing department to find temporary units for flood victims.

Following an expected federal disaster declaration, Turner said, FEMA will be able to make temporary housing vouchers available for those who cannot afford the deposit and first month's rent on a new unit. Many of the units affected in the Greenspoint area accepted federal housing vouchers.

AROUND THE CITY: 360 degree videos of Houston's historic floods or April 2016

Severely damaged buildings in the floodplain may need to rebuild at a higher elevation to meet modern floodplain rules.

The Houston Permitting Center is open to answer home and business owners' questions, and the city also plans to open satellite permitting offices near affected neighborhoods.
Jeremy and Natalie Srinivasan had lived in Katy's Grayson Lakes subdivision for almost 10 years. They often walked the quiet neighborhood with their two young children. They were known by their neighbors as a normal, kind couple.

So it came as a surprise to neighbors that the couple and their two children were found shot to death in an apparent murder-suicide Tuesday morning at their home in the 1300 block of Longdraw Drive.

"They were a lovely family. It's a great tragedy. A total shock," said neighbor Amy Ballog. "Their kids played with all the neighbor kids, they went on family walks.  They came out to Super Bowl parties and crawfish boils."

Officials with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office found the family around 9:30 a.m. after a welfare call from a family member. They haven't officially determined who pulled the trigger, spokesman Bob Haenel said. Authorities could not immediately provide a motive for the slayings.

Neighbors said they did not hear any gunshots.

Jeremy Srinivasan, 37, was from the Katy area, neighbors said, and his 35-year-old wife had moved from her home in Chicago. Jeremy Srinivasan owned the LED Shop of Texas, a light supply store in Richmond, according to his LinkedIn page.

Facebook photos show their curly-haired 5-year-old daughter reading a story to her 2-year-old brother, and the couple eating crawfish while their kids play on a playground nearby.

Most neighbors knew Natalie, and said Jeremy was more reserved. Tracee Dugal said she was best friends with Natalie, who did her hair.

Dugal said she knew the family kept guns locked in the house.

"She was very spiritual,"Dugal said of the dead woman. "If I had problems I would call her and she would send me scriptures, come take me out," Dugal said. "She was a sweet, sweet soul."

Next of kin for both adults have been notified, the sheriff's office said.

"We're interviewing neighbors and family members and others to try to piece together exactly what took place here. We're investigating this right now as a murder-suicide," Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls told KPRC. "Anytime you have children involved like this. It hits close. It's hard."
The Cypress-Fairbanks school district has announced it will close Wednesday for the third straight day after rain flooded the Houston region. The district was the area's largest to make the call to close again.

Meanwhile, Houston ISD, the state's largest school district, announced late Tuesday it would resume classes on Wednesday.

Earlier Tuesday, the Katy Independent School District also said it would cancel classes Wednesday, citing "continued flooding which has caused mobility issues for our bus drivers, families and staff."

Waller County's Royal ISD, which serves 2,300 students and lost one of its teachers amid the downpour, canceled classes for the week.

DEATH TOLL RISES: Another body found in SUV when floodwaters lower

Royal's deputy superintendent, Ryan Steele, said the rural district's five schools  all located on a 150-acre campus  were in good shape and did not flood. However, he said, district officials were concerned about sending buses and other cars onto the roads, particularly those that are unpaved.

"We're going to play it safe," said Steele, who, like others in the Waller County community, was mourning the death of Charles Odum, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at the local junior high.

A spokeswoman for the Texas Education Agency repeated Tuesday that districts will have to make up the one or two days they miss, unless they added enough extra time to school days earlier in the year. Districts that shut down for three or more days may request waivers from the agency, which typically grants them in similar weather situations.

DRAMATIC RESCUE: Rising waters lead to dramatic scenes in northwest Harris County

Most of the area's biggest districts closed on Tuesday for the second day. Houston ISD spokesman Jason Spencer said officials mostly were worried Tuesday about staffing schools as surrounding districts closed and employees would need to stay home with their own children. Districts such as Aldine and Cypress-Fairbanks were more heavily impacted by flooding

Check the list below to see Wednesday cancellations and delays:

Aldine ISD: Closed Wednesday

Alief ISD: Closed Wednesday

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD: Closed Wednesday

Katy ISD: Closed Wednesday

Klein ISD: Closed Wednesday

Lone Star Colleges: Closed Wednesday

Royal ISD: Closed through the rest of the week

Sealy ISD: Closed through April 22

Spring ISD: Closed on Wednesday

Tomball ISD: Closed on Wednesday

Waller ISD: Closed Wednesday

Check back later for more updates on school closures.
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Water pooled around Janey Williams' sneakers as she stepped through her Greenspoint-area apartment Tuesday afternoon, careful not to splash as she dumped out a bowl of floodwater.

Williams, 52, had returned home an hour earlier to find a thigh-high water mark running across the front door of the apartment she shares with her daughter, Chelsea.

"I don't have no place to stay," she thought as she peered inside, where paintings were piled atop a damp sofa and the waterlogged pages of a nurse's handbook dripped onto the floor.

Like many of her neighbors whose homes also flooded in Monday's deadly storm, the former bus driver awoke Tuesday without a plan. She spent the night with her daughter but didn't know where she would sleep next or how many of her damaged belongings could be saved - just that she would have to start over, one day at a time.

Roughly one-third of Greenspoint's 70 apartment complexes were affected by Monday's flooding, forcing hundreds of residents in the low-income neighborhood 15 miles north of downtown to seek temporary shelter.

About 260 slept on cots Monday in a gymnasium at the M.O. Campbell Education Center, a Red Cross facility, while still more sought refuge with friends or family.

Area already struggling

As Houston began recovering from its biggest deluge in 15 years - assessing home damage and collecting waterlogged items - those in Greenspoint were confronting the uncertainty of where to lay their heads in the nights and weeks to come.

Caption: Rainfall Monday left many areas of Houston under water. The powerful thunderstorms led to several fatalities, damages hundreds of homes and caused several schools and businesses to close for the day. The map above shows where the highest concentration of 311 calls originated and which areas where impacted the most by rainfall, according to National Weather Service data. The map does not show information for 911 calls.

Even before this week's disaster, many already were stretched thin financially. The area's roughly 43,000 residents - mostly Hispanic and mostly renters - earned a median household income of $27,000 as of 2012, nearly $18,000 below the city average.

"I see all these people going through this, but I never thought we would be going through this," 19-year-old Celeste Morales said as she surveyed her first-floor apartment at Arbor Court, a subsidized housing complex where an estimated 116 units took on water.

Morales, who has a four-month-old child and no renter's insurance, had moved in just three months before.

After being evacuated on a boat Monday afternoon, Morales spent the night with her boyfriend's father but said she was unsure where she would sleep from now on. Someone at M.O. Campbell would help, she hoped.

Outside, residents and their friends worked to dislodge mud-spattered cars from the lawn. Some already had propped up the hoods of their vehicles, trying to dry them out.

"I couldn't just watch the news and see this," Christopher Anderson, 24, said after helping to tow his 18th car.

What comes next?

Arbor Court owner Morgan Cox said he did not know how long it would take to rehabilitate the flooded apartments or what would happen to families without renter's insurance. He stressed that his priority would be communicating with displaced residents.

"We are well-versed at crisis management and crisis response and have a plan in place to quickly mobilize our team to get these folks back into their homes," Cox said.

Mayor Sylvester Turner also sought to reassure flood victims during a visit to the Greenspoint-area shelter late Monday.

"For right now, my immediate focus is making sure that seniors and children, especially, that their needs are met, and making sure that people are safe and out of harm's way," Turner said.

The mayor and city staff were scheduled to meet with area residents Wednesday afternoon to discuss recovery efforts and instruct people on how to document flood damage.

Back at the M.O. Campbell shelter, nursing assistant Gennifer Crawford just wanted to check on her apartment.

Her car had flooded shortly after exiting Beltway 8 on Monday morning at the end of a 12-hour shift, and she still didn't know whether her home had flooded, too.

"I'm worried now, because I want to go check my stuff," said Crawford, 39. "I'm praying. I want my stuff to be OK. I already got my car messed up. That's fine. I've got insurance."

She looked out at a gymnasium floor covered in clusters of cots, blankets tossed about.

Children played with dolls as adults chatted or just sat, wondering what happens next.
AUSTIN  The state is facing big problems affecting vulnerable populations that will take significant money to fix at the same time that a slump in the energy industry is chipping into its revenues, House Speaker Joe Straus warned Tuesday.

"Writing a balanced and disciplined budget that appropriately funds our top priorities is going to be a significant challenge," Straus said in a letter to House budget-writers, expressing confidence they are up to the challenge.

"This is not a theoretical exercise, but rather a task that affects children, taxpayers, and our state's future," he wrote.

Oil prices that stood at close to $60 a barrel when the Legislature adjourned last year are averaging "closer to $37 a barrel," Straus wrote. And the state sales tax has marked five monthly declines.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar last year reduced his estimate of anticipated tax revenue for the current budget period by billions of dollars, while still leaving more than enough money for the state to pay its obligations.

Even before this week's costly flooding, lawmakers were facing budget challenges such as addressing a foster care system in crisis, Straus wrote. A federal judge has ruled that the system violates the rights of children who most often "leave state custody more damaged than when they entered."

The public school funding system also is under court challenge. A state district judge already has ruled it unconstitutional, suggesting that a fix could cost up to $11 billion. The state has appealed the case to the Texas Supreme Court, which could rule this year.

In addition, Straus said, the program providing health-care benefits to retired teachers is in need of a long-term solution.

Those challenges will require "significant financial resources," wrote Straus, R-San Antonio, and they alone would pose a challenge for lawmakers who return in regular session in January 2017.

"Yet they come at a time when our state continues to grow rapidly, bringing more children in our schools, more cars on our roads, and an overall greater demand for state resources," Straus noted. "At the same time, we do not want to abandon the commitment to lower taxation and overall fiscal discipline that has put our state in such a sound budgetary position."

He said budget-writers should approach their work "with purpose and creativity."

Straus isn't alone in his worries, Senate Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said in a statement.

"I share Speaker Straus' concerns and look forward to working with the House to address the challenges facing our state. We are working on several fronts to tackle these issues - and keeping a close eye on our revenue situation," she said.

Nelson and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick sent a letter to state agencies Friday saying they are looking for ways to work with them "to identify and reduce state spending."

"As part of this effort, we strongly encourage that you review and scrutinize each and every expenditure within your agency using a zero-based budget approach," they wrote.

In addition to looking at state program needs, leaders including Patrick are setting the stage for additional tax relief in the next legislative session. Sen. Paul Bettencourt, a Houston Republican named by Patrick to head the Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Relief, said there will be room for reducing taxes and that zero-based budgeting, in which all spending items must be justified, will help accomplish that goal.

The Legislature last year cut the state business tax and sent an option for local school property tax relief to voters, who approved it overwhelmingly.

While Texas can pay for its current two-year budget and then some, its economic difficulties were highlighted in October when the comptroller lowered his revenue estimate due to the oil and gas slump.

Hegar reduced his forecast of state tax collections by $4.6 billion. That still left more than enough money to pay for the overall spending plan approved by lawmakers for the fiscal period that began last Sept 1. That's because legislators left funds on the table and had a bigger-than-expected balance when the state ended its last fiscal year.

There are other factors that could further affect the budget picture, including tax lawsuits that could cost the state billions of dollars and spending that's expected to be needed for Medicaid growth.

And that's not the end of it, experts pointed out at the Appropriations Committee meeting, with new challenges likely to face lawmakers before they meet in regular session in 2017.

One example was pointed out by Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, citing the "devastation" in Harris County after the recent severe flooding.

"There are a lot of folks who are in need," Walle said.
AUSTIN - A day after it was accused of selling a cake with an anti-gay slur written on it to a gay Austin pastor, Whole Foods Market on Tuesday responded with full force - filing a counter lawsuit against its accuser, releasing a video that it said refutes part of his claim and adamantly denying any wrongdoing.

The accusations made by Jordan Brown, pastor of Church of Open Doors in Austin, "are fraudulent," Austin-based Whole Foods said.

Brown said Monday that he purchased a cake from Whole Foods' headquarters store on North Lamar Boulevard, and asked that the words "Love Wins" be written on it. He says that a Whole Foods employee also wrote a homophobic slur on the cake. He alleges that the employee sealed the box and that he didn't notice the slur until after leaving the store. He said he contacted store officials but was told they did nothing wrong.

Brown posted an online video accusing Whole Foods of writing the slur on the cake, and filed a lawsuit against the company.

Whole Foods countersued Brown on Tuesday, flatly denying his allegations and saying Brown "intentionally, knowingly and falsely accused Whole Foods and its employees of writing the homophobic slur on a custom-made cake that he ordered from WFM's Lamar Store in Austin."

The suit accuses Brown of acting "with malice, and he has damaged the reputation and business of WFM," and seeks at least $100,000 in damages. Whole Foods is one of Austin's highest-profile companies, with 91,000 workers in about 400 stores worldwide and about 2,500 employees in Central Texas.

Whole Foods also released security footage video from its North Lamar Boulevard store that it says shows Brown paying for the cake and contradicts the man's claims. The video appears to show Brown glancing down at the box during checkout, and it shows a Whole Foods cashier scanning a label on the top of the cake box. In his video and in an online photo, the cake box Brown showed had no label on the top.

Whole Foods said Brown admitted that he was in sole possession and control of the cake until he posted his video, which showed the UPC label on the bottom and side of the box.

"After reviewing their security footage of Mr. Brown, it's clear that the UPC label was in fact on top of the cake box, not on the side of the package," Whole Foods said. "This is evident as the cashier scans the UPC code on top of the box."

"We stand behind our bakery team member, who is part of the LGBTQ community, and we appreciate the team members and shoppers who recognize that this claim is completely false and directly contradicts Whole Foods Market's inclusive culture, which celebrates diversity," the company said.

Whole Foods did not make any of its employees available for interviews Tuesday.

Brown and his attorney, Austin Kaplan, did not respond to multiple messages left throughout the day Tuesday seeking comment.

However, on Tuesday afternoon Kaplan's office released the following written statement: "At this time we are aware of the Whole Foods' press release, the alleged security video, and the countersuit by Whole Foods against Pastor Brown, and we are currently investigating these allegations."

Brown's lawsuit against Whole Foods seeks damages and monetary relief for mental anguish, court costs and other expenses.
Reservoirs in northwest Harris County are expected to continue rising Tuesday approaching record highs  even without more rain  which may result in more flooded thoroughfares.

And creeks in the area aren't expected to drain for several days.

Eldridge, Barker-Cypress and Clays roads are predicted to go under water as Addicks Reservoir fills up. The same goes for Westheimer Parkway in the Barker Reservoir.

READ MORE: Residents rescued from floodwaters in NW Harris County

Extreme rainfall on Sunday and Monday led to significant swelling of the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, according to a report late Monday from the Harris County Flood Control District.

As those basins rise, "roadways that run through them are threatened," a news release said. "State Highway 6 through the Addicks Reservoir is underwater and will remain so for several days."

The previous Addicks cresting record was 97.46 feet in March 1992. Its height is forecast to exceed 102 feet this week, the flood control district reported. Barker hit its highest recorded height, 93.60 feet, the same month 24 years ago, but it's predicted to reach 95.5 feet this week.

DEADLY WATERS: At least 5 dead in Houston-area floods

Galveston district officials of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have "dispatched teams to monitor the dams to ensure the integrity," the release noted.

A relatively dry Monday allowed several of the county's 13 creeks and bayous that flooded to crest and start to recede.

Cypress Creek and Addicks Reservoir tributaries, among the hardest hit in northwest Harris, remain high "and will probably stay that way for a few days while storm water continues to drain through those channels," the release said.

SCHOOLS: UH, HISD and more shutdown as flood waters linger

The runoff also is predicted to impact the San Jacinto River near U.S. 59, an emptying point for Spring and Cypress creeks.

The National Weather Service is predicting that the San Jacinto's west fork will crest near Porter at nearly 35 feet Wednesday morning and remain at flood stage through Thursday morning. Some 60 residents were evacuated from the Cumberland Estates subdivision, which is just east of the river.

"It's not as bad as 1994," when the river crested at 41 feet in a historic flood, said Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Clark, whose precinct includes Porter. "But it's pretty bad."

At Sheldon, the river measured 14.4 feet  flood stage is 10 feet  and was expected to rise to 16 feet tomorrow, creating problems for the Highlands and Banana Bend areas.

In Liberty County, officials were closely watching the Trinity River, which has flooded homes in the past, most recently following major storms last May. The river was expected to crest near Liberty at roughly 29 feet Wednesday night.

"We're watching the river," he said. "The numbers right now don't concern me a lot unless we get more rain or they increase the outflow from the (Lake Livingston) dam."

There have been no evacuations so far.

The Fort Bend County city of Simonton on Tuesday issued a voluntary evacuation notice as the Brazos River continues to rise following Monday's heavy rains.

The Brazos reached an all-time high of 123.4 feet at the San Felipe gauge at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. That's about 2 feet higher than the crest of the river following storms last May.

Mayor Daniel McJunkin said the evacuation notice was a precautionary measure, particularly for the elderly and families with young children. The city is located almost entirely within the 100-year floodplain of the Brazos River.

"Evacuation is a hard word," McJunkin said. "But there isn't a soft way to say leave."

The National Weather Service is forecasting that water level will drop below flood stage tomorrow.

The gauge is located about 20 miles upstream of Simonton, which has about 850 residents. Those needing assistance are advised to call Simonton City Hall at 281-533-9809.

Rainfall this week has reached more than 17 inches in some areas of northwest Harris and Waller counties. Flood-affected communities include Tomball, Klein, Spring, Jersey Village, Greenspoint, Aldine and Meyerland.

Most schools were closed for a second day on Tuesday, with officials citing regional mobility affected by impassable roads as the reason.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said preliminary estimates for damage from the storm should be available later today.

He said the water from Cypress Creek was causing flooding along Mayde Creek and Bear Creek, and also making its way into Addicks Reservoir.

"Anybody who's behind the dam will see water at least in their streets," he said.

Emmett said the forecast doesn't "look bad" but could still generate a similar series of storms that caused the heavy downpour of Sunday night and Monday morning.

Emmett said a shelter at Jersey Village still hadn't been set up yet, though would likely be operational later today for people who are being evacuated from along Cypress Creek.

FORECAST: Threat of more thunderstorms lingers over area

The flood control district's "Watch Team" is stationed at the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to monitor rainfall and bayou levels as well as alert the public and officials of areas that are or could be affected by flooding.

Residents in at least 110 Harris County subdivisions have contacted officials about water in their homes.

Others are urged to report house flooding by going here or calling the flood control district's phone bank at 713-684-4000.
The couple wanted a baby boy, but the male embryo they had chosen - the only one available after an expensive round of in vitro fertilization - received a troubling test result.

A handful of cells from the 5-day-old embryo were deemed abnormal, apparently missing Chromosome 21, an absence that can lead to developmental defects.

Many partners having IVF would have reconsidered their choices. But the two women, ages 48 and 45, had the embryo implanted anyway. And despite the initial test findings, a healthy baby was born in 2014.

"The whole pregnancy was an emotional roller coaster," said one of the mothers. (The women were granted anonymity because no one knows the child is not biologically related to either one, and they would like to explain it to him once he is older.)

"Even when the baby was born, it took me a good five to 10 minutes to even look at him," she said. "Finally I peeked over, and he looked normal."

The test used on their embryo is called preimplantation genetic screening, or PGS, a biopsy performed by plucking a few cells from the developing embryo. Just a few years ago, PGS was precise enough only to ascertain whether an embryo was normal or abnormal.

Now high-resolution, next-generation sequencing has sharpened the view, and researchers are finding something surprising: About 20 percent of embryos have both normal and abnormal cells, and the percentage increases with maternal age. These so-called mosaic embryos have long been known, but they have been detectable during an active IVF cycle only in the last year.

At least some of these embryos seem to mature into healthy children. The women's son is one of 10 healthy infants recently born from mosaic embryos, as reported by separate research groups in New York and Italy, representing a success rate of roughly 40 percent.

The births are now provoking controversy among fertility experts about what to do if mosaics are the only viable embryos a couple have left after IVF. Should would-be parents discard them because they contain abnormalities? Or transfer them in the hopes of achieving a normal pregnancy?

"Every research program is fearful of throwing away a healthy embryo, but on the other hand, mosaicism is not always a benign thing," said Richard Scott, founder and laboratory director at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey. "Now we are paying attention to these mosaics, but we don't know exactly what to do with them."

As an embryo rapidly divides after fertilization, mistakes in cell division sometimes produce abnormal cell lines. If those cells die off and the embryo manages to self-correct, or if the abnormal cells wind up segregated in the placenta, the embryo may develop into a normal baby.

But if abnormal cells proliferate in the embryo, it will probably fail to implant, result in a miscarriage or, more rarely, the birth of a child with serious defects.

What experts do not yet know is where in the embryo abnormal cells may end up; there is no way to track them as they proliferate. Until more data emerges, many fertility doctors remain unwilling to transfer mosaics.

"We are not reassured that a small subset of normal, as characterized in babies - not children, not adults - warrants a complete change in policy and standard of practice," said Dr. Mark Sauer, the chief of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Columbia University Medical Center.

Others, like Dr. James Grifo, the director of the Langone Fertility Center at New York University and an author of the new study on PGS's accuracy, are cautiously willing to transfer mosaic embryos if a patient has no normal embryos and has genetic counseling first.

"A mosaic embryo does have potential for reproduction," he said, "but it could be anywhere on the spectrum from a healthy to a damaged baby, and we don't know where."

Dr. Santiago Munne, the director of Reprogenetics, a PGS lab, applauded the advanced technology for being able to discern mosaicism even as it raises clinical quandaries.

"I think it's a good thing we know now there is a third category, so we're not going to discard any embryo that has even a little chance of implanting," he said.

For the couple who took a chance on an abnormal embryo, a healthy boy is a joyous - if sobering - reminder of the complexities of early human development.

Now 17 months old, he is "happy, healthy, outgoing, constantly laughing," said one of his mothers. "Had we not used that embryo, it either would have been discarded or donated to science. The boy we have now wouldn't have been."
In the battle over which bathrooms transgender people may use, North Carolina's mayors are being pummeled by both sides.

A legislature dominated by rural Republicans punishes them for setting their own anti-discrimination policies. Then, corporations and entertainers respond with boycotts that affect North Carolina's job-producing regions - its cities.

"The weird thing is that they're actually hurting us at the same time," said Jennifer Roberts, mayor of Charlotte, where Bank of America Corp. is based and Wells Fargo & Co. operates a large trading floor. "It's really a paradox."

Her city's expansion of discrimination protections prompted lawmakers last month to require that transgender people use bathrooms corresponding to their birth-certificate genders. After Republican Governor Pat McCrory signed the measure, PayPal Holdings said it would cancel plans to open a 400-worker operations center in the city.

The 'New South'

Since the North Carolina legislature approved its law, which also prevents cities from raising the minimum wage higher than the state's, Deutsche Bank announced it will pull back on a 250 job expansion in the Raleigh suburb of Cary. Governors of New York, Connecticut and other states have ordered that nonessential government travel to North Carolina stop.

More Information Target opens its restrooms Target said Tuesday that transgender employees and customers can use the restroom or fitting room facility that "corresponds with their gender identity." Target Corp. says it regularly assesses issues and considers many factors that would impact business, customers and workers. Associated Press See More Collapse

"Cities and towns are the catalysts for economic growth right now," said Scott Mooneyham, director of public affairs for the North Carolina League of Municipalities. "We would hope that businesses and trade associations and artists would recognize that they are hurting the very entities that are leading the effort to battle discrimination."

North Carolina's major metropolitan regions define the "New South," with booming populations, diverse economies and prestigious universities, all of which set them apart from the rural and culturally conservative counties where agriculture, tobacco and textile production once drove the state's fortunes.

Mecklenburg County, the home of the banking center of Charlotte, has doubled its population to 1 million in the past 25 years. Growth in Wake County, part of the region that includes the University of North Carolina and Duke University, has shot up 140 percent over the same time.

The Raleigh, Charlotte, and Durham-Chapel Hill areas are among the nation's 30 strongest economic performers, according to a January report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Meanwhile, 49 of the state's 100 counties in rural areas lost population in the 2010 Census.

"Without the metropolitan areas, employment in North Carolina would really be hurting," said Harold Weinbrecht, mayor of Cary.

'Killing the golden goose'

The February jobless rate in Wake County, which includes Raleigh, was 4.7 percent, compared with 5.5 percent at the state level. Rural unemployment was as high as 15.3 percent in coastal Hyde County, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Weinbrecht, whose city of 155,000 has such major employers as MetLife, John Deere and SAS Institute Inc., said mayors have had to battle legislative efforts to redistribute more state sales-tax revenue to rural areas.

"We're the ones bringing in the corporations, and they're killing the golden goose," Weinbrecht said, referring to rural Republicans.

McCrory, who for 14 years was Charlotte's mayor, called the city's expanded civil-rights protections "government overreach." Republican legislative leaders blamed Mayor Roberts and the city council for a "radical bathroom policy."

Republican House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate Leader Phil Berger said Roberts and her supporters are working to "trash the reputation of her own city and wage war on her own state," they said in a joint statement.
BRUSSELS - Around the world, this city of great, if often ramshackle, charm has become Exhibit A in the case against immigration, particularly when it involves large numbers of Muslims.

Donald Trump called the Belgian capital "a hellhole," while Lubomir Zaoralek, foreign minister of the Czech Republic, recently cited the city to explain why his and other Eastern European countries had steadfastly resisted a plan by the European Union to spread Syrian and other Muslim refugees around the continent under a quota system.

"All the people in the Czech Republic and in other countries see what happened in Molenbeek," he told a security conference in Slovakia over the weekend, referring to the Brussels borough where many of those involved in the attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 and in Brussels on March 22 grew up.

It is true that all those so far identified in connection with the Paris and Brussels carnage were young Muslims from immigrant families.

But a more significant marker than their faith was their shared origin in North Africa, especially Morocco.

None of them were from Brussels' large community of Turks, who share the same religion and the same discrimination, as well as other hardships that are often cited as a root cause of jihadi rage against the West.

Brussels first became a magnet for Muslim immigrants in the 1960s, when the Belgian government eagerly invited workers from Morocco and Turkey to move to Belgium to take jobs available in factories and mines.

The two countries were regarded as generally pro-Western and full of poor and hardworking people eager for jobs in Europe, unlike many developing nations that at the time were frothing with rage at European colonialism and racked by conflict.

Together, Belgians of Moroccan and Turkish origin today account for the vast majority of the capital city's Muslim population, and both groups are heir to a fairly relaxed form of Islam that has none of the reactionary dogmatism of Saudi Arabia and some other Arab states.

So how was it that some of the Moroccans became so angry, alienated and, in some cases, radicalized?

In contrast to Belgium's Turks, the Moroccan community is far more divided and resistant to authority, in part because many of the early immigrants came from the Rif, a rebellious Berber-speaking region often at odds with the ruling monarchy in Morocco.

"When emigration to Europe started, the king was happy to get rid of these people," said Bachir M'Rabet, a youth worker of Moroccan descent in Molenbeek.

Another source of anger in his community, he added, is that many Turks often speak poor French and no Dutch, Belgium's two main languages, and cling to their Turkish identity.

Most Moroccans, on the other hand, speak fluent French and aspire to be accepted fully as Belgians. This, he said, means that many Moroccans feel discrimination more acutely and, at least in the case of young men on the margins, tend to view even minor slights as proof that the entire system is against them.
Emboldened by dominant victories in New York, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump plunged swiftly Wednesday into the next batch of primaries in five states along the Northeast Corridor, where they hope to bury or break their challengers for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations.

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island will vote next Tuesday in what many are dubbing the "Acela primary," putting Clinton and Trump on terrain well-tailored to their campaigns. For Clinton, it's a chance to effectively end Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' long-shot hopes in the Democratic race.

For Trump, the contests are an opportunity to further pad his delegate lead over Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and send him tumbling into the final six weeks of the campaign. That crucial period will determine whether the mogul will clinch the GOP nomination outright or if the race will head to a contested convention.

Trump faces a key test here in Pennsylvania, Tuesday's biggest prize. Cruz is making an aggressive push to influence who becomes delegates from the Keystone State, which will send most of its slate to the Republican National Convention officially unbound to any candidate. Even a statewide win by Trump could be undercut if he does not derail Cruz's plan.

After defeating Sanders handily in New York on Tuesday, Clinton planned to talk about gun violence at a predominantly African American Church here in Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon and hold an organizing event in the evening. Clinton is looking to maintain her strong support among black voters next Tuesday. Large urban areas with sizeable black populations will be voting.

Trump, who trounced Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich in his home state of New York, plans to hold an evening rally in Berlin, Md., near the border with Delaware. The mogul has performed very well in Northeast primaries.

Anticipating defeat in New York, Cruz, Kasich and Sanders jumped ahead to campaign in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. The Texas senator even gave a prime time speech in Philadelphia looking past the New York results. Both Cruz and Kasich planned to campaign in Pennsylvania again on Wednesday.

In the Democratic primary, Clinton is favored to claim Tuesday's top two trophies - Pennsylvania and Maryland. She has personal ties to the former and frequently talks about her grandfather, who worked in a lace mill in Scranton, Pa.

Together with New York, the states voting next week should effectively put the nomination out of reach for Sanders, said former Pennsylvania governor Edward Rendell, a Clinton backer.

"The math will be too hard," Rendell said. "My guess is she will be up by 300 delegates, and after the Acela primary there are only 6, 7, 8 opportunities left, and the only really big one is California. That's not enough."

But even lopsided victories for Clinton in Pennsylvania, with 189 delegates at stake, and Maryland, with 95, would probably not end his candidacy. Sanders' aides have continued to argue that there is a path to catching Clinton in the number of delegates awarded in primaries and caucuses - a scenario that would require a series of resounding wins in May and a huge victory in California in June.

Adding to Sanders' challenge next week are the rules governing the contests. Four of the five states - Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut and Rhode Island - are closed to independents, as New York was. Sanders has done better in states where unaffiliated voters can support him in the nominating contest.

Sanders has said that he thinks he will win the Pennsylvania. His spokesman Michael Briggs said Sanders should also perform well in Connecticut, citing wins in other New England states. He will take a day off the campaign trail on Wednesday before returning in Pennsylvania on Thursday.

On the Republican side, 172 delegates are at stake in the five states voting on Tuesday - 71 from Pennsylvania. Recent polls show Trump leading Cruz in the state.

"I think Mr. Trump's going to do very well in the state of Pennsylvania," campaign manager Corey Lewandowski predicted.

In each of the state's 18 congressional districts, Republican voters will not just select a presidential candidate, they will also choose a slate of three delegates that will go to the Cleveland convention unbound. The statewide Republican winner will get a separate prize of 17 delegates pledged to them on the first ballot at the convention.

Cruz's campaign plans to persuade voters to elect their preferred delegates in each district.

"We're going to voters saying: When you go into the polls on election day, vote four times for Ted Cruz. Vote for Ted Cruz and vote for each of his three congressional district delegates," said Lowman Henry, Cruz's Pennsylvania state chair.

Henry said the Cruz campaign is "going to make that plain in variety of ways through really 18 different congressional district campaigns we're going to be running over the next week." He declined to lay out the specific strategy for doing so.

But there's not guarantee it will work. And if it doesn't, Pennsylvania could quickly become Trump territory. A recent Pittsburgh Tribune-Review survey of the people running for delegate in their district showed many would support the statewide or districtwide winner on the first ballot in Cleveland.

Trump convention manager Paul Manafort said Pennsylvania will be different from previous states where Cruz sailed through the delegate selection process.

"We were involved in the filing and we're going to run a very competitive race," he said.

Cruz strategists believe they can win enough support on the remaining contests to keep Trump from getting to 1,237 delegates, which is the number needed clinch the nomination. Trump's team, meanwhile, has said it is hopeful he will eclipse that threshold by the time primary season ends in June. After New York, Trump led Cruz 845 delegates to 559, according to the Associated Press's latest tally Wednesday morning.

But Kasich is a wild card for Trump and Cruz. The Ohio governor's centrist pitch could win him some support Tuesday's contests, where many Republicans are moderates. Kasich planned to campaign in at least three of the five states between Wednesday and Saturday. In a memo released Tuesday night, chief strategist John Weaver argued that Kasich was "best positioned" against Trump on Tuesday.

Both Trump and Cruz have started looking ahead to the May 3 battleground of Indiana, where Cruz's campaign feels it could end a potential two-week losing streak in the northeast. Trump's first scheduled campaign stop on Wednesday is a rally in Indianapolis. Cruz is expected to campaign there on Thursday.

Along with Pennsylvania, Cruz's strategists see Maryland as another state where he could make some headway, but no one is predicting big victories. If anything, they are bracing for another impressive showing by Trump.

"I think once we get by the 26th and we start heading west again, you're going to particularly there see Sen. Cruz start to rack up delegates," Henry said.

---

Gearan reported from Washington. John Wagner in State College, Pa., and Jenna Johnson in New York contributed to this report.
A total delegate shut-out in New York's primary Tuesday officially precluded Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's path to the Republican presidential nomination through the primary vote.

According to a tally by the Associated Press, Cruz would need 100.6 percent of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination. His only chance remains a contested convention, and his campaign will likely fight into the summer to make sure one happens. If it does, Cruz still stands a solid shot at the nomination.

RELATED: Trump wins N.Y. Primary

There are no surprises in Wednesday's bad news for Cruz. He never spoke highly of his chances in New York, home turf of GOP frontrunner Donald Trump and the butt of his controversial "New York values" sting. But things couldn't have gone much worse than claiming zero of the state's 95 delegates.

And the shutting of the door to Cruz's win in a primary vote has been a long a time coming.

To claim the nomination in the primary vote, candidates need 1,237 delegates on their side  that's 50 percent of the national GOP assembly plus one for an outright majority.

After Cruz's resounding Wisconsin win on April 6, the Houston Chronicle analyzed the remaining state primaries and concluded the Texas senator stood no shot of overtaking Trump's delegate lead. Now it's official. Cruz needs 678 delegates and 674 remain (excluding unbound delegates). But all hope is not lost.

The Cruz campaign has been staking out turf for an upset win at a historic contested convention. Indeed Cruz's continued participation in the race signals his anticipation of a contest when the GOP convenes in Cleveland in July. Otherwise there's no reason for him to keep fighting.

RELATED: Growing chance of contested convention puts added focus on delegates

A contested convention happens when no candidate claims the necessary majority to win the primary vote, prompting a series of re-votes by delegates on the convention floor, until a winner emerges.

RELATED: Then things to know about a contested convention

But Cruz needs to campaign hard to make that happen. Trump could win the nomination before convention with about 60 percent of the remaining delegates  a slightly improbably but totally possible feat for the reality TV star.

That means that this primary cycle  already exceptional for its early start and prolonged slog  could drag on until the last state contests in June.

A win in the primary vote is increasingly seeming like Trump's only hope for the nomination. The Cruz campaign has been aggressively and effectively stocking state delegations to the national GOP convention with ardent supporters, who will be eager to switch their votes from Trump to Cruz as soon as rules allow.

RELATED: Team Cruz works to draw Texas delegates

The Trump campaign has remained almost entirely absent from that process, leaving little doubt that Cruz would conquer a contested convention.
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) went off on Ted Cruz the morning of the New York primary. The brash Congressman with a tendency to rage said hed choose death over the Texas senator.

I hate Ted Cruz, and I think Ill take cyanide if he ever got the nomination, King said on MSNBCs Morning Joe.
Like water, electricity and gas, Internet service is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool, a basic utility that we can't do without. Simply put, people without the Internet are at a distinct disadvantage accessing information that is important to their lives. The monthly cost, however, can be a major barrier for low-income earners.

Earlier this month the Federal Communications Commission provided some relief. The agency agreed to expand the $1.5 billion Lifeline program, a $9.25-a-month-subsidy, to Internet as well as phone service. It can be used with cellphone Internet or broadband Internet at home.

Expansion of the Lifeline subsidy is intended to help those on food stamps, Medicaid and other federal assistance who have trouble affording service on their own.

While $9.25 may not seem like much of a break on a monthly Internet broadband service bill that can range from around $25 to $50 and above, it's a positive step toward helping bridge the digital divide that exists between low-income students and their peers who are not.

The more youth, especially disadvantaged youth, we can provide access to the Internet, the better, as schools are going increasingly digital and more teachers are assigning homework online.

State officials are keenly aware of the challenge. Gov. Greg Abbott last month announced a partnership with the non-profit Education SuperHighway to launch an initiative to bring affordable, high-speed broadband to all Texas school districts. The goal includes working with nearly 1,000 schools that currently lack access to high-speed Internet connections.

According to a Texas Education Agency survey of 1,223 Texas public school districts last year, only 26 percent met a state-specified target for Internet connectivity speed. The survey also found that city and suburban locations had faster speeds than their rural counterparts. Campuses with lower speeds cited lack of necessary funds as the chief barrier to improving infrastructure.

The FCC subsidy helps with Internet access for students in those low-income households. The majority of the more than 200,000 students in the Houston Independent School District, the largest public school district in Texas, are classified as economically disadvantaged.

According to the American Federation of Teachers, Texas chapter, Internet connections at home are simply non-existent for many Texas students, as teachers increasing assign homework needing web access. In the Rio Grande Valley, that percentage goes as high as 40 percent in some communities, Texas AFT says.

Nevertheless, Abbott is moving in the right direction with his "Classroom Connectivity Initiative." Our suggestion is to expedite his plan to provide all Texas students with the Internet connectivity they need for a 21st Century education with - in the words of a U.S. Supreme Court Justice on another matter of grave educational importance - "all deliberate speed."
Solutions now

Regarding "Fierce storm spawns floods, forces daring rescues" (Page A1, Tuesday), once again I find myself writing about Houston's floods. It is as if every year or two the powers-that-be completely forget the last major flooding disaster. How many floods must we endure before our city leaders finally begin to take flooding seriously in the Bayou City? Poor people, as usual, bear the brunt of these flooding disasters. Why are they still being permitted to live in these dangerously low-lying areas?

Areas that have flooded previously should be classified as "flood-prone zones," and residential construction should be restricted to only those designs which require the lowest floor to be elevated one story above ground level.

Parking can be provided below the residence in a parking area that is built up higher than the average high-water level.

Bayou City should take a page from New Orleans' book, which for years built houses up on stilts, like beach houses. This is such an obvious solution. I just cannot fathom why city hall doesn't take action.

Homes that have been repeatedly flooded should be declared a total loss, condemned and demolished, to make way for new, flood-proof New Orleans-style homes up on pilings.

Craig Ziegler, Houston

Idea all wet

I read about a proposal from Texas Department of Transportation to rebuild Interstate 45 at downtown as a below-grade roadway, with one segment to include green space ("Plan would alleviate congestion," Page A9, April 24, 2015).

Maybe those engineers should pay a visit to Houston now and reassess that idea.

Mike Streeter, Deer Park

Big hearts

When hearts are broken, lives shattered and so many tears from the wrath of Mother Nature, Houston has the strength to help each and every one despite their color, religion or whatever defines each of us.

When identifiers are constantly mentioned in a negative way, we can find middle ground in helping each other. I truly believe in us.

I saw black people saving white people's lives. I saw no colors in helping. I saw poor people crying, and I cried with them. I saw policemen and policewomen, fire fighters risking their lives for the sake of others and a real feeling of helping because it's our nature to do so.

Roger L. McAuley, League City

Climate change

These past several days we have seen some of the worst flooding in the city's history. The stories are both heart-breaking and heart-warming as we watch people endangering their own lives to help others.

Local media outlets have been covering the events like a blanket, and yet not a single one has mentioned the words "climate change." I wonder why that is, and what kind of catastrophe will be needed to begin some intelligent discussion of the topic in this area?

Stephen J. Holler, Houston
Guilt and innocence

Regarding "Letter of the law" (Page B13, Sunday), Glenn Hegar, Texas comptroller of public accounts, defended his decision to deny compensation to Alfred Dewayne Brown for his wrongful imprisonment. Brown's conviction was overturned in part due to findings of prosecutorial misconduct.

In his letter Hegar states, "I can't make any judgment concerning Mr. Brown's guilt or innocence."

In fact Hegar is not required to make any judgment of the sort. In America, which at least for now still includes Texas, all defendants are to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. And now so stands Brown.

James R. Cato, Kingwood

Jackson's upside

Regarding "Jackson to lose face on $20 bill?" (Page B3, Monday), apparently, Jacob Lew, the Treasury Secretary, needs a history lesson. Not all was negative during Old Hickory's two-term administration. He allowed the "common man" to vote. This expansion allowed those not owning property to vote. This opened up the ballot to hundreds of thousands.

We have a tendency to view people in the past through our rose-colored glasses of the present. That's not a fair or constructive way to do business. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were slave owners.

Are the $1 and $2 bills the next ones to fall?

Randy Neumeyer, Spring

Hiroshima visit

Regarding "Bad memories" letter (Page B13, Sunday) and "Kerry makes 'gut-wrenching' visit to Hiroshima memorial" (Page A1, April 15), I do not understand why people have to connect "apology" to sadness or gut-wrenching.

I've personally visited the Peace Park Museum and A-bomb Dome in Hiroshima. I found it profoundly sad and gut-wrenching. The before-and-after photos, the young children on their way to school, and the number of the human tragedies that resulted from the bombings are all profoundly sad. Even so, I feel certain the right decision was made by President Truman to drop the bombs. It ended the war in the Pacific and saved countless lives.

I don't feel any need to apologize. But can't I feel sad and heavy-hearted by what had to be done?

Jesse Cancelmo, Houston

Budgeting realistically

Regarding "Budget stress" (Page B13, Sunday), the editorial attacks two of the most important issues to seniors, but ignores the biggest budget buster of them all: Defense.

There is plenty of fat in the defense budget that could be trimmed and the money used to shore up important social programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

For one thing, the Veterans Administration medical service needs to be scaled back to treat just service-connected conditions.

Free burial in national cemeteries should be limited to vets who die of service-connected conditions.

Republicans need to work with President Obama to address budget concerns realistically.

Patricia Roberts, Bellaire
In the summer of 2014, the Obama Administration had a problem. As Congress was debating comprehensive immigration reform, tens of thousands of children, and in many cases their mothers, fleeing gang violence in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala were turning up at the border.

Even though irregular crossings of the southwestern border were, in fact, at their lowest number in 40 years, partisan rhetoric said otherwise. It became a political imperative, if not a humanitarian one, for the administration to demonstrate its control over the southern border.

So it made an expensive deal with Mexico to keep these desperate women and children from ever reaching the U.S. border. It would encourage Mexico "to interdict the flow of illegal migrants from Central America bound for the United States," according to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.

At the same time, it would establish an alternative: a safe and orderly way for Central American children to apply for refugee status from their own countries to join parents who were already lawfully in the United States.

A combination of U.S. funding and diplomatic pressures spurred the Mexican government to action. On the same day in July 2014 that President Obama sent Congress an emergency supplemental request of $3.7 billion "to comprehensively address this urgent humanitarian situation," his Mexican counterpart, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, issued a decree announcing the Programa Frontera Sur (Southern Border Program) to boost migration enforcement efforts in four southern Mexican states.

The result was often a fast bus ride back from Mexico to the deadly places people had fled with no real opportunity for protection either in Mexico or back in their home countries.

The Congressional Research Service estimated that U.S. State Department funding to support migration enforcement on Mexico's southern border would exceed $86.6 million prior to the enactment of the appropriation for fiscal year 2015. The U.S. Congress increased the president's $115 million request for fiscal year 2015 by another $79 million, specifying that it was to be used "for helping Mexico secure its southern border."

A year later, the number of apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border had fallen to 70,400, a 57 percent drop from the previous year. During that same time, apprehensions of Central American migrants in Mexico rose by 75 percent, to nearly 93,000.

The Mexican government reported a 79 percent increase in the number of Central Americans deported from Mexico in the first four months of 2015.

While Mexico used the substantial influx of U.S. dollars to beef up its migration control capacity, it did not significantly improve reception conditions or its capacity to process asylum claims for the additional numbers that predictably would be apprehended. Despite a 65 percent increase in asylum applications in 2014, Mexico's refugee agency, the Mexican Refugee Aid Commission, received a budget increase of less than 5 percent for 2015.

Meanwhile, the new U.S. resettlement program for Central American children was beset with logistical and bureaucratic problems and far-too-narrow eligibility criteria.

But no problem was greater than the requirement that children under threat from a gang stay and wait in their country while the United States slowly processed their applications. Nearly a year and a half later, a paltry 32 Central American refugees had been admitted through the program, out of more than 6,000 applicants.

Given the U.S. government's role in promoting Mexico's interdiction of Central American migrants and asylum seekers, it should earmark proportionate funding and support to improve and expand Mexico's capacity to process asylum claims and provide social support for asylum seekers and refugees.

It should also, as Homeland Secretary Johnson announced it intended to do, expand U.S. refugee resettlement from the region.

The United States should broaden the eligibility criteria beyond children inside their countries with lawfully present parents in the United States and consider for admission a wider range of Central American refugees who have fled to Mexico or other countries in the region.

For many decades, the United States has been a world leader in promoting refugee rights and solutions. At a time when international solidarity and responsibility sharing have never been under greater strain, and when the European Union is seeking to persuade Turkey to interdict Syrian and Iraqi refugees to keep them from reaching Europe, U.S. leadership is needed more than ever.

But its efforts to use Mexico to stem the Central American refugee flow not only exposes Central American children to danger, but sets a bad example that potentially harms refugees in Europe and throughout the world.

Frelick is the Refugee Rights Program director at Human Rights Watch. He was a researcher and editor for the new Human Rights Watch report, "Closed Doors: Mexico's Failure to Protect Central American Refugee and Migrant Children."
At the age of 4, Leiliana Rose Wright died from horrific child abuse in Grand Prairie.

As shocking as the circumstances of her death are, given what we knew and when we knew it, our failure as a community to protect her is more shocking.

For years, Child Protective Services investigators have struggled, sometimes doing a little better or a little worse, but always struggling. We have long known why - low salaries and high workloads leading to constant caseworker turnover.

For example, it's been reported that the CPS investigator assigned to Leiliana's case had 70 other cases. Under national standards, he should have had no more than a dozen. Critical tasks went undone and critical actions untaken. With so many cases, tragic outcomes were inevitable.

When Texas does bring children into state care, the kids face new problems. Just this past December, a federal court found the states foster care system to be unconstitutionally unsafe because of high caseloads and a lack of foster homes. Recently we learned that children were sleeping in state office buildings or living in psychiatric hospitals because no placement was available.

Attracting more foster parents requires recruiting, training and supporting them as part of a professional treatment team. Right now, though, the state pays only 85 percent of the cost of providing services. In Fort Worth, the state has a model program called Foster Care Redesign that is producing great outcomes, but with extra money from the community. So far the state won't commit to funding it statewide.

Very few of our state leaders have called for an increase in spending on child protection or foster care. In fact, shortly after the federal court decision, I predicted that our lawmakers' instinct will be to look for cheap solutions, such as replacing leadership or reworking our practice model.

The prediction recently came true. With Gov. Greg Abbott applauding, the head of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced the appointment of retired Texas Ranger Chief Henry "Hank" Whitman as the new top dog for CPS, saying, "I can't think of anyone better than a Texas Ranger to protect our most vulnerable Texans," and going on to tout Whitman's strength as an investigator.

I have great respect for the Texas Rangers and wish Whitman the best of luck. If he is able to leverage his credibility to secure the resources CPS needs, his appointment will be a godsend.

As Leiliana's case illustrates, though, being a great criminal investigator will be of little help to Whitman. The problem in Leiliana's case wasn't that CPS couldn't figure things out. The problem was that CPS was too overwhelmed to act.

The announcement of Whitman also hints at a new law enforcement model and promises "high accountability." Although this sounds reassuring, it would actually be counterproductive.

Child protection is primarily social work. Most cases involve neglect - primarily due to poverty, substance abuse, and mental illness - not abuse. Because of this, providing real help to the family is the best course for the kids, and that means spending money.

Holding people accountable for not doing more than is humanly possible is an unfair and a punitive approach that leads only to increased burnout and higher turnover. We see that happening right now. Top leadership positions are vacant and morale is low.

Public servants feel unfairly blamed for the problems of their underfunded agency and are worried their heads will roll next. Whoever is in the job will face the same intractable problems. Accountability doesn't work unless coupled with the resources to do the work.

Nevertheless, every three years or so, the state announces a new commissioner who is going to fix everything. We know better. We have been to this rodeo before. There are solutions, but they will cost hundreds of millions of additional dollars.

Knowing what we know, unless we as a community are willing to demand real action, we can't escape complicity in the death of the next Leiliana.

McCown is a clinical professor of law and director of the Children's Rights Clinic at the University of Texas at Austin.
Donald Trump's national field director resigned this week because he did not want to be layered over by Scott Walker's old manager, the latest shake-up in a campaign that has been roiled by internal tension over the past few weeks.

The Republican front-runner worries that the nomination could slip away because the party establishment is more organized than he is. He's trying to expand and professionalize his operation, playing catch up in the delegate hunt. To do that, he's proved increasingly willing to push aside many of those who helped him get to this position in the first place.

Stuart Jolly, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who had never worked on a national campaign before he joined the Trump effort last year, is a close friend of campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. They earlier worked together at Americans for Prosperity.

Lewandowski has been marginalized in recent weeks by Paul Manafort, who was brought on to help prepare for a contested convention but by all accounts is now essentially in charge. Last week, former Walker manager Rick Wiley - who has been at the National Republican Senatorial Committee - joined the Trump operation.

In a Saturday meeting at Trump Tower, the candidate informed staff that Manafort and Wiley will take the lead in upcoming states, and he gave them a $20-million budget for key contests in May and June, according to Politico's Ken Vogel and Ben Schreckinger. "The spending authorization, which covers most of the month of May, is far more than the campaign has spent in any prior month . . . Manafort also laid out a plan on Saturday for hiring at least five additional communications staffers to work in a national press office."

Jolly, 52, told The Post in an interview Monday night that he is not angry about leaving. "While Lewandowski has been known to be tough on his staff, sometimes yelling or speaking harshly, Jolly was considered his friendly, soothing counterpart," The Washington Post's Jenna Johnson and Ed O'Keefe explain.

-- Presidential campaigns are MRIs of the soul. They tell us a lot about a candidate's character. When Trump defended Lewandowski in the wake of his incident with a Breitbart News reporter last month, many stories were written about what an intensely loyal fellow he is. Trump himself talked about how he fights for people who fight for him. That is a false narrative.

"Far from a tight-knit family of blood brothers, The Donald's inner circle has been purged and repopulated many times over the years," BuzzFeed reported recently, offering many examples. "Devoted workaholics burn out and flame out. Longtime alliances end with lawsuits and tabloid sniping. Sometimes reconciliation follows, sometimes grudges endure."

-- The case of Roy Cohn is very instructive when it comes to understanding Trump's soul. Joe McCarthy's notorious chief counsel during his Senate investigations into communism was a key early mentor to Trump. The red-baiter visibly shaped the real estate mogul's worldview and belligerent public persona, Michael Kruse explained in an excellent piece for Politico Magazine earlier this month.

"By the 1970s, when Trump was looking to establish his reputation in Manhattan, the elder Cohn had long before remade himself as the ultimate New York power lawyer, whose clientele included politicians, financiers and mob bosses. Cohn engineered the combative response to the Department of Justice's suit alleging racial discrimination at the Trumps' many rental properties in Brooklyn and Queens. He brokered the gargantuan tax abatements and the mob-tied concrete work that made the Grand Hyatt hotel and Trump Tower projects. He wrote the cold-hearted prenuptial agreement before the first of his three marriages . . . To all of these deals, Cohn brought his political connections, his public posturing and a simple credo: Always attack, never apologize."

BUT when Trump found out in the mid-1980s that his friend and associate had AIDS, he shifted legal business away from him and pushed him out of his inner-circle. "Donald pisses ice water," Cohn reportedly said. "Donald found out about it and just dropped him like a hot potato," Cohn's secretary told Kruse. "It was like night and day."

---

-- Even in the best case scenario, the Cleveland convention seems likely to be a total nightmare for the GOP:

Mitch McConnell said he's increasingly confident it will take at least two ballots to determine the nominee. "It is important for everyone to understand that the convention rules will require you to get 1,237 delegate votes and until one gets to 1,237 they will not be the nominee," the Senate Majority Leader told the Louisville ABC affiliate. "He did not name the candidate but said one appears to be 'suggesting that it's somehow tricky to simply follow the rules of the convention.'"

In Staten Island on Sunday night, Trump left no doubt about how far he is willing to go to woo uncommitted delegates: "Nobody has better toys than I do. I can put them on the best planes and bring them to the best resorts anywhere in the world. You're basically saying, 'Delegate, listen, we're going to send you to Mar-a-Lago on a Boeing 757, you're going to use the spa, you're going to do this, you're going to do that, we want your vote.' That's a corrupt system."

Mitt Romney said it is dangerous for John Kasich to stay in the race. He told "The David Gregory Show," a new podcast from the former "Meet the Press" host who is now a CNN contributor, that a three-man contest likely paves the way for the billionaire to capture the Republican nomination. "If Kasich and Cruz are both going at it aggressively until the very end, then I think Trump gets it on the first ballot," the 2012 nominee said.

---

How ridiculous are the next three months going to become?

The Argus Leader writes about a South Dakota delegate, who will be bound to vote for whoever wins her state's June 7 primary on the first ballot but then becomes a free agent. Char Cornelius said Kasich's campaign has offered to "take care" of her while she's in Cleveland. "If I get a lunch with LeBron James, that might be a turning point," Cornelius told the paper.

- Trump is now leaning on Jones Day for legal help: William McGinley, a veteran Republican attorney who is a partner at the firm, will advise him on the arcane process of selecting delegates and the convention rules process. Don McGahn, Trump's top campaign attorney, is also a partner at Jones Day. The firm's Capitol Hill office is where Trump met with lawmakers when he was in town recently.

The New York Times notes that a lot of really old guys are getting back into the political arena because of the dearth of operatives who have experience working a contested convention. "The last time Stuart Spencer courted delegates at a Republican National Convention, in 1976, he kept a roll of quarters in his pocket for when he had to run to the pay phones and call in reports to President Gerald R. Ford's campaign headquarters," Jeremy Peters writes. "This year there will be no running. Two hip replacements later, the closest Mr. Spencer plans to get to the convention floor in Cleveland is the deck of his Palm Desert, Calif., home, where he calls in advice to Gov. John Kasich's campaign almost every day. 'I'm 89, man. I'm lucky to be here,' said Mr. Spencer, who last worked in politics 25 years ago." Manafort is 67. Charlie Black, helping Kasich, is 68.

---

TODAY IS THE NEW YORK PRIMARY. Trump and Clinton are both looking to cement their front-runner status with big victories at home.

-- Can Trump get more than 50 percent? If he gets more than half the votes cast, Trump automatically wins 14 statewide delegates.Then there are three delegates up for grabs in each of the state's 27 House districts. To get all three, you need more than half the vote in the district. Polls show Trump should be able to pass the 50 percent threshold statewide. The Stop Trump forces have not really engaged in a state where it is very expensive to advertise. But New York is also a closed primary, so independents (who have been key to The Donald's victories) will not be able to vote (including two of his own children).
Will Hurd is the kind of guy Republicans want  and need, especially this election cycle  to succeed. A former CIA employee, Hurd is the first black Republican elected to Congress from Texas, representing Congressional District 23, a sprawling area that stretches from San Antonio to near El Paso.

The signs have been promising for Hurd, who faces a re-match against former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, an Alpine Democrat who spent years in the Texas House. Hurd raised $511,000 in the first quarter of this year, according to the Texas Tribune, compared to Gallegos $312,000 in that same period.

The Big Bend race is the only competitive one in Texas this year, and the House GOP is dead-set on keeping it in their column. Last weekend, San Antonio Express-News Bill Lambrecht wrote about all the support House leadership has given Hurd in last few months.

He went to the Middle East with House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has worked to emphasize Hurds expertise in national security and technology. The House passed Hurds bill last week that would allow the federal government to design software for other countries to screen terrorists more easily.

Lambrechts got the numbers: Since last year, nine bills that Hurd either wrote or had a hand in have passed the House. He was chief sponsor of two bills that also passed the Senate and became law: one fixing Border Patrol agents pay complications and another reducing duplication in Homeland Security IT purchases.

It is that kind of record that seemingly any politician in Washington would want. Hurd got it as a freshman, which even Ryans office acknowledged was an exception on Capitol Hill.

Ryans spokesman told the Express-News that even as a freshman, Will has quickly proven to be a leader on pressing national security issues by leveraging his experience in the CIA.  With all the threats we face in the world, he was an obvious choice to take part in our delegation.

Hurd is, in that case, an essential part of the Republican majority in the U.S. House, which is the only body in Washington that, arguably, isnt up for grabs in November. There are still many months before the general election, but the White House and the U.S. Senate seem to be on everybodys mind.

Gallego knows that reality well, and hes hoping for a re-match that is, at least in part, played out on national issues. Both Gallego and Hurd have talked about local issues in recent months, but even Congressional District 23 cant escape a trend that has turned every congressional race into a national one.

Nobody knows this better than Hurd, who likely wont be able to get any perceptible bump if the GOPs presidential nominee is Donald Trump or Ted Cruz. Congressional District 23 isnt exactly Trump or Cruz country. The Express-News story says Hurd wants to stay out of the presidential race that is roiling the Republican Party  because if they cant help him, theres no reason to get involved.

If its Trump, Hurds probably doomed, said Mark Jones, Rice University political science professor. If its (Sen. Ted) Cruz, Hurd is going to have to win the election himself because Cruz is unlikely to provide him with strong coattails.

This Republican civil war will pass, and Hurds challenge is to stay around to see what is left when the dust settles.
The Texas County Fair Board conducted weigh-ins for pigs, goats and sheep last Sunday at the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds.

DARREN ICE

The annual Texas County Fair livestock showing and competition are set for July 13-16, culminating with the junior livestock sale on the afternoon of Saturday, July 16.

The fair boards annual Youth Market Animal Prospect Jackpot Show is set for Sunday, June 5, at the fairgrounds. Weigh-ins will occur 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and showing will start at about 10 a.m. (animals must be in place by 8:30 a.m.).

For more information, call Texas County Fair Board chairman Darren Ice at 417-260-0471, or board members Russell Gaither at 417-217-0894, or Bambi Merrifield at 573-729-2234.
Tiny, red, heart-shaped, sweet juicy snacks right off of a plant. What could be better?

Strawberries are considered the most popular berry fruit in the world.

The tiny fruit is packed with vitamin C, fiber, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. Just one serving  only about eight strawberries  packs more vitamin C than an orange according to Dr. Pam Duitsman, nutrition specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Strawberries are the first berries on the market in the summer, Duitsman said. Since their growing season is very brief, it is important to be ready. Plan to gather enough for your freezer while strawberries are in season.

For those who have not yet planted their own strawberry plants, be assured that there are many U-Pick strawberry farms in Missouri.

PAM DUITSMAN

When picking, select firm, fully red berries. According to Duitsman, strawberries will continue to turn red after they are picked, but they will not ripen further or turn sweeter.

Flavor is influenced by the stage of ripeness, time of harvest, and a variety of the fruit, she said. The size of the berry does not determine the flavor.

When selecting strawberries in the store or at the farmers market, Duitsman recommends choosing berries that are firm, dry, and uniform in color. They should be plump, shiny, with a deep red color that is unblemished and free of mold. Avoid berries that are dull, or have green or yellow patches. If they have their caps attached, they should look green and fresh.

Check the berries on the bottom to make sure they are also of good quality, Duitsman said. As soon as you get the strawberries home, check closely for decay, mold, or other signs of spoilage, and discard any spoiled berries.

Strawberries can be washed, drained, covered, and stored in the refrigerator for later use. Leave the green caps and crowns on the berries until after they are washed to prevent water from soaking into the berry.

Let the berries sand and soil sink to the bottom, and lift the strawberries out of the water with your fingers. Several washes in clean water may be necessary. Let the berries dry completely on paper towels. Consume them within a couple of days for best quality. When ready to eat, remove caps by giving them a gentle twist, or use the point of a sharp paring knife.

Freezing is the best method of preserving strawberries for meals throughout the year.

Strawberries can be frozen whole, sliced, or crushed, and stored in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 12 months. Frozen strawberries can be substituted for fresh berries in recipes; however, the freezing process will make the texture much softer.

Strawberries that have been frozen are best served with a few ice crystals remaining. If thawed completely they will become mushy, Duitsman said.

Strawberries are low-calorie fruits. One cup of fresh berries has 45 calories. One serving of cooked, canned, or frozen berries are equal to about a half cup. For fresh berries, use one cup as a serving size.

For more information, call the MU Extension office in Houston at 417-967-4545.

This spring salad is teaming with Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. The bright green of the spinach and contrasting red of the strawberries is beautiful, and the flavors are excellent together.

One pint fresh strawberries

Two bunches fresh spinach

One-half cup sugar

One and a half tablespoons minced green onion

One-half teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

One-half teaspoon paprika

One-half cup olive oil

One-half cup balsamic or cider vinegar

Two tablespoons sesame seeds

Wash strawberries under cool running water. Remove caps and set aside to drain.

Wash spinach & remove large, tough stems. Tear large leaves into small pieces. Drain.

In a medium bowl combine remaining ingredients and whisk together.

Slice strawberries into halves or quarters and place in a large bowl. Add dry spinach.

Pour dressing over all and toss.

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Missouri senators on Monday endorsed changing the states sentencing guidelines to eliminate the mandatory sentence of life in prison for minors convicted of first-degree murder.

Lawmakers voted to alter the guidelines to bring them into line with a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found mandatory life sentences for minors unconstitutional. Bill sponsor Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, says that ruling left Missouri with no valid laws guiding such punishments.

Under the bill, a 16- or 17-year-old could be sentenced to a minimum of 50 years without parole, and somebody 15 years old or younger could face a minimum of 35 years.

Condemning a juvenile whose brain hasnt fully developed to 50 years in prison is tantamount to a life sentence, said Sen. Jill Schupp, a Democrat from Creve Coeur. She proposed making them eligible for parole after 25 years.

Allowing parole eligibility would still keep the most dangerous people behind bars, she said, while giving others a meaningful incentive for improving themselves.

Dixon said first-degree murder covers the most heinous crimes, and prosecutors already have the discretion to charge juveniles with lesser offenses.

The hope is that they can be corrected, he said. But it might take longer for some folks.

Past attempts to change the law have stalled over disagreements on the length of the minimum sentence.

The 143-page crime bill would also make it a felony for an undocumented immigrant to enter the state if they have previously been deported for committing a crime.

Sen. Mike Cunningham, the Rogersville Republican who proposed the measure, said the federal governments inability to safeguard the public from dangerous immigrants compels the state to act.

He also sponsored a separate bill that would affect only immigrants who are deported for a crime and, after illegally returning to the country, commit a felony or violent misdemeanor. The bill, which the Senate endorsed Monday, would allow a punishment for illegal re-entry of three to ten years in prison.

I just think this is people who are scum of the Earth, he said. If theyll abuse a person, assault a person, murder somebody, rob a bank, sell some type of felony-related drug  I just think they deserve more than a slap on the hand.

Dixon said he has been talking with Rep. Robert Cornejo, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and he expects the House to produce substantially different legislation.

The bill needs another vote before going to the House.

An online exclusive is an article or story that does not run in the print edition of the Houston Herald. Typically 2-3 are posted online every Wednesday morning. It is another feature for users who purchase full web access from the Herald.

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At about the same time the Raymondville Senior Citizens Housing Center came into being in 1985, a loan was taken out to fund the facilitys creation.

This month, that loan reached the point of paid in full  18  years early.

Tilitha Waicekauskas has been manager of the center since 1995, and traveled to Springfield April 7 and made the final payment. She said the early pay-off was made possible by effective money management and saving.

This means a lot, Waicekauskas said. Its amazing.

The center includes 11 rental units and currently houses 10 tenants. Waicekauskas said the facilitys tenant policy was recently changed to exclusively include renters ages 50-and-over.

Waicekauskas figures the reduced pressure on her to fill out myriad government paperwork might allow her to continue managing for a while.

This is such a relief and a huge load off my back, she said. I might be able to stay a little longer now that the workload is going to be so much less.

A celebration of the center being debt free took place during the facilitys annual meeting last Friday night. Waciekauskas said the future is bright for the facility, and eliminating the loan means it can operate with increased independence.

Our articles of incorporation say we will run this as senior housing perpetually, she said. We intend to keep on like we were, only it will be a lot easier because we can make our own rules.

Also at the annual meeting, Beverly Driesel was inducted into the Raymondville Senior Citizens Housing Center Hall of Fame (for people who have over the years been particularly important to the facility). She is the third person to receive the recognition.
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ing a weeklong trip to Melbourne, Australia, founder and CEO of Twitter and Square, Jack Dorsey, spoke of why it was sometimes necessary to let top employees go.One of the things I learnt early, early on in Twitter is sometimes you have these people who are just superstars  they have all the right answers, they have all the skills and theyre amazing, he said at a Square Talk Shop event in Federation Square.If they are too negative in their attitude however, they wont fit in with the company culture, he added. If they cant provide a positive influence on others, it wont work out.You tend to optimise for skills rather than recognising that the negative is actually dragging everything down.This, he noted, can be a crucial mistake as negative individuals tend to make work harder for others because of their attitude.No matter how good this person is, if they cant bring a positive and optimistic attitude to their work youre probably going to be slowed down.Dorsey recounted a moment from the early days of Twitter where he had to let go of certain superstar employees.That was really hard for me because we did have people that were just amazingly skilled, brilliant people but ultimately they were just super negative, he said.Although resistant at first, Dorsey realised that this decision then led to other more positive results.All this new leadership emerged and all this new positive energy emerged. It just unlocked all these interesting attributes in other people.
Conservative Party of Canada/Facebook

The Conservative party has used a viral video of Justin Trudeau explaining the basics of quantum computing in an attack ad.

The Tories uploaded the clip to Facebook on Tuesday, titling it "How To Avoid Serious Questions With Justin Trudeau."

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Footage of Trudeau captured while he was at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ont. on Friday shows him responding to a question about Canada's ISIL mission with a brief explainer about quantum computing.

"I was going to ask you to explain quantum computing but... when do you expect Canada's ISIL mission to begin again, and are we not doing anything in the interim while we prepare?" Colin Perkel from The Canadian Press says in the clip.

Trudeau, who had learned about the issue at the centre earlier in the day, then gives what one expert called a "quite accurate" explanation of quantum computing.

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The Conservative ad ends with white text on a black background reading: "Sorry Mr. Trudeau, Serious Questions Need Serious Answers."

Trudeau walks on stage to make an announcement at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ont. on April 15, 2016. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

The ad does not mention that Trudeau went on to answer Perkel's question after finishing his quantum spiel, and the initial video  uploaded to YouTube by CBC News  ends before Trudeau touches on Canada's ISIL mission. The CBC video also does not show Trudeau, earlier in the event, say he was "really hoping people ask me how quantum computing works because I was excited to deepen my knowledge of that this morning."

The video spread quickly as international media outlets picked it up, with many praising Trudeau for being a leader knowledgeable about the topic. Others attacked it and suggested it was likely a publicity stunt, something Trudeau's office denied.

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It was not staged. I was there," Trudeaus press secretary, Cameron Ahmad, told Gawker.

"The question was impromptu, the answer was impromptu as well. ... I believe he [requested the question] jokingly, and the reporter who asked him that [did so jokingly] as well. He wasnt instructing reporters how to ask him questions.

Expert 'flabbergasted' at PM's interest

Trudeau's knowledge, or at least interest, in quantum computing was already being noticed before the press conference had started, according to Maclean's.

Raymond Laflamme, co-founder of the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, told the magazine he was "flabbergasted when the prime minister inquired about high-temperature superconducting systems.

I dont know how he does in other subjects, but in quantum physics, he knows the basic pieces and the important questions.

Also On HuffPost:
Webber Academy/Facebook

Albertans are fed up with seeing public money fund private schools, especially after the historic deficit unveiled in the province's latest budget, according to a recent poll.

A Mainstreet Research poll released Monday suggests nearly two-thirds of Albertans don't want to see taxpayer money supporting private schools.

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61 per cent don't want private schools publicly funded

(Graphic: Mainstreet Research/Progress Alberta)

"In this economy, with a near $10-billion deficit why is the government spending $200 million of taxpayer money a year on private schools?" asks Progress Alberta, in a blog accompanying the poll results.

Mainstreet Research polled 2,498 random Alberta residents by phone between April 15-16. Results were weighted by geography, age and gender based on the Canadian census. The poll has a margin of error of 1.96 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Last week, Conservative MLA Ric McIver raised a private member's motion urging the provincial government to "affirm its commitment" to giving parents free choice over delivery of private and public education programs.

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Ric McIver speaks in Edmonton on Aug. 21, 2014. (Photo: Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

McIver was expelled from the legislative assembly Monday, after yelling at the speaker and refusing to sit down during a debate over an amendment to his motion.

The proposed amendment suggested the government confirm commitments to private schools only if there are no public alternatives available, according to CBC News.

Debacle over the motion and amendment raised debate over why public money is still being allocated to the province's private schools.

The Interim Alberta PC Leader was allowed to return on Tuesday.

"Why is the government spending $200 million of taxpayer money a year on private schools?"

On Tuesday, the Edmonton Public School Board motioned to send a letter urging the NDP to phase the public subsidy for private schools back to public school boards.

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"While we acknowledge that private schools have a right to exist, we do not believe they have a right to a public subsidy," reads the motion, put forward by trustee Michael Janz.

He called public education a "cornerstone of our democracy."

"If a parent wants to choose a different program or educational journey, or even a boarding school, that is their right to choose and pay for themselves," he said.

In the 2016-2017 school year, private schools and private early childcare operators will receive a total of $248 million from the government, according to the Alberta Education website.

Private school students make up five per cent of the student population in Alberta.

Thoughtful use of tax dollars 'more essential than ever'

"If a parent wants to choose a different program or educational journey, or even a boarding school, that is their right to choose and pay for themselves."

The provinces daunting financial difficulties make it more essential than ever to put public funds in the places where they will do the most good," said Joel French, executive director of Public Interest Alberta in a media release.

"Our public school systems are stretched to the limit, and Albertas government needs to make a clear commitment to strengthening public education."

According to Alberta Education, private school funding comes from "provincial general revenues, tuition or instruction fees paid by parents, and private fundraising."

Also on HuffPost:
John Alpeza/Facebook

UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon, Toronto Mayor John Tory indicated John Alpeza might not have to tear down an elaborate treehouse.

Tory has asked city staff to take another look at the matter because he doesn't want the city "looking like we're soreheads and party-poopers."

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"I think what we should do is make sure that what is not going on here is overly zealous bureaucrats simply responding because somebody phoned them," Tory said during a press conference, reports the CBC.

Apparently, steps can be taken so that the treehouse is in compliance with city regulations and discussions are ongoing between Alpeza and city officials.

After six years and $30,000, a Toronto dad has been ordered to tear down the treehouse of dreams he built for his two sons.

"It's nice to give the kids their own space, let them make their own little world. Imagination is so important. They can use that to play, instead of video games again," John Alpeza explained to CBC as to why he built the structure in the first place. He wanted to give his kids and their friends something to do other than being on screens.

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The elaborate structure has expanded over the years and now looks like a whimsical ship with ropes, ladders, a deck and windows -- even a library. Now one neighbour's complaint could destroy it all.

City orders Bloor West Village resident to tear down treehouse boathttps://t.co/MPJGJDtIaVpic.twitter.com/tcvVo4BeAw  CP24 (@CP24) April 20, 2016

Alpeza is a contractor, but not for residences, and didn't realize he needed a permit to build a treehouse. When the city informed him that a neighbour three doors down, Karen Lawson, had complained about the structure six months ago, Alpeza submitted detailed drawings in order to get that permit.

However, he was informed this week that his request was denied and the structure must come down.

Come on #Toronto! Don't make this Dad take down his boat-treehouse in Bloor West Village @JohnTory@normpic.twitter.com/VOFczJB5t2  Candice Indie88 (@Candice_Indie88) April 20, 2016

"All of a sudden, when it's really, really nice, it's a problem," Alpeza told CBC News. "I don't understand why somebody would complain a year later, after I try to make this thing really something special, not just a box with a plywood roof."

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Lawson told CBC she has only seen Alpeza's boys, who are now eight and 10, play in the structure a few times and says that kids want to go to the park, not be in the backyard.

Alpeza doesn't plan on taking anything down and wants an exception to be made. "This isn't about a treehouse, it's about the right of a family to enjoy their backyard... to put the kids first," Alpeza told CBC's Metro Morning on Wednesday.

Does he have a chance? Toronto mayor John Tory's tweet on the matter doesn't provide much hope.

Looking into #treehouse issue. Impressive play space & built with great intentions but safety & neighbourhood impacts have to be considered.  John Tory (@JohnTory) April 20, 2016

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Climate change is leaving a very visible mark on the Great Barrier Reef.

More than 90 per cent of its reefs  the worlds largest living ecosystem  are bleaching, The Guardian reported Wednesday.

Bleaching happens when warm water temperatures cause corals to lose the microscopic algae they need for food and colour, turning them white.

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Bleached branching coral, photographed in Maldives. (Photo: Reinhard Dirscherl/Getty Images)

Half of the Great Barrier Reef corals are already dead or dying, according to The Independent.

But since 1998, the Great Barrier Reef has been hit by three mass bleachings  the worst of which is happening now.

The biggest cause is global warming, according to the Smithsonian. Bleached corals dont die right away, but if temperatures dont cool down, they eventually starve to death or succumb to disease.

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A healthy coral reef in Fiji, in all its vibrant glory. (Photo: Reinhard Dirscherl/Getty Images)

This year, a pulse of warm water caused by El Nino, combined with high temperatures from climate change, caused the worst mass bleaching scientists have ever seen, according to The Guardian.

Scientist and coral expert Charlie Veron told The Huffington Post Australia there is no specific temperature change to blame, it was due to cumulation of stress.

I showed the results of aerial surveys of #bleaching on the #GreatBarrierReef to my students, And then we wept. pic.twitter.com/bry5cMmzdn  Terry Hughes (@ProfTerryHughes) April 19, 2016

The damage could lasts for millions or billions of years, Veron warned.

Roughly one third of all marine species have got some part of their life cycle in a coral reef. Once you wipe out a coral reef, you are really hitting the oceans  it's beyond imagination, he said.

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That is a mass extinction and there is every reason to believe that we are triggering it.

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We won't lie, when we found out that Justin Trudeau landed a spot on GQ's "Most Stylish Men In The World" list, we were a little crushed our prime minister didn't get his own cover like fellow shortlisted Canucks, Drake and Ryan Reynolds.

Well, it looks as though we weren't the only ones itching to see Trudeau on the men's magazine cover. On Wednesday, GQ finally made it happen.

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Not bad.

GQ's editors explained their decision to gift Trudeau a mock cover.

"Even if we're grading on an elected-leader curveand we arethe prime minister makes an effort to look his best whether he's in black tie at the White House or bringing his impressive sock game to a hometown talk show. And that's why we thought Trudeau could handle his own GQ cover," GQ's editors wrote.

Obviously, the cover won't hit newsstands or subscriber mailboxes, though GQ defended it's "not because we're worried American audiences wouldn't be able to handle eyes that dreamy."

"With Toronto hometown hero Drake and Ryan Reynolds, a.k.a. the pride of Vancouver, taking up so much prime printed real estate already, having a third Canuck cover would have ma-a-a-aybe been overkill. Kind of like when Trudeau and Obama joined forces for bro hugs and baby-kissing," the mag said.

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Sorry GQ, but we have to disagree with you on this one.

You can check out GQ's full list of "Most Stylish Men In The World Right Now" here.

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A marijuana delivery company has found an ingenious way to bring the bud to its customers.

That's right. Juice.

Oakland-based company HighSpeed Delivery started operating in the District of Columbia in January after residents there approved Initiative 71 last year.

Initiative 71 is a ballot measure that allows the possession of up to two ounces of marijuana, and to transfer, but not sell the drug to anyone aged 21 or older.

HighSpeed is exploiting that "gifting" loophole by selling juice and tacking a little weed on to the purchase of any beverage.

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It works like this: first, customers pick any of three strains of marijuana. Then they choose a juice, in flavours such as orange, berry lemonade or grapefruit.

On its own, the juice costs $11. But adding certain amounts of marijuana to the mix runs the bill up to as much as $150.

Then, the company delivers the juice right to you  the pot just comes with it.

"My business model is built on putting cannabis on the back burner," David Umeh, HighSpeed's 25-year-old CEO, told Tech Insider.

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The company claims to have hundreds of customers in the D.C. area, and the website was sold out of juice at press time.

It has also cleared its plan with lawyers, company spokeswoman Rachel Bor told the Washington City Paper.

But Umeh admits that higher-up officials haven't exactly approved it yet.

HighSpeed isn't the only business offering weed delivery where it's allowed in the United States.

GreenRush, which is based out of San Francisco, delivers medical marijuana door to door using an app.

The service allows you to search for a dispensary, choose a strain of marijuana and have it delivered within an estimated time frame.

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The business has modeled itself after food delivery services such as GrubHub, which lets customers order from restaurants online, TechCrunch reported.

What about Canada?

The federal government announced on Tuesday, on 4/20, that a bill to legalize the would be introduced in the spring of 2017.

And there could be plenty of distribution options if it passes.

Shoppers Drug Mart is looking into selling medical marijuana in its stores, and even pitching the substance under its own brand name.

Meanwhile, in Ontario, Premier Kathleen Wynne said last year it would "make a lot of sense" for provincially-run liquor stores to sell it if it's legalized.

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A Liberal cabinet minister has been accused of suggesting her colleague's racial identity might be behind a Conservative push to have her apologize for a controversial fundraiser.

On Tuesday, MPs debated an opposition motion to have the House of Commons "urge" Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to admit attending a Toronto law firm's private fundraiser earlier this month was wrong.

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The motion asks Wilson-Raybould to return all the funds, as Tories did when former heritage minister Shelly Glover faced similar scrutiny for an event in 2014.

Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Feb. 2, 2016. (Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

With a Liberal majority in the House, it's all-but-certain the motion will fail. A number of Liberals spoke in the House about how the gambit was "frivolous," and time would be better spent debating other pressing matters.

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Many also defended the personal integrity of Wilson-Raybould, who also serves as Canada's Attorney General.

In her speech on the motion Tuesday afternoon, Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef accused Tories of "spreading rumours despite (the) facts," calling it an example of the behaviour Canadians rejected in the last election.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould speaks during question period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on April 11, 2016. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

"The motion is a vicious and unfounded attack on an indigenous leader, a woman who has and continues to serve her nation honourably," Monsef said of Wilson-Raybould, a former regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations and Crown prosecutor.

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"The motion is not helping Canadian democracy. I urge members to put an end to this unhelpful practice of using valuable House time to pursue baseless accusations that do nothing to promote a healthy democracy."

"The motion is a vicious and unfounded attack on an indigenous leader, a woman who has and continues to serve her nation honourably."  Maryam Monsef

The remark did not sit well with Tory MP Todd Doherty, whose emotional speech on the Attawapiskat suicide crisis recently earned kudos for the rookie member from B.C.

Doherty rose minutes later to say that he was both alarmed and offended.

"She brought race into this, and I am absolutely, 100 per cent offended," he said. "Whether the minister is indigenous or not has nothing to do with it.

"She brought race into this, and I am absolutely, 100 per cent offended. Whether the minister is indigenous or not has nothing to do with it."  Todd Doherty

"As somebody who has strong indigenous women in my family, I am absolutely offended and, through you, Mr. Speaker, I demand an apology."

'Nothing to feel outraged about'

Monsef made it clear that no apology would be coming, though she didn't intend to violate Doherty's "sensibilities."

"The fact is that our Attorney General is a woman. The fact is that our Attorney General is of proud indigenous descent," she said.

"That is nothing to feel outraged about. Instead, I urge the member to consider celebrating it."

Doherty did not take Monsef's remarks lightly.

"Mr. Speaker, the honourable colleague from across the floor did not apologize but inflamed the situation by making further comments about racism," he said.

Assistant deputy speaker Anthony Rota determined that it was a matter of debate and not a point of order.

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Wilson-Raybould said event was about 'Canada'

Under fire in question period last week, Wilson-Raybould said the "primary discussion" with lawyers at the fundraiser was focused on the country, not her work as minister.

"It was about how far we've come as a country wherein we embrace diversity, ensure that all voices are heard, and recognize that in a country such as Canada, the justice minister can be an aboriginal person and also be a woman," she said.

The full text of the Tory motion, tabled by deputy justice critic Michael Cooper, can be read below:

That the House urge the Minister of Justice to: (a) follow her government's own guidelines for Ministers and Ministers of State as described in Annex B of Open and Accountable Government 2015, that "Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries must ensure that political fundraising activities or considerations do not affect, or appear to affect, the exercise of their official duties or the access of individuals or organizations to government"; that "There should be no preferential access to government, or appearance of preferential access, accorded to individuals or organizations because they have made financial contributions to politicians and political parties"; and that "There should be no singling out, or appearance of singling out, of individuals or organizations as targets of political fundraising because they have official dealings with Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, or their staff or departments"; (b) apologize for the fundraising event on behalf of the Liberal Party with one of the top law firms in Canada; and (c) return all funds collected from the event, as was done in 2014 for the event involving the former Minister of Canadian Heritage.

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McDonalds is reinventing itself.

From table service and self-serve kiosks to cage-free eggs and all-day breakfast in the U.S., the burger chain is looking for ways to stay popular in an age when fast casual chains are eating into its business.

In its latest move, McDonalds Canada said it will overhaul 1,000 Canadian restaurants into new-generation locations that will feature its Create Your Taste program. Features include customizable burgers, table service and self-serve kiosks.

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To make it happen, the company plans to hire some 10 additional staff at each location, adding up to some 10,000 new employees across the 1,000 locations.

That would bring McDonalds staffing in Canada to around 100,000 people, strengthening its position as one of the largest employers in Canada  smaller than Loblaw (123,000 employees in a 2014 survey from QMI) but larger than Royal Bank (80,000 employees).

The company expects to spend some $200,000 to $250,000 on each of the 1,000 restaurants it plans to transform, the Toronto Star reports.

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Food consultant Doug Fisher of FHG International told the newspaper the chains move is worth it if it creates more demand.  The self service is likely going to reduce line ups which should be beneficial to the customer, especially those with kids.

Bigger, smaller Big Macs  but no all-you-can-eat fries

Another element of McDonald's plan for revival is bigger and smaller versions of its Big Mac, which the company has begun testing.

The company said Wednesday it's testing a Grand Mac'' and Mac Jr.'' in the central Ohio and Dallas areas, and will see how they do before deciding on a national rollout. No word yet on when the products may reach Canada.

The Grand Mac is made with two one-sixth-pound beef patties, which may be a way for the company to make its famous burger more substantial as burger competitors have made the regular Big Mac seem skimpy to some. It will sell for US $4.89.

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The Mac Jr. is basically a single-layer Big Mac, and McDonald's says it's easier to eat on the go.'' That will sell for between US$2.39 and US$2.59.

But the company is quashing reports that a coming Missouri restaurant will test all-you-can-eat fries, saying the endless spuds will be available for a limited time only to promote the site's scheduled July grand opening.

The buzz is around a reported test'' of unlimited fries for customers at the pending location in St. Joseph, north of Kansas. But McDonald's spokeswoman Lisa McComb says no such test is in the works.

 With files from The Associated Press

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Oil investors had good reason to be happy as prices trended upward Wednesday with news of an upcoming OPEC meeting in Russia next month.

There's just one problem: no such meeting is actually going to take place, according to Russia's energy minister.

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Fayyad Al-Nima, Iraq's Deputy Oil Minister, said Wednesday a possible meeting involving OPEC producers could take place in May, following recent talks in Doha, Qatar that failed to produce an agreement to freeze oil production, Bloomberg reported.

"Iraq's view is to have a freeze in output for a short period to help protect the interests of both producers and consumers equally by easing the surplus from the market and improving prices," Al-Nima told the news service.

The price of crude oil jumped to just under $44 per barrel amid news of an upcoming meeting.

But Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak was quick to throw cold water on the prospect, saying "no such agreement" had been reached to host follow-up talks there, Reuters reported.

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Talks in Doha fell apart after Iran failed to show up. The Islamic Republic is refusing to freeze its oil production after international sanctions were lifted in January.

Meanwhile, regional rival Saudi Arabia is also refusing to cap its own production if Iran doesn't do the same.

Capping production would help stem a decline in oil prices from about $100 to $40 per barrel in two years.

Evidently, freezing production doesn't actually need to happen for oil prices to keep surging.
CP

Canada went through a "dark age" for press freedom during the government of Stephen Harper, but "only time will tell" if things will improve under the Trudeau government, an international media watchdog said Wednesday.

Canada fell 10 spots to 18th place in the latest ranking of press freedom from Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF), while the U.S. rose eight spots to 41st place.

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"With mounting concern over the governments 'growing secrecy' and rampant bureaucracy in executing Access to Information (ATI) requests, Stephen Harpers reign was considered a 'dark age' for journalism," RSF said in its report. "Current Prime Minister Trudeau has strongly advocated for a 'free media' but only time will tell if his promises will be fulfilled."

Worldwide, media freedom has suffered a "deep and disturbing decline'' due to pressure from governments and businesses, the watchdog group said.

Many of the world's leaders have developed "a paranoia'' about journalism and are clamping down on the media, while coverage in privately-owned outlets is increasingly shaped by corporate interests.

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"The climate of fear results in a growing aversion to debate and pluralism,'' said Christophe Deloire, secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders. "Journalism worthy of the name must be defended against the increase in propaganda and media content that is made to order or sponsored by vested interests.''

While Europe has the freest media, according to the report, some countries such as Poland fell sharply on the press freedom index by tightening government control. In Hungary, the government has also sought to impose restrictions on press freedoms.

Journalists in the Middle East and Africa fell victim to terrorism, armed conflict and intimidation by authorities. In Latin America, reporters were constrained by organized crime, violence and corruption. In the United States, they faced cyber-surveillance.

The decline in media freedom was also observed in east Asian democracies such as Japan and South Korea, while in China, "the Communist Party took repression to new heights,'' the study said.

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In post-Soviet countries, freedom has declined steadily, with many countries following the example of Russia, where government critics face persecution. Ukraine was a notable exception, seeing an improvement due to a decline in violence in the separatist conflict in the east of the country and some reform, though many problems still remain.
Vancouver teachers have been reminded to reject 4/20 as a legitimate excuse from students for missing class on Wednesday.

A one-page notice from the Vancouver School Board was sent in lead-up to the annual counterculture holiday that celebrates marijuana on April 20.

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"Students are aware of '4/20,' and schools report a number of students who either leave school to attend the '4/20' gathering, or use 4/20 as an excuse note to attend school that day, read the note from the board's substance use prevention initiative earlier this week.

A man, wearing a marijuana-themed hat and sunglasses, is pictured at the Vancouver Art Gallery during the annual 4/20 day, which promotes the use of marijuana, in Vancouver, B.C. on April 20, 2013. (Photo: Ben Nelms/Reuters)

It also offered a reminder that April 20 is a regular school day and class attendance will be taken. A disclaimer was also added that the school board doesnt condone students participating in 4/20 events for many reasons.

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Nancy Brennan, the school boards associate superintendent of learning service, told CBC News the notes intention was to ensure students and their parents are well-informed as possible.

City of Vancouver rolls with it

For more than two decades, 4/20 celebrations have been centralized outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.

The annual event drew upwards of 30,000 people and at precisely 4:20 p.m., the sound of thousands of lighter flints signals a billowing cloud of marijuana smoke above the citys downtown core.

It's been a problematic gathering for city officials and police concerned about public health and safety, traffic, and security. Last year, 64 people, including teens, were sent to hospital for conditions related to consuming marijuana.

This year, construction at the art gallery forced organizers to move the pro-marijuana event to Sunset Beach  despite the park boards opposition.

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On Tuesday, attempts to stop 4/20 were seemingly extinguished after the park board tweeted a notice to the public to be prepared for a sea of pot smokers Wednesday.

Please be prepared for large 4/20 crowds in vicinity of Sunset Beach Park and on seawall tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/EcVIxMejNZ  Vancouver Park Board (@ParkBoard) April 19, 2016

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Bloomberg via Getty Images A Samsung Group flag flies outside the Samsung C&T Corp. headquarters building in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday, July 17, 2015. Samsung Group prevailed in one of the most contested proxy fights South Korea has seen, defeating billionaire investor activist Paul Elliott Singer and underscoring the resilience of the nation's corporate dynasties. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Another month, another Site C contract, and once again with one of those almost -- but not quite -- Canadian companies.

On April 6, Canadian Press quoted Premier Christy Clark as stating "Montreal-based Voith Hydro Inc. will design, supply and install six turbines, six generators and associated equipment."

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Voith would be more accurately described as a family owned, Germany-based company with operations in Montreal and dozens of other locations around the world.

May seem picayune, but it's not the first time BC Hydro has taken liberties with postal codes.

In a news release last November, it announced the selection of Peace River Hydro Partners as the preferred proponent for the $1.75 billion Site C main civil works contract.

Peace River Hydro Partners is comprised of Samsung C&T Canada, Acciona Infrastructure Canada and Petrowest.

In the release BC Hydro stated: "The Petrowest group of companies operates out of Northeast B.C. and Western Canada" and "houses four divisions in Fort St. John." The politic way of trying to avoid saying that its head office is in Calgary, Alberta.

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Acciona Infrastructure Canada is described as a "wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of Acciona S.A." that's "headquartered in Vancouver," neglecting to mention that the parent company is headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

At least it didn't try to skirt Samsung C&T's South Korean connection. Kind of tough with that one.

BC Hydro has also taken a bit of artistic license in the corporate description section of its Site C news releases.

Left out of its December release -- announcing the awarding of the $1.75 billion contract -- was any mention of collusion and bid-rigging by Korean-based Samsung C&T; the ongoing investigation by a Spanish magistrate and anti-corruption prosecutors into "allegations of misappropriation of public funds, falsifying documents and money laundering" at Acciona; and liquidity issues at Petrowest.

In 2014, Samsung C&T was one of 12 companies fined $45 million by South Korea's Fair Trade Commission for bid-rigging on a railway project. Fines totaling $110 million were imposed on it and 10 other companies for a cartel during a separate 2008 bidding process, and it was fined $6.2 million for collusion in the 2009 bidding on a Seoul subway construction project.

Last year, it was banned from bidding on any public works projects in South Korea. A Seoul administrative court has suspended the order pending resolution of a lawsuit filed by the company in response.

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There's that matter Down Under, too.

Australian-based Roy Hill Holdings commenced legal proceedings last November against Samsung C&T for breach of contract due to the late delivery of the $5.4-billion Roy Hill mine in Western Australia.

In February, Roy Hill launched a legal action to seize the $235-million performance bond Samsung C&T posted.

A whistleblower at the site claimed that up to 200 white-collar and 457 visa workers were being exploited: "about half of whom are Korean nationals aged under 30, are clocking up more than 84 hours a week and being grossly underpaid."

Samsung is implicated in the corruption scandal in Brazil as well.

In January, two high-ranking executives at Acciona were arrested as part of the Spanish investigation into allegations of corrupt practices.

Acciona is part of a three-member construction team that took a "major hit" on an approach road in Windsor, Ontario when it "agreed to replace 500 pre-stressed concrete bridge girders due to the use of tack welding of rebar cages during fabrication."

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There is a sliver of good news, though.

Petrowest, which had been reported to be living on borrowed time from its lenders -- only a few days after BC Hydro awarded the contract -- staved off what might have been a messy financial meltdown when it reduced its debt through a $10-million stock placement in March.

None of this bodes particularly well for Site C coming in on time and on budget.

Maybe if it wasn't in such a rush to reach the point of no return, BC Hydro could have performed a little more due diligence.

Something else it should consider is the OECD's Principles for Integrity in Public Procurement, particularly number 10: Empower civil society organizations, media and the wider public to scrutinize public procurement.

Withholding the competing bids for the Site C contract -- as BC Hydro has done -- doesn't speak to an open and transparent process.

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This month I take a departure from my usual wine article to write about something else that has become near and dear to my heart -- Women's Mental Health. 15 cities across Canada will host the fourth annual Shoppers Drug Mart Run For WOMEN, the first and only national run (or walk) benefiting Women's and Girls' Mental Health programs.

For each 5K and 10K walk or run, Shoppers Drug Mart donates $10 from each registration. On top of that, 100 per cent of each participant's donations and pledges go to women's mental health programs in their city.

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In Ottawa our donations will go to The Royal Women's Mental Health Centre. To date, the run has raised over $150K in Ottawa and 2015 had just under 1,500 participants. Organizers have set a healthy goal of 2,500 runners and walkers for 2016. Currently the registration in Ottawa is just under 1,200 participants and going strong.

Women are three times more likely to suffer periods of mental illness than men. The onset of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause are factors in the pronunciation and expression of mental illness.

Anxiety and depression is more prevalent in women than men, women experience 90 per cent of eating disorders and Schizophrenia manifests itself differently in women than men.

The result can sometimes lead to death, but mostly victims suffer in silence unable to lead their best life. Mental illness can interfere with everyday living such as parenting, work, eating, personal hygiene, decision making and school. Here's where I come in.

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I'm a runner and I've participated in this event with my girlfriends. I've also suffered postpartum depression and anxiety. Running, family and medication have helped me tremendously, and I'm always looking for ways to pay it forward.

In January I was recruited through the Running Room in Ottawa to get local high school girls involved in the Run For Women with a six-week program called Run For It. Their goal is to cross the finish line at the Run For Women strong and proud. The six-week schedule is based on the Running Room's Learn To Run clinic, but it also encourages good nutrition, fitness, moral support, mental health dialogue, goal-setting and building friendships. Early intervention is the key in treating youths with mental health issues.

I'm happy to report that here in Ottawa we have six high schools participating in Run For It. That's double the 2015 total and considering we got the ball rolling a little late I am thrilled. We have enthusiastic teachers and students and I can't wait to see them all cross the finish line with more than a few tears shed.

It also happens to be Mother's Day and I can't think of a better mother-daughter outing. The proceeds from the Shoppers Run For Women ensures care and on-going programs now and for the future. Men are welcome to run and there's a 1K Little Steps for those 12 and under.

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Signs of Mental Illness in Youth from The Royal Ottawa

Parents, teachers and friends are usually the first to recognize that an adolescent may be having significant problems with emotions or behaviour. The Canadian Psychiatric Society offers the following signs to look for in your teen, student, brother, sister, classmate or friend that may indicate that a psychiatric evaluation would be useful:

Marked drop in school performance or increase in absenteeism

Excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs; marked changes in sleeping and/or eating habits

Numerous physical complaints (headaches, stomach aches); aggressive or non-aggressive consistent violations of rights of others: opposition to authority, truancy, thefts, vandalism, etc.

Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities

Depression shown by sustained, prolonged negative mood and attitude, often accompanied by poor appetite, difficulty sleeping or thoughts of death

Frequent outbursts of anger and rage

Low energy level, poor concentration, complaints of boredom

Loss of enjoyment in what used to be favourite activities

Unusual neglect of personal appearance

Intense fear of becoming obese with no relationship to actual body weight

Intense fear of becoming obese with no relationship to actual body weight

Uncharacteristic delinquent, thrill-seeking or promiscuous behaviour

Marked personality change or bizarre behaviour

Comments about "feeling rotten inside," wanting to "end things" and hoping to "no longer be a problem for others."

The Shoppers Drug Mart Run For Women takes place Sunday May 8, 2016 across Canada.

Click on the 15 Cities link above for the city closest to you or consider a donation.

Mental health matters to me, and it should to you, too. I look forward to updating you on the success of our Run For It high school teams at the start and finish line.

Until next time... wine * food * run

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During the last few months, bloody attacks perpetrated in the name of Islam have been again at the heart of international issues. What do those tragedies tell us? What are the answers to the questions raised by those growing tensions? In addition to the challenges related to public safety, what could be the eagerly awaited reform of Islam destined to reconcile our communities? In other words, how can we retrieve a cultural Islam without political aims?

There is no miracle solution. Unfortunately, the absence of a clearly identified clergy in the Muslim world (particularly in the Sunni world) does not favour a reform of Islam. To reform this religion, the various representatives of Islam all around the world should cooperate, coordinate their action to find common ground on major issues. It may sound a bit unrealistic, but we should hope that it happens. To be legitimate, the reform of Islam expected by many observers cannot only come from the West: change must be mostly initiated by Muslim people.

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It is clear that the vast majority of Muslims have already chosen to live their faith according to the peaceful surahs of the Quran.

The first point various Muslim representatives should address is the legal nature of Islam in itself. Indeed, Islam comes historically with a legal system named Sharia. Islamic law is contained in the Quran and the Sunna -- numerous texts which can be regarded both as Civil code and Criminal Code by extremists and terrorists. Without a review of its legal nature, it is unlikely that Islam can modernize itself. In a democratic system there cannot be a competition between two separated regimes: the Islamic law and the Common law.

The second point various Muslim representatives should address is the violent nature of a certain number of Quranic verses. Contrary to surahs revealed in Mecca (610-622), some of the surahs revealed in Medina (622-632) show a will of power. The reason for this is that Prophet Muhammad has evolved in two different historical contexts in the seventh century in the Arabian Peninsula. If Muhammad was really peaceful in Mecca (610-622), he was more belligerent in Medina (622-632), which explains why a certain number of Quranic surahs are vindictive.

It is clear that the vast majority of Muslims have already chosen to live their faith according to the peaceful surahs of the Quran. However, it remains true that the various representatives of Islam may decree that the vindictive surahs are not intended to be prescriptive. In order to do this, an extensive theological work must be initiated.

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Finally, Islam should abandon its legal ambitions. Otherwise, it is in danger of losing its spirituality for the sole benefit of its political aims. Ideally, the various representatives of that religious tradition should also encourage the recovery of a peaceful Islam, which is liberated from political and ideological pressure.

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"Pass 'em over," said our good friend Joe, to his wife, as we all peered at our menus in the darkened restaurant, trying in vain to read the tiny print without using the reading glasses that were making the rounds.

Sooner or later, many Canadians will find themselves stretching their arms out to the point of shoulder dislocation, or using a magnifying glass from their child's science kit to read the fine print on medications, food packages, smartphone screens and more, before they give in to having to buy the inevitable reading glasses.

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Why does this happen? With age, the eye loses elasticity. It's a condition called presbyopia and it leads to blurred vision, most often affecting those over the age of 40.

Ingrid Kasaks, a credit card executive has had reading glasses for about two years, and she's not a fan. "Honestly I hate them especially at work where I have a laptop in front of me, but then in presentations which are displayed on a wall they have to come off" she sighs. "Looking at people they go on and then reading the paper in front or laptop they are back down." She laughs "And somehow they are constantly smudged."

Kasaks isn't alone. How much do we hate wearing our reading glasses? A recent Leger survey conducted for Lasik MD showed that 25 per cent of Canadians surveyed would be ready to spend an extra 30 minutes on their commute if they could get rid of reading glasses; 21 per cent of those surveyed would be willing to pack on five more pounds for freedom from reading specs. There were regional differences, however.

In Ontario, 21.8 per cent of those surveyed agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that they would rather add 30 minutes to their daily commute if they could read without glasses. In Quebec, that number was slightly higher, at 22.8 per cent.

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Of Quebeckers asked if they would prefer to gain five pounds if they could eliminate the need for reading glasses, 25.4 per cent agreed or strongly agreed; in Ontario, that sentiment was lower at 22.6 per cent.

Regionally, those in Alberta were most likely to agree with the statement that wearing reading glasses would make them feel old, with 29.6 per cent of those asked saying it would. The lowest number of Canadians who agreed: 19.2 per cent in Atlantic Canada.

When it came to finding the need for reading glasses at work being the most bothersome, Albertans again agreed in the highest number, 40.3 per cent. Atlantic Canada residents again showed the lowest number in agreement, with only 28.1 per cent.

Just over 25 per cent of Manitoba/Saskatchewan residents surveyed (25.4 per cent) agree or strongly agree they would rather gain five pounds than wear reading glasses.

While 28.4 per cent of Ontario residents surveyed said reading glasses made them feel old, only 26.1% of Quebecers agreed with that sentiment.

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However, residents of the two provinces were practically in agreement about not liking the need for reading glasses at work, with Ontario respondents coming in at 34.6 per cent and Quebecers at 32.8 per cent.

So what's the solution? Some people are candidates and if they think laser surgery for presbyopia is for them, they could consult a medical professional while others will continue use more conventional means, like mom of two Robynne Ostry.

"I wear the reading glasses most of the time and it makes my life easier" she admits. "On the days that I don't wear them I get annoyed that I can't see the small stuff and have to root around to find some, which we do try to keep around the house in various places."

If you had to find a pair to read this article, you'll know where she's coming from, even if you can't quite see it from there.

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Retired M. Cpl Paul Franklin was injured in a bomb attack on a Canadian convoy in Afghanistan in 2006.

In April 1917, in a place called Vimy, the prime minister Robert Borden and his advisors knew he needed to say a few words to motivate soldiers, engineers, aircrew and medical staff before the battle.

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"The government and the country will consider it their first duty to see that a proper appreciation of your effort and of your courage is brought to the notice of people at home that no man, whether he goes back or whether he remains in Flanders, will have just cause to reproach the government for having broken faith with the men who won and the men who died," said Borden.

Those words still resonate with the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces men as they continue the fight in Iraq and Syria. A new government is now in power and promises have been made, and many vets and families are waiting to see if they are all to be followed.

When I was blown up on Jan. 15, 2006 I was lucky enough to have been gravely wounded before the New Veterans Charter came into place. It was hailed by all parties and the Royal Canadian Legion as a living document that would showcase a new way that vets coming from another land filled with poppies would be treated.

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Paul Franklin at an event in Sylvan Lake in 2015.

At the time, the charter promised that we would receive faster and better service from Veterans Affairs. Instead, we found the opposite as the number of those wounded physically and mentally grew higher and higher in a system that was already cut back as far as it could go.

For myself, as with all vets, we have to continuously prove our injuries and our wounds over and over. Those with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) have to relive the very thing that is causing them trauma. Vets with traumatic brain injury found themselves out on the streets unable or unwilling to fill out the complex forms to get the services they need.

I have had two wheelchairs repossessed because paperwork was not filled out correctly.

With the Service Income Security Insurance Plan (SISIP), there is always a constant threat that they will stop payment of benefits if forms are not filled out in their timeline. Again, for those with anxiety and other issues these time pressures can be intrusive and damaging.

The New Veterans Charter has failed. Almost 700,000 vets from all political stripes agreed for once that monthly pensions have to return to replace this charter.

"... changing back to a monthly pension is a system that reduces the number of hoops the limbless have to jump through, and a system that understands that if your friend dies in your arms there may be days that are difficult."

Veterans Affairs has moved into a complex service where a paratrooper with a sore back can have his or her claim rejected due to lack of paperwork even though they have completed 200 jumps. An artillery officer whose medical file will show degrading hearing loss over his career will be unable to get a pension or buyout because he can't "prove" his hearing loss was service-related.

Vets -- above most of the public -- understand limited budgets. We lived through an entire decade of darkness when as soldiers we would have to run around saying, "Bang bang" and bring our own paper to make a photocopy. The reality though is that changing back to a monthly pension is a system that reduces the number of hoops the limbless have to jump through, and a system that understands that if your friend dies in your arms there may be days that are difficult.

Sometimes vets can sound like pedantic children fighting over what seems trivial matters. The reality is that being in the military we know that it's the little things that matter. It's the details.

Change would save money

We need to look at the reality in this fiscally tight world. Move to a system of reverse onus where Veterans Affairs trusts that the people doing the applications actually have the problems they list.

The government will actually save money as the true costs lie in doctors' appointments, specialists, applying the paperwork, applying the percentage of disability and then sometimes various appeals.

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Cutting the bureaucracy by working with the patients and with veterans will make it a co-operative approach, and not a confrontational one.

The goal of Veterans Affairs is to help vets and their families. Those that work there do their best but it's a system with flaws, so any way we can make it easier -- and in fact cheaper -- helps us all and sticks to the principles upon which the department was founded.
SelectStock via Getty Images West New York, NJ

You may have seen them.

Lurking in coffee shops. Hiding in women's changing rooms. Exposing themselves on airplanes. They're making their way from coast to coast traumatizing innocent victims as they go. And to make matters worse each has at least one tiny accomplice.

They're shameless, chronically sleep-deprived, and dangerous.

They're an army of topless breastfeeding G-cup hippies.

At least that's what you may believe if you've followed the news lately. In late 2015 Ashley Kaidel's viral Facebook post, in which she's breastfeeding her baby uncovered in a cafe, caused quite the stir. What wasn't shown in the image was the disapproving onlooker. Kaidel's defiant stare paints a vivid scene. Criticism raged suggesting the photo was premeditated. And critics may be right. But does it matter if they are?

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Sensationalist images are frequently used to bring attention to important social issues. They aim to wake us from our daily slumber and demand our attention. Shake us up. Make us talk. And that's exactly what the post achieved. The controversy it caused speaks to how sensitive society is about public breastfeeding. It doesn't take much to push our collective buttons.

"Breastfeeding is a huge commitment which demonstrates unconditional love. Women don't accidentally breastfeed -- it's a conscious decision."

In February, Juliet Thomson was on a United Airlines flight when she was humiliated by a female passenger who called her "disgusting" and complained to a flight attendant. Juliet had achieved the dream of nursing her baby to sleep on a plane. The reaction of those around her should have been relief. But, instead she was met with hostility.

How could something as natural as a nursing baby be a topic for debate?

Breastfeeding mothers rarely expose themselves needlessly. Comments I've received in response to my support of feeding our babies in public suggest breastfeeding women are somehow getting a kick out of exposing themselves. That nourishing our babies is an afterthought and really our main objective is to get our boobs out.

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Breastfeeding is a huge commitment which demonstrates unconditional love. Women don't accidentally breastfeed -- it's a conscious decision. And often a treacherous journey requiring determination to overcome obstacles thrown in our path.

Cracked nipples. Engorged breasts. Improper latches. Mastitis. Bites. Nursing on demand every two hours. Loss of independence. And now, judgmental stares and nasty comments. For most mothers, disapproval, from strangers is the least of our worries. We've given birth. We're enduring a level of sleep deprivation most would consider a form of torture. We're tough. We can handle it. But, why should we?

A 2010 study by the Journal of Pediatrics suggests if 90 per cent of mothers were able to follow medical advice to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months, the American taxpayer may save more than $13B annually in infant healthcare and related costs. And more importantly, prevent almost 1000 infant deaths each year.

Most women begin breastfeeding their babies, but by 3 months only 32 per cent are exclusively breastfeeding. And at 6 months it drops to 12 per cent. A survey conducted by the Australian Breastfeeding Association reports only 5 per cent of women are still breastfeeding their toddlers at two years of age despite the strong recommendation by the World Health Organization to do so.

Dr. Melissa Bartick, of the Cambridge Health Alliance in Boston suggests, "We shouldn't be blaming women, because not only are they often not actively supported in attempting to breastfeed, but they are also undermined" in a number of ways.

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Bartick says her main message is that moms need more support for breastfeeding including better access to lactation counselling and scaling back in the aggressive marketing of infant formula.

"If we can challenge ourselves to shift our perspectives and see a breastfeeding mother for the miracle she is we'd all be touched by the magic we're witnessing."

But, small, but positive changes are happening. Outdoor clothing company, Patagonia, recently announced changes in it's family policies as they sought solutions for colleagues struggling to breastfeed and care for their babies without losing their jobs. In the U.S. up to 35 per cent of working women don't return to their jobs after giving birth. Over the last five years Patagonia has seen 100 per cent of their moms return to work.

In a recent interview with Katie Couric, Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, wife of Canadian Prime Minister, spoke about her choice to continue breastfeeding her two year old son.

She says, "I will continue to feed my child even if he's two, I'm not going to stop if he wants it. I think it's a beautiful bond. I encourage it." Sophie's no-nonsense conviction lends a fresh and much needed face to countless mothers who feel less confident defending their choices.

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But perhaps the most powerful symbol of support would be a shift in society's approval. If we can challenge ourselves to shift our perspectives and see a breastfeeding mother for the miracle she is we'd all be touched by the magic we're witnessing. A brave mom who has been nursing round the clock, getting no sleep, enduring pain and trying to do the best she can for her new baby.

She's not trying to ruin your day.

She's not trying to expose herself.

She's doing what women have done for millennia; nourishing and protecting her baby the best way she knows how.

This post originally appeared on Raised Good.
The five things you need to know on Wednesday April 20, 2016

1) AMERICAN IDOL

Its PMQs day again and David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn have plenty to chew on. Corbyn may be tempted by the steel crisis (though see below), union rights and the housing bill concessions. Cameron may prefer to jibe at his opponents problems with all things American, from its foreign policy to its fast-food restaurants, to getting a Presidential hearing.

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Ahead of the Obama visit, the Yanks certainly arent holding back on speaking out on the EU referendum. Ed Ballss former tutor Larry Summers is one of eight former US Treasury Secretaries who have written to the Times to urge Brits not to back Brexit. They warned it would be a risky bet and that economic uncertainty was already being triggered (a point underlined by another North American import, Mark Carney, to a Lords committee yesterday).

On Today, Summers said an end to the special relationship would translate much less into prosperity for both our countriesand the special relationship would have much less influence on the broad world. He rightly pointed out that theres not that much that Democrats and Republicans agree on so having Republican ex-Treasury Secs agreeing on this was significant. Liam Fox was not impressed. And of course it has to be said that these guys like George Schultz were in the pre-Tea Party Republican party - and Trump and Cruz have both warned Obama against interfering in the referendum.

For your average voter, the anti-Brexit letter that may have more impact is the one in both the Sun and FT. Bosses of Ann Summers, Jack Wills, Net a Porter and LoveFilm have thrown their weight behind the Remain campaign, with some 200 of Britains most successful entrepreneurs saying its best for business.

As for Obama, the Sun also doubles down on the Times story saying no meeting is gonna happen. It quotes a US administration source: Dont expect to see a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn on the presidents itinerary any time soon. No meeting with him was offered by us, and neither has anything been asked for. We dont anticipate that will change.

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2) ARTICLE OF FAITH

Michael Goves speech yesterday was preceded by Vote Leave chief Matthew Elliott saying it would be on of the most important moments in the referendum campaign. It was undeniably a well-crafted speech, full of rhetorical flourishes and some gags that read like a Boris Johnson column.

Gove also liked taking head-on two big charges against Brexiteers, that they dont know what Brexit looks like and that it would lead to economic contagion across Europe. He claimed a contagion of democracy would liberate the EU. And he said although the UK would be out of the single market it would be party of a free trade zone stretching from Iceland to the Urals. The downside of this latter argument is the type of nation that free trade zone includes: the FT headline reads Gove holds up Albanian model.

But perhaps the most intriguing bit of the speech was Goves line on what happens the day after a Leave vote. Cameron has threatened to invoke Article 50 of the EU immediately, saying he has no choice. Yet Gove said the PM would discuss the way ahead with the Cabinet and consult Parliament before taking any significant step. That suggests a warning that a defeated PM would have to bow to his Brexiteer Cabinet colleagues and MPs before doing anything. Many Tory Eurosceps think Gove is right and Cummings also said after the Gove speech that it would take time to repeal the 1972 European Communities Act (though Dominic Grieve blogs for us on how much he disagrees).

Some in UKIP think that Article 50 delaying plan is an attempt to keep alive the Boris/Cummings idea that a horrified EU would to give us new terms like associate membership. I dont want any shillyshallying, I want article 50 invoked straight away, Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, told the Guardian.

Lots of younger members of the Government want a leg-up in the reshuffle after the referendum. But speaking of red boxes, my colleague Graeme Demianyk has a new FoI story on the actual cost of ministerial chauffeurs ferrying their briefcases around: 350k.

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3) FISHER KINGS

Michael Gove had an AstonVilla/WestHam style brain fade yesterday after his speech, mixing up the names of Scottish fishing ports with landlocked English towns and made-up ones (will the SNP or Labour take the Michael in PMQs?).

But its another fisher story, namely Andrew Fisher, Corbyns political adviser, who is in the news in the Sun. The paper reports that Fisher told a Momentum meeting last week: On a wider thing, I think that the steel crisis has also played very well for us.

I know that sounds quite cynical, because it hasnt played very well for communities in Rotherham and Port Talbot, but in a sense, what it has exposed is a complete lack of industrial strategy on behalf of the Tory party. A Labour Party spokesman tried to clarify his remarks: Andrew was expressing a view that the Tories have no industrial strategy.

Tory MPs have hit out and it all reminds me of Cameron seizing on Milibands private line that he wanted to weaponise the NHS. Like that row, its hard to say if the voters focused more on Labour using a crisis for political gain or on the crisis itself. There's news of a new Port Talbot management buy-out plan today.

BECAUSE YOUVE READ THIS FAR

Watch Princes William and Harry in a light saber duel. Feel the force.

4) PAUSE PLEA

Niall Dickson used to be the BBCs health correspondent but today hes making news of his own as the General Medical Council chief exec, calling on junior doctors to pause and think of patients ahead of their first ever all-out strike. The Guardian leads with him calling on every doctor contemplating further and escalated industrial action to pause and consider again the possible implications for patients. He added that the right option for some may be not to strike.

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The Indy reports Jeremy Hunt turning down a late plea from the BMA for fresh talks with Dr Johann Malawana. The DoH says: not credible to call for imposition to be lifted when they refused to negotiate on the one remaining issue of Saturday pay that separates the two sides.

Internal emails seen by the Health Service Journal suggest that Dr Malawana himself sought unsuccessfully to convince union colleagues before the announcement was made that paediatric emergency services should be excluded from the strike. Meanwhile theres talk that the doctors professional bodies, the medical royal colleges, could act as intermediaries to stop things getting worse.

5) CHECK-OFF PLAYS

Angela Eagle is certainly active right now (leading some close to Corbyn to think shes on manoeuvres). After last weeks Press Gallery lunch, she pops up in the Guardian today attacking Gove for his Utopian rubbish on Brexit and last night she reacted to the Governments climbdown on the check off system for union payments by public sector staff. Well done all - but more concessions required - this Bill is still vindictive & deeply unfair, the Shadow Business Sec tweeted.

The Lords have certainly won some significant concessions over the Trade Union Bill, but there is a split in Labour (and the unions) between those who feel compromise is only reached with careful tone and negotiation and those who want outright confrontation. Unison and the TUC gave a warmer welcome to the check-off and other changes than Unite and the PCS.

Peers have used their anti-Tory majority effectively over the Housing Bill too. Today is the 4th day of Report Stage and the big action will be another expected concession on tenants in the private sector after a manuscript amendment by Dianne Hayter. This is a big shift from where ministers were previously not accepting the problem and acknowledging need to change the law. The nature of this policy alongside various other defeats/concessions/promises this week shows there are '50 shades of winning' in the Upper House.

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It's Depression Awareness Week and I figured it was time to blow this mental health stigma shit high out of the water.

I hadn't known there was an official event this week, I'm so used to seeing memes on social media I meet with a sage nod or wry smile as we all 'like' a post telling us it's nothing to be ashamed of - but we don't stick our heads above the parapet and yell "yes, I'm the nut in the fruit-cake!", but today after another run-in with inadequate mental health services I posted on my Facebook timeline about how I was being let down. I've always held it in, this dark and shameful secret - figuring that if anyone ditched me today or decided to distance themselves from me, they were unable to hurt me more than my own mind already does.

In 2002 I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and was told I should not refer to it directly in naice company, but instead allude to bipolar - or some other form of more socially-acceptable illness.

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I got as lucky as anyone diagnosed with a severe mental illness can be. I was at the time living in The Netherlands, Maastricht to be precise, and they just happened to have a university research team who were world leaders in the research and treatment of BPD - I even had MRI tests and pretty pictures of my brain to try and figure out if my neurons were firing the way they were supposed to in response to triggers in picture format.

I got 4+ years of weekly 1:1 therapy with a clinical psychologist and a whopping array of psychiatric medicine until the therapy kicked in and I could be weaned off. In 2008 my therapy ended and I was released back into the big, bad world - mostly stable but aware of my limitations.

Life trundled on, I got married, had two children and the time came to move back to the UK just over two years ago, to Shetland. I don't know whether I started to relapse before we moved or shortly after - but the cost of desperately trying to 'hold my shit together' meant that I essentially shut out the world, shut down - and eventually ran away from my husband taking our children, rather than talking to him and so my marriage collapsed.

I reached crisis point one night last October when I sent pictures to my ex-husband of blood pouring from self-inflicted wounds on my arms demanding to know if he was "happy now". He called the police and an hour later the cavalry arrived - GP, police, ambulance, Shetland Pony parade, etc. As I live on a small island far from the coast of mainland Scotland this involved an emergency ferry being laid on in the middle of the night to get me to the hospital in Lerwick. The paramedics were kind as I sobbed the whole 50 miles and boat trip to hospital. When I was admitted to A&E I asked if I could go out for a smoke - they're not supposed to, but I laughed and asked "where would I go?" - at 2am in Lerwick, there aren't too many options to abscond unless you're lucky enough to hitch a ride on a trawler heading for Stavenger.

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The following morning I had a brief visit from a mental health nurse and was discharged - I didn't want to be, I told him I wouldn't be safe alone. My ex-husband collected me and my shoulders heaved in the drive to his house, my bandaged arms throbbing and my children confused as to why mummy was sick.

A few weeks later I was called to an official meeting with the psychiatrist. By this point I was more able to articulate what was going on - BIG mistake. I told them (the same MH nurse from the hospital was present also) I'd been diagnosed more than a decade ago - it struck me as odd that nobody asked for proof - a mental health nurse friend told me since, it was because nobody would just claim such a diagnosis - and my Dutch psychiatric team have since sent notes.

I was told I was a "clever girl", given the name of a book about depression to buy from Amazon and given the URL of the Royal College of Psychiatrists website and told I'd "figure it out" - had I known that I could cure myself through reading medical websites, perhaps I could've performed my own c-sections using tools I'd purchased on Amazon - I digress.

I was asked about self-harm and suicidal thoughts - I told them I had a plan, had researched it and even made notes on how the children should be dealt with. I was informed I spoke in a "clinical manner" - I am not prone to snotty-nosed histrionics on the floor. Once again, my mistake.

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Again I was sent away without medication and without hope. There is no clinical psychologist on Shetland so I am not able to get help there, but we do have chemists and prescription pads.

My GP left that week and since then I've seen a series of locums to beg for help. The usual response is a shrug of the shoulders, showing of the palms and the reply of "I'm just the locum". Eventually I persuaded one to write a letter to the MH team referring me back.

Today I went to see another locum to beg for medication (he's the fourth or fifth I think - we still have no GP). He told me that the practice had heard back from the MH team and my referral had been denied. He is not allowed to prescribe psychiatric medication - his solution is to write back and ask for advice/permission on what he can prescribe.

Apparently I gave new evidence today - what that means is that I gave up and told him I nearly flung myself off the cliff when out walking a few weeks ago, and that I've had to ask my ex to remove the hammer from the cupboard before I smash it through my frontal lobe.

It appears I'd not quite been explicit enough before when saying "I'm not coping". But then that's the beauty of mental illness - we tend not to smile at you at the school gates and say "I want to put the hammer right here!" - we don't talk about the pros and cons of a DIY lobotomy. Instead we sit alone in the dark crying into our vodka, numb, blood-soaking through towels and tomorrow that smile will be right where it was yesterday.

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That's when I lost the plot (ha!) and outed myself on Facebook.

Being intelligent and articulate goes against me. I have a cut-glass accent, I make small talk and jokes, I'm well-educated and speak several languages. You might find me stand-offish and think I'm rude as I don't hang around long at social gatherings. That's because my nails are cutting into my palms and my teeth feel like they're going to break off because I'm clenching them so hard. But I'm still smiling - still playing the socially acceptable game - and such is the nature of my illness - I'll tell you anything I think you'll want to hear - as long as you'll like me.

So in the spirit of 'physician, heal thyself - thank goodness you can buy medications online these days! Chin chin!
Anyone's who has ever bought a house probably knows that when the money is paid over to their lawyer it goes into a separate 'client bank account' rather than the solicitor's own business account. A situation very different from the one used for letting agents where, almost unbelievably, there is no statutory requirement for such a separate account.

So, for example, those well known high-street letting agents 'Taker, Hoarder & Dash' can take in deposits or rent from tenants and put the money into their own account before later passing it on to the landlord. But should the company go bust or do a runner, such rental income may then either go to creditors or away with the erstwhile agent to the Bahamas. Neither therefore, back to the tenant nor on to the landlord - leaving both in financial trouble.

When the 2015 Consumer Rights Act was still making its way through Parliament, Labour tabled amendments that would put a mandatory duty on letting agents to have proper 'Client Money Protection' (CMP). This would require both a separate bank account for money simply being handled by the agent (not a fee for its own service) and insurance that - in the eventuality of a company going out of business - would see the protected money would go to the landlord. Or back to the tenant, where it was a deposit.

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Sadly, we failed to persuade the Coalition government of the wisdom of this approach. Instead, they merely agreed to make letting agents state whether they had CMP in place. Since all the good agents had it anyway and publicised this fact, this tiny concession from ministers has made little or no difference.

Unreliable letting agents continue as before, operating with just one account - mixing their own and their clients' money. Given that anyone can set up as a letting agent, with no qualification, references or experience, all too many take in vast sums of money with no guarantee of it finding its rightful home. Some 2.7billion is paid via agents in rent - perhaps a third of which through agents without CMP. Often it's landlords who lose out, which is why they, as well as tenants, are demanding a change in law.

Labour will again make the case today, through an amendment to the Housing and Planning Bill that would require every letting agent to have CMP. In earlier legislation, we managed to make it mandatory for every agent to belong to an Ombudsman Scheme. I am now hopeful that the government will concede the point, accept our proposed changes and bring forward the appropriate regulations. If so, it would be another major step in chasing the cowboys out of the market, to the benefit of all - landlords, tenants and decent agents - who find themselves undercut by fly-by-night rogues.
People from all walks of life and industries have come together to lend their voice to this once in a generation campaign

According to my mother, I have always wanted to be a doctor. Apparently my dolls used to go through major trauma with surgery being performed regularly, her red nail varnish being sacrificed in my quest for saving my doll's life. I have now been a junior doctor for ten years, I love my job and have been fortunate enough to work with amazing people doing amazing things on a daily basis. Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Health is going to change that. The proposed contract that is to be imposed in August will mean stretching an already strained service to breaking point. We, the Junior Doctors of your NHS, will not be able to provide safe care. One of my first jobs as a doctor before the current working conditions were introduced involved a 36 hour shift every fourth day. After one of those 36 hour shifts I fell asleep at the wheel whilst driving and crashed my car. Luckily I was fine and thankfully nobody was hurt, but it was a scary experience.

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I have been watching this contract discussion evolve over the last few months and have realised that our contracts are so hard to explain succinctly that the general public are often lost by all the jargon or worse, they believe the spin from the Government. Spurred on by a desire to disseminate accurate and clear information to the general public, a couple of months ago I teamed up with a man named Glyn Secker. Glyn has a long history in trade union disputes and his son is a medical student. Together we spent four weeks writing and producing leaflets for distribution. It was then that I realised that not only could we speak to the public directly to tell them exactly what was going on with the junior doctor contract but we could also provide them with ways to show their support. We came up with the slogan 'We Support Our Junior Doctors To Protect Our NHS'. As that's what we are. We are your doctors and together with the nurses, surgeons and other health workers who work tirelessly to keep our health service running, we are your NHS. It was a message people could get behind. Simple and the truth. We then set about producing a leaflet which listed the main points about the contract dispute on one side, and on the other, doubled up as a poster which people can put up in windows to show their support.

Since then, the amount of support and generosity people have shown us has been remarkable and extremely humbling. From my friend's husband who works for Breakfast Agency who helped out with the editing and design of the leaflet in his spare time, to the hundreds of people who have donated to the costs of the printing and left messages of support on our JustGiving crowdfunding page. This is not an isolated incident. As well as my campaign, other colleagues have been supported by the power of the crowd - almost 1,000 people have raised over 22,000 on JustGiving to pay for door-to-door campaigns, fund protests and even to help record and promote the NHS anthem 'Yours'. It truly is a grassroots movement that has been powered by people.

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Others have come forward to request copies of the leaflet for door drops in their streets. Copies have gone to every fire station in the country, bus depots, underground and railway stations. People doing political door knocks have been giving the leaflets out alongside their own information, members of the general public, colleagues, parents, friend of the NHS have taken leaflets and have used them, posted them and and dispersed the information on them.

Futhermore, this week I was asked to the postal trade union meeting, after which the postal union agreed they would help distribute our leaflets, London wide - and possibly national - as a show of solidarity with the junior doctors. On the same night at the teachers' union meeting we learnt they had handed out copies of the leaflet to every one of their members. That's 300,000 teachers who will have posters up in their windows saying they support junior doctors. Their assistant general secretary even tweeted a picture of the poster in his window, and then Natalie Bennett posed holding it and posted that on Facebook.

I have been sent pictures of tube drivers, community halls, marches of people, all holding the leaflets in solidarity. In Newcastle when the junior doctors marched, they converted the leaflet into placards. During the Defend the Ten libraries march in Lambeth 2,000 people held up the leaflets as part of their support. My favourite is a montage of pictures by a colleague who had seen the poster in every bus stop on his way to work. On Tuesday a group of other trade union members contacted me to say they were setting up a Junior Doctors' Support Group, with the aim of 'just looking after us'.

When I started this journey I planned to make a few leaflets to explain the issues with the new junior doctor contract to people. Because of the grassroots support, the solidarity and the importance of the NHS, a small campaign has snowballed into a national community coming together in their support of their junior doctors and their NHS. Thank you to everyone, thank you for just being there for us in our time of need and please keep supporting us. This is a once in a generation fight. If we lose, there will be no NHS for the next.

You can donate to the crowdfunding page to help pay for more leaflets at: crowdfunding.justgiving.com/wesupportourjuniordoctors

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In the wake of the resignation of Iain Duncan Smith, the UK Government's attack on disability benefits has only just started to receive mainstream coverage. Until recently the Government managed to get away with presenting cuts in disability benefits as if they were 'reforms' that would improve people's lives, by increasing employment or reducing illness. For instance, despite the overwhelming evidence that cuts targeted disabled people, a civil servant working for Iain Duncan Smith's DWP claimed that:

"...the Government expects its reforms to taxes, welfare, and public service spending to have a long term positive impact, in particular helping to get more people into work by making work pay and providing greater support for those who cannot work by targeting resources more effectively."

Government strategy often relies on a combination of prejudice and wishful thinking. For instance, it implies those not working are possible 'skivers' - people who could work, but who choose not to. At the same time the Government cites research supporting the so-called 'biopsychosocial' model of disability - a model that assumes disability is partially caused by the attitudes of the sick or disabled person. Although the biopsychosocial model is expressed in highly technical terms it is easily twisted to support ugly prejudices.

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Moroever the evidence used to support the biopsychosocial model is often weak, or misleadingly presented. For example, in 2006 the DWP funded a group of academics to run the PACE trial, which the Wolfson Institute of Preventative Medicine describes as follows:

"This large-scale trial is the first in the world to test and compare the effectiveness of four of the main treatments currently available for people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)."

Results from this trial were published in 2011 and presented as an exciting success for biopsychosocial interventions, like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), in the battle to reduce the impact of ME. Since then the Government has gone on to use the biopsychosocial model in support of its general approach to benefit cuts and welfare reform. For instance, in 2012 Lord Freud defended the 'reform' of Disability Living Allowance in the House of Lords:

"...we have gone for the biopsychosocial model. That model has now garnered very significant academic support, as those noble Lords to whom I sent that very interesting piece of research will recognise."

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Unfortunately it turns out that this research is often deeply flawed. For instance, the Centre for Welfare Reform has just published a report by George Faulkner which suggests that, on the basis of its published results, many of its claims cannot be validated. Picking just one example from the many problems in this research - it turns out that because the standard for 'recovery' was lowered after the research began you could even get worse and still be counted as having 'recovered' (see figure). Another analysis of this research in the Journal of Neurology and Neurobiology proposes that the therapies recommended by the PACE trial are so harmful that, if they were medicines, they would be withdrawn from the market.

It is not the biopsychosocial model on its own that causes these distortions, rather it is our underlying prejudices and fears that feed a plethora of bad policy and practice. For example, recent research shows that the needs of people with ME are not being respected in assessments for social care. At the same time the DWP is deploying an array of psycho-coercive methods to reinforce its message that unemployment is the fault of the unemployed.

Scapegoating - blaming the innocent victim - has always helped the guilty avoid their sense of responsibility for sins or errors. The strategy makes perfect sense at a time when politicians are bailing out banks, subsidising mortgage holders, while trying to blame our problems on group who are too weak to fight back. Hence we scapegoat disabled people, people in poverty, immigrants and asylum seekers.

However, while it may not be surprising that some politicians embrace dubious research, which encourages them to be cruel to be kind, there are other important questions to ask. For instance, why have the researchers involved not shared the full data from this publicly funded research? Also, why are so many researchers closely connected to private insurance companies, who are lobbying Government to replace our social security system with private health insurance? When politicians are looking to blame social problems on minority groups, as they have with disabled people, one might hope that scientists would avoid the temptation to pander to this need.

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Fashion Revolution Week marks the third anniversary of Rana Plaza, the deadliest tragedy in the garment industry, which claimed the lives of more than a thousand workers in Bangladesh.

As we wonder #whomademyclothes - attention turns to the millions of garment workers, surviving on poverty wages, who make the clothes we wear.

But what can we do to help these workers - 80% of whom are women?

Certainly not to only buy vintage or second hand - as two fashionistas recently proposed on a BBC radio 4 program. Garment workers desperately need to keep their jobs, so boycotting brands is not the way forward. They want to work. In many countries the garment industry is one of the few avenues to financial independence for women.

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What they don't want are poverty wages, excessive working hours and unsafe factories.

According to United Nations Guiding Principles, multinational companies are responsible for the working conditions at their suppliers. Yet many fashion brands have little control or little idea of how much workers are being paid, how long they are working or how safe the factories are, and insufficient will to do anything about it.

Brands' short lead times, last minute changes to production specifications, and a general lack of consideration of how their demands impact on workers, put an impossible burden on the women making our clothes.

Why should garment workers endure poor wages and working conditions when they are contributing to the phenomenal profits of global brands? Amancio Oretga, founder of Zara, is the second richest man in the world with a personal fortune of $70billion.

Any change in the global garment industry has to be systemic and enforceable. Acting alone will not bring about the necessary changes needed to improve the lives of garment workers.

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Extolling your own corporate and social responsibility credentials is worthless, unless you are working with your competitors to change the basis on which clothes are ordered and traded.

Garment factories in countries like Cambodia and Bangladesh produce for several brands. If one factory raised wages, it would be undercut by other factories and soon go out of business.

There needs to be a critical mass of brands to wake up and realise that their supply chain operations are immoral and unsustainable.

The Rana Plaza collapse on 24 April 2013 was a turning point in the garment industry, and showed that self-regulation and self-auditing by brands of their supplier factories had been a catastrophic failure.

It made possible the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety - a groundbreaking, legally-binding agreement between global unions and more than 200 multinational fashion brands to inspect and repair more than 1,600 garment factories.

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It is collaborations between brands and trade unions, like the Bangladesh Accord, that have the best chance of success and instigating real change.

My organization, IndustriALL Global Union, is now working with a group of committed brands, including Top Shop, Primark and Next on a process called ACT, which has the potential to revolutionize the global garment supply chain.

The goal is to introduce wage negotiations in garment supply countries that involve trade unions, factories and brands on an industry-wide basis. Setting higher wages across the entire industry prevents individual factories and brands from negotiating lower prices based on lower wages.

To achieve this, brands must reform their purchasing practices so that factories are able to pay workers more. An industry-wide agreement also provides a means of negotiating better working conditions as well as productivity improvements.

The ACT process is already underway in Cambodia and there are plans to roll it out in Bangladesh, Myanmar and Pakistan.

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There are few things that fill me with dread more than the idea of my children being scared. I do all I can to protect them from fear, just like most mums and dads all across the world.

Imagine you are five years old. Through the crack in your bedroom door you watch your mother begging your dad to stop while he kicks her again. You rush back to your bed and wait for it to stop. Eventually the house is quiet until tomorrow.

This is the reality for too many children in the UK. For most mums I have met who have escaped domestic violence it was their children's fear that gave them the courage to escape. Most women living in refuge have given up their homes, their jobs, their security, their finances, their extended families and their hometowns to keep their children from another night of fear.

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A child should always be put first. A child should never be used as a weapon.

Today the APPG for Domestic Violence releases our report on Domestic Abuse, Child Contact and the Family Courts. The family courts have long been an institution shrouded in secrecy. Scrutiny of them has always been difficult. I am not the first to raise this concern in the Commons and I am afraid I won't be the last.

The APPG heard evidence from a number of victims who reported how the family courts had taken them back to a place of terror. Families who had escaped and should have been able to begin to build a safer, less scary life were once again faced the person they were fleeing. We heard cases where fathers who were convicted of violent crimes against the family were able to use the family courts to start a whole new era of coercion and control. These are not extreme examples, when I worked in refuge I heard this time and time again. Even when the children were terrified and didn't want to ever see their violent parent again, fathers were able to keep power and contact with mothers through the courts.

The evidence presented to the APPG showed many women representing themselves in the family courts. Recent cuts to the funding for legal aid have seen a growing number of people acting as litigants in person, in other words without a lawyer in court. This is not unique to cases of domestic violence, however 80% of all family court cases in 2013/14 had at least one party without legal representation. The devastating side effect of this in cases of domestic violence is that a perpetrator can cross examine their victim. The Women's Aid 2015 survey of survivors of domestic abuse found that 25% of women had been directly question in court by their perpetrator. At present our justice system allows a father who might have beaten, belittled, raped and controlled a mother to question her in court. Again I ask you the reader to imagine for a second how you might feel faced with someone who had raped you, strangled you or attempted to kill you. I know how I would feel - terrified.

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Over the years successive governments have made changes to how vulnerable people give evidence in our criminal courts. We have seen special measures put in place so victims and perpetrators are not put in the same waiting rooms. We have seen adult and child victims of sexual and physical violence able to give evidence behind screens or via video. Each and every one of these advances should make us proud of our civilised justice system. And so the alternative is true in our family courts. Every victim questioned or even approached in court by their violent aggressor brings shame on our justice system; makes us look backward and unjust. Every woman forced to answer to a man who has humiliated her, belittled her and dehumanised her puts a dent in so called justice. I think for most people hearing this for the first time will think it more in line with practice of backward countries whose poor record of human rights we would scoff at. Yet this scenario will be taking place today in every family court across the UK.

Far from the popular idea that women poison their children against their violent fathers, all my experience shows how women minimise their abuse, hide it from their children, do all they can to protect them and give them some faith in where they came from. There is a common view that while people recognise how awful domestic violence is, people still think a violent perpetrator can be a good dad. I have heard people say time and time again, "He never beat the kids, he wasn't a bad dad." I disagree. I think a parent who terrifies their child, forces their family in to chaos, perpetrates violent and criminal acts of physical, psychological and sexual abuse to any one in a family should have no rights as a parent. We must stop the misconception that men have no rights in the family courts, it is plain wrong and I would hope anyone who thinks it will read our report today and see how badly women who have been abused are being treated.
If you're old enough and eco enough to remember Tam & Rob, you might remember;

"If There Has To Be A Victim In Fashion, Let It Be You"

One of our original "fashion victims"

(c)Tammam

The original ethical fashion hold up a slogan sign and take a pic campaign.

Now of course we have the fabulous Fashion Revolution an international awareness campaign, which took the collapse of a garment factory, and death of over a thousand people, in Bangladesh to get people agitated enough to start shouting about fair trade fashion, and holding up signs en masse.

The industry is changing, slowly, and at last consumers are starting to demand change - especially through glorious campaigns like #FashRev and #WhoMadeYourClothes. Really the only way to change the big bad industry is to talk through our purses. If we all start to consume more ethically, and less, then big businesses will have to take notice.

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(c) Fashion Revolution Day

Everyone holding up a sign this week needs to make a pledge to buy less (or even no more ever again) fast fashion, as well as asking where their purchases came from.

But where do we get our clothes? I hear the outraged cry of the masses who can't live without fashion fixes. The simple answer is support indie designers, the creative folk (who often take less margin per garment than Primarni get from the 4 shirt) need consumers to buy their wares, made with love, dedication and real life creative flair. Independent fashion designers, especially those working to ethical standards - sourcing fair trade materials and labour, making in the UK, giving back to social causes, contributing to saving the environment, knowing who makes every garment in their collections - they need real people to buy their clothes. We all know that ethical fashion doesn't look "ethical" (or ethnic, or hippy, or hemp sack, or style-less) anymore - it has been comparable in all aspects of quality, design and style, and even price, to any other indie fashion label for years - yet these brands have higher costs and need support from people who buy clothes.

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(c) House Of Tammam

You won't be disappointed: they'll last longer, feel nicer and ease your conscience. And if you're very clever you can get some bargains (indies do sales too!). This week is the perfect opportunity to scope out some great ethical brands - a plethora of events await you - go find your favourite sustainable fashion revolutionary and buy a piece or two - so you too can say "I know Who Made My Clothes"

All week we're holding a Revolutionary Pop-Up Sale at Atelier Tammam with a conscious collective of brands selling beautiful ethical products, for Fashion Revolution Week.

Join the likes of Nancy Dee, Bourgeois Boheme, Outsider, Michelle Krausz, Deborah Campbell, Kitty Fereira, Cecilia Hamarborg and Hetty Rose, fresh from our appearance as the "Best of British" brands at Moda360 in Los Angeles earlier in the month, and become a fashion revolutionary for a day.

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(c) House of Tammam 2016

The sale ends Sunday at 4pm.

(c) House Of Tammam

Yours in Fashion Revolution!
On Thursday, in his last full presidential year, President Obama arrives in Britain on a farewell tour of some of America's closest allies. He will have just come from meetings with the monarchs of the Gulf Arab states. After London he travels to Germany to meet Europe's most powerful leader, Chancellor Merkel.

For those in Britain, eternally fearful of our decline as a world power and forever examining for signs of decay the so-called special relationship with America, this should be gratifying confirmation that we still sit alongside the US at the top table of international politics.

But nowadays there is nothing particularly special about the relationship. In his cool, detached way, Obama has never bothered, as did Bill Clinton and George W. Bush with Tony Blair, to foster the illusion of Britain as the indispensable link beween America and Europe. For several years Obama gave Britain a kicking for not meeting the NATO requirement that members spend 2% of national output on defence. We are told that he even threatened David Cameron with the demise of the special relationship if we did not cough up - which we duly did. The Americans have always known that they have only to invoke this venerable Churchillian relic and, like Pavlov's dogs, we will jump to attention and salute.

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Earlier this year, Obama made a disparaging reference to Cameron's loss of interest in Libya after Britain, with France and the US, had in 2011 helped overthrow the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. That had led to his assassination and Libya's descent into a chaos which is now being exploited by ISIS. Obama's rebuke was greeted over here by howls of anguish and front-page headlines. Never mind that there was more than a grain of truth in his criticism of our prime minister, and that other close allies felt the lash of Obama's tongue.

For those who believe, as I do, that the US remains our most important ally, Obama's visit is the moment to pump some red corpuscles into a relationship, more anaemic than special. And that might have happened in normal times. But these are not normal times. In truth, the President's visit risks making a scratchy relationship scratchier. If that happens, Obama will turn with relief to Angela Merkel and the Germans.

On arriving in London he will find himself thrown into the monstrous hopper of the British referendum campaign, where facts are sacrificed daily on the altar of propaganda and abuse. He has been insulted by the leading Brexiteer, Boris Johnson, for suggesting that the United States would prefer Britain to remain in the EU - declared, bipartisan, American policy since time immemorial. A group of Eurosceptic MPs have warned him off intervening in the campaign.

Yet, for all the fog of the Brexit wars, Obama's visit will vividly illuminate what is at stake for Britain on 23 June. The referendum will fix Britain's place in the world for a century or more. It will decide the nature of our relations not only with the European Union, but with all our close allies and partners beyond Europe, foremost among whom is the US.

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These allies and partners have every right to express a view on Brexit. Their histories and national interests are intimately entwined with ours, from Japan with its billions of pounds invested in our car industry, to the US with its indispensable contribution to our security. What is a special relationship worth if the American president is not allowed to say his piece on Brexit? The US national interest is profoundly in play. When the American ambassador to Britain tells us that Washington wants a strong UK in a strong EU, it may be a trite phrase, but it rests on 75 years of intimate American engagement with Europe and Britain. Obama may have proclaimed a "pivot to Asia". But Europe remains an area of vital American interest, with a revanchist Putin on the march.

If nothing else, this visit may snap us out of the misty sentimentality with which we continue to view the idea of a special relationship with the US. Like any other relationship between states, it's about hard national interest not sentiment, though in the case of our two countries interests converge more often than not.
Tobias Titz via Getty Images Detail of a man holding a joint

The political 'time' for an issue can be an unpredictable thing. It's usually dependent on a multitude of factors, such as evolving public opinion, international trends, and often the catalyst of an instigating 'event' that shocks policymakers into taking action.

Domestic violence is a case in point. The issue stormed into Australian politics in 2014 and refused to go away. While people had been becoming aware of the scale of violence, the horrific and shocking story of Rosie and Luke Batty, and the work of many campaigners declaring the situation a "national emergency", really brought it to national attention.

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So, has drug law reform's time come?

As the UN General Assembly's Special Session on drugs convenes this week, people in the community increasingly want to talk about alternatives to the failed prohibitionist approach to drugs. Recent events, including a string of tragic drug-related deaths of young people at music festivals, have provided a new focus on drug law reform and particularly strategies to deal with MDMA -- see, for instance, the five-year trend of Google searches for pill-testing.

However, the current state and federal governments refuse to acknowledge the key role of harm reduction in providing safety and saving lives. Instead, they are forging ahead with their illogical and impossible pursuit of a drug-free society based on the old, heavy-handed law-and-order approach.

But... I feel there has been a shift. We are close to a tipping point, thanks to the consistent work of many stakeholders and activists who have spent years fighting these tough battles in the political minefield that is illicit drug policy.

Last month's long-awaited Australian Parliamentary Drug Summit resulted in the Canberra Declaration -- a cross-party, cross-stakeholder commitment to harm-minimisation and decriminalisation. While parliamentarians who publicly support harm reduction are still in the minority, their numbers across all sides of politics are growing.

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Importantly, both The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have strongly editorialised this year in favour of a new drugs debate that promotes health and human rights rather than criminal justice and law and order.

What has changed in the past six months?

Clearly, the tragic losses of numerous young Australians to bad drugs or overdoses during the 2015-16 summer music festival season were a real wake-up call. These deaths preceded prominent reports and commentary throughout all sections of the news media, including an in-depth feature on Four Corners. Calls for a pill-testing trial were consistent throughout, coming from medical, legal, activist and political voices.

Alongside all of this, we are seeing quickening international change. Over the past five years, we have seen numerous U.S. states move to legalise and regulate adult recreational cannabis on the grounds that prohibition has not worked. The sky has clearly not fallen in on Colorado, Washington, Alaska, or anywhere else. The upcoming November vote to legalise marijuana in California is widely considered to be a potential 'game changer' for nationwide legalisation. Young Australians are particularly attuned to what is happening in overseas jurisdictions.

I visited California and Oregon earlier this year and had eye-opening conversations with experts and activists about how this transformation came about, as well as visiting growing facilities and dispensaries. It's clear that having open discussions about drugs also gets rid of the stigma that drug users so often face. Most importantly, I realised the need for those many factors that have to come together to spur change, including strong political and community leadership and collaboration from all sectors of society.

Of course, there are many challenges. We have to overcome cringe-inducing political own-goals. The baffling and farcical 'Stoner Sloth' campaign -- which set the NSW government back a cool $350,000 last year -- is a typical example. The campaign was based on an infantile and childish approach to cannabis that was ripe for mockery. It had no educational value; rather than educating people about the issues associated with smoking marijuana, it talked down to them. Jeff Sparrow perhaps put it best when he said the campaign was "a symptom of our inept drugs debate." Just this week, we are seeing reports that the Queensland government will inexplicably push to reclassify cannabis to be considered as 'dangerous' as heroin.

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To keep up our momentum, then, we will need to capitalise on successes and use creative ways of keeping people talking. While it is possible for an issue to bubble quickly to the surface, it can just as quickly simmer down again, and it is essential that we keep the pressure on. Alex Wodak and David Caldicott's proposed renegade pill-testing venture is an example of a bold and headline-grabbing experiment that both attracts public attention and, with doctors at its heart, focuses on the health and medical aspects of harm-reduction techniques.
How do you respond to the death of your son and your father in a hate crime? How do you find meaning in personal loss? How does a personal loss become a transformative power in an entire community? Here is a story of one woman's courage and how it continues to impact an entire community.

Two years ago the Jewish Community Center in Kansas City was attacked by a Jew-hating white supremacist. He intended to kill Jews. He ended up killing three non-Jews. Mindy Corporon lost her son Reat, who was auditioning for a local talent show, and her father, who drove him to the audition. Some higher power in her responded immediately, seeking a higher purpose. That very same night she appeared at a vigil and called for love to conquer hate. That call was then translated, a year later, into a city wide initiative called Seven-days. For seven days the community engages in various activities that seek to deliver a message of love and unity. Activities involve religious leaders and their communities, school children and the public at large, women's groups and artists. A city-wide message is delivered suggesting a response to loss and evil that is a far cry from revenge, anger or sinking into bitterness and resentment.

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Mindy Corporan with photos

of her father, William, and son, Reat

I learned of the Seven Day initiative thanks to Huffington Post. My blog at Huffington Post drew Mindy's attention. Seeking to bridge faith communities, she reached out to me in order to draw on my interfaith expertise. My initial invitation from the folks at Huffington placed special emphasis on the "what's working" message, seeking to feature positive and transformative initiatives that highlight the good, where other media might highlight the bad. I find it wonderful that I should come to learn of such a "what's working" initiative precisely by means of this blog.

I am just back from Kansas City. I had the privilege of giving the keynote opening address at the second edition of Seven Days. As a new initiative, Seven Days is groping with how to straddle the faith divide. What does interfaith mean and what kind of activities will allow a community to build bridges across faith divides in the long run, after the initial shock of violence and hatred has subsided? The Kansas City Royals have a Muslim player on their team. Does the mere presence of a Muslim, of someone from another faith tradition, amount to an interfaith encounter? I suggested it did not. Interfaith means engaging the faith of the other, not simply living with and sharing life with the other who happens to belong to a different faith community. There are, I suggested, many different kinds of dialogue. To be sure, there is also a dialogue of living, where the many situations of day to day life do allow us to encounter the other and in the process also to learn of his or her faith. But meaningful interfaith engagement must be more intentional. We should seek to engage the faith of the other in a sustained way. Study of the faith of the other is foundational. And, I suggested, study can be undertaken by anyone. Everyone can share some favorite text, a voice from her tradition that can speak across traditions. Scholars have a lot to teach us and are vital. But everyone has a voice, and everyone can share the wisdom of the tradition, as it speaks to him. Sharing a meaningful text, reading and discussing it together, is one practice that can bridge traditions.

Leonard Swidler, an important theoretician of interfaith relations, suggests there are three types of interfaith encounter. There is the dialogue of the head - learning from other religions more fully the meaning of life. Then there is the dialogue of hands - joining with the other to make the world a better place to live. Finally, there is the dialogue of the heart - an awe filled embrace of the inner spirit and aesthetic expressions of the other. I personally appreciate this typology of interfaith relations because it relates to interfaith as something intentional and recognizes the complementarity of different kinds of dialogue.

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Taking Action and Walking to Change the World
hands of two men formed a heart with the planet

On Monday, 11 April 2016, I sat in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association room at the Houses of Parliament in London watching Leslee Udwin's critically acclaimed documentary India's Daughter. The shocking hour-long film based on the harrowing gang rape and death of Jyoti Singh, raises a key question. How is it that in 2016, we still live in an inherently violent world that is plagued by bigotry, prejudice and most of all, inequality?

Despite insurmountable amounts of legislation prohibiting discrimination and mandating equality in a number of countries and nearly every nation having signed up to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, nearly all of us have suffered some form of prejudice or discrimination due to our race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation or some other difference. Prejudice is rife. With a US Presidential hopeful promising to build walls to keep out Mexicans, gays being thrown out of buildings in ISIS controlled territories and women nearly invisible in corporate leadership - the world seems trapped in a mind-set that continues to breed bigotry.

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The consequences of this mind-set have been nothing short of devastating for humanity. In 2014, 180,000 people were killed and nearly 50 million displaced due to armed conflicts. Every year, it is estimated that war leaves 4 to 5 million children disabled and 12 million more homeless. Nearly 1 in 4 American women will suffer domestic violence during their life time, 1.4 million British women suffered from domestic violence in 2014 alone and nearly two thirds of all women across the world will suffer some form of violence or abuse.

The cost of the consequences of prejudice is staggering. Wars alone costs the world US$ 400 billion annually - higher than the GDP's of Singapore, Egypt, Austria and Norway, and in the USA, the annual cost of domestic violence against women is estimated at US$ 8.3 billion.

Politicians, civil society organisations and activists have for generations promised to eradicate discrimination and create a fairer and just world. Although we have, through the generations, moved closer to that ideal; a world that truly thinks equal has only been a distant dream. But, in 2016, Leslee and her team may have found the solution.

Think Equal is a new UN Human Rights Office endorsed start-up initiative, led by Leslee Udwin, that is creating a ground breaking new curriculum to be introduced into schools around the world that will start teaching children a fundamental value system based on empathy, compassion and equality. The initiative aims to provide children with a more holistic education that will begin in the first year of a child's entry into the schooling system and end in the last. Its most profound contribution to education will likely be the Early Years Curriculum (the "EYC"). Targeted at children in the 3 to 7 years age category, the EYC will focus on values of fairness, equal status, confidence to express one's voice, courtesy, empathy and consideration. Led by Think Equal's Education Director, Helen Lumgair, the EYC will employ the latest philosophies of the world's education systems incorporating imaginative play, art, sport and other instruments aimed at breaking down stereotypes.

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As the student grows older, the subject will evolve in its complexity, introducing concepts of human rights, democracy and electoral systems and fact-based studies to familiarise students with humankind's past mistakes. Learning will be about fortifying and empowering children to utilise their potential fully as they become responsible, moral, empathetic, and equal adults.

The initiative has already gained immense traction globally. Its patrons include some of the world's biggest celebrities, philanthropists and political leaders including Meryl Streep, Lord Verjee, Harin Fernando, President Joyce Banda and Sir Ken Robinson. The panel helping review and create the curriculum is beyond impressive - consisting of representatives from the UN, World Bank and some of the world's leading educational institutions such as Yale and Stanford.

The underlying vision behind Think Equal is that this new holistically educated generation will grow into natural advocates of change and will self-identify with issues of equality. A new generation of leaders who take not only personal but also collective action to end violence and discrimination in their lives and in communities.
There are two rabbinic assessments of the state of the Israelites at the time of the Exodus.

The first teaches that "Because of four things Israel was redeemed from Egypt: They didn't change their names or their language, they didn't betray secrets, and none of them was promiscuous. (Yayikra Rabbah 32)" In other words, despite being surrounded by a debauched culture that overbearingly oppressed them, they managed to retain the core of their social and moral identity. According to this view, the seder is, at least in part, a celebration of the steadfastly moral fiber of the Israelites under the severest of tests.

The second asserts that the Israelites were more vulnerable to their context, and had actually sunk to the 49th depth of impurity (of 50!) during the Egyptian bondage. Had they fallen any further, in fact, they would have become unsalvageable. God had to accelerate the process of salvation, redeeming the Israelites ahead of schedule, to prevent them from hitting rock bottom. We therefore thank God at the seder for extracting them from Egypt before it was too late.

While these two traditions differ in their perspectives on the Israelites, they share the somewhat disturbing assumption that relief from enslavement and oppression is something that a people has to deserve. In these teachings, we hear echoes of the voices from 19th century America warning of the chaos that would surely ensue if slavery were to be abolished because of the inferior moral quality of those who would be freed.

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Any perceived moral or social failings were actually probably more the results of slavery than justifications for it. Many slaves in the American South tried desperately to build and maintain stable family structures in a setting where any member could be sold at a moment's notice. Slaves may have struggled to retain a sense of community, but that did not mean that successive generations born into captivity had any unsevered ties to their heritage - their languages or names - or any bonds to connect them to each other besides their chains.

In contemporary times, we still hear the voices of those who blame the victims of systemic economic and racial injustice for their own condition. Responding to the angry protests after George Zimmerman was acquitted for the killing of Travyon Martin, FOX News' Bill O'Reilly explained that African-Americans are profiled by police "because young black American men are so often involved in crime." He continued, "[T]he first solution is, you've got to stop young black women from having babies out of wedlock. You've got to discourage that actively. And the second thing is, you've got to demand discipline in your public schools in the inner cities..Have the kids in school uniforms and demand standards in discipline."

O'Reilly has long battled accusations of racism, but in this case his language actually parallels National Review writer Kevin Williamson's brutal analysis of depressed white communities. Explaining the appeal of Donald Trump to white working class voters, Williamson wrote, "If you spend time in hardscrabble, white upstate New York, or eastern Kentucky, or my own native West Texas, and you take an honest look at the welfare dependency, the drug and alcohol addiction, the family anarchy--which is to say, the whelping of human children with all the respect and wisdom of a stray dog--you will come to an awful realization...The white American under-class is in thrall to a vicious, selfish culture whose main products are misery and used heroin needles. Donald Trump's speeches make them feel good. So does OxyContin...They need real opportunity, which means that they need real change, which means that they need U-Haul. If you want to live, get out of Garbutt."

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O'Reilly and WIlliamson actually have it backwards. Studies show that the "myth of the missing black father" is, in fact, a myth, and that a community's rate of dysfunction, from marriage to crime to drug addiction, closely tracks economic opportunity - not the reverse. Many traditional commentaries, Maimonides in particular, saw the Israelites' forty-year journey through the wilderness as a program for ridding them of their "slave mentality" and rehabilitating them into a people capable of living as a free society. In fact, though, social science tells us that as opportunity increases and systemic persecution is addressed, people quickly and naturally make the productive choices that will benefit them the most in the long term. There is not, it turns out, a "slave mentality" so much as there is simply the crushing reality of oppression.

Another Midrashic tradition maintains that four fifths of the Israelites did not actually leave Egypt, but instead vanished during the plague of darkness. Their spirits broken to the point where they could not muster the strength or resources to follow Moses out, they simply melted away into the shadows.
1. IT'S EASY.

If you can afford a daily cup of coffee, you can afford to sponsor a child! Sponsorship starts so low (less than a soda or cup of coffee per day) because your money goes so far in Tanzania, where so many still suffer from dire poverty. Just $20 feeds a child at the orphanage for a month, and $50 cover's a week's salary for a caregiver. Even better, as a small, grassroots NGO employing mostly local staff, we are able to achieve incredible results on a comparatively tiny budget. That's what our organization is all about - bringing together small contributions from individuals all over the world in order to achieve big results! Sponsorship covers food, caretakers, education, medical care, and all other needs for your sponsored child.

2. IT'S FUN.

You'll enjoy watching your sponsored child grow and thrive! These kids are sweet, funny, smart, and hilarious - your life will be enriched by knowing them. This is crucial for you to understand - these kids are not broken, and despite having lived through often immense trauma, they are at their core just normal, happy, healthy kids. Little Baracka, one of the strongest willed little boys I have ever had the immense pleasure of knowing, decided around one and a half that he refused to be left behind in the mornings with the other younger children, including his twin sister, when the older kids (3+) attended preschool. Instead he simply followed them out day after day, screaming bloody murder if interrupted, until he was allowed to stay. Recently, Ema (who is ten years old) asked me if his sponsor is old. When I asked him what old meant, he considered for a minute before responding, "Like, 30?" David is nine, and describes himself gleefully as having "big ears like an elephant." They make me laugh every single day. Sponsors receive quarterly updates, photos, and often direct letters and videos from the children as they grow up.

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3. IT'S GOOD FOR YOU.

Not only will sponsoring a child make you smile, you will feel great knowing you are making a difference in the world. There are even studies that show that charitable giving improves the health and happiness of the giver! There is a large and growing body of research demonstrating charity's positive effects on the giver, a real win/win situation! According to a study done in 2008, those who give to the needy reduce the odds of a premature death by nearly 60% compared with those who don't lend a helping hand. Lead author Stephanie Brown explains, "Making a contribution to the lives of other people may help to extend our own lives." In another study from 2008 originating at Harvard, giving money away created more happiness for participants than spending it on themselves, even if they expected the opposite. This happens because altruistic actions releaseendorphins in the brain, giving you that great "warm fuzzy" feeling that comes from doing good.

4. IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR FAMILY.

Sponsoring a child together with your own kids or grandchildren can be a great way to bond as a family while teaching them about the importance of giving back. For kids, it can be hard to grasp the immensity of problems like poverty and lack of medical access. Sponsoring a child, especially one around their own age, helps put a human face on abstract ideas, while also helping them get to know kids from another culture. This type of interaction with real kids can also help them to understand that tough childhoods or different backgrounds are nothing when compared to the vast commonalities between children all over the world! We have one great couple who sponsor a little girl the same age as their own baby girl, May -they share the same raucous laugh and chubby cheeks!

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5. IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR ONE CHILD

We create hope for orphaned and vulnerable children, by providing loving care when they have nowhere else to go, and by building up the capacity of their families and communities in order to give them brighter futures. 100% of sponsorship funds are spent on the children's care! Up until about ten years ago, the children who grew up in the orphanage were simply sent back to the village at age five, regardless of whether there was anyone there able and willing to care for them. More than a third ended up abused, neglected, or passing away. Now there are two possibilities - either we find loving relatives who want to take them in but require financial support, and assist them through payment of school fees, microfinance and business development. Alternatively, they move into the warm family-style homes at Happy Family Children's Village, attend high quality schools while living as a group with the children and caretakers they have known their entire lives.


Thelma & Louise, the White Rhinos at Southwick's Zoo

Royals Prince William and Duchess Kate are helping to direct a spotlight on one of the oldest-living and greatly endangered mammals on the planet with their recent visit to India's Kaziranga National Park. The world heritage site is home to two-thirds of the world's population of the endangered one-horned rhino -- only 3,600 Indian or greater one-horned rhinos are left on Earth. Even more alarming is that only 29,000 Rhinos exist on the planet and the number is rapidly decreasing. More accurately, there are 20,000 white rhinos, 5,000 black rhinos, 200 Sumantran rhinos, and fewer than 50 Javan rhinos left. At the current rate, rhinos as a genus will be extinct in the wild by 2025. That's less than ten years from now.

Prince William and Duchess Kate were allowed to feed an orphaned baby rhino -- nothing can pull at your heartstrings more than this experience. Times have certainly changed since Prince William's grandfather, Prince Philip, and Queen Elizabeth visited in 1961, shot a tiger and posed with it. Now, the campaigning conservation prince is looking to exploit the intense interest of his visit to draw the world's attention to the plight of the rhino. And with Earth Day just next week, the timing couldn't be better.

These rhinos are not becoming extinct due to environmental issues or something of natural causes. The largest impact and threat to the rhinos is the critical levels of poaching. They are being killed, illegally, for their horns nearly every seven hours. In fact, only hours after Prince William and Dutchess Kate left India's Kaziranga National Park, a rhino was killed for its horn.

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The illegal trade of rhino horn is at a crisis level. The black market value of rhino horn is now high enough that some natural history museums have suffered from thefts of rhino horn. The primary markets for rhino horn at the moment are in Asia, with Vietnam as a top consumer. China has made trade in rhino horn illegal, however there is still a strong black-market presence. There are a number of uses for rhino horn in these countries, some of them spiritual, but much of the horn illegally traded is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The horn is used as a cure for hangovers, fever reducer and as an aphrodisiac. Some consumers believe that ingesting the rhino horn may promote greatness and increase your own spiritual nature of rhino. When the president of Vietnam announced that rhino horn cured his cancer, the rhino horn trade skyrocketed. What they don't understand, or choose to ignore, is that rhino horn is merely keratin, the same protein substance that you find in your hair and fingernails.

Perhaps you're wondering now why, with so many other environmental concerns, are rhinos so important?

Losing the rhinos would dramatically reshape the landscape. Rhinoceros are huge mega-herbivores. By mowing down grasses, small trees and shrubs they open up access for other species to thrive. Rhinos are considered an umbrella species -- meaning they are large, long-lived and require a lot of habitat. Umbrella species, as the name implies, provides protection for other species using the same habitat. Conservation of the rhinos effectively protects many habitat types and the many species that depend on those habitats. Some species of rhino may live over 50 years so when you save a rhino, you are saving an ecosystem.

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UNITED NATIONS, April 19, 2106 -- Photo taken on April 19, 2016 shows delegates observe a minute of silence during the opening ceremony of UN General Assembly high-level special session on the world drug problem to discuss how to fight against illicit drug use at the UN headquarters in New York. (Xinhua/Li Muzi via Getty Images)

The atmosphere at the United Nations General Assembly's Special Session on Drugs is dense with hypocrisy. I didn't fly all the way from California to New York to participate in one of the most significant conversations on drug policy in world history so that youth -- the very demographic the UN General Assembly President said we should be listening to -- could be locked out of discussions about youth. I didn't fly all the way here so the UN could censor the opinions of drug reformists, politicians, and experts before they even got in the door.

I've been writing about the toll that the War on Drugs has taken on young people and families for a long time. So, instead of paying lip service on Twitter, like UN General Assembly President H.E. Mogens Lykketoft, I'm going to let a young person speak.

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"We were redirected to three different buildings just trying to get our passes. Once we received our passes, we weren't allowed to the balcony we were supposed to be viewing the General Assembly from because they said it was closed. From there, we left to attend a side event on the importance of including youth voices in drug policy dialogue, where we were once again denied access... After speaking with numerous confused security personnel, filling out security forms, getting our official passes printed, and returning to the side session in hopes of making it into a question period, we were ultimately denied. I was infuriated. It's so hypocritical to deny youth access to a discussion about youth voice in drug policy and have adults and government officials speak on our behalf. It felt like a huge scam and a Kafka-esque, bureaucratic fever dream; I couldn't believe it was happening. We've been preparing for so long and honestly believed we'd have a chance to speak for ourselves for once." - Heather D'Alessio, Ottawa, ON - CanadianStudents for Sensible Drug Policy

Modern abolitionists sought a glimmer of hope in this convening of world leaders. It's the first UN Special Session on Drugs since 1998. Last time, they agreed the ultimate goal was to eradicate drug use worldwide. After clearly failing, what we're left with is an increasingly tragic overdose crisis, to which my own brother fell victim; ever-encroaching cartel violence at our southern border; and a historically high mistrust between communities and police.

We couldn't have anticipated the blatant censorship and bureaucratic exclusion that confronted us at New York's UN headquarters. My organization, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, signed onto an open letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, along with over 1,000 other global leaders, public health experts, law enforcement officials, and human rights advocates including presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders; entrepreneur-philanthropists Warren Buffet and Richard Branson; former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and countless other dignitaries. Peaceful protestors handed thousands of printed copies of the letter to people entering the UN headquarters yesterday only for UN security to confiscate the letter from anyone entering the building.

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In discussions yesterday, I heard from many countries disappointed in the effects of repressive drug policies and the exclusion of harm reduction. Given that, and the sheer volume of support for this letter, censorship of ideas and programs backed by research and documented success came as a huge shock to us.

Their censorship of free speech failed as drug prohibition has failed.

The UN must recognize that they can no longer censor or block the work of civil society organizations that are demanding accountability for the failure of the UN drug conventions. Today, the UN engaged in tactics that aren't even consistent with their own supposed philosophy on free speech. Article 19 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Their censorship of ideas that contradict the drug conventions could signal fear of the inevitable paradigm shift in the way we deal with drugs.
The Balkans have become a pivotal region in the refugee crisis that is endangering European stability and security. The flood of refugees exceeded 1 million last year, and is unlikely to recede  despite the agreement reached by the EU with Turkey on March 18, 2016.

The mountainous Balkan Peninsula plays a key role. It is both a natural barrier and a manned checkpoint, helping prevent penetration by ISIS recruits into Europe. To manage the refugee tsunami, the West needs the countries of Southern Europe to remain stable, secure and cooperative. Unfortunately, relations between neighboring countries, such as Greece and Macedonia, are fractious at best.

Refugees hoping to get into Europe cross from Turkey to the Greek islands and are then allowed to proceed north  to the greener pastures of Germany and Austria  or are sent back to refugee camps in Turkey. While Greece is an EU and NATO member, it gets failing grades in handling the refugee wave. Instead of processing the asylum seekers as the law requires, Athens buses them to the Macedonian border, where they become an impossible burden that this small and rather poor country of 2.1 million cannot sustain. Nevertheless, Macedonia processed over 750,000 refugees last year, the equivalent of the U.S. processing and providing for 100 million people.

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The West, including the U.S., but especially the EU, should not wait until this developing crisis becomes a "black swan" - or a black hole. The Macedonia-Greece situation needs attention, quickly - and that is not the only issue. There is an ongoing internal political struggle in Macedonia that has begun to look like a "color revolution" in the making - with encouragement from the EU and the U.S.

So-called color revolutions were named after the Orange Revolution of 2004-2005 in Ukraine. While these movements can be said to have worked when communism collapsed and in the cases of Serbia and Georgia, they did not work in Kyrgyzstan or in the Arab Middle East.

Supported by the U.S. Government, left-leaning American NGOs and rich donors, the color revolution also known as the Arab Spring resulted in a Muslim Brotherhood takeover in Egypt, and brought bloodshed and chaos to Libya and Syria. Encouraging or allowing one to develop in the Balkans in the midst of the refugee crisis would be courting disaster.

The crux of the matter is that the left-leaning, socially liberal Social Democratic Party of Macedonia and its leader Zoran Zaev were defeated in a series of elections, and are still unpopular. Instead of facing the voters, Zaev and his party are following a color revolution paint-by-numbers playbook, bringing supporters into the streets and engaging in violence. When they did this in 2015, the EU intervened and mediated, resulting in the Przino agreement, under which the elections had to take place by April 24. As a result of of pressure from Zaev's party, that date was moved to June 5th. Now Zaev, who was accused of involvement in doctoring secret audio tapes and prosecuted for blackmail, is trying to delay the elections further.

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The most popular leader in Macedonia is former - and likely future - Prime Minister Nikolai Gruevski. Under his leadership, the country demonstrated impressive economic growth, boasting the highest 2015 GDP rise in the Balkans: 3, 7 percent. Metrics for social, health and education also improved.

Gruesvski's party, the dominant pro-US and pro-Western VMRO DPMNE (Christian Democratic Party) is popular, has deep historic roots in the pre-communist era, and consistently outpolls the opposition. The Albanian ethnic party, the junior coalition partner, is also supporting the elections. This is important point for the ethnic peace in Macedonia between its Christian Orthodox majority and Muslim Albanian minority.

While much needs to be done to fight corruption, the Transparency International scores for Macedonia are better than the neighborhood: Bulgaria, Turkey, Albania and Kosovo all score worse. This certainly does not mean that Macedonia should be given a pass, but it should be given a chance.

The latest unrest has broke over a presidential pardon for politicians suspected of involvement in a wiretapping scandal. The Special Prosecutor's office, that was created as a part of the Przino agreement and has become politicized and close to the opposition, was about to hand out indictments that would have further destroyed civic peace.

While the ruling party distanced itself from the pardons, Zaev has pounced on the opportunity to get crowds into the streets that began setting fires and destroying property, including attacks on the Office of the President, a radio station, and the Ministry of Justice. Violence is hardly a prescription for democracy.

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The use of these tactics is all the more cynical because it is being used as a smokescreen. Zaev's party is polling in the teens and seems desperate to avert elections at all cost.

Neighboring countries are watching the events in Macedonia with mixed emotions. Some are fearful of the chaos and of the uncontrolled refugee flows. Others, like Greece, are gleeful, as Athens torpedoed Macedonia's Membership Action Plan to join NATO in 2008 and is behaving in an antagonistic manner toward Macedonia -picking a fight over the country's chosen name, which corresponds to a north Greek province and an historic kingdom - both territories hearken back to the times of Alexander the Great.

The U.S. and the countries of Europe have all been around long enough to know that democracy is a slow-growing tree. It takes time to implement reforms, and impatience is ill-advised, self-defeating and dangerous - as will be neglect of Macedonia's troubles, both external and internal, by the EU and the US under the current circumstances. Washington and Brussels should get Greece to behave and make the June 5th election date stick.
Millions of our fellow Americans have spent the last few weeks engaged in that great act of civic duty -- paying taxes. We grumble as we do it, but no matter how big or how small we think government should be, taxes are how we pay for what it provides. Don't like how your taxes are spent? You're in luck, because you have another great civic responsibility to fulfill: voting. But that's another blog, for another day.

Those of us who work in higher education believe that instilling in our students that sense of civic duty is a critical part of our mission and essential to their well-being. Our students want to serve their communities and we need to give them opportunities to do so. As nonprofit institutions, we are keenly aware of how our communities support us, and we want to support them, too.

That's why I recently joined more than 350 of his fellow college and university presidents and chancellors nationwide in signing the Campus Compact 30th Anniversary Action Statement, affirming that all institutions should do what is in the public's best interests. The list of signatories includes small private liberal arts schools and large flagship public institutions, community colleges and technical schools -- even a medical school. We recognize that we must better prepare our students to be engaged citizens when they graduate, and we know we must bring our own research capabilities to bear to improve civic engagement for our students.

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New, fresh ideas about civic engagement are spreading across higher education. The silos that separated civic engagement and the academic curriculum have been torn down. We firmly believe the new paradigm -- seeking the integration of student engagement into the curriculum -- benefits faculty, students, and our communities. Service-learning incorporated into coursework challenges students to address stereotypes about other groups, work collaboratively with people who are not like them, recognize the levers of power in a society, and to critically reflect upon what they have experienced.

Civic engagement is fast becoming integral to the curriculum at Robert Morris University. Our Student Engagement Transcript, for example, has become a hallmark of an RMU education. All undergraduate students must successfully complete at least two categories of student engagement, and many do so in the area of service. Students who complete activities in all categories of student engagement are honored at commencement with our Renaissance Award. Examples of our students' service include alternative spring breaks to Louisiana, New Jersey, and Tennessee to help people displaced by natural disasters or beset by poverty; nursing students providing health care to impoverished families in Nicaragua; and mentoring programs in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Yet we need to do more. Anthony, as director of the RMU Center for Innovative Teaching and Directed Engaged Learning, is reconvening a Service Learning Task Force to address how RMU can adhere to best practices in service learning and civic engagement. Like our peer institutions, we embrace civic engagement because it is in the best interests of our students: those who take part in these kinds of activities are more likely to persist in their studies and to excel. It puts us on the right side of history.

And we have the data to prove it. The Gallup-Purdue Index, which I wrote about previously for the Huffington Post, shows that students who are very active in extracurricular activities and who have strong faculty and staff mentors -- important components of any civic engagement and service learning program -- are more likely to experience personal and professional well-being. We have certainly witnessed this with our own graduates.

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Having recently been reclassified as a Doctoral University, RMU, like our peers, is committed to conducting research that assists with determining the best practices in 21st century institutional civic engagement. For example, Campus Compact's The Research Universities Civic Engagement Network -- which includes Duke, Stanford, and Arizona State universities, among others -- explores the intersection of civic engagement, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. Institutions such as Drexel University, with its Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, are incorporating civic engagement into every aspect of campus life.

We urge more of our peers to follow their example and help our students make their communities better places than they found them.
By, Kuda Chitsike

Last month, Zimbabwe ramped-up legal measures to end child marriage, a hopeful sign for a dire problem.

Child marriage is widely recognized as a violation of children's rights, and it is generally described as the marrying of (primarily) girls under the age of 18. According to UNICEF, in Southern Africa 33 percent of women between the ages of 20 and 24 were married in childhood. It is direct discrimination of the girl child, who, as a result, is often deprived of her basic rights to health, education, development, and equality. It also exposes girls to intimate partner violence and isolation from economic activities which have long lasting psychological consequences. Tradition, religion, patriarchy and poverty continue to fuel the practice of child marriage, despite its strong association with adverse consequences for girls.

For more than a decade there has been a sustained and dedicated effort by policymakers, government ministries, U.N. bodies, international and local non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and individual activists to end child marriage in Zimbabwe. All these efforts culminated in a case being brought before Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court in January 2015, with the judgement coming a year later that finally outlawed marriage before 18 for both girls and boys.

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The case was brought by Loveness Mudzure and Ruvimbo Tsopodzi, (two former child brides), who, through their lawyer, Tendai Biti, took the courageous step of challenging the Marriages Act, which had allowed girls to marry before the age of 18. This case was brought with the support of non-governmental organisations, Roots, Veritas and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).

The judgment is very welcome as the Marriages Act set the legal age for marriage at 16 for girls and 18 for boys, which contradicts the Constitution that promotes gender equality. Zimbabwe followed in the footsteps of other Southern African countries that have set 18, and, in some instances 21, as the legal age of marriage. Most recently Malawi did this, but many of these countries have exceptions where girls are allowed to marry as early as 15, if they have parental consent. As we celebrate this judgment, there is a need to look at the issues of child marriage and consent to sex holistically and educate society because the issue is interpreted in a confusing manner in our conservative and religious society.

The Criminal Codification and Reform Act states that girls under 12 cannot consent to sex and sexual relations at that age are always regarded as rape. This changes however, for girls who are above 12, but under 14, at which point the perpetrator, shall still be charged with rape. However, the law further states that, if the male can prove that the girl was capable of giving consent, and that she gave her consent, then the perpetrator cannot be charged with rape but with "sexual intercourse with a young person." The law goes on to states that if a girl above 14 but less than 16 has sex with her consent, it is not rape but "sexual intercourse with a young person." Girls over 16 can consent to sex but cannot marry until they are 18 according to the judgment.

The law is effectively saying it is permissible for girls to have sex at 16, and, if she is in love and/or becomes pregnant, and wants to get married, she cannot. This gets more confusing in reality. Culturally in Zimbabwe, having sex and becoming pregnant is an acceptable path towards marriage, but having unmarried sex and is highly disapproved of. The judgment now creates a clash between the law and age-old culture, but also removes discretion. Are we denying those over 16 who can consent to sex but are under 18, have parental consent, and want to get married, the right to do so? This lack of discretion is not the case in other Southern African countries, and the judgment seems a case of overkill for the problem of child marriage.

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Although poverty is primarily blamed for driving the practice, there are other factors driving child marriage in Zimbabwe. These range from religious practices, lack of discipline at home, abuse, and family disruptions to over sexualization of the girl child. However, the main driver of child marriage is deeply rooted in the dignity of the family. In order to protect the family honor, as long as the girl is married the circumstances that preceded or led to the marriage are forgotten. According to research in one district in Zimbabwe, one woman stated that her standing in society is much better as a mother to a married child, whether over or under 18, rather than a single mother, regardless of the circumstances. The other women agreed, they talked about their dignity, (emphasis intended).

Another said "if she is sexually active at 13 how do I stop her from having sex and getting pregnant repeatedly? It is better for her to get pregnant when she has a husband even though she is young. I do not want the responsibility of looking after her and her child while the father is free to do as he wishes. As she has started doing grown up things, she must take responsibility for her actions and stay with the man who made her pregnant."

The views of these women are not uncommon, and highlight a problem with the law as it is now to be applied. Whilst it is commendable that there is a legal power to prevent child marriage, the law must also take cognizance of reality and the fact that there are exceptions. The judgment is part of an effort to stop families from marrying off their daughters at an inappropriate age, but should not also penalize the girl child unnecessarily.

Clearly there remains much to do, and little to do with the law. There is need to look at the legal system as a whole and propose a set of holistic legal and policy reforms that review the landscape of laws impacting on women and children. A broader range of policy alternatives and more sophisticated understanding of multiple strands of law and innovative legal strategies can converge to prevent child marriages.

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US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks following victory in the New York state primary on April 19, 2016 in New York City. Donald Trump scored a crucial victory in the Republican primary in his home state of New York on April 19, advancing his bid to clinch the party's presidential nomination, US networks projected. / AFP / Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)


"I was five years old when my American father left me. I don't know why he did this. I keep looking for him everyday and hope that I'll see him again."

Haunting words that kept repeating in my head on a one humid rainy night in Angeles City, Philippines. I was on my way home from a friend's gathering with a box of biscuits locally called otap, and I shared a ride with a young man in his early twenties whose name is Eric. I noticed he had unusual features, a fusion of Asian and Caucasian facial attributes, which tweaked my curiosity. I started probing into his background and with his head shamefully bowed down, he replied, "My mother is a Filipina, and my father was an American." That started our conversation, and he said that he was abandoned as a child and cannot remember his father although he often wondered about him - where he lives, if he is still alive, or if he still remembers him.

Eric grew up with his impoverished mother and has been discriminated mercilessly for being abandoned. With no access to education, he did not have a chance to change his fate. Left with nothing to survive, Eric used his unique facial attributes to make a living - he turned to prostitution. He said, "This is the only thing I know to do. I have no choice. If I had a choice, I wouldn't be doing this." And with a tremor in his voice, he continued, "I still hope my life will change."

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The jeepney (a local bus) we were riding stopped and it was time for me to get off. I had an urge to learn more about the story of the sad, young man but with nothing left to say, I gave him the biscuits and his hands clung to them as if they were his lifeline, he thanked me quietly. His sad eyes followed me as I got off the jeepney and he continued his journey.

I flew back to New York City with an unsettled feeling. Eric's eyes haunted me and I could hear his voice saying "I hope my life will change" over and over again. At that moment, it hit me; I felt an obligation to make a difference in this young man's life and thousands more abandoned sons and daughters of U.S. military men out there. There are apparently more "Erics" living in the Philippines -- young people who were left behind in a third world country by their first world American fathers.

They are called Amerasians, a term coined by the American author and activist Pearl S. Buck to describe children of American servicemen and Asian mothers. The term was eventually formalized by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. Many Amerasians in the Philippines live in squalor, suffer a life full of mockery, racism, self-identity issues, and are stigmatized in a highly conservative Catholic country. The number of Amerasians is thought to be between 200,000 and 250,000.

Countless Amerasians have longed for help since their abandonment, desperately seeking societal acceptance in the Philippines and legal recognition by the U.S. government. Yet, to this day, both governments have largely ignored their pleas for help. Even after the end of American colonial rule, the Philippines hosted two of the United States' largest overseas military installations for more than 50 years. The closure of these bases in 1992 left thousands of fatherless Amerasians.

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"I look American and I get called half-dollar, bye-bye daddy," cries Katherine. Growing up in the Philippines was not easy for Katherine because of social ostracism. "I don't feel welcome," she continues. Katherine finally found her father in the U.S. but due to an antiquated law, she is not approved to enter the United States. "I feel unwanted in my motherland yet not welcomed in my father's land," she concludes with tears in her eyes.

In 1982, the U.S. passed Public Law 97-359 known as the "Amerasian Act," a law which was enacted by the 97th Congress that permitted Amerasian children born in Laos, Kampuchea, Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea to enter the United States through preferential immigration treatment. Though the Philippines and Japan were originally included in the Act's list of countries, they were deleted at the last minute. It remains a mystery why Congress excluded the Philippines from the Act.

Eric and Katherine's story is a multitude of similar scenarios shared by the hundreds of Amerasians I photographed. I am compelled to put a face to the issue and shine a light in their unfortunate situation. Photography is a powerful tool, and often times words are not enough to express hope. I hope that both governments will see these faces and that the photographs will humanize the consequences of their abandonment.

Both allies recently agreed on reinstalling U.S. military bases in the archipelago under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement - a deal between the United States and the Philippines in order to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines alliance. The agreement is due to the rising tension and China's territorial conflict in the South China Sea. With this consent, I ask a very important question:

"Should another child be left behind?"

All Photographs Copyright to Enrico Dungca, 2013-2016
FILE - In this file photo taken April 13, 2016, and released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese and Taiwanese suspects involved in wire fraud are escorted off a plane upon arriving at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China. A 10-member delegation from Taiwan of judicial and police officials arrived in Beijing on Wednesday seeking to ensure fair treatment for their nationals who were deported from Kenya to face wire fraud charges in China, a case that has prompted concerns that Beijing is bringing additional diplomatic pressure on the island it considers its own territory. (Yin Gang/Xinhua News Agency via AP, File) NO SALES

The Kenyan government's consent to a Chinese request for the deportation of dozens for alleged cyber and telecom fraud has now bloomed into a full-scale diplomatic crisis. Among those forcibly sent to China included dozens of Taiwan nationals, many of whom were cleared by Kenya's courts. The Taiwan government, for its part, blasted Beijing for orchestrating an "uncivilised act of abduction" that is illegal under international law.

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Not surprisingly, the Chinese government rejects Taiwan's accusations, sparking a serious challenge for the island's newly elected president Tsai Ing-wen who assumes office in May. Tensions between the two governments have been on the rise since Tsai's landslide election win that brought the pro-independence opposition Democratic Progressive Party back into power for the first time in almost a decade.

Although this is the first known time that an African country has collaborated with China to forcibly deport a large group of alleged criminal suspects for telecom fraud, the practice is widespread among various governments and has a long history on the continent. In the podcast above, we explore the context of the Sino-Kenyan action and discuss how it is part of a broader global trend of the Chinese reaching far overseas to enforce its laws at home.

Join the discussion over whether you are concerned by the extending arm of China's law enforcement. Are you worried? Do you wish your country would do the same?
It's amazing how much can change in two years, and it is more amazing when we talk about a country where change has been historically slow, which has always been the case in Saudi Arabia. However, a changed kingdom is exactly what U.S. President Barack Obama is going to witness during his visit to Riyadh.

In March 2014, President Obama visited the late King Abdullah. At the time, the ailing monarch's health condition was suffering, and the same applied to the otherwise extremely healthy Saudi-U.S. relations.

Click here for Interactive time-line: milestones in Saudi-U.S. relations (courtesy: Al Arabiya English)

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What was poisoning the waters between Riyadh and Washington at the time were the latter's insistence on backing Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood (a group classified as a terrorist organization by the Saudis and most GCC countries), the mishandling of the crisis in Syria particularly after Mr. Obama's U-turn on punishing the Assad regime for using chemical weapons and most notably, the US administration's fondness of Iran which, a few months later, materialized into a controversial nuclear deal. The agreement has left the regime in Tehran (which Obama himself described as a state sponsor of terror) unshackled for the first time in over 30 years.

Furthermore, there were serious questions at the time relating to the succession in Saudi Arabia, as well as severe tensions between the Gulf allies themselves (namely with the State of Qatar) and in the region as a whole which was still suffering from the turbulence caused by the 2011 Arab Spring. However, there was no resource-exhausting war in Yemen and oil was still selling at over $100 per barrel; so the kingdom was in an excellent shape economically.

Much has happened since King Abdullah passed away and King Salman ascended to the throne at a time when oil prices fell to less than half of what they were selling at prior to his demise. The Houthi militia overthrew the legitimate government of President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi in Yemen and threatened the southern border of Saudi Arabia, which led to a war which remains ongoing.

Meanwhile, the threats imposed by ISIS intensified and despite the fact that this terrorist group has attacked the kingdom repeatedly, many critics absurdly would like us to believe that Riyadh is secretly supporting the same group which seeks to eradicate it. Furthermore, unlike what Obama had hoped, Iran didn't show any sign of changing its destabilizing behavior in the region as a result of the nuclear deal.

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The outcome of all these challenging conditions, as well as a number of wrong decisions and lack of proper external communication, has seen Riyadh suffering from severely negative international media coverage which didn't only bring criticism to the table, but even doubts that the country itself could remain intact.

However, not only did the kingdom withstand the storm, but it came out much stronger. Of course, this was mainly due to the fact that much of the pessimism was manufactured and speculative. However, one can't ignore that it is also due to the incredible stamina and willingness to take the plunge, which was and still is being displayed by the new breed of Saudi policymakers, namely Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman -- who is the king's son, the country's defense minister and the head of its Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA).

Indeed, of all that has been accomplished by King Salman since January 2015, the one thing that has had a tremendous impact on this fresh, new vibe in the Kingdom was his determination to settle the issue of succession and empower the youth once and for all.

The result? Well, President Obama arrives to Riyadh to attend a GCC meeting that has transcended most of the rifts of the past. He is also arriving to a capital city which is now home to an unprecedented military alliance of more than 30 Muslim countries which are actively cooperating to combat terrorism, eradicate its funding and present a counterterrorism ideological narrative.

Just a few days ago, the Saudi cabinet issued new regulations which now prevent the kingdom's Commission of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (commonly referred to as the "religious police") from pursuing and detaining people; a decision that has resulted in much praise both internally and even externally from extremely critical bodies, such as Human Rights Watch.

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Furthermore, observers tend to forget that it's within the past 18 months that women were allowed to vote and participate in municipality elections for the first time ever. The Kingdom's Shoura Council has revisited the controversial ban on women driving. In addition, Saudi markets are now open to foreign investment and, as revealed by HRH the Deputy Crown Prince in his recent Economist interview, the investment opportunity will eventually also include the "crown jewel:" Saudi Aramco.

'Damned if you do, damned if you don't'

It is sad, however, that Riyadh seems to always be in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. Indeed, one can't help but ridicule recent reports which have labeled all of the above (and the many more) achievements of the new Saudi government as merely a nationwide "face-lift" prior to Obama's upcoming visit.

First of all, this will be Mr. Obama's last scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia as US President and the time he has left in the White House is too little to expect any major changes in policy or attitude. Now, while relations with the current administration might have had its ups and downs, this certainly hasn't been the first time ties between Washington and Riyadh have been put to the test. The reality is that this alliance - which has always been built on mutual interests, respect and a similar determination to bring peace and prosperity to the region - will endure.

But most importantly, and as will clearly emerge when the Saudi government announces its vision for the future on April 25, the reforms were done - and will always be done - for no reason other than to ensure the sustained prosperity and wellbeing of the country's citizens and residents.

Indeed, one doesn't set a long-term plan to rid the nation of its dependence on oil, to diversify the economy and create new job and investment opportunities for a nation that is predominantly young and ambitious, merely to serve a PR strategy. Nor will these policies deny the fact that there is much work that still needs to be done in terms of women rights, judicial reforms, media and labor issues.

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The truth is that Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformation, and whoever becomes the next US president will certainly have the advantage of working with a young, dynamic, outward-looking government that is determined to succeed and is truly leading the region once again.

Infographic: Saudi-U.S. trade ties (courtesy: Al Arabiya English)
As expected, Hillary Clinton won the New York Democratic primary. Celebrated by the mainstream media as the ultimate victory, a look at the numbers tells another story and how the road to both the nomination and to the Presidency is still an impervious one.

New York is Clinton's (adopted) home and stronghold, as she was twice elected Senator there. Yet, while Bernie Sanders won his home state Vermont 86.1% to 13.6% - taking all the delegates - Clinton won New York 58% to 42%, getting 139 delegates, against Sanders' 106. One month ago, her advantage was 30%. Also, she won in the NY metropolitan-corridor area and - by a narrow margin - in Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester. The rest went all to Sanders.

What is most interesting is however looking at numbers. In 2008, Hillary won against Barack Obama with a similar percentage (57,4%). However, she the got 1,068,498 votes - versus Obama's 751,019. This time, Hillary got 1,054,083 votes against Sanders' 763,469. In other words, despite her formidable electoral machine, Clinton lost over 14,000 voters since 2008. Sanders got instead over 12,000 votes more than Barack Obama. Considering that the black electorate in 2008 overwhelmingly voted for Obama and today tends to favor Clinton (in the 2008 NY primaries, blacks were around 40% of the voters), there is space for some interesting voting behavior analysis.

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It is also worth reminding how in 2004 John Kerry won New York; before him, in 2000, it was Al Gore. Both ended up getting the nomination but losing the elections. The last one to win both was, in 1992, Bill Clinton.

There is also a deja vu: in 2008, a weird absence of votes for Obama in certain precincts - such as Harlem and Brooklyn - led to a recounting and consequent substantial change of the results. Because of the volume and consistency of voting irregularities in last Tuesday primaries - mostly people who turned out to vote, only to be told they were not registered - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced his office has opened an investigation. Not a minor issue in a state, like New York, where the primaries are closed and people had to register as democrats as early as last October.

Despite all this, mainstream media called the election for Clinton just a few minutes after the vote closed. In fact, one cannot fail to note how mainstream media are increasingly attacking Sanders: on the Vatican trip, some tried to suggest he was self-invited, prompting the Pontifical Social Sciences Academy's Chancellor, Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, to publicly denying such allegations. The Brooklyn debate- which social media almost unanimously attributed to Sanders - was treated as a Clinton's victory.

Not to mention the count of delegates: it is extremely difficult to know what the exact numbers are as each count them differently: cases in point are the additional 40 delegates that Sanders got after the second round of primaries in Washington State - which not all outlets include in the total counting - or the numbers in New York, as many add the super-delegates to the total, giving the impression Hillary won the vote 175 to 106, instead of 139 to 106.

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Clearly, Sanders' path to nomination is an arduous one. Yet, as there over sixteen hundreds delegates to be attributed, all scenarios are still theoretically possible on the way to 2,382, the number needed to win. It is also contradictory to suggest that Sanders will harm Clinton by not giving up, since in 2008 she stayed in the race until the end.

All these shadows in the process add to Hillary's weakest point: trust. She is in fact, after Donald Trump, the least trustworthy and likeable of all candidates. At the same time, Bernie Sanders is catching up in national polls and the two are almost at a pair now. On November 8th, the candidate able to rally the independents and the undecideds will be the one likely to prevail. So far, data show that it is Bernie Sanders who is better able to do that.

Discarding all these variables as non-relevant - as many Democratic leaders seem to be doing, assuming that against Trump, Hillary will win anyway - is short-sighted and terribly dangerous. Of course, any mind-sensed registered Democrat will vote for the Dem candidate no matter what. But so far 18 millions voted in the Dem primary out of about 220 millions having the right to vote in the country: roughly one in twenty is not enough to win the general election.
Congressman Jair Bolsonaro holds a Brazilian flag during a protest against Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, part of nationwide protests calling for her impeachment, in Brasilia, Brazil, March 13, 2016. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

Representative Jair Bolsonaro (PSC) did not think twice before honoring Colonel Alberto Brilhante Ustra during Brazil's impeachment vote in the lower house of Congress. Bolsonaro praised a man responsible for the disappearance of more than 40 people during the military dictatorship and the torture of hundreds more.

And do you know what's going to happen? Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

"What if a Congressman in the US decided to honor a former Klu Klux Klan leader during a session of Congress that was broadcast live to the entire country?"

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Whereas other Latin American countries have made a point of sending their torturers and dictators to prison, such as Argentina and Chile, in Brazil the situation is different.

Instead, during the impeachment vote on April 17, controversial representative Jair Bolsonaro (PSC) decided to dedicate his vote in the worst manner possible.

Amazingly, Bolsonaro committed two blunders. The first one was to praise and congratulate the speaker of the lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha (PMDB). The second error was to honor Colonel Alberto Brilhante Ustra, a man responsible for the disappearance of more than 40 people during Brazil's military dictatorship.

His followers weren't pleased and complained on Facebook. Oh yes, they complained! They didn't like at all the fact that Bolsonaro congratulated Cunha. But they loved the praise that he heaped on the torturer.

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That's how things work. For Bolsonaro's followers, keeping bribery money in overseas accounts is a major issue. And they are right. But if you tortured hundreds of people and were responsible for the disappearance of dozens of people, everything is fine. In fact, you are a hero.

How can this happen, broadcast live on national television, in a so-called democracy?

The first thing that came to my mind was the fact that the families of Colonel Ustra's victims were watching the voting by television on Sunday.

"Our young democracy is unable to mature because we haven't taken the time to discuss the military dictatorship and the effects it had on tens of thousands of people around the country during its 21 year rule."

We are talking about the sons and daughters who never had the opportunity to know their fathers and mothers. We are talking about sisters who lost their brothers. We are talking about people who carry scars of torture that are impossible to erase, that stick to their skins and will last for the rest of their lives.

What about the repercussion of this incident?

In a country without a properly democratized media, it is easy to imagine what the answer will be.Yes, Bolsonaro was, somehow, the subject of many stories and articles on the day he cast his vote in favor of impeachment. But not because he praised a torturer, but because left-wing Congressman Jean Wyllys (PSOL) spat at him during the vote.

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Jean Wyllys claims that Bolsonaro had offended him with homophobic remarks after he declared his vote against the impeachment. And that's why he spat at him.

The truth, however, is that this momentary quarrel has generated far more debate and controversy than Bolsonaro's praise for the torturer.

If you search on Google for "Jair Bolsonaro Ustra" in "News" you get 587 results, most of them from websites such as HuffPost Brasil and Revista Brasileiros.

But if you search for "Jean Wyllys spits" in "News" you get 33,000 results. In this case, Brazil's major media vehicles appear in the search results.

And that leads me to my next question: What if a Congressman in Spain decided to honor a torturer under Franco's regime during a session of Parliament that was broadcast live to the entire country?

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What if a Congressman in the US decided to honor a former Klu Klux Klan leader during a session of Congress that, again, was broadcast live to the entire country?

The problem with Brazil is that we still don't know how to deal with a ghost called our past military dictatorship. Our young democracy is unable to mature because we haven't taken the time to discuss the dictatorship and the effects it had on tens of thousands of people around the country during its 21 year rule.

Imagine how complex it is to explain to an Argentinian or a Chilean the fact that we haven't arrested or prosecuted our torturers. Worse still: try to explain the existence of large pensions paid to the widows and families of such men, who were capable of doing dreadful and cruel things to innocent civilians, such as the journalist Vladimir Herzog.

We have a monopolized media. A manipulated democracy. And a hampered dictatorship.
Last week, the Florida utility-backed anti-solar initiative officially launched their campaign to block solar leasing in the sunshine state with the confusing name, Yes on 1 for the sun. The utility-backed group running the initiative campaign, called the Consumers for Smart Solar has been funded by nearly $7 million in contributions from the investor-owned utilities and fossil fuel front groups to date.

Energy & Policy Institute previously revealed that Consumers for Smart Solar is funded by utilities and front groups seeking to prevent changes to state law that would open the solar market in Florida and specifically allow third party solar leases. Third party solar accounted for 72 precent of residential solar installed across the country in 2014.

Instead, the utility-backed ballot initiative would continue to restrict the solar market in Florida by writing into the state constitution that homeowners and businesses cannot use third party solar leases. Tim Dickinson at Rolling Stone writes:

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Key policies that have spurred a rooftop solar revolution elsewhere in America are absent or actually illegal in Florida. Unlike the majority of states, even Texas, Florida has no mandate to generate any portion of its electricity from renewable power. Worse, the state's restrictive monopoly utility law forbids anyone but the power companies from buying and selling electricity. Landlords cannot sell power from solar panels to tenants. Popular solar leasing programs like those offered by SolarCity and Sunrun are outlawed.

In the battle between the utilities and pro-clean energy advocates in Florida, the utility-backed Consumers for Smart Solar drove up the cost of petition signatures in Florida, rendering a pro-solar ballot initiative (spearheaded by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy) unable to raise enough funds to overcome the vast resources of the monopoly utility companies. The pro-solar initiative called "Floridians for Solar Choice" would have opened the market and removed restrictions on solar leasing. Rolling Stone reported, utilities crushed the [pro-solar] Solar Choice campaign by spending it into submission. Qualifying an amendment for the ballot in Florida is onerous and expensive under the best of circumstances.

The Consumers for Smart Solar campaign also worked to confuse petition-signers by using the same language as the real pro-solar campaign. While gathering petition signatures, the utility-backed initiative would talk about solar choice, mirroring the name of the pro-solar ballot initiative, Floridians for Solar Choice.

Now, with the utilities launching their ballot initiative as the Yes on 1 for the sun campaign, the misinformation continues. George Orwell noted in his essay, Politics and the English Language, that political speech serves to distort reality, saying In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible Thus political language has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness the great enemy of clear language is insincerity.

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The utility-backed ballot initiative is certainly insincere about its intentions - instead of for the sun the utilities are working to confuse voters and cement public policy that squashes the free market and eliminates competition coming from the distributed solar industry.
Astronauts these days get to enjoy delicious space lettuce and a morning espresso , perks that are definitely going to make Elon Musk's Martian colonists super jealous. So, to throw eventual Red Planet inhabitants a bone, NASA is undertaking a study to figure out how to grow potatoes a la Matt Damon's character in The Martian, though presumably without the exploding airlock and probably on a much tighter budget .

Researchers can't just blast potatoes 140 million miles over to our neighbor planet, so instead they tell The Wall Street Journal they've gathered up 65 varieties known for their hardiness on Earth. Money will be on the ones that can grow best in soil from a Peruvian desert that receives one millimeter of water per year; these winners (or survivors, more like) will enter round two, where they'll be put in a simulator that mimics the atmosphere. Mars has water, but the atmosphere there is between -84 and -284 degrees, contains high levels of radiation, and is 96 percent carbon dioxide. These conditions have led one researcher to predict, "I don't think they'll grow in the open air"; he says under some sort of biodome is more likely.
When I first started my businesses, I was in for a bit of a rude awakening, in so many ways. I had "shiny object" syndrome; I bought all kinds of things I didn't really need, for stuff that I could have done less expensively. I could have saved myself a lot of time, money and aggravation by being more judicious about what I bought and when I bought it.

So I thought I'd create a small list of things that you DO need in your business, when you are getting started:

1. Legal Paperwork, LLC, Bank Account, Operating Agreements. These things are getting lumped together into one item, but do yourself a massive favor, and get your business set up properly before you do anything else. That means incorporating, getting a tax ID for your business, and making sure you have a separate bank account for your business.

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2. Insurance. One of the hardest things to find for a business is insurance. You'd be surprised at just how hard it can be to get proper insurance. You need to make sure that you have Workman's Compensation if you have employees, professional insurance, and possibly an umbrella policy in place. In fact, if you don't have these first two items in place, I would hazard a guess that you don't need to be in business. The state of North Carolina has started cracking down on insurance and Workman's Comp insurance, in particular. You can face tremendous fines if you don't have proper Workman's Comp in place for your business.

3. Email. You may be tempted to use gmail as your vendor of choice, as it's cheap, but you need to consider whether their terms of use are agreeable to you. If you need your emails to be encrypted, then it may not be a good choice.

4. Some sort of internet presence. You can decide what sort of internet presence you'd like to have. You may decide to go ahead and register a domain for a website, but this isn't strictly required. Set yourself up a Google Plus page or a Facebook page so that you are searchable on the internet. A website is obviously a nice thing to have, but when you first start, a website isn't a requirement.

5. Business cards. Whether or not you absolutely need business cards will depend on the exact nature of your business. Most people have some sort of brick and mortar component to their business, in which case a business card is a requirement. You can get business cards printed very inexpensively through online print companies like Vistaprint. You can hand those out until you get something else prettier made.

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6. Phone and phone number. This should go without saying, but I'll put it out there anyway. You don't need anything fancy, but you should have a phone with good reception and a nice voice mail message. You will need to answer your phone whenever it rings, and return calls promptly to get your business up and running.

7. A good accountant, bookkeeper or accounting software. Keeping accurate records in your business is critical. If you don't, you will spend a lot more time trying to recreate things and pulling the expenses out of your personal finances than you will believe possible. Make sure for your own sake that you don't mix finances if you can help it at all.

Not part of the business, but equally important, is having a good support structure in place. Make sure that you have a great support structure of family and friends in place for those times when nothing seems to work the way that it should.

There are many things you don't need, and I'll start a quick list of those here. You don't need an expensive website, office, logo, branding, letterhead, or other items. You don't need expensive CRMs, computers or phones. You just need something that's good enough to get you up and running. There will be lots of people who will find you and offer you all sorts of things for your business that you frankly don't need. You can spend many thousands of dollars on things that your business doesn't need, and that don't work particularly well by falling prey to this shiny object syndrome. Resist the urge, and save your pocketbook.
The above image is from the Aspen Challenge 2015 in Washington, DC.

The Aspen Challenge -- launched by the Aspen Institute and the Bezos Family Foundation -- provides a platform, inspiration, and tools for young people to design solutions to some of the most critical issues humanity faces. The program engages leading global visionaries, artists, and entrepreneurs to issue real world challenges to teams of students.

Twenty teams from Chicago Public Schools will compete with each other and present their solutions for a chance to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival. Here, Peace First Fellow Jasmine Babers explains why women of color face even tougher barriers in the workplace than their white female peers, and how the Aspen Challenge can help give voice to young women seeking to be heard.

We all know the term "glass ceiling" -- it's the invisible barrier hindering the advancement of women in their professional lives. However, there's a new term out there that may complicate the way we look at feminism: the "concrete ceiling." Similar to the glass ceiling, the concrete ceiling is a barrier for success. The difference between the two terms is that the concrete ceiling is a term specifically made for women of color.

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Why the need for a different term? A concrete wall reflects the barriers that women of color face more accurately. Let's start by looking at the difference between the materials. While glass is tough, you can shatter it. You can see through it to the level above -- and you know that there is something to aspire to. If you can see it, you can achieve it.

Concrete, on the other hand, is practically impossible to break through by yourself. It's definitely impossible to see through. There is no visible destination, just what seems like a dead end. This is what women of color face in the workforce: an often impenetrable barrier, with no vision of how to get to the next level.

This new term had to be created, simply because the experiences of white women and women of color are extremely different, but too often ignored.

The problem is not ambition. Women of color have made impressive strides towards higher levels of education and success. Today, black women surpass any other group in both race and gender in college enrollment. It's clear women of color want to work and want to succeed, but they are more likely than any group in America to work for poverty-level wages. This is due to multiple factors, including unconscious bias, the confidence gap, and lack of opportunity, all acting as part of the concrete ceiling.

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The good news is that even concrete can be cracked, but it won't be easy. Our biggest sledgehammer is making sure that women of color have a voice. When I started Love Girls Magazine (LGM), I didn't realize the power of simply giving girls the opportunity to share their opinions, worries, and stories. By giving young women this platform, they could finally be heard. And when we listen to them, we give them the power they need to start affecting change.

Here's what we know: empowerment works. When people are valued at an early age, they're more likely to carry that self-worth throughout their lives. We need to make sure we are making room for women of color. And we ourselves need to be role models for the next generation. More than 50 percent of volunteers and leaders on the LGM team are African-American; working as examples to look up to works.

Young women will join the conversation when we invite them. That's why programs like the Aspen Challenge and Peace First are so necessary; they give voice to youth, and just as important, the confidence to speak up and be heard. When a young person participates in something like the Aspen Challenge they are implicitly told their actions matter, their experiences matter, their voices matter, and they have real value to their community.

Jasmine McCaskill, a high school student from Desoto County, Mississippi, recently submitted the following comments for the spring issue of LGM:

"Girl power is not only a movement of unity; it is a way of life that embraces every girl from every culture, spreading infinite love like confetti. Because girl power originates from love -- a love that sparks the passion to be great."

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Breitbart's Julia Hahn reports that four Colorado lawmakers, who are members of presidential candidate Ted Cruz's "Colorado Leadership Team," voted against a 2015 bill that would have created a presidential primary in Colorado.

Trump has said the absence of a primary or caucus vote helped Cruz trounce Trump in the race for Colorado delegates. And Hahn's story implies that Cruz supporters in Colorado's legislature might have been working to squash Trump as early as last year, when they voted against a bill establishing a primary that might have benefited Trump.

"Social media posts, along with Cruz's campaign website, reveal that Sen. Ted Cruz supporters in the Colorado Republican Party were responsible for crushing an effort to give Colorado the ability to vote in a state primary...The four Republicans who voted against the initiative were Sen. Kevin Grantham, Sen. Kent Lambert, Sen. Laura Woods, and Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg."

The trouble with this conspiracy theory is that Woods is actually factually on record as saying Trump is one of her top two favorite presidential candidates. As such, Woods is the only elected official in the state to affirmatively say she likes Trump.

Woods "narrowed the field" after watching the GOP prez debate in Boulder, and she concluded that her "favorites are Ted Cruz and Donald Trump" (here at 25 min, 50 seconds).

'Like' if you would vote for Donald Trump if he were the 2016 GOP nominee.

So if Woods was secretly in the tank for Cruz last year, when she voted against the presidential-primary bill, she, at a minimum, had a change of heart after being wowed by Trump at the Boulder GOP debate. But, more likely, she voted against the prez-primary bill for other reasons.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to attendees at her New York presidential primary night rally in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., April 19, 2016. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

If you can make it in New York -- you will win your party's presidential nomination. That is the big message following the landslide victories Tuesday by Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump trounced his opposition, collecting 60 percent of the Republican primary vote and 89 delegates. Senator Ted Cruz paid a huge price for mocking "New York values" as he won a mere 14 percent of the vote and zero delegates. Talk about a Bronx cheer!

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"We don't have much of a race anymore," Trump said in his shorter than usual victory speech Tuesday night at Trump Tower. As a result of his decisive victory in New York, Trump is all but certain to achieve the required 1237 delegates to win his party's nomination outright on the first ballot at the Republican Convention. No matter, there is little doubt that he will come close enough to the magic number to fend off any attempts to stop him.

"The race for the Democratic nomination is in the homestretch and victory is in sight," Hillary Clinton said at her victory rally late Tuesday. While Hillary Clinton's Democratic victory was nearly as impressive as Trump's, Senator Bernie Sanders was and remains a formidable opponent with a huge passionate following. Clinton reached out to Sanders' supporters in her remarks, "To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us."

Sanders congratulated Clinton Tuesday night, but told reporters in Burlington, Vermont, "We have a message that is resonating throughout the country." His explanation for his New York loss was the process. "Some 3 million New Yorkers were unable to vote (Tuesday) because they had registered as independents, not Democrats or Republicans, and that makes no sense," he said.

There is no clear path forward for Sanders to the nomination. Yes, he went from having no name recognition to drawing enormous crowds at his campaign rallies across the country. Yes, he magically ignited the imagination and support from millions of otherwise disengaged young Americans. Yes, his progressive voice gives hope to the disenfranchised and the victims of income inequality. Yes, his anti-Wall Street fervor taps into a deep-seated frustration in America. Yes, his anti-war posture reflects the feelings of many in a war-weary nation.

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Sanders has run a brilliant campaign, a campaign that has generated tremendous emotion. But emotion can hamper clear and practical judgment. Were Sanders to decide to aggressively continue his attacks on Clinton, especially his negative attacks, he will be playing into the Republican's hands. He may also make it impossible for some Sanders' supporters to vote for Clinton in the general election should she be the nominee.

On the other hand, Sanders could resume his "positive" campaign, speaking about issues that have shaped his campaign while highlighting his differences with Clinton. This would be a constructive way to legitimately raise issues without turning his most ardent supporters against Clinton. And there will come a time in the next few weeks when the Democratic Party will have to unite, just as it did following Barack Obama's nomination in 2008.

Donald Trump has set his sights on the White House. He has overcome many gaffes, and he has won despite alienating Latinos, Muslims, women, Mexicans, and Fox News anchors. He has staged a highly entertaining campaign that has drawn enormous crowds, and he has campaigned round-the-clock on Twitter. Trump has defied pundit predictions of his demise several times, most recently following his defeat in Wisconsin. He has done so because he has tapped into the frustrations of millions of Americans who believe Trump is the one who will "make America great again," even though Trump has offered little in the way of details.

Trump has proven to be a fierce and wily politician who will pose a tremendous challenge for his Democratic opponent. And he has already started using his "crooked" Hillary Clinton line at rallies. Trump is now working behind the scenes to unify the GOP, even though many Republicans don't trust him.

Yes, presidential candidate Donald Trump will be unpredictable and challenging in the general election. But he will be near impossible to beat if the Democratic Party is divided, and Sanders' supporters stay home. A Trump victory will mean everything that Sanders believed in will be lost, and decades of progress for progressives will be deleted from history.
On the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, it's worth asking whether the assault weapons ban, which was in effect during the time, actually worked. Analysis of 108 shootings with five or more deaths showed that the ban was more successful than in years where there wasn't a ban, and such mass shootings have dramatically increased since the ban expired.

The Columbine shooting by a pair of students which killed 13 at the Colorado school, has been held up by assault weapons ban opponents as a reason why the ban didn't work, listing each case of a shooting (whether they involved assault weapons or not). But focusing on cases from a decade doesn't tell us much about all of the shootings over years before and after the ban, to see if the ban actually reduced such mass killings.

To analyze the issue, I look at all rampage killings, school shootings, workplace shootings, family massacres and mass killings over religion, race and politics, from 1973 to the present. Each case analyzed had five or more deaths, with many wounded.

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In this study of 108 mass shootings, 92 of them occurred before the assault weapons ban, and after it as well, with only 16 mass shootings in the ten years in which we had an assault weapons ban. If you divide those by the number of years (34 for non-ban years and 10 for ban years), you find that we had 2.71 shootings per year in non-ban years, and 1.6 shootings per ban year. That means we had 1.69 times as many mass shootings in non-ban years.

Let's break it down by the timing of the shooting. Before the assault weapons ban, there were 2.04 mass shootings per year (1973-1994). So the ban did reduce the number of mass shootings.

What's even more frightening is what happened in the 11 years after the assault weapons ban was allowed by the GOP Congress to expire. We had 46 mass shootings per year from 2005 to 2015, or 4.18 mass shootings per year. That's more than 2.61 times as many mass shootings as when we had the assault weapons ban.

Critics are likely to claim that other means of killings were frequently employed during the years of the assault weapons ban. That isn't supported either by the evidence. There were four cases of vehicular killings with three or more dead and 10 or more injured between 1973 and the present. None happened during the assault weapons ban. The same can be said of causing deadly fires and plane crashes (four cases, none during the ban). There was the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building by a domestic terrorist, of course.

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Those who support gun control have hyped each shooting. But it hasn't translated into support for restricting firearms. Instead, it's had the opposite effect, making people more willing to support gun rights, or go out and buy a firearm. Gun control advocates need to show how laws like assault weapons ban worked, in America, Europe, Australia, etc.
An untold story of the New York Democratic primary is that Bernie Sanders did a whole lot better than most people think. Compared to Barack Obama during his 2008 Empire State contest with Hillary Clinton, Sanders won far more counties, a higher percentage of the vote, and more actual votes than the candidate who would go on to beat Clinton for the nomination and become President.

Back in 2008, Clinton's home state advantage helped her beat Obama in 61 our of New York's 62 counties. Earlier today, Sanders beat Clinton in 49 out of New York's 62 counties. You're reading that correctly: Clinton lost to Sanders in 4/5 of the counties--almost everywhere in the state except the New York City area.

Despite the state's large African American population and the opportunity to vote for the nation's first black President, Obama received a lower percentage of the New York primary vote than Obama did: 40% against Clinton, contrasted with Sanders' 42%. In absolute vote totals, Sanders will also surpass Obama's results, when the final votes are counted, by at least 10,000 votes.

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The conventional wisdom likely to be reported during the next few days is that the contest for the Democratic nomination is over. The corporate media has been playing this mythical Clinton coronation tune since the primary began.

But the contest did not end for Obama when he failed to beat Clinton in her home state. And it is nowhere near over for Bernie Sanders.

Indeed, there might be a silver lining for Sanders in that he did as well as he did, considering Clinton was Senator of New York for eight years, is a Democratic darling of Wall Street, and had the allegiance--and endorsement- of every major politician and newspaper in the state.

Clinton's New York victory looks even less impressive in light of the fact that many independent voters, who overwhelmingly support Sanders over Clinton, were not able to vote in the New York primary. And because of strict registration requirements requiring a voter to change party preferences or select a preference six months in advance, a whopping 37% of New York City voters under the age of 30 were unable to vote in the Democratic Primary.

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Yet even with more than a third of Sanders' most supportive demographic effectively disenfranchised from voting in the primary, Sanders still won 42% of the vote, keeping Clinton's home court margin of victory to about 15%.

This does not speak well of Clinton's popularity among voters in her home state. Obama's 2008 margin of victory over Clinton in his home state of Illinois was double the margin that Clinton just took New York with.

Another silver lining for the Sanders campaign is comparing Clinton's 15% home state margin of victory to how Sanders did a few months ago in his home state of Vermont, which he has successfully represented in Congress for 26 years.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd gathered April 18, 2016 in New York. US presidential hopefuls are making last-minute pitches in New York on the eve of the state's most decisive primary in decades. / AFP / DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

The Bernie Sanders campaign has provoked widespread interest and debate on the U.S. Left, such as it is. This post is a contribution to that debate from the perspective of a left organizer who has been active in trade union and community organizing in Sanders' home state of Vermont for the better part of two decades.

This post is not directed at progressives, but at leftists -- those who identify as socialists communists and/or anarchists, those who want to replace capitalism with a different system, not simply reign in its most atrocious features. In short, those whose vision of liberation goes far beyond what Sanders has articulated in his political program.

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The purpose of this post is not to convince individuals to vote for or against Sanders, or to give money or time to his campaign. Rather, the purpose is to help leftists assess how the Sanders campaign impacts our strategies (or attempts to formulate strategies) to build a social force that is strong enough to dismantle and replace capitalism.

1. Bernie is, in fact, different from other politicians.

The summer that I moved to Vermont, before I acquired gainful employment, I went out canvassing for Sanders a couple of times -- he was still in Congress, and still had to run for re-election every two years. Of the maybe twenty people I spoke to, two of them had been personally helped by Sanders' office when he was mayor of Burlington. And one told me that he didn't agree with Sanders on a single issue, but always voted for him, because Sanders was always honest about what he believed.

This is not to argue that Sanders is uniquely principled in his politics -- clearly he will give in to pressure in some situations. In 2000, in the wake of Vermont's at-the-time groundbreaking Civil Union law for same-sex couples, Sanders was the last statewide politician to make a statement on it (though his positions have evolved). However he is, in my experience, uniquely committed to using his position to serve the interests of the people.

Until recently, he lived in a modest split-level in Burlington (and his new house is not much bigger), and he displays no interest in trading on his position to achieve personal gain. While he has been criticized for being tough on employees, as a former staffer says, "He is a very hard worker himself. I mean, he is at it 24-7 -- and that's really no exaggeration. He works really, really hard, and he expects the people who work for him to work really, really hard."

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Perhaps the clearest example of this is how willing he is to take on the most powerful corporations in the world. It is hard to think of another politician who would be willing to anger General Electric while running for president.

2. Bernie is a true believer in social democracy.

Many of us on the Left are skeptical of, or at least highly aware of the limitations of, what we often refer to as "bourgeois democracy" -- voting for one or another candidate to manage the capitalist state. This skepticism is mirrored in the attitude of many liberal politicians (such as President Obama), who may genuinely want to use the political process such as it is to improve people's lives, but who accept that they must operate only in the narrow constraints of what powerful institutions deem "politically possible."

Sanders, for better or for worse, genuinely believes that the institutions of American democracy can be used to bring about deep, structural political changes that will improve the lives of millions of people in real ways. And this belief leads him to attempt things that most of us on the Left think impossible -- such as running for president as a socialist.

3. Bernie gives active support to trade unions and social movements.

Unlike most Democratic Party politicians, who will only support trade union and social movement struggles when asked or pressured to, and only after making political calculations, Sanders takes an active interest in the organizational health of the trade union movement and other popular organizations.

For several years I served as the highest-ranking elected official of the United Electrical Workers union (UE) in Vermont. As such -- since we are independent of the AFL-CIO -- I was regularly invited to meet with Sanders, along with the presidents of the AFL-CIO, Vermont NEA (teachers' union), and the independent Vermont State Employees Association. Sanders, in effect, convened the trade union movement in a way that its official representatives were too short-sighted or fragmented to do on our own. He has sponsored labor conferences that bring together hundreds of union members to discuss the political issues of the day and promote a working-class political vision. The first of these that I attended was led by labor leftist Bill Fletcher, in 1999, as Fletcher was being eased out of the AFL-CIO for his radicalism.

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In addition to convening trade unionists, Sanders has been instrumental in supporting, and on occasion leading, countless workers' struggles in Vermont. His support was crucial to the nearly 2000 nurses at the state's largest hospital winning union recognition, and to hundreds of federal contract workers winning millions in back pay after being systematically underpaid in violation of the federal Service Contract Act. In 2000, when IBM initiated drastic changes to its pension plan, Sanders essentially served as shop-steward-at-large for the thousands of workers at IBM's non-union plant in Vermont (and, indeed, for IBM workers nationally), helping to win significant modifications to the draconian take-backs.

Sanders has done similar organizational work with the environmental and women's movements, among others. Most strikingly, he has invited the Vermont Workers' Center to directly recruit at his campaign events. Unlike the vast majority of politicians, even those on the left, Sanders does not see non-electoral organizing as in competition with electoral strategies, but as a crucial complement to them.

4. Bernie is a political realist and is in this to win.

In his Atlantic piece, "Why Precisely Is Bernie Sanders Against Reparations?" Ta-Nehisi Coates argues that "Sometimes the moral course lies within the politically possible, and sometimes the moral course lies outside of the politically possible. One of the great functions of radical candidates is to war against equivocators and opportunists who conflate these two things. Radicals expand the political imagination and, hopefully, prevent incrementalism from becoming a virtue."

While true, I think this represents a fundamental misreading of Sanders. He does not see himself as a radical candidate. He is not a Ralph Nader or a Jill Stein. He is not so much interested in expanding the political imagination as in winning actual changes in the way society is governed.

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While Sanders' statement on reparations having no chance of passage was, like many things he says about race, tone-deaf, it was not wrong. Coates asserts that Sanders' single-payer proposal is equally unlikely to pass Congress -- but there is a significant difference: single-payer has widespread public support, in a way that reparations do not.

This is not to say that those of us who believe in reparations should not criticize Sanders, only that we have a job to do -- convincing more white folks (and more non-Black people of color, and to be honest more Black folks as well) that reparations is not only the right thing to do, but in our long-term interests. And, for better or for worse, we need to be realistic that Sanders is not going to do that job for us.

The bottom line is: Sanders would not be running if he did not honestly believe that he has a chance of winning, and that he would be able to -- over time -- pass significant parts of his agenda. He has won elections for over three decades, has experience governing, and has more than two and a half decades' experience moving both small and large agendas through Congress. While we may not agree with every decision he has made, is making, or will make, we need to understand that fundamentally what he is doing is looking for the most achievable radical change, and the most radical achievable change (within his own political framework of social democracy).

5. Bernie has a track record of taking on entrenched power by encouraging popular mobilization.

While this is, understandably, not part of the Sanders campaign's public history, when Bernie was first elected mayor of Burlington in 1981, he was faced with an extremely hostile city council -- having only two allies out of 14 city councillors. Burlington's city government is run on a commission system, meaning the mayor's power is significantly checked by commissions, appointed by the city council, who oversee almost all city departments. When Sanders was first elected, Burlington was in many ways a traditional Democratic Party one-party machine fiefdom -- and the machine wasn't about to let some upstart "socialist" actually run the city.

In response, Bernie and his supporters took the one small city department the mayor had direct control over, the office of economic development, renamed it the "Community and Economic Development Office," and began to use it to facilitate organization and mobilization in the city's neighborhoods. Most significantly, they established "Neighborhood Planning Assemblies" in each of the city's seven wards. The assemblies met monthly, and CEDO turned over a certain portion of the federal block grants that they administered to the assemblies to fund neighborhood improvements (not unlike the "Participatory Budgeting" that the Brazilian Workers' Party would establish in Porto Alegre later in the decade). This institution continues to this day, and has provided a crucial space for popular mobilization on issues both local -- such as fighting proposed closings of schools in working-class neighborhoods -- and national and international -- such as pressing the city council to take progressive stands against the war in Iraq, or for immigrants' rights.

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In addition to the NPAs, Sanders and his allies established a women's council, an arts council, a sister city program with Puerto Cabezas in Sandanista Nicaragua, and a robust community-access television network. The Clerk's office and the Board for Registration of Voters made it easier to register to vote and easier to vote. Over time, popular involvement in these progressive, participatory initiatives sponsored and supported by the mayor's office led to political change. More Sanders allies were elected to the City Council under the banner of the loose "Progressive Coalition" (which eventually formally formed the statewide Vermont Progressive Party in the late 1990s), as were more independents and Republicans, breaking the Democratic party machine stranglehold on city government. Eventually, even Democrats on the council began to see the light and work with Sanders.

This track record is an important counterpoint to those who argue that Sanders, if elected, would be unable to move his agenda through a Congress dominated by Republicans and conservative Democrats. And it is also important to think about how, if he is elected, leftists and popular organizations can make use of such openings that a Sanders presidency would provide.

* * *

As stated above, I am not writing this post to argue that individual leftists should vote for or against Bernie (although I voted for him, as I always have), or give time or money to his campaign (although I have done both). Nor am I going to argue that grassroots organizations should divert limited resources from organizing into involvement in Bernie's campaign. Those decisions have to be made based on the time, place and conditions that individuals and organizations are working in.

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However, I am going to tell a cautionary tale from 1990, the year that Sanders first got elected to Congress.

Bennington County, in the southwest corner of Vermont, is one of the more conservative parts of the state -- in fact, it was the only county that Sanders did not carry in 1990. The Sanders campaign in Bennington was run out of the offices of UE Local 295, which represented hundreds of manufacturing workers at Bijur Lubrication. Years later, the UE staff representative who had been working with Local 295 at the time told me about the victory party, how the middle-class peace and environmental activists and working-class trade unionists looked at each other and said, "Hey, we did this amazing thing together!" And how she never saw that happen again, because no durable political organization was built.

Unlike the cities of Burlington, Montpelier and Brattleboro -- liberal enclaves which do, in fact, resemble the stereotype of Vermont held by many outside the state -- Bennington is a rural, working-class, conservative area, and one that has been hit hard by globalization and deindustrialization. Bijur Lubrication moved most of its production to Mexico and China in the 90s, and closed its doors for good in the early 2000s. It is the county that Trump won most decisively in Vermont's primary in March.

One of the notable -- though not often-enough noted by people who think of politics as a linear spectrum -- aspects of the Sanders campaign is his ability to attract "independents." White working-class voters in rural states who do not identify with the Democratic Party are turning out to vote for a self-proclaimed socialist. If the issue of organizing working class white folks is important to the Left (as I would argue that it should be), then we should be looking closely at Sanders' message, and how it centers working-class experience and economic pain -- something that too often becomes secondary in the rhetoric of the Left.

We also need to be thinking about the question of what happens -- politically but more importantly organizationally -- to the millions of people excited by the Sanders campaign after the Democratic Party convention this summer when, in all likelihood, Clinton will be nominated. The Sanders campaign is unlikely to build a durable political organization -- electoral campaigns simply do not do that. Electoral campaigns are a sprint, and durable political organizations have always been built by committed activists whose vision of transforming society makes them long-distance runners. However, the Sanders campaign has reached and mobilized more working-class people, with a basic anti-corporate message and an identity as a "socialist," than the Left has in decades. Perhaps we have an opportunity to find new comrades in unexpected places.

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Delighted to be joined by U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell and others at the 2016 Susan G. Komen Advocacy Summit

Consider a typical morning routine. You shower, brush your teeth, grab coffee and breakfast, and hit the road. Or maybe you wake up, help your kids get ready, and walk them to the school bus stop.

You've only been awake for a matter of hours, and you've already interacted with your local and federal government several times -- maybe without even realizing it. Countless policies (in these examples: water and food safety, transportation, public education) are fully and seamlessly integrated into our lives.

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Yet to some, the idea of reaching out to lawmakers with information or concerns around these issues or any others -- health policy, for example -- may seem fruitless, or reserved for those with big lobbying budgets. They assume their voice won't be heard, or worse, that it doesn't matter.

But when women and men don't have access to high-quality cancer care, families are struggling to pay the bills because of outrageous medical expenses and biomedical research funding is at risk of being cut, we can't afford to be silent. We can make a much greater impact if we raise our voices to help others.

A stellar example, from the 1940s until her death in 1994, is philanthropist and health advocate Mary Lasker. She used her gift -- her ability to fundraise -- to speak for millions. Through the Lasker Foundation, which she co-founded with her husband Albert (a prominent advertising executive), Lasker made promoting public health her life's work, integrating advertising approaches to the national conversation around cancer, and raising record amounts of money for cancer research. We can thank her for early funding allocated to these programs, as well as the promotion and expansion of the National Institutes of Health.

Today, leveraging the power of advocacy to create meaningful change in breast cancer care is another aspect of how Susan G. Komen has worked for over 30 years to combat the devastation this disease causes to women, families and communities nationwide.

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A recent case in point is the work of our Komen Colorado Affiliate. With more than 15 percent of Coloradans uninsured and 27 percent of individuals between the ages of 40 and 64 significantly below the federal poverty level, the Colorado Affiliate team worked on legislation that would add a fee to a special breast cancer license plate, funds from which would support the state's cancer treatment program. Further, the team worked with Representative Diane Primavera, co-sponsors Senator Irene Aguilar and Senator Larry Crowder and other local groups to introduce legislation which reauthorized and secured funding for Colorado's Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment program. I had the pleasure of joining them as Colorado Governor Hickenlooper signed the legislation -- which now extends the program through 2019 -- into law.

And just last year in South Dakota, our local Affiliate celebrated an important victory for breast cancer patients across the state as legislation that required fairness in insurance coverage for both oral and IV anticancer medications was passed. Prior to the passage of this critical legislation, oral and IV chemotherapy medications were treated differently under health insurance plans. If a patient were prescribed oral therapy as part of her treatment, it would have been covered under the pharmacy benefit of her health plan, resulting in thousands of dollars out of pocket costs each month. Conversely, an IV treatment plan would have required a small co-payment of $20 or $30 for each visit. Thanks to their hard work, South Dakota state laws now better reflect the reality of modern cancer care.

These are the types of outcomes our Affiliates, advocates and staff are working toward on a regular basis. Last week, I was on Capitol Hill, joined by representatives from Komen Colorado and Komen South Dakota and nearly 150 other advocates representing 35 states to discuss important breast cancer issues with lawmakers. Specifically, we called on lawmakers to: protect funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, pass oral parity legislation (so patients aren't paying outrageous costs for medications that can be taken in pill form, rather than traditional IV - as was the case in South Dakota and is still the case in many states), and increase federal cancer research funding for the National Institutes of Health (including increased funds for the National Cancer Institute). We visited 370 Congressional offices and were given the opportunity to tell our Senators and Congresswomen and Congressmen why this matters.

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It's fascinating that in some ways, we're facing some of the same challenges the remarkable Mary Lasker faced decades ago. Her frequent refrain to Congress still rings true: "If you think research is expensive, try disease!"
We all have a voice. A voice that allows us to speak our minds, to let people know who we are. A voice that empowers us to find like-minded others. A voice that creates bonds, that sets us free, that enables us to express ourselves. We all have a voice, but not all of us can use it.

Imagine, for a moment, not being able to shout. To only be able to whisper, in the dark, in secret. Chedino could only whisper. She, like thousands of other African women, lives in a world of forced silence. Using her voice would lead to abuse, intimidation and violence.

When I sat down to write this, I realized that I have done a lot of talking in the past months. I have talked about my hopes and my creative process, talked about my experiences. I have told my story. But in the end, my work is not about me. It's about the many African women who cannot speak for themselves, or who are not heard. So that is why, in this post, I will try to tell Chedino's story, as she would want it to be told. I hope you find it as inspiring as I do.

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Chedino was born on the 2nd of July in Mowbray, Cape Town, South Africa. For her, growing up was a lot more difficult than it was for normal boys, as she had to live two lives: in public she was Ricardo, in private she was Chedino. Only after graduating high school, was Chedino, for the first time, able to be herself, to shake off the "normal boy."

Hoping to build a life for herself as a woman, Chedino enrolled at a local university. But even there she found that she had to hide her true self, to the point where she ended up reverting back to "the boy she never was." It seemed that no matter where she went, society refused to see her as a straight woman, although she looked, felt and acted that way.

After university, Chedino was faced with a difficult choice. She could either conform to how society saw her: a gay man, or she could live how she wanted to and risk alienation, exposing herself once again to discrimination. Chedino chose the latter.

Initially, the only people who supported Chedino were her family, which is unusual in the townships and suburbs of South Africa, as the fear of a families 'contamination' by a transgender relative often results in women like Chedino being cast out. Over the years, and together with a tight knit group of like-minded friends, Chedino has managed to build a relatively safe world for herself. But she is not and probably never will be completely free of discrimination, which can take on many, frustrating forms.

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For example, if you cannot afford sex assignment surgery, you are placed on a waiting list, which, at 20-25 years, is so discouraging that many decide to simply give up. Chedino has been waiting for her surgery for 17 years.

But she refuses to put her life on hold while she waits, and has become something of an activist in the meantime. Chedino is a member of 'Divas in Cabaret': a group of transgenders and fem gays who perform songs by Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross in clubs and bars throughout Cape Town's suburbs. She also regularly takes part in beauty pageants like Miss Temptation, and organizes Miss Gay Calendar. All in the hope of engaging with her community and slowly but surely breaking down barriers.

And that's not all. Chedino has decided to get on with her personal life as well, regardless of her sex reassignment surgery prospects. She recently got engaged to her boyfriend Keagan.

For me, Chedino is the epitome of bravery: exchanging an unbearable life for an uncertain one. But it is not Chedino's bravery that will eventually set her free, it's her patience.
The picture haunts me.

An image of black and white, it seeps into my consciousness often, particularly when one of the children sidles up to my side for a quick hug.

When I pick up my toddler and cradle her in my arms, I think of the mother - of the hollow, vacant eyes staring numbly ahead as she holds her child so similarly.

When I sit on the floor by my ten-year old, the image appears again. When the children shriek through the house, filling each corner with delighted laughter, I find myself once more drifting to this woman.

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Who was she, and what was she thinking as she held her children in her arms and waited to usher them to death?

The photo was taken on October 16, 1941 in Lubny, Ukraine as local Jews were rounded up and executed by the Einsatzgruppen, the mobile killing units responsible for "cleansing" the land. I stumbled upon this photo as I researched another atrocity by the Einsatzgruppen, one so staggering that I cannot even fathom the magnitude of the act.

On September 29, 1941, Einsatzgruppen C, stationed in Kiev, Ukraine, began a mass execution of Jews. Having been told they were being transported to Germany, thousands of men, women, and children lined up just outside the city, at Babi Yar, a ravine that would forever after be known as "the killing ditch".

By the end of the day on September 30, just under 34,000 people had been murdered.

In my years spent researching the people and history of Ukraine, I stumbled across many stomach-turning images, some of them causing such a visceral reaction that I had to spend several days recuperating before I could carry on. But no image has stuck with me quite so profoundly as that of the young mother from Lubny. It is an image that I cannot erase.

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I've wondered so often about this mother. I've longed to know how she could be so strong. How did she sit there so stoically, so seemingly calm?

I know it's only a photograph, and it represents a single second in time, but there's something striking about her. She is not panicked. She appears to simply be guiding her children to the fate awaiting them. It's an aching thought, isn't it?

How many mothers walked their children to death in those dark, oppressive years? How many mothers stood at the ridge of Babi Yar and bravely looked into the barrel of the enemy's gun, holding tight their little ones as the shots rang out?

This mother has impacted me immensely. To me, she is the picture of bravery. With her children cradled close by, she offers a depth of love that I could only hope to provide, but pray I never need to display.

Motherhood is brave.

We witness the children we birth take their very first breath in this world, and a love so fierce washes over us that we instantly know we'd do anything to keep them from harm. And yet this world is full of danger and mothers throughout history, and even today, have known the pain of being unable to keep the darkness of evil from wrapping its tendrils around their most precious children.

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How did this mother do what she did that day? How did she stay calm as she waited for her turn to stand before the executioners?

There's no real way for us to ever know. All I know for sure is her final act of bravery was captured on film so that we could all remember, and may we do just that.

May we boldly remember the woman from Lubny, and the many like her, who taught us that motherhood is synonymous with bravery.
The Wellness industry is raking in lots of money. Spas are being built at a terrifying rate; everyone wants a piece of the prosperity. According to Statista by the end of 2014 there were 20,660 spas in the U.S alone. And overseas growth is surpassing that of the U.S.; Dubai which is roughly the size of South Carolina boasts 500 spas.

According to Global Wellness Summit "Mexico/the Caribbean and Central and South America) will grow an impressive 13.4% annually through 2017 (to $42 billion USD) - nearly twice the projected growth rate for established market leaders Europe and North America. Only one global region (the Middle East) will grow faster. And the region's top five fastest-growing markets, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, rank in the top 25 globally for wellness tourism growth through 2017."

Abundance is transitioning to market glut. Spas are becoming a commodity. I have to wonder, what's being done to retain customers once they come through the door?



1. The Massage Department

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Massage represents 50% of revenue at most spas. Yet massage therapists are not required to sell products. In fact, many are extremely resistant to the concept. I wonder why?

Retail product sales are known to be a sure-fire way of generating repeat business because it requires a higher level of customer engagement.

1 spa product bought = 70% customer return rate 2 spa products bought = 80% customer return rate

But traditionally this is not a skill that's highly promoted. Perhaps it's because many spa managers who come from the ranks were never taught how to sell.

No matter; that's what training consultants are for.

You have to do what's needed to stay ahead of the competition. If that means leaving your comfort zone and incorporating a new skill which calls for a shift in mind-set so be it. Because the ability to sell products will translate to treatment up-selling as well. Your guest's experience will be greatly improved. And that's what will bring them back.

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If senior management balks at the idea of therapist education to generate more revenue they may be so secure with the number of guests coming through the front end that retention is not a concern....yet.

Whatever the reason, by ignoring the importance of retail you are limiting customer engagement, blocking revenue growth and reducing return customers. Your brand is not maximizing exposure or positive word of mouth.

Your competitors will love you.

2. Product Training

If you want to retain your customers, then the type of training which most vendors currently give should no longer be sufficient for you. Think about it; are they providing you with anything new that enhances your team's ability to sell their products?

Many millennials perform due diligence prior to visiting a spa. They may come equipped with as much knowledge as the therapists. Regurgitating information that's available on-line is a sure-fire way of ensuring that they don't return.

Instead, therapists must be able to customize and personalize treatments by explaining the benefits. This requires the ability to engage and have a real conversation.

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Who's teaching your therapists how to do this?

Ask your product companies if they are willing to enhance training to adapt to today's customer. Smart companies will realize that this is an opportunity to make their brand more valuable and competitive by incorporating sales into product knowledge.

Ultimately, it's still up to you to provide your team with relevant training. The smartest spas will jump on the opportunity to differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract new customer markets.
I recently visited Dubai and the Emirates for the first time, and I was extremely excited. I'll say I was imagining a bit of a culture shock and I must also admit that I was thinking we would have to cover up at all times, and in general make an effort to feel safe.

Almost every idea I had of the city and of the Emirates were wrong, and I am happy to say I now have another favourite destination up my sleeve!

I wanted to make a little list of all the things about Dubai that blew me away, and hopefully it'll keep you from having the same (silly) expectations as me before visiting.

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AMERICAN CHAINS

I thought visiting Dubai would be a bit like visiting Eastern Europe - no sign of the commercial West. Boy, was I wrong! They had more American stores, cafes and restaurants than we do in Norway! Right next to our hotel was both Starbucks and a Wendy's, for a start. They even had Nando's, which I unfortunately didn't have time to visit. At Dubai Mall I was expecting to see some brands I recognized, instead I recognized pretty much all of them.

THE AMOUNT OF CONSTRUCTION

There was so much to do and see in Dubai, yet it seemed to be only half-finished! Everyone we spoke to said that the city had changed so much in only 10 years, and that in 10 more it wouldn't look the same again. Dubai seemed to be ever-growing, and I had no idea it was all happening so fast! It was incredibly fascinating, and I can only imagine what it looked like 1, 5 and 10 years ago.

THE OPENNESS TO TOURISTS

Not gonna lie, I didn't think we would be as welcomed as we were. I figured people would view us as snooty foreigners, arrived from the West to stare and make fun of Arab culture, and thus do nothing but stare back and give us the cold shoulder. Instead, we were treated with such openness, and learned so much from the people we met! Everyone seemed eager to share and explain their culture, from taxi drivers to the man sitting behind us on the plane from Istanbul.

THE SOUKS

Obviously I wasn't surprised at the Souks themselves, but what startled me was the vibe around them. I had imagined something straight out of Aladdin (sorry, not sorry), and instead we were met with a scene taken from Taxi 3. It was messy, sweaty and insanely confusing. We were shouted at from all different directions, and all vendors seemed to have waited for the next tourist to come down the narrow street. Prices, names of spices, and Hollywood nicknames were thrown our way, all to get us to stop and look at what they were selling. Not that anyone was selling anything different from the others.

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I'm not saying I had a negative experience visiting the Souks, but I definitely wasn't expecting it to be as commercialised as it was. I guess I was waiting for some sweet Middle-Eastern man to come buy his spices for dinner that evening, but instead, all I saw were tourists..

THE AMOUNT OF NON-LOCALS

All the people we spoke to in Dubai told us the same thing; "No one here is from here." According to one driver, only 1 of 10 people in Dubai is actually from the Emirates, and we were gobsmacked. Some gave us numbers on the amount of immigrants recently settled in Dubai, but the next person we spoke to gave us another, so I won't put them here. Either way, the numbers were large - and we quickly learned that Dubai is the place to go if you need a change from your roots. I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't meet one person who was born and raised in Dubai during our trip, to be honest - that's how few locals there were.

(All though I believe everyone we met considered themselves a local, no matter what their country of origin was.)

So there you have it, the things that surprised me most about visiting Dubai. I am so in awe with that city, I can't wait to go back one day. I learned so much in such a short time, and it radically altered so many of the ideas I had of the local culture, custom and religion.
Occasionally, a book comes along that strikes a chord that reverberates across genre and its own intended audience. Phillippe Diederich's novel Playing for the Devil's Fire, (Cinco Puntos, March 2016) could easily leap from the young adult shelf to general fiction. It's also that rare book that addresses moral issues and current events in a story that never stops tugging at the reader's heart.

Playing for the Devil's Fire is the story of Liberio Flores (nicknamed Boli) whose parents disappear after drug traffickers move into their small town in Mexico. Through Boli's eyes, we see violence and corruption as it slowly infects the town of Izayoc (the place of tears). We experience Boli's confusion at the sudden changes, as he learns about corruption and sees his friends and neighbors being lured by the newcomers. Drugs, narcos, gangsters--those words are never used, but we know they are there, changing the dynamics of the town just like Narcos and the war on drugs have changed Mexico in real life, turning it into a violent and dangerous place.

When Boli befriends a has-been luchador and recruits him to help find his parents, we experience the kind of moral exchange between Boli's loss of innocence and someone who gave up long ago on believing that people are inherently good. While there is certainly a battle between good and evil, there is also a battle of trust and a quest for redemption.

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The novel, which has received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly, as well as favorable reviews from The Wall Street Journal and Library Journal, is the kind of book that reminds us of what the Diverse Book Movement has been saying all along: we need these kinds of books so different minorities can see themselves in the pages, but also so that other realities can be experienced and perhaps understood by a general audience.

Diederich, whose first novel, Sofrito, was also published by Cinco Puntos Press in 2015, said in an interview that he wrote the book for his son, who dislikes reading--especially fiction. "We'd go the library to find him a book to read and most of what we found in young adult fiction was romance, dystopian, fantasy, vampires, that sort of thing. I saw a big hole in the shelf where a realistic book for boys might fit," Diederich said.

Diederich grew up in Mexico City and spent half a decade working there as a photojournalist. Perhaps that's why the story rings so true to current events. The disappearance of 43 students from a rural teacher's college in Guerrero two years ago would seem like the catalyst for Playing for the Devil's Fire, but Diederich said he completed the book in 2013.



Phillippe Diederich (c) Kevin Moloney

"I think anyone who lives in Mexico knows what's going on. It's been going on for decades. The drugs, the corruption, the poverty. I wanted to address those issues, but I didn't want to write a book about drug dealers. I wanted to write a book about the victims and address what the corruption is doing to Mexico," Diederich said.

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Playing for the Devil's Fire can be read on many levels. It is a story of good vs. evil, a coming of age story, it is social commentary and then some. It is also layered with symbolism and metaphors, most of which inform the reader that Mexico has a proud and glorious history. But most important, Playing for the Devil's Fire, puts a face to the victims of Mexico's Narco violence. The novel, as they say in Mexico, tiene mucho corazon, (has a lot of heart). When you finish reading and set the book down, it will be difficult to forget Boli and his friends. And it will be difficult to forget what is happening in Mexico.
This photo taken on November 5, 2014 shows a child looking at the site of mass graves for victims of the Khmer Rouge at the Choeung Ek killing fields in Phnom Penh. Nearly a quarter of Cambodia's population was wiped out by starvation or execution during the Khmer Rouge's brutal rule over Cambodia that lasted from 1975 to 1979. AFP PHOTO/ ALEX OGLE (Photo credit should read Alex Ogle/AFP/Getty Images)

Several months ago, I felt the power of the thousands-year-old Passover story as palpably as I ever have, when I travelled with American Jewish World Service (AJWS) to Cambodia. My sense of what it means for a people to go from slavery to freedom deepened when I spent time listening to the modern-day narratives of Cambodians who live in the shadow of a genocide that claimed 2 million lives. They are recovering from their traumas through the sheer force of will and, today, continue to fight oppression and lay the foundation for democracy, equality and freedom for all Cambodians.

This year we were slaves, next year may we be free.

This juxtaposition between the deepest injustice and the most transcendent hope reminds me of our own people's transformations -- from slaves in Egypt to a free people at Sinai; from those Jews who did whatever they could to resist the genocide perpetrated against us, to Jews today who find meaning in that tragic chapter of our history by standing up for freedom for others in the new millennium.

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In Cambodia, juxtapositions such as these are everywhere. We went to the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where we saw thousands of photographs of young people who were murdered by the Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian genocide. Later that same day, we met extraordinary young activists whom AJWS is supporting, who are determined that their generation should know the sweetness of freedom. Like the Israelites escaping Egypt, these young leaders are looking forward, with a spirit and a quest for justice. They're fighting for their rights to food, education, medical care and opportunity; for a home to live in, for the right to vote without

the threat of violence.

In Cambodia, I also met garment workers -- many of them treated like wage slaves -- who are striving to achieve justice for themselves. We visited a factory in Phnom Penh that was surrounded by barbed wire and shadowed by a prison tower. The young women who toil there are making just a few dollars per day, inhaling toxic chemicals in stifling heat to sew the clothes we Americans wear. They are afraid for their lives and yet afraid to lose their jobs -- but they

have found the courage to speak out.

One of their leaders, Sitha, is like a modern-day, female Moses. She is leading a movement of fellow garment workers demanding fair wages and better treatment, just as many of our grandparents and great-grandparents did in New York and around the world in the early 20th century.

The freedom these brave activists seek is not easy to attain. Cambodian youth are up against formidable forces: Their corrupt government puts up roadblocks to democracy; profit-seeking logging companies rob their villages of the land they need for survival; and the effects of climate change threaten their future. Similarly, the garment workers face an uphill battle. They have achieved significant wage hikes in recent years -- from $61 per month when they began to $140 today -- but their hours and working conditions get worse for every increase they win. They gain the courage to ask for water, but then are afraid to drink, because they'll have to go to the bathroom and won't meet their quota and will get fired. Within these paradoxes, they achieve

incremental progress.

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This is the bread of affliction.

Like the matzah, which reminds us that we were once slaves and are now free, the Cambodian activists we met are confident that the unleavened bread will rise. There is no sense of defeat within them.

The young generation of Cambodia possesses the kind of optimism that is rare to see on this earth, much like the very optimism that freed us from Pharaoh's grip. Fighting for the rights of their families, their neighbors and their friends, they work with so little and in the face of obstacles so great. But they do so with perhaps the greatest hearts and imaginations, thus renewing my belief that moving from slavery to freedom is possible.

Let all who are hungry, come and eat.

Many of us interpret this passage from the haggadah literally: that we must welcome the poor and the hungry to our Seder table so they can partake in our bounty. But now, I read it differently: "Let all who are hungry for change, come and act." Cambodians are hungry for change. And getting to know them put me in touch with a deep Jewish hunger for change and for justice in our broken world. It also put me in touch with my own desire to support their cause.

Like so many Jews, I have always pondered what it means to be a Jew today. For me, it means rakhmones -- compassion for other human beings. My Jewishness teaches me to dedicate my time to learning; learning about what is going on in other people's lives in the world; learning to feel compassion and then committing to doing something about it.

When I travel to places like Cambodia and hear the stories of garment workers fighting for a living wage and safe conditions, when I meet people anywhere who are rejecting suffering and striving for freedom, I feel that these experiences are my shul -- my synagogue, my temple. The world is a sacred place. Now more than ever, to quote Arthur Miller, "Attention must be paid." To me, tikkun olam -- repairing the world, our world -- is what it means to be Jewish; and this is the heart of the Passover narrative.

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AJWS encourages me to attend to human rights. This is work I long to do for the rest of my life. It feeds the body and soul of every word that I say on stage or screen and helps to give life and breath to any song I sing.

Let us all lean forward from our reclining positions at our Seder tables, and awaken our hearts, our compassion and our abilities to listen. Let us find a way to join and support people like the AJWS grantees -- people like the Cambodian youth; people like Sitha, the labor organizer, and the workers she fights for; and people all over the world who are hungry -- hungry for action, hungry to realize their basic human rights. And let us remember:

Our actions are the ground we walk on.
Today, the Earth got a little hotter, and a little more crowded.

A Prickly Situation - this cartoonish katydid is found in Yasuni National Park, Ecuador (threatened by oil development - below); it illustrates the incredible biodiversity stored in rainforests, important carbon storage systems. Source www.pbase.com

Forests: the cheapest way to store carbon

OO Brazil: A Huge Carbon Sink

Even More Deforested -- And Less Protected --

Than The Amazon - is its savannah, the Cerrado; it has a huge "underground forest" of carbon-storing roots that are releasing huge amounts of climate changing gases as land is converted to farms. This, in turn, could help dry out the Amazon.



Hidden Gold in a Threatened Rainforest - this Sun Conure parrot illustrates the true treasures of the Yasuni Rainforest: its spectacular biodiversity. Source www.pinterest.com

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OO Ecuador Drills For Oil On Edge Of

Pristine Rainforest And Biodiversity Hotspot - Yasuni National Park is also inhabited by two of the last tribes in the world living in voluntary isolation.



Leafy Teaks are farmed for their wood, and have very large leaves. Source www.panoramio.com

OO Super Carbon Storer in India: Teakwood - this wood has the highest capacity for carbon sequestration among the trees of India, and may be grown to help curb emissions in India.



When we harm forests, we harm ourselves.

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FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE, DOWN ON THE FARM

Farming Changes Could Cut Climate Changing Emissions Substantially

OO Farmland Could Play Key Role In Tackling Climate Change if farms are motivated and able to change their farming practices, says a new study. Takeaways:



Soil stores vast amounts of carbon; 30+% of agricultural carbon emissions come from soil; "climate-smart" soil management could reduce that, possibly substantially, keeping soil carbon stored; incentives could be developed to motivate farmers.

On the other hand, critics note:

Preserving forests is a far better investment: they store carbon AND vital biodiversity;

The expensive technology needed to significantly increase farm soil carbon storage is not accessible to most farmers;

Creating incentives will differ worldwide due to national politics and market forces.

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But even farming can't fulfill the demands of a growing population....

OO Climate Change Will Limit Ability To Feed Humanity Soon - say scientists, and warning signs are already present. Takeaways:

global warming means mean more droughts, wildfires, soil depletion and seasonal changes -all bad for growing food;

some of these factors, such as changing rainfall patterns, are already occurring;

vital crop pollinators are declining worldwide, in part from climate change;

food demand keeps increasing along with population levels;

clearing more land for farming releases even more climate changing emissions;

industrial farming, needed to meet demand, also releases more such emissions,

and depends on fertilizers that deplete the soil, ultimately reducing production.

Resulting climate change will likely:

Reduce crop yields;

Create a malnutrition crisis;

Make large parts of the planet unable to grow core crops such as bananas and maize.

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And...

OO Soil Crisis Brought About By Climate Change May Hit Global Food Production, claims alarming new research, which reveals that soil microbes, vital to soil fertility, appear to be far less adaptable to climate change than once thought.



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April 22, 2016: Give A Real Earth Day Gift - help create a sustainable future: have one child*, or be child-free. It's the biggest way you can personally cut carbon emissions and consumption. (* This is something I have done, by choice. MEH)

Other Tips - every day:

help bring down unintended pregnancies in your community; vote for climate action at all levels of leadership; invest in clean energy, divest from dirty energy;

talk about it with your friends and family.

The food thing: less meat and calories means less waste and waist.

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CLIMATE-CHANGING FOOD WASTE

Source waymagazine.org



OO Cutting Food And Carbon Waste-Lines For Healthy Climate - Reducing food waste and changing the way people consume calories will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a new study says. Takeaways:

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up to 14% of emissions from agriculture in 2050 could be avoided by managing food use and distribution better to reduce waste;

as the average human diet increases in meat and calories, so does the contribution food makes to climate change;

food waste is likely to worsen in the future;

Source biocycle.net

Cutting food waste could help several challenges at once:

reducing environmental impacts of agriculture,

saving resources used in food production,

enhance local, regional, and global food security;

Cutting meat and calories would benefit human health.

The good news? We can change - if we want to.

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GLOBAL WARMING SICKENING AMERICANS

More Americans Will Die From Heat waves as they increase and intensify, just one of many health risks from climate change, says a new study. Source www.cnn.com

OO Climate Change Sickens Americans:

Hearts, Lungs, AND Brains says a new study, based on1,800+ published scientific studies and new federal research, and reviewed by the National Academies of Sciences.

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A wide array of health issues will result, such as:

An increasing number, by many thousands, of annual premature deaths from heatwaves;

increasing mental health problems from the stress of extreme weather like hurricanes and floods;

as extreme heat causes more forest fires and increases pollen counts, resulting poor air quality is likely to up asthma rates.

"Climate change poses a serious risk to human health and that is really the most important takeaway," says US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.

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YOU CAN ACT:

OO Ask World Leaders to Sign the Paris Climate Agreement on Earth Day: April 22, 2016



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EARTH IS TIPPING FROM GLOBAL WARMING

Shifting Water, Shifting Weight, Shifting Planet - as newly melted water redistributes its considerable weight around the Earth, it is also shifting the rotating axis of the planet. The North Pole has shifted dramatically eastward since 2000. Source JPLab at NASA

OO Global Warming Shifting Earth's Polar Axis

, says a new NASA study. Takeaways:

induced by global warming, climate change causes ice sheets to melt and changes land storage of water, (as affected by droughts) substantially shifting the sheer weight of water over the planet;

this weight redistribution has shifted the north pole sharply east from Canada towards England since 2000.

The shift shows:

how profoundly global warming is affecting our planet;

how intimately connected the planet's poles are to climate variability.

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HOT NEWS

A Hot Idea, especially for seniors and children.

OO The US Is Experiencing Its Third Warmest Year-To-Date through February.

OO Historically Hottest Summers To Be Normal

For Over Half The World's Population -- Within 20 Years! a new study projects, even under a moderate emissions scenario.

The Mediterranean, Sahara, large parts of Asia and the Western US and Canada will be among the first regions for which hot summers will occur on average every other year. Invest in bikinis...



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Whether From Clouds or Earth, Ice Reflects Sunlight Away - so if clouds have less ice than once thought, they will reflect less sunlight, and global warming will be worse than thought. (Image, NASA)

OO Global Warming May Be Far Worse:

Clouds May Not Cool Global Warming as much as once thought, says a new study.



Analysis of satellite data revealed that:

many clouds have more liquid - and thus fewer ice crystals to reflect sunlight into space - than once thought.

This smaller "heat shield" means our carbon emissions will be trapping more heat from more incoming sunlight.

one climate change analysis indicates this might mean a further 2+ F warming.

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MELTDOWN

OO Meltdown: More Rain, Less Snow As The World Warms - Takeaways:

a greater percentage of US winter precipitation is falling as rain,

with potentially severe consequences in western states which depend on snowpack for water,

and across the country wherever there is a winter sports economy.

OO West Antarctica Might Melt Far Faster than once thought, suggest new studies on the physics of ice melt, and this could rise seas by over 6 feet by 2100, flooding many coastal cities, says climate scientist Michael Mann.



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OH-OH, WHERE DID ALL THOSE TRILLIONS GO???

OO Climate Change Will Wipe $2.5 Trillion Off Global Financial Assets by 2100, says a new economic study, and could soar to a wipeout of $24 Trillion, or 17% of the world's assets, in a highly unlikely worse case scenario.

Suddenly, limiting warming to 2 C (4 F) makes a lot of financial sense - this would save over $300 Billion of those assets.

BUT Mark Campanale (Carbon Tracker Initiative) says: "It could be a lot worse. The loss of financial capital can be a lot higher and faster than the GDP losses.

Just look at the value of coal giant Peabody Energy. It was worth billions just a few years ago and now it is worth nothing."



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Related Headline:

Climate Change Could Kill Assets - wiping out trillions in value. Source joshschoenly.com

OO Study Warns Wall Street of Assets at Risk From Climate Change which may wipe out $2.5 trillion, or nearly 2% of the world's financial assets, by 2100, if the planet continues to warm at its current rate, says the new study.

More:

OO Bloomberg Climate Taskforce To Target Financial Filings - Led by Michael Bloomberg, the heavyweight taskforce recommends that climate risk information should form part of companies' routine financial filings.



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CONTINUING CORAL CATASTROPHE ALARMS SCIENTISTS

Credit the UK Guardian

OO Over a Third of World's Coral Reefs Under Death Watch due to a mix of global warming and strong El Nino weather cycle that has stressed many corals to the breaking point, say US NOAA scientists.



1000+ km of the Great Barrier Reef are showing signs of significant bleaching - that is, corals dying.

Related Headline:

Ghosts of the Great Barrier Reef - white dead and dying corals now significantly whiten over 1,000 km of this magnificent ecosystem. When the corals go, so does much of the rest of the marine life there.

OO Climate-Related Death Of Coral Around World Alarms Scientists



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CLUELESS LEADERSHIP

OO Cities Battle Their Own States Over the Clean Power Plan - as cities see the real beginning effects of climate change, they want the plan to succeed. But 27 states are fighting the plan in court.



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GOOD CLEAN NEWS

OO Global Renewables Grew At Fastest Rate On Record In 2015, expanding 8+% to nearly 2,000 GW globally, says the International Renewable Energy Agency. "Falling costs for renewable energy technologies, and a host of economic, social and environmental drivers are favouring renewables over conventional power sources," said the agency's director general.



OO Obama's Clean Power Plan Amassing Broad Support



OO Ikea Wants To Run On 100% Renewable Energy - An increasing number of big businesses including Google and Mars are opting to get their power from renewables, helping the planet and their profit margins.



OO Hey, Bill Gates, Our 'Energy Miracles' Are Already Here - The transformation from a fossil fuel-based global economy, to one that is powered by a decentralized mix of renewables is happening far faster than anyone anticipated.



US WIND POWER - AND JOBS - KEEP SURGING

Source AWEA

OO Home Grown American Wind Power Keeps Blowing - as the U.S. Wind Industry Annual Report, Year Ending 2015 shows. US Wind Power:



now supports a record 88,000 well-paying American jobs; a 20% growth rate in 2015 alone;

was the largest source of new electric capacity in 2015;

avoided 132 million MT of climate changing CO2;

prevented enough pollution to create7+ billion in public health benefits;

benefits rural areas especially.

OO Banks Pledge $7 Billion to Scale Up Clean Energy Investment



OO World Bank To Spend Nearly 30% Of Investments On Addressing Climate Change



OO A Billionaire Investor Joins Republican Clean-Energy Push - Julian Robertson is backing a campaign to push the party's candidates to support clean-energy policies.





Source www.flickr.com

OO Florida Poll: 75% Of Floridians Concerned About Climate Change



OO US And Canada Move To Curb Methane Emissions

Meeting represents one of the last chances to grow on climate partnership agreed on by Justin Trudeau and Barack Obama before U.S. president leaves office.



Nations United On Climate

OO Many Nations Seek Rapid Ratification Of Paris Climate Deal,

To Lock It In for 4 Years before a change in the White House next year that might bring a weakening of Washington's long-term commitment.



OO 35 Countries Cutting The Link Between Economic Growth And Emissions -says an International Energy Agency analysis. The US, the UK, Germany, and several smaller economies are on the list; China, India and Russia are not. Some of the smallest countries have done the most to reduce their carbon emissions.



OO Israel To Cut Carbon Emissions, Sees $8 Billion Economic Boost - Israel's cabinet unanimously approved a plan for reducing greenhouse gases and increasing energy efficiency to benefit the economy.



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SOCIAL REPERCUSSIONS

Lifting Off As Launching Pad Submerges - the space launch site will be flooded by rising seas within this century. Photo Source abcnews.go.com

OO NASA Is Facing A Climate Change Countdown as Kennedy Space Center and other NASA facilities near coastlines are facing the prospect of continually rising waters.



OO Drowning History: Sea Level Rise Threatens US Historic Sites



OO UK: 57 Subway Stations At High Risk Of Flooding says a new report.



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GOOD IDEAS

World's Answer to Zika: A New Mosquito Trap dubbed the ovillanta, it's fashioned from old tires and nearly 7 times better than conventional ones. Photo Daniel Pinelo

OO Fighting The Zika Virus With Junked Tires - as climate change enables the spread of Zika carrying mosquitoes, researchers have developed an improved mosquito trap. Fashioned from old tires, it holds a dark cool pool of water infused with a nontoxic mosquito attractant, and paper floating on the surface.

Mosquitoes lay eggs on the paper as they mark the water with female pheromone, letting other mosquitoes know the water is safe. The paper is changed and the water is filtered for larvae, then returned to the trap, where the pheromone infusion attracts further vicitims. Sneaky, huh?



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OO Fight Acidifying Oceans Locally: Clean Up Pollution and plant aquatic grass that removes CO2 from water, and revise water quality rules to help clean up pollution, says a new report.



The All-Weather Solar Cell, Rain or Shine has a layer of graphene that allows the cell to generate electricity when raindrops hit it. Credit Angewandte Chemie International Edition, courtesy of ResearchSEA

OO New Graphene Layer Could Let Solar Cells Generate Power When It Rains - creating cells that are triggered by sunlight and raindrops, say Chinese researchers in a new report.



OO With New Tools, A Focus On Urban Methane Leaks



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FOSSIL FUEL FOLLIES

Source www.coal-is-dirty.com

OO As Coal Goes Bankrupt,

Taxpayers May Have To Finance The Cleanup



OO The Death Of US Coal: Industry On A Steep Decline As Cheap Natural Gas Rises



OO Working For US Coal?

Better Have A Backup Career as Wyoming miners found out: after decades of work, they were laid off, without enough help to find other work.

Credit Nate Beeler at the Washington Tribune

OO US Fossil Fuel Addicted State Economies

Now Suffer Withdrawal Symptons - especially in Alaska, where oil has declined; in Wyoming, dependent on coal; and in North Dakota, as the gas boom has gone bust.



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OO Australia: Coal Mining Does More Harm Than Good, Say Majority In NSW



THE METHANE MESS

Pretty.... Bad Methane Leaks - 100s of them, have been found via infrared photography in a flyover of 8000+ oil and gas well pads in Pennsylvania. Source edf.org

OO Pennsylvania: Researchers Find Hundreds Of Methane Leaks - and as the state's natural gas expands so will the leaks.



OO Southern California Braces For Summer Blackouts Due To Big Gas Leak as the large methane leak forced the shutdown of nearby wells until they could be inspected, creating a fuel scarcity.



OO Wyoming: Scientists Find Fracking Contaminated Water after the EPA halted its study of it. Whoops.



POLLUTION PROBLEMS PROPAGATE

OO Mexico City Doubles Driving Ban As Pollution Persists from the heavy smog generated by burning fossil fuels.



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OO Canada: Latest Keystone I Leak Raises More Doubts About Pipeline Safety



OO Australian Electricity Emissions Surge 5.5% Since Removal of Carbon Price



Offshore Oil Development Threatens This World Heritage Coral Reef - in Belize, as if the current worldwide coral bleaching event - ultimately caused by burning oil and other fossil fuels - wasn't enough. Credit Antonio Busiello at WWF-Guatemala

OO Half Of World Heritage Sites Often Threatened By Fossil Fuel Development, says WWF, as well as by illegal logging, and mining. WWF urged companies to obey UN appeals that all heritage sites should be "no go" areas for oil and gas exploration, mines, unsustainable timber production and overfishing.



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ELECTION YEAR:

If You Don't Vote For Climate Action, You Can Forget The Rest - in a climate-changing world of famine, drought, rising seas, giant storms and heat waves, there will be no security in jobs, health, wealth, or national safety. There will be chaos ensuing from increasing crises and disasters. Vote.

OO Global Warming Policies We Set Today Will Determine The Next 10,000 Years - of global warming, a new study shows -- and whether our civilization survives or not: history shows that harmful climate change has destroyed civilizations before.

This time, it could be worldwide. Let's keep "The Hunger Games" in the realm of fiction.

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If we do not grow sustainably,

Our children will die inhumanely.



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@@ The Cost of Unintended Pregnancy: Too Young

Teen childbearing cost US taxpayers $9+ Billion in 2010

And the costs of raising a child usually ensures decades, if not a life, of poverty for its mother.

- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

WHAT YOU CAN DO



Help prevent unintended pregnancies in your community:

publicize where women can access affordable contraception.

They can go here to find locations:

And there are many more actions you can do, right here.

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SOLAR KEEPS SURFING

OO Are You Paying Too Much For A Rooftop Solar System? If you're thinking about pulling the trigger on a rooftop residential solar system, don't be afraid to drive a hard bargain with an installer.

OO The US Will Overtake Japan as the World's No. 2 Solar Market in 2016





OO New Jersey: Navy Plans 227-Acre Solar Farm



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@@ "Catching the Sun" Profiles Solar Energy Entrepreneurs and Activists in this

winning documentary, and shows that solar not only wins as clean energy but as a job creator. Fast paced and fluid, it shares the excitement of this burgeoning bright industry worldwide.



OO SolarCity Raises $300+ Million for Commercial Solar and Energy Storage,

Plus Residential



Source us.sunpower.com

OO Solar Power More Lucrative Than Crops at Some U.S. Farms and worldwide, as solar and wind developers in North America, Europe and Asia seek more flat, treeless expanses to build. It's also a boon for struggling U.S. family farms that must contend with floundering commodity prices.

"There is not a single crop that we could have grown on that land that would generate the income that we get from the solar farm," said one farmer.



OO Mexico's First Clean Energy Auction: 1,860 Solar MW Won at $50.7 per MWh ensuring that solar power will grow 500+ % in Mexico in 2016.



OO Kenya: SkyPower to Give Away Millions of Solar Kits - to boost the growth of off-grid solar, even as it develops other solar projects.



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Check it out here, right now!

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WHY WE SHOULD ACT NOW: RISING RISKS

Daily Climate Change: Global Map of Unusual Temperatures, Apr 20, 2016

How unusual has the weather been? No one event is "caused" by climate change, but global warming, which is predicted to increase unusual, extreme weather, is having a daily effect on weather, worldwide.

Looking above at recent temperature anomalies, much of the US and the waters surrounding it are experiencing warmer than normal temperatures: despite El Nino storms, California drought conditions persist.

Much of the areas surrounding the North Pole are experiencing much warmer than normal temperatures - not good news for our Arctic thermal shield of ice. Hotter than usual temperatures continue to dominate human habitats.

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There is, of course, much more news on the consequences and solutions to climate change. To get it, check out this annotated resource list I've compiled, "Climate Change News Resources," at Wordpress.com here. For more information on the science of climate change, its consequences and solutions you can view my annotated list of online information resources here.

To help you understand just what science does and does NOT do, check this out!

Every day is Earth Day, folks, as I was reminded by this everlasting wild flower I photographed one spring in South Africa. Making the U.S. a global clean energy leader will ensure a heck of a lot more jobs, and a clean, safe future. If you'd like to join the increasing numbers of people who want to TELL Congress that they will vote for clean energy candidates you can do so here. It's our way of letting Congress know there's a strong clean energy voting bloc out there. For more detailed summaries of the above and other climate change items, audio podcasts and texts are freely available.
Co-authored by Alex Burke

We live in a political era dominated by tremendous division, and there is a climate in which intransigence is celebrated as strength and compromise is vilified as a weakness. However, there is at least one initiative, which George W. Bush started and Barack Obama has continued, that will endure as a bipartisan effort that helps define their legacies positively: America's role in drastically reducing malaria-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.

Malaria originates from a parasite that often infects the anopheles mosquito, an insect that feeds on human blood. While increased investments in malaria control have seen positive results, it remains a devastating and deadly disease in some of the poorest nations on Earth. In 2012, more than 200 million clinical cases of malaria occurred, resulting in the loss of more than 625,000 lives, many in sub-Saharan Africa. In areas of increased transmission, the most vulnerable individuals are children, who have not yet effectively developed immunity to the disease, and pregnant women, whose resistance lowers during pregnancy. Unfortunately, to date, there is no vaccine against the disease.

However, building upon numerous scientific advancements made in the past 100 years, there are effective prevention measures to reduce mosquito populations as well as treatments for those infected. For example, in 1947, the United States launched the National Malaria Eradication Program, which included the application of mosquito spray to more than 46 million households. By 1951, malaria was considered eradicated in the United States. Today, there are approximately 1,500 malaria cases in the U.S. per year, but these are generally immigrants or travelers returning to the U.S. from infected areas. Unfortunately, prevention, control, and treatment strategies are expensive and have limited availability in the most vulnerable regions. In the poorest tropical and subtropical areas, malaria remains difficult to control. In these locations, efficient mosquitoes thrive in a favorable climate, transmitting the disease to the most vulnerable.

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George W. Bush, in 2005, launched two successful initiatives: the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The PMI began as a five-year program costing $1.2 billion, with $30 million spent during the first year in part to distribute insecticide-laced mosquito nets in Tanzania, Angola, and Uganda. Today more than $600 million is spent per fiscal year to work in 19 African countries and Southeast Asia's Mekong River region.

At a time when America faces historic debt levels, some rightly question any expenditure that does not have an immediate offset or return on investment. It is important to note that despite common misperceptions, only about 1% is expropriated for foreign assistance, and only a small percentage of that goes to global health initiatives. When we reduce diseases abroad, we lessen the risk of infecting Americans traveling abroad as well as those seeking to travel to the United States.

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Progress to combat malaria in the 21st century has been dramatic. Estimates are that malaria-control interventions between 2001 and 2013 led to 4.3 million fewer malaria deaths, largely composed of children younger than 5 in sub-Saharan Africa.

The PMI's objectives by 2020 are ambitious. Two key objectives are to decrease malaria mortality by a third of 2015 levels in PMI-supported countries and to reduce malaria morbidity by 40% of 2015 levels in those countries.

America has taken the lead in addressing a humanitarian crisis, and as a result, millions of lives have been saved, and the moral authority of the United States has been strengthened abroad. This would not be possible without a bipartisan effort. Our role in this fight represents the best of American politics and work of which we should all be proud.

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DCI Group is the latest group subpoenaed in an expanding investigation by state attorneys general into the funding of climate change denial by ExxonMobil, according to court filings reviewed by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD).

ExxonMobil has now received separate subpoenas from both the New York and U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Attorneys' Offices. The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) and DCI Group have also been subpoenaed by the U.S. Virgin Islands for records relating to their role in helping ExxonMobil wth climate change denial.

Seventeen state attorneys general--calling themselves "AGs United for Clean Power"--held a press conference on March 29, announcing increased collaboration between the states in investigating the opposition to tackling climate change.

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"The scope of the problem we are facing, the size of the corporate entities and their alliances, the trade associations and other groups, is massive and it requires a multistate effort," said New York Attorney General Schneiderman.

ExxonMobil has become the focus of attention from state attorneys general, after separate investigations by InsideClimate News and the LA Times/Columbia School of Journalism revealed it had known internally about the threat of climate change for several decades. InsideClimate News was a finalist for a Pulitzer for its work on the story.

Those investigations uncovered internal Exxon documents, some dating back to the 1970s, proving the company knew from its own scientists about the serious dangers to the planet from continuing to burn fossil fuels.

Despite this knowledge, Exxon poured millions of dollars into climate change denial and to groups working to obstruct any action to reduce carbon pollution.

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The Greenpeace project Exxon Secrets, which tracks spending by ExxonMobil, has documented over $30 million in funding to U.S. climate denial groups from 1998-2014.

ExxonMobil continues to fund climate denial through groups including the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). CMD has documented Exxon's grants to ALEC and that group's work to promote climate change denial in a letter sent to the New York Attorney General in November 2015.

Why DCI?

DCI Group is a DC-based public relations and lobbying firm, with a client base that has included big tobacco, the Koch-founded and Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity, and several foreign governments with appalling human rights records, including Azerbaijan and the Burmese junta.

DCI currently works with the coal industry trade association, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE). The group has paid $5 million over a two-year period from 2013-2014 (most recent available data) to DCI.

CMD has a profile on DCI, which is available here.

Exxon has been a DCI client for many years. According to data from the Center for Responsive Politics, DCI has represented Exxon every year between 2005-2015 (data for 2016 is not yet available).

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Although DCI and Exxon have a long history, the subpoena could reveal more about what DCI has being doing for Exxon.

Some details have leaked out over the years.

DCI created Tech Central Station, a now-defunct website which promoted climate change denial and which received funding from Exxon. A bipartisan group of Senators wrote to Exxon about its funding of the website in 2006.

The Senators' letter also asked Exxon to "come clean about its past denial activities," which Exxon has not done.

In 2006, an invitation was leaked to Greenpeace about a strategy meeting hosted at the DCI office.

The meeting--titled "Strategic Discussion Regarding the Clean Air Act"--was sponsored by the Exxon-funded Heartland Institute.

Numerous non-profit organizations that receiving funding from Exxon were invited, including the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

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Just one corporation was represented--Exxon--and it dominated the room with 5 staff on the attendee list. DCI also had numerous named staff present as well as additional unnamed "field directors and staff."

According to the invitation, the meeting was intended to help develop an "action plan" to help push back against legislation mandating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The leaked agenda is revealing but its does not show the full picture and, with Exxon having ignored previous requests to "come clean," this is something that can result from a subpoena.

Most of the groups at the 2006 DCI strategy discussion, including ALEC and CEI, continue to fight against any action to tackle climate change. In particular, both these groups are heavily involved in the push back against the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.

As a possible signal of things to come, the Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh named ALEC in his remarks during the AGs United for Clean Power press conference in March. "We want them to tell the truth so we can get down to the business of fighting climate change," said Frosh.

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Nepalese Diaspora in America, which gets heated every other week on different matters is focused this week on "Nepal Day Parade." On May 22, Sunday, Nepal Day Parade is being organized with an intent to promote the tourism and business industry that identifies with Nepal and its people. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer as a Chief Guest is scheduled to inaugurate this parade, which is being held at the Broadway in Manhattan.

Some say, parade must be conducted while others refuse to support us. We can never become respectable citizens if we miss this opportunity to take our nation's identity to the international stage. We have to stop playing dirty politics and start working for the welfare of our country. We do not need to be here in America if we want to play the dirty politics of Nepal. We have been here to learn and live a better life.

Nepalese staying in the area are requested to attend the function. It is expected that the event will remove all the doubts in the minds of people across the world about the state of affairs of Nepal after the earthquake of Baisakh 12. Chairman Thapa of organizing committee reiterated that their main aim was to conduct a special parade with co-operation from Nepalese across America.

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FIFNA Chairman, Luisang Waiba reiterated that although they had taken the leadership of conducting the parade, it would be conducted with co-operation of thousands of other Nepalese organizations exisiting throughout America.

In order to conduct this parade that is happening for the first time, Nepalese across USA are enthused. A decade ago, we contemplated upon organizing "Nepal Day Parade." We couldn't decide the date to hold an event in Manhattan then.

A multicultural and diverse city of New York holds parades of all different religious and cultural groups at different times. This is the first time Nepalese community is holding one of its own parade in this great city. New York Authorities have provided us permit of 3 hours for the event.

We have obtained a permit to conduct the parade across an area of 1 km(0.6 miles). This space is more than enough for us. Broadway which is crowded with pedestrians throughout the week will hold our event presenting Nepalese community to the international community at the mid-day from 12 am to 4 pm. Only we can make the event a success or a dismal failure. This is not a event just connecting an individual, party or a group but the entire nation.

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We can't abandon those whom we had with us yesterday. We must bring divided opinions to a common table. Looking ahead, we shouldn't forget those left behind. They also want to walk with us. They also want to work for the good of the country. They are eager than ever to display their flag emblemed with sun and moon across Broadway, Manhattan.

Journalist Prashan Alung Rai says "Are you ready to help us? We have continued our identity even in this country. Known for our honesty and hard work like "Sagarmatha." And, we are building in the process of establishing-"Little Nepal." We are divided into many castes and different regions but when the matter is about national integrity, we must come together. Our unity is the greatest resource we have. Failure of "Nepal Day Parade" is the failure of Nepal and Nepalese people."

If we come together in this manner, we will be able to raise the nation's identity to a next level in the global arena. Our tarnished identity has a chance to come back. Those standing in front of the parade must stand up for high values and lofty thoughts.

U.S. based Journalist Kiran Babu Marahatta says "We can't afford to remain disintegrated and disunited anymore. We can't afford to weaken the socio-cultural bond that unites us. Organizers have told us that the event shall include various cultural programs representing Nepali folk culture, display of tools that promote tourism in Nepal and other promotional items that help expansion of Nepalese business across the world."

We must be ready to stand up against the challenges of the moment. Besides, we must be united amongst ourselves at any cost.

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Jason Anick, Olli Soikkeli, Ivan Pena and Greg Loughman of the Rhythm Future Quartet

This past Sunday evening I made my way to yet another greater Atlanta music venue. This time it was Steve's Live Music in Sandy Springs, GA. Where owner and music impresario Steve Grossman has been offering an eclectic blend of live music and a vegetarian menu to those in the know for the last four years. Unfortunately, Steve told me the venue will be closing in the next several weeks due to the ever rising costs of renting the space. Too bad, it's a comfortable laid back showcase for live music and it will be sorely missed. This particular evening the future of gypsy jazz came to entertain a full house of avid fans at Steve's in the form of the Rhythm Future Quartet.

The Rhythm Future Quartet is a Boston based group of four young, abundantly talented musicians who have taken up the mantle from giants of the genre like Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli and their famous "Hot Club of Paris" music. These young upstarts- the oldest is reportedly 32- have rocketed the music into the future by incorporating multiple influences from gypsy jazz to Balkan folk, Spanish Flamenco to Country swing, teaming it with their own virtuosity and playing it all with a joyful abandon that is downright infectious.

The quartet is made up of Jason Anick on violin, Olli Soikkeli on lead guitar, Max O'Rourke on rhythm guitar and Greg Loughman on acoustic bass. On this evening O'Rourke was on another gig and the able Ivan Pena took the rhythm guitar chair. Together these guys make music that range from jump in your seat bounce to shedding a tear in your beer poignant.

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On this particular night we had the fortune of attending the second of two sold out shows. The fortune comes because in order to play this kind of music at the rapid fire pace these guys do it's always nice to have a warm up set. Warm they were as they burst into the music with an original composition by bassist Greg Loughman titled "Iberian Sunrise." The magical interchange between Anick's fetching violin and Soikkeli's fleet fingered guitar was a treat to behold.



On the classic Jimmy Rosenberg title "Made for Wesley," Anick's moving virtuosity was on display as he made his violin sing creating a fusillade of notes that he bowed with amazing facility, alternating between rapid fire bursts and poignantly sustained bows. When it was Soikkeli' turn to solo, the Finnish wunderkind gave a similarly stunning display of facility, machine-gunning a flurry of notes that were amazingly clean and equally inventive. There is both comradery and brotherly competition between Anick and Soikkeli as they push each other to more and more challenging excursions of improvisational daring, like two gunslingers waiting to test who has the fastest draw. All the while the Pena and Loughman kept impeccable time at ever increasingly challenging speeds.

The next tune was composed by guitarist Soikkeli for one of his mentors, guitarist Paulus Schafer, titled "For Paulus." At the opening, this slow sauntering gypsy jazz treat had the crowd bouncing to the infectiously strummed rhythm, that is until it broke into a double time, with Anick propelling the tune in his best imitation of the great Stephane Grappelli, whom obviously has been a great influence.

The more traditional fare was temporarily suspended as Anick spoke of being a Beatles fan and of reworking one of their tunes. Loughman introduced the famous lead in bass line to the Beatles "Come Together" as the group gave the classic pop song their own twist. The song had me remembering such violin-centric rock groups of the past like Fairport Convention, The Flock and ELO. Soikkeli did a burning acoustic solo on guitar that had it been played on distorted electric would have been a ripper.

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Anick's exotic sounding "Vessala" is a Balkan folk music inspired tune evoking a traditional, lace-garbed folk dancer spinning to the music's sinewy twists and turns. When Anick and Loughman both bowed their instruments the sound took on a distinctively chamber music feel.

On the beautiful "Soul ce Soir," Soikkeli demonstrated a challenging technique of simultaneously muting the strings with his forefinger as he picked them with his thumb producing a muted sound that was quite subtle. Pena's unerring strumming and Loughman's bass kept the loping rhythm in perfect play. Anick's melancholic Grappelli-like sound spanned the spectrum between sweet and sorrowful.

The group did a unique take on the Gershwin standard "Summertime" using the lead-in to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" to start and end the song. The clever pairing added a little suspense and humor to the classic standard that they used as blues-based improvisational vehicle. The audience loved it.

The group continued with several other songs including one that had Anick playing raw fiddle like it could be part of a country hoe down. The old standard "The Best Things in Life Are Free" was played in a way that could have easily conjured up memories of the great Joe Venuti in style.



The crowd at Steve's came to hear the next generation of gypsy jazz and they were not disappointed. The audience gave the band a standing ovation and the band returned for one encore performance of guitarist Olli Soikkeli's composition "Bushwick Stomp," the first song he wrote when he came to America from his native Finland. The tune is a barn burner and has recently reached more than one million views on You Tube, fascinating viewers with its fluid swing, the technical facility and the finely honed synchronicity that these young artists display as a unit.
Providing medical care in a war zone is never an easy task, but doctors in Syria's opposition-held areas face particularly extreme challenges as their hospitals become targets for bombing campaigns. Michele Heisler, a researcher and professor at the University of Michigan, spoke with Syrian doctors on behalf of Physicians for Human Rights. She tells ResearchGate what she learned. In what capacity did you conduct the assessment you published in the New England Journal of Medicine?

Michele Heisler: My coauthor Elise Baker and I went to southern Turkey last year, where there was a meeting of physicians from Aleppo, the largest city in northern Syria. Because it's opposition controlled, eastern Aleppo has experienced frequent attacks. The main aims of our study were to figure out what the situation with health infrastructure there was and how health professionals are managing.

We conducted the project on behalf of Physicians for Human Rights, which documents attacks on health professionals and medical facilities, violations of medial neutrality, throughout the world.

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What kind of medical facilities were operating in Syria at the time of your visit?

Heisler: There was a range, from very sparsely equipped and staffed medical points that work primarily to stabilize and triage patients and send them to better-equipped facilities, to hospitals with surgical capacities. In Syria it really varies, because in the government-controlled areas, there haven't been aerial attacks on hospitals. But certainly in places like eastern Aleppo all of the facilities are pretty under-equipped.

Who is staffing them?

Heisler: There are doctors, nurses, medical students, medical volunteers, all working very long hours and beyond their areas of expertise. You have pediatricians who've had to learn how to do surgery and general surgeons trying to do vascular surgery. One general surgeon explained that he can save a life by cutting off a leg, but with the sadness of knowing the leg could have been saved by a surgeon with different expertise. Lives are being saved, but there's no physical therapy, and almost no mental health resources for the very high rates of PTSD.

What types of attacks are medical facilities experiencing?

Heisler: In opposition-controlled areas, the medical facilities are being directly bombed by Syrian government forces and heavily bombed by Russian forces as well. Some attacks are with missiles, bombs, and rockets delivered by war planes. The most gruesome attacks we outline in the report are with barrel bombs, which are packed with nails and all sorts of things that will shatter. They tend to explode throughout people's bodies, so the types of injuries are really horrific.

Physicians for Human Rights has also documented some attacks on medical facilities by opposition groups and by ISIS, but these attacks are much fewer. Through February 2016, PHR documented 358 attacks on medical facilities, and 91 percent of these were by Syrian government and Russian forces. Last month, Vladimir Putin announced the withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria. How has the situation for healthcare workers developed since then?

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Heisler: Russian forces have not actually withdrawn from Syria. While flying some warplanes back to Russia, they shipped in more advanced helicopters, which are now being used to launch attacks. At the end of March, Syrian government forces shelled the hospital in Latakia and a nearby physiotherapy center, forcing them both to close. And just April 13, an airstrike killed the health director for the region as he was leaving his hospital in Hama. His death is an incredible loss to Syria's medical community.

"It became clear the red cross was more a target than a shield"

Is it typical for medical facilities to be targeted in conflicts? How does current case in Syria compare to historical precedent?

Heisler: What we're finding is that this is increasingly becoming the new norm. Since the Geneva Convention in the late 1800s there was a period in which medical neutrality was largely observed, though there were other atrocities certainly. But today we're seeing increasing violations. Other places where medical facilities are clearly being targeted are Yemen, Afghanistan, and South Sudan. Still, in terms of the scope and scale of attacks, there really hasn't been anything like Syria, where attacking healthcare facilities and killing doctors is really part of a systematic strategy.

The Geneva Convention states that "zones established to shelter the wounded, sick and civilians must not be attacked." Is that a realistic rule in wars where it's hard to tell who is civilian and who is not?

Heisler: When Physicians for Human Rights started looking into this issue, we expected to mostly see collateral damage. But as we started sifting through all the evidence, it became clear that it usually wasn't. Most of the major hospitals stand alone, and everyone knows where and what those buildings are, just like a major hospital in any large city around the world. We even looked at satellite imagery to rule out the possibility that there were mobile military targets like armored vehicles in the area. The attacks on the medical facilities are clearly not collateral damage. So yes, the simple answer is that it is a realistic rule, and it's not being followed.

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Is there anything the doctors on the ground brought up in interviews that really stuck with you? Heisler: There is incredible inspiration in the motivations of the physicians. One of the physicians I spoke with had actually gone to Germany with his family and was going to have the opportunity to continue his advanced training in pediatric surgery, but he came back. He said he thought, "I am Syrian. I am from Aleppo. How can I live with myself as a doctor if I don't go back and help the people in my city?" We're saying, "Gosh, how can you do this?" and they're saying, "How could I not do this? I'm a doctor." Many of the people we interviewed told us about a colleague--one of the few female physicians still there--who hasn't left Aleppo once since the beginning of the conflict. She says women will die in childbirth if she leaves. A lot of the physicians actually had their families in southern Turkey, and they would go back and forth. Now many of the routes to southern Turkey are cut off, and the city is close to being besieged. The physicians also told us how they tried to keep their spirits up. One person said that when the barrel bombs started falling, he and his colleagues would sing. They refused to be kept away.

"Using medical and scientific evidence to advance the cause of human rights"

Is there a trend of medical care moving away from hospitals to less centralized locations?

Heisler: Definitely. They're hiding. They can't move the hospitals. They considered that, but it's very easy to find out where they've been moved to. When possible, they're moving operations to the basement. Some hospitals leave the top floors empty, so they can absorb the bombs. They're trying to do things like put sandbags around the facility and keep the lights off. And as you say, they're working increasingly in mobile units, teams of doctors, nurses, and technicians providing medical care to civilians outside of medical facilities. That's very difficult. They don't have the kinds of equipment and facilities for many of the surgeries people need, but they're doing what they can.

What can the international community do to assist medical professionals in conflict areas?

Heisler: The UN Security Council has passed resolutions specific to Syria calling for an end to attacks on medical facilities and civilian areas. The key thing is to enforce these resolutions. When Syria started to use chemical warfare against civilians, the international community pushed back and was largely successful. We need to take a similar approach to these violations and make it clear that they are absolutely unacceptable.

Could you tell us a little more about Physicians for Human Rights? How did you, a diabetes expert in Michigan, become involved in a human rights investigation in Syria?

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Heisler: Physicians for Human Rights sponsored a class at Harvard on health and human rights when I was a medical student there. A lot of us took it and were inspired. That's when I first wanted to become involved, and I was able to contribute even more when I developed research skills. Physicians bring a lot of skills to this kind of work. Not just the ability to do physical examinations and psychological evaluations, but for those of us who are researchers, also survey methods and statistical skills. I was able to use my experience in academic medicine do analyses and rigorous research for Physicians for Human Rights. That's their mission in the human rights world. Whether it's forensic documentation, pathologists who are experts, epidemiological techniques, they're using medical and scientific evidence to advance the cause of human rights. So for me, my work with diabetes and work for Physicians for Human Rights isn't that different. It's all using research for advancements in human rights and social justice.
I join my fellow compatriots in urging the international community to support our campaign for the immediate release of Omid Kokabi, a PhD student and experimental laser physicist at the University of Texas, from prison in Iran. We urge you to intervene and to secure his release. Omid Kokabi's health has been deteriorating since his arrest in January 2011 under unfounded allegations of 'gathering and colluding against national security', 'communicating with a hostile government', and 'illegitimate/illegal earnings'. Although Kokabi has been acquitted from the primary charges, he has nevertheless been sentenced to ten years in prison. Kokabi was recently diagnosed with cancer and is now fighting for his life without access to adequate medical treatment.



Over the past five years, Kokabi, a Sunni Muslim and a member of the Turkmen ethnic community, has endured arbitrary imprisonment, experienced religious and ethnic discrimination, and has been denied access to his lawyer or a fair trial. Kokabi rejected the allegations in a letter to the head of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic in July 2011, stating that his confession was obtained through torture and while incarcerated and in solitary confinement for thirty six days. As you are well aware, the theocratic regime in Iran defies international human rights standards, and there remain countless prisoners of conscience who are victims of arbitrary arrest, torture and execution.
The Hebrew Bible begins with the phrase, "Bereshit," which means "in the beginning."

Benjamin Harshav, who passed away at 86 on April 23, 2015, roughly one year ago and 399 years after Shakespeare's death, knew more than a little about Jewish languages, poetry and the Word.

Harshav, whose last name was originally Hrushovski, Hebraized his name in the late 1980s, though it is important to note that, in either version, the dominant syllable or phoneme derived from Reish, the Hebrew "R," linked to Rosh, which means head or first.

That was fitting because Professor Harshav was a pioneer, who founded literary journals in Israel, published acclaimed poetry from the time he was a teen and created the Department of Poetics and Comparative Literature at Tel Aviv University.

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An eminent scholar, he wrote The Meaning of Yiddish, in which he joyfully analyzed that most onomatopoeic and trochaic of all languages. Professor Harshav, who was born in Vilna, Lithuania, and for whom Yiddish was his native tongue, dissected the so-called mame-loshn, which, as he pointed out, fused many elements from different languages, such as Ukrainian meter, Hebrew suffixes and English transliteration.

More recently, in late 2014, just a few months before Professor Harshav passed away, Yale University Press published his Three Thousand Years of Hebrew Versification, a major contribution to the role that Hebrew has played in, among other things, introducing the concepts of meter and rhyme to world poetry.

Professor Harshav taught me about Jewish literature and semiotics in the fall of 1986 at Yale, when I was a senior and where he taught for nearly thirty years toward the end of what was already a remarkable career.

When I studied with Professor Harshav, I had no idea about his past as a scholar or poet. I knew only that he was a sage, a mensch. A modestly built fellow, he had a sweetness about him, an extraordinary quality for a man whose views on language were fierce and who had fought in Israel's wars, starting with the War of Independence in 1948.

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Typical of his modesty, he spoke of the 1948 war with a kind of carefree innocence. "There was no basic training," he chuckled and said with a beatific smile. "I ran up and down hills."

Of course, Professor Harshav did so much more than that. Working with his wife, Barbara, a translator and his frequent collaborator, he wrote a tome, more than 1,000 pages, Marc Chagall and His Times, on the great painter, one of Professor Harshav's abiding interests undoubtedly going back to his childhood in the shtetl.

When I was Professor Harshav's student in the fall of 1986, he, along with Harold Bloom, the world-renowned literary scholar, who had also fought in many of Israel's wars, inspired me in my desire to live in Israel and serve in the military.

I did indeed live in Israel for about five months when I completed an ulpan, a Hebrew immersion program, on a kibbutz, Mishmar Haemek, in late 1989 and early 1990. At that time, I phoned Professor Harshav, who was back in Israel.

I can still recall looking him up in a Hebrew-language phone book, yellow pages that rested next to a public phone in the back of the kibbutz dining hall. By then, he had changed his last name from Hrushovski to Harshav.

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I remember meeting him and his wife briefly at their home in Tel Aviv, which was stacked with books, and, if memory serves, not far from the Diaspora Museum. He was a very busy man and working on a project. He opened his refrigerator, poured me a glass of orange juice and said, "So nice to see you in Israel."

He asked me why I wanted to follow up on my Hebrew study by volunteering in an army program in Israel. I told him that it was because of my two left hands, a feeling of disempowerment, one of the Jewish semiotics or value systems that Professor Harshav covered in his course at Yale. It was a Diaspora semiotic that Israelis had countered with their dedication to physicality, to working with their hands, tilling the land, resurrecting Biblical farms out of malaria-ridden swamps, defending themselves with a modern army.

I suppose that I wanted to prove to myself that I could embrace the value system of the modern Jews, that I too could work with both of my hands.

I did not do so well in that army program, Marva, though my failure to handle the Pin-Shabbat and install it properly in an M-16 may have reflected a deeper, ontological problem than any lack of dexterity.

I did not know at the time about the history of severe depression, psychosis and suicide in my family. Nor did I suspect that years later that predisposition, along with other factors, would lead me to consider taking my own life.

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Back when I studied with Professor Harshav, I asked him about my paternal great-grandmother's surname, Tarantula. I wondered if I had any Latin blood in me, or if that surname had been imposed on my great-grandmother, just as European governments forced poor shtetl Jews into taking other unpleasant last names like Slutsky and Ratner.

Professor Harshav turned in my direction as we walked across the Old Campus at Yale in 1986. He looked at me with that beatific smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. "You look pretty Slavic to me," he said.

He then added that my great-grandmother's surname could have indicated a connection to the Russian town of Tula.

While there have been times in my life that I felt cursed by the sting of a tarantula, I definitely was blessed to meet and study with Professor Harshav, a real mensch, who wanted to make sure that I was okay when I called him in the summer of 1987 from England, where I was studying Shakespeare on a fellowship after college.

As a master of Jewish languages, he clearly knew that the name, Harshav, not only is linked etymologically to Reish, the Hebrew "R," and to Bereshit, the opening phrase of the Hebrew Bible; he also knew that it is linked to Jerusalem, YeRUSHalayim, in Hebrew.

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Born in Vilna, dubbed by the literati as the Jerusalem of Lithuania, Professor Harshav also knew that Yerushalayim, by its very construction in Hebrew, means that there are two Jerusalems.
Until recently, the U.S. relationship to Saudi Arabia has been one of those things that we're not allowed to do anything about. There's death and taxes, and the U.S. is joined at the hip to Saudi Arabia. Move along, nothing to see here.

But the world has changed. We're at a discontinuity now, and nobody knows what's on the other side of the discontinuity. President Obama slags on Saudi Arabia in an interview in the Atlantic. A big bi-partisan group of Senators is poised to pass legislation that would limit the sovereign immunity of the Saudi government from lawsuits over the 9/11 attacks. Here's Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, describing how the world has changed:

"Very bluntly, they no longer have us in an energy straight jacket," said Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, referring to growing domestic oil production that has made the United States less reliant on the Saudis. He added that the American government now knows more about Saudi Arabia's historical funding of extremist groups and that "Americans are also increasingly concerned about Saudi Arabia's human rights record."

Into this discontinuity, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul have introduced a bipartisan bill that would place new conditions on U.S. military aid to Saudi Arabia. Like so many Washington reform initiatives, the actual text of the bill is not revolutionary. It doesn't say you can't transfer weapons to Saudi Arabia anymore. It just adds a step to the existing notification process. The new step is: the President has to certify that Saudi Arabia is acting to protect civilians from its military actions - for example, in Yemen - as it is required to do under international law and U.S. law anyway - and the President has to certify that Saudi Arabia is cooperating with the U.S. against ISIS/Al Qaeda terrorism.

What's revolutionary is that Murphy and Paul are formally challenging the taboo against publicly asking questions about the U.S. military relationship to Saudi Arabia and inviting other Senators to join them.
But, at the heart of these legal arguments were the powerful stories of immigrants: stories of hope, sacrifice, and dreams that build the very fabric of our nation. These stories put a human face to these legal arguments and we hope that they spoke directly to the Judges of the Court.



A ruling against DAPA and expanded DACA will not only affect immigrant families, but all families, and it'll send a message of hate to U.S. citizen children whose parents are vulnerable to deportation.



Just like the story of Maria, a member of the Service International Union (SEIU ) of Texas, and mother of a 12 year-old U.S. citizen.



Maria came to the United States from Mexico 14 years ago in search of a better future for her family. She worked as a janitor for 8 years and is now a full-time mother. Like many U.S. citizen children whose parents are eligible for DAPA, Maria's daughter lives in fear of being separated from her parents. She cannot imagine living in a world where she would not have the care and tenderness that only her mother can give her and of being unable to fulfill her dream of becoming a veterinarian without the support of her parents.



Maria can't give her daughter the certainty that she'll be present in her life because Maria knows she can be deported at any time. And just like many in her situation, she moves forward and continues to fight for a solution.



This fight for DAPA and DACA is personal, not only for Maria, but for our entire community regardless of our immigration status. It's personal for our nation that was founded by immigrant families. Personal to the organizations and businesses that invigorate our country. Personal to the millions of families who have strengthened the past, and continue to strengthen the present and future of our communities.
In Khmer, Angkor Wat simply means City of Temples which basically explains the entirety of Angkor Wat from the entrance to the exit.

The complex is the largest religious monument in the world and was originally constructed as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire, gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple toward the end of the 12th century. The area was also the centre of the Khmer empire that once ruled most of South East Asia but since the ruling of the Khmer the temples the buildings have become overrun by the jungle and are now Cambodia's most visited tourist attraction.

Typical Costs



FYI: The interest on money in Cambodia is high meaning you can literally be a millionaire with 200 in your pocket. The exchange rate is approx. 10 = 60485 Cambodian Riel

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Accommodation

Luxury hotel prices - Rooms will set you back about 60,000-100,000 KHR approx. 12 per night. The rooms will also be luxurious and 5*!

Budget hotel prices - Hotels with air-con, hot water, and T.V. will cost around 50,000 KHR (9) per night for single, 60,000 KHR for double. A place with a pool might cost around 80,000 KHR (12) per night.

Hostel prices - Rooms will range from 5,000-40,000 KHR per night for fan and cold shower rooms. For a private bathroom with hot water, expect to pay closer to 50,000 KHR approx. 9.

Average cost of food



There are tons of food options within the temple complex. You will be able to eat a nice meal in a restaurant for less than 41,300 KHR (7) and easily find restaurant meals in the 20,000-29,000 KHR (3) price range as well. Around the temples, you will find little stands with cheap meals for about 8,200-12,400 KHR (2).

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Transportation costs

Tuks tuks and hired drivers can be found all over the place and they are so incredibly cheap as well. It is worth hiring a personal driver for the day and getting them to pick you up from your accommodation and then driving you around Siem Reap and Angkor Wat for the day. You can hire a car and driver, who will act as a tour guide, for 103,000 KHR per day (approx. 16)

Access to the temples

Angkor Wat permit - In order to get in to the temple complex you need a permit. Head to the main entrance jump off your tuk tuk and get a photo pass for either one day or three. There is a 7 day pass but you really don't need that long, unless you are a massive fan. You need a pass to enter the Angkor temples unless you are Cambodian or related to a Cambodian. A 1 day is $20 USD, 3 day is $40 USD, and 7 day is $60 USD.

Top Things to See and Do at Angkor Wat



This temple was built by Suryavarman and is considered the biggest Asian pyramid. It is over 200 feet high and divided in several layers and is undoubtedly the most famous of the Angkor temples. The colossal temple is the world's biggest religious monument and certainly is impressive. The central part has four towers in the shape of a lotus flower and has 2,600 feet of bas-reliefs, including famous battles and Buddhist scenes like the Battle of Kurukshetra, the Army of Suryavarman II, Heaven and Hell, Churning of the Ocean of Milk, Elephant Gate, Vishnu Conquers the Demons, Khrisna and the demon King, Battle of the Gods and the Demons, and the Battle of Lanka. Angkor Wat is, above all, a microcosm of a Hindu Universe.

FYI: Also go and see the famed sunrise at Angkor Wat. It is a spectacular sight!



East Mebon

The temple is a wonder world of towering rocks and you ccan see that this temple was magnificent in its prime and was created for the Hindu God Shiva. The temple was originally encircled by water and was like an island, there was no need for enclosures or moats that became customary for temples in Angkor. East Mebon has five towers from the central platform so it is easy to spend hours at East Mebon and not get bored in the slightest.

Preah Khan



Preah Khan is one of the largest sites in the Angkor temple complex and possibly one of the most magnificent. It is one of the most fascinating temples on the complex with trees growing around the ruins and mossy stones left laying everywhere. Get yourself in a good position and you become completely overwhelmed by the temple with its towers, steps and beautiful stonework.

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The Bayon

Built by Jayavarman VII, the temple stands in the center of Angkor Thom with 54 towers and 216 faces of Avalokiteshvara. The temple was built on 3 levels with the first 2 in a rectangular shape, whilst the 3rd is circular. You can spend a lot of time here wandering through the corridors and passageways.

Ta Prohm

Still covered by the jungle, this place is exactly as they found it. Ta Prohm makes it easy to imagine how the whole complex looked when it was re-discovered in 19th century. Ta Prohm is a popular temple on the tourist route because it was featured in the Tomb Raider film. Gigantic roots are intertwined with manmade structures and crumbling stones crowd lengthy corridors.

Ta Som

This temple has the same style, structure, and founder as Ta Phrom but on a smaller scale. The major feature that sets it apart is a huge tree that grows atop the eastern Gopura. The tree is slowly but surely destroying the building, but it makes for amazing photo opportunities with all the roots growing in to the stone work. The magnificent entrance alone is enough to make you look up and admire the views...

Banteay Srei

The name simply means "Citadel of the Women" and refers to the size and delicacy of the decoration in the complex. Unlike the major sites at Angkor, this was not a royal temple but it doesn't mean they scrimped on decoration as it has some of the most beautiful carvings in pink sandstone.

Have you visited Angkor Wat? What was your favourite temple and why?
As the media now pivots to vice presidential candidates for presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, she should take a page out of her husband's playbook and buck conventional wisdom.

When Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton picked Tennessee Senator Al Gore as his running mate for the presidency, conventional political wisdom believed the choice of Gore was a mistake. Two Southerners just did not make sense. Everyone believed that Bill Clinton should have selected someone to broaden his appeal geographically, as well as to bring the party together; someone from Northeast or the West, heck even someone from the Plain states. Just not another Southerner. Hillary, your husband bucked conventional wisdom and so should you.

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Picking Elizabeth Warren as your VP candidate will unite the Democratic Party. Warren represents all the Sanders supporters want; progressive views that take on Wall Street greed and address income inequality. Hillary, you can announce that Warren will be chartered with addressing income inequality and investigating how to create equity in the tax code.

The great thing is that you can have your cake and eat it too. Hillary, you would be bucking conventional wisdom by picking a female northeasterner like yourself, but also be embracing conventional wisdom by balancing the ticket with a progressive on the ticket that represents all that the Bernie Sanders campaign has achieved.

Your all-female ticket would be historic in itself. Just as the Clinton-Gore ticket was historic; the youngest ticket in history, two Southerners and two guys from the Ivy League. Clinton-Warren would be two women from the Northeast, one totally progressive, the other moderate, for who Republican moderate women would quietly enter the voting booth and pull the lever. A female ticket that would fundamentally change Washington.

I know brothers, and political rising stars, Joaquin and Julian Castro are on your short list for vice president. They have time to be chosen and to run. Hillary, pick Warren and give women the opportunity to say "we too are qualified" in the voting booth. You believe it and so does America.
FLINT, MI - MARCH 1: Nakeyja Cade with her one-year-old daughter Zariyah Cade whose blood has tested high for lead in Flint, MI on March 1, 2016. The working single mother of three says Zariyah started having seizures months after she was born and believes that the lead in the water is responsible. Her 3-yr-old son was tested and his levels are not as high. She has yet to test her 50year-old daughter and herself. After trying three different water filters, water in the house is testing high for lead. At night, she bathes the three children in heated, bottled water to avoid further contamination. The City of Flint, through a series of maneuvers, went from using drinking water from Detroit to water from the Flint river. The Flint river water has now been shown to contain trihalomethanes, a chlorine byproduct linked to cancer and other diseases. A study by the Hurley Medical Center stated the proportion of infants and children had an extremely above-average levels of lead in their blood which had nearly doubled since the city switched its water source. (Photo by Linda Davidson / The Washington Post via Getty Images)

As Flint residents still lack safe drinking water, state and federal lawmakers continue to bicker over who should pay up to help them.

This high-stakes game of fiscal chicken has been going on for months, leaving long-suffering residents in limbo. When you consider that many citizens have been clamoring for help since the summer of 2014, it's rather unbelievable that legislators are still playing political games.

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So here's where we're at. The state has allocated $70 million for Flint, which sounds like a lot. But it's only the proverbial drop in the bucket when you're dealing with lead and legionella poisoning.

Gov. Rick Snyder and Democratic state lawmakers support more funds being spent on the environmental catastrophe in Flint, which would come in the form of a supplemental to this year's state budget.

Over the years, legislators have routinely passed changes to the budget, sending additional funds to schools or state departments (in dire times, they've enacted negative supplementals, which are mid-year cuts). Supplementals are used in cases of emergency, like last month's $50 million stopgap for Detroit Public Schools.

However, state House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mt. Pleasant) has drawn the line at any more supplementals for the Flint water crisis. He said in March that all funding requests for Flint should be done through the process for next year's budget.

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Here's the problem: Michigan's budget doesn't go into effect until Oct. 1. Does anyone truly believe that the people of Flint won't need additional help in the next 169 days? And yes, this kind of help -- replacing lead pipes, supplying bottled water and providing health screenings -- does cost money.

It's also just the right thing to do. It's sad that some politicians have to be reminded of that basic concept.

Meanwhile, a federal aid package for Flint has been languishing in the U.S. Senate for months. First, presidential candidate Ted Cruz put a hold on the deal, but he backed away under scrutiny just before Michigan's March 8 primary.

But now it's being held up by U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), a tea party warrior with leadership aspirations who's endorsed Cruz. Lee says he doesn't want the feds to part with any money for Flint until the state taps its "enormous" budget surplus and "large" Rainy Day Fund.

"The people and policymakers of Michigan right now have all the government resources they need to fix the problem," Lee said in a statement issued last month.

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U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) and Gary Peters (D-West Bloomfield) have lobbied heavily for the federal aid bill, with no success. Stabenow now says the best way to peel off opposition in the U.S. Senate may be if the state does pony up some additional funds.

However, for now, state and federal politicians seem content to point fingers at each other and do nothing -- while the people of Flint live in misery.

This crass political maneuvering does nothing for children who may suffer lifelong brain damage. This does nothing for people who must bathe in bottled water or risk rashes and sores.

And it does nothing to restore Flint residents' trust in government, which has been shattered time and time again.

Then again, it's worth considering that both Cotter and Lee hail from the conservative school of thought that government just doesn't work. Perhaps this latest tussle over Flint funding is just a particularly crude way of proving that hypothesis correct.

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Many of them have said they would never run if I run, so well see whether or not that turns out to be true, the former president said Friday.
By Brittney McNamara for Teen Vogue.



Courtesy of CNP Montrose

Relationships don't have to fit into any one model. They can look however you want them to, as long as everyone is consenting and being treated with respect. Our cultural conventions (marriage, dating, etc.), suggest monogamy is the norm. Marriage rates are on the decline, but plenty of people seek out "the one" to settle down with.

A new study suggests that there are many, many years of evolution to explain why monogamy is the standard in so many relationships. Researchers at the University of Waterloo suggest that prehistoric people were just as worried about STIs as we are now, leading to more desire for monogamous relationships.

According to the research, published in Nature Communications early hunter-gatherer communities had a few males that did most of the mating. These men would mate with many women in order to increase the odds that they would successfully produce offspring and spread their genes. As they began living in larger populations, though, hunter-gatherers began catching more and more STIs.

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Because some STIs can lead to infertility, mating with as many women as possible no longer became the best strategy to produce a wide pool of offspring, the research suggests.

"As societies evolved around agriculture and group sizes grew, the research predicts that prevalence of STIs increased amongst polygamist networks that overlapped. With the absence of modern medicines, infertility from syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea would likely have been high," a press release on the study says. "This made it more advantageous for males to mate monogamously, and more importantly, to punish other males who did not."

Here, we might have the basis for modern society's views on dating.

While monogamous relationships have a ton of health benefits, choosing not to be in a monogamous relationship doesn't mean you're doomed. Actually, research shows non-monogamous people are not necessarily at an increased risk of getting STIs.

Whatever type of relationship you choose is cool as long as you're safe and happy, but now we might have a better look into why so many people choose one life partner.

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By Lily Puckett for Teen Vogue.



Courtesy of CNP Montrose

Do you really know what you're eating?

On July 1, Vermont becomes the first state to require all food that contains genetically modified ingredients to be labeled as such. (The state attorney general's office intends to go after "willful violations" by manufacturers, not necessarily products that were produced before July 1 that may not be labeled.)

Other states will also be impacted by Vermont's new rules, such as Maine and Connecticut, which have laws requiring GMO labeling if nearby states institute a labeling law, the Associated Press reports.

The idea behind Vermont's law: Customers want to know what they are buying and consuming. However, critics say the creation of the labels is an unnecessary expense, and that too much information could be confusing to customers.

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But what are GMOs in the first place? And why is labeling them so controversial? We break it down.

What are GMOs?



A GMO -- which stands for "genetically modified organism" -- is an animal or plant with genetic material that has been altered in a lab. We're usually talking about food we eat when we use the term "GMO." A common reason for a company to choose to genetically modify their product is to have it withstand pesticides, or to have it naturally emit a pesticide.

What about the safety of eating GMOs?



According to the World Health Organization, the safety of GMO foods is assessed by: its effects on health (also known as toxicity), its potential to provoke an allergic reaction (also known as allergenicity), its specific nutritious or toxic components, how stable the inserted gene is, what effects the genetic modification has on the nutrition of the food, and possible unintended effects that occur from genetic modification.

The WHO says that "GM foods currently available on the international market have passed safety assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved."

In addition, a report from the American Medical Association notes that "bioengineered foods have been consumed for close to 20 years, and during that time, no overt consequences on human health have been reported and/or substantiated in the peer-reviewed literature. However, a small potential for adverse events exists, due mainly to horizontal gene transfer, allergenicity, and toxicity."

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However, critics of GMOs say that no long-term, independent human studies have been conducted showing if there are effects of GMOs on human health.

Who is affected by GMOs?

Technically, all of us. Corn, cotton, and canola are among the top crops that are genetically modified.

Who wants GMOs labeled?

Ninety-two percent of Americans say they're pro-GMO labeling, according to a recent Consumer Reports study. It's that people want to know what they're consuming, is what most labeling advocates see as the real issue, rather than a crusade against GMOs in general.

"Safety is not the point. Almost all the labels required on food -- such as ingredients and fat content -- are informational," says Jean Halloran, director of food policy initiatives at Consumers Union. "So is GMO labeling. The debate over GMO labeling is about consumers' right to know what they are eating."

However, the American Medical Association says that the science-based labeling policies from the Food and Drug Administration "do not support special labeling without evidence of material differences between bioengineered foods and their traditional counterparts," and that the AMA "supports this science-based approach."

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The food industry sees GMO labels as restrictive and unnecessary, claiming that they would be expensive to make and confuse customers. The Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food, an anti-labeling advocacy group, believes that the label laws will raise costs for the consumer, claiming that "companies will be forced to create multiple supply chains, warehousing and delivery mechanisms to comply. Because of this, grocery costs for families could increase by as much as $1,050 per year."

However, Paddy Spence, the CEO of natural soda company Zevia, who has over 20 years of experience working in the organic and non-GMO food industry, doesn't believe that costs to the consumers would really increase prohibitively if labels were required. "I frankly just don't think that's a legitimate argument at all," he explains. "When you look at the ingredients for any food and beverage, we (the makers) know exactly where those products are coming from. Anyone who tells me they don't know where their crops are coming from, they're not credible. I think they're concerned with administrative costs, but that's just not a real concern." He also notes that European countries that label GMOs have seen no increase in food prices, which is also noted by pro-labeling advocacy group Just Label It.

But Kevin Folta, PhD, an independent expert for GMO Answers (which was founded by GMO-producing companies in the biotechnology agriculture industry, including Monsanto), says that "labeling something as 'GMO' does not" actually provide people with the information of what's in their food. "Genetically engineered plants can be simply thought of as a different kind of machine to make the same product. The products are identical, so labeling it different is misleading if it makes you think there is something special (good or bad) about the 'GMO' product," he says.
Cuba takes education very seriously. It became a top priority after Fidel Castro became prime minister in 1959 and this helped the country shake its mantle as the most unequal of the Hispanic Caribbean territories during both the colonial and post colonial early 20th century periods.

The foundations of Castro's new social - and socialist - order were premised on the common understanding that only good-quality, empowering education could conquer Cuba's acute poverty, ignorance and underdevelopment.

Cuba invested heavily to make its education system world class. By the 1980s and 1990s, the country's educational disbursements as a ratio of gross domestic product were among the highest in the world.

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Cuba has much to teach Africa about prioritising and reforming education. Its approach to education has made a unique contribution to social change. There are valuable lessons here for the continent and, as more than a decade of my research has shown, particularly for South Africa.

There are three major methods through which Cuba revolutionised teaching and learning after Castro's socialist government came to government.

1. Literacy

The first was its celebrated 1961 Literacy Campaign, which marked in concrete terms the importance of education for an embattled society in transition. In the space of barely one year, one million illiterate people were targeted by mobilising 250,000 literacy teachers and thousands of devoted school children.

By the end of 1961, 75% of those one million had achieved rudimentary literacy. There were extensive follow-ups concentrating also on adult education.

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2. Access for all

While the literacy drive was underway, school enrolments grew rapidly - and more than doubled a decade later. This was largely because education at all levels, including university and college, became free of charge.

The government launched programs for peasant girls, domestic workers, prostitutes and those who had dropped out before finishing school. These, along with the newly founded Organisation of Day Care Centres, sought to ensure that education was accessible to all. The programmes also targeted those living in remote and isolated rural communities.

Cubans' hard work has paid off. Since the mid-1990s net primary admission has been 99% for both girls and boys, compared to 87% in the Latin American region. At that time, 94% of Cuban primary students reached grade 5, contrasting steeply with 74% in the region. Gross secondary enrolments were 78% for boys and 82% for girls, compared to 47% and 51% in the region.

3. Teachers matter

Cuba knows the importance of good teachers. During extensive fieldwork, I discovered that its teacher training institutions use wherever possible only the most-advanced, well-researched scientific teaching methods and strategies. Students generally are accepted as trainee teachers if they possess the virtues of intellect, good character, a proven commitment to social development and love for children.

At the turn of the millennium Cuba boasted the highest number of teachers per capita worldwide, 1:42. At the 2015 International Pedagogia Conference in Havana I was told by educational officials that the country's student:teacher ratio as of 2015 is an astonishing 12:1.

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Education for social change

Cuba's methods are respected and applied way far beyond the island's boundaries. By 2010 its literacy method had been adopted in 28 Latin American, Caribbean, African, European, and Oceanic countries. Its use had qualified millions of formerly unschooled people the world over to read and write.

From my discussions with Cuban education officials during research trips, it is obvious that the country wants struggling countries to learn from its experiences. They say it is deplorable that nearly 800 million people, two-thirds of them women, are illiterate around the world. It is likewise unpardonable that nearly 70 million children do not have access to basic schooling.

Ordinary Cubans and government officials alike argue that people's minds must be highly developed for them to contribute to a world free of fear, ignorance and disease. Education, ultimately, empowers human beings to become seekers and guardians of progress and peace.

The Cuban government's steadfast commitment to education is irrefutable. The island's relatively modest economy makes its educational triumphs all the more astonishing. This sets the objective basis for more in-depth scrutiny of its methods, particularly by struggling nations.

After all, Cuba's accomplishments are not a miracle or a coincidence. They are the outcome of years of devoted work, sacrifice and meeting crucial commitments on highly effective terms.

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Afghanistan has always been a patriarchal society. Some Afghan women still need a male relative's permission to pursue an education, to work, or to travel. It is often male relatives who choose when and to whom a girl marries. A father or a brother can decree that a girl is no longer permitted to attend school. A husband can require his wife to stay at home. And the country has long struggled with an embedded culture of violence against women.

"We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope" is a book about women, but men play an important role in their individual lives, and in the best of cases overwhelmingly for good. Many of the women who speak in the pages have fathers who have encouraged their education or husbands who have supported them in their business or professional pursuits. Parliamentarian Naheed Farid would not be in Afghanistan's Parliament without the steadfast support of her husband and her father-in-law. As Zainularab Miri, the beekeeper of Ghazni, says of her father in the opening story, "He and my mother gave me all the same chances that my brothers had." Other women tell how their education or their success has helped to change attitudes of the men in their families. Many, though, say that their father or their husband or their brother is "not like other Afghan men."

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Nang Attal is one example. He has devoted his life to girls' education. The sole male voice in "We Are Afghan Women," Nang tells of his own brave efforts to work on behalf of Afghan girls and young women. We are honored to share part of his story.

Nang grew up in the Khawat Valley, about 60 miles from Kabul, in a tribal region. Both of his parents were illiterate.

"Under the Taliban there was no girls' education and also earlier during the mujahedeen time, there was no girls' education in the countryside. After I started going to high school, my mom asked me to teach the girls in our valley how to read and write. I had about five girls sitting in my mother's mud-brick kitchen to start and from there that number grew. My mom would teach them to say the religious prayers and after I would teach them the basics of reading and writing.

"At first, I was writing on the wall with a piece of charred firewood. But that wasn't very effective. So we had to find a blackboard. That was a struggle. But once you find a blackboard in the countryside in a third-world country, then you have to find chalk. There was no chalk anywhere, so sometimes I would just steal some chalk from my boys' school and use it for the girls' school. All of this happened around 2002, right after the Taliban left power.

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"Gradually, the number of girls in our home school grew. I was going to school in the morning and in the afternoon teaching at my mom's school. Some of the girls I taught are now midwives, they went on and got more intensive education."

Nang went on to graduate from Kabul Education University and was awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study in the United States. He has been a visiting researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned a master's at Golden Gate University. In 2014, he received a United Nations Youth Courage Award for his work on behalf of Afghan girls and young women.

"So now for Afghanistan and for the younger generation we first need to recognize and to admit that we have problems. And then we need to address those problems. And I think in my sense all this begins with educating our sisters. If we educate our sisters, they will educate our future children. If we educate our sisters, we can better and equally use our natural resources. We are a rich country in terms of resources--how can we not use 50 percent of our talent to become a wealthy country?

"There are three reasons why I became so committed to education, and especially girls' education. The first one is my mom. Even though she was uneducated, even though she had suffered a lot during the Soviet invasion and the mujahedeen civil war, she wanted us to learn. Every morning when we were leaving for school, she knew in her heart that we may not return back. But she still let us go, she was determined and sold eggs and did handicrafts to support our education. She did not spare any effort. So how can I give back to my mom? I can't teach her; she's somewhat old now to learn. The best way is for me now to give back to my sisters. If my mom can stand up for our education, why cannot we as brothers stand up for our sisters' education and support that?

"The second reason is that when I used to teach in the village, the girls there were so talented. They were very smart. The sound of teaching in that kitchen is still echoing in my ears. I would give them some homework, and say, okay you just need to read the next chapter. The next afternoon, they would come back and they had not just read that chapter, but the next chapter as well. They were asking

more questions than I would be able to answer. They would do all their homework, and they would also do all the women's work and housework, like take the cows out to feed them or bring water. And they would still read a chapter ahead.

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"The third reason is my dad. My dad would always say no guns. He fought back against the Soviets, but with us, he would always say you don't need to take up guns at any time. Never any guns, never. He had seen how bad it is.

"A determined struggle always has the chance of victory.

"You cannot change the village overnight. It took about 15, 16 years for my family and dad to change. And it will take even longer for more families in rural areas to change. I grew up there. If you take a hard approach, if you pressure the society to send their girls to school, that is not going to work. But I think the power of storytelling can.

"I have seen pictures of girls in my valley studying computers. For me to see girls in our valley sitting in front of computers is equal to women walking on Mars. Maybe that is what one of these girls will do at some point. I carry that hope in my heart, mind, and soul."
My wife was the first to discover Nini's secret. I was away on a diplomatic mission when she called to tell me. I booked a flight home straight after hanging-up the phone. My hands were trembling. How could our 30-year old daughter have hidden her drug habit from us? How couldn't any of us have seen this coming? The revelation shocked her mother and I, but also her brother and sister. We were -- and remain -- a tight family.

Once home, Nini, her mother and I huddled well into the night discussing her addiction. She had started using heroin like so many others -- recreational at first, and then as a hard-core habit. We hatched a two-year plan to get her clean. We were naive. It took us at least twelve years to get through the tunnel. Our hopes were raised and smashed so often I lost count. But in the end, with her determination and support from those who loved her most, my daughter kicked the habit. She beat heroin. But her life was forever scarred by her addiction.

Even in a small and wealthy country like Norway, it was difficult to find help to treat or care for Nini. There was virtually no reliable research on the subject. What little medical opinion that existed was sharply divided, based more on ideology than evidence. Nor was there a public discussion on the issue. We Norwegians are quite a private people and the question of illegal drugs -- not least heroin -- is still considered taboo. Yet instead of being secretive about her struggle, Nini decided to go public in 2001.

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Nini and her partner, Karl John Sivertzen, went on to become two of Norway's most active supporters of drug policy reform. They campaigned fearlessly for more "humane" policies focused on harm reduction. They were ahead of their time, and certainly Norwegian public opinion. Nini proposed strategies to improve access to prescription heroin and to decriminalize cannabis. Despite stiff resistance, she was determined that Norway change course. She was my most important adviser when I started getting involved in the drug reform movement.

In 2010, and at Nini's insistence, I accepted an invitation from our Minister of Health, Bjarne Hakon Hansen, to chair the Stoltenberg Commission. The Commission assembled Norwegian politicians and drug policy experts for the first time to rethink and reform our legislation. It was never going to be easy. Our proposals -- including the creation of safe injection sites and methadone substitution therapy options -- were controversial. At first we were heavily criticized. But with time public opinion began to coalesce around the wisdom of public health approaches to drug addiction rather than ones emphasizing criminal justice.

My hope is that this growing wisdom about what really works in terms of drug policies will influence the upcoming United Nation's special session on drugs (UNGASS), taking place this week in New York. This is the first global meeting of its kind since 1998, when the UN's official slogan was "a drug-free world -- we can do it!" We all know this is not the case.

Both Europe and North America experienced major increases in addiction and overdoses over the past decade. In some countries, bold harm reduction experiments are being tested. Some of them are generating results: for every $1 dollar spent on methadone treatment there is an economic benefit of $38 dollars.

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The numbers are staggering and a wake-up call. There are an estimated 1.4 million "problem users" of opioids spread out across Europe alone. Less than a third of them -- about 400,000 people -- are seeking specialized treatment. Nini's story is repeated across Europe: the mean age for first use is 22 and for seeking care, 35. Tragically, as many as 20,000 Europeans using opioids die each year from overdoses, drug-related disease and violence associated with the drug trade.

The situation is no better in the U.S. While data is still of poor quality, experts believe that opioid use has quadrupled since 2000. More than 165,000 people have died from overdose of prescription opioids. Meanwhile, heroin abuse is reaching epidemic levels. According to the CDC, the equivalent of 125 people die a day in the U.S. from overdoses -- 78 of them from heroin and painkillers.

In my years living and working with Nini, I learned that opioid assistance therapy is strongly correlated with a decrease in overdoses from heroin abuse. It also increases the likelihood of patients completing their treatment and reduces the transmission of infectious diseases due to the sharing of needles. And criminal offenders with drug abuse problems who receive methadone substitution also tend to reduce their drug use after leaving prison and are three times less likely to commit a crime than those who are refused such assistance.

To its credit, the White House recently announced a $1 billion package for 2016-2017 to deal with this crisis, including efforts to expand medication-assisted treatment to up to 45 U.S. states, expand methadone-substitution services to 700 providers, and evaluate outcomes. Still, we can do more. It is imperative that the leaders attending a special session of the United Nations this week recognize the need to put people's health, safety and human rights at the center of global drug policy.

To my eternal sorrow, Nini passed away in July 2014 after a long illness, at the age 51. In the end, heroin exacted a heavy price. During her life my daughter taught us so many lessons. She was a fighter and a passionate defender of the most vulnerable in society. She also showed us how courage, determination and compassion are key ingredients to ending addiction. We never gave up on Nini and she never gave up on changing the world. I knew instinctively that if I lost contact with her, I'd relinquish what little influence I had to help her take a new path. Even in the darkest moments, dialogue was part of our road to healing.

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By Rachel Lapidos for Well+Good

Imagine if people thought you were crazy for saying sugar is bad for you.

British scientist John Yudkin knew the feeling: He died a pariah in the 1970s because he held the unpopular idea that sugar was the number-one health threat, The Guardian reports. Yudkin's findings from more than a decade of research--published in 1972's Pure, White, and Deadly: How Sugar is Killing Us and What We Can Do to Stop It--had unfortunate timing, according to the Guardian. At the time, the idea that saturated fat was the number-one health threat was so widespread that Yudkin's findings were ridiculed and his reputation was ruined.

How did Yudkin get overlooked to begin with? He began floating a theory that sugar was a public health hazard in the late 1950s, around the same time that President Dwight Eisenhower suffered a heart attack in office. His doctor treated him with a low-cholesterol regimen (which US health authorities have since backed off from)--an approach that Yudkin was very publicly critical of, the Guardian reports. A bit of a scientific pissing match resulted, and Yudkin lost.

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"They took him down so severely--so severely--that nobody wanted to attempt it on their own," Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California who specializes in the treatment of childhood obesity, told the Guardian.

But posthumously, Yudkin's findings are back in the scientific mainstream--guiding a new generation of scientists (not to mention documentarians and dessert lovers!). Sweet irony. But a bitter pill for those of us who were careful about cholesterol and saturated fat--ignoring sugar grams--for years.
In Washington D.C. last week, a former Army general told a Senate committee that the U.S. military is being distracted and soldiers are being put at risk because the Department of Defense (DoD) has become "an unwitting agent for propagandizing the dangers of climate change."

The officer was retired Maj. Gen. Robert Scales, an expert on land warfare and the former Commandant of the United States Army War College. He testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, chaired by Congress's foremost climate skeptic, Republican Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, 200 miles to the south, the nation's largest naval base - Naval Station Norfolk, home of the Atlantic fleet - was at risk of increased flooding. The base and the city of Norfolk are experiencing larger and more frequent floods these days as a result of their low elevation, natural ground subsidence, and rising sea levels attributed to global warming.

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The Norfolk naval station is not the only military asset at risk from climate change. There are more than 700 military installations and sites located on America's coasts. DoD has 7,600 installations across the 50 states and in 40 foreign nations. Its global real estate portfolio includes more than 555,000 facilities and 28 million acres of land with a replacement value close to $850 billion. In 2008, the National Intelligence Council identified 30 U.S. military installations already facing higher risks from rising sea levels. In 2014, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed that climate change already is adversely affecting military installations. The author of the report concluded "theoretically, any one of them or all of them are vulnerable to climate change."

A few lines down, I'll quote some of the numerous studies that describe how climate change threatens international stability as well as U.S. military capabilities and budgets. Adverse climate impacts are modeled and forecast by scientists, but it is the military and intelligence communities that must try to mitigate them. The military's job is to foresee and prepare for threats to national security long before they arrive. Toward that end, climate-related risk assessments and directives have been incorporated into the White House National Security Strategy, the Department of Homeland Security's climate action plan, the findings of the National Intelligence Council, the Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review and DoD's latest climate adaptation roadmap, to name just a few.

Gen. Scales dismisses these assessments, arguing that the Pentagon is merely following the script of its Commander in Chief in the White House. Further, he believes the script itself creates risks for the military.

"In its zeal to follow orders the military might deflect resources away from fighting the war against global terrorism to fight a contrived war against global warming," he testified. "Every dollar spent on initiatives that don't apply directly to fighting the enemy and keeping our soldiers and Marines safe on the battlefield is a dollar needlessly wasted. Again, no soldier should die in battle for the sake of political correctness."

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He continued: "Think of a soldier in Afghanistan or Iraq returning from a dangerous and exhausting mission being obliged to listen to a senior defense official lecture them on the revelation that fighting climate change is their most important mission. These men and women see the realities of battle all around them. The military threat of rising temperatures is not one of them."



There are several flaws in Scales' arguments. Many of the warnings about the risks of climate change are coming not from the Pentagon, but from retired military and intelligence officers who are no longer in the chain of command. They are under no obligation to stick to a White House script. On the contrary, they usually are as blunt as Scales in their views about national security.

Gen. Scales does not speak for the veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Returning vets have joined campaigns to tell the American people about the risks of climate change and fossil fuels. In 2009, for example, a coalition of veterans and national security organizations founded Operation Free to raise public awareness about the national security threats of climate change and the nation's dependence on oil.

As of a year ago, 17,000 veterans were employed in the solar energy industry thanks in part to a training program conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy. Those numbers are likely to increase as more military personnel become familiar with the renewable and clean energy technologies being deployed by the armed services and in the civilian economy.



Scales is wrong, too, about the value of the Pentagon's investments in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The investments improve rather than undermine the military's war-fighting abilities and the safety of our soldiers.



A prominent example is the use of renewable energy technologies to generate electricity for soldiers in the field rather than relying on generators run on diesel fuel. The convoys that deliver diesel are as vulnerable as they are vital. DoD reports that 3,000 Americans were killed in fuel convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2003 and 2007 alone.

At home, the growing use of renewable power at military bases allows them to keep operating even when the aging civilian grid goes down. Third parties rather than taxpayers finance many of these technologies. And renewable energy saves money that can be applied to other essential purposes. Studies have shown that by the time petroleum reaches soldiers in the field, it can cost as much as $45 per gallon.

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Retired senior military and intelligence experts have sounded blunt warnings about the security risks of climate change for years. Similar warnings have been published by civilian organizations such as the Council on Foreign Relations, the CNA Military Advisory Board, and the Center for Climate and Security, a policy institute with an advisory board of senior retired military and national security experts.

The advisers to one organization, the Partnership for a Secure America, include notable former senior government officials who served under Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Among them are Secretaries of State Madeline Albright and George Shultz; Republican Senators Slade Gordon, Nancy Kassebaum, and Richard Lugar; Democrat Senators Gary Hart, Lee Hamilton and Sam Nunn; former Defense Secretaries William Cohen, William Perry and Leon Panetta; Navy Secretary John Lehman; and National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane.

These distinguished Americans, many of whom spent their careers in service to national security, understand that climate change is arguably the most insidious of all threats to our future, including terrorism. That's the case because some of its most damaging impacts will be irreversible if they are not addressed now. The military and intelligence communities can do something about Isis and Al-Qaida. They cannot protect us from rising seas, more violent storms, record droughts, spreading diseases and other long-term consequences of carbon pollution.

The real forward forces in the war against climate change are in the White House, Congress, statehouses, state legislators and city halls. We all have a role in reducing climate impacts, but we cannot succeed without the help of enlightened and prudent public policies like carbon pricing and the cessation of carbon subsidies. Without those policies, today's children are being conscripted into a world far more violent and unstable than it is today.

But rather than searching for common ground on solutions, we have prominent political leaders still engaging in a war of words. When outgoing Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel called climate change a "threat multiplier", the Wall Street Journal editorial board responded with, "Americans who might die at the hands of the Islamic State won't care that Mr. Hagel is mobilizing against melting glaciers." When Secretary of State John Kerry called climate change a potential "weapon of mass destruction", Newt Gingrich called him delusional and encouraged the American people to demand his resignation.

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Americans at the grass roots understand how ridiculous this is. Last October, the World Resources Institute hosted a "Rising Tides Summit" attended by 40 local elected officials who represented 18 of the nation's 23 coastal states. Republican as well as Democrat leaders attended to discuss their growing risks from coastal flooding and sea level rise. According to WRI, they reached a unified message that these threats already are present; that they are an economic issue as well as a safety issue; and that presidential candidates need to pay attention. They also agreed that sea level rise and coastal flooding should not be made partisan issues. As one of them put it, "The water coming in your neighbor's door does not care if you're a Republican or a Democrat."

Former generals and admirals have tough words for those who try to make climate change a wedge issue. Members of the Military Advisory Board at the Center for Naval Analysis write, "We are dismayed that discussions of climate change have become so polarizing and have receded from the arena of informed public discourse and debate. Political posturing and budgetary woes cannot be allowed to inhibit discussion and debate over what so many believe to be a salient national security concern for our nation."

The former officers and national leaders advising the American Security Project write, "We live in a time when the threats to our security are as complex and diverse as terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, energy challenges, and our economic wellbeing. Partisan bickering and age-old solutions simply won't solve our problems. America - and the world - needs an honest dialogue about security that is as robust as it is realistic."

The retired military leaders advising the Partnership for a Secure America write, "We believe that the United States is being ill-served by the growing partisan divide surrounding its national security and foreign policy... Policy differences must always be debated, but growing partisan bitterness dangerously interferes with substantive discussion of our national security and foreign policy."

In the final analysis and in the near term, the greatest threat to national security is the politicians who not only refuse to do anything about climate risks, but who also stand in the way of those who want to find solutions.

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By Diego Rivadeneira, World Vision

On Saturday, April 16, our quiet family dinner was interrupted by a strong earthquake. At 6:58 p.m. our peaceful Quito started to shake. This isn't my first experience with earthquakes, I survived to the Chile's 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010 and this moment reminded me the aftershocks lived through at that time. I expected the worst and my unfortunately my fears became reality.

The earthquake on Saturday was the worst natural disaster in our country has experienced in 20 years.

Shortly after the earthquake, news began to spread. Stories of sadness and destruction among the coastal communities filled the headlines on social media and tv. I wasn't able to sleep that night, I had a feeling something in my heart that something was wrong. Early the next morning, on Sunday, we learned that my cousin, Evelyn, who lives in Pedernales, one of the most affected areas, died when her house collapsed. Her husband was able to rescue their children, a four-year-old girl and the baby she gave birth just three months ago. We were devastated. I can't help but remember her joy just weeks earlier as they welcomed the new member into the family.

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Their house is completely destroyed; they lost everything. I know that everything but lives can be replaced. I pray to God for strength and ask His help to be able to accept her loss. It really hurts.

My family in Quito was not able to travel today to Pedernales to support our family or attend the funeral, flights have been reserved for humanitarian aid only.

Like me, hundreds of people have lost family members, some are still trapped in the rubble. At this moment, we all are connected by pain and sorrow.

My country is living through a difficult time right now. More than 500 people are confirmed dead and more than 4,000 people injured have plunged the whole country into mourning.

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Now I just ask for prayers. Please pray for my cousin's children and her husband, pray for each child who lost his or her parents, for these families who lost their belongings and for my country, which never expected to live such a tragedy.
It's no secret that now is not a popular time to be Muslim or Arab in America. Unfortunately, that doesn't only matter if we place stock in popularity contests.

The repercussions are impacting these communities in different ways -- including our ability to travel and move about freely without fear of being profiled or subjected to excessive scrutiny.



Hate crimes statistics against minority religious and ethnic groups indicate alarming levels of bigotry and intolerance during the current election season.

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The airline industry has proven susceptible to it, as employees across the board seem eager for any excuse to kick particularly Arabs and Muslims off their flights.

Last week, media headlines highlighted two separate incidents involving Southwest Airlines employees removing Muslim or Arab passengers from their planes for apparently ridiculous reasons.

On Wednesday, a Maryland Muslim woman was ordered off the plane after asking a passenger to swap seats with her. The passenger agreed, but despite Southwest's open seating policy for passengers, a nearby flight attendant objected without giving a reasonable explanation.

The Muslim passenger was humiliated as airport police escorted her back to the gate. There, police were told there was no legitimate reason why she could not fly. Hours later, she was booked on a later flight to her destination.

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In a separate incident, an Iraqi UC Berkeley student was removed from the plane after a fellow passenger reported him for speaking in Arabic and saying "insh'Allah" -- a common phrase amongst Muslims that translates to "God-willing."

Ironically, Southwest's company slogan is "You are now free to move about the country." Apparently not if you are Arab or Muslim, is the message these communities are receiving.

By far, Southwest is not the lone offender. But it has developed a distinct reputation in some circles as the "airline for America's bigots."

In the past year, some dozen other cases have been reported involving various airlines including United, Spirit, and others in which passengers have allegedly been wrongly scrutinized and profiled before being forced to disembark the plane prior to takeoff.

These passengers are predominantly Muslims and Arabs, but people of other religious and ethnic communities including Sikhs have also been impacted.

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In too many of these cases, passengers were removed from planes or denied service out of "an abundance of caution" or in response to alleged racial or religious profiling by flight crew members and other passengers.

Most Americans don't consider flying to be among their favorite pastimes. Some are downright terrified of it. The clinical term for this phobia is aviophobia.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, while 25 percent of Americans experience mild to moderate anxiety at the prospect of boarding a plane, some 20 million Americans suffer from the potentially debilitating fear it induces.

This, coupled with the prevalence of Islamophobia and suspicion especially towards Muslims and Arabs, can create a dilemma for travelers who are automatically scapegoated because of their skin tone, physical appearance, attire, or native language.

No one is immune to fear, but one traveler's anxieties, prejudices, and phobias must not interfere with or violate another traveler's civil rights.

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America's largest Muslim civil rights group has published helpful "Know Your Rights" guidelines for airline passengers. Hopefully you won't need to reference this advice, but it is useful to have handy just in case. You know, Inshallah.

As an airline passenger, you are entitled to courteous, respectful and non-stigmatizing treatment by airline and security personnel.

It is illegal for law enforcement officials to perform any stops, searches, detentions, or removals based solely on your race, religion, national origin, sex, or ethnicity.



If you believe you have been treated in a discriminatory manner, you should:

1.Ask for the names and ID number of all persons involved in the incident. Be sure to write down this information.

2.Ask to speak to a supervisor.

3.Politely ask if you have been singled out because of your name, looks, dress, race, ethnicity, faith, or national origin.

4.Politely ask witnesses to give you their names and contact information.

5.Write a statement of facts immediately after the incident. Be sure to include the flight number, the flight date and the name of the airline.

6.Contact CAIR to file a report. If you are leaving the country, leave a detailed message with the information above at 202-488-8787 or at www.cair.com.

It is important to note the following:

1.A customs agent has the right to stop, detain and search every person and item.

2.Screeners have the authority to conduct a further search of you or your bags.

3.A pilot has the right to refuse to fly a passenger if he or she believes the passenger is a threat to the safety of the flight. The pilot's decision must be reasonable and based on observations, not stereotypes.

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No-Fly List and Selectee List

Individuals experiencing difficulties during travel at airports, train stations or U.S. borders may be on either the no-fly or selectee list. It is very difficult to determine if you are on one of these lists.

You may be on the selectee list if you are unable to use the internet or the airport kiosks for automated check-in and instead have to check in at the ticketing counter. You should eventually be permitted to fly.

The no-fly list, on the other hand, prohibits individuals from flying at all. If you are able to board an airplane, regardless of the amount of questioning or screening, then you are not on the no-fly list.

If you are constantly subjected to advanced screening or are prevented from boarding your flight, you should file a complaint with DHS TRIP at www.dhs.gov/trip.
ImagesBazaar via Getty Images Two young couples on nightclub dance floor

Long back, Sudin Dhavalikar, member of BJP ally Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party in Goa, had said girls in short skirts visiting pubs is against the culture. On Friday, a 22-year-old student in Kolkata alleged that she was manhandled, abused and assaulted by a group of men because she was wearing shorts.

This time the Chandigarh administration has decided to ban short skirts in discotheques because apparently it is a breeding ground for 'anti-national' elements.

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The babus have come up with a policy called the "Controlling of Places of Public Amusement, 2016", where they state that "scantily dressed women" or any "indecency" could bring the shutters down at discos.

The policy came into effect on April 1. According to the policy, bars in Chandigarh will now shut by midnight instead of 2 am.

The policy also gives unprecedented powers to the babus over bar owners.

The committee consists of deputy commissioner as chairman and municipal corporation (MC) commissioner, Chandigarh police SSP, director, health services and excise and taxation commissioner as members. They have the power to refuse renewal of permission for business operation, reports Times of India.

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The committee has decided that they may refuse permission to bar owners to run in case of "exhibition or advertisement of scantily dressed women" and "indecency" or if it is "seditious and likely to excite political discontent."

However, no one knows what is the definition of "scantily dressed women" or "indecency" or "seditious" mean.

Vipul Dua, owner of a bar, told Times Of India that he has been in the business for the last 10 years and "never heard a single instance related to sedition from any of the city bars or restaurants."

Many have termed the ruling absurd and ridiculous on Twitter.

Does Chandigarh MP @KirronKherBJP have a view on this? https://t.co/s9BVSCVMzd  SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) April 20, 2016

Babus in Centre ruled Chandigarh will now decide which skirt is fit for city's women when they go to a disco or pub. This is outrageous.  Ashish Khetan (@AashishKhetan) April 20, 2016

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NBC via Getty Images LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS -- Episode 0188 -- Pictured: Kit Harrington as Jon Snow during the 'Game of Thrones' skit on April 2, 2015 -- (Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

If you watch the show Game Of Thrones, you know that characters are killed off on a regular basis. With the next season of the show starting on 24 April, viewers are already doing guesswork on wholl be next to kick the bucket. Now, you can make a more informed bet thanks to a website that predicts death in the show based on data.

Students from Technical University of Munich have built the website, called A Song Of Ice and Fire to reveal interesting stats including the likelihood of death of a character. The website uses various sources as Game of Throne wikis and Twitter to form an algorithm to perform the analysis.

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The website has over 2000 GoT characters listed with information such as title, house, the likelihood of death, locations travelled, what people say about the character on Twitter and so on.

According to the website, Jon Snow who receives the most positive mentions on social media followed by Hodor and Tyrion Lannister. Grey Worm is the most hated character followed by Theon Greyjoy and Walder Frey. You can explore more stats like the most dangerous house and top survivors on the website.

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A report from The Guardian says, men are more likely to play noble characters, whereas women are more likely to play peasantsbut are also less likely to be killed off. According to the Munich teams algorithm, the likelihood of death stands at 33% for men and 23% for women.

Recently, the makers posted a 360-degree video of the Game of Thrones title song with an interactive map on Facebook, earning words of praise from Mark Zuckerberg himself. Also, there is an unofficial fantasy league of GoT as well.

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Munish Sharma / Reuters People carry a coffin with the body of Kirpal Singh, an Indian prisoner who died in a Pakistan jail, after his body was handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah border, on the outskirts of the northern city of Amritsar, India, April 19, 2016. REUTERS/Munish Sharma

ATTARI (Amritsar) -- The heart and stomach of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances in a Pakistani jail, were missing when his body arrived here and handed over to Indian authorities.

Dr B S Bal, Principal of Government Medical College Amritsar, told reporters after an autopsy of Kirpal Singh's body that "during the postmortem examination, it was found that his heart as well as stomach were missing. However, no internal and external injury was found on his body".

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Bal said "now we have his kidney and liver and samples of these two organs would be sent outside Amritsar for laboratory tests to bring out more facts with regard to his death".

(Relatives wail after the body of Kirpal Singh, an Indian prisoner who died in a Pakistan jail, was handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah border, on the outskirts of Amritsar, April 19, 2016. REUTERS/Munish Sharma)

He said that "during autopsy it was also found that Pakistan during autopsy has not taken any sample from kidney and liver which were essential to find out the exact cause of death".

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Further, he said that Pakistan has not sent the autopsy report as of now.

Earlier in the day, the body of Kirpal arrived in the presence of tearful family members.

Kirpal's family members, including his sister Jagir Kaur, Punjab Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam, besides other senior officials, were present at the Joint check post at the Wagah border to receive the body.

(People carry the body of Kirpal Singh, an Indian prisoner who died in a Pakistan jail, after it was handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah border, on the outskirts of Amritsar, April 19, 2016. REUTERS/Munish Sharma)

Dalbir Kaur, sister of another Indian Sarabjit Singh, who too had died in a Pakistani jail in May 2013, was also present. Kirpal Singh had allegedly crossed Wagah border into Pakistan in 1992 and was arrested.

He was subsequently sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistan's Punjab province. Kirpal was found dead in his cell last Monday at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore.

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Kirpal, from Gurdaspur, had reportedly been acquitted in the case by the Lahore High Court but his death sentence could not be commuted because of unspecified reasons.

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Madame Tussauds

Months after he posed for it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally joined the ranks of prominent global leaders in the world famous wax museum Madame Tussauds. Besides London, his statues will also be in Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

The wax figure reportedly took four months to create and cost 150,000 (Rs.1.5 crore) each.

ALSO READ: How PM Modi Posed For The Wax Statue At Madame Tussauds

Dressed in Modi's trademark cream-coloured chooridar kurta and sleeveless jacket, the statue strikes a namaste pose.

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We must agree that Modi's statue looks quite life-like if compared to the other statues of Bollywood stars and celebrities at the wax museum.

However, there are some striking differences between India's Prime Minister and his wax statue.

Take a look at the photo here:

Can you spot the differences? It's not very difficult to, but in case you haven't, here they are:

1. The statue is slightly taller than Modi

2. Also, is it our imagination or does the statue have a little more hair than the Prime Minister?

3. And, the statue is a shade lighter than our PM's skin tone.

So, what did Modi think of it?

What can I say? As far as art is concerned, the Madame Tussauds team is exceptional at what they do. What Lord Brahma does normally is what the artists there are doing. Today, I had an opportunity as the prime servant of my people to meet my wax figure, Modi was quoted as saying in the Madame Tussauds release.

Describing him as a "hugely important figure in world politics", the museum had said the Indian Prime Minister had given the museum's team of artists and experts a sitting at his residence in New Delhi earlier this year.

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A new branch of Madame Tussauds is set to open in New Delhi as part of the India-UK Year of Culture in 2017, announced during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the UK last November.
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NEW DELHI -- When Karanveer Singh Pannu was asked by a security agent in California, "Is there anything we need to be aware of before you remove your turban?," the Sikh teenager had a great answer to this "asinine question" -- "I politely answered that there is a lot of long hair and something called the brain underneath."

Security personnel in U.S. airports are notorious for harassing Sikhs about their turbans during security checks.

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The irony of the situation is that Pannu, an 18-year-old from New Jersey, has written a book on the bullying of Sikh American children, and he was visiting California to speak at the annual Sikh Youth Symposium in Bakersfield.

Agents asked Pannu to remove his turban as part of a secondary test after he had gone through a metal detector and done a self-pat down of his turban and chemical swab test for explosive material, NBC News reported.

"I refused at first but when they threatened me that I could not fly, I agreed, provided they gave me a mirror to retie my turban," he said.

Having to remove his turban, Pannu said, had left him feeling "utterly humiliated, shaken, distraught."

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SAM PANTHAKY via Getty Images An Indian man holds an umbrella as he walks on the dry reservoir bed next to Gunda Dam by Gunda village in Botad district, some 150 km from Ahmedabad in India's western Gujarat state, on April 1, 2016. Vast regions of western India have been facing acute water shortages due to drought conditions. / AFP / SAM PANTHAKY (Photo credit should read SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/Getty Images)

The Morning Wrap is HuffPost India's selection of interesting news and opinion from the day's newspapers. Subscribe here to receive it in your inbox each weekday morning.

Essential HuffPost

Reacting to news reports that the government has put the process of signing up Amitabh Bachchan as the brand ambassador of Incredible India on hold after the his name figured in the Panama Papers, the actor said on Tuesday that he was not 'formally approached for the position. Bachchan was said to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first choice as brand ambassador of the mega publicity campaign.

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A 22-year-old woman in Kolkata was allegedly harassed for wearing half pants and smoking openly. The harassers allegedly included 37-year-old Shouvik Ganguly and his 70-year-old father Kamal Ganguly. Both are known Trinamul Congress activists in the area.

Anurag Kashyap's Raman Raghav 2.0, a psychological-thriller staring Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the notorious serial-killer Raghav Raman, will premiere at the prestigious Director's Fortnight segment of this year's Cannes film festival. The festival is slated to take place from 11 May to 22 May.

A six-year-old girl and a minor boy were allegedly married off by their families in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh, as part of a mass wedding organised in the state. The video shared by a national news channel showcases the kids' families sitting together and encouraging the alliance. Child marriage is illegal in India under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2006.

Main News

A bipartisan group of four American lawmakers have asked the Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a joint meeting of the congress. According to sources, Modi is set to visit the US on 7-8 June.

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The government on Tuesday lifted the restrictions on Provident Fund (PF) withdrawal with immediate effect after 62 people, including 24 policemen, were injured in Bengaluru. Police had opened fire after a protest by garment workers against the government norms turned violent and spread across the city. The government had put the tighter rules for withdrawal of PF money on hold till July-end, initially. In February, the government had said PF subscribers would not be allowed to withdraw their fund after attaining the age of 54 years, but will have to wait till they are 58 years old.

33 crore people, or more than a 25 per cent of the India's population, are in the grip of drought and consequently face drinking water shortage and agricultural distress, the Centre informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday. As per figures placed before the court, 254 out of total 678 districts in the country are under the spell of drought  the worst hit state being Uttar Pradesh where 9.88 crore people are affected due to rain deficit in 50 districts.

Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump notched a resounding victory in his home state of New York on Tuesday. Trump needed to win more than 50 per cent of the statewide vote, as well as more than half of the vote in each of the states congressional districts, in order to win all 95 of New Yorks delegates.

Off The Front Page

Body of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under suspicious circumstances in a Lahore jail last week, was brought back to India on Tuesday. A post mortem examination revealed that his vital organs like heart and liver were missing. While Pakistani authorities have attributed Kirpal's death to heart attack, his family members allege torture and foul play.

The Catholic Church has decided to reinstate a priest in Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, who was suspended after his conviction in a case of sexual abuse in the US. The decision has now prompted one of his alleged victims to file a federal lawsuit charging the Church with 'creating public nuisance'. The Ootacamund Diocese, an administration located in Ootacamund, TN, also is a defendant in the case, which was scheduled to be filed on Tuesday.

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While temperatures have peaked up to 45 degrees celsius in Uttar Pradesh, it hasn't stopped a 63-year-old woman from Allahabad from doing her job. Driving a green e-rickshaw, the elderly woman grabbed eyeballs on social media when she refused to let the heat deter her from helping passengers and giving them rides. Reportedly, her entire family is dependent on her work.

Opinion

Across India, States are marching towards total prohibition, says an editorial in The Hindu. "The creep of the nanny state to guard citizens from their worst selves, or at least their lack of self-discipline, is worrying. It is perhaps the overhang of the Gandhian spirit of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution that inhibits politicians and civil society from shedding hypocrisy and initiating public advocacy of moderation," it says.

Whatever may eventually transpire on the emotional issue of the return of the famous Kohinoor diamond to India by Britain, the Government's 'U-turn' on its statement from 'it was given as a gift', to saying the government would make every effort to bring back the diamond is a welcome change, says an editorial in Deccan Chronicle. "The Modi government appears to have lost sight of the fact that the return of the Kohinoor is linked in peoples mind to national pride, as is the case with the return of the sword of Tipu Sultan or Shivaji. This is surprising for a government whose functionaries have lately taken to sharpening social cleavages by invoking false notions of nationalism," it says.

The unwillingness of the system to devolve responsibility and funding to the city level is a major failure. Alongside Amrut and the Smart Cities Mission, we need to urgently spell out the expansion of institutional reform, says Isher Judge Ahluwalia, in The Indian Express. "The government of India has explicitly admitted that a significant part of the funding for these missions will have to come from the state governments and the private sector. This makes reform indispensable. The sooner we spell out the dimensions of institutional reform alongside the high-tech infrastructure plans, the closer we will be to delivering a better quality of life in our cities and a better investment climate for investors," she writes

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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.
Ted Cruz says he would repeal the Affordable Care Act within days of entering the White House. The Republican presidential candidate has issued a statement following the news that UnitedHealth is pulling out of nearly all Obamacare marketplaces next year.Cruz says: UnitedHealth has announced it is pulling out of the Obamacare exchanges. Thats the latest in a string of Obamacare failures that have led to American families losing their doctors, having few or no insurance options, and facing skyrocketing premiums and deductibles.He goes onto say that the system offers health insurance that is worse and costs more than before ACA and that John Kasich and Donald Trump would dig the country deeper into the Obamacare hole.In conclusion, Cruz states that he will begin the process of repealing and replacing this disastrous law from the first days of my administration as President.The financial services regulator in Quebec has issued a warning about peer-to-peer risk sharing platforms. Responding to the emergence of the services which group together consumers to protect property without an insurer, the Autorite des marches financiers (AMF) is urging caution.The AMF says that insurance is a regulated activity and that some of the risk-sharing platforms that relate to health, travel, cars, events, homes and job loss, are similar to insurance products and may therefore require a license.The platforms rely on pools of consumers to decide on what should be covered, the premiums and any claims. The AMF says it has yet to decide on compliance of these services but in the interim consumers should be careful.The particular concerns of the regulator are that there may be insufficient funds to settle claims or that consumers may lose funds in the event of insolvency of the service.Insurance brokerage and consultancy firm USI has acquired one of the largest independent insurance agencies in the Midwest. Brooks Insurance of Toledo, OH offers coverage for property-casualty, employee benefits, bonds/surety, homeowners, renters, automobile, watercraft and personal health.Valhalla, NY -headquartered USI has offices covering every state with 4,400 insurance professionals and the acquisition of Brooks will expand its capabilities in northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan, and northeast Indiana.It is understood that the Brooks staff will continue to be based in Toledo and Bowling Green, Ohio. No details of the transaction have been released.
State Sen. Benjamin Downing reads to Brayton Elementary School students on Friday and took questions from the class. PreviousNext

Senator Downing Reads To Brayton Students

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  State Sen. Benjamin Downing celebrated a belated Read Across America Day at Brayton Elementary School on Friday and answered students' questions.

Although Read Across America day was in March, Downing did not want to pass up a chance to read to Marie McCarron's and Karen Cellana's fourth grade classes.

"He was really busy in march when it was actually Read Across America Day, but he never says no so we rescheduled it," McCarron said. "The kids were so excited and honestly they just like to be read to. They absorb everything."

Downing read "The Mountain That Loved a Bird" written by Alice McLerran with pictures by Eric Carle. The book tells the tale of a bird that every spring flies in search of the best place to build a nest. After befriending a mountain, she promises that every spring one of her kin will visit the mountain.

Downing not only read the book and discussed what it means with the students, but explained to them what he does as a senator and what role education played in his career.

Downing added that he enjoys opportunities such as this one.

"It's one thing to look at them as numbers in a budget as line items but you come here and you see the magic that happens in a classroom," Downing said. "It just reminds you of what's important so it's for perspective ... Also, it's fun to come read to them. You are always looking at the challenges and you come here and see the possibilities in kids faces."

Downing told the students he would return in the future and asked them to promise him a few things.

"Pay attention to your teachers, they are all working hard and trying to help you and if you want to figure out your wildest dreams its starts here," he said. "No. 2, read a little bit outside of school ... and don't ever let anyone ever tell you you can't do something. If you put in the work and you pay attention ... than that one should be easy."
The Northeast Energy Direct project was planned to cut through multiple Berkshire County towns.

Kinder Morgan Suspends Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline Project

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Kinder Morgan has suspended the Northeast Energy Direct pipeline project, which was planned to cut through the Berkshires.

The company released a statement Wednesday evening announcing the suspension of work on the $3.3 billion project.

"As a result of inadequate capacity commitments from prospective customers, Kinder Morgan Inc. and its subsidiary, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, have suspended further work and expenditures on the Northeast Energy Direct Project," reads the statement from the company.

The project was announced in 2015 and the company said it had received a number of commitments from local gas distribution companies and expected many more. The statement released Wednesday said those additional commitments never came.

"Unfortunately despite working for more than two years and expanding substantial shareholder resources, TGP did not receive the additional commitments it expected. As a result, there are currently neither sufficient volumes nor a reasonable expectation of securing them to proceed with the project as it is currently configured," the statement reads.

The company had previously shrunk the size of the pipeline by six-inches. The proposal had the pipeline entering Massachusetts in Hancock, cutting along the existing rights of way under power lines in Lanesborough, into Cheshire, Dalton, Hinsdale, Windsor, and Peru, before heading east. It ended in Dracut before heading north through New Hampshire.

The company added that "innovations in production" have lowered the cost, making it difficult for producers to secure long-term agreements.

The project, however, faced significant opposition throughout the path of the pipeline and in the Berkshires. Locally there were numerous protests, lawnsigns, and others opposing it.

While the company said the goal was to alleviate a shortage of natural gas capacity, opponents said the health, safety, and environmental concerns far outweighed the pipeline.

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey issued a statement shortly after the announcement saying he will continue to oppose "any pipeline proposals that would serve to export natural gas out of our region."

"I have opposed Kinder Morgan's proposed pipeline through Massachusetts and New England because of concerns that it could have led to the export of American natural gas to foreign countries, the impact it would have had on local communities in Massachusetts, and its potential to worsen climate change. Using New England as a throughway to export U.S. gas to overseas markets might be good for the bottom lines of pipeline companies but it could raise prices and be a disaster for consumers and businesses in our region," Markey wrote of the project.

"We need to build on the work that we have done in New England to move to a clean energy economy. And we should create jobs in New England by working smarter not harder when it comes to using natural gas through increasing efficiency and repairing and replacing our aging and leaking natural gas distribution pipeline infrastructure. Repairing these aging, leaking natural gas pipelines is a win for safety, a win for job creation, a win for consumers who have to pay for this lost gas, and a win for the climate."

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said the decision reaffirms her belief that the "project simply isn't necessary to meet our energy needs." She went on to urge the state to invest in clean energy. "Across Massachusetts, residents raised significant concerns about the impact of the proposed Northeast Energy Direct pipeline on homes, businesses, and our environment. This announcement confirms what our citizens have been saying since the beginning - this project simply isn't necessary to meet our energy needs," Warren wrote in a statement. "The Kinder Morgan pipeline was the wrong project at the wrong time, but as Massachusetts works to modernize our energy system and ensure that prices remain affordable for families and businesses, it is urgent that we upgrade aging infrastructure and invest in clean technologies of the future."

Kinder Morgan currently has another proposed pipeline, which cuts through Sandisfield and into Connecticut. That is currently being fought in court as the company seeks to begin working on land the state has constitutionally protected. That case centers on whether the federal approval overrides the state's Article 97 provisions.
Edward Price Non-Resident Senior Fellow NYU Center for Global Affairs Contact email

linkedin

Edward Price, a former British economic official, teaches international political economy, financial systems and international relations at NYUas Center for Global Affairs. He is also an economic advisor for BritishAmerican Business (BAB). Educated at the London School of Economics (LSE), Edward holds an MSc in Finance and Economic Policy and an MA in German History. He has worked in both the British and European parliaments, was Americas editor at IFLR and has worked in the City of London. He speaks German, gets by in Italian and is a member of the Economic Club of New York (ECNY).
Imperial Valley News Center

Pragmatic Reform of Global Drug Policy

Washington, DC - Secretary of State John Kerry: "Leaders from around the world are gathering in New York today for a United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the world drug problem, the first such gathering to discuss drugs in a generation. The timing is opportune.

"This meeting takes place as heroin and new psychoactive substances are ravaging communities across the United States. At the same time, we are seeing tremendous advances in our understanding of drug dependency and our ability to address substance use disorders as a public healthrather than a strictly criminal justicechallenge.

"Relying on decades of scientific research and lessons learned in our countrys own struggle with drugs, the United States proposes a pragmatic approach that better balances public health and law enforcement.

"In my 40 years of public service, I have seen the drug problem from many perspectives. As a prosecutor, I witnessed firsthand how quickly drugs could ruin lives and devastate families. As a United States Senator, I worked closely with fellow legislators, including Vice President Biden, to close open-air drug markets that ravaged our cities in the 1990s and to fight the methamphetamine epidemic which hit the United States in the following decade.

"Now as Secretary of State, I am proud that the renewed U.S. focus on a public health approach to drugs is gaining traction in other parts of the globe.

"In New York this week, the United States will seek international consensus on an approach that upholds the three UN drug conventionswhich continue to provide a solid foundation for international cooperation on drugsand that fully integrates public health priorities, recognizing drug abuse as a chronic disease. This means implementing alternatives to incarceration where appropriate, the use of drug courts, and sentencing reform to channel those who suffer from substance use disorder into recovery and treatment, not just prisons. Finally, it means strengthening international law enforcement cooperation to combat violent drug trafficking organizations who threaten all nations and all peoples.

"President Obama said that successfully addressing the drug problem is a national priority critical to promoting the safety, health, and prosperity of the American people. These same aspirations are shared by people of all the nations that will take part in the UN session. We have an opportunity to take an important step towards meeting the challenge posed by drugs around the world, and with the resolute commitment of our nation and other nations working together in common cause, we will."
Imperial Valley News Center

President Obama's Call with President Rafael Correa of Ecuador

Washington, DC - The President called President of Ecuador Rafael Correa today to convey the condolences of the American people for the loss of life caused by the earthquake on April 16.

The leaders discussed the assistance provided by the United States Government to support victims of the earthquake, and the President assured President Correa the United States would do all it can to support Ecuadors recovery. President Correa thanked the American people for their assistance during this difficult time.
NSC Spokesperson Ned Price on the Terrorist Attack in Kabul

Washington, DC - The United States strongly condemns the cowardly attack on Afghan forces and civilians in Kabul this morning that killed dozens and wounded hundreds. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and their loved ones.

At the outset of this years fighting season, we remain committed to supporting the Afghan people and their government. We also call on the Taliban to pursue a pathway of peace instead of continuing a military campaign responsible for the senseless deaths of Afghan civilians. We will remain steadfast partners with Afghan security forces as we work to promote peace and stability in the region, and as we counter the threat of terrorism that affects us all.
'We Got Robbed': Pakistani Twitter Had a Meltdown Over 'Controversial' No Ball to Virat Kohli
Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free 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

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Having played the villain in Sam Raimis Spider-Man, Willem Dafoe is set to join DCs cinematic universe as a good guy, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Platoon actor will first appear as the yet-to-be-revealed character in Justice League Part One and is the second prestigious actor from the Spider-Man films to join the cast, the first being JK Simmons (who will play Commissioner Gordon in the film).

Defoe will be fighting alongside the likes of Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), the Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher), with Lois Lane (Amy Adams) also making an appearance.

33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Show all 34 1 /34 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 1. Captain America: Civil War Release date: 6 May 2016. Iron Man and Captain America are set to face off in this superhero blockbuster that will feature nearly all the Avengers but wont be an Avengers film. It will also mark the first time Spider-Man will feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Sony having made a deal with Marvel Studios. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 2. X-Men: Apocalypse Release date: 27 May 2016. Following the success of Days of Future Past, Apocalypse will follow the young X-Men team as the battle against Oscar Isaacs titular villain as he gathers his four horsemen; Magneto (Fassbender), Angel (Hardy), Storm (Shipp), and Psylocke (Munn). Expect carnage and no Wolverine. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 3. Suicide Squad Release date: 5 August 2016. The first supervillain film, Suicide Squad is also based in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe, where Batman and Superman live) and will introduce the world to Margot Robbies Harley Quinn and Jared Letos Joker. One of the more exciting upcoming DC films thats for sure. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 4. Doctor Strange Release date: 4 November 2016. Benedict Cumberbatch will debut in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Captain America and Iron Man live) as the Sorcerer Supreme. The film already has an incredible cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachael McAdams and Tilda Swinton. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 5. Untitled Lego Batman film Release date: 20 February 2017. Kicking off 2017 is the Lego version of Batman, who will lead his own spin-off, having already featured in the amazing Lego Movie. Will Arnett voices the titular character, while Zach Garfianakis - from the Hangover - will voice The Joker. But will he better than Leto? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 6. Untitled Wolverine film Release date: 3 March 2017. Having not starred in X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine will return to the big screen in a solo film which was recently made R-Rated following the success of Deadpool. It is expected to be Hugh Jackmans last outing as the titular character. Fox 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Release date: 5 May 2017. Chris Pratt and the crew are returning to space in the sequel to the surprisingly successful Guardians of the Galaxy. According to director James Gunn, the film will not feature Thanos, even though he will to play a major role in phase MCU Phase 3. Cast includes newcomers Kurt Russell and Pom Klementieff, as well as, rumour has it, Sylvester Stallone. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 8. Wonder Woman Release date: 23 June 2017. Gal Gadot is returning to the DCEU in her very own film, marking the first female-led superhero film on this list. Chris Pine is on board to play Wonder Womans love interest. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 9. Untitled Spider-Man reboot Release date: 7 July 2017. Yes, it is another Spider-Man reboot, having previously been redone with Andrew Garfield as the lead. However, this time it is part of the MCU, with Tom Holland as the titular character, and a heavily rumoured cameo by Iron Man could be in the pipeline. We can dream. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 10. Untitled Fox film Release date: 6 October 2017. In a strange announcement, Fox decided to withhold the release of Gambit until a future, as-yet unannounced date, which could be here, or this could be a completely separate project. Many suspect Deadpool 2 could nicely fit here, Fox capitalising on the success of the first film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 11. Thor: Ragnarok Release date: 3 November 2017. Chris Hemsworth will be returning as the Norse God in his third solo MCU film. Flight of the Conchords Taika Waititi is on board to direct, and promises a fun adventure that will likely lead into Marvels next project, Infinity War. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 12. Justice League Part One Release date: 17 November 2017. Hot on the heals of Thor comes Justice League Part One, the first DCEU team-up flick which will see Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg work together to fight bad guys. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 13: Untitled Fox film Release date: 12 January 2018. Kicking off 2018 will likely be the second Deadpool film, but then again, this could very well be another X-Men team-up. Theres also talk of an X-Force film, with Deadpool and other mutants teaming up to fight evil. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 14. Black Panther Release date: 16 February 2018. The first non-white male-led superhero film in the MCU comes in the form of Black Panther, with Chadwick Boseman reprising the titular role, having also starred as the Panther in Civil War. Creeds Ryan Coogler is on to direct what could be a very exciting film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 15. The Flash Release date: 16 March 2018. The Flash will be the first DCEU film since Justice League, and sees Ezra Miller take the lead. Phil Lord and Chris Miller were supposed to pen the film before Disney snapped them up for the Han Solo-film, leaving Seth Grahame-Smith to take charge. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 16. Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 Release date: 4 May 2018. And so, we finally get to the point of all these Infinity Stones! Thanos will be the big bad, with the Avengers needing to team up to defeat their biggest foe yet. It has previously been described as the end of the Avengers as we know it. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 17. Ant-Man and The Wasp Release date: 6 July 2018. Peyton Reed will be back to direct this surprise sequel to one of the better received MCU films. While the name is ridiculous, at least Marvel are finally having a leading female superhero. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 18. Untitled Fox film Release date: 13 July 2018. Again, not much word on this one except it is thought to be X-Men spin-off New Mutants, something Josh Boone has been hit up to write. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 19. Animated Spider-Man Film Release date: 20 July 2018. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Amy Pascal - the team behind the live-action Spider-Man films - are producing this unrelated animated adaptation of the hero. Because you can never have too much Spider-Man, right? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 20. Aquaman Release date: 27 July 2018. Another Justice League spin-off, Jason Momoa plays the leading man. Furious 7s James Wan is on to direct, but little else is known about the film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 21. Captain Marvel Release date: 8 March 2019. Weve hit 2019, and the first confirmed superhero film will be the first proper female-led MCU film. No-one is confirmed to be in the titular role of Carol Danvers just yet. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 22. Shazam Release date: 5 April 2019. Dwayne Johnson stars as the villain in this DCEU film which will be somewhat separate to the other DC films. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 23. Avengers: Infinity War Part 2. Release date: 3 May 2019. The conclusion to the long drawn MCU saga. Expect a big finish with at least a few planets being destroyed. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 24. Justice League Part Two Release date: 14 June 2019. Soon after the Infinity War story reaches its conclusion, so will the Justice Leagues. Not much is known, except Darkseid will likely be the villain for at least one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 25. Inhumans Release date: 12 July 2019. The concept of Inhumans (or Marvels mutants) has already been introduced in TV, through Marvels Agents of Shield, yet the film is expected to introduce the Royal Family who have yet to be seen in the show. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 26. Cyborg Release date: 3 April 2020. Having debuted in Justice League Part One three years previously, Cyborg will finally be making his own outing, with Ray Fisher as the titular character. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 27. Untitled MCU film Release date: 1 May 2020. The first of three untitled Marvel films. There are a couple of contenders, the first is a likely sequel to Spider-Man with Sony, or a third Guardians of the Galaxy film, thus finishing the trilogy. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 28. Green Lantern Corps. Release date: 19 June 2020. Before you start to worry, this has nothing to do with the Ryan Reynolds-starring flick that hit cinemas a little while ago. Instead, this will be another DCEU film that will likely spin-off from Justice League after the Green Lantern Corps cameo in one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 29. Untitled MCU film Release date: 10 July 2020. As well as Spider-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy sequels, a Doctor Strange or Black Panther one could fit in nicely here. Or perhaps Black Widow may finally get the solo-film she deserves. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 30. Untitled MCU film Release date: 6 November 2020. Some speculators also think a Blade film could fit in here, marking over 20 years since the first Blade. But many believe the character may be better suited to a Netflix series, as with Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Theres also talk of a Runaways film reaching cinemas at some stage. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 31. Untitled Ben Affleck Batman film Release date: TBA. Now were onto the TBA release dates, the first of which is a Batman solo film, written and directed by Ben Affleck. When this is due, no one is quite sure but expect it sooner rather than later if Batman v Superman is a success. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 32. Suicide Squad 2 Release date: TBA (rumoured 2017). A sequel to Suicide Squad is expected to come in 2017 according to recent reports, but nothing has been confirmed. If the first is successful, it should come as no surprise for Warner Bros to rearrange their schedule to fit in this surefire hit. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33. Venom Release date: TBA. This is an odd one, as it has been confirmed Sony are wanting to release a Venom film completely unrelated to the upcoming Spider-Man reboot. Venom, as you may know, is a Spider-Man villain, intrinsically linked to Spider-Man, so it seems odd they would release a film unrelated to the rebooted project and not linked to the MCU. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Anything else? Well, now you mention it, theres also that sequel to Fantastic Four that has seemingly been dropped by Fox. Plus, theres the Gambit film which has been put on hold (but will likely fill an untitled Fox slot so we havent added it extra). Then again, it could be shoehorned in somehow Marvel

Justice League will be split into two parts, with Defoe reportedly signed on to star in both. Zack Snyder, who helmed both Man of Steel and Batman v Superman, is back on board for the team-up film, the first part of which will reach cinemas next year.

Before then, Warner Bros. and DC are set to release both Suicide Squad and a solo Wonder Woman film. In SS news, Jared Leto has become increasingly vocal about all the strange things he did to get into character (The Joker) including sending anal beads to fellow cast members and meeting killers.
Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight 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

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Economical and political repercussions aside, a pop cultural question hangs over the Brexit debate - will we still be allowed to enter Eurovision if we leave the EU?

During Prime Ministers Questions today, Cameron was asked what the worst argument was that he had heard in the EU debate so far.

Reassuring/disappointing (depending on your point of view) citizens, he replied: I think probably the one that we'd get out of the Eurovision Song Contest  I think that would not only be very sad but I think given that Israel and Azerbaijan and anyone anywhere near Europe seems to be able to  [even] Australia  I think we're pretty safe from that one.

While the issue genuinely troubled some die hard Eurovision fans, it was never really in question, given that all participating countries only need be a member of the European Broadcasting Union.

This years Eurovision takes place in Stockholm, Sweden on 14 May, with the prosaically named Joe and Jake (above) being the UK entrant.
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Dame Judi Dench will be making her Countryfile debut this weekend in honour of a man close to her heart: William Shakespeare.

The Oscar-winning actress, 81, will join the BBC One show on Sunday night for a 400th anniversary special focusing on the playwrights love of the British countryside.

Dench and presenter John Craven will retrace the footsteps of Shakespeares touring acting troupe The Kings Men while discussing theories behind the Bards life, her passion for his plays and why they still resonate so strongly with audiences today.

Dench made her professional debut as Ophelia in Hamlet with the Old Vic Company in 1957 and has since starred in Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.

Im a huge fan of Countryfile, she said. It was lovely to be part of it, and it was wonderful to learn that Shakespeare had toured with his company.

Craven said few things in his long career would top the experience of standing in a 16th-century hall where Shakespeares touring company once played and doing a bit of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet with Dame Judi Dench.

He described the veteran actress as a delightful companion and said her life-long passion for Shakespeares work really shone through.

William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Show all 10 1 /10 William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary stamps Royal Mail/PA Wire



Leading Shakespeare academic Dr Siobhan Keenan, from Leicesters De Montfort University, also joins them on their journey by foot and boat.

Bill Lyons, executive editor of Countryfile, said: Even today, Shakespeares words still shape the way that we look at the beautiful landscape of the British isles, its animals, flowers and woodlands.

Judi is a countrywoman at heart and I can think of no-one better placed to follow in Shakespeares footsteps on this very special programme.

Elsewhere on the programme, Ellie Harrison tracks down the forest believed to have inspired As You Like It and Matt Baker searches for the secret cave in the Brecon Beacons rumoured to be the location for A Midsummer Nights Dream.

Countryfile airs on BBC One at 7pm on Sunday 24 April.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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Fashion and politics do not make the happiest of bedfellows. For all its virtue signalling, a system based on inequality and insecurity  thats the fashion business  has little room for genuine compassion. However, this week the beneficiaries of sweated labour are being asked to examine their consciences  and their order books  as part of Fashion Revolution Week.

This is a global response to the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory complex in Bangladesh that killed 1,134 people and injured 2,500 more, on 24 April 2013. And as well as a label selfie campaign on social media, it has already provoked a special Fashion Question Time in the House of Commons, hosted by Labour MP Mary Creagh, at which the industry was urged to come clean about its foreign suppliers and help to clean up the iniquitous conditions under which their workers are hired.

Greek designer Athena Korda speaks out with her collection in 2015

FASHION IN NUMBERS 2 trillion annual turnover of the fashion industry 100m value of used clothing that goes to landfill in the UK each year 2 average daily wage of a garment worker 25p amount that, if added to every item of clothing, would cover the costs of a living wage for all workers, and for factories to meet safety standards. 170 million estimated number of child labourers around the world, many for textiles industries

The disaster graphically demonstrated the true cost of quickly changing trends, or fast fashion, for high-street brands such as Gap and Benetton: dangerous working conditions, long hours and little pay for the garment workers. And what made it worse is that 2013 was global fashions most profitable year to date.

Most of the public is still not aware that human and environmental abuses are endemic across the fashion and textiles industry and that what theyre wearing could have been made in an exploitative way, says Carry Somers, the co-founder of Fashion Revolution, who argues that transparency is the first step towards persuading brands to take responsibility for working conditions across the supply chain. Which is why, this week, people are taking those label selfies, tagging the brands of what theyre wearing, and asking #whomademyclothes.

FIVE ETHICAL FASHION BRANDS People Tree People Tree is at the forefront of ethical fashion. Garments are handcrafted using traditional skills that support rural communities. peopletree.co.uk Gather & See A collection of small-scale hand-made brands that pride themselves on their aesthetics as well as their ethics. gatherandsee.com Luva Huva If youre looking for sexy and sustainable lingerie, then Luva Huva is the brand for you. All items are handmade in the UK. luvahuva.co.uk Beyond Skin Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway and Leona Lewis are a few of the high-profile celebs who wear these stylish, vegan, shoes. beyondskin.co.uk Matt & Nat Live beautifully is the motto of this stylish vegan bag brand whose linings are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles. mattandnat.com

Often the answer will be poor Bangladeshis. But similar working conditions prevail across the globe, from South America to China  and the big brands seem blithely unconcerned. The international Behind the Barcode report, published last year by the charity Baptist World Aid Australia, found that 86 per cent of brands surveyed made no attempt to ensure a living wage across their supply chains, and half didnt even know the locations of the factories in which their garments are made. And while H&M and Inditex (Zara) have taken action to pay wages above the legal minimum at the final stage of production, in the cut-make-trim factories, this does not extend to the textile workers, who spin or embroider the fabric, or to the cotton farmers at the very beginning of the supply chain.

The latter certainly deserve better treatment. In the past 15 years, there have been 250,000 cotton-farmer suicides in India (equivalent to one every 30 minutes) because they simply cant make ends meet. But, says Somers: Tragedies are preventable. All we need is to make every stakeholder in the fashion supply chain responsible and accountable for their action and impacts. We have incredible power as consumers, if we choose how to use it.

The 63-million reach of last years #whomademyclothes hashtags is just a first step.

Garment workers evacuate a survivor after the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh collapsed in 2013 (Getty Images)

Lizzie is the author of London's ethical fashion and food website, bicbim.co.uk. Follow her on Twitter @LizzieRivs and @bicbim.

Find out more about: Fashion Revolution.
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You dont have to be an ardent royalist to appreciate the Queens personal style. I mean, it probably helps, but theres something to the whole pomp and circumstance intrinsic to our monarchy - the velvet, the ballgowns, the plumed feathers and swagged diamonds - that manages to sweep you along with a hefty dose of, for want of a better word, majesty. Fashion designers, seldom inclined towards socialism (given that their business revolves about richly dressing rich women, with clothes they probably dont really need), have been frequent fans of monarchy, and specifically of the Queen.

In 1986, Vivienne Westwood eschewed her antiestablishment punk leanings and showed a collection whose daywear of prim princess line coats and belled-skirts in sturdy Harris tweeds were based on the clothes worn by the princesses Elizabeth and Margaret as children, topped with playful cloth crowns (eminently collectible, they command impressive prices at vintage auctions); and Christian Dior himself declared that the New Look was inspired, in part, by the delicate all-white wardrobe created by Norman Hartnell for the late Queen Mother in 1938. In 1954, Dior presented his designs to Princes Margaret at Blenheim palace, as did his successor Yves Saint Laurent in 1958 - the house is returning this year to show their cruise collection in the same venue.

So theres something a bit royal in the air right now, perfectly chimed with the queens 90th today. The mood is evident in a clutch of the autumn/winter 2016 collections, which dont take Her Majesty as a direct inspiration, but undoubtedly bear her imprimatur. Im talking the head-to-toe drench of bright colour at Gucci - a style the queen favours because it allows her to stand out easily in a crowd. Peter Copping (a Brit) has revived the sweeping ball gown at Oscar de la Renta; Karl Lagerfeld has shown matchy-matchy tweeds with study headgear immediately redolent of state visits, and slung with s Kings ransom of pearls (albeit faux). And the handbag of choices, bearing a variety of labels, is the no-nonsense top-handle in a straight-forward hide. No frills, fluff, flounces or dangling gewgaws.

The style has trickled to the high street already, as fashion has turned for a few seasons towards the prim and proper. Call it lady, or even Sloane - as the revival of the pie-crust frill blouse by Marks & Spencer can easily be labelled, reminded you of Princess Diana in her younger years. On the whole, what it equates to is good fabrics, classic cuts, sensible lengths. Marks & Spencer have even issued a powdery-pink wool coat in their Best of British collection dubbed The Elizabeth. Theres been a resurgence of tweed, a taste for the aforementioned bright colours and, most interestingly a revival of headgear. Whether headscarf or tiara (evident in the ready-to-wear of Saint Laurent last October, and carried over to couture by Valentino), theyre a crowning glory for any look.
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The EU has brought charges against Google for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the smartphone market by forcing device makers to adopt certain apps.

In a formal statement of objections against the company, the EU competition commission alleged Google had breached competition laws by requiring phone companies to pre-install Google Search and the Chrome browser on their devices, as a condition for getting licenses for more Google apps.

The commission also claimed Google prevents manufacturers from selling smartphones running other operating systems based on Android, and gives financial incentives to them on the condition they exclusively pre-install Google Search on their devices.

Recommended Read more Europe getting ready to bring new competition charges against Google

Competition boss Margethe Vestager said: A competitive mobile internet sector is increasingly important for consumers and businesses in Europe. Based on our investigation thus far, we believe that Google's behaviour denies consumers a wider choice of mobile apps and services and stands in the way of innovation by other players, in breach of EU antitrust rules.

Vestager told journalists that the commission's concerns are over the unjustified restrictions Google places on manufacturers of Android smartphones, who are not free to choose which search engines or browsers to install on their smartphones.

Apple does similar things with its iPhone, by delivering each one pre-installed with its own Safari browser and mandatory search feature. However, since Apple does not license its operating system to any other manufacturer, there's less of a competition issue, according to Vestager.

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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 EU is particularly concerned by these issues due to Android's popularity - almost two-thirds of the smartphones in Europe run the operating system, so any unfairness could potentially affect millions of users.

If found guilty of anti-competitive practices, Google's fine could stretch into the billions, according to Reuters.

Google now has an opportunity to reply to the commission's concerns. In a statement, Google general counsel and senior vice president Kent Walker said: Android has helped foster a remarkable - and, importantly, sustainable - ecosystem, based on open-source software and open innovation.

We look forward to working with the European Commission to demonstrate that Android is good for competition and good for consumers."
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Mitsubishi has said it is has found evidence that employees have manipulated fuel economy data for four types of vehicle.

More than 150,000 Mitsubishi light passenger cars and 468,000 vehicles produced for Nissan are involved in inaccurate testing, the company said.

Tetsuro Aikawa, Mitsubishi president, said that the misconduct had been reported to the transportation ministry.

The names of the affected models are the Mitsubishi ek Wagon and ek Space, and the Nissan Dayz and Dayz Roox.

The false data was discovered when Nissan pointed out inconsistencies in the ways that vehicles had been tested. Mitsubishi then conducted an investigation and found the data had been falsified.

 VW faces billion-dollar fines

In the testing process, cars are hooked up to a dynamo which acts like a treadmill and monitors their emissions.

The dynamo includes settings to simulate real-world conditions like wind resistance. These were not set correctly, Mitsubishi said.

Shares in Mitsubishi Motors were down up to 16 per cent on Wednesday morning in anticipation of the announcement.

Mitsubishi is Japan's largest car maker. It sold more than one million vehicles last year but has less than 1 per cent of the UK market.

This is the first time a Japanese car maker has been implicated in a vehicle testing scandal since the emissions scandal engulfed Volkswagen last year.

Biggest business scandals in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Biggest business scandals in pictures Biggest business scandals in pictures Volkswagen emissions scandal VW admitted to rigging its US emission tests so that diesel-powered cars would looks like they were emitting less nitrous oxide, which can damage the ozone layer and contribute to respiratory diseases. Around 11 million cars worldwide were affected. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals Martin Shkreli became known as the most hated man in the world after his drug company, Turing, increased the price of a 62-year-old drug that treated HIV patients by 5,000% to $750 a pill. He was charged with illegally taking stock from Retrophin, a biotechnology firm he started in 2011, and using it pay off debts from unrelated business dealings. Shkreli, who maintains he is innocent, and says there is little evidence of fraud because his investors didn't lose money. Biggest business scandals in pictures Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents expose how worlds rich and powerful hid money - April 2016 Millions of confidential documents have been leaked from one of the worlds most secretive law firms, exposing how the rich and powerful have hidden their money. Dictators and other heads of state have been accused of laundering money, avoiding sanctions and evading tax, according to the unprecedented cache of papers that show the inner workings of the law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is based in Panama. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Google's tax avoidance Google reached a deal with the HM Revenue and Customs to pay back 130 million in so-called back-taxes that have been due since 2005. George Osborne championed the deal as a major success. But European MEPs have since called for the Chancellor to appear in front of the committee on tax rulings to explain the tax deal. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Rogue trader A French court cut the damages owed by rogue trader Jerome Kerviel from 4.9bn (4.2bn) to just 1m (860,000). The court ruled on that Kerviel was partly responsible for massive losses suffered in 2008 by his former employer Societe Generale through his reckless trades. Kerviel has consistently maintained that bosses at the French bank knew what he was doing all along. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Barclays CEO under investigation for trying to identify whistleblower - Monday Paril 10 Authorities have launched an investigation into Barclays chief executive officer Jes Staley for trying to identify a whistleblower, the bank said on Monday. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are both investigating Mr Staley after the bank notified them that Mr Staley had tried to identify the author of two anonymous letters, which were sent to the board and a senior executive in June 2016. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures UK to crack down on bank money laundering after reports of 65bn Russian scam, City minister says - March 2017 The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has vowed that the Government will crack down on money laundering practices, after several of the UK's biggest banks were accused of processing money from a Russian scam, believed to involve up to $80bn (65bn). Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former HBOS bankers convicted of bribery and fraud over 245m loan scam - February 2017 Two former HBOS bankers were among six people found guilty of bribery and fraud that cost customers and shareholders hundreds of millions of pounds, the BBC reports. Lynden Scourfield, 54, a manager at HBOS, forced struggling clients to use the services of his friends David Mills, 60, and Michael Bancroft, 73. In return, the two businessmen arranged sex parties, cash and lavish gifts. On Monday, the three were convicted at Southwark Crown Court on accounts including bribery, fraud and money laundering. Mark Dobson, another manager at HBOS, Alison Mills, and John Cartwright were also convicted. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Lloyds chief apologises for damage caused by affair allegations - August 2016 Antonio Horta-Osorio, the chief executive of Lloyds Bank, has broken his silence over allegations about his private life admitting he regrets any "damage done to the group's reputation". In a message sent to the bank's 75,000 employees, the banker said that anyone can make mistakes while insisting that staff had to maintain the highest professional standards. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Christine Lagarde faces court over 340m Bernard Tapie payment - July 2016 The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, must stand trial in France over a payment of 403 million (now 340m, then 290m) to tycoon Bernard Tapie, a France's highest appeals court has ruled. The court rejected Ms Lagarde's appeal against a judge's order in December for her to stand trial over allegations of negligence in her handling of the affair. Ms Lagarde could risk a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros if convicted. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures HSBC senior manager arrested in FX rigging investigation at JFK airport in New York - July 2016 A senior executive at HSBC has been arrested at New York's JFK airport for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to rig currency benchmarks, according to reports. Mark Johnson, global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, was reportedly arrested on Tuesday. He will appear before a federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Bloomberg said. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Former PwC employees found guilty in 'Luxleaks' tax scandal - June 2016 Two ex- PricewaterhouseCoopers staffers were found guilty in Luxembourg of stealing confidential tax files that helped unleash a global scandal over generous fiscal deals for hundreds of international companies. Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet face suspended sentences of 12 months and 9 months and were ordered to pay fines of 1,500 (1,230) and 1,000 (822) for their role in the so-called LuxLeaks scandal. Despite the minimal sentences, the ruling was described by Deltours lawyer as shocking and a terrible anomaly. The ruling puts on guard future whistle-blowers, Deltour told reporters.The LuxLeaks revelations sped beyond Luxembourg, causing European Union regulators to expand a tax-subsidy probe and propose new laws to fight corporate tax dodging, while EU lawmakers created a special committee to probe fiscal deals across the 28-nation bloc. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Goldman Sachs dealmakers lavished Libyan officials with prostitutes to win contract - June 2016 A former Goldman Sachs dealmaker trying to persuade Gadaffi-era Libya to invest $1 billion with the investment bank procured prostitutes and invited Libyan officials to lavish parties in the hope of winning the business, the High Court heard on Monday June 13.The Libyan Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund is suing Goldman Sachs for inappropriately coercing its naive staff into giving its sovereign wealth fund cash to the bank to invest in products they did not understand. The products were designed to generate big profits for Goldman, the LIA claims.Goldman denies wrongdoing and says the LIA was treated as an arms-length customer Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former boss of BHS said his life was threatened - June 2016 Darren Topp, the former boss of BHS, has said former owner Dominic Chappell threatened to kill him when he challenged him over a 1.5 million transfer out of the business. MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee asked Mr Topp about a 1.5 million transfer Mr Chappell made from BHS to a company called BHS Sweden. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley admits paying workers below the minimum wage - June 2016 Mike Ashley admitted paying Sports Direct employees below the minimum wage at a hearing in front of MPs. The company founder said that workers were paid less than the statutory minimum because of bottlenecks at security in an admission that could result in sanctions from HMRC. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Mitsubishi admits improper fuel tests - April 2016 Mitsubishi has admitted to using false fuel methods dating back to 1991. The scale of the scandal is only just coming to light after it was revealed in April that data was falsified in the testing of four types of cars, including two Nissan cars. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Quindell, the scandal-ridden insurance firm Quindell was once a darling of AIM but its share price fell in April 2014 when its accounting practices were attacked in a stinging research note by US short seller Gotham City. In August the group was forced to disclose that the 107 million pre-tax profit it had reported for 2013 was incorrect, and it had in fact suffered a 64million loss. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Toshiba Accounting Scandal The boss of Toshiba, the Japanese technology giant, resigned in disgrace in the wake of one of the countrys biggest ever accounting scandals. His exit came two months after the company revealed that it was investigating accounting irregularities. An independent investigatory panel said that Toshibas management had inflated its reported profits by up to 152 billion yen (780m) between 2008 and 2014. Biggest business scandals in pictures FIFA Corruption Scandal Fifa, football's world governing body, has been engulfed by claims of widespread corruption since the summer of 2015, when the US Department of Justice indicted several top executives. It has now claimed the careers of two of the most powerful men in football, Fifa President Sepp Blatter and Uefa President Michel Platini, after they were banned for eight years from all football-related activities by Fifa's ethics committee. A Swiss criminal investigation into the pair is ongoing. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Libor fraudster City trader Tom Hayes, 35, has become the first person to be convicted of rigging Libor rates following a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. Hayes worked as a trader in yen derivatives at UBS before joining the American bank Citigroup in Tokyo. He was fired from Citigroup following an investigation into his trading methods. He returned to the UK in December 2012 and was arrested following a two-and-a-half year criminal investigation by the SFO. Getty

Mitsubishi's admission of falsifying data is different to Volkswagen's because it relates to petrol-powered cars, while VW cheated in emissions tests on diesel models.

The VW scandal that broke on September 18 last year was initially confined to 500,000 cars but escalated to involve 11 million vehicles.

VW has reached an agreement with EU regulators on how to handle the fix for affected cars. A deal with US regulators is yet to be agreed.

Volkswagen is in the process of recalling millions of cars and has set aside 4.8 billion to cover costs. In October, Volkswagen posted its first quarterly loss for 15 years of 2.5 billion.
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Stuart Wilkie, the boss of the Port Talbot steel works, is launching a bid by the plant's managers to buy Tata Steel's operations in the UK.

The management buyout - where the managers of a company buy some or all of the company from its owners - has beeen welcomed by the Port Talbot community.

"There will be a lot of happy people in Port Talbot today who hoped this would be on the table," Dr Kath Ringwald, a senior lecturer at the University of South Wales' faculty of business and society, told the BBC.

Recommended Read more Four charts that show why the UK steel industry is in crisis

"I think Stuart Wilkie has the knowledge and experience to lead a bid, but I think any management buyout is fraught with difficulty.

"In these circumstances you have a management buyout in very difficult market circumstances with little change of improvement. So we shouldn't see this as a knight in shining armour. It's a brave attempt - and hopefully successful attempt - to retain steelmaking in the UK," Dr Ringwald said.

 Sajid Javid on Tata sale

Mr Wilkie had previously put together a plan to rescue the Port Talbot plant that was rejected by Indian owners Tata Steel. Tata Steel then put Port Talbot up for sale.

Tata Steel employs 15,000 people in the UK at plants in Port Talbot, Rotherham, Corby and Shotton. The company decided to sell after suffering losses of up to 1 million a day as Chinese steel exports forced down prices in the steel market to unsustainable levels.

Biggest business scandals in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Biggest business scandals in pictures Biggest business scandals in pictures Volkswagen emissions scandal VW admitted to rigging its US emission tests so that diesel-powered cars would looks like they were emitting less nitrous oxide, which can damage the ozone layer and contribute to respiratory diseases. Around 11 million cars worldwide were affected. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Martin Shkreli and Turing Pharmaceuticals Martin Shkreli became known as the most hated man in the world after his drug company, Turing, increased the price of a 62-year-old drug that treated HIV patients by 5,000% to $750 a pill. He was charged with illegally taking stock from Retrophin, a biotechnology firm he started in 2011, and using it pay off debts from unrelated business dealings. Shkreli, who maintains he is innocent, and says there is little evidence of fraud because his investors didn't lose money. Biggest business scandals in pictures Panama Papers: Millions of leaked documents expose how worlds rich and powerful hid money - April 2016 Millions of confidential documents have been leaked from one of the worlds most secretive law firms, exposing how the rich and powerful have hidden their money. Dictators and other heads of state have been accused of laundering money, avoiding sanctions and evading tax, according to the unprecedented cache of papers that show the inner workings of the law firm Mossack Fonseca, which is based in Panama. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Google's tax avoidance Google reached a deal with the HM Revenue and Customs to pay back 130 million in so-called back-taxes that have been due since 2005. George Osborne championed the deal as a major success. But European MEPs have since called for the Chancellor to appear in front of the committee on tax rulings to explain the tax deal. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Rogue trader A French court cut the damages owed by rogue trader Jerome Kerviel from 4.9bn (4.2bn) to just 1m (860,000). The court ruled on that Kerviel was partly responsible for massive losses suffered in 2008 by his former employer Societe Generale through his reckless trades. Kerviel has consistently maintained that bosses at the French bank knew what he was doing all along. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Barclays CEO under investigation for trying to identify whistleblower - Monday Paril 10 Authorities have launched an investigation into Barclays chief executive officer Jes Staley for trying to identify a whistleblower, the bank said on Monday. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are both investigating Mr Staley after the bank notified them that Mr Staley had tried to identify the author of two anonymous letters, which were sent to the board and a senior executive in June 2016. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures UK to crack down on bank money laundering after reports of 65bn Russian scam, City minister says - March 2017 The Economic Secretary to the Treasury has vowed that the Government will crack down on money laundering practices, after several of the UK's biggest banks were accused of processing money from a Russian scam, believed to involve up to $80bn (65bn). Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former HBOS bankers convicted of bribery and fraud over 245m loan scam - February 2017 Two former HBOS bankers were among six people found guilty of bribery and fraud that cost customers and shareholders hundreds of millions of pounds, the BBC reports. Lynden Scourfield, 54, a manager at HBOS, forced struggling clients to use the services of his friends David Mills, 60, and Michael Bancroft, 73. In return, the two businessmen arranged sex parties, cash and lavish gifts. On Monday, the three were convicted at Southwark Crown Court on accounts including bribery, fraud and money laundering. Mark Dobson, another manager at HBOS, Alison Mills, and John Cartwright were also convicted. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Lloyds chief apologises for damage caused by affair allegations - August 2016 Antonio Horta-Osorio, the chief executive of Lloyds Bank, has broken his silence over allegations about his private life admitting he regrets any "damage done to the group's reputation". In a message sent to the bank's 75,000 employees, the banker said that anyone can make mistakes while insisting that staff had to maintain the highest professional standards. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Christine Lagarde faces court over 340m Bernard Tapie payment - July 2016 The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, must stand trial in France over a payment of 403 million (now 340m, then 290m) to tycoon Bernard Tapie, a France's highest appeals court has ruled. The court rejected Ms Lagarde's appeal against a judge's order in December for her to stand trial over allegations of negligence in her handling of the affair. Ms Lagarde could risk a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros if convicted. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures HSBC senior manager arrested in FX rigging investigation at JFK airport in New York - July 2016 A senior executive at HSBC has been arrested at New York's JFK airport for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to rig currency benchmarks, according to reports. Mark Johnson, global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, was reportedly arrested on Tuesday. He will appear before a federal court in Brooklyn on Wednesday charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Bloomberg said. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Former PwC employees found guilty in 'Luxleaks' tax scandal - June 2016 Two ex- PricewaterhouseCoopers staffers were found guilty in Luxembourg of stealing confidential tax files that helped unleash a global scandal over generous fiscal deals for hundreds of international companies. Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet face suspended sentences of 12 months and 9 months and were ordered to pay fines of 1,500 (1,230) and 1,000 (822) for their role in the so-called LuxLeaks scandal. Despite the minimal sentences, the ruling was described by Deltours lawyer as shocking and a terrible anomaly. The ruling puts on guard future whistle-blowers, Deltour told reporters.The LuxLeaks revelations sped beyond Luxembourg, causing European Union regulators to expand a tax-subsidy probe and propose new laws to fight corporate tax dodging, while EU lawmakers created a special committee to probe fiscal deals across the 28-nation bloc. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Goldman Sachs dealmakers lavished Libyan officials with prostitutes to win contract - June 2016 A former Goldman Sachs dealmaker trying to persuade Gadaffi-era Libya to invest $1 billion with the investment bank procured prostitutes and invited Libyan officials to lavish parties in the hope of winning the business, the High Court heard on Monday June 13.The Libyan Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund is suing Goldman Sachs for inappropriately coercing its naive staff into giving its sovereign wealth fund cash to the bank to invest in products they did not understand. The products were designed to generate big profits for Goldman, the LIA claims.Goldman denies wrongdoing and says the LIA was treated as an arms-length customer Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Former boss of BHS said his life was threatened - June 2016 Darren Topp, the former boss of BHS, has said former owner Dominic Chappell threatened to kill him when he challenged him over a 1.5 million transfer out of the business. MPs on the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee asked Mr Topp about a 1.5 million transfer Mr Chappell made from BHS to a company called BHS Sweden. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley admits paying workers below the minimum wage - June 2016 Mike Ashley admitted paying Sports Direct employees below the minimum wage at a hearing in front of MPs. The company founder said that workers were paid less than the statutory minimum because of bottlenecks at security in an admission that could result in sanctions from HMRC. Reuters Biggest business scandals in pictures Mitsubishi admits improper fuel tests - April 2016 Mitsubishi has admitted to using false fuel methods dating back to 1991. The scale of the scandal is only just coming to light after it was revealed in April that data was falsified in the testing of four types of cars, including two Nissan cars. AP Biggest business scandals in pictures Quindell, the scandal-ridden insurance firm Quindell was once a darling of AIM but its share price fell in April 2014 when its accounting practices were attacked in a stinging research note by US short seller Gotham City. In August the group was forced to disclose that the 107 million pre-tax profit it had reported for 2013 was incorrect, and it had in fact suffered a 64million loss. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Toshiba Accounting Scandal The boss of Toshiba, the Japanese technology giant, resigned in disgrace in the wake of one of the countrys biggest ever accounting scandals. His exit came two months after the company revealed that it was investigating accounting irregularities. An independent investigatory panel said that Toshibas management had inflated its reported profits by up to 152 billion yen (780m) between 2008 and 2014. Biggest business scandals in pictures FIFA Corruption Scandal Fifa, football's world governing body, has been engulfed by claims of widespread corruption since the summer of 2015, when the US Department of Justice indicted several top executives. It has now claimed the careers of two of the most powerful men in football, Fifa President Sepp Blatter and Uefa President Michel Platini, after they were banned for eight years from all football-related activities by Fifa's ethics committee. A Swiss criminal investigation into the pair is ongoing. Getty Biggest business scandals in pictures Libor fraudster City trader Tom Hayes, 35, has become the first person to be convicted of rigging Libor rates following a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. Hayes worked as a trader in yen derivatives at UBS before joining the American bank Citigroup in Tokyo. He was fired from Citigroup following an investigation into his trading methods. He returned to the UK in December 2012 and was arrested following a two-and-a-half year criminal investigation by the SFO. Getty

A management buyout at Port Talbot would require significant Government assistance of up to 100 million. The Government had resisted calls to nationalise the plant, but last week Sajid Javid, the business secretary, suggested that the Government would look at "co-investing with a buyer on commercial terms".

"Any potential investors are being asked to step up with a lot of money and in very difficult times. Certainly the Government's willingness to act as co-investors in the plan will reassure investors. But it is a big ask," Dr Ringwald said.
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Shareholders in the collapsed Yukos oil company established by jailed oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky have lost a key court battle in their demand for $50bn compensation from the Russian government.

In what is probably the biggest court claim in history, Yukoss shareholders are seeking money back from the state following what they claim was the illegal seizure of the oil giant by the Kremlin in 2007.

An international arbitration tribunal ruled in 2014 that Yukoss shareholders should be compensated with $50bn for what it ruled was the Russian Federations unfair confiscation of its assets.

Recommended Read more Putin signs law allowing courts to ignore human rights rulings

The decision resulted in a series of attempts by the shareholders to enforce the ruling by seizing Russian state assets including French payments to the Russian satellite launch programme.

However, the Hague District Court has now overturned the $50bn award, declaring the Permanent Court of Arbitration did not have the authority to adjudicate on the dispute.

That means the shareholders attempts to seize perhaps billions of dollars of Russian state assets in the UK and elsewhere are likely to be put on hold. A High Court case to approve UK asset seizures had been scheduled for November.

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. 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The Russian state declared in a statement: The court has ruled that the arbitration tribunal was wrong to consider itself competent to hear the case. And as such, the District Court has thrown out the award in its entirety.

It added: The decision is a vindication of the Russian Federations long-stated position that the Yukos shareholders are not entitled to any amounts.

Tim Osborne, the London lawyer representing the shareholders said: I confirm that we will appeal this surprising decision They just got it wrong.

The Yukos shareholders are largely made up of six Russian oligarchs offshore shell companies and the pension fund of former employees. Several of the oligarchs are former Yukos bosses who have been accused by Russian authorities of embezzlement and other charges but have left the country denying all accusations. These include Leonid Nevzlin, ex vice-president of Yukos.

Mr Khodorkovsky, the former chairman of Yukos, was jailed on fraud, embezzlement and moneylaundering charges stemming from his management of Yukos in a case widely condemned as being politically motivated. He always maintained his innocence and declared himself a prisoner of conscience.

He is not a claimant in the current case, and currently lives in exile in Switzerland having been freed in December 2013.

While the London asset seizure case has yet to begin, the shareholders are in the process of confiscating Russian state property through the French and Belgian courts including a 70m euro plot of land by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The UK assets are likely to include bank accounts and property in London.

Under international law, only non-diplomatic sovereign assets can be seized. That means while embassies and consulates are off-limits, other state-owned property is fair game.

It is expected that Russia will quickly move to stop the asset seizures currently underway.
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Muslim schoolchildren taking exams this summer should be advised they can be exempted from Ramadan fasting and made aware that Islam does not require them to put their futures in jeopardy, the head teachers' union has urged.

The intervention by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) representing head teachers and college principals comes ahead of a Ramadan month of dawn-to-sunset fasting that will clash with summer GCSE and A-Level exams in a way that has not occurred in the UK since the 1980s.

For UK Muslims, Ramadan 2016, due to last from 6-8 June to 7 July, will coincide with the summer solstice  the longest day of the year - and have the longest average fasting hours in the 33-year, lunar-based cycle that determines when the holy month occurs.

The Joint Council of Qualifications, which represents exam boards, has already taken Ramadan into account while timetabling exams, scheduling papers with the highest number of entrants to be taken before Ramadan or in the morning.

But the ASCL has said in its newly published Ramadan and Exams 2016 information paper: The imams, Islamic scholars, and leaders we consulted were agreed that there is a pressing need for UK-based religious authorities to collectively discuss this issue and recommend solutions for Muslim communities.

Warning that fasting and staying up late for prayers may affect memory, focus, concentration and academic performance, the paper advises: Grades attained at GCSE and A level are critical to the further education and career prospects of young people.

Young people sitting exams will need to seriously and thoughtfully take their future and their studies into account. Young people should be made aware that Islam does not require them to put their futures in jeopardy.

The paper notes that the Islamic authorities consulted considered a student could be exempted from fasting on the grounds of hardship if their ability to revise and study was being affected.

In pictures: Ramadan around the world Show all 27 1 /27 In pictures: Ramadan around the world In pictures: Ramadan around the world In pictures: Ramadan around the world In pictures: Ramadan around the world Russia Russian Muslims pray outside the central mosque in Moscow, during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Turkey Turkish Muslims offer Eid al Fitr prayers as they mark the first day of the Eid al-Fitr at Fatih Sultan Mosque in Istanbul Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Syria A Syrian Dervish dances as part of a traditional event organised by the Syrian Ministry of Tourism under the title 'Music and Dervishes' in the old city of Damascus EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Bosnia and Herzegovina A Bosnian Muslim man, wearing a traditional Bosnian outfit, fires a canon from a vantage point overlooking Sarajevo to mark the end of daily fasting on the final day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Pakistan A general view of an illuminated Mosque as Muslims pray during the 27th night of Ramadan, in Peshawar EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Pakistan Muslim women offer prayer of the Jumat-ul-wida, the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at a mosque in Lahore AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world India Muslims offer prayers on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Dargah Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Rex Features In pictures: Ramadan around the world Saudi Arabia The Prophet Mohammed Mosque in the holy city of Medina, during Ramadan EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Malaysia A Malaysian swings around fireworks to celebrate the last day of the Muslims' Holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur In pictures: Ramadan around the world Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz Muslims pray during the Eid al-Fitr Muslim celebration marking the end of Ramadan in Bishkek EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Ivory Coast People pray during the Laylat Al Qadr prayers on the 27th day of the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan in the front of the Aghin mosque in Abidjan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Syria Syrians shop for traditional sweets in Kafr Batna in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, ahead of Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Israel A Palestinian woman prays on the third Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City REUTERS In pictures: Ramadan around the world Iran Iranian Shiite Muslims pray at the graves of soldiers who were killed during 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, at the Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, just outside Tehran, Iran AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world Israel A Palestinian man pours water on Muslim worshippers' heads to cool off in the heat, as others pray outside the Dome of the Rock at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during the last Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Afghanistan Afghan women wait to receive food ration during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Herat EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Pakistan A Pakistani Muslim reads the holy Koran as he observes Itikaf at a Mosque, in Peshawar EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world India Kashmiri Muslim women offer prayers as the head priest (not pictured) displays a holy relic believed to be hair from the beard of the Prophet Mohammed, during special prayers to observe the Martyr Day of Hazrat Ali, cousin of Prophet Mohammed, on the 21st day of Ramadan, at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world India Indian Muslims sit with bowls of porridge(Nombu kanji)as they prepare to break the fast with the Iftar meal during the Islamic month of Ramadan at The Wallajah Big Mosque in Chennai AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Lebanon Spectators watch fireworks as a giant Fanous, or Ramadan lantern, is switched on four days before the start of Ramadan month in front of Mohamed al-Amine Mosque in downtown Beirut EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Lebanon Lebanese children perform during activities celebrating the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in downtown Beirut AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world Palestine Palestinian men drink tea on the promenade of Gaza beach Getty In pictures: Ramadan around the world Indonesia Members of Nahdlatul Ulama, the biggest Muslim organisation in Indonesia, hold a mass prayer session to welcome in Ramadan in Jakarta AFP/Getty In pictures: Ramadan around the world Iraq Iraqis shop for food in a preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Baghdad AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world Indonesia Foods is seen during 'Unggah-unggahan' ceremony to welcome in the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Pekuncen village Getty

In contrast to the flexibility around fasting, the paper argues, The pursuit of education is a religious and moral duty for all Muslim students of both genders. There are many references in the Quran and the hadith which urge believers to gain knowledge. For example, Seeking knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim, man and woman. (hadith).

Students who have important exams, the paper adds, Should be advised not to spend all night praying to avoid tiredness. Children and parents should be informed that extra devotions in Ramadan are voluntary; whereas for a young person to perform well in exams, given their consequences, is obligatory.

The ASCL was backed by Khola Hasan, of the Islamic Sharia Council, one of the consultees for the information paper, who said: Many Muslim students are able to keep the long summer fasts as well as revise and sit exams. But for those who think their performance may be affected, the paper offers options that are in accordance with Islamic guidelines.

The Islamic tradition has an established history of discussion, debate and reasoning. There are many concessions for hardship in observing religious commandments.

The paper stresses that schools and colleges should not dictate to children or their families how they should observe Ramadan, but it does alert teachers to possible safeguarding issues, and to the possibility that some pupils may fast because of peer pressure.

While some children and young people want to fast, it says, There are occasions when peers or others put pressure on them to do so. Further, some young people may feel guilty even though they feel that it is not in their best interests to fast.

The paper adds: If the school notices signs of dehydration or exhaustion then the child should be advised to terminate the fast immediately by drinking some water. They can be reassured that in this situation Islamic rulings allow them to break their fast and make it up later.

The paper also warns that the clash between Ramadan and exams will not be confined to this summer: [It] is likely to last until 2021; Ramadan will fall within the revision period for considerably longer.

During its research, the ASCL consulted university imams and representatives of organisations including British Muslims for Secular Democracy, the Association of Muslim Schools and the Mosques and Imams National Advisory board.

The paper notes, however: There was diversity of opinion within the group particularly in respect of the legitimacy of shorter fasting hours. Their endorsement does not mean that they are aligned with every part of this paper.

Anna Cole, of the ASCL, said: We hope this information will provide a positive opportunity for schools and colleges to engage with and help Muslim students and families to make these important decisions for themselves.
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Fidel Castro has emerged from seclusion to muse about death and provide encouragement to his followers in a rare speech at the closing of a Communist Party congress in Havana.

"Soon I will be 90 years old," he said. "Soon I will be like all the rest. Everybody's turn comes," Castro told 1,300 party activists gathered at a Havana convention centre.

Cries of "Fidel, Fidel" once again rang out as the now frail former leader made his most extensive public appearance in years, speaking with a strong, if slightly hoarse, voice.

"Perhaps this will be one of the last times I speak in this room," said Castro, sporting a blue tracksuit jacket, glasses and wispy gray beard.

"The ideas of Cuban Communists will remain," he said, "as proof that on this planet, if you work hard and with dignity,

As with other stage-managed appearances in recent years he not shown standing, even as his brother and all the delegates rose to their feet in his honor. But he looked healthier than he did for a long time after a serious illness that led him to relinquish power 10 years ago.

The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Show all 10 1 /10 The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Attempts made on Castro's life since he came to power in 1959: 638 (according to Fabian Escalante, former Cuban security chief) Reuters/Prensa Latina The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Castro is a baseball fan - with 16 teams making up the Cuban National Baseball League Reuters/Kimberly White The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Size of the original rebel army led by Castro and including Che Guevara that sailed to Cuba in 1956, eventually toppling President Batista on 1 January 1959: 82 STF/AFP/Getty Images The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Acts of "civil disobedience" logged in Cuba in 2005, according to a report by the exiled Cuban Democratic Directorate: 3,322 Miguel Vinas/AFP/Getty Images The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Age at which Castro began smoking cigars: 15 Age at which Castro gave up smoking cigars: 59 Jorge Rey/Getty Images The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Jorge Rey/Getty Images The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Reuters/Andrew Winning The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Total number of Cubans believed to have emigrated while Castro was in power: about 1.4 million (81 per cent of whom have settled in North America) Rodrigo Arangua/AFP/Getty Images The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Duration of a speech Castro made at the UN in 1960: 4 hours 29 minutes (listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the longest speech made in the United Nations) Tom Mihalek/Getty Images The Castropedia: Fidel's Cuba in facts and figures Films: Castro is listed as an "uncredited extra" in the 1946 musical Holiday in Mexico and as a "poolside spectator" in the romantic comedy Easy to Wed (also 1946) Hrvoje Polan/AFP/Getty Images

The eventual death of Fidel was once expected to destabilise Cuba, provoking CIA plots to kill him. The smooth transfer to his brother Raul Castro largely ended such speculation.

The congress reviewed difficulties the party faces implementing market reforms, maintaining its leadership over an increasingly diverse and informed population and dampening expectations raised by detente with the United States and President Barack Obama's visit to the country last month.

The visit provoked Castro earlier to charge Obama was sweet-talking Cubans and had nothing to offer them, a view repeated by various delegates at the congress.

The congress proved a disappointment to many residents, especially the youth, re-electing an aging leadership and proposing little new to tackle the country's economic problems.

Fidel Castro took power in a 1959 revolution and led the country until 2006, when he fell ill. He now lives in relative seclusion but occasionally writes opinion pieces or appears meeting with visiting dignitaries.

The iconic figure's influence waned with his retirement and the introduction of market-style reforms by his brother, but Fidel Castro still has moral authority among many residents, especially older generations.
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From the countless television programmes, newspapers and photographers which have chronicled the Queens life over the past 90 years the public would be forgiven for thinking they know pretty much all there is to know about the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

However, there still seems to be certain facts which come as a surprise, especially those which have stood the test of time for no real reason - like the fact she owns all the dolphins around the UK.

As the Queen turns 90 this week, here are some of the most surprising facts about Her Royal Highness.

Lack of passport

The Queen officially does not require a passport to travel. Exempt to strict immigration laws, the Queen can move as freely in and out of border control as she pleases because British passports are issued in her name.

Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Show all 62 1 /62 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II on a walk-about in Portsmouth during her Silver Jubilee tour of Great Britain, 1977 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The future Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (R) pictured with her younger sister Princess Margaret (L) in 1933 AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The 9-year-old Elizabeth attends an aristocratic wedding with her mother and younger sister. Later in that year with the death of her Grandfather and the Abdication of her Uncle Edward VIII she became first in line to the throne, 1936 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The coronation of King George VI in 1937, Elizabeth aged 10 became the heir apparent to the throne Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth and her sister arrive at Waterloo station to say goodbye to their parents as they leave to tour Canada. Elizabeth was thought too young to escort her parents on the tour and was described as "tearful" as they departed. She and her parents made the first ever transatlantic telephone call during their time away, 1939 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The 13-year-old Elizabeth and her sister Margret address children who have been evacuated from the cities on BBC's 'The Chilrens Hour' She said "We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers and airmen, and we are trying, too, to bear our share of the danger and sadness of war. We know, every one of us, that in the end all will be well", 1940 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Just before the end of the war Elizabeth took part in training to become an ATS officer. She is pictured learning to change a tire, 1945 AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The official announcement of Princess Elizabeth and Phillip Mountbatten's engagement. The pairing was incredibly controversial as Prince Phillip had no financial standing and he was foreign born, the prince of Denmark and Greece (though he served Britain in the war and was given British Citizenship), 1947 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II (in coach) and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are cheered by the crowd after their wedding ceremony, on 20 November 1947, on their road to Buckingham Palace, London Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth smiles at her first child, a month old Prince Charles. Charles was born on 14 November 1948 Corbis Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The couples second child Princess Anne was born in 1950 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Arriving back in England upon hearing the death of her father King George VI. The Kings health had been in decline for a number of years and Elizabeth had been filling in for him on an official visit to Australia by way of Kenya. As his heir Elizabeth became Queen aged 26 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth's coronation took place on 2 June 1953. It was the first ever coronation to be aired live on television, being one of the most watched events in history with millions gathering around their TV sets to see the new monarch Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II standing next to her daughter Princess Anne, 1960 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II President Eisenhower (centre) with the British Royal family (L-R) Prince Philip, Princess Anne, HM Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Captain John Eisenhower, at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, 1959 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II as she turns to smile and talk to an unidentified officer, during the Trooping of the Colour by the First Battalion of the Jamaica Regiment at Up-Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica, 1966 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II walking cross country at the North of Scotland Gun Dog Association Open Stake Retreiver Trials in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1967 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London, a regular fixture in the royal calendar, 1971 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their traditional summer break at Balmoral Castle. The highland retreat is one of the Queen's favourite places, each year, she heads off to Scotland for the summer. "It is rather nice to hibernate for a bit when one leads such a moveable life," she once said, 1976 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II during a walkabout in Muscat while visiting Oman, 1979 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II with some of her corgis walking the Cross Country course during the second day of the Windsor Horse Trials. The monarch is responsible for introducing a new breed of dog known as the "dorgi" when her corgi Tiny was mated with a dachshund "sausage dog" called Pipkin which belonged to Princess Margaret, 1980 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II (L-R) the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William, Prince Harry and the Prince and Princess of Wales after the christening ceremony of Prince Harry, 1984 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II taking the salute of the Household Guards regiments during the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in London, 1985 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Diana, Princess of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II as they smile to well-wishers outside Clarence House in London, 1987 AP Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II, with Chief Instructor, Small Arms Corp LT Col George Harvey, firing the last shot on a standard SA 80 rifle when she attended the centenary of the Army Rifle Association at Bisley, 1993 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II South Africa's President Nelson Mandela greets Queen Elizabeth II as she steps from the royal yacht Britannia in Cape Town at the 1995's official start of the her first visit to the country since 1947 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she visits Bowring Park in St. John's, Newfoundland, on the third day of a 10-day official visit to Canada, 1997 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh make their way into St. George's Chapel at Windsor for the annual Garter ceremony, 1999 AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II as they meet at the Vatican, 2000 AP Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother leaving church by horse drawn carriage on the Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, 2000 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth rides her horse in the grounds of Windsor Castle, 2002 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth arrives for the world premiere of James Bond movie "Casino Royale" at the Odeon cinema in Leicester Square in London, 2006 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth boards a scheduled train at Kings Cross station in London, 2009 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II planting a tree at Newmarket Animal Health Trust, during a royal visit which marked her 50th year as the charity's patron, 2009 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II talking with Pope Benedict XVI during an audience in the Morning Drawing Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh during a four day visit by the Pope to the UK, 2010 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II visiting the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2010 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from the crowd during her visit to Federation Square in downtown Melbourne, 2011 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth watches a preview of her Christmas message wearing a pair of 3D glasses, studded with Swarovski crystals in the form of a "Q", at Buckingham Palace in central London, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Members of Britain's royal family (front L to R) Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles cheer as competitors participate in a sack race at the Braemar Gathering in Braemar, Scotland, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Britain's Prince Charles kisses the hand of his mother Queen Elizabeth at the end of her Diamond Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace in London, 2012 Reuters Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge laughs as Queen Elizabeth gestures during a visit to Vernon Park in Nottingham, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend a service for the Order of the British Empire at St Paul's Cathedral in London, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II meets young people during an official visit to The Shard building in central London, 2013 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Actress Angelina Jolie is presented with the Insignia of an Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George by Queen Elizabeth II in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace, London, 2014 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red evolving art installation at the Tower of London, 2014 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the State Opening of Parliament, 2015 AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II (L-R) Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge holding his son Prince George of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry (back), Prince Andrew, Duke of York (back), James, Viscount Severn (front), Princess Beatrice of York (back), Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Eugenie of York (back) stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace waiting to view the fly-past during the Queen's Birthday Parade, 'Trooping the Colour,' in London, 2015 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The Trooping of the Colour is an annual celebration marking the Queen's birthday, 2015 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Britain's Queen Elizabeth II stands with Kate the Duchess of Cambridge whilst pushing Princess Charlotte in a pram as they leave after attending the Christening of Britain's Princess Charlotte at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, 2015 AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Broadway Theatre in Barking, 2015 Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II greets wellwishers during a 'walkabout' on her 90th birthday in Windsor in 2016 AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Members of the Royal Family during trooping of the colour in 2017 AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The Queen waves at Prince Harry and Meghan after their wedding in 2018 POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex gesture during their visit to the Storyhouse in Chester, Cheshire in 2018 AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Prince Charles reacts as he sits with his mother Britain's Queen Elizabeth II during an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, in Portsmouth in 2019 AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are joined by her mother, Doria Ragland, as they show their new son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Chris Allerton/Sussex Royal/PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II reacts as she visits the Haig Housing Trust in Morden in 2019 POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II takes her seat on the The Sovereign's Throne in the House of Lords next to Prince Charles, before reading the Queen's Speech during the State Opening of Parliament in 2019 POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II looks at the coffin of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during his funeral service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales pose alongside the tree which they planted to mark the start of the official planting season for the Queen's Green Canopy (QGC) at the Balmoral Cricket Pavilion, Balmoral Estate in Scotland POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Britain's Queen Elizabeth II cuts a cake to celebrate the start of the Platinum Jubilee during a reception in the Ballroom of Sandringham House, the Queen's Norfolk residence on February 5, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday will became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades, in a bittersweet landmark as she also marked the 70th anniversary of her father's death AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Westminster Abbey accompanied by Prince Andrew, Duke of York for the Service Of Thanksgiving For The Duke Of Edinburgh on March 29, 2022 in London Getty

Her language abilities extend further than Received Pronunciation

The Queen speaks fluent French and has been filmed conversing in the language when having meetings with French officials like President Hollande without requiring an interpreter.

She was a mechanic

In 1945, Princess Elizabeth joined the army and worked as a mechanic. When her parents, the King and Queen, visited her at the base she was found complete with overalls working on a lorry engine. Because of this, she is said to be one of the only Royals who could change a tyre and spark plug.

Her fish collection

While it might be more commonly known that the Queen technically owns all unmarked swans in the UK what might be less well-known is the amount of fish species that, again, she technically owns in the UK. A law from King Edward IIs time permits the monarch owning what are fishes royal which includes whales, dolphins, porpoises and sturgeons.

Aside from corgis, she owns sloths

The Queen with four of her corgis in October 1969 (STF/AFP/Getty Images)

As well as her beloved corgis, the Queen was reportedly gifted two sloths on a visit to Brazil in 1968 and has also received jaguars and black beavers from Canada. These pets did not live with her at Buckingham Palace but instead were donated to London Zoo.

The Queen sent her first email in 1976

Despite being one of the older generation the Queen sent her first email pretty early on. The first electronic correspondence from HRM was from an army base in 1976.

She doesnt need a driving license

Similar to the passport situation above, the Queen reportedly does not require a driving license as it is issued in the name of Her Majesty. She can drive though, as was evident swerved up onto the grass so not to have to wait behind a young family enjoying a stroll in Windsor Great Park last summer or when she reportedly drove the former King of Saudi Arabia around the Balmoral estate.

She has a lot of godchildren

Among the many royal engagements, eight grandchildren and now five great-grandchildren the Queen has, she is reportedly godmother to 30 people. The list of her godchildren includes former model Edwina Brudenell and Princess Dianas brother Earl Charles Spencer.

 Queen's Guard loses his temper with tourist

She collected coupons for her wedding dress

In a time of post-war austerity, the Queen collected rationing coupons in order to pay for the materials from which her wedding dress was made. Queen Elizabeth married her distant cousin Prince Philip in 1947 at Westminster Abbey in a live radio broadcast to 200 million listeners worldwide.
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As anyone who has sat or slept through the Queens Christmas speech will know, Her Majesty keeps her politics hidden from the public eye at all times. Always neutral, never biased, Elizabeth II has never given a press interview and does not vote in the general election. Dubbed Elizabeth the silent, the longest reigning monarch in history appears to be devoid of partisan opinions.

The Queen might have a weekly meeting with the Prime Minister but no written record is made of the private meeting and both parties ensure the topics discussed are never disclosed. And despite the fact Her Majesty keeps a diary, we won't a glimpse it for years to come.

But while the Queen might be legally obliged to remain neutral at all times and others are duty-bound to keep their encounters with her a secret, there have of course been occasions when her political views have slipped out. A mere mortal, the Queen has her own views, incentives, and interests.

Here are those rare occasions where the Queens political views have come to the fore:

Scottish Referendum

The fact the Queen wanted Scotland to remain in Britain was something of an open secret. During the tense final days of the Scottish referendum campaign, the Queen made an unusual intervention into the political domain. Speaking on her Balmoral estate in Scotland, she said, Well, I hope people will think very carefully about the future.

In the aftermath of the news that Scotland would be remaining in the UK, David Cameron also broke public convention and told the then New York mayor Michael Bloomberg that the Queen had purred down the line after he informed her of the referendum result. Of course, Cameron was forced to apologise, telling The Andrew Marr Show he felt extremely sorry and very embarrassed.

Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Show all 62 1 /62 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II on a walk-about in Portsmouth during her Silver Jubilee tour of Great Britain, 1977 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The future Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (R) pictured with her younger sister Princess Margaret (L) in 1933 AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The 9-year-old Elizabeth attends an aristocratic wedding with her mother and younger sister. Later in that year with the death of her Grandfather and the Abdication of her Uncle Edward VIII she became first in line to the throne, 1936 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The coronation of King George VI in 1937, Elizabeth aged 10 became the heir apparent to the throne Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth and her sister arrive at Waterloo station to say goodbye to their parents as they leave to tour Canada. Elizabeth was thought too young to escort her parents on the tour and was described as "tearful" as they departed. She and her parents made the first ever transatlantic telephone call during their time away, 1939 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The 13-year-old Elizabeth and her sister Margret address children who have been evacuated from the cities on BBC's 'The Chilrens Hour' She said "We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers and airmen, and we are trying, too, to bear our share of the danger and sadness of war. We know, every one of us, that in the end all will be well", 1940 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Just before the end of the war Elizabeth took part in training to become an ATS officer. She is pictured learning to change a tire, 1945 AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The official announcement of Princess Elizabeth and Phillip Mountbatten's engagement. The pairing was incredibly controversial as Prince Phillip had no financial standing and he was foreign born, the prince of Denmark and Greece (though he served Britain in the war and was given British Citizenship), 1947 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II (in coach) and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are cheered by the crowd after their wedding ceremony, on 20 November 1947, on their road to Buckingham Palace, London Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth smiles at her first child, a month old Prince Charles. Charles was born on 14 November 1948 Corbis Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The couples second child Princess Anne was born in 1950 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Arriving back in England upon hearing the death of her father King George VI. The Kings health had been in decline for a number of years and Elizabeth had been filling in for him on an official visit to Australia by way of Kenya. As his heir Elizabeth became Queen aged 26 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth's coronation took place on 2 June 1953. It was the first ever coronation to be aired live on television, being one of the most watched events in history with millions gathering around their TV sets to see the new monarch Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II standing next to her daughter Princess Anne, 1960 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II President Eisenhower (centre) with the British Royal family (L-R) Prince Philip, Princess Anne, HM Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Captain John Eisenhower, at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, 1959 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II as she turns to smile and talk to an unidentified officer, during the Trooping of the Colour by the First Battalion of the Jamaica Regiment at Up-Park Camp, Kingston, Jamaica, 1966 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II walking cross country at the North of Scotland Gun Dog Association Open Stake Retreiver Trials in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in 1967 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London, a regular fixture in the royal calendar, 1971 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their traditional summer break at Balmoral Castle. The highland retreat is one of the Queen's favourite places, each year, she heads off to Scotland for the summer. "It is rather nice to hibernate for a bit when one leads such a moveable life," she once said, 1976 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II during a walkabout in Muscat while visiting Oman, 1979 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II with some of her corgis walking the Cross Country course during the second day of the Windsor Horse Trials. The monarch is responsible for introducing a new breed of dog known as the "dorgi" when her corgi Tiny was mated with a dachshund "sausage dog" called Pipkin which belonged to Princess Margaret, 1980 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II (L-R) the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William, Prince Harry and the Prince and Princess of Wales after the christening ceremony of Prince Harry, 1984 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II taking the salute of the Household Guards regiments during the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in London, 1985 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Diana, Princess of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II as they smile to well-wishers outside Clarence House in London, 1987 AP Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II, with Chief Instructor, Small Arms Corp LT Col George Harvey, firing the last shot on a standard SA 80 rifle when she attended the centenary of the Army Rifle Association at Bisley, 1993 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II South Africa's President Nelson Mandela greets Queen Elizabeth II as she steps from the royal yacht Britannia in Cape Town at the 1995's official start of the her first visit to the country since 1947 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she visits Bowring Park in St. John's, Newfoundland, on the third day of a 10-day official visit to Canada, 1997 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh make their way into St. George's Chapel at Windsor for the annual Garter ceremony, 1999 AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II as they meet at the Vatican, 2000 AP Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother leaving church by horse drawn carriage on the Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, 2000 PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth rides her horse in the grounds of Windsor Castle, 2002 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth arrives for the world premiere of James Bond movie "Casino Royale" at the Odeon cinema in Leicester Square in London, 2006 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth boards a scheduled train at Kings Cross station in London, 2009 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II planting a tree at Newmarket Animal Health Trust, during a royal visit which marked her 50th year as the charity's patron, 2009 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II talking with Pope Benedict XVI during an audience in the Morning Drawing Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh during a four day visit by the Pope to the UK, 2010 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II visiting the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2010 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II receives flowers from the crowd during her visit to Federation Square in downtown Melbourne, 2011 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth watches a preview of her Christmas message wearing a pair of 3D glasses, studded with Swarovski crystals in the form of a "Q", at Buckingham Palace in central London, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Members of Britain's royal family (front L to R) Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles cheer as competitors participate in a sack race at the Braemar Gathering in Braemar, Scotland, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Britain's Prince Charles kisses the hand of his mother Queen Elizabeth at the end of her Diamond Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace in London, 2012 Reuters Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge laughs as Queen Elizabeth gestures during a visit to Vernon Park in Nottingham, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend a service for the Order of the British Empire at St Paul's Cathedral in London, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II meets young people during an official visit to The Shard building in central London, 2013 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Actress Angelina Jolie is presented with the Insignia of an Honorary Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George by Queen Elizabeth II in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace, London, 2014 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red evolving art installation at the Tower of London, 2014 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the State Opening of Parliament, 2015 AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II (L-R) Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge holding his son Prince George of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry (back), Prince Andrew, Duke of York (back), James, Viscount Severn (front), Princess Beatrice of York (back), Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Eugenie of York (back) stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace waiting to view the fly-past during the Queen's Birthday Parade, 'Trooping the Colour,' in London, 2015 Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The Trooping of the Colour is an annual celebration marking the Queen's birthday, 2015 Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Britain's Queen Elizabeth II stands with Kate the Duchess of Cambridge whilst pushing Princess Charlotte in a pram as they leave after attending the Christening of Britain's Princess Charlotte at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, 2015 AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Broadway Theatre in Barking, 2015 Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II greets wellwishers during a 'walkabout' on her 90th birthday in Windsor in 2016 AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Members of the Royal Family during trooping of the colour in 2017 AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The Queen waves at Prince Harry and Meghan after their wedding in 2018 POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex gesture during their visit to the Storyhouse in Chester, Cheshire in 2018 AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Prince Charles reacts as he sits with his mother Britain's Queen Elizabeth II during an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, in Portsmouth in 2019 AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are joined by her mother, Doria Ragland, as they show their new son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Chris Allerton/Sussex Royal/PA Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II reacts as she visits the Haig Housing Trust in Morden in 2019 POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II takes her seat on the The Sovereign's Throne in the House of Lords next to Prince Charles, before reading the Queen's Speech during the State Opening of Parliament in 2019 POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II looks at the coffin of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during his funeral service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II and Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales pose alongside the tree which they planted to mark the start of the official planting season for the Queen's Green Canopy (QGC) at the Balmoral Cricket Pavilion, Balmoral Estate in Scotland POOL/AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Britain's Queen Elizabeth II cuts a cake to celebrate the start of the Platinum Jubilee during a reception in the Ballroom of Sandringham House, the Queen's Norfolk residence on February 5, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday will became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades, in a bittersweet landmark as she also marked the 70th anniversary of her father's death AFP/Getty Queen Elizabeth II: Life in pictures Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Westminster Abbey accompanied by Prince Andrew, Duke of York for the Service Of Thanksgiving For The Duke Of Edinburgh on March 29, 2022 in London Getty

Abu Hamza

According to Frank Gardner, the BBC's Special Correspondent, the Queen was less than pleased about the delay in arresting Hamza. Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today Programme, Gardner recounted a private conversation hed had with her about the radical Islamist cleric. He said she was upset there had been no way to arrest Hamza and had spoken to the home secretary about the issue. The BBC also apologised for breach of confidence.

Nicknamed Hook by the tabloids, Hamza could normally be glimpsed in the same corner outside Finsbury Park Mosque in North London. He has since been sentenced to a life in prison in the US without the possibility of parole.

 Watch the difference between how Cameron and Corbyn mark the Queen's birthday at PMQs

Colonial Days

Speaking in Philadelphia in July 1976 during the bicentennial celebrations of American independence, the Queen revealed why she thought Britain had lost its American colonial outposts. In her own words, We lost the American colonies because we lacked the statesmanship to know the right time and the manner of yielding what is impossible to keep.

Turkey

According to author and broadcaster, Joan Smith, the Queen was not so keen for Turkey to enter the European Union. I was present when the Queen made a comment that was both reactionary and unconstitutional, alleges Smith. The commentator claims that she heard the comments on Turkey at a Christmas party at Downing Street.

The Queen turned to another person in the group and said: 'The EU is getting awfully big with 28 countries. They said that, actually, it was 27, 'but we are hoping Turkey will come in soon, to which the Queen said, 'Oh, we dont want Turkey to come in for a long time.

Apartheid Regime

The Queen was reportedly angered by Margaret Thatchers refusal to impose strict sanctions on the apartheid regime in South Africa. Under the headline, Queen dismayed by uncaring Thatcher", in 1986, The Sunday Times reported on their apparent rift, claiming that it had talked to Michael Shea, the Queens former press secretary. It wrote, The Queen considers the Prime Ministers approach often to be uncaring, confrontational and socially divisive. The Palace denied it.
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Comedian and actress Victoria Wood has passed away from cancer at the age of 62. She died peacefully at her north London home surrounded by family this morning.

Known as one of Britains most popular stand-up comics, the veteran television actress became a household name in the 1980s. A mainstay on British television, Wood was best known for her roles in Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques, Victoria Wood as Seen on TV and myriad other comedy shows.

A long-time friend of Julie Walters, Wood met the fellow actress at Manchester Polytechnic in 1970 and the pair went on to collaborate on a number of comedic projects. The most eminent partnership was Wood and Walters - a short-lived but well-loved show which had just one pilot in 1981 and seven shows in 1982.

Victoria Wood: Life in pictures Show all 30 1 /30 Victoria Wood: Life in pictures Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1975 Victoria Wood in 'The Summer Show' Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1975 Victoria Wood in the 'The Summer Show' show Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1979 Victoria Wood in 1979 Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1979 Victoria Wood in 1979 Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1980 Victoria Wood with Warren Mitchell of 'Alf Garnett' fame Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1980s Victoria Wood and Julie Walters in the 'Wood and Walters' Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1980 - 1982 Victoria Wood, Robert Langden and Julie Walters in the 'Wood and Walters' show Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1980 - 1982 Victoria Wood in the 'Wood and Walters' show Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1984 Victoria Wood poses for a photograph in 1984 Getty Images Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1985 Victoria Wood in the 'Wood and Walters' show Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1986 Victoria Wood with her BAFTA Award for The Best Light Entertainment Performance for "Victoria Wood As Seen on TV" Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1987 Victoria Wood and Gloria Hunniford in 'Sunday Sunday' show Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1988 Victoria Wood in the 'An Audience with Victoria Wood' ' Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1994 Victoria Wood and Julie Walters taking a break from filming "Pat and Margaret" Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1997 Victoria Wood and husband Geoffrey Durham with their children at Buckingham Palace for her OBE medal in London Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1998 Victoria Wood in the 'Dinnerladies' Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1998 (L-R) Maxine Peake as Twinkle, Anne Reid as Jean, Victoria Wood as Bren, Thelma Barlow as Dolly and Shobna Gulati as Anita from the BBC show Dinnerladies Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 1998 Victoria Wood in 1998 Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2005 Victoria Woods arrives at the UK premiere for 'The League Of Gentlemen's Apocalypse' at Vue Leicester Square in London Getty Images Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2005 Victoria Wood and Julie Walters with the lifetime achievement award they received at the Bristish Comedy Awards 2005 Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2007 Victoria Wood at Bafta TV Awards in London Palladium Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2008 Victoria Wood receiving her CBE at Buckingham Palace Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2008 Victoria Wood and Jennifer Saunders at Betty Jackson 2008/2009 Autumn Winter Fashion Collection for London Fashion Week Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2008 Victoria Wood attends Sir David Frost's Summer Party at Carlyle Square in London Getty Images Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2011 Victoria Woods attends the South Bank Sky Arts Awards at The Dorchester in London Getty Images Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2011 Victoria Wood in 'The Paul O'Grady Show' show Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2014 Victoria Wood signalling the beginning of The SunWalk, a pirate themed charity walk to raise money and awareness for breast cancer Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2014 Victoria Wood attends the BAFTA Television Craft Awards at The Brewery in London Getty Images Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2015 Victoria Wood and Paul Hollywood during the Sport Relief Bake Off Victoria Wood: Life in pictures 2015 Victoria Wood at the British Academy Television Craft Awards

Throughout the course of her colourful career, Wood received a number of awards and was appointed an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2008.

Here are a selection of her most amusing, astute and poignant quotes:

Everyones a national treasure these days; you cant move for them. But there should only ever be one at a time. For years, it was Dame Thora Hird. After she died, it was going to be Judi Dench, but then Joanna Lumley saved the Gurkhas so she got the gig. The Daily Mail

"When Im not working so much I do go out with my friends and have cups of tea and sometimes cups of champagne. The Telegraph

"In London it's easy not to be the focus of attention, especially when Sting lives in the house just behind you".

"My children wont even eat chips because some know-all bastard at school told them a potato was a vegetable".

"If they like you in the North of England they won't say, You were wonderful, darling! They'll say, You weren't bad or I didn't mind it. The Daily Mail

No. Ive had the same two friends. I just see them. Two friends from school, that is. I do have more than two friends.

Well, I think theres not much of a chance for me finding somebody of my age. Gentlemen of my age are dropping down 30 years to find girlfriends.

I was never hungry. Youre not if you eat all the time."

"In my 20's I was going round seeing agents who were patronising because I was fat and a girl, which was a double whammy. I knew what it was to feel out-of-the-loop".

"No, if I'm in a group I won't dominate. I never speak for the sake of speaking. I get annoyed if people do  as they tend to do. I think, 'Oh, shut up'." The Guardian

"I always loved children and babies and knew I wanted them, so being a mum came easily to me. I speak to my kids on a regular basis. I know their names. I even hug them occasionally".
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Two former soldiers have been cleared of raping their female colleague Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement in 2009.

Thomas Fulton and Jeremy Jones, both 28, were found not guilty of two charges of rape but told their conduct on the night of 20 November had nonetheless been "disgraceful".

Cpl Ellement was found hanged in her barracks at Bulford in Wiltshire on 9 October 2011, almost exactly two years after engaging in a drunk threesome with the two men while they were stationed in Germany.

A seven-strong court martial board on Thursday found the sex was consensual, but judge Jeff Blackett nonetheless condemned their behaviour on the night in question.

"This is not a moral judgment and I make no comment upon sexual practices involving more than two people," he said.

"But the way you treated Anne-Marie after your encounter was extremely unpleasant.

"After engaging in sex you effectively discarded her while you decided to go off to town without a thought for how she might be feeling or how she might get back to her accommodation safely.

"For Mr Fulton to call her those very unpleasant names including the word 'slag' was truly dishonourable.

"You may have grown up in the seven years since this incident and I hope you will never act in such an appalling way again.

"When you look back on what happened you must feel very ashamed."

In March 2014, coroner Nicholas Rhinberg said the "lingering mental effects" of the alleged rape were a factor in Cpl Ellement's suicide.

Mr Rhinberg found Cpl Ellement believed she had been raped and was strongly affected by the "deeply humiliating experience".

The case was nonetheless originally dismissed in 2010, and was only brought following a lengthy fight for justice by Cpl Ellement's family.

The judge said the case "should have been heard five years ago", but said it was nonetheless "absolutely correct" for proceedings to be reinstated.

Additional reporting by agencies
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The UK Government is warning gay people about travelling to parts of the US after two states introduced anti-gay laws.

The Foreign Office ;issued the new advice for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the wake of new legislation in North Carolina and Mississippi.

Previously, the Foreign Office had only issued general advice for LGBT people to "take care abroad", but lacked specific information about the US.

It follows the introduction last month of new legislation passed in North Carlina that allows businesses to turn away LGBT people on religious grounds.

The state's bathroom law, which has been described as "anti-trans", says people must use the public toilet designated for the biological sex they were born with, rather than the gender they identify with. Virginia and Tenneesee have recently overturned a similar law.

In Mississippi, critics have branded a bill passed three weeks ago that allows people to deny services to gay couples on religious grounds the most sweeping anti-LGBT legislation in the US.

Supporters have said it will protect religious freedom, but others have condemned it as a free pass to discrimination. It is scheduled to become law on 1 July.

The new Foreign Office advice states: The US is an extremely diverse society and attitudes towards LGBT people differ hugely across the country. Laws vary from state to state. When you are physically present in a state, even temporarily, you are subject to that states laws. You must carry a passport showing that you have leave to enter or remain with you at all times.

LGBT travellers may be affected by legislations passed recently in the states of North Carolina and Mississippi.

Before travelling please read our general travel advice for the LGBT community.

"You can find more detail on LGBT issues in the US on the wesbite of the Human Rights Campaign."

The bill in North Carolina, known as House Bill 1523, also protects people who do not recognise the gender identity of transgender people.

Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Ringo Starr have all cancelled concerts in North Carolina over the bill in that state, while Bryan Adams has done the same in Mississippi.

People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Show all 10 1 /10 People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Caitlyn Jenner People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Miley Cyrus Getty People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Kristen Stewart People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Cara Delevingne People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Keegan Hirst People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Ruby Rose People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights St Vincent (who's in a relationship with Cara Delevingne) People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Annie Lennox People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Ellen Page People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Justice Anthony Kennedy

Dr Felicity Daly, director of the LGBT Kaleidoscope Trust said: It is heartening the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is becoming more LGBT responsive in their work, its a good sign as it is an important issue in the UK, but most people who identify as LGBT in the UK will already be aware of the nature of certain states.

Matt Horwood of Stonewall charity said: Whats happened in Mississippi and North Carolina proves that equality is never secure.

"Its positive to see the UK government recognise this need and update its travel advice pages accordingly."

The Foreign Office's advice comes on the eve of US president Barack Obamas visit to the UK.
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A British hiker who had been missing for two weeks in Peru has been found dead, his family has announced.

Harry Greavess body was found by search teams in a 40 metre crevice in the Andes Mountains on Tuesday.

Our dearest Harry has been found, his family said in a statement.

Recommended Read more What you need to know about taking domestic flights in Peru

He was last seen on April 7 when he left for a solo mountain hike, two days before his 29th birthday. He was expected to return three days later.

His family described him as one of the most loveliest men you could ever wish to meet, adding he was an extremely genuine and caring person.

It is with great sadness that we announce that his smile will no longer give such light, he will no longer calm through his touch, and wisdom through his word," they said in a statement.

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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. 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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. 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Thank you to everyone who has helped us fund out beloved Harry. His spirit will always be with us. From his loving family.

Mr Greaves, a furniture maker originally from Oswestry, near Shropshire, was an experienced walker and had been on several outdoors holidays, according to his family.

He had arrived in Peru on 20 February, where he had attended a permaculture course and went on to meet friends in Pisac, near Coscou.

A search was launched by his friends and family, aided by the Lucie Blackman Trust, which scoured the area by land and helicopter.

Relatives set up a fund-raising page to fund the search, which reached 31,000.

The British Foreign Office confirmed the death and said: Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time and our Embassy staff are continuing to support them.

Additonal reporting by PA
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A day after Indias solicitor general told the Supreme Court it will not request the return of the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the government has insisted it still wants priceless jewel returned.

On Monday, India's solicitor general said the 106-carat diamond was given freely to the British in the mid-19th century by the family of the Punjabs Maharaja Ranjit Singh, adding it had been neither stolen nor forcibly taken by the British rulers.

The two-judge bench said it did not want to issue a ruling that might jeopardise a future attempt to bring back the diamond or other treasures that once belonged to India. It told the government to take six weeks to reconsider its position before the court decides whether to dismiss the petition.

But on Tuesday night, the Culture Ministry issued a statement saying it had yet to make its position known on the ownership of the stone and that Indias government would make all possible efforts to bring back the diamond.

Reportedly worth 100m, the diamond was discovered in the Golconda mines in what is now the southern Indian State of Andhra Pradesh.

Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Show all 32 1 /32 Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, paint an elephant statue at Kaziranga Discovery Park in Panbari village, in Kaziranga, some 250 km from Guwahati, the capital of the north-eastern state of Assam Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, feeds a baby elephant at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) at Panbari reserve forest in Kaziranga in the northeastern state of Assam, during the royal visit in India Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge, meet a rhino calf at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) at Panbari reserve forest in Kaziranga in the northeastern state of Assam Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Catherine and Prince William take a Game drive at Kaziranga National Park at Kaziranga National Park in Guwahati Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William visit a contact centre run by the charity Salaam Baalak, which provides emergency help and long term support to homeless children at New Delhi railway station Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge meet a young dancer as they watch dancing by the fireside during a Bihu Festival Celebration at Diphlu River Lodge Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet Prime Minister of India Narenda Mod in New Delhi's Hyderabad House during day three of the royal tour to India and Bhutan Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Catherine and William visited the Banganga Water Tank. They were given a traditional welcome at Bangana Water Tank and met representatives from SMILE, an organisation working in an economically deprived urban area to support local enterprise Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Duchess Of Cambridge enjoys a game of cricket during a visit to meet children from Magic Bus, Childline and Doorstep, at Mumbai's iconic recreation ground, the Oval Maidan Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge at India Gate in New Delhi Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and his wife Catherine take part in an event at the Gandhi Smriti, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, in New Delhi Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge meet young entrepreneurs during a visit to Mumbai Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge prepare to lay a wreath at the Inida Gate in New Delhi Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge remove their shoes at Gandhi Smriti in New Dehli, India before paying their respects at the Mahatma Gandhi memorial Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke and Duchess toured the museum housed in the Old Birla House and paid their respects at the place where Mahatma Gandhi's life ended on 30 January 1948 Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William pose for a picture at India Gate Memorial Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Catherine pay their respects at the place where Mahatma Gandhi's life ended on 30 January 1948, at Gandhi Smriti, the Old Birla House museum Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge poses with local school children as they tour Old Birla Hous in Gandhi Smriti in New Dehli Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke Duchess of Cambridge meet children from local charities Magic Bus, Childline and Doorstep, and join game of cricketwith boys from the Dilip Vengsarkar Academyat the Oval Maidan recreation ground Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are garlanded as they arrive at the Banganga Water Tank in Mumbai Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge plays football during a visit to meet children from Magic Bus, Childline and Doorstep Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge react after playing football during a visit to the Banganga Water Tank in Mumbai Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William play football games during a visit to the Banganga Water tank, where they met representatives of SMILE Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at a Bollywood Charity Gala hosted by the British High Commission and the British Asian Trust at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives for a Bollywood Inspired Charity Gala at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge speak with Boman Kohinoor during a meeting in Mumbai Prince William and Kate Middletons visit to India The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stand after laying a wreath on the martyrs memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai

For many, the stone is seen as a symbol of the countrys subjugation under British colonial rule in India and it should be returned as partial compensation.

In November, Bollywood stars and businessmen united to instruct lawyers to begin legal proceedings in Londons High Court to demand the return the Koh-i-Noor diamond.

The group, which has called itself the Mountain of Light after the translation of the stones name, says the diamond was stolen from its true home in India and are demanding that the UK Government returns it.

The colourless diamond was in the crown worn by the Queen Mother at the coronation of her husband King George VI in 1937 and again at Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953.

It is now part of the British crown jewels in the late Queen Mothers crown on display at the Tower of London.

India, Pakistan and Afghanistan have fought over who rightfully owns the diamond for years.
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A former Portuguese police inspector is reportedly planning to sue Madeleine McCanns parents after his own libel conviction for a book on the case was overturned.

Goncalo Amaral won the initial case at Lisbons appeals court on Tuesday, prompting a rush to publish his controversial book The Truth of the Lie, which alleges that Kate and Gerry McCann lied in the investigation into their daughters disappearance.

His lawyer, Miguel Cruz Rodrigues, told Portuguese media that he is now planning to sue the couple for damages to recoup alleged losses caused by their year-long legal action.

Former detective Goncalo Amaral poses with his book during its launch in Lisbon in 2008 (AP)

We are going to advance with a compensation claim against the McCanns, he told Expresso, according to a translation by The Sun.

My client has suffered years of prejudice and losses.

Mr Amarals plan was also reported by RPT television, with his representatives saying years of financial losses had been caused by the court battle and damage to his reputation.

The McCanns sought 1.2 million (950,000) in damages from Mr Amaral, saying they were totally destroyed and depressed by his allegations and felt ashamed that they might appear to have been to blame for their daughter's disappearance.

 Search for Madeleine continues

The former police inspector co-ordinated the Portugese investigation into the case for six months after Madeleine disappeared from the familys holiday home in the Algarve in May 2007.

His defence team argued that the book he initially published a year later stemmed from aspects of the police inquiry that local media had already reported  namely investigating the possibility that Madeleines parents may have been involved.

A lower court in Lisbon ordered Mr Amaral to pay 500,000 (395,000) in compensation last year but Mondays ruling overturned the judgement, and will now be fought by the McCanns in Portugals supreme court.

Isabel Duarte, the McCanns lawyer, said judges decided he can write what he wants but that the couple took the decision in their stride.

The Madeleine McCann case Show all 25 1 /25 The Madeleine McCann case The Madeleine McCann case Madeleine McCann One of the last photos of Madeleine before her disappearance EPA The Madeleine McCann case Madeleine McCann Madeleine McCann was three when she was abducted during a family holiday in 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Top worn by a man that detectives investigate with connection to disappearance of Madeleine McCann A computer generated image of the distinctive burgundy long sleeve top worn by a man that detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are looking for The Madeleine McCann case Apartment in Portugal from where Madeleine went missing An aerial view of the Ocean Club apartments and pool where Madeleine McCann went missing Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images The Madeleine McCann case Kate McCann Kate McCann speaks to the press outside the court house in Lisbon on 12 September 2013 following the first audience of the McCann couple's libel proceedings against former inspector Goncalo Amaral for a book written about the case of their missing daughter The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Kate McCann and Gerry McCann before the start of the 'Miles for Missing People' charity run in Regent's Park in London, 2011 The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Kate and Gerry McCann make an appeal at a press conference in the holiday resort of Praia da Luz, Portugal 7 May 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann The McCann's give an interview with a Spanish television channel at their home in Rothley The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Madeleine McCann was abducted in Portugal in May 2007 AP The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Preliminary forensic analysis on samples recovered from the McCanns' hire car raised the possibility of a match with Madeleine's DNA profile, according to the leaked report Getty Images The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Pope Benedict XVI blesses a photo of four-year-old abducted British girl Madeleine McCann, while meeting her parents Gerry and Kate McCann, after his weekly general audience at the Vatican, 2007 Reuters The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Gerald McCann and Kate McCann speak to the press on 4 May 2007 at the Ocean club appartement hotel in Praia de Luz in Lagos after Madeline vanished while her parents were out to dinner The Madeleine McCann case Portuguese police search for Madeleine Dozens of Portuguese police aided by dogs search for missing three-year old British girl Madelaine McCann in front of the Ocean club appartment hotel in Praia de Luz in Lagos The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Gerald McCann and Kate McCann walk holding their two other children outside the Ocean club apartment hotel in Praia de Luz in May 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Madeleine McCann Madeleine McCann pictured at the age of three, left, and as she might have looked aged nine PA/Teri Blythe The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have described as "pure speculation" reports in the Portuguese press suggesting that a chief suspect in the disappearance of their daughter was killed in a tractor accident four years ago. PA The Madeleine McCann case Tribute for missing Madeleine in Rothley, Leicesteshire Three year old Cally prepares to add a yellow ribbon to a floral tribute for missing Madeleine McCann in Rothley in Leicesteshire, 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Support for the missing Madeleine Everton captain Lee Carsley (L) leads his team onto the field, followed Mikel Arteta (C) and Manuel Fernandes (R) wearing Tshirts bearing a message of support for the missing British toddler Madeleine McCann, prior to the English Premiership match between Chelsea and Everton, at Stamford Bridge in London, 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Madeleine McCann A poster appealing for information about Madeleine McCann at a Spanish railway station PA The Madeleine McCann case BBC's Crimewatch reconstruction of Madeleine McCann's disappearance Former porn star Mark Sloan (L) was cast in the BBC's Crimewatch reconstruction of Madeleine McCann's disappearance BBC The Madeleine McCann case Clarence Mitchell holds two artist's impression of the new suspect McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell holds two artist's impression of the new suspect on 20 January 2008 in London. The description has come from British woman Gail Cooper, who was staying with her family close to the McCann's apartment in Portugal The Madeleine McCann case Image of a woman sought in the case Clarence Mitchell, the press spokesman for the McCann family, releases a photofit image of a woman sought in the search for missing Madeleine McCann Getty Images The Madeleine McCann case Suspect in disappearance of Madeleine McCann Police released two e-fits of suspect in disappearance of Madeleine McCann Getty Images The Madeleine McCann case Raymond Hewlett Convicted paedophile Raymond Hewlett, who is being sought in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann PA The Madeleine McCann case A picture of a suspect An artist's impression of a suspicious man seen by a witness apparently watching the McCann family's apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, the day before Madeleine McCann went missing Channel 4

She has not yet responded to The Independents request for comment.

Portuguese police closed the case in 2008 because authorities had detected no crime, but British police are still looking into it. Madeleine would turn 13 next month.



Additional reporting by PA
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The Portuguese detective who accused Madeleine McCann's parents of faking their daughter's abduction has won his appeal against a libel ruling.

Goncalo Amaral had been ordered in April last year to pay Kate and Gerry McCann 500,000 (394,000) in damages.

The McCanns had stated they would put all the pay out money back into the search for their missing daughter, MailOnline reports.

The former detective has been embroiled in a libel battle after he wrote and published a book called The Truth of the Lie in 2008 where he claimed the McCanns lied about Madeleine's kidnapping after the three-year-old died in their Algarve apartment in 2007

The McCann's lawyer, Isabel Duarte, responded to this latest decision by saying: "I have just learnt that the three appeal court judges have decided to overturn the original decision in favour of my clients.

"It was a unanimous decision. The original decision has been revoked.

 Search for Madeleine continues

"I and the McCanns are obviously disappointed but I am not surprised because one of the judges ruled in favour of a previous appeal overturning a ban on the book."

Detective Chief Superintendent, Mike Duthie, from Scotland Yard's homicide squad said there was still hope Madeleine could be found alive.

The Madeleine McCann case Show all 25 1 /25 The Madeleine McCann case The Madeleine McCann case Madeleine McCann One of the last photos of Madeleine before her disappearance EPA The Madeleine McCann case Madeleine McCann Madeleine McCann was three when she was abducted during a family holiday in 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Top worn by a man that detectives investigate with connection to disappearance of Madeleine McCann A computer generated image of the distinctive burgundy long sleeve top worn by a man that detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are looking for The Madeleine McCann case Apartment in Portugal from where Madeleine went missing An aerial view of the Ocean Club apartments and pool where Madeleine McCann went missing Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images The Madeleine McCann case Kate McCann Kate McCann speaks to the press outside the court house in Lisbon on 12 September 2013 following the first audience of the McCann couple's libel proceedings against former inspector Goncalo Amaral for a book written about the case of their missing daughter The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Kate McCann and Gerry McCann before the start of the 'Miles for Missing People' charity run in Regent's Park in London, 2011 The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Kate and Gerry McCann make an appeal at a press conference in the holiday resort of Praia da Luz, Portugal 7 May 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann The McCann's give an interview with a Spanish television channel at their home in Rothley The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Madeleine McCann was abducted in Portugal in May 2007 AP The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Preliminary forensic analysis on samples recovered from the McCanns' hire car raised the possibility of a match with Madeleine's DNA profile, according to the leaked report Getty Images The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Pope Benedict XVI blesses a photo of four-year-old abducted British girl Madeleine McCann, while meeting her parents Gerry and Kate McCann, after his weekly general audience at the Vatican, 2007 Reuters The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Gerald McCann and Kate McCann speak to the press on 4 May 2007 at the Ocean club appartement hotel in Praia de Luz in Lagos after Madeline vanished while her parents were out to dinner The Madeleine McCann case Portuguese police search for Madeleine Dozens of Portuguese police aided by dogs search for missing three-year old British girl Madelaine McCann in front of the Ocean club appartment hotel in Praia de Luz in Lagos The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann Gerald McCann and Kate McCann walk holding their two other children outside the Ocean club apartment hotel in Praia de Luz in May 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Madeleine McCann Madeleine McCann pictured at the age of three, left, and as she might have looked aged nine PA/Teri Blythe The Madeleine McCann case Kate and Gerry McCann The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have described as "pure speculation" reports in the Portuguese press suggesting that a chief suspect in the disappearance of their daughter was killed in a tractor accident four years ago. PA The Madeleine McCann case Tribute for missing Madeleine in Rothley, Leicesteshire Three year old Cally prepares to add a yellow ribbon to a floral tribute for missing Madeleine McCann in Rothley in Leicesteshire, 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Support for the missing Madeleine Everton captain Lee Carsley (L) leads his team onto the field, followed Mikel Arteta (C) and Manuel Fernandes (R) wearing Tshirts bearing a message of support for the missing British toddler Madeleine McCann, prior to the English Premiership match between Chelsea and Everton, at Stamford Bridge in London, 2007 The Madeleine McCann case Madeleine McCann A poster appealing for information about Madeleine McCann at a Spanish railway station PA The Madeleine McCann case BBC's Crimewatch reconstruction of Madeleine McCann's disappearance Former porn star Mark Sloan (L) was cast in the BBC's Crimewatch reconstruction of Madeleine McCann's disappearance BBC The Madeleine McCann case Clarence Mitchell holds two artist's impression of the new suspect McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell holds two artist's impression of the new suspect on 20 January 2008 in London. The description has come from British woman Gail Cooper, who was staying with her family close to the McCann's apartment in Portugal The Madeleine McCann case Image of a woman sought in the case Clarence Mitchell, the press spokesman for the McCann family, releases a photofit image of a woman sought in the search for missing Madeleine McCann Getty Images The Madeleine McCann case Suspect in disappearance of Madeleine McCann Police released two e-fits of suspect in disappearance of Madeleine McCann Getty Images The Madeleine McCann case Raymond Hewlett Convicted paedophile Raymond Hewlett, who is being sought in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann PA The Madeleine McCann case A picture of a suspect An artist's impression of a suspicious man seen by a witness apparently watching the McCann family's apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, the day before Madeleine McCann went missing Channel 4

Home Secretary, Theresa May, granted the Metropolitan Police a 95,000 budget to continue the hunt for the missing child for another six months.
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An 11-year-old French exchange student who failed to return to his host family on Tuesday night has been found safe and well.

Robin Godet-Archen was found in Devonshire Park, Plymouth, on Wednesday morning.

He had last been seen at the Guildhall area in the centre of Plymouth at around 5:10pm on Tuesday, and police had grown "increasingly concerned" for his safety.

The French boy, who has been in Plymouth since Sunday and has limited English, was expected to catch a bus in Royal Parade and return to his host family in the Stoke area of Plymouth, but he never arrived.

 Hermit missing in Italy for 20 years is found by mushroom pickers

Devon and Cornwall police had sent out an appeal for information about Robin, who is about 5ft tall, of slim build, with blond hair. He was last seen wearing a red and blue jacket with a square design, a black and white snood, light blue jeans and blue ankle high trainers, and was carrying a denim backpack. Police have thanked the public for htier assistance with the appeal.
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Each year on 20 April marijuana advocates around the world, from Amsterdam to California, celebrate cannabis culture  whether its legal or not.

Last year more than 1,000 people gathered in Londons Hyde Park to mark 4/20, smoking joints together at the designated time while calling for cannabis to be legalised.

But why are the numbers 420 synonymous with cannabis culture?

Recommended Read more Seven of the most popular myths about cannabis debunked

One urban myth suggested 420 was the penal code in the state of California used by police officers for marijuana use. But according to Snopes.com, the 420 penal code actually refers to obstructing entry on public land, and does not refer to marijuana use in any other US state, either.

The Huffington Post suggested the term 420 originated with a group of high school students in California in the 70s, and was later amplified through the subculture attached to Californian band the Grateful Dead and the publication High Times.

The term was allegedly coined in 1971 when a group of five students from the San Rafael High School went on a hunt for a plot of cannabis plants that were supposedly growing near the Point Reyes Peninsula Coast Guard Station. They say they met at 4:20pm outside their school to drive to the area and carry out the search many times.

They never found the patch, but the numbers 420 did become a useful code for them to communicate with each other.

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

I could say to one of my friends, Id go, 420, and it was telepathic. He would know if I was saying, Hey, do you wanna go smoke some? Or, Do you have any? Or, Are you stoned right now? It was kind of telepathic just from the way you said it, Steve Capper, one of the five, told The Huffington Post.

Our teachers didnt know what we were talking about. Our parents didnt know what we were talking about.

The five friends  nicknamed the Waldos  hung out with the band the Grateful Dead, and the use of 420 as a code for cannabis began to spread through the bands fans and its attached subculture. Journalist Steve Bloom writes on Celebstoner.com that in 1990, he attended one of bands shows in Oakland, California, and was handed a flyer that allegedly told the story of 420.

 4/20 London - Should marijuana be legal?

The flyer stated that 420 started somewhere in San Rafael, CA in the late 70s, but included the incorrect information that it started as the police code for Marijuana Smoking in Progress. It did, however, include a call for people to gather together at 4:20pm on 4/20  the American style for writing 20 April, and smoke a joint as part of a day of celebration.

Mr Bloom writes that 420 was a bit of stoner slang Id never heard of, and published the flyer in the May 1991 issue of High Times.

Steve Hager, then editor of the publication, told the Huffington Post that he started incorporating it into everything we were doing, and built a number of events around 420, from the World Hemp Expo Extravaganza to the Cannabis Cup.

As for the origin of 420, Mr Hager told the news site that no one has been able to come up with a use of 420 that pre-dates the Waldos 1971 story. So unless somebody can come up with something that pre-dates them, then I dont think anybodys going to get credit for it other than them, he said.
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Labour MPs have hit out at David Cameron for lending his support to an Islamophobic campaign against their partys Muslim candidate for Mayor of London.

David Cameron used his weekly platform at PMQs to echo attacks made by Zac Goldsmith against Sadiq Khan  which have prompted accusations the Tories campaign is racist.

Mr Khan has long campaigned against Islamic extremism and described it as a cancer eating at the heart of our society.

Recommended Read more Zac Goldsmith posed for a photo with imam he attacked Sadiq Khan over

But the Tory campaign has sought to draw links between Mr Khan and extremist figures by repeatedly noting he has shared platforms with his local imam, Suliman Gani.

Mr Cameron said: Suliman Gani  the honourable member for Tooting has appeared on a platform with him nine times. This man supports IS [the so-called Islamic State].

They are shouting down this point because they dont want to hear the truth. Anyone can make a mistake about who they appear on a platform with  but if you do it time after time after time it is right to question your judgment.

The Prime Minister did not mention that Mr Goldsmith himself had his photograph taken with Mr Gani outside a Conservative party event, after being introduced.

Labour MP Chuka Umunna tore into Mr Cameron for the comments.

So David Cameron has joined Zac Goldsmith's Islamophobic campaign against Sadiq Khan. Utterly disgraceful, he said.

Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Show all 7 1 /7 Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Sadiq Khan - Labour The MP for Tooting, Sadiq Khan says the mayoral election will be a 'referendum on the Tory housing crisis'. He has also pledged to freeze fares until 2020. Son of a bus driver, and doesn't let anyone forget it. His Conservative opponent has made claims about people who he has previously associated with - but attacks so far have failed to stick Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Zac Goldsmith - Conservative The MP for Richmond, Zac Goldsmith is a longstanding campaigner against the expansion of Heathrow airport. Despite his environment credentials - he once edited The Ecologist magazine - the Tory candidate has said he would 'rip out' Boris Johnson's cycle lanes if they don't work. A very wealthy man, his campaign has been dogged by accusations of racism against Sadiq Khan Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Sian Berry - Green Party A councillor in the London Borough of Camden, Sian Berry is campaigning on improving homes for renters, cleaning up London's air pollution, and flattening fare zones to help Londoners. She previously ran as the party's mayoral candidate in 2008. In 2012, the Green Party came in third place Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Caroline Pidgeon - Liberal Democrat A Liberal Democrat London Assembly member for eight years, Caroline Pidgeon has a strong record on the Assembly's transport committee standing up for commuters and cyclists alike. She wants to set up a 2 billion housing investment fund and make all the capital's buses zero emission Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Peter Whittle - UKIP UKIP hasn't fared so well in London in previous elections, but is hoping for a breakthrough this time. Peter Whittle has been UKIP's culture spokesperson for two years. He tends to focus on the impact of immigration on London's housing crisis Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance George Galloway - RESPECT George Galloway has made a habit of defying the odds and pulling off stunning victories when standing for Parliament. His campaign - based on the slogan 'a London for all' has so far failed to make headway in the polls - has his luck run out? Mayor of London 2016 - the candidates at a glance Sophie Walker - Women's Equality Party A journalist, Sophie Walker is campaigning for the little-known Women's Equality Party. She is pledging to make 'equality and diversity the fuel that drives our nation's capital' with measures to increase women's representation in enterprise, more affordable homes and flexible childcare

The PMs comments seek to shift the London Mayoral campaign from housing and transport  on which Sadiq is winning  to religion. Appalling.

[David Cameron] thinks it is a crime for Sadiq Khan to be a Muslim and have been a human rights lawyer.

Labour MP Jo Cox added: Shame on the Prime Minister for joining Zac Goldsmith's Islamophobic campaign against Sadiq Khan. Disgraceful.

Most polls suggest Mr Khan has a substantial lead over Tory candidate Mr Goldsmith in the race to become Mayor of London.

Mr Khan has pledged to freeze transport fares and use City Hall to directly build more affordable homes.

Mr Goldsmith is an opponent of Heathrow Airport expansion and has focused his campaign on Mr Khans character.

Other candidates include Sian Berry of the Green Party, Caroline Pidgeon of the Liberal Democrats, and Peter Whittle of Ukip.

Londoners will go to the polls on 5 May, the same day as the elections ot the London Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, and some local authorities.
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David Cameron has been forced onto the defensive over his controversial plan to force every school in the country to become an academy, following a sustained attack from Jeremy Corbyn and growing opposition from his own backbenchers.

Mr Corbyn used his weekly Parliamentary joust with the Prime Minister to condemn Tory plans for the mass reorganisation of schools in England.

Significantly, as Mr Cameron defended the Governments proposals, his remarks were greeted with an unusually muted response from his own backbenchers.

In contrast, Mr Corbyns performance was one of his strongest in PMQs for many weeks with even Labour critics praising their leader.

Mr Corbyn seized on Tory opposition to the forced academisation programme, quoting former Education Select Committee chairman Graham Stuart and Colchester MP Will Quince.

The pair were among several Conservatives to express deep reservations about the plans during a Labour-led Commons debate last week.

As you well know every teacher, every parent, every pupil wants the best they can get for their schools and they want a good education system, Mr Corbyn said.

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. 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"What many are concerned about is this top down reorganisation.

"If you won't listen to the former chair of the Education Select Committee, will you listen to your friend, the member for Colchester, who said this - 'if a school is well governed, well run and performing well it should be left alone and allowed to do its job'.

"Can you explain why good school leaders should focus their time and resources not on educating children but on arbitrary changes imposed from above?"

Mr Cameron replied that outstanding or good schools had nothing to fear from becoming academies but a huge amount to gain.

"The truth is even about outstanding or good schools we want them to be even better and the truth is academies and greater independence, letting head teachers run their schools, has been hugely effective, he said.

But Mr Cameron was then forced to dismiss comments from his own local Conservative councillor in Oxfordshire, Melinda Tilley, who said she was "fed up with diktats from above" in relation to the academies plan, according to Mr Corbyn.

And the PM also had to defend the plan from the criticism of Graham Brady, influential chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tories.

Mr Corbyn said: "You claim to be an advocate of devolution, so are you not concerned about criticisms from your friend (Mr Brady) who says 'there is little accountability or parental involvement'?

"Can't you understand the anger so many people feel that just being imposed on them the system they don't want on what are often already very good if not outstanding schools?"

The Prime Minister hit back, claiming failing academies are turned around sooner than council-run schools which often underperform for years.

 Watch Tory MPs cheer as David Cameron uses McDonald's advertising slogan in Parliament

Mr Cameron said: "It's always good to get a lecture on diktats from someone whose press secretary is an avowed Stalinist, I'll pass over that.

"The truth is creating academies is true devolution because you are putting the power in the hands of the headteachers and the teachers.

"And of course you'll find people in local government who want to keep things exactly as they are, but the truth is one of the reasons I so strongly support academies is that when they fail, they are intervened on so much faster.

"Local authority schools are often left to fail year after year after year.

"I think one year of a failing school is one year too many so let's encourage academies, let's build a great education system and let's have opportunity for all our children."

The Labour leader then accused the PM of cutting school spending but earmarking more than 1 billion for forced academisation.

We appear to be heading into some kind of fantasy land here," he said.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies states that school spending is expected to fall by at least 7 per cent in real terms in the next four years, the biggest cut since the 1970s.

"So why on earth are you proposing to spend 1.3 billion on a top down reorganisation that wasn't in your manifesto?

"Teachers don't want it, parents don't want it, governors don't want it, head teachers don't want it, even your own MPs and councillors don't want it.

"Can't you just think again and support schools and education, not force this on them?"

Mr Cameron claimed the Government had protected spending per pupil since 2010 and highlighted 7 billion being spent on more school places to make up for the previous Labour government's "woeful" lack of action.

"That is the truth on spending," the PM added.

He then attacked Labour for blocking a bid by McDonald's to run a stand at its party conference in Liverpool.
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The French far right leader Marine Le Pen is to come to Britain in the next couple of weeks to campaign for Brexit.

Ms Le Pen, whose arrival is unlikely to delight mainstream Brexiteers, will appear alongside the former UKIP Euro MP, Janice Atkinson, who belongs to the same group as the French Front National in Strasbourg.

Ms Le Pen, like other French nationalist politicians, is a keen supporter of Brexit because she believe that it would start a chain reaction of decomposition of the European Union.

 Who is Marine Le Pen?

(British departure) will prove that it is possible to live outside the European Union. Either we are free or we are not, Ms Le Pen said recently.

Ms Atkinson, Euro MP for south east England, was expelled from UKIP in March last year after her chief of staff was alleged to have tried to inflate her European Parliament expenses. Police have since decided to take no further action.

Ms Le Pens presence on the Brexit campaign is likely to irritate UKIP and other pro-departure campaigners.The UKIP leader Nigel Farage has fallen out with Le Pen in recent years and has described her party as racist and anti-semitic.

What has the EU ever done for us? Show all 7 1 /7 What has the EU ever done for us? What has the EU ever done for us? 1. It gives you freedom to live, work and retire anywhere in Europe As a member of the EU, UK citizens benefit from freedom of movement across the continent. Considered one of the so-called four pillars of the European Union, this freedom allows all EU citizens to live, work and travel in other member states. What has the EU ever done for us? 2. It sustains millions of jobs A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, released in October 2015, suggested 3.1 million British jobs were linked to the UKs exports to the EU. What has the EU ever done for us? 3. Your holiday is much easier - and safer Freedom to travel is one of the most exercised benefits of EU membership, with Britons having made 31 million visits to the EU in 2014 alone. But a lot of the benefits of being an EU citizen are either taken for granted or go unnoticed. What has the EU ever done for us? 4. It means you're less likely to get ripped off Consumer protection is a key benefit of the EUs single market, and ensures members of the British public receive equal consumer rights when shopping anywhere in Europe. What has the EU ever done for us? 5. It offers greater protection from terrorists, paedophiles, people traffickers and cyber-crime Another example of a lesser-known advantage of EU membership is the benefit of cross-country coordination and cooperation in the fight against crime. What has the EU ever done for us? 6. Our businesses depend on it According to 71% of all members of the Confederation of British Influence (CBI), and 67 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the EU has had an overall positive impact on their business. What has the EU ever done for us? 7. We have greater influence Robin Niblett, Director of think-tank Chatham House, stated in a report published last year: For a mid-sized country like the UK, which will never again be economically dominant either globally or regionally, and whose diplomatic and military resources are declining in relative terms, being a major player in a strong regional institution can offer a critical lever for international influence.

Ms Le Pen speaks little English. Her trip to Britain will probably be dismissed by Brexiteers as largely for internal French political consumption.

Meanwhile, a new opinion poll for the French centre-right newspaper Le Figaro shows large to overwhelming majorities against Brexit in four large, continental EU nations. According to the TNS poll even French voters  divided in another survey recently  are 59 to 41 per cent against British departure.

Voters in Poland, surprisingly in view of the large number of Poles living in Britain, were the most lukewarm of the countries polled. They were were 54 per cent for continuing British membership, 39 per cent against and 7 percent undecided.

Voters in Germany were an overwhelming 78 per cent for British membership of the EU and Spanish voters 67 per cent for. A simultaneous poll in the UK put the two sides almost neck and neck  38 percent for the EU, 34 per cent against and 28 per cent undecided.
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Britain will be left with no empire, no union and no special relationship with the US if the country votes to pull out of Europe, the former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned.

In his first major intervention into the referendum debate ahead of President Barack Obamas visit to the UK on Thursday to give his endorsement to the Remain campaign Mr Clegg said the referendum fight represented a choice between Great Britain or Little England.

Recommended Read more Marine Le Pen to visit Britain to campaign for Brexit

And he suggested that a vote to leave would not only damage Britains relationship with the US, but could also end up splitting the UK, with Scotland breaking away to remain in the European Union, leaving England and Wales isolated.

Leaving the European Union will have an unravelling effect on all our most important relationships  with our neighbours in Europe, with our cousins in America and even with our brothers and sisters within the United Kingdom if it pushes Scotland closer to independence. We will be left with no empire, no union and no special relationship. We will never have been so alone. Never so isolated. Never so powerless.

In his speech to Princeton University in New Jersey, Mr Clegg also warned that a vote to leave would mean the UK sacrificing our seat at the top table of world affairs in favour of a new era of isolation.

Without a leadership role in the union of 500 million citizens on our doorstep, why should the Americans or the Indians or the Chinese, actually listen to us? Mr Clegg said. We cant influence the rest of the world if we retreat from our corner of it.

Mr Clegg poured scorn of the leaders of the Leave campaign for disparaging the views of President Obama and other leading US political figures in favour of those expounded by the Republican Presidential contender Donald Trump.

A British exit would be the most isolationist deed in the past century <p>Former US Treasury Secretary, Larry Summers</p>

The choice for any British voter who cares about American opinion couldnt be clearer: Trump wants Britain out of the EU; President Obama wants us to stay in. I know whos side I  and I suspect millions of other Brits  would rather be on.

Mr Obama is due to fly into London on Thursday night for a two-day visit that will include a press conference in Downing Street and a town-hall question-and-answer session in London.

Nick Clegg and President Obama sharing a joke together in 2011 (Getty Images)

The US President will use the trip to weigh in on the side of the Remain campaign  and make clear the fabled special relationship with the US depends as much on Britains position as a leading member of the EU as it does on the historic tied between the two countries. Downing Street hopes that the Presidents message will cut through to undecided voters in a way in that warnings of Brexit from other international institutions has not.

In Parliament, David Cameron urged people to listen to what Mr Obama had to say. Personally, I believe we should listen to advice from friends and other countries, and I struggle to find the leader of any friendly country who thinks we should leave, the Prime Minister said.

In his speech, Mr Clegg claimed that Brexit would reduce Britains importance to the US as an ally.

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. 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When it comes to transatlantic trade, information- and intelligence-sharing and influence on our shared strategic priorities, whether it is fighting climate change or tackling stateless terrorism, Britain remains one of Americas most important allies because of the clout we wield  and are capable of wielding  across our own continent, he said. But without that ability to influence Europes economic and trade priorities, or its approach to intelligence and information sharing, or how we work together to fight climate change or tackle terrorism, Britains value to America is severely diminished.

Larry Summers, who served as Treasury Secretary in Bill Clinton's administration, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Brexit would be the most isolationist deed in the past century and would damage Britain's economic future and standing in the world, as well as reducing the effectiveness of the transatlantic special relationship.

But prominent Leave campaigner and former defence secretary Liam Fox challenged the assessment that Brexit would diminish the UK's role in the world.

Recommended Read more David Cameron asked about EU exit and Eurovision at PMQs

There are many other areas than just money where Britain matters, security being one of them  we have the world's fifth biggest defence budget, Dr Fox told Today. Unless there is fundamental change in that European leadership, we will have an imploding continent, and a British exit may give them the shock therapy they require to make the change necessary to stop Europe falling apart.

Meanwhile, the EU's most senior official admitted the 28-nation bloc had lost popularity because it over-regulated and interfered too much in people's lives.

Answering questions from British MPs in Strasbourg, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said: I think that one of the reasons that European citizens are stepping away from the European project is that we are interfering in too many domains of their private lives. And too many domains where the member states are better placed to take action and pass legislation.

Mr Juncker insisted the commission was doing less now in the face of such concerns.
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The Government has backed down over plans to scrap the so-called check-off system of paying union dues.

Under check-off public sector workers can pay their union subscriptions by having them automatically deducted from their wages.

Ministers had wanted workers to have to arrange payment themselves, but now announced a pause in the plan.

Unions said the move would lead to a loss of funds by making it more complicated to subscribe to a trade union.

The Government's assessment of the policy suggested unions would be hit by 11 million in one-off transition costs and that they would have to pay at least 5 million a year in banking fees.

Arguments have been made with considerable vim and vigour that by ending check-off and moving to direct debit, those on low pay and especially those who have pay day loans might have to cease being trade union members or have to pay extra bank charges, Cabinet Office minister Lord Bridges of Headley said.

Again, this is not our intention and never has been.

The Trades Union Congress welcomed the change but said the remainder of the Governments Trade Union Bill was also flawed.

Banning workers from choosing to pay union subs in a convenient way through their payroll would, as many have warned, damaged industrial relations and morale in key services, said TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady.

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady (AFP/Getty)

While this is an important milestone, the TUC remains opposed to the Trade Union Bill in its entirety and will continue to push for further changes when it is debated again in the House of Commons next week.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: This is welcome news and shows the pressure we are applying is working, but the trade union bill is rotten to the core and no amount of tinkering by the government can change that.

The proposals are a vile cocktail of everything that is wrong with the Tories approach to working people and our economy, and the bill should be scrapped in its entirety.

The Conservatives tried to scrap check-off under the Coalition government but were blocked from doing so on a blanket basis by the Liberal Democrats.

Some departments however dropped the system on a unilateral basis.
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The Saudi Arabian government has paid for nearly a dozen Conservative MPs to fly out to visit the country this year so far, official records reveal.

The latest version of MPs register of interests show 11 MPs have registered parliamentary fact-finding visits paid for by the Saudi Arabian ministry of Foreign Affairs.

All the MPs to accept the trips and to so far register them are Conservatives. One, Sir Alan Duncan, is the chair of the House of Commons Intelligence and Security Committee.

The gifts mark an intensification of the autocratic petro-states lobbying efforts in Britain amid increasing criticism of both its domestic human rights record and alleged war crimes.

The trips, which included hotel accommodation and flights, are each worth between around 1,500 and 3,700, according to the register of interests.

They come amid accusations by the United Nations and international charities that Saudi Arabia is committing war crimes in its bombing campaign in Yemen.

Civilian targets hit by Saudi Arabian bombs include multiple international hospitals operated by Doctors Without Borders, schools, and weddings.

10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty

The House of Commons International Development Committee recommended an arms embargo against the country last month, but the Government has so far ignored these concerns.

There is no sign of British Government support for Saudi Arabia abating, with new figures out yesterday showing ministers issued over 120 military export licences to the country since the bombing began, worth 2.8 billion.

With the Government only having a slim majority, Tory backbenchers' views on Saudi Arabia could be key in any crunch votes that might see action taken against the Kingdom.

Last month the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon himself paid a low-key visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met with Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, the mastermind of the countrys internal repression policies.

The MPs gifted the trips visited the country in two waves, the first for four days in mid-February and the second for four days in early April.

MPs are legally required to declare any donations they receive over a certain cost limit, including paid trips.

The MPs listed as having received paid-for visits to the the country are Edward Argar, Rehman Chisti, Sir Alan Duncan, Sir Edward Garnier, David Jones, Kwasi Kwarteng, David Mackintosh, Mark Pawsey, Royston Smith, Martin Vickers, and Helen Whately.
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David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn used Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday to mark the day before the Queen's 90th birthday  though, one appeared markedly more effusive than the other.

Starting the weekly session Nigel Adams, Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty, paid tribute to the monarch Queen Elizabeth II who declared in 1947 that her whole life, whether long or short, would be dedicated to the service of our nation.

Mr Adams argued that nobody could possibly argue that her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has done anything other than fulfill her promise to the nation with dignity and grace.

The Prime Minister, nodding in agreement with his colleague said: Tomorrow is an important landmark not only for her Majesty the Queen but also for our country and the Commonwealth as a whole.

"She has served our nation with such dignity and such ability for so many years  64 years on the throne. And I think its right were going to have the opportunity in the House tomorrow to pay tribute to what she has done and I know the whole country and the whole House will want to join me in saying long may she reign over us."

The life-long republican and Labour leader, however, appeared to have a slightly different approach  or, as the New Statesman's Political Editor George Eaton described: "as much enthusiasm as any lifelong republic should summon".

He said: Im also looking forward to wishing her a happy birthday tomorrow but until then Mr Speaker could the Prime Minister explain why he is intent on forcing good and outstanding schools to become academies against the wishes of teachers, parents, school governors and local councillors?
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Demonstrators took to the streets of Cairo after a police officer fatally shot a street vendor after arguing with him over the price of a cup of tea.

The officer opened fire with an assault rifle shooting the vendor through the heart and injuring two others.

The official MENA news agency later quoted an unnamed security official as saying that Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar has referred the officer to the prosecutor's office.

Around 200 people gathered on the streets of the New Cairo district on the east of the city to pelt the police with rocks and chant the Interior Ministry are thugs.

Photos and video clips appeared online showing the protesters pushing over an ambulance and a police car.

Abuses of power by police are nothing new in Egypt, but recent cases have provoked unrest in the country.

Similar assaults by law enforcement were one of the factors in the Arab Spring uprising of 2011 that toppled former dictator, Hosni Mubarak.

Human rights groups say a culture of impunity among the Egyptian security forces has led to widespread police brutality. Trials of offending officers are rare and, when they do occur, sentences are usually appealed and subsequently reduced.

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

Earlier this month, an officer was sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of killing a 24-year-old taxi driver in February.

It comes after an Italian security team arrived in Cairo on Tuesday to review the case of an Italian student who was found dead by the side of the road with signs of severe torture after he had been researching Egyptian trade unions.

Italy has said it was prepared to take "immediate and proportional measures" against Egypt if it fails to provide all the information it has about the torture and death of doctoral student Giulio Regeni.

Earlier this month, Italy withdrew its ambassador in Egypt after authorities repeatedly denied its security services involvement in the killing.

Additional reporting by AP
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If your lobby is on Fifth Avenue, is draped in marble and gold with a waterfall to boot, then why feel awkward about a slightly obvious playlist? Start spreading the news, boomed Frank Sinatra as the most famous New Yorker of all stepped to the microphone. If I make it there, I can make it anywhere.

Which, of course, Donald Trump had done handsomely in the latest Republican primary Tuesday and not in just the city, which is what Sinatra was crooning about. He had crushed his opponents, Senator Ted Cruz and Governor John Kasich, all across the Empire State. No little town blues for him.

Ebullience erupted among Trump courtiers as the polls closed and within seconds the US networks declared the former reality host the winner and by a very wide margin. A gaggle of his aides  and there are some new ones nowadays  spontaneously broke into applause. Sliding into an elevator almost unseen was Donald Trump Jr, preening himself in its mirror before the door closed. Tie straight? Check.

Forgive Family Trump a little exuberance. The candidate who had been so cocky for so long, often holding these post-primary events in his other humble home, Mar-A-Lago in Florida, had just endured a bloody few weeks. He had lost the last contest, in Wisconsin, badly to Mr Cruz and his campaign has since been riven by turbulence and strife. He need a really big win in New York, which he has got.

And in fact he exuded something close to generous humility at the microphone. There was no mocking Lyin Ted. This is really nice, he said three times. Nice? Really, Donald.

Its been an incredible evening, its been an incredible day, he declared, facing a deep throng of reporters wedged between the glossy windows of the Gucci store that anchors Trump Tower, a slightly discordant Starbucks above him the mezzanine. (Lots of product placements here if this were a movie.)

We have been all over the state. New York state has problems just like every other state in the union we are not going to let it happen anymore. We are going to stop it.

He was getting going, the oxygen of victory almost audibly filling his tanks again. You are going to be really proud of this country very soon, he boomed. Nobody is going to mess with us.

Still, things that have been bothering him were still ricocheting through his mind. Like all those delegates that Senator Cruz has been winning in states like West Virginia and Colorado by working the arcane Republican Party rules to the max and leaving the Trump campaign empty handed.

It is really nice to win the delegates with the votes, you know, its really nice, he said (that word again) triggering a round of Trump! Trump! Trump! from the coterie of pals and hangers-on. Nobody should take delegates and claim victory unless they get thosee delegates with voters and voting.

And he sounded a warning to those in the party, and his rivals, to disabuse themselves of the notion that if he arrives at the party convention in July with the greatest number of delegates but fewer than the majority that the rules asked for that they might snatch the nomination away from him. The people arent going to stand for it, Mr Trump suggested. Its a crooked system, its a system thats rigged.

Lingering on the topic he even had words of sympathy for Senator Bernie Sanders who on the Democratic side can win and win only to be told over and again that he has no chance of securing his partys nomination. (Though Bernie bungled New York.) But the Republican system is worse, he averred.

And he pushed back against those stories of strife and infighting in his campaign as he reshuffles and hires fresh folk precisely in response to the poor job he has done of grabbing extra delegates outside of the primaries. Its actually a team of unity, its evolving, but people dont understand that, he said.

But it was not a night for whining. Mr Trump likes to win. And he likes landslides, which is what he was getting. And he may have taken particular pleasure in the news that his greatest threat, Mr Cruz, had been sent crashing to a third place in New York. That miserable result was surely the fruit of Mr Cruzs attempts to smear Mr Trump several weeks ago for representing so-called New York values.

And is there anything wrong with New York values? Mr Sinatra surely wouldnt have thought so.
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Donald Trump trounced his competition in the New York primaries, beating out his closest opponent - Ohio Gov John Kasich - by more than double, which breathed new life in the GOP front-runners campaign. Indeed, Mr Trump painted the state red in every county except one: his home borough of Manhattan.

Despite the multiple skyscrapers that bear Mr Trumps name, the Ohio governor won Manhattan with 45.8 per cent of the vote, scraping by the business moguls 41.8. The loss may not have been reflected in the skyline however, as the Empire State Building lit itself red for Mr Trump, who omitted the results from his victory speech.

Recommended Read more Trump and Clinton win big in New York primary

The state was what mattered, after all.

Weve been all over New York state, he told a crowd of supporters at Trump Tower on Tuesday night. The people of this state truly are great and amazing people.

Mr Trump made off with 89 delegates, Mr Kasich won only three, and Texas Sen Ted Cruz - who has proven to be a thorn in the front-runner's side after sweeping Colorado and Wyoming - received none.

The Associated Press said that the loss in Manhattan reflected an apparent weakness Mr Trump has amongst Rockefeller Republicans, or more moderate, wealthy conservatives. The results in Manhattan mirror Mr Trumps loss to Florida Sen Marco Rubio in Washington DC, and his loss to Mr Kasich in Chicago.

Additionally, Manhattan is home to 10 times more registered Democrats to Republicans, according to the AP, and Mr Kasichs victory in the borough comes from only 24,887 votes. Democratic voters, on the other hand, cast 267,723 ballots.

Mr Trump still dominated New York city, winning with more than 60 per cent in three of the five boroughs, and 80 per cent in Staten Island.

Manhattan voters seemed to prefer to keep Mr Trump on the island in his penthouse atop Trump Tower rather than the alternative - in Washington behind a desk in the Oval Office of White House.
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A marijuana advocate who quit her previous job as television reporter live on air, has said Hillary Clinton should beg for forgiveness from black people after supporting drug laws that discriminated against the African-American community.

As the United Nations holds a special session that will examine the failings of the so-called war on drugs, Charlo Greene said the Democratic frontrunner had never apologised for her role in supporting laws in the 1990s that sent tens of thousands of African Americans to jail.

Ms Clinton has admitted there was some negative aspects of the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, passed by her husbands administration and which she supported.

Hillary Clinton' supported a controversial 1994 bill (Getty)

But she has defended other elements of the legislation, which toughened sentences for the use of drugs such as crack cocaine, promoted longer sentences, expanded the death penalty and included the notorious three-strikes rule.

She needs to beg for forgiveness from our community if she is seeking our vote, Ms Greene told The Independent. She needs to acknowledge how harmful she was - the lives and futures that were lost because of her advocacy.

Ms Greene, who is African American, added: If she cannot admit that, then she does not deserve any black votes, or brown votes.

The activist, whose legal name is Charlene Egbe, made international headlines two years ago when she ended her job as a television reporter with Alaskas KTVA network, announcing that she wanted to put her energies into making the drug legal and declaring: F*ck it, I quit.

Ms Greene has since founded a cannabis dispensary in Anchorage and become a national advocate for a more humane approach to drugs. She said she hoped the UN meeting resulted in genuine action rather than just talking points.

Im hoping this meeting brings change. We need a commitment to make the change, she said.

She said one simple thing that could be done would be to remove the issue of marijuana from the broader debate on drugs by decriminalisig and freeing up the resources and energy devoted to it.

We should no longer send people to jail for a plant. That is a really simple idea, she said.

Ms Greene said she believed the war on drugs, which in the US led to era of mass incarceration in which African American constitute 1 million of the 2.3 million people behind bars, and which Ms Clinton now rails against, was inextricably linked to racist attitudes.

Its at the root, its everything. For cannabis it was to target Mexicans and blacks. For heroin it was to target Asians, she said. The communities that were targeted were the counties of colour not white communities.

On Tuesday, delegates at the UN meeting were told that ideas had been planted that would hopefully address a policy that had been shown to fail.

All sorts of seeds were planted that will mature and blossom in coming years, said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance.

His group orchestrated the release on the eve of the summit of an open letter to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, urging an end to the war on drugs.

Signed by figures such as Richard Branson and presidential hopeful Senator Bernie Sanders, it stated: The drug control regime that emerged during the last century has proven disastrous for global health, security and human rights.
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President Obama arrives in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to attend a security summit amid rising tensions with the wealthy sheikdom.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Saudi Arabia is an important partner in U.S. efforts to resolve the Syrian conflict and counter Islamic State militants, al-Qaeda in Yemen and Irans bad behavior in the region.

Here are five issues that cause friction between the United States and Saudi Arabia:

The 9/11 terror attacks

The White House on Tuesday all but threatened to veto a bill in Congress that would allow a lawsuit to proceed against the Saudi government for any role it may have played in Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Obama has said such a lawsuit would open the door to a multitude of lawsuits against U.S. officials and members of the military working abroad.

Family members of 9/11 victims in a letter Tuesday blasted Obama for his stance. It is not acceptable  to succumb to the demands of a foreign government that we abandon principles of American justice, the letter said, according to the Associated Press.

Saudi Arabia threatened to sell up to $750 billion worth of U.S. assets if Congress passes the bill. Such a move would jeopardize the stability of the global financial system, Earnest has said.The official 9/11 Commission concluded that senior Saudi officials did not knowingly support the plotters, and since then, "we have seen the Saudi government focus more intently on combating and countering those who propagated extremist ideology, he said.

Complicating the matter is a new push to declassify 28 pages of the 9/11 report in 2002 by the Senate and House intelligence committees that have not been made public and allegedly support the main theme of the lawsuit.

The papers describe the role of Saudi wealth in the spread of radical clerics who preached the ideology of al-Qaeda. Current and former members of Congress are calling for the pages to be declassified and released.

Syrian cease-fire and peace talks near collapse

Indirect peace talks in Geneva between the Russian-backed Syrian government and the U.S.- and Saudi-backed Syrian opposition teetered on the brink of collapse Tuesday, along with a partial cease-fire on the ground.

Secretary of State John Kerry said when the cease-fire was announced in February that it would create an opportunity to negotiate a political transition for Syria. If it failed, Kerry said the U.S. would consider a Plan B for Syria and warned this could get a lot uglier.

Now that seems to be happening, the Saudis are likely to press Obama to provide more support for the Syrian rebels. But Obama will likely be more interested in talking about Saudi assistance to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Yemen civil war

Talks on ending the Yemen civil war set to take place Monday failed to happen. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels refused to attend, citing heavy fighting and Saudi-led airstrikes.

The fighting has caused 6,400 deaths and forced some 2.8 million people from their homes, according to the United Nations.

Saudi Arabia seeks to prevent Yemen, on its southern border, from becoming a base for Iran, which it accuses of supplying arms to the Houthis. Rob Malley, who coordinates White House policy on the Middle East, said: The fight in Yemen has distracted from the crucial fight against (Islamic State) and against al-Qaeda, which are both active in Yemen.

In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Show all 7 1 /7 In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Iranian and Turkish demonstrators hold pictures of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr as they protest outside the Saudi Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Kashmiri Shiite Muslims, carrying a placard with the portrait of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, shout slogans during a protest in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world at Saudi executions Indian police used tear smoke and rubber bullets to disperse Shiite Muslims who were protesting after Saudi Arabia announced the execution of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on Saturday along with 46 others, including three other Shiite dissidents and a number of al-Qaida militants. In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Shane Enright, Global Trade Union Advisor for Amnesty International, addresses demonstrators as they protest outside the Saudi Embassy in London, following Saudi Arabia's execution of 47 prisoners in one day, including a top Shiite cleric In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Iranian protestor burn pictures of a member of the Saudi royal family in front of the Saudi Arabia embassy in Tehran, Iran, 02 January 2016. Protesters have stormed the Saudi embassy building in the Iranian capital of Tehran early Sunday amid backlash over the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Flammable substance was seen thrown at the building as protests gained steam over the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Reports states, protesters taking down a Saudi flag and burned the building. In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions Shiite Muslims hold placards with pictures of Saudi Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, whose execution in Saudi Arabia was announced Saturday, during a demonstration to condemn his execution, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 in Peshawar, Pakistan In pictures: Protests around the world over Saudi executions Protests around the world over Saudi executions A Kashmir Shiite Muslim shouts slogan from Indian police vehicle after he was detained during a protest in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir,

Resurgent Iran

Saudi Arabia views Iran as a long-time enemy and a rival for influence in the region. The two nations support opposite sides in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

Obama has welcomed the recently lifted nuclear sanctions against Iran, saying economic development and increased interaction with the West creates opportunities for working on shared goals. Arab Gulf states, however, worry that Iran's ongoing missile tests are a sign it has not abandoned its nuclear weapon ambitions.

Despite U.S. assurances to the contrary, the Saudis and other Persian Gulf monarchies worry that Iran is becoming more assertive with U.S. approval.

In Riyadh, Obama and the Gulf state leaders will have a separate session just on Iran. I don't think that there can be any confusion or ambiguity about who is our partner in the region and who isnt, Malley said.

Low oil prices

Saudi Arabias economy is hurting from low prices on its main export, as talks with oil-producing countries to limit production ended Sunday without an agreement.

The Saudis refused to cut production so long as Iran did not agree to limit its own growth. The U.S., whose fracking boom also contributed to the global oil glut, is not party to the talks.

Low oil prices caused the U.S. oil sector to cut 250,000 jobs in the past two years, but the White House says its not concerned. Earnest said Monday that a conversation about the impact of low oil prices on the U.S. economy is preferable to a conversation on the alternative.

Contributing: Gregory Korte; Copyright: USA Today
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When Hillary Clinton sent a fan letter to Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the star of HBOs hit political satire Veep, the actress took it as a sign that important people were laughing along to her show in the corridors of power. But when a large batch of Ms Clintons emails were later made public, it emerged that perhaps she wasnt such a big fan, after all.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ms Louis-Dreyfus has revealed that she received the letter in question in early 2013, as Ms Clinton was coming to the end of her tenure as Secretary of State. Dear Julia, it read, Hope you get everything you want as Veep - gun control, immigration and education reform.

The actress treasured the document, signed by Ms Clinton, until last year, when she was alerted to an exchange in a cache of Clinton emails released by the State Department. Ms Clinton had written to her aide Robert Russo shortly before sending the letter, saying: A friend wants me to sign something for Julia-Lewis-Dreyfus [sic] for Veep. Any ideas?

The message  not to mention the misspelling of Ms Louis-Dreyfuss name  suggested that Ms Clinton was not overly familiar with the series, in which the actress plays Vice President (and later President) Selina Meyer. Mr Russo wasnt much help. Let me brainstorm on this one/do some research, he replied, adding: I confess I havent seen the show!

Ms Clinton claims to have seen at least some of the series, telling Mumsnet in 2014: I dont regularly watch Veep. Occasionally I get to see it. Ms Louis-Dreyfus  the winner of seven Emmys, five of them for Veep  found the situation so funny that she now keeps the letter and email framed side-by-side in her office. Its perfect  just perfect, she told the magazine.

The mundane, everyday problems revealed in the Clinton emails have often been compared to the comic situations encountered (or caused) by Selina and her staff in Veep. Ms Louis-Dreyfus told the New York Times last week that Ms Clintons recent struggle to swipe her New York subway card constituted a perfect Veep moment.

Ms Louis-Dreyfus was also asked for her advice to the Democratic front-runner on how to deal with such situations. Shes got to try to have a sense of humour about it, said the former Seinfeld star. I suppose you can make a self-deprecating remark. But it has to be innate. The minute theres any falseness in your behaviour, that will be picked up on.
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A duck who lost his feet to frostbite has been given some new ones, thanks to the magic of 3D printing.

Phillip the duck was rescued by Wisconsin teacher Vicki Rabe-Harrison, who was considering putting him down due to his walking problems.

However, after learning local teacher Jason Jischke had a 3D printer, she enlisted his help to get Phillip some new feet.



Working with his students, Jishke began desgining Phillip's prosthetic legs from flexible plastic, creating multiple prototypes before hitting upon a solution which worked.

The simple design allows the remnants of Phillip's legs to slot in the top, with flat artificial webbed feet underneath proviing stability.

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Cameras were there to capture Phillip's debut waddle, and although he was a little unsteady, he did a surprisingly good job.

Rabe-Harrison told the Associated Press: "He picked it up real fast, and I'm sure he'll learn to balance again, and be able to waddle around with all the other ducks."

Jischke called his students' work a "huge accomplishment," and said he was "so happy" that Phillip had been given a new lease of life.

Phillip has now been sent to Wisconsin's Autumn Farm Sanctuary, near the shores of Lake Michigan, to live out the rest of his life with his new feet alongside a menagerie of other ducks.
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While Donald Trump ran away with his home state and handily won the New York Republican presidential primary, John Kasich beat out Ted Cruz for silver in the state, raising questions about how the senator from Texas will fare in the coming primaries.

Mr Trump claimed about 60 per cent of the vote to win New York, as was widely expected -- and badly needed after a string of losses for the Republican front-runner. Mr Kasich took more than 20 per cent of the vote and Mr Cruz received less than 15 per cent, with more than three quarters of the vote counted..

Preliminary polls had predicted that New York would be tough for Mr Cruz, especially in a race featuring one of the state's most visible residents in Mr Trump. But coming last in the Republican field does not bode well for Mr Cruz, as many upcoming primaries could look quite similar to New York. For his part, Mr Cruz did not seem too concerned about his struggles in the Empire State, though he was in Philadelphia when polls closed.

On April 26, voters in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island will head to the polls in their respective primaries, with 118 delegates up for grabs in the conservative contest. Republicans in those states are expected to vote more like those in New York did, as opposed to how those in Iowa did. Mr Cruz won in Iowa after denouncing Mr Trump's "New York values."

Preliminary polls from Real Clear Politics show Mr Cruz struggling in Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Mr Trump is leading in each of those states. Those polls also show Mr Cruz and Mr Kasich battling for second and third place in upcoming states.

If Mr Kasich outperforms Mr Cruz in next week's primaries, it will be hard for the Cruz campaign to continue to demand that the Ohio governor withdraw from the race, as it has been doing in recent weeks. Before the New York results were released, Mr Cruz's campaign manager called Mr Kasich "insufferable".

But with Mr Kasich beating Mr Cruz in New York, and possibly doing the same in upcoming races, he likely will be insufferable for Mr Cruz for a while longer.

Follow @PaytonGuion on Twitter.
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College campuses across Texas have begun opening food pantries for students whose earnings fall and tuitions soar - keeping them from affording bare necessities, like a bite to eat.

The College & University Food Bank Alliance (CUFBA) shows that 14 schools in Texas have opened such food pantries - including private and public universities. Many administrators realised food insecurity was a growing concern on their campuses, the Texas Tribune reported, and thus set up the programs.

A lot of students are pretty much just one step away from being food insecure because there is not much of a cushion there, Texas Tech professor of nutritional sciences, Debra Reed, told the Tribune.

Figures from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board say that the cost of tuition at college across the state have increased 95 per cent since 2004. Alongside the rise in costs, more students from low-income backgrounds are getting accepted into higher learning institutes. Some simply do not have additional financial support from their families, despite receiving financial aid.

The University of North Texas, University of Texas at El Paso, and Texas Tech are among the schools offering food pantry programs. According to the Tribune, school administration noticed a number of students had been skipping meals. Others were homeless.

Our stance here at UNT is that, with all of our students, we want to address all their needs, Associate Dean of Students Rodney Mitchell said.

Mr Mitchell said that roughly 500 students have visited the UNT pantry in the 2015-2016 academic year.

The pantry is made available to UNT students in the student union building. Students can make an appointment and choose from canned foods and other necessities, like toiletries and water.

Some students may feel some embarrassment when it comes to visiting the pantries, the UT El Paso dean of students, Catie McCorry-Andalis said, but she encouraged those who need the service to use them in order to get the most out of their college experience.

We need to make sure that there are virtually no obstacles and barriers to a student pursuing their education, said Ms McCorry-Andalis.

There are currently 298 college and universities in the US participating in food pantry programs for their students, according to CUFBA. The organisation was founded to help established and emerging food banks on college campuses.

We believe that access to adequate and nutritious food is a basic human right, the CUFBA website says, and that attendance of a college or university does not mean that this right is forfeited.
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A federal appeals court ruled in favour of a Virginia transgender high school student, saying that he can proceed with a discrimination lawsuit against the school board for their decision to ban him from using a boys restroom.

Gavin Grimm, 16, sued the Gloucester school board on the grounds that the school was violating the Title IX amendment, which protects students against gender discrimination at schools that receive federal funding. The US Court of Appeals for the 4th Districts ruling with the student determines that the amendment protects the right of transgender students to use facilities that are in line with their gender identities.

The 4th District's ruling - a 2-to-1 decision - could have a significant impact on laws that dictate bathroom usage based on "biological gender" in schools and beyond.

Recommended Read more States clash over transgender laws in the US South

I feel so relieved and vindicated by the courts ruling, the teenager said in a statement. Todays decision gives me hope that my fight will help other kids avoid discriminatory treatment at school.

Joshua Block, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Project, said that the courts decision was a reinforcement of existing policy by the Department of Education. With this decision, he said, we hope that schools and legislators will finally get the message that excluding transgender kids from the restrooms is unlawful sex discrimination.

A US District Court initially denied Mr Grimms claim that the school violated Title IX, despite receiving a statement of interest in the case from the Department of Justice. The judge ruled that students privacy rights trump hardships of transgender students who are barred from using restrooms consistent with their gender identity.

Mr Grimm said that he had been allowed to use the corresponding restroom on school grounds without protest from the school board. He alleges that the board bowed to pressure from parents and passed a policy that requires students to use restrooms based on their biological genders.

A wave of bills and laws regulating restroom on the basis of religious freedom have swept the US South. North Carolina Gov Pat McCrory signed into law a bill that requires individuals use restrooms based on their biological gender assignment - as opposed to gender identity - in public and state facilities. Similar legislation was passed in Mississippi.

The laws have been called anti-LGBT and have inspired boycotts from states, municipalities, major corporations, and touring musicians.

LGBT advocates see the Court of Appeals ruling as a beacon of hope in the face of increasingly hostile rhetoric against transgender people in Virginia, and across the nation, according to Gail Deady, the Secular Society Womens Rights Legal Fellow at ACLU of Virginia.

And the ruling also may act as encouragement for transgender youths during a formative period in their lives.

Matters like identity and self-consciousness are something that most kids grapple with in this age range, said Mr Grimm. When youre a transgender teenager, these things are often very potent.
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US safety officials are investigating the death of a toddler after he was killed by an Ikea dresser, months after the company acknowledged the potential danger of some of its furniture if not fastened to the wall.

On 14 February, 22-month old Theodore Ted McGee was crushed by an Ikea Malm bureau in his Apple Valley, Minnesota, bedroom after the six-foot unit tipped over, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The toddlers parents said he had been napping.

The didnt hear the dresser fally, said the McGee familys attorney, Alan Feldman. They didnt hear Ted scream.

Teds mother, Janet McGee, said she found her son under the dresser after checking on him every 20 minutes while he was napping. He was not on his bed the final time she returned, but Mrs McGee had assumed the toddler was off hiding in his room - something he regularly did when he was meant to be napping.

Ikea is investigating the case alongside the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The Swedish-based company, which operates its American headquarters north of Philadelphia, acknowledged the safety concerns surrounding the brands dressers in July 2015. Ikea launched a nationwide repair program with the CPSC, calling for the repair of 27 million dressers sold by the retailer since 2002.

Two children - a two-year-old and a 23-month-old - were crushed by Malm bureaus in 2014, Ikea said in the July statement.

The CPSC could not comment on the McGee toddler case, as federal regulations prohibit agencies from disclosing information without company consent. Elliot Kaye, safety commission chairman, said that it is the companys responsibility to resolve issues with dangerous products even if the information is made publicly available.

Without commenting on any specific case, Mr Kaye said, companies are now on notice that even if there has been a public announcement about a remedy to address a dangerous product, the company must take every possible step to prevent further harm.

This is especially the case when a child dies.  I expect companies to truly put safety first.

Ikea offered condolences in a statement from a spokesperson - but stressed the importance of fastening the six-foot dresser to the wall to avoid risk of potentially fatal accidents.

We wish to emphasize that the best way to prevent tip-over of chests of drawers is to attach products to the wall with the included restraints and hardware per the assembly instructions.

The McGees reportedly bought the dresser in 2012, two years before Ikea issued its safety notice.

According to CPSC figures, one US child dies every two weeks and one is injured every 24 minutes, in tip-over accidents involving furniture or televisions.
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Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton emerged as huge winners in the New York primary - trouncing their rivals and reestablishing their claims as their parties frontrunners and presumptive presidential candidates.

Mr Trump grinned and smiled in front of supporters in New Yorks Trump Tower where television screens showed him on more than 60 per cent, almost 35 points ahead of his rivals, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Texas Senator Ted Crux

This has been an incredible evening, an incredible day and week, said Mr Trump, who was looking to win most of the states 95 Republican delegates.

We dont have much of a race anymore. Senator Cruz is just about mathematically eliminated. We are really, really rocking.

Ms Clinton also spoke to her supporters in the city, relishing a victory over Bernie Sanders by 60 points to 40, a considerably larger margin than polls had suggested. The states 247 Democratic delegates will be divided proportionally, but she said victory is in sight.

Thank you New York, thank you all so much. You know, today you proved once again that there is no place like home, she declared.

She added: To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us.

Mr Trump had gone into voting day with polls suggesting he had a 30 point advantage over Mr Kasich and Mr Cruz.

After several weeks of stumbling, faltering performances and defeats in states such as Colorado, North Dakota and Wyoming, the New York tycoon had been looking to regain his momentum and enjoy the psychological boost that a win in his home state offered.

He is looking to edge closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination before the partys convention in Cleveland in July. Many observers believe neither Mr Trump or Mr Cruz will manage to win a clean majority ahead of the event, opening the way for a so-called contested convention.

But next week, people in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Connecticut will cast their votes, and Mr Trump expects to do well in all of them. Observers say he needs to secure around 60 per cent of all remaining delegates if he is to win the nomination ahead of the convention.

Ms Clintons campaign will also have been buoyed by the margin of her victory. While she was always expected to win, opinion polls and the supporters who showed up at his large, boisterous rallies had suggested Mr Sanders might close the gap to single digits. Mr Sanders had outspent Ms Clinton in a battle where they both liked to call themselves New Yorkers.

But Ms Clinton is now also looking ahead to the upcoming five contests and was due to attend two events in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, where she wants to seal the deal begin to focus on the general election.

Mr Sanders was on Tuesday night campaigning in Pennsylvania - as was Mr Cruz - which has 189 Democratic delegates and 17 Republican delegates. He tried to sound upbeat, but it is now very difficult for the Vermont senator to catch Ms Clinton.

Were going to do just fine in New York, he told supporters, before the results were officially announced.

And the reason were going to do just fine is because we are doing something very unique in American politics, which is to tell the truth.

The New York primary did not play out without controversy; anywhere up to 120,000 people in the New York city borough of Brooklyn said they were unable to vote. Comptroller Scott Stringer said he would be carrying out an investigation into what had happened.
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Hillary Clinton has at last lived up to electoral expectations with a double-digit primary victory over her presidential rival Bernie Sanders in New York. The former Secretary of State won the votes of around 57.5 per cent of Democrats to Mr Sanderss approximately 42.5 per cent, in a state that both candidates can plausibly call home.

The result puts the brakes on any momentum the Vermont Senator had built up with his recent wins in several Western states, and it diminishes his chances of eating further into the front-runners delegate lead in the race for the Democratic nomination.

That is a lead Ms Clinton expects to extend next week with contests in five more states including Maryland and Pennsylvania, where she is ahead in the polls and hopes finally to put the outcome of the contest beyond doubt. Speaking at her campaigns headquarters in New York City, she said the Democratic race was in the home stretch, and victory is in sight.

Hillary Clinton is now looking to the general election (AP)

Both candidates can claim deep links to the Empire State. Mr Sanders was born in Brooklyn, while Ms Clinton lives in New York City and served as a US Senator for the state from 2001 to 2009. She officially launched her presidential campaign with a rally on Roosevelt Island in June 2015. Her victory last night proved, she said, that theres no place like home.

In her victory speech, Ms Clinton cited the stories of several New Yorkers, including a 9/11 firefighter, a man who was incarcerated for low-level drug offences but went on to create a successful ice cream business, and the daughter of Sandy Hook principal Dawn Hochsprung, who was killed in the shooting at the Connecticut primary school in 2012.

Addressing her opponents within the Democratic party, Ms Clinton said: To all the people who supported Senator Sanders, I believe there is much more that unites us than divides us.

Yet she also could not resist making a comment clearly at Mr Sanderss expense, adding: Under the bright lights of New York, we have seen that its not enough to diagnose problems; you have to explain how youd actually solve the problems.

The size of his loss will be disappointing to Mr Sanders, whose campaign had drawn vast crowds to its New York rallies. In recent days, the Senator criticised the states strict voter registration rules, which prevented anyone other than registered Democrats voting in the partys primary calling them absurd and wrong. In other states, Mr Sanders has won much of his support from independents.

Ms Clinton, by contrast, benefited from New Yorks large population of minority voters, a group that has proved stalwart in its support for the former secretary of state throughout the country. In her remarks, the front-runner pointed out that hers was the only campaign from either party to have won more than 10 million votes so far this primary season.

A new national poll released this week by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal found Mr Sanders trailing Ms Clinton by a mere two points, yet the electoral arithmetic makes it all but impossible for him to catch up with her in the remaining primaries.

Nevertheless, Ms Clinton also seems unlikely to accumulate the number of pledged delegates necessary to secure the nomination alone, and will probably be forced to make up the difference with support from so-called super-delegates  the group of Democratic grandees who can tip the balance towards their preferred candidate at the partys convention in July.


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With five candidates left in the race to the White House, millions of New Yorkers hit the polls on Tuesday for the latest, most important primary in the 2016 election. Unfortunately, hundreds of voters were turned away from casting their ballots and thousands more simply vanished from record completelyprompting an investigation into the citys Board of Elections, a federal lawsuit to restore voting rights and allegations of voter suppression.

Three candidates with deep ties to the Empire State  Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders  began holding campaign events across the city nearly two weeks ago. Tagging along in their shadows were Ted Cruz and John Kasich, who never had a chance in the state and spent of most of their time eating every New York delicacy they could get their hands on.

Polls projected Clinton and Trump to win by wide margins, but the Brooklyn-born Sanders was expected to give New Yorks former senator a run for her money. No one expected either Republican to come close to touching Trumps double-digit lead.

A man votes in Brooklyn. Stephanie Keith/Getty (Stephanie Keith/Getty)

However, New Yorkers were not able to easily select their candidates on Tuesday, with more than 120,000 Democratic voters vanishing without trace or explanation in Kings County, which was first discovered by WNYC. Comptroller Scott Stringer later promised to audit the citys Board of Elections.

There is nothing more sacred in our nation than the right to vote, yet election after election, reports come in of people who were inexplicably purged from the polls, told to vote at the wrong location or unable to get in to their polling site, Stringer said in a statement.

The people of New York City have lost confidence that the Board of Elections can effectively administer elections and we intend to find out why the BOE is so consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also demanded answers for the drop in registered Democrats, that saw a dramatic decrease in names between November 2015 and April 2016.

This number surprises me, Mayor de Blasio said. I admit that Brooklyn has had a lot of transient population, thats obvious. Lot of people moving in, lot of people moving out. That might account for some of it. But Im confused since so many people have moved in, that the number would move that much in the negative direction.

Voters who were turned away at their local polling stations phoned into New York Attorney General Eric Schneidermans office, which said they received 562 phone calls and 140 email complaints from primary voters. New Yorkers were told they were not registered to vote, they were not registered with a political party or they were straight up denied affidavit ballots.

To put this in context, we received roughly 150 total complaints for the 2012 general election, the Attorney Schneidermans office wrote in a statement, adding that the largest share of complaints came from Kings County. This is by far the largest volume of complaints we have received for an election since [he] took office in 2011.

On the eve of the election, national voting rights organization Election Justice USA filed a emergency lawsuit in an attempt to restore those prevented from voting.

Voters are frustrated, angry, and feel helpless, said EJUSA spokesperson Shyla Nelson. We have heard hundreds of stories, with desperate pleas for help. This election season has excited and galvanized the voting public in unprecedented numbers. For these voters to be systematically and erroneously removed from the rolls or prevented from voting in their party of choice is devastating to them personally and has sent a wave of doubt and worry through the voting public.
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Shortly after Carl Paladino had stood beside Donald Trump on the stage at his New York victory rally, the Tea Party favourite hopped on to a radio interview and made racist remarks towards president Obama.

Speaking to NPR radio about Mr Trumps success in New York and projecting further successes in Northeast state primaries, the fellow real estate developer turned politician said Mr Obama was like a raccoon in the basement.

The former New York Republican candidate for governor said: People who get on the Trump bus are people that are very, very frustrated with their government as it's been.

It doesn't matter what kind of person is the exterminator, they want the raccoons out of the basement."

Mr Paladino stood behind Mr Trump and beside his youngest daughter Tiffany just hours before, while Mr Trump thanked New Yorkers for handing him over 60 per cent of the vote.

Mr Paladino's racist comments came after he criticized the Washington elite monsters in government and how Americans have had to tolerate the biases Mr Obama for two terms, a man who in every respect looks like he despises America as the leader of America.

"And its disgusting. Hes so into himself, he cant help himself, Mr Paladino continued. How did a guy like this rise to that point of being president of the wonder of history and the world?

The tea party darling said Mr Trump, like anybody, had flaws but that the presidential candidate speaks directly to people and engages people.

He then managed to take a direct shot at Mr Obama as the host David Greene wrapped up the interview.

Mr Paladino previously proposed to transform New York prisons into accommodation for welfare recipients, where they could work for the state and take lessons in personal hygiene.

ThinkProgress reported that he also received $3 million in state tax breaks for the economy of Buffalo, yet he pocketed the tax refunds. He also opposed the Islamic community center in the area surrounding the fallen Twin Towers in Manhattan, describing the center as a monument to those who attacked our city.

In 2010 when he was running for governor, WNYmedia.net revealed that Mr Paladino regularly forwarded pornography and racially degrading material to friends on the Internet.
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The US Supreme Court has ruled that the families of victims from several terrorist attacks blamed on Iran in the 1980s and 1990s can collect close to $2bn (1.4bn) from the Islamic Republics frozen assets.

The Courts 6-2 decision upheld a ruling by lower courts, awarding damages to the relatives of those killed in the 1983 bombings of a US Marine barracks and the US Embassy in Beirut, as well as the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia and other attacks for which Iran is believed to have been responsible.

The plaintiffs include more than 1,300 relatives of the victims, led by Deborah Peterson, the sister of one of the 241 Americans killed in the 1983 barracks bombing. The US withdrew almost all of its troops from Lebanon the following year.

The destroyed section of the US embassy in Beirut following the 1983 bombing (Getty Images)

The US government claims the Beirut attacks were carried out by the Lebanese Shia militias, trained and backed by Iran, which went on to form the Islamist movement Hezbollah in 1985. Hezbollah and Iran have both denied involvement in the Beirut bombings and the later attacks.

Ms Peterson and other family members of the Beirut bombing victims first filed a lawsuit against Iran in 2001. The Islamic Republics liability was accepted by a US federal court in 2007, and the following year it emerged that Irans central Bank, Bank Markazi, had $1.75m in bond assets frozen in a New York account.

In 2012, US President Barack Obama signed a law ordering Bank Markazi to turn over its assets, but the bank repeatedly beat back orders from lower courts to pay up. The case before the Supreme Court was not whether Iran ought to reimburse the plaintiffs, but whether Congress had overstepped its authority by passing the law.

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the Courts majority opinion, suggesting Congress had not acted outside its remit. By altering the law governing the attachment of particular property belonging to Iran, Congress acted comfortably within the political branches authority over foreign sovereign immunity and foreign-state assets, she wrote.

The case was a rarity, in that the Obama administration and Republicans in Congress broadly agreed on its merit. Ultra-conservative Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz tweeted that the ruling was a victory for justice.

The courts convincing 6-2 split was also significant. Since the death in February of the right-wing Justice Antonin Scalia, congressional Republicans have refused to consider any Obama nominees for the vacant seat, leaving the eight-person Court split evenly between liberals and conservatives and leading to at least three deadlocked 4-4 decisions in politically divisive cases.
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The President of China has vowed to show internet users greater tolerance and patience and take online criticism on board as rampant censorship continues.

Even the response to Xi Jinpings speech appeared to be redacted on the Chinese social media site Weibo as users cast doubt on his promise to heed public opinions.

Officials should use the Internet more often to learn what are the concerns and wishes of the people, he said in a speech on Tuesday, according to state news agency Xinhua.

For well-intentioned criticism raised on the internet, be it at the overall work of the Party and the state, or at individual officials, be it gentle or harsh-sounding, Xi said, we will not only welcome them, but also carefully study them for future references.

China's internet censorship is among the strictest in the world (AFP/Getty Images)

But there were several notable caveats in the speech, made as part of his role as head of Chinas internet security and informatisation group.

The President reportedly said that peoples misconceptions, grudges and grievances must be corrected, while condemning a foul and unhealthy cyber culture.

He concluded that China must improve management of cyberspace to ensure it conforms with mainstream ideology in the hope of creating a clean and righteous environment.

The comments received a mixed reception on the Weibo social network, where many were questioning how the government defined well-intentioned criticism.

The Free Weibo monitoring site showed discussions of President Xi and his speech among the most censored topics on Tuesday morning as the debate continued.

It came as Papi Jiang, one of Chinas most prolific video bloggers, issued a public apology after being reprimanded for the use of foul language by the media authority.

Human rights attacks around the world Show all 10 1 /10 Human rights attacks around the world Human rights attacks around the world China Escalating crackdown against human rights activists including mass arrests of lawyers and a series of sweeping laws in the name of national security. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Egypt The arrest of thousands, including peaceful critics, in a ruthless crackdown in the name of national security, the prolonged detention of hundreds without charge or trial and the sentencing of hundreds of others to death. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Gambia Torture, enforced disappearances and the criminalisation of LGBTI people; and utter refusal to co-operate with the UN and regional human rights mechanisms on issues including freedom of expression, enforced disappearance and the death penalty. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Hungary Sealing off its borders to thousands of refugees in dire need; and obstructing collective regional attempts to help them. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Israel Maintaining its military blockade of Gaza and therefore collective punishment of the 1.8 million inhabitants there, as well as failing, like Palestine, to comply with a UN call to conduct credible investigations into war crimes committed during the 2014 Gaza conflict. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Kenya Extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and discrimination against refugees in its counter-terrorism operations; and attempts to undermine the International Criminal Court and its ability to pursue justice. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Pakistan The severe human rights failings of its response to the horrific Peshawar school massacre including its relentless use of the death penalty; and its policy on international NGOs giving authorities the power to monitor them and close them down if they are considered to be against the interests of the country. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Russia Repressive use of vague national security and anti-extremism legislation and its concerted attempts to silence civil society in the country; its shameful refusal to acknowledge civilian killings in Syria and its callous moves to block Security Council action on Syria. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Saudi Arabia Brutally cracking down on those who dared to advocate reform or criticise the authorities; and committing war crimes in the bombing campaign it has led in Yemen (pictured) while obstructing the establishment of a UN-led inquiry into violations by all sides in the conflict. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Syria Killing thousands of civilians in direct and indiscriminate attacks with barrel bombs and other weaponry and through acts of torture in detention; and enforcing lengthy sieges of civilian areas, blocking international aid from reaching starving civilians. Getty Images

A statement on her Weibo page said she would be more careful of my words and image after her Youku channel had most of its videos removed and authorities told Chinese media she had been disciplined and corrected.

Chinas 700 million internet users face some of the most stringent censorship in the world as part of the Communist governments limits on freedom of expression, which see frequent arrests.

According to Human Rights Watchs annual report, the internet is becoming marginally freer but that means such as the Great Firewall continue to filter politically unacceptable information.

In 2015, government agencies such as the State Internet Information Office issued multiple new directives, including tightened restrictions over the use of usernames and avatars, and requirements that writers of online literature register with their real names, the report continued.

Chinese authorities have also shut down Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which many users depend on to gain access to blocked content, and introduced a cybersecurity law requiring domestic and foreign internet companies to practice censorship, register users real names and aid government surveillance.


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A bride in India has ditched her groom to be the day before their wedding - because he did not have any toilets in his house.

The unnamed 25-year-old had agreed to marry the man in a match arranged by a local NGO in Lucknow in northern India on the condition a toilet was ready at his home by the date of the wedding - which was organised as part of a mass ceremony which took place on Sunday.

But the woman called off the ceremony when she discovered the toilet had not been built the day before the ceremony.

The womans family backed her decision and claimed the local police were contacted regarding the matter, but officers say they were not aware of a complaint.

After finding out why she rejected her groom, the NGO offered the woman another match with a man who already has an indoor toilet installed in his home, which she accepted, the Indian Express reports.

In 2014, The Economist reported that around 130 million Indian households do not have an indoor toilet, and of the estimated one billion people in the world who do not have access to proper sanitation, an estimated 600 million of them are from India.

According to the Right to Pee campaign, which was set up in 2011, in Mumbai there are 10,000 free or pay-to-use toilets, but only 37 per cent of them are open to women.

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. 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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. 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Many public toilets are free for men to use but women are often charged a nominal fee of one to five rupees because authorities claim womens toilets require more water and resources because they need squat toilets and doors for privacy rather than a urinal.

In 2014, the then schools education minister, Vinod Tawde, expressed concern that many rural girls were dropping out of education because they did not have access to bathrooms during the day - causing bladder and kidney infections or dehydration if they avoid drinking water.

There have also been cases of women and girls being raped while using outdoor toilets.
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The death toll of a suicide bombing and gun attack by the Taliban in Kabul has risen to at least 64 as hundreds of victims continue to be treated for their injuries.

Afghanistans interior ministry raised the number of those killed from the previous figure of 28 on Wednesday as recovery work continued.

Militants detonated a truck bomb at the gates of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistans main intelligence agency, before two gunmen broke inside and were killed in battles with security forces.

Relatives and loved ones carry the coffin of a victim killed in the April 19 Taliban truck bomb attack, at a funeral in Kabul on April 20, 2016. (AFP/Getty Images)

The attack hit a busy area of the capital during Tuesday mornings rush hour, injuring more than 300 people.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes after the blast, which sent a huge column of smoke into the air over the city.

I was here when a huge explosion happened, said a witness named as Amir, who works in a nearby restaurant. I saw three boys with severe head injuries. My uncle was injured and my brother is missing, I don't know what happened to him.

It was the worst single militant strike in Kabul since 2011, when about 60 people died in a suicide blast outside a mosque, and reinforced concerns that Afghanistan is being dragged into a worsening spiral of violence.

Taliban attacks Kabul security compound - in pictures Show all 7 1 /7 Taliban attacks Kabul security compound - in pictures Taliban attacks Kabul security compound - in pictures Kabul attack An relative of one of the victims who was killed in a suicide bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, 19 April 2016. (EPA) EPA Taliban attacks Kabul security compound - in pictures Kabul attack An injured girl is carried to safety following the blast in Kabul (EPA) EPA Taliban attacks Kabul security compound - in pictures Kabul attack A man stands inside his damaged shop near the scene of a bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, 19 April 2016 (EPA) EPA Taliban attacks Kabul security compound - in pictures Kabul attack Afghan quick reaction forces arrive at the site of a suicide car bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan April 19, 2016 (Reuters) Reuters Taliban attacks Kabul security compound - in pictures Kabul attack Afghan security forces carry an injured security personnel after a suicide car bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan April 19, 2016. (Reuters) Reuters Taliban attacks Kabul security compound - in pictures Kabul attack Afghan security forces inspect the site of a Taliban-claimed attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 19, 2016. (AP) AP Taliban attacks Kabul security compound - in pictures Kabul attack Relatives and loved ones carry the coffin of a victim killed in the April 19 Taliban truck bomb attack, at a funeral in Kabul on April 20, 2016. (AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images

A propaganda statement issued by the Taliban said the attack targeted Department 10, a unit protecting government ministers and MPs, as part of its previously announced spring offensive.

The terrorist groups spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said three militants carried out the assault near the Presidential Palace and Ministry of Defence.

He claimed that only workers, key operatives and security guards had been killed and dismissed allegations over civilian casualties.

The statement said the Taliban wanted to send a strong message to the invaders and their lackeys, adding: The enemy shall be shown no mercy, shall keep facing such precision strikes and key officials shall be eliminated.

President Ashraf Ghani said the assault clearly shows the enemys defeat in face-to-face battle with government forces.

An injured girl is carried to safety following the blast in Kabul (EPA)

Philip Hammond also condemned the appalling attack and sent his condolences to the victims and their families.

By rejecting the opportunity to enter peace talks and instead targeting innocent civilians, the Taliban have demonstrated their total disregard for the Afghan people, the Foreign Secretary said.

The UK stands resolute in support of our Afghan friends, and call on the Taliban to end this senseless violence against civilians.

The American embassy in Kabul released a statement calling for continued efforts in the government's peace process.

 Afghan forces retool in fight against Taliban in Helmand

Afghanistan deserves peace and security, not attacks that victimise parents taking their children to school, workers on their morning commute, and people who have stepped forward to help defend their fellow citizens, a spokesperson said.

The Taliban controls swathes of Afghanistan, where Isis is also trying to expand its presence amid deteriorating security.

Islamists have been gathering strength since the bulk of British, American and Nato forces withdrew in 2014, sparking an exodus by hundreds of thousands of refugees and pleas by local officials for help to combat insurgents.

Afghanistans defence minister, Masoom Stanikzai, warned last week that al-Qaeda is also gathering strength in the country and preparing themselves for bigger attacks.

Additional reporting by AP
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A school in northern Malaysia has been forced to close amid claims of screams and sightings of a black figure.

Local media has called the case mass hysteria, which began a week ago after teachers at the SKM Pengkalan Chepa 2 reported supernatural experiences.

The school, located in the city of Kota Bharu, was closed on Thursday following three attacks of hysteria.

Recommended Read more Largest ever captured python dies in Malaysia

Principla Siti Hawa Mat said all the victims had described the same black figure and by Wednesday, 50 pupils suffered attacks along with 11 teachers.

Several students said they had seen the ghostly figure in the canteen, the hall and classrooms, reported the Straits Times.

The spirits of England Show all 4 1 /4 The spirits of England The spirits of England Spirit photography from 1920; reportedly the ghost of one Jim Stubbs GETTY IMAGES The spirits of England Phantom of the corridor: The chilling power of a ghostly figure GETTY IMAGES The spirits of England Things that go bump in the night: A 1850 engraving of Puck, whose name derives from 'bwg,' the Celtic word for ghost GETTY IMAGES The spirits of England A spooky scene from the film 'The Intruder' GETTY IMAGES

The school, Kelantan which has 1,044 students and 84 teachers, re-opened on Sunday after authorities brought in Islamic traditional experts, scholars and witch doctors in a bid to rid the school of the problem.

But reports of the screaming and shouting continued, according to Free Malaysia Today.

SKM Pengkalan Chepa 2 school (Astro Awani/ YouTube)

Norlailawati Ramli, a teacher at the school told local news channel Astro Awani: When I was holding one of the pupils, my arms felt extraordinarily heavy.

I recited the Istighfar [seeking forgiveness from Allah]. Things were truly out of control at the time. But after the pupil recovered and went home, I then felt as though someone was hanging on to the left side of my body. I saw flashes of black, like a black figure, she added.

Another teacher, Kamariah Ibrahim, she said she tried to recite verses from the Quran when she realised that she was losing control of herself.

I saw a black figure, like it was trying to enter my body, but my colleagues were surrounding me, reciting verses from the Quran. I felt like my head was bloated, I felt numb and tears kept pouring down my face, she was quoted as saying. I silently recited the Ayatul Kursi [a verse from the Quran], over and over again, then my head began to feel lighter after about an hour.

 Chilling CCTV footage of ghost

In 2012, the World Health Organisation said an outburst of poisoning at girls schools in Afghanistan was more likely to be mass hysteria, as opposed to a Taliban plot.

The Tangangyika laughter epidemic of 1962 was put down to an outbreak of mass hysteria. The continuous laughter ended with the closure of the school, but schools in neighbouring villages were reportedly affected, which eventually stopped months after it began.

Students in the Philippines claimed to be possessed by evil spirits at a high school in 2013, where classes were also suspended.
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North Korea could be preparing to launch another missile amid signs of increased activity around its main test site, South Korean President Park Geuin-hye has warned,

South Korean news agency, Yonhap, reported activity at the Norths Punggye-r nuclear test site  where all other previous tests have taken place - had increased two-to threefold recently.

Ms Park has ordered military to be ready to deal with any action, according to reports of a meeting held with her top advisor.

In the meeting, Ms Park said: We are in a situation in which we cannot predict what provocations North Korea might conduct to break away from isolation and to consolidate the regime.

Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Show all 30 1 /30 Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Farmer works in a field Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Women soldier walk on the street Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A female soldier guards railway Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A general view of platform of Pyongyang Railway Station Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Students stage a protest against South Korea and the US in Pyongyang Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Students rehearsal for celebrating the 70th birthday of Workers' Party of Korea Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone People enjoy the cool at the carriage door Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A general view of countryside Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Korean People's Army soldier rest on the rail 2015 Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A little boy begs food on the platform in Hamhung Railway Station in Hamhung 2015 Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Children swim in a river in noon Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone People cross a railway crossing 2015 Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A boy collects corn cob beside a railway Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A customs officer is seen on the train No.100 from Moscow to Pyongyang at Tumangang railway station in Tumangang Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A customs officer checks a passenger's mobile device on the train to Pyongyang Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A railway station in Tumangang Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A general view of the railway station in Tumangang Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Kids pass by Tumanggang railway station in Tumanggang 2015 Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A general view of Tumangang Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A general view of Tumangang - a small town located at North Korea and Russia border Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A train carriage on it's way to Pyongyang is delayed for a day and half due to military transportation in Tumangang Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A customs officers talks to a passenger at Tumanggang railway station in Tumanggang Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone A little girl walks on the street in Tumanggang 2015 Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone An elderly man is seen in Tumangang Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Kids go to school in morning in Tumangang 2015 Getty Images Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone Life in North Korea captured with a mobile phone

Given the latest developments, North Korea could carry out an underground nuclear warhead test, and we are keeping close tabs on it, Moon Sang-gyun, a defence ministry spokesman, told reporters in Seol on Monday.

Analysts at 38 North, a website devoted to watching North Korea, saidthey also saw increased movement in satellite imagery around the north portal but that there was little evidence Pyongyang was planning an imminent nuclear test.

 Defiant North Korea 'fires ballistic missiles into sea'

Nevertheless, that possibility cannot be entirely ruled out since the North may be able to conduct a nuclear test on short notice with few indications that it intends to do so, military analyst Jack Liu wrote on the site.

Concerns that Pyongyang may conduct another nuclear test comes as the regime prepares to hold a meeting for its ruling Workers Party in May.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye (Rex Features)

North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un, is expected to use the meeting to repeat claims made in March of the ability to make nuclear warheads small enough to fit on long-range ballistic missiles.

State media released images in March appeared to show the leader standing next to the nuclear warheads, but the claims have not been verified.

Experts believe the North may be prompted to carry out another nuclear test following the failure of medium-range ballistic missile, attempting to mark the birthday of founding president Kim II Sung, Kim Jong Uns late grandfather.

The North is thought to the retaliating to the UNs sanctions imposed on the country in January after the fourth nuclear test.
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Australia has made a deal to sell an area of land equivalent to the size of Ireland to Chinese investors.

The deal, reportedly worth A$371m (201m), is awaiting approval by both countries' authorities.

The land is Australias largest farming estate and was owned by S.Kidman and C - one of its biggest beef producers.

It covers almost 11 million hectares, making up one per cent of the country.

The buying consortium is made up of Chinese-based Dakang Australia, which is set to acquire 80 per cent of the land, and Australian Rural Capital (ARC), according to the Australian Broadcasting Cooperation.

It was up for sale last year, which concluded in a bidding war between two Chinese companies, but the Australian government blocked any deal from happening.

Australian treasurer Scott Morrison said selling the land to a foreign entity would be contrary to the national interest.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

The deal cannot go ahead without Mr Morrisons approval, who has set the decision date after the expected July election.

The government feared if the land was sold to foreign investors, the countrys safety could be as risk as within the land is Anna Creek farm, where a military weapons testing range is located.

However, the Anna Creek farm has been excluded from the recent sale.

The state is home to 10 cattle stations with an estimated 185,000 cattle, which covers South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

The deal follows a two-day visit to China a week ago, by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in a bid to increase trade opportunities between the two countries.

In February, a private Chinese company, Moon Lake Investments, bought Australias biggest dairy farming business in Tasmania.

Australia is the third biggest beef producer in the world, after India and Brazil.
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The man who massacred 77 people in Norway's deadliest ever terror attack has won part of a lawsuit against the government for inhuman treatment.

A court in Oslo ruled in Anders Breiviks favour on one of two claims for alleged human rights violations and rejected the other on Wednesday afternoon.

The right-wing extremist was convicted of terrorism and mass murder for 2011 bomb and gun attacks in Norway that killed 77 people.

 Breivik makes Nazi salute

A summary of the ruling released by Oslo district court said judges found his detention violated article three of the European Convention of Human Rights, which relates to inhuman or degrading punishment.

The verdict said: "The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society. This applies no matter what - also in the treatment of terrorists and killers."

Breiviks claim that authorities also violated article eight of the convention, which protects the respect for private and family life, including correspondence, was rejected.

The court also ruled that the state will have to pay the prisoners legal fees, totalling 331,000 Norwegian krone (28,300).

Breivik during a court appearance in Norway (Getty Images)

The case, against the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, was heard in Skien prison, in Telemark, from the 15 to 18 of March.

At court hearings last month, Breivik complained that prison authorities would not let him communicate with or receive visits from other right-wing extremists and had left him isolated.

The 37-year-old made a Nazi salute during one court appearance, staring at journalists as he made the gesture

Government lawyers dismissed his claims, saying Breivik remains a dangerous inmate who could inspire others to commit similar attacks.

A wounded woman being treated after Anders Breivik's massacre on Utoya island, Norway, on 22 July 2011 (AFP/Getty Images)

On 22 July 2011, he set off a bomb in Oslo's government district before carrying out a shooting massacre at the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labour Party's youth organisation.

Eight people were killed in the explosion and 69 more died on Utoya island after he presented himself as a police officer carrying out security checks.

The majority of Breivik's victims were children and teenagers as young as 14, with survivors describing how Breivik roamed the island for almost an hour picking off those trying to escape, shouting: "You are going to die today, Marxists".

In court he claimed to belong to a far-right group called the "Knights Templar", although prosecutors cast doubt on its existence. He has previously described himself as a fascist and wrote a manifesto citing Islam, feminism and "cultural Marxism" as his enemies.

Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Show all 5 1 /5 Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Skien prison south of the Norwegian capital, Oslo Reuters Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated The gym at Skien prison which was turned into a courtroom for Breivik's appeal Reuters Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Viewing through the door into a cell inside Skien prison Reuters Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated A bedroom study with computer(no internet access) in Skien prison similar to the one Breivik is housed in Reuters Skien Prison: Where Anders Breivik is incarcerated Two connecting cell rooms in Skien prison similar to the three rooms Breivik is kept in Reuters

In letters sent to media from prison, Breivik said he has abandoned his armed struggle and now wants to create a fascist movement while serving his sentence.

Before the ruling his lawyer, Oystein Storrvik, said the goal of the human rights case was to improve Breivik's prison conditions, including interaction with other prisoners and fewer restrictions on his postal correspondence.

Breivik is held as the only inmate in a high-security wing of Skien prison, where he is serving a 21-year sentence. He is allowed some correspondence but it is strictly controlled and he is forbidden from communicating with other right-wing extremists.

The government said the restrictions are well within the European Convention of Human Rights and are needed to make sure Breivik remains unable to build militant extremist networks.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Norways immigration minister has jumped into the Aegean Sea and been rescued in what she said was an effort to understand the experience of refugees.

Sylvi Listhaug donned a floatation suit before she entered the water off the coast of the Greek island of Lesbos on Tuesday, floating for several minutes before being hauled into a lifeboat.

More than 760 refugees and migrants have drowned so far this year in desperate attempts to cross to Greece and Italy, according to the latest United Nations figures.

 Greece begins deporting refugees to Turkey under EU plan

Ms Listhaug described the experience of the mock rescue as very special while acknowledging the work of Norwegian rescue teams.

It was very special, although of course it is a completely different experience when you are wearing a survival suit, she told the Dagbladet newspaper.

It must be absolutely terrible [for refugees], and one thing Im concerned with is the cynical people who sell lifejackets that help pull them down into the water instead of saving them. That is impossible for me to understand.

I think its crucial that we continue to rescue people both here and in the Mediterranean.

One commenter on her official Facebook page called the stunt incredibly bad judgement and an affront to migrants.

Ms Listhaug, from the conservative Progress Party, responded by saying she was invited by the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue to see their work and was incredibly impressed.

Other critics ridiculed the ministers attempt to empathise with refugees, with one quipping: Tonight Ill sleep with the window open to feel what its like to be homeless."

Twitter users were also largely unimpressed by Ms Listhaugs experiment, calling it shameless and embarrassing.

The boat that rescued her was deployed in the Aegean last year by the Norwegian government as part of the Operation Poseidon mission run by the Frontex border agency.

Describing her trip to Lesbos, the immigration minister said she also visited detention centres implemented on the island as part of the EU-Turkey deal and met refugees.

The conditions there are difficult and Norway is contributing as best we can to improve them, Ms Listhaug wrote.

We must keep a warm heart and a cool head, she added, calling for a sustainable asylum policy as European nations continue to close their borders to refugees.

In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee children at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees queuing for food at the Kara Tepe camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees' tents at the Kara Tepe camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees at the Oxy transit camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees waiting to board ferries to the Greek mainland in Mytilene, Lebos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees waiting to board ferries to the Greek mainland in Mytilene, Lebos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees waiting to board ferries to the Greek mainland in Mytilene, Lebos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos The graves of drowned refugees in Mytilene, Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos A building used to house unaccompanied children at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees queuing to register at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees arriving on smugglers' boats from Turkey in Lesbos

The Pope and Angelina Jolie are among other high profile visitors to Lesbos, which has seen the most arrivals out of any island in Europe during the refugee crisis.

Under new rules implemented last month, anyone arriving clandestinely is detained and will be returned to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece.

For every Syrian sent back, the EU will take another Syrian directly from Turkey for resettlement in Europe, but there is no such measure for other nationalities making up more than half of those arriving.
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Wednesday is the 51st of March. According to a large crowd which assembles each night in the Place de la Republique in Paris, time froze on the day the demonstrations began. The month of March cannot end until a new world begins.

The Nuit Debout  arise at night  movement describes itself as a gathering of ordinary citizens who want to create a fairer world. They want, they say, a genuine democracy which is not dominated by big money and corrupt politicians. They say they have no leaders, no demands, no pre-fixed ideas.

There are poetry readings and concerts and pop-up food stalls, but mostly there are interminable general meetings. Anyone can talk for five minutes, so long as they are prepared to wait their turn. The crowd, up to 3,000 people some nights, votes by cheers or jeers or elaborate arm signals.

In the past few days, another, uglier face of Nuit Debout  some suggest the real face  has appeared. There have been violent, minority breakaway marches which have smashed bank windows, burnt cars and fought running battles with the police.

A couple of days ago, the right-wing French philosopher Alain Finkielkraut went along to see what all the fuss was about. He was there for about an hour before he was recognised from his frequent TV appearances. A small band of nuitdeboutistes were said to have screamed and spat at him. He and his wife were bundled off the square by the Nuit Debout security team for their own safety.

Mr Finkielkraut, 66, a lefty in his youth, was a minor player in the May 1968 Paris student uprising to which Nuit Debout has been compared. For many years now, he has been a spokesman for the identity politics of the right. Like the nuitdeboutistes, he detests the modern, liberal, globalised world, but for other reasons.

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

In an article in the centre-right newspaper Le Figaro, Mr Finkielkraut said that his experience had revealed the truth about the strange, nightly gatherings in the Place de la Republique (and smaller spin-offs in other French cities).

Nuit Debout is a private club, he wrote. In this pretence at a citizens forum, they celebrate otherness but repress all other viewpoints. The same debates feverishly with the same. Those who claim to be revitalising democracy are reinventing totalitarianism.

Mr Finkielkraut has a point. There is an element of charlatanry in Nuit Debout. The movement is not so leaderless as it claims. The core nuitdeboutistes come from the various tribes of the French extreme gauche  anti-capitalist, anti-market, anti-trade, pro-migrant and pro-homeless, anti-consumption, anti-advertising, anti-America and anti-European Union.

Nuit Debout is a revolutionary love-in bubble in the centre of a completely indifferent city <p>Philosopher, Alain Finkielkraut</p>

The movement was started by a group called Convergence des luttes (convergence of the struggles), which seeks to unite the many mutually-detesting splinters of the French anarchist, ecological and anti-capitalist left.

It has two main gurus (dont say leaders). The first is Francois Ruffin, 40, a journalist and filmmaker, who released this spring a funny and effective anti-capitalist documentary, Merci Patron, which has been packing cinemas across France. The second is Frederic Lordon, 54, an economist, little known outside France but one of the few intellectuals who has a genuine following among French leftist youth.

The spark for the Nuit Debout movement was, Mr Lordon says, the attempts by President Francois Hollandes reformist (ie capitalist sell-out) centre-left government to reform the rigid rules on hiring and firing in France. The labour law reform (now much watered down) was, Mr Lordon says, that little something or other which accelerated what had already been blowing in the wind for a long time.

If you spend a night chez les Nuitdeboutistes, it is immediately clear that leftist views prevail. Anyone who deviates during a general meeting is booed and jeered or given the crossed arms signal which means we profoundly disagree.

Mr Finkielkraut is nearly correct when he says that Nuit Debout is a revolutionary love-in bubble in the centre of a completely indifferent city. He is right when he says that parts of the mainstream French media have over-sold the movement as a romantic, broad-based, open-minded citizens revolt against the corruption and power of the few.

And yet and yet.

The movement is still growing  growing slowly, but growing. It surfs on the same wave of broad anger that sustains Corbynism in Britain, the Sanders surge in the United States and the Podemos movement in Spain. If you speak to the fringe deboutistes  those who come out curiosity rather than commitment  they complain about flailing governments, arrogant banks, austerity, offshore accounts, unemployment, low wages for the many and astronomical pay for the few.

They have no answers to any of these things other than a vague feeling that that people should not put up with them any longer.

Where the movement is going is anyones guess. The centre-left government has been tactically indulgent, fearing that repression might ignite a 1968-type explosion amongst French youngsters (which seems unlikely). The centre-right and far right opposition are theatrically angry with the government for being so indulgent.

The Nuit Debout movement seems to be growing in size but losing intellectual steam. There are limits to any movement which claims to have no leaders and no demands.

At recent general meetings, there have been calls for a greve general (general strike). More realistically, some nuitdeboutistses wear stickers declaring a reve genarale (general dream).

Nuit Debout should not be lightly dismissed. It is a symptom of a diffuse French (and not just French) social anger and distress. While it remains dominated by the sect-like, intolerant, hard left, it will remain part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
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A Swedish man has been charged with "terrorist murder" over his alleged role in the Paris attacks as the hunt for members of the Isis network that orchestrated the atrocity continues.

The man, named as Osama K by authorities, has already been handed the same charge over the Brussels bombings earlier this month but a new indictment was released on Wednesday.

Within the framework of the ongoing federal investigation into the terrorist attacks in Parishe has been charged with terrorist murder and participation at the activities of a terrorist group, a spokesperson for the Belgian federal prosecutors office said.

A photo posted on Osama Krayem's Facebook page appearing to show him in Syria with a gun and Isis flag (Facebook)

He appeared this morning before the pre-trial chamber of the Brussels court, which extended his detention with one month.

The 23-year-old Swedish national has previously been identified as Osama Krayem by local media, who said he appeared in a 2005 documentary on integration in Malmo as a child.

The latest charges come as links continue to emerge between the Isis cells that carried out the attacks in France and Belgium.

Investigators said that DNA evidence placed Krayem in several safe houses used by Isis militants to prepare for the Paris attacks, including one where explosives were found in Rue Henri Berge, Schaerbeek.

Krayem was already suspected of buying the suitcases used for the Brussels Airport bombs and was also caught on CCTV with Metro bomber Khalid el-Bakraoui shortly before he blew himself up.

He was also linked to Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam, who picked him up from Ulm in Germany in a rented car on 3 October, but his precise role in the plot is unclear.

In pictures: Paris attacks Show all 25 1 /25 In pictures: Paris attacks In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French police with protective shields walk in line near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers evacuate an injured person on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French Vigipirate troops mobilize next to Place de la Bastille AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French soldiers mobilize near to the Place de la Bastille AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated outside the scene of a hostage situation at the Bataclan theatre EPA In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks People react as they gather to watch the scene near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French police secure the area outside a cafe near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers workers evacuate victims near the Bataclan concert hall AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and French President Francois Hollande attending an emergency meeting at the Interior Ministry AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France after explosions were heard outside AP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks A man lies on the ground as French police check his identity near the Bataclan concert hall Reuters In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Police officers man a position close to the Bataclan theatre AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Paris EPA In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Two men evacuate the Place de la Republique square in Paris as a police officer looks on AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Football fans are evacuated from the Stade de France stadium In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks An armed police officer Dan Gabriel In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Stade de France is evacuated after reports of an explosion In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks A member of the French fire brigade aids an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Wounded people are evacuated from the Stade de France in Paris In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Police are seen outside a cafe in 10th arrondissement of the French capital Paris, In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Rescuers assist an injured man on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, close to the Bataclan concert hall AFP In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The scene at a restaurant in 10th arrondissement In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Bataclan theatre - where around 100 people are thought be held hostage In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks The Stade de France as it was evacuated In pictures: Paris attacks Paris attacks Forensic experts inspect the site of an attack outside the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis AFP

The pair drove to Belgium with another suspect known only under the aliases Amine Choukri and Monir Ahmed Alaaj, who was arrested with Abdeslam and has been charged with terrorist murder.

He is known to have fought for Isis in Syria, with relatives saying he disappeared from Malmo after allegedly trying to recruit friends, and later called to say he had joined the so-called Islamic State.

A photo posted on his Facebook page in January 2015 showed him wearing military fatigues and holding a Kalashnikov in front of an Isis flag.

Krayem re-entered Europe carrying a fake passport in the name of Naim Al Hamed, supposedly a 28-year-old Syrian man from Hama, and also used the alias and Omar Abdelkader.

He is believed to have arrived on the Greek island of Leros on 20 September last year, travelling on to a centre for asylum seekers in Ulm with refugees alongside Choukri, whose real name has not been released by Belgian authorities.

Eight of the Paris attackers were killed during the massacres, while suspected ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud died in a police raid days afterwards and Abdeslam is in custody.

 Paris attacks: Abrini arrested

Mohamed Abrini, 29, was wanted in connection with the atrocity but evaded security services until he was arrested in Brussels on 8 April  the same day Krayem was detained.

He admitted being the man in the hat who fled the Belgian capitals airport after two suicide bombers detonated their vests as part of attacks that left 32 people dead.

Dozens of people have been arrested as European authorities swoop on Isis militants and alleged supporters linked to atrocities in both cities.

The European Union has called for the speedier adoption of measures to toughen security and counter-terrorism co-ordination among member states.

A plan proposed by the European Commission a year ago still needs changes to close intelligence gaps and operational holes, the EU executive said.

The EU can and must provide the right framework and tools for this, but what will make the difference is how member states use them, European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said.

The issue will be on the agenda at a meeting of EU justice and interior ministers on Thursday.
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Lausanne is joining the growing list of places looking to experiment with a universal basic income.

Politicians in Lausanne have adopted a motion to carry out a pilot scheme for basic income in the city.

Lausanne's city council has taken on a non legally-binding motion for the experiment, passing it by 39 votes to 37 last week, the Basic Income Earth Network reports.

There aren't any concrete details yet about how any pilot scheme would work, other than that it would be similar to the experiment planned in Utrecht in the Netherlands.

It would only include a small sample of Lausanne's population, and require funding from regional and national governments.

Utrecht is set to experiment with a basic income scheme in which its population will be divided into different groups that receive different levels of welfare, including one in the form of an unconditional basic income.

Leonore Porchet, the President of Lausanne's Green Party  a group which heavily advocates the experiment  said: "Basic income offers a solid and securing social floor, as opposed to the fragile social safety net that we know today. The freedom provided by basic income encourages activity, social inclusion and innovation. In addition it values and support the free work such as volunteer activities."

The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week Show all 13 1 /13 The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 13. Postal service clerks Average hours typically worked a week: 39.32 Median earned income: $51,000 What they do: Perform any combination of tasks in a post office like receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail racks or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Getty The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 12. Speech-language pathologists Average hours typically worked a week: 36.17 Median earned income: $54,000 What they do: Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 11. Registered nurses Average hours typically worked a week: 37.59 Median earned income: $56,000 What they do: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing-care plans, and maintain medical records. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 10. Psychologists Average hours typically worked a week: 36.75 Median earned income: $56,000 What they do: Diagnose or evaluate mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observations, interviews, and psychological tests and formulate and administer programs of treatment. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 9. Chiropractors Average hours typically worked a week: 39.75 Median earned income: $60,000 What they do: Assess, treat, and care for patients by manipulation of spine and musculoskeletal system. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 8. Occupational therapists Average hours typically worked a week: 36.02 Median earned income: $60,000 What they do: Provide rehabilitative treatments and procedures that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 7. Technical writers Average hours typically worked a week: 39.61 Median earned income: $62,000 What they do: Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 6. Physical therapists Average hours typically worked a week: 37.43 Median earned income: $63,000 What they do: Assess, plan, organise, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury. Rex Features The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 5. Audiologists Average hours typically worked a week: 37.77 Median earned income: $64,000 What they do: Assess and treat people with hearing and related disorders. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 4. Radiation therapists Average hours typically worked a week: 38.40 Median earned income: $70,000 What they do: Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to established practices and standards. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 3. Optometrists Average hours typically worked a week: 39.03 Median earned income: $100,000 What they do: Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 2. Pharmacists Average hours typically worked a week: 38.38 Median earned income: $102,000 What they do: Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. The 13 highest-paying jobs with less than 40 hours per week 1. Dentists Average hours typically worked a week: 37.83 Median earned income: $130,000 What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums.

The premise of basic income is pretty simple: give people a monthly cash injection to cover living expenses such as food, transport, clothes, and utilities, regardless of their income, social status, or anything else for that matter. No questions asked.

The idea behind universal basic income is that giving everyone the same amount of cash gets rid of overly bureaucratic, complicated welfare states, and makes ensuring all citizens have a decent standard of living much easier.

It has supporters on both sides of the political spectrum, with right-wingers liking the removal of government interference it brings, and those on the left favouring the lifetime safety net for lower income people it provides.

Switzerland will hold a referendum on the introduction of basic income in June, and though the Swiss parliament is opposed to any scheme, citizens could well vote in its favour.

Along with the Swiss referendum, and Utrecht's pilot, Finland's government has also expressed an interest in introducing basic income, and Canadian province Ontario will trial basic income, it was reported in March.

Read more:

 Barack Obama says Britain is a 'free rider'

 These tweets nail the absurdity of many tech offices

 4 reasons why the Irish economy killed it in 2015

Read the original article on Business Insider UK.  2015. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
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Up to 500 refugees are feared to have died an overloaded fishing vessel capsized in the Mediterranean last week, survivors have said, as new details emerged surrounding one of the deadliest incidents to befall migrants to Europe in months.

A group of 41 survivors who said they were able to escape to a smaller vessel were brought to the Greek mainland, and they have now told their story to the UNs refugee agency.

The survivors were mostly men, a spokesman for the UNHCR said, though the group also included three women and a three-year-old baby. They were brought ashore at Kalamata after they were spotted drifting miles out to sea on Saturday 16 April.

The UNHCR is still in the process of verifying the survivors accounts, and no official statement has been made.

But according to an update coming out of Greece on Thursday afternoon, the survivors described a tragedy on a scale not seen in the Mediterranean for a year, when more than 800 were feared dead when a boat sank off Libya on 19 April 2015.

The survivors were mostly among a group of 100 to 200 people who departed from near Tobruk, Libya, on an unseaworthy vessel.

They told the UNHCR smugglers then took them to a larger, near-full fishing vessel. The second boat could not take the weight of numbers and, the survivors said, sank due to overcrowding while it was being loaded with more people.

In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee children at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees queuing for food at the Kara Tepe camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees' tents at the Kara Tepe camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees at the Oxy transit camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees waiting to board ferries to the Greek mainland in Mytilene, Lebos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees waiting to board ferries to the Greek mainland in Mytilene, Lebos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees waiting to board ferries to the Greek mainland in Mytilene, Lebos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos The graves of drowned refugees in Mytilene, Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos A building used to house unaccompanied children at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees queuing to register at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees arriving on smugglers' boats from Turkey in Lesbos

Those who spoke to the UNHCR said they had either yet to board the larger vessel, or were able to swim back as it sank. They estimated up to 500 lives were lost in the incident, with those involved mostly from Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt.

Many details, including the specific date of the incident, remain unclear. It is possible that the larger vessel had departed from Egypt, as was suggested in reported earlier in the week.

The UNHCR said its investigation into the incident continued, and further updates would be posted on its website.
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Barack Obama endured something of a diplomatic snub as he arrived in Saudi Arabia for crucial talks about tackling Isis.

The long, roller-coaster relationship between the US and the kingdom two countries is going through one its rockier phases, with the Saudi government furious about a bill passing through the US Congress that could leave it open to lawsuits over its alleged involvement in the 9/11 attacks.

Mr Obama has opposed the bill and has threatened to veto it if it reaches his desk. But the US president was made clear of Saudis displeasure when he arrived at King Khalid International Airport and was met not by King Salman but by a lower-ranking royal, Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, the governor of Riyadh.

Barack Obama gets diplomatic snub as Saudi Arabia shows its anger over 9/11 bill

Ahead of Mr Obamas arrival, Saudi state television showed the king personally greeting senior officials from other Gulf nations arriving at the King Salman Air Base, the Associated Press reported.

Mustafa Alani, a security analyst at the Gulf Research Centre, said the Saudi decision not to dispatch a high-level delegation to greet the president was unusual and intended to send a clear message that they had little faith in him.

He will find a leadership thats not ready to believe him, he told the news agency. The Saudis had disagreements with previous presidents. Here you have deep distrust that the president wont deliver anything.

Mr Obama later had a one-on-one meeting with King Salman, and then took part in a regional summit with leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.

The meeting focussed on regional stability, counterterrorism including the fight against the Isis and Al-Qaeda, and the relationship with Iran in the aftermath of the nuclear deal with the West.

The personal relationship between Mr Obama and the Gulf leaders is cool. President George W Bush had a much closer personal relationship, Paul Salem, a regional expert at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, told The Independent.

Mr Obama later had a one-on-one with King Salman, before a summit of regional leaders (AP)

Gulf leaders rely on these personal relationships to sort problems out. Having said all that, the relationship between the US and the Gulf countries is pretty deep - theres oil and energy.Theres also a close security relationship.

The Sunni kingdom has long enjoyed its status as a regional power and its close relationship with the US. In recent years, it has expressed concern about a perceived pivot by the US towards Shiia Iran.

Mr Salem said the Gulf leaders were disappointed with what they considered the USs failure to push back against Iran or its proxies, both in Syria and elsewhere. He said the Gulf leaders believed Hillary Clinton may be more forceful as president; they were alarmed by Donald Trumps rhetoric.

Last week, it emerged that Saudi Arabia had told the Obama administration it would sell off hundreds of billions of dollars of American assets if Congress passed the bill that would allow the Saudi government to be held responsible for any role in the 2001 assault.

A US commission established in the aftermath of the attacks also concluded there was no evidence of official Saudi connivance. However, the White House has been under pressure to declassify a 28-page section of the report that was never published on the grounds of national security.

Some of the families of the more than 3,000 who died, have been trying to use the courts to hold responsible members of the Saudi royal family, Saudi banks and charities. Yet these efforts have been largely blocked because of a 1976 law that gives foreign nations some immunity from lawsuits in American courts.

The Senate bill is intended to make clear that the immunity given to foreign nations under the law should not apply in cases where nations are found culpable for terror attacks that kill Americans on United States soil.

Earlier this week, the White House said Mr Obama would veto any such legislation.

Given the long list of concerns I have expressed, its difficult to imagine a scenario in which the president would sign the bill as its currently drafted, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

A country with a modern and large economy like Saudi Arabia would not benefit from a destabilised global financial market, and neither would the United States.
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Barack Obama has been urged to use his visit to Saudi Arabia to rule out selling controversial cluster bombs to the kingdom amid mounting evidence they have been used against civilians in Yemen.

The US Presidents visit came amid increasing tension between the two allies over Americas ever-closer relationship with Iran, as well as the potential release of documents purportedly linking Saudi officials to the 9/11 terror attacks.

White House officials said Mr Obama and Gulf leaders were set to discuss deeper cooperation in the fight against Isis alongside broader talks over ways to resolve regional conflicts.

But the President has also come under pressure to use the opportunity to raise a range of issues with the Saudi human rights record  not least its indiscriminate Yemeni bombing campaign.

Speaking to The Independent, representatives for Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Campaign Against Arms Trade said it was time for Mr Obama to take a stand over the Saudi-led air strikes which have killed more than 3,200 civilians in little over a year and could amount to war crimes.

Human Rights Watch says that it has evidence of US-supplied cluster bombs being used at least five times in Yemen (Getty)

Human Rights Watch has repeatedly presented the Pentagon with evidence to suggest US cluster bombs have been used by the Saudi-led coalition since the start of the conflict in Yemen.

The organisations Yemen researcher Belkis Wille said she has spent months scrambling through the rubble of civilian buildings destroyed by American- and British-supplied bombs.

I personally have seen those cluster bombs used in Yemen in unlawful ways, the way you cannot use them [under international law], in or near civilian-populated areas, she told The Independent.

The US and Saudi Arabia are not signatories of the international treaty banning cluster munitions outright, and a deal to sell a specific type of cluster bomb to Saudi Arabia was given the green light by the US Congress prior to the Yemen crisis.

State Department officials have previously vowed to put pressure on their Saudi counterparts over reports of civilian harm in Yemen, while US laws over cluster munitions exports were made much stricter in 2009.

But rights groups said Mr Obama must show leadership and rule out future deals to trade cluster bombs for the kingdoms favour.

Congress has said we cannot sell to countries that use them near civilian-populated areas, and after what we at Human Rights Watch have witnessed in this war it would be unconscionable for the US to sell clusters to Saudi Arabia ever again, Ms Wille said.

We are calling for a ban on all cluster bombs in the future, but we also want a complete arms embargo on Saudi, particularly on the side of the US but also on the UK, until it changes its behaviour in the context of this war.

World leaders like Obama need to play that card, she said. Cutting off the tap on this massive flow of arms is what will get the attention of the Saudis and nothing less than that.

Amnesty International published an open letter ahead of Mr Obamas visit to Saudi Arabia, part of a world tour including Britain and then Germany, urging the President not to ignore human rights issues during his trip.

10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty

And joining the call for action over cluster bombs, Amnesty International UKs Arms Control Director Oliver Sprague told The Independent: Selling cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia was always a jaw-droppingly irresponsible thing to do and President Obama should make it clear during the trip that this will end once and for all.

With US-made cluster munitions killing and mutilating Yemeni countless civilians in the Saudi-led onslaught there, now is the time for the USA to finally agree to ban these appalling weapons.

Mr Sprague said the UKs murky role in the use of Saudi cluster bombs also needs to be made clear, after the Ministry of Defence confirmed the British military was supporting Saudi forces in Yemen.

Ministers need to give crystal-clear assurances that no British personnel or British equipment has been in any way involved in Saudi Arabias use of these weapons, he said.

Campaign Against Arms Trade says UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia now amount to 2.8 billion since the bombing of Yemen began in March last year.

CAAT spokesman Andrew Smith said the reported use of cluster munitions was another terrible reminder of the devastating impact that the bombing has had on Yemen.

Cluster bombs are deadly, he said. They are immoral and they kill indiscriminately. Their use underlines the contempt that the Saudi Air Force has for human rights.

For decades now, successive British and American governments have given an uncritical backing to the Saudi regime. They have been complicit in the repression it uses against its own citizens, as well as the humanitarian catastrophe it has unleashed on Yemen.

Yemen is currently operating under a ceasefire agreement made on 10 April in Kuwait but, according to Ms Wille, the peace deal has made little difference on the ground.

She said: I was in Yemen at the time it was announced, and no one had any hope it would make a difference.

Weve entered into such a dark place in terms of where the country is going, with the rise of Al-Qaeda and now the new emergence of Islamic State.

Its one year on from the start of the war and people have really just lost all hope, she said.
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An Australian mother and a television crew detained over a botched attempt to recover her children from their father in Lebanon have been released on bail.

Sally Faulkner, from Brisbane, and the four-person crew had been accused of the attempted kidnapping her two young children  a five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son  as part of a custody dispute with their Beirut-based father, Ali al-Amin.

Mr Amin is said to have dropped all the personal charges against the five Australians as part of an out-of-court settlement. Mr Amin said that he had dropped the charges against his estranged wife and the TV crew

from the Channel 9 programme 60 minutes - led by prominent journalist Tara Brown - because he didn't want the kids to think I was keeping their mother in jail.

Ms Faulkner says that Mr Amin moved their son and daughter to Lebanon from Australia last year without her permission  a claim he denies. As part of the settlement reached on Wedsnesday, Ms Faulkner surrendered any custody claims to the two children in Lebanon. She will accept that the children will stay with their father, her lawyer, Ghassan Moughabhab told the Associated Press. Taking into consideration the Lebanese law, he's in the right.

The judge in the case, Rami Abdullah said the state still has to decide whether to drop public criminal charges against the suspects, but that Ms Faulkner and the camera crew would be free to leave Lebanon once they posted bail. The TV crew were potentially set to leave Lebanon on a flight back to Australia as early as last night.

However, Ms Faulkner and the TV crew could be compelled to return to Lebanon to face trial if the public charges were not dropped.

Four men, two British and two Lebanese, remain in custody having been implicated in the alleged attempted kidnap. The Britons are Adam Whittington and Craig Michael, both employees of the UK-based company Child Abduction Recovery International (CARI). Last week, Judge Abdullah said the nine suspects could face up to 15 years in prison if tried and convicted.

The case has gripped many in Australia in the Middle East, with the out-of-court settlement coming nearly two weeks after the five Australians were arrested over the alleged kidnapping after the two children were snatched off the street.

CCTV footage broadcast on Lebanese television appeared to show several people grabbing the children from their grandmother  who Mr Amin said suffered a head injury during the incident - and bundling them into a car, with a man seen filming the scene from the vehicle.

According to reports in Australian media, the children were promptly united with Ms Faulkner, who called Mr Amin to let him know they were safe. Ms Faulkner was later detained, with other suspects detained soon after that. The children were then returned to Mr Amin.

Speaking outside the Palace of Justice in Baabda, a suburb of Beirut, Mr Amin said that he would allow Ms Faulkner to visit the children but he would raise them in Lebanon. He added that there was a chance of him taking the children to visit their mother in Australia, but only at some point in the future.
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Aid agencies have begun evacuating 500 wounded people from four besieged towns in Syria.

Half will be taken from Madaya and Zabadani, towns near the Lebanese border besieged by government forces.

The rest will be evacuated from Foah and Kefraya in north-west Syria, which are under siege by rebels.

In pictures: Syria conflict Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Syria conflict In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrians carry children amid debris following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian man carries a girl on a street covered with dust following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrians react as they stand amid debris following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian man carries a girl amid debris following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis An injured Syrian man walks out from the rubble of a destroyed building following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian woman makes her way through debris following a air strike by government forces in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis People stand on the rubble of collapsed buildings at a site hit by what activists said was a barrel bomb dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, in the Al-Fardous neighbourhood of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrian residents stand amid the rubble of destroyed buildings In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian resident grasps a mattress amid rubble in the al-Firdous neighborhood of the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A view taken from Tel al-Sawadi shows a large explosion allegedly at the Wadi Deif Syrian army base in northwestern Idlib on May 14, 2014, which opposition fighters have been trying to capture for more than a year. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Islamist rebels detonated explosives planted in a tunnel under the army base killing or injuring dozens. AFP In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A bullet-riddled parking sign stands amid debris in a deserted street leading into the old city of Homs In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A general view shows abandoned buildings on a deserted square in the old city of Homs after Syrian government forces regained control of rebel-controlled areas In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A military vehicle that belongs to the Free Syrian Army is seen in Al-Amariya district in Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A mosque is pictured through shattered glass in the old city of Homs, as rebel fighters withdrew from the city centre in line with a negotiated withdrawal deal with the government after having held out under tight siege for nearly two years In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Buses carrying Free Syrian Army fighters leaving Homs. Exhausted and worn out from a year-long siege, hundreds of Syrian rebels left their last remaining bastions in the heart of the central city of Homs under a cease-fire deal with government forces. The exit of some 1,200 fighters and civilians will mark a de facto end of the rebellion in the battered city, which was one of the first places to rise up against President Bashar Assad's rule, earning it the nickname of "capital of the revolution" In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrian government forces hold up a portrait of President Bashar al-Assad (L) while others raise the national flag on top of a pole in the old city of Homs In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad run through Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr crossing after their release by rebels. They were freed as part of a larger deal which saw the last remaining Syrian rebels in central Homs city evacuate their positions and free captives in several locations in northern Syria In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian woman and two children walk past heavily damaged buildings in the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A man carries a wounded girl following a reported bombardment with explosive-packed "barrel bombs" by Syrian government forces in the al-Mowasalat neighborhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A wounded man sits as he is treated at a makeshift hospital following a reported bombardment with explosive-packed "barrel bombs" by Syrian government forces in the al-Sakhour district of the northern city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Debris rises in what Free Syrian Army fighters and Islamic rebels said was an operation to strike Al-Sahaba checkpoint, which is considered a gateway to Al-Dayf valley, and remove forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad in Maarat Al-Nouman, Idlib province In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Men try to put out fire at a site hit by what activists said was an air strike by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the town of Azaz, north of Aleppo, near the border with Turkey In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Civil Defence members try to put out fire In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Survivors react at a site hit by what activists said was an air strike by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the town of Azaz, north of Aleppo, near the border with Turkey In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Residents queue as they wait to receive food aid distributed by the UNRWA at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Belongings of Syrian rebels inside a chapel at Crac des Chevaliers, the world's best preserved medieval Crusader castle in Syria. The village was destroyed in fighting between the government and rebel forces while the castle, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, also has been damaged over the past two years In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Hosen Sabah, a 16-year-old student is comforted by his mother at a hospital in Damascus. Nosen was wounded by a mortar outside his school, while 14 other students were killed and over 80 wounded In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Free Syrian Army fighter works on a locally made launcher before firing it towards forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad in Mork town In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrian policemen and citizens inspecting the site of a car bomb at the entrance of Moadhamiyet al-Sham neighborhood in rural Damascus. According to Syria's Arab News Agency (SANA), a car bomb explosion has gone off in the countryside of Damascus and initial information say there are casualties, where a car rigged with explosions was remotely detonated at the entrance of Moadhamiyet al-Sham neighborhood in rural Damascus during engineering units it was trying to dismantled it In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Opposition fighters carrying a rocket launcher during clashes against government forces in the Sheikh Lutfi area, west of the airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian man helps a woman to make her way through debris following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian man reacts as he carries the body of injured boy following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 33 civilians were killed in the attack In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrian rescue workers carry the body of a woman following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A Syrian woman walks past the burning wreckage of a car following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A man and two children run to a safer place following reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A man holds an injured child after, according to activists, two barrel bombs were thrown by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar Al-Assad in Hullok neighbourhood of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis An injured man talks on a walkie-talkie after, according to activists, two barrel bombs were thrown by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar Al-Assad in Hellok neighbourhood of Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis A man walks inside a mosque damaged by, according to activists, a barrel bomb thrown by forces loyal to Syria's president Bashar Al-Assad in Old Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Syrians gather at the site of reported air strikes by government forces in the Halak neighbourhood in northeastern Aleppo In pictures: Syria conflict Syria crisis Rebel fighters carry their weapons as they run to avoid snipers loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the town of Morek in Hama province

In January, the UN warned hundreds of people trapped in Madaya were at risk of starvation if they were not allowed to flee immediately.

A spokesman for the UN secretary-general confirmed the plans are underway.

Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Wednesday the people are in "urgent need of life-saving medical attention".

Mr Dujarric added: "The sad thing is, we should not have to negotiate medical evacuations.

He gave no further details on the timing or where the people were being taken.

 Aid reaches starved Madaya and other besieged Syria towns

The move represents the largest evacuation since a fragile cease-fire made in February.

In December 2015, 460 people from four communities were evacuated.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
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The crusading US attorney for Manhattan has launched a criminal investigation into possible international tax avoidance that may have been revealed by the Panama Papers leak.

Preet Bharara, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the area including Manhattan and Wall Street, has written to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, which helped break the Panama Papers story, requesting a meeting.

In his letter, reprinted in the Guardian, which also helped reveal the leak of 11.5 million files from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, Mr Bharara writes: The US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York has opened a criminal investigation regarding matters to which the Panama Papers are relevant.

The Office would greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak as soon as possible with any ICIJ employee or representative involved in the Panama Papers Project.

The launch of the criminal investigation comes after President Barack Obama described global tax avoidance as a huge problem.

Any tax avoiders who have Mr Bharara on their tail are also likely to find him an extremely dogged opponent.

Since becoming the US attorney for Manhattan in 2009, he has charged at least 96 Wall Street executives with offences connected to insider trading. By the end of last year, the New York Post was referring to him as crusading and claiming he had engaged in a six-year battle against Wall Street.

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

In 2011 he warned Wall Street that none of its largest firms were "too big to prosecute", and he has certainly shown little fear of confronting banking giants like Citibank, which in 2012 paid $158 million (110 million) to settle claims its mortgage unit fraudulently misled the government into insuring risky loans.

His opening of a criminal investigation into the Panama Papers also comes after he was involved in charging the Wall Street financier Benjamin Wey with securities fraud in connection with alleged reverse merger transactions between Chinese companies and US shell companies.

Announcing the indictment against Mr Wey, the chief executive of New York Global Group, in September Mr Bharara claimed: Ben Wey fashioned himself a master of industry, but as alleged, he was merely a master of manipulation.

 What are The Panama Papers?

According to the Guardian, the Panama Papers leak showed that Mr Wey had dealings with Mossack Fonseca.

Mr Wey, however, denies the charges against him, and Mossack Fonseca has strenuously denied any illegality, saying it has a strong compliance record.

The launch of the criminal investigation comes after President Obama made a rare unscheduled appearance in the White House Press briefing room to describe the revelations in the Panama Papers leak as important stuff.

In his unscripted remarks earlier this month, Mr Obama told reporters: There is no doubt that the problem of global tax avoidance generally is a huge problem.

The problem is that a lot of this stuff is legal, not illegal.

We shouldnt make it legal to engage in transactions just to avoid taxes. A lot of these loopholes come at the expense of middle-class families, because that lost revenue has to be made up somewhere.

Alternatively, it means that were not investing as much as we should in schools, in making college more affordable, in putting people back to work rebuilding our roads, our bridges, our infrastructure, creating more opportunities for our children.

He was backed by Jim Yong Kim, the president of the World Bank, who said last week that widespread global tax avoidance was a great, great concern.

Opening the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, he said: When taxes are evaded, when state assets are taken and put into these havens, all of these things can have a tremendous negative effect on our mission to end poverty and boost prosperity.
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The National Union of Students (NUS) National Conference in Brighton has chosen Malia Bouattia as president for the next academic year.

The former NUS black students officer beat current president, Megan Dunn, with 372 votes to 328 to land the highest national role in student politics in the UK.

Ms Bouattia is the first black and minority ethnic (BME) woman to be elected into the role.

Taking to the stage at the conference as her name was announced, Ms Bouattia said: When we talk about liberation, its not just about women, black, LGBT+, or disabled students. Its about us all.

Watch Malia Bouattias full speech:

Ms Bouattias appointment, however, has received a mixed reception on social media after allegations of anti-Semitism surfaced last week.

On Tuesday, the Oxford University Students Union (OUSU) announced its president, Becky Howe, would not be supporting Ms Bouattias presidential bid at the conference.

Signed by five other OUSU vice-presidents, the statement said: We have noted NUS presidential candidate Malia Bouattias response to the letter sent by a large number of Jewish society presidents.

The sabbatical team do not believe that the response was adequate and believe that there are still questions to be answered.

As a sabbatical team, we have decided that Becky Howe (as OUSU President, the leader of our delegation to NUS National Conference) will not vote for Malia Bouattia.

Over 300 protesters and heads of student Jewish societies asked Ms Bouattia in an open letter last week: Why do you see a large Jewish society as a problem?

The letter came after the Jewish society leaders were made aware of an article co-authored by Ms Bouattia five years ago in which she referred to the University of Birmingham as being something of a Zionist outpost in British higher education.

Ms Bouattia responded: I am deeply concerned that my faith and political views are being misconstrued and used as an opportunity to falsely accuse me of anti-Semitism, despite my work and dedication to liberation, equality and inclusion saying otherwise.

The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) had previously said Jewish students were rightly outraged to see a candidate for NUS president who sees their Jewish societies as a threat.

However, now that she has been elected national president, the UJS has said it is proud of its long history and long standing positive relationship with the NUS, and hopes that relationship will be able to continue with Ms Bouattia at the helm.

In an online statement, the UJS said: There will, however, still be many Jewish students who have not been satisfied with Malias response, so far, to the concerns raised by Jewish students over the last few weeks.

Now, knowing the result of the election, these questions still need to be answered.

In a post-election statement, Ms Bouattia said she was committed to putting liberation at the heart of the student movement.

She continued: In my role as NUS black students officer, I have a long track record of opposing racism and discrimination in all its forms and actively campaigning against it.

Jews have faced horrendous persecution over thousands of years and Jewish students on campuses and elsewhere continue to face anti-Semitism. Our movement knows this, and will stand alongside them.


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Q Which is the best airline to South America?

Name withheld

A That all depends where you want to travel to in South America - and how long you want to spend getting there. South America is arguably the most inaccessible inhabited continent for British travellers (while Australia is further away and has only three direct flights a day from the UK, dozens of connections are available).

Absurdly, South America has fewer destinations served by direct flights from British airports than it did 40 years ago. You can fly to non-stop to only three South American capitals from Britain, all from Heathrow: Bogota on Avianca, and Buenos Aires and (from next month) Lima on British Airways. BA also flies to Brazils two biggest cities, Sao Paulo and Rio, and Tam also flies to Sao Paulo. On the basis that South America involves a long flight, I suggest that the best airline is the one that flies to your destination.

For flights somewhere not covered by those possibilities, then best is a more nuanced answer. For Brazil, TAP Portugal has the best range of connections via its compact hub at Lisbon. The widest range of destinations in Spanish-speaking South America is offered by Iberia via Madrid.

After that, it all comes down to price. Air France/KLM offers a multiplicity of UK airports and South American destinations at keen fares. Avianca and Tam provide connections from their respective hubs in Bogota and Sao Paulo, though the timings on Avianca can be uncomfortable. And airlines from Mexico, the US and Canada will also offer competitive fares to win business.

Every day, our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles readers questions. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder

Click here to view tours and holidays in Central & South America, with Independent Holidays.
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For too long politicians have played politics with our education system. There are numerous reports that detail the negative impact of academy schools on the most disadvantaged pupils in Britain. Given that this scheme has been in motion for more than a decade it seems suspect that the Tories have not moved to counter this obvious problem.

Perhaps I am being foolish to expect that the Government would see any issue with a scheme that hurts the most disadvantaged. At the same time that inheritance tax is cut for the rich at the expense of the poor and disabled, why should we expect the Government to do any different when it comes to education?

A report released this week from the University of Oxford in collaboration with the University of Kingston shares a series of recommendations and learnings for academies from the project so far And the fourth conclusion? In order to improve admissions, academies exclude poor quality students.

This is simply astonishing. Given such attitudes it can be no surprise that, in its own research, the Sutton Trust continues to find poor children in academies perform significantly below their contemporaries in mainstream schools.

I used to call the academy programme the privatisation of state education, but it is much more than that: it is a state-sponsored form of social cleansing. Just as the poor and vulnerable have been removed from London, through the introduction of the bedroom tax and a failure to tackle the housing crisis, we now have a move to deliberately exclude poor students from the best state education.

The Oxford/Kingston report does later criticise academies for enacting policies that exclude poor quality students. The report notes that academies have developed behaviours that may have a negative long-term impact on society as they have become selective, do not teach their local community, do not teach White British students and exclude poor performing students. The fact that such results are woven into the academy plan is nothing short of a disgrace

As Prime Minister. David Cameron has a duty to serve all. Whether it is the forced academisation programme, the decision to treble student fees for undergraduates or the exclusion of under-25s from the National Living Wage (which still isnt enough to live off), this Government is firmly on the opposite to young, poor and disadvantaged people trying to get on.

Recommended Read more Nigel Farage may be over but Ukip is here to stay

Rather than moving power over schools from local communities into the hands of the academy sponsors and the Education Secretary, the Government should be focusing on increasing local community involvement. Instead of ignoring teachers, school heads and governors, the Government should be listening to them. Instead of ushering a generation onto the scrap heap, the Tories should wake up and realise the damage of their ideologically-driven education policies.

It is time to stand up and tell Government that we will not accept the privatisation of our state education system. We must not allow academies to cleanse our nations schools of the students that feel they simply do not have time for.
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The performance of the British jobs market in recent years has, as we all know, been an economic marvel. Since the depths of the 2009 recession an impressive 2.4 million jobs have been created  around 1 million of them full-time employee positions, too. Even when GDP growth all but dried up in 2011 and 2012 thanks to the eurozone crisis the good old UK jobs machine carried on humming away.

The unemployment statistics (not simply the inverse of the employment numbers thanks to shifts in the size of the available labour force) have been just as impressive. The number of jobless has come down from a peak of 2.7 million and stands at just 1.7 million today. The unemployment rate has collapsed from 8.5 per cent in 2011 to just 5.1 per cent.

Small wonder Conservative ministers, from David Cameron and George Osborne down, endlessly hailed Britains jobs miracle in the run-up to last years general election. And the jobs market has been just as impressive since the polls closed last May with jobs rising and unemployment continuing its downward trajectory.

Until yesterday that is. The latest jobs market report from the Office for National Statistics suggests a softening. Unemployment has risen for the first time since the middle of last year in the quarter to February. And the numbers in employment have risen at a much more modest rate. Even the ONS itself, not normally given to calling turning economic points, suggested that recent improvements in the labour market may be easing off.

That may not be such a bad thing. The flip-side of the jobs dream has been a productivity nightmare for Britain. Output per worker and output per hour worked have flat-lined since the financial crisis. The level of national productivity remains no higher today than it was in the second quarter of 2008. And thats without even mentioning the significant and widening productivity shortfall between the UK and the likes of Germany and the US.

Thats simply what happens if you experience a jobs miracle while GDP recovers from a recession at its slowest rate on modern record. So, in theory, a slowdown in the number of hours being worked could be a positive development, helping lift national productivity levels.

The problem is that it all depends on the reasons hiring has slowed down. Some analysts warned yesterday that the Brexit referendum might be to blame. Employers might be pulling in their horns while the nations future in relation to the crucial export market of the European Union is decided. Others suggested the jobs market might have slowed due to fears about the outlook for the global economy as the oil price remains low and doubts about China accumulate.

The danger here is obvious. Decent GDP growth alongside a slowdown in employment growth could be just the ticket for our productivity growth. A weak jobs market alongside a slowdown in GDP growth, on the other hand, would be doubly undesirable. Productivity would remain weak and total consumption would suffer as unemployment rose, possibly, in turn, weakening GDP further.

What does this mean for the Chancellor? In one sense Mr Osborne is already feeling the burn. The Office for Budget Responsibility lowered its productivity growth forecasts in the March Budget, slashing back the wiggle room in Mr Osbornes fiscal plans to virtually nothing.

Yet things could still get worse for the Chancellor. Despite its recent downgrade the OBR still thinks annual productivity will bounce back to 2 per cent by the end of the Parliament. If this doesnt happen  perhaps because of the fallout from Brexit, perhaps because of a new slump in the global economy  the Government will rapidly find itself in a whole new world of economic trouble.
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24 July 2003

There used to be a mosaic of President George HW Bush on the floor at the entrance to the al-Rashid Hotel in Baghdad. It was placed there soon after the first Gulf War in 1991 and was a good likeness, though the artist gave Bush unnaturally jagged teeth and a slightly sinister grimace. The idea was that nobody would be able to get into the hotel, where most foreign visitors to Iraq stayed in the 1990s, without stepping on Bushs face. The mosaic did not long survive the capture of the city on 9 April 2003 and the takeover of the al-Rashid by US officials and soldiers. One American officer, patriotically determined not to place his foot on Bushs features, tried to step over the mosaic. The distance was too great. He strained his groin and had to be hospitalised. The mosaic was removed.

Almost all of the thousands of pictures of Saddam Hussein that used to line every main street in Baghdad have gone, though for some reason the one outside the burned-out remains of the old Mukhabarat (Intelligence) headquarters survives. My favourite was straight out of The Sound of Music: it showed Saddam on an Alpine hillside, wearing a tweed jacket, carrying an alpenstock and bending down to sniff a blue flower.

Other equally peculiar signs of Saddams presence remain. The Iraqi Natural History Museum was thoroughly ransacked by looters, who even decapitated the dinosaur in the forecourt. In the middle of one large ground-floor gallery, almost the only exhibit still intact is a stuffed white horse that, when living, belonged to Saddam. Wahad Adnan Mahmoud, a painter who also looks after the gallery, told me the horse had been given to the Iraqi leader in 1986 by the King of Morocco. The King had sent a message along with it saying he hoped that Saddam would ride the horse through the streets of Baghdad when Iraq won its war with Iran. Before this could happen, however, a dog bit the horse and it died. Saddam issued a Republican Decree ordering the dog to be executed.

Saddam Hussein with his Revolutionary Command Council in 2003 (Getty Images)

I dont know why the looters didnt take the horse  they took everything else, complained Mahmoud, who was in the wreckage of his office painting a picture of Baghdad in flames. It isnt even stuffed very well. The horse, he added, was not the only dead animal that had been sent from Saddams Republican Palace to be stuffed by the museum. One day an official from the palace had arrived with a dead dolphin in the back of a truck. He said the leader wanted it stuffed. The museum staff protested that this was impossible because a dolphins skin contained too much oil. Mahmoud laughed as he remembered the terrified expression on the officials face when told that Saddams order could not be obeyed.

Saddam had three enthusiasms in the 1990s, two of which still affect the appearance of Baghdad. Soon after 1991 defeat in Kuwait, he started obsessively building palaces for himself and his family. None of these is likely to be knocked down since they now serve as bases for the US army and the Coalition Provisional Authority . Paul Bremer, the head of the CPA, has his headquarters in the enormous Republican Palace beside the Tigris, where he and his staff live in an isolation comparable to Saddams. Then, in the mid-1990s, Saddam began to build enormous mosques, the largest of which, the Mother of Battles mosque at the old Muthana municipal airport, was only beginning to rise from its foundations when the regime collapsed.

Saddams third craze, beginning about three years ago, was more surprising. He started to write novels. He dictated them to his secretaries and they were published anonymously in cheap editions, but Iraqis were left in no doubt as to the author. The critical response was adulatory, the print runs enormous. After the fall of Baghdad, documents were found in the Mukhabarat headquarters instructing agents to buy the books and get their contacts to do the same. Copies of his most recent novel, The Impregnable Fortress, as well as an earlier volume called Zabiba and the King, are still for sale in the Friday book market on al-Mutanabbi Street.

They cannot do much about the palaces and mosques Saddam built, but the US army and the CPA are obsessed with removing every mention of his name from Baghdad. You cannot enter the main childrens hospital without walking through a stream of raw sewage, and on some days there is no electricity or water, but earlier this month two cranes were at work removing large green overhead signs for Saddam International Airport. The US officials now in charge of Iraq seem to believe that their problems will be over if all evidence of Saddams existence is eliminated. This obsession explains in part the political failure of the US and Britain after their swift military victory. Their demonisation of Saddam produces a picture of Iraqi society as being wholly dominated by one man. In fact, the regimes support base was always narrow  this was the reason for its exceptional cruelty.

Iraqis were never going to welcome the US and British armies with cheering crowds hurling flowers. It is, nevertheless, extraordinary that in only three months the US has managed to generate such fury against its occupation. Guerrilla actions have so far been limited, but they are popular. In the middle of June, two men drove up to US soldiers guarding a propane gas station near al-Dohra power station in south Baghdad and opened fire. One of the soldiers was shot through the neck and killed and the other was wounded in the arm. An hour or so later I asked the crowd standing around a pool of drying blood on the broken pavement what they thought of the shooting. They all said they approved of it, and one man said he was off to cook a chicken in celebration.

US President George W Bush with US troops stationed at Baghdad International Airport in 2003 (Getty Images)

A month later the attacks have spread to the centre of Baghdad. I was waiting outside the National Museum, where the CPA had arranged a brief showing of the 3,000-year-old golden treasure of Nimrud, whisked for the occasion from the vaults of the Central Bank, to demonstrate that life was getting back to normal. Suddenly there was a six-minute burst of firing on the other side of the museum. It is a measure of the chaos in Baghdad that this turned out to be the result of two quite separate incidents. The first was a funeral: as is normal in Iraq, people were firing their guns into the air as a sign of grief. The American troops on the roof of the museum thought they were under attack and shot back. But most of the gunfire was in response to somebody firing a rocket-propelled grenade into an American Humvee in Haifa Street, wounding several soldiers. The surviving soldiers had then opened fire indiscriminately and killed a passing driver. As the Americans withdrew, the crowd, dancing in jubilation, set fire to the already smouldering Humvee.

A week after I had been to look at Saddams stuffed horse, Richard Wild, a young British freelance journalist, went to the Natural History Museum to get a story about its destruction by looters. He was a tall man with close-cropped blond hair and he was wearing a white shirt and khaki trousers. To an Iraqi he may have looked as if he were working for the CPA. As he stood in a crowd outside the museum an Iraqi walked up behind him and shot him in the back of the head, killing him instantly.

There are 55,000 US troops in and around Baghdad but they seem curiously vulnerable. They largely stick to their vehicles; there are very few foot-patrols. They establish checkpoints and search cars, but usually have no interpreters. Mou mushkila (no problem), one driver said when asked to open the boot of his car. Dont contradict me, a soldier shouted. Military vehicles are often stuck in horrendous traffic jams (because of the electricity shortage the traffic lights are not working) making them an easy target for grenades. Just before the attack in Haifa Street, I was talking to an American soldier outside the National Museum. The tag on his shoulder read Old Ironsides. I asked him what unit this referred to. He replied: The First Armoured Division, the finest armoured division in the world. But tanks and heavy armour are not much use in Baghdad. A few hours later, a sniper shot dead another soldier as he sat in his Bradley Fighting Vehicle by the gates of the museum.

Outside Baghdad, the army has been conducting search missions in the villages and giving them such names as Desert Scorpion. The press office puts out statements proudly listing the number of detainees and arms captured and suspicious amounts of money discovered. Villagers protest that they have always had weapons, and need them more than ever because of looters. They also have large amounts of cash, often in $100 bills. Iraqis have not kept much of their money in banks since Saddam closed them just before the first Gulf War. When they reopened the Iraqi dinar was worth only a fraction of its former value.

Some foreign observers are already convinced that this American and British venture will end disastrously. A friend representing a French company in Washington was told by the Pentagon that there was no chance of his employers in Paris getting a contract in Iraq because of Frances opposition to the war. He was not looking forward to reporting the total failure of his well-paid efforts, but to his relief the chairman of the Paris firm greeted the dire news with prolonged laughter, saying: Dont worry. Lets just wait a year or two and then it will be American companies that wont be able to do business with the Iraqis.

This could be discounted as the evil-minded French watching with delight as the Americans, with Tony Blair loyally chugging behind, sink deeper into the Iraqi quagmire. But the quite correct perception that the US has already failed in Iraq is becoming the consensus in Iraq as well as much of the rest of the world.

It is a failure of historic proportions. The aim of the war in Iraq was to establish the US as the world superpower that could act unilaterally, virtually without allies, inside or outside Iraq. The timing of the conflict had nothing to do with fear of Saddams weapons of mass destruction and everything to do with getting the war won in time for the run-up to next years Presidential election in the US.

The US failure to win a conclusive victory in Iraq is like that of Britain in South Africa during the Boer War. Like the US, Britain went into the war filled with arrogant presumptions about an easy victory. As the conflict dragged on, with a constant trickle of casualties from attacks by the elusive Boers, nationalists from Dublin to Bombay drew the conclusion that the British Empire was not quite as tough as it looked.

In Washington, as a visiting fellow at a think-tank for the first six weeks of the year, I was continually struck by the ignorance and arrogance of the neo-cons, then at the height of their power. They had all the intolerant instincts of a weird American religious cult, impervious to any criticism of their fantasy picture of Iraq, the Middle East and the rest of the world. Iraqis willing to explain how their country really worked found appointments with senior officials mysteriously cancelled at the last moment, sometimes while they were sitting in the officials waiting room.

This is an extract from Chaos and Caliphate: Jihadis and the West in the Struggle for the Middle East by Patrick Cockburn, published by OR Books, price 18. The discount code readers can use for 15% off Chaos and Caliphate is: INDEPENDENT
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The apparent absence of a civil war inside Ukip  a party often riven by infighting  is misleading. The EU referendum, which Ukip played such a big part in securing, has created a fragile truce between Nigel Farage and a growing number of enemies within the fold. But whatever the referendum result, the ceasefire will not last beyond 23 June, when a behind the scenes power struggle will become public.

We might assume that, if Britain votes to leave the EU, Farage would be unassailable: a hero who had achieved the partys mission against all the odds. But his celebrations, no doubt mainly of the liquid variety, might prove short-lived.

Although Farage dismisses post-referendum speculation as irrelevant and Westminster tittle-tattle", Ukip insiders believe he plans to rebrand and relaunch the party, modelling it on Italys populist Five Star Movement led by Beppe Grillo, a comedian. Ukip could become an internet-based party, which would enhance the leaders power.

There are rumours that Farage could try to abolish Ukips national executive  where, to his frustration, his writ does not always run  and replace it with a management board firmly under his thumb.

What would be the point of Ukip if the public votes for Brexit? It would not declare mission accomplished and stride happily off into the sunset. Love it or hate it, Ukip is now our third nationwide party, after winning 13 per cent of the votes at last years general election. It came second in 125 seats and is now a threat to Labour in some of its traditional working class strongholds.

Ukip is expected to win about six seats in the Welsh Assembly elections in two weeks, its first foothold. Jeremy Corbyns declaration in favour of EU membership could boost Ukips medium term prospects throughout Britain and the Labour leader has not yet proved he can attract blue collar support.

And yet his critics inside the party are making different plans for Nigel. Win or lose the referendum, they are determined to force a leadership contest this year and believe one is more likely than not. If the referendum is won, it might look odd to move against Farage so soon after an historic triumph. But triggering a leadership contest might be only way to stop Farage bouncing the party into backing his reforms.

Farage would naturally have a much better chance of seeing off a challenge if the Outers win the referendum. But if the Remain camp prevails, he could face a much tougher fight. An attempt to oust him would be a strange way to reward a man who has taken Ukip from 3 per cent in the opinion polls to the verge of a referendum victory.

The critics believe he repels as many people as he attracts and has now hit a ceiling of 10-15 per cent in the polls. To break through under a first past the post system that cruelly translated Ukips 3.9m votes into just one seat, they argue that a new leader is needed to broaden its appeal beyond core issues like immigration to, for example, stronger support for the NHS and a tougher stance against corporate tax avoidance.

His internal opponents also cite Farages dictatorial style, his tendency to fall out with close colleagues and determination to sideline potential rivals and successors. There are also allegations of lax financial controls and claims  hotly contested by his allies  that he spends money like water on items such as his personal security and transport.

Although his four-year term does not end until 2018, Farage's enemies claim he needs a new mandate to settle the partys post-referendum direction and point out that has not faced a contested leadership election since 2010.

Ukip insiders believe that the party no longer needs to be a one-man band because there are now at least two credible alternatives  both of whom would probably run. Suzanne Evans, a centrist, was interim leader for about five minutes when Farage honoured his pledge to stand down for failing to win South Thanet last year and then changed his mind. Evans has been suspended for six months for allegedly plotting against Farage, but if she is allowed to stand she would probably win the support of Douglas Carswell, the solitary Ukip MP, and Patrick OFlynn, the MEP and former economics  both among the many Ukippers who have fallen out with Farage.

The other likely candidate would be Paul Nuttall, the deputy leader. He enjoys strong support across the party and appears to have been sidelined recently by Farage, who has given a higher profile to Diane James, another MEP.

One thing is certain: the referendum battle will be followed swiftly by another one for Ukips soul. The party is not going to disappear. A narrow win for the In camp, which might be as good as it can get, would not settle the Europe question for long or kill Ukip, just as defeat in the Scottish referendum did not halt the SNP bandwagon.

Ukip is here to stay. The interesting question is whether Farage is.
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Poor old Barack. Off he goes to Riyadh to talk to his so-called ally, Saudi Arabia. The Sunni Wahhabi kingdom long ago run out of patience with the US president, who befriended Shiite Iran and who failed to destroy the Alawite (read: Shiite) regime in Syria. So why is Obama even bothering coming to the Gulf? Does he have any friends left among the kings, emirs and princes of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the Emirates and Oman?

Obama wont be entering the Saudi lions den. The Saudis were never as brave as lions  which is why they let the decidedly unprincely Osama bin Laden lead the Arab legion in Afghanistan  but the little cubs now trying to run the country are very angry.

The ambitious, ruthless deputy crown prince and defence minister, Mohamed bin Salman, launched the kingdoms crazed war against the Houthi rebels in Yemen last year, convinced (without evidence) that Iran was arming them. The young Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubair  brilliant former Washington ambassador, a man with a silken, dangerously eloquent tongue  has no hesitation in denouncing Western weakness.

And, according to the New York Times, the Saudis have even threatened to sell billions of dollars of their US assets if Congress passes a bill allowing the Saudi government to be held responsible in American courts for the crimes against humanity of 9/11.

And that, indeed, is the foundation of the US-Saudi mess right now. Of the 19 hijackers involved in 9/11, 15 were Saudis, a fact diplomatically ignored in the years immediately following the attacks. The Saudis bankrolled the Taliban for many years.

The Americans believe  rightly  that Isis itself today receives much support from within Saudi Arabia, though they havent gone quite so far as to say the government is behind this. Saudi Arabia, in other words, is regarded in Washington as a very dodgy nation to be an ally.

But Obamas got to pretend to King Salman (the crown princes Dad) that the US still stands four-square behind the kingdoms security and sovereignty  he can hardly say hes going to support Saudi democracy for obvious reasons  and its clear that the countrys massive oil reserves, its million barrels a day output, strategic location and control of Sunni Muslim finances, means that the West has got to go on paying obeisance to all the regional head-choppers.

Be sure that when King Salman dies (and may he live for many years), David Cameron will once more lower the Union flag in mourning as he did for his predecessor.

 Obama to meet Saudi king in Riyadh amid strains

The real problem is that  after years of fantasy in which, against all the evidence, the Americans persuaded themselves that the Saudis were a force for moderation in the Middle East  the Obama administration has decided that Shiite Iran and the huge influence it exerts over the Shiite governments of Iraq and Syria (and over the Shiite Hizballah in Lebanon) is a better bet than the Sunni Salafists of Arabia. Hence the nuclear deal with Tehrans new leaders, the end of sanctions against Iran and the slowly-dawning realisation among Sunnis that Washington is going to tolerate the continuation of Bashar al-Assads rule in Damascus.

Iran may, as it was under the Shah, become the policeman of the Gulf. The Saudis will have to share power with them. The US wants no more free riders (as Obama snottily described the Saudis) supporting Isis.

The Obama line, which will be peddled heavily this week, is that diplomacy rather than war must resolve the Sunni-Shia conflict; that America is not going to embark on any more military adventures in the Middle East (nor, one suspects, give much more support to Crown Prince Mohameds adventure in Yemen).

It would be good to know what the censored 28 pages of the official US 9/11 report said about the Saudis. Maybe Obama will mention that in Riyadh? Any more talk of withdrawing billions of US assets might just persuade the Americans to open the book and let us take a peek into those secrets.
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Jeremy Corbyn has decided that doing politics differently didn't really work, so today he did it the same. He picked a weak argument of the Prime Minister's and devoted all six of his questions to it.

Question five featured the briefest of tributes to his old "people's question time" idea, like an ageing rock star throwing in a riff from his early experimental music, as Corbyn quoted four Year-6 pupils at a primary school in his constituency. But as their question to David Cameron was merely, "Why are you doing this?" Corbyn felt the need to back it up with a quotation from Kenneth Baker, the Conservative former Education Secretary.

As a result, Corbyn had one of his best outings as Labour leader. Cameron wasn't embarrassed as such  shamelessness being one of the qualifications for high office  but he transparently failed to produce any argument for the policy of forcing all schools to convert to academies.

Corbyn cleverly labelled the policy a "top-down reorganisation", making the analogy with the pointless and unpopular changes to the NHS made in Cameron's first term. Cameron responded with meaningless statistics, saying that 88 per cent of converter academies are rated good or outstanding, which any Year-6er would know was proof of nothing at all.

In the end his only argument was that academies are "true devolution", which is like saying people shall be forced to be free. The strongest supporters of academies are likely to be dismayed by the policy of compulsion, which is the one thing guaranteed to destroy the possibility of persuading the doubters, especially when the evidence on standards is not yet conclusive.

That is why academies  rather than today's rise in the jobless numbers  was the right choice for Corbyn's attack. In the end, all Cameron could manage was a couple of feeble jokes about McDonald's. He pretended he had misheard that Labour was banning McDonnell, "but it was not the job destroyer, it was one of Britain's biggest employers", and concluded by saying, "I'm lovin' it."

From that gruesome line the session was all downhill, as Tory anti-EU MPs asked hostile questions about the referendum campaign. Christopher Chope asked about the 3m net immigration forecast by the Treasury in its report designed to warn of the costs of leaving the EU. We just copied out our homework from the Office of Budget Responsibility, said the Prime Minister. Charlotte Leslie asked if his friend Angela Merkel was "outstripping everyone in making the case for Brexit". Cameron's reply was along the lines of no.

At last the unlikely cavalry arrived in the form of Kenneth Clarke, inviting Cameron to hold a seminar for "respected colleagues" on "the nature of international trade", because some of them (naming no names, Michael Gove) seemed to think "you simply have to turn up anywhere in the world and sell goods and services that comply with British rules".

With the London mayoral election just two weeks away, the session also featured electioneering of the crudest kind, as the Prime Minister accused Sadiq Khan, Labour's candidate, of sharing a platform nine times with a man who "supports IS". Corbyn shouted "Disgraceful!" from his seat, but the link between a Muslim candidate and someone who allegedly supports the Islamic State was made and cannot be unmade. Let us hope that this is a sign of desperation, because Khan is so far ahead in the London race.

For once, though, Corbyn could leave the Chamber thinking that he had done a good job of holding the Government to account. It was unlikely that Cameron could get the forced academies policy through the House of Lords in any case, and today's exchanges may have helped to force another U-turn.

Ben Chu, The Independent's Economics Editor, and I also reviewed PMQs on Facebook Live
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It is good news that a management buyout of the Port Talbot steelworks, with its thousands of jobs at risk, is beginning to take shape. Unofficial reports indicate that Stuart Wilkie, the managing director at Port Talbot, is heading up a buyout team alongside other staff members. This would be the best response to the decision by the current owners, Tata Steel, to explore all optionsincluding the potential divestment of Tata Steel UK, in whole or in parts. Closure of the plant isnt mentioned, but obviously it could come to that.

A management buyout is not an easy transaction to bring to success, but it does have the supreme merit of being authentic. It is, to use the old phrase, pulling yourself up by your own boot straps. Motivation is clear. There is no hint of asset stripping.

There is also encouragement to be had from a successful management buyout by Sheffield Forgemasters in 2005. The company specialises in the production of large bespoke steel castings and forgings. The buyout process, however, took two years. And as is the case with Port Talbot, trading conditions were unfavourable and there was a large pension fund liability. However the sheer determination of the workforce, backed by local MPs, succeeded in rescuing the 200-year-old institution.

Motivation at Port Talbot is clear and can almost be taken for granted. The bigger test is commitment. The sine qua non of a successful management buy out is that the management team itself, together with a substantial number of employees, invests in the new company in a personal capacity. It is not enough, however, to put up a sum of money you can afford to lose. The investment has to be on a sufficient scale that its loss would be painful. That is how the necessary commitment is established.

As for finance on a sufficient scale, I see four possible sources. One is the relevant trades union, Community, which was formed from a merger of the old Iron and Steel Trades Federation with some other craft unions. Community has said it would welcome prompt discussions with Stuart Wilkie. And it is a union that recognises that times have changed. It has said that the test for Community is to ensure that those who have benefited from trade union membership in a traditional sense feel the support provided by their union is relevant to their new journey. Well, a management buyout is a new journey.

A second source would be Tata itself, which could provide the buyout company with the funds that it needs to meet bills and cover losses in the early stages of the transaction. Normally such financial support is paid back out of profits in years three to seven. Frankly this would not be an attractive deal from Tatas point of view because of its obvious risks, but as a major player in an industry where re-structuring often causes social problems and thus brings the intervention of governments, Tata might think it worthwhile demonstrating good citizenship in this case.

Next in line for providing the necessary funding comes the British government. Sajid Javid, the Business Secretary told the House of Commons that the government was looking at the possibility of co-investing with a buyer on commercial terms. And he added: investment can take a variety of forms, for example it could be debt.

Now if these three sources of funds  the Port Talbot management and employees, Tata itself and the British Government as a co-investor come together in a fruitful partnership, then the possibility of a fourth source of funding becomes apparent  private sector investors. I refer to what are known as private equity firms that specialise in recovery situations. They might either be brought into the share capital of the management buyout from the start, but their entry would be more likely two or three years down the road. From Port Talbots point of view, it would be very valuable to have an additional source of funding waiting in the wings.

But the government needs to do more than just provide some much needed financial help; it should change the way it thinks about Port Talbot. For whereas the management buyout team led by Mr. Wilkie believes it is looking at an opportunity, daunting though it may be, government ministers talk in terms of a rescue, with all the negative connotations that such a word carries. The Government should buy into the managements vision for the future.
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I was sceptical from an early stage about the Arab Spring uprisings leading to the replacement of authoritarian regimes by secular democracies. Optimistic forecasts I was hearing in the first heady months of 2011 sounded suspiciously similar to what I had heard in Kabul after the fall of the Taliban in 2001 and in Baghdad after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003. In each of the three cases, there was the same dangerous conviction on the part of the domestic opposition, outside powers and the international media that all ills could be attributed to the demonic old regime and a brave new world was being born.

This seemed very simple-minded: I was very conscious that these police states  be they in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen or Bahrain  were the product as well as the exploiters of threats to their countrys independence from abroad as well as social, sectarian and ethnic divisions at home. Journalists, who earn their bread by expressing themselves freely, were particularly prone to believe that free expression and honest elections were all that was needed to put things right.

Explanations of what one thought was happening in these countries were often misinterpreted as justification for odious and discredited regimes. In Libya, where the uprising started on 15 February 2011, I wrote about how the opposition was wholly dependent on Nato military support and would have been rapidly defeated by pro-Gaddafi forces without it. It followed from this that the opposition would not have the strength to fill the inevitable political vacuum if Gaddafi was to fall. I noted gloomily that Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf monarchies, who were pressing for foreign intervention against Gaddafi, themselves held power by methods no less repressive than the Libyan leader. It was his radicalism  muted though this was in his later years  not his authoritarianism that made the kings and emirs hate him.

This was an unpopular stance to take on Libya during the high tide of the Arab Spring, when foreign governments and media alike were uncritically lauding the opposition. The two sides in what was a genuine civil war were portrayed as white hats and black hats; rebel claims about government atrocities were credulously broadcast, though they frequently turned out to be concocted, while government denials were contemptuously dismissed. Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch were much more thorough than the media in checking these stories, although their detailed reports appeared long after the news agenda had moved on.

Muammar Gaddafi at the UN General Assemblyv in New York, 2009 (Getty) (Getty Images)

Whatever their other failings, the rebels ran a slick and highly professional press campaign from their headquarters in Benghazi. Spokesmen efficiently fended off embarrassing questions and crowds waved placards bearing well-thought-out slogans in grammatical English in front of the television cameras.

My doubts about many aspects of the Libyan uprising, as it was presented to the world, are open to misinterpretation. There was nothing phony about peoples anger against a man and a regime that had monopolised power over them for 43 years. As in other Arab military regimes turned police states, Gaddafi had once justified his rule as necessary to defend Libyan national interests against foreign states and oil companies. But as the decades passed, these justifications became excuses for a Gaddafi family dictatorship that stifled all dissent.

Just how claustrophobic it was to be a Libyan at this time was brought home to me by Ahmed Abdullah al-Ghadamsi, an intelligent, able and well-educated man whom I met by accident after the fall of Tripoli and who worked for me as a guide and assistant. He came from a family and a district in Tripoli that was always anti-Gaddafi, and he had been on the edge of the resistance movement before we met. He was good at talking his way through checkpoints and winning the confidence of the suspicious militiamen who were manning them.

We shared a feeling of exhilaration now that the old regime was gone. I remember Ahmed saying to me with amused exasperation that books used to be more difficult to bring into the country than weapons. Seven weeks later, he was dead. He had felt he must play some active role in the revolution rather than just making money, had volunteered as a fighter and was shot through the head in the last days of the civil war.

In the early months of the uprising, a good place to judge the rebel movement was close to the front line in the largely deserted town of Ajdabiya, two hours drive south of Benghazi. Here the military stalemate of sudden advances and retreats was very visible: in the restaurant of the local hotel waiters started to ask journalists to pay their bills before they ate. The urgency on the part of the hotel management reflected their bitter experience of seeing journalists  their only customers  abandon meals half-eaten and leave, bills unpaid, because of a sudden and unexpected advance by the pro-Gaddafi forces.

On the outskirts of Ajdabiya, rebel pick-ups and trucks, with heavy machine guns welded to the back, rushed backwards and forwards, the speed of their retreats so swift as to endanger any camera crews or reporters standing nearby. I had an ominous feeling, as I drove about Ajdabiya, Benghazi and the hinterland of Cyrenaica, that all would not turn out well. It would take a long time to reduce Libya to the level of Somalia, I wrote on 13 April 2011, but civil conflicts and the hatreds they induce build up their own momentum once the shooting has begun. One of the good things about Libya is that so many young men  unlike Afghans and Iraqis of a similar age  do not know how to use a gun. This will not last.

Nor did it. But it was not the militarisation of Libyans that broke the stalemate but the intervention of Nato air forces. The shape of things to come was already becoming clear: on 22 May I described how flames were billowing up from the hulks of eight Libyan Navy vessels destroyed by Nato air attacks as they lay in ports along the Libyan coast. Their destruction shows how Muammar Gaddafi is being squeezed militarily, but also the degree to which the US, France and Britain, and not the Libyan rebels, are now the main players in the struggle for power in Libya. Probably Gaddafi will go down because he is too weak to withstand the forces arrayed against him. Failure to end his regime would be too humiliating and politically damaging for Nato after 2,700 air strikes. Once he goes, there will be a political vacuum that the opposition will scarcely be able to fill. The fall of the regime may usher in a new round of a long-running Libyan crisis that continues for years to come.

By August, Gaddafi had fled and I was in Tripoli touring the abandoned palaces, villas and prisons of the ruling family that had so recently abandoned them. I tried not to be a professional pessimist, pointing out hopefully that, unlike Iraqis and Afghans, Libyans had a high standard of living, were well educated and were not split by age-old ethnic and sectarian divisions. But even this upbeat summary concluded plaintively as I added: All the same, I wish the shooting outside my window would stop.

Rebels battle government troops in Ras Lanuf, 2011 (Getty) (Getty Images)

It never really did stop. Tripoli was full of checkpoints that reminded me of Lebanon during the civil war of 1975 to 1990. The arrival of the new transitional government from Benghazi did not fill me with confidence since one of its first measures was to announce the end of the ban on polygamy introduced by Gaddafi. I had periodically visited Tripoli in the 1980s and 1990s and had noticed that, as in the oil states of the Gulf, most of the work was done by migrants from poor countries that were Libyas African neighbours. To find out what was happening in Libya at that time, I would go for a walk in the marketplace and fall into conversation with bored Ghanaians or Chadians, all migrants on their day off, who would tell me more about the real state of the country than any Libyan official or Western diplomat.

But with the fall of Gaddafi, all black faces were regarded with suspicion by the new rulers as likely supporters of the fallen leader. They were often accused of being pro-Gaddafi mercenaries, interrogated, jailed and occasionally murdered. Life for the migrant and indigenous black population was to get steadily worse in the coming years as Libya disintegrated, and by 2015 Ethiopian and Egyptian Christians were being executed by Islamic States Libyan clone. Meanwhile, the West Europeans were reaping what they had sown by destroying the Libyan state: migrant labourers, who had once found jobs in Libyan markets and building sites, were now risking their lives as they sailed in over-crowded and unseaworthy boats across the Mediterranean in a desperate attempt to reach Europe.

My fears about the Somalianisation of Libya, first expressed in March 2011, had turned out to be all too true. Four years later, Libya was ruled, in so far as it was ruled at all, by two governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in Tobruk, while real authority lay in the hands of militias that fought each other for power and money. Demonstrators in the streets of Tripoli were shot down by anti-aircraft machine guns whose large calibre bullets tore apart the bodies of protesters; Tripoli International Airport was destroyed in fighting between rival militias; torture was ubiquitous; and the country split between east and west. For all his quirky personality cult and monopoly of power, life in Libya under Gaddafi had not been as bad as this. The demonisation of Gaddafi had an unfortunate effect in ensuring the opposition had no real programme other than his replacement by themselves.

Libyans were relieved at the end of 2011 to find that they no longer had to study the puerile nostrums of Gaddafis Green Book  in the knowledge that if you failed the exam devoted to this work, you had to retake the entire course. But Libyans also found to their horror that they had lost a haphazard but functioning state, and with it personal security in the sense of being able to walk the streets in safety. They were now at the mercy of predatory militiamen who were paid out of Libyas diminished oil revenues. I remember a fellow journalist upbraiding me politely in 2011 for stressing the failings of the Libyan rebels, saying: Lets remember who are the good guys. A few months later, as the revolution turned sour, good and bad in Libya were ever more difficult to tell apart.

This was a common experience in the six countries most affected by the Arab Spring. By 2015, three of these  Libya, Syria and Yemen  were being ravaged by warfare and two others  Egypt and Bahrain  were ruled by authoritarian governments more brutal and dictatorial than anything that had gone before. Only in Tunisia, where it had all started, did an elected civilian government cling on, though increasingly destabilised by massacres of foreign tourists by Isis training camps in Libya. The Arab Spring had turned into the age of jihad.

This is an extract from Chaos and Caliphate: Jihadis and the West in the Struggle for the Middle East by Patrick Cockburn, published by OR Books, price 18. The discount code readers can use for 15% off Chaos and Caliphate is: INDEPENDENT
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New Yorks primary has made it all but certain that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will be the nominees of their respective parties. Alas, it has also made it more than likely the autumn general election campaign will be the nastiest in living memory.

Clintons resounding victory in the state she served as US Senator for eight years has effectively shut the door on Bernie Sanders. Her lead in pledged delegates  not to mention the super delegates who can vote for the candidate of their choice at the July convention in Philadelphia  is now virtually insuperable under the proportional system Democrats use in primaries. She can expect more solid victories in next Tuesdays batch of primaries along the Atlantic seaboard, in Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Sanders will battle on, as is his right, but the outcome is no longer in doubt. Ditto (almost) Trump on the Republican side.

Polls suggest he will rack up solid wins in those states. The one unknown is the Pennsylvania Republican partys bizarre method of delegate allocation, whereby the winner can be certain of only 17 of the 71 at stake; the rest are chosen directly by voters and can support whoever they choose at the convention. Whatever happens, he is likely to come within 100 or less of the 1, 237 delegates required for outright victory.

At that point, deals aplenty are available for the author of The Art of the Deal  with John Kasich or Marco Rubio, for example, who each have more than 150 delegates. Also working in his favour is the widespread feeling that a candidate who comes that close should not be denied the nomination, even if that candidates name is Donald Trump.

The man himself is trying to become more palatable to a party establishment that detests him. His victory speech after New York was notable for its brevity, and lack of bombast and braggadocio. Even his main opponent Lyin Ted was referred to as Senator Cruz. Weve got work to do, was his highly unTrumpian sign-off.

Thus does the Donald seek to become presidential. And for the sake of the country, it cant happen soon enough.

 Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton win big in New York primary

As matters stand, a Clinton-Trump match-up for the White House would produce an American first: a presidential election in which both candidates are disliked by a majority of voters.

Right now Trump is, in pundit jargon, no less than 41 per cent under water: 65 per cent of Americans have an unfavourable view of him, against 24 per cent who approve. But Clinton is not much better off, a net 24 per cent under water.

These figures could improve, but probably not by much. Trump has given too many hostages to fortune (otherwise known as the Democrats opposition research department). Clinton has simply been too well known, for too long, for the public to change its view of her.

The stage is thus set for a brawl in which no topic will be off limits, as each seeks to make the other even more unacceptable to voters  another dismal advertisement for Americas already tarnished version of democracy.
Rehab is to sell its south Dublin headquarters in a move that will free up one of the highest profile development sites in the city.

The charity is seeking upwards of 12m for its 5.15 acre property in Sandymount in the heart of Dublin 4 close to the sea.

It has retained property agents Lisney and Savills to manage the sale. Bids are expected by next week but Rehab will remain on site for up to two years after the deal closes or until the charity secures an alternative home.

Rehab chief executive Mo Flynn said the sale was part of a greater change within the charity.

"Roslyn Park is an exceptional site with excellent future potential and we must maximise its value in order to meet both our existing obligations and to better achieve our mission which is to help individuals on their journey to be independent," she said.

Rehab has had its head office operations in Sandymount since 1983 and currently employs 160 people in Roslyn Park. Roslyn Park College, the flagship training centre run by Rehab's training division also operates on the Sandymount site.

Under the terms of any sale, the existing Roslyn Park College building on site will be sold and leased back on either a short or long term contract.

The property also incorporates the James Gandon-designed Gandon House which was built in 1790. It is a protected structure.

Roslyn Park faces on to Strand Road, but the sale will also include a house at 12 Seafort Avenue. That is described as being "in need of refurbishment".

That portion of the site is zoned Z1 residential while the main campus is zoned Z15 "to provide for institutional, educational, recreational, community, green infrastructure and other uses" under the Dublin City Council Development Plan 2010-2017.

Under the terms of Z15, residential development is "open for consideration", which may make it possible to develop the entire site over time.

Ross Shorten of Lisney and John Swarbrigg of Savills said that the property "combines a remarkable coastal location with exceptional development potential" and suggested that "this site presents a unique opportunity to deliver a high-end luxury residential development to the market".

The property hit the headlines two years ago when then Rehab chief executive Angela Kerins rejected claims she discussed selling the charity's headquarters with a developer who brought her on a helicopter trip.

Wicklow businessman John Kelly had claimed he spent over 100,000 on flights and hospitality for Ms Kerins and other Rehab officials to increase his chances of buying the she site.

At the time, Rehab released a statement claiming that the charity "at no point" considered selling or transferring the property, known as Roslyn Park, to Mr Kelly.

"Ms Kerins knew Mr Kelly personally some years ago.

"However, her (social) dealings with him in the past were completely unrelated to the business of the Rehab Group," the statement said.

Mr Kelly told the Irish Independent then that he did discuss the potential sale with Ms Kerins and Rehab's PR adviser Michael Parker. Mr Kelly said he flew Ms Kerins and Mr Parker to London on a private jet, where they dined in a Michelin-star restaurant.

Mr Kelly insisted he did not make an offer for the lands but discussed the prospect of acquiring the headquarters with Ms Kerins and Mr Parker.
Bord BIA has been urged to follow the move by Ornua to suspend farmer levies due to the difficulties in the sector.

It is estimated the milk levy move which sees farmers contribute to the marketing of products including the Kerrygold brand will save farmers nearly 6m.
The floods that hit many farms in the West last winter made compelling viewing on the TV news at that time. There is nothing however to compare with seeing something at first hand and when in Kinvara recently, a friend took me on a tour of some of the worst affected areas around Ardrahan in Co Galway.

This was in early April and it was astonishing to see how much water still remained.

Looking at the dark lines that reached over the windowsills on some buildings and the muddy areas still covering entire fields, I could clearly see the extent of the damage and the farmland that had been drowned during the height of the rainfall.

The turloughs were still almost full and it was difficult to imagine them ever draining, as of course they will later in the year when livestock can again graze on the enriched grassland.

But for now the aftermath of the devastation was all too clear and while turloughs have always filled over the winter months, the recent floodwaters reached heights never before encountered.

Turloughs are a type of disappearing lake and are a feature almost unique to Ireland. Principally associated with the limestone areas that occur in Roscommon, Galway, Mayo and Clare, they are essentially grassy hollows, often extending over many acres which, during wet weather, fill with water through subterranean passages in the rock, and empty by the same means.

The duration and frequency of the flooding varies from turlough to turlough and all are dependent on underground drainage. Most flood in the autumn, usually sometime in October and then dry up between April and July.

However, some turloughs in the Burren can flood at any time of year in a matter of a few hours after heavy rainfall and may then empty again a few days later. They usually fill and empty at particular places on the lake floor and sometimes a hole or passage is visible but more often a hollow with stones in the bottom is all that can be seen.

Some turloughs have a spring at one place and a swallow hole leading to an underground cave system in another location where water can drain away, while many fill and empty through the same hole.

In the past flooding has been blamed on these swallow holes getting blocked by material such as the shreds of torn black plastic from silage bales that can be seen hanging from roadside hedgerows throughout Ireland. In the Burren this plastic has been given the colourful name of "witches knickers".

One can well imagine a witch flying along at high speed on her broomstick and when swerving through a hedge, having items of her clothing torn and left hanging on the thorny branches!

Up to now, some of the work carried out to alleviate flooding appears to have been counterproductive. Water sinking in a swallow hole travels underground to re-emerge at a spring which can be several kilometres away and draining one area affects the next and so on down to the sea.

It must be remembered that while much of the water in the areas I visited exits to the sea at Dunguaire Castle beside Kinvara, it also exits initially into vast underground caves, many of which have yet to be explored and about which little is known.

One man I spoke to said that he believed that the drainage works that took place in an attempt to lessen the flooding around Gort had then impacted on Cahermore turlough and greatly increased the flooding there this year.

It would appear that if you drain one area, you simply send the problem on to the next spot down the line.

Many home and business owners are already preparing flood defences for next winter but no one can tell how effective they will be.

At Justin Flannery's abattoir at Peterswell, flooding reached right in to the yard of the premises. The turlough adjoining his property still looked vast and currently covers around 300ha but it too will disappear over the coming months.

As I drove around the area, some roads were still closed to traffic but extensive works are now taking place to raise the level of other roads in the locality. This will hopefully allow for better traffic movement but will not protect houses in the endangered areas. There are no easy answers and if our winter rainfall continues to increase, vulnerable homeowners face an uncertain future and could well be forced to relocate.
Over 500 farmers took the decision to leave mainstream farmer and convert to organic dairy, beef, sheep and other enterprises last year.

John McHugh, a dairy farmer in Clondarrig, just outside of Portlaoise, Co Laois, was one of those who took the plunge. John (35) has run the family farm since his father died in 1999 and in the intervening years he has streamlined production on the farm.

The farm was typical of the area, a mixed enterprise with 30 cows, 100 sheep and 100ac of barley and sugar beet. The first to go were the sheep as it was very labour intensive and in 2006/7 John built a new milking parlour.

He purchased milk quota, and as it was profitable it made financial sense to focus on dairy production. In 2007 he started off milking 60 cows and by 2015 was milking 160. Now he has taken it a step further and converted to organic.

"Of course it made me rethink what I was doing on the farm," says John about the abolition of quotas. "In my view I was approaching full capacity here and the farm was responding well and was profitable. I felt pushing the farm any further was merely chasing output.

"While economics was one aspect the overriding reason for my conversion to organic production is environmental sustainability. I have done my research and am confident that I am making the correct decision for me and my farm. I am the third generation of farmer on this farm to use chemical inputs, we are trained not to question them, but there has to be a better way of producing clean quality food.

"I really believe that there are big problems associated with how we are doing things - we need to change and sooner rather than later. Organic farming for me represents a more productive method of farming, one that measures the full cost, both financial and environmental, of the inputs involved," says John..

John is not taking converting to organic lightly. He has done his farm projections and expects a drop in income during conversion but his conservative projections predict his profits will soon return to current levels and above it.

He will undergo a two-year conversion period where he farms organically, but his milk cannot be sold organically and goes into the conventional sector.

After two years he gets his organic symbol from IOFGA, and can then sell his milk as organic. He can no longer use artificial fertilisers and that's the biggest challenge for most farmers as excellent grassland management is crucial to a successful organic dairy farm.

John was carrying 2.5 LU/ha, this year he will reduce that to 1.5 LU/ha, with the aim of gradually increasing stocking levels as he accesses the full potential of the farm.

The income drop during the conversion period is offset by stock sales, and payments received from participating in the Organic Farming Scheme of 220/ha while in conversion, and 170/ha when fully converted.

Economics

By switching to organic production the variable costs on John's farm will be significantly reduced. In 2015, John spent 33,000 on artificial fertilisers, which are obviously now prohibited in organics. His annual vet bill averaged 7-10,000, he hopes to reduce this by improving overall animal health through methods such as the herbal leys outlined above.

However, establishment costs of reseeding herbal leys are almost double the price of conventional reseeding, as organic seed is more expensive and is imported from the UK so sterling exchanges apply.

Feed costs in organic farming are higher than conventional production with rations costing up to 500/t, by feeding from straights this can be reduced to 300-350/t, and John intends on feeding less than 100kg/cow this year.

Grants under the Organic Capital Investment Scheme under TAMS II, are available to adapt buildings to organic standards, his existing buildings are adequate but he may look to apply for specific machinery in the next couple of years.

Overall he is confident that any loss in production will be offset by reduced operating costs, a premium price for his milk and the organic farming payment.

John feels that organic dairying presents a huge opportunity for Ireland. "Instead of relying on volatile far flung markets such as China, we should be targeting faster growing and more lucrative markets in the EU for organic products.

"This market has shown itself to be more reliable and secure, which is essential for farmers to remain profitable, while achieving our climate change obligations and giving substance to Ireland's clean green image," said John.

He is carrying on the environmental legacy left by his father PJ, who won a farming environmental award in 1993, while at the same time keeping his eye firmly on keeping the farm profitable.

Grace Maher is development officer with IOFGA, www.iofga.org
Cattle crushes are just one piece of equipment that can be applied for under TAMS II

Many farmers are aware that TAMS II funding is available for schemes such as dairy equipment and slurry storage, yet there is also funding for a wide array of safety equipment.

Under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme applications can be made to install items such as cattle crushes, sheep handling facilities, both fixed and mobile, changing swinging doors to sliding doors, replacing slats and head scoops, leg hoists and calving boxes.
Thirty years prior to the 1916 Easter Rising, this house on 23ac at Looscaun near Woodford in Co Galway was at the centre of fierce land agitation during the Land War.

While the Rising centenary celebrations have focussed the attention of the nation on events that went on to shape the political face of Ireland, at the time of the Rising the rural face of the country had been shaped by the Land War that had rumbled on for five decades prior to the events of April 1916.

The Land War and the Land Acts led to the emergence of a strong farming middle class based in small and middle-sized farms that were hewn out of the great estates. The agrarian struggle that brought this about was often characterised by mass demonstrations, evictions, boycotts and violence.

Nowhere was the Land War fought more bitterly than in East Galway where one of the more colourful and militant local land agitators, 'Doctor' Francis Tully made a name for himself.

Francis Tully wasn't a medical doctor, nor did he hold a PhD. He was nicknamed 'Doctor' in 1882 when he publicly prescribed 'leaden pills' as the best medicine for landlords.

In 1886 his house at Looscaun was the scene of particularly fierce resistance when Crown forces sought to assist the local landlord in an attempt to evict Tully.

A boat builder by trade, Tully also farmed a smallholding. His house was a big slated construction, unusual in those times and was much more easily defended than the mud-walled cabins occupied by most of the population. When the bailiffs came to call they brought with them a large force of police and military. Tully and his supporters withstood the siege for several hours, however.

According to records, the occupants of the house, which included 13 men and two girls, were arrested and subsequently imprisoned.

The famous Doctor Tully, badly injured during the siege, was imprisoned for 12 months.

Throughout the event a huge crowd of local people, including clergy, MPs and other public representatives, was kept at a distance by the police.

The local parish priest, Fr Coen championed Tully and his supporters telling his flock that, "by their spirit, they had done wonderful work for Ireland".

The area where the house is located is about 15.5km south west of Portumna and 22km south east of Loughrea. 'Dr' Tully's house is now for sale by public auction and comes with 22.8ac of land and a guide price of 250,000.

Distinction

According to Portumna Auctioneer, Ger O'Toole, the stone- built residence was extended and improved over the years and in its current incarnation includes uPVC windows and oil-fired central heating. "With with some tasteful modernisation it could make for a comfortable home of character and distinction," Mr O'Toole said. The accommodation includes a kitchen, sitting room, four bedrooms and a bathroom.

The lands extend to 22.8ac of good quality ground with plenty of road frontage.

A parcel of 10ac comes with the old farmyard adjacent to the residence while a further 12.8ac is located directly across road.

The auctioneer said what happened here is remembered with pride by the people of South East Galway.

The property will be sold at auction at 3pm on Thursday, May 5 at Gullane's Hotel, Ballinasloe.
A group of West Cork farmers have raised a 100,000 fund to support a legal action being lodged in the High Court shortly against the Department of Agriculture's land parcel identification system (LPIS) review.

The farmers set up the 'Disadvantaged Farmers Group' to challenge penalties they allege were "unfair" and "inequitable" and amounted to up to 100pc of their single farm payments.

The action could become a landmark case in challenging interpretations under the scheme.

ICSA West Cork chairman, Dermot Kelleher, confirmed they are proceeding with the action and "expect the papers to be lodged within a few weeks" following widespread financial support from farmers across the country.

More than 100,000 has been subscribed by farmers as a contingency fund towards the legal action.

Mr Kelleher said they feel penalties applied to farmers in the region were "unfair and totally unjustified" as he pointed out that 270 farmers in west Cork and Kerry had lost their entire entitlement for alleged infringement of the scheme conditions.

He said some farmers were penalised 100pc of their payment.

"But the information available to the farmer from the Department of Agriculture on the definition of eligible land was completely inadequate," he stated.

He claims that in the southwest the LPIS review was "particularly savage" on farmers, with many facing cuts on mountain type land in west Cork and Kerry.

The LPIS review was carried out by the Department following a charge from the EU Commission that Irish farmers had claimed areabased payments on what was considered 'ineligible' land, such as roadways, scrub and gorse.

The outcome of the review that saw the penalties applied to the 2013 payments were appealed by more than 10,000 farmers nationally.
There were over 200 near mid-air collision incidents involving Irish aircraft last year, new figures from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) show.

A minority of the incidents were classified as medium or high risk, according to the regulatory body.

The IAA also recorded over 200 incidents of lasers being directed at aircraft, while birdstrikes accounted for 285 safety incidents in 2015.

The most common safety issue logged with the IAA last year was a combination of system failures and malfunctions in aircraft, reported in 951 incidents.

Air traffic management (575 incidents) was also one of the leading causes of safety occurrence reports being registered with the regulatory body, while a loss of control within planes was blamed on safety concerns in 243 separate incidents.

Engine failure occurred 141 times, according to the IAA, while "security related" problems triggered safety concerns in 92 cases.

In 224 safety cases logged, the IAA says it does not know what caused the problem.

Incidents involving drones accounted for just two safety alerts, although the IAA says that it does not know the full extent of drone use in Ireland.

However, a spokesman for Aer Lingus has told the Irish Independent that a number of recent incidents involving drones have been reported by its pilots.

"Aer Lingus can confirm that there have been six incidents to date where our flight crew have seen drones in the proximity of operating aircraft," the spokesman said.

"Four sightings occurred in 2015 and two in 2016. Two sightings were close to Dublin Airport and the others occurred outside of Ireland. All sightings are reported to Air Traffic Control and to the Irish Aviation Authority."

A spokesman for the IAA declined to comment on the claims.

"It is IAA policy not to make public details of individual cases," said the spokesman. "Penalties for the illegal operation of small unmanned aircraft are entirely a matter for the judiciary following prosecution. Any unauthorised use may be referred to An Garda Siochana for investigation."

A spokesman for An Garda Siochana was unable to say whether there has been any investigation or action taken against drone users in Ireland to date.

The IAA spokesman said that the agency deals with cases involving drones outside public attention.

"The IAA has engaged with those who have operated drones unsafely and come to our attention, with each case dealt with on an individual basis and evaluated for its potential impact on safety," he said.

Britain's equivalent to the IAA, the UK Civil Aviation Authority, has issued more detailed guidance on the risk provided by drones to aircraft and passenger safety. It has published figures showing 23 incidents involving drones within the last six months, with over half amounting to serious "near miss" scenarios.

Last weekend, a drone struck a British Airways plane at 1,700ft as it approached Heathrow Airport. The Boeing 727 was carrying 132 people.
A LONG-AWAITED hearing by the European Court of Justice related to the government's 4bn recapitalisation of Irish Life & Permanent got underway yesterday in Luxembourg.

A group of shareholders, including a former non-executive director of the group, Piotr Skoczylas, sought to prevent the 2011 recapitalisation, arguing that the government did not have the power under emergency banking laws to freeze out existing shareholders from the plan.

Mr Skoczylas is the managing director of Malta-based Scotchstone Capital. He was added in 2011 to a High Court action taken by other IL&P shareholders against Finance Minister Michael Noonan, in an effort to reverse the first, 2.7bn phase of a government recapitalisation of the lender that summer. In 2012, Irish Life was sold to the State for 1.3bn, completing the 4bn recapitalisation. Irish Life was sold to Canada's Great-West Lifeco in 2013.

The initial 2011 stage of the recapitalisation under the Credit Institutions Stabilisation Act went ahead despite shareholders having voted against it. It resulted in the State taking a 99pc stake in the bank.

Mr Skoczylas had argued that prior to the recapitalisation that existing shareholders should not have seen their stake reduced to less than 44pc as a result of the government pumping cash into it.

But the Finance Minister has said that decision to recapitalise IL&P was made to fulfil the Government's legal obligations, and that failure to recapitalise would probably have led to the collapse of the bank.

In 2014, the High Court judge hearing the case referred it to the European Court of Justice. Justice Iseult O'Malley said the High Court was not able to definitively say whether or not the ECJ would confirm the law used under the Credit Institutions Act to recapitlise IL&P, now known as Permanent TSB.

The referral was heard by the European Court of Justice yesterday, but it could be weeks, or even months before a decision is made public. Mr Skoczylas did not respond to numerous attempts made to contact him yesterday.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) considered whether it was legal for an order to be made under the Credit Institutions Act to increase a company's capital without the consent of a general meeting, and allotting new shares without offering them on a pre-emptive basis to existing shareholders. The ECJ was asked to determine if such moves were precluded under a relevant company law directive. The parties to the main proceedings are listed as Gerard Dowling, Padraig McManus, Mr Skoczylas, and Scotchstone Capital.

Meanwhile yesterday, Great West Lifeco said Irish Life CEO Bill Kyle is to retire. He will be succeeded by David Harney.
A Goldman Sachs sign above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: Reuters

Goldman Sachs Group is weighing a bid for two massive bundles of Irish loans with a combined face value of 4.7bn being sold by the National Asset Management Agency (Nama), according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

Cerberus Capital Management, CarVal Investors and Lone Star Funds are also considering whether to bid for the loans held by the Nama, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the process is still under way.

The portfolios, known as Project Ruby and Emerald, will probably be sold for less than the face value of the loans.

Project Ruby and Project Emerald contain loans tied to apartments, as well as commercial property, development land and hotels.

Project Emerald is made up of loans with a par value of 2.5bn from 16 borrowers. Those loans are secured against 236 properties.

While most of the loans in Project Emerald are related to commercial property, more than a fifth of the underlying properties are residential.

By value, just over a fifth of the properties are in Dublin, while about half are in the rest of Ireland. The remainder are located in Europe.

Project Ruby, meanwhile, involves loans that have a face value of 2.2bn tied to 15 borrowers. The debts are secured against 253 properties.

Just over 11pc of that bundle is linked to residential sites, with the vast majority of the portfolio being made up of commercial properties.

Cushman and Wakefield is managing the sale.

First-round bids are due on Wednesday.

Goldman Sachs, Cerberus, CarVal and Lone Star declined to comment, as did NAMA. (Bloomberg)
Ornua CEO, Kevin Lane and Saeed Bajwaber, Chairman of Al Wazeen Trading at the opening of Ornua Cheese Manufacturing Facility in Riyadh Ornua opens a new cheese manufacturing facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 20 million state-of-the-art facility will manufacture white cheeses for the Saudi Arabian market. Pictured left to right: Saeed Bajwaber, Chairman of Al Wazeen Trading, Kevin Lane, CEO of Ornua.

Kerrygold producer Ornua is confident of delivering strong returns in the face of a challenging dairy market after growing its sales by 9pc last year.

The group, formerly known as the Irish Dairy Board, increased its earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) by 18pc to 58.8m.

Ornua's balance sheet increased in size by 21pc to 526.4m as turnover hit 2.54bn.

Chief executive Kevin Lane said it delivered growth in both new and existing markets in 2015, the first year after the removal of EU milk quotas.

"We are confident that, whilst recognising the challenging market conditions that exist, our business will continue to deliver strong returns and growth thereby enhancing value for the farmers we represent," Mr Lane said.

Ornua represents around 14,000 farmers said it must now face a supply glut whereby the supply of dairy products is outstripping demand.

One of Ornua's flagship labels Kerrygold delivered record sales of around 740m last year.

Ornua increased its product purchases from its members by 16pc last year and as a result has increased its annual bonus to its members by 17pc.

Members will receive an annual bonus of 14m, including a cash element of 10m.

Late in the year an additional special cash bonus of 15m was declared froma profit on the disposal of its majority stage in US distribution business, DPI Speciality Foods.
The pool at the Aghadoe Heights hotel overlooks the Killarney lakes

The operators of one of the best known five-star hotels in the country, the Aghadoe Heights in Killarney, expect a significant improvement this year in the hotel's performance on last year.

That is according to the chief executive of the country's largest hotel group, Dalata Plc's Pat McCann, who said yesterday: "2015 was a very strong year for the Aghadoe Heights. It was extremely good and we expect significant improvement on that in 2016."

Dalata - which operates the Maldron and Clayton hotel brands across Ireland and the UK - also oversees the running of the Aghadoe Heights hotel on behalf of owners, Aghadoe Hospitality Ltd.

The hotel - once the jewel in the crown of developer and hotelier Jerry O'Reilly's hotel portfolio - was sold by Mr O'Reilly for just over 6m to a fund controlled by asset managers Davy in 2014.

Mr McCann said yesterday that there has been a fair level of investment "in the hundreds of thousands" in the hotel since its purchase.

He said: "There is a very high level of repeat customers at the hotel. It is a beautiful five-star hotel in a prime location."

The Aghadoe has 74 bedrooms, 30 of them suites, two bars, a restaurant, a modern gym and a swimming pool that boasts panoramic views over the famous Killarney lakes.

The hotel was sold by Mr O'Reilly's Dalegrove Taverns Ltd which recently filed accounts showing that the firm recorded a loss of 1.4m on the disposal of its fixed assets on cessation of trade.

The accounts show Mr O'Reilly provided 5.57m from the hotel's sale to the company in order to discharge in full the amount owed to trade creditors and reducing the company's bank borrowings.

During 2014, the accounts show that the amount Dalegrove owed in bank loans reduced by 4.3m from 13.12m to 8.81m.

The bank loans are secured by a personal guarantee from Mr O'Reilly.
Ryanair will start feeding passengers to Norwegian Air Shuttle from airports including Dublin, Cork and Belfast, according to chief executive Michael O'Leary.

Mr O'Leary said Ryanair and Norwegian had reached an "agreement in principle" that will see the Irish carrier feed into the Scandinavian airline's long-haul operations out of London Gatwick. It serves a number of US destinations from the airport.

The two airlines have already begun working on aligning their booking systems to provide the feeder service.

Norwegian's Irish subsidiary, Norwegian Air International, is poised to receive a controversial permit that will allow it to commence flights from Cork to Boston this summer.

Last week, Mr O'Leary told the Irish Independent that Ryanair also plans to trial so-called interlining services between its own flights at Stansted and Barcelona later this summer. That will see passengers being able to transfer from one Ryanair flight to another while remaining airside. That means they won't have to check in their bags again or clear security a second time before boarding their next Ryanair flight.

The deal with Norwegian would be another transformative step for Ryanair. Mr O'Leary has said on a number of occasions that he thinks Ryanair will eventually become a feeder airline for legacy carriers such as Lufthansa as those airlines pare back their short-haul networks.

A shift to an operating model that includes lining up with long-distance routes is an "inevitable development," Mr O'Leary told Bloomberg yesterday. Transfers to established long-haul airlines could account for about 5pc of Ryanair's traffic by 2021, he said.
Here are the main business pages from this morning's papers:

Irish Independent

* Computer giant Intel has announced it is cutting 12,000 jobs from its global workforce - but has not provided information on how this may affect its 5,200 employees in Ireland.

Intel has said it will cut about 11pc of its workforce as it restructures following a decline in sales of personal computers.

* Rehab is to sell its south Dublin headquarters in a move that will free up one of the highest profile development sites in the city.

The charity is seeking upwards of 12m for its 5.15 acre property in Sandymount in the heart of Dublin 4 close to the sea.

* Sales at Primark rose 5pc to 2.6bn (3.3bn) in the six months to the end of February, but operating profit slipped 3pc to 313m (396m) as it shouldered the impact of currency exposures.

And like-for-like sales in the period dipped 1pc, the first such fall in Primark's first-half sales in 12 years.

The Irish Times

* Irish insurance firms are pressing for urgent steps to be taken in order to settle legal questions over any future failings.

Insurance companies here are reeling after two court rulings found the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland should bear the cost of a large amount of outstanding claims against Setanta clients.

* Irish Life managing director of its corporate business David Harney is to succeed Canadian Bill Kyle as chief executive from June 30.

The outgoing Mr Kyle has been chief executive at the firm since Great-West Lifeco acquired Irish Life in mid-2013. During his time Mr Kyle oversaw the merger of Irish Life with Canada Life, a subsidiary of Great-West.

* Malaysian Airlines head Christoph Mueller has resigned from his post and will leave the airline completely in September. Mr Mueller was previously the chief executive of Aer Lingus.

Mr Mueller took over Malaysian Airlines as chief executive last year tasked with turning around the company that lost two in 2014 to tragic incidents.

Irish Examiner

* Pharma giant Merck is to create 70 new jobs at its Cork facility following a 55m investment that will place it at the centre of its global operations.

Merck officially unveiled two new state-of-the-art manufacturing and research and development facilities at its base in Carrigtwohill in Cork.

* The operators of one of the best known five-star hotels in the country, the Aghadoe Heights in Killarney, expect a significant improvement this year in the hotel's performance on last year.

That is according to the chief executive of the country's largest hotel group, Dalata Plc's Pat McCann, who said yesterday: "2015 was a very strong year for the Aghadoe Heights. It was extremely good and we expect significant improvement on that in 2016."

* The communication watchdog (ComReg) is calling for an increase in the amount of fines it can place on companies that breach regulations.

The watchdog said changes to regulatory framework three years ago, which reduced the level of fines it could impose, was a backward step.
All countries are equal but some are more equal than others, at least when it comes to the European Union. Quelle surprise. Or whatever it is they say in Euroland these days.

The European Commission, the Brussels civil service that controls ever increasing areas of our lives, has not been consistent in applying the fiscal rules that require member states to keep budgets under control, EU auditors said yesterday.

The rules were introduced after the crash as a sop to Germany in exchange for its signature on bailout cheques. They obliged all countries to stick to tight budgets, even, as we are learning, at the cost of plunging the continent into a devastating economic malaise.

Now though, under pressure from their own jobless populations, national governments are increasingly tearing up the rule book. But only some nations are getting away with it.

The Commission "is not applying the procedure in a consistent manner," EU auditors said in a report,

The auditors said the Commission used "a high degree of flexibility and discretion" (ahem) for Italy and France in 2015, including basically turning a blind eye to Italy's breach of the debt rule, and giving France extra time to cut its deficit. The European Commission rejected this criticism, saying it treats all countries in an equal manner. Indeed.

Permanent replacement

Ptsb boss Jeremy Masding is finally going to have some management company at the bank's board meetings - where he has been the only executive among nine other directors since former CFO Glen Lucken left the bank last August.

The bailed-out bank yesterday named Stephen Groarke as its new group chief risk offer and said it plans to appoint him to the board at its next scheduled meeting on April 26.

The qualified accountant has been interim CRO at Permo since September. He was previously head of group finance at Permanent TSB.

Meanwhile, Bank of Ireland non-executive director Pat Butler has been appointed to the board of TIG Finco, which despite the name is not an Irish pub in Spain. Its in fact a major distributor of insurance products through subsidiaries in the UK.

Mr Butler is a partner of The Resolution Group, a financial services investment firm specialising in large-scale restructuring. Prior to that he spent twenty five years with McKinsey & Co.

Central Bank opts for plastic

The Central Bank is practising what it preaches: it wants a new cashless payment solution for all its staff restaurants, coffee docks and shop in Dublin.

The Central Bank has been pushing us to use cash less frequently, relying instead on plastic and innovations such as contactless payments.

The Central Bank said the principal use of the new cashless system (it already has one at exsisting sites) will be for staff catering services.

"Due to the planned introduction of a public-serving barista and a staff shop in the new office at North Wall Quay, the new system will also require the capability to allow direct payment for services through debit/credit card facilities," the invitation to tender states.

"Critical to the decision on the preferred tenderer is the approach to the mobilising of the new North Wall Quay office," it adds. The new Central Bank HQ is what would have been the new head office for the failed Anglo Irish Bank.

"This is an extremely high profile exercise and will require significant investment in time and personnel to ensure its successful launch," the bank adds.

That's management speak for 'we really need to get the tills to work in the new staff canteen'.
Former Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller is stepping down as the boss of Malaysia Airlines, just a year after leaving his role with the Irish carrier to take up the post.

Mr Mueller had a three-year contract with Malaysia Airlines. But he said "personal circumstances will make it difficult" to complete the term. He will remain as a non-executive director.

Former Ryanair executive Peter Bellew, who is COO with Malaysia Airlines, has been made an executive director of the carrier.

"We are very disappointed to lose Christoph as CEO but we fully understand his reasons and respect his need to do this," its chairman Md Nor Yusof said.

Mueller formally took charge in May last year to lead restructuring efforts.

Malaysia state investor Khazanah took the airline private in 2014 as part of a six billion Malaysian ringgit (1.37bn) restructuring aimed at returning the carrier to profit within three years.

The airline suffered twin disasters in 2014 after flight MH370, which was carrying 239 passengers and crew, disappeared in March. In July 2014 another flight, MH17, was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.

Mueller is a former chairman of An Post.

He left Aer Lingus just as IAG was in the throes of its battle to buy the airline, having signalled his planned departure before the takeover approach was made. As a shareholder he pocketed millions of euro from the Aer Lingus sale.
The logo of Mitsubishi Motors is pictured at at the 37th Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, Thailand, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Corp said it would address issues of misconduct in fuel economy tests at a news conference later on Wednesday.

Shares in the Japanese automaker fell more than 15 percent in their biggest one-day drop in almost 12 years.

"One of our models was found to have failed part of a fuel economy test," a spokesman for the automaker said.

President Tetsuro Aikawa will attend the news conference, due to start at 5.00 pm, the company said.

South Korean car makers Hyundai Motor Co and affiliate Kia Motors Corp in 2014 agreed to pay $350 million in penalties to the U.S. government for overstating their vehicles' fuel economy ratings. They also resolved claims from car owners.
Pierce Brosnan shared a shot of him with Doris in Remington Steele

Pierce Brosnan has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Doris Roberts.

Roberts, who starred alongside Brosnan in hit 80s TV series Remington Steele, passed away on Monday night in her sleep. She was 90.

Brosnan paid tribute with photos on Instagram and captioned a montage of images with the caption, "....my dear Doris, I am so very saddened to hear the news of your passing, I loved you Doris, we had so many good laughs together, and you always knew where the laughs were, you never forgot the audience...my heartfelt love and condolences go out to your family... You will be missed by many, forever and the day, but your work shall live on. Love life and laughs ...God bless."

He also shared a promo shot for Remington Steele in which they both featured, "...dear Doris, we had fun did we not...you were a joy to work with, you made me laugh and you made my work better for the laughter... Love life work and laughter...here's to higher ground ...RIP"

Doris was best known for playing the hilarious, meddling mother on TV sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond.

In the last two weeks she had attended a discussion on Hollywood and gender held by the SAG-AFTRA actors' guild.

Roberts won four Emmy awards for her portrayal of Marie on Everybody Loves Raymond and received a total of seven nominations as best supporting actress for the show.

"We loved our mom, the great DorisRoberts. A wonderful, funny, indelible actress and friend," Phil Rosenthal, the show's producer, said on Twitter.

...dear Doris, we had fun did we not...you were a joy to work with, you made me laugh and you made my work better for the laughter... Love life work and laughter...here's to higher ground ...RIP A photo posted by Pierce Brosnan (@piercebrosnanofficial) on Apr 18, 2016 at 11:37pm PDT

The sitcom, which ran from 1996 to 2005, also starred Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and Patricia Heaton. Peter Boyle, who played husband Frank to Roberts' Marie, died in 2006.

Born in St Louis and raised in New York, Roberts is survived by her son, her daughter-in-law Jane and three grandchildren, Kelsey, Andrew, and Devon Cannata.
Laurence Olivier in a 1944 production of the play which features the feckless Macmorris, the only Irish character in any Shakespeare play

Scholars believe that William Shakespeare may be to blame for the creation of the first stage Irishman.

The rough-hewn, feckless, brawling Paddy has been a stock character through the ages, first in theatre and later in cinema.

We see the stereotyped Oirish character in Hollywood movies from The Quiet Man to Ryan's Daughter, and in 1970s sitcoms, but where did this figure come from?

Professor Andy Murphy of the School of English at St Andrew's University in Scotland believes the hackneyed image of the pugnacious Irish goes all the way back to Shakespeare's play Henry V, and the character Captain Macmorris.

"Captain Macmorris is really the first stage Irishman,'' says Prof Murphy, who takes a special interest in the links between Shakespeare and Ireland. "He is the only Irish character in Shakespeare."

Henry V tells the story of the English invasion of France. Macmorris, the Irish officer in the army of the King, appears in a scene that to modern eyes seems like a joke - it features an Irishman, a Scotsman, a Welshman, and an Englishman.

"It is almost like they are walking into a bar," says Prof Murphy.

Macmorris gets embroiled in a row and delivers the most famous line about Ireland in Shakespeare's work: "What ish my nation? Ish a villain and a bastard and a knave and a rascal."

It is not a flattering portrayal of the Irish. Prof Murphy says: "Macmorris is incomprehensible and his sentences are incomplete. He is very aggressive and keen to get on with the business of blowing things up."

Centuries later in cartoons in the satirical magazine, Punch, the Irish were imagined as ape-like figures, according to Murphy.

"In a way Captain Macmorris is a little bit like that. He is inarticulate and aggressive."

Elsewhere in Shakespeare's plays, references to Ireland are equally unfavourable. In A Comedy of Errors, Antipholus and Dromio talk about a "kitchen wench", who is "spherical like a globe".

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Antipholus asks: "In what part of her body stands Ireland?"

The reply is: "Marry, sir, in her buttocks. I found it out by the bogs."

The humour of this Paddy the Irish joke may elude us today, but in Shakespeare's time audiences probably fell about laughing.

During The Bard's era, England was frequently at war in Ireland, and there are often references to this in the plays.

In Richard II, the king says: "Now for our Irish wars: / We must supplant those rough rug-headed Kernes / Which live like venom where no venom else."

The kernes to whom he referred were Irish infantry soldiers, who were often mercenaries.

Prof Murphy says: "They were much-feared and had a distinctive appearance. These Irish soldiers wore their hair long and combed forward, and they wore one-piece cloaks often pulled over their heads. They were seen as mysterious, strange and different."

When Shakespeare wrote Henry V, the Irish crisis was dominating English politics. In preceding years, the English had suffered heavy losses in Ireland at the hands of the Gaelic lord, Hugh O'Neill.

In 1598, O'Neill inflicted the heaviest defeat on English forces in the Irish wars at the Battle of the Yellow Ford on the Blackwater River in Ulster.

O'Neill was eventually defeated at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601; but to the English of that time, Ireland was like Vietnam to the Americans in the 1960s and 1970s.

Tens of thousands of soldiers were sent to fight in Ireland, and many lost their lives. In Shakespeare's home town of Stratford-upon-Avon, there is a reference to a violent war veteran, Lewis Gilbert, a "maimed soldier in Ireland", who stabbed his neighbour to death.

Prof Andy Murphy says Shakespeare could not generally discuss contemporary politics in his plays, because it was too dangerous and controversial.

"The only way of referring to what is happening in the present is by setting a play in the past or in a foreign country."

However, in Henry V, he does refer to the campaign of Queen Elizabeth's general in Ireland, the Earl of Essex, expressing the hope that he will return victorious.

The play mentions a general "from Ireland coming, bringing rebellion broached on his sword".

The domination of the Irish issue is raised in a book by the Shakespeare scholar, James Shapiro - 1599 A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare.

He notes that the original version of Henry V was not performed often soon after it was written, because of its focus on sensitive contemporary events. It was too hot to handle.

In some versions of the play, produced after 1599, references to Ireland were cut out to avoid giving offence.
Four hundred years after his death William Shakespeare remains the timeless international man of mystery. Almost everything about him is disputed. The plays that have come down to us today have been through the hands of numerous editors and were sometimes mangled.

Some of those editors in the past decided that his summation of the human condition wasn't what audiences would like, and they simply rewrote the plays to suit themselves. And then there were the collaborations. Shakespeare co-wrote many of his plays with others. The problem is that we're not sure exactly what works were shared with who.

The one abiding fact we can clasp onto is that William Shakespeare - whoever he really was and whoever his collaborators may have been - authored some of the greatest plays ever penned, and gave us characters that have been much copied but never bettered down the centuries.

Lady Macbeth, Macbeth

Macbeth and his wife have one of the most twisted relationships ever staged. It is a power-tussle between the two which would be later imitated, but never bettered, in the very best film noirs such as Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice. When Macbeth "sups full of horrors", we see how his lust for power has been provoked by his wife's sexual thrall.

Racked by nightmares she tries to wash the imagined blood from her hands. As the play unfolds, guilt has replaced her incredible ambition in equal measure. We are led to believe that her guilt ultimately leads to her suicide.

Masculinity is defined in the play by ambition and power - two qualities that Lady Macbeth possesses in abundance. By constructing the character in this way, Shakespeare challenges our preconceived views of masculinity and femininity.

Iago, Othello

Iago is Othello's trusted sidekick who, we discover, is not to be trusted. He engineers his master's downfall by persuading Othello that his wife is having an affair. Iago is an arch manipulator who is responsible directly or indirectly for all the deaths in the play. Iago is also one of the few appalling villains who does not get his comeuppance at the play's end.

The quintessence of evil, Iago is a cherished part for the Shakespearean player, and the one with the most lines in this play.

Iago is also a tragic character, who eventually betrays himself through a disabling resentment mixed with excessive devotion. He stands out as one of the greatest bad guys of all time for his glacial cunning and warped manipulation of his Boss "the Moor". Iago's final speech - "Demand me nothing. What I know I know" - is one of the great exit lines in all of Shakespeare.

Prospero, The Tempest

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The Tempest was the last play Shakespeare wrote wholly alone. The play is also one of The Bard's most otherworldly and it is tempting to view it as his farewell to this world, as if he was preparing himself for the next life.

Prospero was the Duke of Milan until his brother Antonio, conspiring with Alonso, the King of Naples, usurped his position. Kidnapped and left to die on a raft at sea, Prospero and his daughter Miranda survive because Gonzalo leaves them supplies and Prospero's books, which are the source of his magic and power.

The role of Prospero is not just a commanding one but a part with some of the poet's finest lines. The speeches in Acts IV and V, in which the exiled Duke of Milan brings down the curtain on the drama ("Our revels now are ended") and then repudiates his art ("This rough magic I here abjure"), are thrilling and majestic. Prospero is one of Shakespeare's great old men.

Hamlet, Hamlet

Hamlet is the melancholy Prince of Denmark and grieving son to the recently deceased King. This soul-searching character has been called the first truly modern human being ever portrayed in literature. The depth of Hamlet's emotional turmoil can be measured against the high spirits displayed by the rest of the court.

Hamlet is distraught dwelling on the fact that everyone has managed to forget his father so quickly - especially his mother, Gertrude. With her husband barely cold in the grave Gertrude has married her brother-in-law Claudius. When a ghost reveals that Claudius killed the king, Hamlet vows to avenge his father's murder.

However, Hamlet is emotionally all at sea and finds himself paralysed. He cannot balance his hatred for Claudius and his consuming grief with the evil required to carry out his revenge. Hamlet's dilemma leads him into the moral paradox that he must commit murder to avenge murder.

The Three Witches, Macbeth

The Three Witches, otherwise known as The Weird Sisters, have entered the popular consciousness as the classic embodiment of witchcraft. Shakespeare was a Steven Spielberg of his day. He wrote for the mass audience, but after James the First (James the Fifth of Scotland) ascended to the English throne in 1603 he appointed the man from Stratford-Upon-Avon as playwright to the royal court.

James was deeply interested in witches and believed they truly existed. Shakespeare's sworn duty now involved pleasing His Majesty, and so the Weird Sisters came into being. The origins of these spooky sisters are first recorded in Hollinshed's 1577 work Chronicles Of England, Scotland And Ireland. Historians believe that the Three Witches may have dated to much earlier times, and may go back to a number of Norse valkeries who decided which men would be slain at the Battle Of Clontarf.

Juliet, Romeo and Juliet

Juliet's nurse in The Bard's most celebrated romantic-tragedies is a scene-stealer. She gives a real human touch to a play that otherwise might, in Romeo's own words, "too flattering-sweet to be substantial". And yet it is the ill-fated Juliet who captures the heart. Still short of her fourteenth birthday, Juliet is of an age that stands on the cusp between childhood and maturity. At the play's beginning however she seems merely an obedient, sheltered, naive child.

Though it is common for girls her age - her mother included - to get married, Juliet has not given the subject any thought. Because she is a mere girl born into high society, she has none of the freedom Romeo has to go places, see people and get into brawls. Juliet's development from a starry-eyed girl into a fully-fledged woman is one of Shakespeare's early triumphs of characterisation. It marks one of his most rounded treatments of a female character.

Viola, Twelfth Night

Viola is one of Shakespeare's most delightful comic characters. As a shipwrecked orphan who has no-one to protect her, she has to be crafty and resourseful. She knows that a single woman adrift in a foreign land is at some risk. She disguises herself as a boy so that she'd have room to roam unmolested. Viola is Shakespeare's most sexually ambiguous character.

Throughout the development of the plot, and the humiliation of Malvolio, she displays an infectious energy as she engages in sparkling fashion with everyone around her. But it's not just giddy flirtation.

Her scene in Act III with Olivia, in which the frosty countess hovers on the brink of declaring her love for Cesario, is among the most exhilarating Shakespeare ever wrote. The most surprising thing about Viola is that a young woman so bright and gifted falls in love with someone as boorish as Duke Orsino.

Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing

Leonato, a well-liked nobleman, lives in the Italian town of Messina. Leonato shares his house with his lovely young daughter, Hero, his delightfully witty niece Beatrice, and his elderly brother, Antonio who is Beatrice's father. A party of friends arrive, including the joker Benedick. The well-matched Benedick and Beatrice fall in love. The love affair between the two is, strictly speaking, a subplot. But it comes to dominate the play, with Beatrice the standout character.

The play has been produced many times as a romcom, but it runs much deeper than an episode of Friends. Wounded and spitting barbs, Beatrice is more than a match for the flaky Benedick. Her call in Act IV's wrecked wedding for him to "Kill Claudio", her sister's sweetheart, defines the depth of her character. Is she joking or deadly serious? Probably a bit of both. In the end, despite his flaws, Benedick gets his girl.

Falstaff, Henry IV Parts I and II, The Merry Wives of Windsor

Sir John Falstaff is one of the great father figures in all of Shakespeare. Portly and often drunk, he is the feckless old rogue who accompanies the dissolute Prince Hal from a mis-spent youth to sober maturity. The heir to the throne spends most of his time in taverns on the seedy side of London, hanging around with vagrants and other shady types.

Harry's closest friend among the crew of rascals is Falstaff. Falstaff is the most shady of them all, but as a stage presence he is a giant in all senses. With his massive girth and gargantuan appetites, he is the misbehaving Oliver Reed figure that audiences love to disapprove of. The line in Henry IV Part II, when the newly-crowned King Henry turns against his oldest and best friend - "I know thee not, old man" - is one of the most chilling moments in the history of the stage.

Lear, King Lear

Hamlet is the young actor's ultimate test, but Lear is the one part to which every mature leading man aspires. Showcasing madness, bloodshed and the nakedness (real and imagined) of the human condition, playing Lear is a physically formidable role. It demands blood and sweat from any actor attempting it (sweat anyway, the blood is painted).

In Act III, Scene I, the storm - "Blow winds, and crack your cheeks" - leads to one of the most extraordinary moments of world theatre, perhaps the peak in a play rich in mesmerising scenes. In King Lear Shakespeare delivers a vision of humanity that is so bleak that it can leave audiences exiting the theatre wondering "what's the point?", but it is the ineluctable profundity of its wintery tale that makes it so great and timeless.
Guns, camouflage and anti-ambush training were the focus for the Defences Forces as 190 soldiers put in the final preparations for an imminent mission to Lebanon.

The soldiers will wave goodbye to their families over the coming weeks, as they make their way to the Middle East for a six-month peacekeeping stint.

The mission, under the umbrella of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), will see the troops contribute to peace and security and patrol the Blue Line that separates Israel and Lebanon.

They will also be helping to ensure there is humanitarian access to the civilian population in the area.

A spokesman for the Defence Forces told the Irish Independent that while there were always dangers associated with missions abroad, their training meant the troops were capable of dealing with any issues.

"There are inherent dangers in every mission and we recognise there are risks but we overcome those in training, with scenarios that are realistic," he said.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Troops from the 53rd Infantry UNIFIL Group train at The Glen of Imaal yesterday. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. Cpl. Shendah Moran, pictured at The 53rd Infantry UNIFIL Group Pre Deployment Mission Readiness Exercises at The Glen of Imaal prior to their departure to The Lebanon. Photo: Colin O'Riordan / Facebook

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Whatsapp Troops from the 53rd Infantry UNIFIL Group train at The Glen of Imaal yesterday. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

Of the troops set to be deployed, Cork represents the highest number at 41, followed by Kilkenny at 31 and Dublin at 20.

Nine of the 190 are women - a number the army is looking at increasing significantly with its latest recruitment drive.
Hopes that the long-running Luas dispute may soon reach the end of the line have been fuelled after drivers agreed to talks.

They are set to meet their employer Transdev to discuss a new pay deal that would mean they get a 10pc pay rise.

Drivers agreed to call off a 48-hour strike this weekend but had remained outside talks that kicked off with their colleagues yesterday.

Their decision to attend talks comes after Transdev put the workforce of more than 250 staff on protective notice.

It threatened to take them off the payroll from next Monday if they refused to carry out their duties during a work-to-rule or work stoppages.

It also threatened to cut their pay to recoup its losses due to industrial action.

But the breakthrough in the Luas dispute came as a row over a more frequent Dart service deepened. Irish Rail has threatened High Court action against two unions after 23 drivers refused to train recruits.

Welcoming the new development at Luas, Transdev managing director Gerry Madden said his negotiating team had a "positive engagement" with three of the four grades represented by Siptu.

"Further meetings are planned over the next 24 to 48 hours," he said. "In relation to the driver grade, the parties are working to agree a mutually convenient date."

Transdev met revenue protection officers, revenue protection supervisors and traffic supervisors to discuss a watered-down proposal for a pay increase of 10pc over 33 months.

The offer is lower than the 18pc proposed at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

Siptu recommended the deal but staff rejected it by almost 100pc. The new package tabled by Transdev does not include a long-service increment worth over 7pc and arbitration on a bonus due this year.

The company extended a deadline of last Sunday for staff to accept its revised offer to enable talks to take place after being approached by the three grades.

It said the revised offer was worse than the WRC package to take account of financial losses due to industrial action.

Meanwhile, Irish Rail said it threatened legal action against the National Bus and Railworkers' Union (NBRU) and Siptu because illegal unofficial industrial action was taking place.

The NBRU denied it organised the action and insisted that drivers were not obliged to participate in training. It accused Irish Rail of "skulduggery".

Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny said 23 drivers refused to allow eight trainees into their cabs to observe them driving the trains. Mr Kenny said training newcomers was part of the drivers' contract, and it was only voluntary at a later stage where an allowance was paid to drivers to mentor trainees.

"Irish Rail needs to be able to progress this service," he said. "There are options open to us including legal options."
A 16-YEAR-old girl with severe depression associated with an eating disorder is to receive up to 12 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in what a court heard will be life-saving treatment for her.

High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly ordered the therapy for the girl who, he was told, is a high achiever whose depressive illness has become so severe that she wants to die and attempts to injure herself including by running at walls and kneeing herself in the head.

The judge was satisfied it was a rare case in which ECT was "not only warranted but demanded" because all other medication, support and psychotherapy have not succeeded in improving her condition which is such that she is now "almost mute".

He was satisfied, in granting the orders sought by the HSE, that the advantages of ECT far outweight its disadvantages.

He was told its success rates in dealing with severe depression were between 50pc and 70pc and that side effects appeared to be limited to some memory loss for the patient. It is carried out under anaesthetic but the risks of a reaction to this from the girl were no greater than in most cases, the court heard.

The judge also took into account that the College of Psychiatry in Ireland, and its equivalent in the UK, while aware of some public concern about ECT, had said it was highly effective.

A psychiatrist treating the girl said she first presented with anorexia nervosa with a body weight of just 47 kgs (around 7st4lbs), and a body mass index (BMI) of 15. She was eating around 800 calories a day, far below the normal requirement and also exercising, she said, to reduce her weight.

She underwent treatment at a specialist facility here and at a paedeatric hospital eventually having to be fed with a tube through her nose.

By this stage she was had developed significant suicidal thoughts and just over a year ago, her parents and the HSE decided to transfer her to a specialist facility in the UK dealing in eating disorders. She agreed to the transfer.

The psychiatrist said while her weight stabilised in the UK under nasal feeding, her depressive state worsened to the point where she said she did not want to live and displayed distress, self loathing and guilt.

When the psychistrist spoke to her, she responded with nods and only after a long delay.

Episodes of self harm included pulling her hair out, digging her nails into her skin and running at the nearest wall in an attempt to bang her head and kill herself. She had sustained bruising to her head from this and a bald patch has appeared on her head, the psychiatrist said.

The doctor's view, and that of her treating psychiatrist in the UK, was that ECT was now the only option for her.

It would be carried out in a specialist ECT facility in the UK midlands by a psychiatrist with 25 years experience in this area. ECT treatment for children is rare with this facility using it on only around one child per year.

The doctor asked the court to review the treatment after eight to ten sessions.

The court heard the child's court-appointed guardian, as well as her parents, supported the treatment.

Mr Justice Kelly, in making the orders directing the treatment, said the case could come back before him on June 10.

In the meantime, an application will have to be made to the UK courts to get approval of the Irish court ruling.
A High Court judge has refused to allow an English company to fund a legal action against the State, businessman Denis O'Brien and former government minister Michael Lowry.

The decision, based on a law that dates back to 1634, means that the case will not go ahead as the plaintiff does not have enough money to pay the legal fees.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said today that third party funding in such cases is illegal under Irish law. The plaintiff, James Boyle of Persona Digital Telephony, said he does not have the 10 million needed, and will therefore have to drop the case.

Mr Boyle had sought to take a case after his company lost out on a mobile phone licence that was issued to Denis O'Brien's Esat Digifone consortium in 1996. He claimed that Esat won the competition by bribing the then Minister for Communications Michael Lowry - which is denied.

While third party funding of legal cases is common in Britain, it is banned in Ireland under the ancient law of 'champerty'. It states that no third party should be allowed to fund a legal case in the hope that they will take a share of any financial award. The law is believed to date back to Roman times and became part of Irish law during British rule when the Maintenance and Embracery Act was passed in 1634. This case was the first time that a direct challenge has been made to the law in an Irish court.

In her judgment, Justice Donnelly said that she had considered arguments made by Persona's legal team that the constitutional right to access to the courts should supersede an ancient law that had been abandoned in Britain and elsewhere. She said that she accepted an affidavit filed by Mr Boyle in which he said that he is "nowhere near the estimated e10million required to finance the proposed litigation."

She said that Mr Boyle had confirmed that if the funding arrangement is not approved, he will have no other means of prosecuting the case.

She added that Persona's legal team had said their claim is "of great public importance" and that if she allowed the funding arrangement she would ensure "the constitutional guarantee of access to justice".

But citing numerous judgments by Irish courts upholding the law of champerty, she said third party funding arrangements, "cannot be viewed as being consistent with public policy in this jurisdiction."

She said third party funding remains a civil wrong and a criminal offence in Ireland, regardless of changes in attitude to similar arrangements in Britain or elsewhere. She also pointed out that Persona had not challenged the constitutionality of the law and that the Superior Courts of Ireland have upheld the elements of champerty.

Justice Donnelly further noted that the legislature upheld the law on champerty in 2007 when it held a review of ancient laws and disposed of some of them.

Citing a previous judgment from 2011, she wrote: "In Ireland it is unlawful for a party without an interest to fund the litigation of another at all and, in particular, it is unlawful to fund litigation in return for a share of the proceeds."

At a brief hearing she concluded: "In the circumstances, I refuse the relief sought by the plaintiffs."
Former politician Ivor Callely is facing another term in jail for breaking a court order forcing him to pay a 1,755 debt to an accountancy firm.

The ex-Fianna Fail politician was jailed for five months in 2014 for using false invoices to claim expenses of 4,207.45.

Yesterday, Callely (57), of St Lawrence, Clontarf, appeared before Judge Michael Coghlan at Dublin District Court.

This set of proceedings results from his failure to comply with terms of a 2013 district court judgment compelling him to pay a 1,755 debt to Galway-based accountants Gallagher & Company, which asked the judge to issue a committal order.

Callely, who says he needs 2,500 a month for a "reasonable living", said he had done his best to contact the creditor but Judge Coghlan told him he was in contempt of court orders.

Threatening to jail him, the judge said he wanted to see proof of his income and expenditure. Judge Coghlan said he would not proceed with a committal order - but he adjourned the case for four weeks.

He gave the former TD and senator a "formal warning" that he would issue the committal order if Callely did not provide adequate information in advance of the next hearing.

The former politician has provided a statement of his means, which he said had been vouched by an assets management agency.

Tenants

However, lawyers for Gallagher & Company said they had not been furnished with Callely's income and expenditure documents.

In evidence, he said that he had an income of 7,683 a month. He pays 4,800 a month on a lease for a commercial property in Dublin - but he explained it was difficult to find tenants able to afford the rent.

Explaining why he had not paid the debt, he said his lawyers were also looking for a payment of 6,200 in legal fees arising out of his criminal charges and other proceedings.

The court heard he owes approximately 250,000 to the legal firm. He also said he owed 5m to AIB and 11m to another creditor.

Solicitor Paula McHugh, for Gallagher & Company, said that in three years since the district court judgment was made, he never picked up the phone to contact her clients.

"I try to be reasonable with everyone," said Mr Callely.

Ms McHugh said that was not the experience of her client.

He claimed he left numerous telephone messages but the court heard that the solicitors for the accountancy firm had received only one message.

Judge Coghlan noted from his statement of means that Callely has 2,500 in living expenses. The former politician said it was 800 a week, which he claimed was an amount set out by an insolvency adviser for "reasonable living".

Judge Coghlan was not satisfied with the documentation furnished and told Callely that he was not interested in third-party information. "I am not a bit impressed by this performance, Mr Callely," said Judge Coghlan, adding: "This is a very serious point, this is coming to the end of the rope."

He told him that an instalment order was in place, he had failed to make any repayments - and this was nothing short of a contempt of at least two court orders, the judgment and the instalment order. He said he was giving him a month to produce full explanations for "every penny of his income".
A 70-year-old man facing charges under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act has told a court he is of good character and raises money for charity.

The man was arrested in Mayo on Monday evening and charged under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 with restricting the personal liberty of a child for the purpose of his or her sexual exploitation.

The charge carries a possible prison term of 14 years.

The 70-year-old, who is originally from the UK, was today denied bail after gardai raised concerns about the seriousness of the charge and that he was a flight risk with no ties to the State.

The court heard that when charged, he replied: nothing to say, need to speak to my solicitor.

Inspector Tom Calvey told Castlebar District Court that he believed there would be further charges in the case.

The defendant appeared in court this morning dressed in a blue raincoat, red and white striped shirt and dark trousers.

The court heard he had lived in Ireland since 2002 and was the sole carer for his disabled wife who is wheelchair bound.

Garda Orla Browne told Judge Mary Devins that when gardai called to the home on Monday, the defendant's wife had made a report to gardai that she wasn't receiving the care she deserves from her husband.

"She is making arrangements to move back to England without him," she added.

Garda Browne told the court she was of the belief the defendant would not turn up for hearing if he was granted bail.

The accused addressed the court, informing Judge Devins he would provide a surety, surrender his passport and sign on as required.

My wife is disabled, Ive looked after her since 2002. Were very happy here, we have a property, a little farm, we have dogs. Shes in a medical facility now because of this incident, he said.

Everybody knows us. Ive been of good character and raised money for charities and I do good for the community.

I dont want to lose my wife, we are both very happy together in our cottage, he added.

The court heard the couple had moved to Ireland in 2002 residing initially in Kerry before moving to Mayo. The accused has two sons from a previous marriage, both of whom live in England but said he has not returned to the UK since he moved here.

It means everything to us, this has torn us apart. We could lose everything. I built up a good character over the past 10 years, I raised money for charity, I try to help anyone I can, he added.

Judge Devins denied bail but said it could be revisited following clarification on an issue. She also deferred making a ruling on a legal aid application after the defendant told the court he receives monthly pensions from Ireland and the UK amounting to 1,650. This rises to 3,000 a month when his wifes pension is included.

Judge Devins requested documentary evidence on his income.

The accused will appear before Harristown Court on Friday April 22.
A mother has pleaded guilty to unlawfully receiving 15,000 children's allowance payments while she working for Microsoft in Australia for three years.

Clodagh Logue (42) with an address at Granville Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty in a prosecution brought by the Department of Social Protection.

The offence, which is under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, can result in a fine of up to 2,500 and or a six-month sentence.

Judge John O'Neill heard at Dublin District Court that she received 15,618 but has been making repayments. The court heard she still owes 8,848.

She had been working for Microsoft in Ireland but was moved by her employer to work in their operation in Sydney Australia. She was there for three years while she was still claiming child benefit, the court was told.

Judge O'Neill heard that she has been working in Australia from July 2011 until August 2014. Her solicitor told the court the money was paid into her account in Dublin and it was out of sight, out of mind. She came back just once in the three years.

Her solicitor told the court that when she returned she engaged immediately with the Department of Social Protection and is paying the money back. The defence asked for a six-month adjournment to allow her time to discharge the full amount owed.

Judge O'Neill said that in light of the substantial payments already made the application for an adjournment was reasonable.

The case resumes in October. Judge O'Neill said that if the full amount is cleared it would be to her benefit.
Mr Justice Michael Moriarty has ruled that a section of law which allows for the instant activation of suspended sentences where a criminal is found guilty of a new offence is unconstitutional

Convicted criminals are set to challenge their jail terms after the courts struck down the law enforcing suspended sentences.

The justice system is facing a fresh crisis that is likely to see a raft of test cases before judges in the coming days.

It is the result of a High Court ruling by Mr Justice Michael Moriarty that a section of law which allows for the instant activation of suspended sentences where a criminal is found guilty of a new offence is unconstitutional.

The ruling is the first major legislative crisis to emerge since the election more than seven weeks ago - but with no government in place, it is unclear how quickly it can be resolved.

Acting Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, who spent yesterday at talks about the formation of a new government, was last night facing calls to introduce emergency legislation to stave off the crisis.

The minister's office could not confirm whether she would break away from the negotiations to focus on the situation but said "the consequences and implications" of the ruling are being "examined in consultation with the Attorney General".

The ruling came as a result of separate cases brought by six young men - who were convicted of offences ranging from public order offences to driving without insurance, attempted robbery and violent disorder.

As a result of the ruling:

Criminals already behind bars could seek to be released.

Cases before the courts are likely to be delayed.

And uncertainty hangs over cases where a judge might be expected to hand down a suspended sentence.

Within hours of the ruling, two cases at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court stalled. The judge said she was only in a position to "request" that the accused attend the next sitting of the court.

Suspended sentences are used regularly by judges to give offenders an incentive to stay on the right side of the law.

If the person commits a separate offence while serving a suspended sentence, they are automatically returned to jail.

However, Mr Justice Moriarty declared key parts of Section 99 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 unconstitutional, on grounds including that it allowed for significantly different treatment of persons as far as their rights of appeal are concerned.

Sources in the Department of Justice last night played down the significance of the situation - saying it would only affect a small number of minor cases.

They claimed there would only be a limited window of opportunity for someone to seek release from prison as District Court convictions must be appealed within 14 days and Circuit Court within 28.

But a senior criminal lawyer told the Irish Independent: "After this ruling, any decent lawyer will be down the courts seeking to test whether they can have their clients freed if they were dealt with under Section 99."

Problems with the application of Section 99 have been well flagged by the judiciary.

Mr Justice Moriarty said the Act was in need of "urgent and comprehensive review". He said it was drafted and enacted by persons "quite unacquainted of the actual practices of the courts".

Fianna Fail justice spokesperson Niall Collins urged the minister to bring forward new legislation as a matter of urgency. He told the Irish Independent: "It is very clear from the judgment that the operation of Section 99 has been fraught with difficulty and has attracted so much adverse comments from judges that I very much doubt that an appeal to a higher court would be successful."
A shop worker has been praised today after she snatched a gun from masked raiders attempting to rob a post office.

The woman, a German national, was working in Dunbar's shop and Post Office in Coutown, Co Wexford at 4.20pm yesterday when the raiders burst in brandishing what appeared to be a firearm.

Owner Declan Dunbar told Independent.ie that the thieves demanded money but his brave employee refused to open the cash register.

"They were wearing wooly hat pulled down and black jackets zipped up so you could only see their eyes and noses," he said.

"They demanded cash, they said 'give us the f**king money, give us the f**king money now'. But this woman just kept saying 'I have no key, I have no key'.

"Then there was a shamozzle and she pulled the gun off them. The lads were so shocked that this tiny woman had taken the gun from them that they just turned on their heels and ran."

He added: "She is a hero. I don't know if I would have been quite so brave."

Mr Dunbar called 999 and gardai were on the scene in less than three minutes.

Officers arrested one man fleeing the scene. A second man was arrested after he tripped and fell on the footpath.

The men, one in his late teens and the other in his 20s, are currently detained under Section 30 of The Offences Against the State Act, 1939 at Enniscorthy Garda Station.

Gardai have recovered the weapon and it is now undergoing ballistics tests.

Mr Dunbar explained that this is the third time his store has been targeted in the last two years. There was an armed robbery at the store two years ago and earlier this year windows were broken by raiders attempting to gain entry.

The store owner said: "I would feel like saying 'what the hell is the point?' But you can't let these things deter you. You can't give into these scumbags. Life is tough sometimes."
The governor of Irelands largest female prison has claimed jail should be about opportunity not punishment.

Dochas Centre governor Mary OConnor says that a loss of freedom is enough punishment for inmates like Black Widow Catherine Nevin and the notorious 'Scissor Sisters' Charlotte and Linda Mulhall.

Speaking to Independent.ie Ms OConnor said they strive to make conditions better behind bars for some inmates than it is on the outside.

If you or I ended up in prison this would be really, really tough for us. It doesnt matter what the surroundings are like, this would still be really tough for people.

If their lives outside are so bad that this is better than they have outside then I think we should try and do that, she said.

The Dochas centre on Dublins North Circular Road is regularly criticised for being too soft on inmates.

Prisoners are given greater freedoms than many of their male counterparts with many having access to single cells and their own keys.

Ms OConnor rejects the notion that criminals should be punished beyond losing their freedom: Prison should be an opportunity for change. Unless we provide a safe environment where people can look at what they need to change their lives we are failing society.

Society needs us to give people an opportunity to stop and think how they can avoid coming back here. In many cases it is drug related and so many women here are going to treatment, various residential treatment centres that they are now not committing crimes.

Its a safe environment where they have a chance to think and look at how they are living their lives up to now. How they can change the way they look at life and move on from there and live as a valued member of society.

Earlier this week Independent.ie was given a rare look inside the walls of the Dochas. There are currently 111 women locked up in the prison.

Ms O'Connor explained that everyone gets up at 8am, they have breakfast before school starts at 9.30am.

School is academic, plus less academic. This is so people who have had a bad experience of education are not afraid to come and participate.

They can do jewelery making, computers, Open University basic literacy and numeracy. There is a vast array of subjects they can do and be involved in.

Prisoners have lunch at 12.30, dinner at 4.30 and are back in their rooms by 7.30pm at night.

Our society says that loss of freedom is punishment. Once you have gone into prison you are serving your punishment. If we inflict more punishment on people then you are not conforming to what is expected in this western society."

She added: "So many women who come into prison dont feel like they belong in society. If we reinforce that then they wont gain by being in prison at all."
Marta Turalska (17), from Newcastle West, Co Limerick, who won first prize in the 16 to 18-year-old category. Photos: MacInnes

Aoife Casey (14), a pupil at Our Lady of Mercy, Waterford, who won top prize in the 14 to 15-year-old category for her self portrait in the Texaco Childrens Art Competition. Pic: MacInnes

A Limerick student scooped the top prize in this year's Texaco Children's Art competition - with the judge stating the quality on show from Ireland's young artists "just keeps getting better".

Marta Turalska (17) from Newcastle West was the pick of the bunch, with her portrait of her grandmother eating a grape.

The young Scoil Mhuire agus Ide student said her grandmother was delighted with the painting.

It was based on a photograph taken two years ago.

"I live with her when I go back to Poland every summer, she's very happy with it," Marta said.

"We were having fun when I took the photo," she added.

Portraits seemed to adorn most of the canvasses submitted for this year's awards.

Deciding judge Declan McGonagle praised the sheer technical ability on show in the competition, having reviewed tens of thousands of entries.

"What I look for is something that stands out, so it's a whittling down process," said Mr McGonagle.

"The standard is incredible and it just seems to be increasing year by year - it's almost scary how technical these artists are.

"I think arts are being taken more seriously in schools, and I hope it continues.

"I think people are understanding the importance of being creative," he added.

Another portrait came from Jack McKeon, also from Limerick, who finished in third place with a crayon drawing entitled 'Other People's Success Isn't Your Failure'.

Jack (17) said the painting of award-winning Broadway actor, Christian Borle, was inspired by the actor's Tony acceptance speech.

"Entering arts competitions I've faced competing and failing but you've got to look at yourself and say my time will come, others' success isn't my failure," Jack said.
It has been well-flagged that Mr Kenny has told Independent TDs he is prepared to appoint a Minister for Rural Affairs. Picture: Arthur Carron

Fine Gael is planning a significant shake-up of government departments if Enda Kenny is eventually re-elected Taoiseach.

The Department of Environment is expected to be moved out of the historic Custom House in Dublin city centre to another location, to be replaced by a Department of Housing and Local Government.

The Irish Independent understands Environment will also be renamed to put an extra focus on climate change; the portfolio is likely to be offered to the Green Party if its two TDs agree to take part in a minority government.

It has been well-flagged that Mr Kenny has told Independent TDs he is prepared to appoint a Minister for Rural Affairs. However, his or her remit is likely to stretch well beyond rural issues to take in many of the responsibilities currently assigned to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

"It is likely that 'Rural Affairs' will include much of the work that is being done by Heather Humphreys, but there is a view its title could also include mention of the Gaeltacht and community," said a source.

The Irish Independent has also learnt the next government is likely to retain the Department of Public Expenditure as a separate entity to the Department of Finance. The Labour Party and Fine Gael took one financial department each in the previous administration, but it is likely two Fine Gael ministers will be appointed this time.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TDs have reacted angrily to revelations that Mr Kenny wants to appoint an expert in housing to the Seanad and then make them a junior minister.

The proposal, revealed by this newspaper, has been the subject of private discussions by Fine Gael ministers and backbenchers. One minister told the Irish Independent the proposal had "gone down like a lead balloon".
Labour Party leader Joan Burton has called for every TD and senator to publish their tax records in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal.

Ms Burton said she would have "no problem" releasing details of how much tax she pays after the off-shore tax avoidance schemes controversy.

The acting Tanaiste also called for new rules to make it compulsory for politicians to publish tax details.

"Proposals to publish summaries of Oireachtas members' income could be discussed in the context of the negotiations around political reform," Ms Burton's spokesman said.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams are preparing to publish their tax returns.

In Britain, political leaders published tax returns after Prime Minister David Cameron's father appeared in files leaked from Panama law firm Mossack Fonseca.

Mr Cameron released tax records showing he received 200,000 gift from his mother, which was perceived as a payment aimed at avoiding inheritance tax.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is refusing to release his tax returns.

Mr Kenny's spokesman said he received no additional income apart from his Taoiseach's salary and does not have to file a tax return. He said Mr Kenny sent a tax clearance certificate to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo).

The Social Democrats, whose leaders Stephen Donnelly, Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy campaign for transparency in public office, are also refusing to give the public details of their tax records.

"Anything they make available to Sipo is for public consumption and they're all required to have tax clearance certificates so that should suffice," a spokeswoman said.

However, Sipo said it does not make politicians' tax clearance certificates public.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin also refused.
Former HSE chief Prof Brendan Drumm has called for significant investment in primary care to alleviate some of the problems in the Irish health service.

The number of people with discretionary medical cards has breached 100,000 for the first time, new figures show.

Around 103,000 people now have one of these medical cards which are given to those who are over the income limit but face financial hardship due to illness.

The number has doubled since June 2014 - when the coalition suffered in the European polls after the electorate reacted angrily to the removal of thousands of cards.

It signals a more generous system is in place which has widened the net, making it easier for people in need to get a card.

Acting Health Minister Leo Varadkar said: "Social and medical issues are considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services."

The new figures follow revelations in the Irish Independent that nearly one in five GPs, almost 500, are still not signed up to the under-sixes scheme, with only half the doctors in Dun Laoghaire signed up.

The breakdown of the figures, which were obtained by Dublin west Fianna Fail TD Jack Chambers, showed how many parents who want to avail of the scheme are having to switch doctors.

Tsunami

A Gorilla Survey of 200 GPs, overseen by Dr Sean Higgins, found that some GPs suffered a "tsunami" of attendances by under-sixes over the winter.

Many of them were suffering no more than "a runny nose" and did not need to see a doctor.

One parent who was taking her children to Disneyland brought them to the surgery before they left, even though there was nothing wrong with them.

Meanwhile, former HSE chief Prof Brendan Drumm has called for significant investment in primary care to alleviate some of the problems in the Irish health service.

Prof Drumm, who was the first head of the HSE, will address a public meeting organised by the National Association of General Practitioners tonight.

He said GPs need to be "allowed to take more responsibility for bringing solutions to the table."

They will discuss the need for a 'Tallaght strategy' type approach to sorting out issues in the health service.

The aim is to get agreement on actions from various vested interests.
CCTV footage of the attack (featured on Australia's Channel Seven). Inset: David Mulligan

Police in Australia are hunting for an Irishman who went on the run after being sentenced to prison for a vicious, unprovoked attack on a fellow dog walker in Sydney.

New South Wales police issued a mug shot of David Mulligan, 33, who is wanted for revocation of parole in connection with the assault on dog-walker Karl Nissen in the Sydney suburb of Alexandria on September 11, 2014, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Mr Mulligan, a personal trainer, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Nissen after the pairs dogs became entangled on a footpath.

Disturbing CCTV footage showed Mr Mulligan repeatedly punching a man in the face during the altercation.

The vicious assault left Mr Nissen, who is almost 60 years old, with a fractured eye socket, fractured jaw and a collapsed sinus that led to a lung infection, the local District Court heard.

Mr Mulligan pleaded guilty to the assault and was given a 15-month suspended sentence on condition he pay Mr Nissen $15,000 AUD (10,350) in compensation and be of good behaviour.

Do you know this man?



David Mulligan, aged 33, is wanted for revocation of parole.

If seen, call Triple Zero (000) pic.twitter.com/5fKyHdNJn9  NSW Police (@nswpolice) April 19, 2016

But the Australian Court of Criminal Appeal overturned the sentence on April 1 arguing it was manifestly inadequate and ordered Mr Mulligan be sent to prison.

But he hasnt been seen since. Police have shared a photograph of Mr Mulligan on social media and have asked anyone with possible sightings to contact them.
Independent TD Mattie McGrath said Labour returning to Government would be total anathema to the public.

He said Labour leader Joan Burton got a feeling for that when she went back to her members to talk about the proposal to return.

Mr McGrath added Fine Gael attempted to demonise Independents by revealing the 13bn cost of their demands, as a price for seeking their support.

When asked when he believes talks will end, he said@: only God knows.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh said Irish Water was not the only issue on the doorsteps as both his party and Fianna Fail look to agree on it.

Mr McHugh said he had lost good colleagues over the concern but said other issues needed to be discussed.

Fianna Fail's John McGuinnesss is expected to meet to discuss a deal to facilitate a Fine Gael minority Government with colleagues next week.

Concessions (on Irish Water) have to be made, we're here over 50 days, he said.
Commuters are experiencing traffic delays on Dublin's M50 this evening following a multi-vehicle collision in the capital.

The crash occurred on the M50 shortly before 6pm.

The incident is in the right lane between Junction 12 Firhouse and Junction 11 Tallaght.

Traffic is very heavy in the area and rubberneckers are currently contributing to delays in the area. Delays are estimated at 20 minutes.

AA Roadwatch have appealed to motorists to exercise caution as pedestrians are also in the area.

Emergency services are at the scene. It is not yet known if there are any injuries involved.

More to follow
Talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail about the formation of a government have reached an impasse over the abolition of water charges.

Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin met this morning in an attempt to find a way of reaching a compromise  but there was no significant breakthrough.

Sources in both parties confirmed to Independent.ie that a large gap remains on the issue of charges.

Fianna Fail promised in its pre-election manifesto to suspend charges for five years, while Fine Gael is fully committed to retaining charges.

It is understood that a proposal put forward by Fine Gael for a new series of allowances have not been accepted by Fianna Fail.

The two negotiating teams are due to meet later today in Trinity College with a view to working towards a resolution.

A source close to the talks said: Water charges was always going to be a stumbling block so its not surprising that we reached this point.

Fine Gaels compromise is on the table but Fianna Fail isnt biting yet.

However, sources added that they still believe a deal will ultimately be done.

It is understood the offer from Fine Gael includes a new afford to pay assessment and a substantial free allowance for households. The move would see cost of bills drop significantly.

There has also been a discussion around the further of Irish Water itself, with one idea being to make it a State agency.

Meanwhile the Labour Partys seven TDs have met and decided they will not re-enter government.

Longford/Westmeath TD Willie Penrose said the election gave a mandate to other parties to form a government and eight weeks on, it is now incumbent on those parties to do just that.

It is the view of the Parliamentary Labour Party, that we did not get such a mandate, he said.

He said Labour is a party of action, not words, and pontificating and proselytising from the safety of the opposition benches is not what we are about.

However, it is clear that on this occasion, the offering we made to the electorate to form part of a stable administration, was rejected.

Those that did get a mandate must honour their responsibilities to the electorate and end this period of political instability and paralysis, he said.
The controversial utility had 37,000 individual customer surveys carried out over the course of 2014 and 2015 by two polling companies according to records released under Freedom of Information laws

Irish Water has spent almost 460,000 on polling companies to survey its customers.

But the water utility has refused to disclose any of the results, in part, because to do so could "hinder" the collection of water charges.

The controversial utility had 37,000 individual customer surveys carried out over the course of 2014 and 2015 by two polling companies according to records released under Freedom of Information laws.

An Irish Water official deliberated on releasing the reports, drawn up by the consumer research companies, to the Irish Independent.

The official found that one factor in favour of withholding the records was that releasing them "could hinder Irish Water's ability to implement the collection of water charges". The records were refused because they were deemed "commercially sensitive" and "part of a deliberative process".

The controversial utility is the most divisive issue in the ongoing minority government talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, with the latter seeking to abolish Irish Water.

The polling commissioned by the company came under two headings - 'Customer Satisfaction Research' and 'Consumer Research' - and included face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews and "mystery shops to our call centre".

An Irish Water statement accompanying the records said the customer satisfaction research "measures and monitors the quality of service across all Irish Water customer interactions" including metering, water production, wastewater services and billing.

There were 9,000 customers surveyed in this category and Irish Water said such research was "standard in all utilities to assist them in providing a high level of customer service".

The company said the utility learnt customers would like to reduce the number of customer service agents they interacted with and that Irish Water used the feedback to streamline the call centre process.

The company said the consumer research "looks at how well our customers understand and are receiving our key messages". Some 28,000 customer surveys were carried out under this heading.

Irish Water said one reason the surveys were done was to measure customer understanding of the work the company "has carried out and must do to improve water and wastewater services in Ireland".

"This information informs our advertising and information campaigns as is best standard practice in any organisation investing in communications to ensure best value for money," the statement said. Irish Water confirmed it spent 193,075 on polling in 2014 and 264,280 last year, a total of 457,355.

It confirmed that the research was carried out by polling companies Red C and Behaviour and Attitudes but did not specify how much each company was paid.

Irish Water said the process it uses "in acquiring goods and services at competitive prices meets all best practice standards" for "ensuring best value for money".
RTE's Des Cahill joined GAA legends Barney Rock, Bernard Flynn and Philly McMahon (see picture) as Annesley Williams recently celebrated the opening of their new SKODA showroom.

Valero's Bronagh Carron at the launch of Win Your Fill of Fuel Around Ireland.

Apparently we sat in our cars and vans and lorries and wasted 25 hours of our lives last year in urban gridlock.

That's gridlock now, not normal slow-moving traffic. Gridlock.

Basically it was a day of our lives wiped out. I thought it would be more from my experiences in and around Dublin.

But it's nothing compared with London.

An expert on traffic in that city told us last week the average for the metropolitan area was 101 hours (4.2 days). Nearly a working week.

After experiencing it first-hand last Thursday I absolutely believe him. Atrocious, frightening - the sort of traffic in which you feel you are totally trapped and want to get out and walk.

And they expect it to get a lot worse. Don't forget that is with a system in place that already makes car use in the city prohibitively costly.

In terms of countries, Belgium is worst for traffic in Europe (44 hours) with Italy, on 19, the best.

*

And so we are going to get a MINI saloon, by all accounts.

It will be the fifth model in the range, it seems.

We already have the new 3dr/5dr hatchbacks, the Clubman and Convertible we know about too and there is a larger Countryman later this year.

The saloon will, according to reports, be sold mostly in North America and China but available on all markets. What do you think? Would you buy a MINI saloon?

* RTE's Des Cahill joined GAA legends Barney Rock, Bernard Flynn and Philly McMahon (see picture below) as Annesley Williams recently celebrated the opening of their new SKODA, pictured, showroom.

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Whatsapp RTE's Des Cahill joined GAA legends Barney Rock, Bernard Flynn and Philly McMahon (see picture) as Annesley Williams recently celebrated the opening of their new SKODA showroom.

The entire SKODA range was showcased. Good luck to all concerned.

*

I see where Maxol has signed an agreement with Topaz to acquire three service stations: on the Naas Road, Kill; Greenhills Road, Dublin 12; and the junction of the Naas Road and the Long Mile Road, Walkinstown.

All three were formerly owned by Esso.

* Still on fuel. Interesting promotion to 'Win Your Fill of Fuel Around Ireland' by Valero, who market fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand.

It means motorists who spend 30 or more at any participating station could win a 500 Texaco fuel voucher. It continues until May 6.

(Pictured at the announcement of the promotion is Valero's Bronagh Carron).

*

Should be great fun at Mondello today for motoring journalists to drive on Bridgestone's new DriveGuard runflat tyre which can be fitted to any vehicle with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

I can't be there but we'll have a report on it for you next week anyway.
Cork's English Market, which has been trading since 1788, has a massive variety of foods - and is also a great place to savour the local banter.

I never thought of Cork as somewhere you'd go to on holiday. (This is something to do with the fact that I am there every other month for work. Sure didn't I nearly get local lad Micheal Martin elected Taoiseach recently.)

Be that as it may, we managed to have three blissful days of holiday in what is occasionally dubbed the real capital of Ireland. (But not by anyone with any cop-on in Cork, RSVP magazine editor Paula Lenihan told me, almost huffily.)

Indeed, I never thought I would have enjoyed spending four hours walking around Cork City Gaol: an austere, cold and slightly haunting place - particularly haunting when you learn of the suicide net "stretched by the iron stairs" in 1922, or get a sense of its general 19th-century spookiness.

But enjoy Cork City Gaol I did.

We had a nose around the freezing cells (you realise how broken and sad the poor souls who languished here among the lice and the rats must have felt). We learned all sorts of facts: in 1828 the first execution took place outside the front gate, in 1825 the hangman was jailed for robbery and in 1919 yer wan Countess Markievicz was in jail here.

Sigmund Freud apparently said that the Irish are the one race for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever. Whatever about the rest of the nation, chin-stroking psychoanalysis would certainly be wasted on the Corkonians.

A people apart, they make insults such as "yer a Dublin langer" sound like the most lyrical of finely structured poetry. Cork people have a confidence that borders on intimidating, before they segue into bubbly babbling.

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Whatsapp Cork's English Market, which has been trading since 1788, has a massive variety of foods - and is also a great place to savour the local banter.

One day beneath the vaulted ceilings of the English Market I bumped into Cork's most charismatic and dapper auctioneer (and father-in-law of Ronan O'Gara), Dom Daly. After telling me he was born in Goulding's nursing home ("it no longer exists") on Wellington Road in Cork, he waxed poetic about the aforementioned "effervescence of the Cork people".

Dom added in his ultra-posh Cork accent that the locals speak in a way that can be found nowhere else in Ireland. "I was in a limousine bringing a foreign gentleman down to Kerry to have a look at a house when the limo broke down. The man turned and said to me: 'What actual language do the natives speak in Cork?'"

Whatever language it is, they speak it beautifully. Walking around the English Market - one of the oldest municipal markets of its kind in the world, the locals tell me, and trading since 1788 - you couldn't but hear endless examples of this magnificent wit.

My wife enjoyed this almost as much as she did a foot-long hot-dog from one of the hundreds of stalls. (She said she would divorce me if I put a picture of her stuffing the aforesaid super-sausage in her mouth in the paper.) I had some exquisite spiced beef from another stall while our baby had a bite of a bit of lamb from another vendor.

There is so much variety here - in the food and in the people, many of whom are true characters. You can see why Queen Elizabeth is said to have requested to visit the English Market during her tour of this country in August 2011.

After our lunch, we retired to the utter splendour of our lodgings for the next three days, the five-star Hayfield Manor, where we met another character, the hotel's general manager Ettienne van Vrede. I am not calling him a character to suck up. I am calling him a character because upon our arrival he insisted on taking me for a drive into Cork in his vintage Porsche that he had had delivered, just that minute, all the way from his native South Africa.

It was exhilarating and a bit mad (make that very mad), roaring down the road in what felt like a cramped old two-seater jet with a James-Bond-style leather interior.

The car was so old, in fact, that it had no seat belts. So I held on for dear life as Ettienne turned the corner like 007 with a South African accent. Upon returning to the hotel, the first thing I did was drink a large and becalming brandy at the bar.

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The second thing I did was go to our suite in the hotel. It was possibly the most luxurious and certainly the largest suite I have ever stayed in in my life. I thought they must have accidentally given me, a Dublin langer, the suite of a visiting monarch.

We had His'n'Hers bathrooms. I'm surprised there wasn't a bathroom for the baby. The size and grandeur of our suite soon mattered very little as our little baby quickly trashed the place - crawling along, throwing toys and other baby detritus about like a drugged-up rock star trashing a Los Angeles hotel room in the 1970s.

Emilia had a whole 2,000 sq. feet in which to wreck to her heart's content. My wife and I had some friends from Cork over to the room for afternoon tea and cakes while Emilia did her worst.

That night, to escape the madness of a baby on a toy rampage in a giant suite, we went downstairs for dinner. But not just any dinner. We had our own butler and chef for dinner in a private room in the hotel with its own roaring fire (while the hotel laid on a babysitter).

Champagne and oysters served up to you in the European Capital of Culture 2005. There's luxury for you. And there's this. The following morning we all went for a swim at 7am in the hotel's glorious pool, followed by a dip in the hot tub outside, all before breakfast.

While mummy went for a massage and a beauty treatment in the hotel's Beautique Spa, myself and baba went for a walk into Cork city, with its hilly streets, its lanes and alleys, like a Venice by the Lee.

We made our way eventually (pushing a baby is not a walk in the park) into the Crawford Art Gallery. Emilia seemed as fascinated as I was by this high-ceilinged mini-palace of culture on Emmet Place, which has more than 2,500 works of art. It is not difficult to see why the Crawford, I was told, gets more than 200,000 highbrow visitors each year.

This Dublin langer will definitely be coming back.
Tourism Ireland has teamed up with actor Richard E Grant and Smooth Radio to showcase the island of Ireland to British holidaymakers this year. Photo: Phil Smyth.

Richard E Grant has teamed up with Tourism Ireland and Smooth Radio to showcase Ireland to UK holidaymakers.

The trio are working together on a series of short online films for Smooth Radio, the third largest radio brand in Britain.

Viewers will see the Withnail And I star and Hotel Secrets presenter immerse himself in Irish culture and several key visitor experiences, Tourism Ireland said.

The films will feature Belfast, the Causeway Coast, the Wild Atlantic Way, Dublin and Irelands Ancient East, in a campaign estimated to reach 5.5 million people.

The Dark Hedges aka The King's Road from you know what on this perfect cloudless morning. Giddy up! pic.twitter.com/jIQ4pOyn2q  Richard E. Grant (@RichardEGrant) April 20, 2016

Grant (@RichardEGrant) has already been tweeting from the road, praising the "sculptural splendour" of the new Giants' Causeway visitor centre, and the "profoundly moving" slipway from which Titanic was launched in Belfast.

One of the the best-known faces on British TV, the actor recently starred in Downton Abbey, and is reportedly set to feature in Game of Thrones Series 6.

Britain is the largest inbound tourist market for Ireland, with recent CSO figures indicating a 21pc growth between December and February 2016.

Our newest promotion has been specifically designed to highlight holidays and short breaks in Ireland to our culturally curious audience in Great Britain," said Julie Wakley, Tourism Irelands Deputy Head of Great Britain.

"These are independent, active sightseers, who are typically looking to visit new places and expand their experience by exploring landscapes, history and culture."

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There's more to Orlando and florida than theme parks, says an alligator-dodging Brian O'Reilly.

Standing on a wooden platform 100 feet above an alligator enclosure, I'm wondering if I should have gone to one of Orlando's many theme parks.

Yes, they've been done to death - but there's less chance of me being torn asunder by a pack of hungry alligators in Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, right?

I'm in Gatorland, Kissimmee (gatorland.com).

Set in the Headwaters of the Florida Everglades, I'm blown away by the natural beauty of an area I thought held little but motels and highways. The high winds aren't helping my nerves, but this zip line is the closest I'll come to being Indiana Jones.

I also get to go kayaking. Paddling through Shingle Creek, I nearly tip into the murky waters below, conscious it would put me in snapping distance of some of Florida's 2.5 million alligators. I steady myself, taking on a considerable amount of water in the process, and continue.

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Should you really want to challenge yourself, it's possible to paddle through the state's extensive and intricate system of lakes all the way to Miami.

Florida attracts over 100,000 Irish holidaymakers every year - the vast majority of them doing the theme park jaunt in Orlando and its environs. Mickey Mouse's presence is quite literally etched into the landscape, but beyond the magical kingdom lies another, equally enchanting place.

A quick trip to Osceola County Museum further opens my eyes to the history of the region. It was the original home of cowboys, or cattle men as they preferred to be known. Apparently, referring to a Florida cattleman as a cowboy is derogatory (they believed their Texan counterparts had it easy not having to navigate the swamps and negotiate the humidity of the Sunshine State).

It's quite a basic museum, but a $5 admission fee is worth it to gain an understanding of the history of a region now dominated by Disney.

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The best way of all to truly appreciate Florida's vastly varied landscape is by air, however - and the best way to travel by air is by taking a balloon ride. Orlando Balloon Rides offer daily trips to fully explore the scrubland, swamps and even Disney becomes a dot in an overwhelming beautiful natural landscape below.

You'll need to book ahead and, as I found out on a rare cold morning in Florida, it's best to set aside two days in case the winds aren't favourable. I'm probably Florida's only visitor that returned to Ireland with a cold, following the chilliest week of the year to date. I'm assured there's 246 days of sunshine per year - I, however, missed all of them.

Elsewhere, if you're looking for the appeal of a theme park with a little bit more educational value, the Kennedy Space Center (kennedyspacecenter.com) is a must - it would almost be sinful to visit the region and not pay a visit.

In a region dominated by fantasy, this is a living historical site where something once considered fantasy became a reality.

Speaking of living history, our guide Stan has worked for the Center for 40 years, and has the encyclopaedic knowledge to back it up, but the enthusiasm of someone on their first day.

Kennedy Space Center is still an active launch site, and as I gaze up at massive launch pads I can't help but be genuinely awe-struck, which I assure you is no easy feat. The interactive experiences are top of the class - the original mission control centre has been preserved and incorporated into a fantastic live display, complete with original audio and simulated vibrations of the rocket launch.

Having lunch with an astronaut is an optional extra, and they don't come more experienced than seven-time space traveller Jerry Ross.

As I'm pondering what insightful question I can ask him during the Q&A, I'm beaten to the punch by an eight-year-old boy.

"Did you ever see a UFO?" he asks.

"I've never seen a UFO, or any little green men with TV antenna sticking out of their heads," Ross replies with a chuckle.

However this future journalist won't be dissuaded, and retorts: "Or is that what the government wants us to believe?"

The chilly weather on my visit leads me to believe this 'Sunshine State' claim is a conspiracy, but I leave my Kissimmee adventure eager to return - a head cold my only unwanted souvenir.

Getting there

Aer Lingus fly directly to Orlando from Dublin three times per week. Tour America, American Holidays, Sunway and ClickAndGo.com, among others, do packages. For more information on Kissimmee, visit experiencekissimmee.com.

Eat like a local

The Columbia restaurant in Celebration is a foodie institution in Florida. The family-run business was founded originally in 1905 by Cuban immigrants, and serves traditional Columbian fare. The mojitos are made tableside, too... columbiarestaurant.com.

Where to stay

I stayed at the Omni Resort in Championsgate (omnihotels.com). To live like a Kardashian, try a 13-bed mansion from jeevesfloridarentals.com. The $10k weekly price tag is daunting, but with a party of 26 sharing, that's $55pp per night!

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Car rental

For the uninitiated, car rental is a must in Florida. Public transport is almost non-existent outside the Orlando metro area, and where it does exist is patchy at best. Plus, if you plan on exploring the area, it's best to do it under your own steam.

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Portland has two speeds, says Emily Westbooks. Whichever you prefer, it's one of the US's best short breaks.

Set the mood

Maine's Portland may be lesser known than its west coast counterpart, but the quaint coastal city, with crisp sea air wafting through the streets and a hopping restaurant scene, has more than enough to keep you busy for a weekend or longer.

Portland has two speeds - laid back vacationland or open air adventure. Fill your days wandering the cobblestoned streets and testing lobster rolls, finishing up with a memorable dinner at an award-winning restaurant.

The more adventurous traveller can book a kayak from the city's east end beach to paddle between moored lobster boats, or pack a picnic for a sunset cruise on the bay. No matter your itinerary, be ready to fill your lungs with fresh air... and your belly with delicious food.

Guilty Pleasure

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Portland is a foodie's dream, especially when it comes to seafood, so arrive with a healthy appetite. Head to Eventide (eventideoysterco.com) for New England oysters laid out on a massive marble counter filled with crushed ice, with a side of house-made crisps sprinkled with a special, salty seaweed mix.

Portland Lobster Company (portlandlobstercompany.com) is the place for fresh lobster rolls, and don't leave the city without trying a Maine potato donut from Holy Donut (theholydonut.com).

Cheap Kicks

If the weather cooperates, the Portland Mail Boat at sunset is the best $16 you'll spend. Stock up on snacks, a few local beers (try the Craft Beer Cellar across from the dock) and pack a cardigan to spend three hours taking in the beauty of Casco Bay. The Mail Boat services the nearby islands, ferrying people, goods and, of course, mail.

Top Tip

Get a real sense of the city with an early morning visit to Portland's working piers. Watch lobstermen take in pots while seagulls swirl overhead, hoping to catch an easy bite.

Glitches

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Portland's main glitch is just how popular it's become in the last few years.

The city is working hard to increase hotel room numbers and improve parking, but in the summer months it can get crowded. To avoid disappointment, book accommodation and make special restaurant bookings several months in advance.

Get me there

A flight from Dublin or Shannon directly to Boston (aerlingus.com) is the fastest route to Portland. Rent a car at Logan Airport and drive 90 minutes north up I-95.

The city is relatively walkable, but a car is necessary for daytrips.

Stay at the central Press Hotel, former home of the city's Press Herald newspaper (thepresshotel.com; from 155), or the Mercury Inn B&B in a renovated Victorian town home (mercuryinn.com; from 120).

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Given the snail's pace of current negotiations about the formation of a government, one would be forgiven for thinking that there was little urgency about generating legislation in the 32nd Dail.

However, events in the High Court yesterday proved just how important it is that the Houses of the Oireachtas are in a position to enact legislation and respond to the daily challenges of governance.

In a landmark judgment, Mr Justice Michael Moriarty declared Section 99 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which governs the re-activation of suspended sentences, unconstitutional.

He argued that it allows for significantly different treatment of individuals who come before the courts, particularly in terms of their right of appeal.

Concerns about the practical operation of Section 99 have been bubbling for quite some time.

In an overview of the section in November's 'Bar Review', James Dwyer BL uncovered 'Nine issues with Section 99', which highlighted a whole range of technical problems with its application. Tellingly, the section has already been amended twice, once in 2007, which changed the process through which a suspended sentence can be re-activated.

It was amended further in 2009 to clarify the time frame within which a sentence could be re-activated.

Judge Moriarty's frustration with Section 99 was clearly evident in his judgment, when he commented that it was obviously drafted by people "quite unacquainted with the actual practices of the courts," particularly the District and Circuit Courts.

Here he is echoing the earlier complaints of Supreme Court Judge Mr Justice O'Donnell, who had already commented that Section 99 has given rise to "innumerable practice difficulties and problems of interpretation".

While one can sympathise with the frustration of the judiciary, one could perhaps feel greater sympathy for those who are faced with appearing before the courts in a very uncertain legal situation. There will also be huge levels of concern amongst victims of crime, who have long been vocal about the vagaries of the suspended sentencing system.

Who has the power to resolve this crisis? Clearly, it is the responsibility of our elected representatives in Dail Eireann. The courts are only one pillar of the Irish state. Perhaps one of the reasons that we have all been so sanguine about the long process of government formation is because the courts and the civil service have trundled along since February, propping up our caretaker government in the current precarious situation.

It is timely that the unsustainability of this approach to government has been so sharply highlighted the day before the Dail convenes once again to try and form some sort of administration. Despite all the cynicism about Irish politics which has been generated by the behaviour of our political elites over the last two months, it turns out that there are actually things that we need politicians to do.

These important tasks (which are not about divvying up prestigious ministries or doing deals on roads with Independents) are what we elect them for and, indeed, pay them for. It seems to me that today's the day they need to start taking that responsibility really seriously.

Without urgent legislation on this issue, our courts will be thrown into chaos, placing additional pressure on a criminal justice system that is already stretched to the limits. If our political elite can't get together today, the writing really is on the wall. It's time to go back to the country, get another mandate and start moving on with the real business of government.

Dr Niamh Hourigan is Head of the Department of Sociology, UCC. Her books include 'Understanding Limerick' and 'Rule-breakers: Why Being There Trumps Being Fair in Ireland'.
Howls of delight erupted as the name of the 15th IFA president was announced.

In front of a bank of TV cameras, supporters of victorious Galway farmer Joe Healy burst into a spontaneous chorus of 'The Fields of Athenry' in reference to his hometown.

But it is a place he's unlikely to see much of over the next two years, with the hectic schedule of the IFA's top role now his priority. Today, he is straight into a meeting with Glanbia, and he'll be on a red-eye flight to Brussels tomorrow.

It's a job you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy, with the constant battle to maximise farm incomes coming on top of the task of healing the deep wounds and mistrust caused by the pay controversy that engulfed the organisation last November.

It was the high-profile resignations of both the then-president Eddie Downey and general secretary Pat Smith that led to yesterday's contest, and in the corners of the count centre at the Castleknock Hotel, campaigners still spoke about the fallout.

"The anger was unreal. You'd spend the first 10 minutes of every phone call with the phone away from your ear," admitted Henry Burns campaigner Liam Delane.

Many of the campaigners yesterday said they would not be claiming any of the travel and phone expenses clocked up over the last three months.

Rebuilding unity in Ireland's largest farm organisation will be a real mountain to climb, but Mr Healy appeared to be up for the challenge.

"It's only as a united organisation that we'll deliver for farmers. We've a huge job of work ahead of us all, and it's probably more difficult than ever before. We've been through a tough period, but we've come out the far side tougher and stronger," said Mr Healy during his acceptance speech.

He also acknowledged the calibre of the two men he beat for the job - Laois's Henry Burns and Kerry's Flor McCarthy.

"I want to acknowledge two great IFA men. I was up against the best in Henry and Flor," said Mr Healy, before remarking that he'd known Mr Burns since 1990, when the Laois man beat him into second in the all-Ireland sheep stock-judging competition.

"I was a long time waiting to get back that one."

Mr Healy also acknowledged the man he claimed had been the "biggest influence on my working life", former IFA president John Donnelly.

The fellow Galwegian said he had insisted Mr Healy think long and hard about going for the role, when the 49-year-old dairy and beef farmer approached the IFA old-timer before Christmas.

"But when he decided he was going for it, I was never going to support any other. He came to do his work placement on my farm on the day that my daughter was born in 1986. He has sent my daughter a birthday card every year since that day, and he better not forget this year, because I predicted she'd get a birthday card from the IFA president on her 30th last January!"
Dublin City Council was in the headlines in recent days for its new tactic against littering: putting up a large poster of people captured on CCTV illegally dumping in the north inner city.

While the photos were blurry due to the quality of the footage, the people involved could be recognised. According to the council, within hours they had been contacted by one of the people pictured, and dumping had stopped within a day of the poster going up. This might sound like a success story, but there's one drawback: this approach is legally risky and very probably in breach of data protection law. Using CCTV to prevent littering isn't itself a problem. Illegal dumping is a crime and using CCTV to detect and prosecute it will normally be a proportionate response.

While the general rule is that there should be notices warning that CCTV is in operation, even covert surveillance can be justified as a short-term and focused measure in areas where a crime is likely to be carried out.

The legal issues begin when the council uses the footage for purposes other than law enforcement - meaning the detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes.

Using CCTV images to shame those accused of dumping - instead of prosecuting them - would not meet the standards for law enforcement and would, most likely, be in breach of data protection law.

The Data Protection Commissioner has already been in contact with the council, which has said in its defence that it has not published any names or personal information. But this is a misunderstanding of data protection law - which applies whenever a person is identifiable, not just when the person is named. So while the council has said it intends to extend the initiative across the city, the likelihood is that this scheme will not be repeated.

In fact, it's surprising that the poster was put up at all.

In July 2010, all local authorities were advised by the Department of the Environment that naming and shaming policies - publishing the details of those convicted of littering offences - would be in breach of the law. Where other bodies publish details of wrongdoing - such as the Revenue defaulters' list - there is a specific legal basis for doing so.

The council appears to have forgotten this guidance in publishing images of people who have not even been charged with any crime, much less actually convicted. Of course there will be little public sympathy for those pictured illegally dumping. But the experience of shaming campaigns in other countries is that innocent people are sometimes wrongfully accused as well.

This is a real risk in the current council scheme, where the spot covered by CCTV can legitimately be used for tagged waste collection on Thursday mornings. Putting up the wrong image is likely to result in an expensive defamation action against the council.

Quite apart from these issues, the decision to use the poster is an admission that the current powers to deal with illegal dumping are not working and we should ask why that is. Does the council have enough litter wardens?

Is the level of litter fines high enough? In 2014, just one-third of litter fines were paid - does the council have adequate resources to follow these up in court? Are prosecutions failing - and if so, can anything be done to make them easier to bring? While using CCTV images to shame litter louts might appear to be a quick fix, it can also be a distraction from the underlying problems.

Dr TJ McIntyre is a lecturer in the UCD Sutherland School of Law and chair of Digital Rights Ireland
May I refer to Brendan O'Donnell's leading letter (Irish Independent, April 14) in which he suggests that multi-seat - three, four and five-seat - constituencies and PR-STV give rise to localism, parochialism, duplication of councillors' work and neglect of national duties. These valid observations have been made many time since 2011 by columnists and commentators but I had yet to read about a practical solution until Ivan Yates's recent column (Irish Independent, March 10), separating the election of 80 local TDs in 30 constituencies from the election of 70 national TDs through a list system from a single national constituency.

Mr O'Donnell recommends single-seat constituencies, for which we would require 158 constituencies to elect 158 TDs. This, unfortunately, doesn't seem viable and could arguably lead to increased localism, cronyism and bad national government.

Currently, we have 40 constituencies - 13 three-seat, 16 four-seat and 11 five-seat. To comply with the Constitution, our Boundary Commission has had to cross local authority boundaries to create constituencies. As a result, 11,000 Tipperary voters have no influence within their own local authority boundary. County Longford has no resident TD. Et cetera.

If we could regard 79 constituencies as viable, it would be possible to align 79 two-seat constituencies within local authority boundaries (what matter if Leitrim had one TD per 16,000 people and Longford one per 19,500). Parties would have the option, if the idea is not too fanciful, to put forward national/local teams within local authority boundaries, rather than rival candidates. Independents could state their cause - local or national.

(Maybe we could have a local Healy-Rae and a national Healy-Rae!)

Many voters (30pc) who now 'float' in frustration and are central to the current impasse, would be given possibly their desired option - to think and vote both national and local. Will tomorrow ever come?

Tom Martin

Celbridge, Co. Kildare

Politics is costing us dear

By my reckoning, on Wednesday, April 20, the 158 elected members of Dail Eireann, An Ceann Comhairle, an (acting) Taoiseach, an (acting) Tanaiste, the 14 acting ministers (including three non-elected), the 15 acting junior ministers (including four non-elected) will have, for the previous 54 days, received a combined salary of 2,389,264.47.

I have not even included their expenses. Not bad, for not doing what you have been elected to do.

Each TD will have received 12,909.40 over those 54 days.

That compares to a single man's jobseeker's allowance of 9,776 per annum, and a single man's pension of 11,975.60 per annum.

Maybe it's the jobseeker's allowance TDs should be paid.

Joe Burns

Monkstown, Co Cork

Signal failure in the Dail

I am sure it would speed things up if the good people of Ireland were to announce that we will no longer be paying the outrageous salaries and expenses of our TDs until they are doing the job that they were paid for. Finding a TD who is working hard for the taxpayers of Ireland at the moment is about as likely as finding an honest burglar.

Richard Barton

Tinahely, Co Wicklow

Is ours a singular currency?

Could someone explain why, in Ireland, the plural of euro is euro?

Is this from Gaelic or is it because of a lack of funds?

Harry Charalambou

Muswell Hill, London

The Pope leads by example

Fergus Jordan's letter (Irish Independent, April 18) criticising Pope Francis for taking only 12 refugees to live in the Vatican really demonstrates what a nation of whingers we have become.

By his actions, the Pope has once again demonstrated great love of humanity and by his example to fellow Christians, has taught all of us what we should be doing to bear witness to Christ.

His actions were all the more powerful by the fact that the 12 are all Muslims.

It will be interesting to see if his request of some months ago for each parish in Europe to take in a refugee family ever comes to fruition.

Alan Whelan

Killarney, Co Kerry

Ireland's Brexit conundrum

Imagine the furore if UK politicians came to the Republic telling voters how they should vote in a referendum? That's what Irish politicians are doing when they can't even form a government at home or run their own country properly. And amidst all their hand-wringing, none has come out publicly and stated the obvious - if the UK decides to leave, then Ireland should go with it.

Peter Keating

Charleville, Co Cork

Amnesty's views are fact-based

I respond to Cora Sherlock's letter criticising Amnesty on abortion (Irish Independent, April 13). I believe that an honest, objective, respectful discussion on this issue is vitally important. We are not "selective" about which aspects of Ireland's abortion law we engage on. As a human rights organisation though, we base our work on actual international human rights law, not the imagined version her Pro Life Campaign wishes existed.

Actual international human rights law is clear that women and girls have a right to have access to abortion, at a minimum when they are pregnant as a result of rape, their lives or health are at risk, or there is a diagnosis of a fatal or severe foetal impairment. Nothing Ms Sherlock says can negate that.

Our campaign is not "an attempt to re-write the election results", whatever view Ms Sherlock may have of those results. In fact, the majority of the electorate share our revulsion at Ireland's law and the human rights violations it inflicts. Our recent Red C public poll impartially demonstrates that the vast majority find Ireland's abortion ban "cruel", "inhumane", "hypocritical" and "discriminatory". Only 5pc of the Irish public share the Pro Life Campaign's total opposition to abortion. And even in this group, half would vote Yes in a referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment.

Unlike women, the incoming government has a choice. It can continue to ignore women's human rights, and the Irish public. Or it can legislate to provide a respectful healthcare service that trusts and supports women.

But it must first repeal the Eighth Amendment. And 80pc of people say they would vote Yes to that. That's the real story of our campaign.

Colm O'Gorman,

Executive director, Amnesty International Ireland
Queen Elizabeth II (C) posing on the steps of the east terrace with four of her dogs (top L-R) Willow, Vulcan, (bottom L-R) Holly and Candy in the garden of Windsor Castle in Windsor. ANNIE LEIBOVITZ/AFP/Getty Images

18. For his first Trooping The Colour, George stole the show among a balcony of royal family members, including Queen Elizabeth II.

This handout portrait picture taken by US photographer Annie Liebovitz shows Queen Elizabeth II (C) posing with her daughter Princess Anne in the White Drawing Room of Windsor Castle in Windsor. ANNIE LEIBOVITZ/AFP/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II (C) posing with her two grandchildren, James, Viscount Severn (L) and Lady Louise (2L) and her five great-grandchildren Mia Tindall (holding handbag), Savannah Philipps (3R), Isla Phillips (R), Prince George (2R) and Princess Charlotte (C) in the Green Drawing room at Windsor Castle in Windsor. Picture: ANNIE LEIBOVITZ/AFP/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II (C) posing with her two grandchildren, James, Viscount Severn (L) and Lady Louise (2L) and her five great-grandchildren Mia Tindall (holding handbag), Savannah Philipps (3R), Isla Phillips (R), Prince George (2R) and Princess Charlotte (C) in the Green Drawing room at Windsor Castle in Windsor. Picture: ANNIE LEIBOVITZ/AFP/Getty Images

Buckingham Palace have released three official photographs to mark the Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday.

The photographs show the British monarch posing with two of her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, as well as her with her daughter Princess Anne and her corgis.

The photographs were released at midnight on the Queen's birthday.

Meanwhile, a host of political figures have congratulated the nonagenarian.

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Scotland's First Minister and Holyrood's party leaders have congratulated the Queen on her milestone birthday.

Nicola Sturgeon spoke of the monarch's "incredible bond" with Scottish people as she sent best wishes on behalf of the country.

The Royal Banner - the Lion Rampant - will be flown from the Scottish Government's main building to mark the occasion.

Expand Close Prince George stands on foam blocks during a Royal Mail photoshoot for a stamp sheet to mark the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The sheet features four generations of the Royal family, from left, the Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George and the Duke of Cambridge, and the picture was taken in the summer of 2015 in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Ranald Mackechnie/Royal Mail/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince George stands on foam blocks during a Royal Mail photoshoot for a stamp sheet to mark the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The sheet features four generations of the Royal family, from left, the Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George and the Duke of Cambridge, and the picture was taken in the summer of 2015 in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Ranald Mackechnie/Royal Mail/PA Wire

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The First Minister said: "Many congratulations on behalf of the people of Scotland to Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

"Just last year, we were fortunate enough to be able to celebrate with Her Majesty as she became the United Kingdom's longest serving monarch on the day she also opened the new Borders Railway.

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"Over the course of that incredible day, it was clear the huge affection Her Majesty had for Scotland and the incredible bond she has forged with the people who live here over her many years of dedicated public service.

"Many thousands across the country will be toasting Her Majesty today as she marks this wonderful milestone and I am delighted that there will be more opportunities for people across Scotland to help her celebrate when she makes her annual visit during Royal Week."

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Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale also sent her best wishes.

She said: "Her near 65 year reign is a remarkable dedication to public service. It is fitting that we use this happy occasion to pay tribute to that.

"The Queen takes a keen interest in what's happening in Scotland and in the Scottish Parliament so I'm sure people all across Scotland will join me in passing on our best wishes to the Queen and her family."

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Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "The Queen has offered our country a lifetime of service.

"She was there for people at the worst of times, with the support she offered families in Dunblane and the best, as she helped launch the 2012 Olympics. We wish her all the very best as she celebrates this landmark birthday."

Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson said: "I offer my sincerest congratulations to Her Majesty on her 90th birthday today.

"It is entirely typical that she is still fulfilling a hectic schedule of duties this week as, throughout her reign, she has been the embodiment of public service and duty.

"I hope she finds time to enjoy this special day first and foremost with her family. And I hope she knows that people right across Scotland, the Commonwealth and the world are wishing her well.

"They - like me - look forward to her reign continuing for many years to come."

Scottish Greens co-convenor Patrick Harvie wished the Queen and everyone else celebrating their birthday "a great day".
Harry Greaves, a British tourist missing in Peru for more than a week. Lucie Blackman Trust/PA Wire

A British hiker has been found dead almost a fortnight after he went missing in the Peruvian Andes.

Harry Greaves was last seen on April 7 when he set out on a solo mountain hike, two days before his 29th birthday.

The experienced outdoorsman was expected back three days later but did not return. His body was found by police and volunteers in a 40-metre crevasse on Tuesday.

His family described him as "one of the most loveliest men you could ever wish to meet" and said he was an "extremely genuine and caring person".

"Our dearest Harry has been found," they said in a statement.

"It is with great sadness that we announce that his smile will no longer give such light, he will no longer give calm through his touch, and wisdom through his words.

"Thank you to everyone who has helped us find our beloved Harry. His spirit will always be with us. From his loving family."

Mr Greaves, a furniture-maker from near Oswestry, Shropshire, flew to Peru on February 20 and was visiting friends in Pisac, near Coscou.

His friends and family, assisted by the Lucie Blackman Trust, launched a search of the area by land and helicopter in an attempt to find him.

The British Foreign Office confirmed the death and said: "Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time and our Embassy staff are continuing to support them."
Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump gives a thumbs up as he speaks at his New York presidential primary night rally in Manhattan, New York. Photo: Reuters

Republican front-runner Donald Trump easily won New York state's presidential nominating contest on Tuesday, moving closer to capturing enough delegates to win the nomination and avoid a contested convention in July.

The New York City billionaire's big victory in his home state gave him renewed momentum in the Republican race and pushed him closer to the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination.

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton also won in New York, which she once represented in the US Senate, blunting the momentum of rival Bernie Sanders and taking a big step toward wrapping up the nomination.

The victories for Trump and Clinton in one of the biggest state nominating contests so far set up both front-runners for strong performances next Tuesday, when they are expected to do well in five other Northeastern state primaries.

Trump had more than 60 percent of the vote with about 40 percent counted, easily beating rivals Ted Cruz, a US senator from Texas, and Ohio Governor John Kasich and putting him in position to possibly win most or all of the state's 95 delegates.

Trump could win all of the delegates if his vote total is above 50 percent statewide and in each of the state's congressional districts.

"We don't have much of a race anymore based on what I'm seeing on television," Trump told cheering supporters at a victory party at his Trump Tower in Manhattan. "We are really, really rocking."

Trump entered the New York contest with 756 delegates, while Cruz had 559 and Kasich had 144, according to an Associated Press count. The count includes endorsements from several delegates who are free to support the candidate of their choice.

Trump said his New York win would make it almost mathematically impossible for Cruz to win the Republican nomination on the first ballot at the party's national convention in July. Cruz, Kasich and establishment forces in the party have been trying to keep Trump from winning on the initial ballot.

If Trump does not secure enough delegates needed to win the nomination on the first ballot at the July 18-21 conclave in Cleveland, delegates would be allowed to switch to other candidates.

Trump remains unpopular with the Republican leaders and activists who select and serve as delegates, while Cruz has invested time and money courting them.

Some establishment Republicans have been alienated by Trump's more incendiary proposals, such as building a wall along the border with Mexico and slapping a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country.

Clinton's win in New York followed some of the most heated personal exchanges of her campaign against Sanders, a US senator from Vermont who had won seven of the last eight state-by-state nominating contests.

The New York victory will expand Clinton's lead of 244 pledged delegates over Sanders, and make it nearly impossible for him to overcome the deficit and capture the 2,383 convention delegates needed for the nomination under Democratic rules that allocate delegates proportionally based on each state's result.

The voting in New York was marred by irregularities, including more than 125,000 people missing from New York City voter rolls. The city has roughly 4 million voters considered active for the primaries.

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer ordered an audit of the city elections board after it confirmed the names had been removed from voter rolls. He told the board in a letter it was "consistently disorganized, chaotic and inefficient."

"It is absurd that in Brooklyn, New York, where I was born actually, tens of thousands of people as I understand it have been purged from the voting rolls," Sanders told supporters at a rally in State College, Pennsylvania.
A fresh tremor rattled Ecuador overnight, a 6.1-magnitude jolt that was the strongest aftershock since a lethal earthquake killed hundreds of people on Saturday.

The tremor was centred offshore, 25km (15 miles) west of Muisne, at 3.33am local time, the US Geological Survey said.

There was no immediate report of further damage. The previous strongest aftershock was magnitude 5.7.

The National Prosecutors Office put the death toll at 525 on Wednesday - up from a previous official toll of 507 - but officials expected more bodies to be found, with the defence department reporting that more than 200 people were still missing.

The office said on its official Twitter account that there were at least 11 foreigners among the dead. It said that of the 525 fatal victims, 15 people remained unidentified but none were foreign.

The office said 435 of the dead were found in the Manta, Portoviejo and Pedernales areas.

The final toll could surpass casualties from earthquakes in Chile and Peru in the past decade.

Ecuadoreans have begun burying loved ones, while hopes faded that more survivors will be found.

In the small town of Montecristi, near the port city of Manta, two children were among those buried. They were killed with their mother while buying school supplies when the magnitude-7.8 quake struck on Saturday night.

The funeral had to be held outside under a makeshift awning because the town's Roman Catholic church was unsafe from structural damage. Family members wailed loudly and one man fainted as the children were laid to rest in an above-ground vault.

Scenes of mourning multiplied all along Ecuador's normally placid Pacific coastline, where the tremor flattened towns and killed hundreds. Funeral homes are running out of coffins to accommodate so many casualties, and local governments are paying to bring in coffins from other cities.

Even as grief mounted, there were glimmers of hope.

In several cities rescuers with sniffer dogs, hydraulic jacks and special probes that can detect breathing from far away continued to search for survivors among the rubble. At least six were found in Manta early on Tuesday.

One of the most hopeful tales was that of Pablo Cordova, who held out for 36 hours beneath the rubble of the hotel where he worked in Portoviejo, drinking his own urine and praying that mobile phone service would be restored before his phone battery died. He was finally able to call his wife on Monday afternoon and was pulled from the wreckage soon after by a team of rescuers from Colombia.

Mr Cordova's wife had given up on ever seeing him again and managed to buy a coffin.

"They were organising the funeral, but I've been reborn," Mr Cordova said, grinning from beneath his bushy moustache in a provincial hospital. "I will have to give that coffin back because I still have a long way to go before I die."

Rescuers who have arrived from Mexico, Colombia, Spain and other nations said they would keep searching for survivors on Wednesday, but cautioned that time was running out and the likelihood of finding more people alive grew smaller with the passage of every hour.

Even as authorities begin to shift their attention to restoring electricity and clearing debris, the earth continued to move. Late on Tuesday afternoon, a magnitude-5.5 tremor rattled buildings in the region. It was the second strongest of more than 400 aftershocks since the weekend quake and was felt 170 kilometres (105 miles) away in the capital Quito.

Saturday's earthquake destroyed or damaged about 1,500 buildings, triggered mudslides and left some 20,000 people homeless, the government said. It was the worst tremor in Ecuador since one in 1949 killed more than 5,000 people.

Some 13 nations are involved in the relief effort. Cuba sent doctors, Venezuela has flown in food and the US government said it is sending a team of disaster experts.

US president Barack Obama spoke by phone with Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa on Tuesday. The White House said Mr Obama offered condolences on behalf of the American people for lives lost.

The United Nations' top official for emergency relief, undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs Stephen O'Brien, toured devastated areas to see how aid pouring into the country can be best directed to ravaged communities.

Mr Correa has spent the past few days overseeing relief efforts and delivering supplies. He said the quake caused three billion dollars (2 billion) in damage, about 3% of gross domestic product, and rebuilding would take years.

"It's going to be a long battle," he told reporters.

After a deadly earthquake in Chile in 2010, that South American country was able to get back on its feet quickly thanks to a commodities boom that was energising its economy.

But Ecuador must rebuild amid a deep recession that has forced austerity on the Opec nation's finances.

Even before the quake, the International Monetary Fund was forecasting the oil-dependent economy would shrink 4.5% this year.
Iraqi security forces arrest a man suspected of being an Isil fighter during a military operation to regain control of Hit, 140 kilometers west of Baghdad, last week. Photo: AP/Khalid Mohammed

Isil terrorists are plotting to carry out biological and nuclear attacks on Britain and Europe, EU and Nato security chiefs have warned.

There is a "justified concern" that Islamist fanatics in Syria and Iraq are trying to obtain substances of mass destruction such as biological, chemical and radiological weapons.

The terror group is also trying to develop new ways of avoiding security measures to carry out attacks such as bombs implanted in human bodies and hacking driverless cars, an international security conference in London was told.

Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil) is also feared to have obtained a stockpile of former Iraqi short-range missiles such as surface-to-air rockets.

Jorge Berto Silva, deputy head of counter-terrorism for the EC, said Isil had shown an interest in obtaining chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) materials.

It emerged after the Brussels terror attacks last month that the terror cell had been secretly filming a senior Belgian nuclear official outside his home, fuelling fears they were looking at ways of obtaining such substances.

Mr Silva told the annual Security and Counter Terror Expo: "With CBRN, there is a justified concern."

Dr Jamie Shea, deputy assistant secretary general for emerging security threats at Nato, added: "We know terrorists are trying to acquire these substances."

Dr Shea also warned that Isil may be splitting in two. One part may be trying to protect the so-called caliphate in Syria and Iraq, which is increasingly losing ground from coalition airstrikes, while a second part focuses on setting up terror cells around Europe to launch attacks in the future.

He said the threat was likely to "get worse before it gets better".

Meanwhile, Isil is planning a Tunisia-style massacre of tourists involving bombs placed under sunbeds, Italian security forces have claimed.

And German newspaper 'Bild' reports that Isil hoped to send jihadists to tourist resorts posing as refreshment vendors.

They would detonate suicide belts and bombs placed under sunbeds at French, Italian, Spanish and German resorts, 'Bild' reported, quoting Italian security sources.

The Italian equivalent of MI6 had reportedly been warned of the attacks by a well-placed Isil source in Africa, and informed its German and French counterparts immediately.

Automatic rifles would also be used to gun down tourists, 'Bild' reported, while bombs would be carefully buried in the sand near sunbeds.

It is understood that the south of France and the Costa del Sol were the main targets.

"This could be a new kind of terrorism," the newspaper quoted a senior German security source as saying. "Holiday beaches cannot be protected."

According to German media reports, the threat comes from the Isil-allied group Boko Haram, a jihadist group notorious for its kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Nigeria.

Last year, 38 people, including three Irish holidaymakers and 30 Britons, were gunned down when terrorists opened fire on a beach resort in Tunisia.

Meanwhile, in Washington yesterday, US President Barack Obama said he had told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a telephone call that Syria was starting to fray more rapidly and that the war-torn country cannot move forward if the US and Russia were not in sync.

"That would serve neither of our interests," Mr Obama said in an interview aired on CBS.

On Monday night, the United States and its allies staged 17 strikes against Isil in Iraq and one in Syria in the coalition's latest operation against the militant group, the US military said in a statement.

The strikes in Iraq were concentrated near Mosul, where seven strikes hit an Isil improvised explosive devices factory, three tactical units and three supply caches, among other targets, the Combined Joint Task Force said in the statement released yesterday.

Airstrikes

Other airstrikes hit targets near Al Huwayjah, Al Baghdadi, Ar Rutbah, Kisik, Qayyarah, Sinjar and Tal Afar, it said.

One strike near Ar Raqqah, Syria, hit one of the militant group's tactical units and a vehicle, according to the US-led coalition's statement.

Meanwhile, in Amman, the Syrian government's chief negotiator said President Bashar al-Assad's future was not up for discussion at peace talks, underlining the bleak prospects for reviving UN-led negotiations postponed by the opposition.

Bashar Ja'afari, speaking to Lebanese TV, also said his team was pushing for an expanded government as the solution to the war - an idea rejected by the opposition fighting for five years to topple Assad. ( Daily Telegraph, London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
A teacher could face jail after she admitted having sex with a 16-year-old pupil.

Lauren Cox, 27, pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child under 18 at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday, Scotland Yard said.

While teaching at a school in Bromley, south-east London, in January 2015, she began having sexual contact with the boy and sent him explicit pictures and videos of herself.

Eight months later, his parents began to suspect something was going on and the boy told them what had happened.

Cox, from Oxted in Surrey, continued to message the pupil and his parents contacted the head teacher of the school, who alerted social services.

Pc Laura Davies said: "Cox abused her position of trust as a teacher and groomed the boy which went on to sexual abuse. The abuse has had an extremely adverse effect on the boy, with his studies suffering as a result.

"Cox never once admitted the offences during police interview. She has now admitted the offences today but only because of the wealth of evidence against her.

"Cox displayed dismissive arrogance to the seriousness of the allegations against her. It's most concerning that she showed no remorse - as professionals, teachers have a specific duty of care to young people and this was abused."
Cold-case detectives have arrested a man on suspicion of murdering a six-year-old boy more than 20 years ago.

Rikki Neave was last seen leaving his home on the Welland estate in Peterborough to go to school on November 28, 1994.

His naked body was found in nearby woodland the following day. A post-mortem examination found he had been strangled.

Cambridgeshire Police said yesterday they had arrested a man, aged in his 30s and from Peterborough, on suspicion of murder. A spokesman said: "He is currently in custody at a police station in Cambridgeshire."

Rikki's mother Ruth Neave, now 45, was charged with murder at the time but she was later found not guilty by a jury. She pleaded guilty to child neglect and cruelty and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

In recent years, she has campaigned for Cambridgeshire Police to reinvestigate the case, saying his killer remains at large.

Ms Neave called a press conference in 2014 to urge the force to reopen its investigation into the killing.

She said: ''I loved Rikki, he was a wonderful child.

''For the last 20 years, I have been going through living hell from the public opinion of me caused by all the lies.

''I wasn't a perfect mother but I never hurt my children and I should never have admitted to those offences.

"All I want now is justice and for his killers to be caught.

''I know people out there think I'm a murderer but I'm determined to prove that somebody else did this to my boy."
The Koh-i-noor, or "mountain of light," diamond, set in the Maltese Cross at the front of the crown made for Britain's late Queen Mother Elizabeth, is seen on her coffin, along with her personal standard, a wreath and a note from her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, as it is drawn to London's Westminster Hall. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

India has said it will press Britain to return the 106-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond, in a shock U-turn just a day after stating the UK should not have to give it back.

The country's solicitor general had told the supreme court that Britain should not have to give the diamond back, since it was given freely in the mid-19th century by the family of Punjab's Maharaja Ranjit Singh and had been "neither stolen nor forcibly taken by British rulers".

That statement was surprising after decades of demanding the diamond be returned. For many Indians, the loss of the Koh-i-Noor is symbolic of India's subjugation under British colonial rule and its return is viewed as partial compensation for centuries of economic exploitation.

But on Tuesday night, the Culture Ministry issued a statement saying it had yet to make its position known and that India's government would make all possible efforts to bring back the diamond.

The court was hearing a petition filed by a rights group asking it to order the government to seek the return of the diamond.

The two-judge bench said on Monday that it did not want to issue a ruling that might jeopardise a future attempt to bring back the diamond or other treasures that once belonged to India. It told the government to take six weeks to reconsider its position before the court decides whether to dismiss the petition.

The diamond is part of the Crown Jewels on display in the Tower of London, set in front of the Queen Mother's crown.

The Koh-i-Noor, which means Mountain of Light, was discovered in the Golconda mines in what is now the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The large, colourless diamond then passed between Mughal princes, Iranian warriors, Afghan rulers and Punjabi Maharajas before it was given in 1849 to the East India Company, which offered it to Queen Victoria.

India, along with Pakistan and Afghanistan, have long squabbled over who has the rightful claim to the diamond.

During a 2010 visit to India, Prime Minister David Cameron told local media that the diamond would stay in Britain.

"If you say yes to one (request), you suddenly find the British Museum would be empty," Mr Cameron said.

"I'm afraid it's going to have to stay put."
Norwegian authorities violated mass killer Anders Behring Breivik's human rights by holding him in solitary confinement in a three-cell complex where he can play video games, watch TV and exercise, a court in Oslo has ruled.

In a written decision, the Oslo district court said Breivik's solitary confinement for killing 77 people in bomb-and-gun massacres in 2011 breached the European Convention on Human Rights' ban on inhuman treatment.

"The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society," the court said.

"This applies no matter what - also in the treatment of terrorists and killers."

The court ordered the government to pay Breivik's legal costs of 331,000 kroner (28,000).

However, it dismissed Breivik's claim that the government had also violated his right to respect for private and family life.

Breivik had sued the government, saying his isolation from other prisoners, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed while moving between the three cells at his disposal violated his human rights.

During a four-day hearing at the Skien prison where he is serving his sentence, he also complained about the quality of the prison food, having to eat with plastic utensils and not being able to communicate with other right-wing extremists.

The government rejected his complaints, saying he was treated humanely despite the severity of his crimes.

The ruling cited Breivik's isolation in two different prisons since his arrest on July 22 2011 and the fact that he can only talk to his lawyer through a glass wall.

It said authorities had not given enough attention to his mental health when determining his conditions in prison.

"After an overall assessment of the facts of the case, the court has reached the conclusion that the imprisonment regime represents an inhuman treatment of Breivik," the court said.

Breivik's lawyer, Oystein Storrvik, told Norwegian news agency NTB he would not appeal against the ruling. He said prison authorities must now lift Breivik's isolation.

It was not immediately clear whether the government would appeal.

Breivik's attacks on July 22 2011 shocked Norway.

After months of meticulous preparations, he set off a car bomb outside the government headquarters in Oslo, killing eight people and wounding dozens.

He then drove to Utoya island, where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labour Party's youth wing.

Sixty-nine people were killed, most of them teenagers, before Breivik surrendered to police.

Professor Kjetil Larsen, of the Norwegian Institute of Human Rights, said he was surprised by the decision.

Prof Larsen said he thought it was clear that the treatment of Breivik does not violate the human rights convention.

"I thought that what came out during the trial made that even clearer," he said.

Breivik has three cells to himself in the high-security wing of the prison.

He has access to video game consoles, a television, a DVD player, newspapers and electronic typewriter.

He is allowed visits from family and friends but has not received any except from his mother before she died.
McDonald's is testing bigger and smaller versions of its Big Mac as the world's largest hamburger chain pushes to revive its business.

The company says it is testing a Grand Mac and Mac Jr in the central Ohio and Dallas areas and will see how they do before deciding on a national roll-out.

The Grand Mac is made with two one sixth of a pound beef patties, which may be a way for the company to make its famous burger more substantial as burger competitors have made the regular Big Mac seem skimpy to some. It will sell for 4.89 dollars (3.40).

The Mac Jr is basically a single-layer Big Mac and McDonald's says it is "easier to eat on the go". That will sell for between 2.39 and 2.59 dollars (1.70-1.80)

McDonald's has been fighting to turn around its business after seeing customer visits decline in recent years. The company, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, has said it needs to move faster to keep up with changing tastes.

Last week McDonald's held its biannual convention with franchisees in Florida to discuss plans to refresh the business.
Afghan security forces inspect the site of suicide car bomb attack on a government security building in Kabul, Afghanistan April 19, 2016. Reuters/Mohammad Ismail

The death toll from a major attack in Kabul has risen to 64, while 347 have been left injured.

Armed militants in Afghanistan staged a co-ordinated assault on a key government security agency in the capital Kabul on Tuesday.

The attack, including a suicide car bombing, appears to have targeted an agency providing personal protection for high-ranking government officials. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

The assault began when a suicide car bomber struck near the agency compound's gates, said Kabul police chief General Abdul Rahman Rahimi.

After the explosion, armed gunmen stormed the compound and waged a prolonged battle with government security forces.

Public health ministry spokesman Ismail Kawasi said 327 wounded, including women and children, have been brought to area hospitals.

An interior ministry statement said that dozens of civilians were killed and wounded in the attack.

"This was one of the most powerful explosions I have ever heard in my life," said Obaidullah Tarakhail, a police commander who was present when the attack began.

Mr Tarakhail said he could not see or hear anything for 20 minutes after the initial explosion.

"All around was dark and covered with thick smoke and dust," he said.

Dozens of civilian apartment buildings, houses, shops and several government buildings were damaged by the car bomb blast.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack.

Taliban insurgents have stepped up their attacks recently since announcing the start of their spring offensive last week.

President Ashraf Ghani issued a statement condemning the attack, and said it "clearly shows the enemy's defeat in face-to-face battle with Afghan security forces".

The attack in Kabul comes four days after another attack by Taliban insurgents in northern Kunduz province which was repelled by Afghan security forces.

Officials in Kunduz said that security has improved in the city and that the Taliban were defeated in other parts of the province, but operations were still under way to clear militant fighters from the rest of the province.

The Taliban held Kunduz for three days last year before being driven out by a two-week counter-offensive aided by US air strikes. It was its biggest foray into an urban area since 2001.
PRESIDENT Obama has worsened his rift with America's key Middle East ally Saudi Arabia by saying his staff are considering declassifying documents that allegedly link the kingdom to the 9/11 al-Qa'ida attacks.

Mr Obama is to attend a summit of Gulf leaders in the Saudi capital Riyadh tomorrow with relations already at their lowest for decades over the United States' rapprochement with Iran, the Sunni Gulf allies' feared Shia rival for Middle East leadership.

Saudi Arabia is also furious at a Bill before Congress that would make it possible for relatives of the 9/11 dead to sue Saudi Arabia.

Campaigners allege that 28 pages of the official congressional report into the events of September 11, 2001, that have been kept secret implicate Saudi officials in supporting or funding al-Qa'ida.

Mr Obama said in an interview before his departure for Riyadh that James Clapper, director of National Intelligence, was reviewing the classified file to see what could be made public. "My understanding is that he's about to complete that process," he said.

Saudi Arabia was joined by other Gulf countries in fury when the US signed the nuclear deal with Iran, bringing the country in from the cold. The preliminary negotiations were done without Saudi Arabia even being informed. Mr Obama has refused to back down.

The row over the classified section of the 9/11 report has rumbled for years and spawned numerous conspiracy theories over the attack. However, the bid to open the document is led by Senator Robert Graham, a Democrat who served on the commission of inquiry.

Though he is not allowed to reveal the contents, he has indicated that it accuses some Saudi officials of involvement, though the conclusion absolves the Saudi government as an entity of responsibility.

Mr Obama is threatening to veto the Bill, but all four leading presidential candidates - Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders - have indicated they support it.

Saudi Arabia's ambassador went so far as to threaten to sell the country's huge dollar holdings if the Bill went ahead, saying it would be necessary to prevent them being frozen subject to a court case.

The administration has been keen to reassure Saudi Arabia in advance of the trip that it remains a lynch-pin of US security planning in the Middle East.

"I don't think that there can be any confusion or ambiguity on who is our partner in the region, and who isn't," said Rob Malley, Mr Obama's Middle East adviser. ( Daily Telegraph, London)
A Taliban suicide attack on a government building in Kabul killed at least 28 people and wounded more than 320, in the deadliest single attack in the Afghan capital since 2011.

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the assault in a statement from the presidential palace, located only a few hundred metres away from the scene of the blast.

The insurgency led by the Afghan Taliban has gained strength since the withdrawal of most international combat troops at the end of 2014, and the Islamist group is believed to be stronger than at any point since it was driven from power by US-backed forces in 2001.

Police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said civilians and members of the Afghan security forces were among those killed and wounded when a suicide car-bomber detonated his explosives outside the wall of a National Directorate of Security (NDS) office.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes after the blast.

Explosion

"I was here when a huge explosion happened," said Amir, who works in a nearby restaurant. "I saw three boys with severe head injuries. My uncle was injured and my brother is missing, I don't know what happened to him."

Rahimi said one attacker had tried to slip into the NDS building through a destroyed wall after the blast, but he was discovered and killed.

The Taliban said on its Pashto-language website that it had carried out the suicide bombing on "Department 10", an NDS unit responsible for protecting government ministers and dignitaries.

The Taliban announced the beginning of its spring offensive on April 12, and fighting has raged around the symbolically important northern city of Kunduz since then, although the capital had been relatively quiet.

Kunduz, Afghanistan's fifth-largest city, fell briefly to the Taliban last September in the biggest blow to Ghani's government since Nato-led forces ended their combat operations at the end of 2014.
Mitsubishi said the inaccurate tests involved 157,000 of its own brand light passenger cars and 468,000 vehicles produced for Nissan

Mitsubishi says it has found evidence that employees intentionally falsified fuel mileage test data for several models of vehicle.

The Tokyo-based company said the inaccurate tests involved 157,000 of its own-brand eK Wagon and eK Space light passenger cars, and 468,000 Dayz Roox vehicles produced for Nissan.

The problem was found after Nissan pointed out inconsistencies in data, the company said. Mitsubishi conducted an internal probe and found that tyre pressure data was falsified to make mileage appear better than it was.

Company president Tetsuro Aikawa told reporters: "The wrongdoing was intentional. It is clear the falsification was done to make the mileage look better. But why they would resort to fraud to do this is still unclear."

He and other company executives bowed in apology.

The investigation did not impact any executives in the company's Irish division.

Mr Aikawa said that although he was unaware the irregularities were happening, "I feel responsible".

The company said it would investigate whether data was altered for vehicles sold overseas.

Nissan said in a statement that it recently discovered discrepancies in data from Mitsubishi about light vehicles it provided while assessing the current model in preparation for its next-generation vehicle.

"In response to Nissan's request, Mitsubishi admitted that data had been intentionally manipulated in its fuel economy testing process for certification," Nissan said.

It said that after consulting Japan's transport ministry, it told dealers to stop selling the affected vehicles. Nissan is considering ways to help owners of the cars already sold.

"Nissan understands and regrets the inconvenience and concern this will cause our valued customers," the company said.

Mitsubishi Motors struggled for years to win back consumer trust after a scandal in the early 2000s over cover-ups of problems such as failing brakes, faulty clutches and fuel tanks prone to falling off dating back to the 1970s.
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By Charlie Bauder, AM WNEG Special to the Independent Mail

TOCCOA, Georgia  An arrest has been made in the death of a Toccoa man earlier this year.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said that 35-year-old Marqkeela Lawain Hill of Douglasville, Georgia, has been arrested and charged with one count of murder in the death of Tomas Colbert in February in Toccoa.

GBI agents made the arrest in Douglasville on Monday afternoon with the assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the agency announced on Tuesday.

Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell said many hours went into the investigation leading to Hill's arrest.

"I am very proud of the men and women that work for the Toccoa Police Department and, additionally, I am very happy and very proud of the men and women who work for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, especially out of the Cleveland office," said Jarrell.

Colbert, 21, was shot in the early morning hours of Feb. 7 at an apartment on Falls Road in Toccoa.

Colbert had several gunshot wounds and was conscious when he was found, said Jarrell.

Colbert was transported first to Stephens County Hospital, then was flown to Greenville (South Carolina) Memorial Hospital, where he died from his wounds shortly after arriving.

Jarrell would not discuss a motive for the shooting, adding that the investigation into Colbert's death remains open.

"I know the family, as well as us in law enforcement, still have many questions that need to be answered," Jarrell said. "We are still looking for those answers. That is why the investigation is still ongoing. We hope to be able to answer the family's questions, as well as ours, soon."

Hill was taken to the Douglas County Jail and will be transported back to the Stephens County Jail, said Jarrell.
SC Supreme Court hears challenge to 6-week abortion law

The SC law, temporarily blocked until the court considers its fate, is being challenged on the grounds that it violates privacy rights in constitution.
Ken Ruinard/Independent Mail The Pendleton Oil Mill stands on Main Street in Pendleton. Town council has asked owner John Sitton to tear down the unsafe structure in October.

SHARE Ken Ruinard/Independent Mail The Pendleton Oil Mill stands on Main Street in Pendleton. Town council has asked owner John Sitton to tear down the unsafe structure in October.

By Mike Eads of the Independent Mail

The owner of a derelict Pendleton Oil Mill said the cleanup of the site will resume soon.

John Sitton said work halted temporarily at the mill at the end of last year due to personal issues and a renegotiation with FAB Construction, which is contracted to harvest wood and other building materials from the mill site on East Main Street.

"Approximately three months of work has been completed and the salvage wood and equipment has been stripped from several buildings," said Sitton in an email to the Independent Mail. "There has also been a considerable amount of serious vandalism occurring at the site, which has complicated the selling of some of the equipment."

Sitton said FAB owners Gary and Claire Reagan wanted to renegotiate after a steep drop in scrap metal prices due to a drop in demand from China, one of the world's biggest consumers. The proceeds from selling off the wood, metal and other materials are meant to finance the cleanup, Sitton said.

Pendleton town officials approached Sitton last year with concerns about the site, which is covered by crumbling buildings. Sitton opted to handle the cleanup privately, only to have one of the buildings partly collapse onto the neighboring Norfolk Southern rail line last July. He appeared before the town council soon after and pledged to get the site cleared.

Pendleton Mayor Frank Crenshaw expressed confidence Wednesday that Sitton would make good on his commitment.

"We're definitely going to stay on top of it, and he's going to keep us posted," Crenshaw said. "We definitely want to get something done and I think he's doing what he can."

Sitton acknowledged this week that progress has been slow, but he repeated his earlier pledge to get the mill property cleaned up "ASAP."

"The scope and scale of an operation like this doesn't happen in a hurry," he said. "It's a salvage operation for a business that's been there since the late 1860s and is being taken down piece by piece like it was put up. It's not just a knock-, cleanup demolition operation."

As for what happens once the site is cleared, Sitton would only say that he has several options for the six-acre parcel, which is valued at $104,000 according to Anderson County records.

Sitton's family built a gin at the site during Reconstruction and has operated businesses there continuously since then. It was repurposed after World War II to produce fertilizer and erosion control products.

Follow Michael Eads on Twitter @MikeEads_AIM.
Mary Alice Rawson stands for a portrait in front of her antique shop, Grandma's Antiques, on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 in Pendleton. Rawson will be closing Grandma's Antiques after 35 years as she hits the age of 92.

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By Charmaine Smith-Miles of the Independent Mail

PENDLETON  Mary Alice Rawson will take up her shop sign for Grandma's Antiques and Things, which sits near the sidewalk on East Queen Street, for the last time on April 30.

For 35 years, she's been turning on the "open" light in the little cement-block shop in her backyard and putting that wooden shop sign up. This has been her window to the world, as she's greeted friends and strangers and listened to their stories as they've hunted for that one certain antique piece or just browsed.

"I hate to close it. I'll miss the people and having something to do," Rawson said. "It was a very difficult decision to make, closing the shop. But I'm losing my eyesight."

Truth is, Rawson, who will turn 92 on Monday, has been losing her eyesight for the last six years. She has macular degeneration, she said. Now her sight has declined to the point that it is difficult for her to see numbers on price tags and other details.

In December, she stepped down from her post as assistant treasurer at Pendleton United Methodist Church. She has served as the treasurer or assistant treasurer at the church since 1980 when she and her husband, Robert, moved from Iowa to Pendleton to be near their son, his family and their grandchildren.

Rawson started collecting antiques when she and her husband still lived in Iowa. For six years, she had a big shop there, she said.

All of it started with collecting and selling things for the church's bazaar.

Before she knew it, her husband was picking up stuff and bringing it home in their station wagon when he would go away on a business trip. On her 50th birthday, she found a building for her shop and opened it.

When the Rawsons moved to Pendleton, they found a home with a shop in the back. It is smaller than the shop she had in Iowa, but it has still kept her busy. And for years, it has been packed with old dishes, crystal, signs, toys and other antiques.

Twenty years ago, Robert Rawson died. He and Mary Alice had been married for 52 years.

Yet, she is still here in this house. And her routine has not changed much. Until she closes for the last time, she will open six days a week, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. And she hopes to sell most, if not all, of those antiques still sitting on the shelves.

She is going to miss her routine, and her nice customers, she said. And those who know her said that they are going to miss her smile and her sense of humor.

Jean Vegod, a Pendleton resident, said she's added some copper pieces and some old Ball jars to her antiques at home thanks to Rawson's shop.

"The town of Pendleton is going to miss her," Vegod said.

Follow Charmaine Smith-Miles on Twitter @Charmaine_AIM.
PHOTOS BY MIKE ELLIS/INDEPENDENT MAIL Gerald Gadsden signs court paperwork to seek a preliminary hearing after he was denied bond on charges of murder and a weapons possession offense.

SHARE Gerald Gadsden, sitting at a table, appeared at a bond hearing for charges of murder and weapon possession. Gerald Gadsden Gerald Gadsden signs paperwork after a judge denied him bond on charges of murder and a weapons possession offense.

By Mike Ellis of the Independent Mail

Sitting alone at a table in an Anderson city courtroom as a magistrate denied bond on a murder charge, Gerald Akeem Gadsden shifted in his orange jumpsuit and handcuffs and bobbed up and down.

"I actually have not had my medicine yet," he said to Anderson city magistrate Goetz Eaton. "The voices in my head, they're getting louder and louder and louder."

Gadsden, 26, is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He is accused of fatally shooting 25-year-old Chance Chad Tate several times around 9:45 p.m. Monday on H Street in Anderson.

Gadsden was arrested around 3:15 a.m. Tuesday in the AnMed Health Medical Center parking lot after officers learned during their investigation that he would be there at that time, said Lt. Mike Aikens of the Anderson Police Department.

The circumstances of the shooting were not discussed during the bond hearing.

After Gadsden said he was hearing voices, Eaton asked police officers if they had his medication.

The officers said Gadsden did not have any medication when he was arrested. The officers said they have spoken to medical professionals at the city's jail about Gadsden and would do so again.

Gadsden has a lengthy criminal record, including a conviction on a charge of assault and battery with intent to kill in Berkeley County in 2008. He was given probation for that charge.

Gadsden also has been arrested in for additional charges in several cities in Berkeley County, as well as Spartanburg County and Richland County. He currently is facing separate Greenville County charges of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and burglary.

During the bond hearing Tuesday afternoon, Gadsden said he would decline a public defender and he would likely be defended by a Greenville attorney who he said has previously represented him.

"It has been over 12 hours and I have not had contact with my lawyer," he said. "Or my family."

Friends and family of Tate sat in the courtroom, at a few points speaking up as they were shushed or escorted out by officers.

One person questioned whether Gadsden was actually hearing voices.

Another accused him of killing Tate.

Gadsden remains at the Anderson City Jail and Eaton, the magistrate, said a bond on a murder charge could only be set by a Circuit Court judge.

Eaton denied bond on the other charge, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Follow Mike Ellis on Twitter @MikeEllis_AIM
SHARE James Cisson

By Mike Ellis of the Independent Mail

A Williamston man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

James Cisson, 43, admitted to touching or having three young children touch him.

The first case came to light in 2015 when a girl told a friend at school about the abuse and the friend told a school counselor, prosecutors said in court Tuesday.

The girl's sister then reported similar conduct.

After Cisson was charged, a person in Greenville came forward to report similar abuse in the 1990s, prosecutors said.

Cisson was charged by Greenville County authorities with committing a lewd act on a child.

He and his attorney, Druanne White, agreed to let Anderson County prosecutors consolidate that charge with the Anderson County offenses.

Cisson did not speak in his defense, and White did not present a defense during the plea hearing.

White said Cisson has a supportive group of family and friends, who stood up in court to demonstrate that support.

Family members of the victims in the courtroom declined to speak, but prosecutors said they wanted Cisson to know that he had destroyed the victims' childhoods.

Follow Mike Ellis on Twitter @MikeEllis_AIM
PHOTOS BY MIKE ELLIS/INDEPENDENT MAIL Talina Bratcher pauses on her way out of an Anderson County courtroom, after she pleaded guilty to an arson that claimed her parent's home, to listen to her mother say "I love her."

SHARE Talina Bratcher nearly welled up as her mother talked about how Bratcher burned down the family's home.

By Mike Ellis of the Independent Mail

As Talina Bratcher was being led out of the courtroom to start a five-year probation, her mother, Mary Hunter, asked where her daughter would be living the next few years.

There was no answer to the question.

Bratcher, 29, had just pleaded guilty to arson in the May 2015 burning of her parent's Townville home on Lake Hartwell.

She had been staying there, along with her parents and at least one of her three children. Her things  her purse, her children's clothes and toys, her money  were all inside when she doused the home in gasoline and lit it up, Hunter told Circuit Court Judge Cordell Maddox. Bratcher handed her 2-year-old child to a neighbor so she could watch the fire she set.

Hunter said she worried about where Bratcher would live and how she would cope with probation, which requires a home address.

Bratcher cannot live with her parents, as part of the plea deal.

"Everybody is fearful," Hunter said. "I worry in years to come of what she might do."

Hunter said no one wants to stay with Bratcher up anymore after the fire.

Hunter said her daughter has mental health problems and needs help.

"She picks up rocks and cleans them," she said. "She needs to get her life back in order. She needs to get adequate help for drugs and her mental health."

Hunter said Bratcher has been unable to say why she set the house on fire and shuts down when the questions start.

"She says she just snapped and did it and walked out," Hunter said.

After questioning from Maddox, Bratcher said she still couldn't say why she did it.

"I wish I had a better answer, I wish I had an answer that made sense," Bratcher said.

She will get mental health and substance abuse treatment as part of her five-year probation sentence.

"We'll get you some help," Maddox said.

When Bratcher was almost out of the courtroom, her mother said, "I love her."

Follow Mike Ellis on Twitter @MikeEllis_AIM
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By Leo J. Marsden, Anderson

I enjoyed reading Mark Hopkins op-ed on April 3, "Shooting one's self in the foot." He is spot-on regarding the GOP galloping toward its third defeat in three straight presidential elections.

Our nation is woefully divided. Congress has been paralyzed by polarization for years. Public forums are beset with protests and riots. If the founding fathers had acted this way the USA would not exist. Our foundation was never based on nationality, race or religion; but rather on shared values. Now we have an avowed socialist proposing not just "big" but humongous government on one pole, and a man who would deny entry to the U.S. based on religion, physically round up people without legal papers and deport them regardless of their past contributions and cancel the citizenship of their kids, on the other pole. And they are both receiving astounding support in this presidential campaign.

We have big problems. The $19 trillion national debt cannot be sustained. North Korea threatens us with nuclear attack, and Iran wants to do the same. The Cold War with Russia is once again "chilly." ISIL sees us as "Satan" and millions of people have become religious refugees, or dead, in the Mideast. And in the midst of all this the U.S. is ready to offer either a proven liar and untrustworthy person or an unpredictable man who would countenance family torture and nuclear attack against ISIL as the next "leader of the free world."

Can we still govern ourselves?
Rought and tough actor Ajay Devgn is currently in Bulgaria shooting for his next directorial venture 'Shivaay'. It was just recently that, the actor shot for an extremely difficult scene at the top of Pirin Mountains and seems like he has managed to pull it off quite well. Ajay also shared the video of his shoot on Twitter, wherein he is seen standing on the top of a mountain with a helicopter flying around him. WOW!!! He is truly one great actor who is strong willed to stand and give the best shot.

On sharing the video he wrote, "When the going gets tough, tough get going! Heartfelt thanks to fantastic TeamShivaay for an Extreme Bulgaria shoot." In the video you can see, as soon as Ajay completes the shoot, the crew helped him wear a jacket and took him to his hotel room. Currently, Ajay and his team are shooting at the highest peak of Bulgaria's Pirin Mountain`s at VIHREN peak in Bansko. Due to the bad weather condition, Ajay suddenly got hypothermia.

When the going gets tough, tough get going! Heartfelt thanks to fantastic TeamShivaay for an Extreme Bulgaria shoot.https://t.co/8W7D1n7RKo  Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 18, 2016

Sources say that, the Doctor at the hotel advised him at least 2 days of rest but Ajay was back in 30mins. It was -19 degrees Celsius and there was heavy snowfall the night before so the temperature was running record low. The team and crew were exhausted but prepped for the cold, but Ajay was only clad in a T shirt and a jacket. Reports also suggest that, the level of altitude mixed with the chopper hovering over his head blew a lot of snow and ice around the area where Ajay was standing for the shot. But finally, Ajay pulled completed the shot at the Vihren Peak while all the crew waited on a safe point below. WOW!!! So proud of you Ajay Sir.. So fans you have to wait for some real action.

The movie 'Shivaay' will be Ajay's second directorial venture after 'U,Me Aur Hum'. This movie will release by the end of this year.


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www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others.
Give us a brief overview of the online furniture marketplace.

Besides selling furniture you say you specialize in making complete homes. Explain to us your business model. How much comes from selling products and other activities? What is the in-house expertise you have? What are your outsourced activities?

We have two business models. One is the retail business and the other is the interior design business. In the retail business, the customer visits the website to buy a specific product. He/ she can choose from the thousands of options available and can place the order online.

Post the manufacturing; the product is dispatched to the customer. Presently it is our partners that deliver the products. Our delivery timelines are better than industry average. Also, a range of our products are about 29% cheaper than Pepperfry or Urban Ladder. We further stand out from our competition as we have a hyperlocal business model in the online furniture space. In our business, the cost margins are about 35-40% and the net revenues are 15-20%.

When it comes to our interior design business, we showcase home interior designs to the customers over the website.

How many product listings do you have? How are the logistics being managed for next day delivery?

MebelKart has 1.75 lakh SKUs live on the portal

We will be focusing on the hyperlocal business model in the new financial year. Hyperlocal is a capital light model that has its set of advantages including faster delivery at a lower cost and without damages. If you look at Pepperfry or Urban Ladder, there is about 20% logistics cost involved. Additionally, there are 9% chances of the product getting damaged. The loss is multiplied if the product gets damaged as it involves costs related to returns to the manufacturer. More than a loss to the company it is a loss to the customer experience.

You recently tied up with 27,000 interior designers. How did you reach out to them? What kind of business translation has it resulted in? What is the revenue sharing model here?

Our vision is to bring better value to our customers by making designs more affordable. In order to bring that to fruition, we have tied up with over 27, 000 interior designers. We are responsible for the supply side of the business which includes material supply, material delivery and fittings. This is where we can provide better value to the customers by reducing the costs and also making designs more affordable for them.

It is a symbiotic relationship that we share with the designers. Whenever a design request comes to us, it is forwarded to the interior design team that evaluates the request, interacts with the customer and then does the designing. Based on the designs, we give a quotation to the customer that once finalized, we source the materials and the designer oversees the entire project.

Tell us about your geographical reach.

2,500 sellers on our platform and deliver to 20,000 pincodes that translates to 200 cities across India.

You were targeting monthly GMV of US410mn by March end this year. By when do you hope to achieve break-even?

You first used to develop mobile cases. Share with us a little about your early days. How did the three of you get together to start this venture? What were your aspirations then and how has the business model evolved over the years?

What is the technology edge you have or hope to have?

We are a tech focused enterprise and have always believed that it is the technological edge that can make all the difference for an online e-commerce brand.

What is the amount raised so far? What are your capex and fund raising plans? What is the existing shareholding pattern of the company?

Mebelkart closed March 2016 with gross merchandise value (GMV) of Rs 6 crores that translates into an annualised GMV run rate of around Rs 72 crore. We are targeting

What are the tie-ups you have in place with realty players? Is it more of a volume game there or are you able to extract better margins?

You collaborated with Twinkle Khanna for a digital campaign. What has been the response?

How many visitors do you get on your site on a daily basis? What is the average ticket-size of the furniture sold?

How do you view competition? What strategy do you have in place to show your differentiation?

Your advice to start-ups and budding entrepreneurs?

spearheads the strategy, scale up plans and business development in the company. Rahul started his entrepreneurial journey with Young Engineers while he was a student in IIT Kanpur. Young Engineers excelled in providing robotics products and had a few renowned names in the QSR industry as clients. It also conducted workshops across numerous colleges across the country. A B-tech from IIT Kanpur in Electrical Engineering, his association with Nikhil Saraf and Ranjeet Vimal, co-founders of MebelKart, goes back to their time with Picsean Media. Mr. Agrawal has also worked with Ola, a leading cab aggregator in the country.is one of India's leading online furniture shopping, which offers a unique and a huge variety of stylish and contemporary furniture online. The online furniture ranges from Living room furniture, Bedroom furniture, Office furniture, Dining room furniture, outdoor and kitchen furniture.Replying toofRahul Agrawal says, Consumers are increasingly going online for their furniture and home decor needs. At MebelKart, the highest selling products are beds, sofas, shoe racks and kitchen appliances. Modular kitchens are the fastest growing category in furniture online.Furniture marketplace is a largely unorganized sector with 85% of it being unorganized. Online furniture marketplace is in its nascent stage in India. It is only over the last 3-4 years with the entry of the first few major online players like Pepperfry, Urban Ladder and MebelKart that furniture is moving into the ecommerce space. Furniture as a product is not easy to market and even managing its logistics is not a simple affair. Other challenges are sourcing the product, designing the furniture and ensuring quality.According to recent media reports and industry representatives, furniture is a 25 billion dollars business opportunity in India of which 10 billion dollars is just the modular kitchen market.Consumers are increasingly going online for their furniture and home decor needs. At MebelKart, for instance, the highest selling products are beds, sofas, shoe racks and kitchen appliances. Modular kitchens are the fastest growing category in furniture online. It is also increasingly becoming essential for companies to go hyperlocal. It means faster delivery at lower costs with lesser damages. We, at MebelKart have pioneered this trend and are moving from a 70:30 national: hyperlocal delivery model to a 80:20 hyperlocal: national model.As a platform, Mebelkart showcases designs from several interior designers; their previous projects, their works, as well as the comments and ratings they have received. Mebelkart delivers a complete home for its customers in 45 days, taking care of the timelines apart from the cost. The cost we offer is significantly lower than what the market offers.We, at MebelKart make complete homesIf someone wishes to get interiors done and buy furniture, MebelKart does the entire process for you. We hire interior designers; get the materials procured and more. We have tied up with in-house design expertise, i.e., the best interior designers in the country and have a working relationship with close to 2000+ factories across India.and we are offering interior designing solutions for a ticket size of Rs 6,00,000.Currently the industry average for damaged goods is 9% but for MebelKart it is only about 3% and the primary reason for the same is the hyperlocal business model.Our hyperlocal model also ensures quality check of the product. We have four teams, Jodhpur, Nagpur, Mumbai and one in Bangalore and are in the process of setting up a team in Delhi and in 70 other cities to ensure quality checks are in place.We haveWe have closed the FY 2015-16 with Rs. 6 crore GMV for the month of March 2016. We are targeting Rs. 1200 crores GMV by October 2015.Even while studying in IIT Delhi, I had an entrepreneurial outlook. In my very first year as a student there, after a 45 day internship in Delhi, I was making mobile games and sold them to Pizza Hut and Dominos. In order to scale it up further, I conducted workshops at IIT Kanpur, and with the best among the lot, formed Young Engineers. Young Engineers did workshops in about 150 colleges across the country in 3 years. I learnt a lot during this time about how to run a business. This included building business relationships and negotiating with people, money management, working on business documentation and more. I also learned how to take people along while running your own business. My outlook changed from believing that if you put in the hardwork, you will get the desired results to realizing that there are a lot of other factors involved. I continued to run Young Engineers even after graduating and did not appear for campus placements. Soon, thereafter, I joined a startup called PicSean Media in late 2011. It was here that I met my now partners Ranjeet Vimal and Nikhil Saraf. These two had a lot of industry experience and business knowledge.We started out by selling limited range of furniture to the buyers. Initially, we were only selling bean bags to a select set of customers based in Bangalore. We have grown slowly yet steadily to add new product lines in the online furniture space, as well as expand our reach across cities. We have evolved over the years to become the one-stop destination for home decor requirements. We have 27,000 designers on board and are also in the process of rolling out new categories.monthly GMV of Rs. 100 crore and a Rs. 1,200 crore turnover by the month of October. We are looking to raise US$100 million within the next six months. This money will help us expand our coverage area, hire more employees and test waters in countries like Malaysia and Kuwait.We are in the process of tying up with few of the biggest real estate players and online portals to push interior projects. We will keep you updated on the latest developments on this front.Yes, we had collaborated with Twinkle Khanna for a digital campaign. She is an interior designer herself and hence, MebelKart partnered with her to launch its first series of videos. In these videos, she gave tips on how to decorate your home. We received 4.5 lakh Twitter impressions and the campaign was very well received online.MebelKart has about 30,000 site visitors a day on its platform. The average ticket size in the furniture business is Rs. 10,000.Our market/ industry is extremely competitive. However, we believe that we have a differentiated proposition because of the end-to-end home decor solutions we offer. We are not only a portal the focuses on selling furniture online. We believe that a home is very close to every individuals heart and we strive to be partners of our customers as they design their homes.My only advice to the start-ups and budding entrepreneurs is to believe in their idea and focus on getting their business model right. Once they have the business model in place, they should focus on scalability and growth.
Ratnesh Pandey, Co-Founder, Healthkhoj.com worked in multi cultural International business environments in Europe and US. He has executed complex engagements with globally distributed teams and vendors. He possesses domain knowledge on B2B IT marketing, Lead progression, Campaigns, Branding and Promotions.



Healthkhoj is changing the way healthcare services are delivered and consumed. We are doing this by bringing different service providers in the patient care cycle together, which means that the people will be able to access everything they need through healthkhoj.



Replying to Anil Mascarenhas of India Infoline, Ratnesh Pandey says,  Out of pocket expenditure in India is as high as 61% of the total medical expenditure, where as in Low and Middle Income countries it is 37%. There is a vicious cycle of health-care debt.



Connected healthcare and artificial intelligence are all making waves in healthcare. What are some of the interesting bits you are seeing in healthcare?

There are a lot of interesting things happening in healthcare segment. is changing the way healthcare services are delivered and consumed. We are doing this by bringing different service providers in the patient care cycle together, which means that the people will be able to access everything they need through healthkhoj.Out of pocket expenditure in India is as high as 61% of the total medical expenditure, where as in Low and Middle Income countries it is 37%. There is a vicious cycle of health-care debt.There are a lot of interesting things happening in healthcare segment.

Connected Healthcare is on the rise. This will be driver primarily through mobile applications and devices communicating to each other over Internet.

Tracking of patients post discharge, constant monitoring of the patient through wearables,

Anytime, anywhere access to the personal medical data

Return of the family doctor concept in big cities.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the care cycle. At the individual patient level, players like HealthKhoj are working on it. At the Industry level IBM Watson is one example

Rise of affordable, smart equipments available to the hospitals. These include ECG machines and opthalmology equipments
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on technical cooperation in the field of capacity building, benchmarking and bilateral exchange in infrastructure engineering.India and Bhutan have had a long standing diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with each other. The India-Bhutan friendship treaty signed in New Delhi in February, 2007 also strengthens the mutual relations. The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi made a state visit to Bhutan in June 2014. The visit reinforced the tradition of regular high level exchanges between the two countries. During the Indian Prime Ministers' visit, the two sides agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in areas relating to their national interest.The MoU is in furtherance of Article 2,7 and 8 of the India-Bhutan friendship treaty. The MoU will provide an Umbrella for educational, scientific & technical research and environment protection which are also stated aim of the India-Bhutan foundation established in August 2003.There is already ongoing Hydro Power Cooperation between the two countries which provides an exemplary template for mutual cooperation.Through this MoU, the Central Public Works Department will stand to gain in terms of experience in hills road construction which is of paramount importance in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and various States of North-East Region. The CPWD also expects to garner some road construction projects in Bhutan.
Kotak Mutual Fund has observed systematic investment plans (SIPs) increasing four-fold last financial year and bring in fresh investors. Having grown its assets by 40% last year, the fund house expects to increase its market share to 5% this financial year, reports a leading financial newspaper.



Investors from over 300 cities have selected SIP route to make mutual fund investments last year. Kotak MF witnessed growth of 40% in its asset size last financial year to Rs. 62,000 crore. The fund house, however, is expecting approval from the market regulator SEBI for a debt-equity dynamic hybrid fund and an arbitrage fund.
Kaizad Bharucha, the executive director of HDFC Bank, gave a positive outlook for growth in India, but he also advised caution during a recent interaction session with ET Now.

The executive director stated that there will be demand, but he takes a cautious stance on positive growth on credit. He added that the HDFC Bank has also identified that the life cycle of the commodity has been active and most of the building blocks that people have been discussing have been coming through.



According to Mr. Bharucha, there has been ample equipment demand for equipment in road construction and payment to contractors has been timely. He also pointed out that there has been growth in the railway sector. The Mumbai-Delhi corridor the other large projects that were announced have been generating demand. The director also revealed that the automobile sector has also been doing well. There has been a visible rise in the number of medium and heavy commercial automobiles. Light commercial vehicles have also had a significant improvement and the same also applies to passenger cars.



Mr. Bharucha stated that there has been more capacity utilization as well as capacity expansion in the railways, roads, and auto segments. He also added that the pharma industry has also been doing well. The bank expects to see large investments in the private sector. The government has also invested in railways and roads, and that spending has is now coming in.



As for the impact of the weather on demand, the executive director stated that the demand, especially in the rural areas, will increase as long as there is good rainfall. The rains will be beneficial because they will help propel a lot of growth. He also stated that the weather patterns in the past two years have not been as good especially because of the monsoons which destroyed a lot of crops.



Mr. Bharucha also talked about the global economic condition where he stated that it has improved compared to previous years. He believes that there were more uncertainties in the global market nine months ago compared to the current compared to the current situation. The executive director stated that there will be demand, but he takes a cautious stance on positive growth on credit. He added that the HDFC Bank has also identified that the life cycle of the commodity has been active and most of the building blocks that people have been discussing have been coming through.According to Mr. Bharucha, there has been ample equipment demand for equipment in road construction and payment to contractors has been timely. He also pointed out that there has been growth in the railway sector. The Mumbai-Delhi corridor the other large projects that were announced have been generating demand. The director also revealed that the automobile sector has also been doing well. There has been a visible rise in the number of medium and heavy commercial automobiles. Light commercial vehicles have also had a significant improvement and the same also applies to passenger cars.Mr. Bharucha stated that there has been more capacity utilization as well as capacity expansion in the railways, roads, and auto segments. He also added that the pharma industry has also been doing well. The bank expects to see large investments in the private sector. The government has also invested in railways and roads, and that spending has is now coming in.As for the impact of the weather on demand, the executive director stated that the demand, especially in the rural areas, will increase as long as there is good rainfall. The rains will be beneficial because they will help propel a lot of growth. He also stated that the weather patterns in the past two years have not been as good especially because of the monsoons which destroyed a lot of crops.Mr. Bharucha also talked about the global economic condition where he stated that it has improved compared to previous years. He believes that there were more uncertainties in the global market nine months ago compared to the current compared to the current situation.

HDFC Bank Ltd is currently trading at Rs. 1097.3, up by Rs. 9 or 0.83% from its previous closing of Rs. 1088.3 on the BSE.

The scrip opened at Rs. 1088.3 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 1099.5 and Rs. 1084.35 respectively. So far 789032(NSE+BSE) shares were traded on the counter. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 275142.54 crore.

The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs. 2 has touched a 52 week high of Rs. 1127.9 on 21-Jul-2015 and a 52 week low of Rs. 928.8 on 29-Feb-2016. Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 1092.2 and Rs. 1060.05 respectively.

The promoters holding in the company stood at 21.49 % while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 43.5 % and 16.3 % respectively.

The stock is currently trading above its 200 DMA.

stock view:
Promius Pharma LLC, a subsidiary of Dr. Reddys Laboratories has announced that ZEMBRACE SymTouch is now commercially available in the U.S.ZEMBRACE SymTouch is a prefilled, low-dose, ready-to-use, 2-step autoinjector containing 3 mg of sumatriptan, a selective 5-HT1B/ID receptor agonist. Because ZEMBRACE SymTouch is a subcutaneous injection, it may lead to rapid relief of migraine.Migraineurs often have more than one kind of attack. Different types of medications can be used to treat different types of attacks. ZEMBRACE SymTouch is a welcome addition to the toolkit for acute treatment of migraine said Roger Cady, MD, Associate Executive Chairman of the National Headache Foundation.This 3-mg, easy to-use subcutaneous injection of sumatriptan may be desired by many migraine patients who need a medication that can rapidly treat migraine attacks. Also, the 3-mg dose allows for up to 4 doses of ZEMBRACE SymTouch in a 24-hour period, thus allowing dosing flexibility for patients, added Cady.ZEMBRACE SymTouch is available as a box of 4 autoinjectors.
In a brief interview with the Economic Times, ABG Shipyards CFO & ED, Dhananjay Datar discussed the companys business outlook.Commenting on the time gap that has caused due to delay in implementation of the governments announcement, Datar said that it is futile to argue about the delay, which has already become a history. Rather he encouraged to move past this time gap and appreciated the initiatives taken by the government. He strongly feels that the government deserves a chance given the fact that it came to power only two years back.Datar highlighted that the government is willing to give infrastructure status to the shipyard industry, which the sector has long been waiting for. Datar further pointed to the governments progress towards its commitment as he said that the national infrastructure investment fund as already been setup with targeted seed capital of Rs 20,000 crore. Datar is hoping that the government will bring more funds by approaching other sovereigns.Seed capital is among the critical needs of the infrastructure companies, according to Datar. He threw light on the competitiveness of the shipyard industry by stressing that it is equipped with both the infrastructure and inventory along with the capability to deliver what the navy or Defence Ministry wants. However, the only roadblock that bars the industry from displaying its full capability is a lack of government tenders.Datar shared that the government is seeking private participation in the sector. However, the balance sheets of the major private player are under stress, which is holding them back from participating. Datar elucidated the reason behind the stress in the industry, stating that the Indian industry is closely linked to the global shipping sector. This means that the commodity crash has led most of the countries to dump their products in the global market, leading to slump.
Indraprastha Gas Ltd recorded highest CNG sale of 26.7 lakh kg a day this week, according to reports.

The company is planning to set up one CNG dispensing station every two days, to meet the increased demand for gas, as per a report.



The scrip opened at Rs. 562 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 583.45 and Rs. 562 respectively. So far 607740(NSE+BSE) shares were traded on the counter. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 7930.3 crore.

The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs. 10 has touched a 52 week high of Rs. 607.5 on 11-Jan-2016 and a 52 week low of Rs. 376 on 09-Jun-2015. Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 584 and Rs. 540.1 respectively.

The promoters holding in the company stood at 45 % while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 41.77 % and 13.23 % respectively.

The stock is currently trading above its 50 DMA.
The Rajasthan Urban Land (Certification of Titles) Act, 2016, passed by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly this month, will significantly smoothen the land acquisition process in urban areas, says India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). Rajasthan is the first state in India to enact a law on property titles, where the state will stand as a guarantor for land titles and provide compensation in case of issues of defective title. Ind-Ra believes that the adoption of similar laws by other states can meaningfully shorten the time taken for acquisition of urban land for infrastructure creation by public bodies or for real estate development by private players and bring down overall project cost.

The Act provides for the State Government to stand as a guarantor for the permanent certificate of title issued for urban land by the Certification Authority after perusal of documents. The Act also provides for compensation to any person who enters in to a transaction on the basis of a permanent certificate of title, in case the title later turns out to be defective. These provisions will lead to clarity in land titles and will reduce legal challenges, thus reducing the effective cost of land and shortening execution timelines.

The Act is a marked improvement over the current situation where the land title is authenticated based on a series of documents of successive transfers, without any guarantee of the actual title and the buyers investment is exposed to the risk of complete loss, in case the title later turns out to be defective. Given the uncertainty as to land title, buyers go through a long process to authenticate the titles, but often end up facing legal challenges, thus delaying the execution of projects and locking up capital.

This titling reform by Rajasthan comes at a time when the government has embarked on a mission to push for urbanisation with various schemes namely, development of smart cities, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation and housing for all.
ANG Industries Limited, Austral Coke & Projects Limited, Birla Cotsyn (India) Limited, BS LIMITED, Impex Ferro Tech Limited, JCT Electronics Limited, KDDL Limited, Parabolic Drugs Limited, Paras Petrofils Limited, PDS Multinational Fashions Limited, Rainbow Papers Limited, Raj Rayon Industries Limited, Responsive Industries Limited, Shrenuj & Company Limited, Visesh Infotecnics Limited, Visagar Polytex were some of the notable stocks to record new 52-week low.

The Nifty and Sensex managed to extend their winning streak to the sixth trading session amidst choppy trade. After opening with a positive gap, indices were unable to carry forward the momentum. Energy, telecom, auto and oil & gas stocks were among the major losers. On the other hand, metal stocks were the top gainers followed by power, capital goods and banking.All the action was seen in side counters especially the small-cap stocks; even the mid-caps remained under pressure.Tata Steel, Hindalco, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, GAIL, Wipro, NTPC, Tech Mahindra and Tata Power were among the gainers on NSE, whereas Idea Cellular, TCS, RIL, Bharti Infratel, ZEE, Aurobindo Pharma were among the losers today.Shares of TCS slipped by 2.6%. The company announced its results after market hours on Monday. TCSs Q4 net profit climbed 3.8% to Rs. 6,341 crore on a qoq basis, whereas the annual FY16 profit grew 23.2% to Rs.24,215 crore. Net revenue for Q4 stood at Rs.28,449 crore. Annual FY16 net revenue stood at Rs.108,646 crore, up by 14.8% yoy.Commenting on TCS results, Amar Ambani, Head of Research, IIFL, said, The likely moderation in operating margin would underpin a lowerthanrevenue earnings growth over FY16 18. However, the stock valuation has been more sensitive to the headline dollar revenue growth, which is set to recover in the coming quarters. After having witnessed a prolonged time and price correction, the valuation of TCS appears fair now at 16x FY18 P/E. The premium to Infosys has nearly vanished.The BSE Sensex ended with a gain of 27 points at 25,844. The BSE Sensex opened at 25,942 touched an intra-day high of 25,956 and low of 25,716.The NSE Nifty closed at 7,915. The NSE Nifty opened at 7,950 hitting a high of 7,950.40 and low of 7,877.The India VIX (Volatility) index was marginally up 0.75% to 17.0750.On the global front, China's Shanghai Composite index slipped 2.3% and Hang Seng down 0.94%.In Europe, the FTSE 100 is trading marginally lower by 0.57%. On the other hand, DAX and the CAC 40 down 0.15% each.The Indian Rupee was trading up 36 paise at 66.19 per US dollar.Out of 1,802 stocks traded on the NSE, 669 declined and 895 advanced today.HDFC gained 1% to Rs.1,138 on BSE. The company said its board approved a proposal to sell shares of its unit HDFC Standard Life Insurance Co. to the public for the first time. The board approved selling up to 10% stake in HDFC Life.Tata Chemicals rallied 5% to Rs.416. The company is trying to position itself as a consumer goods company rather than a fertilizer maker. Tata Chemicals is in a transformational mode, said R. Mukundan, Managing Director of Tata Chemicals, which makes products ranging from water purifiers to urea, as per media report.Mastek dropped 4% to Rs.148. The company reported a 9% decline in net profit for quarter ended March 2016. The company on Tuesday reported a net profit at Rs 5.86 crore against Rs 6.44 crore in the same quarter last year.Future Consumer Enterprise climbed 3% to Rs.22 on BSE. The company has forayed into the dry-fruits segment under Karmiq Food Brand, as per a TV report. The company experienced a spurt in volumes by more than 4.18 times.Shares of Steel Strips Wheels surged 4.2% to Rs.398 on BSE. The company received exports order for supply of high speed trailer (Caravan) steel wheels for the European trailer market.The BSE Metal index jumped at 8,009.78 points, up by 291.21 points or 3.8%. The index opened higher at 7,771.25 as against its previous close of 7,718.57 points. It hit a high and a low of 7,988.71 and 7,771.25 points respectively. The sectoral breadth turned positive with 9 stocks advanced and one stock declined. Vedanta surged 9% to Rs.106.15 on BSE. Jindal Steel zoomed 7.7% to Rs.74.60.Tata Steel climbed 6.5% to Rs.357 on BSE. Tata Steel Europe announced changes to the leadership of its operations in the UK. Bimlendra Jha, an Executive Committee member of Tata Steel Europe, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Tata Steel UK.Hindalco, SAIL, Hindustan Zinc gained over 5% respectively. NALCO slipped 3.3% to Rs.43.70. The company has declared an interim dividend of 25%, i.e. Rs.1.25 per share of Rs.5 each, amounting to Rs.322.16 crore for the financial year 2015-16, on the paid-up equity share capital of Rs.1288.62 crore.L&T Finance closed marginally lower by 0.48% to Rs.72.05. L&T Finance owned by India's largest engineering and construction company Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is planning to rationalise both its business and financial product portfolio, as it looks to either sell or merge its insurance business while seeking a minority foreign partner for its mutual fund business.Crisil Ltd soared 8.5% at Rs.2,152.20 after posting Q1 results. The company has posted a net profit of Rs. 786 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 compared with Rs.563.20 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.Suzlon Energy Ltd stock gained 2.23% at Rs. 15.16. The company acquired the following companies, Gale Solarfarms Private Limited, Tornado Solarfarms Private Limited, Abha Solarfarms Private Limited, Aalok Solarfarms Private Limited and Shreyas Solarfarms Private Limited to implement various renewable energy projects across the country, including the recently won solar projects in Maharashtra of 70 MW. These companies, which have been acquired at face value, do not have any operations or assets currently and have been acquired primarily to be used as SPVs for the proposed solar project.ARSS Infrastructure Projects climbed 6.2% to Rs. 42. The company has announced that a work order amounting to Rs. 64.73 crores namely "Widening & Strengthening of Jamujhadi - Basudevpur - Dhamara Road (S.H) to 2 Lane without paved shoulder from 18/800 Km to 22/750Km & from 27/100Km to 60/470 km" is awarded in favour to the Company 'ARSS Infrastructure Projects Limited' by Office of the Executive Engineer Bhadrak (R&B) Division, Bhadrak on April 18, 2016.A total of 37 stocks registered a fresh 52-week high in trades today, whereas 16 stocks touched a new 52-week low on the NSE.3M India Limited, Alankit Limited, Atul Limited, Bannari Amman Sugars Limited, Biocon Limited, Capital First Limited, Cosmo Films Limited, Dalmia Bharat Limited, EID Parry India Limited, Electrotherm (India) Limited, Essel Propack Limited, Finolex Industries Limited, GIC Housing Finance Limited, Grasim Industries Limited, Havells India Limited, HeidelbergCement India Limited, JK Paper Limited JSW Steel Limited, Kakatiya Cement Sugar & Industries Limited, Keynote Corporate Services Limited, Lakshmi Energy and Foods Limited, Maithan Alloys Limited, Manappuram Finance Limited, Minda Corporation Limited, Next Mediaworks Limited, National Fertilizers Limited, The Ramco Cements Limited, Ruchira Papers Limited, Sagar Cements Limited, Supreme Petrochem Limited, Supreme Industries Limited, TPL Plastech Limited, TVS Motor Company Limited, The Ugar Sugar Works Limited, UltraTech Cement Limited, V.S.T Tillers Tractors Limited, Winsome Yarns were some of the prominent stocks to log a fresh 52-week high.
Mercom Capital Group, llc, a global clean energy communications and consulting firm, released its report on funding and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity for the Smart Grid, Battery/Storage and Energy Efficiency sectors for the first quarter of 2016.Venture capital (VC) funding (including private equity and corporate venture capital) for Smart Grid companies increased twofold this quarter with $110 million in 14 deals, compared to $56 million in 12 deals in Q4 2015. Year-over- year (YoY), funding was down compared to Q1 2015 when the sector raised $185 million in 15 deals.The top VC funded Smart Grid companies included mPrest, which raised $20 million from GE Ventures and OurCrowd; Powerhive which raised $20 million from Prelude Ventures, Caterpillar Ventures, Total Energy Ventures, Tao Capital Partners, Pi Investments and other investors; Smart Wires, which also joined the $20 million club; Telensa, which brought in $18 million, including equity funding from the Environmental Technologies Fund and debt funding from Silicon Valley Bank; and Evatran, which raised $10 million from Zhejiang VIE Science and Technology Company.Twenty-two investors participated in Smart Grid VC funding rounds this quarter, with Smart Grid Communication companies raising the most.There were two debt and public market financing deals announced by Smart Grid companies this quarter, totaling $214 million, compared to $3.5 million in one deal in Q4 2015.There were two Smart Grid M&A transactions in Q1 2016 compared to nine transactions in Q4 2015 and seven transactions in Q1 2015.VC funding for Battery/Storage companies dropped 50 percent with $54 million in 10 deals this quarter, compared to $108 million in eight deals in Q4 2015. Year-over-year funding was lower compared to the $69 million in seven deals in Q1 2015.The top VC funded Battery/Storage company this quarter was Sunverge Energy, which raised $36.5 million from AGL Energy, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, SB China Capital, Siemens Venture Capital and Total Energy Ventures International. VionX Energy raised $5 million, Skeleton Technologies brought in $4.3 million from KIC InnoEnergy, Geli raised $3 million, and Voltaiq raised $1.6 million.Eight investors participated in Battery and Storage funding this quarter, with Energy Storage System companies raising the most.There were two debt and public market financing deals in Battery/Storage this quarter totaling $29 million compared to $32 million in three deals in Q4 2015.Green Charge Networks raised $20 million for non-recourse project financing for energy storage systems.There were two M&A transactions involving Battery/Storage companies in Q1 2016. In Q4 2015, there were two M&A transactions, and in a YoY comparison, there were five transactions in Q1 2015.Energy Efficiency technology companies raised $211 million in VC funding in 14 deals this quarter compared to the $185 million in 17 deals in Q4 2015 and $140 million in 15 deals in Q1 2015.The Top 5 Efficiency deals included the $70 million raised by Renew Financial from Angeleno Group, Apollo Capital Management, Claremont Creek Ventures, LL Funds, NGEN Partners and Prelude Ventures; the $30 million raised by Figtree Financing from LL Funds; the $30 million raised by Ygrene Energy Fund; the $25 million raised by Enlighted from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, RockPort Capital Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Tao Capital Partners; and Arctic Sand Technologies raised $19 million from Murata Manufacturing Company, GE Ventures, Northwater Capital and Arsenal Venture Partners.Thirty-one investors participated in VC funding this quarter with LL Funds participating in two deals. Within the sector, Efficiency Finance companies brought in the most funding.Two Efficiency companies brought in $238 million in debt and public market financing this quarter compared to $216 million in two deals in Q4 2015.Renovate America announced its second green bond and sixth overall securitization of PACE bonds of $217.5 million.There were three M&A transactions in the Efficiency sector this quarter compared to 10 in Q4 2015. All three of the M&A transactions this quarter involved lighting companies.
TCS reported consolidated net profit of Rs. 6,413.12 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, registering growth of 5.42% qoq and 72.74% yoy.: HDFC Standard Life announced that the board of directors of the insurance major have approved to initiate IPO process wherein the parent HDFC Ltd would sell 10% stake.Suzlon Energy has announced that it has acquired the following companies, Gale Solarfarms Private Limited, Tornado Solarfarms Private Limited, Abha Solarfarms Private Limited, Aalok Solarfarms Private Limited and Shreyas Solarfarms Private Limited to implement various renewable energy projects across the country, including the recently won solar projects in Maharashtra of 70 MW.Nestle India Ltd said that Maggi has now gained more than 50 per cent market share in the category, based on a Nielsen report.SpiceJet has upgraded its summer schedule with 4th additional frequency on Delhi  Chandigarh, 3rd additional frequency on Delhi  Dharamshala and 2nd additional frequency on Delhi  Amritsar.Tata Communications announced it will be expanding its partnership with Asian Television Network Canada, to bring the networks content to Canadian viewers, with potential for further international expansion.The company registered consolidated net profit of Rs 5.9 crore in Q4 as compared to Rs. 0.8 crore. The consolidated annual net profit for FY16 stood at Rs. 13.74 crore as against Rs. 17.73 crore yoy.Monte Carlo Fashions Ltd is investing Rs. 15 to 20 crore to open 20 exclusive brand stores in FY17, reports a business daily.The company. has posted a net profit of Rs. 78.6 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as compared to Rs. 56.3 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.ARSS Infrastructure Projects has informed BSE that a work order amounting to Rs. 64.73 crores namely "Widening & Strengthening of Jamujhadi - Basudevpur - Dhamara Road (S.H) to 2 Lane without paved shoulder from 18/800 Km to 22/750Km & from 27/100Km to 60/470 km" is awarded in favour to the Company 'ARSS Infrastructure Projects Limited' by Office of the Executive Engineer Bhadrak (R&B) Division, Bhadrak on April 18, 2016.BEML has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dredging Corporation of India Ltd for indigenous design, development and manufacture of spares for dredgers.Development Credit Bank (DCB Bank) is confident of growing its loan book by 23-25 per cent per annum and double it in 36-48 months, CEO & MD Murali M Natrajan has been quoted as saying.Ashok Leyland Ltd surpassed industry sales in goods and passenger categories with a growth rate of nearly 49 per cent in each of the segments, reports a business daily.Nalco has declared an interim dividend of 25%, i.e. Rs.1.25 per share of Rs.5 each, amounting to Rs.322.16 crore for the financial year 2015-16, on the paid-up equity share capital of Rs.1288.62 crore.Religare Enterprises Ltd has entered into a definitive agreement to divest its stake in Northgate Capital LLC and Northgate Capital LP, US based affiliates, which are part of its alternatives focused global asset management business, and their subsidiaries ("Northgate). REL holds its stake in Northgate through its step-down subsidiary, Religare Global Asset Management Inc., USA.Reliance Industries Ltd has began test production of coal bed methane (CBM) gas from two of its blocks, according to reports.TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of an all-new version of its executive segment bike TVS Victor, says report.CMI has received approval from Indian Railways to supply Hard Drawn Contact Wire and Catenery Wire used in Electric Traction of trains at 25 KV.Tata Motors has received over 1 lakh enquiries for new Tiago, according to reports.
ICRA estimates domestic sugar production at around 25.5 million metric tonnes (MT) during the sugar year[2] 2016 (SY2016), a decline of 10% over the previous year. This was mainly driven by a drought in the largest sugar producing State, Maharashtra, which impacted sugarcane availability. Lower sugar production along with exports of around 2 million MT, is likely to bring down the closing stocks to around 7.6 million MT in SY2016 from around 9.5 million MT in SY2015.

Mr. Sabyasachi Majumdar, Senior Vice-President, ICRA Limited, says the decline in sugar stocks is a positive and has resulted in an improvement in domestic sugar realizations since August 2015. With effective cane prices (after accounting for duties and State-level subsidies) for SY2016 largely remaining unchanged over the previous year, the increase in sugar realizations is expected to improve the contribution margins for sugar in SY2016. These factors, together with the higher recovery rates, are expected to drive a significant improvement in profitability for sugar mills based in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Profitability improvement is likely to be moderate for mills based in Maharashtra and Karnataka, given the lower cane availability coupled with the increase in cane prices in SY2016. This apart, profitability is also likely to be supported by improved realizations for by-products. While better profitability and stock reduction are expected to result in improved liquidity and debt coverage metrics for sugar mills in the near term, the same would continue to be weighed down by high amounts of debt outstanding and/or cane dues incurred to cover losses in the previous sugar years.

While international sugar prices have recovered marginally from their record lows of September 2015, they remain at modest levels. Although sugar mills will have to sell sugar at the modest global prices prevailing, ICRA expects export-linked subsidies for SY2016 and the resulting modest increase in domestic sugar realizations to offset the losses from export sales to a large extent. While the government has supported sugar mills by providing interest-free loans to clear cane dues and mandating compulsory exports to tackle the high sugar stocks in the domestic market, the primary aspect of linking sugar and by-product realizations with cane costs is yet to be fully addressed, although ICRA sees a movement towards this goal, as seen in UP.

Mr. Majumdar, says, with renewed focus on the ethanol blending programme (EBP) and mandatory ethanol blending been revised from 5% to 10%, the new fixed pricing mechanism for ethanol supplied to OMCs and removal of central excise duty is expected to augur well for the profitability of the industry as a whole through higher realizations for ethanol as well as balancing of domestic sugar surplus.

In September 2015, the Government of India (GOI) notified the minimum indicative export quota (MIEQ) for sugar mills to export 4 million MT of sugar during SY2016. In the absence of export subsidy, domestic sugar mills will incur losses because of the continued pressure on the international prices of sugar. In December 2015, the GoI notified a cane production subsidy of Rs. 45/MT, which would be paid directly to farmers as part of the cane costs. The mills that meet a minimum of 80% of the target notified under the MIEQ and under the ethanol blending programme (for those mills that have distillation capacities to produce ethanol) are eligible for this subsidy. While the recent increase in domestic sugar prices is likely to hamper the pace of exports, the cane production subsidy is expected to mitigate the same to an extent.

Sugar prices, after touching a three-year low of Rs. 23,000/MT in July 2015, have been on a rising trend since August 2015 in anticipation of stock clearance backed by exports and lower production in Maharashtra. The announcement of cane production subsidy in December 2015, the expected increase in sugar exports and the likely global sugar deficit scenario have combined to cause sugar prices to firm up to Rs. 31,000/MT in February 2016 and Rs. 31,600/MT in March 2016. Going forward, the sustainability of the upward trend in sugar prices remains critically dependent on the sugar exports for SY2016 season as well as expectations on production figures for SY2017.

As far as financial performance of mills is concerned, revenues of most sugar mills declined in 9M FY2016 on a yoy basis on account of lower sugar realizations vis-a-vis 9M FY2015, although the impact was arising mainly because of negative trends in Q1 and Q2 of FY2016. However, the operating margins of most UP-based mills, although still modest, were on the higher side during 9M FY2016 on a yoy basis because of the increase in sugar realizations, improvement in recovery rates during Q3 FY2016, and higher inventory valuation as on December 31, 2015. ICRA expects further improvement in margins during Q4 FY2016 for UP based mills. Most south-based sugar mills based in Tamil Nadu reported losses at the operating level during 9M FY2016 following an increase in the cane cost of production. While sugar prices have improved, the sugar mills liquidity is likely to remain under some pressure in the near term as they have to start making debt repayments against the soft loans availed during 2014 and 2015 from this year, which implies additional cash outgo for them.
There is absolutely no doubt about the future of Indian equity market; and if earnings go up, the market will go up too, according to Mr. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Partner, Rare Enterprises and Indias best known investor in the market. He was addressing members of Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) here today on the future of equity market.

Highlighting that the Indian growth story is just beginning to unfold, the speaker pointed out several of Indias traits including traditional and modern skills, tolerance, ability to foresee and accept change, savings habit, demographics and entrepreneurship are expected to go a long way in unleashing growth impulses in the coming years.

The combination of several special and specific traits means that the country will soon have double-digit growth. India has grown robustly in every decade since independence and it will continue, Jhunjhunwala argued.

Indias huge savings are needed to flow into the stock market so that savers will enjoy the benefit of high returns, he said adding that the growth rate can accelerate with reduced bureaucracy and cutting down on unrewarding social expenditure.

The ace investor advised the participants to investment in the market, stay invested, but not to expect unreasonably high returns. Jhunjhunwala said he was bullish on the real estate sector as well as on pharmaceuticals and information technology.

Earlier, welcoming the special guest, Mr. Dilip Piramal, President, IMC, said Mr. Jhunjhunwala is recognized as a legendary investor and is an inspiration to a very large number of investors including young Indians.

Commenting on the criticism that there is no on-the-ground feel of Indias GDP growth numbers, Mr. Piramal asserted that buoyant direct and indirect tax collections provide sufficient evidence of healthy economic activity.
Wipro Ltd has announced that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on April 20, 2016 has approved a proposal to buyback up to 4,00,00,000 Equity Shares (Four Crores Only) of the Company for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs. 25,00,00,00,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred Crores Only) (hereinafter referred to as the "Buyback Size") being 1.62% of the total paid up equity share capital, at Rs. 625 (Rupees Six Hundred and Twenty Rupees only) per Equity Share (hereinafter "Buyback Price").

The buyback is proposed to be made from all existing shareholders of the Company (including persons who become shareholders by cancelling American Depository Receipts and receiving underlying Equity Shares) on the Record Date on a proportionate basis under the tender offer route in accordance with the provisions contained in the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Buy Back of Securities) Regulations, 1998 ("Buyback Regulations") and the Companies Act, 2013 and rules made thereunder. The Buyback Size does not include any expenses incurred or to be incurred for the buyback like filing fees payable to the Securities and Exchange Board of India, advisors fees, public announcement publication expenses, printing and dispatch expenses, and other incidental and related expenses.

Members of the Promoter and Promoter Group of the Company have indicated their intention to participate in the proposed buyback.
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of five municipalities bordering on the old Athens airport in the Helleniko district of southern coastal Athens have sent the Greek prime minister a letter warning of a public health and security crisis due to the haphazard operation of a temporary refugee shelter set up in the dilapidated facilities there.
Former Greek prime minister George Papandreou , in televised statements on Tuesday evening , said the IMF was advising Greece and the EU on the "Greek issue" as far back as 2005, while saying that the Fund had warned the then Greek government that fiscal changes were imperative so that the economy wouldnt derail.
The Underground Construction Association of SME (UCA of SME) represents the tunneling industry in the United States. The UCA is part of an organization that includes owners, contractors, engineers and suppliers; the full spectrum of tunneling services is represented in the UCA. Members operate around the world, so there are opportunities to hear from partners, clients and prospects throughout the industry, while youre at the conference.

WTC 2016 is unique in that it will be held in lieu of the UCAs biennial North American Tunneling Conference. The advantage of this is that the resources, talents and participants of the NAT will now be found at the WTC in San Francisco.

We all face common challenges, no matter where we operate around the globe. An industry united will best serve governments, companies and communities because of the knowledge and experiences weve shared.

The UCA of SME is proud to be hosting the WTC2016 in San Francisco, California. We will raise the bar on the experience that attendees will enjoy during the event.

Thank you for your ongoing support, thank you for your confidence in the UCA. We all look forward to seeing you in April 2016.
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State yesterday said Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in parts of the state consume about 1,800 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice daily.

The governor made this known as part of his address at the first annual Dialogue on Rebuilding Peace in Borno State, organised by an advocacy group, AOA Global, in collaboration with the State Government at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Shettima highlighted what he called food emergency, following the influx of IDPs trapped by insurgents, before they were freed by the military.

He said: As we speak, we are battling a crisis of feeding the mass of humanity in Borno. The military has rescued communities trapped, due to the presence of Boko Haram insurgents on certain routes. This has led to a mass exodus of IDPs from these communities to emergency camps.

In Borno today, about 1,800 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice, which constitute three trailers of 600 bags each, are required daily to cater for IDPs across the state. This does not include ingredients, such as tomatoes, vegetable oil, beans to balance carbohydrate, onions, salt and other elements. For our regular camps, 984 bags of rice are consumed daily, based on a Data Tracking Matrix of the International Organisation on Migration, working with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

This figure of 984 bags is for the camps in Maiduguri, Jere, Dikwa, Bama and Damboa. For Maiduguri and Jere, 787 bags of rice are consumed daily by the 152,000 IDPs in 17 camps and two relief points at Madinatu and Muna garage, where food items are distributed to IDPs living outside camps in Maiduguri.

For Dikwa, which has 75,000 displaced persons, 101 bags are required daily. Bama requires 50 bags daily for 32,000 displaced persons, while Damboa requires 40 bags daily. These are as per the Data Tracking Mtarix of the International Organisation on Migration.

Gov. Shettima added that there are areas where interventions are made on bi-weekly basis and cited the example of Gwoza where two trucks totaling 1,200 bags of rice, are conveyed every two weeks, translating to 85 bags daily. He also made mention of Banki, where IDPs camps receive 1,200 bags in two trucks every two weeks.

At Ngala where we have 7,000 persons in camps and 60,000 living around communities with no source of food, a minimum of 140 bags of 50 kilogrammes of rice are consumed daily. In Monguno, which has 48,000 IDPs from both Monguno and Marte, 60 bags are required daily; in Baga and Kroskawa, 58 bags are required daily for 33,000 IDPs. In Sabon-Gari, 21,000 IDPs need 40 bags daily, while Nganzai has the least, which is 1,300 displaced persons. Besides population, consumption is also dependent on the ratio of women and children, who consume less than men, he said.

The dialogue was attended by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi; his Health counterpart, Professor Issac Adewole, international development agencies, Global Shapers and private sector partners.

The Chief Executive Officer of AOA Global, Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija, said the dialogue was meant to draw from the experiences and knowledge of participants towards coming up with a rebuilding road map of the North-east region.

The political counsellor in the British High Commission, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, said his country had committed 32m worth of assistance to IDPs while the USAID country director, Michael Harvey and a representative of the UNDP Resident Representative, Fatima Samoura, all pledged their continued support to help rebuild Borno State after the devastation of the insurgency.
Shagamu, Ogun State 18th April 2016: CDK Integrated Industries is now ready to open its state-of the-art Porcelain and Ceramic factory in May 2016, as revealed by the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Khater Massaad, in a media chat at the factory in Shagamu Ogun state.

This ultra modern factory is built on a million square meters of land to meet global Ceramics and Sanitary wares industry demand, particularly in Africa and Europe.

The CEO, Dr Khater Massaad enjoys over two decades experience and track record of investment in the Ceramics industry world. He predicts that Nigeria will be a major hub for exporting of Ceramic tiles and Sanitary wares to other African countries and Europe in the nearest future with the establishment of CDK Integrated Industries.

Our aim is to produce high quality ceramic tiles and sanitary wares products; everyone is in need of high quality products. We aim to meet the best quality in the world matching and possibly surpassing the American and European standards he added.

According to him CDK Integrated Industries vision is to be number one in Africa in terms of product quality and pricing.

Dr Khater Massaad went further to reveal that CDK Integrated Industries is already engaging Nigerians that are buying into the vision of the company as a professional organisation with global best practices

CDK Integrated Industries corporate social responsibility and environmentally friendly business is already set on the right track. Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) certificate is currently under processing with plans for ISO certification in the shortest possible time.

CDK Integrated Industries Sanitary Wares factory will be producing five hundred thousand pieces annually of several models of European designer collections, using the best technology, best raw materials, highest standards, world class fittings and soft closing hinges, amongst others.

CDK Integrated Industries Porcelain and Ceramic tiles factory will be producing 60X60 CM, 3060 CM and 40x40CM polished, glazed, glazed polished and soluble salt tiles with superior quality, using state of the art technology and latest digital printing equipment.

CDK Integrated Industries will be employing over a thousand Nigerians to be part of this dream of a world class factory that will contribute to the development of the economy as CDK Integrated Industries will be reducing the importation of tiles from Italy and other countries thereby also helping to give value to the Nigerian economy.

Over sixty five million square meters of ceramic tiles are imported into Nigeria according to Ceramic World review magazine published in Italy. CDK Integrated Industries plan is to help Nigeria address this challenge of importation by producing the highest quality of tiles and Ceramic products that will shift the world focus to Nigeria in the area of ceramics and sanitary wares.

With active contribution to the construction of over fifty factories across the world, Dr Khater Massaad concluded that the investment in Shagamu Ogun state Nigeria will transform the economy of the communities and the country.

He is convinced and proud of the relationship with Nigerian investors which makes him describe CDK integrated industry as a solid company with a strong commitment to excellence in service.
Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana (SAN) would on Monday, 25th of April, file a case of genocide and ethnic cleansing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Court against Fulani herdsmen for their continued massacre of the innocent people and farmers in Jukunland, of Southern and Central Taraba State.

Falana, however, urged the Federal Government to take urgent and drastic action against the massacre being perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen against innocent farmers across the country before they throw the nation into another avoidable war.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria expressed shock at the scale of the unprecedented massacre of unarmed farmers being killed by these herdsmen in Jukunland in Taraba State and the other parts of North Central Nigeria every day, describing the situation as a mindless pogrom.

Mr. Falana made this known when he received in his office, leaders of the Jukun Development Association of Nigeria, who had come to submit to him, a 1000 page document detailing the targeted cleansing of their people by the rampaging herdsmen.

He said: It is very clear by the pictorial and other evidence contained in this evidence that the people of the North Central Nigeria are going through terrible things daily in the hands of these herdsmen. Lives and properties are no longer safe from these people who killed and maim, and rape women at will just because they wanted their cattle to graze on other peoples farmlands.

The lawyer, therefore, charged the Federal Government to move security agencies to Taraba State in order to protect the lives of innocent Nigerians who are being killed in their farmlands daily these blood sucking herdsmen, before the people resort to self-help.

Earlier, the national president of the association, Mr. Benjamin Bako, said the group had approached Falana to help defend their cause and draw attention to the plight of their people who are being killed every day by the ravaging herdsmen.

The JDAN leader, however, expressed surprise that most of the violence had gone unreported in the mass media, despite the large and worrisome scale of the pogrom.

Jukun Development have officially compiled a 1000 paged document containing details of Fulani herdsmen atrocities, including names of all the individuals killed and properties destroyed by the herdsmen in the last four years in Jukunland to human rights lawyer Chief Femi Falana (SAN), who had been briefed to formally file a case of genocide on behalf of the association.

Bako while submitting the document, urged the rights activist to fight for the right of the jukun people and other tribes to live in their ancestral homelands peacefully, wondering why President Muhammadu Buhari has kept mute all this while despite the avalanche of security report that must have been reaching him concerning the deteriorating development in Southern Taraba.

He called on Nigerians and the international community to stand up and condemn the genocide and ethnic cleansing ongoing in Southern and Central Taraba, before it spread to other parts of the country.

Mr. Bako said the association has since submitted copies of the document to Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other rights organisations around the world.
The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Ahmed Idris, says the Federal Government plans to begins payment of staff salaries by the 25th of every month, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, Idris said this is going to be given a test, I believe, by this month.

There is a standing instruction of Mr President to pay salary on or before 24 or 25 of every month and we will try as much as possible to comply and to abide by that.

We are taking a step further to make a provision whereby we can accommodate salary payments even before FAAC.

This is going to be given a test I believe by this month.

We will go to seek for necessary approval of our political masters to make sure that at least salary and other statutory payments are made even before FAAC.

Because we can project how much they are and therefore we can prepare and hit the ground running to make them realisable and actualised. Even where we delay FAAC, we can still pay salary, Idris said.
A photographer Tara Ruby released a series of photos dedicated to working moms who breastfeed, unfortunately, the husband of one of the women featured has received backlash at work. The New Mexico firefighter may be put on unpaid leave because his wife was wearing his uniform while breastfeeding.

A spokesman for the Lac Cruces Fire Department said the issue was a personal matter hence would not comment on the matter, but he said that the city does not have a specific policy regarding breastfeeding. He also confirmed the fire departments policy on uniforms does not specifically mention spouses, nor is it clear whether or not spouses may wear the uniforms,, so its unclear what the actual issue with the photo is.

Ruby said:

Theres no difference than, say, somebody dressing up in a clown suit and doing it,. Its the exact same thing. Its just that theres a story behind this photo and that its a powerful one, and maybe one that not everybodys ready to hear.

Ruby said she feels like the controversy is taking a step back in the fight to normalize breastfeeding. Adding:

We are pushing the boundary between a male-dominated role and where were bringing femininity into that position, Ruby said. And if we want to be a firefighter or a police officer or even active duty military, we can do that and we still have the rights as a mom to breastfeed our child.

Source: KUTWN
The Buhari South East Youth Movement [BSEYM] has accused the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of working against the emergence of President of Igbo extraction.

According to the group, by its recent zoning, PDP has automatically ruled out the possibility an Igbo man becoming the President of Nigeria, saying that singular act has shown that the party does not regard Ndigbo.

Zoning seriously goes against the spirit of justice, fairness and equity in the rotation of power between the North and South, a statement jointly signed by BSEYMs director-general Engr. Nwabueze Onwuneme and the publicity secretary, Comrade Igwe Samuel Obinna, said.

Peradventure the PDP succeeds, it will extend the Igbo Presidency project to year 2027 from the earlier year 2023 been projected for the emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, which would now leave the North there for twelve years as against eight years been projected by the APC, the group said.

It, therefore urged Ndigbo to reject PDP, noting that by the end of President Muhammad Buharis second tenure it will then be ripe for the Igbos as the only ethnic nationality in southern Nigeria yet to produce an elected President after both the South-west and south-south have all had their shots on the Presidency of the nation.
Some peoples are worse than the Boko Haram insurgents after having their minds darkened with sheer wickedness and complete hatred for themselves and others. According to twitter user (Dan-Borno), the deputy governor of Borno state, Alhaji Usman Mamman Durkwa (pictured) during an inspection to an IDP camp in the state -caught workers using weed grass to make soup for refugees (imagine the height of corruption). This is not the first time IDP workers have been accused of such shameless treatment against refugees.

Source: National Helm
A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Kosofe II State Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Tunde Braimoh, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to put measures in place to check criminal activities of Fulani herdsmen.

The lawmaker made the call on Wednesday in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

The Chairman of the Lagos Assemblys Committee on Information, Strategy and Security said that taking such a step would boost the integrity of the president and re-affirm the peoples confidence in his administration.

The President needs to be courageous; we know him as a man of integrity, he will not be swayed away by myopic, parochial, religious and inglorious tendencies.

We want him to protect his integrity. Fulani herdsmen have done a lot of havoc in Nigeria.

Fulani herdsmen are aggressive and excessive, they wreak havoc on innocent citizens in various parts of Nigeria.

The president needs to deal with the issue of Fulani herdsmen decisively. They have constituted nuisance across the country, Braimoh said.

According to him, the Federal Governments investment on the herdsmen through nomadic education has not yielded the desired results.

The lawmaker advised government to change the system of education for the herdsmen and build ranches for them.

He said that the government should be able to educate the herdsmen to know their rights from the wrong.

Braimoh recalled that some herdsmen had once brought their cattle to graze on the highway in some parts of Lagos.

He urged the Department of State Security to be diligent and proactive in handling security issues affecting herdsmen.

NAN reports that there had been protests in some parts of the country over the activities of herdsmen.

Social and economic activities were on Tuesday disrupted at Asaba in Delta as thousands of people took to the street to protest the growing involvement of Fulani herdsmen in criminal activities in the state.
The Ooni of Ife and his beautiful Olori hosted 8 African Ambassadors and the Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Sally Mbanefo, to a dinner at his palace in Ile Ife on Monday April 18th. See more photos after the cut..

Source:LIB
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said no right thinking person would pass a vote of no confidence on him.

He was reacting personally for the first time to reports that the state executive council of the All Progressives Congress, APC, passed a no-confidence vote on him.

Speaking with reporters in Abuja on Tuesday night, the governor said that those who passed the vote on him as well as criticizing his three month old administration were out to hold down Kogi.

I dont think there is any right-thinking person at this moment to judge what I have done, wrong or right, because our administration is barely three months. Those who feel that the state activities should continue as usual, whether in the opposition party or in my party, are those who want to continue to hold the state down. And I say this is a divine moment that God has brought me to this position. I must do what God will be pleased with me and indeed the good people of Kogi state.

So far so good, I dont think they really understand what it takes to be a politician; not just self-serving, but to serve the people to the best of ones ability. Thats what were trying to do now. So, anybody that is saying anything contrary is just trying to be self-centred, but we are not ready for that, Governor Bello said.

He also insisted that the State House of Assembly was not in crisis.

Responding to a question on whether he still believed that all was well with the state assembly, he simply stated: I still maintain my position that there is no crisis in the Kogi State House of Assembly.

Bello listed security, economic and political challenges as the most pressing challenges confronting the state.

Political challenge in the sense that there are those who have held the state down over the years and theyre not ready to let go. Theyre hell-bent on making sure that the state continues to remain in abject poverty and retrogression. But by the special grace of God, were up to the task, and well do our best to make sure we surmount all the pressure.

Gov. Bello expressed optimism that despite the current economic challenges in the country, the state would receive the bail-out fund which, according to him, has been applied for.

He said his administration would look into the management of the states internally generated revenue over the year with a view to knowing why his predecessors could not augment the little were able to provide.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) says it has received 705,352 applications as at 7.30 a.m., Tuesday, April 19, from Nigerians seeking employment into the Nigeria Police Force.

The PSC on April 1, commenced the recruitment of 10,000 Nigerians into various cadres of the Force.

A statement from the spokesman of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani, Tuesday said a breakdown of the applications showed that 202, 427 applicants have successfully applied for the position of Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), 169,446, for the position of Cadet Inspector and 333,479 for the position of Constables.

The Commission will be recruiting 500 Cadet Asps, 500 Cadet Inspectors, 1,500 Specialist Officers and 7, 500 Constables to meet the Presidents approved 10,000 new entrants into the Force, Ani explained.

Ani noted that the Chairman of the Commission, Mike Okiro, a retired Inspector General of Police, described the process of receiving the forms as smooth and transparent.

He explained that the Commission is committed to making the recruitment exercise a huge exercise, adding that the Commission will continue to make the process of the recruitment transparent.

He assured the applicants of fairness and equal opportunity since the Commission is only interested in recruiting for the Police the best brains in the society.

President Muhammadu Buhari had at last years National Security Summit approved the recruitment of 10,000 police men to strengthen the Nigeria Police for better service.
An unusual street fight in China involved rival construction firms using bulldozers and front-end loaders to do battle in the middle of an urban street.

Video captured by a witness Saturday in Xingtang County, Hebei province, shows two heavy construction vehicles clashing with their shovels in the middle of a street.

Other vehicles soon join the melee, bringing the total number of heavy construction vehicles to six, and at least two of the bulldozers and front-end loaders ended up toppling in the scuffle.

The bulldozer street fight came to an end when police arrived. A Chongqing Morning Post report indicated the drivers were workers for rival construction firms whose competition for clients got out of hand.

UPI.
The Senate has in apparent response to public outrage, agreed to suspend the proposed amendment of the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

The amendment bills, which were sponsored by senators loyal to the embattled Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, received rare accelerated action as they were passed for second reading within 48 hours after they were first read on the floor of the Senate.

Organized labour, lawyers and some senators had condemned the timing of the proposed amendment of these Acts, claiming it was a ploy to weaken the Code of Conduct Tribunal especially, before whom Mr. Saraki is standing trial on 13-count charges bordering on false assets declaration while he was governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

The decision to step down the proposed amendments was taken on Wednesday during an executive session of upper chamber.

The Senate also agreed to put a stop at (sic) all things that has divided the house even as the petition against Senator Kabiru Marafa is stepped down.

Senator Marafa (APC/Zamfara) is the spokesman of the Unity Forum, a group of senators opposed to Sarakis leadership of the Senate.

Senate now agrees to put a stop at all things that has divided the house even as the petition against Senator Kabiru Marafa is stepped down.  The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 20, 2016

Senate also suspends the Amendment of the CCB/T Act and the ACJ Act.  The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 20, 2016

Senate also decides to stand with Senate President @bukolasaraki in his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.  The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 20, 2016

Senate to also set up a 12-Man Reconciliation Committee comprising 2 Senators from each geopolitical zone.  The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) April 20, 2016
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the leadership of the Senate to immediately withdraw the unconstitutional summon for Justice Danladi Umar, Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal to appear before its Ethics Committee, as the Senate cant arrogate to itself the power to summon judges without violating constitutional safeguards.

It would be recalled that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions had summoned the CCT Chairman to appear before it unfailingly tomorrow, Thursday, over allegations of corruption against him.

The summons came on a day Justice Umar ordered that Senate President Bukola Sarakis trial for alleged false assets declaration and money laundering will run daily.

Civil Society Organizations, lawyers and cross-section of Nigerians had condemned the upper chamber for the move, describing it as a counter-attack against the CCT chairman.

Alluding to this school of thought, SERAP said that The summon represents a direct assault upon the principle of judicial independence as it undermines the constitutional principle of separation of powers and guarantee of a judicial system that is free from outside influence of whatever kind and from whatever source. The Senate of Dr Bukola Saraki is perpetrating a parliament of men and not of laws.

The group in a statement on Wednesday and signed by its Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni reads in part: The constitutional power of the Senate can only be validly exercised if its intended to be in aid of the function of law-making itself. There is clearly no suggestion of contemplated legislation in this case. The Senate not only has exceeded the limit of its own authority, but assumed a power which could only be properly exercised by another branch of the government. We therefore advise Justice Umar to ignore its invitation as it is of no legal effect whatsoever.

The Senate in its blind zeal to protect the Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki, who is facing corruption charges before the Tribunal is working hard to destroy the foundation of the countrys constitutional democracy. This is a blatant usurpation of power, and an attack upon the integrity of constitutional government and the rule of law.

The Senate doesnt have the power to summon any judge, including Justice Umar. If there is any credible allegation of corruption against Justice Umar, it ought to be dealt with by the appropriate law enforcement agencies and that cannot be the Senate.

The Senate cant lawfully exercise any authority beyond the limits marked out by the constitution. Its manifestly repugnant to constitutional safeguards which assign to each organ of the government its exclusive functions and a limited sphere of action. This invitation, coming on the heels of the decision by the Tribunal for Sarakis trial to be conducted day-by-day pursuant to Section 396(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, is clearly politically motivated.

While the Senate is empowered under Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to conduct an inquiry for the purpose of enabling it to among others make laws, correct any defects in existing laws, expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence, it doesnt possess the power to get involved in alleged criminal matter. The Senate is in no sense a court, police or anti-corruption agency, and for it to attempt to act as one, would bring about insurmountable legal and political problems.
Famous controversial South African rapper, Cassper Nyovest today, Monday, April 19 has surprised everyone by revealing he is planning to launch his own phone line with top cellphone brand, AG Mobile.

The rapper took to Instagram to share a photo of his soon to be cellphone brand.

I used to dream about days like these, the rapper said, before revealing the details. He wrote, Today I launch my cellphone with AG Mobile, then later on I fly out to Headline my first show in America. Just a lil African kid tryna get it.

Fans of the star are still reeling from his recent successes following Nyovests recent purchase of a property in a distinguished neighborhood, and this was after fulfilling his dream of buying his first Bentley.

The 25-year-old who has taken the South African hip hop world by storm, beat his arch-rival AKA to cop the countrys major awards, including the 2015 MTV Africa Music Award for Hip Hop Act.
Switzerland has suspended the citizenship process for the family of two teenage Syrian brothers after the boys refused to shake hands with their female teachers for religious reasons. The incident has sparked a national debate over religious freedoms in Switzerland. The brothers, aged 14 and 15, who are sons of a Syrian political refugee granted asylum in 2001, had informed education officials in the northern municipality of Therwil that physical contact with women who are not family members violated their interpretation of Islam.

On Tuesday, authorities in the canton of Basel-Country where Therwil is located, said that naturalisation proceedings for the family had been put on hold.

The report also noted that such suspensions are common in citizenship procedures as authorities often require supplementary information about the families concerned. The two boys had been exempted from a Swiss custom of pupils shaking teachers hands, with Therwil officials instructing them to avoid contact with male teachers as well to avoid gender discrimination. But the compromise sparked a heated response from leading Swiss politicians including Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga who insisted that shaking hands is part of [Swiss] culture.

The Swiss news agency Le News quoted Georges Thuring, the president of the commission that oversees local citizenship applications, as saying: I dont think we can talk of integration in relation to handshake objectors. Personally, I would reject their request adding that as president of the commission, I assure you that the request will be examined properly, like any other.

Le News also said that when interviewed, the two students insisted that requiring them to shake hands with teachers is discriminatory. No one can force us to touch hands, said one of them. Switzerlands population of eight million includes an estimated 350,000 Muslims. Previous similar disputes have centred on Muslim parents who demanded that their daughters be exempt from swimming lessons.

Aljazeera.
Air strikes on two markets in northwest Syria have killed more than 50 people, local sources told Al Jazeera, as Syrias opposition negotiators said that they were leaving peace talks held in Geneva. The strikes were among the deadliest since a ceasefire took effect in Syria at the end of February, Rami Abdulrahman, chief of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said.

The oppositions Higher Negotiations Committee (HNC) announced that its delegation was leaving Geneva because no advances were made in the talks. Riad Hijab, the head of the HNC, had earlier warned that the delegation would leave Switzerland if the attacks on rebel-held towns would not stop.

It was not clear if Tuesdays air strikes were carried out by Syrian or Russian war planes that have been deployed to Syria to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The rescue workers said more than 40 people were killed in the town of Maarat al-Numan in the rebel stronghold of Idlib province.

Another 10 people were killed in an air strike on a market in the nearby town of Kafr Nubl. The deaths from the latest strike included five children, sources told Al Jazeera. We have more than 20 cars that have been moving dead and injured to hospitals in the area, said Ahmad Sheikho, a member of the civil defence corps, a rescue service operating in opposition-held territory.
On this day in 2015: The Cairo Criminal Court convicts Egyptian ex-President Mohammed Morsi for his role in illegal detentions and violent responses to protests against him three years ago. He and other Muslim Brotherhood defendants will serve a 20-year prison term

Morsi was arrested alongside 24 other Muslim Brotherhood leaders on 28 January 2011. He escaped from prison in Cairo two days later. The break of Wadi el-Natroun Prison received widespread news coverage within hours of its occurrence. Some reports indicated that the political prisoners were sprung from detention by armed gangs taking advantage of the chaos of the Egyptian Revolution.

The death penalty was handed down to Morsi and 105 others for their role in the Wadi el-Natrun prison break of January 2011. As per Egypts penal code, the opinion was referred to the Grand Mufti, whose assent or dissent is legally nonbinding.

Amnesty International denounced the death penalty as a charade based on null and void procedures. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Egypt and accused Western countries of hypocrisy, While the West is abolishing the death penalty, they are just watching the continuation of death sentences in Egypt.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Tuesday said that the purchase of 108 Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps by Senators was a clear sign that they do not mean well for the country and have lost touch with the plight of the people.

In a statement signed by its President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Ag. Secretary General, Simeso Amachree, the TUC described as insensitive the decision of the senators to acquire the Land Cruiser jeeps after collecting car loans less than one year ago.

Where did such idea emanate from at a time the country is bleeding from all sides and seriously gasping for breath? This is obviously a pointer to the fact that our Senators mean no well for the country. They have lost touch with the plight of the people that voted for them, the statement said.

Our politicians and their tradition of reaping where they did not sow. What would our Senators say they have achieved in the last one year? It is morally wrong and shameful for the Senate of the Federal Republic to attach so much importance to infinitesimal things like cars and houses at a time their counterparts elsewhere are making good laws and transforming lives.

We do not know of any lawmaker both in the Red and Green Chamber that had not got cars before they came to the National Assembly. Some have even been in the senate now for 12 years after serving as governors and lawmakers in their respective states.

Where lies the conscience of our Senators? How come they are not disturbed by the efforts of our president to revamp the economy? We are not going to let all these forces frustrate the effort of the Federal Government again, not any more.

We want the Senate to immediately furnish Nigerians and the world how they got money for the purchase of these cars without appropriation. We view as demeaning and laughable the explanation by Senate spokesperson, Aliyu Sabi, the TUC said.

The Senate has, however, denied the reports. Chairman, Senate Services, Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, said contrary to reports making the rounds that the Senate bought 108 cars for its members, only 36 cars were purchased by the upper chamber and it was catered for in the 2015 appropriation.
The Senate has denied media reports that it purchased 108 brand new Toyota Land Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) at an over-inflated price of N36.5 million per unit, saying it only purchased 36 of such vehicles.

Reacting to the report, the Chairman, Senate Services Committee, Ibrahim Gobir (APC, Sokoto East) yesterday said the upper legislative chamber was hit by cash crunch and could only afford 36 SUVs.

Gobir, whose committee is responsible for purchasing the vehicles said: The issue that we bought 108 cars is not correct. We bought 36 cars, one car per state and they are utility vehicles.

In response to questions of the source of the fund to purchase the vehicles since the 2016 budget has not been signed into law, the senator said the expenditure was captured in the 2015 budget and denied reports that they collected car loans last year.

We are supposed to buy 109 cars but because of our sensitivity to the lack of funds, we bought 36. There is no minister that hasnt got three cars; there is no director that hasnt got a Land Cruiser and there is no permanent secretary that hasnt cars, he said.

Asked on when they would purchase the remaining 72 cars, he said, Currently, we have money for 36 cars and we have paid for them.
A key issue raised by labor unions in their weeklong strike against Verizon is the offshoring of work. The unions say Verizon has plans to send more jobs overseas. Verizon isn't saying what it is doing in this respect, but there is a paper trail of documents filed by its employees that point to offshoring.

The union contends that Verizon wants, in a labor contract, to shift more jobs to contractors. Nearly 40,000 Verizon workers are on strike.

[ Read 'em and weep: 5 ways your ISP is screwing you | Cut to the key news in technology trends and IT breakthroughs with the InfoWorld Daily newsletter, our summary of the top tech happenings. ]

"They want the ability to contract work -- as much as 50 percent -- the great majority of that is offshore," said Marilyn Irwin, president of the Washington area Communications Workers of America Local 2108. CWA is one of the unions involved in the strike.

This complaint is getting attention in the presidential race, including from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is seeking the Democratic nomination.

"They want to outsource decent paying jobs," Sanders said at the Verizon picket line. Earlier this month, Sanders said Verizon wants to move call center jobs out of the country to places "where people will be paid pennies an hour."

Sander's criticisms of Verizon prompted a response by Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam in a blog post.

"Contrary to Sen. Sanders's contention," wrote McAdam, the proposal that Verizon is making to the union does "not call for mass layoffs or shipping jobs overseas. Rather, we've asked for more flexibility in routing calls and consolidating some of our call centers, some of which employ a handful of people."

Despite repeated attempts, Verizon did not respond to requests for comment.

Over the past several years, Verizon workers have been filing applications with the U.S. Labor Department for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits. Employees who believe they have lost their jobs as a result of offshore outsourcing can file for benefits that include extended unemployment and educational help.

Verizon workers in multiple states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, New York and North Carolina, have filed claims. These can be filed by state labor officials or affected employees. A minimum of three affected workers must file the application, which, if approved, can make other affected employees at a worksite eligible for benefits as well.

For instance, in Lake Mary, Florida, employees wrote on their TAA application: "Verizon has been in the process of moving all production for all products off shore for the last few years. We were notified in April [2015] that all the remaining VOIP Order Management was being moved to Manila. Two VOIP order managers had been sent to Manila to train the new group.  My group also had to train the offshore group to take over our job function. HR told me this was a massive layoff!"

In Texas, requests for benefits from employees have stated that "work was outsourced" to Manila. The employees said 20 workers lost their jobs.

In North Carolina, workers also cited Manila, and said 11 jobs were lost in that state.

A New York, a TAA petition filed by IT workers said: "Due to a reduction in force, our jobs were eliminated. However, the function continues offshore."

This story, "Verizon is offshoring jobs, records say" was originally published by Computerworld .
Lean Hogs Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Oct 23, 3:11PM CDT The uptrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading above support level 89.150, which will be followed by reaching resistance level 93.025.

Feeder Cattle Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Oct 23, 3:10PM CDT The uptrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading above support level 178.550, which will be followed by reaching resistance level 183.550 and 188.250.

Live Cattle Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Oct 23, 3:09PM CDT The uptrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading above support level 151.775, which will be followed by reaching resistance level 156.475.

Soybean Oil Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Oct 23, 3:08PM CDT The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 73.75, which will be followed by reaching support level 68.16 and if it keeps on moving down below that level,...

Soybean Meal Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Oct 23, 3:07PM CDT The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 419.1, which will be followed by reaching support level 398.8.

Soybean Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Oct 23, 3:06PM CDT An downtrend will start as soon, as the market drops below support level 1356, which will be followed by moving down to support level 1315.6.

Corn Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Oct 23, 3:05PM CDT The uptrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading above support level 680, which will be followed by reaching resistance level 698.6 and if it keeps on moving up above that level, we may...

Wheat Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Oct 23, 3:04PM CDT The downtrend may be expected to continue in case the market drops below support level 832.6, which will be followed by reaching support level 791.2.

Natural gas Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Oct 23, 3:03PM CDT The downtrend may be expected to continue in case the market drops below support level 4.980, which will be followed by reaching support level 4.459 and 3.876
Self-storage developer Mike Rolfes, CEO of Trico Investments, a real estate investment company operating self-storage facilities as Lighthouse Self Storage and other brands, intends to develop a 1.9-acre stretch of narrow, hilly land in Vista, Calif., into self-storage. Rolfes plan is to build a two-story facility with driveway access off of South Melrose Drive. It will be built into the side of the hill with some storage units below grade, according to the source.

The property has proven challenging to developers, with the last planned projectan office buildingfalling through during the conceptual stages 15 years ago. The family trust that owns the land recently asked the city to change the zoning from retail to allow self-storage, according to the source.

The city council appeared favorable toward the project during a meeting last week but didnt take formal action. Councilmember John Franklin noted during the meeting that homeowners near the site also appear to favor the self-storage plan, the source reported.

The self-storage proposal is the first offer made on the property in five years, Al Apuzzo, a principal with commercial real estate firm Lee & Associates, told the council.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Trico is a real estate fund manager specializing in the acquisition and development of self-storage properties. The company and its affiliates have designed, developed or owned nearly 100 storage facilities across the United States and managed more than 20,000 storage units in California and Florida.

Lighthouse Self Storage provides self-storage for personal and business customers as well as boat and RV storage in California and Florida.
CubeSmart, a publicly traded self-storage real estate investment trust and third-party management firm, has acquired Dies Ranch Storage in Cedar Park, a suburb of Austin, Texas. The seller was Vision 360 Development, a Dallas-based architect and interior-design studio.

Built in 2014, the property at 2501 Dies Ranch Road is near the intersection of Anderson Mill and Dies Ranch Roads. It includes 15 single-story buildings, with a net rentable area of 89,600 square feet of storage space in 523 climate-controlled and drive-up units. Security features include electronic access, perimeter fencing and video cameras. The facility also includes a retail store that sells moving and packing supplies.

Vision 360 built the storage property as an alternative to homes originally planned for the 7.5-acre site. The developer wasnt able to get the utility connections it needed for a residential development and faced opposition from residents of nearby housing subdivisions. The property was previously managed by Blue Llama Storage, which builds, owns and manages self-storage facilities throughout Texas.

Steve Mellon and Brian Somoza, managing directors for JLL Capital Markets, represented the seller in the transaction. This new construction offering provided investors with an opportunity to acquire a self-storage facility with excellent exposure in a major suburb of Austin and strong surrounding demographics, Mellon said.

CubeSmart owns or manages 703 self-storage facilities across the United States. Its operating portfolio comprises more than 44.8 million square feet.

JLL Capital Markets is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers. Last year, the firm completed $140 billion in investment sale and debt and equity transactions globally. The firms Capital Markets team comprises more than 2,000 specialists globally.
INNISFIL, ON  In a division loaded from top to bottom with elite-level talent, it can be difficult for rising stars to carve out a niche for themselves. For third-generation racer Coltin Everingham, his time spent thus far as a member of the Sunset Speedway Super Stock roster has been a baptism by fire.

But, despite the hardships that his family-run team has encountered along the way, Everingham is recharged and motivated for April 30ths 2016 season opener.

I think our program has come a long way in the last two years, says Everingham. The Super Stock division is such a grind, and there are so many good teams at Sunset every Saturday, its hard not to learn. Last season it felt like we were making gains every week, and Im excited to get back to that. When I compare our 2014 season to our 2015 season, it really shows how much weve grown as a team

Everingham showcased continued improvement throughout his sophomore campaign, ultimately tallying a 10th place finish in the 2015 Super Stock points standings.

Were not at all afraid of the hard work that comes with this deal, affirms the Innisfil, ON driver. Its all about logging hours in the shop and laps on the track. Thats the only way Im ever going to get better. Dad and I have gone through the car from end to end over the Winter, and we feel like were more ready now than weve ever been for a season opener

In 2016, Everinghams Smurfs Towing-sponsored entry will once again have the opportunity to continue his ascent through the ranks of Ontarios most talent-laden support division.

As long as we can keep moving forward every week, this season will be a success, explains Everingham. I dont expect to have anything handed to me. The competition here is better than anywhere in the province. These guys dont give you an inch, which is totally fine. Its easy to beat yourself up when it feels like youre not getting the progress that you want. But, when you take a step back, and see how stacked this division is, you realize that every position you gain on the racetrack is progress

When asked if his team has ever considered racing elsewhere to gain experience, Everingham wastes little time detailing why his outfit continues to ply their craft at Sunset.

There are other places we could race if we wanted to approach things differently, but weve never been about taking the easy way out, says the third-generation competitor. Theres no doubt that were racing against the best every Saturday. Im proud of how far our team has come already, and I cant wait to see where we end up at the end of 2016.

Coltin will kick off his 2016 season alongside the rest of the St. Onge Recreation NASCAR Super Stock roster on April 30th at Sunset Speedway. For details, including gate times and ticket prices, visit www.SunsetSpeedway.ca.

Coltin Everinghams 2016 efforts are supported by Castrol Canada, HWY 400 Transmission, Castrol Premium Lube Express, Perly Fullerton, ARA Alcona Rental, Ernies Performance, Ryans Landscape, Graham and Kyle Connor, Permatex, Eagle Eye Contracting, Cabral Racing Promotions, Dwayne Clugston of Century 21 Realty LTD. & The Smokin Piggy Louisiana BBQ Smokehouse.

By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
Zimbabwes long-time president, Robert Mugabe, dominated VOAs look at the country on the 36th anniversary of its independence on April 18.

Its difficult for anyone whos stayed in power for 36 years to stay on track, said Gregory Simpkins, staff director of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights.

Simpkins participated in Zimbabwe @36: The Way Forward, a panel hosted VOAs Zimbabwe Service that explored the problems and prospects the country faces. I dont see how anybody could honestly say that hes still a hero, that hes still an asset to Zimbabwe, Simpkins said of the 92-year-old president.

Democracy activist Reverend Isaac Mwase and entrepreneur Sibongile Sidile Sibanda also took part in the Washington event. Accept the fact that these are the leaders that are there said Mwase. Given that these are the leaders, how does the Zimbabwe populace inside and outside Zimbabwe engage them in ways that are going to change the trajectory for the future of the country? Now, its not going to be easy. Nation building is never easy, he noted.

We need to be able to vote, so we need to send a word that South Africans vote outside the country. Zambians vote, so we would like to be able to exercise our vote said Sibanda. Its our birthright.

VOA Africa Division Director Negussie Mengesha called the situation in Zimbabwe a paradox given that the country was a major grain producer at the time of its independence, but that today it must rely on food assistance.

Robert Mugabe has been the country's president since 1980 and has declared that he will not relinquish power to the Movement for Democratic Change, the countrys main opposition political party.

VOA Zimbabwe went on the air in 2003. The service broadcasts to the country daily in Shona, English and Ndebele on its signature Studio 7 and LiveTalk programs.

More information about VOAs Zimbabwe Service can be found at: www.voashona.com, www.voazimbabwe.com and www.voandebele.com.

The Voice of America reaches a global weekly audience of more than 187 million people in more than 40 languages. VOA programs are delivered on satellite, cable, shortwave, FM, medium wave, streaming audio and video, and more than 2,350 media outlets worldwide. VOA is funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting Board of Governors.
The mayor of Newark, New Jersey, has released details on a tentative agreement hes reached with ride-hailing company Uber to operate in the states largest city.

The deal calls for Uber to pay Newark $1 million a year for 10 years for permission to operate at Newark Liberty International Airport, which serves the New York City region and is one of the busiest airports in the nation. The San Francisco-based company also will provide $1.5 million in liability coverage for all drivers in its network.

Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka said Uber also agreed to have a nationally accredited, third-party provider conduct background checks on all of its drivers and enforce a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol abuse policy.

Baraka announced the agreement on April 15, but its unclear when the City Council will consider it. The details of the deal were made public April 16.

The city and Uber had been in a public dispute recently over taxes, licensing and background checks.

In February, Newark officials said the city would start ticketing or towing Uber drivers who operated at the train station or the airport, but the ban was shelved.

Uber has operated largely unregulated in California in recent years. It says it has about 15,000 independent contractor drivers in New Jersey.

Newarks deal with Uber was panned by taxi organizations, which say ride-hailing has significantly cut their profits. They have been pushing for regulations that they say would level the playing field playing field between taxi and rideshare companies.

This is an agreement for $10 million that benefits the city and the rideshare companies, not the (taxi) drivers. Based on what I see right now, the only thing that it creates an unfair balance, the president of CWA Local 1039, Lionel Leach, told NJ.com.

Leachs union represents nearly 300 taxi drivers.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New Jersey
The maker of the assault rifle used in the 2012 massacre of more than two dozen students and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School was ordered to allow its executives to be questioned ahead of a trial of a lawsuit by victims families, pushing the case further than most such suits have reached.

Connecticut State Judge Barbara Bellis on Tuesday set a trial for April 3, 2018, marking another major victory for families of the victims in their effort to hold gun companies responsible for the 2012 school shooting, their law firm, Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC, said in a statement.

The families claim Bushmaster Firearms International LLC, a unit of Cerberus Capital Management LPs Remington Arms Co., engineered the rifle specifically for the U.S. military to kill in combat and is being wrongfully sold to civilians to make a profit. In a ruling last week, Bellis denied a request to toss the case on the grounds that it was automatically blocked by a 2005 federal law shielding gunmakers from liability in most cases.

The rulings are renewing focus on U.S. gun violence as Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, the two Democratic presidential hopefuls, clash over the issue. Clinton has repeatedly criticized Sanders over his support for the 2005 shield law, called the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.

Jessica Kallum, a spokeswoman for Madison, North Carolina-based Remington, didnt immediately reply to a message seeking comment on the ruling.

National Debate

The 2012 attack by Adam Lanza reignited the national debate over gun violence and spurred calls for lawmakers to strengthen firearm-control laws, such as expanded background checks on buyers, a ban on civilian sales of military-style rifles and a limit on the ammunition capacity of magazines. Those efforts have mostly failed, leading President Barack Obama to seek change through executive action, though such measures are minor by comparison.

Last weeks ruling didnt address the merits of the families claims, focusing instead on whether the court had jurisdiction, given federal and state laws.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2009 left intact lower court decisions shielding Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., Sturm, Ruger & Co. and other gunmakers from suits pressed by New York City and shooting victims in Washington, D.C. The justices, without comment, rejected appeals that challenged the constitutionality of the 2005 federal law.

Legally Purchased

Lanza, 20, shot and killed his 52-year-old mother, Nancy, before going to the school and killing 20 children and six adults. Lanza killed himself after the massacre with a Glock pistol. The suit was filed by one survivor and the families of four adults and five children who died. The rifle used in the killings had been legally purchased by Nancy Lanza.

According to the complaint, the size and firepower of the rifle used by Lanza are liabilities in home defense, and there is one tragically predictable civilian activity in which it succeeds  mass shootings.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits USA Gun Liability
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Bakers administration announced Wednesday that the states workers compensation rates will rise an average 1.5 percent beginning July 1.

Officials said this nominal increase is the result of a settlement between the Division of Insurances State Rating Bureau, the Workers Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIB), and the Office of the Attorney General.

The settlement reduced the WCRIBs original request from 6.4 percent, saving approximately $50 million annually in Massachusetts workers compensation premiums. Another $30 million in premiums was averted as a result of an agreement to remove an experience rating offset proposal from the WCRIBs original rate filing.

The last time Massachusetts raised the average workers comp rates was in 2001, when the rates rose by an average of 1 percent.

In a time when the costs of doing business continue to be a challenge, Im pleased that our State Rating Bureau worked convincingly to broker an agreement on this important and mandatory insurance coverage, Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Daniel Judson said.

This is an outcome that has a substantial positive impact for Massachusetts businesses, Judson added.

This is welcome news for employers both large and small in the Commonwealth, said John Chapman, undersecretary for the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

Were pleased that our workers compensation system is a healthy one and that our workforce can be reassured that a stable safety net is there when its needed, Chapman said.

In the Massachusetts workers comp system, rate changes vary for individual classes of employment. As a result of this agreement, the maximum rate increase for any class was reduced by 15 percent. With the rates now approved by the insurance commissioner, insurers may submit downward deviation requests that could lower rates for some employers. Currently about 50 insurers offer such reductions, which range from a few percentage points to over 25 percent.

Topics Trends Workers' Compensation Pricing Trends Massachusetts
The City of London should expect its preeminent role in the global financial system to fade if Britain leaves the European Union, according to Mark Carney.

The governor of the Bank of England  the de facto custodian of the capitals financial center  told lawmakers on Tuesday that membership of the bloc buttresses Londons dominance of the international banking landscape. Leaving the EU would probably diminish that, he said.

Its less likely that London would retain its position as it currently is, Carney said in testimony to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee. Its unlikely to be enhanced.

Carney had begun his comments defending the central banks interventions in the EU debate because it would be political to suppress important judgments by him and his officials on the risks posed by leaving. The precise consequences for London would depend on negotiations if the country votes for a so-called Brexit in the June 23 referendum, he said.

Its position as the leading international financial center is undoubtedly reinforced by its membership of EU and ease of access to the euro area, said Carney, a former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. executive. It will continue, but in a different form and potentially to a different order of magnitude. In other words, smaller.

Roman Origins

The financial district, known as the City, sits on Londons earliest foundations, dating from about the Roman invasion in the first century. The BOE, one of the worlds oldest central banks, was founded more than 320 years ago.

The governors comments echo others from the so-called Square Mile. Executives at institutions including HSBC Holdings Plc, Barclays Plc and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are among those to have warned Brexit would damage the Citys status as a financial hub.

UBS Group AG warned this week that finance would be the industry to lose the most. Firms most tied to the domestic economy would suffer because leaving the EU could hamper growth, while any change in the U.K.s credit rating would push up funding expenses. Larger banks would be hit by an increase in costs arising from the greater risk attached to their British assets, and potentially more onerous rules to access the EU, according to the Swiss bank.

Carneys remarks came a day after Chancellor George Osborne made the same case. In an economic analysis, the Treasury said financial services contribute more than 7 percent of the economy and employ more than 1 million people nationwide.

The industry is crucial to the success of the U.K. economy and financial integration within the bloc has helped firms grow in size, the study said.

If the U.K. left the EU, its financial services industry would suffer from reduced access to the single market, the Treasury said.

Advocates of Brexit say the financial industry is too established in the U.K. to be threatened and note Switzerland as an example of a European nation where finance can thrive outside the EU.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Europe London
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday struggled with the question of when federal contractors can be sued for defrauding the government in a case involving a 19-year-old Massachusetts woman who suffered a fatal 2009 seizure at a mental health facility.

The parents of Yarushka Rivera claimed that Universal Health Services Inc., which owned the facility, provided gravely inadequate treatment and used unsupervised and unqualified personnel.

Their lawsuit said King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based Universal Health Services, one of the nations largest hospital operators, defrauded the government because it was receiving federal Medicaid funding to provide treatment to low-income people and failed to comply with all necessary requirements.

Rivera died in October 2009 of a seizure after being treated at the mental health center in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Julio Escobar and his wife, Carmen Correa, filed suit against Universal Health Services in U.S. District Court in Boston in 2011. They said they had received information that more than 20 treatment providers at the Lawrence facility, including a nurse who prescribed medication to Rivera, were not properly licensed or supervised as required by state law and federal regulations.

The parents sued under the False Claims Act, which allows individuals to make claims that the federal government has been defrauded.

During the one-hour oral argument, liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan signaled support for the parents fraud claims. Sotomayor said billing for services that were not carried out in full was like a government contractor providing the military guns that dont shoot.

Kagan similarly questioned whether the claim against Universal Health Services was any different than a failure by a federal contractor to provide the military boots that can be worn and food that can be eaten.

Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts appeared more hostile to the fraud claim, saying companies should not necessarily be liable for fraud just because they do not follow every procedure.

That causes concern, of course, because there are thousands of pages of regulations under Medicaid or Medicare programs, Roberts said.

Medicare provides healthcare assistance to the elderly.

A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in 2014. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated it in March 2015. Universal Health Services then appealed, asking the Supreme Court to resolve what kind of lawsuits can be brought under the False Claims Act.

Business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, filed briefs backing the company, saying fraud claims should be allowed only when they involve specific violations of the terms of a contract with the government and not violations of other regulations.

(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Additional reporting by Barbara Grzincic; Editing by Will Dunham)

Topics USA Legislation Fraud Medical Professional Liability
UnitedHealth Group Inc. will drop out of government-organized health insurance markets in at least 16 states as the U.S. industry leader tries to stem losses from participating in Obamacare, the healthcare overhaul that has brought coverage to millions of people.

UnitedHealth hasnt listed the markets its leaving, and confirmations of the companys withdrawals have been trickling in from regulators in the 34 states where the company sold plans for this year. The insurer wont sell individual ACA plans for 2017 in states including Texas, North Carolina and Maryland.

UnitedHealth also is withdrawing from some related state insurance markets for small businesses.

Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hemsley said Tuesday that the company will end up selling Obamacare plans in only a handful of states next year. The exchange market is proving to be smaller and riskier than UnitedHealth expected, meaning we cannot broadly serve it on an effective and sustained basis, he told investors.

UnitedHealths reported state departure are Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Tennessee, Colorado, Maryland, North Carolin,a Texas, Connecticut, Michigan, Oklahoma and Washington.

Its going to take a while for these markets to settle out and stabilize, said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown Universitys Center on Health Insurance Reforms. Some carriers are going to see this as an opportunity and potentially go after business in these areas.

So far, New York and Nevada have confirmed that UnitedHealth plans to remain on their ACA exchanges next year. The company has also filed plans to participate in Virginia for 2017. Wisconsin said it hasnt received an exit notice from UnitedHealth, and that it doesnt comment on insurers business plans. A representative of Covered California said plan participation is confidential until its announced later this year.

In the states where UnitedHealth stops offering ACA plans for next year, people who are currently enrolled with the insurer will have to choose a new health plan during open enrollment. Their current coverage isnt affected.

Volatile Markets

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obamas signature domestic policy achievement, is projected to cover about 12 million people this year, according to the Congressional Budget Office, providing tax subsidies that help many afford private insurance. The program has proven volatile for health insurers selling coverage in the new markets, known as exchanges, with some reporting losses.

Insuring customers in ACA exchanges has turned out to be more costly than expected. That may be because sicker people are choosing to buy coverage, or because people buying plans deferred treatment for their medical needs until they got covered. Insurers also have said some people are buying insurance, using lots of care, and then dropping their coverage mid-year.

ACA Losses

UnitedHealth, which had about 795,000 ACA customers as of March 31, warned in November that it was posting losses on ACA policies. In December, the company said it should have stayed out of the individual exchange market longer.

The exchanges are a small part of the companys total medical membership of 47.7 million people. Yet the insurer said Tuesday that it expects to lose about $650 million on ACA plans this year.

Hemsley spoke on a conference call after the companys release of first-quarter results, which topped analysts profit estimates, thanks in part to UnitedHealths consulting, technology and services unit, Optum. The stock gained 2.1 percent to $130.50 at the New York close.

The impact of UnitedHealths decision to leave the ACA markets will vary by state. In North Carolina, a quarter of consumers will see the number of available Obamacare insurers drop to one for next year, according to an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Many of the rest will have just two carriers to pick from.

The Kaiser analysis of UnitedHealths plans doesnt include actions by other insurers. Cigna Corp. is planning to enter a few new markets for next year, Matthew Asensio, a company spokesman, said by e-mail. The insurer offered plans on seven state exchanges for this year.

No Statewide Coverage

In Washington state, UnitedHealth was a relatively small player in the individual market, with less than 2 percent of enrollment, according to Pam MacEwan, CEO of the states health insurance marketplace. Yet the companys exit from the small business exchange would leave that market without a carrier that offers coverage across the state, MacEwan said in a memo to board members of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

A UnitedHealth unit called Harken Health will continue to sell in Georgia, mainly in the Atlanta area. Harken also offers plans in the Chicago area. Katherine Hempstead, who studies health insurance at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said Harken is a sign that UnitedHealth is still trying to figure out a better approach to the new markets created by the ACA.

Theyre not totally giving up on the individual market, she said. The one piece of really good news is that they did not pull the plug on Harken. Maybe what United is really doing is reinventing itself.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers Washington
Specialty insurer Beazley has appointed Elizabeth Benet, formerly of General Re, to head new business development for its partner solutions focus group.

Beazleys specialty treaty team partners with insurance carriers to provide them with turnkey insurance products such as employment practices liability and data breach to enhance their product offerings. The team offers policy forms, rates, underwriting, claims handling and appropriate risk transfer.

Benet joins Beazley from General Re where she most recently served as senior vice president, North American Underwriting Manager for Treaty Reinsurance for specialty lines, managing a team of underwriters and overseeing marketing and strategy. Prior to General Re, she worked for Zurich Insurance in the Middle Markets division.

Benet will be based in Beazleys Farmington, Connecticut office and report to Joanne McCann, Beazleys specialty treaty focus group leader.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions
A newspaper analysis has found that while some safety steps have been taken across Texas following the deadly 2013 explosion at a plant in West, tons of the same kind of fertilizer that exploded there can still be found near schools and homes in some towns.

The Dallas Morning News says its investigation found that many of the agricultural supply and feed stores that used to stock a lot of ammonium nitrate have stopped selling it and others have implemented safeguards such as moving the chemical out of dilapidated buildings and into fire-resistant concrete structures. But it reports many recommendations by safety investigators have gone unheeded.

None of the sites that responded to newspaper inquiries reported installing sprinklers systems. The state does not require them, but the U.S. Chemical Safety Board has said such a system could have stopped the West accident before it became a fatal explosion.

And despite calls for keeping stockpiles of ammonium nitrate away from populated areas, in up to eight communities, tons of the chemical still sit near schools, houses, nursing homes and even a hospital, according to the newspapers analysis of state data.

Using a state database and inspection reports obtained from the State Fire Marshals Office, the newspaper identified 19 businesses stocking large amounts of ammonium nitrate within a half-mile of schools, hospitals or nursing homes. Though the state does not disclose the names of the businesses, the newspaper identified them by cross-checking location data.

According to store employees or local fire officials contacted by the newspaper, 11 of those businesses no longer sell ammonium nitrate. Some said they stopped because there was too much regulatory paperwork or they were worried about liability. Others said they faced pressure from the community.

Of the eight remaining facilities, someone with the facility or local fire officials confirmed to the newspaper that four still sell the fertilizer. For three of the facilities, no one responded to requests for comment. The newspaper found that at one facility, trucks and rail cars there were labeled for ammonium nitrate, but the parent company declined to comment.

When the West fertilizer plant was built in 1962, it was far from the center of the small farming town about 75 miles south of Dallas. But the community grew northward toward the site, which by 2013 was close to houses, an apartment complex, a nursing home and three schools.

On April 13, 2013, a blaze heated up 30 tons of ammonium nitrate. Investigators dont know for sure what detonated the fertilizer, which can also be used as an explosive. The blast carved a crater 10 feet deep and damaged nearby schools. Twelve of the 15 who died were first responders; more than 300 people were injured.

A government study found that while 54 percent of the people who went to the hospital after the explosion had been within 1,000 feet of the blast, many who sought medical help had been farther away.

When the safety board investigated, it pointed to a lack of regulations about siting of facilities that store and distribute ammonium-nitrate fertilizer and said regulations addressing issues such as buffer zones or barricades, the severity of the casualties and damage experienced in West could have been significantly reduced.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Texas
A.M. Best has revised the outlook to stable from negative and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of a of National Lloyds Insurance Co. (National Lloyds).

Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the ICR of a of National Lloyds affiliate, American Summit Insurance Co. (American Summit). The outlook for each of these ratings is stable. National Lloyds and American Summit are domiciled in Waco, Texas, and are subsidiaries of Hilltop Holdings Inc.

The revised outlook for National Lloyds reflects its improved underwriting and operating performance over the past three years, primarily driven by managements corrective initiatives: significant rate increases, non-renewal of unprofitable business, restrictive endorsements, increased inspections on all new and renewal policies and strict agency management. Additionally, the management team has also strengthened the companys reinsurance program and risk-adjusted capitalization.

The affirmation of National Lloyds ratings recognizes its solid risk-adjusted capitalization, conservative investment philosophy, sound balance sheet liquidity that is enhanced by generally positive operating cash flows and its local market expertise within its niche market of personal property insurance. Additionally, the ratings recognize National Lloyds positive actions taken by management to improve earnings, which resulted in improved underwriting performance in 2014 and 2015.

National Lloyds also benefits from the financial flexibility of its ultimate parent, Hilltop Holdings Inc., which was evidenced in 2012 by its explicit support in the form of a capital contribution to offset underwriting losses.

Partially offsetting these positive rating factors are the companys volatile underwriting results in the earlier part of the most-recent five-year period, which was driven by variety of frequent and severe weather-related events, above-average expense structure and geographic concentration risk.

The ratings of American Summit reflect its strong risk-adjusted capitalization, generally profitable operating performance that was generated by steady investment income, other income and capital gains over the past five years. Additionally, the companys ratings also recognize its stable loss reserving trends, conservative investment philosophy and excellent liquidity measures.

These positive rating factors are partially offset by American Summits varying underwriting performance that resulted in underwriting losses in two of the past five years. The companys underwriting losses were driven by increased weather-related events and elevated losses from an affiliated quota share reinsurance agreement with National Lloyds.

American Summit maintains a prudent catastrophe reinsurance program in conjunction with National Lloyds to mitigate losses associated with severe weather-related catastrophe events. American Summits product offering and geographic concentration is somewhat limited, as it is primarily a provider of insurance for the mobile home market with majority of the business is conducted in Arizona.

Source: A.M. Best

Topics Trends Profit Loss Underwriting
During the life of a Florida claim, risk managers, adjusters or clients often ask, What kind of jurisdiction is Florida for fault? And all too often, the answer given since 2006 is, purely comparative. This is a reference to the 2006 amendment to Floridas Comparative Fault statute, Section 768.81.

This answer often is the foregone conclusion because the statute says plainly, the court shall enter judgment against each party liable on the basis of such partys percentage of fault and not on the basis of the doctrine of joint and several liability. Therefore, the assumption is that the claim is analyzed, values are assessed, and litigation strategy is formed and implemented without consideration for joint and several liability.

However, there are several scenarios where this answer is incomplete or incorrect. In fact, the correct or complete answer in these scenarios will often lead to completely different evaluations, valuations and strategies.

Florida courts have recognized that there are certain types of liability that are different than the usual concept. A very instructive case is Grobman v. Posey, 863 So.2d 1230 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003) which involves vicarious liability. A vicariously liable party is responsible to the plaintiff to the same extent as the primary actor. Both are jointly liable for all of the harm that the primary actor has caused.

Similarly, there is the concept of derivative liability. Derivative liability involves wrongful conduct both by the person who is derivatively liable and the actor whose wrongful conduct was the direct cause of injury to another. Derivative liability is similar to vicarious liability in that: a.) there is no cause of action unless the directly liable tortfeasor commits a tort and b.) the derivatively liable party is liable for all of the harm that such a tortfeasor has caused.

Although it can be argued that the Posey case predates the 2006 amendment to Floridas Comparative Fault Statute, it is important to note that the pre-2006 version of Floridas Comparative Fault statute was nearly identically worded in its abolishment of joint and several liability for joint tortfeasors but was limited to non-economic damages. Additionally, several cases after 2006 have cited Posey with authority, including a 2012 case discussed later on.

So how can this make a difference in defending a claim? Lets take the example of a restaurant. The restaurant is located in a small shopping center and leases its restaurant space from the owner of the center. The shopping center owner hires a security company to patrol the parking lot. One evening, a patron dines at the restaurant, leaves the restaurant, and, while walking to his car, is tragically murdered during an armed robbery. The restaurant is insured, but the small security company is not, and the shopping center owner is in bankruptcy and let his insurance lapse prior to the shooting. Contractually under the lease, the shopping center owner assumed responsibility for security of the parking lot and the known facts suggest that the security company may have failed to follow their post-orders.

If the claim against the restaurant is analyzed as a purely comparative claim, then the restaurant faces minimal to no liability under the facts. No one at the restaurant appears to have done anything wrong, and the fault, if any, lies primarily  or entirely  with the shopping center owner and the security company.

However, Florida is not purely comparative in this scenario. Florida law places a non-delegable duty on owners and occupiers of premises, including the duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition. Because the duty is non-delegable  even if the owner/occupier hires an independent contractor to carry out the duty  the owner/occupier is held vicariously liable for the independent contractors failure to carry out the duty. And if the owner/occupier does something themselves wrong to contribute to the accident or injury, then they are held derivatively liable for the independent contractors failure to carry out the duty.

But wait  didnt the robbery happen in the parking lot and not within the restaurants leased space? Florida law also extends the concept of a premises to not just the premises itself (such as the leased space), but also known ingresses (entrances) and egresses (exits) to the premises. Therefore, in this example, the parking lot becomes part of the restaurants premises and it owes a non-delegable duty to maintain the parking lot in a reasonably safe condition.

Thus, the restaurant can be held vicariously or derivatively liable for the mistakes of the shopping center owner and the security company in this claim. Whats worse is that the claimants attorney, when faced with the fact that neither the shopping center owner nor the security company appear collectible, may choose to sue only the restaurant. At trial, the restaurant will likely be prevented from offsetting its own liability with the comparative fault of the shopping center owner or of the security company. With this knowledge in mind, a good defense strategy could be to work to defend not only the actions of the restaurant, but also those of the shopping center and the security company. It would likely be counter-productive to instead point the finger at these other actors. And this also clearly affects the valuation of the claim against the restaurant.

There are numerous other situations under Florida law where vicarious or derivative liability are imposed, including: employer/employee under respondeat superior; dangerous instrumentality; general contractor/subcontractor, principal/agent, product distributor/manufacturer; and inherently dangerous activity.

It is also important to consider that if a defendant is subject to vicarious or derivative liability, the defendant has rights to potentially recover from those parties or non-parties they are being held vicariously or derivatively liable for. This could be indemnity rights (vicarious liability) or even potentially contribution rights (derivative liability). In order to preserve those rights, it may be necessary to have a jury determine apportionment of fault between the defendant and various other parties and non-parties.

In Continental Fla. Materials, Inc. v. Kusherman, 91 So.3d 159 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012), a plaintiff convinced a trial court that a defendant was not permitted to have a jury apportion fault at trial to various non-parties. The court struck the defendants affirmative defenses and the case was tried without the non-parties on the verdict form for the jury to apportion fault. On appeal this was held to be improper.

The court explained:

A distinction must be drawn between apportionment of fault and ultimate liability. The former allows the finder of fact to determine to what extent, if any, each party or non-party contributed to the loss or injury. The latter determines who will actually pay for that loss or injury. The combination of both insures responsibility for ones own negligence, and ultimately who will pay  and to what extent of  the total loss.

In other words, simply because a jury apportions fault to various parties or non-parties on a verdict form, does not mean that the defendant seeking the apportionment will necessarily get to reduce their own liability with the apportionment to these other parties or non-parties. However, at least they can use that apportionment to potentially seek indemnity or contribution from those other parties.

Going back to the restaurant example, what if the security company or the shopping center did have coverage or assets, but the plaintiff chooses not to sue them? For the restaurant, they would probably want to try to bring the security company or the shopping center into the case with a third-party claim for indemnity or contribution. And, to preserve those claims at trial, they would probably want to seek a jury apportionment of fault to the shopping center or security company.

It is important to keep in mind that these are not easy or simple scenarios to digest. And often the results can seem counter-intuitive or unjust. This is one of the reasons the Florida Comparative Fault statute was amended in 2006. But despite the amendment, these scenarios live on and should be kept in mind when handling certain claims.

Topics Florida Claims Contractors
The South Florida zoo where a veteran keeper was attacked and killed by a Malayan tiger reopened Monday as authorities from several local, state and federal agencies continue investigating what led to the deadly attack on April 15.

Speaking in front of the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, Naki Carter, a zoo spokeswoman, told reporters late Sunday doors would open to the public, beginning at 9 a.m., and that a fund has been created to support tiger conservation in honor of Stacey Konwiser.

Konwiser was killed Friday by a 13-year-old male tiger in an enclosure known as the night house, where tigers sleep and are fed. The tiger was tranquilized and has since recovered, and remains at the zoo. The zoo was closed over the weekend.

Konwiser, the zoos lead keeper, had worked at the zoo for three years and had extensive experience in managing large cats, said Carter. She loved big cats, she said.

Konwisers husband, Jeremy, who worked at the same zoo as a keeper, said in a statement that human beings and animals lost a wonderful friend.

Carter declined to comment on the investigation, but said she wanted to dispel misinformation that the tiger had been mistreated. She also said that zoo officials did not fault the animal for the attack.

The tiger is healthy, she said. There has never been blame assigned to the wild Malayan tiger involved in this deadly incident.

The tiger is one of less than 250 such tigers known to exist in the world. The zoo has four similar tigers, three males and one female, and serves as a breeding ground to make sure they dont become extinct.

Carter declined to say whether the public would be able to see the tigers on exhibit and would not identify the nickname of the tiger that attacked Konwiser.

She said zoo officials are cooperating with several agencies investigating the attack, including the West Palm Beach police, Florida Fish and Wildlife officials and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Carter said Konwiser was like a sister to many and that she will be long remembered for her dedication to the zoos animals.

Will it be business as usual for us? No it will not, she said. Weve lost a member of our family.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida
Noi siamo fiduciosi del fatto che la Clinton comprenda il ruolo degli Stati Uniti nel mondo, non abbiamo dubbi che lei affrontera in modo assiduo i problemi che il nostro Paese deve affrontare, e lei ha dimostrato la sua disposizione allanalisi ed al duro impegno. E un estratto delleditoriale con cui il magazine The Atlantic ha palesato il suo appoggio alla candidata democratica alle elezioni presidenziali, Hillary Clinton.

Il magazine ha deciso di dare il suo endorsment alla Clinton definendola uno dei candidati piu preparati di sempre e, inoltre, ha bollato Donald Trump come demagogo, xenofobo, sessista, uno che non sa niente ed e un bugiardo, specificandolo che lo considera il candidato piu dichiaratamente non qualificato nei 227 anni della storia della presidenza americana e che sarebbe una minaccia esistenziale per la Repubblica.

Fondata nel 1857, la prestigiosa e storica rivista solo in altre due occasioni si era apertamente schierata a favore di un candidato alla Casa Bianca: nel 1860 con Abraham Lincoln e nel 1964 con Lyndon B. Johnson. A sottolineare limportanza e leccezionalita della decisione e il direttore di The Atlantic, Scott Stossel, che paragona la scelta di sostenere la Clinton a quella fatta nel 1964 a favore di Johnson che si scontrava con il repubblicano Barry Goldwater.
A tax haven is simply a country that offers individuals or businesses little or highly reduced tax liability; a pure tax haven is a country that imposes no taxes at all. The Republic of Panama is considered one of the most well-established pure tax havens in the Caribbean due to extensive legislation that strictly regulates the country's offshore jurisdiction and financial services.

key takeaways Panama's legal and tax structures make it a pure tax haven.

Panama imposes no income, corporate, capital gains, or estate taxes on offshore entities that only engage in business outside of the jurisdiction. Offshore companies can engage in business locallya rare perkbut will pay local taxes as a result.

Panama has strict banking secrecy laws designed to protect the privacy of account holders.

Panama also has no tax treaties with any other country and no exchange control laws.

Panama's Offshore Financial Sector

Panama's offshore jurisdiction offers a wide array of excellent financial services, including offshore banking, the incorporation of offshore companies, registration of ships, and the formation of Panama trusts and foundations. There are no taxes imposed on offshore companies that only engage in business outside of the jurisdiction. Offshore companies incorporated in Panama, and the owners of the companies, are exempt from any corporate taxes, withholding taxes, income tax, capital gains tax, local taxes, and estate or inheritance taxes.

Panama offers an additional benefit not available in many offshore tax havens: being able to conduct business within the offshore jurisdiction. However, any business conducted within the jurisdiction is subject to local taxes.

Financial Privacy

There are extensive laws in Panama to protect corporate and individual financial privacy. Strict confidentiality laws and regulations apply to the documentation of offshore corporations, trusts, and foundations, with severe civil and criminal penalties for violations of confidentiality. The names of corporate shareholders are not required to be publicly registered. Panama also has very strict banking secrecy laws. Panamanian banks are prohibited from sharing any information about offshore bank accounts or account holders. The only exception is a specific Panamanian court order in conjunction with a criminal investigation.

People or businesses of any nationality may incorporate within Panama.

Panama has few tax treaties with countries that have strong economic ties to it, further protecting the financial privacy of offshore banking clients who are citizens of other nations. Panama also offers the benefit of having no exchange control laws. This means that for individual clients of Panama's offshore banking, as well as for offshore business entities incorporated in Panama, there are no limits or reporting requirements on money transfers into or out of the country.

The Panama Papers

The popularity of Panama as a tax haven made global newsand not in a good waywith the publication of the "Panama Papers" in 2016. A cache of financial files from Mossack Fonseca, one of the world's biggest offshore law firms, the papers were published in the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, which obtained them from an anonymous source. Dating back to the 1970s, the documents covered some 214,000 offshore business entities and shell corporations involving high-net worth-individuals, government officials, and organizations from 200 countries that the law firm had established. While most of them were legitimate, some had been set up or used for illegal purposes, including fraud, tax evasion, money-laundering, and the avoidance of international sanctions, a consortium of investigative journalists revealed.

The files were referred to as the Panama Papers because Mossack Fonseca (and, presumably, the individual who leaked them) was based theregreatly to the dismay of the Panamanian government, which protested that the name damaged the country's image. It certainly damaged Mossack Fonseca's: The law firm folded in 2018, a direct result of the revelations.
Investing in foreign assets has proven the merits of diversification, and most individual investors take advantage of the benefits of international assets. However, unless the foreign securities have been issued in U.S. dollars, the portfolio will experience currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that one currency moves against another currency, negatively affecting an investment's overall return. In other words, the exchange rate between the two currencies can move adversely and erode the returns of a foreign investment. Investors can accept currency risk and hope for the best, or they can employ hedging strategies to mitigate or eliminate the risk.

Key Takeaways Hedging strategies can protect a foreign investment from currency risk for when the funds are converted back into the investor's home currency.

Currency ETFs can be used to mitigate a portfolio's exposure to the performance of a currency exchange rate.

Forward contracts provide a rate lock so that the international funds can be converted back into the home currency at a later date.

Options contracts offer more flexibility than forwards but come with an upfront fee or a premium.

Currency Risk with International Investing

If a U.S. investor purchased an investment in Europe that's denominated in euros, the price swings in the U.S. dollar versus the euro exchange rate (EUR/USD) would affect the investment's overall return. Since the investment was purchased in euros, the investor would be considered "long" the euro (or owner of euros) since the investor would've converted dollars into euros in order to initiate the investment purchase. The initial investment would have been converted at the prevailing EUR/USD exchange rate at the time of the purchase.

When the investor wants to sell the investment and bring the money back to the U.S., the investment's value denominated in euros would need to be converted back into dollars. At the time of the investment sale, the euros would be converted into dollars at the prevailing EUR/USD exchange rate.

The difference between the EUR/USD exchange rate at the time of the initial investment purchase and the rate at the time when the investment was sold would result in a gain or loss. Regardless of the return on the investment, the difference between the two exchange rates would be realized. The risk that the exchange rate could move against the investor while the investment is tied up in euros is called currency exchange risk.

Hedging Currency Risk With Exchange-Traded Funds

There are many exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that focus on providing long (buy) and short (sell) exposures to many currencies. ETFs are funds that hold a basket of securities or investments that can include currency positions that experience gains or losses on moves in the underlying currency's exchange rate.

For example, the ProShares Short Euro Fund (NYSEArca: EUFX) seeks to provide returns that are the inverse of the daily performance of the euro. In other words, when the EUR/USD exchange rate moves, the fund moves in the opposite direction. A fund like this can be used to mitigate a portfolio's exposure to the performance of the euro.

Example of an ETF Hedge

For example, if an investor purchased an asset in Europe for 100,000 euros and at the EUR/USD exchange rate of $1.10, the dollar cost would equal $110,000. If the EUR/USD rate depreciated to $1.05, when the investor converts the euros back into dollars, the dollar equivalent would only be $105,000 (not including any gains or losses on the investment). The EUFX ETF would gain on the move lower in the EUR/USD exchange rate offsetting the loss from the currency conversion associated with the asset purchase and sale.

Benefits and Costs of an ETF Hedge

The ProShares Short Euro Fund would effectively cancel out the currency risk associated with the initial asset. Of course, the investor must make sure to purchase an appropriate amount of the ETF to be certain that the long and short euro exposures match 1-to-1.

ETFs that specialize in long or short currency exposure aim to match the actual performance of the currencies on which they are focused. However, the actual performance often diverges due to the mechanics of the funds. As a result, not all of the currency risk would be eliminated. Also, currency-based ETFs can be expensive and typically charge a 1% fee.

Forward Contracts

Currency forward contracts are another option to mitigate currency risk. A forward contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell a currency at a preset exchange rate and a predetermined future date. Forwards can be customized by amount and date as long as the settlement date is a working business day in both countries.

Forward contracts can be used for hedging purposes and enable an investor to lock in a specific currency's exchange rate. Typically, these contracts require a deposit amount with the currency broker.

Example of a Forward Contract

For example, let's assume that one U.S. dollar equaled 112.00 Japanese yen (USD/JPY). A person is invested in Japanese assets, meaning they have exposure to the yen and plan on converting that yen back into U.S. dollars in six months. The investor can enter into a six-month forward contract in which the yen would be converted back into dollars six months from now at a predetermined exchange rate.

The currency broker quotes the investor an exchange rate of 112.00 to buy U.S. dollars and sell Japanese yen in six months. Regardless of how the USD/JPY exchange moves in six months, the investor can convert the yen-denominated assets back into dollars at the preset rate of 112.00.

Six months from now, two scenarios are possible: The exchange rate can be more favorable for the investor, or it can be worse. Suppose that the exchange rate is worse and is trading at 125.00. It now takes more yen to buy 1 dollar. Let's say the investment was worth 10 million yen. The investor would convert 10 million yen at the forward contract rate of 112.00 and receive $89,286 (10,000,000 / 112.00).

However, had the investor not initiated the forward contract, the 10 million yen would have been converted at the prevailing rate of 125.00. As a result, the investor would have only received $80,000 (10,000,000 / 125.00).

Benefits and Costs of Forward Contracts

By locking in the forward contract, the investor saved more than $9,000. However, had the rate become more favorable, such as 105.00, the investor would not have benefited from the favorable exchange rate move. In other words, the investor would have had to convert the 10 million yen at the contract rate of 112.00 even though the prevailing rate was 105.00.

Although forwards provide a rate lock, protecting investors from adverse moves in an exchange rate, that protection comes at a cost since forwards don't allow investors to benefit from a favorable exchange rate move.

Currency Options

Currency options give the investor the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a currency at a specific rate (called a strike price) on or before a specific date (called the expiration date). Unlike forward contracts, options don't force the investor to engage in the transaction when the contract's expiration date arrives. However, there's a cost for that flexibility in the form of an upfront fee called a premium.

Example of a Currency Option Hedge

Using our example of the investor buying as Japanese asset, the investor decides to buy an option contract to convert the 10 million yen in six months back into U.S. dollars. The option contract's strike price or exchange rate is 112.00.

In six months, the following scenarios could play out:

Scenario 1

The USD/JPY exchange rate is trading at 120.00, which is above 112.00. The option's strike is more favorable than the current market rate. The investor would exercise the option, and the yen would be converted to dollars at the strike rate of 112.00. The U.S. dollar equivalent would be credited to the investor's account equaling $89,286.00 (10 million yen / 112.00).

Scenario 2

The USD/JPY exchange rate is trading at 108.00, which is below 112.00. The prevailing rate is more favorable than the option's strike. The investor could allow the option to expire worthless and convert the yen to dollars at the prevailing rate of 108.00 and benefit from the exchange rate gain. The U.S. dollar equivalent would be credited to the investor's account equaling $92,593.00 (10 million yen / 108.00).

By buying the option, the investor made an additional $3,307 in scenario #2 since the USD/JPY rate moved favorably. Had the investor bought the forward contract at a rate of 112.00, which was highlighted earlier, the investor would have missed out on a $3,307 gain.

Option Premiums

Unfortunately, the flexibility provided by options can be quite costly. If the investor decides to pay the premium for an option, the exchange rate must move favorably by enough to cover the cost of the premium. Otherwise, the investor would lose money on the conversion.

For example, let's say that the above 112.00 yen option cost $5,000 upfront. The favorable move in the yen rate to 108.00 (in scenario two) would not be enough to cover the cost of the premium. If you recall, the original USD/JPY rate for the 10,000,000 yen investment was 112.00 for a dollar cost of $89,286.00.

As a result of the premium, the investor would need to get back $94,286 from the currency conversion ($89,286 + $5,000 fee). As a result, the yen rate would have to move to 106.06 for the investor to break even and cover the cost of the premium (10,000,000 / 106.06 = $94,286.00).

Although options provide flexibility, the cost of the option premium needs to be considered. Investors need to get two things right when buying an option to hedge an overseas investment. The investor needs to make a good initial investment in which it earns a gain. However, the investor must also be able to forecast the currency exchange rate so that it'll move favorably enough to cover the option premium. Although forwards don't provide the flexibility of walking away like options, they reduce the risk of a currency exchange loss and investors don't have to play the currency forecasting game.
Buying shares in mutual funds can be intimidating for beginning investors. There is a huge amount of funds available, all with different investment strategies and asset groups. Trading shares in mutual funds are different from trading shares in stocks or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The fees charged for mutual funds can be complicated. Understanding these fees is important since they have a large impact on the performance of investments in a fund.

What Are Mutual Funds?

A mutual fund is an investment company that takes money from many investors and pools it together in one large pot. The professional manager for the fund invests the money in different types of assets including stocks, bonds, commodities, and even real estate. An investor buys shares in the mutual fund. These shares represent an ownership interest in a portion of the assets owned by the fund. Mutual funds are designed for longer-term investors and are not meant to be traded frequently due to their fee structures.

Mutual funds are often attractive to investors because they are widely diversified. Diversification helps to minimize risk to an investment. Rather than having to research and make an individual decision as to each type of asset to include in a portfolio, mutual funds offer a single comprehensive investment vehicle. Some mutual funds can have thousands of different holdings. Mutual funds are also very liquid. It is easy to buy and redeem shares in mutual funds.

There is a wide variety of mutual funds to consider. A few of the major fund types are bond funds, stock funds, balanced funds, and index funds.

Bond funds hold fixed-income securities as assets. These bonds pay regular interest to their holders. The mutual fund makes distributions to mutual fund holders of this interest.

Stock funds make investments in the shares of different companies. Stock funds seek to profit mainly by the appreciation of the shares over time, as well as dividend payments. Stock funds often have a strategy of investing in companies based on their market capitalization, the total dollar value of a companys outstanding shares. For example, large-cap stocks are defined as those with market capitalizations over $10 billion. Stock funds may specialize in large-, mid-or small-cap stocks. Small-cap funds tend to have higher volatility than large-cap funds.

Balanced funds hold a mix of bonds and stocks. The distribution among stocks and bonds in these funds varies depending on the funds strategy. Index funds track the performance of an index such as the S&P 500. These funds are passively managed. They hold similar assets to the index being tracked. Fees for these types of funds are lower due to infrequent turnover in assets and passive management.

How Mutual Funds Trade

The mechanics of trading mutual funds are different from those of ETFs and stocks. Mutual funds require minimum investments of anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, unlike stocks and ETFs where the minimum investment is one share. Mutual funds trade only once a day after the markets close. Stocks and ETFs can be traded at any point during the trading day.

The price for the shares in a mutual fund is determined by the net asset value (NAV) calculated after the market closes. The NAV is calculated by dividing the total value of all the assets in the portfolio, less any liabilities, by the number of outstanding shares. This is different from stocks and ETFs, wherein prices fluctuate during the trading day.

An investor is buying or redeeming mutual fund shares directly from the fund itself. This is different from stocks and ETFs, wherein the counterparty to the buying or selling of a share is another participant in the market. Mutual funds charge different fees for buying or redeeming shares.

Mutual Fund Charges and Fees

It is critical for investors to understand the type of fees and charges associated with buying and redeeming mutual fund shares. These fees vary widely and can have a dramatic impact on the performance of an investment in the fund.

Some mutual funds charge load fees when buying or redeeming shares in the fund. The load is similar to the commission paid when buying or selling a stock. The load fee compensates the sale intermediary for the time and expertise in selecting the fund for the investor. Load fees can be anywhere from 4% to 8% of the amount invested in the fund. A front-end load is charged when an investor first buys shares in the fund.

A back-end load also called a deferred sales charge, is charged if the fund shares are sold within a certain time frame after first purchasing them. The back-end load is usually higher in the first year after buying the shares but then goes down each year after that. For example, a fund may charge 6% if shares are redeemed in the first year of ownership, and then it may reduce that fee by 1% each year until the sixth year when no fee is charged.

A level-load fee is an annual charge deducted from the assets in a fund to pay for distribution and marketing costs for the fund. These fees are also known as 12b-1 fees. They are a fixed percentage of the funds average net assets. Notably, 12b-1 fees are considered part of the expense ratio for a fund.

The expense ratio includes ongoing fees and expenses for the fund. Expense ratios can vary widely but are generally 0.5 to 1.25%. Passively managed funds, such as index funds, usually have lower expense ratios than actively managed funds. Passive funds have a lower turnover in their holdings. They are not attempting to outperform a benchmark index, but just try to duplicate it, and thus do not need to compensate the fund manager for his expertise in choosing investment assets.

Load fees and expense ratios can be a significant drag on investment performance. Funds that charge loads must outperform their benchmark index or similar funds to justify the fees. Many studies show that load funds often do not perform better than their no-load counterparts. Thus, it makes little sense for most investors to buy shares in a fund with loads. Similarly, funds with higher expense ratios also tend to perform worse than low expense funds.

Because their higher expenses drag down returns, actively managed mutual funds sometimes get a bad rap as a group overall. But many international markets (especially the emerging ones) are just too difficult for direct investmentthey're not highly liquid or investor-friendlyand they have no comprehensive index to follow. In this case, it pays to have a professional manager help wade through all of the complexities, and who is worth paying an active fee for.

Risk Tolerance and Investment Goals

The first step in determining the suitability of any investment product is to assess risk tolerance. This is the ability and desire to take on risk in return for the possibility of higher returns. Though mutual funds are often considered one of the safer investments on the market, certain types of mutual funds are not suitable for those whose main goal is to avoid losses at all costs. Aggressive stock funds, for example, are not suitable for investors with very low-risk tolerances. Similarly, some high-yield bond funds may also be too risky if they invest in low-rated or junk bonds to generate higher returns.

Your specific investment goals are the next most important consideration when assessing the suitability of mutual funds, making some mutual funds more appropriate than others.

For an investor whose main goal is to preserve capital, meaning she is willing to accept lower gains in return for the security of knowing her initial investment is safe, high-risk funds are not a good fit. This type of investor has a very low-risk tolerance and should avoid most stock funds and many more aggressive bond funds. Instead, look to bond funds that invest in only highly rated government or corporate bonds or money market funds.

If an investor's chief aim is to generate big returns, they are likely willing to take on more risk. In this case, high-yield stock and bond funds can be excellent choices. Though the potential for loss is greater, these funds have professional managers who are more likely than the average retail investor to generate substantial profits by buying and selling cutting-edge stocks and risky debt securities. Investors looking to aggressively grow their wealth are not well suited to money market funds and other highly stable products because the rate of return is often not much greater than inflation.

Income or Growth?

Mutual funds generate two kinds of income: capital gains and dividends. Though any net profits generated by a fund must be passed on to shareholders at least once a year, the frequency with which different funds make distributions varies widely.

If you are looking to grow wealth over the long-term and are not concerned with generating immediate income, funds that focus on growth stocks and use a buy-and-hold strategy are best because they generally incur lower expenses and have a lower tax impact than other types of funds.

If, instead, you want to use your investment to create a regular income, dividend-bearing funds are an excellent choice. These funds invest in a variety of dividend-bearing stocks and interest-bearing bonds and pay dividends at least annually but often quarterly or semi-annually. Though stock-heavy funds are riskier, these types of balanced funds come in a range of stock-to-bond ratios.

Tax Strategy

When assessing the suitability of mutual funds, it is important to consider taxes. Depending on an investor's current financial situation, income from mutual funds can have a serious impact on an investor's annual tax liability. The more income you earn in a given year, the higher your ordinary income and capital gains tax brackets.

Dividend-bearing funds are a poor choice for those looking to minimize their tax liability. Though funds that employ a long-term investment strategy may pay qualified dividends, which are taxed at the lower capital gains rate, any dividend payments increase an investor's taxable income for the year. The best choice is to choose funds that focus more on long-term capital gains and avoid dividend stocks or interest-bearing corporate bonds.

Funds that invest in tax-free government or municipal bonds generate interest that is not subject to federal income tax. So, these products may be a good choice. However, not all tax-free bonds are completely tax-free, so make sure to verify whether those earnings are subject to state or local taxes.

Many funds offer products managed with the specific goal of tax-efficiency. These funds employ a buy-and-hold strategy and eschew dividend- or interest-paying securities. They come in a variety of forms, so it's important to consider risk tolerance and investment goals when looking at a tax-efficient fund.

There are many metrics to study before deciding to invest in a mutual fund. Mutual fund rater Morningstar (MORN) offers a great site to analyze funds and offers details on funds that include details on its asset allocation and mix between stocks, bonds, cash, and any alternative assets that may be held. It also popularized the investment style box that breaks a fund down between the market cap it focuses on (small, mid, and large cap) and investment style (value, growth, or blend, which is a mix of value and growth). Other key categories cover the following:

A funds expense ratios

An overview of its investment holdings

Biographical details of the management team

How strong its stewardship skills are

How long it has been around

For a fund to be a buy, it should have a mix of the following characteristics: a great long-term (not short-term) track record, charge a reasonably low fee compared to the peer group, invest with a consistent approach based off the style box and possess a management team that has been in place for a long time. Morningstar sums up all of these metrics in a star rating, which is a good place to start to get a feel for how strong a mutual fund has been. However, keep in mind that the rating is backward-focused.

Investment Strategies

Individual investors can look for mutual funds that follow a certain investment strategy that the investor prefers, or apply an investment strategy themselves by purchasing shares in funds that fit the criteria of a chosen strategy.

Value Investing

Value investing, popularized by the legendary investor Benjamin Graham in the 1930s, is one of the most well-established, widely used and respected stock market investing strategies. Buying stocks during the Great Depression, Graham was focused on identifying companies with genuine value and whose stock prices were either undervalued or at the very least not overinflated and therefore not easily prone to a dramatic fall.

The classic value investing metric used to identify undervalued stocks is the price-to-book (P/B) ratio. Value investors prefer to see P/B ratios at least below 3, and ideally below 1. However, since the average P/B ratio can vary significantly among sectors and industries, analysts commonly evaluate a company's P/B value in relation to that of similar companies engaged in the same business.

While mutual funds themselves do not technically have P/B ratios, the average weighted P/B ratio for the stocks that a mutual fund holds in its portfolio can be found at various mutual fund information sites, such as Morningstar.com. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of mutual funds that identify themselves as value funds, or that state in their descriptions that value investing principles guide the fund manager's stock selections.

Value investing goes beyond only considering a company's P/B value. A company's value may exist in the form of having strong cash flows and relatively little debt. Another source of value is in the specific products and services that a company offers, and how they are projected to perform in the marketplace.

Brand name recognition, while not precisely measurable in dollars and cents, represents a potential value for a company, and a point of reference for concluding that the market price of a company's stock is currently undervalued as compared to the true value of the company and its operations. Virtually any advantage a company has over its competitors or within the economy as a whole provides a source of value. Value investors are likely to scrutinize the relative values of the individual stocks that make up a mutual fund's portfolio.

Contrarian Investing

Contrarian investors go against the prevailing market sentiment or trend. A classic example of contrarian investing is selling short, or at least avoiding buying, the stocks of an industry when investment analysts across the board are virtually all projecting above-average gains for companies operating in the specified industry. In short, contrarians often buy what the majority of investors are selling and sell what the majority of investors are buying.

Because contrarian investors typically buy stocks that are out of favor or whose prices have declined, contrarian investing can be seen as similar to value investing. However, contrarian trading strategies tend to be driven more by market sentiment factors than they are by value investing strategies and to rely less on specific fundamental analysis metrics such as the P/B ratio.

Contrarian investing is often misunderstood as consisting of simply selling stocks or funds that are going up and buying stocks or funds that are going down, but that is a misleading oversimplification. Contrarians are often more likely to go against prevailing opinions than to go against prevailing price trends. A contrarian move is to buy into a stock or fund whose price is rising despite the continuous and widespread market opinion that the price should be falling.

There are plenty of mutual funds that can be identified as contrarian funds. Investors can seek out contrarian-style funds to invest in, or they can employ a contrarian mutual fund trading strategy by selecting mutual funds to invest in using contrarian investment principles. Contrarian mutual fund investors seek out mutual funds to invest in that hold the stocks of companies in sectors or industries that are currently out of favor with market analysts, or they look for funds invested in sectors or industries that have underperformed compared to the overall market.

A contrarian's attitude toward a sector that has been underperforming for several years may well be that the protracted period of time over which the sector's stocks have been performing poorly (in relation to the overall market average) only makes it more probable that the sector will soon begin to experience a reversal of fortune to the upside.

Momentum Investing

Momentum investing aims to profit from following strong existing trends. Momentum investing is closely related to a growth investing approach. Metrics considered in evaluating the strength of a mutual fund's price momentum include the weighted average price-earnings to growth (PEG) ratio of the fund's portfolio holdings, or the percentage year-over-year increase in the fund's net asset value (NAV).

Appropriate mutual funds for investors seeking to employ a momentum investing strategy can be identified by fund descriptions where the fund manager clearly states that momentum is a primary factor in his selection of stocks for the fund's portfolio. Investors wishing to follow market momentum through mutual fund investments can analyze the momentum performance of various funds and make fund selections accordingly. A momentum trader may look for funds with accelerating profits over a span of time; for example, funds with NAVs that rose by 3% three years ago, by 5% the following year and by 7% in the most recent year.

Momentum investors may also seek to identify specific sectors or industries that are demonstrating clear evidence of strong momentum. After identifying the strongest industries, they invest in funds that offer the most advantageous exposure to companies engaged in those industries.

The Bottom Line

Benjamin Graham once wrote that making money on investing should depend on the amount of intelligent effort the investor is willing and able to bring to bear on his task of security analysis. When it comes to buying a mutual fund, investors must do their homework. In some respects, this is easier than focusing on buying individual securities, but it does add some important other areas to research before buying. Overall, there are many reasons why investing in mutual funds makes sense and a little bit of due diligence can make all the differenceand provide a measure of comfort.
Private equity firms manage investment capital obtained from institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) to acquire equity ownership of companies through a variety of strategies, including leveraged buyouts and venture capital. Private equity firms operate with long-term investment horizons, typically five to seven years.

After obtaining an equity interest in a company, the private equity firm looks to eventually profit through either selling the company outright or through an initial public offering (IPO). When especially large investments are required, these firms often partner with other private equity firms to raise the necessary capital and to reduce their risk. Most firms specialize in one or more industries or investment strategies where they have particular expertise.

A report by Private Equity International (PEI) ranked the top 300 firms based on total private equity fundraising over the five-year period that ended on June 1, 2021. These are the top 10 private equity firms, according to that report. Readers should note that private equity assets under management (AUM) may be a subset of a companys total AUM. We report private equity AUM in the list below where available.

Key Takeaways Private equity is an alternative form of private financing, occurring away from public markets, in which funds and investors directly invest in companies or engage in buyouts of such companies.

Private equity investments are typically available only to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).

Private equity can take on various forms, from complex leveraged buyouts to venture capital.

Private equity firms are typically ranked by their assets under management (AUM) and success in returning gains to investors.

The Blackstone Group Inc. had the most AUM out of any private equity firm in 2021.

1. The Blackstone Group Inc.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in New York, with offices in London, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Dubai, The Blackstone Group Inc. (BX) leads with $881 billion in total AUM.

The company invests across a broad range of market sectors, including energy, retail, and technology. While private equity ($126 billion) is its largest category of investments, Blackstone also has hundreds of billions of dollars in holdings in real estate, credit, and hedge fund solutions. Among its 107 portfolio companies are financial markets data and infrastructure provider Refinitiv, digital family history services provider Ancestry, and dating and social networking apps owner and operator Bumble.

2. KKR & Co. Inc.

KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR), formerly Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., has total AUM of $459 billion. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in New York, KKR is known for being one of the first firms to engage in large-scale leveraged buyouts, which are still one of the firms specialties.

Among the firms noteworthy transactions are its 1989 leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco and its 2007 buyout of TXU, the largest leveraged buyout on record. Among its current portfolio holdings are Fiserv Inc., Optiv, and PetVet.

3. CVC Capital Partners

CVC Capital Partners has nearly $122 billion of total AUM, and its private equity platforms manage $92 billion of assets. Founded in 1981, CVC employs more than 650 people, including 300 investment professionals, in 24 offices worldwide. Its private equity portfolio includes 114 companies around the globe.

4. The Carlyle Group Inc.

The Carlyle Group Inc. (CG) has a total AUM of $293 billion, employs more than 1,800 professionals worldwide, and operates through 26 offices across five continents. The company was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Its corporate private equity unit has AUM of $161 billion, and notable current holdings include Supreme, Workforce Logiq, and Orion Breweries Ltd. of Japan.

5. Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo has $91 billion AUM and more than 40 years of experience in providing capital and strategic support to experienced management teams and growing software and technology companies. Some of the most notable companies in its portfolio include McAfee, Conga, and Anchorage.

Private equity firms provide financial backing to startups and to nonpublic companies. For example, after Airbnb had to postpone its original plans for a 2020 initial public offering (IPO), the company raised more than $1 billion in private equity funding.

6. EQT

Based in Sweden, EQT A.B. (EQT.ST) has a total AUM of 73.3 billion euros, or nearly $81.7 billion at the exchange rate as of this writing. Founded in 1994, the firm has approximately 1,200 employees in 24 countries across Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Flying Tiger Copenhagen is perhaps its best-known portfolio company among U.S. consumers.



7. Vista Equity Partners

With more than $86 billion in AUM, Vista Equity Partners invests exclusively in software, data, and technology-enabled organizations. The company has strategic investments across companies in healthcare, advertising, and risk management, among other industries. In September 2019, Vista closed a $16 billion technology fund, the largest fund ever raised by an independent private equity firm.

8. TPG Capital

TPG Capital has a total AUM of $109 billion. Founded in 1992 by David Bonderman and Jim Coulter, TPG Capital is headquartered in San Francisco. The company has 12 additional offices across eight countries.

Among the firms noteworthy transactions are its buyout of Continental Airlines in 1993, its acquisition of Petco in 2000 (with Leonard Green and Partners), and its leveraged buyout (along with Bain Capital and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners) of Burger King in 2002. Among its current portfolio holdings are Chobani, Fender, and Airbnb.

9. Warburg Pincus LLC

Warburg Pincus LLC has more than $73 billion in total AUM, invested in more than 235 companies. The firms roots are in E.M. Warburg & Co., founded in 1939, and Warburg Pincus was established in 1966. Headquartered in New York, it has offices in 13 countries.

10. Neuberger Berman Group LLC

Neuberger Berman Group LLC has $460 billion in total AUM, including $70 billion in private equity. Citing more than 25 years of experience in alternative investments, Neuberger Berman employs more than 648 professionals in the field in 25 countries worldwide.

Which private equity firms pay the most? Private equity is a very lucrative career. In 2019, according to a Heidrick & Struggles survey, average cash compensation, including bonuses, ranged from $1.1 million to $3.7 million for managing partners at private equity firms with less than $20 billion in assets under management (AUM). Our research found that the total average pay in 2019 ran from $596,000 to $2.2 million for partners and managing directors, depending on the firms AUM. Average compensation for associates and senior associates was less variable across firm sizes, ranging from $193,000 to $315,000. According to the H1B Database, which compiles the base salaries of all U.S. employees under the common H-1B visa, in 2019, the firms that paid the highest figures for an associate position were Apollo Global Management, KKR & Co., and Brookfield Asset Management. An associate is typically the lowest-ranking employee at a private equity firm. They are typically in their mid- to late 20s and have a prior background in investment banking, consulting, or other deal-related financial services. Peak Frameworks is a finance career prep platform founded by private equity and investment banking professionals. Peak Frameworks reports that Apollo Global Management is frequently reputed to be the highest-paying private equity firm in terms of all-in compensation, paying their associates upward of $400,000 per year.

Is Bain Capital prestigious? Bain Capital was founded in 1983 and is based in Boston. The company employs more than 1,000 employees at its global offices. Bain is well-known in large part as a result of its co-founder: Mitt Romney, who was the 2012 Republican presidential nominee. He has served as the junior U.S. senator from Utah since January 2019. Bains portfolio has included some major brands since its inception, including Clear Channel Communications, Canada Goose, Virgin Holidays Cruises, and Bugaboo International. Other major past holdings include Staples, Sports Authority, Guitar Center, Gymboree, Houghton Mifflin, Dominos Pizza, Burger King, The Weather Channel, and Brookstone. Overall, the fund has a preference for retail, restaurants, and other consumer brands.

How much does a vice president in private equity make? In private equity, your total compensation typically depends on the AUM of the firm for which you work. Firms that have larger AUMs usually pay their vice presidents more. According to the 2020 North American Private Equity Investment Professional Compensation Survey by Heidrick & Struggles, those in the vice president position at firms with an AUM of less than $500 million had a mean total cash compensation of $329,000 in 2019. For firms with an AUM of $10 billion to $19.99 billion, the mean total cash compensation was $592,000.

Which private equity firms are publicly traded? The four largest publicly traded private equity firms are Apollo Global Management (APO), The Blackstone Group (BX), The Carlyle Group (CG), and KKR & Co. (KKR). Alternatively, Advent International, Bain Capital, TPG Capital, and Warburg Pincus are all private companies.

The Bottom Line

Professional investors at private equity firms raise a large fund (usually from affluent investors) and reinvest those funds to seek the biggest possible profits. The nature of the private equity industry is risky, as firms often engage in large acquisitions and controversial leveraged buyouts. It is also not totally unheard of for private equity firms to lose billions of dollars or for the firms to fold completely. However, the firms in this article have all emerged as the largest and most successful private equity firms.
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Leading Irish American Congressman Peter King from Long Island has stated that he would swallow cyanide, essentially killing himself, if Senator Ted Cruz wins the Republican Party nomination.

King, Co-Chairman of the Friends of Ireland Caucus in Congress, has long been an outspoken politician who pulls no punches.

I hate Ted Cruz, and I think Ill take cyanide if he ever got the nomination, King said on MSNBCs Morning Joe, on Tuesday.

King has clashed with Cruz before after the Texas senator refused to vote for a bill to give aid to Long Island victims of 2012 Hurricane Sandy.

If Ted Cruz had prevailed, my constituents would be homeless, King said the following year.

When Cruz attacked New York values in Iowa during the primaries, King reacted strongly.

Im convinced and know that hes a fraud and a hypocrite, King said in an interview with BuzzFeed News.

Theres absolutely no moral, theres no basis for any of what Ted Cruz is all about. He was a fraud when he led the effort to shut down the government over Obamacare, but had no plan at all as to what to do once the government was shut down.

Coming to New York and basically begging for money from the same so-called rich people that he attacks, King continued.

Talking about New Yorks lack of values when New York was the inspiration for the country. All Americans were New Yorkers after 9/11. I dont know any other city in the country or region that could have responded the way New York did to 9/11. There was no panic; there was no fear. There was no crying and complaining.

King said anyone who voted for Cruz in New York needed their head examined.

For decades King was the most sympathetic Congressman to Sinn Fein and at one point the FBI prevented King from greeting President Ronald Reagan on a visit to Long Island.

King also has tough words for Trump.

The Congressman said if he wants support of Republicans hes got to get more substance, really learn what hes talking about and cant just be talking off the top of his head and making reckless charges. Trump needs to show that he understands whats happening in the Middle East, stating: He cant just say hes going to bomb the crap out of Isis.

King added that John Kasich, whom he voted for in the New York primary, could be a good choice for the role of Vice President.
Montreals Grey Nuns are being honored, in a touring exhibition, for their charity in caring for and dying with the sick Great Hunger victims in the fever sheds by the St. Lawrence River.

In the exhibit entitled Saving the Famine Irish: The Grey Nuns and the Great Hunger, which was on show at the Centaur Theatre in Montreal last week, examines the nuns' heroism and that of other locals. At least seven nuns died and many became severely ill as they nursed the Irish and found homes for the 1,500 orphans. At least 6,000 Irish people lost their lives.

When the coffin ships from Ireland began arriving in 1847 there were 50,000 people in Montreal. Over 100,000 Irish, emaciated and often diseased with typhus and other deadly infections, were on their way to Quebec and understandably many Montrealers were afraid. Many wanted the new arrivals pushed into the St. Lawrence River and at one-point Mayor John Mills was forced to deter a mob from doing so.

The immigration depot on Grosse Ile near Quebec City was unable to handle the deluge of Irish refugees and as many as 5,000 died there. Another 5,000  at least  died during the crossing from Ireland. Those Irish who survived were quarantined in the 22 fever sheds, built near where Victoria Bridge now stands.

The Grey Nuns, also known as the Sisters of Charity, were the first order to be called to help the Irish. There were just 40 nuns in the group and most of them became infected with typhus. They carried the sick Irish from the ships to the sheds where they cared for them. At least even Grey Nuns died, but those who recovered from the disease came back and continued to care for those who needed it.

There were 1,500 orphans left after the massive number of deaths. The Nuns found them homes either with other Irish families or French Canadians.

Also among those caring for the Irish were Catholic and Anglican clergymen, and several priests also lost their lives. There are also tales of British soldiers on security detail at the sheds giving up their rations to feed the Irish.

The Nuns' own writings on the disaster are the most detailed eye-witness accounts of the suffering, according to the National University of Ireland, Galway, Famine Archives. Their annals have been digitized, transcribed and translated and can now be read online.

The nuns amazing work was also described by John Francis Maguire in The Irish in America, in 1868. He wrote:

First came the Grey Nuns, strong in love and faith; but so malignant was the disease that thirty of their number were stricken down, and thirteen died the death of martyrs. There was no faltering, no holding back; no sooner were the ranks thinned by death than the gaps were quickly filled; and when the Grey Nuns were driven to the last extremity, the Sisters of Providence came to their assistance, and took their place by the side of the dying strangers. But when even their aid did not suffice to meet the emergency, the Sisters of St. Joseph, though cloistered nuns, received the permission of the Bishop to share with their sister religious the hardships and dangers of labor by day and night.

Jason King, from the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, and Christine Kinealy, director of Irelands Great Hunger Institute at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, put together a portrait of these incredible caregivers for the new exhibition. The exhibit has been on show at the Great Hunger Museum in Hamden, CT for a year will and now tour for a short time, beginning with Montreal.

The story of the Grey Nuns, and of the other religious orders who helped the dying Irish immigrants, is one of kindness, compassion and true charity, Kinealy said.

Nonetheless, almost 6,000 Irish immigrants perished in the fever sheds of Montreal. They had fled from famine in Ireland only to die of fever in Canada. This is a remarkable story that deserves to be better known.

Fergus Keyes, the Director of the Irish Monument Park Foundation, told the Montreal Gazette, The exhibit is to concentrate on the people who went to help them, and in many cases gave up their life.

That included John Mills, the mayor of Montreal at the time, who wasnt Irish, wasnt Catholic, but he set up the sheds and went and nursed the Irish and it cost him his life. Sometimes hes called the Martyr Mayor of Montreal.

Its hoped that the presence of the exhibition in Montreal will help highlight the campaign to create a park honoring those who lost their lives. Currently the only monument is the Black Rock monument, an engraved boulder under Victoria Bridge.

H/T: NUI Galway.
The Easter Rising, the rebellion which took place over the course of five days in Dublin in 1916 and forever changed the course of Irish history, led to the execution of its leaders. 1916 Easter Rising Leader Thomas MacDonagh was executed on May 3, 1916.

Below, Dermot McEvoy takes an in-depth look at the life of MacDonagh and his contribution to Irish history:

Easter Rising leader Thomas MacDonagh

Thomas MacDonagh was born in County Tipperary in 1878, the son of two schoolteachers. In 1902 he joined the Gaelic League, which began his intense interest in Irish nationalism. In 1913 he joined the Irish Volunteers and was appointed Commandant of the entire Dublin Brigade and Director-General of Training.

Read more The London Jew gave his life for Ireland during Easter 1916

He was an intellectual with an M.A. from University College Dublin. He had taught with Pearse at St. Endas and had been a prodigious writer and poet. His son Donagh remembered him leading: a peaceful and regular life at the beginning of the First World War. Happily married, surrounded by his friends, and his books, a friend to artist and scholar, he was, as Yeats said, coming into his force.

During Easter Week he was in charge of Jacobs Biscuit Factory (now the Dublin Institute of Technology) at Bishop and Aungier Streets. Although beloved by his men, he wasnt much of a soldier. He had run into Major John MacBride while mustering his troops at St, Stephens Green, and MacBride was soon running things inside Jacobs.

Of all the outposts taken by the rebels, Jacobs saw the least action. After Nurse OFarrell brought Pearses terms of surrender to him MacDonagh met with General Lowe and decided to surrender his station. They might shoot some of us, he told the Volunteers, they cant shoot all of us. The troops rose up in revolt and were only quieted by the words of MacBride. MacDonagh and MacBride then marched the troops to St. Patricks Park where they surrendered to Lowe.

Read more The major role of gay women in the 1916 Easter Rising

At his court-martial MacDonagh remained mute until the end where he said he did everything I could to assist the officers in the matter of the Surrender, telling them where the arms and ammunition were after the surrender was decided upon. Reflecting on this statement he wrote in a letter to his wife just before he was executed: At my court-martial in rebutting some trifling evidence I made a statementOn hearing it read after, it struck me that it might sound like an appeal. It was not such. I made no appeal, no recantation, no apology for my acts. In what I said I merely claimed that I acted honorably and thoroughly in all that I set myself to doIn all my actsI have been actuated by one motive only, the love of my country, the desire to make her a sovereign independent state. I am ready to die and I think God that I die in such a holy cause.

Father Aloysius from Church Street stated: I heard the Confessions of Pearse and MacDonagh and gave them both Holy Communion. They received the Blessed Sacrament with intense devotion and spent the time at their disposal in prayer. They were happy  no trace of fear or anxiety.

After Pearse was executed, MacDonagh was next. A British soldier said: They all died well, but MacDonagh died like a prince.

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But tragedy would continue to haunt the MacDonagh family, even after Thomas death. He was married to Muriel, one of the highly nationalistic Gifford sisters. He was brother-in-law to Joseph Plunkett, who married Grace Gifford.

Muriel converted to Catholicism and on the first anniversary of her husbands death and received her First Holy Communion. In the summer of 1917, the widows and families of several of the 1916 martyrs were sent on a seaside holiday to Skerries, County Dublin sponsored by the Irish National Aid and Volunteer Dependents Fund, which was administered by Michael Collins. On July 9 Muriel went swimming, got into difficulty, and drowned. According to Anne Clare in her book about the Gifford sisters, 'Unlikely Rebels,' [The MacDonagh children] were collecting shells on the beach with their Aunt Grace when she noticed that her sister was in difficulty. She frantically alerted a boats crew to the danger, and Jimmy ODea, the Dublin comedian, was among those who rushed, unsuccessfully, to help, but, too late, they succeeded only in retrieving Muriels lifeless body. The first of the Gifford girls to marry, she was now the first to die. Her two children were subsequently raised by the MacDonagh family.

~~~~~~

*Dermot McEvoy is the author of "The 13th Apostle: A Novel of a Dublin Family, Michael Collins, and the Irish Uprising and Irish Miscellany" (Skyhorse Publishing). He may be reached at dermotmcevoy50@gmail.com. Follow him on his website and Facebook page.

* Originally published in 2016. Updated January 2022.

Read more A guide to the key figures and moments of the 1916 Easter Rising

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A High Court judge has refused to allow an English company to fund a legal action against the State, businessman Denis O'Brien and former Government Minister Michael Lowry.

The decision, based on a law that dates back to 1634, means that the case will not go ahead as the plaintiff does not have enough money to pay the legal fees.

Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly said today that third-party funding in such cases is illegal under Irish law.

The plaintiff, James Boyle of Persona Digital Telephony, said he does not have the 10m needed, and will therefore have to drop the case.

Mr Boyle had sought to take a case after his company lost out on a mobile phone licence that was issued to Denis O'Brien's Esat Digifone consortium in 1996.

He claimed that Esat won the competition by bribing the then Minister for Communications Michael Lowry - which is denied.

While third-party funding of legal cases is common in Britain, it is banned in Ireland under the ancient law of 'champerty'.

It states that no third party should be allowed to fund a legal case in the hope that they will take a share of any financial award.

The law is believed to date back to Roman times and became part of Irish law during British rule when the Maintenance and Embracery Act was passed in 1634.

This case was the first time that a direct challenge has been made to the law in an Irish court.

In her judgment, Justice Donnelly said that she had considered arguments made by Persona's legal team that the constitutional right to access to the courts should supersede an ancient law that had been abandoned in Britain and elsewhere.

She said that she accepted an affidavit filed by Mr Boyle in which he said that he is "nowhere near the estimated 10m required to finance the proposed litigation".

She said that Mr Boyle had confirmed that if the funding arrangement is not approved, he will have no other means of prosecuting the case.

She added that Persona's legal team had said their claim is "of great public importance" and that if she allowed the funding arrangement she would ensure "the constitutional guarantee of access to justice".

But citing numerous judgments by Irish courts upholding the law of champerty, she said third party funding arrangements, "cannot be viewed as being consistent with public policy in this jurisdiction".

She said third-party funding remains a civil wrong and a criminal offence in Ireland, regardless of changes in attitude to similar arrangements in Britain or elsewhere.

She also pointed out that Persona had not challenged the constitutionality of the law and that the Superior Courts of Ireland have upheld the elements of champerty.

Justice Donnelly further noted that the legislature upheld the law on champerty in 2007 when it held a review of ancient laws and disposed of some of them.

Citing a previous judgment from 2011, she wrote: "In Ireland it is unlawful for a party without an interest to fund the litigation of another at all and, in particular, it is unlawful to fund litigation in return for a share of the proceeds."

At a brief hearing she concluded: "In the circumstances, I refuse the relief sought by the plaintiffs."
Update - 6.45pm: The acting Justice Minister has said it is "unlikely" there will be a vote to elect a new Taoiseach this week.

Frances Fitzgerald's comments came as Fine Gael continued its talks with Fianna Fail on forming a minority government.

Earlier: Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae says neither he or his brother Michael will vote for Enda Kenny as Taoiseach if there is a vote on the issue in the Dail tomorrow.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are back around the talks table this afternoon, with the contentious issue of Irish Water set to be the biggest stumbling block.

He told Radio Kerry he was very hurt by the actions of both parties in attacking independents in the media last weekend.

Mr Healy-Rae said: "Some people say we are supposed to be the meat in the sandwich, I say we are not even the butter.

"When I see what's going on and that Fianna Fail are prepared to vote to support Fine Gael, it makes no difference to me what Fianna Fail say, they are supporting a Fine Gael government - whether it is minority or otherwise - they have the vote between the two of them not to need any independents."

One of the Fianna Fail negotiators says with goodwill and compromise they can conclude a deal to facilitate a Fine Gael minority government.

Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen was giving little away on Irish Water.

He said: "Look, it is like many other issues that are contained in our manifesto."

His colleague Michael McGrath said there was good progress, but that nothing was agreed until everything is agreed.

He said there were no deadlines, but also said: "There are some thorny issues yet to be agreed, that does require goodwill on all sides and indeed compromise."

And that compromise is being signaled from Fine Gael's Simon Coveney, who said: "Obviously the parties have had differences on a number of issues and we are trying to work our way through those differences to find compromise and a way forward."

But Irish Water is the biggest stumbling block and senior Fine Gael sources say it is being left to them to "fix it".

However, there is an increasing sense that a deal could now be hammered out to allow for the election of Enda Kenny as Taoiseach on Thursday.
A tattooed man has tried to snatch a four-year-old girl from a playground in London, UK police have said.

The girl was playing in Victoria Park at around 1.20pm on Sunday when the man grabbed her arm and tried to drag her away.
Gunmen on motorcycles have shot and killed seven Pakistani police officers involved in a polio vaccination campaign in two separate attacks in the port city of Karachi.

The officers killed had been deployed to protect health workers administering the vaccinations. No health staff were harmed in the attacks, which occurred minutes apart, and police said authorities have no plans to suspend the polio campaign as a result.
Right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik's human rights have been violated during his imprisonment for terrorism and mass murder, a Norwegian court has ruled.

The prison conditions breached an article in the European Convention on Human Rights prohibiting inhuman and degrading treatment, Oslo district court said.

The court dismissed Breivik's claim that the government had also violated his right to respect for private and family life.

The ruling specifically cited Breivik's isolation in two different prisons since his arrest on July 22 2011.

It also said authorities had not given enough attention to his mental health when determining his conditions in prison.

The court dismissed Breivik's claim that the government had also violated his right to respect for private and family life. It ordered the government to pay Breivik's legal costs of 331,000 kroner (35,725).

"The prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment represents a fundamental value in a democratic society," the court said. "This applies no matter what - also in the treatment of terrorists and killers."

Breivik sued the government, saying his isolation from other prisoners, frequent strip searches and the fact that he was often handcuffed while moving between the three cells at his disposal violated his human rights.

During a four-day hearing at the Skien prison where he is serving his sentence, he also complained about the quality of the prison food and about having to eat with plastic utensils.

The government rejected his complaints, saying he was treated humanely despite the severity of his crimes.

Breivik's attacks shocked Norway on July 22, 2011.

After months of meticulous preparations, he set off a car bomb outside the government headquarters in Oslo, killing eight people and wounding dozens.

He then drove to Utoya island, where he opened fire on the annual summer camp of the left-wing Labour Party's youth wing.

Sixty-nine people were killed, most of them teenagers, before Breivik surrendered to police.
The yoghurt maker, producer of Actimel and Activia, reported a 3.5% rise in first-quarter like-for-like revenue due to robust baby food sales in Asia, stronger dairy product demand in North America and a better than expected performance at its water division, according to Reuters press agency.

The company had projected 3.2% growth in group sales. Danones shares rose 4% following its decision to raise its Q1 projections.

Like other European food companies, Danone has also had to cope with challenging conditions in Brazil and Russia.

Danone, which competes globally with Nestle and Unilever, has had to cope with difficult market conditions, including in Europe, as well as the impact of food safety scares in Asia.

Danones first-quarter performance lagged its rivals, with Unilevers first-quarter sales up 4.7% and Nestle producing sales growth of 3.9%.

Emmanuel Faber, who took over as chief executive in October 2014, is trying to return Danone to profitable and sustainable growth by 2020, reviewing its business in China and overhauling its dairy division in Europe, where it has cut costs and launched new products.

We continue to view Danone as much more robust than in the past and continue to see Danone 2020 as a coherent medium-term strategy, Societe Generale analysts said, referring to Fabers growth plans.

Meanwhile, Danone and other infant formula manufacturers are keeping a close eye on Chinas move to close off a tax loophole that has allowed lower prices to be paid for goods sold through websites operating outside of China.

Products sold on websites and shipped overseas to Chinese consumers now face an effective 11.9% tax increase as the government overhauls an e-commerce system that inadvertently gave some foreign companies a pricing edge over similar imported products available in Chinas domestic market.

Reports by press agency Bloomberg cite Danone, Australias a2 Milk Co and Bellamys Australia Ltd among companies who had enjoyed online sales growth.

The regulation may pose a challenge for some foreign companies including Danone, whose Nutrilon and Cow & Gate brands are sold through such overseas websites.

Foreign companies need to move toward direct sales because of what the Chinese authorities are doing to quash the grey market, said James Bascand, an analyst at Forsyth Barr Ltd.
The applicants  Gerard Dowling, Padraig McManus, Piotr Skoczylas, and Malta-based firm Scotchstone Capital Fund Limited  had their case heard for the first time in the European Court of Justice yesterday.

While no date was set for the verdict, court officials confirmed a preliminary opinion by an EU judge is usually made within two to four months of the hearing.

A final verdict is likely by the end of the year.

IL&P was split into Irish Life and Permanent TSB.

The Government subsequently sold Irish Life to Canadian insurance giant Great-West Lifeco.

By 2010, the State had guaranteed deposits in IL&P amounting to 26bn. It then made legal commitments, under the EU-IMF bailout, to recapitalise all viable banks.

The banking and insurance group was nationalised in July 2011 after stress tests ordered under the bailout showed that the banking arm needed to raise billions of euro in new capital  which was later injected by the Government.

However, some shareholders said they could raise the capital privately, and voted against the order at an extraordinary general meeting at the time.

Those taking the case allege that Minister for Finance Michael Noonan breached EU company law by ordering the injection of funds.

The move had the effect of lowering IL&Ps share price, depriving them of earnings, they claim.

The case was referred to the EU court by the Irish High Court in February to check whether the recapitalisation  which was enforced under the Credit Institutions Stabilisation Act of 2010 - contravenes EU company law, which contains safeguards for the protection of shareholders in public limited liability companies.

A spokesman for the Department of Finance said the department would be robustly defending its case at the European Court of Justice.

This matter is currently before the courts and is therefore sub judice, the spokesman said. We will therefore not be commenting other than to confirm that the litigation will be robustly defended.
In a report published yesterday, the European Court of Auditors said the EUs rules, which were tightened up during the financial crisis, have not proved fully effective in reducing debts and encouraging reforms across the EU.

The report contrasts with the European Commissions new emphasis on flexibility in EU debt and deficit rules, part of its bid to promote investment and boost domestic demand.

EU rules say national annual budget deficits of member states should be under 3% of GDP, while gross debt burdens should not exceed 60% of GDP.

Countries that flout the rules are placed under extra surveillance, known as the excessive deficit procedure and asked to meet strict debt-reduction targets.

The auditors said the Commission has deviated from the rules over the last seven years, and has not used sufficiently objective arguments when checking whether EU countries met their targets.

They said that with Italy and France, in particular, the Commission had used a high degree of flexibility and discretion.

Last year, Frances deficit deadline was extended to 2017, despite the fact that the country was not on course to meet any nominal or structural indicators, said auditors, a result that should have led to a rap on the knuckles.

The report also pointed to the fact that Italy has not been censured, despite having the second-highest gross debt in the EU, and being in breach of the EUs debt-reduction rule.

The report also points to the fact that EU governments have had an undue influence on the process, pointing to the case of Cyprus in 2010.

I would not argue the Commission was political, but you could say that the Commission was not enforcing the procedure to its full extent, Milan Martin Cvikl, the EU auditor who authored the report, told the Irish Examiner.

The Commission was not implementing its own rules, or departed from those rules, and we have difficulties to understand why.

Ireland is technically still under an excessive deficit procedure  EDP  but is due to exit it this spring, as the latest Commission forecasts show the deficit was only 1.8% of GDP last year.

Department of Finance figures show the amount it has collected in tax revenues is ahead of target this year.

Fortunately, developments in the Irish economy and fiscal position have meant that Ireland is not expected to be one of the countries subjected to the EDP in the coming years, said Kevin Cardiff, Irelands representative on the European Court of Auditors and former Department of Finance secretary general.

However, it is important to all EU member states that the overall process works well and that emergent fiscal or macroeconomic problems are identified and addressed in a timely manner.

The Commission said it was committed to equal treatment of member states and that it has taken action to ensure the consistent application of rules and will continue to do so.

The court looked at the application of the rules from 2008 to 2015 in a sample of six countries: Germany, Italy, France, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, and Malta.
What widened my eyes was their view that Ireland produces businesspeople who thrive with limited resources.

Because of our small population and the absence of huge wealth, Irish men and women who set out to develop and grow companies have a hunger and ambition that are often absent elsewhere in the world.

Moreover, our small island-nation status means ambitious business leaders must travel extensively to compete, which, in itself, helps forge hardened business models capable of tackling the toughest markets.

It was also noted at the event that the eco-systems in Irish business, including the IT community, centred around giant companies such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, Microsoft, and Apple, are setting the seeds for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The skills and abilities honed working for these world-class companies create individuals who will, some day, build their own companies with external capital and who will be new champions for Ireland.

All of this is in parallel with major developments that could improve large, multinational investing in Ireland.

Under so-called BEPS (base erosion profit-sharing) rules being worked by the OECD, it is becoming harder to secure low tax rates in countries like Ireland, unless it is crystal clear that the core skills and assets of that business reside in the country.

Important companies have moved their senior executive teams and decision-makers to Ireland as part of this process.

That could unleash another wave of investment and expansion by companies that have seen, first-hand, the benefits, from a cultural, business, and tax perspective, of centralising activities in the Republic.

Such a prospect again foregrounds the debate about where these businesses should reside.

You might have noted headline announcements in recent weeks, by companies committing to large job projects in Ireland, but these have a distinct bias towards the greater Dublin area.

I am surprised that more announcements are not being won in Cork, Limerick, and Galway, where residential and commercial costs are significantly lower than in the capital.

You can listen to the usual excuses  transport links, preferences for big cities, and so on  but the regions outside of Dublin have important competitive advantages around costs, leisure pursuits, and third-level support, which warrant a greater number of wins for mobile international investment.

Regarding the formation of a government, there is much noise about interests outside of Dublin, but this seems overly focused on road repairs and the number of Garda stations or post offices being closed.

Should the debate not be more advanced and demand answers as to why the cities outside Dublin are not announcing major industrial services and manufacturing projects with hundreds of jobs attached?

The more Dublin secures rolling waves of investment, relative to the rest of the country, the more unbalanced the economy risks becoming.

Many years ago, the IFSC and Shannon Free Zone won investment because they had specific corporate tax advantages that drove investors to those sites.

Today, a US multinational setting up in Midleton, Ennis, or Mullingar gets the same 12.5% rate as those in the centre of the capital.

We are not doing enough to generate a new pipeline of major investments outside the Pale, and shoulder-shrugging is a pathetic response to the challenge.

Joe Gill is director of corporate broking with Goodbody Stockbrokers. His views are personal.
The unnamed whistleblower last week used the whistleblowing system to alert the Single Supervisory Mechanism, or SSM  the ECBs new regulator of lenders across the eurozone.

The claims were first reported by RTE.

Yesterday, Mr Hayes -- who sits on the European Parliaments key Econ Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs  said he had submitted a formal query to the ECBs SSM because the complaint raised serious issues about the workings of Europes new oversight system.

The SSM was set up to prevent any repeat of the events that led to the banking collapse, and any assertion that a bank did not accurately report on the status of its loan book cannot be taken lightly, the MEP said.

He said the SSM should clarify what it intends to do with the complaint because it was its responsibility and it should not try to wash its hands of the claims.

After the financial collapse in Ireland and in Europe, the SSM needs to act transparently and get to the bottom of the claims, he said.

The MEP said that the case needed to be investigated at a European level.

The claims were significant for all banks because of the many billions of euro that the State had injected to save the lenders during the crash, he said.

Eugene McErlean  an authority on the banking industry and corporate governance -- told the Irish Examiner last week that because of the confidentiality surrounding the whistleblowing system that it was impossible to assess the veracity of the claims but that the case raised concerns that went beyond any single lender.

The ECB, the Central Bank and AIB declined to comment when contacted yesterday.

It is believed the ECB has not yet received Mr Hayes correspondence but plans to reply in writing once the letter has been received.
In all, 25 companies were feted at the awards night at the Double Tree Hilton, Dublin.

The overall award went to construction firms BAM Civil and Wayss & Freytag, partners on the Corrib Gas Tunnel.
The proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and US has faced significant opposition despite the projected benefits both sides claim it would have on economic growth and employment.

One of the greatest concerns centred on the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism which was to allow for protection of European companies investments in the US and vice versa.
Perhaps you want to invest in foreign currency. You might want to get a higher rate of investment return.

It could be as simple as needing to facilitate foreign customers, or provide funds to a son or daughter in university abroad.

You might have business in a country where the conduct of some of the authorities there leads to risks of graft and bribe-taking, so the less they know about your affairs the better.

Merely having an offshore account does not make you a tax evader.

This, at least, was the conventional wisdom before the leaking of the Mossack Fonseca papers  the so-called Panama papers.

Panama is now seen as a toxic destination in which to do business.

The OECD was quick to point out, just days after the Panama files story broke, that it had consistently warned of the risks of countries such as Panama failing to comply with the accepted norms of tax transparency.

But the OECD also pointed out that the leaked documents showed a decline in the use of offshore companies and other forms of structures to conceal money which had been located abroad.

That side of the story has been a little eclipsed by the juicier revelations of the apparent involvement of household names with the Panama goings-on.

Ireland is not Panama. Dealing with colleagues in other countries, it frequently strikes me how long-established and robust the anti-tax evasion laws are here, compared even with the likes of highly developed economies.

For instance, the Australian authorities are bringing in rules to ensure tax on capital gains on Australian property is paid. Ireland has had those rules for more than 40 years.

In the last decade or so in this country, we have seen a succession of enquiries and investigations into the use of bank accounts and other forms of offshore or quasi-offshore investments to hide untaxed money  Ansbacher, bogus non-resident accounts, offshore assets and the like.

The amount of tax being recovered from these investigations  in excess of 1bn  virtually guaranteed that whatever powers were needed would be provided to Revenue by the Government.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the cross-border activities of multinational companies are the main matter of concern to the various tax authorities across the world.

In actual fact, much of the international focus in recent years has been on the kind of offshore tax evasion issues brought to the fore by the Panama papers.

Information exchange is the area of international tax co-operation which has seen the most rapid evolution.

Traditional offshore havens have had to sign up to information exchange agreements with other countries, and it was Panamas reticence in this regard that was highlighted last week by the OECD.

The scale of the information in the Panama papers prompted rapid response.

At the administrative level, tax inspectors from several countries, Ireland included, met in Paris a few days ago to kick off co-operation and information-sharing in light of the Panama papers.

I gather that they hammered out a plan of action towards identifying taxpayers with assets offshore.

Perhaps more cynically, the EU Commission last week announced proposals for more detailed tax reporting by large multinationals.

Although such reporting has nothing to do with tax evasion, the current public debate means any type of tax monitoring has a far better chance of securing political approval now than it might have had just a fortnight ago.

Similarly, stronger proposals for anti-money laundering laws which were already going through the system now have a better prospect of success and widespread adoption than before.

Some of these safeguards and powers smack of bolting the stable door long after the horse has gone.

While it would be foolish to claim it is no longer possible to open and keep secret a foreign bank account in which to hide untaxed funds, it is certainly a lot harder than it used to be.

In Ireland, the current system of Revenue enquiries and penalties has already been comprehensively defined by the lessons of past offshore investigations.

In the international arena, it looks like the system of cross-border tax policing will be defined by the lessons of Mossack Fonseca.

Brian Keegan is director of taxation at Chartered Accountants Ireland
The Irish-founded company, which trades here as Penneys, yesterday posted first half revenues of just under 2.67bn (3.38bn), for the six months to the end of February  up 5% year-on-year but ahead less than 1% on a like-for-like basis.

Unseasonably warm weather across northern Europe damaged like-for-like sales while the positive impact of new openings in certain markets also eased.
With the recent dip in the Chinese economy, it appears work in the construction industry is becoming very scarce in the country.

Local government officials believe this incident was sparked in a row between competing contractors.
Donegal airport came in at number seven in the survey carried out by private jet booking service Private Fly.

Malta international airport topped the poll, followed by Nice Cote DAzur in France and Queenstown Airport in New Zealand.
Argentine agricultural minister Ricardo Buryaile and members of his staff have met with Monsanto representatives, inlcuding chief operating officer Brett Begemann to request a waiver on the monies owed.

The seed company rejected that request, two unnamed Monsanto staff told press agency Bloomberg.

The firm also rejected a request for more time to collect the royalties from small farmers.

Monsanto is set to challenge Argentinas attempts to retain control over lab analysis to verify the origin of its grain exports.

On April 15, the Argentinian government passed a resolution that gives the Agriculture Ministry control of the analysis of seeds in the country, a move that would render obsolete a Monsanto-funded network of labs set up to detect its seeds at Argentine ports and help enforce payment.

The government resolution comes as farmers are in mid delivery of the 2015-16 soybean crop for export.

The St Louis-based seed company has fought for years to collect the money it says its owed in Argentina, the worlds third-largest grower of soybeans.

Some of its crop is grown from modified beans saved from a previous harvest.

That practice is outlawed by biotech-seed companies, who aim to supply each years seeds for planting.

Farmers, both in Argentina and elsewhere, object to the strategy, choosing instead to hoard and then sow modified seeds.
The case against five members of the Heaphy family was scheduled to go to trial by judge and jury yesterday and it had been estimated that it would have taken three to four weeks at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

However, Judge Sean O Donnabhain told the jury panellists that they were not required after the five accused pleaded guilty to various charges related to the concealment of the source of money being the proceeds of crime.

Jonathan Heaphy, aged 34, of 131 St Colemans Rd, Farranree, Cork, pleaded guilty to the greatest number of charges, nine, out of the five accused yesterday. He admitted having cash sums of 29,500, 2,200, 650, and 3,000 at his home , and a post office account with a 10,500 balance; and a post office account in a juveniles name with a 10,010 balance. He also pleaded guilty to having 28,000 and 200 in cash and a post office account with just over 10,000 at 131 St Colemans Rd.

The wording on all charges is similar  stating that the accused engaged in concealing the source of funds, namely the particular amount of cash or the particular post office book with certain balance, knowing or being reckless as to whether it represented the proceeds of criminal conduct.

Daniel Heaphy, aged 20, of 59 Kerryhall Rd, pleaded guilty to having 10,000 in an An Post book located behind a kickboard at 131 St Colemans Road.

Helen Heaphy, aged 51, of 59 Kerryhall Rd, admitted having a post office book with about 6,000 in it.

Jessica Heaphy, aged 20, of 59 Kerryhall Rd, pleaded guilty to having 2,000 in cash and 4,000 in a post office book inside a cereal box at 11 Kerryhall Rd.

Nicole Heaphy of 131 St Colemans Rd admitted having a 2,000 post office book and cash of 28,000 and 200.

All five members of the family were remanded on bail until May 9 for sentencing. There was no application for any reports.

The case arises out an operation into money laundering by gardai attached to the Divisional Fraud Investigation Unit at Anglesea St in Cork city, assisted by the Divisional Drug Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau.

The seizures of cash and post office books were made in February and March 2014 in the course of searches at houses at 11 Kerryhall Rd, Fairhill, Cork, and 131 St Colemans Rd, Cork.

Solicitors were appointed to represent each of the accused on free legal aid when they were charged. Barristers were appointed in each case when the case was sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Applications for senior counsel were initially refused.

However, when it emerged that the State would be prosecuting the case with a senior counsel Judge Sean O Donnabhain then acceded to applications by junior counsel for each of the accused to have free legal aid extended for a senior counsel for each defendant.

The charges are all brought under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
Negotiations will resume but no vote for Taoiseach is expected to be declared today as the two parties attempt to come to a deal on Fianna Fail facilitating a Fine Gael minority government.

It is understood the two parties have already agreed a one-page document on how the mechanics of a minority government will work. This includes the potential for regular reviews.

Senior Fianna Fail sources say they are happy with the talks so far. Fine Gael Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said water charges could be a stumbling block. He also said people needed to be patient. Negotiation teams with the two parties finally came around to discussing water charges and Irish Water yesterday evening. However, it is believed that no formal deal has been agreed. While Fine Gael are pushing to retain charges, Fianna Fail wants them frozen for a period and Irish Water scrapped.

The two teams discussed the economy and their own policy differences. This included the universal social charge and what its future may be. Fine Gael wants to phase out the USC while Fianna Fail wants it reduced but retained in order to fund services. The Irish Examiner understands that papers on these two areas may be exchanged today, when talks resume. Fine Gael has already said changes on the USC will go to a Dail committee where alternatives could be agreed.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said that there was unlikely to be a further vote to elect a Taoiseach today. Instead, the Dail will hear discussions on health, insurance costs and a Dail housing committee will also meet for the first time.

Labour will host its parliamentary party meeting today, where the matter of supporting a minority government is expected to be debated. No party meetings, as of last night, had been scheduled for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

The talks on water charges in the government formation talks come as the utility faces increasing pressure to immediately publish its latest figures on how many people are still paying water charges.

The latest quarterly figures from the group  for January, February, and March and how many people have cancelled bills since the election  are due out in the coming days under strict rules for utility.

However, opposition concern is growing that the politicised payment rates are being delayed due to the highly sensitive government negotiations taking place.

Under existing rules, Irish Water must publish the records 21 days after the end of the billing period  a three-week delay designed to double check figures  meaning the details may be made public this week.

However, it is understood the utility is considering delaying the release of details for an unknown period. It is claimed this is because some people may not have received their bills before the end of March as they may have moved home in the period, meaning the 21-day period which ends tomorrow will be delayed.

Anti-Austerity Alliance/People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy and Sinn Feins TD Eoin O Broin have called for the information to be published immediately.
Barrister Ivan Daly told the court that in May 2013, Chloe Byrne was at Scoil Eoin, Greendale Rd, Kilbarrack, Dublin, when she fell against the stump of a metal bar which was sticking out of a rock in the playground.

The court yesterday heard that Chloe, of St Donaghs Rd, Donaghmede, lacerated her right leg, which had been bleeding heavily.
A report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that emissions from almost 100 major industrial and institutional sites in Ireland  which participate in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)  increased by 5.5% last year.

Across the EU as a whole, ETS emissions fell by approximately 0.4%. Emissions from the power generation sector increased by 5.3%.

Emissions in the cement industry rose by 10.8% while aviation emissions increased by 11%. The food and drink sectors emissions were up 4.6%.

The greater use of the coal-fired plant at Moneypoint for electricity generation last year (its emissions increased by 20%) was the main factor in the overall national increase in power generation emissions.

In the aviation sector, growth was 11%, due to growth in business across the European Economic Area of flights by Irish-registered carriers.

Almost 100 major industrial and institutional sites in Ireland participate in the ETS. These include sites operating in the power generation, cement, lime and oil refining sectors.

Also included are large firms in sectors such as food and drink, pharmaceuticals, and semi-conductors.

Aviation emissions have been included in the scheme since 2012.

Companies participating in the scheme are required to report their emissions to the EPA by March 31 each year.

EPA director general Laura Burke said the results were disappointing.

The increase in emissions is disappointing and points to the fact that economic growth needs to be decoupled from emissions growth. The increased use of coal for electricity generation in Ireland contrasts sharply with the pledge in the December 2015 White Paper on Energy to reduce energy-related carbon emissions by between 80% and 95%, compared with 1990 levels.

Ms Burke said stronger incentives were needed to help companies move towards greener options.

We need a stronger incentive to move away from carbon-intensive fuels like coal in the short term and from fossil fuel use in general in the long term. Reforming the EU ETS to give a stronger carbon price would speed up the decarbonisation needed for a carbon neutral economy, she said.

The report comes just one month after the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) outlined how major action was needed for Ireland to achieve its 2020 renewable energy targets.

Under binding EU targets, 16% of final energy use must be from renewable sources. This is broken down into 10% for transport, 12% for heat, and 10% for electricity.

Currently, Ireland is just over halfway towards meeting its 2020 renewable energy target, with 8.6% of gross final consumption derived from renewables in 2014.

The SEAI report highlights that, while 40,000 homes and 550 businesses are currently using some form of renewable heat technologies, this level needs to increase seven-fold in order to hit the 2020 targets.
Opening the proceedings for Chase (Cork Harbour Area for a Safe Environment), solicitor Joe Noonan said they were concerned by the addition at this stage of substantial information about the process, which he said should have been included in the original planning application.

He said CHASE was entitled to adequate time to assess this information, that there were difficulties in trying to deal with issues on the hoof, and he requested that it be noted CHASE were continuing to engage with the hearing under protest.

There was uproar in the packed room amid claims the website on which this additional information will be made available is owned and operated by Indaver, with some expressing concern the information could be diluted.

Mr Noonan questioned the validity of Indavers application to An Bord Pleanala, saying the name Indaver Ireland, as given on the application, did not tally with the company registration number provided, which he said belonged to Belgian company Indaver NV plc. The boards senior planning inspector Derek Daly said the issues raised would be addressed during the course of the hearing.

Much of the morning was taken up with a roll call of those who made or contributed to the 260 submissions to the board, with 27 groups and many more individuals indicating they would be presenting in large numbers over the coming weeks.

Ringaskiddy Residents Assocation said they would have 40 speakers.

Acting junior Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sherlock expressed concern that construction of an incinerator in close proximity to the 29m IMERC campus  an innovation hub with 45 industry partners which was intent on positioning Ireland to the forefront of marine renewable energy globally  might compromise future investment.

In his opening statement in the afternoon, Rory Mulcahy SC, on behalf of Indaver, said the landscape had changed completely since the last time the company sought, and was refused planning permission. On the previous occasion, the plan to treat municipal waste did not accord with the relevant policies of the time.

However, the development proposed is now entirely in accordance with both waste and energy policy at a national, regional, and local level, said Mr Mulcahy.

He confirmed the company will have to seek a new licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its planned 240,000 tonnes per-annum waste-to-recovery facility, as the previous licence, granted in 2005, had expired.

An account by Indaver Ireland managing director John Ahern of how the company operates, prompted a comment that, on the occasion of a fourth public hearing into his proposals, his lecture on incineration had lost the charm of novelty.

A number of experts spoke on Indavers behalf, including Dave Coakley, of Coakley ONeill Town Planning Ltd, who concluded the application would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Fiona Patterson of consultant engineers Arup, who spoke about site suitability, said it had been primarily evaluated according to criteria in the Southern Region Waste Management Plan 2015-2021 and that the conclusionswere that the site was suitable for the facility.

Niall Harte, who leads the transportation division of Arups Cork office, said they accepted the advice of Cork County Council to restrict construction traffic to the site during two peak periods 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. He said the development can be accommodated by the local road network.

Ken Leahy, head of Arups flood risk assessment and management concluded that in flood risk terms, the site at Ringaskiddy is considered appropriate for development of the nature proposed.

The hearing continues today. It is Indavers third application for planning permission since 2001 and opposition to the proposal remains undimmed among the local community.
Tanaiste Joan Burton also informed party members in a letter last night that her preference is to remain in opposition and rebuild the party in an alliance with other small parties.

The clarification comes after days of speculation that Labour, after requests from Fine Gael, was looking at taking on a role in a minority government led by Enda Kenny. Amid a backlash to the suggestion, Ms Burton told members she wished to join forces with the Social Democrats and the Greens on the opposition benches.

The purpose of such a progressive alliance would be to ensure a strong grouping in opposition to fight for progressive causes and ensure policies are promoted that improve peoples lives, said Ms Burton. That remains my preferred option.

Nine in 10 members had responded, saying that was their preference for the party going forward, she said. Labour, she said, had now notified its previous candidates a second election could be coming down the tracks and to be ready.

Most of us are also fully aware that in the current uncertainty, a second election cannot be ruled out, she said. Accordingly, our general secretary is making provision for that, and has been in touch with candidates in recent days. We will be ready should another election occur.

Meanwhile, there have been renewed calls for Ms Burton to step aside.

Labour members and former advisors also shot down the scenario of Labour going back into government with Fine Gael yesterday.

Former Labour strategist Fergus Finlay said going back into government with just seven TDs remaining would be appalling and the party needed a fresh leader.

I think it would be appalling, he said. I do not object to the notion of Labour supporting from the outside. They should be in the position of supporting what they can and criticising what they have to. But Labour has no mandate. If they were to go into government now, it would split the party down the middle.

Speaking to Newstalk, Mr Finlay said of Ms Burton: She has done all she can do. But in the aftermath of an election result like that, every democratic leader in the world knows the consequences. You either leave or you take responsibility.

Opinion in Labour is now hardening against the idea of Labour returning to government. Such a move would likely not see a leadership election contest.

Former party general secretary Ray Kavanagh said: I would prefer to see us going into opposition. Many of us want the party to rebuild its membership, its candidates, its policies, what we stand for now and that is extra to what is required for government.

Dublin city councillor Alison Gilliland said she was extremely reticent about Labour returning to government. Former Labour press advisor Tony Heffernan said Labour members want a leadership election.

Labour will hold its weekly parliamentary party meeting today, the last for some party senators. Party sources say members are expected to forcefully argue against the idea of returning to government.
A TRADE union at one of the countrys multinationals has confirmed it will demand a pay rise for its members.

The union spokesman was reluctant to say, ahead of full consultation with members, how much would be sought. However, when pressed on whether the increase would be significant, he replied: Well, we are not going to do a Luas on it.

The original, 53% demand from the Luas workers, and the subsequent rejection of up to 18% over 33 months, following protracted negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), has generated waves across the trade-union movement  as has the way the company has subsequently sought to tackle the situation.

Such percentages had been unprecedented. Even WRC director general, Kieran Mulvey, in the interview that brought him into conflict with Siptu president, Jack OConnor, earlier this month, said that most union officials, and most union members, if they had got those kinds of proposals from the commission, would go back to their members and receive a standing ovation.

That is because the trend in the private sector had been for increases of 2%-3%. An Industrial Relations News/CIPD survey forecasted average increases of 2.8% for 2016.

In the wake of the Luas claim, the National Bus and Rail Union quickly indicated it would be seeking rises of up to 25% for its members in Irish Rail, while bus workers put in a claim for up to 13%.

An image comparing a Luas driver and a junior doctor spread quickly across social media. Beneath the picture, the reader was told the junior doctor worked 72 hours on-call duty per week, needed five years of training, yet had a starting salary of 30,000. It said the doctors were fighting for an end to 24-hour shifts.

Beneath the picture of the tram driver, it said he worked 36.5 hours per week, had a seven-week training course, and a starting salary of 32,000. It said Luas drivers were fighting for an additional 53%.

Some of the figures were contestable  but the point was clear and reflected the view of many members of the public.

Transport is the area of most industrial unrest and it is unsurprising that it is the other transport workers who have been quickest to react.

Train drivers say their job is more taxing than their tram colleagues. Bus workers are not going to let Luas drivers steal a march on them. Transport workers are also best-placed to get headline-grabbing attention when their claims are not met. The threat  or, in the case of the Luas, implementation  of strike action that will disable networks is a significant bargaining tool.

It forces the employer to address the grievance promptly, or to go on the offensive, as Transdev did.

The Luas claim has not ignited a free-for-all in other areas of the private sector, with many companies quietly hammering out deals, with staff, at local level.

However, as conference season gets into full swing among the public sector unions, pay restoration will be near the top of most agendas. Representatives of gardai, nurses, and civil servants have all been vocal, in recent days, about renegotiating the Lansdowne Road pay agreement, given the healthier state of the countrys bank balance.

LRA, which started in January, runs until 2018, and only partially restores cuts to pay and conditions, which were imposed on public servants during the recession.

As Tom Geraghty, general secretary of the Public Service Executive Union, told the Industrial Relations News (IRN) annual conference, last month: If the existing, high levels of growth continue, you can absolutely take it for granted that we will be looking to speed-up the process of restoration. However, he admitted that it may be too early to make a judgment now, given that the capacity of the State to roll back the emergency legislation could be contingent on external factors.

Others have been more forthright. Siptu vice-president, Gene Mealy, said: All public servants, regardless of grade, category, or profession, who suffered hardship and contributed significantly during the crisis, must now benefit in any accelerated restoration agreement.

Those who call for sectoral restoration are failing to take cognisance of the contribution made by all public servants, particularly those on low pay.

Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation general secretary, Liam Doran, said he didnt think there was any chance public sector unions would wait for LRA to end, as the public finances continued to grow.

However, when WRC director general, Kieran Mulvey, who mediated LRA as the chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission, hinted at a need for renegotiation, people sat up and took notice.

In an RTE interview, he said: In regard to workers who are in the frontline services, we did try, under the Lansdowne Road Agreement, to start restoring the pay. Obviously, that is not happening quick enough, in the view of new entrants.

I think this issue has arisen, and there is such a major noise around this issue that it will have to be addressed again, in the context of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. I think, if the public exchequer improves, there is nothing to stop the agreement being revisited at a certain stage.

Mulvey said that if the country could not recruit teachers, gardai, civil servants and nurses, because of pay, it would have to be revisited.

However, within days of Mr Mulveys comments, the secretary general of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform had called a press conference to rule out renegotiating LRA.

Pay and the evolution of pay, the pay bill, must be seen in the overall context of the overall fiscal position, Robert Watt said, adding that Ireland was still running a government deficit and that any money allocated to pay is less money for improvement of services, its less money for social housing, and for a variety of improvements that people are advocating all the time.

He hotly disputed that there was any difficulty in recruiting new entrants, pointing out that 25,000 people applied for 550 positions with the gardai, and that there were 46,000 applications for civil service roles in two years.
Martin Ryan, of 40 Carrickbrack Road, Baily, Howth, Co Dublin, told Judge Jacqueline Linnane that when he dropped into his Sutton branch he was met with long queues.

They are always very busy and you have to queue for an hour to make a payment, Ryan told the Circuit Civil Court.

Ryan, who represented himself in court, said he put his 250-a-week mortgage and arrears repayments into the banks Automated Teller Machine (ATM) but the bank refused to accept payment by this method.

I have been making weekly payments of 250 per week but AIB refuses to take my payments, he said.

Barrister Keith Rooney, who appeared with Joynt and Crawford solicitors for the bank, said AIB was unable to accept payments via its ATM and Mr Ryan had been told this.

He said the bank was seeking an adjournment to allow it to clarify some matters.

Ryan and his wife, Mary, are being sued by the bank for possession of their Baily property on foot of loans of 20,000, 65,000, and 120,000 taken out against their home.

Repayment arrears now stood at 84,000, the court heard.

Warning him to continue making lodgements against his mortgage, Judge Linnane told him: All of us have to queue and if you have to queue you have to queue.

Dont come back to me blaming the bank for something that is not the banks fault.

The judge said it was clear from a letter the bank had sent him on December 9 last year that Mr Ryan could not make payments on his mortgage account through an ATM.

Adjourning the proceedings, Judge Linnane said 250 a week was not going to make a big dent on arrears of 84,000 but he should continue lodging the money.

The court heard the Ryans had failed to make payments due to the bank and a written demand for possession of the property had been made on April 9, 2014.
Joe Healy, 49, has a considerable task at hand as the organisation seeks to win back the trust of farmers after it emerged last year that IFA general secretary Pat Smith had a two-year pay packet, including pension contributions, of nearly 1m and had secured a 2m severance package.

It was also revealed that IFAs general secretaries were paid 200,000 a year.

The average farm salary stands at 26,000.

Mr Healy, from Athenry, a former Macra na Feirme president and manager of Athenry Mart, described his win as a great mandate to get.

Mr Healy was elected on the first count. IFA livestock chairman Henry Burns came in second with 30% of the votes. Flor McCarthy, from Kenmare, Co Kerry, was in third place with 19%.

Mr Healy, a father of three, said he spent three months travelling the country canvassing for votes and that poor farm incomes were the main concern of farmers.

Farmers need to get their fair share of market returns but almost all farmers are selling below the cost of production, he said.

He committed to seeking to reduce input costs for farmers, who, he said, must also be helped become more efficient so the maximum amount is passed back to them.

Mr Healy told RTE that it was clear from the hustings that farmers want more transparency in the IFA, adding that he will work to restore the organisations credibility.

It is not known yet what salary he will earn from the position. An IFA renumeration committee will decide his salary as well as that of a yet-to-be appointed chief executive.

Mr Healy described the chief executive position as crucial to the future of the IFA and that it must secure the best possible person for the job.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney wished the new IFA president the best as he takes office.

The IFA is an organisation which provides strong representation for farmers across a range of sectors. The agriculture industry is a key economic driver and we all recognise its essential role in Irelands economy, he said.

Also yesterday, Richard Kennedy, the only candidate who is not a member of the IFA executive council, was confirmed deputy president with 40% of the votes.

Pat Farrell came in second place with 31% of the votes and Nigel Renaghan was third with 29%.

John Coughlan has been elected Munster chair, receiving 66% of the votes, John OBrien came in second place with 34% of votes.

Editorial: 12
The Freight Transport Association of Ireland has condemned the attack, describing the potential consequences of such actions as catastrophic.

The driver was travelling on the N25 Cork-Midleton road last Wednesday night when the tin of paint hit his windscreen, splashing dark blue paint across his windscreen. The paint completely obscured the drivers view of the road.

The driver, who was said to be in shock after the incident, managed to avoid any further harm and pulled safely into the hard shoulder of the busy dual-carriageway.

FTAI general manager Neil McDonnell said the organisation was highlighting the incident in the hope that it will alert both young people and their parents to the extreme risks posed by this type of behaviour.

Both the truck driver and his employer wish to remain anonymous.

The employer informed the FTAI of the incident in the hope that it would draw attention to the fact that while such activities may seem to be little more than a practical joke to those responsible, it could have far-reaching consequences.

Mr McDonnell said that the prank could have had a much more serious result and had the potential to cause multiple fatalities.

Firstly, a paint can might not explode  it could penetrate the windscreen and incapacitate or kill the driver, Mr McDonnell said.

Secondly, the vehicle is driving blind until it is brought to a stop. The driver in this case could have impacted with other vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians. This risk is obviously elevated on a two-way road.

The message we want to get out is that this activity is incredibly dangerous. We were lucky no death or injury resulted last Wednesday, but we might not be so lucky the next time.

The matter has been reported to the gardai for investigation.
The European Cockpit Association (ECA), the representative body for more than 38,000 pilots in 37 EU states, criticised the decision to tentatively approve Norwegian Airs Irish subsidiary, Norwegian Air International (NAI), to operate between Ireland and the US, and warned that the approval of this flag of convenience model could erode labour standards and trigger a race to the bottom.

It follows the US Department of Transportations (DoT) announcement last Friday that it intends to award a foreign air carrier permit to NAI, which plans to launch a Cork-Boston service this year, and a Cork to New York service next year.

Howver, the ECA said the DoT, together with the European Commission, have opened the door and de facto laid out the welcome mat for flags of convenience in aviation.

ECA president Dirk Polloczek said: This decision is an own goal. The US DoT and the European Commission have chosen to undermine their own airline industries and destroy decent jobs and the social rights of their own citizens.

However, Norwegian said the permit decision has been widely welcomed by airports, tourism and passenger groups, senior politicians and industry bodies on both sides of the Atlantic.

Unfortunately, some unions are continuing to do everything they can to block the competition, preventing passengers access to affordable airfares, and blocking the creation of new jobs and significant benefits to Ireland, a spokesman said.

He said opponents are repeating misleading allegations which have been dismissed, and pointed out that NAI is a recognised EU airline, with a Dublin headquarters, more than 35 aircraft registered in Ireland and a series of new routes from Ireland planned.

It is also a clear fact that Norwegian always follows labour laws in all the markets we operate, offering competitive wages and conditions, he said. NAI does not have a single Asian-based crew member or pilot, and Norwegian has continuously stated and committed in writing to the US DoT that only US and EU-based crew will be used on NAI transatlantic services.

The airline hopes to begin the Boston route this year.
Gayle Kearney said more children were being dispensed medication from a very young age as they were finding it so hard to cope.

A play therapist and counsellor, Ms Kearney was one of the speakers at a conference for special education needs hosted by a charity, Sensation Kids, in Dublin yesterday.

There are higher rates of childhood stress now being observed, she said. There seems to be less free playtime  less time for a child to be a child by getting out and de-stress through natural play.

We find that children are going into school and finding it difficult to concentrate or co-operate when they are asked to do something.

Ms Kearney said children who had lost connection with their emotions needed help to re-establish it and feel good about themselves again.

In Britain, there are children under one year of age on anti-anxiety medication, and there is a fear that will happen in Ireland as well, she said.

She said she knew some pre-school children who had been prescribed medication to help them sleep because of stress and anxiety.

Because life has become so fast and parents have become so busy, we have to help our children to de-stress, she said.

Ms Kearney said parents were still working when they came home in the evening  they were expected to reply to emails, take calls, and keep up to date on social media.

Children pick up on the stress their parents are under, said Ms Kearney. Their parents take them to the doctor when they complain about pains and headaches. They dont realise they are suffering from anxiety.

She said children needed to be helped to develop coping skills and to express confidence about themselves.

Nowadays, parents spend less time with their children because of work commitments but, when they are, they seem to do so much for their children that it stops them learning skills for themselves, she said.

Ms Kearney said parents should get their children to clean up for themselves, do weekly chores, and help figure out issues that might arise with their friends.

If parents do everything for their children, they are left thinking that they are not able to do anything for themselves, she said.

Anxiety, she said, was no longer normal when it was impacting on friendships, schoolwork, and daily life.

She said parents could help their children by getting them to tune into their own inner world and recognising that they need a break.

Ms Kearney is co-founder of Wipe Our Worries Workshops  play therapy-based groups for children and young people.

We help children turn their negative thoughts into positive ones but it is all done through games and activities, she said.
At the launch by RADE (Recovery through Art, Drama and Education) of a comic book and a documentary, both on 1916, the President said their work combined rehabilitation with an artistic environment.

I became familiar with RADEs work about five or six years ago and visited some of its workshops very early on, said the President.

I think what is very important is what it combines: you have work of rehabilitation, you have work of recovery, the capacity to require new skills, but most of all the creation of atmosphere in which people can do things together.

He said the aim of users to become drug-free was crucial: You have people who are methadone users, exploring aspects of themselves that are positive, that are defeating the negative, all of that is very important.

He praised the grit and tenacity of RADE director Michael Egan. Mr Egan said the comic book, A RADE in Dublin, was their first ever such publication, thanks to art facilitator Paddy Lynch.

He said that while the play, RADE Rising, with writer Malcom MacClancy, was eventually abandoned, it involved a huge leap of learning for all involved.

Trinity poetry professor Paula Meehan, poet Theo Dorgan, and artist Robert Ballagh also attended. Prof Meehan described RADEs work as transformative.

The participants channel their passion, intelligence and vision into a space that serves the community and serves them, she said.

Anna Quigley of Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign said RADE treats drugs users like normal people and Merchants Quay director Tony Geoghegan said that the work stands on its own merits.

http://www.rade.ie/
A range of legal sources said the ruling could benefit people serving a reactivated suspended sentence who have lodged an appeal.

The High Court ruled that a legal provision  section 99 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006  is unconstitutional as it does not provide people affected by it the same right of appeal as everyone else.

This relates to people given a suspended sentence for an offence, which is reactivated when they are convicted of a second offence. However, they can not appeal this second conviction before the suspended sentence is reactivated.

Mr Justice Michael Moriarty said the law was in need of urgent and comprehensive review.

The Department of Justice said the consequences and implications were currently being examined in consultation with the attorney general.

If someone is in jail on a reactivated suspended sentence and has appealed the other conviction there is a very strong argument that they are unlawfully detained, said Sean OConnell, a lecturer on constitutional law at UCC.

I would say you might see a lot of applications filed before the courts by lawyers in the morning arguing that their clients are unlawfully detained.

Professor of Law at UL Shane Kilcommins said: The first consequence is that this applies to the six individuals [involved in the High Court case], but does it apply to everyone else? The answer is no  there is limited retrospective effect.

It only applies to those whose cases have not reached finality, such as those who have appealed.

Even in those cases, the question would be asked did the individual raise the legality of the provision at the time or did they acquiesce [such as pleading guilty].

Leading criminal lawyer Michael OHiggins SC said that unless a party raised the issue at the time, they would not benefit from the High Court ruling.

He said this was demonstrated in previous cases arising out of laws being deemed unconstitutional going back as far as the A case and more recently the Damache case.

If you have been sentenced under the legislation and you havent appealed and the time for appeal has elapsed it makes no difference, said Mr OHiggins. If the appeal is pending and you have previously raised the issue you might be able to argue unconstitutionality. But that number would be very small.

Criminal defence solicitor Dara Robinson said many people in custody for reactivated sentences now had a solid basis to apply to have the sentences revoked.

Editorial: 12
Figures emerged yesterday that shows it takes more than a year in some counties between one family moving out of a social housing unit and another moving in.

Cork County had the longest average turnaround time at 66 weeks, followed by Kerry with 55 weeks, and Donegal with 44 weeks.

The last government committed to dealing with the social housing backlog under its Social Housing 2020 strategy, but Sean Healy of Social Justice Ireland said the targets in the document were inadequate.

The Social Housing Strategy in place, while welcome, is nowhere near the scale required to solve the problem, he said.

Dr Healy said the targets in the document needed to be almost trebled so as to provide the 90,000 units he believes are required, as well as increasing work on turning around so-called voids  properties that are in need of greater refurbishment and which may have lain vacant for longer periods of time.

Dr Healy said it made little sense for local authorities to go back to building one-off units and instead that new housing developments needed a social mix that included social housing units.

He also said it was vital that this investment was off the books so that it did not compromise Irelands total fiscal space involving debt ratio versus GDP.

Simon Brooke, head of policy at Cluid Housing Association, said one response would be for all income through social housing should be ringfenced for social housing, rather than being added to the central coffers of a local authority.

What it does show is that there is a really urgent need for overhaul of local authority social housing finances, he said, adding that part of the reason councils cannot turn around properties quickly enough is that they dont have the money.

Mr Brooke said progress had been made regarding returning voids to use but that ringfencing the estimated 300m from social housing rents would help bring more properties on stream.

A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said: Last year the target for refurbishing voids was 1,000 units. This target was well exceeded with some 2,700 units returned to use.

In 2014 an accelerated programme of refurbishments was introduced which over the course of 2014/15 saw some 5,000 units returned to use at a combined cost of 60m.

The department has also rejected criticism regarding funding for local authorities to tackle the issue of voids.

Responding last week to a question from Labours Tommy Broughan, Environment Minister Alan Kelly said: My department places no monetary limits on what a local authority spends on refurbishing such units.

High refusal rate

Noel Baker

Cork County Council has said a high refusal rate of offers of social housing and the presence of longer-term voids contribute to the lengthy turnaround times for vacant properties.

Figures revealed by RTE showed Cork County Council had the longest average turnaround time between tenancies at 66 weeks. The local authoritys CEO, Tim Lucey, said the refusal of offers played a role.

The lengthy turnaround time in Cork County is due to Cork County Councils high refusal rate of 43% in North Cork, he said.

As late as two weeks ago we offered 15 houses in South Cork in various locations and only five offers were taken.

He said voids significantly impact on the average figure and 229 voids were refurbished last year with another 70 to be progressed in 2016 at a cost of 1.37m.

Long delays

Anne Lucey

Kerry County council has defended waiting times of more than 50 weeks for turning around council-owned housing.

The waiting list in Kerry at the moment has reached 5,000 units, including single applicants and families and is at its highest ever.

Figures show that, in 2015, some62 units became vacant and it took up to 55 weeks to re-let the properties. Some 164 units that became vacant in 2014 and it took almost 49 weeks to re-let each.

John Breen, director of services for housing, said the level of vacant properties across the county is less than 3%. Reasons for the long turnaround time include single rural properties which are hard to let, or 1-2 bed elderly units returned after long-term tenancy.

The opportunity is always taken to upgrade our stock when properties are returned to us, he said.
It certainly inspired the celebrated batik artist and former winner Bernadette Madden, who has described it as a magical memory that sowed a seed which encouraged her to develop her talents at a young age.

This years overall winner is Marta Turalska, a 17-year-old student from Newcastle West, Co Limerick, who took first prize in the 16-18 age category of this years 62nd Texaco Childrens Art Competition  her first time entering.

Described by competition adjudicators as a wonderfully composed and superbly finished portrait study, her winning entry  entitled My Grandma With Grape

  is an exceptionally detailed work executed with paint, colouring pencils, and white pen.

A pupil at Scoil Mhuire agus Ide in Newcastle West, Marta attributes much of her artistic achievements to the guidance she receives from art teacher Ciaran OSullivan.

Inspired by a photograph of her grandmother taken in her native Poland, the work was said by Declan McGonagle, judging panel chairman, to have been executed with skill and maturity overlain by a playful humorous quality that gives it an added visual impact.

Asked how she felt upon hearing of her success, Marta said: I just couldnt believe it! I never thought it would be me! My mum collected me from school and told me in the car that I had won. I just screamed, I was so happy.

Coupled with the prestige of being the overall winner, Marta will also be invited to the International High School Arts Festival in Japan this summer. It takes place from June 22 to July 3 at the countrys largest art museum  the prestigious National Art Centre in Tokyo.

Marta beat competition from thousands of students from across Ireland and receives a prize of 1,500. She follows in the footsteps of past winners which also include artists Graham Knuttel and Dorothy Cross, fashion designer Paul Costello, and former broadcaster and artist Thelma Mansfield.

Other notable past winners include former minister Ruairi Quinn (a four-time winner), communications consultant and Irish Examiner columnist Terry Prone, chairman of the Pension Authority David Begg, actress Jean Anne Crowley, musician Ethna Tinney, Trinity College professor of contemporary Irish history Eunan OHalpin, and the late novelist Clare Boylan.

In the same age category, the second prize of 1,000 was won by Wiktoria Anna Witkowska (age 16), a student at Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan, for her work entitled The Face

, while third prize (750) was won by Jack McKeon (age 17) from Ardscoil Ris, Limerick City, for his entry entitled Other Peoples Success Isnt Your Failure

.

Announcing the awards at a reception held in the Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane at Parnell Square yesterday, James Twohig, director of Ireland operations for Valero, who trade in Ireland under the Texaco brand, paid tribute to the winners, praising their skill and enthusiasm.

He also thanked the many teachers from schools throughout Ireland who have given their support to the competition throughout its 62-year history.

The top 21 winning works will remain on exhibition in Hugh Lane gallery until Sunday, May 22.
Rachel Crawshaw appeared before Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, charged with the unlawful killing of John Palmer, 37, and Greg Lonergan,36, at Granary Court, St Josephs Road, Mallow, between March 12 and March 13, 2014.

Crawshaw was also charged with committing arson at Granary Court, St Josephs Road, Mallow, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1991 on the same occasion.

She was arraigned at the opening day of the county sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court where she pleaded guilty to all three charges.

Tom Creed, senior counsel said: I am asking for adjournment of sentencing to the next sessions for a probation report.

The prosecution also needed time for victim impact reports to be prepared by the families of the deceased. While no background details were given to the crimes yesterday, nor indeed to the defendants personal circumstances, Mr Creed SC did say: This lady has had a difficulty with drugs.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain adjourned sentencing until June 9 to allow time for the probation and victim impact reports. Det Sgt Michael Corbett previously gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Mallow District Court, and said that he arrested Crawshaw at Cork Airport on February 22, 2016.

Det Sgt Corbett told the court Crawshaw was of no fixed abode. There was an objection to bail being granted to her at the district court, and she was brought from custody to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for yesterdays arraignment. She was further remanded in custody for sentencing in June.
A leak from a source close to manufacturing is suggesting that the company might have a new phone in the works called the Xperia X Premium. That would be in line with the new naming convention introduced with the X range at Mobile World Congress 2016.

The report is also saying that the new handset could be the first in the world to feature a High Dynamic Range display. That technology essentially introduces more detail to light and dark areas for an image that looks like real life, as well as a wider range of colours.
Continued uncertainty and instability caused by the absence of a government could easily morph into nervousness among employers and investors. This, in turn, could halt the modest wage growth that many workers private and public  have begun to experience after years of pay cuts and income suppression.

Right now we effectively have no government response to headline industrial disputes in transport; rows that threaten to undermine a thoughtful and jobs-focused trade union strategy that has delivered sustainable private sector pay rises over the last couple of years.

God forbid that well still be waiting for a government when the Brexit referendum lands.

Meanwhile, in the public service, the absence of a governmental grip on developments could put a careful approach to income recovery  in the context of financial realities and other priorities in society  at risk.

The spring trade union conference season is always noisy. This year the sound and fury have been amplified by the void in Government Buildings, and a series of individual public service professions and groups have enjoyed an unusually uncluttered media stage to voice their specific demands.

Unsurprisingly, and understandably, each union and association highlights the grievances of its own members. But, no matter how legitimate those complaints are  or how strongly they resonate in the public imagination  none of them can realistically be resolved in isolation or without reference to both the cost and the wider implications of conceding one point or another.

We need to maintain an overall approach that covers every public service grade and profession, and considers all the issues in the round.

Assuming continuing healthy economic growth and exchequer funds, the alternative to a public service-wide approach is most likely a return to the beggar-my-neighbour pay claims, and accompanying widespread industrial action, of the past.

Unions themselves should be concerned that such a scenario, which was last seen in Ireland at the cusp of this millennium, often rewards the strongest rather than the most vulnerable or deserving.

It is not always correct to assume that those able to articulate the most compelling case to journalists, politicians, or the public necessarily have the strongest claim to past injustice or future improvement.

Moreover, seemingly straightforward solutions to even the most deeply-felt grievances can have unintended consequences. For instance, at recent union conferences we heard the plausible suggestion that the FEMPI legislation, which introduced pay cuts and pension levies into the public sector, should be immediately repealed now that the emergency is over.

Lets look at that proposition, taking the expiry of the Lansdowne Road agreement as a baseline. The complete repeal of FEMPI in 2018 would give a worker on 30,000 a total gain of less than 450 a year, while someone earning 125,000 (rare as they are in the public service) would stand to gain almost 20,000.

The Lansdowne Road deal delivered the first small recovery in public service incomes in January 2016, with further modest improvements due next year. I recently argued in these pages that there will be a strong case to accelerate this process if better-than-expected growth and fiscal space emerge in the coming months.

But its very hard to envisage a scenario where there will be enough money to meet all the demands weve recently heard. In any case, union members will not thank their negotiators if we agree anything like the regressive outcomes Ive described above.

Lansdowne Road also holds out the prospect of a new system of public service pay determination capable of dealing fairly and rationally with the many demands that the next and future governments will encounter.

The deal commits the government to discuss with unions a new pay-setting mechanism, which will eventually replace the FEMPI legislation. This would be to the benefit of workers, government, and taxpayers.

It would bring stability to public service pay determination at the end of a turbulent period, which has seen wages set variously through social partnership agreements, benchmarking, the imposition of pay cuts and the pension levy, and now through public service agreements framed by amended FEMPI legislation.

Under FEMPI, the minister for public expenditure and reform must report to the Dail annually, setting out whether  and in what form  this emergency legislation needs to remain in place.

Every day our elected representatives spend striking poses and spinning out discussions makes it less likely that a meaningful report will be made when its due in June. That would certainly antagonise an already febrile atmosphere.

Bernard Harbor is head of communications with Impact
The signs, from early on, were encouraging.

The Fianna Fail team on their way to the plush meeting room of the Provosts Library struck a positive note.

The ever-impressive Cork South Central TD Michael McGrath said the talks were progressing well.

McGrath said his party was anxious to conclude the work as quickly as possible and facilitate the formation of a minority government.

He said the public were getting edgy and frustrated at the slow pace but he was keen that thorny issues such as Irish Water be dealt with to a point where his party can support a deal.

Barry Cowen echoed those comments but struck a more cautious tone, indicating he would need a lot to be convinced this is all worth it.

On the Fine Gael side, Simon Coveney appears to have cast some spell over his main rival for the leadership of the party, Leo Varadkar, who again watched on as the Cork minister did the honours in terms of speaking to the media.

Coveneys repeated front of house roll ahead of Varadkar is being noted as significant by observers and has been much commented on around the narrow corridors of power in Leinster House.

Another man who is believed to hold leadership aspirations, Paschal Donohoe, relied on the phrase constructive to describe the talks. So constructive in fact that we may even have a Government before we hit the 100 day mark since the election.

But for all the hype early on, the progress was to be slow. So slow that yet another leadership contender, acting Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said it is unlikely we will have a vote for Taoiseach this week at all. Damn.

Hope had been building that it could all be wrapped up in time for a vote tomorrow but alas it appears not.

The two negotiating teams would both end up needing grub in the nearby Buswells Hotel at the end of the day. They could eat together, just not at the same table, it seems. Not yet anyway.

The pressure on those central players is real, as reflected by the opinion poll conducted by Amarach for the Claire Byrne show on RTE on Monday night.

The poll of more than 1,000 people from across the country revealed that more people would prefer a second election than the minority government. The margin between the two options is small  45% to 42%  but significant none the less.

That tells me that many people dont see this minority government arrangement as being tenable or sustainable.

It shows that the appalling vista of a second election is marginally more appealing than the spectre of a wobbly, jittery, sticky back plaster Government which could fall apart at any time.

While we got more commentary from leading Labour figures about not going into government, the bizarre silence from Joan Burton on the matter continued.

The rush to spin the willingness of the party by someone in Burtons office over the weekend was roundly criticised by party members yesterday, who accepted Labour must go back into opposition and regroup.

The lack of a definitive statement from Labour helped to muddy the waters for Fine Gael who continued their talks with the Independent Alliance yesterday too. The members of the alliance met for 30 minutes in a meeting room in the Dail after their chat with Fine Gael and some unhappy faces were seen leaving the room.

There had been an acceptance that the alliance were all but nailed down, but maybe more work needs to be done there.

One person who was being definitive was Katherine Zappone, who was happy to tell anyone who would listen about the eight terms she has agreed with Fine Gael.

Commitments on gender equality, diversity on schools, movement on the Eighth Amendment, homelessness, and disabled care were laid out in a statement.

Reaction among some of the rural TDs was swift and devastating. Mattie McGrath said of her deal: More power to her, but it is a sad state of affairs. Kenny is a desperate man for power, he told me.

I wont be dancing to any tune to that melody, Mattie McGrath said ahead of a meeting of the Rural Five.

Just when we thought it was about to end, it seems there are miles to go before we sleep and miles to go before we sleep.
Beaches in Italy, Spain, and France are targets for attacks in the coming months, according to intelligence chiefs, with terrorists posing as vendors and placing bombs under sunbeds.

German tabloid Bild cited a source in the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) who said the German intelligence agency received information from their Italian counterparts which suggests that Islamic State (IS) is plotting to strike at European holiday resorts with terrorists disguising themselves as people selling goods on beaches.

It is claimed that the intelligence comes from a credible source in Africa. The source claims the terrorists have formed concrete plans to launch the attacks.

A senior German security official told Bild: It is possible that Isis is conceiving a new terror dimension in this way. The beaches cannot be protected.

Bild said beaches which could be targeted include resorts in southern France, the Costa del Sol in Spain, and both coasts of Italy.

It said plans involve the use of automatic weapons on crowded waterfronts, suicide bombings, and explosive devices buried in sand beneath sun loungers.

Bild said IS hoped to send jihadists to tourist resorts posing as refreshment vendors. The threat comes from the IS-allied group Boko Haram, the newspaper said.

Last year, 38 people, including three Irish tourists, died when a gunman opened fire on a beach in Tunisia.

Meanwhile, police say they have arrested a Moroccan man who has alleged strong links to the IS armed group and who was pushing for attacks to be carried out in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

A statement said the man was arrested in Palma de Mallorca city on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, where he lived.

It said the detainee poses a clear threat to national security, given that he used the internet to promote recruitment for IS, help send potential combatants abroad, and encourage attacks in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

It said he maintained close contact with IS leaders in Syria.

Spanish police have arrested dozens of suspected jihadi recruiters in recent years.

Belgian authorities are investigating information that suggests IS has sent more fighters to Europe as Belgium remains on high alert following last months suicide bombings in Brussels.

Signals appear to suggest that IS has again sent fighters to Europe, to our country, said Paul Van Tigchelt, head of Belgiums security threat analysis centre.

Belgium has been on at least its second-highest alert level for four months  since the week after the November 13 attacks in Paris  with troops and extra police mobilised.

Airports, rail stations, nuclear plants, and buildings housing radioactive materials are under close surveillance, while security is high at soft targets such as shopping centres and cinemas.
The accused got caught up in collecting likes on social media, said prosecutors.

Marina Lonina, 18, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including rape, kidnapping, sexual battery, and pandering sexual matter involving a minor.

A judge set bail at $125,000 for Ms Lonina, a student at New Albany High School, outside Columbus.

Raymond Gates, 29, also pleaded not guilty, with a judge setting his bail at $300,000.

Ms Lonina and her friend  who attends the same school  met Mr Gates at a mall for the first time the day before where he bought them a bottle of vodka and encouraged them to meet him the following day, her lawyer Sam Shamansky said.

He acknowledged his client filmed the assault but said she was trying to get the girl out of the house.

It was a friend in another state who saw the broadcast and called police.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron OBrien said Ms Lonina is seen trying to help only briefly during the 10-minute video. The victim was screaming stop and no during the assault.

Ms Lonina told police she was trying to record the assault as evidence.
Asia Malaysia Faces Bailout Question After US$1 Billion Spat

Malaysias government faces the prospect of having to bail out 1MDB after a US$4.6 billion debt deal with an Abu Dhabi sovereign fund collapsed this week.

The Malaysian government on Tuesday was facing the prospect of having to bail out the scandal-tainted state fund 1MDB, after a US$4.6 billion debt deal with an Abu Dhabi sovereign fund collapsed this week.

The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) said on Monday that 1Malaysia Development Berhads (1MDB) had failed to make a $1.1 billion payment, and so was terminating last Junes debt deal.

The government wouldnt want to risk having a default on its books, so if it came down to it, they would want to keep a clean record, said Krystal Tan, a Singapore-based economist at research firm Capital Economics, talking about risk of a bailout for 1MDB.

Any government intervention would pile more pressure on Prime Minister Najib Razak, who founded 1MDB and is on its advisory board. He has faced calls to step down over allegations of graft and mismanagement at the fund.

Its [agreement with IPIC] failure not only now places 1MDB itself at risk, but now involves a bailout by the Ministry of Finance, opposition leader Tony Pua said in a statement.

The Malaysian finance ministry is the sole shareholder of 1MDB.

He [Najib] must explain how is 1MDB going to fund the immediate repayment of $1.1 billion demanded by IPIC.

The credit market is pricing in the uncertainty.

Malaysias Credit Default Swaps, the cost of insuring against default, has been underperforming the broad market since Monday. The 5-year contract jumped by 10 basis points on Tuesday and has risen about 15 basis points since IPICs announcement.

Cross-Default Fears

The Malaysian government will have to come to 1MDBs aid, said a senior politician with the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), who did not want to be identified.

The UAEs termination of the $4.6 billion deal with 1MDB poses an issue of cross-default, he said. Cross-default is a provision in a bond or loan agreement that puts borrowers in default if they default on another obligation.

Malaysia has total overseas debts of $98 billion, of which $47 billion is held by the central bank and the government, according to Thomson Reuters data.

The Malaysian government is currently in the midst of raising a $1.2 billion sovereign Islamic bond.

The ministry of finance said in a statement it would continue to honor all of its outstanding commitments.

One of 1MDBs last major outstanding liabilities is a $3 billion bond, arranged by Goldman Sachs, which carries a letter of support from the federal government.

The fund, launched by Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2009, amassed over 50 billion ringgit in debt buying energy and real estate assets through projects with companies in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf countries.

It sold off most of these assets to state-owned Chinese companies late last year.

It is difficult to accurately ascertain the exact level of debt that 1MDB has now following the successful sale of various assets, said Chia Shuhui, Asia Analyst for BMI Research.

Regardless of the amount, a government bailout of the fund will have a negative impact on the governments fiscal position, he said.

Oil exporter Malaysia is aiming to keep its fiscal deficit, already under pressure from slower growth and lower crude prices, at 3.1 percent of gross domestic product.

Offshore Accounts

1MDB is at the center of money-laundering and criminal investigations in the United States, Switzerland, Singapore and Luxembourg.

A Malaysian parliament inquiry found that billions of dollars had been sent to offshore accounts without the approval of its board.

One of those offshore accounts was for a company called Aabar Investments PJS Ltd in the British Virgin Islands, which received payments of $3.5 billion from 1MDB that were meant for IPIC. The Abu Dhabi fund said Aabar Invesments did not belong to it.

Najib has been under pressure to step down after reports claimed that $681 million, deposited into his personal bank account, came from 1MDB. A government-appointed Attorney General cleared Najib of any criminal offence or corruption, and said the money was a donation from the Saudi royal family.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said last week the funds wired into Najibs personal bank account were a genuine donation originating from Saudi Arabia.
Burma Presidents Office Calls Out Media Company For Alleged Govt Bribe

The Presidents Office describes an unnamed media company as having offered a large monetary gift to a civil servant during the Thingyan festival.

RANGOON  Burmas Presidents Office sent a warning on Wednesday to a media company who they allege gave a large monetary gift to a government official during Burmas Thingyan festival last week.

The statement released by the office reported that a media company took part in the annual Thingyan New Year water festival in Naypyidaw by staging a pavilion and inviting ministerial officials to the performances that followed.

The announcement did not mention the media companys name.

Among them was a personal assistant of a VIP who was given a package filled with five million kyats as present [by the media company], the statement said.

It added that the individual later found the money upon inspection and complained about it to his senior officer.

Presidents Office Minister Aung San Suu Kyi released guidelines on gifts for civil servants on April 4, barring any government employee from accepting anything worth more than 25,000 kyats, or just over US$20, in an attempt to fight against rampant corruption in the country.

What the media company gave exceeded the amount mentioned in the guidelines. We have informed the media company not to violate the guidelines when giving gifts in the future, said the statement. It also mentioned that the Presidents Office would not take action this time and would instead treat the incident as an educational moment.

When asked to name the company, Presidents Office spokesperson Zaw Htay told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday afternoon that they had refrained from identifying the business, as they did not want to cause a frenzy, and that they have not yet received a response from the group in question.

If you read the statement thoroughly, you will know, he suggested.

Although they are not explicitly named, at the time of reporting, it appeared that the private TV operator SkyNet was the sole media company to stage a pavilion in Naypyidaw during the 2016 Thingyan celebrations.

Soon after the statement was posted on the Presidents Office Facebook page, users also openly speculated that the unnamed company was, in fact, SkyNet.

SkyNet, you should stop this lowly way of thinking that money can bring you everything, one commenter wrote.

SkyNet is part of Shwe Than Lwin Media Co. Ltd. and is chaired by Kyaw Win, who is believed to have close business ties with the former government and the ex-military regime. The company was not available for immediate comment on Wednesday.

The Presidents Office statement said that the five million kyats (US$4,250) given to the official will be donated to the Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Ministry to contribute to water projects being implemented in drought-hit areas this summer.
Burma Suu Kyi Talks Peace On Burmese New Year; Ethnic Leaders Respond

As Suu Kyi highlights internal peace in her New Year speech, three ethnic leaders share their expectations for Burmas peace process under her new govt.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Burma, highlighted internal peace and constitutional change in her speech to the people on the Burmese New Year. In reference to the 2015 nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA), she said she appreciated the initiative undertaken by the previous government and that she would strive to include in the accord the organizations that her National League for Democracy-led (NLD) government deem appropriate for inclusion. Under the former administration, only eightout of the countrys more than 20 non-state armed groupssigned the NCA; some organizations were excluded outright from becoming signatories.

Through peace conferences, Suu Kyi said her government would strive to build a genuine federal democratic union and that the military-drafted 2008 Constitution needs to be amended for this to be achieved. This process of constitutional change would not adversely affect Burmas people, she promised.

The Irrawaddys Kyaw Kha spoke with three leaders belonging to ethnic nationalities or organizations that opted out of signing the NCA for its lack of inclusivity. In the commentary below, they explain their reactions to Suu Kyis speech and their expectations for renewing Burmas peace process under an NLD administration.

Nai Hong Sar, Vice-Chairman of the New Mon State Party (NMSP)

We share almost the same view. Therefore I guess there will be progress [in the peace process]. Again, we found that [the NLDs] standpoint is to push wherever possible, for example, with the release of political prisoners. Political prisoners were released with a presidential pardon. [The new government] was brave to exercise their mandate to do what they felt they should do and we view it as a positive sign.

Again, [Suu Kyi] pointed out an inclusive ceasefire and the inclusion of all ethnic armed groups in a political dialogue. This is critically important. And it is strongly in agreement with our standpoint. How much can they exert influence over the military to push for [a ceasefire]? For us, we really want [a ceasefire]weve been demanding it. If they [the NLD government] could convince the military, I believe [a ceasefire] would be done at the soonest.

Bawmwang Laraw, Chairman of the Kachin National Organization (KNO)

I welcome Daw Aung San Suu Kyis speech. I share her view: nationwide peace must be built. Regarding the constitutional amendments, I think we need to sign a new ceasefire accord because the previous peace accord did not include provisions that provide changes to the 2008 Constitution. Therefore provisions that allow constitutional changes must be discussed and included in the peace pact. This is the way peace process should be implemented. We need to make sure it is all-inclusive if we are to create a nationwide ceasefire. [The NLD government] needs to seek guarantees for peace in implementing its nation-building policies. It is the right path for the new government, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, to strive for a ceasefire and to amend the constitution, because the 2008 Constitution is an obstacle to a federal union. To put it in a nutshell, I support and welcome [Suu Kyi s plan to] build peace through a ceasefire and to talk with ethnic armed groups. I am very glad that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has announced that she will amend the constitution through such talks and build our country into a federal union.

Khu Oo Reh, Vice-Chairman of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP)

This is what everyone is expecting, I think. Weve been working for national reconciliation and peace since the time of the previous government. And we are glad that the NLD government is giving top priority to national reconciliation and peace. We hope that they will implement it as quickly as they can.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said that reconciliation needs to be built among all groups, as well as between people and the military. So, I think her view is not so different from ours.

For example, [reconciliation] can be between political parties, as well as between the military and ethnic armed groups or between ethnic armed groups themselves. It also can be reconciliation between ethnicities. In our country, groups and parties are divided in different ways, so I accept reconciliation under such circumstances and consider it necessary.

Public trust [in the government] has declined steadily since the military staged a coup. People have always been oppressed and therefore feel bitter. So, reconciliation is really needed between the military and the people. I think it is a dire need. Only after reconciliation is built between different groups and parties will we be able to proceed with the peace process that we want.

Trust is at the core of building reconciliation. Trust needs to be built first. Only when there is trust between each individual and each group, can the negotiation process of how to build peace together be smooth, I think. It is crucial.

I view what the State Counselor said about the peace process in her speech as a clear message to us. At the same time, it is informing the entire public. In my understanding, she has said that each citizen is responsible for taking part actively in national reconciliation and the peace process.

Translated by Thet Ko Ko.
Burma Tens of Displaced People Dead Or Missing After Boat Accident

After a boat carrying Muslim IDPs capsizes off the coast of Arakan State, police and locals confirm that most of those who perished were children.

RANGOON  Police officers have confirmed that a boat which capsized on Tuesday off the coast of Thae Chaung village, near the Arakan State capital of Sittwe, has left 18 dead and 19 survivors.

Aye Khin Maung, a police officer in Sittwe, told The Irrawaddy that the boat had departed from Sintatmaw, an internally displaced peoples (IDP) camp in Pauktaw Township. It was headed toward Sittwe, where those on board had hoped to purchase commodities before the rainy season, when travel becomes more difficult.

He described the passengers as Bengali, a term frequently used by local and government officials to label Arakan States Rohingya minority, who are denied Burmese citizenship.

According to Aye Khin Maung, the known casualties of the accidentcaused by unexpectedly large wavesincluded 10 children, seven women and one man. Local authorities are still attempting to locate missing people; he said that the boat held a total of 49 passengers, 12 of whom remain unaccounted for.

There have been discrepancies between the reports made by local authorities and the information given by residents of the area, leading to conflicting details about who was on board.

Hla Win, 54, an ethnic Kaman Muslim in the Thae Chaung camp, told The Irrawaddy that as of Wednesday, 22 bodies had been discovered since the boating accident.

He confirmed that the victims were mostly women and children, but estimated that the boat had held not 49 passengers, but up to 75 people. Of these, he said half are still missing.

For those confirmed dead, Hla Win laments some of the deaths as preventable, had there been a better health care infrastructure in the area.

Some people died on the way to the hospital because we had to ride almost one hour from Thae Chaung to Sittwe, Hla Win said. If wed had emergency nursing care, we could have saved their lives.

Police officer Aye Khin Maung added that there were reportedly no life jackets on the boat, which may have contributed to the high casualty rate.

Hla Win also claimed that the passengers were ethnic Kaman, rather than Rohingya, a statement which police officer Aye Khin Maung denied.

As far as I know, there were no Kaman on the boat, he said.

While both the Kaman and the Rohingya are Muslim minorities were displaced by ethno-religious violence which broke out in Arakan State in 2012, the Kaman are designated as one of the national, indigenous groups of Burma; the Rohingya are denied any documentation in the country.

In Arakan State, displaced people generally live under police surveillance and must seek official permission from the authorities to travel outside of the camps. In this case, Aye Khin Maung declined to comment on whether the passengers on the boat had received permission to leave the camp and go to the Sittwe market.

At the time of reporting, The Irrawaddy could not reach the camps security guards for further information on the issue.
Burma UNFC Makes Plans To Hold Peace Talks With New Govt

The UNFC, an alliance of nine ethnic armed groups, is taking steps toward holding peace talks with President Htin Kyaws government.

The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), an alliance of nine ethnic armed groups, is taking steps toward holding peace talks with President Htin Kyaws government.

The meeting of current UNFC members, who opted out of the so-called Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the previous government in October 2015, began Tuesday in Chiang Mai and focused on future plans, including negotiations with the new government.

Weve heard somewhat about the standpoint of the new government. So we guess there will be a political dialogue soon. We are preparing, through this meeting, for additional discussion of a nationwide ceasefire, UNFC vice chairperson Nai Hong Sar told journalists.

The three-day meeting will reportedly focus on the latest actions of a negotiation group that was formed by the UNFC in an attempt to quell conflict between the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S) and the Taang National Liberation Army/Palaung State Liberation Front (TNLA/PSLF).

Thousands of internally displaced persons in Shan State, particularly in Kyaukme Township, have fled recent fighting between the two sides, who split over the signing of the agreement; the RCSS is a signatory, while the TNLA is not. Clashes between the two groups first erupted in late November and have persisted in the months since.

Additionally, the meeting will focus on progress in the merger between the United League for Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) as well as the political framework drafted by the former President Thein Seins government and the eight ethnic armed groups that signed the NCA.

UNFC members welcomed Aung San Suu Kyis speech delivered on the occasion of the Burmese New Year, in which she promised to build a genuine, democratic federal union, seeing it as an auspicious sign for peace talks.

Translated by Thet Ko Ko.
Wednesday, April 20th, 2016 (2:13 pm) - Score 2,001

A new study of nearly 60,000 Internet users in the United Kingdom has examined whether the 2014 block of 53 pirate websites (copyright infringement) by the largest broadband ISPs had a positive outcome for legal content. The results suggest that it did, although there may be diminishing returns for future blocks.

The study itself, which was spotted by TorrentFreak, was carried out by a three man team working out of Carnegie Mellon University and Wellesley College in the USA. In fact it represents an update to a similar piece of research that was conducted last year (here), which only examined the impact of UK court ordered blocking orders against 19 major piracy sites between October and November 2013.

As most of our readers will know, Right Holders have for several years been able to harness Section 97A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to secure mandatory blocking orders against copyright infringing websites, which must be enforced by the major ISPs (e.g. BT, Sky Broadband, Virgin Media, EE and TalkTalk).

The ISPs then impose network-level blocks against related websites and any directly linked mirrors/proxy clones, although these are often circumvented through use of Virtual Private Networks (VPN), DNS changes, HTTPS or Proxy Servers.

The new research of 53 blocks is based off data on the monthly behaviours of a panel of 58,809 UK Internet users via PanelTrack from August 2014 to February 2015, which includes the three months before the blocks (August-October), the month of the blocks (November) and the three months after the block.

In the prior study the researchers found that the blocking of 19 major piracy websites in November 2013 caused a significant decrease in total piracy and a significant increase in usage of paid legal streaming sites. So what about the new study?

2016 Study Update  Short Summary We found that these [53 website] blocks caused a 90% drop in visits to the blocked sites while causing no increase in usage of unblocked sites. This led to a 22% decrease in total piracy for all users affected by the blocks (or a 16% decrease across all users overall). We also found that these blocks caused a 6% increase in visits to paid legal streaming sites like Netflix and a 10% increase in videos viewed on legal ad-supported streaming sites like BBC and Channel 5. The evidence suggests that blocking large numbers of sites can still move the dial in terms of consumer behaviour, but that there may be diminishing returns as remaining pirates may be more dispersed or else have lower willingness to pay for legal content. Nonetheless, such blocks can serve to mitigate the possibility of a long-term return to the prior status quo.

The research also noted that some users of the blocked sites did seem to employ technical workarounds to continue usage of the blocked sites. The coefficient of interest for visits to VPN sites is said to be positive and significant at the 90% confidence level, indicating that for every 10 additional visits to blocked sites before the blocks, a consumer increased their visits to VPN sites after the blocks by an additional 30%.

However the study does not observe the behaviour of each user  rather, users were segregated into 10 different segments based on the number of times they visited the blocked sites during August and September of 2014 and in that sense its focused more on the causal impact of such blocking (educated guess work). On top of that it only observes a few types of legal behaviour (ad supported streaming and subscription streaming), despite the fact that thwarted pirates may also turn to a la carte purchases, DVD/Blu-Ray purchases or rentals.

Similarly its noted that the 53 blocks occurred after a number of other major blocking actions in the UK. Thus, the Internet users who remained as pirates at the beginning of these blocks likely are not representative of typical pirates. Rather, they are likely to be individuals who were both capable of and showed a preference for pirating long after many of the most popular and reliable piracy sites had been blocked, which could imply that they are either much more educated about piracy websites or that they have lower willingness-to-pay for legal content.
Private companies are opening the way to a new golden age of space travel by providing cheap and profitable solutions.

According to the publication Sci-Tech Today, at the 32nd Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo., were discussed the new perspectives provided by a couple of revolutionary rocket landings by SpaceX and Blue Origin. Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Inc. Chief Executive who also heads private space company Blue Origin, declared that the advent of reusable rockets is opening the door to an explosion of commercial space activity.

Bezos compared this phenomenon to the national highway system and the Internet. Private ambitious projects to develop reusable rockets are part of a new space race to cut launch costs.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden explained the benefits of flying to the Red Planet using launch vehicles provided by Hawthorne-based SpaceX. The private space company already offers launch rockets costing just half the price of its competitors' offers. The challenge coming from Space X and other upstart space companies would only ramp up by adding reusable rockets to the mix.

The website fool.com reports that according to SpaceX's published list of prices, launching Falcon 9 currently costs in average $61.2 million. That's already half the best price charged by Lockheed Martin and Boeing for a launch over at United Launch Alliance.

Longtime launch provider United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of aerospace giants Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co. feels already "threatened," according to John Logsdon, professor emeritus at George Washington University's Space Policy Institute. , Such companies are not so fast on innovation, since they have been used to a non-competitive situation.

Another drive for innovation is a competition to replace the Russian RD-180 rocket engines used since the year 2000 to launch U.S. government and commercial satellites. The leading candidate to replace the Russian engine is the BE-4 engine powered by liquefied natural gas.

The BE-4 is designed by Blue Origin to produce 550,000 pounds of thrust. The engine could fly as early as 2019. Blue Origin has said that liquefied natural gas' low cost and wide availability would enable an "extended engine development test program."
An error during maintenance is being blamed for the loss of a significant amount of virtual private server data.

I suppose 123-Reg weren't listening when just two days ago I said people still need to know backups matter, even in this day and age when you would think it is known and understood.

Yet, here we have news again of a major data loss.

123-Reg is a UK-based hosting company which advertises its "online experts", the "reliability and security" of its hosting and its "business class" offerings.

123-Reg says you should choose them because they are allegedly the UK's number 1 hosting company, and they have "everything" in one place, "backed up by great support."

123-Reg says it will help your business not only get online, but succeed online as well, and that "if you are happy we are happy."

I'm guessing 123-Reg is not happy right now, because many of its customers are not happy, after news their own businesses have been taken down by none other than an internal 123-Reg maintenance task which went awry.

123-Reg isn't giving away the inside information on just went wrong, other than it was a maintenance task failure. Whatever the cause, hundreds of customers found their virtual private servers - or VPSs - were gone. Not just offline, but deleted.

However, compounding the problem is the fact 123-Reg do not appear to have backups. It's one thing to lose data, it's another thing to have no recovery.

123-Reg has taken the steps so far of asking customers to rebuild their own servers if they have a backup of their own while its in-house team is exploring the use of various third-party data recovery (undelete) tools to see if they can undo the damage somehow.

123-Reg states it has provisioned new hosts on new servers, and if it can recover data via such an undelete tool, it will re-image the servers with these.

To be fair, 123-Reg does not explicitly state it will backup customer data, though one may be forgiven for assuming a hosting company would do so. Similarly, 123-Reg does not explicitly state customers must be responsible for backing up their own data. A support article states how to backup using FTP but does not emphasise this is a necessity for customers if they wish to protect themselves from either their own, or 123-Reg's, errors.
I am a guest, along with journalists from 14 other countries, at the SAS media day held at its Carey, North Carolina Headquarters, and at its user conference following in Las Vegas.

As a journalist, I have been attempting to follow Big Data' for some time, and I could not pass up this opportunity to get to the heart of it  despite nearly a day and a half in transit each way! This first article sets the scene  as much for me, as for you, to help understand Big Data and its impact on us.

First to SAS (Statistical Analysis System) is a software suite developed by SAS Institute for advanced analytics, multivariate analyses, business intelligence, data management, and predictive analytics. It was initially developed at North Carolina State University from 1966 until 1976 when the still, privately owned, SAS Institute was formed.

At its core, it is a software suite that can mine, alter, manage and retrieve data from a variety of sources and perform statistical analysis on it. SAS provides a graphical point-and-click user interface for non-technical users and more advanced options through the SAS APIs and programming language. To use SAS, data from disparate databases is combined  from CRMs, from metadata, and even from Excel spreadsheets.

Sounds pretty dry!

But what does Big Data mean?

According to Wikipedia, Big Data is a term for datasets that are so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. Challenges include capture, data curation, cleansing, search, sharing, storage, transfer, visualization, querying, analysis, and information privacy.

Big Data in a practical sense is about the massive amount of data collected by an equally massive amount of devices and processes. If you have any digital involvement  web search; email; use a smartphone; walk through the mall; use a credit card to buy something; security camera surveillance; contact a call centre; be a ratepayer in a city with a smart city grid, and much more, - then you create a digital footprint. That is your own granular data  that when combined becomes Big Data.

Have no doubt that granular data is combined. Data brokers sell it; some is traded in return for incorporating it other data lakes, but ultimately it ends up in a cleansed format that allows analytics to be performed, and actions taken.

Big Data is pervasive, rather than invasive. It is used benignly at the highest levels by governments planning for things like an ageing population. It is used by states and cities to plan future infrastructure. It is used by corporations to provide more and better services or be more effective marketers. And it is probably used by your local florist to understand what flowers to order and when!

By definition Big Data should not be personally identifiable  beyond segments or as SAS calls them Lookalikes where people share similar criteria e.g. age-groups, customs, preferences, etc.

The real emerging issue today is a moral one. How much granular data do you as a consumer give up to receive a service? Do you like the fact that Fly-Buys tracks what you buy and advises you when these items are on sale? Do you appreciate it when your utility company proactively advises you that a different usage plan may better suit you? Do you object to emails or SMS offers that are relevant to you where and when you shop? These are the tip of the iceberg.

Enter the age of the customer  where smart companies ensure that it is all about you.

But that data is used in far more important ways. In the Fly-buys example it helps Coles predict what and how much to stock, manufacturers how much to make, and even down to what will sell better.

But could that data be used to change your buying habits? The answer is yes. Big Data is the driver for new goods, services, and innovation. Those companies that harness it get stronger.

Not moralising here  Big Data is here to stay and will only get more pervasive as it combined with data from the Internet of Things, web interactions, social media, customer relationship management, smart grids, and so on.

What I have learned from todays session is that Big Data is huge, and I hope to impart a few actionable insights to iTWire readers over the next few days.
SAS Viya is the new, modern, cloud ready, next-generation high-performance analytics and visualization architecture designed for all skill levels, scalable to any size, and built for big data challenges like machine learning.

SAS, the global leader in business analytics software and services has announced the release of SAS Viya, the next-generation high-performance and visualization architecture designed to meet the business needs for analytics accessible to anyone, and scalable to problems of any size. It helps minimize the time between early-stage analytical exploration and the end result of business value. It is the foundation of a suite of new offerings, including machine learning, to address any analytic challenge.

Open and cloud-ready, SAS Viya provides a simple and unified computing platform that addresses all small to large analytic questions.

The vast majority of the new generation of mission-critical apps, most of which are data-intensive, are being developed and run in the cloud," said Amy Konary, Program Vice President for SaaS and Cloud Services at IDC. "Within the next three to five years, most large enterprises will have much more data in the cloud than in their own data centres. IDC believes that this data gravity will hasten the migration of legacy systems and data to the cloud."

SAS Viya ensures easy deployment in the cloud or on-site. Its unified architecture alleviates the need to stitch code from different providers together. It delivers technology integration in support of the entire analytic lifecycle. It is accessible from popular programming languages, initially Python, Lua and Java, as well as public REST APIs.

SAS has embarked on a major effort to build for the future of analytics with its SAS Viya architecture, said Nicole Engelbert, Director of Research and Analysis at Ovum. This is an ambitious, aggressive undertaking that incorporates the key innovations that can take its customers where they want to be. Its critical that analytics users can quickly integrate and exploit new technologies.

Randy Guard, SAS Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said, Analytics are firmly at the centre of todays enterprise, producing new opportunities, improving customer experiences and growing bottom lines. SAS Viya provides businesses, governments and other organizations a single, open and cloud-ready architecture. Its easy to manage, scales to all analytic challenges, and delivers value from analysts of varied skill sets.

The open SAS Viya architecture makes analytics accessible to anyone, and we want to build upon that openness by creating a community for knowledge sharing, said Guard. Our users will be able to contribute code, procedures, visuals and services, and collaborate on ideas.

In addition to a multi-vendor architecture for analytics, SAS Viya now delivers a multi-cloud architecture for analytics. A single code base ensures consistent, reusable assets that are transportable as infrastructure evolves.

New analytics products coming to SAS Viya include:

SAS Visual Analytics  offers visual data discovery, interactive reporting and self-service data exploration.

SAS Visual Statistics  features a graphical user interface and a predictive modelling and programming interface. Users can interactively create and refine models for specific groups or segments and quickly reveal insights.

SAS Visual Investigator  a new product that provides graphical and interactive intelligence management and investigation capabilities. It enables intelligence analysts and investigators to reduce false positives, streamline the investigation process and fight fraud or improve customer segmentation. SAS Visual Investigator supports search, query and visualization of data, regardless of format, size and location, as well as investigations using geospatial, network, and temporal visualizations.

SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning  is a new product that extends market leading SAS advanced analytics. SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning is aimed at data scientists who want to easily apply machine learning and data mining techniques to structured and unstructured data. Developers can build a model once and deploy anywhere.

SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning will also provide a friendly interface to expedite model building and code generation. It will address data sourcing, analytical data preparation, feature engineering, dimension reduction, exploratory analysis, modelling and learning, integrated model comparison and implementation of models into production processes.

With its distributed, massively parallel in-memory processing, SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning delivers answers quickly, allowing an enterprise to shift gears on the fly and respond to changing markets, said Sascha Schubert, SAS Advanced Analytics Marketing Director. Enterprises are always looking for faster insights to keep ahead of the competition.

Today's announcement was made at SAS Global Forum, the world's largest analytics conference, with more than 30,000 business and IT users of SAS software participating on-site and online. The author is a guest at the event.
SAS has developed a tool to bring siloed data together to give marketers a 360-degree view of their customers.

SAS, a leader in business analytics software and services, has announced its Customer Intelligence 360. It serves as a new digital marketing hub that unites data from all channels to help users make smarter decisions and improve their customers experience.

SAS has a strong history supporting customer intelligence across inbound and outbound channels, said James Taylor, CEO and Principal Consultant of Decision Management Solutions. Smarter, more personalized decisions driven by sophisticated analytics are critical to a better customer experience. SAS Customer Intelligence 360 integrates data from digital channels to improve these analytics and delivers consistent cross-channel decisioning throughout the customer journey.

SAS Customer Intelligence 360 offers us a great opportunity to integrate all of our digital channels and combine that data with what we know about our customers offline behavior, said Roman Melcher of dm-drogerie markt, Germanys largest drugstore chain. Now we can engage with our customers in real time, and we have all information at our disposal to orchestrate the perfect omni-channel customer journey.

Fragmented data is an issue plaguing marketers. When email data is housed in one marketing solution, but web behaviour interactions are managed in another marketers can lack a complete customer view.

SAS new offering helps solve this issue. We built SAS Customer Intelligence 360 as an intuitive digital marketing hub that brings together all available data. It helps marketers meet customers needs in real-time, said Wilson Raj, Global Director of SAS Customer Intelligence. For example, with integrated data at their disposal, a marketer can immediately send a personalized offer to a customers smartphone when theyre near a brick-and-mortar location.

SAS Customer Intelligence 360 gives marketers for successful customer interactions through:

Guided analytics. Building on SAS 40 years of analytics leadership, embedded analytical processes make digital marketers smarter and more efficient. Automatic segmentation and self-learning algorithms deliver more context to each marketing interaction.

Data freedom. SAS helps marketers access their data when, where and how they need it, so they can use it to make better and faster decisions.

One customer across all channels. Omni-channel goes far beyond just email and website. SAS Customer Intelligence 360 links what customers are doing on digital properties with what theyre doing elsewhere, such as in the store or with the contact center. A single view of the customer allows marketers to offer a personalized, relevant customer experience based on past interactions and predictive analytics.

Performance insights. Marketers can see vital measures of their success  not only which activities are working, but what content performs best, which customer segments to focus on, and what is the best sequence for an individual customers experience.

Initially, SAS Customer Intelligence 360 includes two core modules:

SAS 360 Discover provides reporting and insights based on web and mobile behavioural data, and can easily incorporate broader customer information to really go beyond web analytics to understand the behaviours individual customers have as they are interacting with the brand.

SAS 360 Engage enables users to create, orchestrate, and optimize digital customer journeys.

Today's announcement was made at SAS Global Forum, the world's largest analytics conference, with more than 30,000 business and IT users of SAS software participating on-site and online. The author was a guest at the event.
21 billion IoT devices by 2020, 50 billion by 2050  thats a lot of data and potentially a lot of noise from the IoT Tsunami.

For 40 years, SAS has uncovered meaningful patterns in what appears to be data noise, said Jason Mann, SAS Director of Product Management for Internet of Things. Our customers tell us theyre struggling to see value from IoT. By focusing our considerable capabilities toward this business challenge, were making it easier for customers to extract meaning out of that data flood.

SAS, a global leader in business analytics and software has a long history of probing data from sensors and other devices. Its Analytics for IoT is a new package of proven software products that applies SAS core expertise of analyzing massive amounts of data to IoT connected sensors and devices.

SAS Analytics for IoT helps organizations interpret rapidly moving and accumulating data, and confidently make decisions based on that data. The resulting gains  such as improved safety and reduced injuries or enhanced product quality  translate into healthier profits.

For example, Finnish global industrial crane manufacturer Konecranes uses SAS to influence decisions made with sensor data. The use of analytics supports our vision of knowing how millions of lifting devices and machine tools perform in real time, said Juha Pankakoski, Chief Digital Officer at Konecranes. We use this knowledge around the clock to make operations safer and more productive. With SAS, Konecranes analyzes equipment and customer data plus usage and impact data. Combining big data with reliability analysis and simulations enhances our ability to make predictions. Weve gone from being able to predict failures on a single piece of equipment with data history for five variables for a few minutes, to predicting maintenance needs and failures for our entire equipment fleet with hundreds of variables and a data history as far back as four years.

Other companies using SAS to analyze IoT sensor data include:

CPS Energy. Texas-based CPS Energy is building a flexible, sensor-dense power grid for San Antonio, and SAS analyzes its data all along the network - from the edge where the sensors generate the data to the database inside their network.

Geneia. By analyzing sensor data with SAS, Geneia-supported care teams can interpret contextual changes in a patients condition, intervene earlier and possibly prevent further deterioration.

Navistar. The heavy truck, bus and military vehicle manufacturer uses SAS to maximize its OnCommand Connection (OCC) system which monitors vehicles in real time. OCC sensors continuously stream multidimensional data from customers vehicles, including engine and fault codes. This capability allows Navistar to empathize with customers in ways that were impossible before.

Town of Cary, N.C. Using SAS analytics to monitor data received from its Aquastar water-meter-infrastructure system, the Town of Cary has transformed its customer service model from reactive to proactive, resulting in earlier detection and communication of unusual customer water patterns.

Western Digital. Production engineers at data-storage manufacturer Western Digital use SAS to identify possible failures early in the production process, then make timely decisions to avoid quality issues.

SAS Analytics for IoT benefits manufacturing, energy, retail

SAS combines streaming technology, analytics and domain expertise to turn IoT data into insight. Providing a secure path for predicting maintenance needs, personalizing offers on the spot, and triggering actions that deliver bottom-line business value, SAS helps organizations:

Discover data that matters. SAS intelligent filtering focuses enterprises on whats relevant and helps avoid the costly temptation of store everything.

Understand the signals within the data. Organizations can mine and analyze IoT data throughout the connected ecosystem. Combining IoT data with other contextual data makes it easier to detect patterns of interest.

Act with speed, scale and confidence. SAS Analytics for IoT injects powerful analysis into the data stream itself. Organizations base real-time action on signals as they occur, from simple alerts to complex automated responses.

"The IoT market is evolving globally, said Dan Vesset, IDC Group Vice President for Analytics and Information Management. To meet the needs of enterprises engaged in creating sensor data, its important to keep analytics front and centre. Without predictive analytics at the edge and in the enterprise network, it will be difficult for any organization to realize the full potential represented by the IoT. Thats where SAS offering makes a lot of sense  whether the organization involved is engaged in manufacturing, energy, retail or any other industry thats putting sensing devices into play."

Today's announcement was made at SAS Global Forum, the world's largest analytics conference, with more than 30,000 business and IT users of SAS software participating on-site and online. The author was a guest at the event.
The venture will see MassChallenge help to strengthen Australias startup ecosystem through idea-pitching competitions, startup boot camps and local and international mentoring.



The Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne, announced the funding on Wednesday during a visit to the Microsoft Innovation Centre in Adelaide, where he participated in a demonstration of three startups with local connections  Makers Empire and Teamgage and Buddy, established by an Adelaide ex-pat in the US which has recently relocated its engineering capacity to Adelaide.



The products on show here today would not have been developed without the support of organisations like MassChallenge, Minister Pyne said. Accelerators are an important component of the ecosystem and boost the skills of participating startups through training, mentoring and exposure to investor networks.





MassChallenge, a non-profit that takes no equity in the start-ups, has a proven model that has graduated 835 alumni since 2010, raised $1.1 billion in funding, generated over $520 million in revenue and created 6,500 jobs.That is the kind of opportunity we want to create for startups here in Australia whilst also helping upskill the Australia innovation ecosystem.The project also brings with it a strong international connection with startup ecosystems from Boston, London and Israel, ensuring a network of international connectivity and promotion of Australia as a global entrepreneurial hub. Microsoft Australia managing director Pip Marlow congratulated the Government on the initiative. Microsoft Australia is delighted to be the founding partner for MassChallenge in Australia. This announcement continues a long association between MassChallenge and Microsoft globally, and is a further step in our Joined-Up Innovation campaign to help build a stronger innovation ecosystem in Australia.MassChallenge senior director global partnerships Kara Shurmantine said the company would work to connect entrepreneurs and the wider ecosystem with our global network across the US, Europe, Israel, Latin America, and beyond.This allows us to gain a valuable connection to the thriving startup scene in Australia and were looking forward to working with key players here to exchange best practices and help the ecosystem to flourish.Minister Pyne said the Governments $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda recognised the importance of startups to Australia as value creators and job creators.NISA is encouraging investment in startups via tax breaks and easier access to more diverse funding options through new laws that enable crowd-sourced equity funding. We are committed to establishing Australia as a leading nation in innovation and want to help businesses embrace risk and incentivise early stage investment in startups.
Under the 12-month contract, D13 will develop the counter-drone solution which the company says will advance the speed of development of its counter-drone technology products with added technical features and capabilities specifically for defence applications.



D13 listed on the ASX in January this year after backing into mining company Kunene Resources in a $6 million capital raising.



According to Jonathan Hunter, CEO of D13 said, the contract demonstrates that D13 is a world leader in innovative counter-drone technology.



We look forward to bringing to the market two distinct product offerings over the course of this year to address demands from our commercial and government clients. D13s defence and government solutions focus on handling the unique special requirements of the defence, intelligence, and law enforcement communities.





Hunter said D13s commercial solutions focus on providing a counter-drone solution while reducing costs and complexity by leveraging readily available existing security infrastructure.The commercial product offering provides incredible flexibility, ease of integration, and robust scalability for both large complex areas, such as critical infrastructure like airports and nuclear power plants, or more simple and open area venues such as concerts and sporting events.D13 says it has 9 patents and 15 patent applications in the development of wireless protocol manipulation and communication networking software with applications in: Drone defence Local area and wide area cellular communications and networking Enhanced data bandwidth for all digital communications Cyber security for mobile devices Sophisticated applications in the RF environment (Radiometrics).D13, which is listed on the Australian stock exchange, says it will update the market on further news regarding defence and commercial sectors, as and when other contract negotiations are completed.
The giant computer chip maker said on Tuesday that the proposed job cuts  11% of its global workforce - are part of its restructuring from a computer-based company to one that powers the cloud and billions of connected computing devices.



Intel has previously said it has shifted its focus to providing the computing power for server systems as the backbone for the growth in cloud-computing.



In a statement on Tuesday, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich announced a restructuring initiative which he said would accelerate its evolution from a PC company to one that powers the cloud and billions of smart, connected computing devices.





Intel will intensify its focus in high-growth areas where it is positioned for long-term leadership, customer value and growth, while making the company more efficient and profitable."In an email to the companys employees, Krzanich said the data centre and Internet of Things (IoT) businesses are Intels primary growth engines, with memory and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) accelerating these opportunities  fuelling a virtuous cycle of growth for the company.These growth businesses delivered $2.2 billion in revenue growth last year, and made up 40% of revenue and the majority of operating profit, which largely offset the decline in the PC market segment.Krzanich said that while making the company more efficient Intel plans to increase investments in the products and technologies that that will fuel revenue growth, and drive more profitable mobile and PC businesses.Through this comprehensive initiative, the company plans to increase investments in its data centre, IoT, memory and connectivity businesses, as well as growing client segments such as 2-in-1s, gaming and home gateways.Announcing its first-quarter results, Intel lowered its revenue forecast for the year, and says it now expects revenue to rise in mid-single digits, down from its previous forecast of mid to high-single digits.Intel has said it will record a pre-tax restructuring charge of $1.2 billion in the second quarter and expects annual savings of $1.4 billion per year starting in mid-2017.
Intel used its sponsorship of this week's Connect Expo and the associated Next Big Thing conference to promote the benefits of the sixth-generation Core and Core vPro CPUs.

Intel computing group vice president and general manager of business client platforms Tom Garrison (pictured above) drew attention to Intel Authenticate, a feature of the sixth-generation CPUs that stores biometric data, credentials and security policies within the chip, where it is more securely protected.

The idea appears to be similar to the secure element found in mobile phones.

Intel Authenticate works with Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, providing additional options during the login process. Entering a blank password causes Authenticate to kick in. Depending on the policies it will look for one or more factors: the presence of a particular mobile phone (identified via Bluetooth), a fingerprint, a PIN, and so on.

The idea is to provide greater security by solving the 'stolen password' problem at the same time as making life easier for users, Garrison told iTWire.

"IT has complete flexibility of the types and number of factors used," he said.

When a phone is used, the computer can be automatically locked if it goes out of range. But don't worry that a sudden failure of the phone would leave you locked out: the policy settings would normally allow unlocking by two other factors such as a fingerprint and a PIN.

Where the computer is built around a sixth-generation vPro CPU, the policies can be contingent on whether or not it is connected to a trusted network, for example by requiring the use one factor within the company's own premises and multiple factors elsewhere.

Intel Authenticate is currently being trialled by selected companies to allow the user interactions to be fine-tuned before a general introduction later this year, Garrison told iTWire. "We've seen tremendous interest."

The company was also promoting Intel Unite, a walk-up screen-sharing technology that combines conference rooms and remote participants.

The idea is that a conference room screen or projector is driven from a (usually small form factor) PC - normally one based on a vPro CPU for remote manageability, as there wouldn't normally be a mouse and keyboard.

The screen displays a six-digit code which can be entered into the Unite software running on a Windows or OS X computer. iOS support is scheduled for the second half of the year.

Images from up to four devices can be displayed simultaneously, or eight if the room PC has two screens.

Those images are also shared with other participants' computers - whether in the room or at a remote location - allowing anyone to annotate them.

The total number of participants is limited by network capacity. Garrison said "Intel uses this in our conference rooms" and he has see as many as 50 people connected and collaborating without any issues.

Before the adoption of Unite, meetings at Intel started on average eight minutes late while people fiddled around connecting the computers to a screen or projector, or went in search of the necessary adaptor cable. Now, meetings start on average just two minutes after the hour, he said.

Intel Unite interoperates with Lync and Skype, and other companies have developed plug-ins for their products, he added.
The telco has signed an agreement to lease the building where it will have signage rights, with the employees to move from Vodafones existing North Sydney and Chatswood offices.



Vodafone Chief Financial Officer James Marsh said Vodafone would occupy eight floors at 177 Pacific Highway, North Sydney.



We are very pleased to have secured an agreement to lease 10,000 square metres of office space over eight floors at this state-of-the-art building.





Over the past eighteen months, Vodafone has achieved solid growth across the board, including in revenue and customer numbers, and the new building represents a next step in our journey.The prominent building-top signage will become part of the North Sydney skyline in another signal that Vodafone is back.Marsh said the fit-out of the new building will be completed over coming months.Vodafone Director of Human Resources Michael Stanley said all Sydney-based corporate employees, including technology, marketing, finance and human resources functions, will move into the new office before the end of the year.At the heart of this move to the new office space is our commitment to attracting and retaining the best employees. Using design-thinking principles driven by our employees, we are creating a new space which is a living embodiment of our values, and encourages increased collaboration, productivity and innovation.The physical layout will comprise functional neighbourhoods, and each employee will be empowered to choose how they use the spaces, technology and resources in order to be most effective.This new space will challenge traditional thinking, break down any silos and embed a culture of trust which favours outcomes over hours. By facilitating and encouraging flexible working options such as working from home and flexible roles, we are aiming to diversify our talent pool and truly become a mobile workplace.
The news that auDA has decided to go ahead with direct registrations in the .au namespace is disappointing, but not surprising.

This time last year, auDA announced it was considering direct registrations (aka second-level registrations) in the .au namespace. This would allow the registrations of names such as itwire.au.

At the time, I asked 'Open second-level .au domains - cui bono?', concluding the real beneficiaries will be the domain name industry, due to the likelihood of defensive registrations.

And in August I explained 'Why I don't want direct .au registrations'.

Make available domain names which are shorter, more appealing and more memorable

Shorter and more memorable, perhaps; more appealing, arguably; but also more confusing. And there's no additional value for all those people who reach websites via search engines rather than typing in a full URL.

Give Australians more choice in deciding what domain name to register

Not really, because the suggestion is that existing registrants will be given first chance at direct registrations.

Respond to market demand

Demand by registrants or by registrars?

Be more attractive to natural individuals than the current option, id.au

Perhaps, but there are a lot more people with the same name than there are companies, and competition will be even greater in .au due to to overlapping claims between business and individuals. John Bonds and all the other people with the surname Bonds would be in competition with the company behind Bonds clothing brand for bonds.au. They'd also have to compete with anyone with the surname Bond that wanted bonds.au, because bonds.id.au has been registered by a Bond, not a Bonds. Experience in other namespaces suggests that names in high demand in newly-created namespaces will be effectively allocated on the basis of who will pay the most.

Strengthen the .au brand in a globally competitive market

Given that .au is restricted to Australians and Australian businesses (though they may be foreign-owned), this seems completely irrelevant to the discussion.

Add value to all three main categories of users  registrars and resellers, registrants and ultimate users of the .au domain name system

Registrars, resellers and those who get around the rules intended to prevent the trade in domain names will benefit. The benefits for registrants and internet users seem illusory to me.
This release encapsulates LEADs commitment to its broad customer base and demonstrates the skill and diversity of our programmers and imaging experts, all of which continue to ensure LEADTOOLS position as the world-leading imaging SDK, stated Jordan Shields, Vice President, LEAD Technologies. These updates are freely available to all registered LEADTOOLS Version 19 and annual maintenance customers.

New Java Libraries for Windows and Linux  Multiple coding teams at LEAD Technologies combined their efforts with a single purpose to resolve numerous customer requests for Java libraries for LEADTOOLS. These Java libraries expand LEADTOOLS functionality for Linux with support for OCR, Documents library services, Document Writers, Document Converter, vector and document formats such as PDF and DOCX, and SANE scanning. Additionally, the libraries provide a common programming interface to develop applications for Windows and Linux. Click for more information on LEADTOOLS imaging technologies provided for Java.

Document Viewer on Linux  The LEADTOOLS Document Viewer includes rich document viewing features such as text search, annotation, memory-efficient paging, inertial scrolling and vector display. LEADTOOLS' Document Viewer supports viewing PDF, MS-Office, AutoCAD DWG/DXF and many vector/raster formats. Developers and administrators can host all of the services required by the LEADTOOLS Document Viewer using Java services on Linux servers. Click for more information on LEADTOOLS Document Viewer technology.

Document Writers Available for Linux  LEADTOOLS Document Writers are now available for Linux. LEADTOOLS Document Writers create PDF, PDF/A, DOCX, RTF, TEXT and ALTOXML from SVG input. Other technologies within LEADTOOLS that create SVG, such as OCR, can leverage the Document Writers to save these document formats. Click for more information on LEADTOOLS Document Writer technology.

Document Converter Available for Linux  With LEADTOOLS Document Converter technology, developers can create powerful, automated document conversion, archival and delivery systems. Under the hood, LEADTOOLS Document Converter technology uses a combination of raster, OCR and Document Writers technologies to convert images and documents to PDF, PDF/A, DOCX, RTF, TEXT and SVG. Click for more information on LEADTOOLS Document Converter technology.

Innovations Applied to the Advantage OCR Engine  The OCR specialists at LEAD Technologies continue to enhance the top-notch performance of the LEADTOOLS Advantage OCR engine in both accuracy and speed. Sweeping improvements have been made for several core features including Latin and Korean language recognition, auto-zone for images with noise and graphics, and preprocessing of noisy images. Generated documents more closely resemble the original images through enhancements to foreground and background color detection, font type recognition, and a brand-new serif and sans-serif font typeface detection. LEAD Technologies continues to dedicate and add significant resources to meet the ever-growing demands of the market. Click for more information on LEADTOOLS OCR technology.

HTML5 Medical Viewer is Better than Ever  Numerous customer requests have been included in this release such as adding structured display and templates (custom and built-in) technology to the HTML5 Medical Viewer. With these features, the end-user can design custom display templates choosing from three ways to arrange series images: sequentially, DICOM instance number or custom JavaScript function. Users can save the templates to a LEADTOOLS storage server as a DICOM structured display dataset; the LEADTOOLS Medical Viewer will use them to render series.

Additional features added to the HTML5 Medical Web Viewer include rendering encapsulated PDF documents in a viewer frame, and users can now upload DICOM to the server directly from the viewer.

Besides adding new features, LEAD Technologies continues to refine the HTML5 Medical Viewer and related services. This latest update provides many speed upgrades, including load, window-level, image processing, and cine. These optimizations open the door to higher quality MPR output and real-time window-level of large projection radiographs such as mammography and x-ray images. Other enhancements include better spyglass functionality and support to load all types of images such as CT, MR, and MG. Stack functionality has been enhanced to handle large volume stacks such as CT and MRI, and perform synchronization on two large stacks of the same anatomy. The viewer can now generate high quality orthogonal slices and use a 3D cursor for smooth MPR navigation. Additionally, the probe tools have been strengthened by adding Hounsfield (HU) scale support. Click for more information on the LEADTOOLS Medical Viewer.

Multi-Resolution and Tiled Image Technology Added to HTML5 Medical Viewer  At the core of several of the HTML5 Medical Web Viewer enhancements is the new multi-resolution and tiled image (MRTI) technology, which optimizes the delivery of large, extremely high-resolution (up to 1TB) images, including microscopy and pathology images. MRTI intelligently serves a portion and resolution of the image based on the specific client request. This saves bandwidth, reduces memory requirements, and increases the overall efficiency of the entire system. Click for more information on LEADTOOLS multi-resolution and tiled image technology.

WADO and DICOMweb Interface  LEADTOOLS now provides extensive support for DICOM WADO, including WADO-URI, WADO-WS and DICOMweb (RESTful DICOM Services). Developers can use the API to directly access patient/study related data stored in third-party PACS or expose PACS data to direct third-party access using the DICOM defined HTTP protocol standard, including DICOM data storage (STOW-RS) over the web.

In addition, LEADTOOLS includes DICOMweb support for the LEADTOOLS high-level PACS Framework. This enables third-party systems to directly query (QIDO-RS), retrieve (WADO-RS), and store (STOW-RS) DICOM object over the web to its DICOM storage system using DICOM WADO protocol from anywhere, thereby removing the domain boundary limitation. Click for more information on LEADTOOLS WADO technology.

Advanced J2K Technology  The compression experts at LEAD Technologies have optimized the loading of heavily tiled J2K and TIFF J2K files. Additionally, they have expanded TIFF J2K technology in LEADTOOLS by adding functions to enumerate and load sub-resolutions of J2K data encapsulated in TIFF. Click for more information on LEADTOOLS JPEG 2000 compression technology.

New Features Added to Annotation Technology  Snap-to-grid and alignment UI features have been added with this release. These features provide image markup formatting features usually only found in word processing and presentation applications. Click for more information on LEADTOOLS image markup and annotation technology.

New Image Processing Functions  Salt & Pepper Noise Removal and UnWarp image processing functions are now available in LEADTOOLS. The UnWarp function removes the distortion in an image of a cylindrical object, as if removing a label from off of the cylinder and flattening it out. Click for more information on these and other LEADTOOLS image processing functions.

About LEAD Technologies

With a rich history of more than 25 years, LEAD has established itself as the world's leading provider of software development toolkits for document, medical, multimedia, raster and vector imaging. LEAD's flagship product, LEADTOOLS, holds the top position in every major country throughout the world and boasts a healthy, diverse customer base and strong list of corporate partners including some of the largest and most influential organizations from around the globe. For more information, contact sales@leadtools.com or support@leadtools.com.
Business intelligence has gone from static reports that tell you what happened, to interactive dashboards where you can drill into information to try and understand why it happened. New big data sources, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices, are pushing businesses from those reactive analytics  whether you look back once a month to spot trends or once a day to check for problems  to proactive analytics that give you alerts and real-time dashboards. That makes better use of operational data, which is more useful while its still current, before conditions change.

Theres a demand for real-time dashboards, says Herain Oberoi from Microsofts Cortana Analytics team. A lot of businesses want to get the pulse of their business. But dashboards show things that have already happened.

Thats why fastest growing area is predictive and other advanced analytics, according to Gartner. Its latest Magic Quadrant for advanced analytics predicts that by 2018 more than half of all large organizations around the world will use advanced analytics (and algorithms built on them) to compete.

Advanced, predictive analytics are about calculating trends and future possibilities, predicting potential outcomes and making recommendations. That goes beyond the queries and reports in familiar BI tools like SQL Server Reporting Services, Business Objects and Tableau, to more sophisticated methods like statistics, descriptive and predictive data mining, machine learning, simulation and optimization that look for trends and patterns in the data, which is often a mix of structured and unstructured.

Microsoft

Theyre the kind of tools that are currently used by marketing or risk analysis teams for understanding churn, customer lifetimes, cross-selling opportunities, likelihood of buying, credit scoring and fraud detection. Those users arent going away. Many telcos want to get from being reactive to being proactive, says Oberoi. They want a system where they can say tell me which of these customers, based on their customer profile and calling pattern, is going to churn.

[Related: How machine learning ate Microsoft]

But Gartner says almost every business unit is going to be interested in these tools and he agrees that matches the customers for Cortana Analytics. The people were talking to are changing. Im having a lot more dialog with line of business decision makers. We see a lot of budget moving to line of business teams. He recently spoke with customers at Microsofts Convergence conference in Europe. Of the five customers I met, at least three were line of business and two of those had a charter for driving digital transformation and their companys innovation agenda.

Getting things done

Predictive maintenance has got a lot of attention but there are other key uses like predicting demand and finding problems in service or product quality using anomaly detection, as well as decision support systems. Those are questions like what might happen and what should I do? says Oberoi.

The fundamental customer challenge hasnt changed; how do I go from the data that I have, to getting some insights, to actually enabling some an action or driving something forward? What the tools in Cortana Analytics can do is reduce the number of manual steps you have to take to get to those actions.

The basic way to go from data to decisions is a static report that says what happened. If Im in sales and I want to look at what my sales look like by region for the last quarter, thats my static report, and then theres some manual steps I take before I go make a decision, he explains.

The next piece of it is not just something happened but why it happened. My sales went down last quarter, but did they go down because my top three deals didnt go through or because my average deal size went down? How do I slice and dice the data [to find out]? So I have a dashboard with reports I can interact with to understand why something happens, and that typically reduces the numbers of manual steps before I can make a decision and take some actions. Then we get into prediction; not just after-the-fact my sales went down and I know why but tell me beforehand, based on my forecast, that I might not make my target for the month so I can respond.

Business automation would mean the fewest possible manual steps. Oberoi explains what that might look like.

The final piece of it is recommendation and decision automation. Ultimately, you want to get to a place where the system is proactively informing you, not just what might happen but what you can do about it. It looks like youre going to miss your forecast next week. Based on that, you have two promotions lined up and those are hooked up to your CRM system; do you want to pull those promotions forward by a week, yes or no? You say yes, and you have the business process and the workflow set up, fully automated, and it helps you pull that forward by a week.

That kind of advice will often come from an intelligent assistant; in Microsofts case, thats Cortana, who can already take reminders and suggest when its time to leave for a meeting, as well as answering questions. Oberoi thinks thats just as useful for business tasks where a reminder could tell employees they need to send in their expense report and those questions can be about your business; what were the biggest deals we closed last quarter? or which of our customers are most likely to churn in the next quarter? or alert me if this customer ever has a 90 percent chance of churn in the next 30 days.

The system knows youre going to miss your forecast next week; it also knows that one of the things that might help you hit the forecast is pulling forward the marketing promotion thats being sent out. Theres no reason why Cortana wouldnt proactively reach out to you and say hey George, it looks like youre going to miss your forecast for sales next week and youve got these promotions lined up. Would you like to pull them forward, or talk to the team that owns those promotions to get them to pull them forward? Its a more proactive way for the system to interact with you and a more natural way to do it.

Intelligent advice

Whether its IoT, big data or analytics, companies have a lot more data to base their decisions on, and data-driven decision making sounds obvious. And the next step beyond data-driven decisions is decision support systems and even automation. Are we ready for intelligent assistants with business advice?

While a recent study of 50,000 American manufacturing organizations found that the use of data-driven decisions had almost tripled between 2005 and 2010, that was still only 30 percent of plants. And when telecom provider Colt surveyed senior IT leaders in Europe in 2015, 71 percent of them said intuition and personal experience works better for making decisions than using data (even though 76 percent of them say their intuition doesnt always match the data they get).

More positively, Avanades new study of smart technologies says business leaders globally expect to be using digital assistants and automated intelligence for problem solving, analysing data, collaborating and making decisions  and they also expect them to increase revenues by more than a third. With those kinds of expectations, attitudes are also more positive; 54 percent said theyd be happy working with those systems.

[Related: Why Power BI is the future of Excel]

Certainly, early adopters that Accenture has spoken to who are using machine learning to improve the way they manage customer service, financial resources and risk and compliance, in sales and marketing and in developing new areas of business found significant, even exponential, business gains in costs, revenue and customer performance, by using a mix of what Oberoi calls perceptual intelligence using natural language and voice biometrics, advanced analytics and business decision support .

Those gains included cutting costs up to 70 percent, increasing revenue up to 20 times by tracking buyer behaviour more quickly and getting happier customers by handling call routing more quickly and accurately, and those results might help overcome reluctance.

Getting business users involved in building these systems should also increase adoption. The demand for data scientists is larger than supply, which means companies without their own deep expertise will look to cloud services and marketplaces for analytical solutions and algorithms like the Cortana Analytics gallery, which includes tutorials and experiments as well as APIs and templates you can use to get started and then customize, plus pre-configured services for recommendations and forecasting.

The way to best succeed in this space in to experiment fast, says Oberoi; to go through the search space of ideas and find things that are really interesting. Marketplaces are a great way to get started on those experiments.

Power users (who Gartner calls citizen data scientists) will also pick up these tools to create their own advanced analytics, which means youll want a strategy for addressing analytics. You can think of them as far more sophisticated versions of the Excel macros that many business departments rely on, that are going to demand more data literacy and careful thought about the ethics of automated decisions, because of the significant impact this new, more intelligent business intelligence is going to have on your organization.
Saudi Arabia has recently warned the U.S. government and its lawmakers that it will sell off American assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars held by the kingdom if the U.S. Congress passes a bill that could point to the Middle Eastern government as a responsible party for the attacks on 9/11.

If this happens a lot of businesses and hundreds or even thousands of jobs would be affected.

The administration of President Obama has lobbied Congress to block the passing of the bill, said congressional aides and administration officials from the Democrats and Republicans.

In the past couple of weeks, Saudi Arabia's threat has been in the center of heated discussions between State Department, Pentagon officials and members of Congress. Administration officials warned lawmakers that this could have an adverse effect on US businesses and their respective workers.

This particular bill gained wide support from both the Democrats and the Republicans, but not with the White House.

As a lead-in to the bill, CBS aired a report last week about the redacted or missing 28 pages of the 9/11 Commission report. Some say that those missing pages might point to the participation of Saudi Arabia in the 9/11 attacks.

Bob Graham, a former Democratic senator and also a former governor of Florida reiterated his long-held belief that the 28 missing pages need to be declassified.

These missing pages were locked away in a secret vault for 13 years and were seen only by a select few. The CBS report enabled the public to hear some of the people who have seen and read these pages. They believe, the same way that families of 9/11 victims think, that these pages should be opened to the public.

The foreign minister of KSA, Adel al-Jubeir, delivered his country's message personally to Washington in his trip last month, warning that they would sell as much as $750 billion dollars of assets in the United States before they are frozen by American courts.
A day of triumph and victory for Google as the giant company won over the copyright lawsuit filed by the Authors Guild. A lawsuit that has baffled Google for more than 11 years is finally closing its chapter.

A former post from BBC mentioned, "The US Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Google in its 11-year legal battle with an authors group and the Court said it would not hear an appeal from the Authors Guild, which claimed Google breached copyright laws by scanning books without permission."

The battle began in 2004 when Google utilized the books for its searchable database angering the Authors Guild in the year 2005 and that anger ended in court. Despite the rising complaints against Google's platform Google Books, the Supreme Court's judgement is the absolute ruling on the latter.

Moreover, Google's database of books lets people search through millions of titles and read passages and selected pages from them, while some of the books in the database are old titles that are no longer protected by copyright, millions are more recent publications, according to the same report.

Although Google celebrates the Supreme Court's decision, the Authors Guild and their dismay is publicly voiced out. To prove the latter, the Authors Guild said it was "disappointed" over the decision that the Supreme Court rendered as well as the denial of their appeals.

The organisation's president Roxana Robinson stated, "We believed then and we believe now that authors should be compensated when their work is copied for commercial purposes." On a different aspect, Google has always aimed for excellence and dominion as well as expanding their horizons such as the improvement of the platform Google Calendar, reports Jobs & Hire.

As for Google, a Google spokeswoman rebutted, "We are grateful that the court has agreed to uphold the decision of the Second Circuit which concluded that Google Books is transformative and consistent with copyright law."
Mike Vernal, the search executive of Facebook Inc left the company and joined Sequoia Capital, a joint venture capital firm. He was formerly in charge of the social media giant's search and developer products.

Vernal worked with Facebook for eight years as vice president of research and reported directly to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of the company before his jump to Sequoia. The Menlo Park, CA-based firm said it has no intention of filling up the position vacated by Vernal.

Its product teams are expected to operate under the leadership of their individual heads. Meanwhile, Vernal joins Sequoia as a partner and will be focused on early stage startups.

"Mike Vernal has been an integral part of the Facebook team," the social media giant said in a statement. "While we're sad to lose him, we're happy for him to take the next step in his career and wish him all the best," added the statement.

A report in Re/code indicated that Vernal has been active as an angel investor, financially supporting "friends and friends of friends."

His new venture firm is known for its investments in Google and Apple and has also invested money in Facebook's most vital and expensive acquisitions - WhatsApp, and Instagram.

"One of the most important things I've learned at Facebook is that a small team of people with vision and drive can change the world," wrote Vernal in a Facebook post. "While I'm sad to leave Facebook, I'm excited to join Sequoia and work with a new wave of bold, driven, and visionary entrepreneurs," his post added.

Vernal's resignation came after a week of the social media giant's annual developer conference held in San Francisco. In the conference, the 2,500 attendees were given a preview of what Facebook intends to do in the next 10 years.

Meanwhile, Vernal will be the first partner to join Sequoia since Michael Goguen, a longtime partner left the venture firm probably due to a lawsuit filed by an exotic dancer.
A US legislator has discovered belatedly that hackers were able to pry on his communications just by using his smartphone's number. This could portend dangers to businesses and jobs since confidential information between businesses and clients can be accessed surreptitiously by unauthorized persons.

Hackers are now able to eavesdrop on any cellphone conversation and track a person's geographical movement if they know the individual's phone number. They can record his conversation and use it to milk him out for some money or jeopardize his job. This is a dangerous situation that the US congressman has found himself in.

Surprisingly, Ted Lieu, the US lawmaker's current problem with his smartphone was carried out with his cooperation in connection with a 60 Minutes' piece broadcast aired last Sunday night.

An employee of Security Research Labs, Karsten Nohl recorded the calls made to or from Lieu's phone and was also able to track the phone's exact location in real-time as the lawmaker travelled to different parts of Southern California.

The 60 Minutes broadcast clearly showed how hackers only need the phone number of a smartphone to be able to record its calls and track its location. As a response to the breach, Lieu demanded that those who are connected with intelligence agencies who know about the SS7 flaw should be dismissed.

This 60 Minutes broadcast has opened the minds of people who are not normally security minded. That means the broad sector of society whose activities, business and personal, could be in danger of being monitored for nefarious ends.

Most people think that such kind of hacks or hacking are only seen in movies. But the experience of Lieu shows that it happens in the everyday lives of everyday people.

To illustrate the dangers, at one point, the 60 Minute broadcast played a recording made by Research Labs of Lieu's call that discussed the data collection process of the US National Security Agency. The call was crystal clear.

While the hacking was with Lieu's permission, there's nothing that will stop unscrupulous hackers from doing the same.
IBM - or known to many as the Big Blue - made an attempt to re-organize its business and focus on its Watson cloud-AI-offering service. Unfortunately, such move did not help the giant company rise up from fifteen quarters of falling revenue, making it sixteen consecutive quarters of low profit.

The Register reports that Big Blue has been letting go of job positions as a way of restricting and cutting its costs. "As we transform our business and move into new areas, we need to transform our workforce," CFO Martin Schroeter said. "Not only the types of skills, but how we operate."

On the other hand, according Bloombergview, IBM's lack of revenue growth is partly caused by the company's conscious choices. It can be recalled that IBM, in 2005, sold its personal computing division to Lenovo. Former Chief Executive Officer Sam Palmisano believed that the company's growth would occur elsewhere.

IBM said that they are focusing on growth markets such as cloud services and cognitive tools. However, the Q1 2016 report does not seem to reflect such. In March 31, the company's revenues went down by five percent (US$18.7bn) when compared to last year's. This figure represents technology services and cloud revenues of $8.4bn and cognitive solutions revenue of $4bn.

Despite these dwindling figures, CEO Ginni Rometty remained calm. "We are pleased with the progress we have made helping our clients apply new cognitive solutions and hybrid cloud platforms," Rometty said. "IBM has established itself as the industry leader in total cloud, analytics and cognitive, all of which helped drive our strategic imperatives revenue growth at a strong double-digit rate, substantially faster than the market."

On the brighter side, these sixteen quarters of falling profits is still better to where IBM was 18 years ago. The company's earnings are now more than twice what they were back in 1998.
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For 25 years, Lucas Chung has been quietly turning out dish after dish of Asian food  the spicier, the better  in Healy Plaza. His restaurant, Szechuan Palace, celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this month.

Chung, 54, was born in Calcutta, India, to Chinese parents. He came to the United States in 1983, starting at the bottom in New York restaurants. I come from a very poor family in India, he said. I started as a dishwasher (in New York), as most people do.

He slowly worked his way up to chef. When he started to have a family, he thought it was time to move.

My wife didnt want to raise our kids in New York, he said.

They tried Philadelphia, but that was still too big. Then they moved to Asheville because a relative was in the hotel business in nearby Spruce Pine. But when they had trouble finding a job in the mountains, they moved to Winston-Salem.

Chungs first job was as a waiter at China City on Silas Creek Parkway. He lied about his experience as a chef because he thought the manager wouldnt hire him because he was overqualified.

I said, I dont have much experience, but Im willing to learn, Chung said with a laugh. He said, Come in and start work tomorrow.

After about six months, one day the owner of another restaurant, Far East, came in to China City and mentioned that he was trying to sell the restaurant.

Far East wasnt doing well, Chung said, but he looked over the location in Healy Plaza and thought he could make a go of it with a new name and new menu.

His brother, Hai Chung, who was cooking in Germany, helped him financially.

Szechuan Palace opened April 4, 1991, at 3040 Healy Drive. Its been there ever since.

Chung offered a lot of Szechuan dishes that other Chinese restaurants did not sell at the time, and, from the beginning, his menu included Indian and Indian-Chinese fusion dishes.

The only other Chinese restaurants in town at the time were China City, Lotus Garden on Country Club Road and Fu Hsing, in the location of the current ISE Japanese restaurant on Stark Street. None of those Chinese restaurants is around today.

We struggled at first. It was hard, Chung said. People werent used to (our menu). They wanted the dishes they could get at China City.

But soon Szechuan got a favorable review in the Winston-Salem Journal and the public became more receptive.

The menu at Szechuan Palace still includes Indian dishes of Chungs childhood, such as chicken or fish masala.

Chungs fusion dishes often have Chinese roots but include the addition of cilantro, chiles and other Indian seasonings. Shrimp in hot garlic sauce has lightly battered Chinese-style shrimp in a garlic sauce spiced up with Indian chiles. Indian vegetable pakoras, or deep-fried fritters, are served in Manchurian soy-garlic sauce. Other fusion dishes include chili tofu and Darjeeling noodles.

The menu also has Thai curry dishes, because Chung loves Thai food.

The bulk of the menu is still Chinese dishes, including wonton soup, lo mein, egg foo young, moo goo gai pan, mooshu pork and Peking duck. Best-sellers include Mongolian beef, General Tsos chicken and crispy scallion chicken.

One of Chungs favorite appetizers is a plate of baby spring rolls. These are slender, cigar-shaped fried rolls stuffed with shrimp. They are served with what he calls Mothers sauce, which is more commonly known as cilantro sauce. Its a cold mixture of lime, vinegar, chiles, sugar, salt and cilantro.

When I was getting ready to open the restaurant, I called my mother, who was in India, and I said, Mom, Im opening up a restaurant and I need your sauce recipe. She said, Son, youre in America now, give them ketchup.

She did give him the recipe, though, and Chung is still serving his mothers sauce.

Its a dipping sauce. It goes with everything, he said.

April Marshall, Chungs landlord, along with her husband, Charlie, said that Chung has succeeded in part because of his work ethic.

Hes good man. Hes a fair man. And he works hard, she said. Hes there all the time, and he remembers every customers name. He wants everything to be right for his customers.

Chung has influenced the local restaurant community outside of his tenure at Szechuan Palace. Years ago, he persuaded Freddy Lee, a hot young New York chef who had married his brothers sister, to move here.

Lee had worked at Robert de Niros Tribeca Grill and was thinking about opening his own place in New York.

I was debating opening up a place on the Upper East Side, Lee said. But its quiet down here and more family-oriented.

Lee opened Bernardins on Jonestown Road and later moved to West Fourth Street in the West End.

Lee and his brother Terry also opened Bleu off Hanes Mall Boulevard, and they now have restaurants in Charlotte and Columbia, S.C.

Lee said that Chung has a lot of regular Indian customers because of the Indian and fusion dishes on the menu. He loves Indian food, spicy stuff with cilantro and chiles.

And, Lee said, though the restaurant isnt fancy, it has drawn some upscale clientele over the years, including such notable Winston-Salem residents as philanthropist Phil Hanes, actress Rosemary Harris and her husband, author John Ehle.

Chung and Lee persuaded Chungs brother Hai and Lees sister Connie to come to Winston-Salem to open Hakka Chow in St. Georges Square off Hanes Mall Boulevard.

Chung said that a lot has changed since he started Szechuan Palace.

People are more used to spicy food, such as the fiery dishes he grew up eating in India. And whereas he used to Americanize many dishes, often making them sweeter, he doesnt have to do that as much.

People used to want all the traditional dishes. Now they dont order moo goo gai pan much anymore, he said. People are willing to try new things.
A Winston-Salem woman was charged Wednesday with misdemeanor simple assault for her role in a confrontation last week with a man and his children at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center that he recorded and posted on YouTube.

Donna Lorraine Bridger, 68, of Sunderland Road was served with a criminal summons by a Winston-Salem police officer. She is accused of assaulting Isaiah Baskins on April 14 at the hospital.

Bridger is scheduled to appear May 3 in Forsyth District Court.

Bridger couldnt be reached Wednesday for comment. No one answered the door at her home.

Baskins, 25, said he was confronted April 14 by Bridger when he took his 3-week-old daughter to a doctors appointment at Brenner Childrens Hospital in the medical center. He said the incident started when Bridger complained about his two other children making noise in the lobby on the seventh floor.

Baskins, who is black, said Bridger, who is white, kicked and pushed him. In the video, Baskins tells Bridger to take her hands off him. Baskins said he wasnt injured.

Baskins also accused Bridger of calling him the N-word during their confrontation but before he began recording. The nearly seven-minute video has been viewed more than 450,000 times.

The video begins with Bridger walking away from Baskins and Baskins saying, Theres something wrong with this volunteer. Shes acting a fool.

Bridger pushes a baby stroller out of the family resource center and tells Baskins youre getting out.

Baskins told her he was recording the encounter. She responded, I dont have to put up with you, and that she didnt have to look at his gray underwear and baggy pants.

She shouted on the phone for security to remove Baskins and his children. Bridger appeared to reach toward the children, then shouted get out, get out and get your damn underwear out of here ... I dont want to see it and dirty old tramp.

Baskins and Katie Thomas of Winston-Salem, who was in the hospital lobby with her children, filed a complaint about Bridger with the hospital security officers, Baskins said. Hospital officials filed a report about the incident with the Winston-Salem Police Department.

Wake Forest Baptist officials apologized for Bridgers behavior and dismissed her as a volunteer.
WASHINGTON  Bob Gates has unusual standing in the debate about the Obama administrations foreign policy: He was defense secretary both for a hawkish President George W. Bush and then a wary President Obama. He understood Bushs desire to project power and Obamas skepticism.

Gates characteristically finds a middle ground in the argument that has been swirling since Jeffrey Goldbergs Atlantic magazine article examining Obamas reluctance to use military force in Syria and the broader Middle East. Borrowing the famous quip about Richard Wagners music, Gates said Obamas foreign policy is not as bad as it sounds. Its the way it comes out that diminishes its effectiveness.

The way things get done communicates reluctance to assert American power, Gates explained in an interview last week. They often end up in the right place, but a day late and a dollar short. The decisions are made seriatim. It presents an image that hes being dragged kicking and screaming to each new stage, and it dilutes the implementation of what hes done.

Gates criticized the current National Security Councils implementation of policy, arguing that micromanagement by a very large NSC staff undercut Obamas efforts to use power against the Islamic State or contain China in the South China Sea. It becomes so incremental that the message is lost. It makes them look reluctant, he said.

Gates criticism of the NSC is noteworthy because he served as deputy to national security adviser Brent Scowcroft in President George H.W. Bushs NSC, which Obama has cited as a model for how policy should be managed. By that standard, Gates implied, the current NSC team, led by Susan Rice, needs to lift its game.

Gates credited Obama for moving toward better-calibrated policies that would send a stronger message, such as greater use of Special Operations Forces on the ground in Syria and Iraq, and more aggressive moves to assert freedom of navigation in the Pacific. You dont need major threats or force projection but a clearer desire to show we can act with force when necessary, he said.

Gates comments come as Obama travels to Europe and the Middle East to meet with allies who have become increasingly critical of his policies. Gates tone was more that of a feisty, frustrated uncle than a bitter foe. Gates said he still talks to Obama occasionally, but he declined to elaborate.

The interview with Gates followed a speech he gave the previous night in which he parsed the long-standing dispute over whether realism or idealism should govern American foreign policy. A wise strategy has a measure of both, Gates told the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

It is neither hypocrisy nor cynicism to believe fervently in freedom while adopting different approaches to advancing freedom at different times along the way  including temporarily making common cause with despots to defeat greater or more urgent threats, he said in his speech.

Gates offered examples of the realpolitik he practiced as a CIA director and NSC official. He said CIA covert action was very useful in the later years of the Cold War  for example, by smuggling into Russia hundreds of thousands of copies of The Gulag Archipelago by dissident writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

As the Cold War endgame approached in 1989, Gates recalled, he commissioned a special NSC group to begin contingency planning for the collapse of the Soviet Union. That study convinced policymakers that a strong central government in Moscow would be needed after the fall of communism to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Gates argued that similar strategic clarity is needed now in dealing with the Islamic State. The administration needs to decide its desired end state in Iraq and Syria and then drive policy toward that goal: Are we still proponents of a unitary Iraqi state or something more federal? Do we want an integral state in Syria, or do we send everyone back to their home base? ... We dont know what we want.

As an example of visionary leadership, Gates cited President Franklin D. Roosevelts move in 1944, when World War II was still raging, to begin planning within the U.S. government for the institutions of the postwar world, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the United Nations.

Gates offered a last piece of advice: Because of perceptions that Obama has been reluctant to use power, some new president could come in without a deft touch and overreact, to reduce this impression. ... My worry is that the next president will overcorrect.
Land and Space Journal Sentinel business reporter Tom Daykin talks about commercial real estate and development. SHARE

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An investment group led by developer David Winograd has purchased a large downtown Milwaukee lot, once the site of proposed condominiums and retail space, for a future project.

The 56,300-square-foot parcel, 1333-1339 N. Milwaukee St., was sold by Madison-based AnchorBank to LCM Funds 41 MKE-Broadway LLC for $820,000, according to state real estate records posted Tuesday.

Winograd said he has no specific plans for the property. It is a large parcel within a good location near other developments, he said.

The property in on a slope between N. Milwaukee St. and N. Broadway, just south of E. Ogden Ave.

Wangard Partners Inc. plans to expand its Avenir mixed-use development just northeast of Winograd's site. That firm also has plans for another large project, with 250 apartments and 70,000 square feet of retail space, just north of Winograd's property.

AnchorBank acquired the property in 2013, according to city assessment records.

The land once housed Gugler Lithographic Co. before the printing firm shut down.

The former Gugler building was then used by Milwaukee Center for Independence, a nonprofit group that provides job training services, before it moved in 2004 to its new headquarters built at 2020 W. Wells St.

The center sold the property to developers, who demolished the building with plans to create condos and commercial space. The Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett approved that project in 2004.

Big Bend Development Co. proposed an eight-story building, with 56 condominiums, street-level retail space and underground parking on the Milwaukee St. side of the site. The group also wanted to build 20 brownstone-style, individual condo units facing Ogden Ave. and Broadway.

Those plans, however, didn't proceed.

Winograd's developments include plans to begin construction this fall on the 12-story, 164-unit 234 Apartments, at 234 S. Water St., in Walker's Point. That building is to be completed by spring 2018, he said.
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Good morning, Milwaukee. Why not consider a bit of beer over your morning coffee? It is, after all, Beer Week, as if beer needs its own week.



Our beer writer Kathy Flanigan offered up her suggestions for the best places to sample new or especially good beers in her column this week. Today, you can sample Vander Mill Cider at Discount Liquor in Waukesha, Lagunitas flights at Stubby's, an "impressive array" of barrel-aged brews at Palm Tavern and beer reps doing Karaoke. Kathy has all of the details right here.

For that matter, Kathy is also sharing her beer week adventures on Twitter and a top pick for each day of Beer Week on our Beer page.

Film lovers might be interested to see "The Seventh Fire," a documentary about an Ojibwe gang leader, or "In Old Chicago," starring Tyrone Power. Details, screening times and ticket prices in film editor Chris Foran's weekly round-up of off-the-grid movies.



Have a great Wednesday.


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If it seemed that Milwaukee Ald. Joe Davis disappeared from City Hall since his poor finish in the mayor's race back in February, there's a reason for that.

Davis pretty much did.

Records from the Milwaukee City Clerk's Office show Davis made it to only three of 19 committee and full council meetings since the Feb. 16 primary -- an abysmal 16% attendance rate. Davis, a veteran alderman who didn't run for re-election to the council, finished third out of four candidates in the mayor's contest.

Davis sent generic emails to the city clerk asking to be excused from 15 meetings during that span and was counted as absent without excuse once. He did not return calls this week.

Late in February, Davis skipped some meetings so he could spend more than a week in South Africa with his wife, who is originally from there. But he declined to discuss details of the trip with a Journal Sentinel reporter earlier this year.

"That's a private matter," said Davis, who was paid $73,222 a year before leaving office on Tuesday.

Davis wasn't the only one who has been MIA.

Ald. Bob Donovan -- who finished second in the mayoral primary in February -- made it to only seven of 13 committee and full council meetings between the primary and the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday for Common Council members. That's a 54% attendance rate.

"I wont deny that the two campaigns in which Ive been engaged took up a lot of time, but there were other factors that affected my attendance, including family medical emergencies and other private matters well outside the realm of politics," Donovan said via email.

Donovan was crushed by Mayor Tom Barrett in this month's general election and barely kept his aldermanic seat.

In his email, the south side alderman pointed to his overall attendance rate since he was first elected in 2000. He has made it to 90% of the 1,418 committee and council meetings during his tenure.

In comparison, Davis attended 86% of the 1,408 committee and council meetings since he took office in 2003. The number of meetings differs based on committee assignments.

"I would hope, in the interest of simple fairness, that the past few weeks of time could be weighed in the balance of this far larger body of work," Donovan wrote.

His poor attendance became an issue at the Public Safety Committee meeting on April 7, when other aldermen debated whether they should vote on a resolution sponsored by Donovan in his absence.

Chairman Terry Witkowski said he had the authority to bring the measure up for a vote -- even though Donovan was asking for a delay. It was the third time Donovan had made such a request on the plan, which closed a loophole that allowed sex offenders to stay near schools for up to four days.

"I don't know why he held it this long," Witkowski said.

Alderwoman Milele Coggs said she thought the panel should honor Donovan's request. "For me, it's less about the content and more about how we do business," Coggs said. "I really don't like that."

In the end, the resolution pass on a 2-0 vote, with Coggs abstaining. The full council unanimously approved the measure last week. Donovan and Davis both attended the meeting and voted for the bill.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (left) for the first time Wednesday said he would support Donald Trump (right) if he becomes the Republican nominee for president. Credit: Wire photos

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It took a while for Gov. Scott Walker to commit, but he finally did on Wednesday.

Walker said he would support real estate mogul Donald Trump if he's the GOP presidential nominee -- though it's clear the governor's still hoping that doesn't happen. Trump scored a sweeping victory in Tuesday's New York primary.

"I will support the Republican running against (Democratic front-runner) Hillary Clinton in the fall -- whoever that is," Walker said at a news conference in Wauwatosa on Wednesday morning.

Even if Trump is the nominee?

"Yeah," Walker said, declining to say Trump's name. "To me, I think it's preferable to have a Republican nominee over Hillary Clinton. I think there's a lot of distress not only amongst Republicans and independents, but I think part of Bernie Sanders' support is because a lot of young voters, in particular, don't trust her."

Last fall, while he was still a presidential candidate, Walker had pledged to support the GOP nominee. But he has sidestepped the question when asked specifically whether he would back Trump if he wins the party's nomination.

"We're a long ways off from a nominee," Walker said on March 22. "Ask me that when we're closer to the convention."

On Wednesday, Walker made clear that he is still very much a big backer of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who finished a distant third in New York on Tuesday.

The second-term Republican governor had given a high-profile endorsement of Cruz and appeared in a TV ad for him shortly before the presidential primary on April 5. By contrast, Trump repeatedly attacked Walker, by calling into question the success of the governor's reform program. Trump also took credit for knocking Walker out of the presidential race, saying he sent the governor "packing like a little boy."

Cruz ended up easily defeating Trump in Wisconsin, something that anti-Trump forces hoped would slow the GOP front-runner, at the very least.

Walker said Wednesday that he still considered the Wisconsin election an important one.

"Absolutely," he said. "It would have been over . . . if Trump had won (in Wisconsin)."

The governor said it was no surprise that Trump took New York, his home state. Cruz, who has been widely quoted for his criticism of "New York values," finished behind Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the New York contest.

In the end, Walker said, he doubts that either Trump or Cruz will have the backing of enough delegates to earn the nomination on the first ballot. He said he is predicting that Cruz wins in the second or third round.

The Wisconsin governor held the door open for switching his support to another candidate if GOP delegates cannot settle on a candidate quickly.

As a delegate, he said he is bound to vote for Cruz as long as the Texas senator has the support of a third of the floor vote.

"If Ted Cruz or Donald Trump . . . was below 30% of the floor vote, I think they would no longer seriously be in consideration," Walker said. "If it got to that point, I think everything's up in the air."
Aurora Health Care is partnering with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin to start an insurance company. Credit: Rick Wood

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In another sign of the changes taking place in the health care market, Aurora Health Care is partnering with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin to start an insurance company.

The new company basically is a bet by Aurora that it can provide care at a lower cost than its competitors when people get most of their care from Aurora's own network of physicians and hospitals.

The result could be lower insurance premiums if Aurora is right. It also could increase competition among health systems as well as insurers.

The new company, Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance Co., builds on an existing partnership begun in 2012 in which Anthem offered health plans tied to Aurora's network.

The partnership included incentives and penalties tied to Aurora's ability to provide care at a projected cost while meeting specific quality measures.

"It's all about figuring out how you can work with providers to create a more sustainable health system," said Larry Schreiber, who was president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin before recently being promoted to president of Anthem's Empire BlueCross BlueShield in New York.

Many health systems throughout Wisconsin, including Marshfield Clinic, Gundersen Health and UW Hospital & Clinics, have had their own health insurance companies for years.

Now, other health systems  including Aurora, the state's largest  are getting into the business.

In January, Aspirus, a health system based in Wausau, and WPS Health Solutions announced that they were partnering to start an insurance company that will sell health plans in 16 counties in north-central Wisconsin. And in November 2014, Froedtert Health bought a 50% interest in Network Health from Ministry Health Care, part of Ascension Health, for $107.8million.

More than two decades ago, when health maintenance organizations became widespread, health systems throughout the country started health insurance companies. Most were later sold. Aurora itself briefly owned Samaritan Health Plan after its merger with Good Samaritan Hospital.

"We've seen this play before," said Jeffrey Hoffman, a senior partner for Kurt Salmon Associates, a consulting firm. "This is 25 years ago in complete rerun."

The difference is that health care costs have increased dramatically since then, Hoffman said, and many health systems now have tightly integrated networks and employ physicians.

The advances in information technology are another change.

Health systems such as Aurora now have electronic health records that give doctors, hospitals and other health care providers access to a patient's entire medical record. And health insurance companies and health systems can analyze medical records and claims to identify high-risk patients and take steps to help keep them healthy.

All this has some health systems asking what is the role of insurance companies other than marketing and processing claims.

"They are actually challenging the health insurance industry and saying, 'What value do you bring?'" Hoffman said.

Health systems also are taking on more risk through new payment models, such as accountable care organizations. In an ACO, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers are paid a set amount for providing care to a group of patients.

At the same time, health insurers and employers increasingly realize that relying on negotiating better prices with health care systems has not slowed the rise in health care costs.

Their focus instead has shifted to developing new partnerships and payment models that align incentives and let hospitals and doctors share in any savings from lowering costs and becoming more efficient.

"The next level of collaboration  by tying our two companies together through a common company  puts us in position where we are aligned well beyond" contracting with health systems, Schreiber said.

The Anthem health plans tied to Aurora's network, sold under the Blue Priority name, had lower costs than other health plans, said John Foley, senior vice president of business development at Aurora and president of the new insurance company.

"There are documented savings," he said.

Aurora stands to get a larger share of those savings through the new insurance company.

Anthem and Aurora declined to disclose how many people are covered by the Blue Priority health plans. But Schreiber said employers are becoming more comfortable with so-called narrow networks tied to a health system.

"It took us some time to get there," he acknowledged.

Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance, the new company, was capitalized at $10 million to cover its start-up costs and meet the state requirements on reserves for insurance companies.

It will start offering coverage next year in 45 counties and will replace the health plans sold under the Blue Priority name.

The new health plans, sold under the name Well Priority, will include ProHealth Care and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in their network.

Health systems throughout the state  including Aspirus, Bellin Health in Green Bay, Gundersen Health in La Crosse, ThedaCare in the Fox Valley and UW Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter in Madison  also will be part of the network.

The new health plan will include Anthem's national network, an appealing feature for employers who have employees throughout the country.

And Anthem and Aurora contend that combining the resources of the state's largest health system and one of the country's largest health insurance companies will give it a competitive advantage.

"We think that this will not just help us keep up with the pace of change," Schreiber said, "but set the pace."
UnitedHealth Group Inc. will drop out of government-organized health insurance markets in at least 18 states. Credit: Getty Images

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UnitedHealth Group Inc. will drop out of government-organized health insurance markets in at least 18 states as the U.S. industry leader tries to stem losses from participating in Obamacare, the health care overhaul that has brought coverage to millions of people.

UnitedHealth has not listed the markets it is leaving, and confirmations of the company's withdrawals have been trickling in from regulators in the 34 states where the company sold plans for this year. The insurer won't sell individual ACA plans for 2017 in states including Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, Tennessee, Arizona, Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Washington, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Missouri and Rhode Island.

UnitedHealth also is withdrawing from some related state insurance markets for small businesses.

Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hemsley said Tuesday that the company will end up selling Obamacare plans in "only a handful of states" next year. The exchange market is proving to be smaller and riskier than UnitedHealth expected, meaning "we cannot broadly serve it on an effective and sustained basis," he told investors.

"It's going to take awhile for these markets to settle out and stabilize," said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms. "Some carriers are going to see this as an opportunity and potentially go after business in these areas."

So far, New York and Nevada have confirmed that UnitedHealth plans to remain on their ACA exchanges next year. The company has also filed plans to participate in Virginia for 2017. A representative of Covered California said plan participation is confidential until it is announced later this year.

Wisconsin said it has not received an exit notice from UnitedHealth and that it doesn't comment on insurers' business plans.

In the Milwaukee area, five other companies in addition to UnitedHealth sell health plans on the marketplace, and the company's health plans are not among the largest sellers.

"They are not a big player in this market," said Susan Cyr, an agent with Transition Health Benefits in Brookfield.

UnitedHealth also took steps to limit sales during the open-enrollment period, such as not making quotes available to brokers online for plans sold off the marketplace.

In the states where UnitedHealth stops offering ACA plans for next year, people who are currently enrolled with the insurer will have to choose a new health plan during open enrollment. Their current coverage is not affected.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature domestic policy achievement, is projected to cover about 12 million people this year, according to the Congressional Budget Office, providing tax subsidies that help many afford private insurance. The program has proved volatile for health insurers selling coverage in the new markets, known as exchanges, with some reporting losses.

Insuring customers in ACA exchanges has turned out to be more costly than expected. That may be because sicker people are choosing to buy coverage, or because people buying plans deferred treatment for their medical needs until they got covered. Insurers also have said some people are buying insurance, using lots of care, and then dropping their coverage midyear.

UnitedHealth, which had about 795,000 ACA customers as of March 31, warned in November that it was posting losses on ACA policies. In December, the company said it should have stayed out of the individual exchange market longer.

The exchanges are a small part of the company's total medical membership of 47.7 million people. Yet the insurer said Tuesday that it expects to lose about $650 million on ACA plans this year.

Guy Boulton of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report
Volkswagen is said to be close to announcing a deal to compensate U.S. owners of its scandal-afflicted diesel vehicles. Credit: Associated Press

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Volkswagen is said to be close to announcing a deal to compensate U.S. owners of its scandal-afflicted diesel vehicles, as the company approaches a critical federal court hearing Thursday morning without a publicly identified plan to fix those vehicles.

The company is expected to offer individual owners $5,000 apiece as compensation for having been sold cars that pollute more than is legally allowed, according to a report by German newspaper Die Welt.

The plan could help the embattled German automaker avoid a trial before U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Breyer in San Francisco, who had set Thursday as a deadline for Volkswagen to deliver a fix involving vehicles that violate U.S. emissions standards.

Two Volkswagen officials declined to comment on the report.

Kelley Blue Book analysts recently projected that the cost of buying back all of the U.S. vehicles involved in the scandal, based on current value, would be $7.3 billion.

Former FBI director Robert Mueller, who was appointed to negotiate settlements with Volkswagen, told Breyer in March that settlement talks were progressing nicely.

Separately, Reuters reported that Volkswagen has also "reached the framework of a deal" to fix cars after EPA regulators rejected a repair plan submitted in January.

"It sounds like the kinds of things that the judge wanted to see, so maybe there's some progress," said Carl Tobias, a product liability law professor at the University of Richmond.

The EPA and California Air Resources Board exposed Volkswagen's illegal emissions software in September. More than half a million diesel cars and crossovers were rigged to cheat U.S. standards on harmful pollutants.

Breyer told Volkswagen lawyers in March that they had until April 21 "to announce a concrete proposal for getting the polluting vehicles off the road," according to a court transcript.

The plan, he said, "must be specific and detailed as to proposed timing, what cars are involved in each proposal, payments to consumers and the like."

Tobias said that if Volkswagen misses the deadline, Breyer may feel compelled to move ahead with a trial over Volkswagen's financial liability to consumers who were duped into buying cars marketed as "clean diesel" vehicles.

"At some point I think the judge will just lose patience and say, 'OK we have to do something now,'" Tobias said.

Representatives for the EPA and consumer plaintiffs declined to comment for this article. Breyer has instructed Mueller and the attorneys not to discuss their negotiations publicly.

Volkswagen is facing a torrent of legal challenges over its handling of the emissions crisis, which affects some 11 million vehicles worldwide and is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars in fines or settlements.

The Wall Street Journal and other publications reported Wednesday that Volkswagen expects to boost its reserve to at least $10 billion to resolve the emissions crisis.

The latest legal problem was a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department over what the Federal Trade Commission described as a false marketing scheme designed to trick customers into buying VW cars under the guise of the "clean diesel" advertising campaign.

With the EPA's threat of massive fines, the FTC's lawsuit, the Justice Department's criminal investigation and numerous consumer lawsuits, Volkswagen is facing tremendous pressure to cut deals.

But Tobias said Mueller could be positioned to strike a sweeping settlement to resolve the claims against the automaker.

"I think his role is to bring everybody together and try to craft a settlement, as big as possible and maybe encompassing everything. That sounds like a herculean task to me, given all the moving parts," Tobias said.

One potential solution for the vehicles  ranging from certain Volkswagen cars to Audi luxury vehicles and Porsche crossovers  is to simply authorize a massive buyback program. Breyer himself signaled he's open to that possibility.

Offering consumers cash to turn in their vehicles presents an alternative to trying to fix them all, which Volkswagen executives has said will be difficult because of the hardware changes that may be necessary to achieve compliance
Ashley Cartagena wipes tears away as she identifies defendant Jose Dancel as the one who shot her as she sat in her car in 2014 waiting to work as a hairdresser. Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Denis Stingl (left) asked Cartagena to explain how she identified Dancel in a suspect lineup. Credit: Rick Wood

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Ashley Cartagena had rolled into her job at D'Matrixx Salon a few minutes early the morning of March 22, 2014, and no one had opened up the shop yet.

She sat in her Corolla, listening to music, using her smartphone.

Suddenly, a man in sunglasses walked up and started firing a gun at her through the passenger side. Cartagena, 24, suffered wounds to her face, arms and legs  27 gunshot wounds in all.

Somehow, she survived.

Cartagena said she'd never seen the man before, but neighbors said they had noticed him before, parked in the area around S. 47th St. and W. Forest Home Ave. He drove a silver four-door Toyota pickup with a butterfly decal in the rear window.

Police attempted to trace all such trucks and found just one with the same decal. Its owner: Jose Dancel of Kenosha.

Dancel, 45, is on trial this week in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, charged with attempted first-degree homicide.

Dancel told police he wasn't the shooter. He said he doesn't know Cartagena, and has absolutely no connection to her.

He allowed investigators to search his truck, search his home, go through his phone and his computers.

They did find some guns, but not the one that nearly killed Cartagena; that weapon has never been recovered.

In a lineup, Cartagena picked Dancel out as the attacker. But she admitted at the trial that she initially put a question mark after seeing him  her definitive yes came later, after talking to detectives.

Further, Dancel is Asian  although his ethnicity is not immediately clear. The other men in the lineup? Hispanic.

In opening statements Tuesday, Dancel's attorney, Anthony Cotton, reminded jurors that eyewitness identification is often wrong. Cotton said detectives traced the lives of the victim and the defendant and found no intersections. No connection, no motive.

"It's a case of mistaken identification," Cotton said. "They got the wrong guy."

Assistant District Attorney Denis Stingl told jurors the lineup was recorded, and they can watch it themselves to decide if it was fair. He told them about the truck, the butterfly sticker, the neighbors. He said cellphone service records will show that Dancel's cellphone was several miles south of the scene about 15 minutes after the shooting.

Dancel doesn't dispute this. His attorney said he was at the archery range at Whitnall Park.

Blood filling her mouth

On the witness stand late Tuesday, Cartagena said she was taking a selfie when she saw a man walking toward her car in the screen. As she turned to see who it was, he started firing.

"I screamed," she said, describing the feeling of bullets hitting her arm and face. She said she turned away and tried to play dead until she saw her attacker calmly walk away, get in a truck and drive off.

Then she dialed 911 but couldn't really talk because her mouth was filling with blood. A co-worker pulled in and took her phone to tell a dispatcher where to come.

Cartagena spent 21/2 weeks in the hospital.

She said she's had several surgeries on her right arm, now fused in a 90-degree bend. "I no longer have an elbow," she said, and can no longer work as a hairstylist, a job she had held at D'Matrixx for more than two years.

Back on the witness stand Wednesday, Cartagena fought back tears as she was shown photos of her car, the windows shattered. Blood was splattered across the interior, her purse, her extra shoes, even her phone.

She acknowledged smoking some marijuana on the way to work that day, but not enough to affect her powers of observation.

Away from the jury, Judge Frederick Rosa denied Cotton's requests to question Cartagena about her then-boyfriend's activities selling drugs. The defense attorney said it might help explain someone else's motive for the crime.

On Wednesday, Ceidalia Garcia-Corranza and her mother testified they were in their house that Saturday morning when they noticed a silver pickup parked in front of their house. It then drove into an alley and back to the same spot before Garcia-Corranza saw a man get out and walk toward the salon through the alley. She said she assumed he owned the business or worked there.

But while heating some pizza, she heard numerous shots near the salon. She went to her window and saw the same man walking calmly back toward the truck in front of her house. She called 911 and gave a description.

Later, she too identified Dancel at the same lineup as the man she had seen walking after the shots. She admitted she had thought he was Hispanic until he removed sunglasses during the lineup and she noticed he had "Asian eyes."

The trial is scheduled to last all week.
Jessica Baskerville, a student at Mac Dowel Montessori High School, explains her science project to follow students Samone Washington and Cassandra Pearson Tuesday during he UWM Science Education Partnership Award Annual Student Conference. Credit: Rick Wood

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Alisha Khosla climbed to the lectern to face an audience of 500 scientists Tuesday morning, stepping toward a future she'd foreseen as far back as kindergarten.

Asked back then to name her dream job, Khosla had answered, "research scientist."

On Tuesday, that's what she was.

After months of work, Khosla, a 14-year-old freshman at Brookfield Central High School, launched into her topic, "The Effects of Different Concentrations of the Chemicals Found in Type 1 Plastics on the Burrowing Time of an Earthworm."

The topic had come to her naturally enough. Her mother, a computer engineer, had always warned her not to heat up food in plastic containers because chemicals leach out.

"I began to wonder whether what I'd been told was true," she told the audience.

The other scientists were high school students like herself. About 500 from 17 schools around the state came to the student research conference held at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The event is part of a collaborative project funded by the National Institutes of Health in which university professors and high school science teachers work together to help students pursue real scientific questions.

Students work for months mostly with worms, minnows and zebrafish, testing what happens when the organisms are exposed to such chemicals as nicotine, ethanol and caffeine. Then the students do what professional scientists do. They write papers and prepare posters to present to their peers.

The program, which began close to 20 years ago, started with middle school students and now involves mostly high school students.

In recent years, organizers added the conference as a way of teaching students how to communicate their scientific findings.

"This is a story and you want to bring people into your story," explained Daniel N. Weber, a senior scientist at UWM who took part in the program. "This is a detective story. There are clues."

The scientific stories on Tuesday were told in 126 poster presentations and three talks, including the one given by Khosla. The three talks had been chosen from more than 100 papers that were submitted.

Presenters described the idea they'd set out to test and the methods they used. Khosla boiled pieces of plastic containers, then soaked earthworms in various water-plastic solutions. She found that the plastics appeared to impair not only the worms' endocrine systems, but also their neurological systems.

Nicole Wallace, a freshman at Waukesha North High School, examined the effects of exposure to a common ingredient in over-the-counter medications, dextromethorphan, using fertilized zebrafish embryos. All of the fish exposed to the highest concentration of the chemical died within 72 hours; nine of the 10 control fish, those not exposed to the chemical, were still alive.

Wallace learned a lesson familiar to all working scientists. "We had a bit of a malfunction at first," she said. "It didn't go as planned." One of the wells containing zebrafish embryos spilled and most of them died.

"We had to start the experiment over," she said.

The final presenter, Seymour Community High School senior Emma Ellis, looked at the effects of tartrazine, an artificial food coloring, on zebrafish. She tested the effect on learning by having zebrafish exposed to various amounts of the chemical run through tasks in a special tank. She found the chemical's effect seemed to depend on its concentration, and also on the complexity of the tasks the zebrafish performed.

After describing how prevalent artificial coloring agents are in food, Ellis told the audience, "I challenge you all to look at the ingredient list the next time you eat something."

When she'd finished, one of the event organizers, Craig Berg, a professor of science education at UWM approached the microphone.

"Wow," he said. "I wish I'd been that smart at that age."
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton celebrates on stage after winning the New York state primary on Tuesday. Credit: Associated Press

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The presidential campaign now moves here to Pennsylvania and four other Eastern states, with the two front-runners lengthening their leads over challengers whose White House prospects seem to be dimming by the day.

But the twin victories Tuesday night in New York illuminated the weaknesses as much as the strengths of Donald J. Trump and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Both Trump, who bases his casino-and-real-estate empire in New York, and Clinton, who was elected to the Senate twice from the Empire State, cruised to decisive victories Tuesday  but exit polls showed deep unease among Republicans about the prospect of a Trump nomination and showed serious skepticism among young voters about a Clinton general-election campaign.

Even as Trump and Clinton surged ahead in the delegate chase  leaving their rivals with near-impossible prospects of surpassing them  the two face the likelihood of emerging from the bruising caucus and primary season with dangerously divided parties and with natural party constituencies exceedingly wary about the nominees the two parties are likely to send into the November election.

Meanwhile, there are important dramas occurring within each party, raising vital questions about the course of the campaign in the weeks before the Cleveland and Philadelphia conventions.

For the Republicans, the question is whether a candidate who has triumphed by breaking all the political rules can be denied the party's nomination because of wrinkles in the party rules. Those rules require 1,237 delegates to capture the nomination. "We're leading by a lot and can't be caught," Trump said Tuesday night, and hardly anyone can contest that. But the question remains whether a decisive lead short of the majority that the rules require is sufficient to win the nomination.

Trump may be making an appealing but flawed case when he argues, as he did in his victory speech Tuesday, that "it's a crooked system, it's a system that's rigged;" the rules were established long before Trump contemplated a presidential campaign and they apply equally to Trump as to Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and to Gov. John Kasich of Ohio or, for that matter, to former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida, who left the race in the winter.

The latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll showed that three out of five Republicans believe the nomination should go to the candidate with the most votes in the primary. But the issue is whether party leaders rule that rules are rules  and whether Cruz's stealth effort at obscure state party proceedings to sway delegates to his cause prevents Trump from winning a first-ballot victory.

In the Democratic Party, Clinton brought to an abrupt end the momentum Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont built up earlier this month  and her strong victory in the state where her rival was born is raising new questions about the relevance of his candidacy. The Sanders campaign began as a quixotic crusade against climate change, big money in politics and the wealth gap, then was transformed into a legitimate alternative to the former secretary of state, and now seems once again to be taking on the cloak of symbolism rather than realism.

In the coming days, Sanders will face hard questions about the rationale for his campaign and challenges about whether his candidacy, which took on an increasingly shrill tone in New York, may be hurting the Democrats' prospects in the general elections. This was especially apparent Tuesday night, when Clinton said of the Sanders supporters: "There is much more that unites us than divides us."

In her fortnight in the caldron of New York politics, as well as in her Manhattan victory celebration, Clinton continued her pivot toward November, saying that hers was the only candidacy this year to capture 10 million votes. That echoed Trump's triumphal declaration that he has brought millions of new voters into Republican primary contests. The two front-runners may be campaigning against fading rivals but increasingly they are leaving those rivals behind rhetorically as well.

But the two front-runners still have major challenges ahead.

Both have astonishing negative ratings among voters, with 65% regarding Trump negatively and with 56% regarding Clinton negatively, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News Poll. About half of voters said they would be scared if Trump were elected, according to a New York Times/CBS News Poll late last month.

Exit polls from New York showed that 60% of Republicans who voted in the state's primary believe the GOP campaign has divided the party  and more than a quarter of those Republicans said they voted not for a candidate but against another candidate. About two out of five Republicans indicated they were troubled by the prospect of a Trump presidency, with about a quarter saying they wouldn't vote for Trump.

At the same time, Clinton carried only a fifth of Democratic voters aged 18 to 24. Political professionals often play down the impact of the youth vote; the rate of young people who cast ballots is customarily relatively low. Yet Democratic analysts were astonished at the tide of young people who supported Barack Obama in 2008 and theorized that they would be the basis of a decade of Democratic dominance.

But if Clinton cannot corral those young voters into the Democratic coalition in 2016, she could relinquish a natural advantage her party won eight years ago.

Even so, the campaign is moving into friendly territory for both front-runners.

Clinton defeated Sen. Barack Obama in Pennsylvania eight years ago, and her husband carried the state both in 1992 and in 1996. She holds a 13% lead over Sanders in the Real Clear Politics survey average here. For his part, Trump's Pennsylvania lead is more than 20 points. Both front-runners are well positioned in Delaware and Maryland, which also vote next Tuesday. Kasich harbors hopes in Connecticut and Sanders has high hopes for Rhode Island, but neither state has the delegate power to change the political narrative.

Still, faint glimmers of hope remain for those left behind in New York. Trump's team still has not mastered the organizational skills required to win a contested convention. And Sanders? National polls still show him within striking distance of Clinton. Who would have guessed?

David M. Shribman is executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Email dshribman@post-gazette.com. Twitter: @ShribmanPG
Matthew Blessing (right), chairman of the state Public Records Board, still doesnt believe that changes to handling transitory records were significant. Board member Melissa Schmidt is at left. Credit: Michael Sears

Maybe Matthew Blessing doesn't understand the meaning of the word "significant." You'd think he would; after all, he's administrator of the Division of Library-Archives at the Wisconsin Historical Society. I'm sure he understands that the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a significant event and that my 32nd birthday was not.

But Blessing, chairman of the state Public Records Board, still maintains that the changes the board made last summer in determining what kind of public records can be immediately destroyed were "routine."

"The Public Records Board routinely reviews revisions and clarifications of record schedules," he said in an email to Journal Sentinel reporters. "The effort to eliminate nontechnical language and provide actual examples was routine." He used the same bland description last year in explaining why the board had not even given proper public notice regarding its agenda for the meeting at which the changes were made.

But the board's executive secretary, Georgia Thompson, had a different take, alerting state records officers at the time that the definition of so-called transitory records had been expanded and the board had indeed made "significant changes" regarding which records are considered to have only temporary usefulness and can be destroyed, the Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday. Thompson also urged records officers to share the update with other employees and agencies throughout state government.

Thompson's email was among hundreds of pages of documents released to the Journal Sentinel in response to a request under the state's open records law.

As the Journal Sentinel report noted, the changes could have limited the access of citizens and media outlets to information from texts, emails, Facebook messages and other methods that public employees might use to communicate about official actions.

That is indeed significant, and certainly how it was seen by the Walker administration, which immediately jumped on the changes to deny a request by the Wisconsin State Journal for certain text messages.

The public also recognized the significance of the changes because, when word eventually did get out, citizens rose up in anger and demanded change, just as they did after the July 4 weekend attempt by legislators to gut the state's open records laws.

Citizens sent nearly 1,900 emails and letters criticizing the August action. Among the critics were conservative and liberal groups  including the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and One Wisconsin Now  as well as ordinary citizens with no political ax to grind. People who simply understand the importance of open government, as well as the meaning of the word "significant."

It also should be noted that the change was hardly a spur of the moment thing: Changes to the definition of what constitutes a transitory record had been discussed for months, the Journal Sentinel reported.

On Jan. 11, the board revoked its August decision, which was another victory for the public over those who prefer to keep government in the shadows.

But the fact that Blessing still thinks this was no big deal is disturbing.

"If this is something that the board considers routine, then I think further scrutiny of the board is warranted," said Christa Westerberg, an attorney who also serves as co-vice president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council. "And the response that the public gave to the board's action was appropriate."

Westerberg is right. The public needs to keep a careful eye on the board. And maybe get Blessing a dictionary so he can look up "significant."

Ernst-Ulrich Franzen is the Journal Sentinel's associate editorial page editor. Email: efranzen@jrn.com; Twitter: @efranzen1
The City of Waukesha is asking to take and return 10.1 million gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan to meet its water supply needs. Credit: Michael Sears

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In 1998, an Ontario consulting firm known as the Nova Group announced a controversial plan to ship 158 million gallons of azure Lake Superior water to Asia. The idea: create a global market for pristine Great Lakes water. To regional governors and premiers  who had spent years fighting to keep Great Lakes water inside the Great Lakes Basin  Nova's plan was a nightmarish legal precedent. If people were permitted to tanker water to Asia, how could officials prevent Great Lakes water from being piped to Dallas, Phoenix or L.A.?

Politicians, journalists and the general public swarmed all over Nova, and the unsuspecting entrepreneurs eventually surrendered their water permit. Then, regional officials leveraged the hullabaloo into a multiyear bipartisan overhaul of Great Lakes water diversion statutes, resulting in a groundbreaking Great Lakes Compact that bans diversions with limited exceptions.

Today, the Great Lakes region has a new diversion controversy. The city of Waukesha  using an untested exception clause in the compact  has asked to divert up to 10.1 million gallons of water per day. It's the most polarizing diversion proposal since Nova, and on Thursday, Great Lakes officials will gather in Chicago to try to reach consensus on the diversion.

The region has come a long way since Nova, and Waukesha's situation, while controversial, is very different. Nova's water would have left the Great Lakes basin forever, but Waukesha must return its water to Lake Michigan after use. The city also must prove it has no other water supply alternatives, adopt a strict water conservation plan and prove its diversion creates no adverse environmental impacts.

What's more, Nova's legal precedent could have blown the doors wide open for future diversions. But the compact greatly limits Waukesha's potential precedent: It only relates to those communities near the edge of the basin in counties that straddle the basin line. That is a massive change. Under the compact, unless you are on or near the basin line, you can't even apply for a water diversion. (Waukesha is just 1.5 miles out.)

It's been a long haul for Waukesha, which sits on a contaminated and depleted aquifer. Nearly 15 years ago, the community of 70,000 first proposed its diversion. It's been almost six years since Waukesha submitted its application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In January, the DNR deemed the document worthy of sharing with the other Great Lakes states and provinces. Water managers from St. Paul to Quebec have been poring over the application since. Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota held hearings. Reams of written comments have been submitted as well.

Finally  millions of dollars and thousands of pages later  Waukesha is approaching judgment day, and it has a high bar to cross. Just one Great Lakes gubernatorial veto is enough to kill its application. (Ontario and Quebec have a voice, but no vote.)

From the beginning, environmentalists have effectively framed the debate as a simple yes-or-no situation. But what will surprise many  and has not yet been publicly reported  is that officials are actually leaning toward a "maybe." Which means that while Waukesha's current application contains fatal flaws, the suburb may have hope. Key states are leaning toward what they call a "conditional approval"  if Waukesha is willing to make significant changes to its application, several governors are leaning toward a nod.

The main area of contention relates to Waukesha's so-called "expanded water supply service area," which environmentalists consider a water grab, and many governors see as a nonstarter. But if Waukesha agrees to rein in its service area  and the amount of water diverted  the suburb may squeak through. Even so, at least one governor is keeping the veto pen within reach.

When it comes to water diversion in the Great Lakes, a "no" always has been the easiest vote to cast. But the region's governors intentionally created narrow exceptions in the compact so that in limited cases water-troubled towns near the basin line could at least apply for water.

The governors' goal was to provide some of their own needy communities with an option to sustainably access Great Lakes water without opening the gates to Arizona  or Asia. Controversially, they left the gate ajar so that sometimes they could say "yes."

So will Waukesha officials accept a smaller footprint for their water service area? What other option would they have? As it happens, they have regularly suggested that if their application were ever to be rejected they would sue. On the other hand, some environmentalists have said that if Waukesha's application is approved, they, too, would sue. So no matter what officials decide, it's possible that the ultimate Waukesha water decision will actually be made in court.

Peter Annin is author of "The Great Lakes Water Wars" and co-directs the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation at Northland College in Ashland, Wis.
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Representatives of eight Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces toured one of Waukeshas municipal well sites in February as part of a bus tour of sites related to Waukesha's request to use Lake Michigan water. Credit: Journal Sentinel files

By of the

The City of Waukesha's 13-year quest for Great Lakes water  criticized as unnecessary by regional environmental groups  will be subjected to a final round of scrutiny Thursday and Friday by officials from seven other U.S. states and two Canadian provinces meeting in Chicago.

Those officials will pick apart and question each of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 17 separate findings that resulted in one conclusion after more than five years of analysis: The city's unprecedented diversion request complies with all requirements of a 2008 federal law known as the Great Lakes protection compact.

Among those findings: Waukesha does not have an adequate supply of water that is fit to drink, due to radium contamination of deep groundwater supplies; and all of the city's water supply options outside of the Great Lakes basin would have adverse effects on wetlands, streams and inland lakes.

The two findings most frequently mentioned by officials from other states at previous meetings as cautions, or sticking points in approving the request are: the volume of water  up to an average of 10.1 million gallons a day  that Waukesha says it will need by midcentury; and the city's larger future water service area, as drawn to comply with state law.

So water volume and service area likely will be the targets of conditions or restrictions offered by out-of-state officials to gain their support of the diversion request.

If the Great Lakes officials meeting in Chicago cannot agree by Friday to support each of the DNR's findings, or whether to place additional restrictions on the diversion plan, they will reconvene May 10 and 11 to complete their work, according to Peter Johnson, deputy director of the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers.

Waukesha paid the Chicago-based conference of Great Lakes governors and premiers a fee of $261,668 in January to cover costs, including meetings and travel, of the regional review of the city's diversion request, Waukesha Water Utility General Manager Dan Duchniak said.

The first-of-its-kind request moves to a vote of the eight Great Lakes governors "no sooner than 30 days" after this week's meetings or the May sessions, Johnson said. The provincial governments do not get to vote on the proposal.

Only one state vote in opposition could derail the city's $207 million plan to pump lake water from Oak Creek to Waukesha and return treated wastewater to the lake via the Root River. The compact requires a unanimous affirmative vote of the eight states to succeed.

If the city's request is approved, Waukesha would halt use of 10 wells. Seven deep wells draw radium-contaminated water from a depleted sandstone aquifer. Those deep wells provide 85% of the water distributed throughout the city.

Waukesha is under a court-ordered deadline of June 2018 to fully comply with federal drinking water standards for radium.

"We're confident we made our case, and we're hopeful the regional body will support our application this week, ultimately leading to approval," Duchniak said Wednesday. "This application is supported by scientific and engineering studies."

Waukesha completed its first water supply study in 2002, and that report recommended a switch to Great Lakes water.

Duchniak started work there in 2003 and launched a more comprehensive investigation of possible water sources, including Lake Michigan.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission recommended in a separate 2008 regional water supply plan that Waukesha shift to Lake Michigan as its water source.

Landmark request

In 2010, after a series of additional studies, Waukesha became the first U.S. community to ask for a diversion of water out of the Great Lakes basin under terms of the protection compact. Waukesha paid Wisconsin $5,000 to examine its request.

The state DNR completed its review in December 2015.

The compact prohibits Great Lakes water from being pumped beyond counties straddling the drainage basin under any circumstances.

Waukesha County straddles the basin boundary  a subcontinental divide between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds  so the City of Waukesha's request can be considered even though it is a few miles west of the divide.

The city proposes to divert up to an average of 10.1 million gallons of lake water a day by midcentury. An equal volume of water would be returned to the lake as treated wastewater, under the city's plan.

In 2015, the city pumped an average of 6.1 million gallons of water a day from wells.

The requested midcentury water volume is linked to the city's growth and distribution of water to the future service area.

The Great Lakes compact does not list all the ways that states could delineate areas to be served in a diversion request, such as a utility district or service area. The compact does require a diversion request to comply with all applicable laws.

In anticipation of Waukesha's request for Lake Michigan water, the regional planning commission drew up a water service area to be consistent with a long-standing regional sewer service area for the city, as required by state law.

The planning commission included portions of the City of Pewaukee and towns of Waukesha and Delafield in the water service area since they were in the sewer area.

Wisconsin DNR staff requested that a 4.4-square-mile area in the Town of Genesee be included due to groundwater contamination with disease-causing bacteria. Failing septic systems have contaminated a shallow aquifer used by private wells there.

Waukesha currently pipes municipal water to 250 customers outside the city boundaries but within the future water service area. Most of those customers requested city water after their private wells became contaminated.

Local and regional environmental groups, including Clean Wisconsin and Midwest Environmental Advocates, oppose the future service area as encouraging suburban sprawl.

The service area set out in Wisconsin law is one way to draw boundaries of a diversion area and set a physical limit on the distribution of lake water under Waukesha's request, according to Eric Ebersberger, the DNR's deputy administrator for environmental management.

And the DNR has proposed conditions on extending water service beyond Waukesha's city limits as part of final approval of the city's request, he said.

First, the department could approve an initial volume of up to an average of 8.1 million gallons a day to be distributed in the water service area. Waukesha would ask the DNR to pump more than that  up to the maximum average of 10.1 million gallons a day  as needed.

When water is piped to a neighboring community, Waukesha would be required to demonstrate that community is complying with Waukesha's water conservation plan.

Any extension of water service also must be accompanied by sewer service to assure the return flow of water to the lake.
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by IMEMC |  

On Tuesday, Tax Day, activists delivered a petition with more than 5,000 signatures to IRS offices across the United States demanding the tax-exempt status of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) be revoked due to its role in displacing Palestinians and supporting illegal Israeli settlements.

The petition was delivered to offices in Oakland, San Francisco, Chicago, and Minneapolis. A delegation in Washington, DC attempted to make a delivery to the IRS Building but was turned away.

Founded in 1901, the JNF is a quasi-governmental Israeli agency that has played a major role in the dispossession of the Palestinians people, planting forests to help cover the reality of the more than 400 Palestinian towns and villages destroyed when Israel was created in 1948. Today the JNF continues to play an important role in the dispossession of Palestinians in both Israel and the occupied territories.

We wanted to use the occasion of Tax Day to highlight how U.S. taxpayers are contributing to Israels ethnic cleansing of Palestinians through the JNF being a tax-exempt organization. It is completely unacceptable that an organization engaging in war crimes is considered to be a charity in the United States, said Ramah Kudaimi of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.

I am an American Jew and as such am very familiar with the little blue JNF boxes found in many Jewish households. Our families and synagogues encouraged putting change in these boxes, which, when filled would be donated to the JNF to Plant a Tree in Israel and make the desert bloom, wrote Sylvia Schwarz in a piece published by The Hill. Hidden from us amid the rhetoric of making the desert bloom was the reality of ethnic cleansing.

The petition was launched on March 30, Palestinian Land Day, which commemorates the day in 1976 when Israeli troops killed six Palestinian citizens of Israel who were peacefully protesting the appropriation of their land. On that same day the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) submitted a regulatory challenge and accompanying legal complaint to the IRS requesting an investigation into the charitable status of the JNF on grounds of discrimination and contravention of U.S. policy.

These actions targeting the IRS are part of a larger international Stop the JNF Campaign that seeks to end the JNFs role in Israels continuing displacement of Palestinians and is connected to the growing boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement in support of the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice, and equality.

For nearly 70 years Palestinians have been resisting Israels continued theft of our land, said Nick Sous of the US Palestinian Community Network. So many Palestinians have been directly impacted by Israels stealing their land with the support of the JNF and it is shameful that the IRS actually awards people who donate to support these illegal actions by allowing them to get a tax write-off.

 See more at: Endtheoccupation.org

Contact Ramah Kudaimi, membership@endtheoccupation.org, 703-312-6360.

Via IMEMC

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Related video added by Juan Cole:

Press TV: US groups fund Israeli settlers accused of killing, other violence against Palestinians
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By H Patricia Hynes | (Informed Comment) |  

In June 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught fire from floating oil and combustible debris as it wound through Cleveland. While not the first river fire, it was the last for this and other industrial rivers.

Federal laws enacted in the early 1970s, in particular the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), began a more than 40 year uphill effort nationally to reduce intense smog and filthy rivers. New regulations required catalytic converters in motor vehicles; pollution capture technologies for factory air emissions; filter and treatment technologies for factory liquid wastes discharged into rivers; and more advanced municipal wastewater treatment plants for human waste and street runoff. All slowly reversed the extreme degradation of our rivers and air from unfettered industrial development.

Ten months after the Cuyahoga River fire, the first Earth Day was launched. On April 22, 1970, 20 million people took to the streets in what was the largest political demonstration in history. They walked into polluted rivers with scuba gear, demonstrated at stockholders meetings of corporate polluters, and conducted peaceful actions in front of the Interior Department. Ten thousand schools, 2,000 colleges and universities and almost every community took part. The U.S. Congress formally adjourned so that senators and representatives could attend teach-ins in their districts. That afternoon I took my twenty-five eleven-year-old students to walk along the Brandywine Creek, which bisects Wilmington, Delaware. Maybe we picked up trash, maybe we just walked on the cobbly streambank  I dont remember.

The kids were mostly from the older, struggling east side of downtown Wilmington and the younger, uglier, angrier projects off Northeast Boulevard. They were second-class children in a state purported to have the highest per capita income and PhDs in the United States. Downtown Wilmington, a stones throw from where we walked, was embellished with the Hotel DuPont and the DuPont corporate headquarters. Otherwise, it was a city of de facto segregated housing and schools. A few years earlier, the National Guard had policed downtown streets, so raw and so threatening was the anger of urban AfricanAmericans in the face of blatant, punishing racist neglect.

I remember asking myself, as I watched kids jumping from stream boulder to stream boulder. What does this have to do with them? What do clean streams have to do with literacy, jobs, housing, and human dignity?

Time and events would answer my question.

The 1980s ushered in EPAs Superfund and hazardous waste programs, the goals of which were to identify the most toxic of solid and liquid manufacturing waste flagrantly buried on industry site in drums and catchall landfills, leaching into groundwater and nearby water bodies or burned in open air and in unregulated incinerators.

It was in this decade that I found the answer to my question: What does Earth Day have to do with my eleven-year-old second class citizens?

The Housatonic River was neither drinkable nor swimmable and its banks hosted health warning signs for those fishing, when I was assigned in the early 1980s, as an EPA environmental engineer, to oversee the study of the rivers pollution for eventual cleanup. The General Electric Companys transformer division in Pittsfield, Massachusetts had used the river as a sewer for their toxic PCB waste, which magnified in the rivers food chain and concentrated in fish. Studies showed that the contaminated sediments carried by the river amassed behind downstream dams. The challenge of possible dredging and burying the contaminated sediments in a protected site took me to meeting upon meeting with downstream towns to discuss a potential burial site for the toxic sediments in their town. Predictably, no town was willing, which left one optiona landfill in Warren County, South Carolina designated by the state and EPA for PCB wastes.

Not long after, I learned through national news of a public protest in Warren County, South Carolina led by African American women, who formed a human chain and blocked the entry to the landfill. Their message: stop dumping other peoples industrial waste in our community.

The Warren County non-violent protests and marches, with more than 500 arrests, ignited the movement for environmental justice, a movement now linking poor, excessively polluted communities of color and Native American lands in the US with climate justice activists in developing countries disproportionately burdened with drought, growing deserts, food shortages, and sea level rise from climate change primarily caused by wealthy industrial countries.

In the 1990s new onslaughts of mal-development in industrial agriculture began. Rachel Carsons pathbreaking Silent Spring published in 1962 exposed the chemical rain of death on farms, forests and yards following World War II, which succeeded in DDT being taken off the US market (while the government allowed it to be manufactured for sale abroad). With the regulatory focus on toxic, long-lived insecticides, which accumulate up the food chain, the pesticide industries turned to research and manufacturing of genetically modified (GMO) seeds, mainly ones that would resist their herbicides. And thus, the pesticide industries morphed into vertically integrated genetically modified seed (GMO) and herbicide companies, which aim to control global agriculture. GMO acreage has grown exponentially worldwide282 million acres are planted in Monsantos GM crops, up 100-fold since 1996, according to Food and Water Watch, together with the use of herbicides, resulting in the vicious cycle of herbicide-resistant weeds (superweeds) requiring greater use of herbicides.

In the 21st century climate change is the defining issue of our times. It is an issue of peace, or more precisely of militarism and war. Beginning with the belligerent Carter Doctrine in the late 70s in response to the Arab oil embargo, the US launched what would grow into a total military presence in the Middle East over access to oil and three wars since 1991. The US naval presence in the Persian Gulf, with its entry and exit point at the Straits of Hormuz, had cost US taxpayers an estimated $8 trillion dollars by 2010, one of the many externalized costs that subsidize fossil fuels

Climate change accelerates the Sixth Extinction and ecological collapse, together with pollution, and loss of habitat. Between 1970 and 2010, the population of birds, reptiles, fish and reptiles fell by 52%. A recent study on global fisheries forecasts the collapse by 2048 of all fish currently caught commercially. Warming marine waters are pushing fish away from the tropics toward the poles, depriving poorer equatorial countries of their dominant source of protein. The changing chemistry of the warming and more acidic oceans portends an unprecedented loss of the oceans nursery and most biodiverse ecosystem on Earthcoral reefs.

Climate change is an issue of human survival. At current rates of melting, sea level rise will reach 6 feet minimally by 2100 threatening 1400 cities, among them New York City, San Diego, Boston, Miami, and thousands of cities across the world. New research by James Hansen and colleagues forecasts a marine Armageddon: an estimated several meters of sea level rise within this century with the melting of glacial sheets in Antarctica and Greenland, drowning coastal cities worldwide.

Climate change is an issue of justice. We are all on the Titanic, observed Kenyan ecologist Ruth Nyambura at the recent Paris Climate Summit, but the wealthy own the lifeboats. The developing world and the poorthose least responsible for climate changeare the most vulnerable to extremes of climate. Of the 10 most affected countries between 1994 and 2014, nine were developing countries in Asia and Central America and the country of Haiti, which suffered extreme, record-breaking natural catastrophes from intense rain, flooding and mudslides, typhoons and hurricanes.

Capitalism wedded to delusional American manifest destinyincluding our fatuous decades-long effort to control of the Middle East and recent militarized pivot to Asiameets its limits in Nature. Either we heed those limits immediately and aggressively, or we face an ecocide from which not even those who own lifeboats will escape.

Always, indigenous peoples have grasped this. In their dramatic presence at the Paris Climate Summit, they exposed most clearly and cogently the root causes of climate change: namely, that Western science, technology and capitalist economies regard Nature/Mother Earth as a lifeless trove of commoditiesminerals, metals, coal, oil, gas, uranium and waterto exploit ruthlessly and relentlessly for amassing wealth. Their primal message to the world is that the Earth is our sacred source of life and that the dominant worldview commodifies nature and subordinates all other rightshuman rights and the rights of natureat our peril.

Prescient children understand this. Twenty-one young people, members of Our Childrens Trust, have filed a landmark climate change lawsuit in all 50 states against the federal government on the grounds that the governments continued exploitation of fossil fuels violates the rights of the next generation to a stable climate and healthy future. Oregons Federal District Court Judge Thomas Coffin has ruled against the federal governments and fossil fuel trade associations motions to dismiss the case, deciding in favor of the plaintiffs.

Based on the doctrine of public trust, the lawsuit alleges that just as the federal government must protect public waterways and seashores for public use, so also the climate and atmosphere must be protected for public well-being. The judge called the case unprecedented and 19-year-old lead plaintiff Kelsey Juliana said in response to the ruling: This will be the trial of the century that will determine if we have a right to a livable future, or if corporate power will continue to deny our rights for the sake of their own wealth. Three fossil fuel industry trade associations, which joined the government as defendants, called the case a direct, substantial threat to [their] businesses.

Pat Hynes, a retired environmental engineer and Professor of Environmental Health from Boston University, directs the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice in western Massachusetts. Her current work includes Renewables Are Ready.

Selected References

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/environmental-justice-movement

http://responsibletechnology.org/media/docs/GMO_Myths_and_Truths_1.3b.pdf

http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/15/4/1416/htm

http://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/The-U.S.-has-Spent-8-Trillion-Protecting-the-Straits-of-Hormuz.html

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/overfishing-could-take-se/

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/could-sea-level-rise-swamp-cities-within-a-century/

https://germanwatch.org/en/11366

Democracy Now coverage of Paris Climate Summit: November 30-December 12, 2015.

http://ourchildrenstrust.org

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Related video added by Juan Cole:

From last year: 7 Eye-Opening Facts for Earth Day | Mashable
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By Baher Kamal | (Inter Press Service) |  

CAIRO (IPS)  There is an oil producing country situated in the Gulf region, made of a cluster of islands. It is small, surface and population wise. But it holds the dubious privilege of ranking top of the list of 14 out of the 33 countries most likely to be water-stressed in the year 2040.

This country is the Mamlakat Al Bahrain (the Kingdom of the Two Seas) or simply Bahrain.

Distant only 200 kilometres from Iran, Bahrains largest island is linked to Saudi Arabia by the 25 km-long King Fahd Causeway. The Kingdom extends over just 765 km2, and is home to 1,4 million people.

Considered as the white gold as opposed to the black goldoil, water scarcity has become one of the major concerns of Bahrain in spite of the fact that it has a high Human Development Index and was recognised by the World Bank as a high-income economy.

Its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita amounts to 29,140 US Dollars. And it is home to the headquarters for the United States Naval Forces Central Command/United States Fifth Fleet.

All the above does not suffice to make Bahrainis happy. In fact, their country leads the list of 14 out of the 33 countries most likely to be water-stressed in 2040 all of them situated in the Middle East including nine considered extremely highly stressed according to the World Resources Institute (WRI).

After Bahrain comes Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Other Middle East Arab countries more or less share with Bahrain this front line position of water-stressed states. These are Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen. All of them hold a very close second position in the region s water-stress ranking.

The total represents two thirds of the 22 Arab countries. Not that the remaining Arab states are water-safe. Not at all: Mauritania, in the far Maghreb West, and Egypt, at the opposite end, are already under heavy threat as well.

The whole region, already arguably the least water-secure in the world, draws heavily on groundwater and desalinated sea water, and faces exceptional water-related challenges for the foreseeable future, says the WRIs report: Ranking the Worlds Most Water-Stressed Countries in 2040.

Water scarcity is one of the most urgent food security issues facing Near East and North Africa countries: fresh water availability in the region is expected to drop by 50% by year 2050. Photo credit: FAO / Marco Longari

Water scarcity is one of the most urgent food security issues facing Near East and North Africa countries: fresh water availability in the region is expected to drop by 50% by year 2050. Photo credit: FAO / Marco Longari

The reports authors Andrew Maddocks, Robert Samuel Young and Paul Reig foresee that worlds demand for water, including of course the Middle East, is likely to surge in the next few decades.

Rapidly growing populations will drive increased consumption by people, farms and companies. More people will move to cities, further straining supplies. An emerging middle class could clamor for more water-intensive food production and electricity generation.

But its not clear where all that water will come from, they say. Climate change is expected to make some areas drier and others wetter. As precipitation extremes increase in some regions, affected communities face greater threats from droughts and floods.

While changing water supply and demand is inevitable, exactly what that change will look like around the world is far from certain. A first-of-its-kind analysis by WRI sheds new light on the issue.

Using an ensemble of climate models and socioeconomic scenarios, WRI scored and ranked future water stressa measure of competition and depletion of surface waterin 167 countries by 2020, 2030, and 2040.

We found that 33 countries face extremely high water stress in 2040 (see the full list). We also found that Chile, Estonia, Namibia, and Botswana could face an especially significant increase in water stress by 2040. This means that businesses, farms, and communities in these countries in particular may be more vulnerable to scarcity than they are today, say the authors.

Specialised studies coincide that water consumption in the Arab region has doubled five times in the past fifty years, with an estimated annual consumption of about 230 billion cubic meters, of which 43 billion cubic meters used for drinking and the industry, and 187 billion cubic meters for agriculture.

Poverty of the Arab region with regard to water resources is reflected in water insecurity for human beings and agriculture. While water consumption per capit is estimated in at least one 1,000 cubic meters a year according to the global rate, the average Arab citizens share comes down to nearly 500 cubic meters per year, this placing Arab countries below the water poverty line.

This comes at a time when the Arab region has not taken advantage of its water resources of about 340 billion cubic meters, using only 50 per cent. The rest is lost and wasted.

Regarding the North of Africa, the Egyptian Ministry for Environment has recently admitted that large extensions of the countrys Northern area of the Nile Delta, which represents the most important and extensive agricultural region in Egypt, is already heavily exposed to two dangerous effects: salinasation and flooding. This is due to the rise of the Mediterranean Sea water levels and the land depression.

The impact of global warming and growing heat waves is particularly worrying the Egyptian authorities as it might reduce the flow of the Nile water in up to 80 per cent according to latest estimates. All this adds to the loss of massive investments made to promote domestic and foreign tourism.

Meanwhile, Syria, Jordan and Iraq would be sentenced to a similar fate.

In some Middle East countries, water scarcity will increase conflictivity among Bedouin population who survive thanks to pasturage.

Dr. Moslem Shatout, the Cairo-based professor of Sun and Space Research and Deputy Chairman of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, considers that the Arab North African countries are among the most affected, by large, by the climate change impact.

Satellites monitoring, in particular those carried out by the US-French satellite, have detected between 1991 and 2005, a global rise in the sea levels of 3 millimetres per year, but given that the Mediterranean is a semi-closed sea this rise reaches 8 millimetres per year.

In Morocco, the effect of global warming and water scarcity have already forced farmers to cultivate only one third of the lands they used to farm.

A similar situation is being witnessed in Algeria, with a much worse situation in Mauritania.

In the case of Morocco and Algeria, while expected rainfalls should be of at least 400 millimetres/year, the last five years this amount went down to just 200 millimetres, thats half of the minimum needed.

Last but not least: while Morocco and Algeria have high rocky coasts, this protecting them from sea floods, Arab countries situated at the East of the Mediterranean sea, such as Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine, are exposed to flood.

Via Inter Press Service



Related video added by Juan Cole:

France 24: Iran: water crisis deepens due to climate change, pushing people into poverty
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

In the wake of his big win in New York, I want to push back once more against the normalization of Trump as a legitimate presidential candidate, given his policy positions. Let us remember what the Republicans of New York voted for (there are hardly any Republicans in New York City, so it can be spared the shame).

In Bronx's #NY15, Trump received 604 votes and won three delegates. In North Country's #NY21, Kasich received 17,868 votes and won ZERO.  Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) April 20, 2016

Here is what the Republicans of New York voted for:

Torture

I wrote earlier this month,

In a recent telephone interview with CNNs Wolf Blitzer, Trump argued we have to change our law on the waterboarding thing, that he would go further than waterboarding . . . Trump concludes that our respect for the rule of law places us at an unfair advantage in our shared struggle against violent extremism. We have to change our laws and we have to be able to fight at least on almost equal basis. We have laws that we have to obey in terms of torture. They have no laws whatsoever that they have to obey . . .

In other words, Trump wants the US to act like ISIL and wants to repeal the 8th Amendment and flout US treaty obligations in international law.

That is what New York voted for.

Murdering women and children

Trump has advocated killing the wives and children of Daesh (ISIL, ISIS) fighters. He has also advocated taking them hostage so as to control Daesh:

We have to be much tougher and much stronger than weve been, . . . I would be very, very firm with families. . . Frankly, that will make people think, because they may not care much about their lives, but they do care, believe it or not, about their families lives.

Deliberately killing innocents is murder. Blaming them for what their relative did is collective punishment, which is repugnant. Using their lives to manipulate terrorists is disgusting. These are war crimes.

Patrolling or closing mosques in US

TRUMP:

I think we have to be extremely vigilant in those areas, we have to look very seriously at the Mosques. Lots of things happening in the Mosques, thats been proven. You look at whats going on in Paris where Mosques are being closed, OK? And, we have to look very, very seriously.

This is a repeal of the first amendment.

Massive US invasion of Syria

A little over a month ago, Trump said that defeating Daesh might require 20,000 to 30,000 U.S. troops. He said, We dont fight like we used to fight . . . We used to fight to win. Now we fight for no reason whatsoever. We dont even know what were doing.

Well, someone doesnt know what he is doing.

Shame on the Republicans of New York. Shame.

-

Related video:

Donald J. Trump Victory Speech New York April 19th, 2016
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 20, 2016) - Frontline Gold Corporation (TSXV: FGC) ("Frontline" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it obtained an unsecured loan ("Loan") in the amount of $250,000. The Loan is being advanced by two private groups who are both non-arm's length investors ("Investors") of the Corporation. The Loan will be used primary to allow the Company to expedite production from its tailings projects at Kambertepe and Keban, as highlighted in its April 7, 2016 press release ("Frontline Acquires Fully Permitted Keban and Kambertepe Tailings Projects " www.stockwatch.com/News/Item.aspx?bid=Z-C%3aFGC-2361062&symbol=FGCion=C).

The proceeds from the $250,000 loan as defined in the Loan agreement will be used for the following:





a minimum of $200,000 will be used for developing the Tailings Projects. Work at the Kambertepe copper tailings, up to 6,000 tonnes, is underway. Preparation for work at Keban started as well; up to $12,500 can be used to fund the pursuit of additional tailings projects that exist in Turkey, and; up to $37,500 can be used to make option payments and advance exploration on the Company's Red Lake and Rainy River projects.

Commentary

Mr. Walter Henry, President and CEO of Frontline commented, "This is a marquee funding transaction for Frontline. Given the current difficulties of raising equity in the junior mining sector Frontline is very fortunate to have secured this Loan. Given Frontline's balance sheet signing an unsecured loan with 1) no debt or working capital covenants, and 2) a six-month principal and interest holiday is an excellent opportunity to fund and expedite work at Kambertepe and Keban. With both projects being fully permitted for exploitation, Frontline is in an excellent position realize revenue from Kambertepe within the next 60 days. Additionally, with the signed transportation agreements and based on the current negotiations, including concessions, on the processing agreements, we created an opportunity to generate revenue in the very near term."

"As previously noted the revenue from the tailings projects will enable us to: 1) organically advance our other projects in Turkey, Mali and Red Lake; 2) allow Frontline to capitalize on other strategic acquisitions; and 3) seek opportunities and regulatory approvals to restructure Frontline's capital structure."

Highlights of the Loan:

Will be unsecured and no debt or working capital covenants. Will be fully advanced by April 30, 2016 and will be for a term of 18 months. Will bear interest at the rate of 12%, payable monthly in arrears. FGC shall start repaying the Loan at the end of November 2016, by way of 12 monthly payments. FGC will pay to the Investors 2% of the net proceeds (calculated as gross revenue less excavating and transportation costs and processing costs), received from the Keban and Kambertepe tailings projects in Turkey. FGC to issue a total of 5 million common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants"). The Warrants shall have an exercise price of 2 cents and term of 3 years from the date of issue. The Warrants are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. FGC shall use its best effort to obtain regulatory approval to issue the Warrants with an exercise price of 2 cents, but if it is unable to do so, then FGC shall, within a year, use its best efforts to cause its common shares to be consolidated on a 5-1 basis, subject to shareholder approval, and the Warrants shall be issued with an exercise price of 10 cents. If, during the term of the Warrants, the shares of FGC trade at 5 cents or higher for a period of 30 consecutive trading days, then FGC shall be entitled to give notice that the Warrants has been accelerated to a date not less than 20 business days after such notice has been provided. FGC shall provide the Investors with a two-year right of first refusal ("ROFR") to provide financing to FGC in connection with any additional tailing deposits acquired by FGC in Turkey.

The loan and warrants remain subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals, including approval of the Toronto Stock Venture Exchange.

Prossessing Agreements

Negotiations on the processing agreements continues with a number of experienced processing companies within the region of Elazig, Turkey. Frontline is confident that the agreements will be executed within the next two-weeks. Based on current discussions, these agreements will include processing concessions, payment holidays, and reductions in processing rates in exchange for meeting certain processing volumes and giving up rights to certain residual tailings from Kambertepe and Keban.

Keban Tailings Project

Located approximately 45 km northwest from the city of Elazig, via paved highway, which is fully permitted, which includes the exclusive rights to process a minimum 114,000 tonnes of mineralized milled tailings stored in two areas within the property boundary. The regional government of Elazig retains the responsibility for remediation of this site.

An independent comprehensive report, including a metallurgical assessment of the mineralized tailings, was completed by Dr. Sasmaz, Phd, Geologist, Firat University, dated June 2015. Per the report, 40 assay samples were collected at Keban and assays completed, for 34 element ICP - MS analysis, by Bureau Vertias Mineral Laboratories in Vancouver, Canada on behalf of the Firat University in Elazig. According to the Bureau Vertias assayed analysis, the Firat University report of June 2015 noted that all the assays averaged Au 1.78 g/t, Ag 96 g/t, Pb 2.94%/t and Zn 0.63%/t.

Kambertepe Tailings Project

Located approximately 100 km east from the city of Elazig, via paved highway, includes the exclusive rights to process approximately up to 6,000 tonnes of mineralized tailings, with the following average reported grades per tonne of tailings: 2.1% Copper, 21 g/t Silver, 1.9% Zinc, 0.5% Titanium and over 50% Iron, as noted from a Firat University report on the project dated March 15th, 2016.

Frontline did not complete the work required to verify the historical mining estimates noted above and is not treating these historical estimates as being compliant with current standards under NI 43-101 and as such these historical estimates should not be relied upon. Caution should be used when evaluating these resources as they were calculated prior to NI 43-101 existing and a qualified person has not done work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

Frontline continues to actively seek additional investor/partner(s) in order to continue to expedite the full tailings and contained metal recovery at both the Keban and Kambertepe tailings projects. To contact Frontline, please call Walter Henry at 416-414-5825 or visit the company's website.

The technical information herein was reviewed by Mr. Greg Isenor, P. Geo., who acts as Frontline's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Frontline Gold Corporation

Frontline is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with an experienced discovery team and a proven record of accomplishment. The Company's principal properties include the Menderes gold project in the Izmir province of Western Turkey, the Flint Lake and Sandhill Lake gold projects which are adjacent to Chalice Gold's Cameron Lake Gold Deposit in Ontario and the Niaouleni gold project in southern Mali in the heart of West Africa's prolific gold belt. Other Canadian exploration properties include its Red Lake (gold) property groups that include the Whitehorse Island Mining Patents.

Further information about the Company is available on the Company's website, www.frontlinegold.com , or our social media sites listed below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Frontline Gold Corp./

Twitter: https://twitter.com/frontlinegold

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results, programs and financial position could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company's control. These factors include: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimations, receipt and security of mineral property titles; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, fluctuations in metal prices; currency fluctuations; and general market and industry conditions.

Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.



"Walter Henry"

Walter Henry, President & CEO

FRONTLINE GOLD CORP.



Contact: Walter Henry

Telephone: (416) 362-9100

Fax: (416) 362-9300

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.frontlinegold.com



Frontline Gold Corp. (TSXV: FGC)

1 Toronto Street, Suite 201

Toronto, Ontario M5C 2V6

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 20, 2016) - Cordoba Minerals Corp. ("Cordoba" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:CDB), is pleased to announce the appointments of Peter Meredith, Govind Friedland and Tony Makuch to its Board of Directors.

Board of Director Appointments

Peter Meredith, who will assume the role as Chairman of the Board of Cordoba, is an experienced and well respected mining executive. Mr. Meredith has been a Director of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. since 1998. Mr. Meredith is the former Deputy Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (now Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.), where he was involved in overseeing Ivanhoe's business development and government relations. Prior to joining Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Mr. Meredith spent 31 years with Deloitte LLP, chartered accountants, and retired as a partner in 1996. Mr. Meredith is a Chartered Accountant and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.

Tony Makuch was the Chief Executive Officer of Lake Shore Gold prior to the recent acquisition by Tahoe Resources. Since joining Lake Shore Gold in 2008, Mr. Makuch had overseen the company's progression from exploration to annual production of approximately 180,000 ounces of gold. He is a professional engineer (Ontario) with over 25 years of management, operations and technical experience in the mining industry, having managed numerous projects in Canada and the United States from advanced exploration through production. Mr. Makuch holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours Applied Earth Sciences) from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, and both a Masters of Science Degree in Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration from Queens University in Ontario. Mr. Makuch holds the Institute of Corporate Directors designation, ICD.D.

Govind Friedland is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of GoviEx Uranium and a principal and co-founder of Ivanhoe Industries, the parent company of I-Pulse Inc., a hi-tech company providing innovative solutions for mining, oil & gas, and advanced manufacturing sectors based in Toulouse France. He earned his degree in Geology and Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 2000 with a focus on Exploration Geology. Mr. Friedland also was the former Business Development Manager for Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. based in China and has significant experience in emerging markets.

"We are delighted to have Peter, Tony and Govind join our Board," commented Mario Stifano, CEO of Cordoba. "They each bring a wealth of experience in exploring, developing and operating mines throughout the world. Their extensive leadership experience and mining knowledge will be an extremely valuable asset as we look to advance our San Matias Copper Gold Project in Colombia."

Mr. Meredith, Mr. Makuch and Mr. Friedland will replace three existing directors; Beatriz Uribe, William Katzin and Tod Turley who have decided to resign from the Board.

"The Company and the Board would like to express its sincere thanks to Mrs. Uribe, Mr. Katzin and Mr. Turley for the valuable contributions that they made during their tenures as directors with the Company," said Mr. Stifano.

Management Team Additions

In addition, Charles Forster and Luis Fernando De Angulo have been appointed Special Advisors to Cordoba's Board of Directors and CEO while Sarah Armstrong is joining Cordoba as Vice President and General Counsel.

Charles Forster, P. Geo., has more than 45 years of diversified mineral exploration experience in Canada, United States, Sub-Saharan Africa, Portugal, China and Mongolia. Mr. Forster was formerly the Senior Vice President of Exploration at Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia for Ivanhoe Mines (now Turquoise Hill Resources) from early 2001 to June 2008. During this time, he led a team of multi-national and Mongolian geologists in the discovery and delineation of the world-class Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold porphyry deposit. The discovery of the massive, high-grade Hugo Dummett underground deposit at Oyu Tolgoi was subsequently recognized by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, which in 2004 named Mr. Forster a co-recipient of the inaugural Thayer Lindsley Medal awarded for the International Discovery of the Year.

Luis Fernando de Angulo is a sustainability, human rights and social standards professional. Mr. De Angulo started his career with the Cerrejon Coal project in Colombia where he was involved with a variety of issues in relation to community development. Most recently Mr. de Angulo was the worldwide corporate social responsibility (CSR) Director for Occidental Petroleum, with responsibility for operations in three continents. Currently, he is a founding partner of Gestion Responsible, a sustainability consultancy to the Oil and Mining Industries. Mr. De Angulo is a native of Colombia, educated in Bogota, the US (Harvard) and The Netherlands (Institute of Social Studies).

Sarah Armstrong is also the General Counsel at High Power Exploration Inc., Cordoba's joint-venture partner at the San Matias Project. Sarah previously worked at Linklaters and Xstrata and has nine years' experience in emerging markets having worked on, and led transactions in, Asian and Latin American countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Mongolia, China, Philippines Chile, Peru and Colombia ranging from mining projects, structured capital market transactions, M&A, take-overs, joint ventures and earn-ins and international arbitration proceedings. Sarah is admitted as a legal practitioner in Australia (Supreme Court of New South Wales and Supreme Court of Queensland) and a registered foreign lawyer in Hong Kong.

Mario Stifano, CEO of Cordoba commented: "I am extremely pleased with the additions to Cordoba's management as we move the San Matias Copper-Gold Project to the next phase. Charles' wealth of experience at Oyu Tolgoi, one of the world's largest copper-gold discoveries, will be a vital contribution to our team as we expand our exploration programs at San Matias. Luis Fernando's CSR expertise will enable Cordoba to continue building upon its strong community relations in the San Matias region where the Company has been formally recognized by the Colombian government for its social work in the region. Sarah Armstrong, who will be based in Colombia, was instrumental in negotiating and completing the acquisition of the Alacran Project by Cordoba."

Cordoba is also announcing that it has granted 1,925,000 incentive stock options to certain directors, officers and consultants pursuant to the Company's stock option plan, at an exercise price of $0.85 per share, expiring on April 19, 2026. This stock option grant is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.
The Salt Lake Tribune is shown Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in Salt Lake City. A son of wealthy industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr. has agreed to buy The Salt Lake Tribune, ending uncertainty about the future of Utah's largest independent newspaper. Digital First Media announced in a news release Wednesday that the company reached an agreement to sell the newspaper to Paul Huntsman. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
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Business / Companies

by Staff Reporter

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has been approached by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) to intervene in the pay dispute between the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and its striking workers.More than 6000 workers have been on strike over non-payment of salaries for 15 months for more than two weeks.In a letter to the ILO last week, ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo said "The dispute is of nonpayment of wages for the period January 2015 to March 2016, a period of 15 months."The company owes about $87,5 million in salary arrears. On 29 March 2016 the workers engaged on a strike to force the employer to pay their salaries which are overdue,"."This failure to pay salaries has also affected the trade unions in terms of subscriptions not remitted to the unions. The unions are now incapacitated to conduct their activities."Following the strike, management have invoked the law by approaching the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to issue a show cause order whose effect is to terminate a legitimate strike and may have consequences of dismissing employees who have a legitimate cause."ZCTU said government must not invoke its law to deal with the striking workers, which law is inconsistent with the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
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One can dream.

Thats often a quote we hear when we talk about winning the lottery or landing a job that lets us do something great like being a taster of new ice cream flavors for a living (I wish).

However, whats sad is that many American moms utter those same words when they think about life after baby. A year of paid maternity leave. Access to a good lactation consultant. Family members who dont just visit but who actually come to help out. One can dream, but one shouldnt have to.

As an OB/GYN practicing in the United States, I think we do pretty good things for moms and babies in our country. However, I think there is one huge area where we fail, and thats in caring for new families in what is known as the fourth trimester, the 12 weeks after giving birth that can be such a joyous but also exhausting time for new parents.

A new project out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is looking to address exactly this time period. They are planning to identify areas where we fall short (mental health, for example) and launch research studies to see how we can do better.

Reading that article made me think: What would the perfect world for a postpartum mom look like? As a womens healthcare provider and as a mom with a young baby at home, I felt like I could take a stab at this. I might be dreaming, but if we had even a few of these standards in place, the families in our country would be off to a much better start. Heres what I would recommend, and you can feel free to add your own.

More frequent follow-up

So many new moms are sent home from the hospital not to be seen by their doctors for 6 weeks. A lot happens in 6 weeks! And she just experienced a momentous event, physically and emotionally! In my perfect world, new moms are seen within 3 days after hospital discharge, then at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum  and definitely more frequently if needed. And speaking of these visits 

Home visits

 most should happen at home! How terrible is it that we ask new parents to try and get out of the house and make it into a doctors office when they can barely figure out how to do anything in a reasonable time period with their new babies? And bringing them into an office filled with sick, coughing kids and long wait times? We can do better. Lets have home visits that allow providers and lactation consultants to have longer visits that are in a comforting environment (and that allow them to really see how life at home is going).

Breastfeeding support that starts in pregnancy and continues on

Speaking of lactation consultants, every expectant family should meet with one during the prenatal period to get accurate facts and have one on speed-dial for those early postpartum days. All breastfeeding moms should be seen by a lactation consultant (and preferably an IBCLC) in the hospital; not just the ones who are having problems. These moms should be visited again shortly after they are sent home, and as frequently as is necessary. All new moms should be given information on breastfeeding support, whether that means local groups, online sites, or hotlines.

Doctors who know more about normal infant weight loss, feeding, and sleeping patterns

Want to know something sad (and a little scary)? Most doctors get very little training on these topics, but this is exactly what new parents expect their pediatrician to guide them on! Instead of doctors setting parents up for failure when they say a two-month-old should be sleeping through the night, or any breastfeeding difficulty means supplementation is needed, lets improve training in these areas, so new moms are getting the right information. While were at it, lets make sure all pharmacists, radiologists, and anyone who interacts with a nursing mom has appropriate education on the topic, so they dont keep falsely advising moms to pump and dump or wean for ridiculous reasons like getting a CT scan.

Counseling on the normal physical recovery of childbirth

At all postpartum visits, moms should be asked about their exercise routine, not only to encourage activity for good physical and mental health, but also to make sure she knows whats considered safe and what is too much (or not enough). New moms should be counseled that the concept of bouncing back and losing all the baby weight in a matter of weeks after giving birth is completely false and not healthy. Health care providers should stop commenting on how a woman looks like she never even had a baby, or making other judging remarks, as these are very personal and invasive comments and are not necessary.

Longer, and paid, parental leave

In my dream world (hey, its my dream!), all moms can have access to a year of paid maternity leave if they want it, with partners having access to a fair leave time, as well, to provide support. How can we ask moms to breastfeed for at least a year when we dont help them be with their babies?

Bring back the village mentality, and feed the new moms!

The fourth trimester should be a time when friends and families enjoy meeting a new baby, but still primarily see this as a time when mom still needs extra help. So many other cultures do this better than we Americans. We should automatically see this as a time to bring by meals, set up help with cleaning and laundry, and care for our new moms even when they dont go out of their way to ask for it.

Mental health check-ups

All new moms should be screened for postpartum depression/anxiety, and not just once. All postpartum visits, lactation consults, and pediatric appointments in the fourth trimester are opportunities to screen for this, the most common of postpartum complications. I would ask that all parents also be given information on signs of this and told where to access help if its needed.

Access to birth control

Every mom leaving the hospital should have a birth control plan, whether she opts for abstinence or an IUD, and we should make sure her wishes are put into place. This means making it easy for her to have access to the birth control method of her choice, such as timing her IUD insertion to be done at the same visit as her 6-week postpartum check-up. Get rid of barriers (cost, extra appointments) and help these new moms pick a method that is right for them.

A society that welcomes crying babies (yes, really!)

Maybe a stretch, but like I said, its my dream. I would wish for a world where babies are not seen as a nuisance at the coffee shop when they start crying, but rather as a respected member of our community. Lets help out by holding the door for that mom struggling with her stroller. Rather than shooting nasty glances when a mom is nursing in public, how about giving an encouraging smile? These moms are short on sleep and high on stress, so lets make this one day in her fourth trimester one that she remembers positively.

Jennifer Lincoln is an obstetrician-gynecologist. This article originally appeared in Bundoo.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
News / International

by Staff Reporter

President Robert Mugabe has arrived in New York in the United States of America where he is expected to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change.The President and his delegation, which includes Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and Environment Minister, Oppah Muchinguri, were met at JFK International Airport by Zimbabwe's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Frederick Shava and embassy staff.President Mugabe left Harare on Tuesday evening, where he joins other world leaders in signing the Paris Agreement on climate change which was drafted and adopted during the 21st Session of the Conference of Parties, COP21, in December last year.The Paris agreement is within the structure of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.The Paris Agreement replaces the Kyoto Protocol, and was drafted and adopted through consensus by 195 countries, with 120 states expected to sign when the document is opened for signature Friday 22nd April 2016.The aim of the convention is to enhance the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change through holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1,5 degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would reduce significantly the risks and impacts of climate change.
News / Local

by Staff Reporter

A new hotel has been opened at Nemamwa Growth Point in Masvingo Rural and this adds to the district's rich hospitality service industry.Masvingo Mirror reported that the hotel named Cape to Cairo matches any other hotel in the country with its immaculately done inside comprising of modern tiled floors, cute modern bar, a superb conference room with a cute floor, a marvellous stage and well-finished off ceiling.The six-bed roomed hotel has nice double beds in spacious rooms that have individual toilets and bathrooms. Clients can choose either a tub or a shower.The showers are the modern cubicles surrounded by glass dividers and there is both hot and cold water for patrons.The bedrooms have matching curtains whose colours also blend in well with the bed spreads on the beds.The proprietor, Adonis Mugore (pictured) who is a son of the late Chief Shumba says the hotel is suitable for any client looking for a superb place to sleep and relax with peace of mind hence the name Cape to Cairo."We also had the international tourist in mind when we put up this hotel hence we said anyone from Cape to Cairo will find a home away from home. We are targeting tourists visiting the Great Zimbabwe Monuments and Lake Mutirikwi and we are therefore an international hotel."Our facilties, neatness and smartness can match any hotel in the World and challenge any visitor to come and see for themselves," said Mugore.Cape to Cairo opened its doors to the world in January this year and its located within the proximity of the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, some 24 km from Masvingo City.In addition to accommodation, visitors will also have good quality food and refreshments."I have established a hotel in my home Growth Point with the prospect to accommodate tourists from Cape to Cairo who come to view the Great Zimbabwe monuments and the Mutirikwi lake shore. I should make sure that the hotel is going to have good standards for my clients," said Mugore.Mugore was born in Morgenster under Chief Shumba. In 1984 Mugore started small when he opened a bottle store. He worked as a building inspector for the City of Harare from 1984 till he retired in 2006 and started constructing his hotel at Nemamwa."I got management skills from my previous work experience and quality service is our guiding principle," said Mugore.
Weve found a group of stocks that is as close as you can get to a guarantee of regular payouts: Our dividend centenarians. These companies have paid cash dividends annually for at least a century. Most of these firms have humble origins, but they are not quaint.

Here are the three oldest:

ExxonMobil (symbol XOM (opens in new tab); recent yield, 3.4%) shows no signs of turning off the dividend spigot despite the downturn in oil prices. It traces its roots to John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil.

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Stanley Black & Decker (SWK (opens in new tab); recent yield, 2.0%) got its start in pre-Civil War Connecticut. In 2010, it bought Black & Decker and is now big in electronic security as well.

York Water Company (YORW (opens in new tab); recent yield, 2.0%), a small utility in Pennsylvania, has been paying a dividend for over 200 years. Thats a heck of a track record.

Take a look at nine more stocks that have been paying dividends for at least a century.
Silver is continuing its recent outperformance over gold, says Commerzbank. Silver outpaced gold on Tuesday and is slightly higher in early-Wednesday dealings while gold has eased modestly. Silver is currently much stronger than gold, Commerzbank says. Analysts later add, The gold-silver ratio has dropped to below 74, its lowest level since early November. It was still over 80 at the beginning of last week. Unlike gold, silver saw further inflows into its ETFs (exchange-traded funds). The iShares Silver Trust, the worlds largest silver ETF, reported inflows of 44.4 tonnes. By contrast, gold ETFs posted an outflow of 8.5 tonnes Tuesday, the bank adds. As of 8:06 a.m. EDT, Comex May silver was 7.8 cents higher to $17.05 an ounce, while June gold was down $5.30 to $1,249.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

HSBC: We Expect Gold To Continue To Trundle Higher

HSBC looks for gold to remain underpinned, although analysts note one potential roadblock could be improved appetite for other so-called risk assets. Gold rallied sharply on Tuesday as weak U.S. housing data further dented the likelihood of U.S. interest-rate hikes in the foreseeable future, the bank says. The gold rally is most under threat from the resurgence in investor risk appetite, HSBC says. The move in stocks to fresh 2016 highs, if the run continues, may rob gold of some of the oxygen it needs to continue to rally. Still, UBS continues, potential equity strength may pose less risk to the gold rally than in previous periods of stock-market gains. This is because gold tends to do well when it appears any imminent hike in U.S. rates is less likely, also weighing on the U.S. dollar, HSBC says. There is also the possibility that moving further out on the risk curve could come back to support gold, HSBC continues, citing an article in the Financial Times that says that negative rates in some countries have induced central banks themselves to take on riskier assets. Meanwhile, good Chinese demand has also helped gold, with stockpiles being replenished after the Lunar New Year. The sum of these factors leads us to look for the rally to hold, and while some profit taking is possible or even likely, we expect gold to continue to trundle higher, HSBC concludes.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

MKS Expresses Caution After Recent Rally Led By Silver

MKS (Switzerland) S.A. is expressing some caution about gold and silver after their runs higher lately, with silver hitting its most muscular level since last spring. The question is, where to from here? asks Alex Thorndike, senior precious-metals dealer. We still remain cautious, particularly on silver given that gross longs on Comex sit at a staggering 98% of their all-time highs, with net positioning at 79% of the all-time high. To me, this screams of a rally that could run out of puff all too quickly, and experience a short and sharp capitulation. According to UBS, gold gross longs sit at around 90% of their all-time highs, which is still very stacked to the long side. Key here will be if the metal can break through tech resistance at $1,260, which has held twice since late March. By comparison, platinum and palladium sit at 73% and 43% of their all-time record gross long positioning, which indicates there could be some value playing the long side here.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

UBS: Gold Investors Worried About Missing Out

Investors waiting for price pullbacks to buy gold have been pulling the trigger even on minor retreats, says UBS. Many have been waiting for a deeper price correction to build gold positions or to add to current longs, but this has so far been elusive, the bank says. The low touched during this consolidation phase was $1,208 and not only has there been no follow-through for attempts to move lower, but interest to buy dips has also been quite evident. Gold has been resilient lately even when equities have strengthened, the bank continues. Some market watchers are concerned that high net-long positioning in Comex gold futures, combined with a slowdown in ETF purchases of the yellow metal, may be reasons for caution. But fears of missing the gold move further appear to be offsetting these concerns right now, such that investors are willing to look through the build-up in market length year-to-date and instead use gold's ongoing consolidation as an opportunity to buy into even shallow dips, UBS says.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com
(Kitco News) - Gold prices are modestly lower in early U.S. trading Wednesday, on a downside technical correction after posting good gains Tuesday. Meantime, silver bulls are still flexing their muscles as prices are firmer and hit another 10.5-month high overnight. June Comex gold was last down $4.40 at $1,249.90 an ounce. May Comex silver was last up $0.098 at $17.07 an ounce.

World stock markets were mostly weaker Wednesday. Chinas stock market closed sharply lower Wednesday, but well up from the daily spike low that spooked Asian market watchers. At one time, Chinas Shanghai index was down 4.5% on the day, and ended the session down 2.3%. There was no single factor attributed to the sharp sell- off in the Shanghai index. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward slightly lower openings when the day session begins in New York.

Lower crude oil prices added to the negative sentiment in the worlds stock markets Wednesday, and also limited buying interest in the precious metals markets. Nymex crude oil is trading just above $40.00 a barrel in early U.S. dealings. The other key outside market finds the U.S. dollar index slightly higher Wednesday morning.

Traders and investors are looking ahead to Thursdays regular meeting of the European Central Bank. Many believe the ECB is, at some point down the road, prepared to initiate further monetary policy stimulus measures, following last months easing moves. However, most do not expect Thursdays meeting to produce any major, new initiatives.

U.S. economic data due for release Wednesday includes the weekly MBA mortgage applications survey, existing home sales, and the weekly DOE liquid energy stocks report.

(Note: Follow me on Twitter--@jimwyckoff--for breaking market news.)

Wyckoffs Daily Risk Rating: 2.5 (Trader and investor market risk aversion is not elevated today.)

(Wyckoffs Daily Risk Rating is your way to quickly gauge investor risk appetite in the world market place each day. Each day I assess the risk-on or risk-off trader mentality in the market place with a numerical reading of 1 to 5, with 1 being least risk-averse (most risk-on) and 5 being the most risk-averse (risk-off).

Technically, June gold futures bulls have the overall near-term technical advantage. Bulls next upside near-term price breakout objective is to produce a close above solid technical resistance at the April high of $1,264.70. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is closing prices below solid technical support at last weeks low of $1,225.40. First resistance is seen at the overnight high of $1,259.80 and then at $1,264.70. First support is seen at $1,240.00 and then at Tuesdays low of $1,229.00. Wyckoffs Market Rating: 6.5

May silver bulls have the firm overall near-term technical advantage as prices hit another 10.5-month high overnight. Silver bulls next upside price breakout objective is closing futures prices above solid technical resistance at $18.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $16.20. First resistance is at the overnight high of $17.255 and then at $17.50. Next support is seen at the overnight low of $16.855 and then at $16.60. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 7.0.

By Jim Wyckoff, contributing to Kitco News; jwyckoff@kitco.com

Follow @KitcoNewsNOW
Barb Bromley's students from 2013-14 won the President's Environmental Youth Award for creating a Kitsap County mascot to help educate people about salmon and the environment. The mascot, called Big Redd, was designed by a company in the Netherlands and paid for by local tribes and other groups. Bromley and some of her students will travel in July to Washington, D.C., for the award ceremony at the White House. Contributed photo / Barb Bromley

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By Christina Henry of the Kitsap Sun

CENTRAL KITSAP  The news came Friday.

Clear Creek Elementary School math and science teacher Barb Bromley and her fourth-grade students from the 2013-14 school year are invited in July to the White House to collect the President's Environmental Youth Award, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Bromley's students that year conceptualized a salmon mascot called Big Redd  as in redd, a salmon spawning nest  to promote education about the iconic Northwest fish that plays a central role in the environment and culture. The idea came out of their yearlong studies about the life-cycle of salmon, which included raising baby salmon from eggs and releasing them into nearby Clear Creek.

"It was something we came up with in thinking about ways to make salmon more noticeable," Bromley said.

Big Redd is hard to miss. It's not every day you see a 6-foot salmon walking down the street.

The students worked with a design company in the Netherlands to create the mascot, who has appeared at environmental festivals and fundraisers. Big Redd has accompanied students on field trips that are part of Kitsap County Stormwater Division's Salmon in the Classroom curriculum.

The mascot was paid for by the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes, the Port of Silverdale, the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and other organizations.

Bromley's class of 2014 came up with the mascot's name by polling fellow students at Kitsap County's Water Festival. Other choices were Gill and Scarlet.

The students, now in sixth grade, this year created a video about Big Redd and wrote essays as part of the EPA award application process. Bromley's class is one of two 2015 award winners in the EPA's region 10, which covers Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Idaho.

Because Central Kitsap is a military community, some of Bromley's former students have moved out of the area. She expects to take a group of up to nine students to D.C., all of whom must cover their own travel expenses.

"We have not even begun fundraising," Bromley said.

Bromley's summer schedule is filling up quickly as she personally has earned a couple of other awards.

In May, she will connect with K-12 teachers from around the United States and Japan through the Fulbright Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program for Education. The group of 20 teachers will meet first in San Mateo, California, to collaborate on ideas for teaching about the environment. Later in the summer, the American teachers will travel to Japan for more cross-cultural brainstorming.

Bromley also was nominated by students and selected for a full scholarship to the Mickelson ExxonMobile Teachers Academy, to be held in July in New Jersey. The summer camp for adults will inspire 154 third- through fifth-grade teachers with activities that integrate math and science. Bromley was one of three teachers selected from Washington.

If that weren't enough, a video about oceans that Bromley's students produced this school year, with assistance from Earthwise Media Productions of Silverdale, won "Best Scientific Message" in the elementary and middle school category at the 2016 Youth Making Ripples Film Festival in January at the Florida Institute of Technology. The film is called, "I Can Sea What's Happening."
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By Christina Henry of the Kitsap Sun

PORT ORCHARD  South Kitsap School District will host a forum on school safety at 6 p.m. Wednesday at South Kitsap High School.

School officials from Salem-Keizer School District in Oregon will give a presentation on that district's threat-response protocol.

South Kitsap is enlisting participation by PTAs, members of the clergy, law enforcement, mental health providers and others in the community to identify and address potential threats to schools.

"We really want to bring the community together before we have an incident rather than after," Superintendent Michelle Reid said. "It's a way for all of us to understand warning signs and to know what to do when we see warning signs."
Stuff reports:

McDonalds is opening a restaurant in America thats unlike any other McDonalds in the world. The new 6500-square-foot location in Missouri will offer all-you-can-eat french fries, customisable desserts, sandwiches, and burgers, as well as table service, The St. Joseph News-Press reports.

How terrible. I expect the normal suspects will call for this to be banned.

I wonder how long until they demand hotels ban breakfast buffets also?

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News / Local

by Staff Reporter

President Robert Mugabe has been described as a horrible dreamer for claiming the economy was on a recovery path.Mugabe (92) in his Independence Day speech, said the country's economy was on a rebound, with a proliferation of resuscitating and newly formed companies.MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu the country's economy was collapsing under his helpless watch."Things are not looking good, but Mugabe seems to be living in his own world that is entirely divorced from reality," Gutu said."The message completely failed to address pressing national issues such as the economy that continues to be in a tailspin as deflation is running amok. It was rather bizarre for Mugabe to claim that the economy is improving!"He is obviously out of touch with reality."He said Mugabe had virtually turned the country into a nation of loafers and vendors with the unabated closure of companies.People's Democratic Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume said Mugabe's rhetoric had become "like the sound track of a horror movie"."He is describing in his message a Zimbabwe that does not exist except in his imagination."The height or depth of his failure is highlighted by the fact that his own child cannot even give birth in Zimbabwe, yet he says the country has made significant progress."Political analyst Vivid Gweshe said Mugabe was divorced from reality as companies were continuing to close rendering many jobless while those in employment were not being paid.He said what Mugabe sees was not what Zimbabweans were experiencing every day, adding the speech was a mere wish than the reality.
News / National

by Morgan Tsvangirai

Thank you very much for coming at short notice.In March 2013, the President signed into law the new Constitution that was the result of four years of negotiation and which had been adopted by over 90 per cent of the electorate in Zimbabwe. It was an historic occasion and represented the first time that Zimbabweans had the opportunity to agree on a new home grown Constitutional dispensation for the Country.However, despite all their undertakings and assurances, the Zanu PF Party has shown absolutely no appetite for the implementation of the new Constitution and out of over 400 existing Acts of Parliament that require alignment to the new legal dispensation, only a handful have been presented to Parliament for consideration and even these have, in the most part, been faulty in their content and rejected as not being compliant with the new Constitution.Today we face yet another challenge in that the Minister of Local Government has threatened to dissolve the elected Council for the City of Harare and to replace it with an unelected "Commission". The issue at stake being the appointment of the town clerk. In July 2015 he did precisely that in the case of the Gweru City Council despite our warnings that he was acting ultra vires the new Constitution.At that time the MDC threatened to take the matter to the Courts for a decision and he simply brushed our objections aside and went ahead with his unlawful action. We subsequently took him to Court  first in Gweru and when he appealed the Judge's decision, we took the matter up with the High Court in Bulawayo. In the subsequent decision issued in March 2016, the Judge dismissed the Minister's appeal and awarded the MDC costs. Now he has appealed this decision to the Supreme Court.This represents a gross abuse of his ministerial authority and a complete waste of the Courts time and tax payer's money. The decision of the High Court was unequivocal  the Minister no longer has any authority to dismiss or suspend Councilors outside the procedures laid down in the Constitution and does not have the power to appoint a "Commission" to run the affairs of cities.In fact the Judge went s far as to say that the elected Council should return to work immediately and that the Commission had no standing in law and all their actions could be reversed.In view of the Minister's threats to the Council in Harare, the MDC is mounting an urgent application to the High Court for an interdict to stop the Minister's action and protect the elected Council from his predatory actions. We acknowledge that the judiciary has been consistent on the issue of non-interference by the Minister in the affairs of elected councils.The MDC is sick and tired of Zanu PF leaders who consistently brush the new Constitution aside as "just a piece of paper" and continue to act as if the country did not have a new dispensation. The basis of all progress and stability is founded on the rule of law, the independence of the Judiciary and adherence to the precepts of the Constitution. No State can operate effectively without adherence to such principles and rebuilding confidence in Zimbabwe is critically dependent on this issue.The other day we had the Commander of the ZDF, Gen. Constantine Chiwenga, publicly stating that "they" came with Zanu PF and they are stockholders of that political party, itself a contravention of the Constitution.I am appealing to President Mugabe, who swore to uphold the Constitution, to ensure that his Ministers and senior officials of government uphold the supreme law of the land. The key issue at stake is Constitutionalism. The people of Zimbabwe overwhelmingly voted in a referendum to govern themselves through elected metropolitan and provincial councils. It is one thing having a Constitution, and quite another having a culture of Constitutionalism. It is with regret that so far, this government has shown it is averse to Constitutionalism, hence the delay in aligning laws to the Constitution.
Emily Blunt, center, and Charlize Theron star in "The Huntsman: Winter's War."

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By Angela Dawson, Special to Go Knoxville

Though the prequel to 2012's "Snow White & the Huntsman" is called "The Huntsman: Winter's War," the more compelling storyline of the action adventure is one of sibling rivalry between evil Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron resurrecting the role) and her sister Freya (played by Emily Blunt), who both possess magic powers.

After offing her husband during a game of chess, Queen Ravenna betrays Freya, who has found love and happiness with one of the members of the court. The jealous queen freezes Freya's heart to love and unleashes in her an icy power she never knew she had. Retreating to a kingdom far in the north, Freya (resembling "Game of Thrones" Khaleesi character with her long, white-blond hair and snow queen-like gowns) raises an army of Huntsmen warriors as her protectors, with just one rule: They cannot ever fall in love. As a war for domination of the kingdom escalates between the two queens, the hero standing between them is Freya's most elite Huntsman, Eric (Chris Hemsworth, reprising his role from the original). Alongside fellow warrior Sara (Jessica Chastain), the only woman who has ever captured his heart, Eric must help Freya vanquish her sister and save the kingdom.

Oscar winner Theron ("Monster"), who hails from South Africa, and Blunt, a native of Britain, recently spoke about their new fantasy action adventure spun from the classic fairy tale, facing off as siblings and getting around in their beautifully designed gowns by three-time Academy Award winning costume designer Colleen Atwood ("Chicago," "Alice in Wonderland").

Q: Charlize, what interested you in coming back to this franchise?

Theron: Chris Hemsworth!

Blunt: Woo-hoo!

Theron: I had a blast on the first one. I had a really great time working with Chris and I think I was in shock when I got the call because I died in the first one. Spoiler alert. So it was a little bit like, "Wow, how is that going to work out?" I was really flattered that they wanted to bring me back. Then, when I saw the script  and you're always wondering what else is there to explore  I realized I was in a very fortunate position because of the character Freya. Two things I never thought Ravenna would ever do was love something and care for something so that was a new thing for me to explore through this character. And, to get to do it with a powerhouse like Miss Blunt, I was like, "Where do I sign on? I can't wait."

Q: Emily, were you excited to join the cast?

Blunt: I was. I was really excited 

Theron: Except for Chris

Blunt: Except for Chris, yeah. This is really Chris's life story in the movie and he did so well with it. You're weary of it at this point. It was a big appeal for me to work with all the actors. I definitely wanted to do a Queen-off with Charlize, which was just so awesome and fun. And, I don't think I'd ever played a villain in that heightened reality. I knew that would kind of be a delicious thing to play so that was a big part of it too.

Q: There's a lot of female power and the girls are bringing it, so can you talk about doing the action in this and showing off your fighting skills?

Blunt: Charlize and I spent our time hobbling around in high heels going, "My feet hurt." That was the extent of our action.

Theron: (in a whiny voice) "This dress is heavy!"

Blunt: And then Jessica would come in to the makeup bus just pouring with sweat from some awful, stunt-coordinated thing.

Theron: I have a very vivid memory of (director) Cedric (Nicolas-Troyan) one day when we were doing the fight sequence where (Jessica) jumps from the balcony and he's like, "You're a little close to the step right here but I need you right on the edge, and when she comes down you just have to turn," and I was like, "Do you know what I'm wearing?" Then, he's like, "You turn into ravens and it's really fast." I was like, "You lost me at 'fast.' Nothing's going to be fast about this." Then as I'm complaining and moaning about turning in the scene I'm looking at Jessica, who is ready to jump way up there with barely a harness on. There's no mat and I'm like, "Oh my God. I need to shut up." I had four crewmembers holding me up but I did it myself. I was like, "Can I get somebody to just hold me up right here?" We needed to get Chris in there. I was just holding onto them.

Q: You two engage in a Queen-off. So how important was body language because Freya and Ravenna carry themselves in certain ways when they are in scenes together?

Theron: Oh, I think the costumes really changed my posture. I would say that definitely really came into play. There is something about a corset that makes you sit up straight. The cape was, for me, a big one. I don't know why, but I loved wearing that cape because it did something for me. I'd have to veer my neck forward. Otherwise my hair and my crown would get caught in the neck part of it. It definitely did something because when I didn't have it on I could see a difference when we were watching playback. There was definitely a difference. It was almost like something coming at you that I had to naturally do because of the costume.

I feel like most of it was reacting to Emily. The scenes were written for us to listen to each other and respond. That's what I loved. I felt like in the first film, I didn't really have any of that because Ravenna was not letting anybody speak and wouldn't listen to anybody and was kind of just yelling at people. This was nice because her sister can kind of get through to her, and she hears her sister.

Q: Charlize, what is new about your Ravenna character this time around?

Theron: I felt the character was the same but I could explore her in a different space and I felt like Freya's character brought a breath of fresh air that I could survive on in this film. I think if that wasn't there, it would have felt repetitive and I don't know if I would have been interested in doing it so I think the core of the character is exactly the same but we are seeing different elements and different sides of her because she's in different circumstances. On the first movie I never thought she'd love something and I think she loves her sister really deeply and it's all the more crushing when she destroys the relationship so brutally. So I was very interested in that. (To Emily) Did I make you cry?

Blunt: I was staring off into the distance so long that my eyes started to water.

Theron: I do this to Emily quite a bit. I bore her to death. (They laugh.)

Blunt: Did I look like I was crying? I'm sorry. I was just in another world for a second.

Theron: Drunk again?

Blunt: Drunk again.

Q: The sibling relationship between the queens seemed very real.

Theron: Emily always says that family is the most complex relationship you can have. (Ravenna) had a brother in the first movie but she was so abusive to him it was kind of one-dimensional that relationship and I think watching two sisters in this one, there was something very intricate about it. It's very real. I think family can sometimes do the most damage to each other.

Q: Emily, are you about to start production on the remake of "Mary Poppins"?

Blunt: (coyly) Maybe.

Q: When you began your career, did you envision any of this?

Blunt: No, I didn't. Not to sound cavalier, but I had a pretty casual expectation of what would happen because I wasn't even intending to be an actress. I did a school play and an agent came to see me and, within a year, I'm on stage with Judi Dench. It was so extraordinary to me and she was so kind to me because I really was so green and I knew nothing. I hadn't trained. I hadn't done anything and I was 18, and she really paved the way for me to approach the industry, to walk into every room with great hope because you just never really know where it's going to take you. I've learned to really embrace the unknown and trust my instincts with the choices that I make. There have been movies I've chosen to do where no one else around me thinks I should do them, but I am drawn to the part for whatever reason. I've always just tried to make choices by what I'm inspired by and not a strategic move that I think would take me somewhere else in the industry.

So, no, I never imagined that I would be here. It's still a very surreal place. You are breathing very rarified air if you are able to work within this industry. You are just so fortunate so to be able to make choices and choose to play people. Acting is the ultimate form of empathy in some ways. So, to explore that part of the human condition is just so exciting to me. I don't take it for granted and I still feel very inspired by what I do. I love it. But I think I entered the industry not really knowing what on earth I was walking into and I think maybe that helped that I didn't have any expectations for it.
By Jamie Satterfield of the Knoxville News Sentinel

JACKSBORO, Tenn.  Under a criminal and a judicial ethics probe, a Campbell County judge on Tuesday reversed her own ruling.

Without elaboration, Campbell County General Sessions Judge Amanda Sammons agreed Tuesday to approve the dismissal of charges against Jellico, Tenn., resident James Edgar Petrey after two months earlier she refused to do so in defiance of a higher court's ruling.

Sammons is under probe by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, accused of ordering jailers to alter a charge filed against a Lafollette, Tenn., mother and of lying about it in a verbal ruling from the bench and a written order. The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct, which polices judges, is also investigating a slew of complaints filed against her.

The News Sentinel last year reported Sammons was refusing to dismiss charges against the wrongfully accused unless those people paid an administrative fee for the use of legal services by the 8th Judicial District Public Defender's office  even when those services were never used. Sammons had steadfastly insisted the law required her to do so.

Petrey was arrested in September by then-Jellico Police Department Officer David Douglas on drug charges. Douglas failed to appear for a hearing on four occasions, so Assistant Public Defender Bill Jones sought a dismissal of the charges. The state did not resist the motion. Douglas was fired last week for repeatedly failing to show up for court in an unrelated case.

Sammons, however, refused at a Feb. 4 hearing to approve dismissing the charges unless Petrey paid the administrative fee. Sammons has said the fee cannot be waived, although the applicable law states otherwise. Four days later, Criminal Court Judge Shayne Sexton struck down Sammons' position on the fee as legally flawed, ruling failure to pay the fee is not just cause for refusing to dismiss charges.

The defense then scheduled a Feb. 16 hearing before Sammons in Petrey's case to again seek approval for the charges to be dropped in light of Sexton's ruling, according to a motion Jones filed.

"The court, without any notice to defense counsel or the state, wrote upon the warrant instructions to the clerk to 'remove (this case) from docket til (sic) admin. fee (paid in full),' " Jones wrote in a motion. "This ruling was not done in open court or with notice to the parties and, therefore, violated Mr. Petrey's right to due process."

Jones noted in the motion that Petrey could not have the arrest erased from his record  as he is legally entitled to do so in a dismissal  so long as Sammons kept the case open.

Petrey's name was first on Sammons' docket Tuesday. Nearly two hours passed, with Sammons taking three breaks during periods when no other cases were ready to be heard. When Jones asked to be heard on his motion, Sammons responded, "I already read your motion. It's been granted."

The News Sentinel has documented a series of other issues involving Sammons, elected to the bench in 2014. Those issues include ordering children removed from their homes without authority or a request by the state Department of Children's Services to do so, challenging in open court the authority of a fellow judge, barring public entry into her courtroom and initiating a drug-testing court fee without authority from either the Legislature or local government.

Related:

Officials: Campbell judge charging for drug tests without authority (March 23, 2016)

Campbell judge under probe by state judicial board (March 16, 2016)

Defendants barred from entering court arrested for being late, records show (March 7, 2016)

Jailers fire back at Campbell judges denial of order to change charge (March 7, 2016)

Special prosecutor sought for criminal probe of Campbell County judge (Feb. 26, 2016)

Campbell County judge refuses to drop charge against innocent woman (Feb. 8, 2016)

DCS: Campbell judge took children from their homes without legal grounds (Jan. 30, 2016)

Judge confirms complaint against fellow Campbell County jurist (Jan. 30, 2016)

Records show Campbell County judge upped charge, altered record (Jan. 29, 2016)

Campbell County judges fee order struck down (Jan. 13, 2016)

Campbell County judge charging fee to the poor for legal services they didn't receive (Nov. 24, 2015)

Campbell County judge becomes defendant for failing to sign order (Oct. 20, 2015)
SHARE Sylvia Hofstetter, arrested on a nine-count indictment alleging she was the mastermind behind a pill-mill operation in Knoxville that netted nearly $17.5 million. (Knox County Sheriff's Office)

By Jamie Satterfield of the Knoxville News Sentinel

KNOXVILLE  A hearing in a bid by a woman accused of heading up the largest pill-mill operation unearthed in East Tennessee so far to have her trial moved out of the region was delayed Wednesday.

Sylvia Hofstetter, a 52-year-old grandmother accused, along with unindicted Florida benefactors, of heading up a pill-mill operation that put 12 million prescription painkillers into the hands of addicts, has filed a motion in U.S. District Court in which she asks that her trial be moved out of East Tennessee.

A hearing was set Wednesday in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Clifford Shirley on the request. But the hearing on the motion was delayed after both sides asked for additional time for that and other pending matters in the case. Shirley delayed the hearing on the motion to change the trial venue to August and reset Hofstetter's trial, which had been scheduled in June, to Nov. 8.

Her Tampa, Fla.-based attorney, Richard Escobar, argues in the motion  rarely sought and so far never granted in this federal court district  that media coverage of Hofstetter's case has so tainted the potential jury pool that she is doomed to conviction on charges that include conspiracy to distribute drugs and to launder money.

"Extensive media coverage containing inflammatory, inaccurate or untrue and potentially inadmissible statements makes (Hofstetter) unable to obtain a fair trial with twelve unbiased jurors capable of rendering a verdict based solely on the evidence presented at trial," Escobar wrote.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Stone has filed a response in which he contends the media coverage has been factual and, although pervasive in the early days of Hofstetter's indictment, has waned.

"The United States submits that the instant case is not a rare case where presumed prejudice can be demonstrated," Stone wrote. "A circus-like atmosphere has not been present and certainly has not pervaded the court. A fair and dignified trial atmosphere exists here, not one utterly corrupted by publicity."

A series of raids in early March 2015 by the FBI and its task force members exposed to the public what prosecutors say was going on behind the doors of three pain management clinics  one in Lenoir City and two in Knoxville  and at least two so-called primary care clinics.

Stone and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne-Marie Svolto have since alleged Hofstetter, backed by three investors described as kings of the South Florida pill-mill trade, created cash-for-pills clinics that relied upon patients funneled from more legitimate primary care clinics and addicts whose trips were funded by so-called "sponsors" who demanded half their pills to sell on the streets. The prosecutors allege the operation spanned four years and netted Hofstetter and her benefactors  Luca Sartini, Luigi Palma and Benjamin Rodriguez  $17.5 million. Nine overdose deaths have been linked by authorities to the operation.

Sartini, Palma and Rodriguez, dubbed in court records as "the Italians," remain targets of the FBI's ongoing probe but so far have avoided prosecution in either South Florida or East Tennessee. However, the FBI's probe of the Knoxville operation has netted the arrests of more than 100 people here, ranging from patients of the clinics to sponsors to clinic employees.

Hofstetter contends she is innocent. Escobar argues in his motion media coverage has portrayed Hofstetter  unfairly and wrongly  of being a "drug-dealing grandmother" with ties to organized crime.
Knoxville Police Department Officer Joshua Hurst testifies during a murder trial on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, in Knox County Criminal Court. Officials announced Wednesday that Hurst has been indicted in a drug-dealing conspiracy that illustrates the "epidemic" level of painkiller abuse in East Tennessee. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)

By Travis Dorman of the Knoxville News Sentinel

A decorated Knoxville police officer resigned Wednesday after being indicted in what officials described as a drug-dealing conspiracy that illustrates the "epidemic" level of painkiller abuse in East Tennessee.

Joshua Hurst, a 13-year veteran of the Knoxville Police Department, and seven other people face various drug charges, Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen said at a news conference Wednesday. The drugs dealt included oxycodone, oxymorphone  both prescription opiates  and methamphetamine, she said, over a span of nearly two years.

"This case demonstrates the pervasiveness of the opiate epidemic in our state and our community,"Allen said. "Anyone who does not believe that prescription drug abuse is a severe, significant problem in our state, and that the problem has reached a crisis level, is sadly mistaken."

Allen said when Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch informed her in late February of possible criminal conduct within the police department, she immediately contacted the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The resulting probe lasted two months and culminated in the indictments, returned Tuesday by a Knox County grand jury. She didn't say specifically what led to the police chief's suspicions.

TBI officials said some of the drug deals occurred within school zones. Most of the deals occurred within Knox County, but also in other counties across Middle and East Tennessee, authorities said. Court records indicate the deals began as early as May 2014.

Hurst, 38, had been an officer since November 2003. He turned in his resignation Wednesday, KPD spokesman Darrell DeBusk said.

Hurst was named KPD's Officer of the Month in May 2007 for a traffic stop that led to a series of arrests on drug and gun charges. He also received the department's Lifesaving Award in February 2007 for helping pull a driver from a burning car. His squad was cited for its high number of drug and DUI arrests in September 2014.

Rausch teared up during the news conference, saying Hurst betrayed the duties of his badge.

"To the officers that work in this city, they have my commitment," Rausch said. "We will continue to assure that anyone that wears this uniform and this badge will always be above reproach, will always have the highest level of integrity, will always meet our core values, and if one determines that they're going to stray, we will find out, and we will quickly and judiciously address them as we have proven in this case."

Hurst faces charges that include conspiracy to possess oxycodone and oxymorphone with intent to deliver in a drug-free zone, four counts of official misconduct, possession of a gun during the commission of a dangerous felony, and delivery of methamphetamine.

Also charged in the case were Milbern Breeden Jr., 50, of Knoxville; Erin Keenan, 41, of Knoxville; Pamela Moretta, 43, of Knoxville; Paul Gilbertson, 44, of Knoxville; Trevor Loy, 37, of Wartburg, Tenn.; and Jacob Hurst, 35, of Clarksville. All were arrested Wednesday.

One person charged had not been taken into custody Wednesday evening, TBI officials said.
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By News Sentinel Staff

COALFIELD, Tenn.  A Morgan County man whose body was found outside his workplace early Monday morning had been beaten and shot, and the discovery of Jerry Lynn "Pete" McCarroll's body likely occurred within minutes of the killing, authorities said Wednesday.

Investigators believe the killer stole several thousand dollars from the 71-year-old man, and the culprit would likely have still been in the area when the body was discovered, according to a news release from 9th Judicial District Attorney General Russell Johnson's office.

McCarroll's body was found outside the Allied Metal Recovery and Refining business on Gouge Hollow Road off state Highway 62 between Coalfield and Oliver Springs. The killing occurred between 5:30-6:30 a.m. Monday.

The district attorney general's office, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are seeking information on the killing.

Anyone who saw "anything out of the ordinary" in the area around the business early Monday is asked to call 1-800-TBI-FIND, 423-346-0911 or 865-376-2145. Emails may be sent to tipstotbi@tn.gov.

More details as they develop online and in Thursday's News Sentinel.
Roane County Executive Ron Woody listens to Cleva Marrow following his talk Tuesday to members of the Oak Ridge League of Women Voters. (BOB FOWLER/NEWS SENTINEL)

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By Bob Fowler of the Knoxville News Sentinel

OAK RIDGE  Roane County saw its population dwindle by about 2,000 people between 2010 and 2015, and part of the reason may be the lack of new, affordable housing.

That's what Roane County Executive Ron Woody concluded during a talk Tuesday in Oak Ridge. The lack of suitable housing, he said, is in his opinion the county's biggest challenge.

"Developers invested in high-scale lakefront properties," Woody told members of the Oak Ridge League of Women Voters.

Some of those residences sport seven-figure price tags, he said, and that's well out of the price range of young couples.

Overall, he said, the new houses on the market in Roane County are for "retirees and the wealthy, not young couples."

Woody said Oak Ridge has much the same dilemma, but at the other end of the housing spectrum, with an abundance of older homes that don't appeal to the type of potential residents the city is trying to attract.

In both cases, he said, the county and city are often losing out to Knox County, which boasts the type of amenities sought by young couples.

In the county's case, he said, more emphasis should be placed on Roane County's outdoor attractions, including its lakes and rivers, to lure new residents.

He said a residential development in the Roane County section of Oak Ridge  the former Rarity Ridge  has the potential for residential growth that would benefit both governments. That property has been renamed The Preserve at Clinch River.

In other matters, Woody said a consolidation proposal involving the county's five high schools remains under study by school officials. He said that the county is divided by waterways, and that's one reason there are so many schools.

"Can we consolidate?" Woody asked. "I don't know."

"Should we? I'm not sure."

Last year's 30-cent property tax increase was largely allocated for county schools, he said. This budget cycle, the county sheriff is asking for additional money. That request, he said, is likely dead on arrival.

"I don't think we'll have a tax increase," Woody said.

He said the county budget is about $95 million.
MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL The Knoxville skyline and the mountains are seen on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, as the American Lung Association released a report giving Knox County's ozone levels an F grade in air qualify.

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By Kristi L. Nelson of the Knoxville News Sentinel

The American Lung Association gives Knox County an 'F' grade in air quality.

But Knox County's director of air quality management, Lynne Liddington, said one letter doesn't tell the whole story.

For its annual State of the Air report, released today, the Lung Association uses a variety of standards to "grade" a number of counties nationwide on high ozone days and high particle pollution days.

State of the Air report

In Tennessee, many counties got "incomplete" grades on the measure of high ozone days between 2012-2014, and all but Hamilton county were graded "incomplete" on high particle pollution days. All of Illinois and Florida, and "most of Tennessee," the report noted, were missing data.

In Tennessee, that's because data from a three-year period was deemed unusable by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, because the temperature and humidity in the state lab testing the monitoring filters didn't meet federal requirements.

That caused Tennessee counties, including Knox, to switch to an out-of-state lab, Inter-Mountain Labs, which it still uses, Liddington said.

"We're meeting all of the EPA standards right now," Liddington said.

The Lung Association uses its own, more stringent rating system. It weights each county's average based on the number of days it "alerts" residents to air that's potentially harmful to breathe using a color-coded Air Quality Index.

Knox County had 13 orange ("unhealthy for sensitive groups"), two red ("unhealthy") and 1 purple ("very unhealthy") day during the three-year period.

But Liddington said the air alerts are merely predictions that "err on the side of caution" and aren't accurate measures of ozone levels  especially since there's only one "forecast" for mountain and valley areas, which can differ in air quality.

Last summer, Knox, Blount and part of Anderson County celebrated being in compliance for the first time in years with federal standards for ground-level ozone, the main component of smog, based on monitoring data from 2011-2013. Knox met the standards earlier, Liddington said, but the three-year average made it official.

But the EPA last year updated the national ozone standard to a lower level. The Lung Association's report used the new measure.

So far, East Tennessee has met the new standard, Liddington said, though on Monday two stations  one in Chattanooga, the other in Loudon County  were "barely over."

"It's going to be a watch-and-see," she said, but with lower numbers the past few years, the three-year average should still be in compliance.

The Lung Association report states that, even with improved air quality, more than half of U.S. residents live in counties with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, which can contribute to or worsen respiratory and cardiovascular disease, among other health issues.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

A Harare woman Patience Bona was offered $0 as maintenance for her two kids by her husband.Patience's husband Tapiwa, a barber claimed that she stole equipment from his barber shop.Patience dragged Tapiwa to court demanding $366."I want $366 for the upkeep of our two children."He can afford the money because he has a barber shop where he realise more than $400 per month".She said she got arrested on three occasions at the instigation of Tapiwa.However, Tapiwa stood his ground saying he is no longer employed and only gets $2 per day from the barber shop.But magistrate, Yeukai Dzuda ordered him to pay $60 per month
SHARE Bob Coker, executive director of Knox Country Emergency Communications, during a recent E-911 Board of Directors meeting Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

By Don Jacobs of the Knoxville News Sentinel

A new digital radio system for the Knox County E-911 Center is hailed as the wave of the future in emergency communications, but few firefighters are cheering the technology.

"It's a thing with digital radio systems as a whole," Knoxville Fire Department Capt. Mark Wilbanks told the 10 members of the Knox County E-911 Board of Directors in attendance Wednesday. "Digital radio changes the way we have to operate. For the police and sheriff's department, it doesn't fundamentally change the way they work. It does for us."

Knoxville Fire Chief Stan Sharp, a member of the board, said he is reviewing various options to make the digital system safer for firefighters. At issue is the sound quality of a digital system, which can be either great or nonexistent, he said. Firefighters standing a few yards away can miss an order to evacuate a collapsing building because of a dropped radio signal.

Sharp asked Wilbanks to speak to the board on firefighters' concerns about the new technology. The Knox County E-911 Board has asked to join the Tennessee Valley Regional Communications System, based in Chattanooga, as an alternative to buying a separate digital system.

"I think the whole board should be concerned about the issues the fire department raised," said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, also a member of the board.

If those issues aren't resolved, she said the board should not approve a nearly $10 million Motorola Solutions system that would become part of the regional system.

Wilbanks emphasized firefighters' concerns evolve around digital technology and not any specific brand of radio.

Sharp said he is considering mounting radio repeaters on fire engines to boost radio transmissions from a fire scene. The city also has obtained several simplex, or single signal, radio channels from the Federal Communications Commission that can be used at a fire scene.

"Firefighters are leery of digital," said Pat Rollins, director of the regional communications system.

Firefighters in Chattanooga at a blaze switch to simplex channels, Rollins said.

"Simplex is radio-to-radio, like a walkie-talkie," Rollins said.

That eliminates the need for a radio transmission to broadcast to a repeater and then be rebroadcast to other radios.

Knox E-911 officials have asked the governing body of the regional communications system to allow Knox County to become an active partner on the wide-area system, but with its own master site. The regional system serves 13 counties in East Tennessee and northern Georgia.

A master site controls radio communications, including which radios can operate on the system, and can accommodate special talk groups among emergency services providers. Among the regional system's partners, only Chattanooga has a master site.

"It gives us the interoperability (between agencies) we want with an option to leave if we want to," Wilbanks told the board.

Interoperability allows workers from one emergency agency to communicate with other agencies.

Knox County Director of Purchasing Hugh Holt said he got $5 million in price concessions from Motorola on a new digital radio system for Knox County, but the slashed costs expire June 30. That means Knox County must devise a new memorandum of understanding with the regional system and governing bodies for both agencies have to approve the agreement before that date.

Knox County has been a partner on the regional system for years, but not an active one. Knox County E-911 allowed the regional system to install radio equipment on two broadcast towers to provide coverage in Knox County to other users of the regional system.

Records show 85 radios on the regional system in Knox County. The county emergency management agency has 48; Rural/Metro has 13; the Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad has 12; and the Karns Volunteer Fire Department and the University of Tennessee Police Department each have six.

Daron Long, an E-911 board member who is chief of the Karns Volunteer Fire Department, said the department obtained the radios three years ago at the recommendation of the federal government. The devices have never been used in a multi-agency emergency, Long said.

The deal Holt negotiated with Motorola would provide 97 percent radio coverage. Motorola did not have to bid on the project because Motorola supplies the regional system and the county can buy Motorola products through an established state contract, Holt said.

Rogero questioned a Motorola radio representative Wednesday about the June 30 deadline on the price reductions. She asked why Motorola wouldn't extend the deadline to allow the board to make a decision about joining the regional system and buying the Motorola equipment.

"We'll do everything we can to work with you, but I am stretched," Motorola territorial vice president Randy Johnson told the group.

The board voted unanimously to empower a working group of members of the Knox E-911 users committee to codify the county's needs in an agreement between the regional communications system and the E-911 board.

"There's a lot to work out with the details, and it's not going to be easy," Wilbanks told the board. "Let's get those things worked out so we don't have change orders, or this could be a $20 million system."

Wilbanks asked the board for expert help in developing and installing the new system, prompting Rogero to make a motion to have Holt select "an independent engineer" to manage the project. The motion passed without opposition.

The E-911 board also agreed to accept the immediate resignation of E-911 Center Executive Director Bob Coker with a three-month severance package of pay and health care insurance. The package pays Coker $35,921.59, ending his 11-year oversight of the E-911 center. He was paid about $130,000 annually.

With Coker's exit, the board unanimously voted in E-911 Technical Services Manager Alan Bull as the interim director. The board asked its finance committee to review increasing Bull's $96,928 annual salary because of his additional duties.

The board took no action on selecting a new director.
A file photo shows the Calhoun's restaurant in Turkey Creek. Mike Chase, president of the Copper Cellar family of restaurants, says he's purchased the former Riverside Grille on the shore of Melton Hill Lake from R&R Properties of Oak Ridge for $1,065,000. He anticipates about 60 people will be employed at the new Calhoun's, which is now being extensively renovated.

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By Bob Fowler of the Knoxville News Sentinel

OAK RIDGE  It's unquestionably Oak Ridge's most scenic venue for an eatery, and this restaurant on the shore of Melton Hill Lake will reopen as a Calhoun's, likely by mid-June.

That's the word from veteran restaurateur Mike Chase, president of the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants, which operates 17 eateries under four brands in East Tennessee.

Chase said he purchased the former Riverside Grille restaurant from R&R Properties of Oak Ridge for $1,065,000 and anticipates about 60 people will be employed at the new Calhoun's, which is now being extensively renovated.

"We're real excited about another riverfront restaurant," said Chase, who opened the original Copper Cellar in 1975 on Cumberland Avenue near the University of Tennessee campus.

"An old friend, Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, had been encouraging me to locate over there, and this opportunity came about," Chase said.

The Oak Ridge restaurant, which was built by developer Seward Norris in the mid-1980s, has operated under a number of names  Gregory's, the Rusty Pelican, Flatwater Grille, and its latest iteration as the Riverside Grille, which shuttered in February.

It's located on a seven-acre peninsula off Melton Lake Drive. The event center portion of the building can seat up to 250 people.

Rick Chinn Jr., an Oak Ridge City Council member and an owner of R&R Enterprises, a real estate development company in Oak Ridge, said R&R purchased the restaurant from Norris a decade ago.

It was renamed Flatwater Grille then and later was rebranded as Riverside Grille and operated by Diverse Concepts Ltd., a Knoxville-based restaurant management company.

"I wish them (the Copper Cellar Family) the most luck in the world," Chinn said, "and I'm glad to have them invest in the city of Oak Ridge."

Chase said the newest member of the Copper Cellar Corp. joins Calhoun's now in Knoxville, Lenoir City, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Maryville. That brand has captured renown for its barbecue ribs

The Copper Cellar Corp. also operates Smoky Mountain Brewery in Knoxville, Maryville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and the Cherokee Grill in Gatlinburg.
Volunteers from the Y-12 National Security Complex and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory install benches at the Elkmont Campground amphitheater Saturday, April 16, 2016, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Volunteers, including (from left) Bob Lantz and Tom Richey of the Y-12 National Security Complex, George Dailey (Y-12 retired), Matt Wojciechowski representing ORNL, and Y-12s Ben Smith in the background, have marked 20 years of service in the Smokies. (RAY SMITH/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL)

SHARE Joe Pickel of UT-Batelle at Oak Ridge National Laboratory paints at the Elkmont Campground Saturday, April 16, 2016, in the Smoky Mountains National Park. (RAY SMITH PHOTOS/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL) Volunteers from Y-12 National Security Complex and UT-Batelle at Oak Ridge National Laboratory install benches at the Elkmont campground amphitheater Saturday, April 16, 2016, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The volunteers from Y-12 and ORNL have marked 20 years of service in the Smokies. (RAY SMITH/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL) Volunteers Paul Snijders of UT-Battelle of Oak Ridge National Lab, left, and his brother Tim Snijders install new benches at the Elkmont campground amphitheater Saturday, April 16, 2016, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Volunteers from Y-12 National Security Complex and ORNL have marked 20 years of service. (RAY SMITH/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL)

By Morgan Simmons of the Knoxville News Sentinel

One of the most dedicated volunteer groups to serve the Great Smoky Mountains National Park spent last Saturday at Elkmont Campground doing what they've been doing for the past 20 years.

The group known as "Help the Smokies" got its start in 1996 on the first Smokies Volunteer Day. Their first project was Metcalf Bottoms picnic area, and since then these volunteers from Oak Ridge's Consolidated Nuclear Security at the Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have made it their mission to refurbish park recreational facilities enjoyed by visitors from around the world.

On Saturday, they replaced the wooden benches and repainted the projection building at the amphitheater at Elkmont Campground. The group typically spends a couple of Saturdays each year tackling special projects planned by the park staff. Much of their work over the past 20 years has focused on the park's frontcountry campgrounds and picnic areas. If a campground in the Smokies gets new campfire grills, or if the campsite pads get re-graveled and re-leveled, chances are the Help the Smokies group played a role.

A few years ago, the Help the Smokies team became one of only 11 groups to be recognized by the park service for achieving 10,000 hours of volunteer service. At lunch on Saturday, Gordon Fee, who was president of Lockheed Martin Energy System when the team formed in 1996, returned to thank the volunteers.

The group also was presented with a plaque from the National Park Service commemorating 20 years of successful partnership, as well as a resolution from Tennessee's General Assembly that recognized the Oak Ridge volunteers as "the unsung heroes of the park."

Over the years, financial support for the group has been provided by the contractors as the Y-12 National Security Complex, while Y-12 and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have continued to provide the volunteers.

The group's work at the Elkmont amphitheater Saturday will help expand the park's educational programs at the campground.

In addition to refurbishing campground facilities, the Help the Smokies volunteers have completed a number of special projects, including constructing the greenhouse at Twin Creeks Science and Education Center, and building two ADA handicap-accessible campsites at the Cades Cove campground. During fiscal year 2015, the Smokies received 115,050 service hours from 2,316 volunteers, according to park officials.
By Michael Collins of the Knoxville News Sentinel

WASHINGTON  The mayors of New York City, Washington, DC, San Francisco and six other cities are calling on Gov. Bill Haslam to veto a bill that would let mental health therapists deny services to clients based on the counselors' religious beliefs.

In a letter to Haslam, the mayors warned the legislation would allow therapists to broadly discriminate against potential patients and argued it would legally sanction intolerance in Tennessee.

"While clearly aimed at LGBT individuals, the legislation as written would allow for discrimination against patients based on many factors, including race, religion, and gender," the mayors wrote. "In fact, a therapist opposed to United States military policy could conceivably refuse treatment to a veteran based on 'sincerely held principles.'

"This type of government-sanctioned intolerance simply has no place in our country."

The mayors sent the letter, dated April 19, as part of a coalition called "Mayors Against Discrimination," which they said was formed "to stand up against bigotry and prejudice in cities and states across the country."

The letter was signed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Seattle Mayor Edward Murray, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, Eugene, Ore., Mayor Kitty Percy, Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales and Royal Oak , Mich., Mayor Jim Ellison.
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By Michael Collins of the Knoxville News Sentinel

WASHINGTON  Tennessee and five other states would be reimbursed for using their own money to keep national parks open during the federal government shutdown of 2013 under legislation that cleared the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

The Energy Policy Modernization Act, approved by a vote of 85-12, includes a provision that will give back to the states some $2 million in state and local funds they used to keep national parks open during the 16-day government shutdown.

Tennessee's share of the funding would be $60,000, the amount the state, as well as Blount and Sevier counties, paid to reopen the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the shutdown.

"Shutting down the government, which I opposed, was a mistake, and Tennessee should not have to pay for Washington's failure," said U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Maryville Republican.

The shutdown forced the Smokies to close during peak tourist season  when it receives the most visitors and when small businesses in Blount and Sevier counties make most of their money, Alexander said.

Arizona, Colorado, New York, South Dakota and Utah also would be reimbursed for using state and local funding to keep national parks open.

The bill now heads to the U.S. House for consideration.
Frank Cagle

There are some political races in Tennessee this year that will be closely watched by political junkies because of the implications for the governor's race in 2018. There are at least three potential candidates for governor who have to get re-elected this year.

Republican U.S. Rep. Diane Black, from the suburbs and rural counties just east of Nashville, is expected to be a candidate for governor, and she and her husband are wealthy enough to self-fund if necessary. That's been the primary qualification for statewide office in Tennessee for the last 16 years. (Phil Bredesen, Bob Corker, Lamar Alexander, Bill Haslam.) Black is being opposed for her congressional seat by former state Rep. Joe Carr. Carr, you will recall, gave Alexander fits in his primary in 2014, holding the veteran senator to 49 percent of the vote. More to the point, he carried nine of the counties in Black's House district in his race against Lamar.

Carr didn't have the money to be competitive with Alexander and will have the same problem against the wealthy congresswoman. But Carr is a favorite of the tea party and Nashville talk radio hosts, and the district is a hotbed of anti-establishment Republicans. It's Trump country. And Cruz country. He is not someone Black can ignore. And Carr may get some unexpected help from some people who may not want Black to run for governor. What's that about strange bedfellows?

State Sen. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, is a doctor and Iraqi war veteran who has a compelling personal story. He has a statewide email list and has an extensive speaking schedule over the next year. He recently announced he has a clean bill of health in his battle against colon cancer. He raised a million dollars when he ran for the Senate four years ago and he is a very successful businessman. He is opposed for re-election by Clarksville businesswoman Lori Smith. That means Green will be defending his seat this summer instead of campaigning around the state. He also has a Democratic opponent in David Cutting, so campaigning will go into November.

The state Democratic Party has recruited candidates to run for the Legislature, preventing at least some of the supermajority Republicans from getting a free ride. One of the Democrats is running against Re;publican Speaker Beth Harwell, who says she hasn't made up her mind about running for governor but is widely believed to be serious about it. She is opposed by Sydney Rogers, head of an educational nonprofit. Harwell will be a heavy favorite, given that she is the first woman speaker of the House and has represented the district since 1988. But having a race will distract from the time she spends fundraising and campaigning for her members to maintain the Republican supermajority.

Harwell, Black and Green should be favored in their re-election efforts, especially Harwell. But all three will have to raise and spend money and spend time this year on re-election rather than spending the time and money preparing for 2018.

What will be interesting to watch for is the underdog opponents suddenly getting contributions and support from people who may or may not be interested in the outcome of this year's elections.
Ina Hughs

Falling for a practical joke can be embarrassing.

I should know. Truth to tell, I majored in such foolishness in college and took great pride in my cleverness, though I later came to learn that just about everything we cooked up was old hat: decorating the library as Dante's Inferno; leaving phone messages that had unsuspecting hall mates calling their most un-favorite professor; putting Jell-O in the toilets on a cold winter night.

But I never reached the heights a website known as visitmysmokies.com has in recent years, befuddling us locals here in the Smokies.

Last week I mentioned their April Fool's joke from last year, a missive that sounded like it came from the National Park Service itself saying that because of the endangered Arctic polar bear population, they were importing 5,000 polar bears into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in hopes they will be fruitful and multiply.

Whoa.

If you think about it, which a number of people obviously didn't, such a project begs disbelief. Five thousand polar bears airlifted? Driven? Sent by refrigerator truck?

The April Fool's posting went on to say that in order to avoid disturbing the park's ecosystem, "the bears will be introduced slowly, with a goal of 1,000 polar bears released each year. By the end of 2020, there may be as many as 14,000 polar bears in the park."

Never mind what these polar bears were expected to eat or where they would live. There are no icebergs around here. No seals. No salmon.

It also said Coca-Cola was footing the bill for the project, which could make sense since the polar bear is their mascot in ads and commercials.

According to a volunteer at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, they have been fielding phone calls and emails by the boatload because people fell for the joke, and my mentioning it had only made things worse. More phone calls.

I guess I didn't emphasize enough in last week's column that the idea of polar bears in the Smokies was a prank. I got properly  and I might add, very politely  chastised by this volunteer because some took it for fact. This year's April 1 offering from the clowns at visitmysmokies.com was an article on their website that said the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has just been discovered to be sitting on a live volcano. The park visitor center volunteer (who wishes to remain anonymous) told me they got call after call from visitors and residents who'd just heard the sad news and were planning to evacuate.

All this reminds me of the time a colleague of mine at another newspaper wrote a column  for April 1  about how he and Elvis were old Army buddies and that while vacationing in Louisiana he'd discovered the supposedly dead Elvis was not dead after all. He's alive, the column began. It then went on to say that he  the columnist  had just gotten back from New Orleans where he found his old Army pal, presumed dead, undercover for the FBI as a cross dresser in the French Quarter.

The phones exploded from weepy women who begged to send a message to Elvis.

Our editor told the columnist he must write an apology.

The writer refused: "If people are that naive as to believe such a silly thing, so be it." But in the end, because the calls kept coming, the columnist had to relent.

Well. Here I am, without any commands from my editors. Hang up the phones, folks. Five thousand polar bears are not  I repeat, NOT  being transported to the Smokies this month.

It was a joke.

And, by the way, we are not sitting on a live volcano.

Except maybe politically.
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Some legislators might say the University of Tennessee's Office for Diversity and Inclusion, the administration and students need to be punished, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion is vital to the success of the university, and at the end of the day the state of Tennessee will lose if this office is stripped of its funding.

By promoting the removal of the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at our state's flagship institution, some legislators are setting a precedent for what students they value and wish to recruit to the university. Students from underrepresented backgrounds  whether they be students with disabilities, students of color, LGBT students or students who are not of the Judeo-Christian faith may decide to attend college elsewhere out of the fear that they are not welcomed, accepted or cared about at this university.

When we were in the college search process, we both remember coming on campus and asking current students what their favorite part of being at UT was. Unanimously the answer was the welcoming environment and the diversity of students was what made UT special. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion is a big part of creating a welcoming campus environment where everyone is valued, heard and respected. Many of the legislators have a misguided perception that the office is trying to be divisive and silence those of the majority; however, if anything the office is trying to open up conversation about complex issues that affect us all  an avenue to expand students' viewpoints and help them see that there are multiple perspectives to consider.

As graduating seniors, it is difficult to see these actions being taken against our university that we love. We have seen how the office has positively affected the UT community.

Jalen Blue and Willie Kemp, Knoxville
News / National

by Staff reporter

The political bombardment of the troubled Midlands province - the perceived citadel of embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa's support within the warring Zanu-PF - continues unabated, with the region remaining firmly under the curatorship of the party's head office.Well-placed Zanu-PF sources told the Daily News yesterday that contrary to suggestions in recent State media reports, Mnangagwa's avowed party foes, the Generation 40 group, had not been pegged back in the province, with the VP's allies in the region remaining under heavy political fire."It's simply not true to say that Team Lacoste (Mnangagwa faction) has won the war of attrition raging in the Midlands and that the G40 are on the retreat. The G40 know that if they defeat Ngwena (Mnangagwa) and his foot soldiers in the province, then he is to all intents and purposes finished in the race to succeed President Mugabe."By the way, just in case you guys don't also see it, Midlands Province continues to operate under political curatorship, contrary to claims by some in Team Lacoste."The G40 are thus in firm control, unless if anyone is to suggest that (national party political commissar Saviour) Kasukuwere is now somehow a member of Team Lacoste, which is impossible," a senior party official who claims to be "non-aligned" in Zanu-PF's seemingly unstoppable factional and succession wars said.Another party bigwig also said although Jorum Gumbo - who already stands accused by Team Lacoste of having allegedly "sold out" to the G40 - had been appointed the new interim Midlands chairperson for the next three months, Kasukuwere would indeed continue to be effectively in charge of the province as "the ultimate overseer"."What is clear is that the party has just demonstrated to Mnangagwa that he has lost control of Midlands, with Kasukuwere - assisted by Gumbo - running the show."Mnangagwa's allies such as (party deputy secretary for administration) July Moyo and others are also definitely not off the hook yet as some would like to make the world believe," the regional party official said.This comes as other party insiders confirmed to the Daily News that Mnangagwa had allegedly failed to convince the last Zanu-PF politburo meeting to block the reinstatement of some top party officials who were suspended during the anti-Joice Mujuru campaign, and who apparently now back the G40 group.The insiders also said the beleaguered VP had suffered another setback after it was revealed that the votes of no confidence that were passed against his regional allies would only be reviewed by a special party committee that would be set up by its central committee.In addition, it had been decided that other regional allies of the VP, who stand accused of orchestrating a reign of terror against anyone perceived to be opposed to the Midlands godfather, would also soon be hauled before the party's national disciplinary committee that is packed with G40-aligned members.And in another stunning development, a politburo member accused Mnangagwa yesterday of allegedly having been the mastermind behind the ouster of many party officials who were "falsely accused of being Gamatox (Mujuru camp)", when the VP was the party's secretary for legal affairs.The miffed bigwig said people such as Tendai Savanhu, Nicholas Goche, Francis Nhema, Flora Bhuka and Jason Machaya could now bounce back after it became apparent that they were not Mujuru allies - a move that wold further dent Mnangagwa's mooted presidential aspirations."It will be a major embarrassment for Mnangagwa if all these people are reinstated. Their suspension without due processes being considered was done under the auspices of Mnangagwa who was then legal secretary of the party."It will be a huge indictment on the VP's standing to be told in his face that he erred in expelling all these people without following proper procedures."Secondly, the coming in of the likes of Bhuka, Nhema and others will mean that Mnangangwa's people in the Midlands will have to go down even further in the packing order," a top Zanu-PF official in the Midlands said.This all comes at a time that Mugabe is said to have expressed worries about the never-ending chaos in the Midlands, questioning why there was so much disorder in the province where one of his vice presidents hails from."For the president it does not make sense that the province of the vice president is the most chaotic in the party. It speaks volumes of the factional fights in the province which have spread to the whole country," another party bigwig said.Just this last week, some of Mnangagwa's supporters, fronted by the "violent" terror group Al Shabab group, ran amok in the midlands after Kasukuwere's visit to the province -- in what insiders said was yet another sign that Team Lacoste was desperate to recover lost ground.
News / National

by FAO Zimbabwe Communications

8,000 smallholder farmers benefit

"Just the thought of a drought and its effects made me shudder as the one we experienced during the 2014-2015 season left a trail of destruction among farmers. How were we expected to cope with another drought, made worse by the El Nino, as we were still reeling from the effects of the previous one", said What Mhlaba, a smallholder farmer from Zimbabwe's Chipinge District.Mhlaba's fears were realised as Southern Africa was hit by one of the worst El Nino events ever recorded. The drought has decimated crop yields, reduced pastures and left countries in the region facing a severe crisis.However, for Mhlaba  and 8 000 other smallholder farmers  a USD 2 million project, funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and implemented by FAO, is softening the effects of the drought. The project is part of the broad food insecurity response plan that was developed by the Government, United Nations and other key humanitarian and development partners in Zimbabwe."We were still to get feed for the animals to push us through to the next season and when we received reports that the current season was to be even worse, we were utterly devastated and feared that the few emaciated livestock would end like this", he said as he showed the remains of the only one of his six animals that succumbed to the drought."Hope was restored when this drought mitigation was introduced, allowing us to buy animal feed at subsidized prices. The nutritious feed did wonders for the animals. We were told that the feed had all components required by our animals", adds Mhlaba."Through this project, FAO and the Government are enabling livestock farmers to access stock feed and supporting crop farmers with drought-tolerant small grain and legume seeds at affordable prices in drought-affected areas", said David Phiri, FAO Representative to Zimbabwe."With the assistance of the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department, FAO is also responding to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting some parts of the country. These projects will safeguard the livelihoods of the communities that primarily depend on cattle in times of drought", he added.The project started in November 2015 and covers the hard-hit southern districts of Mangwe, Matobo, Beitbridge, Gwanda, Chivi, Chipinge and Chiredzi.Mr Mhlaba noted that the situation was so dire that farmers had to sell some of their animals for as little as USD 20, which is 15 times less than the average price. The smallholder farmer, who has five cattle remaining, said the animals responded quickly to the survival feed, and this gave him hope."I was watching helplessly as my cattle could not stand on their own, waiting for death, but surprisingly, they recovered a few days after giving them the survival feed. It was a relief as many in this area had lost their cattle", added Mhlaba.To ensure that farmers get the most from their animals in the market, farmers were trained in pen feeding of cattle and animal grading as a drought mitigation strategy. Pen fattening ensures that farmers get higher prices for livestock as they destock to maintain smaller, more manageable herds.By March 2016, the project had distributed 3 400 tonnes of animal feed and 128 tonnes of seeds at subsidized prices to 8 000 drought-affected smallholder farmers.Through Livestock Development Associations, the project is addressing issues beyond the project life. From the proceeds received from the sale of the subsidized animal feed and seeds, the project has established a drought mitigation revolving fund in each district, which is supervised by FAO and the Government's Livestock Production Department.Some of the proceeds have been used to procure additional stock feed as well as rehabilitate water points for both human and livestock consumption. One of the key principles guiding the use of these revolving funds is that the farmers themselves are in the driver's seat to determine what is most needed and where funds should be directed. It is estimated that the total value of the district-level revolving funds stands at some USD 500 000.
SK Innovation Vice Chairman Chung Chul-khil, center, speaks during a press conference held at the company's headquarters in downtown Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of SK Innovation



Vice chairman vows to innovate business portfolios



By Lee Hyo-sik

SK Innovation will strengthen its core competence in refining, petrochemicals, car batteries and other businesses through mergers & acquisitions (M&As), according to the company chief Wednesday.

The country's largest refining and petrochemical company also plans to form extensive partnerships with globally-competitive enterprises in various sectors to find new growth opportunities.

"We will take all possible measures to innovate and expand our business portfolios amid increasingly uncertain global market conditions," SK Innovation Vice Chairman Chung Chul-khil said at a press conference. "The world is grappling with slowing growth and a supply glut. We are no exception to this New Normal.'"

On top of overhauling its business structures, he said the company will foster innovative corporate culture and speedier decision-making, as well as making its manpower more flexible.

Chung said SK will focus more on producing high value-added products, and investing in shale gas and other unconventional natural resources.

"We will also seek to acquire entities that can generate synergies with our existing business units. We will form strategic partnerships with globally leading enterprises and expand our presence in the United States and China," he said. "We are considering several M&A deals in areas of natural resources, petrochemicals and car batteries. Right now, we cannot disclose what they are. What I can say, though, is that we will carefully consider all possibilities before making any decisions."

SK will double its market value to 30 trillion won ($26 billion) by 2018 from the current 15 trillion won by becoming the world's top energy and petrochemical company, Chung said.

"The company has been taking painstaking steps to improve its financial soundness and boost profitability over the past few years. Now is the time for us to create an innovative business structure and increase corporate value in order to become a globally leading enterprise," the vice chairman said. "We have to further advance our work and nurture more globally-minded, talented workers to become an industrial leader."

In 2014, SK Innovation posted an operating loss for the first time in 37 years of 182.8 billion won. But its performance rebounded sharply last year as it earned a 1.98 trillion won operating profit on cost cutting, improved refining margins and other favorable factors.

The firm's debt dropped to 3.5 trillion won in 2015 from 7.8 trillion won a year earlier, while its debt-to-equity ratio fell to 84 percent from 119 percent during the one-year period.
By Lee Hyo-sik

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) closed its plants on Wednesday for safety inspections, following accidents that claimed the lives of three workers in one week this month.

It is the first time that Korea's largest shipbuilder has suspended operations since it was founded in 1972. The one-day shutdown was estimated to have cost the company 8.3 billion won ($7.2 million) in wages, excluding production losses and other financial damage.

The latest death happened Tuesday, when a forklift crushed a worker at a plant in Ulsan. On April 18, a worker, 35, sent from an HHI small-business partner, was killed by an excavator at an HHI plant. The third worker died on April 11 in a similar accident.

In March, two workers were killed.

Alarmed by the workers' deaths, the shipbuilder decided to close the plants to conduct a full-scale safety inspection and provide a safety seminar for all employees.

"It is very regrettable that three precious lives were lost over the past week due to serious accidents," HHI said. "The company takes these incidents very seriously and will do everything to prevent them from recurring. We will focus all our resources on making our workplace safer for employees."

HHI said it will hold supervisors responsible if an accident occurs. It will also force its business partners to enhance safety education for employees and cancel contracts with companies whose employees frequently disregard safety rules.
By Jhoo Dong-chan



GS Group Chairman Huh Chang-soo emphasized cooperation and innovation for the company's success in the global market during an executive meeting at GS Tower in Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul, Wednesday.



During the meeting, in which the group's 150 executives participated, Huh cited the famous go match between go champion Lee Se-dol and Google DeepMind's AI AlphaGo, saying the match imparts a lesson as to how the group should move forward.



"I understand AlphaGo did not always win from the beginning. But it competed and cooperated with other AIs to improve its go skills before facing Lee," said Huh.



"Likewise, companies are also required to cooperate and share knowledge and techniques with their partners and subgroups to survive in the rapidly changing business environment."



He also pointed out that the group should learn from Lee's endurance, creativity and challenging spirit.



"Lee was asked to face AlphaGo without any prior information about the AI. The conditions of the match, under which he had to play against the big computer screen instead of a human player, had to have been uncomfortable," he said.



"But Lee analyzed Alpha Go's moves throughout the matches, learned from his defeats and found an innovative way to score one meaningful victory."



He said that although the group is also facing difficult external challenges such as unstable exchange rates and low oil prices, some affiliates have shown meaningful performance through relentless efforts to innovate.



"GS Group established the Jeonnam Creative Economy Innovation Center jointly with the government last June as a part of its efforts to help small and medium-sized businesses," he mentioned.



"Less than a year has passed since its establishment but the center has brought in tangible results such Marine Techno's success."



Marine Techno is a venture company located at the Innovation Center. Its representatives joined President Park Geun-hye on her recent business trip to the U.S. and Latin America, clinching a total of $560,000 in export deals.



Including Marine Techno, GS Group has reportedly supported 17 startups though the center, offering various forms of business training and consulting through related officials at its affiliates.




South Korea's trade minister said Wednesday that the government will help the local aviation parts industry expand overseas and more than double its exports over the next four years.

"I will help increase aviation parts exports to US$4.5 billion by 2020 from $1.8 billion in 2015 by strengthening the competitiveness of the local industry and boosting global cooperation," Trade Minister Joo Hyung-hwan said in a business conference in Seoul with Boeing Co., a U.S. aerospace company, and South Korean components suppliers.

Boeing has been one of the biggest buyers for South Korean aviation parts manufacturers as it has bought a total of $2.9 billion over the past 10 years.

The meeting was aimed at giving a glimpse of Boeing's procurement plans for its new aircraft made with state-of-the-art technology like carbon fiber and lithium-ion batteries.

It will also give a chance to South Korean companies to participate in Boeing's development process for next-generation airliners according to the trade ministry.

The trade ministry said the meeting will help the South Korean aviation business enter the global aerospace market and contribute to the country's total exports. (Yonhap)
South Korea's finance minister said Wednesday that he has no immediate plan to draw up a supplementary budget to stimulate the economy, but hinted at cutting the country's 2016 growth target from 3.1 percent.



"I'm not considering an extra budget as of now," Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho said in a press conference to mark his 100th day in office. "I will use any fiscal measures to prop up the economy when we have a sudden spell of challenges at home and abroad. But I don't think the country is not in such a state at the moment."



The Seoul government poured more than 40 percent of its budget for 2016 in the first three months of the year to pump-prime Asia's fourth-largest economy grappling with faltering exports and flaccid domestic consumption.



But many called for further fiscal spending during the latter half of the year to achieve the goal of 3.1 percent as major economic indices remained sluggish over the first quarter with tepid signs of improvement.



Outbound shipments continued their downbeat pace in every single month of 2016, plunging nearly 20 percent in January, the largest monthly drop in more than six years, 12 percent in February and 8.1 percent in March.



It is expected to continue its negative trajectory for 16 months in a row in April.



In addition, retail sales fell 1.8 percent on-month in February despite the resumption of an excise tax cut program and facility investments retreated 6.8 percent in February.



Economists noted that even if Yoo decides to allocate a supplementary budget, it is not easy for the government to use that card again in 2016 as the national debt accounted for nearly 40 percent of the GDP last year and the opposition-led National Assembly voices against it.



Against this backdrop, Yoo hinted at a possible downgrade of the government's growth forecast of 3.1 percent, citing the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s downward revision.



The IMF slashed South Korea's forecast to 2.7 percent last week and the Bank of Korea also revised down its 3 percent growth target to 2.8 percent.



"We've carried out short-term expansionary policies to boost the economy, but the Korean economy is still daunted by weak private consumption and sluggish facility investment," said the top economic policymaker. "Given this gloomy data, the IMF made such decision. I also think such downside risks are becoming a reality."



At the same time, the finance minister said he will push forward with structural reforms, including corporate restructuring and labor reform, to help the country further improve its growth potential and create more jobs.



"Apart from the short-term measures, I have had to put policy priority on carrying out sweeping reforms in the business and labor sectors to make the economy healthier in the longer-term," said Yoo. "I will speed up to complete the restructuring and reform in due process and seek parliamentary support."



Five industries -- shipbuilding, shipping, construction, steelmaking and petrochemicals -- were subject to the government-led restructuring drive because such large-sized, labor-intensive businesses hit hard by a global slowdown have become a drag on the economy.



In particular, local shipyards and shippers are at the top of the list as they have suffered snowballed losses due to a delay in the construction of offshore facilities and order cancellations. The global shipbuilding and shipping industries currently remain in the doldrums.



The finance minister said he will make constant efforts to convince the parliament to pass controversial reform-related bills that have been deadlocked due to political standoff and the general elections last week, where the ruling party lost its majority.



"If we miss the timing for structural reform, we may lag far behind the global trend," said the economic official. "I will do my best to help the people feel the positive effects of economic stimulus structural reform." (Yonhap)




Heo Kyung-wook, right, a professor at the Korea Development Institute, and other panelists discuss ways to tackle the nation's economic slowdown during the Korea Forum 2016 at the Lotte Hotel in central Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Lee Il-houng, president of the Korea Institute for International Economy Policy; Yoon Won-seok, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency executive director; Park Hong-jae, Hyundai Motor vice president; and Heo.

/ Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon



By Kim Jae-won





Former Finance Minister Yoon Jeung-hyun

/ Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

Former Finance Minister Yoon Jeung-hyun said Wednesday that the government should carry out corporate restructuring and deregulation more aggressively to pull the economy out of its protracted slump.

At the Korea Forum 2016, hosted by the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul, Yoon said labor reform is also essential for the country to attract more foreign investment and prevent companies from moving their operations overseas.

"The Korean economy is struggling with low growth of less than 3 percent, and the social conflict is acute due to the widening income gap between the rich and poor," Yoon said. "We are at a critical juncture. How we cope with these challenges is crucial. It could be an opportunity or a crisis."

He stressed the importance of drastic, consistent corporate restructuring and bold deregulation to revitalize the economy.

Yoon said that implementing meritocracy in the labor market was one of the key factors in reform to boost efficiency in the workplace. The lifelong bureaucrat criticized the nation's strong unions, calling them "aristocrats" in the labor sector.
Hankook Ilbo-Korea Times Chairman Seung Myung-ho, center, applauds during The Korea Forum 2016, hosted by Hankook Ilbo, the sister company of The Korea Times, at the Lotte Hotel in central Seoul, Wednesday. Dignitaries include, from left, senior presidential secretary for economic affairs Ahn Jong-beom; Financial Services Commission Chairman Yim Jong-yong; former Minister of Strategy and Finance Yoon Jeung-hyun; Saenuri Party floor leader Won Yoo-chul; Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) interim head Kim Chong-in; Seung; Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn; Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Jeong Kab-yoon; MPK floor leader Lee Jong-kul; MPK Rep. Chung Sye-kyun; and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Park Yong-maan. / Korea Times photo by Hong In-kee



Economic leadership should be given to private sector

Bahk Jae-wan

By Nam Hyun-woo

Former Strategy and Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan said Wednesday Korea should give the private sector the lead in economic matters to ensure a rebound.

"The Miracle on the Han River was achieved because of standardized human resources and strong economic governance by the government," Bahk said during The Korea Forum 2016, hosted by the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times, at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. "However, that driver is now becoming an obstacle for Korea to have an advanced economy," he added.

During his speech, Bahk attributed Korea's economic growth over the past 60 years to the baby boom and education fever that struck the country in the 1960 and 70s. "The baby boomers grew into standardized human resources and thus led the country's industrialization."












Actress Song Hye-kyo, star of the "Descendants of the Sun" / Courtesy of UAA



Song Hye-kyo shares thoughts on 'Descendants of the Sun'

By Park Jin-hai

The impact of a single drama "Descendants of the Sun" seems to be lasting longer and stronger than any other hallyu, or Korean wave, drama than before.

Although the two-month-long military romance reached its finale last week, the popularity of the drama is yet to wane, where every comment related to its stars graces headlines.

Song Hye-kyo, the heroine of Descendants of the Sun and one of the most influential hallyu stars, finally shared her thoughts about the megahit drama.

"Song Joong-ki played his role so attractively, which even made my heart flutter," said Song, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday. "After I finished filming in December, when the drama was aired, I watched it as a viewer and fell for his charms. After all, I'm really happy that the drama ended well."

To quench the thirst for the drama, KBS is airing a three-episode special program from Wednesday, which will show some of the highlights and behind-the-scene footage.

Below is an excerpt from the interview with Song.

A scene from "Descendants of the Sun"



Q: You had great romantic chemistry with your co-star Song Joong-ki. Could you share the secret on how to make such great chemistry?

A: With the drama, Song has earned a lot of fandom. When I first read the script, I thought that this drama's success depended on how the lead actor plays his part and he made it possible.

He played his role so attractively that it even made my heart flutter. That led to the unexpected response from the viewers.



Q: You declined Mitsubishi Motor's offer to model. Could you tell us the values that you put on chasing your acting career?

A: I was surprised to see the news coverage about that incident. I think even if it were not me, other Korean actors and actresses would have done the same.

All of my activities relate to talks with Professor Seo Kyoung-duk, which began after I realized that I couldn't find Korean language booklets at famous museums overseas. While having conversations with Seo, I realized that there are many activities to promote Korean culture, so I joined in.

Since I do not know about all historical facts, by consulting with him I'm learning a lot.

Whatever others say, I will continue to do what I believe is right.







Q: Some pointed out the drama unfolded too fast lacking probability in the last two episodes. Do you agree?

A: The drama was filmed to the last scene in advance, which was omitted later before it was aired. Since I read the whole script and acted my part, while I was filming the drama, I never thought about it lacking probability.

Although some people have negative views on it, I personally liked the ending and since it was a drama, I think it is acceptable to have such a thing.



Q: What is your understanding on your role, Dr. Kang Mo-yeon? She was a rare character for screenwriter Kim Eun-sook to write.

A: Kim said that Kang was the first heroine she wrote about who had such a straight talking and confident manner.

Before I met with Kim, the character had not been entirely shaped. When Kim met me and saw my bright side, she retouched the script and that was what created the character Kang.



Q: What did you learn from the drama?

A: When I was in my 20s, I thought that it might be easier to act. But it didn't get any easier at all. When I begin shooting, I get nervous as I am under pressure to do my job well.



Q: What do you personally think about actor Song?

A: Song Joong-ki is known for his sincerity and manners. Although there were difficult scenes including the earthquake, Song was the same all the time.

The total shooting period for the drama was nearly double that of other dramas. For the whole six months, Song could have been edgy and lose his temper, but he didn't.

He is younger than me, but I thought I found many things to learn from him. He did his job perfectly in the drama, and he is such a great person.



Q: Your acting has been outstanding in the drama. What kind of actress do you want to be remembered as by viewers?

A: Regardless of the success of a drama or film, I will be satisfied if viewers say that my acting has progressed and has gained more depth.

I personally think that it is acceptable if I take a step forward and can act with more diverse expressions and feelings.

I don't usually paint a big picture on what I'll do in the future. One thing that is clear is that I will do my best in the current place where I am at.



Q: What kind of genre or character do you want to do next time?

A: There aren't such diverse characters that an actress can do here, compared with actors. It's not that there aren't as many talented actresses as actors.

I wish screenwriters would create more diverse female characters, showing different sides of actresses in dramas and films.
The injury that the Uzbek man argues he got from being assaulted by the staff of Cheongju Immigration Process Center, in red circle. / Yonhap



By Lee Jin-a



An Uzbek man has tried to kill himself the Cheongju Immigration Processing Center's foreign care facility.

According to the center and the Cheongju Human Rights Center for Migrant Workers, the man, 33, tried to hang himself at at 1:30 p.m. Monday. A staff member found him hanging from a noose tied to a steel bar two meters above the floor and saved him.

"He attempted to commit suicide while all staff members and foreign probationers were watching him," the immigration center's official said. "Due to the immediate rescue, he is now in good health."

The human rights center said the man tried to kill himself because the immigration center did not allow him to go to an outside hospital when he was ill. It said this was in retaliation for the man suing the center's staff for allegedly assaulting him last year.

The Uzbek man claimed a facility official threatened to shoot him with a gas gun and staff had verbally and physically abused him. He also alleged that doctors at a hospital outside the facility did not give him proper treatment.

The immigration center denied his allegations.

"None of his arguments are true," a immigration center spokesperson said. "We accepted most of his requests to receive treatment in a hospital outside the facility.

"The injury that he argues he got from being assaulted by the facility's staff is actually from eczema. The illegal immigrant is arguing that he was abused by our staff to avoid forced deportation."

The immigration center faces another abuse case after a Sri Lankan man reportedly alleged that two staff members tied him to a chair and assaulted him.

Prosecutors are planning an investigation to decide whether to indict the center's staff.
By Kim Da-hee

Illegal brokers have been charged with taking large commissions from Chinese medical tourists who were hoping to enhance their looks, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency tourist police said Monday.

Nine brokers, including two Chinese and seven Koreans, arranged plastic surgery for 64 Chinese tourists at two clinics in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, from April 2014 to May 2015, police said. The brokers did not have a license to practice medical brokerage.

Along with the arrangement, the brokers took about 100 million won ($87,000) as commissions, almost half the surgeries' cost, they said.

Police are seeking four other Chinese brokers on the same charge. It was alleged one had been staying illegally in Korea since December 2010.

Under medical law, those who want to be a broker have to meet several conditions, including having surety insurance and capital of at least 100 million won.

"Police will crack down on illegal brokers because they cause negative impacts on medical tourism," police said.
News / National

by Staff Reporter

Government is stepping up efforts to promote the use of alternative and renewable energy such as solar and biogas to complement hydro and thermal generated electricity which supplies most of Zimbabwe's households and industry.The quest to harness the abundant renewable sources of energy has seen a number of government departments and ministries coming together and rolling out biogas pilot projects in various institutions across the country.Some of these institutions where biogas pilot projects were launched include Harare Central Prison, Sandringham Mission and the Chikurubi Female Prison.The Climate Mitigation Officer in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate, Mr Lawrance Mashungu said biogas energy projects throughout the country are providing efficient and reliable energy for cooking and lighting.Biogas is produced from organic waste and is clean and reliable with its main advantage being waste reduction.
Officials of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser enter the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in southern Seoul for questioning over the company's production of harmful humidifier disinfectants, Tuesday. / Yonhap



By Lee Kyung-min

The prosecution may expand its investigation into harmful humidifier disinfectants to the head office of Reckitt Benckiser in Slough, England, one of the makers, on suspicion that it endorsed the sales of products containing the harmful chemical here.

The headquarters' approval, if proven true, contradicts its previous claim that it was unaware of the production and sales of the products made by its Korean branch, Oxy Reckitt Benckiser.

Investigators at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office reportedly secured a document which showed the Korean branch's head obtained approval of the sales of disinfectants containing polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG), a chemical responsible for severe lung illnesses and deaths, from the head office before starting sales in 2001.

Prosecutors will investigate the details of the head office's approval process and whether it committed negligence, according to the daily DongA Ilbo.

They also plan to summon and question dozens of former key executives at the Korean branch who worked between 2001 and 2012, during which time the company sold some 4.5 million products, accounting for 80 percent of the humidifier disinfectant market here.

The executives will include former head of the branch, Shekhar Rapaka, who denied the company's responsibility for the scandal during a National Assembly inspection in 2013. He then expressed regret to the victims but said the company believed the products were safe when it sold them.

Already on Tuesday, two executives in charge of human resources management at Oxy Reckitt Benckiser were questioned. The prosecution will also summon officials managing quality assurance and product development soon.

Meanwhile, prosecutors said their digital forensic team found out the Korean branch's cover-up attempt through restoration of computer hard disks seized at the company headquarters in Seoul during their raid in February.

According to the prosecution, Oxy Reckitt Benckiser erased a material safety data sheet (MSDS) about PHMG, compiled over 10 years, shortly before the prosecution launched its investigation.

SK Chemicals, the manufacturer of PHMG, submitted the MSDS to Oxy, in which PHMG was categorized as toxic material that should not be drunk or inhaled.

Prosecutors will question company officials over why they erased the sheet.

The problematic humidifier disinfectants, made by Oxy Reckitt Benckiser and other local manufacturers, are believed to have killed 146 people here, with 103 of them using Oxy's products, according to environment groups.
By Kim Hyo-jin





Yoo Seong-min Lee Hae-chan

Rival parties are in a quandary over whether to reinstate independent lawmakers-elect who quit their respective parties to stand in the April 13 general election.



Rep. Yoo Seong-min applied to rejoin the Saenuri Party, Tuesday, angering loyalists to President Park Geun-hye who are concerned about him emerging as a leading factional figure within the party.



Rep. Lee Hae-chan has also decided to return to the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK), embarrassing its interim leader Kim Chong-in, who exerted influence by excluding the veteran lawmaker from the list of candidate nominations. The followers of late President Roh Moo-hyun's legacy have welcomed Lee's request while Kim appears to be disgruntled.



The controversy over their comeback is likely to fuel factional feuds in both parties in the aftermath of the election.



Still, Park loyalists remain reluctant to accept Yoo and some have even expressed hostility toward him.



"Yoo had a huge impact on the party's humiliating election defeat," said a pro-Park lawmaker.



Lee Hahn-koo, the head of the party's nominations committee, also opposed his return, saying, "If he joins again, the party will lose its ideological orientation."



Observers say that such responses are natural because Yoo's reinstatement could be interpreted as an acceptance of leadership mismanagement during the candidate nominations.



Park loyalists also fear losing ground if Yoo seizes the party leadership or decides to rejoin the Saenuri.



The Saenuri only won 122 seats, relegating it to be the second-largest party after the MPK with 123 seats. The lopsided nominations controlled by Park's aides have been blamed for the stinging setback.



Yoo quit the party amid controversy, denouncing the unfair process which gave loyalists to Park more a ticket for the competition. He ran as an independent lawmaker in Daegu, Park's political stronghold, clinching a victory with overwhelming support.



"I will do my utmost efforts to regain public trust if I am allowed to rejoin the party," Yoo told reporters after submitting his application. "I think the people's anger is beyond the limit. It's time for the party to renew itself with sincerity and the starting point should be fathoming public sentiment."



Cho Hae-jin, a lawmaker close to Yoo, who failed to win a seat as an independent candidate, also followed suit.



"Despite concerns by the pro-Park faction, I wonder if Yoo can play the pivotal role in the party when his aides including Cho, Yoo Sung-kull, and Kwon Eun-hee failed to enter the upcoming Assembly," said Hwang Tae-soon, an analyst at Wisdom Center.



Rep. Lee Hae-chan filed an application form to rejoin the MPK on the same day, saying he will request an apology from Kim regarding his exclusion.



In response, Kim refused, saying "there's no person who would apologize for making a political judgment." He added whether to reinstate Lee will be decided according to the party process.



The emergency planning committee is entitled to make a call. Excluding the interim leader Kim, six of the eight members responded positively to Lee's comeback while the remaining two sit on the fence. Roh loyalists are welcoming Lee, expecting him to play a leading role for the faction.



"However, it will take time for the MPK to make a decision as it could give an excuse to the Saenuri Party to reinstate their independent lawmakers-elect," Hwang said.
Merchants at Namdaemun Market in Seoul hold an awareness campaign for hospitality toward foreign tourists, Tuesday. The front sign reads, "We do not overcharge customers." / Yonhap



By Kim Se-jeong

Four tourists from Singapore caught a taxi from Hongik University, western Seoul, on Jan. 31. Their destination was Everland, an amusement park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. When they arrived, they were asked to pay 170,000 won. One of the four called a city-run tourist help center and learned that it usually costs between 50,000 and 60,000 won.

Another Singaporean tourist purchased an amethyst accessory for $1,000 at a shop in Yeongdeungpo, southern Seoul, on Jan. 8. Before departure, he learned that the stone was worth half the amount he had paid.

Overcharging is one common unpleasant experience that foreign tourists face in Korea. With the recognition that this could damage the whole tourism industry, a group of merchants dealing with tourists have declared that they will uproot such bad practices.

On Wednesday, 19 shop owners from Namdaemun Market in Seoul staged a hospitality campaign there, holding posters and wearing signs that said: "Smile again," "No more rip offs" and "No to touting." They handed out fliers with messages for other shop owners and shoppers in the market.

"Tourists complain a lot about overcharging and touting. I am here to declare that businesses in Namdaemun Market will stop that," said Park Chil-bok, who sells ginseng and dried seaweed at the market.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) said it learned an unusual lesson from last year's Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak.

"The outbreak last year was a moment of recognition for the tourism industry," said Song Hyun-mi from the SMG's tourism policy division. "The incident gave people in the industry a chance to think hard about how they should do business so that they can continue to thrive."

The campaign, which will last until April 26, will be joined by merchants from major tourist zones around the city. Beside Namdaemun, the campaign will take place in Myeong-dong, Itaewon, Jongno, Dongdaemun and Jamsil.

Tourism in Korea is growing fast. According to the city's estimate, 10 million people visited the capital last year, although this was down from the 11 million the year before due to the MERS outbreak.

However, the industry is still immature and young, and it's common to find merchants who only care about making immediate money, city officials said.

"The campaign is meaningful because merchants themselves took the initiative," said Cho Sung-ho from the SMG tourism policy division.

Cho anticipates the campaign to support what the city has been doing.

Since 2014, the city has been running a help center where tourists report their complaints and get their issues resolved. The city is also pushing to oblige businesses to make price tags visible on commodities for sale. It is also moving to maintain the quality of tour programs offered by local tour operators, some of which have been in trouble for cheap, low-quality trips.
By Kim Bo-eun



The nation's top business lobby group is suspected of funneling money to a conservative civic group that paid North Korean defectors to attend protests.



The suspicion, reported by a local broadcaster, comes amid allegations that the rightist Korea Parent Federation (KPF) hired North Korean defectors as part-time protesters for their rallies. Also, the question arose as to how the KPF obtained their money to hire the part-timers.



Broadcaster JTBC reported Tuesday that from September to December of 2014 the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) sent 120 million won to what appears to be a "borrowed name" account run by the KPF.



The money transfer was made through "firm banking" by which companies conduct financial transactions. Industry sources say it would be difficult to falsely use the FKI name under this system.



The broadcaster said the money was wired to an account registered under the name of a foundation for missionary work, but which was actually managed by the KPF's director general, who is in charge of the group's finances. The foundation for missionary work is now defunct.



From this account, 29 million won was sent to the head of a North Korean defectors' group.



JTBC raised the suspicion that the FKI funded the rightist group which often prevented liberal civic groups and labor unions from staging demonstrations at major protest sites by reporting its own rallies to police before the others had a chance to register. The FKI is in conflict with labor unions on many issues.



Besides the KPF, the Korean National Police Veterans Association, a group of retired police officers, also allegedly sent over 20 million won to a North Korean defector group's account over the last year, according to JTBC.



Another conservative mothers' group, which has been staging protests supporting state-authored textbooks and other rightist movements, is also suspected of having employed North Korean defectors for its protests.



Weekly news magazine Sisa Journal earlier reported that the KPF employed North Korean defectors for protests that disturbed rallies held for the Sewol tragedy from April to November in 2014.



The group allegedly employed 1,259 defectors for 39 various protests, paying them 20,000 won a day.



FKI officials said that the lobby group usually supports various welfare foundations through charitable donations, adding that they are conducting an internal inspection to determine whether the group really sent money to the missionary foundation.



The FKI is composed of 500 major businesses including chaebol such as Samsung, SK and Hyundai. Its annual budget amounts to more than 30 billion won.




By Jun Ji-hye

Hanwha Thales, the defense arm of Hanwha Group, was selected Wednesday as a preferred bidder to produce active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for indigenous fighter jets, according to the nation's arms procurement agency.

The development of AESA radar and its integration technology is part of the 8.5 trillion won KF-X project to build fighters by 2026 to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of F-4s and F-5s.

AESA radar is essential equipment that helps a pilot identify friend or foe in battle and finds targets on the ground.

According to DAPA, Hanwha Thales beat LIG Nex1 to gain the status.

"The Agency for Defense Development (ADD), which supervises the development of AESA radar, conducted assessments of candidates' technology ability and prices in early this month, and selected Hanwha Thales as a preferred bidder," said Col. Kim Si-cheol, the spokesman for the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

"The ADD will now conduct further negotiation with the company and sign a contract in June."

DAPA noted that once the development of AESA radar is completed, it will be integrated with the KF-X in cooperation with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the nation's lone aircraft maker that has signed a KF-X contract with DAPA.

The nation was originally planning to receive AESA radar technology from U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, but the plan foundered after the U.S. government rejected last year the firm's request to transfer four core technologies involving F-35 fighter jets  infrared search and track, electronic optics targeting pod, radio frequency jammer and AESA radar  to Korea for security reasons.

Since then, the DAPA said it will domestically develop such technology.
By Yi Whan-woo

Korea and Japan held another round of talks in Seoul, Wednesday, discussing how to implement their historic agreement reached on Dec. 28 to help former wartime sex slaves.

Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two sides discussed follow-up measures to last year's accord aimed at resolving disputes over Japan's sexual enslavement of Korean women before and during World War II.

Wednesday's meeting followed working-level talks held in Tokyo on March 22.

The two Asian neighbors then agreed to push for the early establishment of a foundation in Seoul to help the former sex slaves, in line with the "final and irrevocable" accord in December.

Chung Byung-won, the director general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau, leads the Seoul delegation.












By Yi Whan-woo



The United States will consider deploying more high-profile military assets on the Korean Peninsula in the event of a fifth North Korean nuclear test, analysts said Wednesday.



South Korea and the U.S. may also include Japan in their regular joint military exercises in line with three-way "defense-related measures" suggested by U.S. Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Danny Russel to deter North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the experts added.



"I don't think Russel meant direct attacks on North Korea, including surgical strikes on nuclear facilities," said Yang Uk, a senior research fellow at the Korea Defense and Security Forum. "It's more likely that Seoul and Washington will scale up their annual military exercises by inviting Japan to join."



In an interview with Reuters, Tuesday, Russel said Washington, Seoul and Tokyo could take "defense-related measures" if Pyongyang carries out another nuclear test following its fourth test on Jan. 6.



"As the threat grows, then our defensive capabilities need to adjust as well," Russel said without elaborating further.



Park Won-gon, an international relations professor at Handong University, speculated that Seoul and Washington may speed up their discussion on setting up the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, an advanced U.S. missile shield, on South Korean soil.



"Given that North Korea's fourth nuclear test accelerated talks concerning THAAD, a new nuclear test may lead the two allies to come up with more specific plans to allow American forces stationed here to bring in THAAD," Park said.



He also said Seoul may ask Washington to regularly fly U.S strategic bombers, such as B-2 and B-52 strategic bombers, over the peninsula.



The U.S. Air Force has sent its advanced aircraft in a show of force following North Korea's nuclear tests in the past, including an occasion in January when a B-52 bomber made a low-flight over Osan Air Base after it was dispatched from Guam.



Park added that Seoul and Washington could carry out two annual spring military exercises  Key Resolve and Foal Eagle  on a broader scale.



Involving over 300,000 South Korean troops and 15,000 U.S. personnel, this year's computer-simulated Key Resolve and Foal Eagle combat field drills conducted on land, sea and air, have been the largest-ever in terms of scale.



"It's possible the U.S. may bring its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, such as USS George Washington to both West and East seas during the drills despite any protest from China," said An Chan-il, the head of the World North Korea Research Center.



"We can't rule out possibilities that those U.S. warships will constantly sail near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the future," he added, referring to the maritime border between the two Koreas.



The analysts speculated that Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) may send its Ageis destroyers and patrol planes to operate outside South Korean waters and skies in support of Seoul-Washington combined forces.



"The Japanese military will only be invited to join the drills to the extent that its involvement would not stir up historical disputes between Seoul and Tokyo," Park said.



South Korean politicians and civic groups have opposed the SDF entering the peninsula, citing Japan's unrepentant view over its 1910-45 colonial rule over Korea, which involved crimes committed by the Japanese military.



"If it joins the South Korea-U.S. military exercises, Japan's main mission may be inspecting ships suspected of being engaged in trade with North Korea in open waters," Yang said.



In the interview, Russel warned that the impoverished Kim Jong-un regime will face tougher sanctions, including cutting-off the flow of hard currency earned by the country's workers who are forcibly sent abroad, in the event of a fifth nuclear test.



He also said there are diplomatic options that the North could take by "reviving long-dormant negotiations on curbing its nuclear program."



Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken and First Deputy Director of National Security Cho Tae-yong agreed to keep up pressure on North Korea for it to abandon its nuclear program in a meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday.




By Kim Ji-soo

Diverse interpretations are coming forth regarding the outcome of the April 13 general election. In elections deemed an evaluation of President Park Geun-hye's administration over the past four years, the two opposition parties, the Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) with 123, and the People's Party with 38 have together more seats than the ruling Saenuri Party's 122 in the 300-seat National Assembly. The figures mean that the ruling party will not be able to move unilaterally on any issue without the cooperation of the opposition.

On Monday, President Park accepted the defeat saying that she humbly accepts the will of the electorate and will cooperate with the incoming 20th National Assembly. Her critics criticized her remarks for avoiding responsibility for the defeat, while her party stood by her assessment.

Among the diverse interpretations, what caught my eye was how the relationship between political leaders, parties and the electorate seems to have shifted. In the past three decades, Korean politics identified with regionalism, regional leaders and competition for survival. These are the conservative southeastern Gyeongsang provinces, the liberal southwestern Jeolla provinces and the casting-vote inland Chungcheong provinces. The other regions in Korea lag in distinctive political preferences than these controlled by the leaderships of the late former President Kim Young-sam, the late former President Kim Dae-jung and the former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil (JP). The southeastern part is largely conservative, while the southwestern part is liberal. Buttressed by their democratic movement credentials  Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung tapped into the regional sentiments of their power bastion, while Kim "JP" held on as a casting vote regional bigwig in his base in Chungcheong. The three reigned to cultivate what is sometimes called the post-1987 political structure when Korean politics shifted to a democratic election system.

There have been other aspiring leaders such as the former late President Roh Moo-hyun. Following in Roh's steps are Moon Jae-in, the former head of the now-MPK, Ahn Cheol-soo, head of the People's Party and Kim Boo-kyum of the MPK.

But election results, however, speak of a political landscape without a dominant leader, but also an electorate more willing to compromise on their regional sentiments for a better economy and future. In that vein, it seems similar to the American political arena where no clear leading contestant is emerging in the lead-up to their presidential election on Nov. 8.

Likewise, voters crisscrossed regions to pick lawmakers they would not have normally done so in the past. There is Lee Jung-hyun of the ruling party who won his second term in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province; Kim Boo-kyum of the MPK who won in the Suseong-A district in Daegu; a 30-something lawyer Kim Hae-yeong of the MPK who won in Yeonje, Busan. That is why we can find a number of Korean columnists hailing the April 13 general election as a "civil revolt" or the "victory of the electorate." Korean political history has known such civic victories before: for example in 1987 when citizens took to the streets forcing the former military-men, the then ruling party chief Roh Tae-woo, to adopt a democratic presidential election system. And it is hard to dispute that this sense of civic victory is imbuing anticipation of the political arena.

Yet, it is hard to shake off a sense of anxiety as to whether the would-be leaders in the newly-carved out political landscape can rise to the occasion of reading voter sentiment of wanting a better economy. The would-be leaders should be careful and note that the voters gave high marks to those willing to sacrifice turf districts or candidacies for the good of the party.

The anxiety stems from the schisms that all the parties exhibited during the election and fault lines that hover dangerously. Infighting continues not only in the Saenuri Party but also in the MPK, where the latecomer Kim Jong-in co-exists with former chairman Moon Jae-in. The People's Party of Korea comprises representatives with varying backgrounds in its haste to organize before the April 13 general election. Its co-chairman, Ahn, also stands in discomfort with a strong rival to the 2017 presidential election, Rep. Chun Jung-bae. Will they be able to compromise, like the voters, for a better economy and better future?
By Frank Ching

China has failed to pressure Japan and other G7 countries into not discussing the South China Sea

when they met in Hiroshima. Instead, foreign ministers from the seven countries issued a joint statement on maritime security April 11 which, without mentioning

China by name, emphasized the "fundamental importance of peaceful management and settlement of disputes."

The timing of the statement was particularly important, coming as it did weeks before an expected ruling by an arbitral tribunal of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on an action brought by the Philippines against China in 2013. China has announced that it will ignore the tribunal's decision but the G7 statement called on all nations to "fully implement any decisions rendered by the relevant courts and tribunals which are binding on them, including as provided under UNCLOS."

Nonetheless, China continued to wage its campaign against any public discussion of its actions in the South China Sea.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who just finished a trip to China April 15-16, experienced it at first hand during his visit and, this week, it is the turn of the New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key. Both men were warned not to discussSouth China Sea issues or face possible consequences.

As the Sydney Morning Herald reported, "In an attempt at intimidation timed for Mr. Turnbull's arrival, the China Daily warned Australia of financial consequences if it offered resistance to Beijing's territorial ambitions in the region." The paper quoted various figures, including Han Feng, deputy head of the National Institute of International Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who said that the territorial dispute was not Australia's concern and Canberra's response would be "a test of Australian leaders' political wisdom."

The Australian leader held a two-hour meeting with Premier Li Keqiang, at which he reiterated his position that anything that had the potential of disturbing peace and stability would work against the interests of all nations in the region. He also asserted that South China Sea territorial disputes should be settled in accordance with international law.

At a dinner with President Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader proposed that China and Australia should respect each other's core interests. This, to China, means turning a blind eye to China's actions in the South China Sea, where it is embroiled in territorial disputes with four countries  the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei  and, in the East China Sea, where China has a territorial dispute with Japan.

As an American ally, it would be difficult for Australia to side with China on these disputes or even to remain silent, especially when China ignores rulings by international tribunals.

China's warning to New Zealand was, if anything, more explicit than the one to Australia. The official Xinhua press agency, on the day of Prime Minister John Key's arrival in China for a six-day visit, published a commentary warning him that, for his trip to be successful, he should avoid talk of territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

"The consecutive visits" of Turnbull and Key, Xinhua said, "highlight the importance they attach to China's growing middle class." But, Xinhua said, relations between China and New Zealand "haven't been entirely rosy."

It recalled that in February "Key made some remarks against China regarding the South China Sea." Such remarks, it said, "went against New Zealand's pledges not to take sides in the region's territorial disputes."

"New Zealand should chart its own course in its relations with China rather than have its agenda hijacked by the ambitions of its military allies," Xinhua asserted. "The future of bilateral ties between New Zealand and China, to some extent, depends on Wellington itself."

China's attempts to silence first the G7 and now Australia and New Zealand reflect its strategy of isolating claimants, such as the Philippines, and Manila's ally, the United States. By peeling away countries like Australia and New Zealand, China hopes to isolate the United States.

"Key should be reminded that New Zealand is an absolute outsider in the dispute and not a concerned party," Xinhua said, "and that any attempt by Wellington to break its promise not to take sides on the issue would risk complicating the flourishing trade ties between China and New Zealand."

Since China is the only country that has vowed to ignore an international court ruling, it is natural that any call for implementing decisions of courts and tribunalsis seen by China as criticism of its actions and "taking sides."
Three Nobel prize winners are scheduled to visit North Korea from April 29 to May 6, about the same time as Pyongyang will be holding its seventh Workers Party Congress.



Basically, it is up to the three  British biochemist Richard Roberts, Norwegian economist Finn Lydland and Israeli chemist Aaron Ciechanover  to decide whether to make the trip or not.



They should be aware of how they can be used by the world's most brutal regime as propaganda props ahead of its party convention. The convention is widely expected to serve as the "coronation ceremony" for its young dictator Kim Jong-un as the leader of the impoverished country.



The trip's organizer, the International Peace Foundation, says the trio will give lectures at Kim Il-sung University and that their activities will have nothing to do with ideology and politics.



The foundation's noble objective can't be found fault with, but it should bear in mind that the North is a master in turning acts of generosity by outsiders into public relations stunts aimed at propagating what they claim is the superiority of their system. Oftentimes, when you feel regretful, it is too late.



The timing of their visit can't be more inauspicious. Its young dictator has put himself and his nation on a collision course with the rest of the world by detonating its fourth nuclear device and launching a long-range missile earlier this year. It is part of its effort to force the world to recognize it as a nuclear weapons state. In the face of the toughest-ever U.N. sanctions, it now has threatened to turn Washington and Seoul into bowls of fire with their nuclear-tipped missiles.



Pyongyang has now been relegated into an international pariah, but the Nobel delegation's visit could be used as a stamp of approval that could be used to mislead its people into believing that their country is not as isolated as they fear.



Although we wish to be proved wrong, it is still possible that these high-minded scholars may unwittingly impose on themselves a mission to resolve the North Korean conundrum during their trip. If so, their free will should be respected and good intent recognized, but they should be reminded that the Korean tragedy is comparable to that between Palestine and Israel in its complexity with the two Koreas having waged a war that killed millions on both sides and that can't be solved overnight. So we suggest that if they can't cancel their trip, at least they should postpone it until after the party convention.




Opinion / Columnist

Media reports on the mooted coalition of opposition parties that is somehow miraculously expected to dislodge ZANU-PF from power makes for interesting reading. From as far back as last year, the so-called grand coalition has been "gathering steam" with the parties involved meeting and "unmeeting" many times over, if the lunatic fringe is to be believed in its fanciful reportage. What is now apparent is that the coalition exists more and is progressing more in the media, and if it were possible, some journalists would go sign on behalf of the opposition parties in order to speed things up, lest it fails to materialise.In the event that the coalition is formed, it will be a meeting of big egos and big heads as each of the supposed grand players has a huge chip on their shoulders.Zimbabwe People First believes that, as "the original Zanu-PF", they are the big boss, borrowing from power they enjoyed while in Zanu-PF and want others to come pay homage to them. It is obvious from statements issued by that party regarding the coalition that ZPF wants its leader, Joice Mujuru, to lead the proposed coalition. This, understandably, will not go down well with the likes of Morgan Tsvangirai, who have been in the opposition trenches for the past 16 years or so. Following reports that Mujuru and Tsvangirai had agreed to take part in the coalition later this month, which to all intents and purposes appears to have been a fabrication of one desperate media house, ZPF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo was quick to point out that as far as they were concerned, some opposition parties have to repent first before they consider inviting them to take part.Said Gumbo: "Some of the opposition parties have done things which do not fit with our vision, while others just want publicity with nothing tangible to show at the end of the day. We want concrete programmes of action."Already, with such a mentality, it is inconceivable that Mujuru and her supporting elderly thieves would bow to anyone in the said coalition, but would likely approach it with a Big Brother, or is it Big Sister mentality. The fact that that party disdainfully refused to join other opposition parties in a joint Independence Day statement is telling of the attitude that ZPF would take if it eventually decided to join other parties in coalition talks.Against this backdrop, Tsvangirai is used to be the one "Igwe" of opposition parties, so to speak, and has indicated a reluctance to relinquish his post. MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora's response to reports that his boss would join coalition talks this month was a very arrogant, "we have not been approached and as a party, we are working on our political programmes. This is not to say we are arrogant, if invited, we will be willing to work with others to remove the dictatorship.Indeed, the Big Brother has spoken and all other opposition parties have to come, tails between their legs, hands raised and in submission, invite "Chief" Tsvangirai to join them. Tsvangirai's tyrannical tendencies are well documented. A simple letter of complaint from one Elton Mangoma saw the latter being beaten and banished from Tsvangirai's party. Given that character, it would likely freeze over in hell first before Tsvangirai sincerely agrees to relinquish power in a coalition to someone other than himself.After all, 2018 might be his last shot at State House and to give it to mafikizolos like Mujuru and her wanna-be Zanu-PF outfit would be too stupid, even by his own standards. To give the devil his due, it would be rather unfair, given Tsvangirai's toiling for the past 16 years, with all the amusement he has provided to Zanu- PF, to expect him and his supporters to just hand over power in the opposition world and the limelight to Mujuru and her band of thieves. It would also be asking too much of MDC-T supporters to expect them to support the joining of hands with a party made of rotten and cruel apples that were discarded from their nemesis, ZANU-PF.Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (MKD) leader Simba Makoni would likely be hoping to revive his spattering political career, if it can be called such, through the proposed coalition. Makoni has dismally failed, time and again, to make even a ripple on the Zimbabwean political scene since his over-ambitious entrance as an opposition leader in 2008.It is obvious that in this mooted coalition, he is hoping to leap-frog over those parties that have more numbers than he does and catapult to fame and of course, riches. What Makoni would bring to an opposition coalition is beyond comprehension, except maybe a psychopathic belief in grandeur and relevance.That Makoni still calls himself an opposition leader without batting an eyelid is the height of psychosis.Smaller opposition parties such as MDC, DARE, African Democratic Party, National Constitutional Assembly, ZAPU, ZUNDE, RDZ and the People's Democratic Party should be forgiven for trying to boost their profiles through the coalition. One can't blame them for trying. After all, a clever parasite latches onto the back of a host and feeds on it, not to mention the free transportation it receives.What they hope to gain out of the coalition does not require a rocket scientist. Perhaps if they become part of the proposed coalition and agree to become and act like Mujuru and Tsvangirai's lackeys, they will also get acres of space dedicated to them in some sections of the media, and the gods being crazy, some donor funds.One wonders, given these characters of the envisaged major players in the coalition, what such a coalition would bring except to enrich those who are lucky to emerge with Government posts as was the case with MDC-T officials during the Government of National Unity.They went in all Robin Hood and democratic, and immediately turned to looting, corrupt fat cats the moment they were sworn in. It's most likely that all these opposition parties just want a chance to loot and live in splendour at the expense of Zimbabweans, for what change can they bring when their own parties are embroiled in internal fights for positions, corruption, violence and fraud?Already, the lunatic fringe has taken to celebrating any whisper that Mujuru or Tsvangirai will take part in the proposed talks. This reveals that to them, and Big Brother Tsvangirai and Big Sister Mujuru, the other opposition parties are here to make up the numbers and shine their shoes.The envisaged "grand coalition" will most likely be a mix of two inflated egos, several big heads and whimpering spineless parasites that cannot survive on their own. Such a grouping would not be of much use to anyone save to confuse the electorate and waste their time.
By John Burton

Has the progressive wave that swept the left-wing Syriza party into power in Greece, elected Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of the British Labor Party, and supported the insurgency of Bernie Sanders as the U.S. Democratic Party presidential candidate reached Korea? That would appear to be the case based on the surprise victory of the opposition in the April 13 parliamentary elections.

For the first time in 16 years, the center-left has captured parliamentary control, possibly ushering in a new era of social democratic policy. Korea has only had one previous period of such rule during the presidencies of Kim Dae-Jung and Roh Moo-hyun between 1999 and 2009.

What delivered parliament to the Minjoo and People's parties was a groundswell of support among those between their 20s and 40s who are angry about growing income inequality and youth unemployment. These are the same factors behind the rise of Syriza, Corbyn and Sanders.

Despite the strong role of the state in postwar Korea that began with the dictatorship of Park Chung-hee, the government has done relatively little in fostering a secure social safety net as it concentrated on the country's industrialization and related infrastructure building, which primarily benefited the growth of the chaebol.

But two factors now favor a populist push toward social reforms. One is the slowing economy, which is taking its toll on the highly-indebted middle class. The other is that Korea is in better shape than its counterparts in Europe and the U.S. to finance an expansion of social services since the government debt is among the lowest in the OECD, the club of rich nations, at around 40 percent of gross domestic product. An explosive increase rise in the number of the elderly is likely to add pressure to increase social spending in the years ahead.

Korea ranks at or near the bottom among OECD countries in social welfare spending, with a ratio to GDP of 10.4 percent , which is less than half the OECD average of 21.6 percent. The biggest spurt of growth in social welfare spending came during the first decade of the 21st century under Presidents Kim and Roh, when the ratio of welfare expenditure to GDP rose from 4.8 percent in 2000 to 9 percent in 2010.

There are several reasons why social spending has remained relatively low. One is that individual tax rates are also low compared to other advanced countries. The lack of a strong union movement outside of the main chaebol means that there has never been a strong organized push for improved social benefits as occurred in Europe or U.S. Moreover, the unions representing chaebol workers have tended to look after their own interests instead of the general workforce. Meanwhile, white-collar workers have been less militant in demanding social reforms then blue-collar ones. Finally, there remains deep suspicion about progressive causes, a legacy of Seoul's conflict with communist North Korea.

The social welfare budget, which amounted to 115 trillion won last year, is also lopsided in favor of social insurance spending, such as health insurance and public pensions, rather programs directly aiding the poor and disadvantaged, particularly the elderly.

Unfortunately, the center-left parties have not yet produced a coherent social welfare program of their own, except for making vague promises during the election campaign or offering small-bore proposals such as paying unemployed youth a small stipend as they search for work.

Instead, it is several liberal mayors that appear to be leading the way with a mixture of pragmatism and innovative policy. Lee Jae-myung, the mayor of the affluent Seoul suburb of Seongnam, for example, has promoted free postnatal care for new mothers, free school uniforms, and spending vouchers for recent university graduates who are unemployed. He is financing the programs by cutting budget spending on other items and cracking down on government corruption, while also supported by a relatively high property tax base.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon is pushing similar policies, while addressing the needs of low-income young people by promoting the use of "sharing economy" programs that provide cars and housing for them.

AhnCheol-soo, the leader of the People's Party, has also shown a preference for relying on his business experience as a software entrepreneur to deal with social issues. The fact that his party holds the balance of power in the National Assembly could prove crucial in promoting some of these ideas on the national level.

One hopeful result of the parliamentary elections was that it indicated an apparent breakdown of traditional voting patterns, with Korea heading for a three-party system. That bodes well for the creation of a new multifaceted and pluralistic voting coalition that could support the introduction of expanded social welfare measures as long as they deliver results.

John Burton, a former Korea correspondent for the Financial Times, is now a Seoul-based independent journalist and media consultant. He can be reached at johnburtonft@yahoo.com.
Lee So-yeon, head of the New Korea Women's Union, talks about the work of the union that publicizes the plight of North Korean female defectors, at her office in Dangsan-dong, western Seoul.

/ Korea Times photos by Kim Ji-soo



By Kim Ji-soo



Lee So-yeon, 40, remembers her hometown of Hoeryeong, North Hamgyeong Province, North Korea, as a town of white apricots.

"White apricots, not the usual orange ones, which people used to say would make you a beauty," she said, smiling faintly.

It is a place she will not be able to visit unless the two Koreas are united. Until that time, Lee, as head of the New Korea Women's Union, aims to speak about human rights violations, particularly of women in North Korea, and hopes that people will listen and act. Founded in 2011, the group hosts talks at schools and other groups, and provides job training and psychological counseling to defectors as well. What makes Lee, a defector, stand out is that she comes forth to speak about the ordeals of women defectors from North Korea.

"Whether it's in the restaurant business, in the radio industry or something else, I believe North Korean defectors groups all are working for unification, for the democratization of North Korea and for change in North Korea," Lee said in a recent interview at her office in Dangsan-dong, western Seoul. Desks at her office are filled with placards blasting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, placards she and her some 300 union members use in rallies and press conferences.





A placard that blasts the North Korean regime led by Kim Jong-un sits on the desk at the union's office.



"I thought about what I, a woman defector, could do, and that is tell the reality," Lee said. "I see North Korean women defectors who could have had normal lives as women, or mothers, but suffered while fleeing to and adjusting in the South," Lee added.

The influx of North Korean defectors, began around the late 1990s as famine in North Korea worsened, their population has grown to around 27,000.Unification Ministry's estimates show that about 70 percent of the defectors are women.

Relatedly recent survey conducted by the ministry and the Korea Hana Foundation found that six out of 10 North Korean defectors consider themselves to be lower class based on their economic activities.

"I look at female defectors and think that they could have been like regular women, mothers if they were born in South Korea but because they were born in the North, they were sold and gave birth against their wills in China, and subsequently struggled to adjust in the South," she said. "It is not their fault, I remind them."

A former signal corpswoman with the North Korean army, Lee has led a comparably successful life in the South as a broadcast personality and speaker on North Korean issues.

"People look at me now, and think that Idid not experience hardship in settling," she said.

But it wasn't easy when she finally defected to the South in 2008 on her second attempt. She worked at several menial jobs, including at noodle shops and, at bookstores and as a cleaning lady at "gosiwon" or small crammed housing for those preparing for national exams in Seoul.

"I was so happy to be earning money, but also I had this pressure to earn as much as I can and as fast as I can to help my family back home," she said. The first two years were the hardest, where she felt that people were looking down on her because of menial job, causing her weight to drop to 40 kilograms. She admitted that she felt proud of herself when her former employers called after seeing her on television.

"Then one day, I looked around and saw what the southerners were doing and noticed that they studied for the future," Lee said. Just last year, she earned her bachelor's degree in social welfare from Gukje Cyber University based in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. As the years passed, things began to work out, but something was still lacking.

"I too initially focused on making money, but when I looked deep inside myself, I realized that I was trapped ... by my anger toward the North and the pain from my defection, and invariably, these factors prompted me to speak against the perpetrator, which is the Kim Jong-un regime," she said.

Lee said that her defection was relative smooth, compared to those of others.

She first attempted fleeing in 2006 when her "business" of selling used goods in the North suffered. After graduating from the North Korean army at 28, she became a Workers' Party member and returned to her hometown. She sought the help of her professor father  he taught Kim Il-sung's revolution history, in finding good jobs. But when the North's economy worsened, she like many North Koreans at that time, turned to the black market. She failed the first time, and was forcibly returned to North Korea and imprisoned.

"I learned a few things at the North Korean prison," Lee said.

"I learned about the various ways of defection, and how diverse the reasons were for defection. It was not only because people wanted to come to South Korea, but it was also for simple reasons such as wanting to eat or just to flee the North," she said.

"I also learned about people. What better place is there to learn about people than a prison?" she said.

Still she stressed that she fared better than other female defectors who were sent back to the North as many as six or eight times, those who lived as beggars in the North and those sold into sex slavery. Because she was considered a defector to China for "daily economic" reasons, she underwent a training camp and a prison for one year, after which she made her second attempt.

"I too testify about what I experienced during defection," Lee said. "But when I hear the stories of other female defectors, I think they are the stuff for movies, and I wonder how people (in the South) will reconcile these horrific stories once the Koreas are united," she said.

Lee also spoke strongly on people's growing indifference to the plight of North Korean defectors, particularly, the women.

"Some people, even the press, say they have heard so much about defection," Lee said. "There were probably witnesses in the late 1990s or early 2000s. But then if they did hear so much about it, the problem should have been solved and the North Korean women defectors should never be trafficked today, or tomorrow," she said.

What did she think of the 13 recent North Korean defectors, former employees at North Korea-run restaurants overseas who arrived in South Korea in the wake of U.N. sanctions taken againstNorth Korea in March and just before the April 13 general election?

"I think they represent the change that people in North Korea desire," she said.

Asked if she thought that they must have had a relatively easier trip knowing that they would come to Korea, she said. "I don't think so. They went through that painful process of having to come via a third country." Lee said.

Now that she is married with one son, did Lee envision a political future?

"No. My primary dream is to embrace and heal the North Korean women when Korean unification comes," she said. "More immediately, I hope the union will survive."
Kang Myung-soon, a politician-turned-civic activist, builds handcraft with a child at a youth camp held in Seoul in this July 31, 2015, file photo. / Courtesy of Kang Myung-soon



By Kim Hyo-jin



Fighting poverty is a lifetime mission for Kang Myung-soon.



She has done everything she can to help the poor, starting off as a social worker, then as a lawmaker and now as a civic activist.



Kang, 65, embarked on the ambitious goal of reducing poverty across the country when she was a member of the 18th National Assembly and took the initiative in helping enact the anti-poverty law.



After her four-year term, Kang went to the front lines in her efforts to fight poverty. She is now leading the grand campaign to end poverty by 2020 as head of the non-governmental organization World Community for Ending Poverty (WCEP).



"Some view it as an unrealistic, lofty goal but it's a mandatory mission to ease related social issues such as suicide or child murder," Kang said during an interview Tuesday.



When the recent child abuse cases went viral, she tried to shed light on the causes, many of which were due to family poverty.



Of 122 children murdered between March 2004 and March 2016 in the country, 99 were killed by their parents. In 42 cases, parents confessed that poverty was the motive for the killings, she said.



"Statistically, nearly 30 percent of the entire child-murder cases were caused by parents suffering from financial difficulties, indicating there's something society can do to stop children from becoming victims," she said.



Kang has volunteered to help those living in poverty since she was in college in 1972, teaching and feeding the poor in shanty towns in Seoul. She expanded her activities after graduation, operating counseling and study centers for women and children in need.



In the hope of developing policy recommendations to fight poverty, she studied further and earned a PhD in social welfare in the 2000s.



Kang said a series of suicides and murders caused by poverty in 2004 shook her to the core, pushing her to begin a campaign to end child poverty by 2020.



"I couldn't just stay idle after realizing people living in poverty were prone to commit child murder or suicide," she said.



Having years of field experience, Kang was put forward as a proportional representative in 2008 by the then ruling Grand National Party, precursor of the Saenuri Party.



The lawmaker proposed and pushed for the passage of the anti-child poverty act in 2011. It aimed to initiate a nationwide move to fight poverty through a government committee for family and child welfare projects.



"I was inspired by the British government's move following the Victoria Climbie case in which an eight-year-old was murdered by her guardians," she said, adding that her 2011 act was designed based on the British model. "They were quick in implementing a child protection act which guaranteed financial support for cash-stricken families to ease the burden of caring for children."



Kang came back to the field after her term finished in 2012.



"Though the act was passed into law, its implementation didn't follow as expected," she said. "I thought I'd better become a helping hand to the poor rather than try to help from a distance."



The former lawmaker is now focusing on counseling and running art activities with the weak and poor, hoping to heal their psychological wounds.



"It seems we are complacent with murder when it is just a few numbers," Kang said. "I sincerely hope the upcoming 20th Assembly could look at the causes of poverty seriously and do something to help improve the lives of these people."




LG Hausys President Oh Jang-soo, center, cuts a ribbon while celebrating the opening of its car seats-manufacturing facilities in Gordon County, Georgia, the United States, Tuesday (local time). / Courtesy of LG Hausys



By Kim Yoo-chul

LG Hausys has begun supplying autoskin materials to major carmakers in North America after completing its new plant in the United States, LG's decoration materials affiliate said Wednesday.

"LG Hausys has completed the construction of the company's first autoskin plant in the United States," company spokesman Ahn Young-hoon said. "The plant will boost LG's share of the autoskin market."

Autoskins are surface materials used for car seats, door panels and dashboards.

The LG plant, located in Gordon County, Georgia, was a result of about $40 million in investments by the LG affiliate.

The plant stands on 9,000 square meters, with the capacity of supplying up to 6 million square meters of automotive seat materials annually.

LG Hausys provides autoskin products for global carmakers including Hyundai Motor, General Motors and Chrysler.

"LG Hausys aims to take a bigger bite out of the North American automotive market," the spokesman said.

"Considering the continuous increase of automobile production in North America, LG Hausys is also reviewing construction of an additional plant to manufacture autoskin materials."

Among those present to celebrate the opening of the LG plant were LG Hausys CEO Oh Jang-Soo, Georgia State Representative for Gordon County John Meadows, Georgia Department of Economic Development advanced manufacturing director Mike Grundmann and Consul General Kim Seong-jin in Atlanta.

The operation of the plant has increased the number of LG's autoskin plants to three, as it has already been running plants in China and Korea.

LG Hausys holds more than a 10 percent share in the global autoskin market, making it the world's third-largest supplier.

"In the U.S., we first established our surface materials plant in Gordon County in 2004. Through continuous investments in our facilities, LG Hausys has grown into a company with over $310 million in sales and has created more than 400 jobs," the CEO said.

"Providing quality products and services for North American customers will be the main objective of our company. Every employee will strive to make the company the market leader of autoskin manufacturing in the United States."
Lee Il-houng

By Lee Min-hyung

A renowned economist has called for the government to implement deregulation as a core strategy to bring the nation's sluggish economy back on track.

"Deregulation is crucial to creating value-added industries in a way to boost next-generation technological innovation," Lee Il-houng, president of the Korea Institute for International Economy Policy, said during The Korea Forum 2016, Wednesday.

The call comes at a critical time when the Korean economy has been in the doldrums for a few years amid growing concerns over the sluggish domestic market and insufficient job creation. As of last year, the country marked an economic growth rate below 3 percent, which has brought a series of problems including youth unemployment and corporate restructuring.

"It is natural for us to suffer these problems, as global economic growth has also been sluggish," he said. "We need to tackle such issues by creating a virtuous cycle through innovative technologies and a new education system. Toward that end, we should focus on untapped areas, which can only be realized through deregulation."












Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) Chairman Cho Hwan-ik, center, poses with LSIS Chairman Koo Ja-kyun, left, after a groundbreaking ceremony for a solar power plant in Hokkaido, Japan, Tuesday. / Courtesy of LSIS



By Lee Min-hyung

The Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has teamed up with LSIS, the nation's top electrical equipment manufacturer, on a contract to build a solar power plant in Japan.

Under the deal, KEPCO will build some 130,000 solar modules in areas located near the New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido until the second half of next year. The contract is worth some 113 billion won ($99.6 million).

This is the first time that KEPCO has tapped into an overseas power plant project. The state-run power company will run the plant over the next 25 years, and plans to sell electricity worth approximately 317 billion won to local electricity companies.

LSIS has been named the sole partner in charge of constructing and maintaining the 28-megawatt solar plant for the mega deal. The company has previously identified the Japanese market as its next-generation growth area, as solar infrastructure there is still in its infancy, compared to other markets in areas such as Europe or the United States.

"New energy sources are gaining attention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce global warming," KEPCO Chairman Cho Hwan-ik said. "The latest feat will allow KEPCO and other Korean companies to boost their expansion into the global solar-related businesses."

The remarks came amid growing demand for eco-friendly energy sources, with global IT companies, such as Tesla or Google, expanding their investment in green businesses.

In particular, LSIS is seeking leadership in solar power, backed by its expertise as the nation's top industrial equipment maker. The company holds the capability to produce solar modules, inverters and monitoring devices, which are the building blocks for operating solar power plants.

KEPCO has partnered with a total of 13 local companies to win the recent project.

According to market researcher IHS, the global solar module market will be worth some 50 trillion won this year, up 40 percent from 2013.
Yoon Jong-lok

By Lee Min-hyung

National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) President Yoon Jong-lok on Wednesday shared his vision of how companies can survive the so-called "fourth industrial revolution," during The Korea Forum 2016, hosted by the Hankook Ilbo, the sister paper of The Korea Times.

The former second vice minister from the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) stressed that the world is now undergoing a fourth industrial revolution  a combination of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Internet of Systems (IoS)  and having creative ideas and quality software is the key to for survival.

"Korea boasts top-tier capacity in terms of making products," Yoon said during his speech at the Lotte Hotel in central Seoul. "But in the past several years, the country has seen its position overtaken by countries with lower labor costs. The only option for the country, which is not rich in natural resources, is converging soft(ware) power with its products."

Yoon cited it costs only 58 cents to desalinate 1 ton of seawater into potable water after the introduction of reverse osmosis technology. "Before this technology, the cost was more than $100. This shows that there is a way for a country lacking natural resources to survive in the 21st century."












Opinion / Columnist

It really boggles the mind how some pseudo churches under the banner, Christian Voice International Zimbabwe (CVI-Z), has immorally called for an unconstitutionally removal of Head of State, President Robert Mugabe who was lawfully elected by the people of Zimbabwe in 2013.Romains 13 verse 1-2 reads: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."Who then are these churches to challenge the leadership of President Mugabe who was constitutionally elected by the people and got the authority to lead the nation by God? It means these churches are not genuine. Real churches do not oppose the Bible. In fact, they support and abide by what the Bible says. These clergymen should go back and revise the Bible before foolishly calling for President Mugabe to step down.What makes the matter of their call even worse is that these clergymen and their churches are not only disrespecting the Bible but they are also disobeying the Constitution of Zimbabwe.The law stipulates that a leader is chosen through the ballot box. President Mugabe won the 2013 elections, implicating that that he still has the constitutional mandate to lead this nation until his constitutional term is over. CVI-Z must be guided by the Constitution instead of disregarding the rule of law.Genuine churches will not conceal their church identities under the name Christian Voice International Zimbabwe, but must come out open and air out their views. Truth be told, CVI-Z does not represent all churches in Zimbabwe. This CVI-Z might be an emerging opposition political party consisting of opposition members who are attempting to unconstitutionally remove President Mugabe from power.What is even surprising is that only a single person was quoted in the article. The same applies to a recent article that was published in some sections of the media which was saying war veterans were calling on President Mugabe to step down.Only one person was cited in that article. Surely, the kind of journalism where an individual is quoted then the nation is misled that war veterans' or churches' have said this and that whilst it's a one man's mind should be stopped. Journalists should be objective when writing articles especially for public consumption.CVI-Z is just like MDC-T which recently held its useless demonstration on which they were calling for the removal of President Mugabe from power. How can one call for removal of a constitutionally elected President. The act by MDC-T leader and his allies depicts that they have nothing to offer to the people of Zimbabwe other than these demonstrations.While addressing students at University of Zimbabwe, Tsvangirai admitted that he had no solutions or even alternate policies that can compliment government programmes. What he only wants is to remove President Mugabe from power and nothing else."Yes you can say Tsvangirai give us a solution to all these problems. I have no solution. I am not the government," Tsvangirai was quoted in a local daily press.
Opinion / Columnist

People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Tendai Biti, is hooked to the concept transitional governments so much that whenever he addresses the media, he forgets to expound on his party policies but dwells more on how the country urgently requires an intermediary government.Like a drug, the transitional government thought has irreversibly addicted Biti so much that he cannot see the country moving forward without the guidance of the patchwork authority.At a time when the vibrancy of Government is not in question and when it is also dutifully guiding the nation through a rough economic patch, it is wrong for people like Biti to suggest disruptive interventions to the country.Rudimentary legal knowledge tells us that a transitional government could be established when a country faces a constitutional crisis or when it is saddled by leadership deficiencies of which Zimbabwe is currently free of.It is therefore bewildering that a supposedly seasoned lawyer such as Biti is calling for a transitional authority at a time there is no constitutional or leadership crisis in the country.Biti's call for the transitional authority can only therefore be buoyed by other factors other than the legal and constitutional considerations.As a politician and former member of a transitional body called the Inclusive Government, Biti could be driven by the nostalgia of his hey days in that inter-party arrangement.Biti was the Finance Minister during the days of the Inclusive Government and he held the strings to the national purse, a powerful position indeed, whose residual force could be influencing his unbroken record of lobbying for another transitional government.The PDP leader still has an untreated hangover from his previous Government escapades compounded by the realization that power is not easily attainable through the electoral route since his party is hugely unpopular.It is also clear that Biti has no confidence that his party can get into power on its own because he is always harping about coalitions or transitional arrangements.When the Zimbabwe People First (Zim First) came into the political picture, even before Joice Mujuru had thrown her thrown her hat into the ring, Biti and his crew were quick to embrace them and proposed a coalition with Mujuru.He also is always talking about the so-called grand coalition and seems ready to hide behind the shadow of a merger of opposition political parties.Even when the so-called National Convergence Platform was topical in opposition circles, his party was at the forefront of fidgeting and pushing for the concept.With 2018 around the corner, it is clear that the PDP is not ready to stand on its own but is seeking to go into bed with other equally struggling opposition colleagues to form a coalition against ZANU PF.Maybe, we would take this opportunity to remind Biti and his ilk that power in Zimbabwe is only transferrable through constitutional avenues.No one can just wake up and call for the formation of a transitional government or the removal of Government through mass misdemeanors.As mentioned above, the country is a constitutional democracy that allows its people to choose their leaders through regular and credible elections.The last elections were held in 2013, where the people overwhelmingly chose ZANU PF to govern the country up to 2018.ZANU PF's mandate has not yet expired and cannot therefore be challenged.As such, all talk about transitional governments or regime change is ill-advised and apparently undermining the constitutional mandate of ZANU PF to rule till 2018 without any unsolicited political meddling.Biti is advised to immediately drop his back-door approach to politics and embrace the electoral route availed by the Constitution in electing governments.His party should not waste time thinking about the formation of a transitional government, for that will remain a mirage to be deflated by the holding of the 2018 harmonised elections.
Opinion / Columnist

When Cephas Msipa announced his retirement from active politics, the expectation was that he would steer clear of any political shenanigans and would remain on the self-chosen terraces of a retired cadre, but his hyper-active comments in the media, particularly on matters to do with ZANU PF, are a cause for concern.For someone, who has opted to resign from politics, Msipa's derogatory comments on ZANU PF betrays a person who feigns disinterest in politics yet is desperate to remain relevant to the country's politics and get recognition as a most vocal critic of ZANU PF.It is puzzling that Msipa, a senior member of the party for a long time, now berates ZANU PF for allegedly using violent means to remain in power yet all along he was content with the party.He did not for a day, during his tenure in the party, express his displeasure to the supposed violence and neither did he cite the issue of violence in his retirement letters from active politics'.He now wants to paint a grim picture of violence in ZANU PF and expects us to believe it.The route he is taking has been trodden by other opportunistic politicians who previously sought to build their moribund careers on the back of falsehoods on ZANU PF.Activists and politicians in the opposition and in civic society groups have previously tried to play this card before but have failed.All of them are consciously playing to the gallery of western donors, who are ready to dole out funds to anyone seen as challenging the electoral mandate of ZANU PF.Opposition political parties, faced with a bleak electoral future, now regurgitate the mantra that there are irregularities in the country's electoral system in a bid to justify their back to back defeat by ZANU PF at the polls and careless comments from a supposed party elder are timeous fodder for their propaganda.The discourse of violence, which Msipa has now joined, is used to perpetuate the opposition cliche that the electoral system is unsustainable and requiring reform.It is also intended at casting ZANU PF's tenure in Government as illegitimate, having supposedly been attained through a violent campaign.This has also become the bane of those who were expelled from the party or those who excluded themselves for spurious reasons such as Msipa's excuse of retiring from active politics'.Most of them now seek to project themselves as courageous politicians who now want to confront the unassailable ZANU PF juggernaut.To be credible, they now seek to lend credence to long-held and unsubstantiated opposition claims that ZANU PF is a violent party.We have previously seen disgraced and violent politicians such as Jim Kunaka, seeking to redeem their soiled political record by blaming ZANU PF for their violent demeanor.It is all about political gamesmanship.But it is interesting that Kunaka was to be embroiled in a violent clash outside of ZANU PF, as a member of Zimbabwe People First (Zim PF).His trademark use of violence against rivals was manifest at a ZimPF rally held in Glen View recently.Violence is in Kunaka's DNA and it had nothing to do with ZANU PF as claimed.This is the point that should not be ignored.Although ZANU PF openly condemns violence, it cannot be discounted that there are undesirable elements such as Kunaka who want to spoil the name of the party.President Robert Mugabe is on record publicly condemning political violence and urging security agents to arrest those found on the wrong side of the law.As the principal of the party, the President represents the party position and for people like Msipa to claim otherwise would be misleading.By claiming that ZANU PF is a violent party, Msipa is seeking cheap political fame and that is opportunistic.
From that day I have been receiving death threats through anonymous calls and a group of four men driving a twin cab without number plates were frequently visiting my office violently demanding to know my whereabouts. They even threatened to take my children if I don't surrender myself to them.My lord I have no doubt that they are from your office but why Cde President?I was only exercising my right to freedom of expression when I sent you that prison garb because am deeply convinced that you must face justice (at the I.C.C) for the past atrocities and crimes against humanity which you committed.If I was a criminal I would have enclosed explosives in that parcel but am a non-violent, law abiding citizen and a peaceful human rights defender that's why I did not try anything to harm you Your Excellency.What will you gain by eliminating me if I may ask?Am just a defenceless civilian fighting for justice in his country and demanding answers from your authoritarian regime.The colonial adminstration of Ian Douglas Smith used to incarcerate, eliminate and silence dissenting voices even nationalists like you were kept in prison for a very long time when you were demanding the majority rule.Your Excellency why are you copying Smith's template of oppression and using it on us your own kith and kin?Am only 28 years old and am a father of two children, breadwinner and husband to a very young beautiful woman. Is it fair to get me incapacitated and eliminated by your Gestapo because of my dissenting views?I urge you to have a fatherly heart nzwirai vana vevamwe tsitsi sekunzwira kwamunoita ana Chatunga nekamuzukuru kenyu (Have a heart for other people's children just like how you feel for your son Chatunga and your new grandson). I will always want to return to my country Zimbabwe but your Gestapo is waiting for such an opportunity to harm me. Don't I have a right to stay in my home country and help build a better and democratic Zimbabwe?I will conclude by asking you Your Excellency to respect the constitution of our country Zimbabwe and stop your Gestapo the CIO from plotting to eliminate me, stop the torture and incarceration of human rights defenders across Zimbabwe. Yes you can kill me Mr President but you won't kill the spirit of the people of Zimbabwe. Where we are heading to a revolution is inevitable Cde President, the people of Zimbabwe have suffered enough. I would like to ask you to make sure my rights to peacefully live in my country Zimbabwe (without these death threats from your CIO) are respected. I am entitled to my inherent right of peacefully staying in my home country Your Excellency.Thank you for taking your time to read this long letter Cde President. Hope you will take immediate action to stop your Gestapo from baying for my head and harassing my relatives demanding to know my whereabouts. Zimbabwe is for us all Mr Mugabe!May justice prevail on our land.May God bless Zimbabwe.Sincerely Yours,Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo, Snr.Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo is a human rights defender and a democracy activist from Kwekwe, Zimbabwe but currently in exile he is reachable on his whatsapp number +263775037579 or on his website www.nkosilathiemmanuelmoyo.org
LOS ANGELES, CA  Dava Foxx is on the cover of Wednesday's DVD release from Reality Junkies, titled Couples Seeking Teens 20.



In the scene, directed by Bobby Manilla, Foxx and her husband, Johnny Castle, are visited by their daughter's friend, Alaina Dawson, after she is stood up by her boyfriend. Since their daughter isn't home, Foxx and Castle decide to provide the comfort that Dawson needs with a threesome that is sure to make her feel much better. The scene is currently available on RealityJunkies.com.



"It's always good shooting for Bobby Manilla. He's one of my top favorite directors," said Foxx. "Johnny Castle always knocks out a solid, hot scene. It was my first time shooting with Alaina, and it was a pleasure."



Foxx will also be featured in Deepthroated By My Sister from Blazed Studios. The DVD will be available next week.
The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

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PRESS RELEASE

Attali: London, and Not Panama, is the Biggest Depravity

PARIS, April 19, 2016 (Nouvelle Solidarite)Jacques Attali, former grey eminence of French President Francois Mitterrand, wrote in his regular column in the weekly LExpress that people should not be dazzled by the Panama Papers scandal, and that the real problem and threat to the world economy is the City of London and similar financial centers in the U.S.A.

Since the Panama Papers were revealed, Attali says,

"a debate has created enormous confusion." That large capital flees paying taxes is well known, and one should not "pretend to believe that only a few exotic places could hide assets from public scrutiny so as to avoid paying taxes, yet many of the most respected countries in the world provide the means to do so."

A serious fight against tax havens, however, is difficult,

"when we know in fact that several U.S. states are at the forefront in this area, such as Delaware, and several European countries, such as Great Britain or Luxembourg. I look forwardas a delicious treatto the publication, one day, of the London Papers, which will unveil how the so respectable City is home to many base fiscal and financial behaviors at the expense of countries in which wealth is created. It will be infinitely more important and meaningful than the Panama Papers revelations."

Attalis anti-British lunge occurs amid resentment among the French establishment, for the treatment inflicted by U.S. authorities on BNP Paribas ($9 billion fine) for violating sanctions and for imposing sanctions on Russia which the French followed but U.S. firms did not.
PRESS RELEASE

Newly Released Documents Further Detail Obamas Collusion with 9/11 Sponsors

April 19, 2016 (EIRNS)The Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP), the highest declassification authority in the Executive Branch of the U.S. Federal Government, housed at the National Archives, has declassified 29 new documents relating to the governments investigations into the 9/11 attacks, and they reveal new damning details about the Saudi Royal Familys deep involvement in those Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

From the time of his first campaign for President in 2008, Obama has promised the families of the 9/11 victims that he would declassify the 28 pages from the original Joint Congressional Inquiry, which detail the Saudi involvement in those heinous attacks. He not only broke that promise; he has consistently protected the Saudis from justice due their role in 9/11, and is now openly showing his hand by pledging to veto the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), now before the Congress, just prior to his now-ongoing visit to Saudi Arabia. The President has sold out the American people to his slavish loyalty to the Saudis and their British patrons. This is a crime that demands, at minimum, President Obamas immediate impeachment from office.

The 29 documents most recently declassified, contain work sheets, interview notes, and other documents from the 9/11 Commission, that make clear that the Federal investigators probing the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, had compiled huge amounts of evidence of direct involvement by agents of the Saudi Royal Family, the Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Saudi Ministry of Defense and Aviation. They provide a backdrop to the suppressed 28-page chapter from the earlier Joint Inquiry, which merely summarized the volumes of evidence compiledand covered upabout the direct Saudi government complicity in 9/11.

Perhaps the single most damning document, declassified last year, is a 47-page memorandum by Dana Leseman and Michael Jacobson, detailing all of the Saudi government officials who were implicated in the 9/11 attacks. Leseman was a Justice Department attorney and Jacobson was an FBI Special Agent. Both had served as key investigators for the Joint Inquiry, and had authored the 28-page chapter that Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have suppressed. They went on to work for the 9/11 Commission, where their efforts to pursue the Saudi leads from their earlier work were stymied by Commission director Philip Zelikow. Leseman was ultimately fired by Zelikow for refusing to obey his orders to stop the probe of Saudi Royals ties to 9/11.

The 47-page document identified a total of 21 confirmed and suspected Saudi government employees who abetted the San Diego hijackers cell during the year-and-a-half that they were in the United States preceding the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The document detailed all of their roles in supporting the two West Coast hijackers, Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar. It also called for a thorough investigation of the FBI, which had an informant in San Diego who housed the two 9/11 hijackers in his home for months before the attacks.

One of the central figures linking the Saudi regime to the 9/11 plotters was Omar al-Bayoumi, a Saudi intelligence agent who was the main financier of al-Hazmi and al-Mihdhar during their entire time in the United States. In addition to his no-show job, with a sizable expense account from a Saudi Ministry of Defense and aviation contractor, Dallah Aviation, al-Bayoumi earlier received $400,000 from the Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs during the 1990s, ostensibly to build a mosque in the San Diego area. Investigators believed that those funds may have been used to build up terrorist cells in the area. These beliefs were butresed by the fact that the San Diego mosque was run by Anwar Al-Awlaki, a spiritual leader of Al Qaeda, who was ultimately killed in a U.S. drone strike in Yemenand who may have also been an FBI informant.

The evidence of deep Saudi involvement is almost matched in the 47-page document by evidence of FBI cover-up of the 9/11 story. One segment of the recently declassified Document 17 featured a series of questions about FBI stonewalling and cover-up.

The document posed the following two questions:

Did the FBI intentionally withhold from the Joint Inquiry information about the informants relationship with the hijackers and subsequently attempt to obstruct the Joint Inquirys investigation of the matter? If the FBI did withhold information and obstruct the Joint Inquirys investigation, were the FBIs actions indicative of a larger pattern of FBI non-compliance with Congressional oversight? What changes would therefore be needed to ensure more effective Congressional oversight of the FBI?

A thorough review of all of the newly released documents is now underway. But sufficient evidence is already reviewed, proving the deep Saudi role in 9/11 and the ongoing cover-up by President Obama and top officials of the FBI.

The evidence of President Obamas witting role in this cover-up already meets and passes the Constitutional standards of high crimes and misdemeanors requiring impeachment proceedings. There are credible reports circulating in Washington that President Obama is using his current visit to Saudi Arabia to solicit funds from the Saudi Royals for his post-presidential library and careerperhaps in return for guarantees that the 9/11 story will continued to be covered up at the top. Is there any justification for delaying one moment more the launching of those long-overdue impeachment proceedings?
Its been seven months since the Volkswagen emissions-cheating scandal broke, and the affected cars still arent fixed, although the automaker appears ready to buy back at least some of them.

The German manufacturer is still negotiating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board about what exactly should be done to repair the cars.

But Volkswagen has reached an agreement with the U.S. government to spend more than $1 billion to compensate owners of the diesel-powered cars, the Associated Press reported Wednesday, citing a person who had been briefed on the matter. Details are still being hammered out, and the automaker is still trying to figure out the repair issue.

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A federal judge presiding over hundreds of class-action lawsuits against Volkswagen last month had asked the parties to present him with a plan by Thursday.

Volkswagen admitted installing so-called cheat devices on diesel-engine models from 2009 through 2015 so that the cars would emit fewer pollutants during emissions tests than during normal road use.

Fixing the cars probably would reduce the vehicles fuel economy and power. About 600,000 cars nationwide, including 70,000 in California, are involved. Worldwide, the scandal involves 11 million vehicles.

Why has it taken this long to devise a fix? The Times asked Matt DeLorenzo, managing editor for news at Kelley Blue Book, to explain. Heres an edited excerpt:

Isnt this fix a matter of just turning some screws or recoding the software in the cars?

No. A lot of people think all you have to do is rewrite the software and make the car run the way it runs while its cheating on the test all the time. Its not that simple.

Are there other parts involved in the emissions-control system?

Its a very complicated, interdependent system and if you mess with one part of it there might be another part of it you need to address as well. If it were that simple as a software fix, this thing would be resolved right now.

The fact that this thing is dragging on means that there actually needs to be more work done to these cars  to make them comply all the time.

What are some of the hardware problems?

Because they were only cheating on the test cycle, the emissions-control equipment isnt as robust as it would be if it were running in the compliance mode all the time.

In other words, a catalytic converter is basically like a giant fire and its there to burn up the NOx [nitrogen oxide] and particulate matter and all the other bad stuff that comes out of a car. Well, if youre running it only when the vehicle senses that its going to be tested, those parts dont need to be as robust as parts that would have to be doing that stuff all the time.

A lot of these systems use precious metals to cause the catalytic reaction. To replace those is going be very expensive.

What are some solutions?

One is to retrofit the cars with the urea system; urea is ammonia, and they inject it into the combustion process and it cleans up the NOx, which is a component of smog. They also may have to refit them with new catalytic converters and other trap-type converters that will trap a lot of these gases and allow them to be burned off. There also is the software element.

Why doesnt VW just buy all the cars back and be done with it?

It would be billions of dollars. You wouldnt get your full purchase price because you have used the car to a certain point. So then you have to figure how many thousands of miles were driven and how much money youre going to get and other stuff, so its going to be very complicated math.

What does each side want?

For VW, the problem theyre facing right now is: Exactly what is the fix going to entail and how much is it going to cost? They dont want to spend any more than they have to so they can fix this problem and make it go away.

The Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board want to make sure that the cars comply. The fact that these guys cheated, the regulators are going to take as hard a line as possible on them not only to comply but take punitive measures as well.

If I own one of these cars, do I just have to wait for the fix?

Yes. Basically the EPA and CARB say you can continue to drive your cars, dont worry about the emissions test. If you do take it into the emissions test anyway, it will pass.

So you can get the car legally registered?

Yes. But the big problem is how are they going to make owners comply once they come up with a fix? If I was an owner of the vehicle I wouldnt take my car in to have it get less fuel economy or give me less power. They have to have to find a way to compel people to bring the cars in to have the work done.

Maybe in California and some states where they do have emissions tests they could say, If you dont pass the test with the fix you cant register your car. But other states dont have emissions testing, so theres no guarantee those cars will ever be fixed.

Have affected owners been able to sell their cars since September?

I havent heard anything of people not being able to sell them. In California when youre selling a car the seller is responsible for getting a smog certification and has to give that certificate to the buyer so they can register the car.

Since this scandal broke, there has been a hit on the resale value of a lot of these diesels because people dont know whats going to happen with them. You dont know if theyre going to have to go as far as buying cars back from people, or reprogramming them and putting some new emissions-control systems on them that will affect the performance and fuel economy.

Why is the California Air Resources Board such a big player in all this as opposed to other state regulators?

Theyre at the leading edge of emissions-control standards, and there are eight or nine states that match their requirements. Theyve been the strictest on diesel and a lot of other things so they have a very powerful say about what happens.

Twitter: @PeltzLATimes

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Two women were removed from a JetBlue Airways plane for reportedly staring at a flight attendant.

The leader of a popular rock band was kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight for refusing to pull up his baggy pants.

A UC Berkeley student said he was booted from a Southwest flight for speaking Arabic.

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Examples of passengers being removed from flights have gained increased attention since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which began with the hijacking of four commercial planes. After the attacks, flight personnel suddenly found themselves focusing more attention on identifying potentially dangerous passengers than serving drinks and snacks.

Nobody enjoys kicking passengers off planes, said Heather Poole, a longtime flight attendant and author of a book about her job, titled Cruising Attitude. Nobody wants to be the reason a flight is delayed.

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Airlines have the authority to boot passengers from planes under the contract of carriage, a lengthy agreement between passengers and airlines that includes a section about banned behavior.

Southwest Airlines contract of carriage, for instance, is 41 pages and has been revised multiple times, most recently in February. Such contracts usually are found online, and passengers consent when they buy an airline ticket.

Airline contracts usually describe prohibited passenger behavior in vague terms such as disorderly, offensive, abusive and intimidating, giving flight crew members the ultimate decision on what specific acts are out of bounds.

Flight attendants, who generally make the first assessment, said they worry that ignoring a potential problem passenger on the tarmac could lead to a bigger disturbance at 35,000 feet in the air that means diverting a flight.

Marian Bruns, a retired flight attendant from United Airlines and secretary-treasurer for the Retiree Assn. of Flight Attendants, said flight attendants take classes on the latest security measures and routinely undergo cultural sensitivity training.

Although flight attendants say they are placed in a difficult position determining which passengers could be a disturbance  or worse, a threat  they say a passengers attitude often is what determines who gets kicked off a plane. Such a decision frequently is made after conferring with other crew members, including the pilot.

If a passenger is not cooperating verbally or being rude to a crew members, we take all of that into consideration, said James Allen, a spokesman for the Assn. of Flight Attendants, an organization that represents nearly 60,000 flight attendants.

Bruns agreed that attitude is one thing we look for.

Strange or aggressive behavior could be more than just bad manners, Allen said. It could be a sign of drug use, mental illness or a stroke.

We dont know why they are acting the way they are acting, he said.

But a passenger who displays a bad attitude toward the flight crew usually ends up being escorted off the plan, airline insiders said.

In 2011, Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman for the band Green Day, said he was approached by a flight attendant just before takeoff on a Southwest flight from Oakland to Burbank who told him to pull up his baggy pants. Witnesses said Armstrong responded: Dont you have better things to worry about?

He reportedly refused to pull up his pants and cursed before he was escorted off the plane.

In March, news reports said that two Muslim women were removed from a JetBlue flight when it landed in Los Angeles because they had been staring at a flight attendant. The airline later said the women were instead taken off the plane and questioned because they were caught filming in-flight safety procedures

Our crew members first priority is the safe and secure operation of our flights, and as a security precaution, are asked to be aware of anyone who may be filming or taking photographs of in-flight procedures or the flight deck area, JetBlue said in a statement.

In the recent case of Khairuldeen Makhzoomi, the UC Berkeley student said he was removed from a Southwest flight from Los Angeles to Oakland on April 6 because another passenger overheard him speaking Arabic in a cellphone conversation with his uncle.

Makhzoomi told The Times he was talking about a Los Angeles event he attended where United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was a speaker. In other accounts, Makhzoomi said he told his uncle how he asked a question during the event about Islamic State.

Makhzoomi was escorted off the plane and interviewed by airport police and the FBI.

A spokesman for the Los Angeles World Airports Police said another Arabic speaker on the plane said Makhzoomi was overheard mentioning the name of a terrorist organization in the phone conversation.

The individual found the comments alarming and disturbing, Officer Rob Pedregon said. But he added that the police did not have enough evidence to substantiate the claim.

In a statement, Southwest said the flight crew followed protocol to investigate and report to law enforcement agencies any potential threat to civil aviation.

The airline added: It was the content of the passengers conversation, not the language used, that prompted the report leading to our investigation.

After Makhzoomi was interviewed by police and FBI agents, Southwest said, the airline refunded his unused ticket.

Although social media makes it seem as if passenger ejections happen all the time, Federal Aviation Administration data show that airlines reported unruly passengers on only 82 flights in 2015 out of about 9.6 million flights a year. That number peaked in 2004 at 310 reports.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

Twitter: @hugomartin

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Los Angeles artist Mark Bradford said Wednesday he has been given free rein in how he represents the United States at the 2017 Venice Biennale. The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, in cooperation with the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, chose Bradford to create a site-specific installation for the U.S. Pavilion from May 13 to Nov. 26 next year at La Biennale di Venezia 57th International Art Exhibition.

Bradford said his plans are quite loose, but he added, Im really interested in both my social practice and my studio practice, so Id like to create something that reflects the whole of who I am and where I am now.

Bradfords social practice is an arts education foundation based in Leimart Park called Art + Practice. It helps foster youth gain knowledge of  and experience in  contemporary art. Bradford doesnt intend to bring A+P to Venice, but he said its model is something hes exploring for export.

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I believe social impact engagement should be  and could be  replicated all over the world, Bradford said.

Bradfords international reputation is built on richly layered canvases that push the boundaries of class, culture, race and gender in order to explore the powerful undercurrents beneath the surface. He received his undergraduate and masters degrees from the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia and has staged solo shows at the Hammer Museum in Westwood, the Rose and the Whitney Museum of American Art, among others.

Right now, Bradford said, his mind is wrapped up in politics and what he describes as an Orwellian world. He expects political themes to be a part of his thinking as he works on the pavilion installation.

The political infrastructure has really come to the foreground  the election, the voting the system. I as an artist find that interesting, he said. What we were and how we participated is really changing. Political and cultural ideas are laying on top of each other and colliding with each other right on CNN. It feels very visual to me  very material.

Bradfords exhibition at the U.S. Pavilion, opened in 1930 and managed by the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice since 1986, will be the first Venice Biennale project presented by the Rose. It is commissioned and co-curated by museum director Christopher Bedford and curator Katy Siegel. The museum was selected on the strength of a proposal that it created with the help of Bradford.

When it comes to the Biennale, Bradford said his priority is to come across with a clear voice and a clear vision regarding where he stands as an artist and what interests him most.

I dont think any artist would ever become an artist if they thought about the baggage of art history. You find a way through all of that. You find a way to make it you, Bradford said regarding the pressure of representing the United States at the Biennale. As long as I think of history as something that moves, I dont get freaked out about it. I think we have a tendency to think its written in stone, but if that were the case, civil rights and womens issues would never move forward. Although slow, it does move. Im just adding some history.

Bradford went to Biennale for the first time a few years out of graduate school, like every other young artist. At the time he didnt think of the pavilions as representing specific countries; instead he found them more representative of a particular artists work.

Either way, its the presentation of the living, breathing art of today that gives the Biennale its power and makes it relevant after all these years, Bradford said.

I think contemporary ideas are always important and the more people can come in contact with contemporary ideas, which to me is the bedrock of what contemporary art is about, is always healthy for society, he said. I just think that people need to interact more with it.

jessica.gelt@latimes.com

Twitter: @jessicagelt
An L.A. artist will represent the U.S. in Venice. The Panama Papers continue to expose art world shenanigans. And George Lucas Chicago museum is no sure thing  despite a possible new location. Plus, the Guggenheim suspends labor talks over construction of its Abu Dhabi show palace, an artist makes a golden toilet, and James Franco wishes his celebrity would stop overshadowing his art. Heres the Roundup:

 L.A. painter Mark Bradford to represent the United States at the next Venice Biennale.

 LACMAs Collectors Committee went shopping this past weekend and picked up a pretty thrilling array of works, from a colonial Mexican painting to late 60s pop (by a woman!). William Poundstone parses the haul.

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 The Panama Papers leaks continue to be felt across the art world: As a result of the leaks, a Modigliani canvas has been seized by Swiss authorities since it may have been looted by the Nazis. There are also fresh reports that Louise Blouin, who owns art media outlets such as Modern Painters and Blouin Artinfo, reportedly keeps a number of offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands. Hyperallergic rounds up other arty figures implicated in the scandal.

 I am terribly sorry for anybody who [says they have been] hurt or damaged. But let me be clear, this is [about] works of art. I didnt slay anybodys first-born. We have to have some perspective on suffering.  Ann Freedman, former director of the Knoedler Gallery, the now defunct Manhattan gallery that faced (and still faces) a number of legal cases over the sale of forged Abstract Expressionist paintings.

 George Lucas Chicago museum isnt dead yet. His first choice for a lakefront site may be tied up in legal wrangling, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel has come up with a plan to build it on the site of the citys old convention center. The move, however, may require more money and political will than the city has.

 The Guggenheim Museum has broken off talks with the Gulf Labor Coalition about setting standards for worker conditions on the museums upcoming outpost in in the Middle East.

 All of this is going down as the Gugg installs a gold toilet designed by artist Maurizio Cattelan (which is funded by private donors). Its like the art world is an episode of Dynasty mixed with an issue of the Robb Report and gently seasoned with Sprockets.

 Sort of related: The company belonging to super agent Ari Emanuel has invested in the Frieze Art Fair. Who says Hollywood doesnt care about art? Certainly not if there is money to be made from it.

The funeral for internationally renowned Malian photographer Malick Sidibe was held in Bamako on Saturday. (Habibou Kouyate / AFP/Getty Images)

 Pop, color field painter Richard Smith and beloved Malian photographer Malick Sidibe have died.

 You choose from what you have and you choose from what you find within a reality that is forced upon you. John Outterbridge speaks with writer and critic Shana Nys Dambrot about his work in a rare interview.

 Critic Jerry Saltz has an interview (a.k.a. a rambling broment) with actor James Franco about art and fame and fame and art and some other footnoted stuff about art that isnt really about art.

 A sculpture that crosses the border.

 A terrific tale of a naughty French noble who transformed into a recognized artist. This story about sculptor Niki de Sainte Phalle is long but worth it.

 Anaheim now has its very own alien museum. I do believe this qualifies as art.

 Pennsylvania neighbors rally to save a home designed by architect Louis Kahn.

People stand on top of one of the sails that make up Jrn Utzons Sydney Opera House in February. (William West / AFP/Getty Images)

 A tapestry by Le Corbusier goes to the Sydney Opera House  58 years after it was first commissioned.

 Boring architecture may take a toll on our psyche.

 Sort of related: A highly intriguing photo essay and interview in Roads & Kingdoms features the work of photographer Laurent Kronental, who has spent time documenting the Grands Ensembles of France, supersized Modern and brutalist housing projects.

 Plus, KCRWs Frances Anderton has a fascinating look at the woman who helped sell Hitler to the world through the design of his homes.

 Last but not least: Jerry Saltz gives Artforum an informal yellow notepad critique.

Find me on Twitter @cmonstah.
Dish Network, one of the nations largest pay-TV companies, said Wednesday that is prepared to permanently drop Viacoms cable channels, including Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and MTV, if a new deal cannot be reached.

The two companies are on the brink of a blackout of Viacoms channels on the system serving Dishs nearly 14 million satellite TV customers. After negotiating for months, the companies are facing a deadline of 9 p.m. Pacific time Wednesday to reach a new carriage contract.

There is no guarantee that a blackout would be a brief interruption, Dish Chairman and Chief Executive Charlie Ergen suggested during a conference call with Wall Street analysts to discuss his companys earnings.

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But he noted the two companies have made progress in the talks since last weekend and that he was hopeful that a deal could be reached.

There probably is a path to continue carriage, but its not done yet, Ergen said. And obviously the devil is in the details.

Viacom investors cheered the news, sending the companys shares up nearly 5%, or $1.74 a share, to close at $37.38. The shares recovered some of the ground they lost on Tuesday, when investors began worrying that Viacom might be dropped by Dish.

Ergen, during the conference call to discuss Dishs first-quarter earnings and the companys business prospects, said Dish would not agree to a new deal unless the economics made sense.

He said he didnt want to waste time bickering with companies that are primarily interested in scrounging for dollars rather than developing strategies to confront the significant challenges facing the TV industry. Viewers are migrating to lower-cost streaming services and away from linear TV.

I would rather spend my time with companies who are a bit more forward-thinking, Ergen told analysts, singling out the Walt Disney Co., which was quick to embrace Dishs Internet TV service, Sling TV.

You can put your head in the sand. Or you can say, hey, the world is changing and lets go out and change with the world, Ergen said.

But the maverick CEO strongly hinted that he would like to make a deal with Viacom.

Wed like to get a deal done, he said, adding that the partners have had a long and productive relationship. But the companies negotiated their last carriage deal seven years ago, and the TV landscape has changed dramatically since then.

Seven years ago, Viacom was a lot stronger on our systems than they are today, Ergen said. But they still have valuable stuff.

The stakes are huge for both companies. Viacom risks losing tens of millions of dollars annually in affiliate fees from Dish at a particularly difficult time, when the company is suffering from a plummeting stock price and has debt payments looming.

Viacom already has announced that it plans to sell a stake in its Los Angeles movie studio, Paramount Pictures, in part to raise funds to pay down debt.

Meanwhile, Dish has lost thousands of customers in the last two years and it does not want to see an exodus of viewers angry that they dont get Nickelodeon, VH1 or Comedy Central.

Two cable companies, Suddenlink and Cable One, about two years ago separately dropped Viacom, deciding its channels were no longer critical to their programming lineups. Those companies did lose some customers when they dropped the Viacom channels -- but that was a calculated risk.

Consumers have spoken loudly and clearly, Viacom said in a statement. Over the past 24 hours, hundreds of thousands of concerned subscribers have reached out to implore Dish to negotiate reasonable terms with Viacom for continued carriage of our networks.

A day earlier, the company said: We have offered Dish a best-in-class deal at rates and terms as good as larger distributors, with additional services and features for their customers.

Ergen, during the earnings call, said Viacom -- and other TV network owners -- should be careful to avoid a repeat of the dispute raging in Los Angeles over the cable TV channel owned by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Only two carriers have agreed to carry SportsNet LA -- Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications.

All the other distributors, including Dish, have said the Dodger channel is too expensive.

Somebody overreaches and thinks that the Dodgers are worth whatever they said they were worth, and people look at it and say no, Ergen said. Unless we own the Dodgers, we cant pay that kind of money.

These carriage disputes only are going to intensify, Ergen predicted.

There are going to be some food fights between any number of companies and content providers in the future, he said.

Twitter: @MegJamesLAT

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In Foxs first-year comedy The Grinder, Fred Savage plays Stewart, a nice-guy lawyer dealing with the reality that his famous actor brother, Dean (Rob Lowe), now thinks hes an attorney because he played one on TV.

The Grinder often opens with the family sitting around watching episodes of Deans old television show, an absurd (and very funny) comic premise that likely wouldnt be replicated in real life. We mean, its not like Savage gathers his wife and three children nightly to watch The Wonder Years, right? Right?

PODCAST: Listen to our full interview with Fred Savage

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Almost nightly, Savage joked. The thing is, we dont have to sit down and watch it. Its just on a loop on all the screens all the time at the house. So we dont sit down and watch it so much as we just live ... amidst it.

Actually, when the kids get the treat of sleeping over at Savages moms house, thats when episodes of The Wonder Years are screened and the kiddos come home full of questions for Dad.

My mom is educating them in that part, Savage said.

We imagine that the family is likely enjoying The Grinder too, which has Savage returning to acting after fashioning a successful career directing television comedies such as Modern Family, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and 2 Broke Girls.

The move back in front of the camera was triggered, Savage told us in a video interview at the Los Angeles Times, to avoid potential awkwardness with Grinder producer Nicholas Stoller. Their daughters go to the same school and though Savage was initially more interested in directing the show than acting in it, he took the meeting basically because his wife told him it would be weird for all involved if he passed.

And speaking of his wife, Jennifer, Savage cleared up the rumor that they were childhood sweethearts. They were friends, growing up together in Glencoe, Ill., but nothing more. Because if it couldnt work out for Kevin and Winnie on The Wonder Years, how could it for anyone?

The old series, he said, wasnt denying the world something that I myself enjoyed.

To hear more about what Savage had to say about his work on The Grinder, including bonding with co-star Lowe, watch the full interview here.



 Fred Savage, who plays Stewart Sanderson on The Grinder," stopped by The Times to discuss his character, the show and, of course, The Wonder Years.

Twitter: @glennwhipp

glenn.whipp@latimes.com

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Were there: Lt. Gov. Newsom says he has enough signatures for gun control initiative

Citing the failure of the state Legislature to act, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that he has collected 600,000 signatures of California voters to qualify a gun control initiative for the November ballot.

Were there. This is going to be on the November ballot, Newsom said Thursday. Over 600,000 registered voters want to take some bold action on gun safety.

Newsoms campaign plans to begin delivering signatures tomorrow to county clerks for verification. If at least 365,880 signatures are found to be valid, the measure will qualify for the ballot.

Newsom said most of the proposals in the initiative have one thing in common, that over the past number of years they have suffered the fate of either being watered down or rejected by the Legislature. Were hopeful and confident that the voters of California will overwhelmingly support the initiative.

The broad measure would require background checks for purchasers of ammunition; ban possession of ammunition magazine clips holding more than 10 rounds; provide a process for felons and other disqualified persons to relinquish firearms and require owners to report when their guns are lost or stolen.

The initiative would also address an issue caused by the previous adoption of Proposition 47, which made thefts of guns worth less than $1,000 a misdemeanor. The ballot measure would make all gun thefts a felony.

Last week, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) said key provisions of the initiative, including the ban on large-capacity magazines, are addressed by legislation this year, but that bills could be harmed by the initiative going forward.

A campaign committee including gun groups and law enforcement is being formed to defeat the initiative, according to one member, Sam Paredes, executive director of Gun Owners of California. He noted that the measure has already been opposed by the California State Sheriffs Assn., which said it would put restrictions on law-abiding people without taking guns from criminals.

its an initiative that carries multiple proposals that were either killed by the Legislature as not workable or vetoed by the governor, Paredes said. Newsom has collected failed policy issues from the Legislature and put them up as an initiative. Its going to be a massive effort to defeat him.

Paredes said the initiative is a cynical attempt by Newsom to gain higher office.

We know hes doing this to pump himself up for his gubernatorial run, Paredes said.

Newsom said his campaign for governor is secondary to his effort to enact gun safety laws.

He said he has been active in the gun safety movement going back 15 years when he was mayor of San Francisco and a founding member of the group Mayors Against Guns. The National Rifle Assn. was so upset, they protested at his wedding in Montana, he said.

I expect a good challenge from them, Newsom said of the NRA. They have been very aggressive to date. But we are very enthusiastic to be getting to this next phase.

He cited internal polls indicating more than 70% of California voters support the initiative, and a Field poll that found greater support for provisions of the measure, including the ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines.
A nonprofit group has filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and the City Council over a developers plan to build a 27-floor apartment tower along a residential street in Koreatown.

Fix the City alleges in its lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court that the so-called Catalina Tower project on Catalina Street south of 8th Street was allowed to move forward despite the lack of a full environmental impact review and analysis of the impact of increased traffic in the neighborhoods narrow streets.

The goal of the lawsuit is to once again teach the City Council that laws matter and theyre not above the law, said Laura Lake, secretary of Fix the City. The Koreatown community spoke out strongly against this project. The Planning Commission spoke out unanimously against this project. And all of that was ignored by the City Council.

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The project was first proposed in 2006 as a 35-story building with 270 units. But in 2009, the city Planning Commission rejected the project and then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa agreed with the commissions decision.

Developer Michael Hakim and the company Colony Holdings later downgraded the project to 27 floors but kept roughly the same number of units.

The Planning Commission again considered and rejected the project in late 2014 and early 2015. The lawsuit claims that since the developer failed to appeal the commissions decision, the approval process should have come to a halt.

Instead, the lawsuit alleges, Mayor Eric Garcetti disavowed his appointees decision and gave his approval for the necessary zoning and general plan changes. On April 6, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to amend the general plan, clearing the way for the tower.

The lawsuit calls for the courts to rescind all approvals connected with the Catalina Tower project.

A spokeswoman for Councilman Herb Wesson, whose district includes the Catalina Tower site, said his office had not been formally served with the lawsuit. A spokeswoman for Garcetti said his office cannot comment on pending litigation.

The developer also said he had not received the lawsuit and would not comment.

matt.hamilton@latimes.com
Good morning. It is Wednesday, April 20. An estimated 15,000 people will be in Golden Gate Park today to celebrate 4/20. The city of San Francisco has a few rules. Heres what else is happening in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

Center of activity

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The opening next month of the Expo Line light rail to Santa Monica marks a major test for local transit officials. The fast-growing rail network will finally reach to the Pacific Ocean, and Santa Monica is trying to reorient the city around the Expo Line. But what will it take to get commuters out of their cars? Los Angeles Times

Working conditions

Workers in Los Angeles could soon have six paid sick days a year. The city of Los Angeles wants to double the number of days already required by the state. A motion to exempt small businesses from the proposed law was rejected by the L.A. City Council. Los Angeles Times

Within policy

The Police Commission determined Tuesday that a Los Angeles police officer was justified when he shot and injured an unarmed man in Los Feliz last year. Walter William DeLeon, who had his hand wrapped in a towel, allegedly told a witness to call the police and tell them he had a gun. However, an attorney representing DeLeon in his lawsuit against the city said there is no basis for that claim. Los Angeles Times

DROUGHT AND CLIMATE

Murky waters: Lake Tahoes pristine waters have been getting cloudier. Researchers say last years clarity reading was hurt, in part, by the rains that caused warmer water to flow into the lake. Sacramento Bee

Acidic waters: West Coast fisheries are at risk as the regions waters become more acidic. Although ocean acidification is a global phenomenon, emerging research indicates that the U.S.-Canadian West Coast will face some of the earliest, most severe changes in ocean carbon chemistry, according to a report from the West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Science Panel. Los Angeles Times

L.A. AT LARGE

Inhale, exhale: With California possibly on the verge of legalizing pot, pro-marijuana advocates want to change the perception of users as slack-jawed, Netflix-transfixed, junk food-gobbling Lotus eaters. For Chris Barnicle, that means participating in the 420 Games and one day, running a four-minute mile stoned. Los Angeles Times

On the left coast: Whats a trip to Los Angeles without a stay in a yurt, a ride through CicLAvia and the amazing discovery that the city has a subway system? Wow. I cant believe this exists, said one tourist. New York Times

Get your checkbook: The median price of a home in Southern California reached $449,000 in March. The regions housing supply isnt meeting demand, with older homeowners remaining in their properties and new construction falling below normal levels. Curbed LA

Up in the air: Fly above the Venice Beach skate park and La Brea Tar Pits with this new video. LAist

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Inclusive environment: L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti signed a pledge to protect the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming people. The move is part of a statewide coalition called Transform California. The campaign is really about increasing vital awareness about the role that transgender people play in our society and our communities, said Transgender Law Center Executive Director Kris Hayashi. Los Angeles Times

Second chance: The first baby saved under Orange Countys Safe Surrender law is now 14 years old and has a message for his birth mother. The first thing I would say to her is thank you, said Nicholas Dyer. Nicholas was two days old when his mother, a woman in her 20s, brought him to a hospital and told nurses she couldnt care for him. CBS Los Angeles

Privacy please: The open-air urinal in Mission Dolores Park is now the subject of lawsuits brought by a religious group against the city and county of San Francisco. The pissoir opened in January and quickly gained attention for its lack of privacy. Seclusion in bodily evacuation is a societal norm and constitutes one of the most basic expectations for privacy, according to the lawsuit. Los Angeles Times

Different goals: Many pregnancy centers are not following a new California law that requires operators to tell women the state offers access to free or low-cost abortions. According to critics, the main goal of such centers is to dissuade women from terminating a pregnancy. One woman who declined to post the legal notice framed the issue this way: Im Pepsi-Cola, Im not Coca-Cola. Dont force me to put Coca-Cola posters or even hand out free coupons for Coca-Cola. 89.3 KPCC

LAUSD spending: The Los Angeles Unified School Districts electronic system to track students records has cost $189 million since 2013, according to a new tally. The rollout of the My Integrated Student Information System, MISIS, was famously described as a disaster. Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Impersonating cops: The case against three people accused of operating the bogus Masonic Fraternal Police Department took a new twist Monday. Hours after he appeared in a courtroom, the grandmaster, David Inkk Henry, died of a pulmonary embolism. Charges against another one of the accused were dropped earlier the same day. Los Angeles Times

Disciplinary measures: Police officers protect and serve the public, but when they misbehave  or do something criminal  the details often remain private. State Sen. Mark Leno is proposing a bill to restore access to police oversight panels, but the unions representing cops dont think thats a good idea. I dont know that transparency does anything. Transparency equates to more sensationalism and higher sales for the L.A. Weekly and the L.A. Times. It does not equate to developing public trust, said Kristi Eckard with the Police Protective League. LA Weekly

Police privacy: The union that represents guards in Santa Clara Countys jails is suing Sheriff Laurie Smith for allegedly violating the privacy of its members by sharing their racist text messages. The texts were discovered by authorities as they investigated a deputy sheriff. The messages, including vile racist slurs against blacks, Vietnamese, Jews and Latinos, sparked outrage and fueled the drive for independent oversight of the jails. San Jose Mercury News

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Famous fruit: The amazing story of how Orange County and its namesake fruit came together. The citrus trees left long shadows  all of these local distinctions can be traced to the time between 1870 and 1950 when the orange was monocultured king, and the local economy arranged around it. LA Review of Books

At the Farm: Here are 21 things youll only see at Stanford. BuzzFeed

Ready, set, go: The Newport-to-Ensenada yacht race will begin on Friday. A lot of new energy is going into the race, said race spokesman Peter Bretschger. Orange County Register

Watching from the sky: Inspectors with Pacific Gas & Electric are using helicopters to spot constructions sites that may interfere with the utilitys pipelines. San Jose Mercury News

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

San Francisco will be partly sunny with a high of 68. Sacramento will be partly sunny and 80. Riverside will be mostly sunny with a high of 89. It will be mostly sunny and 83 in Los Angeles. Itll be sunny and 79 in San Diego.

AND FINALLY

Todays California Memory comes from Randi Hutchinson:

The beach was our playground in Santa Monica when I grew up there in the 50s and 60s. Even as pre-teens wed always walk the mile or two to the California Incline, meeting up with our friends along the way. Summer school at SAMOHI in the 60s was scheduled with a long break between morning and afternoon classes so we could go body surfing or work on our tans (and we seldom burned!), and buy grilled cheese sandwiches from the Sorento Grill. Hard to imagine that kind of freedom these days.

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.
About a dozen people gathered in front of San Diego police headquarters Tuesday morning to denounce a fatal Gaslamp Quarter shooting and announce the filing of a wrongful death claim against the city and the officers involved.

Protesters with United Against Police Terror San Diego rallied for Lamontez Jones, 39, who was shot several times by Officers Scott Thompson and Gregory Lindstrom in a confrontation Oct. 20.

Police said Jones aimed a replica handgun at the officers and, after being shot, fell to the pavement and aimed the gun again  prompting them to fire.

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The officers did not turn on their body cameras before the shooting because events unfolded too swiftly and the officers priority was to protect their own safety and that of the public, Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said.

The district attorneys office found that the shooting was legally justified, as both officers believed the handgun Jones aimed at Thompson was real and that he was about to fire. Thompson fired two rounds at Jones and Lindstrom fired seven.

The claim, a legal step required before filing a lawsuit against the government, was filed by the Los Angeles law firm of James P. Segall-Gutierrez on behalf of Jones mother, Victoria Jones. It alleges wrongful death, negligence, infliction of emotional distress and other violations by the city, the police department and the two officers. The amount of damages was not specified, but the claim said the totals will exceed several million dollars.

I would just like to know what initiated them to go after my son, Victoria Jones said in a telephone interview from her home in Virginia on Tuesday. My biggest concern is, they didnt have their body cameras [turned] on.... They want me to accept what they want to tell me.

San Diego police have given her reports on the shooting, and she said they told her they had pulled security video from businesses overlooking the spot where the incident occurred. They told me the only way I could see them is if I hire a lawyer and file a complaint. So thats what Im doing, she said.

She said that her son had served time after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of his roommate in Virginia, adding that he had acted in self-defense and been pressured into accepting a plea deal. San Diego police said Jones was wanted on a Virginia warrant for robbery at the time of his death.

According to police, the officers saw Jones run into traffic and he refused to stop and identify himself. As they were following him down the street, they said, he turned toward Thompson suddenly with a handgun apparently pulled from his backpack.

I know my son pulled out a fake gun, and he answered for that, his mother said. Now, she said, she wants the officers to answer for their actions.

pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com

Repard writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
After the Watts riots in 1965, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science opened as a graduate medical school to educate the minority populations of Los Angeles.

On Wednesday, the school will enter into an agreement with the Los Angeles Unified School District to get South L.A. students into health and medical fields even earlier than graduate school.

The private, nonprofit university lost its residency program in 2006, came close to losing its accreditation in 2009 and has suffered serious financial problems. Now, Drew is expanding its undergraduate program.

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As part of that expansion, the university has promised priority admission to students who meet the universitys entrance requirements (which will vary depending on the program) and graduate from one of 20 L.A. Unified high schools in South L.A.  but not from local charter schools or continuation schools.

The Willowbrook university was taken off probation in 2011 and has been operating solvently since then, said university President David Carlisle.

The school has only 79 undergraduate students earning health-related degrees, according to the schools provost, Steve Michael. But Drew wants to expand to 1,000 bachelors degree students in those fields over the next five years by adding more health-related majors, Carlisle said.

This agreement is similar to the one that L.A. Unified announced with Cal State Dominguez Hills earlier this month. The difference is that Cal State entrance requirements already align with L.A. Unified graduation requirements and the school has a larger capacity.

Officials at Drew said different major programs will have different requirements and added that they would give priority admission to students from the L.A. south area schools but could not promise admission to all qualified students.

Neither the university nor the district will help pay for students tuition as part of this agreement. Full-time undergraduate students at the university currently pay around $14,000 per year, Carlisle said. Students can apply for federal and state aid, and the school offers scholarships.

Of the students now enrolled in the university, Carlisle said about 80% are from Los Angeles County and 20% are from the countys service planning area that covers Athens, Compton, Crenshaw, Florence, Hyde Park, Lynwood, Paramount and Watts. As part of the program, medical research faculty from the university will visit local high schools, and students will visit the campus, said Michael, the schools provost.

That early presence also will help the university recover from years of downturn.

One of our challenges, Carlisle said, is just having people recognize that the university is alive and well.

There are about 4,700 seniors in the high schools included in the agreement this year, area superintendent Christopher Downing said. One way to improve the graduation rate in the area, he said, is to get students familiar with college options early.

L.A. Unified staff will start visiting schools to tell students about the new agreements next month, Downing said.

And in turn, he said, We think this is going to assist the university in increasing the number of undergraduates.

Reach Sonali Kohli at Sonali.Kohli@latimes.com or on Twitter @Sonali_Kohli.
Any self-respecting stoner knows what to do on 4/20. But few seem to know how the otherwise innocuous date became an international celebration of cannabis culture.

The rumors about the origins of 4/20 tend to drift around like so much smoke from a tightly rolled joint: Is 420 the police radio code for smoking marijuana in public? Was it the day Adolf Hitler died? Or Jim Morrison of The Doors? Did it mark the day of death of someone else famous or infamous?

Nope. Negative. Try again. None of the names commonly associated with the origin of 4/20 actually died on April 20 (although Hitler was born on that day in 1889). In California, Section 420 of the penal code refers to the crime of barring someone from lawfully entering public land -- so that is not marijuana related either.

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But most marijuana enthusiasts do agree that the 4/20 name has its roots in California.

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According to High Times magazine, it was a group of San Rafael High School students, known now as The Waldos, who first coined the 4/20 term. The students would meet at a statue on campus at 4:20 p.m. daily to smoke marijuana.

The term didnt take on wider significance until 1990, according to High Times, when fliers promoting 4/20 began to surface at Grateful Dead shows.

Now the day has grown into a cause for both celebration and activism. While recreational marijuana use is now legal in four states, 4/20 has become a popular date for legalization demonstrations across the U.S.

For most people, its when they feel free to be out front in public about their marijuana smoking, said Keith Stroup, founder of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. The rest of the year, we may have serious work to do, and we may have to keep our smoking sub rosa, but on 4/20, it tends to be when marijuana smokers and marijuana organizations will have their major demonstrations.

As for the secret history of 4/20? Stroup said the San Rafael origin story seems a little farfetched, but believes the offbeat holiday itself blossomed as authorities continued to lump marijuana in with other, more dangerous street drugs in decades past.

When the government made all of us who smoked into criminals, they forced us into a subculture, he said. Having our own holiday, and our own magic code words of 4/20, was how we communicated with each other.

While many pro-pot folks may choose to celebrate 4/20 at a special event, like a Cannabis Carnival set to take place in Los Angeles downtown Arts District later today, others treat it as simply another day to sit back, light up and enjoy what they believe should be legal.

Stroup, 71, has no special 4/20 tradition. A smoker since he was 21, he said he plans to head home, pour himself a glass of wine, watch the news and smoke a joint.

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for police and crime news in Southern California.

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California water districts large and small are expected to urge regulators on Wednesday to toss out or significantly relax emergency drought orders requiring residents to take shorter showers and let their lawns turn brown.

Strict orders remain in place, despite significantly more rain and snow this winter flowing into California reservoirs, easing five years of drought, local water officials say.

Continuing to ask Californians to sustain heroic water conservation efforts that dont reflect healthier water supplies today could erode the officials credibility with residents when theyre called upon next time to make sacrifices, David Bolland, special projects manager for the Assn. of California Water Agencies says in a letter to water regulators.

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It is time to end the State Water Boards mandatory water-use restrictions statewide, says Bolland, who represents hundreds of urban, commercial and agricultural water districts.

The State Water Resources Control Board on Wednesday is holding an informational workshop to chart the future of urban water conservation measures. Dozens of water districts wrote letters to the board, which could adopt change in May.

Nearly a year ago, Gov. Jerry Brown ordered Californias residents and businesses to conserve after calls for voluntary cutbacks failed to reap significant water savings in the states driest four-year period on record.

Residents statewide used 23.9% less water over the nine months ending in February under orders to use 25% less water compared to the same months in 2013.

Residents are now under orders to cut back through October by at least 20%.

Guiding a discussion of how new conservation orders should look, water regulators asked if each region of the state should be treated differently, given their individual water supplies and how each is recovering from drought.

Two High Sierra reservoirs that supply about 38,000 residents in Tuolumne County are expected to overflow, making the emergency regulations there wholly unnecessary, Thomas Haglund, general manager of the Tuolumne Utilities District, wrote to the board.

Other districts say that if the emergency order isnt lifted, they should at least be eased to give them more credit for having invested in developing new sources of water and efficiency.

Tracy Quinn, a senior policy analyst for the Natural Resources Defense Council, in a letter submitted by several environmental organizations, cautioned against abandoning conservation measures in response to outcry from local districts.

There is no certainty of another wet winter to follow and much of the state remains in drought conditions, Quinn said. She added that some adjustment to the drought orders are warranted, but conservation should be a way of life for California.

Californias water challenges are immense and extend far beyond the current drought, Quinn wrote.

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Los Angeles police could better combat crime in the city by freeing more than 400 able-bodied officers from desk jobs and hiring more civilians to perform clerical duties, according to an audit released Tuesday.

The report by City Controller Ron Galperin highlighted a issue that has been persistent and problematic for LAPD brass: As the departments sworn officer ranks grew slightly to just under 10,000 in the last decade, 621 of those officers are filling civilian clerical positions because of a shortfall in administrative staff.

Some of those officers are injured, but the bulk -- 458 -- are fully capable of patrolling city streets, Galperins audit found.

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Our highly trained and wonderful police officers should do more officer work and less office work, Galperin said at a news conference at City Hall.

He recommended that city officials prioritize a long-term budget plan to fill civilian jobs and get cops back on streets.

These jobs we have to identify dont require specialized training or expertise of a sworn officer, he said

They include positions such as manning desks, managing equipment rooms, time-keeping, clerical work, auditing work, performing digital media tasks and acting as couriers. Some 83 officers also work as jailers.

The LAPD employs about 2,888 civilians. Increasing their ranks to free up officers would cost the city $53.6 million, less than 4% of the LAPD $1.4-billion budget, Galperin said.

That is far cheaper than hiring 400 additional officers, who would cost $44,000 more per position than hiring a civilian.

Galperin called on city officials to enact a multi-year hiring plan.

He acknowledged that similar calls had been ignored in the past from his predecessors. But he said there was now a broader consensus, with police union officials, top department brass, the police commission president and Mayor Eric Garcetti seeing the need to use civilian hiring as a means of bolstering patrol operations.

Hiring more cops has been reliable political rhetoric of mayors and police chiefs for 15 years. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, like his predecessor, William J. Bratton, has said that Los Angeles is the most under-policed big city in America and needs 12,500 cops to patrol the city adequately.

Former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made a rallying cry of the 10,000-officer number. But Garcetti, in his state-of-the-city address last week pushed a plan to commit an additional $10 million for police overtime and hiring of civilians for administrative duties.

The move, he said, would put 260 more officers on the street. Garcetti is scheduled to release his proposed 2016-17 budget Wednesday.

Cops belong in our communities, not in cubicles, Garcetti said.

In a statement, Police Commission President Matthew M. Johnson endorsed Galperins recommendations.

The audit recommendations appropriately identify positions that are better performed by civilian professional staff, which will result in the redeployment of our police officers to our patrol force Johnson said.

Councilman Mitch Englander said he supported the recommendations, citing an uptick in crime.

Put the pencils down and get away from the cubicle and back to the black and white, he said.

The audit comes as the LAPD continues to grapple with a citywide rise in overall crime that reverses years of declining crime statistics. Violent crime jumped 20.2% in 2015 compared with the year before; property crime increased 10.7%.

Craig Lally, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said the crime surge was sufficient cause to endorse Galperins proposals.

Our city continues to be less safe for the residents and our police officers, Lally said.

The issues raised in the audit are hardly new, Galperin said. Former Controller Laura Chick in 2008 also found hundreds of officers ensconced in desk jobs that could be handled by civilians.

If anything, the problem has only worsened, with the number of administrative posts filled by officers increasing by 14%, Galperin said. Since Chicks report, only one position has been transferred from a sworn officer to a civilian, he added.

Galperin said transitioning officers from desk duty could save millions in overtime, which between 2009-10 and last year more than doubled to $93 million.

Beck said Galperins audit shined a light on a critical issue.

Freeing up police officers from positions that can be performed more capably and efficiently by civilian personnel, the chief said, enables us to effectively deploy more officers on the streets.

For SoCal crime & investigations follow me on Twitter @lacrimes.

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A U.S. Coast Guard crew was combing the waters off Manhattan Beach late Tuesday and planned to continue through Wednesday morning, searching for a 25-year-old swimmer who was believed to have been swept into the sea.

The man was in the ocean near tower 18 at Manhattan Beach on Tuesday about 5 p.m. when he was reported missing, Coast Guard Petty Officer Andrea Anderson said.

The man, who could swim, was with friends who told authorities they lost sight of him when he was about 50 yards into the water, Los Angeles County Fire Department lifeguard specialist Lidia Barillas told KTLA-TV.

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A massive search quickly got underway, with helicopter crews, divers and lifeguards combing the water. Lifeguards from Redondo Beach and crews from the L.A. County Fire Department joined the effort.

Friends and family, who waited onshore as the search dragged on, identified the man as D.J. Jeffries of Hawthorne, KCBS-TV Channel 2 reported.

The underwater search was suspended shortly before 9 p.m. and was expected to resume at sunrise. At least one Coast Guard ship was to continue searching overnight, Anderson said.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.
Linda Katehi, the chancellor of UC Davis, has apologized for the universitys hiring of image consultants to bury Internet references to a pepper-spraying incident of student protesters by campus police and has promised a series of public forums to answer questions.

The universitys identity has been shaken by a series of highly publicized missteps, Katehi said in a statement released late Monday amid calls for her resignation. Some were my own doing. All occurred under my watch. For that, I sincerely apologize.

In a widely criticized November 2011 incident, a university police officer dressed in riot gear sprayed peaceful protesters. Images and video of the incident quickly went viral and triggered nationwide controversy and generated calls for the chancellor to step down.

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Documents obtained by the Sacramento Bee showed that the school, determined to improve its image and that of Katehi, paid at least $175,000 to a consultant to clean up its online reputation.

In her statement, Katehi said the universitys Office of Strategic Communications hired outside firms specializing in what is known as search engine optimization to improve the schools image following the highly regrettable police episode.

Katehi cited the importance of philanthropy to UC Davis and the need to make sure people searching for information about the school got a complete picture of its achievements as reasons for hiring the image consultants.

During Katehis tenure, the university increased its communications budget by $1.6 million, including $800,000 allocated for new and existing employees to work on social media, Web development, videography and news. The school also paid $1 million for a statewide advertising campaign highlighting its contributions to California agriculture, she said.

None of the costs for consultants or the advertising campaign were paid from state general fund appropriations or student tuitions and fees, she said.

In hindsight, we should have been more careful in reviewing some of the more unrealistic and ridiculous scope-of-work claims in the written proposals of our outside vendors, Katehi said. What might be accepted industry hyperbole in the private public relations world falls far beneath the high standards of a public institution of higher learning.

Katehi said none of the communications actions were intended to erase online content or rewrite history and said the university has implemented a series of reforms, including an overhaul of its police department, since the pepper-spraying episode.

Police at first contended that pepper spray was the most appropriate tool they had on hand to deal with what they described as an unruly mob encircling the officers. At the time, the Occupy Wall Street movement had spilled onto college campuses, combining with student anger over rising tuition and cuts to higher education to spur protests and sit-ins.

However, a UC report from a task force appointed by Katehi and then-UC President Mark Yudof in April 2012 declared that the pepper spraying violated policy. The report rebutted campus police claims that the protesters, who had pitched tents on a UC Davis quad, posed a violent threat.

In 2013, John Pike, the former UC Davis police officer who sprayed the students, received $38,055 in workers compensation after claiming he suffered depression and anxiety as a result of the public outcry.

Pike, who had filed for the compensation from the UC system, also cited stress from death threats he received after the incident. He was fired in July 2012 after being on paid administrative leave for eight months.

The University of California student association on April 15 called on Katehi to resign.

The revelations about the image consultants come as Katehi has drawn increasing criticism for other actions such as accepting paid outside board positions, including serving on the board of John Wiley & Sons, a college textbook publisher, from 2012 to 2014.

On April 14, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) said Katehi should resign.

The chancellor serving on the board of a textbook company was sufficient enough grounds to suspect that the best interests of the students werent being served, Gatto said in a statement. But the recent disclosure that the university made substantial, questionable PR expenditures cemented it in my mind.

Follow me at @haileybranson / Google+

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Police are investigating after a USC student was found dead Tuesday in an apartment near campus.

Los Angeles police officers were called about 2:30 p.m. to an apartment complex in the 600 block of West 30th Street, said Jenny Houser, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Inside one of the apartments, the officers found the body of a 23-year-old man, Houser said. His name has not been released.

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There was no evidence of foul play, Houser said. The death is being investigated by the departments Southwest Community Police Station.

David Carlisle, assistant chief of USCs Department of Public Safety, confirmed Tuesday that the man was a university student.

Paramedics who were already on the scene when campus police arrived said the death appeared to be a drug overdose, Carlisle said.

Follow me at @haileybranson / Google+

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Patricio Aylwin, Chiles first elected president after the bloody 17-year Pinochet dictatorship, took office in 1990 at an extremely delicate moment in his countrys history.

Gen. Augusto Pinochet had left La Moneda presidential palace after losing a 1988 plebiscite to retain power, but kept command of the armed forces. That raised fears he might try another coup to regain power, similar to the one in 1973 that overthrew leftist President Salvador Allende.

That Aylwin, who died Tuesday at his Santiago home at the age of 97, was able to keep opposition parties united during his 1990-1994 term in office while controlling the restive military, is widely considered by Chilean historians as a monumental act of political skill.

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Another signal moment in national reconciliation was Aylwins public apology in 1991 for human rights abuses committed under the Pinochet regime. It came in a televised address after he received the Truth and Reconciliation report from a panel that he appointed to investigate the juntas reign of terror.

Aylwin won the presidency by forming an alliance between his centrist Christian Democratic Party and several left-wing parties. The alliance was called Concertacion, or Agreement, and its candidates won the presidency three more times after he left office, a string broken only in 2010 when Sebastian Pinera of the center-right Alliance for Chile party was elected.

The Pinochet dictatorship is thought to have killed or disappeared 3,065 Chileans, most of them left-wing dissidents. An additional 37,000 were arrested, tortured or forced into exile. Allende died in the presidential palace during the September 1973 coup, apparently by suicide.

The deft political management of Aylwin, who initially seemed to favor the coup but later became a staunch opponent of Pinochet, focused on generating broad agreements between left- and right-wing parties to consolidate the then-fragile democracy in Chile.

I admired President Aylwin for his ability to maintain the delicate balance between political and military leaders, said Curtis Kamman, former U.S. ambassador to Chile. He displayed similar discretion in refusing to chastise the United States for its suspected support of the 1973 coup.

Kamman added that Aylwins free-market economic policies, despite opposition from those who favored a return to Allendes socialist agenda, set the stage for Chiles dramatic economic growth over the last two decades.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, who was herself arrested during the junta, said Aylwin opened the way for us to return to full democracy. She also declared three national days of mourning in his honor.

Chile has lost a man who always knew how to place the unity of democrats above their differences, which helped him build a democratic country, Bachelet said.

Former President Pinera issued a statement Tuesday saying that Aylwin played a key role in the exemplary manner in which Chile regained its democracy.

After a funeral cortege through streets of Santiago, Aylwin will lie in state on Thursday in the Metropolitan cathedral of Santiago before a full state funeral Friday.

Patricio Aylwin Azocar was born Nov. 26, 1918. A law professor by profession, Aylwin was already an experienced politician when he took office as president. He had been president of his Christian Democratic Party and then was president of the Senate in the early 1970s.

During his time in office, Aylwin also faced the enormous task of restoring Chiles damaged relations with other countries. U.S. ties had been strained by the 1976 killing of Allendes former foreign minister, Orlando Letelier and his American assistant Ronni Moffitt, in a 1976 car bomb in Washington.

A U.S. investigation found that Chilean secret police were behind the assassination. After leaving office, Aylwin kept a low profile. He remained active in his party and gave occasional interviews, but wrote no memoire and ruled out public office.

As Aylwins health failed in recent days, his home in the middle-class neighborhood of Providencia in Santiago became a point of pilgrimage for politicians to pay their respects.

His life and legacy is a lesson for Chile, said former President Ricardo Lagos.

news.obits@latimes.com

Poblete is a special correspondent. Special correspondent Chris Kraul in Bogota, Colombia contributed to this report.
A declining share of Latinos in the U.S. are speaking Spanish and a growing share only speaks English at home, according to findings in a study released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center.

In the last 14 years, English proficiency among U.S. Latinos rose  largely fueled by Latino youth born in this country, according to an analysis of 2014 Census Bureau data by the center.

Nearly half of these U.S.-born youth are younger than 18 and 88% speak only English at home or speak English very well, according to the 2014 data. Thats up from 73% in 2000.

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Among millennial Latinos  ages 18 to 33  the share who speak only English at home or say they speak English very well rose from 59% to 76% during the same time.

The rise in English used by young Latinos is largely due to shifting demographics, said Mark Hugo Lopez, director of Hispanic research at the center.

We often tend to think of immigrants being the main driver of the Hispanic population, but its actually U.S.-born Hispanics who are drivers of the Hispanic population, he said.

The number of newly arrived immigrants from Latin America has been in decline for a decade.

The studys findings are no surprise to onlookers who follow the history of immigration integration in the U.S.

Jody Agius Vallejo, an associate professor of sociology at USC who studies immigrant integration, said the data bear out a long-standing phenomenon.

The typical trend is that the first [generation] prefers to speak Spanish, the second generation is bilingual, and the third generation is generally monolingual, she said.

The data run counter to the much-perpetuated narrative that Latinos dont want to speak English and are not assimilating, she said.

It is simply not true, Vallejo said. What most people dont understand is that many Spanish speakers in the U.S. are also bilingual. So when you hear someone speaking Spanish that doesnt mean that they dont speak English.

Follow me @theCindyCarcamo for immigration news.

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The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Irans central bank Wednesday and cleared the way for nearly $2 billion of its frozen assets to be turned over to American families whose loved ones were victims of terror attacks.

The case brought together the Obama administration and the Republican-led Congress, as well as most justices on the high court.

Federal law usually bars lawsuits against foreign governments, but makes an exception for terrorism cases. Even so, plaintiffs who win such claims have a hard time collecting judgments.

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More than 1,000 U.S. plaintiffs had won claims against Iran, most of them for injuries suffered in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon. In 2012, President Obama issued an executive order to freeze the assets of any Iranian financial institution, including the central bank of Iran, that are in the United States.

Bank Markazi, Irans central bank, fought the order and insisted the assets held in its New York branch were the property of others. But Congress then adopted a special law, the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which said these assets shall be subject to execution to satisfy claims against Iran for acts of terrorism. The law cited by name the specific judgments won against Iran.

Lawyers for the Iranian bank sued, contending Congress had breached the separation of powers by intervening in a pending legal case. They lost before a district judge and the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York.

When they appealed to the Supreme Court, U.S. Solicitor Gen. Donald Verrilli urged the court to deny the appeal. In the view of the United States, the law-abiding members of the international community should not find such legislation cause for alarm, he said last year

The high court heard the case nonetheless, apparently at the insistence of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., but affirmed the lower courts ruling by a 6-2 vote.

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Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said Congress can pass laws to make sure that judgments are paid. In accord with the courts below, we perceive...no violation of the separation-of-powers principles, and no threat to the independence of the judiciary, she said in Bank Markazi vs. Peterson.

Roberts, who has been the strongest defender of the independence of the courts, said Congress may not decide individual cases. At issue here is a basic principle, not a technical rule, he wrote. Only Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined his dissent.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said the court made the right decision today. Families of Iranian terror victims have had to wait far too long to recoup those payments.

On Twitter: DavidGSavage

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A federal judge approved an agreement Tuesday between Ferguson and the U.S. Justice Department that calls for sweeping changes in the Missouri city where 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer two years ago.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry issued her ruling after a public hearing of several hours in St. Louis, where nearly three dozen people spoke and many others had submitted written comments. Perry said the settlement is a reasonable resolution that avoids an extensive court battle.

I think its in everyones best interest and I think its in the interest of justice, she said.

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The settlement calls for diversity training for police; the purchase of software and the hiring of staff to analyze records on arrests, use of force and other police matters; outfitting all officers and jail workers with body cameras; the hiring of a team to monitor progress; significant municipal court reforms; and other changes.

Mayor James Knowles III said after the hearing that the city has already implemented many of the changes and will act swiftly on others to move into compliance as soon as possible. During the hearing, Knowles told Perry the agreement is an important step in bringing this community together and moving us forward.

Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, said in a statement that the agency looks forward to working with the city as it implements the decree and continues the essential work to create a police department that the Constitution requires and that residents deserve.

Ferguson has been under scrutiny since Brown, who was black and unarmed, was fatally shot by white police officer Darren Wilson in 2014. Browns death was a catalyst in the national Black Lives Matter movement. A grand jury and the Justice Department cleared Wilson, who resigned from the police force in November 2014, but the shooting led to a Justice Department investigation.

That inquiry found alarming patterns of racial bias in policing and a municipal court system that generated revenue largely on the backs of poor and minority residents. The Justice Departments critical report in March 2015 prompted the resignations of Fergusons city manager, police chief and municipal judge. All three were white men who have since been replaced by black men.

Ferguson leaders and Justice Department officials spent months negotiating the settlement. But in February, after a series of public hearings, the City Council rejected it, mostly over concerns the cost could bankrupt Ferguson. The Justice Department sued the next day. Last month, after receiving some assurance that the cost wouldnt be as high as feared, the City Council approved the deal, expected to cost about $2.3 million over three years.

Christy Lopez of the Justice Department said the agreement, though imperfect, will help Ferguson residents.

We want Ferguson to be known for how it responded to this crisis, Lopez said. How it came back stronger than ever.

The agreement calls for changes to start happening soon. Within 30 days, the city is required to adopt amendments reforming the municipal code and eliminating laws deemed unnecessary, such as one governing how to walk in a crosswalk. The city has 60 days to develop and implement policies for the use of police body and car cameras. Also within 60 days, the finance director must be removed from the role of municipal court oversight, and new efforts must be implemented to help low-income residents pay court fines and fees.

New screening policies for police hires must be in place within 90 days, and the hiring of a monitoring team is due. The city has 180 days to develop policies for critical incidents involving police, and to come up with a plan on attracting and retaining a diverse police force.
Five former police officers have pleaded guilty to reduced charges in the deadly shootings on the Danziger Bridge in the days following Hurricane Katrina.

In exchange for the pleas, the ex-officers will see drastically reduced prison time.

The officers were convicted in 2011, but U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt set aside the jurys verdict two years later because of federal prosecutors misconduct  including anonymous online comments about the case.

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Four of the former officers have been locked up for nearly six years while the fifth has been out on bond.

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The plea deal calls for them to get credit for time served; they could be released from prison anywhere from the next one to six years.

On Sept. 4, 2005, days after levees failed and water swamped the city, police gunned down 17-year-old James Brissette and 40-year-old Ronald Madison, who were both unarmed, and wounded four others on the Danziger Bridge. To cover it up, the officers planted a gun, fabricated witnesses and falsified reports, prosecutors have said.

Police said at the time the officers were responding to a report of other officers down when they came under fire.

However, after hearing from five dozen witnesses and examining 400 pieces of evidence during a month-long trial, a federal jury convicted the officers for opening fire and trying to cover up wrongdoing.

Former officer Robert Faulcon was sentenced to 65 years in prison; former Sgts. Kenneth Bowen and Robert Gisevius each received 40 years; Anthony Villavaso got 38 years; and Arthur Kaufman, now out on bond, received a six-year sentence.

But a scandal involving Justice Department employees unraveled the convictions and sentences. Under the new plea agreement, the mens sentences would range from three to 12 years.

In September 2013, the judge said the case had been tainted by grotesque prosecutorial misconduct, including leaks to media and posting of anonymous comments by at least three government attorneys on a New Orleans newspapers website.

Prosecutors have argued that there is no evidence the misconduct affected the verdict.

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The shocking and brutal attack by two terrorists on a San Bernardino County health department holiday party last year left 14 people dead, dozens wounded and countless Americans feeling more threatened than they have in years. Now, federal lawmakers are considering a bill that responds to one of the threats exposed by the San Bernardino shooters: the ability of terrorists and criminals to conceal evidence on their smartphones so effectively that even the phone manufacturer cant decrypt it.

Unfortunately, the draft bill by Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the leaders of the Senate intelligence committee, proposes a solution that would inevitably make Americans more vulnerable to hackers, identity thieves and other online predators. Thats not to say that the increasing use of unbreakable encryption techniques isnt a problem for law enforcement  it clearly is. But lawmakers need to stop thinking of encryption as the enemy, and to start looking for other ways to identify threats and gather evidence.

At issue is what role tech companies such as Apple and Google should play in helping law enforcement agents extract information from the devices they build. Over the years, these companies have complied numerous times with court orders demanding suspects data, including information stored on password-protected devices. In 2014, however, both companies changed the operating systems for their mobile devices to give users more protection against hackers and, in more repressive countries, government surveillance, while limiting their own ability to assist U.S. investigators.

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Lawmakers need to stop thinking of encryption as the enemy, and to start looking for other ways to identify threats and gather evidence.

Today, new Apple and Google devices automatically encrypt the data entered into them, and the companies dont hold back-up copies of the encryption keys. Only the person using the device knows how to unlock it. And to make the encryption more difficult to crack, Apple programmed its software to erase all a devices data if the password is entered incorrectly 10 times.

The FBI has tried in court to force Apple to make it easier for investigators to hack into the devices theyve seized, and that legal battle is ongoing. But as Apple updates its software, it is making it increasingly difficult to remove the data protections its providing. That trend has alarmed top law enforcement officials, who have pressed Congress to ensure that no evidence is beyond the reach of an investigator armed with a warrant.

To that end, the draft bill by Feinstein and Burr would require device makers, software developers and communications companies (including Internet service providers) to make sure they can decrypt any information that their technology encrypts. Apple and Google would also have to ensure that their app stores offered only products that met this requirement too.

On the plus side, the bill would not tell companies how to comply. Unlike previous, ill-conceived proposals, it would not mandate that companies store copies of their users decryption keys, or that they build in back doors for investigators.

Thats of little comfort, however, because the measure effectively mandates the use of privacy and security technologies that are weak enough to be defeated. Supporters say theres nothing inherently wrong with that approach; after all, banks, hospitals and other heavily regulated industries have to meet stringent privacy requirements while retaining the ability to disclose user data to investigators. But those businesses store data on closed, private networks that they can gird against attack; Apple and Google cant control how their users connect to the Internet, what sites they visit or even what software they load on their phones.

Barring legitimate tech companies from offering ever more secure products and services will only leave less tech-savvy Americans more vulnerable to the seemingly incessant attacks by malefactors online, while pushing more sophisticated users  and terrorists and criminals  to use strong encryption from foreign companies outside the reach of U.S. courts.

A better approach would be to clarify when courts may compel suspects to unlock devices or turn over decrypted data. More broadly, the government needs to work more closely with tech companies to develop new types of leads from the massive amount of data collected routinely from Internet users. With more devices connecting to the Internet every day, that data trove is growing even as encryption makes some potential evidence inaccessible to investigators. Policymakers should focus on whats available without encryption rather than weakening the security of Americans devices.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
As a famous New Yorker once said, It aint over till its over. And despite what Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton told their supporters at victory rallies in New York City on Tuesday night, the race for the presidential nomination in both parties still isnt over.

Yes, Trump shut out the No. 2 Republican in the delegate chase, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and collected all but a handful of the states 95 Republican delegates. It was a beat down, no question about it. For the first time, more than half of the voters in a state primary cast their ballots for Trump, rather than for the candidates running against him.

And yes, Clinton easily defeated Sen. Bernie Sanders, riding a huge wave of support from New York City and its suburbs to overcome Sanders edge in almost every county upstate. Her win resoundingly broke Sanders streak of seven consecutive primary and caucus victories in March and April.

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But New York is Trumps home state and Clintons adopted home. Even Ohio Gov. John Kasich won his own state. And both Trump and Clinton still have much to prove before they can claim their partys nomination.

The obstacles are most significant for Trump. From a practical perspective, the lingering question is whether such a polarizing candidate who routinely belittles his opponents and alienates voters (even has he wins others to his side) can finally start unifying Republican factions behind him, a process that was well underway for Republican front-runners by this stage in previous presidential races. Hell need broader support if he hopes to win the remaining primaries and sew up a majority of the partys delegates on the first ballot at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this summer. If he doesnt, he risks watching his delegates defect on later ballots to someone who generates less antipathy in the GOP establishment.

So far, Trump has shown little interest in or aptitude for this kind of coalition building. Hes been content to be the Howard Beale of 2016, running a noisy but often empty campaign against just about anything government has done, whether at the hands of Democrats or Republicans. But the ability to build coalitions isnt merely a nominees burden, its a prerequisite for a successful presidency  particularly in an era of polarized parties and divided government. Consider this yet another test of presidential timber that Trump is failing.

Clinton is considerably closer to sealing the Democratic nomination, having outpolled Sanders by about 3 million votes and amassing 1,930 delegates to his 1,189 (2,383 are needed to win the nomination). Yet she owes her big lead in delegates mainly to the overwhelming support from superdelegates  elected officials and other party insiders who are free to back the candidate of their choice. The Democratic National Committee established superdelegates more than three decades ago to help retain a degree of control over the nomination, so naturally Sanders grass-roots supporters chafe at what they see as the hand of the party establishment tipping the scales. Both they and Trumps supporters seem to be laboring under the myth that national parties have no role in choosing their nominees.

For their part, Clintons backers seem to think that Sanders should stop criticizing her and quietly fold his tent. His chance of winning is so slim, they contend, that all hes doing is hurting Clintons chances of winning in November. And in fact, Sanders attacks in recent weeks have left more voters with an unfavorable view of the former secretary of State.

But this is what a primary campaign is about. As this page has said all along, the vetting process of a hard-fought primary is good for voters and candidates alike. The earlier the candidates shortcomings get aired and judgment gets questioned, the better voters will know them  and the more likely voters are to pick the one who best reflects their values and who stands the best chance of winning in November. By and large, Sanders has challenged Clinton on substantive issues and their different approaches to government and governing have made for a more thoughtful campaign.

Although her path to the nomination is clearer than Trumps, Clinton faces a similar undercurrent of doubt from a large segment of her party  particularly younger voters. A CNN exit poll Tuesday found that Sanders captured an astounding 72% of the vote from Democrats younger than 30. Thats another reason for Clinton to want Sanders to keep up the fight. The clearest way to prove that her lead in delegates is deserved is to rack up more wins like she did Tuesday.

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Proposition 50, the sole measure on the June 7 ballot, grew out of an extremely bad year for the California Senate.

It was 2014, and one veteran lawmaker  Sen. Roderick D. Wright (D-Inglewood)  had been convicted in January of voter fraud and perjury for lying to voters about living in his district. In February, authorities indicted Sen. Ronald S. Calderon (D-Montebello) on charges including tax fraud, accepting bribes and money laundering. Then in March, Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) was arrested on suspicion of soliciting bribes, arms-trafficking and racketeering.

There was a strong sense that these legislators needed to be removed from their official lawmaking duties, either by suspending them until their cases were resolved or expelling them outright. In the end, the Senate voted to suspend all three, though many legislators were unhappy that Wright, Calderon and Yee would continue to draw a paycheck and receive benefits until leaving office or until their cases were resolved. Then-Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg explained at the time that the state Constitution doesnt allow members to suspend one another without pay. To mollify the critics, Steinberg persuaded his colleagues to propose a ballot measure that would explicitly authorize the Legislature to suspend members without pay on a two-thirds vote.

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Unpaid suspension could conceivably be used for political reasons. Many legislators come from modest means, and losing their legislative paycheck could force them out of office.

The three problematic legislators are long gone from the Capitol, either resigned or termed out of office. Yee has since been convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. Calderons case has not yet gone to trial, but he has been termed out of office. Yet the proposed constitutional amendment, Proposition 50, is still on the June ballot, like a hangover still lingering from that dark period.

The proposition may sound appealing  why should legislators continue to get paid while under investigation for criminal acts?  but voters should reject it. One reason to do so is that it would violate the right to due process afforded to every citizen of this country, including politicians who are behaving badly.

The proposition also would not limit the use of this punishment to elected officials who are accused (or convicted) of breaking laws. The new language simply adds the possibility of suspension without pay to the section of the state constitution setting out how the Senate and Assembly may police themselves, and lays out what suspension means in practical terms. It doesnt set any criteria for what transgressions would justify this punishment, and theres no mechanism to ensure that it would be applied consistently. Indeed, the cases of Wright, Yee and Calderon make that point. Thought Wright was convicted in January, it wasnt until March, after Yees arrest, that he was suspended along with the other two.

Another problem is that unpaid suspension could conceivably be used for political reasons. Many legislators come from modest means, and losing their legislative paycheck could force them out of office.

The opponents of this proposition, who include Sen. Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), worry that it would give lawmakers another reason not to expel members who really should be removed from the Legislature. Anderson, the sole senator to vote no on the suspensions in 2014, had pushed for Wright to be expelled shortly after his conviction, but Steinberg would not allow the Senate to vote on that proposal. The result was that a convicted criminal continued to receive a paycheck, but because he was suspended, the constituents of his south Los Angeles district went unrepresented in the Senate for months.

Notwithstanding 2014, it is rare that elected state officials are charged with bribery, voter fraud, gun-running or other crimes so serious as to merit job sanctions. If they do, legislators already have adequate tools at their disposal: expulsion, suspension and censure.

For that matter, so do voters who, with very few exceptions, ought to be the ultimate authority on who is fit to serve.

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Donald Trumps victory in his native New York on Tuesday was huge, as the candidate would say. Next weeks primaries in five other Northeastern states will probably be good for Trump, too. From Connecticut to Pennsylvania and Maryland, New York values arent an epithet; its Trumps main rival, Ted Cruz, who stands out as something of an alien being.

But more intriguing than Trumps renewed popularity at the ballot box is a less expected development: Trump finally appears to be thinking strategically.

Over the last two weeks, the famously impulsive real estate promoter has stopped giving nonstop television interviews, reassessed his campaign plan, and made some significant changes.

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Hes belatedly realized that his team of insurgents is failing miserably at the basic job of organizing for state caucuses and conventions where delegates are chosen. As a result, Cruzs campaign is scooping up dozens of delegates in states where Trump actually finished first.

Trump demoted his pugnacious campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, who is famous mostly for yanking a reporter out of the candidates path and then claiming he didnt.

The candidate hired a new team of campaign mechanics, including the venerable Paul J. Manafort (who rounded up convention delegates for Gerald Ford in 1976) and the younger Rick Wiley (who managed Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers brief campaign last year).

Just like a traditional politician, Trump has begun courting members of Congress and other GOP power brokers who might support him.

Hes planning a series of nonimpromptu speeches on weighty subjects from the economy to foreign affairs, to show  contrary to every impression hes given so far  that he actually has pondered what a president should do.

Perhaps most significant, there are signs that Trump is willing to spend some money to win the nomination, despite months of bragging that he wouldnt need to. According to a report in Politico, Trump has promised Manafort a budget of at least $20 million for campaigning in May  far more than he has been willing to spend in a single month so far. That includes money to buy television advertising in California, the most important primary remaining on the calendar.

None of this means that Trump has lost any of his essential Trumpness. His end-stage strategy includes a dose of anti-establishment bluster, too.

Hes accused the Republican National Committee of rigging the process against him and of administering a corrupt system. Hes accused Cruz of stealing delegates, when all Cruz did was exploit rules that have been in place for more than a year. Gestapo tactics, Manafort claimed, promising to file several protests.

There are few limits on what a candidate can do to try to win a delegates vote -- short of an explicit cash bribe or a promise of federal office.

Trumps dilemma is that he is likely to arrive at the Republican Convention in July with more primary votes, and more delegates, than any other candidates  but still fewer than the 1237 delegates he needs to win the nomination on the first ballot.

So hes begun arguing that a mere plurality should give him a moral right to the nomination.

Polls show that many Republicans are sympathetic. A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll found last week that 54% of GOP voters surveyed believe Trump should be awarded the nomination if he has more delegates than anyone else, even if hes short of a majority. Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus has pushed back, noting that the rules have always required a majority.

At this point, only one last element is missing from Trumps strategy: an old-fashioned effort to woo uncommitted delegates.

Amazingly, there are few limits on what a candidate can do to try to win a delegates vote  short of an explicit cash bribe or a promise of federal office. Things like travel and meals and subsistence and expenses are all perfectly legal, noted GOP lawyer Ben Ginsberg, who isnt working for any of the remaining candidates.

Manafort, Trumps new campaign manager, knows the rules well. When he was working for Fords reelection campaign in 1976, the candidate invited delegates to White House dinners and rides on Air Force One to bring them into his camp.

Trump claims he doesnt want to do that this time.

Look, nobody has better toys than I do, he said this week. I can put them in the best planes and bring them to the best resorts anywhere in the world.

But, he added, thats a corrupt system.

Well see how long his self-denial lasts. Other campaigns are already making promises; a South Dakota delegate told her hometown newspaper that Kasich aides offered to take care of her while shes in Cleveland.

If I get a lunch with LeBron James, that might be a turning point, she explained.

If Trump stays clear of that kind of deal-making, hes not the man I think he is.

A presidential campaign is supposed to test whether a candidate can handle complicated, fast-paced challenges under pressure. Or, as Donald Trump would say, does he know how to make a deal? Were about to find out.

doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com

Twitter: @doylemcmanus

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Imagine a full year, or two, during which a nations old people die but no new people are born. Picture an elementary school with empty first- and second-grade classrooms. Look further ahead to the years no new workers join the labor pool.

How would a two-year collapse in the birth rate rattle a nation? We might be about to find out.

The immediate worries about Zika virus which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined can cause microcephaly and other brain damage in newborn babies  are obviously medical in nature. Where should pregnant women not travel? How quickly can a vaccine be developed? At the same time, in an attempt to stave off more cases of microcephaly, several Zika-affected nations  El Salvador, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Jamaica  are trying to prevent all births.

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Population experts are already mulling what long-term economic and social impacts these nations might see from a steep drop in birth rate.

The governments in these countries are asking women to delay pregnancies for several months, or until more is known about the Zika outbreak. In Puerto Rico, where the health minister has given similar advice, the pregnancy rate already is about 8% lower than last year. At the extreme end, El Salvador is asking women to hold off on becoming pregnant for two years.

So far, theres no way to know whether women will, or can, heed such warnings. But population experts are already mulling what long-term economic and social impacts these nations might see from a steep drop in birth rate.

Abrupt shifts in population destabilize social structures, says Karen Hardee, a senior associate at the Population Council. Consider the recently-revoked one-child policy in China, which resulted in gender unbalance, the abandonment of babies, the emergence of the little emperor syndrome as well as a burgeoning population of elderly people who must be supported by an artificially constrained number of working-age citizens.

We can only speculate what might happen if any country effects a near-zeroing of the birthrate for just two years. The nearest that population experts have to go by is again in China, where many parents strive to have their children in years seen as astrologically auspicious  such as the year of the dragon  while avoiding other years. During the desirable years, hospitals are overtaxed and later on, school are overcrowded. But those shifts arent nearly so drastic as what could potentially happen in El Salvador.

What happens to a country when all of a sudden there is no market for diapers? How is the soul of a village damaged by the absence of babies? And what happens, Hardee asks, as a dramatically small cohort progresses through school and life?

One easy-to-foresee outcome of a population pause: In less than two decades, there would be a dearth of 18-year-olds to conscript for military service in El Salvador. In any country there could be social unrest if wealthy women travel to Zika-free zones to bear children, while the poor remain childless. Countries also must plan for the population boom that most certainly will follow when the outbreak ends or a vaccine becomes available.

So far, Hardee said, El Salvador and other nations are still struggling to make a birth hiatus happen, and not yet contemplating the fallout. Any government attempt to coerce a lower birth rate would have serious human-rights implications. Just dont have kids, has largely been the extent of the advice. And so the responsibility to mitigate this global health crisis has been dumped on young women. Prospective mothers obviously want to avoid terrible birth defects, but they also face familial and cultural pressures as well as concerns about aging out of their safest childbearing years.

Zika-affected countries have to move quickly if a voluntary family-planning campaign is going to work. In El Salvador, for instance, birth control is often in the form of sterilization after a woman has children. That wont work for this situation. Countries must make an array of effective but non-permanent birth control freely available, especially in rural areas where medical services are scarce. High teen pregnancy rates are another challenge; early sex education can no longer be a debate, but a necessity.

Abortion is illegal in most of the currently affected countries and unless lawmakers are willing to make it more obtainable, they can count on unwanted births occurring among Zika-infected women. Complicating matters, microcephaly cant be detected until relatively late in a pregnancy.

It will take more than medical expertise and resources to tackle these kinds of issues. If birth rates plummet, the affected countries will need global support for the rocky social disruption that would be likely to echo for decades.

Karin Klein is a freelance writer based in Southern California who frequently writes about health, education and the environment.

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Molly McGrath is laser-focused on a job no advanced democratic society ought to require: Making sure properly registered voters do not lose their right to cast a ballot on election day because of new, stringent ID requirements they may not even know exist.

McGrath is the national campaign coordinator for VoteRiders, a nonprofit founded by two Los Angeles attorneys that devotes itself to ensuring citizens are not tripped up by the voter ID laws, many of which are being introduced this year.

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FOR THE RECORD:

Voter ID: An April 20 op-ed about hurdles created by voter ID laws said the organization VoteRiders was founded by two Los Angeles attorneys. It was founded by one L.A. attorney. 

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Since last summer, McGrath and her team have been visiting food pantries, churches, university centers and high-end condo complexes in Wisconsin, one of the states with the strictest requirements. Some of the people the team helps are transient, poor or elderly; they not only may have no drivers license or state-issued photo ID, but they also may have difficulty getting their hands on the underlying documentation required to get one.

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Nobodys immune to the confusion that these laws bring.  Molly McGrath of VoteRiders, a nonprofit that helps voters deal with ID laws

Others are students whose college IDs may not conform to the new rules (only 3 out of the states 13 four-year colleges issue IDs that meet the requirements). Still others are newly arrived workers who struggle to understand why they can get on a plane with their out-of-state drivers license but cannot use it to vote.

Nobodys immune to the confusion that these laws bring, McGrath says.

By one estimate, as many as 300,000  9%  of Wisconsins registered voters fell short of the states photo ID requirements before the April 5 primary. Thats more than enough to decide a close race. If Novembers presidential election comes down to a percentage point or two in Wisconsin  or another swing state with similarly strict voter ID laws, such as Indiana or Virginia  we could be looking at a rerun of Florida in 2000, with voter ID as the new hanging chad. The next occupant of the Oval Office might be determined not by the will of the people but by lawyers haggling in court over voter access and the constitutionality of the ID rules.

The haggling, in fact, has been going on since Georgia and Indiana first pushed for voter ID laws in 2005. It has only intensified in the last three years, as laws in North Carolina and Texas have either been modified or deemed unconstitutional in federal court because of the burden they place on voters, especially blacks and Latinos.

To date, 34 states, all with Republican-controlled legislatures, have passed some kind of voter ID law. Sixteen of them require voters to present photo ID, and eight states get specific about the kinds of photo ID. In Texas, another state where VoteRiders is active, a concealed-carry weapon license passes muster but a student ID from a state school does not.

Ostensibly, these laws crack down on illegal voting, but study after study has shown that in-person voter fraud is in fact vanishingly rare. The more likely explanation is that the laws give the GOP a partisan edge in close races by lowering overall turnout and targeting specific groups such as students, minorities and the poor that tend to vote for Democratic candidates.

The suspicion of naked partisanship has created a blizzard of legal cases that have gone up to the Supreme Court and back down again, and the resulting knot of contradictory rulings and opinions has only compounded the confusion created by the laws. In Wisconsin, where the law was enacted in 2011 but has come into effect only this year, voters had to endure long lines at polling stations, where poll workers were often as bewildered as they were.

Almost inevitably, the confusion has created its own voter disenfranchisement. An opinion poll published six weeks before primary day found that 16% of eligible Wisconsin voters either thought, erroneously, there was no ID requirement, or they werent certain  a sure-fire recipe for disappointment on election day. Some voters may even have stayed away believing they did not have the correct ID when in fact they did. A study in one hotly contested congressional district in Texas in 2014 found that 9% of registered voters there had been deterred in this way  enough to sway the outcome of just about any race.

This glaringly antidemocratic mess might have been avoided if the federal courts had not been so quick to accept the GOP argument that ID laws were strictly about preventing voter impersonation schemes. Some of the justices who waved Indianas law through in 2007  including Richard Posner of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and John Paul Stevens, since retired from the Supreme Court  have struck a much more skeptical tone since. Now Texas finds itself in the strange position of enforcing an ID law that has been roundly condemned as unconstitutional in district court but is still in force pending appeal.

How much of a difference could voter ID laws make? According to the Government Accountability Office, which has studied the question in Kansas and Tennessee, they can suppress 3% of the vote or more. Some unusually frank Republican officials have even cited this figure as their goal, in House and Senate races as well as presidential elections.

A 3% shift would have upended Barack Obamas victories in North Carolina and Indiana in 2008 and would have come close to threatening his reelection in 2012. Wisconsin, meanwhile, has a history of presidential nail-biters, including margins of less than 1% for the Democrats in 2000 and 2004.

The Supreme Court will have opportunities to right the egregious wrongs of voter ID laws, but it is unlikely to make a substantive new ruling before the 2016 election. And so we have to cross our fingers and hope for the best in November. Molly McGrath describes primary season as a huge dress rehearsal. Once the combat pits the two major parties against each other, things could get truly ugly.

Andrew Gumbels book Down for the Count: Dirty Elections and the Rotten History of Democracy in America, is out in paperback.

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Hes not just the most famous writer in human history  out of all 100 billion of us ever to live on this planet, hes one of the most famous people. William Shakespeare died exactly 400 years ago, in the same English town where he was born. His contemporary, the playwright Ben Jonson, said he was not of an age, but for all time. Every manner of controversy has attached itself to Shakespeare  from his possibly missing head to whether he even wrote those plays and poems. Ron Rosenbaum is a Shakespeare scholar, author of the book The Shakespeare Wars, and hes marking this 400th anniversary speaking at the Hammer Museum on Thursday. Whats the magic of this Bard, dead 40 decades, and will it still enthrall us four centuries from now?

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW ON THE PATT MORRISON ASKS PODCAST>>

How is it that, 400 years later, we still learn about him, talk about him, argue about him? It cant be just high school English classes.

When I was a reporter for the Village Voice, I had some assignment that took me to England, and I got to Stratford on Avon, Shakespeares birthplace, at just the moment, a great moment in the history of Shakespearean production, when the director Peter Brook was putting on his production of A Midsummer Nights Dream. And up to then I had not been a big Shakespeare fan, but I saw this production of A Midsummer Nights Dream, and it was like I was lifted off the earth. It was transformative.

Id say that you really need great actors and great directors, and once you get that, the words will take off and lift you off the page, and youll never be the same. But its rare when it happens.

I think most people go to Shakespearean productions and think, Woah, Shakespeare  this is going to be great. And then they end up walking out thinking, Wait a minute, wheres the greatness? Why did I fall asleep in Act III?

I actually feel the best way to experience Shakespeare these days is to listen to audio tapes. For instance, theres John Gielguds King Lear. Or watch Shakespearean films like Laurence Oliviers Richard III, or Orson Welles Chimes at Midnight. Because then you get some of the great Shakespearean figures of the past 400 years, and Shakespearean productions that are preserved on film and will not leave you feeling, Whats the fuss about?



The plots in a lot of Shakespeares plays are not new. He pinched them rather frankly from other sources and other places. Its the language that made them different.

In some ways you could think of him as a rewrite man. Almost all of his great works, there are very few that are entirely his own invention. And it is the language that becomes the attraction. There are just stretches of language -- it just knocks you out of your seat, its so amazing. And thats what he contributed: not really the plot of Henry V, which was supposedly history, or Richard III, which is sort of like fictionalized history. Thats why I suggest people see Laurence Oliviers Richard III, because Oliviers performance, its so shocking, Oliviers spiderlike conception of evil is so deeply disturbing, that you understand why nothing like this really was seen on stage, and this was the play that made Shakespeare a star.

Theres so little known about Shakespeare, which is the reason many people refuse to believe he wrote all of that brilliant work.

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I think the one canard that continues to survive among the people who are called the anti-Stratfordians, the ones who believe Shakespeare didnt write Shakespeare, or Shakespeare was written by someone else with the name Shakespeare  they all say, Well, he only had a grammar-school education. But in fact at his time, grammar school educations included learning Latin, leaning how to compose poetry in Latin, learning how to translate Latin. It was far different from the kind of grammar school we speak of today.

And in addition, the people say, Well, he set those plays in Italy but he never went to Italy. But there was a vast array of books, of contemporary travelogues to Italy, or romances of Italy. You didnt have to really leave the Globe Theatre to conjure up Romeo and Juliets setting.

Oftentimes you will see versions of Shakespeare where the language is watered down or simplified to be easier to understand. It isnt Shakespeare without the Shakespearean language, is it?

Theres another effort to modernize, or, as I call it, dumb down Shakespeare going on. And so I feel dumbing down the language or aka modernizing it is just the most destructive thing. Either do [Shakespeare] or not do it, but dont try to treat the audience like children.

Another big controversy in the academic world is whether Shakespeare was a literary artist, whether he designed his plays to be read, or put on in the playhouse, or whether he cared about how carefully they were printed. Or whether he, just as in that movie Shakespeare in Love, sent them over to the playhouse and went back to wenching. I think theres a case to be made that Shakespeare was a careful literary artist, and that reading him was something that he hoped people would do.

Shakespeare also populated his plays with extraordinary women like Cordelia in King Lear, and Lady Macbeth, and with ethnic and religious minorities like Othello, and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice.

Ive always felt Othello was almost unbearably tragic. I almost cant read it or see it, its just painful. I feel the same way about Shylock, but with Shylock theres always a moment. Directors like to put on this play because theres a lot of director-y stuff they can do with it, and actors like to act it. But I still feel Shylock has this kind of fundamental anti-Semitic DNA  not that Shakespeare was an anti-Semite, but that he took on anti-Semitic tropes, anti-Semitic models, and so I have trouble with that.

More, I have trouble with people who claim that the solution to this is to humanize Shylock, because always, if youre doing Shylock, youre going to have a Jew willing to stab a Christian in the heart for money. And theres no getting around that, or youre not doing The Merchant of Venice -- youre doing some other play.

What you say about women is fascinating. There are all these witty women in the comedies, and then there is Lady Macbeth, who is scary. For a long time, you know -- several of those centuries in the last 400 years -- there werent many outspoken, strong, fierce, admirable, witty women in drama. And I think that Shakespeares women provide the kind of panoply of potential models for self-determined women.

And then theres a question of, does Shakespeare believe in love? And I think it could seem -- every time I reread or see A Midsummer Nights Dream, I cant make up my mind whether hes making fun of the idea of love, that its just an illusion created by drops in the eyes, or whether he believes at the end that theres some genuineness to love. Thats one of the great ambiguities and I dont know if it has to do with women alone, or men and women.

Is Shakespeare in a way the means by which we can perhaps come closest to understanding what people were thinking, doing, saying, believing in the 16th and 17th centuries?

Some of the plays are set in different centuries, very few are actually set in contemporary London. There are lot of playwrights who do that, but he tends to take far-off places. It was very dangerous  people dont necessarily realize what a police state Queen Elizabeth was running, and how there were spies and torturers and horrible executions for heresy. And so yes, even Hamlet, which focuses on the ghost who comes from purgatory  this was at the very height of the persecution of Catholics who believed in purgatory, so Hamlet is a very dangerous play. I still dont know how he got away with it!

What people can always come back to are the words, more than 1700 words that Shakespeare created or put on the page: lackluster, household words, dawn -- we could spend our entire time just listing these words. How profoundly have those, and the idea of the flexibility of language, influenced us?

Puns too! He not only invented words but he invented connections between words that sounded alike or meant alike. I wouldnt say he introduced punning but he introduced the idea that words could have a kind of varied gradations and connections and links between them. Nobody did it better.

How different would our modern Western culture be without this dead white European male and his work?

I think there are so many great writers, dramatists, in Western culture and in Eastern culture and in the Southern hemisphere culture that its not like people would be impoverished for great writing and drama. You know something that Peter Brook, that great director of A Midsummer Nights Dream, said to me once about Shakespeare: he said most of us live lives where were about 10% alive. Theres some people who are lucky enough to live lives in which theyre 100 percent alive. Shakespeare walked around London living a life that was a million percent alive.

I get what he was saying, that he was a unique character.

And would our culture be different without it? I think perhaps; anyway we wouldnt have that kind of northern star, that pole star of genius to gaze at when we thought about the possibilities of literature.

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The presidential primary campaign is moving on from New York, but is not leaving Wall Street behind.

Despite Hillary Clintons decisive win in the Empire State, Bernie Sanders has the money and the devoted following he needs to fight on and continue his attacks on Clintons ties to Wall Street. Meanwhile, after Donald Trumps commanding victory in his home state, Wall Street movers and shakers may be even more invested in the attempt to halt his juggernaut.

Trump and Sanders, the two surprisingly successful insurgents in the 2016 campaign, have the distinction of being loathed on Wall Street. This is no surprise in Sanders case. He is a socialist, after all, who has made Wall Street bankers and billionaires the prime villains of his crusade against the wealthy 1% of Americans who fund the nations political system and control most of its wealth. But Trump is a billionaire himself, a businessman who has gone to Wall Street banks many times to borrow money to fund his enterprises (according to his recent financial disclosure records, he still owes those banks hundreds of millions of dollars). So why have many Wall Streeters been pouring money into the Our Principles PAC, one of the chief players in the dump Trump effort?

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For starters, folks in the financial industry are not happy that Trump talks like a traitor to his class when he threatens to raise taxes on Wall Street. What really freaks them out, though, are his simplistic ideas about immigration and international trade.

Politicos chief economic correspondent, Ben White, has explained why: The pitch to Wall Street titans and other CEOs is that a President Trump would be disastrous for markets and the economy. Many economists say that if the U.S. were to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants in a single year, the immediate hit to gross domestic product would lead to a depression. And slapping massive tariffs on goods from Mexico and China could dramatically increase prices for U.S. consumers and create destabilizing trade wars.

After the New York primary, the chance of denying Trump the Republican presidential nomination appears more remote than it already seemed. He is likely to do well in the upcoming Northeastern primaries and could close the deal in Californias primary on June 7. If that scenario plays out, most of the Wall Street crowd will throw their hopes and money to Clinton, according to Politicos analysis.

Such an eventuality would only reinforce Sanders central critique of Clinton. In ever more angry and caustic language, he has been painting a picture of the Democratic front-runner as bought and paid for by Wall Street, repeatedly decrying the millions of dollars financial interests have donated to the pro-Clinton PACs and demanding that she release transcripts of three private speeches for which Goldman Sachs paid her $675,000.

Obviously, this harsh rhetoric did not prevent Clinton from winning by a whopping 20% in New York, but it may have convinced even more of Sanders young supporters that Clinton is hopelessly corrupt and undeserving of their votes if she becomes the Democratic standard bearer.

The question now is whether Sanders will back off for the sake of Democratic Party unity or if he will stay on the attack. My guess is that Sanders is a man so swept up in the adoration of his young acolytes and so entranced by polls that show him to be an easy victor in the general election that he will give scant thought to the interests of a party he joined only as a vehicle for his own candidacy.

So, Clinton is likely to be harassed by Sanders all the way to the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, just as Trump will be in a fight with his antagonists unless and until he finally manages to win the votes of 1,237 delegates at the Republican convention in Cleveland.

The cable news consensus on Tuesday night was that Trump and Clinton will prevail and face off in the fall campaign. In that event, will Trump take up Sanders line of attack against Clinton, branding her as the financiers tool? And, if so, how many voters will honestly believe a billionaire businessman could ever be the scourge of Wall Street?
Donald Trump shows flashes of new discipline as his revamped team takes control

The first sign that Donald Trump realized his capture of the Republican presidential nomination was in danger was his hiring of Washington veteran Paul J. Manafort three weeks ago to whip his campaign into shape.

Trumps celebration after winning Tuesdays New York primary suggests that Manaforts presence might be making a difference.

Trump, the New York billionaire whose gushers of insults on Twitter have defied every rule of political etiquette, did not entirely suppress his trademark bravado.

Were going to end at a very high level and get a lot more delegates than anybody projected even in their wildest imagination, Trump told supporters gathered around an escalator in the lobby of Trump Tower, ignoring the distinct possibility that he wont win enough to even secure the nomination.

But Trump showed discipline in sticking to his message, stressing plans to save American jobs, build up the military and stop illegal immigration.

Illegal immigrants are taken care of in many cases better than our vets, he said. Thats not going to happen anymore.

Looking ahead to contests in coming weeks in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maryland and Rhode Island, Trump vowed to preserve jobs in regions beset by hard times. Theyre in big trouble, he said of residents of those states.

But Trump also took on Republicans who have helped chief rival Ted Cruz rack up delegates in meetings of party insiders willing to disregard popular support in their states for Trump.

The people arent going to stand for it, said Trump, who has warned that riots could break out at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July if he is denied the nomination despite winning more votes than any opponent.

Trump laid ground  just as he has at nearly all of his public events over the last week  for challenging the legitimacy of any delegate vote to nominate Cruz at the convention in spite of Trumps all-but-inevitable finish with a bigger share of the popular vote.

Its a crooked system, he said, a remarkable denunciation of the GOP coming from the front-runner for its White House nomination. Its a system thats rigged, and were going to go back to the old way. Its called you vote and you win.

Trumps hiring of Manafort and other seasoned campaign operatives came after a string of delegate losses to Cruz at GOP gatherings in Colorado, Wyoming and other states where Trumps team was poorly organized.

Nobody can take an election away with the way theyre doing it in the Republican Party, Trump said.

But Trump can, in fact, still lose the nomination, and thats why Manafort and the other new advisors are steering him into a more disciplined and traditional campaign, even if it causes internal upheaval, like the resignation this week of Trumps field director.

My team has been amazing, he said. And, you know, its actually a team of unity. Its evolving, but people dont understand that.
With swamping victories in New York, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have turned to their next target: the general election.

Trump dispensed Tuesday night with the insults he usually flings, replacing his typical castigation of Lyin Ted with a rare respectful reference to the nights third-place GOP finisher as Sen. Ted Cruz. And with more discipline than he has demonstrated for much of the presidential campaign, he hewed in his brief remarks to the topic of job creation.

Clinton delivered a victory speech that included only a muted and unnamed reference to her Democratic primary opponent, Bernie Sanders. Instead, she repeatedly took on Trump, dismissing his contention that America needed to be made great again as she made an emotional genuflection to its exceptionalism.

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Neither candidate clinched a nomination Tuesday, but with their victories, both Trump and Clinton made it exponentially harder for their competitors to wrest the prize from them. So their attention turned to winning over constituencies that have yet to warm to them.

Trump continues to face the risk of entering the July GOP convention with fewer delegates than are needed for a coronation and with substantial elements of his party in revolt against him as their leader. They  and voters in upcoming states  were the intended audience for the more gracious and reined-in version of Trump who accepted his win in New York.

Clinton continues to perform weakly with some groups of voters who would be key to a victory in November, despite her firm lead among delegates. Although it would take a collapse in coming states for her to lose the nomination, the voters who have eluded her grasp  particularly young and to some extent white male Democrats  were among her targets Tuesday night.

Both candidates, as residents of New York, needed the wins. But their dramatic margins of victory were also important, both in terms of granting them delegates and shredding the cloak of uncertainty that Sanders, Cruz and the fifth presidential candidate, Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich, have attempted to cast over the presidential contest.

Both Trump and Clinton also are well-positioned to follow up their New York wins with victories in the states that vote Tuesday  Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware.

In Clintons case, victory in New York was particularly sweet because she was outspent by Sanders more than 2 to 1 on the New York airwaves. And it came in a state that reflects the diversity of the Democratic Party better than many of the states won by Sanders.

To this point in the race, momentum has come haltingly for front-runner Clinton; every surge of hers has been followed by a surge, with fewer delegates collected, for Sanders. The New York contest was the most bitter competition between Clinton and Vermont Sen. Sanders, with each calling the others judgment into question and each angrily denouncing the other in Thursdays debate.

Considering that Sanders voters already are more reluctant to back Clinton as the nominee than Clintons supporters are to back him, the danger was a deepened breach. Clinton took that on directly early in her remarks to New York voters.

Its humbling that youd trust me with the awesome responsibilities that await our next president, she said. And to all the people who supported Sen. Sanders, I believe that there is much more that unites us than divides us.

Her only slight at Sanders was delivered like an inside joke. It was a recasting of a line with which she had repeatedly flayed Sanders during last weeks debate.

Under the bright lights of New York, we have seen that it is not enough to diagnose problems, she said. You have to explain how you would actually solve the problem. Thats what we have to do.

But that line could just as easily be tailored for Trump, her hoped-for opponent in the fall and someone who has forwarded fewer specific proposals than any other candidate this year.

After a litany of goals that are the reverse of Trumps positions  such as immigration measures and a minimum wage hike  she pledged to push for them through the general election and every day after that.

We are a great country, an unselfish country and a compassionate country, she said with a nod to Trumps negative take on current conditions in the U.S. And no matter what anyone tells you and what you might hear from others running for president, that is still true today. America is great and we can do great things if we do them together.

Trump, for his part, personified the turn his campaign has taken in recent days as it added veteran Republican strategists to a team largely made up of aides involved in their first presidential effort. The candidates sober remarks Tuesday seemed meant to put an emphatic end to weeks in which he was outgunned by Cruz in winning delegates at post-election conventions, and in which he has battled with national GOP leaders.

He pointed Tuesday to business leaders in the crowd gathered at Trump Tower on New Yorks Fifth Avenue and said they would be part of his team if he is elected. With only a brief mention of one topic that has drawn much controversy  illegal immigration  he pivoted toward the argument that served as his original selling point to the voters: that he is best suited to reinvigorate the economy.

We have problems everywhere you look, he said. We are going to solve those problems. One of the big problems is the economy and jobs  and that is my wheelhouse.

We are going to be so strong again, were going to be really, legitimately, so great again and I just cant wait, he said at another point.

Democratic and Republican voters held very different views on the impact thus far of their contentious primary battles.

According to exit polls of New York voters, 4 in 10 Republican voters said the race had energized the party while the remaining 6 in 10 said it had divided the party. Democrats had the opposite view: About 7 in 10 said the party had been energized by the battle between Clinton and Sanders, while 3 in 10 said it was divisive.

Leery of being considered divisive, both front-runners shied away Tuesday from suggesting that their opponents leave the race. The departure dance is far more subtle.

Each alluded to their strengthened standing. Trump declared that Cruz was just about mathematically eliminated from contention, although Cruzs best potential option has always been at a free-wheeling open convention. Clinton went further than she has in the past in asserting shes closing in on the nomination.

The race for the Democratic nomination is in the home stretch, she said.

With seven weeks left in the primary season, she and Trump were galloping ahead of the field, November in their sights. And every day, there is less time left for their competitors to make a move.

cathleen.decker@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter: @cathleendecker. For more on politics, go to latimes.com/decker.

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A misprinted ballot. A mistake on a voting results website. A simmering feud that leads to a local GOP officials abrupt resignation.

Typically, the minor snafus and interpersonal squabbling of local and state political parties barely get noticed beyond their own insular circles.

But this spring, as the Republican presidential race careens toward a possible contested convention, with every delegate vote potentially crucial, the unpolished operations of smaller party groups have been thrust into an unforgiving spotlight.

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Technological misfires and personality clashes are inherent in grass-roots politics, said Michael Toner, a Republican elections lawyer.

So much of this work  whether were talking about county conventions or state conventions  the lifeblood is volunteers and activists. Sometimes they get along, sometimes they dont, Toner said. The difference here is theyre doing very important work that could impact a national election.

In one recent example, Republican front-runner Donald Trump slammed the Colorado Republican Partys process for picking delegates, calling it crooked, after supporters of Sen. Ted Cruz locked up all 34 of the states available delegate slots.

After Trump spoke, the Colorado Republican chairman, Steve House, wrote on Facebook about receiving thousands of angry telephone calls and death threats.

The ire stems from the states delegate allocation process: a complicated series of caucuses instead of a direct election.

The system was simply not equipped to deal with a statewide election, Colorado GOP spokesman Kyle Kohli acknowledged. The party had wanted to move to a primary vote, Kohli said, but an effort to do so failed in the state Legislature.

The cost was the hang-up, he said.

There were other hiccups at the partys state convention this month: The ballot to pick 13 of the states delegates had a number of printing mistakes resulting from what officials said were clerical errors.

These things actually happen every time, said Kohli. No ones ever seen it before because theres never been so much attention.

Thats been a recurrent theme as decisions made by state and local party groups increasingly come under the microscope  and sometimes under attack.

In many states, county and state conventions are key milestones in the process of selecting delegates to the national political conventions this summer. Those delegates are the people whose votes actually choose the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees.

Trump received a boost Tuesday with his sweeping victory in New York, but his clinching of the majority of delegates is still not a sure thing. His campaign and those of Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are scrambling to identify and woo delegates and to seize every possible advantage in the arcane and usually-unseen process.

Each campaign now watches hawk-eyed for the kind of small mistakes seen in Colorado. Any procedural foul-up could potentially be used for whats called a challenge  an effort by one campaign to deny delegate seats to an opponents supporters  when the convention convenes in Cleveland.

There is a process for bringing that challenge and having it heard before the national convention. I think were going to see more of that than we have in the past, said Toner.

Part of the trouble stems from state and local parties not adapting to the sudden influx of interest and new participants, said Zachary Moyle, who oversees the delegate operation for Kasich in 19 Western states.

Theyve only known how to do things one way, Moyle said. Chances are its not going to work very well on this larger scale.

You need five times the volunteers, you need five times the expenses, he added. And most importantly you need 10 times the amount of checks and balances youve had in the past.

The dysfunction is not limited to the Republicans. The Colorado Democratic Party came under fire last week, after the Denver Post found it had publicly misreported the results of its March straw poll. Based on the correct numbers, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders won one more delegate than initially projected.

Rick Palacio, chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party, said in a statement that the party had posted preliminary results, but had sent more accurate numbers to Sanders and Hillary Clintons campaigns.

We sincerely apologize for this confusion it has caused, he said.

But because the Republican convention is much more likely to be contested than the Democratic one, the delegate hunt on that side of the aisle is more consequential.

Sometimes, the local groups staging the delegate selection process are not simply unprepared, but debilitated by internal disputes. For political operatives, learning the rivalries and turf wars that govern each individual group is as essential as learning the intricate delegate selection rules that vary by state.

You have to go to through a large history lesson if youre going to be effective on the ground, said Moyle, former executive director of the Nevada Republican Party, which has been notoriously fractious in recent years.

That long-standing discord spilled over into last weekends convention for the Clark County GOP, the largest county party in Nevada.

The purpose of the gathering was, in part, to designate more than 2,000 people as delegates to next months state convention, where Nevadas 30-person delegation to the national convention will be chosen.

But the county proceedings, held in a Las Vegas casino, were marred at the outset by confusion over who would be eligible to serve as a state convention delegate. The disorganization  stemming from an untested new nominating procedure  was exacerbated by strained relationships between county and state party officials.

Amid the disarray, the county party chairman was replaced as the overseer of the days event and subsequently resigned from his post.

Meanwhile, campaign and party officials sparred over whether party and state rules required delegates to participate in certain local meetings, an eligibility standard that would favor the better-organized Cruz campaign. Trump, who won the states caucuses handily, would benefit from a more permissive standard.

We believe that there may be a number of individuals who have been nominated as a delegate to the state convention who may have never even attended their local precinct meetings  and thats like trying to play in the Final Four after skipping the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight, said Ryan Hamilton, deputy director for the Cruz campaign in Nevada.

Poor design and record keeping is hampering our ability to be clear on who did what, when, he said, and he made clear the lapses wont stay in Vegas.

Asked if the confusion could lead to delegate challenges, Hamilton was unequivocal.

Absolutely, he said.

Follow @melmason for more on the 2016 presidential race.

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Hillary Clinton talks police conduct with Sandra Blands mother at her side

Hillary Clinton sat beside women who had lost loved ones to confrontations with police as they recounted vivid details of the deaths Wednesday evening in a steamy packed church.

For the mothers, fathers that have lost children and she didnt call you, I am sorry. I only know that she called me. She called these sisters on the stage, said Geneva Reed-Veal, whose daughter, Sandra Bland, died in a jail cell last year, three days after a traffic stop near Houston.

Reed-Veal and some of the women had appeared with Clinton before, providing powerful and personal testimony that is far different from typical campaign rallies. They also provide a rebuttal to critics of former President Bill Clintons get-tough-on-crime strategies that have caused some black activists to criticize Hillary Clinton.

Clinton, who sat with former U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder, promised to champion their cause, invoking her own daughter Chelsea as she tried to empathize with their loss. She talked about changing police policies, demilitarizing police forces, and increasing training programs designed to de-escalate tense situations. As she typically does, Clinton warned that no one would get everything they want, that there would have to be compromise.

Theyre asking us to be there for them, Clinton said. I will do everything I can imagine. I want these women and so many other family members to hold me accountable for everything I can possibly do, because it is wrong.

Clintons event was held at St. Pauls Baptist Church, a 126-year-old African American institution in Philadelphias West Poplar area. Pennsylvania is the site of the next primary. Inside the small church, media competed for space with church members, activists and campaign people.

The event was billed as a discussion of police conduct, gun violence and incarceration of black men. Clinton touched on all three topics. But the presence of the women ensured that police conduct took prominence.

I cant even imagine, she said, looking at one of the mothers. You mentioned Chelsea. I cant even imagine. I have the greatest respect for what each of them has gone through, but also their protests, their speaking out, their demands. Because that is what all of us should be doing.

The format is a contrast to large rallies, at which Clinton has trouble competing with the passion and size of the crowds generated by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. The poignant stories provided a different kind of emotional charge.

Theres no one person, no one victim thats more important than the other, said Nicole Paultre, whose fiance, Sean Bell, died in 2006 after a confrontation with police in New York on the night of his bachelor party. Its a club that no one wants to be a part of. ... We dont want no more members.

Clinton said little about Sanders, but she did not refrain from criticizing him, despite calls from some Democrats to tamp down the increasingly contentious primary battle.

Theres been a lot of talk in this campaign and the primary campaign about the power of certain interests in this country, Clinton said. But there is no more powerful lobby than the gun lobby. None.

Clinton then criticized Sanders vote to give legal immunity to gun makers and sellers in the event of a shooting involving a weapon they made or sold.

Thats one of the big differences between me and Sen. Sanders, she said.
U .S. Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Los Angeles) and more than 100 House Democrats want to change the chambers rules to require a congressional hearing each time its members stand in silence to recognize gun violence victims.

This is not about taking away citizens 2nd Amendment rights to bear arms, Cardenas said at a news conference Wednesday. By changing the rules, we are setting a new standard for Congress to act.

The resolution came 17 years after the shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., where attackers killed 12 students and one teacher and injured 24 others.

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Cardenas listed several other well-publicized mass shootings  including the San Bernardino massacre in December 2015  that have happened since and were recognized by a moment of silence in the House chamber.

The list goes on and Congress stands in silence, Cardenas said. How have we changed since then? What is different today than when these tragedies occurred? The answer is nothing.

After the San Bernardino shooting, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough) said she wouldnt stand for moments of silence any more unless Congress followed them with action. There were at least a dozen moments of silence in the House to recognize gun violence victims last year.

Cardenas said that after each moment of silence he hears colleagues mutter their frustrations that more isnt being done.

Sometimes they cant even help themselves and they shout out lets do something, and thats what inspired me to do this, he said. Were not activists, we shouldnt have to shout out. We have the will of the voters behind us; we have been sent to Congress and empowered to do the will of the people and yet my colleagues are relegated to just shouting out in frustration, in pain over the fact that this is happening over and over.

The rule change, which likely faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled House, would require the House speaker to call for a committee hearing on a shooting the day after the chamber holds a moment of silence. The chairman of the committee would have 10 days to schedule the hearing, or a majority of committee members could call the hearing themselves.

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-N.Y.), the highest ranking Democrat on the House Rules Committee, said it would be a major rule change, but an important one.

How dare we say that well just give this a moment and well go back to business as usual, she said. We dont ever even talk about it.

Thirty-one other California Democrats co-sponsored the resolution.

Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona) noted that her constituents were killed in the San Bernardino shooting.

San Bernardino was only one of 372 mass shootings that took place in 2015, she said at the news conference. Our constituents deserve more than just a moment of silence they deserve action.

Cardenas acknowledged that changing any policy connected to guns is difficult, but said he hopes Republican leaders will at least bring the resolution up for a vote.

The silence is deafening, he said. I dont think anybody elected anyone to Congress to solely feel for them, they elected us to represent them and to take actions.

sarah.wire@latimes.com

Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter

Read more about the 55 members of Californias delegation at latimes.com/politics

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Im Christina Bellantoni, and this is Essential Politics.

In many ways it was the Big Apple  for one guy at least.

The primary in New York Tuesday provided a stark example of how differently Republicans and Democrats do things.

A lopsided win yielded a dramatic delegate haul for Donald Trump.

Hillary Clinton bested Sen. Bernie Sanders by more than 15%, but only took away 31 more delegates than her rival.

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And for all of the effort Ohio Gov. John Kasich put into the Empire State, he earned a lone three delegates for winning Manhattan  Trumps home turf.

Trump added 89 delegates to his total. Thats because Republicans have a winner-take-most system in New York, awarding delegates both for an overall victory and by each district.

Thanks to that process, Trump is that much closer to the 1,237 delegates he needs, even if Sen. Ted Cruz is outmaneuvering him behind the scenes at the state level in a play to grab the nod at the convention.

Trump made clear Tuesday night he will keep up his drumbeat that party efforts be damned, he believes hell be the Republican nominee.

Nobody can take an election away with the way theyre doing it in the Republican party, he told supporters in a subdued speech. Cable pundits observed he referred to his chief opponent as Senator Ted Cruz, dropping the Lyin Ted nickname that has become so familiar.

As of today, 73% of the delegates at stake have been awarded. But both contests are marching on to Californias June 7 primary.

Track the delegate race in real time.

Kasichs team portrayed him as a man with momentum.

Ted Cruzs brand of politics simply wont play with most voters in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland, Kasich strategist John Weaver wrote in a memo, referring to the states that vote next. A vote for Cruz in these states is a vote for Trump. And a vote for Cruz or Trump is a vote for Hillary Clinton in November because neither of them can win a general election.

Clinton labeled her effort to capture the Democratic nomination as in the home stretch.

Victory is in sight, she told supporters at her rally, not long after speakers blared Alicia Keys and Jay Zs Empire State of Mind.

Clinton pointedly said shes the only candidate from either party to win more than 10 million votes. She didnt note the other statistic that her team has been pointing out lately  she has a larger delegate lead over Sanders now than Barack Obama ever had over her in 2008.

Still, thanks to the way Democrats award delegates proportionally, Clinton and Sanders will continue to fight inch-by-inch. Even if she wins big, hell still take home some delegates.

Sanders, who had predicted a New York win, headed to Vermont to take a bit of a breather. He insisted to reporters, We have a path toward victory, and said hed be back on the trail after a day off.

Well have all the latest on the campaign on Trail Guide. And make sure to follow @latimespolitics.

IS AGE JUST A NUMBER?

Cathleen Decker details how the most persistent aspect of the Democratic presidential contest is that most younger voters are going to Sanders, in large part because they are drawn to his uncompromisingly liberal ideology, while most older voters are going to Clinton because of her determination and deep experience in politics.

Age is a big deal, Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, told Decker.

Sanders proved the theory again in New York Tuesday.

GUN MEASURES MOVE FORWARD

State lawmakers responded to the San Bernardino massacre Tuesday by giving initial approval to a handful of gun control measures, including a bill that would ban assault rifles with detachable magazines. Patrick McGreevy outlines whats next.

UBER REGULATION BILL DIES

A push to have the state regulate surge pricing for Uber, Lyft and ridesharing companies died in a Senate committee Tuesday evening.

State Sen. Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) couldnt get enough votes to get his measure out of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing, Liam Dillon reports. Committee members said the Legislature should focus on deregulating the taxi industry rather than adding more rules on ridesharing.

TODAYS ESSENTIALS

 California voters would have to approve the controversial plan for water tunnels around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta under legislation that cleared its first big hurdle Tuesday in Sacramento.

 Not everyone will be attending Kasichs speech at the California Republican convention.

 A bill to increase public access to police body camera footage is advancing through the Legislature, though a sticking point continues to be how quickly the public would be allowed to see the videos, Dillon reports.

 Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer sent a letter to the head of the Federal Aviation Administration this week asking the agency to address the spiking number of complaints over new routes at San Francisco International Airport and residents fears the same thing will happen there in Southern California.

 Rep. Ted Lieu wants a House Committee to investigate an exploitable flaw in a service connecting most phone carriers worldwide that allows cellphone users to transmit information from text messages to bank account numbers. Lieu participated in a 60 Minutes segment over the weekend in which German hackers easily recorded his phone conversations and tracked his location using the service.

 Actress Annette Bening is testifying in Sacramento today about credentials for dance and theater teachers.

 What do you think of Trump? Readers can weigh in with our quick survey.

LOGISTICS

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Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com.
Four months after the San Bernardino mass shooting, state lawmakers on Tuesday gave initial approval to five gun control bills, including measures that would outlaw assault rifles with detachable magazines, ban possession of clips holding more than 10 rounds and require homemade guns to be registered with the state.

The bills approved by the state Senate Public Safety Committee were introduced in response to the December shooting in San Bernardino that left 14 people dead and 22 others wounded at the hands of two terrorists.

One of the measures the panel sent toward the Senate floor would outlaw assault rifles with easily detachable bullet magazines like one of the weapons used in the mass shooting in San Bernardino.

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The bill prohibits the sale of semiautomatic, centerfire rifles with a bullet button, a recessed button that, when pressed, allows removal of the magazine. Those who already own them must register them with the state as assault rifles.

Democratic state Sens. Isadore Hall of Compton and Steve Glazer of Orinda introduced the measure, SB 880, in response to the discovery of a gun with a bullet button that was in the possession of the San Bernardino terrorists.

These weapons of war dont belong in our communities, Glazer told the Senate panel before it approved the measure he coauthored with Hall.

Hall said there is an urgent need to close a loophole in the law that bans assault weapons.

For years, gun owners have been able to circumvent Californias assault weapons law by using a small tool to quickly eject and reload an ammunition magazine, Hall said.

The measure is opposed by gun owner rights groups including the National Rifle Assn., according to its lobbyist, Ed Worley.

We continue to oppose banning guns for citizens who have no criminal background, Worley told the panel. People should be able to own any kind of gun they want to own in the United States of America.

The Senate panel also approved a bill by Sen. Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) that would ban the possession of ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds, closing a loophole in a law that already prohibits their manufacture and sale in California.

Hancock noted that four large-capacity magazines were found among the weapons of the two shooters in San Bernardino. Since 1980, 435 people have been killed in 50 mass shootings involving large-capacity magazines, some of which can hold 100 rounds of ammunition, she said.

The magazines have already been banned in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

By banning these weapons statewide we would be taking a step to preventing future mass shootings and creating safer communities in California, Hancock told the Senate panel.

Republican Sen. Jeff Stone voted against the bill.

Today we want to make criminals out of law-abiding citizens who have been collecting guns, Stone said.

------------

FOR THE RECORD

April 20, 11:35 a.m.: An earlier version of this story mistakenly attributed a quote to Sen. John Moorlach. The statement was from Sen. Jeff Stone.

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The measure was also opposed by others including Worley and Sam Paredes, the executive director of Gun Owners of California, who said millions of large-capacity clips are already in the hands of Californians.

Here we are trying to confiscate peoples property, Worley told the panel.

Paredes said many law enforcement officers are given large-capacity magazines.

That is what they may need to protect themselves, Paredes said. Why should it be any different for a law-abiding citizen?

The Senate committee also approved a bill that would allow the state to collect information on those who buy ammunition for firearms. An earlier law that would have required bullet purchasers to provide identification and a thumbprint was struck down by a court in 2010 on the grounds that its definition of handgun ammunition was vague.

That case is on appeal to the state Supreme Court.

The new bill by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles), SB 1235, would clarify that the previous law applies to all ammunition, including bullets for long guns and handguns as well as shotgun shells, which he hopes will address the lower courts concerns.

The panel also approved a bill requiring those who build guns at home to register them with the state, get a serial number and undergo a criminal background check.

These firearms are called ghost guns because they are built at home  with no serial numbers or background checks involved, De Leon told the panel before it approved the bill on a 5-3 party-line vote. These are weapons that have the ability to kill or maim a human being.

Hundreds of ghost guns have been seized in California, and they have been used in major crimes, including a mass shooting in 2013. The measure is backed by the California Police Chiefs Assn.

See more of our top stories on Facebook >>

Gun-smithing has become easier than putting together Ikea furniture because of the 3-D printer, said Chief Jennifer G. Tejada of the Emeryville Police Department. This bill will decrease the number of untraceable firearms in California.

The measure is opposed by groups including the NRA and Gun Owners of California.

Were going to take hobbyists who enjoy making guns and were going to make them criminals, Worley said.

The panel also approved measures that would require firearms owners to report lost or stolen guns to authorities within five days and another to create a gun violence prevention research center at a University of California system campus.

Meanwhile, a bill that would have required all gun sales to be videotaped failed to pass an Assembly committee on Tuesday.

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com

Follow @mcgreevy99 on Twitter

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Since Americans first heard the term global warming in the 1970s, the weather has actually improved for most people living in the U.S. But it wont always be that way, according to a new study.

Research shows Americans typically  and perhaps unsurprisingly  like warmer winters and dislike hot, humid summers. And they reveal their weather preferences by moving to areas with conditions they like best.

A new study in the journal Nature has found that 80% of the U.S. population lives in counties experiencing more pleasant weather than they did 40 years ago.

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Virtually all Americans are now experiencing the much milder winters that they typically prefer, and these mild winters have not been offset by markedly more uncomfortable summers or other negative changes, write Patrick Egan, a political scientist at New York University, and Megan Mullin, professor of environmental politics at Duke University.

Its hard to complain about sunny days, but the researchers foresee a problem. If Americans think climate change has benefited their lives so far, theyll have little motivation to demand action or overcome apathy in responding to global warming, the scientists write.

By the end of the century, however, the study predicts the pleasant weather trend to reverse as summers heat up to uncomfortable temperatures.

If greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked, 88% of the current population will live in areas where the weather is less pleasant than it was before. The paper does not predict how changing weather patterns will influence migration patterns over the coming century.

Weve received warmer winters without paying the price for hotter summers, Mullin said in an interview. But when you look forward... thats going to shift, and Americans will experience weather, by their current preferences, theyre going to think of as worse.

In the study, Egan and Mullin wanted to see how the publics experience with weather has changed since 1974. They developed a metric they called the weather preference index that quantifies Americans appetite for warmer winters and temperate summers.

The metric looked at maximum temperatures in January and July, as well as summer humidity and precipitation data. For almost everyone in the U.S., winters have become warmer and summers have remained relatively stable.

According to their metric, the population centers experiencing the most worsening of weather were in the northeast and parts of Southern California and Arizona. However, the most severe worsening occurred in sparsely populated areas of the upper Midwest.

Whereas climate scientists report on average temperatures over time and extreme events related to climate change, Mullin and Egan wanted to look at climate change through the eyes of the general public. Many peoples beliefs and concerns about climate change form partly based on their experience with the daily weather, the study says.

And based on Americans experience with climate change so far, none of this gives the American public reason to demand change and public policies to address this critical problem, Mullin said.

So when news of weather milestones  such as Los Angeles hottest February on record  breaks, what happens?

Climate scientists are reporting those results with alarm, but based on these findings the public is not receiving the message with alarm, Mullin said. Theyre receiving it with complacency. Theyre thinking of warm, sunny winter days.

Mullin suggested climate scientists and climate communicators focus the message on extreme weather events  the wildfires, droughts, floods and hurricanes that take significant human and economic tolls.

In a commentary accompanying the Nature study, Joacim Rocklov, an epidemiologist at Umea University in Sweden who has studied the effects of climate change on human health, noted the United States is both one of the most influential countries in forming global policy and one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters.

It therefore matters globally if U.S. populations feel that they have benefited from the effects of climate change up to now, he wrote. Moreover, many Americans may not recognize that these effects will change.

The study only looked at the U.S. populations preferences, but people in Canada, Russia and China will eventually get more temperate weather  and may come to see winter warming as a benefit of climate change. However, people in Asia and Africa may have already seen the reversal, Rocklov suggested.

Perhaps an initially positive experience has already reversed in some areas, causing displeasure or emigration from affected regions, Rocklov wrote.

Follow me on Twitter @seangreene89 and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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Police are investigating after a Laguna Beach High School student reported overhearing another student make a threat against the school on Monday, according to school officials.

The student who heard the possible threat told school officials, and the school in turn notified police, according to a news release from the Laguna Beach Unified School District.

LBPD spoke to a student who had made the possible threats and at this time, there is no longer a threat to the school, a statement from the school district said.

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School officials did not explain the nature of the threat, and police declined to give details about what was overheard because theyre still investigating.

The school was not evacuated or placed on lockdown, Laguna Beach police Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.

The incident has been mitigated and LBPD detectives are looking at filing criminal charges against the student, the districts statement continued.
Police have arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with an early-morning stabbing at a Costa Mesa Motel 6 this week.

Officers detained Adrian Ramey Hall, 26, of Norwalk at an auto repair shop in Cerritos on Tuesday afternoon and soon afterward arrested Passhunae Ruff, 24, of Long Beach at a Fullerton motel where investigators believe the two were staying.

Police allege they found the knife used in the stabbing in a trash can at the motel.

Investigators identified the pair as suspects after interviewing witnesses and watching surveillance video from the Motel 6 in the 2200 block of Newport Boulevard where the stabbing occurred around 4 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

According to Costa Mesa police, the footage shows a confrontation that ended with a 25-year-old Newport Beach man stabbed in the torso.

Police said they believe Ruff met with the stabbing victim at the motel.

The two argued about money and Ruff tried to leave, the Costa Mesa Police Department said in a statement.

The Newport Beach man apparently had given Ruff money, and when he tried to get it back from her, there was a struggle, according to the department.

Costa Mesa police Lt. Paul Beckman declined to say why the man gave Ruff money or exactly what they argued about.

Ruff left, but she returned a few moments later with Hall in a white Dodge Charger, police said.

Hall confronted the victim and an altercation occurred which resulted in the victim being stabbed, police said.

After the stabbing, police released photos of the Charger and its license plate number in an attempt to find suspects.

Police said the Charger had been rented and that investigators found it near Los Angeles International Airport after it was returned to the rental company.

Hall and Ruff were booked into Orange County Jail with bail set at $1 million each, according to police.

In January 2013, Ruff pleaded guilty to loitering with the intent to commit prostitution. In April that year, she pleaded guilty to agreeing to engage in prostitution.

In 2012, she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of falsely representing herself to a police officer.

--

jeremiah.dobruck2@latimes.com

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck
Good morning, 818. Today is Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Temperatures for today are forecasted to reach a high of 88 and a low of 56, according to the National Weather Service.

Here are the stories making headlines in and around your community:

Crime and Public Safety

Reward offered after fatal hit-and-run

Glendale is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a hit-and-run driver whose car struck and killed an 81-year-old Glendale man Saturday. Martiros Arutyunyan was legally crossing Broadway from Belmont Street about 8 p.m. when he was struck by a white Toyota Camry, according to Glendale Police Sgt. Robert William. The driver, a woman, failed to stop and fled east on Broadway. Glendale News-Press

NEWSLETTER: Get the latest 818 headlines straight to your inbox >>

Arrest made after chase, alleged carjacking

Glendale police nabbed an armed carjacking suspect who reportedly jumped into a UPS truck after running away from an officer during a traffic stop, authorities said. The truck driver drove a short distance before stopping the vehicle and jumping out. Police caught up with the suspect, used a Taser on him and subsequently discovered a loaded revolver in the mans front pocket. Glendale News-Press

Recent gang activity in Burbank renews concerns

As police investigate five gang shootings, two in one day, and three gang stabbings in recent months with a skeleton staff and no dedicated gang-enforcement detail, some who remember Burbanks history fear the agency lacks resources to target gang crime in a proactive way. Burbank Leader

--

Civic News and Politics

Get them your questions

The League of Women Voters of Glendale/Burbank is seeking questions and concerns from the public as the California primary election draws near. The local chapter is asking voters to submit questions to ask candidates running for the 5th District seat for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the 25th District of the state Senate, the 43rd District of the state Assembly and the 28th District for the U.S. Congress. Burbank Leader

Airports executive director plans his departure

The executive director of the Bob Hope Airport announced on Monday that he will retire in 2018 and, according to the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, the search for his replacement will begin immediately. Commissioners then unanimously approved a contract with ADK Consulting Inc. to identify a successor for Dan Feger, who started working at the airfield in 1988 as an airport engineer. Burbank Leader

--

In the Community

Armenian Genocide documentary to premiere locally

A new documentary about the Armenian Genocide will premiere this week in Glendale. The Other Side of Home, directed by Nare Mkrtchyan, follows the journey of an Armenian filmmaker and a Turkish woman whose lives have been defined by the genocide. The premiere will be at 8 p.m. Thursday at MGN Five Star Cinema, 128 N. Maryland Ave. Glendale News-Press

--

Education

Local student artists finish first, second in Congressional competition

Crescenta Valley High School student Austin White won first place in this years Congressional Art Competition, sponsored locally by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank). Fellow student Shakeh Aslanyan, who attends Clark Magnet High School, placed second for her oil painting titled As I Am, which will hang in Schiffs Washington, D.C. office. Glendale News-Press

--

Ryan Fonseca, ryan.fonseca@latimes.com

Twitter: @RyFons
Dr. Lynne Kitei never gave much thought to UFOs. As a physician and educator, she focused on this world, not some other.

I had no interest in or knowledge of this topic, she said in a recent interview. In fact, I shied away from it all. About as close as she came were the original Star Trek TV episodes and the movies E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, part of the popular culture of her sons growing-up years.

All of that changed in 1995 when she saw something from her suburban Phoenix home.

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From the bedroom window of their house perched above Phoenix, she and her husband, Frank, also a physician, saw amber orbs in a pyramid formation ... hovering there for some time right in front of us.

As I was looking at them, I tried to take everything in mentally, she said. I had never seen anything like this -- three orbs that were oval-shaped, 3 to 6 feet, with a uniform amber color.

She saw what came to be known as the Phoenix Lights.

From May 12-15, the 17th annual McMenamins UFO Festival in McMinville, Ore., about 52 miles southwest of Portland, Ore., will bring together skeptics and believers, experts and neophytes, those looking for facts and those looking for fun.

Among the more lighthearted events: an alien costume ball, an alien pet costume festival, and a UFO 5K run.

 The UFOfest in McMinville, Ore., isnt all serious.

All of this takes place near the site where, in 1950, farmer Paul Trent photographed what appeared to be alien spacecraft. The pictures, which came to be known as the Trent photos, were published in Life magazine in June 1950.

Despite extensive analysis, no definitive consensus about the veracity of the Trent photos has ever been reached.

Like the Trent photos, the Phoenix Lights seem also to defy explanation, only in this case, the witnesses extend far beyond one couple. Hundreds of people from Arizona to Mexico saw the lights on March 13, 1997, two years after Kitei first saw them. She had seen them again in January of that year.

This photograph was taken by Dr. Lynne Kitei almost two months before the mass sighting of the mysterious amber orbs around Phoenix in 1997. (Dr. Lynne Kitei / Special to the Los Angeles Times)

Heres how the Arizona Republic described what happened on that night: It is generally agreed that at about 10 p.m. on March 13, 1997, under a clear sky with no breeze, a string of lights appeared to the southwest. The orbs seemed to form a flattened V shape, like a boomerang. They appeared to be motionless, or traveling so slowly that movement was imperceptible.

They shimmered for five to 10 minutes and were seen by hundreds, and likely thousands, of people.

They were flares, the military said later. UFOs? Preposterous, said then-Gov. Fife Symington, who brought out someone dressed in an alien costume at a news conference to discuss the phenomenon.

Kitei was reluctant to come forward with information that included, besides her firsthand observation, videos that she shot. She saw how people who report such things are treated, no matter their professional standing, never mind a scientific mindset that insists on data before reaching any conclusion.

She finally put aside her hesitation and embraced her encounter. It changed her life, which became a journey to document what she and others had seen.

Witnessing the lights was a gift, she writes in her book The Phoenix Lights: A Skeptics Discovery That We Are Not Alone.

The journey to find the source and meaning was a bonus. I would have never chosen this path. But now that I had stumbled upon it, I was realizing more and more how awesome, exciting, scary and cool it was -- all at the same time.

The lights didnt frighten her, she said in an interview. They were awesome and wondrous, she said. There has not been one report of harm, threat or abduction associated with the Phoenix Lights phenomenon.

Bogus or benign beings? We may never know. But the fest offers an opportunity to consider and contemplate what else may be out there.

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A new documentary film calls Rolly Crump playful, energetic, inspirational, risque, fearless and kooky but finally settles on one word to best describe the legendary Disney Imagineer: whimsical.

The Whimsical Imagineer by producer and director Ken Kebow will make its world premiere on Tuesday at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

The 30-minute documentary pays tribute to the self-described worst artist ever hired by Walt Disney Animation Studios who went on to help create three of Disneylands most beloved attractions: Its a Small World, the Haunted Mansion and the Enchanted Tiki Room.

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I wasnt that much of an illustrator, Crump says in the film. I think Walt liked my imagination.

The film focuses on Crumps Disney career in the 1960s, with retrospection from his fellow Imagineers.

Rolly is quite humble about his work and his career, Kebow said. What I kept hearing from people we interviewed for the program was how inspirational Rolly was as a leader and how much he encouraged individual creativity. He created an environment where people were encouraged and inspired to be creative.

Influenced by comic strips and comic books, Crump began drawing as a child in the 1930s while trying to imagine the mental pictures painted in his head by radio serials such as Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy.

Crump got his start at Disneys animation studio in 1952 working for Eric Larson, one of Disneys Nine Old Men.

They told me I probably had the worst portfolio of anyone that was ever hired in animation at the studio, Crump says in the film. I still hold that record I think.

Making $35 per week, Crump took a significant pay cut to work as an in-betweener animator on Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians. On weekends, to supplement his income, he lowered bricks and mixed mud with a work crew building sewer manholes.

His big break came when a playful propeller exhibit Crump set up in the studio library caught Walt Disneys eye. In 1959, Crump moved to WED Enterprises  the precursor to Walt Disney Imagineering  to help bring to life the new Disneyland attractions the boss was dreaming up.

The one thing Walt taught me more than anything else was the big picture, Crump says in the film. He had a vision and knew exactly what it was going to be and how to get there.

Crump immediately set to work on a field of flowers with propeller petals for Ozland, a Wizard of Oz land envisioned for Disneyland that never materialized.

Crump made his first significant imprint on Disneyland with the Enchanted Tiki Room. Originally envisioned as a restaurant, the Tiki Room featured a new innovation for the park: audio-animatronic birds. Crumps hand-carved tiki mask sculptures made him a hero to fans of kitschy South Pacific design.

Rolly is sort of revered in the tiki culture community, says his son Chris Crump, who is also an Imagineer. He is a god in their world.

For the 1964 New York Worlds Fair, Crump and his team built more than 350 toys for Its a Small World. The marquee Tower of the Four Winds entry sculpture once again featured Crumps signature propellers. The attraction moved to Disneyland after the Worlds Fair, and to this day a parade of wooden dolls march around the facades clock tower every 15 minutes.

The toys, the facade and all of that was just pure, complete Rolly, Imagineer Steve Kirk says in the movie.

The Haunted Mansion was Crumps crowning achievement. He worked with Yale Gracey and a number of Imagineers on the dark and weird ride, which was originally envisioned as a walk-through attraction. Some of Crumps bizarre concepts for a never-realized Museum of the Weird restaurant made their way into the Haunted Mansion.

A lot of people say, What was your favorite project? Crump says in the film. They were all my favorite projects. The thing I love the most is a challenge. To be asked to do something youve never done before. And thats about as exciting as you can get. Believe it or not, thats where the imagination kicks in.

Crump was named a Disney Legend in 2004 and got an honorary palm reader window on Disneylands Main Street USA promising whimsical and weird predictions that will haunt you. His 2012 autobiography, Its Kind of a Cute Story, has spawned three sequels.

The documentary includes some rarely seen footage of test runs through Small World, scale models of the Haunted Mansion and early concept drawings for the Tiki Room. Kebow licensed film footage and photo stills for the documentary from the Disney Archives.

Kebow, who owns a San Diego video production company, previously made an award-winning PBS documentary in 2008 on youth violence. Driven by Crumps enduring creative spark, Kebow and his filmmaking team have worked on the Whimsical Imagineer documentary since 2009.

One thing I love about Rolly is how, in his 80s, he has been able to hold on to his childlike imagination, Kebow said. It is so easy to lose track of ones own sense of creativity as we move into adulthood, and Rolly has never lost touch with that.

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The death toll in Afghanistan from a massive car bombing and gun attack claimed by the Taliban has more than doubled to 64, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday.

Tuesdays attack in the capital, Kabul, which targeted a directorate responsible for the security of high-level officials and dignitaries, also injured 347 people, including women and children, said Sediq Sediqqi, a ministry spokesman.

The revised toll makes it the deadliest bombing in Kabul since 2011, when an attack on a religious procession resulted in 70 deaths and at least 160 injuries.

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The majority of Tuesdays casualties were civilians, Sediqqi told reporters at a news conference.

The attack reportedly killed dozens of people in the directorate. The initial blast killed 22 people, including 15 cadets and two guards, and a subsequent gun battle involving several assailants left many more dead, according to news reports.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani lashed out at the Taliban while visiting the injured at a Kabul hospital Tuesday evening, calling the attack inhuman and un-Islamic.

He went on to accuse the Taliban of working for unspecified foreign interests.

Vowing vengeance for each drop of blood spilled, Ghani asked the militants "[Do] you know who you are working for? [Do] you know who you are a proxy to?

Ghanis chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, canceled a May 2 visit to Pakistan, citing the findings of a preliminary investigation.

Afghans have long accused their neighbor of aiding and abetting the armed opposition in Afghanistan, including the Taliban.

At a news conference Wednesday, the Afghan intelligence agency said the attack was planned by the militant Haqqani network in Pakistan.

The Taliban said in a statement posted on the groups website that three attackers were behind the bombing.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, named the three as Jamaluddin, from the eastern province of Maidan Wardak; Sayed Abdul Wali Agha, of the southern province of Kandahar; and an unidentified third assailant the group claims escaped alive.

Afghan police officials said one of the attackers was killed in the gun battle.

At a meeting of security officials on Tuesday evening, Interior Minister Taj Mohammad Jahid ordered police to hunt down terrorists in the city, saying the Taliban aims to carry out attacks in Kabul and elsewhere aimed at hurting civilians.

Jahid also instructed all those in attendance to do everything possible to improve the security in Kabul and other cities.

Tuesdays bombing happened in a high-traffic area of central Kabul. The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries estimated Wednesday that about $10 million worth of damage was done to businesses, personal property and vehicles.

Afghans have rallied around the victims, lining up to donate blood.

The attack left many here devastated and fearing what they see as a deteriorating security situation in the nation. This comes despite efforts by a four-nation group made up of Afghanistan, China, the United States and Pakistan to engage the Taliban in a nascent peace process.

A recent United Nations report found that civilian casualties continue to reach record highs in Afghanistan.

Between Jan. 1 and March 31, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan documented 1,943 civilian casualties. While the number of deaths  600  fell by 13%, the 1,343 injuries marked an 11% increase over the same period last year.

Latifi is a special correspondent.
The relocation of the Changzhou Foreign Languages School to a new 153-acre campus last fall was supposed to mark a bright new era for the private institution, where many of the 2,500 seventh- through 12th-grade students aspire to attend college abroad.

But soon after the buildings opened in September, students noticed strange smells that some likened to rotten eggs and began complaining of cramps, skin ailments and other health problems.

Parents began to suspect the area may have been contaminated by chemical and pesticide factories that had once been located across the street. In January, classes were suspended for about two weeks while tests were conducted by provincial and city environmental authorities. Those checks found elevated levels of contaminants, though officials insisted the problem wasnt serious.

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But this week, state-run China Central Television aired an expose reporting that the school in the city of Changzhou, about 670 miles southeast of Beijing, had knowingly been built on land rife with contamination. The CCTV report said 641 students had undergone physical examinations, with 493 diagnosed with illnesses including bronchitis, dermatitis, lymphoma and leukemia.

Although the report did not detail how many cases of each disease were found, it quoted experts as saying the ailments were probably linked to chloroform, benzene and other toxic substances in the soil and water.

National outrage has ensued. As government ministries announced investigations, environmental groups pounced on the report as yet another example of Chinas insufficient enforcement of ecological standards.

The tragedy that has occurred in Changzhou shows just how dangerously lax Chinas hazardous chemical management is, said Ada Kong, manager of Greenpeace East Asias toxins campaign.

Despite what seems like a robust official reaction, the school has remained open. A woman in the admissions department who answered the phone Tuesday said the school was functioning as normal and all the students were well.

On its website, the school posted a message saying that two companies had collected air, soil and groundwater samples at the school in late March and that both firms found the levels of toxic substances including formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and xylene to be below national limits. The message said the soil and groundwater satisfy the school environment criteria.

Former employees of the chemical factories interviewed on camera by CCTV said they had buried toxic materials nearby and released untreated wastewater into waterways.

After the factories were closed about six years ago, the network reported, a government study found the areas contaminated with extreme levels of toxic substances, including chlorobenzene concentrations 78,899 times the permitted levels in soil and 94,799 times the permitted levels in groundwater.

Carbon tetrachloride levels were found to be 22,699 times the national limits. That study also found elevated levels of lead, cadmium and mercury.

Changzhou authorities, who at one point had considered turning the area into an ecological park, gave the school permission to relocate there anyway, according to the television report.

The network said tests conducted for its investigation revealed alarming amounts of toxic substances in the soil and groundwater at the school. Pan Xiaochuan, a professor of public health at Peking University, told CCTV that there were absolutely carcinogens on the campus and that long exposure to them could cause cancer.

Parents have staged protests outside local government offices, demanding answers and accountability. Some held signs reading, Get away from toxic land!

Greenpeace called on the government to investigate why the campus was allowed to be built and to establish a comprehensive hazardous chemicals management system to prevent a repeat of the situation elsewhere.

Polluted school has become a hot topic on the Chinese Internet, with more than 45 million views on the Sina Weibo microblog platform. It almost took half a year to get this tragedy exposed, one user wrote. Theres so much hiding! Suppressing! Covering up! This is so serious!

But some students took to the Web to defend the school and play down the concerns.

One wrote: I dont know whether the experts were telling the truth, but Ive been drinking water here for more than half a year and Im fine. And I know there hasnt been any case of serious illness here.

Besides CCTV, other Chinese media have also reported on contaminants near the school. Students at the adjacent Changzhou Trina International School had complained of ailments in 2014, according to Modern Express, a newspaper that is part of the official New China News Agency.

Yingzhi Yang and Nicole Liu of The Times Beijing bureau contributed to this report.
The state of press freedom in Japan is now worse than that in Tanzania, according to a new ranking from the non-profit group Reporters Without Borders.

Japan came in 72nd of the 180 countries ranked in the groups 2016 press freedom index, falling 11 places since last year.

Europes media was deemed to have the most freedom this year, but the situation has worsened significantly in most of the Asia-Pacific region.

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For Japans journalists, things have taken a turn for the worse relatively recently. Just six years ago, the country ranked 11th in the world.

Japans poor performance on press freedom is particularly surprising given its standing as one of the worlds leading developed countries. The island nation of 125 million people has the worlds third-largest economy and a vibrant democracy whose postwar constitution guarantees freedoms of speech, press and assembly.

With Japan hosting the G7 meeting next month of leading democracies, the press crackdown is an international black eye for Japan and makes it an outlier in the group, said Jeff Kingston, a professor of history and director of Asian studies at Temple University and author of the book Contemporary Japan: History, Politics, and Social Change since the 1980s.

The 2011 meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant set the stage for the erosion of press freedoms, Kingston said. Japans slide in the rankings began with the incomplete coverage of the Fukushima meltdowns and the governments efforts to downplay the accident; Tokyo Electric Power Company (and Japan) denied the triple meltdown for two months, he said. Sadly, the Japanese media went along with this charade because here it is all about access. Those media outlets that dont toe the line find themselves marginalized by the powers that be. Since [Fukushima], Japans culture wars over history, constitutional revision and security doctrine have been fought on the media battlefield.

When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returned for a second term in 2012, five years after he resigned abruptly amid growing unpopularity in 2007, his administration began cracking down on perceived bias in the nations media.

At first, the media didnt hold back in criticizing his administration. The press lambasted Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso for saying that Japan should learn from the way the Nazi party stealthily changed Germanys constitution before World War II. But critics say Asos suggestion foreshadowed things to come.

Two years ago, the Abe administration pushed through a state secrets bill ostensibly designed to prevent classified information from leaking to China or Russia. But the measure allows for journalists and bloggers to be jailed for up to five years for asking about something that is a state secret, even if they arent aware it is one. Thousands protested the law when it was passed on Dec. 6, 2013.

Abes friend, conservative businessman Katsuto Momii, became the head of Japans major public broadcasting company, NHK, in 2014, in a move that has compromised the independence of its reports. Momii has stated publicly that NHK should not deviate from the governments position in its reporting.

Abes Liberal Democratic party also recently proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow the government to curtail speech that harms the public interest and public order.

In June 2015, members of the party urged the government to punish media outlets critical of the government and pressure companies not to advertise with them.

This year, Abes Communications Minister Sanae Takaichi threatened to shut down news broadcasters over politically biased reports -- something TV and radio laws in Japan empower her to do.

A week later, three television presenters who had been critical of the Abe administration were all removed from their positions.

Veteran reporters in Japan have criticized Abes government for applying pressure to reporters, but also decry the increasing self-censorship going on in the countrys press. To me, the most serious problem is self-restraint by higher-ups at broadcast stations, Soichiro Tahara, one of the countrys most revered journalists, told reporters last month.

The Abe administrations threats to media independence, the turnover in media personnel in recent months and the increase in self-censorship within leading media outlets are endangering the underpinnings of democracy in Japan, Reporters Without Borders concluded in its report released this month about declining media freedoms in Japan.

Independence of the press is facing serious threats, David Kaye, U.N. special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, said during a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan on Tuesday. Many journalists who came to me and my team asked for anonymity in our discussions. Many claimed to have been sidelined or silenced following indirect pressure from politicians.

The state originally invited Kaye to visit last December, but the trip was canceled abruptly after Japanese authorities claimed to be unable to set up meetings in time.

Kaye called for Japans Broadcast Law to be revised to ensure press freedom, and criticized Japans press club structure as detrimental to an independent press. In Japan, reporters are granted access through press clubs, or kisha clubs, formed around groups and government organizations. They serve as gatekeepers, and typically dont grant access to weekly magazines, like Shukan Bunshun, which excel at investigative journalism.

Journalists in those kisha clubs tend to be focused very much together in this same kind of social network. And I think that allows for mechanisms of pressure. It may be a kind of peer pressure thats very difficult to resist, Kaye said.
The Ukrainian platoon commander sat in a burned-out armored vehicle on the edge of the Donetsk airport runway with the body of his comrade in the drivers seat next to him. He could hear the separatist fighters who had killed the man just yards away in the thick fog.

Only a few days earlier, Maxim Bugel, a former cellphone company manager, had sat at the base with his friend, drinking tea and laughing at his jokes. They had shared memories of the peaceful life they once had. Now Bugel was trying to extract the mans charred body from the blackened hulk to return it home for proper burial.

The driver and the four others in the vehicle had died in the final days of the siege of the Donetsk airport, whose once-glass-walled new terminal building became a doomed little Stalingrad for its outgunned Ukrainian defenders.

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For 242 days, they had held out against pro-Russia separatists who bombarded them from beyond the runways and prowled above and below them in the wreckage of the terminal. Finally, last week, the surviving Ukrainian soldiers fled. The battle had been lost.

I was surrounded by comrades all of whom were dead and by enemies very much alive.  Maxim Bugel, platoon commander

Bugel heard laughter and loud voices at the top of the skeletal control tower. He peered out of the armored vehicle and saw a couple of separs hoisting the black, blue and red flag of Donetsks self-proclaimed republic. One man held a video camera and another a microphone, interviewing jubilant fighters about their victory.

His heart pounded as four of his soldiers carried the first two bodies back to their truck, a 10-minute walk through a nightmarish landscape of war debris and filthy snow.

Exhausted, he sat for a while with his friend. It was freezing; he could see his breath. Then, straining with the weight, he pushed the dead driver out onto the ground.

It was like visiting hell, the lanky officer, looking younger than his 32 years in his ill-fitting uniform, recalled from a heavily damaged dacha compound on the outskirts of Donetsk. I was surrounded by comrades, all of whom were dead, and by enemies very much alive.

::

When Bugels soldiers returned, they momentarily debated whether to shoot at the men in the tower. But they decided against it, given that some appeared to be journalists, even if they were Russian.

Instead, they left in silence with the corpses of their fallen comrades. Bugel carried one of them on his back.

The driver is identifiable because he was in the drivers seat and we know his name, Bugel said. One man still had a Kalashnikov in his arm and we could identify him by the weapons number. The other three will be taken to a lab for identification.

All the men were with the same airborne brigade that was the last to defend the terminal, a battle that had left dozens dead and hundreds wounded.

But in recent days, after several broken truces, separatists tightened a noose around the terminal, bombarding it day and night.

They drove up two tanks right in front of the terminal and shot it point-blank a few times and went away before our artillery could get them, and they would do it again and again, completely turning the terminal into a sieve, brigade commander Col. Yevgeny Moysyuk said with a deep sigh.

We couldnt get our tanks or armored vehicles there anymore because they had used the truce time to fortify all the side approaches and deploy all kinds of heavy weapons.

In the end, all his brigades armored vehicles were destroyed or damaged and 62 men were unaccounted for. At least 13 were dead, including the five in the vehicle. The rest, he said, had been taken prisoner, or worse.

Moysyuks eyes were full of fury as he insisted that the enemy included Russian regular troops, even though Moscow has denied being directly involved in the fight.

The language they spoke, the accents, the jargon, the vocabulary  all was Russian Russian, not even Ukrainian Russian, he said bitterly, recalling their intercepted radio communications as he sat in a darkened basement in the dacha compound. They were professionals, no question about it.

As he spoke, a Grad missile struck the roof of a neighboring house, a direct hit, a duty officer reported.

The professionals, he said, had driven the terminals defenders from the ground floor to the second floor, then climbed up into the third floor, laid explosives and blew up the ceiling and the base of the second floor. Most of about 50 Ukrainian paratroopers there were wounded or killed, he said.

::

Ukrainian journalists and politicians like to call Donetsks defenders cyborgs, death-defying symbols of popular resistance to what many in Ukraine see as a Russian invasion.

The cyborgs withstood the final attack; the concrete didnt, said a battalion commander for another brigade with the code name Mike, whose units successfully defended the airports two terminals for most of October and November.

Moysyuk complained that his men had kind of had fallen hostage to this beautiful cyborg legend, trying to live up to the myth when it was already impossible to defend a collapsing building that finally fell on their heads.

We should have evacuated our men a few days earlier, then waited for the separs to converge on the premises and bury them under the ruins, he said. But in war it is your will against his will, and your smarts against his, and they buried us instead.

He recalled the final days of the siege.

At one point, in a desperate bid to rescue his men, Moysyuk borrowed a couple of armored vehicles with drivers from another brigade. But the drivers refused to go into what they knew was a fiery hell.

So Moysyuks own officers drove into the fog that had descended on the tarmac. Misled by the fog, they arrived at a different building, where they were surrounded by the enemy.

They were greatly outnumbered, they used all the ammo, and then there was a hand-to-hand fight. Some were killed; some were subdued and taken POW, Moysyuk said.

The next day, the remaining paratroopers were ordered to attack the airport head-on.

This is just sheer idiocy! exclaimed an airborne battalion commander, Maj. Ruslan Prusov. We are not infantry; we are paratroops. We need some armor to travel on into battle. We dont have it.

To really storm the airport and win it back, we need 10,000 men, tanks and armored vehicles, but first of all one or two hours of serious artillery or missile bombardments, Prusov said. But best of all, attacks by combat jets or tactical missiles.

Prusovs battalion had been on the march for more than 24 hours to get to the airport. The troops arrived exhausted at 6 a.m. Jan. 20, without having had a proper meal or rest. With just 14 armored vehicles and 124 men, they were ordered to carry out yet another rescue mission at 8 a.m.

I lost two men dead, seven wounded and seven vehicles before even reaching the tarmac, said Prusov, who now camps out with his men in the damaged but still lavish mansion of a former Soviet KGB general  minus water, electricity and heating  on the outskirts of Donetsk.

When those who made it got there, they were almost shot at by the defenders who couldnt believe they were being rescued and at first took them for enemies in the fog.

::

The man in charge of the operation, Col. Gen. Viktor Muzhenko, Ukraines military chief of staff, was not inclined to share the pessimism of his subordinates.

Muzhenko wore a regular soldiers uniform and carried a Kalashnikov in his hands near the airport in full daylight. When artillery rounds exploded about 50 yards away, he refused to acknowledge them or accelerate his pace.

A war doesnt proceed without casualties, Muzhenko said. The losses of the opposite side are far greater than ours, and we didnt lose the airport, as it just became the front line, that is all.

Everything was done properly and on time, and the battle in which the airport is just a small element is far from being over, he said. You just wait and see.

About a mile away, a doctor examined a large, bleeding wound on the top of a soldiers head. The man said he felt dizzy and the doctor asked him to wait so that he could put some stitches and bandages on it.

Dont you think he should go to a hospital? another soldier asked.

The doctor laughed. If we send everyone with such wounds to a hospital, he said, we will run out of men to fight the war with.

sergei.loiko@latimes.com
Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro delivered a valedictory speech Tuesday to the Communist Party that he put in power half a century ago, telling party members he is nearing the end of his life and exhorting them to help his ideas survive.

Ill be 90 years old soon, Castro said in his most extensive public appearance in years. Soon Ill be like all the others. The time will come for all of us, but the ideas of the Cuban Communists will remain as proof on this planet that if they are worked at with fervor and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need, and we need to fight without a truce to obtain them.

Castro spoke as the government announced that his brother Raul will retain the Communist Partys highest post alongside his hard-line second-in-command. That announcement and Fidel Castros speech together delivered a resounding message that the islands revolutionary generation will remain in control even as its members age and die, relations with the U.S. are normalized, and popular dissatisfaction grows over the countrys economic performance.

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Fifty-five years after Fidel Castro declared that Cubas revolution was socialist and began installing a single-party system and centrally planned economy, the government is battling a deep crisis of credibility.

With no memory of the revolutions heady first decades, younger Cubans complain bitterly about low state salaries of about $25 a month that leave them struggling to afford food and other staple goods. Cubas creaky state-run media and cultural institutions compete with flashy foreign programming shared online and on memory drives passed hand-to-hand. Emigration to the United States and other countries has soared to one of its highest points since the revolution.

Limited openings to private enterprise have stalled, and the government describes capitalism as a threat even as it appears unable to increase productivity in Cubas inefficient, theft-plagued networks of state-run enterprises.

The ideological gulf between government and people widened last month when President Obama became the first U.S. leader to visit Cuba in nearly 90 years and delivered a widely praised speech live on state television urging Cubans to forget the history of hostility between the U.S. and Cuba and move toward a new era of normal diplomatic and economic relations.

The Cuban government offered little unified response until the Seventh Communist Party Congress began Saturday, and one high-ranking official after another warned that the U.S. was still an enemy that wants to take control of Cuba. They said Obamas trip represented an ideological attack.

That defensive stance was reinforced Tuesday as the congress ended and the government said Raul Castro, 84, would remain the partys first secretary and Jose Ramon Machado Ventura would hold the post of second secretary for at least part of a second five-year term.

Shortly after the congress ended Tuesday afternoon, government-run television showed rare images of Fidel Castro, 89, seated at the dais in Havanas Convention Palace, dressed in a plaid shirt and sweat top and speaking to the crowd in a strong if occasionally trembling voice. State television showed at least one delegate tearful with emotion, and the crowd greeting the revolutionary leader with shouts of Fidel!

This may be one of the last times I speak in this room, Castro said. We must tell our brothers in Latin America and the world that the Cuban people will be victorious.

ALSO

A police officer killed a man over a cup of tea in Egypt

Up to 500 feared dead in wreck of migrant smuggling boat in Mediterranean

Obama goes to Saudi Arabia to rebuild a relationship strained by Iran, Islamic State and 9/11
The latest incident highlighting complaints of police abuse in Egypt started with a cup of tea.

According to witnesses interviewed by authorities, a police officer had grown accustomed to getting a cup of tea from a street vendor for free.

On Tuesday, when the vendor finally asked the low-ranking officer to pay, the officer pulled out his gun and killed the vendor in broad daylight in the New Cairo district, authorities said.

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The angry officer fired three bullets from his gun, also injuring two other people, according to initial prosecution investigations. Angry motorists crashed into his police vehicle to prevent him from fleeing and he was later arrested.

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Video of scores of people protesting the shooting later spread across social media accounts.

Scores of similar altercations involving police have been reported over the last few months, with officers accused of harassing, raping, blackmailing and killing citizens.

Although the Interior Ministry acknowledged a number of cases of police abuse reported by local and international media, top police officials have often dubbed the assaults individual cases, adding, as if by explanation, that lower-ranked officers do not go through the same training and educational programs their superiors undertake.

In reaction to Tuesdays killing, Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar insisted that the actions of one policeman do not reflect the efforts and sacrifices made by the majority of officers to maintain peace and security.

Any officer who commits a mistake is immediately subjected to investigations, Abdel Ghaffar said.

This month, another police officer was sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of killing a citizen in Cairo in February.

According to the court ruling, Officer Mostafa Mahmoud Abdel Haseeb refused to pay a driver the agreed-upon fee for moving his furniture. Abdel Haseeb took out his gun and shot the driver by mistake as the argument heated up.

The incident prompted hundreds of angry citizens to gather outside Cairos Security Directorate for hours to protest the killing.

Other victims of police assaults were less successful in getting justice.

The actions of another officer led to a nationwide strike and a protest by thousands of members of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, a doctors union, in February after he beat two physicians at a public hospital for refusing to treat him ahead of other patients.

Khaled Fahmy, a professor at the American University of Cairo who had written about Egyptian police history, said the Interior Ministry generally tolerates excessive force against civilians.

For years, we have been saying that the culture endorsed by officers is: Do what whatever you want and we [the ministry] will protect you, Fahmy wrote on his Facebook page, referring to the deaths on Tuesday and in February. This does not mean that there arent any honorable officers, but the dominating culture within the ministry is stronger than those honorable officers.

It cannot be a coincidence that two low-ranked officers have killed innocent people just because the assaulted were asking to be paid for the services they provide officers with.

The latest killing comes as the Egyptian security apparatus is facing increased criticism after the torture and death of an Italian doctoral student, Giulio Regeni, in January.

Authorities say Regeni was attacked by men impersonating officers, and deny any role in his death.

Critics and the Italian government say Egyptian authorities have hindered investigative efforts and withheld information about the killing. Italy withdrew its ambassador from Egypt for consultations over the matter.

Hassan is a special correspondent.

ALSO

Up to 500 feared dead in wreck of migrant smuggling boat in Mediterranean

Obama goes to Saudi Arabia to rebuild a relationship strained by Iran, Islamic State and 9/11

Fidel Castro, nearing 90, calls on Cubas Communist Party to carry on revolutionary ideals
President Obama begins a delicate mission Wednesday both to reinforce his strategic aims in the Middle East and to ease tension with an aggrieved longtime ally, Saudi Arabia.

Neither will be easy.

After he lands in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, he will meet privately with King Salman, who has clashed with White House efforts on Iran, the wars in Yemen and Syria, and the battle against Islamic State.

The White House characterized the visit as a follow-up to talks in May when Obama hosted the leaders of Americas Persian Gulf allies at the presidential retreat at Camp David. Salman stayed home in what diplomats called a snub.

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Little came of the summit beyond a flurry of weapons sales, and if anything, the relationship between Washington and Riyadh has grown more troubled.

Four decades of close ties were based on shared views of security in the Middle East, on the U.S. need for Saudi oil and on the Saudi ability to leverage its vast wealth for regional stability. Today there is divergence on all points.

Saudi Arabia considers its rival Iran as the top security threat in the region and is appalled that the Obama administration has begun to engage with Tehran around the landmark nuclear arms agreement signed last year. The White House is more worried about the terrorist threat from Islamic State.

Fracking and more drilling have helped the United States begin to ease dependence on Saudi oil. At the same time, plummeting global oil prices over the last year have begun to choke Riyadhs economy and its influence.

Obama also will face diplomatic fallout for his remarkably undiplomatic interviews with the Atlantic magazine. A recent piece described him as irritated that foreign policy orthodoxy requires him to treat Saudi Arabia as an ally.

In the article, Obama criticized free riders in the Middle East who turn to the United States for security but dont pull their own weight.

Saudi Arabia, he said, must learn to share the neighborhood with Iran, an alarming suggestion for the Saudis and their smaller Sunni Muslim neighbors who fear the Shiite government in Iran.

The White House sought to downplay any divisions with Riyadh and insisted Obama routinely urges other countries to take a greater role in the fight against Islamic State.

There have always been complexities, said Ben Rhodes, the deputy national security advisor. We do believe that weve had good cooperation and enhanced cooperation since the summit last year, but theres always room to see what more can be done.

The relationship is characterized by extensive counter-terrorism cooperation, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. That cooperation enhances our national security, it makes the American people safer. The Saudi government happens to think that it enhances the national security of their country  and makes the Saudi people safer as well.

The friction focused new attention on legislation introduced by Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) last year that could allow Americans to sue the Saudi government in U.S. courts for its suspected support for some of the Sept. 11 hijackers, a claim Riyadh has staunchly denied.

Obama said Monday on CBS This Morning that he opposes the legislation because it would open the U.S. government to suits from foreign citizens.

The Saudis have reportedly threatened drastic economic retaliation if the bill is enacted into law, including a potentially destabilizing sell-off of hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. debt and other assets.

Partly as a result, the State Department issued a travel warning for Americans considering trips to Saudi Arabia.

Evidence that Saudi officials may have aided some of the hijackers reportedly is included in a still-classified 28-page segment of the official Sept. 11 report. Obama said James R. Clapper, director of national intelligence, is reviewing the section and will release it if it can be declassified.

Another toxin in the relationship was the Obama administrations failure to support Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a Sunni strongman overthrown in the 2011 Arab Spring revolt that eventually gave way briefly to an Islamic government.

Similarly, Obamas declaration of a red line if Syrian President Bashar Assads forces used chemical weapons  and then Obamas refusal to bomb when they did so  deepened a crisis of confidence among the Persian Gulf states, diplomats say.

No U.S. relationship has shifted more fundamentally during Obamas tenure than that with Saudi Arabia, said Vali Nasr, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington.

The Saudis and other gulf leaders are trying to ascertain whether the change will last beyond the Obama administration.

Theyre counting on it not, Nasr said.

In recent months, Saudi Arabia has made a point of reasserting its leadership in the region.

Salman made high-profile trips to Egypt and Turkey, where he brokered a long-delayed rapprochement between the two countries and took custody from Egypt of two islands in the Red Sea. Last weekend, Saudi Arabia backed out of a major OPEC deal that would have granted Iran a larger share of the market.

The kingdom has executed dozens of accused terrorists, including a prominent Shiite cleric whom the U.S. has asked be spared, and mobilized a 34-nation Islamic military alliance against Iran.

Saudi Arabia wants to continue to remind [Washington] of its influence, importance and power and not be taken for granted, said Nasr, a former senior State Department advisor.

Though the relationship has soured, no one predicts a breakup.

The U.S. provides crucial intelligence to Saudi Arabia in neighboring Yemen, where Saudi airstrikes and ground forces are supporting the ousted government against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The Saudis have also joined the U.S. in assisting some of the Syrian militias arrayed against Assad and in getting them to peace talks in Geneva.

On Thursday, Obama will take part in a summit in Riyadh with the other gulf nations. Aides said he will press the gulf states to take a greater role in efforts to defeat Islamic State.

We think these fights are best fought by local partners, said Rob Malley, a senior director on the National Security Council for the Middle East. There is sometimes room for external forces, but it has to be done in a smart way.

Malley said the administration also will work with Arab partners to look at de-escalating regional conflicts, not only in Syria but also in Yemen.

The fight in Yemen has distracted from the crucial fight against [Islamic State] and against Al Qaeda, he said.

Analysts say the Saudis loss of trust in the U.S. government is deep and perhaps permanent.

There is a real crisis of confidence, and no amount of summitry is going to change that, said David Weinberg, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies who specializes in the gulf region.

Theres no state in this region that doesnt have serious questions about U.S. policy and U.S. support and where the U.S. role in the region is headed, said Anthony Cordesman, a national security expert at the nonpartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies.
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New York favored its own on Tuesday as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were victorious in their respective presidential primary elections.

Clinton Owns NYC, But Sanders Rules Upstate & Westward

Overall, across the Empire State, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton defeated rival Bernie Sanders with 58.11 percent to 41.89 percent, or 1.04 million votes to 753,000 votes.

Clinton secured wins across the five boroughs of New York City, although Staten Island had a much narrow result that still favored the former New York senator with 52.9 percent to 47.1 percent for the current Vermont senator. Outside of NYC and Long Island, Clinton won Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Erie, Monroe and Onondaga counties, but Sanders dominated the rest of the state including Albany and Clinton counties.

In a statement to supporters, the Sanders campaign said, "When we started this campaign, we were down almost 50 points in New York -- the state where Hillary Clinton was elected to two terms in the U.S. Senate. We didn't get the victory we had hoped for this evening, but what's important is that it looks like we're going to win a lot more delegates in New York than any state that voted or caucused before tonight."

The Sanders campaign will roll on with events scheduled in Pennsylvania on April 21.

Based on CNN's estimates, of the 247 available pledged delegates -- not taking into account the 44 superdelegates, Clinton won 139 delegates, while Sanders isn't too far behind with 108 delegates. A Democratic presidential candidate requires 2,383 total delegates to clinch the party's nomination. With superdelegates, Clinton has 1,930 delegates to Sanders' 1,223.

"We started this race not far from here on Roosevelt Island," Clinton said on Tuesday night. "And tonight, a little less than a year later, the race for the Democratic nomination is in the homestretch and victory is in sight."

Trump Wins All But Manhattan

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump crushed rivals Ted Cruz and John Kasich.

Across the state, Trump won with 60.5 percent, securing at least 89 of the state's 95 Republican delegates. Kasich placed second with 25.1 percent, while Cruz finished third with 14.5 percent. Kasich is projected to win at least three delegates from New York. The Ohio governor can also brag that he won Manhattan, narrowly, with 45 percent to Trump's 42 percent, all Cruz was far behind with 13 percent.

The Republican presidential candidate requires 1,237 delegates to secure the party's nomination. Trump maintains the delegate count lead with 847, followed by Cruz with 553, and then 148 for Kasich.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
Latino family health organization Profamilas and the University of Puerto Rico will receive an emergency grant of $300,000 to fight the Zika virus, according to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The HHS awarded one-time payments through Title X Family Planning program grants allotted for low-income families in need of vital medical resources. In Puerto Rico's case, funds -- $250,000 of which goes to the university -- will "increase the availability of family planning services and access to contraception for women and men during the Zika outbreak."

U.S. health officials began researching the mosquito-borne disease in late January, days after Brazilian authorities reported 3,500 people -- mostly newborns and pregnant women -- tested positive for the birth defect microcephaly in a three-month period beginning October 2015.

Zika Cases from Brazil to Canada

A vast majority of infected women will not notice any symptoms, but doctors advise travelers to wait at least two months before visiting areas where Zika is present, if only because they are unsure how long the virus remains in one's blood.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued travel warnings for pregnant women heading to hard-hit areas across Latin America. By that time, Zika fears already reached the northern hemisphere. On Monday, Canadian health officials confirmed seven British Columbians, including two pregnant women, contracted Zika on recent trip to the Caribbean, Central and South America.

"The current status of diagnostic testing for Zika is alarming," said Tim Murphy, Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee Chairman, in a March 29 letter to HHS. "The most widespread of the tests -- which measures the presence of the virus in the blood -- only works if administered within five to seven days of the onset of symptoms."

"Given that nearly 80 percent of individuals infected with Zika appear to be asymptomatic, this test is insufficient for most people who will become infected," Murphy added.

Puerto Rico in Financial, Humanitarian Crisis

Puerto Rico's massive $72-billion debt leaves little, if any, financial wiggle room for some 3.5 million residents susceptible to Zika.

Cash-strapped hospitals continue to downsize, many who have trouble purchasing basic office supplies. Others, like San Jorge Children's Hospital, shut down services altogether. The island's largest pediatric hospital recently closed two wings and 40 rooms as part of cost-cutting measures that led to reduced hours for all employees.
Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto plans to spearhead a drive aimed at legalizing the use of medicinal marijuana, which could also push the idea of decriminalizing possession of certain amounts of the drug.

Pena Nieto recently made his announcement while speaking at the U.N. Drug Policy Summit in New York. He added his administration has already begun holding forums seeking input from leaders across the country concerning more effective ways of policing the flow of drugs.

"As president of Mexico, in this special session, I give voice to those [Mexican opinion leaders] who expressed the need to update, within the confines of the law, the use of marijuana for medical and scientific purposes," he said, adding that part of the plan also calls for looking for ways to control the situation outside of the current strict law enforcement regulation.

EPN Listening to Proposals From all Corners

While labeling the flow and consumption of drugs "a public health problem," Pena Nieto stressed the core of his proposals stem from the feedback he has received from the various forums his administration has hosted.

Part of those discussions entailed addressing the long boiling debate of what increased amounts of the drug should be considered legal for personal use.

Under current Mexican law, possession of small quantities of certain drugs believed to be intended for personal use such as five grams of marijuana, 50 milligrams of cocaine and 40 milligrams of meth, are considered tolerable.

Strict Approach to Drug law Enforcement Fell Flat

Over a six-year period beginning in 2006, Mexico tried the strict law enforcement approach under the conservative regime of then-President Felipe Calderon. The experiment proved a costly one, with tens of thousands of Mexicans perishing after drug cartels split following the arrests or deaths of many of their leaders.

"We need to define better solutions from a perspective of human rights, prevention and public health to put people's welfare at the center [of our agenda]," said Pena Nieto.

Pena Nieto has long been a critic of the so-called "War on Drugs" and last year's Supreme Court decision in support of medical marijuana has paved the way his proposed changes in Mexico.

"We should be flexible to change that which has not yielded results, the paradigm based essentially in prohibitionism, the so-called 'War on Drugs' ... (which) has not been able to limit production, trafficking nor the global consumption of drugs," he said.
The Transgender bathroom bill failed to pass in Tennessee on Monday. The bill that was being proposed required all students in public schools and universities to use bathrooms and locker rooms that matched their gender at birth.

The bill however failed when the House sponsor said she was withdrawing the legislation because she wanted to see how how legal challenges played out in other states.

State Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mount Juliet, who sponsored the law, tried to make sure it protected everyone and even went as far as amending it. The amendment wanted to give students who objected alternatives. However, opponents were harsh and said it would insight discrimination. The amendment was thus pulled, even though a religious coalition of the Family Action Council of Tennessee and about 30 pastors urged lawmakers to stand strong for the bill.

Other Bills Against LGBT Community

The bill is the latest in a line of laws that several states have enacted against the LGBT community. Last month, Republican Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal was forced out of signing a religious freedom bill that was described as anti-gay and would discriminate against LGBT people. North Carolina has been under scrutiny for its bathroom bill that discriminates against transgender people, while South Dakota attempted to pass a similar bathroom law, which was vetoed. Mississippi have also enacted an anti-gay law that is also proving controversial and has been scrutinized.

In Tennessee, there were intense protests by both supporters and opponents. While supporters noted that it would have protected the privacy of students, opponents called it discriminatory.

Why this is a Blessing for Tennesse

Tennessee has likely saved itself from what could have been economic downfall. North Carolina has already seen numerous industries pull their work forces out and numerous musicians have cancelled concert appearances that they were scheduled to perform in the state.
A group of congressional lawmakers introduced legislation that would allow deported veterans to reunite with families in the United States.

Reuniting Families

Congressional Hispanic Caucus members Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Jose Serrano, D-N.Y., along with Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and Rep Ted Lieu, D-Calif., worked on a bill that will urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to exercise its authority, under current law, to readmit individuals who were deported despite serving the U.S. military. To be eligible, the deported individual must have must have a clean criminal record and served at least six months in the military.

"Immigrants, regardless of status, come to our nation because they believe in the ideals, values, and opportunities that exist here. Some feel so strongly about their adopted nation that they choose to serve in our armed forces, and we should honor and respect that service," said Serrano, an original co-sponsor of the bill titled "The Restoring Respect for Immigrant Service in Uniform Act."

Serrano acknowledged that some veterans have unfortunately encountered situations after their military service, namely deportation and forced to separation from their families. The New York lawmaker said the fact U.S. officials have deported people who have defended the country is another example of how broken the U.S. immigration system is.

"Our nation needs comprehensive immigration reform, but this is a common sense first step that no one should object to," added Serrano.

According to Gallego, who served in Iraq, the right skills and character are far more important than having the right papers identifying one's status.

"Deportation is no way to thank the men and women who sacrificed so much to serve our country," Gallego said in a statement on April 20. "Instead of separating these veterans from their families and the country they love and served, we should recognize the contributions they have made and can continue to make to the United States."

Proud to join vets @RepTedLieu @cbrangel @RepJoseSerrano to intro a bill to reunite deported vets w/ their families pic.twitter.com/iQ8JQlRD7u  Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) April 20, 2016

Immigrants Serving in the U.S. Military

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency within DHS, is authorized to expedite application and naturalization processes for current and discharged members in the U.S. military, as permitted through the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

According to the Migration Policy Institute, based on U.S. Department of Defense information, the USCIS naturalized over 37,250 foreign-born members serving in the U.S. armed forces between September 2001 and 2008.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.
Ben & Jerry's co-founders were arrested at the United States Capitol on Monday. The two co-founders of the popular ice cream manufacturing company were among with the hundreds of activists who were arrested in taking part of the "Democracy Awakening" protests.

According to CNN News, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield participated on the Democracy Awakening protest held in the US capitol building, and wer arrested along with 300 other protesters. The said protest aims to protect the rights to vote, "get big money out of politics and demand a fair hearing and an up or down vote on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee," its website quoted.

The US capitol securities said the activists were arrested due to their "unlawful demonstration activities." However, Cohen and Greenfield along with other activists were processed on the scene and were later freed.

The company also issued a statement on their Ben and Jerry's website regarding the arrest, saying they spoke with Cohen before it happened. Cohen stated, "The history of our country is that nothing happens, until people start putting their bodies on the line and risk getting arrested."

The website further stated that Ben and Jerry's is not afraid to take a stand on the certain issues including the controversial ones. It also explained the agenda of the weekend's event as "protesting injustice". The said gathering had congregated hundreds of groups and thousands of people aiming to "fix" the "broken society".

The co-founders of the known ice cream manufacturing company also said, "if you care about something," one should be willing take risk, including reputation, values and even business, for the greater good, WCSH6 reported.

It is not the first time that the two expressed their views regarding politics. One of the founders, Cohen, has launched earlier this year, a limited edition ice cream flavor, which shows his support for the 2016 US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

On Tuesday, in Delaware, the two will campaign for the aforementioned Democratic presidential candidate. During the campaign, they will give free ice cream, according to the senator's Facebook page.
Ben and Jerry's co-founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, were among the 300 activists arrested at the U.S. Capitol over the Democracy Awakening protest on Monday.

According to Ben and Jerry's website, Democracy Awakening aims to bring hundreds of people together to fix the nation's broken democracy. The organization is focused on two things- the unregulated cash used in the elections and campaigns, and the citizens' right to vote. The U.S. Capitol Police claimed that the protesters were arrested because of their illegal demonstration activities. All the captured activists were processed and released from the scene.

"Democracy Awakening is just the beginning of a movement to ensure that every citizen's voice is heard and that power in this country is returned to the people," Ben and Jerry's website says.

Ben and Jerry's co-founders are not new in taking a stand for what they believe in. Last year, they launched "Save Our Swirled" to bring people's awareness on the climate change. They also introduced a new name to Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough to "I Dough, I Dough" to honor the Supreme Court's ruling on every couple's right to marry. On Tuesday, they will be supporting Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders by giving out free ice creams at the Delaware venue, KTLA claims. A new ice cream was also named after Sanders, called "Bernie's Yearning."

Democracy Awakening was mobilize "to protect voting rights, get big money out of politics and demand a fair hearing and an up or down vote on President Obama's Supreme Court nominee." Members of the organization said they are coalition of organizations from various sectors who believe that they need to fight attacks on "voting rights and the integrity of the vote by big money."

According to police authorities, they have captured a total of 1,200 rallyists since the demonstration began on April 11. The protesters were charged of crowding, obstructing or incommoding.
On Tuesday, the US top court ruled against the efforts made by Maryland to revive a program that would serve the power needs of its residents. They wish to subsidize the use of natural gas-fired electricity plant constructions in a case weighing state versus federal authority.

According to Reuters, following the 8-0 ruling, liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that Maryland's proposal would be an infringement to US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority to regulate interstate wholesale electricity sales. The case indicates whether the state's actions to encourage power generation through subsidies and incentives would ran a foul against the federal government's energy authority.

The ruling would be used to address the same case of a proposed program in New Jersey.

Yahoo wrote that Ginsburg added that "states may not seek to achieve ends, however legitimate, through regulatory means that intrude on FERC's authority over interstate wholesale rates, as Maryland has done here." The states of Maryland and New Jersey's programs were already contested by power company PPL Corp and other generators. Meanwhile, the states are known to be backed by companies that want to build new plants, including CPV Holdings.

ABC published that the unanimous ruling of the Supreme Court would be a major setback for other states and that the case involves a 2012 decision by state regulators to order construction of natural gas power plant. Ginsburg noted that "Nothing in this opinion should be read to foreclose Maryland and other states from encouraging production of new or clean generation through measures untethered to a generator's wholesale market participation."

The New Jersey program was enacted through a law in 2011 and the Maryland Public Service Commission tried to adopt their own version later. In same circumstances, the 2014 decision of the appeals court already ruled against the states' programs saying that they are infringing upon federal authority.
On Tuesday, a significant win for fighting LGBT rights came as a US appeals court ruled for the transgender student from Virginia who's looking to get access in bathrooms in line with his gender identity. The case is seen to have a major impact in the battle between gay rights activists and social conservatives.

According to The Guardian, a federal court has ruled that a Virginia school board is violating anti-discrimination laws by barring a transgender boy from entering the boys' restroom. The rulings make the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals as the highest court to weigh in on the fight for access to restrooms, locker rooms and other spaces restricted by gender. The Department of Education and Department of Justice both said that under Title IX, schools must allow transgender students to have access in bathrooms that match their gender identity.

Reuters reported that the plaintiff of the case is Gavin Grimm who was barred in the boys' bathroom in his high school located at Gloucester County, Virginia. Grimm was born as female but identifies himself as a male. Grimm said "Today's decision gives me hope that my fight will help other kids avoid discriminatory treatment at school," indicating that the decision is a relief and vindication. Meanwhile, the superintendent of Gloucester County Public Schools, Walter Clemons, declined to give a statement regarding the decision.

Yahoo published that US President Barack Obama's administration has reached out their support for Grimm. The decision is said to be the first wave of the wide impact as it is the first time in a federal court to use Title IX to protect transgender students from discrimination.

Matt Sharp of the non-profit, Alliance Defending Freedom, said that "The Fourth Circuit decision is truly unprecedented." He added that "Schools are going to be told that you have to allow biological males to share bathrooms and locker rooms and other private facilities with females."

The court's decision includes North Carolina which recently became the first state in nation to restrict access to bathrooms that don't pertain to individuals' sex at birth. Republican Governor Pat McCrory issued that he's going to review the case since it would be a major change in social norms.
Republican Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin said to investigate his Democratic predecessor Steve Beshear. He said on Tuesday that he is hiring private law firm to examine Beshar's illegal procurement practice.

ABC News reported that governor Matt Bevin said that the firm will assist the state's Finance Cabinet in scrutinizing no-bid contracts by the administration of former governor Steve Beshear. The law firm will also examine reports of state workers being forced to make political donations to Beshear. Under the state law, private firm have the power to subpoena witnessess and documents relevant to the alleged corruption investigation.

"Let's be clear: corruption and pay-to-play, or pay-to-stay, will not be tolerated in this administration," governor Bevin said to reporters.

In the oficial press release, Kentucky Governor further said, "Under KRS Chapter 45, such investigation will include the ability to subpoena witnesses and records as may be necessary to accomplish the investigative goals. A thorough, independent investigation like this can expose and cast light upon prior unsavory  and perhaps illegal  practices, but can also provide the public a degree of confidence in a fair and transparent governance that was so glaringly absent in the past administration."

Governor Bevin had been scrutinizing Beshear political activities, which started when Beshear appointed his wife to a state commission position. The political war continued to the field of Kentucky health care system, which Beshear criticize his successor's healthcare policies. Beshear also brings his family into the political battle, as his son, the attorney general Andy Beshear, sued governor Matt Bevin this month over mid-year budget cuts.

New York Times reported that Gov. Matt Bevin, who took office in December, had escalated his allegation of greed and oftentimes corruption to the Beshear family. Meanwhile, a former state official who is close to Beshears family, Timothy M. Longmeyer, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a federal bribery charge.

As a member of the cabinet in Steve Beshear administration, Longmeyer was responsible to drive health plan contracts for state employees to company which paid him kickbacks. He briefly served as deputy attorney general under Andy Beshear before resigning.

Defending his father, attorney general Andy Beshear released a statement that said the appropriate agency to investigate governor's allegation is the Kentucky Executive Branch Ethics Commission. He also accused governor Bevin to overstep his authority and wasting public money.

During his term as governor, Steve Beshear had established a government-funded health insurance and created a state-run insurance marketplace, Kynect, and expanding Medicaid eligibility. Although Beshear is popular, voters preferred Matt Bevin who vowed to pare the Medicaid expansion and established a more sustainable state's healthcare system.

On Tuesday, Matt Bevin, the Kentucky Governor will scrutinize Steve Beshear over illegal procurement practice. Gov. Bevin has hired private law firm which under state's law has authority to subpoena witnessess and documents.
A Moroccan national was arrested in the Spanish island of Mallorca as he was accused of collaborating with the Islamic State militant group. He was the recent among the series of arrests conducted in the country of individuals apprehended for allegedly aiding ISIS.

According to Mirror, a private property was raided by police to capture the man accused of having close links to the leaders of ISIS based in Iraq and Syria. He was also accused of promoting and facilitating terror attacks all over Europe as well as recruiting vulnerable individuals to join the militant group through the internet, particularly in social media.

"The investigation has shown that the suspect maintained close links with well-known terrorist leaders currently based in Syria and working for the terror organisation Daesh , whose job it was to facilitate the arrival of new combatants to war zones as well as providing instructions and resources to carry out terror attacks in Spain or other European countries." the Interior Ministry stated.

After the arrest, The Sun reported that police officers spent five hours in a thorough search of the suspect's apartment. The police were seen carrying cardboard boxes full of computer equipment leaving the suspect's property in Son Gotleu district of Palma.

According to USA Extra News, another Moroccan man and his Spanish girlfriend were also arrested for allegedly aiding the notorious militant group. Seven people from Valencia, Alicante, and Ceuta were also apprehended, five of which are Spanish nationals with foreign descent while other two individuals were from Syria and Morocco.

The Spanish police also previously seized 20,000 uniforms and accessories believed to be intended for the militant groups on Syria and Iraq. The unnamed man's captivity was described by the police as "the rapid neutralisation of a direct threat". He is set for a hearing in Thursday through a video link to his police cell.


2014 to date: Red Xs=homicides; Blue Xs= shootings, person wounded; Brown Xs=shots fired at victim(s), not hit; Purple Xs=shots at occupied residence/vehicle; Green Xs= shots at unoccupied vehicle/residence; Grey Xs=shots fired (no hit, no target identified); Orange X's=non-fatal stabbings. Map is unofficial. A separate map (not shown here) indicates add'l shootings in NLB.

On March 31, a 17 year old was shot/killed roughly six blocks south of Monday night's crime scene in the 1300 block E. 11th St. (6th dist. near border of 2nd dist.)

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The quadruple shooting comes just hours after a hand-tally of write-in ballots determined that Councilman Andrews had won a third four-year Council term. Since taking office in May 2007, Councilman Andrews has voted for City Hall budgets that over a period starting in FY10 led to the budgeted elimination of roughly 20% of LBPD's citywide deployable officers and more recently included LBPD's former field anti-gang unit.

Among those endorsing Andrews' write-in bid were LB Mayor Robert Garcia, former Mayors Bob Foster and Beverly O'Neill, the LB Police Officers Association PAC, the LB Area Chamber of Commerce PAC, JetBlue Airways "Good Gov't Fund" PAC and Councilwoman Suzie Price (Mayor Garcia's appointee to chair the Council's Public Safety Committee, who in her personal capacity gave the Andrews re-election campaign a $200 contribution [Mar. 26].)

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Shortly before the quadruple April 18 shootings:
A 63-year-old Allentown man is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old last month in a bathroom at Allentown Public Library.

David Connell (Photo via the Pennsylvania Megan's Law registry)

David Connell, of the 1300 block of West Gordon Street, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, corruption of minors, statutory sexual assault and indecent assault of a child under the age of 16.

Connell was sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.

Connell is a registered sex offender, according to the state's Megan's Law website. He pleaded guilty in 1995 to two counts each of luring a child into a vehicle and stalking in Cambria County, records show.

Prior convictions in Pennsylvania include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse in 1990, and and indecent assault in 1988.

The recent alleged assault occurred the afternoon of March 23 at the library at 1210 Hamilton St.

A library employee went into a bathroom to clean it and saw two people standing in a stall, according to police.

The employee waited, and a 13-year-old boy walked out of the bathroom, followed by Connell. Connell was stopped and identified by library staff, according to police.

The accuser was interviewed by police April 8. The boy reported that while he was in the bathroom on March 23, Connell molested him and then performed a sex act, authorities said.

Connell was interviewed by investigators on Monday and admitted to what the boy reported, police said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The controversial proposed 626-space parking deck planned to support a major South Bethlehem development cleared a major hurdle Tuesday night.

Bethlehem City Council in a 5-2 vote took the first of two votes that puts the city on the hook for the $17.75 million parking garage if the Bethlehem Parking Authority defaults on its debts.

"This is a huge monster that I definitely don't want to be looking at," said Councilwoman Olga Negron-Dipini, who was joined in her opposition by Councilman Adam Waldron.

Council is scheduled to take the final vote May 3; the same night it is scheduled to vote for the first time on closing a section of Graham Place to make way for the garage. The authority hopes to start construction in June and open the deck in May of 2017.

Although, Councilman Eric Evans wants to scale back the size and cost of the garage. The authority has been asked to present information on a smaller garage that better fits the neighborhood.

The garage is being built to support developer Dennis Benner's Greenway Park project at Third and New streets. St. Luke's University Health Network and Lehigh University are anchoring the building and have said they would not lease the space without a garage.

City residents have packed recent council and planning commission meetings in opposition to the garage and Benner's project. They contend the deck and six-story building are out-of-scale for the neighborhood and bound to worsen existing traffic congestion.

Authority Executive Director Kevin Livingston said he's willing to run the numbers, but noted its anticipated Greenway Park needs 350 spaces.

Benner's committed to lease 123 spaces at a cost of $57 a month for 20 years and is getting 57 spots for free, said James Broughal, authority attorney.

Benner's parking lease allows the authority to build a larger deck to serve the greater South Side, Broughal said. The garage has been criticized for only benefiting Benner, he said.

The smaller it gets, the more public spots are lost and "in the end it will be Mr. Benner's deck," Broughal said.

If after five years the garage doesn't meet revenue projections, Benner will lose half of the free spaces, Broughal said. He can choose to lease more spots.

Earlier financial projections for the garage, showed it operating in the red come 2029. Council received updated financial projections that show the garage staying in the black as long as on-street meter rates and parking fines are raised every five years and garage usage grows.

The prior projections didn't include rate increases or growth in parking deck usage, which is extremely conservative, said Scott Shearer, of Public Financial Management. It was meant to be a planning tool and show that increases would be needed in the future, Shearer said.

Council President J. William Reynolds criticized the administration for bringing forward incomplete financial projections that made the garage appear to be a risky financial bet. This made it politically difficult for council to support an important economic development project, he said.

Many residents have argued that the parking authority should not be spending $17.75 million to benefit one developer.

Mayor Bob Donchez's administration points to eight economic development projects in the works, including Benner's, in the surrounding neighborhood.

Councilman Bryan Callahan said Benner's making a $20 million investment in the building and potentially spending up to $3.4 million for the spaces over 20 years.

He noted Liberty Property Trust paid $1 million for 80 spaces in the North Street garage for 20 years and committed to paying $49.50 for an additional 70 spaces over 20 years.

"I believe this project is well worth celebrating," Callahan said.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton is returning to Philadelphia on Wednesday as Pennsylvanians prepare to vote in their state's primary the following week.

On the Republican side, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz isn't even waiting for the New York results to campaign in Pennsylvania. He has scheduled an organizing rally for Tuesday.

Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state, is scheduled to join former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, a group of parents of children killed in racial incidents known as Mothers of the Movement, and community members at a discussion on gun violence. She also plans to attend an organizing event in the city.

Her visit will take place a day after the New York primary, which polls show her favored to win.

Philadelphia will host the Democratic National Convention in July.

Clinton visited Philadelphia two weeks ago in advance of the April 26 primary in the Keystone State. There, she addressed the state AFL-CIO convention. It offers the biggest haul of delegates on that date, when Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Rhode Island also will hold primaries.

An April 4-7 Fox News poll gave her an 11-point lead over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in Pennsylvania.

Trump led among Republicans in the Fox News survey with 48 percent, to 22 percent for Ohio Gov. John Kasich and 20 percent for Cruz. Pennsylvania will send 210 delegates to the Democratic convention and 71 to the GOP gathering.

The difference between Clinton and Sanders is perhaps starkest on the issue of gun rights.

Sanders voted against the Brady bill's requirement for mandatory background checks for gun purchases and supported legislation protecting the gun industry from lawsuits. Clinton supported the background checks, which her husband, President Bill Clinton, signed into law, and has attacked Sanders for providing immunity from lawsuits to gun manufacturers, which other industries do not have.

Mothers of the Movement include the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner. The group has endorsed Clinton, who exit polls show has strong support among black voters in the primaries and caucuses already held.

Martin, an unarmed black teenager, was shot to death in 2012 by a community watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, in Sanford, Fla. Zimmerman initially was not charged because of Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allow individuals who feel threatened to fight back rather than back away. He later was acquitted of second degree murder.

Garner died in 2014 at age 43 on Staten Island after police subdued him and kept in a chokehold. He, too, was unarmed. He was one of several unarmed black men who died at the hands of police officers, an issue President Barack Obama discussed during his trip to Camden in May.

Republican Cruz's organizing rally for Tuesday will be at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and will feature former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina, who endorsed Cruz after dropping out of the 2016 Republican presidential race, and Utah Sen. Mike Lee.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook
As long as the skies are clear this week, Lehigh Valley sky watchers will get a glimpse of the so-called pink moon Thursday night into Friday morning. But even if you are able to see it, the moon won't have a pinkish tint.

That's just one of the nicknames for the April full moon, symbolizing the start of spring and pink-colored flowers that are blooming and spreading this time of year, such as the wild ground phlox, or moss pink, according to FullMoonPhases.com.

The April full moon will be rising this week. Will it look as spectacular as this orange harvest moon over a Hillsborough farm? (Star-Ledger File Photo)

This moon has some other nicknames as well.

In other cultures, people refer to the April full moon as the egg moon, the fish moon and the sprouting grass moon, the website says. The fish nickname was reportedly coined by coastal American Indian tribes that noticed shad would swim upstream to spawn around the time of the April full moon.

Regardless of what anyone calls it, one thing is certain: "The moon will not look any different than any other full moon," said Kevin Conod, manager of the Dreyfuss Planetarium at the Newark Museum.

The full moon will be glowing in the sky over the Lehigh Valley and the rest of the East Coast region on Friday, April 22, at 1:25 a.m.

Unfortunately for astronomy buffs, the annual Lyrid meteor shower happens to peak on the morning of April 22, according to EarthSky.org. So the meteor shower will be dimmed by the light of the full moon.

Sky watchers will have an opportunity to see what else is out in space Friday night, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., when Rowan University hosts a night sky event in conjunction with the Philadelphia Science Festival. Keith Johnson, director of the Edelman Planetarium at Rowan, said he is keeping his fingers crossed that the weather cooperates.

Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
John Morganelli

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli

(Rudy Miller)

Northampton County's district attorney has a message for teachers confronted with mayhem in a classroom.

Intervene. Grab the instigator. Break up brawls. District Attorney John Morganelli won't prosecute you and you're protected under Pennsylvania law.

Morganelli held a news conference Tuesday regarding disruptive and violent students run amok in local schools.

He wants legal reforms to change some students' special education status, which makes it hard to expel or discipline them. He wants stiffer penalties for juveniles who assault others in schools.

But he also told teachers they shouldn't freeze with fear that they'll be sued or fired for breaking up a fight.

"When they see a student being pummeled to the ground, they don't have to wait for the police to arrive," Morganelli said.

He noted a trend of escalating violence in local schools. Nine people face charges, including some felonies, for a fight among students at Liberty High School in Bethlehem in November.

He mentioned violence in Allentown schools. He neglected to mention a recent spate of fights at Easton Area's high school and middle schools in January.

"Our teachers are under assault," Morganelli said. "Our children are being deprived of a safe and peaceful environment in which to learn."

He attributed much of the problem to a small but growing number of students classified under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These children don't have learning difficulties one would expect of special needs students. They have behavior problems, and their status forces administrators to enter a long bureaucratic process to attempt to expel them when they lash out.

The law prohibits public schools from suspending IDEA-classified children for more than 10 days. Administrators can't put them in an alternative school without permission from parents.

Morganelli said he'll lobby U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent as well as U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey to change the law.

"IDEA needs to be revamped so schools can truly take a zero-tolerance approach toward school violence," he said.

He said school boards and administrators need to stand by their teachers and take cases to court when a student sues a teacher rather than accept a quick settlement out of convenience.

"If you keep paying out money on cases to settle them, they're just going to keep bringing them," Morganelli said.

He said the use of force is justified under state law if it's used to maintain discipline in school. The law gives teachers more leeway than even a parent or guardian to use force for that purpose, Morganelli said.

He said a movement toward students' rights "has created a fear of expelling troublemakers from school, which had led us where we are today."

Administrators and parents need to rally around teachers in order to curb this problem.

"We don't need more students' rights," he said. "We need more teachers' and educators' rights."

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
Northampton County Prison's healthcare provider does not have permission to force a schizophrenic inmate to take medication against his will.

Jorge Zamora-Rodriguez

Judge Emil Giordano ruled Wednesday that Jorge Zamora-Rodriguez doesn't pose a serious threat to guards, as was alleged by prison healthcare contractor PrimeCare.

Rodriguez's psychologist Elizabeth DeBoer-Kreider testified he doesn't pose a danger to himself, and he's segregated from the rest of the prison population so he doesn't pose a threat to other prisoners.

"While the legitimacy and the necessity of considering the interest in prison safety and security are well established and of great concern to the court, we must balance this interest with the need to protect constitutional rights," Giordano wrote.

Zamora-Rodriguez, 45, was charged with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct for allegedly threatening to "wipe out the whole complex" at the Travel Inn, a dilapidated hotel in Plainfield Township, on March 7.

The West Palm Beach, Florida, resident has been in the prison since that date. DeBoer-Kreider said she heard Zamora-Rodriguez attacked guards in the prison. He has been escorted by as many as five guards due to safety concerns, she said.

PrimeCare attorney Thomas Weber said this is the first time a Northampton County judge has rejected a request to force-medicate an inmate. Eight requests were granted, and in a ninth case the inmate relented and agreed to take the medication. His records go back to 2010.

Weber said he disagreed with Giordano's decision, although he appreciated the "thoroughness and attention" the judge gave it.

"As long as it continues to encounter patients suffering from severe mental illness and the absence of adequate inpatient beds remains an issue, PrimeCare Medical will continue to pursue all opportunities to obtain appropriate relief for its patients," Weber said in an email.

Giordano said in his ruling that PrimeCare should have finished filling out paperwork to have Zamora-Rodriguez transferred to an inpatient mental facility before asking for the emergency relief.

All parties at a court hearing April 15 agreed Zamora Rodriguez belongs in a state hospital, but the wait to get a bed can be six months to a year.

Weber said PrimeCare wanted permission to medicate Zamora-Rodriguez intravenously each day for 30 days. After a few days under forced medication, patients typically agree to take the medicine voluntarily, he said.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.has announced that its board of directors has approved a $0.14 per share cash dividend to be paid on May 27, 2016 to common shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 6, 2016.

The amount and timing of all future dividend payments will be subject to the discretion of Pinnacles board of directors.

Pinnacle has a location in Chattanooga.
Walking Sunday will take place this year on April 22 at Punchestown Racecourse.

Walking Sunday will take place this year on April 22 at Punchestown Racecourse.

Nas na Riogh Housing and Naas Saint Vincent DePaul are organizing Walking Sunday this traditional inspect and walk the course as a precursor to the Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival.

The annual Punchestown Festival is one of the most significant event in County Kildares calendar with top class racing, shopping, fashion and a great festival atmosphere.

For over 100 years the locals of Naas and surrounds have walked the track on the Sunday before the Festival begins to inspect the course and jumps and predict the going for the races.

Children will be given a Walking Sunday Certificate on completion of the walk and doggy Treats will be awarded to dogs who walk the track.

The first walkers are invited to set off at around 2pm and everyone can walk as much or as little as they like.

The festival carnival will be in full swing for the afternoon.

Light refreshments will be served. Walkers, joggers, runners and dogs of all ages are welcome to come along and join in the fun!
This week I am asking the Tory government how much revenue they anticipate local authorities will raise from May 2016 when they are given the power to add to council tax a precept of up to 2% to fund social care.

During the last government Paul Burstow and Norman Lamb achieved something which had eluded all governments of the last thirty years, an equitable and sustainable settlement for social care. The Care Act restated the purpose of social care: enabling the wellbeing of both the person needing care and their carer, prevention and delay of the need for care and support and putting people in control of their care. The inclusion of the main proposals of the Dilnot Commission, paved the way for a funding system in which the costs of care would be shared, essentially between property owners and the state, thereby enabling individuals to avoid having to meet catastrophic costs at times of greatest vulnerability.

Few Tories understand the need for, and importance of social care. George Osborne certainly doesnt. That noise you heard during the 2015 spending review announcement of the new power to raise the precept was the sound of the Tories kicking social care into the long grass  again.

In 2015 The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimated that the precept would raise 1.7bn a year by 2019-20 if used in full. At the time pf writing eight local authorities have announced that they will not use the precept. In 2016-2017 the precept is expected to raise 382m almost all of which will be swallowed up by the cost of meeting the new living wage for existing low paid care staff. So not only will the pre-existing underfunding of social care continue but, with no guarantee that councils who have agreed to fund the precept this year will do so in future, it seems likely to get worse.

Although the Care Act sets out minimum entitlements to assessment, information and advice, the types and levels of care which individuals can expect are subject to the discretion of local authorities. It is already well known that areas of highest deprivation are least able to raise income through local taxation. Newham. Manchester and Hull are amongst authorities which will be on the sharp end of this policy. Unless and until the Better care Fund is properly funded to equalise disparities, inequality of social care will get worse.

Osborne thought he had pulled off another great sleight of hand. Turns out this is just another omnishambles. I and my colleagues in the Lords will be standing up for vulnerable people in poor communities, and when we are through with that we will be joining you on the phone and the doorstep.
The United Daughters of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis Chapter # 900 held a re-chartering ceremony for the Children of the Confederacy on April 9, at the Kinser Church of God in Cleveland.

This childrens organization is an auxiliary to the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It was established by Miss Bunnie Love at a Georgia Division UDC Convention on October 14, 1897. A resolution was presented that this organization be created. The resolution passed and Mrs. McDowell Wolff was named founder of the Children of the Confederacy.

Officials said some important accomplishments made by the Children of the Confederacy include: (1) Dedication of a memorial window to Father Abram Ryan at Old St. Marys Church, Mobile, Al. on April 25, 1929; (2) The establishment and funding of educational scholarships; (3) The contribution of a bronze door for the UDC Memorial Building;" (4) Marking of graves of Confederate Soldiers; (5) Collecting of Historical Confederate records; (6) Assisting of projects with the UDC organizations.

The ages for the Children of the Confederacy are infant to 18 years of age. After the age of 18, they may be transferred to the UDC or Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The name of the new organization is the Sumner A. Cunningham Chapter # 13. Sumner A. Cunningham served during the War Between the States in the Confederate States Army. He was a Sgt., Co. B., 41st Tennessee Infantry. He fought at Fort Donelson. He was captured by Union forces and was sent to Camp Morton in Indianapolis. He spent six months as a prisoner of war, before being exchanged in mid-1862. He rejoined his regiment in Mississippi and fought at Port Hudson, Yazoo River, Jackson, and Raymond.

In 1863 he was promoted to Sergeant-Major. He fought in the Battle of Missionary Ridge, and the Battle of Chickamauga. He also fought in the Battle of Nashville, and the Battle of Franklin in 1864.

After the War, he became the editor of several prominent newspapers. The Shelbyville Commercial (1877), Chattanooga Times (1876), and the Cartersville Georgia Express (1879). In 1893, he began publication of the Confederate Veteran magazine which became the voice of the United Confederate Veteran, and later the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Cunningham died in 1913, and is buried at the Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville, Tn.

Lisa Pritchett, UDC chapter vice-president welcomed everyone to the ceremony. The Invocation, and Ritual was given by Camryn Rainey. The salute to the Christian Flag was led by Garin Willard. The pledge to the United States flag was led by Jed Pritchett. The salute to the Tennessee flag was led by Caleb Peden. The salute to the Confederate flag was led by Luke Peden. Special guest speaker for the ceremony was Rebekah Lemley, 3rd vice-president UDC Tennessee Division. The presentation of membership certificates were presented by Ms. Lemley. Receiving certificates were Michael Caleb Peden, William Luke Peden, and Ethan Ross Peden Confederate descendants of Osborne Davenport- Private Company B., 65th Regiment Georgia Infantry. Abigail Sumner Rose Willard, Anallyssa Victoria Hope Willard, Hayden Christopher Garin Willard, Julianna Maney Marie Willard, Confederate descendants of Jonathan Crye- Co. F., 62nd Regiment, Tennessee Infantry. Christopher Arlen Turner, Confederate descendant of Richard A. Potter-Private 43rd Regiment, Tennessee Infantry. Ezekial Otis Pritchett, and Jedson Edward Pritchett Confederate descendants of William Moore Bain, Company D, 3rd Regiment, Tn. Mounted Infantry, 2nd Lieutenant. Camryn Reese Rainey, Confederate descendant of John A. Ellison, Company F, 19th Regiment Tennessee Infantry CSA. The new Chapter also had the installation of Officers.

Officers for the Chapter for 2016-2018 are as follows: president, Rose Willard; vice president, Caleb Peden; second vice-president, Luke Peden; third vice-president, Victoria Willard; recording secretary, Garin Willard; treasurer, Jed Pritchett; historian, Maney Willard; chaplain, Camryn Rainey; custodian, Zeke Pritchett; editor, Ethan Peden.

The Children of the Confederacy pledged to the Confederate Creed: "Because we desire to perpetuate, in love and honor, the heroic deeds of those who enlisted in the Confederate Services, and upheld its flag through four years of war, we, the Children of the South have united in an Organization called the Children of the Confederacy, in which our strength, enthusiasm and love of justice can exert its influence. We therefore pledge ourselves to preserve pure ideals, to honor the memory of our beloved veterans, to study and teach the truths of history, (one of the most important of which is that the War Between the States was not a rebellion, nor was its underlying cause to sustain slavery), and always to act in a manner that will reflect honor upon our noble and patriotic ancestors. It is with great honor that the United Daughters of the Confederacy sponsor this organization. For they are the logical ones to perpetuate our Southern Heritage, and the future of our Confederate organizations."

Everyone sang Dixie Land, and the ceremony ended. Refreshments were served. Anyone interested in the Children of the Confederacy can e-mail: cofcsumnercunningham@gmail.com.
What is it about politicians and hi-vis jackets? They always come out during an election. Building is, I guess, a sign of economic health and everyone wants to be involved. Tim Farron and Kirsty Williams visited a building company in Wales yesterday:

Tim then went on to Ceredigion where he campaigned with the amazing Liz Evans:

Afterwards a whole big group of Lib Dems went with Tim for a curry.

Jon Aylwin, Welsh campaigns officer, keeps posting pictures of Aberystwyth beach on his Facebook profile. The weather looks great there at the moment. A bit of me wants to bundle the dog in the car and head down there to help Liz. After meeting her at Welsh Conference, I can see what a force for good she would be in the National Assembly. However, I would be in real trouble if I left Scotland, so if anyone wants to spend a couple of days in Aberystwyth or Brecon to help Kirsty on my behalf, please do. If you are nearer Scotland than Wales, please come here to help Katy Gordon, Alex Cole-Hamilton or Christine Jardine. And, of course, if you find yourself in London, do knock a few doors or deliver some leaflets for the amazing Caroline.

Lets get back to Tim in Wales. He spoke to Wales Online about the need for the Assembly to have a strong liberal voice and took on UKIP:

To have a strong Liberal voice in that National Assembly is massively important, against separatist voices of different kinds  people who wrap themselves in flags of different kinds  and indeed against those who either failed Wales through [their] complacency, the Labour party, or failed Wales because they just dont get Wales, like the Tory party. Arguing that leaving the UK would absolutely cripple livestock and dairy farming, he turned his guns on Ukip and urged people to vote for Lib Dems on the regional list. He said: [People] who want to prevent Ukip getting involved in Welsh politics and dragging it off to an extreme have a very strong tactical reason to vote for the Liberal Democrats on the lists because thats the way to prevent Ukip getting a foothold. Mr Farron added: It would be a really weird thing if the outcome of the May 5 elections was that in the nation of Wales a whole bunch of English nationalists got elected. That would be a terrible shame.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
A FORMER Limerick hoteliers home has sold for just over 1m, according to the latest listings with the Property Price Register.

Shamrockville on North Circular Road in the city has been the subject of a legal dispute for several years as Bank of Ireland Mortgages sought to repossess the property over unpaid borrowings of 1.6m.

The property failed to attract its guide price of 4.75m in 2009 and a revised figure of 2.7m in 2012.

The property register, which lists all houses sold nationwide from 2010, shows that Shamrockville sold for 1,050,000 on March 30 last.

It was by far the most expensive property in Limerick to sell in March, amongst some 103 homes listed as selling within that month.

Formerly owned by Brendan and Hilda Dunne, the three-storey property, which is around 4,600 square feet and set on 1.3 acres, features five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a games room, library, study, conservatory, drawing room, dining room, living room and coat room.

Before the economic crash, Mr Dunne, 68, had six hotels and 20 properties that were fully serviced and paid for but in 2006 he became ill with a life threatening illness.

He had hoped that a stake in a resort development in the Cape Verde islands could have yielded enough to pay off the bank, if given enough time.

Mr Dunne was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome in 2006 and spent 16 months in hospital that has left him with very limited mobility and is a wheelchair user.

Last July, Judge Tom ODonnell was told an offer has been received for Shamrockville but that agreement has not been reached with Bank of Ireland Mortgages in relation to the sale of the property.

Limerick Circuit Court was told Bank of Ireland Mortgages did not accept the Dunnes valuation of the property (at that time) and had indicated it would rather sell Shamrockville on the open market in a transparent fashion.

However, the matter was later settled. The exact terms of the settlement were not disclosed in open court, but it was confirmed the house was to be sold within the following three months.

Shamrockville was formerly owned by Limerick solicitor Niall Gaffney, who passed away in 1986.

It was then bought by Mr Dunne, of the financially troubled Dunne Hotel Group, which was forced to sell the Two Mile Inn on the Ennis Road for a knockdown price, amongst others in the west of Ireland.

A liquidator was appointed to a number of his hotels in October 2008 by the High Court, after a short period of examinership. His family-owned hotel group, of which his wife Hilda was also a director, once enjoyed revenues of over 36m and employed about 200 people.

Some 343 houses in Limerick have sold to date this year, according to the price register.

Ninety-nine homes were sold in January, 127 in February, 103 in March and 14 house sales for April to date.
IF HE hadnt escaped through Moore Street, I wouldnt be here.

Mairead Dore, 88, rests on her living room chair in her home on the North Circular Road, admiring the words that her father, Eamon T Dore, wrote for the Limerick Chronicle in 1966, when he recounted the events surrounding the 1916 Rising.

Mairead lives in the house with her sister Nora, 93, eamons eldest daughter. All around the room, on wooden panel walls, is an assortment of artwork that Eamon collected after his years of freedom fighting. Above the fireplace is a large portrait of her uncle, Commandant Edward Daly, and resting on a shelf across from her is a pencil sketch of Cs close friend, Eamon De Valera.

eamon Dore was one of the youngest ever recruits in the Irish Republican Brotherhood, in 1912. He was then just 16, and he became an active member of the Irish Volunteers in 1916.

Born in Glin in 1896, Dore acted as Sean MacDiarmadas confidante in the lead-up to the Rising and was by his side at the GPO, during the rebellion on Easter Monday. However, his commander ordered him to escape through Moore Street so that he could return to his family.

During his escape, Mairead told the Limerick Leader, the man next to him  Michael ORahilly, known as The ORahilly  was shot and bled to death. Though eamon made a lucky escape, he was arrested and brought to Frongach internment camp, in Wales, for nine months, where he continued to work on IRB business with Michael Collins and his comrades.

His time in prison, Mairead said, left him with one working lung.

The conditions at the camp were so bad. It was very unhealthy. There were too many of them there, and it was a jail that had been condemned for ordinary prisoners. It was empty, so they were sent there. A lot of them came out in very bad health, she explained.

Mairead said that Eamon, who died in 1972, often fondly remembered the Rising for two reasons; his fight for freedom, and the moment he met his wife-to-be  Nora Daly.

The two met during their travels to Dublin, as she was, too, a messenger for the Volunteers, as a key figure in Cumann na mBan. After the Rising, the couple continued their relationship, and she visited him at his sisters home in Shanagolden during his time of convalescence. They married in 1918.

Due to his illness, Eamon retired from fighting and retreated into private life, like the Daly family, who were left heartbroken after the execution of in-law Thomas Clarke and brother Ned Daly, and the death of uncle, John Daly.

They were left with a family of all women and no men, Mairead said. Edward Daly Senior died before the only Daly son was born, following the 1867 Fenian Rising.

However, in the background, until 1921, Dore had arranged, with leading Volunteer Diarmuid OHeg-arty, a secret service in Limerick, where they collected and forwarded intelligence reports and instructions to and from General Head-quarters and Limerick.

For the remainder of his days, he ran the Daly bakery on William Street with his wife, which she said suited him perfectly, as he quickly became a public figure in the city.

He never grumbled about not being able to continue. But a lot of people visited him, and he was such a great talker. He loved people. It was a great meeting place for him, as he was a very popular person.

She said he was not a fan of Michael Collins. This is evident in his Statement of Witness, in 1950, when he and his fellow comrades admonished Collins for swearing in an unsuitable IRB member, at the internment camp, when he was deemed to be a newcomer in the Irish organisation.

When the Rising took place, the IRB and its constitution had been quenched, but could be reignited if it had been required. However, Dore wrote: Obviously, nothing like this should be done by a small caucus, and this was why Collins was reprimanded for his precipitate action. Collins then blamed me [Dore] for using my influence against him. I believe it was because of this that I was not invited to attend another meeting in Frongoth at which Collins, Dick Murphy and Frank Shouldice were present amongst others.

After he gave up the rebel life, Eamon kept his close ties with old friends, including Eamon De Valera, who used to socialise with the Daly family in later years.

He was very friendly with De Valera. When Dev would get bored in the Aras, he would ring him, and they would go through the whole of it [the Rising] again. They would spend the whole night on it, she laughed.

When asked why her father, given his influence in Limerick city, never became a public representative, Mairead replied: De Valera always asked my father to run for the locals and the general elections for the Fianna Fail party, but he wasnt interested.

He would, she says with evident pride, have been a great contender.

- This article appeared as part of a series of supplements produced by the Limerick Leader in the run up to the centenary of the 1916 Rising
THE emergency department at University Hospital Limerick was the busiest in the country on Wednesday morning, according to recently published figures.

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, there were 25 patients treated on trolleys in the Dooradoyle A&E and 16 people being treated on additional trolleys or beds in the wards.

This is contrast with Tuesday morning's figures, when there were 15 patients being treated on trolleys in the A&E and the wards.

According to monthly figures published by INMO, there were 710 patients being treated on UHL trolleys in March, which was the busiest March the hospital has so far experienced.

A spokesperson for the UL Hospitals Group said, in response to the March numbers:

"UL Hospitals Group has long acknowledged that the emergency department at UHL is simply too small for the volumes of patients attending and is not fit-for-purpose.

"A new state-of-the-art emergency department, that will triple the size of the current department, is currently being fitted out and will open in the first quarter of 2017. Once built, the experience of our ED patients will improve immeasurably in terms of comfort, privacy and dignity."

According to the spokesperson, during March, the emergency department at UHL had 5,417 attendances, "which equates to an average daily attendance of 175 patients. On a number of occasions during the month attendances exceeded 200 patients".
WARDENS are to launch a crackdown on motorists who are abandoning their cars in Limerick city centre and causing traffic chaos.

Metropolitan councillors this week agreed a policy that traffic wardens would prioritise the central area for illegal and dangerous parking on double yellow lines and in the middle of the road.

Drivers across the city have in recent weeks been caught doing just this  with William Street a prime example. They have been spotted putting on their hazard lights, abandoning their cars and running into shops for short periods.

But there is anger, as these vehicles obstruct buses and taxis from operating, with Sinn Fein councillor Seighin O Ceallaigh saying cars are zig-zagging around William Street like a Playstation game.

It was his notice of motion which was passed, with a council spokesperson confirming a special focus is being put on this area, adding the gardai also have powers of enforcement when they spot vehicles parked illegally.

An on-the-spot parking fine costs 40.

Rory McDermott, travel and transportation told the Leader: Parking in a manner which obstructs traffic is bad for business, bad for public safety and bad for mobility generally. You cannot have a person having to set down people on the carriageway because there is someone with a hazard on.

Speaking at City Hall, Cllr O Ceallaigh said: We need to send out a message that it is not okay to pull up in the middle of the city centre, throw the hazard lights on and abandon their cars while traffic is disrupted. We are very lucky traffic moves slowly in the city centre, otherwise there would have been crashes and fatalities.

He also pointed out motorists parking in bus lanes and at taxi ranks is not fair, as cab drivers in particular are trying to make a living.

The priority for wardens, Mr McDermott added, is to tackle vehicles parked in a manner which would interfere with the flow of traffic or which obstructed or endangered other traffic.
Junior League of Chattanooga (JLC) will host a new fundraising event, the Designer Showhouse. It will showcase the citys leading design talent at a beautiful home in the heart of Chattanooga on the historic Missionary Ridge. The home is a 7,462-square foot estate on almost seven acres of land. Each room will feature designs by different local designers. Home tours will be held June 4-27, on Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sundays, from 1-4 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will go towards JLCs various initiatives. JLC helps develop leaders by educating and empowering its members to plan and execute impactful programs with community partners. Partners include the Chattanooga Food Bank and Hamilton County schools. JLCs primary initiative is Seeds of Change, a program that works to eliminate food deserts in Hamilton County.

Officials said, "Food deserts are defined as areas where most residents have low or no access to healthy food. More than 60,000 people are affected by this issue locally. Think of where you live and shop for food, could you walk to a store or market to buy produce? Is it affordable within your budget? What if you use public transportation  does the commute take more than an hour? If so, you may live in a food desert yourself."

The public is invited to tour the Designer Showhouse, getting inspired while also purchasing everything from the furniture to the fixtures featured in each room. On June 4 and 11, there will also be a popup shop featuring local design, clothing, jewelry, food vendors and more. A kickoff gala will also be held on Friday, June 3, from 7-10:30 p.m. Tickets are available at jlchatt.org and jlcshowhouse.com.

For more information, visit jlcshowhouse.com or email jlcshowhouse@gmail.com. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Harrys Fresh Foods officials announced on Wednesday the company will locate a new production facility in Nashville. The premium refrigerated and frozen foods manufacturer will invest $34.3 million and create 302 jobs in Davidson County.





Todays announcement brings us another step closer to our goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. We thank Harrys Fresh Foods for choosing Tennessee to locate its new production facility and creating more than 300 jobs in Davidson County, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam said. Our states central location is an incredible advantage when were recruiting businesses to locate and grow here.Todays announcement brings us another step closer to our goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.





There are over 1,000 registered food and beverage manufacturers in Tennessee, and we are excited to have Harrys Fresh Foods be a part of this growing sector, Commissioner Randy Boyd said. I want to thank Harrys Fresh Foods for creating these jobs for our workforce and welcome them to Team Tennessee.





Officials said, "Harrys Fresh Foods produces premium refrigerated and frozen soups, entrees, sides and desserts and has been doing so since 1977. Harrys products are prepared using the highest-quality ingredients, then packaged using a state-of-the-art quick-chill process to lock in flavor and freshness."





This expansion increases Harrys capacity on both sides of the country and enables us to offer the same high-quality products with less distance to travel, Harrys Fresh Foods CEO Jamie Colbourne said. Having a 200,000-square-foot facility east of the Rocky Mountains improves efficiency and available delivered shelf life on the companys fresh, natural and organic products.





Harrys Fresh Foods CFO Michael Donovan said, It has been a pleasure working with TNECD. The staff went out of their way to answer questions and provide the information needed to keep this project moving forward.





Harrys Fresh Foods will locate its new production facility in Nashville and is set to be operational by the third quarter of 2016. The new Nashville facility will produce branded and private-label products for club, retail and food-service customers. With this new facility, Harrys Fresh Foods will be able to reduce travel distance for products, which will have an environmental benefit for all of its products.





Local leaders and partners expressed gratitude to Harrys Fresh Foods for choosing Nashville as the location for its new production facility.





Im excited to welcome Harrys Fresh Foods to the south Nashville area where their food manufacturing facility will be producing sustainable, locally sourced, environmentally-friendly products for us all to enjoy, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said. Harrys Fresh Foods commitment to creating these jobs in Nashville is truly commendable and shows they will be great community partners in the years to come.





TVA and Nashville Electric Service congratulate Harrys Fresh Foods on its decision to locate in Nashville, TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. We are proud to partner with Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to further TVAs mission of service to help foster new job opportunities in the Valley.





Nashville and Davidson County are represented by Speaker Beth Harwell (R  Nashville), Rep. Bo Mitchell (D  Nashville), Rep. Bill Beck (D  Nashville), Rep. Mike Stewart (D  Nashville), Rep. Jason Powell (D  Nashville), Rep. Brenda Gilmore (D  Nashville), Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D  Nashville), Rep. Harold Love (D  Nashville), Rep. Sherry Jones (D  Nashville), Rep. Darren Jernigan (D  Nashville), Sen. Steve Dickerson (R  Nashville), Sen. Ferrell Haile (R  Nashville), Sen. Thelma Harper (D  Nashville) and Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D  Nashville) in the Tennessee General Assembly.
The City of Chattanooga is collaborating with the Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technology Lab at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Open Chattanooga to build better maps for outdoor recreation. To help connect people to the outdoors in Chattanooga, Outdoor Chattanooga and the Office of Performance Management and Open Data are calling for coders and outdoor enthusiasts alike to join the project.

The group is hosting an Outdoor Recreation Mapping and Apping Party at Outdoor Chattanooga in Coolidge Park at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Participants will have a hand in creating a free, open and beautifully designed interactive outdoor recreation map for the Chattanooga region.

You should be able to go to just one resource to find the right outdoor activity for your needs, said Tim Moreland, director of the Office of Performance Management and Open Data. This end product will be a community-supported, detailed map of all the area's outdoor recreation facilities on an open platform that anyone can access.

While the organizers are in need of coders, attendees dont have to be skilled in programming to participate. Outdoor enthusiasts, mappers and designers, and just interested citizens are all encouraged to attend. Depending on interest level, here is what the organizers suggest bringing to the event:

Outdoor Enthusiast - local knowledge, gps tracks, and love for the outdoors

Mappers & Designers - laptops, GIS data, favorite design tools, and examples of favorite outdoor maps

Interested Citizen - an open mind and a willingness to jump right in and help out
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Shaw Industries Group, Inc. has completed the expansion of its hardwood flooring manufacturing facility in South Pittsburg, to meet the growing demand for its engineered hardwood flooring products.

The $40 million investment adds more than 60 percent capacity to the existing hardwood manufacturing facility as well as dozens of jobs over the past several months as new equipment and production lines have come on line.

The expansion of our South Pittsburg engineered hardwood facility is a prime example of our continued investment in new product development and advanced manufacturing practices, said Shaw chairman and CEO Vance Bell. Hardwood is important to Shaws business growth strategy.

The announcement represents the companys ongoing alignment with market demands and preferences. In 2006, Shaw transformed this former yarn plant into one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced hardwood flooring manufacturing facilities across Shaws entire portfolio  and the largest engineered hardwood facility of its kind in the world. In 2015, the company introduced a significant product innovation with EPIC Plus built with Stabilitek, a next generation engineered hardwood that offers superior performance on high-moisture concrete slabs often found in todays homes as a result of rapid construction schedules.

Additionally, in recent years, the company has invested in technology, innovation and automation to improve efficiency, product performance, cost, safety, material yield and waste reduction at its hardwood facilities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. As a result of this keen focus on its hardwood business, Shaw has become the second largest and fastest growing hardwood manufacturer in the market  having entered the hardwood flooring business just a decade ago.

We have invested heavily in hardwood in recent years  from styling and service to manufacturing and marketing, said Scott Sandlin, Shaw vice president of Hard Surfaces. This ongoing investment offers numerous benefits to consumers, retailers, builders, and interior designers, including a wide range of looks and finishes to match ever-evolving customer preferences, and durable products to withstand todays busy lifestyles. We will continue to invest in the category toward our goal of being the unquestioned leader in wood flooring.




The Dalton State Foundation received a gift from the Bunco Babes of Dalton, a local civic group that focuses its philanthropy on early breast cancer screening and treatment.For the fourth year in a row, the Bunco Babes of Dalton have stepped up with us and invested in scholarships at Dalton State, said Foundation Director David Elrod.The gift will support scholarships for students majoring in radiologic technology.The Clubs mission and our academic program in radiologic technology is a perfect fit, Mr.Elrod said. The Bunco for the Cure Scholarships will provide financial assistance for as many as three rad tech students this coming year, and these students will graduate and become professionals radiologic technologists in Northwest Georgia."Dalton States associate degree program in radiologic technology is known for its academic quality and high first-time pass rates on professional licensure examinations," officials said.Persons interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities at Dalton State may contact the Foundation at 706-272-4473.
The pastor and men of Second Missionary Baptist Church invite Chattanooga and the surrounding community to attend their annual Mens Day worship service on Sunday, April 24, at 10:45 a.m., following Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.

The guest speaker will be the Rev. Andre Sharpe, Pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Rossville, Georgia. Rev. Sharpe grew up in Chattanooga, studying Criminal Justice at Chattanooga State and Cleveland State, after graduating from Central High School. He was ordained in 1999 and called to serve as pastor/teacher at New Salem in 2000. He believes the focus of his ministry is expository preaching and teaching the Bible.

Pastor Sharpe is currently studying theology at Westminster Confession of Faith under Dr. R. C. Spoul. He is guided by Philippians 1:6, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Inspirational music for the service will be provided by the special mens day choir, under the direction of music coordinator Paula Coleman. The men look forward to seeing you and your family joining us in worship. Rev. Dr. Ernest L. Reid, Jr. is pastor of Second. For more information, please call the church office at (423) 624-9097. The church is located at 2305 E. Third St.
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department encourages all pet owners to get their animals vaccinated against rabies. This years low-cost rabies clinics will offer 61 locations around Hamilton County from April 22-30. The price is $12 per pet. Rabies vaccinations are required by law for all dogs and cats.

It is heartbreaking to see unvaccinated pets having to be euthanized due to exposure to rabid animals, especially because it is entirely preventable if the vaccination is given before exposure, said Bonnie Deakins, Director of Environmental Services at the Health Department. Pet owners can either take their dogs and cats to a veterinarian for rabies shots, or to one of the special low-cost clinics. Vaccinating our pets protects them and protects us.

Rabies is caused by a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. The usual mode of rabies transmission is by the introduction of saliva containing rabies virus into a bite wound. Any mammal, such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, dogs, and cats, can get and transmit rabies. Cattle and humans can also get rabies. Thanks to widespread vaccination programs, the Health Department investigations last year revealed no cases of animal rabies.

In 2015, the total rabies vaccinations in Hamilton County for dogs and cats were 71,150, which is an increase of 2.9% since 2014 and a 14.8% increase since 2010.

The special rabies clinics are scheduled for the following dates. All clinics are from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.:

 Friday, April 22nd

 Saturday, April 23rd

 Wednesday, April 27th

 Thursday, April 28th (Special Cat Clinics)

 Friday, April 29th

 Saturday, April 30th

Keep your pets vaccinated against rabies. It will protect their health, your health, and its the law. For more information about clinic locations, please call the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department at (423) 209-8110.

Partners this year include the Hamilton County Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Educational Society, East Ridge Animal Control, and the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center.
The Vikings were a seafaring people from the late eighth to early 11th century who established a name for themselves as traders, explorers and warriors. They discovered the Americas long before Columbus and could be found as far east as the distant reaches of Russia.

While these people are often attributed as savages raiding the more civilized nations for treasure and women, the motives and culture of the Viking people are much more diverse. These raiders also facilitated many changes throughout the lands from economics to warfare.

The Viking Age

Many historians commonly associate the term "Viking" to the Scandinavian term vikingr, a word for "pirate." However, the term is meant to reference oversea expeditions, and was used as a verb by the Scandinavian people for when the men traditionally took time out of their summers to go "a Viking." While many would believe these expeditions entailed the raiding of monasteries and cities along the coast, many expeditions were actually with the goal of trade and enlisting as foreign mercenaries.

A group of Viking re-enactors charges the crowd at the Stotfold Steam Mill Country Fayre in England. (opens in new tab) / Shutterstock.com (opens in new tab) ) (Image credit: i4lcocl2

The Viking Age generally refers to the period from A.D. 800, a few years after the earliest recorded raid, until the 1050s, a few years before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, according to Angelo Forte, Richard D. Oram and Frederik Pedersen, authors of "Viking Empires" (Cambridge University Press, 2005). During this time, the reach of the Scandinavian people extended to all corners of northern Europe, and many other nations found Vikings raiding their coasts. The farthest reported records of Vikings were in Baghdad for the trading of goods like fur, tusks and seal fat.

A Viking raid on the monks of Lindisfarne, a small island located off the northeast coast of England, marked the start of the Viking migration from Scandinavia in 793. This location was a well-known abbey of learning, famous throughout the continent for the knowledgeable monks and its extensive library. During this raid, monks were killed, thrown into the sea or taken as slaves along with many treasures of the church, and the library itself razed. This single event set the stage for how Vikings would be perceived throughout the Viking Age: savage warriors with no respect for religion or appreciation for learning.

In the years that followed the initial raid, coastal villages, monasteries and even cities found themselves besieged by these sea-based foreign intruders. Due to the frequency of sea attacks, many developments were made in developing fortifications in the forms of walled-in harbors and sea-facing stone walls, defenses that proved to be quite effective at deterring raids.

The reason behind these attacks is a topic of debate among academics, though the reasons often stem from such things as the Christian persecution and forced baptism of pagans to reduced agricultural outputs in the Scandinavian region. Many more documented reasons might have prompted these people to leave their cold and harsh homes to seek out the means to survive elsewhere. Yet, despite how unforgiving their homeland may have been, most Vikings still returned to their homeland at the end of each season with treasure, slaves and goods to survive yet another winter.

The Viking ship

At the heart of the Viking culture lies the Viking ship. These extraordinary vessels  longships in particular  shaped the lives of the sea-faring Norse and changed the course of European history.

Honed for more than 10 centuries, the ship-building skills of the Norse led to a variety of vessels  from small fishing boats and big-bellied cargo vessels to the famous lightning-fast longships used for raiding. But no matter the size, most of the ships were designed to be narrow in shape with short drafts (vertical distance between waterline and bottom of ship), features that gave them high adaptability for use in the ocean and rivers.

The Vikings' ship-building craft reached a high point in the 7th century when they invented the keel, a structural beam that runs from the bow to the stern and sits lower than the main body of the ship. This feature increased speed and stability and prevented unwanted lateral movement, according to Yachting & Boating World. The keel, along with the addition of a large mast and sail, would ultimately allow the Norsemen to make long journeys across the North Atlantic. These vessels are now looked back upon as revolutionary in design and a technological miracle.

To begin the ship-building process, the Vikings would drive wedges into freshly-cut trees until the wood split along the grain. Up to 20 great oaks might be cut down for a ship. The wood was shaped and arranged so that the planks fit together perfectly in a clinker construction, overlapping like a fan. In clinker shipbuilding, the outside is started first, and then the frame is put inside it, according to the living history site Regia Anglorum. The ship was coated with a watertight mixture of tar-soaked animal hair, wool or moss and stabilized with iron rivets. The end result was an incredibly fast and flexible longship that nothing could catch.

The men rowed with a series of oars, supplemented with a large sail most likely made of wool. Rather than a rudder, the longships had a steerboard fastened to the right-hand side of the ship at the stern, according to Royal Museums Greenwich.

By the middle of the 9th century, the raids really picked up as word spread across the Norse region of Europe's removable wealth. Norse villages and communities came together to build ships with the intention of improving their lives through the business of raiding. In 842, Vikings ruthlessly attacked Nantes on the French coast, and because of their ability to maneuver up rivers, they went on to raid towns as far inland as Paris, Limoges, Orleans, Tours and Nimes, according to History.com.

The Vikings paid as much attention to art as to craft. The longships were usually adorned with carved dragon heads at the bow, which were believed to keep evil spirits away. The dragon head coupled with a large square, red-striped sail would come to be known as the signature of the Vikings. The sight would strike fear into the hearts of Europeans for three centuries.

A replica of a Viking ship sits at Pegwell Bay in Kent, England. (opens in new tab) Shutterstock (opens in new tab) ) (Image credit: Alan Gordine

New World expeditions

The Vikings set up colonies on the west coast of Greenland during the 10th century. The Viking sagas tell of journeys they undertook from these Greenland colonies to the New World. They mention places named "Helluland" (widely believed to be Baffin Island), "Markland" (widely believed to be Labrador) and "Vinland" (a more mysterious location which some archaeologists believe could be Newfoundland).

At present the only confirmed Viking site in the New World is located at L'anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of Newfoundland. That site was excavated in the 1960s. Additionally there are three possible Viking sites that archaeologists have recently excavated in Canada. Two of the possible sites are located in Newfoundland while a third site is located on Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic.

One possible Viking site is located at Point Rosee in southern Newfoundland; at the site, archaeologists found a possible bog iron roasting hearth beside a structure made with turf. Another possible Viking site is located at Sop's arm in Newfoundland and includes a series of "pitfalls" that would have been used to trap large animals such as caribou. These pitfalls are arranged in a straight line, and archaeologists believe that the Vikings could have driven the animals toward these pitfalls where the animals could have been trapped and killed. At the third possible Viking site, located at Nanook on Baffin Island, researchers found artifacts that may have been used in metal production and the remains of a structure that may have been built by the Vikings.

Viking myths

Many modern perceptions of Vikings found their origins through Catholic propaganda. Upon the sacking of multiple Christian facilities and the loss of countless relics and treasures, the Catholic ministry sought to dehumanize them. Until Queen Victoria's rule of Britain, the Vikings were still portrayed as a violent and barbaric people. During the 19th and 20th centuries, perceptions changed to the point where Vikings were glamorized as noble savages with horned helmets, a proud culture and a feared prowess in battle.

With regards to the more popular Viking myths created through these misperceptions, the following are proven to be clearly false according to historical record:

Vikings wore horned helmets Vikings traditionally went bareheaded or wore simple leather and metal-frame helmets with the occasional face guard. The idea behind horned helmets came about from the Viking revival during Victoria's reign. They were filthy and unkempt Archaeologists find evidence on a regular basis of combs, spoons and other grooming utensils that indicate the Viking people were very keen on maintaining personal hygiene.

While the living conditions in Scandinavian regions were certainly harsh and made a hard people, many Vikings suffered from the scarcity of resources and the people set up their homes over great distances with no real unified leadership. During the Viking Age, the Scandinavian people were able to make a stronger push to the outside worlds and create a reputation for themselves beyond simple barbarism. While some Vikings were driven with the lust for riches, many sought more peaceful economic relationships with the surrounding nations.

Indeed, as Forte et al wrote, there was no dramatic end to the Viking Age. The authors contend that the Scandinavian kingdoms were slowly acculturated and integrated into the "wider body politic of European Christendom."

Additional reporting by Traci Pedersen, Live Science contributor.
A glass of freshly squeezed juice certainly beats the mass-produced kind you'd buy off a store shelf  after all, it's both tasty and nutritious. Yet making fresh juice at home has always been a lot of work and a big mess. Now, a company has developed a new high-tech juicer that can deliver fresh, organic juice with the simple push of a button.

The new juice system, made by the company Juicero, operates much like a single-cup coffee brewing system, but for juice. You simply insert a packet of organic fresh fruits and vegetables into a countertop press, and press a button. Within minutes, the machine produces an 8-ounce (237 milliliters) glass of freshly made, cold-pressed juice.

What makes fresh juice better than the bottled stuff in regular grocery stores? Most of the mass-produced juices available to shoppers are made using a centrifuge, which heats the produce as it extracts water and other soluble nutrients away from the fibrous pulp. Heat leads to oxidation, which often affects taste, and some people argue that this process diminishes the nutrition of the juice as well. [9 Healthy Habits You Can Do in 1 Minute (Or Less)]

Fresh juices are more often made with a traditional method, known as the "cold press." For hundreds of years, people have used what is known as a cloth-and-rack system to force juice from fruits and vegetables. The labor-intensive method uses a rack to generate pressure and a cloth membrane to filter the pulp away from the liquid.

The Juicero system puts a decidedly modern spin on this ancient method. The cloth is replaced with a biodegradable mesh that is wrapped around the produce inside the pack. Instead of a rack, a sleek press  equipped with Wi-Fi and "smart" technology  generates pressure.

It took the company's research team months to determine the right amount of pressure, said Doug Evans, Juicero's founder. The researchers found that it generally requires an impressive "4 tons of force or 8,000 lbs. [3,600 kilograms] of pressure," Evans told Live Science.

But not all fruits and vegetables need the same amount of force to turn into drinkable juice. For example, a watermelon is much easier to juice than spinach, Evans said.

To help the machine figure out the right amount of pressure to use, Juicero equipped the press with a scanner and stamped a quick-response (QR) code  a type of square bar code  on each juice pack. For each code, the press is programmed with an "algorithm that determines what is the best way to press this particular produce in packs, how fast the platens [plates] should move, how long it should go for, how much force to apply  so it is unique, Evans said.

The QR code also provides information about where the produce comes from and how it was processed. Each code is entirely unique so that the fruits and vegetables can be traced back directly to their source. Additionally, the Wi-Fi-enabled press relays all this information back to a Juicero smartphone app so that customers can track how much juice they drink, when their packs will expire, and when to reorder more organic produce packs, the company said.

It remains to be seen whether Juicero will catch on. While Evans has attracted significant initial funding, the juice machines retail for $699 on the company's website (but they're currently available only in California). With packs ranging from $4 to $10 each, the system is considered a luxury item.

Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science.
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2016  U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said former President James K. Polks home in Columbia, Tenn., is one step closer to being declared a national treasure.

The Senate passed a broad, bipartisan energy bill that includes an amendment directing the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study for the James K. Polk Home as the next step in preserving the former presidents home as part of the National Park System. The energy bill passed the Senate today by a vote of 85 to 12. The legislation now awaits House consideration.

Alexander introduced the James K. Polk Presidential Home Study Act requesting the Secretary of Interior to conduct a special resource study and evaluate the suitability and feasibility of designating the site as a unit of the National Park System. If the House passes and the president signs the legislation into law, the National Park Service will conduct this special resource study. After the study is completed, the National Park Service will recommend to Congress whether the Polk Home should be included in the National Park System. If it does so, Congress would then need to pass legislation designating the Polk Home as a National Park System site.

Tennessee is full of history, and the presidency of James K. Polk is one of our states great contributions to our nations history, Alexander said. Wouldnt it be more appropriate for the presidential home of the president who created the Department of Interior, the home of the National Park Service, to be managed by the National Park Service? I sure think so.

Alexander continued, We talk a lot about the importance of science and math. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, most high school seniors in America score the worst in history. I cannot think of a better way to encourage the study of U.S. history and what it means to be an American than to make sure that our presidential homes are properly cared for. Columbias dedicated residents are making progress, and this special resource study is the next step in the process toward preserving President Polks home and belongings and elevating the site to the national treasure it deserves to be.

The James K. Polk Home Presidential Study Act was included in the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, a bipartisan energy bill that would help fuel innovation in our free enterprise system to help lower energy costs and provide an abundance of clean, cheap, reliable energy.

In 2013, Alexander sent a letter to the director of the National Park Service requesting that the organization conduct a reconnaissance survey of the James K. Polk Home to determine its significance and sustainability as a unit of the National Park System. In April of 2015, the survey found that the James K. Polk Home is nationally significant and could meet the criteria for inclusion in the National Park System.

The James K. Polk Home is the only surviving home of the eleventh American president. President Polk is most notably remembered for his help in acquiring 800,000 square miles of territory during his administration and extending our countrys border west to the Pacific Ocean, which today makes up California and much of the Southwestern United States. His last act as president was to sign the bill that created the Department of the Interior, the agency that includes the National Park Service.

His childhood home is managed by dedicated members of the James K. Polk Memorial Association and contains more than 1,300 artifacts and original items from the presidents years in Tennessee and Washington, D.C, including furniture, White House artifacts, and political memorabilia.
A stone block found on Egypt's Elephantine Island shows Queen Hatshepsut as a female (highlighted by red lines). Later images of the pharaoh portrayed her as a male king.

Ancient stone blocks depicting Queen Hatshepsut have been discovered on Egypt's Elephantine Island, providing insights into the early years of her reign, Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities announced this week. The blocks may have been part of a building that served as a way station for an ancient Egyptian deity.

On several of the blocks, Queen Hatshepsut was represented as a woman, according to the Ministry, suggesting that the blocks and building it came from were erected during the early part of the first female pharaoh's reign, which lasted from 1473 B.C. to 1458 B.C. Later in her reign, the queen was depicted as a male.

Mentions of Queen Hatshepsut were erased and monuments bearing her image were defaced after her death, and her female figure was replaced with images of a male king: her deceased husband Thutmose II. It is believed that her co-ruler and stepson/nephew Thutmose III ordered the change. [Photos: The Beautiful Sarcophagus of an Egypt Pharaoh]

It was unusual for a woman to become pharaoh of Egypt. As Egyptologist Ian Shaw noted in his book "Exploring Ancient Egypt" (Oxford University Press, 2003), "In the history of Egypt during the dynastic period (3000 to 332 B.C.) there were only two or three women who managed to rule as pharaohs, rather than wielding power as the 'great wife' of a male king."

After Queen Hatshepsut's death, mentions of her were erased, as shown here. (Image credit: German Archaeological Institute)

And she was a builder: In his National Geographic feature on Hatshepsut "The King Herself," Chip Brown wrote about her legacy (opens in new tab), and said she was "one of the greatest builders in one of the greatest Egyptian dynasties." During her reign, Hatshepsut erected and renovated many temples and shrines to the gods.

In fact, the newfound blocks likely were part of a previously unknown building of Queen Hatshepsut that was discovered this year by the German Archaeological Institute, said Mahmoud Afify, head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector, in the Ministry of Antiquities' statement on Facebook. In previous excavation seasons at the same site, members of the Swiss Institute also discovered some blocks that may have come from the same building.

The building would have served as a way station for the festival barque of the god Khnum, said Felix Arnold, field director of the Elephantine Island mission. In ancient Egypt, "barques," or sacred boats, were used to help carry the dead to the afterlife.

Here, an ancient pillar from the barque station in Egypt erected by Queen Hatshepsut for the god Khnum. (Image credit: German Archaeological Institute)

Based on the discoveries thus far, in the same statement, the Ministry of Antiquities described the building's construction as a chamber for the barque of the god Khnum, which is surrounded by pillars on all four sides.

"On the pillars are representations of several versions of the god Khnum, as well as other gods, such as Imi-peref 'He-who-is-in-his-house,' Nebet-menit 'Lady-of-the-mooring-post' and Min-Amun of Nubia," according to the Ministry statement on Facebook. "The building thus not only adds to our knowledge of the history of Queen Hatshepsut, but also to our understanding of the religious beliefs current on the Island of Elephantine during her reign."

Follow Live Science @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science.
It's National Park Week, but for anyone who is stuck indoors and can't hit the road, Google is making it easy to virtually visit many of America's treasures.

Google Street View and Google Cultural Institute have teamed up to showcase U.S. national parks and historic sites on one easy-to-navigate web page. Users can overlook the Merced River in Yosemite National Park in California, view volcanic cinder cones at Idaho's Craters of the Moon National Monument and take a virtual hike in the Everglades in Florida, among other virtual adventures.

The featured parks include at least one from every state, and aren't limited to surface streets. Views of Cedar Sink at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky take Street View underground. And at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah, Street View becomes "Boat View," featuring panoramas of Lake Powell and the Colorado River. [All Yours: 10 Least Visited National Parks]

Not feeling outdoorsy? Check out the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greenville, Tennessee, home of the 17th U.S. president. You can even read the informational signs outside the visitor center. Or, take a stroll around the Statue of Liberty in New York City, and get an idea of what it's like to peer up at this landmark's iconic green visage.

Meanwhile, the Cultural Institute spotlights a collection of objects collected from national parks and historic sites, such as a portrait of naturalist John Muir by his sister, Mary Muir Hand; the desk upon which Theodore Roosevelt is thought to have written his first presidential proclamation; and a breathtaking Sioux or Cheyenne shirt embroidered with porcupine quills, deer bone and eagle feathers.

Other objects in the gallery include a rusty whiskey still from Congaree National Park in South Carolina, a copper ingot from Keweenaw National Historical Park in Michigan, and a fragment of a letter from Ulysses S. Grant to his wife beginning, "Dearest Julia, I have just ".

National Park Week is an annual celebration of the National Park System. Between April 16 and April 24, all national parks offer free admission, and individual parks host specialized programs. This year, the Park Service is embracing technology with Instameets, prearranged gatherings where smartphones and social media postings are encouraged.

Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter and Google+. Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science.
More than 30 civic and business leaders in East Ridge have come together to launch a new initiative focused on fostering community discussions on ideas that will drive future opportunities for the city of East Ridge and help position the city as the best place to live, work, play and retire in Hamilton County, said officials. This new initiative  Pioneering Tomorrow  will look ... (click for more)
Garda chiefs have this morning issued a thank you message to the local community after two men were arrested yesterday (Tuesday) in connection to a recent series of break-ins.

Acting on information provided by the general public, gardai also managed to recover a substantial amount of stolen property that had been reported missing over the past number of weeks.

As a result of that intellegence, one man was later charged and is this morning (Wednesday) expected to appear before Athlone District Court.

He faces a number of charges, including burglary and handling offences.

But it is the part which was played by local homeowners in the operation which last night drew glowing praise from senior gardai.

There have been a number of crimes committed locally over the last week, admitted Superintendent Fergus Treanor.

Gardai arrested two males yesterday (Tuesday) in Longford and a substantial amount of stolen property was recovered.

One male will appear before Athlone District Court this morning, charged with burglary and handling offences.

This arrest and charges resulted from information received from local residents in respect of suspected criminal activity.

Supt Treanor said that input was pivotal in ensuring the Gardais response was both swift and successful.

And he urged the public to continue that close hand relationship when reporting crimes in the future.

The Gardai want to thank the community for their vigilance and prompt reporting, he added.
Family & Parenting, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Health & Wellness, Press Releases

By Don Miller Published: April 20 2016

On Saturday, April 16, 2016, WABC-TV aired a special entitled, PROTECT OUR CHILDREN: COPING, STRESS, & MOVING FORWARD at 7 p.m., EDT. (Also re-run on Sunday, April 17 at 5:30 a.m.).

Hauppauge, NY - April 11, 2016 - On Saturday, April 16, 2016, WABC-TV aired a special entitled, PROTECT OUR CHILDREN: COPING, STRESS, & MOVING FORWARD at 7 p.m., EDT. (Also re-run on Sunday, April 17 at 5:30 a.m.). The public affairs program featured some youngsters dealing with physical and emotional trauma, including a 10th grade Long Island student coping with the stress of ending up in a shelter with her mother and two siblings after a fire destroyed their home. Their spirit is amazing as they strive to overcome dire economic and health issues as clients of Island Harvest Food Bank.

The issue of hunger, homelessness and other adversities can have a devastating emotional and physical toll on children, said Rand Shubin Dresner, president & CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank. Island Harvest provides not just food, but other vital resources and services to help people transition from uncertainty to stability and were pleased to have WABC-TV spread the word that people facing adversity have a variety of options to assist them.

Protect Our Children is hosted by Eyewitness News Anchor, Diana Williams, and the edition airing on Saturday, April 16 delves into what experts are referring to as an epidemic of stress-related problems that plague our children. According to the American Psychological Association says one in three teens is stressed, and physicians report treating children kids as young as six for migraines and ulcers.

This Special is the nineteenth in a series from WABC-TVs Protect Our Children campaign that began in 1998 and includes informational safety messages, a website, and campaign that continues to broadcast the pictures of missing children in every Eyewitness News Program. Previous Specials have received five Emmy Awards, six Gracie Awards from the American Women in Radio-TV-Film (AWRT) and Awards from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, (NCMEC). All of the segments along with additional material, web-chats and links to resources and agencies that can be of help will be posted on ABC7NY.com/Protect after the airing of the program.

About Hunger on Long Island

Hunger is a state in which people do not get enough food to provide the nutrients for active and healthy lives. It can result from the recurrent lack of access to food. More than 316,000 Long Islanders face the risk of hunger every day, according to Island Harvest Food Bank and Feeding America, a national hunger-relief organization. Those facing hunger include adults (often working two jobs), seniors and veterans. Unable to make ends meet, they (and their children) are often forced to go without food. Approximately 70,000 individuals seek food assistance in Nassau and Suffolk counties each week through soup kitchens, food pantries and other feeding programs served by Island Harvest.

About Island Harvest Food Bank

Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading hunger-relief organization that provides food and other resources to people in need. Always treating those it helps with dignity and respect, its goal is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island through efficient food collection and distribution; enhanced hunger-awareness and nutrition-education programs; job training; and direct services targeted at children, senior citizens, veterans and others at risk. Approximately 94 cents of every dollar donated to Island Harvest goes to programs that support more than 316,000 Long Islanders. Island Harvest is a lead agency in the regions emergency-response preparedness for food and product distribution, and is a member of Feeding America, the nations leading domestic hunger-relief organization. More information can be found at www.islandharvest.org.
Local News, Business & Finance, Travel & Local Attractions, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: April 20 2016

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced the expansion of a successful sleep apnea testing program for MTA employees.

New York, NY - April 19, 2016 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced the expansion of a successful sleep apnea testing program for MTA employees. Testing was first begun as a pilot program in January 2015 to screen Metro-North Railroad train engineers, and now the MTA will make the program permanent at Metro-North and bring it to other agencies in the MTA family, including the Long Island Rail Road.



This program helps us identify workers who may be at risk for sleep apnea, ensure they receive appropriate treatment, and ultimately create a safer MTA, said Governor Cuomo. A healthy workforce is crucial to the MTAs success and, with the expansion of this successful program, we will continue to build a stronger transportation system and keep New York moving forward.



Addressing the dangerous risks of sleep apnea requires a blanket policy of both testing and treatment across the MTA, said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Todays news that the MTA will soon implement this critical effort within the LIRR is the right move and the safest one. Ive argued that it shouldnt take a Long Island Rail Road crash for the MTA to institute NTSB recommendations and test LIRR engineers for sleep disorders. Im glad the call to make this testing a priority was heeded. Time and again, the NTSBs common-sense recommendations have taken far too long to enact, or were carried out in a piece-meal way. So, todays news of real action by the MTA to address this dangerous situation should help commuters rest a little easier.



Under the program, screenings for obstructive sleep apnea that have already been underway for Metro-North Railroad locomotive engineers will be expanded to Metro-North conductors, Long Island Rail Road train crew members, and be available to other MTA agencies.



Sleep apnea is a medical disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while a person is sleeping when the patients throat muscles intermittently relax and block his or her windpipe. This results in insufficient sleep. Left untreated, someone with the disorder functions with reduced alertness and may involuntarily fall asleep. Those who are at risk for sleep apnea will be referred to medical treatment that can ensure they can do their jobs safely.



The MTA issued a Request for Proposals today to seek a medical firm or firms to conduct the sleep apnea testing for MTA personnel. The proposal may be found by searching the New York State Contract Reporter (www.nyscr.ny.gov). Proposals are due within 30 days.



Metro-North began a pilot program in January 2015 through which 438 locomotive engineers and locomotive engineer trainees underwent an initial screening for obstructive sleep apnea by the Railroads Occupational Health Services Department. Medical personnel used body mass index, neck circumference, and other medical information to determine which employees were at risk for sleep apnea, and referred these employees for additional testing. Those referred for additional testing were given a take-home overnight sleep test administered by a medical firm that specializes in sleep disorders and was selected through an earlier Request for Proposals to participate with Metro-North for its pilot program.



Based on the results of the sleep test, some employees were required to undergo medical treatment for sleep apnea, which is generally treated through the use of masks that deliver continuous positive airway pressure, or oral devices that keep the airway open, either of which is worn at home during sleep.



Initiation of a sleep apnea screening program was a recommendation made by the National Transportation Safety Board in October 2014. The NTSB found that the derailment of a Metro-North Hudson Line train on December 1, 2013, occurred because the trains engineer, who was later found to have had an undiagnosed case of severe obstructive sleep apnea, fell asleep while operating the train and therefore did not comply with a 30-mph speed restriction leading into a curve in the Spuyten Duyvil section of the Bronx.



MTA Chief Safety Officer David Mayer said: Although it is not required by regulation, the MTA recognizes the safety benefits of sleep apnea screening and treatment. Our pilot program worked well at Metro-North Railroad, and because of this success we are looking forward to extending this safety program to employees elsewhere within the MTA.



Employees will be screened regularly as part of their existing routine medical re-evaluations.
Local News, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: April 20 2016

Today, Kaminsky 2016 announced the support of President Barack Obama. A robocall featuring the Presidents support was released by the campaign on Monday night.

Kaminsky thanking his wife Ellen, his parents, family and friends for their unyielding support during the campaign for State Senate. Kaminsky leads in the race.

South Shore, NY - April 19, 2016 - Today, Kaminsky 2016 announced the support of President Barack Obama. A robocall featuring the Presidents support was released by the campaign on Monday night.

In supporting Todd Kaminsky, President Obama said: Hi. This is Barack Obama. Im calling today because Democrat Todd Kaminsky is running in a special election for State Senate and needs your vote. Im supporting Todd because he delivered for Nassau County families - passing 12 weeks of paid family leave, winning a $15 minimum wage for New Yorkers, $1billion in tax cuts for middle class families, and $20 million in new funding for our schools this year. Please join me, Barack Obama, in supporting Democrat Todd Kaminsky for State Senate, this Tuesday, April 19th.

The 9th Senate District seat became automatically vacant upon the conviction of Dean Skelos in December on charges of bribery, extortion and conspiracy. A special election to fill the 9th Senate District seat will be held on Tuesday, April 19th, 2016.

About Todd Kaminsky

Assemblyman Kaminsky has spent his career fighting for Long Island families and working to end government corruption. As a federal prosecutor representing Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens, and as acting deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section, Todd took down corrupt elected officials, drug kingpins and other major felons.

In 2014, Todd was elected to represent the South Shore in the New York State Assembly. During his first term, Todd fought for and won ethics reforms, tax breaks, aid for Sandy victims, and a new emergency center at South Nassau Communities Hospital. Todd authored the most laws by a first-year assemblymember in recent New York State history.
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
Fighters belonging to the Islamic States arm in Libya have reportedly withdrawn from their positions on the outskirts of the city of Derna. Abu Bakr al Baghdadis loyalists were opposed by rival jihadists inside the city. Airstrikes by the Libyan Army, the US and Egypt have also repeatedly hit the so-called caliphates fighting positions in the area over the past year and a half.

The Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC) in Derna, a jihadist alliance that stymied the Islamic States expansion plans, issued a statement earlier today (seen on the right) saying that Baghdadis men had fled their bases. The MSC announced the complete liberation of Derna.

Libyans on social media have posted videos and pictures of locals celebrating their departure. In addition, a spokesman for Libyas military told Reuters that the jihadists are attempting to make their way to Sirte, which has become the Islamic States main operational hub in the North African nation.

Last year, the Islamic States Libyan branch openly clashed with its rivals in the MSC, which was established in late 2014 by the Abu Salim Martyrs Brigade (ASMB) and other groups in Derna. Fighters from the Islamic State assassinated key figures in the MSC in June 2015. But Baghdadis followers picked a fight they couldnt win.

The MSC quickly ejected the Islamic State from its strongholds inside the heart of Derna, forcing the caliphates fighters to operate in Al Fatayih, on the eastern outskirts of the city, and in other outlying areas. The two sides continued to battle in the months that followed.

Both the MSC and the Islamic State have regularly produced propaganda trumpeting their fight against one another. In March, for instance, the Islamic States Al Naba newsletter included an infographic tallying the operations carried out against both the MSC and the Libyan military. For its part, the MSC has captured and killed key Islamic State figures in Derna. The MSC has also released videos of adolescents and other young men who were detained after allegedly being recruited by the caliphate to carry out suicide attacks in Derna.

Last year, the Islamic States spokesman, Abu Muhammad al Adnani, chastised the MSC for daring to resist his organizations advances and called on MSC fighters to repent. The Islamic States supporters also created Wanted Dead banners for dozens of jihadists in the MSC and allied groups. The banners identified Hisham Ali Ashmawi, a former Egyptian special forces officer turned al Qaeda loyalist, as a key leader in the MSCs battles against the caliphate in Derna. [See LWJ report, The Islamic States wanted dead list in Libya.]

Abul Mughirah al Qahtani, who led the Islamic States efforts in Libya until he was killed in a US airstrike, also blasted the MSC in an issue of Dabiq magazine last year. Qahtani claimed that the ASMB had deviated from the true jihadist path by, among other things, providing security for Mustafa Abdul Jalil, then the chairman of Libyas National Transitional Council, when he visited [Derna] and called to democracy. Indeed, the ASMB referred the controversy over Jalils visit to Abu Muhammad al Maqdisi, a jihadist ideologue closely allied with al Qaeda who is also a staunch critic of the Islamic State. Maqdisi ruled that it was permissible for the ASMB to ensure Jalils safety given the circumstances.

The MSC has multiple other links to al Qaedas global network. A declassified analysis written by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2012 claimed that the ASMB took orders from Ayman al Zawahiris liaison to Libya, Abdulbasit Azzouz, who was subsequently captured in Turkey. The ASMB is the strongest contingent within the MSC alliance. The MSCs leaders assassinated by the Islamic State in June 2015 had their own ties to al Qaeda-affiliated groups and personalities. [See LWJ report, Veteran jihadists killed by Islamic States province in Derna, Libya.]

Therefore, even though the Islamic State has been ejected from Derna, other pro-al Qaeda groups continue to operate in the extremist safe haven. In addition to the MSC, the al Qaeda-affiliated Ansar al Sharia also continues to operate training camps in Derna and target the Libyan military near there.

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.
A faction of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, or TTP, claimed credit for two attacks in Karachi that targeted policemen as they guarded members of a polio vaccination team. The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan has targeted polio vaccination teams in Pakistans major cities in the past.

Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan Jamaat-ul-Ahrar accepts responsibility for the attack on police in Karachi, Ihsanullah Ihsan, the official spokesman for the group, said in a statement that was emailed to The Long War Journal.

This attack is part of ongoing attacks against security forces and police, Ihsan continued. We believe the fighting will continue until we achieve the goal of implementing the Islamic system in Pakistan.

The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, has stated from its founding in late 2006 that it seeks to overthrow the Pakistani state, implement its harsh version of sharia, or Islamic law, and work toward imposing a global caliphate. The TTP shares the same goals as al Qaeda and is closely allied with the global terror group. It also has stated that it reports to the emir of the Afghan Taliban.

Todays assaults in Karachi took place in Orangi Town, a hotbed for the Taliban and other Islamist groups. Police officials told Dawn that eight Taliban fighters riding on four motorcycles gunned down the policemen as they were deployed in the dangerous neighborhood.

The gunmen first opened fire on three policemen in the streets of Orangi Town, killing them all, Feroz Shah, a senior police official, told Dawn. Later they shot dead four policemen, who were sitting in a police mobile van nearby. In both instance, the policemen were overpowered, Shah stated.

The Taliban have trained for conducting motorcycle attacks. In a video released in April 2015, the TTP touted its Mujahideen Special Group, its version of special forces, and showed its fighters conducting assassinations using a motorcycles. [See LWJ report, Pakistani Taliban promotes Muhajideen Special Group, training camp.]

The ambush that occurred today is the largest against the polio vaccination program since Jan. 13, 2016. A TTP suicide bomber detonated among a group of policemen who were guarding the anti-polio drive in Satellite Town in Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan. Thirteen policeman and one Frontier Corps officer were killed in the attack. The TTP claimed the attack and said it was executed by a Special Unit from the Mujahideen Special Group.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is a dangerous faction of the TTP that has executed numerous suicide attacks inside Pakistan. In one of the most brutal attacks this year, a Jamaat-ul-Ahrar suicide bomber blew himself up at a park in Lahore on Easter Sunday. Ihsan said the attack intentionally targeted Christians. [See LWJ report, The target was Christians, Pakistani Taliban says of Lahore Easter attack.]

Polio vaccination campaign a prime target of the Taliban

The Taliban has devoted resources to disrupt the World Health Organizations anti-polio vaccination program inside Pakistan. Mullah Fazlullah, the emir of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, was one of the first leaders to have opposed polio vaccinations. On his radio program, Falzullah, who is also known as Mullah Radio, denounced polio vaccinations as Western attempts to sterilize Muslim boys.

Other Taliban commanders, including Mullah Bahadar and Mullah Nazir, who was killed in a US drone strike, as well as Pakistani clerics and leaders in the tribal areas, suspended polio vaccinations in areas under their control until the US ceased drone strikes against Taliban, al Qaeda, and other jihadist commanders.

Taliban commanders have also accused vaccination programs as serving as cover for CIA and western operations to target jihadist leaders inside Pakistan.

In the garb of these vaccination campaigns, the US and its allies are running their spying networks in FATA [Federally Administered Tribal Agencies] which has brought death and destruction on them in the form of drone strikes, a pamphlet issued by Mullah Nazir in June 2012 stated. Infidel forces are using media, education, and development as a tool to gag Muslims, the pamphlet continued.

Nazirs pamphlet referenced Dr. Shakil Afridi, the Pakistani doctor who aided the US in finding and killing Osama bin Laden. Afridi is currently serving a 33-year prison sentence in Pakistan for false charges of supporting the Laskar-e-Islam, an Islamist terror group based in Khyber.

In 2012, the Pakistani Taliban launched a deadly campaign against the WHOs vaccination program. Eight medical workers were killed while attempting to vaccinate children in Karachi and Pakistans northwest. The WHO shut down the anti-polio drive.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

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The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.
3 Officials Face Criminal Charges Over Flint's Water Crisis

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Apr 20, 2016 7:00PM

Two state regulators and an employee of Flint, who were tasked with monitoring the safety of the city's water supply, are now facing criminal charges related to the city's lead-tainted water crisis.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced Wednesday that three people have been charged with felonies and misdemeanors that include evidence tampering, according to the Associated Press. He also said he expected to bring more charges in the case, telling reporters, "They failed Michigan families. Indeed, they failed us all."

Todays charges are a beginning, not an end. pic.twitter.com/Q384TEomec  A.G. Bill Schuette (@SchuetteOnDuty) April 20, 2016

The Detroit Free Press reports the three facing charges are Mike Glasgow, 40, an employee of Flint who is in charge of supervising the city's water quality; Mike Prysby, 53, a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) official; and Stephen Busch, 40, of DeWitt, another DEQ official, who serves as a district coordinator for the Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance.

Flint's water crisis began when the city switched to using water from the Flint River to save money. The river became a source of tap water while a new pipe was being constructed, but the river water wasn't treated properly to control for corrosion, and residents were exposed to high levels of lead.

Prysby and Busch were both charged with misconduct in office, conspiracy to tamper with evidence, tampering with evidence and misdemeanor violations of water law, the Associated Press reports. They are accused of failing to order chemicals that would have controlled for lead corrosion. State environmental regulators have admitted to telling the city that chemicals weren't needed to control for corrosion.

Glasgow also was charged Wednesday with tampering with evidence and neglect as a public official. He is accused of changing lead water-testing results.

Residents of the city of Flint had been using lead-tainted water for nearly a year-and-a-half, exposing residents to a host of health problems whose scope will probably not be understood for decades. Children, who are most vulnerable to its effects, underwent tests showing they had high levels of lead in their systems.

Officials from the city all the way up to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder have been accused of dithering while experts and residents raised concerns. It even became a flashpoint in the Michigan Democratic primary. A task force called the crisis a "case of environmental injustice."

Busch is currently on paid leave. Prysby took another job in the state agency. Glasgow testified against Prysby, saying the state official told him that phosphate wasn't necessary to halt lead corrosion.

Others involved in the scandal have resigned, including DEQ Director Dan Wyant and his spokesman Brad Wurfel as well as Susan Hedman, the director of the EPA's Midwest office in Chicago. Liane Shekter Smith, the former chief of the DEQ's Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance, was fired.

Related:

6 Key Updates On Flint, Michigan's Water Crisis


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Target Says Its Bathrooms Are Transgender-Friendly

By Sarah Gouda in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 20, 2016 4:58PM



Photo by Mike Mozart via the Creative Commons on Flickr

Target says that transgender people who visit its stores can use the bathroom that aligns with their identity. Though the big-box retailer says they have always maintained this policy, the Minneapolis-based company issued a statement Tuesday reasserting its policy as state legislators around the country push transphobic laws forcing people to use the bathroom for the sex listed on their birth certificate.

They say this statement is a way of reintroducing their commitment to employees and customers of all backgrounds: Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. Its something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day.

Given that Illinois lawmakers are considering their own transphobic bill requiring schools to implement strict gender delineations, this show of support carries significant weight and practical purpose. Retailer restrooms are often the most accessible for people outside the home or office, and many public restrooms refuse to accommodate gender non-conforming people. Groups like The Chicago Restroom Access Project are working to improve this, but they're often met with considerable resistance.

Gina Olson, a Chicago Restroom Access Project member, told Chicagoist: "There are health impacts for people who, say, cannot use the bathroom for the entire day. They can suffer dehydration, or different types of infections... In terms of safety, people are sometimes threatened violently. 'You don't belong here! I'm calling security! or someone may choose to remove them themselves."

Though other retailers have remained relatively quiet around the issue, Target's public declaration may open up the dialogue for other companies. This isn't the first time Target has subjected itself to controversy. Last year, Target was the subject of scrutiny after it chose to take down the gender-based signs in its toys and kids' bedding aisles.
India must put quality control at the centre of its policies on IP filing if it doesnt want to deal with a mess of its own making later
CPD's Racist History Cited In Suit On Behalf Of Teen Killed By Police

By Sarah Gouda in News on Apr 20, 2016 8:58PM

The family of a black teenager who was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer earlier this month has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city. The lawsuit ties 16-year-old Pierre Loury's death to the systemic racism that plagues the Chicago Police Department, according to a recent task force report.

The suit, filed by Loury's mother Tambrasha Hudson, alleges police gave false and incomplete versions of the story around the shooting to make it look like officers were in imminent danger, according to the Chicago Tribune. Police said Loury was shot after pointing a gun at an officer, but the according to the lawsuit, he was shot when he was trying to climb a fence and posing no threat to officers.

The suit also references a report conducted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Police Accountability Task Force that calls out systemic racism and a lack of officer accountability that persists in the Chicago Police Department. "The community's lack of trust in CPD is justified," the report said. "There is substantial evidence that people of color -- particularly African-Americans -- have had disproportionately negative experiences with the police over an extended period of time."

According to police, the April 11 incident the lawsuit brings into question began with a car stop; police stopped Loury's car because it matched the description of one involved in a prior shooting. When officers attempted to apprehend him, he began running on foot. The foot chase ended in an "armed confrontation" in the 3400 block of West Grenshaw Street. First Deputy Superintendent John Escalante told reporters last week that an officer chasing Loury opened fire after Loury turned and pointed a gun at him. Loury was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital after the shooting and pronounced dead at 8:27 p.m.

This is the third fatal police shooting this year.
After 22 Years In Prison, Innocent Man Walks Free (And Heads To Giordano's)

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Apr 20, 2016 5:48PM

After serving 22 years in prison for a double murder he didn't commit, Eddie Bolden walked out of Cook County Jail yesterday. Bolden smiled and told reporters he was just grateful to finally be out: "I just want to live ... and be free."

Bolden, 46, said he wasn't angry, but he was teary and seemed dazed by simple things in the world outside world: "I havent seen a car in 20 years."

Bolden was convicted of the 1994 murders of Irving Clayton and Derrick Frazier, who were gunned down and then burned in a car in a drug deal gone awry, the Chicago Sun-Times says. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Bolden always maintained his innocence and spent his time in prison trying to get out. He dug into the legal library, searching desperately for a way to exonerate himself. When he sent a letter sent to private investigator Susan Carlson, it finally set the wheels in motion for charges against him to be dropped.

Bolden had always maintained that he had been in a South Side fried fish restaurant playing Ms. Pac-Man at the time of the murders. But it took Carlson to find eyewitnesses that Bolden's initial public defender had missed, and finally corroborate his alibi. She also pushed Bolden's attorney Ron Safer to take on the case. Last year, key witnesses discovered by Carlson were invited to testify in hearings that led to Bolden's eventual release. Safer called Carlson a "hero."

Sadly, Carlson died three years ago from complications of asthma, so she wasn't able to meet him outside the gates yesterday. Bolden told reporters, "She promised me she would be standing here when I got out, but I guess she couldn't control death."

"For a long time nobody cared," he said, according to the Tribune. "Nobody in court really cared, the appellate courts didn't care, the attorneys that my family hired didn't care."

Bolden says that he had spent so much effort trying to get out, he had few plans. He plans to see his 21-year-old son graduate from college on Saturday and get some deep dish at Giordano's. Safer offered to pay: "The meal is on me."
Marie Claire newsletter Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions (opens in new tab) and Privacy Policy (opens in new tab) and are aged 16 or over.

How do you pronounce it?

We recently discovered that what used to be some of the most common baby names are at risk of becoming extinct, and now it seems there are some names you simply cannot name your baby, at all. Yes, that's right, there are banned baby names.

Last year a mother in Wales tried to call her new born baby Cyanide, but was banned from doing so by the Court of Appeal. Despite her arguments that Cyanide was a 'lovely, pretty name' the court ruled that the 'unusual' choice might harm the child growing up.

Now a couple are finding themselves at the centre of a storm of online criticism after turning to the popular online forum, Mumsnet, to ask fellow parents for advice about the name they had chosen for their baby girl.

The couple wrote on Mumsnet: 'My husband and I like the name Felicia. But we would pronounce it 'Fuh-liss-ee-a' rather than like 'Feleesha.' What would you think if you saw a baby with this name? Would people always pronounce it wrong?' They asked.

However, their name choice did not go down well with fellow users.

'I'd hate you for it,' responded one. 'You can't go using a name and choosing your own random pronunciation for it and not expect your child to be properly pissed off with you. Don't give your child a name you are going to deliberately mispronounce.'

Another said, 'Don't give your child a name you are going to deliberately mispronounce.'

Although the choice of name hasn't been banned, it isn't uncommon for judges to permanently ban names they feel could harm the child.

Back in 1995, New Zealand decided to rule out a whole host of baby names. In accordance with the Births, Marriages, Deaths and Relationships Registrations Acts rules, parents were not allowed to give their child a name that implies rank, resembles official titles, causes undue offence, and as a full name is no longer than 99 characters.

Below we have the list of banned baby names from countries around the world, along with the top 25 names rejected in New Zealand. We warn you now, some of these are down right bonkers.

Banned Baby Names

Chow Tow Given that Chow Tow roughly translates to 'smelly head' we think the Malaysian government made the right choice by banning this name.

Anus Yes. Some poor child in Denmark was very almost named after this part of the human anatomy. Thankfully the application was denied.

Facebook It was only a matter of time before someone tried to name their child after the popular social networking site. However, it seems Mexico were sick of silly baby name applications and decided to release a list of names that were banned for being 'derogatory, pejorative, discriminatory or lacking in meaning'. Unsurprisingly, Facebook made the list.

Lucifer The department of internal affairs in New Zealand decided to ban this name, and we can kind of see why.

Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii We wish we were joking, but a young girl in New Zealand was really named this. Thankfully she was made a ward of court in 2008 so she could change her name.

@ This one is kind of sweet, the symbol is pronounced 'ai-ta' in China and carries the meaning 'love him'. Would have been a bloody nightmare on Twitter, though.

III The Californian Court of Appeal banned the name 'three' in 1984 as they classified this name to be a symbol. However, after the success of Stranger Things we imagine there might be a sudden uplift in babies named after numbers.

Venerdi Again we kind of get this one, as Venerdi translates to Friday in Italy - and who doesn't love Friday? Nonetheless, judges in Italy banned a couple from calling their little boy this as they believed he would be exposed 'mockery'.

Banned Baby Names New Zealand

1. Messiah 2. King 3. Royal 4. Prince 5. Royale 6. Bishop 7. Empress 8. Princess 9. / (symbol in name) 10. () name in brackets 11. Chief 12. Christ 13. Commodore 14. Impryss 15. Justice 16. Justyce 17. Knight 18. Lord 19. MMMR 20. Queen 21. Regal 22. Rogue 23. Royaal 24. Royahl 25. Sarjant

Speaking to Stuff.co.nz about the unusual names parents have wanted to call their children, Jefferey says: Most parents are serious. They think its a name that fits their baby. They think its a nice name. Theres not normally anything nasty about it. Theyre not intending it to be offensive.

He also adds, that while you cant have the name on legal documents, you still have the freedom to call yourself whatever you want.

People can call themselves whatever they like. We might not approve of Messiah, but you can call your children what you like.

Brilliant. Sarjant it is then.
Marie Claire newsletter Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions (opens in new tab) and Privacy Policy (opens in new tab) and are aged 16 or over.

What we do know is that its annoying.

There's a reason why people check their phones. But, if ours cant let us Facebook stalk our ex, give us directions to the pub, swipe right on Tinder, play Spotify, and upload a Valencia filtered selfie, all at the same time, then they are well and truly failing.

That or we have severe phone addiction issues - ever feel like your phone is vibrating but it really isn't? Us too.

Most of the time whether were connected to the wifi, using 4G, or even 3G (ugh), our phones will let us peruse the internet to our hearts content.

Most of the time.

But then there are the times when we go back home to visit our parents. Well step off the train at the village that has its own jam, try to open Facebook to tag in the location and a cynical, lol-worthy comment, and realise we cant because the E symbol is showing.

You know the one, it suddenly appears in the top left of the screen, usually where your healthy amount of wifi, or solid 4G stands.

But what does it mean, apart from that you are suddenly disconnected from the world?

Heres what the tech wizards at PC Advisor had to say:

The E stands for EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) can reach speeds between 120Kbps to 384Kbps. This was the original iPhones top data network speed. Now its met with a sigh because it means where youre standing doesnt have a 3G or 4G signal.

They go onto comparing to asking your neighbours child to deliver the mail for you.

And while E, or EDGE if we want to be formal, is annoying, at least it gives us the glimmer of hope that we might enter the happy territory of 3G soon.

At least its not GPRS, which we feel really comes into its own when youre sitting on a train, having strong and hilarious whatsapp flirt and then theres a tunnel.

One step up from no data signal at all is GPRS, which stands for General Packet Radio Service, explains PC Advisor. Wikipedia defines GPRS as a best effort service and a packet oriented mobile data service on the 2G and 3G cellular communication system's global system for mobile communications (GSM). All you need to know is that GPRS means you might eventually get a webpage to load or an email or iMessage to send, but it will probably take longer than you have patience for.

So there you have it, youre now a complete geek when it comes to poorly working phones. Youre welcome.
Being in a position to accurately anticipate change in the shipping markets is becoming ever more crucial for maritime service providers, as owning principals demand more solutions to the problems created by over-ordering, according to Braemar Group Asia President Denis Petropoulos.



Speaking at a press conference during Singapore Maritime Week, Mr Petropoulos said this need for in-depth industry knowledge and experience in understanding how to deal with market downturns means that shipping service clusters like Singapore would find themselves in a strong position when the times start to improve.



Owners and charterers rely on these services more when the markets are poor but being able to anticipate when and how the markets will change and being able to avoid the mistakes of the past is becoming ever more important, he told reporters.



It is not so much what lessons have been learned, but understanding what will be needed for the industry to emerge from a crisis. Costs savings are available and the industry has been saving costs for years but compromising quality is not an option. We may start to see more levels of consolidation emerge where operators consolidate their services and cut away their own excess so they are in a stronger position to survive and flourish when the markets improve, he added.



James ABeckett Braemar ACMs head of dry cargo broking and based in Melbourne stated: The dry cargo volumes being transacted are actually growing but the oversupply in the fleet had brought rates below OpEx (operating expenses); owners cannot operate below costs for long and already we are seeing first steps to recovery as they [owners] are holding out for at least OpEx.



Braemar Shipping Services PLC has been established in the Far East for many years. Its Singapore-based Asian operation brings together shipbroking services, through the Braemar ACM name, with the services of a highly experienced and well respected technical services division, staffed in offices across the Asia-Australasia region, made up of Braemar Offshore; Braemar Engineering; Braemar Adjusting; Braemar Incorporating the Salvage Association (Braemar SA), and in addition Cory Brothers Port Agency and Logistics.



Cory Brothers has expanded its agency services in the region to Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand as their customers increase distribution of petroleum products.



Despite the volatility in the shipping markets it is busy for Braemar across all segments.



Michael Chan, Managing Director of Braemar Offshore, offering Marine Warranty Surveying, Technical Consultancy and Offshore/Marine Engineering services to the insurance, offshore construction and energy sectors, underlines the importance of strength-in-depth when it comes to reacting to market change. This year will be the hardest year yet for the oil services sector but recovery could start to be seen by 2018 as stabilisation of the oil price creates a recovery in the market; oil price stability is key to recovery in the market, he said. We remain busy as our customers need complete reliability in poor markets as time is an expense where margins are small at best.



Peter Ryan, Head of Consultancy for Braemar SA, pointed to the importance of being well-positioned in the Far East providing marine and engineering consultancy to the hull insurance, P&I, Legal, asset investment and shipping markets. Having well-structured, well-positioned and market-understanding business units in the Far East, manned with technically and commercially-minded people who understand their business well, is a quality in demand in the market, he said.


China expressed anger on Wednesday after a senior British official said a ruling expected within a few months in an international arbitration case the Philippines has brought against China's South China Sea claims must be binding.

Hugo Swire, British minister of state responsible for East Asia, also said Britain saw the ruling, by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, as an opportunity for China and the Philippines to renew dialogue over their territorial disputes.

China claims virtually all of the South China Sea and rejects the court's authority in the case, which is widely expected to go in favour of the Philippines, significantly raising tension in the strategic waterway.

"The comments by Mr Swire neglect the facts and are very discriminatory and one-sided and seriously go against Britain's promise not to take sides," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily news briefing.

"We are extremely dissatisfied."

Tension in the South China Sea is the fault of the United States and the Philippines, not China, with U.S. ships and aircraft increasingly appearing in the region, she added.

"The facts prove that if the South China Sea is tense then it's the US which is the biggest pusher of this," Hua said.

She repeated that China would neither accept nor participate in the arbitration case and it was an abuse of international law.

The court is expected to rule in late May or early June.

In February, the United States and the European Union, of which Britain is a part, warned China it should respect the ruling from the Hague. The court has no powers of enforcement and its rulings have been ignored before.

Britain has prioritised developing economic ties with China and welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping on a state visit in October, leading critics to accuse it of placing short-term financial gain above human rights and security interests.

It also upset the U.S. administration when it became the first non-Asian country and the first member of the Group of Seven advanced economies to join a China-backed development bank for Asia seen by Washington as an unwelcome rival to Western-led institutions such as the World Bank.

More than $5 trillion of world trade is shipped through the South China Sea every year. Apart from China's territorial claims there, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have rival claims.





(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
The Hamburg Sud Group reported it has increased its total turnover by 16.8 percent to 6,058 million euros, driven primarily by its takeover and integration of the container operations of the Chilean shipping company Compania Chilena de Navegacion Interoceanica S.A. (CCNI) in late March 2015 as well as the entry into the East-West trade lanes.

Shipment volume in the liner business rose sharply on the previous year, by 21.5 percent to 4,101 million TEU. Despite the weakness of the South American economies  especially Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela  this made it possible to meet the volume growth planned for the reporting year. A fleet capacity of 625,000 TEU (+16 percent year on year) propelled the Hamburg Sud Group into the ranks of the 10 largest container shipping lines worldwide for the first time.

Due to global overcapacity, freight rates declined by roughly 16 percent. The resulting loss of revenue could only partially be offset in the liner division by falling fuel prices, and restrictive capacity and cost management. The result in this sector failed to meet expectations and must be described as less than satisfactory, the shipper said.

Hamburg Sud said bulk shipping was also characterized by very difficult market conditions. Due chiefly to Chinas lower raw material imports, demand for shipping space remained static while global fleet growth rose once again on the previous year. As a result, the revenue generated fell sharply. Bulk shipping fell well short of the result planned for the reporting period. Only the product tanker segment achieved a satisfactory result.

The shippers capital spending totaled 437 million euros, putting it above the level of the previous year. The number of employees increased to 5,960 on an annual average due to growth.

At 3.1 percent, global economic growth in 2015 was slightly below that of the previous year. Containerized sea transport, by contrast, at +1 percent, grew scarcely at all on a global level in the past fiscal year (2014: +5.2 percent). It can be assumed that the international division of labor is no longer rising and the containerization of general cargo is largely complete. With a capacity totaling 1.7 million TEU (+8.5 percent), by contrast, worldwide deliveries of container ship newbuilds  especially large container vessels  reached an all-time high in the past fiscal year. As a result of further increases in overcapacity, freight rates collapsed in almost all trades. Shipping companies attempted to adjust capacities in service in line with the static or even declining cargo volumes, so that the laid-up fleet worldwide increased sharply and, at 1.4 million TEU, reached the highest level of the past five years by year-end. Charter rates for containerships fell in part to historic lows and even failed to cover operating costs in some cases.

As of December 31, 2015, Hamburg Suds fleet comprised 189 vessels (compared to 168 in 2014), 48 of which are group-owned. A total of 130 ships were deployed in the liner services and 59 in the tramp sector (bulk carriers, product tankers). In the course of 2015, the enhancement and modernization of the Hamburg Sud Groups fleet was largely completed with the delivery of three more newbuilds of the Cap San class (10,600 TEU). Four vessels, each with a capacity of 3,800 TEU, were ordered for delivery in 2017. The container pool increased by 22 percent to 562,000 units on an annual average.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the global economy and global trade will each grow by around 3 percent in 2016. While the U.S. economy and the eurozone are roughly retaining their dynamic, the recession in Brazil is expected to continue (-3.8 percent). At 6.5 percent, China is set to remain the growth driver in the world economy, though its dynamism is diminishing.

Following the significant growth of shipment volume in liner shipping in the past fiscal year, Hamburg Sud said it anticipates a further significant, albeit more moderate increase in carryings of some 8 percent for 2016 compared to the previous year. The once again above-average increase in excess of market growth is based primarily on the capacities and market shares built up in the past fiscal year, which are to be maintained throughout 2016 and selectively further expanded. Because freight rates are expected to remain under pressure due to continuing overcapacities and weak economic development, it is anticipated that the shipping groups turnover will stay roughly the same.

In the current market environment, Hamburg Sud said it is also exposed to strong downward pressure on earnings. The projects successfully launched last year to achieve sustainable cost reductions will, therefore, also be further stepped up in 2016 by, among other things, measures to cut fuel consumption, the implementation of further synergies and economies of scale as well as progressive efficiency increases in processes. Where required, capacity reductions will be undertaken in individual trades.

In 2016, further consolidation can be expected in liner shipping, according to Hamburg Sud. The lines will only be able to regain reasonable levels of returns if capacities and cargo volumes will be in balance on a global scale. The result of Hamburg Sud liner shipping in 2016 is significantly dependent on the development of the global economy and global trade as well as of the industrys ability to adapt to changed underlying conditions. No fundamental improvement of the 2016 market environment is expected in dry bulk shipping. For product tanker markets, the outlook for 2016 remains cautiously positive.

Hamburg Sud said it is one of the few shipping companies to have formulated verifiable and binding environmental targets at an early stage. In this process, the environmental strategy has focused on, among other things, the reduction of carbon emissions and energy consumption in reefer containers, as well as the abandonment of tropical timber for container floors to the greatest possible extent. The aim by 2020 is to reduce carbon emissions of owned and chartered container ships by 45 percent per unit of transport performance (TEUkm) compared to the 2009 base year. By the end of 2015, emissions had already been lowered by more than a third.
Milaha has taken delivery of a new lift boat which will be deployed offshore, particularly in support of field maintenance efforts.

Named the Milaha Explorer, the new lift boat was built by Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. at its yard in Liaoning Province in China, and was designed by the China-based Tianjin De-Sail Machinery Equipment Co. Ltd.

Milaha Explorer will be the biggest lift boat to be owned by a Qatari company, with a large deck area and variable load capacity, as well as the ability to accommodate 300 persons on board. The lift boats capabilities will help enhance the companys diverse portfolio of offerings to the offshore oil and gas sector, particularly in support of its clients brown field operations.

Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai, President and CEO of Milaha, and Vivek Seth, CEO of Halul Offshore Services, recently attended the launch and naming ceremony of the vessel at the Bohai Shipyard.

Al-Mannai said the addition of Milaha Explorer allows more opportunities for Milaha to partner with leading global energy companies on diverse projects, now and in the future. We are optimistic about continued growth opportunities despite the current challenges in the oil and gas sector, and this newbuild lift boat will enable us to further strengthen our position in the region and beyond, he added.

We have ordered a particularly large lift boat to address the growing demand for these types of assets, both in the region and the world, Seth said. We believe that this strategic asset will help augment our status as a partner in the life extension of mature fields and enhanced field maintenance services.
System integrator Alewijnse Marine Systems said it has won an order for an electrical systems refit aboard RV Belgica, an oceanographic research vessel owned by the Belgian state.

Prior to the assignment, Alewijnse carried out a year-long research project on a limited lifetime extension of the vessel. The refit will start in April 2016 and take several months to complete.

RV Belgica celebrated her 30th anniversary in 2014 and renovations are necessary for the ship to continue in active service for another seven years. The vessel is the subject of a maintenance agreement between the Belgian Navy and Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque.

Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque, part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC), chose Alewijnse for the project based in part on the close working relationship that the two companies have established. Alewijnse has undertaken projects at a number of DSCs yards, including those at Dunkerque, Vlissingen, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Den Helder. Alewijnse has also serviced equipment on board RV Belgica a number of times in the past. Most recently, in 2015, it was contracted to renew damaged cables and replace some of the starter panels for various pumps and engines as a result of water damage. Those repairs were carried out at the Naval Base in Zeebrugge.

This latest refit order for Alewijnse will see the company working on a number of RV Belgicas critical systems. Projects will include the refit of the main switchboard and the replacement of the batteries, CCP system, the control system on diesel equipment in the ECR panel and the navigation lights. The partial replacement of the window wiper system and a bridge console, and the addition to the fire detection system of a repeater panel and CCTV system are among the other activities to be undertaken. Alewijnse will also deliver new wing panels and a completely new alarm and monitoring system, and perform additional critical support activities such as system commissioning.

RV Belgica was christened in 1984 by Queen Fabiola, and is 50.9 meters long, 10 meters wide and draws 4.6 meters. She displaces 1,200 metric tons.

The vessel is owned by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) on behalf of the Belgian State and is managed by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS). The Belgian Navy provides the crew, operational support and a dock at the vessels home port of Zeebrugge.

The ship is made available to Belgian scientists to carry out maritime scientific research. Activities include the monitoring of the water quality of the North Sea, where scientists continuously collect data on the biological, chemical, physical, geological and hydrodynamic processes in the region. In addition, RV Belgica acts as a floating laboratory for researchers from Belgian universities and scientific institutes seeking to enlarge their knowledge of the marine environment.
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The Best Munchies In Chicago

By Staff in Food on Apr 20, 2016 4:19PM

Contributions by Carrie McGath, Jessica Mlinaric, Mae Rice and Anthony Todd

Sometimes, you need to chow down, and you're not concerned about health, calories, fat or cholesteroljust about stuffing as much delicious food in your mouth as possible. Depending on your personal life, this may or may not coincide with an altered state of consciousness. (Such as being high. High on marijuana. It's 4/20, guys.) In case you don't have the energy to make Rick Bayless' ultimate stoner food, here are ten of our favorite indulgent munchies in Chicago.



The Mac at Cheesie's Pub & Grub (photo via Yelp)

The Mac at Cheesie's Pub & Grub

This sandwich is a beautiful golden brick of carbohydrates that was clearly designed for high people, though Cheesie's, ever-classy, doesn't call that out explicitly. Per its name, it's a literal mac-and-cheese sandwich, with some extra Kraft Single-esque cheese slices thrown in for good luck. Served on thick slabs of Texas toast, it comes with tomato soup for dipping, but the melty cheese is all the sauce you need. Mae Rice

Cheesie's is at 958 W. Belmont Ave, 1365 N Milwaukee Ave. and 622 Davis St. in Evanston.

Empanadas at 5411 Empanadas

Whether you get their stellar BBQ chicken or the caramelized onion and parmesan empanadas (my two favorites), be sure to also get a side of their chimichurri sauce, which complements the empanadas perfectly. Located on North Avenue near the Damen Blue Line stop, the restaurant also has a solid tap selection. Carrie McGath

5411 Empanadas is at 2045 W. North Ave.

Walking Taco at Big Star

Need to munch on the move? Try Big Star's playful take on a Texas frito pie. The walking taco elevates an already munchable bag of Fritos by adding meatless bean chili. Topped with onion, cilantro, queso and tamazula sauce, it may not be Big Star's best taco, but it is the most mobile. Jessica Mlinaric

Big Star is at 1531 N Damen Ave.



The tater tots at Skylark (photo via Yelp

Tots at Skylark

Skylark is famous for their tater tots, and rightly so. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, they come in a basket so large that it might scare you if you're a bit too high. Trust us, though: these tots are your friend. You can get them with three dipping sauces if you want (honey mustard, ranch and barbecue)or just dunk them in ketchup. Mae Rice

Skylark is at 2149 S. Halsted St,

Pickle Plate at River Valley Farmers Table

Need some acid in your life to cut the fat from all those munchies? Order the incredibly generous pickle plate at River Valley Farmer's Table. Depending on what's in their deli case, you might get pickled mushrooms, green beans, beets, cabbage, brussels sprouts or who knows what else. No matter what, be sure to get some of their whole dillsthey ferment them instead of using vinegar pickling, so they stay crisp and salty. Also, order the fried mushrooms. Just trust us. Anthony Todd

River Valley Farmers Table is at 1820 W. Wilson Ave.

Buffalo Wings at Rocking Horse

We know wings as a munchie sound pretty typical, but the buffalo wings at Logan Squares Rocking Horse are saucy and perfect for a late night snack. They're finished on the grill, too, which gives the skins a unique crispness while keeping the insides juicy and divine. Carrie McGath

Rocking Horse is at 2535 N. Milwaukee Ave.



Tamales at Tamale Spaceship (photo via Facebook)

Tamales at Tamale Spaceship

Not only will you get the best tamales in the city, but also some of the best guacamole. Once only a food truck, this spaceship filled with deliciousness has landed on Damen in Wicker Park with a small brick-and-mortar location. Highlights include No Ones Tamale (stuffed with barbacoa-style chicken and green peanut mole) and the Simple Tamale (stuffed with cheese and poblanos). Don't forget that glorious guac. Carrie McGath

Tamale Spaceship is at 1341 N. Damen, but be sure to also follow their food truck map to keep up with the mobile version.

Togarashi Fries at Belly Shack

When only a phenomenal fry will do, look no further than Bill Kim's "Koriquen" (Korean meets Puerto Rican) shack under the Western Blue Line stop. The perfectly crisp fries are tossed in Togarashi, a flavorful chili blend. Delicious on their own, the fries take on a habit-forming quality after a dive in the garlicky curry mayo. Jessica Mlinaric

Belly Shack is at 1912 N Western Ave.

Mac and Cheese at Valois Cafeteria

There is absolutely nothing fancy about this mac and cheese, which is available on Fridays and Sundays at this Hyde Park spot. It's made with processed ingredients and held on a steam table. Maybe that's why we love it - somehow, it tastes just like childhood, and is a big goopy mess of happiness. Anthony Todd

Valois Cafeteria is at 1518 E. 53rd St.

Slices and pies at Dante's

This BYOB pizzeria is easily one of our favorites in the city. The Beatrice (with garlic sauce and mushrooms) and the Virgil (with salami and two types of olives) are our favorite specialties, but Dante's also has a unique range of toppings, including Italian beef and tofu, if you would rather build your own. Slices of cheese, sausage, pepperoni, and the slice of the day are available as welland one slice is a meal in itself. Carrie McGath

Dantes is at 3028 W. Armitage Ave. and 2825 Milwaukee Ave.



The garlic cilantro fries at Fork (photo via Yelp)

Garlic Cilantro Fries at Fork

You won't want to breathe on anyone for a few hours afterwards, but these salty, savory fries are some of our favorites. Hand cut and tossed with tons of garlic and cilantro (green stuff is healthy, right?), these aren't for the faint hearted, but if you love as much raw garlic in your life as you can get, get a double order. Anthony Todd

Fork is at 4600 N. Lincoln Ave.

THT Fries at The Harding Tavern

This intimate pub features a range of comfort foods and munchies from their late night kitchen, but the time is always right to order a plate of THT Fries. Served in portions big enough to share with a few friends, the thin-cut fries are topped with pasilla chile and cheddar sauce, cilantro, bacon and cotija cheese. (Or, if you're not feeling quite that indulgent, the classic fries tossed with sea salt and fresh herbs will satisfy serious munchie cravings as well.) Carrie McGath

The Harding Tavern is at 2732 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Oil firm Statoil is looking to a rebound in exploration activity offshore Norway in the next few years with a focus on the Arctic, having curbed activity due to the oil price slump, the firm's exploration chief for Norway told Reuters.

Exploration activity in the coming years is crucial to secure Statoil's future production in its home base, which faces a decline from current levels after 2025 if mature fields are not replaced by new resources. It can take up to 15 years from discovery to a field to come on stream.

Asked whether a drop in exploration levels in Norway this year would be permanent, Jez Averty, Statoil's head of exploration for Britain and Norway said: "We believe that it is lower (this year) than in the years to come."

"We're looking to the 23rd round to trigger an uptick in activity for us," he said on the sidelines of an oil conference.

The so-called 23rd round is an Arctic-focused oil licensing round, set to open unexplored acreage in the Barents Sea in the Arctic, closer to the country's border with Russia. The awards are expected to be announced before July.

"This gives us the opportunity to chase larger discoveries, all be it at a higher geological risk," Averty said, adding that such discoveries were absolutely necessary if Statoil is to preserve production at today's levels until 2030.

Around half of the undiscovered resources offshore Norway lie in the Barents Sea. But a 62 percent drop in crude prices since mid-2014 has put a break on activities in the Arctic, where it is more costly to develop projects, mainly due to the lack of infrastructure.

"We have struggled to commercialize the discoveries that have been made (in the Barents Sea)," Averty said.

On Tuesday Statoil presented a new set of technologies tailored for the Barents Sea, known as Cap-X, designed to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of subsea developments.

"One of the accusations that has been used against opening up the Barents recently is that it will never be economic. This (Cap-X) is very important in ensuring that it can be economic," Averty said.

However, not everyone sees the same possibilities as Statoil. Shell withdrew its application from the 23rd licensing round earlier this month, while other majors such as ExxonMobil, Eni and Total did not apply, partly because they are searching for larger discoveries in other parts of the world.

"We have to bet on the business opportunities which give quicker revenues than a discovery in the Barents Sea," Shell's head of activities in Norway told the conference on Tuesday.

(By Stine Jacobsen; Editing by David Evans)
Leading international classification society Bureau Veritas has developed guidelines for walk-to-work (W2W) motion compensated Offshore Access Systems (OAS) which are used to transfer industrial personnel to and from offshore installations. Guidance Note NI629 Certification of Offshore Access Systems provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the safety principles and technical requirements for the design, manufacturing and operation of reliable and dependable equipment for the safe transfer of personnel at sea.



Matthieu de Tugny, Senior Vice-President and Head of Offshore, Bureau Veritas, says, "Getting people safely onto and off unmanned platforms and wind farm towers offshore has become a big issue. Walk-to-Work OAS can provide significant safety, operability and/or cost advantages over more traditional personnel transfer methods such as personnel basket or capsule lifts, step-over from high speed crew transfer vessels and helicopter transfers. We see a lot of new vessel types emerging with these motion-compensated gangways and it is imperative that the industry has a standard against which to assess their safety and to help develop safe new designs.



Two different offshore access technologies have emerged: passive transfer gangways, which are first connected to the offshore installation and then put in free-flow mode for personnel transfer, and active transfer gangways which remain motion compensated during personnel transfer. The safety issues and critical components, which differ from one category to the other, require special attention to ensure safe and reliable operation.



Says De Tugny, With these new guidelines the regulatory gap into which personnel transfer between offshore support vessels and offshore installations could fall has been closed.




1861 - Union forces burn screw frigate Merrimack and Gosport Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va., to prevent Yard facilities and ships from falling into Confederate hands during the Civil War.



1914 - The first call-to-action of naval aviators is given, creating an aviation detachment of three pilots, 12 enlisted men, and three aircraft to join the Atlantic Fleet forces operating off Tampico during the Mexican crisis.



1942 - USS Wasp (CV 7) launches 47 British aircraft to reinforce Malta, repeating the exercise May 9.



1944 - USS Seahorse (SS 304) torpedoes and sinks Japanese submarine RO 45 off the Mariana Islands.



1947 - Navy Capt. L.O. Fox, backed by 80 Marines, accepts surrender of Japanese Lt. Ei Yamaguchi and 26 Japanese soldiers and sailors, two and one half years after the occupation of Peleliu and nearly 20 months after the surrender of Japan.



1953 - USS New Jersey (BB 62) shells Wonsan, Korea, from inside the harbor during the Korean War.



1964 - USS Henry Clay (SSBN 625) launches a Polaris A-2 missile in the first demonstration to show that Polaris submarines could launch missiles from the surface as well as from beneath the ocean.



2007 - USS Saipan (LHA 2) is decommissioned at Norfolk, Va., after serving the Navy for 30 years, including operations Urgent Fury, Sharp Edge, Desert Storm, Deny Flight, and Iraqi Freedom.





(Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division)
ABB modernization to extend service of 38-year-old Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker; upgrade includes improved connectivity and eight new drives

ABB will modernize a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker, installing the latest hardware and software onboard the 38 year old Pierre Radisson. As part of the complete upgrade to the ships power distribution system, eight new drives will also be installed. The contract includes the option to modernize the other two Coast Guard ships, Des Groseilliers and Amundsen, both of which have clocked up more than 30 years of service.

By attaching sensors to onboard equipment, ABBs expert engineers can help diagnose problems on the vessel from shore. This system, known as Remote Diagnostic Service, is known to significantly reduce vessel down time. The vessel will also be upgraded with automation hardware and propulsion control software.

Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABBs Marine and Ports business unit, said, When this vessel was constructed in 1978 most of the world was not even aware of the internet. However, by utilizing ABBs concept of the Internet of Things, Services and People we will bring this vessel up to date. We have had great success in reducing our customers vessel downtime and maintenance cost through our Remote Diagnostic Service.

The vessels current power system is in its 38th year of use and the installation of the new drives will allow the Radisson to spend more time at sea. The CCGS Pierre Radisson currently has an AC/DC Diesel-Electric propulsion system made up of two almost identical independent systems. Each system has a direct current (DC) electric motor connected directly to its propeller. The upgrade will maintain the existing control principles of having six AC alternators with rectifiers to supply DC to the motors through DC breakers and contactors.

Jyri Jusslin, Senior Vice President of marine service at ABB said, We have decades of experience of working with icebreakers  both new builds and modernizations like this. We also have a long track record of working with both AC and DC systems and we are delighted the Canadian Coast Guard recognizes ABB as a reliable partner.

Design and supply work is scheduled to begin immediately and installation and commissioning is expected to be finished by June 2017. In winter, the Pierre Radisson breaks ice and escorts ships in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and on the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers. In summer, the ship travels to the Canadian Arctic to escort commercial ships, serve as a primary search and rescue unit and provide support to scientific missions when possible.

Nathalie Pilon, Canadian Country Managing Director for ABB, said, This is an important order for ABB. Public and private investment is flourishing in the icebreaking segment across the globe we are at the forefront of this trend. We are delighted the Government of Canada has selected ABB to support Canadian Coast Guard in this important project.
Indonesian government said that the company that owns the hijacked tugboat Brahma 12 has agreed to pay the 50-million-peso ($1 million) ransom demanded by the Philippine rebel group Abu Sayyaf for the release of 10 Indonesian crewmembers who have been held hostage since March 26.

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan confirmed this, saying the company and the militants, believed to be linked to Abu Sayyaf, may next communicate today.

Negotiations for the handover of the money and the captives are still ongoing, said Luhut. "They've already agreed that the 50 million pesos will be handed over at a specific location," he said, according to Indonesian newspaper Republika.

The militants abducted the 10 Indonesians from the tugboat Brahma 12 and barge Anand 12 at sea on March 29, and demanded US$1 million (S$1.34 million) for their release.

The pirates abandoned the tugboat but held the barge. The vessels were on their way to Batangas in southern Philippines and were carrying more than 7,500 tonnes of coal.

In a separate incident last Friday, pirates believed to be linked to the Abu Sayyaf militants struck again, taking four Indonesian sailors hostage.

Abu Sayyaf is a Philippines-based Islamist extremist group notorious for bombings and kidnappings, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Many Western and other embassies routinely issue warnings against travelling to most of the Philippines' Muslim-populated southern regions, which lie just northeast of Sabah, because of the risk of being abducted by the group.
Vroon Offshore Services, a Dutch offshore shipping company, has announced that the launching took place last week at COSCO Guangdong Shipyard,China of Gudali Express.

The vessel is the seventh and last newbuilding livestock carrier to be built for Vroon at this shipyard. The 68-meter subsea support vessel is the second of two such vessels built at Fujian, China.

Six newbuilding livestock carriers have already been delivered to the company by COSCO, all of which are trading successfully.

These livestock carriers incorporate a revolutionary bow design that ensures maximum comfort for cargo and crew, while maintaining high speeds. Optimal pen arrangements guarantee smooth loading and discharging, whilst providing all livestock with easy access to water and fodder.

The innovative bow design will also assist in achieving fuel savings. The vessels boast a cargo capacity of approximately 4,600m2, with a cruising range of around 18,000 NM; sufficient for a voyage from Brazil to China and back without refuelling.

Gudali Express is scheduled for delivery to Vroon later in the year.
Acknowledged expert in the field becomes head of Quality and Operational Excellence at ABB, effective June 6, 2016



ABB has appointed Pascale Abruzzese as head of Group Quality and Operational Excellence. Abruzzese, a British national, is currently Chief of Operations for Philips International. He succeeds Bill Black who is retiring after seven years in the role.



Abruzzese, born in 1966, is an acknowledged global expert in operations and quality management with more than 20 years experience in the areas of business transformation, operations and quality management. He was instrumental in the implementation of the Honeywell Operating System, a world-class standardized approach, which has been recognized as a key factor in that organizations performance turnaround. Abruzzese is on the Board of Directors of the European Foundation for Quality Management.



"We welcome Pasquale in his new role. His solid track record in industrial leader's performance improvement make him an ideal choice to lead the implementation of our leading operating model," said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer.



Pasquale is a recognized expert in the field of operations and quality and has played a key role in the transformation of Honeywell. He will be an asset to ABB in the continued roll out the Next Level strategy, and in driving best-in-class operational performance, said Tarak Mehta, president of the Electrification Products division and Executive Committee member with overall responsibility for Quality and Operational Excellence. The execution of our strategic priorities is based on a leading operating model which is driven by robust financial and operational metrics.



Abruzzese holds a diploma in business administration and a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Birmingham.


Shakespeare is more popular globally than with people in Britain though the bard has made a significant contribution to Britain's economy and culture, a new research revealed Tuesday.

According to a new survey "All the World's", commissioned by the British Council and conducted by YouGov, the great playwright has been proved more popular outside Britain (65 percent) than in his own country (59 percent).

A total of 18,000 respondents in 15 countries participated in the survey in November 2015. Survey showed only 59 percent British people like Shakespeare, while 68 percent Chinese respondents like him.

The top five countries "like Shakespeare" are India (89 percent), Mexico (88 percent), Brazil (87 percent), Turkey (79 percent) and South Africa (73 percent). Scores of France and Germany were the lowest, with 51 percent and 44 percent, respectively.

The survey also revealed that 84 percent of Brazilians said they found him relevant to today's world, compared with 57 percent in Britain. Meanwhile, 83 percent of Indian respondents said they understood Shakespeare, however, in Britain, only 58 percent of respondents said so.

Contributable factors for the results included Shakespeare's works being translated into more contemporary editions and adaptation into other formats, said British Council.

This new research also underlined the continued importance and relevance of Shakespeare in the 21st century. Over a third of those questioned said Shakespeare made them feel more positive about Britain in general.

Previous research conducted by the British Council in 2014 showed that Shakespeare was the leading personality that 18 to 34 year olds in Brazil, China, Germany, India and the U.S. most identified with contemporary British arts and culture.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States have agreed to carry out joint patrols to stop any Iranian arms shipments reaching Yemen, the bloc's secretary general, Abdullatif al-Zayani, said on Wednesday.

Zayani was speaking at a news conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter after a meeting between Carter and his counterparts from the GCC, which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Iran denies accusations by Gulf states that it is smuggling weapons to Yemen, where GCC countries are involved in a military campaign against the Tehran-allied Houthi movement.

(Reporting by Sami Aboudi and Yeganeh Torbati, Writing by Angus McDowall, Editing by William Maclean)
Two new mobile apps designed for Sailors to complete required Navy General Military Training (GMT) on Records Management (RM) and Privacy and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Awareness became available April 19.



PII and RM are annual GMT Standardized Core Training (SCT) requirements.



PII must be completed by August 31 every year. The records management training app has been updated to include current topics and new focus areas. RM must be completed by December 31 every year.



The apps are designed to provide Sailors with anytime, anywhere access to the mandatory training as well as links to key resources.



"The mobile apps are an extension of our training to offer alternate methods to our workforce," said Rear Adm. Mike White, commander, Naval Education and Training Command. "We want the resources readily available and at your fingertips."



Targeted primarily for active duty, reserve service members and civil service employees requiring training, the apps can also be used as an information tool for Navy family members.



The apps are bring-your-own-device tools designed to work on personal devices outside of the Navy and Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) domain. Users can download the RM and PII apps from both Google Play and iTunes app stores at no cost.



Upon completion of the training personnel can provide the app their Department of Defense identification number from their CAC card and the app will then send a completion certificate to the Sailor's Electronic Training Jacket and/or to Navy Training Management Systems. The user will then be able to e-mail the certificate to their supervisor as verification of completion. Completions should be visible in the ETJ after two working days.



The U.S. Navy Sea Warrior Program produced the app and Tracen Technologies Inc., a company that specializes in integrated mobile and web solutions, was the software developer.


Ocean carriers bucked a five-month downwards trend by improving container service reliability in March, according to Carrier Performance Insight, the online schedule reliability tool provided by Drewry Supply Chain Advisors.



The average on-time performance in March gained 5.5 points against February to reach 68% with an average deviation from the expected arrival at port of 1.0 days.



The improvement seen in March was expected as services returned to closer to operational normality after Chinese New Year in February when carriers tinkered with ever more void sailings to mitigate weaker demand. Indeed, eight of the 10 trades covered reported monthly improvements in reliability with the biggest seen in the Asia-Oceania and Europe-Middle East trades, which gained 14.2 points and 10.4 points respectively. Even the two trades that regressed, Asia-South America and Asia-South Asia, fell back by no more than a couple of points against their February performance.



Drewry containership reliability by trade, March 2016



Source: Drewry Carrier Performance Insight (http://cpi.drewry.co.uk)



Japanese line MOL was for the third month running the most reliable carrier with an on-time average of 76.3% for March, followed again by Maersk Line in second spot with a performance of 73.1%. Only one of the 19 carriers tracked failed to improve reliability in March compared to February, while the gap from the most to least reliable carriers narrowed further to around 13 points.



Despite the very welcome upturn in reliability performance the overall average remains marginally below that of January this year and about 10 points off the peak scores achieved in the second-half of 2015, indicating there is still much room for improvement, said Simon Heaney, senior manager of supply chain research at Drewry.



The widespread improvement in reliability across the vast majority of trades and carriers in March is an encouraging sign that the need to provide reliable services to customers has not been forgotten at a time of historically low freight rates, Heaney added.



Building on Drewrys long established schedule reliability benchmarking that started back in 2005; the new Carrier Performance Insight provides the ability to benchmark the reliability performance of container carriers on a port-to-port, trade lane, service and industry-wide basis. This information is available via a user-friendly website powered by data from global shipment management software solutions provider CargoSmart.



As of April 2016, the navigational experience of the platform has been improved and new features are now added, enabling users to select a handful of liner carriers to analyse their port-to-port schedule reliability performances over any given period since January 2015.
For the first time a vessel from Turkish ARKAS Line is expected in the Port of Hamburg on April 20. The WANDA A is deployed in the West Africa Express Service (WAX) operated by ARKAS and Hapag-Lloyd and will be cleared at HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder. Since December ARKAS has already been booking slots on Hapag-Lloyds WAX service. The demand is running so well that now, with the WANDA A, one of ARKAS own ships is being taken into the service.

The weekly liner service operates from Hamburg via Algeciras, Dakar, Lagos/Apapa, Tincan Island, Tema, Abidjan and Tangiers, then back via Antwerp to Hamburg. Hapag-Lloyd deploys five 1,700 TEU vessels in the service. With the WANDA A, for the first time an additional ship from slot partner ARKAS is being introduced into WAX, meaning that with immediate effect six vessels are sailing in this service. ARKAS is represented in Germany by shipping agent Peter W. Lampke (PWL).

The WANDA A is 178 meters long, 24.5 meters wide, can carry 1,604 TEU (20-foot standard containers) and reaches a maximum draft of 9 meters. Three Liebherr SWL cranes are installed on board with a cargo capacity of 45 tons, so that in addition to containers and reefer cargo out of gauge cargo can be loaded and transported.

Overall, container services between Hamburg and the African continent have been developing very well in recent years: Since 2009 the quantities transported have more than doubled reaching 330,000 TEU in 2015. The driving force here was above all the North Africa services. More than half of Africas imports and exports to/from Hamburg are handled via North African ports. With the west coast of Africa, 59,000 TEU were handled via Hamburg in 2015, representing a drop of 21 percent compared to the previous year. The reduction, however, is mainly related to empty container moves, with the number of loaded containers remaining stable.
Heerema Fabrication Group (HFG) has completed the project for the Culzean Wellhead jacket and Access Deck for client Maersk Oil. April 13 at Heerema Vlissingen, the Netherlands the Wellhead jacket and April 11 at Heerema Hartlepool, U.K. Wellhead Access Deck set sail to their final destination: the Ultra High Pressure High Temperature Culzean development field in the U.K. sector of the North Sea, where Heerema Marine Contractors will perform the installation.

On October 21, 2014, Maersk Oil awarded HFG the Procurement & Construction contract for the Culzean Wellhead jacket, the Wellhead Access Deck and the Access ways. Heerema Vlissingen constructed the jacket, while the Wellhead Access Deck with the Access ways was constructed by Heerema Hartlepool. Two of the four pile sleeve clusters were fabricated by Heerema Zwijndrecht. HFG Polska built the conductor guides and the grillage. The jacket has a height of 114 meters, a footprint of 31 x 31 meters and a top of 22 x 22 meters. The Wellhead jacket, the Wellhead Access Deck and the Access ways together weigh 7,100 tons.

It has been a challenging project, said Remco van Gilst, Yard Director Heerema Vlissingen. Thanks to the shared philosophy of our client and HFG that a successful execution of the job requires close collaboration, we managed to deliver a product that meets the highest quality standards.

HFGs Project Manager Culzean, Patrick Put, said, This is the first jacket for the Culzean field. It is a twisted base jacket, which means that the bottom of the jacket, with the pile sleeve clusters, is twisted 45 degrees with respect to the tower, to provide better access to the drill rig. We can be proud of the jacket which is the result of well-oiled cooperation between the HFG yards in Hartlepool, Zwijndrecht, Opole and Vlissingen.

The Heerema approach of this Culzean project was one of the reasons why in September 2015 Maersk Oil awarded HFG a second contract for Culzean: the Engineering, Procurement & Construction for the jackets for both the Central Processing Facilities platform and the Utility & Living Quarter platform. Construction of the project has started early this year at Heerema Hartlepool and Heerema Vlissingen.

We are pleased to see the first of three jackets leave on schedule. This first one was challenging because of its complicated shape. Maersk Oil has pushed us as a company to deliver the highest possible quality and we are very proud to have achieved this, said Koos-Jan van Brouwershaven, CEO of Heerema Fabrication Group.

The Culzean field - discovered in 2008 - is situated in the U.K. sector of the Central North Sea approximately 250 kilometers east of Aberdeen in license block 22/25a. The water depth is approximately 88 meters and the reservoir is located around 4,300 meters below sea level. The overall Culzean development concept consists of a wellhead platform, a central processing facility platform and a separate utilities and living quarter platform with capacity for over 100 people. The platforms will be linked via two bridges approximately 100 meters in length. First gas is currently expected in 2019. The Culzean project has the potential to meet around 5 percent of the U.K. gas consumption in 2020/21.
Barely five years after the Great Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami, Earth's tectonic plates have wreaked havoc on Japan again-this time with several strong quakes in Kyushu, centered on Kumamoto Prefecture. The first, a 6.5 temblor, hit last Thursday. A 7.3 quake hit one and a half days later, followed by a series of aftershocks. Ordinarily, the world's reaction would center on the devastating loss of life and property-42 have perished, over 1,000 more are injured and 110,000 are displaced, at last count-much as it did following Ecuador's 7.8 quake last weekend. Our thoughts are with those impacted by these disasters. But in Japan, many headlines almost immediately leapt to speculating about the economic impact. We saw it in 2011 and we see it again now: Many believe the quake will trigger fiscal and monetary stimulus, boosting prospects for Japanese stocks. While it's possible Japanese stocks might get a short, sentiment-driven boost, we'd advise against trying to capitalize on it. The notion of post-disaster stimulus-fueled growth is a fallacy, and Japan's longer-term fundamentals remain quite lackluster.

Exhibit 1 shows Japanese stocks' relative performance since the end of 2010. After the Great Tohoku Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Japanese stocks plunged, trailing the MSCI World Index badly. But in early April Japan stabilized, and the country outperformed handsomely for a few months. The ride was short-lived, however, and by early October Japan was lagging the world again. A couple of sentiment-driven bumps aside, they've lagged, overall and on average, ever since.

Exhibit 1: Japanese Stocks' Relative Performance

Source: FactSet, as of 4/19/2016. MSCI Japan and MSCI World Index returns in USD with net dividends, 12/31/2010 - 4/18/2016. Indexed to 1 on 12/31/2010.

In retrospect, it is perhaps tempting to pin those brief but amazing relative returns on post-quake stimulus, and maybe that had something to do with it, to the extent it boosted sentiment. But "yentervention" to weaken the currency was spotty and had a limited impact. (And the last three years have since proven a weak yen alone doesn't make Japanese GDP skyrocket.) Fiscal stimulus did materialize, but its effects were also temporary and at best questionable (more on this momentarily). Plus, it would be wrong to ignore the rest of the world, which spent much of 2011 mired in a nasty correction as Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain threatened to collapse the eurozone. Japan has a long and slightly weird history of tending to outperform during sharply negative periods. 2011 was a correction, not a bear, but it isn't unrealistic to suspect Japan benefited from a flight to quality, irrespective of the quake. Today, with the world rebounding nicely from a correction and no bear market in sight, it seems unlikely Japan would benefit from investors' yen[i] for stability from here on.

Then, too, post-disaster stimulus isn't necessarily an economic positive. Whenever disaster strikes, it's fairly common for pundits to offer a silver lining: "Yah, but rebuilding will boost construction, jobs and GDP." In a vacuum, this might appear to be true. But it ignores the counterfactual: Where would that money have gone if the disaster hadn't diverted it to rebuilding?

This is known as the "Broken Windows Fallacy," taking its name from M. Frederic Bastiat's 1850 essay, "That Which Is Seen, and That Which Is Unseen." Part I, "The Broken Window," asked the reader to consider what happened when Jim the shopkeeper's rambunctious son broke a window. When the neighbors stopped by to tut-tut, as neighbors do, one said "ah well, what would the glaziers do if no one ever broke windows?" To him, the six francs it would cost to repair the window were a wonderful windfall, and therefore, the broken window was good. Hooray for the rambunctious kid. Or not: Bastiat then walked the reader through the counterfactual, or that which is unseen-where would those six francs have gone if the kid never broke the window? Maybe Jim would have bought shoes! That makes the glazier's gain the shoemaker's loss and Jim's loss-because rather than have the new kicks and the window, Jim only has a window. Is that really better?

It's a simple example, but it applies to any destructive event. No one in their right mind would ever argue the London Blitz, Hiroshima or Nagasaki were economic positives. Natural disasters aren't any different, economically. Money spent on reconstruction is money not spent elsewhere, in all likelihood more productively. Natural disasters are nature picking economic winners and losers. They shift economic activity, but they don't create it. Society is no wealthier when the reconstruction is done. After the Great Tohoku Earthquake, fiscal stimulus at best offset a post-quake decline in consumer spending. It didn't prevent recession, and it didn't get Japan's economy on a more sustainable long-term track.

Earthquake aside, Japan is in the same predicament it was in last week. Its economy is structurally uncompetitive, with few meaningful domestic growth drivers. Consumers are still feeling the pinch from a 2014 tax hike. The weak yen still hasn't boosted productive capacity. Trade is still quite restricted. And the Abe government still lacks the political capital and/or willingness to take any of these issues on. These longer-term issues are reason enough for long-term investors to stay wary of Japan, regardless of any brief near-term rallies. Better opportunities abound elsewhere in the developed world.
Deutsche Bank Settles Lawsuit for Price Rigging, Turns States Evidence on Other Banks

Prior to last week, Deutsche Bank made headlines for a string of huge losses and massive exposure to risky derivatives. The last time the firms shares traded at prices this low, the world was in the midst of 2008s financial apocalypse.

Deutsche Bank didnt need more bad news, but a group of investors who brought suit against the massive German bank for cheating them by rigging the London fix price for gold and silver certainly must be smiling. Last week, the bank offered to settle their class action suit for an undisclosed amount.

Perhaps more importantly, DB promises to provide evidence to help the plaintiffs in their suit against the other banks who participated in manipulating the fix: Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays, HSBC and SocGen. In a letter to U.S. District Court Judge Valerie Caproni, the plaintiffs attorney said, In addition to valuable monetary consideration, Deutsche Bank has also agreed to provide cooperation to the Plaintiffs, including the production of instant messages and other electronic communications, as part of the settlement.

If the information DB provides is incriminating, as the plaintiffs expect, it wont be the only recent example of bankers getting caught talking smugly amongst themselves about swindling investors and clients. A year ago Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Barclays, and RBS pled guilty to criminally rigging the foreign exchange markets following the leak of some embarrassing communiques.

That case rested, in large part, on logs from an exclusive chat group participants dubbed The Cartel.

Here is a good example of the type of conversations contained in those logs. The banker representing Barclays mentors another member:

"...whats the worst price I can put on this where the customers decision to trade with me or give me future business doesn't change...if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying."

It is not only typical of the kind of thing members discussed. It also pretty well sums up bankers attitudes toward the public and their clientele generally.

Big banks have paid nearly $200 billion in fines in nearly 200 cases involving rotten dealings since 2009. Of course, bank CEOs claim no involvement and that each case is an isolated incident involving a few bad apples in the lower ranks. Perhaps there are even a few naive people around who still believe that to be the only extent of the problem.

Authorities, including the CFTC, might find a basis for criminal charges in material that DB provides. It would be nice to see bankers going to jail. The scale of fraud and theft makes Bernie Madoff look like a piker. But dont hold your breath.

It was the corporations that pled guilty to criminal charges in the Foreign Exchange scandal a year ago, not individuals. The people involved seem to have immunity.

There have been exactly zero perp walks by high ranking executives at any of the major banks over the past decade. This despite overwhelming evidence of pervasive fraud in mortgage underwriting, derivatives, commodities trading, and currency markets. Instead, taxpayers pay for the bailouts and company shareholders get to pay the fines or settlements, which are often substantially smaller than the ill-gotten gains. None of the criminal bankers responsible end up in prison.

At least last weeks news is a signal that civil courts may provide some recourse for crowds of people who have been cheated. Since the news, Canadian investors filed two additional class-action suits seeking $1 billion in damages. More suits are likely on the way.

While regulators may be captured by these mega banks, its harder to control mobs of angry investors in civil court.

By Clint Siegner

MoneyMetals.com

Clint Siegner is a Director at Money Metals Exchange, perhaps the nation's fastest-growing dealer of low-premium precious metals coins, rounds, and bars. Siegner, a graduate of Linfield College in Oregon, puts his experience in business management along with his passion for personal liberty, limited government, and honest money into the development of Money Metals' brand and reach. This includes writing extensively on the bullion markets and their intersection with policy and world affairs.

 2016 Clint Siegner - All Rights Reserved



Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




Director Joe Russo, actors Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie hold the specially designed Chinese Peking Opera-style superhero masks at a press conference to promote Disney/Marvel's "Captain America: Civil War" in Beijing on April 19, 2016. [Photo / China.org.cn]

A small team of Captain America landed in Beijing on Tuesday to promote the new installment of Disney/Marvel's "Captain America" franchise.

"Anyone who didn't raise hands to support Team Cap, you are dead men now," Chris Evans, who played Captain America in the movie, joked with attendees at the press conference when he first appeared on stage with director Joe Russo and his fellow team members "Winter Soldier" Sebastian Stan and "Falcon" Anthony Mackie. Another bloc of superheroes, headed by Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), was in Paris to promote the movie.

Asked to use one word to describe the film, the director said "complicated," Stan said "powerful," Evans said "groundbreaking" while Mackie said "BFFs" (Best-friends-forever), which indicated the friendship between the characters of Captain America and Winter Soldier in the plot.

"Captain America: Civil War" held its world premiere in Los Angeles on April 12, 2016 and received rave reviews. In the United States and Canada, the film is projected to open anywhere between US$175180 million to as high as US$200 million.

About 40-minutes of footage was shown to Chinese press before the fan-packed premiere in Beijing, where the action scenes are delicate and thrilling, and the biggest highlight Spider-Man is hilarious, a China.org.cn reporter reviewed.

In February 2015, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios reached a licensing deal for the use of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, which excited fans.

The director Joe Russo also appeared at an event at the 6th Beijing International Film Festival on Monday during his Beijing trip and struck a partnership deal on behalf of Anthem Pictures with Beijing Culture. Russo revealed he would cooperate with Wu Jing on "Wolf Warriors 2" and would use his experience with Marvel films to touch on a new production adapted from the Chinese ancient fantasy classic "Journey to the West."

"Captain America: Civil War" will hit Chinese theaters on May 6, 2016, the same day in North America and many other markets in the world.
New academic programs in counseling and cybersecurity, as well as preparation courses for standardized tests, will be offered at the New College Institute (NCI) later this year.

The masters in counselor education degree program will be offered through NCIs partnership with Longwood University. The part-time program, designed to accommodate full-time working professionals, consists of 60 credit hours with students taking six credits per term.

A faculty member from Longwood will be in residence at NCI to teach and advise students. NCI will be enrolling students for up to two cohorts, each with as many as 20 students. A cohort basically is a program in which a group of classmates takes all classes together.

Amid legislation and changing regulations affecting the counseling profession, local mental health organizations see a strong need for employees to have masters in counseling education degrees, according to Autumn Morris, the institutes marketing and communications director.

The new degree program is an opportunity for such professionals to get needed qualifications through face-to-face instruction without having to leave the Martinsville-Henry County area, Morris said.

The program also could attract mental health professionals from Danville and Pittsylvania County as well as other nearby areas, NCI Chief Academic Officer/Acting Executive Director Leanna Blevins said during a recent meeting of the institutes board.

NCI will offer graduate certificates in cybersecurity and cyber system security through its partnership with Old Dominion University (ODU). The certificate programs will consist of 12 credit hours that can be transferred into a masters degree program at the university, Morris said.

Such a certificate may be beneficial to those currently in, or pursuing careers in, information security, software development, computer programming and more.

Cybersecurity involves protecting computer systems from people who could alter programs and data without authorization and potentially cause harm.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there now are more than a half-million job openings nationwide in fields pertaining to cybersecurity, and the jobs have average salaries at least 50 percent higher than many private sector jobs.

The rising demand of cybersecurity jobs is a key reason NCI is pursuing education options in this field, Blevins said.

Via the certificate programs, we hope to gauge interest among the community and employers in the field, Blevins added. We hope to build on that interest to begin offering bachelors or masters degree programs in information technology or cybersecurity in the future.

Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Franklin County and an NCI board member, encouraged institute officials to pursue offering at least a bachelors program in cybersecurity. He said he thinks it would benefit area companies.

NCIs cybersecurity offerings will be designed to build upon and reinforce Patrick Henry Community Colleges programs in the field. The college now offers two security courses and plans to expand its offerings, Morris said.

Along with the two graduate certificates, NCI plans to host a regional summit to bring together educators and industry leaders to discuss cybersecurity and its potential impact on Southside and Southwestern Virginia.

The degree and certificate programs will be offered this fall, Blevins said.

Test preparation courses will focus on graduate level tests required within certain fields. This summer, NCI will begin offering test aid for assessments such as the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), GRE (for prospective graduate and business school applicants) and GMAT (business school admissions test), Morris said.

During the recent board meeting, board Chairwoman Gracie Agnew, a retired principal of Magna Vista High School, mentioned there are similar test preparation programs at area high schools. She asked why NCI feels it necessary to offer them, too.

Its just another option for students, Blevins said. We need to reinforce one another. The more test preparation (opportunities for students), the better.

More information about the new programs can be obtained online at www.NewCollegeInstitute.org or by calling NCI at (276) 403-5610 to schedule a meeting with an advisor or request more information.
The town of Fayerdale may be long gone, but its memory recently was brought to life by local historian Kenney Kirkman, also known as The Railroad Man.

Kirkman spoke Friday at the Bassett Historical Center regarding the history of Fayerdale and the railroads once used to ferry iron ore and timber from the small town.

Fayerdale once was located where the beach at Philpott Lake is now, Kirkman said. Iron ore mining began at nearby Stuarts Knob in the early 1800s, spearheaded by George Hairston and continued by his son, George Hairston II, also known as Old Rusty.

Little is known about the iron ore mining activities at Fayerdale immediately after the Civil War, Kirkman said, but around 1903, a geologist from Pennsylvania named Frank Ayer Hill joined forces with a man named Herbert Dale Lafferty and several other investors to buy and lease some of the former Hairston land and continue the iron ore operation.

They also expanded the business into timber, Kirkman said, and the community began to grow. Hills wife, Alice Hill, decided the town needed a name.

By combining the F in Frank with her husbands middle name and his partners middle name, she turned F. Ayer Dale into Fayerdale.

In 1905, Kirkman said, a survey was undertaken by the company Wingate and McGee, and a Norfolk-Western railroad line was created to join Roanoke to Winston-Salem, N.C. That line was connected to Fayerdale to move the iron and lumber to the big cities, and a new railroad called The Virginia Ore and Lumber Company was born.

Originally, Kirkman said, the iron ore was smelted at an on-site iron furnace, but over time, it was shipped by rail to a furnace in Pulaski to save money.

A variety of rail lines were created over the years in both narrow-gauge and standard-gauge, Kirkman said, and the trains would haul both freight and passengers. A variety of locomotives were used, including at least one iconic Climax locomotive.

Around 1911, he said, ore mining essentially ceased at Fayerdale because cheaper sources of iron ore were found elsewhere. However, the timber and lumber business continued strong.

A variety of different timber companies moved into the area over the next several years, and the Virginia Ore and Lumber Company became the Fayerdale Ore and Lumber Company.

Around 1922, a Roanoke banker named J.D. Fishburne bought out the Fayerdale Ore and Lumber Company and became the sole owner, Kirkman said. In the early 1930s, Fishburne decided that the 4,480 acres of land owned by the company should be converted into a state park.

At that point, Kirkman said, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) moved in. The CCC, which operated from 1933 to 1942, was a public work relief program for young men created under the New Deal.

The CCC did a large amount of work at Fayerdale, including the creation of the Fairy Stone Dam  not to be confused with Philpott Dam, which would be completed in 1952 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Once Philpott Dam was built and Philpott Lake was created, Kirkman said, Fayerdale and its railroad all but disappeared.

Every once in awhile, though, the towns history surfaces. In the fall of 1999, he said, the water level behind Philpott Dam dropped 16 feet, revealing the old railroad bed that used to run through the little town.

I remember the park ranger telling me the day I went up there  Youve got to go and walk it now, because it might be a long, long time  if ever in your lifetime  that the water gets so low that you can see the railroad bed again, Kirkman said.

Hes never seen it that low since, although he did collect a few souvenirs  including a couple of old railroad spikes  to remember the event.

Stop and imagine what it must have been like when you looked down from the top of Stuarts Knob to the beach area of Philpott Lake today, Kirkman told the audience. Imagine all the activity that once took place here: A town, a railroad, a lumber operation  there was a lot of activity here.

According to an article that Kirkman found in a 1933 edition of The Enterprise, Fayerdale was considered a part of history even 83 years ago.

Long ago, these mines and the railroad were abandoned, the article reads. People moved away, and nearly all signs of the village disappeared. Such appears to be the displeasure of Mother Nature with the intrusions of man that as soon as he can be forced out or lured away, she hastens to cover and obliterate all signs of his being in the area. Two streaks of red visible here and there among the pines and trailing off down the valley mark the location of the old railroad, and a few carcasses of locomotive tenders and freight cars are peeping out of the bushes here and there. They are the only remains of the old Fayerdale which time has not been able to digest.
A number of agencies and individuals have been helping people who were displaced by the fire that destroyed an apartment building in Martinsville last week.

Ralph Lawson, disaster program manager for the American Red Cross Blue Ridge Territory in Virginia, said that agency assisted about 14 people who lived in 10 of the 12 apartments in the building. Most of the people lived alone. (Lawson noted that two apartments were vacant.) The Red Cross provided the 14 people with recovery funds, which they could use for such things as temporary lodging, food, clothing or other necessities of their choosing.

He added that Soul Winners church opened its fellowship hall to allow Red Cross representatives to meet with displaced people. Also, some local businesses provided refreshments, he said.

I want to thank all those who stepped up that night, Lawson said.

The Red Cross is continuing to do case work, follow-up and make referrals to such agencies as 211, Salvation Army Thrift Store, Community Storehouse and Grace Network, Lawson said.

Donations may be made to the American Red Cross local disaster relief fund. For more information, call the Martinsville office at 632-5127.

Lt. Ruby Outlaw-Keith, co-commander of the local Salvation Army, said, We have five families come in so far.

She added: We are helping with clothes and furniture. We are also collecting items to distribute to the families. We are short sheet sets, pots, pans, dishes, and silverware. We are also in need of more basic furniture: dressers, bed frames, mattresses, table and chairs, and lamps.

Outlaw-Keith said: For a donation, it can be dropped off at 603 S. Memorial Blvd in Martinsville. If it is a monetary donation, it can be mailed to 551 P.O. Box, Martinsville 24114. Please note on the check that it is for the fire.

Some staffers and members of the Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA have been doing a drive to help Greg Lieteau, who was displaced by the fire and is a member of the Y.

He swims at the YMCA every morning, said Pam Foley, aquatics coordinator at the Y.

After she learned about the fire, Foley asked Brad Kinkema, CEO/executive director of the Y, if the Y could replace Lieteaus flippers, goggles and mask. Kinkema agreed.

Then on April 14, Foley entered the following post on the Ys Facebook page seeking members and the publics assistance.

We need your help!

One of our dearest members lost all of his belongings in the apartment fire behind Patrick Henry Mall last night (April 13). If you are able to help, please call Pamela at (276) 632-6427 or email pam@martinsvilleymca.com.

Here are his sizes: shirt  XL; pants - 34/34; shoes -10 1/2

He is also in need of any type of furniture you are willing to donate. Thank you & please share this status!

After donations and promises started coming in, Foley posted the following on April 15:

As I type this, I have tears in my eyes. I am so overwhelmed at the responses I have received since posting the status yesterday about one of our members needing our assistance due to the apartment fire Wednesday night. Thank you so much to everyone that has reached out. You have no idea how much this means to me and to our dear friend, Greg. Here is a list of things people (have) promised so far: bed & mattress, dishes, pillows, pillow cases, futon, towels, wash cloths.

I saw Greg this morning (April 15) and he said the apartment he was hoping to get fell through and he is back to square one. If you know of any apartments or houses for rent, please let us know. He is very appreciative of everything that people are doing for him. He also gave us permission to use his name.

If you'd like to donate anything, you can leave it in the aquatics office at the Y and I will get it to Greg. I will make space for all of his donations until he finds a home. You can email me at pam@martinsvilleymca.com with any questions!

Foley said Monday, Now hes trying to find a place to stay before he asks for anything else. He called me today and said he may have found a place.

Everybody has been super,  has wanted to help,  has been super supportive, Foley said. I was really excited about that and the response I got.

Kinkema said having your possessions burn is devastating, but it is good to have someone be your advocate like Pam (Foley).

We all can donate a little, Kinkema said of the drive.

Becky Forestier, assistant director of the Y, said:  I think that the efforts to help Greg (are) wonderful and a perfect fit for the Y. Social responsibility is one of our three focus areas, along with youth development and healthy living, here at the Y. Helping our members in a time of need is just one way that we can demonstrate social responsibility to our community. However, its more than that -- when you join the Y, you become part of the Y Family.

Lieteau could not be reached for comment Monday.

The fire was at an apartment building in the 800 block of Madison Street at the corner of Madison and Randolph streets. No residents were injured.
The impeachment of Dilma was approved on Sunday by a united front of bourgeois parties in order to establish a government of Temer [current vice-president] and Cunha [Parliamentary speaker], with support from the PSDB (Brazilian Social Democratic Party), DEM (Democrats) and other parties.

Dilma Rousseff - Photo: Agencia BrasilThis government will be unable to stabilize the situation. Its advent has introduced into the political arena what Lula and the PT (Workers Party) leadership fear most. The masses are now convinced that this will be a government of attacks (which is true) and that they have every right to overthrow it in the streets without waiting for elections (which is also true).

The Congress of Temer, Cunha and Aecio [leaders of the main opposition party PSDB] destroyed in one day the work that Lula and the PT leadership built for thirty years: the idea that you must respect the institutions, the regularly convened fraudulent elections, the institutions through which the ruling class maintains the working class and the great mass of youth in slavery.

The political representatives of the bourgeoisie decided to throw all bourgeois legality (the framework defined by the bourgeois state for more or less peaceful coexistence between classes) into the bin, and instead threw themselves into an assault on the government.

An ultra-reactionary, unprincipled and unscrupulous pack of wolves voted in the name of God, family (mostly their own) and friends (read: their own criminal gangs), shouting in the name of the country (as reactionaries always do), and united by the murkiest private interests. They ignored the warnings of all the imperialists and overthrew the government without the least unity, legitimacy nor popularity to rule.

Imperialism alarmed

The major imperialist powers throughout the world, in the weeks previous, warned these provincial mafioso bourgeois parties against the adventure they were getting themselves into.

The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Le Monde, The Financial Times, The Economist and a slew of imperialist mouthpieces warned against this on their front pages. They warned that an impeachment carried out by a Congress where the majority is guilty, or accused of corruption, was a reckless leap in the dark. They all warned against creating an uncontrollable situation, that the impeachment advocates had no stable government to put in place of Dilma, and that in the process they were throwing a considerable part of the population into open struggle.

The local big capitalists resisted the idea of impeachment for almost a year (see statements of FIRJAN, Itau, Bradesco, Estadao, etc). But their mediocre political representatives, left to their own devices, combining unmentionable interests with lust for gold; with political and intellectual degradation; with the introduction into politics of the lower and more ignorant brains of the ruling class; these blind political representatives, frenzied by the possibility of an assault on the train which carries their wages, put tribal interests above all else. They temporarily freed themselves from the industrialists, the bankers, the speculators and the big bourgeois and, alone, struck on the path of adventure.

At a certain point the bourgeois stopped resisting, and, one by one, resigned themselves to join with their crazed representatives in the irresponsible policy of impeachment. They have joined in because, on pain of losing complete control, they could not do otherwise.

They are like someone who stops struggling temporarily, allowing themselves to be carried along by the current, waiting for a moment when they may find something to grab hold of and haul themselves out of the river. In this case, it is to avoid a revolutionary crisis and save corrupted and rotten capitalism, controlled by imperialism and its native junior partners. For now they have tied their fate to these maddened, mediocre politicians and carpet-baggers.

This alliance of the big bourgeois with the crazed interests of the Brazilian petit-bourgeois believes itself to be joining Macri in Argentina, and the opposition Leopoldo Lopez in Venezuela, in an international front for the restoration of law and order. Capitalisms need to attack the labour force, to increase labour productivity by increasing direct and indirect exploitation, sucking surplus value as a vampire sucks the blood of its victims, takes them on the path of no return. Before them lies the field of open struggle between revolution and counterrevolution.

The pitiful "socialists" who organised this circus now cry for "democracy"

Many people, the Marxist Left among them, fought against impeachment in the streets. Unfortunately, all that was heard from those who fought impeachment in Congress was:

- The defence of Dilmas personal honour (the existence of which is highly debatable in a President surrounded by a sea of corruption)

- The defence of an electoral mandate that Dilma herself, along with Lula, soiled by standing on one programme, but then carried out the opposite

- The defence of democracy, as understood as the right to rule through doing the opposite of what was promised in her election campaign

- A barrage of apolitical insults against corruption, gangsterism and the non-existent honor of their former allies who led the political farce in Congress. None of these accusations were linked to the capitalist system itself, but presented as a matter of honor and personal ambition

- Announcements of struggle in defence of rights that Temer wants to attack

Unfortunately, all those who watched the four-hour flea circus in Congress witnessed the PSDB virtually disappear from the scene, despite being the mainstay of the whole process. All the hatred of the advocates of the Dilma government was turned against their former friends and allies: the PMDB (Brazilian Democratic Movement Party), PP (Progressive Party), PSD (Social Democratic Party), etc.

The futility and betrayal behind the programmatic alliance of the PT and PCdoB (Communist Party of Brazil) with bourgeois parties (PMDB, PP, PSD, etc) was revealed early on as a programme of granting everything to the capitalists, of agreeing to the policy of imperialist plunder.

For years the majority of the PT leadership fought all those who defended class independence. They attacked as lunatics those opposing the policy of class collaboration, those who demanded that the PT should break with the capitalists, expropriate capital and act as a real workers' government. Now, after Sunday, it is clear who the lunatics were!

What brilliant leaders, those who presented the PMDB, PP, Maluf, Sarney and Collor as allies. What brilliant leaders, those who resurrected these political corpses when they had in their hands the weapons to bury them!

Throughout this dirty Sunday, Dilmas parliamentary defence raised no voices to attack capitalism and defend socialism. At best, some voices warned against attacks to come.

Legality broken by the bourgeoisie and defended by the "socialist" reformers

The irony of history is terrible, but tasty. In recent months, the apparatus of the PT and the PCdoB, along with the leaders of the CUT, the CTB, UNE and the MST (worker and peasant organisations), launched themselves with all their strength into the political arena with the farcical line: "There will not be a coup". With this they sought to defend the government and respect for the institutions. They were more royalist than the king. If the bourgeois were incapable of respecting the constitution and bourgeois legality, the socialists would show them how.

Well, the bourgeoisie ignored the example of the "socialists" and "communists" and showed, once again, that this litany of legality, respect for the institutions and democracy (even this bastardized democracy) is only necessary when you need it to control the slaves. And only the reformists believe in it.

Now that all "legality", all "democracy", all "respect" has been broken and trampled upon, now that the "Coup" has happened, how will the reformists-without-reforms respond?

We can confidently predict that Lula and the rotten leaderships of the PT and PCdoB will continue calling for legality and respect for the institutions. They will try to counter the "coup" by institutional means. Trying to convince the coup leaders that they should not carry out coups is like trying to convince monkeys that they should not eat bananas.

This will translate into a policy of diversionary maneuvers and innocuous demonstrations. The objective will be to apply pressure to reach an agreement with the putschists. Its the line of Dilma's speech, before the vote, when she stated her desire to create a national unity government with the coup leaders. Its the line of poor Lula who asked that "comrade Temer, at the end of all this, should apologize."

Ah! Dialectics!

Both Lula and Rousseff made a lot of noise against a coup, in order to save the institutions of the bourgeoisie. Now that the "coup" has been carried out, the masses throughout Brazil who do not want, and will not accept, a government of Temer / Cunha / Aecio, will feel free to fight in the streets for the overthrow of the next government. One thing has turned into its opposite. The institutional brake has become a revolutionary lever for mobilisation.

The People's Brazil Front and the People Without Fear Front (that the Marxist Left is part of) has said it does not recognise any legitimacy in any government coming out of this process, and calls for mobilisation in the streets to defeat the right wing, calling for a National Workers Assembly on May Day. The Marxist Left will do its utmost for the victory of this National Workers Assembly. In this Assembly a fight from below should begin against all the institutions, to defend the working class and youth and open the way to expropriate the expropriators.

In this struggle the main obstacle will again be Lula and his reformist followers. Only now their policy is fatally wounded. It's time to bury the class-collaborationist line and boldly raise the flag of the United Front for the immediate and historical rights and demands of the exploited and oppressed.

Henceforth, no government can enjoy stability. The crisis took a leap forward on Sunday. A new political situation has opened in Brazil. We are moving rapidly towards a revolutionary crisis.

Over the next fifteen days no-one governs. After the decision of the Senate, in which Dilma will probably be removed and Temer take over, a government of attacks will be formed. But it is a government of attacks which will be completely unable to govern without provoking a revolutionary explosion.

They do not have the firm support of international capital, which rightly fears a social explosion. The new government will serve as shock therapy against the workers. The Brazilian working class does not feel defeated, but is strong as a result of the struggles and achievements of recent decades. It is clear they no longer supported the Dilma / PT government. The working class does not want the right-wing government and will fight against its policy of increasing exploitation and oppression.

The entry onto the scene of the working class, the masses and the youth, will decide everything in the next period. Rising up against the government, congress and the judiciary, they will formulate their own demands. There will be no room for the "Lula of peace and love". Demonstrations will be completely transformed. They will be militant and combative, expressing the desire to bring down the ruling class and their representatives.

In these struggles the Marxists will be raising the demands of the workers and youth. We will be defending the revolution and socialism, defending, not the return to an alleged bourgeois democratic legality, but the struggle for socialism, a National Constituent People's Assembly, a Workers Government which brushes aside Congress, the government and the judiciary, and wipes the country clean.

For the working class to rise and take down the "putschists" and their political and economic representatives, it is necessary to raise the flags and methods of the class struggle. There is not, in Brazil today, any false struggle between "democracy" and "fascism", but the struggle between revolution and counterrevolution, between capitalism and proletarian revolution, between barbarism and socialism. The masses can only fight with the weapons of the proletarian revolution.

In the midst of a great economic crisis, the most mediocre parliamentary representatives of the bourgeois have provoked a political crisis of cyclopean proportions, opening up a new political situation. The bourgeoisie has torn away the paper on which was written "legality" and unleashed forces that Lula and the PT managed to contain for years and years. The Brazilian masses feel free to overthrow in the streets any institution of this capitalist country, subjugated by imperialism and ruled by its lackeys and native gangster partners.

Once again, it is the whip of the counterrevolution that pushes forward the revolution.
On April 7th, two Indonesian trade unionists, comrade Abdul Hakam and Agus Budiono, were sent to jail to serve their 3 month sentences for the crime of opposing the interests of capital. The former is a member of Militan Indonesia, the IMT section in Indonesia, while both are trade unionists from FSPBI-KASBI in Gresik, one of the largest industrial zones in Indonesia.

Immediately after their arrests, Militan Indonesia and the IMT launched an international solidarity campaign (read: Our comrade in Indonesia jailed: Send your message of solidarity and donation). The response to this campaign has been inspiring. Revolutionaries from all over the world quickly respond by sending solidarity messages and photos (see below for some of them). Our call to raise a solidarity fund of 1000 USD has also been taken up with a lot of enthusiasm by our supporters and readers. Our campaign managed to raise 860 USD in less than a week, with donations from more than a dozen countries: Netherlands, UK, Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, Canada, US, Brazil, and Taiwan.

The result of this campaign is a testament to the strength of proletarian internationalism. But more than anything else it also showcases the importance of building an international revolutionary organization like the International Marxist Tendency, that unites in its ranks the most self-sacrificing elements of the proletariat, capable of united action from one end of the world to the other. Internationalism should not just be lip-service but real deeds.

We would like to thank our readers and supporters for the support, moral and material, that they have provided for this campaign (see below for the list of donators). Please accept our most revolutionary gratitude, and let it be known that revolutionary Marxists in Indonesia are fighting not only for the liberation of workers from capitalism in Indonesia but also the whole world.

Militan Indonesia will keep this campaign running until comrade Hakam and Agus are freed from their shackles. But above all Militan Indonesia and the IMT will continue this fight until the whole of humanity is liberated from the shackle that is capitalism.

If you havent yet conveyed your support in this campaign of solidarity, please consider doing so. You can also support the building of a revolutionary Marxist organization in Indonesia by donating to Militan Indonesia through www.militanindonesia.org/donate.html

Donation

You can contribute to the Hakam and Agus Solidarity Fund by Credit Card (Paypal). This fund will be used to help Hakam and Aguss families, and also help with their legal expenses and other expenses. We have set ourselves a target to raise 1,000 USD.

Solidarity Message

You can send your message of solidarity to our comrade Hakam and Agus by sending an email to militanindonesia@gmail.com

Any solidarity message from trade unions, youth organizations, as well as individuals will lift the spirits of our comrades. These solidarity messages will be translated to Bahasa Indonesia and will be delivered to our comrades in jail in person.

Social Media Solidarity Campaign

You can also share your photos on social media with a written message on a placard, such as International Solidarity for Hakam and Agus, Stop Criminalization against Labour Activists; Free Hakam and Agus. Please include a hashtag of #FreeHakamAndAgus

Solidarity Fund for Hakam and Agus (As of April 16th 2016)

TS - CanadaRp2,000,000

PB - JakartaRp50,000

AT - Indonesia - Rp50,000

AR - Jakarta - Rp100,000

NN - Jakarta - Rp500,000

NBL - Sweden - Rp245,960

CS - Switzerland - Rp245,960

EW - Switzerland - Rp121,030

JB - US - Rp122,330

AN - Denmark - Rp283,400

RKS - US - Rp248,560

VD - England - Rp245,960

OW - England - Rp121,030

MB - Canada - Rp1,258,400

AS - Canada - Rp374,790

PH - Belgium - Rp121,030

CBR - Taiwan - Rp620,750

FP - Italy - Rp370,890

AJL - Netherlands - Rp620,750

ALC - Spain - Rp408,330

HP - France - Rp121,030

TK - England - Rp21,060

R - Bekasi - Indonesia - Rp200,000

NP - Indonesia - Rp200,000

Fightback Toronto - Canada - Rp143,000

IZ - Madiun - Indonesia - Rp250,000

AA - Bali - Indonesia - Rp1,000,000

CE - German - Rp121,030

GD - England - Rp245,960

DR - Canada - Rp501,020

TK - Germany - Rp308,360

RP - Belanda - Rp121,030

TOTAL

Rp11,341,660 - (USD 860)



Solidarity messages and photos from all over the world

Solidarity from IMT comrades in Canada (Fightback) at Toronto & York Labour Council

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Solidarity from IMT section in Belgium (Vonk)

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Solidarity from the IMT section in El Salvador

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Solidarity from the IMT section in the US (Workers International League), Northern California Branch

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Solidarity from the IMT section in Canada, Montreal Branch

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Solidarity from trade unionists in Belgium

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Solidarity from the Conference of Socialist Appeal, the IMT section in England

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Solidarity from our brothers and sisters in Belgium

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Solidarity from the IMT section in Canada (Fightback), Toronto Branch.

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Solidarity from Germany

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Solidarity from the Marxist students at University of Brussels, Belgium

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Solidarity from students and activists in Malang

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Solidarity from FSB-Bekasi

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MESSAGE FROM A YOUNG REVOLUTIONARY IN BELGIUM

I feel weak knowing I cannot do more than send you this e-mail as I am only 16 and have no money of my own to give towards the solidarity fund. Comrades, you are the hope, the light in this dark world. You have been jailed unjustly and those who have committed this crime will be repaid in due time, I swear this.

Red Salute, Leonard Jano, Belgium

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SOLIDARITY FROM A PUBLIC SECTOR WORKER IN BELGIUM

SOLIDARITY WITH THE JAILED UNION MEMBERS.

Vanderbeke Roland militant ACOD OVERHEIDSDIENSTEN W.VL.(Union off all public sector workers Belgium )

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SOLIDARITY FROM A REVOLUTIONARY IN COLOMBIA

Dear comrades:

I've just read about comrades Hakam and Agus in jail. I understand this situation because here in Colombia when a worker studies hard and promotes discussion and debate to increase the level of the proletarians they are put in jail or killed. Here in Colombia we don't know very much about Indonesia, but we have a few things in common. Mostly the kind of things that makes all the workers of the world brothers and sisters and we also understand that a worker can be put in jail or killed because he or she is a communist or a union leader.

From here all our solidarity and we hope to see comrades Hakam and Agus free soon so we can join forces in the fight against capitalism.

Hasta la victoria siempre.

Viviremos y venceremos,

Jonathan Fortich

Bogota - Colombia

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SOLIDARITY FROM A YOUNG REVOLUTIONARY IN THE NETHERLANDS

Dear comrade,

I really wanted to write you this message to tell you how much of an inspiration you are to me (and I know for sure many others). Your courage and determination is exceptional. Just know, you are not alone. Comrades from all around the world are showing their solidarity to you, and so am I from the Netherlands. I am truly sorry for what they did to you, I wish you, and your family and friends the best. Try to look at it as a confirmation of how dangerous your acts are to the capitalists. You are having an huge influence and thats one of the greatest achievements you can have.

I wish you lots of love and support Abdul Hakam!

Comradely,

Lubna Badi

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SOLIDARITY FROM THE COMMUNIST TENDENCY IN GREECE

Dear comrades

Your heroic struggle is a real inspiration for the comrades in Greece. The ruling class is on the offensive everywhere. Cuts and attacks on living standards are ruthlessly being carried out all over the world. The bourgeoisie is terrified of the prospect of these attacks leading to a revolutionary movement, and this is why they need to attack the militants of the working class, try to terrify the workers and make an example of those who raise their heads against the bosses. It is true, you are an example, a heroic example of proletarian fighters. We are immensely proud to be your comrades.

We join our voices with thousands around the world:

Free Hakam and Agus!

Stop the Criminalization of Labour Activists

Long live the Indonesian proletariat!

The EC of the Communist Tendency

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SOLIDARITY FROM THE TEACHER UNION IN BELGIUM

Dear,

As president of the diversity council of the teacher union Acod /ABVV (Brussels Flanders, Belgium) I am against the criminalization of the Labour Activists Hakam and Agus. Liberation and Freedom for both of them.

Greatings,

Pol De Grave

President

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SOLIDARITY FROM US SECTION OF THE IMT (NEW YORK CITY BRANCH)

Hi comrades of Militan Indonesia,

We in the NYC2 Branch of the US section stand in permanent solidarity with the comrades and workers of Indonesia. We admire and aspire to your diligent trade union work and unwavering tenacity. We join them in the thunderous demand of releasing comrades Abdul Hakam and Agus Budiono without charge. Down with the capitalist state and forward to world socialism!

Please see a picture of us standing in solidarity with you attached.

Thanks!

Comradely,

Parson

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MESSAGE FROM ALAN WOODS, EDITOR OF IN DEFENCE OF MARXISM (WWW.MARXIST.COM)

Dear comrades Hakam and Agus,

From faraway London I send my heartfelt greetings and solidarity to your prison cell. You are the victims of an unjust and barbarous law that is designed to defend the interests of the rich and privileged parasites against the men and women whose labour is the source of all wealth and civilized life.

Your fight for workers rights is an inspiration to workers everywhere. You must know that you are not alone. Workers and all right-thinking people everywhere stand with you in your struggle for justice against slavery. We are with you even now in your prison cell. We will always be at your side to the end.

No repressive measures of the ruling class can break our revolutionary spirit. Remember the words of the poet:

Stone walls do not a prison make,

Nor iron bars a cage.

The thoughts of men and women can rise above the prison walls. Our aspirations for freedom fly far higher than even the highest walls. Our revolutionary spirit is stronger than any chains. It is as invincible as the power of the class we come from and whose emancipation is our final goal. No power on earth can defeat the working class once it moves to change society.

Courage, dear comrades! The tyrants shall not prevail. Our day will come. We will continue the revolutionary struggle until the hour of victory strikes.

Long live the heroic Indonesian proletariat!

Workers of the world unite!

With warmest comradely greetings,

Alan Woods

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SOLIDARITY FROM THE IMT IN ITALY

Dear comrades,

I am a militant of the IMT from Italy. Tonight I read your story of abuse by the institutions in your country.

Here in Italy, although most people are uncomfortable with the fact, it is well known that the low prices of many products are owed to the exploitation of workers in South-east Asian countries: this information is very well known even outside the strictly militant milieu.

I admire the courage you are showing in the face of such oppression, and I very much appreciate your effort to keep increasing your political level even during this difficult period of isolation.

I will keep reading news about you from our international webtsite of the IMT, and I hope to read good news about your situation soon. In the meanwhile Im supporting you through socials and by informing people in my university and among my friends about your righteous struggle.

Militant greetings from Italy from my mate and me,

Francesca Parlati

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SOLIDARITY MESSAGE FROM NETHERLAND

I read the article from this link

And while I had never heard of Hakam or Agus before I read that article I do feel as a minimum wage worker from the Netherlands that I have enough of a connection to donate what I can spare.

I hope that they will stay strong and defiant while incarcerated and that the IMT comrades will do their utmost to help them and their families.

When my next paycheck comes in I will donate more.

Greetings,

[Anonymous]

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SOLIARITY FROM A STUDENT UNION IN BRAZIL

Mocao de solidariedade aos camaradas Hakam e Agus, dirigentes sindicais e militantes da secao da CMI na Indonesia

Nos, UNIAO JOINVILENSE DOS ESTUDANTES SECUNDARISTAS, vimos por meio desta prestar nossa profunda e irrestrita solidariedade de classe aos camaradas Abdul Hakam, membro da Militan Indonesia, secao da CMI na Indonesia, e Agus Budiono, que foram condenados a pena de tres meses de prisao por sua atividade sindical.

A lei que os condenou e uma lei infame e nos denunciaremos este crime antissindical e a atitude do sistema judiciario da Indonesia e seu governo para todo o movimento operario e em todos os lugares possiveis.

Recebam nossa sincera solidariedade mostrando que seus combates nao sao em vao, nao somente para a classe trabalhadora na Indonesia, para o conjunto dos trabalhadores em todo o mundo.

Trabalhadores do mundo, uni-vos!

Contra a criminalizacao das lutas sociais!

Abaixo ao capitalismo e os ataques a classe trabalhadora!

Liberdade para Hakam e Agu!

Solidariedade Internacional a Hakam e Agu!

#FreeHakamAndAgus

Joinville, 14 de Abril de 2016

Uniao Joinvilense dos Estudantes Secundaristas  UJES

Pamela Heerdt  Presidente da UJES

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SOLIDARITY MESSAGE FROM SOCIALIST FIGHT

The Socialist Fight Group and the Liaison Committee for the Fourth International sends our solidarity to the campaign Fight the Criminalization of Workers! Free Abdul Hakam and Agus Budiono. We recognise the great courageous struggle of comrades for basic workers' rights and revolutionary socialism in semi-colonial countries like Indonesia, super exploited by the global finance capital and transnational corporations located in Wall Street and the City of London, Paris, Hamburg and Tokyo and by the Indonesian bourgeoisie, who are the supine agents of that imperialism.

Our warmest revolutionary greetings to these two comrades. We are confident that the Indonesian and global working class will secure their release and they will take their place as the heroes of the class struggle that they are.

Comradely Gerry Downing, for Socialist Fight and the LCFI

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SOLIDARITY FROM IMT GERMANY

Comrades Hakam and Agus,

I'd like to express my solidarity with you. It's a shame that you were imprisoned for being active trade unionists and Marxists. It should be a universal right to fight for a better society, better working conditions and human rights. No country should have laws that punish political and social commitment. That's why I demand your immediate release from prison.

Keep on fighting, comrades! Red salute!

In solidarity,

Tony Kofoet (Member of the IMT Germany, Der Funke)
A father and his daughter take part in the riddle-guessing contest at a KFC outlet in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province, during this year's Lantern Festival. [Photo/China Daily]

A consortium backed by sovereign fund China Investment Corp has expressed interest in buying a majority stake in Yum Brands Inc's China business, which runs more than 7,100 KFC and Pizza Hut eateries across the country, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

KKR & Co, a firm reported to be in the consortium, said in an e-mail to China Daily that it was "unable to comment on market speculation".

The investor group, which also includes Baring Private Equity Asia, is conducting due diligence on the unit, the report said. A deal could value Yum China at $7 billion to $8 billion, Bloomberg quoted unnamed sources as saying.

Yum told China Daily: "We continue to make good progress since we announced the transaction separating Yum and Yum China into two powerful, independent, focused growth companies. We will provide updates on the transaction at appropriate times and we won't comment on rumors or speculation."

A majority purchase by the CIC consortium would give a domestic entity control of a leading fast-food chain in the Chinese market for the first time. Such a deal would also provide the Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum with cash that could be used to fund a dividend and its planned share buyback, as well as help reduce exposure to a business with shrinking market share.

The China-backed investor group is interested in buying as much as 100 percent of Yum China. Yum is considering all options, though it may still decide to pursue the sale of a minority stake or proceed with a previously announced tax-free spinoff of the business, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The company isn't currently running a formal sale process.

Jason Yu, general manager of Kantar Worldpanel China, said for CIC, it can benefit from the scale and presence of Yum in China to extract more value by reviewing the costs and identify key value drivers or restructuring the business. This will deliver longer-term return for the sovereign wealth fund, Yu said.

"I believe they can still extract value from a troubled business unit. If they can help them reset the business strategy, focus and portfolio, they can benefit from the recovery."

He said Yum can gain from the financial resources provided by CIC and other private equity companies to upgrade their stores and innovate their offers as well as expand their portfolios to more cities in China.

"The cash support will provide much needed resources while they don't have compromise on short-term investor pressure," said Yu.

Yum bowed to activist-investor pressure in October and agreed to separate its China business from its US operations. Hedge fund manager Keith Meister, a protege of billionaire Carl Icahn, said Yum's Asian market could be better served with a more focused business.

China accounted for about 53 percent of Yum's revenue last year, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Yum's China division contributed 57 percent of the company's overall revenue and 54 percent of its operating profit in the latest quarter.

Despite its leading position, Yum has seen its market share continuously drop from 39.8 percent in 2012 to 32.7 in 2013, 28.3 in 2014 and 23.9 percent in 2015.

The second-largest fast-food chain in China, McDonald's Corp, has seen its shares decline from 14.9 percent in 2012 to 13.8 percent in 2015. Ting Hsin International Group is in the third place, according to Euromonitor International.

Last month, McDonald's China announced it was on the lookout for strategic investment partners in the mainland to help it open another 1,000 restaurants by 2020. The Chinese mainland is the company's third-largest market after the United States and Japan.
BOSTON - Seeking to highlight General Electric relocating its world headquarters to Boston while needing to still clean up the Housatonic River, Stockbridge's Denny Alsop on Wednesday finished a canoe trip that spanned 250 miles and 10 rivers, from Sheffield to the bank of the Charles River.

"I'm here because I love my river," Alsop said after climbing out of the white pine-tree canoe. "The water looks better, but it's still poison."

Alsop, 69, was greeted by a number of third graders from Muddy Brook Elementary School in Great Barrington, and activists with Environment Massachusetts, the Housatonic River Initiative, the Housatonic Environmental Action League and the Charles River Watershed Association.

The trip, similar to one he took in 1988 to promote the cause of clean rivers, took about four weeks. Alsop said he was prompted to embark on the trip by GE choosing to relocate its headquarters to Boston from Connecticut.

Alsop said more than half the route - which included the Housatonic, the Connecticut, the Blackstone and the Charles Rivers - was upstream.

"I was pulling against the current," Alsop said. "But I like to pull against the current, because it reminds me that actually trying to get a corporation the size of GE to clean up its mess is actually working against the current as well."

GE, which left behind toxins known as PCBs when it once had facilities in Pittsfield, has cleaned up part of the river, and has been fighting with the federal Environmental Protection Agency over how exactly to handle the rest of the river.

"You know, we have a certain perspective on how we think it should be done, and we plan to stand up for what we think is right," GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt told reporters at a company event in Boston earlier this month.

"We've done more dredging than any other company on earth, I'd have to say," he said, in reference to the Housatonic as well as the Hudson River cleanup the company has undertaken in New York.

"That's probably true," said Tim Gray, executive director of the Housatonic River Initaitive, who lives 200 feet from the River in Lee.

"It's because they've polluted more rivers in the world to dredge," he said. "So they got themselves into this."

David Lurie, a GE spokesman, said the company is still dedicated to the cleanup of the Housatonic in a way that protects human health as well as the "unique" ecosystem.

"It is not a matter of if GE will undertake a cleanup, but a matter of how it will be done," he said in an email. "In fact, GE has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the remediation of the River, GE's former Pittsfield facility, and surrounding areas."

Gov. Charlie Baker, who worked with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to bring GE's headquarters to Massachusetts, has said the company's move and the cleanup of the River are considered separate issues.

The Baker administration is committed to the cleanup and restoration of the river, a spokeswoman said in a statement to MassLive.com earlier this year.

Alsop had under his jacket a letter to Immelt from Tad Ames, president of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, asking Immelt to finish off the cleanup. Alsop said he planned to deliver the letter to GE offices in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood.

"These are the best engineers in the world," Gray said. "They can do it."

This post was updated at 3:55 p.m. with a comment from GE.
SPRINGFIELD -- Springfield-based economic development project Wellspring Collaborative plans to soon build a hydroponic greenhouse that would provide produce for area hospitals, grocery stores and school districts.

The burgeoning company, named Wellspring Harvest, will grow lettuce, greens and herbs year-round in the quarter-acre hydroponic greenhouse as soon as this fall, organization co-director Fred Rose said.

Baystate Health, Springfield Public Schools and Big Y supermarkets have committed to purchasing produce from Wellspring once it's up and running. Those stakeholders came together at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield Wednesday morning to talk about the project's progress.

"We gotta buy it anyway, so we might as well buy it local and buy it in a way that improves our community," said Frank Robinson, Baystate's vice president of community relations and public health.

Worcester Public Schools, River Valley Co-op in Northampton, Franklin Community Co-op, Squash Trucking of Belchertown and Friends of the Homeless in Springfield have also signed on as Wellspring Harvest purchasing partners.

Wellspring's goal is to create a network of worker-owned companies that will provide jobs for low-income Springfield residents, while simultaneously meeting purchasing needs of the region's largest buyers of goods and services -- mostly hospitals, colleges and universities.

The organization's five-year goal is to create more than 100 jobs through 10 worker-owned companies. Wellspring has a number of businesses in development, including a window workshop in Springfield, a laundromat in Greenfield and a landscaping and snow removal crew.

As with Wellspring's upholstery business -- which began two years ago and has six employees -- the greenhouse will be worker-owned. Employees who stay with the business for a year would be able to buy a share of the company.

Wellspring hasn't officially clinched a site for its greenhouse, but it's close; the organization signed a preferred developer agreement with the Springfield redevelopment Authority for 1.7 acres at the former location of Chapman Valve at 121 Pinevail St. The authority has asked Wellspring for an updated business plan that shows the greenhouse will be financially viable.

The greenhouse has been in the making for about five years. Kawano, Wellspring co-director, said Wellspring has looked seriously at two sites for the project.

"We feel like we've broken the log jam," Kawano said. "It's been a long road, and we've been down a number of dead ends, but things are finally moving very fast."

The greenhouse project will cost $900,000 overall, Rose said. The Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF) of Brookline has donated $200,000 to the cause, and Wellspring is seeking another $200,000 from private investors who are asked to give a minimum of $1,000 over five years.

Ideally, the greenhouse workers will be from Springfield's struggling neighborhoods, Kawano said, where entry-level jobs are most scarce. The greenhouse would start off with five employees.

Rose said Wellspring's produce will be chemical and pesticide free -- like organic, but without the organic price that comes with certification, he explained. Hydroponics use 10 percent of the water and 15 percent of the nutrients used in conventional agricultural, the organization said, and can yield 10 times the produce. The practice also eliminates the risk of soil contamination.

Wellspring and cooperatives like it are an increasingly popular way to develop business in communities hard hit by economic recession. According to Wellspring's research, less than 10 percent of the estimated $1.5 billion that local anchor institutions spend on goods and services goes to Springfield businesses.

Baystate has reviewed its various hospitals' menus to increase potential use of Wellspring's fruits and veggies, according to Matt Perpetua, Baystate Health's manager of supply chain and commissary operations.

In 2009, Baystate signed the Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge with the international coalition Health Care Without Harm. The pledge stipulates that participating institutions purchase 20 percent of their food locally by year 2020. Wellspring's greenhouse will help the hospital group achieve that, said Nancy Robinson, director of patient and guest services for Baystate.

Big Y supermarkets, founded in Springfield 80 years ago, says it will also buy produce from Wellspring. One of the company's marketing strategies is to find farms that resonate with customers on a hyper-local level, said Sean Stolanic, Big Y's locally grown sales manager.

"This is a good opportunity to see that the produce is from their own town," Stolanic said of Big Y's Springfield residents.

Springfield Public Schools, which has committed to buying Wellspring produce for its cafeteria meals, donated a small startup grant to get the greenhouse project started.

"The district is committed to providing fresh fruits and vegetables in all its food programs," said Timothy Gray, food service manager for the schools. "For the first time, we'll be able to serve local produce on a year-round basis."

Those interested in supporting the project can visit http://www.wellspring.coop or email wellspringharvestcoop@gmail.com.
Steve Solomon

Steve Solomon stars in "Cannoli, Latkes & Guilt" at CityStage in Springfield on April 28

(Howie Grapek photo)

If you enjoyed seeing "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Home for the Holidays" at CityStage a number of years ago, then its creator, comedian Steve Solomon, says his new show, "Cannoli, Latkes & Guilt," is a "don't miss."

The new show, which comes to CityStage in downtown Springfield on April 28 for three nights, follows on the heels of his other touring shows - "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy," its sequel "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish, & I'm Still in Therapy," and its sequel "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Home for the Holidays." His inaugural show on Broadway met with rave reviews and sold out crowds, not only in New York, but on tours throughout the country.

A native of Brooklyn, Solomon grew up in the multi-ethnic neighborhood of Sheepshead Bay, what he calls "the perfect training ground for a dialectician and comedian." Using his humor and dialects - which he infuses into some 30 characters in his plays - Solomon became the real life version of Gabe Kaplan's "Welcome Back Kotter" television sitcom. He eventually became a physics teacher and later a school administrator on Long Island. He left his academic career behind and turned his attention to his talent of making people laugh, going on to create his award-winning one-man shows.

Solomon took time recently between his busy touring schedule to answer questions about his new show.

In what ways is "Cannoli, Latkes & Guilt" similar/different from the others?

It's the same in the way that the characters are the same and come into play again, because the audience loves so many of my family members. The difference is that all the action takes place in my parents' attic, where they are getting ready to move from Brooklyn to their retirement home in South Florida. You can hear the movers on the phone with my parents, and me telling the audience what is going on, all about my parents and family, and how we got to this point in their lives with their new adventure. It's a real belly laugh.

How did you come up with a different name - "Cannoli, Latkes, and Guilt" - for the show?

There is comedy in us coming together around the holidays. My cool Jewish grandmother would make latkes and my mother would go around with cannoli and some family members would say, 'you're not supposed to have cannoli,' and that was the guilt part of the title.

How did you develop the idea around the move to Florida and all the activity surrounding it?

My shows are based on my family and real life and my parents spending 50 years of their lives in Brooklyn. I went to their home to make sure everything was going alright during the move. While going through the attic, I realized that my mother kept everything from my high school t-shirt to the wedding album from my first marriage. And, spoiler alert. At the beginning of the show, my father announces to the movers to be 'careful with Aunt Bertha' whose ashes are in an urn. Then, you hear this big crash in the middle of the show and chaos ensues. So, it's all quite real.

Up until this new show, you've said "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Home for the Holidays" was your favorite. Why?

The holiday show really gave me a chance to expand on the characters and to introduce new ones. It also allowed me to explore some new concepts and to put some sad moments into the show, while talking very heartfelt about my dad. I'm in an airport, trying to get home for the holidays in time and am supposed to pick up a cake along the way. My parents call me on my cellphone to see where I am and there are hearing aide problems and announcements in the airport going on in the background. It's a real belly laugh like the new show.



How much of your shows are actually based on real life, and does your family mind being portrayed for all to see and laugh at?

They are all based on real life, of course, it's all a bit exaggerated. I always joke that my family took me to court to have my artistic license revoked. They were all there for opening night of my first play and the Italian news network wanted to interview my mom about all the teasing I was giving her in the play. Her answer was, and I'll translate it from the Italian - 'He's making money making fun of me and I love it." However, my daughter, who was 17 at the time, asked me to take one of my jokes out about her being spoiled and my answering 'she's supposed to smell like that.'

What was the hardest thing about leaving teaching behind and venturing into new territory as an actor, writer and comedian?

At the end I had become assistant superintendent of schools in Nassau County. I loved teaching the kids, but everything went south when I became an administrator. I didn't like the politics, the bureaucracy, and most of them didn't like me. I had an epiphany one morning waking up to remember to words of my mother: 'Follow my heart and my dreams.' And, that's what I did.
parmalee

The country music group Parmalee.

(File Photo)

Country band Parmalee has canceled it performance in Springfield. The band was scheduled to perform at the MassMutual Center on Thursday evening.

Parmalee is a country rock band out of North Carolina featuring brothers Matt and Scott Thomas, cousin Barry Knox and longtime friend Josh McSwain. The band was nominated for New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards recently but lost out to Old Dominion.

The information about the show has been removed from the MassMutual Center website and no information was made available through the band's web site or social media pages.

A note on the Ticketmaster website suggests the show was canceled due to a scheduling conflict. The band's next scheduled date is April 22 in Wantagh, NY.
Meghan Trainor

Meghan Trainor

(AP photo)

Meghan Trainor has announced plans for "The Untouchable Tour" and has included dates in Connecticut and Boston.

Trainor will bring the tour to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on Sept 22 at 7 p.m. and the Blue Hill Bank Pavilion in Boston on Sept. 24.

Trainor made the announcement of the tour on Wednesday morning on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Her latest release "Thank You" comes out on Epic Records on May 13.

Tickets for the show Mohegan Sun show are available beginning Friday, April 29 at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets and locations including ticketmaster.com and by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Tickets are priced between $59 and $39.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday inspected the Central Military Commission (CMC) joint battle command center, calling for building a joint battle command system with Chinese characteristics.

Xi on Wednesday morning visited the center, where he serves as the Commander in Chief, calling for implementing the military strategies under the new situations and focusing on the key functions of studying on fighting wars and commanding battles.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and CMC chairman, also asked officers to change their ideas, innovate and tackle difficulties, in a bid to build a joint battle command system that was "absolutely loyal, resourceful in fighting, efficient in commanding and courageous and capable of winning wars."

The strategic and operational command system should be efficient and active in both peace and war, Xi added.
A black rhino has been killed by poachers in Kenya's Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy, East Africa's largest black rhino sanctuary.

Ol Pejeta CEO, Richard Vigne, told Xinhua by phone that the seven-year-old rhino was shot dead on Friday night and her horn was hacked off.

"The black rhino was killed by poachers who sneaked into the conservancy on Friday night. Attempts by rangers to pursue them were in vain since it was dark but we have launched investigations into the incident," Vigne said.

He decried an increase in poaching at the conservancy, saying Ol Pejeta had lost five black rhinos in the past six months.

The population of Black rhinos in Africa has been decimated from approximately 100,000 to around 2,500 as a result of poaching in the 1970s and 80s.

Ol-Pejeta has built up its black rhino population from 20 in the 1990s to over 102 today, according to Vigne.

The 90,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy boasts a wide array of wildlife, including the endangered black and white rhinos, elephants, leopards, lions and chimpanzees.

Since late 2009, it has also been home to four of the last seven Northern White Rhinos left in the world.
 Flash

The number of Chinese tourists in Egypt is growing steadily and rapidly, Samy Mahmoud, head of Egypt's General Authority for Tourism Promotion told Xinhua.

"In 2014 we had almost 64,000 Chinese tourists, but by the end of 2015 we had over 125,000 visitors from China," Mahmoud said in an interview with Xinhua.

The official expected that the number will rise to 200,000 in 2016 as almost 15 regular and charter flights come to Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada per week.

Mahmoud revealed that his authority contacted the Chinese ambassador to Cairo and asked him to work on allowing Chinese airlines work in Egypt, adding "it will be a great chance to the Chinese airlines to work in the Egyptian market."

He said that most of Chinese tourists go to classic areas such as the Giza pyramids, the Egyptian Museum and Upper Egypt's ancient temples.

The official said there are many travel agencies in Egypt working with the Chinese tourism operators, adding there are many offers for Chinese tourists, especially after the charter flights started.

"I can say that one week costs around 700 U.S. dollars, and I think such a price is good for Chinese people," he said.

Tourism in Egypt was dealt a heavy blow following the Russian airplane crash in North Sinai in October, after which several countries, including Britain and Russia, suspended their flights to Egypt.

The North African country is striving to revive the ailing tourism industry. However, anti-government terror attacks by Islamist militants have led many countries to warn their residents of traveling to Egypt.

Since the 2011 uprising that toppled former long-time leader Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has descended into political, economic and social chaos, causing recession to its tourism industry, one of the main sources of the country's national income and foreign currency reserves.

Meanwhile, the official said the visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping to Egypt in general and to Luxor in particular "sent a positive message to our friends in China," he said.

"Egypt is safe and everything is under control. This encourages chinese to visit Egypt," the official added.

He also expected that tourism will partly recover as of October this year and the industry will revive again by 2017.

Mahmoud said the government is working hard these days to breathe life into the ailing tourism industry through promotional campaigns inside and outside Egypt.

"We have launched a campaign to promote tourism in 14 European and Arab countries," he said, adding "we have also commenced an initiative to promote domestic tourism."

He revealed that the Arab market is very promising as the number of Arab tourists in Egypt has increased in January and February this year.

"There is a 45 percent increase compared to the same period last year," he indicated.

Although many European countries stopped tourist flocks into Egypt recently, he said, there are some European countries that have started sending tourists to Egypt.

"The numbers of tourists from Ukraine and Poland are convincing good so far. We have also started to attract tourists from India and Japan," Mahmoud said.

The peak of tourism in Egypt was in 2010, he stated, as 14.7 million tourists visited the county, providing revenues of nearly $12.5 billion.

"But after the revolutions in 2011 and 2013, numbers of tourists have started to reduce. By the end of 2015, the number of tourists stood at 12.2 millions providing around 6.2 billion U.S. dollars," he said.

As part of reviving and maintaining the tourism industry in the country, Mahmoud believes that sources of tourism should be diversified.

"We have relied for a long period of time on four or five markets that brought about 70 to 75 percent of tourists. But after the crash of the Russian airplane, most of these countries banned their citizens from visiting Egypt, causing huge losses to us," he explained.

He said his target this year is to attract nine million tourists, adding the government's target plan is to attract 20 million tourists by 2020.

"I expect the revenues in 2020 will be around 25 billion U.S. dollars. I hope that the current good security situation in the tourist areas would be a message that Egypt is safe," he said.

"My message to everyone is that Egyptian airports are well secured, tourist areas are highly safe," he concluded.
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Chinese visitors to New Zealand will soon find travel easier with a raft of new visa initiatives, Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said Tuesday.

The introduction of "e-visas" enabled Chinese nationals to now apply online, and a Chinese logon service, allowing a complete online Chinese language application process, from registration to approval, said Woodhouse.

Later this year applicants would also be able to pay for online visa applications using China UnionPay debit and credit cards.

"China is New Zealand's second-largest and fastest growing tourist market," Woodhouse said in a statement.

"Last year, over 355,000 Chinese citizens visited New Zealand and contributed over 1.6 billion NZ dollars (1.12 billion U.S. dollars) to our economy," said Woodhouse.

"The government has been looking at ways to make it easier for Chinese travellers to visit New Zealand and ensure they have a positive experience when they come to our country," he said.

"These measures deliver on that by providing an easy, streamlined visa application and approval process for Chinese nationals."

Other changes already in place to make travel to New Zealand easier for Chinese visitors included doubling the length of the multiple-entry visa to two years and introducing a three-year multiple entry business visa.
Le Board of Racing Stewards du MTC Sports and Leisure Limited, compose de S. de Chalain (Chair), J. Keevy, P. Kalleechurn et A. Rousset, a rendu public le Racing Stewards Report de la sixieme journee hippique de 2021.

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African leaders and policymakers have called for strategies to harness the potential of the blue economy to achieve sustainable development. The call came at a high-level conference hosted by the Government of Mozambique on 18 and 19 November in the City of Vilanculos. The theme was Investing in Ocean Health is Securing the Planets Future.

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi hosted the event, attended by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ministers from other countries and leading policymakers from Africa. African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina delivered a virtual message during the opening ceremony, highlighting the potential of blue economy initiatives. The continent has maritime zones that stretch 13 million square kilometers, encompassing territorial seas and continental shelves that also stretch up to 6.5 million kilometers. And 38 African countries are coastal, he said.

Adesina said there was an urgent need to revive the livelihoods of fishing communities. This can be achieved by governments and the private sector prioritizing enabling policies, and providing access to modern fishing fleets, cold storage and processing facilities, and investing in infrastructure and climate advisory services to support climate-smart fishing practices.

Leila Mokaddem, the Director General for the Banks Southern Africa Region, represented President Adesina in person at the event. She said the Bank would continue to help Mozambique unlock its blue economy potential in the post-pandemic era by supporting regional approaches to coastal resilience and transboundary fisheries management in the Mozambique Channel and Indian Ocean region through the Southern African Development Community Secretariat.

Mozambique has the third-longest coastline in Africa, with enormous coastal resources that contribute significantly to the economy, including marine parks that provide social and economic benefits for about half the population.

Mokaddem, who led the African Development Bank delegation at the conference, said the Bank was also co-financing one of the largest private sector investments, worth over $5 billion, in regional infrastructure development, through the construction of a rail corridor and the deep water Nacala port to facilitate maritime trade and market access.

The Bank team, which included Cesar Augusto Mba Abogo, Country Manager for Mozambique, reinforced the Banks commitment to building resilience against climate disasters in Mozambique, one of the 10 countries in the world most vulnerable to climate change. Within this scope, Mokaddem held bilateral meetings with the Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Augusta Maita, to discuss strategic cooperation to develop the blue economy.

Mozambique Minister of Economy and Finance, Adriano Maleiane, acknowledged the Banks role in Mozambique: The African Development Bank is one of the principal strategic partners of Mozambique in the development of infrastructure projects and in the context of the development of blue economy initiatives.

The Minister hosted a high-level dialogue with Mokaddem and Bank staff on development projects in northern Mozambique, the transformation of the agriculture sector, the revision process of the 20-year economic development strategy and macroeconomic stability issues. Mokaddem also met with businesswomen to discuss their challenges and opportunities, and how to generate an economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

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